Blog Tour + Giveaway: Beware Mohawks Bearing Gifts (Cove Chronicles #1) by S.A. Collins

Author S.A. Collins and Other Worlds visit Beware Mohawks Bearing Gifts (Cove Chronicles #1) blog tour! Learn more about the first in the queer alt-earth science fiction series; enter in the $20 Amazon gift card giveaway too!

SA Collins has a new queer alt-earth sci fi book out, book one in the Cove Chronicles: "Beware Mohawks Bearing Gifts."

It’s 1847, New York. William Matthias Hallett is a fashionable dandy of the Manhattan social set. His life is laid out before him: a world of soirees, riches and luxury. Yet all he wants to do is find an adventure so deliciously wicked that it would satiate his soul for an eternity.

So, disguised in a lower-class manner, into the notorious Five Points he goes, seeking that spark of adventure. That is until it greets him in the form of his old schoolmates from Dartmouth College – a pair of Mohawk warriors who will up-end his world and all he knew it to be forever.

Series Blurb:

Set in an alternative Earth that deviates from our own known timeline, William Matthias Hallett, a Mohawk/British New York socialite and dandy, who wants very little to do with his upper-crust Manhattan set, sets out to the notorious Five Points, seeking an adventure so decidedly wicked to satiate him for a lifetime. He gets far more than he bargains for when he crosses paths with two Mohawk warriors from their days at Dartmouth college.

Thrust into an unseen war that the Mohawks and the rest of the Haudenosuanee Confederacy has been fighting for over 600 years, William must come to terms with his maternal heritage that is pressing ever forward as their newly created sovereign nation rapidly expands, isolating the burgeoning United States along the eastern seaboard and now reaching a boiling point with the new Americans.

Central to this sci-fi adventure is the creation story of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy where myth becomes reality in ways that William can scarcely imagine.


NineStar Press | Amazon eBook | Amazon Paperback | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Goodreads

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Giveaway

SA Collins is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour. For a chance to win, enter via Rafflecopter:

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Excerpt

He leaned against the doorway with a slight smile upon his face and placed the message from my sister onto the desk nearest the door.

“So, are you planning to sleep upon the floor, or will you nest down in the kitchen?”

“Just be glad the bed I have in your room is large enough for us both. You will just have a bed mate until we can rectify the situation downstairs.”

“I could always sleep on your sofa in the receiving room, Will.”

“Certainly not. If I am anything, I am a superb host. I will not have you attempting to recline on a sofa that isbarely sufficient to sit upon, let alone gain some much-needed rest.”

“Fancy little Indian, are you not?” He indicated the quality of my nightshirt and dressing robe.

“I walk in two worlds now; allow me my fashionable proclivities,” I replied as I began to change out of my clothing and into the nightshirt. For a few moments he stood there shaking his head and smirking at my nightly routine, though I did detect a blush moving across his face as I got down to my undergarments. As I pulled my shirt over my head, I noted he had slipped into the spare bedroom.

I carried the nightshirt and robe over to the spare room to join him as he began to slip off his leggings and mocs. After he shucked his shirt, I paused to appreciate the simple utility of the Haudenosaunee male wardrobe. Moments later, Joss changed from the comfort of his daily outfit into a simple loincloth suitable for sleeping, and here I struggled with overgarments, shirts, pants, undergarments, and various pieces that served only as ornamentation. I began to question for the first time the intelligence of my way of dress.

::But you wear your clothing so well. I do not judge your choice of them. This is simply what I know and have grown comfortable using. Why are you curious as to our way of dress?::

::Well, I suppose I should gain a better understanding of our people’s ways. I feel I know so little about my Mohawk life. I assume I can lean on you for that. Unless you find me a lost cause.::

::Will, have no doubt. You are Mohawk; your lineage is clear. You just have not had much in the way of guidance in our way of life. You can always turn to me for that.::

“Thank you. I cannot tell you how much that means to me. Since I came into this whole new world of the Guardians and Flintlings, I have felt little more than a leaf upon the raging river, with little hope of purchase with which to grant me some sense of security. You have provided the security I desperately need.”

“Wait here…” He gated out of the room, though to where, simply wearing his loincloth for protection against the elements, was beyond me. I did not have to wait long as he returned within a few moments with a beaded side bag in his hand. He threw it upon the bed and began to rummage through it. He extracted a beaded belt and a tightly rolled piece of blood-red cloth.

“Get out of that precious royal swaddling you have encased yourself in,” he chided me as he unrolled the cloth, revealing it to be about the length of the loincloth he was wearing. I realized he had retrieved his spare clothing, though from where I was uncertain.

Reading my musings, he replied, “I have spare clothing set aside in various places. I can retrieve them whenneeds arise. These shall be yours now.” He indicated the bag on the bed as much as the belt and loincloth he held.

“Oh, Joss…” I gasped, filled with awe at his offering, knowing that to refuse would deeply mar our new relationship. Not something I was willing to risk, given our being inextricably bound to each other.

Forgetting my near nakedness, I knelt upon the bed, running gentle fingers over them, and watched as he completed the folding around the back of the belt. A small smile broke over his face, bringing his eyes to light.Clearly, he was most happy in his offering. I only wished I had something to offer in exchange. As if hearing mythoughts, he had a reply. “Just your wearing it will be more than enough,” he murmured as he

handed me the garment. “Come, let us have you try it on.” “I am afraid you will have to help me out a bit.”

Shortly thereafter, I found myself wearing my first Mohawk loincloth. My slightly burnished alabaster skin, witha dusting of freckles along my muscular shoulders that mellow as they wend their way over my bare torso, standing in stark contrast to the rich colored fabric of the loincloth.

He placed two gentle hands on my shoulders as we regarded my reflection in the mirror. I felt him course along our link with such gratitude and care that I was undone by his gesture.

Joss beamed, watching me take root in my heritage, pleased he could do this for me. After sheathing myself in some of the finest material and clothing the world could offer, I was amazed at how much comfort, both in movement and luxury, this simple natural garment afforded me.

He pulled out the leggings, a pair of mocs, and a shirt. After another few moments, I was fully clothed in my maternal heritage clothing. A sense of pride seemed to swell within me that I had not anticipated. I nearly wept from thesensation. I know Joss did not miss my eyes misting up from the transformation at his hands.

“Joss, I never knew just how comfortable these really are.”

“You wear them well; as if you were born to them,” he added with a bright grin, no doubt pleased with himself.

I paused, turning this way and that, before bringing Joss into a tight embrace, so thankful for his offering. He moved his head from my shoulder to place my forehead against his, his hands on either side of my face, gently holding me there.

::Like this, Ohnehta’kowa. When it matters most, this is how we share that moment.::

I nodded, thankful for his teaching and his generosity. I knew, being so linked with him, our intimacy would be something I needed to embrace and let flow. It was a part of who we are. If I were truly honest, I longed for it to go on into the night; spending this singular touching moment with him and to share it thusly shattered what I knew about myself and the world around me. Joss sensed this and gradually broke contact between us. I felt bewildered and in aslight stupor for the loss of him. I needed to regroup.

“Yes, well, now to bed, eh?”

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Author Bio

SA “Baz” Collins hails from the San Francisco Bay Area where he lives with his husband and Zorro, a character of a cat. A classically trained singer/actor (under a different name), Baz knows a good yarn when he sees it.

Based on years of his work as an actor, Baz specializes in character study pieces. It is more important for him that the reader comes away with a greater understanding of the characters and the reasons they make the decisions they do, rather than the situations they are in. It is this deep dive into their manners, their experiences and how they process the world around them that make up the body of Mr. Collins’ work.

You can find his works at sacollins.com, violetquillredux.com and as a co-host of the wrotepodcast.com series.

Author Website: www.sacollins.com

Author Facebook (Author Page): www.facebook.com/sacollinsauthor

Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sacollinsauthor

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacollins.author/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11881481.S_A_Collins

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/sa-collins/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SA-Collins/e/B00RQ93PXC

Review: Murder on the Champs-Élysées (The Belle Époque Mysteries, #1) by Alex Mandon

Paris, 1900. The height of the Belle-Époque: decadence, wealth, hedonism…and murder. 

“Mandon creates a gay lead character in a mainstream mystery, with refreshing and ingenious insight!" 
—Kathryn Lynn Davis, New York Times bestselling author 

Homicide investigator Guillaume Devré stands for the silenced victims, bound to seek justice as he makes his way from the wide boulevards frequented by the tout-Paris to the narrow byways of Montmartre, to the shadow of the Tour Eiffel and the lush elegance of Maxim’s. 

When the most famous courtesan in Paris becomes the prime suspect in the death of a wealthy young man, Inspector Devré is reluctantly drawn into the opulent parlors and witty manners of high society. As the investigation unfolds, he must contend with a bloodthirsty press and the outrageous behavior of his suspect…as well as his own prejudices and unfulfilled needs. 

Devré soon realizes that solving this murder could expose him and his darkest secret. 

Murder on the Champs-Élysées is the first in a new series featuring Inspector Guillaume Devré, a homicide detective from la Sûreté who lives a secret life on the fringes of respectable society, the powerful courtesan known as La Balise—with secrets of her own—and the gruff but brilliant American pathologist Dr. Jackson. 

See that blurb? Wanna know how much of it I read before I had my hand in the air all 'MEMEMEMEMEME'?

"Paris, 1900." 

The end. REQUESTED! That + the title = done deal. I'm really glad I did too because this is a fantastic book. It's lush with vibrant characters and a mystery plot line that's absorbing. If an author can get my thoughts to churn over a book when I'm not reading the book, that's the mark of a good read and an invested reader.

Before I forget, this isn't a romance. There are romantic elements that may evolve into something as the series progresses, but this is gay lit/fiction. The blurb (that I only read two words of) doesn't really indicate that and I admit I was expecting there to be some romance, but I have to tell you I got so engrossed in this story that I... forgot. I looked down at the percentage read and was at almost 90% when I realized, 'hey! this isn't a romance!'. Clearly, I don't feel shortchanged in the slightest, but if you need sex and romance in your reads, you'll likely be disappointed.

The central "relationship" in this novel is between Devré and Lucie and the best way to describe their relationship is adversarial. He's investigating the murder of Paul Bacard and she is his prime suspect. They are worthy adversaries. Both are clever, astute, observant and perceptive. They don't like each other but it's clear they respect each other. Their quipping and maneuvering was entertaining and is what endeared both to me. I don't know whether I liked their interplay better or Dr. Jackson with either of them.

Dr. Jackson is a GR-HAAAAAA-UMP and a pathologist. He make me laugh so hard a few times that I had my face in my hands trying to stifle my cackling. AND he's American! An American outgrumped the original grumps! Priceless!

Devré is an inspector with La Sûreté. He's also a dandy. Can we just pause for a moment of dandy appreciation? Go ahead and conjure up your favorite image, I'll wait. *stares into the distance* He's gay and all that that implies in 1900. The fact that he's a law enforcement officer further complicates matters for him. He's got some self-loathing going on due to his sexuality which pulled at my heartstrings. I'm hoping he can find some peace and happiness before this thing is said and done. Maybe with Huvet? *hopeful eyes* 

His was a life of subterfuge and dishonesty juxtaposed with a vocation spent uncovering truth and promoting justice.

La Balise a.k.a. Lucie-Genviève Madeleine is the most famous courtesan in all of Paris. Can I just say how much I love the French? I LOVE THE FRENCH!!!!!! They revere her so much that they've elevated her into the rarified stratosphere of celebrity. Of course she's beautiful and charming, but anyone that underestimates her because of her gender does so at their own peril. I do love a strong, quick witted female character and Mandon has created one with Lucie.

Truth be told, I loved all three of these characters. They, as well as the secondary characters, all are expertly drawn with unique voices. Mandon's prose is strong and sumptuous, flowing like the Seine on a summer day with its rich imagery. It's also so very, very FRENCH! Mandon didn't just capture the ethos and decadence of the bourgeoise of this era, but the mindset that makes the French so... well, French. 

First and foremost, this novel is a mystery full of twists and turns, multiple suspicious characters and subterfuge. The way the case evolves is smart, slowly revealing a breadcrumb trail of clues for the reader to follow. There are no explosions or grandiose antics to cheapen the narrative. It stays true to the time and is truly an investigation, some aspects of which can be mundane, but I'll tell you, Mandon gave me a run for my money. That's a win in my book.

The weaving of the historical aspects into the fabric of this narrative so seamlessly lends further credence to Mandon being an accomplished writer. It's clearly well researched from the language to the attitudes to the class differences to the societal expectations of the time. All are top-notch. Never once did I get pulled out of the story by a careless lapse in continuity. 

I loved a lot about this book but how Paris is integral, almost like another character in the story made it special for me. I always get a thrill when I've been to the places in my reads especially when I loved the place and I love Paris. Cliché or no, tis true.
 
Gorgeous writing, likable characters that are fully realized and an engrossing mystery have ensured that I'll be back for The Belle Époque Mysteries part deux.

Recommend to mystery fans.

A review copy was provided.

Guest Review: The Stolen Suitor by Eli Easton

All of Clyde’s Corner, Montana, knows local dandy Chris Ramsey will marry Trix Stubben, young widow and heir to the richest ranch in the area. But one woman isn’t too keen on the idea. Mabe Crassen wants to get her hands on that ranch, so she sets her older son to court Trix, and her younger son, Jeremy, to distract Chris and lure him astray.

Jeremy Crassen thinks his mother’s scheme is crazy. But he wants desperately to go off to college, which Mabe will agree to—if he seduces Chris. How will shy, virginal, secretly gay Jeremy attract Chris, who seems determined to do the right thing and marry Trix? Jeremy can’t compete with a rich female widow. Or can he?

Guest Reviewer: Chelsea


LOVED THIS!!!! God Eli Easton is amazing. Every time I see one of her books I hesitate and automatically think, ‘this will be to young adult and two cutesy’, and EVERY time I read the book I give it 5 stars and fall in love. I have officially learnt my lesson. I LOVE Eli Easton!!!

I think what won this book over for me so utterly was the fact that every single character had depth, and every single character was someone you fell for and fell in love with. This story is predominantly Chris and Jeremy’s story but we also get POV’s from Eric, Trix, Billy and Mabe, each having their own story within this book. Don’t worry M/M lovers, no girly bits in this book.

I actually really just want to talk about the four main characters because these guys are the ones who captured my heart.

Jeremy - He is my favourite! Jeremy has such a funny quirky personality. Someone who is stuck in the stories that fill his head, he draws confidence from the characters that he creates. He had me laughing ALOT throughout this book.

“He tucked his shoulders back and stuck out his chest. Girls do that, you dork. You’ve got nothin’ to stick out.
Right. He squared his shoulders and stuck out his ass instead. It looked like he had to go to the bathroom.”

Jeremy is quite shy, and just wants to save to go to college, but is always overlooked for being a Crassen, the trailer Park trash of Clyde’s Corner.

“And Jeremy wanted nothing more than to get out of this stupid town and move someplace where people didn’t know his past, where he could just be Jeremy and not Jeremy Crassen. He couldn’t even hear his own name in his head without the sneer that typically went with it.”

Chris - Chris is so intent on looking after Trix and Janie after his best friend (and Trix’s husband) dies suddenly, that he plans to marry Trix even though he’s gay (not that anybody at Clyde's Corner knows that).

At first I was a bit annoyed with Chris, because this is obviously a very bad plan, especially when he starts feeling more for Jeremy. However as we learn more about his insecurities and see him become more smitten with Jeremy, I couldn’t help but root for him.

“Jeremy just winked at him and left the store. Chris was unable to think of anything else for a good three hours.”

Trix - Trix broke my heart. Having lost her husband and being left with her 4 year old daughter and a ranch to run, she worried about being alone and Janie not having a father, so she gratefully accepts Chris’ attentions and see’s marrying him as her best choice.

When it’s Trix’s POV you get a glimpse into her depression and the everyday struggle to appear ok, as well as helping her daughter, who is confused and angry that her father isn’t there any longer.

“Her mother reached over to pat her hand. “Don’t let anyone rush you. You’re gonna be fine.” Was she? What did that even mean? What was the definition of “fine?” Not committing suicide? Being able to smile again and mean it?”

She definitely had the hardest story out of the four, and I may or may not have….*whispers*.. definitely did… cried when she got her Happily Ever After.

Eric - Argh, I wanted sooooo much more of Eric, he is the character that went through the most changes but we saw him the least. Eric is a dead-beat. Never had a real job, smokes, drinks constantly and generally dresses and acts like a homeless person. Then he gets a nudge in Trix’s direction, the girl he’s had a crush on since he was eleven, and completely turns his life around to help her out and win her over.

Like I said we didn’t get a lot of Eric’s POV and he deals with a lot in this book. Some is spoilerish, so I won’t mention it, but his is the character I will remember the most when thinking of this book.

LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!! I was laughing and crying and felt frustration, loss and helplessness, as well as hope and determination, and it was all wrapped up in a sweet Eli Easton story. Win!!

Dreamspinner Press
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Tag-Team Review: A Fashionable Indulgence (A Society of Gentlemen, #1) by K.J. Charles

In the first novel of an explosive new series from K. J. Charles, a young gentleman and his elegant mentor fight for love in a world of wealth, power, and manipulation.

When he learns that he could be the heir to an unexpected fortune, Harry Vane rejects his past as a Radical fighting for government reform and sets about wooing his lovely cousin. But his heart is captured instead by the most beautiful, chic man he’s ever met: the dandy tasked with instructing him in the manners and style of the ton. Harry’s new station demands conformity—and yet the one thing he desires is a taste of the wrong pair of lips.

After witnessing firsthand the horrors of Waterloo, Julius Norreys sought refuge behind the luxurious facade of the upper crust. Now he concerns himself exclusively with the cut of his coat and the quality of his boots. And yet his protégé is so unblemished by cynicism that he inspires the first flare of genuine desire Julius has felt in years. He cannot protect Harry from the worst excesses of society. But together they can withstand the high price of passion.


Cupcake 5+++++ Hearts

I wish I could give this all the hearts.

This is my first K.J. Charles and I was captivated. I dragged it out because I didn't want it to end. I'm a fan of series wherein a cast of characters, that aren't blood related, are family nonetheless and if that cast of characters are all intriguing then I can hardly ask for more.

All of these characters are expertly drawn:

The unflappable Cyprian
The detached dandy Julius
The impetuous Harry
The imperious and compassionate Richard
The sensible and proud Silas
The intransigent Dominic
The "sapheaded" Ash
The resolute Verona
The asshat Gideon

That last one hurts a bit. My poor name kink took a hit. The only member of The Ricardians I didn't truly get a sense of was Francis. Otherwise, Charles breathed life into these characters with her magnificent words.

I was transported back to Regency England with its curricles, whist, settles, cravats, foxedness and waistcoats. 

The depiction of the seedy underbelly, the side that's overlooked and underrepresented in historical Regency books and I appreciated that. It's clear Charles researched the era by the presence of historical events she incorporated seamlessly into the story. There may have been a little heavy-handedness with the political rhetoric of the era, but I like politics and history, so I was happy as a clam. I don't mind saying that I'm crazy stupid excited for the next one in this series with Silas and Dominic.

Two words:  HATE FUCKING! 

Julius and Harry, the protagonists of this story, are thrown together on a bet. Harry must live up to his surname and to achieve that end he's to study with the crème de la crème of dandihood, Julius. I was drawn to Julius from the start. He's sharp, cutting, witty and outwardly haughty, but I got the sense underneath that bombastic exterior was a man desperately trying to conceal his pain. 

Harry is just the ticket.

He's exuberant and... he reminded me of a puppy actually. He's eager to learn, easily overwhelmed, in need of guidance, impulsive and prone to blundering. He was brought up in the stews to radically liberal parents who were both outcast by their families because of their ideals. In order for Harry to blend into the ton he requires a strict taskmaster and Julius is certainly that. 

Be careful what you wish for for you will surely get it.

The problem is the more time they spend together they become friends and have inside jokes. Followed shortly by Julius coming to realize he doesn't want Harry to change altogether. Harry, for his part, is smitten, but his grandfather's expectations for him to marry and produce an heir weigh heavily on him. 

Julius needed fucking, in Harry's opinion, and a lot of it. Biting Harry's shoulder, gasping into his ear, whimpering under his hands and mouth-no wonder he shielded himself against passion, when it undid him so completely. Undid him and made him.

A Fashionable Indulgence is more passionate than erotic. Julius and Harry are hungry for each other no doubt, but their relationship is built on a foundation of friendship and trust. Their relationship progression was dazzling. They are evenly matched in attributes and flaws.

The suspenseful whodunnit added to the upbeat pacing and I'll tell you I did not see that end game. Kudos to Charles on throwing me for a loop.

Highly recommend this entertaining and charming initial book to what's sure to become a favorite historical series.

He kissed with such precious care, as if every time was a gift, as if to be together was a small victory to be celebrated.

SRAL

Regency era through the mighty pen of K.J. Charles. 

My favorite historical period written by one of my favorite authors? You know I was all over that.

This wasn’t fabulous on-dit with the Ton and clandestine meetings at molly houses (I like those too) Charles brought her fabulous vocabulary to the London streets of 1819 where the working class continues to suffer under British society. The upper class aren’t listening nor helping the lower classes. The class system is unjust. For a quick minute while I was reading, if you switched some of the main players’ names around to today’s US big wigs – it’s like reading the today’s news. :/ Don’t worry I won’t get political. 

“A Fashionable Indulgence” is a story that features action, the effects of classism, rags to riches and an ice man who melts for the one he loves…and doesn’t lose his acerbic tongue in the process. Oh, oh and has the best choice dandified clothes. Ever. 

Julius is just--(timeout: He brought to mind Lucius Malfoy and I know, he’s evil, but I have such a crush on him and I kept picturing Lucius as Julius, same ice queen, ice blond, sharp tongue ways and I just melted. Okay time-in) If you look up the word dandy, you might have a picture of Julius cutting you with his eyebrows, slaying you for days.

Harry Vane is the son of radicals. He has lived life on the run and knows nothing else. He flees to France with his parents while an adolescent, only to return a near-man, penniless and an orphan. His parents radical friend, Silas, is the only one who takes him in. and there he works until a windfall with strings is bestowed upon him. He can become one of them, the Ton. A life without having to worry about being arrested or worse for helping Silas fight for the cause.

He takes it (he’d be crazy not to) but those strings. See, Harry has to learn how to ape like his betters. He inherits a family with all sorts of society connections including Lord Richard Vane and friends. Lord Vane and his friends form a sort of society where the man love can be free if you know what I mean and I think you do. They’ll help carry the rest of this series (Also can’t effing wait – good lord)

But this first book is all Julius, flawless dressed (he really loves his fashion) dandy on the outside, damaged ex-soldier on the inside who knows how to move and shake within the Ton. He becomes Harry’s mentor in all things except one. 

Ah, you thought Harry was a nubile virgin? Nope. That trope isn’t played here. Harry teaches Julius a few things as well, more importantly lasting things such as caring and love. Reading someone who comes off as having a hard exterior fall in love is always refreshing and one of my favorite characters to read about. As usual, K.J. Charles brings a different light to the regency era. It’s not society by plays but more about the friends as a whole, their personalities and how they play a part in the larger arc of radicalism. I don’t think I can remember too many regency romances with radicalism, it was different. I equally love society and the working class when it comes to this era I find. 

Since it’s not my first go round with K.J. Charles, I found this to be a very solid start. I’m more intrigued with how she’ll pull off the other two books. There was something about the swiftness of Julius going all hearts in with Harry that can’t make me give all the hearts. Still one of my favorite books of the year. 

Oh and the sex was awesome, passionate and fitting, not overdone. :D

Highly recommended.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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