Release Blitz + Giveaway: Family According To Liam (According to Liam #4) by V.L. Locey

Join author V.L. Locey and Signal Boost Promotions as they promote the latest release, Family According To Liam (According to Liam #4)! Learn more today and enter in the giveaway! 



 

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Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Length: 52,000 words approx.

According To Liam Series

Book #1 - Life According To Liam

Book #1.5 - Christmas According to Liam

Book #2 - Love According To Liam

Book #3 - The World According To Liam

Blurb

The bonds of family aren’t regulated by blood. They’re defined by love and an open heart.

Bryn and Michael Mettler have lived a life that many can only dream about. The two men had a whirlwind romance and ended up happily married. Bryn played hockey for the Pittsburgh Ravens, and Michael worked at a job he loved in web design and writing a successful humor blog. They also doted on Mike’s nephew Liam as all good uncles should.

They’ve welcomed a new member into their small but loving clan. Made strides to heal a fractured past hurt. Traveled the world and settled into their new home and lives with great joy. The only thing missing was a child of their own. That absent piece is now here, and their lives are about to change in a million charming, unexpected ways.

USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

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Review: His Surrogate Omega (Omega Quadrant #1) by Kelex

Omega Gray Tomlinson is positive he’ll remain unmated for the rest of his life. By his mid-thirties, he remains unclaimed and without prospects, and lives confined to the Omega Quadrant, where he’s sure he’ll end up dying alone.

When his older brother, Silver, and Silver’s alpha die in a tragic accident, Gray’s nephews come to live in his little sequestered world. Without an alpha, he knows he has little means to help support the boys. The only choice he can stomach is to offer his services as a surrogate.

The minute Gray meets Jamie, the infertile omega who so desperately wants a child, he senses a bond like none he’s ever felt before. It’s brotherly love at first sight, and Gray decides Jamie is the one, agreeing to carry his and his alpha, Rohan’s, child.

But when circumstances change, Gray is faced with new challenges, a new love interest, and a battle for the very life that grew inside him. And maybe there’s an alpha out there for him after all…

The tight grip I've had on fan fiction over the past year has been deadly. I have read some of the best written works in years during my fan fiction tight hold, creative, plot driven, excellent world-building. And one genre that I prefer fan fic style is ABO. A lot of the published ABO I've found to be more lighter, fluffier and while it's not bad, I don't mind more substance and a good plot.

I've been on a ABO binge lately (if you're on GR you can check my latest read books to see). I've found a lot of well plotted published ABO and haven't been disappointed yet. And this one that I'm reviewing is from a personal read that I am highly recommending. Because it had plot, great characters, angst, and it made me tear up...in fucking public as I read: His Surrogate Omega (Omega Quadrant #1) by Kelex.

Never read this author before but blurb read delicious to my angst loving heart. And I definitely don't mind trying new authors out.

Loved this. Loved it so much that I'll ignore the perfectness at certain parts just because on a whole, this story just works!

Triggers: cancer, death, infertility - lets get those out the way shall we. 

In the Omega Quadrant world, omegas are sectioned off in part of land where their rights are restricted. Unless they mate with an alpha, they can't leave. Alphas have their own quadrant (where it's better-go figure) and there's a Family Quadrant where mixed genders reside. Beta are basically neutral parties but aren't revered as they can't procreate. 

We start with nearly 35 year old artist omega Gray who hasn't been a prospect for a mate in many years. He's on the shelf and was happy until his omega brother and mate died. Now uncle Gray is guardian of his 3 omega nephews:19, 13 and 10 years old. (Yikes) Omegas can't work in any decent paying respectful jobs, so Gray comes up with one of the few jobs he could do: being a surrogate. 

His oldest omega nephew is actually more responsible than Gray, but Gray's getting a crash course raising his nephews and trying to earn money. Gray meets the fabulous Jaime, who is infertile due to illness. The two share a bond in a instant like brothers. And they lean on each other on their journey to surrogacy. 

Jaime's alpha, Rohan, however feels immediate attraction to Gray. But what does it mean for his bond? Between Gray and Rohan trying to deny their feelings, Gray's family issues, hell...Jaime's family issues- it kept me so engaged. This story isn't about knotting and omega slick. There's sexy and hormones but that secondary to the overall story. I was invested in their lives and found myself tearing up reading the grief and illness battle. 

Is this a love triangle? Eh...no. Is there cheating? I didn't consider it to be. 

The characters made an impression that stuck. Yes, there is pain. But the journey and battle made the happily ever after worth it. And I'll probably will reread this very soon. I want more of this world because there seems to be an omega revolution brewing. 

I am chomping at the bit for the next in the series. (no pressure to the author) Just know I'll be on book #2 (AVERY and WILDER!) and any more from this series like white on rice. 

 

P.S. Is Vaughn going to have a future book? He comes off as an ass and a half, but maybe he's redeemable? *shrug* He definitely has MUCH growing up to do.

Review: To See the Sun by Kelly Jensen

Survival is hard enough in the outer colonies—what chance does love have?

Life can be harsh and lonely in the outer colonies, but miner-turned-farmer Abraham Bauer is living his dream, cultivating crops that will one day turn the unforgiving world of Alkirak into paradise. He wants more, though. A companion—someone quiet like him. Someone to share his days, his bed, and his heart.

Gael Sonnen has never seen the sky, let alone the sun. He’s spent his whole life locked in the undercity beneath Zhemosen, running from one desperate situation to another. For a chance to get out, he’ll do just about anything—even travel to the far end of the galaxy as a mail-order husband. But no plan of Gael’s has ever gone smoothly, and his new start on Alkirak is no exception. Things go wrong from the moment he steps off the shuttle.

Although Gael arrives with unexpected complications, Abraham is prepared to make their relationship work—until Gael’s past catches up with them, threatening Abraham’s livelihood, the freedom Gael gave everything for, and the love neither man ever hoped to find.

To See the Sun is definitely a sci-fi story, but you don’t need to be a sci-fi fan to appreciate the nuances of the human condition that is truly the main focus of the story.

The setting is in the distant future and is split between two planets. Gael comes from a dystopian society where his status has forced him to live in the Undercity, which is a harsh and unforgiving world. Gael has spent his life struggling to survive while taking care of his brother. He’s never seen the sun and his only dreams are to live above ground and maybe spend his life with someone he can love.

Bram is across the galaxy, on Alkirak, a mostly uninhabitable planet that the people are trying to turn into a land that can be farmed and that will be self sustaining. It’s a long and unforgiving process, but Bram is committed to bringing his farm to life. He’s a retired miner and while he’s happy with his land and his critters he would love nothing more to have someone to share his life.

Neither Gael nor Bram have a lot of convenient prospects to make their dreams come true, but circumstances happened, as they are wont to do, and the two connected across the galaxy. Gael was forced into a job by the family he worked for (and when I say family, I mean space-mob type family) that his conscious wouldn’t let him follow through with. He basically had to split town or be offed himself and one does not simply split town when one lives in the Undercity. Thankfully Gael knows a guy, because you have to “know a guy” if you plan to survive and he comes up with a plan to help Gael escape.

Gael puts his profile on a partner matching site and Bram sees him and is smitten pretty quickly with Gael’s profile. Gael thinks Bram is pretty easy on the eyes as well, and while Gael’s first motivation is to escape, he’s cautiously optimistic about his future for the first time in his life.

Nothing is ever easy though and Gael ends up unknowingly transporting a stowaway with him on his way to Bram. Little Aavi, the young girl who was mixed up with the “family” as well knew a good thing when she saw it and she hooked her little wagon to Gael’s star and made a break from the Undercity to Alkirak too. This unexpected passenger threw all kinds of wrenches in Gael’s plans, but Bram is a solid dude and he would never turn away a child. Especially when deep in his heart he longs for a family of his own.

The whole book has such a good balance between the mechanics of living their lives on Alkirak and the ebb and flow of a new relationship, now partially built on half truths. Bram knows Gael was escaping from the Undercity for some reason and that Aavi was most likely not his sister (as Gael had presented her), but none of that is a concern to him as they settle into a comforting routine that gives him a glimpse at what a life with a family could be like.

Gael feels terrible for, what he feels, is him deceiving Bram. He offers more than once to let Bram out of the contract they entered, but Bram is smart and simple, in a good way. He doesn’t overcomplicate his feelings and I loved being inside his head while he processed his new life with Gael and Aavi. His thoughts and actions read so organically in relation to his connection with Gael and the flow of conversation and little moments as their relationship progressed were so sweet to read.

Gael opened up slowly to Bram and I couldn’t help but understand his apprehension. He was falling hard for Bram and it would absolutely break his heart to disappoint Bram in any way, much less put his and Aavi’s future in danger.

There were outside influences and a bit of mystery going on as the the new little family worked towards an HEA and it kept the story moving quickly along and gave some needed tension that kept the tale from being too easy. There wasn’t angst for the sake of it, thankfully, but there was some good conflict that worked really well and kept me turning pages.

The ending was perfect for Gael and Bram. They were solid and sweet in a strong and quiet way and it was a treat to read after everything they went through at the end. Their HEA was hard won and I loved that the ending was all about their family and their future.

**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Review: Dear Mona Lisa . . . by Claire Davis and Al Stewart

Tom, shy office clerk by day and drawer of foxes by night wakes up one Monday knowing the most extraordinary week of his life is about to begin. In five days time a lifelong ‘secret’ will be made gloriously public—but will it mean losing the person he loves most?

Getting married…

It seems like only yesterday Tom changed nappies and sang nursery rhymes to a laughing baby. He relishes the demands of being a daddy; especially teaching his little girl to draw and paint as she grows up. But the years tick by and times change. Long-buried secrets must come to the surface which may test even the strongest ties.

Tom and Lawrence…

He writes a list of all the things he has to do before the weekend and sticks it in the middle of his wall. The names and goals hang like threads of a spider’s web, inevitably leading to the centre, and all to the same place.

Dear Mona Lisa…

How to explain?

Each morning he notes the colours of dawn, listens to the birds and waits for the perfect moment. In one hand rests the balance of life and a terrible responsibility, in the other a wedding ring. Difficult days and the past loom, but his friends rally round and one by one the words come to life. Everyone waits as Tom finds the strength to open up and set free the secrets of his heart in a celebration of family, friendship and love.

A quirky story of modern life, set within the breathtaking landscape of Bradford.

You ever feel like you got hugged by a book? Isn’t it awesome?

I just got book hugged by Dear Mona Lisa. It was warm, colorful and full of sweet, sweet feels.

I have always loved the tales these authors put together, the stories tend to be on the quiet side which works so perfectly for their slightly quirky characters. The focus stays on their character driven stories instead of outside craziness. Their characters are so multi-dimensional I want all the focus on them because the story is in the nuances and I don’t want any distraction from a single one.

It’s refreshing to read a story about a couple of more mature MC’s who were an already established couple. That already adds an air of uniqueness to the story, put that together with Al and Claire’s distinctive characters and it’s a recipe for an unforgettable story.

Not very many authors can “show” a tale rather than “tell” it like these two. The first couple of pages read like you’ve been dropped into something that has already started, which makes sense considering the MC’s lives were built well before I showed up, but they always manage to bring it together quickly and organically so I get to be part of their lives right away.

Tom holds a wealth of anxiety and past traumas, he’s a shy man that deals with the crap life has put upon him through his art. He escapes and shares his wishes subtly through the foxes and woodland critters he finds comfort in. His daughter and his partner are his world and he has a great deal of support from his network of friends. Looking at the people around him, he is obviously a good and brave man, Tom doesn’t see that one bit however and it’s heartbreaking as well as understandable.

His partner Lawrence is pure perfection for Tom and I loved their moments together, they balance so well. Tom is an artist and sees the world through slightly different lenses. He feels colors viscerally and has a kindred spririt in his daughter who sees the world the same. He loves her more than anything and is so afraid of disappointing her with his “big news”. He puts it off and puts it off, and in the end, it was basically a non-issue. Considering the stressful buildup, you would think there should be more drama, but it made complete sense with how it turned out. Tom’s offspring would not respond any other way, she is too much like him and was raised surrounded by unconditional love, so it makes sense that she would love the same way in return.

**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

Review: The Places We Say Goodbye by Jordan Taylor

Flep has a great job as a New York City production designer, a blossoming relationship with Torin, and the potential joy of becoming a stepparent to Torin’s two young daughters. Nothing could be better—yet his life is crumbling from the inside out.

Ever since moving in with Torin, Flep has dreamed of muddy trenches, bullet-riddled bodies, and endless horrors which only grow worse and spill into his day-to-day life. Traumatized and sleepless, he slogs on: a soldier afflicted with post-traumatic stress. Only, Flep has never been a soldier, let alone been to war.¬

Fighting for his sanity, Flep turns to unlikely sources for help—even phantoms from another era. It could take a family from 1916 to illuminate his waking nightmares, but the truth may come at the price of losing his new family along the way.

This was a difficult read for me. I struggled to get through it. I considered not finishing it, but I was determined to understand where the author was taking me.

I am still not sure. People who enjoy this sort of reincarnation, past-life, fiction may enjoy this story, but it did not work for me. It was very dry. There seemed to be a lot of unnecessary scenes that could have been tightened up, and I just did not understand the relationship between the two main characters.

I most enjoyed the interactions between the kids and Flep as he tried to become part of this blended family. I felt that this was the strongest relationship building out of the entire story, and that made me sad. I actually found zero redeeming qualities in Torin. Married to his work, unwilling to support anyone, and somehow made the children’s need for a more stable household, an attack on him. I found his self-centred nature offputting, and I sort of wanted Flep to find someone else.

The flashbacks were long and tedious. There was nothing interesting about them. Add to the fact that Flep has no idea what is happening, and tends to walk around like a zombie, and this story was slow, exhausting, and depressing. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Flep went crazy, tried to kill himself, or stepped in front of a bus. I felt that would have been a small mercy for him, and would have willingly accept that as the ending.

Character development was poor, and I didn’t get a good idea of who Flep really was. Beyond the bizarre past life stuff, his personality was absent. I wanted to like him, but I didn’t know him. He was boring, his reactions were boring, and the only time I saw a glimpse of him was when he was interacting with the children.

I should have left this as a DNF, to be perfectly honest. While the ending gave a resolution, it wasn’t enough for me to feel like the journey was worth it. As such, I cannot recommend this to anyone.

For more info on Goodreads

More information on The Places We Say Goodbye and author:

Purchase Links:
NineStar Press: http://ninestarpress.com/product/the-places-we-say-goodbye/

Author Bio

Jordan Taylor is the author of numerous novels and stories from the bestselling Angel Paws shorts to the historical fantasy series Lightfall. An avid reader and writer, Jordan also enjoys photography and graphic design, old bookstores, researching World War One, travel, and tweeting about her smooth fox terrier.

Website: www.jordantaylorbooks.com
Twitter: @JordanTaylorLit

Excerpt

Jordan Taylor © 2016
All Rights Reserved

Monday, June 27
A dirt road stretched away, straight and flat, as far as I could see. I stood, then walked. Maybe I was walking all along, but didn’t feel like I had moved.
A dozen horses lay along the road. Fat, white maggots emerged from their nostrils and eye sockets, wriggling over dark fur. Abdomens bulged, grossly distended below summer sun.
A man stepped up to me. Rows of men behind. Packs on their backs and rifles in their hands. Sunlight flashing off steel helmets. This man had a mustache and never glanced at the animals along the road.
“There’s a farm ahead, sir. I’ll have the lads check for a pump.”
Then, in a gloomy building at night. Dust thick on the floor. Men talked around me. I was apart, away from them, beside only one other.
My companion tried to tell me something important. Like with the water pump man, I could not listen. He read from a notebook in his hand.
How could he ask my opinion on poetry? While maggots flopped and convulsed down sunken faces—so crowded, they forced each other out? While the young man in the corner scratched his own head until his fingers were bloody? While another sang about ghost horses as he smoked one cigarette after the next, lighting one with the butt of the last?
Still reading to me, insistent. He jabbed his finger at a page.
I wanted to shoot him. I scrambled to my feet. I said I had to write a postcard.
Then I stood in a river of mud, legs braced, shouting, “Get out of there, Attwater!”
I couldn’t see him, couldn’t feel him, and couldn’t get away myself. Scorching metal flew past my face.
“Attwater!” Panic and mud sucked me back into that dark river.
I woke with a jolt, shivering and disoriented.
The TV plays a cooking competition show. Both girls riveted.
10:00 p.m. and I sit at the kitchen table, laptop open—working. Asleep sitting up. Fresh anxiety that the girls are not in bed. Then remember: Torin asked me to bring them to the restaurant tonight.
I open my mouth to tell Isabelle and Carine they can get ready to go. Parting my lips, I see flopping maggots—bloated like slugs—almost tasting them. I must shut both mouth and eyes for several minutes.
Hands shake on my keyboard. Still nauseated when I inform them we can go.
Only a dream. Only a dream. I wonder if I am trying to reassure—or trying to convince myself.