Showing posts with label Librarian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Librarian. Show all posts

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Boyfriend Freeze by DJ Jamison


Author D.J. Jamison and Gay Book Promotions host today's release blitz for Boyfriend Freeze (Love Notes)! Read more about the new adult romance today! Enter the giveaway to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Boyfriend Freeze 

Author and Publisher: DJ Jamison

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood

Release Date: February 4, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: College/new adult, party boy/geek, workplace romance, librarian romance

Themes: Finding real love, self-worth, personal growth

Heat Rating: 4 flames    

Length:  approx. 50 000 words

It Is set in the Love Notes series and can be read as a standalone.

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Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |   Amazon UK 

 

I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but you can’t be one of them ...

   
Blurb

Dear Graham,

After crossing too many lines for my self-respect, I made a promise to myself: no hookups for sixty days.

But I didn't count on meeting you.

Who knew a smart, cardigan-wearing geek would be such temptation? You're all wrong for me, except you're also kind of exactly right.

So how do I keep my promise not to seduce the cute librarian and still get the perfect guy?

Maybe you know, because I don't...

Already yours,

Ollie


Boyfriend Freeze is set in the Love Notes series but can be read as a standalone.



Excerpt

OLLIE

“I wasn’t sure if you were serious about that New Year’s resolution.” She paused. “Which is fine if you weren’t. You know I wasn’t judging you, right? I just want you to be happy.”

“I know you do, and yes, I was serious. I’m working on it.”

“Yeah?” She smiled, linking arms with me as we neared the terminals where we could search for reference materials. “Good. Now, you just need to work on your listening skills.”

“I’ll add it to the list,” I said dryly. “Right below stop being such a slutty twink and above get a job.”

“Ollie—” Kyla started, about to admonish me for calling myself a slut or a twink, or maybe both, but the sound of someone clearing their throat stopped her. I glanced across the computer terminals, stomach sinking as the librarian gave me the evil eye once more.

“Sorry,” I hissed in an obnoxious stage whisper. “Kyla just doesn’t know when to keep her voice down.”

Kyla quietly stomped on my foot, and I grimaced at the pain. Totally deserved that. But it was worth the look of annoyance that flashed across Graham’s face and distracted me from the fact that he’d possibly heard me refer to myself as a slutty twink. No doubt Graham was already forming a relatively low opinion of me, considering I was pretty much the antithesis of library etiquette, but I’d rather not help him along to that conclusion.

Graham turned back to the student he’d been coaching through a reference search, and I exchanged a look with Kyla. “Ready to work?” I suggested.

“Now he wants to work,” she muttered, shaking her head. But Kyla was my best friend for a reason. She pulled out a chair beside her and waved me over. “Okay, so first, you want to start by pulling up this screen…”

I tried to listen this time. I really did.

But my gaze kept drifting to Graham as he patiently answered questions. Across the terminals, seated as he was, I couldn’t see that awful corduroy jacket or sweater vest. Just his messy brown hair that fell over his forehead just above hazel eyes and a set of features that weren’t entirely unfortunate. Graham was almost, maybe, kind of cute? In a helpless puppy sort of way.

Dear God, I must be desperate to be leering at a librarian.

Just then he looked up, meeting my gaze, and my heart lurched. “We have job openings,” he said.

“Huh?”

“The library has job openings,” he said slowly, as if I had a cognitive disorder. “I thought you might be looking for a position.”

I frowned, a little puzzled by the non sequitur. Then I realized with a flash of embarrassment why he was telling me.

“I’ll add it to the list, right below ‘stop being such a slutty twink’ and above ‘get a job,’” I’d said to Kyla. Graham had definitely heard my words.

“Great, you were eavesdropping,” I said self-consciously.

He flushed. “Not on purpose—”

“So, will I have to buy a sweater vest to work here, or is that going to be provided? I assume the grandpa loafers are optional.”

Oh, god, the snark was in full force. I wanted to stop, but it was a self-defense mechanism. Some creatures had porcupine quills. Some men had fists. I had brutal, snarky wit.

“Never mind. I don’t think you have what it takes to work here after all,” he said, standing up. He’d shed the jacket, leaving just a sweater vest over a pale-blue button-down shirt. He’d rolled up the shirt sleeves, exposing strong forearms. For a librarian, he filled out his shirt better than I would have expected.

I nodded. “Not the right fashion sense.”

“No,” he said. “Not the right common sense. We value brains here, not shallow good looks.”

I gasped, shocked at the harsh burn—not that you don’t deserve it—­and he walked away before I could even get in the final word.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” I muttered, shoving my chair back.

“Ollie, just let it go,” Kyla urged, but I ignored her, rounding the island of computers and following hot on Graham’s heels as he returned to the circulation desk. He didn’t notice me until he’d already taken up his station on the other side. He jumped a little when he saw me, and I smiled viciously.

“Can I help you?” he asked warily.

“Yes,” I said as sweetly as possible. “You can give me a job application.”



About the Author 

 
DJ Jamison writes romances about everyday life and extraordinary love featuring a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Facebook Group  |   Twitter: @dj_jamison_ 

Instagram  |   Newsletter Sign-up  |   KoFi for bonus content  |  BookBub

 

 

Giveaway

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$10 Amazon US Gift Card.

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Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts here

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Evie and the Pack-Horse Librarians by Laurel Beckley


Author Laurel Beckley and IndiGo Marketing celebrate the release of Evie and the Pack-Horse Librarians! Discover more about the fantasy read and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit giveaway!


Title: Evie and the Pack-Horse Librarians
Author: Laurel Beckley
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: August 17, 2020
Heat Level: 1 - No Sex
Pairing: Female/Female
Length: 24100
Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, libraries, fantasy, lesbian, romance, shifters, magical abilities, paranormal

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Synopsis

As an assistant editor at the prestigious Hanhat Publishers, Evie Southiel is entrusted with fine-tuning the manuscripts of the company’s most important authors. Her skills as a book witch allow her to manipulate the stories she reviews and bring them to life.

When her girlfriend steals the secret manuscript of Hanhat’s best-selling author and leaks it to the press, Evie is exiled to become a journey carrier with the Pack-Horse Librarians in the eastern mountains.

Timid city mouse Evie doesn’t know the first thing about surviving in the wilderness, riding a horse, or dealing with the rugged mountain folk and coal miners surrounding the town of Hevis. She does know books, though, and she’s determined to do the best job she can. But that goal is jeopardized when her horse gets spooked on her first solo run, sending her tumbling out of the saddle and into a mysterious woman’s life.

Excerpt

Evie and the Pack-Horse Librarians
Laurel Beckley © 2020
All Rights Reserved

A hard knot had formed in Evie’s throat since she was summoned into Mr. Lodge’s corner office, and now the butterflies in her stomach transformed into a hive of angry bees threatening to upset her meager breakfast.

Mr. Lodge gave another long humph, the fifth in as many minutes.

Evie shuffled in her seat, trying to keep her fingers knotted together in her lap, struggling to prevent her feet from tapping with anxiety.

After an eternity, Mr. Lodge looked up from the newspaper, placing it carefully onto his desk. He closed his eyes. When he opened them, his usually cheerful expression was gone, replaced with a stern man Evie didn’t recognize.

“Miss Southeil,” he began, then stopped. Another sigh. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his long nose. Evie unconsciously mimicked the gesture, pushing her own wire-rimmed glasses further onto her face. She caught a glimpse of her ink-stained fingers from the corner of her eye and hastily dropped her hands into her lap, letting her dull-gray skirt envelop them.

Mr. Lodge opened his eyes. “Miss Southeil,” he repeated. “Of all the journeys present, I might have expected this egregious misstep from anyone else. But not from you.”

Evie bit her lip, trying to prevent the knot in her stomach from bringing up actual food onto Mr. Lodge’s manuscript-filled desk—manuscripts she had nurtured into books to be published and read and devoured by the hungry readers of historical fiction. Even among the handful of journey-rank editors at Hanhat Publishing, Evie was special. She knew she had the gift of turning rough sentences into delightful bouquets for the eyes, and yet here she was. Quivering in her boss’s office. Oh, how she had messed up.

Mr. Lodge removed one manuscript from the pile and placed it directly underneath the damning newspaper. Evie stared at it, trying to will away the blasted thing’s existence.

He tapped the stack of papers with an inky finger. “How did you let this come to pass? Our competitors are breathing down our backs, eager for any hint of weakness, and you give them the scoop of the year!”

“I-I’m sorry, Mr. Lodge,” Evie whispered, ducking her chin to prevent tears from escaping. It wasn’t her fault. Well, it was, but it wasn’t. “I won’t—”

“You’re damn right you won’t!” Mr. Lodge slammed his hand onto the table.

Evie squeaked, jumping in her seat.

He reeled in his anger, grimacing at the appendage as though alarmed that such an outburst had come from his body. He heaved another sigh. “Forgive me, but you know as well as I that Mr. Cabot’s novel was to be the highlight of our publishing year. Having the plot…splattered across the gossip rags is an embarrassment to the company and the Guild.”

Evie wanted to curl up inside herself until she became nothing more than a ball of gray cloth, hidden from the world.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, blinking furiously.

Mr. Lodge’s face softened as did his voice. “Evie, I’m not going to fire you.”

She lifted her head, hopeful.

“You’re the best assistant editor I’ve had in years, but I think this promotion came too fast, too soon.” He shook his head sadly. “But it’s no use having you here waiting for this whole scandal to blow over. It’ll harm the company’s reputation, and to have your face associated with this whole thing…” He paused, staring at her until she lifted her head. She tried to meet his gaze and failed. Eye contact had always been a struggle for her. “I’m sending you away,” he declared.

With her head bowed, Evie nodded. “I’ll clear my desk and head to the printers’ office.” The printers’ office was located five blocks away in the factory district. Dark, dingy, labor-intensive, and where Hanhat Publishing usually sent their screw-ups for menial labor.

“No, Evie.” She looked up, startled. “It’s going to be farther than that. I’ve reassigned you to the Librarian’s Guild.”

Evie’s heart lifted. At least she’d be near books. Near words and stories and life. Not confined to operating the massive printing machines, spending every minute in danger of getting an industrial injury. She blinked, realizing that she was still being sent away. Being transferred from one guild to another was hardly unique, but certainly not a common practice.

He went on. “Think of this as an opportunity, a chance to use your journey time to, well, journey.”

Journey? Evie wondered. Members of the Librarian’s Guild were stationed in every city, town, university, and village in Isten with a large enough population to support them, but they certainly did not travel.

“You’ll be part of the pack-horse librarians stationed in District Forty-five,” Mr. Lodge said. Obviously interpreting Evie’s miscomprehension as shock, he added, “This will be a two-year assignment. After that, you may return to Hanhat Publishing. I’ll always need copyeditors.”

“Th-thank you, Mr. Lodge,” Evie stuttered, lips moving automatically, mind still trying to figure out what had happened. Pack-horse librarians? Two years? And a copyeditor? She pressed her fingers to her lips, struggling to choke down bile and disappointment.

Her supervisor slid a folder across the table. It was depressingly thin. Mr. Lodge smiled, a mixture of kind and condescending that hurt worse than any of his words. “Someone will come by your flat to collect any remaining manuscripts. You’re dismissed.”

Evie rose from her chair to stand on legs she wasn’t certain would work and took the folder with shaking hands. She pressed the packet of papers to her stomach and bolted, bumping into her fellow journey, Anda, on her sprint to the bathroom. Once inside, she emptied the contents of her breakfast, along with the entirety of her previous life, into the toilet.

Someone knocked softly on the bathroom door, interrupting Evie’s hundredth heave.

“Evie?” The voice was hesitant.

“One minute.” Evie wiped her mouth and ran cold water over her wrists and face, trying to fight the nausea. She avoided the mirror above the sink. Her eyes were surely red and puffy, her dark skin sallow and splotchy. She didn’t need a mirror for that information.

She opened the door, nearly jumping as her girlfriend Anda burst inside and locked the door behind her. “Evie, I just heard, and I’m so sorry!” She tried to wrap her arms around Evie in a hug.

Evie pushed her away, staring into the face of the girl she had loved so fiercely until that moment in Mr. Lodge’s office. “How could you?” she demanded.

Anda’s eyes widened innocently. “Whatever do you mean?” she asked, placing a hand on her chest.

Rage bubbled in Evie’s chest, replacing the nausea and sickness. “I let you review that manuscript in confidence, Anda,” she hissed, “to help you polish your editing skills.”

If possible, Anda’s eyes opened wider. “Evie,” she cooed, “I gave that manuscript back to you a week ago. You must have misplaced it. You know how forgetful you are.”

Evie shook her head. Tears continued streaking down her cheeks, and she wiped them off vigorously with her sleeve, her fist clenched tightly.

The story had broken the night before, and since Evie had first found out about it as she entered the building for work that morning, she’d had the sinking suspicion that Anda was behind her situation. Evie was allowed to take manuscripts home and help smooth them over, but only with the explicit understanding that no one else could review an author’s latest creation.

“I returned that manuscript to Mr. Lodge a week ago. Besides me, no one but you had hands on it.”

Anda lips twisted in a facsimile of a smile. There was something predatory in her gaze, which Evie had seen her deliver to their fellow apprentices and journeys but never to her.

“Evie, dear, you know it wasn’t me. Just accept responsibility and take your punishment at the pressman’s office.” She bit her lip and looked down, fluttering her eyelashes. The predatory gleam disappeared, replaced by the image of a remorseful girl. “I think that, with all this in mind, we shouldn’t be together anymore.” Her eyelashes fluttered again. “I mean, an assistant editor with a disgraced pressman? That would taint my career.”

Evie gasped, tears beginning to spill out again. Anda’s betrayal was worse than anything she had ever anticipated, but to end their four-year relationship so… callously… was something else.

“I can’t believe you,” she whispered. “I knew you were ambitious, but—”

The remorse vanished, and Anda was replaced by a hardened creature Evie had never seen before.

“But what? I’ve been here eight years, Evie. Do you know how hard I’ve worked only to be passed up by a girl who just got promoted to journey? This position is my due. Not yours.” She sniffed. “And clearly you don’t have the maturity to handle such a job.”

Evie placed a hand over her mouth, trying to stuff her sobs back down her throat as Anda threw open the door and stormed out.

Tears overwhelmed Evie’s senses as she slid down the wall and hit the tiled floor. This was so, so much worse than she had ever imagined. She’d lost her job, been betrayed by her girlfriend, and was being sent away in disgrace.

How would she tell her parents?

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon

Meet the Author

Laurel Beckley has been writing ever since she started her first novel the summer before eighth grade—a hand-written epic fantasy catastrophe that has lurked in her mind and an increasingly ratty college-ruled notebook ever since.

She is a writer, Marine Corps veteran, and librarian.

Website | Twitter

Giveaway

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Tag Team Review: Kneading You by C.S. Poe

Christopher Hughes is new to the small New England town of Lancaster, New Hampshire. He’s been hired to save an old library from closing, but his obstacles include not only fighting for state funding, but a Selectman who wants to tear the building down in favor of a shopping center. Christopher meets Miles Sakasai, a charming tattooed repairman hired to help restore the historical interior. Working in close proximity has both men falling hard for each other, and also provides Christopher an opportunity to learn about Miles’s passion for baking. As it turns out, Miles’s skills in the kitchen may end up being the key to saving the library—but only if his bread can rise to the occasion.

v. 1.0, previously published by Dreamspinner Press in the Simmer anthology, 2016. No new content added.

We agree on all the things!


* A Reader Obsessed * - 4 Hearts

Co-Review with Ann! Now I’ve yet to read a full length novel from Ms. Poe, but this being my 6th short from her, I can honestly say that none have disappointed and that’s pretty high praise because shorts are fickle and can go either way.

Set in Lancaster, New Hampshire, and having not initially realized that this is also the setting of Joy and Color of You, have no fears regarding continuity sake as this was the first to be published in the Simmer Anthology (but in all honesty I feel these can be read as standalones).

Christopher is new to town, and he desperately needs a job so he can stay. Thus, when he gets the opportunity to revamp the old library, he feels this is his chance to solidify his usefulness to the community. When local handyman Miles, helps him fix up the dilapidated library, Christopher can’t resist being wooed by the reticent man’s steady presence, as well as his phenomenal baking skills. Can you blame him??

This was a quaint look at small town life with great MC’s to root for, and I loved how these two flirted and how easily they came together. When an opportunity arises to help save the library, the win was oh so satisfying!

Overall, as with all good shorts, this wasn’t close to being long enough, leaving me wanting more of Christopher and Miles’s happy ending!


Ann - 4 Hearts


Some authors just know how to pen a short story and C.S. Poe is one of those authors. She can build an entire environment, introduce characters with depth and create a tale that makes me believe two people can fall in love in 40 pages.

I was all for Christopher and his mission to save the small library in the little New England town he relocated to. I had to admire his love for this new place and his desire to belong and make a difference there. Who doesn’t love a man who wants to save a library? But his reasoning was so pure and altruistic I fell for him harder than your average bear.

Miles is a gem and while what I know of him is much less than what I know of Christopher, I enjoyed every bit of page time he got. He’s a strong, quiet man with a serious talent for bread making. When Miles and Christopher had their dinner together it was probably the best first date I’ve read in a long time and it’s what made me believe in the budding relationship between the two.

I absolutely loved the romance in Kneading You, but just as wonderful to me was the link between the library and the locals. The author built a relationship there that was so sweet to read and I wanted to move to a small New England town and champion a library myself.

The story is told from Christopher’s POV and the only thing I would ask for is more Miles. I wanted to know him as much as I knew Christopher and while there was absolutely nothing lacking in the story, I just liked him so much I wanted more.




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

Review: The Librarian's Ghost (The Supers #2) by Sean Michael

Can love survive the perils of MacGregor House?

The Supernatural Explorers are back and looking for their next big paranormal case. They might’ve found it in a plea from Payne, a mild-mannered librarian who has inherited the family mansion—MacGregor House. Since moving in a few months ago, Payne’s exhausted the list of ghost hunters and experts in his quest for help. The Supers are his last chance.

So why does normally good-natured cameraman Will take an instant dislike to Payne? For that matter, why has he felt irritable and angry since they arrived at the site? It soon becomes clear that the answers they seek will be found in the basement—where nobody has gone since Payne was a little boy. As the haunting grows deadlier, things get sweeter between Will and Payne, but all hell’s about to break loose when they breach the basement door.

Will they be ready?




I think perhaps Sean Michael is growing on me…



This for sure was certainly creeptastic as the gang (a group of 5 gay friends who ghost hunt) is hired to not only confirm there’s a haunted house but also do an exorcism. When cameraman Will meets Payne, their meeting is literally electric upon touch (just like Finn and Blaine) but where things rolled smoothly for the former duo, these two get off on the wrong foot immediately. Is the animosity and chemistry that off? Or are they being influenced by not so nice spirits that won’t leave Payne, nor his ancestral home alone?



Like the first book, make note that there were some good tense moments, there were some disturbing discoveries and definitely, there were a couple of holy shit scaries. This also had insta-lust that progressed to insta-love in a matter of days especially once Will and Payne get over themselves and realize that their hostile thoughts just might not be truly their own.



Seeing as how I thought the first book The Supers, was just quirky odd in mostly dialogue and pacing and thus, not reading very smoothly to me, this second foray into Michael, was a lot better. Ever present is his unique writing style and word choice, and though not as obvious, transitions and figuring out who was who was still a tad cumbersome.



Overall, this excels mostly on the horror as it focused on the classic crazy scary basement no one wants to descend into but must. The romance, though perhaps improbable in lightening quick progression, still had some decent smexy. So if you like that, and you like some fear and anxiety and omg-that-just-didn't-happen with your spooky novels, then be reassured that this delivers!



Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.



Review: Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon

From award-winning male/male author Josh Lanyon: a librarian finds himself in a plot right out of one of his favorite mystery novels.

Librarian Carter Matheson is determined to enjoy himself on a Scottish bus tour for fans of mystery author Dame Vanessa Rayburn. Sure, his ex, Trevor, will also be on the trip with his new boyfriend, leaving Carter to share a room with a stranger, but he can’t pass up a chance to meet his favorite author.

Carter’s roommate turns out to be John Knight, a figure as mysterious as any character from Vanessa’s books. His strange affect and nighttime wanderings make Carter suspicious. When a fellow traveler’s death sparks rumors of foul play, Carter is left wondering if there’s anyone on the tour he can trust.

Drawn into the intrigue, Carter searches for answers, trying to fend off his growing attraction toward John. As the unexplained tragedies continue, the whole tour must face the fact that there may be a murderer in their midst—but who?


When Carter Matheson begins a mystery fans Scottish bus tour, he thinks the only potential problem will be sharing the bus with his ex and his new boyfriend. But the arrival of John Knight, Carter’s mysterious but alluring roommate, makes things interesting.

However, the tour quickly goes from fun to alarming once a passenger dies under suspicious circumstances. Carter takes it upon himself to find out which of his fellow tourists could be a potential murderer.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the word ‘Scottish’ in the blurb. Scotland’s on my bucket list, so I was hoping this book would deliver some picturesque scenes.

And I wasn’t disappointed! We’ve got ancient streets, mountains, seaside roads, and creepy old castles. The vivid descriptions of gloomy Scottish weather gave the book a sombre and foreboding feel.

description

When we’re first introduced to Carter, he’s a bit of a pitiful character. It’s obvious that his decision to go on the tour is as much to spite his ex as it is out of personal interest in mystery author Vanessa Rayburn.

But it didn’t take me long to warm up to him. He’s a librarian and crazy about reading - I could see the appeal! Plus, his ex, Trevor, and Trevor’s new boyfriend Vance are so immediately unlikeable, that I couldn’t help but root for Carter.

The love interest, John, is a bit of enigma. We don’t get his POV, and at first all readers see of him are his odd night-prowling habits. But that’s enough to pique Carter’s interest.

This isn’t a particularly romantic read. Carter and John might be in close quarters, and it only takes them a couple of days to fall into bed together, but the relationship plays second fiddle to the mystery aspect.

That being said, the two still make for a sweet couple. Both men are cautious about love, but it can’t be denied that there’s an obvious connection between them. By the end of the book, I was sure that they were well on their way to a happy ending.

The murder mystery was entertaining, and kept me guessing. I was never entirely sure what was happening, and how all the moving pieces connected together.

However, at some point I did start getting bored. The mystery’s just too tame for what I’d normally expect from Josh Lanyon. I was expecting something more thrilling that would keep me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, this was a good read, with enough romance and mystery to keep me entertained. Fans of Josh Lanyon should know that this is a lot more low-key than her usual fare. I wouldn’t mind a short sequel or epilogue to see where Carter and John end up!



Giveaway + Blog Tour: The Librarian's Rake by Z. Allora


Z. Allora is here today to promote her new novel, The Librarian's Rake & she's brought a Turkish Oil wrestling vid!
#winning
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. Good luck!




Turkish Oil wrestling

Greetings! Thank you, Boy Meets Boy for giving me the opportunity to share The Librarian’s Rake with your readers.                 

To celebrate the release of The Librarian’s Rake I’ll be giving away 3 e-books of Secured and Free, (Book #2 of Entwined Dreams) and a $20 gift card to Dreamspinner Press. Details below.

Sometimes someone will say something or show me something and it gets stuck in my brain. I saw a video on Turkish Oil wrestling and was enthralled. I was fascinated by how such a masculine culture could add such a homoerotic component to their favorite sport.

My librarian in The Librarian’s Rake is trying to explain the ins and outs Turkish wrestling which is a centuries old tradition in Turkey. The men rub themselves down with olive oil and wear special slippery pants. One of the ways to win is to control your opponent by sticking your hand down their pants… (think on that… then ask yourself why Turkish oil wrestling isn’t a subgenre in romance?)

Just kidding! It’s a serious sport and looks incredibly difficult. Take a look at this video: 


Excerpt from The Librarian’s Rake:

“I’m telling you, Turkish oil wrestling is a real sport.” Tristan locked the library and chuckled at Phillip’s reaction.
“Right! But come on, they stick their thumbs up the other guy’s ass to win.” Phillip shook his head.
“It’s called hooking.” Tristan supplied him with an easy setup.
“Maybe I can get into sports after all.” Phillip batted his eyelashes.

Blurb:


Opposites might attract, but is acting on that attraction wise?

Librarian Tristan Cooper can’t steer clear of sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy Phillip—the man is hot—but Phillip is bound to find quiet, bookish Tristan boring, like all Tristan’s boyfriends. Tristan yearns to explore his wild side, the part of himself he’s only allowed into his fantasies, and maybe rakish Phillip is just what he needs to feel free. 

Sexperienced hairdresser Phillip is more of a believer in happy endings than happily ever afters. Experience has taught him not to hope for more—until he meets sweet, vulnerable Tristan, who seems genuinely interested in his heart. But Phillip can’t trust enough to see himself as a man Tristan might want for more than a night.

With the help of a pair of matchmaking grandfathers, Tristan and Phillip might find the courage to step beyond their comfort zones and discover what has been missing from their lives.

Buy Link:


BIO:

Z. Allora believes in happily ever after for everyone. She met her own true love through the personals and has traveled to over thirty countries with him. She’s lived in Singapore, Israel and China. Now back home to the USA she’s an active member of PFLAG and a strong supporter of those on the rainbow in her community. She wants to promote understanding and acceptance through her actions and words. Writing rainbow romance allows her the opportunity to open hearts and change minds.

To contact Z. Allora:

E-mail: Z.AlloraHappyEndings@gmail.com
FACEBOOK:   Z Allora Allora
Twitter: @ZAllora
Queer Romance Ink: www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/z-allora

Dreamspinner: www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/z-allora-637-a


To enter the TOUR-WIDE giveaway tell us if you knew about Turkish Oil wrestling before this blog. Winners will be contacted Nov 8th. Be sure to leave your contact info e.g. email, Twitter handle, Goodreads profile.


ICYMI: our review of The Librarian's Rake is here.

Review: The Librarian's Rake by Z. Allora

Opposites might attract, but is acting on that attraction wise?

Librarian Tristan Cooper can’t steer clear of sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy Phillip—the man is hot—but Phillip is bound to find quiet, bookish Tristan boring, like all Tristan’s boyfriends. Tristan yearns to explore his wild side, the part of himself he’s only allowed into his fantasies, and maybe rakish Phillip is just what he needs to feel free.

Sexperienced hairdresser Phillip is more of a believer in happy endings than happily ever afters. Experience has taught him not to hope for more—until he meets sweet, vulnerable Tristan, who seems genuinely interested in his heart. But Phillip can’t trust enough to see himself as a man Tristan might want for more than a night.

With the help of a pair of matchmaking grandfathers, Tristan and Phillip might find the courage to step beyond their comfort zones and discover what has been missing from their lives….


This book was adorable, sexy, fun and full of UST! It was the perfect curl up with the dogs and enjoy a romance on a Sunday kind of read.

The meet cute between Phillip and Tristan is a bit two fold. We get the first almost meet as Phillip is on his motorcycle at a light admiring a Lamborghini and its driver. When he tries to compliment the driver, he gets a cold stare and a window rolled up. When Phillip arrives at his granddaddy Conrad’s house and meets Thomas Cooper his granddaddy’s friend he is introduced to Thomas’s grandson who was delivering his hot Italian car and Mr. Sexy Asshole gets a name. Tristan is nothing like the first impression Phillip got of him in the car and when he learns Tristan is the Librarian and needs a ride back to the library, Philip offers him a ride.

So Tristan is a librarian who loves his job and is the best at it. Just the movie nights and the way he reads to kids is enough to melt this reader’s heart. Phillip is a stylist who also loves what he does and even helps Tristan update his look and offers his services in other ways. Platonically, of course, but only on the surface.

Oh but these two were so adorable. I love that we get both POV’s so we know of the first impressions the men have of one another and we know exactly how their lives are lead. We need to know this because while Tristan leads what he imagines to be a boring life and was recently left by his boyfriend of two years because he wasn’t adventurous enough in bed, he wants to spice up his life. And while Phillip is the king of Grindr hookups and thinks he’s nothing better than being on his knees being a “catch and release” sort of guy, we also know he’s had his wedding tuxedo picked out since High School. But both men are stuck in what they think should be their life until the find the spark, warmth and connection that begins immediately and is fueled by small touches while watching Benny and Joon in the library.

Once Tristan confesses he wants Phillip to show him how to be more wild and free and Phillip sets out to help him any way he can. I love stories like this. Where the one helps the other “better” themselves to attract other lovers only to want him exactly how he is but does it out of friendship. While these two become fast friends, they also have unbelievable chemistry. OMG! The UST is yummy in this book. Phillip and Tristan are totally into one another but when Tristan has trouble exerting what he wants lets his low self-esteem run his actions.

Phillip is determined to show Tristan how worthy he is and that his exes were morons so after one hell of a sexy shopping trip and moments in the dressing room, Phillip finally gets Tristan out to a club for dancing. Of course, Tristan only wants to be with Phillip and finally gives in and lets his feelings be known which leads to a sensual dry humping session and first kiss. Wow. Yeah, that was something and it only gets better from here.

I really loved this story. It was lovely to watch both men want so much and know they are in the perfect place to have it all but afraid to go for it. Tristan is worried about voicing what he wants and what he feels and Phillip is convinced he’s only good for hookups that use him so when real emotions show up, when fucking turns to making love and when the realization true love may be lost; the men figure it out and the good stuff happens.

Though this is short, we do get a full story with Phillip and Tristan and my first thought about getting a librarian and a bad boy came true… in the library. Yup. There is library sex in this and it is hot.
The grandfathers were a blast to have as match makers and I would actually love a snippet into their relationship to see what it really is. Monique and Chris were great friends to Philip and I hope they figure their mess out. But really, I feel for Phillip and Tristan and liked that we got them months after they decided to be together and that last moment was so them.




Review: Booked: A BDSM Romance by Leandra Vane

Nate Fuller looks like a typical artist: Part-time novelist, part-time bartender, and dedicated volunteer at the public library. But beneath the surface, Nate keeps many secrets. Nerve damage has left him without feeling in most of his body. He has a thing for being tied up. And the interlibrary loan librarian Charlotte is his BDSM Domme.

Between his body and his kinks, Nate has always had a difficult time with romance. But when he meets the new assistant library director James Albright, things in that department quickly heat up. Unfortunately, James has never been exposed to BDSM beyond the erotica section and Nate has always been more comfortable lying about his body and his sexuality. But James has a secret of his own and clues begin to appear behind the detective crime novels he reads every night.

Armed with handcuffs and a thrill for the chase, Nate sets out to uncover their dream power dynamic – and true love.

HEA. Standalone. M/M romantic/erotic pairing. M/F kink pairing. Bisexual male main character.


It's no secret I'm Southern. Ordinarily I try to mask my hickness with the fancy words but sometimes when a Southern colloquialism says it all I have to go with it.

This is one of those times.

The colloquialism in question is: Bass Ackwards.

What I mean by that is these two put the kink before the horse. There's an attraction between them, sure, but the BDSM 101 overshadowed their relationship. I applaud how forthcoming all of these characters are about their wants and needs but in so doing the whole narrative felt stiff and clinical. The connection between Nate and James wasn't fostered so not a lot of chemistry is built between them as people instead the focus was on their compatibility as a possible dom/sub pairing. As it happens their kinks do match up and it seems James has been considering exploring kink. A little coincidental but I overlooked it easily enough.

Nate is an experienced sub, writer and part time bartender. He spends a lot of time at the local library doing research and because his best friend and Mistress work there which is where he meets James, the newly hired assistant director and kink neophyte.

Booked is a slice of life story told through Nate. It has virtually no angst or dramatics. He and James are adults who discuss things, ask questions, negotiate and accept one another. Nate has nerve damage that crops up periodically and levels him which was the thing I found most compelling about him. I liked his reasons for needing sensation and some pain despite not being able to feel much of his body.

I think the framework of this story is sound it just needs some window dressing in the form of emotionality so it reads more like a romance rather than a textbook. Both of these characters could've been fleshed out more above and beyond their kink preferences. I think the time jumps were an attempt to show their longevity but it felt like telling.

As far as the kink, there is some (mostly impact and bondage) but not a lot. There is some sex too. Again, not a lot and I found it a little tame.

Lastly, it could've used an edit because the words "hadn't have had" should never occur together in written form, in my opinion. Plus the whole Gladys thing was strange and didn't go anywhere.




A review copy was provided.


Giveaway + Blog Tour: Thaw (Seasons of Love #2) By Elyse Springer


Elyse Springer is here today promoting Thaw, the second in the Seasons of Love quartet.

Also, don't miss out on entering the Giveaway below!


Hello and welcome to the blog tour for Thaw! This F/F romance is the second in my "Seasons of Love" quartet, but stands alone-- though readers of Whiteout may recognize some familiar faces. Thaw features an asexual librarian from Brooklyn, who meets an ice-cold super model from Canada, and I hope you'll read on to learn more about Abby and Gabrielle's romance.

Of course, don't forget to drop a comment on this post... one lucky winner will get a $10 Amazon gift card!


About Thaw

Abigail is content with her quiet life as a librarian. But when she’s invited to a high-profile charity auction, she finds herself dancing with one of the most beautiful women she’s ever met. Abby’s sure she’ll never see her again, but then Gabrielle calls and asks her on a date. And soon after, another.

Supermodel Gabrielle Levesque has a reputation as the Ice Queen—cold and untouchable—except she warms up whenever she’s with Abby. Only Abby isn’t interested in the heat between them; she’s asexual, and she’s worried that admitting as much to Gabrielle might spell the end of their blooming romance.

They’re two different women from two very different worlds, but Abby knows she can love Gabrielle. Her passion for books, travel, and theater prove there’s more to the Ice Queen than meets the eye.  But they’ll have to overcome Abby’s fears—and Gabrielle’s own threatening secrets—in order to find their way to love.

Available now at Riptide Publishing. http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/thaw


About the Season of Love Universe

New York is the city that never sleeps: where everything can change in the blink of an eye, and where anything is possible—especially romance. In the bitter cold of winter or the impossible humidity of mid-summer, your own happily ever after might be right around the corner.

The people of New York come from all walks of life, and the relationships are just as diverse. So whether you’re a waiter or an aspiring actor, a banker or a model, falling in love can happen quicker than the seasons change.



About Elyse Springer

Elyse is an author and world-traveler, whose unique life experiences have helped to shape the stories that she wants to tell. She writes romances with LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, and believes that every person deserves a Happily Ever After. When she’s not staring futilely at her computer screen, El spends her time adding stamps to her passport, catching up on her terrifying TBR list, and learning to be a better adult.

She’s always happy to chat with other readers, and you can find her online at:




To celebrate the release of Thaw, one lucky winner will receive a $10 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on April 29, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!


Review: Jerricho’s Freedom by Jake C. Wallace

2nd Edition

As prince of the Anzuni demon clan, Jerricho’s entire life has been planned for him. At twenty-five, he will become the crown prince of the Anzuni, marry a man chosen by his parents, and bear his husband’s children all without choice. If that wasn’t enough, he must remain a virgin until his wedding night. To do otherwise would spark an unimaginable scandal.

With only ten months until his twenty-fifth birthday, the walls close in on Jerry, and the realization that he will lose his small apartment, his job at the library, and his freedom hits hard. But that’s nothing compared to losing the man he loves. Rex is a smart and sexy construction foreman with a keen interest in demon “mythology.” When Jerry and Rex give in to spending one night together, their indiscretion can’t be kept secret for long. But that’s only the beginning of their problems.

Someone wants to harness the power of Jerry’s bloodline and his ability to conceive—someone with designs on horrifying experiments, sex slavery, and murder. Jerry and Rex are at the mercy of power-hungry sadists. With no one left to trust, they must fight for each other, their freedom—and their unborn child.

First Edition published by Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure, 2015.


This was actually a lot darker than I expected it to be and it really threw me off. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for this kind of story so I will try my best to review it fairly.

I think this story will appeal to a lot of die-hard dark erotic romance fans. Especially if they’re a fan of Mpreg. I’ll talk about the Mpreg a little later in the review though.

This story starts off light, but as the blurb says, there is an element of capture and imprisonment, as well as rape, and forced breeding.

Jerry was a fun character in the beginning. I liked his spark and his independence. The world building around the Demon clan was well done, and I found the concept interesting and well thought out. I liked the supporting characters too. His family and the staff at his parents home. They all gave me warm fuzzies for the most part.

The sexual tension between Jerry and Rex was great. Even the short time they had together was convincing. I enjoyed their relationship building, and I found I liked them both. I wanted them to be together.

It’s going to be hard to write this without spoilers, so if I do add a minor spoiler, I’m sorry.

Where this became an issue for me was the plot around the experimentation and the sex-slavery. Interesting, since I am known to enjoy some really dark stuff. I think the problem was this whole plot centred around a pregnant male Demon and the repetition of the routine surrounding the imprisonment. My heart and head just wasn’t in it. I found myself wishing the story was over. It was too drawn out. There was too much angst. I found it really hard to follow the plot and the twists and turns of the story.

I have to say the Mpreg stuff was okay at first. It was explained well enough, and I found that satisfactory. What was missing was something probably only a few people would consider (or maybe not, I don’t know, maybe I’m weird and overly analytical, or maybe it will be obvious to everyone). How are they feeding this baby? There was nothing in the story about it. Jerry didn’t grow boobs for lactation. And you know, I’d probably go along with that, if there was another evolutionary way that the baby would be fed. It’s something that annoyed me. Petty, maybe, but it is important to me, because it is a gap in world building, and to me a pretty significant one. Men can lactate, so I’m not sure why this wasn’t used.

While it wasn’t the right time for me to read this, I still appreciated it as a well written story. I think it was a little longer than it needed to be, but that’s only my opinion, and may have more to do with how I was feeling as I read the story. If there weren’t so many plot twists, I think I would have handled it better. While a lot of the plot was explained well, some of it came out of left field and I didn’t know how to absorb it all. I can’t say all of them are good for the story. And the angst. It was a little too overwhelming for me (this is a draw for some though, so go ahead, get your angst on).

I’d recommend this only for people who are interested in dark paranormal stories with Mpreg. It may be a bit much for those who aren’t used to this element of writing.

A review copy was provided for an honest opinion


Find on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

Review + Giveaway: Santa Baby (Minnesota Christmas #4) by Heidi Cullinan

Trimming the tree is more fun with three.


Twin Cities developer Dale Davidson has come to Logan, Minnesota, to turn it into Christmas Town, not to give in to Arthur Anderson’s offer to join him and his fiancé, Gabriel Higgins, for a Christmas Eve threesome. Dale is polyamorous, but it’s clear Arthur is offering a night of fun and nothing more. Maybe one night with the couple he admires so much won’t hurt…

Together the three of them light a fire hot enough to boil Lake Superior in January, and one night of fun becomes an extended engagement as Dale puts down some tentative roots in his new hometown. Everyone loves Dale, Logan’s own Santa Claus, and somehow no one knows what wild times are happening right underneath their noses. No one knows, either, the complicated ways they’re falling in love with one another.

But a shadow from Dale’s past emerges, an abuser threatening him with violence and shame. Ronny doesn’t want a happy ever after for Dale, only to draw him back into a consuming darkness. It will take the love of not only Gabriel and Arthur but all of Logan to convince their Santa he has nothing to be ashamed of—and that he will always have a home in their hearts.


Dale Davidson came to Logan, Minnesota, to turn it into a tourist destination. He succeeded, and ended up falling for the town librarian as well. But the librarian already has a fiance. Gabriel Higgins is incredibly happy with Arthur Anderson, but he can’t deny that he feels a pull towards Dale. Gabriel is confused by the riot of emotions.

When Arthur connects the dots, he isn’t sure what to do. He’s attracted to Dale and wouldn’t mind playing with him, but doesn’t think he can fall in love with a second man. But Arthur’s determined to find a happy ever after that works for all three men.

Adding a third to Arthur and Gabriel’s relationship, which I really enjoyed in book 2, was a risky move. But the signs were there in previous books that this could be a possibility. Even so, I can understand why some readers may be upset or wary of polyamory if it’s with an established couple they’ve already read about and have an emotional connection to.

Overall, I think the author handled it with sensitivity, easing Dale into the relationship after open and honest discussions. In particular, Gabriel and Arthur realize that goals change over time, and relationships don’t have to be static.

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Gabriel and Dale’s jump to love was quick, but didn’t at all feel contrived. I could understand the emotional and physical connection the two had. I did enjoy Gabriel and Arthur’s relationship more, but Dale and Gabriel still made for a sweet couple.

Dale and Arthur’s relationship is more complicated. They might not be in love the same way that Dale and Gabriel (and Gabriel and Arthur) are, but the two come to love and care for one another. Dale becomes Arthur’s sub, something that Gabriel isn’t, so they connect in a special way separately from Gabriel.

Beyond making the three-part relationship work emotionally, they also work on the physical aspect. And it was hot - whether it was Gabriel and Arthur, Gabriel and Dale, Dale and Arthur, or the three of them together. I’ll admit, the latter combination was my favourite.

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Arthur, Dale, and Gabriel put in the time and emotional effort to make things work. Their relationship isn’t conventional at all, but they find their happy place in the end, and I’m not one to judge that.

I really liked getting back to Logan, the Christmas wonderland, and catching up with the other two couples. And it was great to see that Arthur’s mother is still as awesome, and hilarious, as ever!

However I didn’t really get the point of Ronny, Dale’s ex. He was a cartoonish villain, and served little purpose other than adding extra drama. The story could have worked just as well without him.

Also, and this is just a personal niggle, it occurred to me while reading ‘Santa Baby’ that most of Cullinan’s recent romances have ended in marriage. It’s odd, given that Cullinan makes a point of eschewing heteronormativity in her books. Yes, it makes for a romantic ending, but gay relationships can work just as well without rings and a piece of paper.

Overall, I liked ‘Santa Baby’. Adding Dale to Arthur and Gabriel’s relationship was risky and had its ups and downs, but I think it was pulled off well in the end. I would recommend this book only if you are sure that you’ll be okay with the direction that Arthur and Gabriel’s relationship takes. If not, book 2 is still a perfect HEA for the two.


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