Saturday, June 25, 2022

My tranquility is shattered when a motorcycle repair shop moves in next to my bookstore. All I want is peace and quiet. What I get is gunning engines and eighties rock music. One of us has got to go, and since I was here first, it’s the hot mechanic.

Spike

I chose Mission City to set up shop because of the weekend-enthusiast riders. I’ve dreamed of owning my own shop for years, and no one is going to run me out of town. Least of all the adorable geek Bookstore Dude.

This 25k gay romance novella is a true instalove, enemies to lovers, opposites attract story with a cuddly cat named Aristotle.

Excerpt:

I cleared my throat.

His body twisted as he reacted to my voice and he nearly knocked the bike over. He righted it. Then he righted himself as he rose. He turned and glared. “Don’t you know not to creep up on a guy?”

Creep up on? I pointed to the store. “I tried going in there first.”

The scowl didn’t lighten, but he did shrug. “Okay, what do you have?”

“Have?”

Oh.

I held out the coffee and Timbits. “Just welcoming you to the neighborhood.”

He hesitated.

Far too long. God, did he think I poisoned it or something?

Finally, at length, he wiped his brow with a rag and removed his sunglasses.

Wow. Just wow. Eyes the same dark brown as my ex-boyfriend’s. His hair was as dark as Sunshine’s, although with hints of light brown in the bright sunlight. He had a beard. Not a full beard, but a nice version of trimmed scruff.

I held up the coffee, and he finally accepted it.

“Uh, thank you.”

“My pleasure.” And it would be, if I got to look at this guy all the time.

He was my every fantasy come to life.

Gabbi Grey

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey 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 and Gabbi Powell.

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Additional Bios

Xio Axelrod

Xio Axelrod is a USA Today bestselling author of different flavours of contemporary romance. She also writes what she likes to call strange, twisted tales. Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, no-so-secret name). She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and several part-time cats.

Chantal Mer

Chantal Mer is an author and optimist. Her stories explore relationships and what it means to be family. When she’s not writing about strong women, strong men, and strong love, she can be found walking her adorable dog, volunteering at her kids’ school (in the library, of course), teaching at the local university, and reading.

Chantal lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, kids, Toffee the Wonder Dog, and vicious cat, Gracie.

Susan Scott Shelley

USA Today bestselling author Susan Scott Shelley writes stories with heat and heart, where love always wins. Her romances give readers lighthearted and emotionally satisfying escapes into happily ever after. In addition to crafting stories, she is also a professional voiceover artist and enjoys lending her voice to a wide range of projects.

She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and is an avid fan of her hometown sports teams. Her favorite things include running (honestly, it's more like jogging), sports (especially hockey), hard rock (but will listen to anything from heavy metal to show tunes), and writing about people from all walks of life finding their special someone.

R.L. Merrill

R.L. Merrill brings you stories of Hope, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll featuring quirky and relatable characters. Whether she’s writing contemporary, paranormal, or supernatural, she loves to give readers a shiver with compelling stories that will stay with you long after. You can find her connecting with readers on social media, educating America’s youth, raising two brilliant teenagers, writing horror-infused music reviews for HorrorAddicts.net, trying desperately to get that back piece finished in the tattoo chair, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more Rock 'n' Romance.

Rochelle Merrill brings you Fun, Fresh Fiction with Feeling

If R.L. Merrill is your local hard rock/metal radio station, Rochelle is her Adult Contemporary alter ego. Spinning feel-good stories to make you laugh and swoon, Ro writes romance for grown-ups who use their words (mostly) and take care of business. She’s a mom and wife who’s on hiatus from a career in education while she explores the new terrain of mid-life adventures. You can catch her walking and gardening in her neighborhood by the Bay, spoiling her rescue pets, and dreaming of attending concerts and theaters again someday. Stay Tuned for more hits coming your way…

Sean Michael

Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

Sophia Soames

Sophia Soames is a Scandinavian, UK based, Author of contemporary MM romance. She writes stories of everyday people with kids and families living real life fairytales.

Nic Starr

Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!

When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.

Connor Peterson

Connor Peterson is a USA Today bestselling author of LGBTQ+ urban fantasy and dark, paranormal romance, local to the Philadelphia, PA area. The madman behind Deathspell and Temptation in Neon, Connor has also contributed to the story cycle Red Phone Box - published by Ghostwoods Books - and the anthology Nocturnal Embers - published by Crimson Melodies Publishing. He is also an active participant in the Philadelphia writing community, and volunteers as a municipal liaison for National Novel Writing Month.

BL Maxwell

BL Maxwell grew up in a small town listening to her grandfather spin tales about his childhood. Later she became an avid reader and after a certain vampire series she became obsessed with fanfiction. She soon discovered Slash fanfiction and later discovered the MM genre and was hooked.

Many years later, she decided to take the plunge and write down some of the stories that seem to run through her head late at night when she’s trying to sleep.

Love Is All, Volume 5

Friday, June 24, 2022

Awakenings by L. C. Conn (VBB,, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Awakenings

L. C. Conn

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GENRE: Fantasy

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BLURB:

Many generations have passed since Carling first faced Chaos’ rage. With each incarnation, his desire to find and claim her gifts grows.

Claire is just like any other 17-year-old, or so she thought. No stranger to tragedy and heartache, she finds comfort in her great-uncle and guardian, and her best friend, Adam. Her life is settling into a happy peace. Until one night everything she knew and trusted is turned on its head.

Spirited away in the middle of the night and thrust into a world of family secrets and hidden magical abilities, Claire discovers she’s not just any teenager and she’s being hunted by her best friend’s father. Claire must learn to harness her awakening gifts before an ancient evil finds her.

Can she master her Abilities before Marcus finds her?

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EXCERPT

The footsteps had stopped. Claire tried to swallow. She had never known fear like this, not even when she had been told her parents had died and she wondered what was going to happen to her. Thoughts of her Uncle Geoff came into her head, and she wished she were home with him. It was at that moment she became aware of someone standing over her. When she pried her eyes open and looked, a dark figure loomed large, and she almost gave a cry of alarm.

The figure bent down, and a beam of light caught his features. Claire did not know what to make of what she saw. It was her uncle. He held out his hand to her, telling her to get up. She froze for a moment, her head spinning as she tried to make sense of it.

“Uncle Geoff?” Claire asked in a soft and confused voice.

“Come on, Kid. We don’t have all night.” He reached down and pulled her up into a standing position.

“We were told you were to take her to Mr Ryder immediately, Mr Brown,” Deep Voice said, shining his light on the girl.

“I am aware of that,” Geoff told him curtly. Then to Claire in a softer voice, he said, “I’m sorry, Kid.”

Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Loraine Conn grew up on the outskirts of Upper Hutt, New Zealand. Her backyard encompassed the surrounding farmland, river, hills, and mountains which she wandered with her brothers and fed her imagination. After discovering a love for writing in English class at the age of eight, she continued to write in secret. It was not until much later in life that Loraine turned what she thought was a hobby, and something fun to do, into her first completed novel.

Now married, Loraine moved from New Zealand to Perth, Western Australia in 2008, and became a stay-at-home mum. While caring for her family and after battling breast cancer, a series was born from a kernel of a dream.

Loraine has now published the seven book fantasy series, The One True Child Series, and also the stand-alone Realm of Dragons, Fight for the Crown. Both the series and book have been released with the American based indie publishing company Between the Lines Publishing, under their Liminal Books branch, using the pen name L.C. Conn. She continues her career with many more stories waiting in the wings to be released, and even more ideas to be written.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Freckles: The Dark Wizard by Jerry Harwood (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Freckles: The Dark Wizard

Jerry Harwood

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GENRE: MG Fantasy

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BLURB:

At Flame Rock Middle School, you show off your big biceps, post your dimples on InstaWitch, grow a cheetah tail, or use your fairy wings to fly down the hall. For Simon, wearing his peers' opinions can be a literal event. Especially since Simon has the visible mark of a weak wizard... freckles. What will happen when Simon learns he has dark magic and can conjure a dragon? Will he become one of the bullies he hated or choose a different path?

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EXCERPT

Simon stepped forward. Krull grabbed him and pushed him backwards. “What do you plan to do, Freakles? Throw freckles at someone?” Krull laughed. Simon looked at his arms as all his freckles reappeared. Then he looked up as another book flew into Trent’s hurt shoulder.

Simon saw the air around his fists swirl. He felt a connection to something outside of himself. Last time he couldn’t identify what it was, but this time he could. It was power. And it felt like the time Simon’s family went to the beach. Simon remembered the warm sun all around him, seemingly lifting him up with its warm rays. That was the feeling Simon had now, except instead of sunbeams it was beams of power.

Up through the floorboards an image appeared. It was a dragon. A small dragon, maybe no more than three or four feet. But a dragon. It rose from the floor directly beside Trent. Then it stood between Trent and Danzig. The dragon swished its tail and opened its mouth. A shot of white light cast over Danzig. He fell down. His eyebrows and hair burnt off. Danzig panicked and began slapping at the flames on his shirt. The dragon walked around Danzig and then huffed. Then it flew back to a spot between Trent and Danzig. It sat like a well-trained pet. Then, as quickly as it appeared, it vanished into a fog of smoke. No one saw Simon’s hands as they returned to normal. The growing crowd had their eyes fixed on Trent and Danzig, stunned to silence. Simon still stood behind his friend, but the smoke was gone. There was nothing around his fingers except for his freckles. For all anyone knew, it was Trent and not Simon who had summoned the dragon.

Simon heard someone off to his left say, “Trent is a dark wizard!”

The e-book is only $.99 for a limited time

(please check price before ordering)

Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jerry Harwood was born in Ooltewah, TN. His mother was an elementary school teacher and he spent his afternoons reading books in her classroom or the nearby library. He has experimented with other occupations: camp director, program director at a counseling center, college professor and middle school teacher. Jerry has backpacked Europe, taught in a Ukrainian University, worked in Rwanda after the genocide, is a first responder, sort-of remodeled a VW Thing, and has a love for Cherry Coke Zero that is only surpassed by his love for his wife, six children, and grandson.

Jerry attended college at UT Chattanooga where he was in university honors and majored in Latin and classical literature. He has two master’s degrees, nearing completion on a third. He lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he is an active member of the Chattanooga Writer’s Guild, the Atlanta Writer’s Club, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the book with Jerry at JerryHarwoodBooks@gmail.com or visit his website.

Blog

AmazonAuthor Page

Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

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My review:

4.25 out of 5 stars

“Freckles: The Dark Wizard” by Jerry Harwood features Simon, a seventh-grader who is at a distinct disadvantage due to his freckles, which everyone around him associates with weak wizards. Subjected to constant bullying, he despairs of ever catching the attention of the popular girl in his class, until one day he discovers a power within himself that will force him to decide what he truly wants and whether the price for that goal is too high to pay.

This delightful children’s story blends fantasy with real-life challenges faced by anyone who is a little different from what is considered the norm. Although the situations are whimsical and imaginative, the pain from being bullied and ostracized are deftly portrayed, with the results portrayed graphically as those being tormented literally disappear. I love the creativity (especially with the poket game cards!) even as I ache for the confusion and bruises (both physically and emotionally) that these twelve-year-olds have to deal with.

This story provides great life lessons couched in an entertaining and captivating tale, and I think it would be a great addition to any child’s library, while it will also be a fun read for those who are older. I cheered for Simon and applauded his maturation and compassion, and I hope he will show up in even more adventures in the future.

A copy of this story was provided for review

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

The Berlin Device by Tammy Wunsch (VBB, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

The Berlin Device

Tammy Wunsch

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GENRE: Action/Adventure

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BLURB:

Xander has led a life of luxury with a cushy job in the family business. After his father’s mysterious disappearance, Xander became CEO of the multi-million dollar, international enterprise and tries to prove himself to everyone, including himself.

Xander discovers encrypted files in his father’s hidden safe that detail his illicit activities. His father was more than disreputable—he was a member of a secret and diabolical organization whose sole objective is world domination. In the files are plans for the Berlin Device—a satellite weapons system that has the potential for unparalleled destruction.

Chloe has scrimped and saved for an amazing hiking vacation. When nothing goes right in her travels, fate intervenes and she and Xander are thrown together in a hopeless quest across Europe to recover the device before more innocent people die.

Dodging bullets, bombs, and barbaric henchmen, Xander and Chloe discover a mysterious facility that could become their final resting place…if their enemies have their way.

Can they escape with their lives?

More importantly, can they save the planet from The Berlin Device?

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EXCERPT

The Opal spun rapidly toward the edge of the road and what appeared to be a drop-off into oblivion. Chloe’s eyes widened and she opened her mouth in a silent scream. The Rover skidded to a stop and Simon and Jonas watched as the Opal flew over the edge.

The cyclists slowed and shakily biked over to the side of the road. They parked their bicycles and walked with dread to the edge of the cliff. They looked over the edge, mobile phones in hand, and suddenly started cheering and high-fiving.

The cyclists turned and gave Simon and Jonas a thumbs-up signal. Simon and Jonas stared in disbelief and Simon pushed Jonas out of the Rover. “Go check it out,” he ordered through gritted teeth.

Jonas ran to the edge and looked down to see the Opal literally driving down the grassy mountain side, over small trees and rocks. He saw that the road doubled back below and the Opal was heading right toward it. As he stood there watching, the Opal thumped onto the road and accelerated as quickly as it could manage. Jonas ran back and climbed into the Rover.

Jonas looked with worry at Simon. “You’re not going to believe this, but they survived.”

Simon, flabbergasted, demanded, “H-h-how?”

Jonas shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t really explain it. You had to have seen it. He…he kind of drove down the side of the mountain, over rocks and small trees, and ended up on the road again.”

Simon shook his head. “I’ve never seen a luckier son of a bitch in my whole fucking life.” He put the Rover in gear and sped away, narrowly missing some of the bicyclists who shook their fists and cursed at the retreating Rover.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tammy Wunsch is an International Writer of Mystery, Travel, and Wine - with a fierce entrepreneurial side. She spent most of her life in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut but currently resides in the Denver metropolitan area. Formally educated in business, she has worked in a variety of industries and is adventurous by nature. She is passionate about animals and loves to travel, cook, kayak, and read.

Links:

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GIVEAWAY

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Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Thinking it Over by Becca Seymour KINDLE Countdown deal spotlight ADULT title

Thinking It Over

ADULT title

Becca Seymour

Publisher: Rainbow Tree Publishing

Cover Artist: BookSmith Designs

Release Date: June 13, 2020

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Small-town romance, age gap, low-angst

Themes: Reluctant to love

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 330 pages

It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

THE KINDLE 99c COUNTDOWN DEAL

RUNS FROM

JUNE 8 (8am GMT/PDT) - JUNE 14 (8am GMT/PDT)

(please check price before purchasing)

Also available in Kindle Unlimited

When a young teacher connects with the principal of his school, work and ex issues, the possibility of happiness and a chocolate Labrador called Penny means they have a lot to think over.

Blurb

Newly appointed teacher, Jasper Taylor, can't believe his luck. After a year, he's found a job with the possibility of a permanent contract, which finally allows him to put his teaching degree to good use. After meeting the silver-haired principal of the school, Jasper discovers his new position offers an additional temptation. He knows he should retreat, but who said avoiding attraction was easy, especially when the man he's crushing on seems too good to be true?

Well-respected and focused on his career, Austin Harrison is at the top of his game. He's turned a struggling school around, has finally put up boundaries with his demanding ex, and may just have secured full custody of his chocolate Lab, Penny. The appointment of the new English teacher, Jasper, threatens to unsettle the stability he's been working towards. Austin's attraction is immediate, heady, and oh so complicated. But does complicated mean he has to walk away?

Excerpt

The past week had been a challenge. Not only was the honeymoon period over with a couple of my classes, which meant they were pushing me to see just how much it would take for me to crack, but the uncertainty between Austin and me left a bad taste in my mouth. Feeling ill at ease was never pleasant. Add in that we hadn’t managed more than a handful of text messages, and it made everything feel so much more difficult.

But then he’d kissed me.

When his own concern had stared right back at me, the turmoil making life so unpleasant had immediately eased. Not quite disappeared, as a conversation between the two of us was overdue, but as I pulled up outside his home, excitement tumbled through me.

The previous weekend away had been incredible, close to perfect even. It was only the appearance of his high-maintenance ex that had abruptly put an end to the bubble of happiness.

A sweet grin lit Austin’s features when he opened my car door, having arrived a few seconds before me.

“And who said chivalry was dead?” I said when I exited. “Thank you.” Sweet gestures were a surefire way of making me swoon, and from the softness in his gaze changing to heat, I figured he knew as much.

“My pleasure.” He reached out and took my hand, the connection pleasant and reassuring. “Be warned, Penny may pounce when she sees you.”

I laughed. “Is that right?”

“She’s been pining.”

I side-eyed him. “After three weeks of knowing me, I would imagine that’s a vast exaggeration.”

He shook his head and stopped, angling to stand before me, hand still clasping my own. “Sometimes all it takes is one meeting to know there’s a connection. Add in the next handful of times, and when you’re left smiling, your heart hammering in your chest, already counting down the time until you’ll see that person again, pining is a given.”

Swallowing to clear the dryness in my throat, I fought hard to maintain my composure. “Penny does smile a lot with her eyes.” The words came out breathily, not as flippant or even as jovial as I’d intended. But, in all fairness, beyond slamming my mouth to his, I was unsure how else to respond to his sweet words.

He nodded, his eyes searching mine. “She’s lucky that you came back,” he settled on.

While my heart flipped, my lips quirked. “I’m lucky that you’ve reminded me how good and right it feels to be here.”

About the Author

Becca Seymour is the #1 gay romance best seller of the True-Blue series. Known for “steamy and endearing” and “emotionally profound love stories” (InD'tale Magazine) her books have been nominated for multiple RONE Awards.

Becca lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, Becca’s life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.

Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.

Author Links

https://linktr.ee/beccaseymour

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The Reading Addict

Saturday, June 25, 2022