M.A. Church's Blog, page 143

Wednesday Briefs- To Touch the Sky #6

Welcome to the Wednesday Briefs flash group (click to go to the site). The short stories have a maximum of a 1000 word count plus links at the bottom to the other flashers. If interested in joining us, drop me a line and I'll tell you how. :)
Prompts for this week:
"Don’t take this the wrong way… "or "He/She has the gift of gab." or "What time is it?"or "Age before beauty."or " Oh, get a grip, I’m not that bad. "or "Well, this place has gone to pot."or " What are you babbling about? "or "She’s/He’s certainly gung-ho."or "Made you look!"or use: junk, raven, painor use: mask, danger, eroticaor use: felony, global, toothor use: butterfly, fireplace,forkor use: whipped cream in some wayor use: yummy buns in some wayor have line dancing in your storyor “Takes one to know one”or “If I could turn back time, I’d...”or “Something in the way he walks...”or use NASCAR in some wayor use: roses, diner, kneeor “I thought I knew you...”or “Heads up!”or have a game of Marco Polo in your story

Chapter Six
Hawk called his best friend, Jason. He needed to talk to someone about what happened in his bar. A short time later there was a knock at his door.“Come on in. I’m in the kitchen.” “Hey man, how’s it going?” Hawk shrugged and pushed the glass of sweet tea he’d fixed over to Jason. “It’s going. Want anything to eat?”“No thanks, I’m good.” Hawk took the glass and sipped. “So…”“So…” Hawk fidgeted.“Hawk? What’s going on?” Jason sipped his tea.Hawk flopped down at the kitchen table, waving for Jason to have a seat too. “Remember that vision of my mate from long ago? I told you he’d be a modern man with blond hair and brown eyes.”“I remember. It was right after the young one died, and you left camp. You also said you didn’t want a mate.”“For all the good it did.” Hawk slammed his hand on the table. “I met him last night at my bar! My fucking bar, Jason. Shit. His name is Simon Carter.” “Huh. I have to say I’m surprised you’re surprised. Did you really think you could avoid this forever? His name is Simon Carter, right? My mate has a friend by that name. I wonder if it’s the same person.”“It would just fucking figure.”“Yeah, maybe. And…?”“And what do you mean ‘and’? And isn’t that enough? I don’t want a mate. I don’t need a mate. I don’t want that responsibility. I—”“Broken record, man.”Hawk snapped his mouth shut, his nice rant derailed. “Listen up, Hawk. It’s not all about you now. All I’ve heard since that night was why this wasn’t a good idea for you. Why you didn’t want this. Why you didn’t want that responsibility. My friend, I love you like brother, but you are an ass.”“Dammit, Jason. Just because you’ve known about your mate since practically before his birth doesn’t mean we all are going to jump for joy. Compared to me, you have it so much easier and—”A low growl erupted from Jason. Dark eyes lightened to an eerie greenish-yellow, a sure sign his animal was close to the surface. “Easier? Easier? I’ve waited his whole life to claim him. I had to. I found him when he was just a child.” Jason was a cougar shifter, a black cougar shifter, a beast that, according to the experts, never existed. The fact Jason’s totem was such a creature meant it did exist at one time. “Now my mate’s grandmother is dying, Hawk. The only parent he’s ever known and loved. He’s going to grieve, and I can’t really be there for him. He has no idea who or what I am. You think this is easier? Fuck you, man.”“Hey, hey, I’m sorry, Jason. I didn’t mean any disrespect to you.”“I’m so sick of this! You think you’re the only person who’s ever suffered a loss?”“You don’t get it.”“What’s there to get?” Jason hollered. “Well, I get that you would deny your mate. And how dare you do that to Simon?” He stood. “You know what, never mind. Maybe he would be better off with someone else who will appreciate the man. Who will spend time with him and learn his likes and dislikes. He needs someone who will love him—someone to take his ass and pound it through the mattress. I bet I could find someone to take Simon off your hands and—”Hawk leaped across the table, his hand wrapped around Jason’s neck. His eyes were a golden blaze in his face. They crashed to the floor, Hawk on top of Jason. “He’s mine!” Hawk screeched. “I will kill you if you even try to set him up with anyone. Do you hear me, Jason? I will fucking gut you, then—”“You ass,” Jason snarled, then tugged at the hands around his throat. “Take a look at yourself, and tell me you can walk away from him.”Horrified, Hawk stared at his hands wrapped around Jason’s throat. He jerked his hands back. He’d attacked his friend. The man he considered a brother. They’d fought before, but he’d never felt the overpowering need to hurt—hell, who was he kidding? He wanted to kill Jason. He was damn lucky Jason hadn’t gone for the knife he kept strapped to his ankle and gutted him. “I’m so sorry. Jason, I am so, so sorry.” He scrambled off the other man and plopped down on his kitchen floor. “I could have killed you.”Jason snorted as he sat up. “You’re a bird. I’m a cat. Who usually wins that fight?”“Ass.”“Nope, that’s you.” Jason stood up and held his hand out to Hawk. “Look, your reaction should tell you everything you need to know. Deal with your issues, finally, and go claim the man.”“I just don’t know.” How did one get rid of hundreds of years of guilt? “How do I keep him safe, Jason, in this world? I don’t know if I can do this.”“Well, you better figure out something. I proved how dangerous you are just thinking someone is trying to take your mate. How are you going to handle seeing him flirting with another man?”“Stop.” “Fuck that. What about him taking another man home? Can you stand the thought of another man kissing him? Caressing him?” “Jason, dammit.” Hawk cringed, as he suddenly thought about the guy he’d seen hanging around Simon the night he’d stopped the fight. The very idea of the two of them together…“Stop!”“Then wake up and hear what I’m saying to you. There are no guarantees in this life!”Hawk clenched his hands. “But—” “No buts and no guarantees. Hawk, how are you going to handle someone else plowing his ass? Just talking about it makes you squawk at me. What if you attack a human? What if you kill one? If you’re going to try and fight the mating instinct, then you must get away from Simon. Give up everything you have built here and move. Otherwise...” Jason shrugged. “You’re a guaranteed ticking time bomb. Think about it, man. Think hard. And fast.”
“I… I will.” 
TBC


Chris T. KatCarol PedrosoCia Nordwell Victoria AdamsTaylin ClavelliAveryMatthias WilliamsonJC WallaceRavon SilviusSarah HayesRenee StevensJim DunawayLM BrownRob ColtonTali SpencerNephylimJulie Lynn Hayes 

Pride Promotions Presents Dissonance by Shira Anthony and a Giveaway!

Book Name: DissonanceAuthor Name: Shira AnthonyAuthor Bio: In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “i Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs, and when she’s not writing she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 36’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel.Author Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shira.anthonyGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4641776.Shira_AnthonyTwitter: @WriterShiraWebsite: http://www.shiraanthony.comE-mail: shiraanthony@hotmail.comPublisher: Dreamspinner PressBlurb(s): British lord Cameron Sherrington has hit rock bottom. The love of his life, opera sensation Aiden Lind, is marrying another man, and Cam knows it’s his own fault for pushing Aiden away. Then someone tries to set him up and take away his family business. Facing arrest by US authorities on charges of money laundering and with no money to return to London, Cam decides to run. But with no money and no place to stay, it’s not exactly the Hollywood thriller he’d imagined.When Cam hears Galen Rusk play in a lonely subway station, he’s intrigued. But his assumptions about Galen are all wrong, and their unusual relationship isn’t exactly what Cam bargained for. Add to that the nightmares that dog him nightly, and Cam’s world is shaken to its core. Cam figures he had it coming to him, that it’s all penance due on a life lived without honesty. He just never figured he might not be able to survive it.Note: Blue Notes Series novels are standalone stories, and can be read in any order.

Excerpt: Cam climbed the stairs of the Spring Street station. The wind had picked up, causing one of his curls to tumble onto his forehead. He sighed as he pushed the hair from his eyes and cursed his mother for her genes. They were too much alike, and not just in appearance. They were both wanderers. Always seeking excitement. Prone to infidelity. But whereas she seemed to revel in her freedom,he’d always sought partners.Not that he’dhad any success in keeping them.He thought of the trumpet player in the subway station.For a moment he’d felt something. He played well. Surprisingly well, really. Had it been more than that? Something beyondthe music?Of course it was more than that. He was attractive. Cam laughed and shook his head to himself.What did it matter?There were plenty of men in New York,and the last thing he needed was a downtrodden fuck.

Tour Dates: 8/8 – 9/5

Tour Stops: 8/8 - Prism Book Alliance8/11 - Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words8/12 - Smoocher’s Voice8/13 - Fallen Angel Reviews8/14 - The Hat Party8/15 - Amanda C. Stone8/18 - Tara Lain8/19 - The Novel Approach8/20 - LeAnn’s Book Reviews8/21 - Kimber Vale8/22 - Full Moon Dreaming8/25 - Love Bytes8/26 - Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves8/27 - Hearts on Fire8/28 - Wicked Wolves and Dreaming Dragons8/29 - Velvet Panic9/1 - Decadent Delights9/2 - Rainbow Gold Reviews9/3 - My Fiction Nook9/4 - Emotion in Motion9/5 - BONUS DATES: MM Good Book Reviews, Book SuburbiaRafflecopter Code: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cf0ba9495/

widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"...Rafflecopter Prize: NYC Subway cuffSales Links: E-book: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5291
Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5292

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MJ01G98/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MJ01G98&linkCode=as2&tag=pridepromo-20

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dissonance-1591228-149.html?referrer=5314fed11fb4f






Now for the interview:


Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?Many of you may know that I’m a former opera singer. So when I was trying to decide on a pen name, I chose the name “Shira,” which means “song” in Hebrew. It even sounds like that a bit (pronounced “Shee-rah”, with the accent on the first syllable, not like the princess!). My given name begins with an A, so I chose a last name that started with A, but that was a bit more common than the first name.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?I think strong characters and clean writing are the two most important elements of good writing. You can have an amazing plot, but if your characters fall flat or your writing is plodding and overly dense, the plot will just get lost. I want to read books that ring true and that I don’t have to struggle to read. I want to read dialogue that sounds like real people talking to each other, and I want to believe in the characters and know what makes them tick.

How do you develop your plot and characters?It depends on the book. In my Blue Notes Series, the story develops out of the characters. I’ll have an idea about what makes a character do what he does, and then I’ll think about how he might grow or change for the better. Then I layer that over a romance plot, with the romance being the driving force behind the need for the character to change. I’m a die-hard romantic, and I love the idea of love changing a person and helping them become stronger.

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?I wrote one het erotic romance, but once I found MM romance, I never went back. I do write in various sub-genres within MM because it helps keep my muse happy (and that keeps me happy!). My Blue Notes Series books are contemporary romances. But I also write the Mermen of Ea Series, which is high fantasy set in the age of sail and features—you guessed it—mermen. My next release is the first in a series of vampire novels set in the present and in France in the late 1800s. I find that mixing it up keeps all of my stories fresh, and it keeps writing fun.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what? A lot of people ask me if I do, and the answer usually surprises them: I don’t! Really, it’s more that I can’t than anything else. Maybe it’s my musician brain, but I can’t listen to music without hearing all the layers in it. I guess I spent too many hours analyzing music at the conservatories I attended, but I hear harmonic progressions, orchestration, rhythm, and everything else that goes into making a piece of music, and all of that is very distracting when I’m trying to write. Just because I don’t listen while I’m writing, though, doesn’t mean I don’t use music to inspire my writing. Nearly every book I write has a musical theme to it. Every Blue Notes Series book has a playlist, too.

What are your favorite TV shows? I don’t watch much TV these days, since I’m usually writing or editing in my “free” time (I write and work full-time). When I do, though, I love to stream Japanese anime on my computer. I’m not much of an artist, but I love the artwork, and I love the amazing stories and universes you can find in anime. And yaoi (gay) anime? My favorite!

What group did you hang out with in high school? Geeks, definitely. Music geeks. You know, the band and orchestra kids who’d watch original Trekin reruns and write angsty poetry in the library? Yep. That was me! There’s a chapter at the beginning of Encore, another Blue Notes Series book, that takes place in a high school band room in part. That was my childhood I used!


How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?  Dissonance is my 13th book, and I think it’s my 10th novel. It’s probably also my favorite, because I fell in love with both of the MCs (I’m so fickle!!). Falling for Cameron Sherrington wasn’t so easy, either, since he was a bit of an “arse” (as he might say) in a previous series book.

Welcome Ashley Ladd - Business or Pleasure

Blurb:Guy Rogers is extremely attracted to his new realtor, Tom Beaudreaux. As a passionate vegetarian and animal activist, he’s ecstatic that Tom is a kindred soul. He could never be with a carnivore. Unfortunately, Tommy isn’t really a vegetarian or animal activist. He never said he was either, he just didn’t eat meat when he was with Guy. And maybe he emptied his house of all meat and dairy products before inviting Guy over. In fact, Tommy’s family owns the most popular barbecue restaurant in town and if his family has their way, he’ll manage the new location.
When Guy finds out that Tommy eats meat and his family owns a restaurant that is a monument to eating meat, he’s livid and doesn’t know if he wants anything else to do with Tommy.
But then Guy’s life gets crazy –his dad’s paranoia blossoms into violent dementia, he gets arrested for picketing a doggy mill, and then he winds up in even more legal trouble. When Tommy sticks by him through all his trouble and does everything he can to help him, Guy wonders if he’s been too militant and narrow-minded. Perhaps he can learn to live with people who have opposite views.
Excerpt:Guy finished his meal, wadded up his napkin and dropped it on his plate. “Do you think it will take long to find more houses for me to look at?”“I’ll make you—it—my priority. Just give me a couple days.” Damn! A Freudian slip.Guy reached over as if to put his hand on Tommy’s, but stopped in midair. His eyes softened and hope flickered. “I’d like it if you made me, not my business, your priority.”Tommy’s throat went dry and his heart flipped over. “Do you mean what I think you mean?”Guy lowered his hand and took Tommy’s in his. “I think so. I like you—a lot. You’re handsome and charming and I feel a connection. I know it’s quick, but I’m a forthright, fast kind of guy. Besides, if you find me a house as rapidly as I want, you’ll be out of my life before I can do anything about it. Do I have a chance with you?”Tommy wanted to jump up from his seat and shout, “Hell yeah!” But his inner angel was quarreling with his inner devil about work ethics. It wasn’t as if real estate agents had long-term contracts or dealings with their clients. They found a home, closed the deal then moved on to the next client. He supposed it wouldn’t be the end of his career if he got together with one client. Feeling as if his heart had leapt into his throat, he turned his hand over and squeezed Guy’s fingers. “Yeah. I like you a lot too.”Guy looked like he was about to let out a whoop of victory then remembered where he was. Instead, he lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “I’d invite you to my place, but my dad would be a buzz kill. Do you have your own apartment?”Tommy swallowed a gulp. “I do in Davie. If you don’t mind the long drive.”“You’re a funny, funny man, Tom Boudreaux. I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth.”Tommy licked his suddenly dry lips and his cock twitched. In mach three, blood was rushing into it. “So I did hear that?”“Yeah, babe, you did.”He liked being called ‘babe’, especially by Guy. He threw several dollar bills on the table, which included a generous tip, then he stood, hoping the evidence of his arousal wasn’t noticeable. From the amused glint in Guy’s eyes, it had been noted.
Buy Links:https://www.totallybound.com/business-or-pleasure




·     Ashley Ladd lives in South Florida with her husband, five children, and beloved pets. She loves the water, animals (especially cats), and playing on the computer.
She's been told she has a wicked sense of humor and often incorporates humor and adventure into her books. She also adores very spicy romance, which she weaves into her stories.
How you can contact Ashley:chinara@aol.comhttp://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ashleyladdauthorhttp://www.twitter.com/ashleyladdhttps://www.goodreads.com/AshleyLaddhttp://www.shelfari.com/search/books?Keywords=Ashley%20Ladd
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ashley%20ladd&sprefix=ashle%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aashley%20ladd

Tease Me Thursday - The Yellow Rope

Welcome to Tease Me Thursday ! When it's not quite Friday, and you're feeling like some fun from your favorite authors and authors you haven't met yet. Come on in, have a seat, and most of all... have fun! For this hop you post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. It can be from a WIP or something published.For this week, I thought I’d do something from The Yellow Rope.




Excerpt:

“Hey, babe, glad you’re home.” Gage turned in the arms that held him and returned the hug.
“So am I. It was a really, really long day.” Luke stepped back and loosened his tie. It’d been strangling him for the better part of the day. “Been in meetings for most of the morning, and oh joy, since this was a county wide in-service, we had to dress.”
“I know. I enjoyed listening to you bitch about that very thing this morning while I was trying to get dressed.” Gage tapped the end of Luke’s nose. “But you do look good in a suit. And I so enjoy taking it off you.”
Luke laughed, shaking his head. “You always say that, but I’d rather be in jeans. You like taking those off, too."
“You bet.”
“Perv.”
“You know it.” Gage winked as he turned back to the stove to test the spaghetti sauce. 



Buy link: http://www.extasybooks.com/the-yellow-rope/ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theyellowrope-1239900-147.html

Welcome Ashley Ladd - Cooking Up A Storm

COOKING UP A STORM by Ashley Ladd 

Blurb:
Brooks and Rique desperately want to win a coveted chef’s job offered by an eccentric millionaire in paradise. Even more, Rique desperately wants to stay alive. 
Brooks and Rique desperately want to win the head chef’s position offered by an eccentric millionaire Jonah Verleun on his beautiful, private but peculiar island that includes a zoo full of exotic animals, an amusement park and a monster shark tank beneath Jonah’s bedroom floor. While Brooks wants the job to escape his heartache and the lover who thwarted him, Rique is hiding from the mob, hoping to live long enough to pay them off with the prize winnings. Fierce competitors, they cook up a storm in a series of cooking challenges while trying to turn down the heat on their intense attraction. When a hurricane strikes the island, the storm Rique has been cooking up explodes, and no heart—or body—is safe.

Excerpt: They ran, hunched over, zigging and zagging as bullets flew around them. Rique damned himself for putting Brooks in this mess. He wondered if the mob held the others prisoner and that’s why they didn’t answer the door.           He turned the first corner they came upon and then the next. He stopped dead and the air left his lungs. A moment later Brooks ran into his back almost knocking him over. He swayed dangerously but managed to stay upright and spread his arms wide to keep Brooks from stumbling forward.He couldn’t believe his eyes. One of Jonah’s tigers lay in their path crouching low, baring his teeth, and eying them as if they were dinner.           He tried to quell the jitters attacking his stomach so the animal wouldn’t smell his fear then whispered to Brooks through clenched teeth, “What do we do now? Freeze or run?”           “Run. But where?” Brooks whispered back, a frown trembling on his lips.           “To the closest protection.” He prayed their hunters had lost them, that they wouldn’t run back into a barrage of bullets. As Rique bunched his muscles to run, already feeling the animal’s fangs ripping into him, he noted how the tiger’s thick muscles corded in his shoulders, and how saliva ran down his snarling lips.           “Dear God, we’re going to die.” Panic laced Brooks’ voice. “If we get out of here alive, let’s both turn down the job and move in together.”           Swallowing hard, Rique couldn’t reply so he nodded. Besides, as much as he wanted to live with Brooks, he couldn’t do it as long as he was indebted to the mob. However, the point was moot. He couldn’t see a scenario in which one of them didn’t die in the next five minutes.           Feeling responsible, Rique couldn’t let anything happen to Brooks as long as he was alive. He would take on the tiger giving Brooks time to reach safety. “On the count of three, run!”As Rique whispered, “One,” hisses, then a blood-curdling growl wrenched the air. It was a different sound than the tiger was making. Then a crocodile bellowed and jumped out of the bushes and snatched the tiger by its belly. As it dragged the struggling creature back to the bushes, the tiger howled in surprise and pain. It clawed the air in vain as the reptile’s powerful jaws clamped tighter biting through flesh and bone.
Buy links:Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Up-Storm-Ashley-Ladd-ebook/dp/B00LPR0FUC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405135531&sr=8-2&keywords=ashley+ladd All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-cookingupastorm-1566606-149.html Totally Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/cooking-up-a-storm

Bio: Ashley Ladd
Ashley Ladd lives in South Florida with her husband, five children, and beloved pets. She loves the water, animals (especially cats), and playing on the computer.
She's been told she has a wicked sense of humour and often incorporates humour and adventure into her books. She also adores very spicy romance, which she weaves into her stories.You can find Ashley at:
http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/AshleyLaddAuthorhttps://twitter.com/ashleyladdhttps://www.goodreads.com/AshleyLaddhttps://www.totallybound.com/author/ashley-ladd#bookshttp://www.amazon.com/Ashley-Ladd/e/B002PSKTLU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1404670854&sr=8-1

Pride Promotions Presents Love is Dangerous Tour by Morticia Knight and a Giveaway!

Book Name: Dangerous Wish (Uniform Encounters 6)Although part of a series, all installments can be read as standalones. For more information, visit Morticia Knight’s author page at Totally Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/author/morticia-knight#books
* * * * 
Set Ablaze (Uniform Encounters 1)Hunky fire chief Eric is out of the closet after twenty years of marriage. Can he find true love, or will a spate of arson fires destroy his chances with Tom, the sexy young firefighter?
Arresting Behaviour (Uniform Encounters 2)Native American Quinn and Detective Jake come from two opposing worlds. But when opposites attract, the result is explosive.
Lust Emergency (Uniform Encounters 3)The new ER doctor is smoking hot, and the exotic African American paramedic can't keep his eyes off of him. Tricky relationships and subterfuge at a Phoenix sex club almost drive a permanent wedge between the two, but a bombing at City Hall changes the endgame.
Guarded Desires (Uniform Encounters 4)A sexy young National Guardsman, a snarky bear of a DEA Agent and a vicious Mexican drug cartel. Someone’s going to be sorry.
Secret Fire (Uniform Encounters 5) Police officer Zach and Fire Marshal Daryl would be perfect together—if they would ever quit fighting long enough to find out. A devastating fire and the secret behind it almost keeps them from getting what they really need—each other.


Author Name: Morticia Knight
Author Bio: M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale – after all, who doesn’t? Since she loves several genres, you may find your heroes in a contemporary, historical, paranormal or sci-fi setting. One of her passions is bringing people's fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor.

When not indulging in her obsession for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. The Pacific Northwest is the ideal spot to enjoy both hiking and beachcombing. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She now resides on the northern coast of Oregon, where the constant rain and fog remind her of visits to family in England and Scotland when she was a child.

She is currently working on a new series about men in uniform entitled Sin City Uniforms and a BDSM spin-off to the Gin & Jazz series entitled The Hampton Road Club.


Cover Artist: Posh Gosh
Publisher: Totally Bound
Blurb(s): Love is a dangerous emotion that EMT Jared won’t risk. But it looks as though a sweet and sexy National Guardsman is about to make him wish for that—and much more.

EMT Jared Li loves his job, his friends and clubbing. There’s nothing like a night of fun getting glammed up, throwing on some heels and shaking his ass to the latest Britney tune. Life is all about having a good time with as many hot guys as possible.

Dan Harrison has been in the National Guard for about six months and out for not much longer than that. At twenty-two, he’s somewhat innocent, a little shy and not interested in meaningless hook-ups. One night at a karaoke bar changes everything for him when his fellow Guardsman Joseph introduces him to his friend Jared. Dan’s never met anyone like the luscious twink who’s filled with so much life and laughter.

A night of passion shakes them to their very cores. Jared really likes Dan, but doesn’t want to get caught up in any type of exclusive thing. Dan wishes there could be more between them, but is willing just to be friends in order to remain near the androgynous stunner.

Hanging out strictly as friends proves to be almost impossible for them both. Not only does Jared continuously lust after the muscular soldier, but he’s also falling for the caring and compassionate man. Dan’s every sex fantasy stars Jared in one of his daring club outfits, but his heart is what really matters and it’s already been lost to Jared.

A traumatic event breaks down the barriers between them and gives them the chance to be together the way they both want. But after Dan is called up by the Guard to assist at a natural disaster, the same bravery that Jared admires in Dan might be the final thing that separates them forever. 



Dangerous Wish Fact: EMT Jared Li’s favorite song is Kazaky’s Crazy Love.


Excerpt: 
A soft glow filled the room, the perfect lighting. He glanced at his bed and was mortified to see that he’d left it unmade. Lifting his head to apologize, his words were stolen from him as Jared approached him, reaching around Dan to place the condom and packet of lube he’d likely retrieved from his coat pocket onto the bedside table. The heaven of Jared’s lithe body pressing on him shattered any other consideration, his only objective being to get Jared naked and spread out on his mattress.
His cock jerked, leaked pre-cum. He sank his fingers into Jared’s glorious mane of hair and yanked him to his mouth. Each kiss was its own separate exploration as Dan moved in, sought out Jared’s sweetness, then took a breath and moved in again.“You taste so good, Jared, so good.” His voice sounded ragged to his own ears.“So do you, honey.” Jared’s voice was whisper soft, a siren’s call. “I wanna taste the rest. You want me to?”The ache, the need. It was something he thought he’d known about, but he’d known nothing. Not until that moment.“Y-yes. Please…”Jared chuckled, the sound low in his chest. “No begging necessary. I’m gonna give it up for you, all of it.”Oh Jesus.Taking one short step back from Dan’s embrace, Jared tugged at his T-shirt and pulled it over his head, tossing it on the ground after it was removed. “You next.”Jared had said it with such conviction, almost like an order. Right when Dan doubted that he could get any more turned on, Jared upped the ante. Dan unbuttoned his shirt as quickly as he could, tired of waiting. Jared’s gaze traveled down to watch him as he undressed himself and Dan had a momentary twinge of concern, worried that he might not appeal to Jared once his clothes were off. He took really good care of his body and worked out a lot, but he’d never been completely naked with anyone before and he had no idea what Jared liked in a guy.Jared audibly sucked in a breath as Dan reached up to get his tank off.“Fuck. I could watch that all night.”“Huh?”If something he did made Jared react like that, he wanted to make sure he knew what it was so he could do it often.“The way your muscles rippled when your arms stretched then the six-pack…” He stopped to fan himself with one hand. “Oh my beating heart, you are a stud.”Dan’s face flushed. He was thrilled at the compliment, but embarrassed just the same. The whole idea was new—the idea that he could be the object of someone’s lust.“I can’t stand it. I need the rest right now.”



Tour Dates/Stops: August 8: Kimi-Chan, Rainbow Gold ReviewsAugust 11: Hearts on Fire, MM Good Book ReviewsAugust 12: Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Love BytesAugust 13: The Hat PartyAugust 14: Prism Book AllianceAugust 15: Tara LainAugust 18: Parker Williams, The Blogger GirlsAugust 19: Emotion in MotionAugust 20: My Fiction NookAugust 21: Decadent Delights, Lee BrazilAugust 22: Smoocher’s VoiceAugust 25: Amanda C. StoneAugust 26: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue WordsAugust 27: LeAnn’s Book ReviewsAugust 28: Reviews and RamblingsAugust 29: Nephylim

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Wednesday Briefs - To Touch the Sky #5

Welcome to the Wednesday Briefs flash group (click to go to the site). The short stories have a maximum of a 1000 word count plus links at the bottom to the other flashers. If interested in joining us, drop me a line and I'll tell you how. :)

Prompts for this week:

"Send me a signal, I'll throw you a line" or "I could understand you better if your mouth wasn't full"or "taking the train to Crazy Town"or "I'll show you what-for"or "Six of one, half dozen of the other"or "She was like fine wine..."or "Miss you? I'll have to try harder next time, won't I?"or "Kneel before me and..."or use: coat, tree, wagonor use: panties, licorice, ticketor use: steel, inevitable, postureor use: fairy dust in some wayor "He was an accident just waiting to happen" 

Chapter Five Holy shit. Simon didn’t have time to process what happened before it was over. He'd certainly showed that jock what for. The jock and his friends were out the door before anyone could say another word. His fear of the man named Hawk soaked the room. And speaking of Hawk…. He didn’t know what kind of aftershave or whatever it was the man used, but the fragrance made him want to climb Hawk like a cat and lick him all over. The scent reminded Simon of rain and cut grass, of rich earth and wildflowers. It was sharp, clean, and left his cock hard, his ass tingling. Hawk was definitely Native American with those features. God, those cheekbones of Hawk’s. Simon would kill for those. Just flat out cut a bitch. And all that thick, short dark hair? Heaven.Fuck, his jeans were strangling his hard-on.Compared to him, Hawk was tall, but Simon guessed he was really only average height. It didn’t really matter since Hawk was several inches taller. He was slightly disappointed Hawk refused his offer of a drink. Actually, he was surprised at himself for even offering since he’d been eyeing Douglas. He didn’t normally hedge his bets that way, but the words popped out before he could stop them. Hawk said he didn’t drink when he was working. Bet that sucked since he owned the bar. He hadn’t been this wound up over a man in… Simon frowned. He’d never been this hot for a guy. Never. Simon watched Hawk hurry through the crowd, another man walking with him. Simon noticed the hand Manny wrapped around Hawk’s bicep. Manny wasn’t just walking with Hawk; he was damn near dragging him out. He took a step in their directions before catching himself. Why did that guy have his hands on Hawk? He shouldn’t. No one should be touching Hawk but… whoa. Where did that come from? Whatever was going on, it was none of his business. “Well, that was interesting.” Douglas stared off in the same direction as Hawk and Manny left, a slight frown tipping his lips down. “They say the owner, Hawk, can’t commit to anyone. The rumor is he has a steady stream of guys through his bedroom.”“Come on, let’s go sit down. I’m done with pool, what about you?”“Yeah, I think I’d like to just chill for a while.”Simon led the way back to their table. “So, how do you know Hawk’s a player?”“I asked around.” Douglas smirked. “Kind of like you’re doing now and watched him in action here. He’s a damn fine man, isn’t he?”“He is sexy.”Douglas sighed. “Look, Simon. I like you. I’d like to get to know you better, so don’t take this the wrong way, okay?”“Well hell, nothing ever good comes from that kind of opening.”“True. The thing is, Hawk has never, and I mean never, been seen with blonds. Ever.”“That’s… really? Never?” “Never. Ask around, okay. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to cock block you. I’m not. I just don’t… You seem like a nice guy, and we hit it off, but I don’t think that hard-on you still have is for me.”“Yeah man, sorry about that. There’s something about him, you know? He makes me… I could get so… Fuck. I want him bad. Have you ever…?”“Made a play for him? Naw. You’re right, there is something about him, but it kinda scares me. He’s hot as fuck, but a night with him would probably be more than what I’m after.”Simon shivered. “Dangerous. That’s how he comes across.”Neither man spoke, both lost in thought.Finally, Simon spoke. “I guess I’d better be heading out.”“Yeah, me too.”Simon stared at the man across from him. Dammit to hell and back, he’d totally planned to take him home and now…“It’s gone, isn’t it?” Douglas asked.“Huh?”“What you felt for me earlier. It’s gone now.”“Shit.” Simon ran his hand through his hair, then waved for the check. “I’m sorry you wasted time on me, but yeah. God, maybe I really am a jerk.”“It’s a good thing I’m such a cool guy. Most dudes would be a little put out wasting this much time on what looked like a sure thing.” Douglas grinned suddenly. “So, not a fuck buddy, but what about a friend? You interested?”Relief flowed through Simon. “I am sorry, Douglas. And yeah, that was shitty of me. I just… I just… I have no idea how to explain this to you, but I am sorry. And absolutely. Give me your cell number.”The waitress brought the check, which Simon paid. It was the least he could do. They exchanged numbers and made loose plans to meet up for lunch next week. Waving goodbye to Douglas, Simon cut through the parking lot to his car. So wrapped up in his plotting and planning, he almost didn’t notice how dark it was where he parked. Simon glanced around the parking lot. What possessed him to park so close to the woods? He walked a little faster, sudden unease slithering down his spine. The feeling of being watched shook him to his toes. He peered into the darkness. He really needed to get a hold of his imagination before it scared the…Tseeeeeeaarr“Holy crap!” Simon fell against the car. Movement caught his attention. Was that a bird? Yeah, it was—a rather large bird. Another shrill scream and his eyes rolled back in his head at that sound. “Jesus, would you stop that?” An angry ruffle of feathers—yup, that was definitely angry ruffling—and the damn bird took off. It was so dark he barely could see it fly away.  Simon released a nervous breath. “Well, okay then, bye.” Simon rolled his eyes. Now he was talking to birds. What a weird, trying, and totally insane night.And it was just the beginning of the weekend.

TBC

Wednesday Briefs - To Touch the Sky # 4.3

Welcome to the Wednesday Briefs flash group (click to go to the site). The short stories have a maximum of a 1000 word count plus links at the bottom to the other flashers. If interested in joining us, drop me a line and I'll tell you how. :)

Prompts this week are:
Or “One step at the time.”
Or “Could I maybe buy you a drink?”
Or “I am so out of here.”
Or “That ticks most my boxes.”
Or “I can see me chilling here.”
Or “What a view.”
Or “I don’t know why…”
Or “I hope it doesn't go down. ”
Or “Misery, your company is here.”
Or “You’re a little too far away.”
Or use an awesome view in the story
Or have a character ride a bike
Or use: laptop, sleeping bag, radio
Or have a lost puppy in the story
Or use trash, clamp, bra
Or use: Amazon, sand, thong
Or use bubble bath
Or “he’s the sheriff”
Or “We’re going to finish what we started”
Or have a character with a piercing
Or “You’re a darker shade of pale”
Or have a character use the carrot and stick method of persuasion
or "Things go better with Coke"


To Touch the Sky Chapter 4.3
The blond held his hand out. “Thanks, Hawk. Name’s Simon Carter. I sure didn’t mean to get something started in your bar, but I’m glad you showed up when you did. Jackass planned to beat my ass, I’m sure.”Hawk’s frantically beating heart pounded out a rhyme of mate, mate, mate in his head. He glanced down at Simon’s hand, stunned disbelief holding him hostage as he watched his hand rise up. Unable to stop the movement, he saw his own moving as if it had a mind of its own to clasp Simon’s. That dizzying, mad rush of wind filled his ears. Joy flooded his being and his soul flew free at the skin on skin contact. The promised one, his mate, touched him. Hunger washed over him. Mine! The spirit that shared his body screamed. Claim him!“Um…” Simon blushed, his hand still held tightly. “Hawk? I’m really, really glad you showed up. Could I maybe buy you a drink?”Hawk’s brain finally kicked into gear. That was his mate standing there, dammit, and here he stood, fawning over the one person he swore to avoid at all costs. The pleasure thrumming through his body drained away and dread filled him. This was not what he wanted. “I, ah, thanks, but no thanks, not when I’m working. I was just, ah, trying to stop a fight breaking out.” Hawk saw the disappointment flash in Simon’s eyes. “Oh, okay,” Simon sighed, turning away. “Well, thanks again. Come on, Douglas.”Hawk heard the discouraged sigh. His stomach rolled uneasily. And just who was this Douglas guy? Was he someone important to his mate? If this guy was, then he’d…. He’d not do anything, that’s what he’d do. It didn’t matter who Douglas was to Simon. He didn’t care. He didn’t. Did. Not. That sounded like bullshit to even him.His heart ached. Simon sounded sad. Every nerve in his body demanded he turn around and… and… pull his mate in his arms, stroke that tight little body while murmuring of his need and desires. He’d press soft kisses against that lovely blond hair until Simon’s sighs were pleasured-filled instead of disheartened, then forbid him to ever look at Douglas again. Shit. He was already getting possessive. Walking away tore him to pieces, make his guts cramp, but he trudged onward. He was not what Simon needed, not what any man needed.What are you doing? Wait! Why are you leaving? Chetan, that’s our mate. Why are you… no. Oh spirits, you can’t be serious! Don’t you dare walk away from him. Chetannnnnnnnnnnnnn!Hawk flinched, a sharp stab of pain drilling right between his eyes. His totem was not happy, not if the shrill cries inside his head were any indication. Stop! Chetan, I mean it, stop! He’s our mate.The pounding music that only a few minutes ago entertained him, now made his head ache sickly. There were too many people here, too many bodies pressing close. He couldn’t breathe for the sweat and arousal choking him. Scents rushed him, overwhelming him. He wanted to throw his head back and scream his rage, his need. The smell of something cooking made his mouth water, and his stomach heaved nastily as every dragging step took him farther away. He flung out an arm to steady himself.  He needed out, now, before he lost control. “Hawk!” Manny grasped his arm.A slurred, hissy tseeeeeeaarr, a sound no human would make, escaped from Hawk.“Oh, fucking hell, man.” Manny frantically tugged Hawk toward the door. “Don’t you daredo this in here, do you hear me?” Manny whispered desperately. “A few more steps and we’ll be outside. Just hold on, damn you.”“Shit,” Hawk mumbled, his body surging. Pain slashed through him, leaving fury behind. “Almost there.” Manny shoved his way through the crowds.Hawk’s vision wavered and he knew, he knew with absolute certainly, he was going to shift. There was no stopping it. The red-tailed hawk he shared his life force with was furious, maddened beyond control at what he’d just done. He’d walked away from his mate.Hawk groaned as Manny threw open the bar front entrance, dragging him around back away from the security lights and parking lot.“Un-fucking-believable. That was your mate, wasn’t it? You stupid bastard, what were you thinking?” Manny snarled when Hawk tried to jerk away. “Don’t get your tail feathers in a twist at me and stop dragging your damn feet. We need to get closer to the woods before you—”“Aw fuck!”Hawk shouted as his body rippled with the oncoming change.“But here works too.” Manny shook his head as he eased Hawk to the ground, trying to get his clothes off. “Of all the dumb-ass, bird-brained—dammit, watch the talons—and stop fighting it!”His totem was beyond furious with him and not speaking either. He didn’t know if that scared him more than the non-stop nagging. He lost the thought as pain carved into his brain, slicing and dicing his gray matter. His body screamed in agony as he shifted, his breathing stuttering in his chest as his body transformed. Great Mother, he hadn’t hurt like this since his first shift so long ago. His sight suddenly disappeared, and his heart damn near stopped. Why couldn’t he see? Why did he feel so confined?“Easy, easy.  I didn’t get you completely stripped,” Manny said. “Just let me help get you free once you finish shifting.”Human clothes and shifting were never a good combination. He tried to stop fighting as the end of his shift came upon him. He peered in the darkness, the T-shirt still wrapped around him. That was why he couldn’t see and felt restricted. He let out an undignified squawk.“Yeah, yeah, yeah, keep your feathers on. I’m trying to get you out without totally ripping up your clothes.” Manny hissed suddenly. “Watch the damn talons, or so help me, I’m going to fucking pluck you, man.” Hawk chirped loudly as clothes fell from his face.“There!” Manny waved his hand at the sky. “You’re free. I’ll leave the clothes here for you. Now git.”Hawk hunched down, muscles bunching, then launched his body into the air. He trilled to let Manny know he did appreciate the help. He climbed higher in the sky, the pain and heartache of what he’d done hot on his heels. You should know by now there are some things you can’t run from. Hawk circled the bar before heading west. At least his totem was speaking to him again.
TBC
Chris T. Kat
Taylin ClavelliAveryJC WallaceNephylimJon KeysJohayanCia NordwellJim DunawayElyzabeth VaLey Lily VeldenShelly SchulzCarol PedrosoTali SpencerJulie Lynn Hayes
Kazy Reed

Winner of the Nighttime series

yooper580b you are the winner of the Nighttime series! I've sent the email out to you. 

Welcome Chris T. Kat - Unicorn Rescue and a Giveaway!

Five Details About Unicorn Rescue
Michelle, thank you very much for the opportunity to be a guest on your blog. eXtasy books published my new release, Unicorn Rescue, on August 15th. I'm also holding a giveaway! It's for one of two coin purses. The contest runs from August 13th to August 21nd. All you need to do is just comment on the post to be entered. :)







Unicorn Rescue is a paranormal/fantasy story, partly set on Earth and partly on Eden, the stolen unicorns' homeworld. This is only a novelette, so talking about the major plot points would probably give away the whole story. How about a few details and teasers from the story instead?
ñ Selina, Eden's Queen, is a small, red-haired woman with immense power. She loves to wear pretty dresses, but doesn't get the hang of wearing shoes.ñ The gates Eden's people use for travel to other worlds are guarded by gatekeepers like Samuel.ñ Samuel is aghast when he finds out that a mere human sees through the unicorns’ disguise. Of course, he doesn't have the full picture on his arrival.ñ Samuel and Jordan's first contact is rather painful for Samuel. Despite that harsh welcome, Samuel is attracted to Jordan right away.ñ Jordan is overwhelmed by everything Samuel reveals, but he'll do anything to help the unicorns.
Want to find out more? Check out the excerpt below.


Buy links: eXtasy Books: http://www.extasybooks.com/chris-t-kat/unicorn-rescue/

Blurb:

A search for missing unicorns reveals a Fate that Samuel has only dreamed of before.

When they first meet, Jordan takes Samuel’s breath away—but not in a good way. Jordan knocks Samuel, a gatekeeper from a world called Eden, flat on his ass. In Jordan’s defense, Samuel did freak him out, appearing out of thin air the way he did. Luckily, the appearance of the unicorns preempts a possible fight.

Relieved to have found Eden’s unicorns, Samuel is astonished that Jordan knows about them, despite the fact that their horns have been concealed by magic. Attempting to remove the halters that bind them, Samuel is rendered unconscious.

The question now is how to get the unicorns back to Eden, as well as solve the mystery of who has stolen them to begin with. But just maybe Samuel and Jordan need to deal with this attraction between them that seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. Are their feelings tied in with the mystery of the unicorns? 

Excerpt:“What the fuck?” Samuel groaned. After locating the unicorns on Earth, he’d opened a gate at night and stepped through it, not expecting any trouble while retrieving the unicorns.But something had gone wrong because he found himself sprawled on the soft grass, rubbing his aching jaw. The darkness around him wasn’t absolute—a sparse scattering of stars in the sky illuminated his surroundings. As he searched for his gate, he came up empty. There had been no time to stabilize it and, annoyed, he conceded that it probably had collapsed.“Who are you? Or should I ask what are you?”Samuel opened and closed his mouth several times, wondering whether he needed a healer or if an ice-pack would be sufficient. He sat up and observed the man who’d knocked him to the ground. The same man he’d seen in Selina’s crystal ball.“I asked you a question!”“Well, it would’ve been easier to ask your question first instead of knocking me out. Just a well-meant piece of advice for next time.” Samuel hauled himself to his feet and shook his head to clear it. His jaw would sport a wonderful bruise tomorrow if he didn’t do something about it. This guy sure had a powerful fist.“I didn’t allow you to get up!”Samuel fixed his gaze on the man, taking stock of him. He’d seemed small in the crystal ball but that didn’t have to mean anything. Still, even in real life he came across as small but lean, with bright blue eyes that looked rather huge in his finely chiseled face. Pretty. Really pretty.“I’m talking to you!”“You’re not talking, you’re screaming,” Samuel said. “Scared?”“Why would I be scared of someone who stepped out of nothingness? Although it looked like some kind of opening, which is all kinds of weird and… and… who are you?”“I’m Samuel, nice to meet you…?” Samuel smiled and extended his hand, knowing he’d surprised the other man with his casual manner.“Jordan.”“Hello, Jordan. Now, how about we start again? I think we got off on the wrong foot.” Samuel clasped Jordan’s trembling hand in his. “Don’t be afraid.”“Afraid? No, no, I’m not. I mean, why would I be? It’s an everyday thing that people show up out of thin air. Haha! See? I’m not afraid.”“Ah, yes, I noticed how not afraid you are.”

Chris T. KatChris T. Kat lives in the middle of Europe, where she shares a house with her husband of many years and their two children. She stumbled upon the M/M genre by luck and was swiftly drawn into it. She divides her time between work, her family—which includes chasing after escaping horses and lugging around huge instruments such as a harp—and writing. She enjoys a variety of genres, such as mystery/suspense, paranormal, and romance. If there's any spare time, she happily reads for hours, listens to audiobooks or does cross stitch.

Links:Blog: http://christikat.blogspot.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/christi_katGoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/ChrisTKat Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChrisTKatAmazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Chris-T.-Kat/e/B008FQQH2Q