Excerpts

Author Q&A with HJ Perry + Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

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The temptation you wish you could resist?

The rest of my family love what we Brits call crisps and Americans call chips. When they are there in the house. I can’t help myself, I’ll eat them all. And yet, I don’t like them that much. They are not something I’d seek out to buy. My “bad” food snack of choice would be something more chocolate or cake based. Let’s call it chocolate cake.

Whilst on the subject, I also love chips. Real British chips that are thick cut chunks of potato double fried and served with ketchup, brown sauce, or something spicy like curry sauce.

The film you can watch time and time again?

Terminator 2. The Sarah Connor character is awesome and it was such a groundbreaking film in its time.

The person who influenced you the most?

Perhaps my father. We share a love of SF films. His big influence has been by example. Like him I rarely gossip about people. If I have negative thoughts about people, I try to keep them to myself, mostly. I’m not perfect. Over my life I learned consideration for others is a good things to aim for because there are often many sides to an argument and you can’t judge other people’s behaviour because you do not know the full reasons behind their action. I definitely put these values down to my father’s influence.

My mother exists in stark contrast. She is positively brimming with judgement an opinions that she wants to share.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity?

Mathematics.

The poem that touches your soul?

I pretty much avoid poetry. But sometimes it is thrust upon us.

The two epic poems by Homer have touched my life probably more than any other poetry. I have print editions of The Odyssey and The Iliad on my bookshelves and I’ve listened to audiobooks of them.

I’ve visited Greece to see the ancient sites and I have a massive tattoo featuring Greek Gods.  

The event that altered the course of your life?

Having children. Of course, I knew children would change my life, but I didn’t realise just how much.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever?

Various first moments with my first child.

I’ll never forget find out my second child was not one but two. I was expecting twins. I don’t know whether happy is quite the word I’d use, though. Continue reading

Categories: Author Q&A, Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Character Interview with Anthony & Walter from In Over Our Heads by CJane Elliott + Giveaway!

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Character Interview with Anthony & Walter from In Over Our Heads

Hi, everyone! I’m thrilled to be here at The Blogger Girls celebrating In Over Our Heads, my new release. In Over Our Heads is a second chance romance for Anthony and Walter—two guys who seem total opposites but truly complete each other.

I thought it would be fun to ask the guys some questions today.

What is your biggest fear?

Anthony: Besides a bad hair day? Okay, I’ll get serious. Total destruction of the world because of the baby-man currently in the White House. That was too serious – I really can’t go there without screaming. So, here’s one: I do fear anything bad happening to Walter. Now that we’re finally together I intend to be with him until we’re ol and toothless and dozing off in our twin Barcaloungers.

Walter: Not being who I want to be for Anthony.

Anthony: I thought we talked about that and you were giving that up!

Walter: It’s still there, though. But now it motivates me. Nothing bad’s going to happen to me and I’m going to spend my life making sure you don’t regret being with me.

Anthony: Aww. You’re the sweetest.

What is your most prized possession?

Anthony: That’s easy! The conch shell that Walter found when he first moved to Key West. He kept it as a sign that he was doing the right thing in totally reinventing his life—his Life 2.0, as he calls it. And then, when we were apart again, he sent it to me with a note that he was working on Life 3.0—his new life with me. Soooo romantic!

Walter: I’d have to say the sketch Anthony made of me and Melissa, a little girl we know. It was in the Daily Grind, our local coffee shop, during the time Anthony was here for his vacation and we’d run into each other again after 12 years. I’ve always loved Anthony’s talent as an artist.

Anthony: Now you’re making me blush.

What do you enjoy doing on your day off?

Anthony: Now that I’m a fulltime artist living in Key West, I feel like every day is a day off! On a typical day I paint, go for a walk or a bike ride with Walter, and then we take out the boat for snorkeling and watching the sunset. I have the best life ever.

Walter: What Anthony said. Only instead of painting I check in at the bar and the dive shop I own to make sure things are running smoothly. I also enjoy cooking so I usually go to the market to see what’s fresh. And Anthony didn’t mention Boston—we spend quite a bit of time there with Anthony’s foundation for disadvantaged and LGBT kids.

Anthony: That’s right! We basically have two lives—here and Boston. Boston is usually pretty busy and sometimes intense, with the work we’re doing for the kids, so I’m always glad to get back to Key West. I love chilling on our deck and watching the stars. You’ll have to let Walter tell you about the stars some day.

Walter: Like I told Anthony, it’s something most people learned in 7th grade—

Anthony: —but the way you tell it is so poetic! It makes me want to swoon and jump your bones at the same time!

Walter: Um. I guess we’re done with this interview, right? Anthony and I have… things to do.

Anthony: Very naughty things! See you all later!

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About In Over Our Heads

Anthony Vallen is the life of any party. Full of energy and fun, Anthony adores romance and enjoys playing matchmaker for his friends while dancing the night away with a series of Mr. Right Nows. But he’s given up on his own happy ending. A bad breakup years ago made him a secret cynic about love… until he runs into Walter Elkins—the boy who broke his teenaged heart—on a scuba-diving vacation in Key West. Suddenly, Anthony’s reasons for shunning romance no longer hold much water. Being with Walter again forces Anthony to get serious—about himself, his worth, and his heart’s desires.

Brilliant and self-contained, scientist Walter Elkins prefers deep thoughts to other people. He’s a good boss and a model citizen, but Walter doesn’t let anyone get close. After a tragedy drove him out of his science career, Walter landed in Key West and became owner of a dive shop and a bar. Things are fine until Anthony Vallen—the only person who ever penetrated his defenses—shows up, and Walter’s calm, controlled life capsizes. He and Anthony have a second chance for love, but Walter must confront the old fears that threaten to torpedo their happiness.

Available at: Dreamspinner PressAmazon

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An Excerpt from In Over Our Heads

The door burst open, and Sophia sailed in with my morning cappuccino. She was humming under her breath and had that telltale postsex glow about her. I tried not to hate her too much.

“What’re you doing in here with me, doll? Don’t you have a sexy dive instructor to entertain?”

“She had to leave early.” Sophia handed me the mug. “She’s taking her group out on the ocean dive too, and she had to go to Back Bay to get the boat ready.”

I took a restorative sip of cappuccino. “Ahh. Well, I hope you didn’t tire her out too much last night. Or vice versa.” I winked at her, even though I didn’t feel very winky.

“Guilty on both our parts, I’m afraid.” Sophia smirked, then perched on the side of my bed. “Can we talk more about what’s going on with you and Walter?”

“Going on?” I blinked and buried my nose in the cup. “I mean, I told you guys last night. What more do you need to know?”

“Whatever it’ll take to help you and him figure yourselves out, because second chances like this don’t come around often.”

“God, not you too. You and Jonny need to start a group for incurable romantics.”

She straightened, her dark eyes snapping with intensity. “Caro! You’re the one who talks about destiny. This is your destiny!” Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Character Interviews, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Release Day Blitz: Angels and Man-Beasts by T.L. West + Exclusive Excerpts & Giveaway!

Angels and Man-Beasts

by T.L. West

Zachary is an ordinary young gay man. He works for his father, has a crush on his straight roommate, and likes to procrastinate.

While visiting his aunt’s old cabin, he finds a wounded man, and the door to safety is forever closed. At first, Zachary doesn’t know what to make of the handsome stranger dressed as a knight, but he feels a connection with him.

Zachary’s life is turned upside down as his eyes are opened to the supernatural world. Not only must he survive dangerous man-beasts, but he is also forced to make sense of what it means to fall for an angel, and involve himself in a war between the Gods.

Available at: NineStar Press & Amazon

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Exclusive Excerpt from Angels and Man-Beasts

Monday morning

Zachary tried to finish his assignment on his laptop as he sat on his bed. He was just not in the mood, even though he knew it was an important part of the project his dad was working on.

It had been his mother’s idea for him to work in the family business after his graduation. According to his parents, it would give Zachary much-needed experience before he was ready to start applying for a job in other companies. At first Zachary had declined, but due to his parent’s constant nagging, he’d had no choice but to accept.

He had been working for his dad for a few months now. It wasn’t a bad job. He could check for errors in software from the comfort of his apartment.

Zachary’s mind immediately went to his roommate, Christopher. He’d already been living in the two-bedroom apartment when Zachary had moved in. Christopher was six feet tall, had piercing blue eyes, wavy brown hair, and loved to work out. He was also very smart. He worked at a nearby laboratory as a chemist. He was also perfect boyfriend material as far as Zachary was concerned.

“But he’s straight,” sighed Zachary as he looked at the lines of code on his laptop screen.

He brushed his black hair away from his forehead. Zachary had never been one of those gay men who would try to hit on a straight man. It just wasn’t his style, or perhaps he didn’t have enough confidence to initiate such an interaction. He wasn’t sure. He had a nice friendship with Christopher, and he didn’t want to risk losing that over some weird fantasy. He wouldn’t be able to look at himself if Christopher rejected his advances. Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Book Review, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Release Day Blitz: Love by Number by DJ Jamison + Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

Love by Number by DJ Jamison

Aidan doesn’t have the best record with relationships, but he’s had a lifelong love affair with baseball. Player stats and computer simulations make sense. People don’t. But when he needs a ride to the World Series, he must rely on another person: a sexy artist who is as spontaneous as Aidan is predictable.

Jesse doesn’t care about baseball. As an artist, he’d rather paint a player than watch him at bat. But his grandpa loves the Kansas City Royals, so he takes him to every home game. He has no idea a fender bender in the parking lot is about to deliver new inspiration in the shape of a man with a whole bag of quirks.

Despite their differences, Jesse and Aidan hit it off, and their sexual chemistry is fantastic. But when Aidan’s numbers betray him, Jesse isn’t prepared for the fall-out. If Aidan continues to put his passion for baseball stats above everything else, he could miss out on the most important numbers in life: the number of smiles, kisses and laughs they could share in a lifelong journey together.

Check it out on Goodreads and Amazon.

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Exclusive Excerpt from Love by Number

Jesse pulled in at the next gas station and went inside to buy a few snacks, while Aidan stretched his legs. He didn’t eat much and felt no desire to get dragged into another Jesse road-trip tradition of eating sugary crap.

When he returned, Jesse poured the contents of a pixie stick down his throat and turned to Aidan. “We’re nearly to Marshall now. Ready to pop your roadside attraction cherry?”

“My what?”

“You know, you’ve never done this before, right? Ready to see your first one?”

“I guess. I still say this is a waste of time.”

“You need to live a little.”

“I’m breathing, therefore I’m living more than a little. Though how long that will continue with you behind the wheel is anyone’s guess.”

Jesse laughed. “I bet you drive like a grandma, huh?” Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Book Review, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Author Q&A: Lane Hayes+ Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Thank you so much for having me here today. Leaning Into Touch was just released last week! Woohoo! This is book 4 in my newest series set in San Francisco, which also happens to be one of my favorite places in the US. There is endless inspiration in the city by the Bay from its dramatic hills and seascape to its rich diversity, great food and friendly people.

But inspiration is everywhere. So why not do a quick Q&A about it for fun?

If you could sit on a bench in a beautiful woods, who would you like sitting next to you on the bench and why?  

My husband. He’s easy. He can be chatty and funny but he also likes his solitude. After thirty years, we’ve learned how to just “be” together. And that’s a very nice thing.

Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight, or night? Why?

Hmm. This is an interesting question. I’ll say sunrise because I’m up before sunrise almost every day. It’s become part of my writing ritual, which is kind of fitting since I’m writing love stories about new beginnings with a sense of hope.

If you could be in the movie of your choice, what movie would you choose and what character would you play?  

The first movie that springs to mind is Pride and Prejudice. I love that book! I could portray Elizabeth Bennett easily. In fact, I might already know most of my lines! lol

If you were a city, which city would you choose to be and why?

New York City. It’s my absolute favorite place. I love its unapologetic diversity, sophistication and its gritty realness. Those are qualities I’d be extraordinarily pleased to possess myself!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?

Books, music and earl grey tea. Or more accurately, my Kindle and iPod with some form of solar energy battery so I never had to worry about charging because one or two books or records would never be enough!

Happy Reading!
Lane Hayes xo Continue reading

Categories: Author Q&A, Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

Gatekeeper by Charity Parkerson: Exclusive Excerpt + Giveaway!

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Exclusive Excerpt from Gatekeeper

by Charity Parkerson

Damn, Mateo hated when Sean left without saying goodbye. Two days in a row it had happened. Since he’d done it only three days out of the past month, Mateo tried letting it slide. Rolling to his side, Mateo snagged Sean’s pillow and held it to his chest. Sean’s scent lingered on the material. His eyes fell closed as he inhaled the sweet smell into his lungs. Mateo’s dick stirred. He tossed the pillow aside and grabbed his phone.   He couldn’t let it slide after all.

Mateo: You left without saying goodbye again.

Sean: I can’t help it. You were sleeping so peacefully. I couldn’t bring myself to wake you. Mateo: I’d rather see you than sleep. ** sigh** I take it you made it safely.

Sean: Yeah. I had another flat, but thankfully I just got that other tire fixed and the spare was in the trunk again.

Mateo wanted to break shit. Sean had the worst luck. He wanted to fix everything in Sean’s life, but the man had more pride than anyone he’d ever met.

Mateo: You should’ve called.

Sean: I took care of it. No worries.

Mateo: Yeah, yeah. I know you’re capable. That doesn’t mean I won’t worry.

Sean: Your concern matters. Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

Detour by Sid Love: Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Exclusive Excerpt from Detour

by Sid Love

I stepped out of his embrace and stared at him, he looked so different at that moment. Attractive. Appealing. His calm, green eyes and his skin glowed in the light. His lips were plump, my mouth felt dry.

“Why are you looking at me like th…?”

Before he could finish, I grabbed his face and kissed him hard. I didn’t care about anything in that moment. I only knew I had to kiss him because my attraction for him was overpowering.

He broke away, unnerved. I smiled to show it was okay and he grinned widely. Grabbing my lower lip between his, he licked it. I moaned when he bit it. His hands snaked around my torso and traveled down to find my butt cheeks, squeezing them hard. I gasped into the kiss.

He picked me up like I weighed nothing and dropped me on the bed. Taking the wallet and note from me, he placed them, together with his laptop next to his pillows, safely on the nightstand. Concentrating on me, his eyes roamed my body from top to bottom. “Man, this must be my lucky day!” he declared huskily.

I giggled and watched him crawl over me. Breathlessly, I stopped laughing when he eyed me with a serious face. “What?” I whispered. Continue reading

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2017 | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments

Fair Catch by Leigh Carman: Excerpt & Giveaway!

Excerpt from Fair Catch

by Leigh Carman

Prologue

Do you believe in love at first sight? No? Thank fuck. Neither do I.

—Sullivan Archer, wide receiver for the LA Wild Cats

Van and Toby meet

Toby

I turn to leave the narrow hall and at the exact same time, the door marked “office” flies open and a handsome man steps out. He’s bigger than me, tall and burly, with auburn hair and a ginger beard. The black T-shirt pulling tight across his impressive chest displays the bar’s provocative logo.

“Excuse me.” I drop my gaze and try to make myself as small as possible as I move to duck around him.

“Wait.” The big man grabs my wrist, and my heart leaps into my throat.

Oh God. He sees my hard-on.

My adrenal gland kicks into high gear, flooding my veins with anxiety and embarrassment. Heart pounding, I spin around and yank out of the man’s hold as I attempt to control the tightness in my chest. The guy holds up his hands to show he isn’t trying to pull any shit with me. “Sorry, buddy. Didn’t mean to startle you. I was just wondering if I could talk to you for a second in the office.” He nods toward the door.

With a huff, I cross my arms over my chest, then uncross them and scratch my head, unsure what to do with my hands. “Why on earth would I go in there with you? I don’t know you.” Plus, I might be athletic and in good shape, but I’m the opposite of huge. This guy has a half a foot and at least forty pounds on me. Continue reading

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Follow Me Into Darkness: Exclusive Teaser from Masked by J.R. Gray & Giveaway!

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Five of the top voices in queer romance teamed up last year to give you Follow Me Into Darkness: Five Tales of Carnivale Romance. Their stories were bold, they were decadent, they were achingly sinful. They begged you to remove your masks just once and many of you listened. Their stories looked into the heart of modern day New Orleans and its steamy past, followed an errant queen in disguise, walked through the lush streets of Rio, and then continued straight on into the lofty pages of a Shakespearean soliloquy.

Mardi Gras is coming fast and Follow Me Into Darkness is back to seduce you. It’s on sale for only 99 cents from 2/26 – 3/5 plus the authors are giving you gifts and treats along the way!

For one week only, romance writers Santino Hassell, J.R. Gray, J.C. Lillis, Roan Parrish, and Kris Ripper dare you to take off your masks again…but are you ready for what might happen if you do?

Now, for a brief teaser from J.R. Gray’s story, Masked, from Follow Me Into Darkness:

“It’s a bad idea.” Javier slid the mask down his face, exposing dark brown eyes first. He had a crease in the center of his brow and a crook to his nose. It was the first time Heath’d gotten a good look at Javier’s face, and it was brutal, beat to shit, but he was beautiful, more so than he’d been over a decade ago.

Heath dropped his eyes to the floor and nodded. He was about to turn to leave when Javier grabbed a fist full of his hair. Surprise flashed through Heath a moment before Javier’s mouth met his… 

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About Follow Me Into Darkness

28577622Carnivale is a time for decadence, for revelry, and for mischief. A time when we shed the figurative masks we wear in everyday life in favor of new ones… ones that allow us to be a little bolder, a little more adventurous, and perhaps a little truer to ourselves. Follow Me Into Darkness is a compilation of original tales of queer romance by five of the premier authors of contemporary romance.

Hurricane by Santino Hassell

Interesting things never happened to Zay. He was the wallflower everyone forgot about as soon as the booze began to flow, and Mardi Gras had never been an exception. But after a chance encounter with a devil-may-care grifter, this year’s celebration brings adventure and whirlwind romance.

 If We Be Friends by J.C. Lillis

Seventeen-year-old Ven should be flying highhe’s playing the title role in a new TV drama about Hamlet’s teen years, and tonight they’re having a Mardi Gras cast party in a possibly-haunted castle. But Ven’s lost all his mirth since his boyfriend suggested they “take a break,” so he plans to skip the bash and brood in his trailer all night. Then the exasperating guy who plays Horatio challenges him to a Shakespearean soliloquy-off, and Ven knows his actorly honor is at stake. He says yes to the duel, trudges off to the the party to meet his fate–and finds that more awaits him onstage than a battle of wits and words. Continue reading

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A Face without a Heart by Rick R. Reed: Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Exclusive Excerpt from A Face without a Heart

by Rick R. Reed

Fog shrouds the streets near Lake Shore Drive. It rolls off the water from the lake, spreading like a virus. It’s a little after midnight on the eve of my thirty-eighth birthday. I suppose, more precisely, it is my thirty-eighth birthday. Spring around the corner. New beginnings. It’s been a new beginning for me now for seventeen years. Or at least to look at my face, that’s what one would think. Funny how the new and novel can grow trite and tiresome after a while.

I have tried, these years of my so-called adulthood, not to feel sorry for myself. How many others would kill to be in the position I find myself… perpetual youth and beauty. Ah, what could you do with that? It sets the brain synapses to firing, the fantasies to spinning. Isn’t it pretty to think so?

I don’t want to bemoan my situation. It has opened doors for me, but behind each door lurks a relentless darkness… a darkness, I fear, that would swallow me whole. Yet sometimes the prospect of that is tempting.

Everything tingles this frost-cloaked night. Tonight my veins have been shot full of heroin, my throat has admitted several tabs of Seven, and my nostrils have snorted up crystal meth… all of this washed down with vodka. I have consumed enough drugs and alcohol to kill another man, to at least make of him a withered creature, old beyond his years; yet I live on, robust, red-cheeked, the picture of youthful good health. Did I say picture? Continue reading

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