Andrew Q. Gordon's Blog, page 32
January 25, 2015
No Denying Sin; by BL Morticia – Book Blast and Giveaway
No Denying Sin; by BL Morticia – Book Blast and Giveaway
Blurb:
Living in the Big Easy is downright deadly especially if you’re a stripper. When another exotic dancer is found dead in her apartment, the heat mounts on Frankie and his fellow detectives to find the killer. Due to the magnitude of this unsolved mystery along with the LaBoy murders, tension runs high at nineteen making it hard for all to breathe around the police station and sending everyone into a frenzy.
There’s no denying Frankie’s love for Kajika but in the back of his mind, hot thoughts of the mutual jerk off with Orrin Daugherty loom over his head. Though the feelings are mutual, Orrin wants nothing to do with this and pushes Frankie away. Add in to the mix his fascination with partner Vance Morain along with his severe case of blue balls and you got one hell of a predicament for these for complex and volatile men.
The men at nineteen are burning with desire for one another and pleasure is beginning to be almost as important as business.
Will the sinful disruptions stop them from finding the killer roaming the streets of the Big Easy?
This is book 3 of N’awlins Exotica Series. Doesn’t necessarily need to be read in order.
WARNING: Lots of lewd dialogue and smoldering sex between males.
Publisher: Triad Literary
Cover Artist: Sara York
BL has agreed to answer some questions about herself and scattered them among all the blogs on the tour. Be sure to check them all out.
Which is your favorite of your books?
Something About Jayden Rawiya.
Excerpt:
“Good morning, Officer Daugherty.” A young male clerk behind the desk in the fitness center called out to him.
“Mornin.” Orrin nodded and kept going. He wondered if the glow from getting some was still on his face from the night prior or if he’d really caught the man’s eye as he hoped.
Either way, he had to admit he hadn’t felt this good in days—no, make that weeks. He’d slept, had sex, and a good breakfast when he finally rolled out of bed at two p.m. With all that going on, he felt he could get through just about anything, including work. Despite this, he was grateful to have the full day off until his next shift at four a.m. tomorrow.
About the Author:
In one word, crazy. Just crazy enough to have 3 4 different muses running around in her head, driving her to sheer exhaustion with new plot bunnies and complex characters.
In addition to being a computer geek and a metalhead, Sharita loves live music, reading, and perusing the net for sexy men to be her muses. She’s also a founding member and contributor to the heavy metal ezine Fourteeng.net.
Social Media Links:
Website http://www.thelitriad.com
Mail: mailto:msrlmort71@gmail.com
Michael’s Blog: http://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com
BL’s Blog: http://blmorticia.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rawiyamikembl
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad
Authorgraph: http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/rawiyamikembl
Tour Dates: January 26, 2015
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Molly Lolly, BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, Inked Rainbow Reads, Amanda C. Stone, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Love Bytes, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Wake Up Your Wild Side, MM Good Book Reviews, My Fiction Nook, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Andrew Q. Gordon, Nephylim, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Decadent Delights, Tara Lain, Queer Town Abbey, Because Two Men Are Better Than One
Sales Links:
Amazon:
ARe:
Smashwords:
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win an Orrin prize pack: A copy of the book, N’awlins Exotica inspired jewelry, a coffee mug, a GC from Starbucks, and a special prize.:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
January 23, 2015
Something For Nothing: My Free Prequel Is Available Jan 27th
On Tuesday January 27th, First Love, will be released. This is a short free prequel (or frequel as I call it) to The Last Grand Master. It is now available for ‘pre-order’, from DSP Publications and from OmniLit, the non-romance side of ARe. In something of a quirk, if you want to get it from Amazon, they won’t let us list it for free, so you’ll have to pay .99 cents. Kindle readers need not worry, however as you can get it in .mobi format from the other two sites.
In addition, as you can see from the banner above, I’ll be doing a tour for the book. Part of the tour is going to be a giving readers a bit of a glimpse into secondary characters that are talked about often, but are never seen. There is also going to be a giveaway of a gift card and books by other DSP Publication Authors. Details on tour dates and sites are below. (I should add that because Sid Love at Creative Minds Promotions is trying to kill me for some reason, there will also a separate tour for the re-release of The Last Grand Master starting on February 10, 2015)
First Love; by Andrew Q. Gordon:
A Champion of the Gods Story – Prequel to The Last Grand Master.
On a visit to Yar-del with Grand Master Heminaltose to celebrate his age of majority birthday, Farrell catches the eye of Lieutenant Cameron, a handsome young officer in the Queenʼs Guard. But having spent most of his life cooped up at Heminaltoseʼs school for wizards, Farrell is clueless as to palace intrigue. He is unaware that his access to the queen is something others would greatly prize. When the queen points out that his suitor is the son of a social climbing minor noble, Farrell must decide whether to heed the warning or meet with Cameron anyway.
Order Links:
DSP Publications:
ARe:
Amazon:
Tour Dates and Sites:
January, 27th:
Charley Descoteaux:
AJ Llewellyn:
Janurary, 28th:
Anne Barwell:
January, 29th:
Kim Fielding:
January, 30th:
Cheryl Headford:
Silvia Violet:
February 2nd:
Amy Rae Durreson:
February 3rd:
Rebecca Cohen:
February 4th:
Draven St. James:
February 5th:
Nic Starr:
February 6th:
Chris T. Kat:
February 9th:
Amanda C. Stone:
January 22, 2015
New Release: Just A Little Unwell; by Iyana Jenna – Book Blast and Giveaway
Just A Little Unwell; by Iyana Jenna - New Release and Giveaway
Blurb:
Patrick Trafford is pleased with the simple life he has, spending his time tending a tiny garden accompanied by his best friend, Chad, who just happens to be a cockroach. Nevertheless, he can’t hide the excitement bubbling in him when a man suddenly appears in the garden.
Damien Abner politely welcomes, albeit somewhat at a loss, Patrick’s warm offer to spend time with him. To have a coffee, watch some movie, and dance along with the characters in it.
They begin to date and Patrick has never been happier, though he barely knows who Damien is — not that it matters to him. For him, being clueless does mean bliss.
Publisher: JMS Books
Cover Artist: Written Ink Designs
Excerpt:
Patrick floats through the following day. When Damien shows up, Patrick takes him immediately to near the TV, sets the video cassette into place, and clutches Damien’s hands as they dance. He offers coffee and cookies this time and finally brings his guitar out to the sitting room. Patrick feels a bit uneasy when Damien keeps looking at him instead of his guitar.
“Do you like it?”
“Huh?”
“My guitar.”
Confusion flashes across Damien’s good-looking face for a second.
“Oh, absolutely.” His smile cracks. He shifts on the couch to make space for Patrick. Patrick plops down next to him and begins to sing. It’s “More Than Words,” one of his favorite songs. Damien listens carefully.
Damien is silent, even after Patrick has stopped singing. His eyes turn soft.
“So, what do you say? What do you think of my voice?” Patrick asks impatiently.
Damien’s still quiet. Then he closes his eyes and reaches out a hand. He touches the side of Patrick’s face.
Patrick holds his breath and closes his eyes too. He doesn’t dare to move. Damien’s hand feels so warm and good on his skin.
He lets out a heavy sigh when the hand is gone and opens his eyes.
“That’s the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard,” Damien says.
Patrick doesn’t know what to do. He puts aside his guitar — grabs it back — lays it down on the table — takes it back again and holds it close to him. He rocks slowly on the couch.
“Thank you,” he murmurs — not sure whether he is expressing gratitude for the compliment or the touch.
Damien stands up.
“You’re leaving?” Patrick asks, disappointed.
“I have other things I need to do, Patrick.”
Patrick swallows deep. He turns away. “Okay. It’s almost dark anyway and I haven’t been to the garden.”
“Yeah.”
“Will you come again?”
“Do you want me to?”
“I’d love you to.”
“So I’ll come.”
Damien waves and walks away.
As if to remind Patrick he’s there, Chad crawls up Patrick’s shirt front. Patrick palms him up and puts him on the table.
“Do you like him, too?” Patrick asks.
Chad only chirps.
About the Author:
Iyana writes M/M short stories and novellas. Her works have been published by Evernight Publishing, JMS Books, Books to Go Now, Torquere Press, Bitten Press, Leap of Faith Publishing, Breathless Press, and Alfie Dog Fiction.
Iyana lives in Jakarta, a city famous for its traffic jams, a lot of cars and motorcycles, and people selling stuff on the roads. You can spend two hours on the road going to a place you can reach in half an hour in a normal situation. Thanks to the traffic jams, though, Iyana can come up with a lot of stories, mostly shorties, as she prefers to spend the time during her trips writing into her cell phone rather than sleeping.
Another thing Iyana loves is kitties. Right now she has three of them. Their names are Cil, Horus, and Betsy, and one kitten. When she doesn’t write, she plays with them, or they would play with her when she writes.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/books.by.iyanajenna
Twitter: @IyanaJenna
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=263934975&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic
Tour Dates: January 23, 2015
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Nephylim, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words,BFD Book Blog, Lee Brazil, Book Junkie, Inked Rainbow Reads, Andrew Q. Gordon, MM Good Book Reviews, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Christy Loves 2 Read, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Carly’s Book Reviews, Cate Ashwood, My Fiction Nook, Velvet Panic, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, The Hat Party
Sales Links:
JMS Books: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29_105&products_id=1339
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Just-Little-Unwell-Iyana-Jenna-ebook/dp/B00R6AHGM2
All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-justalittleunwell-1719096-149.html
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/just-a-little-unwell-mm
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/500242
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win one of two eCopies of Just A Little Unwell:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
January 21, 2015
Anyta Sunday Talks about ’14, ’15 and CritShop
Ohhh, Guest post!
Thank you, Andy for giving me the opportunity to visit and share a few thoughts.
Seeing as its January and goal setting is an integral part of the month, I wanted to reflect a little on 2014 and the hopes for 2015.
Last year, I managed to pen three novels, each of which hold a special place for me. The first, Liam Davis & The Raven, was based in Pittsburgh, where I lived for a couple of years, and I had a ball slipping in details of the city into the story—makes me miss all those good times! And, of course, it makes me think of Andy and his lovely family, since we were close enough to visit! Sigh. What great memories this story brings back to me. http://liamdavis.anytasunday.com/
The second, Rock, was a story that took me by surprise. I think I’ve had this one simmering in the back of my mind for a few years, but I only had bits and pieces of it. Then I heard this song over the radio:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guXUXX7ZBP8)
and boom, everything just came into place. Within a day, I had the outline for the story, and then I just had to write. I rode that emotion for 17 days straight to produce the first draft. Up early, in bed late, husband had to take care of everything, because I was in another world.
Of course, the editing took a lot longer to get the book into shape for reading! But wow, this was such a ride, and I really became invested in Jace and Cooper’s story.
Phoenixed, the last of my YA paranormal romance trilogy, was the toughest write of the year. This one took over six months to pen, and it was by far the most challenging story I’ve written yet. I found I’d written myself into a few corners with the first two books, and figuring it all out took a bit of work. But I loved it. Loved fitting that puzzle together! That book finally came out on the 31st of December—just in time, since I’d promised it to be done in 2014!
Part of what made 2014 awesome was all the great books I read! There are too many to name here, but feel free to check out some of my memorable reads here:
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/7603897-book-surprises-2014
So what’s in store for 2015?
I’m super excited to have a couple of fun projects and new challenges ahead of me!
In terms of novels, I am currently working on a fantasy involving seasonal kingdoms and dragon-shifter warriors—and plenty of romance (always). Then I’m working on a historical with Lynda Lamb, who has spent the last year doing crazy amounts of research, and which I would like to write into a novel this year. It will be loosely based on the story of James Annesley, whose life reads like a novel on its own. Of course, we are fictionalizing the story and there will be a HEA.
As well as this, I’ve been working on a new project, offering literary workshops for writers, with a focus on LGBT fiction. My new baby is called CritShop. Excuse the blatant plugging here, but I am very excited about this opportunity!
CritShop offers writers of LGBT fiction a stimulating, safe environment to exchange ideas and work on their stories. Our first workshop will be in lovely Berlin, my adopted hometown, and runs May 21st – 25th. It’s going to be a fun four days packed with writer Aleksandr Voinov running morning classes on the craft of writing, as well as one-on-one story-development sessions, and evening Stress Busters! A great opportunity to work on your story and meet other authors. You can find out all information, and sign up, via our website …
So yeah, that’s what I look forward to working on this year!
About the Author:
A born and raised New Zealander, Anyta Sunday has been exploring the literary world since she started reading Roald Dahl as a kid. Inspired, stories have been piling up in her head ever since. Fast forward to her mid-twenties and jump a few countries (Germany, America, and back again), and she started putting pen to paper. When she’s not writing or chasing her kid around, she’s reading, hiking, watching a Joss Whedon series, attempting pilates, or curling up with her two cats. Updates on her projects can be found at anytasunday.com.
Social Media:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/anytasunday
Website: www.anytasunday.com
CritShop: www.critshop.com
January 20, 2015
New Release: What’s in a Name; by Pat Henshaw – Book Blast and Giveaway
What’s in a Name; by Pat Henshaw - New Release and Giveaway
Blurb:
Barista Jimmy Patterson thinks it’s a good idea to get rip-roaring drunk on his birthday after he’s dumped by his boyfriend. When the burly owner of Stonewall’s Bar rescues Jimmy, the night starts to look up.
Now Jimmy just wants to know the bartender’s first name since he’s worn a different name tag every time Jimmy’s seen him. “Guy” Stone gives Jimmy seven guesses, one for each night he takes Jimmy out on a date.
While Jimmy’s trying to come up with his name, he’s distracted by the destruction of his coffee shop and what looks more and more like a hate crime.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: AngstyD
Sales Links:
Dreamspinner Press eBook:
Excerpt:
Stonewall [Saloon] was chaos when I got there. Guy and another bartender were mixing drinks as fast as they could. I squeezed in at the end of the bar near the hatchway and sat on an abandoned stool there.
I didn’t think Guy had seen me come in, so when there was a lull in the frenetic pace and he was nearly within arm’s reach, I called out, “What’s a guy gotta do to get a drink in this place?”
Guy looked up, grinned at me, and yelled back, “Fuck the bartender.”
A slim man sitting next to me perked up, gave Guy the once-over, and yelled, “Okay!”
Guy’s startled gaze met mine, and we broke out laughing.
The man next to me sighed and slumped over his beer. “I knew it was too good to be true,” he mumbled.
I patted him on the shoulder.
“Maybe next time,” I commiserated with him.
“Right,” he answered glumly
About the Author:
Born in the Heartland of Nebraska, Pat Henshaw has made America hers by living in Texas, Colorado, Northern Virginia, and Northern California. She has found joy in visiting Mexico, Canada, Europe, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Egypt, and relishes trips to Rome, Italy, and Eugene, Oregon, to see family.
Pat has spent her life surrounded by words: Teaching English composition at the junior college level; writing book reviews for newspapers, magazines, and websites; helping students find information as a librarian; and promoting PBS television programs.
Two of her fondest memories are touching time when she put her hands on the pyramids and experiencing pure whimsy when she interviewed Caroll Spinney (Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch). Her triumphs are raising two incredible daughters who daily amaze her with their power and compassion. Her supportive husband keeps her grounded in reality when she threatens to drift away writing fiction.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.henshaw.10
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6998437.Patois
Book website:
Website: http://patbooked.blogspot.com
E-mail:
Tumblr: http://phenshaw.tumblr.com/
Tour Dates: January 21, 2015
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Multitasking Mommas, Kristy’s Brain Food, Love Bytes, My Fiction Nook, Christy Loves 2 Read, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, MM Good Book Reviews, Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows, Charley Descoteaux, Wake Up Your Wild Side, The Hat Party, Fallen Angel Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a Starbucks Gift Card:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
An Interview with Shira Anthony & Giveaway
Author Interview – Shira Anthony:
Shira Anthony & Me
Welcome Shira. I can’t believe I’ve never had the chance to interview you as much as I’ve had you and your work guest on the site.
Thanks for inviting me, Andrew!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a former opera singer. I work full-time as a public sector attorney (child advocacy), but I also write full-time. How does that work? I’m always tethered to my computer and I don’t watch much TV these days. It’s totally worth it, though. I love to write and I can’t imagine doing anything else with my free time (except maybe sailing on our catamaran at the Carolina coast).
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, but the first long story I ever finished was in 2009, when I self-published a het erotic romance. Then a friend of mine suggested a story about a gay conductor and violinist, and I never went back to writing het. I’ve now published books in several gay romance genres including sci fi, fantasy, and contemporary romance. I’ve written classical musicians, merman shifters, secret agents, and now vampires and hunters.
Your latest book is Blood and Rain. This is the start of a new series, isn’t it?It is! Blood and Rain is the first of three books in the Blood series from Dreamspinner Press. It’s both a contemporary and historical fantasy series, spanning from the late 1890s in France to modern day Miami.
Tell us a bit about the book.
Blood and Rain and the Blood series feature three MM pairings, but the main focus is on Adrien Gilbert, a vampire hunter whose mother was murdered by vampires when he was just a child. Adrien doesn’t really want to be a hunter, but his family is a celebrated hunter clan, and he’s trained with his older brother, François. When he believes François was murdered by a vampire, he accepts a commission for the Council of Hunters and is duty-bound to find his brother’s killer. Along the way, he meets Nicolas Lambert, an ancient vampire (born a vampire, not created from humans – vampire royalty, you might say). In spite of Adrien’s hatred of vampires, he falls in love with the gentle Nicolas.
You’ve written about musicians, genies and mermen, now with Blood and Rain you’re writing about Vampires. Tell us a bit about your universe.
The vampires in the Blood universe have some things in common with traditional vampires, but they are living, breathing creatures who can reproduce and don’t burn up in the sunshine. I see them more as another race, similar to humans, but so long-lived that they are essentially immortal. Over millennia, vampires intermarried with humans to create hunters. Hunters are long-lived, but not immortal, and they, like vampires, possess supernatural abilities that are channeled through their swords.
The ancient vampires, as the de facto ruling class, entered into a pact with the hunters. The hunters will kill any vampires who harm humans, and the ancients will do their best to teach fledgling vampires (those created from humans) to control their lust for human blood. The Council of Hunters is the governing body that enforces this pact. The Council members have begun to war within themselves, and Nicolas and Adrien are caught in the middle.
Hunters, by the way, can regain their immortality by drinking the blood of an ancient vampire and then returning that blood. Ancients can give this “gift” only once. Immortals are not vampires, but they do crave blood and they become very powerful. More powerful, even, than an ancient vampire.
Gay Vampires have been done since Anne Rice and probably before, what inspired you to put your own spin on this?
I love Anne Rice’s vampires! In fact, her dark universe inspired me to finally write my own vampires. Since I love writing MM, there was never any question about my vampires’ sexuality. The ancient vampires (male and female) in my universe almost always bond with someone of their own sex, and only mate with the opposite sex to produce offspring.
Shira Anthony letting everyone hear her amazing voice at GRL ’14.
What part of the book was the most fun to write and why?
I loved writing Adrien, the hunter who at the beginning of the story hates vampires and makes lots of assumptions about them, most of which are plain wrong. As the story progresses, Adrien begins to understand the vampires and respect them. Writing his change of heart was the most fun part, although the battle scenes were a close second!
What part made you struggle them most?
The Blood series is one long story over three books. So the setup in the first book has to work for the last two books, especially since there’s a time travel element the reader is introduced to in the second book. Things need to fit and make sense. But writing time travel is a huge challenge, and I’ve had to rewrite some scenes three or four times to get it right!
Tell us something interesting that is not in the blurb?
Adrien becomes immortal when Nicolas gives Adrien his blood.
Of all the different sub-genre’s which one do you enjoy writing the most?
Over time, I’ve realized I have two favorites: contemporary and fantasy. I suppose that makes sense, since those are my two favorite genres to read, as well.
The Blue Notes series is somewhat close to home for you, since you are a trained opera singer, can we expect any more books in the series?
I have ideas for two more books in the series, but it will probably be a while before I get around writing either. I’ve got too many other WIPs I’m working on!
What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
I love starting a story, planning it out, and writing the first few chapters, in particular. I love stepping into a new universe with new characters.
What’s your least favorite?
The middle of the story! I usually know where the story will end, but sometimes I get lost in the middle. I’ve even had a character tell me in no uncertain terms that he was NOT going to do what I had planned for him to do (*cough, cough* — Cary Redding in The Melody Thief— *cough, cough*). Talk about having to rethink a plotline!
Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?
I’m working on a contemporary story with my good friend Cody Kennedy (writing under his adult pen-name, Aisling Mancy). It’s a cop/lawyer drama set in eastern North Carolina, near the coast, working title, Solitary Man. I’m also working on the last of the Blood series books, Blood and Eternity. And I’ve got two books in edits or soon to be in edits: Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) and Running with the Wind (Mermen of Ea #3).
What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?
I just finished this really cool urban fantasy by Jack Pyle, Broken Ink. It isn’t a typical gay romance, although there is a happily-for-now at the end. It’s about children who are tattooed with ink that gives them supernatural abilities, including the ability to control minds. It’s a dark and disturbing universe, but it was such an incredible ride! I highly recommend it, but not to the faint of heart. It’s a rough ride.
If you could meet any writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
That’s a really tough one. There are so many writers I idolize. But in a perfect universe, I’d love to spend an hour or two talking to Isaac Asimov. The man was a genious. The hardest part would be deciding what to talk about, since he knew about so many different subjects!
Besides reading and writing, what else do you enjoy?
I don’t have a lot of time left after the reading and writing part, but I do love to sail aboard our catamaran at the Carolina coast. It’s so incredibly beautiful out here (I’m sitting on my boat writing this, in fact!). Our boat is called “Land’s Zen.” Self-explanatory.
Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I realize I’ve published more than a dozen books to date. I started writing for myself, writing the stories I wanted to read. But there’s nothing better than having readers connect with those stories. I feel very fortunate that I can share something I really love with other people. In that sense, writing is very much like my singing was to me. How cool is that?
Thanks, Andrew, for your wonderful questions!
Blurb:
Adrien Gilbert has spent several lifetimes searching for the love he lost. Born in the 1800s into a clan of fabled vampire hunters, Adrien once wanted nothing more than to tend his family’s vineyard in southern France or read a good book. But Adrien’s peaceful existence ends abruptly when his older brother, François, is murdered. Bound by his hunter’s oath, Adrien sets out on a path that will forever change his life when he agrees to execute his brother’s killer, the vampire Charles Duvalier.
After months chasing the elusive Charles, Adrien reluctantly makes a bargain with Nicolas Lambert, an ancient vampire. Adrien will escort Nicolas to Paris for his marriage to a rival clanswoman, and Nicolas will help Adrien find Charles. Nicolas’s quiet strength and gentle heart soon convince Adrien that Nicolas is nothing like the vampires he has sworn to destroy. As the wedding date draws nearer, a force intent on destroying the fragile peace between the vampire clans threatens to tear apart both the vampire realm and the world of the hunters. To secure both past and future for those he loves, Adrien must find a way to stop the looming war between hunters and vampires. But first he’ll have to let Nicolas go.
Sales Links:
Amazon:
Dreamspinner:
ARe:
About the Author:
Shira Anthony is a complete sucker for a happily-ever-after, and rarely reads or writes a story without one. Never a fan of instalove, Shira likes to write stories about real men with real issues making real relationships work.
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Series is loosely based upon her own experiences as a professional musician.
Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs and when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 36’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel. 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.
Interested in hearing Shira sing? Here’s a link to a live performance of Shira singing an aria from Puccini’s “Tosca”: http://www.shiraanthony.com/wp-conten…
You can subscribe to Shira’s monthly newsletter for updates, free fiction, and subscriber-only contests here: http://www.shiraanthony.com/newsletter/
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shira.anthony
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4641776.Shira_Anthony
Twitter: @WriterShira
Website: http://www.shiraanthony.com
E-mail: shiraanthony@hotmail.com
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter code below for a chance to win an eBook of your choice from Shira’s Dreamspinner Press backlist:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 19, 2015
Wolf’s Sacrifice; by Draven St. James – Book Blast & Giveaway
Wolf’s Sacrifice; by Draven St. James – Book Blast and Giveaway
Blurb:
Sean Maddox has one basic goal: to protect the Northwest Pack. That priority helps him stay grounded—until the day the pack rescues Liam. Suddenly Sean is finding any excuse to be around the sweet, blind shifter. But trying to focus his thoughts on keeping Liam safe and not exploring the whole laundry list of carnal fantasies he’s been having is anything but grounding. It doesn’t help that Sean’s wolf makes it damn clear it believes Liam belongs to him.
From the first deep breath of Sean Maddox’s intoxicating scent, all Liam wants to do is strip naked for the sexy beta and let the wolf claim him. Hiding away his desires seems like the best plan, given after a lifetime in captivity Liam is just learning what it means to be free. What does he know about being a mate? More to the point, would Sean even want him if he knew the truth?
As Sean and Liam struggle with their growing craving for each other an old enemy steps out of the shadows. With secrets lurking and fate twisting two worlds together a sacrifice must be made, but can the two mates live with the consequences?
Book 2 in the Pack of Light series. (This title can be read as a standalone.)
Publisher: Loose Id
Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs
Fun Facts About Draven:
Harry Potter or Twilight?
Really? Seriously?
Three things on your bucket list?
Go to Ireland. Go to 2015 GRL and get a motorcycle.
Excerpt:
“You don’t have to stay here with me,” Liam murmured.
Sean twisted the cap off Liam’s root beer and pressed the condensation-slick bottle to Liam’s hand until his slender fingers curled around it.
“I know,” he responded, studying a drop of moisture slipping off the bottle to make a damp trail along Liam’s hand.
“Guarding me?” After propping the bottle between his thighs, Liam licked the drop that had traveled to the pulsing blue vein of his wrist.
“I can be around you without being part of your protective detail.” Sean swallowed past his suddenly parched throat. The man had no idea how seductive his innocent movements were.
Liam reached out until his hand was on Sean’s thigh. “Just giving you a hard time.”
You have no idea.
About the Author:
Draven St. James is a born and raised Oregonian. She has traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill her books. Her ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories. Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where she finds her peace.
Social Media Links:
Tour Dates: January 20, 2015
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, Love Bytes, Sinfully Sexy, Full Moon Dreaming, Christy Loves 2 Read, The Blogger Girls, Charley Descoteaux, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, My Fiction Nook, Inked Rainbow Reads, Jade Crystal, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Andrew Q. Gordon, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Michael Mandrake,
Sales Links:
Loose Id:
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win an eBook from Draven’s backlist:
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This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
January 18, 2015
New Release: A Bond of Three; by K.C. Wells – Book Blast and Giveaway
A Bond of Three; by K.C. Wells - New Release and Giveaway
Blurb:
![BondofThree[A]FS](https://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/bondofthreeafs.jpg)
In the kingdom of Teruna, the red-cloaked Seruani teach the Terunans the art of love. Taken from their homes at seventeen to be trained, they are shunned as outcasts by society and considered the lowest of the low. So when Prince Tanish falls in love with the Seruan Feyar, the man who took his virginity and the only one to share his bed, he is not about to declare that love. No one can ever know, because the consequences would be too painful to consider for both of them.
When the king of Vancor visits Teruna, he promises that his son, Prince Sorran, will marry Prince Tanish to solidify the alliance between the two kingdoms, with the proviso that the virginal Sorran is instructed in the art of pleasing his husband-to-be. When Tanish’s father chooses Feyar to be this instructor, the lovers decide Prince Sorran must be taught that this is to be a marriage in name only….
A resentful prince, unwilling to share his lover.
A resentful Seruan, unwilling to share his prince.
And the shy prince whose very nature sparks changes in the lives of all those around them.
Teruna is about to change forever.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Photography by R.J. Sebastian, designed by Alexander Tsopanakis, with exclusive cockboys.com models: Levi Karter, Duncan Black & Tayte Hanson
K.C. has agreed to answer a couple questions about herself scattered them among all the blogs on the tour. Be sure to check them all out.
What the most amazing place you’ve ever been?
The Alhambra in Granada, southern Spain. Sooooo beautiful
Have you ever had a character take off and go their own direction? If so, who was the worst?
Prince Sorran, in A Bond of Three. It changed the course of the whole book….
Excerpt:
“We are alone,” Sorran said after a few minutes. “Tell me of the cashor. You have intrigued me.”
Tanish thought for a moment how best to begin. “It is worn by the Seruani.” Sorran’s furrowed brow told him what he needed to know. He sighed. “The Seruani are those men and women who provide a special service. They instruct us in the pleasures of the flesh. A husband whose wife no longer wishes to share her bed with him, those who have lost their partners, youths who seek their first experience to be with someone knowledgeable—all these people can pay for their services.”
Sorran’s forehead smoothed out. “Ah, I understand. We have such people in Vencor.” That frown was back suddenly. “But I am still confused. Why would someone not pay us heed if we wear the cashor?”
Tanish stared at him. “Because Seruani are considered the lowest of the low. When a youth is taken to be trained as a Seruan, he or she loses all contact with his or her family. If a Seruan was to be seen in the street by a family member, they would not be acknowledged. In truth, they would be shunned.”
Sorran pulled at Forena’s reins, bringing the stallion to a dead stop.
Tanish halted Nerita and twisted in his saddle to regard Sorran. “What is the matter?”
Sorran shook his head, his expression pained. “In Vancor, such people are revered. They are viewed as mystical.”
Tanish was astonished. “But why?” He could not believe such a difference in attitude could exist.
Sorran tilted his head. “My teachers tell me that when two people make love, their joy can be such that they almost touch the heavens. Surely one who can help you reach such levels is a person to be cherished, valued, revered.”
His description brought tears to Tanish’s eyes. To think that but for an accident of geography, Feyar could have been born into a land where his gifts would have had worth, where he would have been treasured. Tanish bowed his head, eyes closed, overwhelmed with emotion.
A soft hand came to rest on his arm. “What ails you, Tanish?” Sorran’s voice was low and lilting, his concern audible.
Tanish opened his eyes and gave Sorran a feeble smile. “For many years I have wept at the thought of those chosen to be Seruani, shunned by their families and society. I have wished for change.”
Sorran smiled, his dark eyes flashing. “But you are to be king one day, just as I will be. A king wields so much power.” He leaned closer, his gaze fixed on Tanish. “If a king does not like a law, he has the power to change it.”
Tanish shook his head. “To do so would be to insult those who drew up the laws in the first place.”
Sorran quirked his eyebrows. “Who created those laws? And when?”
“I do not know. It has always been so.” Tanish had reflected upon that many times.
Sorran frowned. “That does not mean it must remain so. And laws can be changed a little at a time. Take small steps, but always be sure of your goal.” He patted Tanish’s arm. “Win the people’s hearts first, and then lead them where you will go. If you act justly, your motives clear, they will follow you.”
Sorran’s earnest expression seemed older than his years. Tanish gazed at the prince in wonder. Sorran’s words resonated deep within him, sparking a flame of hope—and something else. For the first time in a long while, Tanish felt at peace with his destiny.
About the Author:
Born and raised in the north-west of England, K.C.Wells always loved writing. Words were important. Full stop. However, when childhood gave way to adulthood, the writing ceased, as life got in the way.
K.C. discovered erotic fiction in 2009, where the purchase of a ménage storyline led to the startling discovery that reading about men in love was damn hot. In 2012, arriving at a really low point in life led to the desperate need to do something creative. An even bigger discovery waited in the wings – writing about men in love was even hotter…
K.C. now writes full-time and is loving every minute of her new career.
The laptop still has no idea of what hit it… it only knows that it wants a rest, please. And it now has to get used to the idea that where K.C goes, it goes.
Social Media Links:
K.C. loves to hear from readers. You can reacher her on:
email: k.c.wells@btinternet.com,
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld,
Twitter: @IslandTalesPres,
Website: www.kcwellsworld.com
Tour Dates: January 19, 2015
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Molly Lolly, BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, Inked Rainbow Reads, Amanda C. Stone, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Carly’s Book Reviews, Love Bytes, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Kristy’s Brain Food, Sinfully Sexy, My Fiction Nook, Elin Gregory, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, The Novel Approach, MM Good Book Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon, Velvet Panic, 3 Chicks After Dark, Christy Loves 2 Read, Nephylim, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Kimi-Chan
Sales Links:
Dreamspinner Press eBook:
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a $15 Gift Card:
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This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
Pride Promotions’ 1 Year Anniversary Giveaway!
To celebrate his one year anniversary, he is having a giveaway. Rather than take up too much space, I’ll let him tell you the details himself. The Rafflecopter link is at the end of the post.
Click the Rafflecopter link below for a chance to win a $50.00 ARe gift card!
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January 17, 2015
Unfortunate Son; by Shae Connor – Blog Tour and Giveaway
Writing to a Deadline
Unfortunate Son marks the first time that I’ve actually proposed a book to a publisher before I was finished writing it. Now, that’s not entirely true; the book was mostly complete when I first spoke to Elizabeth North of Dreamspinner about my plans for a series, and even closer to finished when I sent her a formal proposal via email. But when you throw in the fact that I’d only ever written one novel before, agreeing to write three, complete with deadlines, was a huge leap into the unknown for me.
Since I started writing professionally, I’ve tried several different methods to encourage myself to sit down and write. I’ve worked on multiple stories at once, tracked word counts (my host, Andrew, and I even did a word count race for a while), done National Novel Writing Month, and written on both short and long deadlines.
What I’m learning—and I’m definitely still learning!—is that I tend to do best when I’m writing one story at a time, and when I have a deadline to shoot for. I absolutely hate missing a deadline. When I was working on my story for the next “butt-thology” (Butt Riders on the Range), we had a deadline of November 30, but after some discussion with the publisher, we agreed to push that back by two weeks. Even that made me uncomfortable!
Writing to a deadline, I think, is a concept that’s been ingrained in me since my earliest work days. I started out in daily newspaper, which meant we had daily deadlines to meet. No matter what else happened, we had to get pages filled and on the press by the same time every single day. Over time, as I moved into working on monthly publications instead, the frequency of the deadlines changed, but the regularity never did. My current day job has about one deadline a week, which still feels like a vacation after the daily grind.
When I first started writing fiction, I had no clue about how long it would take for me to write a story. I’d written fanfiction for years, but there was no consistency at all in how long it would take for me to write a story. I once wrote a 10,000-word story in one day. If I could do that every day—heck, even every week—I’d be golden.
But that’s not how things work. In fanfic, I could write whenever I had time and inspiration. I rarely wrote anything as a “work in progress”—posting as I completed a section or chapter—so there was very little expectation from readers, other than that I’d eventually post something else.
Professional fiction is different. There are expectations, on the part of publishers and readers. To build a successful, long-term career, an author needs to publish regularly. The intervals may vary, depending on the author’s style and genre, but with the exception of a handful of big names, the only way to keep moving forward is to keep producing new work.
Every author is different. Some authors can sit down and write a thousand words or three thousand words a day, every single day. Some can write only when they’re inspired. Some can write a novel in a month, while others take years. None of those things are right, and none of those things are wrong. The only thing that matters is what works for the individual author.
For me, having a specified date by when I’ve promised to have a story to a publisher is what works. During 2014, I met deadlines for two novels and three short stories. I have one more novel deadline coming up, and as that approaches, I’ll be working on finalizing others for later in the year. I don’t know that this approach will work forever, but I’ll keep going as long as it does. I certainly have enough story ideas banked to feed the stream!
Unfortunate Son
Blurb:
Five years ago, Evan Day lost his lover in the Afghan sand, and in the fallout, he lost his military career and his family. With help from friends, he reinvented himself as porn star Trevor Hardball, but his scars are hidden, not healed. When Riley Yeats falls into Evan’s lap in a bar, he awakens a part of Evan he’d thought was dead and gone. Evan’s fascinated by the blond and twinky Riley, even though he’s the opposite of Evan’s usual type.
Then Evan’s family reappears his life, and Evan soon learns Riley has his own family-inflicted wounds—ones that make it hard for him to be there for Evan. A disastrous confrontation between Evan and his parents leaves Evan’s mother injured and Evan overcome by anger and fear. Losing his tenuous hold on his emotional control, Evan makes one bad decision after another, but maybe his final fall will be the wake-up call Evan needs to set things right—with his parents, and with Riley.
Buy Links:
Leave a Review:
About the Author:
Shae Connor lives in Atlanta, where she’s a lackadaisical government worker for a living and writes sweet-hot romance under the cover of night. She’s been making things up for as long as she can remember, but it took her a long time to figure out that maybe she should try writing them down. She’s conned several companies into publishing her work and adds a new notch on her bedpost each time another story is unleashed onto an unsuspecting universe.
A member of the Romance Writers of America and the Rainbow Writers chapter, Shae was first published in 2010 and has a lineup of short stories, novellas, and novels available from Dreamspinner Press, Wilde City Press, MLR Press, and Amber Allure.
Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching baseball, and reading voraciously, and she’s an annual volunteer for the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.
Social Media:
Twitter: @shaeconnor
email: shaeconnorwrites@gmail.com
Website: shaeconnorwrites.com.
Blog Stops:
Check out the other stops on the Unfortunate Son blog tour:
12 – Jan – The Novel Approach
14 – Jan – Joyfully Jay
16 – Jan – Love Bytes
18 – Jan – Andrew Q. Gordon
20 – Jan – Kimi-Chan
22 – Jan – Grace Duncan
24 – Jan – The Blogger Girls
26 – Jan – Prism Book Alliance
28 – Jan – Vicktor Alexander
30 – Jan – JP Barnaby
Giveaway:
Click the Rafflecopter link for a chance to enter the drawing for a $25.00 Dreamspinner Press Giftcard and a eBook of your choice from Shae’s backlist:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
