The Hockey Player’s Heart Blog Tour

Hello! Thanks to Kimi for hosting us today at Kimi-chan Experience for the last day of The Hockey Player’s Heart blog tour. It’s been great talking about our first collaboration on a novel over the past few days. The story revolves around New York Rangers hockey player Caleb Carter who returns home to Foster Grove, New York (a fictional town that we made up). While he’s recuperating from an injury, he reconnects with Aaron Price who also recently returned to town and is teaching at the local elementary school.
Below we’ve got an exclusive excerpt for you. In it, Caleb is visiting Aaron’s classroom to see Aaron on the job with his students. It’s one of the cute moments in the story that involves kids (because cute kids are always great in romances!).
Make sure you check out the Rafflecopter we’ve included as well. We’re giving away an e-book copy at each tour stop plus there’s a grand prize of an autographed paperback for a US winner or a $10 Amazon e-gift card for an international winner. If you’ve missed any of the stops, you’ve still got a few days to go check them out..
We hope you enjoy The Hockey Player’s Heart and would love to hear what you think. If you read it, please consider leaving a review on your favorite site or dropping us a comment on one of our websites.

Excerpt
“So, here’s something I bet you guys don’t know. Mr. Carter was one of the first people I ever taught, back when I was seventeen.”

Caleb cringed as Aaron brought up the tutoring. It wasn’t Caleb’s favorite topic, but it had been necessary at the time.

“He was having a hard time with geometry, and I offered to help him so he could stay on the high school hockey team.”

Caleb piped up from the back. “You could say that’s he’s partially responsible for getting me into the pros.” He played along since he was sure Aaron was going to make this a teachable moment.

“You see, geometry is something that Mr. Carter still uses every day.”

A girl in the front row raised her hand and waited for Aaron to call on her before speaking. “Really? I’ve heard my mom and dad say they never use what they learned in school, especially if they’re trying to help my older sister with her homework.”

“I used geometry even before I knew what it was, and the fact that I know it as well as I do makes me a better hockey player.”

The class turned to hear Caleb speak.

“Most geometry is all about angles, and angles are crucial to the game. How many of you watch or play regularly?”

Six hands shot up.

“Okay. How many of you have heard of a goalie coming out of his net to decrease the angle?”

Only two hands now.

“Do you know why?” Aaron was already drawing what Caleb described on the white board.

No hands this time.

“It’s because moving out in that way makes the net appear smaller to the player, thus reducing the chances of getting a shot by the goalie while also giving the goalie more room to block the shot.”

Caleb got a tingly feeling at how well Aaron diagrammed the scenario. Aaron added additional lines to the board and drew out even more lines to show various angle scenarios that went beyond what Caleb had considered. The Rangers’ goalies would’ve been impressed.

“Of course, as a forward comes in for a shot, you have to try to force the goalie to reposition.” Aaron wrapped up his description, seemingly leaving the kids stunned.
“Now where are the players?” Caleb asked.

Four hands went up.

“How often do you use geometry in a game?”

He got four shrugs in response.

“You use it all the time.” Caleb walked to the front of the classroom to draw on the board, but he changed his mind before he picked up the marker. He looked to Aaron. “Can we go outside?”

Aaron looked surprised, and Caleb hoped he hadn’t put him in a bad position. “What’d you have in mind?”

Caleb stepped close and whispered in Aaron’s ear—the one angled to the whiteboard to help ensure the class couldn’t hear.

Blurb:
Hometown hero. Hockey superstar. Perfect boyfriend?

When hockey star Caleb Carter returns to his hometown to recover from an injury, the only thing he’s interested in is a little R & R. He never expects to run into his onetime crush at a grade school fund-raiser . Seeing Aaron Price hits him hard, like being checked into the boards. The attraction is still there, even after all these years, and Caleb decides to make a play for the schoolteacher. You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take, right?

Aaron has been burned by love before and can’t imagine what a celebrity like Caleb could possibly see in a guy like him. Their differences are just too great. But as Aaron spends more time with Caleb, he begins to wonder if he might have what it takes to win the hockey player’s heart.

Buy Links:
Dreamspinner Press: Buy direct from Dreamspinner
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WJCDXN/
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-hockey-players-heart/id1318466207?mt=11
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-hockey-player-s-heart

Bio:
Jeff Adams and Will Knauss are husbands, authors, and podcasters based in Northern California. They write gay romances, sometimes together and other times separately. Jeff also writes young adult LGBT fiction. Together they host Jeff & Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast, a weekly show devoted to gay romance literature and the pop culture they love.

Websites:
Jeff: JeffAdamsWrites.com
Will: WillKnauss.com
Podcast: BigGayFictionPodcast.com

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Where There’s Smoke by B.L. Morticia Tour with Giveaway

Thanks so much for joining me today to celebrate my new release. I’m stoked about Where There’s Smoke being my longest novel to date. For those who know me, I usually write shorts. I’ve got a few novels under my belt, but I’m all for quick hitters.

Wham, bam, thank you, ma’am!

This one was different because these characters grabbed me more than the others. Jonas, Santiago, and Myles are one of a kind muses that bludgeoned me over the head with their thoughts and how they wanted things.

Talk about abuse!

*rubs head*

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the heck out of this book. There’s a couple of twists and turns, but it is a contemporary. Hope you’ll stick around for the ride!

Thanks to Kimi-Chan for hosting me today!

Blurb:

Santiago Mendoza
Chicago nearly destroyed me, but moving to Cobalt, I found everything I needed to put my life back together. Or…almost everything. I have an amazing man, a job I love, and a budding career as an author. Why does it feel like something is missing?
Jonas Sandbauck
Being a gay firefighter in a small town like Cobalt is tough, but the day I met Santiago in a coffee shop, all the struggles in the world wouldn’t keep me from his side. I’m ready to give him everything, including a white picket fence home filled with all the strange antiques he could ever want. But first I have to clear the path to our future, by digging through the wreckage of his past.
Myles Greyson
I’m no stranger to heartbreak, but I’m a man who knows how to get what he wants. Chaos in my life stole the man I love. Between my Fortune 500 company, my mother’s failing health, and my sister abandoning her daughter for drugs, I barely have time to breathe. But I rise above it all to give my niece the family she deserves. Which means getting my man back, no matter what—or who—tries to stand in my way.
Three men. Three different lives. And a chance at love just out of reach.
TRIGGER WARNING: Flashbacks and mentions of rape. On page violence.

Excerpt

This one is a good exchange between Myles Greyson and his partner at the firm, Garrett Barnes.

After an hour or so of watching and recording Macy’s baby acrobatics, I drove to my financial firm I co-ran and owned with Garrett in the west loop. With the help of his parents, we bought this building three years ago, free and clear. Then Garrett’s dad brought in his team of hardhat professionals to rehab the structure for free and turn it into a modern, functional office. The success of Greyson, Barnes, and Associates had quickly risen, making us one of the top ten minority owned financial firms in the United States. Apparently when talking about money, few saw the colors of our skin as a detriment. They only cared about sound advice on how they could protect their financial futures.
“Good morning, Diana.”  I greeted our executive secretary the minute I stepped off the elevator.
“Morning, Myles. Remember, meeting at eleven and then a lunch with Gleason Jarvis.”
I recalled the meeting, but not the lunch with one of the biggest homophobes this side of the United States. He was one of our top clients though and to his credit, he barely flinched when he moved his fortune to us, from a bigger firm downtown. However, that didn’t stop him from barraging me with insults about my “choice” of orientation. I had to grin and bear it for him because the advice we offered was very profitable.
Attempting to hide my oversight, I smiled at her and nodded. “Right. I believe we have reservations at his favorite restaurant, Toureg Café?”
“Yes, at one p.m. Do you want me to call and…”
Diana seemed to detect my apprehension about this meeting. “Oh, no, that won’t be necessary. Little of what Jarvis said would make me unhappy.”
I changed the subject. “Did you know Macy started rolling?” I leaned over her desk, still in disbelief.
Diane gasped. “Really? Congrats on that. She’s such a doll. When are you bringing her back so we could swoon over her more?”
“Soon. No worries there. I love bringing her in and making Garrett do most of the work,” I chuckled. “I’ll show you the video before we leave for the day, because it is truly precious.” I slapped her desk and walked towards my office just down the hall.
Turning the knob, I waltzed in to my office, taking in the amazing view of the downtown area. Someday we would expand and move closer in the loop to take one of those high rises, but I was in no rush because I truly loved this building.
“Hey, Myles.”
I looked up from my desk and nodded at my business partner. “Hey. Did you sleep well after that meal for two?”
Garrett walked in with a huge grin. “Sure did. You missed a good one. And the wine tasting was great too.”
“Sorry. I wasn’t in the mood for socializing last night. I’m better today, but I’d much rather go home to my little niece than be around a bunch of stuffy people.”
“Listen to you being all fatherly and stuff. One thing I will say, little Macy has grounded you a lot. You’re less of an arrogant prick and more caring. No offense.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “None taken. Tell me how you really feel, Garrett. Don’t hold back. It’s only your best friend you’re talking about.”
“Aw, Myles, you know I’m right. When you lost Pierre, you were pretty miserable. Then Santiago made you somewhat happy again. When he left, you went back to becoming Jekyll and Hyde. At least now, with Macy, you keep your bipolar tendencies in check a little more. When she’s not around though, ooh boy. I’m just glad I’m not your man.”
I turned up my lips and leaned back in my chair, crossing both arms over my chest. “And you claim to be my bestie.”
“Man, I am. If I didn’t love you like a brother, we wouldn’t be running this firm together. Remember what you always tell me. Your best friends are honest with you no matter how bad it hurts.”
“That’s true. While we’re at it, let me get a list together to tell you about yourself.”
“Haha. That’s okay. I can be hard to live with. Sherri tells me that all the time. You both love me regardless, so…”
“Yeah. I suppose that’s true too. Anyway, did you need something or just to tell me what an insufferable bastard I am.”
“There is that, and I wanted to invite you out on Saturday.”
“Where to this time? Another wine tasting with queer professionals?” I asked with a cocked brow.
Garrett sighed and shook his head. “For the record, it wasn’t that. It was for professionals to mix and mingle and it said all people were welcome. We took it to mean for gays and straights to network and drink.”
“Uh, huh. Anyway, what is it you’re talking about Saturday? I’m pretty sure this will be nothing I’m interested in.”
“See? Look at you acting like a douche.”
“Well, according to you that isn’t hard for me,” I answered with a smirk.
“Nope it isn’t. Again, before I was so rudely interrupted, this is a gathering for financial professionals. Lewis Dempsey is the speaker and I know how fond you are of him.”
“I’m about as fond of him as I am of cancer.”
“Yeah, but you gotta admit he knows his stuff. And since he’s gay too, I thought it good for you to meet other gay professionals and find a new partner.”
“Mhmm. And I suppose you’re sending me to this place alone.”
“No, no. I’m going too for moral support, but the minute you make a connection, I’ll make myself scarce. I’ll hang out by the punch bowl or something. Shoot the shit, make golf games. Hey, I got no problem with making myself fit in with any crowd.”
Garrett was right. He didn’t have all those hang-ups about queer people some other straight men of color seemed to have. He was one of a kind, which was why we’ve been friends for ten out of my thirty-eight years.
“So…” Garrett stood in one spot, regarding me and awaiting my response.
I supposed I could humor him and have a night out on the town with my best friend.
“Yeah, I guess. I’m really not interested in hooking up with anyone. However, it would be good for networking. And even though he’s a blowhard, Lewis knows financial strategies.”
“Now you’re talking.” Garrett clapped his hands then rubbed them together. “So, it’s a night then. I’m picking you up at seven, just in case you go home with anybody. And Sherri said she’ll watch Macy to give Sarah a night off.”
“I’m sure Sarah would like that. Still, I don’t intend to go home with anyone. I will allow you to be my designated driver though in case I overdo it.” I told him, then looked at my phone that pinged with a message.
That was so great. You must come down here so I can play with her very soon!
Noticing Santiago’s reaction, I smiled to myself, knowing I would be making that trip, a lot sooner than later.

Buy on Amazon or read on KindleUnlimited

Bio: BLMorticia entertains her readers with hot and smexy sex, humor, and lots of swear words. She attempts to incorporate metal music or the military in most of her works. Nothin’ sexier than metalheads or military servicemen and women!

Find her at:

Website – https://blmorticia.wordpress.com/
Metalrotica – https://metalrotica.wordpress.com/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4436911.B_L_Morticia
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/BLMorticia/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/BLMorticia
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A Way With You by Lane Hayes Blog Tour

Title:  A Way with You

Series: A Way With, Book 2

Author: Lane Hayes

Publisher: Amazon

Release Date: January 18, 2018

Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 30K

Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Humor, Office Romance, New York City

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Synopsis

Reeve Nelson is determined to make it in Manhattan. He’s hardworking, dedicated and willing to put in the extra hours required to be successful at his new job at a prestigious real estate firm in the city. There’s no way he’s going back to small-town living and an ex-girlfriend who won’t let go. But his boss isn’t making it easy. 
 
Leo Rodriguez enjoys his reputation as a ruthless businessman. He’s a lone wolf who’s scraped his way from the gutter to rebuild his life and launch a distinguished career on his terms. When an opportunity to expand in the market comes up, Leo wants the eager new agent with a sense of wonder on the project. But nothing goes quite as planned. Reeve expected to be intimidated and overwhelmed by Leo, however, the explosive mutual attraction and fierce desire between them is a big surprise. Neither man is looking for love and yet, something special just might happen if they can find their way…together.

Excerpt

Yeah, this was my idea but I wasn’t prepared to be this close to Leo again. His mere presence overwhelmed me. He smelled so good. I wanted to bury my nose in the collar of his button-down shirt and just…breathe. I told myself Leo was a regular guy like every other guy here, but truthfully, he wasn’t the least bit ordinary. Even in executive chic, Leo turned more heads than the shirtless bartenders. And when he smiled at the young man next to me who offered him his stool, he added another admirer to his list.

I’d never been around anyone who changed the temperature in a room simply by entering it the way he did. It wasn’t his appearance either. His height and sharp sense of style might garner a second glance, but his true appeal was innate. It was in the way he spoke and moved. He didn’t mince words or waste time. He was concise and direct and acted with purpose. I got the impression Leo Rodriguez had a reason for everything he did, including wanting to meet with me.

Leo perched on the vacated stool and then hooked his thumb at me when I didn’t reply. “He’ll have a martini too.”

“No. I mean, yes. But with olives, please. No onions.” I thanked the bartender then swiveled to face Leo, accidentally bumping his knee.

I muttered a quick apology and cautioned myself to pull it together. Leo wasn’t my boss anymore, for fuck’s sake. I just wished he didn’t make me so anxious.

Commence the nervous chatter.

“Onions? No one orders onions,” I snorted. “And vodka-soaked onions are especially gross.”

Leo’s lip curled on one side like a pirate. “When was the last time you had a vodka-soaked onion?”

“Uh…well, never,” I admitted with a frown. “But it sounds gross.”

“Chocolate covered scorpions and braised frog legs are gross. Onions aren’t in the same zip code.”

I made a face and shivered. “Have you actually eaten those things?”

“Yeah, and actually, they’re not so bad. Chocolate hides the taste of anything, even insects, and frog legs taste like chicken. But you never know unless you try.”

“No thanks.”

Leo tsked playfully. “You have big opinions, a big mouth, and a hot temper, Nelson. No wonder I like you.” He nodded his thanks when the bartender delivered our cocktails then raised his glass in a mock toast. “To onions.”

“Onions?”

“We sure as fuck ain’t drinkin’ to olives,” he quipped.

I chuckled at his comedic expression then sipped my martini while I wracked my brain for a non-confrontational topic of conversation to stall the inevitable one.

“What do you have against olives?” Weak. But it was better than nothing, and Leo seemed willing to play along.

“Nothing. It’s a texture thing. I don’t eat them if I can help it but I love olive oil. And tapenade is cool as long as those little suckers are chopped really fine. Otherwise, olives are a hard pass for me. Everyone has a food like that. What’s yours?”

“Kidney beans,” I replied quickly. “I like them in chili but not in salad. I have a great recipe for spicy chili that requires multiple glasses of water on standby. My grandmother made it when we were kids and”—I stopped to take a gulp of my drink before braving a look his way—“I’m sorry. You make me nervous.”

“Why, Reeve?” he purred, leaning into his elbow on the bar next to mine. “Is it because of last night?”

Purchase at Amazon

Meet the Author

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and won first prize in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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An Actor’s Guide to Romance by Eleanor Harkstead, Catherine Curzon

                             ?Reviewed by Kiwi?

TITLE: An Actor’s Guide to Romance

AUTHOR: Eleanor Harkstead, Catherine Curzon

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

RELEASE DATE: January 23, 2018

BLURB: When long-time theatrical enemies are cast as lovers, their late-night rehearsal brings a whole new meaning to method acting.

For twenty years, Adam Fisher and Thomas Fox have been the best of enemies. From their first meeting at drama school to shared stages, shared bills and a competition to amass the most illustrious awards, they have been the names on every theatre goers’ lips. Separately they can sell out an entire run in an hour, so when they’re cast as lovers in London’s hottest new play, the tickets are gone in minutes.
But for rakish Adam and gentlemanly Thomas, the small matter of their first on-stage kiss is causing a headache for everyone. Over a bottle of wine on one rainy night in the city, these two acting legends will do whatever it takes to banish their first-night nerves. After all, as everyone knows, the show must go on!

REVIEW: I usually get a feel for a book (if I’m going to like it or not) first from the blurb, the cover art second. This time was different: I got a really good vibe from the book just from the cover. It was bright and beautifully done: everything from the handsome cover models to the choice in font. I’m one of those types of readers that believe that the outer package is just as important as what’s inside.

And what’s inside was absolutely wonderful. I absolutely loved this story. I loved that the storyline flowed really, really well. The characters played off of each other perfectly, these two authors in my opinion, did a superb job with writing these men’s personalities.

Everything about this book was wonderfully and neatly done. The characters’ dialogues were witty and engaging and the editing was perfect.

These authors are new to me but I will definitely make it a point to be on the look out for more of their work. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from them.

The general release date for this book is January 23, 2018.

RATING: ?????

BUY LINKS:

Amazon 

Pride Publishing 

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Prelude to Love by Anne Barwell Tour

Opposites Attract
Thanks for hosting me today as part of my blog tour for Prelude to Love, a Dreamspun Desire novel from Dreamspinner Press.

I have a Rafflecopter running as part of the tour so be sure to enter.

Opposites attract is a common romance trope, and one that works well for Prelude to Love. Choosing Joel’s occupation was easy as it was a part of the plot, and that the opening scene was inspired by the fact I used to be a music teacher.

Marcus’s occupation took a bit more thought. Lawn mowing franchises have become popular in the last few years as people work longer hours and have less time to spend on caring for their section. It fit his personality too, as he’s someone who enjoys the satisfaction of a job well done, and often uses physical labour to work through whatever problems come his way. It was also a job that would work for him in Wellington when he relocates from Hokitika. His home town is more rural than where he now lives. I visited Hokitika a few years ago when I did a road trip of the West Coast of the South Island, and loved it. The people were very friendly, and it’s basically one main street with shops, and the rest is homes and farms. Marcus is very much a man who likes everything in its place, and doesn’t deal with change, while Joel, while organised, is more spontaneous.

I thought it would be more interesting if one of them wasn’t from Wellington as it gives the other the chance to highlight local spots he enjoys visiting. However, it isn’t Marcus’s first trip to Wellington as he has family here. He reminds Joel of this when Joel warns him about the famous Wellington wind.

An ongoing joke in the story is Joel’s love of classical music, although he enjoys other genres too. Marcus listens to music but he isn’t a musician, and his tastes are more modern. Music plays a big part in this story, as Joel is a music teacher, and I also took the opportunity to introduce readers to New Zealand group, The Mutton Birds.

Although Marcus and Joel are opposites in many ways, they still find common ground and interests in which to connect, and building a strong friendship upon which to build their romance. One of the reasons I like the opposites attract trope is that both men bring something to the relationship with the opportunity to expand the other’s world view and experience.

Blurb:
Music speaks directly to the heart.

Two very different men face turning points in their lives after the collapse of long-term relationships….

Joel is a music teacher who knows it’s time to forget his ex and move on, while Marcus runs a lawn-mowing business and has come to Wellington to escape the reminders of a recent breakup. Although they’re opposites, when Joel and Marcus connect, their romance has the potential to hit all the right notes.

Too bad neither of them feels ready for new love.

With family and friends in common, dating is risky—things could get messy if it doesn’t work out. The sweet song of possibility draws them to each other, though, and they share a kiss following a Chopin prelude. But it will take some practice and perseverance to find their perfect harmony….

Dreamspinner Press:  https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/prelude-to-love-by-anne-barwell-9158-b
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Prelude-Love-Dreamspun-Desires-Book-ebook/dp/B078BBHR6Q/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prelude-to-love-anne-barwell/1127661095

Excerpt:

Joel stood on the stage at the front of the orchestra. He looked up when the door opened, and smiled.

Several of the kids in the orchestra turned around to see what Joel was looking at. A couple of the girls sitting in the front row of violins glanced back at Joel and then again at Marcus, but didn’t say anything.

Joel cleared his throat. “Okay, let’s take that one from bar thirty. Everyone found that? It’s two bars before the first time bar, so we’re going to play from there and do the repeat. I’ll give you a bar for nothing.” He raised his baton. “One. Two. Three.”

The orchestra began playing one of the tunes Joel had been humming the week before.

Marcus found a seat at the front of the hall, next to a woman about his own age. She tapped her foot along with the music and kept her eyes on Joel more than the musicians did.

A few other adults sat around them, listening. One woman seemed absorbed in whatever was on her tablet, although she nodded in time with the music and looked up when the flutes began to play.

Probably parents come to pick up their kids.

Marcus suddenly felt the odd one out, although he didn’t regret coming. Joel had an intensity about him when he conducted that was missing when he gave piano lessons. Although he’d been focused on his students then too, this felt different. Conducting was something Joel clearly loved—it reminded Marcus of when Joel had played the prelude for him.

A trumpet blared, jarring Marcus from his thoughts.

Joel lowered his baton, and although most of the orchestra stopped, the kid playing the trumpet didn’t seem to notice.

“Quentin!” Joel called, and the kid suddenly stopped playing.

“Yes, Mr. Ashcroft?”

“I think you’re a couple of bars ahead of the rest of us,” Joel said. “You’re sounding great, but it doesn’t quite work if you come in at the wrong place.” He spoke softly, so it didn’t sound like a reprimand.

One of the boys playing clarinet grinned, and the girl next to him giggled.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Joel said. “Next time it might be someone else coming in at the wrong place. Even me.”

The whole orchestra laughed.

“Now,” Joel said, “I think we can run this through from where we were before, but this time we’ll just keep going until the end of the piece. So play the second time bar instead of the first. Okay?”

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You can find the list of sites taking part in the blog tour here:

Blog Tour – Prelude to Love


(Or, if you prefer, here’s a coded list of the sites):
January 2 – Happily Ever After Chapter
January 3 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
January 3 – Gillian St Kevern
January 4 – Love Bytes Reviews
January 5 – My Fiction Nook
January 8 – Kimi-chan Experience
January 8 – Two Men Are Better Than One
January 9 – Boy Meets Boy Reviews
January 10 – Dreamspinner Press Blog
January 11 – Anna Butler
January 12- Nic Starr
January 16 – Aisling Mancy

Bio:
Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with two cats who are convinced that the house is run to suit them; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date it appears as though the cats may be winning.

In 2008 she completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.

She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts other authors, reviews for the GLBTQ Historical Site “Our Story” and Top2Bottom Reviews, and writes monthly blog posts for Love Bytes.

Anne’s books have received honorable mentions five times, reached the finals four times—one of which was for best gay book—and been a runner up in the Rainbow Awards.  She has also been nominated twice in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—once for Best Fantasy and once for Best Historical.

Website & Blog: http://annebarwell.wordpress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/anne.barwell.1
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sylvrebarwellhoffmann/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115084832208481414034/posts
Instagram: https://instagram.com/anne.barwell
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annebarwell
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4862410.Anne_Barwell
Queeromance Ink Author Page:
https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/anne-barwell/
New Zealand Rainbow Romance Writers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/491382394538058/
Sign Up For My Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c6D9wP

Someone to Kiss by Scotty Cade (Book Tour with Giveaway)

Release Date 12/27/2017

Dane McCormick’s job negotiating leases and building out furnished office suites takes him all over the country. He stays until the job is done—and then he moves on. As satisfying as the job is, it leaves him no place to call home and no chance to build a personal life. After arriving in Greenville, South Carolina, for a job, a severe stomach virus knocks Dane for a loop. He finds a local urgent care clinic… and a tall, dark, and handsome doctor who goes well above and beyond his duties to treat Dane. The doctor’s bedside manner makes Dane forget all about his stomach flu.

Carter Baldridge has dedicated his life to caring for others. Since graduating from medical school, he has spent all his time and energy building his urgent care business. But the morning he steps into his examining room and sees Dane McCormick on the table, he realizes it might be time to devote some attention to a part of life he has neglected. The spark is there, but so is a major obstacle in the form of Dane’s peripatetic lifestyle and a bad experience in Carter’s past. Both have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.

Happy Holidays All!

I like to thank Kimi for allowing me to spend a little time with you. Someone to Kiss is about a traveling workaholic who loves his job, but wants to put down roots somewhere. He thinks he finally did that in Greenville, SC and soon after he unexpectedly meets Carter and Dane can’t believe his good fortune.

Dane has been on cloud nine for months. He has a home of his own and not living out of an extended stay hotel, he has Carter and he finds himself with a permanent smile on his face. Today he’s not only smiling but also humming along to Christmas tunes, anticipating the approaching New Year and all the possibilities. But all that changes when he get’s a call from his boss. I don’t want to give away too much of the story but these guys struggle with the outcome of that call while they navigate how to handle a possible eighteen-month separation. They’re in an odd place. Their relationship is flourishing but they’ve not been together long enough to commit, but long enough to know they have something special. Unfortunately, decisions have to be made.

Below you can read a little excerpt, but before you do, I’d like to know what you’d do in their situation. When two people with careers and obligations are forced to make a choice between career and love, what do they do? Would you give up everything for love, give up love for your career, try to enter into a long distance relationship?

If you do decide to share your thoughts, you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing for an e-book of “Someone to Kiss.”

Thanks for spending the time with me and I wish you and yours all the goodness the New Year has to offer.

Now here’s your excerpt and lot of other stuff about where to find me and my books, especially “Someone to Kiss.”

Excerpt:
Dane McCormick stood at the freight elevator on the loading dock with his clipboard in hand, checking off load after load of office and conference room furniture, boxes of computer and communications equipment, mirrors and artwork, and seemingly unending cases of decorative accessories.
It was mid-December and almost four months since the build-out had started. Dane happily hummed along to Blake Shelton singing “Jingle Bell Rock” and even bounced to the beat a little. Holidays or not, he always seemed to be humming these days because he was, well, happy. Happier than he’d ever been. He and his boyfriend, Carter Baldridge, had been almost inseparable since their first date, and he was sure this was heading in a very good direction. They fit together like a hand and a glove. He was sure life couldn’t get much better.
Although it was cold and drafty on the dock, Dane was warm to his core and giddy with excitement. The anticipation of the approaching festivities put an endless smile on his face, and he was so looking forward to spending Christmas and New Year’s with Carter. To Dane, this time of year had always represented family, but he and Carter had selfishly decided this was their time, and neither was going home. They would spend the holidays alone together. Their families were none too happy about it, but understood.
In preparation, he and Carter had decorated two trees, one at each of their places, and shopped together for their families, even though neither had met the other’s. They knew it would happen eventually, so there was no rush.
And if Carter and Christmas weren’t enough to almost make Dane pee his pants, New Year’s Eve was not far behind. Finally, he could start the new year with someone he loved. Someone to kiss at midnight. Midnight. The signal of new beginnings.
The past four months had been so filled with joyous hope and endless possibilities that Dane could hardly stand it. But if all that personal happiness wasn’t enough, professionally this was always his favorite day of the entire build-out process. Today he got to start turning sixty empty, uninteresting offices into beautifully furnished office suites of various sizes, complete with ten conference rooms, a dozen secretarial stations, and a half-dozen kitchenettes. He would personally choose furnishings for each office, the common areas, and the conference rooms, hang all the artwork and mirrors, and place all the decorative accessories to finally bring his vision and plan to fruition.
Blake Shelton’s voice drifted off, and Dane’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and smiled when a familiar face popped up.
“Hey, Bill,” he said. “It’s awfully early to be hearing from you. It can’t be more than—” Dane looked at his watch. “—six fifteen on the West Coast?”
Bill Crocker was Dane’s best friend, his boss, and the sole owner of Omni Office Suites. Bill worked out of their San Francisco office and rarely called him this early.
“More importantly, how’s it going there?” Bill asked.
“It’s going well. I should have this place shining like a diamond in a goat’s ass by the end of next week. Why?”
“There’s been a change of plans,” Bill said.
Dane felt a wave of dread. “What kind of change?”

About the author

Scotty Cade left Corporate America and twenty-five years of Marketing and Public Relations behind to buy an Inn & Restaurant on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with his partner of over twenty years. He started writing stories as soon as he could read, but just five years ago for publication. When not at the Inn, you can find him on the bow of his boat writing gay romance novels with his Shetland sheepdog Mavis at his side. Being from the south and a lover of commitment and fidelity, all of his characters find their way to long healthy relationships, however long it takes them to get there. He believes that in the end, the boy should always get the boy.

Here’s where you can find me:

http://www.scottycade.com
http://www.facebook.com/scotty.cade
http://www.twitter.com/ScottyCade
[email protected]
[email protected]

Buy Links for Someone to Kiss:

Dreamspinner Press
https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/someone-to-kiss-by-scotty-cade-9199-b
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Someone-Kiss-Scotty-Cade-ebook/dp/B078FBKX6S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513521124&sr=8-2&keywords=Scotty+Cade
iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/someone-to-kiss/id1318479758?mt=11
Barnes and Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/someone-to-kiss-scotty-cade/1127632093?ean=2940158864698
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/someone-to-kiss

Slip by B.A. Tortuga Tour


Slip Playlist

Hey, y’all! I’m BA Tortuga, resident redneck and playlist junkie.

So, I have to say, this is one of the longest playlists I have. Why? Country music is all about booze and recovery. All about.

There are other reasons, but those would be spoilers, so I’ll just not.

*grins*

Another Morning After Bleu Edmondson I’ll Have to Say I Love You In a Song Jim Croce Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning Chris Stapleton Better Than I Used to Be Tim McGraw I Breathe In, I Breathe Out Chris Cagle Lonely No More (iTunes Originals Version) Rob Thomas Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon & GarfunkelAnywhere But Here Chris Cagle Flying Dutchman (B-side Version) Tori Amos Burning House Cam Don’t Jewel Secure Yourself Indigo Girls Forgiveness Patty Griffin Take Me to Church HozierDrinkin’ Problem Midland Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) Patty Griffin Song for the Asking (Live) Simon & Garfunkel If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me Bellamy Brothers No One Is To Blame Howard Jones Going Under EvanescenceEverybody Hurts R.E.M. Fast Cars And Freedom Rascal Flatts Closer to Fine Indigo Girls Closing Time Semisonic Anna Begins Counting Crows A Case of You Joni Mitchell Inside Out (Acoustic Version) Eve 6 Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright Peter, Paul & Mary Mad World (The Voice Performance) Taylor John Williams Don’t Speak No Doubt Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon & Garfunkel Whiskey And You Tim McGraw Putting The Damage On Tori Amos Blue Ain’t Your Color Keith Urban Suede Tori Amos Trouble Me 10,000 Maniacs We Were Us Keith Urban & Miranda Lambert Enough Of Me Melissa Etheridge Come On Get Higher (Live Bonus Track) Sugarland Anything Goes Randy Houser
I Could Fly Keith Urban Nobody’s Crying Patty Griffin Ain’t Worth the Whiskey Cole Swindell
Help Me Make It Through the Night Sammi Smith Losing My Religion (Unplugged) R.E.M. Let Him Fly Patty Griffin Gravity Sara Bareilles Let Her Go Passenger Stand Back Up Sugarland Either Way Chris Stapleton If It Wasn’t for the Whiskey Zac HackerLeave The Pieces The Wreckers The Truth Trent Willmon Habit (Needle In My Arm) Roger Creager At This Moment Billy Vera and the Beaters Whiskey and You Chris Stapleton
Counting My Lucky Stars Mike Stinson All For You (acoustic) Sister Hazel If I Go, I’m Goin (feat. Macy Maloy) Bart Crow Rain King Counting Crows What Hurts the Most (Live Acoustic) Aaron LewisGood Enough (acoustic guitar) Sarah McLachlan Kiss Me When I’m Down Ryan Kinder We’ve Got Tonight Bob Seger Drive Melissa Ferrick Tin Man Miranda Lambert
Much love, y’all.

BA

 

Slip blurb:

Recovery: Book Two

Love is a fragile thing, and it can slip through your fingers if you don’t hold on tight….

When Zack Jung’s AA sponsor and friend commits suicide, he’s desperate to hold it together, and there’s only one place he can turn. He calls Josh and Kris, and they take him back to their ranch outside Santa Fe.

A cowboy to the bone, Cimarron Duran cherishes his orderly life and routine. He likes his neighbors, Kris and Josh, but he has less than no interest in the hipster personal trainer who comes to stay with them—or at least, he plans to fight his interest in favor of his solitary life and his art.

But some things are as inevitable as the weather, and when Zack and Cimarron finally come together, they find they don’t want to let go. It won’t be easy, though, for two men with pasts like theirs to forge a happy future together.

Available December 22 from Dreamspinner Press: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/slip-by-ba-tortuga-9169-b

About BA Tortuga

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds and her beloved wife, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the  high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head. Find her on the web at http://www.batortuga.com

 

Steel Trap (The Wyverns #5) L.M. Somerton

?Reviewed by Kiwi?

TITLE: Steel Trap

SERIES: The Wyverns # 5

AUTHOR: L.M. Somerton

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2017

BLURB: Secrets don’t stay hidden forever.

Hatchet has a thing for the enigmatic Mr Smith, Horatio Trap’s spokesman. He’d love to get his hands on the pretty man and show him how good it feels to take orders for once rather than hand them out. He’s had his eye on Smith for years and he’s running out of patience.

The Wyverns’ involvement in the drug trade is limited to stealing money from the cartels, they don’t want junk peddled on their turf. When Trap orders them to destroy a crack cocaine factory in Phoenix, they are happy to oblige. But Smith throws a spanner in the works by posing as a potential buyer, putting himself in mortal danger.

Hatchet and The Wyverns come up with a plan to fake Smith’s death, muscle in on the deal and convince the cartel to do business with them instead. But when Hatchet’s cover is blown he’s left to save a bunch of illegals, destroy the drugs and wipe the factory from the face of the planet. It’s all in a night’s work for The Wyverns—but there are still secrets to uncover and the mysterious Horatio Trap, and his mind games, can’t stay hidden forever.

 

REVIEW: Oh, my! I’ve been waiting for this installment of this series feels like forever. I know that’s not the case; I was just anxious. Well, the author certainly didn’t disappoint me. This in addition to Adrian and Teddy’s story, are my favorites in the series.

Hatchet and Mr. Smith are as different as night and day but you know they say that opposites attract. Mr. Smith aka Montgomery Smith, is indeed enigmatic but underneath that cool, collected and cultured façade is a man that is attracted to Hatchet’s rough exterior. Monty (yes, I gave Smith’s character my own nickname) is kind of tired of being lonely and acting as the go-between the Wyverns and the mysterious Mr. Trap.

Hatchet and Monty seems like an unlikely couple at first but it works. The action, the dialogue, characters and storyline of this book, of all of the books in this series is absolutely fantastic. The books are short (under 100 pages) but it reads like a full length novel. There are no plot holes or cliff hangers in any of these stories which I really love.

There are a couple of plot twists in this book. Secrets you will not see coming as it pertains to the mysterious Mr. Trap and Monty are finally revealed.

I truly enjoyed this book and really looking forward to reading more. I’m waiting for Artie and Bull to have their HEA.

Please note: The general release date is October 17, 2017. However, you can pre-order from Pride Publishing or Amazon. 

RATING: ????

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Pride Publishing

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Giveaway: Prophesy (The King & Alpha # 1) A.E. Via

?Giveaway?

 

Author A.E. Via

Title: Prophesy

Series: The King & Alpha Series

Book One
M/M PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Edited by:
Tina Adamski
Cover Artist – Jay Aheer
PAGE COUNT – 293
Release Date: September 23, 2017

Synopsis
An Enemies to Lovers
Shifter, Vampire True Mates story.

Justice Volkov is the youngest Alpha Zenith to ever lead the wolf shifters. Following in his father’s large paw prints was a responsibility he met head on. Now at age thirty-three, he is alpha of the alphas. As a direct descendant of the original Siberian pack, his wolf is bigger and stronger than Justice, himself is sometimes able to control.

His wolf howled long and hard but Justice kept it inside. It felt like a bass drum beating against his rib cage. The harsh breaths, angry snarls and the determined pacing inside him was overtaking him.

Justice takes his role of leadership and his legacy very seriously. He has little time for romance, not to mention a true mate. His packs are his priority. With a human government trying to regulate them, an uprising of rogue shifters, and a violent team of scientists trying to experiment on them, Justice has his hands way too full.

Chadwick ‘Wick’ Bentley is not enthusiastic when the captain of his escort tells him he has to leave his comfortable London home and go back to the States. As the Vampire King, he has no choice but to get his species back in line before they cause anymore chaos. At over one-hundred years old, Wick is no one to trifle with, but his smooth, charismatic manner makes him quite unique, despite the negative reputation vampires have. Wick has had nothing but time up to this point. He doesn’t feel the need to make issues pressing. Nothing is urgent in his life. Until he meets Justice. His beloved.

“Natural enemies can’t be mates.” Or so Justice thought. He knows his skepticism and rejection is hurting his mate, so while he fights their connection, Wick gets help from a source very close to Justice to help him win his beloved’s heart. Wick is a force all on his own, but when he’s blessed with a special gift from the Mother herself, not even Justice’s powerful wolf can prevent the prophesy from being fulfilled.

This story DOES NOT contain/mention MPREG.
No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. It ends with a very HFN.

Warning: This book is MM paranormal: If you DO NOT like hot, alpha men shifting into large wolves, or vampires feeding from their mates, this may not be your read.

?AUTHOR BIO:?

A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for four years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay lit for over fifteen years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great new up and coming MM authors.
A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to me. Writing.
A.E.’s writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
Now that she’s gotten over her 10 books published hump, she’s kind of known now for her hardcore, play rough and love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, I do like to push myself to step out of my comfort zone, exploring with different tropes, but I won’t push myself into a whole other genre. I’m head over heels for gay romance and I have tons of more hot stories to tell.
Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

Links

Amazon Link: https://goo.gl/mFSN4E
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/738758
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35839947-prophesy

Author Official Website: http://authoraevia.com
A.E. Newsletter Signup: https://goo.gl/4hfuMh
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia

EXCERPT:

The wolves walked cautiously around the vampires of Wick’s Escort, their lips pulled back and a snarl of spittle escaping when the vampires did absolutely nothing in retaliation – like the young wolves were itching for a fight. Justice took everything in, including the bitter scents of fury and aggression. The wolves’ posturing, and their obvious misplaced hostility against the vampires, was a harsh slap of reality in Justice’s face. His own damn shifters were the cause of all this. The display the vampires were putting on clearly showed they had much more control over their behavior than his shifters. It was time for Justice to act. Everyone was waiting for him. The shifters were not from the Humboldt Pack, so Alpha Mikel would not intervene. It was all on Justice, but after the mental anguish he’d suffered the last couple days, he didn’t think he had the energy to pull on his wolf and use his authority. He was wrong. When the larger wolf in front passed Wick and let out a sharp, vicious bark at him. Issuing a clear challenge… Justice realized he’d been grossly mistaken.
It all happened so fast, yet it felt like slow motion.
Justice stepped off with his right foot and bounded a good eight feet in the air, shifting in mid-leap and landing on four large paws. Justice shook out his animal’s thick white and gray fur, his wolf beyond anxious to be let out in the presence of its mate. Justice turned his large head to the darkening sky and howled to the pack and all neighboring packs within miles. The rest of the Humboldt pack emerged from their cabins and the perimeter of dense trees. Some were in wolf form and some human. Whichever their form, they were all staring at the vampires, not the defiant wolves that were currently being kept in a tight line by Alek and Mac, while the impressive Alpha Zenith made his entrance.
Justice finished stretching his massive body – his wolf having been confined for two days – then turned his icy blue eyes on his mate. Justice stood tall and dominant, his tail high in the air. Wick didn’t try to hide his excitement or shield his arousal at seeing his wolf. Justice’s sense of smell was already sensitive but in this form the smell of his mate was driving him crazy. It was so amazing and distinct from anything else around him. His wolf ached to go to Wick and push his body against him so he at least carried his scent. His animal already struggled with his mate not wearing his mark.
“You’re beautiful, Beloved.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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When Heaven Strikes by F.E. Feeley Jr.

“Sometimes when heaven strikes, it comes in the form of a fierce storm. A knock at the door. A phone number slipped into a back pocket. Sometimes it comes with the sweetest of circumstances or the hardest of lessons.”

 

Can love survive heaven’s wrath?

Artist Ted Armstrong lives a solitary and eccentric life. The survivor of child abuse disguised as religion, Ted has cut himself off from the world.

Then Ted meets Anderson Taylor, and it’s like being struck by lightning.

Anderson is a cardiac surgeon whose passion for his work has consumed him. He fears he’ll never find a partner—until he sets eyes on Ted. It’s happening fast, but both men know what they feel is right.

Confronted with an angry preacher, a scandal, and an act of God that threatens to destroy everything, their relationship will face its first true test.

Kimi’s thoughts:

This is a story that at its core is about love. We meet Anderson and Ted, who form the main couple, but also Anderson’s family, and Josiah and his family. Their lives are woven together in the organic way that those who live in the same community and live their lives naturally cross paths here and there. We get not just one love story between two men, but also those of the others, and not the least, that of familial love and friendship. 

Feeley takes a hard look at the human idiosyncrasies and frailties that cause us to doubt, to lash out, to lie to ourselves, and to act out in anger. While Ted’s parents hide behind fundamentalism, it is made more than evident that these are not those that follow the words of the Christ they hold as a religious figurehead, but people who use the Bible to justify their own thirst for power. Power within the community, control over their lives, and the feeling of safety that gives them. It’s an unhealthy obsession that they cling to, rather than face their own inner demons, yet like other addictions, it falls flat and ultimately, a rock bottom is reached. It is from there that our characters learn the way from the bottom is to face their own fears and support each other on the way up, to where happiness waits.

His use of the storm as an allegory was done without a heavy hand. Anyone who’s lived in Tornado Alley, or anywhere prone to devasting other acts of natures, knows of the suddenness these can strike with and the utter devastation they leave in their wake. Lives carefully constructed often find it stripped away, with loss taking its toll even as the spirit of friendship and community blossom. Yet even as everything lies in ruins, people begin to rebuild and their new ties within the community add their own bright colors to the patchwork of their lives. 

It’s a beautifully crafted tale, and one I heartily recommend. Available from Amazon to buy or to read with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

 

 

Rating: 5

kimisig