Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Release & Series Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Blood Dynasty By Nicholas Bella

Release & Series Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Blood Dynasty
By Nicholas Bella

Mages & Mayhem Series, Book 2

Adrian Elias and Sage Tamir have been brought together by destiny as soul mates and they aren’t taking that exceptional gift for granted. However, before they can get accustomed to their new life together, they find themselves in trouble and inconvenienced by the powerful council of mages known as the Echelon Imperial. After being called to a mandatory meeting, they are given an ultimatum that could be deadly if they don’t choose wisely.

If that isn’t enough, the vampire Archduke of Chicago, Salino Laurent, calls in the favor owed him for saving Sage’s life. But when Adrian and Sage hear about what he wants, the two mages wonder if it’s even possible and, if so, is it worth the risk? More importantly, will they survive?

On top of that, Adrian gets a time-sensitive case, and this one he knows he can’t do alone. It is magic deeply rooted in darkness; he will need Sage. But if they fail, then a young boy may not get the chance to see his next birthday.

For anyone else, these would be extraordinary circumstances, but for Adrian and Sage, it is starting to feel like a Monday. With everything coming at them from all directions, they will need to be able to trust each other and what they share more than ever before.

Reader Advisory: 18 and older, adult situations and steamy romance. This book features a charming PI who is head over heels in love with a ruthless mob boss who will do whatever it takes to protect him. It also has an opportunistic vampire Archduke whose schemes are more than what they seem. They promise to keep you reading until the last page.

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Excerpt:

We’d spent hours last night, going through the book, learning new spells for defens ive  and offensive attacks. If we were to face the Echelon Imperial, we wanted to be able to handle business if they tried some shit. I adjusted my suit and tie then looked at Adrian. 

“You ready?” 

He nodded. “Let’s just get this over with, see what the hell they want with us.” 

I leaned down, kissing his soft lips. The fact that we fucked for almost two hours this morning didn’t sate my desire to have him again. Since claiming my sexy mage , it was almost as if I couldn’t get enough of him. And the taste of his blood, his heat surrounding me, filling me… the whole sensation left me delirious. 

I forced myself to break the kiss, then planted another soft one on his forehead. I wanted him to not only know that he was treasured, but to feel it. I nodded, and together we made our way into a large mansion with immaculate landscaping. Ivory statues, and pottery, expertly trimmed bushes and topiary. The lawn itself was perfectly mowed and vibrantly green. The marble  columns were polished and gleaming, proving that whoever lived here, loved decadence and luxury. 

Before we could knock or ring the doorbell, the frosted, glass double doors opened and the mage who breached the barrier of my home stood before us. I believe his name was Zendel, and again, he was wearing a black suit, white dress shirt and black tie, as if that was his uniform. 

“Welcome,” he said in that smooth, even voice of his. 

“Let’s just skip past the pleasantries, shall we? This isn’t a social visit, we want to know why you’re demanding our presence,” I said, getting right to the point. 

“Of course, please, follow me,” Zendel stated, then turned and led the way. 

Adrian and I followed him as he led us through the mansion which was just as classically decorated on the inside as it was on the outside. White marble floors with silver veining and matching columns. Hand-sew rugs and runners adorned the floors, numerous  paintings and sculptures added almost an art museum f ee l to the décor. The furnishings were also lavish and a mixture of cultural designs  from French, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and even American influences. I took it all in and I was sure Adrian was doing the same. 

Once we reached another set of double doors, these being polished  black lacquer with a red pentagram on the combined doors. There were also gold sigils on each point of the pentagram, and I didn’t recognise what they meant.

Zendel gestured for us to go forward. “The Council is waiting.”

“What does the symbol mean?” I asked. 

“You may get your answer inside,” Zendel stated. 

I rolled my eyes, because this secrecy shit is one of the reasons  I found mages to be annoying as hell. I never sought out a clan in the past because of that. Also, I’d much rather be in a pride. 

“Will something happen to us when we pass through?” Adrian asked him. 

“You don’t have a choice,” Zendel said. “Please.” Again, he gestured toward  the door. 

I didn’t like walking into the unknown, it just  wasn’t my thing. I could sense magic all around me and it was hard to pinpoint exactly where the source was or if it was from multiple sources. Adrian stepped up beside me and placed his hand on the doorknob. 

“You ready?” he asked. 

“Fine, let’s do this,” I said, and together, we opened the doors, splitting  the pentagram sym bol. It would come back together once we  stepped inside,  which we did . The doors closed behind us and i mmediately, I felt a wave wash over me, invisible to the eye, but I felt it ripple through my b ody  once I crossed the threshold. I shivered and caught my balance as the  dizz iness  nearly had me spirialing. 

Adrian was on one knee and I knew he’d felt the same thing and it pissed me off that we walked into something I deemed was a magical attack. I growled, my eyes glowing in my rage.

“It will pass,” said one of the mages sitting  behind a U-shaped black table . There  was a sigil carved on the table where each mage sat  that matched the ones on the pentagram on the outside of the door.  There were five other mages with him, three males and two females, making a total of six. 

The sensation I felt did pass and I was able to focus more on my surroundings. The f loor also had a large pentagram engraved into it, against, the sigils were on each point. The room was bright as the floor to ceiling windows allowed for tons of sunlight to shine through. The walls each had paintings of the mages in robes, almost like this room was a temple to them. The shit felt like one big cockstroke to their egos. I grunted and  knelt beside Adrian until it seemed like he was starting to  feel better .  I helped him to his feet and kept hi m close to me before looking at the mage in the middle who had spoken to me .

“What the fuck was that?” I asked. 

“For our protection. The spell you encountered is what makes  this room immune to your magic, and only ours will be effective,” the mage who I guessed might be the leader since he sat at the middle of the table was quite striking in his appearance. Long, straight black hair past his shoulder and combed back. Thick, arched eyebrows over intense brown eyes. He was certainly of Asian descent, Japanese by his features, and he had a regal presence that demanded attention.



Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Blood Dynasty, Nicholas is giving away an ebook of the winner's choice from Nicholas' backlist.

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Catch up on Book 1 in the
Mages & Mayhem Series with

That Mafioso Magic

Now on Audio!

Private detective, Adrian Elias, knows what trouble looks like, and ruthless mobster and lion shifter, Sage Tamir, was just that with a capital T. On top of smelling like heaven, the man has the face of an angel, with a body made for unbridled sin. A combination Adrian finds very hard to resist.

​Unfortunately, someone is trying to kill Sage and they’re using magic to do it. Sage usually takes these types of matters into his own hands, but this time, he’s out of his league. He believes the only person who can help him is the down-on-his-luck detective. Problem is, Adrian doesn't want to take his case because he feels it may be too dangerous. Never mind the volcanic-level attraction they seem to share for each other raising the stakes. Magic and mayhem awaits.

Reader Advisory: 18 and older. Strong adult situations and language. A sarcastic PI and a no-nonsense mobster will keep you turning the pages way past your bedtime. Best order that pizza, because once you start this book, you won’t want to stop.

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About the Author:

About Nick? Hmmm, I'm just a person with a wild imagination and a love for words who was sitting around the house one day and said, "Why hasn't anyone written a book like this before?". As with every storyteller, I wanted to share mine with the world. I like to engage my readers in an adventure that will keep them captivated until the last page is turned. I love to leave readers thinking about my characters and stories until they get their next Nicholas Bella book. When I'm not writing, I enjoy watching movies and TV shows, clubbing, biking, and hanging out with family and friends. Living my best life.

Connect with Nicholas:
www.nicholasbella.com
https://hy.page/nickslinks


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Monday, May 30, 2022

Release Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Crown Court Killer By Dahlia Donovan

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Release Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Crown Court Killer
By Dahlia Donovan

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London Podcast Mystery, Book 3

Months after saving their flamboyant theatre friend from disaster, Dannel Ortea and Osian Garey are back with a thrilling murder investigation in the third London Podcast Mystery series novel.

Dannel and Osian’s breakfast double date rapidly devolves into a murder mystery when a dead body is found in their solicitor friend’s car. Wayne is taken for questioning by police. He was last seen arguing with the deceased.

When Wayne’s tie is identified as the murder weapon, it’s hard to refute the growing evidence stacked against him.

Convinced of their friend’s innocence, Dannel and Osian throw themselves into the investigation. When Wayne’s boyfriend, Roland, finds himself suspended from the police, they realise powerful people are involved in the murder.

With a philandering crown court judge, two disgruntled wives, and an angry client as suspects, the clock is ticking for them to find the killer before Wayne winds up arrested—or dead.

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CCK 4 me

CCK 3 osian


Excerpt:

Since they’d both retired from emergency services, they’d focused on building their podcast and cosplay fabrication business. Osian hadn’t imagined a career other than as a paramedic. And yet, they were thriving.

Thriving.

Such a millennial word.

Yet, here we are, thriving.

Aside from the occasional murderer.

He did wonder if it might be easier and simpler to live in a quieter place. They’d have more time for building their businesses—maybe. Dannel might find life less stressful without the crowds and chaos of London.

“Ready?”

Osian was jerked out of his thoughts. He turned to find Dannel fighting with the knot on his trainer laces. “Do you ever wish we moved away from London? Live somewhere in the country, maybe?”

“No.” Dannel’s response was immediate and emphatic. “Leave London? I love it here. Why?”

“No reason.”

He gave his shoelaces one last frustrated yank. “Weird question to ask out of the blue. Is this a neurotypical thing?”

Osian went over to take the trainer out of Dannel’s hand. “How do you bungle up a knot this badly?”

“Just cut the laces. I’ve got a spare set somewhere,” Dannel grumbled impatiently. “Inside voice?”

“Close enough.”

Over the years since Dannel’s official autism diagnosis, he’d learned to rely on others to help him not shout or whisper. He struggled to modulate his voice. Osian knew it greatly frustrated him.

Osian struggled with the knot before tossing the trainer back to Dannel. “Buggered those up, didn’t you? Have you superglued your laces?”

“Tired of the sodding things coming undone while I’m in the gym. I’ve only narrowly avoided tripping. These laces hate me. Grab the scissors, will you?”

After a bit of creative cursing and a quick snip, Dannel freed his trainers. He put in the new laces. Osian chuckled when he beamed the old ones into the bin with enough force to almost knock it over.

“You showed them.”

Dannel stood by the door and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for several seconds. “Okay. Let’s get fuel for the rest of the day.”

“Is cake fuel?”

“It’s usually enough of a fuel to get us motivated, if only to find more.” He made an excellent point. “Are you coming?”

CCK 2 murder


Catch-up on the Series

Book 1: Cosplay Killer

cosplay idea dev2

London Podcast Mystery, Book 1

Osian Garey and Dannel Ortea live together in a colourful flat in Covent Garden. They run a podcast and throw themselves wholeheartedly into Cosplay, video games, and musical theatre. This year, they’re all fired up to attend their annual convention with a group of first responders.

When Osian finds a paramedic friend murdered in the middle of the crowded venue, the police immediately turn their attention to him.

They have one question on their mind.

Is he the first witness on the scene or the killer?

As the mystery unfolds, Osian has to face the trauma of his last job as a paramedic. Somewhere in those memories, a killer waits to exact revenge. They’ll have to prove Osian’s innocence and fight for their own survival when the killer puts them both in their sights.

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Book 2: Ghost Light Killer

Ghost light killer_ideas

London Podcast Mystery, Book 2

Several months after their first brush with death, Dannel Ortea and Osian Garey are back with a thrilling murder investigation in the second London Podcast Mystery Series novel.

While helping their flamboyant neighbour with his play, Dannel and Osian discover more than a ghost haunting the stage at the Evelyn Lavelle theatre. It's all fun and games until a friend is found kneeling over a dead body.

Is he the murderer or an unfortunate witness?

When one body turns to two, then to three, will the killer ever be found?

As Dannel and Osian work together to solve the mystery, the murderer focuses on them. Their drive to clear their friend’s name puts them centre stage. But not everything under the glow of the bright lights glimmers.

Will anyone be left when the curtain falls?

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with cover - LONDON PODCAST 2


Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Crown Court Killer,
Dahlila is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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About the Author:

Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn't be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.

Connect with Dahlia:
Website: http://dahliadonovan.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108750876162947/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dahliadonovan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DahliaDonovan
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/dahlia-donovan
Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/Q0n0X
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8184061.Dahlia_Donovan
Publisher Website: https://www.hottreepublishing.com/book-author/dahlia-donovan/
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Dahlia-Donovan/e/B00KFNZFHU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dahliadonovanauthor/


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Sunday, May 29, 2022

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Melody Of The Heart By Blake Allwood

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Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Melody Of The Heart
By Blake Allwood

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Melody Series, Book 1

Jonas:

Yeah, life sucks. I’ve lost everything: my inheritance, my career, my dignity - if I’m not careful I’ll even lose my father’s prized Steinway… Now I’m supposed to sacrifice my pride by trying to turn a backwoods mechanic from a honky-tonk piano player to a classical virtuoso in less than a year. An impossible task I’d been duped into by my orchestra conductor who also happens to be my ex.

I travelled to West Virginia and convinced the poor mechanic to let me take over his life for my challenge and quickly realized he had more to offer me than I did him. Now, I feel guilty about it all. Guilty or not, my only choice is to win the challenge, or face career suicide and financial ruin.

Will I be able to teach the sexy mechanic how to compete or is this just a fool's errand?

Orlando:

My world turned upside down when the little piano man burst into my shop demanding that I learn classical piano; all because one of my students entered some contest she didn’t even want to win.

It’s not like I didn’t love playing the piano, but classical? No… not my thing. Give me good old dirty blues or honky-tonk but I’d rather pull my oil stained fingernails out one at a time than play his kind of music.

I was ready to say no, except he seemed desperate, and I’m very gullible whenever a cute man is in distress. I hadn’t anticipated how much he would change my world. Not only has he opened my eyes to his style of music, but my heart now soars with the melody of his music.

The real question is, how am I supposed to survive when he inevitably leaves our small town and me, for good?

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MOTH GRR4


Excerpt:

“I’m sorry, sir, but she’s already decided. The conversation is over.”

I walked into the shop to see my six-foot-three broad-shouldered best friend, who was usually a teddy bear, directing a frustrated gaze at a much shorter, much-less built, blond man with wire-rimmed glasses. The guy was attractive, despite the agitated look on his increasingly red face that was angled up at my friend.

“Um, what’s going on?” I asked Ray.

“This man is from the contest we entered. He’s saying it’s too late to back out now that Ella’s been selected.”

“The ball is already in motion. We can’t change direction now,” the man said, and from the way he was wringing his hands together, he appeared to be on the verge of some sort of breakdown. I could sympathize, but this was ultimately Ella’s decision, and we had to support it.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but the girl isn’t interested. I’m her teacher, and I know she’s not going to pursue piano any further. You’re wasting your time.”

The man visibly deflated in front of me, and I fought an inexplicable urge to wrap a supportive arm around his shoulders. “You’re her teacher?” he asked.

I nodded and he hesitated a moment, like he was making mental calculations, then asked, “How well do you play?”

I was taken aback by his question, and the suddenly hopeful glint I saw in his beautiful eyes. “Me? How well do I play?” He nodded and waited for me to continue. “I’m fair, but not great. Why does that matter?”

“Because, the board has given me the option of enrolling you into the program if Miss Frankford doesn’t agree to the offer.” His expression was serious.

“You’re kidding. I’m a mechanic.” I laughed so hard I thought my sides would split. It had to be a joke, right?

Ray’s eyes lit up, and he came over to where I stood as my laughter gave way to shock. “This is totally your guy. He’s been a protoget since he was a kid.”

“Prodigy,” I corrected. “I’m not a prodigy. I’m barely literate in music. I know almost every blues song ever played, and do okay with “Stairway to Heaven” on the piano, but I’m certainly not an ideal student for your fancy lessons. I’m sorry.”

I turned to leave when I felt the man’s surprisingly strong grip clamp down on my elbow. “You don’t understand. I’ve invested everything into this. If it doesn’t work, I’m ruined.” He sounded slightly panicked.

I looked down at the man’s perfectly manicured hands as I pried his fingers from my elbow, but didn’t let go. “Look,” I said, holding my own hand next to his, palm up. “Take a nice long look. Your fingers are long, delicate, and soft. I’m sure you’ve never done a hard day’s work in your life. Mine… they’re scarred, and stained with oil that’ll likely never come off, even if I stopped working on cars today. I have calluses thicker than leather hide. Trust me, mister, I’m not your guy.”

I released his hand and walked away without looking back. I was sure as I closed the door to my office that this was all a farce Ray had drummed up to give me shit about later. Things were beginning to make a lot more sense, now I thought about it that way.

Ella, winning some elite contest when she barely played. I mean, she played well enough for an eight-year-old, but there were certainly a lot of kids her age who played better, and were more committed.

The clincher was me taking her place. What the holy hell? I wondered if maybe there’d been a hidden camera somewhere, especially considering how angry Ray had been. That had to be an act, right?

I opened my office door, ready for the camera reveal, but Ray was back under the hood of Mr. Johnson’s Chrysler, and the stranger was nowhere to be seen.

“So, what’s the gig? I mean, no cameras?”

Ray chuckled. “Hey, it’s all legit. Crazy, but legit.”

“I don’t buy it, Ray. There’s got to be some sort of angle here.”

“Nope, I checked the dude out before we entered the contest. He’s an award-winning pianoist from New York and everything.”

“It’s pianist, there’s no o in it. So, why would he make up shit about me being his student for a year?”

“Don’t know, but he was pretty adamant. Even after you left, he tried to get me to talk you into it. Said he was going to lose his pants if you didn’t.”

“He said he was gonna lose his pants?” I asked, quashing a highly inappropriate mental image of the attractive man not wearing pants.

Ray laughed. “Not in so many words, but that was the gist of it.”

“You don’t think this is some sort of scam?”

“Maybe, but his bags were with him, so if it is, the man is full-out committed.”

“Damn you, Ray, this is all your and Angela’s doing. Let me go find him, and see if I can’t get to the fucking bottom of it. God, I hate you sometimes.” Part of me wanted to just let it go, but I remembered the look on the man’s face, and the panic in his voice. I was drawn to him enough to want to put things right.

“You do not. You’ve a right to be pissed, but you adore me, and you know it. Besides, you owe me after…”

“Don’t go there. I know I do, but after this shit, we’re even, got it?”

Ray winked at me and gave me a thumbs-up as he disappeared back under the hood. Not that I’d ever really be even with Ray and Angela for all they’d done to literally keep my ass off the streets.

One main street ran through our town, and there weren’t many places he could go on foot, so it only took a few minutes for me to find him sitting in Libby’s Park, next to the river. He was looking out over the rapids. His glazed expression told me he was staring, but not really seeing them.

“So—” I said, startling him. “—what’s the real story, and don’t try to bullshit me? I know how to recognize bullshit a mile away.”

He shook his head and sighed deeply, the look on his face all but resigned to defeat. “It’s just what I said. The contest requires me to teach someone for a year. We selected Miss Frankford, and she’s declined, so it’s my neck on the line to get chopped.”

“And, tell me again, what that has to do with me?” I asked.

The man sighed again, this time almost making me laugh at how dramatic he was. “That’s more a dig at me. My former boss, well, he was my ex as well as my boss. He threw you into the mix as a way to embarrass me. I shouldn’t have brought it up, but I got a little desperate in there.”

“So, your former boss was also your lover?” I asked, intrigued, not only by the story, but by the admission, intended or not, that he was gay.

“Yeah. Oh wait, you aren’t a homophobe, are you? Because, that would be excellent. Getting my ass kicked would just be the cherry on top of this shit pie.” He sounded more resigned than apprehensive at the possibility I’d take issue with his sexuality. My smiling at him likely helped ease any uncertainty.

“No, I’m gay. But, isn’t that like sexual harassment, or something?”

His chuckle was bitter. “Yeah, and I’ve already talked to my attorney. I’ll probably win in court, but it’s going to destroy my fucking career. No one will ever hire me to perform again.”

“Yeah, that sucks, but you’ll win, that’s something.”

He shrugged. “Well, I might as well go face the music. I’m sorry for the insane morning, Mr…”

“You can call me Orli. Everyone around here does.”

“Well, Orli, I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure.”

He stood to go, and before I knew what I was doing, I asked, “So, what is it they want me to play?”

The man slowly turned around. “Have you ever heard of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major?

I shook my head.

“What about La Campanella by Liszt?”

I shook my head again.

“The Oriental fantasy Islamey by Mily Balakirev?”

“No, sorry, I don’t know much classical.”

He chuckled mirthlessly. “They’re some of the most difficult pieces ever written. They gave me one year to teach Ella—and in her absence, you—how to play these technically impossible pieces well enough to qualify to play in Salzburg, Austria.”

“So, it really is a vengeance quest against you then?”

He appeared shocked by my being so forthright, but slowly nodded. “There’s a lot to it, but yes, I suppose it is exactly that.”

“Can you really teach me?” I asked, fully regretting the decision I’d already made internally.

“Can you play?” he asked.

I laughed. “I was taught by my great-grandmother who played in honky-tonks, but I’m not horrible.”

The man looked torn between hope and resignation. “Do you have a piano, so I can hear you play?”

I nodded and remembered the three cars I’d agreed to have done by the weekend. Oh well, I thought, Ray might get to work some overtime, since this was his damned fault anyway.

“Where’s your car?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I’m from New York. I don’t have a car. I rode the train to Martinsburg, and had an Uber drop me off here.”

“Well, you’re going to need a car if you’re here for long, ’cause we only have one Uber, and Sally only works when she needs money to buy yarn to pay for her knitting obsession.”

“Let’s hear you play before we commit to anything,” he said, and followed me back to the shop.

MOTH GRR3


Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Melody Of The Heart, Blake is giving away an e-copy of Melody Of The Heart. 3 winners will be chosen!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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About the Author:

Blake Allwood was born in west TN, then moved to Kansas City MO after attending college in Iowa. He met his husband, Shaun, in 1995 and they officially married in 2015, once the United States legalized gay marriage.

In 2017, he and his husband sold their home, purchased an RV and began traveling the country with their two dogs. Their travels provide the inspiration and settings for many of his novels.

Typically, Blake can be found writing in the RV or by the fire with his laptop and their Jack Russell Terrier, Buddy, curled up between his legs or demanding his attention.  Denver, their Siberian Husky mix is often asleep at his feet or playing tug of war with Shaun.

Aiden Inspired (Apr 2019) is his first published novel, featuring two disparate characters from New York and Washington State who meet and develop an unlikely bond.

His second novel, Suzie Empowered (Feb 2020), is a follow-up novel featuring Aiden’s sister Suzie as she overcomes her fear of relationships with straight men due to a sexual assault in high school.

Blake returned to gay romance with his release of Bobby Transformed (Mar 2020) about an Iowa farm boy and a big city publisher.

These first three novels share characters and can be read as a series or each as a stand-alone novel.

Romantic Renovations (June 2020), is a stand-alone novel that features a popular home renovation star and a large property owner in Seattle, Washington.  Blake veers from his contemporary romance themed novels and dips his toes in the crime mystery troupe for this one.  He is currently working on two additional books to make this into a series.

His Chance series was released in the summer of 2020, consisting of three books:   Love by Chance, Another Chance With Love, and Taking a Chance For Love

The Big Bend series, based in the area around Big Bend National Park in Texas will be released over three  months beginning June 2021.

Please let us know how you enjoy Blake’s books by using the contact us page or join the discussion of Blake’s and other M/M romance author’s books by connecting with Blake Allwood’s Book Club on Facebook.

To keep up to date as books come available, sign up for his mailing list.

Connect with Blake:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlakeAllwood
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blakeallwoodnovels/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakeallwood9/?hl=en


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Friday, May 27, 2022

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Luca: An Open Wounds Novella By Michelle Frost

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Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Luca: An Open Wounds Novella
By Michelle Frost

Luca Cover

Open Wounds, Book 5

Life hasn’t always been kind to Luca Barlos. His second chance came in the form of Rourke MMA and a brother who refused to give up on him. Now, he has a job he enjoys, friends, and a crush he can’t ignore. Luca may be shy, but he knows what he wants—the gorgeous detective with chestnut hair and a kind smile.

Clark hasn’t always been a tough-guy detective. In school, he was the nerdy, chubby kid. Now he’s all grown up, living his dream of being a cop and working up the nerve to ask the object of his affections on a date.

Luca is the first novella in the continuation of the Open Wounds series. The series is best read in order.

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Excerpt:

The tire settled on the ground on its side as Clark stood up and arched his back, stretching the warm and well-used muscles there. He had only half a set to go before he was finished with the tire and would be moving back inside to finish up with some cardio.

            Taking a quick glance at the building, he let my eyes land on Luca’s door. He’d never admit it, but when Dagen had added in the outdoor Strong Man training to their routine, he’d been thrilled. Not that it was a certainty he’d catch a glimpse of the gorgeous, shy object of his ridiculous crush, but at the possibility of it. And Clark had. Several times. He’d even gotten a few hellos, and every one made trying to keep his distance a little harder. But he knew what Luca had been through and he could be patient. Even if being patient meant limiting how often he went to Viridian while Luca was working because it always made him feel like such a creeper.

            Luca never said more than a few words when he appeared, as he usually focused on Dagen, but Clark looked forward to every single one. When Clark went to the bar, Luca always made a point to say hi to Clark but never much more. Even with his best effort, Clark was sure his eyes strayed to Luca more often than was polite.

            Yeah...He was probably a creeper. Or having some sort of relapse into his teenage psyche. He just...genuinely wanted to get to know Luca. Clark knew he’d had a hard road, being taken by the Crossman MC and made to do things against his will just to survive. Clark would never push him, but he hoped they could cultivate a friendship and someday, maybe more.


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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Luca, Michelle is giving away a Signed Paperback bundle of all 4 Books in the Open Wounds Series (Open Internationally)!

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Check out the other stories in the Open Wounds series, Now in a BOXSET!

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Family. Loyalty. Love.

Follow the Rourke brothers as they fight through injuries, fear, doubt, past mistakes, and current obstacles on their way to love. Each book in the Open Wounds series features one brother’s journey to their personal HEA set among their family owned tattoo shop and MMA fight gym.
This boxset contains:
Carry and Drag
Take Down
Matched Intensity
Vidar
And the Dagen and Ollie bonus short, Recovery

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About the Author:

Stories have always been Michelle Frost's escape. Even as a kid, she can remember writing stories featuring her favorite cartoon characters. Now, her characters are a little more grown up, as are the stories she likes to tell. A self-proclaimed coffee addict and a bit of an introvert, she can most likely be found with her nose in a book.

Connect with Michelle:
Amazon: http://author.to/MichelleFrost
Website/Newsletter: https://www.michellefrostwrites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellefrostwrites/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrostfiles/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michelle-frost
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17778116.Michelle_Frost


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Thursday, May 26, 2022

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Sceptic By Lily Morton

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Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
The Sceptic
By Lily Morton

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Arcana Books, Book 1

As the best friend of a psychic, Will Buchanan can’t help but believe in the dead. It’s the living that he finds to be problematic. However, after a spate of betrayals, he finally has the chance of a new life within his grasp, and he’s not going to risk it for anyone or anything. Staying safe is the name of Will’s game.

Jem Dawson defines the word temporary. A talented cameraman, he’s here today and will undoubtedly be gone tomorrow chasing adventure and danger. But, while he’s in York, he’s made it clear he wants Will, and Will can’t help liking the charming daredevil.

This inconvenient attraction results in Will accompanying Jem to the site of a notorious poltergeist outbreak. A malevolent spirit has targeted a family, and now the ghost hunting team for whom Jem does camerawork are going to be locked down in the house for three days.

The house is strange and filled with sinister and violent undercurrents. One by one, the group experiences threatening incidents, and as events escalate, Will has to ask himself if he's risking not just his heart but also his life with this impulsive gesture.

This is the first book in the Arcana Books series featuring characters from the bestselling Black and Blue series.

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Excerpt:

“What a ridiculous question. Do I look like I have a book on how to reanimate a cadaver? I have enough problems with the living customers without adding dead ones. Go next door.”

I set my pen down on the counter and sigh as Tom’s stertorous tones echo through the building. I’m currently working in an occult bookshop that connects to Tom’s bookshop. The divider between the two stores is a curtain, but even if we had walls the thickness of Fort Knox, it still wouldn’t stop me hearing Tom.

A few seconds later, the curtain lifts, and three startled goths scoot into the room as if their backsides are on fire. I offer them a smile and point to the stairs. “First floor. Shelf by the window.”

Their footsteps echo on the treads, and silence descends again. I pick up my pen and then pause, looking around. The room is full of the scent of old paper and leather, along with a whiff of fresh paint and new carpet. Sun streams through the Georgian window, laying stripes over the shelves of books and painting my skin with warmth. It’s incredibly peaceful in here, notwithstanding the grumpy bookshop owner next door.

As if on cue, the old man’s voice rises through the divider again, muttering something about the problems associated with zombies becoming customers.

I look up as the shop’s front door opens and the bell jingles cheerfully, heralding the arrival of my current boss. Viscount Ingram.

“Dear boy,” he booms, his face lit up. He’s the exact opposite of Tom, being eternally cheerful. The glass isn’t half full of wine with this one. He’s got a whole fucking vineyard in there. “You will never guess what I found at the house sale.”

I open my mouth to respond, but Tom forestalls me. “Not in here,” he booms from the other room. “The death books are all next door in the occult bookshop. No, not there. There. Through that curtain.”

A young man in a long duster coat and a trilby hat sidles through the curtain. He gives us a haunted look and then legs it up the stairs to join the goths, who are probably cowering in a corner.

The viscount sighs. “Oh, dear. Tom is a trifle rusty on customer service, isn't he?”

“He was probably rusty sixty years ago,” I confidently state. I’ve known Tom for many years. He’s an established figure in York and someone my best friend Blue and I have known since we were young and homeless. Tom is now Blue’s boss, psychic mentor, and a possible glimpse at how Blue will be in fifty years.

“Oh dear,” the viscount says again. He looks towards the table in the corner of the room. “And where is Madame Hecate? I thought she was reading the tarot cards for our customers today.”

“Probably at the pub. She came in, turned over one card, gave a scream that Tom’s still complaining about, and then left.”

“Poor woman. I wonder what the problem is.”

“Gin,” I offer helpfully. “It does seem to influence most of her tarot choices.”

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate Lily's new release, we are giving you a chance to win your choice of any book from Lily’s backlist! Three winners will be chosen!

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LilyMorton-Logo-TaglineAbout Lily:

Lily is a bestselling gay romance author. She writes love stories filled with heat and humour.

She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven't had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.

Lily has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations - Chocolate Baileys.

Connect with Lily:
Facebook | Lily's Snark Squad Facebook Group
Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Website | Newsletter
Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub


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Book Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway: At Lodgings In Lyme By Jackie North

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Book Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway:
At Lodgings In Lyme
By Jackie North

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Oliver & Jack, Book 2

An orphan and his street thief companion flee London’s now-dangerous streets and the threat of the hangman’s noose. This is the love story of Oliver Twist and The Artful Dodger.

After Oliver commits murder to protect Jack, they head south to Lyme Regis. Along the way, Jack becomes ill, and Oliver is forced to gut fish to pay the doctor’s bills.

Oliver tries to balance his desire for respectability with his growing love for Jack, while Jack balks against the conventions of society and wants to ply his trade.

In spite of their personal struggles, and in the face of dire circumstances, they discover the depth of their love for each other—but can their love survive?

A gay, m/m Victorian-era romance with grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort, opposites attract, emotional scars, and pure, sweet love. A little sweet, a little steamy, with a guaranteed HEA.

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Excerpt:

This is a scene early on in the story, where Oliver and Jack have stopped for the night. Oliver is worried that they are being followed, but more, he’s worried about Jack, who has a fever and some yet-undetermined illness. (From Oliver’s point of view.)

***

The room was somewhat less wild and insalubrious than the one at the Three Cripples. The ceiling creaked overhead, though Oliver didn’t imagine, didn’t want to imagine, that he heard roof rats scuttling about.

As it was, he felt the need to jump out of his skin and get out of bed and walk around the whole of the coaching inn to look for constables, and the skulking ghost of Cromwell. To see if Noah Claypole had indeed followed them, to perform his office of informant with his usual élan and style.

There were too many details he’d not attended to, too many shapes and outlines he’d not thought to be wary of. Something needed doing; with Jack’s ragged state, the bruises on his face, as well as Oliver’s own disheveled person, they could not have been taken for young gentlemen on a simple outing. That they’d not been arrested for vagrancy straight away was a small miracle; tomorrow might not bring the same luck.

For Jack, all of this must seem so easy compared with the worry of being caught as a thief, compared to the worry of being homeless, attempting to convince Oliver to shut up and go to sleep seemed to be his main desire. That Jack had followed him this far, had not turned back to London in despair of Oliver being sensible enough to keep his mind in the moment, well, that was worth something. Jack deserved more, for simply coming this far with Oliver, so Oliver would give him that.

Jack lay still now, next to him in the bed, in his arms. Where Oliver’s hands were tucked, he could feel the sweat under Jack’s arms, the rise and fall of Jack’s chest full of warmth and heartbeat and simmering fatigue. Oliver thought that, in spite of Jack’s protestations, he should have called for a doctor. Jack had said he only wanted to sleep. He might have said it for himself, for his own sake, but he meant it for Oliver’s as well.

Jack knew how to be on the road, to be on the run, to play hide and seek in plain sight. If he was worried about what Oliver had done, he didn’t express any squeamishness that Oliver had killed a man with his bare hands. Though the heft of that cleaver as it hit bone still rang a ghostly vibration through his hands, to Jack, it was nothing, a mere trifle.

If he was worried whether they would be discovered and arrested in the morning, he showed no sign of it. Whether he was still hungry or full of complaint at his own discomfort, he had barely spoken of it.

It was only the heat of his body that soaked into Oliver’s bones that gave him pause. Jack was almost too warm to be near, too warm to so easily fall asleep, but yet he had. Oliver felt the start of Jack’s body before it calmed; the deepness of his breathing told Oliver that Jack was indeed exhausted, that the fever of his body or no, Jack was fast asleep.

For a moment he wanted to awaken Jack, to ask him again whether it would be all right, but he stilled the thought even as he stilled his hand, still lightly clasped around Jack’s shirt collar. Had this been only a day or so ago, Oliver would not have hesitated to ask for soothing words, but Jack didn’t deserve to be woken merely to calm Oliver’s nighttime fears.

The world he’d been in, had come so far from, was much darker now, and shadows on the walls, the unease of thought now that the day had come to an end, were only the small steps of a child. He had more things to worry about than that.

Besides, after the day they’d had, he’d rather lock himself in a coal box than waken Jack. Jack had come with him from London, after all, something he’d sworn he’d never do. Oliver owed him a good night’s sleep, at least. So he tucked his chin, and burrowed beneath the blanket and thick sheet, let his eyes drift closed, and matched his breathing to Jack’s, his grasp on Jack’s collar never loosening.

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of At Lodgings In Lyme, Jackie is giving away the winner's choice of any ebook from her backlist. Two winners will be chosen.

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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Read where it all began with Book 1:
Fagin's Boy

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Oliver & Jack, Book 1

In 1846 London, respectable young men do not fall for street thieves. This is the love story of Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger.

Oliver Twist has one desire: to own a bookshop and live a simple, middle-class life, far away from his workhouse-shadowed past. One thing stands in his way: Jack Dawkins--The Artful Dodger--who's just returned to London and is looking for Fagin’s old gang.

Jack's visits cause Oliver nothing but trouble, but he finds himself drawn, time and again, to their shared past, Jack's unguarded honesty, and those bright, green eyes.

Oliver craves respectability, which he won’t find with a forbidden love. Can Jack convince Oliver that having one doesn't mean losing the other?

A gay, m/m Victorian-era romance with grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort, opposites attract, emotional scars, and pure, sweet love. A little sweet, a little steamy, with a guaranteed HEA.

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JackieNorthBySarahJoChreene

About the Author:

Jackie North has been writing stories since grade school and spent years absorbing the mainstream romances that she found at her local grocery store. Her dream was to someday leave her corporate day job behind and put her English degree to good use and write romance novels, because for years she’s had a never-ending movie of made-up love stories in her head that simply wouldn’t leave her alone.

As fate would have it, she discovered m/m romance and decided that men falling in love with other men was exactly what she wanted to write books about. In this dazzling new world, she is now putting stories to paper as fast as her fingers can type. She creates characters who are a bit flawed and broken, who find themselves on the edge of society, and maybe a few who are a little bit lost, but who all deserve a happily ever after. (And she makes sure they get it!)

She likes long walks on the beach, the smell of lavender and rainstorms, and enjoys sleeping in on snowy mornings. She is especially fond of pizza and beer and, when time allows, long road trips with soda fountain drinks and rock and roll music. In her heart, there is peace to be found everywhere, but since in the real world this isn’t always true, Jackie writes for love.

Connect with Marie:
Website - http://www.jackienorth.com/
Newsletter - https://www.subscribepage.com/JackieNorthNewsletter
Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/jackienorthauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jackie_north
Amazon: amazon.com/author/jackienorth
Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/jackienorthMM


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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Worth the Fight By C F White

  Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Worth the Fight By C F White Worth It, Book 2 It was never going to be just one night....