Andrew Q. Gordon's Blog, page 39
October 6, 2014
New Release: Jade – Book Blast and Giveaway
Jade, by Skylar Wood
Blurb:
Jade Tanner appears to have it all. To the world she is a self-made billionaire and business woman extraordinaire. However, it’s lonely sitting atop the corporate world, and more and more Jade can’t help but feel empty inside.
A secret sexual fantasy life begins as she starts chatting online with a beautiful young escort named Twylla Star. Becoming deeply immersed in this fantasy world, her desire to meet this woman soon becomes so overwhelming that Jade finds herself booking a date with her.
Meeting the delectable Twylla in Las Vegas, Jade is unprepared for the impact Twylla has on her the moment she holds the other woman in her arms. What started out as an unfettered sexual weekend with someone she’d never seen again, suddenly turns into something more.
When lust turns to love, are they strong enough to let go of the past to build a future together? And what will happen when the real world comes crashing back in?
Publisher: Dark Hollow Press
Cover Artist: 3 Rusted Spoons Cover Design
Sales Links:
Dark Hollow Press
Excerpt:
Twylla reached over in the bed for Jade only to find she was gone. She got out of bed and stumbled into the washroom to splash water on her face and then went in search of Jade. She found her in the kitchen. She was surprised at the surge of tenderness she felt when she looked at this woman, busy on her laptop. She had never felt anything like this for a date before.
“Morning,” she said, reaching her arms around Jade and kissing her neck.
“Morning, beautiful,” she replied, then kissed Twylla on the lips.
Pulling apart, she glanced at the computer screen. The name on the email was Jade Tanner. Twylla’s heart almost stopped in her chest.
Could this be the Jade Tanner, the founder of Jade Cosmetics and Tanner Enterprises? If so the woman she had spent the night with was a multi-billionaire. She kept a very low profile, so Twylla didn’t know what she looked like and hadn’t connected the name with the cosmetics tycoon. She knew Jade was very publicly against porn, and the sex industry in general. It didn’t make sense that the Jade Tanner would hire her for sex. Maybe the name was a coincidence.
She thought of all the times she had dated older gross men hoping they would take her as their mistress or possibly even see her as a wife. All of them saw her simply as a whore they had purchased. With Jade it had felt different. They had connected immediately. Their lovemaking had been erotic, sensual and blissful. She had enjoyed Jade’s body just as much as Jade had seemed to enjoy hers.
Jade closed her computer. “I’ve made coffee if you want it.”
She most definitely did. Walking away from her, she was aware of Jade watching her. She knew the power of her beauty and sexuality. Leaning against the counter, she turned so her robe fell partially open giving a teasing glimpse of her breasts.
Author Bio:
Skylar Wood lives in the very beautiful, lively and fun filled City of Edmonton, Alberta Canada, where there is always something going on, summer or winter. She feels it’s a great place to be.
Skylar is a reading fanatic and only wishes she had more time to do it. Jade is her first venture into the writing arena. She says that writing is hard work but it’s a refreshing change from her nine to five job. It provides fantasy and escape. She truly enjoyed writing Jade, a lesbian romance novel, stating it was a neat sexual fantasy to explore through the pages of a book and that writing Jade and seeing it publication has been one of the best experiences of her life.
Author Contact:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@SkylarWood623
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skylar.wood.921?fref=ts
Tour Dates: October 7, 2014
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, My Fiction Nook, Inked Rainbow Reads, Jade Crystal, Rainbow Gold Reviews, The Hat Party, Andrew Q. Gordon, Cate Ashwood, Prism Book Alliance, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, All I Want and More Books, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Amanda C. Stone, Iyana Jenna, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Velvet Panic, Fallen Angel Reviews, Queer Town Abbey, , Michael Mandrake
Click the Rafflecopter link below to be entered to win for a chance to win an eBook copy of Jade:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Book Blast is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
Say Something Book Tour – A Video Interview With BA Tortuga
As part of BA Tortuga’s Say Something Blog Tour, I got a chance to sit down and talk with her about wide range of things, including herself, how she writes and of course, Say Something. After you get a chance to watch the interview, scroll down and find out more about the book, check out the very cool cover and enter the giveaway.
Blurb:
Jenson has loved Mike his whole life, but he has never known how to tell Mike how he feels. After high school Mike leaves for college and his Hollywood dream, while cowboy Jenson stays behind in their small East Texas hometown. Neither man knows what to say to go beyond friendship, even though they come together through all of the best and worst times of their lives. The most amazing moments keep bringing them back together, but through huge love and terrible loss, sickness and health, their timing never seems right to take their relationship to the next level. When the universe gives them one final chance, Jenson must overcome his fear and say the most important something before it’s too late.
Author Bio:
Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing porn sites in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife (still amazing to say that), Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has gone to the high desert mountains and fallen in love. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Angsty G
Sales Links:
Dreamspinner Press:
Barnes and Noble:
Amazon:
ARe:
Author Contact:
https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
@batortuga on Twitter
Excerpt:
“So, this guy, he’s the one?” Ricky leaned over the edge of the bed, head dangling down.
“That kills brain cells, man.” Mike looked at himself in the mirror, working the thick pancake makeup to make the scar less noticeable.
“Uh-huh. So does green, and we smoke that. The scar is hot, honey. Leave it alone.”
Mike grunted. “He’s only ever seen it with stitches.”
“He’s, like, a real cowboy?”
“Uh-huh. We’ve been together forever. I just… I can’t believe he’s coming.” Really coming, here. Jenson. Finally. Mike touched up his eyeliner, and looked at himself again. Maybe glasses….
“You’re such a big queen.” Ricky laughed, waving at him upside down.
“You’re just jealous that I’m not your big queen.”
“Nah. You’re too toppy.” Ricky cackled, and Mike had to laugh. Everyone knew Rick would bottom up for anyone.
“Oh yeah. I’m a big bad leather daddy.” He turned and flexed, playing happily. Ricky was going to be a model. Hell, the guy was already working. Him, though, he still wanted to act.
He thought he could. His profs said he had talent. He just had his damned face to overcome.
The phone rang, and he spun around. “Oh God. Do you think it’s him?”
Tour Dates/Stops:
9/29: The Hat Party
9/30: Cate Ashwood
10/1: Amanda C. Stone, Velvet Panic
10/2: Parker Williams
10/3: Rainbow Gold Reviews
10/6: Andrew Q. Gordon, Prism Book Alliance
10/7: Lee Brazil
10/8: Fallen Angel Reviews
10/9: Hearts on Fire
10/10: Kimi-Chan
10/13: Tara Lain
10/14: Cathy Brockman Romances
10/15: Havan Fellows
10/16: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
10/17: MM Good Book Reviews
10/20: My Fiction Nook
10/21: LeAnn’s Book Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, The Blogger Girls
10/22: Love Bytes
10/23: Inked Rainbow Reads
10/24: Multitasking Mommas
Click the Rafflecopter Link below to be entered for a chance to win an eBook copy of Say Something
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This stop on the Say Something blog tour is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
October 5, 2014
Cover Reveal: Sam Kadence’s Unicorns and Rainbow Poop
Cover Reveal: Unicorns and Rainbow Poop, by Sam Kadence
Blurb:
Ex-boyband member Dane Karlson is struggling to overcome an eating disorder and a body dismorphic disorder. His fall through a glass table puts him in rehab and on the road to recovery. Then a friend dies. When depression causes him to lose ground, he calls for the only person he trusts–former bandmate Tommy. But Tommy doesn’t know how to help. He begs his friend Sebastian “Bas” Axelrod to aid them through the emotional struggle.
Bas, an openly gay high school student who’s recently lost his grandmother, is trying to survive his last few months of school before escaping to Stanford. Having just lost the only person in his family to care for him, he is victim to the cruelty of the others. His younger brother bullies him, and his parents are suing him for his gran’s inheritance. When Tommy calls, Bas can’t help but run to his side.
Together Dane and Bas find a middle ground, supporting each other through the lows, dancing together during the highs. They build friendships and plan for the prom and graduation, thinking positively as long as they are together.
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Excerpt:
“So I was thinking since you and I both care about Tommy, we have something in common. See, Tommy is stressed, and I thought we could do something nice for him.”
Dane sat but glared at the man suspiciously. “What sort of nice thing?”
Bas motioned to the bags. “We’re going to make him cookies.”
Dane gulped. “I don’t like food.”
“You won’t be eating it. Tommy will. He canceled a class to come here. Did he tell you? He was taking a theater class at the community college back in Minnesota. Had to withdraw to be here. And with college, you know that means giving up any money paid. Not that money matters much to you guys. Though as young as you all are, I hope you’re well invested.”
Bas shrugged at him and began taking things out of the bags. Flour, eggs, sugar—both white and brown—food coloring, butter, vanilla, and lemons.
“I didn’t know,” Dane said quietly. He’d thought Tommy would be the least affected by his problems. Of course he’d been wrong about that too. Couldn’t he do anything right? “I don’t know anything about cooking.”
“That’s okay. I got this recipe online. It’s pretty easy. We’re making unicorn poop cookies.”
“What?”
“They are sugar cookies with food coloring in them to make them all rainbow-like. Unicorns are good luck and all that. Supposed to be the embodiment of goodness and purity.” Bas picked up his tablet, tapped the screen, and flipped it so Dane could see. The cookies really did look like a big pile of rainbow poop.
“Looks tasty,” Dane grumbled.
“We shall see, right? Think you can measure for me?” He pulled out a couple of cookie sheets and turned on one of the many ovens. “I got permission to use the kitchen here, but we can’t get too rowdy or they’ll kick me out.” He winked at Dane. “I’m pretty sure the orderlies outside are to make sure I’m not burning the place down.”
Dane got up and moved around the counter to stare at the list of ingredients. Bas plugged in a big mixer and took the mixing bowl out of it, bringing it to the counter for them to fill.
“This is really for Tommy?”
“Sure. We can send some to Ru and Adam too if you’d like. I heard they are only an hour or so away.”
“I don’t want Ru to know I’m here,” Dane said immediately. He didn’t need to mess up anyone else’s life.
“No worries. We need tell them nothing other than that they are from you.”
Author Bio:
Sam Kadence has always dreamed about being someone else, somewhere else. With very little musical talent, Sam decided the only way to make those dreams come true was to try everything from cosplay at the local anime conventions to writing novels about pretending to run away to become a musician.
Sam has a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, sells textbooks for a living, enjoys taking photographs of Asian Ball Joint Dolls to tell more stories, and has eclectic taste in music from J-pop to rock and country. All of which finds its way into the books eventually.
Author Contact:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008292783586&fref=ts&ref=br_tf
https://www.facebook.com/SamKadence
@parisbvamp
This Cover Reveal is a Pride Promotions event. Click the badge for more information about Pride Promotions:
October 3, 2014
A Closed Door – Cover Reveal and Release Date Info
I’ve not published a straight up contemporary MM Romance yet – other than a free read or two on Gay Authors – so this is something of a milestone for me. This was something Lily Velden challenged me to write and I think it came out quite well, even if it is just a short story. I suspect I’ll want to try my hand at longer ones in the near future – especially if I get covers this nice again.
Will Parkinson from Pride-Promotions made this badge which talks about the book and shows the cover: (I’ll post the cover soon – promise)
The book is out on October 8th – so in just a few days. You can pre-order it already on the Wayward Ink Publishing website – the eBook is just $2.99 and the paperback is $5.99. Here’s the link:
Preorder Link
And with that, the last of the business is over and I’ll post the cover by itself. Hopefully you’ll like the cover as much as I do and maybe that will entice you to buy the book. :)
October 2, 2014
Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 38
Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 38
“Stop worrying.” Ethan said. He shook his head, but the Wi-Fi connection distorted it on Blake’s screen. At least the audio was clear. “I doubt he’s going to freak out.”
“I’m not worried about him going off on me, that’s not Brett’s style, but I’m not looking forward to moving out if it comes to that.”
Ethan’s face tightened and Blake braced for his response. “It doesn’t matter if he’s unhappy, that’s his deal. He needs to get his knuckles off the ground and move into the twenty-first century. Why do straight guys all think they’re at risk of being hit on by gay guys?”
“I don’t think he’s that bad, Eth.” Or maybe he was and Blake didn’t want to believe Brett was really upset. “But I think I make him uncomfortable.”
“Why are you defending him?” The way Ethan’s eyes narrowed told Blake they’d crossed the Rubicon. “He’s the one with a problem, not you. What does he have to be uncomfortable about? Do you stare at his junk when he gets changed? Do you grab his ass constantly? What?”
“You know I don’t do that.” Even if he found Brett attractive—and he didn’t—he wouldn’t do those things.
“Good, because if you did, you’d have more to worry about than Brett feeling uncomfortable.” When he winked, Ethan seemed to relax and reined in his anger a bit. “But still, you can’t defend him. If he’s uncomfortable, that’s on him.”
“I guess.”
“You guess? What’s there to guess about? He’s wrong.”
“Sometimes things aren’t black and white, Eth. He’s my friend. We were good friends last year. I like him.” And he wanted Brett to like him as a friend too.
“You won’t be able to have everyone like you. That’s true whether you’re gay or straight.”
“I know, but when you’re friends and then suddenly you’re not…” Blake shrugged and looked down. He recognized his answer played into Ethan’s point, but it didn’t make it easier to accept.
“Blake, I get it.” Ethan paused until Blake looked up. “Good friends are hard to come by and losing them over something that shouldn’t matter is even worse. but keep reminding yourself this isn’t your fault.”
“Yeah, I know.” He’d tell himself that, but he wasn’t sure he’d believe it.
“Besides, maybe everything will be fine.” The small nod did nothing to reinforce the hollow sounding words.
“Guess I’ll find out soon.” Blake checked the time at the top of his laptop. “Brett will be probably be back soon, so I should probably get going.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.” Ethan suddenly looked the way he always did when it was time to hang up. “Call me after?”
“Sure.” His mind already started to drift to what would happen when he confront his roommate.
“Okay. Miss you. Wish I could be there in person instead of just on Skype.”
He missed Ethan as soon as left after each visit, but at that moment, Blake really wanted his boyfriend sitting next to him instead of in Pittsburgh. “Yeah, I know. Would be nice when it’s over to be able to come see you instead of just calling.”
“It’ll work out, you’ll see.”
The assurance did nothing to allay Blake’s fears. “Thanks. I wish it was Friday night already.”
“I know. I look forward to coming to see you and the days seem to drag until I get there, then they fly by.”
Blake nodded. The silence continued as neither really wanted to end the call. Finally Ethan shifted in his seat.
“I’d better let you go.” The words might have said it was time to hang up, but the tone said, ‘please don’t go.’
Blake would have gladly kept talking except he could almost feel Brett walked toward their room. As difficult as he expected their chat to go, he knew that if Brett saw Ethan on the computer screen, it would be even harder.
“Yeah, I need to clear my head before Brett gets home.”
“Okay.” Ethan paused again and it seemed to Blake that they were each hoping the other would say goodbye first. Finally Ethan spoke. “Bye.”
“Bye. I’ll call you later.”
Reluctantly, he reached for the disconnect button and ended the call. If he hadn’t, they might have gone on for another hour. He shut his laptop and walked over to flop onto his bed. Lying on his back, he stared up at the ceiling for a few seconds and then closed his eyes. He tried to imagine how the talk with Brett would go, but what he wanted and how he expected seemed to fight for supremacy in his thoughts.
When someone put a key in the door, he opened his eyes but otherwise didn’t move. His heart pounded and he had an unsettled feeling in his gut.
“Blake?”
He turned toward his roommate who stood with his hand still on the door. “Hey Brett. Something wrong?”
“Wrong?” He shook his head and entered their room. “Just surprised to see you here. You don’t usually get back this early.”
“We have a game tomorrow so we had a short practice. I skipped the team dinner to…to talk to you.”
“Me?” He put his book bag on the desk and eyed Blake warily. “Why?”
“Look.” Blake sat up and swung his legs over the bed. “I’m not sure how to say this right so I’ll just say it. You seem weird around me lately. Is there something going on you want to talk about?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Brett’s refusal to meet his gaze told him a different story from the words.
“Yes you do.” His stomach churned and he swallowed to try to calm himself. “You’ve been avoiding me since I…since I told you. You wear a towel to get changed all of a sudden and you usually don’t come back until I’m asleep. It’s like we’re strangers.”
“Aren’t we?” Brett finally turned toward him. “I mean, you let me think you were someone else all last year.”
His fears suddenly roared to life, and Blake turned away. “I’m still the same person.”
A muffled ‘hmpf’ was the only response. The room was so quiet Blake thought he heard his heart pounding. Finally he’d let it go long enough.
“At least I know where we stand.”
He stood up and grabbed his laptop and shoved it into his bag. Avoiding looking at Brett, he searched for his phone and found it next to his books. As he pushed his phone into the pocket of his cargo shorts, he heard Brett move.
“I’m…I don’t…I just need some time to work this out.”
“Work this out.” Blake bit his lip and nodded several times. He kept his focus on the desk rather than look over. “Gotcha.”
“Please don’t be mad. This is just a lot to deal with.”
Blake snorted. “Right. A lot to deal with.” He turned to face his roommate. “I’ve no idea what there is to deal with. I’m still the same person I was last year, I’m just dating someone now. I’ve never hit on you, stared at you, made you feel uncomfortable. Ever. And I’m not going to start. But since you want your space I’ll talk to Jason and Darryl and see I can stay there and if they agree I’ll talk to the housing department.”
“Blake.” Despite the anguish in his voice, Brett refused to look at him.
“What, Brett? You want me to go, but don’t want to hurt my feelings? You want me to say it’s all good? That I’m fine with you being weirded out around me? What?”
Brett closed his eyes and shook his head. When he didn’t answer, Blake headed for the door. “I’ll let you know once I get an answer from Darryl and Jase.”
He pulled the door shut and resisted the urge to lean back against it. Right then he needed to put some distance between himself and Brett and their room. The stairs were closer than the elevator and less used so he pushed open the fire door with a boom and took the stairs two at a time until he reached the lobby. Ignoring everyone in the area, he made it outside before he let the crush of hurt slow him down.
Half in a daze, he walked over to a large oak tree and sat with his back to the trunk. It took several minutes of deep breathing to calm down. Finally he felt enough in control and fished out his phone. He tapped his foot as he dialed the number and waited until someone answered.
“Hey, Jase? Can I come over and talk?”
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Free Fiction Friday
September 29, 2014
Guest Author Tempeste O’Riley – Temptations of Desire Blog Tour.
Desires Entwined , #3
Today Tempeste O’Riley stops by to talk about book three of her Desires Entwined series, Temptations of Desire.
Good morning, Andrew Q. Gordon and my lovely readers! I thought I’d do something a little different today. I’m talking about body perceptions in connection to Temptations of Desire, my newest release in the Desires Entwined series. You see, Dal is 6’2”, very muscular, loves bikes, leather, has pale skin with little toffee colored freckles on the bridge of his nose and upper cheeks, and is a cop, so very masculine / butch, right? Well, other than the cute little freckles, at lease ;)
Alex is sort of his polar opposite physically. Alex is a light black man (physically); about 5’9″, high cheekbones, light tan / amber eyes, soft, chocolate brown hair, and is genderfluid. Alex is never the truly butch boy, even when he’s feeling all boy that day. It’s simply not him.
The main problem is that Dal’s appearance is what most expects of him, never something he has to fear, or questions. The worst he’s going to get is teased for being a ginger boy (very auburn/red hair!). Unless the clothes come off at least. He has something about his body that has been an issue in the past as well, but isn’t something most would realize unless he’s nude.
While Alex struggles to find comfort in his skin, no matter his gender identity that day, Dal does not. It’s never a question. Dal, however, has dealt with a couple of exes that have made him feel like a freak for not being ‘cut’ like so many men his age are. No, these issues are not the same in any way, or are they? In each case, the person struggles to find comfort and love of their body because of the words and actions of others. Dal can hide his with everyone, but a sexual partner, while Alex cannot. Not if he wants to be true to how the gender he feels shifts from day to day.
One of the things I strove to show was how love and acceptance of self is important to the security and hope each character felt. Whether it’s being rejected for being fluid in your sense of gender or you have something about your body that you’ve been emotionally hurt because of, it all matters to the person and is something we all deal with.
Who doesn’t have something about their body that they hate? That they have been picked on, hurt because of, or makes them feel “less”? It doesn’t matter if it’s only by your own perception, it all matters. In Alex’s case, it took finding Dal, a man that loves and embraces Alex no matter how he dresses, feels, or is at any given time. For Dal it was being loved by someone that thought him perfect, just the way he was.
What’s something you struggle with? Have you lashed out at others for being, looking, or acting differently than you would? Can you change that? Not how you look/are, but how you react to others. How we perceive ourselves is more important than how others do, but sadly, their input often warps our own view. Next time you want to tease, lash out, or insult, think. How would you feel? Only we can chose how we treat others because of our differences. It might just you that needs the kindness next time.
Description:
Alexander James Noble is a gender fluid gay man who gave up on finding Mister Right a long time ago. He’s not asking for much, though. He just wants a guy who loves all of him and appreciates his feminine form too.
At the local LGBTQ center where Alex regularly volunteers, he meets Dal Sayer, an officer of the Milwaukee PD. Because he’s been rejected one too many times, Alex doesn’t trust the huge cop and the interest he shows in him, but once Dal sets his mind on something, he goes all out. Pushing aside his preconceived notions, Alex opens up just a little and soon caves.
From their first date—while dealing with his father’s failing health and his parents’ demands for him to settle down and have children—Dal never takes his eyes off his goal of making Alex his. But proving to Alex he isn’t like all the men who couldn’t see him for who he truly was and only wanted to hide him away is harder than he thought.
Buy Links:
Add to: Goodreads
About the Author:
Tempeste O’Riley is an out and proud omnisexual / bi-woman whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what she couldn’t–defy the hate and come out. He has been her hero ever since.
Tempe is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.
Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, Rainbow Romance Writers, and WisRWA.
Learn more about Tempeste and her writing at http://tempesteoriley.com.
September 28, 2014
New Release: Georgia Knights, by Julia Talbot – Book Blast and Giveaway
Georgia Knights, by Julia Talbot
Blurb:
When anthropologist Georgia Cortez heads to rural Georgia from New Mexico, she’s on the trail of a juicy old legend. Haley Falls seems like just the place for old-time ghost stories and spooky hauntings, but she’s on the hunt for something far rarer, a survival of an old sect of medieval knights.
Caid and Alton are Haley Fall natives, and they used to be best friends. A falling out years ago ended in them not speaking, even after Alt left town and returned older, if not wiser. They unite when it comes to a nosy scholar like Georgia picking apart their heritage, and putting their whole town in danger. When boys meet girl, though, they decide wooing is far better than scaring the lady off, and they set about distracting Georgia in the best way.
While their three way romance heats up, so does the intrigue in Haley Falls, until the three of them are facing a danger far worse than falling in love with each other.
Publisher: Torquere Press Inc
Cover Artist: Alessia Brio
Sales Links:
Amazon:
ARe:
Torquere Press:
Excerpt:
“Boys…” She felt all flushed and tipsy, like her skin was too hot. It was amazing.
“Alt…” Caid stared at Alton over her head. “You. Damn it.” There was no anger there. Just a strangled heat.
Alton lifted one eyebrow. “Whut? We’re all adults here. There’s no reason not to enjoy ourselves.”
Well, that was true enough. She sure was enjoying them. A lot.
Georgia took a bit of pizza and offered it to Caid, holding it up to his lips. “Want some?”
“Mmmhmm.” Caid nipped it out of her fingers, licking at a little sauce that slid down to her knuckle.
She watched as he licked her finger clean, then offered a bite to Alton, going from sweet smile to wicked grin.
“Tasty.” Alton was more blatant, nibbling her fingers along with the pizza, loving on her.
Her nipples were hard as rocks, her belly taut and tense.
“Lord, Caid. She smells good, huh?” Alton leaned on her, smiling across at Caid, hand pushing Caid’s against her under the table.
“You both do.” Caid said it on a moan, Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Y’all are enough to make me breathless.” Talk about mating rituals. Jesus. She could write a bestselling erotic thesis about them.
“You’re the hottest thing I’ve seen since I laid eyes on Caid, and he’s been resisting me for years.”
Oh. Oh, God. Alton obviously had no filters. She took a moment to visualize that — fine bodies moving, rubbing. Kissing. Oh. Pretty.
Caid made another one of those noises, sounding almost pained. “Y’all.”
“I. Is there somewhere… The cook’s watching us.” And she wasn’t putting on a show for the sixteen-year-old, acne-ridden mouth breather.
“My place.” Alton threw a bunch of bills on the table, waving to the little teenagers who watched them avidly. “I need a box, kids.”
“Alton has a place almost up to the falls,” Caid whispered, breath hot on her neck.
“Okay.” She sounded like a phone sex worker, all breathy and husky.
They packed up the pizza and headed out, Alton hustling them back to her little rental SUV. He didn’t give either one of them time to think, either, just groped them both impartially.
“Alton, you’re dangerous. Sit in the back seat.”
“What? Why?” He pouted at her, but Caid punched his shoulder.
“Because no one can drive with you all over them, Alt. Get.”
She gave in to her baser instincts and went up on tiptoe to kiss the corner of Alton’s mouth. “I have to focus, huh?”
“Oh.” Alton blinked, those pretty gray eyes bright. “Got it. I’ll just sit in the back and…” He made an unmistakable motion with his hand.
She swatted him, chuckling. “Now, now. Don’t pop too soon.” She winked at Caid, offering him a quick kiss, too.
Caid surprised her with a kiss that curled her toes, capturing her mouth for a long moment before moving away. He went and sat in the passenger seat, staring, focused.
“Oh.” Wow. Okay. Driving.
Driving would be good.
Author Bio:
Julia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Torquere Press, Dreamspinner Press, and Changeling Press. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved
Author Contact:
Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at http://www.juliatalbot.com
Tour Dates: September 29th, 2014
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Love Bytes, Inked Rainbow Reads, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon, Prism Book Alliance, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Fallen Angel Reviews, Iyana Jenna, Amanda C. Stone, Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows
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Be sure to check back on Wednesday September 30, 2014, when Tempeste O’Riley stops by to talk about her new release,Temptations of Desire.
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September 27, 2014
Stranded Cover Reveal – A Wayward Ink Anthology
adjective
(of a boat, sailor, or sea creature) left aground on a shore.
‘a stranded whale’
left without the means to move from somewhere.
‘he offers a lift to a stranded commuter’
The boys in this collection of short stories have most definitely been left STRANDED!
They’ve been shipwrecked and abandoned.
Marooned and cast away.
And left helpless and high and dry.
But you should never underestimate the tenacity of the human heart.
Stories Included:
Craiving Stains by Alina Popescu
Trapped since birth in a sterile, hospital-like apartment, Wynn longs to break free to experience the world.
Enter Doyle. . .
But is Doyle real, or is he just a figment of Wynn’s imagination?
Say Cheese by Michael P. Thomas
Sitcom sensation Felix Medrano, Americaís Sweetheart, throws a star-studded surprise party for his sweetheart, beanpole barkeep Grover Shepherd.
It’s a smash, save for one detail: Shep is a no-show.
Who’d have thought it would be so hard to pop the question?
Standby by Kim Fielding
Who’d have thought being stranded at the airport could possibly have some long term benefits?
Certainly not Tom.
But then he hadn’t bargained on meeting Rafael. . .
The Raider by Asta Idonea
The gods truly do work in mysterious ways as Thorstein found out when he was left for dead on the battle field of a foreign land.
The Buckle by Rob Colton
One ditching and one rescue later, Hayden discovers the use of a telephone isn’t the only offer that’s on the table.
Ari by Nephylim
Benji and Ari have spent their lives feeling lost and alone, stranded between genders.
Can they help each other stop unravelling?
Opposites Attract by Lily G. Blunt
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?
Out of Order by Eric Gober
Rob was the one who got away.
Trent stumbles upon him during a trip to San Francisco.
Right before a deadly earthquake.
Dating for Deafies by Nikka Michaels
If Evan York keeps hiding from the world behind his laptop he might miss out on something special.
Will he find the courage?
One Snowy Night by Louise Lyons
One snowy night, Keith Brambles learns that appearances can be deceptive.
The Climb by kirifox
Jessie went camping with friends expecting to have some fun and maybe drink a little beer.
Instead, he found his perfect man.
But is he real or just a dream?
Did You Leave Any for Me by Sarah Hayes
Two ex-lovers, one hotel room, and one random act of technology.
Will they fall out or fall back in love?
Sweetness and Strength by JN Olsen
Miles makes one seemingly small and inconsequential decision that turns out to be not so small and inconsequential after all.
Pre-order now!
Get your copy of Stranded by pre-ordering it on the WIP website.
September 26, 2014
Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 37
After a couple weeks off to deal with some family issues, I’m back this week. Hopefully this will the start of a good run. :D
Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 37
“I’m telling you he’s acting weird.” Blake lifted his shirt and wiped the sweat from his eyes.
Dean didn’t bother with modesty and pulled his shirt over his head and used it to dry his face and neck. He bent over and grabbed his knees. “You’ve been running with my brother, haven’t you?”
The accusation wasn’t the response he expected. “Yeah. Why?”
“Cause you pick spots and run intervals like him. I hate that.”
“They’re good for you.” Having hated them at first too, Blake became a believer after how much stronger he felt during games. “You’ll appreciate it when you have your legs at the end of the first game.”
“I know they’re good for me, but I still hate them.” He used the white T-shirt to dab his face again. “So what’s Brett doing that’s weird?”
“I dunno, maybe it’s just me.” Having brought it up, Blake suddenly felt stupid talking about it. “Just forget about it. It’s probably nothing.”
“Clearly something bothered you or you’d never have said anything.”
Sure it bothered him, but that didn’t mean it was anything. “Like I said, maybe it’s just me looking for something when there’s nothing there.”
Dean flipped his shirt over his shoulder and got in front of Blake. “Stop the bs and tell me what’s got your boxers in a bunch.”
He did his best not to stare at the sweaty, half naked guy in front of him. Not only was Dean straight, he was Jason’s brother, and Blake was dating Ethan. But he was still hot.
“He’s quieter since I told him.”
“Could be a lot of things.” Dean nodded toward the field house. “Doesn’t mean he’s uncomfortable around you.”
“He keeps his towel around his waist when he puts his boxers on if I’m around.” There. He’d said it and it didn’t sound half as stupid as he feared.
“Did he do that last year?”
“Nope.” Blake shook his head. “And yesterday, when I came back from the shower he was getting dressed and nearly fell over trying to get his underwear on in a hurry. Like I was going to trying and….”
He shrugged and left out the rest. Dean could fill in the blanks without a full explanation.
“Okay, that’s weird.”
Great. Even a straight guy thought his roommate was acting weird. “So what do I do? If I call him on it, he’ll probably deny it. Or worse, he’ll say I freak him out.”
“Didn’t you say you guys talked it out?” Dean smiled at the female working the counter. “Hey, Jenna.”
“Hi Dean.” She smiled back and reached under the desk. When Jenna looked up, she handed Dean his ID card. “Here you go.”
Blake held back a snort. What to do with the all important, can’t get back into the facility without it, student ID card while on a run always proved a challenge. Dean had been on campus all of a month and he’d managed to make it a non-issue.
“Thanks.” He took the card, gave Jenna a wink and tapped it on the sensor. Blake dug his ID from the waistband of his shorts and followed his friend. They’d barely cleared the corner when Dean spun around, a big grin on his face. “I think she likes me.”
“Really?” He rolled his eyes. “Ya think?”
“Well I wasn’t sure at first.” For all that girls—and several gay guys Blake knew—swooned over Dean, he seemed oblivious to the attention. He was an inch or two shorter than Jason and not as lanky as his older brother, but Dean might be the better looking of the two. Not that Peter would agree of course.
“She does.”
“Says the gay…” Dean stopped speaking and his eyes opened wide. With a twitch of his head, he quickly scanned the hall. “Sorry.”
“For what? Mentioning that I’m gay?” Saying the last word out loud was a strain, but Blake had come out already and as Jason was always saying, Blake was “all in” now. “It’s not a secret anymore. Not with Ethan for a boyfriend.”
Dean’s grin returned. “Well no offense, but taking girl advice from the gay guy probably isn’t going to do me much good.”
“See, that’s where you’re so wrong.” They started walking again. “First, I don’t look at girls to see if they’re attracted to me, I watch who they stare at to see if the guy is cute.”
“That’s so wrong.” Despite his protest, Dean laughed. “What are they, your scouts or something?”
“Or something.” This was all pure bullshit, but he wanted to see how far he could take it with Dean. “Girl like hot guys too you know. I let them do the heavy lifting, and then I make use of their recon.”
“You’re crazy. You know that?”
They stopped talking as they walked through the locker room to the row where they’d left their stuff. Having not seen anyone on the way, Blake felt comfortable continuing the conversation.
“Think about it like this, not every hot guy is straight.” He raised an eyebrow waiting for Dean to react. “How they react when a girl is checking them out helps me figure who’s on which team.”
Dean’s eyes opened wider. “Seriously?”
Blake tried not to smile, but he couldn’t hold it back. “Nah, I’m just fucking with you. I can’t tell shit from how a girl looks at a guy.”
For a moment Dean didn’t react. Then he frowned and grabbed his wet shirt from his shoulder and flung it at Blake. Poised for some reaction, Blake still didn’t move fast enough. The shirt struck Blake in the chest and fell to the ground.
“Sorry, Dean, but I figured I’d mess with you after that, ‘don’t take advice from a gay guy’ comment.” He slid the tip of his toe under the white shirt and flipped it up toward its owner. “But I can still tell when someone is into someone else. And Jenna is into you.”
He pulled his t-shirt over his head and tossed it on the bench in front of his locker. “I’m going to get a towel, did you want me to get you one?”
“Nah, I’ll shower at home.” Dean began taking stuff out of his locker. “The showers here suck.”
“Yeah, well, bad as they are here, they’re worse in the dorm.” Without waiting for a reply, Blake walked back toward the towel shelf.
“Actually,” Dean called from behind. “Get me one too? I kinda stink.”
Blake snickered, but didn’t say anything. The crappy showers in the field house weren’t so bad if you wanted to impress the hot girl working the front desk. He grabbed a couple towels and made his way back to his clothes. He handed one to Dean and turned around to get undressed.
“What are you going to do about Brett?” Dean asked.
“I dunno.” He shrugged and toed off his running shoes. After putting them in his locker, he sat on the bench. “I’m not sure if I should do anything at this point. Maybe he’ll loosen up after a couple days.”
He finished getting undressed and put his things inside the locker. Snatching his towel off the bench, he quietly made his way to the showers. He’d barely started to adjust the water when Dean arrived.
“You should talk to D.”
“Darryl?” Blake would have expected Dean to suggest his brother. “Why him?”
“Darryl’s had to deal with his best friend and roommate coming out to him. Maybe he’d have some better advice.”
They showered in silence as Blake mulled over the suggestion. Darryl might be the better option, but given how quickly and completely he accepted Jason after he’d come out, he might not have anything useful to offer. Then again.
“I think I’ll ask D what he thinks.” He said it as much for himself as for Dean. Either way, it felt awkward in his room now, so going to talk to his captain was a good excuse to get out of the room.
Dean rinsed the soap from his face and said, “Cool. Come over for dinner. Pete’s cooking tonight so I know D will be there.”
Blake laughed and leaned into the spray. “Okay.”
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September 25, 2014
New Release: Hidden Gem, by Lissa Kasey – Book Blast and Giveaway
Blurb:
Misaki “Aki” Itou is a psi—a person with mutated DNA granting him psychic abilities. He’s also a contracted companion—a whore. It may not be the perfect profession, but having a roof over his head, food to eat, and not being subjected to torture is a dream come true. He is the top companion at the Hidden Gem, and it makes him enough money to buy the prettiest, most sparkly shoes he can find.
Shane McNaughton is an Irishman who survived the Third World War and works as a cop. Head of Missing Persons, he’s good at finding people, but after the plague of the Third mutated his DNA, he has a hard time letting anyone see the monster inside. He’s been paying for Aki’s services for two years, both the psi and the sexual kind, but he wants more from the companion.
Shane needs Aki’s ability to see into another person’s past to track down a serial killer murdering the children of rich and powerful men, but the more they work together, the clearer it becomes that they are linked through a darker past than either of them realizes.
Cover Artist: Siobhan
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Sales Links:
eBook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5376
Paperback : http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5377
Excerpt:
Aki swept up a bottle of McNaughton’s favorite scotch and headed toward the broad Irishman. The man’s shoulders were arched forward, back tense, hair a sexy mess, and face covered with a couple days’ growth. Obviously the cop was on a difficult case. The detective hadn’t yet asked for him, just for his usual meal—almost bloody steak with a baked potato.
“You look like you could use a drink,” Aki told him as he slid into the chair beside him. He turned an empty glass over and poured three fingers of the golden liquid.
McNaughton sighed, his dark eyes roaming over Aki’s small body, platinum blond hair pulled up and styled with sparkling pins, see-thru knit top, and super-short skirt, then over his bare legs down to the gleaming heels. The shoes were a silver mesh of crystals that slid up just past his ankles. A gift from McNaughton. The cop sucked in a deep breath and slid his hand over the covered part of Aki’s thigh. He knew better than to touch bare flesh to bare flesh. Aki was a cognitive psi, could see entire lives of horrors with a single touch, and he was sure McNaughton’s past was filled with a lot of nasty memories.
“Wish you had time for me tonight. But I’ve got a feeling you’re booked up tight.” He glanced back at the room bustling with companions and potential customers. Aki was the only psi in the room, his pale-pupiled blue eyes telling the world that he was different.
“I’m sure Bart can fit you in.” Aki’s eyes scanned the room until he found his boss, who was engaged with negotiations with another client. “Looks like you need some trouble eased tonight.” He leaned in close enough his breath ran across McNaughton’s cheek.
McNaughton turned his head, lips nearly close enough to touch. “Would love a bit of time with your shine.”
“Words like honey, McNaughton.”
The cop flashed him one of his rare, heart-stopping smiles then nodded as Bart appeared beside them. “Table seven is ready, Aki. Number one.” Bart told him.
Aki grabbed Bart’s wrist with a gloved hand. “The cop needs some time tonight. You can make that happen, right?”
“Of course.” Bart nodded to them and took Aki’s vacated seat and Aki made his way to his next client of the evening. There were only two services Aki performed. A hand job and a blow job, one and two. This client wanted number one—which meant he was cheap since rarely did anyone ask for a hand job from him. But his prices were astronomical anyway.
“Hello,” Aki smiled at the man as he slid into the chair opposite him. The client was dressed nice, button down shirt, pressed pants, but he was bald and a little heavier around the waist. A politician probably. “If you’re ready we can head upstairs.”
The man barely spoke, but he leered, eyes tracing over Aki’s form more like he was cattle than a night of entertainment. Even in his worst moments McNaughton had never done that. It wasn’t appreciation, but something darker. Aki sighed internally and hoped this would be fast. He knew a thousand ways to get a man off in minutes. Something about him just set off Aki’s creep radar.
“I hear some wait months for the pleasure of your time,” the man said with slightly accented speech.
Not usually. The only ones who waited weeks were because their schedule and Aki’s conflicted or because they’d done something to upset him or Bart. Most clients got in within a few days if not the same day of requesting Aki’s time. And regulars were always given precedence over someone not yet vetted like this client. “If I don’t please you I can see if Preston or Royce is available.”
“I was hoping for Candy originally.”
Was always good to be told he was second choice. Aki gritted his teeth. “Candy only serves a special kind of client. And he does have a wait list.” Mostly because he took clients who wanted a little more kink than any of the other male companions preferred. Aki was going to recommend this client be removed from the premises after the service was over.
“I guess you’ll have to do then. Won’t you?” He gave Aki a chilling smile.
Bastard. Aki got up from his seat and offered his gloved hand to the man who followed closely. They’d reached the stairs when the man grabbed him, yanked Aki against him and shoved his hand up Aki’s skirt, groping him and sending him into a spiral of nightmares.
A dark room. The metallic stink of blood. Screams. The sound of knives being sharpened. Metal bars clanking. Crying. Pain. The music of an ice cream truck. How odd. It was all ripped away a moment later, but Aki’s stomach was already heaving. The small plate of fruit and yogurt he’d had for dinner was not going to stay down.
Someone carried him unceremoniously to the private companion bathroom near the kitchen and set him in front of the toilet just as the mash of fruits and dairy came up. Aki heaved a couple of minutes, his brain swirling with the images that thankfully began to fade just as quickly as they’d come. With any luck he’d be able to brush his teeth, wash his face and go about his work day.
He glanced up to find Manny, the head of security standing at the door. McNaughton knelt beside Aki. Had held his hair back and even used his jacket to cover Aki’s bottom. The skirts really were too short.
“Bart is already having the guy removed. He should never have touched you like that. Sorry I didn’t get to you quicker,” Manny told Aki. “Grateful to you, Detective, for responding so quickly.”
McNaughton stroked Aki’s back, using the soft material of the sweater to run circles over his spine. “Want to talk about it?”
Aki sighed. “Same crap. Just weird. Darkness, crying, smelled blood. Heard knives.” He shook his head. “The guy could work at a butcher for all I know. The memories get so jumbled.” Often with his own horrific past. “Thought I heard a kid. And bars rattling like in a jail. And the music from an ice cream truck.”
McNaughton nodded like it made perfect sense to him and helped Aki get up and make his way to the sink where there were spare toothbrushes and endless varieties of paste. The cop leaned over and kissed Aki’s hair. “Gotta go. I’ll have Bart reschedule me sometime this week though. Love that you wore my shoes.” He was gone a moment later.
Aki cleaned up and made his way back to work. At least the night was almost over. He was sad that McNaughton hadn’t stayed. Would have liked to see that smile another time or two. At least the rest of the night flew by without incident, even if the detective didn’t return.
“Sleeping with me tonight?” Candy asked as he stripped out of their work clothes, leaving just a pair of bright pink underwear and crawled into bed. His purple hair was already brushed and eyes heavy with sleep.
“Please,” Aki whispered. He stripped off everything but his underwear too. After putting his shoes and pins away, he washed his face.
“Heard that guy touched you. What a jerk.”
“He wanted you to begin with.” Aki curled up beside his best friend.
Candy flicked off the light. “I would have brought him down a few pegs.”
Aki smiled, but he didn’t want to think of the horrible man at all. Those memories just needed to go away. He had enough of his own to battle with each day. He fell asleep hoping to wake up with less nasty memories each day.
The next afternoon Aki was up early and at Artie’s for breakfast—best 24/7 diner in the area—when McNaughton arrived. The man sat down at his table without asking and pushed a pair of slim, jeweled, yellow flat sandals into Aki’s hands. “What’s this for?” Aki asked.
He just shook his head. He threw a stack of cash on the table and motioned to the waitress. “Anything he wants is on me.” He then got up from the table and headed for the door.
“Well that was weird,” Aki said to LuAnn, the waitress.
She pointed at the Vid screen. “He had a rough night. Caught the guy who was killing kids.” The Vidscreen was turned to the news. Something about a man named the “Ice Cream Killer” had been captured. Apparently he used an ice cream truck to lure kids in, kidnapped them, raped them and killed them. Real monster.
A picture popped up of the guy. It was the client from the Gem. Maybe that’s why McNaughton was at the Gem. No matter what he hoped the detective visited him tonight. The new yellow shoes would need a new skirt to match…
Author Bio:
Lissa Kasey lives in St. Paul, MN, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, and collects Asian Ball Joint Dolls who look like her characters. She has three cats who enjoy waking her up an hour before her alarm every morning and sitting on her lap to help her write. She can often be found at Anime Conventions masquerading as random characters when she’s not writing about boy romance.
Author Contact:
Twitter: @parisbvamp
Website: www.lissakasey.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lissa.kasey
Available from Dreamspinner Press:
Inheritance
Reclamation
Conviction
Ascendance
Hidden Gem
Available from Lissa Kasey:
Friction
Resolute
Consequences
Decadence
Jamie
Devotion
Samhain
Dominion Shorts (compilation)
Available from Lissa Kasey/Xara X. Xanakas
Sink or Swim
Tour Dates: 9/26/14
Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Emotion in Motion, Velvet Panic, Decadent Delights, Book Whores United, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Amanda C. Stone, The Hat Party, Jade Crystal, Iyana Jenna, Nephylim, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Sinfully Sexy, Cate Ashwood
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