2017 Dreamspinner Advent Stocking Stuffer Review: Eugene and the Box of Nails by Jamie Samms

Title: Eugene and the Box of Nails
Author: Jaime Samms
Category: Holiday, Contemporary
Pages: 58

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Every time it seems like things are looking up for Eugene Kraft, disaster hits. Bankruptcy, a bigoted sibling, and a back-breaking accident have all left him with little money and less faith in the universe.

His last-ditch effort at peace is the small lakeside property where he is building a tiny house from recycled materials. If he can get it livable before the cold sets in, maybe he’ll be okay. Hopefully Cullen, the foreman on the construction site next door, won’t notice Eugene pilfering discarded materials from his dumpster.

When Cullen stops by to talk to Eugene, he’s sure the gig is up—but all Cullen wants is a date. Can two things go right in Eugene’s life? At first it seems possible. Projects on Eugene’s house are getting completed by what he dubs “construction elves” while he’s off site. But like Eugene predicted, his good fortune can’t last, and soon he has a tough choice to make: give up his home… or the man of his dreams.

Release Blitz: Beyond The Tunnel by Daniel Mitton (Review + Giveaway)

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Exstasy 

Length: 79,777 words 

Blurb

What would you do if you rode into a mountain tunnel in North Carolina and then rode out into a different world? Adam Stephens is about to find out…

Adam Stephens is a man with a mission. It has been three years since they chopped that malignant brain tumor out of his head, and he is off on a solo motorcycle camping trip through the Appalachian Mountains.

When he rides into the Pine Mountain Tunnel in North Carolina and rides out into another realm—a realm that comes complete with a big sexy grizzly bear shifter, mages, and an evil sorcerer—he isn’t sure he isn’t lying in the tunnel after crashing his bike. Can such a world exist? Or is he dreaming? If he is dreaming…it sure is realistic.

Along the way, there will be some major hurdles to surpass including no indoor plumbing…and no coffee. A man needs some basic luxuries, correct?

Blog Tour: Jared's Fulfillment by Riley Hart (Review + Excerpt)

Jared’s Fulfillment

Jared & Kieran Book #2

Riley Hart

M/M Romance

RELEASE DATE:  December 1, 2017

Image by Eric Battershell

Design by X-Potion Designs

BLURB

Kieran

My relationship with Jared has lasted too long. He's mesmerizing, beautiful in his devotion, pure in his need. He reaches parts of me I thought no longer existed, places I'd never known were there. His submission is a gift. His cries of pleasure and pain call to the most primal parts of me. I want to inhale him, own him, mark him as mine. He's my boy and I need to be his Daddy, but my fear holds me back. I'll fail him like I've failed everyone else I've loved. Before that happens, I'll walk away.

Jared

I've never known security, love, or true pleasure before Kieran. With every touch, every command, every second of blissful, torturous pain, my heart grows and my soul is at peace. He protects me, spoils me, gives me what I need. Still, in some ways, he's closed off and won't let me in. But Kieran's given me strength. I've evolved, and won't accept less than I deserve...and I won't let Daddy accept less than he deserves, either.

It's a delicate balance: give and take, pleasure and pain. Together we can break each other down to our purest forms and build each other up again. Kieran always says I'm stronger than I think, but I know that together we're invincible...if only he'd believe me.

We have two choices: say goodbye or fight for what's always been out of both our reaches...fulfillment.

Warning: Jared's Fulfillment contains BDSM elements, domestic discipline, spanking, and daddy kink--without age play--between consenting adults. If any of those things offend you, reading this book might not be a good idea.

Jared's Evolution and Jared's Fulfillment must be read in order.

Jared's Fulfillment is part of the Desires Unleashed collection. Some books in this collection will have darker themes. Please be aware Desires Unleashed are er*tic and not your typical Riley Hart romance. You can expect the mental and emotional journey to be led by the physical/s*xual moments--which will be intense, frequent and kinky.

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2AzFbpu

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2zHzWAw

2017 Dreamspinner Advent Stocking Stuffer Review: New Game, Start by C.S. Poe

Title: New Game, Start
Author: C.S. Poe
Category: Holiday, Contemporary
Pages: 38

GoodReads | Dreamspinner | Amazon

Reclusive medieval scholar, Edgar Royal, has a crush. On a guy. Not a big deal, except that said guy, Walter Chase, is a famous online gamer who has no idea Edgar even exists. Edgar has harbored these feelings for nearly a year, and when Walter announces on Twitter that he’ll be visiting New York City as a guest at the GamerOn convention, Edgar decides he’ll be one of the thousands of fans who responds to the message.

He definitely doesn’t expect to be singled out by the humble, gorgeous, out-and-proud heartthrob. And when it comes to dealing with people, Edgar’s skills are pretty nonexistent. Even with Walter giving all the right signals, Edgar lacks the courage do anything about the mutual attraction growing through their online courtship. He’s always been better with the written word, so maybe the perfect Christmas gift will say what he cannot. But if Edgar can’t get the present to Walter before the convention ends, he may miss out on the boyfriend of a lifetime.

Release Day Review: Banded Together by KC Burn

Title: Banded Together
Author: KC Burn
Release Date: December 29, 2017
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 200

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Punk’s not dead, but it’s time to redefine life.

Devlin Waters thought he’d have music forever. But the tragic death of his best friend ended the twenty-year run of his punk band, Negative Impression. Unable to process the loss, Devlin distances himself from everyone and everything that reminds him of the band. But forty-one is too young to curl up and wait for the end. In a search for a second career, he finds himself at university with a bunch of kids young enough to be… his kids. His sexy archeology professor, however, makes Devlin think about life beyond his grief….

Dr. Jack Johnson does not appreciate Devlin’s lack of respect, his inability to be serious, or his chronic lateness. Worse, he hates that he’s attracted to a student. When he realizes Devlin is the rock star he crushed on in his youth, he drops his guard—against his better judgment.

Before they can move forward together, Jack must admit to Devlin that he’s not only an admirer, but he also sings in a cover band. How will Devlin react to his ultimate fanboy when his own music has died?

Cover Reveal: La Famiglia (A Men of Gilead Novel) by Deanna Wadsworth

Title: La Famiglia

Series: A Men of Gilead Novel

Author: Deanna Wadsworth

Genre: M/M Romance Novel (standalone)

Release Date: January 23, 2018

Forrester Giordano comes from a huge, nosy Italian family, and with their homophobic jokes and slurs, he’s decided to stay in the closet. He finds respite in his bookstore in the quaint village of Gilead—where he has a huge crush on one of his customers, Kyle Benson.

Kyle is determined to live his dreams, and though life isn’t easy being deaf, one by one he’s making them come true. He’s scored a great job practicing law, bought a cute bungalow where he can finally have a big flower garden, and he has a dog he loves, Jasper. Now he just needs one thing to complete his happiness: a family of his own to make up for the one he never had.

Forrester and Kyle’s relationship starts off hot and heavy, and neither man can deny the depth of their connection. When Forrester’s little brother gets mixed up with their heroin-dealing cousin and his mother falls ill, Forrester has a decision to make—maybe the hardest of his life. For the first time, he’s found a man worth coming out for.

Unfortunately nothing ever goes according to plan with la famiglia.

Blog Tour: Mischief Corner Books Presents: A Holiday to Remember 2017 (Giveaway)

For the first time, Mischief Corner Books is releasing a month-long collection of holiday-themed tales:

Traditional Winter Holidays can be tough for a variety of reasons—family pressures, finding the right gift, homesick longing, and haunting memories to name a few. This collection showcases eleven queer short stories, from tender contemporaries to sweet paranormal to far-flung space tales, all designed to make you want to reach for your hot cocoa and your favorite snuggly spot. Come join us for A Holiday To Remember.

Blog Tour: True by Ella Frank (Review + Excerpt)

TRUE, the final book in The Temptation Series by Ella Frank and the highly anticipated wedding between Logan Mitchell and Tate Morrison is available now!

Synopsis:

True - adjective: That which is accurate or exact.

I dare you to try.

I think you’re my truth.

Terrify me.

Marry me.

Marry me.

Marry me...

Four years ago, Logan Mitchell walked into Tate’s life and challenged him to see it differently.

He dared Tate to try a kiss, when normally he wouldn’t have.

He begged him to take a chance, when he probably shouldn’t have.

But most importantly, he asked Tate to trust that he would love him, and he did. From that moment on, Tate realized exactly what his life had been missing—Logan.

Happily-ever-afters come in many different forms. But for Tate Morrison, there’s only one ending he wants. The one where the guy marries the guy and true love conquers all.

Now all he has to do is tell Logan.

Join Logan and Tate as they finally realize what the rest of us knew all along. That they belong together for better or worse—always.

Book Review: Risky Behavior (Bad Behavior #1) by LA Witt and Cari Z

Book Review: Risky Behavior

by LA Witt and Cari Z

It’s day one of Darren Corliss’s career as a detective, and not only has he been assigned a notoriously difficult partner, but the guy might also be a pill-popping dirty cop. Internal Affairs needs proof, and Darren gets to be their eyes and ears whether he wants to or not.

Detective Andreas Ruffner doesn’t play by the rules, and he doesn’t play well with others. With bodies piling up and a list of suspects who are way above his pay grade, the last thing he needs is a wet-behind-the-ears kid for a partner. Or babysitter. Not even if that partner is easy on the eyes.

As Darren gains Andreas’s hard-won trust, they both realize there’s more than just mutual suspicion simmering beneath the surface. But their investigation is heating up as quickly as their relationship, and Darren has no choice but to go along with Andreas’s unorthodox—and borderline unethical—methods. As IA puts the squeeze on Darren to give up the man he’s falling for, he has to wonder—is Andreas the only cop left in this town who isn’t dirty?

Cover Reveal: Resist and Triumph Anthology (Various Authors) (Guest Post + Giveaway)

Cover Reveal

Title: Resist & Triumph Anthology

Editors: Grace R. Duncan & Tucker McCallahan

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: 1/26/2018

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 80k

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, New Adult, Science Fiction, Western

 

Synopsis

As 2017 opened, the United States took several steps back in the progress toward equality. In response, a group of authors has stepped up to offer positive stories of hope and love. In an effort to help fight and support those groups who are facing even greater challenges, we wrote these stories to offer a small amount of aid.

Stories of hope, resistance, and ultimately triumph fill the pages of this anthology.

All proceeds of the anthology go to The Trevor Project and GLAAD to help fight the effects of the dark times we’re facing.

Stories Included

Breaking Ties with the Bully by Perci T. Brooks
Consummation by Tucker McCallahan
Disrespect of Love by Mandi Ware
Fighting the Alpha, the Omega Way by Carol Pedroso
Get Off of My Runway by Shane Morton
Leo of the Ionian Sea by Maria Siopsis
Red, The Mo Shíorghrá Saga by Victor Alexander
Small Victories by Helen Dupres
White Rabbit by Grace R. Duncan

2017 Dreamspinner Advent Stocking Stuffer Review: Ghostwriter of Christmas Past by TA Moore

Title: Ghostwriter of Christmas Past
Author: TA Moore
Category: Holiday, Contemporary
Pages: 57

GoodReads | Dreamspinner | Amazon

Ever since ghostwriter Jason Burke ended up in loco parentis for his orphaned niece, Mallory, he’s been trying. He goes to parent/teacher events, and he makes packed lunches, so he definitely didn’t mean to forget about Christmas. He just hasn’t celebrated it since he left home under a cloud years ago.

Put on the spot, Jason makes the snap decision to take Mallory to see where he and her father spent their Christmases as kids. The last thing he expects is to run into Tommy, his ex—ex-best friend, ex-boyfriend—who is still living in town… and working as a sheriff’s deputy.

It’s hard to avoid someone in a small town—and maybe Jason doesn’t want to. He got Mallory a Christmas, and maybe now it’s time to get himself a Christmas boyfriend. But first, he owes Tommy some explanations.

Blog Tour: Blood's Song by Tempeste O'Riley (Excerpt + Giveaway)

Title: Blood’s Song

Author: Tempeste O’Riley

Series: House Millar books, #1

Genre: LGBTQ Romance, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Encompass Ink, Teen

Release Date: Nov, 24th, 2017

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Even in darkness, love lights the way.

Anya awakens alone and afraid in a new world soaked with blood and terror. The only things she knows for certain are her name and that humans are precious.

Unwilling to give in to her hungers, she sets her feet upon a path of discovery, searching for clues to her forgotten past. Along the way she runs headlong into the unimaginable world of the undead and the waiting arms of Nicholas, a fearless nocturnal defender searching for his love, lost in eternity.

Into their midst stumbles Declán, a young, natural born vampire hunter and Guardian whose passion for Anya is only matched by his draw to Nicholas. His arrival could mark the end of their tale, or with the gift of Anya's blood kiss, it might bring about the beginning of a new chapter for them all.

Release Day Review: Someone to Kiss by Scotty Cade

Title: Someone to Kiss
Author: Scotty Cade
Release Date: December 27, 2017
Category: Holiday, Contemporary
Pages: 69

GoodReads | Dreamspinner | Amazon

Dane McCormick’s job negotiating leases and building out furnished office suites takes him all over the country. He stays until the job is done—and then he moves on. As satisfying as the job is, it leaves him no place to call home and no chance to build a personal life. After arriving in Greenville, South Carolina , for a job, a severe stomach virus knocks Dane for a loop. He finds a local urgent care clinic… and a tall, dark, and handsome doctor who goes well above and beyond his duties to treat Dane. The doctor’s bedside manner makes Dane forget all about his stomach flu.

Carter Baldridge has dedicated his life to caring for others. Since graduating from medical school, he has spent all his time and energy building his urgent care business, But the morning he steps into his examining room and sees Dane McCormick on the table, he realizes it might be time to devote some attention to a part of life he has neglected. The spark is there, but so is a major obstacle in the form of Dane’s peripatetic lifestyle and a bad experience in Carter’s past. Both have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.

2017 Dreamspinner Advent Stocking Stuffer Review: A Holiday Crush by CJane Elliott

Title: A Holiday Crush
Author: CJane Elliott
Category: Holiday, Contemporary
Pages: 50

GoodReads | Dreamspinner | Amazon

San Francisco lawyer Brad Halberstam is in a rut. At forty-one, he’s successful but alone. Even his holidays are predictable—he spends every Christmas golfing in Napa with his ex-boyfriend. Then attractive but oh-so-young filmmaker Michael Blair invites him out. Brad joins Michael and his housemates in their holiday celebrations and learns that life can be joyful. He hesitates to saddle Michael with a much-older boyfriend but as their attraction ignites, Brad’s tempted to let Michael sweep him into a bright new future.

Michael lives in a group house in Berkeley. He loves making life into a celebration, especially during the holidays. Michael longs for a partner, and he hopes serious but sweet Brad Halberstam is the one. Michael’s infatuation grows over caroling and cookies, but his housemate reminds him that Michael always latches on to someone during the holidays, so he won’t be alone. After a misunderstanding, Michael loses heart, no longer sure if his relationship with Brad is real or just another Christmas crush.

Release Day Blitz: Sin & Saint by J.M. Dabney (Excerpt)

SIN & SAINT

EXECUTIONERS BOOK 4

J.M. DABNEY

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 12.26.17

BCOVER DESIGN: Winterheart Design

BLURB

Eric and Ellison Gant, better known as Sin and Saint were opposite sides of the same coin. They epitomized the nicknames given to them by their friends in the band Executioners. One thing Sin and Saint did well was fight and being inseparable means they had a lot of disagreements, but one thing they agreed on was Sheriff Camden Pelter was theirs. The older, stoic man didn’t agree, yet they were determined to change his mind.

Camden Pelter had the daunting job of turning the Powers Sheriff Department around. The residents of the Georgia town didn’t have much faith or respect in the Deputies serving them. That’s where he came in and he was determined to do his job. That was easier said than done with two annoying brothers Sin and Saint who dogged his every step. No way in hell was he getting mixed up in the chaos that were the Gant Twins. Now if only if he could get them to listen and realize they didn’t have a chance of changing his mind.

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Blog Tour: Foothills Pride Vol 2 by Pat Henshaw (Guest post + Giveaway)

Author Name:  Pat Henshaw

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Release Date:  Dec 29, 2017

Format:  Paperback

Is This a Romance? Yes

Price: $17.99

Story Type:  novel

Word Count:  111,976

Cover Artist:  AngstyG

Genres: Contemporary, Gay Romance
Pairings: MM

Tropes: Opposites Attract, Shy Man Falls For Outgoing Man, Country Mouse / City Mouse, Overcoming Abuse, Overcoming The Past

Keywords/Categories: Gay Men, Transgender

Series Title: This is a compilation of books 5-8 of the Foothills Pride series.

Necessary to Read Previous Books: No

Warnings: parental abuse, prostitution, jealousy, homophobia


Collection Blurbs:

The influx of San Francisco Bay Area gays is now commonplace in Stone Acres, California. But that means big city problems—much to the dismay of long-time residents of the small community.

In Relative Best, Zeke Bandy’s hotel becomes a haven for a battered youth. Native American Vic Longbow, who escaped a similarly brutal upbringing, comes face-to-face with it at Zeke’s place. With trouble surrounding them, can Zeke and Vic find their own peace and love?

On the outside, hardware store owner Frank McCord is the town’s bachelor handyman in Frank at Heart. Inside, he’s pining for true love, particularly the regard of software designer Christopher Darling. But recently divorced Christopher isn’t looking for another husband.

Country contractor Ben in Waking the Behr has always believed he’s heterosexual…until he meets city entrepreneur Mitch O’Shea. Mitch never thought he’d settle down with a guy from the country. Can a gay city mouse and a sexually confused country mouse find love?

When UC Davis horticulture grad Fen Miller agrees to help out in his cousin’s nursery over Christmas, he rents a room in sous chef John Barton’s Victorian house. John, another shorter than average man, catches Fen’s interest. But John’s past comes back to threaten them both in Short Order.

Series Blurb:
During the recession at the beginning of the 21st century, many gays and lesbians moved from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento to the Sierra Foothills. FLAG (Foothills Lesbians and Gays) was formed. This series was written for them.


Publisher | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Release Day Reviews: Color of You by C.S. Poe

Title: Color of You

Author: C.S. Poe
Release Date: December 25, 2017
Category: Holiday
Pages: 200

Dreamspinner Press  ~  Amazon  ~  Goodreads

Bowen Merlin— yes, that’s his real name—accepts a position in the quaint town of Lancaster, New Hampshire as the high school band director. He leaves New York City for the snowy countryside of New England just in time for the holidays. With class, homework, after school activities, and a surprise Christmas concert to plan and rehearse, Bowen is plenty busy. And since he’s never had much luck with romance, factoring in time to find Mr. Right isn’t a priority….

Until he meets the proprietor of Snowy Ridge Apple Orchard, Felix Hansen. Suddenly, true love seems like a possibility for the first time in Bowen’s life. The two are a perfect match and fill the skipped beats of each other’s hearts. But as wonderful as Felix seems, he’s harboring scars that could end their budding relationship when someone in town goes to great lengths to sabotage their careers.

If Bowen is to survive the holidays, he’ll need to lean on old friends and new, convince Felix he’s worth any hardship, and prove they can come out of the catastrophe stronger if they do so together.

Blog Tour: Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday (Excerpt, Review + Giveaway)

A Spotlight on Book 3 in the Signs of Love series by Anyta Sunday!

Title: Gemini Keeps Capricorn (Signs of Love #3)

Publisher: Anyta Sunday

Release Date (Print & Ebook): December 18, 2017

Book blurb:

Sometimes, one stubborn Capricorn is all it takes…to drive Wesley Hidaka to crazy, flirtatious lengths.

Wesley loves annoying his RA Lloyd Reynolds. He just can’t help it. Lloyd is focused, decisive, grounded. He has this amusing ability to follow rules.

Of course Wesley wants Lloyd to break one…or three hundred.

Sometimes, one diabolically grinning Gemini is all it takes...to have Lloyd laying down the law and marching Wesley straight back to his dorm room.

It doesn’t stop Wesley teasing again. And again. And again…

But damn. Lloyd doesn’t crack easily. He’s full of principles. He’s unshakable.

He’s the perfect friend to have when Wesley needs help. Like with his truant brother and his old high school principal.

Sometimes, one little lie is all it takes… to find Wesley fake-engaged to his off-limits RA.

What can he say? It seemed like a good idea in the moment . . .

* ~* ~* ~*

“Gemini Keeps Capricorn” serves up a double shot of cluelessness, with a side of rock’n’roll and topped with a slow burn HEA. It can be read as a standalone.

Tropes: friends-to-lovers, slow burn, will-they-or-won’t-they, fake fiancé

Genre: New Adult, light-hearted contemporary gay romance