Sentient by Michael Leon (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFP

 

Sentient

by 

Michael Leon

 

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GENRE: Science Fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

A century has passed and yes, the human race stumbled into evolutionary compromise. But it’s not the androids who are the victors. Post-humans have exploded into preeminence, gaining tech superiority and a tech immunity against the global environmental degradation. Humans are trivialised, a minority species, their one last significant task, restore the environmental damage they inflicted on Earth and terraform off-planets. One human and his ‘biot’ android embark on such a journey to Mars, opening the possibility for an evolutionary path back to greatness, but hostile post-human agents have infiltrated their mission.

 

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EXCERPT

The reconnaissance soldier, Harvey, was the first to walk into the cave, his adversary not just Draven, but to his shock, four Dravens. The soldier attempted to fire his pulse gun, but it failed to activate, causing him to back away to com Jarvis, when it too failed. 

 

Draven was unarmed except for a single dagger, which he removed from his sheath and pointed his assailant’s way, inviting him to battle. Harvey, like all military biots, were robotized killers, programmed to fight in the fires of hades if their commander required it. He welcomed Draven’s challenge, exchanging a steel salute with his blade.

 

In that moment between standoff and battle, both combatants exchanged an inscrutable glance that signaled the opening gesture, acceptance that what they now started would only end with one standing. War-like adrenaline saturated the cave like the Martian dust as they began a dance, they’d spent their lives honing. Both were masters of the blade. 

 

The soldier relished rather than feared Draven’s advantage as he rotated 360 degrees to confront the four assailants that encircled him. It was a Russian roulette encounter, with only one holding the real weapon of death. 340 Sentient But which? The soldier flicked his handle, extending his knife to a sword, showing he too brought tricks to the arena. Masterfully, he swept the sword in a Samurai-like movement of grace and skill glancing all four assailants, clicking real metal on only one, establishing his real target.

 

He attacked Draven, slicing, carving and driving his sword in every possible direction and angle but each time Draven evaded his assault untouched, toying with him. The soldier grew bolder with every exchange as if the challenge was all that mattered. Ever faster, he launched attacks that ultimately pushed Draven into the rock wall. Cornering Draven, he felt emboldened to make a devastating but risky assault, successfully finding the small opening in his defense allowing Harvey to plunge his sword deep into Draven’s core. 

 

The sound of steel driving through Draven’s body echoed through the cathedral signaling victory, but to the soldier’s shock, Draven stood tall, before the flickering of his holograph gave way to the cold rock where he stood. “You’re fast, soldier. But I’m as quick as light,” he said, pulling his knife from the soldier’s back, spilling his blood to the Martian dust, decommissioning the young soldier with a single decisive incision.

 

Amazon link

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

Michael Leon is an explorer, writer and author of the new novel, Sentient. Professionally trained in international trade, Michael has spent the last decade reading and writing SFF novels about new worlds to be explored in the future. His latest work, Sentient, imagines Earth in the year 2120. Michael has traveled extensively around Europe, walking the paths of his characters, from the famous European opera houses in Phantoms to the mountain tops of Switzerland in Emissary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Website

Twitter

Blogger

Goodreads

Amazon author page

 

 

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My review:

 

 

 

4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Sentient by Michael Leon follows Dane Walker, as he and his “biot”, Hali, return to Mars with a critical element that will revolutionize life there. His mission is fraught with danger and he doesn’t know who he can trust or who his allies are, and a wrong conclusion can be deadly…for him and for the colonists.

 

 

This science fiction story does a great job of evoking a very different society that has evolved in the 22^nd century. Not only are there tech implants that provide humans with advanced capabilities, but there are human-like robots commissioned to support humans and help them achieve their goals. It was a little confusing, trying to adjust to the concepts of the different types of artificial lifeforms and figuring out who had what goal, and eerie but not unexpected to learn how bad things have become on Earth.

 

I was drawn into the story and surprisingly attached to some of the secondary characters, but sometimes disconcerted by apparently changing loyalties. The tension heightens as the story unfolds, and the conflict between the two main factions highlights the challenge of identifying what is most beneficial to all beings. There is an entertaining combination of technology and emotion with vivid imagery and I think this story will appeal to those who like suspense thrillers as well as fans of science fiction.

 

A copy of this story was provided for review

 

All Screwed Up by Beth Bolden & Brittany Cournoyer (Release blitz, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GBP ADULT title

 

All Screwed Up

ADULT title

 by

Beth Bolden & Brittany Cournoyer

 

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood Designs

Release Date: November 6, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary m/m romantic comedy

Trope: Enemies to lovers

Themes: Starting over, learning to work together

Heat Rating:  3 flames  

Length: 55 000 words

It is a standalone story.

Goodreads

 

 

All’s fair in love and remodeling.

   

Blurb

Griffin Caldwell can’t wait to make a fresh start: new job, new town, new house. He’s even realized the lifelong dream of owning his own home. Except when he arrives, nothing is what he expected, and Griffin’s celebration turns from triumphant to terrible.

Not only is his “cute bungalow” a derelict heap, it needs major remodeling work to be livable. And it turns out there’s only one person in town who’s even willing to commit to the project.

The first time David Webber talks to Griffin about his disaster zone of a house, he’d like nothing better than to hang up the phone. But he’s stuck. All his grumpy behavior has gotten him is a whole stack of bad reviews online and no clients.

From the moment they collide over a busted toilet, sparks and snark fly. The only thing that might be hotter than their mutual animosity is their intense chemistry.

Neither of them wants to admit it at first but as the project evolves and their lives intertwine, maybe what they’re working on isn’t just a house. It might even be proof that a caring partnership can build a strong, long-lasting foundation--and an even fiercer love.



Excerpt

“What are you doing?” he asked when he stepped inside and spotted David ripping into a wall.

“Baking a cake,” he responded dryly before muttering to himself, “what does it freaking look like I’m doing? Knitting a damn sweater?”

“What flavor?” Griffin asked, choosing not to respond to the rest.

“The best flavor—chocolate.”

“I beg to differ. Chocolate is good, but nothing beats a super moist red-velvet cake with delicious cream cheese frosting.”

David stared at him, crowbar in one hand, sledgehammer in the other. “Are you saying chocolate cake can’t be moist? Because if so, you’re having the wrong cake.”

“No, not at all. I’ve had some decent chocolate cake. It’s just more dense than other flavors.”

David snorted. “Was there anything else you needed? Or did you just stop by to tell me my choice in cake is dense?”

Griffin crossed his arms over his chest. “You brought up the cake conversation, not me. All I did was ask what you were doing.”

David sighed and looked toward the sagging ceiling, as if searching for a way to respond to Griffin. The ceiling was another thing that had given up in that house. The entire thing looked like it’d just had enough standing up in the battle against the elements, animals, and trespassers. And had definitely gotten tired of doing so alone—since it’d sat empty for so long. It’d given up, finally waving the white flag as tree roots took over and the crushing weight of snow had caused certain parts to cave in. The thought of seeing the house in such despair and feeling the sadness among the walls hurt Griffin’s heart, and he hoped all the time, money, and arguments with David were worth breathing new life into the house. It deserved a chance to shine in all its glory, and even though it didn’t look like much now, the bones were still solid. It just needed some love.

“When I get asked a question where the answer is obvious, I can’t help but respond with sarcasm.”

“What was that?” Griffin asked, startled by David’s voice. He’d been so lost in thought about his depressing home that he’d forgotten he was in the middle of a conversation with David.

David sighed loudly and muttered under his breath again. “Did you need something? I’m a bit busy here.”

He waved his arm around the room, the one Griffin intended to be his master bedroom, to indicate the piles of drywall he’d ripped down.

“Just wondering if you need any help.”

“We’ve already had this conversation more than once, Griffin. Right now, it’s best if you stay out of the way until I have the basic demolition finished.”

Griffin pursed his lips as he tried not to stare at the way Griffin’s sweaty T-shirt clung to him like a second skin and his jeans hugged his thick thighs like they were drawn on him. Jesus. He could crack walnuts with those thighs.

Even though it was still fairly early in the morning, the sun was already high in the sky and the humidity was even higher. And just walking outside to collect the morning paper would cause sweat to bead on your upper lip and temples. And while Griffin hated it, he had to give his thanks to the weather gods since David had taken his shirt off more than once while doing work. And Griffin couldn’t help but accept the gifts in the form of his bulging, sweating muscles, eagerly. It’d be rude not to, after all.

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |   Amazon US  |   Amazon UK 

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About the Authors

 

 

 

 

Beth Bolden

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty novels and six novellas.

 

Author links:

 

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub

Facebook group | Instagram | Newsletter Sign-up

Brittany Cournoyer

Brittany was born in Enterprise, Alabama and moved to a small town in Indiana when she was thirteen. And, even though the town is named Kokomo, it’s nothing like the Beach Boys song. During her free time, she loves to read amazing books, watch mindless television, and spend time with family and loved ones. Oh, and squeeze in writing some time throughout the day as well. She is also the mom to an adorable, yet precocious, Border Collie named Delilah. When not doing any of those fun-filled activities, she works at a hospital as a switchboard operator.

 

Author Links

Blog/Website  |   Facebook  |  Twitter

Instagram  |  Newsletter Sign-up  |  Facebook group

  

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    GIVEAWAY

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:

 

3.5 stars

 

 

All Screwed Up by Beth Bolden and Brittany Cournoyer follows Griffin Caldwell as he copes with the challenges of relocating to a new town, new job, and new home. Unfortunately, the new home is not at all a dream home, and the only hope Griffin has for rescue is a grumpy and opinionated contractor, David Webber. Each man will have to discover whether they can compromise enough to establish a working relationship, let alone anything more.

 

 

This adult contemporary gay romance is a light and fluffy story, complete with adorable kittens. I’m afraid Griffin was awfully naïve, and David was pretty over-the-top stubborn, but their interactions and growing relationship was still entertaining to watch. I had quite a few questions (including, what happened to mama kitty, lol) and I wasn’t quite convinced about the major bone of contention in the house, the renovation contest, or even what the “evil” competitor’s actions were that were so bad, because a lot of things were alluded to, but then not explored as in-depth as I would have liked. Nonetheless, I was entertained by this quick read and wouldn’t mind seeing how these two guys are continuing to adapt to each other and to their furbabies.

 

A copy of this story was provided for review

 

Beneath the Grandstand by Amy-Alex Campbell (Spotlight and review) ADULT title

 

 Beneath the Grandstand

ADULT title

by

Amy-Alex Campbell

 

Publisher:  AAC Publishing Australia

Cover Artist: germancreative

Release Date: October 27, 2020

Genre: Australian M/M Romance

Trope/s: Friends to lovers, Security guard & homeless man

Themes: Homelessness, depression and anxiety, childhood abuse (non sexual)

Heat Rating:  3-4 flames 

Length: approx. 75 000 words

It is part of the Marsden Park Series, but is a standalone.

Goodreads

 

 

Blurb

When Cameron’s failing relationship finally comes to an end, he finds himself on the streets of Sydney, homeless and alone. All he has left is a suitcase full of his clothes, and his job as a security guard. Battling severe depression and anxiety, Cameron fears he has hit rock bottom. 

A chance meeting with a young homeless man soon changes everything, though. Abused as a child, the mysterious Mr Loner has a dark secret that threatens to unravel his very existence. Will Cameron get his happily ever after, or will Mr Loner’s past destroy them both?

A confronting MM romance set in Western Sydney, Australia. The second instalment of The Marsden Park Series.

“How do you define two lost souls, who are completely alone in the world, except for each other?”

 

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 Excerpt:

The stench of BO and stale sweat hung in the air, thicker than the throng of people packed into the vestibule of the train. As the doors opened at Redfern station, the passengers took a collective gasp and squeezed in tighter together, as more people forced their way into the overcrowded space. Someone elbowed Cameron in his back, and shoved him nose-first into another man’s armpit; on his other side, he could feel someone’s dick grinding into his hip. Cameron grimaced and managed to turn his face away from the armpit. The day these people spend $3.95 on some deodorant, I’ll have a bloody stroke, he thought irritably. 

With a jerk, the train started rolling slowly towards Central Station. Peak hour on any Sydney train was a nightmare, especially on one of the older trains that were overheated and stunk like dirty leather. Cameron berated himself for taking the 7am shift; it was Friday and supposed to be his day off. His last shift had finished at midnight, and with over an hour travel each way, he had been lucky to get three hours sleep.

The train pulled in at the station with a screech and another jerk. Cameron patted his arm to ensure his security license was still firmly in its pouch on his arm, then braced himself. As soon as the doors opened, he was swept with the crowd of commuters onto the platform, and into the tunnel towards the concourse.

Once he reached the concourse, the crowd thinned, and he was able to walk at his own pace again. There was a slight chill in the air; winter was just a few weeks away, and soon that chill would turn into an icy frost. Cameron shivered and walked faster towards the main exit.

He knew better than to even try to catch the light rail that early in the morning. He tapped his Opal card at the barriers, and cut through the park next to the station. It would be much faster to walk the distance, than try to squeeze onto another overheated sweatbox.

The park was full of brightly coloured tents, the only shelter that the homeless people had. Cameron felt bad for them; he himself was a bee’s dick away from being homeless, and the thought of living on the streets terrified him. With a lurch, he pushed the thoughts from his mind, and picked up his pace.

 

 

Amazon US

Amazon AU 

Amazon UK  

 

 

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My review:

 

3.75 out of 5 stars

 

 

Beneath the Grandstand by Amy-Alex Campbell centers around Cameron, a security officer in Sydney, Australia, whose depressing life is changed by a homeless man he befriends. As their relationship deepens into something more, sinister elements from the past threaten to destroy everything.

 

 

This adult contemporary gay romance depicts Cameron as he works at various security guard stints in Australia, and gives a glimpse of the different roles involved in that profession. The relationship that gradually develops between Cameron, as he deals with the upheavals in his life, and the homeless man who opens his eyes to a different world, is a slow burn that meanders a bit but is lovely to watch. The story takes a darker turn, time telescopes in fits and starts, and there are some strings that aren’t quite tied up as much as I would like. There are also elements on several levels that do not instill confidence in a certain profession, which I’m disappointed by. I think the pacing of the story needs to be tightened up, but I enjoyed learning about various aspects of life in a country that is very different from mine and I would be interested in reading more stories by this author.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

In Strange Woods by Claire Cray (spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GBP ADULT title

In Strange Woods

ADULT title 

by

Claire Cray

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: August 28, 2020

Cover Artist: Sneaky T 

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romantic Mystery, M/M Gothic Romance

Trope/s: Instant attraction, Hurt comfort, Tortured protagonist, Family secret,

Long lost relative, Country boy/City boy, Rural romance, Fish out of water 

Themes: Healing, Found family, Redemption, Heritage, Belonging, Homecoming

Heat Rating:  3 - 4 flames 

Length: 71 370 words /204 pages

It is a standalone book.

Goodreads

 

In the stormy coastal woods of the Pacific Northwest, 

roots run deep and passions run wild.

Blurb

Reeling with grief after the mysterious massacre of his wealthy family, moody New York photographer James Worthington Crane decides to take his downward spiral somewhere far away: to the rural Oregon Coast, where he’s just inherited a random piece of property hidden somewhere in the woods upriver.

But when James pulls into the decaying seaside town of Brooks, everyone thinks he’s someone else—an elusive local outlaw named Beau. Now James must fight through his grief to unravel a tangled web of family secrets and forgotten history...with help from a soft-spoken local hunk named Hunter Quaid.

Hunter’s been on his own since he left his fundamentalist family at the age of fifteen. It’s taken years of hard work to build the steady life he has now, fixing up seaside houses while living alone in a trailer by the river. Then James blows in like a winter storm, disturbing the peace and stirring up a hunger like nothing he's ever felt.

As Hunter helps James search for the truth, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways—and they begin to discover what it means to find out where you really belong.



Excerpt

Hunter pulled his truck into one of the slanted parking spaces along the Brooks sea wall and turned off the ignition, cutting off Bobbie Gentry in the middle of ‘Ode to Billie Joe’ to let the roar of the waves take over. It was windy out, and he took a second to rake his dark-blond hair into a stubby ponytail at the nape of his neck before getting out of the truck.

His work boots hit the asphalt with a heavy thud, and he strolled over to the rustic stone barricade to look out at the dark ocean. A wave immediately exploded up in front of him, white foam fanning out and dissolving like a burst of fireworks, and he filled his lungs with the sharp, salty air. It never got old, no matter how many times he came here. None of it did, though. Not the trees, the rivers, the sunsets, the storms. This rugged little chunk of the coast had been his most consistent, and sometimes his only, source of joy since the first summer his parents dropped him off at his grandma’s place upriver, where he now lived alone.

Today had been long as hell, but satisfying. He was in the middle of renovating a beautiful midcentury house on Cedar Crest, a wooded cliffside high up on the north edge of town. It was the biggest project he’d ever landed since striking out on his own as a contractor, and it was turning out to be a dream come true. The owner was some Portland banker who didn’t give a shit what he did as long as he stayed within budget, and Hunter relished the freedom to make actual design choices.

Matter of fact, life was pretty good these days, wasn’t it? Business was good, anyway, and that was a lot. Yeah. Steady work with nobody telling him what to do, a place to sleep by the river, all the ocean air he wanted every day…what more could he ask for? There was a time when he wouldn’t have dared to dream so—

A car alarm went off suddenly, jarring him from his thoughts, and he turned his head. Several seagulls were scattering noisily from the sea wall near a black hatchback several spaces away, its horn blasting and lights flashing. He couldn’t see what had set it off. A nosy gull, maybe, or the splash of a wave. At any rate, that wrapped up his relaxing after-work sit by the ocean.

But just as he was about to turn back to his truck, the driver’s side door of the hatchback clunked open and slowly creaked ajar.

Hunter watched, intrigued, as a hand slipped out through the crack, followed by an arm, and then a mop of wavy dark hair. Then, to his amazement, an entire tall, slim man slid out onto the pavement, pooling there in a tangle of long limbs and dark clothing.

The alarm was still making a ruckus. The man groaned low and rolled to his side, wrestling with himself for a moment before yanking a key fob out of his back pocket. He jabbed it toward the car several times until the alarm stopped, then fell on his back with an unintelligible mutter. Just then, a big wave spouted over the wall and showered him with seawater.

Hunter winced sympathetically. Hell of a place to be drunk off your ass. Dude definitely wasn’t from around here. He looked about Hunter’s age, stylish in a cool, classic kind of way. Black jeans, black boots, battered brown leather jacket. Nothing flashy, but obviously outside the local dress code of Carhartts, hooded sweatshirts, and rain gear. Hunter couldn’t help admiring the long lines of the stranger’s body, his carelessly tousled hair.

With a shake of his head and a soft sigh, he turned his gaze back toward the ocean again. Life was good, and all. He loved it here. So what if it wasn’t overflowing with romantic options for a quiet gay man with a taste for tall, slim guys dressed like drifters from the 1960s? No one got to have it all.

Life is good, he told himself stubbornly. Life is fine. Life’s going just great.

The sound of an approaching engine made him glance back over his shoulder, and suddenly he sprang into motion before he could think.

The drunk man was staggering onto the highway, his dark silhouette backlit by the high beams of a log truck that was roaring around the bend.

Another half-second would have been too late. The driver didn’t even seem to see them. The air from the passing truck threw him off balance as he yanked the drunken dumbass out of the road, and they both fell back on the pavement.

“You okay?” Hunter asked breathlessly.

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |   Amazon UK 

 

 

   

  

About the Author 

Claire Cray writes gay romance featuring hot, complicated men in weird situations. Offbeat and character-driven with a gothic bent, her work has been described as deeply atmospheric and a little bit strange.

Born and raised in the rural Pacific Northwest, Claire takes inspiration from its rich, moody vibes: the ancient forests, rugged coastlines, eccentric characters, and whispers of dark mystery in even the tiniest little towns. Combine all that with steamy sensuality and psychological drama, and you've got a story by Claire Cray.

Author Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter

Pinterest | Newsletter Sign-up

 

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GIVEAWAY

a $10 Amazon Gift Card

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:

 

 

4.25 out of 5 stars

 

 

In Strange Woods by Claire Cray follows James, who is reeling from the tragedies in his life and pursuing a mysterious inheritance. He finds far more in a rural area of Oregon than he ever expected, including a doppleganger and more danger than he expects.

 

This intriguing adult gothic gay story has interesting twists that keep one turning the pages, and beautiful imagery that immerses one in the unique area of the Northwest that houses a spectrum of individuals who have an intimate connection to the land and live off-the-grid. The stark tragedies that haunt the main characters, the convoluted relationships, and the non-traditional lifestyles described make this an eerie and entertaining read. There are a fair number of loose ends that are tied off loosely or not addressed, and I wonder if a sequel is planned. I was a bit concerned by James’ coping mechanisms at first, even as I ached for the reasons they’re needed, but they seem to abruptly resolve. Some of the mysteries are resolved a bit too conveniently for me, but overall I think this is a compelling story and I will be on the lookout for other titles by this author.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

You Will Have a Black Labrador by Nino Gugunishvili (VBT, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

I have the pleasure of sharing a guest post by author Nino Gugunishvili, who muses about...

What scares you the most or makes you the happiest about writing?

by

Nino Gugunishvili

 

 

What scares me most about writing? In fact, so many things that I could probably write a novella about my writing fears. Procrastination scares me; what if I won’t be able to write another word tomorrow? Am I good enough at what I’m doing? Is the story good enough to be told? What if I can’t finish it or make it the best it can be? Is anyone going to read it? Love it? Will it find its readership at all? I guess it’s a matter of my self-confidence, which shreds into pieces whenever I write.

 

It never gets easier; each time I sit down to work, the unreasonable expectation that it might get easier vanishes.

 

But it’s the desire to get rid of, defeat my inner anxiety and uncertainty that drives me to move on. Fear can often turn into a powerful motivator… I know it may sound bizarre, but you can even befriend it!

Don’t be scared, dear reader; now comes the brighter part!

 My happiest moment, almost elation, comes when I start working on something new,  even before the actual writing process, when something I’m about to write is only forming, bubbling inside.

I love the thrill and excitement of beginning a new story; I’m never plotting; I’m just moving along to where it goes. Of course, I may know some essential elements of it, but never the whole picture. It always surprises me how my mind seems to be switching into a different mode when I’m writing. It feels like leaving one reality and entering another universe, solely made of your book, settings, narrative, language, and characters, the world where you’re entirely free.  You crawl in there, you stumble, you’re lost and flabbergasted, but at some point, you get out of the complete dark, and you have the draft of your story in your hands… You put the final full stop. I love the magic of ending, that final sentence, the last line, the end, because yes, the end is always the beginning…   

 

 

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You Will Have a Black Labrador

by 

Nino Gugunishvili

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GENRE: Nonfiction, creative nonfiction, essays, short stories

 

BLURB:

 

Love, memories, family, enduring friendships, cooking, movies, dogs, travels, hairstyles, and saying Yes to many No’s in a witty, yet often sentimental, journey of self-discovery… 

 

You Will Have a Black Labrador is a collection of semiautobiographical essays forming a narrative about a modern Georgian woman. Her stories range from the search for a perfect romantic partner to exploring food as an integral part of the Georgian culture. Many of the vignettes center on childhood memories or weird family traditions, such as the way family members stay connected no matter if they’re deceased or alive. One essay reveals how making a simple omelette can change your life; and that No can be the most powerful word in any language. She shows us, too, that a haircut can be a tribute to the movies you love as well as a path to your freedom; and how owning a dog always brings unexpected experiences. In this poignantly humourous collection, reality mixes and interferes with an imaginative world in so many surprising ways.

 

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EXCERPT

  

For my first-ever cooking fiasco, I blame my brother and the day he asked me to make two boiled eggs. I threw myself into the task unaware of the consequences it would have on my life.

 

‘Don’t forget to salt them, okay?’ he told me nonchalantly, and that detail of adding salt completely ruined my teenager years. The dish I prepared after an hour of struggle resembled boiled eggs like a giraffe resembles a cat. I had no idea how to boil and salt the eggs simultaneously, so I decided to simply smash them into the hot water. By the end of my first-ever culinary attempt, we had no more eggs in the house and I had to clean every surface in our kitchen, accompanied by my brother’s hysterical laughter.

 

This story became an anecdote. My family members would tell it over and over to their friends and to friends of friends. It mercilessly followed me everywhere I went, and resurfaced when I least expected it. Two boiled eggs—the embarrassment of my life.

 

That’s why, from the age of eleven or twelve, I was willing to have a go at any new challenge except, well, cooking. But—I have to add a huge but here—in my family, cooking and serving a meal always was, and still is, quintessential. The most important question you’d hear at our house is either ‘Are you hungry?’ or ‘Have you eaten?’ presuming that as long as you were not hungry, everything else was secondary.

 

 

Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

You Will Have a Black Labrador is Nino Gugunishvili’s recently released collection of short essays.  She is also the author of a women’s fiction novel, Friday Evening, Eight O’Clock, published in English and Russian. She resides in Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

 

 

 

 

Twitter: @NinoGuguni

Instagram: ngugunishvili

Facebook Author page: Nino Gugunishvili

Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The tour dates can be found here