Natalina Reis's Blog, page 22
February 7, 2020
Merchants of Milan- New Release
by Edale Lane
Book one of the Night Flyer Trilogy, “Merchants of Milan” by Edale Lane is a FF Historical Romance.
Three powerful merchants, two independent women in love, one masked vigilante.
Florentina, set on revenge for her father’s murder, creates an alter-ego known as the Night Flyer. Madelena, whose husband was also murdered, hires Florentina as a tutor for her children and love blossoms between them. However, Florentina’s vendetta is fraught with danger, and surprising developments threaten both women’s lives.
Merchants of Milan is the first book in Edale Lane’s Night Flyer Trilogy, a tale of power, passion, and payback in Renaissance Italy. If you like gadgets and gismos, rich historical background, three-dimensional characters, and fast-paced action with a slow-boil lesbian romance, then you are sure to love this series. Buy this one of a kind novel today and let the adventure begin!
Publisher | Amazon eBook | Amazon Paperback
Giveaway
Edale is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour. For a chance to win, enter via Rafflecopter:
Excerpt
In the next instant Maddie placed a caressing hand to her face, leaned in, and kissed her. Although she had been anticipating this very possibility for hours, it came on her as swift and unforeseen as a summer storm. The sensual heat of those urgent lips melded to hers ignited something deep within Florentina’s core that sprung to life for the very first time and exploded throughout her being, a sensation so phenomenal, so novel that she had no context in which to place it. Breathless, her mind went totally blank, and she simply savored the moment.
When Madelena withdrew she whispered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“Sorry?” Florentina’s heart sank and her head spun. How could she be sorry? “Why? I’m not.”
“You’re not?” Maybe Maddie was as uncertain as she, as overcome with raw emotion and not knowing how to express it. “It’s just that–and I have contemplated this–with me being your employer and all, I don’t want you to expect you must do something you aren’t comfortable with. I would never pressure you-”
It was Florentina’s turn to be impulsive. She silenced Maddie by repeating the gesture, tasting again those full, cherry lips that flooded her mind, body, and soul with sensations. When it broke, they gazed into each other’s eyes looking for confirmation. “I understand I am only a servant in your household.”
“Don’t say that!” Maddie replied firmly. “That is not how I view you. Please, Fiore. How can I explain?”
The earlier butterflies began to settle in Florentina’s stomach and the fog of trepidation evaporate. She could perceive that the beautiful wealthy widow did regard her with esteem, did have feelings for her. This was not a mere dalliance she realized. “I care for you also,” she spoke softly and stroked Maddie’s luxurious strands. “Do not think you press me to do something I have not wanted to do since the moment I first saw you.”
Relief engulfed Madelena’s expression, and she brushed her cheek to Florentina’s then nuzzled her neck with moist, eager lips. A euphoric sigh escaped Fiore’s mouth at the intimate touch and she pulled Maddie closer. When their lips found each other’s again she opened to the honey-sweet tongue that was impatient to delve into it. Without willing them to do so, she realized her fingers were wound in those silky red strands while her other hand slid down Madelena’s back as far as the bench would allow. She could perceive her heartbeat against her own heated breast. This is what she had dreamt of and it surpassed her expectations. All she wanted to do was touch, caress, explore, and please this singular woman. Even as she was rendered breathless from the physical passion, her heart was telling her head that what she felt was far more, endlessly deeper. It was a very dangerous cavern, a bottomless pit that could spell her doom; she was falling in love.
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Madelena realized she was making a mistake. She had acquired a good tutor for her children and a new friend to share meaningful experiences with, but a romantic affair? Where could that possibly lead? What would her brother think or do when he found out, and she knew he would, eventually. Hadn’t she lived a well-disciplined life? Could she not control her desires for more than a few weeks?
As her mind was blaring at her all the reasons to say no, her heart had been pleading an opposing case. Yes, she had found a teacher and a friend, but in Florentina she had discovered abundantly more. She was interesting, witty, talented, intuitive, and compassionate. She opened whole new worlds to the widow whose entire education was meant only to prepare her to be a merchant’s wife. For the past six months she had felt lost, as if she had no place and no purpose. She had helped Alessandro with the bookkeeping and personal relations with customers, but she had also spent her nights alone speculating on what the future may hold for her. She still could not answer that question, but she had spoken honestly when she said that Fiore made her feel real and alive. Since growing closer to the dark-haired inventor’s daughter she had begun to experience so many things. And today–today had likely been the best day of her twenty-eight years on this earth! Then the emotion of sharing her story, it was just all too much to expect her to maintain self-control. But now that she had initiated this passionate encounter, what would she do next?
Presently, she drew back from those sultry lips trying to regain some restraint. “Have you ever been with a woman before?” she asked to fill the silence.
Florentina shook her head. “If you mean sexually, I am quite inexperienced with anyone, male or female. Years ago when Cesare told me he was attracted to men, I mentioned that I was more drawn to women. I didn’t think he’d ever say anything; it’s not like we talked about it much, but now,” she paused casting starry eyes at Maddie, “I’m glad he did.”
She smiled and stroked Florentina’s cheek. “So am I.”
“I know you have experience,” she noted. “So, what do we do next?”
What indeed! Madelena considered. “Take one step at a time. May I suggest we try to get some sleep and take a night to process it all? I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.”
“You’re overwhelmed?” Fiore laughed. “I’m not certain my legs will carry me upstairs!”
Maddie hesitated to move, as the tug of an invisible cord was drawing her back to her newfound treasure. Neither was Florentina was moving away. One more kiss and you must move. Give both of us time to think. She touched her lips to Fiore’s and closed her eyes. What makes one kiss a sloppy flop and another a driving, sensuous pleasure? Is it one’s mental perception or a physical current that connects two individuals who are similarly charged? I can feel the energy pass between her and I unlike any other before.
“I shall see you in the morning.” She released Florentina and pushed herself to her feet with a sheer force of will. Florentina followed saying her good-nights and Madelena closed the bedroom door behind her as she left. Alone once more, she glanced around her empty chamber and wished her lover could have stayed all night.
Author Bio
Edale Lane is the penname used by Melodie Romeo for LGBTQ fiction novels. She is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in History from the University of West Florida.
Ms Romeo is a retired school teacher who currently travels the country as an over the road truck driver. Her first book, Vlad, a Novel, an historical thriller, was published in 2002. She has had short stories published in anthologies by Seventh Star Press, Charon Coin Press, Alban Lake Press, Less Than Three Press, and Past and Prologue Press.
Edale Lane’s first novel, Heart of Sherwood, is an historical retelling of the Robin Hood story supposing that the hooded outlaw had been a woman.
In addition to driving and writing, Melodie is also a musician who plays the French horn, composes, and has spent many years as a choral and instrumental director. She aspires to be a successful enough author to quit driving and devote herself to writing fulltime. Melodie resides in Utica, MS with her longtime partner, Johanna.
Some of her works can be found here.
In 2019 Melodie founded Past and Prologue Press. Please visit her website.
[image error]What inspires a writer to compose a scene, or create a character, or invent a plot? Imagination. But sometimes imagination gets a little boost from actual people, places, and events. Without giving away too much, I will let you slip into the logical, chaotic, wild and crazy recesses of my mind for just a few moments. The main thought process that has dominated my writing of Merchants of Milan has been to perceive a problem and devise a solution to said problem that will hopeful come off as believable and not contrived. It began with “Why does my protagonist create an alter-ego?” quickly followed by, “How is she able to fly?” “How does she meet her love interest?” “Why is her love interest interested in her?” and the list goes on.
The scene I will focus on in this article is how to get my women together. For this to happen, Chapter Eight becomes pivotal. Up until this point our leading ladies have admired one another in secret, but sooner or later they must discover each other’s inclinations or else our romance can’t develop. How to frame the reveal? Madelena is a widow, so it is natural for Florentina to assume she would not be interested in a relationship with her. Florentina is employed by Madelena, therefore she does not wish to imply that she is expected to do more than what her job description specifies. How to end the stalemate? With a wonderful and surprising field trip!
One of Leonardo da Vinci’s greatest masterpieces resides in the city of Milan, the Last Supper. It is a larger-than-life painting on a wall of the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, completed several years before this story takes place, and it was already a world-renown marvel. As tutor to Madelena’s children, and personally familiar with Master Leonardo himself, Florentina suggests an outing to take the children to see the great work and Maddie is pleased to join them.
One of the foremost determining factors for the year of this novel’s setting, 1502, was so this painting could be featured. My mother possessed (and passed on to me) a huge tabletop book of the complete works of Leonardo da Vinci. As a child I spent many a rainy day mesmerized as I looked through the pages, studying the paintings, drawings, and writings of the great master. The Last Supper always held a special fascination with me as did his many inventions, such as his prototypes for a flying machine. I even discovered more about da Vinci’s contributions to Milan while researching for the book, including his invention of locks to extend the canal system to reach destinations at the foot of the Alps. You could even go so far as to say Leonardo himself inspired the entire conception of this story!
After spending twenty-four years as a school teacher, it is natural for me to desire to pass on knowledge. That is one of the reasons I write historical fiction and romances–I want to bring history alive and teach an engaging lesson without the reader even knowing he or she has entered my classroom. The Renaissance was truly a rebirth of learning, art, literature, and invention and provides an almost infinite bounty of material for a writer to work with, yet very few novels of today are given that setting. Thus I leaped at the challenge!
But I digress… back to the lady’s outing with Maddie’s adorable children Matteo and Betta. They go to see the great masterpiece and run into one of Florentina’s old friends. Well, I can’t tell you what happens–you’ll just have to read the book to find out!
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January 30, 2020
Once Upon a Time- Movie Review
I hate giving bad reviews but brace yourself because that’s exactly what I’m about to do. At least in part.
Let me start from the beginning. I came across this Chinese movie on Prime, titled Once Upon a Time. I watched the previews and it looked good. Besides, its major attraction was that it claimed to be the movie version of the fantastic c-drama series, Eternal Love (or Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms), featuring Mark Chao and Yang Mi in the star roles of Ye Hua and Bai Qian. I got excited because I absolutely loved the series and if I could own it (or something close to it) I’d be a happy woman.
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Mark Chao and Yang Mi
The movie seemed promising with the beautiful Yang Yang and Liu Yifei playing Ye Hua and Bai Qian, so I shelled out the money and bought it. Unfortunately my glee at being able to revisit the gorgeous production that was Eternal Love soon fizzled away as I watched Once Upon a Time.
The two actors did a great job especially considering what they had to work with–which in plain words was a mess. If I had not been acquainted with the story I would have been totally confused. Eternal Love is like a chaotic collage of pieces of the plot in no particular order with lots of weird flashbacks that don’t fit into the story line. But that’s not where the disaster stopped.
The settings were so garish they almost hurt your eyes. In fact, at times it was as if I was watching a cartoon. Where the series had sumptuous and beautiful settings in its simplicity of colors and lines, the movie thrived on throwing every color of the rainbow in their brightest, neon-type shades into the screen. Setting, costumes, make-up was just plain awful. Or maybe it was the comparison with the beautiful, elegant charm of the series that made it look so bad.
When Su Su marries Ye Hua, their marriage is modest, set in the woods before a makeshift altar and their wedding garb, in the traditional red is beautifully simple. When the same characters dress for their wedding rehearsal in the movie, I don’t even have words to describe it (thus the picture. You judge.)
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Eternal Love
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Once Upon a Time
The love story between Crown Prince Ye Hua and Bai Qian (who is also the mortal Su Su) in the series is beautiful, romantic, and heart wrenching at times with many twists and turns. In the movie, their story gets lost amid the assault of colors and chopped-up scenes.
The only saving grace in the movie was their love scenes because they were both stripped of the flashy clothing and make up and wearing simple white garments, no make up or fancy hair-dos. It was the only time in the movie I felt any connection with the characters at all.
The other saving grace was Ye Hua’s son, played by the cutest kid ever. He totally ruled the scenes that he was a part of with his chubby cheeks and playful voice. Something in common with the series after all.
So, in other words, skip the movie, watch the series (available on Netflix). Now I’m looking for the book 
January 24, 2020
Throne of Glass – Review
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m not going to lie; I am totally invested in this series already. It has everything I normally crave for in a fantasy: great characters (both likable and not), great drama and intrigue, mystery and the promise of magic, and of course romance. I loved ACOTAR and I have great hopes for this series. I was a bit thrown off at the end (no spoilers) and I have a feeling that issue will come up again in subsequent books, but what a great and satisfying ending for a first book of a series. Thank you, Ms. Maas, you have given me many wonderful reading (listening) moments.
January 23, 2020
Heroes in Love – New Release
“Heroes in Love.”
David C. Dawson
MM Mystery Romance
Can forbidden love stand the test of time?
Will its strength inspire lasting love in today’s generation?
There are not only heroes, but unlikely heroes, who are determined to see love win.
Billy’s life changes in a single day when he meets Daniel, who becomes the love of his life.
Billy’s aging client Chuck has a dark and sad secret to reveal. As Billy and Daniel fight to help Chuck reunite with the love of his past, their own fledgling relationship is threatened.
Who will remain the heroes in love?
Get It On Amazon | Boroughs Publishing | Smashwords | Universal Link
Giveaway
David is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter for a chance to win:
Rafflecopter
Excerpt
Daniel’s kitchen was filled with a jumble of antiquated cooking gadgets accumulated from different eras in the social history of domesticity. An ancient, blackened stove stood in the chimney alcove. Next to it, an oversized American retro blender perched precariously on a mottled red Formica work surface, alongside a vintage 1930s toaster. A Victorian clothes dryer hung from the high ceiling above an antique pine table. The walls were cluttered with framed pictures, mostly collections of actors smiling from bygone West End productions. Every surface seemed cluttered with either elaborate culinary equipment or music manuscripts.
Billy looked around him in awe. The house was narrow, but extended a long way back. There seemed to be so much space. “Can I ask a cheeky question?”
“You mean, how can I afford this?” replied Daniel. “I know. I’m very lucky. My grandfather left it for me when he died. This was where I ran to when I left my parents and came to London. Grandpa Bob was the world to me. He was my mum’s father, and the dad I never had.”
“It must be worth a fortune now.”
“Three bedroom terrace house in desirable Battersea?” Daniel turned to the worktop, and opened a cupboard in front of him. “I suppose it is. But it means more to me that this was Grandpa Bob’s home. Lots of the things I have here were actually his.”
He turned back to Billy.
“I said coffee, but would you prefer tea?”
Daniel crossed to the stove, picked up a large whistling kettle, and carried it to the sink.
“Have you got mint tea?” asked Billy.
“Ooh, there’s fancy,” replied Daniel as he filled the kettle. “Give me a second and I’ll gather some leaves from the garden. Peppermint or spearmint?”
“Now it’s my turn to say ‘ooh, there’s fancy,’” replied Billy. “I’ve got no idea, but probably peppermint.”
Daniel set the kettle down on the stove and lit the gas. He picked up a pair of scissors from the dresser, crossed to the backdoor, and undid two heavy bolts.
“Come and have a look at the outside space Maggie created for me,” he said.
Daniel swung open the door. Billy could see a hazy glow of twinkling lights beckon him into the mysterious space beyond the threshold. Leading away from the kitchen door he saw an avenue of sculpted shrubs, each festooned with tiny lanterns. The pathway seemed to be endless, disappearing into the far distance. On either side of the doorway were two Victorian lampposts. A flickering yellow light illuminated huge glass globes on top of the wrought iron posts.
Billy stepped across the threshold into the garden. The ground felt soft beneath his feet. He squatted down and gently brushed the palm of his hand over its mossy surface. His nostrils were filled with the scent of chamomile. Billy looked back over his shoulder. Daniel stood smiling in the doorway.
“This is how I keep sane in this city of madness.”
Billy stood and walked farther into the garden. After a few yards he came across a break in the avenue of shrubs. It revealed a small, half-walled patio lit by two more wrought iron lanterns. They spilled yellow flickering light onto two chairs and a neat, glass-topped table. Suspended on the walls around the patio were earthenware pots in which grew many different types of herbs.
Daniel appeared at Billy’s side with the scissors in his hand.
“I’ve come to get you your tea.”
Billy felt as if he had been transported into a film set. Every one of his five senses was overwhelmed by the magic of Daniel’s west London wonderland.
“It’s beautiful,” said Billy. “It’s so – tranquil. Surely this must have cost a fortune to build?”
Daniel bent down to the chamomile lawn.
“I’m afraid it’s mostly fake, but it’s very realistic.”
He walked across to the wall of herbs, and harvested a handful of mint leaves.
“I haven’t switched on the mist,” said Daniel. “The pump needs some fixing. If I did, the romance here would’ve been overpowering.”
Billy turned as Daniel stopped behind him. He held a handful of mint leaves to Billy’s nose, and Billy inhaled deeply.
“Peppermint,” said Daniel. “I hope I made the right choice.”
He lowered his arm, hooked it around Billy’s waist, and pulled him closer. He leaned forward and kissed Billy slowly on the mouth. Daniel’s lips parted as he said quietly:
“Shit.”
He dropped his arm from Billy’s waist, reached into his front pocket, and pulled out the scissors.
“I wasn’t planning on giving myself a circumcision tonight.”
Daniel let the scissors and the handful of mint fall to the ground. He wrapped his arms around Billy, and pulled him close. Suddenly they were kissing, wildly, passionately. Daniel placed his hand on the back of Billy’s neck, holding the two men close as their tongues hungrily explored each other’s mouths. He wrapped his arm tight around Billy’s waist, and slipped his hand down to push their groins closer together.
Billy had never felt such immediate connection with a man before. Daniel was both passionate and tender. So many men he had met simply behaved like sexual animals. Encounters with them would start promisingly, but soon they would slip into clichéd actions copied from a badly made porn movie.
But Daniel was different. One moment he was kissing Billy with a passionate urgency. His raw aggression filled Billy with a sense of sexual danger. The next moment Daniel was gently sliding his tongue across Billy’s stubble, or tenderly kissing him on his forehead, on his eyes, or his nose.
Finally, Daniel slipped his hands onto Billy’s shoulders, and the two men stood with their foreheads touching. Their eyes locked on each other in an unblinking gaze.
“Do you still want that mint tea?”
“Maybe I’ll have a coffee after all,” said Billy. “I’d like to stay awake tonight.”
Author Bio
David C Dawson writes contemporary thrillers featuring gay men in love. He’s an award winning author, journalist and documentary maker.
His debut novel The Necessary Deaths won Bronze for Best Mystery & Suspense in the FAPA awards. The second in the series is The Deadly Lies. His third book For the Love of Luke came out in October 2018.
David lives in London, with his boyfriend and two cats. In his spare time, he tours Europe and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.
HEROES IN LOVE – DAVID C DAWSON
Love in London
I think London is one of the most romantic cities in the world. Of course, I’m biased. I’ve loved and lost and loved again in London throughout my life. That’s why it’s the backdrop to my lovers in my latest book Heroes in Love. Here are some of the locations the book features. Visit them next time you’re here. I challenge you not to feel touched by their romance.
Soho is the gay capital of London. Well, just about. It used to be wonderfully Bohemian with a hint of danger. But it’s got increasingly expensive and chichi as I call it, as the people with money moved in. All the same, go for a good value dinner at Taro on Brewer Street (the inspiration for the restaurant Bento in Brewer in the story) and watch the lovers stare at each other dreamily over their meals. Or walk arm in arm down from Soho to Piccadilly Circus, and drop into the brasserie Zedel’s. Have a late night drink there in the café. You can imagine yourself in Paris, except the waiters are wonderfully attentive and polite.
The River Thames at night is far more romantic than the Seine in Paris, or the Arno in Florence in my opinion. Walk down The Strand, have dinner at the Savoy, and then walk down to Embankment tube station. There’s a footbridge over the Thames. As you get halfway across, stop, and look in wonder at the lights of London. The bizarrely Gothic Palace of Westminster, the ultra-modern concrete and steel of the City of London further down river, and the simply beautiful dome of Christopher Wren’s St Pauls. Every time my partner and I cross this bridge, we have to stop and kiss – even if it’s raining! It’s one of the most romantic spots in the whole of London.
The top deck of a London double-decker bus is supremely romantic. Make sure you sit in the very front seats, right over the head of the driver. You can imagine you’re being paraded around the streets of London like royalty. Wave regally at pedestrians below you, as your noble vehicle chunters past them. Lean back in each other’s arms, and enjoy your superior view of the beauty that is London. And fall in love all over again.
December 31, 2019
The Queen of Nothing-Review
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Words fail me to express how much I loved this whole series and this last book in particular. Amazing characters who were far from perfect, magical world building, great plot, a beautiful love story, so many surprises… I was not sure where the story was going at some point and it made me very nervous, but Black delivered. Highly recommend to young adults and fantasy-loving adults.
December 30, 2019
Death of Civil Discourse
I should write a disclaimer beforehand since this is about a controversial subject. My post has nothing to do with race or religion and I feel that racism is indeed an evil that still prevails and, unfortunately, probably always will to some extent. I also want to point out that I am Lilly white (more of a pasty beige), an immigrant (who has been a US citizen now for a long time) for whom English is a second language (as attested by my misuse of prepositions) and also what people love to call a bleeding heart (I believe in being charitable even with those who probably don’t deserve it and that people can and do change as they get older). Now that is out of the way, let’s talk about the death of tolerance, civil discourse, and giving people the benefit of the doubt. Oh yeah, and also the lack of understanding that words can and do hurt a lot and can indeed destroy lives and relationships.
These past years, besides the mess brought on by politics, has seen a surge of intolerance that bothers me to no end. I am old. I still remember when I was trying to figure out what career to follow and had very few options open to me as a woman. I was sexually harassed and even assaulted many times (not raped thankfully) from the age of thirteen until I left my country as an adult. I was in South Africa during the apartheid. I lived in what was then Zaire and witnessed all kinds of injustices committed by humans against fellow humans of every color, shape or form. When I first moved to the US I was shocked by the almost palpable racial bigotry in the area where I lived back then. But things have changed, they have evolved and, for the most part, gotten a lot better. Are we where we should be yet? Not really, but there has been a lot of progress in the right direction.
Suddenly though we seem to have taken a few steps backwards. Under the guise of being inclusive we, as a society, have began excluding people for all kinds of reasons. I don’t like your ideas so I’m going to call you a few names and unfriend you. Oh wait, I’ll go further and will tweet about how horrible you are because you have different ideas from me. But, hold on, I’ll do even better; I will damage your career and life because I think you are a despicable person who supports a politician I hate and/or because you said or did something twenty years ago that could be construed as racist or biased nowadays.
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Come on, people, we are better than this. We are all humans and, as such, imperfect. We all make mistakes and even those of us who think have no prejudices, I have news for you; you do. We all do. You can’t escape it, we learn it unconsciously from those around us or from events in our lives that shaped the way we think. The old proverb, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, is good advice for all of us because let’s face it, we all live in glass houses. Jesus had the same idea when he said, let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
I have witnessed friends and family members cutting themselves off each other’s lives because of different opinions about some issues. I’m not going to lie; I disagree with many things friends and relatives think or do, sometimes enough to make me angry. However, I can’t forget that these are good people, imperfect but basically good. I’ll give you an example that made me very angry at the time. Not angry enough to cut myself off completely from my friend, but enough to put a bit of space between us for a while. My son is gay and this friend of mine, who is a wonderful, loving woman, posted somethings inspired by the teachings in her church that labeled my son and all other queers as sinners who needed to repent and change their ways. I was angry, I was disappointed in her because I respect her and I know she has a heart of gold and is always willing to do whatever it takes to help those in need. So I gave ourselves a little space. No words of anger, no unfriending. After some time, anger faded to a manageable level and I’m so glad I can still call her my friend. I know we will never agree on some things, but that doesn’t make her or me a bad person.
Obviously there are extreme cases. I’m not talking about people who post nothing but hate and indiscriminate bigotry or who incite violence. I decided to write this post because of the upheaval going on right now in the romance world. I don’t have all the facts and I am probably too ignorant of certain legalities to be able to judge things clearly but I can’t help but notice that most parties involved in this mess have let their anger (justified or not) tint their words and actions. In today’s world, words stick around forever thanks to social media (which I love and hate in equal parts) where people seem to think they can say whatever they want with impunity, forgetting all along that they are often hurting others.
I will end my ramblings here. Take this for what it is, a vent from someone who is so tired of the fights and strife brought on by differences of opinions, different perspectives, looking at things so closely and through tinted lenses that you are almost certain to find fault in everything.
Can we hit the pause button for a while and spend some time admiring the world around us, this magical planet we live in and the amazing and diverse creatures that populate it? Can we just agree to disagree on a few things? I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t stand up for your beliefs, I’m just saying let’s do it in a civil, empathetic, courteous way. Anger and meanness does nothing but create more anger.
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December 9, 2019
Credence- Blog Tour
Title: Credence
Author: Skye McNeil
Series: The Mobster Files, book 3
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 23, 2019
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: BookSmith Design
Available now!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/319YoYU
All other links: books2read.com/credence
Alliances are tested in the final installment in Cameron and Joci’s love story when mobsters and lawyers collide.
Cameron Shearer’s life as a police officer is put on hold when the Del Rossi mob demands restitution. One last job with the mob then he’s done for good. Too bad for him his ex-girlfriend—and sister of his mafia boss—isn’t on the same page. Thrown into a life of heists, arrests, and his past, Cameron must walk the line of good and evil.
When Cameron is forced back to his mobster ways, Joci must face a potential future without him. Juggling two law firms, a family, and the mob is harder than she could’ve prepared for. Just when she thinks life falls into place, something disrupts their future.
Will history repeat itself or will their love find credence?
Available now!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/319YoYU
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2kquVtN
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2m0MIrD
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2lZlAJB
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1466576003
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EOZFLO
With one smooth move, he unclasped her bra and grinned. “Counselor, I do believe you’re losing articles of clothes.”
Playing along, she sat up and unbuckled his belt. She couldn’t deny how his body came alive with the promise of more. It was something she’d never get sick of. “Me? Nah, I think you’re mistaken, officer. You on the other hand may need to watch yourself or I’ll book you for indecent exposure.”
Cameron smirked and tugged her shirt and bra off, flinging both toward the television. His eyes hungrily took in her naked torso. “Now that is a crime I’m willing to do time for.” He leaned up and licked her nipple. “So long as you’re in jail with me, that is.”
Gasping, she clasped her hands around his neck and arched toward him. “And what exactly would we do in that jail cell?”
He paused and met her gaze. His voice lowered and he placed purposeful kisses on her chest and neck. “Fuck you until the walls fall down around us.” He captured her lips. “Then do it all over again.”
Shivers ran down Joci’s spine at his words. “Promise?”
A determined grin covered his face. “Cross my heart.”
* * * * *
The Mobster Files Series
Appointed by Fate
(book 1)
FREE
for a limited time
books2read.com/fate
Exonerated with Love
(book 2)
books2read.com/exonerated
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Skye McNeil began writing at the age of seventeen and has been lost in a love affair ever since. During the day, she moonlights as a paralegal at a law firm favouring criminal law.
Skye enjoys writing romantic comedies and cozy mysteries novels that leave readers wanting more and falling in love over and over. She writes contemporary and historical novels ranging from sweet and sassy to steamy and sultry.
Her constant writing companions are two cats and two dogs. When she’s not writing, Skye enjoys spending time with family, photography, volleyball, traveling, and curling up with a cup of coffee and reading.
Sign up for Skye’s newsletter HERE.
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November 25, 2019
Credence – New Release
Title: Credence
Author: Skye McNeil
Series: The Mobster Files, book 3
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 23, 2019
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: BookSmith Design
Available now!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/319YoYU
All other links: books2read.com/credence
Alliances are tested in the final installment in Cameron and Joci’s love story when mobsters and lawyers collide.
Cameron Shearer’s life as a police officer is put on hold when the Del Rossi mob demands restitution. One last job with the mob then he’s done for good. Too bad for him his ex-girlfriend—and sister of his mafia boss—isn’t on the same page. Thrown into a life of heists, arrests, and his past, Cameron must walk the line of good and evil.
When Cameron is forced back to his mobster ways, Joci must face a potential future without him. Juggling two law firms, a family, and the mob is harder than she could’ve prepared for. Just when she thinks life falls into place, something disrupts their future.
Will history repeat itself or will their love find credence?
Available now!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/319YoYU
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2kquVtN
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2m0MIrD
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2lZlAJB
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1466576003
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EOZFLO
* * * * *
The Mobster Files Series Appointed by Fate
(book 1)
FREE
for a limited time
books2read.com/fate
Exonerated with Love
(book 2)
books2read.com/exonerated
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram
Skye McNeil began writing at the age of seventeen and has been lost in a love affair ever since. During the day, she moonlights as a paralegal at a law firm favouring criminal law.
Skye enjoys writing romantic comedies and cozy mysteries novels that leave readers wanting more and falling in love over and over. She writes contemporary and historical novels ranging from sweet and sassy to steamy and sultry.
Her constant writing companions are two cats and two dogs. When she’s not writing, Skye enjoys spending time with family, photography, volleyball, traveling, and curling up with a cup of coffee and reading.
Sign up for Skye’s newsletter HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 24, 2019
Serpent & Dove – Review
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was such a great surprise. I am always very skeptic about books that appear everywhere online. Being an author I know how publishers send these beautiful hardcover books to reviewers and bloggers in exchange for a bit of publicity, so I take the hype with a bit of salt. But the blurb was intriguing so I decided to give it a chance. I bought both the hardcover and the audio book and absolutely loved it. Love stories where the lines between good and bad are not that well defined and where the characters are flawed in in need of a change. Both Reid and Lou were such characters, but there were so many other amazing side kicks such as Ansel, Coco, Madame LeBlanc, and even the annoyingly cocky Bo. Another aspect that resonated with me was the mixture of fiction with some things that ring too close to the truth historically. A magical book about the transformative power of love. Highly recommend it.
November 23, 2019
Becoming Us – New Release
Catch up with Kirkby residents Scott and Davis!
A uthor: Becca Seymour
Book: Becoming Us
Genre: M/M Romance
Cover Designer: Booksmith Design
books2read.com/becomingus
Catch up with Kirkby residents Scott and Davis as they navigate through the ups and downs of fatherhood, relationships, and juggling… balls.
In two years, it’s clear love can last, just as it can grow.
Davis’s business remains successful, Scott’s clinic is going strong, and Libby is happy and content.
But that doesn’t mean real life is always perfect, nor does it mean fatherhood isn’t as exhausting as it is wonderful.
Needing a break from their daily routines, Davis and Scott head away for a weekend of uninhibited fun. With lots of laughter and dancing, Davis has never seen Scott so relaxed and comfortable in public.
And he’s not quite sure how to handle that.
Worried that life in Kirkby is holding Scott back, Davis nearly makes the biggest mistake of his life.
But Scott has other ideas. He doesn’t need saving. What he needs is his man to step up and fight for their family and their future.
And he has just the plan to do it.
A True-Blue novella. I’ve Got You MUST be read prior to reading this story.
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2OsoanI
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2o8llgZ
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2ViDRPP
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2VjS132
iTunes: https://apple.co/35dVXaj
Nook: http://bit.ly/2nrOQKi
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2m7YDo0
Limited Time “Wide” Availability – Moving to KU Dec 1st!
Swoon-worthy low-angst contemporary M/M romances
books2read.com/letmeshowyou
books2read.com/ivegotyou
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Becca Seymour lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.
Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.
$40 Amazon Gift Card (or country $$ equivalent)
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