Andrew Q. Gordon's Blog, page 36
November 22, 2014
Service With a Smile – a New Short Story by Lily G. Blunt
SERVICE WITH A SMILE
BY
LILY G. BLUNT
Terry visits a men’s designer boutique, and Ash gives him service with a smile…
Excerpt:
TERRY caught sight of his reflection in the shop window and smoothed down his wind-blown hair. He glanced up and down, slowly checking over his appearance. A smile grazed his mouth. Pleased he’d chosen a tight-fitting white T-shirt to exhibit his firm torso, his dark eyes shifted to the clothing displayed on the other side of the glass. A pale blue shirt instantly caught his eye, as did a cream-colored shirt with a dusky paisley print. He knew both would suit his tanned complexion.
Terry could certainly do with a new shirt for the party later that evening, but that wasn’t the reason he was standing in front of the designer boutique. A flutter of excitement rippled through his belly and down to his groin, making his cock throb in anticipation. It wasn’t the clothing that had this effect upon him, but the thought of a particular sales assistant inside the shop.
It was late on Saturday afternoon, and the shop would be closing within the next half hour. He didn’t have much time to make his move. Terry hoped he’d timed his entrance just right. Peering beyond the male mannequins poised in the window, he searched out his intended target.
Terry noticed two men about to leave so he moved toward the door. As it opened, an old-fashioned bell jangled overhead and the two men left the premises. They offered him a genuine smile. One of them winked at Terry, who returned the gesture. Terry watched them head down the street, walking hand in hand, for a few seconds before crossing over the threshold. A smile spread across his handsome face because he now knew only one member of staff remained to man the shop until it closed at half past five. The one guy he wanted the chance to be alone with. The one guy he lusted after. Ash.
Buy links:
AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / AMAZON AU / B&N / ARe / WIP
SERVICE WITH A SMILE
is also a part of the
LOVE, LOSS, LAUGHTER & LUST Anthology
About the Author:
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.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
WordPress: http://lilygblunt.wordpress.com
Blog: http://lilygblunt.blogspot.co.uk/
FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/LilyGBlunt
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/lily.blunt.75
Tumblr: http://bobloving.tumblr.com/
Tumblr: http://lilygblunt.tumblr.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BoyonBoyLoving?feature=mhee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoyonBoyLoving
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6586037.Lily_G_Blunt
November 17, 2014
Third Eye, by Rick R. Reed – Book Blast and Giveaway
Third Eye, by Rick R. Reed
Blurb:
Who knew that a summer thunderstorm and his lost little boy would conspire to change single dad Cayce D’Amico’s life in an instant? With Luke missing, Cayce ventures into the woods near their house to find his son, only to have lightning strike a tree near him, sending a branch down on his head. When he awakens the next day in the hospital, he discovers he has been blessed or cursed—he isn’t sure which—with psychic ability. Along with unfathomable glimpses into the lives of those around him, he’s getting visions of a missing teenage girl.
When a second girl disappears soon after the first, Cayce realizes his visions are leading him to their grisly fates. Cayce wants to help, but no one believes him. The police are suspicious. The press wants to exploit him. And the girls’ parents have mixed feelings about the young man with the “third eye.”
Cayce turns to local reporter Dave Newton and, while searching for clues to the string of disappearances and possible murders, a spark ignites between the two. Little do they know that nearby, another couple—dark and murderous—are plotting more crimes and wondering how to silence the man who knows too much about them.
Publisher: DSP Publications
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Sales Links:
Amazon:
Excerpt:
Cayce was just about to put the paper aside when another article—and a familiar name in the byline—caught his eye. “Teenager Reported Missing,” by Dave Newton. It wasn’t so much the headline that got his attention but the picture of the young girl beneath it. Pretty. Long blonde hair. And disturbingly familiar.
Even though Fawcettville was a small town, the girl’s name, Lucy Plant, didn’t ring any bells. Perhaps Cayce had waited on her at the Elite, the diner where he worked. But still, no specific recollection came back. Cayce couldn’t visualize the girl sitting at the counter, nor at one of the booths.
And yet she looked so familiar, as if she were someone Cayce was friends with, or even a relative.
Cayce scanned the story. The girl had been reported missing by her mother yesterday afternoon, just before the storm that had caused such a turn in Cayce’s own life.
There were no clues. The girl, at least according to her mother, could not possibly have been a runaway. “Lucy’s a good girl,” Amy Plant had told Fawcettville police detective JT Simmons. “She wouldn’t even go down the block to visit a friend without telling us first.”
The last time anyone had seen Lucy Plant was when her mother looked outside the living room window. Lucy had been playing with her Barbie dolls on the front lawn.
Cayce closed his eyes. He remembered, suddenly, the storm coming, and not knowing where Luke was. He sympathized with the girl’s mother and the panic she must have felt when she couldn’t locate her daughter.
A ceiling fan. Beneath his closed lids, Cayce saw a ceiling fan. He didn’t know why. He didn’t own one himself, and the one in his parents’ living room was an entirely different model from this one, which was white, with a plain globe. His parents’ fan had four frosted-glass light fixtures and faux wood blades.
Cayce kept his eyes closed, watching the ceiling fan whirl, its blades blurring and becoming singular. There was something wrong with the fan. It didn’t work quite right.
Cayce felt nauseated and opened his eyes. His face was glazed with sweat. His stomach churned, and he was afraid he would vomit. Why was seeing a ceiling fan so disturbing? Or was this some sort of aftershock, an effect of his accident?
Cayce didn’t think so.
He glanced down at the face of Lucy Plant and sucked in some air. “Oh my God,” he whispered, “she’s dead.”
Author Bio & Contact:
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.”
Author Contacts:
Blog: http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rickrreedbooks
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rickrreed.
E-mail: jimmyfels@gmail.com
Tour Stops:
Parker Williams, Decadent Delights, Full Moon Dreaming, BFD Book Blog, Regular Guys, Hot Romance, My Fiction Nook, Emotion in Motion, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Velvet Panic, Inked Rainbow Reads, Queer Town Abbey, Elin Gregory, Jade Crystal, Love Bytes, Amanda C. Stone, Fallen Angel Reviews, Molly Lolly, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Sinfully Sexy, MM Good Book Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, The Novel Approach, Michael Mandrake, Havan Fellows, Iyana Jenna
Click the Rafflecopter link below to be entered to win for a chance to win an eCopy of Rick’s thriller novella, How I Met My Man:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
November 16, 2014
Undercover Addiction, by Hayley B. James – New Release and Giveaway
Today I get to welcome Hayley B. James back to my blog. Hayley has a new release Undercover Addiction and she is kicking off her blog tour today by introducing us to her main characters. There is a giveaway so be sure to read through to the end to enter.
Thank you Andrew for having me today. I’ll be visiting a few blogs during the Undercover Addiction tour. Today I want to talk about the leading characters in Undercover Addiction (A Secret Sin novel) and get to know them a bit.
Connor Bishop loves his job as an undercover detective with the Seattle PD Vice Squad. He worries he enjoys it a bit too much, but that doesn’t stop him from venturing into dangerous territory as his undercover alias, Caleb. He holds no greater belief that his job will make the world a better place, but he has fun earning his paycheck. When he meets Riley, his personal line between good and evil is blurred.
Riley Drapeau doesn’t know the name given to him at birth, and has only vague memories of his childhood. His history could be true or a fabrication to persuade Connor’s view of him. Riley’s reputation is incredible cruelty among his peers, but Connor catches a glimpse of a caring and gentle side—a side that wants change. However, Riley excels at deception and makes it known that he wants to play mind games with Connor. Before the end, his lies and truths blend too closely together for even himself to decipher.
Together the trust between them is iffy, but Connor knows his chance of surviving the case is slim if he doesn’t believe Riley will support him. Their physical relationship concerns Connor, but he can’t help but desire the private moments with Riley—the only time he catches a glimpse of the human beneath the monster façade.
These two were a lot of fun to write. They have veiled conversations, aggravated banter (mostly on Connor’s side), and an unspoken understanding of each other that made their interactions among my favorite. Connor is someone who pretends to be a monster to survive his assignments, and Riley is someone who pretends to be more of a monster in order to survive his life.
Blurb:
Working Vice for the Seattle PD, Connor Bishop’s favorite part of the job is going undercover. His current assignment is to get close to Riley Drapeau, a human trafficker backed into a corner by the FBI and turned informant. Connor needs to milk him for information on his organization, but while doing so, sees an entirely different Riley than he expected.
Caught off balance, Connor relies heavily on Lucas, his outside man and only link to the real world, but he gets sucked in by Riley and his attempt to clear his name and prove his partners fabricated evidence to frame him.
Up to his eyeballs in the dark world of trafficking, Connor finds it easier to believe Riley than what the FBI is saying, especially when a leak is uncovered within the Bureau. The choices Connor has to make become even more difficult when Lucas admits he has feelings for him and promises a safe life far from harm. But Connor can’t deny the only man he wants to be with is Riley. Which forces him to decide if his addiction to the dangerous side of life can include loving a criminal.
Excerpt:
Connor found it easy to walk among monsters, but he knew he could never be exactly like Riley and August. While he accepted the existence of their type of evil, it remained too difficult to comprehend their actions. Taking away an innocent life and then sleeping soundly with the memory remained too far out of his realm of understanding.
“What happened in your life to make you sell humans for profit?”
Riley laughed for longer than Connor found appropriate. He caught his breath, wiped his eyes, and faced Connor. “You and I are not from the same world, Connor. You probably grew up with people who loved you. You were showered with praise at home and school. And at night you slept with a sense of security.”
“Are you using a bad childhood as an excuse? Because I’ve seen people better their lives. A tough beginning does not excuse this level of cruelty in adulthood.”
Riley studied Connor. He nodded slowly and looked at his hands. “I was taught human life is a commodity. It isn’t much different from selling a product made with cheap labor. Those workers endure long, arduous hours for little pay. Yet no one arrests the CEO who approves utilizing abhorrent work conditions to increase profits.”
“You actually believe assembly line laborers earning a measly paycheck to feed their families are the same as trafficked victims pumped full of drugs to form an addiction to ease forced prostitution?”
Riley sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “If we’re going to argue levels of hell, I’ll need another cup of coffee.”
Buy Links: Dreamspinner Press ~~ Amazon ~~ All Romance eBooks ~~ Barnes&Noble
Leave a comment to this post and get a chance to be the lucky winner of a marvelous goodie pack!!
The Goodie pack includes – A paperback copy of Undercover Addiction, Seattle-themed Mug, WA-made truffles and a magnet!
Hayley B. James will be touring through different blogs – the tour schedule is mentioned below. Follow this blog tour and leave your thoughts to her posts in order to increase your chances of winning!
Contest Deadline Date: 23rd November, 2014
Tour Schedule:
17th Nov. – Andrew Q. Gordon’s “The Land of Make Believe”
18th Nov. – GGR-Reviews & http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
19th Nov. – Prism Book Alliance
20th Nov. – The Blogger Girls & Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
21st Nov. – Love Bytes Reviews
22nd Nov.- The Novel Approach
November 14, 2014
Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 40
Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 39
The perfect weather did little to lift Blake’s mood as he and Ethan walked across the quad toward his dorm. Ethan’s presence should have helped, but his boyfriend didn’t approve of them slipping in to get some things while Brett was out.
“I’m not pretending it didn’t happen, you know.” Blake wondered why he tried again. “We’re holding hands on campus. How is that avoiding the issue?”
“You’re avoiding him.” Ethan lacked any of his usual happy go lucky demeanor.
“No, I’m not.” He stopped until Ethan turned to face him. After the hard played soccer match early, Blake was tired. And that usually meant cranky too. Taking a deep breath, he held it for a few seconds, and then let it go. “Really, I’m not. I just want to get my stuff now so we don’t have to worry about it later.”
“So if Brett’s there, you’ll confront him?”
Blake looked down. “No.”
“Right.” Ethan twisted again and faced the dorm. “Just because you’re out doesn’t mean you’re standing up for yourself.”
Blake resisted the urge to release Ethan’s hand and walk off. Five weeks ago, when soccer started, his only worry coming back to school had been making the starting team. Coming out, having a boyfriend, holding hands with a guy while walking around campus, and fighting with his roommate never made his radar. He and Brett had been good friends their freshman year. They kept in touch all summer and even made plans for what to buy for their room once the year started. Nothing went as he expected.
“Jesus, Ethan, can you cut me some slack?” He slipped his fingers from Ethan’s and walked toward the front entrance.
“Whoa. Slow down.” Ethan ran up, got in front of Blake and put his hands up. Blake tried to turn, but Ethan held him by the upper arms. “I’m sorry.”
Blake refused to meet his boyfriend’s gaze. “Being out is still new for me. I know you want me to be more open like you and I’m trying, I really am. I just…I can’t do everything you do all at once.”
“Oh, geez.” Ethan dropped his hands. Blake finally looked up and the water at the edges of Ethan’s eyes. “I’m so sorry. I keep pushing and pushing. You’re doing so great already. It feels so good us being an ‘us’ that I forget how new this is to you. I’m really sorry, Blake.”
“It’s okay.” He reached for Ethan’s hand and was pleased that his boyfriend didn’t pull away. “I think…I wish I could be more in your face about this, but I’ve been hiding it so long, I just don’t want to create waves.”
“You don’t need to be out, loud, proud, and in everyone’s face, Blake. Just being who you are is enough. There are so many kids who need to see guys like you come out. Guys who are just like them. It helps for them to know they’re not alone.” He leaned in and kissed Blake’s cheek. “You’re doing a lot already by being out and proud. Leaving the loud part to me.”
Kissing in public, even a peck on the cheek still made Blake uncomfortable. He knew Graydon was a safe, accepting place, but even Graydon had its share of assholes. Corralling his uneasy feeling took effort, and being nervous about running into Brett didn’t help. But he’d come out—leapt out with a flourish really—and there was no going back. Especially if being half out meant losing Ethan.
“I’m good with you doing the loud all by yourself.” He winked and when Ethan smiled, he nodded toward the building. “C’mon. Let’s get my stuff and go back to Jase’s.”
They didn’t hold hands as they walked through the lobby to reach the elevator, but Blake thought they might as well have. He didn’t know that many people in the dorm, but it seemed everyone knew him—more than a few even greeted him with a smile. Jason warned him that people would point him out, but Blake never believed it.
He might be a starter this year, but Blake knew he wasn’t a star. Jason made all conference last year and if he kept scoring like he had so far, he’d probably make all American for their division, or at least an honorable mention. Beyond that, given who their grandparents were, Jason and Dean were Graydon royalty. And of course, what happened to Peter still had people talking. Blake just played on the soccer team.
Living in the dorm was supposed to give him a bit more anonymity than the ‘team house’ or even the campus apartments. His freshman year he managed to blend into the background and that worked for him. Blake didn’t want the spotlight. Darryl joked all the time that only goalkeeper and strikers liked being the center of attention.
Coming out changed that. He suspected some of it came from Brett talking to others in the dorm. That almost made him regret telling his roommate, but he knew he’d made the right decision.
They got off the elevator, said hello to three more people he didn’t really know and made it to his room. As he slid the key into the lock, Blake tried to remember the weekend he and Ethan spent in his room just a few weeks ago. It felt so long ago now.
This time, however, the anxious feeling that gripped him had nothing to do with excitement. Despite what he’d said to Ethan, Blake didn’t want to see his roommate. The idea of Brett returning to their room while he collected his things left Blake on edge. Partly because Blake felt like he brought a powder keg with him. Ethan had no problem standing up to Matt during the team dinner, and Matt could be scary. Brett wouldn’t frighten Ethan in the least.
“This won’t take long,” he said, as much for himself as for Ethan.
“Can I help?”
“Nah, I just need a few things.”
He opened his closet and pulled out two shirts, a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts and stuffed them in the bag he’d brought with him. Then he bent down and leaned forward looking for what he’d really come for—his heating pad. After the game, his back felt tight and if their last few times with Ethan were any indication of what tonight would bring, Blake might need the pad to walk in the morning.
Shifting a couple things, he saw the cord in the back corner. As he reached for it, he heard the telltale sound of his fear come to life. Before he could crawl out of the closet, the door opened.
“Whoa!” Brett said.
“You must be Brett.” Ethan’s words were just shy of a challenge. Forgetting the pad, Blake stood up quickly
“Hey, Brett.” He moved closer to Ethan “Sorry, I just came to get a few things. Um…this is Ethan. My…boyfriend.”
Be Sure To Check Out The Other Free Fiction Friday Stories:
Follow all your favorite authors and read the first 100 words on the group’s website:
Free Fiction Friday
November 13, 2014
Written in the Stars, by Lily Velden – New Release.
Synopsis
Who needs a holiday when your destiny is Written in the Stars?
Written in the Stars is also a part of the BOLLOCKS! Anthology
Buy the short story:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJXZT2I/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OJXZT2I/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00OJXZT2I/
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/written-in-the-stars-by-lily-velden/
Buy your copy and get a bonus short story – Life According to Buddy! To get your complimentary story, email Wayward Ink Publishing after purchase.
Excerpt
“NOW, Sebastian, dear, I want you to promise me you’ll mind your Ps and Qs.”
“Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about that, Mom. I don’t think they let you swear on prime time telly.”
“Well, I certainly hope not, dear, because I have not only Granny May coming but also Nanna Robson. And then there’s Uncle Phil and his wife, Delores, and you know how Old School she is. If she had her way, we’d still be living in the Victorian era. Honestly, I’m sure she has a pole lodged up… well, never you mind, you know how she can be. And Grandpa Robson would be most upset if he heard you blaspheming and making a mockery of the Queen’s English on the telly.”
“Mom—”
“Aunt Sue and Uncle Tom are coming up from Birmingham, and bringing the twins with them. Ned is coming, too. He’s bringing that floozie he’s been dilly dallying with since the divorce. I thought that would stop Cheryl coming, but, God love her, she says she doesn’t care and that she’s bringing a male friend. Is that what they’re calling a boyfriend these days? A male friend? God only knows who it is. She says we don’t know him. I do so hope he’s a nice lad, though. She deserves someone nice after the run-around Ned gave her. Between you and me, if he wasn’t my cousin, I’d give him a clip around the ears. I just hope your brother Jordy doesn’t say something to him. I don’t want them spoiling your night. And Carol—you remember Carol, don’t you? From bingo?—well, she’s coming with her new bloke, and—”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Mom! Who didn’t you invite?”
“Father Henderson, which is probably just as well if you’re going to take the Lord’s name in vain and swear like a trooper, Sebastian.”
I flushed—not even the ten or fifteen thousand miles and God only knew how many seas and oceans that separated Sydney from the UK managed to dim my mother’s ability to reduce me to feeling like a ten-year-old again.
“Sorry, Mom, but, jeez, it sounds like the entire extended family and half of Yorkshire are going to be watching.”
“Well, Aunt Peg said she can’t because she has to work, though I promised her we’d record it, but other than that….”
I groaned. I was going to shoot Declan. How could he run off and tell my mom about my going on Written in the Stars? How could he offer to livestream it to her? He knew what she was like. Come the fourteenth of February, my humiliation would be complete. I’d never be able to return to the UK.
About the author:
Lily Velden lives on the east coast of Australia, her family having emigrated from Holland when she was a child.
She’s both a left and right brain person, holding qualifications in both Finance and Fine Arts. She tells her friends that her way with numbers will make her a profitable artist and writer… one day.
Lily has always had a love of language and a beautifully crafted sentence, and admits to having a fetish for collecting quotes, poems, and song lyrics. What she won’t admit to is how many notebooks she’s filled with those quotes… Her fascination carries on into her artworks where she often incorporates text. When a shoulder injury slowed down her art practice she decided to explore her love of the written word more fully and began writing. “I’ll paint my pictures with words.”
Not that she’s abandoned artmaking in its entirety—Lily collaborates on the designs for all her book covers.
There are many things Lily loves, here are just a few of the PG rated ones: a good laugh (all the better if caused by a naughty joke), the smell of freshly baked goods and mown grass, a smile from a stranger, rainbows after the rain, and witnessing a promise kept.
Social media links:
Website: http://lilyvelden.wordpress.com/
Email: lilyvelden@live.com.au
Twitter Name: @LilyVelden
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lily.velden
Tumblr: http://lilyvelden.tumblr.com/
November 12, 2014
The Right Words, by Lane Hayes – Cover Reveal and Giveaway
The Right Words, by Lane Hayes
Blurb:
![RightWords[The]FS](https://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/rightwordsthefs.jpg)
Escaping an abusive relationship left Luke Preston anxious and spouting panic-induced poetry. Desperate for a fresh start, Luke accepts a job remodeling a tired old beach house for a professional soccer player and his model girlfriend. While his passion is literature, not sports, focusing on the renovations eases his anxiety. Until the job he signed up for turns out to be more complicated than advertised.
Sidelined with a serious injury, soccer star Michael Martinez decides his beach house is the perfect place to recuperate. Remodeling might be the diversion he needs to keep his mind off his busted knee. Falling for the pretty designer with some quirky habits wasn’t on the drawing board. Unfortunately, Luke didn’t build a big enough closet for Michael to hide in. Having a star-powered sports career used to be all Michael lived for, but he’ll have to reevaluate his plans and find the right words if he wants to build more than a beach house with Luke.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Pre-Order Links:
Dreamspinner Press eBook:
Dreamspinner Paperback:
Excerpt:
“You think you are braver than any other people—whereas you’re just as brave, and no braver.”
“Quote?” His eyes sparked with humor.
“Yes. Mark Twain. Sorry. It’s a weird habit.”
“It’s not weird. It’s… refreshing. Different. I’m used to hanging out with a bunch of jocks who honestly might not know who Mark Twain is.”
“Please tell me you do,” I pleaded with mock gravity.
“I do. Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer.” He smirked.
“Well done.” I giggled when he pumped his fist in the air like an adolescent.
I held his gaze in silence and allowed myself to bask in the peaceful moment.
“I think it’s awesome you have something that gives you strength. And pardon me for saying so, but… it’s really fucking sexy that it’s bookish. Maybe a pair of librarian glas—”
“Shut up.” I felt an insta-blush at his suggestive words and was glad twilight had taken over.
Michael chuckled beside me. Not so long ago, I would have been sure he was laughing at me. My experience with jocks was limited to thuggish high school idiots who I carefully kept at a distance. They intimidated me with their size and musculature. I tried to intimidate with my brain. It didn’t always keep me from getting teased but certainly solidified the divide between us.
Michael wasn’t like those boys. I sensed an innate kindness in him, evident in his willingness to hold my hand while I shared my own war story with my ex. Instead of pissing me off, the mention of me wearing sexy librarian glasses went straight to my groin. I stood up and tried to clandestinely adjust my half-hard cock as I walked toward the edge of the terrace.
I heard the scratch of his crutches behind me and turned to find him standing a couple feet away.
“You know I was teasing, right?” His voice sounded deep and impossibly sexy. “I like you, Luke. I like that you’re different. You’re extraordinary.” He smiled softly and reached out to brush a stray hair away from my eyes. I was bewitched and in danger of being swept away by the moment. He was too charming for my good.
“You don’t know me. Not really. So please don’t be offended if I don’t—”
“Fine. Don’t believe me. But you’re a fighter. I can tell. And I see this colorful, rainbow aura around you I think is… sexy as hell.”
“Thank God! I was sure my rainbow glitter bag had a hole in it, and I’ve been desperately trying to gather the bit—”
“Stop it. Take the compliment. You’re going to have to work on believing the good things too, you know.”
I chuckled. He was right. “Thank you. I can tell I’m getting better, but I’m a work in progress.”
“Aren’t we all?”
We stood in the dusky evening staring at each other for a long moment. I licked my bottom lip and had moved to step aside when I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“Come here.”
I swallowed hard. “Why?”
He didn’t answer right away, but when he did, he pitched his voice low in an exaggerated whisper. “You have something in your hair. Let me get it.”
I knew he was up to something but I played along. “What is it?”
Michael set his forefinger on his lips, then reached out to caress my ear before running a lazy hand through my hair.
“Glitter. And there’s a lot of it. Red, purple, orange, gr—”
I giggled and swatted at his hand. He didn’t back away. Instead he gently moved his hand to my neck and pulled me forward so that our lips were inches apart.
“Can I kiss you?”
Author Bio:
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and her third received an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow Lab ever in an almost empty nest.
Author Contact:
Website: http://lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: LaneHayesauthor
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
Tour Dates: November 11, 2014
Tour Stops:
Parker Williams, Fallen Angel Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Regular Guys, Hot Romance, Andrew Q. Gordon, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Love Bytes, Molly Lolly, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Multitasking Mommas, Cate Ashwood, Sinfully Sexy, MM Good Book Reviews, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Havan Fellows, Rainbow Gold Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark
Click the Rafflecopter link below to be entered to win for a chance to win a $10.oo gift card:
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November 11, 2014
New Release: In the Blue Moonlight, by HL Foster – Book Blast and Giveaway
In the Blue Moonlight, by HL Foster
Blurb:
Simon has a good job and a nice house, and according to his best friend Chris, he’s turning into a boring old fart. So it’s totally out of character when Simon bares his bum to the local constabulary on a night out with his brother’s student mates. He hopes he’s put the incident behind him, when Simon bumps into one of the officers. Simon fears he’s in trouble, then thinks he’s in luck when PC Mark Timmis buys him a drink – but life in a rural English town is never as simple as it seems.
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Cover Artist: Lily Velden in collaboration with Design Bug
Sales Links:
Wayward Ink Publishing
Amazon:
ARe:
Excerpt:
On a count of three from Tim, the most vocal of the group, six students and one financial expert lowered their trousers to reveal a remarkably varied set of backsides. Glancing sideways, Simon spied a pert pair of buttocks which could have graced a swimwear ad, a scrawny little bum which could barely have held up its owner’s jeans, and an unusually hairy arse adorned with a love-heart tattoo.
Then Simon looked round at the uniformed recipients of their cheeky display. Their jaw-dropping looks of surprise were priceless, and Simon genuinely hoped a passer-by had snapped them on a mobile phone. Simon soon realized, however, that it was he and his mooning chums who were far more likely to end up on YouTube.
Only one of the policemen wasn’t gaping like a truncheon had been shoved somewhere unexpected. A smile crept onto the face of the tall, blond and undeniably handsome officer. Simon instinctively smiled back, until he noticed the copper’s colleagues had recovered their professional poise and were readying themselves for action. Tim gave his orders once more.
“Leg it!”
Author Bio:
H. Lewis-Foster lives in the North of England, and has always worked with books in one form or another. As a keen reader of gay fiction, she decided to try writing herself, and is now the proud author of several short stories and her debut novel ‘Burning Ashes’. She was also delighted to see her first play performed earlier in 2014.
H. likes to create characters who are talented, funny and quite often gorgeous, but who all have their faults and vulnerable sides, and she hopes that you’ll enjoy reading their stories as much as she loves writing them.
Author Contact:
https://twitter.com/HLewisFoster
Tour Dates: November 11, 2014
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Love Bytes, Inked Rainbow Reads, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Prism Book Alliance, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Fallen Angel Reviews,My Fiction Nook, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Multitasking Mommas, The Hat Party, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, BFD Book Blog, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, Jade Crystal, Because Two Men Are Better Than One. Kimi-Chan, Velvet Panic, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake
Click the Rafflecopter link below to be entered to win for a chance to win an eCopy of In the Bluemoon
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November 10, 2014
New Release: Protector of the Alpha, by Parker Williams – Book Blast and Giveaway
Protector of the Alpha: Shifting Needs Book 1, by Parker Williams
Blurb:
Adopted at an early age by a wealthy family, Jake Davis’s life appears easy. Even in college, he is blessed with good grades and an apparently clear path to a pro football career. Good thing his best friend keeps hanging around to keep his head from getting too swollen.
Zakiya Incekara has always been…odd. Being fluent in six languages and having a flair for international cooking should open the world to him, but those skills leave him isolated.
When Jake sees Zak for the first time, with water beading down his slender form, something inside him shifts, and it hungers for Zak. To have him. To claim him. And Jake knows that whatever it is, it won’t be denied.
Cover Artist: Laura Harner
Sales Links:
AllRomance:
Smashwords:
Excerpt:
Jake’s hand was rough, his skin dry. Zak loved how his fingers gripped tightly, but not so much that it hurt. Jake said nothing as they walked along the streets of the campus. There were few people around, but Zak did not care if everyone was watching them. He was confused as to his attraction to Jake, but it was something he could not deny.
The soft jazz music poured from the door of the pub when Jake pulled it open. Jake’s hand on his lower back urged him inside. Zak sniffed appreciatively at the scent of Cajun spices, no doubt from the blackened catfish special. His stomach protested, and he heard Jake snicker, but he could not seem to raise the ire he should. Jake escorted him to a booth and allowed Zak to sit back against the brushed leather.
“Two dinner specials coming up,” Jake said brightly.
Zak gazed at Jake’s hulking form as it moved away, marveling at the sinewy grace as he dodged patrons and servers. It was odd. He had never met anyone like Jake. He doubted there was anyone like Jake. He felt comfortable in his presence. Jake’s size did not intimidate him. In fact, that made him all the sexier. But his eyes were what made Zak melt into a puddle of goo. The way they twinkled in the dimmest of light. When Jake so much as glanced at him, Zak felt he was the sole thing Jake saw.
Jake turned from the bar, and Zak watched as the bright smile turn into a sneer. He dropped the tray, the catfish crashing to the floor, before he stalked to where Zak sat. Jake grabbed a man, probably about forty, by his throat and pushed him against the wall.
“You don’t so much as breathe near him,” Jake snarled.
The man looked cool as he smiled and croaked out. “You are everything I had heard you would be, and more, my lord.”
Author Bio:
Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that comes with melding lives together.
Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Parker held his job for nearly 28 years before he decided to retire and try new things. He enjoys his new life as a stay-at-home author and also working on Pride-Promotions, an LGBT author promotion service.
Author Contact:
Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641
Website: ParkerWilliamsAuthor.com
Tour Dates: November 11, 2014
Tour Stops:
Parker Williams, My Fiction Nook, The Hat Party, BFD Book Blog, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, 3 Chicks After Dark, Prism Book Alliance, Lee Brazil, Tara Lain, Fallen Angel Reviews, Cathy Brockman Romances, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Hearts on Fire, Decadent Delights, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon, Love Bytes, Multitasking Mommas, Mrs. Condit & Friends, Iyana Jenna, MM Good Book Reviews, Guilty Indulgence Book Club, Emotion in Motion, Havan Fellows, Nephylim, The Blogger Girls, Up All Night, Read All Day, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Velvet Panic,The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Full Moon Dreaming, Cate Ashwood, Jade Crystal, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Kimi-Chan
Click the Rafflecopter link below to be entered to win for a chance to win a Protector of the Alpha T-Shirt:
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November 7, 2014
Halloween And More
A few pictures from the end of October with, yes, her Halloween Costume. We tried to get pictures while we were out, but nothing really came out well and we were with the neighbors so we couldn’t stop and take too many tries.
The last picture was from today. She had to get dressed up for picture day.
November 6, 2014
Just Like Pulling Teeth, by L. J. Harris – New Release.
Author: LJ Harris
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Short Story Blurb:
A trip to the dentist has never been soÖ interestingÖ
JUST LIKE PULLING TEETH is also a part of the BOLLOCKS! Anthology
Buy links
AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJ31N2I/
AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OJ31N2I/
AMAZON AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00OJ31N2I/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-like-pulling-teeth-lj-harris/1120558936?ean=9781925222067
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-justlikepullingteeth-1658979-145.html
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/just-like-pulling-teeth-by-l-j-harris/
Excerpt
ìBOLLOCKS,î I groaned, failing at my attempt to chew on the wedge of pickle-covered cheese. It was only Tuesday, and yet, as I sat at the end of the bar at the Thistle and Lion, whining and moaning with every bite of my ploughmanís lunch, this particular week had already begun to drag. Iíd had the mother of all headaches for two days, and throbbing gums for three, the pain so bloody awful Iíd been driven to take some long overdue time off work. My bite had been out of alignment for weeks, thanks to the swelling in the back of my mouth, and everything above my shoulders hurt.
Even my sodding hair.
The ibuprofen I was taking was no longer helping, and I hadnít slept well in days. Luckily my sister, Rachel, was able to secure an appointment with a new dentist near where she worked. Dr. Anderson had been looking after my teeth ever since I was a young lad, but retired earlier in the year. As much as I felt awkward around new people, I figured Iíd give this new bloke a shot, considering my dear sister had been gushing about how wonderful he was non-stop for the past few weeks. It wasnít as though I had much choice, anyway. The other dentists Iíd contacted, including every one of them at the Holistic Solutions Clinic, were booked solid for months ahead.
I didnít even give a toss if I had to get my teeth pulled, if it meant the pain would go away.
Unable to finish my meal, I downed the rest of my pint to help sate my hunger and perhaps give me a little Dutch courage before I left a tenner on the end of the bar and headed for the menís to carefully floss and brush.
It was torture, yes, but no sense in grossing out the new dentist with my recently acquired mustard pickle and beer breath.
I made my way across the cobbled alleyway that was a stoneís throw away from the city centre, the London sun shining and the air brisk with mid-October winds, until I found myself standing in the lobby of the two-storey building. Quickly checking the directory located next to a small cafe, I made my way up the single flight of stairs, passing by everything from chiropractors to physiotherapists, acupuncturists to hypnotherapists.
I was certain the name on suite door number ten, Acacia Dental Spa, was a contradiction in terms.
About the author
L. J. HARRIS is a mother of teenage twin boys who she loves with all her heart. Her family is her life, her soul, and the very reason she gets out of bed every day. Coming a close second to her family is her writing.
She only just discovered a passion for writing in the past five or so years. Sheíd always written little poems in birthday cards for family members, but that was as far as her writing aspirations wentÖuntil she decided to write poems and give them to family members as homemade gifts.
It was then a spark was lit, and ever since, she hasnít been unable to switch off the urge to write.
After a close family member fell ill, she began questioning what she wanted and searching for answers. Unable to sleep one night, she sat up and typed out her feelings on the laptop. Her husband read what sheíd written and encouraged her to write more. It was then she knew she wanted to share her thoughts with others. She began with writing what she knewóher life story, but couldnít get into it. Instead, she decided to write about something not based on fact, but fiction, and wrote a dream sequence which she showed to her family. They encouraged her to expand on it, and she hasnít stopped since.
L.J. Harris discovered that as much as enduring pain, loss, betrayal, or any other negative thing in our lives can be devastating, if she hadnít experienced them for herself, she not only wouldnít have found some lifelong friends, she doubts she would have been able to write the feelings of anguish and loss that some of her characters have had to endure.
L.J. has been previously published and has shared several online stories and looks forward to continuing to share her work.
L. J. Harris can be found at:
Website: http://theworldofljharris.blogspot.com.au
Email: lisa.harris1965@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LJHarrisAuthor?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LJHarrisAuthor
Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/heartofdarkess
