Rainbow Snippets - 24/25th March

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

I've had a bit of a snippet break but I'm back with another snippet from Under the Radar. Welcome to the start of Chapter 4.
#WIP #historical #WW2 #submarines

Standing to straighten out his back, Zach pulled himself up to his full height and felt his hair brush the ceiling of the wardroom. Taking a step to the right, he positioned himself in the tallest, and one of the few parts of the submarine where he could stand with comfort. How the guys taller than his five ten coped he had no idea. Maybe he should ask Gethin next time he brought a drink.

Zach cupped the back of his neck with both hands and twisted his torso. He relished the burn in the muscles down his side. A low cough interrupted his lazy stretch, dragging his attention back to the table.

Even though the book isn't ready and I have no cover, I've created a Goodreads entry, because one way or another this book will be released this year, and this should spur me on (especially if people actually add the book to their 'want to read' shelf).

Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf here.

The Blurb

Having invited the wrong man into his bed, US Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Zachary MacKenzie has only one option to save his family name and himself from possible jail time; agree to be cast out of both his country and his service. Sent to Blighty, to ‘help the war effort’, Zach’s punishment is more severe than simply being exiled. For a man used to the freedom of the skies, Zach’s banishment to a life beneath the waves ensures he will be unlikely to see the sky, let alone fly in it.

The only bright spot in the oppressive atmosphere of the submarine is sonar operator and steward, Gethin Llewelyn. Despite the differences of rank, background, and demeanour the pair form a fledgling friendship. However, the tenuous threads of their relationship are sorely tested by Zach’s inability to ignore the thin ribbon of desire that ties him to his steward and threatens to expose all his secrets. Combined with the confusion of Gethin’s late-blooming epiphany, the path to a mutual understanding might be impossible to navigate.

Throw in mysterious miniature vessels that appear to be stalking the sub, some strange vibrations, and several suspicious crew members. With the very real possibility that someone on board is a spy, Zach doesn’t know what is in more danger, the vessel under his charge or his heart.

Listen with Lillian - The Fireman's Pole

I love an audiobook. Although generally, due to the cost, I will only buy audios of books that I have already read and enjoyed. And knowing the story means that I miss nothing if my attention should lapse for a moment, because I normally listen to audiobooks while I’m doing something else. They make a lonely drive pass in a flash, the treadmill at the gym much less arduous, and food shopping more pleasurable. And because I love them I think everyone else should love them too, or at least give them a fighting chance.

So, I’ve decided I’ll do a weekly, maybe fortnightly (you know how good I am at keeping to a schedule), post of my favourite audiobooks. Or new releases that catch my attention.

First up, one of my chums has a new(ish) audio release out.


The Fireman’s Pole (Dreamspun Desires)
By: Sue Brown
Narrated by: Finn Sterling
Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 02-02-18
Language: English
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC




The flames of passion rise for the lord of the manor.

It’s springtime in Calminster village, but things are already heating up. Sexy firefighter Dale Maloney is new to the local station. When Dale backs the company fire engine into the village maypole, he attracts the ire - and attention - of Benedict Raleigh, the Baron Calminster.

Soon after meeting Dale, Ben breaks off his relationship with his girlfriend, and the sparks between Ben and Dale are quickly fanned into flames.

Unfortunately, the passion between the two men isn’t the only blaze in the village. An arsonist’s crimes are escalating, and it’s up to Dale and his crew to stop them. Meanwhile, as they investigate, an unscrupulous business partner attempts to coerce Ben into marrying his daughter. The May Day parade is around the corner, but they have plenty of fires to put out before Ben can finally slide down the fireman’s pole.

Buy link: myBook.to/FiremansPoleAudio

My two pennies worth.

I’m a sucker for stories set in a small British villages or communities (I say British rather than English because two of my favourites are Elin Gregory’s The Bones of Our Fathers, which is set in Wales and Clare London’s Romancing the Ugly Duckling, set in Scotland). Hell, I’ve even written my own (shameless self-promo for Village Love series). So you can imagine my joy when Sue Brown released The Fireman’s Pole.

Firstly, that’s a super title and ripe for some good old British innuendo, nudge nudge wink wink, say no more, but Sue uses it sparingly and isn't ramming pole and wood jokes down our throats every few pages.

Secondly, not only do we have a village setting, with a ‘Lord of the Manor’ but we have Firemen too. Yes folks, Men in Uniform alert. Could this book get any better? There’s camaraderie between the fire crew, a village rallying together, a May Day parade, and some great secondary characters, including a female character you prepare yourself to hate who actually turns out to be completely kickass.

If I have one qualm it is directed at the publisher. An English village setting really needs a British narrator, or at least one that can do a passable English accent. While the accent Finn Sterling applies to Benedict is fine, I didn’t like the one he did for Dale. Also, it’s slightly disconcerting to have the voices in English and the narrative in American. Please, please, please can we have an English narrator.

An endearing tale with a very British feel and great setting. And I love gruff but kind Benedict.

Rainbow Snippets - 3rd/4th March

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

I'm running out of reworked chapters. This is the last one so I might head elsewhere next week. Welcome to the start of Chapter 3.
#WIP #historical #WW2 #submarines

Gethin stood by his berth uncertain what to do next. They’d been at sea a little over eight hours and he’d just finished his first four-hour watch in the control room. Everything seemed to have gone well. He hadn’t missed anything important on the ASDIC and he’d been able to answer any requests for information that Lieutenant MacKenzie had made. It seemed strange to be reporting to an American officer, but the lieutenant seemed personable enough and was obviously still finding his feet in a submarine full of more experienced men, just as Gethin was. Which only made the Captain’s request return to the forefront of his mind.

Even though the book isn't ready and I have no cover, I've created a Goodreads entry, because one way or another this book will be released this year, and this should spur me on (especially if people actually add the book to their 'want to read' shelf).

The Blurb

Having invited the wrong man into his bed, US Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Zachary MacKenzie has only one option to save his family name and himself from possible jail time; agree to be cast out of both his country and his service. Sent to Blighty, to ‘help the war effort’, Zach’s punishment is more severe than simply being exiled. For a man used to the freedom of the skies, Zach’s banishment to a life beneath the waves ensures he will be unlikely to see the sky, let alone fly in it.

The only bright spot in the oppressive atmosphere of the submarine is sonar operator and steward, Gethin Llewelyn. Despite the differences of rank, background, and demeanour the pair form a fledgling friendship. However, the tenuous threads of their relationship are sorely tested by Zach’s inability to ignore the thin ribbon of desire that ties him to his steward and threatens to expose all his secrets. Combined with the confusion of Gethin’s late-blooming epiphany, the path to a mutual understanding might be impossible to navigate.

Throw in mysterious miniature vessels that appear to be stalking the sub, some strange vibrations, and several suspicious crew members. With the very real possibility that someone on board is a spy, Zach doesn’t know what is in more danger, the vessel under his charge or his heart.

Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf here.