New M/M Releases

The Parting Glass (sequel to A Dark Wood)
by Josh Lanyon
M/M Contemporary/Thriller
Release Date 29 September
23,087 words
Allromance


Two and a half years ago, travel writer Timothy McShay let NYPD Detective Luke O'Brien talk him into hiking into the New Jersey Pine Barrens to face down a monster.

Now Tim and Luke meet again under very different circumstances. The old attraction is still there -- but so are some of Tim's monsters. Is it too late to find their way back to each other?

***

Illumination
by Rowan Speedwell
M/M Contemporary
Riptide Publishing
Release date 30 Septmber
80,200 words
Allromance


Adam Craig is burned out. Lead singer of the hard rock band Black Varen, he’s tired of the empty life of groupies, paparazzi, and hotel rooms. Worse, a life in the closet. After the final concert of their latest tour, he flees the afterparty, pursuing memories of lost summers and carefree days, until he passes out on the patio of a shuttered lake resort.

Miles Caldwell is a brilliant artist, tied by agoraphobia and social anxiety to his family’s lodge. Alone but for his parrot, he spends his days illuminating manuscripts and hiding from the complexities of life. When he discovers Adam asleep in a deck chair, he’s furious but intrigued. Adam soon charms his way into Miles’s bed, and they lose themselves in a summer idyll, safe from the compromises and claims of reality.

But Adam’s life, with all it demands, is waiting for him. And Miles, uncertain of Adam’s true feelings, is battling demons of his own. Somehow, the man who’s never home and the man who never leaves it must find the strength to fight for a future together.

***

The Stars that Tremble

by Kate McMurray

M/M Contemporary

Dreamspinner Press

Release Date September 30

67,748 words

Allromance

Giovanni Boca was destined to go down in history as an opera legend until a vocal chord injury abruptly ended his career. Now he teaches voice lessons at a prestigious New York City music school. During auditions for his summer opera workshop, he finds his protégé in fourteen-year-old Emma McPhee. Just as intriguing to Gio is Emma's father Mike, a blue-collar guy who runs a business renovating the kitchens and bathrooms of New York's elite to finance his daughter's dream. 

Mike’s partner was killed when Emma was a toddler, and Gio mourns the beautiful voice he will never have again, so coping with loss is something they have in common. Their initial physical attraction quickly grows to something more as each hopes to fill the gap that loss and grief has left in his life. Although Mike wonders if he can truly fit into Gio's upperclass world, their bond grows stronger. Then, trouble strikes from outside when the machinations of an unscrupulous stage mother threaten to tear Gio and Mike apart—and ruin Emma's bright future. 

***

Book Review: Men Can Do Romance by Michael Holloway Perronne

Review copy supplied by publisher
Men Can do Romance
by Michael Holloway Perronne
Novella - 28,000 words
Chances Press LLC
M/M Contemporary/Romance
4 Stars
Available from allromance

Blurb:


Despite living in free-spirited New Orleans, Elliot finds that his career as an insurance actuary has him constantly weighing the risks of every move he makes in his life. When Troy, his teenage crush, returns home to the Big Easy after a stint with the Marines and unexpectedly announces he’s gay, Elliot must decide if he’s willing to take a chance and find out if men really can do romance.

Review:

Elliott is after one thing in life - a nice guy to settle down with. Well meaning friends and relations try their hand at matchmaking and set him up on various dates, but invariably they all end badly. Some of his dates are so hung up on their ex, they spend the whole time talking about him or they are glued to their mobile phone and spend the date talking on that rather than to Elliott himself. Elliott despairs that he'll ever find 'the one'. He's had a crush on Troy, his best friend's older brother, since high school, but Elliott doesn't even know if he's gay.

Troy returns home to New Orleans from a tour of duty in Afghanistan in the Marines with a secret that he's tried his best to keep hidden while in the military. He's gay and he's unsure how to tell his parents or friends about it. Seeing how open Elliott is about his sexuality and his easy friendships with all sorts of people, Troy wants to be like that too and if he admits it to himself, he has a bit of a crush on Elliott too and thought he was cute.

It's a short book, but you don't feel short-changed on the story. Everything is here, from wonderful secondary characters like Miss Althea, the owner of a drag queen cabaret, to Elliott's match-making elderly cousin Pat who just knows that Elliott and Troy are meant for each other.

Despite both Troy and Elliott having crushes on each other, they don't jump straight into bed and their relationship develops gradually, first from friends and then to lovers near the end of the book. Troy and Elliott were both wonderful characters, they were both so sweet (if you can call a tall, muscled Marine sweet!) and I just wanted to hug both of them and tell them to hurry up and go get their man, as they spent a wee bit of time angsting over whether or not their feelings would be reciprocrated.

I do have one niggle and that is that the tenses meandered quite a bit, sometimes in the same paragraph we would have present tense and past tense together. I probably noticed it more as I am not a fan of present tense in longer works, it can work for a short story but for novels and novellas it seems out of place.

So can men do romance? Well, if we go by this book, they certainly can. A lovely romantic tale with two characters you cared about and wanted to see them get their happily ever after.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby

Book Spotlight: The Story of Mr. X by Anonymous

The Story of Mr. X
by Anonymous
Gay Erotica/Memoirs
Novella
Based on a True Story
Available from Amazon

Description:

When a fourteen year old boy from a family of dirt poor drifters wins a place at Andover Prep, an elite private school for boys, he thinks he’s finally found a detour out of a dead-end life. He soon realizes, though, that Andover’s enigmatic, domineering headmaster will determine his success at the school far more than his ability or intelligence—and this particular headmaster’s after-school tutorials are very demanding indeed.

Based upon one man’s true life experiences, The Story of Mr. X recounts the unnamed narrator’s four years at Andover Prep as well the childhood incidents that lit the first fuses in a young life now set ablaze with desperation and desire. The inevitable explosion that results will challenge everything he thinks he knows about himself and his sexuality, and set in motion a chain of events that will change everyone’s lives forever.

***

Book Review: Northern Light by E.J. Russell

Review Copy from Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher
Northern Light
by E.J. Russell
Engtangled Publishing (Ever After Collection)
M/M Paranormal/Contemporary Romance
Novella
4 Stars

Nothing gives art fraud investigator Luke Morganstern a bigger rush than busting forgers, the low-life criminals who dare victimize true artists. But when his latest job sends him to a remote cabin in the Oregon Coast Range, he’s stunned to discover the alleged forger is his former lover, Stefan Cobbe, the most gifted painter Luke has ever known.



Stefan, left homeless and destitute after the death of his wealthy partner, doesn’t exactly deny the forgery -- he claims he doesn’t remember, an excuse Luke can’t accept.

But Luke’s elderly client suggests Stefan may be telling the truth and presents another possibility – a dark presence in the woods, a supernatural fury simmering for decades. Luke must face down his fear of the uncanny – and admit his feelings for Stefan – if either of them is to survive.

Review:

A lovely little story with a bit of a ghost story along with the romance. It had been a while since I'd read the blurb, so I'd forgotten there was a paranormal element when I started reading the book but it flowed really well within the narrative, it didn't feel tacked on just to get something supernatural in there.

Although short on length, the book is not short on story or characterisation. The story is told through the eyes of Stefan and Luke, so those are the two characters we get to know the most. Luke is still suffering after an accident which left him with a broken hip and a lover who decided not to stick around after that.

Years earlier, Luke left Stefan after suffering one too many bouts of jealousy concerning Stefan's rich patron. At the time nothing had been going on between them, but after Luke left, Stefan runs into Marius' arms, but is left distraught when Marius dies in a plane crash. Marius' family want nothing to do with Stefan and he is left homeless and penniless.

As Luke investigates the allegations of art fraud, both of them realise that something else might be going on and they work together to try and figure it out. Both of them are damaged characters, both in a physical and emotional sense and you are rooting for the two of them to get their happily ever after.

It's a story of lost love, second chances and doing the right thing when you're not even sure what the right thing is. A very enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby

Author Interview: Helen Pattskyn

About the Author:


Helen Barbara Pattskyn lives with her husband and children (both human and four footed) in a quiet suburb of Detroit, MI. She is working on becoming a full-time writer as well as doing volunteer work and still trying to find time to putter in her garden, watch the stars, and paint.

Helen describes herself as a storyteller, a science fiction geek, and a bookworm; as introverted, but not shy. Her favorite jobs (besides being a writer) have been hawking left-handed mugs at the Georgia and Michigan Renaissance Festivals and painting polyurethane corpses for Gag Studio. She’s also waited tables, cut fabric, and worked as a library assistant. If anyone ever asks, she describes her life as “quiet”—but even she’ll admit that when you condense it into two paragraphs, it suddenly looks a little more interesting.


Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

I plan a few things. Usually I’ve got a couple of scenes in my head, some idea of where things are going to go and how they’re most likely to get there, but for the most part, I like to let my characters surprise me. (The downside is that I think it takes me longer to write a story this way, but I get bored if I try to outline too much).

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
 
A better question is do they ever *not* want to!  :)  I learned a long time ago to stop fighting them, even when one comes up and whispers in my ear that he’s HIV positive. That was a shocker. It was *not* the story I’d planned on writing. But it is an amazing book (if I do say so myself *blush*). Originally, I’d planned to pen a nice light read because I’d just finished something kind of intense and wanted a break. I’m not sure I know how to write light and fluffy.

What drew you to the M/M genre in particular?

I was waiting for my beta reader to finish up the last several chapters I’d sent her on a Once Upon a Time in Mexicofic (not slash) and got bored. My husband and I had been watching Torchwood (with its in-cannon M/M couple) and I kept wondering what happened off camera, how did Jack and Ianto go from point A at the end of this episode to what felt like point G at the beginning of the very next episode. So I did what any good fanfiction writer would do—I sat down and wrote it myself! *G*  I ended up having so much fun writing Torchwood that it became my exclusive fandom (aside from some insane crossovers). I had readers urging me to try my hand at original fiction, something that yes, I had done before, but no, I wasn’t interested in, it’s too much work. Not the writing. Fanfic is just as much work to write as original fiction. No with original fiction, you write it, you shop it around, you pray someone buys it, it comes out and then you do this, you promote the snot out of it in the hopes that people notice you. *G*  Of course then I got this idea for this story and the characters wouldn’t stop pestering me until I wrote it and then of course I had to *do* something with what I’d written and well, here I am!

Do you write in other genres besides M/M?

I have. I may again, but it won’t be romance. I’ve got an urban fantasy novel I’m debating whether or not I want to dust off, edit to within an inch of its life and self-pub. There are LGBT characters in it (there always were in my writing, because I like to see diversity) but the main character is a heterosexual woman. (And yes, there’s a bit of a love interest, but not enough to be considered fiction w/ strong romantic elements…at least not in its current incarnation. Darn it, now I’ve got a plot bunny nipping at my toes!)

What is your favourite food?

Italian and Mexican are my favorite kinds of food. Basically meat, cheese, and either pasta or rice covered in more cheese.  ;-)  I make a mean fusion Mex/Italian ravioli.  (Although there’s this sushi place in East Lansing that serves the most amazing TexMex sushi roll. I am *not* kidding. I am, however, spoiled. We live about 2 hours from there and every time my husband asks if I want sushi, I have to tell him only if he wants to take a very long drive.)

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Neither. Well. I used to be a night owl, but then I grew up and had a kid and everything that comes with that, so staying up late isn’t usually an option. I do get my best work done in the morning—but everyone in the house knows not to even look at me until I’ve had my coffee!

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I love to travel. I’ve gotten to do some, although not nearly as much as I’d like. I love seeing new things and experiencing new cultures. A zillion years ago when I was in college I wanted to be an anthropologist. I never pursued it seriously (I realized what a difficult profession it was even then), but I love the idea of immersing myself in other cultures, especially cultures so different from my own.

Do distant places feature in your books?

Not if I can help it! My first book is set in Victorian London and the research was a pain. I love reading and I love learning new things and thank the gods for the Internet, but no, these days I prefer to write stories closer to home. Of course there is a sequel or two to my first book floating around in my brain and an that’s set during the Crusades…

Do you listen to music while writing?

I used to and each story does still have a soundtrack, music I listen to mostly when I’m editing or trying to get into the right frame of mind to sit down and work. And honestly, I just hear a song and connect it to a character (I do that with books I’m reading, too). But lately, I’ve started to prefer quiet—or the white noise of the air conditioner to drown out the television in the other room.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

I love this story. I know every writer says that about their new release, but Hanging by the Moment is really special to me. Like me, the main character is Russian, although he was actually born over there where as I was born here (my grandmother’s parents came from Russia). Pasha is a bit pudgy and has a love/hate relationship with ice cream. He waits tables and cooks in the family diner. (I waited tables for a lot of years and my husband is a chef). Because of his ethnic heritage, he’s deeply in the closet and pretty much convinced he’s never going to have anything more than a string of one-night stands.

Then he meets Daniel. Daniel is sweet, he’s funny, he’s sexy, and he is gorgeous. And on their second date, he tells Pasha that he’s HIV positive.

Like I said, wasn’t the story I’d set out to write. It was just going to be waiter meets delivery guy, some family drama, obstacles overcome, HEA. Daniel had his own ideas and I’m glad, even though the research I did into dating and HIV absolutely broke my heart. I could not believe the ideas that people still have about the virus—or that people are even still getting it. It all boils down to lack of education.

I’m donating percent of my earnings from Hanging by the Moment toward HIV/AIDS awareness—and I started volunteering with AIDS Partnership Michigan. Mostly I answer the hotline and answer questions about HIV and other STDs—but it gives me a chance to actually do something. And I’ve met some truly awesome people working there.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?

Keep at it. Don’t give up. Keep honing your craft and getting better. Find beta readers you trust (people who will give you an honest critique—people who want to see you succeed). Keep submitting your work—but do your homework! The Internet, digital publishing, print on demand, ebooks—these things have changed the publishing industry drastically in the last few years. New publishers pop up every month. Some last. Some fold. Be careful, talk to other writers, check out sites like Editors and Preditors [sic], the Absolute Write Water Cooler, and anywhere else where authors can go to vent about horrible experiences with publishers.

Know your rights and protect them. Become familiar with “standard” contract terms. After they’re published, copyright your work (copyright anything you put up on your website as a free read, too).

Don’t let anyone talk you out of your dream and don’t waste your time on people who tear you down. But do learn the difference between tearing you down and an honest critique—feedback will not always be pleasant to swallow, but it should be meant to make you a better writer, not tear you a new one for no reason—or at least no good reason. (Lots of people tear other people down just to make themselves feel better. These people are not worth your time or energy).

What are three words that describe you?

Ecclectic. Artistic. Sensitive.

What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?

Way too many to name! But I really adore J.P. Barnaby because she’s an awesome human being (and a fantastic writer) and my latest book would not be here if it weren’t for Shira Anthony, whose new mermen books are totally hot! (Okay, I have a little inside information on what’s coming next, but seriously, mermen and women have been a longstanding fetish/fantasy of mine.)

Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book

Hanging by the Moment
Released Sept. 6, 2013 from Dreamspinner Press
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4161

Pasha Batalov has lived his whole life doing what a good son is expected to do. He dropped out of school to help run the failing family restaurant, and ever since he’s put up with his difficult business partner, who also happens to be his father. And, of course, he keeps his sexual orientation a secret from his conservative, Russian family. After being closeted costs him his first serious relationship, Pasha resigns himself to one-night stands and loneliness.

But a chance encounter with lost delivery-truck driver, Daniel Englewood, has Pasha questioning all of his assumptions about life. Daniel is sweet, funny, smart, drop-dead gorgeous—and for the last six years, he’s been living with HIV. Pasha worries that he won’t be strong enough to help Daniel if HIV turns to AIDS, but he can’t walk away from their deepening attraction. He also doesn’t know if he can be strong enough to face the hardest task that a relationship with Daniel demands: coming out to his family and friends, and risking losing everything else he holds dear.

List of previous books if any

Heart’s Home, a Victorian era urban fantasy with werewolves and demons and cute constable

Bound: Forget Me Knot, a contemporary steamy BDSM novel that starts out in a science fiction convention

Ghost Hunting Michigan, a nonfiction book from Clerisy Press; the title pretty much describes it

Any websites/places readers can find you on the web

The best place to find me is my website: helenpattskyn.com

Although if anyone really wants to find me on Fanfiction.net, I’m HBPattskyn there, too.  ;-)  (I make absolutely no promises about how good—i.e. awful—my spelling, grammar, and punctuation are in any of my fanfic stories. There is a reason publishers employ editors).

Author Interview & Giveaway: Jessica Frost

---

About the Author:

Jessica Frost has always had a passion for fiction and the written word. Add to that her wild, vivid imagination and her pure romantic tendencies and she soon realized she had the traits needed to become a romance author. She decided to take the very big first step not that long ago and wrote her first erotic romance story. And she has not looked back since.

Being a romance writer is a dream come true for her. Having the opportunity to create fantasy worlds where anything and everything can happen is an amazing feeling. She hopes these worlds and the delightful characters she creates will bring hours of enjoyment to her readers as they have done for her.


Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

I let the story flow, but plot it as I go along, so I can view it later from a clearer prospective. Then I make changes and strengthen it.

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?

Always and sometimes they don’t want to die, but live on in future tales. 

What drew you to the M/M genre in particular?

It was uncharted territories. Friends of mine were writing in the genre, which intrigued me. So I decided to try my hand at it. At first it was hard, but then it got easier and better. Now I love writing in this genre and am having fun writing the “Sexy Men of Mystery” erotic romantic suspense series.

Do you write in other genres besides M/M?

Yes, I write erotic ménage M/F/M romances, as well.

What is your favourite food?

Chocolate!!!!!!! Dark, milk, and white.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Morning person all the way. I wake up even before the birds do. 

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

Italy. Some of my family is from there, the southern provinces, but I’ve never been. I have a ton of aunts, uncles, and cousins I’ve spoken to, but never met in person. It would be amazing to finally meet them face-to-face.

Do you listen to music while writing?

Yup, but it needs to be instrumental, otherwise, I get lost in the lyrics and there goes the writing muse. The type of instrumental music I listen to while writing depends on the genre. If it’s action-packed and paranormal, then I’ll listen to a soundtrack of a movie in this scope. It inspires me. 

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

Sure. “The Sex Doctor” is the fourth installment in the “Sexy Men of Mystery” series. It’s about a detective named Marshall Ray who seeks out a non-conventional sex therapist for his problem. The therapist Dr. Sébastien Thibeault is actually a biochemist and vampire. The moment they meet fireworks explode and the sexual tension between these two is magnetic and mystifying.

When a witness in the series of murders that Marshall is investigating, where the victims are bled dry, identifies Sébastien as the killer, Marshall must keep a close tail on his sex therapist to find out if he in fact is the serial killer. But that’s easier said than done because he can’t help falling for the sexy man who not only turns his insides to mush, but knows what he’s thinking even before he himself does.

Sébastien Thibeault is suffering from black outs he can’t explain and waking up with blood on his clothes that isn’t his. Terrified beyond belief, he tries to solve the pieces to this horrifying puzzle. But there are many secrets behind this mysterious ailment he’s suffering from, and bad people who want those secrets to stay buried at all costs.

You can get more info on it here: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-sex-doctor

What are three words that describe you?

Shy-clumsy-nerdy. 

List of previous books if any

The Good, the Bad, and the Naughty (M/F/M):
http://www.bookstrand.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-naughty

Haven for the Lustfully Damned series (M/F/M):
Book 1- It Begins’ with a Rogue’s Bite: http://www.bookstrand.com/it-begins-with-a-rogues-bite
Book 2- Enemies and Lovers Amongst Us: http://www.bookstrand.com/enemies-and-lovers-amongst-us

Spells of Seduction series (M/F/M):
Book 1- Beauty’s Enchanted Beasts: http://www.bookstrand.com/beautys-enchanted-beasts
Book 2-To Catch a Witch: http://www.bookstrand.com/to-catch-a-witch
Book 3- Pleasuring a Slave: http://www.bookstrand.com/pleasuring-a-slave

Sexy Men of Mystery series (M/M):
Book 1- To Serve and Protect: http://www.bookstrand.com/to-serve-and-protect
Book 2- Covet Thy Neighbor: http://www.bookstrand.com/covet-thy-neighbor
Book 3 -A Witness’s Submission: http://www.bookstrand.com/a-witnesss-submission
Book 4 – The Sex Doctor: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-sex-doctor

Any websites/places readers can find you on the web

Website: www.authorjessicafrost.com
Blog: http://authorjessicafrost.blogspot.ca/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Author_JesFrost
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Author.Jessica.Frost

I like to use my blog the most to interact and to post recent news and contests. It’s more personal and easiest to handle, I find. 

***

To Serve and Protect
by Jessica Frost
Sexy Men of Mystery Book One
Genre: Erotic MM Paranormal Romantic Suspense, vampires, light consensual BDSM, whipping
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Date of Publication: January 4th, 2013
Number of pages: 84
Word Count: 25,727
Cover Artist: Harris Channing
Print: Amazon | BN
Ebook: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA |
  Bookstrand | BN | Kobo | Sony

Book Description: 

When Detective Jacob Brown arrives at the scene of a massacre, he sees a mysterious man escaping. One victim’s still alive. It’s Vincent Brewster, Jacob’s ex-lover who dumped him months ago, breaking his heart and then disappearing.

Later at the hospital, when Vincent sees the handsome detective, he thinks it’s love at first sight. Although Vincent can’t remember who he is, he’s sexually attracted to Jacob. 

While Vincent wants to get closer to him, Jacob wants to run away.

But the killer’s still loose. Jacob must protect Vincent and help him get his memory back. This means he has to remind him of their past, including the bondage sex they enjoyed. He vows to do whatever it takes to get Vincent to remember. When his and Vincent’s feelings of love resurface, it’s hard to resist Vincent’s seduction.

What they don’t know is Vincent and the serial killer now have a connection—a supernatural one. And the killer’s coming for him. Can Jacob protect Vincent and help him get his memory back before the killer finds him?

Excerpt To Serve and Protect :

“Man, sometimes I hate my job,” Troy Adams, Jacob’s partner of three years, said as he walked ahead through the debris and darkness in the narrow alley.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Jacob looked at him, noting his friend pinched his nose in disgust when he turned to face him.

“But like it or not, we have to scout it out. Captain’s orders.” Troy shrugged.

Jacob huffed, nodding. Troy was right. They had no choice.

The anonymous call the station received an hour ago led them to this search. The robotic voice claimed a third body in The Cleansing Killings would be found here. It was only the twelfth call of this sort they had received this week. All the others had led Jacob and Troy, the detectives assigned to the killings, on a wild-goose chase. Odds were this one would turn out the same.

Yet he couldn’t quite shrug off the funny feeling crawling up his spine that danger lurked not that far off. The peculiar sensation that someone was watching from the shadows in the corner behind them kept haunting him. He twitched as a cold and then hot bolt of panic possessed his body.

Damn it, relax, Jacob! Pull yourself together. He needed to calm down. Big time! Five years on the police force and three years as homicide detective had conditioned him to always be prepared, never lose his cool. He knew if he did, he could put his life, or worse the life of his partner or an innocent civilian’s, in jeopardy. But knowing this didn’t help him at all. His fears and untamable imagination had thrown him a curveball he couldn’t control.

He tried to direct his mind off his paranoia by taking several deep breaths. Speeding in his gait, he opened his mouth to say he should lead and Troy could follow him, when his partner stopped in his tracks. Unprepared, Jacob almost plowed into him. Jumping to the side to avoid the collision, he cursed. “Watch where you’re going.”

His friend and partner didn’t hear him. He was too busy taking out his gun from his hidden holster and shouting, “You over there, freeze!”

Jacob gazed in the direction Troy aimed his gun while reaching for his own. About ten yards ahead of them two lifeless bodies lay on the ground and someone was crouched over one of them. The giant male held what looked like a machete over the torso.

When the mysterious person heard Troy’s warning, he stood up and darted over the body, heading in the opposite direction.

Troy sprinted after him, shouting back to Jacob, “We got him. It’s a dead end up ahead. He’s got nowhere to run.”

“You go after him and I’ll check on them.” Jacob motioned as he ran to the two men lying on the ground.

The second he reached them, he knew it was too late. At least for one of them. One of the men, who appeared older and shorter, lay on his back, his chest split open and his heart cut out. This was The Cleansing Killings killer’s signature MO, no doubt. The two other recovered bodies had had their hearts cut out of their chest cavities in the same barbaric way. And later, after the coroner did an autopsy, they were found to have had their blood drained from their bodies, as well. What a sick bastard they had on their hands with this case.

In his line of work, Jacob should be used to seeing this type of mutilation on dead bodies, but he still cringed and shuddered every time he first laid eyes on the dead victims, the exposed flesh, and the gore. Jacob’s stomach lurched and he tried to hold back the bile and the tacos he ate for dinner that kept threatening to regurgitate back into his esophagus.

It was too late for this man, but what about the other? The other victim lay on his right side, his back facing Jacob. Jacob quickly knelt and felt the man’s pulse. It was weak but steady. He sighed in relief. As he let go of his wrist, the man moaned and turned onto his back. The streetlight above them beamed on him then.

In utter shock, Jacob stared at the familiar face. He felt the blood drain from his head, and his limbs went weak. Dizziness overcame him and the taco dinner finally won the battle with his stomach, rising up and escaping his mouth. Vomit spewed to the ground in front of him, splashing his black leather shoes.

Once the flood ended, he wiped his lips with the back of his hand. His throat and tongue felt like they were on fire.

From his peripheral vision, he saw Troy quickly making his way back to him alone, no apprehended suspect in tow. He said, cringing as he stared at the mess at Jacob’s feet, “Oh, that is nasty.”

Quickly recovering, Jacob whisked his cell phone out and made an emergency call to 911 on the police department’s direct line. “We need an ambulance at Park and Beacon Street ASAP. A man is wounded and another dead.” 

He stared at the unconscious man while worry ran through his mind. Please, let him be all right.

Troy glanced at the dead body and said, “The killer got away. I thought I had him. There was no way he could have escaped, but somehow he did. One second he was there running, and the next it’s like he disappeared into thin air.”

Jacob didn’t speak, didn’t move.

Troy asked, “Did you hear me?”

He only nodded, unable to break his gaze from the unconscious, injured victim.

Troy snapped his fingers in front of Jacob’s face. “Earth calling Jacob Brown. You in there?”

Jacob blinked several times before looking up at Troy. Yet, he didn’t reply.

Worry overtook Troy’s features. “What the hell is going on with you, Jacob? You all right? Are you dizzy or sick? Do I need to call an ambulance for you, too?”

Jacob shook his head. “I’m all right.”

“Then why do you look like you just saw a ghost?”

His gaze returned to the injured man, and he said in a low voice, barely a whisper, “I know the victim. We were lovers.”

***

Covet Thy Neighbour

by Jessica Frost

Sexy Men of Mystery Book Two

Genre: Erotic M/M Paranormal Romantic Suspense, vampires, light consensual BDSM, whipping, paddling

Publisher: Siren Publishing

Date of Publication: April 15th, 2013

Number of pages: 103

Word Count: 31 700

Cover Artist: Harris Channing

Print: Amazon | BN

Ebook: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA

Bookstrand | BN | Kobo | Sony

Book Description:

Detective Nicola Dupré is back at work after a six-month sick leave, but he’s still haunted by his sister’s tragic death. When Captain Moore gives him an unofficial undercover assignment to befriend the sexy, charming Nero Thorn, the erotic writer Nicola idolizes, he quickly accepts. He thinks it’s an easy job until he gets to know the mysterious BDSM author. Overwhelming emotions he can’t explain draw him ever closer to Nero.

Nero Thorn’s a recluse and he likes it that way. When he literally bumps into his shy, handsome new neighbor, Nicola Dupré, sparks fly. He’s drawn to Nicola like a moth to a fire and he quickly falls in love. But he has a dark, dangerous secret he’s kept hidden from the world for years. If Nicola ever finds out who he really is, he’ll run away in fear.

There’s a serial killer out there, and the murder of his sixth victim was written in Nero’s last novel before it ever happened. There’s a connection between Nero, the sixth victim, and the killer, and Nicola has to figure it out before the killer strikes again.

Excerpt Covet Thy Neighbor: 

Nicola gazed at the book, then up at Adam, who peered at him with a curious look as if he waited for some type of reaction. “A book? You give me a book.” The poor lighting had Nicola turning and twisting the book so that the streetlight’s illumination a few feet away could beam on it.

“Look at the name.” Adam gestured with his extended finger. 

Nicola’s brow lifted when he read the name Nero Thorn. “Look at that. One of my favorite erotic suspense authors has a new book out.” He flipped the trade paperback over to check out the back cover blurb, but the unreadable black print made him squint. “You shouldn’t have,” he joked.

Adam’s eyes rolled. “It’s not a present.”

Nicola nodded. “I figured that. But how is this book The Messenger’s Gift going to prepare me for my meeting with Captain Moore tomorrow?”

“Read the back cover and see if it reminds you of anything.”

Nicola groaned. “Sorry, I can’t see it. It’s too dark.”

“Wait a second…”Adam took out his cell phone and slid his thumb on the screen until he found whatever he looked for. “I have the perfect app for just this situation.” All of a sudden a bright light beamed from the phone’s screen.

“A cell phone and a flashlight, too. Will wonders never cease.” Nicola marveled at it.

Adam half laughed. “I got a ton of apps just as cool as this that I can show you.”

Nicola put up his hand. “Nope. Not interested. A cell phone was made to make calls, not be a multipurpose gadget.”

Adam grumbled, turning off the light feature, and began to place the phone back in his pants pocket. “Fine, then forget the whole thing.”

Feeling like a horse’s ass, Nicola halted his movement. “Sorry. Bad joke. But you know I’m not a tech geek.” He pointed a wagging index finger at the phone. “Go on, give it to me.”

Once Adam did as he asked, Nicola began to read the blurb, which described one hell of premise. “Damn, that’s good,” he said once he finished.

Adam gave him a big-eyed, sideways glance. “And?”

“And what?”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t it remind you of a murder that happened here just two months ago?”

Nicola shook his head. “Sorry. I hadn’t been keeping up with the news in Chicago. So, a dismembered body was found in this park?”

Adam nodded. “Exactly how it’s described there in that book.”

Nicola frowned. “Well, it’s probably some whacko who wanted to make Nero’s fiction story reality.”

Adam shook his head. “No, can’t be.”

“Why?”

“Because the murder happened before this book was ever released.” Adam crossed his arms.

“So then Nero based his story on the murder.” Nicola shrugged.

Adam chuckled. “How could he base his story on a murder that still hadn’t happened?”

He shook his head. “What? You’re not making any sense, dude.”

Adam exhaled deeply and then answered, “Nero wrote the story a year ago, before the murder ever happened. But the story was only released a month after the murder happened.”

“Well, maybe the murderer got an advanced copy of the book and was inspired by it.”

Adam shook his head again. “Not possible as no advanced copy was available yet. The book was supposed to be released this week, but the publisher decided to publish it little more than a month after the murder happened. They thought it would boost sales. And they were right. Sales soared and it’s a best seller.”

Nicola stared at the copy. “Okay, that’s creepy and one hell of a coincidence. But I don’t get what it has to do with us and why we’re here talking about it.”

“Because, partner, that is what Captain Moore is going to talk to you about tomorrow.” 

“What? About the murder?”

Adam added, “Yeah, we’ve been assigned to the case. You and I. I’ve been working closely with the captain for the past month and he’s been prepping me.”

It dawned on Nicola. “Oh, so that’s why you know so much about this book and the murder.” He flipped the book in his hand as he stared at it. “So Nero is a suspect?”

“Sort of. But he has one hell of an alibi for the night of the murder. And reliable witnesses to back up his alibi, too.”

“Then he’s not the murderer.”

Adam tipped his head from right to left. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

Nicola stood and stretched his legs. A cramp had begun to form, tightening his neck and shoulder muscles. “Did Captain Moore tell you what I’ll be doing?”

“Oh, yeah. Since Nero isn’t considered an official suspect, it won’t be your everyday detective’s work. So you don’t have to take it if you don’t want to.”

Nicola knew that look Adam gave him. “Oh, no. It’s that bad?”

“Well, it depends on how you look at it. If moving into the condo next door to the sexy author who you once told me you’d do anything to have one night with, just to see if he’s as good in bed as the heroes in his stories, doesn’t appeal to you, then yes, it’s that bad.”

Nicola’s jaw dropped and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. “Excuse me! Did I hear correctly? The captain wants me to move into the condo next to Nero’s?”

Adam’s lips tightened and he nodded.

“What, as in an undercover operation?”

“Exactly! An unofficial undercover operation.” Adam pointed at him as if he had just deciphered a phrase in the game of charades.

“Why me? I’ve never done undercover work. What if I goof up and blow the whole operation?”

“You’re the best man for the job. You’re one of Nero’s biggest fans, and since you don’t yet feel up to working full-time in homicide at the precinct, it’s a good assignment to start getting your feet wet.”

Nicola sat down again and shook his head. 

Adam frowned. “Why are you doing that?”

“I’m still in shock. It’s like I’ve just been cast in the lead role for a story in The Twilight Zone.”

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Book Review: The Dream Catcher Fallacy by K.B. Nelson

The Dreamcatcher Fallacy
by K.B. Nelson
Book 1 of the Dream Catcher Fallacy Cycle
Sci-fi/LGBT
4 Stars
Review copy supplied by author

Blurb:

For generations, the Company has produced made-to-order men and women for the jobs humankind itself no longer wishes to fill—soldiers, scientists, and administrators. It depends on the very predictability of what it creates, as does Earth and the far-flung galactic agricultural colonies.

But not everyone finds such homogeneity comforting.

Joshua 1011 is the living masterpiece of a genius with a singular mission and vision—bring back the ancient genotypes that once were the backbone of creative life. Raised in the tight-knit social structure of the Company’s military line, silently protected by its highest administrator and yet also targeted by those who are threatened by his differences, Joshua must learn what it means to carry not only Administrator and Tech gifts within himself, but also how to simply survive as an individual in a sea of look-alike brothers-in-arms.

Matthew Dennon is a simple man, married early into the Core, the ruling-caste of the natural humans of Earth. But as he digs into the secrets kept by the Company, and deals with the repercussions of changes made to his own DNA long ago, he finds himself alone, divorced from the protective rings of power, fighting alongside Joshua. Together they will take a stand against the systems that cage them and the unfolding nightmare unleashed by Joshua’s troubled creator. And as a real love blossoms between himself and the young soldier, they will face decisions that affect not only themselves, but also the entire string of worlds that support the delicate thing called humanity.

Review:

I liked this book, but I wished I could have liked it more.

There was a lot of back story interspersed with Joshua and Matthew's stories, and at times I got confused as to which character was who. There were lots of chapters from different people's points of views and it was very difficult to keep track of them all. The book started long before Joshua was born, with his father/creator James Illion. The readers knew what James was doing right from the outset, but it would have worked so much better if we hadn't found that out yet, and found out as the story progressed.

It was very well-written and the world building brought the distant future to life and you could see in your minds-eye what was happening. The characters were well-drawn, but I thought we got to see too many points of view in different chapters. Joshua and Matthew don't even meet until about half-way through the book and I think the first chapter from Matthew's point of view was quite late in as well. We could have done with less chapters focusing on the administrators and Joshua's commanders and more on Joshua and Matthew, as I think they are supposed to be the main characters.

It's a very interesting premise for a sci-fi story and it does grip you, but I really wanted the story to be more about Matthew and Joshua and not all the other characters. It was a lot more sci-fi and a bit less focused on the romance between Joshua and Matthew than I would have preferred, but perhaps that's just me.

It is a good book so if you like sci-fi with a bit of LGBT content, then you might like this. It's more sci-fi with romantic aspects rather than outright romance I would say.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby

Free Book Spotlight: Furtive Liaison by Amanda Young

Furtive Liasion
by Amanda Young
M/M Contemporary
65 pages
Free today at amazon uk

A blowjob was all Shawn wanted when he met Marc at XXX bookstore. Instead, he discovered instant, explosive chemistry with a man he had nothing in common with. The last thing he wanted was to fall in love with anyone, much less an impulsive guy sporting chipped black nail polish.

Love was a four letter word he never wanted to take part in, until Marc strolled into his life and turned it upside down in the best way possible. For the first time in his life, Shawn isn’t concentrating on work.

The discovery of a yellow rubber ducky in Marc’s luggage sends Shawn on a downward spiral of confusion and heartbreak. Has their entire relationship been nothing more than the illusion of happiness, or could there be more to Marc’s betrayal than meets the eye?

Excerpt:

The last place Shawn Delaney planned to be on a Friday night was sitting in his car, parked against the curb of a quiet suburban street several hours outside Manhattan. Acid churned in his gut as he watched his lover for the past six months twirl a dark-headed little boy around and around in circles.

If he didn’t know better, he wouldn’t have suspected the man in front of him was his lover at all. The kohl eyeliner and skin-tight denim he favored were gone, replaced with loose khakis and a plain white polo shirt that hung on his slender frame. The dark locks he normally spiked with gel were tamed down and slicked back away from his high forehead in a preppy style Shawn never thought he’d see on his young lover. It was like looking at a polished doppelganger of the man he loved.

The child’s exuberant squeals of joy carried on the light breeze and infiltrated Shawn’s car through the closed windows, twisting the metaphorical knife a little deeper into his chest. In true masochistic fashion, he couldn’t stop gazing at the Norman Rockwell scene playing out in front of him.

Shawn didn’t know how he’d gotten there, a spurned lover sitting outside his boyfriend’s house without a clue as to what he planned to do now that he was faced with the concrete proof of his lover’s betrayal. This lovelorn, angry and needy man was not who he wanted to be.

The man he’d always prided himself on being didn’t allow vulnerability for something as uncertain as commitment. He’d steered clear of attachments because he suspected this was the kind of shit he’d end up with for all his trouble. Some people inspired love and fidelity, but he clearly wasn’t one of them. He should have fucked Marc and left it that. Like a fool, he’d fallen in love.

And now he was paying for it.

In an ironic twist of fate, he’d been the catalyst for his own heartache. It was he who had dug and dug for dirt, convinced his lover was hiding something from him. His mother’s admonitions from his childhood rang in his ears, taunting him with the knowledge that he’d brought this on himself.

Be careful for what you ask for…

Visit the author at: http://www.amandayoung.org/

Author Interview & Giveaway: Stripped Bare by Susan Mac Nicol

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About the Author:


Susan Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, UK, and left for South Africa when she was eight. She returned to the UK thirty years later and now lives in Essex. Her debut novel Cassandra by Starlight, the first in a trilogy, was published earlier this year by Boroughs Publishing Group in the US. Sue’s latest story, Stripped Bare is her first m/m romance.

Sue has written since she was very young, and never thought she would see herself being a Romance writer, being a horror/psychological thriller reader all her life. But the Romance genre is now something very close to her heart and she intends continuing the trend.

Sue is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists Association here in the UK.

To learn more, visit Susan on her website and blog on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Susan Mac Nicol is also author of The Magick of Christmas, Confounding Cupid, Cassandra by Starlight and Together in Starlight.


Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

I plan very little other than determining my main characters and the place/time of the story. I do a one page summary on the basics and keep a timeline of all major events but that’s about it. The story simply writes itself and the characters have a habit of simply introducing themselves rudely and making me write about them. They can be quite the bullies.

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?

*Chortles* see first comment. Have you met my characters? Oh yes, they just love to tell me what to do and how to write them and often I have to fight them off with a big stick. They have a habit of slyly side lining me with their ideas.

What drew you to the M/M genre in particular?

I’d never even realised there was this world of books out there. Then I wrote a novel with a bisexual serial killer and realised I needed to learn a little more about men loving and making love with other men. Once I read my first two books- The Nothingness of Ben by Brad Boney and Up in Arms by Kindle Alexander, I really got hooked. I found I loved the whole genre and then after reading about 200 books I decided to write my own. I’m so glad I did.

Do you write in other genres besides M/M?

Yes I do. I’m not limiting myself to being labelled as an M/M writer. I’m a writer of romance. Of course sometimes it’s necessary to differentiate depending on who your target market is. My first books, my Starlight trilogy, are M/F but have a strong theme of gay romance as well, as two of the secondary characters are gay and in a relationship together. I intend writing a fourth book in the series which will be primarily M/M using these two characters. I have a couple of novellas out there that are M/F and another five M/F books at my publisher, and a second M/M as well. And I’m writing a third M/M at the moment. So while I’m focusing on the M/M genre at the moment I have plenty to satisfy both camps.

What is your favourite food?

I don’t really have one, although I am fonder of savoury than sweet, so prefer sausage rolls to cake. I love chicken dishes, Italian and Thai food.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

 I’m both actually! I’m up early in the morning even on the weekends and don’t tend to have a specific time of the day when I feel more awake. I’m up till about 1 am in the morning, still going strong. My favourite time though is the evening, around seven pm, when things are cooler and the dusk is falling.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I want to travel to Boston and New England. I want to see the New England fall, visit the house of Stephen King in Maine, take a ramble down the beautiful coast line and see the blue and white washed homes. I want to eat lobster in the fishing villages along the way and enjoy all types of delicious sea food.

Do distant places feature in your books?

No, I set my books close to home and there’s a reason for this. I love the city of London and for me, it’s so easy to get there. So when I set my books in St James and Chelsea, or Little Venice, one of my ‘perks’ is being able to travel there and take my own photos of the places I mention in my books. The furthest place I’ve written about is Wales, where some of my paranormal romance ‘Double Alchemy’ is set and I’ve been there too. There’s a pub I mention in my Starlight series and also in Stripped Bare, called De Hems Dutch Pub in Soho, and I’ve actually been able to sit in there and have a beer and lunch. It makes me feel part of my stories.

Do you listen to music while writing?

I do. I plug in the ear phones to distract me from the noise of the family and television, constant church bells ringing and the dog. My preferences are pretty varied – Sneaker Pimps, Kasabian, Foo Fighters, Eminen, Oasis, Imagine Dragons are just a few of my all-time favourite groups. I have a particular fondness for Sneaker Pimps though. One of their songs, ‘Small Town Witch’ is used in my second M/M book ‘Waiting for Rain’ - think sexy pole dancing boyfriend…*fans herself*

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

My latest release is ‘Stripped Bare’. It tells the story of cheeky escort and hacker, Shane Templar, who meets the rather stubborn and OCD driven solicitor Matthew Langer. They meet when a mutual friend lands in hospital. There is an instant spark but it takes quite a bit of Shane’s efforts to get past the wall that Matthew has built around himself after a tragedy left him hurt and determined to not get hurt again. I think Shane is one of the most loveable characters I’ve ever written. He certainly seems to be popular with the ladies. He has a big heart and a great propensity to love and forgive. Matthew is more controlled and reserved, very protective and a weeny bit possessive but even he can’t resist Shane’s charms.

What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?

Never give up. I have to believe that if you put as much passion and love into the craft of writing as I think I do, that someday it will pay off. I don’t necessarily mean tons of money, although of course that’s good. But to be recognised for being a good writer, to be able to entertain people with your stories and want them asking for more- that gives me a sense of satisfaction. My publisher, Boroughs, has been instrumental in teaching me that. They’ve said ‘We believe in you- it’s time you did too.’

And of course, I’ve learnt so much about the craft of writing thanks to my brilliant editor Jill Limber who is my guru. She’s honed my skills and continues to do so with every book I write.

And as for the whole social networking thing- I was a virgin when I started out and I think I’ve now attained the honour of being a social networking ‘prostitute’ lol. The education in this area has been a tremendous learning curve for me.

Is there anything you would do differently?

I suppose if I’d know I was going to write a book back in February 2012 I would have started raising my profile earlier on things like Facebook, Twitter etc. Until I was published in August last year, I had no interest in this at all. Nada. The only thing I had was a Linked In business profile for my day job. So things might have been easier had I had a vested interest beforehand. But other than that- no. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?

I can’t really say much on this one. I write from my heart, simply imagining my scenes in my head like a film, then translating it to the keyboard. I don’t try and write like anyone I think other than me. Having said that, I have tried to listen to criticisms people have made about some of the M/M genre being wall to wall sex and no story or well defined characters. I definitely prefer story first with strong, believable characters, then the sex as a part of that rather than being the story. I think I have the amazing Josh Lanyon to thank for that. I love his work and he has been an influence in me concentrating more on story. Whether I meet what I’ve set out to do, only time and the reader’s reviews will tell.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?

Writing should always be the most important part of this craft. So I think it’s important to hone that skill by perhaps taking a creative writing course, learning how to format and write a story in a way an editor will rejoice when they see your MS. It’s a lesson I’ve had to learn, not having done this at all. I was fortunate enough to find someone who would teach me ‘on the job’.

Don’t make excuses about not having time to write. Make the time. And if you want to write, remember that the writing is the easy part. The promotional bit is the one that will kill you  Start building a profile early, getting involved, making friends who can help and guide you.

What are three words that describe you?

Obsessive, driven and creative

What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?

As I mentioned, I’m a big fan of Josh Lanyon, Kindle Alexander is a must have and I love Stephen King. My all-time favourite book is ‘The Stand’ by him. I loved this work.

Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book

Actually my next release towards the end of this year will be the third and final book in my Starlight trilogy featuring actor Bennett Saville and his fiancée, Cassie Wallace. It’s titled ‘Starlight and Promises’ at the moment. For those of you who don’t know their story, Cassie is ten years older than Bennett but these two have a chemistry that really supersedes any age boundaries, I promise. And there’s a gay romance element in the series too between Bennett’s two best friends, Alec and Dylan.

This is the gist of the final story.

Cassie Wallace thought that the drama and excitement she’d faced in her first two and a half years with her fiancé, Bennett Saville, was over and life could finally get back to semi normal for them. She was wrong. Again. It seemed that fate still had a lot to throw at them.

Fresh from finishing his filming of his soon- to- be Hollywood Premiere, Bennett throws himself back into the world of his TV series. As he travels around the world promoting his new film, Cassie finds herself having to cope with women once again throwing themselves at him, this time with much more enthusiasm and creativity than before.

They both encounter very unwelcome guests – guests who they both believed were out of their lives.  And once again the couple find themselves embroiled in someone else’s drama - only this time it’s a drama where they are only too pleased to help but one which eventually has tragic consequences.

The constant stress and pressure of whirlwind world trips and constant publicity events takes its toll on Bennett. He finds himself struggling to keep afloat in a world full of constant attention and media hype. Cassie finds herself having to muster all her love and support for him to keep him focused.

But in the midst of all of this and all of the events they’ve experienced in their time together, they decide the one thing they want is to finally tie the proverbial knot. Nothing will keep them from finally making Cassie Bennett’s wife. Their wedding on an idyllic Polynesian island is the last step in what has been a relationship tested by the vagaries of fate but one which is touched with love, humour and the closeness of friends and family.

List of previous books if any  - You can find all my books here

http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/authors/susan-mac-nicol

Amazon Author Page UK http://amzn.to/T1lNF9
Amazon Author Page US http://amzn.to/T1lMB4

Any websites/places readers can find you on the web

I tend to hang around in the following places –

My Wordpress (primary) blog http://susanmacnicol.wordpress.com
Twitter - @SusanMacnicol7
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/susiemax77
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/Susiemax777
Cassandra by Starlight Facebook page  http://on.fb.me/RQYv3Z
http://pinterest.com/susiemax777/
Linked In http://linkd.in/YFWZ40
Second Tumblr Blog http://susanmacnicol.tumblr.com/
Personal website - www.susanmacnicol.com

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Stripped Bare
by Susan Mac Nicol
M/M Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group

Description


Now that Shane Templar has stripped the armour from Matt Langer’s heart, will either of them ever be safe again?

Though two years past, Matthew Langer is still getting over the death of a loved one. He’s steered clear of serious relationships, but when he meets the irascible, dirty mouthed and tempestuous Shane Templar that decision has never been harder. Shane is sexy, warm and funny, and Matthew finds himself trying like hell not to fall for him. Especially when Shane, with his quick wit and hacking skills, is quick to stand up for justice and avenge wrongs.

Then Shane strikes at the wrong target, and Matthew realises just how far he’s already fallen. At the threat of losing for good yet another man who has broken through his armour, Matthew finds his heart stripped bare. He must face the demons of his soul or a future without love.

“Sexy, warm and funny. Dirty. And heart-wrenching.”— Bestselling Author Kindle Alexander

“LOVED it. Matthew stole my heart…but Shane OMG. I want one of him.”— bestselling author of ‘Grand Slam’ JT Cheyanne

“Unashamedly strong and sexy, this story shows just how fast and fierce love between two men can be. And, boy, does Ms. Mac Nicol know just how to turn up the steam!”— John Trevillian, The A-Men trilogy.


EXCERPT
copyright 2013 Susan Elaine Mac Nicol

He was distracted from his thoughts as he heard a loud noise at the entrance. Matthew watched curiously as a man came flying into the waiting area. The man moved over to the reception desk. The whole waiting room could hear his rambling words, delivered in a voice reminiscent of Richard Armitage, one of Matthew’s favourite actors. It went well with his persona. He was dressed in a very expensive and dapper grey business suit and had an air of panache that, despite his concern, seemed to ooze off him like he was born to the good life. He’d obviously been running. He was slightly out of breath and there was the sheen of sweat on his face. His dark blonde hair fell over his forehead in loose swathes.

“You had a friend of mine brought in earlier,” the man said. “His name is David Debussy. Is he all right? Can I see him?”

Matthew’s next thought was, God he has a sexy voice, followed by a certain sense of envy.

From the way he was carrying on, this man is a good friend of David’s. David is a very lucky man.

He could see the receptionist trying to explain to the man that David was in recovery and only family were able to see him. The more she explained, the more the man got agitated.

“You don’t understand. I could have fucking stopped him. I knew something was wrong when I couldn’t get hold of him. I shouldn’t have let him go back home to his fucking father-”

Matthew’s ears pricked up at that last sentence even as he winced at the foul language coming out of the younger man’s mouth in a public waiting room full of sick people. Matthew wasn’t averse to bad language when used in private or in the bedroom, but frowned on it in public. There was just no need to subject everyone else in earshot to profanity.

If Matthew was being employed to do damage control, he’d better bloody do it before this man made any more rather inflammatory statements.

He glided over to the reception window, seeing the young woman’s look of relief as he tapped the agitated man on the shoulder. The man turned, and Matthew was pierced by the most incredible blue gaze he’d ever seen. The man’s eyes were clear, bright lapis lazuli blue, and at the moment, angry and frustrated. He blinked, seeming taken aback at seeing Matthew standing behind him. A strange expression flitted over his face and then he scowled.

“Yes?” he growled. “I’m having a bloody conversation here; can you wait your turn?” He turned back to the receptionist and Matthew sighed.

“I’m the Debussy family lawyer. I think I might be able to help you, Mister…?” He raised a quizzical eyebrow at the man who’d now turned back and was watching him suspiciously.

“Templar. Shane Templar.” His face tensed. “Lawyer? Are you here to try and clean up after the old bugger then? Shove it all under the fucking carpet?”

Matthew took hold of the man’s arm, smiled at the receptionist and pulled Shane over to the corner of the waiting room. The man’s muscles tensed under his jacket, and Matthew braced for a possible punch.

“Leave me the fuck alone,” Shane hissed, wrenching his arm out of Matthew’s hold. “I don’t remember agreeing that you could touch me.”

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Book Review: Sunset by Arshad Ahsanuddin

Sunset
Book 1 of Pact Arcanum
by Arshad Ahsanuddin
Urban Fantasy/LGBT/Sci-fi
Review copy supplied by author
4 Stars

Blurb:

An unlikely savior emerges to prevent the advent of mass destruction and genocide descending on the world…

By Day

Los Angeles, 2040.

When the terrorist known as Medusa threatens to kill millions with a stolen nuclear bomb, Nick Jameson makes a fateful decision. He reveals himself on global television as a Daywalker - a vampire with a soul. To save Los Angeles, Nick exposes not only his own gifts but three separate cultures based on millennia-old magic.

By Night

The three metahuman races exist in careful balance, working to maintain a fragile peace. Nick and his fellow Daywalkers successfully master their natural bloodlust. The Sentinels, armed with both magic and steel, repress their warlike instincts. And even some Nightwalkers, normally their natural enemies, have deserted the Court of Shadows to join the triple alliance. Nick Jameson is deeply involved with two such Nightwalkers - handsome Lorcan and powerful Rory. Both men love Nick. But neither can protect the new Ambassador to Humanity from the events he has set in motion.

By the Sword

Jeremy Harkness was lured into Medusa's service under false pretenses. A loner with no one and nothing to cling to, he was willing to die for his cause. But the night Medusa tried to obliterate Los Angeles, Jeremy met Nick Jameson, triggering the onset of his own psychic gifts. For Jeremy is the third race of metahuman, a Sentinel, born to kill the Nightwalkers with no quarter asked or offered. And neither Medusa nor the Court of Shadows will settle for peace when they can make war.

Betrayal and treachery lurk around every corner on the road to coexistence, and at every turn, Nick must question who to trust among his metahuman allies, friends, and lovers—before their civilization is plunged into the depths of darkness and bloodshed. With millennia-old magic, emerging romance, and ever-shifting allegiances, this inventive series unveils a scintillating, homoerotic world of Nightwalkers, Daywalkers, Sentinels, and Humans, who battle for world dominance in the not-too-distant future.

Review:

For me to even pick up a vampire book, I need to be intrigued. Things like Twilight didn't intrigue me, but reading the blurb for this book did intrigue me. It sounded a bit more fantasy or sci-fi than filled with teenage angst. I only do teenage angst if Harry Potter is involved, anyone else, it's not for me. I haven't read a vampire book in years and I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. Having gay vampires helped. A lot. I don't think I would even have read it if there hadn't been.

Nick is a Daywalker, a vampire whose soul has been restored and he can now walk in sunlight, but he still needs blood to survive, but he only takes from willing donors. On the other end of the scale we have the Nightwalkers, the more common mythical race - those who have no soul, prey on humans etc. Between them both are the Sentinels, humans with different Gifts, or psychic powers who are genetically enhanced to hunt vampires and to want to hunt them.

After outing himself as one of the Daywalkers on television trying to stop the terrorist, Nick becomes an ambassador to humanity. But the Court of Shadows, those who rule the Nightwalkers, are angry that Nick exposed their existence and are determined to destroy him and the humans he's trying to protect.

The world building in this book was great, with details on each society and how each character fitted within the whole. Nick was a sympathetic character, despite being a vampire and I warmed to Jeremy as the book went on. It's a book that's hard to describe, there is a bit of everything - it's a bit sci-fi, a bit fantasy, a bit political thriller and it takes you on a roller-coaster ride from start to finish.

I did have a few niggles. I'm not one for love triangles, but this book seemed to have love quadrangles, never mind triangles! Nick was love in Scott, his best friend and a sentinel, but Scott isn't gay and is married. Lorcan and Rory both love Nick, but Rory is with Takeshi and Nick is with Lorcan, but only in a friends with benefits sort of way and he doesn't love him. I wished their love lives had been a bit loss convoluted, it was a bit confusing at times, especially when characters have more than one name.

The love scenes are not detailed, but they do have a sensuality to them, and you know there is genuine feeling between the characters. I'd say it's more of an adventure book with romantic elements rather than an outright romance. If you like a quite a bit of plot with your romance, this might be for you. It's a very captivating read.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby

Video: Mary Renault

Before the M/M genre really took off recently, Mary Renault was writing historical books, plenty of them with gay heroes. Clip from a documentary about the author.

Book Review: Agamemnon Frost and the Hollow Ships

Review Copy from Netgalley
Agamemnon Frost and the Hollow Ships
by Kim Knox
Book 2 in the Agamemnon Frost Series
Carina Press
M/M Steampunk/Alternate History/Sci-fi
5 Stars

Blurb:

Edgar Mason is ready to embark upon his new life at Agamemnon Frost’s side. But all is not perfect. Through torture, Pandarus, his Martian overlord, has implanted a dark voice in his mind, a voice that urges betrayal. And though he can keep close to Frost, there’s little room for romance under the watchful gaze of the engineers from Station X.

That changes when Mason and Frost reopen their investigation into their old enemy’s whereabouts. Posing as double agents and investigating cryptic rumors of “hollow ships,” they find him impersonating a London banker and worm their way into his confidence.

But their success brings them trouble in spades. Pandarus takes them into the belly of his ships, where he plans to transfigure them into mindless automata. And with Earth on the brink of invasion, Frost’s old flame Theodora reappearing, and Pandarus’s brainwashing growing more effective, Mason and Frost will find their bond tested as never before.

Review:

The story continues where book one left off, with Frost and Mason now automata and on a mission to seek out and destroy the Martian overlord, Pandarus. Unfortunately, the previous human body that Pandarus had inhabited has been washed up in the river, so they have no idea what he looks like now.

This book feels a little bit slower-paced than the first, not so much adventure and derring-do, but with much character development between Mason and Frost. It's told from Mason's point of view, so we as a reader know what it going on his head, especially those times when the voice of Pandarus is in the back of his head and willing him to betray Frost, to do what the invaders want. But something went wrong when they changed Frost and Mason, and they are able to fight these inner voices.

Mason wants Frost, badly, and it is his lust that Frost uses to still the other voices in Mason's head. "You are mine. Not theirs." While Mason is grateful that Frost has a way of keeping the voices in check, he also worries that Frost is only teasing him and leaving him on the brink of arousal for no other reason. That he has no feelings for Mason in that way at all. The unresolved sexual tension between them sizzles throughout the book, with lots of heated looks but not much else until later on, but even then they are interrupted by another agent at Station X.

We get brief glimpses into the Martian hierarchy, along with lots more strange gadgets and technology. But despite the technology and threat of an imminent invasion, they don't take over the story, it's a story about these two characters and their growing closeness. I don't for a minute think Frost is only using Mason's feelings to stop the voices, I think he has feelings for Mason too, but perhaps that will be explored in a later book.

It's a wonderful, imaginative read and easily read in one sitting. I've enjoyed this second glimpse into Mason and Frost's world and looking forward to more.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby

Series Spotlight: An Uncommon Whore by Belinda McBride

Book 1: An Uncommon Whore
by Belinda McBride
Loose-id
LGBT/Sci-fi
Available from: allromance

Description:


"As a general rule, you won't find the love of your life while you're on your knees under a table." -- Helios Dayspring

Pasha is a slave, whoring for travelers at the most dangerous bar on Warlan. He has no memory, no future of his own, yet deep inside Pasha knows that that he is meant for better things. The day that Pasha spots the dangerous pirate in the bar, he knows that he mustn't let the stranger slip away, regardless of what he must do to attract his attention.

Captain Griffin Hawke spent the greater part of a decade searching for his lost king, only to find Helios Dayspring crouched between his knees, swathed in the robes and shackles of a whore. Though he is appalled by the downfall of his king, the hardened officer finds himself falling for the allure of the sensual creature who has taken his place. Returning Helios to his position on the throne is the only right thing to do, yet Griffin knows that in doing so, he risks losing his lover forever.

"A whore is a whore is a whore, unless he's something else completely. I guess I must be an uncommon whore." -- Helios Dayspring

***

Book 2: When I Fall
by Belinda McBride
Loose-id
LGBT/Sci-fi
Available from: allromance

Description:


As king, Helios Dayspring is desperate to secure the future of his people and their new homeworld. His lost memories are slowly returning, bringing with them danger and betrayal.

As the king’s consort, Griffin Hawke wrestles with growing isolation from his lover. When Helios’s secrets begin to come to light, Griffin finds that he barely recognizes him anymore. And Griffin is haunted by his own secrets, nightmares that bring torture and death in his sleep.

Surrounded by enemies and allies, seductive aliens and dangerous operatives, Helios and Griffin find themselves tested to their physical and moral limits. Not knowing who to trust, they can only turn to each other.