![]() J. Scott Coatsworth's diverse hopepunk space opera Dropnauts Is out in audio, narrated by Kevin Earlywine. And there's a giveaway! Life after the Crash. Over a century after the end of the Earth, life goes on in Redemption, the sole remaining Lunar colony, and possibly the last outpost of humankind in the Solar System. But with an existential threat burrowing its way into the Moon's core, humanity must recolonize the homeworld. Twenty brave dropnauts set off on a mission to explore the empty planet. Four of them—Rai, Hera, Ghost and Tien—have trained for two-and-a-half years for the Return. They're bound for Martinez Base, just outside the Old Earth city of San Francisco. But what awaits them there will turn their assumptions upside down—and in the process, either save or destroy what's left of humanity. Amazon Audio | Universal Buy Link | GoodreadsGiveaway Scott is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47248/? Excerpt Listen to chapter one: [audio mp3="https://www.otherworldsink.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DS-CH-1.mp3"][/audio] We’re going home. Rai sweated inside his suit, white-knuckling the arms of the retrofitted launch chair under his suit gloves. He watched the Zhenyi'slaunch countdown clock. Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight… Outside he was calm, but inside he vibrated like an erhu string, his stomach doing acrobatics in his chest. I’m not ready. Five teams of dropnauts had strapped themselves into their jumper ships, prepared for the ascent from Redemption on the lunar surface to Launchpad station. Outside his porthole, the blue-green marble of Earth beckoned. Forty-five, forty-four… Rai cast a nervous glance at his three teammates. Hera was doing her preflight check, her back to him, sweat dripping down the umber skin of her neck from her short-cropped, curly black hair. Behind him on his right, Tien’s eyes were closed, and she was still as a golden statue. Zen. He turned to find Ghost looking at him from behind. His ex grinned, running his hand through his lanky, dirty blond hair, his green eyes twinkling. His skin was as white as Rai’s own, but with a dusting of freckles over the bridge of his nose. Rai managed a pale imitation of a smile back. -It's totally safe.- Ghost's voice pinged in his head, em to em. -Easy for you to say.- Ghost had never feared a thing in his life. Rai sighed. If he had to, he could take the small ship apart and put it back together with his bare hands, a skill learned under Sam's supervision—the mech was as harsh a taskmaster as any human Rai had ever worked for. Still, he felt like puking. The speeches and adulation of the farewell celebration were over, and now his doubts circled like vultures. I'm not ready. Thirty-two, thirty-one… -You'll be ok.- Hera's determined voice this time. She turned to squeeze his knee, and then fired up the Zhenyi'shydro-fuel engine. He flashed her a sheepish grin. A hundred meters away, the Bristol's takeoff shook the landing pad. Rai watched it rise, carrying Dax, Jess, Ola, and Xiu Ying, the London team, toward the bright stars above. The jumper’s expelled water froze almost instantly, falling as snow over the snaking lava tube that held the city of Redemption. A lunar blizzard whipped by them and shimmered into nothing. Rai closed his eyes, remembering the night before. Jess, laughing and dancing with him at Heaven, the clear dome of the lunar sky sparkling above them, the heavy beat of the thromb club pulsing through his chest. Dancing like no one was watching. He rubbed his jaw. It still ached from the fist he'd taken to the face. Wild party. And a wilder night with Ayvin, the jack he'd picked up at the club. "Zhenyi, ready for liftoff in T-Minus ten seconds.” Sam's voice, coming from Team Five's ship, the Liánhuā, was cool and collected. Did the mech feel emotion, like the nausea that was boiling in Rai's guts? His teammates were strong, smart, and prepared for anything. I can do this. Besides, it was too late to back out now. "Affirmative.” Hera shifted in her seat, her biframes stretching her paralyzed legs for her. "You’ll do okay, tiger.” Ghost elbowed him in the ribs. “Six, five, four…” Hera swiped the glossy white control deck, and the launch controls appeared, floating over the white surface. “Leave him alone.” Rai could hear the icy frown in Tien’s voice. He closed his eyes, willing his stomach to calm. Here we go. Nothing he could do about it now. “Three, two, one… hang on.” Hera fired the engines, and the craft lifted on a cloud of steam into the star-filled skies of Luna. Rai squeezed his armrests again as G-force pushed him hard back in his seat. He was committed now. Poppies, Chinese Houses, Fiddlenecks, Baby Blue Eyes, Yellow Pansies, Star Lilies… Reciting the flowers of the old San Francisco basin helped soothe his abraded nerves as the rumbling of the little craft rattled his bones. He opened his eyes to see Redemption receding below them. The great lava tube was striped with sparkling bands of solar receptors that let sunlight into the city below. Rail lines snaked out from Redemption to the transit center like roping vines—to the seed launcher at Copernicus Crater, to Renewal colony, and beyond. As the city shrank below them, his fear turned to sadness, a lump forming in his throat. He’d taken his home for granted, enthralled by the idea of joining humankind’s greatest adventure in a century. Now he might never see it again. The hydro rocket thrust them up out of Luna’s gravity well into naked space, toward the bright blue skies of the empty Earth above. Rai stared at it, that enigmatic ball in space which no one had visited in over a century. What secrets are you hiding? The roar cut off as quickly as it had begun, leaving the Zhenyi drifting upward in silence as they slipped out of Luna’s grasp. Hera’s hands flew across the deck, swapping the launch controls for navigation, and nudged them onto a new course following the Bristol toward the Launchpad. Rai let go, his breath coming out in a heavy sigh. “See? That wasn’t so bad.” Ghost unbuckled his seatbelt and stretched, yawning as if he didn’t have a care in the world. God, he's beautiful. Pale as his namesake under his mop of dirty blond hair, the engineer’s thick arms were just a suggestion under the bulky suit, but Rai could still see them in his mind. Ghost’s well-toned muscles, the smell of his skin after-- “You okay, buddy?” Ghost was staring at him, one dark eyebrow raised in concern. Rai bit his lip and looked away. “Just nervous. Wondering if we’ll ever make it back home” “Hey, if things go well after the drop, maybe you and me could open the first Earthside bar since the Crash.” Ghost leaned over him from behind to stare at the Earth through the porthole, his cheek close to Rai’s “That’s crazy.” But his spirits lifted. It was idiotic. And just the distraction he needed. Ghost sank back into his own seat. “Every outpost needs a good bar where the colonists can blow off a little steam, right?” Rai laughed in spite of himself, warming to the idea. “We could call it ‘The Frontier’.” “Or ‘The Wild Hookup’.” “Best beer this side of the planet.” “Only beer!” Rai snorted. Just like old times. He hadn’t forgiven Ghost, though. Not yet. He looked down at his gloved hands, emblazoned with the leaf-and-orb of Redemption’s space service. Things had ended badly between them--crash and burn bad. Still, they’d be too busy the next few weeks to think about anything but the drop. The survival of Redemption and the remnants of humanity depended on them. He could let it go. I have to. He’d managed the launch, after all. I can do this too. Ghost squeezed his shoulder and closed his eyes, touching his temple and bobbing his head to a song only he could hear. Rai turned away. You're stronger than any of us. Hera had told him that the night before. Still, he didn’t feel strong. He looked out of the porthole again at the Earth—the same view they’d had from Heaven. And yet somehow, it looked different. More real. Poppies, Chinese Houses, Fiddlenecks, Baby Blue Eyes, Yellow Pansies, Star Lilies… He touched his hand to the porthole. Even through the glove, it was cold. We're going home. Author Bio Scott lives with his husband Mark in a yellow bungalow in Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother at the tender age of nine. He devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were. He decided that if there weren’t queer characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends. A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and is a full member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Author Website: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworthauthor/ Author Twitter: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/jscoatsworth Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jscottcoatsworth/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/ Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J.-Scott-Coatsworth/e/B011AFO4OQ Author BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-scott-coatsworth Narrator Bio: Kevin Earlywine is an actor, director, singer/songwriter, and audiobook narrator who hails from Rockford, Illinois! His debut album DANGER was released February 28th, 2017. Kevin started writing songs for the album in 2012, and finally in November, 2015, he started recording the songs! ![]()
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BLOG TOUR ![]() Book Title: Again: Fox Hollow Zodiac Novel 2–MM Shifter Romance Suspense Author: Morgan Brice Publisher: Darkwind Press Cover Artist: Adrijus Guscia, cover wrap by Natania Barron Release Date: July 5, 2022 Genres: Urban fantasy, MM shifter romance suspense Tropes: Shifters, one true pairing (OTP), reincarnation, fated mates, mating bites, psychics, magic, curses, hurt/comfort, found family, Themes: Long-distance relationship, having faith in each other, knowing you can depend on each other, navigating a new relationship Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 247 pages It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited ![]() The fast, furry, and furious! A lynx shifter, pursued by a cryptid trophy hunter. A wolf shifter desperate to rescue a lover who's not just his fated mate—but his one true pairing across past lives. And a love that transcends time. Blurb The fast, furry, and furious! A lynx shifter, pursued by a cryptid trophy hunter. A wolf shifter desperate to rescue a lover who's not just his fated mate—but his one true pairing across past lives. And a love that transcends time. Lynx shifter Noah Wilson narrowly escaped being captured by the Huntsman. While recuperating in Fox Hollow, he meets his fated mate, wolf shifter Drew Lowe. Noah has to return to Canada to finish filming his TV projects, so he and Drew visit when they can and come up with creative solutions to their long-distance relationship. Noah and Drew are sure they're meant for each other and start making plans. Drew's dreams make him wonder if he and Noah are more than fated mates—could they be a true pairing, destined to find each other lifetime after lifetime? Then Noah accidentally records a murder, and the killer is on his trail. Can he elude a master tracker and reach the safety of Fox Hollow, or will he and Drew have to wait to find happiness in another life? Again is a thrill-packed MM shifter romance adventure full of sexy shifters, hurt/comfort, one true pairing, reincarnation, sincere psychics, hunky mechanics, first responders, a sexy wildlife photographer, found family, and fated mates. Excerpt “I wish you could see this view in person—except for how cold it is.” Noah snapped a photo that didn’t do the colors of dawn justice, and sent it with his text to Drew. He waited for a reply and realized Drew probably wasn’t awake yet. No one in their right mind is up at this hour. He’d made the best of the cramped hotel room, knowing from experience to bring an extra blanket, good pillow, books, and power strips. Hotels never had enough outlets to charge his cameras. Fortunately, travel wasn’t a constant, but staying overnight to get the right light or have time to set up cameras happened fairly often. Will that be a problem with Drew? Will he resent my photography? It’s a demanding job. Noah cleaned his lenses and checked his batteries as he packed his day bag. Travel made it easy to find overnight company without entanglement, and he’d long ago grown tired of waking up alone. He’d had a serious relationship back in film school, which fizzled after graduation. There were a few boyfriends who lasted more than a month or two, but his irregular hours always ended up being more than anyone wanted to deal with for long. Can it be different with Drew? We felt such an immediate bond—I’ve never had a connection like that with anyone. It’s like we’ve known each other forever. “Of course. We’re fated mates,” his lynx reminded him, as if Noah could forget. He smiled, thinking of their conversation that ended only a few hours ago. It wasn’t just the sex—although that was combustible in a way Noah had never experienced before. Everything took on a different light when it involved Drew. Talking about the trivial activities of the day wasn’t boring. Sharing a movie or even reading the same book and talking about their reactions now felt satisfying and fun. I’m a Cancer—we’re protective and defend our family. Except I don’t really have any. Noah didn’t have many living relatives. His father had vanished when he was young, and his mother died two years ago from a bad heart. He had a brother and sister, but they drifted apart, and Noah hadn’t heard from them in years. He wasn’t sure he even had valid addresses for them. Drew is my mate. He’s my family now. And he has Russ and Liam and their friends. A pack. Someday, they’ll be my pack. Clowder, his lynx sniffed. Lynxes have a clowder, not a pack. Sounds like soup. Clowder is not chowder, silly human. But we could vote to let Drew be an honorary lynx and join. Vote? Who—you and me? We are the only ones in our clowder now. It would be nice to add our mate—even if he is a dog. Wolf. Canine. I’ve fallen hard. And it should scare me. But it doesn’t. When I worry that he might not feel the same, I can’t breathe ![]() About the Author Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa. On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs. Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon! Author Links Website | Audible Profile | Amazon profile Facebook Group | Facebook Page Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail) | Twitter Sign up for my newsletter and never miss a new release Read a copy of my Badlands short story Restless Nights here for free ![]() Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of two ebooks of Huntsman (book 1 in the series) ![]() ![]() Daisy Sitch has a new MF romance with a strong trans sub arc, Love, Lust & WTF?!! book two: Daisy's Adventures in Love. And there's a giveaway. Daisy’s Adventures in Love picks up where Love, Lust & WTF left off. Daisy’s finally found her match. Or has she? Is Brad really the one? And is Daisy ready for the surprising new challenges that a larger family might bring her? Experience Daisy’s adventures, diving into love, family and fun. Daisy’s heart is on fire, for her girls, for Brad and for his kids. But as Daisy’s family potentially grows bigger, new unsettling—even terrifying—challenges arise. Daisy and Brad find themselves on a tightrope- one in which falling may mean the loss of one of their children. When you love more, you have more to lose. To triumph, Daisy must dive deeper into not only love, but diversity, gender issues, transphobia, sexuality struggles, acceptance and the true meaning of motherhood. Luckily Daisy and Brad are not alone. Supported by a diverse cast of friends, including Kyle a psychologist who specializes in LGBTQ+ youth and family counselling, they chart a new-bigger and less predictable- life together. Opportunities for growth abound. Kids growing and changing like crazy, love is anything but smooth and simple. Daisy’s gal pal chats bring her back to the crazy world of dating, a time she wants to avoid like the plague. Universal Buy LinkGiveaway Nikki is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47249/? Excerpt Brad My fishing trip was great. Much-needed time away, just me and my buddies at the lake. On my way home, I picked up Kari and Kris from their mom’s. I was exhausted from the trip but could tell immediately that something was up with Kari. And it was big. She had a look about her. Tight. Scared. Held in. When she asked if we could chat one-on-one tonight, I said, “Sure thing, sweetie, happy to chat with you about anything.” But I wondered what it was I’d been missing. And for how long. For some reason, my mind went to a video I’d watched of some daredevil hippie-type dude on a tightrope—no, a slackline—strung between two towering rock pillars. Well, that’s a weird image. Why would that come to mind? After supper, Kris asked to watch a movie. I got him all set up in the bonus room so Kari and I could chat in relative privacy. “Dad, I’m nervous talking to you about this, but I need to do it NOW. I’ve waited long enough. I’m just going to blurt it out. You can ask questions after.” I nodded. I hadn’t always been good at, well, just listening. But funny how important it can be. Something told me it was one of those times to close my mouth and open my ears. My baby girl had something important to share with me. Just listen. Kari took a deep breath and exhaled, “Here goes nothing. I’m a pansexual transboy.” Silence. I waited. Shocked, but desperately trying not to show it. Kari blew out another huge breath and added, “There I said it.”
A what? I sat very still. Attempting to process what I’d just heard. A feather could have knocked me over. Nothing could have prepared me for this. My brain was trying to process but I didn’t even know where to start. I limited knowledge about either word Kari had muttered. Kari continued, “I know this is coming at you fast. I’ve researched and soul-searched and internalized this over the past few years. I’ve never felt right as a girl. It always felt wrong. I felt awkward. It just took me a while to figure out what felt right. And before you ask, no, this isn’t a phase. The reality is: I am a transboy.” I nodded, playing for time. The video came back to me then, an overpowering image and feeling. The slackline, only it was me that was on the tightrope. I was balancing precariously over a steep faced gorge, with nothing but air and sharp rocks below. I had so many questions. I felt so much love for my oldest child right now, lots of confusion, and I just wanted to hold on to my not-so-little girl. I struggled for balance. I’d heard the terms before, I guess, but I didn’t really know what they meant. But I could feel the breeze. The air flowing over me, high on that slackline. I couldn’t panic there. I couldn’t lose my cool or pretend what was happening to my daughter was an affront to me. An affront at all. It wasn’t about me—it was about her, and if I reacted wrong and lost my balance, maybe it wouldn’t be me that fell—it would be her dropping so far, end over end, flailing onto the sharp and unsympathetic rocks so far below. What do I do? But some instinctive part of me knew what to do. I folded her into my arms, next to my heart, where she belonged. Always. I felt her try to pull away, but I wasn’t ready to let her go, and I pulled her in closer for another minute before releasing her. “Dad, you haven’t said anything. What are you feeling?” Kari whispered. Holding her, I felt my balance coming back. I was scared, still. Scared for her. But I knew something at that moment. “We aren’t on a tightrope,” I said. “What?” she asked.
Oops, that was my outside voice. That must’ve sounded extremely weird to her.
“Sorry sweetie, I’m a bit shell shocked. But we’re going to be fine.” I didn’t know that. Some part of me knew that peril surrounded us—surrounded her, who I would’ve gladly fallen off any cliff to save, but I also knew that it wouldn’t be an act of physical bravery on my part that would help. It would be something else. Summoning that something else, I said, “I want to be respectful in my response. It’s a lot to take in all at once. But I want you to know that I love you and I’m here to support you through anything and everything, always.” I exhaled, clearly understanding that things had changed in a big way. Not knowing quite what to do. I stared at my girl sitting on the couch. I heard the birds chirping outside. Nothing had changed for them. “How do I support you, Kari? What do you need from me?” Kari released the air she’d been holding in, and a small smile touched the corners of her lips. “Ok, there are a few things I need from you right now: I would like you to start calling me Carson, not Kari. Also, use the pronouns ‘him’ and ‘he’. I know this will take some getting used to, but I’d appreciate it if you’d start trying immediately. I’ve closed the door on Kari; she’s gone.” Gone? What do you mean gone? You’re sitting right here. You’re Kari, but you’re not. My brain was scrambling, trying to find some semblance of logic and organization. I was grasping at straws and failing miserably. I felt the air again. The high cliffs and the endless fall below. I was back on the slackline. I knew I shouldn’t say anything until the swirling stopped. I’m not on a tightrope. We’re not on a tightrope. If Kari was gone, I now had Carson. Author Bio Nikki Sitch is a mom, volunteer coach, landman, athlete, and more recently, she discovererd her passion as a writer. A Land Negotiator in the Energy Industry by day, Nikki fills her off hours, when not writing, with things she loves to do: spend time with family and friends, swim, bike, rollerblade, read, travel, golf, and walk. Nikki wrote Daisy’s Adventures in Love, her second book, while living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her two boys and one dog. Daisy’s Adventures in Love is Nikki’s second book and is a continuation from Love, Lust and WTF – Daisy’s Dating Adventures. Stay tuned for book three, picking up Daisy’s adventures where Daisy’s Adventures in Love leaves off. Author Website: https://nikkisitch.ca Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/nsitch/ Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/nikkisitchauthor/ Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiSitch Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nik6ix/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22078002.Nikki_Sitch Author Amazon: https://Amazon.com/author/nikkisitch ![]() My teaser this week is from The Art of Domination (book 2 of Pain and Pleasure). Once Ian finished his meal, Taren used the remote to activate the massager. This time Ian’s moan was for an entirely different reason. His breathing sped up and he leaned back. After a few miles Taren increased the vibrations until Ian’s hips moved in small circles over the heated seat. When they stopped at a light, Taren stole a quick glance at Ian’s face. His eyes were closed, and he bit down on his lower lip. For Ian, the pain he experienced brought pleasure. Taren’s job was to make sure the pain didn’t cross the line to torture and Ian would eventually be immersed in his pleasure. Taren’s pleasure was giving Ian what he needed. The light changed to green and Taren turned off the vibrator. Ian shifted every minute or so, but never asked Taren to turn the heat down. Taren could only imagine how uncomfortable--painful—Ian’s ass felt right now. He gripped the steering wheel more tightly thinking of how Ian’s red, heated ass would feel against Taren’s groin and thighs. His thoughts drifted to exactly what he’d do once they were home. More planning was in order. Ian’s body began to relax, and he took a few deep breaths. “Thank you, Sir.” “I’m glad you enjoyed it. We need to discuss details of our trip. Are you up to it?” “I am, Sir.” The Art of Domination and the entire Pain and Pleasure series is available through JMS Books and many online booksellers.
RELEASE BLITZ ![]() Book Title: Reigniting Chase Author: Jeanne St. James Publisher: Double-J Romance, Inc. Cover Artist: Golden Czermak @ FuriousFotog Release Date: July 30, 2022 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Gay, mature (both characters over 40), small town, grumpy/sunshine Themes: Dealing with loss, new beginnings Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 368 pages It is a standalone story with no cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK ![]() An unexpected collaboration between two authors that’s hot enough to spark a fire... Blurb Chase After an excruciating loss, I’m desperate for a fresh start. Away from the painful memories. Away from everyone I know and anyone who knows my story. That’s how I end up in Eagle’s Landing, Pennsylvania. As a bestselling author, my main reason for moving to a remote mountain cabin is to overcome the writer’s block that crushed my creativity for the past two years. My hope is to rediscover my words in the quiet, small town where no one knows me. Or my past. A place where I can blend in enough that I become invisible. Rett Even though Chase, one of my favorite authors, insists he wants to be left alone, I refuse to let him wallow in whatever’s drowning him. As a local bookstore owner and author myself, I’m intrigued by the man who’s a master of the written word. Unfortunately, his social skills could use a lot of work. Even so, I’m determined to pull the irritable and frustrating man out of the dark pit he’s fallen into and back to the surface, no matter how hard he fights it. I only hope dragging Chase down that fiery path just might reignite his spark and that I don’t get burned in the process. Note: Please check the content warning before reading or purchasing. It can be found at the beginning of the book (accessible by Amazon’s “look inside” feature or by downloading the sample) as well as on my website. This standalone gay romance has a guaranteed HEA, no cheating and no cliffhanger. ![]() Excerpt I paused my fork halfway to my mouth. I had only made a small dent in the diner’s belly-busting breakfast special so far. It was criminal how much food the server had delivered for five bucks. Five freaking bucks. On Long Island, it would have cost me at least fifteen. And for only two more dollars, the coffee came with unlimited refills. If I could mainline that welcomed caffeine right now, I would. My whole body ached and I was exhausted, not only from sleeping like shit in the motel, but from tackling the seemingly endless job of cleaning the cabin from top to bottom. I didn’t want the furniture I purchased down at a mom-and-pop store in Picture Rocks to be delivered until the place was completely spotless and all my unwanted roommates had been effectively evicted. While I liked bats and knew they were beneficial, I just didn’t want to share the same space with them. If they returned to sleep in the rafters today, then I needed to find how they were getting in since I had covered the broken window with plastic-sheeting. But all of that wasn’t what made me pause my eating, it was the man across the diner who wouldn’t stop staring. Like me, he also sat alone, but unlike me, he seemed to know everyone in the diner. A local just like everyone else there. The first morning, all eyes had turned in my direction as soon as I walked through The Eagle’s Nest’s door, but now the waitresses were used to seeing me since this was my third day eating in the diner, for both breakfast and a late dinner. The food was good. The prices and attentive, friendly service even better. Even one of the thirty-something-year-old waitresses had tried flirting with me. She had no idea she was barking up the wrong tree. Even if I was on the dating market, she was playing on the wrong team. While I had the utmost respect for women, I simply didn’t want to sleep with them. However, the man who kept staring at me was most likely not on my team, either. Was he staring because I was simply a stranger in a close-knit community, where everyone apparently knew everyone? It couldn’t be because I was gay. While I had never hidden it, I also didn’t flaunt it and most women, when I broke it to them gently, were shocked to find out the truth. Most men, too. I’d heard, “My gaydar must be broken,” more times than I’d ever wanted to. Even so, dating wasn’t on my agenda anytime soon. Or ever, since I had no plans on dating anyone ever again. Life would be easier that way. Plus, at this point, being a team player didn’t matter, I preferred to remain a free agent. Ignoring the man, I finished shoving the forkful of scrambled eggs into my mouth, hoping the guy would get bored staring at me. Still ignoring the man, I stabbed a piece of sausage, also shoving it into my mouth and chewing, hoping the guy would lose interest in whatever had caught it in the first place. Continuing to ignore the rude man, I sucked down half a cup of black coffee, hoping the guy would simply fuck off. Finally, unable to ignore him anymore, I dropped the fork on my plate with a clatter, tipped my head down and rubbed my forehead. I steadied my breathing in an attempt to lower my quickly rising blood pressure. I only wanted to eat in peace. I wasn’t here to make friends, or even enemies. I only wanted to be left the fuck alone. But of course that wasn’t going to happen. This was exactly why I left Long Island, everything I knew and everybody who knew me. I wanted to live somewhere no one knew me or my backstory. I had gotten to the breaking point, swallowed up by pity on one hand, or people thinking it was time I “got over it” on the other. I’d never get over it. Not fucking ever. “Fuck!” screamed through my head when the dark-haired man rose from where he sat at the counter. After throwing a few singles next to his plate, he turned and headed away from the entrance and toward my booth. Of. Fucking. Course. Dread rose from my gut into my throat and began to choke me. The man might have recognized me somehow. Lifting my coffee cup, I peered over the rim to keep an eye on the approaching man. My muscles and spine stiffened more with every step taken closer to where I sat. Trying to mind my own business. Trying to eat breakfast. Trying to exist in peace. About the Author JEANNE ST. JAMES is a USA Today, Amazon and international bestselling romance author who loves writing about strong women and alpha males. She was only thirteen when she first started writing. Her first published piece was an erotic short story in Playgirl magazine. She then went on to publish her first romance novel in 2009. She is now an author of over fifty contemporary romances. She writes M/F, M/M, and M/M/F ménages, including interracial. She also writes M/M paranormal romance under the name J.J. Masters. Social Media Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter Instagram | Newsletter Sign-up | TikTok ![]() ![]() RELEASE BLITZ ![]() Book Title: Don’t Hold Back (Chasing Gold Book 2) Author and Publisher: Colette Davison Cover Artist: Colette Davison Release Date: July 26, 2022 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Rivals to lovers, grumpy and sunshine, slow burn, hurt/comfort Themes: Winning isn’t everything, learning to love yourself Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 93,000 words It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK ![]() Can rivals gain Olympic glory and love? Blurb Garret has spent years training in gymnastics, but the pressure has taken its toll. Despite qualifying for the Olympics, failing to medal at the World Championships is all he can think about. Anger is taking control and strangling his ability to focus on training, when his main rival, Team USA gymnast, Ryder Anderson, arrives at the gym to train alongside him. Garrett wants to hate Ryder, but he can’t ignore his rival’s sunshine personality and handsome looks. Discovering Ryder is fighting a battle against himself, Garrett’s anger turns to admiration and then love. Dating his rival isn’t against the rules, but that doesn’t make it a good idea. Can they make a relationship work despite the pressure of the Olympics, or will they crack under the strain? Don’t Hold Back is an M/M sports romance with a grumpy gymnast who falls for his sunshiny rival. It has a slow-burn relationship and some hurt/comfort. Trigger warnings: Don’t Hold Back features a character who has anorexia. Excerpt “Ryder.” Lennie waved him across. “Good work. I’ve got two options for you.” Ryder raised his eyebrows as he waited. From the look on Lennie’s face, he wasn’t sure he’d like either of them. “You could go to Boulder and train alongside David Marshall.” David was a two-time Olympian. “Isn’t he trained by Isaiah Hobbs these days?” Ryder asked, trying hard not to scowl. “Yes.” “That’s not really an option, then is it?” “Hobbs said he’d have you.” Ryder shook his head and half turned away. “I don’t particularly care.” “I didn’t think you’d go for it. But Boulder’s closer to home than my next suggestion.” “There’s not much farther away than that.” “The other option is to come with me.” “To England?” Lennie nodded. “I’ve called in a favour at my old gym in Leeds. They’d be happy to have us. We could train around visiting hours. They’re pretty prescriptive. You’d get more training hours in if you went to Boulder.” “I’d rather take the week off than train under Isaiah again.” He folded his arms and dipped his chin. “England, huh? I’ve always wanted to see Buckingham Palace.” Lennie laughed. “Leeds and London aren’t exactly next door.” “Oh.” “Seriously, what do you think?” Ryder drew in a breath. “Travelling’s always harder than being home, but I’d rather train with you in England than with Isaiah. But only if you’re sure.” “I am. We can stay at my parents’ house. Dad won’t mind if you take over the kitchen. Or if you prefer, we can rent somewhere.” “Sounds good.” It was easy to say, less easy to feel. Ryder always felt anxious about travelling, especially when it meant staying somewhere else for any length of time. But travelling was unavoidable at his level of gymnastics, so he dealt with it. “You’re sure?” Ryder smiled and nodded. He wouldn’t train under Isaiah again. He couldn’t. “You won’t be the only Olympian training at the gym we’ll be using,” Lennie said. “Oh?” “Two members of the British team train there. Reece Matthews and Garrett Kidd.” “They’re great gymnasts.” “Yes.” Ryder laughed. “Garrett’s the handsome scowling one, right?” Lennie gave him a stern look. “What? He is handsome, and he was very scowly at Worlds when I went to congratulate him.” “You beat him.” “So?” Lennie rolled his eyes. “He probably thought you were rubbing your win in his face.” “Me? Nah. Why would I do that?” Lennie raised an eyebrow. “I barely beat him in the all-around final. It was by point four or something.” “Point two.” “Oh. Even closer than I thought.” Ryder shrugged. “Either one of us could have won on the day. I was just luckier. See? Now I’m looking forward to a trip to England.” Lennie shook his head and sighed. “Let’s see your floor routine again.” Ryder grinned. “On it.” ![]() About the Author Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing. Social Media Links Blog/Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner BookBub | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram: @colettedavison Mailing List | Newsletter Sign-Up ![]() Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card ![]() AUDIOBOOK TOUR ![]() Book Title: Legacy: Deadly Curiosities 5 Author: Gail Z. Martin Publisher: SOL Publishing and Tantor Audio Narrator: Courtney Patterson Release Date: May 10, 2022 Genre: Urban fantasy with MM romantic elements Tropes: Pirates, sea captain, soul bond, friends-to-lovers, magic, witches, Voodoo, visions, psychics, ghosts, monsters, bisexual romance, ghostly lovers, sex magic, omens Themes: Found family, soulmates, loyal friends, eternal love, second chance at love Heat Rating: 1 flame Length: 7 hours and 48 minutes It can be read as a standalone but is also part of a series. It does not end on a cliffhanger. Note: Legacy isn’t a romance—it’s adventure/suspense with strong romantic elements. The two main romances in the book are between Gideon (sea captain) and Ramon (privateer) right after the American Revolution, and between Teag and Anthony in current time, and while the romances play an important part in the plot, the focus is on the action/mystery/supernatural elements. (Gideon and Ramon work forbidden magic to bind their souls together forever to protect the coast from a malicious demigod, and because they never want to risk being separated in the afterlife.) There are two secondary romances, an MM one between Dante and Coltt (privateers in the Revolutionary era) and between Cassidy and Kell (MF but nothing beyond a few kisses and cuddles). There is no explicit/on-page sex. Both Dante and Gideon are bisexual, and those pairings are important to the plot. Also—there are massive crossovers between Legacy (and the whole Deadly Curiosities series) and my Morgan Brice series, especially Badlands, Treasure Trail, Witchbane and Fox Hollow. Buy Links ![]() The clock is ticking for Cassidy and her friends to stop the dark warlock, capture the goblin, and restore the guardian spell before a malevolent ancient entity takes its vengeance on Charleston and the coast. Blurb Omens of impending disaster have the city of Charleston on edge. Tremors warn of earthquake risk, while a potentially catastrophic storm gathers strength over the ocean and heads for land. A last-man-standing promise among elderly veterans creates a dangerous inheritance involving an imprisoned, wish-granting goblin. A sea captain and a swashbuckler worked blood magic to protect Charleston from an ancient evil with a spell that bound their souls and their descendants to the task, but danger looms as its power fades. The head of a witch family wants artifacts and secrets—and he'll do anything to get them. Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles and Folly, an antique and curio store where her touch magic helps get cursed and haunted objects out of the wrong hands. More than once, she and her allies have saved the world from supernatural threats. The clock is ticking for Cassidy and her friends to stop the dark warlock, capture the goblin, and restore the guardian spell before a malevolent ancient entity takes its vengeance on Charleston and the coast. It's going to take all the magic, courage, and quick thinking they can muster—and for once, that might not be enough. About the Author Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, SOL Publishing, Darkwind Press, Worldbuilders Press and Falstaff Books. Recent books include Convicts and Exiles, Sellsword’s Oath, Inheritance, and Night Moves. With Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of the Spells Salt & Steel, Wasteland Marshals, Joe Mack and Jake Desmet series. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance including the Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail and Fox Hollow series. Author Links Blog | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Pinterest Newsletter Sign-Up | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads | TikTok ![]() ![]() BLOG TOUR ![]() Book Title: Sins of our Sons Author: Kristian Daniels Publisher: Extasy Books Release Date: May 28, 2022 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Forbidden love, murder, conversion therapy Themes: Coming out, forgiveness, hate crime, love Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 94 000 words/ 333 pages It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links Amazon US | Amazon UK | Extasy Books ![]() Contemporary MM Romance, murder, conversion therapy Blurb Young lovers Greg and Tyler secretly meet to spend time together, until a moment of passion by the moonlight throws their lives into chaos. When their parents learn about their little escapade, it opens a Pandora’s box that spreads family discord, resentment, and heartaches. When someone adds fuel to an already fragile situation, things get out of hand quickly. Will these two young lovers stay safe? How much can they endure before they break? Excerpt Nestled in southwest Alberta’s rolling foothills lies the quaint little town of Cardston—the Miller and Bradshaw families’ hometown. Cardston straddled the Lee Creek valley and served as a shopping and tourist hub for southwest Alberta, and was the unrivalled centre of Mormon life in Canada. Three-quarters of the town’s residents belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while the other quarter was Catholic and Baptist. The town’s social life revolved around family life, team sports and religion. Greg Miller was the captain of the town football team, the Cardston Cougars, and the proud son of John and Teresa Miller. Greg’s parents owned the only shoe store in town, where Greg helped on weekends and summer holidays. Greg and his teammates had been busy preparing for their next big game against the Calgary Golden Bears; it was the Cougars’ opportunity to bring back home the trophy they lost to the Bears three years ago. Unfortunately, John and Teresa couldn’t be there to cheer on their son—John had his business to run, and since Greg would be in Calgary, his mother would have to be at the store instead. Sales had been down, and closing for even one day could cause the family hardship in the coming months. Tyler had attended Greg’s practices ever since they met. You could tell in Tyler’s eyes how proud he was of his boyfriend―his secret boyfriend. Unfortunately, Greg and Tyler needed to be discreet and hide when they wanted to meet, a drawback of living in a small religious town. It was Greg’s last year of high school, and if his team won the game, it could mean a scholarship for him at the University of Alberta and a golden chance to play for the Golden Bears. Over dinner, Greg asked his parents once more if they were sure they couldn’t make the game. His father looked at him and said, “Sorry, Greg. I wish we could go, but we can’t close the business. You know how important November is to us.” “Can’t you ask Steve to cover for you?” “No. Steve has decided to move on, and even if he was still with us, I don’t have the money to pay for him to replace me. I’m sorry, son, you’ll have to do this one on your own.” “You don’t need us there,” his mother said. “You’ll do just fine.” “I know. It would have been nice to have you guys there, that’s all. But I understand,” Greg said. “Besides,” his mother said, “if we went, we’d need a hotel room and Calgary’s expensive.” Greg nodded and lowered his head. He quietly finished his meal, took his empty plate to the dishwasher, and went to his room. He turned on his computer and browsed the internet for anything and nothing, then went and laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Bummer. I’ll probably be the only guy whose parents won’t be there. He texted Tyler about meeting up. Thirty minutes later, Greg stopped by the living room and told his parents he was going out. He hopped on his bike and met his boyfriend, Tyler, at Lee Creek Park. Unlike Greg, who was a Catholic, Tyler was Baptist. Tyler thought being Baptist was very similar to other denominations, but their parents thought differently. A typical week for Tyler was packed with religion, beginning with a seminar at six in the morning, youth group on Wednesdays, and bible school on Sunday. In high school, Tyler was referred to as the boy who didn’t drink, smoke, or hook up with girls. There was nothing he’d like more than to be like the other guys his age, but his religion forbade it, as did his parents. Tyler was already at the park when Greg arrived, sitting near the creek, leaning against a tree and lost in his thoughts. Greg quietly approached him from behind the tree and grabbed one of his arms. “What the…” Tyler jerked his arm away, and Greg burst out laughing. “You scared me,” Tyler said. “How’s it going, dude?” “Okay. And you? Ready for the big game?” “I think so, but it’s a bummer my folks can’t come.” “Oh, that’s too bad.” “Yeah, but what can you do?” Greg said with a shrug. “Would you like me to be there? I can be your cheering section in the audience,” Tyler said with a smile. “You would do that?” “Of course.” “That would be so cool. We could rent a room for after the game.” “Won’t you have one already?” “Yeah, but we’re four of us in there, and I don’t think the coach would let you crash. Besides,” Greg said, leaning forward towards Tyler, “we wouldn’t be able to do this.” The two of them kissed. “You have a point there,” Tyler said. “I’ll ask my parents to reserve a room for me. You need to keep your cash for university.” “Will they let you go?” Greg asked, excited at the prospect of being with his boyfriend alone where no one knew them. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll be there to support you,” Tyler said with confidence. “I can’t wait for us to be at university so we can be together. I’m tired of hiding,” Greg said, looking at Tyler. “Me too. You’ll have to wait, though, because you’re a school year ahead of me.” Tyler grinned. “Right.” Greg made a sad face. “But you can join me the year after,” he said with a smile. “Think of what would happen if our parents found out about us,” Tyler said, lost in his thoughts. “That’s a scary thought. Come here.” Greg placed his hands on Tyler’s shoulder and lowered him on his lap. Tyler rested his head on Greg’s lap, and Greg bent over and placed his lips on Tyler’s. About the Author Kristian Daniels is a published author. His first novel Stolen Heart was published a little more than one year ago. An Information Technologist by profession, he retired a few years ago to dedicate his time to his storytelling. Kristian is passionate about writing. Fiction and coming–of-age stories are what he likes to write about. Kristian lives and works out of his home in Canada and spends his summers traveling and enjoying a drink a good book and the sun by his pool. Author Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of six copies of Sins of Our Sons Kindle Edition ![]() This week's teaser comes from Shifting Chaos, book 4 of The Sleepless City. Declan sprinted into the house and found Jonas sitting at the kitchen table. “Want me to go running with Lucas? I’ve been doing this every month for about a decade, and I know your opinion of running,” Jonas said. He held Declan’s shoes in one hand and a T-shirt in the other. “I’ll never understand running when something isn’t chasing after you. However, Lucas would be hurt if I didn’t go with him. You can have him the rest of the month with my blessing.” It was Lucas’s habit to be up in the middle of the night, and he and Jonas often ran together at that time. “Either I run with him when he’s changed or throw a stick for him.” Jonas snorted. Like Declan, Jonas Forge had been born and raised when the Industrial Revolution was still a new fad. People had different sleep patterns at that time. It was common to sleep for a few hours, be up for an hour or two, and then sleep again. Jonas and Declan often used that time for activities other than running. The sting of Jonas with a soulmate was easing, but jealousy stabbed at Declan when he least expected it. Declan was halfway down the steps when Moose’s harness and leash flew by and landed at the bottom of the steps. He turned and looked at Jonas. “You are welcome to come with us. You’re the one who likes running for pleasure.” Jonas yawned, and did an exaggerated stretch. “Nah…think I’ll give Blair a call. It’s not that late in New Mexico.” Resting a hand on Jonas’s shoulder, Declan gave a squeeze. “Why don’t you…” “No,” Jonas snapped. He met Declan’s gaze then looked away at once. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” “I know. What can I do?” Jonas shook his head. “Nothing. I can’t do anything either. He went home, no, he went back to his dad’s home. He wanted to go alone, and I promised to give him the time he needs.” Jonas never broke a promise, not in all the hundred-and-seventy odd years Declan had known him. “Blair will be back home soon. This house is his home now. We’re his family and you’re his soulmate, he loves you, that’s so easy to see. Leaving one life for another sometimes needs closure. We both know that.” Jonas nodded, clapped both of Declan’s shoulders and offered a smile Declan knew was fake. “Enjoy your run.” Declan watched him go. Jonas’s movements were stiff and without his normal grace, as if he were in pain. His sadness was palpable. Declan hurt for him. Yet, he knew, there was nothing he could do to ease his friend’s pain and had the sense Jonas didn’t believe Blair would come home. Fitting this turn of events should happen so near the full moon. Like Declan, Jonas had a deeply buried dark side and an almost impenetrable sense of honor. Sometimes the two twisted together in dangerous ways. Declan had been coached and taught how to live with and control his dark side. It was almost civilized and served him well when needed. He’d tried to do the same for Jonas and succeeded to a point. However, Jonas’s darker side was feral and when unleashed was almost impossible, for Jonas to control. The fact was, simply by existing, Jonas’s soulmate kept that darkness at bay in ways Declan never could, though he doubted either of them knew it yet. Soulmates weren’t meant to be apart, yet Jonas’s soulmate, Blair, was two-thousand miles away with no return date. With Moose in his harness and Lucas at their side, Declan set out with them for a middle of the night run. Shifting Chaos and the entire The Sleepless City series is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.
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