Book Reviews, Rants, & Raves!: February 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Best Chance by Aria Grace

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24477010-best-chance

Author Name: Aria Grace

Author Bio:

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Aria enjoys the year round sunshine and laid back environment of the west coast. She lives with her husband and two children on a quiet hill that gives her lots of time to read and write. Her first series was a semi-traditional look at sexy gigs found online. She has now ventured into the exciting M/M world of gay erotica. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to drop her a note or visit her at www.ariagracebooks.com.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aria.grace.37?fref=nf&pnref=story

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

Twitter: @ariagracebooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/search/?q=ariagracebooks

Publisher: Surrendered Press

Cover Artist: Kris Kendall

Blurb(s): Vinnie is happy as a bartender at Ray's and not looking for anything serious to complicate his life. He has great friends and a simple life. When Chance comes into his bar, he brings more than just memories of the summer they spent together in high school. The widower has a fifteen month old son that could change everything for Vinnie, if he’s willing to take the chance.

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

Excerpt:

“It’s not exactly the penthouse, but it’s home.” I reach back for Chance’s wrist and tug him in behind me.

“I didn’t come here for the amenities,” he says, resting his hand on my hip and squeezing.

“No?” I turn so his arm is wrapped around my waist. “What did you come for?”

My face is inches from his. His warm breath washes over me as I stare into those desperate eyes.

“This.” Chance’s eyes drop to my mouth as his head tilts and he leans into me. As soon as his full lips close over mine, I want to sing. I instinctively open my mouth to accept his tongue as it lightly brushes over mine. We aren’t tentative kids anymore. We’ve both had time to perfect our techniques over the years so by the time I drag Chance into my room, I’ve touched every space in his mouth that I can reach.

Our hands aren’t left idle as we tug on clothes and pull down zippers until we’re both naked and panting on my bed.

“God, I’ve missed you, Vin,” Chance says against my chest as he drops kisses on my skin.

Pages or Words: 30,000 words

Tour Dates: February 28, 2015

Sales Links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/BestChance_amzn

Rafflecopter Prize: signed paperback of Best Chance and $25 gift card to Amazon or iTunes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 27, 2015

Palace Dog by R.E. Nelson

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24740838-palace-dog?ac=1

Author Name: R. E. Nelson

Author Bio:

R.E. Nelson was born in Texas and raised in Southern California. He has been writing for as long as he can remember. One of his earliest recollections related to writing is winning an essay contest in sixth grade--something patriotic about the American flag. When he travels, his preference is staying in select areas for an extended period of time and learning about that place. He has lived in both Vietnam (twice, actually) and Saudi Arabia, and also spent time in Egypt, South Korea, Shanghai (his only China visit thus far), and Dubai. Now he is happy to call San Francisco home.

Where to find the author:

Twitter: @RENelson13

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Blurb(s):

In April 1975, as the government in Saigon is falling, Michael Andrews prepares to make his way back to Vietnam to find the love he was forced to leave.

But Michael’s journey begins four years earlier. He joins the Air Force to keep out of the Army and out of Vietnam, but his first assignment is teaching English in Saigon to members of the Vietnamese military in an Army program called Palace Dog.

As an artist, and a man, before his time in Vietnam, Michael found life lonely and unsatisfying. In the midst of war, Michael searches for direction and meaning. He ultimately finds love and hope with Thao, a young Vietnamese art student, only to have their already uncertain future wrenched from them when he is pulled out of the country.

For Michael, his return in 1975 is inevitable and without question, though the outcome he hopes for is anything but assured.

Categories: Gay Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance

Excerpt:

The cyclo had bumped across the bridge, following the curve in the road, then moved quickly down the final straight stretch, past houses and shops, past rows of trees and walls and occasional open spaces, past vendors who lined the street’s edge selling gasoline in glass bottles. Motorcycles, Lambretta mini-buses packed with people, cream-and-blue Renault taxis, pedestrians with baskets and boxes—all crowded the street. Noises, smells, and smoke came from everywhere, and as the driver increased his speed, I smiled, gripping the metal frame tighter and pushing slightly with my feet as the moist wind rushed around me.

Speeding through the streets of Saigon, wearing the green Air Force-issued jungle fatigues, my life of a year ago seemed unreal.

Pages or Words: 206 pages

Tour Dates: February 27, 2015

Tour Stops:

Sales Links:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6099 for paperback.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6098 for ebook

Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Palace Dog’

Rafflecopter Code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Night Vision by Amelia Bishop

Blurb:

Theron Antonopolis, a strige, feeds on human emotion. In a tranquil suburban neighborhood, his best meals come from a quiet systems administrator who’s become more than a source of nourishment for Theron—Alex Rowler is an obsession. Theron can no longer remain in the shadows. When they meet, any attraction Alex feels toward the sexy monster is overshadowed by his anxiety and distrust of Theron's supernatural powers. But sensing the underlying arousal, Theron begins courting his human.

As months pass, Theron falls deeply in love, and the need to complete the strige bonding ceremony with his human lover becomes overwhelming. But a permanent commitment is too much, too soon for Alex, and he delays the joining, despite Theron's insistence they are running out of time. As an unbonded pair, however, Theron and Alex draw the attention of the Midnight Parliament, and the lovers are brought to trial to determine their fate.

Buy Links: Amazon • Dreamspinner • AllRomance

Guest post:

Dean asked “How did you come up with the idea for Night Vision?” and my answer is actually kind of silly. I was just daydreaming, and thinking about potential characters, and I thought of a character who liked to climb buildings. In my first thoughts, it was a character who climbed as a quirk, and I imagined that his friends and family would sort of accept it as just an odd behavior. I had a little scene in mind, where someone spotted this person on the roof of a house, and was surprised, but then another character said something like “oh, that’s so-and-so, he climbs when he’s nervous” or something similarly accepting.

The idea sort of bloomed into a paranormal creature, and I started to put together other qualities this character/creature might possess. And that is how the strige was born J So in the end, there was not really a scene like the one I originally imagined in my story, but I do have one that is close:

He dashed away, a blur that slammed the kitchen door. Fuck. Through their connection, Alex felt Theron’s frustration, hurt, and disappointment, and knew he had caused it. Why did Theron have to be so demanding, though? And he had to bring up his damn “age and experience” every time they disagreed.

Ugh. Now he’d be sprinting around the neighborhood, angry, and come home in a snit. Alex cleaned up the kitchen, loading the dishwasher and straightening the table. Then he poured himself a glass of wine and waited.

An hour later he sensed Theron in the yard. Up in the tree, as fucking usual. Alex sighed and downed the rest of his wine. He walked as quietly as possible to the big oak. Theron could sense him, but might not notice if he was distracted or upset.

I know it is short, but I don’t want to give away too much! I hope that you will read the story to find out where this little piece fits.

Thanks to Dean for having me here!

Amelia Bishop links: Twitter • Facebook • Blog • Amazon • Pinterest • Goodreads