Showing posts with label m/m/m romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label m/m/m romance. Show all posts
Book Review: A Triad in Three Acts by Blaine D. Arden
A Triad in Three Acts
Books 1-3 The Complete Forester Trilogy
by Blaine D. Arden
Cayendi Press
M/M/M Fantasy/Elves/Mystery
4 Stars
Orignally posted at The Romance Reviews
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=22810
Blurb:
“Your Path is muddy, Kelnaht, but don’t think avoiding the puddles will make it easier to travel.”
Kelnaht, a cloud elf, is a truth seeker caught between love and faith, when a murder reveals an illicit affair between two tree elves he desires more than he can admit. Kelnaht’s former lover Ianys once betrayed him, and the shunned forester Taruif is not allowed to talk to anyone but the guide, their spiritual pathfinder.
The guide mentioned puddles, but I envisioned lakes, deep treacherous lakes, and I was drowning.
Then a stripling goes missing from the tribe, and heavy rainfall hides all traces of his whereabouts. With days creeping by without a lead, it’s hard to keep the tribe’s spirits up, more so when Kelnaht’s own future depends on the elders. Taruif has been shunned for almost twenty turns, but now that a possible forester’s apprentice is coming of age, the elders consider reducing his sentence. Taruif could be set free.
“I have great responsibilities, but my path ahead is as foggy and blurred as the path behind me.”
Later, when several children fall ill with more than a summer bug, truth seeker Kelnaht is assigned to investigate. What he finds is deadly and threatens the life of every underage child in the tribe, including Ianys’ daughter Atèn. Then a wounded traveller is found in the forest, left to die after a vicious attack.
“There is always a way.”
Kelnaht, Taruif, and Ianys are meant to be together, but old promises and the decree of the elders prevent them from claiming each other openly at Solstice. Kelnaht can investigate murder and foul play, but he can’t see how he can keep both his lovers without breaking the rules. But if he believes in the guide’s words and trusts his faith in Ma’terra, they will find a way to clear the fog and puddles from their paths.
***
Review 4 Stars
A wonderful mix of fantasy, magic and mystery with characters to fall in love with.
Three books in one, The Forester Trilogy includes the tales The Forester, Lost and Found and Full Circle. I'm glad I got to read them all at once, because each flowed into the other and made a much more satisfying read.
Kelnaht is a the truth seeker of his tribe, much like a modern day detective or investigator, but has natural magical talents that help him get to the truth of the matter. Whether it is murder, missing children or mysterious illnesses, Kelnaht is the elf who deals with these things.
Kelnaht is still in love with his previous partner, Ianys and is shocked and dismayed when he discovers the elf is now in a relationship with the forester, Taruif, an elf who has been shunned for decades. No one may utter his name and no one may speak to him except for the Guide, the elves' spiritual leader and advisor. Kelnaht is torn between keeping their secret and wanting to be included in it, for he has long desired Taruif from afar.
Invited to join their relationship as a triad, Kelnaht accepts, but due to the elders' restrictions, they cannot openly be together due to the shunning. Can the three men find happiness or is their love doomed to failure before it has a chance to grow?
The entire book is told through Kelnaht's point of view, which make sense with him being a truth-seeker, but I would have liked to get a glimpse into Taruif's and Ianys' minds too, even if only for a brief while.
Part magical adventure, part mystery, part love story, the book has a good balance between plot and romance. The prose is as lush as the forest surrounding the elves and sweeps you away on a fantastical adventure.
The love scenes, while well written, jarred me out of the story in places when the author used modern day expressions or slang. It didn't seem to fit with the fantasy/faerie tale feel of the rest of the book. Having an elf in a fantasy world use the expression 'jack off' just didn't seem to fit. But maybe that's just me :)
I've not read that many books with a poly or triad relationship, but it seemed to work well here and it was common in the elvish culture in the book. I loved the fact that Kelnaht was a cloud elf because he had wings and could fly, while Taruif was a tree elf and knew more of earth magics. Ianys was a blacksmith and each character had their own different skills and personalities which suited each. There is little jealousy in their relationship, all three know they are wanted
If you like fantasy tales with elves, magic and a love story that sweeps you in, this could be the book for you.
Books 1-3 The Complete Forester Trilogy
by Blaine D. Arden
Cayendi Press
M/M/M Fantasy/Elves/Mystery
4 Stars
Orignally posted at The Romance Reviews
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=22810
Blurb:
“Your Path is muddy, Kelnaht, but don’t think avoiding the puddles will make it easier to travel.”
Kelnaht, a cloud elf, is a truth seeker caught between love and faith, when a murder reveals an illicit affair between two tree elves he desires more than he can admit. Kelnaht’s former lover Ianys once betrayed him, and the shunned forester Taruif is not allowed to talk to anyone but the guide, their spiritual pathfinder.
The guide mentioned puddles, but I envisioned lakes, deep treacherous lakes, and I was drowning.
Then a stripling goes missing from the tribe, and heavy rainfall hides all traces of his whereabouts. With days creeping by without a lead, it’s hard to keep the tribe’s spirits up, more so when Kelnaht’s own future depends on the elders. Taruif has been shunned for almost twenty turns, but now that a possible forester’s apprentice is coming of age, the elders consider reducing his sentence. Taruif could be set free.
“I have great responsibilities, but my path ahead is as foggy and blurred as the path behind me.”
Later, when several children fall ill with more than a summer bug, truth seeker Kelnaht is assigned to investigate. What he finds is deadly and threatens the life of every underage child in the tribe, including Ianys’ daughter Atèn. Then a wounded traveller is found in the forest, left to die after a vicious attack.
“There is always a way.”
Kelnaht, Taruif, and Ianys are meant to be together, but old promises and the decree of the elders prevent them from claiming each other openly at Solstice. Kelnaht can investigate murder and foul play, but he can’t see how he can keep both his lovers without breaking the rules. But if he believes in the guide’s words and trusts his faith in Ma’terra, they will find a way to clear the fog and puddles from their paths.
***
Review 4 Stars
A wonderful mix of fantasy, magic and mystery with characters to fall in love with.
Three books in one, The Forester Trilogy includes the tales The Forester, Lost and Found and Full Circle. I'm glad I got to read them all at once, because each flowed into the other and made a much more satisfying read.
Kelnaht is a the truth seeker of his tribe, much like a modern day detective or investigator, but has natural magical talents that help him get to the truth of the matter. Whether it is murder, missing children or mysterious illnesses, Kelnaht is the elf who deals with these things.
Kelnaht is still in love with his previous partner, Ianys and is shocked and dismayed when he discovers the elf is now in a relationship with the forester, Taruif, an elf who has been shunned for decades. No one may utter his name and no one may speak to him except for the Guide, the elves' spiritual leader and advisor. Kelnaht is torn between keeping their secret and wanting to be included in it, for he has long desired Taruif from afar.
Invited to join their relationship as a triad, Kelnaht accepts, but due to the elders' restrictions, they cannot openly be together due to the shunning. Can the three men find happiness or is their love doomed to failure before it has a chance to grow?
The entire book is told through Kelnaht's point of view, which make sense with him being a truth-seeker, but I would have liked to get a glimpse into Taruif's and Ianys' minds too, even if only for a brief while.
Part magical adventure, part mystery, part love story, the book has a good balance between plot and romance. The prose is as lush as the forest surrounding the elves and sweeps you away on a fantastical adventure.
The love scenes, while well written, jarred me out of the story in places when the author used modern day expressions or slang. It didn't seem to fit with the fantasy/faerie tale feel of the rest of the book. Having an elf in a fantasy world use the expression 'jack off' just didn't seem to fit. But maybe that's just me :)
I've not read that many books with a poly or triad relationship, but it seemed to work well here and it was common in the elvish culture in the book. I loved the fact that Kelnaht was a cloud elf because he had wings and could fly, while Taruif was a tree elf and knew more of earth magics. Ianys was a blacksmith and each character had their own different skills and personalities which suited each. There is little jealousy in their relationship, all three know they are wanted
If you like fantasy tales with elves, magic and a love story that sweeps you in, this could be the book for you.
***
Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Claiming Their Mate by B.A. Tortuga
Claiming Their Mate
Two Is Never Enough
Book 2
B.A. Tortuga
Genre: Gay shifter romance
Publisher: All Romance eBooks
Date of Publication: 9/1/2016
ISBN: 978-1-945193-25-5
Word Count: 30000
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron Hill
Book Description:
He’s here on vacation. They’re here for him.
Samson and Dane are werewolves who act as guardians of their pack. They're also lovers, but they both long for the third person they know will make their home whole. Their Chosen.
Ryan has no idea he's even a werewolf. He's visiting rural New Mexico and Colorado to write horror novels, not get it on with the two hottest men he's ever met. So why can't he keep his hands off them, and why is biting suddenly so hot? Can Samson and Dane convince Ryan that he's like them, and that he needs to leave his city life behind?
ARe
***
Excerpt:
The pup slipped out of bed late in the night. They’d all slept like they’d been on a hunt, which he guessed lots of Mexican food and sex could simulate. In fact, Dane slept on, not even snuffling when the pressure of Ryan’s body left the mattress.
Samson, now, he wasn’t a deep sleeper, and he knew when someone was trying to make like coyote ugly and not wake him so they could slip away.
That simply didn’t work for him.
He reached out and wrapped one hand around a lean hip. “Where you going?” Samson murmured.
Ryan jumped like he’d been popped with a rubber band in the balls. “I missed my real estate appointment.”
“Well, it’s not like you can call your agent at this time of night, honey.”
“No. No, I guess not.” Ryan stood there, pale in the streetlight filtering in from outside.
Samson loved how Ryan was different, like a marble statue, but warm, alive. He had to wonder if the wolf was pale, too, thin.
“How do you look in your other life?” he asked.
“Like a writer, I guess? I just have a place in Dallas. I’m blocked, so I came out here.”
“Blocked how?” Was it too cold out there on the porch for a guy from Dallas? Samson grabbed an extra blanket and took Ryan outside with him, the pup following easily when he tugged.
“Like writer’s block? I’d been working on a series and I’ve written myself into a hole. I don’t even want to write zombies anymore. It’s silly nonsense, really, but I thought if I came out to the boonies and learned all I could about something new the plot would come to me. I mean, I told my agent I was writing martians, but really, I need to finish the series.”
“Zombies.” Samson blinked, then chuckled, pulling Ryan down with him on the big swing dealie and wrapping them in the blanket. It felt natural as breathing, just like touching Dane always did. Poor Dane. Two orgasms and the guy was out like the proverbial light.
“Yeah. They’re in right now.” Ryan’s nostrils flared and he knew the pup was scenting him, learning him. Exceptional instincts. Samson approved.
“Hmm. I think you ought to add in werewolves.” What would Ryan say to that? Could be really be completely unaware of what was inside him? Samson knew the wolf was in there.
Their alpha, Bruce, was going to give them no end of shit, both sets of his guardians ending up with dormant Omegas. What were the chances?
“Werewolves? They’re almost as done as vampires. Shame, though. I love the trappings of the genre, really.”
“What’s your favorite part?” This was fascinating. It was like seeing himself through someone else’s eyes for the first time. Seeing a werewolf movie with someone who didn’t watch horror…
“The whole animalistic versus human situation. It’s a turn on, just like the whole biting thing in the vampire world.”
“I like biting. So does Dane.” Samson nibbled at the nape of Ryan’s neck.
“Uhn.” Ryan shuddered for him, the entire motion pure sex. “Does he?”
“Mmmhmm. Oh, he’ll tell you he’d rather do the biting and scold for being bitten, but he catches and pitches, if you get me.” Dane could fight like a stone cold motherfucker, but he could bottom like a hot little slut, too.
It all worked for him.
“How long have you two been together?”
Samson pondered that. “Well, we’ve known each other since infancy, I guess.”
“Oh, wow. No shit? That’s cool, huh?”
“Yeah. Sometimes it’s annoying as hell.” Samson chuffed out a laugh. “I adore the fucker, though.”
“Well, good. You two pick up strangers a lot?”
“No.” He tilted back Ryan’s head so he could look into those pretty eyes. “No, we don’t.”
“No?” The blue in Ryan’s eyes were a perfect match for the streaks in the mussed hair, and the combination of looks served to make Ryan looked so young.
“No. You were different right away. We knew you were there before we ever stepped inside.”
Ryan chuckled softly, shook his head. “That’s impossible.”
“No it’s not, honey.” He stroked that flat belly, tugging the heavy ring that pierced Ryan’s cock and Ryan moaned, ass pushing back against him.
“That’s it. Feel it. We’re connected. All of us.”
“God, that...that feels like magic.”
“I love your skin. So smooth.”
“I wax, remember?”
He blinked. Seriously? Ow. Potential for a guy that didn’t mind a little sting, but… Ow. His balls tried to crawl up in his body.
***
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: http://BATortuga.com
http://batortuga.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
https://twitter.com/batortuga
***
Tour giveaway
3 winners to receive a BA Tortuga eBook pubbed by All Romance.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Spotlight & Giveaway: You Can See Me by A.E. Via
You Can See Me
A.E. Via
Genre: Gay, Multiple Partners, Erotic Romance
Publisher: All Romance eBooks
Date of Publication: August 1 2016
ISBN: 978-1-943576-93-7
Number of pages: 358
Word Count: 72000
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron Hill
Book Description:
It takes more than perseverance to recover from tragedy...you also need love.
Following a horrific accident that leaves him blind, renowned chef Prescott Vaughan loses his fiancé and all hope for his career. Recovery and confidence in his skills come slowly, along with feelings he hasn’t experienced in a long time when he meets his new neighbor, Dr. Rickson Edwards.
Unlike Prescott, Ric is open about his attraction to men yet has issues that complicate their relationship. A brief separation threatens his hopes for an eventual reunion when Prescott befriends the handsome aspiring chef Blair McKenzie, who wants more than cooking advice.
Ric doubts Pres can let go of the charming southerner, but after an encounter with the sinfully sexy man, he can't help his attraction as well. Pres feels he must choose but realizes…does he have to?
ARe | Amazon | Kobo
***
Excerpt
Pres didn’t want to think about being lonely anymore. Last night he’d eaten his langoustine lobster alone when his girlfriend never showed up after happy hour. He’d called her a couple times, but it went straight to voice mail.
The next morning he’d done his usual Friday morning workout with his personal trainer and worked on some reviews since he didn’t go into the office. In the afternoon, he did meaningless organization in his kitchen pantry and marinated some pork tenderloin for dinner.
Cooking always made him feel better. He only wished he had someone besides himself to enjoy it, too. He’d even gone as far as giving his neighbors Jeff and Cindy a couple dishes, just to hear a few compliments. How pathetic.
While he waited a few minutes to cook his meat, he sat at the kitchen island and listened to an audiobook his dad had given him. Josey came over and whined at him, laying his heavy head on his knee.
“Sorry, boy. You need to go out, huh?” Pres got up and moved quickly and effortlessly to his bedroom to change into something a little more comfortable. Josey whined some more. “Okay, okay. I’m coming, Josey.”
Pres slid into his Jordan flip-flops and grabbed a plastic doggie-poop bag and the leash from out of his hall closet. He took his keys off the hook, grabbed his long cane, set the alarm, and left his condo. He didn’t need to put Josey’s harness on. They’d walked this path for over three years now, and he knew it well.
As Pres waited for the elevator, he felt a presence next to him. It was a male presence because the scent was spicy with a sweet undertone. Just when Pres prepared to speak, his visitor spoke to him first.
“Hello,” he said in a deep, sultry voice.
“Good evening,” Pres responded.
“Going for a little stroll, huh? He’s a beautiful dog. May I pet him?” asked the good-smelling stranger. His accent was slightly northern but not overly pronounced. Listening to him speak made Pres think about what the man’s mouth might look like. If a person had a strong voice, he immediately pictured a warm, inviting smile covered by full lips.
“Yes, go right ahead. He’s very spoiled. Any attention he can get, he’s more than willing to take.” Pres lifted Josey’s leash, making him rise up off his belly.
“Awww. So handsome. You’re a good boy, aren’t you? Yes, I can tell you’re a good boy,” the stranger crooned to his dog.
Pres could hear the man ruffling Josey’s scruff underneath his collar as he scratched him.
“So do you live on this floor?” Pres figured he’d spark a little conversation since the elevator was taking forever.
“Yep. Actually, just a few doors down from you,” he replied happily.
“You know where I live? Well, now I have to kill ya,” Pres joked, hoping his neighbor had a sense of humor, which he did because he heard him let out a genuinely deep laugh.
With a laugh like that, he definitely has a nice smile.
“Funny guy, huh? My name is Rickson Edwards, but everyone calls me Ric. I’m sorry I haven’t introduced myself sooner, but I’m fairly new to the building, and every time I see you, you’re either just getting on or off of the elevator.”
He felt Ric take his hand that wasn’t holding Josey’s leash and slide his into it during his introduction. Damn, he has a strong handshake.
Pres returned the firm grip. “I’m Prescott Vaughan. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Edwards.”
“How respectful of you, but there is no Mr. Edwards, just Ric…Mr. Vaughan.”
Pres mocked him right back. “How respectful of you, but Mr. Vaughan lives in Richmond with my mother, just Prescott, or Pres, if you like.”
“I do like…I mean the name. I like your name,” Ric stammered.
Pres smiled as he imagined a slight blush creeping up on the man’s face.
At its arrival, they both stepped into the elevator, leaving the introduction awkwardness in the hallway. Neither said another word. There was only the humming of the elevator gears as it descended its way to the lobby.
Pres was overly aware of Ric’s gaze on him, and it made him smile.
“Why are you smiling?” his neighbor asked.
“Why are you staring at me?” Pres retorted.
“Because you’re—” He stopped quickly.
“Because I’m what?” Pres questioned, wondering why Ric didn’t finish his sentence.
“Nothing. Didn’t mean to stare, and I’m not even going to ask how you knew that I was, either.” He laughed.
“It’s within my power,” Pres joked back.
Pres found himself trying to imagine what Ric’s face looked like. If the appearance matched the voice and humor, then he probably had light brown hair and light green or hazel eyes. His cheekbones could probably make a woman envious, and he didn’t breathe heavily, so Pres assumed he didn’t have any weight issues. His voice came from slightly above Pres when he spoke, so the man was taller than him, making Ric probably six-foot-two or three. Being closed in the small compartment had Pres’s sensitive nose filled with Ric’s unique scent. It had him feeling dizzy and a little disoriented. That spicy, sweet combination was like nothing he’d ever smelled before. He liked it…a lot.
That thought did not freak out Pres at all, and liking the man’s smell was an interesting feeling for him. He wasn’t squeamish that a man had given him such a sensual reaction. If he was going to be totally honest with himself, everything he did when he was in his fraternity didn’t scream hetero from the word go, but that was over twelve years ago. Pres had not met a man he was attracted to since…until now.
The elevator doors opened, and Pres extended his hand, telling Ric to go ahead and exit first.
“Thank you, Pres.”
“You’re welcome. It was nice meeting you, Ric. Have a good evening.”
“Likewise,” Ric said.
Pres walked through the lobby having a nagging urge to turn around and look back. But that was fucking pointless…right?
***
About the Author:
A.E. Via graduated in May of 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan College. She's a new author to the beautiful gay erotic genre. Her writing embodies everything from spicy to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, A.E. runs a very successful paralegal-for-hire business and in her spare time, she devotes herself to her family - a husband and four children - her two pets, a Maltese dog and her white Siamese cat, ELynn, named after the late great gay romance author ELynn Harris. While Blue Moon is her first novel, she has plenty more to come...so sit back and grab a cool drink, because the male on male action is just heating up!
Website: http://www.authoraevia.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7354860.A_E_Via
***
Tour giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
3 winners to receive one ARe Books titles, reader’s choice.
Guest Post: Broken Prince, Mismatched Eyes by Layla Dorine
Guest Post:
The Future of the Mauritanian Saga
by Layal Dorine
Good Morning and thank you for having me in on your blog today, it’s a joy to be here and to have the chance to talk about my new release: Broken Prince, Mismatched Eyes. I have to admit that the idea of doing a second book sort of snuck up on me. It certainly wasn’t my intention when I started writing Broken Prince. Caden and Rhys were such special characters, and seeing them come together was amazing, but as they grew, I started to notice some of the other characters around them, who were learning from them and beginning to grow too. As I launched into the final chapter, I found myself questioning just how final I really wanted to make the story.
It seemed to me like Caden and Rhys were only just beginning their journey together, then there was Luc, who endured so much over the course of the story. Didn’t he deserve a chance to be happy too? The inner muses determined that yes, yes he did, so book two is going to focus on his story. But don’t worry, seeing as how he’s Caden’s guard, there will be plenty of Caden and Rhys in the second book as well. At this point, book two has been completely outlined, something I don’t usually do but the ideas were flowing fast that day so I just had to jot them down. I think Luc and his love interest were excited about the possibility of finally getting together.
The plan at the moment is for a third book to round out the trilogy, with each having the ability to be read as a stand alone. The cast of characters as well as the island of Mauritania itself has really kind of grown on me in ways I never expected. On the surface, it’s such a beautiful place, buffered by cliffs and oceans, but there are so many hidden dangers just waiting to be revealed and that has made it a fun playground to construct a story.
Thank you so much for having me and giving me the opportunity to discuss Caden, Rhys, Mauritania and my plans for their future.
Broken Prince, Mismatched Eyes
by Layla Dorine
M/M Romance/Fantasy
Wayward Ink Publishing
Novel
Amazon US | UK | AU |
Allromance | WIP
All of his life, Caden DeMott’s mismatched eyes have made him the target of superstition and scorn. Though he is the son of a nobleman, he’s been allowed to run free over the hills and moors, mostly ignored by his family. No one ever thought to inform him that he had been betrothed since infancy, until the day his fiancé, Prince Rhys Gwyther arrived to marry him.
Rhys is the prince of the small island country of Mauritania, a land rich in gems, rose oil, and pearls, but poor in skilled artisans and seeds to grow crops. In order to further cement the trade route to the mainland, he’s been sent to marry a man he’s never met, and bring him back to Mauritania. Unfortunately, an accident years before has left Rhys with a lot of emotional baggage and very little trust in strangers.
But trust is exactly what Caden and Rhys are going to need if they are to make a life together, and help unravel the mystery of who’s been smuggling valuable gems and pearls off the island. Add in the realization that Caden’s stepmother, Mildred and her island representative, Maxwell, have been importing inferior goods for years, forcing Mauritania to become more dependent on them, and trust becomes even more difficult.
Caden possesses the knowledge to finally allow Rhys’ father to unravel the plot to ruin Mauritania, but only if the king and his son are willing to put their faith in Caden’s loyalty to his new home. Something that is difficult to do after Caden is accused of cheating on his marriage vows to Rhys with his guard, Luc. Will Rhys believe him innocent? Or will their marriage be over before it truly has a chance to begin?
***
EXCERPT:
Jackson had watched a medley of emotions play across Caden’s face as the story unfolded, but now the young man sat with his hand still upon the head of his hound, a blank, almost expressionless look in his eyes. Jackson lingered with bated breath, waiting on Caden’s response.
Caden blinked several times and resumed scratching Brutes’ ears. “Will I ever see you again?”
Jackson tried to give his son a smile but was certain it came out a grimace. “I will do my best to come to Mauritania and visit with you each year around the time of your birth.”
Caden dropped his gaze, but not before Jackson saw the shimmer of tears forming there. He should have known Caden would not be fooled by such a flimsy lie.
And what about them?” Caden asked, stroking Titus’ head now as well. Jackson heard the hitch in his son’s voice and the shaky exhale of breath that revealed just how flimsy a hold he had on his emotions.
“I honestly can’t answer that,” Jackson told him. “You will have to ask Prince Rhys if he will allow you to keep them. I promise you that they will have a home here for the rest of their days if he will not.”
Caden ducked his head, hiding the tears that now flowed freely. With some difficulty, Jackson swallowed down the lump in his throat and reached out to pull his son into an embrace. For several long minutes, no other words were spoken.
“I have never disobeyed you father,” Caden’s soft voice whispered in his ear. “I will marry the prince and do my best not to shame you.”
“I am proud of you, my son,” Jackson whispered back, hugging him tighter, “and I have faith in you. I know you will do your best.”
“Is he kind? Is he going to be afraid of me? Perhaps he won’t want me because of my eyes.”
“He faces the same repercussions as you do if he refuses to honor the contract. As for whether he is a kind man or not, I cannot say, for I have never met him. All I know of Prince Rhys is that he is two years older than you.”
Caden pulled out of his father’s embrace and laid his head on Titus’ back as a loud horn sounded in the distance. There was no more time for words; the prince had arrived.
***
About the Author:
LAYLA DORINE lives among the sprawling prairies of Midwestern America, in a house with more cats than people. She loves hiking, fishing, swimming, martial arts, camping out, photography, cooking, and dabbling with several artistic mediums. In addition, she loves to travel and visit museums, historic, and haunted places.
Layla got hooked on writing as a child, starting with poetry and then branching out, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. Hard times, troubled times, the lives of her characters are never easy, but then what life is? The story is in the struggle, the journey, the triumphs and the falls. She writes about artists, musicians, loners, drifters, dreamers, hippies, bikers, truckers, hunters and all the other folks that she’s met and fallen in love with over the years. Sometimes she writes urban romance and sometimes its aliens crash landing near a roadside bar. When she isn’t writing, or wandering somewhere outdoors, she can often be found curled up with a good book and a kitty on her lap.
Layla Dorine can be found at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005197938547&fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/layladorine
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/layladorine/
Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Brewing by Julia Talbot and B.A. Tortuga
Brewing
Rainbow Brew Book One
Julia Talbot and B.A. Tortuga
Genre: M/M, Magical Realism/Contemporary Fantasy
Publisher: ARe Books
Date of Publication: November 1, 2015
Word Count: 18,000
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron-Hill
Book Description:
Harris must learn to believe in magic before it’s too late.
Harris, a buttoned-up Santa Fe architect, is having a crappy day until he ducks into the Rainbow Brew coffee shop to get out of the rain. He meets a quirky artist named Jayden and embarks on a four-day binge of sensual adventures, leaving the real world behind.
Jayden knows he can't live in the world Harris inhabits, but for this wonderful man he'll try, even if it ruins him.
Jayden is like no one Harris has ever met, but can Harris let go of the real world to love him?
***
Excerpt:
There was a…tall bird of a man behind the counter, head bobbing and hair tied up in a gigantic tall ponytail like some sort of samurai warrior. The guy caught sight of Harris and waved. “Come in out of the rain! It will stop soon.”
“Yeah, as soon as I’m not in it.” He tried for a smile, but Harris knew it was sour.
“Well, you’re welcome here, and we’ve got all the things to make a bad day better.”
“Promise me something amazing in the way of pastry. Nothing plastic.” He did grin then, looking at the coffee menu.
“I have a chocolate croissant that’s made in-house. It’s like sex in pastry form.”
Sex? Harris wasn’t sure he remembered that anymore.
“Yeah? I’ll take it.” He was so tired of bad doughnuts and shitty pseudo-Danishes from big box stores.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Mexican chocolate latte?” Harris asked. A little spice might warm him.
“Absolutely. I’m on it. Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” Harris sat at the counter, taking the pressure off his sore ankle. The chrome and vinyl was more diner than coffee shop. He really liked the vibe.
A wild man pushed through the door, dark hair interspersed with tiny strands of pure silver. He wore a t-shirt and a pair of jeans that appeared three sizes too big and patched with at least two dozen colorful pieces of fabric. “Jack! Jack, I need coffee! Stat!”
The barista chuckled, the sound fond and warm. “Jayden. Sit.”
“Seriously. Inspiration has struck. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!” The guy flopped on a stool next to Harris.
“Poor flesh.” Jack winked at Harris, handed him the most luscious-looking pastry in known history and a coffee that smelled like heaven. “Drip coffee, honey?”
“A triple espresso with a float of hazelnut, please.”
“You’re on a mission, Jayden.”
“Uh-huh.” The man pulled out a sketchbook, opened it up and started drawing everything. The coffee maker appeared, then the pastry case. It was like magic.
Harris knew he was being rude with the staring, but he couldn’t help it. He’d always wanted to be artistic but he’d ended up imminently practical.
The cup landed in front of Jayden, the hazelnut syrup floating on the top almost glittering. Kind of mesmerizing the way it swirled.
“Hello, beautiful,” Jayden said, grabbing the cup.
Harris took a sip of his drink, closing his eyes at the flavor.
“It’s like magic, huh?” Jayden nudged him with one elbow just as if they were old buddies.
“Yeah. I mean, wow, that’s good.” Harris was amazed.
“No shit.” One paint stained hand was offered over. “Jayden.”
“Harris. Nice to meet you.” Harris didn’t talk to people in coffee shops. He usually brought his laptop and buried his head in plans and schematics.
“Harris. That’s a cool name. Sort of tough, totally masculine.”
“Thanks. My dad is a Leslie, so he wanted me to have something chest beating, manly good.”
Jayden nodded. “Leslie is a softer name. My father is a Daniel. Biblical.”
“God is my judge,” Harris said, pulling that arcane knowledge right out of his ass. “You’re an artist, huh?”
“Yeppers. I’m a painter. You?” Those eyes were almost black, like obsidian. Stunning combination with Jayden’s pale skin. And the man’s face was unlined, but he had silver in his hair.
“I do restoration architecture. Structural stuff mostly.” Sounded so boring.
“Oh, cool. Architects are hot. They understand lines and curves.”
Harris blinked, then took another sip of coffee. “Want to share my sweet?”
***
About the Authors:
Once upon a time, Julia Talbot and B.A. Tortuga fell in love and got married. Texan B.A. and mountain girl Julia live in the high desert of New Mexico with their two basset hounds, a crazy house full of rainbows and collections, and a lot of yard art. Together they’ve published more than 400 stories.
For more information on other books by B.A. and Julia, visit their websites: www.batortuga.com and www.juliatalbot.com
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/283274.Julia_Talbot
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/538830.B_A_Tortuga
https://twitter.com/juliatalbot
https://twitter.com/batortuga
https://www.facebook.com/BATortugaBooks
https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthor
***
Tour giveaway
2 ebooks from backlist of ARe Books
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 Carda 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: Love Cubed by Eddy LeFey
Title: Love Cubed
Author: Eddy LeFey
Length: novel
Genre: gay romance, contemporary, new adult, menage, MMM
Synopsis
Three very different young men meet at St-Frederick’s University.Francis, haunted by his past and seeking a new life.
Andrew, the introverted football jock.
And Sebastian, the charismatic and confident hockey star.
Francis, wary and troubled, didn’t count on meeting anyone he could care for.
Andrew, closeted and lonely, didn’t think anything would matter more than his football career.
And Sebastian, content to float from conquest to conquest, never believed he’d meet someone who could hold his interest.
An encounter with a journalist causes consequences for all three.
Will they be able to take what they need from one another in order to cope?
***
Excerpt:
Francis was feeling hungry after a full day of sports, but he was also anxious to see if he could spot the photographer, who he now remembered was some kind of journalist for the National Herald. However, he didn’t want to spoil the camaraderie that had developed between him and the others—Andrew and Sebastian especially—so he decided to leave the photographer thing alone for now. He was enjoying the praise Andrew and Sebastian were pouring onto him, and the closeness. It felt good. Suddenly, he heard a shout. Someone was shouting a name he hadn’t heard in a long time. He panicked. He got loose from Andrew and he ran. He wouldn’t stop until he was safe in his room. He knew now he should never have left it.
Sebastian and Andrew saw John and Heather talking to the photographer guy, and tried to distract Francis from noticing him. Andrew put his arm around Francis, guiding him away. They would have succeeded if it weren’t for Francis hearing someone shouting. It wasn’t even his name, but all of a sudden, Francis bolted. Andrew’s and Sebastian’s instincts were telling them to run after him. However, they both stopped abruptly and turned back to the photographer when they heard John yell, “Are you telling us our Francis is really Robert Katz? The Robert Katz?”
Everyone had heard of Robert Katz. It was a scandal involving a young high school student from a very prestigious private school who had broken a sexual abuse ring involving a teacher. The accused had committed suicide. This caused a backlash toward the accuser, Robert Katz, who had then been bullied and harassed, accused of making up the whole thing. It culminated in Robert being physically abused by fellow students who were trying to torture the truth out of him. Charges had been laid. People had been found guilty and sentenced. An inquiry was started. There was a publication ban throughout the trials and the inquiry. No one was to publish pictures of Robert, to ensure he could at least try to live a normal life.
Andrew stomped his way to the journalist, followed closely by Sebastian. “That was Francis Hollingsworth who just ran off. Are you saying that he is really Robert Katz? You have proof?”
Denis sighed. “I didn’t mean for this to get out just yet, not like this. I should not have shouted his name. I could be fired for this. I know what Robert Katz looks like because I saw him at the trials. His full name is Robert Francis Katz. His mother’s maiden name is Hollingsworth. It’s him. I need to talk to him.”
Heather was the one who put a hand out to stop him. “You aren’t going anywhere near him. He didn’t deserve to be outed like this.” Heather turned to Sebastian and Andrew. “You two need to go to Francis. He’s probably locked himself in his room. God knows what he’ll do. He needs to know that people care about him—that he’s loved—before he does something stupid to himself. You both need to go and tell him how you each feel about him. Be honest with him and with yourselves for once. Do it. Now!”
Stunned, bewildered, and spurred on by the urgency of the situation, Andrew and Sebastian ran in the dorm’s direction.
Book Trailer
https://youtu.be/7WiSesBOsBMBuy Links
Love Cubed is 30% off on the WIP website till the end of May. Don’t miss the Mammoth May Sale!WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/love-cubed-by-eddy-lefey/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W814OUQ/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00W814OUQ/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00W814OUQ/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B00W814OUQ/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lovecubed-1795917-340.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-cubed-eddy-lefey/1121763485?ean=9781925222401
Giveaway
Prizes: 1 x $20 WIP Gift Card and 1 x ebook copy of Love CubedAbout the Author:
Eddie LeFey started reading m/m romance fanfiction a few years ago. At one point, during a crucial point in the soap opera storyline of his favorite gay couple, the story went on hiatus. He needed a fix and decided to write his own version of what he wished would happen. Friends wanted to read it, so he plucked up his courage. Pressing the submission button was nerve-wracking, but he did it. People liked it. He wrote a few more.
Up until that point Eddy had tried his hand at writing many times. The delete button was his friend, as was starting over, and over, and over, but he could no longer do that if he wanted people to read his works.
A few of his writing friends decided to create original stories, and feeling brave, Eddy did the same. The stories were shared among a select few. They encouraged him to submit one of them. Low and behold, it is now being published.
Eddy lives in Canada with his husband Ken and his cat Oscar Wild. He is busy writing many more stories.
Email: authoreddylefey@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_E_LeFey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddyLeFey
Release Day: Love Cubed by Eddy LeFey
Synopsis
Three very different young men meet at St-Frederick’s University.Francis, haunted by his past and seeking a new life.
Andrew, the introverted football jock.
And Sebastian, the charismatic and confident hockey star.
Francis, wary and troubled, didn’t count on meeting anyone he could care for.
Andrew, closeted and lonely, didn’t think anything would matter more than his football career.
And Sebastian, content to float from conquest to conquest, never believed he’d meet someone who could hold his interest.
An encounter with a journalist causes consequences for all three.
Will they be able to take what they need from one another in order to cope?
Book Trailer
Buy Links
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W814OUQ/Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00W814OUQ/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00W814OUQ/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B00W814OUQ/
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/love-cubed-by-eddy-lefey/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lovecubed-1795917-340.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-cubed-eddy-lefey/1121763485?ean=9781925222401
Excerpt
Suddenly, Francis felt someone sit down beside him. He heard a very sexy-husky voice state matter-of-factly, “So, dude, we’d all like to know what your story is, especially Heather over there. You might as well spill.”Francis lifted his head to see two very athletic-looking blondes staring back at him. They both had annoyed looks on their faces. The young woman, whom Francis supposed was Heather, nodded and smiled at him. The extremely good-looking young man grinned and said, “Hey, kid, I’m Andrew. Your nosy neighbor is Sebastian. Don’t mind him. He’s just a busy-body.”
Francis frowned. Why did he always have to go through this? He made sure his speaking voice was in his lower register before replying, “I’m eighteen. I’m as much of a kid as you are—my name is Francis.”
He turned to Sebastian, was about to say something snarky, but was taken aback by how handsome Sebastian was. Then, Sebastian gave a cocky, self-absorbed smile and it changed everything. Francis knew that kind of smile—he knew the kind of personality that produced that kind of smile—and he was afraid of it.
Just before Francis could do anything that anyone could construe as being antisocial, the group was interrupted by rustling near the door. The floor’s leader, a fourth-year geology student named Harold, garnered people’s attention and started his welcoming speech, which consisted mostly of enumerating the house and floor rules—respect of property and respect of other floor-mates being chief among them. Oh, and cleaning up after oneself was rather enthusiastically emphasized.
The next announcement came as a surprise to everyone, especially to Francis. “Okay, now some of you have already come to me complaining about the fact a first-year on this floor was appointed to a single room. I am here to tell you that it’s true. The university has granted first-year Francis Hollingsworth the right to a single room because of special circumstances. Those special circumstances will not be discussed. I can say that it isn’t because of financial privilege. I am asking all of you to let Francis have his privacy. No one is to hound him for an answer, and yes, Sebastian, I mean you. Let the kid, I mean guy—let the guy be. If he wants to talk about it, he will let you know.”
Francis was mortified. No one had warned him, and he certainly didn’t expect to be singled out like that. He glanced at Heather and Andrew. They seemed intrigued but genuinely concerned and interested about him. Sebastian looked like a cat that had just found a mouse. Francis knew Sebastian was bound to be trouble for him in more ways than one. He wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. He hoped he wouldn’t have to endure him for too long. With his luck, Francis figured he and Sebastian would probably be teamed up in a get-to-know-you exercise; Francis shivered at the thought.
About the author
Eddie LeFey started reading m/m romance fanfiction a few years ago. At one point, during a crucial point in the soap opera storyline of his favorite gay couple, the story went on hiatus. He needed a fix and decided to write his own version of what he wished would happen. Friends wanted to read it, so he plucked up his courage. Pressing the submission button was nerve-wracking, but he did it. People liked it. He wrote a few more.Up until that point Eddy had tried his hand at writing many times. The delete button was his friend, as was starting over, and over, and over, but he could no longer do that if he wanted people to read his works.
A few of his writing friends decided to create original stories, and feeling brave, Eddy did the same. The stories were shared among a select few. They encouraged him to submit one of them. Low and behold, it is now being published.
Eddy lives in Canada with his husband Ken and his cat Oscar Wild. He is busy writing many more stories.
Email: authoreddylefey@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_E_LeFey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddyLeFey
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