Contemporary MM Romance

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

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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

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BlueSky

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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
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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

Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram

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one of three ebooks from the author’s backlist

BLOG TOUR: “Stolen Dream” by Oliver Takely

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:March 14, 2025
Post category:Blog Tour Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited
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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.

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK

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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one of three eBook copies of Stolen Dream

NEW RELEASE: “Now Comes the Dark” by Thom Collins

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:February 19, 2025
Post category:Gay Book Promotions New Release
Post comments:0 Comments

NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Now Comes the Dark

Author: Thom Collins

Publisher: Pride Publishing / Entwined Publishing

Cover Artist: Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Pairing: Contemporary Dark MM Romance

Tense/POV: Third person

Genres: Thriller/Mystery/Suspense

Tropes: Instant lust, serial killer, community

Themes: Erotic thriller

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 63 000 words

It is the first book in a new series, but works as a complete standalone

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Two strangers fuelled by desire, and a killer consumed with lust.

Blurb

Roman Ballentyne is forced to make some changes. The city he loves is no longer safe. Tensions are high as a psychotic killer preys upon the LGBTQ community. Five men have been murdered in the last year. Every encounter is a risk. Anyone could be next. The Viaduct was once the shame of Blyham, an illicit club filled with private booths and dark rooms, sleazy in the extreme. Now it offers a secure space to hook up when it’s too dangerous to take a stranger home.

Mallon Garnier catches Roman’s eye. He’s moody and mature and the hottest man in the club, but as Mallon pairs up with someone else, Roman thinks he’s missed his chance. When Roman is the victim of a hate crime at the end of the night, Mallon is his saviour, taking on his attackers with savage efficiency. Their attraction is immediate and intense. Roman knows it’s wrong to go home with a stranger, but what harm can there be from the man who saved him?

The encounter is the start of an intense and passionate affair. But as the murders continue, Roman learns Mallon is keeping a deep secret, and the killer is closer than he thinks.

Excerpt

Roman stared at the man who had saved him as they drove away. He tried to speak, but there were no words. His throat was paralysed.

“Come on,” the stranger said. “Before their egos get the better of them and they circle around for another shot.”

“The police,” Roman gasped at last. “You called the police.”

“No. I didn’t have time. And it turns out, I didn’t need them.” He took a gentle grip of Roman’s arm and led him back down the road. “Come on. The New Inn will still be open. We need to get off the streets for now.”

The man walked fast. Roman had trouble keeping up with him and couldn’t stop from looking over his shoulder to see if his attackers were following. The road was clear.

“Thank you,” he said at last. Now that the shock of the ordeal was sinking in, he felt a growing weakness all through his body. I could have died there. At best he’d have faced a trip to the hospital to fix several broken bones. Those men had been serious, and though he hadn’t paid attention to all the hate crimes that had occurred in Blyham, he knew how badly beaten the survivors had been. And five men hadn’t been lucky at all.

“Mallon,” the man said. “My name is Mallon. I couldn’t stand by and watch them get away with that.”

“Thank you,” he repeated. “I’m Roman. How…how did you do that? There were three of them. That could easily have ended differently.”

“Boxing. Boot camps. I’ve been a fighter since I was a boy.”

The New Inn was fifty yards ahead. Roman saw a group of customers outside, and relief rushed through him. People. His kind of people. They were safe—for now, at least.

He glanced at Mallon as they walked. His gaze was fixed in front. A man with purpose and determination. His expression was deadly serious, his jaw taut.

The New Inn was the most traditional of the bars in the village, with old wooden floors and dark wood panelling. The long, original bar led through to a more recent extension and conservatory with a beer garden. The DJ played a selection of songs from the 1970s and ’80s, while the clientele of older gays stood around chatting. The bar area was packed. Mallon guided Roman through the crowd to the near-empty beer garden. Efficient heaters kept the night chill at bay.

“Stay here,” Mallon said, releasing his arm once Roman was seated. “What do you want to drink?”

“Vodka. Diet Coke.”

Mallon nodded and left him.

Roman wrapped his arms around himself and shivered, despite the warmth. Fuck. He’d never experienced anything as frightening in his entire life. Like any gay man, he was used to homophobia, but the abuse he’d experienced in the past had always been verbal—name calling and hateful comments. This was the first time he’d been threatened with physical danger. And if Mallon hadn’t turned up when he did? Roman shuddered and his heart raced again.

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

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one of 5 ebook copies of Now Comes the Dark and Night Crimes (a standalone short story)

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

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:February 10, 2025
Post category:Blog Tour Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited
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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.

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

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

Giveaway

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a Collector’s Edition or one of 5 ebooks

NEW RELEASE: “Bridging Lives” by Greyson McCoy

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:October 9, 2024
Post category:Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited New Release
Post comments:0 Comments

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.

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

NEW RELEASE: “Hunt in the Night” by S.J. Coles

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:August 8, 2024
Post category:Gay Book Promotions New Release
Post comments:0 Comments

NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Hunt In The
Night (Blood and Bonds series #3)

Author: S. J.
Coles

Publisher: Pride
Publishing

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Mystery/Cop

Tropes: Bi Awakening, Vampire, Men In Uniform, Gay For You

Themes: Coming out, forgiveness

Length: 71 136 words/282
pages

Heat Rating: 4 flames

It is book 3 of 3. It does
not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links

Publisher | Universal Link

Hunting killers is Mason’s
job. But falling for a vampire is the scariest thing he’s ever done.

Blurb

Detective Inspector Mason Walker is good at his job. He has never focused on much else
in his life. Women come and go. Friends take time he doesn’t have to spare. The job is
constant. He works hard and has built a reputation for determination and integrity.

Now his skills are needed more than ever. The level of

violence in York has risen, involving both the haemophile and human communities. These
are unexplored waters for Mason, with both political and professional implications, and
Mason is afraid to lose his way.

But there’s been a murder—a haemophile—and Mason’s
facing the question of not only who committed the dreadful crime but how? Nothing seems
to be adding up. And being assigned a haemophile partner, Special Officer Cai Bracken, a
freelance detective working for the Met Police, only increases his tension.

What’s really unnerving is that Cai is not only making
Mason question his professional convictions, but his personal preferences, too…his most
personal preferences.

With so much at stake, can Mason really cope with
overhauling his police work and his personal life all at once?

Excerpt

Sunset was still an hour away when Mason pulled in at
Oswald House, but the day already felt like it had lasted twice as long as any other he had
lived through. Fatigue from the sleepless night was like an undertow tugging at his brain. But
his heart was skipping about when he pressed the doorbell.

Jesse Truelove opened the door. He blinked when he
recognized Mason.

“Any news?” he asked as he stepped back to allow Mason
inside.

“Not yet I’m afraid,” he said, glancing up the stairs. “I’m
here to see SO Bracken.”

Truelove raised his eyebrows. “No one’s supposed to know
he’s here…not even you.”

“I am a detective, you know. And I have a matter of some
urgency to discuss with him.”

“Well, you’re a little early, mate,” Truelove drawled,
glancing at his watch.

“I know,” Mason said awkwardly. “If there’s just somewhere
I could maybe wait? I don’t want to be in the way.”

“Detective Inspector Walker?”

Mason turned. Tom Addams was there. His face was
strained. There were shadows under his eyes. “Anything?”

“I’m sorry…no, not yet,” Mason said with sincere
regret.

“He’s here to see Cai,” Truelove said.

“There is one thing I wanted to ask you about, actually, Mr.
Truelove.”

“Mate, please,” Truelove said, opening the door to the
same sitting room as before. “Call me Jesse. I’m changing my name soon anyway.”

“Jesse,” Mason said, taking a seat on the sofa as Tom took
the armchair and Jesse perched on the sofa arm. “It was that that I wanted to talk to you
about. I don’t want to sound insensitive, but have you and the Baron considered postponing
your wedding?”

Jesse exchanged glances with Tom. “Yes. We considered it. I
did more than consider it, if I’m honest.”

“I heard their shouting match from the other end of the
house,” Tom said with a smile.

Jesse made a noisy sigh. “We’re not postponing.”

“Jesse,” Mason started, but Tom interrupted him.

“Darragh fought very long and hard for Emory and Jesse’s
wedding to be allowed to happen,” he said. “He would want it to go ahead. Otherwise,
there’s no point to any of it.”

“Okay,” Mason said. “I understand. I just wanted to make
sure someone had mentioned the idea.”

“They’ve both mentioned it,” Tom said. “And I told them
the same thing I told you. The wedding is going ahead.”

“You’re a stubborn asshole, you know that?” Jesse said to
Tom, but he was smiling.

“Darragh would never forgive me if we just gave
up.”

“It’s not giving up,” Jesse argued. “It’s just looking at the
bigger picture.”

“And what did Emory say when you said that to
him?”

Jesse rolled his eyes. “Let’s not have this argument
again.”

“Okay, we won’t,” Tom said with a shaky smile and stood.
“Now, if you don’t need anything else, I have a security sweep to run.”

Tom left and Jesse stared after him with a haunted
expression.

“I’m very sorry you’re having to go through all this.”

“Not your fault,” Jesse murmured. “Just catch the bastard.
That’s all we want.” Mason nodded, even though Jesse wasn’t looking at him. Jesse stood.
“You can wait here if you want. Get you anything? Coffee? Something stronger?”

“I’m fine, thank you,” Mason said. “I’ll just wait here, if
that’s okay.”

“Knock yourself out,” Jesse said, and left.

The room was warm. The sofa was comfortable. The light
grew dimmer, and Mason’s eyes began to droop.

A touch on Mason’s hand brought him out of a soft,
pleasant dream. He blinked groggily. Bracken was sitting in the armchair.

“You should get some proper sleep.”

Mason sat up, rubbing his eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have
nodded off.” He blinked at Bracken, all the feelings he’d told himself he’d keep suppressed
rushing to the surface. “You didn’t call back.”

Bracken’s expression closed. He stood. “Not here.”

Mason followed Bracken along a corridor, down some stairs
and through a series of locked doors to a comfortably furnished room. There was a
wardrobe, a sofa, a desk covered in papers and an open laptop. There were minimalist
paintings on the walls, several shelves of books and a large TV. It was airy and comfortable,
but with no windows. No bed.

“This is where you sleep?”

Bracken indicated an inner door locked with a numbered
keypad. “I have a secure sleeping cell through there, completely up to grade.” Bracken gave
him a pained look. “Walker, no one’s supposed to know I’m here.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not exactly neutral ground, is it? But it’s not like I can
check into the nearest hotel, either.”

“I think you’re capable of keeping your sleeping
arrangements separate from your professional duties.”

Bracken lifted an eyebrow. “Well, that’s loaded.”

Mason sank onto the sofa. “I’m sorry. I…I didn’t sleep last
night.”

About the Author

S.J. Coles is a Romance writer originally from Shropshire, UK.
She has been writing stories for as long as she has been able to read them. Her biggest
passion is exploring narratives through character relationships.

She finds writing
LGBT/paranormal romance provides many unique and fulfilling opportunities to explore
many (often neglected or under-represented) aspects of human experience, expectation,
emotion and sexuality.

Among her biggest influences
are LGBT Romance authors K J Charles and Josh Lanyon and Vampire Chronicles author Anne
Rice.

Author Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter

Instagram | Pride
Publishing