Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Circle of Darkness by Aimee Nicole Walker & Nicholas Bella: Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

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There isn’t a monster D’Angelo Kumar can’t destroy or a crisis he can’t manage until he meets Angel Bai. The insane attraction he feels toward the sexy waiter is unwelcome because D’Angelo doesn’t have room in his life for relationships. A solitary path is the only option for a man like him, but fighting his growing feelings for Angel may be the first battle he can’t win.

Angel’s abilities extend beyond memorizing the menu at D’Angelo’s favorite Italian restaurant, but he knows better than to trust anyone with his secret. When a vision reveals that D’Angelo’s life is in danger, he will risk everything to save him. The only thing scarier than monsters and demons to Angel is never knowing D’Angelo’s touch.

To say the demon hunter is reluctant to form a partnership with the psychic is putting it mildly, but D’Angelo needs every advantage he can get when the world’s very existence is threatened. As darkness looms nearer, D’Angelo and Angel’s unexplainable connection grows stronger. For a chance at happiness, the two men will need to call upon unlikely allies for an epic showdown between good and evil.

Sexy, witty, and action-packed, Circle of Darkness is the first book in the Genesis Circle paranormal romance series by Nicholas Bella and Aimee Nicole Walker. This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for adults 18 and older.

CIRCLE OF DARKNESS

NICHOLAS BELLA & AIMEE NICOLE WALKER

M/M PARANORMAL ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 11-15-17

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/Simply Defined Art

 

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

 

I was walking towards my Jeep when I heard someone practically screaming my name. I turned to see the cute little waiter from Martinelli’s rushing up behind me. What in the hell did he want?

He stopped short in front of me, huffing and puffing. “Oh… Oh thank god… I caught you,” he panted. I was pretty curious as to what he wanted, it wasn’t like I owed the restaurant he worked at a tab. Although, I found myself eating at Martinelli’s quite often since he’d started working there. The food was damn good, but I did have to admit, I went on the days Ansell worked. Damn, he was cute as hell. But as much as I loved to gawk at him, he was holding me up from the serious shit.

“Umm, want to tell me what this is all about?” I asked. “I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

“That’s just it… I…” He paused and looked off to the side like he was hesitant to tell me something.

“Look, Ansell—”

“It’s Angel,” he snapped.

For the first time, I saw the fire blaze behind his beautiful brown eyes, which were a lovely feature from his Chinese-American heritage. He had many features that appealed to me that were flattering on him as well. But his eyes… those blew me away. And, well, his lips, too. I’d love to see them where they rightfully belonged—all over my body. I swore, the fantasies I’d had starring him left me with morning wood on several occasions and on the others… sticky sheets.

“I like Ansell more,” I said, purposely ignoring his attempt to correct me. “Look, I’m really in a hurry, so if this can wait…” I let my voice trail off so he would get the hint.

“You’re in danger,” he blurted out.

I cocked an eyebrow. “In danger from what? What the hell are you talking about, and how did you find me anyway?”

“What do you mean, ‘how’? You eat at Martinelli’s more than I do. Besides, you always pay with your company account,” Ansell said, pointing to the sign above our antique shop.

Well, okay, that made sense. “Fine. Now, about this so-called danger…”

“Look, you have to listen to me. I know what I’m about to tell you may sound far-fetched, but it’s all true.” He was looking up at me with eyes that were pleading for me to take him seriously, so I did.

“Tell me.”

Angel is a sweet guy who waits tables at a restaurant and D’Angelo is a semi-regular patron of the dark, sexy and mysterious variety. Most guys look right through Angel, but he feels a connection with D’Angelo that he can’t shake or stop thinking about. The two are thrown together after Angel has a vision of D’Angelo in danger, and he tracks D’Angelo down to warn him. D’Angelo is a demon hunter who works with his best friends who are also gifted in battling the supernatural and saving Earth as we know it from destruction. D’Angelo hardly has time to listen to Angel as he’s just begun a new case tracking down an ancient relic that, in the wrong hands, will unleash a demon that will enslave and destroy the human race. The two try to fend off their crazy mutual attraction as they partner up to find and destroy the relic before the bad guys can activate it.

The plot is pretty fast paced, with a bit of angst between the MCs. Initially they don’t get along, but they start to like each other and become true partners. The angst is external here, that is, these two acknowledge their like for each other rather quickly, it’s all the stuff going on around them that keeps them apart for a while. I liked the MCs: Angel is sweet and inexperienced, D’Angelo is a bit rough on the outside, a good guy on the inside.

The authors are new to me and I enjoyed their world building, with a few characters I wouldn’t mind seeing again. The writing is good but for those who don’t like first person (I’ve seen a lot of comments lately from people who *hate* first person for some reason) be warned that it is first person for both characters — each chapter focuses on one of the two MCs. This doesn’t bother me; I like some insight into the heroes so I know that even though they’re playing it cool, they’re a bundle of nerves inside.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

I am a wife and mother to three kids, three dogs, and a cat. When I’m not dreaming up stories, I like to lose myself in a good book, cook or bake. I’m a girly tomboy

who paints her fingernails while watching sports and yelling at the referees.

I will always choose the book over the movie. I believe in happily-ever-after. Love inspires everything that I do. Music keeps me sane.

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About me? Hmmm, I’m just a person with a wild imagination and a love for words who was sitting around the house one day and said, “Why hasn’t anyone written a book like this before?”. As with every storyteller, I wanted to share mine with the world. I like my erotica dark, gritty, sexy… and even a little raunchy. I’m not afraid to go there and I hope you aren’t afraid to go there with me. When I’m not writing, I love watching movies and TV shows, clubbing, biking, and hanging out with family and friends. I love life.

I’d love to hear from you, feel free to send me a shout out!

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Fangs and Catnip by Julia Talbot: Exclusive Guest Post and Excerpt

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A romance worth fighting for—tooth and claw.

Solitary vampire Fallon Underwood gets all the social interaction he needs being the silent partner at the Dead and Breakfast B and B high in the Colorado mountains. Change is hard for Fallon, so when his business partner, Tanner, suggests hiring a new manager for the inn, he’s adamant that they don’t need help, especially not in the form of bouncy werecat Carter Hughes.

Carter is a happy-go-lucky kitty, and he loves the hospitality industry, so the D and B ought to be a great place for him. He falls for Fallon as soon as he picks up one of Fallon’s novels and begins to woo the vamp with gifts. When Fallon finally succumbs to Carter’s feline charms, the results are unexpected, to say the least. Their mating will have irreversible consequences—for their bodies and their hearts.

Title: Fangs and Catnip
Series: Dead and Breakfast
Author: Julia Talbot
Release Date: December 1, 2017
Category: Paranormal: Vampires, Paranormal: Shifters, Fantasy: Urban, Dreamspun Beyond
Pages: 220

 

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

 

Hey, y’all!

I’m here to give you an exclusive excerpt to Fangs and Catnip, my very first Dreamspun Beyond from Dreamsinner Press.

Carter is the new manager at the Dead and Breakfast Inn, and he falls for vampire silent partner Fallon, who is sure they don’t need a were-cougar as a manager…

 

Carter bit his lip.

Should he give Fallon the gift in person, or just leave it like he had the movies? The box in his hands held just a bunch of used books, but Tanner had said Fallon loved this series….

“You going to go up there?” Jami asked. The night auditor was a slim, dapper vamp who looked like he was turned when he was maybe fifteen. Tanner said he was eighty now.

“Yeah. Yeah, I found these books….” Because he totally wasn’t smitten. Totally.

 

He opened the box, showing Jami, whose eyes widened. “Are they for the library?”

The five vintage Dark Shadows books by the Paperback Gothic Library gleamed a dull gold. “Not unless Fallon doesn’t like them, I guess.”

“If he doesn’t, I’ll take them. Seriously, why can’t a cute shifter woo me?” Jami widened his big blue eyes even more.

“You need a big bad wolf, man. Someone who will turn you inside out.” Jami liked to act all calm and kind of superior, but Carter had seen him dance under the moon to Enya. He was a sensitive soul.

“Yeah. I’ll be lucky to find a tentacle monster to suck me.”

Carter fought the urge to put a hand over his crotch. Ack. “Uh, do we have a lot of those? As guests?”

“No. In fact, I’ll go with never. I imagine they find it challenging to travel….”

“I guess so. I know a lot of them are aquatic.” He tucked the box under his arm. “You think Fallon will like them?”

“I don’t know him well, sweet. But if Tanner says he will…. Good luck, then. You’re doing good.” Jami patted his arm.

He hoped so. He personally thought he had lost his mind, but he couldn’t seem to stop. Fallon called to him. Carter grinned, feeling a bit self-conscious, but Jami gave him a sweet smile, so genuine he relaxed.

“Thanks,” Carter said. “I just… I want to get to know him. I like to give people things too, to make them smile.”

“You’re a good kid, honey. Seriously. So good.”

“I try. Sometimes I feel like a derp.” He chugged along most days doing his best.

“Don’t we all? That doesn’t improve with age.”

“No? Rats.” He winked. “Did you need anything before we change shifts?”

“I don’t, honey. Go with my blessing. Good luck.”

“Thanks!” He took a deep breath before charging up the stairs.

He knocked on the door, breathing in and out, calming himself down.

“Did we take in a were-water-buffalo as a guest?” Fallon asked when he opened the door.

“Possibly, but I didn’t sign him in.”

“Ha. Can I help you, Carter? I’m trying to work.” Fallon’s expression was austere, but Carter thought he saw amusement dancing in those dark green eyes.

“I found these books. I thought you might like them.” See him, see him be calm. He pulled the box out from under his arm so he could hand it over, then waited, his face flaming.

“Really, Carter, the last thing I need is more—” Fallon broke off when he looked into the box. And he stared. Without saying anything.

“They seemed up your alley. And you can never have too many books, right?”

“They’re amazing.” Fallon smiled. Really smiled, wide enough that fang slipped out. “I love these books. How did you ever find them?”

“Oh, my uncle in Boulder owns a used bookstore. I just called him.”

Fallon carefully closed the box. “Thank you.”

 

 

Stories that leave a mark. Julia Talbot loves romance across all the genders and genres, and loves to write about people working to see past the skin they’re in to love what lies beneath. Julia Talbot lives in the great mountain and high desert Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Dreamspinner and Changeling Press among many others. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. She also writes BDSM and erotic romance as Minerva Howe. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at www.juliatalbot.com “The mountains are calling, and I must go”

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Hearts and Hazelnuts by Kris T. Bethke: Exclusive Guest Post, Release Day Review with Giveaway

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Mechanic Jordan Hart is down on his luck, so he gladly accepts a temporary job servicing tractors at a hazelnut farm in Newberg, Oregon. He doesn’t expect to be attracted to his boss, Beckett Shaw. Still working on embracing his bisexuality, he’s reluctant to start anything, but Beckett’s gentle coaxing convinces Jordan to take a risk.

Beckett has vowed not to get involved with anyone until he can restore the Shaw Farms name as a leader in hazelnuts. But there’s no denying his interest in the shy mechanic who shows up at his door. Just as they begin to find a balance, outside forces threaten to tear them apart. Job opportunities force Jordan out of the Portland area he loves so much. But when danger comes too close to Beckett, Jordan must decide if he can follow his heart to the Willamette Valley… and straight back to Beckett.

States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.

Title: Hearts and Hazelnuts
Author: Kris T. Bethke
Release Date: November 29, 2017
Category: Contemporary, States of Love
Pages: 103

Amazon US

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Dreamspinner Press

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Hi there! I’m Kris T. Bethke, and first let me say a great big thank you to the gang here for allowing me some time.

Being a part of the States of Love collection is an honor for me, and it was something I wanted since the sub call went out. I loved the idea, and I’m so excited to be a part of it.

That said, this was a challenging book to write. Looking back on it now, it was a great experience, and I learned a lot about myself as a writer. At the time, though, it was sort of frustrating. And the first hurdle I had to overcome was which character would tell the story.

If you’ve read any of my backlist, you might have noticed that I’ve always written in first person, past tense. I write that way because it’s my favorite tense to read. There’s an immediacy to being in one of the character’s heads that really works for me. And up until this book, I found it the easiest way to tell my stories.

But Beck and Jordan had other ideas.

For a long time, I flip flopped back and forth between which guy would get the narrator role. Both had merit. Both Beckett and Jordan have a high stake in the story, and either one of them would have been a good driving force. But I was struggling with finding that perfect balance, and the right scenes to show. No matter which MC I used, it felt like something was missing.

I briefly flirted with the idea of alternating first, but that’s a whole other set of challenges, and even though I gave it a try, it still wasn’t right. So I took a deep breath, threw caution to the wind, and started writing third person.

It’s not like I never used alternating third before, but I hadn’t used it in a full length story. I had a deadline I couldn’t go back on, and I was getting anxious, so I knew I had to try something. And lo and behold, it actually worked. Where before I was having issues, now the story flowed.

There’s something special about getting both MCs’ POVs. It gives the reader a more complete picture, for sure. But it also gives the story a different feel. I didn’t know, when I started out, that this was what Beck and Jordan needed. But when I was finished, I knew I had the right story on the page.

(And it was good practice for the next three books I wrote, which had to be in alternating third, but that’s a different story altogether.)

In the end, I have a book I’m proud of. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Hearts and Hazelnuts is available now from Dreamspinner Press.

Excerpt:

“We sell at a booth at the Newberg fair. Would you be interested in helping me out there?”

Okay, that wasn’t exactly what he planned to say. In fact he’d been ready to calculate the hours Jordan had worked and cut him a check. But when it came down to it, Beckett just couldn’t say the words. He wanted to see more of Jordan.

“Umm. I guess?”

Jordan looked totally confused. With good reason, Beck supposed. It was an odd request, and Beck couldn’t explain the reason behind it. He wasn’t going to start anything with Jordan. His focus had to be on the farm and nothing else. It just seemed too soon to say goodbye, so he thought fast.

“I need Cory to stay here and supervise the tail end of the harvest. And it’s easier to work the booth if I have someone helping me out.” It was all technically true, if not entirely accurate. Beck could work the booth by himself if he had to.

“Okay. I can help.” Jordan still looked at him oddly.

“I’ll pay you your regular rate.”

Jordan shook his head before Beck even finished talking. “No. That’s too much. Whatever you pay the guys.”

Beckett’s heart melted a little because Jordan was clearly an honest man. Which Beck already knew that, but he was glad to see it confirmed. “Okay. If that’s what you want. You’re helping me out, and I appreciate it.”

“I don’t mind. I’m happy to help.” Jordan’s gaze dropped to his hands. Beckett’s did too, and he watched as Jordan rubbed his palms over his jeans. He had good hands, strong and veined, and Beckett would have liked to know what they felt like on his skin.

“Thanks,” Beckett said softly. He really had to get himself under control. After Saturday he’d have to put Jordan out of his mind. It was the best thing for everybody.

“What time do you want me here?”

Beck squinted as he thought. “Fair opens at eight. We have to be there by seven thirty to set up. So, umm, be here by seven?” Though it was only a few miles up the road, it would take a bit of time to get everything in the truck.

Jordan nodded and stood. Then he took a deliberate step to the side so he was farther from Beckett. Barely keeping in a sigh, Beck stood too and leaned back against his desk to give Jordan even more space. He knew he was being weird, but he couldn’t seem to help it.

“Okay. See you then.” Jordan barely waited for confirmation before he left. Beck stared after him.

Dammit.

Lookit that cute cover….. Why wouldn’t you stop and read a book with such a cute cover? I’ll be honest, it was the biggest reason I wanted to read it… Its okay, you can call me a judger.. it paid off in this instance!
In this incredibly sweet, albeit short story, we have Beckett and Jordan.

Jordan was out of work, something about his old boss embezzling from the company he worked for as a mechanic, or something like that. Unfortunately, as we all know, jobs are hard to come by and the cost of living is expensive, so Jordan moves in with his brother while trying to find a different job and get back on his feet. That’s where he meets Beckett.

Beckett needs help with one of his tractors, it’s harvesting time and he needs a mechanic and calls Jordan’s brother, who refers Jordan for the job.

These two have chemistry right away but it’s a little slow going at first. Jordan is hesitant, he needs the job and once he gets a regular job, this temporary arrangement at Becketts farm will be forgotten.  Its not that easy though, as these guys go from a nice, working friendship to a sexual relationship and even though Jordan wants to be hesitant, it’s not that easy with easy going and charming Beckett. I loved these two together, they were sweet.

Unfortunately, Beckett also had some trouble with a neighboring farm that wanted his land. I dunno why the dude didn’t approach Beckett’s dad when he had the farm, youd think with the way the man was money hungry and wanted to retire, he’d been the first one to sell. I mean, I’m glad he didn’t, but the guy was just random, foul mouthed and tried to be scary, but he came off as dumb and not so threatening, even though he tried really hard to be. It just wasn’t’ convincing. Which is probably why Beckett didn’’t hold anything he said with a grain of salt. He was more a nuisance than anything.

Which is why when Jordan accepted a job hours away and their relationship took a hit, Beckett didn’t call Jordan when the old man made good on his not so idle threats. Jordan comes running, and again… more sweetness. I just loved all of this story and wish it was longer!

I also wouldn’t mind reading more about Cory, especially now that he’s away from the cheating boyfriend. I bet that’d be a good story!

Final thought? I loved it!

5 pieces of eye candy from me.

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long.  An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head.  She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project.  Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time.  A classic muscle car will always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty pleasures.  She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy cat and the voices in her head.  She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.

Find her on her site https://kristbethke.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Kris-T-Bethke/100014524539852 or on Twitter https://twitter.com/kristbethke


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Dyeing to be Loved by Aimee Nicole Walker: Audio Book Tour and Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Gabriel Wyatt is a big city Detective living in a small Ohio town. He expects a peaceful existence once he moves from Miami, Florida, but that’s the last thing he finds. Instead, Gabe discovers murder, mayhem, and one smart-mouthed stylist he can’t get out of his head.

Josh “Jazz” Roman is a small-town business owner with big dreams and an attitude to match. He finds himself in the middle of a case that brings the dreamy detective to the front door of his Curl Up and Dye Salon. Josh learns that the biggest threat to him isn’t a killer; it’s a man who wants something from him that he vowed to never give again – his heart.

Both men deny that there’s something between them, even though they’re drawn together like magnets. Can Gabe convince Josh to let down his guard or will Josh let past hurts destroy his chance at a happy future?

DYEING TO BE LOVED

CURL UP AND DYE MYSTERIES SERIES, BOOK 1

AIMEE NICOLE WALKER

M/M ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

RELEASE DATE: 11.08.16

AUDIO RELEASE: 11.07.17

PHOTOGRAPHER: Wander Aguiar

COVER ARTIST:  Jay Aheer/Simply Defined Art

Narrator: Joel Leslie

Listening Length: 8 hours and 49 minutes

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

 

My ringing phone woke me up. I was disoriented because it had grown dark while I napped on the couch with Diva and I momentarily forgot what day it was. I looked at the caller ID and was shocked to see who was calling me. I debated on letting it go to voicemail for about two seconds before I answered it.

“Hello?”

“How are you doing?” Gabe’s deep voice warmed parts of me that no amount of purring from a cat could affect.

“I’m doing okay,” I replied. Was I?

“You feel like having company?” I heard the slight hesitation in his voice, as if he wasn’t sure how well his question would be received.

I knew what happened almost every single time that we were alone together. Was that what I wanted right then? “Yes,” I said answering both of our questions.

“Good,” he said, his voice deepening because he also knew what would happen. “Come down and let me in.”

“You’re here now?” I stood up and ran my free hand through my hair in an attempt to smooth it into place.

“Yes. Come down here and let me in. I’m freezing my nuts off,” he groused.

“Give me a few minutes,” I said and then hung up. I flipped on a few lights on my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I rushed through my routine so that I didn’t keep him waiting long. It was freezing outside and I didn’t want his balls to freeze. I was pretty fond of them, even if I was unsure of the man they were attached to.

“It’s about time,” he said when I opened the door to him. “What the hell took so long?”

I grabbed him by the coat and pulled him into me, pressing my lips against his. Gabe parted his cold lips and I slid my tongue inside to explore his warm mouth in a languid kiss. For once, I didn’t want to rush him into bed. I wanted to take my time and get to know his body better. Hell, I hadn’t even wrapped my lips around his big cock yet; a mistake I planned to rectify immediately.

“Minty fresh,” Gabe said, when our kiss ended. “You’re forgiven for making me wait.”

“Come upstairs with me and I’ll show you other things I can do with my minty fresh mouth.” I laughed when Gabe growled playfully. I needed to be careful or else I’d start liking the detective and the things he made me feel.

So, I kind of did this whole series out of order (which is actually really strange for me, I try to always read a series in order), I actually didn’t read any of this series, until Someone to Call My Own (Road to Blissville, #2), came out. It wasn’t intentional, it was on my TBR, but I just hadn’t gotten to it. But then I read the synopsis for STCMO, and saw the word psychic, and immediately had to read it. As I was reading it, there were a lot of references to Josh and Gabe, as well as some appearances, and since the book was running somewhat concurrently, I knew I was going to need to read it. But I still hadn’t gotten to it.

Then I found out that Joel Leslie was going to narrate it, and I was done. Yep, had to wait for that. And I am so glad I did. He did a great job with this book! He gave each character a little more personality with this voice, and inflections. I loved hearing him switch from Josh to Gabe, to even Savage, the dirty mouthed bird. 🙂 He brought all the characters to life for me (and I have to say that he really hit me HARD with the prequel, with his voice inflections of the amazing sounding woman who brought Josh and Gabe together), and I couldn’t have asked for a better narration for this book.

The author has created some great characters in Josh and Gabe. Well, Gabe was kind of an idiot and a tool, but he came around. Josh was someone who you wanted to be friends with, someone you knew would have your back no matter what. He is hilarious, and snarky, and I wanted to head to his house for Sunday dinner. Aimee created characters, you WANT to read five books on, and then wonder whether there will be more from these two men.

The mystery was well done (although I’ll admit the prequel threw me for a loop, as I wasn’t expecting it), and I know there will be more ahead in this vein. I’m definitely looking forward to it. Now, I have to decide…do I wait for Joel’s next installment, Something to Dye For, or do I dive right in, and then listen to the audio book later? Hmmmm…

Either way, I highly recommend this book, and the audio narration.

Both get 4.5 pieces of eye candy

 

  

I am a wife and mother to three kids, three dogs, and a cat. When I’m not dreaming up stories, I like to lose myself in a good book, cook or bake. I’m a girly tomboy who paints her fingernails while watching sports and yelling at the referees.

I will always choose the book over the movie. I believe in happily-ever-after. Love inspires everything that I do. Music keeps me sane.

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Dyeing to be Loved, Book 1

Something to Dye For, Book 2

Dyed and Gone to Heaven, Book 3

I Do, or Dye Trying, Book 4

 

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The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour with Giveaway

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Last month, Alex Barrow’s whole life imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. But sometimes when everything falls apart, better things appear almost like magic. Now, he’s back in his Michigan hometown, finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the lonely and beautiful man who bewitches Alex before he even orders.

Corbin Wale is a weirdo. At least, that’s what he’s heard his whole life. He knows he’s often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never, ever be with Alex Barrow. Even if Alex is everything he’s always fantasized about. Even if maybe, just maybe, Corbin is Alex’s fantasy too.

When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can’t deny their connection any longer. As the holiday season works its magic, Alex yearns for the man who seems out of reach. But to be with Alex, Corbin will have to challenge every truth he’s ever known. If his holiday risk pays off, two men from different worlds will get the love they’ve always longed for.

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Riptide Publishing

My Favorite Holiday Stories are About Emotional Intensity

Holiday stories tend to fall into two general categories: 1.) Stories where, because of family expectations, the holidays are a period of intense emotion and social navigation for the main character; or 2.) Stories where, because of a lack of family or friends, the main character is alone for the holidays, resulting in either a period of intense emotional navigation because they’re alone, or emotional numbness because they’re accustomed to being alone.

I like both types of stories because they’re great set-ups for putting romantic relationships through their paces. When a relationship has to contend with strong family dynamics, it’s placed under a microscope. When a relationship takes the place of family over the holidays, it takes on some of that emotional weight.

As a reader, the key to them working is great character development. I need to see exactly what feelings the characters will have when going to see family, or when treating Christmas like any other day because they don’t celebrate with family. What memories are brought up? What hopes did the holidays used to evince? What fears do they evince now? What do the characters dream of for holidays in the future? If a character doesn’t care about the holidays, how does that affect their partner? And, hey, cozy cuddling, making out in front of the fire, and descriptions of delicious food really doesn’t hurt!

 

About the 2017 Holiday Charity Collection

20% of all proceeds from this title will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.

Each year, Riptide Publishing releases a holiday collection in support of an LGBTQ charity. Twenty percent of the proceeds from this year’s collection will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network.

The Russian LGBT network was founded in April 2006. It is an interregional, non-governmental human rights organization that promotes equal rights and respect for human dignity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. They unite and develop regional initiatives, advocacy groups (at both national and international levels), and provide social and legal services.

To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: https://lgbtnet.org/en.

 

This collection would not be possible without the talent and generosity of its authors, who have brought us the following holiday stories:

Buy all three in the collection and save!

 

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

 

She is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan of Handspun Literary Agency.

Connect with Roan:

To celebrate the release of The Remaking of Corbin Wale, one lucky winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 2, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

If the Fates Allow-Holiday Anthology: Exclusive Guest Post, Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Gracious Living Magazine Says It Has to Be a Live Tree by Killian B. Brewer: Determined to make his first Christmas with his new boyfriend magazine-perfect, Marcus seeks the advice of lovable busy bodies, the Do-Nothings Club. When he learns that his boyfriend, Hank, may have ordered a ring, Marcus’ attempts to transform his home into a winter wonderland get out of hand.  Featuring the characters from Lunch With the Do-Nothings at the Tammy Dinette.

Killian B. Brewer lives in his life-long home of Georgia with his partner and their dog. He has written poetry and short fiction since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. Brewer earned a BA in English and does not use this degree in his job in the banking industry. He has a love of greasy diner food that borders on obsessive. Lunch with the Do-Nothings at the Tammy Dinette was published in January, 2017. His debut novel, The Rules of Ever After, is available from Duet Books, the young adult imprint of Interlude Press.

True North by Pene Henson: Shay Allen returns to her hometown in Montana for the holidays with her best friend Devon with the intent to return home to L.A. by New Year’s Eve. Instead, the weather traps them in the small town, but the there’s a bright spot: her old crush Milla is still in town.

Pene Henson has gone from British boarding schools to New York City law firms. She now lives in Sydney, Australia, where she is an intellectual property lawyer and published poet who is deeply immersed in the city’s LGBTQIA community. She spends her spare time enjoying the outdoors and gazing at the ocean with her gorgeous wife and two unexpectedly exceptional sons. Her first novel Into the Blue (Interlude Press, 2016) received a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Romance. Her second novel, Storm Season, was published by Interlude Press in 2017.

Last Call at the Casa Blanca Bar & Grille by Erin Finnegan: As the one-year anniversary of his lover’s death rolls around on Christmas, Jack Volarde finds himself at their old haunt—a bar called the Casa Blanca, where a new bartender helps him open up about loss, and see brightness in a future that had grown dim.

Erin Finnegan is a former journalist and a winemaker who lives in the foothills outside Los Angeles. Her novel Luchador was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2016, and along with her 2014 debut novel, Sotto Voce, received both a Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year award and a PW starred review.

Halfway Home by Lilah Suzanne: Avery Puckett has begun to wonder if her life has become joyless. One night, fate intervenes in the form of a scraggly dog shivering and alone in a parking lot. Avery takes him to a nearby shelter called Halfway Home where she meets bright and beautiful Grace, who is determined to save the world one stray at a time.

Lilah Suzanne has been writing actively since the sixth grade, when a literary magazine published her essay about an uncle who lost his life to AIDS. A freelance writer from North Carolina, she spends most of her time behind a computer screen, but on the rare occasion she ventures outside she enjoys museums, libraries, live concerts, and quiet walks in the woods. Lilah is the author of the Interlude Press books Spice, Pivot and Slip, and the Amazon bestselling Spotlight series: Broken Records, Burning Tracks and Blended Notes.

Shelved by Lynn Charles: When library clerk Karina Ness meets a new patron, lonely business owner, Wesley Lloyd, she puts her own love life on hold and begins a holiday matchmaking mission to connect Wes with her uncle Tony.

Lynn Charles’ love of writing dates to her childhood, when thoughts, dreams, frustrations, and joys poured onto the pages of journals and diaries. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and adult children where a blind dog and his guardian cat rule the roost. When she’s not writing, Lynn can be found planning a trip to New York or strolling its streets daydreaming about retirement. Her novel Black Dust (2016) was named a finalist for a Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year award. Her other novels include Beneath the Stars (2017) and Chef’s Table (2014).

 

  

SUGAR AND SPICE

LYNN CHARLES, author of Shelved, from If the Fates Allow

As we approach the holidays our thoughts often turn to food. More specifically, sweet food. Baked goods full of sugar and spice and… well, our doctors might question the idea of “everything nice.” Take a holiday, throw a family or group of loved ones together and you will most likely find not only food, but food that is as much a part of the tradition as the holiday itself.

And that is where the similarities of holidays typically ends. Every culture, every family celebrates with their own embraced collection of special treats. What’s common in one place—stollen in Germany—is less so in Italy where panettone and ricciarelli—a gluten free almond cookie—are more common. Ride or die fruit bread lovers blend with sugar cookie traditionalists. It’s even better when cultures cross and you try new things and add them to your own celebrations. Or you try them and have to reluctantly tell your friend, waiting for your reply on how delicious stollen is to sadly find that you did not, as much as you appreciated the gesture, enjoy the dry bread loaded with dried fruit and overly sweet powdered sugar icing. Not that I know that experience personally. Not at all.

In my family, cookies are king. I’m sure some of what we consider traditional to us are borrowed from elsewhere. In fact, I know it—one of my favorites are what we called snowballs. What were they really? Mexican wedding cookies. Mom also made chocolate crinkles, sugar cookies, peanut blossoms and seven-layer bars. When it was my turn to make holiday goodies, I took some of Mom’s, added in one of my mother-in-law’s specialties—meringue drops—and found a few specialties of my own. For years, my kids, husband and I would spend an evening decorating the gingerbread cookies I’d baked that afternoon. We’d ice them to look like celebrities or favorite fictional characters, but after a few years, I realized no one was really eating them. It was the decorating that made them fun. Now, it is required I make marshmallows for my daughter, peanut blossoms for my son and shortbread—his father’s favorite—for my husband.

In my short story, “Shelved,” part of the holiday anthology If the Fates Allow, our curmudgeonly barber’s family holiday treat is pasticciotti. Tony makes it every year and shares it with his own found family in town. They are so good, his niece Karina—our narrator—counts these treats as one of her uncle’s best qualities when trying to hook him up with her new friend at the county library:

“And he makes the most amazing pasticciotti that should never go unshared.”

“Pasticciotti?”

“It’s these custard-filled pastry… pie… things, and they take forever and a day, and he destroys his kitchen and my waistline. He shoves them off on his clients because—”

Because really—what else is there to say once you’ve announced the man you’re trying to promote makes miniature custard pies? And with Karina and her Uncle Tony, his Italian desserts are a familiar part of the holiday. So familiar the day to bake them brings her to his apartment with the comfort of walking in unannounced, of tossing a scarf on a chair. But this year, the year we meet them in the story, their tradition changes. Not in the treat—pasticciotti are there to stay—but in the company.

And really, isn’t that what makes the holidays rich? Traditions ground us, but they also mix and blend and morph over time to fit into the new families we make and love.

What are some of your holiday dessert traditions? I’d love to hear them. And come visit me at lynncharles.net for my own personal experience with pasticciotti… and maybe a recipe.

 

He put the car in drive, cranked up the heat, and grinned. “Point the way!”

She chewed on her bottom lip as she gathered the courage to mention the daydreams that had kept her mind occupied that afternoon. “I’ve been thinking,” she said. She kept her eyes on the road ahead in case her next sentence flopped like a basket of rotten tomatoes. “You might like my Uncle Tony.”

Wes remained quiet; his finger, softly tapping to the music, never paused. “Huh. What’s so special about Uncle Tony?”

Karina dared a glance Wes’s way. He seemed cautiously interested. “Well, he’s… I mean, he’s—” She was not going to say Uncle Tony’s interest in men was the main impetus. That was absurd and wrong, but— “He was married to my Aunt Jodi.”

“Your Aunt Jodi.” Wes pulled up to a traffic light. “If he was married to your aunt—what makes you think he’d be interested in me?”

Karina rolled her eyes. “There are such things as bisexuals, you know.”

“I—I do know, yes. I’m sorry.” He looked at her with a pained smile. “I’m so out of the dating game that I—yes.” He continued to tap his steering wheel to the music. “You said ‘was’ married—is that why it’s past tense?”

“Yeah. He didn’t come to terms with it until later and… she wasn’t keen on the idea.”

“That’s a shame,” he said. “Thing is, I’m not too sure I’m keen on getting back in the dating game.”

“But it’s Christmas!”

“What does that have to do with—” Before taking off from the light, he shot a look at her. “Your love bomb and your Christmas spirit are still tangled.”

She ignored him; of course they were tangled. That was the point. “But, Wes… walks in the snow and packages with pretty bows and eggnog under the tree.”

“You know, some people like being alone at Christmas.”

“Oh, come on. No one likes it; they put up with it. You said you were my age when—look, it was a long time ago, and maybe it’s time—”

“How old do you think I am?”

“You’re forty-six. Turn right up here.”

“Huh. Someone did more than fix my résumé, I see.” The smile he’d been visibly fighting this entire conversation finally broke free.

“Look, Uncle Tony is lonely, and you seem—”

“Lonely?”

“Well. Yes? And I think he’d make you laugh, and he loved James and the Giant Peach as a kid too…” She lingered and hoped that revelation would spark the ultimate flame. When he didn’t flinch, she rushed on. “And he makes the most amazing pasticiotti that should never go unshared.”

“Pasticiotti?”

“It’s these custard-filled pastry… pie… things, and they take forever and a day, and he destroys his kitchen and my waistline. He shoves them off on his clients because—” She stopped rambling. Wes was laughing, and they’d driven right by her house. She directed him around the block.

“Does Uncle Tony know you’re trying to hook him up with a failed businessman?”

Lynn Charles is an author of queer contemporary romance novels. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and daughter where a blind dog and his guardian cat rule the roost. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education, worked at her county library, and absolutely never judged you for what books you checked out. Her novels Chef’s Table (2014), Black Dust (2016)—a finalist for the Foreword Review Indie Award in Romance, and Beneath the Stars (2017), can be found at Interlude Press and most online book retailers. Keep up with Lynn at lynncharles.net.

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