Avon Gale

TCO Exclusive: Avon Gale Monthly Author Column

June 30, 2016 by Denise

**We are so excited to have Avon Gale join us for a monthly author column. Her latest release is Power Play, which you can grab here. One of my personal favorites though is Conversation Hearts. I promise if you read it, you will be begging Avon to write a follow up. You can check that one out here.

Time (Mis)Management
So, it’s been just about six months since I decided to write full-time in lieu of pursue my hair stylist career. I simply didn’t have the ability to build up a stylist clientele and focus on the writing at the same time, and to be honest, writing is my first and greatest love and I never, ever thought I’d be blessed enough to do this as a job. And now I am! And boy, have I learned a lot in these six months.

Some of these lessons include:
1. My cats do not appreciate my dance moves or random, impromptu sing-alongs. My cats hate joy.
2. Being an extrovert and working home alone all day…well, there’s a reason I have dance parties and impromptu singalongs. IT’S TOO QUIET HELP SEND PEOPLE.
3. My neighbor seriously spends all his time mowing his yard. 24/7. It’s not that big of a yard, either. I don’t even know.
4. I talk to myself constantly, at home or while doing errands during the day. To be fair, I did this before I started writing full-time. I do it a lot more now, but hey. Eccentric authors can talk to themselves, right?
5. Eccentric authors can also leave the house in their stylish work-from-home wardrobe of leggings, canvas skull shoes, a tank top and the two of the world’s smallest pigtails which are totally uneven because whatever, #YOLO.
6. I fought having to get up in the morning like some kind of angry fighting thing that fights. Now? I wake up naturally and without my alarm at 7:30, and am usually at the desk working most days by 8:30/9:00 and work until 6 or so. Contrarian to the end, that’s me.
7. Time management, my ancient nemesis, is a lot easier when you love what you do…but loving what you do isn’t enough to master it.
8. One day I watched my mail carrier put the mail in our mailbox, then flip off my house. I still don’t know what that’s about.

Probably the hardest thing, though, is that planning and plotting and writing have always been things that I just *did* before. I wrote sometimes (or, who are we kidding here, all the time) at my office jobs, I wrote in the evenings, I wrote on the weekends. I wrote at the salon when I was working as a receptionist during beauty school. I was probably always writing when I was supposed to be doing something else, which yes, was a pretty good sign I should have been doing this all along.

Except now I have entire days devoted to writing, so I thought I’d be doing it constantly. And that is totally not true. Some days I’m in the groove and I write like crazy, but some days I play on Twitter, dance with the cats (they REALLY hate that), do promo stuff (you know, like playing on Twitter >>) and obsess over my schedule and when I need to get things done by.

You guys, the other day I procrastinated editing (okay, I think this is fair though because editing arghhhh) by cleaning out my linen cabinet. What! I used to procrastinate cleaning by writing! WHAT MADNESS IS THIS!
Things that have plagued me my entire life are organizational skills, time management and pesky details that I would rather ignore in favor of candy. So now that I’m my own boss, I’m having to find ways to curb my natural distracted tendencies, set up schedules and procedures that work, and not feel guilty about not getting enough done. I read somewhere this was the biggest challenge for people who work from home, the constant thought that they should be working around the clock and never take breaks to play Futurama: Game of Drones on their phones, or have intense conversations with their friends about craft night.

I guess that’s the main thing I’ve learned – even when I love something as much as I love writing, even as passionate as I am about what I do and how grateful I am that I get to do it…I’m still going to play Futurama: Game of Drones and have cat dance parties. (Sorry, cats.)

Power Play by Avon Gale: Blog Tour, Character Interview and Giveaway

May 10, 2016 by Denise

A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford’s hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game he loves—only this time, behind the bench as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the entire league. But nothing prepares him for the shock when he learns the new head coach is Misha Samarin, the man who caused Max’s accident.

After spending guilt-ridden years for his part in Max’s accident, Russian native Misha Samarin has no idea what to do when he’s confronted with Max’s presence. Max’s optimism plays havoc with Misha’s equilibrium—as does the fierce attraction that springs up between them.

Not only must they navigate Misha’s remorse and a past he’s spent a lifetime to forget, but also a sleazy GM determined to use their history as a marketing hook. But when an unwelcome visitor targets the team, Misha revisits his darkest days, which might cost him and Max the beginning they’ve worked so hard to build.

Author Name: Avon Gale

Book Name: Power Play

Series: Scoring Chances

Book: Three

This book can be read as a standalone

Release Date: May 9, 2016

Pages or Words: 240 pages

Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Fiction

Goodreads Link

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Power Play by Avon Gale: Release Day Review

May 9, 2016 by Denise

After spending years guilt ridden for his part in Max’s accident, Russian native Misha Samarin has no idea what to do when he’s confronted with Max’s presence. Max’s optimism plays havoc with Misha’s equilibrium—as does the fierce attraction that springs up between them.

Not only must they navigate Misha’s remorse and a past he’s spent a lifetime trying to forget, but also a sleazy GM who is determined to use their history as a marketing hook. But when an unwelcome visitor targets a player, Misha revisits his darkest days, and that might cost him and Max the beginning they’ve worked so hard to build.

Title: Power Play
Series: A Scoring Chances Novel
Author: Avon Gale
Release Date: May 9, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

It’s no secret that I’m a huge Avon Gale fan. Like, to the point I’m kind of waiting for a restraining order to show up at my door because I’m an online stalker. Okay, so maybe not that bad, but I really love Avon Gale. Have I mentioned that? And it’s the Scoring Chances series that roped me in as a lifelong reader of her stories, so I couldn’t wait to get my greedy little hands on Power Play.

Misha and Max have a history on the ice, and it’s not a good one. I loved the way Avon portrayed the guilt Misha felt over ending Max’s career. There was a balance between what I think is realistic guilt a player would feel and the added angst ingrained in him from childhood. Without that balance, Misha could’ve easily been seen as over the top and a bit unlikeable.

While I hated the ulterior motives that brought them back together, I’m glad they were. Both of them needed to heal from what happened, and it was perfect that they were able to do so together. They not only had great chemistry together, but they worked well as a coaching team. Both had their own strengths and neither felt slighted when the other took the lead.

I was expecting this book to be heavy on the angst given the fact that Misha is Russian and harbors a lot of fears over being gay. I thought his past would come back to haunt him in a more dire manner than it did. I kept waiting for it, but it never came. While part of me wishes it did, I don’t know that something so dark would’ve fit with the rest of the series.

I’m hoping and praying we’ll get to see Isaac’s story next, because I really feel for that boy!

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

ARe

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

Conversation Hearts by Avon Gale : Review

February 9, 2016 by Heather

It’s Valentine’s Day, and grad student—and male escort—Levi Barron expects to spend his evening with a client who’s paying him for his services in bed… not an assassin who needs to borrow the view from his hotel room in the morning.

With nothing to do but endure the company of his unwanted guest, Levi and the assassin, Sinjin, spend some time bonding over HGTV, minibar beverages, Flannery O’Connor short stories, terrible Valentine’s candy, and the necessity of lying about their jobs.

Their evening takes an unexpected turn when they decide to indulge in their mutual attraction, and in the morning Levi doesn’t know if he’s spent the night with a hired killer or a hydraulic engineer with a very specific fantasy. Either way, the two have enough chemistry—in and out of bed—that Levi isn’t sure one night with Sinjin will be enough.

And a message left in candy suggests the feeling is mutual.

Heather's Review

Avon Gale quickly made her way onto my very short insta-buy list. Don’t get me wrong, there are authors I love, but very few can get me to click on their books without knowing anything about the characters.

I’m glad she is on that list, because otherwise I might have skipped this book because I’m not a huge fan of novellas. Most of the time, I’m left feeling unfulfilled. With Conversation Hearts, I was so deeply in love with Sinjin and Levi by the last page that I was legitimately ticked with the author for ending the book the way she did. I just know these guys are going to make it, but I need to see their love develop just to be sure.

The love affair between an assassin and an escort might seem unlikely, but the truth is their occupations make them that much more perfect for one another. The biggest question in my mind right now is which will be harder to overcome? Would it be harder for Levi to live with the knowledge that his lover kills people or for Sinjin to kiss Levi goodbye knowing that he’s going to give his body to someone else?

Without a doubt, this was a 5 star, shout it from the rooftops, read for me. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m off to create my first online petition because we need to show Avon Gale that it’s a moral imperative that she give us more of this couple.

This was my first Valentine’s Day novella. I usually don’t read novellas, but when I have, they have been holiday ones. But when I saw the premise of Conversation Hearts, I wanted to give it a shot. I’m glad I did…and yet, I kind of want to have a stern discussion with Avon Gale about this. Just leaving it open ended like that? Cruel, I have to say.

These two men, came together in the most unusual circumstances, and yet through little conversations, snippets of moments, they found common ground, and were able to make their short time together work. Despite the nerves of an assassin just coming in, Levi finds a connection with Sinjin, and come together.

Avon Gale is a new author to me, although I have heard great things about her Scoring Chances series. I’m thinking I might need to pick those up and have a weekend read-athon with her books.

Now…can I remind the author that we NEED more Levi and Sinjin…please??? 4 pieces of eye candy.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Save of the Game by Avon Gale : Pre-Release Day Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

January 28, 2016 by Denise

After last season’s heartbreaking loss to his hockey team’s archrival, Jacksonville Sea Storm goalie Riley Hunter is ready to let go of the past and focus on a winning season. His new roommate, Ethan Kennedy, is a loud New Yorker with a passion for social justice that matches his role as the team’s enforcer. The quieter Riley is attracted to Ethan and has no idea what to do about it.

Ethan has no hesitations. As fearless as his position demands, he rushes into things without much thought for the consequences. Though they eventually warm to their passionate new bond, it doesn’t come without complications. While trying to financially help Ethan, Riley must hide his family’s wealth so as not to hurt Ethan’s immense pride. For their relationship to work, Ethan will need to learn when to keep the gloves on and let someone help him—and Riley will have to learn it’s okay to let someone past his defenses.

Author Name: Avon Gale

Book Name: Save of the Game

Series: Scoring Chances

This book is a ‘Scoring Chances’ novel. It can be read as a standalone.

Pages or Words: 200 pages

Release Date: January 29, 2016

Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Sports, Hockey

Save of the Game on Goodreads

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Save of the Game by Avon Gale is the second book in the Scoring Chances series. I’m so glad Riley got his story because I felt bad for him in Breakaway. No really, I did! When he started asking Lane about Jared, there was just something that screamed unrequited crush to me. I wanted him to find his happy.

At first glance, Riley and Ethan seem like the Odd Couple. Ethan is a loud, obnoxious enforcer and Riley is the quiet goalie doing everything he can to prove himself as a goalie. As the reasons for Riley wanting to prove his worth unfold, I felt even more deeply for him.

Ethan is the character who sticks out more in my mind after the end of the book. He struck me as the dumb jock used to using his fists because it’s what he’s good at. At no point is he portrayed as a rising star. He’s a utility player there to do a job. He has potential, but given the fact that he’s slow and clumsy on the ice, smokes, and doesn’t eat right, he’s unlikely to reach that potential. All of that’s gotta give a guy a complex.

Even though Riley’s the better player, he seems to be jealous of Ethan to some extent, with good reason. Ethan has the one thing Riley would give up anything to have. And once they’re together, he gets a taste of what he’s missing.

Avon Gale walked the line between making Ethan accept his feelings for Riley too quickly and writing him as so tortured that it’s difficult to read. For a while, I did think he was too accepting and willing to explore what he felt, but once I met his family, it all made sense.

The Scoring Chances Series is quickly becoming one of my go-to series. I can’t wait to get my greedy little hands on the third book. I won’t go to extremes and threaten to tie Avon Gale to her chair until she hands it over, but only because illegal activity is frowned upon and I’m not sure how I’d get books in prison. Seriously, if you love a good hockey book, read this series. If you’re not a hockey fan, I won’t hold it against you, but I will still tell you to pick up Breakaway and Save of the Game. You won’t regret it!

5 pieces of eye candy!

His phone beeped, alerting him that he had a new text message. It was from Ethan Kennedy, the defenseman the Storm had acquired before the trade deadline last spring. The rowdy Kennedy, who had a heavy New York accent and was a huge fan of the New York Rangers—a team Riley hated, by virtue of being a New Jersey Devils fan—had bunked with him for a few weeks during the finals. He’d gone back to New York after the Storm lost in the playoffs. Riley hadn’t been sure if he was coming back or not, but the text message indicated he’d just gotten back to to Banner300x250 wn, and would Riley mind picking him up from the airport?

And oh, he got a cheaper rate by flying into Tampa, which was three hours away. Was that a problem? And one last thing. Riley didn’t need a roommate by any chance. Did he?

Riley looked around his apartment, which was nice and clean and quiet. Just like it always was, except for those few weeks last spring when Ethan was there. He was loud and messy and always in Riley’s space, left half-full cans of Pepsi everywhere, drank whiskeys with dubious-sounding names, and smoked like a chimney.

be there in 3 hrs, Riley texted and grabbed a few boxes of coconut water out of his fridge. The idea of coming home alone after games reminded him of those car rides in Wyoming, and he was getting tired of the silence.

Amazon

Dreamspinner eBook

ARe

Kobo

Character Interview

Excited to be interviewing Riley Hunter

What do you find attractive in a man?

Ethan would probably say my answer would be “blonds” but that’s just because I think Martin Brodeur is hot. But really I think my answer is passion and confidence. Also, tattoos.

The first thing that went through your head when you saw Ethan?

That I was going to be killing a lot of penalties. Sorry, Ethan, but my first impression was that you were a loudmouth who would end up in the box a lot and give the other team a lot of man advantages. And I was right about that. I wasn’t sure about the whole being into guys thing yet, but I noticed Ethan’s tattoos.

Do you think you’ll insist the author visits you again?

I hear I show up in the third book, and am at least mentioned in the fourth. I don’t mind if she comes back to visit, especially if she writes a book about how I’m the starting goalie for the New Jersey Devils. Then Ethan would have to cheer for the Devils instead of the Rangers, haha.

Before you met Ethan, what was your ideal man?

Uh, Martin Brodeur? (Laughs) I wasn’t really sure if I was bisexual or not. But I always wanted someone in my life to shake it up a bit. Someone to make things not so quiet all the time. I definitely got that.

You’re going out for dinner. What’s your favorite food?

I’m really boring about food when I’m training, which is basically always. I eat a lot of grilled things – chicken, fish, vegetables. I do like pizza, and stealing Ethan’s cheese fries from Cruisers. You’d think we would eat more seafood living in Florida, but I play hockey for the ECHL. Seafood is kind of out of our budget, unless maybe we caught it ourselves. Which I could do, but no way would Ethan have the patience.

Thanks Riley!

Avon Gale was once the mayor on Foursquare of Jazzercise and Lollicup, which should tell you all you need to know about her as a person. She likes road trips, rock concerts, drinking Kentucky bourbon and yelling at hockey. She’s a displaced southerner living in a liberal midwestern college town, and when she’s not writing you can find her at the salon, making her clients look and feel fabulous. She never gets tired of people and their stories — either real or the ones she makes up in her head.

Where to find the author:

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

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authoravongale

Twitter: @avongalewrites

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

Other: (join my mailing list) http://eepurl.com/bGLSrD

Tour Dates & Stops:

29-Jan

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Posy Roberts, Book Lovers 4Ever, Mikky’s World of Books, Jessie G. Books, Gay Book Reviews

1-Feb

Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Kirsty Loves Books, Love Bytes, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Divine Magazine, Hearts on Fire, Open Skye Book Reviews

2-Feb