E.J. Russell's Blog, page 4

Rainbow Snippets, December 22-23, 2018

Rainbow Snippets, December 22 – 23, 2018

In the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group, readers, writers, and bloggers share short (six sentences) snippets of their LGBTQIA+ fiction or book recs each weekend. This week, our mini-theme is “getting ready for the holidays.” In The Probability of Mistletoe, Keith Trainor’s holiday preparation agenda includes one thing: convincing Parker Mulvaney to agree to become his business partner–and if he wants to be honest with himself, a partner in more than business.

Keith should have gotten a new jacket before he left San Jose, one with sleeves that actually covered his bony wrists. He should have gotten a haircut. He should have arranged to meet Parker somewhere other than a reunion, for Chrissake—and a holiday-themed reunion at that.

The probability of mistletoe at holiday parties was so high as to be certain, and statistically, the intersection of Keith, Parker, and mistletoe, was a giant Venn diagram of disaster. That last mistletoe encounter had killed his dreams of being with Parker. This time the dream was so much bigger. His future—everything he’d worked for since he graduated—depended on convincing Parker to accept Keith’s offer.

I just hope the offer is big enough to compensate for past awkwardness and… well… me.

Don’t forget to check out Rainbow Snippets to see what other authors have to offer!

Rainbow Snippets, December 15-16, 2018

Rainbow Snippets, December 15 – 16, 2018

In the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group, readers, writers, and bloggers share short (six sentences) snippets of their LGBTQIA+ fiction or book recs each weekend. This weekend’s mini-theme is “the end of autumn,” and my snippet is from Mystic Man, set during the moments when summer fades into autumn.

The angle of sunlight had slipped past that critical point—low enough to say “summer’s over” even if autumn hadn’t officially started yet. The change in seasons always filled Cody with an odd yearning that he’d never been able to identify.

He blamed Don Henley.

This time of year, post-Labor Day but before peak foliage season, “The Boys of Summer” always played on a loop on his internal playlist, with its melancholy reminiscence of times impossible to recapture, its vain search for someone no longer there.

Not that Cody had ever had someone to find—or lose, for that matter. But it made him want, as if his family, his beloved home, his life, was somehow missing a piece—although he had no idea what that piece might be.

In case you’d like to listen to Cody’s inner playlist, here’s a link to the official “Boys of Summer” music video–which, by the way, I’ve always cast as a M/M story! Don’t forget to check out Rainbow Snippets to see what other authors have to offer!

Rainbow Snippets, December 8-9, 2018

Rainbow Snippets, December 8 – 9, 2018

In the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group, readers, writers, and bloggers share short (six sentences or so) snippets of their LGBTQIA+ fiction or book recs each weekend. This week, my snippet is from my Dreamspinner Advent Calendar novella, An Everyday Hero. Adam, a recent Phoenix transplant, was confronted by a scorpion in his new house, and is awaiting the arrival of the exterminator while knee deep in his swimming pool.

Adam’s shivering had kicked up a notch, even though the sun was almost directly overhead. He crept over and climbed to the top step. This is stupid. You’ll have to get out of the pool to let the Luddite in anyway.

He bent down and peered at the concrete around the pool and hot tub. He didn’t see anything moving. Are scorpions related to chameleons? Maybe they’re cunning, like their velociraptor ancestors. Maybe they hunt in packs.

He could look it up on his phone, but he was afraid of what he’d learn.

When he heard the distant chime of his doorbell, a weird mix of relief and trepidation washed through him. Rescue was at hand! But first he had to make the trip through Mordor to open the door.

Don’t forget to check out Rainbow Snippets to see what other authors have to offer!

Rainbow Snippets, December 1-2, 2018

Rainbow Snippets, December 1 – 2, 2018

In the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group, readers, writers, and bloggers share short (six sentences) snippets of their LGBTQIA+ fiction or book recs each weekend. This week’s snippet is from my latest release, Vampire With Benefits. Casimir (a silent film actor-turned-vampire) and Rusty (a beaver shifter who’s never been able to shift) have embarked on a fake marriage because *reasons.* As you might imagine, things don’t work out quite according to plan!

“Don’t tell me your asshole ex actually had sex with you. In that house. Without telling you it wasn’t yours.”

“We, ah, might have done. Once or twice. Or more.”

Anger surged again, heating Cas’s blood. “When was the last time?”

“Kind of a personal question, don’t you think?”

“Elmer.”

Rusty sighed. “Fine. The day before the engagement announcement.”

Red tinged Cas’s vision, turning the landscape stark and flat. Is that still anger or—gods forbid—jealousy? Perhaps a little of both. He closed his eyes and tried to exercise some hard-won control. He wasn’t particularly successful. He was still angry. Still jealous. But at least he wasn’t about to punch out the window of Rusty’s truck. “Well.” He unclenched his fists, finger by finger. “I hope you washed the sheets.”

Don’t forget to check out Rainbow Snippets to see what other authors have to offer!

Vampire With Benefits Release Day!

Vampire With Benefits Release Day!

Today marks the book birthday of Vampire With Benefits (Supernatural Selection #2), the story of Rusty and Casimir–the men who got left at the altar when Ted and Quentin (from Single White Incubus) were accidentally married. I’ll be heading out on a virtual book tour today (blog stop details below as they arrive!), as well as embarking on my second Instagram tour. If you’re free, please follow along–there could be prizes in it for you!

Instagram: @ej_russell_author #VampireWithBenefits

 

Blog tour:

 

November 26, 2018 – Joyfully Jay

November 26, 2018 – La Crimson Femme

November 26, 2018 – Book Reviews and More by Kathy

November 26, 2018 – Erotica for All

November 27, 2018 – MM Good Book Reviews

November 27, 2018 – Boy Meets Boy Reviews

November 27, 2018 – My Fiction Nook

November 27, 2018 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

November 27, 2018 – That’s What I’m Talking About

November 28, 2018 – Bayou Book Junkie

November 28, 2018 – OMG Reads

November 28, 2018 – Dog-Eared Daydreams

November 28, 2018 – Real Talk Book Talk

November 29, 2018 – Love Bytes Reviews

November 29, 2018 – Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

November 29, 2018 – Creative Deeds

November 29, 2018 – Bookalicious Babes

November 30, 2018 – Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

November 30, 2018 – Novel Approach

November 30, 2018 – Jessie G Book Reviews

November 30, 2018 – The Day Before You Came

Rainbow Snippet, November 24-25

Rainbow Snippets, November 24-25

In the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group, readers, writers, and bloggers share short (six sentences) snippets of their LGBTQIA+ fiction or book recs each weekend. This weekend, to gear up for the release of Vampire With Benefits (Supernatural Selection #2) on Monday, here’s a snippet from Single White Incubus (Supernatural Selection #1).

In this scene, mismatched husbands Ted (bear shifter) and Quentin (incubus) are trying to meet the requirements for breaking their accidental marriage contract–requirements that necessitate getting rather more…hands-on…than is comfortable.

“Shhh. What I’m saying is, I trust you. I know I’m not the guy you want—”

“That’s not—” Quentin swallowed “—entirely true.”

“So you want me?”

“Gods and devils, yes. I mean, who wouldn’t?”

“Lots of people. Most people.” Ted scratched his beard thoughtfully. “Pretty much everyone, actually.”

“You’re delusional. I saw the way everyone in town—men and women—looked at you. All you’d need to do is crook a finger and you’d have all the company you want.”

Ted grinned. “Crook my finger? You mean like this?” He raised one huge hand and beckoned.

Don’t forget to check out Rainbow Snippets to see what other authors have to offer!

Rainbow Snippets, November 17-18

Rainbow Snippets, November 17-18, 2018

My friend Charlie Descoteaux/Charli Coty started the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group to allow readers, writers, and bloggers to share short (six sentences) snippets of their LGBTQIA+ fiction or book recs each weekend. I’ve belonged to the group for a few years, but until now I’ve only lurked. With US Thanksgiving less than a week away, though, I’m taking the plunge and posting a snippet from my Thanksgiving-themed contemporary M/M romance, Clickbait.

In this scene, Thanksgiving-averse Gideon has pushed his own phobia aside and fully immersed himself in a Thanksgiving celebration for the benefit of his new boyfriend’s family.

This could work: Him. Alex. Thanksgiving.

 

See? He could believe in a relationship. He could acknowledge the dreaded holiday, even participate in the pomp and food hoopla.

 

Maybe what it took to lay the curse of hideous Thanksgivings past to rest was orchestrating a totally awesome one in the present, with superlative trimmings, including a loving family and a superhot boyfriend.

 

Gideon hummed the theme from Mission: Impossible and bent over to collect his prepared garnishes from the refrigerator crisper drawer. He stood up and bumped into a wall of warm, solid muscle again. Mmm. Another return engagement by the superhot boyfriend in question. Excellent.

–E.J.

If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I wish you a lovely and stress-free holiday. Don’t forget to check out Rainbow Snippets to see what other authors have to offer!

Cover Reveal – An Everyday Hero

Cover Reveal for An Everyday Hero!

I’m so excited to share the cover for my contribution to this year’s Dreamspinner Advent Calendar (L.C. Chase FTW!). My story, An Everyday Hero, is a short novella (~16K words) about a geeky guy who moves from Portland to Phoenix for family–and finds an uninvited and unwelcome guest in his bedroom. An Everyday Hero will be available everywhere on December 1st, but until then, check out the book page for the blurb!

–E.J.

Cover Reveal – Devouring Flame

Cover Reveal for Devouring Flame!

Devouring Flame, the next book in my Enchanted Occasions series with Dreamspinner Press, will release on January 8, 2018. In the meantime, check out the cover reveal at Love Bytes Reviews! There’s an excerpt and a giveaway, so stop by to get a gander at the new style for Dreamspun Beyond covers!

–E.J.

Halloween Freebies!

Halloween Freebies!

I’ve joined with over twenty other M/M authors in a special #giveaway featuring Halloween and/or autumn-themed short stories. My story, Monster Till Midnight, is about 11K words, and–as you might guess from the title and cover–isn’t particularly…um…serious. You can claim your stories here: MM Halloween 2018 Short Story Giveaway. The giveaway is live until November 2nd, so grab your treats while you can!

Brady dearly loves Halloween. But the haunted house extravaganza he staged in his new town–in a house that’s actually supposed to be haunted–is a total bust. But then, an unexpected visitor barges out of his corn maze…