Author Interview: Otter Chaos by P.D. Singer

About the author:

P.D. Singer lives in Colorado with her slightly bemused husband, two rowdy teenage boys, and thirty pounds of cats. She’s a big believer in research, first-hand if possible, so the reader can be quite certain Pam has skied down a mountain face-first, been stepped on by rodeo horses, acquired a potato burn or two, and will never, ever, write a novel that includes sky-diving.

When not writing, playing her fiddle, or skiing, she can be found with a book in hand.

Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

I do a small amount of outlining: I have to know the starting point, the ending point, and a couple of high points in between. The rest of the journey comes as a surprise. The story has to flow, because I’m Linear Girl, and write everything in order. And I may chuck some of the high points if I decide they no longer fit.

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?

It wonderful when they do: it means they’ve come to life in my head. Lon, my otter shifter, is already chafing for new adventures, and he completely reworked the direction of his last book.

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

As so many of us do, I had a family member who complained of never finding books about people like himself. I also like that the power dynamics don’t have 4000 years of patriarchy to skew perceptions.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I did a concert tour when I was seventeen, one of those “if it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium” whirlwinds. We came into a major European city, rehearsed, played a concert, lingered a day or two to sightsee, rinse and repeat from London to Rome. After vowing to revisit these fascinating cities and get a really good look, I still need to spend a week, or two, or three, because of course one must get out of the city and into the countryside, in Venice, Florence, and Rome.

Do distant places feature in your books?

Much of my work takes place in Colorado, sometimes in Boulder, sometimes in the mountains. I sent poor Gary (Return to the Mountain) to New York City, where he had small-town-itis, as in “never been in a building with more than three floors”. Ricky from The Rare Event took mercy on him while he was there. Donal agus Jimmy took place in Belfast in 1912, where I set the title characters to building the Titanic. Jude, from Prep Work, travels the world eating local cuisines, but has learned to call London home. Half of Spokes takes place in Boulder, half in Italy.

Do you listen to music while writing?

My husband seems to have a problem with silence, so the radio or TV is often going, but I try not to listen to it. It’s distracting and I start typing lyrics.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

Otter Chaos is a two-pack with Tail Slide, because not everyone has seen the short story that brought Lon and Corey together. Tail Slide started in the Out In Colorado anthology and became a standalone after that, but the characters had more adventures coming. Lon is an otter shifter and his lover Corey is a professor of economics. You might recall ECO 101 as less than exciting, but Corey has a werewolf for a department head. Nothing like conflicting interests over Lon’s job, Corey’s job, and Lon’s otterness when your opponent has fangs and buddies with fangs.

Lon as an otter was a ton of fun, because while otters are adorable, they get into everything and make you go Aw! while they trash your house. Lon tries not to wear his fur indoors for this very reason. Even outside, his otter nature sometimes plucks Corey’s nerves.


Otter Video:


On the other hand, for some kinds of investigations, a very smart, slippery, twenty-five pound accomplice is exactly what Corey needs.

Otter Chaos is currently on preorder at a jaw-dropping 99 cents or near local equivalent at Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and All Romance eBooks, and will be available to read on October 9.

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

Since I came out of science writing, I had to master a different style. Yes, it may be efficient to write one paragraph on the merits of bear boxes, but it’s much better storytelling to show a bear getting into the food because the box wasn’t latched correctly.

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

Read widely, in every genre. It fosters plot bunnies and widens your horizons, besides giving you a look at different styles. If something grabs you by the throat and makes you finish it right now, figure out what made you react that way. Don’t try to write exactly the same, but fold that knowledge into your own arsenal of skills.

Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book

Otter Chaos (includes Tail Slide)

Lon Ewing snowboarded in and turned economist Corey Levigne’s life upside down, introducing him to a brand new world. Corey’s still adjusting to a boyfriend who shifts into an otter and raids the koi pond—and now Lon says Corey’s department chair is a werewolf?

Wolves at the university, wolves in the bank—across Lon’s desk sits Professor Melvin Vadas and his hench-wolves, demanding a construction loan for the pack’s new lodge in the mountains. There’s just one little problem: the proposed building site is home to a breeding population of rare fish.

What do wolves care for stupid human rules, an otter who’d barely make a good snack, or one pesky man determined to protect the environment? Once they’re snout to snout with Corey and Lon there’s more than silverscale dace on the Endangered Species list.

Tail Slide (the short that kicked off otter madness)

Fresh powder snow and running water in the Colorado back country call Lon like the moon calls the wolves. Belly-sliding to a good time on the weekends makes up for a workweek at a desk, and meeting Corey adds a whole new level of fun to snowboarding.

It’s easy to slip away for time alone in the woods without raising suspicion, but how’s Lon to entertain himself when bad snow and a worse spill force them off the mountain too early?

Never give an otter a box of Cheerios.

Available at
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015KDNQFW   Kindle and paperback

All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-otterchaos-1893012-166.html

Barnes & Noble: will be active after October 9

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/578800

Rocky Ridge Books: http://rockyridgebooks.com/titles/otter-chaos/

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1041856129

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/otter-chaos

***

My other novels:
Fire on the Mountain
Snow on the Mountain
Fall Down the Mountain
Blood on the Mountain
Return to the Mountain
The Rare Event
Spokes
A New Man

Any websites/places readers can find you on the web?

Email: PD.Singer@RockyRidgeBooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pd.singer.9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PD_Singer
Website: http://PDSinger.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pdsinger9/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3432323.P_D_Singer

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Catriona's Curse by A.T. Weaver

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Catriona’s Curse
A. T. Weaver
Genre: M/M romance, paranormal, historical, fiction
Date of Publication:  Dec. 2011
ISBN: 1470039168
ASIN: B0060QDEP2
Number of pages: 239
Word Count: 73,600
Cover Artist: Brad Shaw and Ken Clark

Book Description: 

Although Sunny Nelson was raised in a dual theology family, he doesn’t really believe in reincarnation nor does Jeff Davis. However, the visions and dreams Sunny keeps having lead them to be regressed where they discover they have at least two past lives together.

With Jeff’s sister April, they discover and attempt to dispel the spell cast by Sunny in one of these past lives. Along the way Sunny and Jeff fall in love. Jeff finds Sunny’s Pagan practices and the idea of reincarnation unsettling at first, but eventually decides to accept them if he wants to be with Sunny.

Available at Amazon | Smashwords

***

Excerpt:

Boonville, Missouri, June 17, 2009

SUNNY

“Granddad, what have you gotten me into now?” I thought as I drove down the gravel driveway lined with majestic oak and walnut trees toward the one-hundred-fifty-year-old, three-story rock mansion.

My name is Sunshine Nelson, thanks to my hippie parents. Actually my first name is Matthew but, since my dad was Matt, I’ve always been called Sunny. I’m almost thirty-five years old and live in Los Angeles, California. My parents have known for nearly twenty years I’m gay. They aren’t really happy with the fact, but have accepted it.

My father’s father died and left me this house my fourth-great grandfather built just prior to the Civil War. My parents insisted I take a few days off work, fly to Missouri and check out the place. In Mom’s words, “Getting away from California and Dan will help you get over him.” After three months, I thought I was over Dan, but seeing him at Dino’s Restaurant last week with his little bear cub hurt more than it should have. After all, you don’t get over eight years of loving someone overnight.

The sticky humid eighty-five degrees made my mood somewhat touchy. I spent last night in Kansas City with my old college roommate, Jack, and his partner, Bret. When Bret suggested he tag along to keep me company, I had no idea what was in store for me. We hadn’t gone twenty miles before I regretted bringing him along. Over the last two hours I’d endured his unending flirty innuendoes and stories about the sex parties he and Jack throw. I’m not one to indulge in sex just for the sake of sex. I believe in monogamous relationships. I know they’re possible. I have friends who’ve been together over forty years.

Driving toward the house, I noticed newly-broken limbs on a few of the trees, but most of them seemed to be healthy and well trimmed. The yard looked as though it could stand to be mowed, but it wasn’t what I’d call overgrown. I stopped the car about fifty yards from the house and studied it. The house stood just off Rocheport Road about five miles outside of Boonville. Made of native stone, it sat in the middle of an expansive lawn. The long drive formed a semi-circle in front of the house.

A wide flat-roofed veranda held up by huge pillars fronted the house and continued around both sides reminiscent of the southern mansions I’d seen in movies. Except for a few missing shingles on the roof and peeling paint on the wooden veranda, it appeared to be in good repair. A sense of calmness settled over me. I felt like I’d come home from a long trip.

Bret’s voice interrupted my thoughts, “That looks more like a hotel than a private residence; it’s huge.”

His words ignited the glimmer of an idea into my head. I put the car into gear and drove the rest of the way down the drive.

As we got out of the car, Bret asked, “Sunny, do you see a shadow in the window to the right of the door? Your grandma didn’t say anything about the place being haunted, did she?”

I removed my sunglasses and looked up. A female-shaped shadow quickly disappeared. “Not to me. But then, she’s never been here. The only member of the family who ever saw the place was Granddad the year he inherited it from a distant cousin. None of us has been back since and no one has lived in it for twenty years. I’m going to look inside. Watch the steps, they might be rotten.”

Bret fanned himself with his scarf. “I think I’ll wait in the car with the air conditioning on if you don’t mind.”

“Be my guest,” I sighed. “If you weren’t wearing that scarf, you wouldn’t be so hot.”

“You’re just like Jack,” Bret whined. “You don’t know anything about fashion.”

“I prefer comfort to fashion.” I retrieved my camera from the car and took several shots of the grounds before entering the house.

***

My sister and I were in what everyone called the haunted bedroom when we heard the car pull up. April ran to the window and looked down. “Wow. Dibs on the blond; he’s beautiful.”

I walked up behind her and took a look for myself. The tall blond removed his sunglasses and I felt a déjà vu like stirring deep inside. I knew I’d never seen him before. I’d have remembered. He looked to be a little over six feet tall, athletically built and close to my age. A pair of light blue trousers hung loosely around his legs and a short-sleeved, cream-colored pullover almost the same color of his hair accented his taut abs. Just then a ray of sunlight hit his hair and it shone like silver.

On the other hand, the man who got out of the passenger side was several inches under six feet and stocky with dark hair. His outfit marked him as obviously gay. He wore grey trousers and a coral long-sleeved, button-down shirt. A grey scarf the same shade as his trousers wound around his neck.

“Sorry, sister dear, but judging from his companion you aren’t his type,” I said.

Her voice registered disappointment, “And I suppose you are?”

“More so than you. It seems a shame if he’s taken.”

“I don’t know. They don’t look very well matched if you ask me.” She shrugged, “But there’s no accounting for taste.”

April left the room and I followed.

***

About the Author:

A. T. Weaver is the pen name of a divorced grandmother of eleven, great-grandmother of one. She lives with her cat, Cleopatra, in downtown Kansas City, MO.

When she was growing up, the word gay meant happy and carefree and homosexuals were called queer or ‘one-of-those’. However, she never heard those terms until she was married and a mother. When two men moved in down the street from their mobile home, her husband had to explain they were queer. As far as she was concerned, they were just a couple of men sharing a trailer.

In 2003, through a TV show called Boy Meets Boy, A.T ‘met’ over 3,000 gay men in a Yahoo group. These men educated her as to the inequalities suffered by the LGBT community and she became a staunch ally. She visited one of the men in San Francisco who lived just up the street from the Castro. As he showed her around, they stopped in front of what was once Harvey Milk’s camera store. Her question, “Who was Harvey Milk?” started her education into Gay history.

A. T.’s aim is to move you in some way. Whether you laugh or cry, love it or hate it, she welcomes all comments, whether good or bad.

https://alixtheweaver.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-T-Weaver-writer/149528070288

http://www.amazon.com/A.-T.-Weaver/e/B00ED0S8XY

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2783124.A_T_Weaver

***

Tour giveaway 

2 print copies any book on AT Weaver’s backlist (winner’s choice)

3 ebook copies any book on AT Weaver’s backlist (winner’s choice)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Spotlight & Giveaway: Texas Wedding by R.J. Scott

Texas Wedding
by R.J. Scott
M/M Contemporary
Release Date: Sep 25 2015
Buy Links

The final part in the Texas series

Sometimes Riley and Jack have to be the ones to fight other people's battles and stand up for what is right.

With the life changing prospect of a yes vote from SCOTUS on the issue of same sex marriage, Riley and Jack realise they have decisions to make. Add in some distressing family news and the very real possibility that old secrets may resurface, and this last book in the Texas series pulls together as many threads as the boys can manage to handle.

But through all the ups and the downs, children, family events, laughter, and tears, there is nothing as special as the forever love between these two men.

***

Excerpt:

“Dad?”

Riley saved the file he was working on and turned to face Hayley. He held out his arms and Hayley immediately came in for a hug. She was still in her school uniform and looked like the thirteen-year-old she was.

“Hey, baby.” Riley held her close. “How was school?”

“I need your help,” she said, her words muffled in his shoulder.

“Is it history again?” Riley was sympathetic. He and Hayley loved math but sometimes struggled with all the wordiness that studying history contained. He generally left history to Jack.

“No.” She pulled back and sat on the chair next to his at the desk. “Aunty Eden e-mailed to say that she and Uncle Sean will be away for another two weeks.”

“I know, something about Sean’s book. Did you need your aunt for something?” Eden was very much the go-to for Hayley’s girly dilemmas. “Is everything okay? Do you need me to call Aunty Anna?” Riley’s sister-in-law was first reserve for all things Hayley.

“No, she’s not who…. Willyouhelpmechooseadress?”

Riley blinked at the run-on words, which he hadn’t quite understood. “Sorry?”

Hayley pressed her lips together and looked a little anxious. “For the Valentine’s dance, will you help me choose a dress?”

“From your closet?” Riley stayed away from Hayley’s closet for the most part. She was thirteen now, and he was the dad here.

“No. From a shop.”

“Me?”

You.”

“Oh.” Riley didn’t really have any more words. Then he leaned forward. Dress shopping with their daughter seemed like a two-man operation to him. “Can we take Pappa as well?”

Hayley’s eyes brightened. “You think he’ll go?”

Riley shook his head that she doubted it. Jack would do anything for Hayley. “Of course. When do you want to do this?”

“Friday? After school?”

“We’ll pick you up and go straight there.”

“And Dad?”

“Yeah?” Riley waited. Any sentence that started and Dad invariably was some other milestone in their daughter’s life that was going to add to his already-spotted single gray hair.

“I’m going with a boy. His name is Cory, and he’s a friend of Logan’s.” She looked directly at Riley with that stubbornly determined expression that he knew damn well she’d inherited from him. Words hovered in his head. You’re not dating until you’re thirty. What’s his last name so I can go have a quiet word with him? Where does he live? Worst-case scenarios flashed in his thoughts.

I’m too young to be a grandfather.

Shit, how the hell had he managed to get to that conclusion from Hayley’s innocent boyfriend who probably wanted to hold her hand and kiss her chastely. He should calm himself the fuck down and not ask anything stupid. He could do this. He was a dad.

Wait—something occurred to him from what Hayley had just said.

“Logan’s friend? His younger friend?”

“No, he’s in the same year as Logan.”

“But that means he’s seventeen.”

“Sixteen, actually. He was pushed up a year. He’s really clever.”

Sixteen was still too many years older than Hayley. How do I handle this without looking like an idiot?

“What about Logan?” he blurted out instead.

Hayley frowned. “Dad, you know Logan is who I’m going to marry when I’m old like you. I need to practice first.”

With that, she gave him a pat on the head and left with a smile on her face.

She needs to practice? What the hell?

***

Texas Series Books:

Book 1 - The Heart of Texas
Book 2 - Texas Winter
Book 3 - Texas Heat
Book 4 - Texas Family
Book 5 - Texas Christmas
Book 6 - Texas Fall
Book 7 - Texas Wedding

***

About the Author:

RJ Scott has been writing since age six, when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies. She was told to write a story and two sides of paper about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born.

As an avid reader herself, she can be found reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror. However, her first real true love will always be the world of romance where she takes cowboys, bodyguards, firemen and billionaires (to name a few) and writes dramatic and romantic stories of love and passion between these men.

With over seventy titles to her name and counting, she is the author of the award winning book, The Christmas Throwaway. She is also known for the Texas series charting the lives of Riley and Jack, and the Sanctuary series following the work of the Sanctuary Foundation and the people it protects.

Her goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.

rj@rjscott.co.uk
www.rjscott.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/Rjscott_author
www.facebook.com/author.rjscott
www.librarything.com/author/scottrj
www.tumblr.com/blog/rjscott  (some NSFW (not safe for work) photos)
www.pinterest.com/rjscottauthor/

***

Giveaway:

Competition to win $15 Amazon/Are giftcard, and 2 further prizes of RJ Scott e-books – closes 8th October at 00:01 GMT (London)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview & Giveaway: Moon Born by D. River

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Moon Born
Feral Hearts Tales
Book 2
D. River
Genre: Shifter/paranormal romance/gay romance
Publisher: Lightbane Publications
Date of Publication: 9/14/2015
ISBN: 978-1-4675-7745-8
Word Count: 90,000
Pages: 332
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Book Description: 

Tucker and Ryder figured that the worst was over. They'd gotten used to being lycans, they'd managed to not get killed by werewolf hunters and they'd stopped a crazy magician from trying to unleash Armageddon.

However, as they try to get back to their lives, they find a whole host of new problems awaiting them. The government has established a task force to deal with paranormal threats and lycans are at the top of that list. There is a monster prowling the dark places of New York City. And the Moon Spirit has an agenda for them to fulfill.

Moon Born continues the story of Love Bites, with new characters, new dangers and new complications for Ryder and Tucker's relationship.

***

About the Author:

D. River has been writing for many decades, and most of it is filthy, dirty stuff that you absolutely shouldn't read. Highly-trained experts have successfully quarantined most of that work to keep save innocent bystanders from debilitating cases of blushing.

D. River started putting out books for sale with Wild Horses. Since no one told him to stop, he went on to publish other novels, including the popular Love Bites. The men in white coats caught up with him, though, and he vanished off the face the of Earth. Having made his escape and having set up shop in an abandoned adult toy factory, he is now ready to unleash more paranormal romances/adventure stories on an unsuspecting world.

http://lightbane.com/driver.html

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4123971.D_River/blog

***

Interview:

Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

I am trying to be better about planning stuff, but I prefer to let the story go where it wants to go.

Do your characters ever want to take over the story? I have a character who was introduced in the first book in an offhand comment. Later in the book, I decided to bring him in for a scene. In Moon Born, he managed to wedge himself firmly into my MC's lives. Now he's demanding his own book. So yeah...

What drew you to the M/M genre in particular? The M/M genre has a lot of un-mined potential right now. With the rapid evolution of our society on equal rights for GLBT folk, there are many new angles to write and topics to discuss.

Also, you know, hot men in bed together...

Do you write in other genres besides M/M?

I started off writing Fantasy novels and in some mythical future where I have time and focus I mean to get back to that. There is a story on the horizon that will either go het or lesbian, I haven't worked it out yet.

What is your favourite food? 

I'd probably have to go with pizza. Because even mediocre pizza is better than a lot of other things.

Are you a morning person or a night owl? 

I'm such a night owl that it becomes morning, so maybe I'm both.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I want to go to the old cities, like Paris and London. I love history.

Do distant places feature in your books? 

Yes. My paranormal books mostly focus on the New York area, which is across the country from me.

However, the one I'm working on now will feature Ireland and Spain.

Do you listen to music while writing? 

Sometimes. I feel like I have to in order to appease my inner teenager. However, the truth is, when I'm in the zone I'm happier working in silence.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

Moon Born is the sequel to Love Bites. It continues the story of Tucker and Ryder, straight best friends who became mated werewolves. Though, as this is a British site, maybe I should say they're straight best mates who become mated mates. Or is that confusing?

In Moon Born, the ramifications of being lycans really hit them and they have to find their place in the world. Even though magic and paranormal creatures are just a part of everyday life in this world I have created, werewolves were hunted to extinction because they were a threat to people. So, no one is really thrilled to have them back.

In addition to those problem, there is a new threat they have to deal with. A monster is stalking the citizens of NYC and they find themselves drawn into that conflict.

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

Apparently, adverbs are bad. When I started writing, back in the Bronze Age, everything I read had sentences like, "Of course I'd love to go on a dangerous quest," he said excitedly.

So that's how I learned to write. Apparently, things changed in the last couple of decades. I've been yelled at by pretty much everyone to knock that off. So I finally complied—bitterly.

Is there anything you would do differently?

With Moon Born? No, I took the time (way too much time) to be sure I got it right. There are things that may not fly with people, but I'm pretty happy with it. Give it a few months and I'm sure I'll hate something about it. That's always the way.

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

I am a disciple of Joss Whedon. I love his sense of humor. I think he is a genius. The way he can have you laughing one minute then weeping the next just awes me. I try to bring that into my writing, defeating expectations, turning tired tropes on their ears.

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

Don't try to write what you think people want to see. That will just drive you crazy. Write what you love. That passion will shine through. Readers will respond to that.

And don't be put off by negative feedback. Learn from it, if you can, and keep in mind that some people will hate your book for the same reason someone else loves it.

What are three words that describe you?

Curmudgeon. Sarcastic. Creative.

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

That's an impossible question. As far as paranormal M/M books go, I have to say the one I liked the most so far are the Section 13 books by J.L. O'Faolain. His MC Cole is a hilariously bitchy Sidhe who kicks total ass.

Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book

Tucker and Ryder figured that the worst was over. They'd gotten used to being lycans, they'd managed to not get killed by werewolf hunters and they'd stopped a crazy magician from trying to unleash Armageddon.

However, as they try to get back to their lives, they find a whole host of new problems awaiting them. The government has established a task force to deal with paranormal threats and lycans are at the top of that list. There is a monster prowling the dark places of New York City. And the Moon Spirit has an agenda for them to fulfill.

Moon Born continues the story of Love Bites, with new characters, new dangers and new complications for Ryder and Tucker's relationship.

List of previous books if any

Paranormal Romance

Love Bites (Feral Hearts #1)
Moon Born (Feral Hearts #1)

Gay Erotica
 
Wild Horses
Hunting for Sport

Gay Short Stories

Beautiful Soul
Comeuppance
Punk Ass
Simon Says

Gay YA (Written under my name, Chris O'Guinn)
 
Exiled to Iowa: Send Help. And Couture
Fearless

Any websites/places readers can find you on the web

lightbane.com
chrigercub on twitter
And I'm on Facebook under Chris O'Guinn

***

Giveaway:

Tour giveaway

1 $25 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review & Giveaway: A Demon to Love by Jordan Ashton

A Demon to Love
Mates of Nethermore Book 2
Jordan Ashton
Genre: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, 
M/M, vampires, shape-shifters
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Date of Publication: June 2015
ISBN: 978-1-63259-495-2
ASIN: B0125JNVL8
Number of pages: 82
Word Count: 20,137
Cover Artist: Harris Channing

Book Description:

Eros Dexter, a demon who has been living among humans for the past year, is summoned back to Nethermore by the Queen, his mother. Word has it that Eros has been a good boy on the Earth’s surface, befriending humans and also mating with one, and she’s not happy. Eros denies everything until a battered Warren Ambers enters the Queen’s chamber. Eros had ended things with Warren seven months ago to protect him from Eros’s family, but he never stopped loving Warren.

Now he must save Warren before his mother can get her claws into him.

First Warren Ambers was held prisoner by vampires, then he’s whisked to Nethermore, only to find out he’s the Queen of Nethermore’s intended concubine.

Things get worse when he sees the only man he has ever loved, Eros Dexter, standing by her side. Apparently, Eros isn’t human and he's the Prince of Nethermore.

Eros tells Warren that he still loves him and will find a way to save him from his mother. But can Warren trust him? The last time he did Eros broke his heart. What will happen this time? Will it only be heartache Warren suffers, or something much worse?

Bookstrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo | Nook


***

Review 3.5 Stars

Warren Ambers' life has taken a turn for the worse. The love of his life, Eros Dexter, left him and shortly after that he's attacked by Draco Clan vampires and taken to their lair where he and his brother are held captive for over six months. His brother has escaped, but so far there is no sign of him coming back to rescue Warren.

Cold, hungry, going out of his mind, Warren worries that he'll die in this prison and no one will ever know what's happened to him. He's taken to a realm beneath the Earth called Nethermore by his captives and discovers he's supposed to be a concubine to the evil witch queen who dwells there. He's been turned into some sort of vampire/human hybrid so that he would be better able to withstand mating with her.

And then he discovers that Eros, the man who left him all those months ago is one of her sons and a prince of Nethermore. Was it Eros who betrayed him to the vampires? Can he ever trust him again?

There were some things I liked about this novella, some I didn't. The world-building was good, it was interesting to see the different factions of Nethermore, some wanted to help humans, some wanted to enslave or kill them and rule over the rest. I loved the idea of the healing springs as well.

Most of the book is told from either Warren's or Eros' point of view, so we got to see inside both their heads, which I liked and saw how much they still loved each other. The love scenes are very hot and sensual, although the occassional purple prose crept in at certain parts. It's not a romance in the traditional sense, as we don't get to see Warren and Eros fall in love. I would have liked to see that, rather than just see the aftermath of Eros' betrayal and breaking Warren's heart.

And then we get to some of the names. One of Eros' brothers was called Serco, and I just couldn't take that name seriously. I don't know how well known it is, but Serco is a worldwide company. It would be like calling the character Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

It's fast-paced and the pages flew by. If you're squeamish about blood, this is not the book for you. But if you enjoy books about vampires with a bit of adventure and angnst thrown in, give it a go. You won't be disappointed.

***

Excerpt:

Warren Ambers’s entire body ached, from the arches of his feet to the top of his head. Even the ends of his hair throbbed with rawness if that were even possible. He tried to focus his eyes on the darkness enveloping him. He could hear the being’s heavy breaths. He could smell the stench of sour milk and vinegar.

He knew one of the vampires who had held him hostage for the past six months was nearby, waiting, observing. He sensed him but for the life of him he couldn’t see him in the cloak of blackness.

The carriage he sat bound in kept rattling and shaking manically when its wheels rolled over obstructions on the cobblestone road, like large rocks or bumps. His body slammed against the side of the carriage or the back of the wooden rest whenever it happened, which amplified the pain coursing through him.

Where the hell were they taking him and why were they transporting him in a carriage and not a car?

As if on cue, a deep, resonating voice said, “We’re almost there.”

Warren jumped when he saw the red embers of Rex’s eyes as he peered at him in the pitch darkness from only a few feet away. Warren hadn’t expected him to be the vampire his senses had picked up and he certainly hadn’t guessed he was so freakin’ close, either.

A haunting chill rolled over him and he gasped. Of all the vampires in the Draco clan, Rex and Oscar frightened him the most.

Ever since they invaded the home Warren shared with his parents and brother Vincent six months ago, these two vampires had inflicted pain and misery on him and his family. They had bitten and fed on Warren’s parents before kidnapping him and Vincent. He quaked in his shoes any time they were in his vicinity.

They were the most conniving and taunting of the clan, the evil brains behind the group and their operation. Rex and Oscar enjoyed seeing the look of dread in their eyes and especially of anger and loathing. They obviously relished provoking them for their pure entertainment.

At least Vincent had been able to escape yesterday.

He had found the rusty screw wedged in the brick wall in the basement of the farmhouse the Draco clan had made their lair and had used it to fray the rope tying his wrists together until he broke free.

Vincent had then untied Warren and they had made a run for it. Unfortunately, Warren had sprained his ankle in the attempted breakout. Two vampires caught him and brought him back to the farmhouse. Vincent, though, had made it to the road and escaped. At least Warren hoped and prayed he did.

If he had, then he’d come back when he could to help Warren escape. If the tables were turned and it was Warren instead of Vincent who had escaped, that’s what he would be trying to do as soon as he could.

The Ambers brothers were ten months apart, Vincent being the older sibling at twenty-nine and a half, while Warren was twenty-eight.

Ever since they were toddlers they had been inseparable. Their mother always commented, with a hug, kiss, and a smile, that even though ten months separated them in age, they were as close as identical twins and she couldn’t be happier. She knew they’d always be there for one another when it mattered most.

Tears welled in Warren’s eyes and he brushed them away. That happy memory of his mom and the one six months ago, as she took her last breath after Rex finished feeding on her, clashed in his mind and wrenched his heart. He missed her so much.

“Ah, are those tears I see for your brother?” Rex asked in mock sympathy.

Warren didn’t reply. He simply turned his gaze away from the evil red glowing eyes that studied him.

“Vincent won’t find you, you know.”

Panic made Warren’s hair stand on end. How did Rex know what Warren was thinking, that he hoped and prayed Vincent would find him? Trying desperately not to offer Rex any more pleasure in seeing him shocked or frightened, Warren attempted to steel his emotions.

“We’re already far away from the farmhouse and soon, once we cross the barrier, he’ll never be able to find you.”

***

About the Author:

Jordan Ashton is a writer and wife whose passion for reading romance novels led her to writing them, too. She believes love can conquer all and that it makes the world go round, not money. Her heroes, heroines, and the worlds she creates bring this belief to life. She is and will always be a true romantic at heart.

Website: https://authorjordanashton.wordpress.com/

Blog: http://authorjordanashton.blogspot.ca/

Bookstrand: www.bookstrand.com/jordan-ashton

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_J_Ashton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006608238654

***

Tour Giveaway:

$20 Amazon Gift Card
An ebook copy of A Demon to Love

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour & Giveaway Three is Not a Crowd Anthology

Title: Three is Not a Crowd
Authors: Lily Velden, Asta Idonea, Eric Gober, Alina Popescu, Kay Ellis, L.V. Lloyd, Eddy LeFey, Aimee Brissay, Rian Durant
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Genre: Gay Romance

Synopsis

Why would anyone think three was a crowd?

No. No. No. No. No.

Three is a triangle…

and did you know it’s the strongest geometrical shape?

All the best things come in threes…

Musketeers, primary colors, three-ringed circuses, stooges, blind mice, little pigs. The list goes on.

Of course they say trouble comes in three too…

but we won’t go there… or will we?

**giggle** There’s three sheets to the wind.

And **sigh… drool** there’s three piece suits.

And trust us, it’s no coincidence that there are three ingredients in a BLT.

Or only three elements to the game Rock, Paper, Scissors.


Want to get physical???

Well, there’s… three-legged races… (what were you thinking?)

Political? Of the people, by the people, for the people.

Or creepy? Hear no evil. Speak no evil. See no evil.

Why, three has so much going for it we don’t even need to mention a…

1…………            2…………            3………… sandwich

(substitute your own dream guys)

And of course, there’s: On your Mark. Get Set. And Go!

So Go! Read the short stories in…

THREE IS NOT A CROWD

Buy Links

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/three-is-not-crowd-a-wayward-ink-publishing-anthology/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01526M8EM/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01526M8EM/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01526M8EM/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B01526M8EM/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-threeisnotacrowdawaywardinkpublishinganthology-1885654-166.html

Watch the Trailer

Giveaway

Prize: $10 WIP Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Three Is Not a Crowd Stories:

Brad has a thing about elevators. He’s also had a tough week.
An accidental encounter with Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome Aiden, and sweet, shy, and innocent Danny, will turn his elevator ‘thing’ into something very B.A.D.
 
I’m every bit the Everyman.
Or at least I was until I started my current relationship.
You see, there are three of us in this couple: me, my boyfriend, and my boyfriend’s alter ego…

Three college cheerleaders are bound together by unrequited love, secrets, and lies.
That is until dangers on a road trip threaten their lives.
Who will survive?
 
Plagued by nightmares of a lost twin, David struggles to uncover the truth of his past.
 His family insists he never had a brother, enlisting therapist after therapist to cure him.
David’s only happiness is his boyfriend Terry.
Is the dream-visiting twin real?
Or is he a symptom of a mental disorder?
And real or not, will David and Terry’s relationship survive his presence?
 
Flynn Jacobs is small, eccentric, and neurotic. He’s spent his whole life being ridiculed and bullied.
On a rare night out with work colleagues, Flynn finally meets Riley, a man he has admired from afar.
Riley isn’t looking for anything special. His boyfriend Mitch is out of town and Riley is bored. Shy Flynn is a challenge. He’s meant to be a one night stand but Riley finds he likes Flynn more than he should…
What will happen when Mitch returns from his business trip?
 
Richard believed his friendship with Laura was based around their passion for writing.
He didn’t realise he was falling in love with her, until it was too late. 
After all, how could he possibly be falling in love with Laura, when he still loved Bill?
 
Malcolm has a decision to make.
His two best friends, Jack and Thomas, have just given him a very interesting proposal to mull over.
His mind, his heart, and his Little Malcolm need to agree.
The decision could change his life forever…
 
Daniel and Michael go shopping for sex toys.
Michael believes their relationship is complete.
That is, until he lays his eyes on the gorgeous shop owner.
Perhaps things are better in threes…
 
Chrissie is a very smart Rottweiler who has never shifted until now, enjoying his life as a dog.
What happens when he and his owner, Simon, fall for the same guy?

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Oracle Collection by R.J. Scott

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Oracle Collection
(Contains Oracle and Book of Secrets)
by R.J. Scott
M/M Mystery/Adventure
Buy links 

ORACLE

Love, adventure, an empath & an ancient relic that could destroy the world.

Alex Sheridan is a thief, able to steal even the hardest to reach antiquities. Luke MacKinnon is a professor of ancient languages.

When they come together to locate the Oracle, it is because both men have targets on their backs. Can love blossom when each day could be their last? And, how can they survive the evil that wants the Oracle?

***

BOOK OF SECRETS

Kidnapping, adventure, drama and the fight for eternal life.

Alex is making good on his promise to put things right; retrieving items he had stolen, and returning them to their rightful owners. It's dangerous work, especially since he lost his most useful Oracle-given powers.

When Luke is kidnapped by a man intent on finding the secrets to eternal life, Alex has to make a bargain with the devil and break steal an item from the private library at Windsor Castle. Will Alex be too late to save the man he loves?

***

About RJ

RJ Scott has been writing since age six, when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies. She was told to write a story and two sides of paper about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born.

As an avid reader herself, she can be found reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror. However, her first real true love will always be the world of romance where she takes cowboys, bodyguards, firemen and billionaires (to name a few) and writes dramatic and romantic stories of love and passion between these men.

With over seventy titles to her name and counting, she is the author of the award winning book, The Christmas Throwaway. She is also known for the Texas series charting the lives of Riley and Jack, and the Sanctuary series following the work of the Sanctuary Foundation and the people it protects.

Her goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.

rj@rjscott.co.uk
www.rjscott.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/Rjscott_author
www.facebook.com/author.rjscott
www.librarything.com/author/scottrj
www.tumblr.com/blog/rjscott  (some NSFW (not safe for work) photos)
www.pinterest.com/rjscottauthor/

***

Giveaway:

Competition to win $15 Amazon/Are giftcard, and 2 further prizes of RJ Scott e-books
Closes 2 October UK time

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post & Giveaway: King John by Edmond Manning

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King John
by Edmond Manning
Lost and Found Series #4
M/M Contemporary
Buy link: Amazon | Allromance | Goodreads

English attorney Alistair Robertson can’t quite believe an astonishing tale of kingship and transformation he hears at Burning Man, the annual counter-culture art festival in the Black Rock desert. Who are the Found Kings? Is “being kinged” as magical as it sounds?

Determined to find the mysterious garage mechanic named Vin who helps men “remember who they were always meant to be,” Alistair catches his quarry amid the extravagant sculptures, fire worshipers, mutant cars, and lavish costumes. After searching for three years, he’ll finally get to ask the question burning inside him: “Will you king me?”

Wandering together through the desert, Vin Vanbly and Alistair explore Burning Man’s gifting culture and exotic traditions, where they meet the best and worst of their fellow burners. Alistair’s overconfidence in Vin’s manipulative power collides with Vin’s obsessive need to save a sixteen-year-old runaway from a nightmarish fate, and the two men spiral in uncontrollable, explosive directions.

In this fourth adventure of The Lost and Founds, beneath the sweltering summer sun and the six billion midnight stars, one truth emerges, searing itself on their hearts: in the desert, everything burns.

***

Guest Post: Learn the Language, Broner
by Edmond Manning

Dude.

If you’re going to show up at Burning Man, learn the language. You don’t want to be a broner (describes men who display the same “douchy” behavior one might see in a night club or at a rave).

The unique vocabulary did not spring up overnight. The words reflect years of an evolving Burning Man culture. Like any unique culture-based lexicon, they are informal ways to express approval and disapproval, reinforcing norms and values that Burners want respected.

It’s easy to see how a word like broner evolved. In the early days, Burning Man was considered a unique cross between spirituality, anarchy, and radical self-expression. Those who value those qualities were dismayed when, during the mid- to late-nineties, Silicon Valley dotcommers showed up en mass and began turning Burning Man into their own networking rave. Broners is a criticism, judging those who do not treat Burning Man as a special place.

There is other less flattering nomenclature, too:

e-tards / e-nnoying

Someone acting like an idiot on Ecstasy.

Usage: “That e-tard is trying to hug a canvas tent.”

Sparkle pony

This word can be negative or positive, depending on how it is applied. A sparkle pony is most often a beautiful young woman, displaying her…um…beauty for all to see. Could be nudity. Skimpy costume. She’s a goddess. She’s wearing glitter. She’s young and beautiful. On the other hand, a sparkle pony is almost the cousin of broner. A sparkle pony could be that same young woman who didn’t bring food, didn’t bring gifts to exchange, brought barely enough water…it’s someone who didn’t prepare and expects their good looks to carry them.

Usage: “Check out that woman who just offered those guys a dance with scarves if they give her a burger. What a sparkle pony.”

Burnier-than-thou

The burner is acting like somehow they are the only person who embodies the true spirit of Burning Man, and luckily, they are here to show us all how to live it.

Usage: “You know, it’s funny you should bring up Burning Man. I actually wrote a book about Burning Man, myself. It’s called King John.”

“Okay, geez, don’t get all burnier-than-thou. I get it. You danced naked in the desert. You’re practically an earth spirit. Waiter? Can I get the check please? This first date is going nowhere.”

Yahoo 

Someone who watches and doesn’t participate.

Usage:  “Hey, yahoo, instead of filming people dance, why don’t you set down your iPhone and dance, fucker.”

Burgin   (pronounced:  bur-jin )

First time attender of Burning Man.

Usage:  “You forgot to bring sunscreen? What are you, a burgin?”

Circle jerk

A drum circle. These are generally considered to be quite annoying.

Usage:  “Ugh. No, let’s not go in that direction. I hear a circle jerk I’d rather avoid.”

Assplanade 

The very outer street in Black Rock City. The very innermost street is called the Esplanade. The Assplanade is its less popular cousin.

Usage:  “Where’s that camp that washes your feet? Out on the Assplanade? Oh, fuck it. I’m not walking that far.”

Blue room bolt

Ditching an unwanted companion (traditionally someone you just met) who is busy using a porta potty.

Usage:  “Hey, that Sparkle Pony is only wandering with us because we have water. She just went inside to piss. Let’s blue room bolt.”

Family rubies

This describes the unfortunate condition of having sunburned your genitalia—one of the side effects of wandering the desert naked and forgetting sunscreen.

Usage:  “There’s no way I’m going dancing tonight, not with these family rubies.”

Playa vampire / vamp   (pronounced:  ply-uh – the type of desert terrain found at Black Rock)

Someone who parties all night and sleeps all day.

Usage:  “Better not wake up Peter. He was out until dawn. He’s a playa vamp.”

Faffing

Short for Fucking Around For Fucking Forever (acronyms don’t have to follow the rules at Burning Man). When you want to leave and go explore the playa, and your camp mates are taking their sweet, sweet time delaying. C’mon. Hurry up!

Usage:  “Hey, we want to get out clubbing! Quit faffing around!”

Trailer chaser

Someone who will sleep with you just so they can crash inside your air-conditioned RV for the night instead of their dusty, hot tent.

Usage:  “Edmond rented a luxury RV for Burning Man, counting on trailer chasers to flock to him. What a broner.”

TTITD / That Thing in the Desert

Burners often feel judged, when discussing Burning Man, by those who have never been. Out in the real world, when they want to speak in code about the event, they simply say TTITD or perhaps, “That Thing…” without getting scornful glances or eye rolls from nearby tables.

Usage:  “At the coffeehouse this morning, I heard the table next to me discussing That Thing in the Desert and before I left, I told them I thought Burning Man sounded wonderful, and to have fun next year.”

***

About the Author:

Edmond Manning is the author of the romance series, The Lost and Founds. The books in this series include King Perry, King Mai (a 2014 Lambda Literary finalist), The Butterfly King, and King John. King John takes place at Burning Man.

He has always been fascinated by fiction: how ordinary words could be sculpted into heartfelt emotions, how heartfelt emotions could leave an imprint inside you stronger than the real world. Mr. Manning never felt worthy to seek publication until recently, when he accidentally stumbled into his own writer’s voice that fit perfectly, like his favorite skull-print fuzzy jammies. He finally realized that he didn’t have to write like Charles Dickens or Armistead Maupin— two author heroes— and that perhaps his own fiction was juuuuuuust right, because it was his true voice, so he looked around the scrappy word kingdom that he created for himself and shouted, “I’M HOME!” He is now a writer.

In addition to fiction, Edmond enjoys writing nonfiction on his blog, http://www.edmondmanning.com. When not writing, he can be found either picking raspberries in the back yard or eating panang curry in an overstuffed chair upstairs, reading comic books.

Feel free to contact him at remembertheking@comcast.net.

***

Giveaway!
Winner’s Prize: An eBook copy of King John


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview & Giveaway: A Shooting Star by Joe Cosentino

A SHOOTING STAR
by JOE COSENTINO
M/M Contemporary/Acting/Actors
The second novella in the In My Heart series from Dreamspinner Press

On the eve of the best night of his life, winning an Academy Award, Jonathan Bello thinks back to his one great love, David Star. Flipping back the pages of time, Jonathan recalls his handsome, muscular, and charismatic college roommate. Since Jonathan was a freshman and David a senior in the Theatre Department, David took Jonathan under his wing and molded him, not only as an actor but as a lover. With every wonderful new adventure, David left his joyful mark on anyone with whom they came in contact, but Jonathan soon uncovered David’s dark past, leading to a shocking event. Undaunted, Jonathan celebrates the captivating man who will always hold a special place in his heart.

A Bittersweet Dreams title: It's an unfortunate truth: love doesn't always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.

Reviews for AN INFATUATION the first novella in the In My Heart series by Joe Cosentino from Dreamspinner Press:

“Author Joe Cosentino brought just the right amount of humor, angst and honesty to make this short but sweet coming of age story a success.” MM Good Book Reviews

e-book $4.99

purchase links:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6803

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014LNRXU6

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ashootingstar-1870418-149.html

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-shooting-star-joe-cosentino/1122590987?ean=2940150803107

***

About the Author:

Joe Cosentino is the author of An Infatuation and A Shooting Star (Dreamspinner Press), Paper Doll the first Jana Lane mystery (Whiskey Creek Press), Drama Queen the first Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He wrote The Perils of Pauline educational film (Prentice Hall Publishers). Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming novels are A Home for the Holidays (Dreamspinner Press holiday novella), The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press short stories novella), Porcelain Doll the second Jana Lane mystery (Wild Rose Press), and Drama Muscle the second Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press).

Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00KRPXJP6

***

Interview:

Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?

When writing a mystery like my Jana Lane mysteries (PAPER DOLL from Whiskey Creek Press) or Nicky and Noah mysteries (DRAMA QUEEN from Lethe Press), I start at the end with a shocking ending then work backwards with clues, reversals, plot twists and turns. With a romance novel like AN INFATUATION or A SHOOTING STAR (from Dreamspinner Press) I start with the characters and do lengthy character biographies. That helps mold the story for me. In both cases I write a brief outline. My spouse reads the second draft, and the third draft goes to the publisher.

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?

Yes! Since I was an actor, I have a great imagination. Once the characters begin talking in my head, I start typing. They very often divert from my outline, which is fine with me. Sometimes the things they say make me laugh, cry, or totally shock me.

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

Go to the mall and look at the endless posters of movies with no gay characters in them. There are so many interesting gay stories that need to be told. I have a dozen of them in my head now.

Do you write in other genres besides M/M?

I have a mystery series, the Jana Lane mysteries, with straight leading characters and gay supporting characters. It’s about an ex-child star making a comeback while solving the mystery of who attacked her in the past and who is after her now. PAPER DOLL (Whiskey Creek Presss) is out now. PORCELAIN DOLL, SATIN DOLL, and CHINA DOLL (Wild Rose Press) will be out in the future. Through the course of the books, Jana not only solves the mysteries, but also reclaims the courage and fortitude she had as a child. This is an important message for all of us. As one reviewer wrote, she starts out as a wounded bird, and ends as tiger. Since the novels take place in the 1980’s, Jana’s best friends are gay, and Jana is somewhat of a gay activist, the AIDS epidemic is a large part of the novels.

What is your favourite food?

Oatmeal with raisins, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut milk, and cinnamon.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Definitely a night owl, which drives my spouse (a morning person) crazy.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

We’ve been to France, Ireland, Scotland, England, Spain, and most of the US, where I live. I’d like to take a riverboat cruise through Austria and sing the songs from THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the sites.

Do distant places feature in your books?

I travelled to gorgeous Capri, Italy for my upcoming holiday novella, A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS from Dreamspinner Press. I also took an Alaskan cruise and trip to Hawaii for the upcoming third and fourth Nicky and Noah mysteries, DRAMA CRUISE and DRAMA ALOHA from Lethe Press. Jana goes to Hollywood in PAPER DOLL (Whiskey Creek Press) and Washington, DC in SATIN DOLL (Wild Rose Press).

Do you listen to music while writing?

No, just the voices in my head.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

After my Bittersweet Dreams novella, AN INFATUATION, was released by Dreamspinner Press, I received numerous requests from readers for a second novella in the In My Heart series. Since AN INFATUATION was loosely based on my high school days through adulthood, I thought back to my days as a theatre major in college, and A SHOTING STAR was born.

In the novella, new college theatre major Jonathan meets the gorgeous, muscular, tantalizing, and mysterious upper classroom and theatre department star aptly named David Star. As David grooms Jonathan for college life and for stardom, Jonathan falls deeply in love with him. This leads Jonathan on an inner and outer journey, where he learns some shocking secrets about David, and about himself. As a remembrance story, the novella begins with Jonathan having just received the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Film, as he thinks back to the person who was responsible for his win.

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

I’ve learned to write what is in my heart, and connect to the publisher who understands that.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Not worry so much about reviews. Most of my reviews and reader response have been incredibly positive, which fuel my writing. What a gift it is for a reader to post a positive review on Amazon or Goodreads, relating how something I’ve written has moved them, made them laugh, made them cry, think about something new, or changed their life. I can’t think of anything better. As for the few bad reviews, I don’t read them. As my mother always told me, if you don’t have something nice to say about somebody, don’t say anything. I can’t imagine why anyone would continue reading a book after chapter one if he/she doesn’t like it. Just put it down and read something else. Why attack a book someone has poured his/her blood, sweat, and tears into? As the saying goes, just say no.

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

Armistead Maupin has an amazing flair for writing eccentric, loveable characters with engaging and realistic dialogue. Agatha Christie is the master of hiding clues, reversals, plot twists and turns, and surprise endings.

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

Write what is in your heart and search for the publisher who fits your style.

What are three words that describe you?

Funny, talkative, honest.

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

Armistead Maupin’s TALES OF THE CITY books are amazing. I read them over and over again.

List of previous books if any:

AN INFATUATION (In My Heart bittersweet dreams novella 1 from Dreamspinner Press, PAPER DOLL (the first Jana Lane mystery from Whiskey Creek Press), DRAMA QUEEN (the first Nicky and Noah mystery from Lethe Press).

I will be editing for release: A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (a winter holiday novella taking place in Capri, Italy) from Dreamsprinner Press, THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TAKES FROM FAIRYLAND (gay fairy tales novella) from Dreamspinner Press, PORCELAIN DOLL (the second Jana Lane mystery) and SATIN DOLL (the third Jana Lane mystery) from Wild Rose Press, DRAMA MUSCLE (the second Nicky and Noah comedy mystery) and DRAMA CRUISE (the third Nicky and Noah mystery) from Lethe Press. I plan to finish writing CHINA DOLL (the fourth Jana Lane mystery) and DRAMA ALOHA (the fourth Nicky and Noah mystery. Looks like I’ll be really busy. I am also working on a new gay romance novel set in the Jersey Shore, COZZI COVE: BOUNCING BACK which features two minor characters from AN INFATUATION.

Any websites/places readers can find you on the web:

Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00KRPXJP6

***

Giveaway

Joe Cosentino is offering a giveaway of AN INFATUATION, the first In My Heart bittersweet dreams novella from Dreamspinner Press. Post a comment about his interview. We will select the winner and Joe will email you the ebook! Just leave a comment to be in with a chance to win.

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Needing to Breathe by BA Tortuga

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Needing to Breathe
Two Is Never Enough, 
Book 1
B.A. Tortuga
Genre: Gay, Menage, Wolf Shifters
Publisher: ARe Books
Date of Publication:  9/1/15
Word Count: 20,000
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron-Hill

Book Description:

Orphaned and scared, these cubs need an Alpha…and so do their caregivers.

Cast out of their wolf pack, Jock and Gus are skinny and wild but surviving okay out in the Colorado mountains. Winter is on its way, and Gus isn’t sure what they can do to stay warm and fed. To add to their problems, they’ve adopted a litter of abandoned wolf cubs, and suddenly there’s not enough food to go around.

Archer, a forest ranger and Alpha wolf, finds Jock and Gus in time to save them from Jack Frost, and from themselves. The moment he meets the two young males, he wants them, and he sets out to convince them to stay. Jock understands that Archer is what they need, but Gus intends to fight Archer every step of the way. He has to—it’s in his genes.

Can Archer keep this new family safe, from the elements and each other?

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Excerpt:

Archer Tyson smelled the shallow grave before he saw it.

The narrow trench had been dug carefully, and rocks and brush covered what was left of the she-wolf, but the fact remained that she was dead, and there was evidence of a trap-death on the carcass.

Damn it all. This didn’t look like poachers, who would have wanted the coat. Maybe the head. No cabins or livestock this far up the mountain, so he had to assume this was malicious. A wolf hater. That always meant a lot of work for him as one of the two rangers who covered this plot of land.

Not to mention that when a wolf died on his watch, Archer took it pretty personally.

It made him a little toothy and more than a bit pissed off. The urge to sniff around and see if he could follow a scent trail to the killer was strong, but Archer was on the clock right now. The best he could do for this poor girl was mark the grave with a locator so he could find it again later and make a report.

He sighed, whispering a soft prayer in his native tongue for her, which okay, sounded more like moaning and groaning than words, but whatever.

Another scent hit him when he moved away from the makeshift grave, and Archer tilted his head. No. Pups?

Where were they? He sniffed again. They’d been here and been… taken.

A low growl rose in his chest, and Archer wanted to howl with rage. Was that what this was about? Wolves weren’t fucking pets, and no one should be killing momma wolves to take their cubs.

He started tracking, every sense tuned to searching out this motherfucker.

No, his wolf told him. These. Two. Two scents. Two males. Damn it. He started along their trail, which might as well have been cut with a weed whacker.

His radio squawked, distracting him. “Archer. Can you read, over?”

“I hear you, Ben.” He was busy, damn it.

“We got a small brush fire over at Lizard Head. All hands on deck. What’s your twenty?”

“That’s a haul, man. I’m near Whitehouse, and I have a poacher situation.”

“Okay. I’ll call you in if we need you. Hang tight, over.”

“Ten four. Over.” Shoo. He had puppies to find. Wolf cubs. Christ, what a mess. He didn’t need this shit.

He followed the scent, slowing as the smells became damn near overwhelming. The two males started to make his nose twitch. They didn’t have the sour, greedy smell of poachers, or the hyped-up adrenaline scent of hunters.

No, if anything this scent was sweet, sexual, tinged with a dull hunger, a hint of worry.

He peered around a bend in the trail, finding two men, shaggy and skinny and utterly underdressed for the late autumn chill, sleeping in the afternoon sun around a pile of three cubs.

Oh. The totally unexpected sight made him smile. Look at that; the pups already trusted these two. There was no way they’d killed the mom. One of the men, the older by the looks of it, started sniffing, nose working hard.

Wait.

Wait, were they… Could they be like him? Archer thought that was impossible, but no human would be able to scent him from this location.

Dark eyebrows lowered, and the man woke up, nudging the blond. “Jock, babe, someone’s here. Get the babies into the tent.”

Without a question, the blond got the pups moving, growling and nudging on all fours. The cubs obeyed, falling over their big feet.

Once they were safely tucked away in the tent, Archer stepped into the clearing. “I won’t hurt anyone. I’m with the Forest Service.”

“We’re fine. Thanks. We got a permit.” The blond was pushed behind, just a little, the darker wolf trying to make himself big. All teeth and puffy chest.

Adorable.

***

About the Author: 

B.A. Tortuga Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy's Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she's not doing that, she's writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting, and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA's personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

For more information on other books by B.A., visit her official website: www.BATortuga.com

https://www.facebook.com/BATortugaBooks

https://twitter.com/batortuga

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/538830.B_A_Tortuga

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Tour giveaway 

Readers choice of two eBook titles from ARe Books.

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