Andrew Q. Gordon's Blog, page 28
March 22, 2015
Ed & Marchant; by Sue Brown Guest Post & Giveaway
Please welcome Sue Brown to the Land of Make Believe as she come to talk about routines in our daily lives and how this plays into her book, Ed and Marchant, Part of the Frankie’s Series. She’s also doing a giveaway, so be sure to scroll through to the end.
Ed & Marchant—A Frankie’s Series Novella; by Sue Brown
Ed is a man who lives by routines. It gives him structure to his day and helps him function in a society he really doesn’t understand. Meeting Marchant disrupts his entire life and he hates it – at least at first. Not everyone is like Ed of course. For some people routine is a comforting thing, for others the sheer fact of having to live by a daily routine drives them mad. They prefer a spontaneous life.
Do you live by routines? Is each day of your life planned out by what you’re going to do next? I had a friend who, in the twenty years I knew him, never changed his routine. Even his socialising was with the same people on the same night, week in, week out. As far as I know nothing has changed. At the time I didn’t really understand it, but when my ex and I wanted to change the day we met him (on a weekly basis, same time, same pub), it drove him into a tailspin. He just couldn’t handle it.
I didn’t understand it in my twenties. I always said I never managed a routine in my life. But that’s not really true. Work life is a routine, school life is a routine. Even working for yourself is a routine. You have deadlines you have to meet to be paid.
As I’ve got older I’ve thought of routines as less the enemy and more a fact of life. I still like a little spontaneity though.
Blurb:
A Novella in Frankie’s Series
Ed Winters despises his job and hates everyone he works with—especially out and proud, happily in love Frankie Mason. He spends his days wishing he could dance, rather than work.
Late to go shopping one day, Ed ends up soaked in Marchant Belarus’s spilled Coke. Ed’s humiliation increases when Marchant, the owner of a BDSM club, realizes Ed is a sub, albeit a very closeted one. Marchant’s attempts to draw Ed out of his shell release years of pent-up anger and hurt over the abuse Ed’s mother and grandmother heaped on him.
Marchant is patient, but nothing he does seems to help until he discovers Ed’s secret love of dancing—a forbidden passion that might be the key to unlocking the confident, secure man Ed could be.
Buy Links:
Dreamspinner Press:
Amazon:
Amazon UK:
ARe:
Excerpt:
He stalked away, conscious of Marchant staring at him and the all too seeing eyes of his nemesis behind. “Will this day never end?” he muttered.
At the base of the stairs, Marchant pulled Ed to one side and didn’t let go of his arm. “What did Frankie say to you?”
“What?”
“What did he say?”
“He asked me if you were hurting me.”
Marchant nodded. “Good. It’s good you have friends looking after you.”
“He’s hardly a friend,” Ed said without thinking.
“He took the time to see if you were all right,” Marchant pointed out. “That implies some degree of friendship.”
“I’m his boss, and Frankie Mason is a….” Ed pressed his lips together.
“Ah, that explains the hostility from his boyfriend.”
Ed reached the end of his patience. “Thank you for the drink, but I have to do my shopping now.”
“We can go around together,” Marchant said cheerfully.
“I don’t want to go around with you,” Ed said, aware he sounded petty and childish. “I have a routine.”
Marchant raised his eyebrow. “A routine? Well, I can fit in with that.”
Ed gaped at him. “What the hell? What don’t you understand? I’ve let you ruin my morning. I’ve put up with you telling me to sit, stay, and come. Now I want to do my shopping and forget this day ever happened.”
To Ed’s chagrin, Marchant didn’t seem at all bothered by his outburst. Instead he leaned forward, and unconsciously Ed mimicked his action. “I haven’t told you to come yet, but when I do, you’ll obey.”
Author Bio:
Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot and has got expert at ignoring the orders.
Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favourite television series. The kissing was hot and tender and Sue wanted to write about this men. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/suebrownstories?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/suebrownstories
mailto:suebrown.stories@gmail.com
http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=711a0a0202d37ef6
http://www.pinterest.com/suebrownstories/
https://www.goodreads.com/sue_brown
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card or an eCopy set of—Frankie & Al (Book 1); and Ed & Marchant (Book 2)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also from Sue Brown:
Anthony & Leo—Frankie’s Series, (Book 3)
Coming March 25th:
BLURB:
Watching Marchant train his new sub leaves Tony unhappy at not having found a Dom of his own. Running Marchant’s BDSM club, Tony sees who the Doms prefer and it isn’t him—too big, too old, and too hairy. When his friend Jordan suggests he look outside the club, Tony’s mind turns to Leo, a man he met in a traffic jam. Tony manages to arrange a date and happily learns Leo is funny, very toppy, and not averse to Tony’s lifestyle. As a bonus, Leo sells sex toys.
When tragedy strikes the club, Tony fears he can’t help the mourning club members, but Leo offers his unwavering support. After such a tough start, Tony believes Leo is the Dom he’s been looking for… until he catches him kissing another man.
BUY LINK:
Dreamspinner Press:
March 20, 2015
Blood and Ghosts; by Shira Anthony—Cover Reveal and Giveaway
Blurb:
Sequel to Blood and Rain
With vampire Nicolas Lambert’s marriage to a rival clanswoman only weeks away, Adrien Gilbert struggles to come to terms with his defeat at the hands of Verel Pelletier, a vampire hunter and an immortal like himself. Adrien and his former teacher, Roland Günter, begin to explore his newly acquired abilities. But without his soul’s sword, Adrien flounders.
On Nicolas’s wedding day, a two-hundred-year old secret is revealed, sending the wedding party into a blazing battle between hunters and vampires. Once again Adrien finds himself facing Pelletier’s superior strength. Just as Adrien believes all hope of a future with Nicolas is lost, he finally learns his true gift—he can turn back time. But time travel comes with a high cost. To save Nicolas, Adrien must become strong enough to use his power without descending into madness.
Release Date: April 20, 2015
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
About the author
Shira Anthony was a professional opera singer in her last incarnation, performing roles in such operas as Tosca, i Pagliacci, and La Traviata, among others. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle. You can hear Shira singing Puccini’s “Tosca” by clicking here: http://www.shiraanthony.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tosca-visse-darte-exceprt1.mp3
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shira.anthony?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shira-Anthony/177484618974406
Twitter: @WriterShira
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anthony0564/
Tour Stop: March 20, 2015:
Parker Williams, BFD Book Blog, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Love Bytes, Charley Descoteaux, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Divine Magazine, Carly’s Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Amanda C. Stone, Andrew Q. Gordon, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, My Fiction Nook, Emotion in Motion, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Love Bytes, Because Two Men Are Better Than One
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter Code to enter for a chance to win one of two prizes: 1Wibbly wobbly timey wimey pendant or 1 eCopy of Blood and Ghosts.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 19, 2015
Release Day Blitz—Encore—A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology
Synopsis
An anthology about musicals… with a twist.
Who can resist a musical?
We at Wayward Ink certainly can’t!
Boys and Girls, go don your tux. Slink into your gown. Strap on your heels. Dust off that tiara and wrap yourselves in a feather boa!
Come celebrate the extravaganza with us!
Waltz through ten short stories inspired by some of the world’s most popular musicals.
Book Trailer
Buy Links
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U1QZSJ6/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00U1QZSJ6/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00U1QZSJ6/
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/encore/
B&N: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-encoreawaywardinkpublishinganthology-1758654-166.html
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-encoreawaywardinkpublishinganthology-1758654-166.html
***Buy your copy from the Wayward Ink Publishing website by the end of March and take advantage of the 25% discount on all WIP titles!
What’s Up Pussycat?
Louise Lyons
Heartbroken Finley fears he’ll never recover from the loss of his lover, Andrew, who was a star of the Cats musical.
But then Finley has an idea…
What if her were to take Andrew’s part in the musical and hopefully make his man proud?
Over The Rainbow
Lily G. Blunt
Dorian has been cast as Dorothy in his school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.
Like his character, Dorian is about to discover whether dreams really do come true.
Broadway Devils
Eric Gober
A geek and his flashy rival . . .
A leading man they both love . . .
A starring role they both want . . .
All’s fair in love and Broadway.
May the best diva take it all!
Angel in the Wings
Asta Idonea
When handsome Phantom, Christopher Keane requests Marcus as his dresser, the action in the wings could be just as exciting as anything taking place on stage…
My South Pacific
Taylin Clavelli
British born Callum has given up on love.
Will he find it again among the Hawaiian reefs?
Or will there be more sharks…
Enjoy The Show
Lisa A. Adams
Dylan Rucker’s online dating adventures landed him the perfect match.
When “Mister Right” stands him up at the dinner theater, Dylan wants to crawl home defeated.
But, the night is young…
With an unexpected flirtation with the lead actor, Dylan must decide.
Hold out for his “Mister Right”?
Or, sit back and enjoy the show?
The One That I Want
R.J. Jones
“What, you don’t think Danny’s hot?”
“I prefer Kenickie. He can pin me against a wall anytime.”
A Touch Glamour
Alina Popescu
Tudor has big plans for New York City.
Ditch his homophobic colleague. See a musical. Definitely check out the go-go boys.
Meeting one Phantom on Grindr wasn’t in the script.
Tudor gets caught up in a whirlwind when his favorite musical character steps off the stage and into his life.
A Man Who Measures Up
Cecil Wilde
When you’re in musical theater, love is just a jump to the left and a step to the right.
A Night at the Opera
Vanessa Clark
Rick never cared for opera.
He thought opera singers were old, outdated, and fat.
That was until he met Giovanni, an opera singer who’s far from that!
No. Giovanni is statuesque, young, refreshing, and beautiful.
Giovanni opened Rick’s mind to a new world, and Rick’s first ever opera experience definitely wasn’t going to be his last.
But little does Giovanni realize that Rick will open his mind to a new experience too…
March 17, 2015
Blog Tour—Young At Heart; by Kay Ellis—Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway
Please welcome Kay Ellis to the Land of Make Believe today. Kay is here to talk about her new release, Young at Heart, which was just released by Wayward Ink Press.
Welcome Kay, let’s start by telling everyone a bit about yourself.
There’s really not much to tell. I’m so ordinary it’s embarrassing! I stopped counting birthdays years ago and consider myself ‘ageless’ but I’m old enough to have two grown up daughters. I’m a bit of a loner, a bit OCD and a bit of a control freak! Have I sold myself yet???
Your latest book is Young at Heart, take a minute to talk about it.
I love the characters of Devon and Jesse. Devon is an older man, rich and successful, but I think he’s probably led a sheltered life. He’s not the best judge of character and he’s easily swayed by his mother and his friend Antonio. His on/off relationship with Jesse, who happens to be half his age, is the heart of the story. Jesse is a loveable rogue type but quite vulnerable. I hope I got that across in the book.
What inspired you to write a May/December romance?
Well, that probably stems from the fact I always rather fancied a toyboy! Although I’m happily single and intend to stay that way, my eye is only ever drawn to the younger man. Most of my character pairings have an age difference.
So often older/younger relationships are looked down upon, how did you deal with that in the book?
I think it’s clear throughout the book that there are more people who disapprove of the age gap than accept it. Devon’s mother refers to Jesse as ‘that boy’ and treats him as a child when they eventually meet. And, Jesse’s age has a lot to do with Antonio thinking he can get away treating him however he wants. Antonio doesn’t believe Devon could actually be in love.
What part of the book was the most fun to write and why?
I quite enjoyed writing the hotel scene with the snooty receptionist and the way Devon gets Jesse’s attention in the lift. Someone offered to help me write the sex scene and I said; “Okay, they’re going to have sex against a door.” He wanted to know what sort of door it was!
What part made you struggle them most?
I actually think the ending. I’m a big meanie who didn’t want to give them a happy ending. In the original story, Jesse was killed in a road accident, but I was worried people wouldn’t like that. I didn’t want the ending to be too sickly sweet so I had to really think about how I wanted them to end up.
Tell us something interesting that is not in the blurb?
Jesse is not what he seems!
What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
Just writing, plain and simple. I love seeing a story take shape and the characters develop. Even if I think I know the direction I’m taking and what the characters are like, they always change and take on a life of their own
What’s your least favorite?
Editing! It’s so boring and I don’t like being told to change bits that I think are quite good in the first place.
What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?
The Red Sheet by Mia Kerick. Her books are aimed at young adults but I enjoy them. The Red Sheet is about a young man who takes on a superhero complex and the reasons why are both dramatic and heart breaking.
If you could meet any writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
It would have to be Terry Pratchett. Such a brilliant mind! I wish I had even half his imagination. A lot of the humour in his books comes from what he doesn’t say.
Besides reading and writing, what else do you enjoy?
To be honest, I’m usually so busy reading or writing that it doesn’t leave much time for anything else. But I do go to the odd rugby match, and I like the theatre when I can afford it, or a concert.
Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?
The ideas never stop coming so I can easily have half a dozen stories on the go at any one time. I write whoever shouts loudest in my head. But at the moment, the main two are The fire King, the third book in my Evolin series, and Blade. That’s about a mercenary sent to kill a man he inevitably ends up falling for.
Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.
Whether I’m reading, writing or watching tv, I like a bad boy with a hidden heart. Those characters who are openly arrogant, sexually confident and totally unrepentant about who and what they are. Yet underneath, they would do anything for anyone (in secret of course), and are vulnerable and easily hurt. Deep down they just want to be loved but don’t know how to ask for it. Brian Kinney in the American version of Queer As Folk is like that, and more recently the character of Freddie Baxter in a UK series called Banana.
I wanted Jesse to be a bit like that. He’s a bit cocky, self-assured in his sex appeal. He knows just how to play Devon to get what he wants, but his need to be loved means he doesn’t cope with rejection. I hope that comes across when you read Young At Heart.
Blurb:
Devon Alexander is a wealthy successful businessman. The world is his oyster. In his work life he is decisive and in control.
His private life is another matter.
There, he doesnít know if he’s coming or going in his on-off relationship with Jesse Young, an unemployed aspiring model half his age.
Can Devon and Jesse overcome the obstacles and outside influences standing in their way? Can they leave behind their own fear and mistrust? Or will they be their own worst enemies?
Title: Young at Heart
Author: Kay Ellis
Length: novella
Genre: LGBTQ, MM, romance, gay romance
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Excerpt:
“We would like a room, please.”
The receptionist took one look at them and turned her nose up.
Instantly, Devon was irritated by the woman’s superior attitude. She saw an older man with an attractive, much younger man and made assumptions.
“I’m afraid we’re fully booked, Sir,” the receptionist said haughtily. “You’ll have to try elsewhere.”
“Ingrid, is it?” Devon leaned over the desk to peer at her name badge. “Well, you listen to me, Ingrid. Alexander Industries sends a lot of business your way and I know for a fact you have nowhere near full occupancy at this time of year. Unless you want to explain to your boss exactly why you’re turning away one of your best customers, I suggest you find me a room. If you don’t, I will be explaining to my good friend, Mr. Xavier, why I’ll be sending my business to your rivals in the future.”
Ingrid paled visibly beneath her heavy foundation. Even if she had not recognized Devon, she had to be aware Alexander Industries was one of the hotel’s biggest and most influential customers. She was also aware that offending a high-profile paying guest, who happened to be a close friend of her notoriously strict employer, was not a wise career move.
“Of course,” she gave a frosty smile. “Does Sir have any luggage?”
“No,” Devon smiled sweetly. “Sir simply requires a room in which to fuck his teenage lover’s brains out.”
“Room 615,” Ingrid sniffed. “Although Sir might like to know this is not the kind of establishment that rents rooms by the hour.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Jesse snorted, reaching over Devon’s shoulder to pluck the key card from the receptionist’s cool fingers. “We intend to fuck all night.”
They crossed the foyer and walked into the lift without a backward glance. Jesse jabbed angrily at the brightly lit number panel.
“Bitch!” he said vehemently as the doors shut.
“Jesse….”
“I mean, who the fuck does she think she is?”
“Jesse….”
“She had no right talking to you like that.”
“Jess!” Devon shot out his hand and grabbed Jesse firmly by the balls, his fingernails digging through the material of Jesse’s suit trousers. Jesse yelped and went very still. “Do I have your attention?”
“Yes,” he said in a small voice, not daring to move for fear Devon would do him permanent damage.
“Good. Now, listen to me.” Devon loosened his grip, but did not release him completely. He stroked the length of Jesse’s stiffening cock, making him moan with pleasure.
“Agreed, she’s a bitch, but we are not about to let her ruin this for us. Okay?”
“Okay,” Jesse murmured huskily. His fingers curled around Devon’s wrist, pressing the palm of his hand against his now-rigid shaft.
“Have you ever fucked in a lift?”
Buy Links
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TE9XMRG
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TE9XMRG
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00TE9XMRG
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/young-at-heart-by-kay-ellis/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/young-at-heart-kay-ellis/1121199078?ean=9781925222340
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-youngatheart-1751435-149.html
Giveaway
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a $20 WIP Gift Card and an ebook copy of Young at Heart:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the author
Kay Ellis lives in rural Oxfordshire in the UK, where sheís mum to two beautiful daughters. From an early age, she has written stories, with a sole readership of one ñ her mum, Sylvia. In 2013, someone suggested Kay enter a competition on national television to find a new ëracey readsí author. Much to Kayís surprise, she made it to the final three, and although she didnít win, the high praise received for her work gave her the confidence to start submitting to publishers.
When not writing, Kay enjoys reading, eating out and the theatre.
Social links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kay.ellis.79274
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KayEllisAuthor
March 16, 2015
Author Interview – Lily G Blunt
Welcome Lily. Nice to finally get to interview you.
Hello, Andrew. Thank you for inviting me here today.
Let’s start by telling everyone a bit about yourself.
I live roughly in the center of the UK. I am the eldest of five siblings, married with two children in their twenties, and was a teacher of primary pupils for over twenty-five years.
This has been a busy few months for you. You’ve had several anthology stories released since May, you’re doing Free Fiction Friday and you’ve had other books released. When did you first start writing?
Yes, the past year or so has been quite busy for me. I started writing fiction over four years ago now. My first attempts were dire and I cringe when I think of my work back then. I tended to write a chapter and after a bit of editing I posted it on fanfiction.net with only a basic overall plan in place for the longer stories. I’ve since edited these fanfiction stories (four or five times, if not more!) and some are now on my blog as free reads or part of FFF. I’ve come to value using outlines and character sketches when planning a story, however short it may be.
Talk about your sub genre of choice. Which ones do you prefer and why.
I tend to read and write contemporary m/m romance and erotica, plus I’m currently reading Josh Lanyon’s mysteries. There are so many fabulous writers and books on my to-read list. I’m not really in to fantasy or sci-fi, and although I studied history, I have yet to really explore that aspect of the m/m genre.
Tell us about some of your prior releases.
The first two listed below are novels I self-published. The last one is a short story published by Torquere Press in the Take It Like a Man anthology and also released as a separate story.
Paint the Sky
A love of art…
A mutual interest in art draws two shy university students together. Ben admires Vinnie’s painting of the university building, so Vinnie invites him to an exhibition of his artwork. From a wealthy family, Ben purchases some of Vinnie’s art and arranges for the artist to personally hang the paintings in his apartment.
Starry, starry night…
Ben commissions Vinnie to paint his portrait, in order to spend more time with the artist. On the night of the sitting, Vinnie fingerpaints the starry night on Ben’s chest… and they kiss. They begin a relationship beneath the night sky, God’s own canvas.
But every relationship has its ups and downs and so it is with theirs. When Ben thinks Vinnie spends too much time with a fellow artist, his jealousy drives a wedge between them and forces Vinnie into the very thing Ben dreads.
Hold tight to your dreams…
Ben and Vinnie will have to walk through fire before they can find one another again. But if they believe, and if they keep their faith in the night sky and each other, just maybe they can make their dreams of love come true.
Boys on Film
What would happen if a gay porn star fell in love with a writer of erotic m/m novels?
Set in an opulent house in San Diego that also serves as a porn studio, the story follows Stefan as he falls in love with Nate, a budding author from England, and in the process comes out as gay. Despite working in a gay porn studio and having sex with his best buddy on a regular basis, Stefan outwardly claims to be straight, although he enjoys the sex and substantial pay from his gay videos. This changes when he meets Nate, who has been given the opportunity to observe the inner workings of Blue House Film Studios to add realism to his latest erotic novel.
The Perfect Size for You
After updating his Rent Boy blog profile, well-endowed porn star Ty, receives a text requesting an appointment with a sexually inexperienced client. Andy asks Ty to provide him with the necessary knowhow, so if he ever goes on a date with the guy he’s attracted to he’s fully prepared. Little does Ty know this hook-up will lead to a friendship that will subsequently change his life. Can Ty remain friends with Andy or will he always want more? And how will Ty react when Andy finally goes on a date with another man?
Your upcoming book is the Encore anthology. Tell us about it.
It’s a collection of ten short stories from Wayward Ink Publishing all with the theme of musicals. My story is called Over the Rainbow and was inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
Watch the fabulous trailer video HERE
Dorian has been cast as Dorothy in his school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.
Like his character, Dorian is about to discover whether dreams really do come true.
Where did the inspiration for Dorian and his love interest, Mark come from?
In my story, Dorian is a newly qualified teacher who is struggling to cope during his first term of teaching. All his time seems to be taken up with preparation and marking, plus all the others things required of him. So much so, his social and therefore his love life are pretty dire. He struggles to gain control over some unruly pupils and is beginning to think he is going to fail as a teacher. He wants to succeed and impress his mentor, Mark Leonard, the Head of the English department in the school. He observes Dorian’s lessons and offers him advice and suggestions for improvement.
Some members of staff at the school are taking part in the end of term production of the Wizard of Oz. Dorian has been cast as Dorothy and Mark is the Cowardly Lion. Aspects of the characters and musical are reflected in their lives and personalities. I drew on my teaching experience for Dorian’s character and some of the events in the story.
What part of the book was the most fun to write and why?
I have a scene that includes my characters telling Wizard of Oz jokes. They are not really funny, but I have a weird sense of humor and was chuckling away to myself as I wrote this part of the story.
What part made you struggle them most?
My plan was to take aspects of the Wizard of Oz and create parallels in the lives of my main characters. Although I roughly knew where the story was heading, I struggled to come up with the Tin Man/Scarecrow’s subplot. I wanted them to be searching for a heart/love and a brain like they do in the movie. It took me weeks to finally weave their story into Dorian and Mark’s plot.
Tell us something interesting that is not in the blurb?
Dorian enjoys wearing women’s lacy underwear.
What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
Can I be cheeky and choose three?
Of course you can.
I love the initial ‘plot bunny’ where I develop my main characters and imagine some of their conversations and hot scenes together. To me, they are real people who could actually exist in real life. I also love it when the words flow from me as a scene takes shape. But if I’m only allowed to choose one favorite part, then it has to be the finished product. When I look back at the hard work I’ve put into the writing and am proud I’ve actually created a story people enjoy reading.
What’s your least favorite?
The slog of writing when you seem to chip away day after day, only adding a few hundred words at a time, and you think you’re never going to get the story finished.
What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?
I recently enjoyed reading L.A. Witt’s first story in the Cover Me series. (Currently free on Amazon). The writing is excellent in my opinion. It was one of those books I thought about when I wasn’t reading it and was eager to pick it up again to see what would happen next. This story has all the elements I enjoy in the m/m genre. I became involved with the main character’s feelings from the start and loved Nick and Andrew’s interaction and their hot scenes together. I felt their longing for each other and their need to be together as they fell in love. Tense and full of suspense, the story was not predictable, although I knew something ‘bad’ would happen at some point.
If you could meet any writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to be able to travel back in time and question the men who wrote the original Gospels and the other books in the New Testament. I know it was more than one person, but their writing has changed the course of history. I’d like to know how much of their work was based on historical events.
What’s a fun – non-writing – day for you?
Spending the day relaxing in the Aqua Sana at Center Parcs. I especially love the steam rooms and the massaging water jets in the pool.
Besides reading and writing, what else do you enjoy?
Walking. I walk locally at least once a day, usually with my daughter and her dog, plus we often go on hiking holidays. Austria is our favorite location. If you read Opposites Attract, you’ll see it inspired the main location, the beautiful scenery, and even parts of the plot were based on some things that have happened to us on our trips. Not the sex in the mountain hut, though :(
Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a short story for another anthology submission. The theme is rough and tumble blue-collar workers. My main character falls for the muscle-packed and sexy handyman he employs to take care of his garden. It’s with one of my beta readers at the moment and will need a bit more polishing before I send it off. I have several rough plans and ideas for other stories, but haven’t decided which one will be my next focus yet.
Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.
I’ll be at the Queer Company event in Oxford on May 9th and the UK Meet in Bristol in September. Hope to meet some of you there.
Excerpt from Over the Rainbow
At last.
Dorian Gartside let out a huge sigh of relief. He quickly dismissed his boisterous pupils and had logged himself off the computer on the teacher’s desk by the time they’d all noisily exited the room.
God! What a day!
Anyone who thought this job was easy should try teaching Pride and Prejudice to a class of fifteen-year old boys. And damn it, he still had a bloody staff meeting to attend before he got to go home.
Dorian scooped up his teaching notes and a pile of books he hadn’t managed to mark at lunchtime and strode out of the classroom barely missing two boys who ran past him. “Walk in the corridor!” he instructed the rapidly fleeing flash of emerald green uniforms, but to little effect.
Dorian sighed again and looked down at the books in his arms.
Yet another busy night with hardly any rest or relaxation.
He wished he’d believed the person who’d told him his social life would be non-existent during his first year of teaching. Marking, planning, staff meetings, talking to snooty parents, in addition to after-school activities two or three times a week. Bring back college days any time. At least he’d had something he could laughingly call a sex life then.
Thank God it was the October mid-term break next week. Time to draw breath for a few days at least.
Dorian slowed his pace as he passed the adjacent classroom and glanced inside hopefully. His search was rewarded, and catching sight of the object of his desire, his stomach fluttered.
“Hey, Dorian. Have you got a minute before the staff meeting starts?”
Dorian flushed a little and smiled. “Sure.” He glanced appreciatively over his mentor and superior, Mr. Leonard. “I wanted to ask you a few questions about my lesson observation tomorrow too, if you’ve got time.”
Mr. Leonard, Head of the English department, was everything Dorian wished he could be—and not just because of the expert control he had over the pupils. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and most of his exposed skin was covered in thick, dark hair that Dorian spent most nights dreaming about; he often imagined what the hairs would feel like if he ran his hands over Mr. Leonard’s skin and what this hunk of a man looked like naked.
“That’s fine, D. Let’s grab a cuppa and talk on the way.”
Dorian nodded and shifted the books in his arms so most of his suddenly bulging groin was now covered. The very thought of calling Mr. Leonard ‘Sir’ was enough to harden his traitorous cock at the most inopportune moments. He usually thought of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett at times like this, but those thoughts often turned to Mr. Bingley and a very wet-shirted Mr. Darcy, and he was no better off.
Dorian did his best to concentrate on their conversation, focusing on Mr. Leonard’s eyes and lips as they discussed his lesson for class 5B the following day. “And I want you to speak up in the staff meeting today….”
“Yes, Mr. Leonard.”
“Look, Dorian, it’s about time you called me Mark. We’ve been working together for over six weeks now.”
Dorian smiled again, his heavy cock filling when his name fell from the older man’s lips. He’d never liked the name his parents had given him and had to suffer being called everything from Dory to Ryan in his teen years, but hearing Mark say it sent a shiver down his spine every time. “Sure. If that’s okay with you, Mark.”
Mr. Leonard—Mark—paused as they approached the staffroom and huffed. “Of course it is, but not in front of the Munchkins, though.” Dorian chuckled at Mark’s nickname for the pupils.
~O~
The Encore anthology is published on 20th March.
Pre-order/buy links:
Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon AU / Amazon DE / WIP / ARe
About Lily:
Lily writes contemporary gay romance and erotica. She loves to explore the relationship between two men and the intensity of their physical and emotional attraction. Angst often features in her stories as she feels this demonstrates the depth of the men’s feelings for each other. Lily is forever writing imaginary scenes and plots in her head, but only a few ever make it to the page–there never seems to be enough hours in the day despite having left the teaching profession to concentrate on her writing!
Lily discovered the wonderful world of m/m romance novels four years ago via fan fiction and went on to write stories in her spare time. With the encouragement of her friends and readers she decided to publish some of her work.Lily has several self-published stories available on Amazon. She is also published with Torquere Press and Wayward Ink Publishing.Easily distracted from her writing, Lily makes videos using clips from gay-themed movies and posts gorgeous pictures of men kissing or making out on her tumblr and Facebook pages. Lily is also an avid supporter of GLBTQ rights and advocates equality for all.Lily lives in central England with her rather bemused husband, two twenty-something children, and a ‘mad as a bag of frogs’ Shetland Sheepdog.
Lily’s links and contacts:
Cover Reveal—The Eye and the Arm—Available for Pre-Order Now.
![EyeAndTheArm[The]_headerbanner](https://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/eyeandthearmthe_headerbanner.jpg)
As most who follow my blog know, The Eye and the Arm—Book two in the Champion of the Gods Series—is being released on April 14, 2015. It’s now on the DSP Publications Coming Soon Page and I’ve got the cover art to prove it. :D You can pre-order it here:
Pre-Order: DSP Publications:
![EyeAndTheArm[The]_FBbanner_DSPP](https://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/eyeandthearmthe_fbbanner_dspp.jpg)
Prism Book Alliance and Love Bytes Reviews did the exclusive official reveal yesterday. Leave a comment on each site to be entered for a chance to win any DSP Publication eBook you like other than The Eye and the Arm. Each site will be giving away a book, so enter on both.
Okay, so enough stalling, here’s the cover: (and check back in a couple weeks for a new announcement about The Last Grand Master. Yep, I’m that big a tease.)
![EyeAndTheArm[The]FS](https://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/eyeandthearmthefs.jpg)
March 14, 2015
Selfies From Orlando
Every year Dreamspinner Press has an Workshop for its authors. Each year more and more people attend. Last year, in Portland, I started taking selfies with people. So I continued the ‘tradition’ this year.
March 12, 2015
Cronin’s Key; by N.R. Walker—Book Blast and Giveaway
Cronin’s Key; by N.R. Walker—Book Blast and GiveawayBlurb:
NYPD Detective Alec MacAidan has always been good with weird. After all, his life has been a string of the unexplainable. But when an injured man gives him cryptic clues, then turns to dust in front of him, Alec’s view on weird is changed forever.
Cronin, a vampire Elder, has spent the last thousand years waiting for Alec. He’d been told his fated one would be a man wielding a shield, but he didn’t expect him to be human, and he certainly didn’t expect that shield to be a police badge.
Both men, strong-willed and stubborn, are still learning how to cope with the push and pull of being fated, when fate throws them another curveball.
Rumors have spread quickly of turmoil in Egypt. Covens are fleeing with news of a vampire who has a talent like no other, hell-bent on unleashing the wrath of Death.
Alec and Cronin are thrown into a world of weird Alec cannot imagine. What he learned in school of ancient pharaohs and Egyptian gods was far from the truth. Instead, he finds out firsthand that history isn’t always what it seems.
Publisher: N.R. Walker
Cover Artist: Sara York
Sales Links:
Amazon:
Excerpt:
Alec patted his belly, which was now full of pizza and coffee. Then he thought of something. “When was the last time you fed?”
“Two days ago.”
“Is that too long?”
“I will need to feed soon, but it’s bearable.”
“What is not bearable?” Alec asked. “I’m just curious. I guess I should know these things. I mean, is it uncomfortable for you to be near me right now?”
“Of course not.”
“Is it a hunger, or a thirst? Does your throat burn until you feed, or what?” Alec asked out of pure curiosity.
“It is a hunger,” Cronin answered. “Though not like a human hunger. It affects the whole body, not just the stomach. The whole body craves it.”
Alec considered this. “I can see that, I guess.”
Cronin gave a smile. “You talk of such matter with ease. Does it not bother you?”
“Not as much as I thought it would,” Alec said. “I try not to think about the human loss of it, to be honest. Kinda like how I try not to think about the pigs that die to give us the amazing thing that is bacon.” Alec stared out the kitchen window for a while, looking over the city as he thought about what he just said. “I’m not sure when I stopped caring for human life… I’m a cop, I shouldn’t…” he shook his head. “I don’t know when that changed.”
“When you changed,” Cronin said softly. “When you met me.”
“I changed when I met you?”
Cronin nodded. “As I did when I met you.”
Oh. Alec paused. “Is that part of the fated thing? We change?”
“Yes. Fundamental changes to our psyche, to adapt to the needs of our significant other.”
“But I’m still me,” Alec said quietly.
Cronin gave him a small smile. “You will always be you. You just adopt certain tolerances.”
“So, normally if something pissed me off with someone, like something they did—like snoring! If they snored—I ‘d hate it, but if you snored, I wouldn’t care.”
“I don’t snore.”
“That wasn’t my point.”
Cronin chuckled. “Your point was correct, yes.”
“So what pisses you off in other people, but not in me?”
Cronin thought for a moment. “I don’t like being interrupted when I’m talking. It is frustrat-”
“Like that?” Alec said with a smile. “Like me interrupting you like that?”
Cronin huffed. “Yes, like that.”
Alec snorted. “But it still annoyed you.”
“It’s a work in progress.” Cronin let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. “It frustrates me far less with you than someone else, believe me.”
“Then I shall try my very hardest not to interrupt you ever again,” Alec said, with a smirk and flick of his eyebrow which meant he shall try his very hardest to interrupt Cronin every chance he got.
Cronin sighed. “I also find sarcasm rather tiresome.”
“Excellent.” Alec laughed and finished his breakfast and made himself another coffee.
Alec leaned against the kitchen counter with his second cup of coffee in his hand, and it was as though Cronin was waiting for him. He cleared his throat. “So, given the events of yesterday, I wondered whether you wished to continue our date? Considering it was cut short.”
Alec hid his slow-spreading smile behind his coffee cup. “I would love to, but I thought research might be in order, given the events of yesterday.”
“Research of what?”
Alec was stunned. Research of what? “Uh, everything we learned yesterday, none of which makes sense.”
“Jodis and Eiji are seeking out information as we speak.”
“I thought you said they were eating out?”
Cronin smiled. “They are doing both. They’ve gone to Egypt-”
“They’ve what?” Alec cried, interrupting him. “By themselves?”
“They’re safe,” Cronin told him. “They’re verifying the information Bes gave us yesterday. Though we’ve no reason to doubt him, I wanted to be sure.”
“You asked them to go?”
“Yes. I took them.”
“You what?”
“I was only gone for one second. The apartment is well alarmed, and you were sound asleep.”
Alec put his cup down and ran his hands through his hair. “And?”
“And they are searching out any other information we might use.”
Alec sighed. “And what about me?”
Cronin blinked. “I don’t know what you mean. What about you?”
Alec took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’m a detective. Figuring shit out is what I do. I research, I study, I figure shit out.”
“Alec, I cannot risk you being out there. Please understand, it’s not my wish to see you confined here, but until this risk is over-”
“I don’t need to leave here,” Alec replied. “As much as I’d like to.” He rolled his eyes. “But we have this thing now called the internet. I mean, it is only recent in your perspective of timelines, and I know you think Shakespeare is still classed as popular culture, but it is the twenty-first century.”
Cronin glared at him for just a moment. “I take back what I said before. I do believe that I detest sarcasm more than being interrupted.”
About the Author:
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.
She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love.
She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since…
Social Media Links:
Website: http://nrwalker.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003907957620
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NR_Walker
Tour Dates:
March 13, 2015
Parker Williams, Amanda C. Stone, Inked Rainbow Reads, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Fallen Angel Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Andrew Q. Gordon, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Cate Ashwood, My Fiction Nook, 3 Chicks After Dark, Velvet Panic, Love Bytes, Divine Magazine, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Redz World, SA McAuley, Elin Gregory, Carly’s Book Reviews, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, The Blogger Girls, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Nephylim, Michael Mandrake
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win one of two eCopies of Cronin’s Key:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
March 11, 2015
Release Day Guest Post – Opposites Attract; by Lily G. Blunt
by; LILY G BLUNT
BLURB:
Chris and Andreas are opposites in character.
Both fear the other wants to move on.
Can being stranded on a mountainside resolve the doubt that is threatening to tear them apart?
WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT
“THAT’S IT, babe. Look at me.” I raked my fingers through Andreas’s hair and yanked his head back. Still leaning over the sink, he obediently stared at me in the bathroom mirror. Our blue eyes connected, pupils fully dilated with arousal. He loved it when I treated him rough like this. I tilted forward over his back and nipped on Andreas’s ear lobe. “Keep your eyes on mine as I enter you,” I purred, my breath long and moist against his heated skin.
Andreas, as usual, complied. He loved eye contact when we made love. Pulling back slightly, I stroked my cock along his crease, poised and erect, ready to push into him. Lining up with his well-prepared hole, I returned my gaze to his and eased in gently. With each inch, his eyes widened a fraction, his jaw dropped lower, and he gasped louder.
I kissed along his shoulder. “Oh yes, babe. You feel so good.”
His eyes remained fixed on the mirror—on me—as I moved in and out of his warmth. Deep, slow thrusts, accompanied by my slaps to the smooth, pale skin on his ass, resulted in groans from deep within his chest.
“Yes, harder, Chris.”
I obeyed his wish, and made Andreas yelp with pleasure.
He wrapped his hand around his cock and stroked fast. “Gonna come soon!”
Grunting with each forceful push, I gripped his hair tighter, holding his head in place, and squeezed his now pink rump. Two more thrusts and I came hard inside him, moaning. My heart pounded against my ribcage, and waves of heated pleasure ebbed through me.
“Oh my God, I’m coming.” His voiced echoed around the small hotel bathroom.
I grinned. What must the people in the next room be thinking?
Andreas stood upright, his hand moving rapidly over his cock. He shot his load into the sink and squirted over the marble surround. The third and fourth jets sprayed up on the mirror and trickled down.
Despite panting loudly, we managed to giggle. “Oh babe, you’re so hot when you come like that.” I kissed his neck and eased out of him. “And being so noisy too—I love it.”
I dropped the condom into the bin and stepped into the bathtub. “Need to get a move on.” I turned on the shower and soaped myself down.
Andreas wiped the remaining lube off his crack, had a piss, and returned to the bedroom, wiggling his ass at me on his way out. I grinned at the red marks still evident on his naked butt.
I dried myself down with one of the fluffy white towels, and then joined Andreas. Now sporting a pair of shorts, he sat on the balcony with his feet perched on a chair, a book in his lap. I loved him dearly, but he seemed to have his nose in a book twenty-four seven these days. Every time I came home from work or back from one of my sports clubs, he’d be there reading. Either that or engrossed in his decoupage craft, or whatever his latest hobby was.
After dressing in my cycling gear, I packed up my rucksack with the provisions I needed for the day, and then went to join him on the balcony.
“Mmm… looks like it’s going to be another warm day.” I looked out across the hotel pool and gardens, to the mountainside beyond. The sky was clear and blue. Wispy clouds drifted around the snow-covered peaks in the distance. Lush green grass and woods filled the lower slopes near the resort. Cable cars, looking like dots in the distance, moved slowly upward. Summer season in an Alpine resort was my idea of heaven: outdoor physical activity, plenty of fresh air, and hot sex when I returned to the hotel in the evening. Pity Andreas didn’t share my passion—apart from the sex, that is.
Andreas glanced up from his book. “You should have a nice day for exploring.” He returned his gaze to the page, seemingly oblivious to the scenic view in front of us. “Rain is forecast later this evening, but you should miss that.”
A cool breeze blew around the damp hair at the base of my skull. “That’s good. Can you put some sunscreen on the back of my neck, hun? It’s stinging a little today.”
“Mmm… sure. It looks a little red.” Andreas leaned over and grabbed the tube from the patio table. He wiped the moisture from the back of my neck and applied the cream thoroughly.
I turned to face him, and he coated my face, neck, and the skin exposed above the vee of my T-shirt. A sad look crossed his eyes.
I stroked a wayward hair out of his sight. “You’ll be okay on your own?” I felt a little guilty, but he could have come with me if he wanted.
In the distance, cowbells chimed and a motorbike sped past the front of the hotel, spoiling the early morning peace and quiet.
Andreas sighed. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Got plenty to keep me occupied here all day. I’m used to keeping myself busy anyway.” His voice trailed off on the last sentence.
“I’ll see you later this afternoon, then.” I kissed him swiftly. “Have a good day.”
“Yeah, you too. Make sure you grab some breakfast on your way.” Andreas pulled me in for a hug. “Take care. Love you.”
“Love you too. Later.” I scooped up my rucksack, checked for my phone in my pocket, and marched out of the hotel room without a backward glance.
After retrieving my mountain bike from the hotel’s bike park and buying a meat-filled pastry from the local bakery, I cycled to the cable car station at the edge of Saalbach. Pleased I’d made it before the manic tourist rush, I managed to grab a gondola for myself with plenty of room for the bike.
I took out the still-warm pastry from its wrapping and wolfed it down. Most guests would be eating their breakfast in hotel dining rooms throughout the resort, as would Andreas soon—alone. I liked getting out and about early to avoid the crowds. Andreas preferred to take his time and stay in the hotel for most of the day. Sometimes I thought he might be agoraphobic, but then he’d go shopping for our food, and he’d spend time with the people in his craft and book clubs. He wasn’t particularly fond of sports. Our friends always commented on how different we were, personality-wise. Some even called him a wimp and a sissy. I responded with my clichéd science statement of opposites attract to shut them up. Andreas was perfect for me. We got along well, hardly ever argued, and the sex was always hot and steamy. Yum! Just like this morning’s session.
Spending time apart doing our own thing only added to our closeness when we were together. We didn’t get jealous or possessive, and didn’t push our interests down each other’s throats. He was happy doing his own thing while I got on with my adventurous pastimes. I’d never get him to paraglide or canoe, but then I wouldn’t knit or weed the garden.
Andreas was drop-dead gorgeous. People always asked if we were brothers, which I took as a compliment. We had the same dark hair coloring, were of similar height, and I was only more muscular because of all the physical activity I took part in. My sexy Andreas managed to keep in good shape: he was in charge of the food shopping and cooking in our house, and made sure we both ate healthily.
I brushed the greasy pastry crumbs off my T-shirt and grinned, knowing he’d scold me later when I told him what I’d eaten for breakfast.
The cable car moved swiftly up the mountainside, giving fabulous views of Austria’s Hinterglemm valley. I turned around and looked back toward the hotel and to the mountains behind, where I’d spent the previous day exploring. I spotted the hut where I’d stopped for lunch—a small speck of brown surrounded by shades of green—and the winding tracks I’d followed on my way down. I wished Andreas could share the fabulous views and enjoy the ride alongside me. I’d take photos from the top for him, but that wouldn’t be the same as experiencing it for himself.
As the gondola approached the highest cable car station, I positioned my bike. As soon as the doors opened, I shot out. I checked the time of the last returning gondola, noting I had over seven hours to explore—plenty of time.
The panoramic view from this height was breathtaking. I wheeled the bike with one hand and stood on the viewing platform, taking photos with my phone. I selected a selfie and sent it in a text to Andreas.
Spectacular views. Wish you were here. Later. Xx
~O~
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon AU / WIP / B&N / ARe
is also part of the STRANDED Anthology
~O~
Reviews:
MM GOOD BOOK REVIEWS
OPPOSITES ATTRACT by Lily G. Blunt ♥♥♥♥♥
Another absolutely beautiful story! Both Chris and Andreas are such interesting characters! This story was well written and suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat to see how this came out and really wanted more!
*****
I loved this story. It began with Chris and Andreas, who are as different as chalk and cheese. Chris is the sporty outdoor person, and Andreas comes across as someone who is quiet and an introvert, together on holiday. Andreas thought the holiday was so they could spend some time together, but Chris had decided to book himself on excursions and continue his sporty outdoor pursuits, so this meant Andreas was alone in the hotel room every day. This then gave Andreas time to think about his relationship with Chris, and this in turn gave him very grave doubts. Chris just assumed everything in their life was rosy, until something happened to him, that made him take a good long look at his life and how he treated Andreas, and he soon realised he could be in jeopardy of losing Andreas forever…….. do they manage to be honest with each other, and talk things out….. I’m not saying, but what I will say is that this is quite a hot read.
*****
MULTI TASKING MOMMAS – for the STRANDED anthology
This was just a fantastic book from the first short to the last short. I usually don’t give 5 Stars to anthologies on the grounds that I am reading a huge book containing short stories, but this was different.
The best news of this collection was that each one was so well written, I had no cause for complaint.
*****
Lily G. Blunt writes contemporary gay romance and erotica. She loves to explore the relationship between two men and the intensity of their physical and emotional attraction. Angst often features in her stories as she feels this demonstrates the depth of the men’s feelings for each other. Lily is forever writing imaginary scenes and plots in her head, but only a few ever make it to the page—there never seems to be enough hours in the day despite having left the teaching profession to concentrate on her writing!
Lily discovered the wonderful world of m/m romance novels four years ago via fan fiction and went on to write stories in her spare time. With the encouragement of her friends and readers she decided to publish some of her work.
Lily has several self-published stories available on Amazon. She is also published with Torquere Press and Wayward Ink Publishing.
Easily distracted from her writing, Lily makes videos using clips from gay-themed movies and posts gorgeous pictures of men kissing or making out on her tumblr and Facebook pages. Lily is also an avid supporter of GLBTQ rights and advocates equality for all.
Lily lives in central England with her rather bemused husband, two twenty-something children, and a ‘mad as a bag of frogs’ Shetland Sheepdog.
Links and Contacts:
March 10, 2015
IM: by Rick R. Reed—Book Blast and Giveaway
IM; by Rick R. Reed—Book Blast and Giveaway
Blurb:
The Internet is the new meat market for gay men. Now a killer is turning the meat market into a meat wagon.
One by one, he’s killing them. Lurking in the digital underworld of Men4HookUpNow.com, he lures, seduces, and charms, reaching out through instant messages to the unwary. When the first body surfaces, openly gay Chicago Police Department detective Ed Comparetto is called in to investigate. At the scene, the young man who discovered the body tells him the story of how he found his friend. But did this witness play a bigger role in the murder than he’s letting on?
For Comparetto, this encounter is the beginning of a nightmare—because this witness did more than just show up at the scene of the crime; he set the scene.
Publisher: DSP Publications
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Sales Links:
DSP Publications:
Amazon:
Excerpt:
Lake Shore Drive at night has its own excitement, especially when one is hurtling toward a rendezvous with an unknown destiny. On one side of my car, Lake Michigan bears silent witness to the streams of traffic heading north and south, headlights like glowing insect eyes piercing the night. The other side of the highway is crowded with high-rises, their glass, chrome, and concrete rising into the sky, hives of activity within, quiet sentinels without.
I have a cold bottle of Samuel Adams between my legs, a Marlboro burning in the ashtray. Normally, beer and cigarettes are not my vices. I care about my health, you see. But these are props, the same as the deeper-pitched voice I use, same as my word choices, which are much less sophisticated than someone with an MA in English from the University of Chicago. The beer and cigarettes are part of my costume. Tonight I wear faded, ragged Levi’s 501s, the crotch faded, the buttons moving in an inverted question mark, emphasizing the bulge in my crotch.
When did gay men turn into no-charge prostitutes? Has it always been this way?
Whatever. I’m also wearing a Bulls T-shirt, the sleeves cut off raggedly, the neck cut low.
I take a swig of the beer, letting its cold bitterness snake down my throat, and turn up the tape player. Ironic. Leonard Cohen is singing, “Ain’t No Cure for Love.”
I press down on the gas; ahead is my exit: Irving Park Road.
When I arrive, I see the apartment is a red brick six flat, identical to others all over the city. I ring the buzzer, and the guy doesn’t even bother to ask who it is. No difference. We never exchanged names anyway.
Trudging up the stairs, waiting for the shotgun-cocking sound of a lock being turned, a chain sliding back into place. Someone waits to admit me. Someone I don’t even know.
What a friendly world this is.
A door opens above.
What waits upstairs?
I round the bend and I see him. Nothing like his description, but who expected different? I am nothing like what I told him. No matter. As long as you’re male and reasonably young and acceptable, you’re in.
The guy has a good body, and his lips curl into a grin as I head toward him, dragging on my Marlboro. He’s wearing a pair of black bikini briefs. His moment of glory, this is what he’s worked for all those long hours at the gym. Finally someone to appreciate the shaved and defined pecs, the smooth washboard belly, the bulging biceps I just know he will somehow maneuver to flex for me.
But he’s much older than what I had expected. Midforties probably. His reddish-brown hair is thinning, and the blue eyes are framed by crow’s feet. A bottle of “eye-revitalizing” cream is in his medicine cabinet, I bet. The goatee, a desperate ploy to make himself look younger and hip, is embarrassingly ineffective. A cougar tattoo snakes down one of his arms.
“How you doin’?” I exhale a cloud of smoke and pass him as he opens the door wider to admit me.
“Great. Now that you’re here.”
The apartment is small, crowded with “contemporary” furniture: a black leather grouping in the living room, chrome and glass tables, spare jagged-looking twig and dried flower arrangements. On the walls, Herb Ritts posters of absurdly pumped-up young men in various settings: a garage, on the seashore.
The guy leads me into the bedroom. Platform bed, comforter thrown back, striped sheets. The nightstand holds the tools of his true trade: a plastic cup full of condoms he probably never uses, a couple of little brown bottles filled with butyl nitrite, a leather cock ring, a metal cock ring, and a large pump bottle of Wet. On the lower shelf, a stack of neatly folded but ragged white towels.
A dresser faces the bed, and atop it, a color TV and DVD combination. On the screen, a wildly muscled dark-haired guy tries to sit on one of those orange traffic cones. Amazingly, he’s beginning to succeed.
I grin.
The guy drops the black briefs and sits on the bed. Hoarsely, “Why don’t you get undressed, man?”
“Why don’t you do it for me?”
Instantly supplicant, he’s on his knees before me, working the buttons on my jeans. I’m sure his eyes are glistening. Already his breath is coming faster.
I push his hand away. “Hold on.” I lift the goateed face up to my own and look in his blue eyes, where nothing but desire and trust mingle. “I want you to lie down on the bed. Lie on your stomach.”
He gets up and does as he’s told. The half moons of his ass practically glow in the darkness. A thin whiter line disappears in his crack, where his thong was. The definition in his arms shows up perfectly as he raises them above his head to clutch the pillow.
His legs are parted, waiting.
“I just need to do something real quick. You stay right there.” I look back at him as I exit the room. “You’re a good boy, right? Do what you’re told?”
“Yes, sir.”
In the kitchen, I go quickly through the drawers until I find the one with the knives. For the first time, I get hard, and I think of the blood pumping, filling the spongy cavities.
The blood. Essence of life.
I strip down, leaving my clothes in a pile on the kitchen floor. I hope I don’t bring any cockroaches home.
I hold the butcher knife I chose to my side, concealing it with my arm, and head back to the bedroom.
He still lies there, waiting and trustful, thinking he’s about to be penetrated.
And he is.
About the Author:
Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love. He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a three-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Caregiver, Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). Raining Men and Caregiver have both won the Rainbow Award for gay fiction. Lambda Literary Review has called him, “a writer that doesn’t disappoint.” Rick lives in Seattle with his husband and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever”at work on another novel.”
Social Media Links:
Blog: http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rickrreedbooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rickrreed.
E-mail: jimmyfels@gmail.com
Tour Dates:
March 10, 2015
March 11, 2015
Parker Williams, Inked Rainbow Reads, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Fallen Angel Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Andrew Q. Gordon, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Cate Ashwood, My Fiction Nook, 3 Chicks After Dark, Velvet Panic, Hearts on Fire, Love Bytes, Amanda C. Stone, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Kimi-Chan, Divine Magazine, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Rebecca Cohen Writes, Kristy’s Brain Food, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents,
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win an eCopy of Third Eye, by Rick R. Reed:
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