TCO Exclusives

Yes, Chef by T. Neilson: Exclusive Guest Post and Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

April 2, 2019 by Denise

TCO is excited to have T. Neilson stop by today, bringing everyone a guest post, excerpt and giveaway from Dreamspinner Press’ newest release, Yes, Chef. I love the excerpt, especially the ending! Make sure to leave a comment at the end to enter the giveaway.

A savory slice of first love.

Simon’s dad died when he was young, leaving Simon to take the reins of the family restaurant business—and the responsibility for his mother and brothers. His commitment to his duty left Simon time for little else, least of all romance.

Argentinian celebrity chef Luke Ferreya has wanted Simon since their culinary-school days, but for Simon, family always came first. Now Luke’s back in Simon’s life—briefly before he returns to South America—and he’s determined to give Simon a sample of everything he’s missed out on.

Simon’s brothers are grown, and his mother is doing fine on her own, and Luke is offering a second chance for a future full of the pleasures of fine food, wine, and especially love. Without his obligations to hide behind, can Simon finally allow himself to say “Yes, Chef”?

Title: Yes, Chef
Series: Amuse Bouche: Book Two
Author: T. Neilson
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Category: Contemporary, Dreamspun Desires
Pages: 193

Amazon

Dreamspinner

Kobo

If you can’t handle the heat…

Well, Simon never could handle the heat, which was exactly why he got out of the kitchen. He’s a much better restaurant manager than a chef. At least, that’s what he’s been telling himself. He was never really chef material. Not like his friend Luke. Luke with a natural ability with flavors, with great knife skills…. and an exceptional ass. But that was more than ten years ago, and anyway, Simon ran away to work the family restaurant at Lake Balmoral, Middle of Nowhere USA. It seemed so much easier than figuring out why Simon did what he did the last time he saw Luke.

As for Luke, he’s had about as much of the kitchen as he can stand. Burnt out after earning two Michelin stars, Luke is ready to leave the culinary world behind, and his family’s ranch in Argentina is singing a siren song. There’s just one thing he wants to do before he leaves forever, and that’s find out if an old culinary school friend could, after all this time, be something more.

Now Simon Love, a man too busy to have his own place let alone go on a date, suddenly finds himself back where he was ten years ago — head over heels with Luke. Which would be fine, if Simon wasn’t prepping for the biggest make-or-break event in the culinary calendar, and if his kitchen wasn’t in total disarray.

On the shore, Simon tried not to watch Luke dress, but he still found himself sneaking glances. He told himself not to be a creep, but he kept right on doing it.

Luke didn’t seem to notice, but then, Luke seemed to be having trouble getting his jeans on over his wet legs. They seemed to stick to his skin, and Luke wriggled and twisted to get them up his thighs and over his ass. Jesus. Simon tugged his own pants on as fast as the fabric would allow and then zipped his cock safely away. Luke left his pants undone as he pulled his shirt on. Ridged belly, black- fuzzed treasure trail, skin all damp and glistening. Simon’s cock pulsed. The lake had not been cold enough.

He pulled on his shirt and saw Luke watching him. Horrified, he glanced down at himself, but didn’t see any evidence of unplatonic interest, at least not visible. “What?” he asked.

Luke shrugged. “I think it’s important for you to know what it is you do and don’t do,” he said.

“What?”

“I mean, I think if you don’t set boundaries, you try to do everything yourself. And then you wind up like me.”

Luke touched Simon’s shoulder with a cool, damp hand, and the contact startled him. He looked at Luke, at his hand.

For an instant he imagined that hand tightening. He imagined Luke stopping him, turning him. He imagined Luke leaning toward him. God, his skin would be cool still from the water, and damp, but his mouth would be hot. He thought of how it would be to feel the thick muscles of Luke’s legs brush against his, slide along his, frame his hips.

“You are worried that you’ll burn out like me. Aren’t you?”

Simon forced his mind back from the brink. “You’re the best chef I’ve ever known,” he answered in a croak. “I should be so lucky.”

Luke’s eyes were fixed on him, dark and soft and warm as an August night. His broad brow creased under the slick of his wet black hair. He’s beautiful. How did I miss it for so long?

Luke’s grip on Simon’s arm softened just a little, and the subtle shift made the hairs on Simon’s arm and neck stand up. The contact was as electric as a rolling summer storm. He found himself holding his breath, waiting for something he couldn’t explain or express. “I should be so lucky,” Simon heard himself say again, in a whisper.

Luke’s mouth parted just a little and curved just slightly into a small, soft smile.

“Simon,” Luke said in a low, soft voice that Simon could hardly hear over the buzzing in his head. It was a rumble—a purr. I want him to kiss me. God, please let him kiss me. “It’s not lucky to burn out. It’s a disaster. I wasted my whole youth building a business I walked away from. And what good have I done in the world? Who have I helped? No one.”

Simon reached for something that would sound sensible, reasonable. “You’ve mentored so many chefs,” he managed at last.

Irritation creased Luke’s features. He shook his head. “That’s the absolute least I could do. Besides, I get their labor. It’s not altruism. It’s trade. Listen to me,” Luke said. He turned and gripped both of Simon’s arms, firmly but not hard. “There’s more to life than your kitchen. Don’t do what I did. Don’t let the work become who you are.”

It was too late. Work had poured like sand into every part of Simon’s life and filled up all the empty space inside of him until he was his own shape, but all the him had been displaced… until now.

He felt his breath coming short, as though he were about to give a talk to a banquet room full of guests. His lungs felt too small for his chest, and his heart battered against the cage of his ribs like a bird beating at a window. He knew what he wanted in a way he had never known before. Kiss me, kiss me, please kiss me.

Book one in this series, Sweet Nothings, was a book I really enjoyed. I loved the youngest brother, with the oldest brother, Simon from this book, dynamic. However, Yes, Chef, just fell flat for me.

This being a category romance, usually you do have the MCs separate for a while, before they do finally find their way to each other. In this book, the MC’s don’t even acknowledge to each other that they want the other, much less kiss, before 85% of the book has been completed.

I felt like there was a ton of “I want him, but he doesn’t want me” and “I want him but he’s leaving for Argentina”, and very little of the two men actually re-connecting. As a reader, it felt like a repeating pattern throughout 3/4 of the book.

There were definitely aspects that I really enjoyed. I’d like to see a follow up scene with these two men, to see where they are at six months down the road. I want to know more about Sam’s circumstances, as a future possibility of a story. He was intriguing to me. I also really loved the camaraderie with the Brasserie employees. They all seemed to get along so well, and cared about each other so much. A very different scene versus what Luke had left behind.

Overall, a book that had potential, but needed more character connection for this reader, but still has kept me interested in a next in the series.

3 pieces of eye candy

About the Author: T Neilson is a writer and foodie who lives on Vancouver Island where the bread, beer, and coffee scene is a thing to behold. A romance writer since 2015, and a food industry die-hard for over a decade, Neilson decided to get out of coffee tasting and get into writing for good. These days Neilson spends a lot of time chasing after a toddler, thinking about upcoming books, and working toward the perfect hand-pie crust. It’s not an easy life, but someone has to do it.

https://www.tneilson.com/

https://twitter.com/TamMacNeil

T. Neilson is giving away an ebook copy of her book Submission Guidelines (a book that features some of the side characters who appear in this book). Leave a comment on this blog post and be entered for a copy of it! Check the book out here.

Snow Storm (Haven Hart book 5) by Davidson King: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

April 1, 2019 by Denise

The city of Haven Hart rests under the heel of Christopher Manos. He reigns over the most dangerous and deadliest citizens as the most powerful crime boss the city has seen in generations. Yet, for the last five years, the harshest edges of his nature have been tempered by the loving devotion of his husband, Snow, and the nephew Christopher adores like a son. His life is a balance of darkness and light until a birthday trip for his nephew, Simon, is interrupted by a hail of bullets and explosions, threatening to destroy it all.

Snow has found a home, a family, and the love of one of Haven Hart’s most powerful men. When Christopher and Simon are kidnapped, Snow risks everything to find his family. Utilizing specialized skills he learned on the streets and the finer points of running a city from his crime boss husband, Snow takes on roles he never dreamed he would–protector, leader, and avenger. No one threatens his family and lives. Experienced enough to know he can’t do this alone, Snow calls in every favor he is owed, risking his life promising favors in return, all to save his family and the man he loves.

The sins of the Manos crime family are escaping the dark recesses of the past and threatening the bright future of everything Snow and Christopher have built. Yet, even with the help of some unlikely and uniquely dangerous people, Snow finds himself wondering if their efforts will be enough to save the two most important people in his life. Will the loving family Snow has finally found be taken from him forever?

SNOW STORM

Haven Hart Series Book 5

Davidson King

M/M Contemporary/Action/Suspense Romance

Page Count: 225

Release Date: 03.20.19

Cover Design: Morningstar Ashley @ Designs by Morningstar

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Christopher

I didn’t go on many trips for my business, but when I did, it was only for a night. When we’d gone up north to keep Snow and my family safe, we’d been together. Leaving Snow behind this time felt all wrong. Of course, when I mentioned it to him, he rolled his eyes, lightly slapped my chest, and told me to relax, he had Bill and like seventy other people watching over him. When it came to Simon, it was a different story.

“Do you have your allergy medicine, hypoallergenic pillow, and bug spray?”

Simon chuckled. “Yes, because you packed it all and then you checked my bag a hundred times.”

“Okay, well, if you forgot anything, I’ll send someone up to bring it. Don’t hesitate to call me.” Snow pressed his hands against Simon’s cheeks, making him look like a fish.

“Babe, we won’t have reception, but I have a satellite phone in the car. Don’t worry about him.”

He smiled and gave me a strong hug. “Be good, you. No murder.”

This earned a laugh from Frank and Jerry, who were waiting by the front door. “None, I promise.”

He nodded and shooed us out the door. “Remember, if a bear comes toward you, assume the fetal position and pretend to be a baby!” he shouted right before the door shut.

Fun, fun, fun. Fast paced, exciting, and hot.

I’m going to start with the meh. I kind of hate how many people die and it’s like “well, they knew what they were signing up for”. Why do I care about this in books but not movies? They could kill everyone in a movie and I’m like, whatev. I guess it shows how much more invested I am in books and the characters there.

Ok, on to the good stuff. We are back to Chris and Snow! You love Snow. You know you do.

Christoper is kidnapped! WHA??? The all mighty mob boss got himself and his nephew snatched. And while it seemed to be super professional, the expertise dwindled quickly from there.

The story moved well and never got boring. Chris never lost his…”Chris-ness” even though he was being held against his will, threatened, his nephew threatened, his very empire threatened. Note to self: don’t piss off Christoper Manos.

I, once again, absolutely adored Snow. His backbone of steel in the face of possibly losing his husband and nephew he thinks of as a son. He definitely learned a thing or two from Chris, whether he wants to admit it or not.

We get to see just about everyone in the Haven Hart universe at least briefly. Most importantly Black and his merry band of assassins. But it is Poe who breaks or heart. I am dying to finally hear his entire story. He absolutely killed me and broke my heart with just a few words.

So give me more! Please give me Poe. Don’t make me wait. I NEED IT!

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

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.

Links

Website: https://www.davidsonking.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DavidsonKingsCourt/

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/DavidsonKingAuthor/

Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/DiverseReader

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidsonkingauthor/?hl=en

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YztgRD

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/davidson-king

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17286464.Davidson_King

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidsonKing11

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Copper Creek by Cate Ashwood: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

March 28, 2019 by Denise

Frankie:
My life sucks.
After spending a year jobless and on the edge of becoming homeless, I’d officially reached a level of desperation that, even if I wasn’t completely broke, retail therapy couldn’t fix.
While Sawyer’s Ferry, Alaska, is the last place on earth I’d ever want to visit, when my best friend, Holden, begs me to fly out and plan his wedding, I can’t say no. What I didn’t expect was to stumble into the administrative chaos at Copper Creek Brewing—or its too-hot-to-be-legal owner.
Clearly the man needs my help, and I’m willing to go above and beyond.
Way beyond.

Barrett:
I am screwed.
Six months after my assistant up and quit, I’m not any closer to finding a replacement, and things at the brewery are starting to fall apart.
And then in walks Frankie. He’s not the typical guy you’d find in these parts, and he brings with him a world of confusion. Because as much as I need his help, I can’t seem to keep my eyes—or hands—off him.
He’s supposed to be getting my life in order, but instead there’s a chance he could turn everything upside down.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Straight ahead, I could see miles and miles of open ocean. Islands dotted the distance between me and the blue horizon. Seagulls, the shit-hawks of the sea, had always seemed mangy and diseased back in New York, scamming french fries off tourists and scavenging garbage cans for scraps. But here, they were graceful and elegant as they glided through the air, riding the gusts of wind coming up from the cliffs below.

“Pretty spectacular, huh?” Barrett said.

“It’s amazing.” I closed my eyes and held on to the railing as the salt-crusted breeze kissed my face. I inhaled, pulling the scent of the sea deep into my lungs and holding it there, like it might heal all the broken parts of me.

I opened my eyes to find Barrett watching me so intensely I was breathless all over again.

He stepped closer, crowding me against the railing. I had the open ocean at my back and a wall of man at my front. I swallowed hard, my brain scrambling to make sense of the situation.

Barrett lifted his hand, brushing one of my curls to the side, his fingers lingering to twist the hair loosely around his knuckle. I stood, struck dumb as he combed his fingers through my hair. The sensation of it sparked shivers down my spine, and when he tightened his grip, tugging my head back to look at him, I whimpered.

In that moment, Barrett owned me, and even if he hadn’t had such a tight hold on me, I couldn’t have moved. I might never move again.

He leaned in closer.

“Barrett,” I whispered.

“Hmm.”

“I have to tell you something.”

“What’s that?” His voice made me tremble.

“I don’t think you’re straight.”

He slowly lifted one eyebrow. “Frankie?” he whispered.

“Hmm.”

“Shut up.”

The air between us sizzled with tension as he tightened his grip and leaned forward and gently nudged my nose with his. I tilted my head, begging him to kiss me. My whole body was lit up, every cell aware of him. I’d never been so desperate for anything.

He brushed his lips against mine, not a kiss, just a simple touch, and I was going insane. He chuckled softly, his breath ghosting against my mouth I wanted to kick him or scream. He was torturing me, and I hated it, but at the same time, I didn’t want it to stop.

Finally, when I was right on the precipice of dying in his arms, he closed the last of the space and kissed me.

For real.

The slow-playing Barrett of a moment before was gone, and left in his place was a man who knew how to kiss, who took what he wanted. It was consuming and dizzying and so fucking good my knees almost gave out.

Between the course scrape of his beard against my skin, the tight grip of his hands on me, and the demandingness of his mouth on mine, I was fucking putty in his hands.

He spun me, pressing me against the rough brick, his hand braced on the window frame. I slid my hands into his hair, holding on to him, drawing out the kiss like it was the only thing tethering me to earth.

I am so in love with this series, and we finally get Frankie!

If you don’t remember Frankie, I urge you to go back and read Gage and Holden’s story, as he’s Holden’s bestie from New York. He’s crazy, in-your-face and unapologetic about who he is and I love that so much about him. So, after losing his job when Holden’s dad’s company went under, he’s been staying with his cousin Gia, who just told him she’s pregnant again, and their already small apartment was about to get smaller…. So, he needed to find someplace else to go…. Enter Holden with a great idea… Come to Sawyers Ferry and plan his wedding !!!

He grumbled about it, sure, but how can you not fall in love with the place. I knew he would. I’m not sure if this is a real place… but if it’s not, I want to wish it real and go visit all these hot guys and their family-like community. So, in all his grumbling about being their glory, he stumbles upon brewery owner, Barrett.

Barrett is firmly in the closet with both doors closed and married to his work. Broody and gorgeous, I hoped for someone amazing for him, and getting to know him, I would not have pegged Frankie to be his type, but I think that’s why they work so well with me. They’re complete opposites.

While volunteering to help Barrett get his office into shape in the few months he’ll be in town, the chemistry between the two is intense, but with Barrett so deep in the closet and Frankie being born already out of it… I was afraid that Frankie was going to get hurt. Little did I know, when Barrett stopped avoiding his feelings for Frankie, he pulled out all the stops in wooing him and showing him how he felt. He was romantic and sweet and not at all the broody guy we thought we knew. With Frankie, he was open to learn who he was and what he liked, and all the while, they were developing deep feelings for each other, it was cute to watch, but sad because you knew there was a deadline on their time together.

It was rocky, that’s for sure… there were some parts that broke my heart for both of them, because it was so obvious that they belonged together…. But like every part of this series, even the heartbreak is worth it in the end. Barrett doesn’t go down without a fight…. I loved him all the more for what he did and how he did it, and I cannot wait to see what’s next for these guys, as well as everyone else we’ve met and have yet to meet.

What an awesome addition to an amazing series…

FAVORITE LINE:

“I have some deliveries to make in Juneau, and I thought you might like to come along. Get out of the confines of this town for a few days. See more of Alaska than the Sawyer’s Ferry town square.”
“Count me in.”
“I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow morning,”
“I changed my mind. Bring me back something nice.”

5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Leave a comment on the post. Congratulate Cate on her new release, let her know your thoughts on the excerpt, etc, and you could win something from her extensive backlist!

In Safe Hands by Victoria Sue: Release Day Review with Giveaway

March 19, 2019 by Denise

Former helicopter pilot Maverick Delgardo’s injuries ended his Air Force career, leaving him bitter and one drink away from becoming an alcoholic. When his sister asks for his help on a private protection case to babysit a disgraced pop star, Mav reluctantly agrees.

Deacon Daniels, onetime lead singer and idol to his teenage fans, saw his career and reputation ruined when a reporter’s exposé led to a devastating scandal. Without money or a job, a heartbroken Deacon has lost custody of his baby niece. And just when he thinks his life can’t get any worse, a stalker’s threatening messages escalate to murder.

Mav only agreed to one meeting, but his protective instincts kick in, along with an attraction to Deacon. When the body count increases, however, Mav is unsure he is up to the task of protecting Deacon from a killer. But it is too late for Mav to step away, now that he’s lost his heart, and he must find the strength to reassure Deacon and his niece that they are in safe hands no matter the cost.

In Safe Hands By Victoria Sue
Release Date Mar 19, 2019
Type Novels
Words 73,065
Pages 210
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Wow, the suspense and angst in this one was enough to give me a few more gray hairs.

Maverick Delgardo is retired from the Air Force after an accident left him unfit for duty. An amputee and disfigured from the fire, when we meet him, he’s still not coping, sleeping on his sister’s couch and drinking til he forgets all he lost… which was more than just his leg.

Deacon Daniel’s used to be a heartthrob lead singer, but all that went to dirt when a bad manager, a scandal and his mother got involved. Let me tell you right now, his mother is the epitome of the worst person alive, and I’d have rather seen her die than spend an extra minute trying to find the real killer. Dramatic? Sure… but the woman was evil, through and through. She got off lucky as far as I’m concerned. I actually spent the whole book thinking she had something to do with everything that was happening, so I was kind of bummed she didn’t get the karmic smack she deserved.

ANYWAY… So, as Mav’s sister used to be a cop but was now running a process serving business that was supposed to be a security firm as well back before her husband ran off with a younger woman… she decided to take on a desperate client who at first just had a stalker…that stalker turned deadly though and everyone Deacon had any dealings with started dropping like flies…. Giving Maverick a reason to get up off the couch and stop wasting his life feeling sorry for himself…

He wanted to keep Deacon safe, of course, he did… especially when he knew that he came with a little girl, who I absolutely fell in love with, because I’m such a sucker for hot guys with kids, and she was so precious. I really felt for her, having lost both her parents and then the one person who cared about her because of her grandmother…. (don’t go on another tangent about the mother….) So, it was cute to see these two tiptoe around each other at first, but then, even as Deacon had nothing really to offer, he had no money, no life and virtually destitute at the moment, he came into his inner spitfire and didn’t let Mac push him away…. Loved that!

Now, the only problem I had with this story was all the coincidences Literally, everyone in this story was connected somehow. I was floored when I found out who the killer was, but then he knew literally everyone and it stemmed back years and years! How? It was random that Deacon got referred to Jamie (Mav’s sister), and who knew that Mav would even be there? But it had nothing to do with Mav, it was all about Deacon… I dunno, while the plotline itself was a good one and I gasped with a nooooo way…. The rest of it just seemed too far fetched. Like, it didn’t need all the added coincidences, you had enough with just that. I won’t give it away, obviously, who the killer is… but I hope you’re as surprised as I was! It’s most definitely worth the read. A bit pricey for me for a kindle book… but it’ll definitely get your blood pumping…

I also thought the clause at the end, when the killer threatens Mav to stay away from Deacon and his baby was ridiculous… like it was his one last effort to make Deacon unhappy, and Mav just complies with it? Uhm, no… the dude was going to prison and you have all these cop friends and contacts… you can’t make sure that the killer doesn’t cause any more trouble from prison?? That whole thing just seemed unnecessary, I’m glad it didn’t last long!

Other than that, it was a suspenseful and angsty read and I feel like I need a nap after reading it, just my heart can go back to beating in its normal rhythm for a while….

4 Pieces of Eye Candy

Victoria Sue fell in love with love stories as a child when she would hide away with her mom’s library books and dream of the dashing hero coming to rescue her from math homework. She never mastered math but never stopped loving her heroes and decided to give them the happy ever afters they fight so hard for.

She loves reading and writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best—and creating a family for them to adore. Thrilled to hear from her readers, she can be found most days lurking on Facebook where she doesn’t need factor 1000 sun-cream to hide her freckles.

www.victoriasue.com

@vickysuewrites

https://www.facebook.com/victoriasueauthor

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1182647028418709/

Leave a comment for Victoria Sue and you could win a copy of any of her backlist books.

The Leprechaun Next Door by Elizabeth Coldwell: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

March 18, 2019 by Denise

Thank you to Elizabeth Coldwell for stopping by today and bringing an exclusive Guest Post for her new book, The Leprechaun Next Door. Johnny is a little naughty, so you know I like him. 🙂 Congrats to Elizabeth on the new release, and make sure you leave a comment, and you could win a copy of the book!

Happiness might be waiting at the end of the rainbow, but will it come with a price?

Devon’s down on his luck—he’s lost his job and discovered his boyfriend is cheating on him. His neighbor, Johnny, is not only cute, he also has a big secret: he’s a leprechaun with a pot of gold… and the ability to grant wishes.

Can Devon wish his way out of the hole he’s found himself in? He’d like a new job, some revenge on his lying ex, and maybe even love. Johnny can give him what he wants, but it won’t come for free… or in the ways Devon expects. Can he trust a sexy leprechaun to help him make a new start and wish himself into the arms of the man of his dreams?

Title: The Leprechaun Next Door
Author: Elizabeth Coldwell
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Category: Fantasy
Pages: 145

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Dreamspinner Press

Love That Leprechaun

When you’re thinking up the paranormal love interest in an urban fantasy novel, a leprechaun might not be high on the list. Other, more popular creatures definitely have the edge when it comes to being a supernatural bad boy. Vampires are a given – they’re dark, brooding and danger lurks behind their handsome, sophisticated façade. Shifters may be charming, but they could unleash their animal side at any moment. As for elves, just think Orlando Bloom in the Lord of the Rings films and it’s easy to see why they have their many admirers. But leprechauns?

It’s fair to say the leprechaun suffers from an image problem. They’re always depicted as no more than three feet high and grumpy, dressed in a green suit, buckled hat and knee britches, and almost homicidally attracted to protecting their stash of gold. If you’re American, you may also find it hard to separate them from their caricature on a breakfast cereal packet (Lucky Charms have never reached the UK in any quantity, which means an awful lot of jokes on The Simpsons passed us by over the years…). But the fact they’ve never really been regarded as sex symbols means there’s a lot more scope to get creative, and unleash a side of them the reader has never considered. Part of the fun of writing The Leprechaun Next Door was riffing on that unflattering image and the opportunity it gives Johnny, the leprechaun of the title, to hide in plain sight in a world where paranormal beings exist alongside humans – if only you know where to look.

Leprechauns are, as I’m sure you’re aware, one of the staple figures in Irish mythology. Stories about their misdeeds date back to mediaeval times, though their green clothing is a more modern invention. When I started researching them for the novel, this being one of those books where the title came first and everything else followed, I discovered one of the alternative spellings of their name was lubrican. And if that doesn’t make you think of sex, what does?

So as I worked on creating Johnny, I gave him most of the main traits of the classic leprechaun. He’s protective of his gold, which is safely stashed away from prying eyes, and has the ability to grant three wishes. However, because leprechauns have a streak of malevolence and love practical jokes, those wishes have to be carefully considered because they’re likely to come with a sting in their tail. Plenty of the old folk tales about leprechauns involve them tricking simple Irish folk into making foolish wishes that will dog them with bad luck. When Johnny grants Devon his wishes, Devon is in a low place, and as one of his wishes contains an element of revenge, that’s all Johnny needs to wreak a little havoc.

The classic leprechaun occupation is making and mending shoes, but in the modern world, the cobbler’s shop has all but disappeared from our high streets. So instead Johnny is a bartender who knows how to throw a great party. Rather than fitting the leprechaun image of being quick-tempered and solitary, he’s friendly, garrulous, and great fun to be around, which is part of the reason why Devon is so attracted to him. And like all leprechauns, Johnny loves to drink and adores music, especially that played by Devon, who’s been forced to hide his dreams of being a singer and songwriter since his ex was never very supportive of his talent. I like to think that Johnny would be a good friend but one you wouldn’t want to cross.

Now that I’ve done my best to reclaim the leprechaun, maybe it’s time to shine a light on other less popular supernatural creatures and make them sexy too. Once you start looking, there are so many to choose from. Try Jimmy Squarefoot, a creature from the Isle of Man who walks on two legs but has a pig’s head and the tusks of a boar. Or Jack Frost, the King of Winter, who’ll freeze you as soon as look at you. Bring on the dwarves, the pixies and the sprites – in the world of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, each one of them is just waiting to find the right man to love.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I set a leprechaun trap for St Patrick’s Day, and I need to check whether I’ve caught anything. If I have, my wish is simple – that you all have as much fun reading The Leprechaun Next Door as I had writing it.

I am Rotherham’s foremost (okay, only) writer of quality erotica and erotic romance. Though I’m now based in London, family and football take me back North on a regular basis. Indeed, if you’re ever at a Rotherham United match (I know, what are the chances?) and you spot a small blonde with a large ‘London Millers’ flag, that’ll be me. Originally from South Yorkshire, Elizabeth Coldwell has been making up stories for as long as she can remember, only now she gets to people them with hot men. When she’s not got her nose in a book, she’s reviewing or trying to stop one or both of her cats from walking over her keyboard. She spends her time following her home town football team and baking the best brownies in East London.

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Rewind by Roman Shaw: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

March 18, 2019 by Denise

The day Enzo Chevalier lost his hearing, everything changed. Forced to rebuild his future and fight for his dreams, Enzo refused to let anything take him down…until the man of his life walked out on him and shattered his heart.

Florian Beaudry had his whole life figured out. His business was flourishing and everything was settling down at last. Or so he believed…until he walked in on his girlfriend and best friend.

Still on the rebound and unable to trust another man, Enzo never expected a chance encounter with Florian. The one person he thought he would never see again. The one person he missed the most.

Were they truly meant to get a second chance or were they doomed from the start?

REWIND is an MM romance novel set entirely in France. Though part of a series, it is a standalone story without a cliffhanger.

Book Title: Rewind

Author: Rowan Shaw

Publisher: Self-published

Cover Artist: Molly Phipps

Genre/s: MM Romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 73 350 words/ 343 pages

Release Date: March 18th, 2019

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“You gave him your phone number?” Patrick asked, crashing on my couch later that night.

“You’re so curious. And please don’t rip the fabric with your keys. Thanks.”

He shifted around and pulled the chain to the front of his pants. “Aww, come on! Did you or did you not?” he signed, crossing his legs at the knees.

“Maybe.”

His arched brow never fell. “You still haven’t told me who he is.”

I let myself drop into the armchair closer to the entrance and placed my feet on the wooden coffee table between us.

“So who was the blond guy at the club? He had eyes to die for—as blue as the Mediterranean Sea. You missed your chance to get laid. He wouldn’t stop ogling you.”

I raked my mind for a reply. “I didn’t tell you who he is because I know you’re gonna judge.”

Patrick raised his hand to his chest in a feigned hurt movement.

“You know you would. You do that all the time.”

“I do not.”

“Yes, you do.”

“The only one I ever judged from the start was Cyrille, and I was right about him. If you had listened to me, it would’ve spared you a whole lot of heartache.”

He was right about that, but I wasn’t about to acknowledge it. The last thing Patrick needed was for me to inflate his large ego.

My conversation with Florian at the bar had lasted for hours. He hadn’t left his stool to dance at all, even when a couple of guys came up to flirt with him. He brushed them both off and stayed with me.

“Did you see the look on Cyrille’s face when he spotted you with him, though?” Patrick let out a laugh that was silent to me, his Adam’s apple dancing in his throat when he tilted his head back.

I had hoped my ex wouldn’t show up at all, though. Florian and I were laughing so hard remembering our teenage years, Cyrille’s presence was a slap back to reality. I was thankful he didn’t talk to me.

“Honestly, I don’t get that guy. He dumps you, then he can’t stand seeing you with other men,” Patrick signed.

I had a hard time with this one. While the story itself is good, and I enjoyed the romance aspect between Florian, who just finds his girlfriend in bed with his best friend, and she’s so catty about it, it’s disgusting… and Enzo, an ex from high school who’s still hung up on his emotionally and verbally abusive ex boyfriend who both work at a school for the deaf, since Enzo himself is deaf… they meet again in a club while both are trying to lick their wounds and move on.

The way in which their friendship/relationship ended back then was kind of hidden and little bit confusing to me. I don’t understand why it was something that wasn’t talked about more, but, it didn’t take away from the story, other than it caused a little bit of friction I guess.

The two of these guys were cute together. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other all over again and reminisce here and there about the past…. But what irritated me to no end, is the terrible terrible terrible people that just kept getting away with being terrible people!

Enzo’s ex who was so awful… I’m not kidding, he turned my stomach. He was so condescending and belittling to Enzo, and nobody ever done anything about it. He’s a sociopath who lacks any kind of emotional or moral compassion.

And Florian’s ex literally ruins every part of his life, with his ridiculously ignorant friends, his job, and eventually his relationship with Enzo, which also irritated me to no end, because why not lean on your man when you need him? Why let anyone take your relationship from you… that’s exactly what everyone wanted. Ugh, I just couldn’t with that.

So, definitely frustrating for me, especially because although Florian’s ex has somewhat a nice change of decency when she feels badly about all the havoc she inflicted on his life, only slightly, because she didn’t stop it, OR the ex best friend of
Florian’s that went so far beyond any type revenge that he had no right to… she was just a disgusting person, and Florian didn’t karmically kick her in the teeth, he just ran to her when she summoned him, because why? She didn’t deserve that…. As a matter of fact, the things she deserved I won’t even mention because I’m having a hard time remembering that she’s a fictional character and I don’t know if I wanna acknowledge that level of craziness from myself.

So, yeah… it was a hard read for me. Angsty and just ridiculous in some parts that I never felt were justifiable…. And I just have such a pet peeve for people who get away with being terrible people. We have enough bad in the world, I don’t wanna read about it too, and these people were the worst!

Apart from that, it did have a happy ending for the couple and I was glad for that. They really did make a cute couple, and I love second chancers. I feel like Raphael is going to be just as angsty, so I might skip the next one… but if you like a realistic, angsty read, don’t pass this one up. It just sadly wasn’t my kind of read, and that’s on me.

3 Pieces of Eye Candy

Rowan Shaw is a human being from Planet Earth (originally from the country of France). She’s also the queer author of Rewind, an MM romance series set entirely in her home country.

Addicted to reading and writing, Rowan can usually be found with a book in her hands or sitting in front of her computer typing some kind of story while listening to music from the 80s.

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