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I Blackmailed Her Brother
-- EXCERPT: I reach into my pocket and wave a USB in his face. It’s a physical backup I use whenever I’m on the road and Wi-Fi isn’t viable. One of the first things Gemma taught me was to back up everything. Currently, it just has some random files on it, but Wally doesn’t know that. He eyes the USB nervously. “What’s on that?” “It has photos of your arrest, as well as police reports on the drugs you were caught with.” He blanches and sweat beads over his forehead. “Look, I don’t want to have to do this. Just give us the keycard to room 704, and we’ll be in and out in less than a few minutes.” “I’ll get fired,” he whines, his voice piercing louder. I wince, glancing around us, but no one appears to be paying us much attention. Yet. “You won’t be. No one will know what’s happening. Gemma and I will look like two lovers going up to our room, and we’ll exit without anyone knowing we were there.” He shakes his head, but it looks more defeated than opposing. “I can’t fucking believe you. I won’t ever forgive you or her. She is dead to me,” he snaps while stabbing the keyboard in front of him angrily. My stomach drops, and my lungs compact, making it harder to catch my breath. “Please don’t be angry at her. She has no idea I’m doing this,” I beg quietly. Wally does tend to exaggerate in most things. His admission the first time I met him that he would die if the snow didn’t let up soon comes to mind. But Wally also loves to create drama. Often, he orchestrates arguments at family dinners purely for his own amusement. I can totally see him wanting revenge for this, and what better way than to make Scarlett’s life miserable by taunting her over what I have done. “I don’t give a fuck if she knows what you’re doing,” he hisses as he slaps the keycard on the counter, his stare cold enough to give me frostbite. “You have fifteen minutes before the room is occupied.” “Thank you,” I tell him, hoping my pleading tone gains me some sort of sympathy, or at least forgiveness. He doesn’t glance back up at me again. I like Scarlett a lot. How is she going to react to what just happened? How the hell is she going to forgive me for how I threatened her brother? Will she understand? Or hate me? I did this all for the right reasons, didn’t I? I had no choice, not without disappointing Zander. I need to prove to everyone that I am up for this. That becoming a private investigator isn’t a mistake. But, did I take it too far?
GIVEAWAY!
Title: Defensive Play Series: A Boys on the Brink Novella Author: Jamie Deacon Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing Cover Artist: Natasha Snow Release Date: November 30, 2018 Genre: Gay YA Sports Romance Length: 21,500 words Add to your Goodreads shelves
About the BookBlurbOne glance is all it takes to bring his defences crashing down… Seventeen-year-old Davey has never made friends easily. Shy, geeky, crippled with social anxiety, he feels isolated from his peers, and only his position as defender for the school football team fills the void of loneliness. On the pitch, his deft footwork has earned him the respect and acceptance of his squad, though at a price. Desperate to hold onto this camaraderie, Davey conceals the truth from everyone, even his own family. Then, during the annual Brookshire football tournament, his eyes meet those of a rival player across the field and a spark flares between them, one neither boy can deny. Adam is everything Davey longs to be—confident, popular, comfortable with his sexuality. Davey aches to explore their connection, to discover where it might lead, but how can he follow his heart and risk rejection by his teammates, the closest thing to friends he has ever known?ExcerptThe rain has stopped. A soft mist hangs in the air, turning the distant streetlights a hazy orange. After the stuffiness of the clubhouse, the night is bitterly cold and I pull on my sweatshirt against the chill. I sit on the steps overlooking the car park, heedless of the damp that seeps through my jeans. Elbows on knees, I rest my chin in my hands and close my eyes, attempting to clear my mind. I don’t want to think anymore. I just want to sit with nothing but the dark and the quiet for company. I haven’t been hunched there long when the door opens, ejecting a stream of warmth and thumping bass. I glance behind me, although I know who it will be. My body goes still. Adam lets the door swing shut and, just like that, we’re alone. He doesn’t seem surprised to find me on the steps. Perhaps he saw me leave. Has he followed me? My insides clench. What if Adam thinks I did it deliberately, that I meant to lure him out here. Maybe I had. Maybe, deep down, a part of me hoped Adam might come, even while the rest of me prayed he wouldn’t. This time, when our gazes connect, there’s no one to see, no football match to act as a buffer. I drink him in. Even in the faint glow filtering through the frosted pane in the door, his eyes are a vivid blue. “Hey,” Adam says. Such a simple word that expresses so much. There’s recognition there, like we’re childhood friends meeting after years apart, but uncertainty, too. He has a nice voice, I register through my turbulent thoughts—warm and slightly husky. “Hey.” My reply emerges somewhere between a croak and a squeak. Cringing, I stare down at my feet. “It’s Davey, right?” I fling him a startled look. Had this boy—this confident, gorgeous boy—actually gone to the trouble of finding out my name? One side of Adam’s mouth lifts in a crooked smile. “Well, I had to know who the lunatic was who almost took my leg off.” “God.” I bury my face in my hands. Of course Adam was going to ask about me after what happened on the pitch. “I’m so sorry.” He laughs and nudges my thigh with the toe of his trainer. “I’m kidding. Seriously, you did us a favour.” I dare a peep at him, unable to rid myself of the thought that he has pursued me out here to take the piss. That wouldn’t be anything new, after all. “It’s true.” Adam crouches on the step beside me, his expression amused but without malice. “Rob warned me about you. He said the rest of your defence was pretty solid, but probably weren’t quick enough to catch me. You were the real threat.” I grimace. “I’m guessing he wasn’t expecting me to take you out quite so spectacularly, though.” “Funnily enough, that wasn’t included in the pep talk. Still, I should be thanking you. You made our job a whole lot easier.” “Don’t remind me. You should’ve heard the guys after the match. I’ll never hear the end of it.” Adam laughs again, and I can’t hold back a smile. Here I am, having an actual conversation with an amazing-looking boy—a boy who’d caught me checking him out, no less—and I’m not making an ass of myself. The door behind us bursts open and several guys spill out. I tense, guard raised. Will they think it odd us sitting out here alone? I scan their faces, but none are from Farnstead. A moment later, they barrel down the steps without giving either of us a second look and head for one of the cars parked nearby. As they pile in and the engine growls to life, I exhale, shoulders slumping. I can feel Adam studying me and keep my gaze lowered. “You’re not out,” he says, “are you?” “What?” My entire body goes rigid. He knows. I’d already guessed as much, but suspecting it is one thing; being confronted with the indisputable truth sends me spiralling back into panic mode. Why had he really followed me out here? I’d thought…been sure I’d read something in his eyes when they locked with mine, but what if I’m wrong? Do I truly believe someone like Adam, someone popular and self-assured, would have sought me out? Unless… I see again the Brookminster players in their huddle, sniggering, moments after Adam caught me staring. I’d reassured myself they weren’t laughing about me, but perhaps my fears had been well founded. The cold certainty settles like a snowball in my gut. I’d given myself away, and now the other lads have sent Adam out here to chat me up, trick me into an admission I won’t be able to take back. For all I know, his mates are somewhere close by as we speak, listening in. “Hey.” Adam extends his palms in what is probably supposed to be a calming gesture. “It’s all right. I know and it’s all right.” “You don’t know anything,” I snap. The instinct for self-preservation, to keep my protective wall intact at any cost, propels me to my feet. “You hear me? You don’t know anything about me.” Before he can respond, I’m down the steps and sprinting into the darkness, phone already out to call my parents. All I want is to go home, crawl into bed, and forget today ever happened.Purchase Your Copy!Kindle UK | Kindle US | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo | Smashwords | Beaten Track PublishingAbout Jamie DeaconAuthor BioJamie lives in a tranquil spot close to the River Thames in Berkshire, England, and has always been just a little out of place—the only redhead in a family of brunettes; an introvert far more at ease with dogs than with people; a connoisseur of simple pleasures in a society intent on the quest for wealth and fame. Despite an outward cynicism, Jamie is a romantic at heart, and, when not immersed in a book, can mostly be found writing emotional stories where young men from all walks of life are forced to navigate the sometimes painful reality of growing up, coming out, and falling in love.Connect with JamieWebsite | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodreadsGiveawayTo celebrate the release of Defensive Play, Jamie Deacon is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card. For your chance to win, simply enter via the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway is open to entrants world wide, and closes at midnight EST on Friday December 7, 2018. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Title: Havoc
Series: Tattoos & Ties #1
Author: Kindle Alexander
Genre: M/M MC Romance
Release Date: November 27, 2018
Keyes Dixon’s life is challenging enough as a full patch member of the Disciples of Havoc Motorcycle Club but being a gay biker leaves him traveling down one tough road. With an abusive past and his vow to the club cementing his future, he doesn’t believe in love and steers clear of commitment. But a midnight ride leads to a chance meeting with a sexy pretty-boy in a wicked hot sports car that has him going down quicker than a Harley on ice.
Cocky Assistant District Attorney Alec Pierce lives in the shadow of his politically connected family. A life of privilege doesn’t equal a life of love, a fact made obvious at every family gathering. Driven yet lonely, Alec yields to his family’s demands for his career path, hoping for the acceptance he craves. Until he meets a gorgeous biker who tips the scales in the favor of truth…and he can no longer live a lie.
Can two men from completely different worlds…and sides of the law…find common ground, or will all their desires only wreak Havoc?
Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It's always a surprise to see what's coming next!
I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it's true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women's hair!
Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life - I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations - regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal... I don't want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I'm going to tell you about Kindle.
I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I'll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died - weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn't have to be alone.
That time in my life was terrible. It's everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.
Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness - it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.
Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn't a time she wasn't there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It's its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn't be here today without her.
Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at [email protected]
Title: Tuning It Out
Series: Young Spades #3
Author: Riley Long
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: October 31, 2018
Trick Thomas has it all: a great family, a tight-knit group of friends, and a promising future. Tired of the go-nowhere music scene in Boulder, Colorado, Trick and his up-and-coming indie rock band Young Spades are headed to California with dreams of making it big in L.A. and nothing is going to get in his way.
Noah Reed is inches from finishing graduate school, married to his high-school sweetheart, and gay. Even though theyâve both known for years, Noahâs wife Haley canât let go of their marriage as she tries to protect her ailing father. Convinced that he will never be able to live the life he knows he wants, a chance encounter at an art gallery leaves him with no choice but to try.
Trick showed up at Noahâs house a few minutes after seven. Heâd taken the worldâs fastest shower, and had gone through at least fifteen shirts before heâd settled on the right one. He went with the light blue sweater his mom had gotten him a couple of years ago. It was snug, and looked great with tight black jeans.
He stood on the front porch and rubbed his palms on his hips. He was already nervous, had been for hours, but the nerves intensified with each passing minute. He wasnât sure why he was so worried, exactly. He had totally been doing the hookup thing for years. Heâd had a few brief relationships with guys, friends-with-benefits, that kind of thing. Somehow, this felt different.
No. He had to keep reminding himself, he was moving soon, and Noah would be staying put. He wasnât going to get too caught up in this one.
It was at that moment that Trick realized heâd been standing on the stoop for an inappropriately long time without knocking. He raised his fist. Before he could make contact, Noahâs shape appeared through the decorative pane of glass in the door.
It swung open. Noah was smiling wide, showing off his straight, white teeth. He was wearing a tan, form-fitting thermal shirt that accentuated off his strong body, and his hair was damp.
âSorry, just got out of the shower.â
He moved aside and Trick stepped into the house, trying like hell not to think of Noah in the shower.
Trick looked around as Noah shut the door behind them. The house was small, the living room barely big enough for the oversized, well-worn couch and battered coffee table. The dated kitchen was just off of the living room, and beyond that, a narrow hallway with several closed doors. One of those had to be the bedroom.
Focus. Trick couldnât just obsess about sleeping with this guy. At least, not while they were on a date. The beginning of the date.
âI was going to cook, but my last session ran long. I hope takeoutâs okay?â
âYeah, sure, whateverâs fine. Iâm easy.â
âIâll hold you to that,â Noah said, winking, and disappeared into the kitchen.
Trick exhaled with relief. His entire face was flooded with heat. He wasnât sure why he was so self-conscious and shy around this one. Get a grip.
âWith Colby around, my mom has it hard enough planning meals, so Iâve learned not to be picky.â Trick followed Noah into the kitchen. âYou need a hand or anything?â
Noah looked up from his work plating big servings of pasta with tomato sauce. âNo, Iâm good. How old is Colby, anyway?â
âHeâs eight.â
Noah added what seemed like a half a loaf of bread to each plate. âWow. Thatâs a lot younger.â
âThirteen years.â
âMustâve been weird, being a teenager and suddenly having a baby brother around.â
Trick shrugged. âGuess so. Honestly, my parents let me move into the basement right before he was born, so itâs not like he was keeping me up at night or anything.â
âNice. You want anything to drink?â Noah opened the fridge. âIâve got water, lemonade, cheap beer.â
âUh, lemonade, actually. Thanks.â No need to get drunk on a first date.
Noah poured two glasses, then handed one to Trick along with an overloaded plate. âLetâs eat in the living room. I donât really have a âdining roomâ exactly, so I just eat at that little table.â
Trick nodded and led the way.
âSo that basement has been all yours for a long time, then.â
âIâm kind of a hermit, so I like it.â
âWell, youâre in a rock band. How much of a hermit can you be?â
Trick settled onto the couch, lowering his plate and glass to the table. âIndie rock.â
Noah gave him a look, dark eyebrows raised, head tilted to the side. Trick was momentarily distracted by Noahâs hair, which tumbled onto his forehead.
âThereâs a difference.â
âFair enough. The question stands.â
âI donât know. Itâs fun.â He took a bite of his pasta. The sauce was garlicky and sweet at the same time, and while it was delicious, he couldnât help but wonder if garlic was the best choice for a date-night meal.
âThatâs it, just because itâs fun? Then why move to L.A.? Why pursue stardom?â
Trick put his fork down. âIâm an artist. Itâs who I am. I like to create. Part of creating things for me is sharing them with people. Music has gotten me through a lot of shit. If I can do that for someone else, yâknow, itâs worth it.â He knew the answer wasnât the standard one everyone handed out, but it was the truth.
Noah was quiet. Trick noticed his hands again, broad and strong, but tonight, they had a little tremble when Noah moved.
âWhat?â
âNothing. That was just really honest.â
âYou expected me to lie?â
âNo, not at all. Thatâs not what I meant. I just figured youâd say something easy like, âmoney and fame.â Not that you wanted to help people.â
Trick felt self conscious, and shifted in his seat. Unsure of what to do next, he shrugged, and scooped a forkful of noodles into his mouth.
âSorry, I didnât mean to make things so serious.â
Trick shook his head. âItâs fine,â he mumbled, eyes on his plate, his mouth partially full. He swallowed and looked at Noah. âWhat about you? Working with kids with autism?â
âSame basic idea, really. I want to help kids who canât always help themselves.â
âCool.â
They both went back to their food, which was almost gone anyway. When they finished eating, Noah took the plates to the kitchen while Trick browsed through streaming services to find a movie. Noah returned with two small bowls.
âWhatâs that?â
âIce cream. Hope vanillaâs okay.â
Trick grinned. âItâs a good starting point.â
It was Noahâs turn to blush a little, and he cleared his throat. âAny good movies?â
âAction okay?â
âAlways.â Noah laughed.
Trick pressed play, and the movie began. Noah turned off the overhead light. Only the glow from the kitchen and TV remained. They watched and ate ice cream, but Trick wasnât really paying attention. He was focused on Noah, throwing sideways glances at him as often as he could get away with it. He caught Noah doing the same.
Trick took one last bite and placed his bowl on the table, then turned to Noah, one leg tucked underneath himself. Hesitating, he studied Noah for a moment, waiting for a cue. Noah swallowed, his Adamâs apple bobbing, and broke their eye contact, looking at his ice cream. Trick took Noahâs dish from his hands and sat it next to his own, then shifted a little closer to the other man. Noah ran his hands along the tops of his thighs, then reached toward Trick. Once again, Trick caught sight of the tremor in Noahâs hands.
That was all the encouragement Trick needed. He moved forward, planting one foot on the ground between Noahâs, and kneeling on the couch with the other leg. Noahâs hand slid up Trickâs thigh and onto his ass. Trick leaned in and pressed his mouth to Noahâs, lips parted, hands on his face, pulling Noah close.
Noah tasted cool and sweetâthe kiss was anything but. The scrape of Noahâs unshaven stubble on Trickâs face set a fire inside him, and he pressed forward. One of Noahâs hands clutched Trickâs ass, and the free one moved up to the waistband of Trickâs jeans fingers curling around the fabric, nails scratching Trickâs hip.
Trickâs cock strained against his jeans as they kissed, and when Noahâs hands loosened their grip, it was all Trick could do not to guide one of them to his groin. Almost as if Noah could read his mind, Noahâs hand rubbed over the erection as his deft fingers worked to free Trick.
Trick slid a hand up, into Noahâs hair, and tightened into a fist, tugging gently. Noahâs hands stilled, making Trick want to stop in protest, but he could wait a few more seconds. He released Noahâs mouth, and Noah gasped as Trick pulled his hair. It didnât sound like a protest, and in any case, Trick wasnât pulling hard enough to hurt, not really. He bent down and moved his lips and tongue from Noahâs earlobe to the soft spot under his jaw.
Noah gasped again, and he really didnât sound like he minded, so Trick scraped his teeth along the skin there. A little cry escaped Noah.
âYou okay?â Trick whispered against Noahâs damp jaw.
âGod, never better.â Noahâs hands began working again, until Trickâs jeans were unfastened, and Noah was shoving the denim down Trickâs hips.
Trick pulled back slightly. âAs much as Iâd like to do this right hereââ
âDonât tell me youâre leaving.â Noah wrapped a hand around Trickâs erection and it was all Trick could do not to gasp in relief.
Trick laughed once. âI just donât want to be naked in front of your door is all. Wouldnât want to scandalize the neighbors if they peeked in.â
âFuck âem.â Noah stroked his fist along Trickâs length.
âIâd rather fuck you.â
âIf you insist.â
Trick took a step back and reluctantly pulled up his jeans. âNow, show me where the bedroom is.â
Riley Long is a wife and mother living a quiet life in Virginia, with her husband, son, and very silly Pit Bull puppy. She passes her evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television). For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs. She likes things with silly acronyms. The craziest thing Riley has ever done involves lots of butter and a time lapsed video.
Title: The Lesbian and the Homophobic President
Author: Judy Ramsook
Genre: Lesbian Romance
Published: April 23, 2013
Romance, suspense, mystery, it's all here.
“If some one stuck you somewhere for two months, you’d have a lot of thinking time on your hands too,” said Sandy. Little did Kelly know at the time how true those words from her former lover would turn out to be.
Kidnapped and placed on the isolated island of Acaboa, she could not single out a suspect- was it Will? Her homophobic acquaintance from school now President of the United States of America who wanted her out of the way so he could have Jackie, her best friend, all to himself.
Or could it be Jackie’s father who wanted her out of Jackie’s life because he considered Kelly to be a bad influence on his daughter.
And will Kelly get a chance to reveal to Jackie how she truly feels about her.
Come and see for yourself in this tale of lesbian love sprinkled with deception, lust and lies.
Judy Ramsook was taking a mental note of a few anti gay comments a certain POTUS said while running for President in the early 2000s. And wondered what a fictitious one would do if he suddenly learned that a close family member were not only gay, but seeing a lesbian he knew and hated.
Judy Ramsook was born in San Fernando, Trinidad (Trinidad & Tobago) to East Indian parents. In the mid eighties she came to the USA where she attended San Antonio College and The University of Texas At San Antonio.
No stranger to accomplishments, by the age of 25, Judy had already published a poem in one of her country's leading newspapers, The Guardian. And when she came to San Antonio, she was on the Dean's List in the Spring of 1986 for having a 4.0 GPA.
In 2004 after publishing her first book, Karen's Adventure, which is currently available on amazon.com in Ebook format as Princess Tide's Adventure, Judy Ramsook kept on writing and posting articles on various websites such as: www.amchron.soundenterprises.net (formerly americanchronicles.com) www.ourecho.com and currently resides in San Antonio, Texas.
The Weekend Bucket List
by Mia Kerick Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction/Coming of Age (LGBTQ) Release Date: April 19th 2018 Duet Books, YA imprint of Interlude
Summary:
High school seniors Cady LaBrie and Cooper Murphy have yet to set one toe out of line—they’ve never stayed out all night or snuck into a movie, never gotten drunk or gone skinny-dipping. But they have each other, forty-eight hours before graduation, and a Weekend Bucket List. There’s a lot riding on this one weekend, especially since Cady and Cooper have yet to admit, much less resolve, their confounding feelings for one another—feelings that prove even more difficult to discern when genial high school dropout Eli Stanley joins their epic adventure. But as the trio ticks through their bucket list, the questions they face shift toward something new: Must friendship play second fiddle to romance? Or can it be the ultimate prize?
For Me, Boyfriends Were the Easier Option by Mia Kerick
I realized by the time I hit high school that having a boyfriend was easier than being a platonic friend. Yup…that’s what I said--it was easier. I could depend on aspects of myself that I didn’t have to think too hard about. See, boys liked my cuteness. My sexy outfits. I didn’t have to worry too much about what I said to them because, at this point in my life, it was almost all about how I appeared. Getting boyfriends was a snap. Being with them was a piece of cake. (Excuse the mixed metaphors.)
Making platonic friends had never been easy for me. My mother told me I was picked on by the neighborhood kids starting when I was just a toddler because I was “so darn sweet.” Yes, her words. My big sister was assigned the Herculean task of looking out for me. On the first day of kindergarten, Heidi Hazelton slapped my face when I didn’t get off the seesaw fast enough for her liking. I’m not sure how she knew she could get away with doing this to me—that I wouldn’t scream or tell a teacher, or maybe hit her back—but it became a trend in my young life. Anne Towne slapped my face for “spacing out” at my McDonalds birthday party in fifth grade. She’d informed me that I was “just so annoying, sitting there wearing that dumb smile.” (Some lines, even when delivered by ten-year-olds, aren’t easily forgotten.) In junior high school, Donna Brezinski constantly swore she’d sit with me at lunch tomorrow, but never kept her promises. Nope, tomorrow never came and so I sat alone. I was the kind of girl who was easy to push around. To make promises to, with no intention of keeping them. I was invisible at best, a victim at worst.
Mom also said the girls were jealous of me because I was pretty, but I knew that wasn’t it. Something about me simply didn’t deserve my friends’ respect. The stuff I said must have stupid and irrelevant, right? On the rare moments they graced me with their presence on the playground, I was too giddy with glee to be taken seriously. I faced it when I was young; I was just not cool.
When trying overly hard to be a friend, I talked too much, or not enough. I giggled hysterically. I blushed at the drop of a hat. It didn’t fly. But it was different with boyfriends. Especially boys who didn’t know me from school, as they had gotten the picture of precisely how uncool I was. Which left boys I met at the mall or the roller skating rink, and sometimes teenage lifeguards from the local beach. I quickly realized that it pretty much didn’t matter what I said, as long as they liked the way I looked. Maybe all boys weren’t like that, but the boys I found behaved that way with me. And my confidence grew—about how I looked. Not about who I was.
I adjusted my personality to each of the boys I dated because I wasn’t sure exactly who I was without them. When I dated Steve Giza, I wore cut-off shorts and black half-tops and was AC/DC’s biggest fan. With Jackie Clark, I morphed into the picture of preppiness. And when in a relationship with each of the three Michaels I dated from the roller skating rink, one after the next, I impersonated a diva, grooving to BeeGees music beneath the glittering Roller Palace disco ball, wearing black, stirrup leggings and a silky pink baseball jacket. Rocking very high hair. Each boy was literally my “other half,” or maybe even “my other three-quarters.” I believed I was just an empty shell without them.
This trend continued into adulthood… even with the man I married. I became a country music fan, because he was. I drank beer out of a bottle as I tapped my foot to Alan Jackson songs. But that wasn’t really me. And thankfully, Mr. Mia was understanding as I grew into the real Mia who can listen to acoustic cover tunes all day on Sirius XM’s Coffee House, and who drinks way too much Pomegranate Arizona Iced Tea. And has a passion for chocolate and her four kids and too many cats. But it was a long time coming.
I adjusted my personality to each of the boys I dated because I wasn’t sure exactly who I was without them. When I dated Steve Giza, I wore cut-off shorts and black half-tops and was AC/DC’s biggest fan. With Jackie Clark, I morphed into the picture of preppiness. And when in a relationship with each of the three Michaels I dated from the roller skating rink, one after the next, I impersonated a diva, grooving to BeeGees music beneath the glittering Roller Palace disco ball, wearing black, stirrup leggings and a silky pink baseball jacket. Rocking very high hair. Each boy was literally my “other half,” or maybe even “my other three-quarters.” I believed I was just an empty shell without them.
This trend continued into adulthood… even with the man I married. I became a country music fan, because he was. I drank beer out of a bottle as I tapped my foot to Alan Jackson songs. But that wasn’t really me. And thankfully, Mr. Mia was understanding as I grew into the real Mia who can listen to acoustic cover tunes all day on Sirius XM’s Coffee House, and who drinks way too much Pomegranate Arizona Iced Tea. And has a passion for chocolate and her four kids and too many cats. But it was a long time coming.
I wish I’d focused more on friendship when I was young. I wish I pushed through the awkwardness, and spoke my mind. Or maybe I should have invested time in finding the right kind of friends. I should have given more consideration to the kids who weren’t on my radar—the quiet kids, the “weird” kids, the nerds. Because I had so few friends as a child and a teen, I missed out on a lot.
Friendship offers opportunity that romance often can’t.
FRIENDSHIP: *can tolerate complete honesty *is dependable, especially in times of trouble *allows you total freedom *calls you out when you are wrong *celebrates your success without reservation *grows stronger with disagreements *is able to forgive and overlook *helps you live longer *makes you want to be a better person To bring this “friends really do matter” essay to a conclusion, I’d like to quote a few wise people who have figured this out.
A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow. ~William Shakespeare
Everybody understands friendship, and friendship is different than love - it's a different kind of love. Friendship has more freedom, more latitude. You don't expect your friend to be as you think your friend should be; you expect your friend just to love you as a friend. ~Carole King Where would you be without friends? The people to pick you up when you need lifting? We come from homes far from perfect, so you end up almost parent and sibling to your friends - your own chosen family. There's nothing like a really loyal, dependable, good friend. Nothing. ~Jennifer Aniston A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself. ~Jim Morrison
About the Author
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject. Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories. Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology. Contact Mia at [email protected]. Sweet Possession by A.M. Salinger (Nights Series, #5) Publication date: May 15th 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance Synopsis: I don’t want to ruin his future. I don’t want him to miss out on having a family. I should let him go — Luke I love him. And I know he loves me. So why is he pulling away from me? — Ash Settled in his new life in Singapore with the man he has loved his entire life finally at his side, Ash Colby has never been happier. Not only does Luke fulfill him body and soul, their future together could not be any brighter. Luke still cannot believe that Ash is finally his. But although he loves Ash more than life itself and has finally found a partner who can satisfy his carnal needs, Luke doesn’t want to get in the way of the young Colby heir’s future. When he decides to give their relationship some breathing space, Luke cannot foresee the despicable act he will commit the night Ash finally challenges him about his cool behavior. With their love and their future at stake, can Ash force Luke to face his fears and admit they truly do belong together? Or will Luke’s stubbornness and remorse tear their burgeoning relationship apart? Find out if Ash and Luke find their happy ever after in this fifth novella in the hot, contemporary romance series Nights by A.M. Salinger. Note from the author: Although each book in Nightscan be read as a standalone, you will enjoy this series even more if you read the books in order! This is a novella length MM romance with a HEA. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38823774-sweet-possession Pre-order: http://www.amsalinger.com/s7en Author Bio: Ava Marie Salinger is the pen name of an Amazon bestselling author who has always wanted to write scorching hot contemporary and erotic romance. In 2018, she finally decided to venture to the steamy side. NIGHTS is the first of several sizzling series featuring sweet, sexy men and women with dark pasts and a whole lot of love to give to the ones brave enough to fight for their hearts. When she’s not dreaming up hotties to write about, you’ll find Ava creating kickass music playlists to write to, spying on the wildlife in her garden, drooling over gadgets, and eating Chinese. Want to be the first to know about Ava’s new releases and get access to exclusive content, sneak previews, sales, and giveaways ? Then sign up to her Reader Group here and join her VIP Facebook Fan Group here. Here are some other places where you can connect with her:
https://www.amsalinger.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AMSalinger https://www.instagram.com/authoramsalinger/ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/a-m-salinger https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17356624.A_M_Salinger https://www.pinterest.co.uk/amsalinger/ Ouroboros
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Excerpt
In this chapter. Syl’s met one of her own people, the Prince of the fair Fae, but he’s turned out to be a bit of a creeper… Chapter Fourteen Rouen Worship me I’m no good for you You’re no good for me Worship me, worship me - “Worship,” Euphoria
I’m standing at the end of the football field, on top of the scoreboard, a don’t-see-me Glamoury cloaking me as I watch this fair Fae jerkwad hit on my girl. The wind blows cold, mirroring my emotions, whipping my dark hair about my face.
Every cell in my body begs me to go down there and knock him into next week. If he were a dark Fae, I would. But he’s not. He’s a fair Fae, one of Syl’s own people, and I won’t come between her and her people. It wouldn’t be fair. Still, I watch as he gets pushier and pushier, fury building up inside me until I swear, the Winter’s going to burst from my blood. I’m ready to explode, all my protective instincts on high alert. I blow out a shaky breath and touch the ring in my pocket. Let Syl handle it, Rouen. Don’t go berserk… At least not yet. I can hear every word they say, thanks to my Fae hearing. He makes it sound so easy. Just pair up with him. He tells her they’re meant to be soul-bound. It’s what every teenage girl wants to hear, right? Except, Syl’s not falling for his whole “fated mate” speech. Good, because it’s more than half a lie. She turns to walk away, and he grabs her. And refuses to let go. The flex of his biceps tells me he’s exerting his fair Fae strength. I see red, my heartbeat pulsing so hard that time seems to spiral outward. In that moment, I know two things. One, he’s a prince and that means he’s powerful. Two, he’s likely had hundreds of years in the Summer Court, maybe even thousands. I’m not a quarter of his age. He could easily overpower me, even kill me. Let him try. No one grabs my girl. All my fury rushes in, cold and calculating. Boosting my Glamoury, I leap to the bleachers. My motorcycle boots slam down on the metal slats hard enough to shake the whole foundation. I straighten, slow, deliberate, giving him my dead-eye stare. “For a fair Fae, you’re awfully pushy.” I look at the hand he has on my girl. I want to snap it off and beat him with it. He squares his stance, still gripping Syl’s arm. Wow. He’s really doubling-down on the stupid. I clench my fists, getting ready to fight. “Take your hand off her. Now.” My threat rings out like the pounding of Faerie war drums. It hangs between us, a sharp and glittering thing, and I see him weighing his options, weighing me. Whether he can take me. A smirk tilts his lips. He knows he can. “Euphoria…” Syl’s voice trembles, but I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. Then I turn the full force of my dark Fae glare on Mr Fancy. He might be stronger, but I’m willing to bet I’m more cunning. I won’t go down without a fight, and he doesn’t want to pick one. Not here. Not when he thinks he can sway Syl’s decision by manipulation alone. Not on my watch, buddy-boy. He lets her go. “Rouen Rivoche.” His voice drips with scathing hatred. I shrug one shoulder. “Prince What’s-Your-Bucket.” Syl comes to my side, and I risk getting burned to a crisp by putting an arm around her. She leans in, the small, solid warmth of her body a balm to my ragged emotions. I keep her there longer than I should, already feeling the hum of her power firing up. I let go and step away just in time. “It’s Aldebaran,” he says. “Prince Aldebaran.” He puts both hands in the pockets of his skinny jeans and slouches in that way some guys have of making it look casual while flexing his biceps. Give me a break. Agravaine was twice as big as this guy, and he went down just fine. The bigger they are, and all that.
GIVEAWAY!
The Lost Dragon
The Dragon Hunters Book 1
by Drako
Genre: LGBT Paranormal Fantasy
Andreas was born a Spartan warrior, long before human history even records Sparta existing. He served directly under Ares, until the day his lover was killed on the battlefield in front of him. On that day, he met his father, the mysterious Black Dragon God known as Jarel. From then on, he served his father faithfully, enforcing the laws of the primordial embodiment of black fire and father of the paranormal. Now, in these modern times, he hunts the rogue vampires and their leader. Little does he know, there's more to this than vampires simply turning against his father.
While protecting the lovely Cassandra Odele, Andreas must battle forces he doesn't know as he attempts to stop the resurrection of the Titan king, Cronus. Added to his problems, he now has two teenage nephews to see into adulthood. Of course, there's always a twist when dealing with the gods, and Andreas will come face to face with his past, leaving him to decide which is more important, his soul or the world?
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The Dragon Witch
The Dragon Hunters Book 2
Victoria Damone is the daughter of the Black Dragon God, Jarel, and the goddess of magic and witchcraft, Hecate. Quick tempered and impatient, she strikes fear into the hearts of the rogue creatures rebelling against her father as well as the warlocks, servants of Prince of Darkness, Lucifer.
Ares, the god of war, is often misunderstood. Known only as a brutal god with an insatiable appetite for blood and destruction, as well as passing flings, the son of Zeus and Hera has spent most of his time defending Olympus from any and every threat.
Now the two meet and must combine forces. The Titan King, Cronus, has been resurrected by Lucifer and is quickly resurrecting his brethren to launch war against Zeus and all that stand with him. Not only this, but he's even joined forces with the legendary beast Typhon, the only creature to ever come close to toppling the Olympian god king. As the gods prepare for an unavoidable war, Victoria must hunt one of the most powerful and cunning warlocks to serve under the Prince of Darkness and simultaneously train her nephew Brandon in her craft. Her pride demands that she do this alone, but Ares is not a god to be denied. Ares clearly has his eyes on Victoria, but can she trust the notoriously wild and unpredictable god's intentions?
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Fatal Healing
The Dragon Hunters Book 3
Odele, the goddess of Healing, has returned to Olympus, once again the direct servant to Hera, queen of the gods. Yet even after the defeat of Eris, her work is not done. The war of the gods is imminent now, with Cronus restored to life and the Titans back at his side. But before the battle can begin, Odele must find her mortal twin brother, who had been captured by the forces of the vampire Kalos years before. She asks Hera for her brother's whereabouts, and the god queen allows her to attempt to rescue him, but under the condition that she's accompanied by Apollo.
Apollo has waited ages for Odele's return to Olympus to heal the heart he'd broken ages before. The process of healing won't be easy, and Odele's heart is not the only heart to be healed. Both Apollo and Odele's lives are at risk, as they join the god of darkness in a battles against two children of Gaea and Odele's own brothers, Cronus and Typhon. Will Odele's heart be healed, and most importantly, will anyone survive this unique healing process?
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Heir of Mjolnir
The Dragon Hunters Book 4
The servants of Hecate have been subject to persecution for many years. They have been misunderstood, accused of worshipping the devil. And Hecate has had enough. The Devil, Lucifer, has finally invaded the human world and his true servants, warlocks, are growing bold. Lucifer’s influence has spread throughout the world and nothing is the same as it was before he came. There are those that can counter the power of the warlocks, and Hecate may have found one.
Vax King had just graduated high school when the world changed. And unlike everyone around him, he saw through the lies. The world was trapped in the spell of the father of all evil and he seemed to be the only one in the immediate area that could see it. Then again, he’s a solitary witch and no one else knows it. But he’s shocked when the goddess Hecate appears to him with a quest to gain a weapon to help fight the forces of evil. The weapon is the legendary hammer of the Norse god, Thor, Mjölnir, and if he can find this he can lead the forces of Hecate against their greatest enemy. But to gain it, he must survive the Rose realm and prove his worth. Should he fail, death is all that awaits. Can he prove to the enchanted weapon of the deceased god that he is more worthy of wielding it than the original owner, and therein become the leader of an army of witches ready and waiting to stand against Lucifer?
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Relinquished Mercy
The Dragon Hunters Book 5
The heavenly war is coming to a head. The gods are ready. All that remains is the final clash between the most dominate forces of nature in existence.
Brandon has come to a decision. He can't deny who his soul mate is. He's the god of darkness and shadows, and his soul mate is a werewolf, Phil, the grandson of the very first werewolf. But things are never so simple. He has to get past the wolf's insecurities in order to give them both a shot at true happiness
Demun wants to fight against his soul mate. He hates having a predetermined mate. And worse, his mate is the phoenix known to be unable to settle down. Vic, the phoenix in question, wasn't fond of the idea either, but he's been around enough to know that fighting against what your soul requires is pointless. He just needs a chance.
The twins lead complicated lives, as they must not only deal with their soul mates but fight alongside the Dragon Witch, Victoria, to protect their children, the new Moirae. As always, a new threat lies hidden in wait, attempting to create a monster out of god that will change the world for the worst. And it may cost them one of their own.
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Blood Monarch
The Dragon Hunters Book 6
A king's duty never ends, even when his kingdom changes. Vladimir Dracula is one of the most famous and misunderstood figures in all of history. One thing is true, he is a king, and he is a vampire. He is the true king and enforcer of the vampire race. Feared by all of his own kind, he is perhaps the most lethal of the Black Dragon God's mortal born servants. At the same time, he personifies sex. None can resist his charms, save one.
Vax King is the Chosen of Hecate, the Heir of Mjolnir, and has no plans on a mate. When he's called on to enter Fae lands, he's surprised to find the legendary vampire there. Looking to aid the beautiful Fae, Anaya, and her soul mate, Galen, Vax must enter a world of sex of violence with only Vlad to accompany him. Here, there can be no denial, no hesitation. Only truth....and dominance.
A war is brewing in the Fae lands, as the fallen angels rise to lay claim to the power of their goddess, Verlaine and topple their higher brethren. Older than most, Vlad must accustom himself to having a soul mate, and use all his legendary power to stop the forces of darkness long believed to be controlled by him. A new kingdom is the prize, and none knows better than the famed Dracula that the secret to power lies in the blood.
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Drako was born in 1987 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is mainly a fantasy writer, though he also writes some poetry and general fiction. He is very active on both twitter and facebook and has his own website at www.drakosden.net which is frequently updated with news on his books and fun extras. When he isn't writing, he's busy helping take care of his nieces, playing videogames, reading, promoting, and spending time with family.
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Sweet Obsession by A.M. Salinger (Night Series, #4) Publication date: April 17th 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance Synopsis: He is the one person I love more than life itself. The one person I will do my utmost to protect. The one person I can never touch — Luke He is the only one I have ever wanted. The only man I would ever need for as long as I breathe. But he doesn’t love me. No, he hates me —Ash Ash Colby wants nothing more than to free himself of the man who broke his heart the night he turned seventeen. But when Luke Rutherford, his former guardian and heir of Rutherford Industries, forces him to move from his quiet college life in Stanford to the other side of the world, Ash snaps and decides to confront Luke about their past. Luke has loved Ash since he was a child and been in love with him for over half a decade. Having protected Ash from the woman who wanted to hurt the young Colby heir in the past, Luke must act swiftly in order to keep Ash safe from harm once more. But when his bold move backfires on him, Luke must face the consequences of the decision he took on the night Ash turned seventeen. Will Ash forgive Luke when he discovers the truth behind the terrible act he witnessed five years ago? And as the walls Luke had erected to protect Ash from his lust come crumbling down around him, will he overcome his guilty conscience and finally admit his true feelings for Ash? If you like sweet, sexy men with dark pasts and a whole lot of love to give to the ones brave enough to win their hearts, then you’ll love this novella in the hot, contemporary romance series Nights by A.M. Salinger. Note from the author: Although each book in Nights can be read as a standalone, you will enjoy this series even more if you read the books in order! This is a novella length MM romance with a HFN. Luke and Ash’s HEA is coming in 2018! Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37918840-sweet-obsession Pre-order: http://geni.us/iyAm4 AUTHOR BIO: Ava Marie Salinger is the pen name of an Amazon bestselling thriller author who has always wanted to write scorching hot contemporary and erotic romance. In 2017, she finally decided to venture to the steamy side. NIGHTS is the first of several sizzling series featuring sweet, sexy men and women with dark pasts and a whole lot of love to give to the ones brave enough to fight for their hearts. When she’s not dreaming up hotties to write about, you’ll find Ava creating kickass music playlists to write to, spying on the wildlife in her garden, drooling over gadgets, and eating Chinese. Want to be the first to know about Ava’s new releases and get access to exclusive content, sneak previews, sales, and giveaways ? Then sign up to her Reader Group here: https://www.amsalinger.com/subscribe/ |
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