J. Alan Veerkamp's Blog, page 5
September 13, 2016
FLIGHT – Queer Sci-fi’s Annual Flash Fiction Anthology
Check this out! My short Suits of Hubris is part of this upcoming anthology! I’m proud to be included amongst such creative authors!
Release Date: September 21, 2016
A 300-word story should be easy, right? Many of our entrants say it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever written.
Queer Sci Fi’s Annual Flash Fiction Contest challenges authors to write a complete LGBTQ speculative fiction micro-story on a specific theme. “Flight” leaves much for the authors to interpret—winged creatures, flight and space vehicles, or fleeing from dire circumstances.
Some astonishing stories were submitted—from horrific, bloodcurdling pieces to sweet, contemplative ones—and all LGBTQ speculative fiction. The stories in this anthology include AI’s and angels, winged lions and wayward aliens. Smart, snappy slice of life pieces written for entertainment or for social commentary. Join us for brief and often surprising trips into 110 speculative fiction authors’ minds.
**Print books will be available. There are two versions. A B&W illustrated version will be available for $12.99. A full-color illustrated version will be available for $24.99.
iBooks: http://bit.ly/2cRhbns
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2cRfMxn
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ciEa86
September 4, 2016
50% Off!! Labor Day #Sale All Romance
Have you seen?
50% off all my ebooks!!!
to celebrate Labor Day on All Romance on September 4&5! (US Central)
Get all my books using a 50% rebate. See site for details. Don’t wait! The sale will be gone before you know it!
Click Here for my list of titles
September 3, 2016
Blog Tour – Good Boy by Keelan Ellis #mmromance #excerpt #lgbtbooks
Title: Good Boys
Series: The Solomon Series, Book One
Author: Keelan Ellis
Genre: Gay Fiction, Detective, Mystery
Length: Novel
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Synopsis
Paul Solomon is a homicide detective in Baltimore, a city with a high murder rate and a complicated relationship between the police and the citizens they are sworn to protect.
He’s also a gay man who has been out on the job since he first joined. Being out on a tough police force hasn’t always been easy, but living with integrity is important to him.
Paul’s love life becomes as tumultuous as his job with the demise of his relationship of eight years. While dealing with the emotional and physical upheaval in his personal life, a case comes across his desk that hits a little too close to home—the murder of two gay teenagers.
Paul and his partner, Tim Cullen, must solve the double homicide, and Paul has to find a way to move on from his failed relationship.
Buy Links
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/good-boys-by-keelan-ellis/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-goodboys-2087687-149.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Excerpt
“So,” he said, “if Darren and Javon weren’t a couple, was Darren seeing anyone?”
Jayden shook her head. “Nope. He said he was waiting. He wanted to move away somewhere, like out of state. He wanted to go somewhere where it’s warm all the time. He was trying to learn how to fix cars, wanted to be a mechanic so he could find work anywhere. He wasn’t, like, ambitious or anything. People always thought he was kind of dumb because he wasn’t interested in going to college or getting rich. He just wanted to be happy.”
Paul snorted softly. She had no idea how ambitious that actually was. “So he was working at a garage?”
“Yeah,” she said. “His second cousin got him a job at his brother-in-law’s shop. Heinz Auto. He worked the counter, but Jimmy would teach him stuff when it was slow. He showed him how to replace brakes, change oil, things like that.”
“Anyone giving him a hard time? At school or work, or in the neighborhood?”
“Not really.” Jayden cocked her head. “He was getting notes in his locker for a while, but that stopped. Stupid, ugly shit. ‘I hope you get AIDS and die, fag.’ Stuff like that. So retro.”
Paul gave her the up and down with a slightly amused smirk and said, “Maybe they saw him walking with you and thought it was nineteen eighty-six.”
She bugged out her eyes. “Oh my god, policeman. Did you throw shade at me?”
“When I throw shade, you’ll know it, sugar,” Paul said, in a slightly put-on voice that wasn’t exactly his. He felt a bit like a fraud, but he enjoyed her reaction. He was glad to make her laugh for a few seconds before she remembered that her best friend was gone forever.
Book Trailer
Giveaway
Prize: $6.99 WIP Gift Card
About the author
KEELAN ELLIS is an east coast girl for life, a progressive, a lover of music and musicians, a mother of two very challenging girls, a loyal though sometimes thoughtless friend, a slacker, a dreamer and a bad influence. She likes true crime podcasts, great television and expensive craft cocktails made by hipsters in silly vests.
KEELAN ELLIS can be found at:
Website: keelanellis.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004482857209
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeelanEllisAuth
August 31, 2016
Blog Tour – Wide Open Spaces by Renee Stevens #mmromance #lgbtbooks #contemporary #statesoflove
Author Insights
When Mann first told me he wanted an author insight post, I had no clue what he was actually looking for. So he explained that he wanted something that really got into my head, my writing process, or something similar. I can do that, except for one teeny tiny problem. Wide Open Spaces didn’t follow ANY of my usual writing process. So instead, I figured I’d share how Wide Open Spaces was different from my usual. Genius!
I didn’t even realize that Dreamspinner Press had a call for submissions for States of Love. They wanted fifty stories, each one set in a different state, and it had to be clear what state you were in. Then a friend and fellow author, Alicia Nordwell, cornered me on Skype and told me about it and said I should claim a state. At first, I was kind of iffy because I have so many stories in the works. And then I got the “You should do it. Wyoming is still open!” And wouldn’t you know it, BAM! Out of nowhere, an idea slapped me upside the head and wouldn’t let go. Luckily I didn’t dilly dally too long, and my claim was accepted.
Now normally, I spend weeks (if not months) going over an idea in my head before I actually sit down and write it. Bad part is, I don’t normally write anything I think up down, or if I do, it’s a very short note than they I later have to try and figure out what I was trying to say. That was so not the case with Wide Open Spaces. Nope. I opened Scrivener, and started files for chapters. I never outline because I never stick to it, but wouldn’t you know, there I was, outlining each of the chapters. By the end of that first day, I was already writing it!
Living in Wyoming, I knew what places I wanted to include. There are so many unique aspects of Wyoming, but my favorite thing in the area I have the story take place is the wild horses. And of course, the Bureau of Land Management manages the wild horses, so I suddenly had a job for Levi. And Wyoming is known for its mines (coal and trona) and for the gas and oil industry as well. So which one should I have Devon be in? Well, I won’t give anything away, you’ll have to read to find that out, but suddenly Devon had a job as well. All that happened the same day I submitted my claim (even before I knew my claim was accepted) so it was obvious to me that the story was getting written one way or the other.
The biggest difference though, how quickly I got the story out! Wide Open Spaces first draft ended up at just over 34,000 words (the range for this submission was between 15K and 50K), and I wrote it in less than two weeks. I usually struggle and come up against the wall at least a couple of times, but that never happened with Wide Open Spaces. Maybe it was the encouragement I was receiving, maybe it was that I actually outlined the story, maybe it was that I knew the area, but whatever it was, the story just wanted to be told. The guys were just constantly talking to me and, in truth, they never shut up. I spent all day, every day, and part of the night working on Wide Open Spaces. It flowed better than anything I’ve ever written.
Within two weeks of starting this project, it was written, beta’d, revised, edited, and submitted. And now here we are 6 months later and it’s release day! I hope you enjoy reading the story as much as I did writing it.
AVAILABLE NOW
WIDE OPEN SPACES
States of Love – Wyoming
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Maria Fanning
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 35,659 Words
Rating: Adult/Mature
BUY NOW
Dreamspinner Press
Amazon: US I CA I AU I UK I DE
All Romance
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Blurb
Devon fled Wyoming as soon as he turned eighteen, leaving behind his high school love, Levi. After six years in the big city, Devon returns to his hometown. Not much has changed, except that Levi is no longer in the closet. He’s also single and living his dream—managing the local wild horse population. Both of them are very interested in picking up where they left off, but Devon is no more ready to reveal his orientation than he was as a teenager.
No one is going to shove Levi back in the closet—not even Devon. For a relationship to work, they’ll have to put the past behind them and find the courage to face the future as who they really are—a couple in love. But Devon doesn’t know if he’s strong enough. Maybe Levi would be better off without him—and his hang-ups.
States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.
Excerpt
Devon sank down on his couch as exhaustion swamped him. Most of it was from moving in, but the change in elevation didn’t help. He’d gotten used to being closer to sea level, so going back to the dry air at over six thousand feet was going to take some getting used to.
Bloody noses had become the norm while he stayed with Blake. Devon didn’t want to deal with them repeatedly and considered getting a humidifier until he managed to acclimate.
He looked around his living room. Boxes were scattered everywhere, and he should be unpacking, but he was too tired. At least he hadn’t had to carry everything in himself. Blake, Travis, and Seth were waiting for him when he pulled into the apartment complex. They shrugged off his objections and insisted they had nothing better to do. Devon appreciated it, but he wasn’t comfortable around them anymore. He managed to be a proper host, but damn, he was glad they left after a couple beers each. They made noise about getting together again soon, but Devon had used getting settled in as an excuse to keep from committing to anything.
He stood and wandered into his small kitchen. He didn’t bother opening the fridge or any of the cupboards. He knew they were empty. His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten for a while. Devon dug his keys out of his pocket and headed for the door. He’d get something to eat and then maybe stop at the store to pick up a few staples. Paper plates, sandwich fixings, some chips, and he’d be good for a couple of days. At least it would give him time to get a few things—like pots and pans—unpacked. Then he could do a full grocery shop.
An hour later he was comfortably full from a greasy burger, fries, and a shake. He’d never eaten a lot of fast food, but he had few other options. He headed to Walmart, determined to stick to his list of sandwich stuff and maybe some eggs. Surely he could dig out some pans before the food expired. He headed to the chips first and scanned for the familiar bag of Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles. They were his all-time favorite, though he also knew he’d want something else after a day or two. So he grabbed a couple of other bags and headed for the eggs and then the freezer aisle.
Sandwiches and chips would get old fast. He found some frozen breakfast sandwiches he could microwave, tossed them in the cart, and moved on. Frozen lasagna quickly joined the few other items in his cart, followed by some potpies, a few TV dinners, and a bag of chimichangas. So what if he wasn’t sticking to his mental list?
He was more focused on getting groceries for the next few days than on the people around him.
“Devon.”
He froze when a familiar voice spoke his name. He closed his eyes briefly, ducked his head, and steeled himself. He knew it would happen eventually, when he found out Levi still lived there. He thought he’d have more time to prepare. He swallowed—hard—and turned to face the man who had at one time meant everything to him. The man he’d risked being found out for. He lifted his head and gazed into the moss-colored eyes.
“Levi.”
About the Author
Renee Stevens first started writing in her teens but didn’t get serious about being an author until her mid-twenties. Since then she’s written a number of contemporary stories, as well as delved into the paranormal. When not writing, or spending time in the outdoors, Renee can usually be found working on GayAuthors.org in her capacity of Admin, Blog Coordinator, and Anthology Coordinator.
Renee resides in Wyoming with her wonderfully supportive husband and a menagerie of four-legged critters. Making the most of the nearly constant negative temperatures and mounds of snow, Renee spends much of the winter months in hibernation with her laptop, the voices in her head keeping her company while her husband works.
When she needs a break from writing, Renee takes to the sewing machine to design, and make, beautiful quilts. When the snow finally disappears, usually around May or June, Renee can be found in the great-outdoors. She spends her time on the mountain, at the lake, and just anywhere that she can do some camping, take some photos, and ride the four-wheelers with her hubby. Once back at home, it’s back to writing.
Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – Website
Blog Tour Schedule – More chances to win!!!!
August 24th: M.A. Church – Nic Starr
August 25th: Grace Duncan
August 26th: Anna Butler
August 27th: David Dawson
August 28th: Alicia Nordwell
August 29th: Anne Barwell
August 30th: Antonia Aquilante
August 31st *RELEASE DAY*: Mann Ramblings –
September 1st: Julie Hayes – Elyzabeth M. VaLey
September 2nd: Caraway Carter
September 3rd: JC Wallace
September 4th: Caz Pedroso
September 5th: Brynn Stein
September 6th: Lila Leigh Hunter
September 7th: Morticia Knight
September 8th: Charley Descoteaux
September 9th: Cheryl Headford
September 10th: Heloise West
September 12th: Foster Bridget Cassidy
August 28, 2016
Faded Love by M.A. Church #mmromance #excerpt
Blurb:
People often say that the true perfection of the human form is in its imperfections.
Obviously those people never lived a life of a model. Perfection is flawless. Desired. Demanded. Superstar model Ashley is living the dream. As one of the top models in the world, anything he desires is at his fingertips. Perfection on the surface hides human flaws, though. The one thing Ashley fears? Commitment. If it isn’t broke, why fix it? He and his lover, Will, have the perfect relationship. Or so Ashley thinks until Will starts pushing for more.
Then a moment in time shatters the illusion of his perfection, and Ashley finds the very basis of his existence torn. Bruised. Wrecked and destroyed. Scarred.
A near-fatal car accident leaves Ashley permanently disfigured, his career in a tailspin. Only his lover, Will, has a chance to pull him out of his depression. Can Ashley see there is more to him than just a perfect face? Scars can fade, but true love never will.
Excerpt:
Chapter One
It was late evening when Ashley stumbled into his apartment and dropped his bags next to the door. The California shoot had gone well, but the flight back had been a nightmare. He had to jog the length of a concourse, while doing this incognito, and barely made it to the gate on his connecting flight. The damn attendants were closing the doors as he got there.
Then they ran into turbulent weather, which his stomach hadn’t appreciated. Plus his in-seat video monitor was malfunctioning and inoperable. Good thing he brought a book. But it did irk him that everyone else could watch movies and TV shows.
Ashley lurched to the bedroom and glared at the clock next to the bed. “Shit. I should call Will.” Ashley scrubbed at his face. He was stressed and tired. What he should do was go to bed, but he was too tired to sleep… if that made any sense.
He jumped when his cell rang and, recognizing the ringtone, fished it out of his pocket. Should he answer it? He missed Will, but lately things had been tense. He cared for the other man, probably more than anyone else in his life. The sex was good, and they enjoyed each other’s company.
Things between them were easy and loose. Open. Ashley liked the hands-off approach they were taking toward their relationship, which was why he couldn’t understand why suddenly Will was pushing for more. It stopped ringing, and he sighed.
Standing around staring at his phone certainly wasn’t going to relieve his tension. He could either get drunk then have to sweat the calories off tomorrow, or he could call Will and work off the tension that way.
It was a no-brainer. He unlocked his cell and called Will back.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Faded-Love-M-Church-ebook/dp/B01KR0AMRI
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fadedlove-2090291-149.html
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/659768
Author Bio:
M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown children.
She was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, runner up in the 2015 Rainbow Awards, and is a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Author Links:
Blog * Twitter * Facebook * The Harvest FB fan page * Goodreads * Amazon * E-mail*
August 26, 2016
A Summer’s Day – Blog Tour! #giveaway #excerpt #mmromance
Title: A Summer’s Day: Shakespearean Anthology with a Twist
Authors: Nephy Heart, Louise Lyons, Rebecca Cohen, JL Merrow, Charlie Cochrane, Asta Idonea, Dianne Hartsock, Rory Ni Coileain, Kathy Griffith, M LeAnne Phoenix, Phetra H Novak, Rian Durant
Genre: Gay Romance/Fiction
Length: Anthology, 115 K
Cover Art: Jay Aheer Simply Defined Art
A collection of 12 stories celebrating the Bard’s legacy with modern retelling of some of his works and delightful referencing of anything Shakespeare.
There is gentle YA romance next to hot sexy stories and all kinds of relationships – first love, May/December, interracial, second chances, happy endings and even a tragic one.
We’re travelling from Ancient Rome through Renaissance England to modern day UK, Venice Beach and other places in USA, Vancouver and Havana.
There’s fun, drama, tears, joy and, above all, lots of true love.
All proceeds of this collection go to the It Gets Better Project™.
Buy Links:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AUS
Blurbs
Find the blurbs at the end of the post
or
on the books’s Facebook Page, where you can also some pictures the authors thought will go well with their stories.
August 19, 2016
Mini Blog Tour – Surfacing by A.L. Bates #excerpt #mmromance #scifi #scifirom
Title: Surfacing
Author: A.L. Bates
Series: The Ariel Series, Book Two
Genre: Gay Romance, Science Fiction
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Synopsis
A few weeks following the events that concluded DEEP, Book One: The Ariel Series, Captain Joel Riley is struggling to adjust to his new relationship with his medic, Sean, and when a face from Sean’s past sets out to destroy Joel and his ship, Joel faces an impossible decision: Sean or Ariel.
Sensing Joel’s dilemma, Sean makes the decision to leave. He does so knowing he must confront his past and the abuse he suffered. Subjected to the same trauma again, this time at the hands of his brother, he uses the strength Joel taught him to take his future into his own hands.
For Joel, life without Sean proves unbearable and he comes to the realization that he needs more than just his ship. He sets out to bring Sean back… whatever the cost.
Buy Links
Don’t miss the limited time discounted prices on all retailer sites!
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/surfacing-by-a-l-bates/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-surfacing-2085746-148.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Surfacing-Ariel-Book-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01JJX2A6U/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surfacing-Ariel-Book-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01JJX2A6U/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Surfacing-Ariel-Book-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01JJX2A6U/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/Surfacing-Ariel-Book-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01JJX2A6U/
Book Trailer
Excerpt
“You brought me coffee,” Sean said, to try to break the tension.
Joel ran his hands through his hair. “Yeah, I figured you might need something to kickstart your day.”
“Thanks,” Sean said, wondering if he should put his arms around Joel, or kiss him. This was his workplace and, although they’d had one encounter there, he didn’t feel it was appropriate to fool around where people could see them. From the tension in Joel’s shoulders he could see the captain felt the same.
“So, we’re gonna be surfacing in six hours.” Joel coughed, clearing his throat. “If you wanted to come up to the cockpit after shift, there should be a night sky and stars and things….”
It took Sean a second to realize he was being asked on a date. It took him even longer to believe it was Joel asking him. They’d been sleeping together for two weeks, but the moments were snatched, private, sex-fueled. An evening together—talking—was going to be totally new.
“Sorry, it was a stupid idea—” Joel started.
Sean grabbed his hand. Joel was trying, and he should show willingness and enthusiasm for the effort at least. “No. It just…. I’d like that. I really would; thank you for asking.”
Joel let out a relieved sigh and ran his hands through his hair again. “Good, that’s good. I better get back to captainy things, then.” He turned, knocking his hip on the cabinet.
“Ow. I’m okay. I’m okay.”
Sean smiled. He’d never seen Joel flustered before, at least not in a cute way. The captain’s sudden vulnerability gave Sean a surge of confidence. “Joel,” he said, picking up the second cup. “You forgot your coffee.”
Giveaway
Prize: $5 WIP Gift Card
Start reading the series with book one!
Deep
Fleeing from a troubled past that left him feeling tarnished and used, Sean finds work as a medic aboard the deep sea mining ship Ariel, on a distant planet.
Under the leader ship of the infuriating, yet charismatic, Captain Joel Riley, Sean settles into his simple, but dangerous, new life. It’s a life he soon comes to love; albeit one in which he conceals his sexuality and avoids intimacy.
But Sean’s new world is turned on its head when an old face threatens to expose him for the man he used to be.
With Joel’s help, will Sean learn to come to terms with his past and become a man he can be proud of?
Buy Links
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/deep-by-al-bates/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Deep-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01AOB6VW0/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01AOB6VW0/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Deep-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01AOB6VW0/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Deep-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01AOB6VW0/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-deep-1969763-177.html
About the author
A.L. BATES has a keen interest in Sci-fi and adventure novels and enjoys writing stories with strong characters in imaginative backgrounds. Although an avid writer, Deep is the first published novella by A.L. Bates.
A.L. Bates can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralbates
August 18, 2016
Cover Reveal – Good Boys by Keelan Ellis #mmromance #lgbtbooks #excerpt
Synopsis
Good Boys, The Solomon Series, Book One
Paul Solomon is a homicide detective in Baltimore, a city with a high murder rate and a complicated relationship between the police and the citizens they are sworn to protect.
He’s also a gay man who has been out on the job since he first joined. Being out on a tough police force hasn’t always been easy, but living with integrity is important to him.
Paul’s love life becomes as tumultuous as his job with the demise of his relationship of eight years. While dealing with the emotional and physical upheaval in his personal life, a case comes across his desk that hits a little too close to home—the murder of two gay teenagers.
Paul and his partner, Tim Cullen, must solve the double homicide, and Paul has to find a way to move on from his failed relationship.
Pre-order Links
Don’t miss the discounted pre-order prices on all major retailer sites!
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/good-boys-by-keelan-ellis/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-goodboys-2087687-149.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/Good-Boys-Solomon-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B01KK7EKQ2/
Book Trailer
Excerpt
BEFORE HE EVEN opened his eyes, Paul knew something was wrong. He could feel the heat of the morning sun on his face in a way that never happened in his west-facing bedroom, but for a few seconds he couldn’t figure out why it was wrong. The bed felt familiar enough, and smelled familiar too.
Oh, shit.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his face and pressing the heels of his hands into his forehead as if that might somehow hold back the monster headache he felt pushing its way into the backs of his eyes. His stomach lurched as he carefully swung his feet onto the floor, and he lowered his head into his hands until it passed. He made his way to the bathroom, at one point losing his balance slightly and bumping into the wall.
In the shower, he leaned up against the slick tiles and angled the showerhead so he could let it run over him. He tried closing his eyes, but little pinpricks of light blossomed behind his lids. He started to feel dizzy, so he opened them again. Bits and pieces of the night before began to creep into his consciousness, and he sincerely wished he could block them out for a little while longer. No such luck. The stack of flattened boxes in the entranceway when he’d gotten home the day before—and the look on Andy’s face as he told him he needed to move out—had started the whole thing. They’d fought. There were tears, followed by wine and then scotch. Paul was pretty sure that what happened next wouldn’t surprise a single goddamn person in the entire world. The worst part was that it wasn’t the first time it had happened, and he’d been no less regretful either of the other times. One would think he’d learn his lesson eventually.
Paul stayed in the shower until the hot water was gone, swallowed three Advil, and looked at himself in the mirror. At thirty-eight he still had his dark curls, but his beard was starting to come in gray where he used to have some copper strands. Today he felt like he could see the future in his face. He looked ten years older this morning, at a minimum. He picked up his razor and shaved carefully, still managing to nick himself on his jawline with his unsteady hand.
Oh well, maybe I’ll actually look like a real cop today. Too bad I don’t have any short-sleeved dress shirts.
About the author
KEELAN ELLIS is an east coast girl for life, a progressive, a lover of music and musicians, a mother of two very challenging girls, a loyal though sometimes thoughtless friend, a slacker, a dreamer and a bad influence. She likes true crime podcasts, great television and expensive craft cocktails made by hipsters in silly vests.
KEELAN ELLIS can be found at:
Website: keelanellis.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004482857209
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeelanEllisAuth
August 9, 2016
Cover Reveal! Surfacing by A. L. Bates – #scifi #scifirom #mmromance
Synopsis – Surfacing, The Ariel Series, Book Two
A few weeks following the events that concluded DEEP, Book One: The Ariel Series, Captain Joel Riley is struggling to adjust to his new relationship with his medic, Sean, and when a face from Sean’s past sets out to destroy Joel and his ship, Joel faces an impossible decision: Sean or Ariel.
Sensing Joel’s dilemma, Sean makes the decision to leave. He does so knowing he must confront his past and the abuse he suffered. Subjected to the same trauma again, this time at the hands of his brother, he uses the strength Joel taught him to take his future into his own hands.
For Joel, life without Sean proves unbearable and he comes to the realization that he needs more than just his ship. He sets out to bring Sean back… whatever the cost.
Pre-order Links
Don’t miss the discounted pre-release prices on all retailer sites!
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/surfacing-by-a-l-bates/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-surfacing-2085746-148.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Surfacing-Ariel-Book-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01JJX2A6U/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surfacing-Ariel-Book-L-Bates-ebook/dp/B01JJX2A6U/
August 8, 2016
Priest & Pariahs Blog Tour! #giveaway #scifi #scifirom #mmromance
The blog tour begins! Check out the details and find the giveaway below with two great prizes! Follow the adventures of the crew of the Santa Claus. You won’t be disappointed!
Here’s a list of dates and tour stops. Visit them all for guest spots, reviews, interviews, and excerpts!
9-Aug
The Purple Rose Tea House
Alina Popescu, Writer
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Synopsis – Priest and Pariahs
Ship Logs of the Santa Claus, Book Three
Costa McQuillen is a Pariah, a para-human with tech empathic abilities who has escaped from Earth, where being para-human is illegal—and marks him for extermination. Arrogant and standoffish, Costa is unable to trust anyone, but is willing to risk everyone’s safety to reach the planet Omoikane. His best solution: gaining passage on board the Santa Claus.
Arbor Kittering, the crew’s newest coding tech, is a medical oddity. With the technologies available to prevent birth defects, Arbor’s status as a dwarf brings the kind of attention he could happily do without. Having spent a short time in prison for data hacking and falsifying government files doesn’t help. The Santa Claus is his last chance at a new start, if he can decipher the strange malfunctions plaguing the ship.
Priest, the Santa Claus’ Head Pilot, is a bit of a scoundrel. Perpetually single, Priest is attracted to Costa for his exotic looks, and to Arbor for his unique qualities. In truth, he’d like to have both, but it’s clear such a thing isn’t in the cards. Now Priest needs to make a choice, before it’s too late.
Buy Links
Don’t miss the discounted release prices on all retailer sites!
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/priest-and-pariahs-by-mann-ramblings/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-priestandpariahs-2077398-340.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Priest-Pariahs-Ship-Santa-Claus-ebook/dp/B01IQ3WIVG/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Priest-Pariahs-Ship-Santa-Claus-ebook/dp/B01IQ3WIVG/
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Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/Priest-Pariahs-Ship-Santa-Claus-ebook/dp/B01IQ3WIVG/
Book Trailer
Start with Books One and Two of Ship Logs of the Santa Claus!
The Luxorian Fugitive
Sergeant Liam Jacks is the security chief of transport vessel, The Santa Claus. He travels the planetary cluster with Marc Danverse, his best friend and captain, seeking to escape his tortured past and find some peace of mind.
Having been through a civil war together, Danverse and Liam are close. Maybe too close….
All that changes when mysterious stranger, Hadrian Jamison, an escaped Adonirati, books passage to Alpha Centauri. Can he be trusted? Can the stories of his past be believed?
As Liam’s fascination with Hadrian grows, jealousy threatens to tear apart his friendship with Danverse.
When Hadrian’s owner shows up, Liam is forced to go against orders in order to launch a rescue mission to save him.
The ensuing conflict may be more than any of them expected.
Buy Links
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Luxorian-Fugitive-Ship-Santa-Claus-ebook/dp/B00V6KO1CG/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Luxorian-Fugitive-Ship-Santa-Claus-ebook/dp/B00V6KO1CG/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Luxorian-Fugitive-Ship-Santa-Claus-ebook/dp/B00V6KO1CG/
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/the-luxorian-fugitive-by-mann-ramblings/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theluxorianfugitive-1768560-145.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-luxorian-fugitive-mann-ramblings/1121637747?ean=9781925222388
A Cook’s Tale
The trials and tribulations of the crew and passengers of interplanetary transport vessel, The Santa Claus continues in A Cook’s Tale.
After a horrific breakup, Erron Murfin is bitter, homeless, and friendless. When the cook’s position on the Santa Claus presents itself, Erron decides to escape his current circumstances and join the crew. On board he reconnects with family friend Gamin Wells, whose own secrets and issues begin to surface upon Erron’s arrival. The least of which is the reason the pair haven’t laid eyes on one another in over twelve years.
As Erron settles into his new duties, the men on board take an interest in their newest crew member. Among those intrigued by Erron are polyamorous couple, Barrus and James. Despite Erron’s cautious nature, he’s drawn into a triad relationship with the pair.
But there’s something about Gamin…
Is Erron too damaged to confront his own feelings?
Will his past prevent him from finding what he needs?
Buy Links
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/a-cooks-tale-by-mann-ramblings/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017I26RXG/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017I26RXG/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B017I26RXG/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B017I26RXG/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-acook039stale-1925761-153.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-cooks-tale-mann-ramblings/1122908859
Giveaway !!
Prizes: 1 ebook copy – The Luxorian Fugitive or 1 bundle – Books 1 & 2 of Ship Logs of the Santa Claus
About the Author
Like many gay men, when Mann Ramblings grew up, there weren’t any heroes he could relate to. The world held him back while he tried futilely to hide the real person inside. So much has changed since those hollow days. He finally found his voice, the voice that says it’s all right to revel in the so-called inappropriate joys, laughs, and loves that storm inside a man’s head. It took a long time to find that courage and now that it’s here, he plans to use it well.
While spending years more focused on visual arts, he never let go of his innate passion for storytelling—he wanted to write and draw comic books when he grew up. Once he discovered M/M fiction, a whole new world opened with new possibilities. Why couldn’t you have fantastic and dynamic tales with an M/M cast? He started reading the online tales of authors like, Night Tempest, Rob Colton, and Alicia Nordwell, which only fueled within him the need to create. Eventually he found GayAuthors.org, and with a little coercive nudge from Night Tempest, started sharing his tales with an unexpected level of positive response. That experience and support gave him the courage to cross his fingers and aim for the world of M/M publishing.
Born and raised in Michigan, Mann Ramblings continues to type away, wishing it was practical to use a noisy, old fashioned keyboard that clacks with each strike, if only to annoy his loving partner and spoiled miniature dachshund.
Email: mannramblings@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mannramblings
Twitter: @mannramblings
