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Exploration by Quinn Ward: Exclusive Excerpt, RDB and Giveaway

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TCO is happy to have Quinn Ward here for Release Day, bringing an exclusive excerpt. Quinn’s new book, Exploration, Kinky in the City, is all about finding control, and surrendering control. Take a look, and then pick up the book!

 

The reluctant manager of his family’s restaurant, Frankie attempts to live up to the legacy of his father and grandfather. Running a business that isn’t his passion and trying to do it without asking for help leaves him turning to less-than-legal means when he wants to surrender control.

Newly divorced, Calvin no longer lives in the closet, leaving him searching for what he most desires- control. So when he finds Frankie on his knees in the back room of a local bar, Calvin sees the sub he’s only ever fantasized about having.

Can Calvin find the confidence to explore his dominant side while showing his younger roommate that submission isn’t only about whips and pain?

Length: 65,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Marisa @ Cover Me Darling

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

 

“I don’t have all night, Frankie,” Cal stated without any hint of emotion in his voice. He didn’t sound pissed off or turned on or anything else. I really could’ve used a few cues to understand how he saw tonight playing out.

I couldn’t stand in front of the door forever; I needed to make my choice. Go hear what Calvin had to say or turn and walk out, hoping he’d forget what he saw tonight by the next time we ran into one another. With a ragged breath, I squared my shoulders and took the first daunting step into the living room.

After I ran into the arm of one of the chairs, the room was flooded with light. I blinked a few times, trying to adjust my eyes to the sudden brightness, and stared at the man who’d summoned me. He was one of those guys who could pull off just about anything from sweats and a T-shirt to a suit and tie, but tonight, he was sitting on the couch wearing nothing but a pair of dark wash jeans. Shirtless. How in the hell did I not realize Calvin was hiding all that ink? Fucking edible. While my brain screamed that it was a horrible idea to pursue anything with the man whose name was on the deed, my dick begged me to crawl onto Calvin’s lap and lick every line spanning his chest.

“Please, take a seat.” Calvin motioned to the chair that’d just attacked my leg. I felt like an idiot, because if he was putting me across the room from him, he wasn’t looking for anything more than answers. No matter how much I’d told myself I didn’t want anything more than our current arrangement, I couldn’t ignore the tightness in my chest as I realized what a fool I’d been. Now that he didn’t want me, I wanted him to need me the same way I’d decided I needed him. I squirmed in my seat, trying to get comfortable as Calvin watched my every move. Only once I appeared settled did he speak again.

“Ever since you left tonight, I’ve been trying to figure out what your deal is.” Calvin leaned back on the couch, resting one foot against the opposite knee. He stared at me and scrubbed at his beard. His scrutiny had me resisting the urge to fidget or sit straighter. “I know you have a good job. I happen to know what most of your living expenses are, and they’re not much for a single guy. So it makes no sense why I’d find you in the back room on your knees like a cheap hooker.”

I bit down on my lips to keep from telling him what I did was none of his fucking business. It wouldn’t be an inaccurate statement, but he seemed genuinely curious. Too bad I wasn’t about to explain it to him. So, I did what any mature adult would do and I shrugged before crossing my arms tightly over my chest.

“You’re not denying that you were turning tricks?” Calvin pressed when I remained silent. Pleading the fifth was my only option because I couldn’t lie to save my life. Calvin leaned forward in his seat and stared at me until I couldn’t take another second of eye contact and I had to look away. “Help me understand why, Frankie. If you’re having trouble making ends meet we can work something out.”

“Yeah, I can just bet how you’d suggest we do that,” I sniped.

“I don’t like what you’re implying. I have no intention of trading sexual favors for room and board.”

Quinn writes LGBTQ romance with a kick. Their stories center around the relationship building between the characters, but also shows how compatible they are in the bedroom (or wherever else the urge strikes).

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Email Quinn at: quinn@quinnwardwrites.com
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Second Chance by Jay Northcote: Blog Tour, Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Everyone deserves a second chance.

Nate and his teenage daughter need a fresh start, so they move back to the village where he grew up. Nate’s transgender, and not used to disclosing his history, so it’s hard living where people knew him before. When Nate reconnects with Jack–his best friend from school and unrequited crush–his feelings return as strong as ever.

Jack’s returned home to get his life in order after an addiction to alcohol caused him to lose everything: his job, his driver’s licence, and nearly his life. He’s living with his parents, which is less than ideal, but rekindling his friendship with Nate–or Nat as Jack once knew him–is an unexpected benefit of being back home. Jack is amazed by Nate’s transformation, and can’t deny his attraction. Trying for more than friendship might ruin what they already have, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.

Doubting his feelings are reciprocated, Nate fears he’s risking heartbreak. Jack’s reluctance to tell his parents about their relationship only reinforces Nate’s misgivings. With both their hearts on the line and their happiness at stake, Jack needs to make things right, and Nate has to be prepared to give him a second chance.

Length: 67,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Black Jazz Design

Amazon

 

A hint of cigarette smoke carried on the wind caught Nate’s attention, and he realised he wasn’t alone. A hunched figure sat on a bench by the church. Wearing a heavy coat with the hood up, their head hung low staring at the grass between their feet rather than at the landscape stretched out before them. A cigarette hung from bony fingers that protruded from black fingerless gloves. As Nate watched, the man—because Nate could see his face now—raised his head to take a long drag before stubbing the cigarette out on the bench.

A shock of recognition made Nate’s heart jump, thudding erratically.

Jack.

Torn between conflicting urges to approach and flee, Nate stared at him, powerless to move.

How many years had it been since Nate had seen him? At forty-five Nate found each year passed faster than the one before. It must have been twenty years at least since he’d seen Jack, maybe more, and longer still since they’d spoken properly. Their last meeting had been nothing more than an awkward exchange of greetings when they ran into each other in the village pub one Christmas. The distance between them had cut Nate like a knife, so different to their teenage years when they’d been best friends, and almost inseparable.

Jack slumped forward again, letting the cigarette butt fall from his fingers. He put his hands over his face and Nate recognised despair and hopelessness, because they’d been his companions in the past. Acting on instinct, he approached.

“Sorry to intrude,” he said, pausing in front of Jack. “But are you okay? Is there anything I can do?”

Jack jerked his head up in surprise. His pale cheeks flushed as he shook his head. “Not really. Just having a bad day. You know how it is… or maybe you don’t.”

“I do.”

Nate studied him. The years had changed Jack, of course, but the essence of him was still the same. Sharp features, the strong nose Jack had always hated, even more defined with age, but more balanced now with dark stubble and the lines that the years were beginning to carve around his eyes and mouth.

As Jack stared back, Nate realised there was no recognition dawning on Jack’s face. To Jack, Nate was a stranger. Five years on testosterone had changed Nate to a point where Jack couldn’t see the person Nate had been before. Normally this was something Nate was glad about, but now he felt a pang of regret.

Hmmm, where to begin. First, this is my very first FTM read, and while I thought I knew the basics… I very much did not. Interesting, and kinda hot!

Now, on to the story….Nate and his teenage daughter are living back home with Nate’s mom, after Cass- the daughter was falling in with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble where they were previously. Being back home with your parents is never easy, especially after having a family of your own; but they both needed a fresh start. Having only been there for a few months, Nate runs into Jack, a former best friend whom she was in love with when they were younger. Except, back then, she was Nat.

Jack didn’t recognize Nate at first, having known her pre-transition….but I liked how open minded he was about everything. Jack, is also suffering from depression, also living with his parents after somewhat of a breakdown when things just kept piling up on him. I liked the way that was handled and not glossed over, depression is a very real and common thing… it made them more relatable, to me.

What kind of threw me off a bit, was… had they not said a couple times that both men were in their forties, I would’ve guessed teenagers. The dialogue between them was… blah at times, and just situations were just very teenager’y… I guess because they were back living at home, and having to sneak around and stuff… but I dunno, it was weird for me.

The guys, since running into each other, decide to keep in touch, which turns into a friends with benefits kind of thing, which never works out….especially when one or both people have deeper feelings. I knew it was likely to get messy, but it wasn’t angsty and back and forth, so, that was a plus.

What I also loved, was how accepting Nate’s mom and daughter was.  I could see where Jack would be hesitant to share his relationship with his parents, because they didn’t seem as welcoming, not only because they knew Nate as Nat, but, they just didn’t seem that open minded with Jack’s orientation either. It did make for a little bump in the road, but they got there in the end.

As my first FTM read, I really enjoyed it!

4 stars from me!

 

 

April 20 – Gay Book Reviews, Katie’s Book Corner, Mainely Stories, OMG Reads

April 23 – Mikki-chan, Diverse Reader

April 25 – V’s Reads, Two Chicks Obsessed

May 2 – Bonkers About Books, Au Boudoir Ecarlate

May 4 – Wicked Faeries Tales & Reviews

May 7 – Xtreme Delusions, BFD Book Blog

May 9 – Kimmer’s Erotic Book Banter, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

May 11 – RAM PA Group, My Fiction Nook, Making It Happen, Wicked Reads

May 14 – Urban Smoothie Read

May 18 – Mirrigold, Bayou Book Junkie, Book Review Virgina Lee

 

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

www.jaynorthcote.com

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As I Am by Melissa Collins: Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Chase Hansen. Broke. College drop out. Male stripper.

My life wasn’t at all what I imagined it would be. I should have been finishing up college, interning with a well-respected business, partying with my friends. But instead, I was raising my seventeen year old brother, struggling to make ends meet. Love wasn’t even on my radar. Besides, what did I have to offer? A few crumpled singles pulled from my G-string? Defeated and exhausted, I knew I had zero chance of finding someone to love me just as I am.

Noah Carpenter. Angry. Betrayed. Doctor.

Just when I thought my life was going exactly as it should, everything turned upside down. With my final rotation in medical school complete, I finally achieved my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. What I never expected was to catch the man of my dreams in our bed with the man of his. Beyond infuriated, I struggled to piece together the remnants of my life. Just when I’d decided to give up on love altogether, I found a man who loved me just as I am.

Cover design: Sommer Stein at Perfect Pear Creative Covers

Photography: Christopher John at CJC Photography

Models: Sam Wiles and Aaron Michael Bell

Amazon

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The piece of art hanging on the wall on the east end of the hospital cafeteria had, by my best calculation, twelve hundred and eighty-two one-by-one-inch tiles of varying shades of blues and greens.

This was what my life had come to. Counting fucking tiles.

“Hello?” Wes’s voice snapped me out of my newfound habit of counting random shit to distract me. “What the hell?” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee. “I asked you how the wedding was like five minutes ago and you’re just sitting there staring at that mural like it’s a naked woman.” After another quick sip, he corrected himself, “Man. I mean a naked man.”

And just like that, the twelve hundred tiles morphed from the ocean lapping against the shore into Chase’s naked body, standing before me, waiting for me to do what I want with it.

Sexual frustration was a bitch like that.

“Oh, uh, good. It was good.” The usually shitty coffee tasted even shittier.

Wes laughed, dropping the conversation I so clearly didn’t want to have. We ate in silence, leaving ten minutes later to start our day in the emergency room. As usual, work offered me the only worthwhile distraction from the numbness of my life. Between the long and drawn-out break up with Rob, to the turmoil over the last month in dealing with how I felt about Chase and what was bubbling between us, it had been far too long since I felt like my life was my own.

Ten hours later, I found myself in a very similar situation. Wes and I were walking to the cafeteria, grabbing our hundredth cup of coffee for the day. “So, are you finally going to talk to me about whatever the hell is bothering you, or are we going to draw it out for weeks and weeks like last time, until you’re ready to blow?”

Like some pathetically frustrated teenager, even the mention of the word blow had me hardening behind my long, white lab coat. “Option B?” I joked, more asking than telling.

“Nice fucking try.” Wes pulled a chair out next to me. After peeling back the plastic lid to his Styrofoam cup, he blew on the hot liquid. “Talk,” he demanded, pressing his lips to the rim. “Now,” he added, before taking a small sip.

As if my friend possessed a magic power over me, the story about what happened over the weekend—about Rob showing up with Chase, about Chase ditching me after he took care of Katie, about me feeling ridiculously lost and confused—all the words fell from my lips with an ease that surprised even me.

“There we go,” he goaded. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

One question. So plain and simple, yet so loaded. Shrugging, I sipped my coffee, hoping it held the answer to all my life’s issues. No such luck, I guessed. “I don’t know.” I huffed. “I just don’t know.” The worst part was, that was the truth. I had no clue how to get what I wanted out of my life. On the surface, everything looked like it was perfect. But on the inside, it was the exact opposite. Working was the only thing that gave me purpose.

Wes pulled his phone from his pocket, presumably because it had buzzed. He wasn’t one to randomly scroll through pointless social media in the middle of a shift, or the middle of a conversation with a friend. He was good people like that. After punching out a quick text, he slid it back into his pocket and then focused his attention back on me. “Look, this may sound like something I’ve already told you, but dude, fucking go for it.”

Again, so simple, yet so complicated.

He continued, without letting me get a word in. “You like the guy, right?” It was a rhetorical question. “You want to see where it goes, so go for it.” Much to my surprise, Wes stood from his chair, seemingly annoyed with this very one-sided conversation. “I need to get back, and then I’m going to go home and kiss the baby goodnight. Maybe make love to my wife.”

Something about the certainty with which he spoke his words, about the permanence of his routine, made me jealous. It was a blind stupidity that fueled me through the last few hours of my shift. And by the time sixteen hours had passed, I trudged my way out of the hospital, hoping the solace of my bed would somehow make everything about the chaos of the last few days go away.

As I pulled up into my driveway, it was almost as if my bed was calling to me, my muscles aching so much with every step up the walkway. “I’m getting so fucking old,” I cursed to myself, adjusting my messenger bag over my sore shoulder.

As I punched the numbers into the keypad, I waited for Katie to bark, knowing she’d be itching to get out. Even though the dog walker I’d hired had been here today, Katie would be anxious to see me after an exceptionally long day.

Except, after hitting the fourth button, I heard nothing. Odd. Maybe I forgot to set it. Maybe the dog walker forgot. The second option was the more likely one. I guess that would have to be something I’d need to take up with her another day. Since I didn’t have the energy to deal with it right now, I let my exhaustion take over and made my way up to my bedroom. Surely Katie had to be curled up on my bed, waiting for me there.

“Katie girl,” I called out, pushing open the door to my bedroom.

A shock like I’d never known washed over me as the light from inside my room flooded my senses. “Fucking hell,” I cursed, clutching my chest as if my heart had actually jumped out of my skin.

“Hey.” A sexy, and gravelly voice spoke. Blinking away the bright lights offending my eyes, I tried to make sense of it all, but it was pointless.

“What the?”

“It’s me,” the voice said again, this time moving toward me. “Chase,” he clarified, though I didn’t need the clarification at this point.

“What are you doing here?”

He laughed at my pointless question before answering, “I used the code you gave me last week, and I’m waiting for you in your bedroom.” He moved toward me, each step an agonizingly slow process. When he was no more than only a few centimeters in front of me, his toes nearly next to mine, he finally touched me. His hand cupped my jaw, his thumb softly grazing over my lower lip. “I think my intentions are pretty clear. No?” A glint of humor flashed in his eyes before his mouth crashed into mine. There was nothing soft about the moment. The feel of his lips, tasting, demanding, invading, it was too much to bear.

Stepping back from him, my mind raced. He all but broke into my house. He was lying in my bed. All nice and fucking cozy. “But,” I protested.

“I know.” Without letting me finish, Chase spoke, and his words were already soaked in guilt. “It’s not the most traditional way of going about seeing you. But… I… uh…,” he stammered. This time I moved toward him, cupping his face, running my thumb along his jaw. He closed his eyes and let out a slow exhale, his lips barely parting. “I wanted you,” he admitted, his voice real and raw.

And at that moment, all my concerns, all my questions, washed away.

They melted into his skin as my body pressed against his.

Then, all at once, every restriction I’d ever felt, coursed through my blood as if they were cursing their very existence—screaming, yelling, raging, to be released. I’d like to say that I actively decided to let go of whatever had been holding me back over the last few days, hell, over the last few years.

But nothing could explain the raw animalistic power possessing my body.

Letting the passion I needed to experience flow through my veins, I pushed Chase down onto the bed. The pause I took to register the shock on his face was brief, at most. But somehow, seeing his eyes widen in shock, and his mouth part as he took in the extra oxygen his lungs so desperately craved, it fueled my need that much more.

My body fell into his, the soft mattress beneath us a cushion, enveloping our bodies as we writhed together in a hazy cloud of power and desire. With a fury I hadn’t realized I’d possessed, I pulled his shirt from his body, nearly tearing the fabric in the process. Pressing my hips into his, I kept my face less than an inch from his face. My breath, coming out in short, heated puffs, filled the limited space between us. “I want you, too,” I admitted.

With a roughness that was foreign even to me, I gripped his jaw, pulling his mouth up to my own as if my next inhale was dependent upon his exhale. “I don’t even care how you got in here.” The honesty coating my words was as genuine as the rock-hard erection pressing against Chase’s. “Just that you’re here, that’s all I need right now.”

And with that admission, I attacked his body as if it were the last meal I’d ever be offered.

Amazon

Ok, here’s the deal. I am a fan of Melissa Collins and her books. I follow her on social media, etc. So as much as I wanted to love this book, I just didn’t. And that pains me.

I questioned too many things. Why does the story begin with Chase crushing on his best friend? That story line goes no where in the book. How does this guy get a job stripping with no dance experience, not a great body, etc? Noah (the other main character) goes from resident with crazy hours, to basically office hours in no time. And he has a giant house? Because brand new doctors make a ton of money? And apparently since he now works regular office hours, he has plenty of time to drink his sorrows away. Great thing for a doctor.

Ok, besides those things. I felt no connection. Not TO the characters or between the characters. The only connection I felt was between Chase and his brother Benny. That is the relationship that Chase seems to want to cultivate and make better. He is really trying hard for his brother, but at the same time he is so self pitying.

There were good parts. The lap dance. A couple of the sex scenes. But the romance was lacking.

I won’t give up on this author, as I said I’ve loved her previous books. But this one just didn’t do it for me.

3.5 pieces of eye candy
 

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.

Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

 

Set Ablaze by KC Burn: Exclusive Guest Post, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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California firefighter Hayden Hurst is starting to realize there’s more to life than fighting fires and drinking with his buddies. He has room in his home and his life for someone special, but no one has stood out among his hookups. And while he’s out at work, admitting he’s gay is very different from showing up at social functions with a man. He’s afraid that’ll be too much for his less-than-accepting “friends.”

Broadway dancer Jez Bouchet hasn’t been mistaken for straight since he was gay-bashed at seventeen. After getting a lucrative job offer in Hollywood, he uproots his life in New York and drives to Los Angeles. His brother, who is Hayden’s best friend, arranges for him to crash at Hayden’s place.

The attraction between Hayden and Jez is unexpected but fiery, and they succumb before they’re even sure they like each other. But Jez hates Hayden’s homophobic friends, and Hayden knows Jez is too flamboyant for him to fly under the radar. Then there’s the complication of Jez’s brother.

Despite those hurdles, they fling themselves into a relationship. But Jez has secrets: a tiny spoiled dog and a determined stalker. If he doesn’t come clean, he might torch their burgeoning relationship before it has a chance to bloom.

Title: Set Ablaze
Author: KC Burn
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 193

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Hi all! I’m KC Burn and I want to thank Two Chicks Obsessed for hosting me today for my new release Set Ablaze.

I know there are authors out there who have to hide what they write from family. There are readers out there who have to hide what they read. I am not one of those people. My friends are all supportive, my family is mostly supportive, my in-laws are super supportive. My hubby is the most supportive man I could ask for. When I’m not behind on deadlines, he edits my books and he’s excellent at catching plot holes and continuity errors as well as grammar mistakes.

For Set Ablaze, though, I required a different brand of support. Set Ablaze is set in a fictional firehouse, in Pasadena, California, where I currently reside. I’d done a bunch of research (like many of my books, the heroes’ professions only peripherally influence the story, so I didn’t need HUGE amounts of information about firefighters, just enough to get the parts I do reference correct). There were two questions I could not seem to locate answers for online though.

During this creation process, I traveled to Toronto for a conference. While I was there, I saw a Facebook post for the city of Pasadena. One of the fire stations was having an OPEN HOUSE. While I was AWAY. You could wander in and check the place out, and ask questions.

The conversation with my hubby went like this… “So… do you have any plans for Saturday?”

Yes, the hubby went to the open house, armed with my two questions, and took some pictures for me. It was exactly what I needed to finish the book. Gotta love my supportive hubby.

What about you? Have you been scorned for your reading choices? And I’m not necessarily talking m/m romance. Romance is often looked down on by the rest of the literary world. I’ve gotten flak for straight romances, and even just any sort of genre fiction. I really feel for those out there who can’t just enjoy the escape that reading (and writing) provides.

When I said I would review this book, I had no idea what to expect. A firefighter who’s out, but not quite out, a dancer with a future, but no home, and a puppy. So, yeah, all those together, and I said “yep, that’s for me!” Having not read this author before, I took a chance. (Meanwhile, I went and searched and found I had purchased at least one book by this author, and its in my TBR, moved up accordingly. 🙂 )

What I did not expect was the twists and turns this book would take, and not the normal ones you might expect. Jez’s brother, his reactions to Jez, and later his reasoning behind it all were surprising to me. Also, the…for want of a better word…s**t that Hayden took from his friends, despite them knowing he was gay, and how it was handled. This impressed me as a reader, because it could have easily turned into a hugely dramatic part of the book, and instead was dealt with as (hopefully) most adults would have handled it.

In the end though, I loved the relationship between Hayden and Jez. They respected each other, despite their extreme differences, and didn’t allow circumstances to pull them apart. They truly just worked on falling in love, with only a little internal drama-and a whole lot of cute puppy. 🙂

Hayden’s own issues made complete sense considering the circumstances he’d had to deal with, and the way he allowed Jez to assist with the process of letting go was touching. They really did make a good team together.

I really enjoyed this book, and am hoping to find some time soon to read Cop Out now…or if there’s another in this series, that too!

4.5 pieces of eye candy

KC Burn has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a sucker for happy endings (of all kinds).  After moving from Toronto to Florida for her husband to take a dream job, she discovered a love of gay romance and fulfilled a dream of her own — getting published.  After a few years of editing web content by day, and neglecting her supportive, understanding hubby and needy cat at night to write stories about men loving men, she was uprooted yet again and now resides in California. Writing is always fun and rewarding, but writing about her guys is the most fun she’s had in a long time, and she hopes you’ll enjoy them as much as she does.

Visit KC at her website, on Twitter, on Facebook, or find out about new releases by signing up for her newsletter.


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Squared Away by Annabeth Albert: Exclusive Author Guest Post, Blog Tour, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

In the wake of tragedy, SEAL Mark Whitley rushed stateside to act as guardian to his sister’s three young children. But a conflicting will could give custody to someone else—someone Mark remembers as a too young, too hot, wild party boy. Even after six years, Mark can’t shake the memory of his close encounter with Isaiah James, or face up to what it says about his own sexuality.

Isaiah’s totally over the crush that made him proposition Mark all those years ago. In fact, he’s done with crushing on the wrong men altogether. For now, he’s throwing himself into proving he’s the best person to care for his cousin’s kids. But there’s no denying there’s something sexy about a big, tough military man with a baby in his arms.

As the legal details get sorted out, their long-buried attraction resurfaces, leading to intimate evenings after the kids are tucked in. A forever future is within reach for all of them, if only Mark can find the courage he needs to trust Isaiah with his secrets—and his heart.

 

When a SEAL medic inherits three young children, he must battle to keep the family together and keep his long-held feelings for the man challenging him for custody at bay.

Squared Away

Series: Out of Uniform #5

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): April 16. Print, ebook, and audio all available.

Length (Print & Ebook): 80,000 words

Subgenre: m/m military romance

Includes: military romance, insta-family, hurt/comfort, angst, interracial, heroes-with-kids, gay romance, demisexual/gray ace hero, first time, loss, reunion, forced proximity

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Carina Press

 

Greetings! I’m so excited to be here today, talking about SQUARED AWAY, the latest book in my out of uniform series. One of the heroes, Isaiah, shows up as a minor character in AT ATTENTION as a new friend for Dylan, the AT ATTENTION hero. Isaiah intrigued me from the start and when he insisted on reappearing in WHEELS UP in a minor role for a scene, I knew he was getting a book.

He demanded Mark “Wizard” Whitley who appeared in ON POINT as a medic. Isaiah has had a crush on Mark ever since Mark’s sister married Isaiah’s beloved cousin. He really believed that they shared a special connection, but Mark gently turned him down, and now years have gone by and Isaiah’s tried to push his crush aside.

But when tragedy throws him and Mark together to raise three young children, old feelings come rising to the surface. Isaiah’s deep feelings for Mark are contrasted with his fun-loving personality. He’s great with the kids because he loves playing around, dancing, and inventing games. He’s learning skills like cooking as he goes along, and he does a really admirable job coping with the tragedy.

Isaiah is something of a hedonist—he loves long baths, massages, and finding ways to share pleasure. He’s good at taking pleasure in the small things in life too. His big ambition is to run his own landscaping business, and he takes particular pride in designing gardens for families. Something of a party boy when he was younger, Isaiah is coming to see how much of a homebody side he really has—he loves movies, dinners in, and sneaking cuddles on the couch.

His story was one of my very favorites to write, and I can’t wait for you to meet Isaiah in SQUARED AWAY! Enjoy!

 

What Annabeth Albert has to say about this book in her Out of Uniform series:

“I wanted to write a book about the nature of family and how loss and tragedy can shape family, mold it into something stronger, force growth and change. I’m enormously proud of SQUARED AWAY as a result because how I fell in love with this little family.”

“When Wizard first appeared in ON POINT as a secondary character, I was intrigued by him, but it wasn’t until I let myself get into his head that I really saw how complicated he was. I feel honored and privileged to have been able to tell his story.”

“No book gets written in a vacuum and this one is no different. I owe a huge debt on this book to my sensitivity readers who really encouraged me to dig deep.”

Mark and Isaiah…Mark’s sister married Isaiah’s cousin, and thus a crush is born.

At their wedding several years ago, Isaiah saw Mark and wanted him so bad. Unfortuntaely, Mark being a Navy SEAL, and Isaiah being so young, Mark turned him down when Isaiah propositioned him, then spent the next several years avoiding him as best he could. Then, tragedy strikes and they lose the people they had in common, and it’s so hard on both of them. Harder even because they’ve left their three kids behind, with a confusing will and neither know what to do about it, but both of them want the kids. Have I mentioned, ever how big of a sucker I am for hot guys with cute kids? I mean come on! Who doesn’t love that?!?!

Isaiah may have been a party boy and may have been flighty and irresponsible before, but with those kids…he’s fierce and protective and they all love each other so much. He would’ve went down swinging for them for sure. Unfortunately, Mark had been deployed and busy with his own life, so he didn’t have a relationship with them, but wanted to, now that he could. He couldn’t do it without Isaiah though, he was the one holding them all together.

Now, there were terms I had to look up, because I didn’t understand what gray ace was, or demisexual, there are so many different labels, I had to look them up. I wonder how many people struggle with that? Thinking that there’s something wrong with them and not knowing what…Or feeling broken somehow and not knowing that there are other people out there with the same preferences.  I loved that this story used that. I was ignorant to it before and I like learning new things, so… thanks for that!

There were times I wanted to shake Mark and wonder how in the world he didn’t know that some of the things he was doing, could and probably would hurt Isaiah, because in my opinion…Isaiah was so much more patient and understanding than I would’ve been. Not about Mark coming out, but just about everything. Mark was kind of lost, and trying to find his way with this new “relationship”, not only romantically, but as uncles who were raising 3 children and trying to the best they could with that they had. A lot fell on Isaiah, and it had to be a lot of strain on him…I admired him for keeping it together and wanting to do what was right for the babies, even when he was hurting so bad, with everything that was getting thrown at him, left and right. I was rooting for both of them, but I had such a soft spot in my heart for Isaiah.

I also loved seeing the other guys from this series, and seeing how they took Mark’s back when he needed them, even though it took him forever to let his guard down and trust them to have it. Tackling same sex marriages in the military at all is tricky business, so I love reading stories where it’s accepted and even celebrated, even if only in small ways. One of these days we’ll get to a place where it won’t be a thing we even have to differientiate. Fingers crossed.

Until then, I’ll keep reading and loving these stories, and I thought this one was an excellent addition.

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

To his surprise, Mark didn’t laugh. Instead, he looked thoughtful. “What if I asked you to?” he said softly.

“To put out?” Isaiah’s throat had never seemed drier.

“We’re sitting here. Talking. Like adults. Just a couple of guys. And I can’t quit thinking about your lips, and I don’t know why.” Mark’s voice had a sleepy, dreamlike quality to it, and Isaiah was fully prepared to wake up any second because he’d been dreaming about Mark saying shit like this for years.

“I do.” Moving slowly as to not bang heads or—more likely—spook Mark, Isaiah moved so that their faces were level, inches apart. “You want to kiss me.”

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.  The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ  romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series. To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two active children.

Connect with Annabeth:

Twitter | Facebook  | Facebook Group | Newsletter | Instagram | Website

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After Hours by Emjay Haze: Exclusive Author Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

by

Alex Michaels is a successful manager for a Wall-Street financial firm and lives in a beautiful hi-rise apartment overlooking Central Park. Anyone looking in from the outside would say Alex has it made, especially his working-class parents who wanted more for their only son.

Nick is working his way through graduate school with dreams of becoming a teacher so he can help kids like himself. With his parents cutting him off and leaving him with nothing but a student apartment and low self-esteem, he’s determined to make something of himself in spite of them.

Even Nick’s club friends think Alex is too good for him, but Alex keeps showing Nick how worthy he is. Alex learns a lot from Nick, too—how not to give up on his dreams.

Title:  After Hours

Series: After Hours, Book One

Author: Emjay Haze

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: April 9, 2018

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 90300

Genre: Contemporary, LGBT, Contemporary,romance,waiter,nightclub,businessman,chef

Goodreads

Amazon

NineStar Press

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Alex has a real knack in the kitchen, and since he’s met Nick, he’s starting to rethink his life as a corporate manager.

Cooking is a big part of this novel, as Alex makes dinner for Nick, and desserts for his neighbor.

So, I’ve decided to share a couple of his recipes. I’ve tried them myself, and let’s just say, Alex is a really good cook 😊.

 

Alex Michael’s Sriracha Pan-Seared Scallops

Have all your ingredients handy, as the scallops only take a few minutes to cook and you don’t want to overcook them or they’ll get tough.

 

Ingredients

1 Pound of sea scallops – Choose nicely shaped sea scallops and tear off the flap of side muscle if still there

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp ghee (clarified butter) If you don’t have this, regular butter is fine, just make sure it doesn’t overheat or it will burn in the pan

White Wine

Sriracha Sauce

Parsley for garnish

 

Instructions

Rinse the scallops in cold water and pat dry.

Season both sides with salt and pepper (I use Himalayan Salt and fresh ground pepper)

Heat skillet (Cast iron is best) to high with the butter and oil

When pan is hot, add the scallops one at a time. Be careful they don’t touch.  You can cook in 2 batches if necessary

Sear for 1 ½ to 2 minutes on each side – You should see a golden crust. Flip carefully

Watch them carefully as smaller scallops will cook quicker

Using tongs, place the scallops on a plate

 

Now, the fun part – deglazing the pan

Pour a generous splash of white wine to the pan drippings. Use your eye for this, it should be saucy.

Add Sriracha sauce to taste (About a ¼ to ½ tsp or so, more if you like it hotter)

Wisk the spicy mixture until all of the scallop drippings are thoroughly mixed together. Add a little more wine and sriracha if necessary, but don’t make it watery.

Remove from heat and pour over the scallops

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top

 

That’s it! In about 10 minutes, you have perfectly seared scallops. Serve with rice and a vegetable for a meal, or over a bed of greens for an appetizer.

 

The first time Alex goes to Mrs. T’s for his “blind date” with her granddaughter, he brings stuffed mushrooms and makes the ladies swoon, till he sets them straight.

 

Alex’s Crab Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Ingredients

24 whole mushrooms

2 scallions (green onions, minced)

¼ tsp ground thyme

¼ tsp ground oregano

¼ tsp ground marjoram

Dash of pepper

¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 package (4 oz) crème cheese

½ pound lump crab meat

¼ tsp of Paprika

2 tbsp Grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions

Cut off the tops of the mushrooms and spoon out the middle, leaving a deep cap

Mix the next 7 ingredients together and then fold in the crab meat

Fill each cap with the crab mixture

Mix the Paprika with the parmesan cheese

Sprinkle over each filled cap

Bake in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes

Serve Immediately

 

Check out my blog at https://www.mjhauthor.com/blog/ as I add more recipes from Alex Michaels and some other characters who love to cook.

 

Chapter One

“Please come to my office for a minute,” the mid-regional director bellowed, his voice deep with authority, causing Alex to redirect himself from heading to his own office. He followed the older gentleman around the corner and down the long hallway to the executive suites. He’d hoped to be there one day himself but had a long claw to go. Yes, claw. That’s how you got ahead in this place.

Alex had been a manager at the Manhattan financial advising firm for the last four years, having been promoted from sales where he’d landed out of grad school. They called it middle management for a reason. You were stuck right in the center, with twenty employees always needing your attention, and upper management wanting a little more blood. It was exhausting.

He shouldn’t really complain. His job paid the bills for a very nice Manhattan apartment three blocks from Central Park with a gorgeous view of the city. He’d become what his parents had dreamed for him, in every way. Robert and Martha Michaels lived on the outskirts of St. Louis. They both had decent jobs, but a lack of college education had kept them from the “good life,” as they called it, and they wanted more for their only son.

“Come in, Alex.” Mr. Kensington motioned for Alex to enter his spacious corner office with the big windows, which overlooked the New York skyline. It was breathtaking, and a little intimidating.

“Thank you, Mr. Kensington.”

“I think it’s time you called me Mitchell.” Mr. Kensington flashed him a wide grin. Alex wondered if his friends called him Mitch. He glanced at the distinguished gray-haired gentleman with the thousand-dollar suit. Mitchell it is.

“Thank you, M—Mitchell.”

“Have a seat, Alex.” His smile disappeared. He was all business.

Alex took a deep breath and sat in the leather-upholstered chair in front of Mr. Kensington’s mahogany desk. His boss sat behind it in an even larger chair that would have sucked Alex in if he’d tried to sit in it, yet Mr. Kensington sat ramrod straight. Alex couldn’t imagine what this was about as the seconds ticked away. Maybe he was getting fired. He gulped.

“Alex, I value your work here at the firm.”

“Thank you, sir.” A bead of sweat formed at the base of his hairline.

Mr. Kensington glared at him, knitting his eyebrows together.

“Mitchell,” Alex squeaked. That would take some getting used to.

Mr. Kensington stood up, appearing even more intimidating as Alex craned his neck to meet his gaze. “Due to business booming, we’re expanding the operation, Alex, and I’d like you to be a part of a new division.”

Alex’s eyes grew wide. Did this mean a promotion? Was he finally getting an executive position? He sat straighter, waiting for the man to make his point.

“As you know, middle manager is the most important position in this firm,” Mr. Kensington said, pacing back and forth in front of Alex. “You have responsibilities on both ends. It’s not easy finding someone who fits so well in that position, with the respect of both upper management and his employees.”

Where the heck was this heading? It didn’t sound like a promotion.

“And you are a good manager, Alex,” he continued. “Your troops like you, and they’re productive. That’s a huge accomplishment for anyone.”

“Thank you, s—Mitchell.” Alex took a deep breath, waiting for him to get to his fucking point.

Mr. Kensington came around his desk and walked behind Alex. Stopping, he placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I am appointing you manager of the new Celebrities account division, so you will be taking some of the most important accounts this company currently has, as well as acquiring new ones. You will report to the new divisional director, Karl Morrison, from our west coast branch.”

Karl Morrison, who the fuck was that? Another middle manager getting his big promotion? Alex seethed, but kept it cool on the outside. “What does this mean for me, sir?” He tried smiling, but it came out as more of a sneer with his teeth clenched. Fortunately, Mr. Kensington was still behind him.

“A ten thousand dollar a year increase and larger staff,” Mr. Kensington said as he slithered back behind his desk. “You will manage our most prestigious division, Alex.”

As a middle manager and not an executive. He worked up a more believable smile. “Thank you, s—Mitchell.”

Mr. Kensington nodded. “You deserve it, son. Karl will arrive later this month, so you have some time to wrap up your current accounts. You will also choose staff to bring with you—oh, and please see Human Resources for your requirements for the new positions.”

So, I do the work and Mr. Karl Morrison swoops in next month and gets what should be my corner office. “I won’t let you down, sir.”

He smiled and nodded, as if to say I know you won’t. “Oh, and Barbara will order business cards with your new title.” Mitchell sat down behind his desk again.

“New title?” Did I miss something?

“Senior Manager. Congratulations, Alex.”

Alex faked a smile. “Thank you, sir.” It was still middle management. He should be ecstatic. Mr. Kensington could have passed on him completely. So, why did he feel like punching him in the face?

Mr. Kensington dismissed him by standing up and motioning to the door. Alex also stood and shook his hand, thanking him once more and attempting a more believable smile. At least it was more money, and it might be interesting work at that. He wondered if this was the success his parents intended for him when they made him quit culinary school at the end of his first year and go to a real college for a business degree. Stuck in middle management for the rest of his life. God, he sounded pathetic—and ungrateful.

Alex walked back to his windowless office and sighed as he sat down on the much smaller and less comfortable fabric chair at his plain oak desk. Would he ever get a nice chair like Mr. Kensington—err, Mitchell?

The day was almost over, and he couldn’t wait for that clock to strike five. He had nowhere to go, unfortunately, but he liked the quiet after everyone left for the day. No snotty salesman knocking on his door asking for a day off or a better commission structure. No director buzzing his phone asking where the weekly report was. He put his elbows on his desk and rubbed his fingers through his hair. He usually waited for the cleaning guy who always had a good story to tell. Maybe he should go home, or better, go out and get laid.

As if the gods had heard him, there was a rap on the door and his beautiful secretary, Belinda, peeked her head in. “Hey, boss. A few of us girls are going out tonight to a club and thought you might join us.”

Alex pictured an overcrowded dance club where horny straight guys hit on his coworkers while he sat and brooded over his gin and tonic or something that said straight-boy. “Uh, no, thanks, Belinda. You guys have a great time, though.”

“Oh, no,” she said, walking into his office. “We picked this club for you.” She shook her finger at him and winked.

“You’re going to a gay club for me?” He raised an eyebrow. He had never hidden his sexuality from his assistant.

“No, silly. We wanted to go anyway, but honestly, it’s better if we take a gay man with us.” She froze. “Yeah, that didn’t come out quite right.” She straightened her skirt and regrouped, apparently searching for her next words. “We want you to come with us. You’ll have a great time, I promise.”

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. “Might be exactly what I need. I’m in.”

“Good. You work too hard. Maybe you’ll meet a nice man—and get lucky.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Belinda had worked for Alex ever since he moved to management. She was in her early thirties, single, and she had a lot of friends at the firm. The tall, fiery redhead had long, wavy hair and big blue eyes, and was well-endowed in all the areas that straight men found attractive. Alex thought she liked working for him mainly because he didn’t undress her with his eyes every time she walked into the room. She’d practically told him that one night as she was heading out and one of the supervisors was leaving Alex’s office. He’d given her a creepy once-over as he passed her. She’d rolled her eyes and entered Alex’s office, shutting the door behind her. Then she’d spilled her troubles.

Alex was empathetic, and she’d thanked him for treating her like a human. They’d become friends after that, but never took it outside the office. It might be fun having a night out with the girls. He didn’t want to do anything that would have them all talking about him at the watercooler the next morning, though. That shit could get around quickly. No, he’d have to keep it PG. Still, it would be nice to get out and watch cute boys on the dance floor, even if they were only dancing with his friends. He hadn’t done that since college.

Alex shut down his computer and followed Belinda into the elevator. “We’re meeting everyone in the lobby,” she explained as three women Alex recognized but barely knew barreled over to them.

“Alex, this is Hannah from accounting, Jill, Mr. Lawson’s admin, and Barb, you know.”

“Hi, Alex,” Barb said. She was Mr. Kensington’s assistant. “Congratulations on the promotion.” He had spoken with her many times, but never on a personal level.

“What?” Alex hadn’t thought of his move from manager to senior manager as a promotion. “Oh, thanks. I’m thrilled.” He hoped he sounded convincing.

“What’s this?” Belinda hadn’t heard yet, because Alex hadn’t told her. He felt like shit.

“They offered me senior manager with a new division. I found out earlier today before you walked in my office. Sorry, I should have told you.”

“That’s awesome, boss. Does that mean…?”

“You’re coming with me,” he said. “I couldn’t do my job without you, Bels.”

“Oh, thank God. I’d hate having to break in a new boss.” Her tone was flippant, but Alex knew better. She didn’t want to have someone with authority ogling her all day. He stifled a chuckle.

“Well, come on, ladies. I see you’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

He groaned as they chatted excitedly all the way to the parking garage. He hoped he wouldn’t embarrass himself. Why did he think going out with coworkers to a gay club was a good idea?

Alex drove Belinda and Barbara, while the other two followed them in Jill’s car. This way, Belinda explained, if Alex wanted to leave early, or later, then he’d have his own car and the four women could drive back to the office together. He wasn’t planning on taking anyone home tonight. Not with witnesses to discuss it at work the next day.

They pulled up to the curb outside the club. Alex got an immediate case of nerves as he stepped out of his car.

“Look at this place,” Belinda said, following him. “We’re gonna have a blast.”

Emjay Haze is a pen name for a wife, mother, and writer of gay romance. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, two teenagers, a new puppy, cat, gecko, and several fish. She always loved writing and fell in love with the genre seven years ago after discovering the world of fanfiction. She went back to school to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing from SNHU where she graduated in April, 2015, with a renewed desire of making her dreams of becoming a published author come true.

She has a wide and diverse work history in the fields of travel, hotel management, high-tech communications, web development, real estate, and the nonprofit health care industry where she has held positions such as travel agent, hotel concierge, web programmer, Realtor, account manager, and many, many others, giving her a varied and unique set of experiences that she draws upon in her stories and characters. Her interests include music and pop culture, and she is an advocate for the LGBT community.

Her stories delve into all types of romantic relationships, regardless of sexuality, with a focus on first times and new encounters in a lighthearted style with a goal to gain a diverse readership and broaden the minds of those who might not normally pick up an LGBTQ romance because it’s more about the person than the sexuality. She’ll take you on a roller-coaster journey, but you’ll always get a happy ending.

Author Links

Website: http://www.mjhauthor.com/emjayhaze

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/emjayhaze

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/emjayhaze

 

Blog Tour

4/12 The Novel Approach

4/13 Love Bytes

4/14 MM Midnight Cafe

4/15 Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

4/16 Two Chicks Obsessed

 

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