Sunday, March 31, 2019

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: UNCOMPLICATED by K.M. Neuhold (An Inked Novel)

Uncomplicated Tour Banner

Uncomplicated
An INKED Novel
K.M. Neuhold
Gay Romance
Release Date: 03.11.19

Uncomplicated Cover

Blurb

Two men with a rocky history, and one with an all-consuming love for both of them.

Sometimes I’m so lonely I swear I can’t breathe. I bring men and women into my bed to chase away the ache, but it never seems to help. I want something real, something lasting, but I’ve never been more afraid of anything in my life. If I have nothing else in my life I can count on, at least I have my best friend, Cas. If I have nothing else in my life that feels solid, at least I have Cas.

Until one sad smile from a beautiful man tilts my world on its axis.

But Finn is Cas’ ex, and that means he’s off limits, right? What if I could have something permanent, if I’m willing to put my heart on the line? Finn and Cas may have a history, but something tells me the three of us could have a future, if we’re willing to let things get a little complicated.



Uncomplicated teaser 1

Excerpt

I swear I could nearly cry as we slip under the covers, and he plasters himself against me without waiting for approval. And then he presses his nose against my throat and drapes a leg over mine, and tears do start to prickle at my eyes. You can’t cry over a little bit of post-sex cuddling, you can’t, I chant in my mind even as I feel one escape and roll down my cheek.

My sniffle alerts Beau to my emotional state, tilting his head back to stare at me with concern.

“Finn?”

“Sorry. God, I’m pathetic,” I apologize with a watery laugh, using the arm that isn’t trapped beneath Beau to wipe my cheeks. “It’s been so long; I didn’t realize how much I missed just touching.”

Understanding flashes through his eyes, and he leans forward to kiss away the remaining stray tears, the tenderness of the gesture causing even more to fall. F*ck, this is embarrassing.

“It’s okay,” Beau whispers. “It’s okay. I’m lonely too, but tonight we don’t have to feel so alone.”

Uncomplicated teaser 2

Carra's Review

I’m always up for M/M/M stories, and Uncomplicated was a good example of how this type of relationship can work.  While this is the second book of this spinoff series, I was able to read it as a standalone with no problem.  Characters from other books did make appearances, but their own stories did not need to be read beforehand (but of course now I’m intrigued for their books and have added them to my TBR list!).

This book starts off hot and stays that way while still having the characters work through first their couple relationships before working on the three of them together.  The connections between them as couples feel just as strong as the one when the three of them finally come together.  

Cas seems like the one with the most stable background, but he’s still unsettled when it comes to Beau in the beginning as he’s concerned that Beau won’t want him permanently…which is a bit amusing since even as playboy-ish as Beau seems, he feels exactly the same way about Cas, but for different reasons relating to Beau’s past.  Finn feels his position is the most precarious of them all with his and Cas’s former relationship, his own not-so-stellar past, and the concern that he’s coming between Cas and Beau.  Watching them all work it all out kept my attention, as I was definitely rooting for them all to make it.

There’s an added difficulty with Finn’s past catching up with him in an ultimately life-threatening way thanks to his previous activities related to a local gang.  Honestly, I could have done without this aspect of the story since I’m not fond of elements like this, and I think the three of them had plenty to work out with their relationship on its own.  I was able to push past my dislike of that though since the overall story was solid and held plenty of emotional ups and downs on its own.


Uncomplicated was a solid 4-star read for me, and whether you’re a fan of the author’s prior series or not anyone who is a fan of M/M/M will probably enjoy this book like I did.  This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.


About the Author


KM Neuhold Logo 2Author K.M. Neuhold is a complete romance junkie, a total sap in every way. She started her journey as an author in new adult, MF romance, but after a chance reading of an MM book she was completely hooked on everything about lovely- and sometimes damaged- men finding their Happily Ever After together. She has a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well. And she fully admits that her OCD tendencies of making sure every side character has a full backstory will likely always lead to every book having a spin-off or series. When she's not writing she's a lion tamer, an astronaut, and a superhero...just kidding, she's likely watching Netflix and snuggling with her husky while her amazing husband brings her coffee.



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Saturday, March 30, 2019

New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: FAMILY CAMP by Eli Easton (Daddy Dearest #1)



Buy Links: 


Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited. 

Length: 219 pages
Cover Design: Reese Dante


Blurb

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?


About the Daddy Dearest series

The Daddy Dearest series will consist of stand-alone contemporary novels focusing on single gay dads who find hot romance. Expect laughs, sweet and sexy slow-burn romance, and lots of family feels!


Excerpt

Sixth inning. Geo was ready for the game to be over. It was f*cking hot on the ball field, all open and exposed, the sun baking down. And he was also not sure how much more Travis-watching he could take—him with his silky burgundy gym shorts and a sweaty Camp Evermore green shirt stretched over those muscles. His long legs were tanned and well-defined from hours at the gym.

Those thighs could f*cking crack walnuts. Dude.

Damn, but that was one fine-looking man. Geo knew he should lay off, though. Travis had made himself clear.

Only he hadn’t. At all. One minute, Travis seemed into him him. He sought out Geo’s company, like the way he kept coming by the cabin at night. And the next minute, he’d put distance between them, ignoring Geo or closing himself off behind a granite-like expression and those eye-hiding shades. And Travis had laid a clear line in the sand. Not at camp. Not gonna happen.

Yup. That was fine. Sure, Geo hadn’t been mutually attracted to a guy that hot in ages. Or ever, really. But Geo hadn’t come to camp to fool around. He had other priorities.

It did make him wonder though. Bridget had said Travis wasn’t out. A quick Google search last night had confirmed that. In fact, Geo had been shocked to discover there’d never been an out baseball player in the major leagues. Like, in the history of American baseball. Which was tragic. No wonder Travis was in the closet. It had to suck monkey balls living like that. Especially with all the women who threw themselves at him constantly. There were a dozen women on the sidelines right now that looked ready to have his babies. That had to be weird for a gay guy. Didn’t it?

Geo himself was always super uncomfortable when women came on to him. He felt compelled to blurt out “I’m gay!” in the first five minutes. It was just too weird otherwise.

Then again, Travis’s love life was none of Geo’s business. Maybe the guy was bisexual. Maybe he liked dating women just fine.

Jayden came up to bat. Geo focused on his son, clapping hard. “Come on, Jayden! You’ve got this!”

Jayden took a wide stance beside the plate, both hands gripping the bat, choked up a little. Travis had spent a few minutes with Jayden at the start of the game, showing him how to stand, and Jayden copied him exactly. The kid was a great mimic. He’d been nervous at first, tense and defensive. But by now he just looked focused. He stared, narrow-eyed, at Frank as Frank pitched an easy ball.

Geo loved that about this game, that everyone tried to give the kids easy wins, and no one took the competition seriously.

Jayden hit the ball hard. It flew through the air a short ways then plonked to the ground and skipped along fast. It was heading right down the center line, though a bit more towards third base and Travis’s side of the field.

“Go Jayden! Go!” Geo shouted. He went after the ball. In his peripheral vision, he saw Jayden round first base and keep running.

Travis was going after the ball too, dodging low. He scooped it up. He was going to throw it to third base, keep Jayden back on second. Geo couldn’t let that happen.

He dove in front of Travis, crowding him, holding an arm out to block Travis from throwing the ball.

Travis snorted, bemused. “What are you doing? You’re on my team.” He backed up, trying to get away from Geo.

“Blood before bros, man,” Geo said with fake seriousness. He kept up with Travis, step for step, grabbing Travis’s right arm in a firm grip so he couldn’t raise the ball.

“Stop it!” Travis laughed. “Dork. That’s not legal.”

“Don’t care.”

They took three steps back, like they were dancing. Geo held Travis’s right arm, staring him down. Travis met his gaze, a goofy smile on his lips. Back and back they stumbled. Suddenly, Travis got a sparkle in his eyes. He wrapped his left arm around Geo’s waist and picked him up, swinging him around so he ended up behind Travis.

Geo was still finding his feet as Travis drew back his arm and sent the ball sailing.

Right to home plate. But Jayden got there first. Umpire Cindy made the motion with her hands, safe.

Geo laughed and raised his arms in triumph. “Yeah, baby! Great job, Jayden! Home run, whoo!”

Then he realized everyone was staring at them. On the sidelines, there were a dozen cameras raised, filming.

Oh. Er. Hmm. Geo wiped his face, feeling sheepish.

That’s when a piercing scream rent the air.


About Eli

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com


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Friday, March 29, 2019

Cover Reveal & Pre-Order: HOME IMPROVEMENT by Tara Lain


Check out the cover reveal of Tara Lain's upcoming contemporary romance, HOME IMPROVEMENT!


Home Improvement
by Tara Lain


Blurb:

Romance on Aisle Sixteen—opposites attract amid the hammers and screws of the home improvement store.

Gabe Mason became a father at seventeen, and his daughter, Ellie, is the most important thing in his life. But being the parent the courts demand means Gabe has given up most of his dreams—education, making furniture, a gay social life—to be a model dad with a steady, reliable job in a home improvement store. Life’s predictable until Jerry, a shy, eccentric guy in a hat and sunglasses, begs Gabe to oversee the renovation of his run-down mansion.

Gabe loves the house and the work, and Jerry's pretty lovable too, but when Gabe discovers Jerry’s secret identity, he fears their passion could overturn both their lives forever. 



Available for pre-order at 

Release Date:
July 9, 2019



About the Author

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters – and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her best-selling stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes — the beautiful boys of romance —  and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Likely a Gryffindor but possessed of Parseltongue, Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers. She also loves to hear from you.   

You can find Tara Lain at

Re-Release-Review & Excerpt: DIRTY LAUNDRY by Heidi Cullinan (Tucker Springs #3)



Blurb

Sometimes you have to get dirty to come clean.
When muscle-bound Denver Rogers effortlessly dispatches the frat boys harassing grad student Adam Ellery at the Tucker Springs laundromat, Adam’s thank-you turns into impromptu sex over the laundry table. The problem comes when they exchange numbers. What if Adam wants to meet again and discovers Denver is a high school dropout with a learning disability who works as a bouncer at a local gay bar? Or what if Denver calls Adam only to learn while he might be brilliant in the lab, outside of it he has crippling social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Either way, neither of them can shake the memory of their laundromat encounter. Despite their fears of what the other might think, they can only remember how good the other one feels. The more they get together, the kinkier things become. They’re both a little bent, but in just the right ways. 
Maybe the secret to staying together isn’t to keep things clean and proper. Maybe it’s best to keep their laundry just a little bit dirty.  

Release Date: Reissuing March 29, 2019 by Dreamspinner Press. Title is revised with some significance and expanded from original release.


Buy Links

Mass Market Paper Available in July
Goodreads • Publisher (ebook/paper) • Audible (First Edition version) • Barnes & Noble • Google Play • Hoopla (audio first edition) • iTunes • Kobo (US) • Kobo (CA) • Amazon (US) • Amazon (CA) • Amazon (UK) • Find on Overdrive

Dirty Laundry is book three in the Tucker Springs series, a collaborative project between three authors. Find other books in the series at Dreamspinner Press and wherever books are sold.

Excerpt

Thanks so much for having me today! I’m here to celebrate the re-release of Dirty Laundry at Dreamspinner Press and share an exclusive excerpt of the new edition.


Denver really did have Adam fold his underwear, an endless supply of plain old tighty-whities. What had the back of his teeth aching was while Adam folded, Denver’s hands skimmed beneath the unbuttoned waistband of his briefs, mapping the surface of his ass and hips.

Adam still couldn’t get over that they were making out in the laundromat. He’d naively assumed they’d finish up their laundry and move on to one of their respective apartments to have sex. That thought in itself had sent him into a quiet panic spiral, but before he could begin psyching himself up for that battle, Denver had undone his zipper, complimented his red-and-white-striped underwear, and stuck his hands down it. Then he’d told him to start folding.

So Adam had. Now here they were.

It wasn’t that being fondled was bad, but it was unnerving to have it done in public. While it was more than a little hot, it also seemed dangerous. What surprised him was that this particular kind of danger made him feel sexy. He’d never had someone hold his ass like this before. He’d never folded someone’s underwear while they held his ass. So wicked, especially with all the windows. What if someone saw? What would they think of him?

Why was that fear so… delicious, almost as yummy as Denver’s roving hands?

The only fly in the ointment was that even turned on, Adam was nervous. What if someone came in? What if they called the police? What if he was arrested and he ended up playing fold-the-underwear with someone who wasn’t Denver? What if his advisor found out? Would public sex do something to his teaching assistantship? Would he be able to get a job? Would getting felt up in a laundromat inadvertently lead to him living on the streets, starving and exposed, selling his body for sex, which meant he would contract a disease and die?

“Turn your head off,” Denver drawled. He sounded amused. Patient. Kind. “Unless I’m doing something you don’t like?”

God, no. “I just—I don’t want to get caught.”

The hand on Adam’s hip tightened. “You’re already caught.”

Was he ever. “I mean, I don’t want to be arrested.”

“Cops don’t usually patrol laundromats.” Denver’s fingers dipped into Adam’s crack as his other hand tugged the briefs farther down. “I got you. Just do as you’re told and stay relaxed. I’ll make sure you have a good time.” He pressed against Adam’s opening. “And that you don’t get arrested.”

Denver’s words didn’t do half as much for Adam as that finger did, especially once it disappeared and came back cold and slippery with lube. Adam wondered briefly where the hell that had come from, and then he moaned and fell forward onto the folded laundry as Denver pushed inside.

Relax. Do as you’re told. The words echoed inside Adam, loosening the chains of his mind even as they bound his body. Adam let out a breath and spread his legs wider on a sigh.

“That’s right.” Denver massaged Adam’s left ass check with one hand, pulling it aside as he f*cked deeper with his other. “Don’t worry about who’s watching. I’m watching, and that’s all you should care about. I’m caring about everything else for you. But I sure am watching you, baby. I’m watching my finger go into your ass, watching you. Are you going to open wider for me?”

Moaning, Adam nodded and tried to spread his legs, but the briefs kept him trapped.

“There’s a good boy. Sweet and eager. You want me to open you more? That what you want?”

Whimpering, Adam lifted his ass higher. “Please.

Laughing low, Denver pushed a second finger in alongside the first, patting Adam’s ass in approval as he flexed and took the digit eagerly. “Look at you. You really did want it.”

“I really want it.” Adam felt feverish, wiggling against Denver’s fingers. It had been so long since he’d been f*cked, and it had never been like this. Nothing had ever been like this.

“Honey, I’m gonna give it to you, don’t worry.” He fingered Adam gently, still kneading his cheek with his other hand. When Adam shuddered, Denver ran his thumb along the stretched pucker of Adam’s ass. “This is just teasing you, isn’t it? Want me to stuff you a little more? You gonna take my c*ck next, sweet thing? You gonna moan all over my clothes while I f*ck you? Right here on the table where everyone can see?”

Adam whimpered and clutched at the folded laundry, straining for the last remnants of self-control. “I’m messing up your things,” he rasped, then groaned and arched his back as Denver twisted his fingers.

“Yep. You’re going to make my laundry dirty, baby. You’re going to come all over it.”

Shutting his eyes, Adam surrendered. When Denver tugged Adam’s pants to his ankles and shoved more clothes underneath Adam’s ass to lift it higher, Adam didn’t have a single care about who might see him behaving this way, he only made sure Denver could arrange him the way he wanted. When Denver withdrew his fingers to pull Adam open wide, Adam relaxed the muscle so Denver could gaze into him as he liked.

He was Denver’s to do with what he wanted right now. He was nothing else.

“You’re a good, obedient boy.” Denver held Adam open a few seconds longer, then thrust his thumb inside, turning it as he pumped it in and out. “This is a fine ass you have here too. Real nice. You mind if I give it a few slaps?”

I’m going to get spanked in the laundromat. Adam’s voice barely worked, and his asshole flexed in eagerness. “P-please do as you like.”

Have you read Dirty Laundry’s first edition? What’s your favorite scene from the book (no spoilers)?


Read more about Dirty Laundry! First chapter excerpt, buy links, and reviews.

Dirty Laundry is book three in the Tucker Springs series, a collaborative project between three authors. Find other books in the series at Dreamspinner Press and wherever books are sold.


Carra's Review

This was one deliciously naughty story while at the same time addressing serious issues the characters have in a sensitive manner.  It’s almost like the explicit, scorching BDSM-laced scenes were balancing out the stressed, tension-laden aspects found in Adam’s OCD and anxiety and Denver’s learning disability.  Their physical relationship allows them both to let go and just concentrate on their pleasure.

My own low-level OCD tendencies made it easy for me to understand and empathize with Adam (though I’m beyond thankful that I’m nowhere near his extreme), and I totally get how he would start off worrying about something and it would snowball in his head to almost unrealistic paranoia.  Denver complements him quite well, helping to balance out Adam’s nature with his unconditional acceptance, support, and understanding.

Oh, and if you’re here for the sexy times and love dirty talk…you’ve definitely come to the right place because Denver rings that bell loud and clear.

There are some good secondary characters, primarily Adam’s ex, Brad, who I’m certain most readers are going to love to hate, and Louisa who turns out to be an insightful sounding board for Adam.

I did not read this story when it first came out years ago, but I’m definitely glad I took the time for this updated re-release.  Dirty Laundry was a 4.5-star read for me, and is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and explicit sexual content.

About the Author

Author of over thirty novels, Midwest-native Heidi Cullinan writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. Heidi is a two-time RITA® finalist and her books have been recommended by Library Journal, USA Today, RT Magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly. When Heidi isn't writing, she enjoys cooking, reading novels and manga, playing with her cats, and watching too much anime. Find out more at heidicullinan.com.


New Release & Giveaway: JUDE by Garrett Leigh



Buy Links: 


Length: 60,000 words approx.
Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Lucky Series



Blurb

Isha has spent the last year watching his BFF get his happily-ever-after. He’s proud of Dom, but…it hurts to see him so free while Isha’s love life is still on lockdown. Only Isha’s ex-wife knows the secret that he’s kept caged for so long—that he’s queer too, and he’s lonely.

Jude’s too chained to his work to notice what he’s missing by being terminally single, but a new face in the village soon catches his attention. City boy Isha is gorgeous, and when he starts to haunt Jude’s reptile shop as well as the hook-up app on his phone, he's a welcome distraction from Jude’s business problems.

For a control freak like Isha, letting Jude under his skin is an existential meltdown, but Jude’s not in the market to be anyone’s queer crisis, not when he’s facing troubles of his own. Unlocking their lives could push both men apart forever, but it might be a risk worth taking if sharing is the key to their happy future.


About the Author

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press.

Garrett's debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.

Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.




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