Blog Post: Boy Shattered by Eli Easton (Review, Author Guest Post + Giveaway)



Parkland: 

The Inspiration for Boy Shattered

By Eli Easton

Welcome to the blog tour for the release of “Boy Shattered”. This is my first full-on Young Adult book since “Superhero” in 2013. “Boy Shattered” is set in a high school and features a romance between an openly gay student (Landon) and the school quarterback (Brian). When Brian is wounded during a shooting at their high school, Landon saves his life and the two become inseparable. It’s an enemies-to friends-to lovers story.

The root of the story came from a tidal wave of feelings I had after the school shooting that took place at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb 18, 2018 in which seventeen students were killed. I’m sure I was like millions of other people—shocked, heartbroken, and outraged at our politicians who give platitudes instead of changing US gun laws.

But the Parkland story isn’t just a tragedy. What happened next was truly extraordinary. A group of students rose up from the metaphorical ashes to go on camera and say “No, no more. We’re not gonna take this anymore. Something has to change, and we’re going to make it change.”

Like many people, I found inspiration and hope in these students, 17, 18, or even younger, who spoke so eloquently, were so political, and so strong-willed. They were ready and able to stand up against merciless bullying from the NRA and their followers. In a time when politics has been so incredibly depressing and disheartening, full of lies and corruption and seemingly fucked beyond all repair, to see the youngest generation so active, intelligent, and determined offers a ray of hope for our future.

You’ve probably heard the names of the kids involved in this moment – David Hogg, Emma Gonzalez, Sarah Chadwick, Cameron Kasky, Jaclyn Corin, Ryan Deitsch, and Alex Wind. There are also inspiring parents, such as Manuel Oliver, father of victim Joaquin ‘Guac’ Oliver, who have marched in protest alongside the students.

Blog Tour: Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton (Author Interview by Jamie Fessenden + Giveaway)

Jamie Fessenden Interviews Eli Easton

About Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride

Hi, Eli! Congrats on the new release, Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride. The cover and blurb are amusing. Tell us about the book.

It’s a historical western m/m romance. It’s a mail order bride story with a twist. The mail order bride, Robby, is a male actor who witnesses a crime, so he flees New York City and joins a wagon train. He ends up disguising himself as a woman to escape his pursuers and impersonates a mail order bride. Then he gets stuck with the bride’s family and falls for the wrong brother.

You’ve written a lot of contemporary and your paranormal series about dog shifters, Howl at the Moon, is popular—and a favorite of mine. What made you decide to write a historical western?

I used to love reading m/f historical westerns, especially Pamela Morsi and Maggie Osborne. I was talking about them with a group of authors at Rainbow Con in 2015—Leta Blake, Indra Vaughn, and Emory Vargas—and we started talking about mail order bride stories and how fun it would be to do them as m/m. The idea stuck with me for three years until I finally decided to tackle it in January.

Did you have to do a lot of research?

I did! I started re-reading some of my favorite older historical western romance and watching western movies to get into the right headspace. And I had to research a lot of different things that cropped up in the story like the Sante Fe trail, New York gangs of the 1800’s, common words and phrases of the era, and clothing, just to name a few things. But I find that fun.

What was the biggest challenge in writing the book?

I think, first, just deciding to write it. I figured as a historical western, it might not sell too well compared to spending those same months to write a contemporary. So it was a risk. But mentally, I needed to write something fun and something I could get excited about, and this was it. Second, coming up with a scenario for a male mail order bride that was both logical and funny. I have a very logical brain, so it has to make sense to me. Tall order!

Tell us something about Robby and Trace that isn’t in the book.
This isn’t in the epilogue, because it’s set not that far into the future, but I envision them picking up a few strays, some younger kids who don’t have a home, and forming a family as they grow older.

Were there any big changes to the plot or deleted bits you could share with us?

Yes! Originally, Trace was the sheriff of the town but not related to the Crabtrees, and the Crabtrees were far worse. I got about halfway through the book like that. But the problem was, I had so many scenes with Robby/Rowena and the Crabtrees, scenes which really not at all related to the romance plot. And it felt like the romance wasn’t getting enough page time. I considered making Clovis, Robby’s fiancé, the main love interest, but I really liked Trace the sheriff. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure it out, but I realized if I made Trace one of the Crabtree brothers, he could move in to the ranch and be around for a lot of the Robby/Crabtree interaction. That way, those scenes would also be part of why Trace falls for Robby and be directly related to the romance. I had to go back and rewrite sections, but that change made the book work so much better.

Pa-pa is the father of Robby-Rowena’s intended, and he’s quite the character. Is he based on anyone you know?

Ha! Not really. He’s super crusty, super cheap, and super ornery. I wanted Robby/Rowena’s situation when she has to live with the family of her intended to be difficult but also funny. So Pa-pa was designed to give Robby plenty of trouble.

The only other historical romance you’ve written was “The Lion and the Crow”, which is set in medieval England. Are you interested in writing in other historical eras?
I’d love to write more historical westerns. The other era I love is regency. If I could figure out the right approach on that for a m/m romance series that was unique and not too bogged down in homophobia, I might try it someday. Also, my Christmas book this year will be a historical.

Would you ever write another historical Western m/m romance?

I’d really like to! If Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride does well, I definitely will do another historical western.

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on a new edition of Puzzle Me This which more than doubles the length of the story. And I have an idea for a Christmas book that I need to begin soon. It’s a historical set in the 1700’s.

Thanks for the interview, Jamie!

Release Blitz: Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton (Review + Giveaway)

Universal Buy Link

Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Design

Length: 65,000 words approx.

Blurb

Being a fugitive in the old west shouldn’t be this much fun.

The year is 1860. Robby Riverton is a rising star on the New York stage. But he witnesses a murder by a famous crime boss and is forced to go on the run--all the way to Santa Fe. When he still hasn't ditched his pursuers, he disguises himself as a mail order bride he meets on the wagon train. Caught between gangsters that want to kill him, and the crazy, uncouth family of his "intended", Robby's only ally is a lazy sheriff who sees exactly who Robby is -- and can't resist him.

Trace Crabtree took the job as sheriff of Flat Bottom because there was never a thing going on. And then Robby Riverton showed up. Disguised as a woman. And betrothed to Trace’s brother. If that wasn’t complication enough, Trace had to find the man as appealing as blueberry pie. He urges Robby to stay undercover until the danger has passed. But a few weeks of having Robby-Rowena at the ranch, and the Crabtree family will never be the same again.

Release Blitz: Desperately Seeking Santa by Eli Easton (Review +Giveaway)

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 50,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Reese Dante

Blurb

Journalism student Gabe Martin gets his first professional assignment—to write about a Christmas charity dinner that benefits a children’s home. It sounds like a total snooze-fest until Gabe learns that the event’s Santa is a mystery man. He shows up in costume and no one has a clue who he is. Uncovering Santa’s identity sounds like the perfect angle to turn a fluff piece into serious journalism.

Mack “The Mountain” McDonall, at 6’10”, is University of Wisconsin-Madison’s enormous star wrestler. When Gabe first claps eyes on him at a wrestling match, it’s lust at first sight. Gabe’s friend, Jordan, sets up the pair on a date. But when Gabe chatters on about his plans for outing Santa, Mack goes cold, and their first meeting becomes an epic fail.

As Gabe researches the children’s home, he learns that Mack has secrets a guy famous for being a brute wouldn’t want the world to know. Can Gabe find his holiday spirit, write a killer article, win the heart of a surly giant, and give everyone a very merry Christmas?

Release Day Review ~ Tender Mercies (Men of Lancaster County: Book Two) by Eli Easton (Giveaway)

Release Day Review ~ Tender Mercies (Men of Lancaster County: Book Two) by Eli Easton

 Title: Tender Mercies

Series: Men of Lancaster County: Book Two

Author: Eli Easton

Release Date: October 27, 2017

Category: Contemporary

Pages: 216

Dreamspinner  Amazon Goodreads

Eddie Graber’s dream of a sanctuary for rescued farm animals was about to come true when his partner backed out at the last minute. Now Eddie risks losing the twenty-five acre property in Lancaster County—and all the hopes he held for it—before the project even gets off the ground. He needs help, he needs money, but most importantly, he needs to rediscover the belief in a higher purpose that brought him here in the first place.

Samuel Miller worked hard to fit into his Amish community despite his clubfoot. But when his father learns Samuel is gay, he is whipped and shunned. With just a few hundred dollars to his name, Samuel responds to an ad for a farmhand and finds himself employed by a city guy who has strange ideas about animals, no clue how to run his small farm, and a gentle heart.

Samuel isn’t the only lost soul to serendipitously find his way to Meadow Lake Farm. There’s Fred and Ginger, two cows who’d been living in a garage, a gang of sheep, and a little black pig named Benny who might be the key to life, love, money—and even a happily ever after for two castoffs.

Virtual Book Tour: Five Dares by Eli Easton (Reviews + Giveaway)

About Five Dares

Andy Tyler has been the class daredevil since middle school. Over the years, he’s convinced his best friend, Jake Masterson, to perform some dangerous-looking stunts with him. But the dare they attempt on the night of their college graduation goes sideways. The firecrackers explode too soon and both of them end up with badly burned palms.

But hey, nothing gets the “terrible two-o” down for long, and they recuperate in style at Andy’s family cottage in Cape Cod. As the weeks go by, both Andy and Jake grow frustrated over the inability to use their hands for all sorts of daily activities—including getting off. So Andy begins a new series of dares that don’t just cross the friendship line, they obliterate it.

But what might be mere sexual relief to Andy is serious business to Jake, who only recently got over years of secret pining for his straight best friend. Inevitably, the burns heal, summer ends, and hearts are broken. To fix things, Andy will have to face the greatest dare of all.

Review Tour: How To Save A Life by Eli Easton (Review, Exclusive Excerpt + Giveaway)

Exclusive Excerpt

That night after they ate, Rav didn't turn on the TV. Instead, he opened his arms and invited Sammy onto his lap. He'd been waiting all day to have this conversation.

Best Boy was conked out, oblivious, at their feet.

"What?" Sammy asked Rav suspiciously.

"You went out last night?"

Sammy nodded. "Yes. I talked to Milo. About mates and getting hard."

Rav barked a laugh at Sammy's bluntness. God, that would never get old. "You did? About getting hard, huh?"

"Yes. Why is that so funny?" Sammy's nose wrinkled with confusion.

"It's not funny. I think it was a good idea. What did Milo say?"

Sammy looked pensive, a frown between his brows. "He said mates both get hard and have sex together. But my body doesn't do that. Milo said I should give it time. He said Doc McGurver can give me shots to help."

Rav nodded, grateful Milo had mentioned it. "Yeah, I heard he offers testosterone therapy to some of the others in the, um, town. Is that something you're interested in?"

"Yes. Can I get shots soon?" Sammy's face was anxious.

Release Day Reviews ~ Snowblind by Eli Easton

Release Day Review ~ Snowblind by Eli Easton

Title: Snowblind

Author: Eli Easton

Release Date: March 1, 2017

Category: Contemporary, Dreamspun Desires

Pages: 196

Dreamspinner  Amazon  Goodreads

Snow, steam, and secrets.
  
The latest snowstorm carries something unexpected to the doorstep of Hutch’s secluded Alaskan cabin: a stranger named Jude, the most beautiful man Hutch has ever seen. Jude says he’s in the area for a ski trip and that he fled a domineering lover, thinking he could make it into town. But Hutch is a suspicious SOB and treats his unwanted guest warily. The problem is Jude isn’t just gorgeous, he’s funny and smart and flirtatious.

Two gay men snowed in for three days—things happen. Really good things. By the time the storm clears, Hutch finds himself a little too attached to Jude Devereaux, San Francisco-based male model. But is Jude what he claims to be? Or is he entangled in the secrets Hutch moved to Alaska to escape?

Release Blitz: Merry Christmas Mr. Miggles - Eli Easton (Reviews + Giveaway)

Release Blitz: Merry Christmas Mr. Miggles - Eli Easton (Reviews + Giveaway)

Merry Christmas Mr. Miggles - Eli Easton

Author: Eli Easton

Release Date: November 23

Length: 50,000 words

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | AllRomance

Blurb

Toby Kincaid loves being the junior librarian in his hometown of Sandy Lake, Ohio. He spends his days surrounded by books and chatting with the library patrons. He especially adores the head librarian, Mr. Miggles, who is kind, witty, knowledgeable about everything, and hopelessly addicted to Christmas. Sean Miggles is also pretty cute—especially for an older guy who wears ties and suit pants every day.

But Sean keeps himself at a distance, and there’s a sadness about him that Toby can’t figure out. When Sean is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he gives up without a fight. Toby realizes that he alone can save the library—and their head librarian.

Toby will need to uncover the darkness in Sean’s past and prove to him that he deserves a second chance at life and at love too. And while Christmas miracles are being handed out, maybe Toby will get his own dearest wish—to love and be loved by Mr. Miggles.

In the Spotlight with Bayou Book Junkie: Author Eli Easton (Review)

In the Spotlight with Bayou Book Junkie: Author Eli Easton (Review)

Hi Eli Easton and welcome to Bayou Book Junkie! Eli’s the author of 24 tales, some of which have appeared in anthologies. She’s been writing since YYYY and her latest tale, which yours truly have had the pleasure of reading, Falling Down, came out on 9 November 2016.  It’s a tale that will break your heart and then mend it and it ends with our kind of HEA, a whole year into the leads’ lives - yay!!! Now, seeing as we’ve invited Eli over, it’s only polite to let her get a word or few in, so let’s hear from her. 🙂

BBJ: Hi Eli and welcome. Please tell BBJ readers all about yourself and the many, many furries that we know you have. We love furry creatures. Can we have pics, please?

Eli:  Sure! I’ve attached a photo of my three bulldogs and my husband on a morning walk on our farm. We also have 2 cows and a pot belly pig that somehow wandered onto our farm and never left.

Release Blitz: Falling Down by Eli Easton (Review)

Falling Down - Eli Easton

Author: Eli Easton

Release: November 9 2016

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Blurb

Josh finds himself homeless at eighteen, but he has a plan. He’ll head north on the bus to New England and spend October there for his mother’s sake. She always talked about going to see the fall leaves someday. And when the leaves were done and the harsh winter came, Josh would find a place to curl up and let go. It would be a relief to finally stop fighting.

Mark spent his life trying to live up to the tough swagger of his older brothers until he pushed himself so far against his nature that he cracked. Now an ex-Marine, he rents a little cabin in the White Mountains of New Hampshire where he can lick his wounds and figure out what to do with the rest of his life. One thing was clear: Mark was nobody’s hero.

Fate intervenes when Josh sets up camp under a covered bridge near Mark’s cabin. Mark recognizes the dead look in the young stranger’s eyes, and he feels compelled to do something about it. When Mark offers Josh a job, he never expected that he’d be the one to fall.

The snow is coming soon. Can Mark convince Josh that the two of them can build a life together before the flurries fall?

Blog Tour ~ A Second Harvest (Men of Lancaster County #1) by Eli Easton ~ (Reviews, Excerpt + Giveaway)

Blog Tour ~ A Second Harvest  (Men of Lancaster County #1) by Eli Easton ~ (Reviews, Excerpt + Giveaway)

A Second Harvest 
(Men of Lancaster County #1)
by Eli Easton

Blurb:
David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm, married, and had two children. Now with both his kids in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half-lived.

Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now thirty, he figures it’s time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city. He heads to a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to rest, recoup, and reflect.

But life in the country is boring despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie’s creativity latches on to cooking, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd couple finds they really enjoy spending time together.

Christie challenges the boundaries of David’s closed world and brings out feelings he buried long ago. If he can break free of the past, he might find a second chance at happiness.

         

Available in Paperback

Cover Reveal: A Second Harvest By Eli Easton (Excerpt)

Cover Reveal: A Second Harvest By Eli Easton (Excerpt)

A Second Harvest

By Eli Easton

Blurb: 

David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm, married, and had two children. Now with his kids both in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half lived.

Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now thirty, he figures it’s time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city. He heads to a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to rest, recoup, and reflect.

But life in the country is boring, despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie’s creativity latches on to cooking, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd couple find they really enjoy spending time together.

Christie challenges the boundaries of David's closed world and brings out feelings he buried long ago. If he can break free of the past, he might find a second chance at happiness. 

Release Date: 

July 1, 2016

Pre-order the paperback here

Excerpt

Blog Tour: How to Wish Upon a Star by Eli Easton (Excerpt, Review + Giveaway)

How to Wish Upon a Star 
(Howl at the Moon #3)
by Eli Easton

Blurb:
Dr. Jason Kunik is working on the most earth-shattering genetics project ever, DNA mapping of a new species, the quickened—dogs who can shift into human form.  The problem is, no one knows the quickened exist and Jason can’t betray them by publishing his studies. When he moves to Mad Creek to continue his research in a town full of quickened, all he wants is peace, quiet, and to be allowed to bury himself in his work.  Perhaps if he figures how out the mutation is activated, he can silence his own inner dog forever.

Milo is a hospice comfort dog who has bonded with, and lost, many beloved patients in his life. He intuitively understands sickness and pain on a spiritual level most can’t see. When he gains the ability to become a man, he thinks he finally has everything he ever wanted. But being a man isn’t the same thing as being loved, and taking shelter in Mad Creek isn’t the same thing as finding a home.

When a mysterious illness hits Mad Creek and threatens all the quickened in town, it’s up to the scientist and the comfort dog to figure out what it is and how to stop it. Along the way they might discover that true love is possible—if you wish upon a star.

This is the third book in the “Howl at the Moon” series, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

Available for purchase

      

Excerpt