M.A. Church's Blog, page 147

Wednesday Briefs - To Touch the Sky #2.4

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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:
“I have a surprise for you.”“There’s something in the air tonight.” “Did you see…?”“Who’s going to break the bad news?”“That’s a load of my shoulders.”“Get a shovel, it’s getting deep in here.”“Okay, time for bed.”“Don’t say no, say maybe.”“I don’t want to alarm you, but….”“You’re just robbing Peter to pay Paul...”“Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you feel like two...”"Spell it? I can’t even pronounce the damn thing.”“Bite me, frog boy.”or have a character playing in the rainor use: toy, cuffs, whipor have a character read a bookor have a character buy groceriesor use: paint, letter, hator use: clock, ring, candyor use: coaster, tile, duckor have a animal in the storyor find a wallet  or use a square dance in your story
Chapter #2.4
“Because here you’d be checking to see what the wait time was, how fast the service line was moving, how the bar was running… That’s not having fun, for God’s sake, that’s working.”“I like work, and I like it here. I do enjoy my time here, you know. It’s not all work.” Hawk bit into a ketchup-laden fry.Kaitlyn shook her head. “Hope there’s a shovel around somewhere, because it’s getting deep in here.”Hawk waved his hand toward the bar. “Haven’t you got to go manage something out there?”“Fine.” Kaitlyn rolled her eyes. “I can tell when I’m not getting anywhere. Just… come out and enjoy the music later on, okay? Take a break and kick back for a little while. That means actually listening to the music, not keeping an eye on the place.”“I will, just to make you happy.” Hawk nodded to the food. “Thanks for this too. I didn’t realize how hungry I was, or long I’d been in here.”“Maybe if you’d get your head out of all that paperwork…” Kaitlyn ducked when a wadded-up piece of paper came flying at her. “Okay, okay! I’m out of here.”Hawk laughed softly as the door to the office shut. One of the best moves he ever made was hiring Kaitlyn. Even though she ran the place with military precision, the staff loved her. She was strict, but she always had a kind word when needed. She was hard to please, but free with the well-deserved compliments. She didn’t take any bull, but would stay up all night comforting a co-worker. If he was interested in women, she’d be the one for him.But you do swing the other way, and your mate is white. She’s female and black. Besides, if I remember correctly, you like a little sexual submission happening in the bedroom. That woman is Alpha all the way. She’d make a great friend, though. Or she would, if you’d let her get close to you.“Get. Off. My. Ass.” He’d had about enough of this, and if his spirit kept this up he’d… His skin itched, and a ripple traveled down his arm. Shocked, he stared at the first sign of an impending shift, one he hadn’t called forth. He took a deep breath. “You have to stop this. I mean it. All this pushing is getting to me. Want me to lose control here in front of all these humans?”I… I’m sorry, Chetan, so sorry. I would never… I just… You’re right. Forgive me, please. I never meant to push you so hard you’d lose control. The image of his totem spirit bowing his head, those golden bronze eyes filling with sadness filled Hawk’s head. “It’s okay. Just back off some, okay? And what’s with you lately? You’ve been on my ass about this whole mate deal more than usual.”I… I don’t know. It’s just… I really don’t know. I’m… restless. Ever have the feeling something’s about to happen? There’s something in the air tonight. “Like what?”Well, it’s not air freshener. Jeez, if I knew what it was, we could take this show on the road and make tons of money. But I have a feeling you’re about done with running, Chetan. You can’t outrun the Great Mother. And dude, my gut says you’re going to pay for that too.Hawk glared off into space. “It was probably that squirrel you killed for breakfast. And get this straight, it’s my life. I make the decisions about it.”Uh-huh, you just keep telling yourself that. But you’re right about my pushing you, so I’ll stop. Frankly, I don’t think I’ll have to much longer.Hawk threw his hands up in the air. Why did he even bother? Standing, he picked up the tray Kaitlyn brought in earlier. He’d listen to the band screaming out their latest to drown out the voice in his head.
Wanna bet?
TBC
Ravon Silvius
Chris T. KatNephylimAveryJon KeysKazy ReedCazElyzabeth VaLey JC WallaceJim DunawayCia NordwellJohayanTali SpencerRob ColtonJulie Lynn Hayes 

Pride Promotions Presents Forbidden Mate by Toni Griffin and a Giveaway! (unfinished)

Book Name: Forbidden Mate
Author Name: Toni Griffin
Author Bio:Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state, she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers. Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.

Author Links: info@tonigriffin.net
Cover Artist: Meredith Russell
Publisher: Mischief Corner Books



Blurb(s): Finding his mate should have been Patrick Holland's greatest day, instead it turned into a nightmare with one phone call. His mate didn't want him. His heart broke, but at sixteen he was too young to do anything. The next ten years—ten long years— of Patrick's life are spent at odds with his mate. Split by forces he can't comprehend and a long line of misunderstandings, Patrick doubts he'll ever get the man he's both loved and hated.
Jake Richmond never expected to come home from Uni to find the youngest Holland brother was his mate. Knowing the news might uplift his still grieving father, Jake shares the news only to have his young mate threatened. Jake does the only thing he can think of, protect Patrick. The next ten years are nothing but torture for Jake as he watches his mate grow into a remarkable young man. They say time heals all wounds, but how much time?


Excerpt: 
Jake got in his car and drove to the pack running grounds. He had excess energy to burn, and his wolf was demanding to be let out. His was the only car in the car park as he pulled up and got out. Jake stripped where he was, as there was no one else around, and walked into the bush. He shifted, then ran. Several hours later, his thoughts were still stuck on the fact that Patrick Holland was his mate, his very young and inexperienced mate.The idea of being Patrick's only lover brought forth a howl of possessiveness. He loved the fact that no other man would ever get the opportunity to touch his mate. Now that he knew exactly who Patrick was to him, it was going to kill Jake not to be near him. Jake had to talk to his father and let him know he'd found his mate, even if he couldn't claim Patrick yet.Exhausted after his run, Jake took his time making his way back to his dad's house.His mum had died several years before, which had just left Jake and his dad. Jake had never been especially close to his dad, his mum being the one that had held the family together. His parents had been a mated pair. Jake knew his father had loved his mother deeply, they had been very happy together.Jake unlocked the door and made his way through the house to his old room. He didn't see the point of having his own place when he was only here for a couple of weeks. He was thankful now that he was staying with his father, even if they didn't get along great, because if he had his own space, the temptation to have Patrick with him would be great.He stripped his clothes once again and headed for the bathroom. Jake stopped to look in the mirror. He knew it was silly, but if Patrick liked him with stubble, then he would keep it. He would have to buy a shaver to keep it to the length he wanted as he didn't want to be sporting a full beard. That look wouldn't suit him at all, he didn't think.Turning the water on to heat up, Jake palmed his still hard cock and watched as a bead of precum appeared at the tip. Jake stepped into the water and hissed as the hard spray hit his aching shaft. Now he could finally do something about it.He grabbed the conditioner from the shelf and squirted a generous amount in his hand, then wrapped his fist around his dick and squeezed hard. Jake moaned as lightning bolts of arousal shot through his body. His thoughts were firmly back on Patrick wrapped around his body as their mouths met in a spine-melting kiss.Jake increased his speed, knowing he wouldn't last long. He had been on edge for hours. Remembering the feeling of Patrick's hard shaft rubbing against his own sent Jake careening over the edge. His mate's name escaped his lips at the exact moment of ecstasy as his prick erupted with streams of cum. Jake placed his palm against the wall as he attempted to keep his legs from buckling beneath him as the last shudders of his orgasm left his body.Once Jake was sure he could stand without his legs giving way, he quickly washed his body and stepped out of the shower. He dried himself, then made his way back to his room. Jake collapsed facedown on his bed and succumbed to the exhaustion that swept through his body.
Jake startled awake several hours later as the front door slammed shut. His dad was home, and it didn't sound like he was in a good mood. Every time Jake came home from school, his father had more and more mood swings. Jake wondered how his father would take the news that he had a male mate.He hoped the news would bring his father some joy; after all, the man knew exactly what it was like to be mated. It might be a bit of a shock who Jake's mate was, however, Alex had come out several years ago and his dad had told him to each his own. This gave Jake hope his father would be fine with his own sexuality. He had never really thought about coming out himself as Jake enjoyed a well-rounded sex life.Patrick had agreed not to mention their mating to anyone, but Jake wanted to ask his father to keep an eye on his mate until he could finish uni and get back here permanently.Jake dressed in silence and made his way down the hall, looking for his dad.He found him in the living room sitting in his favourite chair watching the news. "Hey, Dad, bad day at the office?""Yeah, you could say that. Pizza for dinner okay?" Arthur Richmond was a large man, with thick black hair and wide shoulders. He had sharp cheekbones, and his five o'clock shadow was as dark as the hair on his head. He was also one of the more powerful wolves in their pack."That's fine, you want me to order?" Jake took the nod as assent and went to get the phone. He placed their order for pizza and then joined his father. He wanted to give his dad time to relax, so Jake decided to wait until after they'd eaten to bring up his new discovery.Jake watched the television with his dad until the doorbell rang. He paid for their dinner, grabbed a couple of plates and went back to the living room. They ate in silence until the entire pizza was gone.Once Jake was sure his dad had relaxed enough, he gathered his courage and turned to face his father. "Dad, can we talk?"His father muted the television before he adjusted his position in his seat to face Jake. They were catty-corner to each other with Jake sitting on the couch. "How's school going?" About the only thing his father was proud of Jake for was becoming a lawyer."Fine, Dad, school's good. It's a lot of information to take in, but I'm doing well." Jake looked his father in the eye. "That's not what I want to talk to you about, though." He really hoped this went well. Jake wanted to be able to ask his father to keep an eye on Patrick when he had to go back to classes.His dad looked a little shocked, but his expression still showed love and acceptance of whatever Jake wanted to talk about. "Okay, then, what is it?"Jake sucked in a deep breath, then let it out. It was like ripping off a Band-Aid. "I found my mate." Okay, so maybe not quite like ripping off a Band-Aid.His dad's expression showed nothing but joy. "That's great! Where is she? Why didn't you bring her home with you?" He was looking around as if he expected someone else to walk out from around a corner.Jake winced at his dad's assumption about the sex of his mate. "It's a little more complicated than that, Dad.""What's complicated? You claim her and bring her home to meet me.""Dad, my mate is Patrick Holland, and he's only sixteen. That's why it's complicated." Jake watched as the love and joy on his father's face changed instantly to anger and hatred. Jake was startled at his father's expression."Dad?" he queried when his father had failed to say anything for a minute or two."Your mate is who?" his dad screamed at him. Jake sat there shocked, not only at the sudden burst of sound in the quiet room, but also the vehemence he heard in his dad's voice, a sound he'd never thought to hear from the man who had raised him."Patrick Holland, the Alpha's youngest son." Jake hoped that the mention of their Alpha might calm his father down, but he was mistaken.Arthur Richmond seemed to get even angrier. "I forbid you to claim him!" his father roared as he leapt to his feet.Shock coursed through Jake's body as he jerked back quickly. God, he hoped he had misunderstood what his father had said. "Dad, Patrick's only sixteen. I've already told him I won't claim him, at least until after I finish school."
All Jake's hopes died when his father's next words registered. "I don't care how old the kid is," his father answered, practically biting off each word through clenched teeth. "You. Are. Not. Going. To. Claim. Him! I. Forbid. It.”
Tour Dates: 7/7 – 7/11
Tour Stops: July 7: Two Men Are Better Than One, Hearts on Fire, Night Owl Reviews, The Hat PartyJuly 8: Prism Book Alliance, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Renee George, Decadent Delights, My Fiction NookJuly 9: Rainbow Gold Reviews, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, The Blogger Girls, Fallen Angel Reviews, Redz WorldJuly 10: Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Amanda C. Stone, Jade Crystal, MM Good BooksJuly 11: Top2Bottom, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Iyana Jenna, Parker Williams


Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Prize: 1 E-copy of Forbidden Mate, 2 $10 Amazon Gift Cards

Sales Links: 


Amazon

All Romance

Smashwords

iBooks

Whoot! Dreamspinner spins me a dream!

Dreamspinner offered me a contract on Trouble Comes in Threes! The release date is Dec/Jan. This is the shifter novel with the two cats and Kirk. I'm very excited about this one!
~M

Book Covers – Love’em or Hate’em

No review today! Kiddo's b-day was yesterday, so I was off-line most of the day. Yes, my baby turned 19. But there has been something preying on my mind for a while now. So much so, that instead of working on a WIP, I’m writing this post. J 

I was on Goodreads not long ago and notice something that bothered me. Yeah, I know, shocking right? But this caught my attention. Let me say first that when I buy a book I do NOT look at the ratings on GR until I’ve finished it. Why? Because I don’t often agree with the scores there. I may like something that has what’s considered a “low” score and vice verse.

But one thing I did catch, that not only bothered me but got me to thinking, was the comments on some of the covers. I’ve seen authors’ talk about this on FB too. There’s no way to put this politely, so I’ll just say it: I’ve seen ratings that were dropped because the reader didn’t like the cover. The comments blast the author for such a horrible cover too.

And that’s the reason for this post.

So, here’s the deal: if you’re with a publisher, you have a limited amount of control over the cover. Now, having said that, it also struck me there may readers who don’t know this. Ask any author that’s not self-published, lol, and you’ll hear a few cover horror stories, trust me. Hell, I have a few of my own.

In my limited experience, this is what I’ve found. You fill out the cover spec sheet and send it in. The CA (cover artist) tries to give you what you want. Keep in mind the CA is more often than not going on what the cover spec sheets says. They haven’t read the book. Can you imagine how hard that must be too? But this is where things can get hairy lol.

There are some CA’s that send several image’s to pick from… which I’ve had happen. Sometimes even up to five photostock cover draft images. Choice is a beautiful thing, lol! I’ve moved a model from cover 2 to the background of cover 1, changed the background color, even asked for the house in Shadows in the Night be changed to something a little lighter in color, and so on. I’ve been *very* lucky in that most of my covers were damn near close to what I had in mind and didn’t need much done to them.

I’ve also heard some authors’ have no say whatsoever. Yes, the can make minor changes, like background color, to the draft cover but that’s it. It’s pretty much what you see is what you get. There are a few of my covers I had absolutely no control over. Anthologies for example, but that’s different. The cover is supposed to match the theme of the book. Some publishers’ also have a standard cover for their imprints too. So, in a few instances, I took what was sent to me and that was the end of that.

So yes, it bothers me to see an author taken to task over something they had very little control over in the first place. Remember, I’m talking about covers from a publisher, not self-pubbing. That’s a whole ‘nother ballgame.


This kind of ties in to another subject that makes me shake my head—pricing. Again, if you’re with a publisher you have no say in the price of your eBook. That’s already set up. So blasting away for the author does no good. Yes, I’ve seen eBooks with prices that made me do a double take.

My point is… being with a publisher is totally different from self-publishing a book. There are good and bad things about each, no doubt. I know a couple of authors’ that self-pub. They release top line books with excellent covers and they do very well. I am by no means knocking self-publishing. What I am trying to do, lol, is show there are things that go on behind the scenes that readers may not know about. J~M.

BDSM Bloghop and a Giveaway!

What is a submissive?
Well, we come in all sizes and shapes lol. Yes, I’m a sub. My Dom is my husband of 20 years.


A submissive is a person who makes a conscious choice to give up some or all control of their life to another person—a Dominant or a Top. Dominance and submission is about a power exchange between two consenting adults. It is about the control within the dynamics of that relationship, whether it be a full time 24/7 relationship, or a casual meeting, or a part time arrangement.
Choosing to be submissive means to allow someone else to control your body and behavior within the preset limits you and that particular person, i.e. the Dominant, have agreed upon. Submission is not a sign of weakness;

Submission is not about kinky sex and whips and chains—though those things can and do play a part in our lifestyle—it's much deeper than just that, and comes from the heart. Submission is a choice, and a wonderful gift to the Dominant—it should never be entered into lightly, even in a casual situation at a party or gathering.




CONTEST!For the BDSM bloghop, I’m giving away an eBook copy of Wrapped in Leather. This is the first  in the Wrapped UP series at DsP.
Just leave a comment with an email addy. J~M



Blurb:
To celebrate his decision to take the next step with his boyfriend Ian, Toshi Baylor plans a romantic evening at their favorite steak house. Toshi starts the special weekend with a bang by surprising Ian at home with lunch. There’s a bang all right, but it’s between Ian and another guy.

Jase Taylor’s auto repair shop and the BDSM club, Wrapped Up, keep him busy while he waits for Mr. Right, instead of Mr. Right Now. He’s a Dom, but playing with the club’s submissives isn’t providing the usual stress release. After a day from hell, he deserves a good meal at his favorite steak house.

Toshi and Jase find a mix-up with their reservations: a table for Baylor, not Taylor. When Toshi invites Jase to dine with him, they discover a mutual affection for leather and a shared belief that trust must be earned.

Before they can explore their common interests, Toshi suffers a series of attacks by vandals. Jase’s protective instincts kick in, but both wonder if it can lead to anything permanent.


Current Participants:
1. Amanda C. Stone (M/M Author)  23. Sara Testarossa (Guest blogger)  2. Jamie Samms  24. Eva LeFoy (M/M Author)  3. Grace Duncan  25. Reece Butler (Menage author)  4. My Fiction Nook  26. Lisa Henry (M/M Author/Blogger)  5. J.P. Barnaby  27. Kristine Cayne (M/F Author)  6. Vicktor Alexander  28. T. Strange (M/M author)  7. Brenda Cothern (M/F, M/M, Menage, Interspecies Aut  29. Lor Rose (M/m, Menage, Interspecies author)  8. Lex Valentine (M/F, M/M, Menage, Interspecies Aut  30. Alex Temp (M/F, M/M Author)  9. Taylor Law (M/M Author)  31. Cassandre Dayne (M/F, M/M, F/F, Menage Author)  10. Tempeste O'Riley (M/M Author)  32. Joelle Casteel (Menage Author)  11. Mychael Black (M/M, Menage, Interspecies Author)  33. Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads (All Genres Blogger)  12. J.A. Rock (M/M, F/F Author)  34. TJ Michaels (M/F, Menage, Interspecies Author)  13. Sidney Bristol (M/F Author)  35. Charley Descoteaux (M/M Author)  14. Diverse Reader (M/F, M/M, Menage Interspecies Blogger)  36. Liv Honeywell (M/F Author)  15. Patricia Logan (M/M, Menage Author)  37. Brina Brady (M/M Author)  16. Jennifer Leeland (All genres author)  38. Doris O'Connor (M/F, F/F, Menage, Interspecies Author)  17. Candace Blevins (M/F, Menage Author)  39. Jenni Michaels (M/M Author)  18. Tara Rose (Menage, Interspecies Author)  40. H.B. Pattskyn (M/M Author)  19. Tali Spencer (M/M, M/F Author)  41. SirRubi (Guest Blogger)  20. SiK Reviews (All genres blogger)  42. M.A. Church (M/M Author)  21. Kiernan Kelly (M/M Author)  43. Elizabeth Lister  22. Escape to an Erotic Fantasy (All genre blogger)  44. Lucy Felthouse  

Nighttime Promises-Book 3 in the Nighttime series to be released 7/11/2014

No buy link yet, but I'll post it as soon as I have it. 


Blurb:

Be careful what you wish for...

The first time Daroshi spotted Bryan, the Maz’Rarian warrior knew he wanted the small town sheriff as his mate. Things have been going downhill since. Daroshi doesn’t have experience dealing with humans, especially a very unhappy human male who’s just had his well-planned life jerked out from under him. Little does Daroshi know the changes Bryan will insist be made to help him adjust. But he also never dreamed someone would actually try to kill his mate.

The shocks just keep coming for Sheriff Bryan Coltrane. Finding out aliens exist was bad enough. Finding himself mated to one was definitely not on his to-do list. Wait, what? Did someone say tentacles? And if that’s not enough, a killer tried to poison him. Added to his misery, now he’s on his way to another planet—a planet that he hates on sight. How’s he supposed to survive in such a cold, ugly industrialized world? Can you take the country out of the boy without killing his spirit?

As Bryan struggles to adapt, a killer plots to end his new life... before it even begins.




Excerpt:Bryan grinned, a wide smile crossing his face, his hands shaking a bit. “Well, let’s get that port window open then. I’d like to see the planet from space.”They were going to see Daroshi’s planet. It wasn’t everyday he saw a planet from a space ship. And, this was where he was going to live now. God only knew what kind of new animals and… just things in general he’d be learning about. Daroshi stepped toward a blanked-out screen and touched the bottom. Shawn moved closer to Bryan. “It’s kinda scary, isn’t it? I mean, this is soon-to-be our home. Think about it, Bryan. We’re going to live on a new planet. A place most humans have never seen. Man, I bet there are several scientists that would give their left nuts to be…”Shawn trailed off as the screen flickered, the blackness fading away to an equally dark view of space, but with a planet in the distance, the only object in sight.Bryan blinked. “Hmmm.”Shawn scratched his head. “Ah…”Daroshi turned from the screen, pride evident on his face. “There it is… Maz’Rar. A proud and mighty planet. What do you think?”Shawn glanced at Bryan. “Well, it’s big.”Bryan blinked again as the view continued to shift, drawing closer, the planet filling the screen. A moon orbited the planet. “Yeah, big. Very big.”Shawn cleared his throat. “And, um… it’s round.”Bryan nodded. “Yup, round.” “And… it’s really gray. Lots and lots of gray. Seems to be swirling all around the planet.”Bryan swallowed. Lots and lots of gray? There’s nothing but gray. Just endless gray circulating in those strange swirls. Is that the atmosphere? Can we even breathe that air? “Uh-huh, that’s the color gray, all right. No doubt about it.” Bryan glanced at Daroshi. “How long before we land?”“Soon. I can’t wait to show you around. You won’t believe the advances in technology we have.”Bryan nodded. “Looking forward to it.” And the first thing we need to do is introduce these guys to the concept of color. Jesus, that’s the ugliest planet I’ve ever seen. Doesn’t look anything like Earth.Daroshi smiled at Bryan, and then turned back to the port window. “I’m so glad to be home.”Bryan looked at Shawn. Shawn slowly turned, checking to make sure Daroshi was engrossed with the view in front of him. Shawn glanced at Bryan and wrinkled his nose as though he’d smelled something gross. Bryan pressed his lips closed and nodded. Oh yeah, I agree. Butt ugly describes that planet. Let’s hope it gets better.

Tease Me Thursday Week 17 - Priceless

Welcome to week 17 of 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 my novella, Priceless. 

Priceless
“Garrett,” Randy gasped as Garrett found a particularly good spot, “there’s gotta be cameras in here.”
Garrett held Randy tightly for a moment, their bodies crushed together, before he released him and moved away. He mumbled under his breath about how could Randy think, much less clearly, at that moment. Randy leaned against the elevator wall, eyes closed, and tried to bring his rampaging body under control. The elevator dinged and lurched to a stop, causing Randy to stumble into Garrett. He slid his arm around Randy to steady him and didn’t let go when the doors parted. Garrett pulled Randy toward his suite, throwing the door open. Once inside he slammed the door shut, spun Randy around, and trapped him against the back of the door. He slammed his mouth over Randy’s, picking up where he left off in the elevator until Randy was gasping for air.


“Let me be very clear,” Garrett panted into his mouth. “I want you in my bed. I want you desperate, wild, and begging.”


“I’m to the desperate phase now.” Randy trembled, trapped between him and the door. “Wild is right around the corner, and begging isn’t far behind.”


Garrett’s thumb traced over Randy’s swollen bottom lip. “That’s what I like about you, Randy, you speak your mind and don’t play games. I can’t tell you what a turn on that is for me.”


“I don’t have the first clue how to play games like you’re talking about, nor do I want to.”


“And thank God for it.” That jaded little devil on Garrett’s shoulder rolled his eyes. This guy either was very good, or very innocent. “Now, let me show you my bedroom. I can’t wait much longer to have you in my bed.”




Buy link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3095

Wednesday Briefs - To Touch the Sky 2.3

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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:
“I know the voices in my head aren't real..... but sometimes their ideas are just absolutely awesome. ”“Step away from the ice cream.” “I'm not clumsy! The floor just hates me, the table and chairs are bullies, and the walls get in my way!”“You rang your bell?”“Gotta crawl before you walk…”“Get a shovel, it’s getting deep in here.”“Take your time.”“Why are you being difficult?”“Did you hear something?”“I am on a seafood diet. I see food, and I eat it.”“Bad hair day, huh?”“Don’t shake that at me.”“Hold this.” or have a character taking a showeror use: fist, bones, flyor have a character eat ice creamor have a character fallor use: sheets, raincoat, pillowor use: rope, leather, beltor use: camera, envelop, clock or have a video game in the storyor find a lost child at the store or “If you’re a cop, then I’m the fucking Pope...”or “Tell me what you’re craving, honey.”or “C’mon, I’ll show you how to mash a potato...”or “Love is.... obnoxious.” Or use red, white and blue without using a flagOr “You think he’s a patriot? Why, he’s just a ....”Or “C’mere and let me raise your flag to full mast!”Or “By the rockets’ red glare, I saw...”





To Touch the Sky 2.3
Hawk left the bathroom and returned to the bedroom, opening the French doors that led out to a private patio. Quickly, he stripped out of his boxers. “You want to soar? Fine, we’ll cut loose for a while. But I have work today too. I swear, who needs a mate when I have you to nag me all the time?”Not funny. And you do need your mate.  “Would you give me a break? I’m sick and tired of hearing you harp about this already.” Hawk took a deep breath of fresh air.Chetan, you have a mate out there. One that Wha-tay picked for you. The perfect man. And I want my mate! Hear me?Hawk had a mental image of his red-tailed hawk stamping its talon. “Kind of hard not to when you yell. And that perfect man is a whiteman. Have you forgotten that? Forgotten what they did to us, the land… our way of life? I remember. Remember every gruesome detail of children starving to death, remember the disease the white man brought… Want to talk about the Trail of Tears? And how my sister died on that forced march?”Our mate had nothing to do with that. And yes, horrible things happened on both sides that shouldn’t have. Want to take a little trip down memory lane and remember some of the things you did near the end of that war? You might not have messed with the white man’s women or children, or even the settlers, but you sure didn’t have a problem killing the soldiers. You enjoyed taking revenge, and you had plenty of scalps around your waist. But that’s not really the problem, is it?Hawk clenched his fists. He was not going there, just wasn’t. “I’m done talking about this. You want to fly or not?”Let’er rip.Hawk rolled his eyes. Preparing himself for the pain to come, he cleared his mind as he chanted silently. His body warmed—a flush of ancient power surged through him. In his mind, he heard his ancestors chanting around a brightly burning fire as the change roared through him.He shuddered, struggling to hold the grunts of pain inside as power flowed through his body, from the tip of his nose to the soles of his feet. Then he heard it—bones snapped and popped, rearranging to support the lighter frame of the red-tailed hawk. His body condensed as dark brown feathers sprouted on his back while light-colored feathers tipped with brown covered his front. As he morphed his tail grew, the feathers a rusty reddish-brown color. His feet changed to talons and his facial features conformed to that of a bird, his vision sharpening. Finally, man gave way to beast.Yesssss….Catching an updraft, he took to the skies. The air was cool and crisp under his wings as he soared. Below him, the endless land around his home seemed so small. He was lucky—all the land was his thanks to a fur trapper he’d met in the late 1800’s. The sunrise warmed him as he lazily circled his lands. Up here in the sky, his human worries vanished even though he was still cognizant, but the animal side of him tended to rule in this state. There was no room for worry over bills, work schedules, laundry, or the petty fights humans so often engaged in. No, all of that was lost in the joy of flight and tracking prey.Speaking of which, a squirrel had just caught his attention. It was time for breakfast.
After he returned, he showered and did a few chores around the house. Then he filled up the numerous bird feeders around the back porch. He supposed it was ironic, him being a bird of prey, that he had feeders. He enjoyed the songs of the birds, and never hunted the feeders around his home. Call it a twisted sense of honor. That certainly didn’t apply to the other forty acres of land, most of which he’d left in its natural state. It still bothered him that he had to ‘own’ his land, but that was the way of the world now.Finally, he headed into town mid-afternoon. His staff was great, but that didn’t mean he left them on their own. He spent the majority of his time at his bar. According to his totem spirit, he spent too much time there. He parked and entered, pleased to see several customers already there. He greeted his staff, then closed himself in his office to get some paperwork done. A few hours later, he looked up at a knock on his door. “Come in.”Kaitlyn, his manager, opened the door and poked her head inside. “Hey there. Thought I’d brave the bear in his den and bring you some lunch.”Hawk snorted. Not even close, girl. “Ah, thank you.”Kaitlyn frowned as she glanced at the clock on the wall in Hawk’s office. “Okay, so it’s closer to dinner. I kept thinking you’d take a break and come out.”Hawk grinned as she brought the tray with a drink, hamburger, and fries to him. The bear comment had him snorting, not the hour, but she certainly didn’t know that. “I appreciate it. Time just gets away from me in here.”Kaitlyn leaned a hip against the desk, careful not to disturb the mounds of paper. “It’s Friday night. Why don’t you get out of here and go have some fun? I swear, Hawk, all you do is work. I hear the bar down the street’s having some sort of—” “You’re kidding, right?” Hawk bit into the hamburger, humming in pleasure at the taste. “Man, that’s good.” Hawk wiped his mouth and glanced up at the pretty woman staring down at him, scowling. “Why in the world would I go to another bar for fun when I can stay right here and get my drinks and food for free?”
TBC.  This is the picture that inspired Hawk. Hair is a bit longer than what I described, but this is him. 

Chris T. Kat     Ravon Silvius
Jon Keys           JohayanSarah Hayes     Tali Spencer Nephylim        Julie Lynn Hayes Jim Dunaway     AveryCia Nordwell     Kazy Reed JC Wallace

Pride Promotions Presents Hidden Needs by Havan Fellows and a Giveaway!

Book Name: Hidden NeedsAuthor Name: Havan FellowsAuthor Links: Blog - http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.comEmail - havan.fellows@ymail.comTwitter - @havanfellowsFaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/HavanFellowsa... + - https://plus.google.com/100539863028704367957/postsCover Artist: Allison CassattaPublisher: Appleton Publishing Avenue

Blurb(s): Archer Hehnier is a hard-core businessman through and through. He's not afraid to make the merciless decisions, to put in the long hours, to lose himself in his work for the greater good of his company and his clients…even if it means losing a piece of himself in the process. But when does a man with a mind always turning at two hundred rotations per second get his personal needs met?Dalton is an uncompromising businessman, who could, no doubt, go toe-to-toe with Archer in the boardroom—but that's not the room Dalton wants to tackle Archer in.With a little help from his friends at the premier BDSM club, The Sanctuary, Dalton hopes to fulfill every one of Archer's hidden needs.
**Previously released as part of the Don't Read in the Closet V.II M/M Romance Collection in 2011. Since then it has been reworked and edited for your reading enjoyment.

Excerpt:I watched him walk in exactly at seven. You could set your watch by him. I knew his routine—bar for a double scotch neat then a corner table for two, but only he would occupy it. As usual on Thursdays, he ordered the fisherman's catch: salmon, a spring salad with strawberries, and steamed baby veggies. The only starch he allowed to pass between those thin sharp lips tonight was a well-buttered roll, no potatoes for my man, and no alcohol with dinner either. He favored water with fresh squeezed lime and was very adamant with the server about the simple fact lemon was not a substitution.

Even at this late hour and having put in a full day of numbers, his attire was never mussed—Armani was safe on his capable body. I couldn't wait for him to roll in here Friday. It was my favorite day to see him. He broke away from his favored charcoals and wore color. The third Friday of the month…hmm…oh yes, green. Love him in his deep green suit with the lighter shade silk shirt and tie.

I always found it amusing how everyone maneuvered around his table, purposely walking on the other side of tables out of their way. My man had an aura about him, sort of a "back the fuck off before I eradicate you with just my thoughts" type of thing going on. Of course he wouldn't curse. Foul language was beneath someone who could make a grown man cry with just a cock of the eyebrow.

Yes…Archer Hehnier was a badass in constant control of his surroundings. All of them. From the strangers that walked in and out of his life to the paid help at his overpriced house. I even suspected that he had a way of turning all the traffic lights green on his drive home, but hadn't been able to test that theory yet.

So why did I eat at this same restaurant practically every night and memorize his routine? Simple, he had something I wanted, and I had something he needed. And I do believe that green Friday would be the day I explain this to him. That should be interesting.



Tour Dates:  July 1, 2014
 Tour Stops: Parker Williams, MM Good Book Reviews, Amanda C. Stone, Lee Brazil, Romance the Night, Prism Book Alliance, Emotion in Motion, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Decadent Delights, Dawn’s Reading Nook, My Fiction Nook, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Smoocher’s Voice, Love Bytes, Night Owl Reviews, Full Moon Dreaming, IyanaJenna
Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rafflecopter Prize: Copy of Hidden Needs + Copy of book from Havan’s backlist
Sales Links: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KJKMU0Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00KJKMU0Y&linkCode=as2&tag=pridepromo-20&linkId=MSOU4MGX4F6RGID2https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hiddenneeds-1522057-147.html?referrer=5314fed11fb4f


The Manic Monday REVIEW:
Hidden Needs (Secrets of the Sanctuary #1)by Havan Fellows4.5-5 Stars
Pride Promotions

Woo-wee! This is short, but it packs a punch. The story is told from Dalton’s POV. I usually like to see both characters POV’s, but having everything from Dalton was wickedly delicious. Dalton is confident with a sharp sense of humor, and daring. Don’t forget daring. He must have the balls of a lion, lol, considering what he does in the story lol! (Nothing bad, but talk about a huge risk. Wow.) Dalton has his eye on Archer, Mr. Ice King as he’s referred to in the story. The man is calm, cool, and collected. Controlling with a razor tongue.

And Dalton knows exactly what Archer needs, even if Archer doesn’t.

The BDSM action was smoking hot. Both men know what the score is here. No newbie’s to worry about freaking out. The reader doesn’t get to know much about either character or their lives… and it’s not really important. For this short, all you need to know is that Archer has a hidden need. This is definitely worth reading.

~Michelle

Pride Promotions Presents Wolf Run by BA Tortuga and a Giveaway!

Book Name: Wolf Run
Author Name: BA Tortuga
Author Bio: Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy's Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she's not doing that, she's writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing porn sites in the name of research. BA's personal saviors include her partner, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but is feeling the Colorado mountains calling. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.
Author Links: http://www.batortuga.com
Twitter: @batortuga
Cover Artist: Kris Norris
Publisher: Resplendence Books






Blurb(s): 
Mick is a lone wolf in all ways. He’s left his pack, he’s left his homelands and he’s on the road, footloose and fancy free. Well, at least until he wanders up to a fence and finds a little wolf running his ass off behind it. Mick stops to let the pup out and is stunned to hear the young wolf, Scotty, tell him “no”. Scotty's mate and best friend, Danny, asked Scotty to stay behind the fence, so he will be safe while Danny fights to support them both. All this leaves Mick’s fur standing on end. Maybe, Mick doesn’t need one mate to bring him home. Maybe, he needs two.




Excerpt: He dropped his wolf form as soon as he was out of sight, his body lengthening into a biped. “Dude, why are you in a cage?”The pup yelped and scrambled back, leaping onto the porch.“Hey, I’m not here to hurt you. I can open the gate.”The pup looked at him then boom, a lovely lean man stood there, shaggy blond hair curling around his face. “H-hey.”“Hi. Would you like to run? I can get you out.” God, the kid was adorable and plenty old enough to play.“Oh. Oh, no. Daniel would be so mad at me for getting out again.” Eyes the color of brandy caught the sun. “Daniel says I’ll get hurt, lost.”“Does Daniel mistreat you?” Because Mick could beat someone down just for fun.“Daniel? My Daniel?” The pup’s laugh was happy, joyous, the look on his face fond and warm. “Oh, no. Daniel loves me. He works for both of us. He brings me half his food every day. He’s a good mate. We… The Alpha said ‘too many males’, and we… Daniel pays for this home, he brushes me, he works all day every day.”“Do you work?” Mick tilted his head, waiting, nodding in sympathy. Damn, it was hard for bachelor males to manage when thrust out on their own, especially ones who needed an alpha as much as this one did. It seemed like the kid barely held it together, at least on two legs. Sweet baby.“I paint. I paint pictures, and I wash Daniel’s uniforms. I… I get… He follows rules better than me, and he can stop a shift, if he needs to. He can even work during the moon.”Mick smiled, liking this kid a lot. “What’s your name, honey?”“Scott. Scott Miller. What’s yours?”Scott. It worked.“I’m Mick Eagleheart. I like your belly. I kinda want to lick it.”


Tour Dates: 6/30/14
Tour Stops: Top2Bottom, Wicked Wolves & Dreaming Dragons, The Hat Party, www.amandastonebooks.com, My Fiction Nook, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Havan Fellows, Fallen Angel Reviews, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, MM Good Books, Parker Williams, Love Bytes, EE Montgomery, Prism Book Alliance, the Twins: Talon ps & Princess so, Redz World, Smoocher’s Voice, Renee George, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Decadent Delights, Up All Night, Read All Day, Dawn’s Reading Nook,

Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Prize: E-Book copy of Wolf Run

Sales Links: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KRVSCAC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00KRVSCAC&linkCode=as2&tag=pridepromo-20

http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/669-978-1-60735-780-3--wolf-run-by-ba-tortuga.html



The Manic Monday REVIEW:
Wolf Run by B.A. TortugaRating: 3.5-4 stars


Please note: This *IS* a menage story
There is Mick, who’s suffering from a bad case of wanderlust. He left his pack and is on the move, looking for… something. Eventually, he stumbles across an old beat-up Airstream trailer out in the middle of nowhere with a—for a lack of better word—dilapidated dog run. Only it’s a young wolf racing up and down, not a dog. Concerned a fellow shifter might be trapped in unpleasant circumstances, Mick investigates.
Daniel and his mate, Scott, are two young wolves trying their best to survive, after their Alpha kicked them out. They are barely making it. Daniel works day after day, hour after hour, in an effort to keep their heads above water. Scott stays home. I ached for Daniel. And Scotty? Well, you just want to wrap him up and hug him. It’s a grim situation.
Then Mick shows up.
This story is full of cuddles, loving on each other, petting, kissing… and sex. Lots of sex lol. It’s a sweet, kind of sad story that actually made me tear up near the end. (In a good way!!!) The story is fast moving, and didn’t take me long to read. If you’re looking for something that’ll rip your emotions out and leave your tattered feelings bleeding on the ground… Nope, lol. This ain’t it. Wolf Run is a lovely, feel-good story that left me happy at the end. And there are, by God, days when we all need that. 
I do wish the plot had been fleshed out more, and in places, it was a little rushed.  ~M