Excerpts

Honorary Blogger A.J. Truman: College Memory – Bad Romance Edition + Excerpt & Giveaway!

Posted on October 20, 2014 by thebloggergirls

College Memory – Bad Romance Edition

by A.J. Truman

Thank you so much for having me on your site! Flat out, I love writing gay new adult. I really wanted to capture all of the emotions that make the college experience so unique. College is such a fun, exciting, scary, turbulent time, especially for gay men, many of whom are coming out or coming out of their shell.

Myself included.

I definitely drew on my college memories to create OUT IN THE OPEN. I was shy and awkward and better at pining after guys like Preston rather than actually talking to them. However, I did not have sex in public places with a megahot closeted fratboy, like the main character Ethan does in the book. (Which you should read!) (It’s really good!) (Okay, enough promo)

My routine at parties was to grab something alcoholic to drink immediately and then scout the location for other gay guys to flirt with. As you can imagine, 99% of the time, this backfired on me. But one time, I almost succeeded. I saw this cute guy by the fireplace – a little bit taller than me, short brown hair, nice smile. I went up to him and started chatting. Luckily, this was before the age of smartphones, so I wasn’t able to stare at my phone during social gatherings. I had to be social.

He was a sweet guy, a music major, and to my surprise, he wanted to keep talking to me. What? Seriously? I never got this far! I was so nervous – okay, what do I now? what do I say? – so nervous that I kept taking sips of my jungle juice. A lot of sips.

I mean, a lot of sips.

By the end of night, any semblance of witty repartee I had dissolved into drunken rambling. I spewed out a mini-rant about how hard it is to meet decent guys at this school while meeting an actual decent guy. I had to lie down on a couch because I couldn’t stand up. Someone brought me water to sober me up. I remember thinking that I was still flirting with him, that I still had a chance.

He walked me back to my dorm. This is going well, I thought. A lovely, moonlit stroll through campus. Well, he was strolling. I was stumbling around. I may have fallen into a bush. When he dropped me off, he extended his arm for a handshake. I thought I still had a chance. This is something we’d laugh about, right?

Naturally, I never heard from him again. A few weeks later, I saw him around campus. He was with some of his friends. I wasn’t sure if I should wave or say hi, or just take the hint. Maybe he was waiting for me to call him. As soon as we made eye contact, he twisted right back around to his friends. He was like a figure skater doing one of those fancy triple axel spins. I thought I felt a breeze that’s how fast he moved to avoid me.

Okay then. I felt down for the rest of the day – until I found out about another party that night. I would get over this guy one sip of jungle juice (well, many sips) at a time.

About Out in the Open

Libraries are meant for studying – not sex

College sophomore Ethan Follett never says what’s on his mind and never wants to rock the boat. After a high school social life spent anonymous and alone, things are finally falling into place for him. He’s found a group of friends just as studious as he, and is on track for a promising legal career. Out in the open, things couldn’t be better, but secretly Ethan yearns for some real excitement in his life.

He finds it in cocky fratboy Greg Sanderson, who challenges every rigid, preconceived notion Ethan lives by. Soon, their sparring relationship turns sexual, and these enemies-with-benefits get their freak on all over campus. Yet the more Ethan comes out of his shell, the more Greg retreats into his, working overtime to keep his ladies man public persona intact. As the sex gets hotter, and they get closer to getting caught, one part of their arrangement can’t stay hidden any longer: love.

Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble

An Excerpt from Out in the Open

“I was not expecting that back in class, Ethan.” Greg took a step closer. Even in this unforgiving fluorescent light, his skin still glowed with the last gasp of a summer tan. “I didn’t think you would actually do that.”

Ethan noticed the slightest hint of a smile crack his face. “You kept egging me on, but I’m sorry. It was wrong.”

“Yes. It was very wrong. You are a sex fiend.”

“No, I’m not,” Ethan said. “If you didn’t like it, you should’ve stopped me.”

“Who said I didn’t like it?”

Ethan froze. He remained nervous, but now for a completely different reason. “You liked it?”

“It was actually…” Greg itched the back of his head, and his shirt hiked up, revealing an inch of tight flesh. “It was kinda hot.”

“It was?”

“You didn’t think so? I saw you getting into it.”

“That’s only because…” Ethan didn’t know how to finish that sentence. “I was in shock, and I only did it to shut you up.”

“Oh, you shut me up alright,” Greg said, flushing with color.

“It won’t happen again. Especially not in the middle of class.”

“That was the hottest part, though.”

“No, it wasn’t. We could’ve been caught any moment!” Ethan realized his whisper was well above acceptable library levels.

“I know.” Greg raised his eyebrows. “I was so hard. I haven’t been that turned on in a long time.”

Ethan peered down at Greg’s crotch, and he still seemed turn on. Ethan didn’t understand it. He and Greg seemed to be on different wavelengths about this. Maybe it was because, if they had gotten caught, Ethan would’ve been the one to receive all the scolding. Greg could’ve claimed innocent victim.

“You enjoyed it? Doing that in public?” Ethan asked. “Isn’t that illegal?”

“Probably. You’re the wannabe lawyer.” Greg took another step toward Ethan, and this time, he caught Ethan taking another glimpse of his downstairs area. “Looks like you enjoyed it, too.”

Greg nodded at Ethan’s crotch, and he tried to conceal the bulge in his pants. His teeth wouldn’t stop chattering, and now goose bumps crawled across his arms. The way Greg looked at him, with no fear, no reservations, made Ethan’s bottom half stand more at attention.

“Maybe we should do it again,” Greg said.

About A.J. Truman

A.J. Truman remembers his college days like it was yesterday, even though it was definitely not yesterday. He writes books with humor, heart, and hot guys. What else does a story need? His debut novel OUT IN THE OPEN was released in September. He loves spending time with his pets and his partner and writing on his sun porch.

You can find him on his blog, Goodreads, and Facebook. Get details on upcoming books and exclusive content by subscribing to his mailing list.

Blogger_Giveaway

A.J. has graciously offered up an eBook copy of Out in the Open to one lucky winner!! The giveaway starts now and ends October 26, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!

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Don’t forget to check out Heather C’s review of Out in the Open to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: A.J. Truman, Out in the Open, Self-Published, The Blogger Girls | 30 Comments

Black Spring by Christina Henry – Exclusive Excerpt + Giveaways!

Posted on October 17, 2014 by thebloggergirls

An Exclusive Excerpt from Black Spring

I went down the gangway between my house and the next to drop the plastic bag in the garbage can in the alley just outside the back fence. When I reentered the backyard I noticed someone standing there, his back to me.

“No wonder Daharan made so many pancakes,” I said. “Apparently it’s my day for a family reunion.”

Jude turned around, his shaggy red beard and piercing blue eyes as familiar and welcome as Samiel had been. He looked like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“They told me you were dead,” he said hoarsely, taking a step toward me.

“I could say that thing about death and rumors and exaggeration, but you probably wouldn’t get it,” I said. Jude was very old, and very serious, and very literal-minded.

“I thought you were dead,” he repeated.

I realized I’d been a little thoughtless. Jude remembered the “B” in B.C. He also had lived through the “A” in A.D., long ago, when he was called Judas Iscariot and his name became infamous. He’d lost someone he’d pledged his life to, and for more than two thousand years he hadn’t made a pledge like that again. Until me. And he’d thought I died.

“Jude, I . . .” I began.

Several things happened at once. The back door flew open. Beezle, Nathaniel and Daharan streamed out onto the porch, all looking frantic.

The Retrievers came howling down the side of the house, chased by Samiel, who also appeared panicked.

Jude spun to face the new arrivals just as Beezle cried out, “Maddy, get away from him!”

And then a huge red-and-gray wolf leapt over the neighbor’s fence, into my yard, and tackled Jude to the ground.

About Black Spring (Black Wings #7)

Black Spring (Black Wings, #7) A former Agent of death, Madeline Black now has everything to live for, most importantly, her unborn child. But Chicago has become ground zero in a struggle between ancient creatures, and only Maddy can stop the carnage…

The mayor of Chicago has announced a plan to round up the city’s supernatural beings and put them in camps. With her due date looming, Maddy’s best move would be to lay low for a while. But not everyone is willing to respect her privacy. Hounded by tentacled monsters, a rogue shapeshifter, and a tenacious blogger, Maddy turns to her most powerful ally, her uncle Daharan, only to find him missing.

Just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, Maddy gets an invitation in the mail—to Lucifer’s wedding. Turns out everyone has been invited, friends and enemies alike. And with that kind of guest list, it’s highly unlikely there will be a happily ever after.

Pre-order at: Amazon

About Author

CHRISTINA HENRY is the author of the BLACK WINGS series (Ace/Roc) featuring Madeline Black, an Agent of Death, and her popcorn-loving gargoyle sidekick Beezle: BLACK WINGS, BLACK NIGHT, BLACK HOWL, BLACK LAMENT, BLACK CITY, BLACK HEART and BLACK SPRING. She is also the author of the forthcoming dark fantasy ALICE (summer 2015).

Christina was born in New York and now lives on the North Side of Chicago with her husband and son. She sees no conflict in rooting for both the Yankees and the Cubs.

She also enjoys running long distances, eating large quantities of cinnamon rolls, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with zombies, samurai and/or subtitles.

Blogger_Giveaway

There’s TWO chances to win on this tour spot! First, Christina is giving away a print copy of Black Spring to one luck winner!! This giveaway is US only, no PO Boxes. The giveaway starts now and ends October 23, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!

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Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway, except to verify your Rafflecopter entry. blogger_bee_trans Secondly, Christina is having a HUGE tour-wide giveaway for the following prizes:

– 1 winner will receive a tote from Penguin with all 7 books in the series

– 1 winner will receive a signed SET of all 7 books from Christina Henry PLUS a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble

– 2 winners will receive a signed SET of all 7 books from Christina Henry

This tour-wide giveaway will run from Oct. 6 to Nov. 7. To enter, just click the link below!

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Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway unless otherwise stated but are still welcome anyway.

Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of Black Wings to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, M/F | Tags: Black Spring, Christina Henry, Series - Black Wings, The Blogger Girls | 5 Comments

Honorary Blogger Sarah Madison: Finding Their Voices + Excerpt & Giveaway!

Posted on October 15, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Finding Their Voices

by Sarah Madison

A number of people, on finding out that I was finally releasing a sequel to Unspeakable Words, have asked me if it was difficult getting back into the heads of my characters. After all, it was almost four years since the release of the first in the Sixth Sense series, surely it was challenging find their voices again, right?

Well, the answer is yes and no. See, from the beginning, I’d intended for the story arc to span three novels. I had a good idea where I wanted to go with the series, and I was delighted at how well the first story had done. But Unspeakable Words was my first major story, and in the aftermath of its release, made a lot of newbie errors before I finished Walk a Mile.

I got wound up in the hype of marketing, promoting, and branding to the point of forgetting what my real product was—not me, but the stories that I write. Still, so much emphasis and advice was put on having a presence on Facebook, on Twitter, on my website, that I spent a disproportionate amount of my precious little writing time on marketing. I hated it at first. I wrote blog posts about how all of us needed to ‘shut up and write’ but gradually, I developed a kind of addiction to the social media interaction. Lord knows it was easier to come home and mess around on Tumblr or Facebook than it was to open the WIP and iron out a thorny plot problem. The beauty of it all was that I could convince myself I was building my platform, and not just wasting time.
I got seduced by other stories. Instead of continuing the series then and there, I got caught up in the adventures of other characters, promising myself there would be sequels to their stories as well. Yeah, we know how that goes…
I let a few lukewarm reviews impact my decision to move forward with the story arc I had in mind. A lot of people really enjoyed Unspeakable Words. A few people didn’t, and said so. I was new to the game then and my skin wasn’t as thick as it is now. I lost confidence in the planned arc, doubting whether I should continue with the paranormal element when the paranormal element was at the heart of the story!

One day I realized that these stories were mine to do with what I will—and that I could only write what was in my heart and release it. If people loved it, yay! If not, well, it wasn’t exactly a tragedy, now was it? Once I decided that I was allowed to write my story my way, I picked up the threads of my old concepts, only to find out the characters were no longer speaking to me.

Uh-oh.

So I re-read their story. A lot. I recalled Parker’s stiff resistance to the introduction of the maverick John Flynn in to his neatly ordered world. Of how Flynn in many ways is more closed off and unapproachable than Parker, for while everyone feels the lash of Jerry’s tongue when he is displeased, Flynn hides his emotions behind a charming smile. I reacquainted myself with their lives: the Grimm Fairy Tale Killer, the cats, the night at the museum that changed everything.

At the time of the release of Unspeakable Words, a good friend made a playlist for me that served as a soundtrack for the story. I listened to that playlist over and over as I drove to work, the familiar songs evoking scenes from the story while at the same time letting my mind wander freely over the possibilities within the next tale.

Gradually, the characters began talking to me again. It was a struggle at first, but the more time I spent with them, the more willing they were to share more about themselves with me. Because it was a struggle, however, I vowed this time I wouldn’t wait before starting the next story in the series, and I am happy to say I am working on the sequel to Walk a Mile now.

About Walk A Mile

Six months after starting their hunt for a serial killer who is still at large, FBI agents Jerry Lee Parker and John Flynn are partners in every sense. But Jerry has serious doubts about their relationship and whether they would even be together if not for the way Flynn changed after touching a mysterious artifact in a museum.

Flynn hates the extraordinary power bestowed on him by the artifact and wants nothing more than to have a normal life again. Jerry fears that without the unusual connection they forged, Flynn will no longer want or need him. Chasing after a similar artifact takes them back to Flynn’s old stomping grounds in Washington D.C., where his newfound abilities uncover long-buried secrets, the kind people would kill to protect. But they aren’t the only ones looking for these powerful relics, and what they discover will threaten their relationship—and their lives

Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

An Excerpt from Walk A Mile

Jerry returned his attention to the tableau unfolding in the aisle. Flynn was making his way casually toward Jerry; he yawned, taking his time. 15-A hesitated; Jerry could see that he had stepped into the aisle, but was thinking of sitting back down again. Just then, the door to the toilet opened and the toddler came out into the aisle. Picking up on the air of tension, the child immediately started to wail.

15-A snapped like a wire stretched beyond its tensile strength. Whipping off his sunglasses, he reached into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out a glass vial. Holding it up high over his head for everyone to see, he shouted, “Everybody stay where you are!”

People glanced up and turned around in their seats, startled and immediately alarmed. 15-A looked around sharply, making sure that no one was trying to rush him. Several people had started halfway up out of their seats to see what was going on; Jerry knew they were remembering United Flight 93.

15-a moved his hand in a broad semi-circle so that everyone could see the vial tucked in his palm. “I have Sarin!” he announced. “If anyone moves, I break the vial. Someone make that child shut up!”

About Sarah Madison

Sarah Madison is a veterinarian with a big dog, an even bigger horse, too many cats, and a very patient boyfriend. She is a terrible cook, and concedes that her life would be easier if Purina made People Chow. She writes because it is cheaper than therapy.

You can find Sarah on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook or Tumblr.

Blog_Tour_Giveaway

As part of this blog tour, Sarah is giving away an eBook copy of Unspeakable Words to one lucky winner!! To enter, just click the link below!

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Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of Walk A Mile to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: Dreamspinner Press, Sarah Madison, The Blogger Girls, Walk a Mile | 15 Comments

Cover Reveal: Stars Fall by Louis J. Harris + Excerpt & Giveaway!

Posted on October 15, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Stars Fall

by Louis J. Harris

Blurb: Keegan Mansfield is the star of the track and field team and he’s destined for Rio 2016. But there are problems; he’s lost, lonely and a social outcast. You see, Keegan Mansfield is a bilateral amputee. A T4 Paralympian whose life is filled with false friends and dysfunctional parents. What will it take to change his world? Love? Honour? Trust? Conrad Smith is a fine able bodied athlete, he runs for the same team and saves Keegan from a potentially violent incident. Conrad believes in Keegan. Falls in love with him. Then breaks his heart. Keegan switches to survival mode, but will he ever forgive Conrad? And when tragedy strikes like a lightning bolt from heaven, will Keegan continue his Olympic dream? Only Keegan can change his world for the better, and he knows that if he doesn’t do so soon, his Olympic dream will be in vain.

Coming in November 2014!

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And the moment you’ve been waiting for! Stars Fall cover reveal…

Continue reading →

Categories: Book Promo, Cover Reveals, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: Contemporary, disability, Louis J. Harris, M/M, Olympic Athlete, Self-Published, The Blogger Girls | 29 Comments

Honorary Blogger Varian Krylov: A Dangerous Man – Excerpt + Giveaway!

Posted on October 13, 2014 by thebloggergirls

A Dangerous Man

by Varian Krylov

In his blood and his bones, Xavier is carnal and hungry: his drives are fierce, and he has no interest in suppressing his appetite. When he wants something or someone, he goes for it.

But like all of us, Xavier has been forged by his experiences. When he was a kid, he learned what powerlessness felt like, and he’s been making himself as strong as possible, inside and out, ever since. It’s also that experience of having someone judge him and hurt him for not living by their rules that’s made Xavier lawless, a man who lives by his own moral code. He loves fiercely and deeply, and would never let something cold and abstract like the law dictate how to protect those he cares about, or even a victimized stranger. So, he’s dangerous to anyone who preys on people. There’s nothing he’s not capable of doing, when he gets his hands on someone he’s judged guilty. But that also means he’s dangerous to everyone—especially himself—because even though he has a talent for reading people, he’s not the infallible.

But with those he desires and those he loves, Xavier is driven by a longing to please that matches his own insatiable want. He’s loyal, he’s vigilant, and he’ll feed on your pleasure as much as his own. And that’s dangerous, too, because he won’t flinch from pushing you to find pleasure in things you didn’t know could excite you, even things that frighten you.

So, if you happen to bump into Xavier, run away.

Or surrender, if you really think you’re ready for him.

About Bad Things

Bad Things Xavier makes a lot of people nervous. The rest, he flat-out scares. More than his hulking, tattooed body, it’s his predator’s gaze that makes people feel vulnerable, as if he had the power to read their thoughts and see their soul. For his lovers, it’s Xavier’s ravenous appetite for all things carnal—for the taste of flesh under his tongue and the feel of a trembling body under his control, for whispered pleas and muffled cries—that makes him dangerous.

But recently, driven by a festering rage against the men who attacked his sister a decade ago, Xavier has developed a taste for a different kind of hunt and conquest: stalking men who do truly bad things and punishing the predators he sniffs out. The problem with vigilante justice, though, is sometimes the man in your trap is innocent.

Carson suspects he’s playing a risky game with dangerous men. But the lies are convincing, especially when they’re slipped to him among hundred dollar bills. He never guessed how big and dark the secret hidden under all the lies and money could be. And he has no idea he’s not the predator, but the prey, until it’s too late.

And you can’t beg for mercy when there’s a gag in your mouth.

But when Carson escapes from Xavier’s trap, he’s forced to accept that Xavier is far from his most dangerous enemy. Xavier may even hold the key to overcoming the painful past that has kept Carson prisoner for almost two decades.

Available at: Smashwords & Amazon

An Excerpt from Bad Things

When Xavier moved in, Carson struggled against the restraints. “Fucking . . . Come on. This shit’s not funny anymore.” Pleading gaze upturned from under his dark lashes.

Xavier laughed. “What’s that look?”

“Come on, Xavier. I know I fucked up. Of course you’re mad. But . . . come on. We’re . . . ”

“What are we, Carson?”

“I thought we were . . . ”

“Did you think we were friends?” Xavier laughed. “Did you think that you sleeping on my couch and cooking me a couple meals makes us friends?”

He breathed in the smell of him. Nervous sweat rising over the scent of soap. He caressed his cheek.

Carson went dead still, then tried to mold his frightened expression into sternness. “You could go to jail for this.”

Carson’s whining was getting on his nerves. Xavier lifted the lid on the chest of dark brown leather and took out the ball gag. Too funny, that perplexed expression on Carson’s face, then horrified incredulity as he figured it out. Sitting on his thighs, gazing into those shimmering blue pools of terror, Xavier got it on him before he could complain much more.

Xavier grinned. “You’re not the first guy I’ve had cuffed to this post. And that gag in your mouth isn’t the only toy in my box of treasures. But it is one of my favorites, because it means I don’t have to listen to a bunch of whining and begging. I mean, I love whining and begging. I get hard for whining and begging. But only for the first few minutes. Then it gets incredibly fucking tedious.

“But the thing I really love about the gag is, it’s so much easier to get to know someone when they’re being quiet. Just watching their face. Looking into their eyes. Without a bunch of blah, blah, lies, blah, blah rationalization to muddy the truth.”

About Varian Krylov

Growing up near Los Angeles, I spent much of my time frolicking in the Pacific Ocean and penning angst-twisted poetry. Now I’m living in sunny Spain writing pathos-riddled fiction.
I’ve always loved the music and substance of words, always loved writing in well-worn notebooks by hand, tapping at the keys of the computer, and, of course, conjuring up stories.

And from my earliest memories, I’ve always been fascinated—maybe obsessed?—with sex and sexuality.
In my writing, sex is the medium, the expression, and the tool of discovery for my characters’ insecurities, the needs that drive them, the comfort they can’t live without, the joy and relish of life that makes each of them intense, strange, and alluring.

Find Varian on her Blog, Facebook, Twitter or email her at variansfiction@yahoo.com.

Blog_Tour_Giveaway

In this blog tour, Varian is giving away an eBook copy of Bad Things to one lucky winner! To enter, just click the link below!

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Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: Bad Things, The Blogger Girls, Varian Krylov | 3 Comments

Honorary Blogger Bey Deckard: Let’s Talk Threesomes! + Giveaway!

Posted on October 11, 2014 by thebloggergirls

The Power of Three

by Bey Deckard

While not typical, Caged and Sacrificed contain a ménage relationship. Was this something you planned on from the onset?

I did. The plan was to have an established relationship between Tom and Baltsaros—something comfortable and familiar that worked great, yet was missing the vital element needed to transform it into something both fierce and profound. That keystone was a lonely, inexperienced young man whose hope was running on empty.

Throwing Jon into the mix was nothing short of cruel. Yes, it was a little like dropping him overboard and hoping he could swim, but the one who bore the brunt of the cruelty was not Jon. Hey, sometimes you have to take something apart to fix it… and hope all the pain was worth it.

When you have a relationship between three, the easy settling that happens with a couple takes longer. Sometimes it never happens at all; the relationship just continues shifting like a restless sea. Especially when you’re dealing with intense bravado, major insecurities, and—let’s face it—some pretty serious personality flaws and disturbing hobbies.

Though their nascent relationship is shaky, Jon, Tom and Baltsaros fill the gaps in each other’s armour and, in the end, that will make them stronger.

I hope.

You also manage to give pretty equal face time to each character, with each having their own insecurities, etc. Is this something you have to really concentrate on making happen as you write? Does any one character try to steal more time than the others *cough*Tom*cough*? Do you have ways of keeping the other(s) quiet until it’s their turn?

Funny you mention Tom. He’s the one who crowds me the most while I write. It’s like he’s sitting behind me, reading over my shoulder as I write. Then he stops cleaning his fingernails with his knife… or puts down the mug of beer… or pulls the cheroot out of his mouth and leans over to jab a finger at my screen, saying stuff like “Why the fuck wouldn’t I kill him right there, mate? Bloody hells, I ain’t a fuckin’ yellow belly!” or suggesting completely inane things like punching sharks, or learning to breathe underwater, or finding hidden treasure buried by Romas that contains a clue to Baltsa— Wait, that one was a good suggestion. Forget I said anything.

Anyway… when Tom finally annoys me enough, I just get Baltsaros to tie him up in a really uncomfortable position for an hour or two, and I get some peace and quiet.

Jon does actually get more face time/POV because he’s not as jaded as the other two, and he’s more observant. As much as Tom is able to spot a tail, or Baltsaros can quickly calculate how much someone is worth to him, it’s Jon who sees everything with open eyes and a quick mind honed by years of neglect.
It’s often through Jon that I’m able to show the softer sides of the captain and his first mate, so he’s not only important to them… he’s important to me as a writer.

And… he’s very polite and never drinks milk straight from the container… or stares at me with eyes like chips of black glass, just waiting to put me in my place should I embarrass him.

Threesomes. Gorgeous in their complexities, perilous in their fragility… and extremely satisfying to write.

About Sacrificed: Heart Beyond the Spires

Reunited once more, the crew of Baal’s Heart must make the long and treacherous journey south to the towering spires of the Devil’s Isles. The path through the mountain range is fraught with peril; mayhem and tragedy plague the pirate ship, but what the men find beyond the spires is the most shocking of all.

In this sequel to the acclaimed Caged, the pirates are dragged into a dangerous new world by Captain Baltsaros’s all-consuming obsession. In the midst of terror and chaos, Jon learns that the captain and first mate have been keeping secrets from him. But will the truth tear them apart?

Release Date: October 15, 2014
Available for Preorder at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

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About Caged: Love and Treachery on the High Seas

Sheltered and lonely, Jon’s life changes drastically when a strange ship sails into the harbour of his small port town one day. Trapped between the possessive pirate captain and his murderous first mate, he must learn to adapt or he will lose himself completely. An epic tale of love, treachery and revelation, this first installment of the Baal’s Heart trilogy brings you into the lives of three men so bound together by jealousy and lies that they must sail to the very ends of the earth to find forgiveness.

Deckard’s first novel is a masterful portrayal of sorrow, hope, and passion, with a narrative that twists the reader through a world set in the Golden Age of Piracy. A thrilling look into the darker side of human nature, Caged effortlessly melds serious historical fantasy with five star erotica.

Release Date: April 16, 2014
Available at: Amazon & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

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About Bey Deckard

Born and raised in a small coastal town in northern Québec, Bey spent his early summers on his uncle’s boat and running wild on the beaches of the surrounding islands, lighting fires, and building huts out of driftwood and fishermen’s nets. As an adult, he eventually made his way to university and earned a degree in Art History with a strong focus on Anthropology. Primarily a portrait painter and graphic artist, Bey sat down one day and decided to write about the two things that he felt most passionate about: sex and the sea.

Bey currently lives in the wilds of Montréal with his best buddy, a spotty pit bull named Murphy.

You can find out more about Bey on his Website, Facebook or Goodreads.

Blogger_Giveaway

Bey has graciously offered up an eBook copy of Sacrificed: Heart Beyond the Spires to one lucky winner!! The giveaway starts now and ends October 17, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!

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Don’t forget to check out JustJen’s reviews of Caged and Sacrificed to see what she thought of them!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT | Tags: BDSM, Bey Deckard, Caged: Love & Treachery on the High Seas, fantasy, Historical, Menage, pirates, Sacrificed: Heart Beyond the Spires, Series - Baal's Heart, The Blogger Girls | 15 Comments

Cover Reveal: Grif’s Toy by Joseph Lance Tonlet + Excerpt & Giveaway!

Posted on October 10, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Grif’s Toy

Tease and Denial, Book 1

by Joseph Lance Tonlet

Blurb: Grif believes he’ll live his life as a virgin. After all, who would want him? How could anyone find him, a guy who came with less than man-sized equipment, worthy of their love?

What he hadn’t counted on were the two amazing men who entered his life. Tate, a fun-loving, wealthy college kid and Wes, a handsome, rugged ex-marine who runs his own security firm.

Both men lead Grif through a twisted mesh of pleasure, pain, and denial, as they force him to see his value, despite his size and insecurities.

Now available for pre-order on Amazon and Smashwords

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And the moment you’ve been waiting for! Grif’s Toy cover reveal…

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Categories: Book Promo, Cover Reveals, Debut Authors, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: Grif's Toy, Joseph Lance Tonlet, light BDSM, M/M, Self-Published, Series - Tease and Denial, The Blogger Girls | 29 Comments

Cover Reveal: Unicorns and Rainbow Poop by Sam Kadence + Excerpt & Giveaway!

Posted on October 6, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Unicorns and Rainbow Poop

by Sam Kadence

Blurb: Ex-boyband member Dane Karlson is struggling to overcome an eating disorder and a body dismorphic disorder. His fall through a glass table puts him in rehab and on the road to recovery. Then a friend dies. When depression causes him to lose ground, he calls for the only person he trusts–former bandmate Tommy. But Tommy doesn’t know how to help. He begs his friend Sebastian “Bas” Axelrod to aid them through the emotional struggle.

Bas, an openly gay high school student who’s recently lost his grandmother, is trying to survive his last few months of school before escaping to Stanford. Having just lost the only person in his family to care for him, he is victim to the cruelty of the others. His younger brother bullies him, and his parents are suing him for his gran’s inheritance. When Tommy calls, Bas can’t help but run to his side.

Together Dane and Bas find a middle ground, supporting each other through the lows, dancing together during the highs. They build friendships and plan for the prom and graduation, thinking positively as long as they are together.

Now available for pre-order on Harmony Ink/Dreamspinner Press.

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Categories: Book Promo, Cover Reveals, Excerpts, Giveaways, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: Harmony Ink Press, Sam Kadence, The Blogger Girls, Unicorns and Rainbow Poop | 6 Comments

Honorary Blogger Jessie G.: Power Dynamics – Excerpt + Giveaway!

Posted on October 4, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Power Dynamics

by Jessie G.

In my first book, Past Hurts, after being physically hurt Davin works hard to make himself physically strong. It’s a defense mechanism that I think people can relate to, or at least I hope they can. That physical strength doesn’t change the fact that Alaric is the dominant one in their relationship. Instead it highlights how very much of a choice submission is. A willing gift, if you will. At any time Davin could have overpowered Alaric and chose not to. His need to have Alaric be in control of their lives, to trust Alaric that deeply, only made his physical appearance that much hotter. In my opinion anyway.

In this latest release, For A Reason, there isn’t a defined power dynamic and any hint of BDSM is more of a game than anything else. I gave Bull all the physical power, but made sure he knew that Red’s strengths were paramount to their growth as a couple. Even when Red was drawing from Bull’s physical strength, he had to be strong enough to trust that Bull would provide what he needed. Their opposing strengths fed each other, gave each other a balance they didn’t have apart and making them equal while exchanging power in a total different way.

I tend to draw MC’s together that are both physically and mentally opposite. Bigger men with smaller men, dominant men with submissive men, and I think it’s hot to mix those traits up, like in the case of Alaric and Davin. It’s a combination that just does it for me because the contradictions compliment each other. In the right context I think it’s a super hot visual, if the age gap is appropriate and the size difference isn’t ridiculous. Yeah, my kinks have conditions and limitations, just like everyone else.

I’m a firm believer that all relationships have some power dynamic, even if the power changes hands regularly. If not, fights would never be resolved, decisions never made. One partner takes the lead, the other allows it, and next time the roles may be reversed. Again, just my opinion on the subject, but you’ll find it an ongoing thread in my writing because it interests me. I believed my approach to the topic was too light to be called BDSM, but I did have one reviewer of Past Hurts complain that I should have prefaced my blurb with a warning.

Future books in the series, which is already drafted out to be seven books, will have that warning. They will delve deeper into power dynamics and the healing two people can find when they trust each other that much. Some will be subtle, some not so much, because it interests me and I can only hope it interests you.

About For a Reason

Former Marine and full time big brother, Bull Connor spends his days helping those in need of a second chance and his nights fighting the inner demons that won’t let go. During a routine tow he comes face to face with the only person who refuses to need him and the one man he wishes would.

As a throw away, Ian Jones is used to being alternately overlooked or ridiculed but hasn’t given up on the idea that with just one chance he could turn it all around. Rescued by the one person who neither overlooks nor ridicules him, he longs to be seen as more than just a man in need.

Ian isn’t pining for the family he’s never known but when they descend, unwanted and uninvited, Bull must prove that he’s the man who will protect Ian’s long neglected heart by sharing the demons that torment his wounded soul.

Available at: Amazon

An Excerpt from For a Reason

Ian trembled and tightened his arms. “All your men have had enough trouble in their lives and they’re trying to have a fresh start. It kills me to think I’m causing more trouble for you and them.”

“Our men,” Bull corrected softly, “our family. If this is about you, we’ll deal with it. Next time it could be about someone else and we’ll still deal with it. We’re a dysfunctional bunch, Red, it happens more often than not.”

Ian pulled back a little. “Our family?”

“We’re not exactly the Brady Bunch,” he teased softly, “but you’ll never find a more loyal group of men. I know it’s overwhelming and probably not what you envisioned, but…” Ian kissed him hard, cutting off the words. “It’s amazing.”

Until that moment he hadn’t realized that he’d been waiting for Ian to accept them all. The relief was nearly overwhelming. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Accepting us.” It was really that simple and complicated. Not many men would.

About Jessie G.

FAR Jessie G Bio Photo Before I am a writer, I am a voracious reader who panics when there are less than fifty books on her wish list. That wasn’t always the case and shamefully I must admit there was a time early in life that I hated to read. After throwing every possible age appropriate book my way a relative snuck me my first romance and I have been hooked ever since.

My love of reading morphed into a desire to write and I still have old notebooks and floppy disks full of ideas and partially written plots. While earning my computer degree, and starting on my career and family, I didn’t write a single word. It wasn’t until I was buying school supplies for my oldest son that the itch came back. Oddly, I can sniff out the stationary aisle in any store and have been known to skip an item on the grocery list in favor of a shiny new notebook.

With the advent of social media I filled up my feeds with my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two

repetitive themes emerged: To be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it’s a job. Even if you write dribble, you’re writing. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will get at writing.

Every day I took the time to write dribble, every day I told myself I was a writer, and on January 28, 2014 I woke up in the middle of the night with Past Hurts pounding in my head. Within two months, I also had the foundation for Books 2 and 3 and the Sizzling Miami Series was born.

When I’m not reading or writing, I own a successful web design business. My husband and I live in Central Florida and we’re enjoying life as parents of adults. Whenever possible we hit the road on the motorcycle and dare anyone to find us.

Find out more about Jessie on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Goodreads, Amazon Page or email her at jessie@jessiegbooks.com.

Blogger_Giveaway

There’s TWO chances to win on this tour spot! First, Jessie is giving away mobi copies of For a Reason and Past Hurts to one luck winner!! The giveaway starts now and ends October 10, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Secondly, Jessie is having a tour-wide giveaway for TWO $25 Gift Cards to Amazon.com AND one set of of For a Reason and Past Hurts in mobi format! The tour-wide giveaway starts October 1st and ends October 20th ending at Midnight EST. To enter, just click the link below!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of For a Reason to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post | Tags: For a Reason, Jessie G., Series - The Sizzling Miami, The Blogger Girls | 18 Comments

Honorary Blogger Rick R. Reed: Letting Go + Excerpt & Giveaway!

Posted on October 2, 2014 by thebloggergirls

Letting Go

by Rick R. Reed

It takes two to tango. And it takes at least two to make a book. Just like a play needs an audience to fully come alive, a book needs a reader for precisely the same reason.

One thing I have to constantly remind myself as a writer is that, once I have written the words, ‘the end’ to a story is that I must let go. As much as I labored over the book, dreamed about it, had conversations with myself about it, agonized over word choice, character hair color, continuity, repetitive words and phrasing, the time comes when the book meets the public which signals that it’s time for me to step aside.

A book is a conspiracy between a reader and a writer. The reader has to bring it to life through his or her imagination. The wonderful thing about that whole process is that my story can become so many different stories when filtered through each reader’s unique frame of reference. I have no doubt that no matter the care I take in describing characters and setting, each reader sees them differently because each of them come to the table with different experiences, biases, and memories. All of those things have a bearing on the triggers my words pull in a reader’s mind.

It’s really quite a lovely process when you think about it. And maybe the readers out there reading this blog never really considered the vital work they play in every book’s success or failure. Writers provide a roadmap, signposts, but it’s really up to the reader to run with it, to make of it something real, a mind movie for one.

What’s my point? I guess it’s to share with you a little of what motivates me as a writer and what, for me is both a blessing and a curse. See, when I am working on a book, which is almost always, I am alone with those characters, immersed in their little world, consumed by their passions, their fears, their desires, their comedies of errors. I have never been one for sharing much of my unfinished work with anyone else. That would somehow be wrong, at least for me. In order to create, I need to be able to slip into a world inhabited only by my characters and me. It’s always a bittersweet moment when I write the words, ‘the end’ and know I am moving on. Sure, there will be editing, the thrill of seeing the cover design, the agony of trying to help craft the blurb, but once you type ‘the end’ it means just that. You’re giving your characters and their world away.

I think it’s very difficult for some writers to realize that once they’ve ‘given birth’ to a book that it really no longer belongs to them. It belongs to the readers, the reviewers, the world. If you create with publishing in mind, it’s a harsh reality to accept—your book no longer belongs to you alone, but it’s gone off into the world, much like a child finally moving out of the house. Once you let go, you also must let go of trying to control what happens (same for books, same for kids).

And that’s hard. You hate to see your book suffer at the hands of people who don’t understand it, you celebrate it when someone ‘gets’ what you were trying to say.

But you must let go. The book is a piece of the world now and takes on a life of its own. Remember what I said earlier? A book is a conspiracy between a writer and a reader and the reader, each in his or her own way, makes the story his or her own.

I guess what prompted all this was a discussion recently at one of my publishers’ forums wherein authors were discussing, once again, how to respond to negative reviews and downright nasty ones, and the prevailing wisdom, at least to my mind, was with silence. I agree.

It’s harsh but true: writers must let go. Your stories are no longer your stories. If you’re very, very lucky, they are many people’s. Take comfort in that.

About Husband Hunters

You never know where the love of your life might turn up.

When Matt Connelly suggests to his best buddy Cody Mook that they head to downtown Seattle to audition for the gay reality TV show Husband Hunters, both agree the experience might be a lark and a chance to grab their fifteen minutes of fame. What they don’t know is that the show, modeled after HGTV’s House Hunters, will open doors of longing neither expected. For Matt, the secret love he has long harbored for Cody might be thrust into the spotlight. Cody might realize his search for his perfect-forever-man extends no farther than the man who’s always been at his side.

Husband Hunters promises laughter, tears, and, just maybe, a happy ever after. Will Cody and Matt’s story be one of best-friends-to-lovers—or an outright disaster?

Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

An Excerpt from Husband Hunters

“You ever heard of a TV show called Husband Hunters?” Matt asked.

Cody let a short bark of a laugh escape. “Dude. It’s House Hunters. On HGTV, like, a thousand times a day.”

“No, no. There’s really a show called Husband Hunters. It’s on the gay channel. Haven’t you even heard of it? It’s the new gay show, even more popular than Drag Race. Where have you been?”

“Husband hunting?” Cody asked.

“Exactly. And how’s that working out for you?”

Cody paced his studio apartment and thought his friend Matt wasn’t as clueless as he had assumed about Cody’s romantic situation. “So far, my wish to be desired by many, won by few has gotten twisted around so it’s ass backwards.”

Matt obviously had to think about that for a moment. When he put it all together, he laughed. Not for the first time Cody thought of how his friend’s laughter too strongly resembled a donkey’s bray.

“Anyway,” Matt went on. “This show is kind of like your House Hunters in that it showcases someone looking for something and gives us three scenarios to watch and help them decide. Except instead of houses, it’s husbands!” Matt shrieked this last with something like delight—or lunacy.

“You’re kidding.” Cody rolled his eyes. He walked over to his kitchenette and began pulling out the makings for his breakfast: a couple of eggs, a loaf of Dave’s Spelt bread. “Is there a reason you brought this up? I can’t imagine anything more horrible. They actually get people to go on this show?” Cody sighed. “Whatever happened to romance?”

“The Internet,” Matt replied without missing a beat. “It’s a new day, as Miss Nina Simone once sang. Men get their manmeat digitally now. Soon Amazon will have drones delivering studs to your front door.”

“Whatever.” Cody was getting tired of the conversation. “You want to go out tonight or what?”

“Cody!” Matt complained. “You didn’t let me tell you the best part! Husband Hunters is right here in Seattle… today! They’re doing a talent search for some Pacific Northwest episodes.”

“And this affects me how?” Cody filled a pan with water, threw in some white vinegar and a little kosher salt, and set it on the stove to come to a simmer for his poached eggs.

“We can try out. Are you dense?” Matt went on, a little breathless with excitement. “What with the snow, there won’t even be as much competition. With your hotness and my wit, we’ll both be shoo-ins.”

Cody laughed. “You’re kidding me, right? What about the school?”

“You think they’d mind? Have you noticed that our principal is a legally wed leather daddy?”

Cody chuckled. “Only in Seattle….” He set two pieces of bread in the toaster and checked the water again for signs of boiling. A watched pot…. “You feel free to trot on down to the auditions, but this is nothing I want any part in. It’s gross.” Cody scratched the top of his head. “What do you have to do to audition, anyway? Kiss guys?”

Matt laughed. “One can hope. Come on, Cody. It’ll be fun. And you never know. It could change your life.”

“So could a car accident.”

Matt blew out a big sigh. “Don’t be a spoilsport. You know you can’t resist my charms. The casting call is being held at the Westin downtown. What time should I pick you up? My four-wheel drive will plow right through this shit.”

“I’m not going. It’s undignified.” Cody cracked the two eggs into separate ramekins.

“Dignity is overrated. What time should I pick you up?” Matt repeated.

“Didn’t you hear me? I’m not doing it!” Cody pushed the bread down in the toaster.

“Look. You may not think I’ve noticed, but I know you want to find that special someone, that soul mate character. I’ve seen how you moon over Pete at school.”

Pete was a biology teacher who bore an amazing resemblance to Colin Farrell. He had just married his sweetheart of eleven years, Johan. The couple was seldom apart. It was sickening. Except it wasn’t. It was sweet and gave Cody a glimmer of hope that somehow, somewhere, someday there was a man out there for him. Cody’s heart gave a little lurch. He knew it was true. He wanted what Pete and Johan had.

Matt went on, “So why not just try this? The truth is neither of us will probably make the cut. But it’ll be fun to go to the tryouts, see who else turns up. And who knows? The man of your dreams may be twitchin’ down at the Westin, looking for the same thing you are.”

Cody had to begrudgingly admit Matt had a point. “Okay,” he said, defeated. “But after? We go to Terra Plata for appetizers and lots of Bloody Marys. And you’re buying.”

“Deal. If it’ll get you there.”

“Is that it, then?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll pick you up at one. The casting call starts at two.”

“Okay, good-bye. My water’s boiling.”

“Your water broke?”

“Oh, shut up!” Cody was about to hang up when Matt shouted into the phone.

About Rick R. Reed

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love. He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a three-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Caregiver, Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). Raining Men and Caregiver have both won the Rainbow Award for gay fiction. Lambda Literary Review has called him, “a writer that doesn’t disappoint.” Rick lives in Seattle with his husband and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever “at work on another novel.”

You can find out more about Rick on his Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter or email him at jimmyfels@gmail.com.

Blog_Tour_Giveaway

As part of this blog tour, Rick is giving away a signed copy of either Hungry for Love or Chaser to one lucky winner!! To enter, just click the link below!