Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 363

2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Song of the Navigator by Astrid Amara

Song of the Navigator by Astrid Amara
Gay Sci-Fi / Futuristic
Paperback: 258 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (May 26, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 161922951X
ISBN-13: 978-1619229518
Amazon: Song of the Navigator
Amazon Kindle: Song of the Navigator

Worst Possible Birthday: Being sold into slavery by none other than your lover. Tover Duke's rare ability to move anything instantly across light-years of space makes him a powerful, valuable asset to the Harmony Corporation, and a rock star among the people of the colonies. His life is luxurious. Safe. Routine. He has his pick of casual hookups passing through Dadelus-Kaku Station. His one brush with danger of any kind-the only bright spot in his otherwise boring life-is Cruz Arcadio, a dark-haired, hard-bodied engineer whose physical prowess hints he's something much more. When a terrorist abducts Tover, hurling him into a world of torture, exploitation and betrayal, it's with shattering disbelief that he realizes his kidnapper is none other than Cruz. As Tover struggles to find the courage to escape his bondage, he begins to understand the only way to free his body, his mind-and his heart-is to trust the one man who showed him that everything about his once-perfect life was a lie.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Family and Reflection by Anne Barwell

Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City Book 3) by Anne Barwell
Gay Paranormal Romance
Paperback: 226 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 163476207X
ISBN-13: 978-1634762076
Amazon: Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City Book 3)
Amazon Kindle: Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City Book 3)

Sequel to Electric Candle

The Sleepless City: Book Three

For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception―he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Flint―and their leader, Jacob Coate―have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger.

Declan has been away from Flint for ten years, but he isn’t surprised to learn that the internal politics of the Supernatural Council haven’t changed for the better. When a series of burglaries hit close to home soon after he arrives, Declan―a vampire and professional thief―is their prime suspect, although for once, he isn’t responsible. With the council keeping secrets, no one is safe. Time is running out, and for Lucas and Declan, everything is about to change.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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GRL: W.S. Long

Starting from June 1, 2015, I will daily feature authors attending the three conventions I will join, Euro Pride in Munich (July), UK Meet in Bristol (September) and GRL in San Diego (October).

For the GRL in San Diego, October 15-18, 2015, today author is W.S. Long: A military brat, who joined the military himself, W.S. Long now practices law during the day, but at night reads and writes male-male romance. When he's not writing, W.S. Long travels and dreams of traveling far off distant lands with his mild-mannered college professor husband.

Everyone should have a little romance in his or her life.

Further Readings:

The Nephilim's Promise by W.S. Long
Publisher: JMS Books LLC (April 12, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: The Nephilim's Promise

Eli is immortal. Almost immortal, anyway. His father is an archangel he never knew, while his mother was a human. When another angel asks him to save a human male in Ancient Egypt, his life is forever changed.

When Micha comes into his life, Eli is no longer alone, but Micha’s untimely death leads Eli to search for his eternal love through reincarnations of Micha over the centuries. Based on a medium’s tip, Eli finds Joshua Milbanks, eighteen years old and homeless, kicked out of foster home because he is gay.

When Eli saves Joshua from a bullet, Joshua doesn’t know what to think, but he cannot deny he is drawn to Eli. Is Joshua Micha reincarnated? Or will Eli continue to be lonely without his eternal love?



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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Sandcastles by Suzie Carr

Sandcastles by Suzie Carr
Lesbian Contemporary General Fiction
Paperback: 252 pages
Publisher: Sunny Bee Books (January 5, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0986388106
ISBN-13: 978-0986388101
Amazon: Sandcastles
Amazon Kindle: Sandcastles

Lia is smart, successful, and best friends with Dean, a gay man who is just as neurotic as she. Life is smooth and flowing, unmarked by much more than a little family jealousy here and there, until she runs into Willow, an exciting enigma from her past. Willow, a psychic, receives a sense that something is off kilter surrounding Lia. Should she tell her, even though Lia, the person she’s never been able to stop thinking about since childhood, might run the other way? It’s a risk she decides to take, and Lia’s curiosity surprises her. As truths about life, love and uncertainties are unearthed, Lia and Willow, two women in love with each other, along with their friend Dean, learn to seek strength from unexpected places and people. Along their journeys, the three learn what a struggle it is to maintain their sandcastles as they embrace the parts of their lives that really matter. This book delves into the empowering world of holistic health, natural medicine, reiki healing, acupuncture, and health and wellness.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: When Skies Have Fallen by Debbie McGowan

When Skies Have Fallen by Debbie McGowan
Gay Historical Romance
Paperback: 296 pages
Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing (July 8, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1910635502
ISBN-13: 978-1910635506
Amazon: When Skies Have Fallen
Amazon Kindle: When Skies Have Fallen

For many in war-torn 1944, love blossoms in the dance hall, and airman Arty Clarke is no exception. He's a thinker and a dreamer; however, it's not the beautiful, talented dancer in his arms-his best friend Jean-who inspires his dreams. For when his gaze meets that of Technical Sergeant Jim Johnson, Arty dares to imagine a different dance. Their love is forbidden, by both the armed forces and the law, but with Jean's cunning and support, Arty and Jim try to bridge the distance between them and find true love despite the danger and a life-threatening disaster that could destroy Arty's dreams for good. Can the pair stand strong together, no matter how many skies have fallen?

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: After The End by Sara York

After The End by Sara York
Gay Young Adult
Paperback: 276 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 24, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1502483734
ISBN-13: 978-1502483737
Amazon: After The End
Amazon Kindle: After The End

With international flights crisscrossing the skies on an hourly basis, are we ever really safe? When a strain of the Ebola virus mutates; it spreads quickly leaving the medical community shattered. People are dropping in the streets and life, as most know it, comes to an end. Two city dweller survivors, Dean and William, are forced to flee the city and live in the wilderness—where dangers lurk behind every tree and in every valley. Not everyone alive after the end is good, and William and Dean are faced with challenges that would bring many to their knees. Growing up in the hood of Atlanta, Dean knows how to overcome trials, but he knows nothing of love. Can he sustain a relationship with William, or will his doubts end them before they even have a chance? From birth William has had a silver spoon in his mouth and two in each hand, but the end brings him face to face with reality where he has to take responsibility for his life. After the end, money has no meaning, and life is lived on the edge. Join William and Dean after the end and find out how close to the edge they come.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html

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GRL: Jacob Z. Flores

Starting from June 1, 2015, I will daily feature authors attending the three conventions I will join, Euro Pride in Munich (July), UK Meet in Bristol (September) and GRL in San Diego (October).

For the GRL in San Diego, October 15-18, 2015, today author is Jacob Z. Flores: Jacob Z. Flores lives a double life. During the day, he is a respected college English professor and mid-level administrator. At night and during his summer vacation, he loosens the tie and tosses aside the trendy sports coat to write man on man fiction, where the hard ass assessor of freshmen level composition turns his attention to the firm posteriors and other rigid appendages of the characters in his fictional world.

Summers in Provincetown, Massachusetts, provide Jacob with inspiration for his fiction. The abundance of barely clothed man flesh and daily debauchery stimulates his personal muse. When he isn’t stroking the keyboard, Jacob spends time with his daughter. They both represent a bright blue blip in an otherwise predominantly red swath in south Texas.

Further Readings:

Spell Bound (The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge Book 1) by Jacob Z. Flores
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634761235
ISBN-13: 978-1634761239
Amazon: Spell Bound (The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge Book 1)
Amazon Kindle: Spell Bound (The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge Book 1)

The Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge: Book One

Mason Blackmoor just can’t compete with his brothers, much less his father. They represent the epitome of black magic, strong, dark, and wicked, and though Mason tries to live up to his respected lineage, most of the spells he casts go awry. To make matters worse, his active power has yet to kick in. While his brothers wield lightning and harness the cold, Mason sits on the sidelines, waiting for the moment when he can finally enter the magical game.

When a dead body is discovered on the football field of his high school, Mason meets Drake Carpenter, the new kid in town. Drake’s confident demeanor and quick wit rub Mason the wrong way. Drake is far too self-assured for someone without an ounce of magical blood in his body, and Mason aims to teach him a lesson―like turn him into a roach. And if he’s lucky, maybe this time Mason won’t be the one turned into an insect.

Not surprisingly, the dislike is mutual, and Drake does nothing to dispel Mason’s suspicion that the sexy boy with a southern drawl is somehow connected to the murder.

If only Mason didn’t find himself inexplicably spell bound whenever they are together, they might actually find out what danger hides in the shadows.



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UK Meet: Meredith Russell

Starting from June 1, 2015, I will daily feature authors attending the three conventions I will join, Euro Pride in Munich (July), UK Meet in Bristol (September) and GRL in San Diego (October).

For the UK Meet in Bristol, September 11-13, 2015, today author is Meredith Russell: Meredith Russell lives in the heart of England. An avid fan of many story genres, she enjoys nothing less than a happy ending. She believes in heroes and romance and strives to reflect this in her writing. Sharing her imagination and passion for stories and characters is a dream Meredith is excited to turn into reality.

Further Readings:

Sex and Cocktails by Meredith Russell
Publisher: Pride Publishing (July 28, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Sex and Cocktails

Cocktails make a one-night stand seem like a good idea, but Daniel and Ty discover one night is harder to walk away from than they think.

Daniel Rawlings is happy with his nine-to-five life in Chicago. He has an office job, a mortgage and he’s about to turn thirty. He’s happy—or so he thinks. During the last night of a sun-filled vacation in Miami, he meets wild-haired, free-spirited Ty. With the help of some summery cocktails, Daniel and Ty embark on a passionate one-night stand, though neither man really wants it to be just one night. The thousand miles between cities may make their relationship harder than either man could have imagined. When Ty visits Daniel in Chicago, they grow closer, and Daniel realizes the two of them could be so much more than just the sex and cocktails of Miami. As their time together draws to a close once again, Daniel and Ty have a decision to make. Is what they have when they're together worth the heartache of saying goodbye over and over again?



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2015 GRL Featured Blog Tour: Devon Rhodes

Starting from June 1, 2015, I will daily feature authors attending the three conventions I will join, Euro Pride in Munich (July), UK Meet in Bristol (September) and GRL in San Diego (October). Moreover I'm taking part at the 2015 GRL Featured Blog Tour as Featured Blogger.

For the 2015 Featured Blog Tour, today author is Devon Rhodes: How to GRL the Devon way
Thanks, Elisa, for having me on! Can’t wait to see you and your beautiful dresses!
October has always been my favorite month of the year—gorgeous weather, fall leaves, football. This year I have even more reason to look forward to it—I’ll be in beautiful San Diego at my fifth GayRomLit Retreat. Being on the West Coast, I do travel to SoCal at least once or twice a year, and one of my best friends lives there, so I know the city and region fairly well. And, of course, since I’ve attended every single GayRomLit, I’m practically a professional GRL-goer. So here are a couple of my top tips and take-aways from each of my trips, along with some pics!



GRL New Orleans:
• You CAN go to these events without knowing a soul. I arrived at my first GRL (my first industry con, full stop) not having met a single person prior. I did know a few people from online, and thanks to social media pics, was able to recognize a handful of them, making it easier to approach them. :-) So if you’re a newbie, take a good look at my photos, then look for me when you get there. I’ll be the one who’s pretty much always smiling.
• If you’re prone to locking your key in the room, get an extra one and give it to another attendee who seems nice in order to save yourself the embarrassment of having to go to the front desk for the umpteenth time. Worked for me: not only did I stop adding to my key collection (topped out at six) in New Orleans, I ended up becoming besties and writing partners with my key-keeper down the hall. Yes, it happened to be TA Chase. <3


Meeting Poppy Dennison at GRL New Orleans


My girls enjoying the swag from GRL New Orleans

GRL Albuquerque:
• Get your camera/phone out! When I got home from NOLA, I was bummed that I only had a handful of pictures, so I made a concerted effort in Albuquerque to snap away and was much more satisfied by my photo memories after saying goodbye to New Mexico, as you can see by the size of my FB photo albums!
• Don’t be afraid to dial it down and spend some quality time getting to know someone you’ve made a connection with, one-on-one. Instead of always being in groups or flitting from greeting to the next conversation, it can really pay off to find a quiet booth in the bar for a chat (Jared) or learn the art of the perfect selfie in the middle of the dance floor then figure out you have a lot more in common (Leigh).


A Kodak moment of TA Chase from GRL Albuquerque


With Marie Sexton and Ethan Day at GRL Albuquerque

GRL Atlanta:
• ESCAPE! With so many great people and things to do, it can be all too tempting to just hunker down in the hotel and rarely see the light of day. But there’s a city out there, with local cuisine and a unique vibe. Even if it’s just for a meal out or a walk to get real coffee, be sure to actually visit the city you’re visiting. I’m sure you wouldn’t have to look far to find some takers to go along for the ride! Sometimes you’ll end up with a whole herd of GRLers and take over a restaurant and maybe have the best lobster mac and cheese you’ve ever tasted.
• Consider what gives you the bang for your buck at this retreat. You’ve spent a lot of time, money and effort to be there. Is it to see some of your fave authors? Be sure you scour the program for where they’ll be and when so you don’t miss them! To grow as an author? Try the Writer’s Workshop. To make connections with publishers/bloggers/other readers? The best thing about this retreat is people are very accessible. If you have a hard time walking up to someone you really want to meet, maybe send them an IM to arrange a date in the lobby. To let your hair down and be an adult with other adults? :-) Yeah—that’s pretty much every night, and don’t forget the after-parties. You can sleep when you get home. :-) Make sure you have a plan (ie, do some planning ahead) to hit the high points of your reasons for coming so you don’t come to end and think Where did the time go? I never got to…


A herd of GRLers out on the town at GRL Atlanta


Elisa looking gorgeous at GRL Atlanta


Nice or naughty with Leigh at GRL Atlanta

GRL Chicago:
• Don’t let setbacks get you down. I was t-boned by a pickup truck in an accident right before GRL last year and was in a lot of pain the whole week. It sucked but I tried not to let it affect my plans or my mood. I asked for help when I needed to, and people were so wonderful about things, including making sure their hugs were gentle. :-)
• Be selective about what you want to take home, or have a plan to get it there. I actually planned to go home with one LESS suitcase than when I came, mostly because I brought a bunch of books and swag and gave it all away. I even gave away my suitcase—literally! It went to The Netherlands with a blogger who won a bunch of my books, lol. But for readers who want to take books and swag home, bringing an extra case or even a folded up duffle bag, is the way to go. You can always throw your mostly dirty clothes in a soft bag a check it while packing heavy books in your rolling suitcase.


Entertaining the Village People at GRL Chicago


With Elisa at GRL Chicago


With TA Chase at GRL Chicago

Welcome to the Left Coast! San Diego in General:
• Yes, it’s SoCal and there’s beaches, but it’s temperate and can really cool down at night. Be sure to pack a jacket and pants for watching the sun sink into the ocean.
• Soooo much to see and do, and you won’t be able to do it all. Know that right up front and relax your approach to sightseeing. Better to do one or two things and enjoy them than try to rush around and exhaust yourself doing too much.
• Feel free to be casual. I’ve spent entire vacations there in basically flip-flops, a swim suit, T-shirts and shorts. It’s a beach town and a tourist town, so no one expects you to dress up, unless of course that’s your thing. Whatever you’re comfortable with!
I’m pretty sure most everyone reading this will have GRL wired, but hopefully something I’ve brought up is helpful to at least one person. And if so, let me know! :-) Look forward to seeing this year’s attendees in… OMG, less than three months?! I’d better start planning. And figure out what to do for a second suitcase this year…

*******

For four years now, I’ve put together an anthology with other GRL authors. I’d love to give away a four-pack of ebooks to a commenter, including Unconventional at Best, Unconventional in Atlanta, An Unconventional Chicago, and an advance copy of this year’s Unconventional in San Diego. Here’s the blurb for my latest story, in the San Diego anth, titled A Sliver of Sunset.
From one-night stand to nurse and patient—is it crazy to expect more?
Angelo has somehow developed leukemia—the only paranormal ever known to do so—and the doctors are mystified as to the cause. The cure requires him to repress his shifter side with a chemical inhibitor and be entirely human while he goes through chemotherapy, which contributes to some interesting situations he never would have foreseen—things like ‘misplacing’ his favorite bar, Unconventional, and getting picked up by a human without realizing it’s his mate.
Dominic can’t believe his luck when bravely striking up a conversation with the hottest guy he’s ever seen leads to the best sex he’s ever had. When he wakes up—no surprise—Angelo is gone. A week later, he’s shocked when he walks in to meet a new oncology patient to find Angelo fighting for his life and dependent upon his care.

Will their timing ever improve, or will Angelo’s time run out before they get a chance?
Please leave a comment below and we’ll draw a winner next week. Good luck! :-)

*******



Unconventional in San Diego
Publisher: Pride Publishing (August 11, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Unconventional in San Diego

Unconventional in San Diego by Carol Lynne, Amber Kell, T.A. Chase, Jambrea Jo Jones and Devon Rhodes
‘Fate’s Bridge’ by Carol Lynne
Is it possible for a soul to be reborn inside another?
‘Coming in Third’ by Amber Kell
Love sometimes comes in threes.
‘The Unicorn Said Yes’ by T.A. Chase
When an innocent human virgin meets the king of the unicorn herd, it’s not just legends that come true.
‘Blood on the Moon’ by Jambrea Jo Jones
Be careful what you wish for, especially when you’re a witch.
‘A Sliver of Sunset’ by Devon Rhodes
From one-night stand to nurse and patient—is it crazy to expect more?

About the author: When I'm not lost in my imagination, you can find me in beautiful Oregon and at:
My Website: http://www.devonrhodes.com/
My Blog: http://devonrhodes.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/devon.rhodes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/devonrhodes

( GRL Blog Tour Appearance Schedule )




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2015 Rainbow Awards Submission: Keep the Stars Running

Keep the Stars Running by Andrea Speed, Talya Andor, Lexi Ander, Leona Carver, and Cassandra Pierce
Gay Anthology / Collection / Sci-Fi / Futuristic
Paperback: 514 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (May 13, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620045311
ISBN-13: 978-1620045312
Amazon: Keep the Stars Running
Amazon Kindle: Keep the Stars Running

Space is not always filled with adventures and glory. Not everybody goes racing off to battle evil and save the galaxy. Between the rebels, pirates, royals, and spies are the everyday people who work hard just to get by and ensure everyone gets home safe. Less Than Three Press presents a collection of tales about the ordinary folks who keep the stars running.

2015 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2015.html



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