Published in 2014

Honorary Blogger BA Tortuga: Kleenex? Hell, Y’all Need a Whole Box. Maybe a Roll of Paper Towels + Excerpt & Giveaway!

Honorary_Blogger_Post

Kleenex? Hell, Y’all Need a Whole Box. Maybe a Roll of Paper Towels

by BA Tortuga

I have to tell y’all, writing Say Something just about broke me. I still to this day can’t read the book without bursting into tears a dozen times. Maybe more.

I mean, seriously, what was I thinking, writing about a cowboy that can’t leave home and a man that can’t stay there? Grins My wife would tell you, obviously I was working my shit out. 😉

You see, if you asked my daddy, he’d tell you I was like Mike. I ran away from home in high school. I left my hometown and I never looked back. I have lived in Georgia, California, North Carolina, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, New Mexico and all over Texas, but I never moved back to Greenville. He’d tell you I was citified, that I am stubborn and prideful and I refuse to settle.

If you asked my mother, she’d tell you I was like Jenson. I work from home, I need to know where my place is in the world, and I love the western lifestyle with a passion. I am the keeper of old things, the one that follows the old ways, and the one that plans every second before I make a move. She’d tell you I was old-fashioned, that I am stubborn and prideful and I refuse to settle.

Mike and Jenson came to me one afternoon when we were still living in Texas, talking about moving to New Mexico. We were losing Julia’s dad to cancer. I’d lost one of the most important people in the universe. My sister was sick, my daddy had a mini-stroke, my babiest sister was getting married. Julia and I had just gotten engaged. I was having a think about what to do, you know?

Can I leave Texas? Can I stay knowing that J and I could never get married?

My heart hurt, so much, and Mike and Jenson said, “us too”.

There was no way I could leave them without a story. No way.

The neat part?

They got their story and so did Julia and I. I’ll take it.

Much love, y’all.

BA

blogger_bee_trans

About Say Something

1Jenson has loved Mike his whole life, but he has never known how to tell Mike how he feels. After high school Mike leaves for college and his Hollywood dream, while cowboy Jenson stays behind in their small East Texas hometown. Neither man knows what to say to go beyond friendship, even though they come together through all of the best and worst times of their lives. The most amazing moments keep bringing them back together, but through huge love and terrible loss, sickness and health, their timing never seems right to take their relationship to the next level. When the universe gives them one final chance, Jenson must overcome his fear and say the most important something before it’s too late.

Available at: Dreamspinner Press and Amazon

blogger_bee_trans

An Excerpt from Say Something

 

“So, this guy, he’s the one?” Ricky leaned over the edge of the bed, head dangling down.

“That kills brain cells, man.” Mike looked at himself in the mirror, working the thick pancake makeup to make the scar less noticeable.

“Uh-huh. So does green, and we smoke that. The scar is hot, honey. Leave it alone.”

Mike grunted. “He’s only ever seen it with stitches.”

“He’s, like, a real cowboy?”

“Uh-huh. We’ve been together forever. I just… I can’t believe he’s coming.” Really coming, here. Jenson. Finally. Mike touched up his eyeliner, and looked at himself again. Maybe glasses….

“You’re such a big queen.” Ricky laughed, waving at him upside down.

“You’re just jealous that I’m not your big queen.”

“Nah. You’re too toppy.” Ricky cackled, and Mike had to laugh. Everyone knew Rick would bottom up for anyone.

“Oh yeah. I’m a big bad leather daddy.” He turned and flexed, playing happily. Ricky was going to be a model. Hell, the guy was already working. Him, though, he still wanted to act.

He thought he could. His profs said he had talent. He just had his damned face to overcome.

The phone rang, and he spun around. “Oh God. Do you think it’s him?”

blogger_bee_trans

About BA Tortuga

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing porn sites in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife (still amazing to say that), Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has gone to the high desert mountains and fallen in love. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

You can find out more about BA on her Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter or email her at batortuga@gmail.com.

Blog_Tour_Giveaway

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

Rafflecopter Giveaway

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.

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Excerpts, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments

Book Review: Road Runner by Rain Carrington

Reviewed by JustJen

3Title: Road Runner
Author: Rain Carrington
Heroes: Levi Kape/Bobby Dawes
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 200 Pages
Publisher: Rain Carrington
Release Date: October 20, 2014
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  In the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, lives a man who has secrets. Levi Kape watches people at a bar nightly, writing things in his notebook and trying to blend in with the locals. His secrets keep him from getting close to anyone until Bobby Dawes comes off the road after a long haul in his 18-wheeler. After getting to know Bobby, he realizes he’d never been close to anyone. That was about to change.

Levi can’t settle down and not because he doesn’t want to, but because it could endanger his life. Bobby is a gentle, loving and strong man who doesn’t do commitment. He’s also a man that Levi wants more than anything, including his own safety.

Danger causes Levi to leave but he can’t forget the truck driver that drove into his life, changing everything. When Levi leaves, Bobby goes back onto the road, trying to forget the “Golden God” he’d fallen for, but with some help from friends with connections to dark people and places, Bobby finds his man and swears never to let him go again.

Can they save each other not only from the men who want Levi dead but from years of never seeking or finding the love they found in one another? Will the ultimate betrayal cost them the trust they need to make it work between them? Can Bobby save him, or be lost in a dark world alone…
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Audio Review: Turkey in the Snow by Amy Lane

Reviewed by Morgan 

1Title: Turkey in the Snow
Author: Amy Lane
Narrator: Gomez Pugh
Heroes: Hank/Justin
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: Book – 102 Pages / Audio – 2 Hours, 32 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Book – December 1, 2012 / Audio – September 15, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Since Hank Calder’s four-year-old niece Josie came to live with him, his life has been plenty dramatic, thank you, and the last thing he needs is a swishy, flaming twinkie to complicate things. But when Justin, the daycare worker at his gym, offers to do something incredibly nice for Hank – and for Josie – Hank is forced to reconsider. Justin may be flamboyant in his speech and gestures, but his heart and kindness are as rock steady and dependable as anyone, even Hank, could ask for. Can Hank trust in his dramatic “turkey in the snow” to offer his heart the joy he and Josie have never known?
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Gray Bishop by Kelly Meade

Reviewed by Nikyta

3Title: Gray Bishop
Author: Kelly Meade
Series: Cornerstone Run Trilogy #2
Heroine/Hero: Jillian Reynolds/Bishop McQueen
Genre: M/F Paranormal
Length: 313 Pages
Publisher: Intermix
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Available at: Intermix, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Some people need something to fight for…

With the attacks on their homes escalating and human half-breeds seeking sanctuary among them, the loup garou are reaching their breaking point. Two, in particular.

After failing to stop his little brother’s kidnapping years ago, Bishop McQueen angrily broods on his shame, though no one else blames him.

Jillian Reynolds is still dealing with a tragic accident that took everything she ever wanted from life. And her attraction to Bishop is only making things more difficult.

When word reaches them that Jillian’s hometown is under attack, the Alpha takes Bishop, Jillian, and a group of enforcers to assist in the battle. And it is in this chaos that both Bishop and Jillian will have to face their pasts—and the true feelings they have for each other—if they are going to survive…
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, M/F, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Honorary_Blogger_Post

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.

blogger_bee_trans

About Out in the Open

1Libraries 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

blogger_bee_trans

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.

blogger_bee_trans

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!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

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.

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: , , , | 30 Comments

Book Review: Double Coverage by R.W. Clinger

Reviewed by Susan65

5Title: Double Coverage
Author: R.W. Clinger
Heroes: Johny Knight/Matthew McDestin/Beckley Roarke
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 159 Pages
Publisher: JMS Books
Release Date: August 10, 2014
Available at: JMS Books, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Who is murdering the Eastern States Football League officials in Vanmer, Pennsylvania? And why is the killer using Vanmer Vipers’ helmets as murder weapons?

Johnny Knight, photojournalist for the Independent, takes on one of the most dangerous jobs and responsibilities he has ever attempted. As he begins to unravel clues about the Helmet Killer murders, he uncovers a gambling ring involving numerous Viper players and a real estate mogul with a town full of secrets. And what about the missing money from the first victim, a whopping nine hundred thousand dollars? Is a Viper footballer paying off his steep gambling debts by murdering well-to-do officials?

Along the way, Johnny falls in love with two very attractive and different men — the sexy owner of McMuscles Gym, Matthew McDestin, and the jockish running back for the Vanmer Vipers, Beckley Roarke. Both have a piece of Johnny’s heart, and both really don’t want to share Johnny. So what’s a detective to do when he’s seeing two hotties at the same time?

Can Johnny piece together the puzzle of murder and bring the Helmet Killer to justice, putting Vanmer at peace again?
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Published in 2014, Susan65's Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audio Review: Frog by Mary Calmes

Reviewed by Morgan

5Title: Frog
Author: Mary Calmes
Narrator: K.C. Kelly
Heroes: Weber Yates/Cyrus Benning
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: Book – 178 Pages / Audio – 5 Hours, 23 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Book – April 25, 2012 / Audio – September 16, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Weber Yates’s dreams of stardom are about to be reduced to a ranch hand’s job in Texas, and his one relationship is with a guy so far out of his league he might as well be on the moon. Or at least in San Francisco, where Weber stops to see him one last time before settling down to the humble, lonely life he figures a frog like him has coming.

Cyrus Benning is a successful neurosurgeon, so details are never lost on him. He spotted the prince in a broken-down bull rider’s clothing from day one. But watching Weber walk out on him keeps getting harder, and he’s not sure how much more his heart can take. Now Cyrus has one last chance to prove to Weber that it’s not Weber’s job that makes him Cyrus’s perfect man, it’s Weber himself. With the help of his sister’s newly broken family, he’s ready to show Weber that the home the man’s been searching for has always been right there, with him. Cyrus might have laid down an ultimatum once, but now it’s turned into a vow—he’s never going to let Weber out of his life again.
Continue reading

Categories: 5 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Sarge by Bey Deckard

Reviewed by JustJen

5Title: Sarge
Author: Bey Deckard
Series: F.I.S.T.S. #1
Heroes: Murphy/Sarge
Genre: MM Sci-Fi
Length: 56 Pages
Publisher: Bey Deckard
Release Date: October 18, 2014
Available at: Amazon , Smashwords and All Romance Ebooks, Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Sometimes it’s just about being in the right place at the right time… with the right person.

Sarge is the short story of a burgeoning D/S relationship between two space marines stationed on an alien planet where an endless war drags on.

Sergeant Wilkes is a hard man with a long, celebrated military career.
Brawny, tattooed, and utterly submissive, Murphy is just an interesting diversion… until Sarge realises he has found something truly rare.
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Book Review: Outcome by Cara Dee

Reviewed by JustJen

1Title: Outcome
Author: Cara Dee
Series: Aftermath #2
Heroes: Remy/Chase
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 245 Pages
Publisher: Cara Dee
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Three years ago, Chase Gallardo ran toward freedom with his fellow survivors after having spent five months in captivity. He hasn’t stopped running since. Only now, it’s the memories he’s constantly trying to escape. Haunting echoes of a man who forced Chase to play the part of another, the kidnapper’s younger brother. Chase may have survived, but that doesn’t mean he’s really living. Until one day, when his employee tells him there’s a man sitting at the bar, wearing only underwear.

Remy Stahl has given up—almost. For a year, alcohol, drugs, and faces without names have kept him company. But he has two friends who refuse to give up on him, and they lock him up in his house in an attempt to save him from himself. Though, never underestimate an addict’s desire to see the bottom of another bottle. Remy escapes, and he doesn’t give a rat’s ass that he’s nearly naked.

This is the sequel to Aftermath, where Cam and Austin met, struggled, and fell in love. Outcome takes us back to Bakersfield with Chase and Remy’s story. Fueled by anger, guilt, and shame, they’re not off to an easy start. But it’s only a matter of time before they learn how much they need each other in order to move on.
Continue reading

Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrews

Guest Reviewed by Morgan 

5Title: A Forbidden Rumspringa
Author:  Keira Andrews
Series: Gay Amish Romance #1
Heroes: Isaac Byler/David Lantz
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 231 Pages
Publisher: KA Books
Release Date: September 3, 3014
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  When two young Amish men find love, will they risk losing everything?

In a world where every detail of life—down to the width of a hat brim—is dictated by God and the all-powerful rules of the community, two men dare to imagine a different way. At 18, Isaac Byler knows little outside the strict Amish settlement of Zebulon, Minnesota, where there is no rumspringa for exploration beyond the boundaries of their insular world. Isaac knows he’ll have to officially join the church and find a wife before too long, but he yearns for something else—something he can’t name.

Dark tragedy has left carpenter David Lantz alone to support his mother and sisters, and he can’t put off joining the church any longer. But when he takes on Isaac as an apprentice, their attraction grows amid the sweat and sawdust. David shares his sinful secrets, and he and Isaac struggle to reconcile their shocking desires with their commitment to faith, family and community.

Now that they’ve found each other, are they willing to lose it all?

Note: Contains explicit sexual situations and graphic language. This is not an inspirational/Christian romance.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment