Thursday, May 28, 2020

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: KINGS OF THE MOUNTAIN by Morgan Brice



Kings of the Mountain

Author: Morgan Brice

Cover Artist: Natania Barrron
Release Date: May 21, 2020
Genre/s: Urban Fantasy, MM paranormal romance
Trope/s: Hurt/comfort, mutual pining, friends-to-lovers,  childhood best friends, second chance
Themes: coming of age, forgiveness for self and others, crush maturing into love, letting go of guilt, family
Heat Rating: 4 flames 
Length: 63 000 words/238 pages

It’s the first in a new series



Buy Links

Fast cars. Outlaw country boys. 

A love that can’t be denied. 

Snarky werewolves, vengeful ghosts and menacing monsters. 
Blurb

Fast cars. Outlaw country boys. Snarky werewolves, vengeful ghosts, and menacing monsters.

 Dawson King’s family has been hunting things that go bump in the night in Transylvania County, North Carolina, since before the Revolutionary War.

 Dawson was never happier than when he was racing his souped-up Mustang along winding mountain roads and hunting monsters with his best friend, Grady. Then Grady fell in love with him, which should have been perfect since Dawson had already fallen hard for Grady.

 But Grady was only seventeen, and Dawson feared that sooner or later, Grady would realize his feelings were just a first crush, and then he’d be gone, leaving Dawson devastated. They both needed space to figure things out. So Dawson joined the army, while Grady stayed on the mountain.

 Four years later, Dawson is coming home. He’s more sure than ever Grady is his forever love, and they’ve both agreed to begin this new aspect of their relationship as soon as Dawson gets back.

 Then Grady’s father is killed in a werewolf hunt gone wrong. Grady is devastated, and he’s throwing mixed signals about moving forward. Dawson knows he needs to hold off on this new thing between them until Grady has time to grieve. But monsters never sleep, and one hunt after another throws Dawson and Grady into constant danger, while tension and unresolved feelings ripple between them.

 Making it even harder, Dawson’s got a secret. He’s dreamed of death omens—which point to something stalking Grady. Can Dawson figure out who’s trying to kill Grady, save his life, and win back his heart?

Plenty of mutual pining, hurt/comfort, spooky chills, sexy thrills, and a very happy ending. The Kings of the Mountain is the first novel in the series. It is a MM romance intended for readers 18 years of age and older.

About the Author 


Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.

On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.

Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!






Giveaway!

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

one of three ebooks from Morgan's backlist.



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Saturday, May 16, 2020

Re-Release-Review & Giveaway: FAME AND FORTUNE by TM Smith (Stories from the Sound #2)


Fame and Fortune
Series: Stories from the Sound Book 2
Author: TM Smith
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: May 16, 2020


Blurb

I’ve built a life, a home and a business from the ground up with Andrew by my side every step of the way. Fame, fortune and a family was the promise I made him ten years ago; and with hard work and dedication we did it, together. Neither of us even realized something was missing until a skittish young man with a haunted look in his eyes walked into our office.

Victor never doubted who he was, even when he lost everything.

Still a boy when he came to America with his strict, traditionalist Romanian parents, Victor’s Romani upbringing taught him their traditions as well as discipline and perseverance. When he told them he was gay he knew it would be difficult for them to understand, but he didn’t expect them to disown him.

Andrew knew Victor was his soulmate after spending just one night together.

Raised by a single mom, his father disinterested in his role most of the time, Andrew thrived in the chaos. The only thing his dad ever did for Andy that stuck was buy him a camera for his thirteenth birthday. When he went off to college on a scholarship to study photo journalism, he wound up finding so much more than he expected.

Together they created an online businesses that blossomed and grew, the result a family that was as different as they were committed to one another.

Matthew was homeless, jobless and… broken.

At just sixteen he ran away from home after a brutal assault, his parents tossing him aside like garbage. Matthew has done a lot of things over the years living on the street in order to survive. When he finds the flyer for All Cocks, he decides to call and see where it leads. What has he got to lose?

Can three men that did not know they needed each other get past the stigma of society to find a place of happiness, together?

**Trigger warning-Sexual assault**

NOTE: This story was previously published as Fame and Fortune, All Cocks Stories book 2. It has been edited and reworked with a lot of new content added to the story.

Buy Links: Kindle Unlimited



Carra's Review

After reading the first book in this series, I was truly intrigued by the characters of Victor, Andrew and Matthew and how their relationship came about. Here in Fame and Fortune, we get to go back to the point at which Matthew entered their lives and see exactly how they meet and evolve together...which turns out to be a very interesting tale.

You can't help but feel for Matthew after finding out everything he's been through in his life. I wanted to give his parents a very large piece of my mind, and as for his "friends" from high school--I don't see how anyone who reads this wouldn't want to just rip them apart.

There's a lot of emotion in this story, along with a lot of compassion once Matthew is brought into the All Cocks family. To see what he goes through, even as he is starting to heal, pulls at your heart and gives you a lot of food for thought. It's quite satisfying to witness how he makes his way into Victor and Andrew's lives, home and hearts.

The one thing that continually stands out is how carefully Andrew and Victor handle Matthew's situation once they hear his story, and how they thoughtfully manage his entry not only into their business, but into their lives and hearts.

Fame and Fortune is another great story in the All Cocks series, and with the updates in this new edition, it has an even more rounded, full feel to the story.  It’s an even deeper look into all three men, a more complete look at their lives.  I’m looking forward to many more enjoyable books to come with these characters. 4.5 strong, emotional stars for Fame and Fortune, recommended for M/M fans 18+ due to language and explicit sexual content, as well as the sexual assault scene in the blurb's warning.

Playlist:





Giveaway:



In The Series: Kindle Unlimited

Gay for Pay (Stories from the Sound book 1)

 Amazon US - Amazon UK - Amazon DE - Amazon AU - Amazon CA


Author Bio

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or ticking away on her next novel.

Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people, Love is Love!



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Friday, May 8, 2020

New Release-Review: SEADRAKE by J.A. Jaken (The Dragon Mage Chronicles Book II)



SEADRAKE 
(The Dragon Mage Chronicles Book II)
by J.A. Jaken

Length: 67,000 words
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, M/M Romance


Synopsis

After much deliberation, Andrei chooses to bring his inexperienced and highly unusual apprentice to the far-off island of Sutan-lei, where the eminent mage-scholar Master Luth is rumored to abide. It is Andrei’s hope that Master Luth will have answers to the growing mystery he and Jander began to uncover in the city of Tempest as well as help his apprentice gain some degree of mastery over his unique—and highly unpredictable—prowess in the magic. But even as they struggle to piece together the puzzle in front of them, their enemy is close behind them every step of the way...and he is determined not to let the two of them get in his way.    


Preorder Links




Carra's Review

Continuing on with the Dragon Mage Chronicles, this time we get a deeper look at the intricacies of the magic itself as Andrei and Jander seek out information to help them in their quest.  Here you’ll find a closer examination of the “why” of magic, as we see Jander finding a greater understanding of it, and of his place and role.  

Granted, this means this book is much lighter on the action—at least until the more adventure-centered last quarter of the story—but it also lets readers form a better grasp of the possible meaning behind Kirin’s actions, as well as the moral responsibilities that being a dragon mage present to Jander.  This gives Seadrake a more somber tone, which is balanced not only by the deep bond he’s formed with Andrei, but also by the resolve Boaen and Tanith display as their little group strengthens.

For those looking for the action, you’ll find it in the last quarter of the story as the danger from the latest dragon reaches its peak.  I did find the resolution this time around just a tiny touch anti-climactic given the story and that final skirmish up to that point, but plenty happened along the way to keep me solidly on board with the overall adventure.

Along with the seriousness of this story came a point for Boaen that truly wrenched my heart, and while his situation might not be the primary focus of the series, the author has made his character so endearing that I am just as fully invested in his happiness as I am in Jander and Andrei’s…I really need to see him get his own happy ending when all this is said and done.

Note that this book is really not meant to stand alone—you really should have read Stormdrake first, and I also strongly recommend you read the prequel, The Magician’s Apprentice before starting the series to understand the full backstory of Jander and Andrei’s relationship.  Once you’ve done so, you’ll have a better appreciation of what the characters have gone through up to this point, and see the progress they’ve made personally and with each other.  4.5 stars for Seadrake…now bring on the fire!  Keep in mind when starting this series it is meant for readers 18+ due to adult language and sexual content.

Check out The Dragon Mage Chronicles series here


About the Author

J.A. Jaken has been writing fictional stories and novels for more than ten years, most frequently in the fantasy and science fiction genres. She got her start in the profession writing slash fanfiction, where she has published numerous stories under the pen-name Rushlight. Over the years she has written short stories and novels in genres ranging from science fiction/fantasy to gothic horror to modern detective mysteries, most with at least a touch of m/m romance to them. She lives at home in the southwestern U.S. with her college-aged son, a cat, and the family Rottweiler. Outside of writing, her interests include studying foreign languages, practicing martial arts, riding horses, and collecting medieval weaponry.





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Monday, May 4, 2020

New Release-Review & Excerpt: VARIABLE ONSET by Layla Reyne



Variable Onset
by Layla Reyne

Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: M/M Romantic Mystery/Suspense
Series: N/A
Standalone: Yes
Tropes: Fake Marriage, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Undercover LEOs, Single Dad, Hot for Teacher

A mystery whodunit with a romantic will-they-or-won't-they.

Purchase Links



Blurb

To catch a killer, a special agent and his former student will need to get close—to their target, and each other. 

When the serial killer known as Dr. Fear seemingly reemerges after a cooling-off period, Special Agent Lincoln Monroe wants on the case. He knows his research on the calculating criminal, who targets couples and uses their worst fears to kill them, could prove invaluable. But nothing can prepare Lincoln for the agent waiting for him in Apex, Virginia: a brash and cocky former student. Carter Warren is everything Lincoln is not, and somehow everything he wants. And they’ll be going undercover. As newlyweds.

For Carter, seeing Lincoln again—and flustered to boot—pokes his raging bear of a crush something fierce. He thinks posing as lovers will provide the perfect bait for Dr. Fear. But pretending to be married forces them to confront fears of their own…like giving in to the very real chemistry between them.

With evidence pointing to the possibility of a copycat killer, Lincoln and Carter will have to race to separate truth from fiction. But when another couple goes missing, finding the killer will test every ounce of their training, skills and the strength of their bond like never before. 

Excerpt

Lincoln bent to pick his socks up off the floor, and Carter admired his firm, round ass in well-worn jeans. He’d never seen Lincoln this dressed down before. Not that the professor wasn’t handsome in slacks, a button-down, and argyle, but jeans, a tee, and said argyle was a look Carter could get behind.

Literally.

That gray tee and pink-and-purple argyle rucked up around his torso, those jeans stretched around lean, muscular thighs, that perfect ass in the air, pale skin flushed for the kisses Carter would like to…

A sharp clap broke through the fantasy unspooling in Carter’s head. Lincoln was on his way back from the mudroom off the kitchen, exasperation painting his face, as if he could see inside Carter’s head. “Explain this,” he said, using his ring finger to gesture between them. “Beverley said I was going undercover as the new librarian at Apex U and that my partner on this case would be teaching a survival course to Apex PD. He said nothing about living together or pretending to be married.”

“Because I asked him not to,” Carter replied. Lincoln opened his mouth, no doubt to protest, but Carter spoke again first. “It wasn’t only Agent—Senator—Kirk who asked for you on this case. I asked for you too. You are the Bureau’s resident expert on Dr. Fear. But it doesn’t take an expert to know who Dr. Fear targets.”

“Couples.”

Carter nodded and waited for the implication to register.

It took a few seconds, but then Lincoln paled and braced a hand on the end of the island. “You want us to be bait?” he squawked.

Carter dipped his chin to hide his grin. When he was sure his face was in order again, he lifted it and said, “If they’re active again, or even if this is a copycat, who better to lead the killer to than to two trained agents instead of to more innocents?”


Carra's Review
One fact that is indisputable is that Layla Reyne is an expert at writing romantic suspense.  This time around here in Variable Onset, the story relies more heavily on the suspense and mystery, with the romance being more incidental to everything else that’s going on.  But as a reader you’re so pulled into the intrigue of the case that you may not realize that the relationship that’s developing until it creeps up on you in unexpected moments.

Lincoln has pretty much fallen into being more on the analytical side of things, not just due to the nature of his work’s concentration but also as a result of his more introverted personality.  It was really easy for me to identify with his character since that is me to a T.  Carter’s more outgoing disposition lends itself more to his work in the field working undercover along with his ability to insinuate himself into most any environment.  Right there you have the opposites attract thing going, and if you add that to the age gap and former professor/student dynamic, there’s plenty to attract most readers to their matchup.

With the case being the stronger focal point of the story, it’s easy to be pulled down into the rabbit hole…because let’s face it—when Layla Reyne is writing a story with mystery and suspense, you never know where things will lead or who the actual bad guy is.  She definitely kept me on my toes here trying to guess who the perpetrator was, and that in turn kept me on edge for the majority of the book.

You can’t go wrong when picking up one of this author’s romantic suspense stories, and for me Variable Onset wound up being a 4.5-star read.  This story is a standalone, so no worries if you haven’t read any of her books previously.  Finally, with the adult language and a small amount of sexual content (though there’s plenty of sexual tension throughout), this book is meant for readers 18+.

About the Author
Layla Reyne is the author of Dine With Me, and the Fog City, Agents Irish and Whiskey, Trouble Brewing, and Changing Lanes series. A Carolina Tar Heel who now calls the San Francisco Bay Area home, Layla enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart pounding romance.


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Friday, May 1, 2020

New Release-Review & Excerpt: BEAUTIFUL BEAST by Roe Horvat - Includes Giveaway!



Beautiful Beast

by Roe Horvat

Publisher: Roe Horvat
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh (Black Jazz Design)
Release Date: May 1, 2020
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Trope/s: Instant lust, rich & famous
Themes: Dancer & tycoon, light kink (bondage, dirty talk), sexual self-discovery
Heat Rating: 5 flames 
Length: 42 000 words

It is a standalone story. 



Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Beautiful Beast is a light tale of lust and love, about a beautiful dancer who keeps a wild beast locked inside him, and the man who sets it free.
Blurb

 Kevin used to hold himself back, trying to keep his less conventional desires to himself. With Joakim, he feels free. It’s almost as if Joakim can read Kevin’s subconscious, touching the right places at exactly the right time, and whispering the most shameless things…filthy, and oh so satisfying.

 Falling for Kevin is easy. Joakim can feel it happening and he’s powerless to do anything about it. With every touch, his desire grows. Men have chased him for his money and status before, but Kevin doesn’t seem to care about any of that. Maybe this time, Joakim should let himself fall, and hope the landing will be soft.

Excerpt

Joakim recognized him immediately. Kevin’s heart-shaped, plump lips stretched in a careful smile; he was stunning. There weren’t good enough words to describe the man’s angelic face. Light blue eyes, big, round and sparkling, with long lashes. His nose was small and perfectly straight, cheekbones high and sharply cut, jawline soft and boyish, even though the thin lines on his forehead said he must be closer to thirty than twenty. Kevin had an exquisite face and an exquisite smile.

 He moved like the dancer he was, drifting gracefully among the people in the crowded restaurant until he stood close to the tall table Joakim waited by. He blinked nervously, and those full lips parted. Joakim wanted to suck on them, see if they turned a darker shade of red… And he was just sitting there, gaping like a fool. Realizing his mistake, he jumped up from his seat to welcome his date properly. The chair scraped on the floor, making an awful sound over the sultry music in the restaurant. Joakim winced.

 “Sorry,” he said. “Hi. Hello. Lovely to finally meet you properly.”

 “Hi,” Kevin said and smiled a shy smile, which would have buckled Joakim’s knees if he hadn’t been leaning on the table with one hand.

 “Hi,” he repeated dumbly. Then he had to laugh. “Sorry, I’m just…” He gestured helplessly at Kevin and shook his head. He’d spent the past few days telling himself it was nothing. Just a lark. But now the beautiful creature that had been following him in his dreams was here in the flesh, and Joakim floundered like he never had before. Could he at least stay coherent, for f*ck’s sakes?

 “What?” Kevin said, perplexed. He looked down, perusing his own body, probably looking for stains or an open fly.

 “No! God, no. You look great. I’m just a bit stunned, that’s all. I’ll put myself back together in a minute, I promise.”

 Kevin only looked more bewildered.

 “Sit down,” Joakim said decisively. “Sit, and we’ll have a drink. I definitely need it.”

 Kevin chuckled, still puzzled, and sat opposite Joakim at the tall round table. The chairs were as high as bar stools but more comfortable with plush armrests. Joakim couldn’t help but follow the lines of Kevin’s body with his gaze as the man settled into his chair, all long, slim limbs and graceful movements. He was dressed casually, in light beige chinos, tight over his sculpted thighs and calves, a blue button-up with a fine pink flowery print, and a silver-gray jacket. His clothes and movements had that subtle feminine flair Joakim always admired. It spoke of courage and honesty, of being comfortable with your true self. Combined with the shine of his blond, windswept hair and his milky skin, Kevin shone in the dim restaurant like a f*cking supernova.

 Joakim was still staring. Say something normal. Anything! Joakim only thought of telling Kevin he was the most gorgeous being he’d ever seen in his whole damned life, but he stopped himself. Other than that, nothing came. First date, dammit. You’ve done this hundreds of times. Get a grip.

 Kevin was nervous now, fiddling with his sleeve, and he looked at Joakim from the corner of his eye. Joakim realized that in order to restart his brain, he needed to look away. Tearing his gaze away from Kevin was painful, but Joakim managed to steer his attention to the bar. Look, there are glasses and shakers. Bottles. Personnel. A bartender. Say something normal.

 “They have cocktails, but there’s also sake. They’re known for their great sake selection. Or Japanese beer? Lager?” And now he was rambling. Jesus! After an epic dry spell, I finally meet a man I actually want to impress, and that’s when my intellect decides to take a day off? Really?

 “Sake sounds great. I haven’t had sake in ages.”

 “You’re in for a treat. They’re quite busy, so we might have to wait a tiny bit longer, but the food is worth it.”

 “I trust you,” Kevin said with a soft smile, and Joakim’s brain scrambled again.

 “Wow, I can’t even look at you,” he blurted.

 Kevin’s eyes widened. He blinked, obviously at a loss as to what to say and jumping to the wrong conclusions already.

 “No! Sh*t, sorry. Not like that. I… your face is very distracting.”

 Still confused, Kevin parted his amazing mouth to speak, but Joakim intercepted him. “You are beautiful, Kevin. Gorgeous. And it’s messing with my head a little. I’ll be fine in a minute. I better stop babbling before you run away.”

 “I… erm. Thank you?”

 Joakim had to laugh at the sincere bewilderment of the man.

 “Let’s order some sake,” Joakim said, trying to climb out of the hole he’d managed to dig himself during the first two minutes of the date.

 “Yeah. I think I need a drink too,” Kevin said in a perfectly natural voice, and Joakim thanked all the gods and all the elements and Kevin for saving him from lethal embarrassment. Joakim could talk about food and sake without saying something stupid. He was almost sure he could.



Carra's Review
This entire series has been an exemplary example of what erotic romance is, and Beautiful Beast continues the author’s outstanding storytelling—and his characters’ intense sexual encounters.  Dirty talking indeed.

Yes, Joakim has that insta-lust moment and lucks into the chance to explore that with the object of his attention, someone he thinks is out of his league but still takes the chance to contact.  That sounds very much like every swipe I take in my own online dating adventures, sadly though without the raging success Joakim experiences once he and Kevin connect.

I really liked that there wasn’t any big drama in this story, just the engaging and wonderfully dirty-talking, intense, and of course erotic evolution of their relationship.  An excess of sexy times?  Yes, a very delicious level of excess.  But the author does use that level of naughtiness to bring out the best in both Joakim and Kevin, creating another potent pairing where the sexual side of their relationship just intensifies their relationship as a whole.

And if that feeds the naughty-loving side of my psyche, I’m just going to take that as a bonus.  A sensual, oh-my-goodness-yes bonus.

Beautiful Beast is another home run in the series, and the excellent writing, captivating characters, and titillating physical scenes all combine for a searing 5-star read.  I sure hope this one’s coming in audiobook ;-)  Adult language and erotic sexual content mean this book is for readers 18+.


About the Author

Queer fiction author Roe Horvat was born in the post-communist wasteland of former Czechoslovakia. Equipped with a dark sense of sarcasm, Roe traveled Europe and finally settled in Sweden. He came out as transgender in 2017 and has been fabulous since. He loves Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, bad action movies, stand-up comedy, pale ale, and daiquiri. When not hiding in the studio doing graphics, he can be found trolling cafés in Gothenburg, writing, and people-watching.




Giveaway!

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win 
one of five e-books by Roe Horvat (Beautiful Beast or any from my backlist)




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