Category: Excerpt

Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway: Foolish Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James

Synopsis

ALEKS

After my divorce, I’m ready to have fun, date around, and not get into anything serious. Then I meet Gabe Crosby, superhero firefighter and a disgrace to the Crosby name. He doesn’t even like hockey!

Yet, there’s a draw to him I can’t deny—something I haven’t felt since my teens. But that’s the problem. I have no idea what dating is like, let alone how to do it with another man. He makes me flakey and nervous, and I’ve never been that guy.

Gabe turns me inside out and upside down in the best possible ways. I only recently became single, but if I continue to chase after him, I might not stay that way for long.


GABE

When I meet Aleksander Emerson during an emergency call-out, there are three things that catch my attention: his sexy tattoos, his kind eyes, and his drunken offer to have my babies.

He’s new to Seattle and recently divorced, so I take him under my wing–and under my sheets. I’m showing him what the world of hookups is like, only those hookups turn into sleepovers and dates and public displays of jealousy.

Aleks is in his casual era, and I’m working my way toward settling down and starting a family. What the two of us have is fun, but not a good idea permanently.

Too bad Aleks has already set my life on fire.

Release Date: April 13, 2023

Genre: M/M Sports Romance
Trope: First time dating, hockey

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs
Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography
Model: Gabriel B.

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Excerpt

When my teammates and I walk into the firehouse, Sanden glances at us from where he’s wiping down one of the trucks. His face lights up.

“Is that your man?” Katz asks.

“You’re Brennen Katz,” Sanden says and then turns to my other teammate. “And you’re Cody Bilson.”

“Not him,” I say. “My guy wouldn’t even know who you two are.”

“Then I definitely disapprove.” Katz approaches Sanden and throws his arm around his shoulders. “You should date this guy instead. He’s a fan.”

Sanden laughs. “Sorry, Aleks is so not my type.”

“Ah. Straight?”

“Nope. Just not into the big and brawny thing.”

Bilson looks confused. “Wait … are we … are hockey players not attractive in queer circles? Why does this feel like an abomination on society as a whole?”

“Are you sure you want to go with queer people are an abomination?” I ask.

“Anyone who doesn’t find me attractive, then yes.” Bilson pouts.

“Only Bilson could be offended for not being attractive to someone he’s not even interested in,” Katz says. “You watch, now he’ll have to run out and find his next wife so he can have that validation.”

I turn to Bilson. “You have issues, man.”

“Don’t we all?” Bilson spots a woman in uniform heading up the stairs to the upper level. “What can I say? I have a weakness.” He automatically follows the blonde, and when I watch him go, my eyes catch on someone coming down the same stairs. He looks so fucking sexy in his navy uniform, but I do wish he was wearing his fireman pants with the hot-as-fuck suspenders.

I smile and hold up the billion pies we ordered.

“You wanted to see me that badly you felt you needed to bribe me and my coworkers with food? How cheap do you think we are?”

“Did it work?”

He points to the balcony above us that overlooks the truck bays. “What does that tell you?”

There are six guys watching us.

“Are they looking at me or the pizza?”

“Definitely the pizza,” Gabe says and takes half of the boxes from me. “Come meet the team.”

Sanden puts down his towel. “Break time.”

“Truck doesn’t look clean,” Gabe sings without even looking at it.

“How does he know?” Sanden complains and gets back to work.

“You don’t let the poor man eat?” I ask.

“He needs to get his chores done first.”

“You’d make the meanest parent ever.”

“I plan on it.”

I ignore the trickling guilt about kids because unlike in my marriage, Gabe doesn’t mean with me. Anytime Rebecca brought up the topic of kids, I’d find an excuse to change the subject. I don’t need to do that here because Gabe and I won’t ever get to that serious point.

I know that. He knows that.

We’re dating. That’s it.

Gabe introduces me to everyone, but I forget their names as quickly as he says them. It’s daunting, almost like a meet-the-family thing, but all of his team are hockey fans, and they’re easy to converse with. When in doubt, mention hockey.

Katz and I are talking to Gabe’s chief when Bilson comes over to us. “I’m in love.”

“Oh boy, here we go,” Katz says.

I add, “So much for a firehouse being safe from Bilson’s love life.”

Gabe’s hand lands on my bicep. “Can I steal you for a moment?”

Anytime.

His hand trails down my arm, and I interlace my fingers with his as I follow him outside and around the corner into an alley.

“What are we doing out here?”

Gabe slams me into the wall, backing me against it, but then laughs. “Oops. I thought you hockey players knew how to brace for hard hits.”

“When we’re expecting them, but that was nothing. Actually, it was kind of hot.”

“Only kind of?”

I lick my lips. “Mm, I can think of a way it could be hotter.”

Gabe presses against me, lowering his voice. “Yeah? How?”

Instead of answering him, I fuse my lips to his and push my tongue inside his mouth.

He moans, and my cock strains against my pants. His hands roam my chest while mine settle on his ass and pull him flush against me.

When he’s had his fill, he pulls away breathless. “As much as I’d fucking love to get your cock out right here and now, I’m on duty.”

“I know.”

“Considering we live in the same damn city, you’d think we’d be able to see each other more than our one date.”

“It doesn’t help that I’m never here, and when I am, you’re working.”

“We have to figure out a system.”

I nod. “We really do. I’m starting to worry you’re all talk. How do I know how awesome your dick really is if I can never get near it?”

“When are you back from your road trip?”

“Eight days.”

Gabe grunts. “Another reason for me to hate hockey.”

“You know, every time you mention that, the hockey gods smite the closest hockey player. You wouldn’t want to smite me, would you? I have a Stanley Cup to win.”

“A Stanley who?”

“Now you’ve done it. Don’t jinx me. I need to impress my new team.”

Gabe sighs. “Fine. Go sports. Rah, rah.” He pretends he’s holding pom-poms.

“That’s better. Even if it’s sarcastic.”

Gabe smiles, but his face falls when a ringing alarm echoes from the building. “Damn. Gotta go.” He kisses my cheek and runs back inside, calling out as he does, “I’ll text you later.”

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About the Author

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

With a short attention span that rivals her son’s, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.

She’s also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don’t make sense to anyone else.

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About the Author

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

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Blog Tour, Excerpts & Giveaway + Review: A Long Way Home By Blake Allwood

Coming Home Series, Book 1

With the odds stacked against them, will they be able to overcome, or will their pasts push them apart, forever?

Gib clings to family, while being afraid to trust them. As a former foster child, he clings to security denied to him in early childhood. When he begins having feelings for one of his best friends and fellow medical school student, all his issues are expanded.

Allan has everything a kid from a wealthy New York family could have. When he decides to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Harvard trained doctor, he didn’t anticipate meeting and falling for the enigmatic Gibson Ridley.

With Allan’s daddy issues, and Gib’s fear of intimacy, the stakes couldn’t have greater risks. Can these two men work through their issues and give love a chance, or will they lose it forever?

NOTE: A Long Road Home is a low-heat, sweet, high drama romance.

Triggers: Death, loss of family members, orphaned children, trauma, fear of loss, recovery, homophobia…

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An exclusive excerpt from A Long Way Home

Dreamy, drop-dead gorgeous. I couldn’t breathe.

Gib Ridley was tall, at least six foot three. Beautiful dusty-blond hair fell across his forehead, longer than it should’ve been, but still suiting his handsome face. He had an air about him that said controlled and well put together. I wanted to take him apart the moment we met, and that was before hearing his sexy-as-hell Southern accent.

I turned into a blubbering idiot whenever I was around Gib, and continued to flirt with him as if my life depended on it. Unfortunately, the guy was clueless. Fuck, I thought, he’s straight. I finally meet a man who ticks all my boxes, and he’s fucking straight.

I resigned myself to my secret crush. Over the weeks I watched him, getting to know him as a friend, and hoping against hope he was gay, and maybe I had a chance. Gib was quiet, but not what I’d call shy, to say nothing of his occasional dark expressions and contemplative brooding. He was more of a take me or leave me kind of guy. There was also something about the way he held himself, almost like he was a proper Southern gentleman from another time. Of course, that pushed all my buttons.

It took a long time to fully break the ice with Gib. He was friendly, but guarded, and wasn’t forthcoming about his family or background. We knew he didn’t have a scholarship, so he must come from money, but nothing about him seemed to convey that.

I doubted Gib ever worried what others thought, and for that, I was really jealous. I might have been out and proud, but I still obsessed about how I looked, how I moved, and if I was being too femme, or not femme enough. I was a total queen, and I knew it.

After the first month secretly pining for Gib, I’d had enough. I needed help figuring this out, or I was going to drive myself mad. “Alexi, help!” I finally asked, when we were alone together.

“Help what?” she asked as she started the coffee machine I kept in my room.

“Is he gay? I have to know!”

Alexi looked at me knowingly, and asked, “Who?”

“Ugh, you’re such a bitch! You know who.”

Alexi just smirked. “Here’s a clue, you’ve literally thrown yourself at the guy since you met him. He’s not made any moves, right?”

I sighed and lay back on my bed. “That doesn’t mean he’s not gay. He could just be shy.”

Alexi laughed out loud. “Listen, if it’ll make you feel better, we’ll find out.”

I jumped off my bed and grabbed Alexi in a bear hug, nearly causing her to drop her coffee. “You’re the best friend ever!” I exclaimed. She just shook her head.

Excerpt 2

I sat on the lonely bench nestled in the trees, ignoring the coolness of the air. I loved spending time in the small hidden alcove when I wasn’t in class. The other students bustled around me, but unless they looked straight at me, they rarely knew I was there.

My classes were hard. I knew they would be, of course, but knowing and experiencing were two very different things. The university I’d gone to for pre-med had done absolutely nothing to prepare me for Harvard Medical School.

As I hefted my monster textbook onto my lap, regretting my decision to buy a real book, instead of using the e-book option most of my classmates used. I noticed two men making out across from me. Either they couldn’t see me, or didn’t care, and I was trying not to be too much of a perv by staring, but even now, seeing two handsome guys kissing and in public sent chills through my body.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as I tore my gaze away. That’s never going to be me. Even if by some miracle someone decided they liked me, I doubted I’d ever feel comfortable with PDAs like those two men.

I’d always known I was gay, long before I ever acknowledged it to anyone, myself included. Growing up in a conservative, small Southern town, being out wasn’t really a viable option. I also knew as long as I stayed there, it was unlikely I’d ever have a long-term relationship with anyone. One of my hopes in attending Harvard, before I’d actually experienced it at least, was that maybe I’d find love here. My hopes had yet to materialize in the form of a man, though.

Other than hooking up with the occasional stranger, I hadn’t made any friends during undergraduate school either, and mostly just studied and kept to myself, exactly like I was doing now at Harvard. Seeing men openly kissing and holding hands here on campus felt liberating, but also made me feel even lonelier.

I flipped my textbook closed and forced the monster into my already overpacked bookbag.

I quickly glanced over at the two kissing men and sighed inwardly. No, I’d never have that. I was pathetically shy and missed my siblings, although I couldn’t really call them that anymore, could I? It was bad enough that everyone on campus probably thought I was a redneck, because I spoke with a Southern twang. If they knew the two people I’d grown up with and considered my brother and sister were now married and had a kid, well, that would pretty much stick a fork in what was left of my reputation.

I missed Olivia and Chase so much sometimes, it hurt. We’d never been far away from each other before. In high school and college, the other kids thought we were cliquish and pretty much avoided us anyway, because Olivia was a bit of an overly protective jerk. I just didn’t think they understood what it was like being foster children who, at any moment, could lose everything that meant anything to us, including each other.

The alarm on my phone went off, pulling me from my thoughts, and telling me it was time to go to class.

I arrived early enough to sit near the front. I was easily distracted, and sitting in the back didn’t help, so I made a point of getting to all my classes early to grab a prime seat.

“Today, students,” our elderly professor said, looking as if he could drop dead at any moment, “I will pair you up with partners for this course. Make sure you combine your schedules, because your grade will depend on how well each of you perform.”

I sighed. I hated group participation. I always seemed to get stuck with a lazy partner, and more often than not, my grades suffered when they couldn’t or wouldn’t pull their weight.

Gibbon Ridley, you will be paired with Alexi Jones. I looked up just in time to see a beautiful woman, also sitting in the front, stand and walk toward me. Her smile was bright, and it lightened my sour attitude. Before I knew it, I was smiling back at her.

“Gib,” I said, when she shook my outstretched hand.

“Alexi,” she replied. “Hope you like studying.”

I prefer it to failing!” I said, letting the smart-ass side of me slip out.

Instead of offending her, she literally laughed out loud, causing several other students to look over at us.

She blushed a bit before smiling again. “I think we’re going to get along fine.”

That afternoon, as I met Alexi in her dorm room, she introduced me to her friends Fiona and Allen. The three were intense, to say the least.

As they rambled on about several topics at once, Alexi must’ve noticed me staring with a look of surprise and maybe a little envy. “I’m sorry, Gib,” she said. “We’ve known each other since we were kids. We can be a bit much.”

I laughed. “I have siblings and we’re the same way. Trust me, I get it.”

The three welcomed me into their world after that. Apparently, no one wanted to spend time with them, because they were kooky and loud and didn’t give a damn what everyone else thought.

Even though Alexi and I were officially paired together for the entire semester, we were all in med school together, and the three friends came as a package deal, so that is how I became one of the Apple Fritter Gang. The name was a take-off of an old nineteen seventies film called The Apple Dumpling Gang. The moniker didn’t hold much meaning other than cause one of us to pick up apple fritters once a week from the bakery just off campus, which was a perk we all enjoyed.

It wasn’t long before the four of us became inseparable. We really were our own gang, if you could call a small group of geeky med students who studied more than partied a gang. For the first time since my relationship with Olivia and Chase had shifted, I felt like I had people who just got me.

Review

A long way home was an emotional read for many reasons. Gib comes from a foster care background and has spent his life being abandoned over and over, the two people he connected with and considered siblings take their relationship in a romantic direction and he feels he has lost them as well and doesn’t deal at all well. I both could and couldn’t empathise with how he felt, but his reaction to this hurt both them and him and caused him to have issues letting people in once he gets to university.

Allen has a father who only cares about himself and is an ass, he’s also a doctor and has high expectations for his son to follow in his footsteps. Allen is very smart and comes from a rich background, very different to how Gib grew up.

Once Gib and Allen meet, along with Allen’s friends Fiona and Alexi they all form a friendship bond that will see them through many ups and downs. But as Allen’s feelings for Gib grow and Gib fights his feelings because he is afraid, something has to give.

Oh man, Allen wore his heart on his sleeve and was all in when it came to a relationship with Gib, but Gib continually held back and I was so sad for Allen every time he pulled away. When things were good they were great, but Gib has never dealt with his feelings of being abandoned and not enough and this causes its own issues in their relationship. Thank goodness their friends and Gib’s foster siblings are there to talk some sense into him.

There is a traumatic event in the last part of the book that had me in tears and leads to more changes for Allen and Gib, but by this time they are solid in their relationship.

There are some important topics raised in the book, sexual misconduct allegations, abuse of power & homophobia are the main ones and though they caused issues and me some angst for what they had to deal with, they were handled well.

The book spans quite a few years, so you really get to experience their journey as they both grow and change and make life decisions, both big and small. It has a HEA which I am so glad about because there were times I wasn’t sure if they’d make it and I don’t need that negativity in my reading, I need my romance books to have HEAs.

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About the Author

Blake Allwood was born in west TN, then moved to Kansas City MO after attending college in Lamoni, Iowa. He met his husband in 1995 and they officially married in 2015, once gay marriage was legalized. In 2017, he and his husband sold their home, purchased an RV and began travelling the country with their two dogs. Their travels provide the inspiration and settings for many of his novels.

Typically, Blake can be found relaxing in the RV or by the fire with his laptop and their Jack Russell Terrier, Buddy, curled up between his legs demanding attention. Denver, their Siberian Husky mix is often asleep at his feet or playing tug of war with Blake’s husband.

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Blog Tour, Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Illegal Motion By Rheland Richmond & Emerson Beckett

The Package Deal Series, Book 4

Callum Kennedy

I should have known behind that deep sexy southern drawl, and beautiful face lived the world’s biggest asshole.

I’ve tried my damnedest to put him behind me. But it was hard to do when I saw his face every night in my dreams and couldn’t forget how he worked my body over.

It was okay. I had my work as a vet, my equine rescue to manage, and my friends. I’d forget him or work myself to death trying.

Except there’s one problem.

Turns out he’s the new free-agent running back who just signed a one-year deal with the Portland Pirates. The infamous Declan Miller has turned my world upside down and reinserted his unforgettable self back into my life for the next year.

Declan’s the last person I want help from, but it looks like I don’t have a choice.

Declan Miller

When I walked into Alejandro’s Bar that night in late July, I never expected to meet someone my first night in town.

But the sexy guy with wavy dark blond hair and hazel-green eyes sitting alone at the bar caught my attention immediately. Or maybe it was the way he was sniffing his own shirt.

After a night of the best sex of my life, I knew I had to push him away. I wasn’t doing relationships anymore, and this gorgeous, funny man had the power to break me.

But when I find out my unforgettable hookup is part of my new friend group, Dr. Callum Kennedy wants nothing to do with me until he has no choice but to let me help.

Illegal Motion is an MM sports romance and the fourth book in The Package Deal Series about the hot single dads of the Portland Pirates football team.

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Review

I have been waiting for Declan and Callum’s story and am so pleased they got their HEA.

I liked Callum a lot, Declan took me a bit longer to warm to as he acted like a bit of a tool at times but knowing the connection these two had I could only go in hoping they could sort out all their issues and miscommunications and make a go at starting a real relationship.

I loved how Declan was with his daughter and it was nice to see how he was willing to fight for custody of her, especially when he found out how neglected she was by her mother, a very selfish person who definitely didn’t deserve her daughter.

I enjoyed catching up with the guys from the previous books and seeing them all still happy and in love. Next up is Cooper and Greg’s story and I’m sure they will get their HEA.

Excerpt

Before fully processing Jackson’s words, I heard that voice that sent shivers down my spine. Was I hallucinating? I looked at the beer in my hand and read the label. Nope, no hard liquor.

“Who’s from Kentucky?” The southern drawl drew me in like flies to honey and caused my spine to stiffen. There was no fucking way he could be here.

Jackson glanced at him. “I was talking about you, asshole. Come and meet my friend. He’s the vet I told you about with the horses.”

The scent of apples and vanilla hit me before I looked up into those deep brown eyes. My pulse sped up as I tried to calm my frazzled nerves. I just might fucking pass out.

Or punch the smug fucker.

Jackson was oblivious to my near stroke. I only had a split second to figure out how to play this moment, and I was sure it was probably the wrong way.

But the look on his face was priceless. His eyes widened as he took me in. I’d never been happier that I’d started working out at the gym. Maybe he was going to be the one to pass out.

“Declan, this is Dr. Callum Kennedy. Callum, this is our new running back, Declan Miller.”

I know Jackson was expecting the standard greeting among strangers. And I wasn’t going to give this asshole the satisfaction of knowing he’d affected me so deeply with his brush-off.

So I steeled my spine, stood straight up, and met his eyes. I held out my hand to shake his. I tried to be my regular cordial self, but I failed quickly.

I sighed. “So, you’re the new running back.”

Declan looked at my hand and brought his to mine to shake. I would have sworn there was an electrical storm from the electricity arcing through my body.

“And you’re the vet I’ve heard so much about.”

Our eyes stayed locked on each other as I withdrew my hand from his. I watched his face as he sifted through the memories of that night. His eyes dilated, and the sexy bastard gave me the same grin he had that night at Alejandro’s. I would have been fine to play it as if we’d never met before. I could ignore him.

But I frowned as the fucker let his eyes roam all over my body before he sucked in his bottom lip as he smiled at me. I would bet my truck that if I looked down, his cock would be hard as steel.

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About the Authors

Rheland Richmond:

For as long as she can remember, Rheland’s had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else’s creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.

Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.

She’s just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.

Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about y’all. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.

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Emerson Beckett:

Emerson Beckett is new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. It’s even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.

The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond.

Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, which includes The Quarterback Keeper, Pass Interference, Unnecessary Roughness, Two-Point Conversion, and three more upcoming books in the series. She will release her first solo novel in late spring 2023.

Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 32 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.

Emerson would love to hear from her readers. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.

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Book Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Suddenly, Last Summer By Michael Robert

TREY BARNES

I professed my love for Jordy when I was seventeen. He was leaving for his last year of medical school after working another summer at my family’s Banks Lake resort in the Pacific Northwest.

Desperate for him to know how I felt even though he was my older brother’s best friend, and fearing that he wouldn’t return after that summer, I decided to take the plunge and admit my feelings while I had the chance.

As the adult in the situation, Jordy wisely chose to discount my confession as simply a teenage crush. But my last spoken words to him were that I’d wait patiently for him.

And I always kept my promises.

JORDY HALL

I’d been away from my small hometown for nearly five years. Life and a stressful medical residency had kept me busy, but I finally returned to fulfill my best-man duties for my best friend’s upcoming wedding.

His younger brother, Trey, was a sweet, sensitive kid when I left years ago. The shy, lean teenager who’d tearfully professed his love for me my last summer there had grown into a sexy, confident man. I was intrigued by what I saw, though I probably should have walked away again.

Had he actually waited for me to return? Did I hope he had? He was nine years my junior and my best friend’s little brother. But he could be so much more.

After five long years, it was suddenly last summer.

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Excerpt

Prologue: Jordy

Five years ago

“Where is he?” I asked, setting the final packed box on the counter.

“Probably down at the dock,” Mrs. Barnes answered. Her back was to me as she finished with the dinner dishes.

“You think he’ll come up to say goodbye before I have to leave?” I couldn’t see him but knew he was most likely securing the resort’s watercraft for the night.

She wiped her hands on a dish towel, tossed it on the counter, and joined me at the sliding glass door overlooking the lake. We watched her youngest son while he busied himself at the dock. “He’s hurting, Jordy.”

I let out a small laugh but not because I was being insensitive. “Just like every other summer, isn’t it?” I asked.

“It seems worse this summer,” she said. “Since you and Brock started college, he hates the coming of September. I guess it’s too quiet for him with just Mom and Dad around.” Mrs. Barnes took a long breath in before sighing deeply. “Imagine how he’s going to feel when you graduate medical school this year and he finds out you won’t be able to help us out any longer?”

“I’ll be back,” I defended. “Are you saying you don’t need my help next summer?”

“You’ll be starting your residency after this year, son. I expect you’ll have to move to wherever that is next summer.”

“Let’s hope that happens, Mrs. B” I turned to face her, expecting a hug. “I haven’t received a hospital matching letter yet,” I added. “It’s competitive trying to get my first choice, so hopefully I’ll know where that is in a few months.”

“You are the single brightest kid I know, Jordy. Don’t be so modest,” she said, wiping something off of my shirt and fussing like mothers tend to do.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnes had been my surrogate parents ever since the accident, and I missed mine terribly.

“You better not let Brock hear you say that,” I said.

She giggled. “Even Brock knows that.” She glanced back toward the lake. “Can you check on him before you leave, son? I think he’s twice as upset today’s the day you’re leaving. You’d think he’d be missing his actual brother more than you.”

“I’ll head down after I load that final box.” I headed for the back door and the driveway before remembering an important rule. “Oops!” I turned back and found her scowling at me. “You know I wouldn’t leave without one of your hugs, Mrs. B.”

“As I thought,” she said, arms open wide for me.

We embraced and she kissed my cheek as a diversion while stuffing her hand in my shirt pocket.

“A little something for your trip.”

I knew better than to fight her about what I knew was additional money. I didn’t need money but she didn’t know that. “You guys already paid me out for the summer, ma’am.”

“Don’t ma’am me, mister!” She dragged her finger across her throat like she planned to slit mine.

“I love you,” I whispered and went in for another hug.

“I love you too, Jordy. Now please go say bye to Trey before you leave.”

It’d been another amazing summer on Banks Lake. My best friend, Brock, and his family owned a resort on the shores of the manmade body of water. This was possibly my last summer working at the general store/gas station/boat rental/RV park resort. Brock had already headed back to California. He was finishing law school and had relocated away from our shared apartment in Palo Alto. He’d also started a new part-time job and they needed him early. I’d stayed back and helped the Barnes’ finish up the summer. After Labor day, things slowed down in this ‘barely there’ town in Eastern Washington, so they’d manage fine without the extra help once I left.

It was strangely quiet as I walked downhill to the dock, trying my best to dodge the evening sprinklers. The bulk of the last tourists of the season was gone. Two motorhomes and a couple of tents were all that were left in the park area designated for campers. The cabins along the shore had no guests in them while a couple of the larger resort houses were still occupied.

I spotted Trey at the end of the main dock where all the rental watercrafts sat idle after a busy summer. He was in one of the larger pontoon boats, sitting under the canopy out of the late afternoon sun. It was still hot here in September and I knew he’d had a long day cleaning and securing the watercraft. His back was to me and he only noticed he had an intruder to his thoughts when I stepped off the floating dock and onto the boat, causing it to rock gently. He turned toward me and then looked away quickly.

“What?” I asked. “Not talking to me anymore?”

There was no response as he held his gaze across the water, avoiding mine. Trey was Brock’s younger brother. A terrific young man and very loving, but he wore his heart on his sleeve. Nothing like his older brother who was arrogant, sure of himself, and warm to few people. I was one of the people he was warm to, so we got along fine. Brock and I had been best friends since elementary school and inseparable ever since. College and post-graduate years were hurting that closeness, but the best friends tag still stuck.

Once away from Electric City and attending college at Stanford, I’d come out. It wasn’t a surprise to Brock as he’d known since sophomore year. He was straight but always said if he wasn’t, I’d be his guy on that front. Oddly, even though he was hot, I never saw him that way. Just not my type. Brock was too short, too dark, and too brooding.

The summer had been good for Trey. He was his usual end-of-summer, golden-skinned, self, with a mop of sun-bleached blond hair. He was smooth, lean, and possessed a naturally athletic build that had really come on the past two summers as he approached eighteen. We’d just celebrated his seventeenth over the fourth of July.

“I’m talking to you, kiddo,” I said a bit louder.

“I’m not a kid,” he whined, sounding exactly like one.

I moved to his side and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m heading out,” I said. “Just wanted to make sure to say goodbye to my best little buddy.”

He swatted my hand from his neck. “Brock’s your best friend,” he stated, still avoiding eye contact.

I sat beside him on the wide boat seat and slid into him, forcing him over so I could invade his space and be close. I stared at the side of his angelic face while he continued to ignore me. Trey was a beautiful young man and had a heart of gold. Sometimes people easily dole out the expected compliments when describing attractive people, but Trey had earned his in spades. The kid was blessed in the looks department but had no clue. He was heartbreakingly attractive. But, he was still a kid and he was also my best friend’s younger brother, so I kept my heart’s opinions about him to myself. My feelings were curious concerning the attraction I felt toward him. He was a kid. I was an adult. Those were the facts and I’d decided to stick to them.

“Yeah, he is my best buddy, but I like you a lot too,” I answered, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the tops of my thighs, turning to see if he was looking at me.

Thirty seconds went by before he turned to me. He was tearing up.

“Hey now, buddy. What’s all this?” I put an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in tight. “I’ll be back. I promise I will.”

“No you won’t,” he mumbled, wiping at his eyes, clearly embarrassed about the tears. “Mom already told me you’re not going to be able to help us out next summer.”

“I might not become a doctor if I don’t work harder, so it’s not for sure, Trey. Besides, I’d never forget about you.”

“You’ll be the best doctor and you know it. You always get everything you want. Heck, even Brock says you’re the smartest guy he knows.” He hiccupped as he fought the full-on cry he was desperately trying to avoid. “Then you’ll just go off and I’ll never hear from you,” he said quietly, trying to shrug out of my hug.

I held him tighter so he couldn’t.

“Shit, even Brock doesn’t come around much anymore and now you’ll go away forever too.”

“That’s just not true, Trey. Come on. Why are you acting like this?” I moved my hand from his shoulder and held the back of his head, mussing with his sun-drenched hair. “We had a great summer didn’t we?” I asked. “I had a blast working and hanging out with you again.” His head slumped forward and I attempted to steer his neck my way trying to get him to look at me. He wouldn’t budge. “You don’t really believe I won’t be back, do you?” I asked.

He was silent.

“Look at me,” I said, nudging his side.

Trey turned toward me and had heavier tears streaming down his face. “You . . . you . . . you don’t get it, do you?” he asked.

“Get what?”

He shuffled his feet and tugged at threads hanging from his tattered jean shorts. “I love you, Jordy.”

“I know that, kiddo. I love you too.”

“Not like that,” he protested. “I love you, love you.

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About the Author

Michael Robert is an author residing in Seattle, Washington. The Crow Flies Free is his debut novel. Michael enjoys traveling and he aspires to visit the locations of his upcoming novels so as to provide vivid and accurate descriptions of them. He enjoys tennis, road trips and fast cars. Please look for his future projects, the next story coming soon.

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Audio Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway:On a Midnight ClearBy Lily Morton

It can safely be said that Lord Barnaby Greenwood is not having the best of Christmases.

He’s penniless, up to his eyeballs in debt, and about to lose his estate. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that when a local property developer offers a lot of money to buy King’s Wood from him, Barnaby is very tempted. But his father had always impressed on him that the green wood was sacred and must be protected at all costs, so he finds himself saying no.

He knows this will result in the loss of his home, but duty comes before everything. However, that fateful decision leads instead to a magical Christmas for Barnaby, complete with an old god who grants him a favour, and a beautiful statue that comes to life.

Cosmo is perfect for him. He’s funny and kind and completely enraptured with Barnaby, and for the first time in his life, Barnaby falls in love. But how can this lead to anything but heartache, when on the last stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Cosmo will go back to being a statue and take Barnaby’s heart with him?

From best-selling author, Lily Morton comes a truly magical romantic comedy.

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Excerpt

I stare at the builder who is sitting opposite me. His florid face glows in the light, and even as I watch, he runs his handkerchief over his forehead, mopping up the sheen of sweat. Then he folds his arms and directs a belligerent glare at me.

“Listen, Lord Greenwood. I have the utmost respect for you, but the time’s come to stop playing silly games.”

I wonder idly why people always say they have respect for you and then go on to prove the direct opposite but put a polite smile on my face as he carries on with his tirade.

“I want King’s Wood, and I mean to have it.”

I spread my hands and lean back in my chair at my desk. The leather creaks warningly, but like so much about my house, it just squeaks through. “Then we have a problem, Mr Thompson, because I own that wood, and I have no intention of selling it to you. You want to bulldoze it and build housing on the land.”

He glowers. “So? Is there something wrong with building new houses for people who need them?”

“Not at all,” I say mildly. “Only the people you build them for don’t need them, per se, as they are all rather rich. You build mansions and not social housing. Roughly translated, they’ll be clogging up the country lanes with their huge cars, speeding everywhere, and being appallingly rude to the local people as if the simple act of possessing three cars and holidaying in the Maldives automatically puts them out of the reach of politeness.”

He scoffs. “It’s not exactly your business.”

I wrinkle my nose. “It sort of is, Mr Thompson. That wood has been in my family’s possession for hundreds of years. It directly abuts my gardens. My father entrusted it to me with a solemn undertaking to keep it safe. Do you know anything about King’s Wood?” He shakes his head crossly, but I continue. “Druids worshipped there. There is still a circle of ancient stones in the centre about which we know very little.”

“Druids,” he says in a tone of disgust. “Are they those funny folks who run around in their nighties?”

“I’m so glad you could sum up our ancient pagan history in just a few words.”

He blows his nose belligerently. “I don’t hold with any of that London nonsense.”

I blink. “Well, it’s actually local business. King’s Wood is sacred land.”

“Bloody ridiculous. It’s prime building land, Lord Greenwood, and I want it.”

“Well, as my old nanny used to say, we can’t always get what we want.” I pause. “It was either her or Mick Jagger.” I smile politely at him. “I feel we are at an impasse.”

A smile crosses his face that instantly makes me nervous. “Well, we’ll see about that.”

“What do you mean by that, Mr Thompson?”

He shrugs, standing up and pulling on his coat. “It means that Mr Watson and I play golf together.”

“You play golf with my bank manager? I’m unsure why that was said in such a threatening manner unless he cheats or steals your balls.” Despite my flippancy, anxiousness stirs in me, and by his smug smile, he knows it.

“Him and me, we’ve had some very interesting chats.”

I sigh. “Spit it out, Mr Thompson. I think we’re finally coming to the point after months of these chats of ours.”

“Mr Watson says that you’re in danger of losing all this.”

He waves his hand to encompass the room, and anger boils inside me at his careless gesture.

“Oh really?” I say silkily.

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Review

On a Midnight Clear was a mixed bag for me, there were parts I really enjoyed and others I struggled with. The narrator plays a big role in my enjoyment of a book, I’ve listened to a lot of audiobooks narrated by Joel Leslie and some I have loved and others not so much, this one was a not so much and I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I had read it rather than listened to it because I didn’t get on with how he narrated the characters.

That being said, the story was sweet and full of magic. I enjoyed the mythology behind the story and liked the idea that the statues come alive every night for an hour and get to mingle with each other.

Cosmo was very sweet and enthusiastic about everything around him which was what Barnaby needed, a little magic in his life and a new way of looking at things. I wish I had Cosmo’s ability to use magic to fix everything and help people’s moods. Barnaby was a little sad to begin with, especially how isolated he was from the villagers and how they behaved towards him because they thought he was rich and didn’t care about the village, being he’d lived there all his life I was surprised he didn’t have more friends and had no one to share his problems with within the community. But at least through magic, he had his beloved statue come to life and change his world.

A no angst, sweet Christmas novella with a happy ever after.

About Lily

Lily is a bestselling gay romance author. She writes love stories filled with heat and humour.

She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.

Lily has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – Chocolate Baileys.

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Series Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Lakeview University:Holiday Try-Mester Series

Try Me By Shane K. Morton

Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Mester, Book 1

Thomas Elder
When I took the position as vocal professor at Lakeview Unversity – I knew I was giving up my performing career. I loved being onstage, but I craved security, and not being broke – so I walked away from singing and into the not-so-fabulous world of being a college professor. I had finally settled in and was excited about my second year of teaching when a jock with an attitude walked into my vocal studio. The thoughts running through my head were not the kind of thoughts that a professor should have. I don’t know whether I should fail him or kiss him! But the real question that’s haunting me – why can’t I get him out of my mind? It’s like he has some kind of power over me. I hope it’s not… No! It can’t be!

Darren Peterson
My friends think I’m crazy to switch my major to music. But they don’t understand that music is as much a part of me as being Lakeview’s star soccer player. I’m not going pro, and the last thing I want to do is be a coach. I like making music. I’ve been a DJ since high school and making my own mixes gives me a high unlike anything else. Except… My vocal teacher. He’s a total geek! He likes opera, and old classic books and film. I bet he’s never even seen a superhero movie. But I can’t stop wondering what my hands would feel like against his skin. I’m nowhere near ready to settle down, but the smell of him makes me question everything.

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Try Again By Abigail Kade

Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Mester, Book 2

Can an unexpected miracle bring two very different men the answer to their heartfelt Christmas wishes?

Middle aged college professor, Preston Page, has always wanted a family. After his first relationship resulted in bitter disappointment and betrayal, he put that to the side, however, and disappeared into his career. There was time, right? Maybe not. He’s just found out he’s in early manopause, and kids are a dream he’ll never realize now. Spiraling, Preston’s tight hold on his world unravels.

Cue an uncharacteristic drunk hook-up in an alley with a sexy young stranger. Preston’s received a miracle, but he’s about to get another huge surprise. He might not only get a baby. Could he be getting a husband too?

Career University student, Joe Langford, just changed his major for the tenth time. He’s not interested in Journalism. He wasn’t interested in Physics or any of the other majors either. The truth is as long as he’s in school, his family trust will pay all his bills, and his parents won’t push him to get married to the guy they’ve arranged for him. There’s nothing more Joe wants than to have a family, not a career, but he’s not letting them choose his future for him. When Preston tells him about his unexpected situation, he doesn’t realize it, but Joe is going to do everything in his power to make this miracle work for both of them. Despite what his family thinks, he’s going to propose. They can do this together, make a family of their own, if Preston will agree to take a chance.

Will Joe be able to convince Preston to try again for their own happily ever after?

Includes an older man who’s in shock but happy, a younger dude who’s stoked to have a purpose finally, and a rich family that says hell no! Get ready for love, romance, and enough holiday sweetness to cause cavities.

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Try Not To…By Drea Roman

Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Mester, Book 3

Jaime Westingbrooke’s fall semester starts off so well.

Of course, it would go off the rails immediately.

As soon as he received his new graduate teaching assistant assignment– Dr. Robert Staff. Hot, grumbly, and, so satisfying to. . . Jaime tries not to go down that road.

Nevermind the enormous crush on the man Jaime has been nursing since his freshman year.

Try not to fall in lust…

Try not to fall in love…

Try not to fall pregnant…

Oops, Jaime does all three.

Prof. Robert Staff is failing at all of his rules for life this semester, as soon as his new graduate assistant walks into his office on one sunny afternoon. Robert will try not to find himself suddenly attracted to his new assistant, who used to be a scrawny student but has had a summer glow-up. He cannot help but want to … do all sorts of things a professor should not want to try with his graduate students. It’s gonna be a long, hot semester. Hot under the collar that is. And maybe some other places too.

Try Not To. . . is book three of the Lakeview University: Holiday Try-Semester series. It features age gap, hurt/comfort, professor/student, and surprise baby themes.

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Excerpt

Exclusive from TRY ME- Lakeview University Holiday Try-Mester (Shane K Morton)

“Come in.” I stood from behind my desk and walked around to greet him. Everyone deserved a… And my foot caught the corner of my desk, and the floor rushed towards me – but then it stopped. Two strong hands caught me and held me aloft – my glasses slid off my face and fell to the ground.

Well, that’s about as embarrassing as it can get.

“You ok?” He was a baritone. A nice deep voice that resonated within his chest.

He helped me back up, and I finally got my feet underneath me when the world spun. He was absolutely fucking gorgeous, and my mouth went completely dry as I stared at him with a dumb awestruck look on my face. Dark brown eyes with the thickest eyelashes in the world stared back at me as if he were worried I might stroke out at any moment.

I was making a great impression. I wanted to say something, but my throat had closed, and I felt like I needed to gasp for air. Jesus! That curly blonde hair was fucking beautiful. Women across the world were envious of this… Giant muscle-bound he-man with a dark tan. He smirked, and his teeth seemed to bling as the light hit them. Great… I had to stare at this for an hour twice a week?

Maybe I was having a stroke in front of the most beautiful man in the world – and I had to be his teacher… What the actual fuck was happening. I gasped as air finally filled my lungs.

“Do I need to get someone?” He looked worried.

I held up my hand. “No… Sorry, I’m fine… I… uh… Just embarrassed, is all.” I completely lied. I wasn’t embarrassed – I was mortified and wanted to crawl underneath my desk and hide from this soccer stud who probably had a million followers on Instagram.

“No need to be embarrassed. I play soccer and fall down all the time. I’m your…”

“Darren. I mean, not my Darren… uh… but my new student, Darren. Yes.”

“And you are?” He grinned slyly. He had to know the kind of power he had over people. He had to know how hot he was, and I tried to get my jaw to move so I could speak. I glanced away.

“Sorry.” I cleared my throat and looked back at him. He was blurry. Maybe I… Oh! Glasses.

I bent forward to pick them up and collided once again with him. Our foreheads slammed together, and I winced as I stood back up.

“Sorry.” He grinned and held out my glasses to me. “I have a hard head. Sorry.”

I rubbed my temple as I took the glasses from his hand. “Looks like you have a hard everything.” I frowned and wished I could take the words back.

His grin lit up his face.

“I mean, you’re very muscular, not that… Wow!” I frowned. “I guess I’ve made the best first impression I’ve ever had.”

“Maybe the most memorable.” His brown eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “Maybe we should start again?”

He chuckled as he turned and walked out my door, and closed it behind him. My stomach swirled as if someone had put a hook in me and was pulling hard. If I puked in front of him, I would have to quit teaching forever. He knocked, and I had to stop myself from grinning. He was being very cute and had handled my… incident with grace and kindness. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.

“Come in.”

He opened the door with the widest and prettiest smile I had ever seen and stuck out his hand. “Hi. I’m your new student Darren Petersen.”

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Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Husband Hoax by Saxon James

THE HUSBAND HOAX – Accidental Love #1 by Saxon James

Synopsis

Christian

Being invited to my cousin’s wedding really shouldn’t be such a big deal except, oh yeah, I haven’t seen my family for a decade.

My parents turned their backs on me and I’ve done everything since to become successful and show them what they lost. Only, it’s kinda hard to be a success when you’re a walking trainwreck.

So I’m going to fake it. Hire a guy with an online presence so impressive they’ll be desperate to welcome me back into the elitist fold, and roll into the wedding with the kind of confidence I’ve never felt a day in my life.

The plan’s a knockout.

Until my fake date cancels minutes before the ceremony.


Émile

One letter from my dearly departed grandfather, and suddenly I’m on a husband hunt.

He’s reworked his entire will so I’m set to inherit far more than I’m entitled to, and all because he’s asked me to use that money for “good”.

In order to get that inheritance, though, there’s one stipulation: marriage.

Even with his request, I’m tempted to stick to my original plan of getting as far from my wretched family as possible, and letting them fight it out.

But then I run into a tall drink of scattered mess outside of a wedding who’s in desperate need of a date, and the pieces click into place.

I help him, he helps me.

Marriage, money, then go our separate ways.

Easy.

Now all I have to do is stop myself from actually falling for the guy.

Release Date: February 9, 2023

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs

Photo: Michelle Lancaster

Model: Dylan and Simba

Genre: M/M Romance
Trope: Fake relationship, friends with benefits to lovers, found family

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Excerpt

For a sudden fake fiancé, I could very, very easily be interested in him. My gaze trails over his long limbs, his tight stomach, those cum gutters that are going to be my undoing, before Émile lifts my chin with two fingers. “I’m going to have to ask you to stop looking at me like that.”

“Right.” I clear my throat. “Inappropriate.”

“Not at all. But if I’m going to follow your rules and keep my distance, you really shouldn’t be eye-fucking me.”

My laugh is louder than I expected, and I cut it off quickly. “Sorry. I have a hot naked guy in my bed. Checking you out is my default.”

“Well, take a last look.” He stands up, glances at his suit on the side of my bed, then tugs on the sweats I loaned him for the walk from the bathroom to my room last night … right before I promptly stripped him out of them again. They hang loose around his waist, and my gaze stays with him as he crosses my room to steal a T-shirt out of one of my drawers.

“Sure. Help yourself.” I grin.

“You’re my fiancé now. It’d be basically illegal if I didn’t wear your clothes.”

Fiancé. Damn. That’s … scary. Getting engaged wasn’t supposed to hit my to-do list for the next decade at least and here I am getting hitched to a guy I haven’t even known for twenty-four hours.

Sympathy crosses his face and Émile approaches to run his fingers through my hair. “Look, you’re getting into a lot without much knowledge, so this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to put my number in your phone and leave. Once I’m gone, you’re going to search my name and look me up on social media. Look into who my family is, recent marriage and engagement announcements—because yes, we’re going to have to do those things too. It’s going to be a lot of attention, and I want to make sure you’re ready for it.”

“Wait … are you like, famous or something?” I numbly unlock my phone as he hands it over, then he takes it from me and punches his number in.

“Or something. You good?”

I stare at where his name is lit up on my screen. “Yeah. I think so.”

“Good.” He brushes a long, lingering kiss across my mouth. “And if you decide you want to back out, I’ll be right over to screw you silly.”

Goddamn, I almost blow this whole thing off here and now. “You don’t fight fair, you know that?”

“Just wanted to make sure there was no confusion.”

He picks up his letter and his clothes and I watch him all the way to the door, reveling in last night and this morning and wondering what the fuck I’ve gotten myself into. His hair is still a mess from my pillows, my skin is still tight with his dried cum, my room coated in the smell of sex, and I’m aching to pull him back down under me until I know what every inch of his skin tastes like.

Émile opens my bedroom door and pauses. “Huh. Christian? There’s a naked man in your hall.”

I groan. “Jesus, Madden. You know you’re supposed to wear clothes when we have guests!”

He steps into view, hands raised like a busted perp. “In my defense, we were pretty sure he snuck out this morning. Like, it’s almost eleven, dude.” Madden eyes Émile. “Since when do hookups stay that long?”

Ah, crap. What do I say here? Boyfriend? Fiancé? Fellow con artist?

Émile blows me a kiss. “At least next time I’m here I’ll know that clothing is optional.”

“Next time?” Madden echoes as Émile disappears down the hall. My roommate turns his gaze on me. “There’s a story here, isn’t there? Should I get the others? Popcorn? Pizza? Or is this a rum situation?”

Might as well get it over and done with. “Let me shower and I’ll meet you all downstairs.”

“So is that a yes or no on the rum?”

“It’s still morning.”

He raises his hands, lifting each in turn, like scales.

“It’s a no.”

“Gotcha.”

It’s going to be a long day.

The guys aren’t known for being patient though so I grab a towel and some clothes and shower as quickly as I can. The last thing I need is them gathering in the bathroom because I’m taking too long. Again.


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About the Author

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

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Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway: Can’t Say Goodbye by Eden Finley

Synopsis

BRADY

Our quick hellos are followed by drawn out goodbyes.

What started out as one fun night turned into a regular thing none of us ever planned for.

I can’t walk away from Kit and Prescott. Kit is the stern nurturer I need. He’s the caretaker, the solid presence. Prescott enables my wild ways. He’s someone I can have fun with. They couldn’t be more perfect for me.

But come graduation, I have to move across the country, and geography isn’t our only obstacle. Being in a relationship with two men isn’t good for my public image, my brother’s NFL career, or the media frenzy that surrounds my famously queer family.

We have a plan to meet up once a year, but with every reunion, every brief visit, we fall deeper.

There has to be a breaking point, something that will end it for us, or soon it will be impossible to say goodbye at all.

Release Date: January 25, 2023

Cover Design: Natasha Snow Designs
Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography
Models: Jacob, Patrick & Scott

Genre: MMM Romance
Trope: Military romance, pining, long distance

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Excerpt

As soon as the bartender hands me my drink and I pay, I turn, only to hit a wall of SEAL. It’s the darker-haired one of the two. My drink spills all over his tight black shirt, and I would be mortified if it wasn’t the move I was planning to do on my way back past them. It just so happened he approached me first.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, trying to sound as sincere as I can.

The half smile he sent my way while I was on the dance floor is still in place. “I’m sure you are.” Then? He reaches back and takes his shirt off, wiping down his wet abs with it.

I almost swallow my tongue.

A voice comes from behind me. “Ignore him. He wouldn’t know the word ‘subtle’ if it hit him over the head.”

I turn to find the other guy there, and I have no idea when he moved. If the haircuts, muscles, and dog tags hanging around the shirtless one’s neck didn’t tip me off about them being SEALs, their stealth would.

“I’m Kit. The show-off is Prescott.”

“Brady,” I croak and then clear my throat.

I was supposed to be approaching them or subtly moving closer and closer to them to get them to approach me. I love that they’ve made the first move, but they’ve thrown me off my game.

It’s hard not to blurt out they should take me home and fuck me.

Kit takes a seat at the bar, facing outward like he was before. “Pres, go dry your shirt in the bathroom and put your abs away.”

“I’m not complaining about the abs,” I say. “At all.”

Prescott laughs. “I’ll be right back.”

He heads toward the bathrooms at the back. I glance at Kit, silently questioning if we’re supposed to be following him, but Kit chuckles and gets the bartender’s attention.

“Another of whatever he ordered.”

“It’s Coke,” I say.

“Ah. Let me guess. You either go to Franklin U or San Diego State.”

“FU all the way.” And yes, I meant to emphasize the FU part. It’s the best thing about my school, really—the double entendres. “It’s not just the name of the school but an invitation. In case you were wondering.”

Kit throws his head back and laughs. “Forward, I’ll give you that. But which one of us are you interested in?”

This is where it gets tricky. Sometimes it happens naturally, like on the dance floor sandwiched between two guys who offer to take me home. I’ve found there’s no real way to ask to be spit roasted eloquently.

“What’s your deal with him?” I ask.

“Roommates.”

“Roommates as in actual roommates or roommates like in the fifties where ‘they never married women and lived together in a one-bedroom apartment and shared a bed but they were just roommates’?”

“Somewhere in between?

I grin. “Perfect answer.”

“Why’s that perfect?”

I step closer to him. Kit widens his legs so I can stand between them, and his hands land on my hips. “Because now I can ask for both of you without making it weird between you.”

“Would you have cared if you made it weird?”

“I want a threesome, not to wreck someone’s relationship.”

A large presence appears, and Prescott is back. “Did I hear ‘threesome?’ Damn, Kit. You worked fast tonight.”

“Surprisingly, I didn’t have to work at all,” Kit says. “Brady here might be even less subtle than you.”

“I take it this isn’t your first time picking someone up and taking them home, then?” I ask.

“It’s our favorite thing to do while off duty,” Prescott says.

I shrug. “Works for me. I’ll go tell my friend I’m bailing on him.”

Prescott sits while I go find Felix. He’s at the other end of the bar ordering water, and as soon as I say I’m leaving, he wants all the details.

When I point out Kit and Prescott, he says, “May you have the spit-roasting you truly deserve.” Loudly. Luckily, the guys are too far away to hear it, but even if they did, I don’t think I’d care. I’d hope they’d take it as a suggestion. But this is exactly why I love Felix. He’s sex positive and doesn’t judge me for who I am and what I’m into.

I’m not so sure I could say the same for many others.

I kiss the top of Felix’s head and go back to Prescott and Kit with anticipation thrumming through me. I’m not going to get my hopes up though. Not yet.

I’ve been in situations before where couples have wanted to bring in a third only to get cold feet when it came to going through with it. I get it, and it’s understandable, but it’s taught me not to count my chickens, so to speak.

“Ready to get out of here?” I ask them.

For their part, there’s no hesitation as Prescott stands and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go.”

Kit follows, and outside, the breeze cools my hot skin.

“Car?” I ask.

“Our place is close by,” Prescott says.

No car means no license plate. “Hmm, okay. I’m gonna need to take photos of you then.”

They stop me and stand in front of me.

“Why?” Kit asks.

“In case I end up getting fished out of San Diego Bay. My friend back there will have a lead on where to find my killers. Oh, and the address of where we’re going will help too. Thanks.”

Prescott steps closer and reaches into my front pocket to pull my phone out. He’s so close I can feel his breath on my cheek, and I shiver, goosebumps scattering all over my skin.

He holds up my phone. “As long as these photos don’t end up on social media.”

“They won’t. Unless you kill me.”

He laughs. “Of course. Get in here between us.”

I blink up at him. “That sounds promising.”

Kit shakes his head. “We’re going to have our hands full with you, aren’t we?”

“I hope so.”

Prescott opens the camera from my lock screen and holds his arms out. “Smile.”

I stick out my tongue instead.

“You do know if something did happen to you, that would be the photo splashed all over the news?” Kit points out. “Are you sure you want that?”

“Hmm, good point. Though, not at all reassuring. Take a couple more in case.”

After Prescott’s snapped a couple of more pics, he hands the phone back to me. “Just so you know, if those photos do end up online, it could put our lives and careers on the line, so it would be smart of us not to hurt you in any way.”

“In any way? What if I ask for it?” I bat my eyelashes one more time.

“Jesus H Christ,” Kit hisses in my ear.

“Mm, seems you’ve found a way to make Kit weak in the knees,” Prescott says. “We’re going to have so much fun with you.”


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About the Author

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

With a short attention span that rivals her son’s, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.

She’s also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don’t make sense to anyone else.

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Audio Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Cracks in the Ice by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Cracks in the Ice (Mohegan U Hockey, Book 1) By Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Narrated by Alexander Cendese

Review

I’ve enjoyed listening to a few of these authors’ books and was excited but wary to hear this one had a different narrator and one I hadn’t heard before, I’m very picky. Alexander Cendese did a great job and I really enjoyed listening to him narrate Cracks in the Ice, I will happily listen to more of his work in the future.

Now to the story, I enjoyed meeting Benny and Cole; they were lovely guys to get to know, and I enjoyed their slow-building relationship. I liked the fact that despite Benny finding his attraction to Cole something new, he didn’t freak out, but just accepted it, if only everyone would just be chill like he was and accept people are attracted to who they are attracted to and this can change throughout our lives.

Benny is still dealing with the loss of his wife, he had previously hit rock bottom and I liked that this new role as a coach was able to give him a way to have a break and start something new. Meeting Cole certainly helped with starting something new. Poor Cole, used and abused, but still believing in true love and lucky for him along comes Benny. These two really did work well together.

There was some drama with one of the players on Benny’s team, and there was more than one underlying reason behind his behaviour, but I think he needed a lot of professional help to deal with all his issues.

I enjoyed the small catch-up with the guys from the other books, it’s always nice to see how characters you’ve grown to love are getting on.

A sweet low angst story

About the book

How can they trust love not to hurt them again?

Benny

I’ll never fall in love again.

I had my chance, and I was the happiest man you can imagine. One day, it all came to an end. The only thing left was playing hockey, but it wasn’t enough, and I became my own worst enemy.

When my old school offered me a lifeline, I took it. As a coach, I could at least be miserable in a different place.

But when I arrived, there he was—bright and warm, like sunshine. I’d lived in the dark for so long my soul was frozen, but he thawed me out. I started feeling things again, wanting things. For the first time since the dark times began, I wondered if there was a chance. I’d never thought about being with another man, but so what? Could I be lucky enough to find love twice?

Cole

I was done. No. More. Men.

I’d always made the worst possible dating choices, and one guy after another took advantage of me. Invariably, I thought I was falling in love. Once I told them, they’d show their true colors and run.

Worn out and unable to stand another heartbreak, I swore off love. I almost had my master’s degree, and playing the piano was a much safer route to happiness.

No sooner had I made up my mind than there he was—hot as a forest fire, yet very sad. When I found out why, I understood. Someday, he’d love again, but there was no reason I shouldn’t be a friend.

Then he kissed me, and everything turned on a dime. I needed to protect myself from getting pulled in again, but the harder I tried, the more I believed in him. Was I making another horrible mistake? Would this time be different, or was I setting myself up for the biggest letdown of all?

Cracks in the Ice is a gay sports romance featuring hurt/comfort, sensitive men, unexpected connections, first times, an age gap, faculty/student romance, explosive chemistry, hard-earned happiness, and a very satisfying HEA.

Content warnings for partner deaths, traumatic accidents, and alcohol abuse. While these issues happened in the past, they may still be difficult for some.

Publisher: Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Release Date: December 05, 2022

Version: Unabridged Audio

Whispersync – Voice Enabled

Length: 6 hours and 53 minutes

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary Gay Romance, Romance

Tropes: Hurt/Comfort, Faculty/Student, Opposites Attract, Age Gap, First Times, Hockey

Audible US / Audible UK / Amazon AUDIO US / Amazon BOOK Universal

Amazon BOOK US / iTunes / Goodreads

Excerpt

It was a cloudless, sunny afternoon, almost unheard of for March in Western New York. The temperature outside was only forty-six degrees, but indoors, it was hot. Never in ten million billion years had I imagined a man like Benny might be interested in me.

Don’t get ahead of yourself. This is how you get hurt.

I knew it was the first time he’d kissed a man, and he hadn’t proposed marriage or even seeing each other officially, but we were on a date. After that kiss, the entire day was one long, glorious, dreamy date, wasn’t it?

In the living room, we chose one of Diana’s colorful rugs and lay side-by-side on the floor, enjoying the sunrays streaming through the tall windows. We talked about little things and enjoyed long, sultry kisses that had my heart doing wild things in my chest.

After a while, he said, “I forgot I’d planned to ask if you wanted to go hiking this afternoon.”

We were on our sides, facing each other, and I traced a finger along his nose. “Do you want to go hiking?”

“Not now. I mean, I would if you wanted to, but I like lying here with you.”

“Me too. And I like this.” I kissed him again, and we reached an unspoken agreement that hiking was overrated.

Cracks in the Ice. Copyright © 2022 Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood. All rights reserved.

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Cracks in the Ice in audio, Ryan and Josh are giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card! Click the link below to see how you can enter.

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About the Authors

Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood met in law school and were married in 2017. Currently, they divide their time between Washington, DC and a home in the country, where they live with their family and a big, cuddly German shepherd. Ryan and Josh love to travel, and hockey is practically a religion in their house. Ryan also enjoys swimming and photography, and Josh—who used to be a professional musician—likes to putter in the garden when he can. Their own romance inspired them to begin writing stories about other gay men finding their own “happily ever afters.” Cracks in the Ice is the debut novel of a new series, Mohegan U Hockey. Ryan and Josh have also published ten other books and six audiobooks. You can contact Ryan and Josh through their website at https://www.ryanandjoshth.com/.

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Release Blitz, Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Rescued By Hayden Hall

Rescued Ebook

Review

Oh my goodness this book pulled at all my emotions, I felt so much empathy and heartbreak for what Archer had been through and was going through. The strength it took him to leave his abusive boyfriend Thomas was massive. The internal dialogue that told him how terrible he was for leaving and all the other disparaging thoughts his subconscious forced on him that he had to push aside and believe in himself, was heartbreaking at times and at times he was able to realise that these were Thomas’ words and not at all true.

I applauded the police detective who was able to see beyond the initial charges he was brought in on and recognise that something was very wrong and offer him the help he needed to find a safe place to put himself back together. The LGBT shelter and its model are perhaps something that needs to be trialled in real life and there definitely needs to be much more funding for these kinds of shelters.

I loved the connection he formed with Brooklyn upon meeting him in the shelter and how they both needed each other to help put themselves back together. There was so much more to Brooklyn than originally met the eye. Brooklyn was so perfect for Archer and the support he gave him and the love they grew into were beautiful

Archer’s journey was not an easy one, his dysfunctional family; his sister and his father added to the emotional baggage that he was trying to deal with and discovering his sister’s situation nearly ends up destroying him all over again. Archer makes some decisions that made me wish I could jump into the story and stop him from making them, but he has such a big heart and wants his sister and niece to be safe and happy, but as is often said, you can’t help someone who doesn’t want help, they need to come to that realisation themselves and ask for it.

The scenes with his abuser Thomas were hard to read and I know my heart beat faster at these times wondering how he could possibly get away and how easy it is for narcissists and abusers to hide their true selves from the people around them.

An emotional read highlighting some topical issues that need addressing now so that the people who need it can find the support networks they need. The romance part was both hot and emotional and though a hard read at times, definitely a good one.

Character 1

Sanctuary, Book 1

Running away is only the first step. Moving on is the hardest.

When Archer Navarro escapes his emotionally abusive boyfriend in the middle of the night, he hopes to step into a better life.

A turn of bad luck ends Archer’s flights as soon as it starts, but the kindness of strangers brings him to an LGBT shelter.

And it brings him to Brooklyn. He’s the moody, drop-dead gorgeous tenant in the apartment next door, and he soon becomes the source of Archer’s hope.

Their chemistry is instant. It’s hot enough to melt the snow that’s about to bury them. Brooklyn makes Archer believe there still might be some love in him left to give.

If only the past wasn’t getting in the way. If only Archer could let those around him help.

The road of trials tests these men’s will to hold onto one another.

Tensions with his estranged family and a lifetime of scars threaten to take Archer back to where it all started. Back to the house where he was a little more than a prisoner.

And when the future of both their lives depends on it, Archer and Brooklyn need to answer it once and for all: can broken hearts ever beat the same again?

And can love ever be enough?

Rescued is the first book in the Sanctuary series, but it’s a complete standalone with no cheating or cliffhangers and with a guaranteed happily ever after. This book deals with darker themes of abuse and, while it’s generally sweet, it’s not for everyone. Please, read the content warnings inside the book by using the Look Inside feature or downloading a sample.

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Character 2

Excerpt

Archer shivered at the thought of a warm bed and hot soup as the northern wind rolled over the courtyard, making the bare tree branches tremble. He followed Marion up the concrete stairs to the hallway. It was roofed, but totally open to the courtyard. Some doors had plastic chairs and metal tables in front and all rooms had windows. The space between the doors was quite big, which probably meant several people occupied each room.

Marion looked at the door frame where a small metal plate had 221 inscribed on it. “Your apartment, Archer.”

Just as Archer stopped at the door and was about to push the key into the lock, the 220 door flew open.

In an instant, Archer felt like someone had gut punched him and he was about to lose his balance. The temperature of his body rose by a few degrees immediately and he was dead certain his face was turning red. The man who had opened the door looked like he was around thirty years old with a close-cropped black beard and coarse, pitch black hair. He wore a pair of house slippers and light gray sweatpants. And nothing else at all. His torso was sculpted, waist narrow and chest wide, with a layer of fine, short hair sprinkled over his tanned skin. He had curved eyebrows, as if he was confused about something, and parted red lips like he was about to ask a question. Archer’s senses dulled when he saw the man and his heartbeat flooded his eardrums.

“Put something on, Brooklyn. You’re going to freeze,” Marion said firmly, but with the same air of kindness in her voice.

“They’re just tits, Marion,” Brooklyn said.

Marion bit back a laugh. “Nobody wants to look at your tits.”

One corner of the young man’s lips ticked up like he could read Archer’s mind even though he hadn’t looked at Archer at all. But the thought in Archer’s head was loud and clear: I don’t mind looking.

Photo 5

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About the Author:

Gay. Sweet. Steamy.

Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.

Hayden’s mission is to author a catalogue of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.

His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.

You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at https://haydenhallwrites.com

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