Monday, November 29, 2021

Five Gold Blings by Clare London (Spotlight, excerpt, and review) ADULT title

 

 

Five Gold Blings

ADULT title

by

Clare London

 

 

One Christmas, two lonely hearts, and five portions of sparkle!

Gray isn’t enjoying December. The weather’s grim, his job’s a struggle, and his useless boyfriend ran out on him months ago. He’s a walking Mr Christmas Grump. And then he delivers a parcel to Alec, a bright, sparkly, over-earnest vlogger who’s going through his own hard times. Over the course of five days, accompanied by an irritating but relentlessly cheerful pop song, Gray and Alec share secrets, kisses, regrets, triumphs, some truly awful fashion—and maybe a love that will last far beyond the new year.


This short novella was previously published in the 2020 anthology “Gifts for the Season”. It is a standalone Christmas romance.

 

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Exclusive excerpt:

When Mr A opened the door and took the box, I just followed him in. Assumed he’d tell me to get lost if he thought it was creepy, or he didn’t want me there. But he didn’t.

“So, what’s the A for?” I asked. “In your name. You’re not a partridge, so it must be something human...”

“Alec,” he said. “Sorry. I should have introduced myself before.”

“Seeing as we’ve already exposed ourselves to each other,” I said with a laugh. Then wished I could bite my bloody tongue out for being gross.

“What is it this time?” I rushed on. “Still the summer fashion theme?” I peered in with him, as he opened the box. Our heads were very close together, and for a wild moment, I imagined I could smell strawberries. Jesus. In December? The cold must have affected my brain.

It was a stock of sunglasses. Bright colours, big lenses, wide frames, and they were all covered in little jewels like confetti. As he picked out a couple of pairs, the neon light caught them, and the sparkle nearly blinded me. Talk about overkill. “You’re surely not going to wear them,” I scoffed. “They’re for teenage girls, aren’t they?”

Alec’s expression was mischievous. He nibbled at his plump lower lip in a way that made me want to grab him and offer my lips instead. “Dear me, Gray. How un-metrosexual you are. They’re for whoever wants to wear them.” He glanced at my face but in an assessing way, rather than a look-how-hot-Gray-is-and-I-want-to-ravish-him way.

I laughed nervously, because I had a feeling I knew where this was going. “Which, duh. Isn’t us. Right?”

No immediate answer from Alec. When I glared at him, his cheeks turned pink.

“Will you join me on the podcast again, Gray? It’ll look so much better with two models. We can create all sorts of fun shots. I’ve got some cocktail glasses, a beach ball. It’ll be like taking selfies from beside the pool in Ibiza.”

What the hell? This was a cold, bleak office unit off Clapham High Street at the end of December. You couldn’t get farther away from a Spanish beach. Not that I’d ever had a foreign holiday, but I imagined myself with the sun hot and canary yellow above us, lying on a sunbed in next to no clothes, Alec’s smooth skin glistening with suncream, sipping his margarita and blushing so, so prettily when I ran my fingers along his thigh…

I cleared my throat and we broke our mutual stare. He was flushed: looked strangely confused.

 

Amazon link

 

 

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My review:

 

 

4 stars

 

I'm still in my "bah, humbug" mode, even as I'm gathering things for the holiday season, but this cute, sweet story did a great job of nudging me toward the cheerful part of the spectrum. Of course, now I'm going to be humming the song even though I am NOT ready to sing Christmas carols, lol. 

 

I love the positive message and the encouragement to follow one's dream, not to mention the great ideas for repurposing other people's discards. This was necessarily a condensed start of a beautiful relationship, but hopefully there will be more details about this cute couple at some point in the future. This was an enjoyable quick read that celebrates both the holiday season and the joy of creativity.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review


 

Monday, November 22, 2021

What It Means to Be Me by Danielle Dawn Falk (Spotlight, excerpt, and review) GFP



What It Means to Be Me

by 

Danielle Dawn Falk

 

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GENRE:   Children's

 

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BLURB:

 

"I am me as can be . . ."

Encouraging and heartfelt, "What It Means to Be Me" takes readers on an inspiring journey of self-discovery and self-worth. Written in rhyme, this engaging read about learning, dreaming and growing is meant for absolutely anyone to connect with the message of this sweet story.

Read along and celebrate everything it means to be your own true self.

 

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EXCERPT

  

The world is a great, big place, with billions of people here on Earth,

And trillions of stars up in space.

It may not be easy to know right from wrong,

To feel that you fit in, or to know where you belong.

It is OK to feel confused and to be unsure of where you are going,

But here is something that is worthy of knowing:

In our world, it is important to be accepting and inclusive of each other,

While also celebrating and encouraging what makes us unique from one another.

You will learn so much along the way;

Growing up does not happen in just one day.

Remember that getting to know yourself is a very good start.

Your life is full of meaning; find the wonder that sets you apart.

 

PURCHASE LINKS  

Amazon (Print) 

Amazon (Kindle)

Amazon.CA

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Danielle Dawn Falk has a lifelong passion for writing. Growing up, she often struggled with feelings of being unaccepted, as well as not fitting in with her peers. When she became a mother, some of her goals were to help her son and daughter realize how unique and special they are, while at the same time, teaching them to show acceptance and compassion toward everyone else. She hopes that through her writing, she will inspire her children, as well as many others, to do just that.

 

Danielle lives with her family on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

 

 

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE DAWN FALK

 

Website

Facebook

Instagram

 

 


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 GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The tour dates can be found here

 

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My review:

 

4.25 stars

 

 

What it Means to be Me by Danielle Dawn Falk is a children’s book that celebrates life and individuality. It has colorful pictures that accompany poetry with an encouraging message of inclusivity and willingness to learn.

 

I think this is a beautiful little book that is a great way to stimulate conversation about acceptance both of oneself and others. It reminds us that it’s okay to question but not okay to exclude others because they aren’t exactly like us. I was a little disappointed that the little girl on the front wasn’t spotlighted more throughout the book and that the diversity wasn’t more prominent in the beginning, but I wholeheartedly support the written message.

 

 

A copy was provided for review


 

 

Monday, November 15, 2021

Ginger Snapping all the Way (Spotlight and excerpt) Gabbi Grey ADULT title

I'm delighted to present the newest title from the talented Gabbi Grey, who has a lovely Christmas story featuring two complex men...


 

 

 

Ginger Snapping all the Way

ADULT title

by

Gabbi Grey

 

Maddox

I’m not a fan of Christmas. I’m happy to stay up in my mountain cabin and let the silly season pass me by.  But when a friend asks for a favor, I can’t say no.  Now I’m stuck in my cabin during a snowstorm, trapped with the most beautiful man I’ve ever met—who can’t wait to get away. He just might break my heart when he goes.

 

Ravi

I’m racing to get home for the birth of my goddaughter when mechanical troubles force my plane’s emergency landing. There are no beds at the inn due to a horrendous storm, but a friend says she knows a guy who won’t mind putting me up until the bad weather passes.  Now I’m trapped with that man, and I must decide if I stay, hiding from the rest of the world, or go and face my past to earn a shot at my happily ever after.

 

This is a 72k word, hurt/comfort, lumberjack/nurse, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity MM romance novel with a moderate amount of angst.


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Excerpt:

“Give me ten.”

He grinned. “Take fifteen.” He headed to the bathroom while I detoured to the walk-in closet to snag my terry towel bathrobe, and then I shoved my feet into my faux sheepskin lined leather slippersa gift from Hillary. I’d be chilly by the time Princess did her job, but Ravi’d warm me up right quick. I opened the door to find my pooch planted at the door, tapping her metaphorical paw.

She’d obviously heard voices and decided she’d been patient long enough.

I ruffled the fur on the top of her heard and she gave me the stink eye. Ah, so all was not forgiven. Hard to say whether the bribery bone was going to get me back into her good books.

She followed me as I headed down the stairs, flipping on lights as I went.

Her nails clacked on the hardwood floor.

Time to trim them again.

One of the few things I didn’t enjoy as her owner. The thought of cutting her to the quick terrified me, but the alternative was going into town to the groomer’s and that was too much peopling for me.

Man, I really had to re-examine my life. If taking care of Sofia meant going into town, I should make the effort. She was probably due for some shots as well. I’d call Dr. Zephyra’s vet clinic and make an appointment for her. I opened the back door and was hit with a blast of frigid air.

Sofia balked.

I nudged her gently with my toe.

She glared.

I pointed.

She shrugged. And finally stepped out.

The nice square I’d cleared yesterday had almost another foot. All while we’d slept. Uh, thank you, universe. This meant I’d get my delicious gorgeous man for another day. Yum. I had plans. So many plans.

My stomach rumbled. I considered. Okay, yeah, dinner’d been about eleven hours ago. But I didn’t want to stop for food. I didn’t want to stop for anything. Princess Sofia finally squatted, and I did an inner cheer. My legs were turning into ice as she deigned to do her business. And with all the snow that’d accumulated against her belly, I now needed to grab a towel. More time. It would take more time to dry her off, and I needed more time with Ravi. Was I allowed to hope the snow never stopped?

Sofia tried to dodge around my legs, but I was quicker. I halted her progress and kept one hand clutching her collar while the other closed and locked the door. I snagged her towel, and she gave me a baleful look. Seriously? If someone offered to rub me down and I was wet, I certainly wouldn’t complain. Especially if that someone had tan skin, deep dark-brown eyes, and a killer smile.

My cock sat up and took notice at that thought. Sighing, I wrapped Sofia in the towel and rubbed vigorously, all the while thinking of other things I’d love to rub. When she was drier, I put her down.

She bolted for her bowl and nosed her very expensive kibble. And gave me that look.

I swear to God, the dog was psychic. Or I’d given in to her demands once too oftenI wasn’t sure which. I moved to the cupboard and pulled down the very expensive wet food. And cursed. I hadn’t brushed her teeth the last two nights. After a very expensive dental bill, I’d decided I’d rather brush her teeth every night than lose another thousand bucks. It’d also cost her three teeth. That was really the determining factor.

And she didn’t really fight anymore. She just liked to put on a good show.

Sighing, I dumped the food into a bowl and separated it into Sofia-appropriate sized bites. I barely put the bowl on the floor before she’d scarfed most of it down. No delicacy hereshe ate like a starving wolf after a long winter. Or like she hadn’t been fed for a month. Sheesh.

Hot chocolate. And ginger snap cookies.

I pulled the milk from the fridge, then grabbed two mugs. It took entirely too long to prepare two mugs, but in the meantime, I grabbed a sandwich bag and added four cookies. I’d prefer presenting the cookies on a nice plate Hillary had insisted on giving mebecause she insisted I would eventually have companybut two mugs and a plate was just too much to carry. I doubted Ravi’d care how I presented the cookies.

I snagged Sofia’s wet-food bowl off the floor and put it into the dishwasher. Then I selected a small frozen soup bone for her.

Her eyes lit with gleea double treat.

Enjoy it, pooch.

Not going to happen again any time soon.

Unless Ravi stays…

Nope, not going there.

I held out the bone, and she angled her head to grab it with her little teeth.

She made a beeline to her bed in front of the fireplace. She dropped the bone and sniffed it, clearly trying to decide the best way to approach this.

 

Links:

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Kobo

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

Universal book link

 

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Bio

 

Gabbi lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black.


Personal links:

 

Website

Newsletter sign-up

Bookbub

 Gooodrreads

Amazon Author Central

Audible author profile

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter


 

 


 

 

 

 




Thursday, November 11, 2021

Trash and Treasure by Morgan Brice (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GRR ADULT title

A Fox Hollow Novella

ADULT title
by

Morgan Brice
 

Trash and Treasure Cover

 

MM Shifter Romance Suspense

A lonely raccoon shifter. A hopeful possum shifter. Awesome donuts--and true love.

Raccoon-shifter Mico Foley drives a garbage truck in Fox Hollow, a job that keeps a roof over his head while he pursues his true passion—creating art with found objects. He fears he might never find a mate—until he falls hard for the sexy new baker in town. But will a hottie like that fall for a guy like him?

Possum-shifter Jack Hargrave is the new night baker at Bare Necessities Cafe, his big opportunity to do what he loves most—creating irresistible confections. He didn't move to Fox Hollow to find a mate, but the handsome truck driver who empties the cafe's dumpster has stolen his heart. Could a hunk like him still care when he finds out Jack's secret?

Trash and Treasure is an MM shifter romance with a flirty baker, a brooding artist, hurt/comfort, unusual art, a fancy tree house, found family, fated mates and seductive donuts.

Universal Link

Goodreads

IG Tour Tile - T&T Teaser 2

Join us over on Instagram for more of Blink!

You can also enter the giveaway on our Instagram post or click here for your chance to win an ecopy of your choice from Morgan backlist!


IG Tour Tile - T&T Teaser 3

About the Author:

Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.

On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.

Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!

Author Links

Facebook Group | Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail) | Twitter: @MorganBriceBook

Follow me on BookBub | Instagram

 



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Read a copy of my Badlands short story Restless Nights here for free 

 


grr-tours-promo 

 

 

 

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My review:

 

 

3.75 stars

 

 

Trash and Treasure by Morgan Brice is set in the 'Fox Hollow' universe and features two men who bond over donuts in the very early hours. Although neither of them thinks the other will appreciate his shifter form, they can't help exploring their mutual attraction. But danger threatens to destroy their relationship before it can even begin.

 

 

This gay paranormal romance novella provides a twist on the concept of shifters, since it focuses on a couple of non-predatory shifters. I love that not only do they have blue-collar jobs, but their modest and unassuming personalities complement each other perfectly. I enjoyed learning more about their animal natures as well as the sweet romance that develops, and I look forward to meeting more inhabitants of Fox Hollow.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review