Denise

Like a Lover by Jay Northcote : Release Day Tour, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

September 4, 2015 by Denise

Josh has a plan: get through uni with a good degree and no debts. Focused on his goals, he’s working as an escort to pay his way. He enjoys the no-strings sex and doesn’t have the time or inclination for a relationship. Falling in love definitely isn’t part of the deal—especially not with a client.

When Rupert meets Josh in a bar, he’s smitten on sight. He’s never paid for sex before, but when Josh propositions him, he can’t resist. He should have known one night would never be enough. Luckily for him, he has an inheritance to support his addiction to Josh, because his job in IT wouldn’t cover the cost.

With each appointment the lines get increasingly blurred. Something is developing between them that feels more like a relationship than a business transaction, but they come from different worlds and to go from client-and-escort to lovers seems impossible. If they want a future together, Josh and Rupert have a lot to overcome.

Author Name: Jay Northcote

Book Name: Like a Lover

Series: Housemates Book Two

Release Date: September 4, 2015

Pages or Words: 48,450 words

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Goodreads Link

Publisher: Jaybird Press

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

“I like your lip ring,” Rupert said. His gaze dropped lower to Josh’s collarbones. “What are your tattoos of?”

“Swallows.” Rupert would just be able to see the wing tips that showed in this low-necked T-shirt. “Two of them.”

“Have you got any other tattoos?”

Josh gave a slow, teasing smile. “Maybe. Do you want me to show you?”

Rupert met his eyes again. There was a flicker of uncertainty before he answered. “Yes. I’d like that.”

Josh turned over the possibilities in his mind. It had been a long time since he’d had sex for anything other than for money. He usually saw clients at least three nights a week. They scratched the itch for him, and he didn’t have the time or inclination to hook up with other guys. He hadn’t dated since he’d started working as an escort. Josh didn’t like lying about his job, but most guys didn’t want to date escorts.

It would be easy to pick Rupert up tonight, though, and have no-strings sex with him for fun rather than cash. But Josh’s rent was due.

“Me too. But it’ll cost you,” he finally said.

Rupert frowned, obvious confusion crossing his features as he tried to make sense of Josh’s words. “What? I don’t—”

“You’re hot, and I wish I could do this without asking you for money. But a client let me down this evening. I have a hotel room booked and paid for next door, and I need someone to cover the cost for me.” The lie came smoothly. “I can’t afford to have sex for free tonight.”

Rupert’s mouth dropped open. Shock was evident on his face, but there was something else that was harder to read. His cheeks flooded pink again and his eyes went dark. “You’re….” His voice came out husky, and he cleared his throat. “You’re a….”

“A sex worker. An escort, to be precise. Hooker, rent boy, you get the gist. I’m an expensive one too. But my clients think I’m worth the money.” Josh waited, tension making a muscle tick in his jaw as he forced himself to stay still and hold Rupert’s gaze. On the occasions he’d tried picking up clients face-to-face, their reactions had varied. Interest, anger, excitement, disgust… he’d seen them all. He steeled himself, ready for rejection.

Rupert licked his lips. “How much?” he finally asked.

This was my first read by Jay Northcote and it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this book and was excited to see how Northcote would play out the escort angel in with romance. Once again we have 2 gorgeous and fabulous MCs.

Josh, the sexy escort & student. Rupert, the equally sexy business man with enough money to keep on paying Josh for his services.

From the minute John & Rupert met you could sense the sparks that where there. Their scenes were HOT as all get out (keep fan close by) but also sweet. I like to see the softer side of the MCs after the lovemaking. After every time they met, I was hoping that one of them would be able to say (out loud) their true feelings for each other, but as all stubborn men are…they didn’t. So there I am waiting…….and waiting…….and waiting…reading their inner dialogue….you know there will be a fallout……you can just feel it brewing…and your waiting and BAM there it is. What completely shocked me – I was not expecting sweet Rupert to be the one so cold and angry. He quickly redeemed himself, but the anger and pain he felt…UGH…it tore my heart out, stomped all over it and kicked it to the curb. By this time I really wanted to jump into the book and shake Josh’s stupidity out of him. No more spoilers…..Sorry!

I am a quick reader so this was a short read for (even at 145pgs). The story flowed nicely. The writing & editing were flawless. I didn’t feel rushed & just the right amount of story was given. There were a few secondary characters and their involvement in the story was just the right amount.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a quick romance with an HEA! I really enjoyed Northcote’s writing and will be looking for more work done by her.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.

She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

Where to find the author:

Jay’s books (universal amazon author page link): http://author.to/jaynorthcote

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Bayou Book Junkie, Bookaholic Confessions, My Fiction Nook, BFD Book Blog, Reviews by Jessewave, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Happily Ever Chapter, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Carly’s Book Reviews, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Louise Lyons, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Divine Magazine, Multitasking Mommas, Boys on the Brink Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Nephylim, Iyana Jenna, Inked Rainbow Reads, Molly Lolly, Mikky’s World of Books, 3 Chicks After Dark, V’s Reads, Velvet Panic

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Sexual Frankenstein by TC Blue : Book Blast

September 2, 2015 by Denise

Tony & Darian have been friends and playing together in their band, Sexual Frankenstein, for a few years, and while they really are friends, they’ve never crossed that line — no matter how much they may want to — because of their band and friendship, as well as not thinking the other is interested.

The apparent interest in one of them, from their hot and very glam new singer, brings things to a head as long-buried jealousies push to the fore, leading both Tony and Darian to reevaluate what they already have and what they so desperately want.

This story previously appeared in the Po’boys Anthology, published by Torquere Press.

Author Name: TC Blue

Book Name: Sexual Frankenstein

Release Date: September 2, 2015

Goodreads Link

Publisher: Torquere Press

Cover Artist: BSClay

Pages or Words: 13,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance

Yeah, the voice was bad enough because it was so good, but even worse was the fact that Andy was too fucking good-looking and not at all shy. Andy would never sit around for two years, yearning for someone who had never once seemed to be interested, just because he was too scared to make a move. No, Tony was pretty sure that Andy, with his make-up and highlights, his dramatic wardrobe and even more dramatic nature, would just stroll up to whoever caught his eye and say something to make that person laugh. Something to make their blue eyes shine and crinkle at the corners. Something to have that person’s slightly wavy, collar-length dark-blond hair moving wildly while that same person’s soft-looking, pink-lipped mouth opened in a grin to reveal almost perfect teeth, aside from the one lateral incisor on the left that was crooked and overlapped that left front tooth just enough to be cute and quirky rather than snaggly.

Add in the stage moves that Andy somehow kept managing to pull off without stumbling or tripping over his own feet — or any of the numerous cables covering the stage — and Tony definitely hated the bastard. More than hated him when the jerk took each and every opportunity to maneuver over to Darian’s side and rub up against him, singing into his eyes, looking wicked and delicious. Eight times so far, because Tony was keeping count, and Darian didn’t seem to mind even a little, damn it.

My own fault. Should have manned up and taken my shot before, and now it’s too late. I’m a fucking idiot. And how appropriate was it that the next song on their playlist was the old Cinderella ballad “Don’t Know What You Got”? Not that Tony had ever broken anyone’s heart, but he totally understood the emotion behind the chorus.

Torquere Books

Contrary to popular opinion, TC Blue was not raised by wolves. Nor did she spring, fully formed, from the forehead of a god, instead entering the world in the usual manner.

A true jack-of-all-trades and master of none (otherwise known as flighty and unable to make a decision and stick with it), she currently resides near the east coast where she does her best to avoid politics and religions as a general rule.

TC can usually be found sitting in front of her computer, trying to wrangle rabid and numerous plot bunnies, though her muses insist that she not be too hard on the poor little fluffy things. (Poor little fluffy things with sharp teeth and claws, but whatever. Muses don’t seem to care much about the possible bloodshed if the bunnies think TC’s not writing quickly enough.)

One thing sure to calm the bunnies is hearing from readers, so please feel free to contact TC at tcblue@live.com or stalk her: on Twitter — @tc_blue, on Facebook — T.c. Blue.

Where to find TC Blue:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000896020443

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tc_blue

Website: https://tcblue.wordpress.com

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Havan Fellows, The Jena Wade, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, 3 Chicks After Dark, Bayou Book Junkie, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Louise Lyons, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Happily Ever Chapter, Wake Up Your Wild Side, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Inked Rainbow Reads, Chris McHart, Charley Descoteaux, Carly’s Book Reviews

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Fame and Fortune by TM Smith : Blog Tour, Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

September 2, 2015 by Denise

Fame and Fortune

An All Cocks
Story book #2

Love should be multiplied, not divided!

Victor Dimir
moved to America with his traditional Romanian parents when he was just a
child. His Romani parents taught him their traditions and how to be a shrewd
business man, but it was the attention of a classmate at school that taught
teenage Victor about his sexuality. When he came out to his parents he knew it
would be difficult for them to understand, but he never expected them to disown
him.

Andrew Jones
grew up with a single mom and his grandmother teaching him about life, he had
an absentee father at best. The only thing the man ever did for Andy that stuck
was buy him a camera for his thirteenth birthday. When Andrew went off to
college on a scholarship to study photo journalism, he wound up falling in love
with his Romanian roommate.

They became
inseparable and wound up starting their own business together: a gay porn
website where people could go and watch romantic gay porn instead of the rough
and tough, or wham bam thank you man crap that was flooding the internet at
that time. After ten years together they were still perfectly happy, not
realizing something was missing, until they met a broken young man that needed
a family.

Matthew Carlson
was homeless, jobless and broken. At sixteen he ran away from home after being
brutally assaulted by several young men that he thought were his friends, and
then being told he brought it on himself for being gay by his parents. Matthew
has done a lot of things these last few years just to get by. When he finds the
flyer for All Cocks, he decides to call and see where it leads. What has he got
to lose?

Matthew has deep
rooted scars that aren’t visible on the outside to most. But when he walks into
All Cocks, both Victor and Andrew can see the darkness in his eyes; they also
see him. Can three men that did not know they needed each other get past the
stigma of society to find a place of happiness, together?

*Advisory warning: This story contains a scene of
sexual assault.*

I was so excited to read Victor, Andrew, and Mattie’s story. They caught my attention in the first book and I was hoping we would get their story. In this book we get the backstory on how Andrew and Victor met and how All Cocks came to be. Then later down the road how Mattie came to be part of their life. Mattie’s story just broke my heart. He is such a strong young man to go through what he did and how he was treated in the aftermath and survive it without giving up. Then to go from homeless to living with Andrew and Victor.

The way that Andrew and Victor were protective of Mattie was really endearing. Even when he was trying to set up his first scene and they kept giving him other things to do because they really didn’t want him to do the scene. Then how they handled it when he finally had his breakdown about what happened to him. I really liked the way that Andrew and Victor waited to bring Mattie into their relationship until they felt that he was ready and how well they integrated him into it. No jealousy or fighting, just a whole lot of love.

5 pieces of eye candy for me.

Buy Links Fame and Fortune: Amazon | ARe | Smashwords

Buy Links Gay for Pay: Amazon | ARe | Smashwords

Extras:

This or That

Day or Night – Night, I am not a morning person to spite the fact I have to get up every damn day at 5AM for my day job.

Pen or Pencil – Pen, definitely.

Hardcover or E-book – E-books for reading, Hard or Paperbacks for collecting!

Naughty or Nice – Naughty Naughty

Lil’ bit Country or Lil’ bit Rock & Roll – I may live in Texas, but I will go for Rock over Country any day of the week and twice on Sundays!

Coffee or Tea – Coffee

Beer or Wine – Beer

Kindle or Ipad – My Kindle is my baby.

Movie Theater or DVD at home – both have their merits, depends on my mood.

Vampires or Werewolves – I’m currently reading Challenge the Darkness by Dirk Greyson, so I’m going to go with Werewolves.

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning
Georgia; Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. She now calls Texas home
from her small town on the outskirts of the DFW Metroplex. Most days you can
find her curled up with her kindle and a good book alongside a glass of
something aged and red or a steaming cup of coffee!

At 44 years young, she’s decided to enter the
next phase of her life by adding the title of “author” to her list of
accomplishments. Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and
decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, Smith
is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights.

Her series Opposites goes beyond the norm of society, exploring what society would be like were it the norm to be gay/lesbian. To be straight labels you the outkast. Her latest series, the All Cocks Stories, is set within the world of online gay porn.

Amazon || ARe || Smashwords || Website

Facebook Author || Facebook All Cocks stories || Twitter

Goodreads || Pinterest || Youtube

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Feat of Clay by Susan Mac Nicol : Blog Tour, Review and Excerpt

September 1, 2015 by Denise

Amazon

Imprisoned and tortured, undercover cop Tate Williams will find redemption in the arms of his boyhood friend, now lover, former SAS soldier Clay Mortimer.

TWO MEN.
TORN. TORTURED. LOVED.
Though they went their separate ways, Tate Williams and Clay Mortimer have been crazy about each other since their school days. Clay went into the SAS. Tate became a cop. Neither mentioned their attraction to the other. Both sought out danger. Both found it.

Imprisoned and shot in an undercover assignment gone wrong, Tate somehow survived…and found his way back into Clay’s arms. His old friend is now the owner of an elite investigation agency and everything any man could want: patient, handsome, commanding. And Clay knows what it takes to survive. But Tate can’t bring himself to share all his secrets, nightmares that force him to rebel against everything. He finds solace from his past as a graffiti artist, a childhood passion, but his demons drive away all who might care for him. Only when he faces that past—and learns that everyone has tasted despair—can the two men truly be brothers-in-arms…and more

Goodreads Link

*NSFW*

Tate needed no further urging. He lifted himself up, trying to ignore the pain in his battered body, and stared down at the man who half sat, half lay beneath him. Clay’s face was twisted in lust and want, and his cock jutted proudly from the thatch of dark curls at his groin. Tate bit his lip and then lowered himself down onto the hot, slick and eager dick waiting for him. Clay’s deep gasp of satisfaction made his hole throb, as did the burn of Clay in his arse. Tate spread his legs to take Clay deeper then began to slowly move above him, his hips undulating and his inner muscles tightening around Clay’s cock.

The feeling of power he got from watching his lover slowly lose it was like nothing else. That Tate could take such control of this man he loved, that he could watch his self-control unravel like a skein of wool—that was something for a man to be proud of.

As Tate rose and fell, his hands resting behind him on Clay’s strong thighs, Clay’s cock sliding in and out of him, he revelled in the primal urge to be impaled and fucked to destruction. He was flying so high, the bruised ribs and plastered-up shoulder were of no consequence.

Huh. Sexual endorphins make for great painkillers.

Book Trailer

Susan Mac Nicol is one of my favorite m/m romance authors, as stressed as she makes me when I am reading her books. I have laughed many times reading one of her books. I have cried about three times as many times (at least three times reading Feat of Clay), and loved her characters for both their sincerity, and their (in some case extreme) flaws. What she never fails to do is integrate heart into each character, no matter the pain, anguish, stress or silly fears, there is always so much heart in each character.

I (mistakenly) thought that I would quick read the first scene/chapter of FOC as I got to the post office to pick up the mail. How wrong I was! I sat in the parking lot crying while reading the torture that the main character Tate was going through. Sue could easily have put this scene “off-screen”, that would have been the easy thing to do. However, Sue rarely takes the easy route with her characters. Tate and Clay are no exception.

Tate, after the torture he endures, returns home and he and Clay finally decide to take their relationship from childhood friends to lovers. While Tate struggles to recover mentally and physically, Clay has to learn to fight his over-protective urges over Tate. They must each learn a new normal, and how to let the world back in.

Seeing how Tate begins to grow into a stronger, healthier person after the trauma is fantastic. But seeing him do it while helping someone who desperately needs to connect as well, that shows another level of healthy that he probably could have only gotten from someone who understands what it means to be tortured just because.

One thing that struck me in this book was as Tate revealed his secrets, there was not instant “this is all okay” from Clay. He didn’t sweep it under the rug and just pretend that he was not affected with the truths he was forced to face. Although he still expressed his love for Tate, he knew there was no magic wand that would fix this, that would make him feel like this was going to just disappear. It broke my heart to read (one of the multiple cries in this book for me) to read what Tate had been carrying on his shoulders, and know there was no quick fix.

Through it all, the love between these two was so clear, so strong, it was never in doubt. It kept going strong, even when they needed their time apart. It made it seem like these two were truly living breathing people, fighting for their love and their lives together.

I’ve already expressed to Sue who I would like to see come out for a book soon, from this story, and yeah for me, she said it was on the burner. Yeah!

Highly recommend, although, giving you a little warning…don’t start reading it in public like I did. Embarrasing.

4.5 pieces of eye candy for me.

www.susanmacnicol.com

Twitter

Facebook

My Blog

Dreamspinners Press LLC

Boroughs Publishing Group

Linked In

Susan Mac Nicol is a self confessed bookaholic, an avid watcher of videos of sexy pole dancing men, self confessed geek and nerd and in love with her Smartphone. This little treasure is called ‘the boyfriend’ by her long suffering husband, who says if it vibrated, there’d be no need for him. Susan hasn’t had the heart to tell him there’s an app for that…

She is never happier than when sitting in the confines of her living room/study/on a cold station platform scribbling down words and making two men fall in love. She is a romantic at heart and believes that everything happens (for the most part) for a reason. She likes to think of herself as a ‘half full’ kinda gal, although sometimes that philosophy is sorely tested.

Lover of walks in the forest, theatre productions, dabbling her toes in the cold North Sea and the vibrant city of London where you can experience all four seasons in a day , she is a hater of pantomime (so please don’t tar and feather her), duplicitous people, bigotry and self righteous idiots.

In an ideal world, Susan Mac Nicol would be Queen of England and banish all the bad people to the Never Never Lands of Wherever -Who Cares. As that’s never going to happen, she contents herself with writing her HEA stories and pretending, that just for a little while, good things happen to good people.

Unbreak Unbroken by J.K. Hogan : Cover Reveal, Excerpt and Giveaway

September 1, 2015 by Denise

Rory Donovan’s life is a hot mess. His marriage is failing and he’s in intensive psychotherapy, working through the unfortunate side effects of memories from a childhood trauma. The only thing good in his life right now is his job—teaching photography to gifted high school students.

Harbor Patrol officer Bennett Foster is co-parenting his teenage daughter with his high school best friend Jessie. When he meets Addison’s teacher and realizes they’ve met before, he can’t get the sexy stranger out of his head.

Striking up a sexual-tension-filled friendship, together they must help an angsty teenager deal with a dying friend. Bennett must keep his little family from falling apart while Rory struggles to come to terms with his new reality. Somewhere along the way, most unexpectedly…love happens.

Author Name: J.K. Hogan

Book Name: Unbreak Broken

Series: Coming About

Book: Three; True series: Should be read in order

Release Date: September 16, 2015

Pages or Words: 98,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Goodreads Link

Publisher: Wild City Press

Cover Artist: J.K. Hogan (KHD Graphics)

Dr. Conlan treated me to a rare fond smile, almost motherly in its warmth. “I’m pleased to see you happier than you have been.”

I grinned back, but then my brow furrowed. “Does this make me gay?”

“Does that matter?”

“I don’t know. Should it?”

“I’ll never understand the fascination with labeling things that our society seems to have. To me, sexuality is as intangible as the universe. There’s no way to truly know what’s out there, and how it all relates to everything else.

“As humans, we seek to know, to understand, and somehow we feel that putting things in boxes and labeling helps us do that. But some things are fluid, changing and developing with the tide of the evolution of life. Do me a favor, Rory. Don’t put yourself in a box.”

I was dumbfounded, stunned speechless. I knew I’d remember Dr. Conlan’s words for the rest of my life, and I would try to stay as true to them as I could. “I won’t,” I whispered.

J.K. Hogan has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, magic happened. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her stories as she writes them. J.K. is hoping to one day have a little something for everyone, so she’s branched out from m/f paranormal romance and added m/m contemporary romance. Who knows what’s next?

J.K. resides in North Carolina, where she was born and raised. A true southern girl at heart, she lives in the country with her husband and young son, a cat, and two champion agility dogs. If she isn’t on the agility field, J.K. can often be found chasing waterfalls in the mountains with her husband, or down in front at a blues concert. In addition to writing, she enjoys training and competing in dog sports, spending time with her large southern family, camping, boating and, of course, reading! For more information, please visit www.jkhogan.com.

Where to find J.K. Hogan:

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialJKHogan

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JK_Hogan

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jkhoganbooks/

Other: http://www.goodreads.com/jkhogan

Other: http://instagram.com/jkhoganbooks

Other: http://jkhogan.com/blog/

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Havan Fellows, Bike Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Molly Lolly, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Bayou Book Junkie, My Fiction Nook, Inked Rainbow Reads, Divine Magazine, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Three Books Over the Rainbow, Lee Brazil, MM Good Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Happily Ever Chapter, Carly’s Book Reviews, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy
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Jack Gets His Man by D.E. Haggerty : Book Blitz, Excerpt and Giveaway

August 30, 2015 by Denise

Cover2a2

Book Title: Jack Gets His Man
Author: D.E. Haggerty
Genre: Romantic Comedy – M/M
Release Date: July 1, 2015
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Jack’s life is awesome. His store is making money hand over fist and his best friend has found love. So what if he’s feeling a bit restless and put out about his upcoming birthday and his ex is being a pain in his fabulous behind? That’s nothing he can’t handle. But

then his smoking hot new bookkeeper discovers things at the store aren’t actually as they seem. Someone is playing fast and loose with the finances. Jack’s bestie and his gal pals, the gray-haired knitting detectives, jump at the chance to solve Jack’s problems.

When they aren’t re-enacting scenes from spy thrillers, they’re setting Jack up on dates and generally insinuating themselves into his love life. They’re determined to find love for Jack as well as his missing money. Will Jack catch a thief or find love? Either way

Jack’s going to get his man.

The first candidate arrived promptly at 9:30 or at least his mom did. Danny ushered an elderly matron with a stern bun into Jack’s office and made a hasty retreat.

Jack just stared at her until Izzy cleared her throat and poked him in the ribs. “I’m sorry,” she said when Jack kept staring. “We were expecting someone named Fred. Is that you?”

The woman looked first at Jack and then at Izzy. “Of course that’s not me,” she snapped. “What kind of name is Fred for a woman?”

“Er.. um,” Izzy stumbled. “Do you know where Fred is?”

The woman rolled her eyes and harrumphed. “He’s in the bathroom. He always gets nervous at interviews.”

“Um. Okay,” Izzy was quick to respond when she saw Jack opening his mouth. Knowing Jack nothing appropriate was coming out of his mouth at the moment. “Can you have a seat outside while we conduct the interview?” Izzy could do prim and proper when necessary.

The woman gave Izzy the evil eye before turning on her heel and walking out. They never saw Fred.

Jack was licking his fingers when Danny ushered in the next candidate. “Hi!” the enthusiastic candidate nearly shouted. “I’m Tim!” That part was definitely shouted.

Jack and Izzy stood to shake the man’s hand. He swayed a bit as he leaned forward. Jack took a sniff, but didn’t smell anything untoward. Tim collapsed in his seat while Jack stared at his hand in disgust. Tim’s hands were sweaty. Jack’s mouth pulled tight in a grimace and his nose scrunched in displeasure.

“So Tim. Why do you want this job?” Izzy’s voice was overly enthusiastic in an attempt to bring Tim’s attention to her so he wouldn’t see Jack’s grimace. She need not have bothered. Tim had leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. When he didn’t respond, Izzy snapped her fingers. “Tim?”

He started. “Huh? What?”

“Have you been drinking?” Jack didn’t even bother to ask in a polite manner.

Tim shrugged. “Just a tiny drink to settle my nerves.”

Jack stood. “Okay. Thanks a lot for coming. We’ll be in touch.”

Tim looked confused but managed to struggle to his feet and lurch out of the door. Izzy was giggling uncontrollably by the time Jack sat back down. He snorted. “At least this isn’t boring.”

An hour later, Jack had changed his mind. Interviews #3 and #4 were tedious. Like he was going to hire someone wearing a gray, off-the-rack suit to work in his company. He laid his head on the table, careful not to mess up his hair, and turned pleading eyes to Izzy. “Can we please have lunch now?”

Izzy shook her head. “Nope, another interview before lunch.”

“I hate you,” Jack whispered as the door opened again. Danny ushered in a beautiful man and Jack perked up immediately. Izzy gave him a side-long glance but he ignored her. Things were looking up.

“This is Damien,” Danny said before backing slowly out of the office, eyes glued to the man candy that was Damien.

Izzy jumped up to shake his hand. Jack just stared until she kicked him in the shin. Then he stood up as well, but he looked like he was in a trance as he reached forward to shake Damien’s hand. Izzy had to cover her mouth to keep from giggling.

“So,” Izzy began once everyone had sat down and Jack had inspected Damien from top to toe. “Why do you want to work here?”

Damien turned his dazzling smile on Izzy and winked. “Seriously? This store is awesome.”

“Are you a cross-dresser?” Jack asked before Izzy had a chance to kick him again.

“No,” he shook his head. “But I think it’s great that someone is willing to have a store dedicated to cross-dressers in such a small town in Oklahoma of all places.”

“You do realize that a significant portion of the store’s income comes from the big and beautiful women’s section,” Izzy pointed out.

Damien waved his hand in dismissal of her objection. “But that’s great as well. Everyone should have good clothing options.” He looked at Jack for confirmation and Jack nearly took his head off nodding in agreement. Izzy had to stifle yet another laugh.

Jack cradled his head in his hands with his elbows on the table staring at Damien. Obviously it was up to Izzy to conduct this interview. “Tell us about your work experience.”

The interview lasted 30 minutes, but Jack couldn’t tell you one single thing that was said during that time. He was too busy trying to keep his drool from spilling out of his mouth. Izzy cleared her throat and Jack realized that everyone was standing. He quickly jumped to his feet and shook Damien’s hand, holding on for as long as possible. Damien gave him a megawatt smile before turning to leave.

Izzy collapsed in the chair and turned squinted eyes on Jack. “No.”

Jack flounced into his chair and decided to play innocent. “Whatever do you mean, my dear?” He might be overdoing the innocent thing.

Praise

“The five female seniors’ involvement in all of this, especially the investigation, is both hilarious and endearing.” ~ Amazon Reviewer

“I would recommend this book (and am) to friend that read. It was light hearted, quick to read, and fun in all the best ways.” ~ Amazon Reviewer

“The “gray haired detectives” are back, which I’m happy to say are in their usual rare form. There is nothing feeble about them and they use their skills to do recon missions, perform accounting audits, and get in a little bit of trouble with the local police. In their spare time they play matchmaker to the single people in their church, whether or not the poor souls want any help.” ~ Amazon Reviewer

“D.E. Haggerty writes wonderfully funny mysteries that have lots of detail and chuckles throughout.” ~ Amazon Reviewer

author photo

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but think I’m a European. After spending my senior year of high school in Germany, I developed a bad case of wanderlust that is yet to be cured. My flying Dutch husband and I have lived in Ohio, Virginia, the Netherlands,

Germany and now Istanbul. We still haven’t decided if we want to settle down somewhere – let alone where. I’m leaning towards somewhere I can learn to surf even though the hubby thinks that’s a less than sound way to decide where to live. Although I’ve been a

military policewoman, a commercial lawyer, and a B&B owner, I think with writing I may have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. That’s assuming I ever grow up, of course. Between playing tennis, running much slower than I would like, trying

to adopt every stray dog within a 5-mile radius, traveling to exotic new locales, singing off tune, drinking entirely too many adult beverages, addictively watching new movies and reading books like they are going out of style, I write articles for a local expat

magazine and various websites, review other indie authors’ books, write a blog about whatever comes to mind and am working on my sixth book.

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