Wednesday 30 June 2021

Release Blitz - Flowers Under My Pillow by Nell Iris

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Flowers Under My Pillow

Author: Nell Iris

Publisher: JMS Books

Cover Artist: Written Ink Designs

Release Date: June 26, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope: Soul mates

Themes: Older characters (40+), instant connection, meet cute 

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length:  17 477 words

It is a standalone story

Goodreads

Buy Links 

JMS Books  |  Universal Link 

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Smiling brown eyes. A dark beard. Dandelions. Sunny, happy dandelions.

Blurb

Smiling brown eyes. A dark beard. Dandelions. Sunny, happy dandelions.

For thirty years, Frode’s had the same dream. Every Midsummer’s Eve since he was a kid accompanying his sister to pick flowers to put under his pillow, he’s dreamed of the same man. A dream he never shares with anyone, that makes him wish for impossible things…like true love.

“It’s you.”

Then one Midsummer’s Eve, the man of Frode’s dreams stands before him in the flesh. Both men recognize each other despite never having met in real life. Both men are instantly drawn to each other and want to know more.

“Who are you, Viljar? Are you even real?”

Their questions are many but do the whys and the hows matter? Or should they allow the Midsummer magic that brought them together to lead the way into each other’s arms? Into each other’s hearts?

Traditional Swedish folklore tells you that if you pick seven kinds of flowers in silence and put them under your pillow on Midsummer’s Eve, you’ll dream of the man you’ll marry.


My Two Pennies' Worth

Short midsummer story about folklore, dreams and One True Love. 

 Nell Iris has done it again with a gentle, lyrical love story. 

 Sweet and magical. 

 And an absolutely adorable cover.

Excerpt

When I look around to take in my surroundings, I realize my feet have carried me to the cottage without me noticing, and something catches my attention on the lawn on the other side of the fence.

A closer look reveals a tripod with a big, professional-looking camera attached on top. And underneath it, a man lies on his back, surrounded by a starry sky of tiny white flowers growing low in the grass. I don’t want to disturb him and I’m just about to sneak away when he turns his head toward me. 

Warm brown eyes, with crow’s feet radiating out from the corners, meet mine. But it’s his full beard, scattered with dandelions, that makes my heart tumble over itself in my chest. 

Smiling eyes. A full beard. Dandelions. 

Dandelions

My hand flies to my chest as I forget how to breathe. 

It’s him.

****

The man’s eyes widen, then he springs to his feet, banging his knee into the tripod almost making it topple over, but his arm shoots out, his big hand landing on the camera, stopping it from crashing down onto the grass.

“It’s you,” he says, his voice a deep rumble emanating from the pit of his stomach, vibrating its way to me, settling in my core.

It’s you. 

What does he mean? Does he recognize me, too? 

“It’s you,” he says again as he takes a few hesitant steps in my direction. His eyes never leave my face. 

“It’s you,” I echo, brows furrowed. 

The improbability of it all, of my recurring dream materializing and standing in front of me, makes me take a step backward. He leaps forward, dislodging a couple of the dandelions from his beard by the sudden movement, and I watch them sail to the ground. 

When I look up at him again, it’s as though I’m zooming out of my body and look at the two of us from a distance. Two men, separated by a white picket fence, staring at each other as though they’ve seen a ghost, as though they both think they must be hallucinating. His features are so familiar; I know every line radiating from the corner of his eyes, every strand of his beard. I know all the nuances of brown in his dark eyes; as though someone swirled chocolate into a deep well of coffee and then sprinkled some gold into the mix to make it irresistible. I know the sensitive setting of his mouth. I know the intense gaze.

It makes me dizzy, and I stumble but manage to keep myself upright. I take another wobbly step backward.

“Don’t go,” he says. “Please.” He stops but holds out his hand as though he wants to touch me to make sure I’m real. 

The feeling is mutual. How is this even possible? How can the man I’ve dreamed about every Midsummer these last thirty years be right here a few steps from me? As though I’ve dreamed him into existence. 

I drag my gaze away from his face and take in the rest of him. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, his biceps are straining the short sleeves of his button-down shirt. He’s got a rounded belly and meaty thighs filling out his faded jeans, and his big wide feet are bare in the grass. 

Heat stirs between my hips. God, he’s not only the literal man of my dreams, but he’s hot as sin, too. When I force myself to look away from his body, our gazes meet. 

“You recognize me, too,” he says, eyes pleading. “I can tell from your reaction.”

I dip my chin once. “I do.”

My heart flutters in my chest like the wings of a colibri. Another dandelion falls from his beard and my gaze follows it down as it lands softly on the ground. 

My mind spins with questions and it’s making me dizzy again. How can the man from my dreams stand before me in the flesh? A living, breathing human being? A living breathing human being who recognizes me too?  

When our eyes meet again, I read the same confusion in him. 

About the Author 

Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies room), loves music (and singing along at the top of her voice but she’s no Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (Make it so). She loves words, bullet journals, poetry, wine, coffee-flavored kisses, and fika (a Swedish cultural thing involving coffee and pastry!)

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a bisexual Swedish woman married to the love of her life, a proud mama of a grown daughter, and is approaching 50 faster than she’d like. She lives in the south of Sweden where she spends her days thinking up stories about people falling in love. After dreaming about being a writer for most of her life, she finally was in a place where she could pursue her dream and released her first book in 2017.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angsty, short over long, and quirky characters over alpha males. 

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook Author Page  |  Facebook Profile

Twitter  |   Instagram   |  Goodreads

Pinterest  |  BookBub  |  Newsletter

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win

one of three ebook copies from Nell's backlist

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Audiobook Review Tour - This is Not a Horror Movie by Sara Dobie Bauer

 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TOUR

Book Title: This is Not a Horror Movie

Author: Sara Dobie Bauer

Narrator: Blake Lockheart

Publisher: Self-published

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow Designs

Release Date: June 8, 2021

Length: 8 hours and 57 mins

Genres: M/M new adult, gay paranormal romance, LGBTQ, romantic comedy

Trope: Friends to lovers

Themes: non-explicit, humorous, teens, summer vacation, hauntings, evil spirits

Heat Rating:  2 flames

Warnings: Scenes of graphic violence, death of minor characters, mentions of bullying, alcohol use

It is a standalone story.

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links

Audible US   |  Audible UK

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Emory Jones loves two things: horror movies and Connor Nichols. 

Blurb

Emory Jones loves two things: horror movies and Connor Nichols. 

For the past four years, Emory, Connor, and their families have vacationed side by side on Longboat Key, Florida. Eighteen-year-old Emory has pined for his neighbor from behind the covers of Stephen King books, but college boy Connor has never noticed him. Probably because Emory looks like Jack Skellington with good hair.

Emory anticipates another predictable summer of sunburn and disappointment. Instead, he ends up with a mystery on his hands when a beloved beach bum goes missing, and Connor volunteers to help with the search. Turns out it’s not just scary movie cops who are worthless, so the boys start an investigation of their own—leading them straight to an abandoned beach resort.

Despite the danger, Emory and Connor grow closer, but as Emory’s gay dreams start coming true, so do the horror movie tropes he so loves. Even though he knows that sex equals death in slasher flicks, Emory can’t keep his hands off the guy of his teenage dreams.


My Two Pennies' Worth

I love this author's work even though they write on the darker side of romance. And this story is no exception. It's sweet and funny and captures Young Adults perfectly. Emory, the narrator, is adorable. Unable to see that a growth spurt and late puberty have turned him 'hot', he still sees the bookish, bullied nerd that jocks pushed around in high school. He's also a horror geek, books, films, shows, it doesn't matter to him; he laps it up. And it shapes a lot of the way he sees the world around him. Connor is 20, a couple of years older than Emory and for the last few years has been a constant presence in Emory's vacation life, and Emory's massive crush. Their first tentative steps at a relationship are glorious and I really loved watching them dance around each other.

I'd strongly recommend you picking this up.

About the Author 

Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling romance author and mental health / LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She lives with her hottie husband and precious pup in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film.

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Private Facebook Group

Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Newsletter Sign-up  |  Freebies  

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Saturday 26 June 2021

Release Blitz - Defiance by Annabelle Jacobs

 

 




Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Length: 72,000 words approx.

Rebellion Series

Book #1 - Escape - All Buy Links

Blurb

Returning to their pack was always going to be dangerous, but is the fight for freedom worth the cost?

Cole and Logan return to London, ready to execute their plan of connecting with the human resistance. But with both of them blamed for the deaths resulting from Cole’s escape attempt, they receive a less than warm welcome from the McKillan pack.

Cole gets a second chance, but it’s not without restrictions, and he must toe the line and do whatever it takes to fit in. But earning the trust of his alpha and fellow shifters comes at a price.

For Logan, being close to Cole and unable to touch him is a daily torment, but watching from the sidelines while Cole learns what it means to be a McKillan enforcer is pushing him to his limits.

Both men must play their parts to perfection if they want Cole to be accepted into the pack, and that means doing what’s asked of them, no matter the cost.

Defiance is an angsty MM paranormal romance, featuring established relationship, secrecy and intrigue, and all the pining.


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

Friday 25 June 2021

Release Blitz - Top Shelf (Boston Rebels, 1)

 Top Shelf (Boston Rebels, 1)

GLBTQ, MM, Hockey Romance

Genre: Hockey Romance

Trope: Best Friend's Brother

Released: 25 June 2021

Publisher: Love Lane Books

Series: Boston Rebels

Length: 51,000 words

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56990636-top-shelf

All Buy Links can be found here: http://mmhockeyromance.com/Rebels1 

Available - Wide Release

ISBN - 9781785642456

#BestFriendsBrother #MMHockeyRomance #NewSeries

Top Shelf (Boston Rebels 1)

Acting on the attraction to his best friend’s brother has always been off the table for Xander until a passionate hookup with Mason at a beach resort begins a love affair that burns long after summer ends.

Mason specializes in assisting same-sex couples on their journey to becoming parents and fighting every rule that blocks his way in the stuck-in-the-past agency that hired him. Living in his brother’s pool house is rent-free, and every cent he earns he saves for his dream—that one day he’d have his own company helping others. The downside is that he has to see his annoying brother every day, the upside is that his brother’s teammates from the Boston Rebels make regular visits. The eye candy that passes Mason’s window is almost enough to make him consider dating a hockey player, but not just any player though. Ever since Xander—his brother’s childhood friend—came out as gay at a press conference, Mason’s puppy love has turned into a burning attraction he can no longer ignore.

Hockey has been one of Xander’s main focuses since he was old enough to balance on skates. Well, hockey and Mason Kingsley, but Mason was always unattainable. Now that he’s about to see thirty candles on his birthday cake and is no longer hiding the fact he’s gay, he’s ready to find a soul mate to make his life complete. A summer vacation is just what he needs to have time to think, but when the Boston Rebels arriving in paradise with Mason in tow, thinking is the last thing he needs. One torrid night under a balmy moon and rules about not messing with his best friend’s brother vanish on a warm, tropical breeze.

Summer romances don’t generally last past Labor Day, but with the new season about to begin Xander and Mason are going to have to face the world and decide if their love is real enough to withstand everything.

http://www.rjscott.co.uk/read-topshelf


Series Details


Boston Rebels - RJ Scott & V.L. Locey


0.5 - Lost In Boston - Free Prequel - get free here:  https://rjscott.co.uk/LIB_Master

Top Shelf (Boston Rebels 1)

Back Check (Boston Rebels 2) - 31 August 2021

Snowed (Boston Rebels 3) - 3 December 2021

Royal Lines (Boston Rebels 4) - Coming 2022

Bar Down (Boston Rebels 5) - Coming 2022

Snipe (Boston Rebels 6) - Coming 2022


GIVEAWAY TO CELEBRATE RELEASE 

https://kingsumo.com/g/ljyeyy/top-shelf-boston-rebels-1-release-competition

1 x $10 Gift Card plus, 2 prizes of an ebook from our backlists

Closes 9 July 9am, London




Saturday 19 June 2021

🌈 MM Romance Instagram Event 🌈



Does Working Men conjure up thoughts of hot sweaty builders or thick thighed cowboys? You'll be sure to find something like that in this collection. But I'm concentrating on teachers. Hard working. Dedicated. Shitty pay. Enforced holiday dates. And stroppy teens. Who'd be a teacher? Check out Drew and Nathan's story for a job that is as rewarding as it is infuriating.



18 authors are taking part in this 'working man' instagram event.


Two random winners will receive a book from my backlist list. How to make it happen? Simple:


🍀 Follow me for one entry

🍀  Like and save my post for another entry

🍀 Tag a friend in the comments (you can tag multiple people, each in a separate comment, to increase your chances of winning) lots of extra entries

Enter the competition here.


And… That’s it! The giveaway closes 21 June 09:00 London ⏰. The winners will be chosen randomly from all entries.



GOOD LUCK! 😘 🍀


Other authors taking part in the event include: @adellisauthor, @anytasunday, @batortuga, @authorbeccaseymour, @bethlaycockwrites, @caradeewrites, @charleydescoteaux, @emycalirel, @jackienorth_author, @jayhoganauthor, @jodipayne1800, @k.evan.coles, @kasiabacon, @rjscott_author, @susanscottshelley, @vl_locey, @victoriasueauthor

Thursday 17 June 2021

Expand your TBR with these books about hard-working men

 


Men who work hard for a living... 

I've joined up with 27 other gay romance authors to celebrate the working man. 

Sometimes you read a book and the main characters' jobs are incidental to the plot, just background noise. Not in these recommendations. These men are hard-working, dedicated to their jobs. Or their jobs play an important role in the plot. 

This collection of  bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a selection of wonderful books featuring working men - cowboys & ranchers, first responders, blue-collar, white-collar, rent boys, MC gangs... and in my case, teachers. 

Hard working. Dedicated. Shitty pay. Enforced holiday dates. And stroppy teens. Who'd be a teacher? Ask Drew and Nathan.

All the books in this promo are here: https://books.bookfunnel.com/working_man/hwtcnuq996

I'm focusing on Lesson Learned. It's set in a Welsh secondary school and both characters are teachers. And their jobs play a large part in the plot and their developing relationship. There's teen drama, misunderstandings, pining, oblivious idiots, hurt/comfort, and someone is quite literally stuck in the (supply) closet. But as always there's a HEA.


Tired of running, has Drew finally found someone worth staying in one place for?

Drew Jackson is sick of constantly being on the move, running away from his mistakes, his desires, and a secret-filled past. He's decided his new teaching job in Cardiff is his chance to finally settle down. Perhaps here he can have a home, and even friendships that won't end in disaster. Like his growing rapport with history teacher Nathan Morgan.

Nathan has been careful to keep his sexuality a secret at work. He doesn't want that kind of attention from the student body. There's one body he would like attention from, though—the new science teacher, Drew. But it's much too risky to let Drew know how he feels. He won't gamble their fledgling friendship on an awkward confession of lust. And Drew's probably straight anyway.

Their friendship is derailed when a student's accusation forces a reluctant confession. Drew is tempted to run again until he comes face to face with the inescapable realisation that flight has ruined every relationship he's ever had.

But maybe he's finally found someone worth staying in one place for.


"A light and easy read with the entertaining comfort of a classic British comedy (well, with a dash more drama). (Lillian Francis) draws characters with a crisp, clean precision, creates stories with a full palette of memorable details, and moves the plot along with a clear sense of structure and rhythm. Her sense of wit is given room to play in Lesson Learned, with funny bits of dialogue running throughout, providing a counterpoint to a serious plot point in the second half. It's a breezy, comfortable book that can make an intense day feel lighter." - Amazon reviewer Feb 2020




Monday 7 June 2021

Read with Pride - Resistance Reduced

Celebrate Pride Month with some of our favorite books available on all platforms



I've teamed up with a gaggle of other authors to celebrate Pride month by bringing some of our favourite books to your attention. Many of them have a deal on them too so you can grab some of those books you've missed at a reduced price. 

All books are available at a variety of retailers (not just the 'zon). 

All the books are here: https://books.bookfunnel.com/readwithpride/8en2287q4i

I'm offering up Resistance, book 1 in my Village Love series, for just 99c. That works out at under 80p for us Brits!


Resistance

How long can you wait on a promise?

After his first night with Mal, Rick broke the habit of a lifetime and invited the sexy radiographer to spend the weekend in the sleepy English village he called home. Rick isn’t in denial but he’s afraid to reveal his sexuality in the close-knit community that has known him since he was a babe in arms.

The sex is amazing but equally Mal loves lazy days spent in the garden at Slopy Bottom, and every precious moment he spends with Rick. For Mal the village quickly becomes an oasis of peace, far from the noise and grime of life in London, a slice of tranquillity with Rick at the heart. But Mal has defied his family and his religion to be true to himself, and there is no way can he join Rick in his self-built closet, no matter how comfortable it is...

Rick is afraid revealing the true nature of his relationship with Mal will change the way his neighbours see him. He adores these people, this village, and he can’t face the thought of losing everything over who he chooses to sleep with. When the alternative is giving up a man who has slotted perfectly into his life—a man who he might just love—it’s no choice at all. But, knowing what has to be done isn’t always as easy as putting it into practice.