Andrew Grey's Blog, page 56
December 8, 2010
Love Means... No Fear
I've been asked by a number of people when Love Means... No Fear will be available. The story is being released on December 27, 2010, but the title has been added to the Coming Soon page at Dreamspinner Press. Therefore, it is available for advance purchase. If you buy now, it will be added to your library at Dreamspinner as soon as it becomes available and you will be among the first to read this story.
Here a link
Blurb: Raine Baumer is living the party life in Chicago, indulging in short relationships with little emotional commitment. But after he’s severely injured in a gay bashing, close friend Geoff arrives to take him to the country to recuperate. There Geoff and his partner Eli treat him like part of the family, and Raine meets Jonah, Eli’s brother, who is exploring life in the world outside his Amish community.
Jonah and Raine’s mutual attraction draws them together, but they may not have a chance to explore it. Jonah’s father is making ultimatums, and the police believe that the attack on Raine may not have been as random as it initially appeared. Raine and Jonah will have to face what they fear most in order to have any chance at a life together.
Another review for A Taste of Love
Review :
“A Taste of Love” by Andrew Grey is an M/M romance, and one of the best books I have read in a long time. Mr. Grey not only created a well-written story but a story with heart and soul. This book is not just hot sex between lovers, but about love, responsibility, commitment, and family.
Darryl’s life is centered on keeping his restaurant running smoothly and making it the best eating establishment in town, which is more than a full-time job. He is also hiding the hurt and fear of a love lost until he meets a young man in need of a job. From the moment, Darryl hires Billy a young man down on his luck sparks fly between them. However, Darryl does not act on the attraction he has for Billy because of his past fears. That is until he learns about the life Billy is living. Opening his home to Billy and his small twin brothers is one thing but opening his heart is another.
I found myself both laughing and crying while reading “A Taste of Love” as well as praying that things would work out for Darryl and Billy. There were many twisting turns, and heart-jerking fear for the future they had to face. Andrew Grey did a beautiful job in pulling the reader into the story and pulling out emotions with each chapter read, so pull out the tissue, you are going to need it. This book is definitely worth reading over again and I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press
Thank you Terra for the great review.
December 6, 2010
Review for A Taste of Love
A TASTE OF LOVE is a story of two people finding acceptance and love with one another. Mr. Grey delivers another winner in his latest release and delivers a satisfying read that will surely warm the hardest of hearts. This is one story I plan to read again in the future. If you haven’t tried one of Mr. Grey’s books, then what are you waiting for? Run and grab one and settle in for a day of reading bliss. A TASTE OF LOVE is definitely one story that I hope expands into a series in the future. I am looking forward to this author’s next release and hope I don’t have too long of a wait.
Read the entire review
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press
Love Means... No Fear
I just received the cover for Love Means... No Fear and wanted to share it with you. Hopefully now that the cover is ready, the story will be available for pre purchase in the next few days at www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Blurb:
Raine Baumer is living the party life in Chicago, indulging in short relationships with little emotional commitment. But after he's severely injured in a gay bashing, close friend Geoff arrives to take him to the country to recuperate. There Geoff and his partner Eli treat him like part of the family, and Raine meets Jonah, Eli’s brother, who is exploring life in the world outside his Amish community.
Jonah and Raine’s mutual attraction draws them together, but they may not have a chance to explore it. Jonah’s father is making ultimatums, and the police believe that the attack on Raine may not have been as random as it initially appeared. Raine and Jonah will have to face what they fear most in order to have any chance at a life together.
December 3, 2010
Love Means... Freedom
Blurb: Spurned by his father and driven from his home, Stone Hillyard is struggling to find shelter in the Michigan winter when he lucks upon the horse farm run by Geoff Laughton and his partner Eli. They take him in, warm him up, and give him a job working with their No Boundaries therapy riding program.
A drunk driver left Preston Harding unable to walk, and after months of hard work, his therapist recommends Geoff and Eli’s program. But Preston’s anger and arrogance nearly get him kicked out until Stone intercedes on his behalf, despite Preston’s insults. It’s a small act of kindness that helps open Preston’s eyes.
Stone and Preston will support each other as they face their families’ disapproval and fight old secrets. They’ll learn—sometimes the hard way—just how love can mean freedom for them both.
Available from Dreamspinner Press
You can also get it at Amazon and All Romance eBooks
Excerpt:
“Take it easy. You shouldn’t overdo it,” the therapist warned, as he watched Preston maneuvering himself between the bars.
“I want to walk!” he yelled, as he gritted his teeth and grunted. “The fucking doctor said I’d never walk again,” he grunted as he forced his legs to work. “I intend to walk up to that asshole and shake his hand,” he said through gritted teeth as he moved again, “or punch the fucker’s face!” He reached the end and turned around, collapsing into the wheelchair. “I do intend to walk again.” He looked at the therapist and grinned, “Sorry, Jasper, I didn’t mean to take it out on you.” The anger and frustration slipped away as he wheeled himself toward the door. “I just want this so badly.”
“I know you do, and so do I, but injuring yourself isn’t going to make it happen faster.” Jasper held the door open. “You’ve come a long way in a short time.”
“Not far enough.” Preston was determined and naturally impatient.
“Pres,” his physical therapist and friend began, “Your muscles are just now starting to get the blood they need to function. Sometimes, you need to let things progress on their own, and they just won’t be rushed.”
Preston whipped the chair around, “I thought therapists were supposed to be sadistic.” A huge grin broke onto his face.
“I may be a sadistic therapist, but I’m also your friend. I want you to walk again; I just don’t want you to hurt yourself doing it.” Jasper led the way back into the lobby where Preston’s mother was waiting for him.
Preston hated that at twenty-six, he was back living with his parents and dependent upon them again. A drunk driver had not only taken away the use of his legs, but also his freedom, and he was determined above all else to get it back. Feeling had returned, and after numerous surgeries, some movement had returned. As soon as he could lift his legs, he’d started exercising when no one was around. “I’m ready to go, Mom.”
“Okay, honey.” She got to her feet and walked over to him, stepping behind the chair to push Preston to the car.
“I don’t need any help,” he said snappily. She handed him his coat and he shrugged it on before gripping the wheels and propelling himself forward, the doors opening automatically in front of him. “I just need to do things for myself.” He jetted through the parking lot, stopping near the car and waiting for her to unlock the doors. Positioning the chair near the seat, he shifted himself onto his shaky, but strengthening legs and onto the seat. He then folded the chair and maneuvered it behind his seat. Strapping himself in, he closed the door and fastened his seatbelt. “I’m sorry I yelled. It’s just important that I do it myself.”
“I know.” She turned to him and smiled. “I just forget and want to help.” She started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Preston had to admit that his mom had been as good and supportive as he could have hoped. She’d carted him wherever he needed to go and took time off work so he could get to his therapy appointments. “Your father called. He’ll be home in a few days.”
“Oh, goody.” Preston actually whirled his finger in mock excitement. In stark contrast to his mother, Preston’s father had seen his accident as yet another way he’d imposed himself on their lives. His father was the main reason he wanted to be out of the house. The man tended to be overbearing and self-centered on his best days.
“Pres, your father works hard.” His mother soothed as they continued their drive toward west, turning on Lake drive.
“Don’t defend him, mom. Not to me.” Preston’s father had nearly had a stroke when he’d told him he was gay. After about a week, he began parading every girl he could find through the house because Preston “just hadn’t met the right one yet.” It was embarrassing for him and the girls when he told each one that he was gay. Eventually his father had stopped, but Preston knew he hadn’t given up. Milford Harding the Third never gave up; he just bided his time before he struck again. It was only Preston’s accident that had called a truce between them. “At least we have a few days of peace left.”
His mother didn’t respond, and they rode in silence until she pulled the car into the circular driveway before parking in the three-car garage. Preston opened the door and slid out his chair, opening it before climbing on and making his way to the back door where a ramp led into the house.
Guest Blog - Serena Yates
I'm very excited about the release of the first book in my Men of Riverside series on November 22. It's called Finding Elliot and kicks off the adventures of a group of men who all went to the same high school in the fictional town of Riverside, Texas. Not all of them know they are destined to be couples. Some of them believe they are only friends. Circumstances and life separate them, sometimes for several years. But luck, determination and love will help them get the reunions they deserve.
The idea for the series was born when I was looking for a unifying theme for three or four books. ‘Reunions’ have always fascinated me, so I started writing down all types of different reunions. The ones after a fight, or after a temporary or longer separation, friends reuniting to discover they want more, reunions that happen after encountering jealousy or even infidelity. There were too many to name, really. So, I decided I needed more than a few books if I wanted to explore this theme. So far, I have come up with seven, maybe eight, types of story, and they will all be released every other month over the next year or so. Infidelity was one reason I couldn’t get myself to work with, though.
The cycle of stories is set between 2008 and 2010, and includes episodes in the past where necessary. The first book is about David, who is determined to find Elliot again after 5 years of forced separation - except what he gets isn’t the closure he was hoping for...
Excerpt:
Riverside, Texas
Tuesday January 1, 2008
“Elliot!” David pushed one last time and shuddered as he came into the condom in short bursts. The relief was as explosive as it was short lived.
“What the fuck?”
The stranger’s voice brought David back to reality. Shit, this wasn’t Elliot, the man he still loved. This was some stranger he’d picked up at the Riverside New Year’s party. They’d had a good time, but now he couldn’t even remember the guy’s name. He closed his eyes for a moment. The situation was too embarrassing for words.
“I’m sorry.” David pulled out, dealt with the condom and donned his clothes as quickly as possible. Thank God it was mostly dark so he didn’t have to look the stranger in the eye. “I’m really, really sorry. I shouldn’t have agreed to this.”
“I’ll say!” The stranger switched on a bedside lamp, trying to cover himself with the sheet at the same time.
The light made David look up. The only similarities with Elliot were the man’s dark curly hair and his deep blue eyes. Nothing else about him looked right, and David couldn’t for the life of him explain why he’d gone with the guy. Trying to forget Elliot was as close to an answer as he could come. Considering he’d been doing that for years, without even a trace of success, only made the situation even more pathetic.
“I’m really sorry.” David cringed at his inability to say anything more sensible. He’d had his share of encounters in clubs, even the occasional visit to a stranger’s apartment, but he’d never actually said Elliot’s name when he was with another man.
“Look, I know this is only a one-night stand. But we did exchange names and I sort of expected you to at least remember that.” The stranger sat up and raked a hand through his short curls. “It’s not a real problem for me, but I think you need help. You’re still hung up on this Elliot guy.”
David nodded. He’d gotten the message loud and clear this time. He couldn't say or do anything to make this situation better so he left the bedroom, grabbed his coat from the back of the sofa in the living room and hurried out.
What had he been thinking? He closed the door of the stranger’s apartment behind him, made his way down the stairs and got into his car. The new year had started only hours ago. It was still dark and he was still alone. He shook his head as he drove along the deserted streets of his hometown. At twenty-two he should have known better than to expect another one-night stand to be the solution to his problem, no matter how attractive the guy had seemed.
He was still hung up on Elliot, even five years after they’d been forcibly separated when Elliot’s parents had moved away from Riverside. He’d never heard from Elliot again and hated to admit how much that still hurt. He hit the steering wheel with an open hand and the pain was almost a relief. He wasn’t one to make New Year’s resolutions, but this was different. There wasn’t anything he could do on New Year’s Day, but as soon as it was over, he was going to get help.
* * * *
The next morning, David stood in front of the office of Russiter Investigations, his woollen coat pulled tightly around himself. He hoped that his friend Peter would arrive soon so he could step inside the office building. The cold January air was crisp enough to make him shiver, even though there wasn’t much wind.
“David Lear, what a surprise to see you here this bright and early.” Peter’s voice came from behind him. “Must be urgent or else you’d have come at a more civilised hour.”
“You’re right, it's urgent.” David shook hands with his former high school classmate and college buddy. He watched him unlock the office door and switch on the lights before following him inside, carefully closing the outside door behind him. “You may not agree, but please hear me out. And don’t laugh.”
You can buy the e-book here: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=991
It will also become available on AllRomance (http://www.allromanceebooks.com/) within the next few weeks.
Contact Serena at a number of places:
www.serenayates.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000257093080
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SerenaYates
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964333.Serena_Yates
December 1, 2010
Mariah the Christmas Moose
Dreamspinner Press
Blurb:
Kyle’s mother thinks he’s crazy. He’s just moved from Florida to Anchorage, Alaska for an elementary school teaching job. In December. She may not be far off base. Spooked by a “monster” outside his new house, Kyle calls for the police, only to discover that his attacker is a moose named Mariah. More visits from the moose yield more visits from the same sexy policeman, and the two men explore ways to stay warm in the frozen North.
Excerpt:
KYLE placed his feet on the floor, immediately pulling them back as a shiver ran through his slender frame. Cold. Why did everything have to be so cold all the time? The only time he felt warm was when he was in bed. Curling back beneath the covers, he tried to think of what on earth could have woken him up at—he checked the clock—five thirty in the morning. Then he heard the buzzing again and reached his hand from under the covers, grabbing his phone before pulling his hand back beneath the blankets. “Hello, Mom,” Kyle sighed, blinking his eyes. “Do you know what time it is?” he asked groggily as his legs started to feel warm again.
“Of course, honey,” she responded brightly, obviously checking the clock as she dragged out her words to fill any possible empty space. “It’s ten thirty.”
“Mom.” Kyle felt his head throb once. “Alaska is five hours behind Florida; that means it’s five thirty here.” He told her this every time she called. For the first week, she’d asked him what time it was when she called. Now she’d just given up and gone back to assuming her time was his time. “Is there something you wanted?”
“No, I just called to talk. I got this new cell phone, and they said I had free long distance, so I thought I’d call, see how you were.” More like find out if he’d changed his mind and decided to come back home, Kyle thought in response, but he phrased it in a much less mom-friendly way. She’d asked him no less than five times in the three weeks since he’d taken the job as a teacher in the Anchorage school system. “So, is it cold there?” she continued, completely oblivious to anything he might have to say. “It was eighty degrees yesterday, and I went with your brother and the kids to the beach. We had a lovely day.” She went on for a while about his perfect brother, Gregory, and her perfect two grandchildren—how cute they were, what they did, the cutesy questions they asked her. Kyle’s attention snapped back when her tone changed. “And do you know what Dommy asked me after we went swimming?” She sounded scandalized. “He asked me if girls had inside penises.” She whispered the last word, and Kyle completely lost it.
“It’s not that funny,” his mother replied indignantly.
“Mom, you called me at five thirty on a Sunday morning just to tell me that one of my nephews asked you the difference between a whoo-hoos and who-haas”—using the euphemisms his mother had used when they were children—“and for some reason you don’t think that’s funny?” Kyle continued laughing until his gasps moved the covers, letting in a blast of cold air.
“If you’re not going to be serious, I’ll hang up, and you can call me later.” The line went dead, and Kyle closed his phone and placed it on his nightstand before looking around the room. It was still dark, and he chuckled a few more times before burying his head beneath the covers, trying in vain to go back to sleep.
His family all thought he was completely crazy to leave the family home of Bradenton, Florida for the wild and cold of Anchorage, Alaska, and there had been days when he’d begun to question his sanity, too, but the people he worked with seemed really nice and almost all of them were from someplace else as well, so they had made him feel welcome. Besides, he’d spent the last three years substitute teaching, trying to get a permanent elementary school teaching position, and every time one came up, it went to someone else for one reason or another. When he’d seen the ad in the NEA newsletter that Alaska needed teachers and that they’d pay to relocate qualified candidates, he’d applied, figuring nothing would come of it. Well, surprise, surprise, they’d called, and after a telephone interview as well as calls to his references, they’d hired him, provided he agreed to study and become certified in Alaska. Unfortunately, they’d forgotten to tell him that they wanted him to start right away, which meant early December, and that the temperatures were already in the single digits—for the highs. Kyle shivered at the very thought.
The furnace kicked in, and Kyle listened to it run, imagining the room getting warmer. Giving up on getting back to sleep, he felt around on the floor until he found his slippers, and then, in one quick move, practiced each morning he’d been here, he slipped his feet into them and pulled on his big, fluffy robe in less than two seconds flat.
He padded down the hall to the kitchen, where he started the coffeepot and huddled next to it for additional warmth until the nectar of the gods was ready. Pouring himself a huge cup, he settled in one of the huge, plush living room chairs. He loved these chairs, even though they dwarfed his five-foot, four-inch frame. But they were comfortable and surprisingly warm. The teacher he’d replaced had been called back “down below,” as he’d heard the locals refer to the rest of the country, because of a death in the family, and Kyle had been able to take over her lease on the house. He’d just been looking for an apartment, but this was an opportunity too good to pass up. The place wasn’t large, but it had two bedrooms, a nice living room, and a huge eat-in kitchen with huge windows overlooking the backyard. There was also a wood stove, and he’d found a massive stack of firewood under a snowdrift in the backyard.
After drinking his coffee, he must have dozed off, because he jerked awake with a cramp in his leg and a crick in his neck. Stretching and gliding his head in a circle, he blinked awake and saw the faint glow of daybreak just lightening the sky. Standing up, he picked up the empty mug from where it had fallen on the floor and walked into the kitchen, placing it in the sink.
Thinking he saw movement in the backyard, Kyle walked to the windows and peered outside, jumping back and falling flat onto his butt as a huge pair of eyes stared back at him. As he watched, a massive head backed away from the window and a huge body lumbered further into the yard to where some vines grew on the fence. It started eating the vines, but Kyle swore it never took its eyes off him.
Panic rising through him, Kyle reached for the phone, dialing 911.
“Hello. Can you please state the nature of your emergency?” a calm female voice asked on the other end of the line.
“Th… th… there’s a huge animal, monster—hell, I don’t know what it is, but this thing is in my backyard, and it’s eating stuff.”
November 29, 2010
Review for A Taste of Love
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press or Amazon.com
Darryl Hansen has accomplished a lot professionally, for someone who is only thirty years old. He has realized his dream of owning and operating a successful Belgian restaurant in the beautiful and historic town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. But he is alone as a gay man, and doesn't see that changing, the result of an emotionally-devastating happening in his youth. So, when charismatically attractive and eager Billy Weaver is hired as a new waiter for his business, Darryl is uncomfortable with how much he finds himself attracted to the young man. That attraction turns to admiration, when he learns that Billy is the sole financial and emotional support for his adorable five-year-old twin brothers, and he cautiously explores a relationship with Billy and plays surrogate uncle to his brothers. Both wonder if their relationship will last, but neither of them could have anticipated what happens next, which threatens to take away the boys and possibly cause Billy to leave with them.
This is the third of Grey's romantic novels I have read, and I love the smooth, even tone and realism he brings to his stories, including the subtle erotic content. Well written and engaging from the first page, this one will absolutely have you rooting for the couple against all odds. Five perfectly-cooked stars out of five!
- Bob Lind, Echo MagazineLove Means... No Boundaries
Blurb:
Joey Sutherland has found a home with Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, living and working at the farm that has become a refuge after a motorcycle accident left him with a scarred face and a lot of insecurities. When Geoff’s aunt Mari convinces them to take in a musician from the National Youth Symphony, Joey is reluctantly roped into picking him, already anticipating the disgust he’ll see on the man’s face.
But Robert Edward Jameson surprises him: he’s outgoing and friendly, he’s willing to try just about anything around the farm, and he’s blind, which goes a long way toward easing Joey’s nerves.
Joey and Robbie become inseparable and discover the beginnings of love. But summer is coming to an end, and Robbie will return to his home in Mississippi, where his family and servants see to everything he could want or need. Joey can only hope Robbie will take a chance on love and escape the boundaries that have shaped his sightless life.
Available from:
Dreamspinner Press
Amazon.com
Excerpt:
“Well, we should get started.” Geoff pushed back his chair and walked with his mug through the house to his office, disappearing inside. Geoff was an accountant, and it still took him a lot of time to keep the books of an enterprise of this size and scale up to date.
Joey got up and put his cup in the sink, looking through the house to the stairs.
Eli seemed to read his mind. “Don’t worry. I’ll be here when he gets up.”
Joey nodded and left the kitchen, going to one of the farm trucks. A few hours later, the last of the fields inspected and checked, he pointed the truck back toward the farm.
Walking inside, he found Eli and Robbie in the kitchen. Robbie stood at the counter, up to his elbows in bread dough, grinning from ear to ear. “Is that you, Joey?”
“Yup.” Joey chuckled. “You’re covered in flour.” Robbie shrugged and kept working the dough.
“Is that good?” Robbie asked Eli.
Eli checked the texture. “Sure is, now form the dough into two equal hunks and place them in the bowls. There’s one to the left and one to the right.” Eli went back to work, letting Robbie finish up.
Joey almost asked Robbie if he needed help, but stopped. Robbie would ask if he did. “I was wondering if you’re feeling adventurous.”
Robbie split the dough and held a hunk in each hand, balancing the weight. Setting them down, he located the bowls and placed the dough in each. “What did you have in mind?” Eli handed him two towels, and he set the bowls aside carefully and covered each one. The movements were slow and methodical but accomplished with confidence.
“I need to check on some fences, and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me. I can saddle Twilight, and you could ride with me.”
“You mean really ride, like behind you?”
“Yeah, if you want.”
Robbie really seemed to like the idea, smiling and nodding.
“Then let’s get you cleaned up, and we’ll get going. Can you find your way to the barn or do you need help?”
Eli spoke up. “You get the horse saddled, and I’ll bring Robbie out when he’s ready.”
Joey touched Robbie’s shoulder and went to the barn whistling happily. Inside, he brushed Twilight and got her saddled and ready. He was tightening the girth as he heard Eli and Robbie enter the barn.
“You met Tiger yesterday.” Eli told Robbie. “This is Kirk, he’s a headstrong one, but it’s all just show.” Joey peeked out and saw Eli feeding the midnight stallion a few carrots. “This is Belle, short for Tinkerbelle. She’s great with the kids and loves attention.” Joey went back to work, listening as Eli continued showing Robbie around. He knew that noses and necks were being petted and scratched. A few times he heard Robbie laugh and croon at the big babies. The man may not be able to see, but he saw better than most people, and the man had no fear or guile. The horses loved him for that.
That’s when it hit him: Robbie trusted them. He tried to imagine not being able to see, always reliant on what others told him or showed him, clues to reality and deception coming only from sound or the slight inflection in other’s voices. Hell, Robbie was about to trust him while they were both on the back of a half-ton animal. What a responsibility and turn-on at the same time. The level of trust was incredibly sexy, and his pants got tight thinking about it. He actually had to think unsexy thoughts to get things to go down.
He continued getting Twilight ready and heard Robbie’s phone ring. He shook his head when he heard the now familiar electronic tune. Robbie’s voice droned softly as Joey finished saddling Twilight. As he finished, Robbie hung up. “Are you ready?”
Robbie’s excitement rang through the barn. “You bet!”
“I’ll meet you two out front.”
When Joey brought Twilight around, he saw Robbie bending down, Rex jumping for some attention. “Hey, boy.”
“Let’s me get on first, and Eli will help you.” Joey mounted and scooted forward, slipping his feet out of the stirrups. Robbie mounted behind him. “Put your arms around my waist and scoot close to me.” Thank goodness they were both thin. The saddle was tight, but at least the pommel wasn’t pressing against his bits.
He felt Robbie’s arms slink around his waist, hips pressed against his butt, thighs against the back of his legs. “Have fun, you two. And call if you find anything, and I’ll send someone out. Lumpy and Pete are just itching to mend fences.” The sarcasm was almost funny. It was the one chore those two men hated above all else.
Clicking his teeth, he bumped Twilight’s side and she began walking across the yard. “We’ll head out across one of the fields and then down a wooded path to the south pastures. I’ll let you know to duck if we encounter any low branches.”
“Okay. What should I do?” They rode quietly across the field.
“Just enjoy the ride. Are your sunglasses on?”
He felt Robbie’s chuckle. “Yes, mother.”
Joey returned the laughter. “I’m not that bad.”
“No one’s that bad. She always worries, but she’s called me three or four times a day since I left on the tour. I thought I was going to be away from her for a while. Boy, was I wrong.”
November 27, 2010
Book of the Week
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