Author Visit: Joe Cosentino

Boy Meets Boy Reviews is happy to welcome Joe Cosentino into the stable today. In fact, we've handed over the reins (so to speak) for this blog post, where Joe talks about his newest release, The Naked Prince. As yet I've not read it - my TBR is teetering, but I cannot wait to get to this story - I love Joe's words! For now though, over to Joe.

Hello Boy Meets Boy Review Readers. It’s Joe Cosentino here talking about fairytales. Okay, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m talking about the old fashioned kind we read as kids in those old worn-out books with fancy print and glorious illustrations. The beautiful stories of peasants becoming princes and princesses, finding true love, and living happily ever after in palaces full of turrets that reach to the star-laden sky. Grrrrrzzzzzzzppppp! That’s the sound of the canned background music coming to an abrupt halt. Why aren’t there any openly gay characters in those old fairytales and in the newer remakes of them on film? Couldn’t a peasant boy fall in love with a prince? Couldn’t a tired, hungry, homeless blond boy seek refuge in a house with three bears? What was Pinocchio’s growing appendage really trying to tell him? Did Jack enjoy his time up there with the Giant more than either one of them let on? Could the Snow Queen be a handsome, frigid, gay prince?’

As the old expression goes, if you want something done, do it yourself. So having written three successful novellas published by Dreamspinner Press, (AN INFATUATION—Divine Magazine Readers’ Poll Award for 2nd Place Favorite MM Novel of 2015, A SHOOTING STAR, and A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS), I decided to write a fourth—a rainbow adaptation of my four favorite fairytales full of humor, romance, and adventure all taking place in Fairyland. “The Naked Prince” is a different take on the Cinderella story. Cinder, a poor and beautiful young man who designs clothing, makeup, and hair for his stepmother and stepsisters, offers his clothing and slippers to a naked stranger in the woods who turns out to be none other than Prince Charming. Will Cinder and Prince Charming confront their manipulative mothers, bring equality to the kingdom, find themselves, and find one another? In “The Golden Rule,” when he is caught with nimble Jack, eighteen-year-old Gideon Golden is thrown out of his home in Fairyland by his homophobic parents. With nowhere else to go, he breaks into the home of three men living on Bear Mountain. Bo and Butch enjoy having a young roommate, but Ben isn’t convinced. Will Gideon and Ben make vinegar or honey? “Whatever Happened To … ?” takes place on Christmas Eve. A reporter living on Andersen Lane interviews a celebrity for the Queen Newspaper series, “What Ever Happened To … .” Friction ensues between the celebrity with the growing appendage who can’t tell fact from fiction, and the reporter who has a thing for giants. Eventually a romantic spark is lit between the two as Christmas Day arrives, and they realize they have more in common than living in Fairyland. Finally in “Ice Cold,” after losing their families during the great ice storm in the northernmost kingdom of Fairyland, young Gaelen and Kieran pledged their love for one another. When Isidore rides into Frost Village on his elaborate sleigh, Kieran follows the handsome prince to his castle in Arctic Kingdom, where Kieran becomes Isidore’s bewitched slave. This leads Gaelen on an amazing adventure to find his true love and melt his frozen heart.

I hope you all read these aptly named fairytales. They will no doubt bring you back to the fun and fantasy of your youth with a very gay twist. I also hope the movie studio producing those amazing animated fairytales finally realizes that fairytales should include everyone—including boys who like princes!

Thanks Joe for stopping by. I LOVE the sound of this story!!
Lorix

Excerpt:
As was his custom, Cinder sat at the fireplace, lit a candle, and placed his pet mouse from the jar onto his lap. He closed his eyes and asked his fathers to help him get to the ball to give his stepsister her missing apparel for her dance with the prince. Suddenly the flame of the candle flickered, and Cinder heard his fathers’ voices. Cinder’s father Maxwell, told him how much he missed him. Cinder’s other father, Mortimer, reminded Maxwell that he missed Cinder too. Maxwell explained to Cinder that he was safe and happy in the other world. Mortimer interjected that Maxwell should not forget that Mortimer was safe and happy in the other world with Maxwell. It was the most comforting moment of Cinder’s life, except for meeting the young man in the meadow.
Maxwell then said, “Cinder, my son, whom I love more than anything in all creation, your fathers have been granted one night, and one night only, with the power to help you. And we have chosen this night.”
“Tell our boy what we are going to do for him,” said Cinder’s other father Mortimer.
Maxwell explained that Cinder would attend the prince’s ball.
Cinder could not believe what he was hearing. At first he thought it was a dream, but no dream could ever be so wonderful. Knowing his stepsister must be heartbroken without her hat and bag, Cinder hoped he could get them to her before she danced with the prince.
“Tell Cinder the stipulation, Maxwell.”
“I was just about to do that, Mortimer.” Then Maxwell said to Cinder with tenderness in his voice, “My son—”
“He’s my son too, Maxwell,” added Cinder’s other father.
After taking a calming breath, Maxwell continued. “Our son, the great force has granted me—”
Mortimer cleared his throat.
“Has granted us the special power to send you to the prince’s ball, but the power will last for one night only. At the stroke of midnight, everything will return back to the way it was.”
Cinder was incredibly grateful to his fathers. He wanted more than anything to tell them how much he loved them and to ask them so many questions, including whether they could help him see the young man from the meadow again. But before Cinder could speak, a slight breeze grazed his cheek. The breeze grew slowly and steadily in intensity and finally became a gust of wind as Cinder’s burlap clothing magically transformed into an exquisite powder blue suit, ruffled shirt, and handkerchief. Cinder looked down at his feet and noticed the mouse’s pickling jar had been transformed into handsome glass slippers. The wind continued to grow until it threw open the cottage door, carrying a pumpkin from the root vegetable bin and Cinder’s pet mouse with it. Cinder hurried outside and marveled as the pumpkin turned into a stunning gold coach and the pet mouse expanded into a handsome coachman. The squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit, and blue jay frolicked in the wind until they became four striking white horses.


THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TALES FROM FAIRYLAND
by JOE COSENTINO
published by Dreamspinner Press
e-book $4.99
purchase:
Dreamspinner Press
All Romance EBooks (ARe)
Barnes and Noble


Fantasy Romance
ASIN:
ISBN-13: 978-1-63476-758-3
Pages or WC: 30,000 words
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Cinder, a poor and beautiful young man who designs clothing, makeup, and hair for his stepmother and stepsisters, offers his clothing and slippers to a naked stranger in the woods who turns out to be none other than Prince Charming. Follow Cinder and Prince Charming in this twist on the classic “Cinderella” tale, as they discover their inner strengths and find their very own happily ever after. Enjoy “The Naked Prince” and three other reimagined Tales from Fairyland, each with a unique spin on stories we all know and love, including “The Golden Rule,” where eighteen-year-old Gideon Golden, after being thrown out of his home in Fairyland by his homophobic parents, breaks into the cottage of three burly men on Bear Mountain, “Whatever Happened To…?,” in which friction ensues between a celebrity with a growing appendage and the reporter who has a thing for giants, and “Ice Cold,” where young Gaelen must save his love Kieran after a handsome but evil prince freezes Kieran’s heart and bewitches him into being the prince’s slave.


Praise for Joe Cosentino’s books from Dreamspinner Press:

“unbelievably beautiful” “a masterpiece” Lovebytes Reviews

“as Joe Cosentino proves time and time again, with his wonderful writing and storytelling ability, love will prevail, and you will smile from ear to ear." Kathy Mac Reviews

“a master class in how to write short fiction (or any fiction). Joe Cosentino has provided a work that will leave you thinking and wanting to savor and re-read it again and again.” GGR Reviews

“Like an onion, Joe Cosentino's stories have layers.” “For those readers looking for something a little bit different - dare I say unique? For those readers who like to laugh. For those readers who appreciate the nuances of people and the way each character is different. For those readers who want to read a damn good story - check out this author. I'm glad I did.” “A truly fabulous read.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews

“This story just blew me away.” Cathy Brockman Romance/MM Good Book Reviews

“From the beginning I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to finish the book.” Inked Rainbow Reads

“really grabs you and tugs at your emotions” “unique and enjoyable.” Nautical Star Books

“It turned out exactly how I wanted it to.” BFD Book Blog

“This is polished prose at its best. Intelligent writing, a thought-provoking plot and characters befitting the theater genre” “one of my favorite reads this year.” Love’s Last Refuge Reviews

“Don't miss this one friends, it is a heartfelt story magical in the telling! Thanks Joe for putting your heart on the page for us to savor!”
Bike Book Reviews

“It’s unusual for me to get sucked into a book in the first chapter but it grabbed me early and I read the whole thing in one day”.
Nautical Star Books

“There were times I laughed and then there were times I cried…unforgettable.” Multitaskingmomma Reviews

"I really loved this book and having an ending that made me laugh and cry at the same time is testament to the brilliant writing." BooksLaidBareBoys

"The author executed his storyline with a marvelous precision that would be the envy of many authors. He draws the readers into the lives of his characters, they become real and in turn, their emotions becomes yours." "If you can only afford to buy one more book this year, buy this one.” Three Books Over the Rainbow Reviews

Amazon Bestselling author Joe Cosentino wrote An Infatuation, A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press), Drama Queen the first Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), Drama Muscle the second Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), Paper Doll the first Jana Lane mystery (Whiskey Creek Press), and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, Charles Keating, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He wrote The Perils of Pauline educational film (Prentice Hall Publishers). Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming releases are Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward (NineStar Press) and Porcelain Doll the second Jana Lane mystery (Wild Rose Press releasing March 15). Joe was voted 2nd Place for Best MM Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015.

Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino

Release Day Review - A Frost of Cares by Amy Rae Durreson

Military historian Luke Alcott leaps at the chance to live in the seventeenth-century country mansion of Eelmoor Hall, home of the Royal Military School of Medicine, after being offered a job cataloging the school’s archives. Luke believes he chose the perfect place to start a new life and put his broken past behind him. But soon after settling into the old house, he hears strange noises—like footsteps—and he begins to suffer from terrible nightmares.

 The only person Luke can turn to for help is the taciturn caretaker, Jay, a veteran of the Afghanistan war who carries an old battle wound. Together they try to understand Eelmoor Hall’s history and decipher what could be causing the haunting. As the weather grows colder and snow dusts the countryside, a child goes missing. Luke needs to deal with his own demons and learn to trust in love again if he hopes to face down the angry spirit and find the missing girl.

I love how the author told this story. It sooo worked. Luke is telling their story and I don’t mean it’s just in his POV, I mean he is writing down the story of Eelmoor Hall at Jay’s insistence with the hopes that Luke will be able to let the ghost go. It really reads as if a friend is telling me a truly great ghost story because it’s so story-tellerish. That totally makes sense in my head. It’s very personal from the beginning so I felt an immediate connection to Luke because his voice was so strong. Not to short change Jay at all, his presence was just as strong as he made comments to Luke throughout. Jay’s little digs and endearments as he peeks over Luke’s shoulder at what he’s writing, as told through Luke’s voice was completely charming. Note, pay special attention to 21%, it was yummmm and dayum and awwwwww all at once. It also is exactly why I love Jay and Luke together.

We know from the get go that they are an established couple, no mystery there, but that in no way takes away from the romance as the two get to know one another through Jay’s retelling of their winter at Eelmoor Hall. There is more than just one ghost in this story too. Not only is the mystery of the Mistletoe Bride told, but so is Luke’s history and the missing ex who still has a piece of him. That was a heartbreaker right there. It spoke to Luke’s strength of character and loyalty in a way that was really well done.

 You’ll especially enjoy this if you are a native and have any interest at all in history. I’m across the pond from the stories setting and I found it fascinating. I’m sure a big part of that was in how Luke communicates. He’s that awesome history teacher you had (or wish you had) that teaches through anecdotes and makes the historical figures into real relatable people. It’s not that the story was particularly heavy with historical information, just balanced perfectly to make the ghost story make sense to what was happening to them.

 I really love a good old fashioned ghost story and this is exactly that. It’s a story that has roots as a mysterious tragedy and that has been told and retold so many times the truth has been lost along the way. With Luke being a historian, it made perfect sense that he would be able to research the story of the Mistletoe Bride and figure out what facts fit their locale. The story is not overtold, it’s the perfect less-is-more approach. A few perfectly placed words and the absolute best chapter endings ever kept me hooked and deliciously creeped out.

The author did a really great job of balancing the ghost story with the romance between Jay and Luke. They may have been thrown together via circumstance and a haunting, but they didn’t shy away from the good thing they had going. I loved the evolution of their relationship, their banter and the building heat between them. They were both so real and honest, it was refreshing to read the beginnings of a relationship without unnecessary angst. They said what they felt and showed affection naturally. Plus, they had snark, I love snark. Considering the situation they found themselves in, the story could have been too heavy and dark, but the banter and aforementioned snark kept the story relatable throughout. I loved it.

Jay waited longer than I would have done, long enough that I was starting to get restless, but at last he said, “Clear.” 

“I don’t think she’s going to shoot us.” 

"Keep walking, Luke.” 

“I’m walking. Just saying.” 

I was pretty sure the look he was giving me was less than fond. “You’d be a pain to rescue.” 

“Oh, is this a rescue now? I thought we were both just running away.” 

Some of the absolute best parts were when the two were getting to know each other and divulging the stories of their own personal ghosts and then the reaction of the other. The reactions were always very thoughtful, words weren’t thrown into conversation to fill space or placate, every revelation had meaning. When Luke spoke about his ex, Danny, Jay was honest but respectful. Jay lost a leg on a tour in Afghanistan. He’s self-conscious in front of his new lover and the honesty that Luke respected him with was just perfect.

While Jay’s assignment to Luke was to write their story with the hopes of finally letting the ghost go, the conclusion that Luke came to in the end was ideal. This will no doubt be a reread for me in the future. The characters are too good to read just once and I had too much fun with the mystery not to revisit it.

To get your copy of A Frost of Cares follow the link to Dreamspinner Press.

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

Review: The Invasion of Adam (Tork and Adam #2) by Claire Davis and Al Stewart

College life, fun nights out, guys everywhere—Adam thought his life was perfect…

Until he met Tork.

Green-haired Tork creates origami models and reads Dickens. He lives in supported housing, and he is absolutely not impressed by money.

Adam and Tork come from opposite worlds, but even as Adam fights it, the attraction stays strong.

Will Tork win the battle to understand his past and be well? Is there another Adam beneath that polished surface? Can they overcome their differences, and will there be dancing at midnight?

Find out what happens in a year of Adam, Tork, and Dickens the cat. 

Sequel to The Invasion of Tork but can be read as a stand-alone.

Some books scream for a sequel and the Invasion of Tork was one of those books. Now, The Invasion of Adam could definitely be read as a standalone, however why would you do that? It’s 48 pages, it’s free and it’s so painfully beautiful. So, don’t be lame, read it first. And, if you’ve already read it, wasn’t it soooooo good? Well, now you have to read The Invasion of Adam.

It’s both a sequel and an extended epilogue to the story of Adam and Tork. You know how you read the stories, where one MC has some serious damage to contend with? The kind where a pro needs to be involved? Then the other MC comes along and knows just what to say and what not to say? Then the damaged MC finally feels comfortable and safe? Yeah? Well, Adam ain’t that other MC. And what’s so great, is THAT is what works.

Adam may have been the nudge to encourage Tork to get help, but in The Invasion of Adam we get to see how Tork was the nudge to encourage Adam to be human. Tork, the one who is all broken and homeless speaks so sagely and his tone is so proper, then there is college boy Adam, with every advantage, who speaks ‘selfish douche’. Tork speaks in quiet, measured nuggets and Adam rambles and then he blurts. I thought it was really quite charming once I got to see the real Adam and not just the brat he presented to the world. He blurts reality like it is and while the thought of saying some of the stuff he says is cringe worthy, Tork sees it for what it is. Adam is the King of Deflection. He’s got a knack for deflecting away from his true self by dazzling with his beauty and snark. Tork loves that about him, he finds it incredibly amusing, but also sees what Adam really needs, someone to control and ground him.

Adam was always the one in control. Always. Until Tork. And Tork needed that so badly. Regardless of what happened, Tork was obviously a very strong man, and the authors balanced that so well. I never felt like I was reading about two (or three) different characters. Tork is very complex and simple at the same time, the authors balanced his personality perfectly. With all those extremes happening in his life, he could have gone way off track as a character easily, but instead just had more depth than any I’ve read in a long time.

Adam’s heart turns out to be bigger than he knows how to handle sometimes and Tork is so fucking sincere it hurts. Questions were answered and just enough detail was given to inform without taking away from what the story of Adam and Tork. I loved how they both changed and grew for each other and for themselves. They fought for each other, rooted for each other and supported each other from start to finish. Neither of them were used to that and the little moments and rituals they had were swoon worthy.

 I really can’t recommend these two unique characters and their story enough. There were some rough topics that were handled well and respectfully. The relationship was beautifully paced and while it wasn’t always easy, it wasn’t angsty for the sake of angst either. The communication and connection was obvious because the authors didn’t tell me about it, they showed me in so many ways and with the perfect balance of details. It’s a love story that I’ll read again.

For more information on The Invasion of Adam check it out on Goodreads.

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

Review: College Boys (Men of Holsum College, #1) by Daisy Harris

When soccer star Chris Fischer moves next door to an openly gay classmate, he doesn't realize the wall between their rooms will be so thin he'll hear his neighbor's every move. But soon he and Peter become friends, and Chris is intrigued—imagining what happens on the other side of the wall.

Active on the Queer Student Council, Peter Cohen wishes he wasn't so damn hot for his straight neighbor. He can't tell if Chris is flirting or in denial or what, but Chris's innocent overtures lure Peter into flirtation that throws his world into chaos. Peter doesn't want to date a closet case, but he desperately, passionately wants Chris.

Soon Chris must choose whether to run away from his new feelings or embrace a relationship with the guy he loves. And Peter must decide if he can give his heart to a guy who hasn't yet figured it all out.

A story just about every MM reader read...except me.

You know what they say...

Love that episode.

Anyhoo, what can I say that hasn't been said already? Probably not much.

Set in Vermont, Chris, Tennessean straight college soccer player moves into a single dorm room that has been shoddily split into two singles rooms with a paper thin wall to separate him and his neighbor. His neighbor is Peter, a gay student who Chris had a morning wood, totally not gay encounter with earlier in the year.

Uh-huh.

So while Chris gets to mourn his mother's passing in peace away from his teammates, he also gets to know Peter and they become friends. And masturbatory helping aids? Well, the wall separates them, so...it's totally not gay. Right?

I came for the 'out for you' but was pleasantly surprised with the additions to the plot. I liked Chris mourning. (wished it didn't get pushed to the wayside once the sexy times started. But who wants dead mom thoughts when boners are present?) I really liked Chris working through accepting that his sexuality wasn't as concrete as he'd thought - though the homophobic teammates were assholes and sometimes Chris made dick moves, his heart was in the right place. I'm glad it wasn't another gay boy dating a closeted boy story.

And the sex read natural. I liked the progression. Well most of it. And my smut loving heart rejoiced when I got the double whammy. You know what time it is: Virgin meets Butt Virgin Time

*purrs* And tears (during sex).

There were things I felt were too soon like the level of HEA. Not saying twenty-somethings aren't that mature but...virgins making such weighty promises after such short amount of time? *raises eyebrow* Methinks the hormones might be talking here. Also while I did applaud Chris' acceptance...it might've been a little hasty.

Overall, enjoyable story. It's hot, there's a solid plot and I'll be back for more of this series.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Innocent Auction by Victoria Sue

 

Victoria Sue is visiting Boy Meets Boy Reviews to promote her latest historical gay romance, The Innocent Auction, released 12/28/25. Not only do we have a steamy cover and hot blurb but there is an even hotter giveaway where on lucky winner could win a ebook copy of Victoria Sue's backlist!

London 1810.

Their love was a death sentence.

Deacon, Viscount Carlisle, was aware of the slums and gin-lanes of London. Just as he was aware of the underground traffic that furnished the brothels and bath houses with human innocents. He was also aware that the so-called justice system would hang the accused without much of an attempt at a defense, unless the unfortunate had deep pockets to pay for it.

He just hadn’t expected to be directly involved in any of it.

It started with a plea for help and ended with forbidden love, the love between a Viscount and a stable-boy. An impossible love and a guarantee of the hangman's noose.

Will Deacon fight for Tom? Will he risk the death sentence and take that fight from the stately halls of his English mansion to the horrors of Newgate Prison and the slums of London?

Or will he realize that if he doesn't, death will be a welcome end to the loneliness of the sentence he is already living?

Pages or Words: 61,000 words

Categories: Historical, M/M Romance

Excerpt:

Tom was stunning in the candlelight. The servant’s clothes he wore were a hundred times softer than the rough shirt he had taken off him in the stables. Tom’s skin was just as soft, though, the muscles just as firm, and the reaction to Deacon’s touch just as thrilling.

He heard the small moan from Tom’s lips as he pulled the shirt from his trousers, his fingers touching the skin on his abdomen. Tom lifted his arms above his head in silent invitation, and Deacon’s cock swelled in eagerness. Tom let his arms fall as the shirt was thrown aside, and Deacon hurriedly unbuttoned his trousers, as Tom’s fingers went to work on Deacon’s.

Neither of them said a word. It wasn’t just fear that they would be heard, but more an affirmation that while ever they didn’t speak, they were equals, lovers. The sensation of Tom’s teeth as he grazed his collarbone was perfect. Something to be celebrated, not reviled. Surely something that made him feel so complete could never be a sin? For in that one moment, Deacon didn’t have to pretend anymore and he was content.

In moments, Tom had him undressed. “Stay still.”

Deacon groaned as the order went straight to his cock.

Tom’s calloused fingers swept over his shoulders and down his chest. Tom’s nails dug in around his nipples, and Deacon swayed towards him with every pull as if there were invisible strings attached. Tom bent his head, his warm lips drugging Deacon’s movements till they stilled. How could his skin vibrate as if alive, yet his body remain immovable as if cast in stone?

When Tom knelt in front of him, Deacon gasped. “You—” can’t? That was ridiculous, and Deacon bit the words off before they were uttered. His breaths came out in hurried gasps when Tom looked up, blue eyes on fire almost as they smoldered with heat.

Deacon almost couldn’t breathe as Tom wrapped his lips around his cock. His knees wobbled, inspiring Tom to bring two strong hands around to clasp his buttocks, pulling him nearer and making Tom almost seem to swallow him.

Almost immediately, Deacon felt the tingles in his spine. He had to hang on, and he threaded his fingers through Tom’s hair, desperate for some anchor before he exploded. Thrice. He’d had this done three times by whores, but never had he wished to think of something else while it was being done. Tom had his full attention.

“Oh.” Deacon pressed his lips together hard as Tom’s teeth scraped back and his tongue followed the fold on his foreskin, pushing it back slowly. He could nearly feel the come rush from his balls at the same speed as the blood pounding through his veins. Tom must have sensed this, because when Deacon’s back arched, he intensified the suction nearly to the point of pain, his fingers digging in Deacon’s buttocks to keep him close. That sinful tongue and commanding mouth wringing Deacon’s orgasm from him.

Deacon gasped. Eyes blinded by momentous pressure that rose in him and threatened to take over his body. He heard a small satisfied sound from the man on his knees and that was it, the catalyst that sent him over the edge. Deacon shot his pleasure into the warm mouth compelling it thus, and flung his head back, mouth open in a silent cry, his legs supported only by Tom’s hands.

Deacon’s cock jerked a final time just as Tom swallowed around it and let it drop from his lips. His eyes still closed, he felt the pressure from Tom’s hand pushing him backwards towards the bed. One more step, and Deacon hit the bed with the back of his knees, which folded, ably helped by the push of Tom’s hand. Deacon felt the bed dip and a cautious tongue lick at the side of his throat until he moved his head to the side to give the man better access. He vaguely heard a chuckle, and answered it with a tilt of his lips. He had neither the command of his body nor the presence of mind to do any other.

He just needed a minute. Then he would explore the gorgeous body laid beside him and return the favor. Just one minute.

Buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Innocent-Auction-Victoria-Sue-ebook/dp/B019WV8IOW/ref=sr_1_1

Today we're very lucky to be interviewing Victoria Sue, author of The Innocent Auction.

Hi, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

1) Tell us about your book.

The Innocent Auction is set in London in 1810. It’s the time of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but this isn’t about balls and carriage rides, even duels and gambling.

It’s about forbidden love. Not just the fact that both my characters are men. One is a lord and one is stable boy. So even if homosexuality wasn’t a hanging offence at that time, their love would still have been impossible.

This happy ever after was hard fought for and took some work. (Not just from the characters!)

2) How difficult was it to get into the main character’s head?

To be honest, I couldn’t wait. This was the book I’ve wanted to write for years. I loved every second of it – even if it did take me twice as long as any of my others because of the research I had to do.

3) Is this book a standalone or do you plan on visiting it again?

One of the characters I mentioned in the book gets his own story in The Innocent Betrayal which I’m currently writing now. Beau (In The Innocent Auction) had a lover who was heir to a dukedom. This is Michael’s story)

4) Why did you choose to write M/M stories?

Because their love seems so harder fought for. There are still countries in the world even today where homosexuality can be a death sentence. I wanted to write a happy ending for once.

5) Where do you find your inspiration?

I suppose every writer has a good imagination. It can be a picture, a news story, something you are reading. For me in this book, I wanted to know what life was really like behind the stately home curtains.

Meet the author:

Has loved books for as long as she can remember. Books were always what pocket money went on and what usually Father Christmas brought. When she ran out of her kids' adventure stories, she would go raid her mom's. By the age of eight she was devouring classics like Little Women, and fell in love with love stories.

She especially loves writing gay romance because as far as she’s concerned the only thing better than one hot guy, is two of them.


Where to find the author:

Website: www.victoriasue.com
Twitter: @vickysuewrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sue.kellett
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28236823-the-innocent-auction
Publisher: Victoria Sue
Cover Artist: Drawn2Designs


Tour Dates & Stops:

25-Jan

Jessie G. Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, MM Good Book Reviews, Let's Get Ready To Romance, Louise Lyons

26-Jan

Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Elaine White, Kirsty Loves Books, Caraway Carter, BFD Book Blog

27-Jan

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Happily Ever Chapter, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings, Book Lovers 4Ever

28-Jan

Inked Rainbow Reads, Alpha Book Club, Love Bytes

29-Jan

Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Velvet Panic, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews

Enter Rafflecopter for a chance to win your choice of ebook from Victoria Sue's backlist! 

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Review: Torn and Frayed (A Gabriel Church Tale #2) by Rodd Clark

“Conscience isn’t something all people are born with . . .”
Gabriel Church is a portrait in contrast. It would be easy to get lost in his pale-blue eyes, ache with the need to feel the strength of his masculine frame. He appears to be nothing but animal and instinct. The only people who know the full depth of that truth are dead, murdered, or two thousand miles away.

Gabe is a serial killer. For the first time in his life, he has more on his mind than his own survival. This time he is running from Seattle to protect the only person he thinks innocent in his laundry list of crime and murder: Christian Maxwell, his biographer and unexpected lover. Drawn to a place he never thought to return, Gabe finds new and different realities. Realities that insist he let go of his tragic past, those incredible perceptions of God, and his own divinity. He must open his eyes to what the love of a good man can do to heal a broken soul.

But when the killer is confronted by his own willingness to love and sacrifice, he is forced to ultimately ask the question: Just how far will he go to save a life . . . when all he’s ever done is take them?

Gabriel Church is on the run. After years of fulfilling - what he claims to be - his calling from God, he's done something that just might get him caught.

The story starts where book 1 ended, Gabriel had left Christian in an effort to save him. After Gabriel killed Shea, he knew things would go south and thought if he stayed away from Christian that he would be protecting him.

He was driving all over the place and he seemed to be losing it. He was looking for... I don't know, validation, maybe? Not validation that he is in fact doing god's work through murder, because he knows that's the truth. But he found comfort in confession at a small church he came across. Not confessing the whole truth, but enough for him to feel better about his "mission" and enough for the priest to know something wasn't right with Gabriel. Gabriel has a very warped relationship with god. He has a negative history with churches, but at the same time finds comfort there, and truly believes that he was chosen to send "white lighters" home to heaven. Some people have a light surrounding them -that only Gabriel can see- and he thinks this is a sign from god that this person needs to have the light put out and sent home.

All while this was going on, he couldn't get Christian out of his head. They started a relationship when Christian wanted to write Gabriel's biography. After calling Christan, Gabriel found out that he was being contacted by the police for Shea's murder. He goes back to try and save the day. In a way that only Gabriel can do.

Gabriel is an interesting character, to say the least. He's a psychopathic serial killer, but is also charming and playful with Christian. He's discovering that he can have feelings for others, given the lengths he went to in order to protect Christian.

Things come to a head when the investigating police officer continues to peruse Christian for the murder case. This is when things really shifted for me. I already had a hard time with Gabriel. He's so easy to like, but he's also a killer, so maybe not so easy to like? But the whole situation that went down with the police officer just reminded me who this guy really is. I honestly can't say what direction I'd like his story to go. But I can tell you that I'm curious.

The story took some time to get started I had a hard time getting into it initially. It's more of a thriller than a romance and I know that's the main reason I struggled in the beginning. Why couldn't he just meet up with Christian, forget his "mission" and live HEA? But like I said, I'm definitely in for the long haul here. I have to know what happens to Gabriel.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads. 

Blog Tour: Torn and Frayed by Rodd Clark

Have you met Gabriel Church yet? Well, you should! He's an interesting character, to say the least! Author Rodd Clark is here to talk about his newest release, Torn and Frayed, book 2 in the Gabriel Church Tales.

Cover & Blurb:

“Conscience isn’t something all people are born with...”

Gabriel Church is a portrait in contrast. It would be easy to get lost in his pale-blue eyes, ache with the need to feel the strength of his masculine frame. He appears to be nothing but animal and instinct. The only people who know the full depth of that truth are dead, murdered, or two thousand miles away.

Gabe is a serial killer. For the first time in his life, he has more on his mind than his own survival. This time he is running from Seattle to protect the only person he thinks innocent in his laundry list of crime and murder: Christian Maxwell, his biographer and unexpected lover. Drawn to a place he never thought to return, Gabe finds new and different realities. Realities that insist he let go of his tragic past, those incredible perceptions of God, and his own divinity. He must open his eyes to what the love of a good man can do to heal a broken soul.

But when the killer is confronted by his own willingness to love and sacrifice, he is forced to ultimately ask the question: Just how far will he go to save a life . . . when all he’s ever done is take them?

Character Profiles:
Gabriel Church is 36, was born in Kentucky, and is a drifter. He’s toned and big, sexy and dangerous: the anti-hero of the series and dresses rough and casual. It is his body that attracts not the denims and flannel and t-shirts he is accustomed to wearing. But if there was one thing that anyone would remember about Gabe is his eyes: pale-blue slate and mesmerizing.

Church is a dichotomy because he appears to be a redneck illiterate from the outside, but in truth has his deep profound thoughts and belief-structure. His voice is masculine without being wordy, but his control is always sensed and displayed by the few sentences he blurts out. His speech illustrates a subtle wisdom with a serious knife-like edge, because after-all, he has seen and done it all during his lifetime.

Gabe is street smart, but even with his high school education he shows he is envious of Christian’s brain and intellect. He considers the man an enigma and struggles with the knowledge that his life could have turned out very differently had he been given the same chances at a college education. One he feels that Christian has taken for granted.

Gabriel survived only by his wits, and in a place where a bed with clean sheets is considered a luxury. He has never known wealth and comfort but sees the futility in such pursuits, namely because he has seen the others he has killed die without fanfare and without their protection of wealth or reputation. The rat race of others, as Church has called it, it something fragile and easily destroyed in his perception. He holds no interest in obtaining any financial freedom, nor does he expect to ever find it.

Gabe relies on his ability to read others and spot their weaknesses; it may be why he is so fascinated with Chris Maxwell, his polar opposite. Christian doesn’t seem to possess that skill at all, and this creates a symbiotic relationship of Gabe wanting to protect his lover from the dangers he sees so clearly.

One thing Gabe would say he was good at, if asked, was his ability to fuck, and fuck well. He would smile his twisted grin and flash his pearly whites, but in truth the reality was that he considered himself a survivor, regardless of the odds. He lives his life without assistance, makes no apologies and is very much the man’s man, counts only on his own abilities to get from point A to point B.

Church has not spoken to anyone in his family since he left as a young adult. But for him in particular, the ghosts of his childhood haunt him more regularly than he would care to admit.

Gabe finds out that his breaking point is his lover: Christian Maxwell. Or more precisely the fact that despite thinking that he can walk away from him to protect him, to simply forget the writer and equate him as the same collateral damage he thought appropriate for his mother and sister, he can’t.

Christian Maxwell is an attractive and educated man, very erudite and currently in his mid-thirties. He is living as a closeted gay man when our story begins, but finds himself desperate to connect with someone who can break him out of his destined routine.

Christian as a protagonist is trained and educated with a background that gives him the leg-up over his peers, where Church is self-taught and possesses than skill of reading people and sizing up his competition.

Christian was raised with financial comfort and due to his degree always assumed his life would run according to plan. He is the exact opposite of Gabriel Church.

He is a bit of a loner. Christian loves his family but doesn’t seem to express pride in them or their accomplishments and he can go weeks without speaking to them.

Christian has important flaws; namely his inability to walk away from such a dangerous figure as Gabriel Church. Chris allows his lover to make the decisions regarding his own personal safety.

Where Gabriel takes challenges head-on, Christian wavers with the morality issue and losing the only person he desires, regardless of his better sense of right and wrong. He knows he could be considered an accomplice to murder in the very least and may be wanted for questioning in the death of a young woman in Seattle. But it is a matter of trust for him and that faith is equally tested many times for him.

In the end he hopes to be the one to change Church. To show him the error of his ways and for Church to want to settle down with him, even if settling is to be on the run with his lover.

Excerpt:
Cars weaved dangerously onto onramps as everyone was frantically trying to make it to offices, day jobs, or the nearest shopping malls. Everyone was out to make a living, but for him life was different. In the burbs, Gabe made a living with a towel and a pair of shorts. Stopping in at motel pools, appearing like any other guest out for a swim. His true intention was spying for purses sitting open by the women tanning themselves on chaise lounges.

Gabriel wasn’t vain, but he knew what catnip a strong physique could be for a lonely female traveler, and he knew how to work the tourist trade even better than the brown-skinned boys from the beaches of Puerto Vallarta. But it was more than loose change he’d be begging for. Motel pools were ideal because husbands rarely swam with their families, but mothers knew the importance of getting screaming children out of tiny motel rooms and into pools. It meant they could sit in quiet solitude, possibly reading and tanning their alabaster skins as urchins on sugar highs splashed and frolicked at their feet.

It was the perfect savanna for hunting when you had a build like Gabriel’s. And if his target was a lone single woman, he often used his skills to get her to draw him to her room for sweaty sex between the sheets. Purses and pocket books were easy, and when they weren’t available, there were pool games for money and poker with betting. He considered his petty theft something few would miss, and his efforts enabled him to stay off the grid and under anyone’s radar. He’d never been arrested or ticketed for any of his minor crimes for cash because he was that good. A tempting smile went a long way for him, and he could be charming and self-effacing whenever he needed. Christian had chuckled and called him whore when he’d explained how he maintained his existence back in Washington. Remembering that incident brought a faint grin to his face, and he found pleasure that the writer hadn’t judged him harshly, as others might’ve.

“You do what you have to if you want to survive, little buddy.” Church had offered over Christian’s raucous laughter. It had been one of the first times they’d discussed his manner of survival or money during one of their many frequent interviews in the Mayflower. He had to admit they’d been a little drunk by then after Maxwell had purchased a bottle of premium bourbon and carried it back to their suite as entertainment and distraction. They were inebriated more often than he cared to admit, but it was a necessary evil when Christian was asking him to reveal his deepest, darkest secrets. The only way he could get to the impervious truth was by laced libation and longing looks of sympathy and interest. One of Gabe’s fondest memories came from them sitting on the sofa in the spacious suite at the Mayflower in their underwear, close enough that their knees were touching. They were already high on bourbon and colas, and they laughed and joked well into the night. It was something Gabriel had never experienced before, as unfathomable as that might have sounded.

Buy Links:
Driven Bookshop: http://ow.ly/W8HWs
Amazon US: http://ow.ly/W8IcF
Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/W8Irn
Itunes: http://ow.ly/W8J4B
Kobo: http://ow.ly/W8JJh
B&N: http://ow.ly/W8Jsa

About the Author:

Rodd lives in Dallas, TX at the moment but hails from the sticks of Oklahoma. Check out his web presence at RODDCLARK.COM. Interested in the M/M Mystery, Romance and Thriller genres but has a varied interest in many books. It has been written that his writing has a very dark and distinctive voice with a need for deep exploration and analysis. “Torn and Frayed” is the sequel to his popular romantic thriller, "Rubble and the Wreckage." The third chapter of the series should be released later in the year and give readers a chance to see how their wicked story is resolved.

Author Social Media
Website: http://www.roddclark.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RODDCLARK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodd.clark.96
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/roddclark96/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7741007.Rodd_Clark
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rodd-Clark/e/B00KGDSYSQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1


Thanks, Rodd, for stopping by and sharing a little more about these guys. Can't wait for book 2!

Review: Splendid Isolation (Shadow Play #3) by Helena Maeve

Old spies make dangerous hostages.

A prisoner at the tender mercies of the British Secret Intelligence Services, Manuel has to believe that trading freedom for protection was his only hope of avoiding payback for his crimes. Yet his chequered past is neither forgiven nor forgotten. Every day, Manuel is tasked with providing his handlers new intelligence about the bloodthirsty power players he once served. And if he refuses, there are consequences.

In charge of Manuel’s debriefing is Cole, a high-ranking Section officer whose history is intimately intertwined with Manuel’s misdeeds. He has made it his mission to unearth Manuel’s secrets, however long that takes. He will break Manuel because it is necessary. Avenging a broken heart has nothing to do with it.

But time is not on their side. When Manuel’s former employer targets the safe house where he is imprisoned, his usefulness as an asset is called into question. As old passions awaken, both Cole and Manuel discover that letting go of the past may not be as easy as they’d hoped.

The best of the series so far!
(IMO)

This is what I've been looking for out of this series. It caught my attention right out of the gate and held it throughout. It is lighter on the espionage than its predecessors, but the relationship between these two protagonists is sublime. I'm happy to relinquish a little spy game for a second chance romance.

Manuel and Cole have a history which isn't expounded on all that much but it's clear they had a relationship, separated because of their jobs but never forgot each other. That lost love trope... 

There also seems to be a teensy bit of acrimony betwixt the two and you know what that means. That's right, kids!

Hate sex!

WINNER! WINNER! CHICKEN DINNER!

The great plot twists and stellar writing I've come to expect from this author, but this story had that missing element I've been desperately searching for in the previous two books-two protagonists I can root for.


These books can be read as stand alones and I would highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a smart writer who can weave a good spy tale with some stellar sex and adventurous plots.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Dual Review: A Serious Thing and A Casual Thing by Annabelle Jacobs

Patrick Mason travels to Bristol to spend the summer with his brother, Ben. He’s cat sitting for the first two weeks while Ben goes on holiday. But Ben neglected to tell him he wouldn’t be doing it alone. Will Adams—Ben’s mate and Patrick’s long-time crush—is staying in Ben’s guest room while he waits to move into his new house after a breakup.

Against his better judgment, Patrick convinces Will that a little no-strings fun is just what they need. Patrick doesn’t want to get involved with a guy on the rebound, and Will isn’t interested in starting something serious with a student. But Patrick’s never been good at separating sex from feelings, and this time is no exception. As their weeks together draw to a close, they need to decide if they have something worth pursuing or if it’s really just a casual thing.
Patrick has a plan, and he’ll go to great lengths to see it through.

After three weeks apart due to work and school commitments, he and Will are finally getting to spend some time together. Patrick is staying with Will over the Christmas holidays, and he intends to tell him how he feels on Christmas Day. It’s going to be perfect.

But of course, Patrick’s plans don’t always go smoothly…

I'm not sure I can say how much I loved these stories. I don't know about you guys, but I have certain reading 'moods', where I crave different types of stories; fantasy, angsty, paranormal, heartbreaking, erotic...and many more, I read books like I eat, at different times I fancy different things.

One 'mood' I come back to time and again is the need for a simple romance story. The type with low to no angst. The type that will make me smile. The type that feels like a warm hug I can just melt into. I will never not crave these stories and with Will and Patrick, Annabelle has absolutely nailed it as far as I'm concerned.

In A Casual Thing we meet these two guys, brother and best friend of Ben. To add a little something into the mix, Will (best friend) is the object of Ben's (brother) desires, and has been forever. The resulting story is everything I hoped it would be; sweet, romantic, sexy, fun, delicious. Heartwarming. I'm getting a stupid smile on my face just thinking about it as I write this. It's all just gorgeous. They decide to have a fortnight of no-strings fun...

*snorts*

As if. I like strings and sexy romantic blokes falling in love.

*sigh*

In A Serious Thing, we see that no-strings didn't really work out. At all. GOOD. It means the romance continues in this short story that is a perfect follow up. My melted heart just got meltier. It is just perfectly gorgeous and I loved every second of these stories. 

If you're after a plain old toe-curling romance, look no further than these two British boys; I guarantee they'll melt the hardest of hearts.

Oh and A Serious Thing is FREE at Dreamspinner Press. 

A copy of these books were given in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Review: Yesterday by Mickie B. Ashling

In June of 1978 Grady Ormond, eighteen-year-old son of diplomat Peter Ormond, accompanies his father to his new posting as US Ambassador to Pakistan. Neighboring Iran is on the brink of a civil war, with the monarchy in danger of being overthrown.

Grady will be leaving for New York City in late August to study cinematography and has been warned to keep his homosexual orientation tightly under wraps while on vacation. Repercussions in the predominantly Islamic region could be severe.

On their first night in Karachi, his father hosts a cocktail party to meet the local dignitaries. Grady is introduced to His Highness Prince Kamran Izadi, nephew of the shah of Iran. Twenty-three-year-old Kamran has recently returned from the UK, where he spent eleven years, first as a student, and then as a financial analyst.

The attraction is immediate—unforeseen and dangerously powerful—but neither one dares to make a move. Odds are so stacked against them it's futile to even entertain a friendship, but they do, and their world tilts precariously.

With his country in turmoil and Grady about to leave for college, Kamran makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

Rushed

I'm conflicted about this book. I liked a lot about it, but if I'm being honest with myself what I liked most were the historical references rather than the romance. For the past few years I've become increasingly convinced that this time period between Iran and the U.S. was the genesis of the current contentious state in which we find ourselves, and therefore, fascinated by it. That it is the setting for Yesterday is what piqued my interest.

It can be very didactic with some information dumps.

Kam, nephew to the Shah, is living in Karachi just prior to his ousting in favor of Ayatollah Khomeini. He's a prince and has ties to the imams. Due in large part to his sexual orientation as well as his pernicious father he's spent very little time in Iran. He was sent to boarding school in England very young then proceeded to make every excuse to stay until family obligations brought him back, namely making a good marriage. 

His time is running out when he meets Grady at a diplomatic dinner. Grady is 18 and reads 18. He's idealistic and earnest. Naturally, Grady is in love with Kam in the span of 2 days so instalove... 

Instalove and I are strange bedfellows.  Sometimes it works for me and sometimes I fear my eyeballs will get stuck like that. And sometimes I find myself with a book like Yesterday where I can believe an 18 yr old capable of falling instantly in love with a near stranger but I never truly felt it. 

Maybe that's because it's all told from Grady's perspective and Kam seems so reserved. Maybe it's because the bulk of the book happens over the span of about a week and a half. Nevertheless, the fact remains I didn't invest in them. I was told too much and not shown enough. I need to see the relationship develop through the innocuous-caresses, stolen moments, softly spoken words and, yes, I want to roll around in the sappy nectar of the can't live without you kind of love. I also need for that to continuously be woven throughout the story and it wasn't. 

I want to be made to believe it, to be taken on the ride and for words like the below to translate to the page.

"Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit."

The sex is medium hot with a winning buttsex deflowering. They spar pretty frequently, so there is passion. But I think the opportunity to show how possessive Kam can be was lost and that could've taken this book from 3 to 4 hearts. I also think these characters weren't fully developed; they're still two-dimensional to me. Maybe if things weren't so rushed and given time to breathe this book had the potential to be great, but it's just out of reach.

My only other quibble is sort of spoilerish so look away if you don't want to be spoiled.

As I previously mentioned Kam has ties to the imams. He's a devout Muslim who's loyal and loves his country. He hates that it's in such upheaval, but he's resigned himself to this sham marriage and doing what he can to stabilize Iran. Then he does a 180 and wants to defect to the U.S.? A country he fundamentally mistrusts? Why? Rhetorical question. I know why but it made me lose a tiny bit of respect for him. To my mind, he could've been instrumental in the transition and possibly avoided bloodshed. It wouldn't have been historically accurate nor would it have provided an HEA, but it seemed out of character and disingenuous. I sometimes wish authors would take the road less traveled, be bold and break our hearts instead of playing it safe and giving an HEA that's forced.

It's probably just me. *shrugs*

So, a mixed bag. I enjoyed the Italians, the turtles and the historical references but the romance was superficial and disappointing. The epilogue I found unnecessary and meandering.

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


Find out more on Goodreads or Dreamspinner Press.