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Release Blitz: Mud & Lace (Rainbow Place #4) by Jay Northcote


Author Jay Northcote and Signal Boost Promotions promote new release, Mud & Lace (Rainbow Place #4)! Learn more about the romance today!






Length: 240 pages

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Rainbow Place Series

Book #1 - Rainbow Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book #2 - Safe Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book #3 - Better Place - Amazon US | Amazon UK


Blurb

When Wicksy falls for drag queen Charlie, they discover that both sexuality and gender can be fluid.


Simon Wicks—Wicksy to his rugby teammates—has only ever been interested in women. But when he sets eyes on Lady Gogo, a drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place, he can’t stop thinking about her. He knows there’s a guy behind the fishnets and make-up, but he’s ready to explore his fantasies, and Lady Gogo is game for making them come true.


Charlie adores performing in drag. It allows him to indulge in his love of cross-dressing while earning some extra cash. Fooling around with a mostly straight guy in secret seems like a fun diversion, and gives him the chance to explore his feminine side. He feels safe wearing the mask of his confident alter ego, because the real Charlie is hidden from view.


When Wicksy sees more of the guy behind the make-up and glitter, his attraction to Charlie persists, and he realises he’s bisexual. In turn, Charlie begins to understand and accept his gender fluidity. As their mutual journey of self-discovery brings them closer, the secrecy becomes increasingly hard to deal with. If they’re going to have a future together, they both need to find the courage to show people who they really are.


Although this book is part of a linked series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.





Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.


One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.


Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.


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Blog Tour + Giveaway: Seer of Ice and Sky (The Seer of Grace and Fire Trilogy #2) by Natsuya Uesugi


Author Natsuya Uesugi and Other Worlds Ink visit to promote Seer of Ice and Sky (The Seer of Grace and Fire Trilogy #2)! Learn more and enter in the eBook giveaway of the first book in The Seer of Grace and Fire Trilogy!


COVER - The Seer of Ice and Sky



Natsuya Uesugi has a new queer dark fantasy book out in his "The Seer of Grace and Fire" series: The Seer of Ice and Sky.

Surviving the devastation of DarkFall, Timorn is now rightful King of Faerie. With evil lurking at the fringes between the kingdoms of the humans and the elves, the dark mage Dalannin travels to Dragonreise to forge an alliance with the Dragon King.

Timorn’s travelling party sets off on request from an elven emissary but dissent grows as the party passes through the human city of Ekhrine. As they stop at the Ecclesiastical University where the cleric Kabal translated The Legend of Arden prophesy, a demonic aura haunts their path.

Can Timorn forge an alliance with the dragons to ensure peace or will darkness drive a wedge between him and his magical twin Ethesian as they journey through the elven lands. Transgender heroine.


XLibris | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | Barnes & Noble




About the Series:

A human cleric translating an elven prophesy must bring the work to the high court at Kannon in faerie before DarkFall, the solemn anniversary when all the male faerie newborns were murdered 17 years ago. If the translation does not arrive in time, all is lost. Timorn, a 17 year old ranger travels the human towns hiring out his services. A mysterious elven woman hires him to take her to Kannon before DarkFall, and only he can lead her with his purple faerie eyes.

The evil Valkyris is amassing an army to attack Kannon at DarkFall insisting she possess the prophesy. Sending her dark mage Dalannin to infiltrate faerie, he marches his demon hordes towards Kannon and sneaks into the palace. Ethesian, the 17 year old faerie daughter of King Ailon plays the dragon lyre, a female magic. Yet recently she has started having prophetic dreams as if she were male. When a lie is revealed, Ethesian is tasked to study magic she must master before DarkFall. Will Timorn reach Kannon before the Valkyris and Ethesian master a magic she shouldn’t possess? Secrets and lies, revelations and wizardry, DarkFall is coming and so too the reluctant faerie who would be king. Learn more in the first book of the dark fantasy trilogy, The Seer of Grace and Fire.

The Seer of Grace and Fire starts the dark fantasy trilogy reviewers have called "Enthralling" and "A beacon of light for readers young and old." The series continues with release of The Seer of Ice and Sky book 2. Book 3 The Seer of Flesh and Death will be released early 2020.




Giveaway

Natsuya is giving away an ARC of book one in the series - The Seer of Grace and Fire – enter via Rafflecopter:


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Excerpt

Timorn squinted as he studied the elven emissary, Arhlamanel dressed in finery, yet his stance and mannerisms were less refined then Ihel's. He sensed deception. His ranger skill told him the elf was concealing something about his identity,

"I am aware of dragon riders, but not of a dragon king in Arenth," Timorn said, turning to Eanna, his mother the First Consort, for confirmation. Eanna shook her head, also unaware.

Arhlamanel nodded. "The dragons are elusive and secretive, Your Majesty. Only a few high elves dare to venture up the perilous paths into the ice mountains to entertain them. It is treacherous as the dragons carefully guard the priceless gems within their lands."

Timorn gripped the arms of the throne, leaning forward. "At DarkFall, we saw an adult dragon. A rider in black sat atop its monstrousg form. Luckily the brunt of its power was stopped before it could let loose with abandon."

"It is as we heard. Thus, the dragon king requests you come to Akrisia, to the mountains in the North. He has sent me as emissary, in partner with the high elves, to bring you to hear his message. A party of your choice is invited to travel along, including one named Ethesian, who is also summoned. But be warned. One who wad banished many years ago has returned and is making inquiries in the dragon lands. He goes by the name of Dalannin. There is much suspicion amoungst the elves. Do you know of him?"

Timorn gasped. If Dalannin was with the dragons, that could only mean danger. Timorn spoke authoritatively, immediately deciding based on the elf's report. "Yes, we know Dalannin, and yes, my party and Ethesian will accompany you to Akrisia. Lady Eanna will remain and keep watchful eye on the crown."

"Yes, my lord," Eanna acknowledged the decree.

"You must come dressed as a ranger," Arhlamanel added. "That is how they will know you: by your clothes, your faerie daggers, and your sword. The dragon king and his half-dragon army will join you at the dragon court, high in the mountains. The trek up the expanse is arduous and will require a full day of walking to reach once we arrive."

"Had Dalannin already recruited dragon riders to his cause? Timorn hoped for a negative answer.

"Unknown your Excellency. I hope, for our sakes and all of Arenth he has not."




Author Bio

Natsuya Uesugi is a cybersecurity analyst with an MBA in International Management and a minor in Japanese. He is author of the science fiction grydscaen series, the yaoi novellas and manga graphic noiz and The Seer of Grace and Fire fantasy trilogy. He creates all the illustrations for his books. He enjoys skydiving, cosplay, anime and writing poetry.

Author Website: http://www.natsukoarts.com
Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/SeerofGraceFire
Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/natsuya_uesugi
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natsuyauesugi
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4558587.Natsuya_Uesugi
Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/natsuya-uesugi/
Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00J6EDQQ6


LOGO - Other Worlds Ink

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Playing Around (Rough Play #1) by Suzanne Clay


Author Suzanne Clay and IndiGo Marketing visit on the Playing Around (Rough Play #1)! The author visits to share their thoughts on Exploring Ethical Non-Monogamy in Romance. Check it out and also the $10 NineStar Press gift credit giveaway!



Title: Playing Around
Series: Rough Play, Book One
Author: Suzanne Clay
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: April 15, 2019
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 84600
Genre: Contemporary, LGBT, contemporary, college, new adult, bisexual, friends to lovers, coming out, group sex, voyeurism, dirty talk, ethical nonmonogamy, family issues, biphobia, family drama, athlete

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Synopsis

Logan and Christian have been best friends since kindergarten. After spending their entire childhoods together, it makes sense they would go to the same college: the first step toward making their futures intertwine forever as blood brothers.

But being away from home means discovering freedom Logan and Christian have never had before, and their journey of finding who they really want to be—and how they want to fit into each other’s lives—is a messy one.

When a double date with their girlfriends turns into a new, erotic experience, both Logan and Christian are shaken by it. Suddenly, they can’t continue to see each other in a platonic light. Exploring their curiosity feels dangerous even when their girlfriends aren’t an issue, but ignoring their changing feelings is impossible.


Author Visit

Exploring Ethical Non-Monogamy in Romance


Hello! My name is Suzanne Clay, and I’m polyamorous.
A few years ago, that statement might’ve made more eyebrows lift, but recently there’s been a surprising shift toward people being open about their ethical non-monogamous lifestyles. On any given day, you might see an article about how Millennials Are Killing The Dating Industry By Being Polyamorous, and this meme of a music video by Chris Fleming is one of the favorites of my local community (we clearly don’t take ourselves very seriously). But what I’m particularly enjoying is watching various forms of ethical non-monogamy enter romance novels.
“Ethical non-monogamy” can be easily defined as a lifestyle in which people engage in sexual or romantic relationships with multiple, enthusiastically consenting partners. It’s an umbrella under which different variations exist—swinging, relationship anarchy, mono/poly, etc. One of the best known forms of this is polyamory, where people pursue multiple deep, lasting relationships, rather than a fling or something purely sexual.
I imagine that most romance readers are familiar with the genre term ménage. This is a term often seen in romance and erotica, and it features three characters in a relationship, sometimes with all three involved together and sometimes with two characters involved separately with a third. I love reading these stories as much as the next person, but over time I’ve become more eager to see different forms of ethical non-monogamy written in romance—and I decided to do it myself with Playing Around.
My novel Playing Around is a contemporary new adult bisexual romance. Christian and Logan are childhood best friends who are beginning their first year in college. Their university of choice is far more queer and diverse than they expect, and they spend much of the beginning of the book adjusting to the differences around them—and discovering new things about themselves as well.
After having a shared erotic experience with their girlfriends, Christian and Logan come to realize that their friendship has never been as platonic as they thought. And, after Logan’s relationship with his girlfriend ends, Christian’s girlfriend Charlotte offers the two young men the opportunity to explore their new interest in each other.
For much of the book, Playing Around has what’s called a vee. This is an open relationship style where one person is involved with two others simultaneously—and, of course, with the enthusiastic consent and knowledge of all parties. This differs from what is known as a triad, which is when three people are in a relationship with each other. So, instead of Christian, Logan, and Charlotte being romantically involved with each other, Christian is involved with Logan and Charlotte. But Logan and Charlotte are simply acquaintances.
I enjoy getting to explore Christian’s relationship with both of his partners simultaneously for a number of reasons. One, I get excited at every opportunity to show a multisexual character loving multiple genders. And, two, because I was writing the novel, I got to make the choices about what happened—and I didn’t have to include the stereotypical cheating or jealousy tropes that often come up in polyamorous media.
Sometimes creating your own stories has its perks, am I right?
Writing their relationship gave me the opportunity to do things differently than readers might expect. I had the opportunity to open eyes to how fulfilling it is for a character to realize that, ultimately, they don’t have to choose who to love. That there wasn’t a reason to put down Charlotte in order to glorify the relationship between my two male protagonists. That, though relationships ebb and flow and change and end, that doesn’t make their effect on a person any less valid.
Though Playing Around ends with an M/M Happy For Now conclusion, Christian and Logan’s story continues in the next two books of the series—Playing House and Playing For Keeps. I’ll be exploring their development into a triad in Playing House. Playing For Keeps lets me show their relationship change into a polycule, which is essentially an umbrella term for multiple interlocking open relationships coexisting in a messy, less organized way. Though this may challenge some of my readers, I’m hopeful that they will open their eyes to these unique forms of love, and the new character development that it will provide.
With the recent resurgence of ethical non-monogamy in the public eye, I look forward to seeing the romance genre explore new forms of relationships. I can’t wait to see what’s in store!


Excerpt

Playing Around
Suzanne Clay © 2019
All Rights Reserved

Chapter One
Logan

For years, Logan resented how his parents had made him into a workhorse. Whether the boxes of supplies were for the funeral home or the drug store, they were heavy and unwieldy, and no matter how much he protested, his parents never tucked an extra dollar into his pocket for his trouble. There was no choice—just required labor without a word of gratitude.

Moving his belongings into his college dorm was the first time he welcomed the labor. No parents telling him how to set things up. No last-minute delivery showing up right as he finished. No demands or expectations. Just welcome quiet.

He set the last of the boxes on the floor with a grunt and rubbed his arms as he studied the small room. The tight quarters weren’t much—barely the size of his bedroom at home and stuffed with twice as much furniture to accommodate two men—but he wasn’t going to complain. Not even about the bunk bed. He’d heard from his RA, Aavai, they could be broken down into two beds, and he’d get Christian to help him do so later.

“Lazy ass.”

Speak of the devil. Logan glanced over his shoulder with a smirk as Christian came in with both hands full of bags, as many as seven hanging from each hand.

“At least I know how to pack a box,” Logan said. “I can’t believe your parents let you bring all your shit in grocery bags.”

“Not all of it,” Christian fired back. He set the bags down on top of their mountain of stuff in the corner. “Shut up. You’re still lazy. You’re standing there, not even starting to unpack…”

“Why the hell am I gonna unpack when we need to work through logistics?” Logan gestured around the room. “Look at this. Two beds. Two desks. Two dressers. C’mon, we’ve gotta do some rearranging. This place looks like shit.”

“I don’t give a damn how it looks.” Christian leaned forward and launched himself face-first on the bed. Unsurprisingly, his feet hung off the edge. “Perfect.” The word was muffled, but he already sounded half-asleep.

Logan walked over. “Now, who’s the lazy ass?” He spanked him and darted away with a laugh when Christian turned on him like a wounded animal. “Get up, man! Want you to help me break this bed down.”

Christian scoffed. “Weren’t you the one who just said we’ve got too much shit in here? And now you wanna move the bed? No way.”

“If you like the bunks so much, you can sleep on top.”

Christian shot him a frown. “Me? On the top bunk? Are you kidding me?”

“You’re over six feet tall. How are you afraid of heights?”

Christian shrugged and rolled onto his side, the wall protecting his ass from another slap.

Logan rolled his eyes. “All right. Are you gonna make me spell it out for you?”

“Yeah, go ahead, spell it out.”

Of course. “If you think I’m gonna meet some girls who’re chill with crawling up a ladder to get some alone time, you’ve got another thing coming.”

The grin Christian shot him spoke multitudes. “Your ugly ass couldn’t get a girl in the first place.”

“I’ll be stealing your girl first.”

“I’d like to see you try!”

Logan laughed as he turned away. He took in the placement of the furniture and tried to visualize the best place for everything—once he moved things, he was unlikely to do it again. “Listen, just help me break apart the bed, and we can put it by the wall.”

The mattress creaked when Christian sat up. That was definitely going to put a damper on trying to be quiet when they had company over. “Nah. I wanna get a couch and put it there.”

Logan glanced over his shoulder. “We’ve got a couch in the living room. The whole point of a suite is to have another room to put our shit in instead of clogging up the bedroom.”

Christian shrugged. “So? The couch can only fit three of us anyway. What if I wanna sit down somewhere and you and our suitemates are taking up all the cushions?”

“Then you sit your ass on the floor.”

Christian stood, his eyes sparking with a familiar competitiveness. A fire lit up in Logan’s chest as Christian faced him. Logan squared his shoulders, head tipped back to look him in the eye. Christian didn’t seem the least bit intimidated when he replied, “I’m getting a couch. And I’m putting it there.”

Logan crossed his arms over his chest. “And I’m taking apart the bed and putting it there instead.”

Christian took two dangerous steps forward. Already, his hands dangled by his side, open and ready for grabbing. Logan planted his feet and held his gaze. “Winner chooses?” Christian asked.

Logan bit his bottom lip through his smile. “Bring it on, motherfucker.”

Christian barreled toward him like a bull, grabbed hold of Logan, and they began their dance.

Like any two guys who had known each other since kindergarten, they’d always done their fair share of horsing around. They’d thrown each other in the dirt on the playground when they were seven, much to the panic of their teachers, and Logan’s mom had blunted the end of a broom with the number of times she’d banged it against the ceiling when they wrestled too loudly.

They knew each other’s moves by heart at this point. Though Christian had the stronger body from years of soccer, Logan played dirty.

Christian’s hand wrapped around the back of Logan’s neck, and Logan batted his arm away before going for Christian’s waist. An early takedown might not be the best strategy, but the more unpredictable he could be, the best chance he had.

Unpredictable didn’t work. Christian spun with his tackle, and all the breath knocked out of Logan when he landed on his back on the cold tile floor, Christian’s weight on top of him.

“Couch,” Christian said with a certain smugness.

Logan lay limp for only a second to catch his breath before he exploded with energy, lashing out legs and grabbing at Christian’s shirt to get some leverage. “No deal! I didn’t give yet!”

“You’re gonna!” Christian was never out of breath this early. He sounded as calm as he’d been a few seconds ago. He caught Logan’s wrists, then pinned them to the floor over his head, his bright white teeth shining against his dark skin. “We’re getting a fucking couch.”

“No way!” Logan squeezed his thighs around Christian’s hips and twisted, trying to roll him over, but Christian pressed a hand against his stomach and held him there, as if it was easy. The full weight of Christian—most of it bearing down on his wrists, the rest coming down on his hips—was too much to shake off.

Maybe if I just tire him out… Logan didn’t stop thrashing around, his teeth gritting with the effort, and Christian laughed, the only sign of his exertion the slight tremor of his tone.

Christian bore down on him, one of his muscular legs tangling up with Logan’s to pin it down too. Their bedroom door opened just then, and they both whipped their heads to see the mortified man backing away with wide eyes.

“Oh, fuck, sorry!” And then the door slammed shut.

Silence. Christian stared at him for a few seconds.

They both started to snicker.

Christian sat on his knees, letting Logan pull away and rub his back. “Oh my God, you don’t think he—”

“I absolutely think he thought that,” Logan said through his laugh. “Holy shit. Should we go tell him?”

“Nah.” Christian’s eyes gleamed as he stood and offered Logan a hand to tug him to his feet. “He’ll figure it out when he sees all my girlfriends I’m bringing back.”

“Right.” Logan rolled his eyes, elbowing him as he walked past. “C’mon, we might as well go introduce ourselves or whatever.”

Christian got to the door first—competitive to the end—and opened it for him. “And then we go couch shopping.”

“Fuck you.”

“I won,” Christian said with a smirk.

“That wasn’t a win!” Logan led him into the living area of their dorm’s suite. “We got interrupted! That wasn’t even close to a win!”

“We don’t have technicalities in the rulebook.”

“I’ll put it in tonight.” Logan rolled his eyes. “If we’re getting a couch, you’re fucking paying my medical bills after I go to the hospital for my broken back.”

“Weenie.”

“Shut up.”

After a moment of searching the empty living room and their kitchen nook, they peered in the second bedroom and found the man who’d walked in on them.

“Hey.” Logan knocked gently on the half-open door. “Sorry, you, uh, caught us at a bad time.”

The guy threw his hands up as if he’d been stopped by police. “I’m so sorry—”

“Dude, you don’t have anything to be sorry about.” Christian leaned against the doorframe as if his head wasn’t almost brushing the top. “Just taking care of some unfinished business.”

“Shut up,” Logan threw over his shoulder and held out a hand. “I’m Logan. This is Christian. Guess we’re gonna be your suitemates?”

“Yeah, guess so!” The guy smiled as he shook Logan’s hand, though his eyes still flitted between them as if he were watching a tennis match. “My name’s Daiki. It’s nice to meet you both.”

“Daiki?” Christian asked.

“Daiki.” He nodded, but didn’t say anything more. “Have you guys met my roommate yet?”

“Nah. We just got here, but Aavai said we were the first ones in.” Logan shrugged. “We left last night, got a hotel room, got some breakfast this morning…guess we were ready to get here.”

Ready was an understatement. After twelve years of being in the same tiny town and barely able to remember where he’d first lived, the change of scenery was what Logan had been desperate for. It didn’t matter that Fulton State University was in the same state—tuition was cheaper for his parents, and the view outside Daiki’s window showed him something different.

A city, for example, that wasn’t too far away, barely visible over the roofs of their college buildings. He didn’t know what was down there besides a Waffle House, a hotel, and a gas station that carried an incredible array of candy for late-night snacking, but he looked forward to learning the lay of the land.

“I guess he’ll be here later.” Daiki rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you guys think I can go ahead and claim a bunk and start unpacking, or…”

“Tell your roommate to go fuck himself if he doesn’t like the bunk you picked.” Christian was succinct as always.

Logan laughed and shoved Christian out of the doorway. “Don’t pay him any attention. He doesn’t think much. Sports scholarship, you see.”

“At least I got a full ride.” Christian lifted his chin and smirked. “Don’t see my parents having to rob a bank just to pay for the damn place.”

“Mm-hmm. Yep, and you’re gonna be a big soccer star, and we’re all gonna say we knew you when. Uh-huh.” Logan rolled his eyes.

“I, uh, I guess you guys know each other…pretty well?” Daiki asked. “Have you been…together long?”

“I’ve known this idiot since he was trying to eat crayons, if that’s what you mean,” Logan drawled. “But that’s about it.”

Daiki’s eyebrows shot into his hairline. “Really? You’re not dating? But I thought—”

“We’re straight. Sorry to disappoint.” Christian turned on his heel and headed into the living room. “Logan, I’m hungry! Buy me a burger!”

“Buy your own burger!” Logan called and glanced at Daiki. The expression on Daiki’s face made Logan hesitate. “Hey. Sorry if you’re…” How do I phrase this? He’d heard it put a number of ways back home, and all of them had made his mom’s lips thin. He’d learned what the wrong words were only after she washed his mouth out with soap. “…he doesn’t mean anything bad. Promise.”

Daiki stared at him hard. “I hope he doesn’t, or he’s going to have an awful time at this school.”

Logan chuckled. They’d already walked past several couples holding hands around the busy campus as they found their way to the parking lot—most of them a guy and a girl, but a couple of girls and a couple of guys together too. The open display of affection would take some getting used to. “It’s fine. Seriously, no problem. It’s just not something we saw very often at home.”

Daiki leaned against his desk and glanced down at his feet, and Logan took the opportunity to size him up. The gay couples weren’t the only thing he’d have to get used to. Though Daiki didn’t appear mixed like Logan was, he still wasn’t white. As he’d carried his boxes in, Logan had seen more people of color than in his entire life just in the lobby. Their floor RA was Indian and Sikh. The girl checking them in downstairs was white, but she was being helped out by someone with dark brown skin.

FSU was a different world, one appearing as though the campus had come out of some movie that was really making a point out of being diverse. As though it had been intentionally done. As though some guy was gonna point the diversity out in his review as being unrealistic.

But here he was, standing in a room with someone who wasn’t white and who wasn’t like his best friend Christian either.

Logan spent the past twelve years thinking the white, heterosexual climate of Greenbarrow was normal. But the other students didn’t seem as surprised by their surroundings as Logan—and he wasn’t sure what he thought of that yet.

Going home after this was going to feel fucking weird.

“I guess you guys are both from down here, then,” Daiki finally said.

“Around Georgia? Yeah.” Logan shrugged. “Greenbarrow’s a couple hours south of here. Why, is my accent that bad?”

Daiki chuckled. “It’s pretty thick, but that’s not bad, I mean—”

“I got you.” Logan grinned. “You always apologize this much? What, are you Canadian?”

“No! No, I just…” He trailed off. “I guess I don’t want my roommates to hate me immediately. Especially if you two are some united front that could make my life pretty terrible.”

Daiki wasn’t a tiny guy, but he carried himself with the air of someone who was ready to be pushed around right now. Logan wasn’t a bully, and with the school’s star jock as his best friend, he’d been pretty immune to targeted violence by his classmates. But he’d never exactly stepped in and stopped anyone from being an asshole either. This is a sign. I’ve got some penance to do here. Logan was pretty sure his social calendar was going to be filled with nothing but Christian for the next four years, but he could try to do better.

“I’ll only make your life terrible if you eat whatever food I put in the fridge,” Logan said dryly, and Daiki laughed. “I’d better go catch up with Christian, or I’m not gonna get any lunch, but it was nice meeting you. Maybe we can hang out before classes start.”

Daiki stood tall, as though he’d been waiting his entire life for this moment. “Yeah! I-I mean, that’d probably be cool or whatever.”

“Cool.” Logan backed out of the room, putting his hands in his pockets. “And, uh, hey, listen, if your roommate’s an asshole, let me know. I’ll make sure he doesn’t mess with you.”

Daiki gaped at him. “Y-yeah, I’ll do that. I’m sure things’ll be fine, but…”

Penance. Logan shrugged. “Just saying. I’ll see you later.”

When he popped into his bedroom, Christian was shoving clothes haphazardly in the drawers of one of the chests. “You’re an idiot,” Logan said, huffing. “I wanted to move stuff around before we started unpacking.”

“And I wanted to get these bags out of our fucking way.” Christian scowled at him. “What? Your noodly-ass arms can’t move furniture when it’s full of boxers?”

“Fuck you.” Logan grabbed Christian’s sleeve and started walking backward, dragging him along. “Let’s go get burgers. I’ll pay if you drive my car.”

“Finally.”

Purchase

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Meet the Author

Suzanne is an asexual woman with a great love for writing erotica and enjoys spending her time confusing people with that fact. She believes there is a need for heightened diversity in erotic fiction and strives to write enough stories so that everyone can see themselves mirrored in a protagonist. She lives with her husband and cat, and, when not writing, Suzanne enjoys reading, playing video games poorly, and refusing to interact outdoors with other human beings.

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Tag Team Review + GIVEAWAY: Don't Fight the Spark (Soldiers and Mercenaries #1) by Kasia Bacon

As the Light Festival draws near, the Něssyrians craft paper lanterns, awaiting the most important holiday of the year.

The Lyliňg Fighting House, too, prepares for celebration—by laying fresh sand onto the arena and setting up a match against their top pit fighter, the unrivalled Yüuzuki Ōren.

His last match. One he can’t win.

With the odds more than stacked against him, the gorgeous Barbarian is as good as dead. Unless his lover, healer Ĥaiatto Ẽkana, proves himself every bit as determined as he is clever and finds a way to protect the man he'd stop at nothing to save.






We have not only a tag team unicorn review but an awesome visit from the author with prizes for 3 lucky people! See all below!

Averaged!



R *A Reader Obsessed* - 5 Hearts

Gods. The more I read about this world and it's varied inhabitants, the more I want and crave and need.

Continued complexity in this intriguing fantastical universe, slowly weaving an intricate piece of the grand puzzle as all of Bacon’s stories are intertwined and connected and as usual, this was just not enough!!

I don’t want to give much away, but this was a tender, emotional story of two lovers, one resigned to his fate, the other desperately determined to subvert it and bend it to his will against impossible odds. This also gives a glimpse of the infamous Grandmaster Assassin of The Order itself, Lu Feninghan, and I can’t wait for his story. It better be on the horizon!!

This technically isn’t a stand alone, and though I haven't read all of Bacon’s works, I don’t think one could go wrong with publishing order, and I'm going to rectify that soon and read the other two I was holding off on. The author herself recommends at least reading The Poison Within first, and I totally concur. Enjoy!

Sara - 5 Hearts

One would think by now having read and fallen in love with every book Kasia Bacon has released that I would get used to this feeling. One would think but one would be wrong. Each and every story, though familiar with the world of The Order is brand new and I fall for each couple just as fast and hard. It only took me reading the first page to feel how much Ĥaiatto cared for Yüu and how much the relationship with him had to be kept secret. I was in love, on board and ready to dive in.

True to The Order fashion, this is a short book and I wish I knew how the author is always able to pack so much emotion, world building and just artistry into the novella’s because it and she are magic. So because this is short, I’ll not produce a fangirl ramble and keep this review short. By the Gods, I promise I will. Maybe? Who knows?
You learned to pick your battles when you loved a fighter.
Ĥaiatto is a healer, one who does not possess solitary magic but the ability to use magic to heal others. He is currently employed at The Lyliňg Fighting House as their healer and his main job is to heal fighters of the pit. When their top pit fighter, the unrivaled Yüuzuki Ōren landed on his table some three years ago, Ĥaiatto treats and falls hard for him and begins a secret but passionate relationship with the fighter.

There is always something about secret relationships that tugs at my hopeless romantic heart while also tearing it apart. The level of commitment to be with the one you love no matter the consequence lends a level of romance but then the fact that the commitment is hiding who they are to one another to everyone, is sad. Yüu and Ĥaiatto have figured out a good balance to be together and the tall, gangly and awkward healer often wonders if his feelings are returned from Yüu. When Yüu is brought in to be healed after his last fight and Ĥaiatto learns of a twist Yüu’s next fight, Ĥaiatto will do everything his can to save his lover and give them a chance at a future… together.

Oh man! I loved this one super hard. Ĥaiatto is an amazing story teller and the characters he meets to secure a future was a joy to read. I do wonder if we will get a book with the Grandmaster and the Vamper because I am sure there is something between them. But Ĥaiatto and his love for Yüu made me feel. To be honest, reading and I have been having issues but this book made me feel and feel hard. I was waiting for the punch to the feels moment and once I got it, they just kept coming and I was happier than a ten puckered owl.

Now Yüu, I am so thankful we get his backstory and how he came about to be fighter in the pits at The Lyliňg Fighting House. It’s heartbreaking but gives him such strength of character that when Ĥaiatto proposes they spend the rest of their lives together… well, read the book to experience that scene. Kay?
“This Yüuzuki, […] Who is he to you?”
“Everything. He’s everything.”
This was just so good. I was holding my breath toward the end and freaking out a little but then I danced in my seat when Eryssa shows up and then when we see her reunion with Caylii. Giddy would be an understatement. That epilogue was pure perfection and I love how sweet Yüu is with his healer.

I have to say the title makes me smile and when you read the book (Read.The.Book.) you’ll figure out why.

I’ll stop rambling now but just know, I want more. I’m so ready for more.



Interested in learning more about Don't Fight the Spark (Soldiers and Mercenaries #1)? You're in luck! Author Kasia Bacon visited with an excerpt and is giving 3 e-copies below!


BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QQNP96D
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QQNP96D
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/don-t-fight-the-spark
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1131255727?ean=2940156438778
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1459807032


Excerpt


WARNING

They brought him to me bloodied and beaten to a pulp three days before the Night of Lights.
Being battered black and blue after a fight came with the territory for an ih’mohrô, even one as good as Yüuzuki Ōren. Not once in the past, however, had he ended up unresponsive in my treatment room. My stomach plummeted at the sight of two guards hauling him between them like a sack of coal. Was the dread that had haunted my dreams about to transpire?
Careful not to unmask my fear, I schooled my features. “Here.” I ushered the men to the exam table, erected in the middle of my study for easy access.
I did my best not to wince when Yüu’s limp body landed on top of the linen-dressed surface with a dull thump.
I got to him in two leaps and busied myself with arranging him in a recovery position. Placing two fingers on the inside of his wrist, I took his pulse. It felt thready and rapid, but it was there. I observed his chest rising and falling in shallow but regular breaths. Having seen no evidence of a collapsed lung or any blockage in his airways, I sighed with relief.
The blood caking his body—part dried, part fresh—prevented me from fully determining the damage.
I ordered the men to step back and allow me room to work. The next moment, I snatched my emergency kit from the side cabinet and prepared a basin of fresh water, dampening a soft muslin washcloth in it. Having settled Yüu onto his back with speed and care, I proceeded to clean the skin of the wounded man.
Not just any man, but the one I loved.
The scanty outfit of a pit-fighter, consisting of a simple loincloth, allowed me to get on with my task right away, taking stock of his injuries as the sweeping movements of my hands uncovered more and more scrapes, cuts and contusions.
Yüu was as tough as they came. The toughest. I would know, having treated him and other prized combatants of the Lyliňg Fighting House for over three years. If his body shut down, going into shock from blood loss and pain, both must’ve been significant.


A linguist and an avid reader with a particular fondness for fantasy and paranormal genres, KASIA BACON lives in London with her husband. When not tearing her hair out over a translating project, she writes stories about the shenanigans of emotionally constipated assassins and sexy Elves. Otherwise, she can be found shaking her loins at a Zumba class, binging on anime or admiring throwing knives on Pinterest. She has a mild coffee and lemon tart addiction. A lover of MMA and Muay Thai, she also enjoys nature and the great outdoors. She dreams of becoming independently wealthy, leaving the city and moving into her wooden mini-manor—located in the heart of stunning forests resembling those of the Elven Country depicted in her tales.

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