An Echo in the Sorrow by Hailey Turner (Spotlight, excerpt, review) IM ADULT title

 

 

 

An Echo in the Sorrow

 Soulbound series, Book 6

ADULT title

by

Hailey Turner  

 

 

 

 

Publisher: Self-published

Release Date (Print & Ebook/Audio): March 1, 2021

Length (Print & Ebook/Audio):  117,943 words

Subgenre: LGBTQ Urban Fantasy

Warnings: Non

Cover artist: AngstyG LLC

 

 

Book blurb:

 

Forgiveness is a hollow prayer you only hear in your dreams.

 

Patrick Collins has spent years handling cases as a special agent for the Supernatural Operations Agency, even as his secret standing in the preternatural world has changed. He should have confessed to his role as co-leader of the New York City god pack when he and Jonothon de Vere took up the mantle months ago, but he didn’t. Now that split loyalty will cost him at a time when he can least afford it.

 

Outmaneuvered, framed for murder, and targeted by the Dominion Sect, Patrick has to face a past full of lies to regain his freedom. Revealing the truth means he’ll need to give up the life that has defined him. Everything he’s fought to build with his pack is at stake, and losing them isn’t a price Patrick is willing to pay, but some choices aren’t his to make.

 

Jono knows they can’t cede any more territory if they want to win the god pack civil war spilling into the streets of New York City. But the souls of werecreatures are free for the taking when demons come to town and angels sing a warning no one can ignore. When Jono’s worst fear comes to life, and he loses the one person he can’t live without, the only option left is to fight.

 

Facing down the demons of their past and the ones in their present, Patrick and Jono will learn the hard way that some sins never wash away clean.

 

An Echo in the Sorrow is a 118k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot. It is a direct sequel to On the Wings of War. Reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.

 

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Blog Tour - Teaser

“The only way to win is to take them out completely. That’s going to be a costly fight in terms of blood and territory,” Jono said.

“What about our alliances?” Wade asked.

Jono shook his head. “Their assistance in maintaining our borders is helpful, but we need to be the ones to push Estelle and Youssef out. This is our fight.”

“What about going the direct route and meeting them in the challenge ring?” Marek asked.

“I wouldn’t trust any fight that happens in that place,” Amelia said flatly.

Other people in the crowd echoed her statement. Patrick had never been to the challenge ring located beneath the god pack home in Hamilton Heights. The underground space was familiar to everyone else from the times all the alphas had been summoned to meetings. He’d seen the aftermath of fights held in other challenge rings to know they were bloody spaces. He agreed with Amelia though—no fight held in a space controlled by Estelle and Youssef could be handled fairly.

“I’m not sure how much help the fae will be able to provide right now. Tiarnán was summoned to Tír na nÓg today on an emergency basis. He’s been our liaison for the fae, and I don’t know when he’ll return,” Sage said.

Patrick shrugged. “His absence shouldn’t affect the alliance. We—”

A loud explosion in the bar above cut him off, magic crashing against the wards embedded in Tempest’s walls. They flashed fire bright for a split second, nearly blinding Patrick. Before the glow faded, Patrick was on his feet and racing for the stairs, Jono right on his heels. The crowd of alphas peeled away from his headlong rush forward, giving them both space.

 

 

Amazon buy link

 

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About the Author: Hailey Turner is a big city girl who spoils her cats rotten and has a demanding day job that she loves, but not as much as she loves writing. She's been writing since she was a young child and enjoys reading almost as much as creating a new story.

 

 

Connect with Hailey Turner:

 

Newsletter:  You can keep up with Hailey's future projects by joining her newsletter, where you can instantly download several free short stories.

Facebook Group

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Facebook Author Page

Pinterest

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Website

 

 

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 My review:

4.5 stars

 

An Echo in the Sorrow by Hailey Turner is Book 6 in the ‘Soulbond’ series that features god pack alpha werewolf Jonothan de Vere and his lover and co-pack leader, mage and Special Agent Patrick Collins. The pair continue to deal with the threats to their leadership as violence escalates in New York City, but the pack dire, Sage, is determined that nothing is going to ruin her wedding…not even the gods’ pesky machinations.

 

This gay paranormal romance series continues to enthrall, with its fantastical adventures and deft blending of various pantheons that continue to complicate the lives of the main characters. The tale picks up after the momentous struggles in the previous story and its surprising revelation at the end. More gods and demigods are drawn into the struggle that is taking place on a couple of levels, and the city is unwittingly drawn into the civil war that has erupted as Jon and Patrick try to cement their pack’s hold. I love that Wade the dragon is continuing to evolve in his position as part of the family and pack although I can’t quite understand his fascination with pop tarts, lol.

 

As always, this story is exciting and immediately draws the reader in to cheer for the main characters, has plenty of secondary characters who are intriguing enough to hopefully get their own storylines occasionally, and provides a unique look at a familiar city through a paranormal lens. Those who have not read the other books in the series should probably start at the beginning in order to better appreciate some of the events and revelations in this story. The tension continues to rise, and I can’t wait to find out which new pantheons get involved in the mix as the quest continues.

 

 

A copy was provided for review

 

Blind Warrior by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott (Blitz, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) IMG ADULT title

 

Blind Warrior

The Weavers Circle #3

by

Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

 

 

Publisher: Drake & Elliott Publishing LLC

Release Date: November 20, 2020

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 98k

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Add to Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis

Grey Ackles

The Soul Weaver feels useless.

A burden endangering his brothers.

The last battle with the pestilents cost Grey his sight and powers.

Now he’s dependent on his vision rehabilitation therapist Cort to learn how to function on a daily basis.

But as he grows closer to Cort, Grey is left wanting his powers back for a new reason—how will he ever know if the man he’s falling for is actually his soul mate?

 

Cort Newton

There is some really weird stuff going on at that house.

Spell books, guns, and a giraffe in the backyard?

But no matter how strange it gets, Cort is not going to leave the grumpy writer.

Adjusting to sudden blindness is hard for everyone, but Grey clearly has deeper reason for needing his vision back at any cost. Cort just wished Grey would confide in him.

Even with Grey’s secrets, Cort has never been drawn to a man like he is with Grey and he will do anything to keep this man safe.

Blind Warrior is the third book in the Weavers Circle series. It includes fast-paced action, running through Savannah, secrets, shapeshifting, brainwashed assassins, a gorilla, sexy times, fun with water, insecurity, three crazy old ladies, and magic!

 

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Excerpt

Grey reluctantly got out of the vehicle and felt his way to the warm hood. “Gotta be a lot of glass bottles in there for me to knock over,” he warned as Lucien placed a hand on his biceps.

“We’ll steer you in the right direction.” Lucien pressed on his arm as they started walking. “You need the exercise.”

“Makes more sense for me to wait in the—” he broke off when a horrid smell hit his nose. It was like rotting meat left out on a hot summer day. “Shit, pestilents,” he hissed. Fear gripped his heart, his lungs freezing in his chest. How the hell was he supposed to protect himself?

Pestilents were these…humanoid creatures…from another realm who were trying to kill him and his brother Weavers. Their world was dying, and they wanted to leech energy off this one to save their own. Grey and the other Weavers had been tasked to stop them, using magic they’d gained from three goddesses. Insane. All of it sounded absolutely insane, but it was now his life.

One positive was that they were easy to spot, thanks to their awful stink. They rotted slowly in this world because they didn’t belong.

“I just smelled them, too,” Lucien grumbled under his breath.

“Can you see them?” Grey asked.

“They have to be in the store. Do pestilents drink alcohol?” Baer’s voice was moving away from Grey, possibly toward the Jeep.

“How the hell would we know?” Lucien led Grey back, too. Doors opened around him and he reached out with his left hand, coming into contact with the familiar durable fabric covering the rear bench seat in Baer’s Jeep.

“That’s it? We’re going to run?” Grey slid inside the vehicle, inwardly fuming. They were running to protect him.

“You expect us to just attack them in broad daylight in a wine shop?” Baer’s voice came from the driver’s side this time. “I can’t believe they’re rallying forces this fast. We had a three-month break last time.”

“There is obviously more than one set out there, or they wouldn’t have been chasing us over the United States.” Grey grabbed the front seats and pulled himself forward to lean between them as Lucien got into the passenger side. “I don’t think we should just leave them.”

Lucien cleared his throat. “I see only one at the counter now.”

“Doesn’t mean there aren’t more in the back,” Baer countered.

“Why don’t you go in there and lure him out?” Lucien suggested. “See that field behind those trees? We could fight it there.”

Grey saw nothing, but he didn’t bother to point that out. All he knew was, he felt wrong running and leaving any pestilents free to attack them later. Or even an innocent human who just happened to get in their way. If there were only a few, Baer and Lucien would be able to easily take care of them on their own. “I think that’s a good idea. But you should both go inside, just in case there are more than one.”

“And leave you help-er…alone out here?” Baer snapped. He cursed softly. “Sorry, Grey.”

But he was fucking helpless, and he knew it. Before losing his sight, his powers hadn’t done a lot when it came to fighting, but he’d been able to shoot a gun, use a knife. He wasn’t bad in a fight. And he’d been able to serve as a lookout, offer cover for his brothers. Now, he didn’t even have that.

Of course, his powers were tied to his sight, so he couldn’t use those. All he got were the occasional broken thoughts and emotions from others. His ability to see auras had been nipped in the bud. As was his ability to see into people’s souls, to read their past, motives, desires, and thoughts. He didn’t know if he could still manipulate people, hadn’t even tried.

“I’m going in,” Baer announced. “I’ll lure him into the field and shift into something fierce. We’ll dispatch this asshole, grab our booze, and go home.”

Purchase at Amazon

 

 

 

Meet the Authors

 

Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott have teamed up to combine their evil genius to create intense gay romantic suspense stories that have car chases, shoot outs, explosions, scorching hot love scenes, and tender, tear-jerking moments. Their first joint books are in the Unbreakable Bonds series.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

 

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Giveaway

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My review:

 

3.75 stars

 

Blind Warrior by Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott is the third book in ‘The Weavers’ Circle’ series and picks up after the traumatic events in the previous book. Grey Ackles is not dealing well with his blindness, which prevents him from fulfilling any of his duties. His new therapist, Cort Newton, is determined to rehabilitate him, but has no idea of how much is truly at stake.

 

This adult gay urban fantasy continues the saga of the Weavers, whose circle is incomplete, and therefore are unable to truly repel the attack of the creatures known as Pestilents. Although the story evoked Grey’s frustration and sense of guilt as well as Cort’s amazement at the revelations of the Weavers, I didn’t feel a strong connection to either of the main characters. I have not read the other books in the series, so perhaps that is part of the problem, but I wasn’t drawn into the struggles, and I felt things were a bit predictable. There are some relatively lighthearted moments that showcased the other Weavers, and I enjoyed the water Weaver’s explorations, and I am definitely curious about what the other missing “brother” can do.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

 

 

Unholy by Morgan Brice (Guest post, spotlight, review and GIVEAWAY) GBP ADULT title

BLOG TOUR

It is my pleasure to share a guest post by the prolific and talented author Morgan Brice/Gail Z. Martin...

Hitting the Books for the Book

By Morgan Brice

Research is one of my favorite parts of writing. Every book requires some research--even if it's set in the present. Of course, since I write urban fantasy MM paranormal romance, I end up doing a lot of research on story elements--some of which are 'normal' and some which are definitely strange! Like most writers, I assume I'm on a lot of 'lists' for some of the things I search for on the Internet!

Whether I'm writing paranormal romance as Morgan or non-romance urban fantasy as Gail Z. Martin, I take the magical elements very seriously. I want to get the lore right. There is a large body of information based on many real-world magical traditions, and I not only want to get the details correct, but I also want to be respectful to those traditions, which are the belief systems of real people.

So I'm constantly looking up the reputed magical properties of plants, minerals, and other things. I look at the urban legends and the lore around different types of monsters. I study up on banishing spells and exorcisms. And if I'm incorporating monsters, I base them on actual legends and mythology.

Wherever a book is set, the location is important. I try to ground my books in the history, legends, scandals, landmarks and lore of its location so that the place becomes a character in its own right, and the story couldn't happen the same way anywhere else. Also, since these are real places, people actually live there, and they'll let me know if I get it wrong! So details matter. Sometimes I make the decision to change a name or create a fictional location based on a real person or place to preserve privacy or for legal reasons, but it's always anchored in research.

Research also helps me get unstuck. When I can't move forward on a story, I know it's because my brain knows I don't have all the pieces. Usually if I start researching and let one interesting thing lead me to another and another, I find the missing piece that I didn't even know to look for! It's a wonderful feeling, a little bit of 'magic' in itself!

Research is definitely part of the fun of writing. I get to look up all kinds of things, no matter how strange, because it's 'for the book'!

 

Unholy 

(Witchbane #5)

ADULT title

by
Morgan Brice

Cover Artist: Lou Harper 

Release Date: February 8, 2020

Genre/s: Urban fantasy MM paranormal romance

Trope/s: monster hunting, paranormal, supernatural, magic, ghosts, curses, cursed lovers, hurt/comfort, established couple

Themes: loyalty, brotherhood, found family, keeping promises, trust, commitment

Heat Rating: 4 flames 

Length: 66 000 words/ 224 pages

It can be read as a standalone, but is book #5 of the Witchbane series. 

Add on Goodreads

A deadly curse on Seth and Evan means time is running out.

Can they find a way to turn the tables, or is Charleston their final destination?

Blurb

A cycle of ritual murders. A coven of dark warlocks, drawing their immortality from the magic of their dead master. Two men sworn to stop the deaths, destroy the warlocks and avenge the victims. Except this time, the killer is hunting the hunters.

Seth Tanner swore vengeance on the dark witches who killed his brother, Jesse. He rescued Evan Malone from one of the witches, and they’ve fallen in love despite the danger and chaos, going on the road to complete the quest and bring an end to the ritual murders. Their relationship is still new, tested at every turn by danger and magic.

Seth and Evan head to Charleston to stop the next warlock and save his intended victim. But this time, they’re too late. The warlock has already powered up, and he’s determined to destroy the two hunters one way or another. A deadly curse on Seth and Evan means time is running out. Can they find a way to turn the tables, or is Charleston their final destination?

Unholy is an urban fantasy MM paranormal romance with plenty of supernatural suspense, hurt/comfort, hot sex, found family, dark magic and paranormal thrills. 

It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone and features an evolving, established romantic relationship with all the feels. Intended for readers 18 years of age and older.


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Excerpt

From Chapter 3

“Hi, and welcome to Charleston,” Alicia said. “I’ve heard a lot about both of you.”

That left one other person. He looked to be in his late twenties, with blond hair in a trendy cut, high cheekbones, and gray eyes the color of the sea after a storm. Unlike the others, he didn’t have a drink or a plate in front of him. The man’s appraisal made Evan shiver, although nothing in his manner seemed hostile.

“This is Sorren,” Cassidy said. “He’s my business partner, and he and my ancestor founded Trifles and Folly—my shop—back when Charleston was first chartered.”

Seth and Evan exchanged a glance. “But Charleston is over three hundred years old,” Seth protested.

Sorren smiled, and Evan caught his breath as he glimpsed the tips of fangs behind his lips. “You’re correct. And I am nearly six hundred. I am deeply interested in finding out about this witch-disciple you hunt. He has, apparently, gone to great lengths to avoid my notice.”

As soon as Sorren spoke, Evan wondered how he could have thought the man was close to his own age. Sorren had a presence that made it easy to believe he was immortal. Instinct warned him not to meet Sorren’s gaze, and he remembered stories about a vampire’s ability to glamour mortals and bend their will.

“Don’t worry. You’re safe here,” Sorren said, apparently noting Evan’s uneasiness. “You are guests in Cassidy’s home, and allies. That puts you under my protection—something I take very seriously.”

Evan pasted on a smile and nodded. Holy shit. What have we gotten ourselves into?

“You already know Teag, and I believe he and Seth have bonded over hacking to get information on some of the cases we’ve worked on. But his ninja computer skills are really an outgrowth of his Weaver magic,” Cassidy said, “which you know at least something about, from the spell-woven braided bracelets you gave each other for your birthdays.”

She sat at the table beside Teag. “Eat first, and then we all want to hear your story.”

Evan wasn’t sure what might pass for normal conversation with this crew, but the banter felt comfortable and familiar. They obviously knew each other well and were friends as well as colleagues. While they ate, the conversation drifted to local happenings, upcoming events, and the shared frustration that went with having to avoid road construction. Even Sorren commented now and again, and Evan noticed that no one at the table seemed to regard him fearfully. Evan glanced at Seth and knew from the look on his boyfriend’s face that the mental wheels were turning, appraising their new allies.

When everyone had their fill of the pizza and had topped off their drinks, the chatter stopped, and they all looked to Seth and Evan. Teag stepped away and returned with his laptop.

“We know a little bit about your hunt for the witch-disciples from the information Teag helped you find in the past,” Cassidy said.

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

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, and Treasure Trail. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!

Author Links

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

Sign up for my newsletter and never miss a new release

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

Follow me on BookBub | Instagram

 

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GIVEAWAY

A chance to win one of three ebook copies of any book in the Witchbane series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

 

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

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My review:

4.5 stars

Unholy by Morgan Brice is part of the ‘Witchbane’ series and features Seth Tanner and Evan Malone as they continue to travel the U.S., trying to break the evil cycle started by the disciples of dark warlock Rhyfel Gremory. The hunt takes them to Charleston, where they finally get a chance to meet some of the allies who have been giving them assistance and advice thus far. Unfortunately, danger stalks the pair as well, and this time, they may have run into a curse that they can’t defeat.

This adult gay urban fantasy is also a romance, with plenty of action and adventure. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone story, however, one will appreciate the nuances better if the other books have been absorbed. The ticking clock adds to the tension of the story and the interactions with the denizens of the city are fascinating and provide a nice crossover with some of the other series by this author. I love the camaraderie and unhesitating support that is provided even as I was captivated by the challenges faced by Seth and Evan as they fought the curse that threatened to destroy everything they’ve accomplished thus far.

This is one of those books that you don’t want to start too late at night because you’re never going to be able to put it down until the very end. Whether you’re new to the series or already a fan, plan to be enthralled by an exciting entertaining story featuring two likable guys who are devoted to each other and determined to break the cycle of evil that has destroyed so many families.

A copy of this title was provided for review

Flame and Ash by Morgan Brice (Q&A, excerpt, and review) GBP ADULT title

Q&A with Morgan Brice on Flame and Ash

Q: Give us five random facts about the book/series.

A:

1.     The series moves to a different location/city in each book.

2.     All the locations are places I’ve lived or am very familiar with.

3.     I do a lot of research on local ghost stories, haunted places and urban legends for each location/book.

4.     We went out to an RV dealer and toured the different RVs to find the right one for Seth and Evan.

5.     I really wish Seth and Evan could get a dog.

Q: What is the hardest thing about writing?

A: Sometimes I know where the story starts and where the next big milestone is, but not exactly how to get from here to there, so that’s frustrating until I get it worked out.

Q: What is the easiest thing about writing?

A: Finding really cool ghosts, monsters and haunted things to put into the story! There are so many ideas, and so little time!

Q: What was your inspiration for the book/series?

A: I’ve always loved books and TV shows about ghosts, monsters, vampires, werewolves, and the people who hunt the things that go bump in the night. And I’ve written urban fantasy as Gail Z. Martin for a number of years. So it was just a natural progression to bring the spooky stuff together with the sexy stuff!

Q: What was the most difficult part of writing this book/series?

A: I want to keep each book in the series fresh, and come at the issues from a different way. So that means figuring out ways to surprise the reader. I want them to say, “I didn’t see that coming!”

Q: What is your writing style…planner/pantser? Schedule time or work it in?

A: I am primarily a plotter, but once I have the general direction for the book/chapter, then there’s a lot of spur-of-the-moment inspiration as I write. Those are generally the pieces I love the most!

Be sure to check out the LGBT Romance giveaway that I’m part of as one of the Featured Authors at GayRomanticLit (GRL) Retreat 2019! And if you’re going to GRL, make sure you come say hello! Here’s the link to the giveaway

I’d also love to invite you to join my Worlds of Morgan Brice group on Facebook—it’s where I share cover reveals, talk about what I’m writing, show pictures that inspire the people and places, and do fun giveaways! 

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Flame and Ash 

(Witchbane #4)
by
Morgan Brice
ADULT title

Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Release Date: September 5, 2019

Genre/s: Urban Fantasy, MM paranormal, MM romance

Trope/s: Second chance, established couple, hurt/comfort, monster hunting, supernatural creatures, magic, ghosts

Themes: Learning to trust, navigating a new relationship, sticking together when the going gets rough

Heat Rating: 4 flames

This time, the hunters become the hunted when the witch knows they’re coming to get him, and has deadly plans of his own. When their lives are on the line, will love be enough?

Blurb

One hundred years ago, a sheriff’s posse killed dark warlock Rhyfel Gremory, but his witch-disciples escaped, and their magic made them nearly immortal. To keep their power, each year one of the witch-disciples kills a descendant of one of the men in the posse, a twelve-year cycle that has cost dozens of lives, including that of Seth Tanner’s brother, Jesse

Seth rescued Evan Malone from one of the witches, and they’ve fallen in love despite the danger and chaos, going on the road to complete the quest and bring an end to the ritual murders. Their relationship is new, their emotions are raw, and the danger is real. It’s a challenge to find their way as a couple while they’re on the road together in the close quarters of Seth’s RV, training in magic and combat skills to fight off a supernatural killer.

In pursuit of the next witch-disciple, Seth and Evan team up with older hunters Milo and Toby as their quest to stop a century-long killing spree takes them to a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They’re ahead of the sacrifice cycle, with plans to stop the murders and kill the dark witch. Only this time, the hunters become the hunted when the witch knows they’re coming to get him, and has deadly plans of his own. When their lives are on the line, will love be enough?

Flame and Ash is the third novel in the Witchbane series. It is a MM romance intended for readers 18 years of age and older.


Excerpt

After all, Evan thought, what value do I bring to the situation? Six months of training had improved his skills, taught him a few more rote spells, and helped him understand more about the kinds of things that went bump in the night. Despite it all, Evan knew he had a long way to go before he could match Seth’s abilities, and he worried that he could be the weak link that cost Seth his life.

The trip from Pittsburgh to Boone would take most of the day, and while Evan offered to take a turn behind the wheel, he knew that Seth preferred to drive. When he wasn’t chasing down loose ends about the Boone situation on his computer, Evan planned to doze in the passenger seat, but dark dreams woke him more than once, earning him worried glances from Seth.

“Hey.” Seth’s voice roused Evan from his thoughts. “Whatever you’re thinking—let me in. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

“I just don’t want to let you down,” Evan admitted.

“You won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that you’ve saved my ass more than once,” Seth replied. “And that was before we spent the last three months doing more training.” He reached out to take Evan’s hand. “I trust you. I believe in you. There’s no one I’d rather have beside me in a fight. And I love you.”

Evan’s throat tightened. “I love you, too. And I want to be here, doing this, with you. It’s just…I’m not really the action hero type.”

Seth chuckled. “And I am?”

“You were in the army. You’re a soldier. So, yeah.”

Seth sighed. “I went into the army to get away from a bad breakup. Not exactly the most noble reason. I did okay, I guess. I was lucky enough to come home. But I knew I wasn’t going to make a career out of it. Some guys, they get in, and they know that’s where they’re supposed to be. It becomes their home and family, like they were born for it.” He shook his head. “It was never that for me.”

“I made okay money, working at the bar.” Evan looked at the road instead of at Seth. “But something was always missing, you know? What I did didn’t really matter. This…” He gestured to mean the two of them, hunting, the search for the witch-disciples. “It makes a difference. Saves lives. Stops a hundred years of killing. It just seems like fate could have picked someone who was better prepared.”

Seth laid his hand on Evan’s thigh, solid and warm. “Hunting doesn’t work like that. You’ve talked to Travis and Brent and Mark. They didn’t train to be a hunter from the time they were kids. They lost people, and it changed them. And from that point on, they learned on the job,” Seth said. “Just like you.”

Evan managed a wan smile. “If this were a TV show, I’d want to skip to the finale, where we ride off into the sunset.”

“I wish we could,” Seth admitted. “But I’m afraid there’s no fast-forward on real life.”

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK 

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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.

Other books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, and Badlands, Lucky Town, and The Rising, plus Treasure Trail. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!

I’ll be a Featured Author at GRL in October and also at Coastal Magic in February!

Join my Worlds of Morgan Brice Facebook Group! Get the early scoop on upcoming books and new series, see new covers first, enjoy insider news and special contests and giveaways! Plus it’s where I get my beta readers and launch team!

Author Links

Amazon

Facebook Group

Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail)

Twitter: @MorganBriceBook

Website

BookBub

Sign up for my newsletter and never miss a new release

 

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Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of three $10 Amazon gift cards

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

 

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My review:

3.75 out of 5 stars

Flame and Ash by Morgan Brice is part of the ‘Witchbane’ series that features the intrepid pair, Seth Tanner and Evan Malone, who have made it their mission to hunt for the witch-disciples who have been decimating the descendants of a long-ago posse. Temporarily joining forces with Seth’s friends and mentors, the group struggles to prevent another victim from falling prey while dealing with the challenges of remaining safe themselves.

This gay urban fantasy and romance for adults is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone story. In fact, that is part of my problem with the book, it seems to go into an awful lot of explanation that is a bit mind-numbing for those who are already familiar with the past details and takes a while to get to the action. I love that the relationship between the main characters is flourishing and hotter than ever and that a couple from Seth’s past shares the spotlight and the dangers. The combination of the arcane and pragmatic is still fascinating, but I didn’t feel that sense of non-stop action and steadily increasing tension that I did in the other stories. Don’t get me wrong, there are some startling surprises and this is an interesting addition to the series that adds to the background about Seth, but it is not my favorite.

A copy of this title was provided for review

Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice (Spotlight, guest post, review, and GIVEAWAY) GBP ADULT title

I have the pleasure of sharing a guest post by author Morgan Brice/Gail Z. Martin, who talks about...

 

Sand, Sun and Spooks

by

 Morgan Brice

Sand and sun make for a great beach vacation. If you’re a beach fan, you’ve probably noticed that each beach has its own vibe.

I spent a lot of time at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and at Virginia Beach in Virginia, and while they’re both great places with fantastic boardwalks and lots of things to do, they don’t feel at all alike. Virginia Beach is near military bases, so the beach is full of muscular, ripped twenty-somethings, and the town has more than its share of places to get a drink, a tattoo and an exotic dance. Myrtle Beach draws a Spring Break crowd and has its famous motorcycle rallies, but otherwise it’s very much a family beach, filled with kids, guys with dad bods and moms who look like moms.

So when I had the opportunity to go to Cape May, New Jersey, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s not far from Wildwood, but it’s posher by far than the stereotype for the Jersey Shore. In fact, the hotel which inspired the fictional, cursed, hotel in Treasure Trail was built to lure the parasol and top hat crowd away from Newport and Marblehead back at the turn of the last century.

Cape May has great beaches, lovely beach cabanas, and amazing food. Beautiful Victorian houses face the ocean, and there’s a lighthouse at the far end of town. It’s more polo shirt and khakis than tank top and board shorts, the place for people who want to kick back without letting it all hang out.

The perfect place for Erik and Ben, the main characters in Treasure Trail, the first in a new series set in Cape May! Erik Mitchell used to track art fraud and bust up forgery rings, but after a close call, he moves to Cape May to make a fresh start. Ex-cop Ben Nolan is also starting over, and sparks fly when the two men meet. But when old scandals and murders come to light, they’re going to need each other and every bit of luck to get their happy ending.

A cursed hotel, a missing clock, and an old skeleton add up to trouble for Erik and Ben. As they’re navigating a new town, a budding relationship and the scars of old betrayals, they’ve got to decide who to trust, because someone wants to turn Erik and Ben into Cape May’s newest ghosts!

If you’ve read my Badlands and Witchbane books, you’ll spot some familiar names, since all my series have cross-overs and cameo appearances. The same is true for characters from the non-romance urban fantasy I write as Gail Z. Martin. That makes for a spooktacular expanded universe!

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Treasure Trail

by
Morgan Brice

ADULT title

Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Genre/s: Urban Fantasy MM paranormal romance

Trope/s: Second chance, friends to lovers, starting over, psychic/medium and a cop, mystery, action/adventure, 

Themes: Taking a chance on love, running from your past, trust, friendship, found family

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Add on Goodreads 

When a missing antique shows up under mysterious circumstances, Ben and Erik are plunged into danger as a cursed hotel’s long-ago scandals resurface. Someone wants those secrets to stay buried—and is willing to add Ben and Erik to the death toll to keep the past hidden.

Blurb

Erik Mitchell traveled the world uncovering art fraud and relic theft, which pitted him against spoiled billionaires, unscrupulous collectors, mobsters and cartels. He worked with law enforcement across the US and Europe, but a sting goes wrong and Erik ends up injured, then returns to find his partner cheating. Erik decides to stop globe trotting and buy an antique shop in scenic Cape May, NJ, rebuild his life, and nurse his broken heart.

Undercover Newark cop Ben Nolan went down in a hail of bullets when a bust went sideways, after a tip-off from a traitor inside the department. After he recovers, he spends a couple of years as a private investigator, only to tire of seeing the worst of human nature. So when his aunt offers him the chance to take over her rental real estate business in Cape May, it seems too good to be true. Now if he could just believe he could ever be lucky again in love.

When a missing antique shows up under mysterious circumstances, Ben and Erik are plunged into danger as a cursed hotel’s long-ago scandals resurface. Someone wants those secrets to stay buried—and is willing to add Ben and Erik to the death toll to keep the past hidden.

Excerpt

“What the hell did you pack in these boxes? Rocks?” Sean Meirlach shifted the heavy moving box on his shoulder. Sean looked and sounded like the Jersey Shore guy he was, brawny and blunt.

“Books,” Ben replied. “You know, those rectangular paper things? Ever read one?” The teasing was good-natured. Ben Nolan had spent most of his summers working for his cousin’s mom, and they were thick as thieves. Which, Ben reflected, was a poor analogy for an ex-cop-turned-former-private-investigator. And now, at least for this summer, a vacation rental manager in beautiful Cape May, New Jersey.

“Yes, dumbass. I’ve read lots of books. And not just the ones with pictures in them,” Sean said with a smirk. Sean played up his bad boy persona, but Ben knew his cousin had plenty of brains, hustle, and street smarts.

“Good to know. I’d hate to have to break it to Aunt Meg that her favorite son was illiterate.”

Sean snorted. “Favorite son? I’m her onlyson, asshole. And she’s already pissed at me because I just want to run my food truck in Wildwood. Which is why you’re doing me a huge solid, taking over the family business.”

“Whoa, there! Hold up. I’m here for the summer. Justthe summer. I said I’d see how it went. No promises.”

“Just the summer? You sure brought a lot of shit with you if it’s just for the summer.” Sean set the box down a little harder than necessary on a table in the upstairs apartment over the rental office, which would be Ben’s home for the next few months. Ben dumped the tangle of odds and ends he had carried up from the rented van and flopped onto the couch. He had put most of his things in storage when he left Newark and brought what he didn’t want to do without, or what the apartment didn’t have. Sean had driven the truck up to Cape May, while Ben drove his black Mustang, packed to the roof.

He owed Sean a lot for helping him move—and, if truth be told, for pushing him as the perfect candidate for the job to Aunt Meg.

“Don’t screw up the master plan, dude!” Sean chided. “You’re sick of the big city and getting shot. And I need a little of that good life, somewhere not quite as buttoned-down.” He reached for a bottle of water and took a swig. “I love this town, but I need to stretch my wings. And the vibe in Wildwood is different. People come for the Pier and the Boardwalk and the rides. More singles, not just families. And they all have to eat!”

Sean’s truck, Put A Ring On It, specialized in kickass onion rings, which went on everything—burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, even chili. The combination of great food, a catchy name, and Sean’s outgoing personality had made for a very successful launch.

Buy Links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

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  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.

Other books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, and Badlands. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!

Join my Worlds of Morgan Brice Facebook Group! Get the early scoop on upcoming books and new series, see new covers first, enjoy insider news and special contests and giveaways! Plus it’s where I get my beta readers and launch team! 

Author Links

Amazon

Facebook Group

Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail)

Twitter: @MorganBriceBook

Website

BookBub

Sign up for my newsletter and never miss a new release

 

 

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My review:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice introduces Erik Mitchell, who is the new owner of a unique antique shop, and Ben Nolan, who is temporarily managing his relatives’ real estate rental business. Each man has had experiences with the paranormal world, which means they’ll fit right in to their new town. However, neither expects to become embroiled in several cold cases that may be life-threatening to solve.

This adult gay paranormal mystery story is the first book in a new series and definitely starts things off with plenty of eerie elements to pique one’s interest. The small-town feel juxtaposed with the casual acceptance of ghosts and “other” is vividly depicted and convinced me that this is NOT somewhere I want to visit, lol. I love this author’s world-building and ability to create realistic, likable characters who accept their abilities with equanimity and a sense of responsibility.

I was drawn in to the story immediately and sympathetic to each of the main characters as their pasts are gradually revealed. I love that this is a mystery story with that unique twist of the paranormal (including ghosts demanding justice) that enhances the mystery and investigation. The tension mounts even as the two guys gradually accept their burgeoning relationship and reveal their respective painful pasts and dangerous past professions.

It was even better to have several cameos by folks from the other series penned by this prolific and talented author. I delight in the opportunity to get a glimpse of them and look forward to some of them getting their time in the spotlight again. Those in search of an exciting mystery story with a paranormal twist will enjoy this tale—but beware, once captivated, nothing else will get done!

A copy of this title was provided for review