Tag: MM Paranormal Romance

Guest Post—An Interview with Sadie Rose Bermingham—Burning Boundaries Blog Tour

Today please welcome to The Land of Make Believe, Sadie Rose Bermingham.  Sadie and her co-author, Bellora Quinn, have a new release—Burning Boundaries—and Sadie is here for an interview to help tell us more about the new book:

Welcome Sadie.

In one sentence can you tell everyone what Burning Boundaries is about?

Burning Boundaries is about exploration – exploring limitations, be it physical, psychic or sexual.

What was it that led you to write in the genre(s) you write?

I read a lot of fantasy and sci-fi as a child and a teenager. When I was younger High Fantasy was my escape pod. Most contemporary fiction didn’t engage me, it felt too dull. Too ordinary. As I grew older, I suppose, I reached for worlds that felt like mine but still had that excitement, the lure of the unexpected. And I discovered urban fantasy and contemporary paranormal. They felt like the world I inhabited in my head. So most of what I write is set in a contemporary location with a magical or paranormal twist.

Are your books character led or plot led, or both?

Absolutely the characters come first. I need to know my protagonist at least before I begin writing. Usually the process is, Protagonist, Conflict, other Stuff, Resolution. I will quite happily let my characters lead me off down back roads and cul-de-sacs in our search for the story.

What is your favourite part of the writing process?

I think, once the characters and story are established, it’s when a scene just runs away with us and we can’t stop putting the words down. It’s like a runaway train, the adrenaline rush is better than anything.

What is your least favourite part of the writing process

I’m usually okay with the process – even the initial edits – until things like the final line edits, when it feels like we’re combing over the same thing, again and again. I have a low boredom threshold and I want to be on to writing new stories.

Where do you get your inspiration for your characters?

They come from all over the place to be honest. Friends and colleagues always joke about the danger of winding up in a book, but often it’s people I don’t really know much about that will inspire a character or a situation. My warped mind likes to fill in the gaps and create something from a basic framework, so if I see someone cute out and about, he might inspire a hero, or if I hear something on the bus that piques my curiosity, I might begin to build a scene or a character around those few words. Scenes often happen like little movie trailers in my head. Music is seriously inspirational. Listening to a song, I will sometimes begin to build a scene in my head around the lyrics and the emotion I’m hearing. Most times it bears no relation to the actual song but the music has been the key.

Tell us a little about the characters in your book and their story. You can use more than twenty words this time.

Jake Chivis is a gay, ex-cop from Detroit, specialising in arson investigation. He is 29, part Native American, and a Fire Elemental. He has the Elemental gift of psychometry which allows him to retrieve memories from inanimate objects, and sometimes people. He is on the run from his own memories, a bad break up and an abusive father, and comes to London to start a new life. Jake is a sweet, down to earth guy, who has struggled to control the fiery rages that his Elemental type are often prone to in their youth, and now he just wants to settle down somewhere that no one knows him or will bother him.

Mari Gale is 27, bisexual and shamelessly flamboyant, with a mixed Celtic/Baltic ancestry. His Element is Air and his gift is for interfacing with communications technology. A former child genius, he is very independent and will always speak his mind, no matter how un-PC that may be. Although he seems confident on the surface, he struggles with expressing his emotions and finds it very difficult to make a deeper connection with anyone. His parents separated when he was seven, and he has been through a few ruinous affairs that have left him cynical about love. He is devoted to his mother, Annabel, who is battling cancer, though he is certainly not a Mummy’s Boy.

If you could have one wish what would it be?

Like many people who do this, I would love, one day, to be able to make a living from my writing so that I can do more of it.

What’s your deepest fear?

At my age, probably dying half way through a major storyline. I don’t want to enter the afterlife seething with frustration. Heheh!

If I came to dinner what would you feed me?

Take-Away Pizza, probably. I’m not renowned for my skill in the kitchen. I make a mean veggie curry though.

Which of your characters would you like to be sharing the dinner table with us?

I have a lovely character called Dominic Warren, who features in some of our earlier, online fiction. He’s an actual Earl, and a practicing Wiccan High Priest, but deliciously camp and very talkative. He also loves to cook so he would make us something edible and keep us entertained.

Tell us in the character’s own words, what he would have to say about you.

“Sadie, darling, I love you to pieces, but man cannot live on Pringles and wine alone. No… step away from the microwave chips, bitch! I’m warning you!”

What would he say (again in their own words) about themselves, and their story that will make us want to read about it?

“Darling, I’m into my sixth decade, I’ve lain with vampires and werewolves, I have a magical spell for every situation, I’m self-sufficient enough for both of us and, if there’s a vice out there that I haven’t yet tried, I will happily give it a shot.”

Which other fictional character(s) would you like to be present at the dinner party?

Dominic is a Vampaholic so possibly Count Dracula – they’re practically social equals, or Armand – he likes pretty boys. He’s never flirted with a Demon so Shax from the Brimstone would have to be there. And I think he would rather get on with Quentin d’Arcy from Inheritance – they’re both from noble families and Quentin could use a father figure with a kinder hand.

What other authors would you say have either influenced your writing or you would like to emulate?

I grew up loving the works of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis but my influences are many and varied. Ursula le Guin is in there. Poppy Z Brite (now Billy Martin) is another huge influence. Neil Gaiman is an amazing storyteller, and his use of mythology in modern settings is always inspiring and sometimes educational. The late Sir Terry Pratchett taught me about the balance of humour and pathos. There are too many to name, really.

Which character from literature, would you most like to have invented?

I’m fickle and I’m always falling in love with new characters. I love damaged, beautiful boys so probably Ghost, from Poppy Brite’s Lost Souls? Or Vanyel Ashkevron, from Mercedes Lackey’s last Herald Mage series. I cried my eyes out at the end of that series.

What do you prefer writing. A one off novel, a series or short stories?

Series, absolutely. I’m terrible at endings.

What kind of books do you read (if you have time to read)?

Lots of things really. I read a lot of non-fic – currently reading a book about the Benson family A.C. and E.F. and their kin, who were wonderful queer fish, the lot of them. I love John Irving, I will drop everything for one of his books. I love the M/M Paranormal genre at the moment, so many good writers in this field. I adore manga, especially the works of Kaori Yuki and a series called Descendants of Darkness, which I read over and over. I enjoy steampunk, there is a lady called Gail Carriger who writes wonderful stories of Vampires, Werewolves and Inventors in an alternative Victorian London. I’m eagerly waiting for book five in Amelia Faulkner’s Inheritance series, which is my current addiction.

Where do you see yourself personally and professionally in 5 years time?

I have no clue, but I’m sure it will be an interesting ride.

Do you have any other projects in the offing we should look out for?

I’m working on a story with Dominic, called Last Rites, about magic and betrayal and how the past catches up with you. Bellora and I have book three of Elemental Evidence nearly ready to Beta and we’re playing with an idea for a story about a sorcerer and an alchemist, which doesn’t even have a name yet.

Where can we find you?

I’m spread all over the place. I have a  Facebook Page  https://en-gb.facebook.com/ElementalEvidence/ 

Twitter too. You can find links to those and to my website on my author page at Pride Publishing:

https://www.pride-publishing.com/author/sadie-rose-bermingham

I’m also on QueeRomanceInk: 

https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/sadie-rose-bermingham/

Thank you for having me. 😊

Blurb:

Mari Gale’s life has been a whirlwind since meeting Jake Chivis. A new job prospect and his mother’s health preoccupy him, so when Jake invites him on a date he’s ready to cut loose. Their night out turns into a nightmare when a fire breaks out in the basement of the bar and they barely escape.

Soon Jake learns that the horrific accident is being investigated as a possible homicide, and it’s not the only case. Detective Inspector Cordiline of the London Met hints at spontaneous human combustion, but as far as Jake knows, SHC doesn’t exist.

When Mari looks into a group called Birthright, he finds a connection to the victims of the fires and Jake risks himself to go undercover at the shadowy organization. The race is on to determine the truth before Jake becomes the next target.

 

Burning Boundaries; by Bellora Quinn and Sadie Rose Birmingham

Cover Artist: Emmy Ellis

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Elemental Evidence Series Info:

Former Detective Jake Chivis is a Fire Elemental who uses psychometry to see the past. Doctor Ilmarinen Gale is an Air Elemental, a human/cybernetic interface, able to infiltrate even the toughest information systems. Together they find out just how potent a combination Fire and Air can be when it comes to solving crimes.

Amid murder, conspiracy and a world that views them with suspicion, and sometimes contempt, Jake and Mari circumvent the conventional. While the police aren’t always appreciative of their methods they can’t deny the results.

When they aren’t busy consulting for the police, figuring one another out is their next big mystery. One that proves as frustrating as it is passionate. Between hunting killers and avoiding competing government agencies that want the two of them working on their side, they just might have enough time for love.

Excerpt:

Was that flirting? Was he flirting with the guy? Jake tried to rein those thoughts in but he couldn’t help it. Mari had a habit of flirting, but it had never bugged Jake before. Jesus, they’d managed to go to one bar for an hour and already he was devolving into Neanderthal territory. He realized something else. It had never really bothered him when he and Alex had gone out and his ex had spent all night coming on to strangers. Then again, he’d known Alex was doing it to get a rise out of him. That was not Mari’s way, at all.

“You want another drink?” Jake asked, by way of keeping himself from hauling Mari out of there and grilling him about whether he wanted to sleep with Mr. Whips and Tattoos. They had to step to one side as a sweating, agitated-looking guy pushed by them on the stairs in an obvious hurry to get down to the basement for some chastisement. Though he looked chastised enough already, in Jake’s opinion.

“If you do,” Mari said, then exhaled a huff that might have been regret and might have been relief. “Unless, of course, you just want to put me over your shoulder and carry me out, Mr. Caveman. I wasn’t giving him the come-on. So you can stop looking daggers. And don’t deny it.” He pointed a slender finger at Jake as he opened his mouth. “I could see you thinking it. Yes, he’s very cute, but he’s not really my type. I do like his toy box though.”

Jake snapped his mouth closed then pushed a hand through his hair and let out a sigh of his own. He had always pitied guys that acted like possessive jerks and here he was being as transparent as glass, all but snarling at anyone who got too close to Mari. “I’m sorry. I was aiming not to be obvious. I’ll try and refrain from clubbing you over the head and dragging you out by the hair.” He managed a sheepish grin.

“In that case, it would be my pleasure to have another drink with you, Chivis.” Mari chuckled, slipping a hand around the nape of his neck and towing him in for a brief, firm kiss.

They made their way back up into the bar and as they were weaving their way through the crowd, Jake heard someone shout, then screaming coming from the direction of the basement.

The red and gold lighting seemed to be flickering and Mari yelled, “Can you smell something burning?”

Jake noticed the smell just as Mari was saying it, and turned his head. A curl of pale smoke was winding up from the basement stairway, not thick but noticeable.

“Shit!” He grabbed Mari’s arm. “Get out of here. Hurry.”

Jake gave him a push toward the front exit then shoved through the crowd, trying to get to the stairs.

Buy Links:

Pride Publishing: 

Amazon:

Apple:

Barnes & Noble:

Kobo:

Goodreads: 

About the Authors:

Bellora Quinn:

Originally hailing from Detroit Michigan, Bellora now resides on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida where a herd of Dachshunds keeps her entertained. She got her start in writing at the dawn of the internet when she discovered PbEMs (Play by email) and found a passion for collaborative writing and steamy hot erotica. Soap Opera like blogs soon followed and eventually full novels. The majority of her stories are in the M/M genre with urban fantasy or paranormal settings.

Sadie Rose Bermingham:

A storyteller since before she started school, Sadie also enjoys reading, photography, live music and long walks on the beach. Sadie has worked as a bookseller, a pedigree editor for the racing industry and a local and family history researcher. Originally from the north of England, she has been working her way across the UK ever since. She currently resides on the south east coast with her long term partner, where she hopes to buy a mobile home and establish a whippet farm.

Author Links:

Website:

https://www.belloraquinn.com

https://www.sadierosebermingham.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ElementalEvidence/

Twitter:

@belloraQ

@sadieBermingham

 

 

Double Alchemy; by Susan Mac Nicol—Blog Tour and Giveaway

Today I get to welcome my friend, Susan Mac Nicol, back to the blog. About two years ago, she and I met when she was promoting Double Alchemy, her urban fantasy series. Now, those who follow my blog know I’m a fan of fantasy, and modern day warlocks and the like are fun reads.

To celebrate the two year anniversary, Susan is doing a small tour to re-introduce Cade and Quinn to the speculative fiction world.  She was gracious enough to do a short interview with me and she also has a tour giveaway.

I’ll also post a review soon—I suck at reviews so getting it right without spoiling things is never easy for me, but if you’ve not read the series, you should.

An Interview With Susan Mac Nicol:

Double Alchemy has different elements than your Men of London series. What is it that drew you to write an Urban Fantasy?

Various elements got me to thinking about this book. I love magic and the occult, and all things mysterious and incorporating this into a book seemed like a lot of fun. Also, I live in the county of Essex which is where the Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins ‘did his business’ and if the rumours are to be believed, died. I love King Arthur stories, so using Taliesin, Welsh bard and sorcerer, who lived in those times, was a cinch. So bringing this all in together into one story was easy enough to do. It lent free reign to my imagination and brought in all the elements I loved that I could use any way I liked.

Do you like writing speculative fiction and would you consider writing one without a true romance?

I love writing this kind of fiction. Creating your own worlds and letting your imagination run riot- there’s something liberating about it. I would definitely consider writing a book without the romance, maybe just a touch of a love interest. In fact, I’ve already got one on the go. It’s called ‘Soul Quest’. I even drew a map showing the kingdom the events take place in. I’ve been writing it for over 30 years and it’s the typical stuff- battle between good and evil, a quest for something, a coming of age, a journey made by a young man destined to be someone. Yep, it’s got tropes but I believe that as long as the story is fresh and exciting- who cares?

What was the hardest part in writing Double Alchemy?

Without doubt getting the Withinner, Taliesin, to have his own voice distinct from that of his master, Quinn. They are so inextricably intertwined with each other that sometimes they could have blended into one. The other tough bit was all the magic the Withinner could do, like being in another place, taking over from Quinn, only being able to die in a certain way, and the logistics of bringing this character into the story. I didn’t want to contradict myself. It was challenging.

One young reader was so entranced by the Withinner concept that I had to put together a Cheat Sheet for him so he could better understand the facets of the book dealing with this magical being. He was fascinated with Taliesin.

Given the romantic element is somewhat ‘magically’ affected, did you find it harder or easier to write the romance than if it were a contemporary romance

Heh, are you asking in your polite way whether the sex scenes were more difficult to write because of the fey attraction and the fact they couldn’t keep their hands -and other parts- off each other? No, it was fun to write the quick instalust scenes just as much as it was to write the softer, more emotional ones that take place after the intitial Fey ‘bonk my brains out’ feelings were lessened due to the emotion becoming more prevalent. I didn’t really think the sexy bits were any different to my usual ones actually, other than of course in the one scene where Taliesin gets hold of Cade. That was a little worrying as I didn’t know how the readers would see it- was this cheating or not? I decided to hell with it, the magical influence was over riding so I did it anyway. And no one so far has really minded, although there were some slight rumblings of discomfort. The story needed what the story needed, so *shrugs* I wrote it the way I wanted to.

Can we expect more stories that have that paranormal, speculative fiction edge like Double Alchemy?

You can indeed. As I mentioned, I’m writing a fantasy novel (or will be once I get down to it) but I’ll probably be about sixty before this gets anyway (and yes, dear reader, that IS still a ways to go J)

Double Alchemy

DoubleAlchemy_FINALPowerful yet tormented modern warlock Quinn Fairmont must initiate the silver-eyed Cade Mairston into the world of witchfinders, Withinners, and what can happen when two men fall truly, madly, deeply in love.

THE WORLD IN SHADOW

In modern London there lurks a warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Dangerous, powerful, tortured, sharing his body with the soul of an ancient Welsh sorcerer, Quinn is never alone—and never wholly himself. He fights against all those who would exploit his kind. He takes pleasure where he can find it.

In the forest of Hampstead Heath, Quinn’s hometown, Cade Mairston appears to him like a waking dream. Lithe, lean and silver-eyed, he evokes feelings in Quinn unlike any other: lust with true affection, immediate and shocking. Cade is clearly more than he seems. And yet, if a man of the world, Cade is innocent. He knows nothing of warlocks, witchfinders or Withinners. He knows nothing of what he is, what he might be, or what he might feel. For him, the story is just beginning. Magyck, peril and passion await.

Excerpt:

Cade Mairston was no ordinary man. Quinn had known it from the minute he’d touched Cade’s hand, smelt his scent and heard the rushing of his blood through his veins. Cade was Fey.

Not overtly Fey, but something resided there, buried deep down within him. Quinn didn’t think Cade Mairston had any idea who or what he was.

Double_AlchemyQuinn shivered. The way Cade had crouched in a fighter’s stance, fierce glare and strong body ready to do battle— he’d been inspiring. It was only due to Quinn’s Warlock skills that he’d the ability to anticipate and deflect the other man’s moves and not be grievously injured. Cade Mairston was a strong, agile presence and Quinn wouldn’t have liked his privates to be on the receiving end of the other man’s foot, which was attached to a muscled leg which he wished would wrap itself around his legs as he pounded the man’s arse….

Quinn checked himself mentally.

Christ, Quinn. Get a grip! Hell, my hormones are running riot.

Thank God the man was gay. Quinn’s gaydar worked very well, thank you, despite noticing the evidence of the large erection the man had sported in his trendy cream chinos for him.

What were the odds of meeting another gay Fey? Quinn chuckled softly. If things had turned out the other way, Quinn would have been in danger of deflowering a straight man and that one never worked out for the best.

Cade had looked a little rattled himself. For a moment, from the look in Cade’s smouldering grey eyes, Quinn had thought he might be about to get savagely violated. While Quinn topped most of the time he was definitely not averse to being taken by a man like Cade. There’d been anticipation so strong for Cade to touch him, kiss him right there, that he’d lost his breath for a moment. Quinn had a really tight feeling in his boxers right now as his cock threatened to burst into song and dance a jig out of his pants.

He sighed. Best get home, have a cold shower and do whatever else was necessary to relieve the turmoil snaking through his nether regions. Cade’s sexy stubble on his jawline and light silver eyes were playing havoc with Quinn’s sexual urges. Next time they met— and he was sure there’d be a next time— he’d have to search his apothecary for something that would deaden the sexual attraction. If not he’d never make it through a next meeting without ripping off Cade’s clothes until his need was fully satisfied for the first time. After the first time, it became more controllable. Experience had taught both he and Taliesin that.

Trailer:

Buy the Book:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21480819-double-alchemy

Buy Links: http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/double-alchemy

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Alchemy-Susan-Mac-Nicol-ebook/dp/B00J7FVYRC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436433347&sr=8-2&keywords=double+alchemy

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J7FVYRC?keywords=double%20alchemy&qid=1436433294&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-doublealchemy-1461484-143.html

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/421369

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-alchemy-susan-mac-nicol/1118958226?ean=2940045782142

About the Author:

64729591Susan Mac Nicol is a self- confessed bookaholic, an avid watcher of videos of sexy pole dancing men, geek, nerd and in love with her Smartphone. This little treasure is called ‘the boyfriend’ by her long suffering husband, who says if it vibrated, there’d be no need for him. Susan hasn’t had the heart to tell him there’s an app for that…

She is never happier than when sitting in the confines of her living room/study/on a cold station platform scribbling down words and making two men fall in love. She is a romantic at heart and believes that everything happens (for the most part) for a reason. She likes to think of herself as a ‘half full’ kinda gal, although sometimes that philosophy is sorely tested.

Lover of walks in the forest, theatre productions, dabbling her toes in the cold North Sea and the vibrant city of London where you can experience all four seasons in a day , she is a hater of pantomime (so please don’t tar and feather her), duplicitous people, bigotry and self-righteous idiots.

In an ideal world, Susan Mac Nicol would be Queen of England and banish all the bad people to the Never Never Lands of Wherever -Who Cares. As that’s never going to happen, she contents herself with writing her HEA stories and pretending, that just for a little while, good things happen to good people.

Sue is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association in the UK.

My links

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Giveaway

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Ask Again, by BA Tortuga—Book Blast and Giveaway

askagain1400

Author Name: B.A. Tortuga

Book Name: Ask Again

Series: Odd Wolf Out

Book: One

 

Release Date: October 14, 2015

Blurb:

Hearing that his ex-best friend is getting married might be the only thing that can lead Andy back to his wolf pack deep in the Colorado mountains. He’s a city wolf now, leaving behind the awkward, skinny teenage geek he was once upon a time. All he wants to do is see Levi one last time, and maybe lament what might have been between them if Levi had been brave enough to leave the pack with Andy all those years ago.
Levi has been a good soldier in his Alpha’s army, the second-in-command for several years. Seeing Andy again reminds Levi how he’s toed the line, and how all he’s gotten for it is a lonely life. He’s not sure why Andy came back, and at first he’s not even happy about it. Their need for each other runs deep and strong, though, and Levi has to wonder what he would do for Andy if the man would just ask him one more time.

Continue reading Ask Again, by BA Tortuga—Book Blast and Giveaway

Cover Reveal: Scent of the Heart; by Parker Williams

 

Blurb:

Casey Scott grew up being told he’d never amount to anything, and despite the unwavering

love and support from his best friend, Jake, the idea sticks in the back of Casey’s mind. When he

discovers he has a unique destiny in an enclave where shifters and humans live together, he

seizes the chance, wanting for once in his life to be someone special.

Tsvetok Yerokhin lost his parents to the evil ruler of the enclave when he was a boy. The

responsibilities of raising his two younger brothers nearly overwhelmed him and self-doubt

took over. When the new Alpha and his Protector arrive in time to save his life, Sev is grateful,

but he’s even more shocked when he scents his mate with them.

Casey isn’t prepared for the feelings that sweep over him when he meets Sev, but he refuses to

act on them because he’s straight. Still, there is something so alluring about Sev that Casey can’t

help being drawn to him.

As the two explore the edges of their new discovery, an evil returns, determined to control the

enclave or destroy it. The Alpha and Protector are powerless to stop it, but Casey holds the key

to victory. If he can discover what it is, he has a chance to save them all. To be the hero.

Unfortunately, the hero has to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and for Casey that

means losing his heart.

Book: Two—Shifting Needs

(Series should be read in order)

Publisher: Parker Williams

Cover Artist: Laura Harner

Release Date: June 15, 2015

Scent-400x600 2

 

Excerpt:

Casey had slept in the early evening, exhausted from his activities of the day. First the twins came, and their birth wasn’t easy. One of them, the boy, refused to come out. Normally shifter births were in and out in less than an hour. This one had kept him elbow deep for four. When the child was finally born, he had a full head of fluffy gray hair, indicative of his mother’s rabbit side. When they’d asked his advice on what to name their new son, Casey had said Thumper. His parents had fallen in love with the name, and Casey learned that people who had never seen a movie had no idea what humor was.

Then there was the incident with the stupid skunk in the forest. He hoped to hell Jake never found out, because after all the crap Casey had given him, he knew for a fact there would be hell to pay.

His intent had been to sleep a few hours, then try another dreamwalk. They always left him drained when he didn’t have a tether to this world. Casey shook his head. Six months ago he never would have talked about different worlds, men that could become animals, or ghosts outside of his weekly Dungeons and Dragons game. Now it seemed he was actually living a campaign. He was a shaman, a wizard of sorts. Jake was a paladin, righteous and good. Zak was…well, Zak probably would have been royalty. With his demeanor and attitude, he would have made a great king.

He’d been dozing fitfully; his dreams filled with visions of future events, where a fork in the road left him with too many decisions. One was life, the other was death, but both were fraught with peril. The knocking at his door had jolted him awake, and he was actually glad for it.

Sev looked absolutely miserable as he stood at the door. This would be only the second time the man had come to see Casey. Most everyone else in the enclave had stopped by, even for a friendly visit, numerous times. Yet Sev always hung back. This time, Casey needed to understand what was going on.

When they came in contact, skin on skin, Casey had no idea what happened. A surge ran up the length of his arm, seemingly connecting him to Sev. He could tell the man across from him needed his help. Sev was different from all the others in the enclave who’d come and talked to him in the last six months. He didn’t need advice; what he needed was someone to understand.

Sev sat at the table, looking for all the world as if he were lost. He sipped the calming tea that Casey had brewed, his eyes downcast as he told Casey his story—the death of his parents, the problems he now had with his brothers, and his uncertainty that he was doing the right thing. Never before had Casey wanted to pull someone into his arms and promise them that everything would be all right. He’d heard so many stories after Elizar’s defeat—beatings, rape, murder, and still he was able to maintain a detachment. Not with Sev.

“How can I help?”

Sev sighed. “I don’t know that you can. I just wanted to talk to someone.”

Casey could see the shine of tears when Sev finally lifted his head, and his chest tightened as he stood and wrapped his arms around the man. He didn’t have words, and he couldn’t think of any other way to comfort him. Not one of the salves, potions, ointments, teas, or other remedies on his shelves had the power to offer the healing that a hug brought.

“Thank you, my mate.”

The words were so soft Casey was certain he had misheard them.

Sales Links:

Amazon:

All Romance:

Smashwords:

About the author:

Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that come with melding lives together.

Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Parker held his job for nearly 28 years before he decided to retire and try new things. He enjoys his new life as a stay-at-home author and also working on Pride-Promotions, an LGBT author promotion service.

Where to find the author:

Connect with Parker on: Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641

Or you can visit his website: http://www.ParkerWilliamsAuthor.com

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092418.Parker_Williams

Tour Stops:

Cate Ashwood, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Full Moon Dreaming, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, The Hat Party, 3 Chicks After Dark, Mikky’s World of Books, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Love Bytes, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Charley Descoteaux, Inked Rainbow Reads, Becky Condit, Andrew Q. Gordon, Bayou Book Junkie, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Hearts on Fire, Divine Magazine, Happily Ever Chapter, Nic Starr, My Fiction Nook, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Christy Loves 2 Read, Molly Lolly, Carly’s Book Reviews, Amanda C. Stone, Nephylim, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Lee Brazil

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The Hidden Wolf; by Sue Brown—Blog Tour

Sue Brown returns today to talk about her love of shifter in connection with newest book, The Hidden Wolf.

Guest Post:

One of the first books I read in the M/M Romance genre was With Caution, J.L. Langley’s second book in the With or Without series. It sealed my love for MM shifter books. I fell in love with Remi and Jake, and Sterling (sweet heaven when is our Sterling getting his own story??) and all the other wonderful wolves and humans of her universe.

I have read many shifter books since. Kim Dare’s Pack series, Bailey Bradford’s Southwestern series, Amber Kell’s many shifter series to name but a few I’ve read and loved. I’m addicted to them. They all bring their own take on what is a well-trod genre. I couldn’t say it’s this book above all others. It’s this book in that series.

Recently I read Turnskin by Nicole Kimberling which is one of the most original and complex shifter books I’ve read in a long time. Her world is dark and political with many twists and turns in the story.

What I love most is that shifter means so much more than werewolf. There are as many variations as there are authors and each one is new and savoured – at least by this reader.

What is your favourite shifter book or series?
About the Book

Hidden WolfTitle: The Hidden Wolf

Series: Sapphire Ranch Wolves – Book Two

Author: Sue Brown

Publisher: Love Lane Books

Cover Artist: Meredith Russell

Length: 32,700 words

Release Date: 22nd May, 2015

Blurb: Sheriff Milo Clarke has met his mate, Eli Watkins, and now they’re conducting a long distance relationship while Eli runs Cavalry, the security firm protecting Joe and Cal at the Sapphire Ranch from the hunters.

The long distance loving is hard on all three of them, Eli, Clarke and Clarke’s wolf, who is becoming more restless as Clarke refuses to shift. When Clarke going to give into the other side of him and how will Clarke and Eli resolve the distance between their lives?

Excerpt

Sheriff Milo Clarke leaned against the kitchen cabinets as he watched Eli Watkins and his team, the Calvary, remove the remains of Randy Streerson from the kitchen of Sapphire Ranch. He’d offered to help and been told firmly to stay the hell out of their way as they committed a felony.

Staying to one side was a damned sensible move. What used to be Randy Streerson, the head of a group of hunters that pursued and killed shifters, now covered the kitchen walls, floor, and dripped from the ceiling after young shifter Callum Pope shot him with one of the hunter’s bullets.

Cal was a distant shifter relative of Milo’s. His father had been related to Milo’s mother. Cal’s father and two elder brothers had been killed by a band of hunters led by the Streerson family. The pack had splintered in an effort to survive, and Cal had turned up on Sapphire Ranch after running hundreds of miles to get away from the hunters, only to discover the owner of the ranch was his mate. A lot had happened in a few days. Eli’s men took away what remained of the body and now they scrubbed the kitchen, surprisingly efficient. Milo didn’t have to be a cop to know this wasn’t the first time the Cavalry had cleaned away evidence that a murder had taken place.

He was stuck between duty and likely survival. On one hand he’d witnessed the struggle between Cal and Streerson for control of the gun before Cal had pulled the trigger. On the other…

How the hell would he explain to his deputies what had just taken place? They would want to know where he’d been hiding for the past few days, why he’d been lying to them, who the victim—who was no fucking victim—was, and what the hell was a shifter?

He was a shifter. At least a half-shifter. His mother had been a werewolf and Milo could change, he just chose not to. Instead he lived among the humans as a sheriff and hadn’t given in to that side of him for over five years except for one glorious moment a few days ago. Milo tried not to think about it even as his wolf grumbled inside.

Milo watched the team—at least he watched Eli. His whole attention was focused on the dark-haired man. Just watching him made his mouth dry and his dick hard. From the second Milo had shifted to prove the existence of werewolves to Eli and his assistant Ross, he’d realized that Eli was his mate.

Unable to resist, he’d trotted up to Eli and laid his head on his lap. Tentatively Eli had stroked his head, and Milo leaned into the caress, wanting Eli to touch him more. Eli filled his wolf senses. He smelled woodsy with a touch of citrus. He smelled good.

“Good doggy,” Eli had murmured.

Doggy? Milo gave a low growl at the insult, grinning in wolfy satisfaction as Eli snatched his hand back. He wouldn’t have hurt him—much.

And Eli had seemed equally drawn to him, finding it hard to take his eyes off Milo, even as they’d talked strategy with Joe, Cal’s mate and the owner of Sapphire Ranch.

But they hadn’t gone near each other, hadn’t touched each other at all beyond that one brief contact. Milo had been relieved because they had needed to focus their minds, not their dicks, to defeat the hunters. Relieved—and frustrated beyond belief to have his mate so close and not be able to touch him.

There was another issue. They hadn’t connected telepathically.

Milo had thought that happened immediately. But he was only a half-shifter, with limited shifter abilities in his human form, and Eli was a human. What would happen if they didn’t connect? Could they walk away from each other? It would make life so much simpler.

Milo caught Eli frowning at him, and he looked away, feeling guilty. Eli didn’t need to know. They hadn’t connected. He need never know. Milo’s wolf howled inside him at the thought of walking away from his mate, and for once Milo didn’t try to hush him. The thought hurt his human side just as much. But Milo had spent his whole life hiding his true nature, and now, through no fault of his own, everything he’d worked to hide was liable to be exposed. Among humans he hid the fact he was half-shifter. Around shifters he tried hard to fit in, even though his human side affected his wolf senses. And with both communities he hid the fact he was gay.

Milo had spent his whole life in hiding and with one phone call Joe had exposed him to humans—both as shifter and as gay. He wasn’t fucking ready for it. And didn’t that suck?

Buy Links

Love Lane Books:

Amazon:

All Romance eBooks:

About the Author

Author picSue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot and has gotten expert at ignoring the orders.

Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.

AUTHOR LINKS

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

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SueBrownsStories

Twitter: https://twitter.com/suebrownstories

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+SueBrownstories/

Blog: http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.co.uk/

Website: http://www.suebrownstories.com/

Email ID: [email protected]

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Tour Schedule

May 25: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words || RJ Scott

May 26: Elisa – My reviews and Ramblings || Wicked Faeries Tales & Reviews

May 27: Hearts on Fire || MM Good Book Reviews

May 28: Andrew Q. Gordon || Elin Gregory

May 29: Cia’s Stories || Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

June 1: Man2ManTastic || Daydream Believer Book

June 2: The Purple Rose Tea House

June 3: Nessa’s Book Reviews || Lynley Wayne – Wordsmith Wednesday

June 4: Prism Book Alliance

June 5: The Novel Approach

June 8: Love Bytes Reviews

June 9: Gay Media Reviews || Diverse Reader

June 10: Molly Lolly: Reader, Reviewer, Lover of Words || Rainbow Book Reviews

June 11: Rainbow Gold Reviews

June 12: Drops of Ink || Bayou Book Junkie

An Interview With Alina Popescu – Author of Craving Stains: Blog Tour and Giveaway

 

 

stains-tour-fb

 

Welcome Alina, nice to finally be the one interviewing you. Tell everyone a bit about yourself.

Hi Andy, thanks for having me here! It’s a pleasure to chat with you under any circumstances.

Let’s see… I am Romanian, born and raised here. I am addicted to coffee and the Internet. I love to travel and I love dogs. I’ve been writing all my life, my first attempt at a novel happened when I was about ten. I am a bit of a geek… Okay, a lot of a geek, and I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy. Always reading what the boys read, which I guess it’s why I’d got so into science fiction, adventures, mysteries, and fantasy.

Craving Stains is your newest release, talk about this for a bit.

Craving Stains has been quite a journey for me. Deciding to write it led to amazing things, but more importantly, amazing people. It started out as a short story for the Stranded anthology and then I worked on expanding it. It went from about 7,000 words to a little over 15,000 and that helped me explore Wynn’s world more, as well as his mother’s background.

Craving Stains is a story about being safe and protected, but having no freedom or control over your own life. Although Wynn’s case is extreme, all of us experience that sense of being stuck and having no say on what will happen next. I think that’s one of the reasons people find it easy to relate to Wynn’s emotional turmoil.

Can you tell us something interesting that is not in the blurb?

I can tell you that in the future, the mere mention of the IRS (in its new form) still terrifies everyone. They are incredibly powerful and they don’t joke around. Apparently, even if we get better at evading death, we have no such luck with taxes.

What part of the book was the most fun to write and why?

The meetings between Wynn and Doyle were the most fun to write. The black-white play, the fact that they are complete opposites, yet form a perfect unit, that made those encounters quite enjoyable for me. Neither of them has the slightest clue about what’s happening to them, yet they go along with it. The thought of challenging it, of stopping, never occurs to them.

What part made you struggle them most?

The final part. It wasn’t really a struggle (thank heavens for tight deadlines), but it was difficult for me to write. I have decided quite early on that I don’t know what happens with Wynn in the end. So I wrote it like that. I get very attached to my characters, so knowing both possibilities of my ending hurt and made me want to pull Wynn into my arms and snuggle him. The thing that helped me go through with it was the fact that, regardless of what each reader chooses as their ending, given Wynn’s circumstances, it still is a happy ending.

What else have you written?

I have released a few stories before Craving Stains. I started with two free fantasy short stories which were meant to get my name out there. One was MF, the other one was MM, both in the same Lost Angels series—Pure Love of the Fallen and Flawless Design. My debut novel was released in April 2014 and it was the first book in a vampire trilogy. The Edge of Hope has been my first real taste of publishing something and it’s been great. About six months later, the anthology version of Craving Stains was released and was soon followed by more gay romance / gay fiction works.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

I don’t really have a favorite part, but that moment when a story comes to life, triggered by a flicker of inspiration, I adore that. 

What’s your least favorite?

Titles and blurbs. Titles more than blurbs as sometimes it takes me a really, really long time to come up with a good one. It’s either a quick process, or I struggle for years. Nope, I am not exaggerating here, The Edge of Hope took me almost three years to come up with.

Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?

Right now I am in the middle of edits for Strength to Leg Go, a werewolf gay romance that will launch the Tales of the Werewolf Tribes series. It will be published in early July, right on time for Euro Pride Con in Munich. I am also working on two other series, both gay romances, Famous on the Internet and Warriors of Vis, and a standalone dark science fiction novella called Angel’s Feather. With a bit of luck, you’ll see them all released in 2015. 

What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?

I’ve mostly read books that I wanted to review, so as they currently are or have recently been on tour, they have been in the spotlight. I am currently reading two science fiction books, Appearances by TM Smith and The Luxorian Fugitive by Mann Ramblings. I think readers in general should get out of their comfort zones a bit more. We tend to stick to a small niche within a certain genre and miss out on a whole world of amazing stories. I try to push myself to read in all genres, and I think others should do that too. 

If you could meet any writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Oh, that’s an easy question. Mihai Eminescu. He’s arguably the greatest poet in Romanian literature, although he’s written prose as well. To understand why, think of a manlier, darker, more brooding version of a genius such as Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory. Only Eminescy was really good at getting women to fall at his feet. I think I would have been his biggest fangirl if I were born in the same period as him. It would have required me to invent fangirling, but I thing I could have pulled it off. 

Besides reading and writing, what else do you enjoy?

I love going to the movies and I love traveling. I am pretty outdoorsy, so a quick trip to the mountains is always a great idea. I used to have a lot more hobbies, but unfortunately, I rarely have time for more than the occasional outing with my friends and one or two road trips abroad every year. I usually tend to combine those with work anyway.

Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.

I think the one thing I feel I haven’t said enough is how grateful I am for every reader who’s picked up one of my stories. I feel particularly happy when they happen to enjoy what I’ve written, but I am still thankful for every reader who decides to invest time and money in my books.

Thanks for having me here today, Andrew. It’s been great fun answering your questions!

Blurb:

Wynn Brenwood has been trapped by his mother since birth, shut away in a sterile, hospital-like apartment.  Is it her desire to keep him safe that sees him locked up in his pristine cage? Or are her motives less innocent and well-intentioned?

Wynn longs to break free to experience the world he sees beyond his window. Desperate to escape, he meets Doyle, a handsome, leather-clad, and enigmatic stranger. But is Doyle real, or is he just a figment of Wynn’s imagination?

Craving Stains by Alina Popescu Cover

Title: Craving Stains

Author:  Alina Popescu

Length: novella

Genre: gay, gay fiction, science fiction, paranormal, gay romance

Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Book Trailer

Excerpt:

WYNN woke up with a start, splayed on his living room floor, gulping for air and feeling hot, sticky fluid all over his boxer briefs. “God damn it! If felt so real,” he yelled, a fresh wave of tears washing his face. He dragged himself to the bathroom and shed all his clothes.

Before throwing it into the laundry bin, he smelled his T-shirt. It held a trace of spicy cologne and male. Wynn’s hand flew to his mouth, covering the gasp. No, it was impossible, his brain was just making up scents that weren’t there. He threw it away with a huff, removed his now very sticky boxers, and went into the shower room, turning on the water and all the cleansing agents his mother insisted were added to the mix.

He massaged his body carefully, relaxing his muscles, tight and a little sore from sleeping on the floor. Every touch seemed to bring his body to life, more than ever before. Within minutes, he was panting, hard as a rock, and clear fluid dripped from the tip of his cock. He closed his fingers around the base of his shaft and started stroking lightly, tip to bottom and back again, just how he liked it.

“Doctor Miller is here for an unscheduled medical visit,” the central computerized system announced, the metallic voice making Wynn jump. He groaned, pushing down his frustration and turning the water to ice cold. He rushed through the rest of his shower and dried off quickly, walking into his bedroom to put on a pair of white sweats and a loose hoodie of the same color.

“What are you doing here, Doctor?” he asked in a sharp tone, not bothering with any niceties. “You shouldn’t be here for a few more days.”

The good doctor gave him an understanding smile and a nod, getting right on Wynn’s nerves. “Your mother ordered an emergency checkup. I hear you were not feeling well yesterday,” he explained in a honeyed voice, smiling as he took out scanners and other gadgets from his bag.

“I was angry she broke her promise again. I am perfectly healthy, and you should just pack your bag and get out,” Wynn said in an even voice, plopping down on a chair and eyeing the doctor with murderous intent.

“Your mother decides these things, not I.” The doctor shrugged and continued to arrange everything. Wynn stood as non-threateningly as he could, walked to the coffee table now filled with medical instruments, picked up a scanner, and threw it. He laughed as he watched it break into dozens of pieces against the thick glass of his window wall. The light buzzing of the maid bot hover propulsion was the only sound in the suddenly quiet room. Maud cleaned everything quickly and retreated to the kitchen.

“Doctor, unless you want me to break your stuff, all of it, and then punch you in the face, I suggest you pack up your bag and get out of my house.” Wynn turned swiftly and walked back into his room, giving the door a strong push to make sure it was loud when it closed behind him. He leaned against it, sticking his ear to the wood, listening for the sounds in the living room. Without a word, the doctor did as instructed.

Buy Links

Amazon US:

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Amazon AU:

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WIP:

ARe:

Giveaway

Click the Rafflecopter link before for a chance to either a $20 WIP Gift card or one of three eBook copies of Craving Stains

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About the author

Alina PopescuWriter, traveler, and coffee addict, Alina Popescu has been in love with books all her life. She started writing when she was ten and she has always been drawn to sci-fi, fantasy, and the supernatural realm. Born and raised in Romania, she finds her inspiration in books of all genres, in movies, and the occasional manga comic book. She is a proud geek who needs her fast Internet and gadgets more than she needs air.

Social Links

Site & Blog: http://alina-popescu.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/alina_popescu

Instagram: http://instagram.com/alinapopescuwriter

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/alina-popescu

Google+:  https://www.google.com/+AlinaPopescu

Amazon:  http://amazon.com/author/alinapopescu

 

Cover Reveal – Shadows Fall; by JK Hogan

Shadows Fall; by JK Hogan—Cover Reveal & Giveaway

JKBannerTemplateBlurb:

A gift—or curse—gives Titus McGinty the unwanted ability to talk to ghosts. When he starts seeing the same few apparitions repeatedly, appearing with similar gruesome injuries, he begins to wonder what they want from him.

Detective Charlie Hale has a serial killer on his hands. On the loose for weeks, the Queen City Slayer has left the police nothing to go on, no forensic evidence other than what he wants found. The city is running out of time.

The crisis brings Titus and Charlie together—Titus stumbles upon a body and finds himself a suspect. Their budding romance is tested as they are sucked into a web of underground laboratories, restive spirits, and religious fanaticism. They’ll have to work together to find the identity of the killer before he takes his next victim…Titus.
Continue reading Cover Reveal – Shadows Fall; by JK Hogan