Book Excerpt

Coaching the Nerd Authors (Nerds Vs Jocks, Book 2) by Eli Easton & Tara Lain: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 22, 2021 by Denise

Super-bod meets super-brain

What happens when marshmallow-bodied supernerd Sean volunteers to be on the jocks’ flag-football team? It screws Bubba’s fraternity’s chances at the coveted flag football title, that’s what.

Bubba is drafted to be Sean’s personal trainer. He has to whip Sean into shape and make sure he doesn’t F up their team.

Sean may be a supernerd, but to Bubba he’s funny, and wise, and kinda cute. He’s also the one person on campus who doesn’t see Bubba as a big, stupid jock.

One BIG problem. Sean’s motivation for getting into shape is to lose his virginity — and Bubba isn’t happy when guys start sniffing around.

But Bubba’s straight. Isn’t he?

Can a big, dumb jock from Nowhere, Wisconsin change his whole life for a genius who just wants to get laid?

COACHING THE NERD is a total makeover, opposites attract, My Fair Lady trope, bi awakening, campus romance – that grabs your flag.

Coaching the Nerd (Nerds Vs Jocks, Book 2)

By Eli Easton & Tara Lain

Bubba put his arm around the back of the leather couch in the student union and shifted closer to me. I froze and stared up at his face. He’d told me this alcove was his secret place at the union where nobody ever came, so I wasn’t really worried about somebody walking in on us, but I was still unaccountably nervous.

I was accustomed to being around Bubba by now, and I trusted him. I did. But being this close to him with him looking at me with that half-lidded sexy face? I was most certainly not accustomed to that.

My heart pounded in my chest like a metronome, and my belly swirled like I was on the high seas.

I was on the high seas. Of love. Or fake love. Or at least fake flirting.

We’re merely role-playing, I reminded myself. I cleared my throat and sat up straighter.

“Hey, I don’t think we’ve met,” Bubba said in a sultry voice.

I frowned. “What do you mean? We’ve been training together for four weeks.”

Bubba bit back a laugh. “Sean, I’m pretending. In this pretend game, I just saw you at a party.”

Oh, yes. How foolish of me. It was hard to think clearly when he looked at me like that. I put on a cautiously seductive expression.

Bubba blinked. “What are you doing with your face?”

“Nothing!” I shifted in my seat, and the leather couch squeaked. I settled my hands awkwardly in my lap and tried a simple smile. “Better?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Um…a little? Just relax and act natural.”

“You’re not acting natural,” I pointed out. “You’re flirting with me. That’s unnatural in and of itself.”

Bubba rolled his eyes. He tried again. “Hey, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Bubba.”

“Hi, Bubba. I’m Sean.” I stuck out my hand for a handshake, but because we were sitting so close, I ended up poking my fingers right into his groin. He yelped and jumped back a few inches on the couch.

“Sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Bubba rubbed the crotch of his jeans for a moment and shook his head. “Probably try not to poke your prospective date in the balls.”

“God, I suck at this!” I wailed. “Disaster zone, thy name is Sean McKinney!”

Bubba laughed. “Come on. We’re just getting started. No harm, no foul. Let’s try again.” He settled back into place with his arm behind me on the couch, though perhaps a mite more warily than before. “Hey! You’re kinda cute. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Bubba.”

This time, he leaned even closer. and I gazed into his eyes. They were just brown eyes, dark in the dim light of the little alcove. But there was something in them that was hot and sexy and probably had the unique property of being able to melt underwear. No wonder he had no difficulty getting girls. I dropped my gaze so I wouldn’t get any stupid ideas from those eyes—like hoping this wasn’t entirely role-playing. But from so close, I could see the texture of his beard, which he kept short. It was shiny and looked so appealing. I wanted to rub my cheek against it to discern the precise texture. His lips were red and full.

For a heat-stopping moment, I wondered, in a visceral way, what it would be like to kiss a mouth like that. Or that mouth specifically. Bubba’s mouth. I could picture it happening so clearly. I swallowed.

“Very good,” Bubba said softly. “Not talking works for you.” He reached up a thumb and stroked my jaw.

“You want me to not speak?” I asked doubtfully.

“If you look at the guy like that, you don’t have to say a word.” His gaze was on my lips now. The swirls in my belly exploded, and my skin got hot.

“I should say something though,” I said with a nervous titter. “Wouldn’t want him thinking I’m not paying attention. So, um…. Hi. I’m Sean. I like your beard.”

Shit. I shouldn’t have said beard. That obviously applied to Bubba and not a general guy at a party.

But Bubba went with it. “Yeah?” He took my hand and placed it on his face, then sort of rubbed his beard against it.

I got erect so fast, my head swam. Oh dear. Oh fuck. Was that supposed to happen during role-playing? I was pretty sure the answer was a resounding no.

My fingers curled around his jaw and rubbed. It was as if they had a mind of their own. “Soft,” I whispered.

He moved his large hand to my shoulder and stroked my collarbone through my T-shirt with his thumb—back and forth. Oh my God. It was different from his massage touch. Somehow that simple movement was so sensual. No one had ever touched me like that. I’d thought having the shampoo felt good. But this…this sent waves of fire through me unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. My palm moved to his throat. His pulse beat fast under my hand. I wanted to lick there.

“Mmm. I like that,” he said in that sexy rumbly voice. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Hmm?” My gaze was fixed on his mouth.

“Can I get you something from the bar? Sean?”

“Bar?” I couldn’t help it. I leaned forward. His mouth was so close. I closed my eyes. He exhaled, and his breath tickled my lips. Goosebumps erupted on my arms while heat pooled thickly in my groin.

“Sean,” he whispered, but his voice was soft and strangled and part of this lovely dream.

Then his lips pressed against mine.

A mixed review from me on this one.

This is book 2 and you should probably read book 1 to know what exactly is going on between the two fraternities. Also, the stories happen concurrently.

Anyway, from book 1 it was evident that Sean and Bubba would be the focus of book 2. Since Sean was the nerdiest of the nerds with zero muscle mass and was now playing flag football and Bubba was the physical education major… opposites attract and all of that.

I did really enjoy the following Sean and Bubba as they kind of stumbled through a tentative friendship and into a relationship. Working out together, playing flag football together and even Bubba helping Sean with a make over from drab to fab. They were just really adorable.

My biggest issue was the way Sean was portrayed. It was REALLY stereotypical. So much that he sounded like Spock in the way he spoke. Sorry, but even genius level college students are still college students. They just don’t talk like that. It was like they wrote dialogue for Sean, then went to the thesaurus to make it as “smart” as possible. It was just silly.

The big conflict involving Sean’s parents also wasn’t a surprise at all. Ho hum.

FAVORITE LINE: Even though I mostly disliked how Sea spoke, the following made me laugh out loud as I read it.

She folded her arms over her chest and gave me a smug look. “I fucked him, you know.”

“Congratulations,” I said calmly. “Lucky you, getting your shopping done before the store closed.”

3 pieces of eye candy

About Eli:

Coming from a background in computer game design, Eli has written over 35 books in m/m romance since 2013. The Mating of Michael (2014) and A Second Harvest (2016) both won The William Neale Award for Best Gay Contemporary Romance, and Eli’s books have won many awards from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group’s Reader’s Choice Awards. She is best known for her Christmas romances, the Howl at the Moon series of rom coms featuring dog shifters, and her Sex in Seattle series, which revolves around a sex clinic in Seattle.

Connect with Eli:
www.elieaston.com
Facebook: Eli Easton
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/164054884188096
Twitter: @elieaston

About the Author:

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters – and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Tara loves animals of all kinds (even snakes), diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers.

She has around 57 books published or scheduled for publication.

Connect with Tara:
Website: https://taralain.com/
Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255111391312743
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taralain/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taralain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taralainauthor/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tara-lain

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Shift Work (Night Shift, Book 1) by TA Moore: Blog Tour, Exclusive Short Story, Release Day Review and Giveaway

March 18, 2021 by Denise

You’d think the werewolves would be the worst thing about the Night Shift; you’d be wrong.

All Officer Kit Marlow wanted was a cup of coffee and some downtime before his next night shift. Instead, he got a naked man in the elevator and an unaccounted-for dead girl in the morgue. He’s going to need to deal with both before he can head for his bed.

Or anyone else’s. Although not much chance of that.

Reluctantly partnered with the acerbic security consultant Cade Deacon—last seen naked in the elevator—Marlow delves into the dead girl’s life. Between them, they uncover a new crime scene with the whiff of old corruption. A corruption that, five years ago, nearly took Marlow’s life and ended his career.

Finding out who killed the dead girl on the slab might only be the start of this investigation. Oh, and it’s the second night of the full moon. So 80% of the city, including Cade, will turn into werewolves in the middle of the case.

So, there’s that.

Title: Shift Work

Publisher: Rogue Firebird Press

Release: March 19

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Coming April 19, 2021

Split Shift: Night Shift: Book Two

First of all, thank you so much for having me! I’m thrilled to be here with my new release, Shift Work by TA Moore. It’s a novella. It’s a longish novella, but still a novella. It’s the first book in a three book series that will be coming out over the next….three months. So that’s easy! Well, for you. I’m going to have no nails left.

For the blog tour I’ve written a short story set in the Night Shift world. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Five

She was blind.

Temporarily at least. As Marlow watched, the blisters were absorbed back into the skin, and the burned tissue stitched itself into shiny scar tissue.

Home-made flamethrower probably—it was a popular self-defense for nulls that had to be out. It didn’t work well, and they’d been lucky she was young. Once someone shifted, they weren’t a person anymore, but they weren’t a dumb animal either. Werewolves were smart enough; they just didn’t think like people. Werewolves were smart enough; they just didn’t think like people or want what people wanted. Annie would forget her blistered eyes when she woke up. The wolf wouldn’t. This wouldn’t work again.

Drool splattered on the floor as Annie swung her head around and snorted at the air. Her ears twitched on top of her head, first one way and then back toward Marlow. She took a step forward, down on all fours, so the muscles bulked in her heavy shoulders, and licked the air.

Marlow didn’t try to hold his breath. It just made your heart beat faster, louder, and eventually you’d have to suck in some air. He just kept his breathing slow and steady, his heart rate calm, as he slid backward on his ass.

The stack of boxes at the end of the aisle were old-fashioned scales. $50 a pop. Marlow hoped he wasn’t going to have to pay for damages. He kicked them over on top of Annie. As the wolf reared back in surprise, he used the time the distraction had bought to scramble to his feet.

“There’s a whole city out there, Annie,” he said as he jogged backward ahead of her. “Deer. I heard they released some pigs.”

She crushed the boxes underfoot as he stalked him. Her eyes were gunked with pus, but the glaze of cataracts had faded. When he shifted direction, she turned her head to track him.

One step back.

Another.

Marlow mentally plotted his route through the department. He needed to keep her away from Beth. They might have been friends in the daylight, but the wolf wouldn’t care if she smelled blood.

Suddenly something crashed against the floor on the far side of the store. Three men, backpacks on their shoulders and kitted out in half-assed body armor, kicked over some of the shelves and stitched a spray of bullets down the aisle. The tiles splintered and shattered in divots and chunks until one of the projectiles caught Annie in the shoulder.

She threw her head back and roared in pain as the metal punched through flesh and bone. The next bullet docked her ear, the point shredded off in a spray of bloody hair, and then Annie threw herself out of the way and disappeared into the darkness.

“Idiots,” Marlow snarled. He gestured back the way he’d came—toward Beth—but hopefully, they’d more sense than to indulge a grudge now. “Get out of here.Go.”

One of them shot at him. It missed, punched into the shelves behind him, and then they ran.

Annie snarled, a low, wet sound, and then lunged out of the darkness.

Read the rest of the story on https://bit.ly/2Ojm6jQ!

This novella is set in a new world, and I had a bit of a time trying to understand what a few of the words meant initially (still not sure I understand what a null is 🙂 ) However, it is easy to catch up and figure out where things were headed.

I’m glad to see there is a second book with these MC’s, because I definitely want to know more about Kit and his past. That was piece that was revealed very slowly, in little chunks, and I want to know more!

There’s a bit of a murder mystery that sneaks into a lot of TA Moore’s books, and to give you a heads up there are definitely a few gory details that you might expect along with a murder among werewolves, but it definitely keeps you guessing.

I enjoyed the interactions between Marlow and Cade, but in many ways, I enjoyed their internal conversations with themselves almost as much. They kept trying to talk themselves out of their crush on the other, and it was such a back and forth it made me laugh.

I am looking forward to seeing how these things play out in the next book.

4 pieces of eye candy

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide. As her grandmother always said, ‘she’d laugh at a bad thing that one’, mind you, that was the pot calling the kettle black. TA Moore studied History, Irish mythology, English at University, mostly because she has always loved a good story. She has worked as a journalist, a finance manager, and in the arts sectors before she finally gave in to a lifelong desire to write.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

Website: www.tamoorewrites.com

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

Twitter: @tamoorewrites

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The Last of the Mousakkas: RB, Exclusive Author Guest Post, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

March 10, 2021 by Denise

Max Bergmann is Europe’s hottest drum and bass DJ. From the outside, his life is a whirl of glamorous vodka-fueled parties and casual hook-ups, whilst inside he craves the one thing he can’t have – his Greek childhood friend, Georgios Manolas.

Following a disastrous PR stunt and one drunken hook-up too many, Max realises the time has come to reassess his life choices. Returning to his childhood home on the Greek island of Aegina, if he wants any chance of having Georgios permanently in his life, he has to delve into the mystery of the longstanding hatred of the Bergmann’s by Georgios’s family.

Georgios is a chef and has spent his whole life on the tiny Greek island of Aegina. He has held the family restaurant together since he left school, with very little reward, and dreams of one day running a restaurant of his own on the island. Yet if he acknowledges his feelings for Max, he runs the risk of losing not just his traditional Greek family but also his livelihood.

As Max slowly uncovers the secrets of the past, he is left wondering whether a little Greek girl’s heart-breaking wartime diary could not only hold the key to his family’s history, but could it also unlock his and Georgios’s future together?

The Last of the Moussaka’s is a light-hearted, warm romance about two men’s quest for the truth about the past and unlocking a path to a future together.

Title: The Last of the Moussakas

Author: Fearne Hill

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 03/08/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 74900

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, contemporary, gay, Greek island setting, Greek culture, celebrity Friends to lovers, In-the-closet/coming out, soulmates, humorous, chefs, musician, chef, second cousins, family drama

Amazon

Nine Star Press

Goodreads

Most of this story takes place in Aegina, an island just off the coast of mainland Greece. It’s still largely undiscovered by international tourism – certainly compared to islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, and has maintained its rustic, simple charm.

I have visited the island many times and my inspiration for this book came from coming across frequent reminders, such as the abandoned lookout posts, of its German occupation during WW2. In addition, the decrepit old civic building mentioned in the book does indeed stand on the waterfront and has been for sale for years.

I can’t mention Aegina without mentioning the colours – Greece has shades of blue unlike any blues anywhere else in the world. Secondly, the food. Oh my goodness, the food. Visit Mykonos or Santorini or Corfu, and yeah, you’ll taste some traditional Greek dishes. But travel to Aegina and you’ll never want to eat anywhere else again.

Towards the end of the meal, a tinkling but insistent bell rings from inside the house, and I groan inwardly. I swear that woman can smell visitors. Either that or she has hidden CCTV installed.

“Go and say hello to Noni, Maxi,” says my mother, giving him a tired smile. “She’s been looking forward to your visit.”

We all know that’s a blatant lie, but obediently, Max rises from the table, and I go with him, like a pair of lambs to the slaughter. He’s probably wishing he’d downed a few more glasses of red wine when he had the chance. How can a defenceless wrinkly old woman instil such fear in two grown men?

Noni pretends she hasn’t heard us as we open the door, even though I know full well there is nothing wrong with her hearing. She commandeered the front parlour about twenty years ago and hasn’t budged since. Considering how long she’s lived in this room, she has very little clutter and very few possessions apart from the necessary, such as the commode chair and a low table holding an assortment of medicines and a small fan. There is the huge old telly, of course, permanently switched on, but no photographs and only one book—a tatty old black atlas that is falling apart and that we’ve never been allowed to touch. The hot fug of the room is cloying, a mixture of stale wee and dead flowers. I try to take shallow breaths.

She’s in her usual pose, bundled up under hideous crocheted blankets and propped on a pile of cushions, with the TV remote, a little brass bell, and a jug of water within reach next to the bed. Her thin white hair fans out on the flowery pillow behind her, two bony hands neatly lie across her chest. A grubby tissue pokes out of one of the tiny clenched fists. Max hovers nervously at my shoulder, and not for the first time as I tiptoe over, I wonder whether she’s dead—the frail skin drawn across her face is so chalky, her thin lips so bloodless. Two watery eyes stare sightlessly at the silent episode of Lampsi playing out on the television.

“Noni, it’s me, Georgios,” I say tentatively and will myself to cover one of those clawlike hands with my own.

The suddenness of her gaze jerking in my direction takes me by surprise, and I involuntarily pull my hand away. “I’ve brought Max to say hello. You remember Max, don’t you?”

Painfully, she inches her head in Max’s direction. (There’s not much wrong with her neck either, but from the way she hams it up, you would think her head is about to drop off). Finally, her eyes take in the handsome specimen of masculinity standing at my shoulder. She stares at him coldly for a few uncomfortable seconds before bringing the tissue up to her mouth and spitting into it with elegant disdain.

“I see him” is all she says in a hoarse whisper, but the hand holding the tissue trembles.

“Hello, Noni,” offers Max gamely, shuffling forwards. “How are you? You’re looking well.”

I had no idea he was such a good liar; she looks like she’s been sleeping in a coffin for the last hundred years. One of the claws darts out and seizes him by the wrist, and she pulls him down so that his face is closer to hers, making no attempt to hide a look of intense dislike. “You are more like him every time I see you,” she hisses, not letting him go.

Oh God, not this again.

When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it. I was excited to read a book based in Greece and I love the childhood friends to lovers trope. However, I was not prepared for the history and the crying (not a lot, but enough for a couple tissues). I was very happy though to read this and enjoyed it from beginning to end. I loved the descriptions of the island, the people on it, as well as the history behind the island and the Nazi occupation.

Little spoiler…if you have a trigger warning for suicide you may want to avoid this book (it’s sort of off page, but still could be shocking to some).

That being said it was well written. I loved having two narratives…the main characters as well as a surprise about a quarter of the way into the book. Max and Georgios, the two MC’s, were friends from childhood and their families had bad history dating back generations. Yet, they had always been in love with each other.

It took an event that could have been tragic for Max to finally figure out that what he needed in his life was Georgios.

There isn’t much drama between the two main characters. In fact I was expecting some because Georgios was not out of the closet but that never really materialized. But there was definitely a lot to be said for the history between the two as well as the family. I loved how easy Max and Georgios were with each other once they got past the initial issue of Max saying he was in love with Georgios. They had been in love and just never acted on it. So when they decided to act on it, they just loved each other, as simple as that.

I would definitely recommend this book. I would also recommend having a tissue or two handy for a couple of parts. But in the end a happy ending for the two main characters who found their lives with each other and the place they both wanted to be.

4 pieces of eye candy

Fearne Hill lives deep in the southern British countryside with three untamed sons, varying numbers of hens, a few tortoises, and a beautiful cocker spaniel.

When she is not overseeing her small menagerie, she enjoys writing contemporary romantic fiction. And when she is not doing either of those things, she works as an anaesthesiologist.

Author Links

Website: http://www.fearnehill.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fearne.hill.50/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/FearneHill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fearnehill_author/

Email: fearne.hill@fearnehill.com

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How To Live by Susan Hawke: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

March 8, 2021 by Denise

Take one clueless, spoiled guy with notoriously bad luck…

When Derek Leigh is diagnosed with breast cancer at twenty-four, it’s the final straw in a lifetime of bad luck. If he’s going to die, it’ll be on his terms… with one helluva party that packs a lifetime’s worth of fun into whatever time he has left. To make this happen, Derek blows up his life: dumps the long-term boyfriend in the worst way possible, borrows money he can’t repay from a loan shark, and heads to Atlantic City… where his luck unexpectedly changes, giving him fresh hope.

Add one easygoing tattoo artist with a big, open heart…

Asher Matthews has dealt with a lot in his thirty-five years: he and his twin were born addicted to heroin and abandoned at birth… until Mama Maisie added them to her brood of lost boys. ADHD and dyslexia didn’t keep him from following his dream of opening his own tattoo shop, especially with his family’s support. With all that he’s been given in life, Asher makes a point of giving back where he can.

To equal two men who instantly connect in all the best ways.

Derek is shocked to not only survive his cancer treatment, but to come to the end of it in great health. Too bad he’s blown through all his money, lost his car, and has nowhere to turn. On a whim, he goes for a free tattoo. Asher takes one look at the sexy twink who’s down on his luck and offers him a room, a job, and even better, a friend. If they have a little no-strings fun along the way, it’s fine. It’s not like anyone is looking to fall in love, right?

This 55k novel is the seventh book in the LOVESTRONG series about finding love and being yourself in a small town. Watch out for ridiculous amounts of money won and lost, a butler who takes everything in stride, and a scruffy dog you’ll want to cuddle. This is an mm romance full of all the fun, laughter, and sweet feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book.

Possible trigger for anyone currently fighting cancer or closely related to a breast cancer patient. The book is low angst and the experience is gently handled, but the subject matter is present.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Lovestrong series – Books 1-6

I stepped aside to allow him by, refusing myself the stolen pleasure of letting his body brush against mine. As he leaned in to see, Derek wasn’t shy. But then, neither was Marlena, a trait common among cancer survivors. I guess it was par for the course going through what they had, constantly poked and prodded and denied basic modesty because saving your life was way more important.

She showed him the surgical scars, now hidden by the tattoo. Marlena acknowledged me with a wink, complimenting my skills with both line and shading. I was just glad she liked it and couldn’t wait to see how it looked when it healed and settled in.

While they chatted, I finished cleaning my tools. Marlena left after putting on her shirt and giving me a careful but grateful hug. Derek watched her leave, his expression both stunned and excited.

After the door closed, he snapped out of it, turning to me with those vulnerable eyes again. “Can you really help me? Give me something to make me feel normal again when I’m naked?”

“Absolutely. I can give you anything you want. But first, you need to define normal because it’s relative. I’m liking your style, a little bit fem but with enough masculinity to convince me it’s part of your style but not necessarily how you identify. I only say so because my sibling-in-law is nonbinary, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.”

A sex kitten emerged as he batted his lashes with a sexy little smirk. “Don’t worry, honey. I identify as completely male. There’s no law against dressing up pretty, so I do what I can with what I was given.”

“Yeah, you do.” With a kick of my foot, I pushed off on my rolling stool, wheeling myself back a few feet to my computer and drawing supplies. “Sit down, cutie. Let’s get to know each other some more so I can give you the kind of tattoo you deserve. Can I see the canvas I’ll be working with?”

Biting his lip, he glanced around nervously before nodding almost shyly and immediately pulling the shirt over his head. I rolled over and took a good long look at his chest, design ideas already sparking in my head.

“I can definitely give you something to make you feel good naked. Your scar tissue hasn’t faded as much as I’d like, so it’s hard to say how invasive it might be in the future. But if I tattoo over them today and make them part of the design, you won’t need to worry. The only item of importance is creating a design you can happily live with because you’ll have it forever.”

“Isn’t that kind of the idea?” The haughty tone was back, and damned if it didn’t turn me on. “What kind of design are we talking about? I don’t exactly want to seem like I’m wearing a bra. A sexy lace cami, maybe, but I don’t want to get stuck with a color. How does anyone decide this? It seems too hard.”

Normally, I would want a new client to wait and sleep on it before putting any ink on their body. But in Derek’s case, it seemed urgent for him to find a way to connect with his body again. And if his looks were closely tied to his self-worth, as would be expected in a young, hot guy like this, ink was the obvious answer. Now it was simply a question of picking the right design.

Fortunately, I was good at my job.

“I could do a cami with cutouts displaying three-dimensional nipples incorporated in the design if you want to go with something more common. But if you trust me, I can do something freehand to represent you as a person and be totally unique without feeling like underwear. Stick to getting your clothing at the designer boutiques. Let me give you some artwork you’ll be proud to show off when you get naked.”

Derek’s eyes lit up. “Yessss, I want something unique and totally me, definitely nothing common. Does this face deserve common?”

“Definitely not, but I’m at work, so I’m not going to follow my line of thought.” Winking, I ran my tongue between my lips. “Quit distracting me, cutie. Let’s get the design done first. Once I have a plan and the basic lines put down, you’re welcome to flirt all you want. Do you have anything you absolutely do or do not want?”

He simpered before taking it seriously. “I wouldn’t mind something natural, like flowers or leaves or whatever. As long as these deep slash marks are hidden, I’m good. Wait… I don’t want anything freaky. Nothing scary, no creepy bugs or skulls. This is probably where I should warn you, I suck at making decisions, and giving me too many choices is a bad idea.”

“I hear you. You’re talking to a guy with ADHD. Too many options will have me bouncing off the walls. I can seriously lose entire days waffling if I let myself.” Grabbing an art pad and pencil, I tapped the end of the pencil against the paper while I considered how to proceed. “How about this? You said you want something natural. Close your eyes and give me the first thing that comes to your mind when I ask you these questions. No thinking. I’m seeking gut reactions.”

Derek wiggled his shoulders, giving a little clap. “Sounds fabulous. I’m totally in.” He closed his eyes, lifting his chin expectantly as if waiting for a kiss. As tempting as the idea was, I still had a job to do.

Dammit.

As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I’d care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I’ve found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that’s what I try to bring to every tale I tell.

I’m a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown “kids of my heart.” I’m more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.

Connect with Susan:
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An Echo in the Sorrow (Soulbound #6) by Hailey Turner: Blog Tour, Exclusive Author Interview and Excerpt

March 5, 2021 by Denise

Forgiveness is a hollow prayer you only hear in your dreams.

Patrick Collins has spent years handling cases as a special agent for the Supernatural Operations Agency, even as his secret standing in the preternatural world has changed. He should have confessed to his role as co-leader of the New York City god pack when he and Jonothon de Vere took up the mantle months ago, but he didn’t. Now that split loyalty will cost him at a time when he can least afford it.

Outmaneuvered, framed for murder, and targeted by the Dominion Sect, Patrick has to face a past full of lies to regain his freedom. Revealing the truth means he’ll need to give up the life that has defined him. Everything he’s fought to build with his pack is at stake, and losing them isn’t a price Patrick is willing to pay, but some choices aren’t his to make.

Jono knows they can’t cede any more territory if they want to win the god pack civil war spilling into the streets of New York City. But the souls of werecreatures are free for the taking when demons come to town and angels sing a warning no one can ignore. When Jono’s worst fear comes to life, and he loses the one person he can’t live without, the only option left is to fight.

Facing down the demons of their past and the ones in their present, Patrick and Jono will learn the hard way that some sins never wash away clean.

An Echo in the Sorrow is a 118k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot. It is a direct sequel to On the Wings of War. Reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.

Title and cover: An Echo in the Sorrow

Series: Soulbound 6

Publisher: Self-published

Release Date (Print & Ebook/Audio): March 1, 2021

Length (Print & Ebook/Audio): 117,943 words

Subgenre: LGBTQ Urban Fantasy

Warnings: None

Cover artist: AngstyG LLC

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Mini-interview with Hailey Turner:

Author Hailey Turner is back with book 6 in the Soulbound series, An Echo in the Sorrow! To celebrate the release, she’s joining Two Chicks Obsessed to talk: writing a series, her favorite book she’s written, and the future of the series. Welcome, Hailey!

Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?

For me, the later books are the hardest to write. Trying to keep the momentum going without repeating myself or making things boring can be tough in a long series.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve written 15 books so far. A Ferry of Bones & Gold is my favorite, because it was the start of my Soulbound adventure.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I give myself a set number of words to meet each day. On weekdays I write in the morning and evening around my day job. On Weekends, I write until I hit that number and then take the rest of the day off.

What is the future for the characters? Will there be a sequel?

An Echo in the Sorrow is the sixth book in the Soulbound series, and there’s one more book left. I’m both looking forward and dreading writing the end.

“The only way to win is to take them out completely. That’s going to be a costly fight in terms of blood and territory,” Jono said.

“What about our alliances?” Wade asked.

Jono shook his head. “Their assistance in maintaining our borders is helpful, but we need to be the ones to push Estelle and Youssef out. This is our fight.”

“What about going the direct route and meeting them in the challenge ring?” Marek asked.

“I wouldn’t trust any fight that happens in that place,” Amelia said flatly.

Other people in the crowd echoed her statement. Patrick had never been to the challenge ring located beneath the god pack home in Hamilton Heights. The underground space was familiar to everyone else from the times all the alphas had been summoned to meetings. He’d seen the aftermath of fights held in other challenge rings to know they were bloody spaces. He agreed with Amelia though—no fight held in a space controlled by Estelle and Youssef could be handled fairly.

“I’m not sure how much help the fae will be able to provide right now. Tiarnán was summoned to Tír na nÓg today on an emergency basis. He’s been our liaison for the fae, and I don’t know when he’ll return,” Sage said.

Patrick shrugged. “His absence shouldn’t affect the alliance. We—”

A loud explosion in the bar above cut him off, magic crashing against the wards embedded in Tempest’s walls. They flashed fire bright for a split second, nearly blinding Patrick. Before the glow faded, Patrick was on his feet and racing for the stairs, Jono right on his heels. The crowd of alphas peeled away from his headlong rush forward, giving them both space.

Hailey Turner is a big city girl who spoils her cats rotten and has a demanding day job that she loves, but not as much as she loves writing. She’s been writing since she was a young child and enjoys reading almost as much as creating a new story.

Connect with Hailey Turner:

Newsletter: You can keep up with Hailey’s future projects by joining her newsletter, where you can instantly download several free short stories: http://bit.ly/HaileyTurnerNews

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Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014824811406

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16473068.Hailey_Turner

Website: www.haileyturner.com

Blood On Tap by Riley Long: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

March 3, 2021 by Denise

Drew
What’s a retired rockstar vamp to do in a quaint, quiet English town?
Buy the only pub, make it a vampire haven, and flirt incessantly with my one and only employee, of course.

Nova
I hate everything about my new boss.
His face. His arrogant smile.
The way he acts like he knows everything.
I hate him so much I just want to… kiss him? What the hell?

Riley Long on Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Drew:

I shouldn’t have been surprised by his presence in such a vampire-heavy town, but a vampire serving humans was unusual to my eyes. Seeing an apex predator doing something so mundane struck me as odd. I made my way to the bar and slid onto a stool, the vinyl cracked and fraying.

“Hi there,” I murmured, my voice low. I smiled at the tall, blond bartender, whose wavy hair would have reached his shoulders if it hadn’t been tied back. He looked very much like he could have come out of a picture book about Viking times, except he wore a snug-fitting t-shirt with Blood Money’s logo emblazoned on it, and jeans that perfectly cupped his very firm ass.

“What can I—?” He ended abruptly and tilted his head to the side. His eyes narrowed as he took me in, and I ran a hand through my damp, close-cropped hair. When he spoke again, his tone was cold, closed off, and his expression was carefully neutral. “Are you—?” he shook his head. “Can I help you?”

“You work here?” I knew it was a stupid question. He was behind the bar, of course he worked there, but I couldn’t help asking. I couldn’t wrap my mind around a vampire serving humans willingly.

He nodded. “And I’m busy.” He grabbed empty glasses off the bar top and put them in a tray, then grabbed a rag and began to wipe the bar down.

“Oh, yeah, totally. I can tell.” There were no patrons asking for his attention at that moment and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

“I’ve never seen you around here.”

I laughed a little. “Don’t worry, Tex, I’m not looking to steal your territory.”

He shook his head. “No territory to steal. It’s not like that around here.”

“Then what’s it like?” I leaned forward and slid my fangs out with a smile. I wanted him to see I meant no harm.

He dropped his voice to a hiss, leaning in close. “Put your fangs away, for fuck’s sake. Nobody needs to see that.”

Riley Long is a wife and mother living a quiet life in Virginia, with her husband, son, and one goofy pit bull. She passes her evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television). For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs. She likes things with silly acronyms. The craziest thing Riley has ever done involves whipped cream and hugs. Riley writes sweet and sexy romance, with a special place in her heart for hipsters and musicians.

Connect with Riley:
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/riley-long
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