Andrew Q. Gordon

Category: Guest

  • An Interview With Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin—Authors of “In the Distance”

    Today I get to welcome back the duo of Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin. They agreed to let me interview and talk about their newest release, In the Distance. So with that, let’s get started:

    Welcome Nikka and Eileen. You’ve been guests before, but remind folks who you are.

    Eileen: Hi Andrew! Thanks so much for having us on your blog today! Most people probably don’t know this, but I was lucky enough to meet you at GRL last year. Hearing about your adorable daughter and stealing a dance from you at the party on the last night was an absolute highlight for me J For those who don’t know me, I’m Eileen Griffin and have been writing M/M romance for about two years now. I live in Texas, but I’m happiest when I’m traveling abroad.

    Nikka: Hi Andrew! Thanks again for having us on your blog. I haven’t been as lucky as my lovely co-writer Eileen in meeting you in person yet, but hopefully one day! I’ve been writing romance, both solo and co-writing with Eileen for almost two years. I live in weird and wonderful Oregon.

    Many of us have written with a co-author for a book or two, but you both are a writing team. Can you tell us a bit how that works?

    Eileen: Nikka and I have both written individual works (Nik more so than I have), but we love plotting, outlining, and writing longer stories together. Writing is such a solitary endeavor that it’s comforting to have someone with you throughout the process who shares your ups and downs, your frustrations and triumphs, and who loves your characters as much as you do. As far as how we work together: we both work on the outline by chatting online while we’re outlining since we live in different states, then we typically alternate writing different chapters/characters.

    Nikka: There’s something immensely satisfying writing solo but I really love writing as a team. Eileen is definitely the organizational backbone of our duo and is the master plotter and outliner. She keeps us both on track when we start writing and without her outlines I’d be adrift. I agree with her about co-writing keeping us sane. We love the worlds we’ve created and getting the chance to work with her on a daily basis is an honor.

    How many books have you written together? Which was the first?

    Eileen: Altogether, we’ve co-written five books with Chasing Matt as our first work as a writing duo.

    Okay, let’s talk In the Distance. What’s it about?

    In the Distance is about two guys, Tyler and Trevor, who are introduced in Book Two of our In the Kitchen Series, In the Fire. Book Two focuses on Tyler being taken under Ethan’s wing (a head chef and one of the MCs in the first two books) after being kicked out of his parents’ house and forced to live on the streets. Trevor, on the opposite end of the spectrum, comes from old money and a good family but almost loses his friendship with Jamie (the other MC of Books One and Two) when he tries to sabotage Jamie’s and Ethan’s relationship. Tyler and Trevor get thrown together in In the Distance and have to navigate the waters of their two completely different worlds and family lives as they discover and act on the growing attraction between them.

    Who are the main characters?

    Tyler Mitchell: a twenty-year old from Seattle who was homeless and on the streets before Ethan took him under his wing and gave him a job at his restaurant. He’s currently a student at the Culinary Institute of Seattle.

    Trevor Pratt: a thirty year-old from New York, Jamie’s best friend, and a total player in the singles scene because he’s anti-commitment after almost losing his best friend (and one-sided love interest for eight years). Trevor is an entertainment manager who doesn’t need to work, hence his lovely nickname of “Trustfund”, but loves what he does and takes pride in doing the best job he can do for his clients.

    What part of the book was the most fun to write and why?

    Eileen: Nik and I have different answers for this one. My favorite part to write was toward the end of the book when Trevor has to work to earn back Tyler’s trust. There’s a scene where Tyler is working at a community garden and Trevor surprises him there. The truth is Trevor screws up royally in Book Two, In the Fire, and a lot of readers didn’t like him. However, Nikka and I saw beneath his spoiled exterior. For years, Trevor just wanted to find the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. He thought he had found that with Jamie, but Jamie’s heart had always belonged to Ethan. In this garden scene, I wanted to give the readers a view of Trevor’s softer, more vulnerable side, and allow them to see that he wasn’t such a bad guy, after all.

    Nikka: My favorite scene was the confrontation between a highly inebriated Trevor and Ethan from In the Raw and In the Fire. I can hear Eileen laughing as she knows that I was relishing writing this scene even before we began the first chapter. These two have a history and they both care about Tyler in different ways, so watching them face off was glorious.

    What part made you struggle the most?

    Eileen: I think I speak for both of us when I say the hardest scene to write/get through was when Tyler sees his parents again after two long years. We wrote things a parent should never say to their child (or anyone, for that matter) and we had to take breaks while writing it because our hearts were breaking with each word we typed.

    Nikka: I second that. Tyler isn’t a child anymore, but no one should have to deal with the type of abandonment and verbal abuse that his parents heaped on him. Love is love, in all its forms and parents have a responsibility to love their kids for all that makes them unique.

    Tell us something interesting that is not in the blurb?

    Both men grow up emotionally in this story, but Tyler also gains an inner strength he didn’t know he had. After being abandoned by his parents, Tyler is terrified of disappointing his friends and bosses. I think we’re all a little bit like Tyler when we’re young. Sometimes others want for us isn’t always what we want for ourselves, and yet we put our dreams on the back burner for fear of hurting the ones we love with what we (stupidly) think are selfish whims.

    Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?

    Eileen: Together, we’ve already outlined and started writing the second book in our Cooper Mountain Series, and we’re working on the outline for Book Four of the In the Kitchen Series. Individually, I’m working on a solo piece that is more RomCom-ish than angsty.

    Nikka: In addition to the co-written books Eileen mentioned, I’m working on a short story featuring a pastry chef reunited with his old flame.

    What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?

    Eileen: Ooooh! I have soooo many favorites in the M/M genre! The THRDS Series by Charlie Cochet and the Whyborne and Griffin Series by Jordan Hawk are two of my all-time favorite series, but I’d also have to recommend the Don’t Series by Jack Pyke. Fair warning, they’re dark and gritty and difficult to read at times, but they’re beyond fantastic 🙂

    Nikka Michaels: If you’re a fan of space operas and speculative fiction, the Chaos Station series by fellow Carina Press writing duo Kelly Jensen and Jenn Burke is awesome. Chaos Station and Lonely Shore are out now with three more titles to come and I cannot wait.

    If you could meet any writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

    Eileen: Wow. That’s a hard one. I’d have to say William Shakespeare. There’s so much controversy surrounding who he really was, where was he during those missing years between when he left Stratford and when he arrived on the scene in London, and whether he was he some fictitious entity created by a nobleman to cover up the indecency of someone of noble birth writing dramas. Plus, the crowd he supposedly hung out with was a wild one, so I’m sure we’d have a pretty damn good time in the tavern while we talked. 🙂

    Nikka Michaels: I’d meet my lovely co-writer who I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting in real life. Even after two years of writing together, countless phone calls, chats and web meetings I’d love to give her a hug in person.

    What’s a fun – non-writing – day for you?

    Eileen: I’m kind of boring, so this is my “OMG – THIS IS MY PERFECT NON-WRITING DAY!!!” (SHOUTY CAPS are totally necessary to convey how excited I would be to have this day.) I would wake up late (I’m usually up by 5:30 or 6), have my coffee in peace and quiet while I read for an hour, go get a pedicure with an extra-long massage, then meet some friends for drinks and dinner (most likely Tex-Mex, Indian, or Thai) and then curling up in bed with a glass of wine and my Kindle so I could read until I finally fell asleep. A realistic fun day is more likely going to Target (god, I love that store), getting to read without being interrupted, and having dinner out so I don’t have to worry about prepping, cooking, or cleaning. 🙂

    Nikka: Eileen is definitely not boring but I’m going with her idea. A perfect non-writing day is sleeping in, drinking coffee as I read in the morning, a lazy day doing a Netflix marathon after a good meal with friends would all be a part of my perfect day.

    Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.

    Eileen: I just wanted to say thank you to all of our readers. I think, as writers, we put our hearts and souls into our books and hope there will be people out there who will love the finished product as much as we do. To have people ping us on Twitter or FB with how much they enjoyed reading out books makes all the late nights, early mornings, editing sessions, and revising jags worth it.

    Nikka: I second what Eileen said so eloquently. Thank you, if you’re reading our books and thank you for stopping by Andrew’s blog to find out about In the Distance. We love creating the world within the In the Kitchen series and it’s still very surreal to think that people are reading our words. Without readers, bloggers, reviewers, fellow authors, friends and the Carina Press family we’d never be able to get this opportunity and it’s much appreciated.

    Thank you both for being my guest today!

    In the Distance

    In the Distance

    Because sometimes it takes some distance to finally see what’s right in front of you…

    Tyler Mitchell has worked hard to rebuild his life after his family kicked him out. A culinary student and sous chef who spends his spare time volunteering with kids, he’s happy enough even though he has no time to consider a relationship.

    Trevor Pratt is finally getting over losing his best friend and the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but it’s taken screwing every cute guy in Manhattan to get there. He’s vowed to repair the friendship he endangered, but that’s hard to do when his friend’s new employee catches his eye. Despite being warned to stay away from Tyler, Trevor knows the sous chef is more than just a hookup.

    Romance is a terrible idea. Trevor is ten years older and a relentless playboy. Tyler is still unsure of his place in the world. Neither of them is ready for life-changing love, but as things heat up, their chemistry in the bedroom might just take that decision out of their hands.

     

    Read about Ethan and Jamie’s romance in In the Raw and In The Fire, Books 1 & 2 in the In The Kitchen Series, available now!

    Series: In the Kitchen, Book 3

    Release Date: June 15, 2015

    Publisher: Carina Press

    Excerpt:

    I threw him a dirty look over my shoulder as we walked out of the diner. “Okay. So I might have had my dad’s Platinum AmEx card to help me out, but I struggled just like the rest of my classmates.”

    Tyler’s low, deep laugh hit me in all the right, and wrong, places. “Poor baby. I’m sure it was hard to choose between the double shot extra whip latte and the regular Joe Blow latte.”

    God, it was good to hear him laugh. “Hey now. Leave my double shot latte out of this,” I shot back as I unlocked the doors to the Mercedes coupe I’d rented.

    His laughter slowly faded as I pulled out of the parking lot. I had only been to Ethan’s old place a few times when Jamie had first moved back to Seattle and before they had bought a new condo together. But Tyler made sure to keep me on the right track with directions, his voice getting softer and softer the closer we got to the apartment.

    I pulled up to the curb, letting the car idle instead of parking and walking him to his door. As much as I found myself not wanting the night to end, it wouldn’t have been smart to push whatever this was. Anyone else? We’d already be upstairs with Tyler’s pants around his ankles and my mouth on him. But he wasn’t just anyone else.

    Tyler, who had been staring out his window, slowly turned toward me. The soft lights of the dash barely illuminated his face. God, he looked young, innocent and worth every ounce of protectiveness he brought out in the people who cared about him.

    “Thanks for the ride. And dinner. It was nice.”

    He turned again and reached for the door handle.

    “Hey, Tyler. Wait up.”

    BUY LINKS:

    Amazon US / Amazon UK / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / iBooks / Carina Press / All Romance eBooks

    About the Authors:

    Eileen Griffin:

    Eileen Griffin lives in the southwest, but loves to travel and has spent many summers crossing Europe with nothing but a backpack on her back. She enjoys TexMex, lives for good wine, and has a certain penchant for purple unicorns. She loves reading all genres of books, but her current obsession is writing M/M romance.

    Where to find her:

    Website and Blog / Twitter / Facebook Profile / FB Author Page / Goodreads / Evernight Publishing / Amazon US / Carina Press / All Romance eBooks

    Nikka Michaels:

    Nikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story.

    Where to find her:

    Website / Blog / Twitter / FB Profile / FB Author Page / Goodreads / Cobblestone / Evernight Publishing / Carina Press / Amazon US / All Romance eBooks

     

  • “Indigent”: An Anthology To Benefit Homeless LGBTQ Youth

    I’m sharing this with readers today to highlight the growing problem of homeless LGBTQ youth and an effort to help address it. Five authors got together and with the wonderful help of Cool Dudes Publishing, they put out an anthology of stories. All proceeds will go to the charities highlighted below, so if you have a few extra dollars, pounds, loonies, whatever, consider buying the book and helping some of those least able to help themselves.

    About the Anthology:

    IndigentFive authors have joined together to produce stories evoking both loss and hope. Reaching deep within their fiery imaginations, these stories take flight and showcase dreams for a better today and future for LGBT everywhere. Embodying a diverse set of talents and stories, this volume sets out to grab the hearts of those who read the m/m genre and to offer hope to LGBT across the globe.

    Frederick Eugene Feeley Jr’s “Indigent”, after which the anthology takes it’s name, brings the reader to witness an apocalyptic war between the good and evil that rages in one man’s mind. Soon he will know that his prob- lems are insignificant compared to those of others.

    Mari Evan’s “Stumbling into Forever”, involves a handsome young vampire who will learn that just a sip of blood is the difference between love and freezing to death.

    Leona Windwalker’s   “If Only the World”, takes rejection to another level. A heartbreaking story that is turned on it’s head by the kindness of strangers.

    Shaye Evans’ “Rescued”, is a contemporary social statement about the af- termath of a young man’s life after his drink has been spiked at a bar.

    LeAnne Phoenix’s “Higher Love”, takes us on an almost spiritual journey through the minds of two people who have never met, but have spo- ken on a telepathic level. When they do come together, that bond is already cemented but there is a price to pay.

    Authors: Frederick Eugene Feeley Jr, Mari Evans, Leona Windwalker, Shaye Evans, M. LeAnne Phoenix

    Publisher: CoolDudes Publishing (PTY) LTD

    Publication Date: 15 June, 2015

    Charities Supported

    Our nature is to live and let live.

    Often disregarding the plight of our homeless, our sick, our tired and our handicapped LGBT fellow beings. It gives us great pleasure in presenting this edition to assist our community members wherever they may be. Many of our community members have nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat, and have no work. The proceeds collected from this book will go to rewarding several charities across the globe. These charities are passionate about what they do. Some take in the homeless and others provide a home for the aged and the handicapped. The charities whom we will be assisting are:

    GALA is a centre for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGB- TI) culture and education in Africa. Their mission is, first and foremost, to act as a catalyst for the production, preservation and dissemination of knowledge on the history, culture and contemporary experiences of LGBTI people.

    www.gala.co.za

    Lost-n-Found is Atlanta’s only non-profit organization dedicated to taking homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth off the street and into more permanent housing, Lost-n-Found Youth is dedicated to the advocacy and service of youth from 13 to 25 years old.

    http://lnfy.org

    Youth Off The Streets is a non-denominational community organisation working for young people aged 12-25 who are facing challenges of homeless- ness, drug and alcohol dependency, exclusion from school, neglect and abuse. We support these young people as they work to turn their lives around and overcome immense personal traumas such as neglect and physical, psycholog- ical and emotional abuse.

    http://www.youthoffthestreets.com.au

    The Albert Kennedy Trust supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans homeless young people in crisis. Every day they deal with the the effects home- lessness can have on young people’s lives.

    http://www.akt.org.uk

    These charities require funding to assist desperate, needy members of our community and this book is a mere drop in the ocean of how we can reach out socially to them.

    Indigent has been produced to entertain and delight and all the stories leave the reader with a “feel good” state of mind.

     

    Author Information

    Frederick Eugene Feeley Jr

    F.E. Feeley Jr was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and lived there for twenty years before joining the military. He is a veteran of the US Armed Services; having done a tour in support of Operation Iraq Freedom in 2002-2003, he turned college student, pursuing a degree in political sci- ence. He now lives in Southeast Texas where he is married to the love of his life, John, and where they raise their 1½-year-old German shepherd, Kaiser.

    As a young man, reading took center stage in his life, especially those nov- els about ghosts, witches, goblins, and all the other things that went bump in the night. His favorite authors include such writers as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Anne Rice, whose work allowed him to travel to far off plac- es and meet fascinating and scary characters. As a gay man, he wishes to be able to write good fictional literature for those who love the genre and to write characters that readers can relate to. All in all, he is a cigarette smokin’, whiskey drinkin’, rock and roll lovin’, tattoo wearin’ dreamer of a man with a wonderful partner who puts up with his crap and lets him write his stories.

    Mari Evans

    Mari is a wife and the proud mother of a very active daughter, two

    dogs and two cats. She’s a very social kind of girl, who loves to talk. It’s both her best and worst quality.

    From the moment she could read, she devoured books. Anything goes, as long as it has a happy ending.

    There were always stories swirling around in her head and as a child she liked to lay in bed and let the characters have their story and happy ending. It wasn’t until 2013 that she actually tried to put one of the whole stories down and submit it to a publisher. To her own surprise and excitement it was accept- ed. This gave her the drive to keep going.

    The decision to write m/m was made when a friend told a story about a young gay man that struck a chord, even as her husband had already encour- aged her to try it earlier.

    Now she found her passion, having already found the love in her family and friends, her life is completely chaotic, crazy but wonderful.

    Shaye Evans

    Shaye is a proud Australian and best selling author of the M/M Romance genre.

    At age nineteen, Shaye found her love in the m/m genre when she read her first M/M and was instantly hooked, but it took her an entire year to begin writing her own. She has had five of nine short stories accepted to be published in 2014 alone. Something she is very proud to admit—and who wouldn’t be

    When not writing or plotting her next piece, Shaye keeps busy by either reading one of over four-hundred books in her collection, designing her next book cover, or shopping. She one day dreams of being a paramedic and her books making it to the movies!

     Leona Windwalker

    Leona is a long time staunch supporter of human rights and environmental causes. Her favorite genre is m/m fiction and she particularly enjoys the sci fi, fantasy and action suspense sub-genres, especially if they have a nice seasoning of romance. She has far too many books on her Kindle, has overloaded her phone with even more, and when not reading, writing, being driven to distraction by her children, or being overlorded by her three cats, spends time trying to locate the portal that the sock monster uses to steal socks from her dryer.

    LeAnne Phoenix

    Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas in the mid-1970’s, Ms. Phoenix was

    young and wild (and even free!) during the crazy wondrous decade known as the 1980’s and the even crazier but now grungy decade of the 1990’s. Music is second only to the muses that live and breathe to fill her mind with beautiful men, and music always helps them to tell their stories. She is never without her iPod or her computer no matter where she goes, although, she does like to hike and take pictures of the sky and the moon, and even the occasional shot of the sun through the branches of a tree.

    An avid cat lover, Ms. Phoenix has been owned by many throughout her life, though her current owner is one Lily-Rose, who really would like for her to step away from the keyboard and pay her some attention! After all, hasn’t she earned it?

    Editor Biographies

    Louis J Harris

    Louis lives in Germiston, South Africa. He has published three novels, “Stars Fall”, “Revival”, and “Swimmer”, his short stories have appeared across the globe. He is the owner of CoolDudes Publishing and has been an affiliate member of the South African Professional Editors Group.

    Kimi D Saunders (Leona Windwalker)

    Leona is a long time staunch supporter of human rights and environmental causes. Her favorite genre is m/m fiction and she particularly enjoys the sci fi, fantasy and action suspense sub-genres, especially if they have a nice seasoning of romance. She has far too many books on her Kindle, has overloaded her phone with even more, and when not reading, writing, being driven to distraction by her children, or being overlorded by her three cats, spends time trying to locate the portal that the sock monster uses to steal socks from her dryer.

    Links

    Louis J Harris

    [email protected]

    Kimi D Saunders (Writes as Leona Windwalker)

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leona-Windwalker/890405037684824?fref=ts

    Frederick Eugene Feeley Jr

    www.authorfefeeleyjr.wordpress.com

    Mari Evans

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mari-Evans/1412324675676352

    Shaye Evans

    https://www.facebook.com/ShayeLEvans?fref=ts

     LeAnne Phoenix

    mleannephoenix.com

    FB: mleannephoenix

    Twitter: @MLPhoenix

    CoolDudes Publishing

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/CoolDudes-Publishing/1524105151191706

    https://twitter.com/search?q=cooldudes%20publishing&src=typd

    Twitter: (@lgbtpublisher)

    https://www.pinterest.com/cdgaypub/

    https://plus.google.com/u/0/108242351336143580514/videos

  • Cover Reveal: Collusion; by Eden Winters

    Cover Reveal: Collusion; by Eden Winters

    Blurb:

    Dead men can’t love.

    Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.

    While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.

    When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.

    Release Date: Second edition releases June 20, 2015

    Series: Diversion

    Book #: Two

    This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    Publisher: Rocky Ridge Books

    Cover Artist: L.C. Chase

    Excerpt:

    For once the neighbors were fairly quiet. However, if they started their normal shit tonight, Lucky might have to kill them, or whip out the badge he kept carefully hidden in his closet, along with the golf shirt and ball cap emblazoned with the SNB logo.

    A few moments later his cell phone chimed with an answer from Bo. “K. Catching cab.” Not an overwhelming response, but Lucky would take it.

    He shoved dirty dishes into the dishwasher, scooped clothes off the floor and tossed them into the closet, and put a pot of water on the stove to make Bo a cup of green tea. A knock counterpointed the steady ba-boom, ba-boom starting up from the next apartment. Fucking hell! Why couldn’t the assholes be decent neighbors for one damned night? Lucky opened the door to find Bo slumped against the wall, shirt wrinkled and hair in an every-follicle-for-itself state of disarray.

    “You look like warmed over shit.” Lucky held the door open, suspicions about a drug relapse igniting anew.

    Bo managed a half-hearted smile. “Yeah, it’s good to see you, too.” He staggered into the apartment and collapsed onto Lucky’s couch. “God, am I ever tired.”

    “Tired? What do you do every day? Sit behind a desk and talk on the phone?” Catty, yes, but after days of being ignored, Lucky wasn’t in the mood to play nice.

    “I’ve been scrambling since daybreak, tracking down dead-end leads for someone who might supply us with some drugs.”

    Lucky put a finger to his lips. “Shh… keep your voice down. You’ll get my crackhead neighbors excited shouting the ‘D’ word.”

    Bo pinned Lucky a glassy-eyed glare. “I don’t care who’s living over there, the scary’s on this side of the wall. As I was saying, I’ve been following leads, trying to locate pharmaceuticals for the hospital.” He gave Lucky a “happy now?” face.

    “What kind of leads? Any of interest?”

    Bo dropped his head back to rest on padded upholstery. “We’ve been approached by seventeen different wholesalers today, not on the list I gave you, who’ve offered us stock at ridiculous prices. The first question they ask is what meds we’re having trouble getting so they can go snatch them up and sell them to us for enormous markups, the bastards. It’s against company policy to tell them anything.

    “Graham called another meeting with the department heads for tomorrow. We’re putting in one more plea to let us consider a gray market broker. We’re pretty fucking desperate.”

    “Graham?” And we’re?

    “Mr. Danvers, the head buyer.”

    Lucky had a file on Graham Danvers, such as it was. Squeaky clean with a nauseating disposition toward humanitarian awards. Apparently, he invested a good bit of time and money in local charities. Ava didn’t seem to like him. The highly vocal pharmacy tech just became Lucky’s new best friend. “Bo, remember what I told you about getting personally involved with suspects? You’ve got to remain objective.”

    Bo shot to his feet. “Damn it, Lucky! Graham isn’t a suspect! He’s a pharmacy buyer, for crying out loud. Do you have to be suspicious of everybody?”

    He had to ask? “Yes, I do. It’s in my job description.”

    “Your job description is the same as mine. I read it, I signed it. There’s nothing in there about mandatory trust issues.” Bo added under his breath, “Or about being an asshole.”

    “Hey, maybe you got a new revision. Take Keith, for example. ‘Asshole’ was definitely in his.”

    Bo pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Lucky, I work with Graham, and trust me, he’s on the up and up.”

    “Oh my God! You haven’t told him why you’re there, have you?” Shoving Bo back toward Atlanta seemed more and more likely.

    Arms folded across his chest, Bo glowered, the stance and expression reminding Lucky of himself. “Do you actually believe I’m an idiot?”

    Lucky opened his mouth to reply but Bo cut him off. “Don’t answer that. But remember, I graduated head of my class at pharmacy school and served my country in Afghanistan. I’m not a moron and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t treat me like one.”

    After a moment Lucky ventured again, “Did you?”

    “Did I what?”

    “Tell him why you’re there.”

    Throwing his hands up in the air, Bo stomped across the living room. “No, you suspicious son of a bitch, I didn’t. But I also believe you’re out of your mind if you consider the man a suspect.” He flopped back down on the couch with a huff.

    Lucky remained standing, leaning against the bar separating the poor excuse for a kitchen from the poor excuse for a living room. He studied his partner, cataloguing the telltale signs of burnout. Tired? Check. Moody? Check. Less sociable? Double check. Some folks weren’t cut out for handling the type of shit the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau dealt with, and from day one Lucky had suspected Bo wouldn’t make it. Of course, he’d said the same about Keith and anyone else who’d stayed long enough for Lucky to learn their names.

    “Are you hungry?” Lucky asked, though at the moment he didn’t have much in the way of vegetarian cuisine handy, unless he counted the makings for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

    “No.” Bo stared out the window at the brick wall of the next building.

    “Can I fix you some green tea?”

    A weak, “That’d be nice,” barely reached Lucky’s ears.

    Moseying into the kitchen and going through the motions of tea preparation allowed Lucky time to mull things over. He recognized the listlessness, the lack of greeting when he opened the door. Even to himself, he and Bo appeared to be merely coworkers right now, nothing more. Losing Bo as a lover hurt like hell, for he alone came close to understanding what made Lucky tick. Or, lacking understanding, accepted Lucky’s quirks as part and parcel, never trying to change what made Lucky “Lucky.” Bo only nudged and manipulated for the greater good, like weaning him off caffeine so he slept better. Oh, and the whole, “Tell me about yourself, Lucky” thing. Maybe Bo should have been a shrink instead of a pharmacist.

    Plain and simple, the man couldn’t handle the job, though Lucky couldn’t imagine very many people dealing with sick kids and remaining unchanged. Before when the pressure reached critical levels, Bo sought comfort in alprazolam. Had he resorted to self-medicating again?

    Watching a man he’d come to care about slowly slide back into the nightmare of addiction, and a possible jail sentence, was more than Lucky could bear. He’d do his damnedest, talk to Bo in a better moment, and only if he couldn’t break through would he fill Walter in.

    Not tonight. If Bo allowed him to, tonight Lucky would hold him, love him one last time before doing what he had to do. Because if Lucky’s hunch proved right, Bo might never forgive him.

    Sales Links:

    Rocky Ridge Books:

    About the author:

    Eden Winters was captivated young by storytelling, and her earliest memories include spinning tales for the family’s pets. Her dreams of writing professionally took a sojourn into non-fiction, with a twelve-year stint in technical documentation.

    She began reading GLBT novels as a way to better understand the issues faced by a dear friend and fell in love with the M/M romance genre. During a discussion of a favorite book, a fellow aficionado said, “We could do this, you know.”

    Good-bye gears, motors, and other authors’ characters; hello plots and sex scenes. This has resulted in such prize-winning stories as Settling the Score, The Angel of Thirteenth Street, Naked Tails, The Wish, Duet, and Diversion.

    Somewhat of a nomad, Eden has visited seven countries so far. She currently calls the southern US home, and many of her stories take place in the rural South. Having successfully raised two children, she now balances the day job with hiking, rafting, spoiling her grandchildren, and stalking the wily falafel or elusive tofu pad Thai at her favorite restaurants. Her musical tastes run from Ambient to Zydeco, and she’s a firm believer that life is better with fur kids and Harley Davidsons.

    Where to find the author:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdenWinters

    Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eden-Winters/300380906658065?ref=settings

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdenWinters1

    Tour Stops:

    Parker Williams, Cate Ashwood, Andrew Q. Gordon, Mikky’s World of Books, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Happily Ever Chapter, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Divine Magazine, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Charley Descoteaux, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Love Bytes, MM Good Book Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook, The Novel Approach

    Giveaway:

    Click the Rafflecopter Link below for a chance to win an e-book set, 1 each of the four currently published Diversion books: Diversion, Collusion, Corruption, and Manipulation.

     a Rafflecopter giveaway

     

  • Cover Reveal: Scent of the Heart; by Parker Williams

    Cover Reveal: Scent of the Heart; by Parker Williams

     

    Blurb:

    Casey Scott grew up being told he’d never amount to anything, and despite the unwavering

    love and support from his best friend, Jake, the idea sticks in the back of Casey’s mind. When he

    discovers he has a unique destiny in an enclave where shifters and humans live together, he

    seizes the chance, wanting for once in his life to be someone special.

    Tsvetok Yerokhin lost his parents to the evil ruler of the enclave when he was a boy. The

    responsibilities of raising his two younger brothers nearly overwhelmed him and self-doubt

    took over. When the new Alpha and his Protector arrive in time to save his life, Sev is grateful,

    but he’s even more shocked when he scents his mate with them.

    Casey isn’t prepared for the feelings that sweep over him when he meets Sev, but he refuses to

    act on them because he’s straight. Still, there is something so alluring about Sev that Casey can’t

    help being drawn to him.

    As the two explore the edges of their new discovery, an evil returns, determined to control the

    enclave or destroy it. The Alpha and Protector are powerless to stop it, but Casey holds the key

    to victory. If he can discover what it is, he has a chance to save them all. To be the hero.

    Unfortunately, the hero has to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and for Casey that

    means losing his heart.

    Book: Two—Shifting Needs

    (Series should be read in order)

    Publisher: Parker Williams

    Cover Artist: Laura Harner

    Release Date: June 15, 2015

    Scent-400x600 2

     

    Excerpt:

    Casey had slept in the early evening, exhausted from his activities of the day. First the twins came, and their birth wasn’t easy. One of them, the boy, refused to come out. Normally shifter births were in and out in less than an hour. This one had kept him elbow deep for four. When the child was finally born, he had a full head of fluffy gray hair, indicative of his mother’s rabbit side. When they’d asked his advice on what to name their new son, Casey had said Thumper. His parents had fallen in love with the name, and Casey learned that people who had never seen a movie had no idea what humor was.

    Then there was the incident with the stupid skunk in the forest. He hoped to hell Jake never found out, because after all the crap Casey had given him, he knew for a fact there would be hell to pay.

    His intent had been to sleep a few hours, then try another dreamwalk. They always left him drained when he didn’t have a tether to this world. Casey shook his head. Six months ago he never would have talked about different worlds, men that could become animals, or ghosts outside of his weekly Dungeons and Dragons game. Now it seemed he was actually living a campaign. He was a shaman, a wizard of sorts. Jake was a paladin, righteous and good. Zak was…well, Zak probably would have been royalty. With his demeanor and attitude, he would have made a great king.

    He’d been dozing fitfully; his dreams filled with visions of future events, where a fork in the road left him with too many decisions. One was life, the other was death, but both were fraught with peril. The knocking at his door had jolted him awake, and he was actually glad for it.

    Sev looked absolutely miserable as he stood at the door. This would be only the second time the man had come to see Casey. Most everyone else in the enclave had stopped by, even for a friendly visit, numerous times. Yet Sev always hung back. This time, Casey needed to understand what was going on.

    When they came in contact, skin on skin, Casey had no idea what happened. A surge ran up the length of his arm, seemingly connecting him to Sev. He could tell the man across from him needed his help. Sev was different from all the others in the enclave who’d come and talked to him in the last six months. He didn’t need advice; what he needed was someone to understand.

    Sev sat at the table, looking for all the world as if he were lost. He sipped the calming tea that Casey had brewed, his eyes downcast as he told Casey his story—the death of his parents, the problems he now had with his brothers, and his uncertainty that he was doing the right thing. Never before had Casey wanted to pull someone into his arms and promise them that everything would be all right. He’d heard so many stories after Elizar’s defeat—beatings, rape, murder, and still he was able to maintain a detachment. Not with Sev.

    “How can I help?”

    Sev sighed. “I don’t know that you can. I just wanted to talk to someone.”

    Casey could see the shine of tears when Sev finally lifted his head, and his chest tightened as he stood and wrapped his arms around the man. He didn’t have words, and he couldn’t think of any other way to comfort him. Not one of the salves, potions, ointments, teas, or other remedies on his shelves had the power to offer the healing that a hug brought.

    “Thank you, my mate.”

    The words were so soft Casey was certain he had misheard them.

    Sales Links:

    Amazon:

    All Romance:

    Smashwords:

    About the author:

    Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that come with melding lives together.

    Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Parker held his job for nearly 28 years before he decided to retire and try new things. He enjoys his new life as a stay-at-home author and also working on Pride-Promotions, an LGBT author promotion service.

    Where to find the author:

    Connect with Parker on: Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641

    Or you can visit his website: http://www.ParkerWilliamsAuthor.com

    Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092418.Parker_Williams

    Tour Stops:

    Cate Ashwood, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Full Moon Dreaming, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, The Hat Party, 3 Chicks After Dark, Mikky’s World of Books, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Love Bytes, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Charley Descoteaux, Inked Rainbow Reads, Becky Condit, Andrew Q. Gordon, Bayou Book Junkie, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Hearts on Fire, Divine Magazine, Happily Ever Chapter, Nic Starr, My Fiction Nook, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Christy Loves 2 Read, Molly Lolly, Carly’s Book Reviews, Amanda C. Stone, Nephylim, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Lee Brazil

    Giveaway:

    Click the Rafflecopter Link below to be entered for a chance to win one of two $10 ARe gift cards:

     a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • Release Day for Speedy Rewards; by Jeff Erno

    Release Day for Speedy Rewards; by Jeff Erno

     

    Synopsis

    Phil Mitchell pours his heart and soul into his job as manager of Speedy Mart, a local convenience store. He loves his work and he loves his fellow employees, but when it comes to his personal life, Phil is lonely and depressed and still pining for his long-departed ex.

    He embarks upon the week from hell where anything that can go wrong does. It begins with a truck crashing into his outdoor sign and only goes downhill from there.

    Add an asshole homophobic boss hell bent on seeing him fired and Phil realizes he needs to put into place a plan to save himself and his job.

    Speedy Rewards Jeff Erno

    First step in his plan… do something about his love life.

    Meanwhile, Ezra, one of Phil’s team members, is dealing with his own roller coaster ride of a week.

    As is Brandon, the local cop…

    And Mark, the homophobic boss…

    Perhaps, with a little… luck, the next week will be better.

    Buy Links

    Don’t miss the 1 Year Anniversary 40% Off Sale on Wayward Ink’s Publishing’s site

    WIP:

    Amazon US: 

    Amazon UK:

    Amazon AU:

    Amazon DE:

    Barnes & Noble:

    ARe:

    Book trailer

    Excerpt

    Phil had started out in retail back in high school, working as a bag boy at the local supermarket. He took some community college classes but did not complete his degree. It didn’t matter, though. Back then, a college degree wasn’t required, especially not for retail management. He rose quickly in the company, advancing to a management position.

    Finally, when the company he’d worked at for ten years went belly-up, he found himself in the unemployment line. At age twenty-five, his mom had just died and he found himself completely alone, unemployed. He decided to go back to school to complete his degree. He signed up for online classes and continued with them even after he landed the job managing the convenience store. He received his diploma right around the time he met Darren online.

    Looking back on his life, he realized that period, though difficult, had been perhaps the most hopeful he could remember. Though still grieving the loss of his mother, he felt like life had begun anew. He had a new career, a man he genuinely loved, and even a college degree. That was also when he began learning Spanish.

    But the honeymoon stage of his relationship with Darren didn’t last long, and when it became obvious Darren was far more interested in spending his free time with a bottle of booze than with Phil, they started to grow apart. Phil devoted most of his energy to the store, and when he wasn’t working, he spent a good deal of time online. The relationship withered on the vine, until one day, Darren was gone.

    “You work hard,” Humberto said. “You’re always working, no?”

    “Sí,” Phil said, laughing. “Yes, I’m always working.”

    “Every day I see you. You no have days off? You work too hard, man.”

    “Well, it seems to me you work pretty hard, too, Humberto. You’re in here every day, on your way to work. Come on down to this register. I’ll ring you up.” Phil stepped over to the check stand on the far end, the one Janine had just vacated.

    “Gracias,” Humberto said, stepping up to the counter with an armload of junk food. He placed the bags of chips and the Hostess snack cakes on the counter.

    “What do you do?” Humberto stared at him, smiling, and Phil wondered if maybe he didn’t understand the question. “¿Cual es tu trabajo?”

    “Oh… oh. Soy un manitas.”

    “¿Manitas?” Phil had heard the word, but couldn’t immediately remember the meaning. “Oh, you’re a handyman. You fix things.”

    “Sí, sí.”

    “Wow, like, do you do plumbing work?”

    “Oh yes, yes of course. Por supuesto.”

    “Hm. Ya know, I need to find someone to come fix my sink. At home, I mean. At my house. Do you have a card?”

    Humberto cocked his head to the side, as if thinking.

    “¿Una tarjeta? A business card.”

    “Oh, yes. Yes!” He reached into his shirt pocket and removed a business card, handing it to Phil. “Call me and I’ll come fix you up.” He winked, and as Phil looked into the man’s eyes, a lump formed in his throat. “I have all the right tools for the job.”

    Phil quickly looked down at the touch screen on his register, trying to focus on the task of completing the transaction. “Uh, yeah. Um, do you want a bag for this?”

    “Una bolsa,” Humberto said, laughing. “Sí.”

    Phil placed the business card next to his register and tore off a plastic bag from the dispenser. Then he began filling it with Humberto’s items.

    “I’ll let you see my big hammer,” Humberto said, lowering his voice.

    About the author

    JEFF ERNO began writing LGBT fiction in the late 1990s. Although an avid reader and amateur writer from a very young age, Jeff pursued a career as a retail store manager in Northern Michigan. When his first gay-themed novel was published, he was shocked that anyone would even want to read it. So far, he’s published over thirty novels. Jeff lives in Southern Michigan, where he works part time at a convenience store.

    Jeff’s writing credits include a variety of themes and sub-genres including male romance, Young Adult, Science Fiction, erotica, and BDSM. He is the winner of a 2012 Rainbow Award and an Honorable Mention in 2011. His style is unpretentious and focused upon emotionally-driven, character-based stories that touch the heart. Jeff is especially passionate about young adult literature and combating teen bullying and youth suicide.

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: http://www.jefferno.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jefferno

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffErno

  • Cover Reveal: Ari; by Cheryl Headford

    Cover Reveal: Ari; by Cheryl Headford

     

    Synopsis

    After having known each other online for some time, writers, Benji and Ari meet at a convention.

    Their attraction is both immediate and mutual.

    But all is not straightforward—Ari is intersex and Benji transgender.

    Together they embark on a journey.

    A journey that unites families, and heals old wounds.

    But not everyone is happy with the blossoming love between these two unique and special individuals.

    Will an act of aggression crush the flower before it can bloom?

    Ari Cheryl Headford

    Book trailer

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUntf_SzFDA

    Pre-order Links

    WIP:

    Amazon US:

    Amazon UK:

    Amazon AU:

    Amazon DE:

    ARe: 

    Excerpt

    I was wandering aimlessly, in the vague direction of the exit, sipping a reasonably nice coffee from a cardboard cup when I heard someone yelling. It was odd. The voice was quite soft, but very clear, and it seemed to fill the air. I realized, with some shock, it was calling my name. Why the hell was someone calling my name in Bristol train station?

    I turned toward the sound and barely had the chance to register a small, running figure before it was on me. The coffee flew out of my hand and hit the floor.

    I froze. For a moment my brain ground to a halt in the face of such a surreal situation. I’m not the person who drops coffee on the floor, or gets hugged in stations.

    The person—whoever he or she was—threw slender arms around me and held on tight. My face was full of long black hair which smelled of lemon and utterly blinded me. What the hell was going on?

    I stiffened for a moment but didn’t have much choice but to return the hug. The person definitely seemed to know me, so I could only go along for the ride. I’d find out who it was soon enough.

    After what seemed like an age, the person let go and pulled back a little. Bright emerald-green eyes sparkled in an almost inhumanly beautiful face.

    “Benji, you’re so beautiful. I didn’t think you’d be so beautiful. I love your hair so much. Are those your real eyes?”

    “Um, well… yeah, they’re my real eyes, just not the real colour.”

    Ari laughed. Yeah, it was him. It was really him—maybe. I mean, I still wasn’t sure if Ari was… a him. He was slender and small, at least two inches shorter than my five-feet-seven, and his face was entirely free from hair, in a way that suggested natural absence rather than shaving. He also seemed to have kind of feminine curves, but there was something masculine in his voice and sometimes, when he turned his head—I just don’t know what. He didn’t seem to have breasts, and he’d pressed his chest pretty hard against me, yet a furtive glance didn’t show any kind of package in his jeans. The mystery continued.

    I suddenly realized Ari was still talking. I don’t think he even expected me to answer as he chatted with breathless enthusiasm.

    “And I nearly didn’t catch the train. You’re taller than I thought you’d be, but did I mention how beautiful you are? We have to take a new photo for your avatar. You’re going to have to be less modest. Come on, let’s go. Do you want to share a taxi? Where are you staying? I’m in the hotel. I keep forgetting what it’s called. Oh, be careful, there’s coffee all over the floor.”

    When I looked down, the first thing I noticed was Ari’s boots. They were so pretty, with silver tips on the pointed purple toes. It wasn’t the shape or colour that caught my attention as much as the absolutely killer heels. He was even smaller than I’d thought. My impression as to his gender shifted again.

    “It’s mine,” I managed to stammer.

    “Did you drop it?”

    “Kind of. When you—”

    “Oh my goodness. Did I make you drop it? I’m so sorry.”

    Before I could say a word, Ari had dragged me to the nearest counter, ordered more coffee, and charmed the barista into cleaning up the spill. Then he linked our arms and guided me away.

    About the author

    CHERYL HEADFORD was born into a poor mining family in the South Wales Valleys. Until she was 16, the toilet was at the bottom of the garden and the bath hung on the wall. Her refrigerator was a stone slab in the pantry and there was a black lead fireplace in the kitchen. They look lovely in a museum but aren’t so much fun to clean.

    Cheryl has always been a storyteller. As a child, she’d make up stories for her nieces, nephews and cousin and they’d explore the imaginary worlds she created, in play.

    Later in life, Cheryl became the storyteller for a re-enactment group who traveled widely, giving a taste of life in the Iron Age. As well as having an opportunity to run around hitting people with a sword, she had an opportunity to tell stories of all kinds, sometimes of her own making, to all kinds of people. The criticism was sometimes harsh, especially from the children, but the reward enormous.

    It was here she began to appreciate the power of stories and the primal need to hear them. In ancient times, the wandering bard was the only source of news, and the storyteller the heart of the village, keeping the lore and the magic alive. Although much of the magic has been lost, the stories still provide a link to the part of us that still wants to believe that it’s still there, somewhere.

    In present times, Cheryl lives in a terraced house in the valleys with her son and her two cats. Her daughter has deserted her for the big city, but they’re still close. The part of her that needs to earn money is a lawyer, but the deepest, and most important part of her is a storyteller and artist, and always will be.

    Website: Nephylim-author.blogspot.co.uk

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.headford

    Twitter: @SevenPointStar

  • Cover Reveal: Vampire Rising; by Larry Benjamin

    Cover Reveal: Vampire Rising; by Larry Benjamin

    Blurb:

    It’s the mid twenty-first century. Anti-Semitism, racism, sexism and homophobia have been consigned to the dustbin of history. The world is run by “the state,” and Christian zealots, whose chief governing tools are fear and oppression. It’s a wonderful time to be alive—unless you’re a Vampire. Vampires are despised, and feared, and subjected to discrimination and unspeakable violence.

    Considered undead, unholy, without basic human rights, Gatsby Calloway lives on the fringes of society, avoiding humanity. Until he meets Barnabas, a young encaustic painter.

    When Barnabas is mortally wounded during an anti-Vampire attack, Gatsby must forget everything he has known, and learn to trust.

    Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing

    Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

    vampirerising-f

    Excerpt:

    “This here coming up is the stop for Chicksand Street,” the bus driver called out.

    Barnabas stood and walked to the front of the bus. He peered out the windshield into the dark, then looked at the driver. “The schedule said you stopped at Chicksand Street,” Barnabas said.

    “Not after dark I don’t,” the driver shot back. “This here is as far as I’m going tonight!”

    Barnabas shrugged and moved to the door. The Mexican woman he’d noticed earlier touched his arm. As he turned to her, she drew a silver crucifix attached to rosary beads from around her neck and, muttering a prayer in Spanish, pressed it into his hands. He closed his hand around the offering still warm from her bosom and said, “Thank you.”

    The bus slowed and the driver said, “This here road, about a mile on, becomes Chicksand Street.” He opened the door, barely stopping long enough for Barnabas to disembark. As soon as his feet touched the curb, the driver closed the door and sped away as fast as the bus’ ancient diesel engine would allow. As the bus passed him he saw the passengers with their foreheads and palms pressed against the windows, their eyes wide, and their mouths forming tiny “O”s of fright.

    Sales Links:

    www.vampirerising.com

    Combined buy links:

    Amazon:

    Beaten Track Publishing (eBook):

    Beaten Track Publishing (paperback):

    About the author:

    Bronx-born wordsmith, Larry Benjamin considers himself less a writer than an artist whose chosen medium is the written word rather than clay or paint or bronze. His debut novel, the gay romance What Binds Us was released by Carina Press in March 2012. His second book, Damaged Angels, a collection of short stories, is a 2013 Rainbow Award Runner-Up in the Gay Contemporary General Fiction category. His third book, Unbroken, was a 2014 Lambda Literary finalist, and a 2014 IPPY (Independent Publishers Book Award) Gold medalist.

    He lives in Philadelphia with his husband and their two dogs.

    Where to find the author:

    Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLarryBenjamin

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriterLarry

    Website: www.larrybenjamin.com

    Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5723405.Larry_Benjamin

    Tour Stops: 

    Parker Williams, Multitasking Mommas, Divine Magazine, Bayou Book Junkie, Andrew Q. Gordon, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Inked Rainbow Reads, TTC Books and More, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Rainbow Gold Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, Happily Ever Chapter, My Fiction Nook, BFD Book Blog, Mikky’s World of Books, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Havan Fellows, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Hearts on Fire, Michael Mandrake, Elin Gregory

    Giveaway:

    Click the Rafflecopter Link to win 3 books from Larry’s backlist.

     a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Unbroken

    My parents, unable to change me, had instead, silenced me. When they’d stilled my hands, they’d taken my words, made me lower my voice to a whisper. Later I remained silent in defense, refusing to acknowledge the hateful words: Brainiac. Sissy. Antiman. Faggot.

    Lincoln de Chabert’s life is pretty unremarkable until he comes home from kindergarten and announces he will marry his best friend, Orlando, when he grows up.  His parents spring into immediate action, determined to fix him―his father takes him to baseball games and the movie “Patton”―igniting an epic battle of wills as Lincoln is determined to remain himself, and marry whom he chooses, at all costs.

    What Binds Us

    When 17 year old Thomas Edward meets the man of his dreams, he assumes they’ll be together forever. When their relationship ends abruptly, he learns that sometimes it’s in an ending that we find our beginning.

    At 17 Thomas-Edward escapes southern New Jersey and the tyranny of his parents love thinking he is ready for his life to begin, thinking he is ready for anything.  Anything quickly arrives in the form of one Donovan Dion “Dondi” Whyte, his freshman roommate at the University of Pennsylvania. Dondi, who is like no one he has ever met before, in his own words: “Dondi became my guide, my Virgil, on my personal odyssey of self-discovery.”

    Dondi introduces Thomas him into “a looking-glass world in which everything was familiar yet larger, more exquisite, more precious than anything he had ever known.” Dondi is stunningly wealthy, sophisticated, passionate, urbane—everything Thomas has dreamed of loving.  They fall in love but the relationship fails. They remain uneasy friends. Their fragile relationship is threatened when Thomas falls in love with Matthew, Dondi’s younger brother. 

    Damaged Angels

    Damaged Angels is the first collection of short fiction by Larry Benjamin. The 13 stories in this collection give voice to the invisible, the damaged: the drug addicts and hustlers, the mentally ill, the confused, and the men who fall in love with them, all of them bravely trying to make a place for themselves in the world of unbroken men. Their worlds are sometimes the mean streets of decaying cities, sometimes the great beyond and, once, the earth itself. Often dark, always evocative and lyrical, these stories delve into the lives of men clearly less-than-perfect and explore love in the context of disease and oncoming death as in “The Cross,” drug addiction, as in “The Seduction of the Angel Gabriel,” and mental illness in “2 Rivers.” These stories explore the possibility that less-than-perfect is sometimes perfect.

     

     

  • Author Interview: Alex A. Akira. Dojo Boys: Dragon and Crow Blog Tour and Giveaway

    Author Interview: Alex A. Akira. Dojo Boys: Dragon and Crow Blog Tour and Giveaway

    Today please welcome Alex Akira. As part of the Dragon and Crow blog tour, Alex agreed to let me interview him. He’s definitely not your cookie cutter MM Romance novelist, so take a moment to read the interview and then be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of three (3) $25.00 gift cards and seven (7) copies of the series.

    Author Interview: Alex A. Akira, Author of Dojo Boys.

    Welcome Alex, please tell everyone a bit about yourself.

    Hi Andrew, thank you for this opportunity. Um, I’m not used to talking about myself, but I’ll give it a shot. I’m Native American. I’m an artist, and have drawn and written pretty much all of my life, but never wrote to publish until my Dojo Boys series. I’m an orphan, no living family, but I am lucky to have a tight group of intimate friends who lend me support when I need it. I’m passionate about anything creative and love learning and as a result I am a jack-of-all-trades creative-wise. For most of my life I’ve worked in the creative design industry. Let’s move to the next question because I am starting to bore myself.

    You like martial arts. What discipline do you practice and how long have you been doing them?

    Shotokan karate is my central martial art, but I’ve been in the game a while, so have picked up some other disciplines as well; some judo and jujitsu. For me the metaphysics behind martial practice, the discipline of strengthening ones emotions and chi though meditation and observation, are the most applicable part of martial study. As a rule, no one gets in a physical fight every day, but you do face conflict and choices daily. The practice of observing and confronting mental and emotional conflict truthfully, coupled with the physical movement of the sport is the discipline needed to win a fight without ever throwing a punch. If a physical fight becomes unavoidable, the fight is very short. That said I have physical practice daily, I am in fact married to my sensei.

    Before we discuss Dojo Boys, let’s start with what is yaoi and what drew you to it?

    Yaoi is a sexually explicit form of Japanese manga (comic book) or anime, (animated film) which focuses upon beautiful, troubled young men who are attracted to other beautiful men. You’ll notice I’m not using the words “gay” here, and that is because the characters in yaoi are not necessarily gay. In fact the idea of homosexuality was foreign to Japan until its interaction with Western concepts in in the mid 1800’s. The principal figure in yaoi is the bishōunen (beautiful boy), who has long represented the epitome of male beauty in Japanese culture.

    Yaoi stories generally feature a “seme”, a pursuer or top and a “uke”, a shy or reluctant bottom who is the object of the chase. The narratives of yaoi stories can vary from contemporary to the fantastic, including the paranormal. Its characters can be schoolboys, salarymen, crimefighters, actors, dancers, spies, demon hunters, well pretty much anyone. While yaoi may appear to be simply raunchy stories with erotic images, the history behind its central figure, the bishōunen and the practice of romanticized male/male sex has a long history in Japan. I’ve written a series of posts on the subject for the Dragon & Crow blog hop and invite anyone whose interest is sparked by this topic to follow those posts.

    I became interested in the yaoi genre when I stumbled across the anime “My Sexual Harassment” which relays the sexual relationship between a male boss and his young male employee. I loved with this stylish anime and afterwards discovered yaoi manga, then slash and yaoi fan fiction. From there it was a short jump from reading yaoi to writing it.

    Talk about Dojo Boys. How many books are in the series and are there more planned?

    Dojo Boys is a yaoi romance action-adventure series. The books relay the story of a vigilante-founded espionage agency and the love lives of its agents. In writing the series I strived to capture the simple/complex nuances that appear in Japanese yaoi, but also maintain the parameters of the American male/male romance fiction genre.

    Currently there are five books, 3 of which are published and 2 volumes, which will be released in September. I’m also working on an anthology of short Dojo Boys stories, which I’ve temporarily named Dojo Boys: The Lost Chapters. That book will includes stories inspired by my fans questions. In fact the 2 volumes to be released in September were written in response to readers wanting to know more about one of the supporting characters in Dragon and Crow. After the anthology there will be another full 2-volume story that will escalate the action seen in the previous books; a “big mission” which will involve all the players from the previous books.

    I understand Dragon and the Crow is newly revised and re-released as a 2-volume box set with your illustrations included. Tell us about the story and your main characters Michael Black and Kiyoshi Kimura.

    Yes, the initial 2–volumes in the series, Dragon and Crow and its prequel, The First Misunderstanding, have both been rewritten from my original manuscript of several years ago. I’ve grown as a writer and wanted the books to reflect that growth, but also there are entire new parts included in the current books.

    Ah, Michael and Kiyoshi are the main love interests in Dragon and Crow. It’s two Volumes relay Michael Black’s story; how in doing a favor for his sensei his life gets turned on its end. He’s just turned twenty-three and falls in love with a mysterious stranger, Kiyoshi Kimura, who he met because they had a fight in Michael’s dojo one night. Kiyoshi is a beautiful, gifted, nineteen-year-old of Japanese and Korean descent, but it soon becomes apparent that he’s got some major mental and emotional baggage. In trying to help both his sensei and Kiyoshi, Michael ends up involved in a war between the Japanese Yakuza, the Kimura family and a vigilante organization known as the Tanaka Group.

    There is also a second couple in this story, Michael’s sensei, Ichiro Kimura and his ex lover, Detective Masato Takahashi struggle to overcome their past as they work together with Michael to bring down the Yakuza crime lord who is semi-responsible for Kiyoshi’s problems. The ten-chapter prequel, The First Misunderstanding, reveals how Sensei Kimura and Detective Takahashi first met while attending high school, in Japan.

    What inspired you to write this book?

    At its core, Dragon and Crow is a “jock falls in love” story. Kyudo (archery), judo and karate are Japan’s traditional sports not, say … golf and baseball which were imported to Japan’s culture. In yaoi schoolboy tales you find the underclassmen eyeing the practitioners of Kyudo (archery) and judo much like the American high school nerd gazes at the quarterback of the school’s football team. I wanted to explore this type of relationship… what is the life of a student of martial arts like. How do they approach love and the lovestruck?

    I was also I was inspired by yaoi manga like Asami Tohjoh’s ‘Only You’, where a high school judo captain must recruit new members or his judo club will be shut down. He tries to recruit another top judo player and sex becomes the only bribe that entices the other player to join the club. Plus, I’m a martial artist with a dojo of karate players, we share stories and so the imagination runs and I write.

    Tell us something not in the blurb.

    The story is situated in America, Connecticut actually, but the action, especially in Volume two, covers a lot of locations, the dojo, theaters, nightclubs, casinos, New York, Japan and Argentina and more.

    Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?

    Besides the Dojo Boys series, I’m writing a yaoi android book, Doll Drone, a drug dealer-college student action-romance called Sweet and I’ve got a department store-company VP romance on my back burner. Oh I almost forgot Smithy, my webepisode series about a yahoo from the Midwest who gets scouted by a modeling agency. He discovers his mother, who raised him, is in a witness protection program. Smithy’s modeling job unintentially exposes his mother and soon he is using his international modeling gigs to track down her killers. This series of short stories will be appearing monthly on my website starting in September.

    What do you like to read?

    I’ll try pretty much anything that is fiction; I like to go where an author takes me. But I love the mythical heroic fantasy of David Gemmell and vigilante/assassin crime thrillers like Andrew Vachss’ Burke series and even Barry Eisler’s “Rain” series.

    What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

    The initial pouring out of the story and the deep editing of word choice … you know, finding the exact word to capture what you are trying to convey.

    What’s your least favorite?

    Outlining, because it is still difficult for me to place the story in this form and resist writing the scene… I try to write a sentence and my fingers just keep tapping the keyboard…

    What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?

    I just reread Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings for like the tenth time, and recommend it highly, even if a reader isn’t into martial arts.

    If you could meet any writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

    David Gemmell or Andrew Vachss, they are wonderful at capturing atmosphere and character. I love their style and would love to meet them. Sadly David has passed.

    Besides reading and writing, what else do you enjoy?

    Drawing and painting, running, martial arts, rock climbing and sex… once in a while I cook.

    Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.

    I hope you read and enjoy my books and thank you for reading this interview.

    Thanks for hosting me Andrew it’s been a pleasure.

     

    About the Book

    DRAGON-&-CROW--2-VOLUME-400X600-BOOK-COVER-TTitle: Dragon and Crow – Deluxe 2 Volume Set

    Series: Dojo Boys

    Author: Alex A Akira

    Publisher: Triple A Press

    Cover Artist: Alex A Akira

    Length: Volume 1 – 275 Pages; Volume 2 – 390 Pages

    Release Date: 25th May, 2015

    Blurb: Twenty-three-year-old, Native American, Michael Black’s well-ordered life is disrupted one evening when he is ambushed at the dojo he frequents by a mysterious Japanese youth who goes by the name of Kiyoshi.

    Soon circumstances have the gorgeous teen staying with Michael at his apartment. The gifted nineteen-year-old is an intriguing mix of angst, innocence and crafty intelligence, but Michael is honor bound by a promise to his sensei to keep his distance. Michael tries to keep his desire in check, but what can he do if the exquisite teen keeps kissing him?

    Volume two finds Michael in deep water when, in trying to help Kiyoshi, he is persuaded by his sensei to participate in a joint government undercover operation to bring down a Yakuza lord.

    Before long Michael is immersed in beautiful men, martial arts and espionage all to gain the trust and love of Kiyoshi. Secrets, lies, sex and action combine in this racy, romantic, adventure of two men, Michael Black and his sensei, Ichiro Kimura, navigating a dangerous path for true love.

    Excerpt

    D-&-C-VOL-1-800X1200-COVERMichael groped for the light switch, a smile of triumph playing at his lips. Damn, I did it! I beat him! Flicking the switch, he turned, eager to view his skilled opponent and to bask in the accolades that he was sure to receive from Sensei Kimura.

    His triumph descended to dismay in a flash. Who the hell is this?

    A slight figure lay crumpled at the center of the practice room. Cautiously approaching the limp form, Michael’s heart sank even further. Lying unconscious on the gleaming bamboo floor was a Japanese boy. He looked to be about five-foot-seven, was very pale, and quite young.

    “A kid? I beat up a kid?” Quickening his pace, Michael knelt beside the slim figure. Jesus, he’s like fourteen, fifteen? Beautiful. He looks like Ichiro. Better, actually, Michael admitted, surprised at his internal betrayal of his long-held crush on his sensei. He continued to stare down at the slight, fragile boy, eyeing the long blue-black hair that trailed sensuously around the figure’s unfamiliar gray karategi.

    Who the hell is he? Why would they have me beat up a kid for my test? Puzzled, he glanced around the room, noting that he and the boy were alone. Ignoring his impending alarm, he gazed back to the unconscious figure.

    D&C-VOL-2-800X1200-COVERThe youth’s face was truly beautiful. Michael’s inner artist drank in the smooth, pearly skin, the long, sooty lashes, and the pale apricot color blushed across the boy’s delicate cheekbones. God… An aching hunger preceded the lurch of Michael’s cock, which nudged his lower abdomen telegraphing its interest. Get it together. He’s like … twelve! Suddenly realizing that the boy showed no sign of regaining consciousness, Michael snapped from his trance and shook his opponent’s shoulder.

    “Hey!” He leaned over the placid body, hand stretching toward the longish neck for a pulse. The telltale thump throbbed beneath his fingers, but his proximity to the boy’s face had him pausing to stare at the youth’s sculpted lips. Christ, get away from him before you do something you’ll regret. Frowning, he started to shift upright when a relentless grip clutched his hair.

    Caught off guard, Michael fumbled helplessly as his head was tugged abruptly toward the face beneath him. The beautiful mouth claimed his lips, stealing his breath and muffling his gasp as a hot tongue invaded his mouth. The agile member eagerly caressed its counterpart, igniting Michael’s senses. The tantalizing scent of ripe apricots surrounded him, dizzying him with sensual promises, and urging him to surrender.

     

    Buy Links

    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/DOJO-BOYS-DRAGON-ADVENTURE-ROMANCE-ebook/dp/B00XT5U8AA/

    About the Author

    Alex A. Akira is the author of the yaoi romance series Dojo Boys, racy tales of young, male martial artists navigating some unorthodox and adventurous paths to find love. The prequel of the e-book series, The First Misunderstanding and the first two-volume box set of Dragon and Crow are available at Amazon:

    DOJO BOYS: THE FIRST MISUNDERSTANDING

    DOJO BOYS: DRAGON AND CROW

    BLOG HOP SCHEDULE

    Find Alex A. Akira here:

    FACEBOOK: DOJO BOYS: DRAGON & CROW 

    WEBSITE: ALEXAAKIRA.ORG

    TWITTER: ALEX A. AKIRA TWITTER

    G+: ALEX A. AKIRA G+

     

    Rafflecopter Giveaway

    Click the Rafflecopter Link below for a chance to win one of three $25 Amazon Gift Card and seven e-copies of the prequel to this series – DOJO BOYS: The First Misunderstanding.

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    Tour Schedule

    June 1: Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

    June 2: Andrew Q. Gordon

    June 3: A Celebration of Books

    June 4: Joyfully Jay

    June 5: Elisa – My reviews and Ramblings

    June 7: Wicked Faeries Tales And Reviews

    June 8: The Novel Approach

    June 9: Drops of Ink || LeAnn’s Book Reviews

    June 10: Eyes on Books

    June 11: Prism Book Alliance

    June 12: Nephy’s World

    June 14: Love Bytes Reviews

    June 15: Cia’s Stories

    June 16: The Purple Rose Tea House

    June 17: MM Good Book Reviews

    June 18: Nessa’s Book Reviews

    June 19: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

    June 21: Rainbow Gold Reviews

    June 22: Man2ManTastic

    June 23: The Fuzzy, Fuzzy World of Chris T. Kat

    June 24: Lynley Wayne – Wordsmith Wednesday

    June 25: Diverse Reader

    June 26: Mickie B. Ashling

    June 28: Bayou Book Junkie

    June 29: BFD Book Blog

    June 30: Bike Book Reviews

    July 1: Multitasking Mommas Book Reviews

    July 2: Nautical Star Books || Divine Magazine

    July 3: Gay.Guy.Reading And Friends

  • New Release—KAGE; by Maris Black: Guest Post and Giveaway

    New Release—KAGE; by Maris Black: Guest Post and Giveaway

     

    Blurb:

    KAGE-COVER-600x900 officialROUND 1 of the KAGE Trilogy

    My name is Jamie Atwood, and I’m an addict. I never thought I’d say such a thing. Never had a problem being overly-attached to anything in my life. I came from a perfectly middle-class family, made good grades, and had a hot cheerleader girlfriend. But the truth is, nothing ever really moved me. So how did a guy like me become an addict?

    I met Michael Kage.

    Kage is an MMA fighter. A famous one. I like to think I helped him get that way.

    He’s charming as hell, with looks to rival any movie star and talent to back it up. So why did he need to hire me as an intern Publicist? Simple. He has a darkness in him– like a black hole so deep it could swallow him, and me, and everyone we know– and that’s not good for business.

    The first time I met him, I felt the pull. I think the addiction began at that very moment. And even if I’d known then what I know now, I would have fallen for him. How could I not?

    For me, Kage is everything.

    Buy Links:

    Amazon US  Amazon UK    Amazon CA Amazon AU    Amazon DE    Amazon FR AllRomance

    Maris Black Books on Barnes & Noble

    Maris Black Books

    EXCERPT

     

    “What is it that you don’t want me to see?”

    “I guess I just don’t want you to see me differently.” He didn’t look me in the eye as he spoke, just kept watching his finger tracing that figure eight, which seemed to have literally become an infinity sign. “You don’t know how brutal it can get in there, Jamie. How brutal I can get. I kinda like the way you look at me now.”

    “Like I want to eat you alive? You like how I’ve got the cannibal thing going on, huh?”

    He laughed quietly. “Yeah, I like that.”

    “So what makes you think that will change?”

    “Fighting is different when it’s someone you know.” He finally met my eyes, and there was a haunted look in his. “You want to see me get punched in the face so hard my knees buckle? Or kicked in the kidney so hard I can’t stand up straight?”

    I stared at him, my eyes wide, imagining the things he was describing. He was right. I wasn’t sure if I could sit on the other side of a chain link fence and watch Kage get hurt.

    “What, no comment?” he asked.

    There was a change in his voice, and in his demeanor. That little light his eyes had when he looked at me— the one that made me believe he might see something special— was gone. Snuffed out and replaced by a cold darkness. Then the barest hint of a sneer tipped one corner of his lips, and I pulled away.

    “Think you can handle watching me bend a gown man’s arm backward, hearing the bone snap before he has a chance to tap out? How about punching a man in the face until there’s blood spewing everywhere and he’s lying there limp like a rag doll, head flopping as I bash his fucking head into the mat? Have you ever seen a guy kicked in the face so hard you think his neck snapped? How about seeing me choke a man unconscious and wondering for the next sixty seconds if he’s ever going to wake up again?”

    “Kage—”

    “That’s what I do, Jamie. I hurt people. Do you know what they call me in there?” He gave me a smile that was one part sarcastic, two parts cruel. “They call me the Machine. Do you think you can have feelings for a machine?”

    Feelings? Did he want me to have feelings for him? Because I was pretty sure I already did.

     AUTHOR BIO

    My name is Maris Black (sort of), and I’m a Southern Girl through and through.

    In college, I majored in English and discovered the joys of creative writing and literary interpretation. After honing my skills discovering hidden meanings authors probably never intended, I collected my near-worthless English degree and got a job at a newspaper making minimum wage. But I soon had to admit that small town reporting was not going to pay the bills, so I went back to school and joined the medical field. Logical progression, right? But no matter what I did, my school notebooks and journals would not stop filling up with fiction. I was constantly plotting, constantly jotting prose, constantly casting the people I met as characters in the secret novels in my head.

    Yep. I can blame my creative mother for that one!

    When I finally started writing fiction for a living, I surprised myself with my choice of genre. I’d always known I wanted to write romance, but the first story that popped out was about a couple of guys finding love during a threesome with a woman. Then I wrote about more guys, and more guys, and more guys. I was never a reader of gay fiction, and I’d never planned to write it. The only excuse I have for myself is: Hey, it’s just what comes out!

    AUTHOR CONTACT LINKS:

    Facebook Profile: http://facebook.com/maris.black.7
    Facebook Fan Page: http://facebook.com/marisblackbooks
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/marisblackbooks
    Website: http://marisblack.com

    Giveaway

    Click the Rafflecopter link to be enter for a chance to win a $20 Gift Card (Retailer of choice):

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    TOURSHEDULE:

    5/25/2015       Cia’s Stories

    5/25/2015           Rainbow Gold Reviews

    5/26/2015           Love Bytes

    5/26/2015           Sue Brown

    5/27/2015           Multitaskingmommas Book Reviews

    5/27/2015           Gay.Guy.Reading and Friends   

    5/28/2015           RJ Scott                 

    5/28/2015           Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

    5/29/2015           Diverse Reader                 

    5/29/2015           Joyfully Jay

    5/30/2015           Nessa’s Book Reviews

    5/30/2015           The Land of Make Believe

    5/30/2015           Foxylutely Books

    5/31/2015           Man2ManTastic

    5/31/2015           Cravin “I” Candy

    6/1/2015              MM Good Book Reviews

    6/1/2015              Sid Love Writes                 

    6/2/2015              Bayou Book Junkie

    6/2/2015              Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

    6/3/2015              Drops of Ink

    6/3/2015              BFD Book Blog   

    6/4/2015              The Novel Approach

    6/4/2015              Two chicks obsessed

    6/5/2015              Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

    6/5/2015              Hearts On Fire Reviews