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

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.

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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.

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BLOG TOUR: “Stolen Dream” by Oliver Takely

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Stolen Dream

Author: Oliver Takely

Publisher: MM Romance Press

Cover Artist: Emily’s World of Design

Release Date:  March 5, 2025

Tense/POV: Third person, dual POV

Genres: Contemporary MM Romance

Tropes: Forbidden love, first times, demisexual rep, found family

Themes: Second chance romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 60 000 words        

It is book three of the Soho Knights Series. Books four and five are scheduled in 2025.

The book ends on a cliffhanger for the series, but not for the couple.

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In a world that tried to change them, love becomes their greatest rebellion.

Blurb 

At just eighteen, Paolo and Max meet at a conversion therapy camp. Abandoned by their families. left to endure literal hell on earth, their love is forbidden. Their secret romance grows and as they make plans to escape, they are brutally torn apart.

They both spend the next twelve years building lives in different worlds. Paolo in the vibrant heart of Soho, London, surrounded by his found family, and Max thriving as a successful criminal lawyer in the bustling streets of New York. Both of them believing they’ve lost the love of their life forever.

Max finds himself in London after defending a mobster, which leads to an offer he literally can’t refuse. Needing thinking time before his fate is sealed, he unexpectedly crosses paths with Paolo again. The spark between them reignites, yet their reunion is fraught with challenges, and even the magical backdrop of the holidays may not be enough for them to get their second chance at love. With Paolo’s sister at risk of suffering the same fate they endured, the stakes are even higher.

Stolen Dream is a tale of resilience, forbidden love, and the fight for a future that embraces who they truly are. Will they save Paolo’s sister in time, and can they find a way to be together, against all odds? Join them on this emotional journey of hope and redemption, where stolen dreams may just lead to a love worth fighting for.

Excerpt 

KC greeted Paolo with a big hug when he arrived. She was such a wonderful woman, who had been through more than all his brothers put together. The bravery it took for her to transition in the nineties had Paolo in awe of her.

            “What are you doing here on a Saturday?”

            “I’m meeting an . . . an old friend.”

            “Old boyfriend?” She smiled.

            Paolo felt his face heating. She leant forward and whispered to him.

            “Well, if it’s the guy who just walked in who looks like he wants to eat you, then I think I’ve got my answer.”

            Paolo spun around and there was Max. He hadn’t gotten a proper look last night with the shock. Max had always had a broad build, but now he was built like a rugby player, with wide shoulders and a tapered waist. His hazel eyes were as captivating as they had been twelve years ago. Max smiled at him, showing those perfect dimples in his pinchable cheeks. He was clean-shaven, unlike Paolo who’d had a short beard for the last five years. His face was too babyish when he was clean-shaven.

            “Can I give you a hug?” asked Max.

            Paolo was too choked up, so he just nodded, and Max wrapped his big, muscular arms around him. They were the same height, but even though Paolo had packed on the muscle over the last few years, Max almost smothered him – albeit in a good way. He was wearing a citrusy aftershave, and he could happily stay like this in Max’s arms forever.

            When the hug was bordering on being far too long for a public setting, they pulled apart and both smiled. Paolo gestured to a nearby table he’d claimed when he arrived. He made eye contact with KC, who gave him a warm smile and touched her heart. Paolo rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.

            “Thank you for seeing me,” said Max.

            Was he nervous? This wasn’t how he remembered him. Max had been the strong one when they’d been in the camp. It wasn’t just Paolo who looked up to him; it was everyone. Paolo wasn’t sure what to say. He felt tongue tied, so he grabbed a menu, passing one to Max. He knew the menu by heart, but Max didn’t need to know that.

            “Did you want to get something to eat?” asked Paolo. That was a safe conversation starter.

            “I am always hungry.”

            He smiled, and then a dark shadow appeared in his eyes. It was clear a memory had hit him. One they shared. Paolo needed to get things back on track. Today was not a day to go down memory lane.

            “Everything’s amazing here. KC is the best cook in the world.”

            “That’s a bold claim. I’ll have to let Mason know.”

            “Mason?”

            “He’s a Michelin starred chef in New York.”

            “How do you know him?”

            Max took hold of Paolo’s hand. It felt strange, yet familiar.

            “Mason’s just a friend. I’m not with anyone.”

            “That’s not . . . I didn’t mean . . .” Ugh, why couldn’t he get his words out?

            Perhaps sensing his struggle, Max suggested they order. He let go of Paolo’s hand and Paolo missed the touch instantly. How could this be happening? He’d not had butterflies or any of these feelings for twelve years.

About the Author  

Oliver Takely is a passionate MM romance author who revels in dark, edgy stories featuring complex, flawed characters. With years of writing experience and a creative day job, Oliver Takely is also an avid reader of MM romance, consuming 300 books in both 2023 and 2024. His favourite trope is enemies to lovers, but is also a sucker for a feel-good Christmas romance.

Originally from the north, Oliver now resides in the south of England with his husband and their beloved fur baby, who is treated like a princess, living their own happily-ever-after straight out of a romance novel. When not writing or reading, he enjoys holidays and indulging in lots of good food, because who doesn’t love a delicious combination?

Author Links

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NEW RELEASE: “Demon’s Past” by Shari Sakurai. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included!

NEW RELEASE 

Book Title: Demon’s Past

Author and Cover Artist: Shari Sakurai

Publisher: Farnhurst Publishing 

Release Date: March 7, 2025

Tense/POV: third person, alternating POV

Genres: MM Paranormal/vampires

Tropes: Friends to lovers

Themes: Coming out

Heat Rating: 1 flame     

Length: 77 000 words

It is not a standalone story, but you do not need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy it. 

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

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Immortality has its price 

Blurb

April 1889, Nagasaki, JAPAN

When apprentice merchant Thane Bremen travels with his family to Nagasaki, he is more excited about the exotic destination than studying his trade. A chance encounter with a local man gives Thane the opportunity to learn more about the culture of Japan. 

Kokawa Taku is unlike anyone Thane has ever met before. He is outgoing, charming, spontaneous and Thane finds himself instantly drawn to him. Taku opens Thane’s eyes to new experiences, and perhaps a different future to the one that is mapped out for him. When their friendship turns into romance, Thane struggles with his father’s expectations for him and how the society he is from would view his relationship with Taku. 

As they become closer, Thane learns that Taku is a vampire. With this, he begins to understand just what it means for them both. Taku will live forever, and Thane’s life will be over in a comparative blink of an eye. While Thane contemplates what it is to love the immortal, a disaster strikes that threatens to part them sooner than either of them thought was possible.

Excerpt 

“Those who come to worship at the shrine must first use the water basin to purify themselves,” Taku explained as he knelt in front of the structure. Thane watched as he used one of the wooden ladles available to wash his hands, left first and then right. He cupped some of the water to rinse out his mouth. He did not swallow the water and spat it out next to the fountain. Finally, he dipped the handle of the ladle into the basin to clean it. Thane did not hesitate in following his companion’s example. Taku smiled in appreciation of his actions. He then led the way up the path towards the main shrine.

Taku slipped his shoes off before climbing the steps. Thane followed him and unlaced his boots. This part of the shrine was called the Haiden – hall of worship – Taku explained. Thane looked around, amazement at the intricate detail of the hall filling him. There were beautifully crafted paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, incredibly detailed religious carvings and inscriptions either on wooden blocks or paper.

“This is beautiful,” Thane stated softly.

“The haiden is open to the public for worship,” Taku explained. “The heiden – hall of offerings – is behind it and then the honden where the God is enshrined. The God enshrined here is Ebisu, the God of luck and fishermen, which is quite appropriate for Nagasaki.”

“Can we visit the honden?”

“It is most usually closed to the general public, but I do not see the harm in showing you.”

Taku was about to lead the way further into the shrine when he suddenly stopped.

“What is it?” Thane asked.

“There is someone outside.”

Thane had not heard anyone, however, he quietly followed Taku as he crept towards the edge of the veranda to retrieve their shoes.

“Who is it?” Thane whispered anxiously.

“The police,” Taku’s tone was casual, and he did not appear unduly concerned.

“The police!” Thane did not share his calm. “Why?”

“There have been instances where items have been stolen from the shrines. Someone must have noticed us going in and reported it as it is rather late for worship.”

“We are just looking around. Can you explain that to them?”

“They believe the thief to be a foreigner and considering opinion on the western influences it would not be good to be found here,” Taku slipped his shoes on and kept watch whilst Thane did likewise.

“What shall we do?” Thane could now clearly see a light from a candle. They were still closer to the torii gates but gradually the light was moving in their direction.

“Follow me,” Taku quietly stepped off the veranda. He led Thane around the back of the shrine and towards the perimeter fence surrounding it. Thane glanced doubtfully up at the wooden barrier. With the lights from the shrine behind them he did not know if he could see well enough to climb over.

Taku did not share his hesitation. He had to jump to catch hold of the top of the fence but did so with surprising ease. With a grace that Thane had feeling he would envy, Taku pulled himself up and over.

“Thane, come on!” he called. The voices were drawing closer now and it was only a matter of time before they were seen.

Thane was tall enough to be able to grip the fence without the need for the small jump. He scrambled up the side of it, but with a lot less grace than his companion. The shout that went up as Thane reached the top startled him. He heard a ripping of fabric as he lost his balance and landed in a painful heap on the safe side of the fence.

“Are you alright?” Taku enquired as he helped Thane up.

“Yes, thank you,” he carefully stood, feeling some discomfort from the landing but no serious injuries.

“Good because I believe that we may have to run,” Taku commented in amusement.

As Taku spoke, Thane heard the two policemen shouting again. He glanced down the street in the direction of the noise and saw that they had exited the shrine and were hurrying towards them.

“This way,” Taku took a hold of Thane’s hand and started pulling him away from the shrine.

Thane once more questioned the wisdom in fleeing, but he did not wish to get into any bother. His father might well put him on the first ship home if he did.

“Where are we going?” he asked. Even though Thane was following him, Taku did not let go of his hand. Thane did not consider himself an unfit man, but the pace that Taku set was faster than he was used to running. In fact, Thane was surprised that his feet did not leave the ground all together at the speed in which they were going. Thane almost tripped as Taku suddenly changed direction and pulled him in between two buildings. Thane felt his back hit the side of the first wooden structure. Taku was beside him, their shoulders touching as he gestured for Thane to remain pressed against the wall. Thane heard the two men running past their location. After a few minutes more he felt he could breathe a sigh of relief.

Thane cast his gaze downwards to Taku’s hand that still gripped his own. A spark of what he could only describe as adrenaline went through him as he stared at their entwined fingers. Thane felt the warmth of a blush on his cheeks at the sensation and he gently pulled away.

About the Author 

Shari Sakurai is a British author of paranormal, horror, science fiction and fantasy novels that almost always feature a LGBTQ protagonist and/or antagonist. She has always loved to write and it is her escape from the sometimes stressful modern life!

Aside from writing, Shari enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to (loud!) music, going to rock concerts and learning more about other societies and cultures. Japanese culture is of particular interest to her and she often incorporates Japanese themes and influences into her work.

Shari loves a challenge and has taken part and won the National Novel Writing Month challenge thirteen times!

Social Media Links

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Twitter  |   Instagram  |  Goodreads

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SERIES TOUR: “The Christopher Books” by Stephen G. Hardy

SERIES TOUR

THE CHRISTOPHER BOOKS by Stephen G Hardy

 LGBTQ+ Contemporary/Literary fiction with a speculative element

Christopher Dunn is a young man who possesses unique qualities that draw people to him. In return, everyone who meets him is changed for the better. Everyone could use a Christopher in their lives.

The three books in the series need to be read in order.

Overall Heat Rating for the series: 2 flames

Follow Christopher as he explores various types of relationships

and the impact he has on the lives of others.

BOOK DETAILS

BOOK 1

Book Title:  Search for Complete

Cover Artist: Ryan Mulford

Length: 83 00 words /380 pages

Release Date: June 4, 2023

Pairing: MMF

Tense/POV: 2 POV’s in the first person

Genres: LGBTQ+ Contemporary/Literary fiction with a speculative element

Tropes: Unrequited love

Themes: Interpersonal relationships, asexuality

It can be read as a standalone story, but it is part of a series.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

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Blurb 

“Why do I get the feeling that Christopher is the type of man that would make the perfect husband for any woman and, at the same time, the perfect wife for any man?” Laura says shortly after Christopher begins his new job at the TV station. Laura’s statement would turn out to hold more truth than she could imagine. No one who meets Christopher, especially not Laura, as well as David, a gay man he meets at a party, understands what it is about him that draws them to him. They also don’t realize that Christopher is searching for something, a search complicated by their desires for him.

Awards: 2024 International Impact Book Award winner for LGBTQ+ Literary Fiction; The BookFest Awards, Fall 2023- Honorable mention LGBTQ+ Literary Fiction

BOOK 2

Book Title: The Price of Happiness

Length: 83 000 words/372 pages

Release Date: November 24, 2023

Tropes: Unrequited love 

Themes: Interpersonal relationships, trans

Tense/POV: 2 POV’s in the first person

 This is the second book in the series and the first has to have been read.

It ends on a cliffhanger.

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Blurb

As Search for Complete left off, the birth of his twins had just completed Christopher. However, though he has what he had searched so long for, he now must deal with the associated costs, namely the unraveling of his relationship with Laura, the mother of his twins. The birth of the twins should have brought Laura joy, yet, instead, she finds herself on an intense emotional rollercoaster. Laura resents Christopher’s happiness—resents that he is a better mother than she is. But most of all, Laura resents that the twins are Christopher’s spitting image—nowhere does she see herself in them. Christopher fears his happiness in becoming a father has become Laura’s undoing. As he tries to help her adjust to the reality of their situation, Laura struggles to find herself in the tangled mess of their relationship.

In The Price of Happiness, Stephen Hardy has created a profound and moving novel on the themes of parenthood, identity, love and loss—and the cost of getting what we want.

BOOK 3

Book Title: When the Sun and Moon Touch

Length:  85,000 words/397 pages

Release Date: March 29, 2024

Genres:  LGBTQ+ Contemporary Fiction, M/M Romance

Tropes: MM relationships/romance

Themes: Gender identity, asexuality, interpersonal relationships

Tense/POV: 2 POV’s in the first person

The stories need to be read in order. This book picks up where book two left off.

This book does not end on a cliffhanger.

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Blurb 

Christopher has settled into life as a single father to his twins, Loren and Christine. Content with his life, he is contemplating the imminent return of their mother Laura, who has been traveling through Europe for nearly a year, when he meets Benjamin, a direct descendant of the sun. Suddenly, his contentment is upended as he tries to understand the reason for their meeting. Despite what Benjamin says, that they are meant to be together, 

Christopher initially tries to hold Benjamin at arm’s length, believing that he is only to be for Benjamin what Joseph was to him—a friend and mentor. 

Excerpt

Opening scene from book 3: When the Sun and Moon Touch

Their laughter brought me great joy as I watched Loren and Christine mount the short flight of steps and slide down the slide on their behinds. They were quite independent, except for each other, even at the age of two, and had refused my assistance. While they romped, I sat on the bench to watch and enjoy what had turned out to be a lovely day for the end of March. In this moment I felt as though I had not a care in the world.

  The sound of an email arriving on my phone startled me. Pulling it from my jacket pocket, I was surprised to see it was from Laura, as it was rare to get one from her.

Christopher

I am planning on returning at the beginning of May. Please let the rental company know they need to have the tenants vacate by the end of April. Thanks.

Laura

  That was it. There was nothing about how she was doing or what she planned to do upon her return. She did not even ask after the twins. But then she never asked about them. I tried not to read anything into this, but it was not easy. 

It had been nearly a year since Laura had left our children in my sole custody while she backpacked her way around Europe in order to find herself, something I had supported both emotionally and financially. She never let on how she was doing in any of her very short emails. And now, she was coming back. 

I put my phone away and looked at the twins, thinking about what Laura’s return could mean for us. Would Laura still feel the same way about things as she had when she left: that the twins belonged to me and not to her?

“Excuse me?” 

 Blinking at the sound of someone’s voice, I looked up to see a handsome man looking down at me with grey-green eyes that were all the more striking given his dark coloring. Suddenly, something flitted within his eyes, and I caught my breath. Could it be? Composing myself, I said, “Hello, may I help you?”

“Hi. No. I,” The stranger paused, suddenly flustered, “Sorry to disturb you, but are those children playing on the slide yours?” he blurted out.

“Yes, they are.”

“I thought so. They look just like you.” He held out his hand. “My name’s Benjamin Johnson.” 

“I am Christopher Dunn,” I replied, taking his hand and then indicating the place beside me on the bench, “You may join me if you wish.” I had to find out if what I had seen was indeed there.

Benjamin sat beside me, looking down at his hands while I looked at him. Looking up, he seemed about to say something and then stopped.

“Yes?” I prompted.

“Yes, what?” He stammered.

“Sorry, I thought you were going to ask me something.”

“Um, I was, but never mind.”

“No, please. Tell me what you were going to say,” I said, giving him a small smile of encouragement.

“Well, and I know this will sound ridiculous, but I had this weird feeling that something led me to you. God, I’m sorry. That sounds like some bad pickup line,” Benjamin said, laughing to cover up his embarrassment. Even with his dark skin, I could tell he was blushing.

“I do not think it sounds crazy at all.” I turned to face Benjamin, giving him my full attention. “Tell me more about this feeling.”

“I don’t know that there’s anything more to tell.”

“I think there is and would like to hear it,” I said, staring intently into his eyes, still amazed by what I saw there. What were the chances that I would meet someone like Joseph here in Balboa Park, seemingly by chance? But no, Benjamin had been guided to me if his statement was true.

“Um, okay, well, I was walking through the park and felt this pushing sensation against my back whenever I stopped to look at anything. It continued until I saw you.”

“Has there ever been another time you felt this?” I asked, not moving my eyes from his face.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“I see.” For some reason, I did not believe him. “I take it you just moved to San Diego.”

“How did you know?”

“Your accent, for starters.”

“Oh, yeah. I guess that is a giveaway. I keep forgetting that here, I have an accent. I moved here in mid-January from Atlanta.”

“Was there a special reason for the move?”

“A job.”

His words surprised me. “Oh. Had you been looking for a new job?” I said, recalling that I had moved to San Diego for a similar reason.

“Actually, no, I hadn’t been looking. I got a call from a recruiter and . . .” Benjamin paused.

“And?” 

“Sorry. I just remembered that when I got the call about the job, I felt something was compelling me to take it. Kind of like what I described to you just now about being guided to you. But that must have been my imagination as well.”

“I see. You felt yourself being pushed to move here, and you felt the same sensation leading you to me,” I said, more to myself than to him.

“Crazy, isn’t it?”

“On the contrary, Benjamin, I find it very plausible.”

“Are you saying that I felt that desire to take the job here in order to meet you?”

“It is entirely possible,” I replied, still marveling at the coincidences of our experiences.

“But what possible reason could there be?”

“That remains to be determined.”

About the Author 

Stephen Hardy was born in the San Francisco Bay Area but grew up in the Pacific Northwest. His career as a fashion designer took him back to San Francisco before he headed to New York City, where he met his husband of twenty years. Tiring of the hectic pace of the fashion industry, Stephen gave up his career to become a stay-at-home dad for his and his husband’s two adopted sons and a quiet life in Connecticut. Now residing in Phoenix, Arizona, and with the kids grown, Stephen returned to university, where he rediscovered his love for writing. His focus is on contemporary fiction, examining social issues regarding gender, sexuality, and relationships. Search for Complete is his first novel.

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Continue ReadingSERIES TOUR: “The Christopher Books” by Stephen G. Hardy

BOOK BLAST: “And Hubby Makes Three: A Tragically Fabulous Love Story” by Michael McMhale

BOOK BLAST

Book Title:  AND HUBBY MAKES THREE: A TRAGICALLY FABULOUS LOVE STORY

Author: Michael McHale

Publisher: Hennessey House Publications

Cover Artist: MSM Graphics

Release Date: December 4, 2024

Pairing: MM

Tense/POV: Third person/past tense

Genres:  LGBTQIA+ Romantic Comedy

Tropes: Gay best friend, family

Themes: Best friend saves friend’s wedding and makes her dreams come true

Length: 21 739 words/164 pages

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

Heat Rating:  1 – 2 flames

Goodreads  

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Best gay friend saves his girlfriend’s wedding from becoming a disaster

while adding a lot of his own fabulous flare

Blurb 

When Wendy is horribly abandoned by her fiancé Bruce just days before her dream wedding, her fabulous gay best friend Mitch steps in to help save the day! What happens next is a plethora of comical miscommunications that lead to one of the most colorful weddings of our time that would make even Martha Stewart proud as Mitch, along with his life partner Kevin and bigger than life friend Bob, rush to make Wendy’s dreams come true. And maybe even some of Mitch’s dreams?

Excerpt 

Chapter Twenty-Three: Divine Intervention

The elderly priest had been looking forward to his mid-morning snack with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for Christmas morning. He’d assembled the perfect array of treats on his tray, humming contentedly as he made his way down the cathedral aisle. 

That’s when Wendy burst in, tears streaming down her face, and dove into the confessional.

The priest looked longingly at his snacks, then skyward with a resigned sigh. The Lord worked in mysterious ways, particularly when it came to interrupting a much needed snack 

time.

“Father, forgive me, for I have sinned.”

“You don’t mind if I eat, do you?”

“Excuse me?”

“I haven’t eaten all morning. I’m starving. Please, I

promise it won’t interfere.”

“Uh, okay… I mean, it is your house and all, so…”

“Thank you,” he managed around a mouthful of

sandwich. “So, tell me my child, what is troubling you?”

“Well, I believe I may have caused my fiancé to 

stumble.”

“Hmmmm… How so?”

“By marrying my husband!”

The priest nearly choked on his snack. “By marrying your…? Wait! Didn’t you marry your fiancé?”

“No. I married my best friend.”

“Oh, that’s lovely. One should always marry their best friend.”

“But I was supposed to marry my fiancé.”

“What’s wrong with marrying your best friend?”

“Well, aside from the fact that he’s gay, and already has a life partner, nothing I guess.”

“Ah, so your fiancé is gay?”

“No, no. My husband is gay. My fiancé is straight.”

“I see.” (he didn’t) The priest set down his sandwich, sensing this might require his full attention. 

“So, did you marry him to ummm… change him?”

“No, I married him because my fiancé told me to.”

“Does your fiancé know that he’s gay?”

“My fiancé isn’t gay! My husband is gay!”

“Okay, okay. So… what was the question again?”

“I believe that my marrying Mitch…”

“The gay best friend…”

“Right.”

The Priest was so proud of himself, “See, I’m catching on.”

“Good. Now, I’m afraid that my marrying Mitch may have caused my fiancé, Bruce, to stumble. It was a joke, you know? I just wanted to go through with the wedding, and when Bruce wouldn’t, Mitch said he would, so…”

“The stumbling part… let’s get to the stumbling part.” He picked up his sandwich with empty high hopes.

“Right. Well, I found him with another woman!”

“I thought you said he was gay?”

“No. My husband’s gay! Not my fiancé. Ya know, I thought you were catching on? Maybe you shouldn’t be eating while we do this…”

The priest set down his food with a heavy sigh that suggested he was reconsidering his vocation.

“So, what should I do?”

He took a fortifying gulp of milk before delivering his verdict. “Go to him.”

“Who? Which one?”

“Your gay husband. Your straight fiancé. Your second cousin’s lover! I don’t care! Just go! Go to one of them. Go to both of them! Go to none of them, but please, I beg you — just go! Oh, and you are forgiven!  Say ten Hail Mary’s and five Our Fathers.  Now Go! Go! Run like the wind!”

As Wendy left the confessional in a daze, the priest returned to his interrupted snack, making a mental note to suggest that the seminary add a course in modern relationship dynamics. Clearly, the traditional marriage counseling training wasn’t covering all the bases anymore. At least the sandwich was good. 

Though he had a feeling he’d need something stronger than milk to process this particular confession.

About the Author 

A storyteller across multiple mediums, Michael McHale has entertained and educated audiences for over three decades.

From writing for the iconic TV series Power Rangers to his LGBTQ+ web series The Queerburgs (on YouTube), to bringing his real-life story to life to the big screen with the short film Lena’s Dance to creating more than 100,000 riddles and clues for over 20,000 mysteries through his educational company Mysteries By Mike, his creative footprint spans television, film, education, and literature.

Known in Hollywood as the go-to party planner for celebrity children’s events, he’s authored multiple books including two children’s titles that includes an insider guide to Hollywood entertaining. His latest novel, adapted from a screenplay he wrote in 1997, was born from a conversation about marriage equality long before it became reality – a reality he now shares with his husband Bob, celebrating 21 years of marriage in Los Angeles.

With the upcoming YA series MURDER HIGH SCHOOL: DETENTION CAN BE MURDER! in development, McHale continues to expand his literary universe while infusing his work with the authenticity that comes from being a 35-year AIDS survivor (Victor) and dedicated LGBTQ+ activist. His storytelling celebrates life, love, and chosen family with equal measures of humor and heart.

When not writing or planning spectacular events, he can be found at home with Bob, their mischievous pug Gabby Rose, and their trio of cats – Princess Charlotte, Rascal, and Marley – plotting his next story or party, whichever comes first.

Early readers are already calling his latest novel ‘an instant gay classic’ with strong potential for adaptation as a Netflix limited series.

Author Links

Website   |   Facebook   |   BlueSky  |   Twitter

Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Newsletter Sign-up

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BLOG TOUR: “How to Win a Million Dollars and Beep Glitter” by Luke Stoffel

BLOG TOUR

 

Book Title: How To Win a Million Dollars and BEEP Glitter!

Author: Luke Stoffel

Publisher: Cinderly

Cover Artist: Luke Stoffel

Release Date: February 1, 2025

Pairing: MM

Tense/POV: past tense/first person

Genres: Contemporary, Humor, Fictionalized Memoir

Tropes: Coming-of-Age, Flawed Hero, Small-Town Dreamer, Cultural Satire, Underdog Story

Themes: Coming out, Resilience, Self-Discovery, 80s Nostalgia, Hope and Optimism

Heat Rating: 2 flames

Length: 72 000 words/ 263 pages

It is standalone not a series, but it has a related book coming in 2026.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

 

How To Win a Million Dollars and BEEP Glitter!
A Mostly True Misadventure

 

Blurb
How to Win a Million Dollars is a madcap, self-deprecating, laugh-out-loud coming-of-age story that reads like David Sedaris meets Heartstopper, told as Ready Player One. It takes readers on an adventure through the wildly inventive, sometimes-questionable, but always entertaining schemes of a boy who would do anything to make it big.

Growing up as a gay Catholic schoolboy in a tiny Mississippi River town surrounded by cornfields, Luke’s imagination was constantly set on fire by million-dollar daydreams and DIY hustles. Whether it was hunting down the missing Cap’n Crunch or gaming McDonald’s Monopoly, no scheme was too ridiculous, no shortcut too far-fetched. With his trusty Hustler bike and a mountain of determination, Luke didn’t just dream—he plotted.

Set in the 1980s, this is the story of a kid with a knack for scamming, hustling, and occasionally crashing and burning—all in the pursuit of that elusive big win. From navigating a Catholic school playground full of bullies to trying to “make it” out of a blue-collar family, Luke was always on the move, cooking up his next big adventure. Dragging his little sister—turned faithful sidekick—into trouble at every turn, her sweet voice was always in his ear, making us wonder: is he conning her, or is she saving him from himself?

As Luke grew up, so did the schemes—transforming into a Broadway Cinderella story of sorts, ditching it all for the artist’s life in Paris, and even getting cursed by a vengeful Hawaiian god. With each crazy plan, the stakes got higher, the twists got weirder, and Luke had to ask himself the big questions: Can you beat the system, or will the system beat you? And what do you do when your dreams—and all your wildest schemes—start to crumble?

Through hilarity, heartbreak, and the relentless pursuit of the American Dream, How to Win a Million Dollars explores the glittering highs and crushing lows of chasing success in a world shaped by Reaganomics, dyslexia, and the crumbling façade of opportunity. From paperboy scams to glitter-filled art shows, this story is proof that while everything can fall apart at any moment, the journey—chaotic, messy, and wildly imperfect—is the real prize. And maybe, just maybe, there’s still a million-dollar dream out there, waiting to be won.


Excerpt
Chapter 1: Cereal Entrepreneur

The first time I tried to win a million dollars, it was the sweltering summer of 1985, and the Mississippi River was swollen and threatening to spill over its banks. The town was on edge, but thanks to the giant quarry wall my grandpa helped build back in the ‘50s, we were safe from the river’s fury. It was during that unforgettable summer when Cap’n Crunch went missing, and panic spread across the nation like wildfire.

Supermarkets were packed with towering displays of Cap’n Crunch, a mountain of yellow and blue boxes stretching to the ceiling. But when you looked up, there was no Captain. His jovial face had vanished, leaving behind nothing but dotted lines and a big question mark. He had disappeared, zeroed out. Zoinks! What was I to do?

The commercials made it sound so simple: find the Captain, restore him to his cereal kingdom, and win ONE MILLION DOLLARS. For a kid like me, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. A million dollars wasn’t just a number—it was a golden ticket, a way out of this tiny Mississippi River town.

Every Saturday morning, I’d sit in my parents’ living room—a shrine to America’s Bicentennial celebration. The royal blue carpet stretched wall to wall, its plush fibers worn thin in front of the TV. A deep red couch commanded the room like a throne, while gold curtains depicting Revolutionary War scenes framed the windows. It was like 1776 had crashed into 1980s suburbia, and somehow, we were still stuck suspended in between.

As my brothers and sisters tormented each other in the background, I was glued to the TV. The old box hummed as commercials blared, demanding kids like me solve the mystery, save the Captain, and claim the prize. The urgency of it all buzzed in my chest, electrifying the air around me. To a seven-year-old like me, a million dollars wasn’t just thrilling—it was everything. It meant a chance to escape this town, this life, and find something more.

In the afternoons, when the noise at home became too much, I’d head for the bluffs. The familiar path wound through tall grass that swayed gently in the breeze, the green hills rolling endlessly toward the horizon. I’d climb to my favorite perch and sit there for hours, the town spread out below me like a miniature toy train set. The limestone clock tower stood proudly at the center, surrounded by the river, the factories, and the steeples of the churches. Everything looked so small from up here, but somehow, it felt even smaller at eye level.

You see, up close, the town was just a second-rate version of Main Street USA, stripped of all the charm and magic of Disneyland. Most of the families here were like mine—working-class and stuck. I lived on the North End, what people would call the wrong side of the tracks, where factory workers like my dad scraped by.

I was a short, scrawny kid with wavy dishwater blond hair, wearing tattered dungaree shorts that were practically a second skin during the summer, their faded denim streaked with dirt and grass stains. My skin was golden tan from hours in the sun, but my legs were a patchwork of scars from chigger bites I couldn’t stop picking. Sitting cross-legged on the warm earth, absently scratching at the bites, my mind churned, methodically piecing together a plan. The Captain was missing. My ticket to freedom was hidden somewhere out there, and all I had to do was find it. Yet from this vantage point, the possibility of something greater still felt wildly out of reach. A million dollars meant escape, and as I sat on that bluff, staring out at the endless rows of cornfields, I swore to myself I was going to find it.

Each week, I’d beg my mom to let me tag along to the grocery store. Econofoods smelled like a strange mix of fresh produce and fake lemon cleaning products that clung to the air. The linoleum floors were scuffed and worn down from years of shopping carts rattling over them and the steady shuffle of feet. Jess, my five-year-old sister, was always a whirlwind of energy, darting between aisles like a tiny tornado. She had our dad’s button nose and her favorite white, frilly cotton top tucked into neatly pressed khaki shorts. Her tiny diamond stud earrings, pierced at Claire’s in the mall when she was a baby, sparkled as she twirled through the store. Her short brown pixie cut bobbed with every step, her energy infectiously lighthearted even as I plotted my next move.

 

About the Author

 

Luke Stoffel (b. 1978) Growing up a gay Catholic schoolboy on the banks of the Mississippi came with its own cross to bear. Confined by the cornfields of small-town Iowa, Luke’s understanding of God and his yearning for a world beyond began to take shape—often while nursing a bloody nose on the playground. The first thing Jesus taught him was how to hate himself; but the first thing the world taught him was how vast his possibilities were.

Luke is an accomplished artist and author, with several books available on Amazon, including The Easy Bake Unicorn Cookbook, The Art of Tarot: A History and Guidebook, and his debut novel

How to Win a Million Dollars and BEEP Glitter! His second, follow-up novel, In Over Your Head, is set to release in 2026. Additionally, his art and photography are featured in his ongoing book series The Noble Path.

Stepping off the plane in Thailand was like landing on Mars. Surrounded by towering golden stupas, and realizing there was something beyond the confines of Christ, became an explosive creative catalyst. Having visited over 40 countries, Stoffel channels the diverse cultures he’s encountered into his art. His work explores spirituality in a vibrant, pop fantasy style, offering American audiences a glimpse into the world’s rich religious and cultural tapestries.

Recognized as one of NYC’s top LGBTQ+ artists by GLAAD he has been showcased by prestigious organizations like the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Matthew Shepard foundation. His art and photography have appeared on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing, in the New York Times, Huffington Post, AM New York, Hawaiian Airlines Magazines, and on the cover of Next Magazine. His artistic contributions have earned him the Starving Artist Award, along with a commission for Ralph Lauren’s daughter. His art has graced iconic New York venues like the Puck Building, The Art Directors Club, The Prince George Gallery, GalleryBar, and New World Stages.

 

Author Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram

Newsletter Sign-up | TikTok

 

 

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BLOG TOUR

Book Title:
VINNY

Author: Andy
Siege

Publisher: UpLit
Press

Release Date: July 2,
2024

Pairing: MM, MF, MT

Tense/POV: A mix of tenses: first/third/present/past/single

Genres: Sci-
Fi/Futuristic/Dystopian

Tropes: Forbidden love, friends
to lovers

Themes: Coming out, bisexual awakening, trans awakening

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 40 000 words/180
pages

It is a standalone book in the DIVERGENCY
SERIES

and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

A sci-fi novella about
Vincent van Gogh’s queer clone.

Continue Reading

NEW RELEASE: “Bridging Lives” by Greyson McCoy

NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Bridging
Lives

Author: Greyson
McCoy

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Rhys
Ford

Release Date: October 8,
2024

Pairing: MM

Tense/POV: First person,
alternating POV

Genres: Contemporary MM Literary Romance

Tropes: Small Town Romance, Hurt/Comfort

Heat Rating: 3
flames

Length: 266
pages

Bridging Lives can
be read as a standalone. It does not end on a
cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon
US | Amazon UK

 

 

Blurb

Cliff Anderson hopes to build on the legacy of his late
parents, but that dream seems lost when his California homestead is lost to a wildfire.
Devastated, he travels to Oregon to stay with his aunt and uncle on their dairy operation

while he makes plans for his future.

College professor Brandon Forest has always
yearned for a family and a home of his own. Maybe that’s why, despite being busy with his
job and his side gig as a fantasy author, he’s stayed on as a seasonal worker at the dairy
farm. The farm feels so welcoming, and working on their dairy farm might be the next step
in building the life he’s dreamed of.

Then he meets Cliff.

As Cliff and Brandon confront their own broken
pasts, they build a connection that runs deep. Laughter and shared experiences prove to be
strong medicine for the wounds life has inflicted on them.

Cliff hasn’t let go of his past or the hopes he had for
the farm in California. Will his future burn down as he holds on to lost hopes, or can he blaze
a new path with Brandon?

 

Excerpt

I took a seat in the dining room as Sue yelled up the stairs,
“Cliff, we’re sitting down to supper. Come on down.”

I looked at Levi with my eyebrow raised in question. “My
cousin,” he said quietly. “His farm was swept up in the California wildfires. Only just arrived
in the wee hours.”

I cringed. I’d been watching the news about the horrendous
wildfire currently scorching through California. It seemed fires were eating up the forested
parts of California and Oregon more and more every year. “That’s awful,” I whispered. “He
must be devastated.”

Levi nodded, and a somber mood fell over the table. As talk
shifted to fences that still needed repair, I popped into the kitchen to help Sue. I was
bringing out a bowl of mashed potatoes when I came around the corner and looked right
into the eyes of one of the most handsome men I’d ever seen.

When his eyes locked on mine, I stumbled. In one swift move,
he caught me, put me right, and then took the bowl from my hands and placed it on the
table.

I was still feeling flustered when he shook my hand and
introduced himself as Cliff Anderson—chiseled jawline, lean build, and kind-but-sad
eyes.

“I’m Brandon Forest, a friend of Levi’s. Nice to meet you.”

Despite his weary expression, his genuine smile caused my
heart to flutter.

Sue brushed past us carrying a platter of pork chops and took
her customary seat opposite Chris at the end of the table. Only then did I notice Levi had
switched seats. Instead of sitting across from Keya, like usual, he was seated next to her. That
left two empty chairs side by side, which meant I’d be sitting beside the handsome stranger
all through supper.

A whiff of smoke wafted off him, which must’ve permeated his
clothes, and it reminded me of all he’d just gone through. My heart went out to the poor
guy. I couldn’t imagine what he was feeling.

 

About the Author

Greyson McCoy loves to travel. After years of being tied down
to a life of kids, work, running a small farm, and all things domestic, he and his husband have
taken full advantage of their empty nest to travel the world.

The joy of writing came to Greyson late in life. While
completing his master’s degree, he found himself fighting between desperately wanting to
write fiction and finishing the homework and papers he’d been assigned.

After his master’s was finished, Greyson decided to shirk his
life of responsibility and pursue his dream of writing full time. His stories reflect many of the
locations he and his husband have visited over the years.

 

Author Links

Blog/Website |
Facebook

 

 

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Continue ReadingNEW RELEASE: “Bridging Lives” by Greyson McCoy