Blog Tour: Saving Hannah by J.P. Barnaby

Welcome J.P. Barnaby who's here today talking villains and what makes them memorable! Be sure to check out her newest release from Dreamspinner Press, Saving Hannah, a second chance romance below too!

Contemporary romance novels don’t generally have villains. In most of these stories, the main characters have interpersonal conflicts or situations that don’t involve the interference of a bad guy. So, when I started writing my current work-in-progress, IVAN, I had a great challenge. I wanted to develop a frightening villain the reader could engage with, someone the reader could root against. He needs to be well-rounded with both good and bad traits, complex, and have not only a compelling backstory, but someone who cares about him. He needs a strong antagonistic relationship with the main character and he needs to be someone who can’t be defeated.

That’s actually much harder than it sounds.

So, after I figured out the relationship between the protagonist and his villain, I investigated the villain’s emotional wound. What caused him to behave the way he behaves? What drives his goals? What event in his history damaged him to the point where he’s willing to kill to get what he wants? I went through the Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. I matched the behavioral traits I wanted him to have to play off the protagonist to a wound and then worked forward to weave that into the novel. Putting those details together in a cohesive way has been a lot of fun as part of my move into Romantic Suspense.

Want to see what I mean?

The rage set his skin aflame. His fingers were tinder under its heat. He wanted to stab his own ears so it would stop because he couldn’t make himself turn it off. Tiny sounds came through the headphones, sweet cries that made his cock throb in his hand. He wanted to be the cause of those sounds. Instead, he turned the sound up to catch every quickened breath. He could even hear the slap of skin as the unseen hand jerked over an unseen cock. It wouldn’t be long now, sounds came faster and harder, his breath almost a pant. The word fuck repeated over and over through an inadequate mic until that holy grunt of pleasure signaling a hard release. He released too, sticky and slimy over his hand as he sat alone in the cavernous room with its industrial tile and dropped ceiling.

He pulled the headphones off with his clean hand. Richard would be falling asleep right about now. That was the routine, every night. Sometimes he had a drink first, sometimes he called his sister first, sometimes he jacked off first, but he was always in bed by ten o’clock. It was somewhat of a ritual they went through together, seven point three miles apart through a listening device only he knew about.

He’d been in love with Doctor Richard since the moment he’d walked into the conference room after that psycho Sikes shot up their building. Richard walked in, distinguished even in a golf shirt and khakis, tall and lean. It was the only time he’d ever seen Richard dressed down. Maybe he’d done it to make the sheep at <Ivan company> feel more comfortable. He’d certainly felt comfortable. He’d sat across the table from a beautiful man and told him things he’d never told anyone else. They had a connection. He felt it. Richard felt it too. He’d seen Richard want to reach for his hand so many times, but stop himself. God, he wished for that so hard in the dead of night when he sat alone in this place.

There were so many times he’d wanted to call Richard, to see him again, but their counseling sessions were just a short-term thing to get employees “through the trauma”. How do you get through the trauma of watching bodies fall around you? How do you get through kneeling in blood? How do you get through losing the one man you loved because it was time for him to move on to the next pathetic soul and try to help them? Because that’s the kind of man Richard was—a selfless gift.

Richard snored softly when he put the headphones back to one ear. He’d sleep through the night, he always did. So, there was nothing to do but start getting ready for the next phase. For months, he’d lingered in the background gathering intelligence, but soon he’d make his move.

Soon, Richard Malone would be his.

Fun, huh? Sign up for my newsletter to get all the latest about my books, and have a great holiday!

Blurb:

Thomas Aberthol’s luck has run out. His daughter, Hannah, needs a miracle he can’t deliver. A hacker with a felony record, Thomas has little chance of finding work that will provide the care she needs. Out of money, out of options, and out of hope, he throws himself on the mercy of someone he never thought to see again.

Even after ten years, Aleksander Sanna still dreams of that drunken kiss. A perfect moment in time when Thomas wanted him. In his world of elegant code and high finance, the picture he holds of Thomas torments him in the dark of night.

Their worlds collide as Thomas interviews for the job he so desperately needs with the company Aleks inherited from his father. Thomas doesn’t get the position, but Aleks offers him a completely different kind of proposal, one suited to Thomas’s unique talents… one that will change the course of both their lives.

Read an excerpt at: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/saving-hannah-by-jp-barnaby-10051-b

About the Author:

JP Barnaby is an award-winning contemporary romance and romantic suspense novelist with over a dozen novels. Her heart and soul, the Survivor Series, has been heralded by USA Today as one of their favorites. She recently moved from Chicago to Atlanta to appease her Camaro (Jake) who didn’t like the blustery winters. JP specializes in recovery romance but slips in a few erotic or comedic stories to spice things up. When she’s not working on her latest novel, she binge watches superheroes and crime dramas on Netflix with her husband and Jack Russell Terror, Chase.

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Review: Sophie (Survivor Stories #5) by J.P. Barnaby

It’s amazing how a single word from a tiny girl can change your life.

Spencer Thomas’s world turns upside down when his beloved Nell dies and leaves custody of her three-year-old daughter to him. Her “Spenna” comes when Sophie needs him most, but his boyfriend, Aaron, can’t be a parent. He just can’t. Neither of them expected a baby to fall into the lives they’d finally just settled.

When Nell’s ex comes to claim Sophie, Aaron needs to make a decision: man up or walk away as Spencer faces the fight of his life.

Spencer and Aaron are back in this final installment of the Survivor series. This is also the final book that will be written under pen name J.P. Barnaby. To that, I say, thank you for the stories, and all the best on your next journey J.P.

Adding a toddler to Spencer’s and Aaron’s dynamic was an interesting twist. These two have been through alot, and this appeared to be the final really difficult challenge for them.

Even though I’m aware of how Spencer’s ASL is written, from reading previous books, the style is still really jarring, and I still didn’t like it. It took me out of the story and had me focusing too much on how it was formatted rather than what was said. It drew my focus for the wrong reasons, and dimmed a bit of the shine.

Spencer had the right idea when he put his foot down with Aaron and basically said that Sophie was now the most important person in his life. It is true. Children will, always come before adults. Fact. Non-negotiable. Aaron is little more than a child himself, and I think that came through in this story. While he has come a long way since we first met him, he is still so fragile in his independence, and struggles to cope with how to take care of himself. At least he was honest with how he felt about parenting, and his limits. Although a little narrow in his view, and certainly frustrating, the fact that he could identify his misgivings and vocalise them was a big plus.

I’ve enjoyed Spencer’s and Aaron’s relationship dynamic since the first book, and I think the author did well in keeping that consistent. They are still very much in love. They are very much connected, and they are both very young. They both recognise that life doesn’t always play by their timeline, or their trajectory, and they are adult enough to admit when something isn’t working.

There are some tough realizations for these two, and some heavy heart to hearts, while trying to do the best for Sophie and grieving the loss of Nell.

Throwing in the mother’s ex was interesting. How that part unfolded was a surprise. I enjoyed the way the family came together to support Sophie, Spencer, and Aaron while trying to understand Nell’s relationship dynamic and how she ended up as a single mother.

I appreciated this final chapter in their lives, and I am glad it was included the way it was. This series, and Spencer and Aaron’s story feels complete, and I very much enjoyed taking this journey with them.

A review copy was provided for an honest review

Review: Anthony (Survivor Stories #4) by J.P. Barnaby

Aaron Downing worshiped his mother. She saved his life. She did everything for him. But Anthony Downing has a different perspective. He sees the woman who tossed him into a basement for eight long years and forgot he existed. When Anthony decides he’s done being invisible, he packs up and heads for Detroit to stay with his Internet friend Jay, but fate intervenes.

Brendan Mears lost everything the day the man with a gun came into his father’s store. Now, he’s tethered to a business he can’t manage and a brother who resents him.

Different in all the ways that matter, Anthony and Brendan struggle to overcome their psychological obstacles, until a crushing betrayal sends them running for cover and each other.

Anthony made me sad in the beginning. The impact on his life as the family member of a kidnapping survivor is explored in a compelling journey of a boy to be seen, heard, and loved.

This story could be read as a standalone, but it’s probably better to get the background story in Aaron. That is where this all begins, and is important in understanding Anthony’s state of mind. I will say that it is covered very well in this story, so even if the reader hasn’t read Aaron first, it is explained well enough throughout, and the reader gets a good understanding of what happened all those years ago.

Feeling invisible, and that his life stopped mattering after his brother was rescued from being tortured and almost killed eight years before, Anthony has had enough. He is graduating, has a crush on his best-friend Chase, and after an awful night where Chase turns on him, he is at breaking point. He wants to matter to someone, and an internet friend feels like the only one who cares about him. In a fit of rage and self-pity, Anthony packs his belongings into his car and sets off to meet his friend Jay, traveling from the outskirts of Chicago, to Detroit, without telling his family where he is going.

As if his life isn’t bad enough, his car breaks down outside a liquor store just a few miles and a few hours too late to meet his friend. Alone without a phone, sleeping in his car, Anthony’s life just couldn’t seem to get any worse.

Patrick and Bren had their lives changed dramatically when Bren and his father were shot in the family-owned liquor store two years before, killing his father, and wounding Bren. Bren is now housebound, and has panic attacks often. Patrick has had to come back from Ohio to take care of Bren and the store. Things just don’t seem to be getting better for either brothers but that doesn’t stop Patrick from wanting to help Anthony, who at first, reminds him of a younger version of his brother, but on closer inspection is a younger version of himself, with all the chains that choke them as the family members of trauma survivors.

Having read Aaron, I jumped at the chance to read about his brother. Anthony is still a teenager, and it interested me to see the world from the point of view of less obvious victims of a traumatic event.

This story was compelling, and I was drawn to Anthony and the way he viewed his life as a result of his brother’s trauma and recovery. The emotions were vivid and packed a punch in a way that conveyed all the feelings of frustration at being pushed aside in favour of the hurt child. I can imagine this would impact every aspect of a sibling's life, injure them in a way that is unintentional, but damaging none-the-less.

Patrick as a character worked well for me. He is also an unintended victim of his brother’s trauma. Bren is still deeply wounded, psychologically, and can’t see the woods for the trees. He is completely immersed in his own darkness, and although he knows how much pressure his brother is under, he just can’t give enough of himself to change it. Patrick is the perfect mentor for Anthony, and their bond is wonderful to witness. To be clear, there is nothing romantic about it, it is a friendship, and a foundation that Anthony, and Patrick both need. A commiseration and kinship that tells them they are not alone.

Anthony and Bren build a friendship, that changes something fundamental in Bren. Suddenly he is thinking about more. Anthony makes him feel not so lonely, and Anthony feels wanted by Bren.

This story focused more on Anthony as an individual, and his growth and development as an adult. While the relationship between Anthony and Bren is there, it is not the main story, nor is this about Bren’s psychology. I appreciated that. I thought it was good move by the author. Ensuring that Anthony is seen as a whole person, an individual, and an adult in his own right before developing an adult relationship with someone who is damaged. Some of the threads of the story, I feel are open to new stories. There is a fair bit going on, and it was nice to see those threads as potential stories that would be tied into this series. I don’t know if the author has plans for more for The Survivor Series, but it’s nice to see the option is there.

The story flowed well, and there wasn’t an overly complicated plot. It had the depth required for this type of story, without getting overly dark. There was certainly the threat, and someone else may have taken the seeds in this story and went too far. This was perfect in its restraint, and I completely appreciate J.P. Barnaby’s ability to write a compelling story without over complicating it.

I felt connected more to Anthony and Patrick than to Bren. Bren’s story feels like something separate. It is ironic that Anthony would be drawn to someone who has similar fears and trauma that his brother had, but not so unbelievable given that Aaron’s symptomatic psychology wasn’t really the problem, it was the parents lacking in ability to give enough to all their children while trying to save one. It does give him the ability to be more direct, less tentative, and more understanding. This makes for good relationship building.

This story ultimately made me feel good. I enjoyed my time with Anthony, seeing how he developed, and his personality. I would recommend this to most readers of MM romance.

Check out on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

Review: Con Boys are Naughty by JP Barnaby

Shy author Brandon doesn’t understand why his Sir, Sean, wants to break him out of his comfort zone with a fan conference. The very idea makes his skin itch with fear. But, when they head up to the con suite and pick up a hot little Robin cosplayer, the weekend starts looking up—way up. 

This title was previously published as Between a Cock and a Hard Dom, a part of the Authors Gone Wild Anthology.

A hot little shorty!

Brandon is a ginger with body and mental health issues. He's also an author and my interpretation is that he wants to be like other authors he sees who are outgoing, all over socmed and at conventions with numerous pics of them smiling with fans and other authors, but his anxiety has prevented him from even revealing his face.

Meow.

With a little encouragement... ok, prodding, from his dom they set out for Austin and Brandon's first literary convention and end up in a threesome with boy Robin! Fortuitous indeed.

The kink is of the D/s variety and not overt, just enough to leave the reader with the understanding that Brandon enjoys ceding power to Sean and likes it a little rough.

They're also polyamorous and if I'm filling in the blanks correctly usually engage in polyamory together which is how "Robin" wends up getting ginger'd.

For a short story "Con Boys are Naughty" brought the heat. The striptease was sweltering as was the threesome scene, but what I liked best was the connection between Sean and Brandon. It's clear they've been together long enough to read each other and for Sean to not only understand Brandon's anxiety/depression, but to squelch his anxieties before they become debilitating. At least in this instance.

All and all, a nice little diversion.

A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: His Heart's Desire by J.P. Barnaby

If Santa Claus could have one wish, what would it be? 

Each century, Father Time selects a new Santa Claus. In return for his service, the lucky St Nick receives his heart’s greatest desire. Unfortunately, Matthew Carpenter is down to his last night as Santa and has no idea what his heart desires. 

Short story previously released as part of the 'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas, Manlove Edition anthology.

I never do this but... never is a long time and, really, that cover?!?! What's going on with that cover? It has exactly bupkis to do with this story. I mean, the dog and the dude are cute and all but... B.U.P.K.I.S.

Aside from an odd cover choice this story is sweet, sexy and a bit of a novel idea for Santa jizz. 

Matthew chose to become the jolly man himself at 21. He left his home and family for the North Pole and 100 yrs of Santadom. At the end of 100 yrs of service he will be rewarded with his heart's desire.

However, that day is upon him and he's yet to decide what exactly his heart desires.

Good thing Father Time has a little omnipotence. He reunites Matthew with his childhood bestie, Luca, and gives them until Noon the following day to become reacquainted. High Noon, if you will. Will they decide they are each other's heart's desire?

Now what do you suppose two boyhood friends who are both virgins would come up with to occupy themselves for 24ish hours? SPOILER ALERT: The did not play Battleship I'll tell you that.

I fully expected this to be kinky which it wasn't, but it's sweetness hit the spot and put a smile on my face. They're both a little bit awkward, very eager and happy just to be together, innocent, cute. It's too short to really sink your teeth into it, but for 20 odd pages it delivers the vanilla Santa jizz with two cherries on top.

Yap! I totally went there. Sorry. Not sorry.

And that ending... *cue D'AWWWW*

A feel good Santa jizz nugget sure to please even the Grinchiest of Grinches.

A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: Sacrificed (Little Boy Lost #6) by J.P. Barnaby

Reunited with his father but missing the one man he loves more than any other, Jamie Mayfield attempts to put his life back together amid rehab, seizures, and the gutting loneliness of Brian's rejection. As he tries to cope, Jamie finds that relying on his friends isn't nearly as difficult as he'd imagined, and soon he can once again stand on his own two feet.

While recovering from his addiction, Jamie starts a new phase of his life at college, working to become the man Brian needs him to be. Only one question remains: Can Jamie earn Brian's forgiveness and win back his trust, or will their love be sacrificed at the altar of Jamie's demons?

Brian and Jamie's epic journey comes to a close in this thrilling conclusion to the "Little Boy Lost" series.

**Possible series spoilers**

Little Boy Lost.

Is there a more apt name for this series? No, there really isn't.

Brian and Jamie, both of these boys are just so... well, they're lost. They're lost without each other, lost without their families... just lost. Yes, they finally, FINALLY get their beloved HEA in Sacrificed. But what this series is really about is the journey they were willing to take to finally find each other and just be happy. Their terrible, gut wrenching, loving journey. They went through so much that the fact that they actually made it to the end is amazing and I was finally able to take a huge sigh of relief.

Oh, the angst. The delicious, wonderful angst. What these boys went through... I can't even imagine. This is probably my favorite book in the series (or the first book is - I haven't decided yet) because Jamie showed so much growth. Amazing, incredible growth. And he did it not knowing if he'd even get the guy in the end, he did it because he needed to. The choices he made in this last book were so brave that, even after his horrible behavior in the fifth book, I just couldn't help but love, love, love him for it.

Brian on the other hand... he needed to be bopped in the head. I get where he's coming from. Jamie did some unforgivable things in order to get a fix, he lied and, basically, cheated. I get it. But, still. The guy is suffering. And after all that Brian went though, he just stopped trying for Jamie. Just like that. I wanted to smack him.

At the same time (watch, I'm going to contradict myself here), I'm glad he wasn't there. Jamie needed to get help by himself and for himself. Without Brian to lean on and without the excuse that he's doing it all for Brian. So, I was mad at Brian, but glad that he was being a douchenugget. Conflicted. Me. Really.

This was yet another book in the series where our heroes were not together for a good chunk of the story, but I think that's what needed to happen in order for both of them to get their heads on straight and for the right reasons. I just loved how it all played out between them and I think they were really in the right place in their lives to begin their life together, for reals this time.

As far as the series goes, it's so worth the read. The middle books were a little weaker and I'm not sure this story needed to be told in six books, I think four would have sufficed. But being able to witness Brian and Jamie's heartbreaking journey makes it all worth it.