![]() R.L. Merrill has a new MM paranormal romance out: Sundowners. And there's a giveaway. Vampire Creed Lowell drifts from town to town working with the elderly as a night nurse and looking to avenge his harrowing past. His youth and vitality make him a favorite of his patients and his gifts bring them peace. At long last he’s arrived in the place where he hopes to find the truth about those who betrayed him…but first he finds an unexpected love with a man who might understand him—or end him. Grad student Roman San Angelo is struggling to handle his courses, teaching schedule, and research for his dissertation on an obscure cult. He spends every spare moment with his beloved yet demanding grandmother Frances who’s recently moved to an assisted living facility—and he’s fascinated by her night nurse, who is able to bring out the inner light which had faded during her battle with dementia. Something about Creed doesn’t add up, however, Roman finds himself fighting an undeniable attraction. His concerns multiply when Roman discovers a connection between Creed and a bizarre series of vampire-wannabe assaults in the area. A moment of weakness leads to a night of passion between them, and the promise of something more, and yet Roman can’t shake his concern that Creed is not what he seems. Creed knows better than to bring a mortal into his world, even one who could help him find the link between the pack of violent vampires preying on the people of Santa Cruz and Creed’s past. When he discovers Creed’s secret, Roman is ready to step outside his comfort zone and accept everything a life with a vampire entails, and when Creed disappears, Roman will go to the ends of the earth to find the man who brought the light back to his grandmother and the warmth back to his own heart. Universal Buy LinkGiveaway R.L. is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47254/? Excerpt
“Well, Mr. Lowell, I think we have everything we need. Your references all check out, and you passed your background check. Can you start on Friday?” What a relief! I smiled and leaned against the wall of my dingy hotel room. Thank goodness for excellent references. I inhaled the combination mildew/chlorine smell caused by the permanent dampness from the ocean and the indoor swimming pool below my room, glad . This was the break I needed, or my current accommodations would soon go from bad to worse. “Thank you, yes. What time does the evening shift start?” I kept my fingers crossed while I waited for the answer. “Six o’clock. Just come to the front desk and our evening supervisor will get you set up. Lexi’s great. She’ll show you the ropes.” “Wonderful. Thank you for this opportunity.” “We should be thanking you, Mr. Lowell. You’re overqualified for the position, and we’ve had a difficult time keeping our evening staff. I hope this works out for the both of us.” I thanked Yvonne, the Human Resources director, once more before disconnecting. Then the victory dance commenced. “Did you hear that, Rhonda? We’re in!” My red Doberman rested her jaw on her paws and made an old lady noise, indicating that she’d rather be napping than dancing. I would not be thwarted, however. I danced a West Side Story routine across the room to the kitchenette and reached into the fridge with panache. There was one last bag of A-positive that I’d been sipping on since arriving in Santa Cruz, and now I could finish it off since I’d have a steady supply in just two days’ time. Not that I needed much—especially not when I was working—but it was important to never let my energy stores deplete. It affected my judgement and my ability to do the work that was so desperately needed. I did a spin and a box step before kicking my leg out, and throwing my arms back in a layout. Hopefully I’d find a patient who knew the old dances at Puesta Del Sol, my new place of employment. They were the most fun to work with. I reached into my lone duffel bag, which contained seven sets of scrubs, a suit, three white t-shirts, a pair of jeans, a Harvard hoodie, two pairs of shoes, and a small photo album that contained cherished pictures of my parents and younger siblings. The rest of my belongings and resources were hidden in pre-paid storage facilities around the country for when I got desperate…or had to run. My family was all gone now. My little sister was the last, and she’d passed away four months ago according to the hometown newspaper in Macon County, Georgia. I read every copy that I could get ahold of through the local libraries. The internet had been such a great invention. Even though I hadn’t been home in nearly forty years, I’d managed to keep tabs on everyone. They’d all lived mostly happy, satisfying lives and died of natural causes at advanced ages, which was the best I could have hoped for. But now that I had no worry of repercussions for my family, I could finally seek out the truth. Puesta Del Sol was hopefully the end of the line. The last assisted-living home where I’d worked in Albuquerque had led me here, to Santa Cruz, California. “Go west, young man,” turned out to be the advice I’d needed all along. I was determined to find those responsible for sending me on this decades-long exile. It wouldn’t be long now. It was time to set things straight, and it seemed fitting to be back near where it all started. March 2019 Two months later, the trail of promising leads had gone cold. Still, I loved my new life in California. I was surrounded by a competent and diverse staff at Puesta Del Sol that knew how to run a place of healing and hope with patients who were happy and well cared for. And I loved Santa Cruz. It was almost enough to make me consider letting go of the past. What a great place for a guy like me. It was easy to fit into the college town that was also a magnet for transients, tourists, and folks who were followers of alternative lifestyles. Not only were there practitioners of Eastern religions and schools of thought, but also those who claimed to be creatures of the night, a holdover from the vampire craze that swept the area after a hit movie in the ’80s made them cool. I occasionally even found folks who didn’t mind a little role play. My love of music meant I was a frequent guest of The Catalyst, a large music venue, bar, and eatery located downtown that drew fans from all over the Bay Area. One night they’d feature punk, the next rap, and sometimes even classic rock bands made their way to the club. Tonight was a perfect opportunity to blend in as a lineup of alternative bands from the eighties was playing. I’d worn my black suit, skinny tie, and black Dr. Martens. I’d even slicked my dark auburn hair back and donned black eyeliner for the hell of it, the makeup highlighting my eyes, so blue they made people stop and stare. Of course, the rest of the package could also be to blame for that. My pale, freckled skin fit the role of a night walker perfectly to round out the look. I made my way through the crowd to the bar and ordered a beer. A willing playmate soon appeared, and the game was on. The young man, dressed in a velvet waistcoat and ruffled poet’s shirt, saw me approach the bar and immediately perked up. I took a swig of my beer and nodded at the Goth. When I moved away from the bar, I felt him at my back as I headed to a dark corner. Once there, I leaned against the wall and waited. The young man approached with a sly smile, and I took it as an invitation. I reached for his shoulder, turned him around slowly, and pulled him back against my chest, enjoying the way his body fit against mine. “I have your permission?” I whispered in the young man’s ear. “I promise you’ll enjoy it.” The young man turned to face me and his eyes widened in surprise. “Here?” I smiled at him and ran a finger down his neck, enjoying the way he shivered. The energy from his excitement would have been enough to nourish me, but I was feeling greedy tonight. “Yeah, just um, be safe about it.” I bathed him in a wave of calm. The manipulation of energy was effortless for me now. “You’re in good hands, my friend.” I turned him around and stopped him when he went to loosen his belt. “Relax, I’ve got you.” I slid his long curly blond hair to the side. I had ways of making the experience pleasurable, so I poured energy into giving this guy one helluva good time, one he’d remember for years to come. He just wouldn’t remember that a vampire sank his teeth gently into his neck and took sustenance from his body. Give unto them what they require. Take only what you need to survive. I would never forget what I’d been taught. “Blessed be.” After a few sips, I felt my playmate shudder against me and let out a satisfied moan. A few more pulls and his body tensed, gasped, and shuddered once more. It was nice to know I hadn’t lost my touch. It had been a long time since I’d chanced feeding in public, but I felt safe here. Santa Cruz had welcomed me with open arms, and I wanted to stay. The young man raised his arm and cupped the back of my head. He pressed his ass back against me, and I knew it was time to end this tryst. “Thank you,” I whispered against his ear, and then pressed a kiss to his neck. “I should be thanking you,” the guy said. “What’s your name?” I disappeared into the crowd before the young man turned to look, and I was out of the club before he could wonder what happened. I rarely drank blood—it was an infrequent need to maintain my existence as long as I had plenty of human energy to manipulate—and I always made sure my partner enjoyed it. But the act often left me feeling…empty. I worked hard to help others live a more satisfying life, and after all this time, I sometimes resented that I couldn’t pursue happiness of my own. I would have loved to take that young man home and enjoy more than just an Exchange. Someday I would find…someone. But not until it was safe. Not until I’d done what I came here to do. Author Bio “With a strong plot, an expertly crafted cast of supporting characters, and deep empathy, Merrill’s novel will keep readers hooked.” —Publishers Weekly review of Typhoon Toby. Whether she’s writing contemporary romance featuring quirky and relatable characters or diving deep into the paranormal and supernatural to give readers a shiver, R.L. Merrill loves creating compelling stories that will stay with readers long after. Winner of the Kathryn Hayes “When Sparks Fly” Best Contemporary award for Hurricane Reese, and a Foreword INDIES finalist for Summer of Hush, Ro spends every spare moment improving her writing craft and striving to find that perfect balance between real-life and happily ever after. She writes diverse and inclusive romance, contributes paranormal hilarity to Robyn Peterman’s Magic and Mayhem Universe, and pens horror-inspired music reviews for HorrorAddicts.net. You can find her connecting with readers on social media, advocating for America’s youth, raising two brilliant kids, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more… Author Website: https://www.rlmerrillauthor.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/rochellerlmerrill Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/rlmerrillauthor Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rlmerrillauthor Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlmerrillauthor Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9828914.R_L_Merrill Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/r-l-merrill/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/R-L-Merrill/e/B00PI6Q1LI ![]() My teaser this week is from Electric Candle, book 2 of The Sleepless City (series cowritten with Anne Barwell). Stopping so fast he slid and lost his footing, Forge ended up almost completely under the thing. He was trying to scramble backward on his hands when Simon appeared and grabbed Forge under the arms, pulling him away and hoisting him to his feet. “What the hell is that?” Lucas sputtered. “Where’d they go?” “That way,” Blair pointed out the direction. The ominous black cloud was spiraling like a tornado away from the castle, Forge and Simon chasing after it. “It’s way faster than them.” “Faster than them?” Ben’s voice cracked. Blair looked at him, nodding. “I can still see it and them. It’s coming this way.” He grabbed Ben’s arm and started backing around the car, trying to put the vehicle between it and them. Lucas kicked off his shoes, and in seconds, he was stripped down, his clothes a pile of material. “What the hell are you doing?” Blair sputtered. Ben’s hand gripped Blair’s shirtsleeve. “Where?” The black cloud spiraled at the driveway. Blair jerked Ben back, and Lucas charged forward. Dark gray and black hair replaced his clothes. His fingers stretched and his nails transformed to curved claws while his face elongated. Yellow eyes glared at the approaching cloud. Lucas stood his ground. His guttural snarl escalated to a cross between a roar and howl. Blair stared, gulping. “Holy shit! That’s the fucking scariest thing I’ve ever seen in my life!” “You should see him when he drinks,” Ben muttered. Lucas charged. Simon and Forge closed in from the other side, and the cloud evaporated through the treetops. “Motherfuck!” Forge erupted. “That thing was right here, at our home. Nothing invades my home.” Lucas reverted to human form and scooped his clothes up. He jogged to the front door. Simon pushed on Forge’s shoulder. “Inside. We’ll find out what this is and how to deal with it.” Forge turned, fangs down and eyes completely blue, he growled. Simon sighed, gave him a pained look, and motioned to the house. Forge twisted around and stared at the trees where the cloud had vanished. “We will find the bad guy. We always do. However, first we have to know what it is.” Simon retrieved his overcoat and briefcase. Holding them in one hand, he took Ben’s arm with the other. “In the house.” His gaze swept over them. “For now, the smartest thing is to be a base rat.” Forge grumbled but followed them. Electric Candle is available in eBook, paperback and
through Kindle Unlimited. RELEASE BLITZ ![]() Book Title: Unmanageable Author: Leslie McAdam Publisher: Heart Eyes Press, LLC Release Date: September 13, 2022 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Single dad/nanny, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, small town, wine bar Themes: Romance matters! Length: 70 000 words/ 268 pages Heat Rating: 5 flames It is a standalone story in the In Vino Veritas series and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited ![]() Blurb I’ve never been romantic. Just ask my ex-wife. Since she broke up with me, I get my needs met any time I want, without putting my heart on the line. Exactly how I like it. But when she is called overseas and leaves me with our child, my bachelor lifestyle ends faster than you can say, “Daddy, I want a pony.” I need help. Problem is, help’s come in the form of an incredibly hot nanny. My employee. Who is much younger than me. And also … a guy. I watch Scott care for my kid and can’t help feeling like he clicks into place in her life. When he looks at me, though … I get an entirely different feeling. One that makes me long for things I can’t have. Like him. Unmanageable is a contemporary m/m age gap romance about a starry-eyed nanny who wants hot-air balloon rides and singing telegrams and a grumpy single dad who most definitely does not. Excerpt I wish I had Murph’s confidence. Before that dustup with Edsel, I was positive he was the one, but now my optimism has left me, never to return. “What do I do while I’m waiting for ‘the one’? And how do I solve my money issues?” My voice cracks. “I might lose my place.” “How can I help?” He bites his lip. “Do you need to borrow some money?” “No.” My tone comes out much more forcefully than I intend. But hell no. “I’m not getting into more debt, especially not to a friend. I just need to put my job search into hyperdrive. I have to get myself a job that pays more than the greeting card gig.” “Now, that’s a solvable problem.” Murph’s eyes light up, and he claps. “What do you want to do for work? What skills do you have?” “None.” He glares at me. “You have to be good at something.” “Well, I’m very good at arranging romantic dates, but that’s not exactly a salaried position.” He tilts his head to the side. “You could be a wedding planner!” I scratch the back of my neck. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.” My shoulders slump. “But I don’t know how to break into that business. And I need money fast.” “Who needs money fast? You’re still job hunting?” A body hovers over us, and I look up to see my friend Jeremy Everett. After he and I got a tiny bit sauced one night here at V and V, he adopted me as a member of his booklover gang. Like Murph, Jeremy’s a force of nature, only he’s a bit more reformed fuckboi and a bit less princess. He runs a hand through his halo of dirty-blond hair. “You could sell plasma. Or sperm.” “Hey,” I say, scooting over in the seat to let him in. “And, um, no.” “I’m not gonna judge,” Jeremy says, holding up his hands. “You gotta do what you gotta do.” “Even if I were desperate enough to bring the product of my ham candle to market, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to pass on my genetic material. The recipient might end up in as dire straits as me.” “Product of your ham candle?” Murph and Jeremy say at the same time. Shrugging, I hide my smile. They burst out laughing, and then Murph clucks his tongue. “I’ve had about enough of ‘Bag on Scottybear’ time. No more, okay? We’re problem solving.” “Fine.” I grimace. “Just no, uh, dissemination of my, um, semen. For profit. I mean, I don’t have a problem with it, but it’s not for me.” They crack up again, and now we’re getting looks from around the bar. Vino and Veritas is all chatter and good vibes, but there is a point where you can be a little too loud. We might be getting there. “Do you have to get back to work?” I ask Murph. He checks his phone. “I have a couple minutes left of my break. And this is more entertaining than that time Jason and Tai lost bets to me and Emmett and had to stand on the street corner across from city hall in Speedos holding signs that said, ‘Love me, love my Nantucket Nad Bucket.’” Jeremy raises his eyebrows. “I missed that one.” “You did,” Murph and I say together. About the Author ![]() Leslie McAdam is a California girl who loves romance and well-defined abs. She lives in a drafty old farmhouse on a small orange tree farm in Southern California with her husband and two children. Leslie's first published book, The Sun and the Moon, won a 2015 Watty, which is the world's largest online writing competition. She's gone on to receive additional literary awards and has been featured in multiple publications, including Cosmopolitan.com. Her books have been Top 100 Bestsellers on both Amazon and Apple Books. Leslie is employed by day but spends her nights writing about the men of your fantasies. Author Links Blog/Website | Facebook | TikTok | Pinterest Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter ![]() ![]() RELEASE BLITZ ![]() Book Title: Bobby Ray Breaks the Universe Author: Rob Rosen Publisher: JMS Books Release Date: September 10, 2022 Genre: Paranormal M/M Romance, Comedy Romance, Mystery/Suspense Tropes: Enemies to lovers Themes: Emotional growth Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 59 000 words/171 pages It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links ![]() Good vs. evil, angels vs. demons, and rednecks running wild across the Middle East. What could go wrong? Blurb What happens when a hunky demon visits you and commands you to break all ten commandments? Or when a handsome angel orders you to do the opposite? And what if you’re Bobby Ray, and you’ve already broken nine of the ten, and thou shalt not kill is a close brick away, and the demon has tacked on a cushy afterlife in hell as a reward? Decisions, decisions. And poor Bobby Ray has never been good at one decision, let alone multiple ones. Broke, divorced, and pretty darn miserable, does he do what’s right or what’s easy? In this darkly comical romantic adventure, Bobby Ray, with the help of numerous friends and just as many enemies, one being his ex-husband, travels from Georgia to Israel and ultimately across Egypt and the Gaza Strip in search of the one clue that will hopefully save them all, and possibly the entire world. Will good win out over evil, love over hate? Or will Bobby Ray ultimately break the universe? Good vs. evil, angels vs. demons, and rednecks running wild across the Middle East. What could go wrong? Excerpt As I stood over the sleeping man, brick in hand, heart beating a rhythmic drum solo in my chest, a brilliant flash of white light punched me straight in the face. “What the f --” “Bobby Ray!” boomed the voice, seemingly from all directions. “Though shalt not kill!” “Well, not yet, anyway,” I replied. “Wait just another minute.” I tried swatting the blinding light away, but, well, it was light, so swatting didn’t seem to do the trick. “That thing got a switch?” I didn’t know who I was talking to. I guessed this was all my subconscious, some sort of guilt trip I was laying on myself for killing my neighbor Tom. Or trying to. But with my eyes watering something awful, I was having a bit of a hard time of it. Maybe I shouldn’t have had the bourbon beforehand. Or finished the bottle. And smoked a joint to calm my nerves. But see, I liked Tom. Right on up until I found out that he was sleeping with my husband, I liked him. Or, okay, to be fair, my ex-husband, but still. “Bobby Ray!” again boomed the voice, the floor beneath me suddenly rolling like a wave. “Though shalt not kill!” Funnily enough, the voice didn’t sound like mine. I’d have thought my subconscious would’ve sounded something like me, but nope, not even close. Also, Tom wasn’t moving. And the voice was fucking loud, and the waving floor was still waving, and the bed was waving right along with it, but Tom was still lying there snoring. Ambien, I figured. Had to be. In any case, I set the brick down next to him and wiped my eyes with my sleeve. Soon as I did that, the lights went out in Georgia -- Georgia being where we were at the time and not simply the lyrics to a catchy old song. “What the f --” I repeated as my eyes focused on the apparent source of the booming voice. “Shouldn’t have mixed the bourbon and the pot.” I wiped at my peepers again. And again. Only, the angel floating in front of me with his massive wings spread out and a sort of pale glow all around him wasn’t blinking away as I had hoped. “I bet that pot was laced with something. Shouldn’t have bought it off that stranger at the bar. That was my first mistake.” The angel grinned. As grins went, this was one was quite, well, angelic. Duh, I suppose. “It doesn’t even break the top one hundred mistakes you’ve made, Bobby Ray.” I shrugged. “Yeah, it hasn’t been a good year for me.” Understatement. Of the gross variety. The angel folded his wings and stepped a foot closer to me as just his toes touched the ground. He was tall, almost seven feet, if I had to take a guess. Handsome as all get out, too. Smooth as alabaster and naked as the day he was born. Though I was guessing he hadn’t ever really been born, what with him being an angel and all. Either that or I was hallucinating. Or I was dreaming. I was betting on one of those last two. “It hasn’t been a good life, either, Bobby Ray.” And still, I shrugged. Or maybe I hadn’t stopped from the previous time. “I blame my parents for that.” The angel shook his head. “Honor thy father and thy mother, Bobby Ray.” I snickered. “Have you met the Beauregards? Flies keep their distance. Too shitty, even for them.” I glanced at the brick. I figured I could take this guy if need be. He didn’t look like the fighting type. Flying, sure, but not fighting. “The Lord said to honor thy father and thy mother, Bobby Ray, and so honor you must.” I sighed. Tom was still fast asleep. Probably dreaming of Matty, my ex. “Seems kind of a waste of time to honor the likes of them,” I told the angel. “They wouldn’t even appreciate it. Don’t much like that I’m gay, but honoring sounds sorts of pansy-ass. Their words, not mine.” And those were nice words in comparison to their usual words. The angel moved a step closer, a step closer still, tippy toes dragging the floor. He was now standing directly in front of me -- or maybe it was closer to hovering, really -- leaning down, in. I stared into eyes blue as the heavens. Go figure. It was, in fact, a bit like looking into eternity itself. “Your parents sound delightful, but be that as it may --” I held up my hand. “I get it, I get it. Honor. Don’t kill. Blah, blah, blah.” I squinted up at him. “You visit everyone who’s about to break a commandment? Because I’d have thought we would’ve met a hell of a lot sooner than now.” The angel straightened his back and moved an inch in reserve. Up until that moment, he looked, I don’t know, sort of at peace. All angelic looking. Like he didn’t have a care in the world. But just for a second, I could’ve sworn I saw a flinch of pain. Maybe it was my choice of words. Or word. Hell, I mean. “I --” he said, but suddenly got cut off. No, there wasn’t a bright light again. I was glad for that. My eyes were still watering from the first one. This time, there was a puff of foul-smelling smoke, very fire and brimstone stinking. I mean, I guess. Not like I’d smelled brimstone before. Not that I even knew what brimstone was. In any case, I coughed, rubbed at my nose as the black cloud disappeared to reveal what I assumed was a demon. I mean, the guy was red all over and had horns protruding a good foot from his temples, so demon was probably a good guess, as guesses went. Plus, I already had an angel, so a demon seemed logical. As much as anything did right about then, I mean. About the Author Rob Rosen is the author of the award-winning novels Sparkle: The Queerest Book You’ll Ever Love, Divas Las Vegas, Hot Lava, Southern Fried, Queerwolf, Vamp, Queens of the Apocalypse, Creature Comfort, Fate, Midlife Crisis, Fierce, And God Belched, Mary, Queen of Scotch, Ted of the d’Urbervilles, Sort of Dead, and Genie in a Vodka Bottle, and editor of the anthologies Lust in Time, Men of the Manor, Best Gay Erotica 2015, and Best Gay Erotica of the Year, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. ![]() Social Media Links Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win an ebook copy of Bobby Ray Breaks the Universe ![]() My snippet this week is from For the Long Run. Eyes watering, Molloy grabbed his middle and staggered back a few steps, looking up at Eric. Fisting Molloy’s jacket in both hands, Eric shoved him until his back connected with the wall. “You listen to me, you miserable piece of shit. You don’t hit your kid. Doesn’t matter if he’s four or twenty-four. Got that?” For emphasis, Eric slammed Molloy into the wall again. “It’s none of your—” The words wheezed and coughed out of Molloy. Eric cut him off again. “What part of shut up don’t you get?” Taking a few steps back, hauling Molloy with him, Eric swung a chair away from the small, round conference table and sat Molloy in it hard enough the senator sucked in a breath and hissed. “You ever so much as look as if you’re going to hurt Jay again, you’ll deal with me.” “I didn’t mean—” Barking a short, nasty laugh, Eric said, “Don’t try to convince me you beat the crap out of your own kid by accident. He wouldn’t even hit you back or defend himself. What does that tell you?” Leaning in close to speak right into the senator’s ear, Eric said in a low voice, “Me? I’d love for you to give me an excuse to hit back.” Check out more snippets on the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. For the Long Run is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited and is reduced to $2.99 for the month of September.
![]() Karenna Colcroft has a new MM paranormal / urban fantasy romance out, Real Werewolves Don't Eat Meat book 2: Veggie Burgers to Go. And there's a giveaway. A member of Boston North Pack is attacked by humans who say they were hired by a shifter. The same night, Melia, the wolf who changed Kyle Slidell, returns to Boston. The pack suspects Melia of arranging the attack, but Kyle believes someone else is behind it. He just doesn't know who. The following day, at the regional Alpha gathering in Pennsylvania, Kyle finds his answer. Saul Hughes, another Alpha, has a long-standing grudge against Tobias, Boston North's Alpha and Kyle's mate. Believing Tobias and Chal Torres, the other Boston-area Alpha, are both too weak to rule packs, Saul wants to take control of Boston North and City Pack. But no one suspects how far he'll go to get it. Warnings: References to sexual assault; on-page gun violence About the Series When Kyle Slidell moved to Boston, MA for work, he didn’t expect to develop a Massachusetts-sized crush on his neighbor, Tobias Rogan. After watching Tobias with occasional hellos for a few months, Kyle is thrilled to learn that Tobias is into him, too. But Tobias isn’t what he seems, and neither are most of the rest of Kyle’s neighbors. Kyle finds this out too late, when one of the neighbors turns out to be a rogue werewolf who attacks Kyle. And it turns out Kyle’s other neighbors are also werewolves, Tobias is their Alpha–and now Kyle is a werewolf too, and Tobias’s mate! But, being as stubborn as he is, even in wolf form vegan Kyle refuses to eat meat. The werewolf world is not a calm place, as Kyle learns. Some local wolves have a grudge against Tobias. And Tobias has attracted attention beyond the Boston limits from those who want to make sure he never poses a threat to them. Together, Kyle and Tobias build a life together while fighting to protect their pack and each other. Giveaway Karena is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47253/? Excerpt I showered first, hurrying down the hall and back with one of the extra-large towels I’d found in the closet in our room wrapped around my waist. While Tobias was out of the room, I sat on the edge of the bed and looked out the window. I wasn’t sure what to wear on the first official day of Alpha-Con, so I wanted to see what he put on first. By the time he returned from his shower, clad in a towel similar to mine, the noise in the hallway had died to nothing. “I think everyone else has gone downstairs,” he said. “Why are you still in a towel?” “I’m waiting for my Alpha to order me into some clothes,” I replied. He rolled his eyes and dressed in khaki slacks and a green button-down shirt I didn’t remember ever seeing him wear. He usually chose jeans and T-shirts. Or the denim cut-offs he’d worn most of the summer. I’d brought a royal blue shirt and grey slacks I generally wore to work. Taking Tobias’s lead, I put those on and we went out to the hall. Only Suzannah hadn’t gone downstairs yet. She stood outside our room, arms folded, looking like she was close to tears. “Did something happen?” Tobias asked her. “The Alpha of the Erie Pack happened.” She didn’t sound close to tears. She sounded pissed. “Homophobic piece of shit that he is. He stood here lecturing the pack members he brought with him about why they should avoid you two. I’d rather not even say the rest of the crap he spewed. Then he pretended he hadn’t noticed me standing here and asked what it was like being in a pack ruled by the weakest Alpha in North America.” Tobias rested his hand on her shoulder. “Let it go, Suz,” he said quietly. Suzannah took a deep breath. “We can’t afford to be in conflict with anyone else here. You understand that, don’t you?” “I understand.” Suzannah spoke in a monotone. “I don’t have to like him, though.” “No, you don’t,” Tobias agreed. “Just avoid him as much as you can.” His hand shook slightly when he took it off Suzannah’s shoulder. He was at least as pissed as she had been, which explained the amped-up compulsion. He would hide it better, of course; that was what alphas did. They didn’t display any sign of emotion if they could help it. I would have to persuade him to talk about it later on, when we had some time alone. Otherwise he would hold it in and explode at a time when it might not be warranted. The three of us went down the front staircase. The closer we went to the first floor, the louder the shifter hubbub became. I wasn’t sure how many packs were in the northeast, but from the sound of it there had to be close to a hundred shifters gathered in the dining room and parlor. And kitchen, we discovered when we reached the first floor. Basically, people were everywhere. Zane stood in the hallway at the foot of the stairs, acting as a traffic director, though I would have thought he’d have assigned that job to his assistants. “Good morning,” he said with a broad smile. “You three are the last down. We have a buffet set out on the kitchen island. Take what you like, eat where you like, and then we’ll all go downstairs.” “We’re meeting in the basement?” Suzannah shuddered. Since she’d been kidnapped by Art, she could barely tolerate places without windows. “The house is built into a hill,” Zane replied. “A slight one, but enough to allow the rear of the basement to open into the back yard. There are plenty of windows in the room where we’ll be meeting. It’s just the best room for meetings, since it’s large and soundproofed. Noise from outside or elsewhere in the house won’t distract or interrupt us. Don’t worry, it isn’t like a typical basement room. You aren’t the only wolf who becomes slightly claustrophobic, Suzannah.” Her eyes widened. She obviously hadn’t expected the Arkhon to know that much about her. Neither had I, and I suspected even Tobias was surprised. Then again, the Alpha of a pack often knew what his pack was thinking and feeling. It was part of the magic that made him Alpha. Given that, it made sense that the Arkhon would have that power with all wolves under his rule. For Zane, that would be an awful lot of wolves. I couldn’t imagine being responsible for so many and having all their thoughts rolling around my brain. I struggled sometimes just with the mate bond Tobias and I shared. Zane winked. “Arkhons know everything. Go have your breakfast, you three. I’ll see you downstairs. Tobias, your pack’s status is first on the agenda.” “What about my mate?” Tobias tensed as he asked. I didn’t know whether anyone noticed except me. “We will address that.” Zane’s attempt to avoid answering was paper-thin. “I’m not certain when yet. Probably toward the end of the day.” Right. That way, when all the homophobes flip out, it’ll be easier to contain them. Author Bio Karenna Colcroft lives just north of Boston, Massachusetts, and has been in love with the city since childhood, though she has yet to encounter any werewolves, vampires, or other paranormal beings in her travels. At least none that she knows of. Though since in her non-writing life, under another name, she offers services as a channel and energy healing practitioner, it could be said that she herself is a paranormal being. The jury’s still out on that. Karenna is a polyamorous, nonbinary human who splits time between the home she shares with her husband and the one she shares with her committed partner. She also has two adult children and a bonus son, three grandchildren, and two and a half cats. (Half in terms of time the cat lives with her, not in terms of the cat itself…) Find out more about Karenna online at http://www.karennacolcroft.com or https://www.facebook.com/KarennaColcroft. You can also sign up to receive a free short story, and be added to Karenna’s mailing list, at https://karennacolcroft.com/get-your-free-short-story/. Author Website: https://karennacolcroft.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/riverlightbearer/ Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/KarennaColcroft Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3088615.Karenna_Colcrof Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Karenna-Colcroft/e/B0031HAOUK ![]() ![]() Mary Rundle has a new mm paranormal romance out in audiobook format, Blackwood Pack, Book 9: Mystic Guardian. The Blackwood Pack saga continues… This is part of an on-going series by Amazon International Bestselling Author, Mary Rundle – catching up on previous titles is advised. Readers of previous books will enjoy meeting old friends once more as the pack does what it does best ̶ caring for one another and helping shifters everywhere. Carson never dreamed his six bothers would get their fated mates before he did and now, hanging on with the barest of hope he’d be next, he ends up devastated when it doesn’t happen. Unable to cope with seeing so many happy couples around him at the pack house in California, he accepts a job offer in France, intent on building a new life—only to discover the Fates have not forgotten him at all. After graduating from university, Remy, a low-level warlock leaves the world of magic behind, believing there’s no place in it for him. Encouraged by his parents, to accept a job offer at the Chateau des Flammes winery, he begins working for Arthur MacDùghlas, the dragon shifter owner, finally finding a place for himself in the world. Happy with his new position, Remy’s life abruptly changes when his parents unexpectedly die and he becomes the guardian of his three younger brothers. Muddling through the unexpected role of fatherhood, he finally finds his footing until…his life is upended once again when Carson, his fated mate arrives on his doorstep. Shocking surprises, treacherous plots, an action-packed rescue, and many unexpected twists and turns make this passionate love story by Mary Rundle impossible to put down once you’ve read the first page. Giveaway Mary is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47252/? Excerpt Heading down the stairs, he listened to the ringing, hoping Henri wasn’t under a truck fixing something or other. “C’mon, Henri, pick up!” Someone had it out for him—it was the only explanation he could come up with. He made a mental note to check on who’d left recently—or had been fired. “Bonjour, Mr. Marchant.” “Oh, thank the gods!” Remy exclaimed. It seemed luck had not deserted him. “Henri, Fionn MacDùghlas is arriving today and I need you to pick him up at the airport. He’s coming in on a private jet.” “Oui, Mr. Marchant. When will he be arriving?” asked Henri. “In less than two hours. Can you do it?” “Oui, it’ll be tight but I will make it.” “Good…oh, and you better take the SUV. I’m not sure exactly how many will be with him but I know there’ll be at least one other.” “Yes, sir. I’ll call when I have picked them up.” “Thanks, Henri. Drive safe.” “Always, sir.” After ending the call, Remy pocketed his phone before stopping in the kitchen to give his brothers a kiss good-bye. “You guys be good for Mrs. B. today,” he warned them, heading for the back door. “Don’t you worry, Remy, the boys and I will be fine,” Mrs. Beasley said, her voice following him out. Shutting the door behind him, Remy stopped, sniffing the air. Satisfied, he hurried to his car, climbed in and headed down the service road that would lead him to the winery. “Sonofabitch!” he muttered, pressing down on the accelerator. Jerking the steering wheel back and forth, Remy tried to avoid the deep ruts left over from the last rainstorm. Making another mental note to have Jules regrade the road, he finally skidded to a stop in front of the building housing the fermenting tanks. As the dust settled around the car, Remy climbed out, walking over to the locked door. Entering the security code, he waited until he heard the click, then entered, finding Pierre waiting for him just inside. “Did you check the security video, yet?” “Oui, but there’s nothing.” “Nothing? You didn’t see who did it?” asked Remy. “Non,” Pierre answered, “because the video was black. There was nothing on it.” “How can that be? Did we lose power last night?” asked Remy. “Not that I can tell. There aren’t any records of alarms last night,” Pierre said. “And the cameras were running but someone blocked the lenses.” “Fuck! So it must be an inside job if someone knew where the cameras were located.” Heading towards the fermenting room, he said, “Show me what you found.” “I didn’t see anything out of order until I walked over to this first tank,” Pierre said, gesturing towards a big steel tank just inside the doorway. “When I opened it up to check, I found out it had spoiled—then I saw these,” he said, pointing to a few bugs at the base of the tank. “It’s the same for the next two. That’s when I called you.” “You didn’t check any others?” asked Remy. “Non,” Pierre said, “I waited for you.” “Okay.” Remy walked over to the fourth tank, finding the same bugs on the floor. “Shit! Check this one.” Then he continued down the line finding three more that also had evidence of tampering. By the time they were through checking the rest, Remy counted seven tanks that were contaminated; the wine in them a total loss. “Damn!” he murmured. Standing back, he stared at the crime scene—something wasn’t adding up. Walking up to one tank, he squatted, picking up one of the bugs and rolling it between his fingers. Then laying the palm of his hand on the side of the tank, he closed his eyes, unleashing his other senses to explore. The shock zapping through his hand caused Remy to fall backward, landing on his ass. Holy fucking shit! No wonder the security video was black. “Hey, what happened? Are you okay?” asked Pierre, offering a hand to help his boss up. Rising, then brushing off the back of his pants, Remy answered, “Yeah, thanks. Hey, check that tank’s electrical, will you? Make sure there isn’t a short.” “Sure. What do you want to do with the wine in the seven tanks?” “Dump it,” Remy ordered, “it’s no use to us. But before you do that, show me the security video from last night.” Pierre grunted, leading the way back to his office. “The only possibility I came up with was someone put a black cloth over the cameras.” “Every one?” asked Remy. “What about the ones outside? Did you check those?” Nodding, Pierre sat down at his desk, pulling up the camera videos on his computer monitor. “See, the cameras are working perfectly,” he said, watching the screen. “What time did they go black?” asked Remy. “When the shift changed…2 a.m.” Remy examined the videos and wasn’t surprised at what he saw, especially after what happened back at the tank. “Okay, I’ve seen enough,” he said, heading towards the door. “I’ll be in my office. I’ll be tied up for most of the day, but I want the guards doubled from now on.” “I’ll see to it,” Pierre replied, rising from his desk. Climbing the wooden staircase to his office above the winery tasting room, Remy was deep in thought about what he found. Then sitting down at his desk, he swiveled his chair, his eyes looking out over the vineyards as his mind mulled over a mess of conflicting ideas. Was my instinct right? This was a personal attack meant to cause me harm…especially since it was done on the day the new owner was arriving. It was an easy conclusion to jump to but it didn’t explain the other times. But then, what about what I sensed? That certainly leads to me as the target. And I didn’t find it at the other crime scenes so whoever it is must be targeting me. The question is, why? Author Bio A few years ago, I wrote my first book, Dire Warning. Readers loved it and I was on my way to chronicle the Blackwood Pack, seven brothers who are gay wolf shifters in search of their fated mates—stories about love at first sight with twists and turns, angst and humor, romance and adventure and, of course, happy endings. Since then, the pack has expanded, allowing more stories to be told and different paranormals to be included. The series has become, as one reader described it…an “Epic Saga.” Now, eleven books later, Blood Prophecy, has just been published. I love the M/M paranormal genre because it gives my imagination a lot of territory in which to roam. My mind can really run wild and come up with some amazing stuff when it doesn’t have to stay inside the box. My story ideas come to me as if they were being channeled by my characters, all of whom I love (except for a few villains). They are eager to recount their lives, loves and adventures, and are not reluctant to let it all out when it comes to revealing steamy details. My writing style is free-wheeling and uninhibited and my readers tell me they love it that way; that it makes them feel like they’re right in on the action and a member of the Blackwood Pack. I live in the Northeast and love the beautiful change of seasons, my husband, and our quirky calico cat, though not necessarily in that order. I read a lot (good for the mind) and love gardening (good for the soul). And I’m always happy to hear from my readers and can be reached through Facebook, my private Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, or my website. Author Website: https://www.maryrundle.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/maryrundle69 Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/maryrundleauthor/ Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryRundle69 Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryrundle69 Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14246427.Mary_Rundle Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/mary-rundle/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Rundle/e/B0763CDQQ6 ![]() “There are four people I picked out that Clint communicates with regularly through social sites, and I presume also privately via e-mail or phone. These people and Clint all know more about one another than is online for the general public to read. Two of them, an Andrea and a George, both have books with the same publisher as Clint and seem pretty aboveboard.” Griff nodded. “I know them. Andrea Sills and George Krebs. Andrea I’ve met a few times at conventions I’ve gone to with Clint. I think I met George once too. What about the other two?” “Number three is someone named HH Mayle.” Griff nodded again. “One of the H’s stands for Hennie. I’ve met her too. She’s… unique. Nothing she wears matches. She’s a very nice lady, though. And drinks everyone under the table.” “Well, she seems commonly to interact only to sell something. Then there is person number four.” Candice leaned forward and tossed her notebook and pen onto the desk. “Dylan Hatchet. This guy is just made of all kinds of creepy. This is who you’re worried about.” It wasn’t a question, but Griff nodded once anyway. “How does Clint not see that this guy could become a serious problem? This Dylan person is heading into, maybe has already reached, stalking territory.” “No, he doesn’t see it, or won’t admit it. I’m not sure.” “How is that possible?” Candice asked. “I made a list of things to show him, in case he hasn’t noticed, which I think he most certainly has. I’ll use Facebook as an example, but these things apply to all of Clint’s online interactions with this man. Dylan uses an abundance of jumping, smiling, winking alien-fox-type emoticons when he comments to Clint in some manner. He also uses words and phrases that allude to him knowing more details about any given situation, creating the impression that he and Clint share private jokes, intimate details, things like that. To me it appears almost as if he’s trying to say ‘this man and I have a special relationship.’” “I saw that. I spent half the night reading through Clint’s blog and Facebook. I was hit with the fact that Dylan seemed to have more information than Clint put out there for the general audience,” Griff said. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening them again. “I felt like I was the stalker doing that.” “I think in this case, I’d have to say you were justified. Dylan’s comments outnumber other people’s four to one, at least.” Candice tapped the edge of her notebook. “Then there is the wording—it’s intimate, suggesting he knows details about Clint physically, what his body looks and, more disturbing, feels like. Did you also notice Clint doesn’t really respond to those comments of Dylan’s and always mentions you in a good way, as if he feels the need to defend you?” Candice snickered. “G-man, I like that name he uses for you. So, I’m going to say Clint realizes something is off but won’t admit to you what’s going on. I know how he feels about using your job as some kind of defense. Truthfully, the more I’ve thought about this, the more I’m wondering if you getting involved would escalate the situation. From what I read of Clint’s response, I can’t say for sure he’s thinking that way. So, I’m back to square one wondering why he hasn’t mentioned any of this to you. I think Clint doesn’t want to have you deal with his problem.” “Because Clint is nice. He sees good in everyone and said I was overreacting. The people we chase commit the sorts of crimes that make it on the news or are nonviolent blue-collar crimes. He doesn’t see that a man he thinks is a friend, albeit an odd friend, could hurt him.” Griff stopped for a minute, taking a few breaths and trying to calm down. “I tried to tell him. That’s sorta what sparked off our argument. Candice, please, would you tell him too? Point all these facts out to him? Maybe he’ll listen to you.” “I’m not lying to him if he asks what brought all this on,” she said. “And I’m not asking you to. I intend to tell him as soon as I’m home. Call him or e-mail him or something, please.” “All right. I will. Now, we have some official work to do,” Candice said. Jewel Cave is available in paperback, eBook and in Kindle Unlimited. For the entire month of September the paperback price is reduced to $6.99 and the eBook cost is reduced to $2.99.
RELEASE BLITZ ![]() Book Title: Leading Man (Hollywood Heartthrobs Book 1) Author and Publisher: Valerie Ullmer Cover Artist: Valerie Ullmer Release Date: September 2nd, 2022 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Interracial Romance, Feelings long denied, Insta love, Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Hollywood Actor, Personal Assistant Themes: Trusting Yourself, free to be who you want to be, pursuing dreams Heat Rating: 5 flames Length: approx. 54 000 words/183 pages It is part 1 of a 3 book series but does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited ![]() Blurb Spencer Atreus. Gorgeous movie star, workaholic, and the ultimate laid back, can’t-help-but-love-him kind of guy. Oh, did I mention gorgeous? But the reason I, Westley Lee, hid my attraction to the man was two-fold. I loved my job. As his personal assistant, he depended on me and I’d come to crave being wanted by him, even though it wasn’t exactly as I imagined. Also, being part of his life, even in the peripheral, was better than not being with him at all. And while it screamed desperation on my part, every intimate thought I had about him was locked in the recesses of my mind as I kept up appearances. Until one night changed everything. Seeing Spencer in pain crumbled all the walls I’d built between us to protect my heart. And in a moment of pure weakness, he saw through my barriers and I was unable to keep him in the dark about my feelings. But will we find our happily ever after when a threat endangers our entire future? Excerpt The downside, or sinful temptation as I defined it, of living behind the man and being involved in everything from having groceries delivered, overseeing the few household staff he employed on a part-time basis, and having full access to his house and his finances was my life became inundated with everything Spencer Atreus. The man was stunning. The fact he was also a straight cis movie star with people always wanting something from him or craving the man himself never went to his head, and I refused to be a sycophant. Regardless of the images flashing behind my eyelids of the man with a gorgeous smile and beautifully sculpted body and what he could do to me in that bed, I locked all the fantasies down in the private recesses of my mind and drifted off as blackness descended. A familiar, yet distant ring jolted me out of bed. I tried to blink the sleep from my eyes, but the gritty, dry discomfort meant I’d left my contacts in when I’d dropped off into slumber. Ignoring the irritation blinking caused and concentrating on the insistent sound, I scrambled toward it and on the fourth ring, I answered with a short, “What?” “Lee?” All the years of daily reminders I’d given, lecturing at him about how much I hated being called by my last name, Spencer refused to call me anything else. But at that moment, I shoved back my irritation as the urgency in his voice caught me off guard and worst-case scenarios ran through my head. “What’s wrong? Do you need me to pick you up?” There was a shuffling, as though the phone was being wrestled away, and then another voice came on the line. One I avoided at all costs. “Hey, sexy? Someone threw a punch, and it struck—” “Where are you?” I demanded in a low growl. I whipped around and strode toward the bathroom, holding the phone against my ear with my shoulder, and washed my hands. After I cleaned my fingers, leaving them wet, I yanked the dried contacts from around my corneas and sighed in relief. I added eye drops to clear up the redness and irritation. In a rush, I cleaned my glasses before I pulled on some jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. It was March in California and the nights could get cold. He was still rambling about something that had nothing to do with the current location of one Spencer Atreus, so I barked, “Where?” “At the house, but you—” Not proud of my actions, I hung up on Spencer's friend and constant flirt, Mason Dawes, and stuck my feet in sneakers before I snagged my keys and wallet, locked up, and started up toward the main house. It wasn’t as though I didn’t like Mason. I hadn’t allowed myself to get to know him because something about the man felt… off, and so I avoided him. He was never serious about anything, aside from maybe his career, and I refused to tolerate his attempts at chatting me up. Although it’d never come up during my employment with Spencer, Mason spotted me at Bayou, a West Hollywood gay bar early in my employment. That night, I tried finding another man who’d allow me to get over the stupid fascination I had with Spencer, but it was one of several nights of turning down offer after offer before I understood I’d have to live without. There was no substitute for Spencer in my eyes. And as far as I knew, Mason hadn’t yet told his friend. ![]() About the Author Valerie resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband. While she had been interested in writing a romance novel for years, it wasn’t until she wrote her first book that she really became hooked, and now she can’t stop. She has notebooks full of ideas, and she plans to write most of them in the years to come. When she’s not writing or learning about the craft of writing, she can be found surfing the internet way too much, watching Investigation Discovery and thinking that her neighbors are up to no good, and finding new ways to get her husband to laugh. Social Media Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Newsletter Sign-up | Pinterest | BookBub | Goodreads ![]() Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card ![]() Survival was a skill Declan had in abundance. Slipping his shirt from his shoulders, exposing his chest to the creature, Declan dropped to his knees and ran his palms over its considerable manhood. Shaking, thanking the gods this thing could be aroused like any man, Declan scooted closer and wrapped one arm around its muscular hips. He knew what to do to gain this creature’s favor and in all honesty, he was intrigued with the man’s, this creature’s, power. Failing that he still had his blade. Declan was grabbed by hands stronger than any human’s and shoved away. The creature screamed words that sounded like gibberish. “Óþokku ligr hvore ek munu kut þinn hands eigi á/” A century later Declan found out, quite by accident, he’d been called a whore and there was the threat to cut off his hands in Old Norse. “Bastard,” Declan spat and scrambled backward. The man-thing took a step and in the blink of an eye, was holding Declan over his head as he twisted in a circle. The creature moved so fast Declan’s head spun and the meager contents of his stomach was expelled. In another second he was sailing through the air and came to a painful stop at the bottom of a cargo hold. How he escaped a broken neck, Declan would never know. Read more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Shifting Chaos is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited. For the entire month of September the eBook is $2.99 (50% off) and the paperback is discounted to $9.99.
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Welcome to My World
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