TCO Exclusives

Ryder’s Guardian (Maiden Voyage, Book 1) by Ann Lister & TL Travis: Exclusive Excerpt and Release Day Review

May 20, 2020 by Denise

For Maiden Voyage guitarist, Ryder Hampton, life is great. He and his bandmates are embarking upon an epic European double headlining tour with their friends from Social Sinners with the band Embrace the Fear opening for them.

Since joining Maiden Voyage in his twenties, Ryder’s life has been a whirlwind of the cliched, “Sex, drugs and monumental doses of Rock ‘n Roll. And he’s loved every minute of it from the sold out shows to the revolving door of bed partners.

Max Hightower has always been a team player. Whether it was working with his team in the Marines or now with the private security company, Ventura Security. These days, his job was to have the backs of a band of musicians. One band member in particular he’d allowed to get too close and now emotions were involved.

Ryder Hampton had left his mark on Max’s closed-off heart and now Max’s job was in jeopardy. Falling for your principal wasn’t safe – nor smart. Neither was missing the mark on protecting him and now Max was guilty of both. The security detail he’d begged his boss for had turned out to be the one that could ruin him and shatter his heart too. Max couldn’t allow either option to happen.

Maiden Voyage series must be read in order as each book starts where the last one ended but is from another band members point of view:

1 – Ryder’s Guardian
2 – Derek’s Destiny
3 – Jaxson’s Nemesis
4 – Shadow’s Light

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Max

I didn’t dare glance around the plane to see who really was sleeping or who could even be hearing our conversation. The risk I was taking by just allowing his hand to be on my neck was huge, but I couldn’t help but fall. When I felt the gentle tug of his hand, I willingly fell into him. My head rolled on the back of the seat and Ryder drew himself in closer to me. Our foreheads touched first and he closed his eyes. A soft hum came from his lips right before his face slanted and our lips brushed. I arched into the contact and Ryder’s other hand latched onto my neck. His grip was firm around my throat, and as his mouth opened to take mine, I felt a rush of his warm breath bathe my face.

I let him lead this dance. I parted my lips and waited for the first subtle flick of his tongue as it reached for mine and then stroked down the side. The touch went straight to my balls and my body exploded into flames. I couldn’t keep my hands to myself another second. I quickly buried my fingers into his gorgeous hair and skimmed them across his scalp. His breath hitched when I fisted his hair around my fingers and tugged.

Ryder bit my bottom lip then and pulled it away from my teeth and I wanted to lay him out flat on his back to climb on top, but now wasn’t the time. This was just a kiss – the real kiss Ryder wanted me to experience, and nothing more. We ate at each other’s mouths for long minutes until Ryder finally pulled away panting for breath.

“That was nothing like the kiss you gave me in Memphis,” I admitted.

“Maybe you’ll remember it this time,” Ryder said and relaxed into his seat by the window.

I was a big fan of Ann Lister’s series The Rock Gods. Then it moved into Guarding the Gods and I lost interest.

This being a new series- with a co-author- I figured I was all in. I wanted to be all in. But, really, it was kind of boring.

Firstly, I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Ryder and Max. It was also mentioned at the end of chapter 1 that they had a quick and dirty one off “after a show in Memphis” but it is never mentioned again. Or it is a timeline issue. Whichever, it messed me up. I kept waiting for one of them to say something to the other about it.

And yes, technically this a new series, but there are obviously things from previous books that come up.

So much of the book is should I or shouldn’t I? I want to but I can’t. Max not wanting to lose his job as a body guard, Ryder taunting him. Then Max’s job is seriously on the line, but they continue on the down low. Really? On the down low with 3 different band members and all of their bodyguards? But don’t worry, soon enough it is all blown off. Everyone knows and there are no repercussions.

Finally, the stalker situation. Which isn’t even a situation until BAM! it is. No lead up, no suspense, nothing.

But wait! There’s more! I won’t spoiler it, but there is some eye rolling for me.

Sorry, not sorry, this is a hard pass for me. Time for a new trope.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

About Ann:

Ann Lister is a native New Englander currently living in Florida with her husband. She has pulled details from her years living in the New England area and uses many local settings and landmarks in her novels.

After graduating art school, marrying, and raising two daughters, she established her own video production company. Her nearly two decades working in video production included work within the music industry and won her a coveted Telly Award. Her ‘behind-the-scenes’ exposure to the music world and her love of rock music is the inspiration for her erotic rock star romances.

Her rock star romance, “Fall For Me”, Book One in The Rock Gods series, was a Finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Award and Book Three, Make You Mine, established her as an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. Her stories focus on what it truly means to love; love unconditionally, love without restrictions or labels, love without fear or judgment – to just simply love.

Connect with Ann:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnListerAuthor
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/AuthorAnnLister
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ann.macconnelllister
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/519355.Ann_Lister
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ann-lister
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1673855842830676/?ref=br_rs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annlisterrockgods/

About TL:

TL Travis is the published author of a plethora of LGBTQ+ Erotica and Erotic Romance musings that have earned her a “Best Selling Author” status in the US as well as Internationally. In her spare time, when she’s not weaving erotic webs, she enjoys fishing, wine tasting and people watching. Everyone has a story to tell, what would yours be? She’s rescued 4-legged souls in need for as long as she can remember, and would like to remind you to “Adopt, not shop.” Saving that lost soul may very well save yours too.

Connect with TL:

Email: tltravis@tltravis.com
Website: https://www.tltravis.com
Facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/564495144110192/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/542769633091806/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/205466893712821/
Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/tltravis1
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tltravis
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tltravis
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomtltravis
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tl1474
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TLTravis1
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tl-travis
Authorgraph: www.authorgraph.com/authors/tltravis1
All Author: https://www.allauthor.com/profile/tltravis/
Love Romance Reads: https://www.loveromancereads.com/tltravis
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMT5I_lqTH3s0_tYofEgtA

BTW: By The Way (After Oscar Book 3) by Lucy Lennox and Molly Maddox: Exclusive Excerpt, RDB and Giveaway

May 12, 2020 by Denise

James:
My assignment is simple: go to the Cape and seal the real estate deal for my most important client. No problem. I’m good at my job, I know how to close a sale, and this time won’t be any different.

Until I meet Sawyer, the sexy young bartender I accidentally kiss in the broom closet. Turns out, he’s one of the owners I’m here to negotiate with.

Okay, so that complicates things. As does the fact that he doesn’t want to sell. Or that we can’t keep our hands off each other despite being on opposite sides. And most of all… that I might be falling for him even though I know better. I’ve made the mistake of falling for a younger man before and I won’t do it again.

Sawyer:
For me, family is everything, and nothing represents ours more than the Sea Sprite, the motel that’s been in my family for eighty years. Sure, others (cough*James*cough) may describe it as rundown or derelict or in desperate need of a wrecking ball. But I call it our legacy.

I’ve got plans — big plans to renovate the motel back to its vintage glory. The only thing standing in my way is James Allen, the fancy-shmancy lawyer from New York with his adorable smile, jaw dropping assets, and his client’s millions of dollars.

James seems hellbent on destroying my future.
But maybe there’s a way for us to build a new one together…

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Even as mad as I was at the man, I still wanted him. Which made me even angrier.

“You lied to me,” I hissed.

“I didn’t lie,” he said.

I started to argue, but he held up a hand. “But I wasn’t honest with you either. I’m sorry.”

The fact that he’d admitted that point took a little bit of the wind out of my sails. I opened my mouth to respond, but I didn’t know what to say. I’d come out here prepared for a fight, and here he was capitulating. “What the hell?” I asked, letting out a loud breath and dropping onto one of the wooden benches overlooking the wide strip of lawn leading to the dunes. The sea was calm today, which didn’t match my mood in the least.

I passed a hand down my face, trying to collect myself and rein in my rage. “Were you specifically keeping it from me in hopes of—”

“No!” He cut me off as if he didn’t want to hear me ask if he’d been using me. He sat next to me, close enough that I could feel his nearness, but far enough away that we weren’t quite touching. “I’m sorry, I… I just…” James’s eyes bounced from me to the green-blue waves in the distance and back. “I’m sorry.” He looked down at his clasped hands in his lap for a moment before chuckling softly and meeting my eyes.

There was an intensity in the way that he looked at me, as if I was the only thing that existed in the world at that moment. “I didn’t know who you were until you said your name at the end. I… I wasn’t expecting you.”

I let out a breath. While the sea was calm, my heart was anything but. It felt like the current was picking up, causing little breakers to crash here and there in my chest. Talk about unexpected.

And I almost fell for it. Almost let myself lean forward, drawn by those eyes and the smell of him that cut through the briny ocean breeze. Something warm and woodsy and inviting.

But he wasn’t here to flirt with me or fall prey to my seduction fantasies, I reminded myself. He was here to rip my family’s legacy out from under me. I didn’t have much time to change my uncles’ minds. There wasn’t a moment to spare, and I sure as hell couldn’t let this lawyer distract me.

I cleared my throat and stood, putting distance between us. Because otherwise I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from reaching for him. From running my fingers up the column of his throat and into his hair and pulling him closer until I could feel his ragged breaths against my lips and—

I took a step back. Then another. Shoved my hands into my pockets for good measure. “Um, same. So… I’ve gotta…” I looked around, desperate to come up with an excuse. I had a million chores on my day’s to-do list, and at the moment I couldn’t think of a single one. “A thing. That I have to do. Now. So… See ya.”

James called out for me, but I straight-up pretended like I didn’t hear him and bolted for the parking lot. It wasn’t until I was in my jeep and halfway to town before I realized that all of my stuff was still back at the inn. I slammed my hand on the steering wheel before turning onto Skaket Way and pulling to the side of the gravelly road. I leaned my forehead onto the steering wheel and blew out a trembling breath.

Focus.

About Lucy:

After enjoying creative writing as a child, Lucy didn’t write her first novel until she was over 40 years old. Her debut novel, Borrowing Blue, was published in the autumn of 2016. Lucy has an English Literature degree from Vanderbilt University, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the years and years of staying up all night reading tantalizing novels on her own. She has three children, plays tennis, and hates folding laundry. While her husband is no shmoopy romance hero, he is very good at math, cooks a mean lasagne, has gorgeous eyes, looks hot in his business clothes, and makes her laugh every single day.

Lucy hopes you enjoy sexy heroes as much as she does. Happy reading!

About Molly:

Molly Maddox is the pen name for a New York Times bestselling author who started writing at an early age because her older sister, Lucy Lennox, was a writer and Molly wanted to be like Lucy in all ways (she still does). When she’s not writing, Molly likes to cook, read, take pictures of her dog and cat cuddling, and finds an odd satisfaction in folding sheets so that the top sheet is indistinguishable from the bottom sheet.

She loves all things romance and is grateful every day she gets to write for a living.

Connect with Molly:
Facebook
Website
Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub

To celebrate Lucy & Molly’s release, we are giving away 3 eBooks copies of BTW

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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The Deeper You Go (Heartbelt Records Book 1) by Logan Grey: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

May 7, 2020 by Denise

Travis Cherry’s record label disowned him in almost every way, shape, and form when he was outed in the media.
The thing that sucked?

He still owed them an entire album. But that didn’t meant he’d make it easy on them.
They were the reason he was there, in that nightclub—the gay nightclub— shaking his ass and making a complete fool of himself.
They were also the reason he met Bailey.
And this is their story.

Amazon

Goodreads

It seemed so fucking real, Travis groaned and shifted closer, placing one palm against the side of his head to hold him still. But then it all flipped, and Travis was staring up at Bay, and he was the one being held in place as Bay lowered his head. Travis tipped his head up and parted his lips as they kissed, their mouths slotting together in a messy, eager pairing.

Greedy for whatever happened, Travis palmed his shoulders, all his smooth, hard muscle moving like waves beneath his warm skin. Trailing his hands down his sides, Travis gripped his waist and ground up into him at the same time he ground down. Sweet friction. Their matching groans were lost in the kiss, and Travis opened his mouth more, making room to deepen the kiss. Their tongues twined, and as they gasped for air between kisses, Travis trailed his hand around to the front of Bay’s jeans to unbutton them. He teased his fingers just inside the waistband, his heart pounding as he prepared himself for whatever came next. Whatever it was, he wanted it. He wanted Bay.

Bay lifted his head and stared down at him, and they shared a glance that said a thousand words without either of them parting their lips for anything other than a breath.

Travis gripped the waistband of his jeans and shimmied them down his hips. Bay’s skin was hot to the touch as he slowly skimmed his fingers along his abs, and then lower, until he could wrap his fingers tight around his hard—

Travis jerked awake, blinking into the darkness of his room, papers rustling under him as he sat up.

“God dammit,” he cursed. Dream.

If only he could go right back to sleep and pick up where that damned dream had left off.

With a sigh, he collapsed back into the pillows and laid his arm over his face. His cock throbbed beneath his sweats, and he shuffled to adjust himself. Running a palm over his face, he grunted in annoyance.

Well, shit. Travis guessed he’d finally found his muse.

A new to me author. But I am a sucker for rock stars. I don’t know why. Maybe it goes back to my crush on John Taylor from Duran Duran. Or Jon Bon Jovi. Whatever it is, rock stars are yummy.

We start off with the cliche paparazzi pics outing the main character Travis. But since he is in contract for another album, he does everything he can to get the label to fire him. Effective. But this whole beginning part was kind of meh for me. I plodded on.

So the record label fires him, he fires his agent, he only has one real friend (who also isn’t in the business), so he plans to hide out in a small town near where he played one of his favorite shows.

Off to Pennsylvania he goes! Kind of funny because I don’t recall the book saying Pennsylvania until toward the end. Before that, the area is made out to be the frozen tundra of Montana or something. It’s referred to as “up here” and “up north” and apparently snow lasts until April or May. Ok then.

His alone time is thwarted a bit by the owner of the B&B who is playing matchmaker with her son. The son who had a serious crush on Travis when he was 16. Now he is 21 and basically living in the same house.

There’s a decent story there with Travis helping Bailey out with the music class he runs at an LGBT+ center. They obviously grow closer as two young gay men in close proximity are wont to do.

Bailey had a bit of martyr syndrome with insisting he stay in the small town to help his mother run the B&B instead of pursuing the music career he longs for. But he isn’t a jerk about it. He just kind of accepts it as his lot in life.

There is a small sub plot of an ex coming back, but that was pretty much a mess and did nothing except exposing where Travis was holed up. He pops up again at the end of the story (fodder for another book?) but again, it was pretty sloppy.

The book ends with a cliff hanger, so if that isn’t your cup of tea, you’ve been warned. If the second book lands in my lap, I will read it. But I don;t know that I will seek it out.

3 pieces of eye candy

Logan resides in Tennessee, convinced her southern twang is part of her charm. With two cats and a dog, her hands are full, and not just of treats like her pets would like to believe. As a full time author, she dedicates all of her time bringing to life different characters and developing new worlds for her readers to lose themselves in. And more often than not, she loses herself in them, which is her favorite place to be: with a cat in her lap, a snack in hand, and voices in her head.

Connect with Logan:
Newsletter Sign Up: https://mailchi.mp/4f317aa57804/logangreynewsletter
Website: https://lanakoleauthor.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lanakoleauthor
Facebook: https://facebook.com/lanakole.75
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lanakoleauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/84269897

To celebrate Logan’s new release, we are giving you a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card

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My Whole World by Davidson King: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

May 5, 2020 by Denise

I’m so excited today to have Davidson King here to talk about her newest release, My Whole World. A “sort of” spin-off of her very popular Haven Hart series, as she explains below. She also brought along a sweet little giveaway, so make sure you enter the rafflecopter at the bottom. Leave a comment for Davidson, let her know your thoughts on her series, and her “sort of” spin-off.

Atlas Durand’s whole world is built from the spoils of his past. Joker’s Sin is the most popular gay club in all of Haven Hart. Many clubs have come and gone, none able to compete with Atlas and his enigmatic power over his patrons. He would do anything to keep it thriving and anyone who stands in his way will be met with serious regrets.

Toby St. Claire hates working at Vick’s Tricks and longs for his nights off so he can go to Joker’s Sin. Like everyone who steps foot into Atlas’s club, he’s taken by the owner himself and the magical pulse that owns him when he’s there. Joker’s Sin is Toby’s escape from his life and Atlas is his dream come true.

When Toby’s boss realizes he can use Toby to help take down Joker’s Sin and make Vick’s Tricks the club to beat in Haven Hart, it turns everything upside down. Lies, deceit, and corruption threaten to tear Atlas and Toby apart. Is their love strong enough to survive it all or will they become victims of mayhem?

My Whole World

Joker’s Sin Book One

Davidson King

M/M Romance

Release Date: 04.20.20

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Thank you so much for allowing me to be here to promote my new book My Whole World, Joker’s Sin Book One. I’m here today to ask a burning question I keep getting asked: Is Joker’s Sin a spinoff?

Obviously if you’ve read the synopsis for My Whole World you can see it takes place in Haven Hart. And you may or may not be familiar with my last series “Haven Hart” It is a seven-book flowing story arc. I get asked if it’s a spinoff and if they need to read Haven Hart series first and I want to answer these questions in this post here.

Is it a spinoff? Yes and no. LOL. Let me explain. Yes, in that it’s in the same universe so you’ll see places like the coffee shop, restaurants, or other places mentioned. But Joker’s Sin stands on it’s own, away from the Haven Hart Series.

Do I need to read Haven Hart First? No. Not even a little bit. Sure, there are Easter eggs in the stories like a place someone who read the HH series might recognize, but you can successfully read the entire Joker’s Sin series having never opened a HH book.

Why did I do this? Well, like I said before, HH was a large story arc. It spanned over seven books. Those characters, while amazing and will always be loved, had their stories told. The guys of Joker’s Sin live in a different world from those other characters. It’s their time to shine all on their own.

So, yes, it’s a spinoff but you don’t have to have read the Haven Hart books.

I couldn’t do this. I mean, I wanted Atlas to finally notice me, but not like this. There was a reason I only sat at the bar when I came here. I. Couldn’t. Dance. Not like the music intended, anyway.

“Shake it, sister,” Sparkles said to me as he took my hand and tried his hardest to get me to move.

“I can’t dance.”

Sparkles’s eyes widened. “But…” He looked around; everyone was watching Sparkles and me not dancing. “That’s what you do here.”

“Move it, boys,” DJ Edge’s voice rang out. I saw Lance and the others dancing like their lives depended on it. One took to the pole and another to the cage.

“Leave me, save yourself,” I urged Sparkles.

“I never leave a man behind.” He winked and I watched as he grabbed the chair Lance was about to sit on and dragged it over to me. “Sit.”

I did as I was told because I was terrified and everyone was watching, even Atlas. He crouched down over by Max, and they were talking.

“Let’s do this, tin man. I’ll get you oiled up.” And Sparkles straddled my lap. “Grab my ass.” I did exactly as I was told; I sat there while Sparkles danced on my lap. He was like liquid as he slid to the floor, climbed up, and wow, he was really rubbing himself on me. “Touch me,” he said. When I glided my hands along his waist, over sequins and rhinestones, I felt so alive. The crowd was cheering, and Atlas only had eyes for us.

Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.

When she’s not writing you can find her blogging away on Diverse Reader, her review and promotional site. She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.

If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/davidsonkingauthor

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Lucien: A Dark Mafia Romance (The Marchesi Family Book 1) by Silvia Violet: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

April 29, 2020 by Denise

I never imagined the protector I longed for would be a mob boss who demanded complete control.
I shouldn’t have gone to Lucien’s office.
Once I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t leave.
He commanded me to kneel.
Beg.
Obey.
I couldn’t help myself.
One taste, and I craved more.
Lucien vowed to protect me from his enemies…
But who’s going to protect my heart from him?

This MM mafia romance is the first book in the Marchesi Family series.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Yeah. You’re all danger and power, and you fit so well here, among all this.” He gestured around, indicating the balcony and my room.

If he thought this house was extravagant, I couldn’t wait until I could take him to our house in Weston. “There’s no point in doing what we do if you’re not going to enjoy the spoils.”

“I guess not, but there’s always someone wanting to kill you, isn’t there?”

“Or kill my family or take everything I’ve worked for or all of the above.” I took another long pull on the cigar and blew out the smoke.

“And it’s still worth it?”

“You name anything you want, and I’ll get it for you.”

“I want to know you’re safe.”

I shook my head. “You know that’s not what I mean. No one, not even a nondescript accountant who’s never done anything more criminal than drive sixty in a fifty-five can promise you nothing will happen to them. Any of us could get hit by a car tomorrow.”

Peter scowled at me, and I smiled. I loved that he wanted to protect me too. “If you don’t tell me what you want, I’ll just keep buying you gifts until I find something that wows you.”

“You think I’m not wowed by everything you’ve done. I’m sure this robe cost more than the nicest outfit I’ve ever owned. I’ve never had clothes like the ones you gave me, and my bedroom here is about the size of my whole apartment. But I… I don’t need those things.”

“I want you to have them.”

Peter sighed. I know and… thank you.”

I nodded. “Better. And I will keep giving you gifts because I want to.” And it’s a way I can show you what I might not ever be able to say.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I enjoy suspending reality for things like the mob, and people getting murdered because of some wrong done by them. What I didn’t really like is how quickly Peter literally kneeled for Lucien. And totally accepted it, even though he had never done anything like that before. Lucien didn’t take the time to explain anything. Just “I own you now”. Uh, ok.

The blurb doesn’t SAY BDSM, but you would assume that. If you did, you assumed wrong. It was less BDSM and more Lucien is a control freak. Ok, fine. But with that, Peter just seemed like a wet noodle.

Peter. Poor Peter. His parents died, he works as a temp, and one of his cousins skirts the wrong edge of the law. But he has his uncle, who raised him after his parents died and still looks out for him. Although maybe not very well if he doesn’t realize that Peter moved out of his crappy apartment and in with Lucien like IMMEDIATELY.

The mob stuff was kind of twisty turny and fun to read. I wanted to smack Devil more than once (a cousin and underling of Lucien the boss). But the main focus was heavily on Lucien and Peter and their relationship. Such as it was.

Ok, no, I didn’t love it. I rolled my eyes a few times. It was still fun and readable. And yes, I probably, definitely, will read the next installment. Especially since it moves to a new couple and doesn’t continue the Lucien show.

3 Pieces of Candy

Silvia writes erotic romance in a variety of genres including contemporary, paranormal, and historical. She can often be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to. When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinful chocolate treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading children’s books to her wickedly smart offspring.

You can email Silvia at silviaviolet@gmail.com

Silvia enjoys chatting with fans in her Facebook group, Silvia’s Salon and on her Facebook timeline: http://facebook.com/silvia.violet.

For a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, simply follow @Silvia.Violet on Instagram & Comment on any of the host photos lists here with the hashtag #Lucien.
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Instagram Account for Gay Romance Reviews

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A Vigil in the Mourning (Soulbound IV) by Hailey Turner: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

April 6, 2020 by Denise

I’m so incredibly excited to have Hailey Turner here today to give us a little bit extra about her newest release in the Soulbound series, A Vigil in the Mourning. As you will see below, I absolutely love this series (I try to contain my enthusiasm online, so Hailey doesn’t get creeped out, but I might stalk her IG a little bit, because she is also a huge cat lover like me :)) Anyway, when I asked for a guest post from Hailey I knew it had to be on her worldbuilding, which is so amazing, so well done, you can see these things that you’ve never seen, and understand what they are there for. I can’t think of any other authors who create worlds as well as she does! Anyway, check out her guest post on it, as well as the excerpt and a giveaway at the end!

The devil you know is never the one you should trust.

Special Agent Patrick Collins is dispatched to Chicago, chasing a lead on the Morrígan’s staff for the joint task force. Needing a cover for his presence in the Windy City, Patrick is ordered to investigate a politician running for mayor. In the lead up to election day, not everything is what it seems in a city where playing to win means appeasing the gods first and the electorate second.

But Chicago brings its own set of problems outside the case: a stand-offish local god pack, a missing immortal, and Patrick’s twin sister. Fighting Hannah and the Dominion Sect provides Patrick with a sinister reminder that some blood ties can never be cut.

Left behind in New York City, Jonothon de Vere finds himself targeted by hunters who will go through anyone to kill him—including the packs under his protection. With a bounty on his head, Jono is forced to make a choice that Patrick would never approve of. Doing so risks breaking the trust he’s built with the man he loves, but not acting will give the rival New York City god pack leverage Jono can’t afford to give up.

When Patrick and Jono reunite in Chicago, Patrick must confront the fraying of a relationship he’s come to rely on for his own sanity. But fixing their personal problems will have to wait—because Niflheim is clawing at the shores of Lake Michigan and the dead are hungry.

A Vigil in the Mourning is a 102k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot and a HFN ending. It is a direct sequel to A Crown of Iron & Silver. Reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.

A Vigil in the Mourning by Hailey Turner

Series: Soulbound IV

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date (Print & Ebook): April 6, 2020

Length (Print & Ebook): 102,951

Subgenre: LGBTQ Urban Fantasy

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Worldbuilding – Constraints and Freedom

If you read any of my books, I think it’s pretty obvious that I am fanatic in my love of worldbuilding. In science fiction and fantasy, you need a good foundation to build on if you want your story to thrive.

The fun thing about writing in SFF is that you can do anything—so long as that anything works within the rules you’ve built your world on. Which is a lot harder than it sounds, especially if you’re writing a long series that requires a lot of details, many of which may never make it on page. If they do, it might only be a throwaway line. But you, the writer, will know them, know what rule they help support, and that helps guide the worldbuilding.

When writing, the best way to build a world is to do it organically. Which means your most favorite world fact you created might never see the light of day. I have pages of notes on the science behind the werevirus or genes that carry magic in my series, but I’m never going to drop that long explanation into a book for fear of messing up the pacing and boring a reader.

With worldbuilding, you have a lot of freedom, but I personally believe that doesn’t equate to free rein. You want the world your characters exist in to be believable in a fantastical way for a reader, but actions within the world will still have consequences. Take Patrick and Jono. In my Soulbound world, messing with a person’s soul is a capital offense in the United States. Patrick accidentally tied their souls together, and that’s a crime they have to hide. I need to write the story around that law and the consequences of Patrick’s actions. Sometimes it’s not easy, but I still find it fun.

When you write a long series, you get to flesh out the world more, which I love. Maybe you get to introduce a new country, or a new world, maybe a new moment of first contact. As a writer, figuring out your world and how it works is a labor of love, but readers will always appreciate everything you know, even if they never read all of the pillars that help prop up your story.

“Where are you?” Patrick said when Wade picked up.

“Uh, why? Are you in trouble?” Wade asked.

“Not yet, but I’m being followed.”

“Werecreatures? I saw a couple this morning before I lost them.”

Patrick scowled and drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. “And you didn’t think you should go back to the hotel once you identified them?”

Wade snorted. “The hotel doesn’t have good snacks. I’m at Target getting better ones.”

“Of course you are.”

“It’s not like I can’t tell what they are, and I’m good at ditching people in a crowd. I’m not being followed right now. Trust me, I’d know if I was.”

“Get back to the hotel, Wade.”

“After I get snacks. And maybe another hot dog.”

“Wade.”

“Food first, fight later, bye.”

Wade ended the call, and Patrick swore. “Fucking teenagers.”

Okay, I am going to admit that I only started this series a few months back. I started listening to it on Audible, because I was like “well, I don’t read this stuff…” blah blah, whatever cr*p I told myself. I then got sucked in COMPLETELY!!! And after I finished this series, I moved over to Hailey’s Metahuman series, which is also fantastic. After all that, I figured I better stop trying to tell myself “I don’t read paranormal”. 🙂 This is a fantastic series, and I was totally on board with reading this ASAP. (And yes, I will be grabbing the Audible as soon as I see it drop.)

One of my favorite things about this series is Patrick, and his absolutely snarky, don’t give an f* attitude. Meanwhile Jono is the calming influence in their family, aka pack. Also, Wade and his food adventures never fail to crack me up. However, it is also just the way they all work together so well, after Patrick had years of working alone. They all just fit right.

I don’t want to give anything away, because if you love this series as much as I do, you are going to want to experience all the twists and turns. Just know you see those we have seen before in all their evil glory, some we haven’t seen much of before (think gods), and Patrick and Jono should never be allowed to be apart from each other ever again. lol They work so well together, and I loved how when they were apart, everyone kept asking Jono where Patrick was, even the people they hate. They just know they are made for each other. 🙂

Enjoy this one. I know I did…but please, please, please make sure you read books I-III first. You could read this as a stand alone if you really wanted…but you will enjoy it so much more if you have the background. Besides, you will want to just to enjoy the worldbuilding that is so much Hailey Turner’s specialty.

4 pieces of eye candy

Hailey Turner is 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.

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