I’m so happy and honored to be a part of the Gay Book Promotions blog tour celebrating the release of the MM Paranormal Romance The Slow Death by Nic Starr and BL Maxwell! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Caught in the fallout of a rare disease, and members of opposing packs, Zander and Marrok’s future as fated mates hangs in the balance. Blurb Alexander Kingston wasn’t destined to lead the East Territory pack, but fate had other ideas. Becoming the next Alpha in his dead brother’s place and managing his father’s expectations is a challenge, one that’s only getting harder with time. When his father, the Alpha is reluctant to accept outside assistance when one of their own is afflicted with a deadly blood disorder, Zander must take a stand against his father or lose another pack member to The Slow Death. Marrok Blain is part of the North Territory pack. With his unique knowledge of The Slow Death, the debilitating progressive disorder that slowly kills with every shift, he offers help, knowing he’ll be met with resistance from his friend’s pack. What he doesn’t expect is the overwhelming pull to the stubborn yet undeniably gorgeous son of the East Territory Alpha. Four packs coexisting with rising tensions, and a genetic disorder that reminds them of the common thread that connects them all. Zander and Marrok are the key to an uneasy alliance, or all the packs will suffer. Especially Zander, who discovers he’s got one more deadly fight to face. Excerpt “I need to speak to the alpha!” Marrok tried to move past the other man who stood slightly taller than his own six foot two. “Sorry, he’s busy. Can I help you?” He stepped right in front of Marrok again. “I want to speak to the alpha!” he gritted out, his patience gone. “What’s going on out here?” The power of the alpha was immediately felt and Marrok fought and lost as he tried not to bow his head in submission and respect. “I want to know why you’re not doing more to find Grady a donor.” The guy who’d tried to stop Marrok stayed close, his eyes focused on him. Marrok shot him a look, and when their eyes locked a force more powerful than even the command of the alpha rippled across his senses. It was there and gone so fast he didn’t have time to put a name to it, so ignoring the shocked expression that crossed the other man’s face, he forced his eyes back to the alpha. “I want some answers, and if I can help, I want to be involved. Grady’s important to me, and if you’re not willing to help him I will. There’s no chance in hell I’ll let him die without a fight.” Marrok glanced again at the man who still had his eyes locked on him and now had his arms crossed in obvious annoyance, before looking back to the alpha. “You must be Marrok. I’m Andreas, Alpha of East Territory. This is my son Alexander.” Marrok looked between the two men and saw the resemblance but didn’t care who the guy was. Whatever had passed between them didn’t matter. His friend came first, and the fact that they had let him decline so much before seeking help pissed him off. “Why didn’t you reach out sooner? You know we’re close to finding a cure, but even without a cure our registry might help him find a donor.” The alpha looked to his son and Alexander looked away, out of frustration or shame, Marrok wasn’t sure. He turned to Marrok again. “We’ve done all we can. Don’t you dare storm in here and talk to me this way. I spoke to your grandfather and agreed to see you as a courtesy, but I will not listen to you imply that I don’t care about our pack members. Now if you’ll kindly make an appointment—” “Great.” The word dripped with sarcasm. He didn’t try to hide his frustration, and he wouldn’t play nice to appease the feelings of a stranger, no matter who they were. Both of them were responsible for Grady’s situation as far as he was concerned, and both of them would pay if Grady succumbed to TSD. Marrok knew he couldn’t hurt them physically, but he could withhold any information and data that would help them and their pack in the future. “How about you let me know when you’re finally ready to save your pack member?” He realized he’d been staring at Alexander since the alpha had spoken, and he also realized he hated whatever was between them. Alexander narrowed his eyes, and Marrok knew he felt the same. He took one more look at the most beautiful blue eyes he’d ever seen, before turning on his heel and storming from the building. This first book in the new Four Packs series following four werewolf packs dealing with a deathly disease as well as rising tension between the packs was a fast paced enemies-to-lovers/fated mates-story that I read in just a few hours!
Read my full review here: The Slow Death by Nic Starr and BL Maxwell About the authors BL Maxwell BL Maxwell grew up in a small town listening to her grandfather spin tales about his childhood. Later she became an avid reader and after a certain vampire series she became obsessed with fanfiction. She soon discovered Slash fanfiction and later discovered the MM genre and was hooked. Nic Starr Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world. Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told! When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country. Connect with the authors BL Maxwell • Nic Starr Get your own copy of The Slow Death Amazon • Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card!
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I’m so happy and honored to be a part of the Gay Book Promotions blog tour celebrating the release of Ride or Die, the sixth and final book in Beth Bolden’s wonderful Food Truck Warriors series! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Can Ren’s bad boy heart be wooed and won? Blurb Ren Moretti likes his life—and his hookups—just the way they are: fast and loose. He only ever hooks up with someone once, and relationships? Forget it. Never gonna happen. No guy has ever persuaded him to bend, break, or alter his one date and one night rule. Until Seth Abramson. Seth has always tempted Ren—but it’s not a secret that Seth won’t settle for just one night. A few dates won’t cut it, and he’s not interested in playing around. He wants it all, and he intends to win Ren’s heart. But that’s the one thing Ren’s never given up. He guards it closely and fiercely, until one day, when he realizes it’s no longer his to protect, it’s belonged to Seth all along. Excerpt “You gonna order?” Ren asked. Hoping that he understood exactly what he meant. And he wasn’t talking about sandwiches. “Oh yeah, I definitely am,” Seth said, and Ren’s stomach fluttered. There was something so decisive and grown up about this guy. Like he’d throw Ren over his shoulder and cart him back to his bedroom. “What can I get you?” Ren asked. Me. I can get you me. And you’d enjoy every second of it. Trust me. I’m delicious. “That’s a real good question,” Seth said. “I’m going to get lunch,” Lennox announced, and nobody was surprised to see him head off towards Ash’s food truck. “Well, if you want a recommendation,” Gabe said, and Ren wished that his cousin would go do anything else right now, “you can’t go wrong with the Thai meatball crunch wrap.” “Does everything have balls or buns?” Seth wanted to know. Oh, Ren wanted to show him. So badly that he deployed the smile that he usually saved for closing the deal. But then, he was closing the deal right now, wasn’t he? He could feel it in his bones. Specifically one bone in particular. “Yes,” Ren said. “Straightforward,” Seth said, taking a step nearer, and now Ren could really get a good look at him. He was even sexier in higher definition and he’d made Ren’s mouth water even without the close-up look. “I like it.” “See anything else you like?” Ren decided there was no point in delaying. They were both clearly interested. “Lucky for you, I just happen to be free tonight.” Somehow, impossibly, Seth’s own closing smile was even more devastating than Ren’s own. Ren was unmoored. Blown away. Blown apart. What would it be like to be under him, when he smiled like that? What would it feel like to kiss that smile off him? He was going to get to find out. Ren could feel it. Could nearly taste it. “Really straightforward,” Seth said, not sounding like he hated that at all. “Why bother pretending that you don’t just want a sandwich?” Ren shrugged. “We’re both interested. I’m free tonight, and I know we’d both enjoy ourselves.” “What about tomorrow, then?” Ren had learned the hard way that it was better to always be honest about his intentions. But this guy, even if he didn’t do one-night stands, was so hooked that Ren knew there was no way he’d ever turn him down. Ren could feel the other side of the hook, buried in him, tugging him even closer, and he dared anyone to try to resist that completely irresistible pull. “What about tomorrow?” Ren asked archly. “Why do we have to worry about tomorrow?” “I’m all about the tomorrows,” he admitted with a shrug. “I’m not here for just the tonights. I want to know there’s going to be a tomorrow, too.” Ren frowned. “I don’t do tomorrows. Not when tonights are so freaking great.” “Then I guess I’ll have to make do with just a sandwich.” Seth sounded genuinely regretful, which was why Ren didn’t even register the rejection right away. He’d been so goddamned nice about it. Like he hadn’t wanted to say no. I absolutely love Beth Bolden’s adorable and heartwarming Food Truck Warriors series, so this sixth and last book was a bittersweet read. I sure will miss my Food Truck Warriors! But on the other hand, I’m so happy for this wonderful and satisfying conclusion of the series. Beth Bolden did an amazing job wrapping it all up!
You can find my gushing reviews for Ride or Die and the previous books in the Food Truck Warriors series here: Drive Me Crazy Hit The Brakes On A Roll Full Speed Ahead Wheels Down Ride or Die About the author A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh. Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas. Connect with Beth Bolden Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • BookBub • Newsletter Sign-up Buy Wheels Down Amazon • Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card! 1/7/2022 0 Comments YBBB MM Romance GiveawayProlific Works is hosting a year-long giveaway with over 100 M/M romance novellas and novels by some truly amazing authors! Jon the Your Book Boyfriend’s Boyfriend Group Giveaway and claim your free books here: YBBB MM Romance Giveaway The giveaway is open all year, so there’s no rush to get in and download them all immediately. But there are some incredible stories there that are so worth checking out immediately!
Like for example the adorable second chance romance Now and Then by Lisa Henry. You can read my review of it here: Review Now and Then Happy release day to Unapologetically, Yours by Bitsy Yates! Today is my stop on the MCMT Tours celebrating this passionate story that follows a young couple in multiple timelines as their worlds intertwine, separate, and weave back together. Enter the Bookstagram Giveaway to win a signed copy of Unapologetically, Yours! Synopsis Isla longs for a life beyond the real-estate business that her father runs. But career security is tempting. When she turns to her high-school sweetheart, Sayer, for advice, all he wants is for Isla to be happy. The answer to her longing involves leaving Sayer behind in their New England sailboat town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, to pursue her future. With a heavy heart, Isla moves on from her past. But a stressful job in real estate, a broken marriage, and a family death leads her back to her childhood town, and to Sayer. Now Isla questions who she has become and who she wants to be, and if there was a place for Sayer all along. Unapologetically, Yours is out now from Koehler Books Publishing! It is a contemporary romance novel that follows a young couple in multiple timelines as their worlds intertwine, separate, and weave back together. This passionate story delves into the uncertainties of young love and becoming your true self.
Full review to come! About the author Bitsy Yates Buy Unapologetically, Yours Amazon Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Bookstagram Giveaway to win a signed copy of Unapologetically, Yours! 11/26/2021 0 Comments Golden Crown Blitz and GiveawayI’m so happy and honored to be a part of the Xpresso Book Tours blitz celebrating the release of Golden Crown, the second book in Kathleen Mareé’s intriguing and addictive Arthur Academy series! I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Broken Wing, have been eagerly awaiting this sequel ever since! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win your own copy of Broken Wing! Synopsis “If the world is full of monsters, how do we know who wears the crown…” Hendrix: In the dark of the night he bared his soul, delivering a shocking event that should’ve changed everything. So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…? The further I’m immersed in this world he calls the ‘elite’, the more I don’t understand. And it’s not only his world I’m afraid I’m falling for, but the Golden Crown himself as well. But Pax still has secrets. And I want him to trust me, like a flame wanting fire. Because despite his world being nothing as it seems, I’m not sure I could walk away even if I wanted to. Because the truth be told, I don’t want to. I want him. Paxton: In the dark of the night I revealed a truth, delivering the brutal reality of what the elite really means. So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…? It’s the same cat and mouse games, and the same political, power tricks where the Golden Crown is all they see. It’s all they want to see. Except for her. But there are things I can’t tell her. Things I don’t think she’ll understand yet. And I need her to trust me, like a fire needing flame. Because despite me knowing what this world does to those who fall victim to it, I’m not sure I could walk away from Hendrix, even if I wanted to. Because the truth be told, I don’t want to. I want her. Excerpt I took my lip beneath my teeth before opening my soul up as much as I was capable of. The words I were about to ask, meant more to me than she would ever know. “I need you to trust me.” I held my breath. Ready to wait for her reply but was surprised at how fast it actually flew from her mouth. “I do.” I stilled. “What? You trust me?” I didn’t believe it. I was almost angry at Hendrix’s answer. How could she trust me after everything I’ve put her through? Everything I’ve hidden. It didn’t make any sense. What also made no sense was her reaction either because she shook her head before taking a seat on the edge of her bed (which was too far away from me) where she played with the hem of her tee that was resting on her lap. “Crazy huh? That I trust you. But… I can’t explain why I do. I’ve just always….” “You’ve always what?” She glances up, piercing my heart with her hazel eyes honing in on me with so much raw emotion. “I’ve always…” she starts, before seemingly coming to some realisation within herself. “When I was younger… I always sensed when things were wrong you know? Like that sixth sense that something bad was about to happen, or when danger was nearby. Even when I was too young to really understand my situation, I always knew deep down the kind of dangerous situation I was in. That it wasn’t normal. Well, it wasn’t everyones normal at least. I don’t expect you to understand, but I’m sure from those photos you saw that you have some idea of what I grew up in.” She pauses and my fists ball at the reminder instantly. I don’t have time to let that anger consume me though before she continues. “But I’ve just always trusted my instincts. They’ve never let me down and I guess in a lot of ways I’ve relied on it since I had no actual family to have my back. And…” she pauses again, nervously this time, when she notices me taking slow, measured steps toward her. “And….?” I whisper, until I’m standing over her causing her head to tilt back to look up at me. “And my gut? For some reason it trusts you Paxton. Despite you making me nervous, despite the things you say and the things you do. I feel safe around you. Protected. Like the only person capable of hurting me when you’re near – is no one else. Only…. you.” My hand finds her cheek, letting her warmth seep into my palm. A palm, that was capable of so much destruction. So much hurt. But everything she just said was true. Because I’d always had this sense to protect her, like somehow our souls recognised the pain and destruction we both endured in our lives and wanted to somehow heal together. In most of our time together though, I wanted to protect her from me too. But this girl…. I held her as delicately as a guy like I could, when she gave me something of hers that was beyond precious. Her trust. I almost couldn’t believe she was giving it to me but it was something I was determined to keep. No matter the cost. “You never asked me you know.” “I never asked you what?” “If I had something to do with... You never asked me.” Her small fingers wrap around my wrist that’s still cupping her cheek and her eyes never sway from mine. “I may not know everything about you Pax, but I know you aren’t capable of something like that. I’ve been around monsters my entire life and you aren’t one. You’re not.” I suck in a breath, wanting so much more in this moment when I breathe, “You called me Pax.” She tilts her head, a knowing smirk crossing her delicate face. “It’s your name isn’t it?” “I guess I like how it sounds coming from you.” Then for the first time in a long time, I let myself feel… I was so hooked by the first book, Broken Wing, and the amazing and complex characters who stole my heart, and have been eagerly awaiting this sequel ever since. And it sure did not disappoint! On the contrary, if anything this second book was even more intense and addictive than the first one. I read it all in one sitting with a beating heart, too nervous about all scheming and the potential hurt for my beloved Hendrix and Paxton. Read my full reviews of both books here: Broken Wing Golden Crown About the author
Throughout her schooling, writing was a hobby, along with sketching and various sports. But fast forward to her adult years when she moved to Europe to follow her husbands field hockey dream, and her love for writing surged to the surface.
Her debut story, Cut, was penned over two years where her hobby seemed to lead to the completion of Pennys' world. The rest of the series came the following year. Kathleen enjoys writing stories full of self-discovery, emotional journeys and of course, love. Something else she loves is hearing from her readers, so feel free to follow her blog or drop her an email. For signed copies of her novels, more information about upcoming stories, or to follow her blog, please visit her website www.kathleenmaree.weebly.com Dream often. Believe always. Connect with Kathleen Mareé Website • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter • Goodreads Buy Golden Crown Amazon • Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win your own copy of the first book in this series, Broken Wing! 11/17/2021 0 Comments Night Prince Book Blitz and GiveawayToday is my stop on the Xpresso Book Tours Book Blitz for Night Prince by Felice Stevens. Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Synopsis From Lambda Literary Award winning author Felice Stevens comes a sexy paranormal stand-alone romance. A vampire who’s lost everything meets a man who has nothing to lose. For centuries, Massimo D’Alba, banished prince of the Fold, has wandered through life frozen in darkness and pain. Betrayed by his younger, power-hungry brother, he’s existed for centuries but not lived. A rain-soaked night brings smart-mouthed New Yorker, Damion Avery, to his doorstep and suddenly he’s riding spin bikes, shopping for yoga pants, eating ice cream…and falling in love. Damion Avery can’t figure out why Prince Tall, Dark, and Incredibly Sexy wants him as his personal assistant, but he’s not going to second-guess his good luck. Even though he has to work all night and sleep during the day, the job is too good to be true. But where does Massimo sneak off to in the dead of night? Is he a spy, an assassin, or something else? And what’s with those glowing purple eyes? Damion knows he shouldn’t fall for his boss. But Damion was never one to follow the rules. When duty calls him home, Massimo must return to save his kingdom, forcing a life-changing decision: leave Damion behind forever, or reveal his deepest, darkest secret to the man who has become his everything, who owns a part of Massimo he’d thought gone forever…his heart. Excerpt For the past century, Massimo had occasionally allowed humans into his home if he found it necessary for his business. He’d hired several—pale, thin creatures who were good with numbers, something Massimo had trouble with even as a child. They assisted him with the Internet when the need arose and kept his books and finances in order because he simply couldn’t. If DaVinci and Galileo, who remained his favorites, had been unable to help him, he would’ve admitted defeat. This human, however, was proving to be a danger to his physical needs, something he’d kept locked up tight for centuries. He hadn’t lain with a man since the last time with Riice, but Massimo recognized lust. It bubbled inside him the longer he stared at this man. And he was even prettier awake than in sleep, sweet and innocent-looking. But Massimo had been duped once—his brother had played him well for years, lulling him into a false sense of security before turning on him and stealing his birthright and his life. He wouldn’t be fooled again. Was he sent as a spy? Had someone from the Fold discovered where he was and sent this morsel to test him? Massimo eyed the man, distrust warring with unexpected desire. “Excuse me.” The poor thing jumped and stared at him with wide blue eyes. Thick waves of honey-colored hair fell over his brow, and he carded his fingers through the mess. “Um. Hello.” Massimo advanced upon the man. He possessed a lovely rich scent, but Massimo wasn’t interested in his blood. His shocking hunger was of a different kind. “May I ask who you are and what you are doing in my home?” “Are you the prince?” “I believe I asked you a question first. Who are you, and what are you doing here?” Before the human could answer, Claudio skidded into the room. “Your Highness, I’m sorry I wasn’t there to greet you. I was washing Damion’s shoelaces.” “Damien?” “Damion. With an o. I know it’s usually with an e, but I guess someone made a mistake on my birth certificate, and…well, yeah. Damion.” The human’s face had turned a rather adorable shade of pink. “Damion with an o. Understood.” “And you’re Massimo? The prince?” He arched a brow at Claudio, who shrugged. “He asked.” “He…asked.” Massimo shook his head. “Indeed. What else did you tell him that he asked?” He folded his arms and trained his hard gaze upon Claudio, who shifted uneasily under the intense scrutiny. “How did you end up bringing this…stranger here?” “Don’t be a hard-ass to Claudio. I literally ran into him during the rainstorm earlier. My phone cracked, and he felt guilty as all hell and said he could fix it and brought me here. I must’ve fallen asleep waiting for him. You have a really comfortable couch, by the way.” “Is that so?” Massimo glided closer to Damion, smiling to himself when Damion’s breath hitched. “Uh, yeah. Well, I’d better get going. It’s getting late, and you probably want to have dinner.” “Your sneakers are in the dryer, Damion,” Claudio said. “They shouldn’t take too long.” “What a help you’ve been to our guest, Claudio.” Massimo leaned against the arched doorway. “As for you, Damion with an o, I insist you stay.” He bared his teeth in a grin. “I don’t think—” “You have somewhere else to be?” Massimo put a hand on Damion’s arm and felt him flinch. A curious electric current shot up his arm. About the Author
Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, because just like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love. Felice is the 2020 Lambda Literary Award winning author in best Gay Romance. She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe. If she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her watching reality TV or procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice’s Breakfast Club. Connect with Felice Stevens Webpage • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Pinterest • BookBub Get your own copy of Night Prince Amazon • Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card! 10/13/2021 0 Comments Dual Threat Love Tour and GiveawayToday is my stop on the Gay Book Promotions blog tour for the second chance sports MM romance Dual Threat Love by Lola Noire. Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a copy of the ebook on Kindle! Will Patrick, now a Superstar NFL Quarterback, be willing to give Ace a second chance? Or will old pain and Patrick’s high-profile personality stand in the way? Blurb Ace, the Billionaire Heir and Patrick, the Help’s son, met when they were sixteen and thirteen years old, respectively. What started as childhood friendship forever altered their lives for better and for worse. Faced with misunderstanding and miscommunication, they went their separate ways hurt and heartbroken. Years later, they met again. This time, the Billionaire CEO is determined to win his best friend and the love of his life, Patrick, back. While Ace is determined to rekindle this love, will Patrick, now a Superstar NFL Quarterback, be willing to give Ace a second chance? Or will old pain and Patrick’s high-profile personality stand in the way? Whether together or apart, both men will fight to the bitter end for their version of happily ever after. Excerpt from the Prologue Ace Patrick and I met years ago during a summer vacation at my family’s villa on Highland Beach in Boca Raton. Patrick was 13 years old and I was 16 at the time. As usual, my parents had been fighting. My mother was miserable in our home on Long Island, so she decided to take a trip to Florida to get away from my father and his latest mistress. I could have stayed in New York and hung out with my friends or I could have traveled to any place in the world of my choosing. However, I decided to accompany my mother. Blame it on the soft spot I had for that frail-looking, pill-popping, pale lady. A few days into our vacation, the grand villa felt more like a four-by-four shoebox. I was bored out of my mind and on the verge of losing my shit. Taking pity on me, Ms. June, the housekeeper and Patrick’s mother, told my mother that her second son, Patrick, her baby boy, as she fondly called him, who was around my age, was also home doing nothing for that summer. “If that’s okay with you, Mrs. De’Rochard, I can bring him with me to work so that Ace can have someone around his age to talk to,” she suggested. “That would be lovely if you could, Ms. June,” Mother replied without any hesitation. “Pat is a good boy, so they should get along.” “I hope they do. Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness.” While Mother and Ms. June readily made plans for Patrick and me, I was a bit apprehensive. It wasn’t that I was scared or did not want to meet Ms. June’s son. The truth was I’d had limited contact with Black kids in my young life and I had no idea what to expect. It wasn’t like I didn’t know anything about Black people. I lived in New York City, for crying out loud. However, my inner circle had consisted of only a few selected friends from similar social, economic, and racial backgrounds as me, strategically handpicked by my parents since I was very young. As the sole heir to the multi-billion-dollar De’Rochard Empire, I had learned early on to be cautious of the constant danger that lurked around me. The risks of being approached by individuals with ulterior motives, being kidnapped, or worse yet, being murdered by someone who had a vendetta against my family were ever-present.” I was only five years old when my nanny of three years had conspired to kidnap me in exchange for $10 million in ransom. It took the FBI and my parents’ private security team less than 2 hours to locate us in Buffalo, New York and whisk me to safety. Leonora and her boyfriend, the apparent mastermind of the scheme, were arrested. Unfortunately, they did not live long enough to face a judge. My father had made sure to make an example of them just in case someone else might have had a similar idea. Father had been the only judge and jury of that case. The Crusader Disciples had acted as the executioners. My own personal security team was assigned to me soon after, which consisted of no less than three guards and they’d been with me ever since. To say the least, I was anxious about meeting Patrick. All day I kept thinking that I should lay off the news as the media often portrayed young Black men living in the inner cities as less than favorable. My father’s views on Black men were also not the prettiest, to put it lightly. So, sue me if I had never dealt with any Black people except for some of the help. The night before Ms. June brought Patrick with her, I got really edgy as endless “what-ifs” ran through my mind. I finally fell asleep in the early morning hours only to be plagued by dreams of different adverse outcomes of meeting Patrick. “Hi, I’m Patrick,” said the small boy standing next to Ms. June by the theater room’s door in a soft and sultry timbre. I looked up to the most beautiful brownish-hazel eyes that I had ever seen that were covered with unbelievable long lashes. “Ace… I’m Ace,” I replied a few seconds too late, not realizing that I was staring. I quickly reached for his extended hand that felt so small in mine as I held it a bit longer than I should have. “You boys, have fun!” Ms. June shouted as she went about her business. Pat did not pull his hand from mine. Instead, he glanced at our hands with a raised brow. I quickly let go and said the first damn thing that came to mind. “So, you and me the whole summer, hmm?” “Looks like it.” Our eyes met. He smiled, and all of my nervousness was forgotten. What a smile he had! His plump, pink lips covered a mouth with perfect white teeth. His eyes were full of mischief that was made more noticeable by his smile. I marveled at his beauty. His dark chocolate complexion seemed to radiate under the hot Floridian sun. I found myself staring at him too many times during that summer. I didn’t know why, but I could not wait to see him walk back through the door the next day each time he would go home. Soon, I felt comfortable enough around him to be myself and talk about anything. We would talk for hours and never get bored. We talked about our respective lives. Unlike other people, Pat, the short name I soon began to call him, never asked me about my fortune. He only asked about New York City since he had never been there before; and he expressed a desire to see Central Park. I told him about my friends, school, and some of the countries I’d visited. Like typical teenage boys, we talked about girls and celebrity crushes. I taught him how to play chess, poker, and countless games on my PlayStation3. He was a quick learner, and it did not take him long to start beating me at the games I had taught him. He eagerly reciprocated my lessons by showing me how to play dominos and lidos. Unlike me, Patrick was into sports. He played both basketball and football. He’d managed to get me play a few games even though that wasn’t my thing. It didn’t matter what we were playing because for that summer, as long as I was playing with Pat, I was happy. Also, we both were excellent swimmers so we spent countless hours at the beach or the heated indoor pool trying to outdo each other. I liked our swimming sessions the most because I could steal glances at his body without any restriction. I particularly liked the tingling sensation in my stomach whenever our bodies touched while we wrestled around. Patrick was obsessed with the X-Men series. I quickly learned that Wolverine was his absolute favorite character. He could not wait for X-Men Origins: Wolverine to come out the following summer. He shared that his older brother, Lamar, whom he seemed to idolize, had gotten mixed up with a gang and was now serving a three-year prison sentence for possession of narcotics with the intent to sell in a school zone. I noticed the sadness in his eyes when he talked about his brother, and it broke my heart to see how much he was hurting. About the Author
Born in Haiti and bred in Brooklyn, NY, Lola Noire is a passionate fan of all things sports and has a love-hate relationship with traveling. Lola is an alumna of Niagara University, John Jay College, and National University of Ireland, Galway. Lola Noire is the author of the debut novel, Dual Threat Love, an interracial M/M sports story. Connect with Lola Noire on Facebook. Buy Wheels Down Amazon • Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a copy of the ebook on Kindle! I’m so happy and honored to be a part of the Gay Book Promotions blog tour celebrating the release of Wheels Down, the fifth book in Beth Bolden’s wonderful Food Truck Warriors series! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Shaw isn’t his friend—until Ross discovers he’s so much more. Blurb Ross Stanton is having a bad week—a bad month—really, a bad year. But the last thing he wants, after the betrayal of his friend and business partner, is for anyone else to know just how much he’s fighting for survival. He’s struggling to keep his food truck and to maintain appearances, but what Ross doesn’t realize is that Shaw Finley, the bartender from the Funky Cup, has seen right through his charade. Shaw offers the couch in his apartment over the bar, suggesting that saving money on rent might help salvage Ross’ failing prospects. Even though he doesn’t really consider them friends, Ross discovers that Shaw is great to talk to, easy to look at, and he likes him. Late nights and lazy mornings and evenings with only the polished wood of the bar between them lead to an attraction that Ross can’t deny—and that Shaw doesn’t even try to. But falling in love isn’t as easy as falling into bed together, and Ross isn’t even sure what he feels is love, until he figures out that it couldn’t possibly be anything else. Excerpt Shaw removed his glass, replaced it with a full cup of water and ice, and then a moment later he was back, with a plate full of delicious-smelling food. “Steak and mushroom hoagie, with horseradish aioli,” Shaw said, depositing it in front of him, “and our famous sweet potato fries.” “They’re famous?” Ross wondered, even as he realized he had heard people talking about them. “According to our Yelp reviews,” Shaw said. “Can I grab you anything else?” Ross was about to ask for napkins, because the sandwich looked absolutely delicious but also messy, but then one appeared next to him, like Shaw had known he’d need it. “I think I’m good, thanks,” Ross said, and picked up the sandwich. It had a surprising heft to it, and he had to give Jackson and Shaw credit—they’d revamped the kitchen and the work they’d put in showed. When he took a bite, he was even more impressed, half a dozen flavors exploding across his tongue as he chewed spiced sliced steak working in perfect complement to the earthiness of the mushrooms. “You’re nodding over there,” Shaw said, his voice teasing. “Is that a good or a bad thing?” Ross finished chewing and swallowed. “Really good,” he said. “I’m impressed.” “Wow,” Shaw said, looking surprised. Too surprised. “Am I really that notorious?” Ross asked, before he thought better of it. He ate a handful of sweet potato fries and they were really good too. “That picky?” He didn’t really want to hear the answer; he really didn’t want to hear Shaw’s answer. “Not exactly notorious,” Shaw said, returning to slicing his lemons. “Then what exactly?” Shaw sighed and put down the knife. “You’re gonna get me in trouble,” he said with resignation. “I am?” Ross almost told him to forget it. After all, hearing the truth was probably not going to be all that enlightening and might actually make the next few months of living together uncomfortable. Shaw smiled then, and it wasn’t the same smile he gave to all the random guys at the bar. It was softer, sweeter, more genuine somehow. Ross had never seen it before, and it hit him somewhere deep, a place where he hadn’t felt much of anything in years. Maybe the last time had been when his grandmother had smiled at him, over pots and pans and pie dishes. “You gotta know that you’ve got the best food at that whole lot,” Shaw said. “Objectively. The other food there is good, don’t get me wrong, but those guys? You know why they keep you at arm’s length? They’re all terrified of you, though they’d rather die than admit it. You’re brilliant. You should be working in the best, the fanciest, the most expensive restaurants, and instead you’ve got this food truck and it’s just amazing. Every time I go to Basket, I’m blown away.” “And,” Shaw continued, leaning over, his blue eyes twinkling again, and Ross’ breath caught in his throat, “you’re gonna get me in trouble, because Jackson would have my ass for not thinking Alexis serves the best food on the lot.” I love Beth Bolden’s m/m foodie romances, and Wheels Down was another adorable, sweet and heartwarming story about learning to trust, being brave to share your deepest secrets and the empowering love of found families. You can find my gushing reviews for Wheels Down and the previous books in the Food Truck Warriors series here:
Drive Me Crazy Hit The Brakes On A Roll Full Speed Ahead Wheels Down About the author A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh. Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas. Connect with Beth Bolden Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • BookBub • Newsletter Sign-up Buy Wheels Down Amazon • Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Happy release day to By the Blood of Rowans by Xan Van Rooyen! Today is my stop on the MCMT Tours celebrating this lush, queer YA fantasy for fans of Anna-Marie McLemore and Maggie Stiefvater. Enter the Bookstagram Giveaway to win an ebook copy of By the Blood of Rowans and I Heart Robot by Xan van Rooyen! Synopsis The Sheehy witches are the most feared and detested family on the island of Inisliath, and none more so than Rowan. As a deathwalker, Rowan ferries island souls to the Otherworld, experiencing their deaths and carrying their memories like ghosts within him. It’s a fated role he accepts even as it inexorably destroys him. When the magic on the island starts to seep away from the other founding families, everyone blames the Sheehys—especially when islanders start dying. Ash is sick of their father’s fists and constantly having to apologize for who they are. Life on Inisliath might be the fresh start Ash and their mum need, and meeting soft-spoken, curly-haired Rowan feels like the ray of sunshine Ash has desperately needed—but everything goes sideways when Ash’s mum becomes lead detective on a series of ritualistic murders allegedly tied to island magic, and Ash’s family history. The islanders are convinced Rowan is guilty, but Ash refuses to believe it. When Ash does some investigating of their own, they discover Rowan is far more likely to be the next victim. With time running out to save Rowan, Ash will have to choose between a life free of their father or the boy they’re starting to love. Meanwhile Rowan will have to decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice to save his family from the darkness about to be unleashed on the island. In this lush, queer YA fantasy the Sheehy witches are the most feared and detested family on the island of Inisliath, and none more so than Rowan. As a deathwalker, Rowan ferries island souls to the Otherworld, but when the magic on the island starts to seep away from the other founding families, everyone blames the Sheehys—especially when islanders start dying.
Full review to come! Enter the Bookstagram Giveaway to win an ebook copy of By the Blood of Rowans and I Heart Robot by Xan van Rooyen! 9/23/2021 0 Comments On Board Blitz and GiveawayToday is my stop on the Xpresso Book Tours Book Blitz for On Board by Jay Hogan. Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Synopsis Leroy Madden is in trouble. Big, handsome, Fox Carmody trouble. Leroy has buried his attraction to the enigmatic fisherman in irritation and pointless bickering, keeping Fox at a safe distance. But with the troublesome man now living in Leroy’s house, it’s becoming impossible for Leroy to keep his true feelings hidden, or the fact that Leroy isn’t so straight, after all. Leroy hungers for something different between them. He wants more. But Leroy’s business is struggling, his newly mended relationship with his brother is at risk, Fox doesn’t plan to stay, and their mothers are lovers. Regardless of what Leroy’s heart so desperately wants, his entire world is at stake, and nothing about a relationship with Fox Carmody was ever going to be easy. Excerpt
I stole a sideways glance to where Fox lounged in the passenger seat of my Hilux, his interested gaze soaking up the countryside. The worst of the Monday morning traffic was behind us and the driving was easy, not that you’d know it by my white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel. Sister Sledge streamed through the speakers, Fox’s fingers tapping away on one thickly muscled thigh wrapped in tight stonewashed denim. A fashionable rip mocked me from just above the knee, revealing the faintest glimpse of tanned skin and short dark hair, not that I was looking. Yeah, right. I was soaking that shit up like sugar in hot coffee. The universe was definitely fucking with me. Well, that and my mother who’d arrived for Sunday lunch with a surprisingly edible peach cobbler and what she called the ‘best idea ever’ for me to give Fox a lift into Whangarei the next day since I was already going. He wanted to check out some boats, but his car was still waiting on parts. Fucking wonderful. Why he couldn’t wait for his own vehicle to be fixed wasn’t a question I was prepared to ask based on my mother’s I-dare-you look. I’d caved and agreed. I could’ve killed her. And by the constipated look on Fox’s face at her suggestion, I was pretty sure he felt the same. It had been a long, long weekend and entirely my own damn fault. Other than forced interaction at work, rugby training, and Sunday lunch, I’d avoided Fox at all costs, and he’d been good enough to play along and pretend he hadn’t noticed, other than a notable drop in temperature whenever he looked my way. I could hardly blame him for that. If only he knew that my epic arseholery stemmed from lust and not disgust. And the Academy Award for epically fucking yourself goes to . . . yeah. Enough said. Note to self: don’t get tipsy around the guy. Without the benefit of way too many beers, we wouldn’t have talked and got all chummy on the deck, and I wouldn’t have realised that I maybe, actually liked the bastard, not just wanted to kiss him, or touch him, or have him touch me, or . . . goddammit, wait for the drum roll—fuck me. I swallowed hard. Me fucking him would, of course, be marginally more acceptable to my brain, but who was I kidding? I’d spent the entire weekend thinking, fantasising, googling, watching, and yep, definitely him fucking me. Good God, the sooner he was out of my house the better. Still, it sounded like it wouldn’t take much to get him to shift back down south, so I could only hope. “You okay, Leroy?” My gaze jerked his way. “Fine. I’m absolutely fine,” I lied, because no, I didn’t want to go there, or talk about it, or think about it, or do anything other than bury it as unsuccessfully as I’d done for the last five days, make that a year—my, doesn’t time fly—because I’m chickenshit as all hell and my life is a fucking shitshow of irony. Why now? Why him? Why . . . this? Bisexual. I’d even practised saying it in front of the mirror, barely able to spit the word out as it sat huge and sour on my tongue. It wasn’t that I hated the man-on-man part, because I was clearly on board with that in so very many, many Fox-shaped, lickable ways. It was more that the admission held an extremely unflattering mirror up to the jerk hypocrite that I’d been, and very likely still was, my entire life. Whoever said sexuality was a choice, I needed that fucker’s address and a suitably sized cactus to shove where the sun don’t shine. My head had been buried so far in the sand for so long that I had grit coming out my arse, and that shit had to stop. After my appalling behaviour in the kitchen, I’d sulked and pondered long and hard over the weekend and gotten more than my money’s worth from my broadband provider. It all came with an uncomfortable realisation. The infatuation I had with Fox wasn’t going anywhere, and that meant either making myself and everyone around me miserable or pulling it into the light and stop running. How had I completely missed this rather critical aspect of my nature? And then it occurred to me, maybe I hadn’t. I had the pieces, but nothing or no one had caused them to fall into place, until Fox. About the author Heart, humour and keeping it real. Jay is a 2020 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Gay Romance and her book Off Balance was the 2021 New Zealand Romance Book of the Year. She is a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense, primarily set in New Zealand. She writes character driven romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality and a splash of angst. She's travelled extensively, lived in many countries, and in a past life she was a critical care nurse, nurse educator and counsellor. Jay is owned by a huge Maine Coon cat and a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel Connect with her here: Find Jay in all the places Get your own copy of On Board Amazon • Add on Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card! |
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