Thursday, 28 April 2022

NEW RELEASE and SERIES TOUR - Trifles and Folly: A Deadly Curiosities Supernatural Mystery Adventure Collection (Books 1 - 3) by Gail Z. Martin/Morgan Brice

 

NEW RELEASE AND SERIES TOUR 

BOOK 1  

Book Title: Trifles and Folly: A Deadly Curiosities Supernatural Mystery Adventure Collection

Author: Gail Z. Martin

Publisher: SOL Publishing

Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Length: 396 pages

Release Date: October 18, 2016

Genres: Urban fantasy with a prominent gay secondary character in an evolving, committed and plot-important relationship

Tropes: Evolving established relationship/commitment

Themes: Found family, learning to use magic, sharing secret abilities, 

Heat Rating: 4 flames

These are collections of short stories and novellas that originally appeared either individually or reverted from anthologies, so while they function like ‘extra episodes’ for the novels, they were intended to stand alone.

The short stories were designed to be standalone and not require prior knowledge of the series. 

Goodreads


Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Nook  |  Kobo  |  Audible 

Trifles and Folly is a fascinatingly frightful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of abandoned mansions, restless spirits, Hoodoo, magic, supernatural creatures and long-overdue revenge.

Blurb 

Haunted places. Cursed heirlooms. Vengeful ghosts. Dark Magic

Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles and Folly, an antique shop with a secret history. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them. She and her allies use magic and paranormal abilities to keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats. Journey...if you dare...through these satisfyingly spooky short stories and novellas that take place around and between the novels in the Deadly Curiosities series.

A collection of nine stand-alone adventures: Buttons, The Restless Dead, Retribution, Coffin Box, Wicked Dreams, Collector, Bad Memories, Shadow Garden, and Spook House. 

Trifles and Folly is a fascinatingly frightful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of abandoned mansions, restless spirits, Hoodoo, magic, supernatural creatures and long-overdue revenge.

A companion to the Deadly Curiosities series. Can be read as a standalone.

Revised Edition 2, 2018. Includes an updated cover, minor edits and the BONUS section with three stories chronicling Sorren’s early days: Vanities, The Wild Hunt, and Dark Legacy.

“A fabulous job of creating a world that was steeped with curses, lore, lure, deadly consequences, and magic.” — The Book Junkie on Trifles & Folly

BOOK 2

Book Title: Trifles and Folly 2: A Deadly Curiosities Supernatural Mystery Adventure Collection

Author: Gail Z. Martin

Publisher:  SOL Publishing

Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Length: 568 pages

Release Date: December 27, 2017

Genres:  Urban fantasy with a prominent gay secondary character in an evolving, committed and plot-important relationship

Tropes: Evolving established relationship/commitment

Themes: Found family, learning to use magic, sharing secret abilities, 

Heat Rating:  4 flames

These are collections of short stories and novellas that originally appeared either individually or reverted from anthologies, so while they function like ‘extra episodes’ for the novels, they were intended to stand alone.

Goodreads


Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Nook  |  Kobo  |  Audible

Trifles and Folly 2 is a satisfyingly spooky set of dark urban fantasy tales full of Southern cemeteries, restless spirits, Voodoo, magic, supernatural creatures, pirate ghosts, vampires and vengeance.

Blurb 

 Curses, vengeance from beyond the grave, haunted curios, werewolves, and wicked faeries.

Walk on the wild side, deep in the shadows through these delightfully creepy short stories and novellas that take place around and between the novels in the Deadly Curiosities series. Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles and Folly, an antique shop with a secret history. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them. She and her allies use magic and paranormal abilities to keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats

An extension of the Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy novel series, this collection can be read as a standalone. It contains three full novellas and four short stories: The Final Death, Predator, Fair Game, Fatal Invitation, Redcap, Bloodlines, plus three bonus stories: Among the Shoals Forever, The Low Road, and Steer a Pale Course.

Trifles and Folly 2 is a satisfyingly spooky set of dark urban fantasy tales full of Southern cemeteries, restless spirits, Voodoo, magic, supernatural creatures, pirate ghosts, vampires and vengeance.

“This book is honestly as good as the first. I love it when a series starts out great and stays that way.“—T’s Stuff on Trifles and Folly 2

BOOK 3 – NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Trifles and Folly 3: A Deadly Curiosities Supernatural Mystery Adventure

Author: Gail Z. Martin/Morgan Brice

Publisher: SOL Publishing

Length: 320 pages

Release Date: March 29, 2022

Genres. Urban fantasy with a prominent gay secondary character in an evolving, committed and plot-important relationship

Tropes: Evolving established relationship/commitment

Themes: Found family, learning to use magic, sharing secret abilities, 

Heat Rating:  4 flames

These are collections of short stories and novellas that originally appeared either individually or reverted from anthologies, so while they function like ‘extra episodes’ for the novels, they were intended to stand alone.

Goodreads


Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Kobo  |  Nook  |  Audible Coming Soon

Trifles and Folly 3 is a wickedly wonderful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of cursed curios, stolen relics, haunted heirlooms, creepy castles, menacing monsters, magic, and mayhem.

Blurb 

The ghost of a jilted lover, an accidental hell-mouth, a soul-eating monster, cursed needlework, and a rogue’s gallery of sullied spirits—all this and more awaits!

Wander the shadowed paths through this spooktacular collection of short stories and novellas that take place around and between the novels in the Deadly Curiosities series.

An extension of the Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy novel series, this collection can be read as a standalone. It contains two novellas and five short stories: The Adventure of the Melted Saint, Keepsakes, Catspaw, The Piper’s Song, Innocence Lost, Crewel Fate, and Heap of Trouble.

Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles and Folly, an antique shop with a secret history. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them. She and her allies use magic and paranormal abilities to keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats.

Trifles and Folly 3 is a wickedly wonderful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of cursed curios, stolen relics, haunted heirlooms, creepy castles, menacing monsters, magic, and mayhem.

This collection includes a Morgan Brice MM Paranormal Romance novella set in the Deadly Curiosities’ universe with scenes only appropriate for readers 18+.

A great addition to the main series, these three books collect most of the short stories and novellas that surround the main novels of the Deadly Curiosities series. I've only read one book in the main series (book 4 I think) so I knew most of the characters from that read. But I don't think prior knowledge is really necessary as the author does an excellent job of introducing us to the setting and any characters as they appear. A variety of stories of differing lengths and creepiness value. I've not read all the stories in all the volumes as yet because I'm dipping in and out between other books. These books are perfect for that, like a palette cleanser between reads. 

Excerpt from book 3

“Come back inside, Cassidy,” he urged. “I don’t know why, but I don’t like the vibes I’m getting out here tonight.”

Teag’s intuition is fueled by strong magic, so I take his “vibes” seriously. I’m pretty good with both intuition and magic myself, and I felt a shiver go down my back. “There’s something out here,” I murmured, looking down the alley toward the streetlight at the end and seeing a dark shape in the roadway I had not noticed before.

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” Teag said. “Come back where it’s safe.”

Wardings protected the old antique shop against dark magic. Salt and iron lay beneath the sill of every door and window to repel evil, and as an added protection, sometimes we had a nearly six-hundred-year-old vampire staying in the secret room in the shop basement. Teag and I both wore protective amulets, and when it came to defending ourselves, we were no slouches. So when I lingered a moment longer, I took a calculated risk.

“We need to see what that is,” I said, jerking my head toward the lump that lay near the far end of the alley. I let my athame slide down beneath my sleeve into my hand and jangled the old dog collar on my left wrist, smiling as the ghost of a large dog appeared at my side. Teag muttered something under his breath and joined me a moment later, carrying a wooden martial arts staff and a wicked knife.

Together, we advanced on the shape, which lay still in the dim glow of the distant street light. A mangy cat paced near the body, staying just out of reach as we approached, even though Bo’s ghost growled and stepped toward it. If the cat could see Bo, the ghost dog didn’t intimidate him. I paid attention to what my senses were telling me, shivering at the resonance something evil left in its wake. Yet the closer we got to the thing in the road, the more certain I became that the threat itself had come and gone.

About the Author 

Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, SOL Publishing, Darkwind Press, Worldbuilders Press and Falstaff Books. Recent books include Convicts and Exiles, Sellsword’s Oath, Inheritance, and Night Moves. With Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of the Spells Salt & Steel, Wasteland Marshals, Joe Mack and Jake Desmet series. 

As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance including the Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail and Fox Hollow series. 

Author Links

Blog  |  Facebook  |   Facebook Group  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest

Newsletter Sign-Up  |  Instagram  |  BookBub  |  Goodreads  | TikTok 

Amazon Author Profile

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

one of three ebook copies from the author's backlist. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Friday, 22 April 2022

Release Blitz - The Bachelor and the Cherry

 

 





Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Length: 63,000 word approx.

Campo Royale Series

Book #1 - The Viking and the Drag Queen - All Buy Links

Is he brave enough to stop hiding behind his persona and give love one final try?

Jordan Stevens has crammed a lot of living into his fifty years. Some of those years have been good, some bad, and some he would just as soon forget. The world isn't always kind to an aging queen. Lovers begin to scamper into forbidden fields, your padding tends to slip, and you spend more time with egg whites than most pastry chefs. Heartache is nothing new to the man who embodies the acid-tongued Sitka Patel on stage every night, which led Jordan to vow to never trust another man under eighty again. He has his club, his drag family, and his Bombay cat, Heckle. Who needs the hassle? That philosophy had served him well until a stunning young thing with dark chocolate eyes shows up at the back door of Campo Royale with a suitcase, a sad story, and a dream.

From the time he was old enough to spell the word sequin, Yampier Perez knew that someday he'd be wearing them. One of three children born to Cuban immigrants, Yampier was always a little glitzier than the other neighborhood boys. His love of fashion design and performance arts was barely tolerated at home and even less so in the hallways of his rural Georgia high school. Yet, Yampier never let his light to be doused, not even the day his older brother caught him modeling his sister's prom dress. Beaten, disowned, and on his own before graduation, he found himself having to work seedy jobs, doing even seedier things, until he saved enough cash to head to the Big Apple. That money has now run out, leaving him stuck in Wilmington with no food, no place to stay, and no family. Little does he know that stumbling into the Campo Royale Club, half frozen and weak from hunger, is about to bring him everything he has yearned for.

The Bachelor and the Cherry is a slow burn gay age gap romance that features an aging drag queen, a virginal newcomer, lots of sass, wigs galore, hurt/comfort, family found, and a richly sequined happy ending.



USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, 21 April 2022

BLOG TOUR - THE BANDALORE - DK GIRL

 

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: The Bandalore - Pitch & Sickle Book One

(An MM Gaslamp Fantasy Series) (The Diabolus Chronicles 1)

Author: D K Girl

Cover Artist: Deranged Doctor Designs

Release Date: February 25, 2021 

Book 4 in the series is due out April 13

Genre:  Historical MM

Tropes: Slow, slow burn, opposites attract

Themes: Loneliness and friendship

Heat Rating: 2 flames    

Length:  285 pages

It is not a standalone book. This is the first book in the Gaslamp Fantasy series, The Diabolus Chronicles.

It has an unresolved storyline, rather than outright cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Silas Mercer died once. He’d rather not do it again.

Blurb 

1885 London, England

Silas Mercer died once. He’d rather not do it again.

On his return to the world of the living, Silas finds himself in the hands of the mysterious Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

The Order has London society clamouring for their services, with tarot readings, seances and exorcisms among their arcane specialities.

Now they seem intent on making Silas their newest recruit.

But they want far more from him than cheap parlour tricks.

When the Order partners him with the scandalous rake, Tobias Astaroth, Silas's new life is turned on its head in more ways than one.

Tobias is quick-tempered, dangerously charming, and far more than the man he seems. 

For Silas, surviving what the Order has planned for him will be a challenge.

But finding a way to survive Tobias Astaroth could prove impossible.

A slow-burn MM Gaslamp Fantasy series.

Contains: Sexual content, violence and rather a lot of cursing.

This is the first book in the thrilling Gaslamp Fantasy series, The Diabolus Chronicles

My Two Pennies' Worth 

Enjoyable historical paranormal. With a single pov from Silas' pov, as readers we are as much in the dark as Silas is. The organisation he was resurrected by is shady as anything, everyone seeming to conspire to keep Silas clueless until the last minute. It's hard to believe a word anyone else says, although I'm inclined to believe Tobias at times.

I really felt for Silas, thrown into this unknown world, at once familiar and yet not. I love that he's not automatically a heroic person once he knows of his power.

The world-building is excellent and I'm eager to know where the story goes from here.

This particular book in the series is not a romance. The MCs can barely stand each other at the end of this book. But it's an ongoing series so there is room for development if that's the author's intent.

Excerpt

Mr Astaroth was clearly drunk. Reason perhaps why he failed to be wearing any shoes. Silas noted the large brown stain upon the white of his linen shirt with great consternation. The mark appeared not dissimilar to blood. His dark trousers bore a tear at his right thigh, and the material at his knees was notably caked with dirt.

Gilmore cried out, more pain in the sound this time. ‘You’re breaking my leg, you bastard.’

Silas looked to the bandalore, hoping there might be a musical direction sung to him. But the wood was quiet. He should go to the man’s assistance, Silas needed no magical trinket to tell him so. Man, or gnome, Gilmore was in clear distress. But Silas hesitated.

‘Dear me, do you think I would truly do such a thing?’ Tobias’s words got away from him, slipping and sliding from his intoxicated tongue. A shadow curved around his right eye, a rising bruise.

‘I know you would,’ Gilmore hollered. ‘You crave harm more than your cock craves fucking.’

With no warning, Tobias landed a punch against Gilmore’s belly. Half-hearted as it was, it at last spurred Silas from his reticence. He took a step forward.

‘Now, see here-‘

‘Tobias! Set him down, now.’ Jane moved across the green, clad in a nightgown of the most delicate white lace. Combined with her airy way of moving, it was as though a ghost rushed towards them. ‘Now, Pitch. I will not ask you again.’

The man’s smile was a cruel slash across his damaged face. ‘As you wish. Catch him if you can.’

He lowered Gilmore and seemed certain to set him down, albeit on his head, but at the very last moment, he drew back his arm and swung the frantic Gilmore straight up into the air. Without an ounce of effort apparent, Tobias’s throw sent the screaming, kicking man skyward. Soaring higher even than Silas’s cottage roof.

‘Help me!’

Gilmore seemed to hang in the air for a moment. His scream curdled the blood.

‘Gilmore!’ Silas dashed in beneath the unfortunate gnome, seeking to position himself so he might catch Gilmore when he fell. A dangerous notion, considering the speed of descent, but the man would surely suffer grievous injury otherwise. Silas glanced at the grinning man at his side. The viciousness that simmered within Tobias Astaroth’s emerald eyes was breathtaking.

‘Stop!’ Jane’s command came with a rush of violent wind. A great force swept past Silas, lifting the hairs on his head. The gust swept in beneath the tumbling Gilmore, and at once his downward journey halted in a dead stop in midair. The gnome sobbed, hanging limp against his invisible support, drifting slowly down, a leaf upon a gentle breeze.

‘Why must you ruin my fun?’ Tobias folded his arms, staring hard at Jane as she approached, a pout upon his full lips.

The sun drifted from behind a cloud, its rays setting his eyes alight once more, and marking the pronounced angles of his face. Despite his notable injuries, his odd beauty, accentuated by bowed lips and long dark lashes, was still evident. Rather captivating, if Silas were honest, but he’d just now glimpsed a ferocity beneath the delicate exterior which lent it a certain ugliness. 

About the Author  

Danielle K Girl is an Aussie who lives in stunning Tasmania with her three furkids, cats Luffy, Sweetie and Ren.

Her idea of heaven is a farm full of rescue animals, with a vegie garden that sprouts peanut M&M’s and chocolate wheaten biscuits.

When she’s not keyboard-deep in mysterious, beguiling worlds, she is binge watching K-Dramas, listening to K-Pop or hiking through the beautiful Tasmanian wilderness.

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

Newsletter Sign-up

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Friday, 15 April 2022

Release Blitz with Review - Yours, Everlasting by Beth Bolden

 

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Yours, Everlasting

Author: Beth Bolden

Cover Artist: Sleepy Fox Studio

Release Date: April 6, 2022

Genre: Fantasy MM Romance

Tropes: Opposites attract, road trip romance, secret admirer

Themes: Good versus evil, staying true to one’s self, redemption

Length: 92 000 words

Heat Rating:  4 flames      

It is not a standalone story. It is book 2 in the Enchanted Folklore series and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |   Amazon UK  

Blurb

Evrard . . .Rhys . . .Evander . . .

Evander has gone by many names in the last thousand years. He’s lived almost as many lives, using his immortality and his unique shapeshifting abilities to become anyone and anything. His goal was simple: to eradicate the malevolent magic threatening all humankind.

After finally succeeding, Evander feels he’s earned a justifiable and peaceful retirement. But the past never stays buried, and he discovers that it’s been watching him . . .

Marcos, the Guardian of War, has waited, he’s observed, he’s admired, and he’s yearned. But now it’s time for him to step into the light and let Evander see him for who he truly is.

But fate is fickle, destinies aren’t set in stone, and as much as Marcos hopes Evander might be his, it will be the fight of his life to not only win Evander’s heart, but to defeat the evil that once again raises its sinister head.

My Two Pennies' Worth 


Loved this.  It had the same fun vibe as the first story with a great sense of adventure, banishment, gods, belief, and some real hero shenanigans.

 I read book one some time ago so the details were hazy but I found the important stuff came back to me quite quickly. 

I adored Marcos from the very start and watching Evander learn to trust and finally love him was an absolute joy to watch. 

* enemies to lovers

* pining. 

* loved you for a thousand years

* quest

* banishment 

 

Excerpt 

Marcos knew he would not tire easily, but Rhys—Evander, that was Evander under that unassuming exterior, a marvel that would never fail to astonish him—undoubtedly would.

After watching him for hundreds of years, both keeping near to him, and also keeping his distance, Marcos was still not sure how reduced his power was.

Marcos knew he’d retained some of the magic he’d possessed before, but unlike when he’d been the Guardian of Secrets, now, he was clearly more particular about how and when he used it.

“We should stop for a rest,” Marcos said, after they’d been walking all night and partway into the day, almost without pause.

They’d stopped once, to fill their waterskins at a cold, bubbling stream. They’d long since left Beaulieu behind, and they had not even passed through a single village. Out of choice, Marcos had assumed, but it still surprised him that Evander kept to the disguise of Rhys.

Surely now that Marcos had revealed himself, Evander would let the shape of unassuming, gruff Rhys melt away until he finally was himself again.

Except not once, as far as Marcos knew, had Evander taken his normal shape since he’d been banished.

But now, now that he was with Marcos again, surely the subterfuge was unnecessary.

Rhys glared at him. Even after all these hundreds of years, watching Evander be someone else, he was not used to seeing Evander stare out at him through someone else’s face. “Do you need to stop?” he asked.

“No, of course I do not,” Marcos said. “I am a Guardian, I could walk all the way up the North Mountain without stopping. But . . .”

“But I am no longer a Guardian,” Rhys interrupted him. “Your point is clear.”

But even if it was clear, Rhys was obviously annoyed that Marcos had brought it up.

He doesn’t trust you, he thinks you’re to blame, which isn’t all that surprising, and now he thinks you’re patronizing him.

It was not the most auspicious beginning, but Marcos still held out hope that maybe they could forge a partnership, even after all this time had passed.

He just had to stop himself from saying the wrong thing and angering Evander—he is Rhys, Marcos reminded himself—even more.

So far, he had not managed even that.

Rhys stopped when the sun reached its zenith in the sky, finding a shady grouping of trees, with a large fallen log they could rest next to.

“Is this sufficient?” There was still a bite to Rhys’ words.

“Perfectly sufficient,” Marcos said, taking care to make sure there was no additional inflection to his words that would anger Rhys further. He certainly was not going to be stupid enough to remind the ex-Guardian that he did not need to rest at all.

Rhys settled down against the log. He looked tired. Perhaps if he changed forms, back to Evander, he might find additional strength. Maintaining a different form could be a strain on his power reserves.

Marcos would have suggested it but the silence that had fallen between them, and Rhys’ defensiveness every time he made even the simplest suggestion, kept him quiet.

He waited until Rhys closed his eyes, and then shut his own, sure that Rhys, who was obviously exhausted, would fall asleep quickly.

But a moment later, Rhys spoke up. “You did not mean to reveal yourself to me.”

Marcos had never been as accomplished a liar as Evander had been. He’d never needed to be. Fighting was often straightforward, with little need for deception, and he’d never gotten into the practice of telling falsehoods well.

He could lie, but it was unlikely Rhys would believe him, and the chances of Rhys being even angrier at the lie were considerable.

“No,” he said carefully. “No, I did not mean to reveal myself.”

Rhys looked like Rhys, and not anything like Evander, not like . . . not like the Guardian he’d known for so many years . . . but Marcos’ heart beat faster anyway when he opened his eyes and Rhys was staring at him—like he was trying to figure Marcos out, still.

About the Author 

A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas.

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |   BookBub

Instagram  |  Newsletter Sign-up

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $20 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Monday, 11 April 2022

Release Blitz with ARC Reviews - Never Have I Evan by DJ Jamison

 

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Never Have I Evan

Author: DJ Jamison

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood

Release Date: April 7, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Experienced/inexperienced, jock/geek, bi-awakening, virgin, small town

Themes: Pursuing your dreams, building a new future, moving on from your past. 

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length: approx. 95 000 words

It’s book 1 of the Games We Play series. There’s a prequel available through the Your Book Boyfriend’s Boyfriend giveaway on Prolific Works

The book does not end on a cliffhanger. It’s a HEA!

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Blurb

Never Have I Ev... Wait, what was the question again?

What happens when an ill-advised party game makes it obvious I've still got my V-card?

Embarrassment. A lot of embarrassment.

Especially when the sexy, older guy at the party who witnessed the whole thing turns out to be someone I have to see every week. Not to mention my best friend's cousin. 

He's not only straight, but way out of my league.

It's going to be so awkward for both of us.

Or awesome...if his protective nature and flirty attempts to teach me how to date lead to the kind of tutoring that lives in my fantasies. But how likely is that to happen? I'm not known as the sweet, naive one among my friends for nothing.

I'm probably imagining those looks he throws my way. Probably projecting my own want onto his expression.

But...what if I'm not?

Never Have I Evan features an inexperienced, shy tech geek, an assistant football coach who oozes confidence, a town full of quirky, nosy residents, and sexual awakening and discovery themes!

My Two Pennies' Worth 

Lovely. Very cute Jock/geek story. NA as Evan is 19 and Dawson is early 20s. 

Just chock full of some delicious tropes. 

* nerd/jock

* bisexual awakening 

* friends with benefits to lovers

* virgin MC

* never kissed a guy before

* not as straight as he thought

* small town

* great friends


I liked Two Truths and a Lyle, which is a freebie book for the whole of this year, but I absolutely adored this one.  

Highly recommended. I can't wait for an audio. 


Excerpt

“Linc was moving fast. His hands were all over you.”

I flushed, remembering the uncomfortable feeling of Linc pressing close. I’d ordered myself to relax, to try to enjoy the attention.

“Isn’t finding a guy who actually wants to be close to me the point?” I said before I could properly filter my thoughts. The words came out strangely accusatory.

Dawson didn’t flinch from my words though. He grew even more intense. “No. The idea was for you to flirt a little and get comfortable with seeing yourself as someone worthy of attention.”

“Okay…”

“You are, Ev. You deserve someone who will appreciate everything about you, from your intelligence to your sweet blushes. Not just your…”

“What?”

His voice came out in a whisper. “Your amazing ass.”

My face heated as I laughed. “What?”

Dawson took a second to gather his thoughts. “I kind of pushed you into this, when you think about it. I didn’t mean to, but… All that teasing about learning to flirt, and me playing wingman. Maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

He spoke slowly, the words seemingly pulled from somewhere deep inside. “Maybe I was too invested in your sex life.”

My heart skipped. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?

“Why would you be?”

“I don’t know.” He hesitated, then added, “Say the word and we can leave this idea behind. You don’t need to lose your virginity. Who cares as long as you’re happy? If or when you want sex, it’ll happen.”

“But I do want sex!”

I clapped my hand over my mouth, realizing my voice had risen.

Dawson raised an eyebrow. “With Linc?”

I dropped my hand, sighing. “Not really.”

He nodded. “What about with me?”

My breath caught. I stared at him, unable to speak, my brain stuck on his words, sure I’d misheard him. “Sorry?”

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

I licked my lips, suddenly nervous. “Why would you ask me that? You’re not…into men.”

“Not normally,” he said. “But the thing is, I can’t stop thinking about what happened the other night.”

“Your body reacted to stimulus, that’s all. It was embarrassing and awkward, but—”

“It wasn’t just that. I mean, thanks for giving me an easy out, but no. I keep thinking about you, specifically. You and me, and…all the things I could show you.”

Heat washed through me. For once, it wasn’t embarrassment, but something headier. Did Dawson want me?

“I must be dreaming,” I murmured.

“I don’t want there to be any confusion,” he said. “I’ve never been into guys before, and I don’t know why this is different. My last relationship ended horribly, and I’m not sure I can ever date again, can ever have someone trust and rely on me that way. But, uh, we could…explore things. Together.”

“Sex things?” I said, needing to clarify.

Despite the tense tone of the conversation up to this point, Dawson suddenly smiled at me. There was a predatory gleam in his eye. “Yeah, Ev. Sex things.”

I expelled a big breath, my head spinning. It was a lot to process. I’d been so certain Dawson was entirely out of reach—especially after Bonergate. But instead of freaking over his reaction and trying to stay away from me, he wanted to pull me closer. To explore his sexuality with me.

It was probably a terrible idea, right? What if he ended up hating it? What if I fell in love with him while it was just sexual release to him?

But as Dawson Woods, the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen in real life, offered himself to me, I knew I’d never say no. Dawson checked all my boxes. Even if it was only physical, it would be incredible to experience it with him. And unlike Linc, or any of those guys on apps, I knew him. I trusted him.

“Okay,” I said, knowing I might never get a chance like this again. “Yeah.”

If there was emotional fallout, I’d deal with it later.

“Yeah?”

Some sense of preservation made me say, “But you’ve got to kiss me first. I’ve never been properly kissed, and—”

I want to be sure you’re not turned off by it.

Dawson’s mouth came down on mine before I could finish my sentence.

About the Author

DJ Jamison writes romances about everyday life and extraordinary love featuring a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Facebook Group  |   Twitter

Instagram  |   Newsletter Sign-up  |   KoFi for bonus content  |  BookBub

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

$10 Amazon US gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Saturday, 9 April 2022

Release Blitz - Uprising (Rebellion #3) by Annabelle Jacobs

 

 





Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Length: 82,000 approx.

Rebellion Series

Book #1 - Escape
Book #2 - Defiance

Isaac had lost Michael once. He wouldn’t survive a second time…

Michael

Five years ago, he became the alpha of the most influential London pack. Responsible for monitoring and suppressing the human resistance, also known as the Candidate Evacuation Group.
A group he’d secretly founded.
Now exposed and on the run, labelled a traitor by his peers, he finds refuge in the home of the man he left behind. The only man he’s ever loved.
For Michael, that love burns as bright as it always has, but they’ve been apart a long time. He can’t expect Isaac to still feel the same.
But he can hope.

Isaac

When Michael left for London after the war, he took Isaac’s heart with him, promising to return when the time was right. But that took longer than either of them expected.
Now he’s back, with the whole of the Shifter Alliance Party out for his blood. But being together is hard. Long-buried feelings bubble to the surface, and rekindling an old romance is low on the list of priorities—they have a rebellion to fight.
Isaac will protect Michael with his life.
Always.
But trusting him with his heart again isn’t nearly as easy.

Uprising is an angsty MM paranormal romance with second chances, suspense, and all the feels.



Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats. An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They're usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

Twitter – https://twitter.com/AJacobs_fiction
Website – www.annabellejacobs.com
Email – ajacobsfiction@gmail.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ajacobsfiction


a Rafflecopter giveaway