Tempeste O'Riley's Blog, page 28

9/10 for Tempeste O’Riley’s “Designs of Desire” @TempesteO @dreamspinners #MMRomance #BDSM #LGBT #audiobook

Originally posted on Rainbow Gold Reviews:

Why I read this book: We recently featured this book in a spotlight and while I had already bought the audio months earlier, I didn’t have time to listen to it. Now with yesterday’s release of “Bound by Desire” a free Seth & James short and the release of “Desires’ Guardian” on June 6th, I thought it was time to listen to the story and I LOVED IT. That’s also why I asked Tempe if she would mind doing a live interview with me and it turned out really well :)Originally I bought it based on the beautiful cover… yeah, yeah, I know, but I can’t help it :PFor me the taste of BDSM without it getting too intense was PERFECT!

CLICK ON THE DSP SALE IMAGE TO BUY TEMPESTE O’RILEY’S BOOKS AT A REDUCED PRICE: LAST CHANCE TODAY!!!

Blurb:

Artist James Bryant has forearm crutches in every…

View original 952 more words

Desires’ Guardian Blog Tour: Live Interview with Tempeste O’Riley @dreamspinners @TempesteO #Giveaway #MMRomance

Originally posted on Rainbow Gold Reviews:

Hi everyone Thank you for stopping by! Today is our turn to host the wonderful Tempest O’Riley. Desires’ Guardian will release in one week and since there is a wonderful sale on all books by Tempeste O’Riley and other DSP authors, we thought this is the perfect time to tell you about it. Use your chance to get “Designs of Desire”, “Grand Adventures”, “Bound by Desire” and your pre-order of “Desires’ Guardian” at a reduced price!

Click on the DSP Sale Banner to buy the books at a reduced price

Desires’ Guardian
by Tempeste O’Riley

Desires Entwined series book #2

M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: June 6th, 2014 (ebook/print)

View original 3,591 more words

PREORDER SALE

Guess what? Really, guess. No? Well, I’ll let you know anyway.

All my books (eBooks and Paperbacks) are on sale May 25th – 31st! 

Yep, that’s 20% all stories I’ve written and published with Dreamspinner Press! Click the cover below to grab any, and yes, that includes my soon-to-be-released Desires’ Guardian. So click and grab yourself a story or two.

   

Thursday Teasers: Desires’ Guardian

Welcome to the Thursday Tasters. Here you will find links to some awesome tasters of works written by awesome authors. Find the other tastes HERE

Today’s Taste is again from Desires’ Guardian (Almost here… coming June 6th!!!). DG is the story of Chase and Rhys, whom you first met in Designs of Desire, from Dreamspinner Press.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Chase made sure to put his leather cuff back on his left wrist, covering the scar there, and willfully ignoring the memories that always threatened to resurface when he was too tired. It and the silver spoon on a choker, he never left home without. He idly toyed with the double buckle as he thought about what John had said the night before, but wearing a leather cuff did not make him a sub or a bottom, no matter what anyone else thought.

Chase was thankful for the light traffic on his way to The Coiled Dragon Agency, the PI and bodyguard company Rhys and Mark owned.
His mind wandered as he drove, reflecting on the changes in his life since he’d left Skye Designs. He’d only stayed so long in the first place to be there for James, but now that James only worked for them on a consulting basis and had dedicated himself to his art career, there was nothing to keep Chase there anymore. Starting his own consulting firm had terrified him at first, but he loved the freedom. Besides, it allowed him to still act as James’s assistant when needed.

He made it to the site right on time. He hoped his annoyance and exhaustion wouldn’t be too visible.

Shoving his keys into his pocket, Chase stepped out of his light blue Cruze, tilted his head back, and welcomed the crisp cool air and bright morning sun as it beat down on him. He knew he needed to wake up more and stop scowling before he met with Rhys, but his nerves had been on edge ever since he’d said yes two days ago.

He took a deep breath, then turned and headed toward the office. Chase’s phone rang as he reached for the door. “Manning,” he answered, no longer hiding the lilt he normally spoke with. He was his own boss now, and he refused to tone down or hide who he was ever again.

“Chase Manning?”

“Yes, this is Chase.”

“Good. I have the right number.” He recognized the voice but couldn’t put his finger on who it was, not with the loud, rumbling background noise.

“Yes, you have my number. Now, do I get to know who you are, or should I hang up?” he teased.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer things don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man.

Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.

Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.

 

Guest Book ♥ Dakota

Dakota 
by Vicktor Alexander
The Sevion Brotherhood, 1
Cover Artist: Deana C. Jamroz
Paranormal, M/M, Erotic Romance
April 11th 2014

When Dr. Dakota Sevion is drawn to his mate Nishon Moore at the hospital where he works, he is overjoyed, even though Nishon has a son, Isaiah, who is a forziq, which is an instant death sentence and someone from the past is determined to kill them all.

Dakota Sevion loves being the Chief of Surgery at Gelreen Memorial Hospital, because he has unlimited access to blood which is good for him as an unmated vampire. When he’s called to the ER for an emergency his life changes forever.

Nishon “Nimo” Moore is a single father of three year old Isaiah, a very special little boy, and when Nimo rushes to the hospital because Isaiah has been hurt he ends up meeting Dakota and finding out that vampires are real. He doesn’t handle it well, which isn’t good for Dakota who will die from starvation if their mating isn’t consummated soon. But that isn’t the only problem. Someone from the past is set on killing them all.

MLR Books * ARe

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Dakota Sevion walked down the hallway of Gelreen Memorial Hospital, where he was the Chief of Surgery, while chewing a stick of spearmint gum. His cup of Starbucks Vanilla Latte was clutched firmly in one hand while his other was shoved in the pocket of his white coat, fiddling with his car keys as he thought of the surgery he’d just completed. He wasn’t as arrogant as his eldest brother, Arizona, but even he had to admit he’d totally rocked that surgery.

“Doctor Dakota Sevion, please come to the Emergency Room, bed seven,” a voice came over the intercom and Dakota stopped in his tracks.

Dammit. I really wanted to get a nap.

Turning around and throwing his cup of coffee in the nearest trash bin, and spitting out his gum as well, Dakota headed for the Emergency Room. He waved to a few patients who lay in their hospital beds and high fived a couple of the doctors and interns on his way through the Emergency Room. Before stepping into the chaos that he knew awaited him, Dakota stopped to wash his hands and pull on a pair of gloves. He started walking towards bed seven when his body jerked abruptly and he was pulled by an invisible force. He glanced around and hoped no one noticed that he seemed to be gliding an inch above the floor before he came to a shuddering halt, right in front of the most gorgeous man Dakota had ever seen in his entire life.

Tall, with a swimmer’s build, skin like milk chocolate, curly black hair, a thin nose with wide nostrils and full lips that made Dakota want to bend down and take them in a hard, bruising kiss. This man, his mate, his sufletul pereche, was standing right in front of him, staring down at someone in the bed. Dakota peered down and noticed that it was a child… a young child that looked a lot like his mate. He cleared his throat.

His mate jumped back.

“Oh! Wow, I didn’t notice you were standing so close to me. I’m sorry.” The man shook his head. Dakota’s ears rang with the beauty of the man’s beautiful tenor voice and he wanted to sit and listen to him talk all day. “You must be the doctor. Duh, Nimo, of course he’s the doctor, he’s wearing a white coat.”

Dakota smiled when his mate, “Nimo” started to chastise himself. Who named their child Nimo? Then again, who was he to talk? His parents, Decebal and Adelina Sevion had named each of their children after the state in which they were born or conceived in. There was Arizona, the oldest, by and far the scariest of the ten of them, then there were the twins, Jersey and Michigan, though they looked just alike and could mind speak with each other, they were as different as night and day. After the twins there was Carolina, then Washington, Tennessee, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and finally him, the baby of the family, Dakota. They also had three sisters, Daciana, Oana, and Tatiana who their parents doted on, but none of them were named after any states. A fact they were constantly teased about from their older brothers.

“Yes, I’m the doctor, actually, I’m the Chief of Surgery here, Doctor Dakota Sevion,” Dakota said, holding out his gloved hand.

Nimo glanced down at his gloved hand and then arched a beautifully sculpted eyebrow. Dakota looked down and yanked the glove off, before holding his hand out again.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

Nimo chuckled. “It’s no problem. I’m Nishon Moore, but everyone calls me Nimo, and this is my son, Isaiah Moore. I call him Zay. He’s three and his daycare called me to tell me that he fell and cut his forehead on the teacher’s desk.”

Dakota nodded. Nimo seemed very calm which was good; most parents were hysterical when their young children were brought in with head wounds since they bled so much. When Dakota walked around he realized why Nimo wasn’t so alarmed. There was a piece of the teacher’s desk embedded in the wound, which was currently acting as a clot for the gash, but it was also contaminating the wound.

Dakota looked up at Nimo and offered him a reassuring smile.

“I really don’t know why they called someone from the Chief of Surgery down here, it’s barely bleeding at all.”

Dakota nodded and gestured Nimo to him. He pointed at the clipboard where the test results lay. “That is because of the piece of wood from the teacher’s desk. It has lodged itself inside of the wound some way and because it’s preventing it from bleeding, I suspect that it might be buried into the lining of his brain, and that chips of the wood might even be lodged in his brain. That’s why I was called. I’m going to have to cut it out, which is going to cause it to bleed and then flush out the wound so that I can get a better look and make sure that it’s not something more serious than just being beneath the skin as the X-rays show. The tests they ran make it difficult to tell exactly how deep the piece of wood is. Regardless, Isaiah is going to need stitches and since this is a head trauma he’s going to need to be monitored for a concussion.”

Nimo’s eyes widened. His hand trembled as he turned to look at Zay who dozed fitfully, tears dried on his light brown cheeks. Glancing at the chart, Dakota saw that a nurse had just left the room after checking on Isaiah, asking him questions, and checking his vitals, and she stated in her notes that she informed Nimo to not let the little boy sleep completely, but allow him to rest. Dakota looked at the little boy and felt a feeling of possessiveness rise within him as a bond began to form between him, Nimo and Isaiah.

Things happened quickly with vampires. The bond began to form as soon as a vampire was within a mile of their sufletul pereche. He had two weeks, a fortnight, to complete the bond. The bond could only be completed through the exchange of blood during sex with the red eternity candle burning in the room which would cause the two halves of their souls to come together and form one whole, or else he would die from starvation. Dakota had heard tales of vampires who had been pulled to their mates only to find them married to someone else. The thirst for their mate’s blood drove them to insanity and they would bite and drink from everyone and everything that they could and never be satisfied. It led to the slaughter of many innocent people and unfortunately those who never completed their bond ended up dying at the end of their two weeks, their thirst never quenched.

As Dakota hit the button to request a nurse’s attendance, he looked over at Nimo and wondered if he would end up as others had before him.

“Yes, Doctor Sevion?” the nurse, Dakota scanned her nametag, Regina, asked as she stepped between the curtains.
“Call upstairs and book an O.R. for Isaiah Moore, we’ll be heading up to remove a bit of wood from the gash on his forehead.”

“Right away, Doctor,” she told him, stepping back out. She was only gone for a second before she came back in with a team of orderlies, interns and nurses.

“Can I come with you?” Nimo asked, and Dakota’s nose burned with the acrid smell of the man’s fear.

“Of course,” Dakota said, ignoring the looks sent his way. “One of the nurses will help you make sure your hands are clean and you’re properly outfitted before you step into the room.”

“Thank you,” Nimo responded with a sigh and a small smile.

Dakota nodded and once again ignoring the nurses and orderlies he helped them get Isaiah ready for transport and then helped them push the bed into the hallway and headed for the elevator. He was consciously aware of Nimo the entire time and though his mind wanted to focus on his patient and on the procedure he was about to do, as routine as it was, his body was one-hundred percent in tune with his mate’s every breath and footstep.

When they stepped inside of the elevator, Dakota turned his overly large frame in the elevator to make room for Nimo to step inside and bit his lower lip to hold back the groan that threatened when his mate brushed against him. This was pure torture. Dakota determinedly turned his attention away from the delicious scent of his mate and the way the top of Nimo’s head came to his cheekbone. Or the way Nimo’s slim fingers were wrapped around the bedrail of his son’s bed and what they could possibly look like wrapped around Dakota’s fat cock. Instead he thought about cutting into the flesh of Isaiah’s forehead to pry out the chunk of wood that was embedded within it in order to pry it out.

The elevator came to a stop and Dakota turned and pushed the bed along with the rest of the nurses to the door of the operating room. He stopped at the door and turned to go into the area reserved for the surgeons. Pushing open the door, Dakota walked inside and stepped up to the sinks. Before he put his hands below the faucet he exhaled.

“I am so fucked,” he groaned.

“Why is that, baby bro?” Carolina asked, moving up beside Dakota.

Dakota jumped, surprised by his brother’s presence at his side. Carolina may have been much older than Dakota but they were extremely close, almost as if they were twins. Both of them were built like linebackers, and had in fact played football together at UNC, before Carolina had gone off to medical school first, Dakota going to a different medical school years later. While Carolina specialized in Obstetrics and Dakota specialized in Surgery, they still saw each other around the hospital all the time.

“I met my sufletul pereche today,” he told Carolina.

Carolina’s eyes widened. “Congratulations, bro! That’s awesome!”

Dakota nodded and then shook his head. “I’m not sure. I mean, He has a son.”

Carolina shrugged. “So? You’ve always wanted kids and it’s not like any of us were ever going to give Mom and Dad grandkids the old fashioned way.”

Dakota chuckled. Though their parents had told them all that they were okay with all ten of their sons being gay, Dakota knew they still held out hope that at least one of their sons would turn out to be bisexual, or turn around and announce he was just “experimenting” and going through “a phase.” So far that hadn’t happened.

“Yeah, poor Mom and Dad,” Dakota sympathized.

“So this would be a way to give them the grandchild they’ve been wanting to spoil for decades, hell, for centuries.”
“That’s the other thing,” Dakota said with a sigh of frustration as he realized that meeting his sufletul pereche had him so backwards that he’d washed his hands before he’d changed into his scrubs. He shook his head as he grabbed a pair of scrubs from the cabinet and walked behind the privacy screen in the corner to change into them. He stepped back out, walked over to the sink, started the water, and grabbed the soap to begin soaping his hands, being sure to scrub in between his fingers and all the way up his arms.

“What?” Carolina asked as he washed his hands and arms as well.

“He’s human,” Dakota said.

“Oh,” Carolina responded.

“Yeah, so after I find out if he’s single, I’m going to have to explain about the whole vampire, paranormal, mate, two week thing,” Dakota pointed out.

Carolina groaned. “And you have to do it soon.”

“And hope that he doesn’t think I’m saying it just to get sympathy from him in order to get him to agree to it.”
“Or that he thinks you’re completely crazy and takes off running.”

Dakota nodded. “Or does that.”

Carolina whistled. “Yeah, you are so fucked.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Carolina laughed. “Anytime, Dak, anytime.”

Hi all! I’m Vicktor Alexander but everyone calls me “Vic.” Southern gentleman by day, completely displaced and living in New York, and a writer and purveyor of steamy, sticky, hot man on man (sometimes on man on man on man on man on man) sex. I wrote my first story at the tender age of 10 about my youngest biological sister and her destruction of the world…with her breath. The stories didn’t stop there and it wasn’t long or much of a shock to those who knew me well, before I was writing interracial historical romances. I quickly realized that my heroes seemed much happier when they were hanging out with other guys (aren’t we all?) and that was when I discovered the M/M genre.

I now enjoy writing about shifters, humanoids, cowboys, firemen, rent boys, fairies, elves, dancers, doctors, Doms, Subs, and anything else that catches my fancy, all sexy men falling in love with each other and having lots of naughty, dirty, man-on-man sex. I am the author of the best-selling series, The Tate Pack (which still blows my mind) and am a huge fan of the “happily-ever-after” ending. But while all my characters all ride off into the proverbial sunset, all sexually satisfied and in love (because it’s the least I can do), they all bear the scars of fighting for that love, just like in real life. I am never satisfied with only one genre, and every book that I write tends to fall into more than one category and has each main character experiencing more than one orgasm.

Out and proud, I don’t believe that love only comes in one form, one race, one gender and that not only is gender fluid, by sexuality as well. I loves to make people laugh (and guys hot) and when I’m not writing, or rather, procrastinating in writing, I’m reading, playing the Sims 3, hanging out with my very supportive adopted family, talking to my adopted daughter whom I call Chipmunk, seeking the man or men who can handle my crazy, stressful, soap opera-esque life and being distracted from said writing by pictures of John Barrowman and Shemar Moore.

♥ Site ♥ Twitter ♥ Blog ♥ Facebook ♥ Purple Fantasy Den ♥

Thursday Teasers: Desires’ Guardian

Welcome to the Thursday Tasters. Here you will find links to some awesome tasters of works written by awesome authors. Find the other tastes HERE

Today’s Taste is again from Desires’ Guardian (which comes out June 6th!!!). DG is the story of Chase and Rhys, whom you first met in Designs of Desire, from Dreamspinner Press.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Chapter 2

DALE MILLER shook Chase awake when he pulled up to the curb in front of Chase’s apartment building. Chase realized, belatedly, that he probably should have stayed in the night before. The sleep deprivation was not going to make spending the next nine hours or so at work, dealing with Rhys, any easier. He’d regretted agreeing to the date the previous night about ten minutes after John, his blind date, arrived. He’d told Simon setting him up was a bad idea, but those big, brown puppy eyes always got him into trouble—every damn time! Of course, he regretted agreeing to work for Rhys Sayer too, but his ability to tell James “no” was worse.

“Come on, buddy. You have work to get to. So do I.” Dale didn’t look much more awake than Chase felt, but he dutifully nodded and
managed to remember to unbuckle before he got out of Dale’s little green Toyota Yaris.

“Thanks,” Chase mumbled as he grabbed his jacket and shuffled off toward his apartment on the second floor.

He stopped in his kitchen long enough to start the coffeemaker before heading to his room to strip. Chase glanced at his alarm clock and winced at the time. It was a little after six, Monday morning. Once his clothes were off and in the hamper, he padded into the bathroom to take a hot shower. He firmly believed sweat and smoke on a body were not attractive the next day. He cleaned up and got dressed, only fumbling with his slacks twice. He took one last look in the mirror and grimaced at the somewhat haggard look in his eyes. Bad date followed by friend crying over a broken heart…. Never again, please!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer things don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man.

Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.

Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.

 

Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014

Morning and welcome to my entry in the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (and Biphobia…). Each participant is offering prizes, including me, so make sure you bounce around and check out all the great posts and goodies!

The Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (HAHAT) was created to spread awareness of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and to stand together as a writer community against discrimination of our works.

The giveaway extends from May 17th, to May 27th.

I’m giving two prizes: an eBook copy of Designs of Desire and an audiobook of the same book.

Anyone who comments on THIS POST is eligible to win (remember to leave your email so I can contact the winners).

Winner will be chosen by the randomizer at nine o’clock, CST, on the 27th.

I’ll announce the winner in a separate post.

Now for me, personally, I was exposed to a great deal of homophobia as a child, which made coming to terms with my own sexuality a bit hard, though having a best friend who was gay did make things a little easier, as at least I wasn’t completely alone in my personal struggles.

I was always terrified to ‘come out’ because of the homophobia of my family, school, church, etc. But what I’d like to also discuss is that even once I was out, I found a new form of “phobia” to have to deal with… Biphobia. It’s bad enough when you have to deal with stupidity, ignorance, fear, and hate out of the straight populace, but it’s—at least for me—worse when it’s coming at me from gay and lesbians for being bi.

See, I’m not greedy, I do know what commitment and honor are, and yes, I honestly find men, women, transgendered, androgynous, and gender fluid people to be sexy, both physically and emotionally (yes, you can be emotionally sexy, lol). Then to be told again and again that I’m either lying, trying to be cool and pretending, to scared too just ‘come out’, or that I’m undatable because I’d just cheat, was and still is heartbreaking.

For years I stayed out of community because I was so disheartened by these attitudes and blind generalizations. The thing I learned, eventually, is that in hiding away, all I really did was let the haters and bigots win and allow myself to be hurt. Yes, I just said something horrible (spank me ) but even gay and lesbians can be bigots. It was actually that same childhood friend I mentioned earlier that got me to stop and think about things a little more clearly. Why should I allow others to dictate my self-worth? My datability? My involvement in the GLBTQ community? When I pointed out how I’d been treated (by many people and groups in some cases) he argued that I was allowing others to hurt me when I didn’t have to. That the only way for many people to get over their misconceptions was to be shown that they’re wrong, and that even if most don’t change, there are people out there like me and that will accept me, if I’m strong enough to stand tall and refuse to hide any more.

At first, I wasn’t sold on this idea… I’d seen so many people hurt thanks to hate and ignorance, not just my own pain, but came to realize he was right. After a short time I decided that getting back in the swing of things was important and right for me. Best damn decision I’ve ever made (other than to have my kids—love my munchkins).

So, what’s the point to my ramblings? If you’re gay, straight, bi, trans, fluid, etc… don’t ever let anyone make you feel less lovable or worthy for being you. And if you have a problem with people that aren’t like you, do some soul searching to find out why. You might be missing out on the best friend, most wonderful lover, or most special family you could ever have, all because you allowed differences to fester into phobias. Do not allow anyone to ever have a say in your worth! Because you are you, and that’s all you ever need to be to be perfect.

Seeing as Desires’ Guardian releases on June 6th (and is available for pre-order now) I’ll share a little from it.

Desires’ Guardian
by Tempeste O’Riley

Desires Entwined book 2

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Length: Novel / 200 pages

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Published: June 6th 2014

Formats: EBooks and Paperback

Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer things don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man.

Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.

Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.

 
 

Excerpt:

The doorbell rang just as Mark’s cell demanded his attention. Chase bounded off to answer the door for Mark, smiling widely at being able to cook for others who would appreciate it. Cooking was his one hobby. One that few knew about and fewer still would believe.

His grin froze when he opened the door and found Rhys standing before him with a rather expensive bottle of brandy in his left hand.

“Uh….” His mind went completely blank. Why was Rhys here? Now?

“Hi, Chase.” Rhys extended his right hand. His smile was warm and open.

It took a moment, but his brain finally kicked in. Chase grasped Rhys’s hand. He gasped at the spark of heat that flashed through him when their hands met. “H-hello. I didn’t know you were coming to Mark’s for dinner tonight.”

Caught in Rhys’s gaze, Chase couldn’t seem to move away or say more.

Rhys’s lips turned down. “He convinced you to cook for him but didn’t tell you how many were coming for dinner? That doesn’t sound like Mark.”

Rhys released Chase’s hand, the slow slide of heated skin against his leaving Chase aching and flushed. When he blinked, Chase was able to look away and take a steadying breath.

Mark interrupted the awkward moment when he came into the foyer and smiled at Rhys. “Hey, man, glad you made it before her parents arrived. Thanks. You got Ryan’s preferred drink!”

“Of course. But, Mark, Chase says you didn’t put me on the guest list.”

“Yes, I did. I said three men and two women for dinner.” Mark looked at Chase with his head tilted slightly. “Are you picking on Rhys again?”

“I—you—” Chase huffed. “I don’t pick on Rhys,” he snapped, folding his arms tightly across his chest. “He picks on me. And no, I didn’t realize the extra seat was for him. Doesn’t matter. There’s plenty of food and wine for everyone. You”—Chase motioned to Rhys—“answer the door. And you”—pointing to Mark—“go entertain your girl and her family. As for me, I’ll be in the kitchen.” Chase snapped his mouth closed and fled through the kitchen door, hoping Rhys would not follow.

“But the doorbell didn’t—” Mark’s complaint was cut off by the sudden ding-dong of said doorbell. 

“Don’t ask how he does that,” Rhys said. “I’ll get the door, since he’s the one giving the orders tonight.”

Chase heard Rhys move toward the door. An instant later, glasses clinked in the front room and voices he didn’t recognize were saying hello. Eternally thankful for interruptions and distractions, Chase continued the final prep for dinner. He caught himself rubbing the palm of his right hand nervously down his thigh, which only served to annoy him more. “Shouldn’t react to him like that, dammit!” he swore under his breath.

Every time Rhys’s laugh wafted in from the other room, he bit back a groan. Chase hated how his groin tightened and his cock sat up every time. “He’s not even that cute,” he continued to grumble.

Please visit each of the blogs, check out the posts and giveaways, leave comments, and remember to leave your e-mail address on each post.

Guest Book ♥ Taming Dru

Taming Dru 
by Nikki Prince
Once Upon a Dream, 4
BDSM, Paranormal, FF/, Interracial, Erotic Romance
June 27th 2013

Drusilla Trumane has been a naughty girl to everyone around her. Flora LeBeau knows just what to do to tame the beast.

When beauties Drusilla Trumane and Flora LeBeau meet the only thing beastly is Dru’s behavior. But Domme Flora has just the cure for that.

Drusilla’s ghastly attitude may have alienated her from her sister’s, but Flora’s see’s beneath the façade to the hurt woman beneath. Refusing to be turned away by her snide comments and bitch attitude Flora continues to bring the haughty woman to her knees, showing her at every turn she knows what she needs.

Desperate to recede to the safety her walls provide Dru agrees to allow Flora one night. Will twenty-four hours be enough to get the other woman out of her mind and her heart?

Be Warned: BDSM, rimming, flogging, F/F sex

Evernight Pub * ARe * Amazon

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

“I get it. You’re in denial.”

Flora was twirling the ball gag around in her fingers, all the while the expression on her face was one of extreme contentment and confidence.

“In denial about what?” Drusilla frowned.

“What you desire, my girl.”

“And just what would that be? You’ve known me all of what, ten minutes?”

“Oh I know exactly what you want and what you need. Hell, anyone within a few feet of you could tell what you want and smell what you’re thinking.” The grin that Flora shot Drusilla pissed her off.

“You don’t know me, nor do you know what I want or even need.”

“When’s the last time you came to an image of a man, if you ever have.”

She gasped. “What kind of fucking question is that?”

“An honest one that I want the answer to, petite amie.”

“That’s none of your fucking business.”

“We’re back to that?”

“Yes, we’re back to that, and you better not try to use that shit on me.”

“Oh, I love a challenge. You’re going to find that out rather quickly.”

Before Drusilla could react, Flora was in her lap, straddling her in the chair. She pressed against her, tangling her fingers into Drusilla’s hair and tugging.

In shock Drusilla just stared at Flora. Flora pulled her head close with a tug of her hair. Like a deer stuck in the headlights, Drusilla could only watch as Flora pressed their mouths together, and then she was lost.Oh fuck.

She moaned softly into Flora’s mouth as the other woman nibbled at her bottom lip, then licked it, teasing her tongue into her mouth. Flora tasted of warmth and cinnamon. Spicy and sweet. Her scent was just as delicious. She smelled of freshly cut roses. She was fragrant and delectable. Drusilla’s head fell back against the chair, and she gasped for breath. She was breathing just as crazy as Flora had said. That brought her back to her senses, and she started struggling.

In a split second, her hands were wrapped up in the bondage tape and pulled up above her head and held against the wall that the chair rested against. She struggled and found that she couldn’t free herself.

Flora had fucking put her hands up against the wall on some sort of hook that held her snuggly in place, and she was unable to free herself. Shit, who knew that the petite woman was strong. Looks were definitely deceiving. God, why did she like what she was doing to her. She’d soaked her panties.

“Now if you’re going to be a good girl, I won’t tie you the rest of the way up.”

“Get off of me and let me fucking go.”

“Wrong answer, kitten.”

She couldn’t kick out because the other woman was sitting in her lap. She was arched in a way that even if the other woman got off of her, there wasn’t much she could do to free herself. The only thing she could do was rock back and forth trying to get her off her lap. It didn’t work.

Flora snickered and pulled on her hair, arching her head back.

“Still think I can’t subdue you, kitten? I suggest you put away your claws and play nice, or I’m going to gag you.”

Drusilla glared at her. “You wouldn’t fucking dare.”

“You’ve already seen what I would dare. That should tell you I’d dare so much more.”

Flora got off her lap with a chuckle and grabbed one of her legs, locking it into the cuff that was at the bottom of the chair. A cuff Dru hadn’t seen until now. Fuck. Flora gave the other leg the same attention.

Standing back to her full height, Flora had her hands on her hips, the ball gag still hanging from one hand.

“So tell me what wouldn’t I dare to do again?”

“I­­—” her words were cut off as the ball gag was shoved into her mouth and the strap placed over her head.

“I like it much better when you’re quiet, kitten. You roar so fiercely but inside you’re a cuddly little cat needing to be stroked.” Flora stroked her finger against her cheek, and Drusilla tried to flinch away.

“That’s okay, kitty cat. I’m going to enjoy taming you.”

Flora turned towards the door that had opened, and Drusilla saw Anastasia enter. Shit. This was all she needed, her sister seeing her tied up like a trussed-up goose.

Nikki Prince is a mother of two, who’s always had a dream to be a published author in the romance genre. Her passion lies in raising her children as readers, gaming, cooking, reading and her writing. Her mother can now breathe easy about the child who used to get in trouble because she was hiding books everywhere and reading when it wasn’t appropriate.

Nikki’s a multi-published author with several epublishing houses. She loves to write Interracial romances in all genres, but wants to let everyone know to not box her in, because there is always room for growth.

Nikki’s also a member of Romance Writer’s of America National chapter and OCC/RWA local chapter and is a member of the board as Co-Programs Director. She is also a member of the online chapter Passionate Ink RWA, The Beaumonde RWA, and the Rainbow Romance Writers (RRW).

Nikki would love to hear from you…

♥ Site ♥ Twitter ♥ Blog ♥ Facebook ♥ Amazon ♥

Thursday Teasers: Desires’ Guardian

Welcome to the Thursday Tasters. Here you will find links to some awesome tasters of works written by awesome authors. Find the other tastes HERE

Today’s Taste is from Desires’ Guardian (which comes out June 6th!!!). DG is the story of Chase and Rhys, whom you first met in Designs of Desire, from Dreamspinner Press.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

“With as much as you’ve done over the years to help and protect him, yeah, I think that’s exactly how he sees you,” Dale replied. “Of course, he’s obviously blind. But then, if he showed you as you really are, no one would buy his artwork.” Dale and Simon cackled, and Chase glowered at the both of them.

“Maybe he’s trying to make up for conning you into working with Rhys,” Simon suggested.

“Harrumph! I still can’t believe I said yes, but you really think all this was planned? Seriously?”

“Eh, ignore Simon.”

“We’re going out tomorrow night to forget about the sexy ox, so don’t sweat it,” Simon said and winked. “Now, go congratulate James and smile. You look totally wrong with the scowl on your pretty face,” he instructed, turning Chase and pushing him toward the now advancing James.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer things don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man.

Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.

Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.

 

The Love Means… Series in Review

Series: Love Means… (Or as Andrew says, Farm series)
Author: Andrew Grey
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

 

The Love Means… Series

Love Means… No Shame

Geoff is in the city, living the gay life to the hilt, when his father’s death convinces him to return to the family farm. Discovering a young Amish man asleep in his barn, Geoff learns that Eli is spending a year away from the community before accepting baptism into the church. Despite their mutual attraction, Geoff is determined not to become involved with him, but Eli has discovered that Geoff shares his feelings and begins to court him, neatly capturing first Geoff’s attention and then his heart.

Their budding relationship is threatened by closed-minded, gossipy relatives and the society at large, a whole new world to Eli, and he must decide whether to return to the community, his family, and the world and future he knows or to stay with Geoff and have faith in the power of love.

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… Courage 
Love Means… Prequel

Len Parker is laid off during the recession in the early eighties and decides to go back to college at home in rural Michigan, where he reconnects with his best friend from high school, Ruby. He’s overjoyed when she marries Cliff Laughton and overcome with sorrow when she dies an untimely death, leaving behind her husband and two-year-old son.

Out of work again, Len finds a job at Cliff Laughton’s sorely neglected farm. Cliff is still mourning his wife, struggling to raise his son, and has little enthusiasm or energy left for work. Len immediately begins to whip the farm—including the two Laughtons—into shape. Working side by side, Len and Cliff grow ever closer, but loving another man takes a lot of courage. They’ll have to stand together as they face faltering business, threatening drought, misguided family, and Midwestern prejudices to protect what might be a lifelong love.

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Simple Gifts

Eli never regrets leaving the Amish community to live with his lover, except maybe at Christmastime, when the pull of family is strongest. But even if Eli’s family could accept his love for Geoff, he doesn’t want them shunned by the community for his choices. So he’s reconciled himself to a Christmas without them, until Geoff gives him a gift that changes the way Eli defines family.

Dreamspinner Press

 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… No Boundaries

Joey Sutherland has found a home with Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, living and working at the farm that has become a refuge after a motorcycle accident left him with a scarred face and a lot of insecurities. When Geoff’s aunt Mari convinces them to take in a musician from the National Youth Symphony, Joey is reluctantly roped into picking him up, already anticipating the disgust he’ll see on the man’s face.

But Robert Edward Jameson surprises him: he’s outgoing and friendly, he’s willing to try just about anything around the farm, and he’s blind, which goes a long way toward easing Joey’s nerves.

Joey and Robbie become inseparable and discover the beginnings of love. But summer is coming to an end, and Robbie will return to his home in Mississippi, where his family and servants see to everything he could want or need. Joey can only hope Robbie will take a chance on love and escape the boundaries that have shaped his sightless life.

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… Freedom

Spurned by his father and driven from his home, Stone Hillyard is struggling to find shelter in the Michigan winter when he lucks upon the horse farm run by Geoff Laughton and his partner Eli. They take him in, warm him up, and give him a job working with their No Boundaries therapy riding program.

A drunk driver left Preston Harding unable to walk, and after months of hard work, his therapist recommends Geoff and Eli’s program. But Preston’s anger and arrogance nearly get him kicked out until Stone intercedes on his behalf, despite Preston’s insults. It’s a small act of kindness that helps open Preston’s eyes.

Stone and Preston will support each other as they face their families’ disapproval and fight old secrets. They’ll learn-sometimes the hard way-just how love can mean freedom for them both.

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… No Fear

Raine Baumer is living the party life in Chicago, indulging in short relationships with little emotional commitment. But after he’s severely injured in a gay bashing, close friend Geoff arrives to take him to the country to recuperate. There Geoff and his partner Eli treat him like part of the family, and Raine meets Jonah, Eli’s brother, who is exploring life in the world outside his Amish community.

Jonah and Raine’s mutual attraction draws them together, but they may not have a chance to explore it. Jonah’s father is making ultimatums, and the police believe that the attack on Raine may not have been as random as it initially appeared. Raine and Jonah will have to face what they fear most in order to have any chance at a life together.

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… Healing

Seven months ago, Len Parker lost his partner of more than twenty years, and he isn’t sure how to feel about his blossoming attraction to Chris, one of his farmhands. Hesitant and still hurt, Len remains aloof and distant until he’s goaded into teaching Chris to ride.

Fresh out of a thirty-year career with the Marines, Chris can explore his sexuality openly for the first time in his life, but what he needs more than anything is peace. He’s convinced Len doesn’t like him until he digs a little deeper, and then, armed with hope, Chris sets out to prove that love can provide the healing he and Len so desperately need.

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… Family

Four months ago Robert Edward “Arie” Hawkins lost his sister and the rest of her family in a plane crash. Now his parents have decided it’s time for him to marry and carry on the family name. Arie knows it’s most likely the grief talking—especially from his mother, who’s taken to putting more than ice in her iced tea—so to escape Mississippi, Arie calls his best friend, Robbie, and arranges for a visit.

Life is always changing at the Michigan farm where Robbie lives. Owner Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, have started a therapeutic riding program and adopted a little boy, creating a family. It’s while feeding Jakey that Arie meets Officer Hunky.

Officer Hunky’s real name is Deputy Duane Keenan, and he has troubles of his own, but not enough to stop him from pursuing Arie. But Duane’s and Arie’s families are pulling them in opposite directions. Trying to build a connection to support their mutual attraction may prove to be more than difficult… it may be impossible,

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… Renewal

Eli Henninger is stretched a little thin. He teaches riding classes, conducts therapy sessions, takes care of his son, and helps manage the family farm. He’s tired and overworked, especially because lately, no one else seems to do anything right. He and his partner, Geoff, haven’t have time together in so long, he’s beginning to forget what his longtime love feels like.

Geoff is just as busy with the farm, the business, and working through a complicated land purchase. He and Eli labor from sunup to sundown and then some. He knows taking care of their responsibilities is preventing them from taking care of each other, but he doesn’t see anything he can do about it. To make matters worse, they’re accused of behaving improperly toward some of the children in their riding programs.

Then Eli becomes ill and the investigators suspect foul play, forcing Geoff to reevaluate his priorities and hope fate will give them another chance.

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… No Limits

Bart van Andren, aka Spider, has been running away from life with a lot of chemical help. When he wakes up in a hospital, he discovers he’s picked up a champion. Duane must see something in Bart no one else ever has, because he finds Bart a job at Laughton Farms, where the people show Bart kindness and patience. He might even kick his drug habit with a little help from his new friends Geoff, Eli, and especially Tyrone.

Tyrone Jackson works at the farm despite the disapproval of his traditional black family, who find it suspicious that he works with gay men. Tyrone knows he’s gay, and until now, he’s kept his home and work lives separate.

Though Tyrone resists his feelings for Bart as long as he can—he’s seen enough of the drug culture to last a lifetime—he can’t deny their attraction forever. But before he and Bart reach for more than friendship, Tyrone has to face his family and Bart has to close the door on his past—a past that could put Tyrone, the farm, and everyone he’s come to care for at risk

Dreamspinner Press

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… Joy

This is a freebie that Andrew wrote for his fans. It takes place in the future of the series, but believe me, it’s a sweet read and fits perfectly!

Andrew Grey Books

 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Means… Patience

Years after his discharge from the Marines under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Cody Culver lives in a PTSD-induced world all his own. On a mission, under misconceptions that Geoff and Eli are the enemy, Cody breaks into their farmhouse but is quickly brought back to his senses by a frying pan to the head. After receiving much needed help in the hospital, Cody has nowhere to go. Luckily, kindhearted Eli knows just where to turn.

When Eli asks former Marine Brick Hunter to help, Brick isn’t sure he wants to get involved. But Brick has worked through his own PTSD, and like it or not, he owes Eli a favor. With Cody struggling to rejoin the real world and Brick agreeing to take him in, they discover they have more in common than either of them thought possible.

Though Cody tries to stay in the here and now, he sometimes flashes to unexplainable traumatic events—events that don’t fit his usual war zone delusions. As the “delusions” grow more frequent, it becomes apparent they might not be delusions at all. Cody may have actually witnessed a murder.

Dreamspinner Press

Series Review

First came No Shame where you meet Geoff and Eli. Eli’s been raised Amish while Geoff is a bit of a man-whore. However, when Geoff finds Eli sleeping in his bar, both men find a home… within each other.

Then Andrew gave us Courage, which is the prequel to No Shame and is the story of Len and Cliff, Geoff’s fathers. How they met, fell in love, and raised the little hellion you first met in No Shame. It will make you laugh, cry, and hope, all while showing you the hearts of these two incredible men.

In Simple Gifts Eli learns what family truly means and is one of the sweetest shorts ever.

Next came No Boundaries. Joey doesn’t think anyone will ever see past his scars until he meets Robbie, but when the summer ends, Robbie has to find faith in himself to fight for the love he’s found at the Laughton Farm and in the strength of Joey’s heart.

After that, we have Freedom in which Stone takes refuge at the farm and in his work with horses and with the therapy riding where Preston is sent to gain strength after a drunk driver hits him. Neither man is looking for love, but that doesn’t stop love from finding them. This is one of my favorites in the series.

When Geoff’s best friend, Raine, comes to visit after a gay bashing leaves him badly injured, he meets Eli’s brother, Jonah. If Geoff and Eli were the odd coupling, then it’s even truer with these two men. However, I couldn’t have chosen a better love match if I’d tried. Each man has things to overcome, but together then find they can love with No Fear.

In Healing, we find out how Len and Chris met and fell in love. It’s a sweet novella about second chances, new love, and healing.

When Robbie’s best friend, Arie, comes to visit after losing his sister, things are hard for him. However, when accusations are leveled against the therapeutic riding program, Arie meets Officer Hunky, I mean, Deputy Duane, and the definitions of both Family and future have to be reevaluated before they can find out if love is really possible.

In Renewal, we are once again able to enjoy and share in the love between Eli and Geoff, but when Eli’s poisoned, their happily ever after is threatened and priorities have to be reassessed. This one is a true gem and so needed in the series.

After that, is No Limits. Officer Hunky sends spider to Laughton Farms, to hopefully get his life back on track and off the drugs that nearly cost him his life. Tyrone works for Geoff and Eli, but isn’t ‘out’ thanks to his family. When they meet, more than sparks fly, but in the end, it’s actually one of my favorite stories in the series and of Andrew’s over all. It’s a powerful story of not just coming out, but coming to terms with who you are inside.

As I said above about Joy, it’s a sweet read and one I think everyone who loves Andrew’s books should read. It’s a freebie on his site and will leave your heart light and your mind happy.

Patience is due to come out on the 23rd, and I for one, cannot wait to read!

Over all, this series is not only one of love, hope and healing, it’s the hope of love and family shared that makes each story within so wonderful. Andrew’s writing is powerful yet never more than exactly what’s needed for each couple. It’s also special because we get to grow and learn with the characters. If you haven’t already, take a look at this series and settle in for many happy, tear-streaked hours of reading.

About the Author

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

♥ Site ♥ Blog ♥ Twitter ♥ Facebook ♥ Dreamspinner ♥