Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Ex's Boyfriend by Hurri Cosmo

Author Hurri Cosmo and Other Worlds Ink host today's blog tour stop for The Ex's Boyfriend! Plus, they are offering an Amazon gift card giveaway! Don't miss it!

Hurri Cosmo has a new MM paranormal ghost romance out: The Ex's Boyfriend. And there's a giveaway!

Mark has always been a Dominant. The Top in every relationship. Just ask Leon, his very ex-boyfriend, because that’s what he told Mark he was.

Okay, Mark’s only had the one relationship so the ‘always’ was a reach, but it didn’t matter. It was more than over with now, and Leon was long gone. That is until Leon felt it necessary to show off his new boyfriend, a gorgeous mountain called Rogan, by evidently telling him that Mark was stalking, bullying, badgering, harassing and get this, abusing him.

“He’ll kill you, Mark, because he loves me and wants to protect me.”

From whom? Skinny little Mark? What a joke. Because all Mark has ever done was exactly what Leon told him to do and that now included staying as far away from Leon as he could get. But how can he do that when Leon is hell-bent on proving all the lies he’s told Rogan about Mark were true, and by any means possible except the actual truth? Thankfully, it seems Rogan’s not quite as clueless about Leon’s wild imagination as Mark has always been. In fact, the big, beautiful man has come to Mark’s rescue a couple of times and has made it clear, Leon and he are not a thing. At least, not anymore.

Which is good since Mark is going to need Rogan’s help. Mainly because something else is out to get Mark. Something not Leon.

This something isn’t even human…

Amazon | Smashwords

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Giveaway

Hurri is giving away an Amazon gift card with this tour:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47210/?

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Excerpt

They took the elevator to the sixth floor and headed cautiously down a deserted hall. Okay, maybe it was only Mark who walked warily. Rogan marched slightly ahead of him and seemed to barge down the hall with his chest puffed out like some storybook bodyguard protecting the prince. However, no apparitions flew out at them this time, no lights exploded trying to kill them. When they got to Mark's apartment, Rogan snatched the set of keys Mark dug out of his pocket and opened the door of 612 and attempted to turn on the light.

“It doesn’t work,” Mark remarked. “It never has.”

As if that might have been important in the whole scheme of things, Rogan turned to him. “Really? Why?”

“I have no idea. They have never been able to fix it, either.”

Rogan grumbled a string of profanities against landlords as he pulled out his phone. “Hey Raptor. Flashlight.” The phone shot out a bright beam and Rogan shined it into the apartment. “Where is a switch that does work?”

“Right here.” Mark glanced around the apartment before he tiptoed over to the switch in the kitchen and turned it on. The apartment lit up enough to see that everything was normal―so to speak. The destroyed TV was right where it had been when they left, debris still everywhere. Not the chaos Mark had walked into with Leon, but shivers of that time chased through him as well. “What I don’t get is why you don’t even have a scratch on you.”

“That is a mystery,” Rogan murmured. “What’s even more an unknown is why you were basically sliced in the first place. Cut, I would understand. But sliced?” He walked over to the large, jagged piece laying against the wall, the piece that had been laced with blood but no longer appeared to be and picked it up. “This should never have been sharp enough to do that.” He brought it over for Mark to see.

“Fuck,” Mark whispered as he gazed at the piece of plastic. “It’s… like a knife.” And it was. The six-inch, razor-edged side appeared paper thin, to the point of it being see-through. As if someone had purposely honed it down to that sharpness. “But… didn’t it have blood on it?”

Rogan narrowed his eyes and glared back at the plastic as if it had just lied to him. “You’re right. It did. Exactly my point.”

“Which is?”

Rogan glanced briefly at Mark. “This isn’t right. I mean, how does something like this even happen?” Rogan’s lips pursed together.

“So, what are you saying?”

“I’m not sure.” Rogan gazed down at Mark. “And I don’t like not knowing. I will find some answers. That I promise.” He sighed. “Now what do we need to take with us so we can get out of here?”

Mark packed a backpack while Rogan kept watch. Mark would have thought it laughable if he wasn’t so panicked. It was one thing to be bullied by Leon. Quite another by a ghost.

“The extra apartment key is in the kitchen drawer,” Mark told Rogan as he threw the backpack over his shoulder.

Rogan immediately reached over and grabbed the backpack. “Go get it. I got this.”

Heat climbing Mark’s face he walked quickly to the drawer. “I can carry it. I’m not a princess.”

Rogan smirked but remained silent as he adjusted the backpack and held out a hand to accept the key. “Thanks,” he said, winking at Mark when he dropped the key in his hand.

“I don’t know what you plan on doing but have at it.”

Rogan grimaced as if he were guilty of something and shook his head.

When they arrived at Mark’s dad’s house, Rogan insisted on walking Mark in. “I didn’t keep you safe like I promised. He deserves an explanation.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m not some fragile teenager on a date. Besides, I can take care of myself.”

“I know that. But security is my job, and I should have…”

“Should have what?”

“Known.” He knocked on the door.

“Known? How? Why?”

But Rogan remained silent. Except it was clear he was battling something in his head.

“Whatever,” Mark mumbled. “Just… I can take care of myself.” Mark went to knock as well but the door flew open in front of him, Mark’s dad standing on the other side.

“What the fuck is going on out here?” Rob snarled, startling both Mark and Rogan.

“Sir!” Rogan nearly shouted back, gaining the older man’s attention. Then he lowered his voice probably realizing how loud he was being. “Mr. Corda. Sorry to wake you…”

“What the hell happened to you?” Rob grabbed Mark and pulled him into the house. “Why the bandages?” He turned his attention back to Rogan. “Why is my son covered in bandages?”

Mark took immediate offence. “Dad, I’m standing right here! Ask me!”

“Um… sir…” Rogan interrupted. “it’s a long story.”

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Author Bio

I am Hurri Cosmo and I live in Minnesota where I hold tight to the idea that here, where it’s cold a good part of the year, I won’t age as fast. Yep, I avoid the truth as much as I avoid mirrors. But one of the reasons I love writing is reality doesn’t always offer up a “happily ever after” and being able to take control of that is a powerful lure.

Being a happy ending junkie, writing just makes them easier to find. Oh, I don’t mind “real life” and I do try to at least keep it in mind when I write my stories, but I truly love creating a wonderful couple, knowing they will fall in love and have their HEA. Every - single - time. And, of course, that is exactly the reason I love reading this genre, too.

Give me a glass of red wine, some dark chocolate, and my computer, whether I am reading or writing, and I will entertain myself for hours. The fact I actually get paid to do it is Snickers bars on the frosting on the cake.

Author Website: https://www.hurricosmo.com

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/hurri.cosmo

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/HurriCosmo

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466687.Hurri_Cosmo

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hurri-Cosmo

 

Audiobook Review: Unbreak Me by Maria Vickers

They were supposed to be together forever. That was the plan, but through a cruel twist of fate the night before their three-year anniversary, Tex Davis lost the one man he would ever love, Memphis King. A year has passed and he still hasn’t been able to move on. Everyone tells him it’s time, but what do they know? Memphis was his partner in love and life. Losing him, broke Tex.

Tex has been given an opportunity to move from New York to Seattle. His friends and family are encouraging him to take it, but he has already decided to decline the offer because that would mean leaving Memphis behind.

Then something happened.

Whether it be fate or something else, Memphis came back to him. Tex’s first love is supposed to help him move on, but not even Memphis can bring himself to force Tex to let him go.

Is it so wrong to want to spend forever with the person you loved most? Both hearts are begging to be unbroken.

Listening Length: 6 hours and 14 minutes
Narrator: Andrew Joseph Perez

3.5 for story + 5 for narration

Reviewer: Annery

I’ve procrastinated writing a review for this because I loved so much about it but then things happened, narrative choices were made that flipped the story that was being told and I wasn’t best pleased. But let’s start with the good which was very good.

When the book opens (post prologue) Tex is still reeling from the sudden death of his boyfriend, Memphis. It’s been a year but Tex is doing the bare minimum to be counted as among the living. His grief runs deep and though both his and Memphis’ family try to keep him going it seems to be a losing battle. He’s resentful of anyone who even hints at the idea that it may be time to start moving on and frankly I can’t blame him. Though they were only together three (3) years when Tex and Memphis met they discovered the yin to each other's yang. It was a beautiful and special thing.

The author and the narrator are both NTM and though ultimately I had issues with how the story was resolved I wouldn’t be averse to trying something else by Maria Vickers. The narrator, Andrew Joseph Perez, was a definite success and I’d unequivocally listen to him again.

The bulk of the story is told from Tex’s POV (Memphis being dead and all) and I think the author, along with the narrator got the tone of grief just right. Tex was always a prickly pear and being a widower hasn’t changed that, in fact he’s more pissed off than ever. He’s mad at Memphis for leaving him, at the world for cheating him out of his slice of heaven, at friends & family who think that he can go on living without Memphis, and at anyone who would assume that they can replace Memphis in his life. He’s also unbearably sad, can hardly get up from bed in the mornings, has lost a ton of weight, and now seems to be having hallucinations. About Memphis. At first it’s just a feeling, later they become aural, and finally visible, vocal, and tactile. He can see and talk to Memphis. Joy!

This part was very good. The naked portrayal of sorrow with all it’s thorns. It’s not pretty and it doesn’t follow an A B C path. What I also enjoyed was the relationship between Tex and Memphis, they read true and unique to themselves, it even bleeds over to their after life dealings. Tex doesn’t miraculously change just because Memphis is dead. I loved that. I’m not a particular fan of ghost stories or any other kind of spirituality but this was handled in a special and also matter of fact way that made it comprehensible and believable. Even if only Tex heard or saw Memphis the love was still real. Valid. Another thing that is exquisite? The cover. It’s gorgeous and a perfect portrayal of the MC.

Now for the hard part, the things that didn’t work and give no joy to dwell on, but I have to admit. Small things that were annoying but not a deal breaker were the almost too cutesy names for the MC, which are explained, but still warranted an eye roll. Then there was the narrative head hopping which I learned to live with but think would annoy the average reader. And then the thing that pulled the rug out from under me. I’ll indulge in no spoilers but I’ll just say that at chapter #18 or 89% a Dallas situation happens. I was flabbergasted and hoped it was just a wishful thinking situation on Tex’s part, but it wasn’t and I just felt like this twist betrayed the point of the story I’d been reading. I’ll say no more because everyone will have their own take and YMMV but it made me sad and not in the good way.

I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: My Name was Karl by Daniel Mitton

It was a forgotten place. A place with a dark history. Thousands of men had passed through its doors during the first three quarters of the twentieth century. Most had served their time and moved on. But not all had been so fortunate.
As the years ticked by and the seasons changed, the old prison moldered away, but one thing stayed constant.
In the deepest part of the night, on the darkest nights of the year—particularly in spring, if you were sensitive enough to hear them—sounds could be heard coming from the deepest bowels of the lowest level basement. All was not right. Something was waiting, alone in the darkness.
Waiting for someone to finally hear its sorrow.
When Petty Officer Ben Pierce decided to explore the long abandoned Naval Prison next to his decrepit barracks, the last thing he expected to find was a mystery.
Something is in the Prison. Or is it someone? Where is the weeping coming from? When Ben follows the sounds to an ice cold, but empty, cell, he isn’t sticking around to find out any more details.
But now he can’t get it out of his mind.

Before I write my review of the content I have to let you all know how much I love this cover. It's beautiful. The cover and the blurb did an excellent job of selling this story to me - I LOVE a good ghost story!

As you can tell by my rating though, the story didn't work for me, and that makes me sad because I wanted to like it so much.

I love everything about the premise of this story; the setting, the characters, the ghost!! The writing just didn't work for me though. It is really a case of an author and reader being not suited to each other, I couldn't click with the author's style at all, and style is a tremendously personal thing to a writer. It is what makes author A different from author B. It's a thing to be cherished by a writer.

Like fashion though, not every style is liked by everyone else. Y'all might be loving your cold-shouldered tops/dresses, but I'm not a huge fan. It is the way it is. Nobody's fault, I'm not wrong, you're not wrong is just a matter of taste.

When it comes to books that I'm writing a review for though it's difficult. I need to be honest; and honest is, I didn't like this book. Simple. It felt too clunky in its writing style, like a join the dot story (how to get from this plot point to this plot point to that plot point etc as quickly as possible). But just because it didn't suit me, doesn't mean it won't suit you. You know what I mean?? I seem to be getting awfully fussy in my old age. I have a more definite idea of writing I like and this just did not fall into that category. Which is a shame.

Check out other reviews, don't make a not gonna read decision on this review alone. It is merely my opinion.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

For more information see Goodreads.

Group Review: The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn

Nathaniel O’Donnelly likes his life quiet, his guests happy, and his ghosts well-behaved.

Although a boyfriend wouldn’t go amiss. Someone to share his beautiful B&B with, even if it is in the middle of nowhere and he’s long past the wrong side of thirty. Problem is, Nathaniel's living with a ghost who thinks he’s cupid, and whose arrows fly a little too straight.

Gabriel Wickfield had the unfortunate luck of dying before his time, and now he’s stuck trying to make romance happen to earn his right to move along. Not that he’s bored in the meantime--Nathaniel is just too easy to tease. And also a little bit scrumptious…

With the curse reaching its expiration date, Gabriel needs to make this final match this Christmas. Without it, nothing but darkness awaits.

Love can conquer all, but can it beat death?

What a great start to the Merry Christmas Jizzfest for 2015. I hated that I started this late on Sunday night, because this is one I would normally devour in one sitting. No fault of the story, it was all me and my stupid need to be coherent at work on Monday morning. Stupid work is stupid.

The story begins with a mellow and rather quiet pace and I liked having the chance to get to know all the characters, Nathaniel especially. He really struck me and I appreciated his mellow, albeit somewhat lonely existence. He didn’t have an easy childhood, but he wasn’t one to dwell on what was missing in his life. He was quite the pragmatist and I respected him for his lack of dramatics. I think I’ve been reading too many stories with melodramatic characters and discovering a character like Nathaniel with his quiet strength and realism made me appreciate the skills this author has to make a memorable character.

I’m glad I didn’t read any other reviews before I started the book, because I really wasn’t sure which direction this was going to go and for the first half, any direction would have been believable. As the story progresses, the different relationships start to have some more clarity and my stress level increased big time! This is where stories with charming ghosts get me all worked up. Can the author pull this off and make me buy it? Is our MC going to end up with the mortal man who’s “available” (and I use that term loosely)? Is there going to be the HEA I WANT?? *sigh*

I loved the ending and the author gave me what I wanted. She stressed me the ever –loving—the-fuck-out first but let’s face it, that’s part of the fun of a great ghost story. Winter Spirit has everything I want in story with Christmas magic; romance, tragedy, heartbreak, hope, humor and completely charming characters that I rooted for in every chapter.

 *****

-spoiler-ish-

Nathaniel's B&B was haunted and he really couldn't have had a cuter ghost.

What I loved most about this paranormal ghost story is that we come into at after the haunting has been established. Nathaniel knew of Gabriel and his antics all too well.

Gabriel couldn't have been any more likable. Right from the start, he was my guy. Nathaniel can have some of him, but he's mostly mine. His ghostly shenanigans were due to his curse. He was given a time frame and he was to be 'match-maker' and make two people fall in love. If he missed the deadline, he was gone for good.

While Nathaniel knew of and was comfortable around Gabriel, he didn't really know him at all. His curiosity got the best of him and wanted to get to know Gabriel. They talked, hung out together, and were just all around full of cute. I really enjoyed their sweet romance.

I do think there was a little bit too much time spent on Nathaniel and Owen *gag* and there were some unanswered questions surrounding the paranormal aspects of the story. But for me, it was more about the LURVE. I don't really care how it happened, just that they're together with a big, fat HEA bow.

*****

***This too is spoilerish***

It is spoilerish because when I started reading I had no clue who was going to steal Nathaniel's heart, but it's pretty obvious from my review who does!

So I started my devouration (I know, I know but making up new words is cool) of Christmas stories in November this year. I usually try and wait until December but... have you seen the selection available? Christmas Spirit by Indra Vaughn was one of the first I read and I loved it.

It had everything that I love about Christmas stories... which is basically a cuter than cute, sweet as sweet romance. Plus snow. Nathaniel was a great character... but it was Gabriel who stole my heart. I loved his ghostly self. I loved his mischievous interfering even more!

Owen was an arse, but Gabriel soon sorted that out! I loved Gabriel's back story and that Nathaniel wanted to find out out about his ghost's life. It really is just the kind of gooey yummy warm the cockles of your heart read that I love at this time of year. Perfect.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for honest reviews.

For more information see goodreads.

Review: Places in Time and Perfect Imperfections by Cardeno C

A relationship-challenged actor unexpectedly finds love in the arms of his childhood best friend. 

“Sexiest Man Alive” and Golden Globe winning actor Ethan Baker lights up the screen but fizzles in his personal life. When his latest girlfriend breaks up with him, Ethan turns to his one “forever” person—Jude Harrison. But as Ethan makes the familiar drive to his best friend’s house, an unexpected detour and a bewildering passenger take him through places in time he’d long forgotten. Suddenly Ethan sees Jude’s actions over the years from a different perspective, but it’s his own reaction that’s the biggest surprise.

When Cardeno C contacted the blog looking for reviews I jumped at the chance. With so many great authors and books out there, there is always some I've heard of but never got round to trying, and Cardeno C was one of those authors for me. Maybe one of the reasons I hadn't gotten to her books yet is because famous MCs are not a favourite of mine. Actors, singers, the wealthy, celebrities... those blurbs don't make me want to pick up the book. That's not to say I've not enjoyed books with these characters in, just I'm starting the book with lower hopes already. Does that make sense? We all have things that are our favourite and famous MC's aren't mine. 

Friends to more, however, is. And that is why I said yes to this book. And I'm glad I did, because it was a cute, but different, little read about an actor learning what he really wants. With a nod to Dicken's A Christmas Carol, Ethan is shown what's right under his nose by the... well, not quite ghost of past, present and future, but an entity along those lines. Oh, if we all had someone to show us the obvious!!

I did have a slight problem, in that I found it hard to see what Jude saw in Ethan - but who am I to say why one person falls in love with another?

This was a fun, short read and I'm glad it was my first foray into Cardeno C land... famous MC prejudice or not!

*****************************

Hollywood royalty Jeremy Jameson has lived a sheltered life with music as his sole focus and only friend. Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend. 

Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship.

Perfect Imperfections was the second book I read by Cardeno C, and again there was a famous MC (musician this time), so of course I was cautious as I entered the pages. Again, I needn't have worried, as I enjoyed this book.

I like the writing style of this author, it's very easy to read, I also like the fake to real boyfriend thing. This book needed to be read as a sweet treat, a simple story of two people falling in love despite the fact they seem at completely opposite ends of the spectrum. Or possibly because of it? I like that. The message that love is indiscriminate, because it really, really can be.

Again, I found it hard to see what Reg saw in Jeremy. It annoyed me a bit, both books, that the one MC seemed to have no redeeming qualities. i mean, he wasn't hateful but just not overly likable. Woe is me I'm famous... again, that may be my prejudice slipping in!

Despite that, I liked this story enough. I'm a sucker for a love story, and if I suspend belief a little to get it, who cares, huh?

Find out more at Goodreads.
A copy of these books were given in exchange for an honest review.