B.A. Tortuga's Blog, page 21
May 4, 2016
Guest Post: Richard Taylor Pearson
Mason Burroughs is an actor on the verge of giving up after being turned away at audition after audition. But his life changes when he bumps into Kevin Caldwell, an old crush from acting school. Kevin helps Mason land a role that could make him the next Broadway star. However, as rehearsals begin, Mason learns that there’s a lot more drama than just what’s on stage. With a personal trainer claiming he can mold his body to resemble a Greek statue, an underhanded understudy waiting in the wings to replace him, a megalomaniacal director, and Kevin hellbent on breaking up Mason and his boyfriend, Mason must choose how much he is willing to sacrifice to make his Broadway dream a reality.About the author:
Richard Taylor Pearson is a triple threat: author, actor, and attorney. He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he appeared in many plays and musicals. After graduating from Rhodes College, Richard went on to obtain a law degree from Rutgers School of Law. While he works as an attorney by day, his nights and weekends are spent writing novels and performing in theatrical events all over New York City. Richard lives in Jersey City with his brilliant husband, Brian, and their amazing daughter, Natalie.
Website: http://www.richardtpearson.com/Twitter: @AuthorRTPFacebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/authorrtpBuy links: Amazon | B&N | Lethe | Smashwords
May 3, 2016
Guest Post: Michelle Osgood
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Michelle Osgood author of The Better to Kiss You With.
Hi Michelle thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.
Hi, thanks for having me! I’m a writer who lives in Vancouver, BC, with my partner Elizabeth and our two black cats. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and have been fascinated with storytelling for as long as I can remember. The Better to Kiss You With is a paranormal romance about Deanna, the moderator of an online werewolf role playing game, who falls for the mysterious woman living above her.
1) What is your least favorite part of the publishing/writing process?
My least favourite part about the publishing process is having to talk specifically about my book, and my writing. I love talking in general, and so I’m happy to chat with anyone about very nearly anything—but the moment I’m put on the spot to talk about my book, especially in person!, I’m like “Um… well… uh…”. It’s awful! But I’m trying to get better. You’ll notice that men who are writers never seem to have trouble talking about their work…
2) As an author, is there one subject you would never write about? What would it be?
I don’t think I’d ever write about sports. I’ve never had a real interest in them, and in order to write about them I’d have to learn all the rules, in great detail, and I think that would bore me. I’ve certainly read well-written, entertaining stories about sports, but I can’t imagine writing one myself!
3) When did you first realize you wanted to write?
I’m not sure if I can pinpoint a specific time. I’ve been reading and writing for as long as I can remember. For a number of years I just considered it an enjoyable hobby, and it’s only within the last year that I’ve allowed myself to take it seriously again!
4) How long did it take to write your book?
The Better to Kiss You With was written in about three months. After that, there was about two months’ worth of editing, and various, amazing, editors, who helped make it into the book it is today!
5) For Fun: Where is one place you’d like to visit you haven’t been before?
I would love to go to Spain. I watched Vicky Cristina Barcelona at a formative age, and let’s just say it’s heavily influenced my vacation thoughts about Europe. Plus, isn’t that where all the best wine is from?
Author Name: Michelle Osgood
Book Name: The Better To Kiss You With
Release Date: April 21, 2016
Blurb:
Deanna, the moderator for Wolf’s Run, an online werewolf role-playing game, wanders the local forest with her dog Arthur and daydreams about Jaime, the attractive, enigmatic woman who lives upstairs. When threats from an antagonistic player escalate, Deanna wonders if her job could be riskier than she’d ever imagined—and if her new girlfriend knows more about this community than she had realized.
Pages or Words: 182 pages
Categories: Contemporary, Lesbian Romance, Paranromal
Excerpt:
“I think I know blood when I see it,” Deanna pointed out. “It was definitely blood.”Beside her on the floor, Nathan leaned his head back against the couch and, behind the black frames of his glasses, rolled his bright blue eyes. “I’m not saying it wasn’t blood. But just, like, blood happens.”“‘Blood happens.’ You sound like a tampon commercial.”“Not true.” Nathan snickered over the top of his glass. “They never use the word ‘blood.’”Deanna choked on a mouthful of wine.“Anyway,” Nathan continued, “it was probably just a dead animal. Dogs love that stuff.”“He wasn’t happy, though. He was scared. Something scared him. And Arthur’s brave. He doesn’t scare easily.” Deanna wiped the Pinot Gris from her chin and they both leaned forward to look at Arthur, who was sprawled artlessly on top of his dog bed and snoring loudly. Deanna smothered a giggle with the back of her hand and grabbed the bottle of wine. “Just don’t confuse fantasy with reality. I think your job is messing you up.”Deanna snorted. “Wolf’s Run is a just game, Nathan. I haven’t forgotten that.”“Really? Because you’re talking about mysterious bodies torn up in the woods, and if that doesn’t sound like werewolves…”Deanna gave Nathan a shove. “Ha, ha, very funny. I’m not like that weirdo who thinks that werewolves actually exist. It’s role-playing. Playing being the key word.” For the most part, the players of Wolf’s Run were a good crowd—with the exception of one user who seemed to think that he actually was a werewolf. Apparently, he took offense to the game’s depictions of “his species,” considering them inaccurate and insulting. The rants had been going on for months, and the situation would have been laughable, except that in the last few weeks his posts had taken on a more threatening tone. Every time Deanna deleted his posts and blocked his username he simply created another account. The Wolf's Run team didn’t want to block his IP address because IP addresses could be shared by a large number of people, and doing so might block legitimate players from the game. Besides, it was child’s play to circumvent a block by logging in from a third-party app or web service, or just logging in from a different location. Deanna could only shut him down and hope that this time he finally gave up. “Well, then just accept that Arthur found a bunny rabbit or something and decided it would be a good idea to roll around in its mangled corpse.”Deanna shook her head. “You didn’t see him. It was a lot of blood.” It had taken two desperately unpleasant baths and an entire bottle of shampoo to get Arthur clean. Deanna had had to scrub her bathtub three times before she’d felt comfortable using it again. Nathan grabbed her hand with his long, thin fingers. “Listen, you’re my best friend, and I love you, and I’m sure that it was really terrifying, but I’m also one hundred percent sure that you are blowing this way out of proportion. No more fantasy werewolf role playing nonsense for you.”“Until my shift starts in…” Deanna tapped the screen of her phone. “Ten hours.”“Until then,” Nathan agreed and clinked their glasses. “Now, tell me more about your hot neighbor.”Deanna buried her head in her hands and groaned. “It’s awful. She’s gorgeous. And I can’t think around her. Or speak. I turn into a spluttering sixth grader with her first crush.”“That’s disgusting and adorable. Tell me more. What’s her name?”Buy the book:
Interlude: http://store.interludepress.com/collections/the-better-to-kiss-you-with-pre-order-bundle-1
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1U2ulv3
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-better-to-kiss-you-with-christine-osgood/1122958914?ean=9781941530740
Apple iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-better-to-kiss-you-with/id1059532443?mt=11
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thebettertokissyouwith-2016083-182.html?referrer=55feb862851f8
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/593334
Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/The-Better-to-Kiss-You-with/9781941530740?a_aid=interludepress
Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781941530740?aff=interludepress
Meet the author:
Michelle Osgood lives in Vancouver, BC, with her partner Elizabeth and their two cats. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and has been reading, writing and blogging in online communities for five years. She likes to read romance novels, speculative fiction and feminist pop culture critique.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osgoodmichelle Twitter: https://twitter.com/OsgoodMichelle Homepage: www.michelleosgood.com
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28490267-the-better-to-kiss-you-withPublisher: Interlude PressCover Artist: Monika Gross
Tour Dates & Stops: 21-Apr: BFD Book Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Hearts on Fire, Bayou Book Junkie22-Apr: My Fiction Nook, Kirsty Loves Books, Inked Rainbow Reads, Happily Ever Chapter25-Apr: Oh My Shelves, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Louise Lyons, A.M. Leibowitz26-Apr: Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings, Havan Fellows, Open Skye Book Reviews27-Apr: Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Butterfly-O-Meter, Prism Book Alliance28-Apr: Nephy Hart, QUEERcentric Books, Emotion In Motion, Unquietly Me29-Apr: Chris McHart, Velvet Panic, Book Reviews and More by Kathy2-May: Charley Descoteaux, Love Bytes, Bonkers About Books3-May: Alpha Book Club, Cathy Brockman Romances, Rednecks and Romance, MM Good Book Reviews4-May: Dawn’s Reading Nook, Divine Magazine, Molly Lolly
Rafflecopter Prize: Grand Prize: $25 Interlude Press gift card. 5 first prizes of e-copies of The Better to Kiss You With by Michelle Osgood.Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 2, 2016
What I'm Reading Now
What I’m reading right now? Still slogging through Jurassic Park by Crichton on audio. I haven’t decided on a new ebook yet. :D
April 2016 (total 15)
Melody’s Wolf by Mina Carter
Casey’s Warrior by Ann Mayburn
Dragon Claimed by Misha Paige
One and Only Rogue by Jade Lee
Bared by Stacey Kennedy
Lance by Eliza Gayle
Unexpectedly Expecting by Susan Mallery
Delicious by Susan Mallery
The Marquis and the Mistress by Dominique Eastwick
Sweet Irish Kiss by Joanne Kenrick
Insane Asylums by Alex Rice
Black Wolves by Kate Eliot
Life in the Victorian Asylums by Mark Stevens
Why the Victorians Saw Ghosts by Michael Gallagher
Mental Ward by Various Authors
March 2016 (total: 16)
Switch by Sean Michael — I’d missed this one
The Crawling Abattoir by Martin Mundt — utterly hilarious. I embarrassed my wife on the plane cackling.
Dollhouse by Anya Allyn — this was like watching a TV pilot. Not for me.
Taken by VM Black — fast paced, great heroine
Wicked for You by Erzabet Bishop — great worldbuilding
Toybox by Al Sarrantonio — very King-esque but nothing happens.
27 Action Writing Blunders by James Scott Bell — for beginners only
Black Butterflies by John Shirley — totally worth the read
Nuts About You by Kate Lowell — squirrel shifters O.o
Promises Part 1 by AE Via — bought the second book immediately after reading the first
Promises Part 2 by AE Via — loved these two boys
Two Men and a Virgin by Kate Richards — cute as hell
Fierce by Sabrina York — not bad at all. Love a strong heroine
Lay It Down by Mary Calmes — Mmm. I do miss Spain.
Bend Over by Brina Brady — a little too hard core for my tastes
The Centaur’s Solstice Wish by Siobhan Muir — sweet and dear
February 2016 (total: 7)
Challenge the Darkness by Dirk Greyson — I absolutely adored this. Bought the 2nd in the series already. Charming, warm, good world building.
The Curious Case of Winter King by Kiernan Kelly — a fab, fun homage to Stephen King. I loved it.
Tattered Loyalties by Carrie Ann Ryan — tons of world-building and I loved the heroine of this one.
Entwined by Colette Gale — this is hilarious. A retelling of Tarzan and Jane
Marked by SJD Peterson — I think I must have read this before. It’s very familiar.
Pornography and Seriality by Sarah Schaschek — fascinating theory. I’m not sure I agree 100%, but fascinating.
Krampus by Brom — the charm at the front didn’t hold up.
January 2016 (total: 5)
Dom of Las Vegas by Tricia Owens — On the good, the sex was hot, the main character was interesting. On the not so good, the main character had detailed on-screen sex with a number of other characters and, in a romance, that’s not for me. The writing style was fine and I quite liked the secondary characters.
Nightmare House by Douglas Clegg — I’m usually a HUGE Clegg fan, but I did not enjoy this one. I found it neither scare nor atmospheric. I was disappointed.
A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles — took me about 1/4 of the book to get into this one, but once I did, I found it clever and charming and I actually had a couple LOL moments.
Bazaar of Dreams by Stephen King — The best part (and I don’t mean this in a nasty way) was the notes before each story. Loved it.
Collected Short Stories by Andre Debus — I am madly in love with the way this man writes. One of his short stories changed how I saw life.
Much love, y’all.
BA
April 28, 2016
April 26, 2016
Guest Post by Joe Cosentino
When I was a kid, every year my family and I threw off the fall/winter/spring blues and joyously spent our summers with my aunt and uncle in their bungalow on the New Jersey Shore. We swam and made sandcastles at the beach, waded in the bay, played miniature golf, ate salt water taffy and jumped up and down on trampolines until we (literally) saw green, and dined at our favorite seafood restaurant with a colorful player piano. All those places and experiences are in the novels set in a fictitious place I call Cozzi Cove, a gay resort of eight bungalows in a private cove on the Jersey Shore. Each bungalow is based on my aunt and uncle’s, and is furnished with hand-carved nautical furnishings, and has a stunning view of the bay and lighthouse in the distance. The main beach and boardwalk are only a mile away. It’s a place I love to visit, and I know you will too.The bungalows on Cozzi Cove are set on a stretch of cove formed when softer rocks were worn away by the sun and salty water faster than the harder rocks surrounding them. This created a gorgeous bay of turquoise water shielded by large rocks in the distance and smaller rocks near the water’s edge.My leading character is Cal Cozzi. Cal, short for Calvin, is thirty years old, tall, and muscular. His Italian and Scottish heritage left him with striking auburn hair, golden skin, and a strong nose. He dabbled as a professional football player then restaurant owner, but neither was a good fit. After Cal’s parents died in an automobile accident, he found his calling: managing Cozzi Cove in the New Jersey shore town named after his great-grandfather. Sensing Cal’s sexual orientation as a boy, Cal’s father had turned Cozzi Cove into a gay resort. Cal is honored to follow in his father’s footsteps. Cal’s husband Lance is twenty-four, short, stocky, African American with dark hair and dark eyes and amazing dimples. He grew up poor, and worked hard getting scholarships and maintaining good grades throughout school. As a second grade teacher, Lance is off during the summers, his favorite time of year. This leaves him more time to do what he loves most: being with Cal.Connor, the college student assisting Cal, is packed with muscles and hormones. He revels in Cozzi Cove, and in checking out each resident for a possible fling on the cove—which he enjoys.Tommy, the bald, muscular, tattooed resident of Cozzi Cove who owns the local bar has held a torch for Cal since high school. Carla Mangione who runs Carla’s Seafood Restaurant holds a similar torch for Cal’s sister.Cal’s sister, Taylor, drops in from Rome, Paris, Wall Street, or Palm Springs. As a tough as nails top one-percenter, the world revolves around her, which makes her hysterically funny. I also admire her devotion to her brother.After my two Bittersweet Dreams novellas, An Infatuation and A Shooting Star (In My Heart Series) published by Dreamspinner Press, were released, countless readers begged me for more time with one of the characters from An Infatuation (Divine Magazine Readers’ Choice Award 2nd Place for Best MM Romance). So that character and his brother are the first guests in Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back. They are two brothers/college students who look alike, but couldn’t be more different. Mario is searching for love, and Harold is searching for lust.The other vacations in book one are a wealthy older couple, Josh and Greg, who play matchmakers for their gorgeous son Christopher. Opposites attract as multifaceted Tim meets shy Mark, and porn star Chuck Caliber connects with Sean, a virgin romance novelist. Finally computer game designer Arthur has a midnight sea rendezvous with a merman. Even Cal faces an emotional upheaval when a gay bashing turns into something quite unexpected for him. Everyone has a secret at Cozzi Cove, and nothing is what it seems at the magical place called Cozzi Cove.After Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back released, many readers and reviewers praised its romantic, humorous, dramatic, mysterious style, and interwoven captivating stories. Having received countless requests for another visit to Cozzi Cove, I wrote Cozzi Cove: Moving Froward. As with the first book, nothing is what it seems in book two, and romance is everywhere.Also after my novella A Shooting Star was released, many readers wanted more time with two of the leading characters, college theatre majors Jonathan and Barry. So two of the guests at Cozzi Cove in book two are loosely based on how Jonathan and Barry might be as middle-aged men. I call them Rodney Maxwell and Dennis O’Halloran, a Tony Award winning actor and his estranged producer/husband at Cozzi Cove with their two hired bodybuilder studs, Jarek and Zeus. Computer analyst, Sam, enlists his best friend Chase in a scheme to attract Sam’s hunky, unsuspecting best friend, Raul. Hunter, a female gay romance novel enthusiast, is hoping to experience gay life off the page. Middle aged Gil Van Truren wants to end it all—until he sees a vision of his first love from college. Cal’s new young lover, Michael Rodgers, is an African American college student with exotic eyes and a toned body. After going through tough times, Michael landed at Cal’s doorstep and the two have never looked back. Cal has his hands full, however, with Michael’s study buddy the gorgeous and muscular Carlo, and resident man of mystery George Valis who seems to know a great deal about Cal’s past.So grab your Speedos, suntan lotion, and shades and head to Cozzi Cove. I hope to see you there twice!
COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACKby JOE COSENTINO from NineStar Presspurchase link:http://ninestarpress.com/product/cozzi-cove-bouncing-back/
On Cozzi Cove at the New Jersey shore, handsome Cal Cozzi’s seven bungalows are open for summer and love. Mario and Harold are brothers and college students who happen to look alike, but couldn’t be more different: Mario is searching for love, and Harold is searching for lust. Josh and Greg, a wealthy older couple, are matchmakers for their son, Christopher. When it comes to Connor, the maid, packed with muscles and a roving sponge, anything can happen. Opposites attract as wild Tim with the secret past meets shy Mark, and porn star Chuck Caliber connects with Sean, a virgin romance novelist. And what will happen when computer-game designer Arthur has a midnight sea rendezvous with a merman? Even married Cal faces an emotional upheaval when a gay bashing turns into something quite unexpected. What secrets and passions lie in magical Cozzi Cove?
Praise for COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK:
“I loved this story. It carries you through the full range of emotions, from joy to sadness, from happiness to anger. The characters are beautifully written.” “I look forward to a return visit to the Cove.” TBR Pile
“Heartbreaking and heartwarming, sweet beginnings for some, sour endings for others, emotions jumping off the page as you turn eagerly to read more, welcome to Cozzi Cove. The author measured his scales to perfection in delivering the perfect balance of love, laughter and tears in this sexy, fun filled holiday romance entwined with some sadness. Summer magic waved it's wand at all who visited and stayed at Cozzi Cove and I was one of those who wanted to stay.” Three Books Over the Rainbow
COZZI COVE: MOVING FORWARDby JOE COSENTINO from NineStar Presspurchase link:http://ninestarpress.com/product/cozzi-cove-moving-foreward/
On Cozzi Cove at the New Jersey Shore, handsome Cal Cozzi’s seven bungalows are once again open for summer and love. The vacationers include Rodney Maxwell and Dennis O’Halloran, a Tony Award winning actor and his estranged producer/husband with their two hired studs, Jarek and Zeus. Computer analyst Sam enlists his best friend Chase in a scheme to attract hunky Raul. Middle aged Gil Van Truren wants to end it all—until he sees a vision of his first love. Cal also has his hands full with college student Michael—his new young lover—Michael’s study buddy Carlo, man of mystery George Valis, and Connor, the houseboy packed with muscles and a wondering sponge. All the while Hunter, a female gay romance novel enthusiast, experiences gay life off the page. What secrets, humor, tragedy, mysteries, and passions lie in the magical place called Cozzi Cove?
Author’s Bio:Bestselling author Joe Cosentino wrote Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back & Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward (NineStar Press), Drama Queen and Drama Muscle Nicky and Noah mysteries (Lethe Press), In My Heart/An Infatuation & A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press), Paper Doll & Porcelain Doll & Satin Doll (Wild Rose Press) Jana Lane mysteries, and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming novels are Drama Cruise Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press) and China Doll Jana Lane mystery (Wild Rose Press). Joe was voted 2ndPlace for Best MM Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015!
Author’s Contact Links:Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosenGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_CosentinoAmazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino
Excerpt of COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK by Joe Cosentinopublished by NineStar Press
As Lance rested in bed and Cal was putting on jeans, sandals, and a canary polo shirt, they heard Connor enter the living room and call out to Cal. After giving Lance a kiss on the cheek, Cal begrudgingly left his lover, shut the front bedroom door after himself, and then met up with Connor, who was standing next to the living room sofa.Connor said, “It’s good to be back at work.”“How were your grades at college this year?”Connor shrugged his muscular shoulders. “Pretty average.”Cal thought, If average is getting Cs and Ds. “I’m guessing you were quite involved with extracurricular activities.”“One or two.” He giggled. “Maybe, three.”Cal had a soft spot for the kid. “You did a nice job preparing the bungalows yesterday.”“I aim to please.” Cal thought the nineteen-year-old looked like an American flag in cutoff blue jeans that matched his eyes, a T-shirt and sneakers that matched his red hair, and pale skin with freckles. “How can I be of service to you today, boss?”Cal ignored Connor’s obvious double meaning.“Just the usual routine.” Cal wasn’t immune to Connor’s charm, but Connor was a kid, and Cal was a one-man man. “Carry their luggage into the bungalows when the guests arrive. Turn down beds at four p.m.” He attempted to look sternly at the boy. “… Without you in them.”“Me come on to a guest?” Connor feigned surprise.“Yes, you, Connor. This is a vacation resort, not the baths.” Cal moved behind his desk. “After today, make up the rooms late mornings and early afternoons. Leave the sheets and towels in front of the garage for the laundry pickup. And don’t forget to sweep out the parking area.” Connor saluted. “Aye, aye, Capitán .”They heard a knock at the front door. Cal shouted, “It’s open.”“Is this the office?”“We’re informal here,” Cal explained. He typed into his computer, and then motioned for the young man to join him.“I’m Mario Ginnetti.” He placed a piece of luggage at his feet. “Is it okay to park in the lot?”Connor seemed to nearly salivate at Mario’s arms in his violet short-sleeved shirt. “You can park anywhere you like.”Ignoring Connor, Cal said, “Yes, that’s the lot for the bungalows.” Cal handed Mario a key. “You’re in Bungalow One. I’ve got your credit card, so you’re all set.” He took a map from the topmost desk drawer. “The ocean beach is open to the public and is only minutes away. You can swim, surf, snorkel, or go on a glass-bottom boat there.” He pointed to various black dots on the map. “You’ll want to get some groceries here. Tommy Malone’s is a good bar, and Carla’s is my favorite seafood restaurant. This place has killer ice cream, which you can work off here at the gym.”Connor interjected with, “If you need help finding anything, just ask me. I’m a native.”“Or you can come into the office and ask me.” Cal handed Mario the map and then pointed outside. “The cove is private property. You can sit out there all you like. The bay water is calm and warm. As you can see, the view is amazing.”Connor added with a grin, “Nude sunbathing is permitted.”Mario was visibly trying to take it all in.“Any questions?” asked Cal.Mario’s dimples appeared. “Will the weather always be this nice?”“From your lips to the sea gods’ ears.” Cal smiled. “The weather report calls for rain, so that means it’s going to be sunny all week. Connor will take you to your bungalow.”Connor looked like the wolf meeting Little Red Riding Hood as he took Mario’s luggage. “Follow me, Mario.”
Excerpt of Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward by Joe Cosentino published by NineStar Press
Cal Cozzi sat on the white sandy beach like a king on his throne. The thirty-one-year-old thought about his great-grandfather, Calvin Cozzi III, who had built the eight bungalows, seven of which Cal’s father, Calvin Cozzi II, had rented to guys like Cal when Cal was a boy. With both men long gone, Cozzi Cove was Cal’s heritage, lifeblood, and oasis. As he gazed out at the ancient lighthouse near the horizon, Cal filled his lungs with salty sea air. He was happy to be home.A familiar yawn and warm breath on his neck caused Cal to turn around and throw his arms around the stocky young man who plopped down next to him. Over a decade younger than Cal, Michael Rodgers rubbed his fingers over dark eyes. Resting his head with its chestnut-colored locks on Cal’s chest, Michael said, “I missed waking up in your arms.”They shared a long kiss and then rose and stood at the water’s edge, watching the seagulls fly across shades of amber, violet, and flame that were fading to reveal a bright-blue sky. With Cal’s Italian and Scottish heritage and Michael’s Swedish and African lineage, Cal thought their skin glistened in the sun like jewels.Shorter than Cal, Michael licked Cal’s neck.“Hey, stop licking. I don’t have any pets.”“You do now.”Cal took the boy in his arms and smothered his youthful face with kisses. Though Cal would never forget Lance, the soul mate he’d lost to cancer two years prior, he couldn’t escape the fact that he was growing more and more in love with Michael every day they lived together. Michael’s high-energy zest for life and brutal honesty in speaking his mind both infuriated and delighted Cal. And Cal was well aware that his straightforward, hardworking masculinity still made Michael weak at the knees after living together in the main bungalow for nearly a year.“Let’s get some breakfast.” Cal ran his fingers through Michael’s curly hair.Michael kneaded the muscles in Cal’s back. “What are we having?”“I’m having the honey buckwheat pancakes I made. What are you having?” Cal slapped Michael’s firm buttocks playfully, and then ran away as Michael chased him, laughing.As they headed for the main bungalow, Cal scanned the row of seven guest bungalows on the cove. Cozzi Cove itself was a quiet stretch of beach with waves tickling jagged rocks perched on white sand only a mile away from the open ocean. Though he was excited about the start of the summer rental season, Cal knew he’d miss the tranquility of having the cove to himself—with Michael.Michael followed Cal into the kitchen. As Cal gazed at the lantern-shaped kitchen clock on the wall, he admired his grandfather’s taste in decorating all of the bungalows with wood-carved, nautical-themed furnishings.Sitting at the table, Michael said, “When do the guests arrive?”“Check-in starts at eleven a.m.”Michael giggled. “Do I have to check in?”Cal kissed the top of his head. “Yeah, into my bedroom.” He served the pancakes and orange juice before sitting next to Michael. “What time do you have to leave for school?”Michael answered with his mouth full. “College! I’m taking a summer class at State, not going to morning kindergarten. I’m a junior.”“Okay, Junior.”“Very funny. In the fall I’ll be a senior, like you.” He kissed Cal’s wide nose.“Hey, your lips are covered in honey.”“So they tell me.” Michael continued eating.“Does your study buddy tell you that?”Michael raised his eyes to the mermaid-shaped lighting fixture as if gathering patience. “Carlo is my partner.”“Really?”“In my advanced photography class.”“Is that what they call it at State?”“Maybe in your day.” Michael’s eyes gleamed devilishly. “Hey, did they have college back then?”“I’ll put you over my knee, young man.”“Promises, promises.” Michael swallowed his last piece of pancake and then gulped down the rest of his orange juice. “Carlo is coming here before our class. We’re taking some shots of the cove.”Cal felt his expression harden. “I thought you were going to mow the lawn, rake the pebbles, and hose down the sidewalk around the bungalows.”“Done.” Michael put his plate, glass, and fork in the sink.“When?”“Last night, when you were in the shower.”“That’s why you didn’t come in with me.”Michael wrapped his arms around Cal. “Can I take a rain check for tonight?”“Maybe you should ask Carlo.”“Carlo doesn’t shower. He takes baths.”Cal did a double take. “And you know this how?”“He told me.” Michael ran into the back bedroom, the home of his computer and photography equipment.Cal felt his blood boil. Taking in some deep breaths, he told himself to calm down.Michael came back holding a number of prints and placed them on the kitchen table. “What do you think?”Cal looked down at photographs. “Nice composition, proportions, and shading.”“Thanks!”He pointed at the dark-haired, dark-eyed, olive-skinned, very muscular young man with a stoic Roman nose, dimples like craters, and a cleft chin like the San Andreas Fault. “Your professor brought in an Italian porn star?”“Watch many Italian porn films, do you, Cal?”“Obviously you don’t have to.” “That’s Carlo. I took them in class.”Cal offered a weak smile, trying hard not to let the anger and jealously he was feeling show on his face.Michael ran his finger over the photographs. “Our professor complimented me on the line and shape.”“I can see why.”“And the contour and shading.”“Yup.”“I’m really proud of them. Tommy loved them too.”Cal rose and put his breakfast things in the sink. “When did you show these to Tommy?”“Yesterday afternoon when I was working at Tommy’s bar. The pictures of Cozzi Cove are for our next assignment.”“‘Hot Italian guy on the beach’?”“‘Summer magic.’ ” He hugged Cal’s neck. “And there’s no place more magical or more romantic than Cozzi Cove in the summer.”After Michael headed into the bathroom, Cal heard Connor’s jeep pull up into the parking lot.A minute later, Connor’s voice rang out. “Hi, boss. Private Connor O’Riley reporting for duty.”Cal met Connor in the living room. “Hi, Connor. Good job cleaning the bungalows yesterday. I aired them out last night. Do me a favor. Get some fresh towels from the bin outside and put them in the bungalows.”In his usual skintight white T-shirt and short-shorts, the freckled twenty-year-old saluted. “Aye, aye, Capitán.” Connor licked his red lips, which matched his frizzy hair. “Where’s Michael?”“In the shower.”“Does he need more towels?” Connor headed toward the bathroom.Cal grabbed his muscular arm. “Down, boy. And keep it in your pants when the guests get here.”Connor feigned shock. “Me? Make a play for a guest? Never! Cal, you wound me to the heart.”“You must have studied dramatics at the college this year.”Connor batted the long lashes over his sky-blue eyes. “How else could I have dated all the gay dudes?”Cal laughed. “I’m sure you dated them.”“I did.” Connor revealed his pearly-white teeth. “It was the football team last year who went straight, pardon the pun, for the touchdown.”Cal put his arm around the boy’s wide shoulders and walked him to the front porch. “Please get straight to work so everything is ready when the guests arrive.”Connor said with the eagerness of a child at Christmas, “I can’t wait to see our pick of the litter.”“Look, don’t touch.”Connor opened the front door and bumped into Carlo, whose crimson dress shirt had enough buttons open to reveal impressive pectoral muscles. “Welcome to Cozzi Cove!”As he entered the front porch, his dark eyes glistened in the morning sun. “I’m Carlo. I’m looking for Michael Rodgers.”
Cal shut the door behind him and shook Carlo’s hand, noticing the bulge in Carlo’s black slacks. “Please come in.”
What I'm Working On this Week
April 22, 2016
RT 2016 Recap
God, I hate trying to recap things because I miss things and that stinks and hurts people’s feelings and ack.
There was no bad. I had a ball. Everyone was dear. It was exhausting.
High points (although I know I forgot parts. I know I did. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I means I suck):
Meeting Ava and Harold.
Hugs from the good twin and Butch.
Absinthe and champagne with Andrew and J.
Being t-shirt twins with KC Burn.
Tara Tara Tara.
ZAM!
Introducing myself to Eli, again.
Tis and the cab driver making a pass at her.
GRITS FROM LYNN!
Lori, Cassi and the chicken.
Carrie Ann and her itchy feet.
Brandon and his sexy pillow.
CA’s werewolf cocks.
Cards Against Humanity.
HOT POCKETS!
Lunch and parent-tears with Rick Reed.
Hugs and corsets from KC Wells.
Seeing the bestie in person AGAIN!
“Damon, what the fuck is wrong with your eyes!"
Heidi hugs at the perfect moment.
My beloved Janet (praying for you, love, every day).
Devon and booze and booze and power point presentations.
Amy Lane. Because Amy! *waves*
Poppy having my back.
SURPRISE TINA! *spins*
Teasing Anne about rolling her eyes.
Supper with Charlie — you classy broad.
Missing Elizabeth constantly like ships in the night.
Meeting-meeting Jacob and Mike, finally.
Having my mom there.
Limo rides!
All the new faces and names and friends and *squeezes tight*.
Much love, y’all.
BA
April 20, 2016
April 19, 2016
Guest Post: Skye Hegyes
Beyond Faery
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not really a fairy fan. I mean, I like them, but they were always my younger sister’s thing. Dragons were mine. Still, I’ve always wanted to write a Faery story. I just didn’t know I’d ever get a chance to do so with other great authors. When Scott asked me to join him, Gus and Brandon in writing this anthology, I was thrilled.
That doesn’t mean I knew what I was doing. I had no clue. Seriously. None.
I didn’t know anything about Faery or fairies or anything in between. I liked fairy artwork. I am a huge fan of Amy Brown’s work – especially if she mixes dragons and fairies – but seeing images isn’t the same as knowing the creatures themselves.
It was about that time a friend I’d told I was working on this project handed me a book called Faeries by Brian Froud and illustrated by Alan Lee. The images in the book reminded me of every image tied to every Grimm’s Fairy Tale I’d ever read and from there ideas blossomed. I took ideas I saw within the pages of Faeries and converted them into creatures for my own Faery realm.
And Faery? I couldn’t even imagine it. To me, Faery was a place beyond the magical confines of a mortal’s understanding, which was something I tried to convey in “Changeling”. I wanted the reader to realize we never really saw Faery because we just can’t fathom the extent of its magnificence. Not that we couldn’t try, and everyone’s ideal view of Faery will be ultimately different from the person next to them. How would you describe Faery, a place so out of touch with this world and beautiful in ways our world isn’t, to your neighbor or friend or even family member?
Faery is full of magic and wonder and possibilities, and I wanted that conveyed within “Changeling”. Did I succeed? Only you can tell me for certain.
Faeries by Brian Froud and illustrated by Alan Lee: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0553346342
Myths Untold: Faery
Blurbs
Faeries are part of mythology the world over, past, present, and future. Called elves, brownies, the fae, and more, they evoke a sense of wonder and a little danger. Faery has its own rules, and humans enter at their peril.
In this spirit, we bring you the first book in the Myths Untold anthology series—four stories from the land of the Fae: a homeless man in Cardiff and the luck that could destroy him; the trans man in future San Francisco who falls for an elf; the village boy who has always been a little different; and a faery prince whose birthright was stolen from him.
Welcome to Faery.
The Pwcca and the Persian Boy, by Gus Li
Despite beauty and luck, something about Glyn makes everyone uncomfortable. Homeless on the streets of Cardiff, he has nothing to keep him going but his friendship with Farrokh. Through stealing and fortune’s occasional favor, Glyn keeps them alive. But then homeless youths begin to disappear, and when Farrokh goes missing, Glyn begins to discover the reasons behind both his luck and the way people react to him. Determined to save his friend from a danger he never imagined, he enlists the help of Lleu, who might be an ally, or might be manipulating Glyn to achieve his own goals.
The Other Side of the Chrysalis, by Brandon Witt
In a species that values beauty above all else, Quay looses both his freedom and his birthright as prince of the fairies. Lower than an outcast, he watches over his younger brother, hoping against hope that Xenith’s rebirth will provide safety and positions that has slipped through Quay’s grasp. Though he expected kindness from no one, Quay gradually starts to trust that there is more to life, even for the likes of him, as sexual encounters with Flesser, a fairy barely accepted himself, turn from lust to love. Quay knows having forbidden relationships will be his undoing, but he is powerless to turn away.
Changeling, by Skye Hegyes
With his pointed ears and a tail, Tyler’s always been different than the other children, but until Marsh, a brownie tells him he’s a changeling, he never thought he wasn’t human. Now he will discover what faery life is like, and just how being a changeling could change his life. On the way, his ties with his mother will be pushed and prodded even as his friendships grow and his love life blossoms. However, in a village of God-fearing people, those who are different are spurned and Tyler will discover how much trouble a fledgling changeling can get into.
Through the Veil, by J. Scott Coatsworth
In the not-too-distant future, San Francisco has been swamped by rising sea levels caused by global warming, and has only survived by building a wall to keep the water out of the heart of the City. Colton is a trans man barely getting by on the canals outside the wall. Tris is an elf who has come to the human world on his journey to become a man. Fate brings them together, and everything changes for Colton when he sets out with Tris to find the elf's missing brother, taking Colton behind the Wall for the first time.
Buy Link
Available at the Wilde City website 4/13/16; other sites one week later.
Wilde City Press: https://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/myths-untold-book-one-faery/#.Vu1sJkcWLJp
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Untold-Faery-Brandon-Witt-ebook/dp/B01E85MBS6/
Amazon Intl: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E85MBS6/?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29868469-myths-untold?from_new_nav=true&ac=1&from_search=true
Author Bios
Gus Li
August (Gus) Li is a creator of fantasy worlds. When not writing, he enjoys drawing, illustration, costuming and cosplay, and making things in general. He lives near Philadelphia with two cats and too many ball-jointed dolls.
He loves to travel and is trying to see as much of the world as possible. Other hobbies include reading (of course), tattoos, and playing video games.
Brandon Witt
Brandon Witt’s outlook on life is greatly impacted by his first eighteen years of growing up gay in a small town in the Ozarks, as well as fifteen years as a counselor and special education teacher for students with severe emotional disabilities.
Add to that his obsession with corgis and mermaids, then factor in an unhealthy love affair with cheeseburgers, and you realize that with all those issues, he’s got plenty to write about…
Skye Hegyes
Dragons, wolves, and sharp objects are commonplace in Skye Hegyes’s home in North Carolina. She spends most of her time between writing and working. When not doing either of these things, you may find her making crafts or adventuring with her family, which consists of her husband, two daughters, two birds, and three cats… and a partridge in a pear tree…
J. Scott Coatsworth
Scott has been writing since elementary school, when he and won a University of Arizona writing contest in 4th grade for his first sci fi story (with illustrations!). He finished his first novel in his mid twenties, but after seeing it rejected by ten publishers, he gave up on writing for a while.
Over the ensuing years, he came back to it periodically, but it never stuck. Then one day, he was complaining to Mark, his husband, early last year about how he had been derailed yet again by the death of a family member, and Mark said to him “the only one stopping you from writing is you.”
Since then, Scott has gone back to writing in a big way, finishing more than a dozen short stories – some new, some that he had started years before – and seeing his first sale. He’s embarking on a new trilogy, and also runs the Queer Sci Fi (http://www.queerscifi.com) site, a support group for writers of gay sci fi, fantasy, and supernatural fiction.
April 12, 2016
Guest Blog: Annabeth Albert
Author Name: Annabeth Albert
Book Name: Knit Tight Series: #PortlandHeat
Book: Four This, and all the books of the series, can be read as a standalone as each features a new couple.
Release Date: April 12, 2016
Blurb:
It’s no secret that Portland, Oregon, has some of best restaurants, shops, and cafés in the country. But it’s the hard-working men who serve it all up that keep us coming back for more...
One of Portland’s hottest young baristas, Brady is famous for his java-topping flair, turning a regular cup of joe into a work of art. Every Wednesday—aka “Knit Night”—hordes of women and their needles descend on the coffeehouse, and Brady’s feeling the heat. Into the fray walks a tall, dark, and distractingly handsome stranger from New York. His name is Evren, and he’s the sexy nephew of Brady’s sweetest customer, the owner of the yarn shop down the street. He’s also got a killer smile, confident air, and masculine charm that’s tying Brady’s stomach in knots. The smitten barista can’t wait to see him at the next week’s gathering. But when he tries to ask Evren out, his plans unravel faster than an unfinished edge. If Brady hopes to warm up more than Evren’s coffee, he’ll have to find a way to untangle their feelings, get out of the friend zone, and form a close-knit bond that’s bound to last a lifetime…
Pages or Words: 43,000 Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, New Adult, Romance
Excerpt:
“Why? Am I turning you on?” My hand wandered over my fly. Not stroking, just firm pressure. We’d danced past sexy talk, far out of the friend zone, now meandering into something dark and heady. I pressed hard against my aching erection as I waited to see how far Ev would let himself go.
“Perhaps. I told you some things, now you tell me. What is your favorite thing?”
“Uh. The long, slow grinding ending in oral that you just described sounds amazing and hits a lot of my buttons. For the record, I’m totally good with…mess. And I like giving oral. Love getting my throat fucked. Being pinned down while grinding or getting my throat fucked, that gets me going.”
Ev was silent a long moment. Perhaps I’d pushed him too far. “Tell me about this throat fucking. How do you like it?”
Aw yes. I’d never had phone sex, but I had a feeling we were about to head in that direction. “Where are you right now?”
“In my bed. With a closed door. Are you going to ask me what I’m wearing next?”
“Knitted underwear?” I laughed as I headed for the bathroom—the one room with a lock. My usual jerk-off method was a locked door and a longer-than-necessary shower.
“Sorry to disappoint. Pajama bottoms. I worry Hala Mira could need me in the night.”
“Hey, you don’t have to apologize to me. I share a room with a ten-year-old. I’m going to the bathroom now, though. And locking the door.”
“You require a locked door to tell me about giving head?”
“I require a locked door, a quiet house, and about three hours to show you,” I countered. “Fuck, Ev. I want you to wear me out.”
“Oh, I could. Do not doubt that, Brady. You want me to wear your throat out? Use you so much you need me to feed you some gelato after?”
“Fuck yes,” I whispered. “I’d like it if you were on the bed or in a chair and I were kneeling in front of you. Or you were standing in front of me. Me on my knees is the key thing.”
“You ever try with your head over the edge of the mattress? It happens that this bed is the perfect height for that…”
“Oh yes. Tell me more. I want to jerk off while you fuck my throat like that.”
“Ah. But I don’t want that. Perhaps we will need to find other occupation for your hands.”
Oh man. Ev knew how to turn my crank big-time. “I’m good with having my hands tied.”
I could tell from his inhalation that it worked for him, too. “How flexible are you?”
“Bendier than I look. I had to do yoga stretching exercises to rehab a skateboarding injury. Turns out I dig it.”
“Nice. Very nice. I like your mouth very, very much.”
“Like the beard? Because if you want my mouth more…exposed, I can work with that. Beard is pure Northwest laziness on my part.”
“The beard is…part of the appeal. Your mouth is very full and your beard always seems like it’s…teasing. I think I want your hair down, though, yes?”
“Go for it.” Getting into it, I pulled my hair free of the ponytail, let it flop against my shoulders. Spit gathered in my mouth like I really was about to get a go at Ev’s cock. Fuck. Just the thought had me throbbing. I unzipped to get a little more breathing room. “I want to—”
Knock. Knock. Knock. “Brady, are you in there? I don’t feel so good,” Jonas called through the door.
Fuck. I kept my curse to myself. “Just a minute, buddy,” I called.
“You need to go?” Ev said in my ear. “I understand.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry.”
“Another time, Brady, another time.”
Even if he just meant the phone-sex version of the fantasy, part of me thrilled to his words. And I was pulling hard for the in-person
Buy the book: http://amzn.to/1SUE074 http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781601835086 https://play.google.com/store/search?q=978-160183508-6&c=books http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=9781601835086 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781601835086
Meet the author:
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.
Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency
Where to find the author: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbertauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert
Tumblr: www.annabethalbert.tumblr.com Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/annabethsangels/
NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/Nb9yv
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25937705-knit-tight
Publisher: Kensington
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde
Tour Dates & Stops: Parker Williams, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Divine Magazine, Full Moon Dreaming, Oh My Shelves, Posy Roberts, Book Lovers 4Ever, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents BFD Book Blog, The Hat Party, Decadent Delights, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Alpha Book Club, Bayou Book Junkie, Unquietly Me, My Fiction Nook, Happily Ever Chapter, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, A.M. Leibowitz, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, Gay Media Reviews, Kirsty Loves Books, Havan Fellows, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Man2ManTastic, Mikky's World of Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Multitasking Mommas, 3 Chicks After Dark, Rednecks and Romance, Velvet Panic
