Thursday 30 November 2017

A Holiday To Remember Collection from Mischief Corner Books

A Holiday to Remember banner


For the first time, Mischief Corner Books is releasing a month-long collection of holiday-themed tales:


Traditional Winter Holidays can be tough for a variety of reasons—family pressures, finding the right gift, homesick longing, and haunting memories to name a few. This collection showcases eleven queer short stories, from tender contemporaries to sweet paranormal to far-flung space tales, all designed to make you want to reach for your hot cocoa and your favorite snuggly spot. Come join us for A Holiday To Remember.



A Holiday to Remember - All Covers




Giveaway:


Rainbow Beanie - AHTR Prize


For this tour, Mischief Corner Books is giving away two $25 gift certificates to their eBook store, and two rainbow beanies. To enter, just use the rafflecopter here, or below:









Story Blurbs & Info


Watermelon KissesWatermelon Kisses by Freddy McKay

11/29/2017



Life hasn't been easy for Amir since he fled Iran after a brutal imprisonment. The trauma experienced at the hands of the guards left a dark spot on his soul. The one constant in his life since relocating to Chicago has been his lover—now husband—Esmail, whose steadfast love and support has soothed his wounded heart.


But this Shab-e Yalda, Amir wants to be the one giving his husband something special, because even after the darkest nights, the sun will rise again.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo


Freddy grew up in the Midwest, playing sports and running around outside. And honestly, that much has not changed since Freddy was small and throwing worms at other kids, except worm throwing has been replaced with a healthy geocaching addiction. Freddy enjoys traveling and holds the view a person should continually to learn about new things and people whenever possible.


Freddy's contemporary LGBTQ book, Incubation: Finding Peace 2, won 3rd Place - Best Gay Erotic Fiction in the 2012 Rainbow Awards. In 2013, Freddy's story, Internment, tied for 3rd Place - Best Gay Fantasy in the Rainbow Awards. Freddy's steampunk/SF story, Feel Me, was a Finalist and honorable mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards for SF. And in 2015, Freddy's urban fantasy Snow on Spirit Bridge was also a Finalist and honorable mention.


For more information on Freddy's work, please visit or email:

Website: Freddy's Stereograph
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/FreddyMacKay
Email: freddy.m.mackay@gmail.com






But to Love MoreBut To Love More by F.B. Cassidy

12/2/17



Mel finally gets to go home for Christmas. In his absence, his hometown has changed, and Carlos, his best friend’s little brother, is all grown up and interested in a relationship. But Carlos has his work cut out for him since Mel's having trouble seeing past the little brother part and his big brother, Aldo's determined to keep them apart.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo


Foster Bridget Cassidy is a rare, native Phoenician who enjoys hot desert air and likes to wear jackets in summer. She has wanted to be a fiction writer since becoming addicted to epic fantasy during high school. Since then, she’s studied the craft academically—at Arizona State University—and as a hobby—attending conventions and workshops around the country. A million ideas float in her head, but it seems like there’s never enough time to get them all down on paper.

Website: https://fosterbridgetcassidy.wordpress.com/





Corey's Christmas Bundle
Corey's Christmas Bundle (Atherton Pack 5) by 
Toni Griffin


12/6/2017



Being pregnant is not all it’s cracked up to be, especially when you’re male and a shifter. Even though the world now knows about wolf shifters, their male’s ability to bare young is still a closely guarded secret. Since Corey's pregnancy is now visible, he's been stuck at home working on code and waiting for company to drop by. Problem is, though, the human government wants to know where Corey is.


As Christmas and Corey’s due date draw ever nearer, Ben devises a plan that will not only get Corey out of the house, but allows the wolves of Atherton Pack to give the community some Christmas cheer.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo


Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers.

Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves. Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.


For more information about Toni's work, please visit:

Website: http://tonigriffin.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/toni.griffin.author






Safety Protocols for Human HolidaysSafety Protocols For Human Holidays by Angel Martinez

12/9/2017



As a security officer on an interspecies ship, Growlan Raskli's experienced in heading off species-specific aberrant behaviors in order to keep the peace. But when her captain asks her to find out what's bothering their sole human crew member, Raskli's out of her depths. She hardly knows anything about humans and she's not a psych doctor.


Something's definitely upset Human Jen, something to do with human holidays. The more time Raskli spends studying humans and interacting with the intriguing Human Jen, the more personal the assignment becomes. Determined to lift the dark cloud from Human Jen, Raskli will do whatever it takes—within safe parameters, of course.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo


While Angel Martinez is the erotic fiction pen name of a writer of several genres, she writes both kinds of queer fiction – Science Fiction and Fantasy. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware, (and full time inside the author's head) Angel has one husband, one son, two cats, a changing variety of other furred and scaled companions, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate. For more information on Angel’s work, please visit:


Website: Erotic Fiction for the Hungry Mind
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Angel.Martinez.author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1010469.Angel_Martinez
Email: angelmartinezauthor@gmail.com






Secrets & SilkSecrets & Silk
Nicole Dennis

12/13/2017


Quiet, strait-laced David Appleton thinks he’s going to have a problem at work. A new co-worker discovered his secret in the locker room. Unable to confront someone, David let him walk away. Now he worries everyone will know his deepest held secret. A secret hidden under his signature vest, tie, and trousers.

Since walking in on his co-worker, CJ O’Connell tries to get a moment to speak with the shy David, but nothing works. His last hope—the Secret Santa Gift Exchange party. Perhaps a special gift can peel away the secrets.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo



A quiet one, Nicole Dennis curled up with the latest book of a favorite author. Since the beginning, there were these characters in her head, worlds wanting to be built on paper, and stories wanting to be told. She began writing during class and continues to this day. Now she can let others into her imagination and worlds that always celebrate the love between two or more people within LGBT, paranormal, and fantasy.


During the day, she works in a quiet office in Central Florida, where she also makes her home, and enjoys the down time to slip into her imagination. She is owned by a semi-demonic tortie calico, affectionately known as Fat Cat. For more information on Nicole, please visit:


Facebook: www.facebook.com/NicoleDennis.Author
Blog: http://nicoledennisauthor.blogspot.com
Website: http://nicoledennisauthor.com
Email: nicoledennis.author@gmail.com
GoodreadsQ&A with Nicole Dennis: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/50397-q-a-with-nicole-dennis
Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2791975.Nicole_Dennis






Winter HomeWinter Home by Kassandra Lea

12/16/17



It's Christmastime and the snow is falling. Restoring an old Victorian manor has been keeping contractor Brett Hawkins busy. The project's meant to be complete by Christmas, but there's no way he can get it done in time, especially with the big day right around the corner.


Meanwhile, his beloved Manuel Aguilar is grappling with depression, and he's consumed by guilt that it's kept him from putting up the decorations. But his biggest concern is that he may be ruining the holiday for Brett. As Manny struggles, unable to recognize his own courage in every small gain, Brett has a surprise that may help break depression's hold.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo


I have my mom to thank for so much. First of all, she fostered a love of reading. According to her I've been reading since I could hold a book and I got my first library card at age 3. Growing up I used to read 100 books a year, but of course, that doesn't happen as often since there's writing to do and a day job.


Secondly, I have to thank her for always pushing me to keep chasing my dream of being an author. Who else am I going to bounce ideas off of, and she helps me when I get stuck. Suppose you could say she's my biggest fan.


When I'm not writing I enjoy time with my dog, tending my garden, baking sweet treats, walking through crunchy fall leaves and blankets of cold snow, playing video games, and reading! I've a fondness for horses and blankets (is it possible to own too many?)

And yes, some days I still wish I was Batman. For more information about Kassandra and her work, please visit:


Twitter: https://twitter.com/cheddarsgal
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7369580.Kassandra_Lea
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leakassie/






Christmas Eve Craigslist Killer
Christmas Eve Craigslist Killer by Jill Wexler

12/18/17


The public library's computer geek, aka Travis, is content skirting the edges of social interaction. He's fully committed to being a boring, twenty-something IT guy who likes his office more than people, a guy someone like Connor would never fall for. Connor, who works on the library floor as a page, is outgoing, social, and charming and everything else that stands for "fun."


An interaction between the two at the library on Christmas Eve has Travis accidentally mentioning that he failed to find this year's hottest toy for his nephew. Immediately, Connor goes on a quick hunt online, and finds one. The only problem is that the Craigslist seller is hours away and Travis is sure spending hours in a car with quirky, handsome Connor can only end badly.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo

Jill started writing back in the day of notebook paper and erasable pens (blue ink is best), when her mom’s typewriter was out of ribbon. Then she graduated to a word processing program in MS-DOS, then WordPerfect. Her computer sadly caught the Blue Screen of Death and all was lost. She stopped writing for an extremely long time, because “life.”

She lives in the upper Bible Belt, rolls her eyes a lot and drinks enough wine to consider it a sacrifice to the gods that her kids won’t need too much therapy down the road.

A while back, Jill picked up writing again with a woman’s site and the writing fever spiked. But she’s actually new to publishing, so there may or may not have been more wine involved recently (only one glass was harmed in the making of this story and it was a mason jar so…bygones).


Articles: http://suburbanmisfitmom.com/writer/jill-wexler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jill.Wexler73Email: Jillwexler73@gmail.com






New BeginningsNew Beginnings by Jayne Lockwood

12/20/17



Nick is not looking forward to his second Christmas without Sammi, his gorgeous ex-fiancee. She left him on New Year’s Eve, a week after their engagement, and he still doesn’t know why.

A chance meeting whilst out Christmas shopping reveals that Sammi is now Sam, a transgender man. As the reasons behind their break-up become clearer, Nick cannot make sense of his new feelings. He is shocked by the deep attraction he still has to Sam, and what that says about himself.

It will take Nick's straight-talking family, and Sam’s guiding hand, to help him discover that gender is no barrier to love.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo



Jayne Lockwood has been writing for most of her life, starting with really bad poetry as a teenager, usually railing against nuclear war (it was the 1970's.) There followed a couple of novels, long since consigned to flames (probably just as well, TBH,) and the hazy idea that maybe one day, she would get something published. Her first successful writing assignment was for the college newspaper of the County College of Morris, in Randolph, New Jersey, where she studied Journalism.


Since then, Jayne has been involved in projects closer to home, working closely with other authors to continue to develop their writing. Two pieces of her prose can be found in Chalk Road, a collaborative anthology from local writers, sponsored by Wycombe District Council, and she has invariably been involved in a writing group, as well as running a local book group.


She has also had five Black Lace titles published by Virgin Books, under the pseudonym, Savannah Smythe, and has collaborated with glamour celebrity, Abi Titmuss, to produce 10 Fantasies, Abi's collection of short stories.


Jayne has also published three M/M erotica stories, Lexington Black, Docklands Diamond and My Boyfriend Is A Dog, under S A Smythe. In addition to that, she writes book reviews for WROTE Podcast, a forum for LGBTQ readers and writers. She helped set up the podcast in 2015 with fellow writers, S A Collins (sacollins.com) and Vance Bastian (vancebastian.com) and is proud to say the podcast is going from strength to strength.

The Cloud Seeker is Jayne's first mainstream novel, and draws upon her background as a Chilterns woman and her affection for the US, where she lived for two years.


Soon after, she rediscovered the very first manuscript she started back in 1996. After many hours of updating, it was finally published on Amazon. Closer Than Blood is a tale of hit men, blackmail and forbidden passion, set in Manhattan. Both novels are currently available as ebook and paperback, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and many on-line book retailers.


She always has at least one novel in the background, and at the present time she is working on her first science fiction novel, working title Euphoria, based on the nuclear bunker near where she lives.


For more information about Jayne and her work, please visit:
Website: https://hollowhillspublishing.blogspot.com/





A Piece of OurselvesA Piece Of Ourselves by Tray Ellis

12/23/2017



Balancing holidays between two families can make cheerful celebrations into chores. Carson Benedetti's mom has overscheduled the Christmas holidays and she's more than insistent that boyfriend Tynan Harris come into the family fold. There's so much to do Tynan can't find time to bring Carson over to his own family and he feels like they are being left in the dust.


After dating for nine months, and with their relationship becoming more serious, Tynan's patience is sorely tested by the multitude of Benedetti family traditions keeping them busy. Tynan needs to figure out how to find some breathing room, split their time more fairly, and make Christmas more than just tradition by rote.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | ITunes | Kobo


Tray Ellis grew up across from an empty field, where she spun a lot of imaginary adventures, helping to prepare her for a lifetime of writing. When she isn’t writing, she stays active by hiking, cooking, stacking the odd cord of wood in the shed, baking, and being too busy to keep her home in any semblance of order. Currently she tries to find a balance between the logical way she thinks and the flights of fancy she often daydreams about. Mostly, the daydreams are winning. For more information about Tray, please visit:


Website: https://trayellis.dreamwidth.org
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6564767.Tray_Ellis






I Only Want to Be With YouI Only Want to Be With You by Scott Coatsworth

12/27/2017



Derrek is dealing with the recent, unexpected death of his mother. He’s been alone for five year since his husband Will died, and he’s ready to find someone new and to start living again. Ryan lost his partner, David, in an auto accident, and is dating Alex, who doesn’t treat him right.


Derrek can’t figure out why Ryan won’t see what’s right in front of his face. Why does Ryan come to him to talk about all his hopes, dreams, and fears, then go home to Alex?


If Derrek can figure that out, they might just have a shot.


Buy Links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | Kobo


Scott is the admin for the Queer Sci Fi site. He has been writing since elementary school, when he and won a University of Arizona writing contest in 4th grade for his first sci fi story (with illustrations!). He finished his first novel in his mid twenties, but after seeing it rejected by ten publishers, he gave up on writing for a while.


Over the ensuing years, he came back to it periodically, but it never stuck. Then one day, he was complaining to Mark, his husband, early last year about how he had been derailed yet again by the death of a family member, and Mark said to him "the only one stopping you from writing is you."


Since then, Scott has gone back to writing in a big way, finishing more than a dozen short stories – some new, some that he had started years before – and seeing his first sale. He's embarking on a new trilogy, and also runs a support group for writers of gay sci fi, fantasy, and supernatural fiction.


Website: http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jscoatsworth





A New Year on Vega IIIA New Year On Vega III by Siri Paulson

12/30/2017



On the colony planet Vega III, everyone knows Beck—outgoing, fabulous, and genderqueer—and nobody notices Anil, the quiet plant biologist. But when Anil finds Beck hiding in his greenhouse, lonely and missing Earth, it's Anil who is able to comfort Beck by letting them talk about what they miss most—the feeling that comes with celebrating the holidays with loved ones, especially New Year's Eve.


The two of them are drawn to one another, but both of them are hiding secrets about their sexuality. With trust between them already on shaky ground, Anil's elaborate plans to cheer Beck may well backfire.

Buy links: Mischief Corner | Amazon US | Kobo


I write all over the fantasy and science fiction spectrum, including (so far) secondary-world fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, Gothic, historical paranormal, spaceships, and various unholy mashups of these.


I grew up in Alberta, Canada, but now live in an old house in Toronto. My other current passion is contra dance, a social/folk dance done to live Celtic and roots music. My favourite places in the world are the Canadian Rocky Mountains and a little valley in Norway. In my other life, I edit non-fiction for the government. For more information, please visit or email:


Website: https://siripaulson.wordpress.com/Email: s_l_paulson@yahoo.ca























































































































































































































Tuesday 28 November 2017

The Soldier Next Door by Brigham Vaughn



Short story / 47 pages
Release Date: November 28, 2017

Blurb

Sometimes, love is right next door.

All twenty-seven-year-old Travis Schultz is supposed to do is keep an eye on the kid next door for a few weeks while his parents are out of town. Eighteen-year-old Owen Wheeler has other plans. Newly graduated, with plans to enlist in the Army, Owen wants to get laid before he ships out and he’s had a crush on Travis for years.

The age difference and the responsibility he’s been entrusted with make Travis hesitant, but the attraction is too much to deny. When the casual one-night stand turns into something more, Travis has no idea how to tell Owen how he feels. He misses his opportunity before Owen leaves and is left at home with a broken heart when Owen cuts off all contact.

When they meet again years later, Owen is in the midst of recovery from being injured in the line of duty and Travis will have to decide if he can forgive Owen and try again.

Reader Advisory: This book contains brief mentions of PTSD and war-related injuries.

Publisher's Note: This book was previously released as part of the Right Here, Right Now anthology with Pride Publishing.

Review

I’m inclined to file this charming story under the header ‘best laid plans’, it works so very well as an example of how despite our best efforts to plan our lives in a reasonable fashion, things rarely work out the way we imagine or even want them to. And when it comes to affairs of the heart, we soon learn that any rational plans we make may well get swept away on a tide of unexpected and not entirely welcome feelings. Poor Travis sure gets to learn that lesson in story.

I really don’t want to say too much about the story itself. All you need to know can be found in the blurb. What I do want to say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The moment Travis decided that there probably wouldn’t any harm in helping Owen lose his virginity as long as he can be sure Owen won’t lose his heart in the process, I just knew our Travis would be in for a surprise. I wasn’t wrong.

Because we only get to experience events through Travis’s eyes (and heart) we’re never quite sure what’s going on with Owen, and the fact that we don’t find out until the very end of the story, when he opens up to Travis, is just about perfect.

All too often when I read a short story I find myself thinking and/or typing that I could have done with the tale being longer. This time you won’t hear me say that. Sure, there are several ways in which this story could have been drawn out, and I’m not saying that would have been objected to spending more time with Travis and Owen. What I am saying is that it wasn’t necessary. These 47 pages told me everything I needed to know, got me a clear idea of who these two men were, made me feel all the feels, and left me very satisfied by the time I reached the ending.

Since this is a Brigham Vaughn book you won’t be surprised if I mention that the story is exquisitely well written and a pure joy to read.

This story was originally published as part of the Right Here, Right Now anthology and, if The Soldier Next Door sets the standard, I can’t wait to read the other contributions.


Right Here, Right Now buy links: Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK





Friday 24 November 2017

Jingle Spell by Chris Ethan - Review Tour



Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 119 pages

Cover Design: Ethereal Ealain

Blurb

It’s the most horrible time of the year.

Smooches under mistletoes and tacky reindeer decorations. 

Newly single, Davey has had enough of wasting his love and having his heart broken. Better to be single, he decides. No more dates. No more falling in love. No more dreaming of happy ever afters. 

Those are for movies.

He’s resolute.

And then Avery steps into his life, bringing care, compassion, and tenderness in his path.
Davey’s so tempted to hope again. But can an online date and a brief encounter turn into anything other than an ephemeral sexual encounter?

Is there a future for them? Will Avery stay? And most importantly, can Davey bear to offer up his heart to the season’s love—just one more time?

A sweet romance by Chris Ethan, author of The Guy With The Suitcase.


Review

Jingle Spell is a wonderful Christmas story; a true ‘bah-humbug to happy-ever-after’ sort of tale and yet it manages to steer clear of being too sweet.

To say Davey has not embraced the Christmas spirit when the story starts, would be a gross understatement.  Then again, he could be forgiven for that, considering how he’s just been dumped…again. He decides once and for all that romance is not for him and gives up on his dream of a relationship with someone who loves him.

Of course, that’s the moment Avery steps into his life. And Avery is one surprise after another, especial since he doesn’t appear to be looking for a hook-up. Much to Davey’s surprise he finds himself dating a man who truly is interested in him. Not that Davey lets go of his attitude without an (internal) fight. He tries to hang on to his ‘bah-humbug’ attitude as well as his conviction that ‘love is not for me’ and yet finds it ever harder while faced with Avery who is not like any other man Davey has ever encountered.

Through Davey’s eyes Avery is so perfect that it is almost a relief when he appears to slip up. It is the one moment of real angst in the otherwise easy-going story and yet, it is also the moment Davey gets to shine most brightly. I loved the contrast between how Davey sees himself and how he acts; his unselfishness took my breath away and made the happy ending, when it came, all the more enjoyable. 


As Christmas stories go, this one is wonderful. Jingle Spell is also well written and despite being a novella, a full story with fully established characters. If you’re looking for a charming and heartwarming Christmas read I whole-heartedly recommend this book.




Author Bio

Chris Ethan is a book whore. He enjoys selling his feelings for money and other pleasures and is blatantly unashamed to do so for as long as he breathes. Chris Ethan is also a persona for Rhys Ethan, author of fantasy and sci-fi. He uses Chris Ethan to share stories of adult queer romance with those who need it. Before you delve into his books however, be warned. He likes putting his characters through shitstorms and hates anything conventional. But then there's that darned happy-ever-after. Also, he likes swearing. Deal with it!



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The Clumsy Santa by Sue Brown



Buy links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Also available on Kindle Unlimited

Blurb

Charlie discovers love amongst the tinsel.

Falling in love with Santa is the last thing Charlie Johnson expects when he takes a holiday job as an elf in Santa’s Grotto. Nick is the shyest and clumsiest man Charlie has ever met, but that’s just part of his charm. Charlie falls for Santa, whilst Santa falls head over heels onto the floor. At least they can laugh together about it!

But after several weeks, Charlie starts to despair he will ever be more than Santa’s helper. His holiday job is nearly over, yet Nick hasn’t declared anything more than friendship. Will Charlie ever get his real Christmas wish?

Review

Meet Charlie — known as Charlie-Elf while on the job — a somewhat socially awkward and sexually completely inexperienced young man, supplementing his Christmas spending money in Santa’s grotto.

Being (an) Elf is not necessarily as much fun as it might sound. Head-Elf is a royal pain in the proverbial, not to mention obsessed when it comes to Santa and rules. But, on the upside, there is Katie-Elf who almost immediately turns from colleague into best friend, and, far more importantly, Santa himself who is all sorts of cute, not to mention, incredibly clumsy.

Before I reached the third chapter I’d renamed this book in my mind. Surely there’s something to be said for ‘The Perils of Wearing Tights’ J And, as Charlie (-Elf) soon discovers, those perils are real.

While this was mostly a light-hearted feel good story, there was exactly the right amount of (light) angst and touching emotion to keep this story from turning into a Christmas panto. It was also very well written and a pure delight to read. But then, that’s what I’ve come to expect from Sue Brown.

Sweet, adorable, cute, funny, and touching; stories don’t come much more Christmassy than this one. Highly recommended if you want a story you’ll read with a huge grin on your face from start to finish.


Wednesday 22 November 2017

Counting on you (Counting #3) by Kelly Jensen - Release Day Review



91 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

The Counting series:
1. Counting Fence Posts
1.5. Counting Stars
2. Counting Down
2.5. Counting the Days
3. Counting on You
Blurb

Henry and Marc can’t seem to catch a break. They’ve had two disastrous dates—the first trapped in a car during a blizzard and the second locked in a basement—followed by nearly two months apart. Even though they work for the same firm, their relationship is held together by flying visits, phone calls, and text messages. A joint assignment in Washington DC might be more togetherness than they can handle, however.

Henry is still battling insecurity, and this assignment is too important to his career to mess up. Marc is committed. He’s falling for Henry and looks forward to having him permanently on his team and at his side. But the real test isn’t the assignment. When Marc finally lays his heart on the line, can he count on Henry to be there for him, in every way that matters? And can he do the same for Henry when Henry needs it the most?

Review

Before I get into my review of Counting on You I need to write a sentence or two about Counting the Days, the short story taking place after Counting Down and before this new book.

The full story in Counting the Days is told in text messages between Marc and Henry because they constantly find themselves working in a place where the other isn’t, and it’s perfect (the way the story is told, not their separation). Their texts cover the whole spectrum from chatty, through cute, via uncertain, to sexy and at times downright dirty. It was without a doubt the most fun short story I have read recently and despite the fact that the format didn’t allow for anything except dialogue, or maybe because it was constructed that way, I truly felt I had gotten to know both Marc and Henry a lot better by the time they sent their last message. It was 64 pages of pure reading joy.

And now for Counting on You.

It has taken two disastrous dates, perilous (and hilariously funny) situations as well as two months of barely seeing each other at all, but at long last Marc and Henry are sent on a job together, giving them the opportunity to spend more than just a few hours together. It should have been the answer to all their prayers but of course, life is rarely that easy or perfect.

Collaborating in work may be easy for them, the whole relationship thing is still new enough to cause a few ripples. Especially since Henry still hasn’t been able to convince himself that he is more than an experiment for Marc. I have to admit this made me want to shake him once or twice.

“(…) the easiest way not to think was to kiss Marc. To just be with Marc. He had the feeling that the same proved true for the man he was kissing. Each met a need in the other. Separately they were good. Together they were whole.”

Counting on You is mostly a feel-good story with minimal angst. But, that didn’t mean my heart didn’t break for Marc more than once while reading. The moment that hit me hardest came towards the end of the story when we are presented with evidence that there was a time when his father still took joy and pride in Marc. It isn’t stated, but I imagined that was before Marc grew up and learned to think and live for himself; for me it was clear proof of conditional love.

Of course, this wouldn’t have been a ‘Counting’ story if our lovers didn’t manage to get themselves stuck somewhere. And, like on previous occasions, their dilemma meant huge grins for me as a reader.

All in all this was a wonderful conclusion (for now) to a series of stories about two men I’ve loved from the start and only grew fonder of as the story continued. I’m so glad that Kelly Jensen has hinted at more stories about these two. If only because there must be one or two places or situations they haven’t managed to get stuck in yet. J

“Yep. Stuck together is very, very good.”




Tuesday 21 November 2017

Yours for the Holiday by DJ Jamison - Release Blitz



Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 50,000 words approx.

Blurb

Fresh off a break-up, Remy is in no mood to share a room with his brother's best friend during a holiday stay at home. Jason Hendricks has always treated him like a little brother to tease and taunt, all the more embarrassing because Remy has secretly crushed on the jerk since puberty. But when Jason confides he's bisexual, Remy realizes the crush he loves to hate could be the perfect rebound.

Jason has always found Remy appealing. He didn't handle his attraction well when he was younger, but now Remy's a grown man and Jason's no longer afraid of his feelings. Some playful flirtation sounds like a great way to spend Thanksgiving break, but he's not prepared for Remy's newfound sex appeal or his decision to make Jason his rebound fling. Jason doesn't want to risk fallout with a family that's always been there for him, but he's not sure he can resist.


When the two part ways, they don't plan to stay in touch, but soon they're texting, trading sexy pictures and helping each other cope with family drama. Remy agrees to be his for the holiday, continuing their secret fling over Christmas, but Jason knows that won't be enough. He'll have to find the courage to be open and honest with his best friend -- and the whole Wells family -- if he wants a chance at love in the new year.


This approximately 50,000 word novel is a brother's best friend, enemies to lovers romance that comes with a satisfying HEA!


Excerpt

“Hey,” Jason said quietly. The bed dipped as he sat down on the edge of the mattress. “You okay?”

“Oh, so you’re done avoiding me?” Remy said, hating the bitter edge to his words. He swallowed hard, trying to gain control over his emotions, so he didn’t make a fool of himself yet again.

“I’m sorry,” Jason said. He sounded sorry. Truly regretful.

Remy pushed up, struggling into a seated position against the headboard. If they were going to have this talk, he wanted to look Jason in the eye.

Swallowing hard, Remy forced out words that had been nagging at him all day. “I’m sorry too. I got carried away. I didn’t mean to pressure you—”

“God no, Remy,” Jason interrupted. “No, no. It wasn’t like that.”

Jason’s hand hovered in the air. Remy watched Jason hesitate before resting his big palm over Remy’s thigh. The blankets formed a barrier between them, but the point of contact burned as if he could feel the warmth spilling from Jason’s hand.

“Then I’m confused,” Remy said.

“I, uh, find you very sexy,” Jason said, voice tinged with embarrassment. It would be charming if it weren’t for the heavy topic of conversation. “But I need the Wells family. I don’t talk about my parents much, but—”

“I know it’s not great,” Remy said. “Dad filled me in on what happened last summer with your mom.”

“Yeah,” Jason said. “So, basically, I’m terrified of fucking everything up. If I go there with you, I might hurt you. And if your parents or Derek find out, I’m not sure what they’d do. It’s just … messy.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Remy said. “It’s just some fun. No strings needed. And as for going there with me, don’t you think the cat’s already out of the bag? You’ve had your hand on my dick.”

Jason glanced at Remy’s crotch, unable to resist teasing him. “Cat’s out of the bag? And here I thought pussy only referred to—”

Remy slapped his hand over Jason’s mouth. “Don’t say it!”

Jason chuckled, his warm breath gusting over Remy’s palm. Remy shivered as their eyes locked and held. When the wet tip of Jason’s tongue licked a stripe over his hand, he couldn’t hold back a small moan.

“Fuck you, JJ,” he muttered, pulling his hand back. “If you’re going to say no, don’t fucking tease me.”

“I’m not saying no,” Jason said roughly. “I probably should, but I can’t say no to you again. Not one more fucking time.”


Author Bio

DJ Jamison is a contemporary M/M romance author with more than a dozen titles to her name. She writes a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual, with a focus on telling love stories that are more about common ground than lust at first sight. She grew up the literal embodiment of a red-headed stepchild in a working-class family in Kansas. Determined to build a successful career, she earned a degree in journalism and worked in newsrooms for more than ten years before pursuing her dream to write fiction. DJ is married with two sons, two glow-in-the-dark fish, and regrettably, one snake.




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