Tempeste O'Riley's Blog, page 19

RainbowCon 2015 Is Coming! Are you ready?

As many of you know, I’ll be at RainbowCon 2015 in Tampa, FL this July. I thought I should share more about the con and let y’all know how to get your tickets. I can’t wait to meet all the other authors and all the great readers out there!

Oh, and there will be tons of great vendors so you can pick up new books and get them signed right there!

#Interview with Guest Author Grace R. Duncan

Interview with Guest Author

Grace R. Duncan

Real, erotic, forever...

Thank you for stopping over to visit, Grace. In case my lovely readers don’t know who are, I thought I’d do a little sit-down visit with you and help us all get to know you. Also, today is the two year anniversary of your debut novel, Choices. Can’t believe it’s been two years! Love Teman, Jasim, Bathasar, Nadir, Cyrus, and many of your other characters in the Golden Collar series, and cannot wait to dive into more.

When did you first consider yourself an author?

Grace: When I finally held my contract for Choices in my hand. I was getting paid for this thing! Then I started wondering if someone would figure out I was this great big pretender because… holy shit, I was an author! O.O

It’s the best feeling!

But, do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do to get past it?

Grace: All the damned time. I have a number of tactics I try. First is distraction—force myself to not write for a while. If that doesn’t work, I try a different story. If that doesn’t work, I find wailing, moaning, licking my palms, and tearing my hair…well, it doesn’t help the writer’s block, but it does make everyone else as miserable as me.

If your writing was translated, which would be your preference: TV, movie, play, or Broadway?

Grace: TV or movie I’d guess, though I know at least some of it would require porn. *laughs* I’ve often wondered if I could get a porn studio to consider my Golden Collar series. *grin* Ahem. That said, I usually have a dream cast in my head of at least the main characters for all my books.

Oh… now that’s an idea

Does your family know what you write, and if so, how did they react when you first told them what and how explicit your writing would be?

Grace: Yes. In fact, I’m pretty sure everyone does. My husband reads it, helps critique it, even. The rest of them don’t want to touch it because, “ew, Mom! That’s sex and YOU wrote it!” Since I’ve been writing fanfiction for years—and it was as explicit as my original fiction is—it’s nothing they didn’t already expect.

Have you ever met someone in real life, or a stranger, that you turned into a MC?

Grace: *smirks* Well, now, I can’t say exactly, can I? In truth, most of the people I’ve met or know have or will end up in a book somewhere. For those I like, well, they get a happily ever after. For those I don’t… well, most of the time, I find creative ways to make them miserable or kill them.

Who is your favorite author and why?

Grace: Oh God, that’s… I don’t know that I have one. I suppose Tolkien is at the top, as is Stephen King. The problem is, I have favorites within a genre, but not necessarily overall. Tolkien and King are so different, you know? I love Tolkien’s world and King’s crazy scary ideas and Rowling’s magic and and and…

Boxers, briefs, commando? What’s your favorite way to “dress” your man?

Grace: Truthfully, he tells me. I try not to overdo anything, but if they both wear briefs, they do. I’ve known too many guys who wear (or don’t) each thing to ignore anything.

We already know you love to write in different genres, but why do you feel you share your voice best when writing amongst the different genres?

Grace: I’m writing in different ones because I like to explore different worlds, different focuses. My wolf shifters have a different goal than my pleasure slaves do. And both have different goals than my virus survivors do. I like being able to experiment a little, play in all sorts of places.

And just because I love to tease what are you working on now, and what is coming up from you next?

Grace: Wellllllll, I’m currently playing around on a cruise ship with a couple who forgot how to talk to each other. Everything sort of blew up on them when one panicked over kink and submission, but the other refused to give up. Despite a five year break, he’s determined to fix what was broken and now they’re trying to find their way back to each other.

My next novel coming up is due out in July. I’m really excited about this one. Contemporary BDSM entitled Turning His Life Around! Here’s the tentative blurb:

When Kane Harris’s world turns upside down, the only one to catch him is his lifelong best friend, Ian Kelly. Ian, who’s been in love with him for years, but has accepted that love will never be returned, knowing Kane believes himself incapable of it.

So Ian is willing to settle for what he can get–a best friend, roommate, sometime fuck-buddy, and occasional submissive. He’s already learned he can’t live without Kane, though he can’t let Kane know that, or the truth of his feelings because when, not if, Kane confirms his fears, he knows he wouldn’t be able to take it.

But when Kane loses his job and asks Ian to step up their play to help him deal, Ian realizes his ability to hide his feelings is quickly failing. And when Kane is given the opportunity to start his own computer security firm and wants Ian to join him, Ian struggles further. It’s not until they’re invited to the exclusive BDSM club, The Iron Door, however, that things come to a head. When Kane screws up big time, he’s afraid he won’t be able to fix it. And if he doesn’t figure out these confusing feelings, he’s sure he’ll lose his best friend, his Dom, his… everything forever.

And on that wonderful note, I thought I’d share a little from Choices. So sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Choices

Golden Collar, book one

Historical M/M BDSM Romance

Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Release Date: March 4, 2013

Length: 380 pages / Novel

Born and raised a gypsy in the late eleventh century, Teman values freedom over everything. He and his best friend, Jasim, are thieves for hire—until one night they’re caught and their precious freedom is revoked. Given the choice between the dungeons or palace pleasure slavery, they become slaves, but Teman vows to escape someday.

Bathasar doesn’t want the throne. He supports his brother instead, which suits their sadistic father, Mukesh. When Teman, the handsome slave Bathasar has secretly been watching, saves his life, Bathasar requests a slave for the first time. Before long, Bathasar and Teman fall in love. But all is not well. One day Mukesh brutalizes Teman before the court, angering the empress of a neighboring nation. To appease her, he then offers her Jasim as a gift, and Teman decides to stay with Bathasar for now—despite the abuse he may suffer.

The peace doesn’t last. Mukesh plans to invade Jasim’s new country, and Bathasar must find a way to stop the destruction. But if he succeeds, he’ll ascend to the throne and have the power to grant Teman his liberty. Then Teman will surely leave him. What other choice could a gypsy make?

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The captain stood up and paced around them, taking his time looking them over. Teman wanted to squirm, fidget, or something, but he managed to resist, albeit with difficulty. He’d never liked being the center of attention, unlike Jasim, who happily took it on. Teman’s dislike of that kind of thing was partially what lured him into the shadows, deep hoods, and darker corners of the world.

“Even without the charge of attempted murder, you have reached your third chance,” the captain said, coming to a stop in front of them. “By our laws, I must punish you, and harshly. I have some leeway in what I choose,” he said, and Teman’s head snapped up in surprise. He caught Jasim’s start out of the corner of his eye, but he refused to look over, lest he give their eagerness away. “But only by so much,” the captain finished.

He turned around and walked across the room, out of their field of vision since neither dared move. The quiet of the large chamber was unnerving thanks to the fact that the soft slippers the captain wore made no sound as he walked, save the slight scrape of silk against marble. They waited impatiently for their sentence while they heard him move around, opening a cabinet and then closing its doors. They heard the sound of metal rattling, then the near-silent slippered steps as the man crossed the room again.

When he stood in front of them, he held four large rings in his hands. They were big enough to go around a man’s neck, and Teman stared at them for a moment, incomprehension clouding his mind. And then, as if a flame was put to wick, he realized what they were.

But that only succeeded in confusing him further. Because two of them were obvious—they were the heavy, blackened iron collars worn by the prisoners in the dungeons. He’d been lucky enough to never actually be down there, but he’d met a few men who’d gone and managed to escape. They’d told him plenty about it—including about the collars, cuffs, and shackles—which had only fed his determination to stay out of the place.

But the other two collars the captain held weren’t heavy iron. They were only a couple of inches wide, very thin and made of etched gold. They were hinged on one side, and on the other was a loop for a lock, with another ring below made to be hooked on to things.

And then it all clicked. Teman had heard the rumors regarding slaves the malik kept in his palace. Slavery was still a very common practice even within their own country of Neyem, though usually it was more along the lines of indentured servitude. And he’d never had it confirmed exactly what the palace slaves did, though the rumors were that they were pleasure slaves.

He’d had trouble believing it. The malik was so cold and looked so… untouchable that Teman couldn’t quite reconcile the idea of the man doing anything as warm and human as sex. Whether the malik was involved or not, the golden collar the captain was holding couldn’t be mistaken. It was most definitely a representation of palace servitude. But, what kind?

Teman looked from the collars up to the captain, raising his eyebrows. The captain met his eyes, then spoke. “I told you that I have some leeway in punishment. I have the right to toss you in the dungeon. But I think it would be a waste.” Teman wondered at the tone of voice. It seemed almost regretful at the idea of sending them down there, but Teman couldn’t figure out why this man would possibly care about them or what difference their fate would make to him.

“Instead I will offer you a choice,” the captain said, meeting first Teman’s eyes, then Jasim’s, before lifting the rings again. He held one of each type in each hand, and dropped them at their feet. “The gold collar is worn by palace slaves. You will lose your freedom one way or the other, but how you lose it is up to you.”

He turned, walked back to his chair and considered them carefully, then continued in a quiet voice. “The palace slaves are pleasure slaves. They serve the malik and the amirs, the masters and mistresses of the palace and their visitors. If you choose that, you are a slave. Your choice ends there. What they wish to do to or with you is entirely up to them. Your body will no longer belong to you; it will belong to them. When it comes to many things, you will no longer have free will.”

He paused to allow the words to sink in. Then he said simply, “Or you may take the other.”

Teman didn’t have to ask what the other was. It was a one-way trip to the dungeons and darkness, bare minimums on food, drink, and even air. And the near impossibility of escape. As a palace slave, he might well have a much better chance. He didn’t know if they were chained or locked up in any way, but he figured, one way or the other, there was a greater possibility of getting out. And, at the very least, it was likely to be better until he could try for freedom. He glanced over to see his best friend’s eyes fixed on the two collars on the floor. Jasim’s expression showed the confused jumble of thoughts that were undoubtedly mirrored on Teman’s own face.

He wanted to ask what being a pleasure slave really entailed, wanted to ask a million questions that crowded into his head, but he held his tongue. He knew enough about the alternative that, in the end, he didn’t think it really was much of a choice. He wasn’t sure why he hesitated. It wasn’t like he’d never had sex before. He’d done plenty with both genders. He’d never been attached, so that wasn’t an issue either.

And, in the end, the one thing that meant the most—his freedom—wasn’t an option either way.

His best friend looked over at him and met his eyes. Jasim nodded, Teman gave one in return, and together, they knelt down and picked up their fate.

Grace Duncan grew up with a wild imagination. She told stories from an early age – many of which got her into trouble. Eventually, she learned to channel that imagination into less troublesome areas, including fanfiction, which is what has led her to writing male/male erotica.

A gypsy in her own right, Grace has lived all over the United States. She has currently set up camp in East Texas with her husband and children – both the human and furry kind.

As one of those rare creatures who loves research, Grace can get lost for hours on the internet, reading up on any number of strange and different topics. She can also be found writing fanfiction, reading fantasy, crime, suspense, romance and other erotica or even dabbling in art.

Find & Follow Grace Online:

http://www.grace-duncan.com/

http://facebook.com/GraceRDuncan2

http://www.twitter.com/@GraceRDuncan

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/grace-r-duncan

http://slashwriter.tumblr.com/

#Interview with Guest Author Lissa Kasey

Interview with Guest Author
Lissa Kasey
More than just Romance…

Thank you for stopping over to visit, Lissa. In case my lovely readers don’t know who are, I thought I’d do a little sit-down visit with you and help us all get to know you. Also, today is the rerelease of Inheritance (cue the combo Kermit flail and Snoopy dance!). I’ve love the Dominion series since I first stumbled on the first edition of this book, so I can’t wait to see what you’ve added/tweaked!

You write so many genres and flavors of love, heat, and growth. What makes your stories different from other authors out there?

Lissa: My heroes are usually very damaged and the story is a matter of them evolving to be better people. Sex is sort of the last element. So if you’re looking for super hot kink, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. If you’re looking for world building stories about characters who are struggling just to make a place for themselves in a world that doesn’t want to accept them, then you’d like my stuff.

That’s so true, but when you do write sex, it’s both hot and sweet. And while damaged, all your characters are addictive to read about
When did you first consider yourself an author?

Lissa: When I finished writing my first book. That was when I was 16 or so. Though I didn’t get published until in my thirties.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do to get past it?

Lissa: All the time. I usually talk out scenes with friends or fellow writers and then do word wars to make myself write. I can do it. I just sometimes don’t want to.

If your writing was translated, which would be your preference: TV, movie, play, or Broadway?

Lissa: TV. My stuff has so much world building I’d probably have to have a TV miniseries.

Does your family know what you write, and if so, how did they react when you first told them what and how explicit your writing would be?

Lissa: I’ve always sort of been weird, so it really didn’t come as a surprise to them. Though none of them are readers anyway.

Have you ever met someone in real life, or a stranger, that you turned into a MC?

Lissa: I’m sort of an anti-social introvert. I don’t meet a lot of people that I talk to enough to turn into characters. Sometimes I’ll see an element of someone online that I will add to a character, but rarely is it inspired by a real person.

Who is your favorite author and why?

Lissa: Andrea Speed. Her world building is divine and she does it without having to do the necessary sex that seems required in the m/m genre. And people still love her stuff. I love her stuff.

Love her stories! I’m amazed with how she writes and how real the characters are.
But, even though sex it’s the priority… when our boys lose their pants do you go for boxers, briefs, or commando? What’s your favorite way to “dress” your man?

Lissa: Depends on the character. I’ve got one guy who wears lacy undies, others who wear jocks.

We already know you love to write in different genres, but why do you feel you share your voice best when writing amongst the different genres?

Lissa: My main focus is speculative fiction but I have done young adult contemporary and adult contemporary. I often try to write things that challenge me just to see if I can.

And just because I love to tease what are you working on now, and what is coming up from you next?

Lissa: Finishing up Cardinal Sins which is the sequel to Hidden Gem. Then on to some edits for Reclamation‘s rerelease. This year is a really busy schedule as I’m going to have around seven or eight releases by the end of the year

I can’t wait! And on that wonderful note, I thought I’d share a little from Inheritance. So sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Inheritance
Dominion, book one

Paranormal (witch / vampire) M/M Mystery Romance
Cover Artist: Simone Hendricks
Rerelease Date: March 3, 2015
Length: Novel / 65,000 words

Seiran Rou’s life is complicated—he’s the only male in the world allowed to take magic classes in a female-dominant society, his vampire boyfriend, Gabe, is hinting that he wants more, and his mother is demanding a grandchild. But when a co-worker turns up dead on his doorstep, Seiran realizes his problems are only beginning.

With the police dogging his steps, a stalker-like bartender watching his every move, and a magic groupie following him around, Seiran is finding it hard to hide his power—a power that if revealed could get him killed. The Dominion, the ruling body of elemental magic, seems to have started a deadly game to control the rare magic he possesses.

Someone is pulling strings, murdering witches, and gathering power. When Seiran finds himself next on the hit list, he doesn’t know whether to run and hide or prove himself to be the powerful witch he is. If he stands up and fights, he’ll have to decide what is more important—hiding his power or protecting the ones he loves.

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Professor Wrig gestured to the stump. “Seiran, if you will demonstrate, please?”

Rose looked like she’d swallowed a lemon. “I can show them how it’s done, Professor,” she said.

“I’m sure you can, Miss Pewette. However, I already asked Mr. Rou.”

I took a deep breath and stepped up to the stump, wondering if I was allowed to actually focus with the earth this time. “Can I kneel?” I asked Wrig quietly.

“Whatever you feel is necessary.”

I knelt and waited for instructions.

Professor Wrig explained, “As Mr. Rou is showing you, he is putting himself in close contact with his element. He will be pulling power from the earth. Should he accidentally pull too much, he can give it back without causing damage to us or the surrounding area. He will take the time he needs to focus his power, and then he will place his hands to the stump. All witches with a measurable level will make something grow. A level one will produce moss or ivy. A level two will create flowers or even a small bud of a new tree. His level is set by what grows. Whenever you’re ready, Seiran.”

“Try not to kill any of us,” Rose sneered from behind me.

I sighed, closed my eyes, and left all their scattered whispering behind. It didn’t matter that Rose didn’t shut up or that Blond Hair looked at me like he was imagining what sex with me would be like. The earth and I knew each other well. I let it flow through me, like I was nothing more than a pebble in a lake to be shaped and guided by it. Each breath brought renewed life. I set my hands to the stump, remembering the last time, when I’d made wildflowers burst forth from the dead tree. This time I didn’t even look. The earth would grow what it wanted to with me as its conduit.

The power flowed through me in natural peaks and waves. The crowd gasped. The wood shifted and moved beneath my hands. I let the earth move as it wanted until the final wave subsided. Letting go, I opened my eyes and stared at a giant oak tree, leaves growing to a rich, vibrant green. No wildflowers this time. I smiled at the tree and patted its strong, new trunk, which split the old stump in half.

“Very good, Mr. Rou,” Professor Wrig told me. She offered me a hand up. I stood, dusted off my pants, and went to the back of the line. “Next,” she said.

And so began the testing.

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.

Find & Follow Lissa Online:

Website
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Dreamspinner Press

 

Temptations of Desire by Tempeste O’Riley: #Review #GuestPost #Giveaway @TempesteO

Carly’s Book Reviews

Temptations of Desire

(Desires Entwined, Book 3)

by Tempeste O’Riley

Genres: Contemporary, Gay, Erotic, Romance

Confidence & Being True to You

First, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Carly for hosting me today. What do I want to discuss now that I have the mic? One of the key driving ideas behind many of my stories, especially Temptations of Desire… being true to who you truly are and finding the confidence to live your truth openly….

Click here to read more and to enter to win!

Interview with Joe Cosentino and me on #writeontheedge

For many of you, you already know that I was on “Write on the Edge” with Wt and Writers Online Network. If you didn’t hear Joe Cosentino and me last night (it’s ok, you can still hear us, promise) WON Radio posts their previous shows so anyone that couldn’t be up that late (or early depending) can still get in on the fun!

Wt is beyond funny! Love him to pieces—only the fun kind

We talked about so many things, and it was 60 minutes of non-stop fun. I had the great pleasure of meeting Wt last year, but Joe was new to me. I have to say though that Joe is a blast to chat with. His students must love him.

If you don’t know who Joe is, you’re really missing out! Joe writes both M/M and M/F, was both a Hollywood and stage actor, and now teaches theater. All that experience is now poured into the wonderful stories Joe weaves and shares with us, so check him out.

Joe Cosentino is the author of An Infatuation (Dreamspinner Press), Paper Doll, the first Jana Lane mystery (Whiskey Creek Press), Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press-releasing this summer), and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). His upcoming novels are Porcelain Doll (the second Jana Lane mystery) and Drama Muscle (the second Nicky and Noah mystery). http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com.

Write On the Edge is produced by WON Radio as part of Writers Online Network (WON). More information about WON is available at www.writersonlinenetwork.com. They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @won_radio and @writersonnet

Writing Challenges and plans…

Afternoon and wow! Has it been a while since I’ve been able to post a good update. Sorry about that but as the migraines and Fibro don’t care what I want to do (sick of health issues, sigh). BUT, today I’m writing to let you in on a little writing fun. I’m almost done with a cat shifter book and will be submitting it to Dreamspinner Press shortly (yay). I’ve also joined the writing challenge through the RWA called The End. It’s where a group of authors take up the challenge to write every month. The goal is 2k words a month, but I’m hoping to manage more so I can share my lovely boys with you all!

Yep, that’s my goal right now. I have a long list of stories I want to write, but I have to be real about it and pace myself thanks to my health. Between the EDS complications, the pain (as listed above), and life, I promise I’m writing the best I can. I’m gotten some wonderful emails from readers that realize my health is messed up, and THANK YOU to each and every one of you! It means so much to me that you would take the time to write.

Also, I hope to have the shifter book I mentioned above submitted by the end of the week, so keep your fingers crossed for me I can’t wait to share Jason and Keith with you. I’ve enjoyed writing them and will hate to let them go, but I must. Then I’ll get back to the Desires Entwined world, and then maybe get my kink on for a book or two. You’ll just have to wait and see what my demented little mind comes up with

So, what’s your goals this year and what’s your favorite critter (shifter)? Oh, and which to you like better? Whiskers of a Chance or The Chain of Fate? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Guest Author Elizabeth Noble, author of "A Barlow Lens"

Writers are risk takers.

You wouldn’t think so, sitting at a desk or table typing away on a keyboard. I mean, seriously, what sort of risk could there be doing that? It’s not as if you often hear people talk about that old typing injury flaring up.

The fact is, writing is a very risky business.

With every word put to page there is an enormous emotional risk. Writing, no matter what you write, fiction or non-fiction is like baring one’s soul. You’re putting what you know and things you love out there for all the world to see and judge.

It was the same for men in 1927, Tom and Philip. Two men being in love faced risks simply because of their feelings. They didn’t have the option of putting their relationship out for the world to see. Doing so could have landed them in jail and they always faced the very real possibility of physical harm and being ostracized. They had to devise ways to be together and find meeting places where they were safe. One set of friends Tom and Philip had presented them with one option. Two women, in the same boat, in love and hiding that fact help Tom and Philip. For all four of them it was their only avenue to finding their happiness and spending their lives together.

In my book A Barlow Lens two present day men, Val and Wyatt are men in love. Hiding their love and relationship isn’t something they need to do, but they face much of the same dangers. They take risks to find the truth, a truth that has been buried by time. They search for clues they hope will help them discover more about the lives of the 1927 couple. Their quest puts them in harm’s way and in order to bring to light events of the past they must survive someone from Wyatt’s life before Val.

Once they were back at their hotel, Wyatt ushered Val into their room, not bothering with the light. They were high enough up there was no need to close the drapes, and light from the city cast a soft glow over them.

As Val unbuttoned his suit jacket, Wyatt stepped up behind him, placing his palms on Val’s shoulders, then rubbing lightly up and down his arms a few times. “Let me give you a hand.” Wyatt eased the jacket off and kissed the side of Val’s neck, nudging his head to the side as he did so. A low moan rumbled out of Val’s chest. Wyatt dropped the jacket on a chair and slipped his hands under Val’s shirt, caressing Val’s skin with his fingertips.

When he reached Val’s tightening nipples, he rubbed small circles until Val’s hips jerked. Val shuddered and pulled in a quick, shaky breath, making Wyatt smile. Val’s tie and shirt joined his jacket. Wyatt ran his hands over Val’s torso before returning them to Val’s shoulders. He lightly traced the scars on Val’s shoulder with first his finger, then his tongue.

Val’s surgery to repair the damage done in the course of stopping some seriously dangerous people who had been trying to force jockeys to throw races, had left several scars. They weren’t red, raised, and angry anymore. Val never complained about them hurting, but the marks were still puckered and darker than the surrounding skin.

“You know,” Val whispered between dragging in a breath and panting it out again. “That first time we went out to dinner, I was so worried you’d think I was some uncouth, country hick because I don’t know about wine and art. And that I was too young to bother with.”

“Hmm, do you know what I worried about when I was thirty?” Wyatt scraped his teeth across Val’s shoulder blades.

“N-no. What?”

“Getting a sweet piece of hot ass,” Wyatt said in a low voice.

Val laughed. “Well, you’re sort of slow. Took you long enough. Worth the wait?”

“Oh, hell, yes.” Wyatt maneuvered Val to the bed.

 

[image error]A Barlow Lens
book two of the Circles Series
by Elizabeth Noble 

M/M, Mystery/Suspense, Romance
Cover by TL Bland
Add on Goodreads
Release Date: January 14th, 2015

While planning a future with his partner, Val, Wyatt’s past refuses to be forgotten. Wyatt’s old friend asks him to look into the mysterious death of her uncle in a fire back in 1927, when men were silent, tough, and did not love other men—except when they did. Working with Val, Wyatt digs up clues uncovering the truth behind the tragic school fire and the one responsible. The story of Tom and Philip slowly reveals itself, and Wyatt and Val realize nothing is as simple as they originally believed. As their trail heats up, an old enemy of Wyatt’s decides he’s waited long enough for revenge. If Wyatt can’t tie everything together, history might repeat itself.

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Elizabeth Noble started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with Dreamspinner is really a dream come true. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming.

Elizabeth has three grown children and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed breed canine princess named Rosie, and two cats, Murphy and Yeti. She lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening, winter and summer sports (go Tribe!). When she’s not writing she’s working as a veterinary nurse, so don’t be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives.

Two of Elizabeth’s books have received Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards.

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Guest Author: Tinnean & her New Release, “They Come By Night”

Surprise, Surprise!

Thanks so much for giving me this opportunity to talk about my newest novel, They Come By Night, Tempe! It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog.

I’d like to let you in on a little secret. I love putting something in one book that will turn up in another book, and my current novel is no exception. In They Come By Night, Ty and his friends go to a tuxedo shop to rent formal wear for a wedding they’ll be attending. The shop is called Putting on the Ritz, and anyone who’s read my Spy vs. Spook novels or Two Lips, Indifferent Red may remember shops of the same name turning up in those books as well. However, Jacques ran the one in Spy vs. Spook, while his brother Archie presided over the one in Two Lips. A third brother, unnamed at this time, is the proprietor of the one in They Come By Night.

Moving right along, a keepsake box similar to the one Ty refers to as Pandora’s box also appears in My Brown-Eyed Handsome Man, a short sequel to Two Lips.

And then there’s the help wanted ad Ty imagines the vampire community might well publish in local newspapers: Help Wanted. Housekeeper, male or female, to keep castle for a vampyr king who only partakes of bagged blood. Must have no objection to working nights. Perks consist of free days and an excellent benefit package including six weeks’ vacation, comprehensive health care, and a 401(k). References required. Send inquiries to Duke Adam Dasani, Equerry to Alexandru Mondragon, Rege. P.O. Box 52697.

The P.O. Box is actually the date Dracula was first published, May 26, 1897.

I hope you’ll come visit Ty’s world, and see what else is hidden there.

Birthdays sucked, for me at least. Each one meant another year where I didn’t grow any taller, didn’t look any older than the year before, and it had been like that since I was ten. Rather than sugarplums, visions of me still being carded when I was thirty danced in my head, and always at the worst of times.

Take today, for instance. It was my sixteenth birthday. All my friends were talking about going for their driver’s licenses, or going for their road tests, or going to choose their first car. Not to say I couldn’t do those things too, but would I even be able to reach the gas pedal or the brake? Without those blocks of wood taped to them so my feet could reach them?

On top of being such a runt, there was that birthmark on the side of my neck. Shaped like a tea stain but too dark for a strawberry mark, it looked like someone had cut my throat and I’d bled all over myself. Turtleneck shirts and sweaters had helped at first, but they were a bitch in hot weather. Cover-up worked better, but when I sweated, it ran, and the results were it looked as if I hadn’t bothered to wash my neck.

And if that wasn’t enough, there was the fact that since my tenth birthday I’d been unable to tolerate anyone touching me.

So here I was at sixteen, no sign of puberty in sight, no girlfriend, no boyfriend, or a desire for one, but at least the choir mistress of our church was happy because my voice was still in the soprano register.

I sighed and let myself into the house where I lived with my dad. It had been the two of us for as long as I could remember. Not that my mother was dead, or anything like that. The one time I’d got up the courage to ask about her, Dad had said it was because one day she’d just decided she didn’t want to be married to him, and she’d left with my four older siblings.

Dad was a good man, and plenty of the moms would watch him with interest when he showed up for parent-teacher conferences or any of those occasions at school that called for parental involvement. To tell the truth, so did some of the teachers, although I wasn’t supposed to know anything about that.

So I couldn’t see anyone not loving him. I thought maybe it was just that Mom didn’t want me, and since Dad did, she’d left us both.

There was nothing I could do about that, so… I just didn’t think about it.

I was real good about not thinking about some things.

Dad loved me, and that was all that mattered to me. He made sure I had a good lunch in my lunchbox or money when we were having pizza at school, a clean handkerchief in my pocket, and milk money until we realized I was lactose intolerant. Then he made sure I always carried lactase, the enzyme supplement, with me.

Sometimes, though, I’d looked up from my homework to ask him a question, and found him watching me with the saddest look.

“Dad?”

He’d smiled and shaken his head. “You’re growing so fast, Ty. Before we know it, you’ll be in high school. Now, what did you want to know?”

I’d smiled back at him and asked my question, but inside I’d felt cold, because I hadn’t been growing.

What was Dad really worrying about?

***

“I’m home, Dad,” I called. Because of the time, I knew he’d already be home from the construction site where he worked.

“You’re late, Ty.” He appeared in the front foyer. A single glance, and our relationship was obvious to anyone who cared to look, from the cleft in both our chins, identical straight noses—although Dad had a bump in his from the time he’d broken it back in the day—and high cheekbones, down to the blue-black hair and midnight-blue eyes. The biggest difference was in our size, because while he was six feet tall, I was still four foot nothing. “I was starting to worry. It’s getting dark.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Coach kept me after practice.”

“Why?”

“Dunno. He gave me a note for you.”

“Ty, what have you been up to?”

“Nothing, Dad. Honest.” I wasn’t concerned, not really. I was a good runner, and I made good grades, unlike some of the jocks, so Coach wasn’t worried I’d be put on detention just before a big meet and ruin the team’s chances of rising up in our division.

Dad grinned at me, but he didn’t ruffle my hair like most dads would. “Give me the note.”

I pulled it out of my backpack and handed it to him, then went into the kitchen to pour myself one of the protein shakes Dad kept in the fridge for me. I was hoping they’d help me grow, but so far no luck.

I’d almost finished chugging it when I heard, “Ah, damn!”

“Dad?” Before I could bolt to the front part of the house, he came into the kitchen. His face was pale, and the muscle in his right eyelid twitched rhythmically. I set down the glass. “Dad, what is it?”

“Your coach saw you while you were in the shower.”

“You’re not saying Coach is perving on me, are you?” I tried to smile at my little joke, but my stomach felt as if I were on a roller coaster going down a 456 foot drop at 128 mph.

“Of course not.”

Of course, “of course not.” Coach was a great guy, after all. But why had he felt the need to send a note to my father?

“Tyrell, you’re not stupid. You’ve seen the other boys.”

“Ye-yes?”

“Today’s your birthday. Happy birthday, by the way.”

I blinked, totally confused. “Oh, thanks, Dad.”

“Your gift is in the living room.”

Probably another pair of Nikes. That was what he always got me for my birthday. I didn’t outgrow them, but they wore out from all the running I did.

“Anyway, didn’t you ever wonder about it? You’re sixteen now and yet your voice hasn’t changed, you haven’t had that growth spurt, and your chin and chest and… and groin are still hairless.”

I was relieved he didn’t say anything about my dick not growing, either. “I… I never stopped to think about it.” To tell the truth, I’d been afraid to think about it, afraid I was some kind of freak.

I’d hoped if I ignored it, it would go away.

“Your coach wants me to take you to see an endocrinologist.”

“Yeah, Dad?” I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to see a doctor, any more than I wanted to know what was wrong with me, certain it was incurable and that I wasn’t going to live to see sixteen. Well, seventeen, now I’d actually reached that momentous birthday.

“And a dermatologist.”

“Why?”

He came to me and raised his hand. In spite of myself, I flinched. He’d never struck me before, and I couldn’t see him striking me now, but for the past six years I hadn’t liked being touched. More than that, it could be downright painful.

Dad knew that. If he thought it was necessary… The shake I’d downed felt like it was going to make a return appearance.

He settled his fingers just under my right ear, then lightly ran them down the side of my throat over the mark I’d had since the day I was born.

“Oh. That.” I shivered and backed away a step. No one ever touched that mark—it kind of freaked them out.

“I’m not going to take you to see anyone.” He stared down at his fingers, then closed them in a tight fist.

“Daddy?”

“It’s time for me to explain the facts of life to you.”

I could feel my face going up in flames. “I know them, Dad,” I mumbled.

He didn’t pat my shoulder, even though he might have wanted to. “You may, for the average person.”

I was too embarrassed to question his emphasis of average. Much as I loved him, the idea of talking about sex with him—blowjobs, hand jobs, fucking—just skeeved me.

“First off, there’s nothing wrong with you. And I’m not saying that because I’m your dad and it’s my job to tell you things like that. You are normal. You’ll go into puberty when your body recognizes the time is right.”

“Then why—”

“Y’see… The thing of it is….” He didn’t seem to know where to begin, and I felt my gut clench and my sphincter tighten. “You’re just not a normal.”

I stood there frozen. Oh God, this was going to be bad. I knew it. I was a freak. I was a—

“You’re a sabor, Ty.”

I’d opened my mouth to scream a protest, but that stopped me dead. “Huh?” I blinked and swallowed again. “A what?”

 

They Come By Night
by Tinnean

Paranormal, Vampire, M/M Romance
Cover by AngstyG
Release Date: January 16th, 2015

Imagine an Earth just a bit different from ours. It may be 2014, but in this world, normals unknowingly share the planet with vampyrs. Most vampyrs rely on bagged blood, supplemented by the blood of sabors—valued individuals whose blood contains an element needed for the survival of the species.

Tyrell Small has always felt different. He doesn’t know he is a sabor, but he has the birthmark to prove it. When his father reveals that he’ll be required to feed vampyrs, Ty decides to run away. Slipping out of his bedroom window, he finds the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen sitting on his roof. Adam Dasani is a vampyr, equerry to the vampyr king, who has given Adam the task of guarding Ty. The blood of the two most powerful saborese families in the shared history of vampyrs and sabors runs through Ty’s veins. And some vampyrs intend to use him to gain power, something Adam isn’t about to allow. Adam insists that Ty can’t escape his destiny, but they both find that destiny can take unexpected turns… and following those turns may put those Ty loves—including Adam—in danger.

Dreamspinner Press

Tinnean has been writing since the third grade, where she was inspired to try her hand at epic poetry. Fortunately, that epic poem didn’t survive the passage of time; however, her love of writing not only survived but thrived, and in high school she became a member of the magazine staff, where she contributed a number of stories.

It was with the advent of the family’s second computer—the first intimidated everyone—that her writing took off, enhanced in part by fanfiction, but mostly by the wonder that is copy and paste.

While involved in fandom, she was nominated for both Rerun and Light My Fire Awards. Now she concentrates on her original characters, and has had novels receive honorable mention in the 2013 and 2014 Rainbow Awards.

A New Yorker at heart, she resides in SW Florida with her husband and two computers.

Ernest Hemingway’s words reflect Tinnean’s devotion to her craft: “Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it.”

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4.5 Star #Review from MMGoodBookReviews for “Caged Sanctuary”!

Stop over for a wonderful review for “Caged Sanctuary” from MMGoodBookReviews!

Originally posted on MM Good Book Reviews:

Hi guys, we have Tempeste O’Riley stopping by with her newest release Caged Sanctuary, there’s a fantastic excerpt and we have KathyMac’s review for you to check out, so enjoy the post!

Caged Sanctuary

by

Tempeste O’Riley

Kaden Thorn, a dental surgeon who lives a quiet life, has no hope of finding the love he craves. A vicious gay bashing cost him the use of his legs and confined him to a wheelchair. He has given up hope of finding a Dom or even a nonkink partner to love him. When his best friend practically forces him to attend a dinner party, the last thing he expects is a strong Dom who can see beyond his wheels. 

Deacon James is an architect and a demanding Dom, but he has spent the past couple of years without a sub or partner. When an employee invites him…

View original 4,313 more words

Release Day Pimping! “Sweet Fire” by Sarah and Shannen Brady

Sweet Fire
by Sarah and Shannen Brady

M/M Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Christie Caughie
Release Date: January 2, 2015 (ebook/print)
Length: Novel / 182 pages

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Between Homeland Security’s Gifted Agenda and the bigotry of a fearful populace, having paranormal Gifts is a dangerous thing. Pyro-kinetic Aaron Flores knows firsthand how difficult it can be to control his power. Still, he runs his bakery and never gives up on finding his Happily Ever After. When Aaron’s cousin asks him to check on her former EMT partner, Aaron’s chance has finally arrived. He’s determined not to let anything stop him from catching (and keeping) his man.

Ramón Del Rio spent three days at the tender mercies of HOMSEC agents when his former partner was taken. He wants nothing to do with a Gifted guy, but Aaron is nothing if not persistent. He’s a pastry chef after all, and the way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach. The physical passion they share is the icing on the cake. Just when Ramón decides that having Gifts might not be a deal breaker, someone close to Aaron decides his fire needs to be put out—permanently. Ramón will have to face his fears to save them both.

To see Aaron and Ramón’s first appearance, see Healer, also by Sarah and Shannen Brady, released October 8, 2014 by Soul Mates Publishing. Click the picture to go shopping.

About us:

Sarah and Shannen Brady are a mother/daughter team writing steamy romantic suspense together. (We know, weird, right?)

Shannen lives in Western Washington with her boyfriend and their child, a rambunctious corgi named Chubberus Maximus. When she’s not writing her latest sexy story, you can find her hiking, watching terrible SyFy movies and avoiding cooking of any kind.

Sarah lives in Eastern Washington with her husband and teenage son, dividing her time between her real life and all the voices in her head.

Sarah and Shannen love to hear from readers and other writers so feel free to check out their own website www.sbradybooks.com, like them on Facebook, SBradyBooks, or follow them on Twitter @sbradybooks.