Behind the Eight Ball by M.A. Church

I'm excited to have M.A. Church on the blog again today, talking about her latest release. I asked, what makes your new novel different than the rest:

One of the main differences is the shifter itself. While I love a werewolf story as much as the next person, I’m not a “dog” person. I prefer cats. And while I find the big cats fascinating and exotic, I don’t particularly want one running around underfoot, lol.

My shifters are basically house cats, but I’ve modeled them after Savannahs, which are a hybrid cat breed. It’s a cross between a serval and a domestic cat. A serval is a medium-sized African wild cat native to sub-Saharan Africa.

Savannahs can weigh up to thirty pounds, and can be up to 17.1 inches (43.43 cm) from shoulder to toe. The cats in my series weigh forty pounds and are 20 inches from shoulder to toe. They also don’t have the same coloration as a Savannah.

My werecats aren’t homophobic like humanity tends to be. No one’s fur gets ruffled at threesomes, though such a coupling is rare. Trouble Comes in Threes, the first book in the series, is based on such.

The clowder didn’t have a problem with three men being together. No, the problem came when one of the men happened to be human. And that’s something else that tends to be a little different about my series. Instead of humans being prejudiced, the shifters are.

Many clowder members in my series have an ingrained aversion to humans. Each beta I focus on from the West Falls clowder is paired with somebody else, thanks to the goddess Bast. The “somebody else” so far has been a human.

In book #3, the pairing is going to involve another paranormal, but this paranormal isn’t a were. And guess what the clowder’s reaction is going to be? *Gasp* It’s not going to be favorable because this certain paranormal is very, very strong and powerful.

So once again we’re going to be dealing with preconceived ideas and prejudice!

 

Blurb:

A cool morning, a yard full of birds, and a kitty on a mission. What more could a werecat want? Beta Heller Wirth has it all, except a mate—a shifter mate, that is. The last thing he wants is one of those dangerous humans who kill without remorse. Heller knows about that firsthand. So what does the goddess Bast do? She gives Heller exactly what he does not want—a human: business owner Lawson Dupre. 

Lawson hasn’t a clue what just happened in his car detail shop. One minute a cute client is about to pass out, then he perks up and starts flirting. Next thing, he runs out the door like the hounds of hell are after him. Learning that Heller is a werecat doesn’t freak out Lawson. He happens to be one of those rare humans who knows paranormals exists. He even lives with one. Watch the fur fly as Heller and Lawson battle hurt feelings, misguided beliefs, and a power shift in Heller’s clowder.

Pages or Words: 76,000 words

Categories:  Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance

Excerpt:

Step.

Step.

Stop.

The rustling of dead leaves caught my attention, and I froze with one paw still in the air. Not moving and barely daring to breathe, I waited. My whiskers twitched as a cool October breeze disturbed the scent of decaying leaves and rich soil. The foliage trembled again as something rooted around.

I slowly lowered my paw. The disturbance wasn’t very noticeable except to my predatory gaze. The movement continued. Gradually, bit by bit, I crept forward, making sure my long fur didn’t disturb the surrounding mounds of dying leaves. It was times like these I wished my coat were short like Dolf’s. One thing was for sure—whatever was below those leaves was going to be mine shortly. All I needed was to cover a little more distance and I’d be close enough.

Step.

Step.

Crouch.

Heart thumping, I watched as the movement continued. My muscles tightened and my bottom started wiggling. Unable to wait, I sprang forward, claws extended. Leaves flew into the air as I landed on my target. Bugs scattered. Eyes narrowed, I searched for…. There! There was the little bugger. I growled at the big black beetle and trapped it with my paw.

Seconds passed. The bug wiggled under my paw, tickling me. Hunched down, I carefully lifted my paw and peeked. Dammit, can’t see. Unable to get a good look, I lifted my paw a little higher… and there it went, scuttling across the ground. Gleefully I slammed a paw down, trying to trap it. Slap. Slap. Slap. Arrgh! What’s the deal? I keep missing.

Looked like I’d found myself in a game of whack-a-mole, except with a beetle. And off we went. The bug scurried away with me hot on its trail. Every time I thought I had a paw on it, I ended up missing. Stupid critter was fast. I bounded along behind as it raced across the ground. Then it suddenly cut back and ran straight under me.

Surprised, I leaped in the air, all four paws coming off the ground. Whoa! Zigged when I should have zagged. I landed and nonchalantly licked a paw. Hope no one saw that. I had to give the bug credit. That was a smart move. The shrill cry of a mockingbird caught my attention. I lifted my head, searching for the little tattletale.

Up in a tree it sat, its warning cries echoing around the yard. I eyed the tree. Hmm, I could climb it, but the stupid bird will probably just take off. Still, might be fun. Maybe after I finished playing with the bug… and damn. The bug.

My attention returned to where it had been, my tail slashing. Great. Lost it. Stupid bird. I sat up and threw a glare over my shoulder at the bird. Standing, I turned my back to the little menace, tail held high. That’s what I think of you, buddy. I prowled around for a while, sniffing, enjoying the coolness of the morning.

In the early morning sunlight, the dew on the grass sparkled like diamonds. Maybe it was pretty, but the stuff was also cold and wet against my paws. I was glad for my fur. As I wandered back toward the house, my stomach growled. I was hungry and… I sniffed. Oh, was that a blue jay I smelled? Oh, oh, a blue jay. Yum.

The human side of me groaned, but the kitty part wanted to jump with joy. The noisy little shits were actually quite intelligent. Catching one was always a feat. Quick as I could, I hid in the bright fall foliage by the back porch. I stayed very, very still so the stupid bird three feet from me didn’t fly off in a panic.

I licked my lips, my whiskers twitching as I watched the little rascal across from me raise its head. Shit, shit, shit. What caught its attention? Come on already. It’s all fine, nothing to worry about here. No cat hanging around. Just go back to pecking around on the ground. Everything’s good. See? I’m not moving, not even breathing.

Crouched low, I waited while my breakfast relaxed and returned to looking for acorns. Other birds came and went, but I refused to get distracted. I knew the one I wanted. Inch by agonizing inch, I crept closer to my prey. My mouth watered and my heart thumped.

The chatter of the birds around me was easy and relaxed, no distress calls sounding. That’s right. Just keep on eating. Soon I’m going to be eating you. My body tensed, back legs ready to spring me into action….

And the phone in the house rang.

Buy the book:

Meet the author:

M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!

When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or sitting glued to HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.

She was a finalist in the Rainbow awards for 2013 and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ma.church3

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Church/173797619379487

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomoretears00

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nomoretears00/

Other: Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007A8JA4C

Other: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5141393.M_A_Church

Goodreads Link:

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Tour Dates & Stops:

12-Oct:  Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Multitasking Mommas, Parker Williams

13-Oct:  KathyMac Reviews, Nautical Star Books

14-Oct: Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

15-Oct: The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, MM Good Book Reviews, Emotion in Motion

16-Oct: Full Moon Dreaming

19-Oct: V's Reads, BFD Book Blog

20-Oct: Bonkers About Books, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

21-Oct: Happily Ever Chapter, Divine Magazine

22-Oct: Bayou Book Junkie, Lee Brazil

23-Oct: Jessie G. Books

27-Oct: The Jena Wade

28-Oct: Molly Lolly, Love Bytes

29-Oct: Inked Rainbow Reads, My Fiction Nook, Hearts on Fire, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings

30-Oct:  3 Chicks After Dark, QUEERcentric Books, Open Skye Book Reviews

Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of 'Behind the Eight Ball'

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beloved Unmasked by Brita Addams

Thank you, Dean, for having me today. I brought along an excerpt from my newest release, Beloved Unmasked. It is an adult excerpt, so your readers are warned. :-)

To give a little background – Beloved Unmasked takes place in New Orleans in the early 20^th century. The scene below is set in Storyville, New Orleans’s infamous red light district. Spence and Pic are friends, buddies, and Spence feels it his responsibility to guide Pic to manhood, in his own unique way.

If you are interested in learning more about Storyville and the people who inhabited it, I invite everyone to visit my blog for daily posts that started on October 16^th and run through October 23^rd. Just click the blog link below.

Full details for a New Orleans-themed gift pack giveaway on my blog.

And now let’s peek into the world of Spence and Pic. 

Blurb: 

Born to a spiteful prostitute in Storyville, the red-light district in New Orleans, David comes into the world as Picayune, meaning “of little value,” or, as his mother reminds him, “nothing.” In the early 20th century brothels and clubs, his love of music sustains young Pic until a life-changing meeting places him on the road to respectability, and Pic reinvents himself as David Reid.

As David realizes happiness for the first time, conscription forces his friend and first love, Spencer Webb, into the Great War. While he pursues a law degree, letters from Spence connect David to his hopes for the future. After staggering news at war’s end, David must find a way to move forward. Under the tutelage of his benefactor, David’s career prospers, but specters from Storyville threaten all he’s worked so hard to achieve.

The past holds both pain and love. Will facing it head-on destroy David or give him everything he’s ever dared dream?

 

Excerpt:

With each stair, Pic’s curiosity built. Spence often boasted a surprise and gave him a piece of filched cake from the kitchen. But there was the time he had Pic hide behind a curtain while the most gorgeous man he’d ever seen wore Spence out. Pic lost count of how many times Spence howled, “Yeah, Daddy.” Not to mention the nights Pic had spent peeking through the crack in the mahogany armoire.

On those nights Pic’s cock stayed hard until Spence relieved him. Spence often promised that when the time was right, he, in all his magnanimity, would personally oversee the popping of Pic’s cherry, and the promise was all Pic had to show for his patience.

After each of those nights, in the darkened attic, Pic pulled out every drawing he’d ever done of men and beat off three times in an hour. Only then did the fear drain from him at the realization that a wife and kids were not in the cards for him.

Halfway up the stairs, Pic’s instinct to go home nearly turned him around. His gritty eyes demanded sleep. He’d gotten up early and would have to again because he had work to do around the house. Sapphire needed her room cleaned and insisted he do it.

Pic took a step back, but Spence opened the door, his prick in hand. “What in hell takes you so long to climb a flight of stairs? Aren’t you interested in your surprise?”

“Sure I am, but you gotta give a workin’ man a break.”

“You’ll get a big, long break when you’re dead. Get up here.”

Pic trudged up the steps, summoned by the call of cock.

The lingering smell of sex and stale cologne drew him into the massive room Spence called home. Lots of space, and he paid one of the younger girls to polish his furniture every day, which left the room with an underlying aroma of lemon oil.

“Tonight you are in for a treat. I’ve arranged your first time, just like I promised.” Spence bounced with excitement.

Pic gave the room the once-over. “Really?” He shook his head. “I don’t know. Here?”

Spence put a hand on his hip, though the other never left his cock. “Perhaps you’d prefer the parlor downstairs, with witnesses. Yes, here, with only me and the man I personally selected for you.”

“I don’t know, Spence. Maybe it’s too soon.”

“You can’t decide if you wanna get laid or not? What kind of red-blooded American man are you?”

Pic shrugged. “Don’t you remember your first time?”

“Sure I do, and I was a damn sight more eager than you are. Listen, take a drink, and you can ease your mind into the idea that I’m not letting you out of here until you become a full-fledged pansy like me.” Spence ran his long slender fingers down Pic’s face. “I want to set you on the right path. Your partner is a perfect candidate, and he’s eager to help the cause.”

“I’ll take the drink.”

Spence clapped and giggled. “Excellent.”

With an exaggerated sway of the hips, he sashayed to a bootleg liquor–laden table he’d set up near the window.

“I always love coming to your room. So much more comfortable than my cot in the attic.”

“I rather like it myself. I do have a flair for décor, don’t I?”

Spence turned his back, so Pic ambled about. The walls held an overabundance of framed pictures, not just pages from magazines taped to the wallpaper. One was of an older Queen Victoria, adorned in black, her face a mask of sadness. Spence had a thing for England and dreamed of one day visiting Kensington Palace, birthplace and once home of his favorite queen.

The heavy green draperies that hid the bed cost someone a pretty penny, as did the fine lace canopy over Spence’s four-poster.

“There you are, a good vintage, from yesterday. It’ll water your eyes when it hits the bloodstream, but guaranteed, it’ll loosen you up.”

Pic took a sip of the clear drink and wrinkled his nose. “Whoo! That shit is potent.”

“Told ya.” Spence cupped Pic’s crotch. “Speaking of potent. Have I got a treat for you.”

After another sip, Pic put his glass on a nearby table. “What kind of treat? Something better than that shit I hope.”

Spence ran his fingers beneath Pic’s lapel. “You, dear boy, will have your cherry popped by an esteemed attorney.”

Pic raised his hand to ward yet another of Spence’s wild notions. “No.” He leaned in closer. “I’m not baring my ass for some grizzled old fart on his last leg.”

“Au contraire, ma petite pomme de terre.” Spence chuckled and pulled back the heavy drapery. “Does this look like a grizzled old fart to you?”

(insert and center mask and resize to 16%)

Lots of pre-release buzz about Beloved Unmasked

A Tarnished Novel

Cherished One: Book One:

Beloved Unmasked is a beautifully written historical romance. You can feel the streets of New Orleans, see the sights, and hear the sounds. (Cathy Brockman – MM Good Book Reviews)

When you want a historical you can really sink into and feel like you are there, this is the book to pick up. Really amazingly well done. A Recommended Read (Tina Brunelle – Redz World)

Beloved Unmasked has a whole lot packed into the pages. Brita Addams has certainly done her research about New Orleans. (Kazza – On the Top Down Under Reviews)

Buy Beloved Unmasked at Dreamspinner Press. Amazon, All Romance Ebooks

DSP: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6961

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Unmasked-Cherished-One-Book-ebook/dp/B015VNYQE6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444057675&sr=8-1&keywords=beloved+unmasked

All Romance ebooks https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-belovedunmasked-1897343-367.html

The other books in the Tarnished series are Tarnished Gold and Tarnished Souls Frankie and Gent. These take place in the Golden Age of Hollywood and can be read as standalones. Beloved Unmasked is a Tarnished novel, but the first in my Cherished One series. Check my website for the details of those books and my other writings.

Born in a small town in upstate New York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years. In the Frog Capital of the World, Brita shares her home with her real-life hero—her husband, and a fat cat named Stormee. All their children are grown.

Given her love of history, Brita writes both het and gay historical romance. Many of her historicals have appeared on category bestseller lists at various online retailers.

Tarnished Gold, the first in her gay romance Tarnished series for Dreamspinner Press, was a winner in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, Historical Romance category. The book also received nominations for Best Historical and Best Book of 2013 from the readers of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group.

 A bit of trivia—Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, and not Brit-a, like the famous water filter.

Find Brita at any of the following places:

Website – http://britaaddams.net

Blog - http://www.britaaddams.net/#!britaaddamsblog/c1zoe

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/britaaddams

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/britaaddams

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/britaaddams