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The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick : Release Day Book Blast

February 14, 2016 by Denise

Trembling on the floor, pressed beneath a row of seats in a dark theater, college freshman Jason Tripp listens to the terrifying sound of gunshots, as an unknown shooter moves methodically through the theater, randomly murdering men, women, and children attending a student performance of Hamlet. Junior Liam Norcross drapes his massive body on top of Jason, sheltering the younger man from the deathly hail of bullets, risking his life willingly, and maybe even eagerly.

As a result of the shared horror, an extraordinary bond forms between the two young men, which causes discomfort for family and friends, as well as for Jason and Liam, themselves. And added to the challenge of two previously “straight” men falling into a same-sex love, are the complications that arise from the abundance of secrets Liam holds with regard to a past family tragedy. The fledgling passion between the men seems bound to fade away into the darkness from which it emerged.

Jason, however, is inexplicably called to rescue his hero in return, by delving into Liam’s shady past and uncovering the mystery that compels the older man to act as the college town’s selfless savior.

The Art of Hero Worship takes the reader on a voyage from the dark and chilling chaos that accompanies a mass shooting to the thrill of an unexpected and sensual romance.

Author Name: Mia Kerick

Book Name: The Art of Hero Worship

Release Date: February 14, 2016

6 Days to Valentine by LE Franks : Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway

February 12, 2016 by Denise

In Nick’s perfect world, Valentine’s Day would be struck from the calendar.

Nick’s dreams of a Happily Ever After were shredded long ago and the last thing he and his customers need is a bunch of happy loving couples rubbing it in their faces.

Bouncer Fat Boy Newman is willing to bet he knows Nick’s heart better than he does. He has just six days to change Nick’s mind about romance and the holiday and the perfect man to do it.

Too bad it’s not him.

Too bad Nick’s not going down without a fight.

Too bad he cheats.

Author Name: LE Franks

Book Name: 6 Days to Valentine

Series: Yes

Book: One

Release Date: January, 2014

Pages or Words: 24,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Romance

Goodreads Link

Publisher: Wilde City Press

Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas

I looked again at the stunned blond sprawled at my feet. From this angle, he might be considered cute, certainly the butt in his jeans was worth exploring further, but for some reason, it was his cap that caught my eye. I could see part of a logo from one of those Texas schools—the one with the horns. Reaching down, I hooked it with my finger. I held it up so I could see it clearly, though it was hard to mistake the long white horns stretching across the front of the orangey wool.

Hmm, old-style baseball cap. I peered inside and checked out the underside of the brim, looking for his name. Someone had signed it in black ink, but it was worn and smeared in places, making it barely legible. Given the fading and the stains on the sweatband, it hadn’t been new in a very long time. Certainly not when this guy was in school.

“My hat. Please.” A soft drawl and a hand moving into my line of sight distracted me. It’s possible, though unlikely, that I missed him waving up at me; I’d had quite a late night, after all. I think, instead, that my brain froze the second he pushed himself into the cobra pose and looked deep into my eyes.

I hadn’t gotten much sleep after leaving the bar in the early hours of the morning. I’d walked around the neighborhood, halfway hoping I’d get rolled by a drunk or knifed in an alley. It was a thoroughly depressing failure. I was still there, still intact, and still feeling guilty as hell, all of which pissed me off to no end. Even worse, everyone I’d seen since entering the bar had congratulated me on my win, while FatBoy was doing a spectacular job of avoiding me.

I sat still, considering the blue depths, the straight nose, the plump pink lips, the strawberry locks curling over his ears. Then FatBoy finally decided to make an appearance, jerking the man up by his pits and dangling him in front of me like a rag doll.

Surprising as the maneuver was, it did have the added benefit of shaking his limbs out so I could get a nice long look at the whole…package.

“Ever hear of picking up after yourself?” FatBoy growled his exaggerated drawl at me. I guess that answered the question of whether or not FatBoy was still mad.

“Yeah…no…” I muttered, thinking about the wrongness of the whole thing and absently fondling the cow head on the front of the hat, forgetting what I’d been asked just a moment before.

“What the hell?” the blond jerked away from our bouncer, grabbing his hat and inadvertently catching my pinky in the adjustable strap.

“Yow!” Fuck that hurt. I shoved my finger in my mouth, sucking furiously where part of the nail was now missing.

“Shit, sorry, man. You just…” The blond trailed off as he fixed his attention on the hand now shoved between my lips. You’d think he’d never seen a man suck on anything before.

I might have answered him, but I’d hopped off my stool and was now too busy brushing bar floor debris off the front of his well-formed chest. My hand slid down the front of him until fingers gripped my wrist tightly just as I was getting to the fun parts, freezing my hand in place at his waist.

“My name’s Cameron.” It was a perfectly reasonable answer to an obvious question that I hadn’t asked. He removed my hand from his body before stepping out of my personal space to sit. I wanted to follow, but in a rare show of restraint, I chose leaning against the bar two stools down.

God, I need a drink. And a bed. And a man. And a way to go back through time.

Hell—two out of four ain’t bad. Well, more likely one out of four, which sucked, and my night was going to get worse…

When Rachel came in, she was going to skin me and make rainbow boots out of my hide. The story was already making the rounds, and my act of treachery, while still hidden, was lying like a dead skunk, stinking up the air between FatBoy and me.

I was waiting for inspiration to strike, gifting me with the perfect pickup line—the dazzler that would have my tongue in Cameron’s mouth and his beautiful golden body pressed up against the wall in the supply room with enough time before I had to officially clock in for work.

Apparently not. All I was hearing from the celestial chorus was the sound of crickets. I went with the old standby and introduced myself. “I’m Nick.”

I must have been grinning like an idiot. I could feel my cheeks begin to ache, and my palms developed an unexpected dampness. Rubbing them hastily against my soft denims, I reached across to him and held out my hand.

“Call me Cam.” He smiled. Sweet Jesus, it was a beauty of a smile, and I felt my cock begin to fill. Dammit. The lunch bartender chose that moment to lean over and smirk at me.

“Soooo, Niiiiiick…who’s your friennnnd?” Christine made a decent margarita and a top-notch Bloody Mary of her own special recipe, but her gaydar was broken. Anyone could tell that this sweet angel of the south was 100% boy meat.

“Ma’am! Cameron Fielding at your service.”

I was stunned as I watched my morsel of seraphic delectability stand and doff his cap, and felt a shiver run up my spine. It seemed to be in a race with the tightening of my jeans and the galloping of my heart, and I had a sudden irrational urge to pull him closer and sniff his hair. And maybe touch it.

What the hell?

Amazon

Wilde City

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LE Franks lives in the SF Bay area and writes M/M Romance in a unique mix of humor and drama with enough suspense to produce fast paced stories filled with emotion and passion and featuring characters that are quirky and complicated and sometimes a little bit dark. LE Franks is a best selling author and finalist for 2013 & 2014 Rainbow Awards. Her books are available through her publishers at MLR Press, Dreamspinner Press and Wilde City Press and Pride Publishing and online bookstores.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LE.Franks1

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

Twitter: @boxtersushi

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lefrankswriter/le-franks-books/

Tumblr: http://boxtersushi.tumblr.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boxtersushi/

Tour Dates & Stops: February 12, 2016

Parker Williams, Posy Roberts, Bayou Book Junkie, TTC Books and More, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, A.M. Leibowitz, Divine Magazine, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Bonkers About Books, Alpha Book Club, Mikky’s World of Books, The Jena Wade, MM Good Book Reviews, Velvet Panic, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Sassygirl Books, Man2ManTastic, BFD Book Blog, Attention is Arbitrary, Happily Ever Chapter, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Molly Lolly, Rainbow Gold Reviews

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Darkness Threatening by Dirk Greyson: Blog Tour and Excerpt

February 12, 2016 by Denise

Fredrik is back from college and trying to stay out of his power-hungry brother’s way, until his brother takes a prisoner for his pleasure. Unable to tolerate his family’s cruelty, Fredrik overcomes his fear to help her escape back to her pack. There, he meets Christopher, and their instant attraction tells him Christopher is the one. However, since the threat of his brother remains, Fredrik is reluctant to pursue a relationship.

Christopher is still figuring out his place in the pack and has been living on his own to avoid making waves with his brother, Mikael. Now he’s met his soulmate, and he’ll do anything to take care of his love, including rejoining the pack.

With coaxing, Fredrik accepts his feelings, and Christopher’s pack gives him the home he’s never had. But Fredrick soon realizes he should keep running. His brother is on his tail and will stop at nothing to obtain the power he craves, especially when he realizes the source of the power could be Fredrik himself.

Title: Darkness Threatening

Author: Dirk Greyson

Series: Yellowstone Wolves

Genre: M/M, Paranormal Romance, Shifters

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Feb 3 2016

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Book Links

Amazon
Dreamspinner Press

“Let’s go for a run. I need to hunt something,” Juneau said as Fredrik reached the door to his room and went inside. He closed the door as silently as he could and stood stock-still, trying not to breathe so he could hear them.

The front door opened and closed. Fredrik hoped they had all gone, but it was likely one of the dipshit twins had been left behind. He listened at the door and then opened it slightly, scenting for anyone in the house. He could smell fear and hear soft sobs from the room next door, but that was all. He stepped out of the room as a chair scraped on the floor. Just as he suspected. Squaring his shoulders, Fredrik walked back toward the open central room.

Dimitri sat at the table, staring off into space. “What are you up to? Juneau said I was to stay here and keep an eye on you and his present.” He grinned like an idiot. “But I was thinking that maybe you could be my present.” He stood. “A hole’s a hole, right? Besides, I bet you’d like what I got for you.”

Fredrik swallowed hard. “I don’t think so. You aren’t my type.”

“I ain’t, huh? I’m a guy and you like guys, so I figured I could see what all the fuss was about.” He stepped closer, and Fredrik took a small step back. Dimitri stomped his foot and then laughed. “I ain’t gonna soil myself with the likes of you. You can stop looking like you’re gonna jump through the roof.” He walked to the small table near the old sofa, yanked open the drawer, and pulled out a deck of cards. He began shuffling again and again, the snap and thump sounds filling the small space.

Fredrik’s throat was bone dry, so he pulled open the refrigerator door and got some water. Inge had left too, so it was only Dimitri and him. His gaze kept going to the door of Juneau’s room. There was a girl in there frightened half to death. The scent was enough to turn his stomach again. He opened the bottle, rinsed his mouth, and spat into the sink. Then he took a long drink, the liquid settling in his stomach with a hollow thud. He closed the door and opened one of the kitchen drawers. He needed a weapon, anything at hand, if he was to have a chance against Dimitri. The guy was smaller than Yuri, but Fredrik was no match for him physically. Hell, he wasn’t a physical match for anyone in his family. His father had always called him his runt pup.

“What are you up to?” Dimitri didn’t even look up from his game.

“Just getting some water. You want some?”

“Nah. Get me a beer, though,” he said and played another card. “I got eyes in the back of my head. I’ll know if you pull anything.”

Fredrik opened the refrigerator again and got a beer. As he closed the door and pulled open the drawer next to it, he had to keep himself from whooping for joy. He’d found the knives. He picked out one and then carried the beer over to Dimitri and set it on the table.

“I know what you’re doing,” Dimitri said and grabbed his hand. “I know everything, and you’re just some runt. So don’t be thinking you’re going to try anything so you can get away. If I let you leave, Juneau will have my nuts, and I want them right where they are. And the only way you’re getting out of here is if I let you leave.”

“Is that so?” Fredrik jerked away and plunged the knife into Dimitri’s neck before pushing him forward onto the table. He managed to get out of the way of the blood, but it sprayed all over the floor. “You may think I’m small, you piece of shit, but I’ve got fight in me,” he said to blank eyes as Dimitri went completely still.

Dirk is very much an outside kind of man. He loves travel and seeing new things. Dirk worked in corporate America for way too long and now spends his days writing, gardening, and taking care of the home he shares with his partner of more than two decades. He has a Master’s Degree and all the other accessories that go with a corporate job. But he is most proud of the stories he tells and the life he’s built. Dirk lives in Pennsylvania in a century old home and is blessed with an amazing circle of friends.

Author Links

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Gay for Pay by TM Smith : Audio Book Tour and Giveaway

February 11, 2016 by Denise

Hello everybody and welcome to the Gay for Pay Audio book tour!

Each day there will be one or two stops for Reviews, Spotlights, Exclusive content, Teasers and Excerpts plus a giveaway. I hope you will follow the tour each day, and leave a comment on the different blogs that have signed up to participate, we love comments!

Christopher Allan Roberts thought he had a promising future: captain of the football team with the promise of a scholarship to play for Alabama, his high school sweetheart and best friend for as long as he could remember, Amanda, by his side, and the love and support of his family. One night, one mistake changed everything. Chris moves to New York, adrift and alone. A walk one night brings him to the flashing lights, loud music and thrumming bodies at Club Berlin. A flyer in the men’s room promises fame and fortune for anyone willing to go on camera and have sex, with another man. Money is money, and how hard could it be, right? Christopher Allan Roberts becomes Kris Alen, All Cocks’ newest addition, a gay for pay porn star.

Lincoln Carter is honest with everyone in his life, including his family, about who he is and about his sexual preferences. Linc Larson, the openly bisexual gay porn star, will do anything with anyone, which pretty much writes his ticket in a versatility-charged industry. It’s not his sexuality that interferes with his personal life; it’s his inability to trust. What Linc wants right now, more than anything, is the chance to do a scene with All Cocks’ newest acquisition, Kris Alen. Six-foot-two with auburn hair, an exquisitely toned and inked up body, Kris Alen is sex personified. Linc doesn’t know if it’s the “I want the shiny new toy” aspect that calls to him, or the distant and wounded expression that haunts Kris’s eyes.

Linc figures out early on that Kris is only working the gay for pay angle that All Cocks brings to his bank account. Can a bisexual man with trust issues break down the barriers that Kris has built around himself and help Christopher overcome the painful past he is running from?

Buy links: Amazon US | Audible

Would you Rather with Author TM Smith

Would you rather have no Internet, or no Cell Phone?

That’s easy, no Cell Phone. I do still have a laptop, kindle and tablet.

Would you rather have no one show up to your Wedding or your Funeral?

Oh my. I think I’d go with Wedding. If no one comes to your funeral that must mean you are miserable bastard.

Would you rather be able to Fly or Read Minds?

Read Minds!

Would you rather find True Love or a Million dollars?

True love, money can’t buy that.

Would you rather Win the Lottery or Live twice as long?

Hmmmm, tricky tricky… I’ll go with the lottery. If I live two hundred years broke, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as one hundred with cash dollars.

Would you rather be famous or be best friends with someone famous?

Best friend with someone famous, I’d beat the hell out of some paparazzi and go to jail.

Would you rather have free Starbucks coffee for a year or free i-Tunes for a year?

Starbucks!! No debate, must have coffee!!

Would you rather have sex with the lights on or the lights off?

Off. Lord please, off.

Would you rather watch girl on girl porn or guy on guy porn?

Tricked you! I put this one in on purpose, it should be obvious, guy on guy is just so much sexier.

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning
Georgia; Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. She now calls Texas home
from her small town on the outskirts of the DFW Metroplex. Most days you can
find her curled up with her kindle and a good book alongside a glass of
something aged and red or a steaming cup of coffee! At 44 years young, she’s decided to enter the
next phase of her life by adding the title of “author” to her list of
accomplishments. Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and
decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, Smith
is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights.

Author links: Facebook || Twitter || Amazon || ARe || Goodreads || Pinterest

Youtube || Website || All Cocks Facebook page ||

Tour Schedule:

2-1 | Review | BIKE BOOK Reviews2-2 | Review | MM Good Book Reviews

2-2 | Spotlight | Multitaskingmomma

2-3 | Spotlight | GGR-Review

2-4 | Review | The O’Raven Chronicles2-5 | Review | Prism Book Alliance

2-5 | Spotlight |Spectra {AO}

2-6 | Spotlight | Love Bytes Reviews

2-8 | Review | Man2ManTastic

2-8 | Spotlight | The Purple Rose Teahouse

2-9 | Review | Cathy Brockman Romance

2-9 | Spotlight | TwinsieTalk Book Reviews

2-10 | Review | Divine Magazine.net

2-11 | Review | Crystal’s Many Reviewers Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

2-12 | Review | Tracy Bayoubookjunkie

2-12 | Spotlight | KathyMac Reviews

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The Detective’s Pleasure by Christa Tomlinson : Release Day Exclusive Interview and Giveaway

February 11, 2016 by Denise

Officer Ryan Bennett: He’s pursuing his dream of being promoted to Houston’s elite SWAT team with a single mindedness that won’t accept any outcome but success. But that’s not all he dreams of. Ryan wants more than a coveted position on SWAT. He wants to be owned by a strong Dominant. To give himself up to a Dom who will make him shudder with pleasure beneath a firm yet loving hand. Unfortunately, Ryan has had nothing but failure in that part of his life. Now, he’s hidden that dream away from everyone, including himself. And he refuses to let anyone close enough to see what he truly wants, and who he truly is.

Detective Sam Roberts: Cool and calm, Detective Sam Roberts is good at reading people. That’s why he sees past the hard layer of arrogance surrounding Ryan Bennett to the hurt submissive hiding beneath. He wants to help Ryan, even though the stubborn young man resists him. But Sam isn’t one to back down from a challenge. He’s determined to help Ryan embrace the soft, giving nature of his submissive side. Sam knows he can do it. What he doesn’t know is just how far they’ll both have to go in order to make that happen.

Five-ish good questions with Christa Tomlinson (I know…its’ not Friday, but I like to pretend every day is Friday!)

(A sometimes feature on Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy)

Let’s start with serious: The Sergeant was a HUGE book, it really hit so many people’s must read list, and I know people who have re-read it multiple times (not just me!). How difficult is it to try to follow up book 1 with another book that must be read.

Very difficult! I actually had a bit of a crisis because I was so concerned about trying to follow The Sergeant. I didn’t realize for a long time just how loved Logan and Clay were. But when I did, it hit me that I had a lot to live up to for Ryan and Sam. As I was writing their story I tried to force them to be like Logan and Clay. Ha! That didn’t work. When I finally let Ryan and Sam be themselves, their story unfolded and I fell in love with them.

What is your vision of what Ryan and Sam look like? Do you have celebrity inspirations/crushes for these two characters?

Ryan is young and average height but in really good shape. He has pale blonde hair and gray eyes. My celebrity crushes for him were Ryan Harrison from Queer as Folk and Chord Overstreet from Glee. Sam is my big, tall Texan. He’s a brunette with denim blue eyes and a low beard. Sam is relaxed and easy going with a naturally lean body and a slow Texas drawl. So of course Matthew McConaughey was my inspiration for him.

The cover of The Detective’s Pleasure is clearly Ryan. Tell us the significance of the cover for you, and how it relates to the story.

I love the cover for TDP. It was done by Jay Aheer and out of all the covers she’s done for me so far, it’s my favorite. Capturing the tone of a book is very important in the cover. I’m not ashamed to admit that I write some moody, angsty shit. The darkness and shadows of this cover really convey that tone. I also love the pose of the model. He looks so vulnerable with his lashes lowered and the slight pout on his mouth. It makes me want to cry for Ryan. Excuse me while I get emotional…

Sex scenes are not easy to write. And if writing is your full time gig, life sometimes gets in the way. What is your “method” to “get in the mood” to write a sex scene? How do you deal with it all?

Oh, sex scenes. I think it’s hilarious that I’m good at writing them when I’m such an introverted and modest geek. To get ready to write them I have to have music. No way I could write anything sexy while listening to my dogs wrestling or the garbage truck racing over the speed bumps behind my house as LOUD AS POSSIBLE. Listening to music helps block all that out and I always choose a song that helps set the tone for the scene I’m writing. If I want a soft, sweet scene, I go with Ed Sheeran Kiss Me. For passionate sexy times I like Sail by AWOLNATION. And for anything emotionally rough and turbulent, Marilyn Manson Tainted Love is my go to. Of course, going back and polishing a sex scene is another matter altogether. I normally end up doing it like this because I’m so embarrassed reading what I wrote:

Now, for the fun one. You call me to bail you out of jail. Oh, who are we kidding, you would be my call to bail ME out of jail…so what three things would you bring me? 🙂

Haha! Well, number one is pants. Because I don’t know what went down, but I’m sure you somehow lost your pants. A bottle of wine in case you need a little Hair of the Dog and of course the cash to bail you out. So keep it to a misdemeanor. I hate going into the bank and the ATMs only allow you to take so much out.

Thank you, Denise! This was fun.

Christa

**You can find more on The Detective’s Pleasure here.**

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We are giving away three arcs for The Detective’s Pleasure. Comment on this blog post with your favorite sexy song, what you would write to, if you could. 🙂

Release Day Review: Shifting Gears by Riley Hart

February 10, 2016 by Denise

Shifting Gears

A Crossroads Novel

Book 2

M/M Romance

Riley Hart

Cover Designer: X Potion Designs
Cover Photo: Stock Photo

Release Date: February 10, 2016

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iTunes

Goodreads

Rod Nelson is used to being someone’s good time, and that’s fine with him. Spending his days at his adult toy store, Rods-N-Ends, he never knows who he’ll meet. The second Landon Harrison walks in, he has Rod’s full attention. It seems as if Landon wants him too, so why won’t the man jump in the sack with him already?

Landon never thought he’d return home to the town where memories lurk around every corner. He has to admit, Rod makes the adjustment a lot easier. He keeps Landon laughing. Despite the fierce attraction between them, he’s not willing to risk his newfound friendship to get laid.

Neither man wants something serious, but the more they’re together, the harder it is to keep their hands to themselves, until eventually they stop trying.

But flings between friends are never simple, and as they attempt to shift gears, diving into their first relationship, they’re slammed with setbacks. If they want to truly move forward, before they hit the open road together, they’re going to have to let go of a past that could make them crash and burn.

SGTeas4

SGTeas2

Five-ish good questions with Riley Hart

(A sometimes feature on Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy)

Let’s start with serious: Crossroads was a HUGE book, and really hit so many people’s must read list, being a double GFY, which we don’t see often. How difficult is it to try to follow up book 1 with another book that must be read. It’s pretty much the scariest thing ever. LOL. There is a lot of pressure following Nick and Bryce. I had no idea people would fall for those two as much as I did, and there’s a lot of pressure not to screw that up! I just hope readers continue to love the series and I hope they fall hard for Landon and Rod the way I did.

What is your vision of what Rod and Landon look like? Do you have celebrity inspirations/crushes for these two characters? I always feel like the lamest author in the world when it comes to this question. I never have celebrity inspirations for my characters. It’s hard for me to separate my characters from the celebrity. But both men have dark hair. Rod is smaller than Landon and he has a few tattoos. Landon’s hair hangs over his forehead and Rod wears eyeliner. 🙂

The cover of Shifting Gears is fairly simple, and just beautiful. Did you have a vision of what you wanted it to look like, or did you let the cover artist just go? Does the bracelet have significance as well? I choose the images for my covers. I work with a couple different photographers. All of my covers except Shifting Gears and Return to Blackcreek have all been the same photographer. But once I give the image to the cover artist, I let them take it from there. I’m not good with visualizing stuff like that. The bracelet is in the end of the book, but it doesn’t have huge significance.

Sex scenes are not easy to write. And if writing is your full time gig, life sometimes gets in the way. What is your “method” to “get in the mood” to write a sex scene? Do you need some Luther Vandross on the radio? Maybe some low candlelight? Or do you just need the kids out at Chuck E. Cheese so you have the house to yourself? 🙂 I’m a weird author. I don’t listen to music when I write. Once in a while, but not often. It’s pretty easy for me to get into the zone as long as I don’t have outside distractions. As long as the kids are gone and I’m alone in my office, I can make it work.

Now, for the fun one. You call me to bail you out of jail. You tell me to bring you three things. What are they, and why?

LOL. My cell, because it’s my cell and I was probably going crazy without it.

Alcohol because after spending a night in jail, I’ll need it.

And… hmm…. A change of clothes? LOL

For me, Riley Hart is one of those authors whose books I automatically buy on.

release day whether I have read the book blurb or not. Of all her books Crossroads was by far my favorite so I was really excited for Shifting Gears and man did she not disappoint!

Landon, a motorcycle mechanic and Rod, a sex toy shop owner are both gun-shy about commitment since neither have seen healthy, happy relationships growing up. One abandoned by his father and the other raised by a hateful man, both need to work through past issues to make any kind of future together.

This book has it all; the tender moments, the hot and steamy ones, so much humor, and my favorite couple from Crossroads; Nick and Bryce. Watching Rod and Landon “shift gears” from friendship, to lovers, to a couple in a committed relationship is a beautiful journey that I was sad to see come to an end.

This book is going to end up on my list of books that are re-read often. Well done Riley Hart!

5 pieces of eye candy

I absolutely LOVED Crossroads, book 1 in this series. My favorite trope is GFY (Gay for You) and a double GFY? Well, that’s just double the love for me. Riley Hart always has the right words that hit my heart, and Shifting Gears is no exception for me.

Rod, who appeared in book 1, puts on this fun loving appearance, always with a joke. However, it masks the pain he continues to hold onto from his fathers rejection when he found out he was gay. Rod really was a deep well of emotions. Most he tried to hide from himself, as well as Landon. Yet, he always wanted to have that one man, the love of his life.

Meanwhile Landon had his own pain that he was dealing with, his own father’s rejection in the form of disappearing without a word. His answer was to assume that love was not real, and that it wasn’t in the cards for him. He wasn’t looking for that one man, merely moving from one to the next.

My love for Landon grew, as a reader, by his deep and abiding respect for Rod. He refused to sleep with him, because he liked him so much. He knew that once that happened, the friendship would be gone, and he really wanted his friend, more than he wanted a one night stand.

These men ended up being the perfect match for each other. They were supportive of one another from beginning to end, despite odds that could have easily torn their relationship apart. No matter what though, they held onto what was important, their love and respect for each other.

Ms. Hart showed a side of men that we don’t often get to see. These men, like so many men, had trouble communicating their feelings, their desires, and their concerns, and it could have caused deep rifts in their relationship. Eventually though, they got their HEA, YEAH!!!!

I can see who might be next in this series (I won’t say, because I think that would be a spoiler), but I sure hope it goes in that direction!

Great job on this book, Riley.

5 pieces of eye candy…more if I could!

Damned if Rod’s hand didn’t start to shake. He couldn’t move, didn’t know what to say, but knew he had to let something pass his lips. “Why are you doing this?”

The light from the television shone around Landon, and he shrugged. “I know it’s not the same as the real thing, but I just wanted to do something nice for you. That’s it.”

He’d done nice things for Rod already, a big one being the way he’d let Rod drive his bike.

“When’s the last time someone did something nice for you?” Landon asked.

The answer was easy. “The last time I saw you.”

Landon shook his head. “That doesn’t count. That was selfish. I want someone to ride with, and I like sharing my love of bikes. Unless you’re talking about the sex, and then there’s the fact that I came so hard I saw double.”

But this was just for Rod… He tried to make sense of it, tried to work through how they’d gotten here. Landon was the one who made sure Rod knew what this was. It was Landon who didn’t want to take the chance that Rod would read something into it that wasn’t there and now here he was, doing things like this for him. The kind of thing no one had taken the time to do for him before.

“Come on, we’re going to miss the show again.”

When Rod didn’t reply, when he couldn’t reply, Landon continued, “Just ride it out with me. That’s what I’m doing, riding it out. We’re shifting gears, that’s all. Not sure where we’re going. Not even sure I know how to get there, but let’s just try to enjoy the ride.”

And he wanted that. Wanted it so fucking much, that the need ate him alive. It scared the shit out of him at the same time.

Still, Rod closed the distance between them. When Landon sat, Rod went to the other end of the couch, lied down, and put his head in Landon’s lap like he’d done fifty times before.

Landon touched his hair, ran his fingers through it and neither of them spoke; they just continued sitting there together, watching the show.

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine, while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

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