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SERIES TOUR 
Apocrypha of the Knight Shamans series by R. Roderick Rowe “In Jamari’s time, the Knight Shamans were the glue that held the Elk Creek Tribe together. In the beginning, the Knight Shaman was mystic, prophet, and wise man. Someone who could heal with a touch. Before the beginning, there was a boy working to become a man and becoming legend in the process.” The stories can stand alone, but will be better followed if read in order. Overall Heat Rating for the series: 2 flames BOOK DETAILS BOOK 1 Book Title: The First Knight Shaman Part One of the Apocrypha of the Knight Shamans Series Publisher: RWCollins Publishing Length: 103 pages Release Date: November 2024 Tense/POV: third person, present tense /alternating POV Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Dystopian, Post-apocalyptic Tropes: Found Family, Post-Apocalypse survival Themes: Coming out, forgiveness, fate, coming of age angst It does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 
When his people are attacked by other villages, Rodney Knight uses his ability to interact with dead people’s spirits to help his community survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Blurb Rodney suffers through his earliest years in angst and rebellion when his father constantly rejects him. He enters young adulthood still bitter over how his father has treated him. Even so, his tribe needs the intervention of their only shaman in the Other Worlds for their very survival. As he acts out his anger, he accepts his duties and learns how to master them from a trusted mentor. Then he discovers that family isn’t limited to the blood ties, but can be so much more. The San Francisco Book Review gave a nice summary: “After the Great Quake of 2040, the forested lands and the lives of those in the Pacific Northwest are shaken. With both civil and social unrest still prevailing from the ideas of the 47th president, much of southwestern Oregon has been divided into tribal communities. Rodney Knight, the son of the founder of the Elk Creek Tribe, comes to age and into his own powers during this tumultuous time. At seven, he recognized his first spirits. First, a childhood friend was slain in an attack, and next, a beloved mentor lost during a battle. At seventeen, while on patrol with his unit, Rodney once again encounters a spirit that warns him of an ambush. Knowing that war is inevitable, the Elk Creek Tribe recognizes Rodney as their first Shaman. With advice from his Spirit Guide, Rodney helps lead his community through troubled times and towards the ideals that the founder had envisioned.” BOOK 2 Book Title: The Second Book of the Knight Shamans Part Two of the Apocrypha of the Knight Shamans Series Publisher: RWCollins Publishing Length: 118 pages Release Date: March 2025 Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Dystopian, Post-apocalyptic Tropes: Coming of Age, First Love It is not a standalone story, but can still be read on its own. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 
Peter Williams faces a deadly world where the Trumpian government has abandoned the west after a series of massive earthquakes has devastated the land. Blurb The great quakes of 2040 led to the downfall of civilization in the Pacific Northwest. Here is a tale of the days of destruction and the survival of one small family that then shaped the future for a thousand years after. Peter is just one year old when his family is stranded in the wilderness after the quakes destroyed roads, bridges, buildings, and civility. His father and mother struggle to bring him home to their city of Sutherlin through a nine-year odyssey. Then, at the very gates of their home, they find themselves under attack by the townsmen they counted on for refuge. Follow Peter, and Wayne and Carrie Williams as they struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world, meeting friends and foes all of whom set the path ahead for young Peter to either survive or perish. The Apocrypha of the Knight Shamans is an entire series devoted to explore methods to break people out of the deep programming that civilization and culture impose on them. In short, when nearly half the people in the United States have been convinced that “Woke” is evil and anyone who is “Woke” should be severely dealt with, this series will not only show how to escape the mind-prison of our culture, but will also offer some ideas of what the human spirit gains in being truly “Woke” as opposed to what the ignorant masses have been indoctrinated to believe. The works of Don Miguel Ruiz, Elaine Pagels, and references to the Gnostic Gospels are intertwined in this work of fiction to create a new culture, with new values, and new paradigms, thus leaving the old views of the far right behind them and becoming Paradigm Lost. To be even more clear: MAGA's this stuff ain’t for you! Do you dare to look at the alternatives a new paradigm can bring into existence? Excerpt The Second Knight Shaman “The President of the United States,” the announcer read in a somber tone, “has said that the West is on their own. Here’s a recording of his statement.” About the Author Roderick Rowe studied writing in college for several years, working as assistant editor and then editor for his school’s literary magazine. He also spent a term as copy editor for the campus newspaper. He is a gay man and uses this “affliction” to build characters and situations in his fictional work. Rowe has published several short stories and an occasional poem. After ending a twenty-year career unexpectedly in 2015, Rowe decided to write his first novel. “Jamari and the Manhood Rites, Part I” was completed in two months, then he settled in to conduct editing – complete new landscape design with a new Koi pond, a new library built into the spare room in his home, the cleanest his house had ever been – but the editing eventually got completed. Social Media Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | TikTok | Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win an ebook from the author's backlist 
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 Raul slipped into the locker room and stripped out of his old jeans and stained, ratty gray shirt. He pulled black leather pants and a vest from his locker. “You’re late,” his cousin, Tadeo drawled. He made exaggerated sniffing noises. “And you’re a little—what’s the word? Gamey.” Raul turned around. “I don’t have time to shower and he’s a human, he’ll think I’m manly smelling.” “Ooww… what the hell happened to you?” Tadeo took a few steps in Raul’s direction and motioned to his thigh. “That looks painful.” “It is. My fugitive was a centaur.” Tadeo winced. “You shouldn’t stand behind them. They kick.” “Thank you.” Raul pulled the vest on and buttoned all the carved, silver buttons. “What did you do with him?” “Who?” Raul stepped into the leather pants, fitted them over his hips and fastened his fly with buttons that matched those on his vest. “My client!” “Oh, him.” Tadeo gave him a mischievous smirk. “I put him in a playroom, let enough wolf out to watch him squirm, told him to take off everything but his jeans and stand in the corner. Then I turned the lights out.” Raul choked back a laugh. “You’re a jerk.” “You laughed. What does that make you?” Tad shrugged. “He’ll think it’s all part of the experience.” Raul ignored the question and took a few steps to the large, three panel mirror turning so he had a good view of his ass. Tadeo jumped forward, smacked Raul’s right cheek and danced out of reach, laughing. “No, your ass doesn’t look fat. It’s round and makes me want to drool.” Chasing after Tadeo he shoved against his shoulders. “You’re really a jerk.” “And you’re late. That poor kid has been standing in a corner for a half hour.” Tadeo clapped Raul’s shoulder. “Go get ‘em, tiger…uh… wolfie.” Raul flipped Tadeo off and walked backward to the locker room door. He pushed the door shut on Tadeo’s cackling laughter. **** Brandon was too nervous to try looking at his watch. He wiggled his toes against the cool concrete and wondered how long it’d been. His cock was still painfully full, and his balls were so tight he worried they might just split apart. When the door opened and clicked shut again, he jumped. The lights were turned up to a soft glow. An intoxicating scent of leather mixed with a slight bit of sweat swirled around Brandon. “Is that too bright?” A rough, deep voice asked. Brandon’s heart rate kicked up a notch. “N-no.” “No, what?” Taking a deep breath, Brandon immediately answered, “No, sir.” “Turn ‘round.” Brandon nodded and carefully turned around. Feeling a little weak in his knees, he took in the sight before him. Dressed in well-worn black leather, the man had dark, slightly mussed hair, broad shoulders and muscular arms that weren’t overly bulky. The V neckline of his leather vest showed off a dusting of dark hair that likely covered his chest. Between the gap in the vest and his low-slung pants was a strip of dark hair that drew Brandon’s attention. Brandon couldn’t help focusing on the werewolf’s deep navel. His pants stretched over thick thighs and were no doubt cut to particularly show off the package between his legs. A dark, five o’clock shadow accentuated his cheekbones, but it was his rakish grin and glowing copper eyes that took Brandon’s breath away. The werewolf cocked his head and asked, “Are you old enough to do this?” “Y-yes, sir. I’m twenty-five. I gave my ID at the desk.” “Where is it?” Brandon nodded at the pile of clothes in a square, plastic basket in one corner. “My phone and wallet are under my shirt.” “May I?” “Yes.” The werewolf moved the shirt and pulled out Brandon’s wallet, opening it and then scrutinizing Brandon’s driver’s license. He replaced everything, and Brandon noticed how he carefully refolded Brandon’s shirt. “Sorry, but I like to verify things myself sometimes. Minors do try to sneak in here. I’m Raul.” “Brandon.” Raul nodded and motioned to the basket. “I know.”       Jay swallowed and leaned back against Eric, delighting in that feeling of being surrounded again. Dragging one hand across Jay’s back, Eric paced away. He shed his leather jacket, draping it over a chair, and settled on the couch in front of Jay. He leaned back, let his legs drop open slightly with his hands folded between them. Jay stayed rooted where he was, standing there feeling on display and naked even though he still had his clothes on. “About that call,” Eric said quietly. “I’m sorry, that was wrong.” “Yeah, I got you’re sorry. I’m not angry, simply curious. Why, if you wanted to call me as much as you claim, didn’t you?” “I… it’s complicated and….” Eric’s tone hardened ever so slightly. “Explain it to me. I might understand.” “My father, he thinks it’ll reflect badly on him, how I am.” “You mean being gay? It’s not a disease. You can’t infect him. And it’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of.” “I know,” Jay whispered. “But he’s my father.” Eric nodded, expression softening. “I get that part. I understand about keeping things quiet and discrete.” “Well, there’s more. He found this woman, Kellie Bodnar. I’ve agreed to marry her.” Jay shrugged. “To keep up ‘appearances’.” He made quote signs in the air. “I know, this isn’t the nineteen-fifties, but appeasing him will help me own this business one day. I have no idea how she and my father met.” When Eric didn’t do much other than raise one eyebrow, Jay fumbled ahead, forcing the words out in a rush. “Look, it’s a fake, but I have to show up in public with her. I don’t think she even likes me much. He’s paying for her education, and when she’s done with that, he’ll give her money for research. I mean what man--Dom—in his right mind is going to put up with that crap?” “So, you decided for me?” “No. But, I didn’t think—” “No, you sure as hell didn’t,” Eric snapped. Jay opened his mouth and shut it again, not knowing what to say. He looked down, staring at the floor between his feet. After a few slow breaths, Eric continued, “How do you feel about this girl?” Rocking on his heels a few times, Jay clasped his hands behind his back and took another deep breath. “I barely know her. She’s polite to me. If you’re asking if I’m in any way interested in her as a partner, sexually, or otherwise, the answer is no. I’m not bi. I’ve never had her here. I never want her in my home.” He ventured a peek up at Eric. “She sure as hell is no underwear model.” Eric chuckled, nodded, and relaxed farther back into the couch. “And because of this—arrangement—you think you can’t have a real life? One you’d like? Be in a real relationship?” When Jay only nodded, Eric shifted on the couch, leaned forward, and rested his elbows on his knees. “What happens after you’re married?” “As long as we keep up the appearance of a couple, we go about our lives. Whatever she’s studying and her research will require her to travel.” Eric nodded. “So, what do we do about this situation? How do we handle this?” Taking a few tentative steps forward, Jay dipped his knees and knelt on the floor. Inching forward until he was close enough to rest both hands on Eric’s knees, he focused on the floor between them. “I don’t know. I guess I never gave it much thought. I figured no one would be interested in me after they found out.” “You wanted to call and felt you couldn’t?” Eric brushed his fingers lightly through Jay’s hair making his scalp tingle and sending little jolts of electricity down his neck and spine to rest near his tailbone. He tapped the back of one of Jay’s hands with two fingers. Jay pulled his hands away from Eric’s legs and clasped them behind his back. “Yes, sir.” “There’d be rules, of course, concerning what happens after one of your performances with her.” Jay looked up, sure his shock registered on his face when Eric’s eyes twinkled and he grinned wickedly. “You’d still consider—?”    BLOG TOUR 
Book Title: Late Bloomer Baby Boomer: A Collection of Humorous Essays About Being Gay Back in the Day and Finally Finding My Way Author and Publisher: Steve Milliken Release Date: December 2022 Genres: Memoir/Biography Tropes: Self-discovery through humor, finding identity, acceptance, and resilience by laughing through life’s absurdities. Themes: Finding humor as a gay Baby Boomer – Because the coming-out process never really ends, and it’s best to laugh along the way. Heat Rating: 2 flames Length: 66 000 words/228 pages It is a standalone non-fiction book. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 
Laugh-out-loud stories about coming out, coming of age, and coming to terms with myself—finally! Blurb What happens when the class clown embraces his truth, becomes a teacher, and takes on the absurdities of life? Hilarity ensues. In LATE BLOOMER BABY BOOMER: A Collection of Humorous Essays About Being Gay Back in the Day and Finally Finding My Way, Steve Milliken delivers a laugh-out-loud memoir packed with sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and occasional bursts of wisdom. With the observational humor of David Sedaris and the candid charm of Augusten Burroughs, these essays explore self-discovery, urban teaching misadventures, and the hilarity of navigating adulthood as a gay baby boomer. Spoiler: It’s a parade of pitfalls, pratfalls, and punchlines. Review Quote: Excerpt 1: From "Introduction" “Some people ask me, ‘Steve, who's the target audience for your book?’ And I tell them: ‘My book is for anyone who is gay, knows someone who's gay, or someone who is NOT gay but would like to be! Or… a straight guy who’s had a gay experience—like wearing a belt that matches his shoes.’” “Back in my distant youth, I pursued a career as an actor, but the problem with acting for me was that I was a comic character actor trapped in a leading man's body. If Rodney Dangerfield and Grace Kelly had a baby, that would have been me. But to be honest, I never wanted to be rich and famous… and so far, that’s working out great! Not really…” Excerpt 2: From "Epistolary Possibilities for a New Year" “After not working out for a month, I arrived at the gym only to realize my gym bag had turned into a mildew science project thanks to a rogue water bottle. Unfortunately, I discovered this catastrophe only after I'd stripped down in the locker room. I panicked, naturally, but I was too far gone to turn back. I had no choice but to wear my stinky clothes.” “Now, I’m not religious, but in moments like these, I consider a higher power. I clutched my hands together and said a novena to the patron saint of putrid smells: ‘Our Lady of Sacred Stench, please help me now.’” “Once on the gym floor, I tried to keep a safe distance from everyone. But when someone got too close, I’d suddenly dash to another part of the gym for no apparent reason. I’d seen my cat do this, so it seemed worth a try…” Excerpt 3: From "Bitch Ass Snitch" “One day, I ‘snitched’ to the Dean about a student of mine who had tagged his desk with a box cutter blade. The next day, when he came back, in front of the whole class, he called me a ‘bitch ass snitch’ and ran out of the classroom. Later that day, in the staff parking lot, I discovered someone had vandalized my car.” ‘Gee, I wonder who that could have been?’ Of course, I came to one conclusion… ‘Karma's a bitch… for a bitch ass snitch!’” Excerpt 4: From "Changing Closets" “Originally, I was in the closet for being gay… but now I'm in the closet about my age. To counter the effects of aging, I’ve reluctantly adhered to diet and exercise mandates. I even tried becoming a vegetarian… although not a strict one. Occasionally, I’d eat chicken, fish, and ass. I’m kidding, I kid. I didn’t eat chicken…” About the Author Steve Milliken, a native Californian who never left—thanks to a rent-controlled Santa Monica apartment—is a writer, humorist, and recovering class clown who has spent a lifetime finding the comedy in life’s quirks and curveballs. A gay baby boomer with a knack for self-deprecating wit, he’s been an inner-city teacher, a reluctant adult, and an expert in the fine art of laughing at himself. In LATE BLOOMER BABY BOOMER: A Collection of Humorous Essays About Being Gay Back in the Day and Finally Finding My Way, Steve shares sharp, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud stories about coming out, inner-city teaching, and navigating life one misadventure at a time. His writing has been compared to the observational humor of David Sedaris and the candid storytelling of Augusten Burroughs. When he’s not finding the humor in everyday life, Steve creates and shares short comedy videos online based on excerpts from his book, proving that some stories are best told with a punchline… and good lighting. Author Links Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok 
 My snippet this week is from A Barlow Lens, book 2 of Circles.  Wyatt hauled Val from the storage locker. He stopped only long enough to shut and lock the door. When Val took a few steps toward where they’d parked their car Wyatt lunged at him, wound one arm around his waist and shoved Val back. “Stay behind me. Keep quiet,” Wyatt said. He stopped and looked around, taking in every detail. “What the hell is wrong with you? What did Kevin say—?” “Val! I’m serious. Shut up. Kevin Fells is one person on this earth, when he threatens to kill someone, I take him very seriously.” The color dropped from Val’s face. He stood staring at Wyatt. Not speaking and not moving. Wyatt grabbed Val’s hand and yanked. They walked quickly to the car. Wyatt held one hand out, motioning to the back of the car. “Wait there. Stay quiet and don’t move until I say so.” There are more diverse snippets to read in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group.  A Barlow Lens is available in eBook, paperback and
through Kindle Unlimited. Mason grabbed his arm and hauled him up almost at once. “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay. Keep going.” “Mason, I can’t—” Without warning Mason spun Riece around and shook him. He pointed one finger at Riece and snarled, “You listen to me. ‘I can’t’ is no longer in your vocabulary. You can and you will because I love you and there is no fucking way I’m leaving you here or losing you. I will keep you safe and get you out, but you will not goddamn give up on me.” He gulped in a few deep breaths and ran one hand through his hair. “Riece, we can do this. Now move your ass.” Riece wanted to make a quip about how sexy it was when Mason took control and got all macho like that, but he was too busy trying to keep his footing. He was sure they’d be found and shot in the back before reaching the top. The way down had looked precarious, though short. The way up seemed as if it was ten times the distance and a much steeper incline. Finally Riece reached the top. Mason reached around him and grabbed a sapling with one hand and Riece’s arm with the other. He hauled both of them over the gully’s edge and onto more level ground. Riece flopped on his back, gasping, trying to get control of his shaking body and ragged breathing. Mason grabbed Riece under his armpits and pulled him backward a few feet, then put one hand on Riece’s chest and pressed down gently. “Stay there, stay down.” He crouched beside Riece while he gazed at the gully below. “Do you see them?” Riece asked. Holding one finger to his lips, Mason shook his head. After a minute he stood up and took a few silent steps in the direction they’d last seen the men and woman. Riece turned his head and watched as Mason hunkered close to the ground and leaned over the edge, looking one way, then the other. He stood and moved a few yards farther away. His movements were soundless, and he hunched over as he walked. The landscape here consisted of swaths of tall grass interspersed with small open spots and thick patches of trees. The terrain rolled up and down, the ground peppered with big rocks that made it rugged but not impassible. To Riece it seemed as if they’d been going in circles, but Mason definitely appeared to have a direction and destination in mind. Riece rolled far enough to the side to keep Mason in his line of sight. Twice Mason met his gaze and held a finger to his lips, then motioned for Riece to stay where he was. Riece nodded and smiled when Mason moved one hand up and down his torso, wordlessly telling Riece to breathe. He gave himself a silent pep talk. Mason had come right out and told Riece he loved him. There was no way Riece was going to die and miss this chance to fix his relationship with Mason. Mason waved at Riece to follow him. Riece got up and hurried toward Mason as quietly as possible until Mason waved at the ground. Riece nodded and knelt down at the edge of one of the groups of trees. They continued on that way in short bursts. Their movements kept them within a few yards of each other until Mason was close to where they’d tied the rope to a tree and gone down the side of the gully. He pulled the quick-release knot he’d used to tie the rope off and very slowly and quietly used a hand-over-hand motion to inch the rope back up and coil it around his shoulder. Staying low to the ground, Mason moved quickly back to Riece’s side. Closing his eyes and sighing with relief, Riece reached out, took Mason’s hand, and gave it a squeeze. When he tried to let go, Mason’s grip intensified, and he pulled Riece closer to him and brushed his lips over Riece’s forehead. “We’re going to survive. Both of us. Together. Don’t think anything else, even for a second,” Mason whispered. Riece nodded. “I know.” “Did they take your water purifier?” “No. They searched me and my bag and left me everything except the locator beacon.” Riece studied Mason for a few seconds. “I guess they wanted us to have some supplies to survive longer.” “Yeah. So we could give them a better hunt. No fun if you bag the quarry too soon. It’s not the trophy, it’s the chase,” Mason muttered. “Though I suspect they are regretting letting you keep that camera.” He twisted and pointed back to where he’d retrieved the rope. “Let’s go see if the rest of what we carried here today is still where we left it. Then we’ll head to our base camp. Odds are good they have no idea that exists or where it is. Stay behind me and walk exactly where I walk. Heel down first and roll your foot forward gently to evenly distribute your weight and push down any leaves, twigs, or anything that might make noise. We’ll try to keep to bare dirt when we can. Move slow and take deep, even breaths through your nose.” “Okay,” Riece said. Mason smiled and put his hand on the back of Riece’s head for a few seconds. “I know that’s a lot to process, but you can do it—you’re smart.”  Gone Away is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.    Brandon felt Raul pull himself out the water before he gripped each of Brandon’s wrists and hovered over him. There was a gentle grip of teeth at the back of Brandon’s neck seconds before Raul’s cock pushed into him while Brandon pushed his ass up and back to meet Raul. It had taken a while for them to get to this point, where Raul could take him while shifted. His knots bulged, much larger than when he was predominantly human. He thrust in with short, intense bursts, the throbbing along Raul’s dick and knots turned Brandon’s brain to mush. His consciousness reeled and Brandon descended further into the sensations, he closed his eyes and his mind lapsed into currents of euphoria. His entire world narrowed down to the intense and rhythmic pulsing from Raul’s body. Brandon bit the cushion to muffle his moans. Raul had him pinned down in such a way there was constant pressure on his cock, but no friction. The need for release made his skin itch from miniscule sparks dancing across his flesh. His breathing reduced to uneven stutters and gasps. Raul’s movements intensified. More of his weight pressed down on Brandon while he gripped Brandon’s wrists tighter. His breathing was harsh pants in Brandon’s ear. Raul’s short thrusts moved both their hips up and down as he pushed closer. His breath hitched, and Brandon felt Raul’s body stiffen and his talons dug into Brandon’s wrist. A long, deep, harsh growl barely preceded Raul’s cock throbbing hot fluid into Brandon. Slowly Raul’s body relaxed, his breathing slowed and evened. Brandon shuddered when Raul’s knots softened, their grip on him diminishing enough Raul’s slick, semi-hard cock slipped partially out and in, continuing to thump against Brandon’s prostrate. It was another few minutes before Raul eased out of Brandon and gently rolled him onto his back. He was spread eagled. His arms and legs felt like wet noodles and though he wasn’t restrained he didn’t have the energy to move them. Between Raul manipulating Brandon’s electrical field to pulse over the flesh of Brandon’s groin and his well-placed, continuously more aggressive touches, Brandon was shooting his load in no time. Brandon’s back arched and he cried out, riding the waves of tremors consuming him. Raul rolled onto his back, stretched beside Brandon and rubbed his knuckles lightly over Brandon’s chest. He pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly then dropped a towel onto Brandon’s belly. “Damn, I feel better.” It was an effort to even muster a chuckle. “Me too,” Brandon said. He finally convinced one arm to move and reached up, taking Raul’s hand. A car coming to a stop in the parking lot followed by a door shutting made Brandon flinch. “It’ll be dawn in an hour or so,” Raul mumbled. “That’s Bonnie coming home. She lives one floor down and works at a hospital. She comes home around three-thirty in the morning.” Brandon turned his head and smiled at Raul. “And you make sure she gets inside safely, don’t you?” Raul shrugged. “I’m a good neighbor.” He sat up and ran one hand through his hair a few times. “We should go inside.” Raul held out one hand to Brandon, helping him climb to his feet. Brandon wrapped the towel around his hips then pulled his sweats on. They collected their belongings and Raul put his jeans on before taking Brandon’s hand leading him to the entrance closest to the stairs. Once back in their apartment Brandon reset all the security cameras to real time feeds. “I don’t know how much longer we can sell this to Bisset. They’re getting frustrated and impatient because every one of their targets washes out,” Raul pointed out. “I’m pretty close to finding Bisset’s partners as well as many of his… clients.” Brandon eased down onto a chair at the dining table. “I just have—” “To go get more rest.” Raul stood behind him and rested a hand on each of Brandon’s shoulders. “We aren’t expected back until later in the afternoon. Get a couple more hours sleep, then you’ll get more done and faster.” Brandon nodded. He took a shower, feeling exhausted again by the time he was done. He went to Raul’s room even though Raul hadn’t offered to share his bed. Brandon had come to learn that it wasn’t necessary. Just as he’d come to always welcome Raul into his own bed. Physically and mentally spent, Brandon slipped under the sheet and pressed close to Raul, knowing he was able to recover in complete safety. Scintilla is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.  NEW RELEASE 
Book Title: Nothing but the Night (Basic Instincts Book 2) Author: Thom Collins Publisher: Entwined Publishing Cover Artist: Kelly Martin Release Date: April 8, 2025 POV/Tense: third person/past tense Genres: Contemporary MM Romance, mystery/suspense/thriller Tropes: detective, murder mystery, crime, erotic romance, suspense Themes: family, secrets, sex work Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 64 958 words/253 pages It is a standalone story that is part of a wider series. It does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links 
Be careful what you look for in the night. Blurb Three months after the death of his brother, Marc Glass faces a whole new dilemma. A tabloid journalist has made a connection between Theo and a prominent politician. Theo’s death might not be all it seems. Marc knew all about his brother’s secret sex work, but it’s a scandal that would destroy his family, who have already suffered enough. Private Detective Jason Durham might be the answer. Marc enlists Jason’s agency to look into Theo’s unsolved murder. The police investigation is dead, but if they can solve the case on their own, they could head off the potentially damaging story. Marc isn’t sure who he can trust with the details of Theo’s life, but Jason seems like the man. As secrets are uncovered, Marc and Jason must fight their attraction to each other, but when their prime witness is murdered, they are suddenly caught in a web of mystery and increasing danger. As the nights grow darker, will either of them make it until morning? Excerpt Marc saw him fully for the first time and was startled. At forty-four, it had been a long time since he’d been instantly affected by the physical appearance of a man, but Jason was stunning. It was his large, expressive eyes that first drew him in. They were a pale shade, somewhere between green and blue, and they gave a boyish quality to his masculine face. His dark-blond hair was swept to the right, short at the back and sides with a little length on top. He had a well-trimmed beard, brown and seasoned with flecks of grey. His mouth was wide. Marc had the most insane urge to kiss it. When he smiled, he revealed a small gap between his two front teeth, which only made him even sexier. The body beneath his clothes was fit. More athletic than muscled, and there was an almost military bearing about his posture, with his shoulders back and his chest held proudly. Jason sat and leaned across the file on his desk, looking at the notes, granting Marc a peek down the open neck of his shirt, and a tantalising hint of chest hair. Get hold of yourself. Remember the reason you are here. “So, this is about your brother?” Jason said, reading the file. Marc had given the briefest summary of his case to Olivia when he’d called to make the appointment yesterday. “Yes, but it’s probably not what you’re thinking. My brother isn’t missing or anything like what you’re used to dealing with.” Jason looked at him with wide, reassuring eyes. “There’s no such thing as a usual case in this business. Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me what the problem is.” Marc sighed. The beginning. He didn’t even know where that was. “Theo died in December. Down on the waterfront by the Vermont Hotel? You probably heard about it. He was killed by a car as he crossed the road in front of the hotel. Some of the witnesses say the car drove straight at him, but the police were never convinced.” Jason pushed the file to one side. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Yes, I remember it. There must have been CCTV coverage. There are cameras all along the waterfront. And at the hotel too.” “There are, but it’s inconclusive whether the car changed course to hit him or not. The resolution of the images isn’t great. I must have watched it a million times and even I can’t decide on what I’m seeing.” “I take it the driver was never caught. Do you want me to investigate further? See if I can track them down?” Marc shook his head. “That’s not why I’m here. It’s more…complicated than that. The car was discovered burned out a few miles away. It was stolen and they never found the driver. Have you heard of Nadine Smythe? The journalist.” Was that a tiny twitch at the corner of Jason’s mouth? Jason nodded. “Of course. Blyham’s finest.” There was no mistaking the sarcasm in his tone. “She came to visit me yesterday. She’s conducting her own investigation into Theo’s death… Theo’s murder.” 
About the Author Thom Collins is the author of the Jagged Shores series and the Anthem Trilogy as well as numerous standalone novels and novellas. His new series Basic Instincts launches in spring 2025 with the novel Now Comes the Dark. Thom has lived in the North East of England his whole life. He grew up in Northumberland and now lives in County Durham with his husband and two cats. He loves all kinds of genre fiction, especially bonk-busters, thrillers, romance and horror. He is also a cookery book addict with far too many titles cluttering his shelves. When not writing he can be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes. He’s a keen traveler but with a fear of flying that gets worse with age, but in 2013 he realized cruising is the best way to see the world. Check out his website for news updates and a free ebook The Night. Social Media Links Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter Sign-up 
Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of 5 ebook copies of the series so far: Now Comes the Dark Nothing But the Night Night Crimes (a standalone short story prequel) 
My snippet this week is from Whiskey and Moonshine.  There were several stops, more people got in, and Colt was pushed even more tightly against Mal. The heat from Mal’s body warmed him even as Mal caught his breath every now and then in response to Colt’s closeness. The next time the door opened with a ding, Mal reached over Colt’s shoulder and pointed to the lobby. “I think this is our stop.” Mal’s voice was low, husky, and sexy. He spoke into Colt’s ear, and his breath gliding across Colt’s cheek made him shiver a little. Colt nodded once and stepped out of the elevator. There are more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Whiskey and Moonshine is available in eBook, paperback, audiobook
and through Kindle Unlimited. “Security cameras.” Lucas was moving across the room to a computer. “Here’s the feed.” Lucas pointed at the monitor. “Who?” Blair and Forge shadowed Lucas and looked over his shoulder. There was a clear image of people walking along the sidewalk, some going up to the front of the building, others passing by. The outside door appeared to open and close on its own. Lucas nodded at it and said, “That must be Blair. Where’s the guy?” he asked, turning to look at Blair and Forge. “He’s not there. I swear to you, a man followed me. While I was waiting for you, I could see him out on the sidewalk,” Blair blurted. “He got close enough to me I could do what you told me to do, I listened to his body. I could hear something moving inside him, but he wasn’t giving off any heat or smell. He was a little taller than me, lighter red hair, glasses. He was trying to look geeky, but it was fake.” “How’d you know?” Lucas asked. “He asked me about smartphones in the store.” “Could have been a ploy to talk directly to you,” Lucas said. Forge nodded, leaned against the desk and stared at the monitor. “Apparently, we have something that can hide from a camera or doesn’t show up on one, but isn’t a vampire.” “You believe me?” That surprised Forge. “Of course, I believe you.” “Why do I have the ‘we’re screwed’ feeling?” Lucas asked. “There was another murder. Lucas and I had just gotten back from checking things out when you arrived. This time the victim was a werewolf. An adult male werewolf, and either he had changed or was in the process of changing when he was killed. Do you have any idea what sort of force is needed to bring one of those guys down?” Forge asked. Blair shook his head. “I never thought about it.” “Think about it,” Forge said. “A werewolf in full form is one of the most powerful creatures around.” Blair’s gaze shifted to Lucas for a second, then back to him. “They’re not all as sweet and friendly as Lucas, and I sure as hell wouldn’t want to go up against one.” Blair’s shock cooled the heat rising between Forge’s legs. “Does that mean whatever this guy is, he’s not afraid of werewolves?” “Worse,” Lucas said. “I don’t think he knew what he was tangling with.” He picked up a tablet and turned it so Forge and Blair could see the screen. “I’m still waiting for Anita’s report, but so far, besides the Xylazine, I found something else. And I have to say, it’s pretty disturbing.” “That’s sort of scary,” Blair said. Forge was inclined to agree.  Electric Candle is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.   |
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