Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Review & Blog Tour ~ Stoker & Bash :The Fangs of Scavo by Seilna Kray

Length: 100,000 words

Blurb

At Scotland Yard, DI Timothy Stoker is no better than a ghost. A master of arcane documents and niggling details who, unlike his celebrity-chasing colleagues, prefers hard work to headlines. But an invisible man is needed to unmask the city’s newest amateur detective, Hieronymus Bash. A bon vivant long on flash and style but short on personal history, Bash just may be a Cheapside rogue in Savile Row finery.

When the four fangs of the Demon Cats of Scavo—trophies that protect the hunters who killed the two vicious beasts—disappear one by one, Stoker's forced to team with the very man he was sent to investigate to maintain his cover. He finds himself thrust into a world of wailing mediums, spiritualist societies, man-eating lions, and a consulting detective with more ambition than sense. Will this case be the end of his career, or the start of an unexpected liaison? Or will the mysterious forces at play be the death of them both?

And just who is Hieronymus Bash?

June 7 - The Novel Approach, BookLove
June 12 - Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
June 14 - MM Good Book Reviews, Bonkers About Books, BFD Book Blog, We Three Queens, Inglorious Bitches
June 16 - Gay Book Reviews
June 19 - Keysmash
June 21 - Bayou Book Junkie
June 23 - Dog-Eared Daydreams, Padme's Library, Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books
June 26 - Diverse Reader

Author Bio

Selina Kray is the nom de plume of an author and English editor. Professionally she has covered all the artsy-fartsy bases, having worked in a bookstore, at a cinema, in children’s television, and in television distribution, up to her latest incarnation as a subtitle editor and grammar nerd (though she may have always been a grammar nerd). A self-proclaimed geek and pop culture junkie who sometimes manages to pry herself away from the review sites and gossip blogs to write fiction of her own, she is a voracious consumer of art with both a capital and lowercase A.

Selina’s aim is to write genre-spanning romances with intricate plots, complex characters, and lots of heart. Whether she has achieved this goal is for you, gentle readers, to decide. At present she is hard at work on future novels at home in Montreal, Quebec, with her wee corgi serving as both foot warmer and in-house critic.

If you’re interested in receiving Selina’s newsletter and being the first to know when new books are released, plus getting sneak peeks at upcoming novels, please sign up at her website: www.selinakray.net

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This story is very "Sherlock & Watson" inspired, only a little less platonic.

The author did a great job with character development and making them very 3-D.

I loved Heiro's band of misfits and how he "collects" people. It gives him a very mysterious air about him. From the outside you see a cocky, flamboyant, man but he is so far from it.

Stoker or "Kip" is very plain and likes to play by the books for the most part. He's not a very good actor but loves being a detective and cracking codes and the like.

This odd bunch do seem to make a great team. However. I did find myself confused a lot. I'm not one much for historical, Shakespeare and the like. The way of speaking just doesn't appeal to me and I find it hard to read. Thus making this book a very slow read for me. A lot of old theatre terms were used and terms in other languages that I just didn't really comprehend, so I'd kind of skip over that hoping I didn't miss pertanant information.

The story of The Fangs of Scavo itself was pretty interesting. It's loosely based on a true story that happened in another time and can be found in the Chicago museum, so that was is something I'm glad to have found out and can't wait to look into.

All in all this was a 3* for me.

I think Heiro's personality and that little backstory of the real lions was the salvation for me. But I'm sure all you historical and detective buffs will really enjoy this book.

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Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Virtual Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Back to You by Chris Scully

Hello! I’m Chris Scully. I’m thrilled to welcome you to my blog tour for Back to You, my new romantic suspense novel. Join me at various tour stops, where I’ll be sharing some background on the novel and the characters, my thoughts on writing, and more. Comment on each stop to be entered in a drawing for a $20 Riptide gift certificate. Thanks for joining me on the tour!

About Back to You

Journalist Alex Buchanan has come home to the remote British Columbia town he grew up in, but only because his estranged father is dying. For Alex, the homecoming holds a mix of memories, mostly bad. The only bright spot is reconnecting with Benji Morning, the childhood friend he never truly forgot. As boys, the strength of their bond had frightened Alex. But now that he’s confident in his bisexuality, he’s drawn back to quiet, soft-spoken Ben.

Ben isn’t the same boy Alex left behind, though. His life has been overshadowed by the disappearance of his sister two decades earlier, and now a new break in the case threatens to undo the peace he’s worked so hard to attain.

As Alex struggles to repair the relationship with his father before it’s too late, he finds himself caught up in a twenty-year-old mystery, a story he never expected, and a shocking truth that could affect his and Ben’s future together.

Available now from Riptide Publishing. http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/back-to-you

Alex hasn't been home in 20 years. After a phone call from his sister telling him that their father is in his final days he decides to go home one last time.

Alex and Benji we best friends growing up. They did everything together including sharing their first kiss right before Alex moved away. Of course promises we made to keep in touch, but that never happened. Alex decided that while home he would look for the boy that stole his first kiss and his heart all those years ago.

Benji’s sister has been missing for 20 years. His mother has been obsessed with finding her and when a man turns up at her doorstep, she assumes he's with the press to help her with the story of her missing daughter. Alex is a journalist with a New York magazine, but he isn't there for a story, he's there to find the one person he really came home for.

Chris did a wonderful job at balancing the second chance love between Alex and Benji and the mystery of Benji’s missing sister. I never felt that either part was overshadowed by the other. I also felt that the area of BC was just as much a character in this story as the people themselves and I actually enjoyed that.

I give this book 4 sweet stars.

About Chris Scully

Chris Scully lives in Toronto, Canada. She grew up spinning romantic stories in her head and always dreamed of one day being a writer even though life had other plans. Her characters have accompanied her through career turns as a librarian and an IT professional, until finally, to escape the tedium of a corporate day job, she took a chance and began putting her daydreams down on paper.

Tired of the same old boy-meets-girl stories, she found a home in M/M romance and strives to give her characters the happy endings they deserve. She divides her time between a mundane 9-5 cubicle job and a much more interesting fantasy life. When she’s not working or writing (which isn’t often these days) she loves puttering in the garden and traveling. She is an avid reader and tries to bring pieces of other genres and styles to her stories. While her head is crammed full of all the things she’d like to try writing, her focus is always on the characters first. She describes her characters as authentic, ordinary people—the kind of guy you might meet on the street, or the one who might be your best friend.

Although keeping up with social media is still a struggle given her schedule, she does love to hear from readers.

Connect with Chris:

● Website: chrisscullyblog.wordpress.com

● Facebook: facebook.com/chris.scully.author

● Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6152322.Chris_Scully

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Back to You, one lucky winner will receive a $20 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on June 17, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Thursday, June 8, 2017

COVER REVEAL ~~ Strong Enough by Melanie Harlow & David Romanov

Strong Enough, an all-new sexy standalone from USA Today Bestselling author Melanie Harlow and David Romanov is coming June 19th!

Strong Enough

by Melanie Harlow & David Romanov

Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

Publication Date: June 19, 2017

Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

Photographer: Vitaly Dorokhov

I wasn’t looking for Derek Wolfe.

I wasn’t looking for anybody. All I wanted was to start a new life in America. But when I found myself stranded here with no place to go, he came to my rescue, offering me a place to stay.

He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell—I can barely sleep knowing he’s right down the hall. And when the chemistry between us explodes one night with fierce, fiery passion, it’s hard to deny there’s something real between us.

But he does.

He says he was drunk. He says it was a one-time thing. He says he’s not into guys and what we did meant nothing.

He’s lying. Because it happened again, and again, and again. And it’s better every time.

I know we could be good together, and I want the chance to try, but I’m done hiding. If he’s not strong enough to admit the truth, I’ll have to be strong enough to walk away.

Check Out the First THREE Chapters of Strong Enough HERE:

http://www.melanieharlow.com/strong-enough/

Preorder Now:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sfN27l

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/YwYlrO

iBooks: Strong Enough

Nook: https://goo.gl/nCsAec

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/eU1rwv

About Melanie:

Melanie Harlow writes sexy, emotional romance about strong, stubborn characters who can’t help falling in love. She’s addicted to bacon, gin martinis, and summer reading on the screened-in porch. If she’s not buried in a book or binging on Netflix, you might find her running, putting a bun in someone’s hair, or driving to and from the dance studio. She lives outside Detroit with her husband and two daughters. Melanie is the USA Today bestselling author of the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, MAN CANDY, AFTER WE FALL, IF YOU WERE MINE, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s.

Connect with Melanie:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieHarlow/?fref=ts

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NPkYKs

Twitter: @MelanieHarlow2

Website: http://www.melanieharlow.com

About David:

For David Romanov, STRONG ENOUGH is to a great extent autobiographical. Born in Russia and raised in Europe, he landed in the United States at the age of 24, where he learned a lot about cultural differences between East and West. David firmly believes in ‘The One’ and learning through love. When he isn’t traveling or educating Melanie in Russian culture, he enjoys books and the company of his husband and dog in Los Angeles.

Connect with David:

GoodReads: https://goo.gl/2Bekxz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/David-Romanov-Author-1487479804635708/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rWkfUO

Release Day Blitz & #GIveaway ~Stoker & Bash: The Fangs of Scavo by Selina Kray

Length: 100,000 words

Cover: Tiferet Design

Blurb

Excerpt

A hush fell over the room. Tim followed the guests’ avid gazes to the doorway. He nosed his way through the murmuring crowd until he had a perfect view of... a pair of footmen, who swept back onlookers who had ventured in too close, not unlike a more subdued version of the mob outside the Old Bailey. The head butler cleared his throat with the rigor of an opera tenor. A buzz of anticipation flit from guest to guest until a heady swarm of noise heralded the arrival of... who? The Prince of Wales? The Prime Minister? Her Majesty? Surely only someone of royal blood could command a room before setting foot in it.

A figure loomed in the hallway. Silence fell anew. The head butler gave one last great harrumph... and Hieronymus Bash sauntered in with a little wave for his disciples.

He was the most extraordinary man Tim had ever seen. Tall as an oak but sleek as a panther. Bedecked in opulent mauve velour save for the dragon pattern of his waistcoat, the cape he did not remove billowed with his every gesture. A man in constant motion, posing and gesticulating as if life were a grand comedy, and he its star player. He wore the black waves of his hair overlong and lush, skimming his shoulders as if to frame his face in perpetual portrait. His dense but meticulous moustache ill-concealed his pillowy lips. His skin was of a rich brown hue that pointed to foreign origins or ancestry, but his eyes were the main attraction—black as sin and blazing like a dark star, their mercurial glint could bedazzle the Archbishop of Canterbury. That and the clasplike gold earring that studded his left lobe—a wink at piracy that would have had Tim rolling his eyes if he were not too busy wagging his tongue.

He was, in a word, magnificent. Tim felt suddenly as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. He fought to measure his breaths, to slow the percussion of his heart. He stole a handkerchief out of his pocket—not that anyone was looking at him—to blot his hands. If only there was some balm that could dull the tingling constriction in his groin, staunch the flood of shame that suffused him. He hadn’t planned to confront his opponent half-hard and sweat palmed and unbalanced. But that, he would learn, was the effect Hieronymus Bash had on people. At least Tim hoped it wasn’t just him.

It wasn’t. As soon as the footmen retreated, the dam broke. The guests poured over him, by turns flattering and admiring. Those not seeking to seduce him solicited some favor: to find some long-lost bauble, to fetch an absconded relative, to feast as a guest at their table. The star of his celebrity seemingly outshone any reservations they might have about his exoticism.

When at last he tore his eyes away from the dashing Mr. Bash, Tim noticed a bear of a man standing apart from the crowd beside a statue of Osiris. The bushy muttonchops that carpeted his face only added to the menace of his frown. Tim made a mental note to seek the man out later, but for now he had only one appointment. Unfortunately he appeared to be the very last in the queue.

Their host intervened. The guests fell away like heads of wheat as Lord Blackwood sliced through them. This permitted Tim a view of Bash’s two companions: an elegant young blonde woman, likely his ward, and a man with such a regal mien he might have been the Emperor of China, improbably dressed as a manservant. A more mismatched threesome he’d rarely observed.

“Bash,” Blackwood hissed, his spine coiled as tight as a preying cobra. “You are not welcome.”

“Precisely why I came. You are aware, my lord, that a priceless artifact was stolen right under the noses of—” he scanned the crowd, taking in everyone and everything, until his gaze lighted on a startled Tim “—everyone in this room. Save you, sir. Fascinating. Have no fear; I’ll get to you in a bit.” He again confronted Blackwood. “I have been charged with investigating that crime, and since you are hosting a virtual recreation of its circumstances—excepting you are fool enough to display the fang in this very room—how could I fail to attend? Invitation or no. Besides, Goldie will vouch for me.”

“Simply because—”

“—Goldie’s fang was pilfered doesn’t mean, et cetera, et cetera.” Bash yawned theatrically. “My good man, if you’re going to put on a show, you cannot fail to invite the main attraction.” He addressed the crowd. “Is that not so?”

A chorus of “Hear, hear” and unanimous approval rang out.

“You see?”

“Mr. Bash, this evening’s aim is a serious exploration of the—”

A loud snore interrupted him. Bash startled as if being woken from a nap.

“Blackwood, I assure you, no one is trying to prevent you from dissecting the spiritual ramifications of your underclothes. But a real crime has been committed, a crime that may be repeated tonight, in this very room. No matter what you may think of my abilities, I will not sit at home, quaffing port and smoking cigars, while another house is burgled and these fine people are left at risk.” If the guests were on Bash’s side before, they would now pledge him their firstborn. “May I proceed? Or will you again prove yourself an enemy to common sense?”

Tim could only imagine the expression on Blackwood’s face. Bash confronted it with a cunning smile. In the end no other words were exchanged. Blackwood simply stepped aside to murmurs of approval. Bash and his companions, with an elderly military man in tow, formed a barricade around the giant tooth. Baffled, Tim sought to ingratiate himself with his fellow guests, hoping to ply them for information.

He devoted as much of his full attention as he could spare to them, his eyes lured back to Bash’s mesmeric presence again and again. Though Tim was under no illusions as to the Bash’s true nature—criminal, if not an outright fraud—there was something undeniably magnetic about him. The way he played to the crowd. The way he flouted authority. The pride with which he carried himself. If that was an act, then it was a convincing one.

Tim would take great pleasure in bringing this wild dog to heel.

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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

COVER REVEAL ~ Changing Lines (Harrisburg Railers #1) by RJ Scott & VL Locey

Add to Goodreads.

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Release Date: July 12 2017

Harrisburg Railers Series

First Season (Book #2) - Coming soon!

Blurb

Can Tennant show Jared that age is just a number, and that love is all that matters?

The Rowe Brothers are famous hockey hotshots, but as the youngest of the trio, Tennant has always had to play against his brothers’ reputations. To get out of their shadows, and against their advice, he accepts a trade to the Harrisburg Railers, where he runs into Jared Madsen. Mads is an old family friend and his brother’s one-time teammate. Mads is Tennant’s new coach. And Mads is the sexiest thing he’s ever laid eyes on.

Jared Madsen’s hockey career was cut short by a fault in his heart, but coaching keeps him close to the game. When Ten is traded to the team, his carefully organized world is thrown into chaos. Nine years his junior and his best friend’s brother, he knows Ten is strictly off-limits, but as soon as he sees Ten’s moves, on and off the ice, he knows that his heart could get him into trouble again.

Head over to the Cover Reveal party on Facebook where you can get your discounted pre-order code for Changing Lines!

RJ Scott is the bestselling romance author of over 100 romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men and women who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn't with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn't like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

mailto:rj@rjscott.co.uk
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V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and two Jersey steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and GoodReads.

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Monday, June 5, 2017

New Release + 4.5* Review ~ On Point (Out of Uniform #3) by Annabeth Albert

ON POINT IS OUT!

Book Three of the Out of Uniform series is here with my friends-to-lovers SEAL romance. I cannot wait for you to meet Maddox and Ben & share their hard-won HEA with with them. Out in audio, paperback, and ebook!

Never fall for your best friend…

Pushing thirty, with his reenlistment looming, decorated navy sniper Maddox Horvat is taking a long look at what he really wants in life. And what he wants is Ben Tovey. It isn't smart, falling for his best friend and fellow SEAL, but ten years with Ben has forged a bond so intimate Maddox can't ignore it. He needs Ben by his side forever—heart and soul.

Ben admits he likes what he's seen—his friend's full lower lip and the perfect muscles of his ass have proved distracting more than once. But Ben's still reeling from a relationship gone to hell, and he's not about to screw up his friendship with Maddox, too.

Until their next mission throws Ben and Maddox closer together than ever before, with only each other to depend on.

Now, in the lonely, desperate hours awaiting rescue, the real challenge—confronting themselves, their future and their desires—begins. Man to man, friend to friend, lover to lover.

4.5*

This is my current favorite Out of Uniform book. Why you ask?? Because finally, FINALLY, we get some actual military action!! Yes, I'm all for the romantic aspects, but if I'm going to read a series about SEALS, I want an actual story with them doing real SEAL missions.

Aside from that, Ben and Maddox were great. Ben has a little bit of separation issues, thanks to his mother and "ex-husband" (we're using the term lightly here) and Maddox has some small town Conservative family issues as well, so they're kind of a mess. After a mission ending bot-so-great, Ben kind of has an epiphany and starts to think what his life would be like without his friend of over a decade, and he decides to take action.

I thought it was adorable how Ben brought forth his intentions to Maddox, and his date ideas and wanting to make Maddox happy. It was also frustrating to see him be so insecure in it as well. Ben has himself convinced he doesn't believe in love and the idea of marriage is BS to him. This throws a pretty large wrench in things, on top of abandonment issues. Ben overreacts and you want to hug him and smack him all at the same time.

Let's take a moment to visualize a large, buff, Navy SEAL in a bakery ((I am also imagining an apron, because, c'mon!?))
It's endearing and totally hot, right?? That's Maddox for you!! I love that he's finally letting go of the family that won't be proud of him no matter how hard he tries and starts his pursuit of happiness. I didn't like that he put of telling Ben for so long,but alas, that's where our angst comes in.

I felt bad for both these guys. I could feel both their pain from each perspective, and neither of them were wrong in their own way. It did give us a great make up session though (can we say dirty talkers?) and an ultimate HEA!!

STALK THE AUTHOR

Frequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

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Saturday, June 3, 2017

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway ~ His Master by Bink Cummings

Title: His Master

Author: Bink Cummings

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: June 1, 2017

Six years ago, I was accepted into an exclusive BDSM commune that caters to the gay elite, and molded into the submissive of every dom's dream. Under the ever watchful eye of Master Croy, my savior, I spend my days fulfilling my masters' every fantasy. It has become my solace. The only place I’ve felt at home. They respect me for who I am. Made me into the man I’ve become…It is my hope that I never have to leave…

Until now…

Because of him.

The master who makes me feel.

The gray haired God who sees me as more than a slick hole and pretty face.

I’ve never felt this way before.

Things are changing.

I’m changing…But I don’t know what it means.

My home is here. I can’t leave.

But what about him? Master Kellan. I think he wants me.

And,

Can I tell you a secret?

I think I want him, too.

Warning: Contains shameless, make your toes curl, sexual M/M content. Adult F'in language. A smidgen of mushy love. Taboo elements including those of consensual BDSM relationships. And whatever else that makes it unsuitable for anyone under the age of 18.

Standalone Novel

- See some of your favorite characters from the Corrupt Chaos MC series and the Crimson Outlaws.

Visit the Authors Facebook Page for Pinned Post Giveaway

Author Bink Cummings was born and raised part of a biker family. Upon the incessant coercion from her sacred sisters, she has begun her newest journey in life--writing. When she's not shacked up in her home writing at all hours of the night, Bink enjoys riding motorcycles, taking care of her family, reading, and cooking huge meals--Especially her infamous chocolate chip cookies.