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Posy Roberts: EXCLUSIVE Cover Reveals, Guest Post and Giveaway!

June 13, 2018 by Denise

I am so excited to have Posy Roberts here today, bringing these three AMAZING covers to her re-released books in the North Star Trilogy. First, I adore Posy, as a person first and foremost, and as an author–despite the fact that she has made me ugly cry…I do not forgive that easily. 😉 I hope you will do as I did and stare at these beautiful covers for a while, after you read the guest post about what she decided to do with her new covers, and enter the giveaway.

Hi, I’m Posy Roberts, and I’m so excited TCO is allowing me to share new covers with you today. My North Star Trilogy was originally published in 2013, and I’ve been working like crazy getting these books ready for a rerelease. They’ve been edited, reformatted, and rebranded. They will also be on Kindle Unlimited for the first time, which I’m excited about. This is a USA Today Recommended Read, but I know the price point kept a lot of people from enjoying these books before. But now’s your chance!

“Hugo and Kevin are such deep and layered characters, who by the end of the book were not even just characters anymore, they feel like old friends.”

-Amazon Reviewer

In January 2018, I took on the monumental task of finding stock photos of men to fill the shoes of fictional characters who were real to me. My North Star Trilogy rights were returning to me this summer, and I wanted covers with people on them. The 2013 Dreamspinner Press covers showed the setting more than anything because no stock images fit the men in my head.

For the rerelease, I was determined to find men who would fit. I knew I’d have a harder time finding Hugo because he was so set in my mind; he’s model Miles McMillan until the end of time for me. So I searched for Kevin first. And OMG did I hit the jackpot. The Kevin I found hit every single box on my list of criteria, and I had several shots to choose from. Everything about this image screamed, “Put me on Spark!”

I wanted Hugo on the cover of Fusion because Hugo’s journey through that book must be conveyed. He conquers so many of his past demons as the plot thickens, so it had to be a somber image, one that portrayed the pain and struggle Hugo and Kevin endure in Fusion. I ran across an image I’ve seen on a lot of my searches and have been drawn to. Once I put it in black and white, the man transformed. Funny side note: the model isn’t wearing pants during this photoshoot, just a sweater and underwear.

For Flare, I needed an image with hope to show the growth everyone in the family goes through, but also fierceness. This is a book where Kevin and Hugo fight to stay together. I went back to the model that is now Kevin in my mind and found one I think fits perfectly. The way he looks at the camera, ahhhh.

Overall, I think these images show the North Star Trilogy for what it is. It’s a character-focused story with angst that is focused on these men and their fight to make their second chance at love work this time around. Each book is a story in itself and builds off the previous book, so it’s best enjoyed as a whole.

I’m rereleasing these in close succession, a month apart so you don’t have to wait too long in between.

Add these USA Today “Happily Ever After” Recommended Reads to your Summer TBR List today!

SPARK – June 26th

A love story with a seventeen-year intermission.

Hugo Thorson fell in love when he was sixteen. He’s maybe been in love since, but probably not. He’s been too busy directing plays to devote much time to men who can’t accept all of him. No one ever made him feel like his first love did.

Kevin Magnus married a woman and has two children, but the marriage wasn’t happy. In the shadow of divorce, he’s striving to be a better father, but he’s still a work in progress.

When Hugo and Kevin bump into each other at the lake, memories of their last kiss incite a new first kiss. Visions of the life they always wanted are vivid, but so much stands in the way of their dreams. Hugo is out and proud but no one knows Kevin’s bisexual. If Kevin comes out, he risks losing custody of his kids. If he doesn’t walk hand in hand with Hugo, he risks losing the love of his life.

The curtain may never rise on their second act.

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FUSION – July 24th

A love story comes out of the shadows.

Everyone in Kevin’s life knows him as straight rather than bisexual. There was no need to come out until now, but loving Hugo is worth any prejudice he’ll encounter. Hugo does his best to be patient while Kevin navigates his way toward openness, but he refuses to be put back in a closet for long.

Kevin wants to tell his kids without screwing up their newfound stability, and he worries about telling his ex because Erin might use the truth against him to renegotiate custody. Kevin wants it all finalized, but time isn’t on his side.

When Erin gets grim news, it shakes everyone to the core and rips Kevin away from the life he planned with Hugo. The news brings Hugo’s past hurts bubbling to the surface. Yet when Erin turns to Hugo for support, their new connection shows him how essential he is to Kevin and his kids.

Despite the chaos, it’s clear Hugo is very much a part of this unconventional family.

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FLARE – August 28th

A love story and a family worth fighting for.

Hugo and Kevin strive to put their lives back together after tragedy, doing everything in their power to create a stable life. Hugo’s acting career is back on track, and Kevin hires a nanny to help with the kids as they discover their new normal. But when Erin’s parents seek full custody of Brooke and Finn, that stability is shattered.

With Hugo working in LA or New York, the distance from his new family gets to him. At home, the nanny’s hands-on approach leaves Hugo feeling pushed out, so he says farewell to his beloved apartment and eclectic neighborhood to move in with Kevin.

Hugo has a hard time fitting in with the suburbanites with Kevin’s passive-aggressive “friends” making Hugo feel anything but welcome. As the custody case heads to mediation, Brooke is bullied about having two dads, and Hugo realizes his mere presence might be doing more harm than good.

Hugo must decide to stay and fight for his family or leave and let them live in peace.

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Posy Roberts started reading romance when she was young, sneaking peeks at adult books long before she should’ve. Textbooks eventually replaced the novels, and for years she existed without reading for fun. When she finally picked up a romance two decades later, it was like slipping on a soft hoodie . . . that didn’t quite fit like it used to. She wanted something more.

She wanted to read about men falling in love with each other. She wanted to explore beyond the happily ever after and see characters navigate the unpredictability of life. So Posy sat down at her keyboard to write the books she wanted to read.

Her stories have been USA Today’s Happily Ever After Must-Reads and Rainbow Award finalists. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her family and friends and doing anything possible to get out of grocery shopping and cooking.

Follow Posy on BookBub | Subscribe to Posy’s Newsletter | Join Posy’s Reader Group | Website

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The Consumption of Magic by TJ Klune, Narrated by Michael Lesley: Audio Book Review * 2

June 11, 2018 by Denise

Sam of Wilds faced the Dark wizard Myrin and lived to tell the tale. Granted, the battle left him scarred, but things could be a hell of a lot worse.

It’s not until he reunites with Morgan of Shadows and Randall that he realizes just how much worse things could be.

Because the scars have meaning and hint at Myrin’s true plans for Sam and the Kingdom of Verania.

With time running out, Sam and his band of merry misfits—the unicorn Gary, the half-giant Tiggy, Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart, and the dragon known as Kevin—must travel to the snowy mountains in the North and the heart of the Dark Woods to convince the remaining dragons to stand against Myrin. Along the way, Sam learns secrets of the past that will forever change the course of the future.

A reckoning is coming for Sam of Wilds, and there is nothing he can do to stop it.

Title: The Consumption of Magic
Series: Tales From Verania: Book Three
Author: TJ Klune
Narrator: Michael Lesley
Release Date: April 30, 2018
Category: High Fantasy
Length: 18 hours, 18 minutes

Amazon

Audible

Dreamspinner Press

The Consumption of Magic is the 3rd third book in Klune’s The Lightening Struck Heart series. I can gush all day about how much I loved this series. It’s crazy, funny, endearing, thoughtful, and at times heartbreaking. Book 1 is really a stand alone, where we sample the delightful characters of Verania, and watch as our hero Sam of Wilds grows as a wizard (all right, apprentice) falls in love, protects his friends and generally shows us why he’s our hero. Finish that and you don’t have to read further and you’ll be so happy. But books 2, 3 and 4 tell the rest of Sam’s story, specifically how he fits into an ancient prophecy and what he can do to stop an evil force from taking over the world. So, you start book 2, you have to finish.

This time around, Sam goes on a few adventures, rounding up the remaining dragons he needs to help him win in his fight against Myrin, the dark wizard threatening Sam’s friends and Verania itself. Naturally, there are shenanigans which are as important as any plot points. You will laugh. But I’ma warn you now, you may also cry. Sam’s been warned for a long time that he will suffer a great loss, and he does. And it sucks. But this only strengthens Sam’s resolve, which sets us up for the 4th and final book in the series.

Book 3 is fantastic and I didn’t think I could love it more. Until I listened to the audio. I won’t lie. At first I was like “Wait… what? Not at all what I pictured Sam to sound like.” Not disappointing, just different from what I had in my mind. That goes for all the voices, except Gary and Ryan, I think. Anyway, Michael Lesley does an amazing job and after not a long time, I realized that’s totally what Sam sounds like. I even listened to him through all the credits. Go figure. When I saw the audio was 18 hours (18!) I couldn’t believe it but after the first few of Sam’s dramatic, pause filled inner monologues, the length started to make sense. Lesley animates the crazy/hilarious text with however many characters, all distinct, but he can also bring on the serious when Sam has his moments of introspection and analysis, whether he’s in some absurd situation or faced with heartbreak. The only downside is that I think I miss these books even more after hearing their wonderful voices.

Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

I started this series after last year’s GRL, when I heard Michael Lesley’s excerpt from book 2, and fell in love with the series immediately. I listened to all three books as soon as I was able (and am now waiting anxiously for book 4). This series is so well-written, has so many characters that don’t just touch your heart, but sneak in and steal it, as if these are real people and not characters that come to life from TJ Klune’s imagination. In some cases, it rips your heart out a little, and in this book, it truly breaks your heart, but is so well done, you know that what is ahead will bring Sam his happy ending, and restore Verania to its glory. Other times, you laugh so hard, you wonder where the heck he comes up with this stuff. Seriously, the scenes where Sam is captured, and somehow talks himself out of it, as Gary argues away are some of the funniest stuff I have read in a very long time.

However, when you add in Michael Lesley’s narration, these books just become something more. You truly feel like you are IN Verania, that you can see Ryan Foxheart’s blush when Sam says something completely inappropriate, that you can see Gary’s glitter being sprayed everywhere as he goes into a unicorn rage, and that Sam’s blue and green magic is swirling around you as he considers whether to turn someone’s nose into a penis. Michael Lesley truly takes these books to the next level, and I am so glad that I could spend the time with this book, listening to it.

That being said…book 4 isn’t out on audio yet, although I know Michael Lesley is working on it. I could not wait, though, I needed to see how Sam saves Verania and gets his happy ending, and I was not disappointed. What a great finish to this part of the series. And the best part! I heard Michael Lesley’s voice in my head the entire time I read that book. I can’t wait to hear how he makes it even better than what I heard in my head.

Amazing work to both TJ Klune and Michael Lesley.

Story: 5 pieces of eye candy

Narration: 5 pieces of eye candy

Trapped in Oz by Andrew Grey: TBT – Throwback Thursday Quick Review

June 7, 2018 by Denise

Tales from Kansas

Martin Long has plans and dreams, but they are derailed when his parents move and must sell their house. In need of a place to stay, fast, he answers an ad for a roommate, and even though the house needs work, the owner seems nice so Martin agrees to move in.

Gary Hunter is barely making ends meet, with mysteriously disappearing tips at work and tuition to pay. Disowned by his family and left with a house in need of repair, Gary desperately needs the extra set of hands along with the money.

When Gary confesses that his family disowned him for being gay, Martin makes his own confession that opens a world of possibilities. But Gary has paid a heavy price for being who he is, and Martin’s unwillingness to open up to his family puts strain on the fledgling relationship.

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Very cute, YA read.

Martin’s dad has accepted a job that’s taking him and his mother out of state, though he’s an adult now with a good job, maybe college and all of his friends here, he decides to stay behind. Well, his parents insist that he stay behind, really, I don’t think he would’ve on his own lol Anyway, he needs to find someone looking for a roommate, fast.

Gary inherited his grandmother’s house when she passed, but never had much of a relationship with her because his parents wouldn’t allow it. Now, kicked out and disowned by the terrible people, he has a place to stay but not enough money for the taxes and upkeep; and thankfully, but unfortunately for his expenses, his douchey roommate flunked out of school and had to leave. Meaning, he needed a new roommate fast, someone that wouldn’t care about his sexual preference.

Easier said than done, but he gets lucky when he meets Martin, and after getting to know Martin a little bit, he tells him before he moves in. It’s a problem for Martin, but not because Gary’s gay, but because Martin is too, he’s just never gotten to experience what that means, just yet. He’s scared of how his parents will react, especially after hearing how Gary’s own coming out was.

I will say that I was kinda annoyed that Gary put so much pressure on Martin, though I understand not wanting to be in a relationship where he had to hide it, Martin was literally JUST coming to terms with it himself, so I can understand his hesitancy… some people go decades without ever telling anyone, or accepting it themselves… and it’s up to them when and where they feel comfortable coming out. I didn’t like that Gary seemed to guilt him, even if it wasn’t intentional…. And I didn’t like that Martin felt like he had to choose between one or the other.

I also felt a bit like these guys were so young, and the pickin’s were slim, that it was just convieniant because they lived together…. I mean, they liked each other, sure…. But it didn’t feel like much more than that for me. I dunno… maybe I’m reading too much into it, but to me… it felt forced because it was a right time right place kinda thing. It worked out for them in the end, though I was also surprised at how Martin’s family took it. They were accepting eventually….but I figured with the way his mom was, that she already knew.

Overall, it’s a cute, short read with a happy ending. That’s good right?

3 pieces of eye candy from me!

Out, Proud and Prejudiced by Megan Reddaway: RDB, Release Day Review and Giveaway

June 4, 2018 by Denise

One’s proud, one’s prejudiced, and they can’t stand each other.

Quick-tempered Bennet Rourke hates Darius Lanniker on sight. Darius may be a hotshot city lawyer, but that doesn’t give him the right to sneer at Bennet, his friends, and their college. It doesn’t help that Bennet’s restaurant job has him waiting at Darius’s table. So when his tutor recommends him for an internship at Darius’s Pemberley estate, Bennet isn’t sure he wants it. He’s also not sure he can afford to turn it down.

Darius is a fish out of water in the small college town of Meriton, but something keeps pulling him back there. He’s helping out a friend with business advice, nothing more. If he’s interested in Bennet, it’s not serious. Sure, Bennet challenges him in a way no other man has. But they have nothing in common. Right?

Wrong. Their best friends are falling in love, and Bennet and Darius can’t seem to escape each other. Soon they’re sharing climbing ropes and birthday cake, and there’s a spark between them that won’t be denied. But betrayal is around the corner. Darius must swallow his pride and Bennet must drop his prejudices to see the rainbow shining through the storm clouds.

A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Amazon

This is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, where Bennet is the main hero who is slowly drawn towards Darius, a snobbish lawyer who treats our hero pretty shabbily from the get go. Bennet swears to have nothing to do with Darius, but because his best friend Jaime is dating Darius’ best friend Tim, the two would-be enemies keep finding themselves thrown together. They slowly learn to see past the superficial first impressions and find spots of common ground. And still some things manage to get in the way. But if you’re a fan of P&P, you’ll enjoy the ride knowing you’ll be satisfied in the end.

I really liked this book. I love retellings of classics. It’s so fun to see how much the author changes, what is kept the same and how it’s all modernized. It’s fun all around. In many ways it’s pretty faithful to the original, with minor twists. Instead of the five Bennett sisters, there are four roomates (poor Mary) whose personalities match the girls very well. There’s still scandal, and miscommunication, and oh how fun is Darius’ “I hate myself for loving you” speech? Love how this author changes things up.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

MEGAN REDDAWAY lives in England and has been entertained by fictional characters acting out their stories in her head for as long as she can remember. She began writing them down as soon as she could.

Since she grew up, she has worked as a secretary, driver, barperson, and article writer, among other things. Whatever she is doing, she always has a story bubbling away at the same time.

For news of Megan’s gay romance releases and two free stories, visit her website: http://meganreddaway.com
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Riven by Roan Parrish: Release Day Review

May 29, 2018 by Denise

Theo Decker might be the lead singer of Riven, but he hates being a rock star. The paparazzi, the endless tours, being recognized everywhere he goes—it all makes him squirm. The only thing he doesn’t hate is the music. Feeling an audience’s energy as they lose themselves in Riven’s music is a rush unlike anything else . . . until he meets Caleb Blake Whitman. Caleb is rough and damaged, yet his fingers on his guitar are pure poetry. And his hands on Theo? They’re all he can think about. But Caleb’s no groupie—and one night with him won’t be enough.

Just when Caleb is accepting his new life as a loner, Theo Decker slinks into it and turns his world upside-down. Theo’s sexy and brilliant and addictively vulnerable, and all Caleb wants is another hit. And another. That’s how he knows Theo’s trouble. Caleb can’t even handle performing these days. How the hell is he going to survive an affair with a tabloid superstar? But after Caleb sees the man behind the rock star, he begins to wonder if Theo might be his chance at a future he thought he’d lost forever.

Amazon

I am a fairly unabashed fan of Roan Parrish. From her first book (that I honestly couldn’t believe was her first book) through and including Riven. She writes stories and characters that I just care about. That I want to know more about. I get immersed in their stories and don’t want to let go.

The dynamics between Theo- lead singer of Riven- and the rest of the band is like nothing I have read before. There’s the tension of Theo getting the most press being the lead singer, but there’s also the tension of him being the outsider. Riven was a band of three who needed a lead singer and song writer. He got hired. I think that this book really showed that even if you are in a rock band and famous, it is a job. And you don’t always get along with your coworkers for one reason or another.

Caleb knows what fame feels like. And the fall from it because of drugs. In recovery again, he basically hides out at his farm, venturing into the city once a month or so to play music in a dive bar without recognition. Until Theo sees him and feels his music deeply.

Oh I loved Theo. He is so broken, so lost, so innocent. He isn’t the angry guy who hates fame and is a total jerk about it. He hates fame but deals with it because it is part of the job. And because he needs music.

And Theo helps Caleb find his music again.

Their relationship started out as sex. And then grew into a really beautiful love. The way they supported each other without becoming a crutch was so sweet. No one was a whiny brat. No one did the whole “you can’t get past my walls!” thing. There was a bit of the you deserve better than me, but they worked through it.

Gah, I’m rambling.

I really loved this book.

4.5 Pieces of Candy

Wash Out (Anchor Point #7) by L.A. Witt: Exclusive Excerpt from Sink or Swim (Book 8), Blog Tour, and Giveaway

May 25, 2018 by Denise

Casey Olson has always known he was destined to be a Navy SEAL, and the best day of his life was when he was accepted into training. The worst day was when a snapping bone ended his dream.

After three combat tours in five years, Logan Carter left the Marines and self-destructed. Now he’s sober and, thanks to a forgiving ex with friends in high places, has a promising job as a civilian contractor. All he has to do is stay on the rails and out of a bottle, even when his demons won’t leave him alone.

Logan likes his job, and he really likes the gorgeous man at the next desk. Casey tries not to check Logan out, but who is he kidding? From the start, despite their best efforts, neither man can resist the other. Sizzling chemistry leads to sex so hot they can both almost forget why they’re stuck in this office to begin with.

It would be perfect, except Logan can’t stop reliving wars he’ll never forget and Casey can’t stop grieving the SEAL he’ll never be. And they’ll never have a future together until they can make peace with their pasts.

Amazon

Riptide Publishing

Calm and ready to face the snarl of corroded wires I’d been working on before lunch, I carefully rolled-up the mat and collected my misbaha and Qur’an. As I rose, I nearly dropped everything, though.

When had Dylan come into the sanctuary? I’d been distantly aware of movement and footsteps, and I’d heard someone take a seat in one of the creaky pews, but somehow hadn’t realized it was him. Which was stupid. He was the chaplain. Of course he was in here.

For whatever reason, though, my heart was suddenly racing. Had he been watching me pray? Did it bother him even though he’d insisted he had no problem with it?

Dylan wasn’t watching me, though. In fact, he was staring straight ahead. Elbows on his knees, hands clasped under his chin, he just . . . stared. Probably not at anything in particular.

Or rather, probably not anything that was actually in this room.

I swallowed. I knew that look. No one served in the military or even lived within spitting distance of a base without becoming familiar with the thousand yard stare. Even the fluorescent glare on his glasses couldn’t hide the blank look in his eyes.

It had been jarring the first time I’d realized chaplains weren’t immune to combat-related PTSD. Intellectually it made perfect sense, and I’d never thought they were immune to it, but actually seeing a chaplain fighting off a flashback had hit me hard. They were the counselors of every command. The guy you went to see when separation from your family was getting to you, or if you’d been to combat, when the nightmares and flashbacks caught up.

So who does the chaplain talk to when he’s the one with PTSD?

Maybe the other chaplain? Or . . . I didn’t know.

I stepped a little closer, moving cautiously, and kept my voice soft. “Hey. You all right?”

Dylan jumped, but then he nodded. He shook himself and wiped a hand over his face as he sat back in the pew. “I’m sorry. Did . . .” He blinked a couple of times. “Did you need something?”

“No, I just, uh, thought you were kind of . . .” I waved my own hand in front of my face.

“Oh. Right.” He dropped his gaze as his cheeks darkened. “I’m fine. Just distracted.”

You’ve been somewhere with bombs dropping, haven’t you?

Who do you talk to?

I cleared my throat. “Hey, um. This might be out of line, but . . .” I hesitated, muffling another cough, then blurted out, “Do you want to get coffee later?”

Dylan blinked. “Coffee?”

“Yeah.” With a cautious smirk, I added, “You know—hot bean water?”

He actually laughed, and the color in his face deepened. “Cute. But I mean, you’re . . .” He looked in my eyes. “Coffee, together?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “You look like you could use some company. Maybe someone to talk to.” The words were out before I could stop them, and now that they were, I wanted the deck to split open and swallow me up so I wouldn’t have to be here for his reaction.

To my surprise, though, he smiled. Faintly, but genuinely. “That would be nice, actually.” He paused. “Did you have any place in mind?”

“Not really. There are a few cafés in town.”

Dylan’s eyes lost focus for a second before meeting mine again. “What about the O-club on base?”

The officers’ club? For coffee? Wasn’t exactly the first place that sprang to mind, but I supposed if they catered to officers, they would have decent coffee.

“Sure.” I matched his smile. “I clock out at four, so I can meet you any time after that.”

“I’ve got a meeting at 1700, so why don’t we say 1830?”

I nodded. “Great. I’ll see you there.”

Welcome to Anchor Point!

Nestled on the northern coast of Oregon, this small town is home to Naval Air Station Adams. On base, you’ll find freshly minted Sailors who’ve just graduated boot camp, salty officers counting down till retirement, grounded pilots who’ve landed behind desks, and everyone in between—and they’re all looking for love. Well, not all of them, but that won’t stop love from finding them.

So pull up a barstool, grab a beer, and get ready for some sea stories as these men in uniform—or not—navigate the waters of love and life in the military.

Anchor Point stories can be enjoyed in any order. Hop in wherever you’d like!

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut.

L.A.’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).

To celebrate the release of Wash Out, L.A. is giving away reader’s choice of two eBooks off of her backlist! (Excludes Wash Out.) Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on May 26, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following along, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!