Author: Eric Huffbind

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

One simple act could change your life.

Blurb

One simple act could change your life.

Ian Groden and Taren Murdoch have a good life. Their marriage is solid, and their Dom/sub lifestyle makes for an amazing and extra spicy sex life. Meeting with another man, Kevin, on occasion adds another level of excitement to their marriage.

For Ian, the only thing better than one Dom is two!

Taren loves watching Ian being dominated by Kevin. Ian craves complete submission to Taren when they’re alone again.

Problems arise when Kevin decides he doesn’t want to remain the casual third man. He puts in motion a plan to drive a wedge through Taren and Ian’s relationship, forcing them to fight for each other and their marriage. Can they put their life back together and regain what could be lost?

Excerpt

Taren Murdoch was kind, soft-spoken, and incredibly capable, with broad shoulders and a quick smile. He’d stayed with Ian until his parents arrived, despite Ian’s protests that it wasn’t necessary. Not wanting to let on how frightened he’d been waiting in the cold and dark for help to arrive, Ian tried to brush off the experience. Taren would have none of it and stayed with Ian for the hours it took his parents to make their way to the hospital.

Taren made Ian feel safe. He was darn nice on the eyes, too. They’d started dating not long after and had been married for nearly eight years. Ian loved Taren, heart and soul. Never once did Ian doubt Taren felt the same way.

“You know it’s your choice. You’re in control of this situation. I’m happy either way. Kevin is…a nice distraction from reality. But I love you. I married you. No one, and I mean no one, comes before that.” Taren swept up both cards and tore them up. “It’s great to help you experience something I was able to, but Christ, Ian, if this is going to cause you so much anxiety, I’ll tell him never to contact us again.”

“It’s not making me anxious,” Ian retorted.

Taren laughed and cocked his head to one side. “Boy, please!”

As when he was on the phone, Taren uttering the word, boy, immediately sent Ian into sub role.

Ian’s gaze dropped to the floor, and he studied his toes. “I’ve laid out some choices for you, Sir.”

“Do you want dinner first?”

Ian shook his head. “No, Sir.”

If Taren wanted to eat first, Ian was obligated by their Dom/sub agreement to accommodate his wishes. For Taren, Ian’s needs always came first. Ian had such admiration and respect for Taren in part because he was an amazing protector. Taren always seemed to know exactly what to do for Ian in any circumstance.

“Did you prep, or should I do that?”

“I prepped, Sir, but if you want to inspect for yourself,” Ian offered.

Taren smiled softly. “No need. I was simply checking, boy. Go wait for me at the cross.”

Ian nodded. He wouldn’t speak unless asked a question. Hurrying to their bedroom, Ian stood on the low platform holding the cross. He hung his wrists over the ‘arms’ of the cross and leaned his forehead against the longer vertical piece.

A few minutes later he heard Taren enter the bedroom. Ian turned his head far enough to watch as Taren shed his work clothes and pulled on a pair of lightweight, black linen pants.

Taren sat on the bed and sorted through the toys and equipment Ian had laid out. Ian had to shift his weight and turn his head the other way when Taren moved to their storage area. Taren added a wooden paddle, wrist and ankle restraints, and plastic nipple clamps. All those items joined Ian’s picks on the bed. Taren cleared his throat, and Ian turned back to the cross, leaning his forehead against it and standing straighter.

The first thing Taren did was fit the hood over Ian’s head, sinking him into darkness. The hood was made of thick rubber with openings for his mouth and nostrils. Ian’s sight was completely blacked out, and his hearing was dampened, everything but the loudest noises were muffled. He’d have little or no warning for Taren’s actions.

Taren pulled gently on the rubber, making sure it was positioned properly. He used two fingers under the hood to make sure Ian’s skin wasn’t pinched or his hair pulled. The purpose of the hood was sensory deprivation, not discomfort or pain.

Ian shuddered and gasped when the nipple clamps were snapped into place. Next, Taren crisscrossed the leather straps of Ian’s harness across his chest and back and buckled it securely. The wide, leather wrist and ankle cuffs were positioned and tightened into place.

The only way Ian knew Taren had moved away was the loss of heat from his body against Ian’s back. He felt Taren return, then jumped when Taren used his hands over Ian’s to have him curl his fingers around the cross and hold on. The vibration against Ian’s back when Taren chuckled added to his overall mood of expectation. Taren ran one hand over Ian’s back before reaching around to put pressure on his belly, getting him to take a step back and extend his arms. He gripped Ian’s hips and pulled back, positioning him, so Ian’s legs were slightly spread, and his ass jutted out.

Ian took a few deep breaths, bracing himself for what he knew was coming next.

About the Author

Mystery, action, chills, and thrills spiced with romance and desire. ELIZABETH NOBLE lives by the adage “I can’t not write.” She doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t make up stories and eventually she learned how to put words on a page. Those words turned into books and fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M fiction. A part of every day is spent living in worlds she created that are filled with intrigue and espionage. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural.

When she’s not chronicling the adventures of her many characters, Elizabeth is a veterinary nurse living in her native Cleveland, Ohio. She has three grown children and now happily shares her little, brick house with two spunky Cardigan Welsh Corgis and their feline sidekicks. Elizabeth is a fan of baseball, basketball (go Cavs and Guardians) and gardening. She can often be found working in her ‘outside office’ listening to classic rock and plotting her next novel waiting for it to be dark enough to gaze at the stars.

Elizabeth has received a number of amateur writing awards. Since being published, several of her novels have received Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards. Jewel Cave was a runner-up in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category in the 2015 Rainbow Awards. Ringed Love was a winner in the Gay Fantasy Romance category of the 2016 Rainbow Awards. Code Name Jack Rabbit and The Vampire Guard series placed third in The Paranormal Romance Guild 2022 Reviewer Awards in the LGBT/ROMANCE/ACTION ADVENTURE/MILITARY individual book and series categories.

Author Links

Blog/Website | QueeRomance Ink | Liminal Fiction

Facebook | Facebook Author page | BlueSky

Newsletter sign-up | Instagram | Pinterest

BookBub | JMS page | Amazon

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a $10 Amazon Gift Card

NEW RELEASE: “Nothing but the Night” by Thom Collins. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included!

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:April 11, 2025
Post category:Gay Book Promotions New Release
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NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Nothing but the Night (Basic Instincts Book 2)

Author: Thom Collins

Publisher: Entwined Publishing

Cover Artist: Kelly Martin

Release Date: April 8, 2025

POV/Tense: third person/past tense

Genres: Contemporary MM Romance, mystery/suspense/thriller

Tropes: detective, murder mystery, crime, erotic romance, suspense

Themes: family, secrets, sex work

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 64 958 words/253 pages

It is a standalone story that is part of a wider series.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links

Universal Buy Link

Be careful what you look for in the night.

Blurb

Three months after the death of his brother, Marc Glass faces a whole new dilemma. A tabloid journalist has made a connection between Theo and a prominent politician. Theo’s death might not be all it seems. Marc knew all about his brother’s secret sex work, but it’s a scandal that would destroy his family, who have already suffered enough.

Private Detective Jason Durham might be the answer. Marc enlists Jason’s agency to look into Theo’s unsolved murder. The police investigation is dead, but if they can solve the case on their own, they could head off the potentially damaging story. Marc isn’t sure who he can trust with the details of Theo’s life, but Jason seems like the man.

As secrets are uncovered, Marc and Jason must fight their attraction to each other, but when their prime witness is murdered, they are suddenly caught in a web of mystery and increasing danger.

As the nights grow darker, will either of them make it until morning?

Excerpt

Marc saw him fully for the first time and was startled. At forty-four, it had been a long time since he’d been instantly affected by the physical appearance of a man, but Jason was stunning. It was his large, expressive eyes that first drew him in. They were a pale shade, somewhere between green and blue, and they gave a boyish quality to his masculine face. His dark-blond hair was swept to the right, short at the back and sides with a little length on top. He had a well-trimmed beard, brown and seasoned with flecks of grey. His mouth was wide. Marc had the most insane urge to kiss it. When he smiled, he revealed a small gap between his two front teeth, which only made him even sexier.

The body beneath his clothes was fit. More athletic than muscled, and there was an almost military bearing about his posture, with his shoulders back and his chest held proudly.

Jason sat and leaned across the file on his desk, looking at the notes, granting Marc a peek down the open neck of his shirt, and a tantalising hint of chest hair.

Get hold of yourself. Remember the reason you are here.

“So, this is about your brother?” Jason said, reading the file. Marc had given the briefest summary of his case to Olivia when he’d called to make the appointment yesterday.

“Yes, but it’s probably not what you’re thinking. My brother isn’t missing or anything like what you’re used to dealing with.”

Jason looked at him with wide, reassuring eyes. “There’s no such thing as a usual case in this business. Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me what the problem is.”

Marc sighed. The beginning. He didn’t even know where that was. “Theo died in December. Down on the waterfront by the Vermont Hotel? You probably heard about it. He was killed by a car as he crossed the road in front of the hotel. Some of the witnesses say the car drove straight at him, but the police were never convinced.”

Jason pushed the file to one side. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Yes, I remember it. There must have been CCTV coverage. There are cameras all along the waterfront. And at the hotel too.”

“There are, but it’s inconclusive whether the car changed course to hit him or not. The resolution of the images isn’t great. I must have watched it a million times and even I can’t decide on what I’m seeing.”

“I take it the driver was never caught. Do you want me to investigate further? See if I can track them down?”

Marc shook his head. “That’s not why I’m here. It’s more…complicated than that. The car was discovered burned out a few miles away. It was stolen and they never found the driver. Have you heard of Nadine Smythe? The journalist.”

Was that a tiny twitch at the corner of Jason’s mouth?

Jason nodded. “Of course. Blyham’s finest.” There was no mistaking the sarcasm in his tone.

“She came to visit me yesterday. She’s conducting her own investigation into Theo’s death… Theo’s murder.”

About the Author

Thom Collins is the author of the Jagged Shores series and the Anthem Trilogy as well as numerous standalone novels and novellas.

His new series Basic Instincts launches in spring 2025 with the novel Now Comes the Dark.

Thom has lived in the North East of England his whole life. He grew up in Northumberland and now lives in County Durham with his husband and two cats. He loves all kinds of genre fiction, especially bonk-busters, thrillers, romance and horror. He is also a cookery book addict with far too many titles cluttering his shelves. When not writing he can be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes. He’s a keen traveler but with a fear of flying that gets worse with age, but in 2013 he realized cruising is the best way to see the world.

Check out his website for news updates and a free ebook The Night.

Social Media Links

Website | BlueSky

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter Sign-up

Giveaway

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one of 5 ebook copies of the series so far:

Now Comes the Dark

Nothing But the Night

Night Crimes (a standalone short story prequel)

NEW RELEASE: “Dusty’s Snack Shack” by Dann Hazel

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:April 3, 2025
Post category:Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited New Release
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NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Dusty’s Snack Shack (Book One of the Short Orders Gay Romance Series)

Author: Dann Hazel

Publisher: The Original Press, LLC

Cover Artist: Joshua Fippen

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Tense/POV: Past Tense; 3rd person

Genres: Gay MM Romance

Tropes: Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, Vacation Encounters

Themes: Long-Distance Romance; Importance of Community; Romance Across Social Classes

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 60 500 words/215 pages

It is part one of a new series, but can be read as a standalone

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

At Dusty’s Snack Shack, desserts range from gooey to chewy.

But Ken finds the treats at Dusty’s shop aren’t necessarily as sweet as one tantalizing owner!

Blurb

Sand, sun, and a steamy summer fling.

That’s all Dusty and Ken expected from their chance encounter at Myrtle Beach, when Ken purchases ice cream from Dusty’s Snack Shack.

But as their bodies entwine, so do their hearts, leading them on a journey of unexpected emotions.

With the bustling beach as their backdrop, and a sweet Saint Bernard that adores both men, they explore the depths of their passion and the pitfalls of falling in love.

Then, as the summer winds down, their romance takes a precarious turn, threatening to tear them apart.

Will their love withstand the crashing waves, or will it be washed away by the tide?

If you enjoyed the passionate romance and twists and turns of Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook,” you’ll love this beachside love story with a gay twist.

Why wait? Grab your copy now before the tide changes!

Excerpt

“I won’t get to see you again before you leave?” The disappointment in Dusty’s voice was palpable.

“Here’s the deal with me, Dusty. I’m not up to driving. Not tonight. I’m far too tired to start the long trek home, only to stop at some fleabag hotel along the way when I get sleepy. Which will happen sooner rather than later. I already feel exhausted.”

“Then stay.” Dusty uttered the words before Ken finished his sentence. “Please. There’s no need for you to transfer to another hotel. I’d love for you to be my guest for as long as you wish.”

“You have a life to live, Dusty, and a business to run—” Ken began.

“That business will be closed for at least another day,” Dusty interrupted. “Probably longer. They’ve closed the entire block near my shop. Several other blocks have also been closed. Customers wouldn’t be allowed access to the Snack Shack even if I were allowed to open it. But I have to wait until city officials give the all-clear.”

For a moment, Ken didn’t speak. Then, Dusty heard a heavy, resigned sigh. “Your offer is tempting, Dusty. Really, it is. But let me ask you. Are you fucking positive?”

Dusty laughed gently. “I’ve never been surer of anything else. Get your ass over here as quickly as you can.”

Ken began a hearty chuckle. His chuckle grew into a laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

“As you know, I wasn’t crazy about a Myrtle Beach vacation from the beginning. Now, I am adamant not to cut the damn thing short. I have four more days, for Christ’s sake! And I’m gonna take them.”

Dusty turned into his driveway, which he’d almost overshot. “The beach can have a seductive effect on people, that’s for sure.”

Dusty transferred the sound from the car’s audio system to his phone. He got out of his car, then headed to his front door. Benji, his tail wagging furiously, was waiting for him,.

“But Dusty? I don’t want you to think the ocean is the only temptation.” Ken’s voice sounded plaintive and sincere, hinting of a vulnerability that Dusty hadn’t noticed before. “It’s you, too. You’re a great guy, even if we did get off on the wrong foot. Those four additional days I have left? I would rather spend them with you.”

Dusty was rendered speechless by Ken’s confession, delivered with great sincerity.

Maybe, Dusty thought, the man’s much more sensitive than he often comes across.

“Then it’s settled,” Dusty said. “I’m sitting on my sofa right now, caressing a big furry monster who would love to see you almost as much as I do. So get your ass over here as quickly as you can.”

Ken laughed. “I’m approaching the Bayview parking garage now. I have to get clearance to retrieve my car, then I’m on my way.” He cleared his throat. “I will have to make a quick stop at a convenience store to pick up a few toiletries. That shouldn’t take more than five or ten minutes.”

“Good idea. I don’t share my toothbrush with anyone.”

Suddenly, Dusty felt overcome with gratitude—gratitude that Ken was alive. “Hey, Ken?”

“Yes?”

Dusty inhaled deeply, as though to sequester some immense feeling. “Be safe. Please. I know you’re upset. That doesn’t always make for safe driving. But remember I’m here, waiting for you. Call me if you need anything.”

Ken swallowed the lump forming in his throat. “Thanks, Dusty. You’re the best.”

About the Author

As a Florida-based author of both fiction and nonfiction, Dann worked as an educator on both the secondary and post-secondary levels. But since high school, when he served as a reporter for the school newspaper, he’s always had a passion for both reading and writing. Dann lives in Lake Wales, FL, with his husband, Josh (also a writer) and their adorable Eskie (American Eskimo), Flurry. She’s definitely part of the family, with boundless energy and appetite! Dann is passionate about scenic walks and jogs around a local lake, enjoying Walt Disney World, staying healthy, reading, streaming movies and provocative TV series (especially those based on novels!) and current events. His pronouns are he/him/his.

Social Media Links

Website/Newsletter Sign-up | Facebook | Bluesky

Instagram | Threads

SERIES TOUR and NEW RELEASE: “Beautiful Dark Temptation & Beautiful Liar” by Roxas Winters

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:March 31, 2025
Post category:Gay Book Promotions Series Tour
Post comments:0 Comments

SERIES TOUR and NEW RELEASE

Arcadia U Books 1 and 2 by Roxas Winters

Books 1 and 2 should be read in order. Neither of them ends in a cliffhangar.

Overall Heat Rating for the series: 4 flames

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

BOOK DETAILS

BOOK 2 – NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Beautiful Liar

Author: Roxas Winters

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Length: 80 000 words

Release Date: March 21, 2025

Genres: MM Contemporary Romance, mafia, college age

Tropes: Second chances. forbidden love, obsessive love, secrets, alpha male

Themes: Hurt/Comfort, healing from abuse (abuse happens off page)

This story is best enjoyed after reading book one.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links

I gave in to temptation, but happily ever after was never part of the deal.

Blurb

Kieran

I gave in to temptation, but happily ever after was never part of the deal.

I am heir to a mafia kingdom and taking my place means leaving Arcadia behind. Arcadia U was built to house bastards of the criminal elite and wayward children of soldiers loyal to the four founding families. I am neither. When a death at the school puts everyone at risk, I return to keep my friends safe. But things have changed since the three months I’ve been gone. Loyalty must be earned, and my secrets revealed. But is it too late to save what I want most?

Tomás

I chose the enemy. I chose to be a secret. Kieran asked me to wait until he was ready, and I fell easily into the lies. But I have a lie of my own. After a death puts the school on lockdown, I’m forced to face a past I buried. A past that threatens everyone I love, including Kieran. To protect him, I must lie to him.

But lies fester. And the rot always finds a way out.

Excerpt from book 2

Tomás

“What did I tell you would happen if you ran from me?” The voice I knew so well whispered in my ear. All the tension lifted and for a slight second, I let myself be vulnerable. Kieran had come for me. The reaction to him that got me in this mess in the first place—trusting Kieran. Giving him space in my heart. But he hadn’t come back when he promised. He hadn’t been there when I needed him. Ignoring my body’s response to him, I wasn’t my dick, I moved. I just wanted to feel physical pain, so damn tired of the pain I couldn’t reach inside, the itch I couldn’t scratch burrowed under my skin.

I twisted my body, grabbed his arm meaning to throw him over my shoulder to the floor, but the fucker was fast. A surprised inhale brushed my cheeks. Oddly satisfying in my current pissed off state. I didn’t get to slam him against the floor. Fucker had cat reflexes. His feet landed on the counter, and he used the leverage to push off, sending me back against the refrigerator hard. Shit tumbled around us. He used me to keep his footing, pushing off and putting space between us.

The low light was enough to still get a good look at his face. Three months and four days hadn’t changed his appearance. He looked … good. As if he hadn’t suffered like I had. As if he hadn’t cared. I wanted to talk shit, but my ruined voice would only come out meek, cracked, broken. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of hearing me pathetic, so I said nothing.

Kieran took my silence as submission. He narrowed the gap between us. “What is your problem?” he started.

Once he was close enough, I swung. The fist to his face felt better than I thought it should. He stumbled back. And I moved before he could recover. I spun him against the counter and shoved him face down onto the surface. His ass against my groin. I may have been bigger than him, but he had more fighting skills than me. I knew he could’ve gotten free from my hold if he wanted to, but he didn’t.

He didn’t even struggle.

“Fuck you,” I managed to whisper into his ear, pushing my body against him. “I’m no longer yours.”

“You sure about that?” he said, pushing out his ass right into the rod tenting my joggers. Because of course my cock would respond to him with an erection. Which only pissed me off more.

“Unlike you, I’m not my dick. And unlike you, I can put my dick into whoever the fuck I want.”

I felt the vibration first. Like a canvas rippling against my skin. The jolt of it forced me back, but only a fraction before he had me on the floor pinned under him. The impact pushed the breath out of my lungs, made me disoriented. He pinned my wrists above my head, his body sprawled on top of me, his face close enough to see the lighter green bursts in his eyes. “You think I would ever let you stick your dick in anyone else,” he hissed. “Try it, Tomás. Test me. I will end that motherfucker.”

BOOK 1

Book Title: Beautiful Dark Temptation (Arcadia U Book 1)

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Length: 76 200 words

Release Date: September 27, 2024

Tense/pov: first person; alternating pov

Genres: Contemporary MM Romance, college, mafia

Tropes: Forbidden love, enemies to lovers

Themes: Bisexual awakening

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Books to Read Universal Link

Buy Links

I’m not ready to lose it all for a beautiful dark temptation

Blurb

Tomás

I’ve lost everything.

Forced into a prison masking as a school, I find myself in the crosshairs of more than one killer. My savior? The arrogant prick who wants to control me. Kieran is a nightmare wrapped in a seductive package and when he sets his sights on me I don’t know whether to fight him or kiss him.

Kieran

I am the eldest bastard of one of the four founders of Arcadia University, and I will do anything to see my family fall.

The secrets I’ve kept hidden behind my heart now threaten to bury me alive with the arrival of Tomás. He consumes my space, my thoughts, my nightmares. I hate him for how he makes me feel. This toxic attraction between us forces me to question what matters most—vengeance, power, love. But Tomas doesn’t fit into my world of lies and violence and I’m not ready to lose it all for a beautiful dark temptation.

About the Author

Roxas writes dark, forbidden MM Romance with morally gray characters you will love to hate. Beautiful Dark Temptation is her first novel in a planned series.

Author Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter

Instagram | Newsletter Sign-up

BlueSky

Giveaway

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1 x $10 Amazon Gift Card

BLOG TOUR: “Breakaway for Love” by Koko Klein. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included!

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:March 28, 2025
Post category:Blog Tour Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited
Post comments:0 Comments

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Breakaway for Love

Author and Cover Artist: Koko Klein

Publisher: Sicherheit & Consulting Krautgasser GmbH

Release Date: March 3, 2025

Tense/POV: first person, present tense, alternating POV

Genres: Contemporary MM Sports (Hockey) Romance

Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Gay Awakening, Forced Proximity

Themes: Coming out, Homophobic Parents, Olympic Games

Heat Rating: 4-5 flames

Length: 64 000 words/ 230 pages

It’s book one of the Hockey & Love series.

Every book in the series is a stand-alone story with a guaranteed happy end.

The next book in the series will be published in May.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Blurb

Between hatred and desire.

Nico was brought up to hate Daniel. The feud between their families is centuries old. But now they are both part of the Terengian national ice hockey team.

Working together is proving difficult. A medal at the Winter Olympics in Beijing seems increasingly out of reach. Frustration threatens to tear the team apart. Still Nico and Daniel grow closer every day.

But Nico is keeping a secret. A secret that threatens his very existence. But with every second they spend together, Daniel comes closer to uncover it.

Excerpt

Daniel:

Stay away from the Hovenbergs, my grandfather’s voice booms in my head.

I hesitate for a moment but then kick the cone high into the air. The next moment I hear cursing and my grin becomes so wide there’s a serious risk my face will explode.

The slender figure of my arch-enemy steps through the trees and stops at the edge of the pond. In his right hand, he’s carrying my new favorite toy as if it were something incredibly disgusting. In the dim light, I see that his face is contorted with rage. His ear-length hair is a bit disheveled.

Did I hit him in the head? Oops! I should probably apologize, but I’ve always loved winding him up, even back at school — he’s cute when he’s angry.

Whoa! Where did that thought come from?

I feel a little heat rising to my face, and I hope the poor light and my cheeks being red from the cold will hide my blush. Instead, I try to keep the defiant grin on my face.

“Have a go if you think you’re tough enough,” I tease.

Why am I provoking him? I’ve no idea what I’m doing. I should just apologize and let him go back to the hotel, but as captain, don’t I have a responsibility for him? Shouldn’t I at least try to get him on my side — nemesis or not?

Then Hovenberg swings his arm and throws the pinecone at me. I take it deftly with my chest like a soccer player and even manage to bounce it back and forth twice on each knee before it lands on the ice again. Now, that was impressive, even if I say so myself.

Hovenberg hasn’t moved from the edge of the pond. His arms are folded in front of his chest and he’s glaring at me. I’m sure if the light were better, I’d see storm clouds collecting in his eyes. He’s so easily provoked. That’s why it’s so much fun, and why, even in our school days, it was so hard to follow my grandparents’ advice.

I kick my recovered cone so that it lands right at Hovenberg’s feet, but he doesn’t move an inch.

“Is the big bad hockey player suddenly afraid of the nasty ice?” My voice drips with sarcasm.

Nico’s stern expression becomes even darker. If he were an animal, he’d be growling at me by now. In fact, I do hear a rumbling sound, although I’m not entirely sure because of the breeze rustling the leaves of the trees.

My nemesis sets a foot on the dark ice surface. He looks totally unsure of himself, and I wonder if he’s never been on natural ice before. I spent half my childhood on frozen ponds like this one. The ice is thick enough for safety which anyone who grew up here should know.

That consideration sparks another recollection of the rumors that were going around at school about him. Supposedly, Hovenberg’s father had his own little ice rink built for his son on their property, and if that’s true, it must have cost a fortune! My family is one of the richest in the country, but when I once suggested to my grandparents that instead of the tennis courts which nobody used, we could build an ice rink, my grandpa’s reply was to flip me the bird.

Hovenberg puts his second foot on the ice eventually and stands there in his white moon boots, his legs spread wide. His posture looks off. I can’t read it for sure, but I wonder whether he’s getting ready to pounce on me, or if he’s just damn scared and trying not to show it.

Then the pinecone shoots across the ice toward me. I stop it with my right foot and shoot it back to Hovenberg. This goes back and forth a few times, but Hovenberg doesn’t move from the edge of the pond.

Is he really that scared?

Until now, I’d made sure the cone always landed at the feet of my impromptu playmate. Now, I decide to make this more of a challenge. I kick the pinecone past him towards an imaginary goal behind him, but Hovenberg skillfully intercepts the cone and flips it back to me just as I did to him. It’s like being back at school as we try to outdo each other.

My mood lifts as we play. It was fun playing on the ice by myself, but it’s definitely more fun with two, and the longer we play, the more I forget who I’m having fun with. Forget that I actually hate him. Forget everything that stands between us.

My winter boots are being tested to their limits and my breath is coming out in gasps when all of a sudden, the pinecone flies toward me at an unexpected angle. Without a second thought, I dart to the right and jump to prevent the cone from sailing into my goal, but the ice gives way to snow, and I stumble over the edge of the pond and land in a soft pile. The breath is momentarily knocked out of me by the shocking cold that spreads over my face and trickles down my collar, then laughter takes over.

When was the last time I had this much fun?

I turn onto my back slowly but when I do, the laughter dies in my throat.

I’m alone!

The makeshift ice rink is deserted.

About the Author

The Austrian bestselling author Koko Klein lives with her husband, son, and two crazy cats in the heart of Vienna’s historic city center. She loves to walk on roads kings were already travelling centuries ago. When she’s not busy coming up with new stories (once again failing to sleep because of them), she plays the piano (until her son has had enough of classical music), devours books (until the cats need to be petted right now), or plays board games (until her husband prefers to switch on the PlayStation).

Author Links

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one of three ebooks from the author’s backlist

RECENT RELEASE: “Specimen” by C. Quince.

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:March 24, 2025
Post category:Gay Book Promotions New Release
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RECENT RELEASE

Book Title: Specimen

Author: C. Quince

Publisher: Ninestar Press

Cover Artist: HolBat

Release Date: March 11, 2024

Tense/POV: third person/past tense/alternating POV

Genre: MM paranormal/alien/sci-fi romance

Themes: Enemies to lovers, mystery, thriller, action adventure, spies, frenemies, forced proximity, colleagues

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 105 000 words/ 300 pages

It is the first book of a series.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger as the mysteries are ongoing,

but the couple are solidly together.

NineStar Press | Universal Link

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A former US Marine and a British M16 Intelligence agent find more in common than attraction.

Blurb

David Cortez, a decorated US Marine, is now on the run from his own government after escaping a top-secret CIA lab when an experimental medical procedure turned sour.

While lying low in Mexico, an assassin sent from British Intelligence tracks him down. However, Sonny from MI6, a British-Iranian with a cockney accent, offers David a choice: join his team, or be killed.

David chooses to work with Sonny, not only because he wants his life back, but because he feels a kinship with the man.

They’re also both in the unique position of being the only living test subjects with alien DNA in their blood. Could that explain the strong attraction between them?

Excerpt

Sonny opened the brief. Inside, the first page was stamped TOP SECRET in big letters, which always made him want to laugh, along with the usual disclaimers typed out manually from a typewriter. Sonny breezed past all that and looked at the mission itself. What he saw was a collected file on one man: former US Marine, last known employment in private security. The collected photos were from past ID’s like Marine Corps and the DMV, and included some candids and hospital patient logs.

Handsome guy, Sonny thought idly. Tan skin, short brown hair, a strong jawline. Sonny was unsure of the guy’s ethnicity until he clocked the name.

“The file is Sergeant David Luis Cortez,” Shepherd said. “US Marines scout sniper.” She sat down at the opposite end of the table to Guv. “Peak physical health while on duty,” she went on. “Loyal. Follows orders. Impressive stats. Fifty-two confirmed kills, one of which being a one-and-a-half-mile sniper shot from a thirty-storey window.”

Sonny felt equally annoyed and impressed to hear that. He was the trick shot in this division, and he didn’t need another hotshot coming for his wig.

“Served in Afghanistan, Sudan, and South America, as well as several black ops missions. Honourable discharge, moved onto private security and diplomatic detail,” Shepherd went on. “Assigned to US diplomat Philip Sherman, thwarted an assassination attempt, but fell victim to poisoning from thallium sulphate.”

Sonny leafed through the hospital files. These medical records were official, along with a copy of the death certificate.

Sonny guessed what had happened before Shepherd confirmed it: they had another resurrected government experiment on their hands. Sonny should know; he was one himself.

“His condition in civilian hospital deteriorated,” Shepherd explained. “Through an Army connection, Cortez was recommended for special medical trials, codenamed Trial X. His first round of tests proved successful, when not many subjects pass that stage…” She glanced up pointedly. “As we well know.”

Sonny kept quiet and lifted his cup to take a sip. The slurp was noisy in the quiet room.

Guv gave Sonny a warning look. Sonny stopped slurping and smirked. He’d made his point. He was a special case who’d survived testing and was worth his weight in gold. He got away with murder on a daily basis.

“So,” Shepherd continued, “the CIA faked Cortez’s death, and moved him to one of their black sites for further testing. Cortez was renamed Specimen X.”

Sonny turned the page and saw copies of top secret CIA medical files, including a colour photo of the poor bastard inside a tank filled with bubbly blue liquid. He was naked except for an oxygen mask over his face and various cables attached to his limbs. The photo cut off below the waist. Sonny, being a thirsty bitch, immediately zeroed in on the man’s toned abs and pecs, and biceps to die for.

Was it uncouth to lust over him in that condition? Probably. Did Sonny care? Not really.

In the photo the man’s eyes were closed. His hair had grown longer than the short army cut, and he also had a beard now. He’d be hot shit, if not for the fact he was stuck inside a human-sized test tube.

“Was it Wallace’s team?” Guv asked Shepherd, referencing a top CIA operative.

“We don’t know for sure,” Shepherd replied. “My mole was tight lipped about the department. But we do know they were working with their own version of Sample A-X, which is why I’ve brought this to the front of our queue. It’s amazing we got as much intel as is, considering their operation was all shut down and relocated after his escape.”

Escape? Sonny perked up at that. Excellent! He loved drama.

He flicked through more of the file, speed-reading reports detailing the subject’s general disorientation after the procedure, then his violent outbursts toward medical staff… But Sonny never trusted a doctor’s word on patients. Who wouldn’t get pissed off after being poked and prodded then shoved in a tank? Sonny could sympathise.

There were some printouts of shots taken from a black-and-white security feed showing the naked (and ripped) subject overpowering several doctors and guards in the lab in order to break down the door and escape.

Sonny felt vicariously proud of the guy.

He probably shouldn’t have smirked over it, because Guv and Shepherd noticed. “I’m glad you think this is amusing, Sonny,” Shepherd said haughtily, “because you’re the one who’s going to track him down.”

About the Author

Quince is a MENA-British author who lives in England, enjoys sci-fi and fantasy, history, and Halloween.

Social Media Links

Website | Facebook | BlueSky | Instagram

BLOG TOUR: “To Tempt a Troubled Earl” by Fearne Hill. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included!

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:March 20, 2025
Post category:Blog Tour Gay Book Promotions
Post comments:0 Comments

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: To Tempt A Troubled Earl

Author: Fearne Hill

Publisher: NineStar Press

Cover Artist: Melody Pond

Release Date: March 4, 2025

Tense/POV: Third person/past tense/alternating POV

Genres: MM Regency Romance

Tropes: Adventure, Enemies to lovers, hurt-comfort, slow burn, opposites attract

Themes: Humorous, aristocracy, scheming shenanigans on the side

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 75 0000 words

It is book 1 in a new series. It does not end on a cliffhanger.

The next book is out later this year

Buy Links

Nine Star Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

A devil’s bargain, an uneasy alliance.

Blurb

A chancer and a rogue, Kit Angel is down on his luck. Presenting himself at Rossingley Hall in the dead of night, he begs an audience with the eleventh earl, the most enigmatic nobleman in Regency England.

The visit has purpose. Kit, hungry to ruin the lord who ruined his sister, believes Rossingley is the only man who can help him.

Lando Duchamps-Avery, eleventh earl of Rossingley, doesn’t trust the sinfully handsome stranger one bit. He does not care for the tales he spins, his hot temper, or his thick, ebony curls. And, most definitely, he is not in thrall to the delicious golden hoop dangling from Kit Angel’s left ear. Lando has his own motivations to ruin the same lord, and the two men form an uneasy alliance.

As the dangerous plot they hatch unfurls, the suspicious earl and the shady scoundrel are increasingly thrown together. Whilst the wily earl gradually surrenders to his growing attraction, Kit can’t make up his mind if he wants to swive him, declare undying love for him, or throttle him.

Bit by bit, as mutual desire swells between them, Kit wins over the earl’s body, his passion, and his trust.

But in order to win the earl’s elusive heart? The scoundrel must risk losing everything

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

ROSSINGLEY ESTATE, SUMMER, 1821

“You have visitors, my lord.”

Inglis floated across the eleventh Earl of Rossingley’s sleepy eyeline, looking peevish. Lando swore the man had silken castors in place of feet. With white-gloved hands clasped together in front of his vexed frame, his head butler awaited his response.

“And you have chosen to disturb me about this because…” Lando tilted his balloon of brandy this way and that, playing the flickering candlelight against the delicately engraved crystal. That the evening was late was an irrelevance. He and his butler were of the same accord; visitors at any time of day were unusual, unwarranted, and unwelcome.

“A Mr Christopher Angel, my lord. And his sister, Miss Anne. The young man says it’s important.”

One of a pair, the balloon glass had been a gift from dear Charles. “I know of no one named Angel. Begging the question ‘important for whom’?”

“He didn’t make that distinction, my lord,” admitted Inglis. “But he gave the impression the matter is somewhat urgent.”

Lando took a warming sip of brandy. The drink of the damned. He didn’t especially care for it, but he fancied it lent him a louche, philosophic air. “What is urgent is seldom important, Inglis,” he deemed, pleased with his wisdom. Rousseau himself might make a similar pronouncement. “If it’s alms he’s after, toss him a half-crown, some cold meats, and send him on his way.”

The gloved hands wrung together. “I did try that, my lord. But he’s…ah…more insistent than our usual callers, and neither is he a pauper. And…” Inglis paused. Never let it be said the butler couldn’t milk a drama. “He…he mentioned one of his close relations. His uncle. One…ah…a former cavalry officer sadly no longer with us, God rest his soul.”

As Inglis made the sign of the cross, Lando took another, more contemplative sip. So many good men had fallen during the wars in France, and a chap struggled to keep up. “Oh, yes?”

Inglis cleared his throat. “Yes. A…ah…Captain Charles Prosser, my lord.”

Like rancid vinegar, the fine liquor soured on the earl’s tongue. He fought to swallow it down. Perhaps he should have stuck to port after dinner. Maybe it would have better softened the dull ache now swelling behind his rib cage. Captain Prosser. His dearest Charles, his lover. His heart.

Lando didn’t make his older lover’s acquaintance until after the wars, from which Charles returned hale and hearty. But where French bayonets and the battlefields of Trafalgar had failed, the insidious wasting disease prevailed. An annoying tickle became a cough, a cough tinged with blood. Slowly, inexorably, his lover faded away, their time together, in all of its perfection, too brief. A life only half lived; a conversation forever unfinished. Lando, not daring to be at Charles’s bedside at the end, heard the news of his passing from a mutual friend some two weeks after his lover had been buried beneath Kentish loamy earth.

Three long years ago. Yet even now, at unprepared moments such as this—and was there ever such a thing as a prepared one?—that name still had a powerful hold upon the eleventh earl. If Inglis hadn’t broken the crushing silence, it might have persisted well into the night.

“I have taken the liberty of passing the young man’s sister over to Mrs Sugden, my lord. The girl is in a state of great distress. And I have shown her brother to the small parlour. He’s…ah…not fit for the library.”

Inglis’s waspish voice sounded as if coming from an awfully long way away. “My lord might wish to be more suitably attired before receiving him?”

Tipping back his fair head, Lando forced another swallow of fiery amber liquid. For a second or two, it threatened to reappear, then he pulled himself together. Ridiculous. Three years gone and one mention of Charles turned him into a limp dishrag. Well, it was high time it didn’t. Time to make a clean breast of things. Time to stop bloody moping. Charles would have hated him squandering his salad days drinking alone and brooding in front of a dying fire.

He cast his gaze down his spare frame. Fussy Inglis might wish him more suitably attired, but Lando gave not a fig. As purportedly one of the richest men in England, Lando could host a ball clad in only his underclothes, and the ton would declare it the latest fashion in Paris. He pinned Inglis to the spot with his pale eyes.

“I’m decent. Uninvited callers find me as I am, or not at all. As you damned well know.”

About the Author

Fearne Hill resides far from the madding crowds in the county of Dorset, deep in the British countryside. She likes it that way.

Her queer romance, Two Tribes, was a finalist in the 2023 Lambda Literary Awards.

Author Links

Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub

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one of five copies of Two Tribes

(nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in 2023)

BLOG TOUR: “The Lake House Massacre” by Chris Bedell. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included!

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:March 17, 2025
Post category:Blog Tour Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited
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BLOG TOUR

Book Title: The Lake House Massacre

Author: Chris Bedell

Publisher: Baynam Books

Cover Artist: Christy Aldridge

Release Date: January 20, 2025

Tense/POV: Third Person, Past Tense

Genres: YA LGBTQ Horror/Thriller (the main character is a bisexual male)

Themes: Forgiveness vs Revenge, Trust

Length: 30 000 words/172 pages

Heat Rating: 2 flames

It’s a standalone book. A sequel (Mother Mania) is coming out in March.

There is a mild cliffhanger, but it wraps things up for the most part. The door is left open for the sequels. But a lot of questions get answers.

Note from author: This book isn’t a romance book. But Tate’s ex-boyfriend, Nick, is a part of the plot. I can’t say much because of spoilers. Although I want to make it clear this isn’t a romance story because I don’t want people to expect a happy ending for Tate and Nick. It’s a horror/thriller story first and foremost.

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

18-year-old high school senior Tate Robinson and his friends are spending Winter Break at Tate’s family’s lake house. But there’s a serial killer on the loose.

Blurb

18-year-old Tate Robinson should focus on having a relaxing winter break with his friends. Their parents all agreed to let them spend several days at Tate’s family’s lake house without adult supervision. Instead, someone wearing a scarecrow mask stabs Tate’s friend, Elijah, on the second day of the trip. Tate narrowly escapes the killer when he flees the woods and runs back to the house, rejoining his friends. To complicate matters, everyone discovers their smartphones are missing. Therefore, they can’t call for help. Their phones were the only technology they brought because the trip was supposed to be a break from Senior Year stress.

Everyone remains at the lake house. At least temporarily. The body count starts rising after Elijah’s death, though. So, if Tate and company want to survive the trip, they must uncover who’s after them. And quickly.

Furthermore, Tate must deal with his former fling, Nick, who tagged along by showing up at the lake house uninvited. Tate and Nick were supposed to be taking a break…they wanted different things. Tate hoped to keep their relationship casual because he was afraid of getting his heart broken. Meanwhile, Nick craved a real relationship. But just because Tate and Nick could reconcile doesn’t mean they should reunite. With a killer on the loose, Tate can’t be too careful about who he trusts.

Excerpt

Tate walked away from Nick, then grabbed his jean jacket on the rack by the door. The wind howled, stinging Tate’s face once Tate left the house. So much for Elijah claiming it wasn’t cold. Tate should’ve realized that Elijah downplayed the temperature.

Snow crunched under Tate’s sneakers while he shuffled towards the woods. Nick could make breakfast, which he all wanted, but when Tate returned to the house with Elijah, he demanded that Nick go. If redirecting Nick’s focus didn’t work, Tate would try another strategy. He wouldn’t give up until Nick left. That simple.

“Everything okay?” Tate asked after trekking deeper in the woods. He just found where Elijah was. And Tate had no idea why Elijah would be staring at a tree.

Elijah whirled his body around. “Just wanted some time to myself.”

“No problem.” Tate huffed, breath becoming visible once he exhaled. “But are you certain everything’s fine?”

“No. But it will be.”

Tate glared at Elijah.

“Don’t give me that look. Nothing’s wrong. I just have a crush.”

“Care to share?”

Tate didn’t care about seeming nosey. Being best friends meant they could discuss anything with each other. Tate might even be able to help Elijah. Having a disastrous love life didn’t mean Tate couldn’t be there for his friends. He would. Perhaps his strained dynamic with Nick might provide insight to help Elijah with his current romantic problem. Just a thought, anyway.

“I like Sydney as more than a friend.” Elijah tucked his hands into his jacket pockets.

Tate gaped. “Wow.”

Elijah blushed. “Please don’t say anything to her.”

“I won’t.”

“I’m serious, Tate.”

While Tate understood that awkward stomach feeling better than anyone else, he didn’t need Elijah hassling him. Tate had nothing to gain from outing Elijah’s secret. Doing so wouldn’t have benefited Tate. Spilling personal secrets was also a shitty thing to do. And Tate would never stoop that low. Not ever.

Tate beamed at Elijah. “You have my word.”

“Good.”

“Do you plan on telling her how you feel?” Tate asked.

“I was hoping to be alone with her sometime during the trip. Just don’t know where even to begin.”

“I’m sure you’ll find the right words.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“How are things with Nick?” Elijah asked.

Tate shouldn’t have been shocked by Elijah’s question. If Elijah’s love life could be dissected, then Tate imagined his romantic life would be scrutinized, too. Only fair. Being asked a question didn’t mean Tate had to answer it. Not if he didn’t want to.

A lump lingered in Tate’s throat. “Don’t ask.”

“Okay then.”

“I wasn’t saying that to be snarky. I was being serious.”

“I’m sure everything will work itself out. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, situations usually seem worse than they are.”

“Maybe.” Tate’s teeth chattered. Perhaps visiting his family’s lake house during winter wasn’t the smartest idea.

Tate’s heart thumped louder and faster. Something stole his attention from the corner of his eye. More specifically, someone. A person wearing a scarecrow mask stood behind Elijah. But someone wearing a disguise wasn’t why Tate’s pulse hadn’t slowed down. Sunlight glinting against the metal object the stranger held was why sweat coated Tate’s brow.

Tate screamed. “Behind you, Elijah!”

Elijah spun around, back now towards Tate. The person in the scarecrow mask lunged forward, stabbing Elijah in the throat. Blood spurted from the top of Elijah’s neck before he collapsed.

A bright red color stained the snow near Elijah’s head.

Disbelief swelled inside Tate. Someone couldn’t have murdered one of his best friends—the idea was unfathomable to Tate. Yet the dread coursing through his veins remained as palpable as the desperation from Nick during their earlier argument in the kitchen.

So, Tate had two options.

Fight the person who killed Elijah. Or run.

About the Author

Chris Bedell is the author of over twenty small press books. He also graduated with a B.A. in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2016.

Author Link

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one of two ebook copies of my YA LGBTQ novel The Killing Game. It’s another teen slasher novel.