My Sexy Saturday - To Touch the Sky

Welcome to the 85^th week of My Sexy Saturday.

This week’s theme is Their Sexy Talk and it’s all about how lovers talk to each other. We know you’ve noticed it. Whenever you get into a room of people, where there are other couples, notice how they talk to each other. Sometimes you can tell when there’s tension, other times you wonder just what makes them so happy and there are others still when their happiness is practically contagious.

For this hop you post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. It can be from a WIP or something published. This week I thought I’d do something from my upcoming Dreamspinner release, To Touch the Sky, releasing April 3rd.

Excerpt:

Two hours later he was back up, pacing the floor, beyond annoyed. Why was he doing this now? He knew who his mate was supposed to be, and he wanted no part of it. He was responsible for himself only, and he liked it that way. Too bad the spirit that shared his body didn’t agree.

Really? What about all those people at the bar who depend on you?

“It’s not the same thing, and you know it.” A quick glance out his bedroom window confirmed dawn was about to break.

Freaking A, arguing with you is like arguing with a signpost. Why don’t you go stretch your wings, old man? We’ll chill on the breeze. Shift and we’ll find a nice juicy pigeon or rabbit for breakfast. That sounds dee-lish.

Hawk rolled his neck. His totem spirit’s mentality was that of a fifteen-year-old hopped up on sugar and running on three hours of sleep. The spirit was very old, but damned if it acted its age.

Whatever, dude. Just do something, will ya?

The crazy thing enjoyed talking him into “doing” things, things Hawk wouldn’t normally do, just to have “fun.” Like skydiving. As a bird shifter, one would assume he’d enjoy the activity. They would be wrong. There was nothing fun about falling from a plane miles above the planet in human form. Hawk had been sure they were either going to die as they raced toward Mother Earth, or he’d have to shift and risk exposing all their kind. His totem spirit, on the other hand, had screamed with excitement the whole time.

Dreamspinner-ebook  *  Dreamspinner-paperback

Pride Promotions presents Driven by Fire by Draven St. James

Author Name:  Draven St. James

Book Name: Driven by Fire

Series: Firehouse Six                      Book Number: Four

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Blurb(s):

Taber Delane is lucky to be alive, but his career as a firefighter ended the day a beam snapped, resulting in a crushing spinal injury. Most of his friends are willing to give him space, everyone except paramedic, Deacon Hall.

Deacon hasn't met a challenge he couldn't tackle and he knows Taber needs someone in his corner who isn't afraid to stand up to the big bad fireman. The longer he’s around Taber, the more the sexy vulnerability of the man comes through. Deacon finds he doesn’t just want to be Taber’s live-in caregiver, he wants a chance at the passionate man beneath the stubborn shell.

A shell that is cracking, no matter how Taber tries to hold it together. Deacon being in his home starts to open him up—and open his eyes to the man Deacon hides from the rest of the world. Without seeing it coming, Taber soon craves more. A lot more.

Now if only Deacon can get Taber to see that it isn't so bad having him there to assist. Even if and maybe especially when Taber is naked, dripping wet, and angry as hell.

Pages or Words: 43,556 words

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

Excerpt:

“You’re not giving me a sponge bath,” Taber snapped and glowered at Deacon as he wheeled himself into the locker bay. The sweat ran down his temples, his shirt soaked through with it. He took in his motionless legs and grimaced before shooting Deacon another irritated look.

        Deacon sat with his feet on one of the peeling dark blue benches, his back reclined against a bank of gray lockers along the far wall in the physical therapy building. A book was balanced on his knees, and black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His shaggy auburn hair fell to curl around his ears in disarray.

        Deacon peered at him with pale green eyes. “There go my dreams of rubbing you down and tweeting the pics.”

Sales Links: http://www.loose-id.com/firehouse-six-4-driven-by-fire.html

About the author:

Draven St. James is a born and raised Oregonian. She has traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill her books. Her ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories. Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where she finds her peace.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draven.stjames

Facebook Author Page: https://dravenstjames.wordpress.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DravenStJames

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dravenstjames/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7155623.Draven_St_James

Publisher: Loose ID

Cover Artist: Dar Albert

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Bayou Book Junkie, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, My Fiction Nook, BFD Book Blog, Amanda C. Stone, Divine Magazine, Molly Lolly, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Kimi-Chan, Carly’s Book Reviews, Kristy's Brain Food, Decadent Delights, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Bike Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings, 3 Chicks After Dark, Rainbow Gold Reviews

Rafflecopter Prize: A book from Draven’s backlist

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Pride Promotions presents The Sum of Everything by April Kelley and a Giveaway!

Book Name: The Sum of Everything 

Series: Pickleville             Book: Two 

Author Name: April Kelley 

Release Date: March 15, 2015

Blurb:

They say opposites attract but can they make love last?

Greg Mitchell’s entire childhood was filled with violence and abuse. That was until he came to work on the Heath Farm. His life was forever changed for the better, including meeting Brian Stockwell. From the first moment Greg met Brian he's been in love. But a threat his father made four years ago has always held him back from pursuing any real relationship with Brian. That was until he learns his father is on his deathbed and of no further harm to himself or Brian.

Greg finds out his family ties are stronger than he thought and they hold Greg back from really getting to know Brian the way he truly wants to. Both men discover that they have more differences than they originally thought.

Pages or Words: 41,533 

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt:

Every time Greg Mitchell looked at Brian Stockwell, he hurt. It was like a physical ache in his chest where his heart should be. Greg caught a glimpse of the man he had been obsessed with for the past four years and that ache started up. Brian didn’t even know Greg existed and even thinking about that made Greg feel like he was in high school all over again.

Greg was coming out of the barn, just getting ready to get cleaned up for an evening class he had to commute too. This was his last semester of college and he thanked God every day for that fact. He couldn’t wait to get done. The commute from the farm to school was a bitch, especially this past winter when the snow was up to the windows of his truck and his dick practically fell off every time he went from the bunkhouse to one of the barns. Greg was just glad that it was summer for his last class ever. He didn’t have to worry about the roads being covered in ice and the cold seeping into his bones.

The sun didn’t go down until about the same time Greg got home from class, so he didn’t even have to worry about driving at night in a large city. Although, living in Pickleville his whole life meant every city was large. Living in a small town also meant driving anywhere after ten o’clock at night was an unusual occurrence for anyone who lived here. For a farmhand like Greg that was especially true. Greg had been so focused on finishing school for so long that he just didn’t have time for any extracurricular activities.

Greg sighed as he watched Brian step out of the main house. Brian had shorts on, khaki’s and a dark blue t-shirt. Even from as far away as Greg was, he could see Brian’s cute little nose wriggle his glasses further up his nose. His dark hair had that messy, spiky look that seemed to be at odds with Brian’s nerdy personality type.

Greg rolled his eyes at himself. He couldn’t blame his lack of a social life entirely on his college classes. If Brian ever did give him the time of day Greg still wouldn’t pursue any type of relationship. And he longed to have Brian under him, naked.

Greg sighed again. Roger Mitchell’s parting words four years ago were not an empty threat. Greg’s father was more than capable of following through on hurting anyone Greg even came close to dating. Roger would know too. Greg had seen him on campus more than once throughout the years he had been attending the University.

Yeah, it sounded crazy. It was crazy but it was Greg’s truth. Greg would live in it.

Sales Links: 

Coming Soon pg: http://www.extasybooks.com/The-Sum-of-Everything/?author_id=1031

Once released: http://www.extasybooks.com/The-Sum-of-Everything/

About the author: 

Living in Southwest Michigan, April lives with her husband and two kids. She has been an avid reader for several years. Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won't stop telling their stories. If April isn't reading or writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk in the woods.

Where to find the author: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoraprilkelley?ref=hl

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authoraprilkelley?ref=hl

Twitter: @authoraprilkell

Pinterest: April Kelley

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13489667.April_Kelley?from_search=true

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Cover Artist: Carmen Waters

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Decadent Delights, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Book Blog, Love Bytes, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, My Fiction Nook, Hearts on Fire, MM Good Book Reviews, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings, Amanda C. Stone, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Molly Lolly

Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘The Sum of Everything’

Rafflecopter Code:

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Feathers are gonna fly when these two meet - To Touch the Sky

To Touch the Sky

~release date April 3, 2015~

To Touch the Sky Tour

Goodreads

Pre-order links:

ARe

Dreamspinner

Blurb:

Leap of Faith: Book Two

He can run, but he can’t hide…

Centuries ago, Hawk made a terrible mistake which has haunted him since. Fear of responsibility and feelings of unworthiness leads him to denying the mate Wha-tay showed him in a vision. So now Hawk runs his bar, has casual sex, and never, ever dates men with blond hair and brown eyes. But then Simon walks into his bar, and the future he’s feared is about to end up in a brawl if Hawk doesn’t do something—fast.

Simon Carter has a smart mouth and a bulldog temperament. So when Hawk runs, Simon pursues the sexy man, only to be rejected. Just as Simon decides to give up, someone—or something—visits him to change his mind… and scares him to death. Now Simon is backpedaling, and Hawk is in pursuit.

Desperate to reassure Simon and keep him safe, Hawk is forced to reveal his secrets before he’s ready. Can Simon learn to accept things aren’t always as they seem? Is the connection between them strong enough to help Hawk overcome centuries of pain? The only way the two men will move beyond Hawk’s past is for both of them to take a leap of faith. 

Pages: 210

Cover Artist: L.C. Chase

Categories: Novels Erotic Romance Werewolves/Shapeshifters BDSM Leap of Faith by M.A. Church Paranormal

Excerpt:

“Hawk?”

Hawk mentally cursed even as he slapped a smile on his face. So lost in his memories, he didn’t hear the guy’s approach. There was a time that would not have happened.

“Hey. Um, you ready?”

“Yeah. I just…. This is the last time, isn’t it? I mean, it’s a well-known fact you never take the same guy home more than three times. This makes the third time. Am I right?”

This was another reason he got his hookups out as fast as possible. He wasn’t into that whole “talking” thing. Finding out what his reputation seemed to be was a little disconcerting, though. Made him sound like a player.

Well, aren’t you?

Great, just what he didn’t need right now—the spirit he shared his body with yakking in his ear. Unfortunately it happened often. Very often.

“Ah, look….” Hawk fought not to fidget. He was drawing a blank on the guy’s name.

“Jesus, really?” A disgusted snort came from the man glaring at him. “You don’t remember my name, do you? We’ve gone to bed three times now, and you can’t remember my name. It’s Nicky.”

You weren’t even in the right ballpark.

“I’m sorry, Nicky. I’m bad with names. But yes, I don’t bring a guy home more than three times. It’s a rule. You’re nice and all—”

“Oh God, seriously? You’re giving me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ excuse?” Nicky glared at Hawk.

Hawk needed to nip this in the bud. Emotional scenes weren’t his thing either. “It’s not an excuse. It is me. I promise. Nicky, I don’t do relationships. It’s better if I… I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I have my reasons.”

Nicky’s anger suddenly fled from his face, leaving what looked uncomfortably like pity. “I’m sure you do, and I’m sorry to hear that. I had hoped we could be more, but I guess not. You’re a nice guy, Hawk, but man, whatever’s eating you, you need to let it go.”

Hawk’s head snapped back. “What? How did you—”

“Oh, come on. You think you’re the only person on this planet who’s been hurt? You aren’t.” Nicky fished his keys out of his pocket. “Let it go, man, and move on.”

Hawk’s mouth was still hanging open when Nicky walked out the door.

I like him!

Hawk shut the door. “Shut. Up. And there’s no point in you liking him. He’s got dark hair, remember?”

You never sleep with blond-haired men. We all get it. Look, we both know he’s not your mate. But here’s a human telling you the same thing we’ve all told you for years. For that reason, I like him. It’s a shame. He could’ve been a good friend to you.

“I don’t want a mate, and I don’t need friends.”

Everyone needs someone. Even you.

Hawk shook his head. “I’m not mate material. Whoever my mate is, he’d do better with someone else, someone who isn’t me. He’d be happier.”

And does he get a vote in this? Oh wait, I forgot. You da man.

“I’m going back to bed, so stop yapping at me, please.” Yawning, Hawk locked the door. He stripped, then returned to bed and straight back to dreaming about his mate. 

Nice 4 star review for To Touch the Sky

carlys book reviews

Make sure to check out the tour for a chance to win not only Shadows in the Night, but To Touch the Sky. When the book releases, I’m having a giveaway too.

~M

Adverse Effects - Saving Caeorleia Book Two by Alicia Nordwell and a Giveaway!

First, a big thanks to my host, M.A. Church, for offering space on her blog so I can talk about my upcoming release. She’s a writer, and reader, after my own heart!

(and I'm a fan of Cia's ~Michelle) 

Sci-fi or… Not?

I’ve been asked if my Saving Caeorleia series should really be considered sci-fi. Well, it depends on the reader perspective, I think. I do have elements of space travel, and aliens, and some medical technology in my story. I also have alien worlds, physical and “spiritual” bonding (like marriage). Oh, and my aliens are super pale with blue blood, blue markings, claws AND fangs. And they like to take a few sips from their respective partners every so often during sex to reinforce their bonding.

So, yeah, it depends on your point of view. I play fast and loose with some of the technology because I can, and other parts of it I do a lot of research on. Hybridization, medical procedures, human anatomy, alien anatomy and speech, nano technology etc… all get tossed in with fruit that has fizzy seeds, weaponized laser pistols, and polygamous brown and green critters that roll about the tree tops. 

In this sequel to The Experiment, we get to see more of both Caeorleia and a whole NEW planet!

And that’s what makes it fun to write for me. I love coming up with twisted plot, scene, or character elements to write for my eBooks, no matter what genre you consider their origin. Often, that means my characters are going to go on quite the journey.

In Adverse Effects, I’ve included some medical technology that’s definitely out there by harnessing special abilities. Dade, one of my main characters, has been through a lot in the last five years. Unfortunately, as a soldier, he’d been through even worse things, and now he’s scarred on the inside.

Sometimes, what we can’t see can hurt far worse than what we can. That’s definitely why my other main character’s mission in life is to care for others well-being. I don’t want to give away who it is, if you haven’t read the story quite yet, but I hope you’ll enjoy it! 

Adverse Effects 

Saving Caeorleia Book Two

Published by Dreamspinner Press 

Buy Links:

Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6221

All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-adverseeffects-1760501-145.html

Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/nvcaqqm 

Excerpt:

“You can’t eat these, though they smell good. The bright color is an indicator that things are not quite what they appear on Caeorleia. Always use caution when plants you see have a brilliant color.”

I wondered if he included himself in that category, with his eyes like precious stones polished to a rich luster. I pushed those thoughts away with a scowl. Maybe his warning held merit. “What are those?” I pointed up toward the sky.

High up in the trees were these small animals that seemed to sway from branch to branch. Some looked brown, but others had green skin. They were so small it was hard to tell their actual shape. Several seemed clumped together into little balls that were constantly shifting and rolling along the branches.

“Ahh, those are screniups. Their blood is like ours, colder than yours. They cannot regulate their temperature easily with their thin skin, but they also burn in the sun easily. They group into a mate unit, several mates to each breeder, and take turns being in the light while they roll along the trees high in the canopy. They share the warmth, all pressed together like that.”

Author Bio:

Alicia Nordwell is one of those not so rare creatures, a reader turned writer. Striving to find an interesting story one day, she decided to write what she wanted instead. Then the voices started... Yep, not only does she talk about herself in the third person for bios, she has voices in her head constantly clamoring to get out.

Fortunately, with the encouragement of her family and friends, she decided for her own sanity to keep writing. Now you can find her stories both free and e-published. When she’s not on the computer typing away, she's a wife and a mom of two in the dreary, yet ideal for her redhead complexion, Pacific Northwest. Except for when she disappears into one of the many worlds in her head, of course!

She can also be found quite often at her blog, where she has a lot of free fiction for readers to enjoy or working hard, or maybe hardly working, as an admin on GayAuthors.org under her online nickname, Cia.

Blog  Facebook Twitter Goodreads

CONTEST

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Pride Promotions presents Whispers of Home by April Kelley and a Giveaway!

Book Name: Whispers of Home

Series? Yes.                 Number: Book one.

Author Name: April Kelley

Author Bio:

Born and raised in Southwest Michigan, April lives with her husband and two kids.  She has been an avid reader for several years.  Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won't stop telling their stories.  If April isn't reading or writing she can be found outside playing with a farm full of animals or taking a long walk in the woods. 

Where to find the author:

If you wish to contact her please email mailto:authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.

You can also find her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/april.ott.12?fref=ts

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Cover Artist: Carmen Waters

Blurb(s):

All Jaron McAllister wanted to do was get out of the small town where he grew up. After being bullied all his life for being gay, that’s exactly what he does. He loses all contact with everyone in the town of Pickleville, including his emotionally distant mother and the only true friend he ever had.

When his best friend and mother of the child they share, get murdered he knows he must ask for help in the one place he thought he would never go back to. Coming back home isn’t easy and finding himself attracted to the town man-slut spells disaster. Travis Heath isn’t at all what his reputation suggests though.  

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

Excerpt:

Jaron looked through the window of the diner from across the street. His mother’s hands gripped a mug, probably full of coffee. Jaron thought he was meeting Brian but apparently Brian had other plans. Brian always did think he knew best, the bastard. Jaron was fully aware his oldest friend had set this up, probably getting in touch with Gloria McAllister right after Jaron had called the first time, telling her when Jaron would be here. Brian had never understood that the relationship Jaron and Gloria had wasn’t like the relationship Brian had with his own father.

Looking at his mom through the glass was like watching a movie of her. He had never felt the connection with his mom that he thought he should, even as a small child. Maybe that had been his fault. That he wasn’t quite what she wanted in a son and therefore kept just enough distance to make it seem like miles. Which was why he was confused she had come instead of Brian.

When he was eighteen years old he had thought he left because of a burning desire to fit in somewhere, because he certainly hadn’t fit in very well in Pickleville. He needed that connection to another human being, that knowing he was so important to another human being they just couldn’t live without him. Ironically, it was a five year old boy he felt unconditionally connected too. Now that he knew the unconditional love a parent felt for their child, he wondered at his mother’s parental instincts.

He stood on the sidewalk in front of what used to be a place called the Hobbyist’s Dream but was now an Asian market. He noticed the place was empty when he had arrived but his back was turned now, his complete attention on the woman in the window. He thought the Asian place probably wouldn’t have lasted long back in the day. Who knows now? The diner was the only one in town, or was until they put in a McDonald’s by the highway. Jaron hadn’t realized that things in this town could change until the bus passed by the fast food restaurant. Somehow he expected everything to be the same, as if time would stand still just because he didn’t feel any different now that he was here.

Standing here, he felt that maybe he left to put the physical miles between himself and the only parent he had ever known. He had never fit in with her either.

He felt a tug on his hand and looked down at sweet blue eyes. This small boy was as dependent on the next few minutes and the woman in the window as he was. “I’m thirsty,” Bobby said, around the thumb in his mouth.

“Me too. Let’s go.” Jaron stepped off the curb and onto the street, gripping onto Bobby’s hand just a little tighter, pausing for a car, and then continuing until he came within inches of his mother, the glass the only barrier now. She looked directly at him, showing more emotion in those few seconds than he had ever seen from her during his entire childhood. He looked away and walked through the door of the restaurant.

Pages or Words: 44,597 words

Tour Dates & Stops:

17-Mar

Decadent Delights

17-Mar

The Novel Approach

24-Mar

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

31-Mar

Love Bytes

Hearts on Fire

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

7-Apr

MM Good Book Reviews

Prism Book Alliance

14-Apr

My Fiction Nook

Because Two Men Are Better Than One

Bayou Book Junkie

21-Apr

Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews

28-Apr

Divine Magazine

BFD Book Blog

5-May

Parker Williams

Bike Book Reviews

Sales Links:

http://www.extasybooks.com/coming-soon/Whispers-of-Home/

http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Home-Pickleville-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00TVTOXYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425427783&sr=8-1&keywords=whispers+of+home

Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Whispers of Home’

Rafflecopter Code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now for the interview!

Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?

I use a pen name. April is my real first name. Kelley is the name of a pet dog I had when I was little. I’m a big animal lover and even live on a farm now. When I was little I wanted to be a writer, so using the name Kelley is a way to respect my childhood dog and my own childhood aspirations.



Describe your writing space.

I sit in my living room on my couch, most of the time, in my pajamas.



What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I like to spend time outside, going on hikes in the woods around my house.



How do you develop your plot and characters?

Well characters always come first for me. After that, the plot sort of forms around whatever they tell me.



When writing descriptions of your hero/ine, what feature do you start with?
Eyes, hair. Definitely the hair, which is a weird thing to start with, isn’t it?



How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’m on my sixth now. I just finish book five in the Pickleville series and started another series.



Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?

I’m pretty happy in the M/M romance genre at the moment, but never say never, right? I may stray outside the M/M genre down the road but I won’t stray from the broad LGBT genre.



Are you working on anything at the present you would like to tell us about?

I’m working on a new Series called Lakehouse Security. It will come out in September of this year. I don’t want to give too much away at the moment but it’s about four brothers who own a security company. They get called to help out on a case by the local police in which gay men are reported as missing on a regular basis.