Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick

Mia Kerick has a new book coming out! EEEE!! We have some awesome info to share with you including the blurb, cover reveal, and an excerpt. Not to mention a giveaway!

Cover & Blurb:

Trembling on the floor, pressed beneath a row of seats in a dark theater, college freshman Jason Tripp listens to the terrifying sound of gunshots, as an unknown shooter moves methodically through the theater, randomly murdering men, women, and children attending a student performance of Hamlet. Junior Liam Norcross drapes his massive body on top of Jason, sheltering the younger man from the deathly hail of bullets, risking his life willingly, and maybe even eagerly.

As a result of the shared horror, an extraordinary bond forms between the two young men, which causes discomfort for family and friends, as well as for Jason and Liam, themselves. And added to the challenge of two previously “straight” men falling into a same-sex love, are the complications that arise from the abundance of secrets Liam holds with regard to a past family tragedy. The fledgling passion between the men seems bound to fade away into the darkness from which it emerged.

Jason, however, is inexplicably called to rescue his hero in return, by delving into Liam’s shady past and uncovering the mystery that compels the older man to act as the college town’s selfless savior.

The Art of Hero Worship takes the reader on a voyage from the dark and chilling chaos that accompanies a mass shooting to the thrill of an unexpected and sensual romance.




Excerpt:

Pop-pop-pop…. 

No, I’m not even remotely safe. But thankfully I play dead far better than my dog did when I taught him that trick at the age of seven.

The shots are earsplitting and getting louder because the shooter’s heading our way. I’m so fucking scared I’m trembling violently, but I promised the guy lying on top of me that I’d stay still. I concentrate on taking short shallow breaths, one after another, in my effort to stop trembling. To stay frozen—like I’ve been since I pulled Ginny to the floor and promptly let go of her hand so I could curl up into a tight fetal ball.

Somebody near me sits up, scrambles to his knees, and impulsively crawls toward the far aisle.

Pop-pop-pop…

“Bang, bang… you’re dead.” The voice comes from directly above me; it’s blank and monotone and controlled. The weird snicker that follows is chilling. I want nothing more than to throw the big guy off my back and run like hell toward the double doors, but I just keep on going with the short breaths and stay as still as I’ve ever been in my life. Even in my terrified state, I know that the guy on top of me is totally exposed and I can’t move because I’ll cheat him out of his life, for sure. Which is so not cool when he’s trying to save mine.

I smell blood. Never noticed the smell of blood before. It reminds me of Grandma’s penny collection… if it got spilled onto the sticky floor of the theater. The scent of old copper is everywhere… like wet pennies strewn all around me on the floor.

Pop-pop-pop… 

Shooter’s right above us now. Don’t move… don’t move… don’t move….

“Dear God, help us!” This request seems to catch the shooter’s attention and he turns around and steps away from us. I curse myself for feeling as relieved, and maybe even glad, as I do.

Pop-pop-pop….

We wait and it seems like forever. We wait as voices beg and plead and pray and he shuts them up with bullets. We wait as the sound of shots moves to the front left near the exit, where I figure he’s shooting at anyone who tries to get out through the double doors.

And then, for a second, it’s quiet.

“Now….” The big guy’s voice is whispering but it seems to blast into my left ear. “We have to make our move now.” Before I agree, the heaviness of his body lifts and I feel cold and exposed. “This is our chance to get outta here….”

His hand is attached to the back of my wrist, clutching me so hard that I know I’ll have fingerprint bruises for a week… if I live so long.

Buy the book:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JCypPj

About Mia Kerick:

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to CoolDudes Publishing, Dreamspinner Press, Harmony Ink Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.

Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mia.kerick
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Mia-KerickAuthor-231404220346244/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaKerick
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/bCLWfT
Website: www.miakerick.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6474518.Mia_Kerick
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Mia-Kerick/e/B009KSTG9E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1410298098&sr=8-2
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28369581-the-art-of-hero-worship
Publisher: Cool Dudes Publishing
Cover Artist: Louis C. Harris

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Tour Stops:
Parker Williams, The Jena Wade, Boys on the Brink Reviews, Kimi-Chan, Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Gay Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, MM Good Book Reviews, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, Kirsty Loves Books, V's Reads, Alpha Book Club, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Happily Ever Chapter, Jessie G. Books, Velvet Panic, Book Lovers 4Ever, Caraway Carter, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Love Bytes

Review: Horsefeathers by Caitlin Ricci

Justin was sent to get a mare, and is helpless to explain to his unhappy boss why he came back with an untouchable gray stallion instead, but there's just something about the horse that wouldn't let him leave it behind.

Of course, because an angry boss and a horse they don't need isn't enough, the horse goes missing—leaving a strange man in his place, a man who speaks in riddles and seems more than a little crazy, but he's also just as hard to refuse as the stallion…

This was a little different. And my first Caitlin Ricci.

Nohatu is a Native American wild horse shifter. He lives a "half-life" because he shares he body and soul with another, Brother Horse. We meet Brother Horse at a mustang adoption where he catches Justin, a ranch hand's eye. The two make a deeper connection than they planned once the adoption takes place. They travel from the adoption place back to Justin's ranch where he works in Colorado where Justin gets a big surprise.

The story jumps into paranormal fairly quickly since the reader starts in Brother Horse/Nohatu's head. It was an interesting concept. I wonder how he'd got himself caught but for the sake of a story, I rolled with it. Justin being the love interest? Mmm...I'm not too sure about it. I wouldn't say Horsefeathers was romantic. It ends with a HFN feel with a possibility for more.

Do I think the two started sexual contact too quickly? Not really. So do a lot of people nowadays with just an exchange of names and sometimes even barely that. (No judge zone) I think it was necessary as a catalyst for the paranormal aspect which goes into a concern I have about the story.

My bigger gripe is I think this story would work better longer. I don't think it's novel material but a couple more thousand in words to help some with those rough transitions. An example, the characters are in the cab of a truck, in the blink of an eye, one of them is in the bush. Then the other is waking up. It reads a little jarring. So maybe 35-50 pages, tighten up some of the ideas introduced, explore & explain how the difference between certain types of shifters. (You'll have to read to understand what I mean.)

Something about an off hand comment Justin made to Nohatu during an argument rubbed me the wrong way. If he felt that way in the heat of the moment, how will you guys even last? I have a question mark on Justin and Nohatu's 'relationship' but the open ending helps some.

Some.

Overall, I liked the ideas, I have some issues with the execution, one remark (okay two but the one from Justin is the main one) rubbed me wrong but it can be argued it was said in anger.

The story is readable. The folktale feel that Nohatu brought with his past was cool. Wish that was expanded on, or maybe written a little differently. The title and the cover are very fitting. I think they're the best parts.

Who might enjoy this most? Readers who want something quick, paranormal and features a different sort of shifter without much world building.

For more information on Gooreads or Booklikes!

A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.

Review: Snowed In by Teodora Kostova

Be careful what you wish for...

Nate has been in love with Quinn, his brother’s best friend, for as long as he can remember. But when he finally gets the chance to show Quinn how he feels, his heart gets broken in the most unexpected way.

Second chances come when you least expect them...

Quinn doesn’t believe in miracles, especially not Christmas ones. When he decides to win Nate back he knows it won’t be easy. The last thing he expects is a health scare, a road trip and a vicious snow storm to work in his favor.

In the end, a cabin in the woods turns out to be not only the shelter they desperately need, but also Quinn's very own Christmas miracle.

Sometimes, to forgive, you need to get snowed in...

Maybe kinda spoilerish...

Falling in love with your brothers best friend ***sigh***

Snowy cabin in the woods ***SIGH***

High-tailing it outta there for a couple of years with NO COMMUNICATION... ***sound of book slamming shut*** (Metaphorically as I read it on an e-reader...)

Actually, I'm being a tad unfair, mainly because I felt quite let down. I absolutely loved the first part of this book, it was ticking boxes left, right and centre and I had the stupidest, dreamiest smile on my face and then... then it went downhill. Not the writing, the writing was good, but the reasoning didn't stand up for me. I could see exactly what the author was trying to do, I just don't think it worked and this made me sad because I wanted to like this book.

I could understand the reason Quinn left, but I couldn't understand how is leaving was so absolute. How there was no communication at all; it just felt too manufactured. It was there for the sake of drama and that pissed me off. It's the 21st century; texting, messaging, emailing are things. Hell a like on a popular social networking site is better than sweet FA.The story could have worked without a two year disappearance. It would have worked differently, but it would have worked better. For me, at least, and unfortunately that is the memory I take of this book; not the sweet romance that was there at the start and end, but the needless drama and angst in the middle. Which is a shame.

Teodora Kostova knows how to write though and I'm not letting my experience with this book put me off from reading other books by this author. This is only my opinion, my feelings - check out Goodreads for some five star reviews and see what others thought.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
For more information see Goodreads.

Reviews: Break Me (Outlaw MC #8) AND Outlaw MC of Mars: A Christmas Story (Outlaw MC #9) by James Cox

What if bad guys ruled the world and the good guys were the outlaws?

Now that the war is won, Outlaw returns to earth to break Liam out of prison. But what the VP of the club experienced is still unknown. Outlaw must prepare for the worst, a broken lover that he took too long to rescue. Meanwhile, Mars is rebuilding under new leadership but the peace is short lived with an old enemy on the loose. And the Prospect has some unexpected revelations, like his crush on Outlaw. As if the president of the Outlaw MC didn’t have enough to deal with.

Finding Liam in an abandoned earth prison is his goal, the rest of the universe would have to wait. Outlaw only hoped he wasn’t too late to be Liam’s hero.

AND

The war is over but the fight Liam faces has just begun. He must confront his memories or be consumed by them. Nightmare’s plague his sleep. Although Liam’s body has healed, his mind is fractured and dark. As the joy of Christmas falls on Mars, Liam along with Outlaw and Reilly return to earth. To the very prison where Liam’s torment first began...

 Will the Outlaw MC of Mars finally find their happy endings?

I love this series. Like, a lot. And, while I’ve loved reading every pairing along the MC’s journey to retake Mars, I’ve been dying to get back to Outlaw and Liam. Liam’s imprisonment on Earth has been hanging over every story and the toll it takes on Outlaw is a heartbreaker. James does a great job of showing Outlaw’s strength he keeps up for all the members of their cause while at the same time I could feel how much the loss of Liam is tearing him apart.

And then there is Reilly, the Prospect who has been in love with Outlaw from day one. (Also, that is TOTALLY him on the cover.) I wasn’t sure how this was all going to play out and still let me keep my feels for the original relationship between Outlaw and Liam. It’s what got me hooked on the series to begin with, so, not gonna lie, I was a little nervous.

But, one of the many things that James does so well, is build a menage relationship. Seriously, that’s something that is NOT easy to do and a reason why a lot of readers don't dig on reading them, I get that. The relationships all start to run together, the feels are all the same and when it comes time to head to Pound Town, the holes become interchangeable. I don’t want to read about interchangeable holes. 

I want my characters to keep their personalities and the relationships should all be unique. Outlaw can’t love Reilly the same way that he loves Liam. But, he can still love him and the difference is what makes it so good. The relationship begins to take some shape, but Outlaw is never going to move forward until he gets his Liam back.

 The journey to Earth, what they found and how they rescued Liam was soooooo good. Just because the MC reclaimed Mars, didn’t mean the excitement was over. And Liam, poor strong, amazing, beautiful Liam. He was so damaged, BUT, he was an Outlaw MC of Mars and no tentacled beast was going to keep him from going home. He knew. He knew Outlaw was going to come get him, he just had to survive long enough.

Now, the whole Reilly thing was a bit of a surprise, but what I like about this series in general is how these guys acknowledge their feelings of confusion or trepidation, but at the same time, they know how lucky they are to find love and they appreciate it without a ridiculous amount of angst. Given the world they are living in, it makes sense. There were no declarations of insta-love, just openness and optimism of what they were heading toward together.

Liam needs a lot of support right now and it will take two men to help make him whole again. This is where the uniqueness of the characters comes in and works so well again. Outlaw and Reilly both provide an unwavering foundation, but they offer it in completely different ways. I loved it. Liam isn’t instantly healed as soon as he gets home and gets a dose of Outlaw’s magic peen. But, he’s on his way and with Outlaw and Reilly by his side I had no doubt he would find his peace again.

Now, you can’t stop at #8, there is a 25 page little Jizzmas gem that follows, The Outlaw MC of Mars: A Christmas Story #9  that you have to read. For one, it’s a great wrap up of all the pairings we’ve read about in books 1-8, it also gives the final scene I needed/wanted for Outlaw, Liam and Reilly. Liam is “forced” to face his demons by his lovers and while it may have been a little unconventional and definitely uncomfortable for Liam, his partners were there for him and the final scene was some hot-as-hell therapy that I could totally get behind. This is a must read for fans of this series. That being said, I already miss them!

For more info on the Outlaw MC's of Mars #8 and #9, check them out on Goodreads, hell, check out the whole series!

Review: Drama Muscle by Joe Cosentino

It could be lights out for college theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza. With dead bodybuilders popping up on campus, Nicky, and his favorite colleague/life partner Noah Oliver, must use their drama skills to figure out who is taking down pumped up musclemen in the Physical Education building before it is curtain down for Nicky and Noah. Complicating matters is a visit from Noah’s parents from Wisconsin, and Nicky’s suspicion that Noah may be hiding more than a cut, smooth body.

You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining second novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and weights up!

When we met Nicky and Noah in Drama Queen, they were Jessica Fletcher(s) to Tree Meadow's Cabbot's Cove - all while falling in love. Of course, by then end of the book they'd tied up the mystery is a velvet bow and worked out whodunnit before going back to their busy lives, their short careers as detectives behind them.

Until now that is. Now, when they are working with the gym department to put on a body building show (Nicky and Noah add a little help in the theatrics part of the competition) and all of a sudden they find themselves having to work out whodidit again. It was in the gym, with... well, various weapons... but WHO is the culprit? They know the where and the how, but they need to work out the who and the why before anyone else falls foul of the gym killer.

In Joe Cosentino's inimitable style Nicky, and Noah, set out to find out who is killing off body builders faster than you can say gym bunny. There is a fine line of writing farcical humour, too far and it just becomes eye-rollingly stupid, but Cosentino walks it beautifully. It's in your face, but has subtle undertones at the same time. It's the sublime and the ridiculous in just the right amounts. From the names to the situations and scenarios, every detail is thought out.

The who's shagging who in this story is reminiscent of an eighties bedroom swapping drama. You know, the ones where nobody ends up in bed with who they expect too. Nobody is as sweet and innocent as they appear. I suppose all that oil the body builders are rubbing into their bodies makes for good lubrication.

As well as trying to stage this show and solve this mystery, Noah's parents have come to stay, and Nicky is getting a little suspicious about Noah's frequent disappearances. The story lines keep us loving the relationship between Nicky and Noah as well as the mystery and humour.

Drama Muscle is such a well woven story that is literally laugh out loud funny. Reminiscent of the Carry On films in humour, if you've not tried this author I'd say start with Nicky and Noah, they definitely hooked me in.

Before I go...it's gotta be said, on my (decidedly rare) visits to the gym, I often feel like killing people. All that working out, it's meant to make you feel happy and buzzed but it's just a waste of good reading time, if you ask me.

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
For more information, see Goodreads.

Author Visit and Interview: Joe Cosentino talking about Drama Muscle.

A big welcome back to one of my favourite authors, Joe Cosentino. Hi Joe, it's great to have you back in the clubhouse.

It’s great to be back on your terrific site.

Congratulations on DRAMA QUEEN winning Divine Magazine’s Readers Poll awards for Best Mystery Novel, Best Crime Novel, Best Humorous Novel, and Best Contemporary Novel of 2015!

Thank you! I am still on Cloud 9. What a thrill. It means so much to me that readers love the Nicky and Noah series.

Your humour tickles my funny bone. It’s farcical, witty, just the right amount of over the top and very clever. Does it come easily to you or do you have to work at it. Also, do you know straight away if something is funny, or do you question and rewrite?

I come from a funny Italian-American family. For example, when I received a faculty endowed chair at the college where I am a professor/department head, my father said to me, “You better bring that chair home so I can fix it. What do college guys know about making chairs?” My mother said to me, “Keep working hard. Maybe one day you’ll get a desk too!” I’ve always thought funny, and I love making people laugh. It’s been proven that we get positive health benefits from laughing. I decided early on that the Nicky and Noah mysteries would be gay, farcical, cozy whodunits taking place at an Edwardian style university, Treemeadow College, named after its gay couple founders, Tree and Meadow. I knew the clues, murders, and laughs would come fast and furious with enough plot twists and turns and a surprise ending to keep the pages turning. I also wanted the love story to build from book to book between Associate Professor of Directing Nicky Abbondanza and Assistant Professor of Acting Noah Oliver. All three books, DRAMA QUEEN, DRAMA MUSCLE, and the upcoming DRAMA CRUISE made me laugh from the first draft. I think a mystery needs more than a whodunit. Getting there should be half the fun. As you know, in DRAMA MUSCLE Nicky and Noah don their gay Holmes and Watson personas again to find out who is murdering musclemen as Nicky directs the annual bodybuilding competition on campus. Bodybuilding students and faculty drop faster than barbells until Nicky figures out the identity of the murderer, as well as Noah’s secret revolving around Van Granite, one of the bodybuilding professors. Noah’s colorful parents visit from Wisconsin and are drawn into the action, and Nicky and Noah reach a milestone by the end of the novel.

I’ve gotta ask about the names of your characters. From rhyming to real to the downright ridiculous, they are really amusing. How on earth do you think of them?

I took a writing class back in college, where the professor strongly believed each character’s name should say something about his/her personality. I’ve stuck to that in each of my books, especially in the Nicky and Noah series. For example, the names of the bodybuilding professors in DRAMA MUSCLE are Brick Strong, Cheryl Stryker, and Van Granite.

Nicky and Noah are my favourite of your creations. Nicky though is sneaky, a tad self-obsessed (is that an oxymoron?) and … well let’s just say sometimes his morality leaves a bit to be desired *cough* peeping Tom *cough*. How do you write a character like that who is still likeable?

Nicky has such wit, perseverance in the face of adversity, and smarts. I love his sense of determination in not only nabbing the murderer, but also getting his man—Noah. Nicky is genuinely concerned about others, and enjoys taking on the role of hero. Finally, he is a one-man man, and Nicky is proud to admit that man is Noah Oliver. Nicky is also, tall and muscular with Italian good looks. And his enormous manhood doesn’t hurt. Well, maybe it does. Hah. Nicky is the perfect amateur sleuth because he never loses his sense of humor even when he has to eavesdrop for clues, flirt to get certain information, or use his theatre skills to impersonate others.

Who was the easiest character to write?

Martin Anderson, the department head, who I patterned after myself was easiest to write. I love his dedication to the college, paternal instincts toward Nicky and Noah, sense of theatricality, and his inquiring mind—meaning he’s a big gossip. I also like that he is happily married. We get to know Martin’s husband Ruben quite well in the third novel, DRAMA CRUISE.

Which character was the hardest to write?

The Kim twins bodybuilding students can read each other’s minds. So their dialogue is always in answer to something the other has thought. While this is quirky and funny to read, it was difficult to write.

Sex. I really want to talk about sex. There is an ancient Michael Fox film from the eighties called The Secret of my Success, and in it is one of those classic bedroom mix up scenes – you know the ones where everybody is creeping around at night and nobody quite ends up with the bed partner they’d intended. Now, I know this is not reflective of the storyline in DRAMA MUSCLE, but it popped into my head, because there certainly is a lot of who’s shagging who in the story. From sweet and romantic (ish) to lewd and inappropriate, you cover the whole 9 1/2 inches … (I pay attention) – how do you find writing the sex scenes? Fun, difficult, embarrassing, liberating, other … ?

As you know from reading my other novels, my sex scenes are generally on the sweet side. However, in DRAMA MUSCLE I found myself writing about bodybuilders who spend hours in the gym pumping iron, shaving their bodies, tanning, and posing in tiny gold trunks. It seemed fitting to have more sex in this one, even a threesome with three bodybuilding students in the locker room! The scenes were fun for me to write since in every case they furthered the storyline and added to the sexy mystery, mayhem, and merriment.

When you write a whodunit do you know who did it from the start, or are you in the dark until the culprit reveals themselves to you?

It generally starts for me at 3am when I jump out of bed with a terrific idea. I jot it down on the pad on my night table then fall back to sleep. The next morning, if I can read what I wrote, I have a great surprise ending to a mystery. I work backwards from there writing characters biographies and an outline, deciding where and when to place the clues, murders, plot twists and turns, reversals, and of course surprise but justified ending.

There’s a definite cosy aspect to the series. Was that intentional?

Completely. For most of my life I’ve read cozy mystery novels. In DRAMA QUEEN, it is winter, so white snow, cherry wood mantels surrounding blazing fireplaces, and hot chocolate are in abundance. In DRAMA MUSCLE, it is fall, so gorgeous leaves of amber, violet, and scarlet blanket the campus. The third book (DRAMA CRUISE not yet published) takes us on a cruise to Alaska for sights of glaciers and whales while Nicky directs a murder mystery dinner theatre show onboard ship.

You were a professional actor, working in film, television, and theatre opposite stars like Rosie O’Donnell (AT&T industrial), Nathan Lane (Roar of the Greasepaint onstage), Bruce Willis (A Midsummer Night’s Dream onstage), Charles Keating (NBC’s Another World), Jason Robards (Commercial Credit computer commercial), and Holland Taylor (ABC’s My Mother Was Never a Kid TV movie). Do you see The Nicky and Noah Mystery Series on television in the future?

I totally see that! Now I need a television producer and network to see it too. Can’t you see Matt Bomer as Nicky, Neil Patrick Harris as Noah, and me as Martin Anderson? Come on, TV producers, make your offers!
Yep - come on TV producers, this would be a fabulously funny TV series!

Tell us about your other mystery series, the Jana Lane mysteries.

I created a heroine who was the biggest child star ever until she was attacked on the studio lot at eighteen years old. In PAPER DOLL (Whiskey Creek Press), Jana at thirty-eight lives with her family in a mansion in picturesque Hudson Valley, New York. Her flashbacks from the past become murder attempts in her future. Jana ventures back to Hollywood and uncovers a web of secrets about everyone she loves. She also embarks on a romance with the devilishly handsome son of her old producer, Rocco Cavoto. In PORCELAIN DOLL (releasing from The Wild Rose Press on March 15!), Jana makes a comeback film and uncovers who is being murdered on the set and why. Her heart is set aflutter by her incredibly gorgeous co-star, Jason Apollo. In SATIN DOLL (not yet released from The Wild Rose Press), Jana and family head to Washington, DC, where Jana plays a US senator in a new film, and becomes embroiled in a murder and corruption at the senate chamber. She also embarks on a romance with Chris Bruno, the muscular detective. In CHINA DOLL (not yet released from The Wild Rose Press), Jana heads to New York City to star in a Broadway play, enchanted by her gorgeous co-star Peter Stevens, and faced with murder on stage and off. I am writing RAGDOLL now. Jana stars in a mystery TV series, where life imitates art. Since the novels take place in the 1980’s, Jana’s agent and best friend are gay, and Jana is somewhat of a gay activist, the AIDS epidemic is a large part of the novels.

Your Dreamspinner Press novellas (An Infatuation--(Divine Magazine Readers’ Choice Award 2nd Place for Best MM Romance), A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, and The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland) were well received. What do you say to people who loved them and might be surprised that the Nicky and Noah mysteries are quite different?

I’d ask them to give DRAMA QUEEN and DRAMA MUSCLE a try. Like I found eating fried octopus (We’re Italian!) as a kid, they may acquire a different taste.

What’s next for you as a writer?

NineStar Press is publishing my two novels that take place at a gay summer resort on the Jersey Shore, which is ironic since I hide under a beach umbrella at the beach. They are COZZIN COVE: BOUNCING BACK and COZZI COVE: MOVING FORWARD.

How can readers contact you?

I love to hear from readers via my web site. Let’s pump up!

THank you so much for dropping by Joe - as always it is a real pleasure. 

My review of Drama Muscle will be on the blog later, so stop back to see what I thought. 


It could be lights out for college theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza. With dead bodybuilders popping up on campus, Nicky, and his favorite colleague/life partner Noah Oliver, must use their drama skills to figure out who is taking down pumped up musclemen in the Physical Education building before it is curtain down for Nicky and Noah. Complicating matters is a visit from Noah’s parents from Wisconsin, and Nicky’s suspicion that Noah may be hiding more than a cut, smooth body.

You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining second novel in this delightful series. Curtain up and weights up!

DRAMA MUSCLE (a Nicky and Noah mystery)
a comedy/mystery/romance novel by JOE COSENTINO from Lethe Press
purchase links: Lethe Press

Sunday Funday: SheReadsALot's Favorite Books of 2015

Are you ready? I'm going to release the fuck force upon you! 
Prepare your body! 

j/k

I'm going to discuss my favorite reads of 2015! Relax!

No prep necessary. I'm just going to gush.

2015: I was stingier with my favorite list last year. It's my smallest ever. Just 13, lucky 13. I have repeat authors, a good chunk are books released from previous years and there was one hetero book BUT listen to me, this book is a book I think MM Romance readers could try.

If you don't know, I review for two blogs which forces me to read new releases. If not, I'll be forever trying to conquer my unconquerable TBR that has ten zipcodes at this point. (How do I keep up? Unicorn glitter, coffee and sass)

This is how a few of my fave books made it on there (Hansen, Charles, Elsborg, Deckard), and how a few of the authors on this year's list caught my eye years before. Pair that with my love of freebies, which is how I discovered one of the other authors (Vargas) and well...this girl loves to read.

So in no specific order, they're all on my list. I think it's ranked enough. ;P

The Newcomers

Melanie Hansen's Everything Changes

The story has a lot of winning ingredients to appeal to MM readers and it doesn't tilt the boat. It's contemporary, friends to lovers. Add a soldier and a rock star, you can see the check cashing itself in the bank. Though it has tried and true tropes & ingredients and it's safe, the story is pretty good. This was the author's debut in 2015 and she is already onto book #3 this month. I haven't read her recently to see if her writing improved, but from what I remembered it was solid. Yummy characters, some drama and flair and hot vanilla sex...delicious.

 Emory Vargas's Rock Rod Series (Entire series. All!)

Ask any unicorn, they'll tell you, if I find an author that I think is worth your read, your dollar...I'm going to crow about it until the stable closes. I am guilty of hoarding freebies but I do try to crack them open. So of course, I make time for the Daddy kink. It's my shit. And there was Vargas's "Waiting For the Right Boy" waiting on my Kindle. And it had an extra surprise of MANTIES. A Cupcake & Baby special. We don't get that too often. And the thing is the writing is good. Better than average freebie writing, so I had to snap up everything else I could find that I got for free by the author.

And did. Liked that too. And I don't like reading the same author so close together, I get to notice their signatures in their work.

But she released Alex Undone in May 2015 and...holy shit. It was like my spirit animal wrote a story about a clueless butt virgin becoming a gay porn star.

This series just won my snarky loving heart. And then some.

Alex on Top

Where Palex finally comes full steam ahead.

Yes, I created a 'ship name for them.



Emory gave Palex to the world. And I thank her ever so kindly. #assinator3000FTW

The Authors You Might Not Have Heard Of (But I Think You Should)

P.T. Denys - Violence Begets...
Check out the snazzy new cover!

The ratings are fairly decent and I think the warnings and triggers might scare potential readers but it's a powerful book. I don't know why reading broken people fascinates me so but...this author blew me away. I demolished this book and then had to go sit down for a few. This doesn't have a happy ending. It's pain and abuse up the wazoo and you can discuss it for days as to why the characters put up with it. But there are many people who do. Not excusing anyone but it is what is. I can't wait for the author's sequel to this. Though it's going to be a tough one to try and top, I'll be there on release day. Excellent debut. This is a first time writer's dream book: evocative and lingers on the brain.

Douglas Black - Port in a Storm

I'm not sure 2015 had a theme for me, but 2014 sure did. It was the year of the male author. And I raved about a couple of D's: Deckard, Devon McCormack and Daniel de Lorne but I might've forgotten one. Or not. Douglas Black. I really like his tone and I found myself really enjoying the hell out of his books. But this book? I refuse to remove it from my Kindle because I'm in heavy like with the quotes. The plot is a simple one, but the story is so romantic. *gushing* Yes, sex fiends, there's a jizz-tastic amount of sex as well, but the story about an average guy who was sinking in his mundane life and taking a chance on this larger than life character? It was a great read. Maybe you're a reader like me who tries to avoid those buzz books while they're still buzzing (sounds bad right? But if a book has too many people swarming around and raving 5 stars the house down...I'm looking for the nearest exit) Read this blurb, maybe give this a chance.

L.H. Cosway - Killer Queen - The Hetero Book O_O

Why this book kicks ass?


This is a companion to Painted Faces. And I frown on companion books usually. Why in the hell do I want to read what the other character was thinking if I already read it first hand? Whelp, not only does it feature a drag queen hero that is straight...the story is still as good the second time around from Nick aka Ms. Vivica Blue's POV. It was like meeting with an old friend again and talking about the good old days. I didn't bitch, moan or skim.

That's why it kicks ass. Read the series if you get a chance. It's good great.

The Repeaters

Barbara Elsborg - The Demon You Know

Third in an unrelated paranormal/urban fantasy series based in London, this featured one of my favorite paranormal beings as a main character...a demon. A demon with a twist! I still think the previous book was slightly better, this book still was a strong contender.

And the cover is one of my faves of the year. I want to lick it.

K.J. Charles double whammy - get ready for the verbal sledgehammer

A Fashionable Indulgence

I want to start a Julian Norreys fan club! And I want to be the co-president. I do love the dandies. And he reminded me of some my favorite Regency/ Georgian acerbic tongued dandies *cough*Sebastian*cough*Simon*cough*...the book was good but Julian stole the show, owned it, rewrote and slapped the fuck out of it.

 A Seditious Affair

The secondary characters! The sedition! The return of Julian Norreys! The main characters! O.M.G. I thought I was going to get the filler book before the main event that I know book #3 will be.

Nothing doing. This book had everything and more.

And kink!

Nothing more to say to that.

Bey Deckard - Bringing in the visual. He's excellent with setting the scene.

Fated

Third in the Baal's Heart series, my favorite pirate triad is back in action and revisiting a certain troubled pirate's past. It's darker and quieter but a great conclusion for the triad.

Better The Devil You Know

For the ones who love it darker and without a HEA. Though in my warped head, it sort of was. A book featuring a character I like reading about in fiction and a serial killer have a walk down memory lane.

Twisty. Filthy. Bloody. Clever. Fun?

And that cover still gives me the vapors. Also a fave of mine.

The Book Everyone and Their Father's Barber's Barber Read...Except for Me

Jill Knowles - Concubine

CANDYLAND THUNDERDOME'd = me. I had this book for who knows how long and I would have probably let it languish among the many in my TBR K2. Thank goodness for the THUNDERDOME.

Purple Jism. Sweet Lavender Semen and Raspberry flavored cock heads, you feel me? I would drink it all day and ride it into the sunset. This book was magical. And there was a demon MC, so you know I was excited times a zillion!

BIDGAFFIEHBILI (or Book I Don't Give A Flying Fuck If Everyone Hated Because I LOVED It)

Mercy Celeste - Out of the Blues

I love her writing. And I also know when it's not up to snuff. But this one was like old school Mercy. Her fans know what I'm talking about. This was the jam and jelly. The bees knees. It knocked me out of my book slump right when I needed it. Loved those two dudes. 

Didn't like it? *shrugs*
Didn't think it was believable? *shrugs*

Don't. Give. A. Shit. Loved. It.


So while my list isn't that long, I think it had a good number of strong writers and excellent storytelling. Definitely entertaining. A little bit for everyone's taste? *shrugs*

I did try a good number of new to me authors (like Lisa Henry through her free stuff or authors from our anniversary event's flash fics - Suki Fleet)...wait, I think that could possibly be my theme - the year I finally tried those authors I been meaning to get to.

I think my 2016 list might end up a little longer. We're barely half a month into the new year and I already have 2 faves.

Whoa.

The fuck force is strong, unicorns!

Any books on here that you loved? Any books you loved you want to shout out for 2015?

Try to rub my horn. I dare ya!

SRAL out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *drops mic*

Fangirl Review: Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits (Claimings #3) by Lyn Gala

A desire for status has brought Ondry and Liam to a human world to trade, but dealing with humans has brought up all the old pain in Liam’s heart. Even though Ondry would do anything to protect his beloved palteia, he doesn’t know how to protect Liam from himself. Worse, Ondry isn’t sure how to shield Liam from the shifting politics on the Rownt ship where the Calti Grandmothers are nothing like the ones they left behind on the planet.

With everything in their lives changing, Ondry and Liam have only each other. If Ondry can’t find a way to defend Liam from the ghosts of the past and overcome the impossibly short life span of a human, their small family might be over long before either of them is ready to let go. Ondry has always been a dominant and possessive Rownt, and with Liam in danger, those traits are necessary as he challenges the world to protect his lover.

I feel like LG just performed the ilsil on me. My unicorn bits oozed with delight.

I don't know how she combines making me feel so relaxed and affected simultaneously, but I'll just accept it as the gift it is. You know how you read some series that focus on a couple and as it progresses it gets stale?

Nothing could be further from the truth where Liam and Ondry are concerned. Their story just keeps evolving and drawing me in over and over.

Like jumping head first into a rainbow vortex. Every single time they happen to me all over again.

I spent the entire day with either a smile on my face or fighting off my feels at the simple truths Ondry or the grandmothers uttered. As Liam struggles with his past and second guesses himself I found myself becoming increasingly verklempt over Ondry's desire to fix it because that's what a chilta does for his palteia. As much as Rownt pride themselves on their logic I continue to be filled delighted over Ondry's illogic when it comes to his palteia.

"I will not lose you. The story scrolls say only a palteia can defy the laws of the gods with impunity, for even the gods would hesitate to stand between a palteia and his chosen chilta. They fail to say the same is true of a chilta. I will defy the gods on this matter."

The fact that palteia are cherished by the Rownt and that's on display from even the eldest of the grandmother's only enriched my experience. 

I'm hoping Zach's story gets told. *doe eyes*

The world building was just a cherry on top of the best sundae I could ever ask for.

If you've not read this series you're really, truly doing yourself a disservice.

A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: Nuts About You (Nutty Romances, #1) by Kate Lowell

Nathan’s been crushing on one of his regular Bulk Mart customers for a while now. In squirrel form, he sits on Vince’s bird feeders, munching on seeds and enjoying the eye candy. Until the day Vince notices him raiding the feeder…

"So, a shapeshifter, huh?"
Nathan nodded.
"And you're a squirrel?"
Nathan nodded again.
"And you don't feel screwed at all by fate?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, shifters in books and movies are all werewolves and weretigers and stuff like that. It doesn't suck being a weresquirrel?"

Nope, it doesn't suck at all.

Let me tell you, Nathan the weresquirrel is ADORABLE. I am definitely #teamsquirrel #teamNathan after reading Kate Lowell's first story in the Nutty Romances series, "Nuts About You".

Nathan is a sales clerk at the local Bulk Mart. He has a massive crush on one of his customers, Vince. Sweet, chubby Nathan gets flusters when he is around the yummy man so he spies on the object of his eye. It could be considered stalking but who is going to report a squirrel? Nathan watches Vince and munches on nuts and birdseed in Vince's yard until one day fate steps in.

The story is light and funny. The nuts puns weren't stuffed down the throat and it wasn't an excuse to just have oodles of sex. There is a plot underneath the fluffy smiles. There is an erotic moment and we get to learn each man in this short story. I still wanted to know more. I liked the hint of shifter society the author began to introduce.

The story ends with a HFN and kind of earl (81%) but there is an excerpt for the next installment of the series which will continue with the world the author created. Since I know there will be more, I won't harp on wanting more. I hope the questions I have or might have have will be answered with future books.

I liked that Nathan wasn't the run of the mill shifter. And major points for him being "fluffy", we don't normally get chubby shifters. They're usually eight pack abs and chiseled faces with mega long dongs and ten feet tall. It was nice to have normal. Well, for a squirrel shifter who had normal human quirks and insecurities.

Recommended for shifter lovers who want something light and airy with funny (and not overly cheesy)

Oh my Walnuts! Don't forget to check out this book's AMAZING GIVEAWAY today!

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!