Jessie G

Our Reason by Jessie G: Blog Tour, Exclusive Friday Five-ish Q’s and Excerpt

November 3, 2017 by Denise

AUTHOR: Jessie G

TITLE: Our Reason

SERIES: Sizzling Miami #8 (Red & Bull #3)

COVER ARTIST: Andrew Reyna

PHOTOGRAPHER: Randy RLS Images

COVER MODEL: Alfie Gordillo

CATEGORIES: Gay Romance, Contemporary Romance

RELEASE DATE: October 22, 2017

Married life is everything Bull and Red could have hoped for. It’s not something they’d ever take for granted and the need to pay it forward is a trait the husbands happily share. When the new director of the Bennett House asks Red to teach an art class, he isn’t entirely sure how it will help, but he’s more than willing to try. Before Bull, he used his art to purge his demons and sharing that with those in need of an outlet for their own pain was a gift he never considered giving. Each week he is rocked by the artful outpouring of emotion and the gratitude of his students. One by one, they burrow into his heart…but none more so than Dillon Young.

Always holding himself apart from the others, the wisp of a boy keeps his head down and hides behind a mangy, overgrown length of dark hair like a shield. Despite his best attempts not to see himself in all the young men that come through the center, everything about Dillon calls out to Red. Needing to share their encounters, and maybe hoping for a little perspective, he turns to the one man he knows he can always count on. Expecting Bull to be the voice of reason had been a fool’s mission from the start and soon they’re both invested in helping Dillon.

There’s no doubt they have an abundance of love to share and if ever there was someone who needed it, Dillon was the one. Between Bull’s strength and Red’s patience, they’ll help Dillon learn to trust again, and in the process, create a family that none of them intended. Though they never envisioned themselves as parents, Bull and Red will find room in their happily ever after to save the child they didn’t know lived in their hearts.

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2xYW6RI

ABOUT THE CHARITY: The Zebra Coalition® is a network of organizations which provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all youth (LGBT+) ages 13 – 24. The Coalition assists young people facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability. A portion of the royalties from Our Reason will be donated by the author, but you can donate now at http://www.zebrayouth.org/donate/

Bull and Red were adamant that they were never going to have kids in previous books. What “made” you choose to have them bring a child into their life? Over a year ago, I was stopped at a light when I saw a group of kids holding a car wash at gas station to raise money for baseball uniforms. The little kernel of an idea hovered in the background until I went to a book signing in Dallas and saw Alfie Gordillo, the model on the cover of Our Reason. He was as close to what I envisioned Bull to be and I suppose I could have just repackaged For a Reason, but what fun would that be? I don’t have any logical reason why these two things intersected and I’m thrilled with the result.
There is a lot of legalities addressed in Our Reason (and in several other books in this series). How do you ensure that you won’t get those pieces incorrect? First, I don’t claim that those details are to the letter of the law. My bestie is an attorney and she’s happy to answer all my questions, but I always reserve creative license. Yes, I want to be as close as possible for believability, but I also need it to work with the story.
Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)? Uh, I can’t write if there’s clutter on my desk. It makes me itchy. I write several books at once, but then when I hit that sweet spot in a book when it becomes my focus (and therefore, next release), I have to switch from my desktop to my laptop. I can’t finish a book in my office, it has to be anywhere else.
Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy? Not anymore. That’s why I write multiple stories at once. For me, if I’m not feeling it and it’s hard to write, then it’s because the characters aren’t talking to me. So I switch to the ones that are.
A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here? Salt or sugar? He’s there to bring the margaritas for Taco Thursday, of course.

They stopped at a light and Bull glanced at him thoughtfully. “Did Dillon show up for Thursday’s art class?”

There was no denying that the troubled teen was at least partly responsible for his need to give more or that Bull knew his interest far exceeded his role in the boy’s life. “Yeah. He was a few minutes late and he looked rough, but he was there. Even stayed for the food the center brought in afterward.”

Rail thin and tall for his age, Dillon Young slumped like life had already beaten him into submission. He always kept his head down and his dark hair long enough to cover his eyes, but Red had glimpsed at them once and the familiarity had grabbed him by the throat. The feeling was so strong that he reached for Dillon, needing to just hug him as tight as he could, but the boy flinched back and took off.

Dillon disappeared for a few days after that and Red had been beside himself until director called to say he’d come around again. After that, Red kept his approach cautious. He wouldn’t avoid him because he needed to know how to help him, but he never got too close and made sure there was no physical contact even in passing. Months later, he thought they were making headway, but then Dillon disappeared again and Red didn’t know why. Like before, he returned with little fanfare and zero desire to explain his absence. With his own past acting as a reminder of all the possible shit Dillon could be dealing with, it was a cycle that Red wasn’t sure he could continue to live with.

“I know the center has rules it has to follow, but there’s no reason we can’t find out more information about his home life, is there?” They had been trying not to go around the center because he didn’t want to cause them any issues, but the fear of something happening to Dillon was forcing his hand. Red wasn’t scared and destitute anymore. He was a grown man with resources and friends who could help this kid. They had to help because the alternative was unacceptable.

“None at all,” Bull agreed as he reached for his hand. “I’ll talk to Ric. If it’s a conflict of interest for him, I’m sure he can point me in the direction of someone who can help.”

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.

Contact Links:

Website: http://www.jessiegbooks.com

Email: jessie@jessiegbooks.com

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Our Reason (Sizzling Miami 8) by Jessie G: Release Day Review and Excerpt

October 25, 2017 by Denise

Title: Our Reason

Series: Sizzling Miami #8, Red & Bull #3

Author: Jessie G

M/M Romance

COVER MODEL: Alfie Gordillo
PHOTOGRAPHER: Randy Rls Sewell
COVER ARTIST: Andrew Reyna

There’s no doubt they have an abundance of love to share and if ever there was someone who needed it, Dillon was the one. Between Bull’s strength and Red’s patience, they’ll help Dillon learn to trust again and in the process, create a family that none of them intended. Though they never envisioned themselves as parents, Bull and Red will find room in their happily ever after to save the child they didn’t know lived in their hearts.

AMAZON
GOODREADS

Dillon was at school when the center called about a job interview and his grandmother made the appointment before he knew it was happening. When he walked through the door, she was waiting with the news like they’d won the fucking lottery. He tried not to dampen her relief, but it only added weight to already high expectations—especially because Dillon knew it would probably blow up in his face. One lesson he learned in this fucked up life was that the more he wanted or needed something, the harder it was to get.

And they needed this. Desperately.

His grandmother tried her hardest, but they were barely getting by and all it would take was for the wrong person to notice. Dillon knew all about services that were supposed to protect children and wanted no part of being sent to some group home where he’d have to grovel or worse just to earn a blanket and a meal. More than that, he definitely didn’t want to be sent back to his mother.

Alabama had done both to him. First, taking him out of a situation they called dangerous only to put him someplace worse, then returning him because his mama proved herself reformed. The joke was on him for believing that things would be different. That she’d actually be the mother he’d always wished for. Now he knew better and having that threat hanging over their heads made him willing to do anything. Including allowing himself a moment of hope that maybe—just maybe—if the center vouched for him, then it might be doable.

Turns out, hope had a seriously screwed up sense of humor and Dillon really hated the thing that happened in his stomach when he heard the name of the business. The same one he’d seen it on the side of the tow truck that Mr. Connor’s husband drove. That massive beast gleamed in the sunlight and was impossible to miss, just like the man who drove it.

Dillon would never admit that he was both intimidated and fascinated by that big, bald, hulk of a man, but he was. How could he not be after seeing how that massive mountain treated his husband? Or that he had a husband to begin with? Men like that weren’t gay, they weren’t nice or gentle…or so he believed. That was his experience and he hated that someone was making him question it.

Red and Bull have settled in to married life and it’s everything they were hoping for. Red is still working in the garage but at Davin’s request he has started teaching art classes at The Bennett House. There Red meets Dillon, and Red can’t help but drawn comparisons to himself at that age.

Dillon is standoffish and shy, hiding behind his overgrown hair. Red is drawn to Dillon and in turn so is Bull. Bull offers Dillon a job in the garage and just as they get to know one another something from Dillon’s past spooks him and he runs. Red and Bull call in all their reinforcements to help find Dillon and together they prove to him that family is not only made from blood.

I absolutely love Red and Bull so I was really excited to get my hands on this one. If you’ve read some of the previous books in the series then you know Jessie has a way with words like no other and the is book is no exception. While this book has no on page love scenes which is a little different than her other works, you can still feel the smoldering heat between Red and Bull. The story is well developed and intriguing, I can’t wait to see where the “fishing lawyer” takes us. It’s sure to be entertaining and heartbreaking.

In “For a Reason” I met Red and Bull, watched them fall in love and fell right along with them. In “Their Reason” I saw their love grow and deepen, culminating in an adventurous wedding and honeymoon. In “Our Reason” I see how strong the foundation of their love really is and how they use that support to expand their family. I never thought I could love Red and Bull more than I did after the first book, but seeing how much Red’s confidence has grown and Bull’s unwavering support of anything Red wants or needs had me falling even harder for these two.

5 pieces of eye candy

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 a full schedule of releases planned for the next two years, it’s been amazing to have made this dream my reality.

WHERE TO FIND JESSIE G:

Contact Links:

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Email: jessie@jessiegbooks.com

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Treading Water by Jessie G: Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway with a Cause!

July 25, 2017 by Denise

Title: Treading Water

Series: Forgotten Soldier #2

Author: Jessie G

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: July 18, 2017

After devoting eighteen years of his life to the US Navy, Petty Officer First Class Shane Parker is struggling with the very real possibility of becoming unnecessary. If he doesn’t make Chief Petty Officer before his twenty—and it doesn’t seem likely that he will—he’ll be retired from active service and placed on the Fleet Reserve list until his mooring lines are officially cut forever. While it would all be very honorable and ceremonial, he simply wasn’t civilian material.

Before even swearing-in, Julian Brand knew he wasn’t cut out to be a soldier, but refusing wasn’t an option. Generations of Brand man made careers in the military and the expectation of every Brand son was to follow in those prestigious footsteps. Though the prospect of being rolled back dodged his every step, somehow he made it through boot camp and did his time. Six years after not reenlisting, Julian still struggles to find familial acceptance as he fights to live life on his terms.

On the surface, they couldn’t be more different, but when Jared Ramos calls, neither are capable of refusing. If they can find a way to work together, they might be able to save a wounded warrior and each other in the process.

NOTE: The first story in this series is a 6K word short story originally written for an anthology. While it’s a different couple, I’m happy to provide that to reviewers as they have a brief appearance in the new book and are central characters to this benefit series.

I was counting down the days until this book was released and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Just like I thought, Jessie certainly didn’t disappoint!

Jared Ramos has started a charity, The Ramos Foundation, that helps soldiers in need. When he comes across Sean, a man involved in a two-seater plane crash causing him to be trapped between cargo containers on the deck of an aircraft carrier. The crash left him partially paralyzed. Jared brings together Shane, Sean’s best friend who was back home recovering from a torn rotator cuff and hadn’t heard of the accident and Julian, Sean’s cousin. Julian’s parents had been taking care of Sean but refused to call Julian, whom they haven’t spoken to in ages because of his sexual preference.

Once Shane and Julian are on board all the necessary steps are made to help Sean through recovery. Julian owns a B&B and renovates his living space to accommodate Sean. As the two navigate a plan for recovery with Sean they are also dancing around a growing attraction to each other, but Shane isn’t out at work and doesn’t really have any plans to be. Julian doesn’t want to be his dirty little secret, but can he walk away from the man?

This story blew me away. I loved that we got the POV of all three men. It made Sean’s struggle with recovery that much more realistic. To see that it wasn’t all sunshine and roses, it was days of depression and wanting to give up and pushing through that to find the new normal.

The relationship between Shane and Julian developed so organically, it never felt forced. It was so natural, I think it even snuck up on Shane. Julian never pressed for more, but at the same time he never lost sight of what he wanted and needed and Shane was able to give him that.

The secondary characters were an added bonus. Julian’s parents were written with just enough snark and religious undertone that I couldn’t hate them for their misguided opinions. I certainly didn’t like them, but Jessie didn’t make me hate them. Esme was another surprise, so colorful and full of life. I was so happy to see the part she played in Sean’s recovery.

The moral of the story is, if you haven’t read the book yet stop what you’re doing and read it. You won’t be disappointed.

5 pieces of eye candy

Happily Ever Chapter – “Well-written story, strong characters.”

Bookobsessed – “Wonderful read”

Donation Page: https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org/jessiegbooks

10% of royalties earned from this and future books in the Forgotten Soldier series will benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation, but I’m not content to stop there. I’ve set up a fundraising page directly on the Foundation’s website and I’m asking for your help in reaching (and maybe surpassing) my goal. Every donation of $10 equals 1 entry to win signed books. If you donate more than that, every multiple of 10 will be an additional entry (so $20 = 2 entries and so forth).

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive all my paperbacks signed (8 books)

4 Runner Up Winners will win a signed copy of Treading Water

In addition: TCO will donate all affiliate dollars raised from the sale of Treading Water to the Gary Sinise Foundation via Jessie G. 🙂

Seeing Sean fall apart was something Shane wasn’t likely to forget. Never could he have imagined a single scenario that included this big, strong, strapping sailor curled up in his blankets sobbing. As Julian climbed back onto the bed, absorbing that pain as if it were his own, Shane feared he was the wrong man to help them. He was barely treading water and the overwhelming emotions coming off both men were like a rip tide threatening to pull him away.

Over the years, he heard Sean worry over his cousin’s emotional stability enough that he thought he was doing the right thing by offering Julian a safe place to vent. It wasn’t like his own emotions were in danger of getting involved—he only had a couple and none of them were tied up in a man he didn’t know. The same couldn’t be said for Sean. They were more than friends, more than the honorary brothers, and this breakdown had his own eyes itching in an alarming way.

Were those tears? It had been decades. For sure, never in his adult life. Not since…no, it was best not to think about that now. Talk about being useless. If he went down that path, Sean and Julian would be taking care of him.

A warm hand slid along his and the ease in which their fingers twined gave him pause. Cautiously, he looked over and found brown eyes filled with understanding and invitation. He had promised Julian he wouldn’t be alone and the quiet reciprocation had been nice, but nothing he expected to count on. Without consciously thinking about it, Shane found himself sitting on the edge of the bed. Though it wasn’t built for three grown men, he was able to wrap his arm around his little unit and was surprised how right it felt.

“We’re going to get through this, Sean. Will you let us take care of you?” Julian was still speaking when Shane felt Sean nodding against them.

For better or worse, they were in it together now and Shane refused to let them down no matter how uncomfortable it might get for him.

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Treading Water by Jessie G: Release Day Blitz, Fundraising Campaign and Giveaway

July 18, 2017 by Denise

Title: Treading Water

Series: Forgotten Soldier #2

Author: Jessie G

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: July 18, 2017

Donation Page: https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org/jessiegbooks

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive all my paperbacks signed (8 books)

4 Runner Up Winners will win a signed copy of Treading Water

Two Chicks Obsessed believes whole-heartedly in the mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation, and thanks Jessie for her continued support of the organization.

In addition, to sending a donation directly from TCO to Jessie’s fundraising campaign, all affiliate income associated from sales of Treading Water will be donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation as well.

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Devil’s Pride by Jessie G: Series Tour, Teasers and Giveaway

May 26, 2017 by Denise

Series: The Devil’s Pride MC Series

Author: Jessie G

Genre: M/M Romance

Novels: Tricking Chase, Talk Dirty to Me, and

Tys That Bind

Tys That Bind by Jessie G: Blog Tour, Exclusive Guest Post, Review and Giveaway

April 5, 2017 by Denise

Unprepared, ill-equipped, and with no example to look back on, Ty and Chase embarked on a journey to build a family for Ava and Luc that would far exceed anything they dreamed of for themselves. Two years later, they’ve succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, but there’s still a couple of things missing…and they’re ready to make them happen.

Bad boy biker Trick wouldn’t hesitate to fight for those he loves, but Ty knows it will take more than violence to win this war. Willfully submissive Chase has the utmost faith in his Master, but when he sees Ty struggling with demons from his past, it will be his quiet, unbending support that will see them through. Jumping through the loopholes of family court, they are only one event shy of making it all official and neither are willing to wait another second to check it off the list.

Clearing the path for adoption should reassure them, but it will take their cast of well-meaning friends and the occasional slap upside the head before they realize that the ties that bind them together are forged in a love that can never be taken away.

Author: Jessie G

Book: Tys That Bind

Series: Devils Pride MC #3 (series should be read in order)

Key Words: Gay Romance, Adoptions & Weddings, Contemporary Romance

Cover Artist: Andrew Reyna

Release Date: March 31, 2017

I asked Denise for a prompt to get this posted started and she asked me to talk about the differences between writing happy stories versus angst/action-driver stories. To be honest, I don’t sit down and think “this book has to be” whatever. I let the characters determine the levels of angst to sweet. Either way, as a firm believer in happily ever after, all my stories come with that guarantee. But the road to such an ending is rarely easy. Like real life, everyone has a journey, and every couple faces problems. It’s how they deal with them without ever losing each other that makes a real life HEA.

A wedding & adoption book may lend itself to the writing happy, but both occasions are rife with hurdles to overcome. I try to make these sequels about the growth of my couples, not only to see how far they’ve come but to show them taking the next steps in their relationship. For Red and Bull, and Chris and Owen, it made sense to write super sweet, romantic stories that hovered on too sappy.

There was no way that could work for Ty and Chase, thankfully, because I really want each book to be as different as I can make them. In this case, looking forward and taking those next steps comes with some serious introspection that provides the angst that we expect from Ty. From a secret wedding in one of the most people locations in Miami, to officially making it official, all the feelings are there in true non-mushy fashion…mostly. Part of the reconciliation of Trick and Ty, and the growth of his character overall, is the realization that having feelings for isn’t the detriment he once believed it could be.

Does that mean we’ll see a full-on sappy/mushy Ty in the future? Probably only when Ava wants to wear her princess crown.

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Check out Deanna’s 5 pieces of eye candy review here!

You never know what you are going to get with a Jessie G book. Sometimes she will rip my heart out, make it into mincemeat, and bring me to the other side with an HEA (because she always does that) or sometimes I will read the book and just enjoy having an established couple living their lives, working through all the struggles couples have, but finding more of their HEA.

Tys that Bind is the latter. Ty and Chase had to go through so much to find their HEA in Tricking Chase. When they found Ty’s sister’s children, they became an instant family of four, with all the struggles that must go along with that. This novella was all about completing that family, making it unable to be severed under the law. And it was done in spectacular Ty and Chase fashion. Quiet, with just the two of them there for their wedding-and you will see that it truly is only the two of them for the most important part of their wedding, the vows. A party was thrown in there, as well, because what is a book in the world that Jessie created without the entire family finding a reason to celebrate. 🙂

One of the things that I love about Jessie’s books is that not only do the characters think, introspect and figure out all the reasons WHY they are doing or going to do what they do…but she brings the reader along for the ride. The reader finds that you can’t (and don’t want to) zone out, sometimes reading words and not comprehending. You are fully engaged in intelligent introspection with the character, and that is something special. That is something you will not get with a lot of authors. Jessie provides that in spades.

This family got their true HEA, a hard fought battle from beginning to end, but worth every second, as the characters tell the reader.

4 pieces of eye candy

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Where to Find Me

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