 My teaser this week is from Quarry, book 2 of The Vampire Guard. Forge was a step behind and stopped next to Blair and put one hand on his shoulder. He leaned forward slightly and squinted, then stood straighter again and growled. “Is that the guy?” “Yeah, we all saw him,” Blair said. He felt queasy. “No, not the man we were watching last night. The guy I saw in your memory? The man you said picked you up in a bar then used thrall on you and changed you into a vampire?” Blair swung on Forge, then turned back to the screen. “I,” he said and shook his head. “I don’t… He had dark eyes and hair.” “Put a second copy up beside that one. Declan, can you change his eye color?” Lucas asked. “Yes, I can.” Declan picked up his electronic pad, stood up, and moved closer. “Make them dark. Smoldery dark,” Blair said. A few seconds later the copied image changed to reflect dark eyes. “Now make his hair shorter, like Lucas’s length but straighter and darker.” When the image changed again, Blair sucked in a breath. He took a step forward. “Th-that’s him. The man who forced me to give him a blow job and changed me.” “Putain de bordel de merde,” Declan spat. Forge turned and arched an eyebrow. “Declan?” Declan sat abruptly in the nearest chair. “A third copy please.” “What is it?” Lucas asked. Declan shook his head. “It can’t be.” As soon as a third copy appeared, he changed the hair length and style, added some scruff to his face, and left his eyes dark. “You know him?” Forge asked. Declan met Forge’s gaze. “So do you, though I doubt you’d remember since I don’t think you ever saw his face.” “Mothman?” Blair asked. Declan nodded. “Maybe you’re remembering other people you’ve seen?” Lucas suggested in a soft voice. “Because seriously, one urban legend per case, that’s the rules. We already have a ghost, well vampire, in the machine. Mothman is going to have to wait his turn.” Blair shook his head. “I think I saw him before that night in the bar, the night after my father’s funeral. Before that I was in the hospital with my dad, and maybe…” His voice trailed off and he put a fourth copy up. “Declan can you make him bald with lighter brown or hazel eyes?” As the fourth image changed, Blair gulped in giant breaths and fought back tears. Forge took his arm and turned him from the images. “Blair, what?” Blair stared at Forge for a few seconds. “That’s one of my dad’s nurses. He was in my dad’s room right before he died. I said hello to him as he left the room and walked down the hall. I talked to him almost every day!” Forge opened his mouth and shut it, then ran his free hand through his hair. He looked to Lucas, who put his hands up. “I never saw the guy before last night.” “Why should I know him?” Forge asked quietly. When Blair faltered, Forge’s grip on his arm tightened. Declan focused on Forge. “He’s the reason you’re a vampire. You were stabbed from behind.” His voice was steady and very soft. “He almost killed you.”  Quarry is available in eBook, paperback and in Kindle Unlimited.
BLOG TOUR 
Book Title: A Case of Madness (Or the Curious Appearance of Holmes in the Nighttime) Author: Yvonne Knop Publisher: Improbable Press Cover Artist: Ksenia Spizhevaya Release Date: March 20, 2023 Genres: Adult Contemporary M/M Rom-Com Tropes: Opposites attract, Emotional scars, Grumpy/sunshine Themes: Coming out, friendship, mental illness, love Heat Rating: 2 flames Length: 82 000 words/272 pages It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links Publisher | Amazon US | Amazon UK 
A world-weary Sherlock Holmes scholar loses his job and his sanity when the great detective materializes in his flat to help solve a mystery that involves a handsome male stranger. What ensues is a thrilling adventure in literature, London, and love. Blurb Andrew Thomas just got sacked. He's permanently drunk. He's got cancer. Is inescapably gay. Was hit by a bus. And he's fallen in love with a stranger whose life he saved. As a newly-unemployed Sherlock Holmes scholar, Andrew knows only Holmes can help him untangle the madness his life has become, but Holmes isn't real. Except he absolutely appeared in Andrew's house, told him he's in love with a man he just met…and then in a fit of pique Andrew sent him away. Sure Holmes is probably a hallucination or a specter or a ghost, but now Andrew desperately needs his help. So to find the answer to his case and the man of his dreams, Andrew takes to chasing a fictional character through London with his very own Watson. Excerpt While strolling amid the students and scholars rushing into the University of London, I ignored the urge to check my pocket watch. If there was ever a day to dawdle, it was today. The first day of summer that actually felt like the season it claimed to be. And the day of my personal disaster. It wasn’t a ‘this train will split at the next station and you just sat down with your meal deal’ disaster, but it was equally inconvenient. After decades of laboring in academia, I was about to become involuntarily unemployed. Apart from that – and this might be even more important – I was also going to die. To delay the confrontation a bit longer, I looked for a shaded place to smoke and then took long, luxurious drags on my cigarette. A cough struggled to tear itself free from my chest, but I suppressed it. Not now. Focus. Few people knew my name or my publications. But some such people existed – people who were as fascinated by a very specific man as I was, and who seemed to value my works more than I did. The man I wrote about lived in Baker Street, and he was partly to blame for my situation. Though I liked to think of myself as a charmingly anachronistic gentleman, I increasingly felt I was just a dafter in a fine suit who lurked around public buildings. Instead of engaging in modern life, I was immersed in the world of Sherlock Holmes and all things Victorian, with the natural effect of many acquaintances leaving or going extinct. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the company of others; it was that I struggled in the company of others. And they struggled in the company of me. You see, the fact that I knew my dearest detective had appeared on-screen in over two hundred and twenty adaptations did not give me much hope I would find out what people did for fun. But what of fun? What about achievement? Holmes is the most filmed novel character of all time – among humans, at least; Dracula has been filmed even more often. This connection filled me with joy, and I believed it could be combined in a curious way. Dracula Holmes: he investigates at night because he’s not just a detective, no – he’s also a vampire. Greedy for blood and knowledge. I finished my cigarette and stepped from the shadows only to immediately collide with a young man in the most colorful trainers I’d ever seen. In a split-second knockout victory, he fell to the ground covered in the flyers he had been holding in his hand just seconds before. I bent down immediately to help him. “I’m so sorry,” I said, quickly picking up his flyers from the pavement. At least those which hadn’t fallen into the grey puddle right next to us. “It’s okay,” he said, and he looked at me. His blue eyes seemed friendly though his gaze was intense. I quickly looked down again. To my surprise, the flyers weren’t gig announcements or takeaway adverts. In fact, they were promoting something very dear to my heart. “I like theater,” I said, handing him back a few of the flyers. “I thought theater was dead for young people.” He smiled. “Most young people get run over by perfect strangers. That’s why so few make it to the stage. Anyway…I’m still alive.” That he was. Alive, handsome, and holding a slim stack of remaining flyers. Slightly crumpled. “I’m far from perfect,” I remarked, thinking of the trouble I had caused him. About the Author Yvonne is a bi and nonbinary writer who dedicates their free time to extending the secret Gay Agenda – in part through their debut novel A Case of Madness. Although born and raised in the north of Germany, Yvonne’s passion for Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who, their sassy humor, and aversion to talking on public transport made them suspiciously British from early on. As a natural matter of cause and effect, Yvonne moved to London in 2014 and started to write (a novel for the drawer). No word was written until 2017 when the sudden question of ‘What if I could talk to Sherlock Holmes?’ came up to them. Conducting PhD research in the world’s most extensive Sherlock Holmes collection, located in Minneapolis, USA, was a great help for answering that question. The result was not a PhD, but their debut novel A Case of Madness, originally written in German and in a bold move translated by the author themselves when nobody in Germany understood a word they were saying. 
Author Links Blog/Website | Instagram | Twitter 
RELEASE BLITZ 
Book Title: Sweet as Pie Author and Publisher: Beth Bolden Cover Artist: Morningstar Ashley Designs Release Date: April 13, 2023 Genre: Contemporary MM romance Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, small town Themes: Family responsibilities, necessary change, unexpected love Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 80 000 words It is a standalone story. Buy Links - Kindle Unlimited Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK 
Blurb Luca Moretti is grumpy—and he wouldn't have it any other way. Excerpt “Ah, they sent the fixer out.” Oliver sounded amused again. “I can see it. You’re definitely more of a fixer than a baker.” Luca shrugged. “I run my family’s four restaurants. They do not typically need fixing.” Don’t be arrogant, don’t be arrogant. “But Nonna’s Deli here, it is . . .an investment of ours. Not directly under my control. So I’m not here to order changes but to . . .suggest them. Nicely.” “Which is how they’ve managed to underperform all these years,” Oliver said with another of those smirks. They shouldn’t have been so frustratingly attractive. But Luca felt them deep down, stirring him up in a way he hadn’t expected. Oliver was definitely a very attractive package, one he’d love to unwrap. Would he be as sweet as promised? Or a little salty too? Maybe even a bit spicy? “You could say that,” Luca said. “Part of the proposed changes are aligning the menu more directly with our other restaurants. And that includes fresh bread, daily. Nonna’s here doesn’t have the staff, the resources, or the equipment to do this, but you do.” “I do,” Oliver conceded. “My schedule’s already pretty packed, but I suppose I could fit you in. French bread? Sourdough bread? Focaccia? Rolls? Loaves? How many dozen per day?” Luca liked every part of Oliver he’d seen so far. He was charming and sweet and undeniably adorable. Then there was how goddamned sexy he was when he got down to business. “I’m not sure yet,” Luca said. “In fact, they may not need any at all. Giana and Enzo have my proposed changes, but they are not required to accept all of them—or any of them, actually.” “You must hate that, not being able to actually impose your control over them.” Oliver said it casually, like a true control-freak business owner, like he understood. How did Oliver know how much he hated it? Was it that obvious? Was it written all over his face that he’d love nothing more than to march down the street and tell Giana and Enzo exactly what to do? “Yes,” Luca admitted. “Nonna’s isn’t just an Italian affectation, is it? Was there actually a Nonna?” Oliver asked. “My grandmother.” “Ah, well, there you go.” Oliver leaned back, grinning. Luca wanted to chase him, but he stayed on his side of the table, with what he thought was pretty admirable restraint. “So why does Enzo dislike you so much?” Luca asked. “That’s a long story. And I’ve got to tend to these rolls. If they overproof . . .” Oliver shrugged. “I’m a perfectionist, what can I say?” “If he supposedly turns against you every chance he gets, what’s he going to say,” Luca said, deploying the most persuasive smile in his arsenal, “when he finds out I want to hire you to bake our bread? I need the insider info. Need to be able to convince him it’s a good idea.” “It’s not going to help you, and you’re not going to like it,” Oliver said. “Though, you sorta look like there’s plenty of things you don’t like.” But I like you. “You’re not wrong.” It was hard to admit it, but there it was. He was particular, okay? Particular and more than a little arrogant about his particularity. Maybe it was good Oliver knew that now, even if all they ever had was a date and a night—though even that was still up in the air. “We dated,” Oliver said. His watch beeped, and he stood, just as he’d left Luca speechless for another long moment. “Well,” he amended, with a cute little shrug. “It was one date. But still. He wanted to continue. I did not. And that’s the story.” “That wasn’t a very long story,” Luca managed, and was he trailing after Oliver in his own bakery like a lost puppy looking for his owner? Yes, he was, a little. About the Author A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh. Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She has published over forty novels and novellas. Author Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub Instagram | Newsletter Sign-up Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card. 
 My snippet this week comes from Run for the Roses, book 1 of Circles. “But he didn’t take into consideration that a hundred pounds of jockey rides twelve-hundred pounds of attitude. And my money is usually on the jockey.” “You catch on quick. We make a good team, and that makes me happy,” Wyatt said. Val opened his mouth to ask another question, but he was cut off when all three of his dogs jumped up and ran to the window, barking. “What’s that?” Wyatt’s voice rose just enough to set Val’s nerves on edge. “Something outside, I think.” Val stood up and started across the room. Val stopped short when Wyatt barked, “Stay away from the windows! Is everything locked?” “Ye-yeah.” Val slapped his hand against his thigh. “Hey, guys, shush. Come on, it’s okay. Go lie down.” Then he spoke to Wyatt. “The outside lights are on too. Just like you said to do.” “Hear anything?”  Dive into more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group! Run for the Roses is available in eBook, paperback and
through Kindle Unlimited. SERIAL INVESTIGATIONS SERIES TOUR AND NEW RELEASE by Rhiannon D’Averc Book 12 is due to be released on April 16. 
Series Description If you’re a fan of extreme slow-burn friends to lovers romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty gay men, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Jump into the action from the very beginning with Bloodless, the first book in a series you won’t dare to put down. Genre: M/M Crime/thriller Trope: Slow burn friends to lovers The stories should be read in order. Each one ends on a cliffhanger. The stories have been updated and re-released in January 2023. Overall Heat Rating for the series: 4 flames Amazon Series Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited BOOK DETAILS BOOK 1 Book Title: Bloodless Length: 73 000 words/ 250 pages Themes: Identity struggle, murder, unrequited love, casual sex 
How do you solve a murder… … When you’re the prime suspect? Blurb A body cut up into pieces and left in Highgate Wood. It sounds like the most exciting case that private detectives Ram and Will have had to deal with since leaving their FBI training and returning to the UK. As each new body is piled up amongst the trees, the stakes get higher – and Serial Investigations London embraces their first real challenge. But Ram’s rock star lifestyle – staying out all days of the week, drinking too much, and having hot gay sex with a different man every night – soon catches up with him when the police realise there’s just one link that connects the bodies. And it’s him. Will faces a battle around the clock to prevent his best friend from being put away for life – and while the two of them face their own demons, there’s a secret hanging over their heads that might just bring it all crashing down. And while he fights to keep it together, the one thing Will can’t bear to face is the fact that he wishes his best friend was something more. If you’re a fan of extreme slow-burn friends to lovers romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty gay men, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Jump into the action from the very beginning with Bloodless, the first book in a series you won’t dare to put down. BOOK 2 Book Title: Blood Evidence Length: 64 000 words/ 259 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 
A missing person’s case… … A murder investigation? Blurb Private detectives Ram and Will got their name in the news by catching a high-profile serial killer, and now they’re getting more clients. When they’re hired to find a missing person, all they’re worried about is having to spend a night away from home. They go to check his last known sighting in Kent, staying in a quaint country inn. Little do they expect that Serial Investigations London are about to get thrust into a new murder investigation – one that happens right under their noses. A confession seems to solve the case, but is it genuine? With suspicions running high, the duo still have to find time to sniff out the whereabouts of their client – and avoid getting arrested themselves. Add Ram hitting the bottle harder than ever and Will fighting to stay in control, they might be about to lose more than just the case. And that’s all to come after they manage to get through the torturous temptation of spending a night in the same bed! BOOK 3 Book Title: Blood Alcohol Length: 64 500 words/ 241 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Themes: Coming out, murder, inner demons, virginity 
A horrific torture case with a ticking clock. All he can see is the bottle. Blurb Private detectives Ram and Will thought they’d wrapped everything up when they found Ray Riley’s body in Sevenoaks. But it turns out that things aren’t what they seemed – and Riley may be the latest victim of a torture-happy murderous duo. For the second time, Serial Investigations London are called in to assist as civilian consultants with DI Alex Heath’s team at the Met – but they have their own personal problems getting in the way of clear thinking. Will has something to get off his chest, and it’s related to that kiss they shared – the one they both tried to forget. But Ram can’t stop drinking to push away the confusion, and this time he’s going to land himself in more trouble than ever before. Can they get over their issues for long enough to stop another murder – or even keep themselves alive? BOOK 4 Book Title: Blood Sucker Length: 235 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Themes: Conflict, murder, trust and loyalty 
A dead body posted on social media. A vampire stalking the streets of London? Blurb Will and Ram’s private detective partnership seems to be unravelling. After they ended up having sex for Will’s first time, the attraction and tension between them is at an all-time high – and the unsolved Simon Shystone case is haunting them and their police contacts. DI Alex Heath normally wants their help, but when a murderer posts images of his victim on social media, the chase is on to trace his digital footprint. With his superiors breathing down his neck, he might not be able to bring Serial Investigations London in on one of the biggest cases of their career. They should be focusing on the artist who seems to have disappeared without a trace from his home studio. Could his latest commission have something to do with it? And will they be able to handle finding another client turned up dead? Things are spiralling out of control for Will and Ram – and this time, they might not have each other to rely on. If you’re a fan of extreme slow-burn friends to lovers romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty gay men, you’ll love Serial Investigations. The story continues with Blood Sucker, a devilish tale of a man who claims to be a myth – and a disappearing act as strong as any magic. BOOK 5 Book Title: Blood Sport Length: 219 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Themes: Murder, kidnap, vanquishing the big bad 
A copycat killer who knows every detail. A locked room with no escape. Blurb Serial Investigations London is officially closed for business – with private detectives Will and Ram still not talking to one another after an explosive argument. Even when a copycat killer springs up, seemingly targeting only their own cases, they can’t see eye to eye. Little wonder, given that they both have something more important on their minds. Someone knows about San Francisco – about the man who died on a rooftop at their feet. Who has discovered their deepest secret? And what will they do to keep it buried? That’s when another mystery piles up on top of the rest: a traditional trope that every seasoned detective must face, the locked room. But this one has a deadly twist, and if they don’t come to terms with their differences and work together, one of them might not live to regret it. Will and Ram face the most pressing and personal danger yet – but the question is, who’s behind it? And will they realise they’ve been set against one another before it’s too late? Or can they admit their love for one another and use it to become stronger than ever? If you’re a fan of extreme slow-burn friends to lovers romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty gay men, you’ll love Serial Investigations. The story continues with Blood Sport, a nail-biting series of twists and turns that will have you questioning how they’ll ever survive. BOOK 6 Book Title: Blood Diamond Length: 223 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Themes: Family relationships, shyness and outness 
Was it a thief… … Or his family? Blurb When a private client asks Ram and Will to track down a stolen yellow diamond, they quickly realise the suspects may be closer to home than he expects. Two adult children with serious issues, a jilted wife, and a young lover – and that’s just the beginning. As what should be a straightforward case turns into a murder investigation, Serial Investigations London have to team up with their old friend Alex Heath – and an old enemy… With Will in recovery and Ram staying on the wagon, everything seems to be looking up in their personal lives. They’ve even finally managed to admit their feelings for each other and turn casual sex into a real relationship, but that doesn’t mean the road ahead is without rocks. Will’s shyness around their relationship may just turn into the hurdle they fail at, with Ram feeling unwanted and pushed aside. After an uncomfortable confrontation for Will, and with calls from their families becoming harder to ignore, the boys are going to need to work harder than ever to ignore their own issues if they want to get to the bottom of this crime – in which nothing is as straightforward as it seems. If you’re a fan of hot gay romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty Londoners, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Start a new chapter with the boys in Blood Diamond, a mystery with a sharp and bloody twist. BOOK 7 Book Title: Blood Pressure Length: 232 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Tropes: new relationship/closeted relationship, unwillingly outed Themes: Family relationships, domestic abuse, claustrophobia/trauma, locked room murder mystery 
A victim locked in a closet. A detective trying to get out. Blurb Ram has spotted his dream locked room mystery case on the news – and he’ll stop at nothing to get himself involved with it. The problem is, newly-minted DCI Alex Heath isn’t too happy about it – and neither is his successor as DI… An invitation to go home and visit family should be a happy occasion, but for Will, it’s quite the opposite. Spiralling into doubt and fear about Ram outing him to his parents, Will risks pushing his boyfriend away entirely. And when he does go home, things aren’t going to be plain sailing. Will’s father is an ex-Ambassador, and he’s got many years of finding out secrets behind him. As both are rocked by revelations about Will’s past and his present, Ram and Will have to contend with doubting policemen, ugly habits rearing their heads, and the struggle to trust one another. And there’s the question of how Harry got that black eye… If you’re a fan of hot gay romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty Londoners, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Try to keep your cool in Blood Pressure, a mystery with lashings of anxiety and an ending that might just blow a family apart. BOOK 8 Book Title: Blood Sacrifice Length: 209 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Themes: Trust, ritual murder, hidden identities, romantic vacation 
A romantic trip to Paris… … A dead body at a famous landmark. Blurb A romantic trip to Paris for Ram’s birthday was never going to go smoothly. It should have been a week of sex and sightseeing, but fate has other plans. From the second he spots a police presence while exploring a monument and learns there’s been a murder, he’s chomping at the bit to get involved – and when he’s recognised by a fan, he gets his chance. With Will sucked into the investigation as well, this should a chance for them to enjoy an international reputation and solve a case for the Paris police. But as more bodies appear and the case gets more complicated, their unfamiliar surroundings could turn around and bite them. Locked out of their hotel, with their cash stolen and an unfriendly police force shutting them out, Ram and Will might just come up against their biggest opponent yet. Are they embroiled in a conspiracy that could overtake them entirely – or are the shadows in the corners of Notre-Dame really just shadows? If you’re a fan of hot gay romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty Londoners, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Try to stay alive in Blood Sacrifice, a mystery set in the city of love – where red is now the colour of blood, not romance. BOOK 9 Book Title: Blood Magic Length: 242 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Themes: Occult/psychic abilities, secret society, family relationships, trans struggles 
A psychic prediction of death… … That ends up coming true. Blurb Ram and Will aren’t exactly believers in the occult. When a medium comes to them and claims to have heard rumours of death from the other side, they laugh her out of the door. But when her prediction comes true, they have to consider that something more serious might be going on here. A missing person case turns out to be more complex than they could have imagined, and with the lines between life and death becoming blurred, they both have to confront their own feelings about what happened to them in Paris. The fears, the doubts, and the worry for Capitaine Varon haven’t gone away – and every hint of danger is enough to make Ram want to wrap Will in unwanted cotton wool. That doesn’t help when they’re sucked deep into the turmoil of national politics, and the seedy underbelly of big business. With a trip home for Christmas impending, and the invitation to the mysterious Black Dragon still looming, Ram has a lot on his mind. But with Harry and Alex both having their own reasons for staying quiet, Will has to find a way to keep him steady on his own. What’s awaiting them will make them wonder – and rattle some of their core beliefs to their foundation. If you’re a fan of hot gay romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty Londoners, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Search for the truth in Blood Magic, a tale of death and corruption that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. BOOK 10 Book Title: Blood Trail Length: 232 pages Release Date: This edition January 2023 Themes: Gaslighting, serial killer, trust, red herrings 
A cold case heating up… … A secret coming out. Blurb Ram and Will have a secret, and only three people in the world know it. The two of them, and JM Coil. So, with Ram seeing Coil – who must still be in prison – at every turn, and the FBI turning up to investigate a cold case, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before their secret is out. The Thames Valley Stalker is Will’s pet serial killer, and now it seems like he might be active again – both at home and overseas. What should be a dream case turns into a nightmare as he realises his very involvement puts Serial Investigations London at risk of everything being found out at last. Alex is still on bereavement leave, right when they need a friend at the Met the most. They’ll have to put up with assistance from a very unlikely source instead – someone who is supposed to be dead, turning up like a ghost on their doorstep. And with one more secret to try to keep from the FBI, it’s not long before Ram is eyeing the bottle again like it might be the answer to all of his problems. The question is, can he stay on the wagon, keep his cool, and help solve the case? Or will the serial killer of the century finally be the undoing of the private detectives who have weathered every storm until now? And what will happen when they take their suspicions into their own hands and confront their suspect in the flesh? If you’re a fan of hot gay romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty Londoners, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Fight for justice in Blood Trail, a twisting tale of clues, suspects, fake deaths, and new leads that will have you reaching for the red string. BOOK 11 Book Title: Blood Work Length: 240 pages Genre/s: M/M Crime/thriller Themes: Gaslighting, serial killer, trust, hidden domestic abuse, forced proximity 
Two friends in danger… … Two cases to solve. Blurb Getting arrested on suspicion of killing the latest victim of the Thames Valley Stalker seemed like it might be a big deal. But that’s the least of Will and Ram’s worries when a bad week turns even worse. Capitaine Varon saved their lives in Paris, and all they want is to do the same. But with the French policeman determined to get out of their tiny apartment, and the FBI now aware of his existence, it’s starting to feel impossible. Keeping him alive might be more than they can handle, with limited resources at their disposal and threats coming from every direction. Harry’s excuses are starting to wear thin when he turns up covered in bruises yet again, and Will’s determined to find out who his elusive, controlling boyfriend really is. But when Harry pretends everything is fine, how can Will make him see he’s in danger? And will his warning come too late? As if being pulled in two different directions wasn’t enough, the private detectives soon find themselves pulled in four. Running under all of their worries for their friends are two cases – one concerning the Thames Valley Stalker and one connected to the Black Dragon. Both of these cases are more than just jobs – they’re personal. Can they save Varon and Harry before it’s too late? Can they catch the Thames Valley Stalker – or convince the FBI to do it – when the suspicion is falling on their own heads? Can they solve the murder of a prominent Black Dragon member without falling into a trap set by JM Coil himself? And, most of all, can they handle all of this pressure without falling off the wagon? If you’re a fan of hot gay romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty Londoners, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Race against time to get all the answers in Blood Work, a tension-driven tale that will leave you not knowing which way to turn. BOOK 12 Book Title: Blood Pumping Length: 228 pages Release Date: April 16, 2023 Tropes: sexy bet, shy power bottom Themes: Lockdown, anxiety, alcoholism 
One hot bet… … Three cases to lose. Blurb Two months of lockdown, and already Ram and Will are tired to death of it all. The same four walls. Seeing the city, but not being able to go out into it. The only diversions available either tire Will out or leave Ram unsated. The solution? A hot bet from Will that convinces Ram to take on a new case – one that they have to solve remotely. Then Alex calls with another one. And then the FBI want to speak to them about Kit Anderson. The tension is piling up, so Will surprises even himself when he gets hot enough under the collar to pull Ram into the bedroom and take control. But with Harry still locked down with his abusive boyfriend, a video meeting with Coil on the cards, and a lot of awkward questions from international law enforcement, it might just take everything Will can pull out of the bag to win that bet. But that doesn’t mean he’s not going to try. If you’re a fan of hot gay romance, high-stakes drama mystery thrillers, or sharply witty Londoners, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Resist the urge to spiral in Blood Pumping, a lockdown mystery that will leave you poring over maps and going down rabbit holes. Excerpt from Bloodless Hiro stirs as I drag my jeans up over my thighs, and I groan inwardly. He’s awake. I wasn’t supposed to wake him. I was trying to get out of here clean. “Where are you going?” he asks, a sleepy voice that would almost sound cute if you were into that kind of thing. “Home,” I tell him. I could lie or whatever, but I’m tired. This is why I usually just sneak out. I’m not good at coming up with believable excuses. “It’s the middle of the night,” he says, sitting up slightly to squint at me. “Night Tube,” I tell him with a shrug. Yes, thank fuck once again for the Night Tube. “I’ve got something else you could ride,” he says, waggling his eyebrows. I stare at him for a minute, cocking my head. “Alright,” he says, as if conceding a point. He ducks his head just a little, down onto his own arm. “I’ll ride you. I guess that’s the only way you like it.” I’m about to leave, but I look at him there with his head dropped down, looking up at me through faux-shy eyelashes. He has that sleek, black hair that most Asians have, falling just into those eyes. In the dim light like this, he could be from somewhere else. China. Or Korea, even. Not that that makes a difference. But I find I’m palming myself lightly through my underwear instead of doing up my jeans, and the thought of fucking Hiro again before I leave does have a nice ring to it. “I don’t know,” I say anyway, wanting to tease him, wanting him to beg me for it. “I think I need a little more convincing.” Hiro fixes me with a naughty look that I can make out even in the dimness of the room, his eyes practically sparkling. He doesn’t need asking twice. He practically springs up and towards me, landing on his knees in front of me. “You don’t need these,” he says, nosing at my boxer briefs for a moment before using his teeth to pull them down. Once they’re far enough for my already hard dick to spring loose again, he stops and puts his mouth to better use, closing it over my head immediately. I groan, throwing my head back to the ceiling. I grip onto his hair, silky under my fingers. He feels good – warm and wet, his tongue flicking over my head on each stroke like he’s some kind of fucking clarinet player. With my eyes closed and that hair in my hand I can almost believe he’s – Fuck. I should not be thinking about my straight roommate and best friend while getting off. For one thing, it’s pointless. And it’s not like I’m drowning in rejections over here. I can get any hole I fucking click my fingers at. “I want to fuck you,” I growl at Hiro, pulling him back from my dick by his hair. It leaves his mouth with a sucking pop, sending a shudder down my spine. “Yes,” he murmurs, both an agreement and a cheer, and he climbs up on the bed in front of me on all fours. Ready. He reaches back to play with his own hole, moaning lightly, while I slip a new condom on. He’s still fucking open from last time. He probably gets a lot of good results from other guys playing the slut like that, but for me, it’s less of a turn-on. I get so much dick, I would kind of prefer it sometimes if someone actually made it a challenge for me. I line myself up behind him and push forward, feeling how his ring sucks me inside. He groans long and low, the same way he did earlier. I’m close enough already and I don’t see much point in dragging this out. I do want to get home. I let go, pumping into him hard and fast for a few long moments before I feel my balls draw up. I come with a shout, pumping inside him for the last few bursts of pleasure, milking everything out of it. “Ohhh, yes,” Hiro says, pulling himself off me and turning to look, on his knees still. He’s still hard. I guess he didn’t come. Sort of sounds like his problem, not mine. “Alright,” I say, tucking myself back into my jeans and continuing to dress. “Now I really have to go.” “But, baby,” he pouts. He tugs himself a few times, keeping himself going. “We’re not done.” “One ride and I’m going,” I remind him. “That was the deal.” I shrug my shirt on over my head and grab my leather jacket. “Sorry, mate.” I don’t call him baby. For some reason, it makes my stomach turn. Maybe I just know that I would like myself even less if I pretended I really liked these men and got their hopes up that way. I sweep out of his home and back onto the road, heading for the Tube with the precision of a sniffer dog, well-trained at seeking them out. A cold walk and Tube ride home, and I might get a few hours sleep in my own bed. About the Author Rhiannon D'Averc is a romance, crime, and young adult fiction author based in the UK. She also writes true crime. Trademarks of her work include dystopian fiction, LGTBQ+ themes, and explorations of the horror genre alongside experimental short story formulas, with a lick of wry humour. She is available as a ghostwriter, for live readings, speaking engagements, and workshops on any and all topics to do with writing and publishing. As of January 2023, Rhiannon has had 85 books published under her own name and under others. Rhiannon lives in East Sussex with her husband and son and is probably squirrelled away as you read this in her home office, hunched over a keyboard and trying to resist the temptation to stop working and start crafting. Author Links Blog/Website | Twitter | Instagram 
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Book Title: Amplified: Sean and Alex Author: Sunny Day Publisher: Siren Publishing Cover Artist: Harris Channing Release Date: April 12, 2023 Genre: M/M Romance, urban fantasy, sci-fi Tropes: Special abilities, futuristic Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 40 000 words It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger Buy Links Publisher | Amazon Author Page 
Blurb Having money and influence is not enough to save Sean if the fact that he is an Empath is made public. Amplified, people with enhanced senses, are vilified as a whole and Empaths are the most detested among them. He needs to change that, and for that he will need help. But he is not sure Alex, a powerful Amplified, is the best choice for the task. Alex is not ashamed of his abilities and is vocal in his fight for Amplified's rights. Sean has too many secrets and at first Alex vehemently disagrees with his methods. But as they work together, Alex starts to realize there might be more to Sean than he guessed. As he gets to know Sean better, Alex finds himself at unexpected risk: he might be falling for Sean. But with the Amplified situation as it is, do they even have a chance to be together? Excerpt If he was honest with himself, Sean would have to admit that he absolutely hated the idea of an interview on the national television, having to talk publicly about his abilities, answer questions, and listen politely to the truly ridiculous ideas some baseline humans had about Amplified. Some of it was pure reflex, because only a part of his life was public. The other one, where he could sense what other people were feeling and change it at will, he was used to hiding. Besides, there was still a risk associated with openly admitting he was Amplified, an Empath at that. But there were two reasons why he 'd made this decision, personal feelings notwithstanding. One, he needed to improve public image of Amplified. A lot of his plans depended on that, and the campaign had been underway for years at this point, even if it ramped up now with Amplified demanding that persecution based on their powers stop and fair treatment be given from baseline humans, be it government agencies or private people. Two, too many people already knew he was an Empath and not being public about it was sooner or later going to bite him on the ass, and Sean hated being unprepared. Hence why he was now in a studio of popular talk show, ready to answer questions about his deepest secrets and fears. The interviewer, a dark-haired lady who’d hosted the popular show for more than five years, was excited. The audience present in studio...was mixed, he concluded after a perfunctory scan. His safety was not in question. The show producer was thrilled with this opportunity. Amplified were a hot topic and Foundation, a covert agency which protected and advocated for them, even more. This was going to drive their ratings through the roof. The producer wasn’t going to let anything happen to Sean. Sean, who also wasn't a naive fool, hadn't come alone, but no one blinked an eye at the young billionaire coming with a set of bodyguards. And of course, Sean was also dangerous without anyone's help. But he was here to convince everyone it was the opposite. He sat on the couch and waited patiently while the stylist made minute adjustments to his makeup. The stylist gave the host a thumbs-up and retreated. Then the cameras were on and Sean faced millions watching him on their screens at home. He listened while the host greeted everyone, knowing that, even now, he was being recognized and rumors were already beginning to fly. They didn't publicize his name when they were advertising this episode of the show, just that the guest was someone from Foundation. Foundation had confirmed it but also kept mum on the identity of their leader. It led to a frenzy on the internet as guesses piled up. Bianca, the hostess, ran through her opening spiel and greeted the audience, some of whom, he noted with amusement, definitely recognized him. Bianca gave a quick summary of Foundation, basically their role and their decision to finally go public about what they had been doing for Amplified in recent years. Finally, she turned to him. "I reached out to Foundation hoping for an interview. With the Amplified rights recently in public focus, Foundation is the entity that we are getting most of our information from." "We are not the only organization for Amplified, but we are one of bigger ones and pride ourselves on being a resource for all Amplified," Sean agreed. "Foundation is not a clandestine scary organization that some are imagining it to be," Bianca continued. "You are registered as a charitable organization and do operate legally." "Mostly, yes. The existing charity was the basic frame that we used to develop Foundation. Sorry, I'll use this name instead of the official one, since that's how most Amplified know about us and how the public has learned about us. We help everyone," he stressed, and he wasn't lying, "but most of our efforts are focused on Amplified." Some of those efforts were not so legal, but up until now both Foundation and government were pretending they didn't know that. "Foundation was founded by you personally." "Yes." "And you are..." She trailed off delicately. She was good, he had to admit, building expectation from the audience both here and those watching them at home. She was going to let him say it. "My name is Sean, and my family owns Pharma L. Most of Foundation money comes from there," he answered readily. He took a deep breath as the camera zoomed in on him, and he could see his reflection in one of the screens hanging on the side. No way back now. "I wasn’t expecting you here today," she admitted with a smile. "You are, after all, a celebrity in your own right." "I wouldn’t put it that way…" Sean demurred. "You are heir to Pharma L, and besides being filthy rich"—she paused to allow their audience to savor the phrase—"you are also known to be heavily involved in company R&D and already own several patents." "Yes." Pharma L did market that fact. It was not a secret. Sean had never been ashamed of his intelligence. He was not ashamed of his other abilities either, but up until now, they weren’t public. "So you created Foundation. When they were talking to me, they let me know there was a personal aspect to your decision. You are also Amplified." "Yes." His company's shares were likely going to sink after this revelation, but the Amplified now had enough backing that they would recover, maybe even increase their value. He wasn’t worried about that. "An Empath, precisely," she clarified. About the Author Sunny loves romantic stories with a dash of danger and happily ever after. Yes, both reading and writing them. It's what takes up most of her time. The rest of it is spent on thinking about new books she wants to read and characters who want their story to be told. 
 My teaser this week is from Chained Hearts, book 3 of Sentries. Finally, Nick’s form filled the main door. He stopped a few feet inside, probably to let his eyes adjust to the lower lighting and looked around. Todd wiped his hands on a rag and dodged around the workbench, heading out to greet his mate. “Hey, did everything go okay?” Nick’s face split into a brilliant smile, and he brushed his bangs away from his face and nodded. “It did. I got these.” He held a few books in his hand, pulling that arm away from his body. Taking the books, Todd put an arm around Nick’s shoulders and guided him farther into the building, toward the workroom. Pushing Nick onto a stool, he set the books on a table. He made sure Nick was positioned so his mate couldn’t see around the workbench to Todd’s project. “No peeking.” He backed up and went to the other side of the workbench, taking a few minutes to pick out the tools he needed. Then he grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil. “Take your coat and shirt off.” Nick blinked at him for a few seconds, twisted on the stool, and looked back the way he’d come. “Shouldn’t we at least close the door?” “Huh? What? No, not that! Not now anyway. Later,” Todd said and made a hurry up motion with his hand. “I need to see your brand.” Nick shrugged out of his coat and tossed it over the books. “Why?” He crisscrossed his arms, grabbed the hem of his shirt, and peeled it off. “Because I can’t see my tattoo.” Grinning, Todd held up the paper. “Don’t worry, no one comes here this time of day, and this will only take a few minutes.” “Okay.” Nick sat quietly, hands dangling between his thighs while Todd sketched the pattern of Nick’s chest brand. “You can put your clothes back on now.” Todd took a piece of carbon paper and pressed it to the headboard, then holding the piece of paper with the sketch over it, he retraced the pattern, transferring it to the wood. When Nick straightened and stretched, trying to look at what Todd was doing, Todd stopped and shook a finger at his mate. “Nick, no peeking.” Huffing, Nick slouched on the stool. “Is this the surprise?” “Part of it.” Using a small hammer and chisel, Todd carved the protection symbol out of the wood, brushing the small curled flakes to the side. “Now, hush for a few minutes. Or better yet, the change of clothes I packed is out in the sleigh. Why don’t you take your books out there and grab the clothes?” He stopped long enough to motion to a door down the hall from the workroom. “There’s the bathroom. You can change in there.” Nick nodded and stood, rocking up on his toes. “Nick!” Nick settled back on his feet, collected the books, and headed outside. He returned a few minutes later carrying the satchel Todd had packed with a change of clothes for both of them. When he reappeared, Todd smiled, letting himself have the luxury of a long, slow look up and down Nick’s body. Looking down at himself, Nick smoothed his hands over the material of the black pants then the moss-green, silk shirt. When he looked up at Todd, grinning, eyes soft, Todd’s heart skipped a few beats. “Do you like it?” Todd asked. “You look amazing.” “I love it. Thank you.” Todd shrugged and set his tools down. “We lost a lot of our things. I thought it was time to start replacing at least some.” Stepping up to Nick, Todd reached out and brushed his fingers through Nick’s hair, gently taking hold and tugging his mate in closer. “C’mere,” he breathed softly, licking over Nick’s lower lip, then pressing their mouths together, tongue slipping inside Nick’s. At once, Nick leaned against him, hands skimming up and down Todd’s back, low moans exhaled into Todd’s mouth. Nick leaned his weight to one side, and Todd knew he was still trying to see what Todd had been working on. The return of Nick’s curiosity thrilled Todd more than he thought it ever would. It was something he’d loved so much about his mate from the start, and seeing it dampened while they were in the Governor’s Estate made Todd physically ill.  Chained Hearts is available in eBook and paperback.
BLOG TOUR 
Book Title: From the Universe to Me Author: Scott E. Garrison Publisher: NineStar Press Cover Artist: Jaycee DeLorenzo Release Date: April 11, 2023 Genres: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: friends to lovers, coming of age Themes: age gap, college, family drama, in the closet, mental illness, new adult, teaching Length: 59 500 words/220 pages It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger. Heat Rating: 3 flames Buy Links Publisher | Amazon US | Amazon UK 
Learning to accept himself is not the only lesson the universe has planned for him. Blurb Eighteen-year-old Tobias Gavin is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. For many years, the what-ifs of coming out have swirled around his head, so he has chosen to live a lie to keep from disrupting the “normal” life he has created with his family and friends. That is until he meets Gareth David the day he enrolls for his first semester as a college student. He feels an immediate connection with Gareth...a connection that pushes Tobias to question the way he has been living his life. When Gareth coincidentally becomes Tobias’s History professor, Tobias is forced to confront his feelings and confront the universe. Tobias must come to terms with his depression, anxiety, heartbreak, and his sexuality before he can even begin to heal his wounds. He believes that everything happens for a reason, but he learns that some experiences are meant to teach even if they cause heartbreak. Once he comes to terms with himself, he might find his knight in shining armor. Tobias must learn to trust himself and those around him if he wants to find happiness. Excerpt I’m startled out of my thoughts when I hear doors open, but to avoid any more agonizing contact with Anna, I don’t glance over until I hear the deep voice of a man talking to Anna. I glimpse Anna out of the corner of my eye and notice her entire personality has changed. She appears more alive and filled with energy. She twirls her hair between her pointer and middle fingers, flirting with the man, which goes unnoticed by him. He is standing there exchanging pleasantries with her. When he turns to look in my direction, my heart literally skips a beat. He is beautiful. Wow. Drop-dead gorgeous isn’t even the best phrase to describe the man standing before me. The stylish brown hair rising in waves from the top of his head looks natural and void of any hair products, like he rolls out of bed looking like McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy on a daily basis. His light brown skin and dark brown eyes shimmer, reminding me of silky, smooth milk chocolate. Everything with me always goes back to chocolate, which is why I can’t stop looking at him as he stands next to the receptionist’s desk talking to Anna. He isn’t ridiculously muscular, but his biceps look statuesque underneath his tight plaid button-down shirt. Dark Levi’s accentuate every muscle and curve his lower body has to offer. My mind immediately drifts to what his legs would look like if he set them free with short shorts or even his underwear. What is wrong with me? Without even moving, he exudes confidence I only wish I could have. My mediocre body isn’t nearly as memorable as the physique standing before me. Anyone would want to talk to him, to be near his gorgeous face...touch his toned body. This man hit the gene-pool lottery when whatever higher being or the masters of the universe made him. “Hello... Hey.... Is somebody in there?” he asks, waving his hand near my face. My eyes adjust to his waving hand, and I realize I have been staring at him with an open mouth, looking like a brainless buffoon. “Uuhhhh...what?!” I say like a blubbering fool. “I asked if you are here to meet with me,” he responds with the sweetest expression, ignoring my inability to carry a conversation, which makes my cheeks burn red. “Hahaha... I wish.” I freeze... What the fuck did I say? Oh my god, I could die. I should run out the door and lay down in the street, praying someone will take pity on me and end my suffering. I’m positive I have turned as red as the couches I’m sitting on. He chuckles and gives me a bright and warm grin, revealing his perfectly whitened teeth. He towers over me, holding out his hand. “My name is Gareth David. I’m Dr. Richard’s teaching assistant. Who are you?” Suddenly, an overwhelming urge to jump into his arms and put my hand through his radiantly manicured hair skips jauntily through my mind. That is perfectly acceptable for people to do, right? I grab his hand, applying enough pressure to give an adequate handshake, so I look less like a dope. When our hands meet, a rush of warmth spreads throughout my entire body. He glances at our hands and back into my eyes, giving me that perfect grin again. I can’t help but wonder if he observed the same jolt of energy when our hands met. The way he is looking at me makes me feel something I can’t put my finger on, but I don’t want the erotic energy to end. After gaining my composure, I respond, “My name is Tobias Gavin. I’m here to meet with Dr. Richards about setting up my schedule for the fall semester.” An Adonis-like smile spreads across his face, and I melt again. “Are you a freshman? I haven’t seen you around or in any of my classes.” I look at him confused. “Didn’t you say you’re her assistant?” He chuckles. “Teaching assistant. However, I teach my own classes and cover her classes when she is away. I know it seems weird, but Dr. Richards has taught me well. Besides, I’m almost finished with my graduate degree. I turned in my thesis a few weeks ago.” His voice exhibits pure kindness that sends warmth through by body, helping me relax. “May I have my hand back?” He laughs. Shit. My body going tense again, I realize I’m still holding his hand. I hesitate for a millisecond—my body wanting our embrace to continue—before letting go of his hand. “I’m so sorry. I was listening to you talk and forgot to let go.” Kill me. Someone, please hire a ninja assassin to come kill me now. 
About the Author Scott E. Garrison is a debut author, who wants to share new, queer stories with the world. He currently lives in the Oklahoma City, OK area. Alongside writing, he has a Masters in Library and Information Studies and works as a Librarian for an Oklahoma-based library system. He spends his free time reading, baking, watching movies and TV shows with his husband, and cuddling with his dogs, Jarvis and F.R.I.D.A.Y. 
Author Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter 
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Book Title: My Heart’s Desire (A Yakuza Path Romance) Author: Amy Tasukada Publisher: Macarons & Tea Publishing Cover Artist: Natasha Snow Release Date: April 6, 2023 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Second chance romance, mafia, enemies to lovers Themes: Coming out, forgiveness Heat Rating: 2 flames Length: 35 000 words It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links 
Some high school romances just won’t fade. Blurb Some high school romances just won’t fade. A high-ranking yakuza, Yuuki enjoys his relatively quiet job. If only his mother would stop asking for grandchildren. Unwilling to come out, he contemplates a sham marriage just to shut her up. After all, it’s not as if he’ll ever be lucky in love again. Black-listed after his divorce, the only reason luxury suit designer Kazuki is still in business is his yakuza clientele. Desperate to find new clients, he starts looking for a collaborator for the upcoming fashion show. But who’s daring enough to partner up with him? When Kazuki’s high school sweetheart walks into his shop, all those worries disappear. Although Yuuki has far from forgiven Kazuki for his past betrayal, Kazuki wants nothing more than to rekindle their love. But then he learns Yuuki is in the yakuza… Can these two mend their love, or are they now too different to thread their lives together? Buy to My Heart's Desire to find out if they were always meant to be! Excerpt Yuuki pressed his lips together but followed the command. Kazuki’s happy-go-lucky smile couldn’t look dumber. Yuuki held his breath and waited, hoping the tingling at the back of his throat would subside. Kazuki had always had an innate ability to talk to anyone and make them feel at ease in a matter of minutes. It was what had won him the popularity contest for high school president and what had stolen Yuuki’s teenage heart. But Yuuki wasn’t seventeen anymore. He’d been able to ignore Kazuki as he’d schmoozed up Jun, and he could do it again. But for the first time he could remember, Kazuki was silent. He did his job taking the measurements and nothing more. His long face and angular jaw always had the girls fawning over him, but for Yuuki, it had been Kazuki’s eyes that had ripped open the walls surrounding his heart. Kazuki’s eyes were otherworldly nebulas of golden brown. During their school years, Kazuki had always skirted the boys’ hair length policy. Unrestricted by rules, it seemed Kazuki had allowed his luscious locks to tumble to his waist. Yuuki’s fingers ached to reach out and get lost within Kazuki’s hair again. “Could you hold your arms out for me so I can measure your chest?” Kazuki’s monotone cruelly gnawed away Yuuki’s warm memories. Yuuki held out his arms, and Kazuki measured. If only Kazuki would allow his fingers to press a little heavier so Yuuki could really feel the touch. He swallowed down the flicker of desire. Their relationship had ended a lifetime ago, and it wasn’t like Kazuki had proved to even be friend material after what he’d done. “You’re still clumsy as ever.” Yuuki nodded to Kazuki’s bandaged finger. “You do remember me!” Kazuki’s charming smile slid into place like it had been punched out of Yuuki’s memory. “All this time, I thought you’d forgotten me.” “How could I forget how much of a jerk you were?” The caustic tone surprised Yuuki, but no amount of wanton longing could erase what Kazuki had done. “I told you about Hana because I wanted you to know the truth.” “I would’ve appreciated knowing you were engaged before we started dating.” “I told you the marriage had been arranged when I was twelve!” The wrinkles around Kazuki’s eyes deepened. “I was a sexually confused bisexual kid. Of course I said yes when my dad offered me an easy way out instead of figuring out my feelings. My parents never brought it up again. I had completely forgotten when I started dating you. Then, during New Year’s, they brought up helping arrange the wedding, and I called it off right away. It would’ve been wrong to not tell you as soon as I could.” Kazuki’s words reopened the scar Yuuki had thought faded long ago. “You told me when you did it so you wouldn’t have the guilt weighing you down during our college entrance exams. Instead, I was stuck thinking about how much I hated my boyfriend while trying to use angle-sum identities. I spent three years in cram school for that day, and you ruined it!” About the Author International best-selling author Amy Tasukada writes thrilling times of crime, love, and gore. Readers who crave diverse characters, unique settings, and edge-of-your-seat action will devour her Yakuza Path series. Readers who seek less blood and more love will swoon over the Yakuza Path Romance and Would it Be Okay to Love You? Series. Amy is an atheist, queer author who enjoys drinking tea, Japanese street fashion and visual kei music. Her calico cat, O’Hara, is never far from her side. Amy lives in North Texas, but is always planning her next trip to Japan. Author Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Newsletter Sign-up (FREE chapter of an exclusive story sent every month) 
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