Book Blast

BOOK BLAST: “Finding Sarah” by Aprille Caniff

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Finding Sarah

Author: Aprille
Canniff

Publisher: Fulton
Books

Release Date: August 26,
2021

Genre: Romance, F/F Romance

Tropes: Trauma, New Girl in Town

Themes: Internal Struggle, Relationship, Love

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 60 000 words/ 187
pages

The book ends on a
cliffhanger. There is a follow-on book
coming.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

The past has left her
scarred and broken, but does she have the strength to risk her heart on the
future?

Blurb

When Sarah steps off the plane in Provincetown, she has
only one goal—to leave the past behind her. As she begins her journey of rediscovering

herself, she meets one of the town’s deputies under less-than-ideal circumstances but soon
finds herself drawn to her in ways she knows she can’t allow.

Deputy Catrina Diaz loves her job, her family, and her
friends, which is why she became a deputy to begin with, to keep her town and those she
loves safe. When she crosses paths with Sarah, a newcomer to town, she finds herself
wanting more than Sarah is wanting to give.

Sarah fights hard to find herself as the past keeps finding
new ways to haunt her. As their relationship grows, will the secrets Sarah is hiding, secrets
that Cat realizes everyone knows but her, finally pull them apart? Can Sarah trust Cat
enough to overcome her past and the insecurities it has caused and take a chance on the
one thing she thought she could never have again-love?

Excerpt

Grateful for the privacy, Sarah sat down, facing Cat on the
couch. “Cat, I don’t want you to think…” Sarah paused, struggling to find the words to
explain.

“What? That you’re avoiding me?” Cat reached over and
took Sarah’s hand, their fingers automatically intertwining. “Sarah, I like you. I like spending
time with you.”

Sarah was overcome with sadness. “Cat, we can’t.”

“Give me one good reason why.”

A tear slid down her cheek as she spoke the simple truth
that had consumed her since she had met Cat. “Because I’m broken, and you deserve
better.”

Cat reached over and gently wiped the errant tear away
from Sarah’s cheek. “We are all broken in some way, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help
each other to heal.”

Sarah shook her head, frustrated for what she wanted and
for what she could never have. “Cat, you don’t understand.”

“No, I don’t, but I’m willing to wait until you are ready to
tell me. Until then…” Cat leaned forward and gently, almost shyly, placed a soft kiss on
Sarah’s lips. The feel of Sarah’s lips flooded her senses and filled her with a warmth so
intense she finally understood what all the romance novels were talking about. She
understood what it meant to fall with one simple kiss. “I want to spend time getting to know
the Sarah you are wanting to become.”

Sarah did her best to fight back and hide the feelings she
had for Cat, but that kiss, how could she hold back now? That one simple kiss tore down the
walls she had built to protect herself and others. She had to do what was right and stop this
before it got out of control, but what her mind wanted was overridden by her heart,
surprising even herself. “Cat, I don’t know if I could handle you walking away if you find out
what happened to me. I’m telling you, it’s horrible, and it’s not something you can
unsee.”

It broke Cat’s heart to see the tears that were now flowing
freely down Sarah’s cheeks. She wanted to erase the past and the hurt it had caused her.
Instead, she pulled Sarah into her arms and held her as she cried. “I see you for who you
are, and that’s all that matters. Just give me a chance to prove it to you.”

Sarah wanted to say no because she couldn’t take anymore
hurt or disappointment in her life, but the longer Cat held her, the harder it was to fight.
Finally, she dried her eyes and sat up. “Maybe…”

About the Author

Aprille Canniff retired from
the military after 24 years of service and has deployed to multiple Middle Eastern locations
throughout her military career. She is a full-time Deputy Sheriff who loves her job and
wakes up every morning ready for another day. Her passions include fishing as a catch and
release type girl and hiking with her wife. Her two cats determine the pace of her future
books so she never gives a timeline for completion.

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BOOK BLAST: “Wicked Lovely: The Black Blade Chronicles, Book 1” by J.K. Hogan. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included!

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Wicked Lovely (The Black Blade Chronicles, Book
1)

Author: J.K.
Hogan

Publisher: Euphoria
Press

Cover Artist: J.K. Hogan @
www.wickedpixeldesigns.com

Release Date: October 12,
2021

Genre: M/M Fantasy Romance

Tropes: Enemies to lovers

Themes: Adventure/quest (kind of Game of Thrones-esque but
queer)

Heat Rating: 4
flames

Length: 90 000
words

It is the first book in the
series and not a standalone story. There will be an
HEA over a three-book arc. The first book isn’t quite a cliffhanger, more of a
to be continued ending.

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle
Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

A new series that
combines the adventure and magic of epic fantasy with the enchantment of

romance

Blurb

Darkness grows in the realm of Taleth. To the west, a
power-hungry despot schemes to conquer kingdoms and territories alike by chasing an
ancient elven prophecy that could give him the power to rule all. In the east, after a prince’s
murder goes years unanswered, a princess learns there was much more to her brother’s
death—and to her life—than she realized.

The House of Kjenelach is shaken to its foundation when
Princess Sigrid is stolen away. Her faithful guardian, Sir Senne Clayward, reluctantly accepts
help from his nemesis, a notorious halfling mercenary of questionable morals—but
indispensable tracking skills—called Kasimir vas Hjardar.

Kasimir makes his living hunting monsters, both creatures
and men. While he exists outside the law, he lives by his own unassailable code of honor. At
the top of that list: never harm a child. When he turns down a contract to kidnap Sigrid and
later finds out she was taken by someone else, he offers his help to the prickly knight tasked
with protecting her.

Together, they embark upon a journey across the continent
to save Sigrid and foil King Prosper’s plans to conquer Taleth. The way is fraught with
dangers and pitfalls, from supernatural beasts to Senne’s deathly fear of magic, but they
must not fail, for Sigrid may very well be the savior of the realm: the long prophesied
Aisnellach Fuil. Somehow, the two men must set their differences aside and work together
to rescue Sigrid, and possibly find love along the way.

About the Author

J.K. Hogan has been telling
stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for
her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, she found her true
passion. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her
stories as she writes them.

J.K. resides in North Carolina
with her husband, two sons, and their pets. If she isn’t writing, J.K. can be found designing
book covers at Wicked Pixel Designs, creating fiber art and supplies at Earthbound Fiber Arts
watching Hurricanes Hockey and, of course, reading!

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter

Instagram | Amazon | Pinterest

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BOOK BLAST: “Dancing Before the Crash” by C.C. Everhill. $20.00 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway Included!

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Dancing Before the Crash

Author: C.C.
Everill

Publisher: Self-published in
conjunction with Ronni Sanlo Literary (www.ronnisanlo.com)

Cover Artist: Barbara
Gottlieb (gottgraphix.com)

Release Date: April 25,
2021

Genre: Memoir

Trope: Friends and lovers

Themes: Gay life 1977-1989

Heat Rating: 4
flames

Length: 72 388 words/386
pages

It is a standalone book and
does not end on a cliffhanger

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Imagine finding someone’s
diary – would you read it?

Blurb

In 1977, a 22-year-old man moved to NYC to pursue his
dream. His journal tells of his romances, friendships, clubbing while attempting to “make it”

in the big city. The author’s diary takes us from the early days of the 1970’s disco era
through the devastating AIDS epidemic. If you lived through this era or are interested in
LGBTQ+ history, this book offers insight from a survivor.

Excerpt

Sunday, April 26, 1981

It is now 3:30 a.m. and I’m not able sleep. I can’t stop thinking about last Sunday, which was
Easter, so I thought I would get up and write about it.

Jesse was changing into his bellmen’s uniform when I entered the locker room on Saturday
before work. He was in a chatty mood and said the rash had disappeared.

“I have an idea. How about if you come home with me tonight and then tomorrow, we can
spend Easter together?”

What a surprise! I accepted.

Easter was delightful. We walked the dogs to the Village and had brunch on The Patio. After
eating, we walked back to Jesse’s apartment and got high while drinking beer on the roof. It
was a warm sunny day and since we were both slightly sweating, we took showers before
leaving for work.

That was a week ago. Our first night of sleeping together since the night we partied at The
Saint. Tonight, while we were in line at the cafeteria, Gerald the server commented that he
constantly sees us together.

“That’s because we’re both the same age and from Colorado and worked together at
another job.” Jesse explained.

I wanted to add that we are compatible, sleep together now and then, and enjoy each
other’s company. Instead, I smiled. Don’t want to upset the apple cart.

After work, we smoked a few joints in Central Park and then walked to a nearby diner for a
bite to eat.

P.S. Earlier this week, Jesse invited me to accompany him to his parent’s house in May to
celebrate our birthdays.

“Oh, that sounds great, but I’m not sure about a trip to Colorado.”

“We’re not going to Colorado. They live in Connecticut, remember? We can rent a car.”

I forgot that his parents lived in Connecticut. We talk so much about being from Colorado.
As I recall, on the first night we met he told me his parents had moved.

Invitation accepted.

About the Author

C.C Everill was born in New
England. He earned a BA in Music and Theatre in the 1970’s. Before moving to NYC, he kept
a diary which was the foundation for “Dancing Before the Crash.” He is now a retired piano
teacher and resides in North America with his husband of 36 years and their three
cats.

Author Links

Twitter |
Instagram

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BOOK BLAST: “Flowers of Flesh and Blood” by Amy Tasukada

BOOK BLAST

Book Title:
The Yakuza Path 5: Flowers of Flesh and
Blood

Author: Amy
Tasukada

Publisher: ‎ Macarons & Tea Publishing

Release Date: May 28, 2020

Genre: gay thriller, NOT ROMANCE

Tropes: Bad boys, tragic hero, unrequited love

Themes: Mafia, betrayal

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 299
pages

It can be read as a standalone
but you get more if it is read as part of the series.

It does not end on a
cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo

Apple Books | B&N | Google Play | Books2Read

A killer. A traitor. A deadly war that could take their love
and their lives…

Blurb

Ruling the Kyoto yakuza makes Nao Murata a perpetual
target, especially with the Koreans encroaching into their territory. An attempt on his life at
his mafia headquarters crosses a line. Setting up his beloved ally Aki as the would-be
assassin crosses another. Nao knows the only way to save his friend’s life is to sever their
growing bond and force Aki to fake his own death…

But Aki Hisona refuses to stay dead. Determined to expose
Nao’s would-be killer and save the man he loves, Aki goes deep undercover in the Korean
underworld. But when he’s asked to prove his loyalty, he risks becoming caught in a web of
his own lies…

With Aki gone and the Kyoto mafia in grave danger, Nao
fears his trust in others could be fatal.

Will Nao and Aki find the traitor in time, or will Nao’s rule
end in bloody chaos?

The Yakuza Path: Flowers of Flesh and Blood
is the powerful fifth installment of
The Yakuza Path thriller series. If you like gritty Japanese crime, richly-nuanced
characters, and slow-burning gay romance, then you’ll love Amy Tasukada’s high-octane
novel.

Buy Flowers of Flesh and Blood to slice into the Japanese underworld today!

The Yakuza Path Series

BOOK 1 – Blood Stained Tea

BOOK 2 – Better Than Suicide

BOOK 3 – One Thousand Cranes

BOOK 4 – The Deafening Silence

BOOK 5 – Flowers of Flesh and Blood

BOOK 6 – Wrapped in Screams

Releasing in November

Pre-Order here

Excerpt

Aki closed his fingers around the paper brim of his empty
coffee cup and ripped another small piece off. Without looking, he added it to the pile on
the table. Mindlessly stuck on repeat, he ripped, added, ripped, added, over and
over.

He’d spent the night in the twenty-four-hour Korean café,
trading off between sleeping in the bathroom and eating cake to justify staying. He’d been
hoping to improve his Korean, but the speakers played nothing but pop songs. Aki learned a
million new ways to tell Nao how he felt but doubted he’d gained the right words to impress
Namjoon.

Another rip.

Another one on the pile.

Another turn of the mangled cup… Another rip.

His ribs tightened in his chest, crushing his heart until it
screamed. He didn’t deserve to be by Nao’s side.

Another turn.

Another rip.

Another sugarcoated song about love.

Aki’s thumb hit the bottom of the cup. Nothing more to
tear up but himself.

He stood, bones aching from napping on the bathroom
floor. He needed a bed, and the only way was with Namjoon’s help.

About the Author

International best-selling
author Amy Tasukada writes thrilling times of crime, love, and gore. Readers who crave
diverse characters, unique settings, and edge-of-your-seat action will devour her
Yakuza Path series. Readers who seek less blood and more love will swoon
over the Yakuza Path
Romance and Would it Be Okay to Love You? Series. Amy is an atheist, queer author who enjoys drinking tea,
Japanese street fashion and visual kei music. Her calico cat, O’Hara, is never far from her
side. Amy lives in North Texas, but is always planning her next trip to Japan.

Author Links

Blog/Website
| Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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BOOK BLAST: “The Deafening Silence” by Amy Tasukada

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: The Yakuza
Path: The Deafening Silence (Book 4)

Author: Amy
Tasukada

Publisher: ‎ Macarons & Tea Publishing

Release Date: December 1, 2018

Genre: Gay thriller, NOT ROMANCE

Tropes: Bad boys, tragic hero, unrequited love

Themes: Mafia, betrayal

Heat Rating: 3
flames

Length: 235
pages

It can read as a standalone
but you get more if you follow the series.

The book ends on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo

Apple Books | B&N | Google Play | Books2Read

An unproven alliance. A
broken promise. A mafia boss must shed blood to secure peace…

Blurb

Nao Murata is on the verge of brokering peace between his
syndicate and the Mafufugumi mob. To seal the deal, he’ll need to pick up Russian
prostitutes to appease his newest ally. When the exchange goes sour, both sides draw
blades and Nao has no choice but to care for a blood-soaked enemy. If the man doesn’t
make it through the night, Nao and his crew will pay with their lives.

Outnumbered and stranded in enemy territory, Nao is
forced to fight his way out before the Mafufugumi Godfather takes the deal off the table. As
his wounded enemy’s heartbeat slows, Nao must act fast or condemn his syndicate to a
brutal war.

The Deafening Silence is the fourth book in a series of Japanese mafia thrillers. If you
like twisty action, authentic settings, and a touch of gay romance, then you’ll love Amy
Tasukada’s pulse-pounding series.

Buy The Deafening Silence to immerse yourself in a bloody mafia
tale today!

The Yakuza Path Series

BOOK 1 – Blood Stained Tea

BOOK 2 – Better Than Suicide

BOOK 3 – One Thousand Cranes

BOOK 4 – The Deafening Silence

BOOK 5 – Flowers of Flesh and Blood

BOOK 6 – Wrapped in Screams

Releasing in November

Pre-Order here

Excerpt

A car’s engine accelerating pulled Aki’s attention away from
the phone. His eyes grew wide as a red Ferrari 458 pulled up in front of him. The sculpted
body and raised headlights on the fenders sent a shiver down Aki’s spine. He was in
love.

The door opened, and Shinji stepped out wearing tight
black jeans and a red plaid coat with a few more zippers than necessary to give it a rocker
vibe. But that car!

“You like it?” Shinji asked, gesturing to the sweetest ride
Aki had been able to get close to in a long time.

“Like it?” Aki ran his hand across the warm hood. “I’m
ready to propose.”

Shinji leaned over beside Aki and tapped the hood. “She
does have one hell of a purr when she’s hot.”

Shinji’s red jacket rode up and revealed jeans hugging his
ass like a second skin. He was showing off, but at the same time, Aki didn’t mind. If Nao
could sleep with some Russian bastard, Aki could stare at the ass of an attractive guy with an
even hotter car.

“You want to drive?” Shinji tossed the keys to Aki, who
caught them in one hand.

“You mean it?”

“I don’t tease—at least not outside the bedroom.”

No other keys ever felt like they belonged in his hand. Aki
shoved the briefcase in the back and slid into the driver’s seat. He brushed his hands over
the fine leather detail. His fingers were made for the steering wheel.

“I always wanted to drive something like this.”

Shinji got beside him. “Murata doesn’t let you drive his
flashy cars?”

Aki laughed. “Domestic brands aren’t known for their
looks.”

“Jun told us he didn’t buy things not made by Japanese
companies, but I didn’t believe him.”

“It’s true—everything from cars to suits. The only foreign
thing he touches is his tea.”

“And a good hooker.”

Aki slammed on the gas, peeling out onto the
street.

“Show-off.” Shinji grinned.

Aki asked, “Where’s the pawn shop?”

Shinji grabbed on to the door and let out a small laugh.
“Good thing we have a deal with the cops.”

“Really? I’ve had a hard time getting ahold of Jun.”

“You have to ask the right person.”

“I see. Who’s the right person?”

“I forgot his name since I just deal with our Russia
allies.”

Aki floored the accelerator, speeding through a changing
light. “Father Murata is disappointed he hasn’t been released yet.”

“Don’t worry. We don’t want to raise suspicion. He’ll be
released by the time we get back from the exchange with the Russians.”

More like get done holding Jun hostage. Nao was right.
Something was off about the whole trip.

Aki slowed to a stop at a red light. The engine purred as if
crying to be set free. Sports cars weren’t meant to be stuck idling.

Shinji pointed. “It’ll be a right at the next light.”

Shinji’s hair fell in his eyes, and he swept it back. Even with
the coat, his biceps bulged. Nao kept his muscles lean, refining them in a boxing ring rather
than lifting weights like Shinji must’ve done to get them so large.

Aki licked his lips. Both were appealing in their own way.
Shinji probably would look hotter pinning Aki’s hands above his head and would have much
more power behind each of his slamming thrusts. He could imagine the marks left on his
back from being banged against the wall. Shinji could mark his body anyway he wanted. A
small moan left the back of Aki’s throat, and if Shinji had heard it, he thankfully didn’t react,
but Aki’s body had.

He blamed it on the car and the way it vibrated when they
stopped. Not the fact that Shinji was objectively the hottest guy who’d ever hit on him
before. Aki hadn’t just imagined what sex with him would be like for a full light
change.

The light switched to green and Aki peeled out, hoping it
would distract Shinji enough not to notice the bulge growing in Aki’s trousers.

About the Author

International best-selling
author Amy Tasukada writes thrilling times of crime, love, and gore. Readers who crave
diverse characters, unique settings, and edge-of-your-seat action will devour her
Yakuza Path series. Readers who seek less blood and more love will swoon
over the Yakuza Path
Romance and Would it Be Okay to Love You? Series. Amy is an atheist, queer author who enjoys drinking tea,
Japanese street fashion and visual kei music. Her calico cat, O’Hara, is never far from her
side. Amy lives in North Texas, but is always planning her next trip to Japan.

\

Author Links

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| Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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BOOK BLAST: “You’ll be fine” by Jen Michalski. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included!

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: You’ll Be Fine

Author: Jen
Michalski

Publisher: NineStar
Press

Cover Artist: Natasha
Snow

Release Date: August 2,
2021

Genres: Contemporary F/F Romance, Family comedy, trans
character

Tropes: Comedy of errors, love triangle

Theme: Forgiveness

Heat Rating: 2 flames

Length: 77 900 words/ 343
pages

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

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Publisher | B&N

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Second chances don’t


mean repeating the same mistakes

Blurb

After Alex’s mother passes away, Alex takes leave from her
job as a writer for a lifestyle magazine to return home to Maryland and join her brother
Owen, a study in failure to launch, in sorting out their mother’s whimsical, often
self-destructive, life.

While home, Alex plans to profile Juliette Sprigg, an Eastern
Shore restaurant owner and celebrity chef in the making who Alex secretly dated in high
school. And when Alex enlists the help of Carolyn, the editor of the local newspaper, in
finding a photographer for the article’s photo shoot, Alex struggles with the deepening,
tender relationship that blossoms between them as well.

To complicate matters, Alex and Owen’s “Aunt” Johanna,
who has transitioned to a woman, offers to come from Seattle to help with arrangements,
and all hell breaks loose when she announces she is actually Alex and Owen’s
long-estranged father. Can Alex accept her mother and father for who they are, rather than
who she hoped they would be? And can Alex apply the same philosophy to herself?

“An enjoyable story about an adult trying to grow up.” –
Kirkus Reviews

 

 

Excerpt

The last time she’d seen Juliette was high school
graduation. They hadn’t spoken for weeks, and their last names—Sprigg and
Maas—ensured they’d be nowhere near each other in the audience of graduating seniors.
Alex had told Owen and her mother to meet her in the parking lot after the ceremony. She
had no intention of lingering in the high school gym, drinking fruit punch and eating sheet
cake emblazoned with GO SENIORS and CONGRATULATIONS with the other kids who’d
treated her like she was some highly contagious lesbian fungus.

She’d gotten through the first row of cars and spotted her
mother in the fourth row, near the exit, leaning against their Subaru. Her mother wore Ray
Bans and a black fedora, her arms crossed like she was the third Blues Brother or had
materialized from some mid-80s new wave music video. As Alex raised her hand to wave to
her, she felt another hand on her shoulder.

“Alex.” It was Juliette’s mother, Barbara Sprigg. She wore a
floral print dress with a ruffled collar. A small crucifix hugged her thick neck. Her hair was
red like Juliette’s but her face ruddier, plastered with freckles. She smiled. “You’re in a hurry!

Congratulations!”

“Thanks.” Alex glanced over Mrs. Sprigg’s shoulder, saw
Juliette, still in her graduation gown, lagging behind with her father and little sister. “My
mom is taking us out to dinner.”

“Oh, I won’t keep you.” Mrs. Sprigg said, clasping Alex’s
forearm as she did so. “You haven’t been by the house for a long time—Juliette says you’ve
been so busy getting ready for Swarthmore. I’m sure your mother is so proud.”

“Uh huh.” Alex nodded. “I know Juliette is excited to go to
Eastern Shore State.”

“Well, she’s⎯” Mrs. Sprigg glanced over her shoulder,
“never been much of the academic type. I’m just glad I taught her to bake.”

“It’s a shame they didn’t let you guys supply the cakes.”
Juliette’s mother ran a bake shop in town. Even now, she smelled faintly of sugar and
frosting.

“Well, they wanted some asinine discount,” Mrs. Sprigg
snorted. “Because Juliette is a student. Fine, but a 50% discount?”

“It was very nice to talk to you.” Alex tugged her arm away
gently. “But I’ve got to go.”

“Is everything okay at home now, dear?” Mrs. Sprigg
looked in the direction of the Subaru.

“Yes, why?” Alex glanced at Juliette again, her dark red hair,
the few strands that stuck to her lip gloss. Alex wondered if the lip gloss smelled like mint, or
strawberry. She wondered how Juliette’s hair would feel splayed between her fingers at that
moment.

“Okay. I’m glad.” Mrs. Sprigg nodded, and Alex wondered
what Juliette had told her. There was a lot, she thought, she could tell Mrs. Sprigg about
Juliette.

They embraced, a half, light, back-patting hug, their cheeks
brushing.

“Stay away from my daughter,” Mrs. Sprigg murmured into
Alex’s ear. Then, as if nothing happened, Mrs. Sprigg waved vigorously and went to join the
rest of the Spriggs. Stunned, Alex watched them walk toward their Buick. Before they
reached it, Juliette turned her head, her mouth parted, her eyes searching Alex’s. Alex
wondered, for a moment, if she had been too hasty, too harsh, to Juliette, if there was
something salvageable between them.

No, she decided. Her life after high school would be
awesome, and she wouldn’t remember Juliette any more than their high school mascot or
her mom’s boyfriend Lewis. She held up her hand to Juliette, as if to wave. Instead, she gave
her the finger and joined Owen and her mother at the other side of the parking lot.

“Did you just flip someone off?” Her mother lowered her
sunglasses. Her hazel eyes bored into Alex with an unwavering intensity of a gamma ray. “At
graduation?”

“It was Juliette,” Alex murmured, shaking her head. In her
new life, she would be more mature. She felt fears in her eyes. “I shouldn’t have. I
just—”

“Are you kidding?” Her mother grabbed Alex by the
shoulders and looked up at her. She grinned. Alex noted her mother had borrowed her
lipstick. “I’m more proud of that than your stupid diploma.”

Her mother pulled a pack of Benson & Hedges out of
her dark cotton blazer with the rolled-up sleeves and tapped out a cigarette.

“Smoke?” She held out the pack to Alex. “You’re almost
eighteen.”

Alex shook her head. “I don’t want lung cancer.”

“Your choice.” Her mother shrugged, lighting hers. She took
a drag, then exhaled with a flourish. “Welcome to adulthood.”

 

About the Author

Jen Michalski is the author of
three novels, The Summer She Was Under Water, The Tide King (both Black Lawrence Press),
and You’ll Be Fine (NineStar Press), a couplet of novellas entitled Could You Be With Her
Now (Dzanc Books), and three collections of fiction. Her work has appeared in more than
100 publications, including Poets & Writers, The Washington Post, and the Literary
Hub, and she’s been nominated for the Pushcart Prize six times. She lives in Carlsbad,
California, with her partner and dog.

Author Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter
Giveaway for a chance to win

one of five
ebooks/paperback copies of You’ll Be Fine

(reader’s choice)

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BOOK BLAST: “CLUBBED: A Story of Gay Love: Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs” by Robert A. Karl. $25.00 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Included!

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: CLUBBED: A Story of Gay Love: Trials, Tribulations and
Triumphs

Author: Robert A.
Karl

Publisher: Robert A.
Karl

Cover Artist: Hussnain
Designz

Release Date: April 13,
2021

Genre: Gay Historical Fiction

Themes: Coming Out, LGBTQ+ Community, Gay Club Life, Marriage
Equality, AIDS

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 74 547 words/ 246
pages

This is the first book in a
planned series of three. It does end on a
cliffhanger. This book mostly explores gay life before the AIDS pandemic began. The book
ends just as HIV is beginning to infect the gay community.

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Everyone at the club has a
story, and every story deserves to be told.

Blurb

Sex. Drugs. Lust. Courage. Loyalty. Betrayal. Drag Divas.
Hustlers. Porn. Gogo Boys. Anything is possible at the gay club scene. Even LOVE.

Joey, fresh from the suburbs, gets involved in the gay club
scene in Philadelphia during the late 1970s and early 80s. He shares the stories of a diverse
cast of characters, including his own special love story. Everyone at the club has a story, and
every story deserves to be told.

Excerpt

Once the team meeting was over, everyone left except for
me and Henry. I poured us a couple drinks while he climbed up the steps to the DJ booth,
turning the music up to a blast and starting the light show. He came down with a backpack,
carrying it to the middle of the dance floor, where he started unpacking, spreading a blanket
and a couple of pillows on the floor.

“We gonna sleep here?” I asked innocently, knowing what
his intentions were.

“Maybe,” Henry answered, with a wink. We sat
cross-legged on the blanket, surrounded by music and lights, as I raised my drink and
offered a toast. “To us and our gay sanctuary!” I said, clinking our glasses and drinking up. In
the next instant, Henry was on top of me, tearing at my clothes and grinding into me, kissing
me with the hot passion of youth.

A minute later, I was totally naked, on my stomach, with
Henry on top of me, penetrating me as he sucked on my neck so hard I knew that I’d have a
hot hickey the next day. He started slowly, rhythmically moving his hips as he dug his way
deeper and deeper inside me.

He knew what I liked and how I liked to be treated. He
whispered hoarsely in my ear, grunting earnestly, as he called me his little bitch, his ho, his
pussyboy, telling me that he owned my ass and more.

As he was forcing me to answer “Yes, Sir!” to his questions,
demanding I answer louder and louder each time, we suddenly heard the door to the men’s
room in the back open. Apparently, two of the new bartenders had decided to spend a little
quality time in there, enjoying a quick encounter after everyone else had left. When they
saw what was going on, with Henry dominating me thoroughly, they hurried towards the
exit, giggling the entire way.

“Good night, Boss!” they called out in unison.

“Good night, boys, see you tomorrow,” Henry answered, as
he kept his strong hand tight against my mouth so I could only remain silent.

“You know I’m the real boss, right?”

“Yes, Sir” was my immediate answer, as he shook in
spasms, coming to his climax, seeding me right there on the dance floor.

The grand opening finally arrived at 10 PM the next night. I
made sure that all the team members were in their proper positions, and I made a grand
gesture as I flung open the door – that big beautiful red door – to NOTHING. No one was
there to hit the new club at the very first minute.

“Calm down,” I thought to myself. I had to remind myself
that this is an after hours club, and who really would go to a place like this at 10 PM? The
real action at the regular bars wouldn’t even really get started for another hour at
least.

So the DJ kept spinning up in his booth, along with the
lighting tech controlling the lasers. The bartenders tried to keep themselves busy, wiping
down the bars and rinsing glasses that were already clean.

11 PM, still nothing. I was starting to get a little nervous.
Did we do all this for nothing? I was a small town guy in the big city. Maybe this was a dumb
idea.

Henry came over to talk and he was his usual self, full of
positivity. He told me that he personally knew over 100 guys who had promised to show up
for the first night.

At about 12:15 AM, a group of four guys finally came in
through the door. A feeling of sweet relief came over me that at least we had a few
customers, though I could see the disappointed look on their faces as they realized they
were the only people there. But that quickly changed as guys started to trickle in, slowly at
first, then turning to a steady stream.

By 1:30 AM, the club was more than half full, with the line
of customers waiting to get in getting longer with each passing minute. By the time the bars
in the Gayborhood closed at 2 AM, groups of rowdy, drunken gay men were making their
way a few blocks north, turning our grand opening into a truly grand night for
Sanctuary.

As the night progressed, I was drinking a little too heavily,
getting excited as I watched the crowd from the DJ booth. While it was a mostly white
crowd, I was happy that it wasn’t exclusively white, signaling that an integrated club just
might be acceptable in this town. Despite my drunkenness, I noticed a few details that
surprised me.

About the Author

Robert A. Karl is a native son
of Philadelphia, PA, the City of Brotherly Love. He earned his M.Ed. from Temple University
and worked for the School District of Philadelphia as a teacher and technology specialist for
30 years. He also taught courses in Educational Technology at the Temple University College
of Education.

Losing many friends to the
AIDS pandemic dramatically altered his world. Living in the LGBTQ community provided the
historical background for his first novel. His work is a tribute to the incredible diversity in the
LGBTQ community.

Currently retired and living in
San Juan, PR, he is the proud Gay Dog Dad to Zuna, the Awesome Boston Terrier.

Author Links

Facebook | Instagram | Amazon Author Page

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BOOK BLAST: “Lillian and the Italians” by David Gee

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Lillian and the Italians

Author:  David Gee

Publisher:  The Conrad Press

Cover Artist: Charlotte Mouncey

Release Date:  April 11, 2021

Genres: 1960s Mafia Romance/Romance Thriller

Tropes: Bi-guys and their parents

Themes: Mother comes to terms with finding her son is bisexual

Heat Rating:  2 flames       

Length: 101 000 words/ 366 pages

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

Goodreads

Buy Links  

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  

The Conrad Press

Venice, Amalfi – secrets and danger

Blurb

Looking for her wayward son in 1960s Italy, an English widow encounters revelations and begins a dangerous romance.

In Venice Lillian Rutherford meets the ex-gigolo who has shared the last four years of Andrew’s life; his disclosures force her to confront a side of her son that she never suspected – he is bisexual. Going on to Amalfi, she meets the charismatic Prince Massimo Monfalcone, whose gay playboy son is being held to ransom in Corsica with Andrew. Massimo distracts Lillian with his life story: his first wife was murdered in a Sicilian blood-feud; his second wife killed herself because of his infidelity. As they wait for news of their sons, a bond grows between Lillian and the Prince…

Excerpt 

Massimo led her across to a wooden bench overlooking the steps down to the platform of rock and the barely whispering sea. ‘I love this house,’ he said as they sat down, ‘but the Amalfi coast doesn’t have much to offer the boys compared to Sardinia or some of the other jet-set hang-outs. Positano used to be chic but it’s become very touristy.’

‘At their age a touristy place ought to be what they’d want: discotheques and bars.’ 

‘Fausto’s happier in a crypt full of old ledgers, and Fabio prefers to be seen where it’s fashionable to be seen. If he was hanging about in low dives with working-class types and slumming tourists I’d be worried about his security. There’s safety in numbers with his rich society friends, but I do worry that he may acquire a taste for dangerous vices.’

Lillian took a deep breath that owed nothing to the steps. She said: ‘I hope Andrew won’t be a bad influence on him.’

Massimo stared deep into her eyes. He said: ‘On the contrary, he may be a better influence than some of the crowd he usually hangs around with. Your son has a certain amount of culture and sophistication. Perhaps some of that will rub off on Fabio.’

‘Have you met my son?’

He nodded. ‘At Fabio’s birthday party in Siena last April. I didn’t stay long, I didn’t want to spoil his fun with his young friends, but, yes, I met Andrew. He has a lot of charm and although he pretends to be shallow and cynical, I could see that he was a man of sensitivity and deep feelings underneath.’ He paused, still looking at her. ‘The sensitivity he gets from you, I’m quite sure. The shallowness is, I think, a thing of his own making. His looks come from his father’s side, I guess, but there’s something that connects you and him just as there is with me and Fabrizio although he’s the image of his mother. That something, that connection, is what has brought you to Italy. I would go to the ends of the earth for either of my sons.’

A driver tooted his impatience on the next headland. Lillian’s eyes were filmed with tears which she managed not to shed. ‘We’re keeping them waiting,’ she said, gesturing at the group of men at the car.

‘They are paid to wait,’ he said bluntly. ‘This is an important moment for you, for us.’ He took her right hand and held it between both of his. ‘Lillian, if you need to cry, you should cry. There can be no shame between us, the parents of two difficult sons.’

Freeing her hand, she took another deep breath. ‘My son is homosexual,’ she said, meeting his penetrating gaze.

‘I know this,’ he said.

‘He’s more than twice the age of your – Fabio.’ The boy’s name was finally fixed in her mind. ‘He may – corrupt him.’

Massimo smiled into her eyes. ‘My dear Lillian, it’s possible that my useless son will “corrupt” Andrew, who has given up the practice of interior design to go sailing with him. My son too seems to be homosexual. Of course at seventeen he may grow out of it, although I think not in his case. It’s a disappointment, but there are worse things he could be.’

‘I can’t think of many,’ said Lillian wretchedly.

He mocked her with a gentle laugh and patted her hands. ‘By the time I was seventeen I’d made love to every available girl in our village as well as some of their mothers and even some of their brothers.’ Lillian, with an effort, managed not to look shocked. ‘I was lucky,’ he continued. ‘Girls were supposed to be virgins until they married, but a surprising number of them were available for the grandson of Don Massimo Monfalcone. For many Sicilian boys to this day homosexual activity is one of the more respectable ways of acquiring a bit of experience before marriage.’

Lillian supposed he was hinting at some form of degeneracy that was thankfully beyond the reach of her imagination. ‘I shouldn’t be telling you this,’ he apologized. ‘I’m trying to make the point that boys do things they mostly grow out of. I did. Andrew apparently hasn’t. Maybe Fabio will, maybe he won’t, but whatever happens I don’t think your son will have much to do with it.’

‘Between you and Carlo I seem to be getting a whole new sexual education at the age of fifty,’ she said.

He laughed again. ‘Is that how old you are? One would never think so.’

About the Author 

David Gee has worked in London and the Persian Gulf. His previous novels include Shaikh-Down and The Bexhill Missile Crisis, a prequel to Lillian and the Italians. He lives on the UK south coast near Brighton. His website and blog are at: www.davidgeebooks.com

Author Links

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