Contemporary MM Romance

Facebook | Twitter: @sophiasoames | Instagram: @sophiasoames

It is a standalone story in the Scandinavian Comfort series.

Scandinavian Comfort is a series of standalone novels set in Scandinavia, sharing the common theme of Hygge. Hygge is a Danish word that is impossible to translate into a single English word. It’s a concept of finding happiness in the small things, of towing the middle line instead of always aiming for the top and finding joy in your home and sharing time with your family. In Scandinavia you will find that especially Friday evenings are often seen as Hygge time, where families eat favourite foods, light candles and watch a movie, preferably whilst wearing slippers and pyjamas. Another Scandinavian word that is very fitting to this series is the Swedish word Lagom, meaning ‘not too little, not too much’. Just right. This sums up the Scandinavian people in a nutshell.

Live your life well. Not too little, not too much.

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Are you brave enough to stay? Or strong enough to walk away?

Blurb

Mattias Strømme’s life is a recipe for disaster. He is a single dad of a 2-year-old, has an ex-wife who scares him, and a job in finance where he scares everyone else. And now he has been dragged in as a last-minute filler contestant on Baking Battles, the hit reality baking show. Mattias can’t bake. He can barely dress himself in the morning, and he definitely hasn’t got the skills to charm the viewing public, or the wannabe celebs who make up the rest of the show’s contestants. He’s not a nice person. He’s just… nothing. Mattias left his wife when life became unbearable for him and he fell apart. Now, when he is suddenly drowning in a mess of rumours, male supermodels, and unicorn glitter? Will Mattias be brave enough to stay? Or strong enough to walk away?

Excerpt

“Mattias, I’m in fucking deep shit, mate.” Danijel grits out between his teeth as the glass door to his own office slams shut behind them. He’s a small man, slim with some muscle definition showing under his fitted shirt, which is usually immaculate, but today there are patches of sweat forming under his arms, and his closely shaved black hair is getting frequent swipes from Danijel’s hands, a clear sign that something is bothering him.

“What now? I thought everything was going smoothly? Baking Battles is still well under budget, so financially there is nothing to worry about, unless there is a lawsuit brewing that you are about to hit me with.”

Mattias crosses his arms over his chest. He may have spent years taking shit from Sara, but he’s never been a pushover at work. He knows his shit. So does Danijel.

“Please tell me that you can bake.” Danijel almost whispers. “You brought that chocolate tray thing in a few months back when we had the Hygge-Fridays thing going on? Please tell me it didn’t come out of a packet?”

“It didn’t come out of a packet. Who do you think I am? I’m the master of the chocolate tray bake.” Mattias says cockily. Danijel is clearly in some deep shit. Sweat now pouring down his temples.

He should probably mention that Emilia had drooled in the batter and that the traybake he had brought in was his third attempt, and that the mess he had left behind in the kitchen, sparked off one of the worst screaming arguments he and Sara had ever had. He left a week later. It hadn’t been good. That damn cake brought nothing good with it.

“Mattias, we start filming tomorrow at ten, and we are three contestants down. I am officially pulling you in.”

“What?” Mattias shrieks. “It’s a celebrity special. Who the fuck am I supposed to be?”

“You do that finance segment every year on ‘Good Morning Norway’? You know the ’How to do your tax return?’ thing you did? And… and… You did that thing last week, you know when you talked about how to budget for Christmas without getting into debt? You definitely qualify as a celeb. We will just call you a Morning TV financial expert. Close enough. And anyway, everyone loves a bigwig trying his hand at being normal or some shit? Putting your money where your mouth is, or whatever? Getting down with the underdog? Showing your human side? I haven’t got a clue how we will spin it. That’s PR’s role. They will make it work, if you do this. And, Mattias, you are perfect. You are grumpy and impatient and have a fucking temper on you. It will make fantastic TV. The other good thing is that you won’t have a clue who all the other contestants are, so you won’t give a rat’s arse about pegging them down a notch or two, will you? It will be awesome.”

Danijel is chewing on his thumb. Rocking on his heels.

“No. Fucking. Way.” Mattias groans. “Hell no.”

“Why the hell not? You are single, and the girls will be hanging off you. Celeb status guaranteed. Pussy on tap. What’s not to love?”

“Everything Danijel! Every fucking thing! For a start, I can’t bake.”

“That Chocolate tray bake was edible?” Danijel is smiling now.

“I look like shit.”

“You are a handsome devil. Let someone dress you and get a haircut. Shave. Sorted.”

“I’ve got a reputation to protect. I’ll be the fucking laughingstock of the station!”

“People will love you. Profits through the roof. Spin-off series. I have a clear vision in my head.”

Yeah. Danijel is on drugs. Clearly. Standing there with his arms spread out and a dreamy look in his eyes.

“No, Danijel. Not happening. Baking Battles is this station’s number one show, our main cash cow, and we have been seeding this Celebrity special for months. We can’t just throw random contestants in and expect to pull it off. The public will see right through it. It’s desperate, and it’s unprofessional.” Mattias turns around letting his hand rest on the door handle. He is leaving. He is not getting drawn into this.

“Alima said yes.” Danijel says. His shit-eating grin wider than his face.

“Alima?” Mattias’s hand grips the door handle tighter. “Your sister can’t even peel a potato. She feeds her kids microwave meals and thinks it’s gourmet cooking. She’s going on Baking Battles as a contestant? You are kidding, right?”

Danijel’s pushing it here. Alima is his oldest friend. Well, the only friend that has stuck by him throughout his whole divorce mess. She lives life like she is some kind of hardcore Superwoman, and Mattias bloody adores her. She’s also married with a million kids and works full time, and has never baked a cake in her life. He knows that, for a fact.

“Dead serious, Mattias. She owes me one, and anyway someone has to get voted off in the first episode. She doesn’t give a shit, and we are marketing her as the Norwegian ice-hockey team’s physician, which isn’t a lie.”

“She treated their reserve goalie for a sprained ankle. Once.” Mattias whines into his hands. “Danijel, what the hell are you doing? This is crazy?”

“I have no choice Mattias. Amelia Hammerdahl had to pull out with the cocaine scandal that broke on Friday. Trond Pedersen is up for a fucking embezzling charge, and that rapper we were pinning our hopes on? Pregnant. Couldn’t stop puking through the test filming yesterday. We can’t use her, it is just awful. “Danijel actually looks a bit green himself. “So, we are down to Pablo from ‘Say Yay to the Gay’, Ida Sagnefjord from ‘Frognerfruer’, Paulina Sætermark, the news anchor from ‘Dagsrevyen’…”

“And not Mattias Strømme, a boring CFO,” Mattias says firmly. “Forget it, Danijel. It’s stupid, immoral and downright illegal. We are deceiving the public, lying and betraying the trust of the brand. Get yourself on the phone to casting downstairs. I am sure we have some D-list celeb just dying to make a spectacle of themselves on TV over Christmas.”

He walks out the door letting it slam hard behind him. Fucking hell, Danijel.

Mattias’s life is peaceful and quiet, his job rewarding and fulfilling. His daughter is the love of his life.

He doesn’t need this.

It’s eight weeks until Christmas. Four weeks until “Baking Battles, The Celebrity Christmas Special” will premiere in time for the December festive period. Eight mouth-watering spectacular episodes full of Christmas cheer, home-made flavours and quirky heart-warming mistakes by clueless celebrities, showing their human side. Christmas cakes. Fucking gingerbread houses. And fruitcakes… not just of the baked variety.

He’s not going anywhere near it. Nope. Not happening.

About the Author

Sophia Soames should be old enough to know better but has barely grown up. She has been known to fangirl over TV-shows, has fallen in and out of love with more popstars than she dares to remember, and has a ridiculously high-flying (un-)glamourous real-life job.

Her long-suffering husband just laughs at her antics. Their children are feral. The Au Pair just sighs.

She lives in a creaky old house in rural London, although her heart is still in Scandinavia.

Discovering that the stories in her head make sense when written down has been part of the most hilarious midlife crisis ever and she hopes it may long continue.

About the Cover Artist

Christina Stern is a Russian based artist. Quick sketches and portraits drawn in pencil are what she likes to do the most. Her work can be found on @christinastern on Instagram

Social Media Links

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RELEASE BLITZ: “He Shoots, He Scores” by Tricia Owens

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:June 16, 2020
Post category:Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited New Release
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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: He Shoots, He Scores (Skate to Love Book 1)

Author: Tricia Owens

Publisher and Cover Artist: Tricia Owens

Genre/s: Sports M/M Romance

Heat Rating: 5 flames

Length: 70 000 words

Release Date: June 16, 2020

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

“There’s more than one way to score.”

Blurb

When superstar winger Neil Shannon is injured in the Stanley Cup Finals, he loses more than the hockey championships. With his confidence shot, his career begins to fall apart and an early retirement seems inevitable. Unwanted by his former team, Neil is traded to one that’s starting over. Even worse, he’s joined there by his biggest rival, the sexy Swede Adrian Magnusson. Adrian feels responsible for Neil’s fall from grace and is determined to revive his career, but Neil wants to stay far away from this Swedish temptation, or else he’ll lose the last thing of value he owns: his reputation.

Excerpt

“I like keeping in touch,” Magnusson admitted. “And I thought it would be fun, texting you. We’re always being pitted against each other by the fans and the media. Funny if they got it all wrong, yeah?”

“We’re not really friends, though,” Neil said, regretting it immediately when the light dimmed behind the other winger’s eyes. “I mean, we don’t know each other that well,” he hastened to add. “This is the first time we’ve said more than a few words to each other.”

“We should be a secret.” Magnusson’s face, normally animated, became still. “You and me.”

You’re already mine, Neil thought. He knew Magnusson meant only friendship, but a person could dream, and Neil was good at entertaining dreams.

“We are a secret,” he declared with drunken boldness. Let Magnusson think he meant it innocently. It didn’t matter.

Emotion moved across the Swede’s face, something wistful. Something stronger. Magnusson was strangely intense when he was drunk. It made Neil nervous, as though anything could happen, good or bad.

Then Magnusson grinned, and the tension snapped.

“I’m glad you yakked today, Shannon.”

Neil sighed, his arousal deflating. “Bite me, Magnusson.”

“Don’t say something like that around a Swedish lion.” Magnusson abruptly stood up and strode to the bathroom. “I’m going to shower.”

He left the door open and Neil could see him clearly in the mirror’s reflection, clumsily undressing. Neil opened his mouth to yell at him to shut the door. But then the tight yellow dress shirt came off, and the undershirt beneath it—and Neil forgot what he was going to say.

Damn, he’s built. He stared openly, unable to look away as the other man struggled with his tight pants until he finally managed to yank and kick his way free of them. His thighs were indeed tree trunks, his calves chiseled. And his ass—Magnusson wore a thong beneath his pants. Neil choked.

Magnusson heard him. His blue eyes flashed up to the mirror, wide with shock. He hadn’t realized Neil could see him. But instead of blushing as Neil expected, Magnusson’s expression grew intent again. Holding Neil’s captive gaze, he reached back and slapped himself loudly on one ass cheek.

About the Author

Tricia Owens has been writing m/m fiction since 2000, after stumbling onto the term ‘slash’ and thinking it referred to horror stories. She is the author of the Sin City, A Pirate’s Life for Me, and Juxtapose City series, among several others. She lives in Las Vegas.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Patreon

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RELEASE BLITZ: “Second Priority” by Este Holland. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included! See below for entry link:

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:June 13, 2020
Post category:Gay Book Promotions Kindle Unlimited New Release
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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Second Priority (Priorities Series, Book 2)

Author: Este Holland

Publisher: Self-published

Cover Artist: Concept: The Write Designer

Release Date: June 12, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Second Chance

Themes: Forgiveness, Redemption

Heat Rating: 4-5 flames

Length: 42,000 words

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Sometimes it takes that special someone to open our hearts.

Blurb

Riley

My heart belonged to him the moment we met. Four years later and my feelings haven’t changed.

Daniel Winters was closed off, unapproachable for anything but sex, and I refused to give in. I was—and still am—worth more than a one-night stand.

But lately something’s changed in him. Something I can’t resist. And my heart is demanding it won’t be second priority any longer.

Daniel

The world is changing. I’m changing. It used to be my job was all I cared about. Getting a good story and telling the truth was priority. But now I find myself lonely, looking for something or someone to make my world bright.

Someone like Riley.

It’s been years since we first met, and I messed it all up. I’m not going to let him get away again, even if I do screw up occasionally.

When a blackmailer interrupts our new life, I may stumble, but Riley will help me pick up the pieces. We won’t go down without a fight.

Triggers: Alcoholism and drinking. Therapy sessions. Stalking. HEA guaranteed.

Excerpt

“Where are we?” I asked, eyes ping-ponging from one side of the street to the next.

“It’s the Art Walk.” Booths and tables lined the sidewalks, selling everything from paintings, to jewelry, to handbags.

“Come on.”

Riley smiled at my enthusiasm and led me to the first booth, then the next and the next. I bought a bracelet, and Riley got a bowtie just to make me laugh. We ate from a food truck and walked hand in hand, until Riley pulled me over to a building.

“What’s this?” I took off my sunglasses. “A bookstore?”

Riley eyed me warily. “Yeah?”

I grinned. “You sure know the way to a man’s heart, Mr. Ellis.”

Riley’s slight concern melted into a smile. “Let’s go.”

The Last Bookstore was a cool place—huge and stuffed with books organized in different ways. Some sections were arranged by color. Art installation dropped from the ceiling, and a massive elephant head with tusks hung on the wall. Books curved in an arch from ceiling to floor.

We took our time wandering around, showing each other interesting discoveries and laughing at each other’s choices.

“What’s your favorite genre?” Riley asked.

I read the back cover of a biography Riley had handed me. “Suspense. I like horror and mysteries, but suspense or thrillers covers a lot.” I put the book away. “What about you?”

“I was more into movies, obviously.” Riley gave a small grin. “But I used to read comics when I was a kid. And I’ve read a lot of Old Hollywood biographies.”

“Makes perfect sense.”

I dragged him to a section with graphic novels, and we perused the shelves. I handed him a yaoi novel, and we had to stifle our laughter at the graphic sex scenes.

“I never read those comics when I was a kid. I didn’t even know they existed.”

“They’re big in Japan and South Korea.”

Riley’s eyes lit, and he pulled me to another section. “Writing references?” I asked. “You think I need to brush up on my skills?”

Riley shook his head. He pulled a book off the shelf and handed it to me.

“On Writing by Stephen King.” I smiled. “I’ve seen this. It’s a hybrid autobiography and ‘how to write’ book.” Touched, I kissed him lightly. “I love this. I’m going to get it.”

“Let me. I want to be a part of your book writing in some small way.”

“You really think I should write a novel?” My eyes stayed glued to the photo of Mr. King with his feet up on a massive desk.

“Only if it’s something you want.” Riley took my hand. “I think you’d be amazing at it, though.”

I finally met his gaze, and I had to swallow the lump that appeared in my throat. “You’d be a huge part of it, Ry.”

He smiled and lit up my whole world.

About the Author

Este Holland is a writer and reader of all things Romance. She’s also a treasure hunter, a word wizard, a lover, and a fighter. She was born and raised in WV, and now lives in Virginia. She works in marketing during the day. She began writing novels in 2012.

Social Media Links

Author Page on Amazon

Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram: @este.holland.writer

Goodreads | BookBub | Twitter| Newsletter Sign-Up

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

one of three ebook copies of Second Priority.

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RELEASE BLITZ: “Why Can’t Freshman Summer be Like Pizza” by Andy V. Roamer.

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:June 12, 2020
Post category:Gay Book Promotions New Release
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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Why Can’t Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza? (The Pizza Chronicles #2)

Author: Andy V. Roamer

Publisher: Nine Star Press

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Release Date: June 1, 2020

Genre/s: YA, Contemporary MM Romance

Trope/s: Teen angst

Themes: Coming out complications, U.S. citizenship

Heat Rating: 0 flames No sexual content. YA novel.

Some mild sexual talk, scenes of kissing and making out. No sexual scenes.

Length: 50 000 words/ 208 pages

This is Book #2 of The Pizza Chronicles series, but can be read standalone.

Buy Links

Nine Star Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

BOOK 1 – WHY CAN’T LIFE BE LIKE PIZZA

NineStar Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

RV, now fifteen years old, tries to enjoy his summer between freshman and sophomore years in high school, as he navigates his sexual feelings, his summer job, and his immigrant parents’ efforts at gaining US citizenship.

Blurb

RV, having successfully completed his freshman year at the demanding Boston Latin School, is hoping for a great summer. He’s now fifteen years old and is looking forward to sharing many languid summer days with his friend Bobby, who’s told him he has gay feelings, too. But life and family and duties for a son of immigrant parents makes it difficult to steal time away with Bobby. RV has to work at his father’s friend’s garage and help his father get ready for his upcoming citizenship test. Bobby, too, has pressures. His father also pushes him to work at a summer job so he spends whatever little extra time he has practicing skills necessary to make Latin’s varsity football team. On top of everything, RV’s best friend Carole goes away for the summer, jumping at an opportunity to spend it with her father in Paris. Luckily for RV, there is always Mr. Aniso, RV’s Latin teacher to talk to, whenever RV is lonely. He’s also there for RV when RV inadvertently spills one of Bobby’s secrets and Bobby is so angry at him RV is afraid he is ready to cut off the friendship.

Warning: gun violence, racial slurs, sexual assault (on page)

Excerpt

We sat there in silence. Was the gay stuff a big deal or wasn’t it? I couldn’t answer that question, but I had to respect Bobby’s wishes. I told myself I didn’t know the first thing about what it was like to be a football player, so I had to follow Bobby’s lead.

Bobby’s hand rested on the ground and I placed mine on top of his. It was my way of telling him I would keep his promise. And maybe more. Sitting there, with my hand on top of his, made me believe a little more that things would turn out all right. That he and I together could fight whatever crap the world might throw at us.

“It’s okay, Bobby,” I murmured. “We’ll still find time for us. And you’ll figure things out.”

Bobby took my hand and gave it a little squeeze—his way, I hope, of telling me he agreed with me. But I could see his mind was still on the coming summer he might not have.

So I didn’t say anything more. We sat there quietly, just looking out at Boston through the trees, lost in our own thoughts.

We sat in silence for a long time and finally realized it was getting late when some lights started to come on in the distance.

Bobby was still looking a little sad, so I had to try one more time. “I love these long, languid summer evenings,” I said, throwing in my favorite word of the moment. “Don’t the lights turning on make you feel like life is good. That magic is still possible?”

A grin appeared back on Bobby’s face. “Languid? Where did you get that word, RV?”

“I don’t know. I just like it.”

“I like it too.” Bobby removed his hand from my hand but then patted it instead. “You and your words, RV,” he said smiling. “Keep ’em coming.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I like them.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

We sat there for a long time, enjoying the languid summer evening. In that moment, it seemed as if magic was really possible. One way or another we’d be able to solve whatever problems might come our way.

About the Author

Andy V. Roamer grew up in the Boston area and moved to New York City after college. He worked in book publishing for many years, starting out in the children’s and YA books division and then wearing many other hats. This is his first novel about RV, the teenage son of immigrants from Lithuania in Eastern Europe, as RV tries to negotiate his demanding high school, his budding sexuality, and new relationships. He has written an adult novel, Confessions of a Gay Curmudgeon, under the pen name Andy V. Ambrose. To relax, Andy loves to ride his bike, read, watch foreign and independent movies, and travel.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram: andy_v_roamer

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

“SERIES REVIEW TOUR: “The Speakeasy” by K. Evan Coles & Brigham Vaughn. $10.00 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Included! See entry link below:

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:June 10, 2020
Post category:Gay Book Promotions Review Tour
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THE SPEAKEASY SERIES REVIEW TOUR and BOOK 4 NEW RELEASE

The Speakeasy Series

Media mogul Jesse Murtagh and bartender Kyle McKee decide to go into business together and open Under Lock & Key, a speakeasy on the upper West Side of Manhattan. The bar, with its secret passphrases and craft liquor cocktails, becomes a sanctuary for Jesse and Kyle’s circle of friends, who gather once a month to catch up with each other and share their experiences.

Under is both hang out and haven for the men who spend time within its walls and their friendships build family ties that are sometimes missing from their own lives.

Overall Heat Rating for the series: 4 flames

The stories can be read in order or as standalones.

TBR Goodreads

BOOK 1

Book Title: With A Twist (The Speakeasy Book 1)

Author: K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn

Publisher: Pride Publishing/Totally Entwined Group

Genre/s: Contemporary, Romance, Gay

Heat Level: 4 flames

Length: 95 295 words/ 263 pages

Release Date: September 25, 2018

Add on Goodreads

Love, served with a twist.

Blurb

Nursing a broken heart when his ex-boyfriend, Riley, leaves him for the love of his life, Carter, Will Martin throws himself into teaching at NYU and writing. An invite from Riley to a speakeasy called Under helps Will begin to heal, and he finds himself enjoying both the drinks and the company.

Soon after, he’s shaken by news of his father’s cancer diagnosis and Will reluctantly returns to Long Island to see the man who disowned him after he was outed.

Sparks fly when Will meets his father’s mentee, Republican Senator David Mori, who is both mixed race and openly gay. Will is looking for a no-strings-attached fling and David is leery of getting involved with his mentor’s son, so they keep their affair a secret.

As his father’s health worsens, Will elects to remain in Garden City and his relationship with David grows beyond casual sex. Now, both men must decide how to bridge the divide between them.

Buy Links

24 Symbols | Thalia | Bol.de | August Roberton | Mondadoristore

BOOK 2

Book Title: Extra Dirty (The Speakeasy Book 2)

Author: K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn

Publisher: Pride Publishing/Totally Entwined Group

Genre/s: Contemporary, Romance, Gay, GLBTQI

Heat Level: 4 flames

Length: 88 944 words/ 345 pages

Release Date: March 26, 2019

Add on Goodreads

Love, served extra dirty.

Blurb

Jesse Murtagh loves his life as a wealthy bisexual businessman dedicated to the pursuit of pleasure. With a circle of friends he trusts implicitly, he enjoys a successful career in his family’s business and as co-owner of Under, an uptown speakeasy, with his friend with benefits, Kyle McKee.

Music teacher and part-time DJ Cameron Lewis lives modestly in a DUMBO loft and isn’t interested in serious relationships. However, he’s always up for some casual fun.

Doing a favor for his friend Carter Hamilton, Jesse meets Cam and is immediately charmed. When Jesse discovers Cam’s other life as a DJ, he is further intrigued. Viewing Cam as a challenge, Jesse pulls out all the stops, but his usual methods to avoid serious relationships fail. Though Cam has no intention of becoming attached, he begins to fall for Jesse, unaware that Jesse’s feelings are changing.

Afraid of heartbreak, Cam pulls away, leaving Jesse bewildered and hurt. They remain friends until a series of misunderstandings widens the rift to breaking point. When Cam steps in to help Jesse through a family crisis, they realize they care for each other more than they’ve been willing to admit. Jesse and Cam don’t want a traditional relationship, but can they build a future that makes them both happy?

Buy Links

Google Play | 24S | Angus Robertson | Mondadori

BOOK 3

Book Title: Behind the Stick (The Speakeasy Book 3)

Author: K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn

Publisher: Pride Publishing/Totally Entwined Group

Release Date: August 20, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary, MM, Romance, Interracial, Erotic Romance

Trope/s: Bad Breakup, Hurt/Comfort, Interracial Relationship,

Sex Buddies Become Lovers, Found Family

Themes: Family, Friendship, Family Conflict, Racial Intolerance, Forgiveness

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 97 045 words/370 pages

Add on Goodreads

Love, served behind the stick.

Blurb

Kyle McKee lives a charmed life. He co-owns Under, an uptown speakeasy, where he is chief mixologist. Friends poke fun at Kyle’s tiny one-bed apartment in Chelsea, but they’re the best support system a man could ask for. Unfortunately, Kyle’s lackluster love life has led him to take a break from dating.

Harlem resident Luka Clarke is a lieutenant with Engine 47, the Pride of Morningside, where he carries on his father’s legacy with the FDNY. Luka, who is mixed race and bisexual, has his eye on Kyle, whom he met at a local burger joint and he just needs to make time to visit Kyle’s bar.

Before work one evening, Kyle is trapped inside the luncheonette when a fire breaks out. Luka’s firehouse answers the call and he connects with Kyle again under the most unexpected of circumstances. When Kyle gratefully invites Luka and the firehouse squad to Under, the flirting between the two men leads to a date.

Kyle and Luka quickly grow close, but Luka’s mother and sister distrust Kyle for being both white and gay. Luka believes his family will come around and accept Kyle in the end, but Kyle is not optimistic and hides his disquiet as attraction blossoms into love.

Kyle and Luka’s near-idyllic bubble is shattered one evening after a hate crime leaves them scarred, inside and out. Shaken, they put on a strong front but struggle inwardly against fear and personal demons. As the emotions seething beneath the surface finally come to a head, both men must decide if they have the strength to find love enough to conquer hate.

Reader advisory: This book contains references to non-nurturing parenting; homophobia; racism and racist slurs. There are references to recreational drug use. This book also contains scenes of mmmm ménage and characters caught in fire.

Buy Links

Amazon US| Amazon UK

B&N| Apple| Google| Kobo

NEW RELEASE

BOOK 4

Book Title: Straight Up (The Speakeasy Book 4)

Author: K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn

Publisher: Pride Publishing/Totally Entwined Group

Length: approx 94 217 words/ 267 pages

Release Date: June 9, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Gay, Ace Spectrum, GLBTQI

Trope/s: Opposites Attract, Bi-Awakening, Coming Out, First Time, Found Family

Themes: Acceptance, commitment, family conflict, denial,

closeted kink, taboo, experimentation/first time, sexual awakening.

This book can standalone or be read as part of the series.

Choose Your Store | First For Romance

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Love, served straight up.

Blurb

Malcolm Elliott has been keeping secrets. Helping his mom through a financial crisis has nearly emptied his bank account and his kitchen cupboards, despite his thriving career with Corporate Equality Campaign. Malcolm is also bothered by his inability to tell the most important people in his life that he identifies as gray ace.

Stuart Morgan has a secret of his own. Though years have passed since the tattooed chef fled the Mormon church in Utah for New York, he’s never truly come to terms with the kink that ruined that rigid but outwardly perfect life. Experience has also taught Stuart that keeping his love of lacy things under wraps is safer than telling the truth.

After Malcom’s boss, Carter, hires Stuart’s restaurant to cater a gala fundraising event, the strait-laced Malcolm is thrown together with badass biker Stuart. Despite their differences and a couple of false starts, the men discover they work well together and a friendship quickly forms.

As Malcolm’s feelings for Stuart deepen, his sexuality awakens, but he remains tight-lipped about his problems. And though Stuart grows more and more attached to Malcolm, he remains fearful of confessing his kink.

When both of their secrets are finally exposed, they find themselves at a crossroads in which they must choose between playing it safe or finally coming clean to the person they love.

Excerpt

From Straight Up, The Speakeasy #4

“Crap, crap crap.” Malcolm took the subway stairs two at a time, muttering under his breath.

He’d arranged the Thursday meeting with Chef Morgan at Lock & Key, expecting forty-five minutes would be plenty of time to commute up from Midtown. However, a mechanical problem had plagued his train and he’d spent the crawling ride exchanging messages with his mom, trying to get her to apply for job openings he’d found in the neighborhoods around Staten Island. Now Malcolm was nearly fifteen minutes late and almost sprinting along Broadway in his loafers and business casual duds, messenger bag bumping his hip.

Malcolm hated being late, particularly when it came to his job. He’d texted the chef with a heads-up he was running behind, but still felt wretched and unprofessional. He also knew this would make a poor impression on a man who had high expectations of the people around him. Stuart had been friendly—even charming—when he’d introduced himself to Malcolm, tattoos peeking out from beneath the chef’s white jacket. His demeanor had changed the moment the talk had turned to food, however, shifting into a thorough confidence that was reflected in the quality and plating of the food he’d put in front of Malcolm. Everything had been luscious—both esthetically and in taste—and Malcolm had known from the first bite that the chef and his staff at King’s would do impeccable work for the CEC fundraiser.

The steel in Stuart’s expression as he’d spoken about food and his work had reassured Malcolm. He understood how to interact with a man who was all business. He’d been less sure of how to handle the moments when Stuart had smiled at him, however, and the way that warmth had made his brown eyes dance. The chef’s touch had tingled against Malcolm’s skin when they’d bid each other goodbye, too and…well. Malcolm really didn’t know what to make of that.

He caught sight of a huge motorcycle parked by the curb as he neared Lock & Key and slowed to a walk. It was a beautiful machine, gleaming black and chrome in the late afternoon light, and Malcolm could imagine the kind of man who rode it, clad in a leather jacket with tattoos on full display.

I’ll bet Stuart Morgan wears a leather jacket.

Malcolm nearly tripped into Lock & Key’s door. Where the hell had that come from?

Seconds later his errant thought literally came to life and Malcolm blinked at the sight of the chef seated at Lock & Key’s bar, a tall glass of water in hand and motorcycle helmet by his elbow. Stuart wore a black leather jacket, just as Malcolm had imagined, and a scowl so mighty he looked almost like a stranger. Malcolm’s stomach flipped.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said in a rush. Moving quickly, Malcolm waved hello to the bartender, then pulled the strap of his bag over his head and stepped up beside Stuart. “I meant to be here to meet you, Chef, but the train—”

Stuart cut in, his voice gruff and grumpy as Malcolm had expected. “I get it. Public transportation sucks.”

“It’s unpredictable,” Malcolm replied. “Anyway, Under’s head bartender is waiting for us downstairs.”

“Downstairs?” Stuart waved at the room around them with one hand. “Downstairs from here?”

“Um, yeah. This is Lock & Key. Under’s located in the basement.”

“I thought you said the event would be happening on the roof?”

“It will be. Under and Lock & Key will be part of it, too though. Sort of.” Heat flashed over Malcolm’s cheeks when Stuart rolled his eyes. “Sorry, let’s …” He blew out a breath and squared his shoulders. “Let’s start again.”

Stuart’s expression softened by a degree. “Okay. I’m listening.”

About the Authors

K. Evan Coles

K. Evan Coles is a mother and tech pirate by day and a writer by night. She is a dreamer who, with a little hard work and a lot of good coffee, coaxes words out of her head and onto paper. K. lives in the northeast United States, where she complains bitterly about the winters, but truly loves the region and its diverse, tenacious and deceptively compassionate people. You’ll usually find K. nerding out over books, movies and television with friends and family. She’s especially proud to be raising her son as part of a new generation of unabashed geeks.

K.’s books explore LGBTQ+ romance in contemporary settings.

Author Links

K. Evan Coles

Blog/Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Facebook Reader Group

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Goodreads | Newsletter

Brigham Vaughn

Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.

Her books range from short stories to novellas. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.

Author Links

Brigham Vaughn

Blog | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Fan Group (Brigham’s Book Nerds)

Twitter | Newsletter sign-up | Instagram | Pinterest

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SERIES REVIEW TOUR: “Boys of Brighton” by M. Tasia. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included! See entry link below:

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:June 4, 2020
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SERIES REVIEW TOUR

BOYS OF BRIGHTON SERIES by M. TASIA

Welcome to Brighton, Texas. Where anyone can find a home.

The stories are standalone but set in the same town.

Genre/s: Contemporary MM Romance

Overall Heat Rating for the series: 4 flames

Check out the series on Goodreads

Series Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords | Kobo | Boroughs Publishing Group

BOYS OF BRIGHTON

1 Gabe

2 Sam’s Soldiers

3 Rick’s Bear

4 Jesse

5 Coop

6 Travis

7 Grady

8 Vincent

9 Shadow

10 Holidays

BOOK 1

Two Men. One Fire.

Book Title: Gabe

Length: 41 410 words

Release Date: September 8, 2016

Trope/s: Hurt/comfort

Themes: Trust and hope

Buy Links

Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords

Blurb

UNQUENCHABLE

Gabe Mason is a fifth-generation firefighter unable to move forward with his life after a devastating betrayal two years earlier. Graphic designer Johnny Jeffrey relocated to Brighton, Texas, to flee persecution and fear, and to begin living again on his own terms. The two meet amidst fire and smoke, and soon Johnny is in Gabe’s arms, right where he should be. The connection is palpable, undeniable, and hot, and healing from the past is within reach of both men. And yet, the office-building blaze that brought them together is only the beginning of their struggles. Not family, not faith, not a lunatic’s rage. It took a fire to bring Gabe and Johnny together. Nothing will tear them apart.

BOOK 2

Three Men. One Duty. Love.

Book Title: Sam’s Soldiers

Length: 40 560 words

Release Date: December 29, 2016

Trope/s: Revenge/Salvation

Themes: Forgiveness

Buy Links

Amazon | Smashwords | Borough Publishing Group

Blurb

Emergency room nurse Samuel Mason is offered a ménage relationship with two ex-military men and discovers a love more dangerous—and more exquisite—than he anticipated.

Welcome back to Brighton, Texas. Where any man can find home.

THE POWER OF THREE

As an emergency room nurse at Brighton General, Samuel Mason spends most of his days caring for the sick and injured, and his nights alone. Until now.

Jack “ Spider” Forrester and Dante Snow have arrived. Retired from the Army, they provide protection to those in need. They’ve come to Brighton to guard Sam’s cousin from a dire threat, but it’s Sam’s world they turn inside out. Jack wears his heart on his sleeve but is no pushover, and Dante is scarred from a past he’d sooner forget. They two are partners in all things, from the bedroom to the office to the street, and they want Sam to join them…for as long as they’re in town. But there is danger ahead, and not just from the type of men these skilled, muscled heroes have sworn to take down. The danger of falling in love.

BOOK 3

Some things are better in person.

Book Title: Rick’s Bear

Length: 40 060 words

Release Date: March 3, 2017

Trope/s: Opposites attract, hurt/comfort

Themes: Family and strength

Buy Links

Amazon | Smashwords | Borough Publishing Group

Blurb

Welcome back to Brighton, Texas. Where any man can find home.

A DEN OF THEIR OWN

Clem “Bear” Mitchell owns the only diner in Brighton and prefers to be left alone. After growing up in—and barely escaping—one of the toughest motorcycle gangs out of Chicago, he just wants peace. Librarian Rick Johansson is the same. Due to his anxiety, he has always lived on the outskirts of society, finding it far safer to stay in the stacks. But no man is an island, and when the two are thrust together by dangerous events playing out around them, they see that life is better together. The tattooed, bear of a biker and the quiet, unassuming librarian will soon show the residents of Brighton that the local bookworm can teach an old bear new tricks.

BOOK 4

If you can’t stand the heat…

Book Title: Jesse

Length: 40 810 words

Release Date: June 2, 2017

Trope/s: Second chances at love, secret past

Themes: Moving on from the past

Buy Links

Amazon | Smashwords | Borough Publishing Group | Kobo

Blurb

HEATING UP

Royce Evans has worked as a paramedic in Brighton since graduating college. After the accident, though, his life seemed over. His husband died. Then he met Jesse. Handsome, brave, loving—the short-order cook is everything Royce desires. Everything he’d thought forever gone. Now Jesse’s tan, muscled body has brought him back to life, and nothing is going to shut that down. Not his own fears of heartbreak. Not Jesse’s past, or the fact that he ran from it. And definitely not Jesse’s crazy violent family, the Redemption Squad.

BOOK 5

At All Costs…

Book Title: Coop

Length: 41 430 words

Release Date: September 5, 2017

Trope/s: Hurt/comfort

Themes: Changes, strength, forgiveness

Buy Links

Blurb

CATCH ME WHEN I FALL

King of the one-night stand, Coop Stenson knows his warped upbringing and chosen profession with the Sentinels, a private security team, has conditioned him to avoid romantic attachments. Yet when accident-prone Matthew Whitton literally falls into his life, one thing is abundantly clear: Matt deserves more than a man-slut.

Matthew’s love is overpowering, and just as Coop is ready to take the plunge, having fought its inevitable pull for as long as he could, an old nemesis targets the partners of the Sentinels. So keeping Matt safe is about more than just another job or set of logistics. It’s about the rest of his life.

BOOK 6

To Protect and Serve.

Book Title: Travis

Length: 44 450

Release Date: November 7, 2017

Trope/s: Hurt/comfort

Themes: Overcoming fear, trust

Buy Links

Amazon | Smashwords | Borough Publishing Group | Kobo

Blurb

BEAUTY…

After living on the streets and in his car, Travis has found a home in Brighton, Texas. His job as a cook at the local diner pays enough for him to afford a small apartment, and, for the first time in years, he’s able to feed his passion, buying a few art supplies so he can sketch. He’s safe, and, oddly enough, feels accepted in this small town. And, for reasons he cannot fathom, Bo Mason, a gorgeous cop, seems interested. While flattered, Travis knows if his secrets are revealed, Bo won’t want to have a damn thing to do with the likes of Travis Boone.

IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

From the moment he saw the new blue-eyed cook at Brighton’s diner, Bo Mason fell. Hard. And while getting close to Travis Boone has been like gentling a terrified animal, Bo knows there’s a special person hiding behind those small smiles and closely guarded secrets. Slowly, Bo starts to peel back the layers cocooning Travis and learns the heart of an angel beats inside the most beautiful man Bo has ever known.

BOOK 7

Book Title: Grady

Length: 43 650 words

Release Date: March 1, 2018

Trope/s: Forbidden Love

Themes: Loss, forgiveness

Buy Links

Blurb

WATCH OUT FOR

After coming out, Grady Reynolds is disowned by his family, and is forced to leave his job in the Dallas PD. Becoming an officer in the small town of Brighton, Grady has to start over while feeling adrift and alone. When he meets firefighter Ben Mason, life takes a sudden, happy turn until Ben tells Grady they have to keep their relationship on the DL. After months of loving a man who thinks of him as no more than a booty call, Grady has had enough and wants out.

THE WRECKING BALL

Ben Mason loves Grady Reynolds like crazy. But Ben can’t tell his lover how he feels. He can’t acknowledge him in public. He can’t claim him as his own. Ben wants to tell Grady the truth, but the danger in that is deadly, and Ben won’t risk it. But peril and menace find Grady anyway, and Ben’s lies and deception come crashing down around him. Just when he thinks he’s lost everything, he learns that a love as deep as theirs can survive anything.

BOOK 8

Only the strong survive.

Book Title: Vincent

Length: 44 690 words

Release Date: July 17, 2018

Trope/s: Bodyguard

Themes: Never give up, rebirth

Buy Links

Blurb

ONLY THE STRONG

When he moved to Brighton, novelist Tristan Michaels was thrilled to leave his past behind. Trauma and danger had shattered his world and almost ruined his life. When everything finally seems to be settling down, he becomes embroiled in his best friend’s drama, which leads to more danger and…Vincent. And while love at first sight had been the stuff of Tristan’s books, when he meets Vincent fantasy became reality.

SURVIVE

Vincent Greyson has spent his life fighting for what’s right, first as a Navy Seal, and now as a member of the elite team known as the Sentinels. When he meets Tristan Michaels, Vincent knows his heart will always belong to this magnetic, special man. But love and patience is tested when horrible fates keep befalling Tristan, and Vincent vows that he’d do anything for his love, even leave the Sentinels.

BOOK 9

The most difficult thing to do is face the truth.

Book Title: Shadow

Length: 41 560

Release Date: October 25, 2018

Trope/s: Bodyguard, rescuer

Themes: Betrayal/forgiveness

Buy Links

Amazon | Kobo | Apple | B&N

Blurb

THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO DO…

Imagine knowing your family hates you and has no problem sending you away to be abused – to die alone. Randy Reynolds was living that reality until he was saved by a man called Shadow. What Randy learned about himself and the people who were supposed to love him was nothing short of horrific. What he found with the Sentinels and Shadow was everything miraculous.

IS FACE THE TRUTH

Jake Kennedy’s past haunts him. Ghosts drove him into the shadows until he became Shadow. Unseen and not really there, he lived his life without any connections but for the Sentinels, the team that saved him from oblivion. Then a mission changed his life and forced him to shed the shroud that kept his heart from feeling. Now, for Randy Reynolds, Jake will come out of the shadows, he’ll be present and whole instead of the man who had kept himself hidden for twenty years.

BOOK 10

Book Title: The Holidays

Length: 39 960

Release Date: November 29, 2018

Trope/s: Celebration, update on couples

Themes: Looking forward to the future

Buy Links

Blurb

Tis The Season

Some had waited years to find “the one,” while others had given up on love and had closed themselves off from feeling anything. But each of these men have found the person that makes them whole, gives them hope and strength to face whatever life throws at them, and to show them what love really means. Welcome to the holidays in Brighton, Texas. Sit down and stay a spell. We invite you to soak up the joy of the season with your favorite lovers.

Excerpt From Travis (Book 6)

Travis cleaned his cup, made his bed, showered, and headed downstairs to the diner. The dining room was dark, the solo light from the kitchen spilling out into the area, casting a dim glow. He loved this time of day. Everything was fresh and new; anything was possible. Since the diner faced east, he’d soon be graced with a beautiful sunrise filled with reds and yellows. Someday, he would capture that sight on a canvas.

He turned from the window and headed for the kitchen. He’d get a tray of biscuits on before he started the coffee, knowing he’d have company soon enough. Since he’d decided to come back to his apartment from the hospital, Bo had been showing up every morning before the diner opened to have coffee with Travis. Then throughout the day into the evening, Bo would stop by until Travis was done with work.

If he were honest with himself, he looked forward to their time together. And that was all he could allow. Nothing closer and certainly nothing more. Aside from the hospital staff and physical therapists at the rehab facility, no one willingly had or would ever touch him.

Within twenty minutes, Travis had a tray of biscuits ready for the oven. He set the timer and went to turn on the coffee when he heard a knock on the front door. Bo.

“Just a minute,” Travis yelled as he poured the remaining water into the coffee makers and headed for the door.

He rounded the booths and saw Bo’s police cruiser in the parking lot, and the man’s large body filling the front door’s frame. Bo stood there smiling wide as if he had good reason. Travis felt his body heat up, and he knew he was blushing.

Life had made him tough; he was a loner, and he didn’t blush, dammit. But the sight of Bo turned Travis’s brain into tapioca pudding. Quickly, he unlocked the door and let in the man of his dreams. He could look but never touch.

“Good morning.” Bo’s deep voice resonated throughout Travis’s body like a caress.

He reminded himself to remain unaffected; he could never allow himself to slip. “Good morning, Bo. I just put the coffee on. It should be ready any minute.”

“Great. Will you be joining me this morning?” Bo’s brown eyes were so warm and inviting.

Travis had already put on the biscuits, so he had a few minutes to spare. But should he? Bo being a cop meant he could read people well.

“A couple minutes is all I’m asking for, promise.”

Oh, what the hell, why not? “Okay, I’ll get the coffee.”

Bo sat his large body on a stool at the counter. With only the light from the kitchen illuminating the area, this familiar scene felt almost intimate. Travis’s hands shook slightly with equal parts excitement and trepidation. Though there could be nothing physical between them, maybe they could be friends. That way he wouldn’t lose Bo completely once the man realized Travis was a lost cause and Bo moved onto someone who could be what he needed.

Carefully, Travis added sugar and cream to Bo’s coffee, and then walked to the opposite side of the counter across from Bo, making sure a physical barrier remained between them. Bo smiled when Travis returned with his black coffee, and if Bo noticed Travis was keeping his distance, the cop gave no indication.

“How was your night? More nightmares?” Bo cradled the coffee mug between his large hands.

Travis had tried to keep his nightmares to himself, but Bo had seen the effects they had on him in the hospital, so there was no use in pretending they didn’t exist.

“It wasn’t so bad. Only one last night.” Travis played off how shaken he’d been and attempted a smile.

Bo reached over and took Travis’s hand, holding it gently. Travis froze, unable to pull his hand away. The big man’s warmth moved up Travis’s arm, and excitement filled his body. Bo reached into his pocket and pulled something out before placing it into Travis’s open palm.

“I want you to have this.” Bo removed his hand, leaving a shiny, black cell phone behind. “Please accept it.”

Travis never had enough extra money to buy a cell phone—a roof over his head and food in his stomach took precedence over any creature comforts. He looked at the phone’s shiny screen and its sleek body and had no clue what to do with it.

Of course, he knew there was a button to turn it on, but that was as far as his knowledge base went.

“I…I’ve never…I can’t take this.”

“Yes, you can. I bought it for you.”

“But why?” Travis asked, truly confused. Travis could have sworn Bo’s cheeks pinked. Why would he be embarrassed? I’m the one who doesn’t know how to use the damn thing.

“You should have one for safety in case you need help, or if you just want to talk to someone. I programmed my number into it, but you can add as many people as you like. Here is your new phone number.”

Bo handed Travis a slip of paper then took the phone from his hand and said, “I’ll show you how it works,” saving him the embarrassment of admitting he was clueless.

He figured Bo must have noticed Travis didn’t have much by way of possessions, particularly a phone. Bo spent the next ten minutes explaining all the features. The only things that registered with Travis were how to text and make a call. He had no idea what he’d use the Bluetooth for. There was even a little picture of Bo on the screen Travis could push if he wanted to call him.

Bo smiled wide, handed the phone back to Travis then stood while placing his money for the coffee on the counter. “I’ll drop in later today for lunch.”

“But I didn’t say I’d take it,” Travis called out as Bo headed for the door.

“Try it out. See if you like it,” Bo replied. “Have a good day.”

The door swung shut, and he was gone. Travis stood at the counter for a few minutes, trying to figure out what to do with the phone.

In the end, he shoved it into his pocket before returning to the kitchen.

About the Author

M. Tasia, is a romance author who lives in Ontario, Canada. Michelle is a dedicated people watcher, lover of romance novels, 80’s rock, and happy endings. Who grew up with a love of reading. She’s a firm believer that everyone deserves to have love, excitement and crazy hot romance in their lives. Love should be celebrated and shared.

Author Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter |Newsletter sign-up |Instagram

Giveaway

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one of three ebook copies from the Boys of Brighton series

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RELEASE BLITZ: “Always You” by Nell Iris. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included! See entry link below:

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:June 1, 2020
Post category:Gay Book Promotions New Release
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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Always You

Author: Nell Iris

Publisher: JMS Books

Cover Artist: Written Ink Designs

Release Date: May 30, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Childhood friends to lovers

Themes: Self-discovery

Heat Rating: 2 flames

Length: 11 000 words

It is a standalone story.

Twitter: @nellirisauthor | Instagram: @nell_iris | Goodreads

Buy Links

JMS Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo |

Best friends. Roommates. And now, maybe…more?

Blurb

Thom Novak feels like a walking cliché: the gay guy desperately in love with his straight best friend, Lee. But he’s willing to keep his feelings hidden, to do whatever it takes, as long as they stay friends forever.

Lee Conway loves sharing an apartment with Thom, his best friend since birth, and would be happy doing it for the rest of his life…no matter his current girlfriend’s opinion on the matter. But he’s never been known for being in contact with his emotions.

When something happens to upset the status quo, Lee pulls away. Has Lee learned how Thom feels about him? Will it mean the end of their friendship? Or is there another reason Lee needs time to think? A more…hopeful reason?

Excerpt

The next morning, I’m one hundred and ten percent certain something’s wrong. It’s 6:17 AM and I’m waiting for Lee in the kitchen, leaning against the sink, trying to make my glass of water last so I have an excuse for hanging around, doing nothing but staring in the direction of his bedroom.

Every morning, we go out running together at 6 AM on the dot. Without fail, come rain or shine, weekend or workday. The only exception is if either of us is sick or if it’s a world-ending kind of storm outside. And Lee is a stickler for being on time: between him and me, I’m the one who’s always late and leave him waiting impatiently for me to get ready.

And now it’s almost twenty past six and he hasn’t showed his face yet?

Outside, it’s a lovely May morning. The birds are chirping, waking up the neighborhood, and the first rays of sun promise to finally heat up our corner of the world. So no world-ending storm in sight, and yet he’s nowhere to be seen.

Is he dying?

Any other day, I would march into his room, pull off his down comforter, and yell in my best—albeit not very good—imitation of a drill sergeant—Get up, get up, get up!—but today I’m strangely reluctant.

On one hand, I want an explanation for his weird mood from yesterday—and his tardiness!—but on the other hand I still want to give him time if he needs it. And part of me isn’t entirely sure I’m not over-reacting.

But I can’t help thinking that it has to be something about me. What if he found out how I really feel about him and can’t deal with it? Not that I can recall doing something to show my hand, but I can’t be sure.

Maybe it’s something Debora said? Did she figure me out and tell him? She’s never shown any homophobic tendencies, so I don’t think that would be the reason. But maybe she’s jealous? She wouldn’t be the first of Lee’s girlfriends to be jealous of our close friendship, and I can’t really blame her if that’s the case.

But that can’t be it either. Every time someone has complained about our friendship in the past, Lee’s shut them down immediately. He wouldn’t accept it from her. And to be perfectly honest, Debora has always been friendly and nice whenever we’ve met and not shown any indication of being jealous.

And I’m back to thinking he must have figured out how I feel about him, even though it seems highly unlikely. I mean, I haven’t told him specifically—or written my feelings down on a sign—but whatever it is, I hope it won’t come between us.

I can live without having Lee Conway as my life partner, but I can’t live without his friendship. Losing it would kill me.

In the end, I decide to give him time, and live with his ire if it turns out he overslept—yeah, right!—and I neglected to wake him. I shove my feet into my shoes and head out on my own.

Running alone is weird. Lee is the whole reason I’m a runner at all; when he decided he wanted to become a professional football player when he was ten, he told me he needed to start taking his “fitness routine” seriously and he was going to start running every morning. When I made a disgusted face over the thought of getting out of bed in the buttcrack of dawn to go out and run of all things—wake me up and take me to the library and I would have been game, but running?—he zeroed in on me and started lecturing me on how even science geeks needed to stay healthy. He went on and on—and quoted me honest-to-god, real, actual facts!—until I broke down and agreed to come along. I’ve never been one to resist science. Or Lee. And the combination was deadly even when I was ten.

About the Author

Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies room), loves music (and singing along at the top of her voice but she’s no Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (Make it so). She loves words, bullet journals, poetry, wine, coffee-flavored kisses, and fika (a Swedish cultural thing involving coffee and pastry!)

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a bisexual Swedish woman married to the love of her life, a proud mama of a grown daughter, and is approaching 50 faster than she’d like. She lives in the south of Sweden where she spends her days thinking up stories about people falling in love. After dreaming about being a writer for most of her life, she finally was in a place where she could pursue her dream and released her first book in 2017.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angsty, short over long, and quirky characters over alpha males.

Author Links

Blog/Website | Facebook Author Page | Facebook Profile

QueeRomance Ink | BookBub

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Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

one of five copies of your ebook choice from Nell’s backlist

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RELEASE BLITZ: “Iblis Affliction” by Nero Seal. Rafflecopter Giveaway Included! See entry link below:

Post author:Eric Huffbind
Post published:May 31, 2020
Post category:Gay Book Promotions New Release
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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Iblīs’ Affliction

Author: Nero Seal

Publisher: Seal Publishing

Cover Artist: Sublime Novels

Release Date: May 29, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary, dark M/M romance, thriller/horror

Trope/s: Gay for you, HFN, mafia boss/assassin

Themes: Assassins, mafia, psychopaths, power play, a masochistic character

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 100 126 words/318 pages

It is a standalone story.

Buy Links

Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

“If you sleep with the Devil, don’t expect to get out of hell.”

Blurb

Iblīs (Arabic إبليس)—the primary devil in Islam.

“If you sleep with the Devil, don’t expect to get out of hell.”

DEMANDING. NEEDY. DANGEROUS. Slater is everything Talha doesn’t want but is everything the crime lord needs. The bloodiest ripper of Anatolia, nicknamed Iblīs, kills for him and warms his bed. Yet, there’s no love.

Stuck in a power play, symbiotic relationship, Talha knows that if he shows weakness, he’ll fall at the hands of his own weapon.

THIRST FOR BLOOD, SEX, AND PAIN drives Slater crazy. The need to murder wrenches his soul, and only Talha can cool the deep itch that grows stronger every day. Only Master can understand what Slater needs because Master belongs to Slater.

Then Master changes the rules to cheat the game. But Talha doesn’t grasp, that there’s no escape from Iblīs’ affliction.

Excerpt

“Play with me…”

“No.” The sharp reply made Slater’s cheek twitch.

“I’m bored, Master. Play with me.” Irritation found its way into his voice alongside the demanding notes.

“No. I need you fit.” Not compromising, Talha glanced at his watch. “Entertain yourself. I have to work.”

“Fine…” Slater hissed.

Talha reached under his seat and pulled out the laptop. Slater’s focus slipped down but stumbled over the shirt. Too many pieces of clothing covered this muscular body for Slater’s liking. The desire to spoil Talha’s designer suit, so the man would strip, poisoned his blood.

His tennis shoe bumped against the black leather of the seat in front, as Slater spread his legs apart. The zipper vibrated against his groin, coming undone slot by slot a moment before he shimmed his ass out of his jeans and took his heavy cock into his palm. His gaze traveled up Talha’s smooth, square jaw to the hard line of his mouth. Five years older than Slater, Talha was broader, an inch taller, and a bit more muscular. At thirty-three, with his hair brushed back, he looked a couple of years older. His slightly arched brows and nose, broken in fights, enhanced his predatory aura.

Lust spiked Slater’s blood, splashing red desire all over his vision. Relaxing against his seat, he licked his lips. Talha’s rough skin allured him to lean closer and moisten it with his tongue.

At the hazy edge of his vision, Zaal’s face contorted in disgust, the conflict of interests twisting his features in an unreadable grimace. Slater didn’t care.

The air scraped his throat with every shaky breath; precum leaked over his fingers, marring his jeans. The uncomfortable atmosphere thickened as emotions streamed through the air. Disgust, hatred, contempt, discomfort, ignorance—all had colors and scents that crawled under Slater’s skin, igniting his depravity. His soul burned with all-consuming arousal. Slater craved Talha to look, and Talha did.

A surprised glance held and lingered. The rough mouth curled up in a lopsided smirk as a long, index finger brushed over the chapped lips, betraying Talha’s building arousal. Slater shivered under his cannibalistic stare.

“Need help?” Talha murmured. The cloud of discomfort emitting from Zaal darkened.

Slamming his laptop closed, Talha put it aside and removed the table. The papers scattered over the floor. His foot slid up the denim fabric toward Slater’s groin. Pressing down, it scratched the skin on the back of Slater’s hands and terminated the stimulation. Not gentle, not caring, but rough, authoritative, merciless. Pressure crushed Slater’s cock and balls, making him shudder.

“Hurts…” The weak complaint only made Talha’s lips twitch.

“Hands.” The husky voice seeping into Slater’s soul demanded obedience.

Instantly dropping his hands, Slater welcomed the direct skin to sole contact. His lungs burned from oxygen deprivation, forcing his nails to scratch a long trail under his t-shirt to alleviate the pressure in his chest and gain more pain. Up and down, the rough underside of the shoe rubbed his cock, the cruel heel meeting his balls with every thrust.

“You’re such a horny dog, aren’t you?” Talha observed.

Slater whimpered and closed his eyes, concentrating on the burning sensation growing in his lower belly. His thighs shook following the jerky rhythm of Talha’s foot as the cleansing pain burned every thought out of his head, leaving only lust behind.

“What should I do with you?”

Holding his breath, Slater listened to the voice of his master. The voice that had guided him through so much pain and pleasure; the voice that knew what he needed better than anyone else. More. Rougher. Harder. This wasn’t enough; chasing his pleasure, he thrust his hips forward, imprinting himself into Talha’s shoe. A shudder ran through his body, and a weak, shaky plea escaped his lips, “More, Master.”

About the Author

Journalist, poker player, casino events manager, designer, and SEO specialist, Nero Seal tried it all before committing to the idea of being an M/M fiction writer. Living in one of the most homophobic countries in the world, he has a lot to say. Being an avid traveler, he creates his imaginary worlds from the places he’s been and the people he’s met.
Characters always talk in his head, forcing him to write their stories, using his 49 kinks as the ultimate weapon of allure. When the voices in his head aren’t slaving him around, he is drawing, hiking, and procrastinating important things in favor of momentary gratification.

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