TCO Exclusives

GRL 2016 Blog Tour: Guest Post: Jordan L. Hawk

October 11, 2016 by Denise

TCO is happy to welcome Jordan L. Hawk to the blog today, as we lead up to the final weeks before GRL. Check it out, and make sure to drop by and say Hi to Jordan!

Thanks to Two Chicks Obsessed for hosting me for the GRL blog tour!

This will be my fifth GRL and my fourth as a Featured Author. It will also be the fourth for my spouse (and beta reader) David, who I think has his own fan club at this point. 😉

While there are a lot of things to love about GRL, the best part is just hanging out with readers. My favorite memories of previous GRLs aren’t the parties or the games, though those are fun too. But when I think back, the first moments that come to mind are sitting at the bar talking to someone, or hanging out in a group. Interacting with readers at signings or author lounges are also among those most special moments.

The funny thing is, during my first GRL, I really had to psyche myself up to leave the room. My first book had just come out the month before; no one knew who I was, and I’d never met anyone else at the conference. How was I possibly going to talk to other readers, let alone the authors whose work I loved?

It was a challenge to force myself to leave the room and start conversations with people I didn’t know. But it was worth every moment. So if you’re at GRL and feeling nervous about approaching people, consider this an open invitation to talk to me at any time. I know just how you feel.

My latest book, Hexmaker, will be released October 14^th—just in time for the retreat!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordanlhawk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jordanlhawk

Website: http://www.jordanlhawk.com

Gideon by Ashe Barker : Guest Post, Excerpt and Blog Tour

October 7, 2016 by Denise

Gideon Maybury enjoys a life of wealth and privilege, not to mention the advantages his position offers him in his career as a merchant banker and his less public life as a high-class, skilled, and very well-paid assassin for Her Majesty’s government. When his brother dies unexpectedly, he becomes the Duke of Westmoreland.

Michael Mathison has hated Gideon since they were at university together. He’s convinced Gideon had a hand in the death of Michael’s college lover, Christopher, and that he had something to do with the death of his own brother. So he gets a job as Gideon’s driver, enabling him to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the elder Maybury sibling. At first his suspicions seem to be confirmed, but clues emerge that suggest all is not as it appears at Maybury Hall.

As the mystery deepens, so does the attraction between the two implacable enemies, as does the feeling that they have met before—under dark and terrible circumstances. Each has reasons not to trust the other, but neither is averse to a bit of kinky play. Gideon and Michael end up owing each other their lives, and it results in consequences neither could have imagined.

Title: Gideon
Series: Order of the Black Knights
Author: Ashe Barker
Release Date: October 5, 2016
Category: Mystery/Suspense, Erotic Romance
Pages: 200

Gideon went on general release on 5 October and marks the start of The Order of the Black Knights series from Dreamspinner Press. Readers can expect to see a new full length story every month, each featuring a different Knight as he grapples his demons, past and present.

Although Gideon is very much a contemporary novel, all the Black Knights have their roots in the past. We first encounter Gideon as a military commander in the trenches of World War One, where he demonstrates his ruthless nature with brutal efficiency. That scene is built around a piece of historical folklore – the Christmas Eve truce of 1914. I chose this as it was such a well-known event, and whenever I write about a historical setting I like to underpin the story with some real facts which readers will recognize.

Gideon shows his true colors on that battlefield, so when we meet him again a hundred years later it’s no surprise to discover that the most recent incarnation of the man might be sexy as hell but he’s every bit as dangerous as he ever was. Gideon is a cold-hearted killer, but murdering his own brother? Would even Gideon Maybury go to such lengths to remove an obstacle? At least one man believes he would and Gideon’s nemesis makes it his business to prove it.

The attraction which flares between the two from the moment they meet complicates matters, but the outcome will be the same. Or will it?

And a bit more about The Order of the Black Knights series:

Every century has seen its knights, but they are not always seen. Some of them do what must be done—getting their hands dirty when no one else is willing. Assassins and antiheroes who work from the shadows, they are called the Black Knights. From the time of the society’s creation in the 1100s, these men are cursed to repeat their lives of bloodshed. But for each knight, there is one who can bring out the man that waits inside and break the cycle. The question is whether or not the knight will kill his true love before he figures it out.

The door to suite seven zero one was ajar as Michael reached it. He entered without knocking.

Gideon had also taken off his jacket, and it dangled over the back of a chair. He removed his starched cuffs and dropped the gold cuff links onto the dressing table as Michael walked into the bedroom. Gideon smiled and crossed the room to greet him, which he did with a kiss.

The kiss was wet, warm, and open-mouthed. Gideon plunged his tongue between Michael’s lips to play and tease. Michael responded in kind, tangled his tongue around Gideon’s, and used it to explore the moist cavern of his mouth. It was Gideon who broke the kiss.

“That shirt’s worth a fucking fortune. Take it off before I rip it.”

“You too.” Michael was already pulling the soft cotton from his shoulders. He folded the shirt loosely and dropped it onto a chair. Then he remembered to extract the cuff links, which soon joined Gideon’s on the dressing table. He sat on the bed to remove his shiny patent shoes—also supplied by the formal wear hire company—along with his socks. As he stood to unbutton his trousers, Gideon’s leer was wicked. Naked already, Gideon had his fist wrapped around his cock and was already pumping the shaft into swollen, granite-hard readiness.

Michael dropped his trousers but didn’t just kick them aside. He picked them up and folded those too, and then laid them on top of his shirt. He sat on the bed and propped himself against the pillows to watch Gideon’s solo performance.

The duke was well hung—bloody magnificent, in fact. Michael licked his lips and remembered the taste of that slick, wide head in his mouth. Gideon’s juices were salty, and the tang was still memorable. He wanted more.

“Come here,” he ordered.

Gideon shook his head. “My turn this time. You got to swallow my jizz yesterday. Tonight I get yours.”

Michael wasn’t about to argue. He lay back and gestured with the fingertips of both his hands—a come-hither signal. At last Gideon obeyed.

Gideon crawled up the length of the bed until his shoulders were between Michael’s thighs. He grasped Michael’s cock, dipped his head to flick the shiny head with the tip of his tongue, and then lapped at the juices that wept from the slit. Michael groaned and raised himself on his elbows. His head dropped back between his shoulder blades.

“Christ,” he moaned. “This is going to be quick.”

“Maybe,” agreed Gideon. “Maybe not.” He trailed his tongue around the ridge and then along the delicate underside of Michael’s rock-solid erection. As Michael groaned and writhed, Gideon tightened his grip and took the entire head into his mouth. He sucked on it, and scraped lightly with his teeth as Michael arched his back and thrust his hips upward in a vigorous, desperate rhythm.

“Keep still,” Gideon growled. “My show now.”

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All Romance

Ashe whiles away her time in the wilds of West Yorkshire, in the north of England, writing smutty books and drinking Earl Grey tea. At the last count she had over thirty titles on general release, many featuring BDSM, always hot, with complex characters and compelling plots. Ashe writes MM and Mf, contemporary and historical, with the occasional threesome thrown in.

When not writing Ashe enjoys messing around with digital photography, reading erotic stories, pole dancing (though not especially well), walking her dogs, and listening to Bon Jovi. Loud.

www.ashebarker.com

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His Premier by Jessie G: Exclusive Guest Post and Excerpt, Blog Tour, Giveaway and Review

October 6, 2016 by Denise

Book Title: His Premier

Series: Sizzling Miami Book 6

Author: Jessie G

Born into wealth and privilege, Colin Sinclair was raised on the knowledge that money could buy anything and everyone had a price. Trouble was no trouble at all, not when the money was there to sweep it under the rug. But those lessons, learned at the knee of his father, were going to be challenged in a way that would change Colin forever.

In middle class suburbia, Arnaud Dechene learned the value of hard work, focus, and dedication to a dream. He was well on his way to achieving it, the role of Premier, when he catches Colin’s eye. Rich snobs didn’t usually do it for him, but there was something about Colin that made him impossible to resist.

Despite being opposites in every way, falling into a relationship was surprisingly—and deceptively—easy, but Arnaud never lost sight of his dream and Colin had trouble accepting that he was second place to anything. When a stupid argument leads to a reckless act, the repercussions leave Arnaud fighting for his life and Colin paying with his own.

With a little meddling from an aging schemer and intentions that are more well-meaning than realistic, their paths will cross again. However, Colin and Arnaud aren’t the same men who loved with abandon. They are older and wiser, with a history that might be too big to overcome.

Fans of the series know revenge is a double-edged sword, forgiveness doesn’t always come easy, and forgetting is damn near impossible. But love…well, that may just conquer all.

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When Denise asked me for an excerpt, she said she wanted a piece from when Colin sees Arnaud for the first time. Then she said ‘I don’t normally like YA, but you made me like it’ and I was like huh? YA, what? I don’t write YA! But, I guess, technically, the first four chapters of His Premier go back ten years when my MC’s were 16 and 17, making those four chapters YA. After that, it’s definitely all adult!

There was a delicate balance that came into play when writing this book. My first draft started in the present and heavily relied on flashbacks, and that just came off as confusing crap when I read it through. So I took most of the flashbacks and fleshed them out into full scenes that became the first four chapters of the book. To me, presenting them whole gives us a glimpse into the motivation behind this second chance romance. What exactly are they fighting for? I thought I knew, but having the full picture helped so much.

Colin and Arnaud’s first meeting was truly a life changing moment for both of them and I’m so glad Denise chose it as her excerpt.

So, without further nonsense from me, here’s an exclusive excerpt from Chapter 1 of His Premier.

Involuntarily, Colin’s gaze was drawn back to the dancer and his breath caught as he executed a series of flawless pirouettes across the stage. Each muscle seemed to flow into the next and the effect was stunning. The beauty he’d seen before wasn’t a trick of the light, it really did glow from within, and Colin knew that neither his family name nor their social standing would impress someone so vibrant.

His grandmother nudged him gently and teased, “Don’t look now, Colin, but I think you’ve been spotted.”

Colin hadn’t been able to stop looking, taking in every inch from the dark waves of hair all the way down to those flying feet, but he’d been trying to avoid staring at the dancer’s face. The mysteriously dark eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips came together in a way that might be considered delicate and feminine at first glance. Anyone smart enough to take a closer look would see the masculinity in the dancer’s face and form, though Colin imagined he spent most of his life being picked on for being a pretty boy by those too ignorant to see beneath the surface.

It was self-preservation that made him look anywhere else, but now he had no choice but to see that the dancer appeared to be looking right at him. There was excitement in that dark gaze, no doubt a lingering effect of the performance, but there was also interest there. Could that interest be directed at him? The room was filled with dancers, volunteers, family members, and other donors, and Colin immediately looked over his shoulder to see who he was really looking at. Most of the audience was looking in the general direction of the stage, but none really stood out as paying any more attention than the next.

“Do you think…?” Colin began as he faced forward again, the question trailing away in the wake of the obvious amusement on the dancer’s face. Normally, he didn’t like being the source of anyone’s amusement, but he was too enraptured by the hands gesturing for him to come down to the side of the stage to care.

“Me?” he mouthed, pointing to himself even though he felt foolish. He’d feel even more foolish if he went down there only to realize the dancer was gesturing to someone else.

Another amused smile and a brief nod were all the encouragement he needed to jump up and push his way out of the row. Once he was free, he forced himself to walk naturally. Appearing overeager would give the dancer power over him, something else his father warned against. Whatever might come of this little introduction, he had to maintain the upper hand.

When he reached the stage, he noticed the dancer had been stopped by someone with a clipboard. A quick hand signal asked him to wait. Though he wasn’t used to waiting on anyone, Colin shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall as casually as he could. The dancer was here for a reason and it wasn’t to meet him. Being understanding of that would only make him look good in the long term.

His patience was rewarded when the dancer jumped from the stage and crossed the distance between them, stepping closer than Colin was used to. Before he could offer his hand and a formal introduction, the dancer was demanding, “Did you love it? I mean…it’s only rehearsals, but you seemed really into the dance and I really wanted you to love it. Did you? Would you change anything? Oh man, my manners suck, don’t they? But I really, really want this, you know? For so long and…well, shit, man, I really wanted you to love it.”

The rush of words stopped abruptly as the dancer took a deep breath and Colin was completely entranced. So entranced that he forgot to play it cool. “I really, really loved it. It was perfect. You were perfect.”

Colin had never seen anyone look so happy, had never been the cause of anyone’s happiness before, and wished he knew more words to describe what he felt so he could continue to bask in that joy.

The dancer inched even closer and Colin could feel the heat coming off his vibrating body. “Really, really? You’re not just saying that cause you think I’m hot?”

“I’m not just saying that because I think you’re hot.” Too late, Colin realized the trap for what it was, but then the dancer was laughing and the sound was the sweetest thing he’d ever heard. “Fishing much?”

“I was totally fishing!” Unrepentant, the dancer laughed again and grabbed Colin up in a tight, sweaty hug. The people Colin knew shook hands, maybe offered the occasional pat on the back, but they did not hug someone within an inch of their lives. His own arms hung uselessly at his sides, uncertain what they were supposed to be doing.

Instead of being put off by Colin’s slow response, the dancer grabbed him by the wrists and guided his arms into position around an impossibly slender waist. Never in his life had anyone physically taken a hug from him, especially not a total stranger. Not even a hot one. He liked it.

No one writes emotionally damaged men in situations that are not a quick fix to alleviate quite like Jessie G. She manages quite often to take one moment in time and turn it into a lifetime of pain, loneliness, despair. Then the character likely will be just living day by day. Somehow she then manages to turn it into at least an HFN, if not my favorite, an HEA.

Colin is that type of man. He made one mistake, one many of us made at that same age without the dire consequences, and turned it into a lifetime of penance and remorse. Going from being rich and having it all, to the depths of grief, all while managing to still support the people who’ve been supportive for him since his release. He mourned his loss of love, yet felt he deserved no better.

What I enjoyed the most about this story was being allowed to read Colin’s healing, page by page. Jessie G did an amazing job with this. She didn’t allow Colin’s character to suddenly be okay with himself, with allowing himself to love again, or even his choices. Arnaud coming back into Colin’s life began the cycle of healing that Colin needed. Merely because Arnaud decided Colin had had long enough to wallow in his choices, he took the reins and pushed Colin to finally face him. The reader then watched Colin come back slowly to as healthy a human being as he could in the limited pages of the book. (I’ve already told Jessie she needs to write a follow up, which she “might” have already been planning.)

Arnaud lived his dreams, traveling, dancing for dignitaries on the grandest of stages. Yet in the end, he needed to find his way back to Miami, and Colin, to begin the next phase of his life. I loved that about him. He didn’t give up his dreams to be with the man he wanted. He lived them, waited patiently, and then pushed forward to bring new visions for himself and the life he wanted with Colin to life.

This was a beautiful love story about growing as a person, forging love despite harsh mistakes, and forgiving yourself even when it’s against what you believe you are worthy of. Their love never died, only Colin’s ability to believe he was good enough. He grew to believe that, as much as he could, therefore he allowed himself to love again. The reader can see that he has a long way to go, but with so much support and love behind him, he has a huge jumpstart.

I highly recommend you read the entire series first, although it can definitely be read as a stand alone. But your enjoyment of Colin’s transformation will be that much better. And a definite re-read! J

4.5 pieces of eye candy for me

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Like many readers, the dream of being a writer has been with me a long time. After three decades of trying, I’d begun to doubt. Thanks to social media, I followed my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half-formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two repetitive themes emerged: To be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it’s a job. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will be at writing. I took that advice to heart and write every day. With three series in the works and counting, it’s been amazing to have made this dream my reality.

I am a firm believer in marriage equality, love at first sight, power dynamics and happily ever after. I’m a lover of strong secondary characters and series filled with families, biological or chosen. All are themes you’ll find throughout my books.

Babe in the Woodshop by Ashlyn Kane, Claudia Mayrant, & CJ Burke: Release Day Review and Guest post (9/29) TBR Denise

September 30, 2016 by Denise

When long hours and crushing stress push Bellamy Alexander to his breaking point, he walks away from his consulting job and drives until he runs out of gas. Fortune deposits him in front of Antonio’s, a place with decent pizza and an opening for a delivery boy. Even better, he finds an apartment right across the street from his new job. And best of all, Chris McGregor, the property manager who runs the custom furniture shop below Bell’s new digs, is super hot—and super into Bell.

It seems too good to be true—and maybe it is. Things aren’t exactly going smoothly. Bell avoids telling his mother the truth about his new job because he doesn’t want to hear how he should go back to the corporate world. On the other hand, he doesn’t think he wants to deliver pizza forever either. He’d like to think about settling down, but Chris runs hot and cold. Between Bell’s uncertainty and the hang-ups Chris refuses to talk about, they have their work cut out for them. Fortune may have caused their paths to dovetail, but it will take more than wood glue to hold them together.

Title: Babe in the Woodshop
Authors: Ashlyn Kane, Claudia Mayrant, & CJ Burke
Release Date: September 30, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

Hello, everyone! Ashlyn Kane, Claudia Mayrant, and CJ Burke here, thrilled to be making a guest appearance for Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy (we can relate, except in number, of course!). We’re here to talk a little bit about our upcoming release Babe in the Woodshop.

Now that you’re all caught up, we’ll turn the keyboard over to CJ, who’ll tell you a little bit about what the stars say about our heroes.

CJB: I’ve often found horoscopes to be an interesting way to develop characters, especially when trying to figure out where the rough and smooth elements fall in their relationships. So first I took a look at when and where Bell and Chris were born.

Bellamy Alexander: Born 8:20 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 1991, San Diego, California.

Chris McGregor: Born 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 1984 in Berea, Kentucky. When the book opens, Chris has just turned 32, and he’s feeling his years.

Bell Alexander is a Taurus with moon in Pisces and Gemini rising. Mostly that means Bell’s a nice guy but is going to stand up for himself, and he used to be ambitious but he’d rather have good friends and a real life. He’s not exactly running away, but he hasn’t yet figured out where he’s headed. Luckily, his sun sign keeps him grounded, while his moon in Pisces gives him a vivid imagination—both in his work and in his personal life.

When Bell meets Chris McGregor, he’s intrigued by this handsome craftsman who seems quiet and focused on his work, but who surprises Bell in a variety of ways. Chris is a Virgo with both moon and ascendant in Capricorn, giving him a strong sense of practicality and responsibility. He’s generally solitary and needs someone to bring out the fun side. He’s cautious about relationships, but once he’s in, he’s in and it’s peaceful and fulfilling.

Their composite chart has some interesting elements. They share the sun in the fourth house, Venus in the fifth house, and the moon in the eleventh house, all of which indicate a relationship that includes both friendship and love. However, they also share a sun in opposition to Neptune, an indicator that they’re both keeping secrets from each other, and possibly even from themselves.

Babe in the Woodshop releases September 30 from Dreamspinner Press. You can preorder it here, here, and here.

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Dreamspinner Press

This slow burn, sweet and sexy love story is just what I needed while dealing with life. I will say there was a big surprise (interestingly enough, found in the closet) waiting for Bell and the reader, which brings loads of humor in to the mix…and one reader heading online to see if they are really out there. 🙂

I loved that Bell left the big city stresses behind, to try to find some peace and balance for himself. He recognized that he was on a treadmill that he wouldn’t be able to get off until he cut the cord completely.

Chris had a side to him that you didn’t expect in the first time or two of seeing him. 😉 I loved that sexy, innuendo laden side. It was fun to read, and enjoy the interactions in regards to that slightly sinful side.

These two men were a perfect mix together. If Bell had seen Chris in his other space, he likely wouldn’t have moved further with him, with everything he had going on. However, meeting him in a small town, where everyone either knows everyone else or is going to college, allowed them to connect with one another.

When you have a slow burn love story, it is sometimes hard to find the right balance between too slow and boring your reader, and burning up the pages just enough to keep the reader interested. This book rode the edge in the first half, but definitely picked up the pace, and kept me engaged through the end. Recommended. And read it again, although you can only be surprised by what was in the closet one time. 😉

4 pieces of eye candy

Ashlyn Kane is a Canadian former expat and current hockey fan. She is a writer, editor, handyperson, dog mom, and friend—sometimes all at once.

On any given day she can usually be found walking her ninety-pound baby chocolate lapdog, Indy, or holed up in her office avoiding housework. She has a deep and abiding love of romance novel tropes, a habit of dropping too many f-bombs, and—fortunately—a very forgiving family.

Find her on Twitter @ashlynkane or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashlyn.kane.94.

Claudia Mayrant has been exploring the world around her since she was old enough to get around under her own power. Her early travels took her on her bicycle “all the way to but not on the main road.” Happily, since then, she’s enjoyed visiting as many places as she can, from bustling marketplaces and enchanting castles to funky dives. She can’t possibly decide which she likes best, but details of her favorite people, places, and things usually get put in the fiction blender so they can make an appearance in her stories.

Claudia maintains that each new adventure requires the appropriate footwear, which explains her closet. Her passion for taking photographs of the things she sees, does, and eats far exceeds her skill with the camera, but no matter the setting, she has fun trying to get a good shot.

For all her love of travel, she’s most relaxed back in the South on a Gulf Coast beach with good friends, refreshing beverages, and plenty of sunscreen.

Her smartphone isn’t literally connected to her hand, but anyone would be forgiven for thinking so.

Twitter: @claudiamayrant

Pinterest: ClaudiaMayrant

CJ Burke’s first book was the self-published A Fancy Witch, illustrated in crayon with particular attention to the witch’s footwear. While CJ is now long past first grade, she’s still hunting that perfect pair of equestrian boots.

CJ’s life has always been centered on words. She’s written a couple of those familiar yellow books about computers, and more user guides for obscure software than necessary, but she’s never given up the habit of plotting romances in her head during boring lectures or staff meetings. Along the way, she’s been a lifeguard, an English professor, and a dozen other things in between. In a perfect world, CJ would work between an independent coffee shop and an amazing yarn & fabric store, then go home to alphabetize her spices while dancing around the kitchen to whatever’s on the 80s channel.

CJ can be found on Ravelry, Instagram, and Twitter as cjburkebooks.

GRL 2016: Blog Tour Post DJ Jamison with Giveaway

September 30, 2016 by Denise

TCO is excited to have DJ Jamison stopping by today to tell us what how important GRL is for an independent author. Can’t wait to meet DJ next month!!! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

Author DJ Jamison stops by for the GRL tour with a story of how much reader interaction means to an independent author.

“Heart Trouble” will be the eighth book I’ve published so far (it releases Oct 6), but it was a very different experience for me in one fundamental way. It was the first book I wrote after creating a Facebook group for readers.

It’s amazing how supportive M/M readers can be. For me, my readers were a huge motivation for me. They cheered me on when I was trying to get words on the page, and they responded with nothing but enthusiasm when I posted teasers and inspirational character pictures. They even loved to give their opinions on cover design and formatting of ebooks.

It probably seems like a small thing to you guys, but to an emerging author that kind of interaction can be the thing that keeps us going when we’re juggling day jobs and family and writing on nights and weekends.

I started out fairly isolated as an independent author. I didn’t have a network of other writers I knew, and I didn’t really have anyone in my life who could read my books and offer feedback. But through my group DJ and Company, beta readers and readers offering reviews in exchange for books, I’ve found that I don’t have to do it alone after all.

“Heart Trouble” is not a story that belongs just to me, but to everyone who has encouraged me to keep writing. With their support, I wrote “Heart Trouble” more quickly and more confidently than I would have on my own.

That’s partly why I so look forward to attending my first GRL. I’m excited to meet many more readers, who inject so much energy into our genre. If you see me there, please come say hello. I’ll be the shy introvert who would love a few more friends.

In the meantime, please feel free to join my FB group: DJ and Company.

When Gage Evans gets a look at his hot nurse, he’s smitten immediately. Too bad he’s given the nurse the impression he’s some kind of daredevil. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Gage is a college journalism instructor writing a series of guest columns that require him to jump into new experiences — a fun bucket list, but one that does nothing to convince Ben he’s not an adrenaline junkie.

Fresh off his latest heartbreak, nurse Ben Griggs is wary when one of his patients shows an interest in him — especially when that patient showed up in the ER after a motorcycle accident. Ben’s ex was a biker, a friend with benefits, and he dropped Ben cold when someone more interesting came along. Ben isn’t the kind of guy who can hold the interest of an adrenaline junkie like Gage Evans for long. The last thing he wants is to lose his heart to the wrong man again.

The more Ben gets to know Gage, the harder he is to resist. He can only hold on for the ride and keep his guard up as much as he can. But Ben’s lack of trust seriously gets in the way of building a relationship, and Gage will only be patient so long. Can he trust Gage enough to give his heart, or are they destined to have a fling that goes nowhere?

Ben is a warm, lovely nurse who has been burned one too many times by men who use him as until someone better comes along. As a result, Gage spends most of the book trying to break through Ben’s defenses while trying not to cling to Ben and suffocate him with his own insecurities.

Here’s an example of the kind of teasers you might see in my group on a #teasertuesday that illustrate that theme in the book.
“Dating an adrenaline addict is not on my list of things to do,” Ben said. “I know the initial rush of meeting someone can be thrilling, but the thrill wears off.”

Not this again?

“I’m not an adrenaline addict, but even if I were. … Are you saying guys who ride motorcycles or climb mountains are incapable of love and commitment?”

“No, of course not, but it takes someone more exciting than me to hold their interest. I’m not enough to—”

“Stop right there.” Gage grasped Ben’s face, tilting his head to look into his eyes. “You’re enough. You’re more than enough.”

And here’s a moment of intimacy, when Ben lets down his guard for a moment:

Gage kissed his body so softly, so gently, Ben’s chest grew tight with emotion. They still had so much to learn about each other, but this was more intimacy than he’d ever had with Tripp. He’d always treated Ben like a means to an end. Gage treated him like the journey was just as important as the destination.

The urge to pull away and create more distance was there, but Ben fought it. Just once, he wanted to experience this feeling of being another man’s treasure. Even if it was temporary. Even if it was so fragile it shattered later. He’d have this memory, this knowledge that it could happen.

So, when Gage started whispering sweet words, Ben didn’t roll away and change positions to distract him as he’d done before. He closed his eyes, unable to look into Gage’s intense blue gaze, but let those soft words of praise soak into him. He let them resonate within him as warmth spread through his limbs.

You’re sexy.

You’re amazing.

You’re everything I could want.

**Heart Trouble releases Oct. 6 and is a sweet romance with an HEA. It’s the sixth book in the Ashe Sentinel Connections but can easily be read as a standalone.

DJ is offering a book giveaway! ONE WINNER will receive a free ARC of “Heart Trouble” before it releases Oct 6. TWO WINNERS will receive their choice of the box set of the first four Ashe Sentinel Connections books (approximately 140,000 words worth of reading fun!) or a free copy of Book 5, “Hard Press,” in which Ben first appears as a secondary character. Comment on the blog to enter!

GRL 2016 Blog Tour: Guest Post A.J. Truman

September 22, 2016 by Denise

TCO is excited to welcome A.J. Truman to the blog to talk about his upcoming appearance at GRL next month. Can’t wait to meet him!!!

I can’t wait to attend my very first GRL. This is my first convention period. In social settings, I’m usually the guy either hanging by the food/drink table or standing in a group listening and nodding and not saying anything. Yep, life of the party right here. But everyone keeps telling me that all attendees are super social. We’re all awkward, so we’ll be awkward together.

I write books about witty college boys falling in love and falling into bed with each other. I like to think that my Browerton University series could be part of The WB’s lineup in the late 90s (Dawson’s Creek, Felicity) and like a non-hipster version of Girls.

I love this time period. This part of life is rife with conflict and drama and self-discovery. For many, college is the first time you’re on your own. You’re trying to be an adult and find your way. I also love the idea of getting a second chance. Whatever happened in high school, whoever you were, is in the past. You get a fresh start in college. In my books, my characters are always trying to escape their pasts. College provides a physical distance, but not the mental. I thought I could be someone new when I arrived at college, but it took me four years (and more) to realize that the only person I was capable of being was myself.

My latest book, Out of My Mind, came out of the thought “Can gay guys and straights guys be friends without sex getting in the way?” One of my favorite movies is When Harry, Met Sally… but over several drafts, the story evolved into something much stronger. Mac and Gideon are two guys who use lies and excuses to hide the pain they don’t want to cope with. After one awkward encounter freshman year, they wind up being roommates junior year. And then friends. And then something much more complicated. I especially loved writing Gideon’s character. He speaks to how well a lot of gay men have to get at lying. Code switching. Pronoun switching. Staying in the closet is rough. The lies may come easy, but the stress is soul-crushing.

If you see me at GRL, please say hi. I can’t wait to meet readers. I love their enthusiasm for authors and the genre. They are what keep me motivated to write. I’ll be that guy awkwardly standing in the corner.

Mac had to be out of his mind.

Completely out of his ever-loving mind to even consider rooming with Gideon. The same guy he kissed during his freshman year who said he was straight. He’s held Mac’s mind hostage for the last two years after running out that one special night. Mac was a fan of social experiments, and this one was going to be a doozy.

Gideon doesn’t sweat anything. He was always two lies ahead of everyone. A master at spinning rock solid alibis to protect the house of cards that was his life. To Browerton University, he’s the popular guy getting over a breakup. To his family…the dutiful & responsible son. But rooming with Mac was bringing up old memories and forming new ones. First, a friendship develops, and then a late night infused with alcohol pushes them into uncharted, benefits-laden waters.

As their sexual experimentation continues, and the lies add up, both of them fight to withstand the feelings growing between them, feelings that could ruin their friendship and topple Gideon’s house of cards for good.

Out of My Mind is the 3rd book in the Browerton University series, but can be read as a standalone. It contains humor, heart, and hot guys. This book is intended for readers 18+.

Gideon didn’t like to call himself a neat freak. He merely believed that a clean living space was the key to a good life. How could a person achieve success in the world when where he lived was in disarray?

Mac was the one who called him a neat freak.

“You are,” Mac said as he was pouring himself a bowl of Raisin Bran for dinner. Mac ate cereal for dinner, and lunch, and breakfast. Could he not rotate in some canned soup or Chef Boyardee?

“There’s nothing freaky about wanting to have a clean apartment. You need to respect your shared living space.”

“You sound like an RA.” Mac poured milk in his cereal. Drops splattered against the flakes and onto the counter. “I’ll try harder.”

“You said that two days ago. You’re still on trial here.”

“Where’s my lawyer?” Mac smiled at his joke. “I will take care of the sun room. I just got distracted with classes starting. This weekend, though.”

Gideon didn’t believe him for a second. “How did you survive with your past roommates in the dorm?”

“I kept my mess to my half of the room, which I’m doing here.”

“But I can still see it. The sun porch looks like an episode of Hoarders. Your pile of shit is on the verge of collapsing. It’s not just there. You can’t leave the kitchen a mess. We don’t want to get ants.” Gideon pointed his head at the milk droplets.

“For real?” Mac asked.

Gideon nodded yes.

“Man, you run a tight ship.” Mac whipped off his T-shirt, exposing a smooth chest rippling with muscles. Gideon cut his eyes to the floor and focused full-throttle on the specks of dust on the tiles.

He pulled the dishrag off the oven handle. “Use this!”

“This is easier.” Mac’s arm muscles jumped around as he wiped up his mess. He left his T-shirt in a ball on the counter.

“Are you going to get a new shirt?”

“Nah. It’s a white T-shirt. The milk blends right in.” Mac gave him a knowing smirk and shoveled a mountain of cereal into his mouth.

Gideon didn’t know why that threw him off so much, why it made it so hard to breathe for a moment. It was just a shock. No warning. Then, bam! Shirtless! Perhaps he wasn’t expecting Mac to be so jacked. Pittsburgh did a body good. Gideon was regretting this two-week trial already.

“I thought gay guys were supposed to be super clean.”

“And I thought straight guys were supposed to be slobs.”

Gideon cocked an eyebrow. Touché. He checked the time on the microwave.

“I have to get ready.”

“Hot date?” Mac asked.

“Yeah.”

“Cool,” Mac said. He seemed surprised, and maybe a touch sad, to be right.

“I’m kidding. We’re throwing a party for new students at Hillel tonight.”

“Sounds familiar. Don’t give any naïve freshmen the wrong idea.”

“I’m laughing on the inside.” Gideon entered the solace of his clean bedroom with a new bed, washed sheets, and clothes that were folded or hung up. He changed into a navy blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, khaki shorts, and boat shoes. He went into the bathroom to get his puff of hair just right and spritz on cologne.

“Stop being awkward,” he whispered to himself.

He returned to the kitchen, where Mac was finishing up the last bits of his dinner. Still shirtless.

“I’ll be back later.” Gideon froze in place. Heat strangled his neck.

Did Mac just check me out?

He felt Mac’s eyes travel up and down his body for a split-second. It was so quick, and Mac was back to munching on his cereal, but Gideon caught it. He had given girls the onceover plenty of times. He knew what he saw. He wondered how much times that had happened over the past week. Gideon found himself puffing out his chest.

And did I like it?

“Make sure you put your spoon and bowl in the dishwasher when you’re done.”

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A.J. Truman remembers his college days like it was yesterday, even though it was definitely not yesterday. He writes books with humor, heart, and hot guys. What else does a story need? He loves spending time with his pets and his husband and writing on his sun porch. You can find him on Facebook or at ajtruman.com

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Website: ajtruman.com

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Mailing List signup: ajtruman.com/outsiders

TCO Exclusives

**TCO is happy to welcome Jordan L. Hawk to the blog today, as we lead up to the final weeks before GRL. Check it out, and make sure to drop by and say Hi to Jordan!**

Book Title: His Premier

Series: Sizzling Miami Book 6

Author: Jessie G

TWO CHANCES TO WIN

**TCO is excited to have DJ Jamison stopping by today to tell us what how important GRL is for an independent author. Can’t wait to meet DJ next month!!! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway.**

**TCO is excited to welcome A.J. Truman to the blog to talk about his upcoming appearance at GRL next month. Can’t wait to meet him!!!**

TCO is happy to welcome Jordan L. Hawk to the blog today, as we lead up to the final weeks before GRL. Check it out, and make sure to drop by and say Hi to Jordan!

TCO is excited to have DJ Jamison stopping by today to tell us what how important GRL is for an independent author. Can’t wait to meet DJ next month!!! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

TCO is excited to welcome A.J. Truman to the blog to talk about his upcoming appearance at GRL next month. Can’t wait to meet him!!!