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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Past Sins by Thomas Grant Bruso


Join author Thomas Grant Bruso and Signal Boost Promotions as they celebrate the JMS Books release of Past Sins! Learn more about the mystery today and enter in the Past Sins eBook giveaway!





Length: 29,389 words

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb

Officer Jack Ballinger receives a phone call from the chief of police in the early morning hours regarding a dead body at an apartment building in a quiet neighborhood in the small upstate New York town of Black Falls. A female student lies in a pentagram outlined in her own blood, clutching a rosary. Ballinger and his former partner Officer Cory Ryan interview tenants in the building about the girl’s death, but are met with more questions than answers.


When another body is found in the same apartment building a few hours later, Jack knows something is wrong. As he ciphers through a patchwork of unexplainable clues, the investigation detours when Ryan disappears from the case and cannot be found.


With his future as an officer in question, will Ballinger be able to deal with the truth of these crimes once he discovers everything he thought he knew was a lie?


Excerpt

I’ve been sitting in the dark for an hour in front of the rain-streaked balcony window on a rattan armchair I found at a yard sale a few months ago.


An old relic is somebody else’s fortune, my mother once told me. It’s got a couple more good years left, I surmise, as I pour three fingers of vodka into a tumbler half filled with melting ice and take a slow sip, chips of broken ice sliding down my throat like shards of glass.


This is the only time I am by myself, a cosmic stillness, to think and rationalize.


Staring out at lines of rain crisscrossing down the sliding glass doors, I see a young dead girl lying in her own blood, clutching a rosary, her face distorted and covered in blood from a deep knife wound.


What does it mean? I wonder, tipping the glass and emptying the vodka in one long pull.


I refill, wishing I had bought two bottles, when a single soft knock at the door rattles me, and I lose my grip on the bottle and glass.


My drink spills across the scattered rug, and the edge of the glass smashes against the armchair at a ninety-degree angle, slivers of glass splintering across the floor.


“Fucking-A.”


There’s another knock, harder, more urgent.


I stand, wiping beads of alcohol off my hand and arm, and turn, staring at the closed door.


The time on the microwave reads 3:36.


Nobody visits this early in the morning. I wait and listen, hoping whoever it is will go away.


Five seconds. Ten. Fifteen.


Then ...


Two raps, hard, forceful and demanding to be answered.


I shudder, and my heartbeat rages in my ears.


As if paralyzed, fear traps me in place, and my hands are trembling and clammy and cold.


But I conjure up enough strength to yell, “Hello?”


I hear mumbling, but the words are unclear.


I swallow hard and step over broken glass, walking in the semi darkness to the edge of the mini kitchen, inching closer to the door.


“Hello?” I say again, reaching for my gun on the counter and cocking the hammer.


There is no answer.


I skulk to the edge of the door and lean up against the peephole, straining to glimpse a tall lean shadow stretching across the far wall in the hallway.


Stepping back, I aim the gun at the closed door, hearing my neighbor’s voice in my head.


Tall. Thin. Ghostly.


“Who is it?” I yell.


No answer.


I am buzzed from the booze, my head swimming with unpleasant thoughts. I step towards the door and unlock the chains, my hand hovering on the handle.


I look out through the peephole; the hall is empty.


I aim the gun out in front of me as I turn the bottom lock counterclockwise and pull the door open slightly, the chain link lock still affixed, clattering in place.


Staring out the crack, I don’t see anybody. “Hello?”


But there is no response.


I close the door and step out into the hallway, slowly, cautiously, looking left to right. Right to left, aiming the gun in every direction.


At the far end of the corridor, near the stairwell exit, I see a figure, masked in a dark hoodie, staring out the window to the tenant parking lot below.


“Hello?” I yell.


The figure turns in slow-motion, and I catch a glimpse of his long face in the bright moonlight spilling in from the high window.


The end of the whole dilemma eight months ago resurfaces like a nightmare that won’t stay dead, as I glare into the face of my past sins.


Author Bio

Thomas Grant Bruso graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2004 with a Bachelor’s in theatre performance and English writing. He knew at an early age he wanted to be a writer. He has been a voracious reader of genre fiction since he was a kid. His literary inspirations are Dean Koontz, Karin Fossum, Jeffery Deaver, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Connolly. He loves animals, book-reading, writing fiction, and prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles. He writes book reviews for his hometown newspaper, The Press Republican. He lives in Plattsburgh with his husband, Paul, and their miniature pincher diva, Riley.




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Audiobook Review: Jacked Cat Jive (Kai Gracen #3) by Rhys Ford

Stalker Kai Gracen knew his human upbringing would eventually clash with his elfin heritage, but not so soon. Between Ryder, a pain-in-his-neck Sidhe Lord coaxing him to join San Diego’s Southern Rise Court, and picking up bounties for SoCalGov, he has more than enough to deal with. With his loyalties divided between the humans who raised him and the Sidhe Lord he’s befriended and sworn to protect, Kai finds himself standing at a crossroads.

When a friend begs Kai to rescue a small group of elfin refugees fleeing the Dusk Court, he’s pulled into a dangerous mission with Ryder through San Diego’s understreets and the wilderness beyond. Things go from bad to downright treacherous when Kerrick, Ryder’s cousin, insists on joining them, staking a claim on Southern Rise and Kai.

Burdened by his painful past, Kai must stand with Ryder against Kerrick while facing down the very Court he fears and loathes. Dying while on a run is expected for a Stalker, but Kai wonders if embracing his elfin blood also means losing his heart, soul, and humanity along the way.

Listening Length: 8 hours and 19 minutes
Narrator: Greg Tremblay


Rhys Ford has a varied repertoire. She can do contemporary just as well as fantasy, but it’s the latter where I think she shines and she’s truly outdone herself here with this latest installment.

Briefly, this is a world where fae and humans have been forcibly meshed together, an existence neither really wants but all agree that war is no longer an option due to heavy losses on both sides. Kai is a product of the dark sidhe court, and he’s escaped, prospered, and committed to fight and kill the various monsters that troll the newly formed lands. Ryder is a high fae lord with lofty ideals to guarantee his race’s survival which does not sit well with the more traditional members of the court. Ryder knows that having Kai as his ally (and hopefully eventually in his bed) is the best thing to see his goals become reality. They both agree that change is needed and that starts by retrieving 3 rare fae children in the wild Borderlands.

Of course, what should be simply a dangerous mission turns into one life threatening fiasco after the other. Throw in plenty of new and old monsters alike, meddling sidhe relatives, and haters on both sides, and Kai and company can never catch a break!

Gruesome, brutally violent with quite a bit of gore, Ford definitely puts our reluctant hero through the ringer but what a gripping adventure it is! Kai for sure never wants the attention nor the accolades, all of which make him the best at what he does - a champion for those who have none.

Narrated by Greg Tremblay, I know I don’t have to say anything else, am I right? Also, if ever there was a narrator closely associated with an author, it’s this unbeatable combo.

Overall, points for a tightly woven plot that never fails on the complexity, the world building, or the gritty realism and stomach roiling horror. There’s a story arc in play and it has been since the beginning, but this latest installment really brings to light what I hopefully foresee as wonderful things for this fractured troubled reality where both races must come together to actually survive and thrive. I still believe this is classic urban fantasy at its best, and the romance is just starting to brew a bit stronger here (though don’t get your hopes up that this is typical Ford erotica because it isn’t). Nonetheless, the more realized love potential is compelling to say the least.

Seriously, this series just keeps getting better and better, and I’ve already babbled long enough. Change is definitely a’coming, and Kai will no doubt spearhead the charge with Ryder by his side. I can’t wait to see this unravel, and Ford needs to hustle on getting the next story out because that ending??? Oh my!


A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.





Release Blitz + Giveaway: Digging Deep (Digging Deep #1) by Jay Hogan


Celebrate the Dreamspinner Press release of Digging Deep (Digging Deep #1) with author Jay Hogan and Signal Boost Promotions! Check out today's blitz and enter in the eBook giveaway!





Length: 340 pages

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Design: Kanaxa

Blurb

A Digging Deep Story


Drake Park has a complicated life. As a gay male midwife, he’s used to raising eyebrows. Add Crohn’s disease and things get interesting—or not, considering the sad state of his love life. Experience has taught Drake that most men are fair-weather sailors when it comes to handling his condition—gone for dust when things get rough. Staying healthy is a full-time job without adding in any heartbreak, so a little loneliness is a small price to pay. If he says it often enough he might even believe it. One thing for sure, the cop who arrested him isn’t about to change that.


Caleb Ashton does not have a complicated life. A senior detective with the Whangarei Police Department, he likes his job and is good at it. He works hard and plays hard, happy to enjoy as many men as he can while he’s still young enough—or at least he was. These days he feels adrift for the first time in his life, and the only thing sparking his interest—a certain prickly young midwife.


But can Drake find enough faith to risk opening his heart again? And does Caleb have what it takes to cope with the challenges Drake’s condition presents?



Jay Hogan is a New Zealand author writing in m/m romance, romantic suspense and fantasy. She has travelled extensively and has lived in quite a few countries. She has a BA degree in Nursing and in Theology, and in another life, she was an Intensive Care Nurse, Counselor, and a Lecturer.


She is a cat aficionado especially of Maine Coons, and an avid dog lover (but don’t tell the cat). She loves to cook- pretty damn good, loves to sing - pretty damn average, and as for loving full-time writing -absolutely… depending of course on the day, the word count, the deadline, how obliging her characters are, the ambient temperature in the Western Sahara, whether Jupiter is rising, the size of the ozone hole over New Zealand and how much coffee she’s had.


She has complex boys telling stories in her head that demand attention and a considerable number of words to go with them. Their journeys are never straightforward and even surprise Jay. She does her best to plot things out ahead of time but those pesky characters seem to have a mind of their own. Go figure.


You can find Jay at:

https://www.facebook.com/JayHoganAuthor

https://twitter.com/jayhoganauthor

jayhoganauthor@gmail.com


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Audio Release Blitz + Giveaway: Will & Patrick Wake Up Married (Episodes #4-6) by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths


Alice Griffiths and Leta Blake, authors of the popular Will & Patrick Wake Up Married serial, promote the latest release of their John Solo narrated audio book, Will & Patrick Wake Up Married (Episodes #4-6), along with Signal Boost Promotions! Learn more about the audio and enter to win an audio code for Will & Patrick Wake Up Married (Episodes #1-3)!




Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 15hrs 45mins

Wake Up Married Series

Episodes 1 - 3 - Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK



Blurb

Continue the fun in episodes 4-6 of the soapy serial by best-selling author Leta Blake and newcomer Alice Griffiths!


Episode Four: Will & Patrick Fight Their Feelings


Will and Patrick have embraced adding hot sexy times to their fake marriage, but as their emotions deepen, they confront whether or not they want to be more than friends-with-benefits. The heat is high (and occasionally kinky) as Will and Patrick struggle to accept their mutual affection.


Episode Five: Will & Patrick Meet the Mob


Patrick has finally accepted that he's in love with Will, but his newfound determination to do something about that runs up against his father-in-law's mobster plans. Will must face the truth about his family before he can fully come to terms with his feelings for Patrick. And Patrick has to decide if this whackadoodle world is something he truly wants to be part of forever.


Episode Six: Will & Patrick's Happy Ending


Sure, Will, and Patrick are in love now, but they weren't when they got married in Vegas. For Patrick, that's no problem, but Will can't shake his doubts that a relationship started through coercion can ever become the real deal. Since the Molinaro crime family has reversed their position on divorce, Will and Patrick have a chance to rectify their drunken mistake. But is divorce the right choice for them?



Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.



Alice Griffiths - Facebook | Goodreads



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Release Blitz + Giveaway: The Grim Assistant (Tales from the Grim #1) by Jodi Hutchins


The Grim Assistant (Tales from the Grim #1) is out from NineStar Press! Celebrate the release of the new paranormal romance with author Jodi Hutchins and IndiGo Marketing! Learn more and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit giveaway!


Title: The Grim Assistant
Series: Tales from the Grim
Author: Jodi Hutchins
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: August 5, 2019
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Female/Female
Length: 71700
Genre: Paranormal, LGBT, romance, paranormal, friends-to-lovers, surfer, spirits, postal worker, teacher, vampires

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Synopsis

Postal carrier and amateur surfer, Samantha Diaz, lives an uncomplicated life. Well, other than helping her sister with childcare, crushing on her unavailable customer, Lauren Brennan, and catching as many waves as possible before hurricane season begins. Suffice to say, she isn’t looking for much more, but when Lauren invites her to a monthly game night at her house, Sam happily agrees.

When Sam sets out on an early morning surf, the last thing she expects to do is die, but a sudden thunderstorm thrashes offshore, creating a riptide that steals Sam’s life. She awakens to a snarky woman named Margo speaking cryptic nonsense. Not only does she claim to be one of the many Grim Reapers, or Grims, in the world, Margo makes Sam an offer: she’ll bring Sam back from the dead, as long as she becomes Margo’s temporary assistant. Sam accepts but soon realizes the deal was too good to be true, and the consequences she faces may be worse than the death she dodged.

Excerpt

The Grim Assistant
Jodi Hutchins © 2019
All Rights Reserved

The planks of the boardwalk were hot against Samantha Diaz’s feet as she bounded up the stairs, surfboard tucked beneath her arm, water trickling over her shoulders. The calm waters and equally serene beach left her with only the early morning anglers standing out at the ocean’s edge, casting their lines along the jetty.

“Same time on Friday?” her best friend, Josh Keller, asked as he ambled up the stairs after her, his bushy blond hair stuck to his face and neck. A trill from a bicycle bell filled the air, coalescing with the call of a flock of seagulls harassing a group of teens munching on breakfast. The oily aroma of freshly fried doughnuts mixed with the scent of crisp saltwater as Sam took a deep breath.

She smiled broadly. “Absolutely.” Beads of seawater dripped down her dark brows, and she swept her hand across her forehead in a feeble attempt to dry it. The pair crossed the boardwalk, heading down the long ramp to the parking lot.

Reaching her Jeep, Sam tossed her board in the back and grabbed a towel, drying her face and ruffling her unruly crop of black hair. People flooded the tall staircase, beach tags fastened to their large bags overflowing with colorful shovels and towels. She grabbed a dry shirt, pulling it over her head to cover her bikini top before putting her wallet in the damp pocket of her board shorts. Josh stood staring at her. “Damn, what I would do to get a tan like yours,” he mumbled sheepishly.

Sam chuckled, noting the red tinge forming along his pale, freckled shoulders, and then glanced at her own tanned skin. “I don’t know, man, I’ll always be jealous of your freckles,” she joked, elbowing him in the arm. “You want to grab some breakfast?”

“Sure, why not?”

Sam and Josh followed the influx of people. She was determined she would get herself a fresh bagel before heading home for a shower and babysitting her nephew. Cyclists pedaled down the bicycle lane on the wood, and early morning joggers were swiftly being replaced by excited children heading to the beach or the waterpark. The tiny hole-in-the-wall bagel shop Sam frequented was set back beside one of two amusement parks on the boardwalk, and she stepped into the short line. Depending on what time she had to be in to work, Sam’s summer mornings always started the same if Josh was available. She didn’t surf without him by her side unless there were lifeguards present. The last thing she wanted was to get caught in a riptide and end up miles offshore.

The two moved into the queue of people, and Josh turned to her. “How’s it going with Katie?”

Sam’s stomach sank at the mention of her older sister, and she shrugged. “I don’t know. The divorce is official, but now it’s all parenting plan crap and custody issues. She’s stressed out.”

Josh gave her a sympathetic grimace, causing her to wonder if he regretted asking her the question. “Yikes.”

“Yeah. They had a meeting with her ex’s lawyer, and I don’t know how it went yet.”

“Hey, Sam,” a voice called from behind her. Sam whipped around as her friend, Lauren Brennan, stepped into the line where Sam was already standing in wait. Lauren’s long chestnut hair hung over her shoulders, her wide smile reaching her vibrant green eyes.

“Lauren.” Sam’s tone came out a lot more breathless than she intended. Josh must’ve noted the change in her demeanor, so he nudged her in the back with his elbow.

“They have the best pork roll egg and cheese sandwiches,” Lauren said, curling her lips upward, a delicate dimple surfacing as she smiled.

Sam nearly sighed with longing, her heart rate quickening, and she swallowed back her feelings. The blue sundress Lauren wore hugged her body, the color accentuating her lovely summer tan. She’s off limits.

“They sure do. Order anything good lately?” Sam agreed.

Nodding enthusiastically, Lauren said, “Actually, I did! I ordered this new lesson kit online and a few other things for the classroom.” Sam had been delivering Lauren’s mail since the science teacher moved to Ocean City from New Brunswick two years prior. “And a few new books. Speaking of books, how’d you like the one you borrowed?”

“I absolutely loved it. Is it just me or is my taste in books rubbing off on you?” Sam said. Josh sighed indignantly. Sam held in a retort while she waited for Lauren to reply. Lauren blushed, and the sight had Sam nearly swooning. “I have to say your taste has rubbed off on me. My true love will always be gritty literary fiction, but you’ve got me hooked on those dark fantasies now.”

“Hey, I forgot about that thing I have to do,” Josh interjected. When Sam gave him a puzzled smile, he continued, “You know, the thing? I’ll see you Friday.”

“Oh, all right. Aren’t you going to get breakfast?” Sam asked. He shook his head and waggled his eyebrows, head jerking toward Lauren. His gesture wasn’t as discreet as Sam preferred, but she didn’t believe Lauren noticed. She knew he was leaving because of her interaction with Lauren. Before she could say more, Josh moved out of the line and hurried toward the ramp leading to the sidewalk.

She moved forward in line, ordering her food and stepping aside while Lauren ordered hers. While they waited, Sam leaned against the railing. “I’ve got a new one I know you’d love,” she said.

“A dark fantasy? You’d better bring it by the next time you work. I ordered a bunch of stuff, so I should be seeing you sometime next week,” Lauren added, pulling her purse strap over her shoulder.

“Okay, I will. Maybe Boo will let me pet her this time,” Sam chuckled, referring to Lauren’s skittish cat. In the last two years, the cat only let Sam touch her four or five times.

“Don’t take it personally because she doesn’t even let Bethany pet her.” Yep, there was the pesky reminder of her unavailability. Sam laughed regardless of her feelings toward Lauren’s girlfriend. It wasn’t as though she didn’t like her for the sole reason of being with Lauren; Bethany and Sam had known each other in high school and the memories were anything but fond.

“Boo’s such a cutie. Maybe I’ll start bringing some cat treats again,” Sam offered. The young man behind the counter caught Sam’s attention and handed her the pork roll she ordered. “Thanks.” She grinned at Lauren, continuing their conversation. “That’s how I got Boo to let me close at first.”

“School starts on Wednesday, but you should come by one night and have a drink with us, maybe play some cards. I always try to plan a game night once a month, especially when school is back in session.” Lauren took her food from the man, then faced Sam as they moved out of the way of other customers.

“I’d love to,” Sam said honestly. Sam enjoyed Lauren’s friendship, despite having to tolerate Bethany in small doses. She and Bethany may have had their differences, but they were adults now.

“What about, say, next Saturday night? I’m heading to Newark this weekend for a family barbeque, but I’ll be home Tuesday.”

“Yeah, sounds perfect.”

They stood staring at each other for longer than etiquette warranted, triggering Sam to wonder if Lauren felt the same attraction as she did. She hastily dispelled the fleeting thought and smiled. She’s simply a friend and can’t be more. “Well, I’ll let you get on with your day. I’ve got babysitting duty with my nephew, anyway.”

“I’ll see you later this week, I’m sure. Don’t forget the book,” Lauren said. She turned, heading down the boardwalk. Lauren left, the sway of her hips causing her skirt to swish back and forth with each step, and once Lauren disappeared in the flowing crowd, Sam headed to her Jeep.

The drive back to her house was quick and she was fortunate she missed the tourist traffic. Although Ocean City, New Jersey, was a busy tourist spot during the summer, Sam couldn’t see herself living anywhere else. The tiny seaside town was home to her and her sister, the beach and the community far too important to leave behind and live in a larger city.

She parked her car on the side of the road, finding a spot relatively close to her sister’s little condo, and she ambled up the stairs, leaving her surfboard in the back of her Jeep. The steps leading to the porch creaked beneath her feet, the white paint peeling off the railing and the stucco face of the home. The three-bedroom condo was large enough for her sister and nephew to live in comfortably. Sam had been staying with Katie for a few weeks at a time to help with her nephew and to covertly keep an eye out for her sister’s mental health. The divorce was taking its toll on Katie, but Sam knew her sister would never ask for help.

“I’m glad you’re here. I’ve got to run and get gas before I head over to work,” Katie said as she bustled around the living room, grabbing a laundry basket full of clothing from the couch and tossing it on the kitchen counter. Already clad in blue scrubs, her black hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, Sam figured Katie must’ve been anxiously waiting for her to get there.

“Sorry. I stopped to grab some breakfast. Is the little man awake yet?”

Without glancing up from her task, Katie shook her head. Sam stopped, placing her keys on the island in the kitchen leading off the living room, and she really took in her sister’s appearance: red-rimmed eyes, wrinkled scrubs, head lowered.

“Katie.” Her sister finally met her gaze. “How’d the hearing go yesterday?”

Katie drew a breath and straightened. “Like crap. I don’t think we’re ever going to work out a parenting plan.”

“He didn’t agree to your terms?”

Katie scoffed, and her shoulders visibly slumped. “No. His lawyer told us he wanted more time on different days. Evidently, his schedule doesn’t work with what I offered,” she said, shaking her head and touching her fingers to her forehead. “At this rate, it’s going to go on into the new year.”

“He’s lucky you don’t fight for full custody, the fucking asshat.” Sam loathed her ex-brother-in-law for how he treated his sister and wasn’t shy about speaking her feelings toward him now the divorce was official.

Her sister shot her a reproachful glance before she headed to the refrigerator. Katie’s voice was low when she said, “Just because he and I didn’t work out doesn’t mean he’s a bad father. Ben has every right to know him and I don’t want to take his father away from him because John was unfaithful.” She threw a yogurt into her purse along with a package of granola before grabbing her keys from the counter. “I’ll see you tonight,” she said as she stepped out the front door.

Sam lounged on the couch, kicking her feet up on the coffee table as she closed her eyes. Her muscles were sore from surfing, and all she wanted was to rest her head before her nephew woke.

“Auntie Sam, Mama gone?” a little voice cut off her thoughts. Her five-year-old nephew came wandering down the hall, his little stuffed animal pig tucked under his arm, his free hand rubbing his face.

“Yeah, Mama had to go off to work. Do you want some breakfast?” Sam asked.

Ben eagerly bobbed his head.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble

Meet the Author

Jodi Hutchins is a healthcare professional by day and fanatical writer by night. They are also an avid reader, coffee connoisseur, helpless romantic, amateur artist, enthusiastic maker-upper of things, spouse, and parent. The frequent rain of western Washington doesn’t stop Jodi and their wife from gallivanting through the next trail head with their two children.

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Virtual Book Tour + Giveaway: Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe


Welcome debut author Jenya Keefe and Riptide Publishing on today's virtual book tour visit for Relationship Material! Learn more about the contemporary romance from today's visit and comment on the blog to win a $15 gift card to Powell's City of Books! [Books can be ordered online and shipped internationally]


Hi, I'm Jenya Keefe. Welcome to my blog tour! I've been writing for my own pleasure for too many years to count, and now my first novel is being published by Riptide Publishing! It's called Relationship Material, and I'm delighted to talk with you about it.

Relationship Material is about a guy who had a terrible childhood and suffered a violent assault when he was a teenager. He suffers from PTSD and chronic anxiety, and though he functions well enough in society, he doesn't feel worthy of the love offered him. It's about Portland, the love of a good dog, learning to be brave, and being open to joy.


About Relationship Material

It's not always possible to meet in the middle.

Registered nurse Evan Doyle doesn’t consider himself fit for more than occasional hookups. He has a good life, but the emotional aftermath of a horrific crime makes him feel too damaged to date. So when his sister’s hot bestie, Malcolm Umbertini, comes on to him, he turns him down flat. Mal is Relationship Material: the kind who thinks in the long term. What would Evan do with a man like that?

As a prosecuting attorney, Mal’s learned how to read people, and he knows there’s more to Evan than meets the eye. Mal has faced his own hardships since his family kicked him out as a teen, and he respects Evan’s courage and emotional resilience. More than that, he wants Evan—in his bed and in his life. But can he weather another rejection?

Both wary, they agree to a no-strings fling. Mal knows that Evan wants things to stay casual, but he’s falling in love a little more with each encounter. With health, happiness, and bruised hearts on the line, Mal and Evan must risk everything for love.

Now available from Riptide Publishing!

About Jenya Keefe

Jenya Keefe was born in the South. She has an advanced degree in European history, and has  spent much of her life working the kinds of jobs a history degree qualifies you for: gift shop employee, lumber grader, classifieds clerk, hot glass artist. She currently lives in the Seattle area, where she works at a library. She has always written stories.

Website: www.jenyakeefe.com
Twitter: @JenyaKeefe

Pre-order Jenya’s next release, The Musician and the Monster, coming September 30th from Riptide Publishing!




Giveaway

To celebrate this release, Jenya is giving away a $15 gift card to Powell’s City of Books! Powell’s is an independent bookseller located in Portland, the setting for Relationship Material. Those not in Portland can shop online. Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on August 10, 2019. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following along, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Audio Release Blitz + Giveaway: Out in the Field (Out in College #4) by Lane Hayes


Learn more about the audio release of Out in the Field (Out in College #4), narrated by Michael Pauley, today! Author Lane Hayes and IndiGo Marketing host today's blitz! Check it out and the $25 Amazon gift card giveaway!

Title: Out in the Field
Series: Out in College #4
Author: Lane Hayes
Narrator: Michael Pauley
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: July 11
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
Genre: Romance, New Adult, College, Coming Out, Baseball, New Adult, Humor, Opposites

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Synopsis

Max Maldonado loves baseball. He knows playing first base at a private college probably won’t get him to the big leagues, but he doesn’t mind. He loves the game and his teammates. If he has to stay in the closet until he graduates, that’s okay. Baseball comes first. Relationships are complicated anyway. And after his recent messy breakup, Max prefers to keep things simple.

Phoenix Bell is a fabulous theater geek. He’s excited about his recent transfer to a new school with an elite liberal arts program. Life has been on hold for a while, but this opportunity feels like the fresh start he was hoping for when he moved to California. And the chance reunion with the hot closeted jock is an unexpected surprise. The two men have nothing in common and their timing couldn’t be worse. However, when their unconventional alliance blossoms into friendship and perhaps something more, it may be time to make some hard decisions. And perhaps risk it all…out in the field.

Listen to a sample

Meet the Author

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were First Place winners in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon

Meet the Narrator

Michael has well over 50 audio book titles currently available for purchase on Audible.com. He is versed in multiple styles and genres including fiction (novels and short stories) ranging from romance to science fiction to crime dramas to thrillers; business strategy books; health and wellness books; and even an occasional children's book.

Fans of Michael's narration are welcome to follow him on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and SoundCloud.

If you are interested in working with Michael to produce your next audio book, you can contact him directly at voice@michaelpauley.info

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Guest Review: A Foreign Country (Mr & Mr Detective #2) by Alex Jane

Private Detective John Right’s life is pretty good.

He loathes paperwork and could do without wasting his weekends catching out cheating spouses, but business is booming and he’s sharing his life with Jason, a man he’s still crazy about after three years.

The only downside is his lover’s baffling choice of friends and the fact that John is convinced Jason is keeping secrets from his dark past.

When a late-night phone call leads them to a kidnap victim with amnesia, and a dangerous man from Jason’s previous life suddenly resurfaces, they have much more than just secrets to deal with.

And after their mysterious house guest starts to show more than a passing interest in the detective couple, John is left struggling when his relationship, as well as his detecting skills, are put to the test.

Are they strong enough to resist the temptation of an enigmatic stranger?

Maybe. If they don’t get killed in the meantime.

Reviewer: Annery

This is Bk.2 in the Mr. & Mr. Detective series, and while not absolutely necessary, I’d say you’ll get more bang for your money if you read them in order. It wouldn’t be a hardship.

The story picks up three years after the events of the last book, and I’m both happy and chagrined to say that John & Jason continue to be the same knuckleheads from Bk.1. They’re settled into their own brand of happy: Jason not only accommodating, but also maybe getting off on John’s peeping perv kink, and John obsessively worrying & watching over Jason. While they’ve managed to mesh and meld their home life and their different, but complementary vocations, they also manage to not talk about anything. How or why, you may ask? I did too! It makes no sense, and yet, I can’t say that it’s unrealistic. Frustrating and annoying, but it fit the characters that Alex Jane introduced in Bk.1. They weren’t changed by the magic of love, which I appreciated. Also, to be fair, Jason doesn’t talk, but John doesn’t ask, both afraid to shatter their corner of heaven. Can’t say I blame them.

In the midst of mundane detective and computer work, John & Jason get involved in the case of an amnesiac kidnap victim. Involved as in bringing him home and things get interesting. In the meantime Jason’s past, which has been hinted at, resurfaces, and it ain’t pretty. Like in any good detective yarn, everything’s connected, but happily not with a connect-the-dots simplicity, more in a plausible and satisfying way. I won’t say much more about the plot, because I’m not a douche and it’s a fun ride. Alex Jane doesn’t write cookie-cutter plots or characters, and I love that. The story isn’t perfect, the characters could use tweaking, and the Britishisms (*see my review of the Bk.1*) could be easily fixed, and yet I’m glad to have found this series.

On the home front I was happy to see John & Jason living their lives, as gay men, and not becoming Ozzie & Harriet. I was/am pretty impressed by how well a British author captures NYC, in this case Brooklyn. I liked that Jason is still just a tech geek, (while John is almost a Luddite) he hasn’t become some Jason Bourne character. He isn’t even a good detective. It’s not his job. He’s afraid of the bigger bad guys, and will probably always be in the grip of some sort of PTSD after his ordeal. John still struggles with what level of perv is an acceptable level of kink and what is crossing the line. I love that he’s still mentally wrestling with true intimacy, on a personal level; that it’s something he and Jason are still working on. Like real life.

As a bonus, if you read the first book, you’ll be happy to check in on Chris, and may or may not be surprised by a plot twist to his story. I wasn’t surprised, but I was tickled pink nonetheless. And I am super stoked about the ending. I’m keeping all limbs crossed that the good things promised don’t dissapoint.




Blog Tour + Giveaway: Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan


Welcome author Dahlia Donovan and Other Worlds Ink on the Here Comes the Son blog tour! Learn more about the new urban fantasy and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway!

Here Comes the Son


Dahlia Donovan has a new MM urban fantasy romance book out: "Here Comes the Son."

When evil stirs in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, heroes come in both ordinary and extraordinary packages.

Ignatius Faber knows a few things for absolute certain. He’s half-demon, his father is the unequivocal prince of darkness, and demons want to destroy his city. And if he doesn’t make the first move on his crush, they’re never going to be anything more than a teenage fantasy that’s lasted into his thirties.

Lalo Pavia grew up hard and fast, orphaned at a young age. As an autistic, he’s learned to approach life cautiously. He throws his energy into gardening and photography—allowing both to provide a buffer between himself and the rest of the world.

Except for Iggy.

Can they find triumph, life, and even love in the middle of a city in flames?

Their fight for the mile high city has just begun.


Hot Tree Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads




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Excerpt

Here Comes the Son

*contains explicit language*
Stowing both the journal and pen into his backpack, Iggy focused on the YouTube video playing on the library computer. The Siren. She was a beautiful, sultry vlogger who’d rapidly gained a cult-like following on her channel. No name, no history, no previous website. She’d sprung up from nowhere and catapulted to viral infamy.

Iggy hadn’t needed a cryptic dream warning him of another demonic invasion in his beloved city or the strange shiver up his spine to immediately put her onto his list.

The whir of the printer behind him drew Iggy away from the video as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. His dark-brown eyes scanned the library slowly. He’d apparentlyrun out of time for research; somewhere in the city,a demon had come out to play.

Time to hunt.

Strapping on his bag, Iggy dragged a hand roughly through his short black hair. He winked at the librarian who grumbled at him when he leaped over a book cart in his path on the way toward the front entrance. She blushed, a response he was used to with his inherited looks and charm.

As one of his best friends from high school used to say, he had wickedly devilish good looks. He told her to stop reading Regencyromances. From his jet-black hair to his deep-brown eyes, he knew his face balanced the angelic with the roguish.

I’d do me.

Blinded by the bright sunshine, Iggy took a moment to adjust after stepping outside. Denver’s Central Library had always been a favoriteof his for research, with its massive collection. Plus, he always thought the building seemed almost like a grouping of castle turrets.

He paused on the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth Avenue. Spring was supposed to have sprung in the Mile High City. Not that the weather had noticed; they’d only just thawed out from winter.

And judging by the crisp air and gathering clouds on the mountains, they’d be inundated with another blizzard before the end of the day.

Jogging down Thirteenth, Iggy skidded to a halt on Lincoln. He tilted his head, trusting his finely honed instincts. Half a block down, he spotted an alley between a parking lot and the Art Institute that was shadowed more than it should’ve been in the bright early afternoon sun.

One step into the gap between the buildings, and he’d plunged into nighttime. The smell of sulfur swirled around him. He slipped his bag around his body, reaching inside for a spray can.

“Ah, Son of the Morning Star. Half-breed. I hoped you’d sense my presence.” Rastran stood at the end of the unnaturally dark alley. He leaned casually against the industrial air conditioner with one foot resting on a body, completely disregarding the dirt now staining his designer suit. Demons always enjoyed life’s luxuries. “Ignatius Faber, we’ve saved you for last. Your father’s brightest light. A beautiful irony. All of his hopes pinned on the one offspring who matched him most in appearance and strength. Pity he can’t see the monster he created.”

With a hardkick, Rastran sent the body rolling along the filthy ground to land barely a foot away from Iggy. Titus.One of his many half-siblings. Iggy hadn’t seen his brother in weeks. They’d all assumed Titus was on a hunt.

They generally kept in close contact, particularly since hundreds of other half-siblings had been culled over the past eight years. Titus and Iggy were the only ones left. Rage erupted deep inside him.

“I’m the monster?” Iggy calmly stepped over Titus, shoving grief and anger viciously down to remain focused. He had a demon to deal with. His fingers wrapped tightly around the canister of compressed holy water in his pocket. It resembled pepper spraybut worked to stun creatures of Hell long enough for him to send them home. “You should’ve stayed away from my city.”

Kicking a piece of brick at the demon, Iggy charged toward him, leaping over a dumpster. He caught Rastran in the chest with a kick, then doused him with the holy water. With the demon stunned, he swiftly dug the lighter from his bag and set fire to the expensive suit.

“Fuck off back to Hell.” Iggy stared intently at the brilliantly red flames rapidly burning the demon into nothing.

Flashy, fiery piece of shit.

Demons, as a species, seemed drawn to anything expensive or shiny. Titus had joked about their being the Kardashian brand of hellspawn. Iggy swallowed down his desire to both laugh and sob uncontrollably.

When the last bits of ash disappeared on a sudden brisk breeze, Iggy twisted toward Titus. With Rastran banished, lighthad returned to the alley. He didn’t have time to process his brother’s death.

His shoulders dropped with the weight of sorrow. A dead man in the middle of the city would draw attention Iggy didn’t need. He had no real explanation for how Titus had died.

Demons tended to kill without leaving a trace of evidence of their presence or method. Of their army of siblings, Titus had been the most dedicated to demon hunting. More than Iggy. Ironic, given fighting came a little too easilyto Iggy.

With no way to transport Titus, Iggy gently removed the rosary from his brother’s neck and fled the alley.He left no clues to his presence, making sure to avoid any cameras in the area. Catching a bus on Lincoln allowed him to quickly return to where he’d parked his vehicle earlier.




Author Bio

Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.

Author Website: https://dahliadonovan.com/
Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005993479215
Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/dahliadonovan/
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/DahliaDonovan
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dahliadonovanauthor/
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8184061.Dahlia_Donovan
Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/dahlia-donovan/
Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dahlia-Donovan/e/B00KFNZFHU?


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