Tag Archives: holidays

Release Blitz: The Dragon Bond by Elizabeth Coldwell #LGBTQ #contemporaryromance @ninestarpress @GoIndiMarketing

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Title: The Dragon Bond

Author: Elizabeth Coldwell

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 05/24/2021

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 21800

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, estranged couple, holidays, tattoos, tear-jerker, reunited, contemporary m/m romance

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Description

When Trey tells Rainn he’s giving him a very special Christmas gift, he never dreams it will be a tattoo. The matching dragons on their bodies is the sign of a bond never to be broken – at least that’s the plan, until a sudden moment of violence changes everything and Rainn and Trey’s relationship is torn apart.

Returning to his hometown after seven years, Rainn finds that everything is different now, not least where Trey is concerned. Having moved in with his cousin, Marcie, and her husband, Dave, he tries to pick up the threads of his old life as best he can and make the most of the second chance he’s been given.

The holiday season is a time for remembrance and forgiveness for past mistakes, and while volunteering at a Christmas dinner for the homeless, Rainn has an unexpected opportunity to rekindle the bond between himself and Trey.

Excerpt

The Dragon Bond
Elizabeth Coldwell © 2021
All Rights Reserved

December 23, 2009

He would remember this evening for the rest of his life. The strings of colored lights twinkling in the window, the industrial rock playing on the battered old boom box and, most of all, the scratch of the needle as it traced over his shoulder blade.

It hurt, but not in the way he’d been expecting. This was a good pain, not like the time he’d fallen while climbing a tree at the age of six and broken his wrist. That had been agony, and even though the fracture had long since healed, he still recalled how he’d yelled for his mom as he nursed his injured arm. Now, as the tattoo artist continued to work and the machine buzzed, endorphins kicked in and Rainn felt high, the way he did when he ran for miles through the woods surrounding the town.

Still, he couldn’t believe he’d agreed to this. When he and Trey met up, Rainn had expected their usual Friday night out. A couple of beers at O’Malley’s and then a good, hard, bedspring-rattling fuck in Trey’s apartment or Rainn’s bedroom in the home he shared with his mother. Even, if they couldn’t wait until they made it to either of those places, the back seat of Trey’s car. So, when Trey turned to him, blue eyes shining, and said, “I’ve got something special in mind for us. It’s my Christmas present to you,” he hadn’t known what to expect.

As they drove, Trey went on, “You know this is our six-month anniversary, right?”

Rainn nodded. He couldn’t believe the time had passed so quickly since the night he’d looked up from the pool table in the back room of O’Malley’s and seen the tall, dark-haired stranger standing in the doorway, clutching a bottle of Sam Adams. When their eyes met, Rainn had felt an instant connection. He knew it sounded crazy to talk about love at first sight—that didn’t exist outside those soppy Hallmark movies his mom watched—but even then, he’d known this guy was the one.

He hadn’t bothered to finish his game of pool. He’d stuck his cue back in the rack on the wall, walked over to the stranger, and said, “I’ve not seen you in here before.” Not much of a pickup line, but it had worked. Five minutes later, he and Trey had been sitting at one of the bar’s rickety tables, talking and laughing like they’d known each other all their short lives. They’d had their first kiss on the way out to Trey’s cherry-red Nova. They hadn’t stopped kissing, or laughing, since.

“So, you’re taking me for dinner at that fancy French place on Cooper Street?” Rainn asked, pondering the nature of Trey’s surprise. “Or maybe you’ve booked us into that swanky B and B over in Winchester, the one where they bring you breakfast in bed in the morning?”

Trey snorted. “On my wages? You know I’d love to, Rainn, but even with the overtime I’m putting in right now—” Trey had a job in the canning plant on the road out to Winchester, stacking boxes in the delivery warehouse. Hard work had given him a physique Rainn never tired of admiring, with firm biceps and a flat, well-toned belly, but it didn’t pay anywhere near well enough for expensive treats.

“It’s okay, I’m only teasing,” Rainn assured him. “As long as I have you, I’d be happy with a ham and swiss on rye at Dottie’s diner and a night camping out under the stars.”

“Well, it’s the wrong time of year for sleeping under canvas,” Trey pointed out. “There’s snow on the ground, or hadn’t you noticed?”

“When you’re around, I can’t pay attention to anything else but you. So, come on, what’s the surprise?”

“Another minute and we’ll be there. Oh great, looks like there’s a parking spot right outside…” Trey flashed his turn signal and brought the car to a halt.

The part of Prospect they were in had seen better times. Many of the stores on this stretch of Main Street had signs on the windows advertising clearance sales or, in the case of what had been a video rental place, had gone out of business altogether. At first, Rainn couldn’t understand why Trey would bring him here. Was he trying to score drugs for the two of them, or get them both robbed? Then Rainn registered the name on the storefront where they’d parked—Hellheart Ink—and the vivid designs etched on the plate glass window.

“This…is a tattoo parlor.”

“Well, ten out of ten for the deduction work, Sherlock.” Trey grinned and pushed a stray lock of black hair out of his eyes. “Come on. Our appointment’s for seven o’clock sharp, and Hunter doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

“You booked us…” Rainn sat, trying to process what Trey had said. Hadn’t he once told Trey he hated the fad for tattoos? All those Chinese characters that didn’t mean what their wearer thought they did, and those cheap-looking tramp stamps so many girls had inked just above the crack of their ass… There’s making a bad decision, and then there’s making one that’s bad and permanent. No thank you. “I don’t want to go ahead with this.”

“I know what you said, Rainn, but Hunter’s an artist. And I’ve asked him for a design that means something to us. Something to show how strong the bond between us really is.” Trey placed his hand on Rainn’s and gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. “A good tattoo doesn’t fade, and neither will my love for you.”

Coming from anyone else, the line would have made Rainn throw up in his mouth a little, but he knew Trey to be sincere. “So, this design…”

“We’ll talk about it inside. Hey, you trust me, don’t you?” Trey got out of the car before Rainn could make any other objections. Sighing, and still unsure he was doing the right thing, Rainn unbuckled his seat belt before following Trey inside the store.

Hellheart Ink was brightly lit, with a couch running along one wall where clients could wait for their appointments, and posters showing all manner of tattoo designs, from well-known cartoon characters to elaborate Celtic knots. Rainn tried his best to ignore the faint antiseptic smell of the room and the anxiety churning in his gut.

You trust me, don’t you? Of course, he did. What he and Trey had was special, and he knew his lover wouldn’t do anything to hurt him or make any decision on his behalf that might have unpleasant consequences.

“Hey, how can I help you?” The short, shaven-headed man who greeted them was a walking billboard for his own services. He wore a black tank top that revealed both his arms were tattooed all the way to his shoulders, and his left earlobe was stretched by a silver tunnel piercing. “I’m Hunter.”

“Trey. And this is Rainn.” Trey gestured to Rainn, who uttered a quiet hello. “We have an appointment for seven o’clock.”

“Sure, come through.” As Hunter led them deeper into the shop, Rainn wondered if there was time to change their minds. Does Trey really want to go through with this? Do I?

The back room of the shop contained an industrial black tattooing chair, designed to allow the person being inked to sit in comfort while giving Hunter access to all parts of their body, and padded bench seating along one wall. Trey and Rainn sat, while Hunter picked up a ring binder and set it on the bench beside Trey.

“Before we go any further,” Hunter said, “I need to make sure neither of you is under the influence of drink or drugs right now. If you are, then I’m sorry but, legally, I can’t tattoo you.”

“No, we’re both good,” Trey assured him.

“Great, well, why don’t you take a look through the designs and find something you like?”

“Oh, I already know what we want,” Trey said, surprising Rainn even further. “This one here.” He had flipped through the pages of the binder, and now he pointed to a stylized image of a Chinese dragon in solid black, with long, sinuous curves and a burst of flame issuing from its snout.

“Good choice,” Hunter commented.

Why a dragon? Rainn wanted to ask, but Trey was already outlining the reasons for his choice. “Yeah, I like it because it’s simple but it’s classy, you know? And I read somewhere the dragon is supposed to be the Chinese symbol of good luck and prosperity—and we could all do with a bit of that, right?” He winked at Rainn. “But most important, Rainn and I were both born in 1988, which is the year of the dragon.”

“Is that right?” Rainn had never paid the least attention to horoscopes or fortune-telling or any of that mumbo jumbo. Basing your life around something that might happen simply because you’d been born on a certain day of the year didn’t make any sense to him.

Trey nodded. “And I wanted something special to both of us. To show we have a bond that can’t be broken.”

“Okay, so now we’ve decided on the design, which one of you is going first?” Hunter asked.

“I will.” Rainn hadn’t realized he’d spoken until the words were out. He hadn’t intended on volunteering, but deep down he must have wanted to get this over with.

“Right, if you want to get in the chair and make yourself comfortable.” Hunter started looking through his stencils to find the one he needed; then he turned back to Rainn. “Wait, where did you say you wanted the tattoo again?”

“I didn’t.” Before Trey could make the decision for him, Rainn said, “On my shoulder blade.” That way, if he had any regrets, the tattoo wouldn’t be somewhere he could see it unless he looked in the mirror. More importantly, it wouldn’t alert other people to how foolish he’d been to let Trey talk him into this.

“Sure. And the same for you?” Hunter looked over at Trey.

“Yeah.” Trey smiled at Rainn as he spoke. “Exactly the same.”

Rainn had stripped off his shirt and sat in the chair so that his back faced outward.

“Right, the first thing I’m going to do is clean the area…”

He caught a faint smell of rubbing alcohol before Hunter wiped the skin he was about to tattoo. Then the stencil was applied to his shoulder. Rainn took deep, slow breaths, doing his best to center himself. This would only hurt more if he was tense.

Hunter set rock music playing, the beat heavy and insistent. It did nothing to drown out the high-pitched buzz of the tattoo machine somewhere near Rainn’s ear.

“I’m not going to tell you this isn’t going to hurt,” Hunter said, “but if it gets too much for you at any point, I want you to be sure and let me know.”

The needle bit into his skin, and Rainn swallowed a curse. For a moment, heat flared in his nerve endings, but then it died away, only for the sensation to be repeated a split second later. At first, he didn’t know how he would endure this. Then the pain ebbed and sweetened, and he realized everything was going to be fine. Trey wouldn’t make him face something he couldn’t handle. Like he’d said when they’d walked in, this was all about trust.

Tears pricked Rainn’s eyes, and he swiped them away, hoping Trey hadn’t noticed.

“You okay there, buddy?” Hunter asked, concern clear in his tone. His voice sounded like it came from a long way away. Rainn supposed it wasn’t unusual for people to cry on the tattoo table, but it wasn’t pain making him emotional. It was love for Trey, pure and simple.

“I’m fine,” he muttered and closed his eyes.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

Meet the Author

Elizabeth Coldwell is a multi-published author and the former editor of the UK edition of Forum magazine, where she was responsible for publishing a number of now very well-known authors for the first time, as well as honing her own writing.

She lives in East London, is a season ticket holder at Rotherham United, and a keen cook. Her recipe for peanut butter brownies is available if you ask nicely… Learn more on Elizabeth’s Website.

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Naughty or Nice by Harley Wylde #ChristmasRomance #holidaystories #ContemporaryRomance

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Publisher: Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

 

My marriage is a sham. I’ve already loved and lost my one and only. Making Carmella Juarez my wife was the only way to save my daughter, but I never intended to stay married. A decade has passed, ten years that I’ve kept my distance, but now it’s time to set things right and free both of us.

I never counted on her being sick and nearly dying. Didn’t count on falling for her as I nursed her back to health. But it’s the Christmas season and what better time for miracles? My heart isn’t as cold and dead as I’d once thought. Carmella has brought me back to life, and now that I’ve had a taste of the tempting woman who wears my ring, I know that I can’t ever let her go.

PreOrder for December 13th at retailers

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Praise for Naughty or Nice (A Bad Boy Romance)

“Naughty and Nice is a great novella where we finally met the woman Casper married to save Isabella.  I wanted to punch Casper in the face for breaking this beautiful woman’s heart.  It takes a near tragedy to open his eyes and see his second chance.  Casper has always been elusive and reclusive.  One wonderful woman changes all of that.  Watch out for the next generation of Dixie Reapers they might be scarier then their dads!”

— 5 Stars from Melissa Toner, Advance Reader Review

 

EXCERPT

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2019 Harley Wylde

Carmella

I stared at the enormous rock on my finger and rubbed the golden band with my thumb. I’d always dreamed of getting married, but not once had I ever considered my special day consisting of marrying a man I didn’t know, leaving the only home I’d ever had, and being utterly and completely alone. My husband was a powerful man, and feared by many. He was also extremely absent in my life. Casper VanHorne had married me, flown me out of Mexico, then dumped me in some mausoleum of a house only to vanish before I’d even unpacked. It wasn’t at all what I’d anticipated. Yes, he was older than me, but I’d looked forward to my marriage. When he’d said he would take care of me, even though love wasn’t part of the deal, I’d imagined we would at least live together.

I’d barely been eighteen when he’d married me. At first, I’d thought that’s why he had left, and that he’d return before long. Then one year passed, and another. In nearly ten years, I hadn’t once seen my husband. It was lonely living here alone. Not to mention, I was twenty-eight and a damn virgin. I was starting to think I would die before ever knowing what it was like to have a man’s hands on me, to feel his cock thrusting inside me. My fevered dreams were likely far from what it would really be like if Casper ever came back and claimed me.

As another sharp stabbing pain made my eyes close and my body crumple, I wondered if my husband would return… before it was too late. I’d sworn the staff to secrecy, even the bodyguard Casper had left to watch over me. I’d grown close to the people who ran the house and protected me, even considered them my friends. When I’d first arrived, I hadn’t been able to speak any English. Now I was fluent and didn’t even use my native tongue anymore.

“Carmella,” I heard Bowen shout.

His strong arms wrapped around me, and I felt my body being lifted and carried, likely into the house. The pain had been worse lately, and coming more frequently. I had a feeling I was on borrowed time, but maybe that was for the best. It wasn’t that I wanted to die, I really didn’t, but I couldn’t help but wonder if my husband would be happier if I were gone. I knew he’d been forced into claiming me in order to save his daughter, a daughter he clearly never wanted me to meet.

I’d thought she was younger until he’d explained she was older than me. He didn’t look anywhere near old enough to have a fully grown child. There were a few lines around his eyes, but hardly a hint of gray in his hair or beard. At least, last time I’d seen him that was the case. I had no idea what he looked like now.

As the pain eased, my eyes fluttered open and a concerned Bowen was peering down at me.

“He needs to know, Carmella.”

“No, he doesn’t. He’s had no interest in me all this time. The last thing I want is him showing up out of pity. I only wish…” I bit my lip, refusing to say the words.

“I know, sweet girl,” Bowen murmured.

We’d grown close over the years, but not in a romantic way. Bowen was more like an older brother than anything else. I gripped his hand as I settled back against my pillows. The frequent headaches that later turned to migraines had started a few years ago, and I’d ignored them at first. After Bowen found me passed out in the sunroom, he’d forced me to go to the doctor. It had only taken one test to discover the tumor lodged in my brain. The doctor had referred me to a neurosurgeon, who had wanted to start treatment immediately in hopes of avoiding surgery, but I’d refused. They said it appeared to be benign, but the pressure it was putting on my brain was the problem. Thankfully, my husband didn’t receive the bills directly. I didn’t know how Bowen and Mrs. Weathers had managed to pay for everything without alerting my husband that something was wrong, but they had and I was grateful.

“I can’t stand to see you like this,” he said. “Please accept the treatment, Carmella. You’re young still and have your entire life ahead of you. What you’re doing is the same as committing suicide.”

“I’m not as strong as I once thought I was,” I admitted. “I endured a lot as the illegitimate daughter of the infamous Miguel Juarez. When Casper made me his wife, I’d thought maybe I was going to have a new life. A family of my own, people who would love me. Then he ran and left me here.”

Bowen squeezed my hand. “I love you, and so does every other person in this house.”

“It’s not the same, Bowen. I’m twenty-eight and I’ve only been on a few dates. The only kiss I ever had was sloppy and gross. I’ve never… I’ve never been held by a man who loved me, never experienced passion. Is it wrong for me to want those things?” I asked.

“Of course not, Carmella. Casper would be here if he knew what you were going through. I have no doubt that he’d come and stay with you, take you to the doctor and convince you to start treatment. Don’t make me watch you die. They said if you act soon enough, surgery likely won’t be needed.”

The doctors had said that even though the tumor wasn’t cancerous it was still life-threatening. If I had something to live for, then I’d fight with everything I had in me. But what would be the point? I was lonely, so damn lonely. I didn’t have a family, and at this rate, I didn’t think I ever would. Bowen and Mrs. Weathers were my friends, but they were also paid to stay with me. I knew they cared, but it was different.

I reached up and cupped his whiskery cheek. “I’m sorry, Bowen. I just don’t have any fight left in me. There’s nothing to fight for.”

I felt his jaw tighten and watched as his eyes narrowed. I had a feeling I hadn’t heard the last from him on the matter. And he wasn’t the only one. The cook, Mrs. Weathers, was of the same mind, and so were the two maids and the butler. I knew they’d come to care about me, and I felt the same, but it wasn’t enough. I was so damn tired. The pain was debilitating on the best of days, and more and more often, it would make me lose control of the right side of my body, sometimes for an entire day.

I released Bowen and rolled to my side, letting the tears fall silently. He sighed and I heard the door click shut behind him. Left alone with my misery I wondered if maybe I was doing the wrong thing. I had no doubt they were right and Casper would be here if he knew something was wrong, but I wanted him here because he wanted to be, because he cared… not because someone tattled and said I was possibly dying. The last thing I wanted to deal with was his guilty conscience, assuming he even had a conscience. I wasn’t completely certain what he did, but if he’d had business with my father, I wasn’t certain he had a moral compass. It wasn’t just that Casper didn’t seem to want me. No one had ever wanted me. My mother hadn’t, and I’d been an embarrassment to my father who had given me to Casper as a business transaction.

What would it be like to be loved? Truly loved?

 

MORE FROM HARLEY AT CHANGELING PRESS …

 

 

A Changeling for All Seasons Vol. 10 #PNR #UrbanFantasy #holidaybooks #Romance

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A Changeling For All Seasons 10 (Changeling Seasons (ebook) 10)

Publisher: Changeling Press
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

 

Ten tales of Christmas Magic from your favorite Changeling authors.

Oops! by Anne Kane: When Stephanie, Jackie and Caroline kidnapped the wrong man, bondage, obedience classes and more are needed to make sure there’s a Merry Christmas this year!

Gift of a Lifetime by Ana Raine: More than just a handsome face, Logan proves to be exactly the Master Ryo has been waiting for…

Mistletoe and Masks by Angela Knight: From rescuing a ten-year-old from an evil Santa to celebrating a BDSM Christmas, superheroes Lock and Ultra explore discipline, dominance and the kinky way…

Santa’s Reject by Lily Vega: A scratch from Cupid’s arrow infuses Beryl with Christmas spirit and saddles her with a mad crush on her new boss, Killian — a.k.a. the Tooth Fairy.

Candy Caned by Kiernan Kelly: Stephen, a Dom who knows Daniel better than anyone else, understands exactly what Daniel needs this Christmas.

Ribbons and Bows by Marteeka Karland: It may take more than ribbons and bows to tie his woman to his side, but Samson’s up for the challenge. The rest? That’s up to Jerrica.

Under the Mistletoe by Saloni Quinby: Only by working together can Leland and Vilek hope to survive Christmas Eve and find a love neither expected.

Visions of Sugarplums by Sara Jay: Will Heath take a chance once Sugarplum brings him a pretty Christmas present he can’t resist?

Christmas Party by Shelby Morgen: When the two IT people voted least likely to ever get a date collide at Cherie’s office Christmas party, is the chemistry they share enough to make up for all the reasons they’ve been determined to stay single?

Santa’s Slay by Stephanie Burke: Jack Frost does not nip… he bites — and bites hard. Peter’s learning that being naughty can be so nice.

 

Get it Today at Changeling Press
also available in print

Pre-Order for December 6th at retailers

   

 

Praise for Gift of a Lifetime (Yule Tied) 

“If you like stories with a touch of holiday spirit, if you want to watch two men with opposite and complementary desires find each other’s match, and if you’re looking for a read that is very hot almost from the start, then you might like this short story.”

— Serena Yates, Rainbow Book Reviews
Praise for Santa’s Reject (Yule Tied) 

“There were so many creative touches in this tale. Everything from the names of certain characters to the economic value of the teeth that Killian collected had clearly been thought out carefully. I grinned every time the protagonist drew my attention to yet another funny pop culture reference that had been tucked away in a description or conversation These little surprises made it so much fun to read.”

— Astilbe, Long and Short Reviews
Praise for Under the Mistletoe (Yule Tied) 

“A paranormal Christmas story! Just recently I was commenting that they are so rare, so it was great to come across another one so soon. And with a mix of supernatural creatures, some evil demons intent to do harm, and lots of danger this is quite the holiday adventure.”

— Serena Yates, Rainbow Book Reviews
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Book Blitz: Montana Mistletoe by Kim Law #holidays #RomanceBooks #holidayromance

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Montana Mistletoe
Kim Law
Publication date: July 6th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She has the chance to create the future she wants . . . but first she’ll have to face her past.

Young, vibrant, and willing to confront any obstacle in her path, Bree Yarbrough has spent the last few years traveling the world and learning from the great artists. Only, her work has yet to strike a lasting chord. When her hometown mentor reaches out with an opportunity that will set her on the path to success, she knows she can’t say no. But once back in Silver Creek, she discovers she isn’t the only one who’s returned home. Justin Cory has as well—and he’s living next door. She may have made a fool of herself over him before, but Bree isn’t the kind of girl to let past mortification stand in the way of something she wants.

The last ten years of Justin Cory’s life has been driven by one focus: go to school, get his physical therapy degree, and return home so he can be there for his mom. But now that he’s back, he can’t stop thinking about the night that changed his life forever—and the guilt he can’t escape. Fun, irresistible, and once-best-friend Bree seems like the perfect distraction. She isn’t sticking around past the holidays, so he doesn’t have to worry she’ll expect more than he can give. But as they spend the season together, stolen mistletoe kisses start to feel all too right. However, with the future uncertain and the past hanging over them, it may take more than mistletoe to get from Christmas to forever.

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—

EXCERPT:

“Bree.”

Speak of the devil.

She steeled her resolve before turning to face him. “Justin.” She didn’t know what else to say.

He didn’t seem to have any ideas for conversation either, as after he locked his gaze on hers, he then turned and stared at the blank wall on the other side of the room. She didn’t follow suit. Instead, she watched him. And she told herself not to think about how good he looked. Or how much she’d missed him in the last three and a half years.

He sported a trim beard now that was just a touch shorter than his dark hair. His lips were still both a firm slash under a straight nose and as sinfully gentle-looking and kissable as they’d always been. And his lashes remained long, thick, and insanely sexy around his soulful hazel eyes.

Geez, she could so fall under the spell of this man again.

Geez . . . she so had to get a grip, or the next six weeks were going to be both mentally painful as well as sexually frustrating.

She rolled her eyes. She wouldn’t let the latter happen no matter what. Because she was over him. It only took one time of offering herself to a man and having him turn her down—while he also pointed out that if sex did happen, it would be nothing more than sex—for her to get a clue. Justin Cory wasn’t for her, and she wasn’t for him. End of story.

“Mom tells me you haven’t given her a decision yet.” Justin finally spoke, and as he did, those soulful, see-too-much eyes turned back to her.

“You’ve talked to her?” She’d only been gone from Mrs. Cory’s office for three minutes.

“She texted as soon as you left. Says I have to make sure you stay in town.”

At this, Bree lifted her brows. “You have to make sure?” Why on earth would that be the case?

He lifted a shoulder. “She seems to think it’s my fault that you never come home for more than a couple of days.”

It was.

“And my fault that you left in the first place.”

Bree stared at him, unwilling to agree to either statement. “And here I always thought of your mother as a smart woman.”

At her reply, Justin merely blinked.

“You know that I’d always intended to leave,” she pointed out. She also fervently hoped he’d forgotten that she’d also once offered to leave with him.

“That’s what I told Mom.”

“Then I don’t understand why you’re even standing here.”

His jaw tensed, and his eyes went flat like they had Friday night. “I’m standing here because my mother asked me to. Can I tell her your answer is yes?”

He could tell his mother anything he wanted to. But she wasn’t telling him a thing.

 

Author Bio:

As a child, award-winning author Kim Law cultivated a love for chocolate, anything purple, and creative writing. She penned her debut work, “The Gigantic Talking Raisin,” in the sixth grade and got hooked on the delights of creating stories. Before settling into the writing life, however, she earned a college degree in mathematics and worked as a computer programmer. Now she’s pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels. She has won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award and has been a finalist for the prestigious RWA RITA Award. A native of Kentucky, Kim lives with her husband and an assortment of animals in Middle Tennessee.

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Book Blitz: Irises in the Snow by Isabelle Adler #LGBT #Contemporary #holidayromance #books @Isabelle_Adler

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Title: Irises in the Snow

Author: Isabelle Adler

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: November 4, 2019

Heat Level: 2 – Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 25300

Genre: Contemporary, Anxiety, artist, childhood friends, Christmas, contemporary, family drama, holiday, second chances, small town

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Synopsis

It’s Christmas, and Justin’s life is fraying at the edges. The family business he took over instead of going to art school is bleeding money, and his boyfriend of seven months cheated on him. Under these circumstances, family gatherings can be rough, but Justin believes he has everything under control. That is, until Elliot, his former best friend (and the first guy to ever break his heart) unexpectedly shows up at the holiday dinner party.

With both of them still nursing the wounds of the past, it might take a real Christmas miracle for Justin and Elliot to learn to appreciate the art of second chances.

Excerpt

Irises in the Snow
Isabelle Adler © 2019
All Rights Reserved

The Rowel family home greeted Justin with familiar smells of cinnamon cake and fresh pine. In his mind, these scents had always been associated with the holiday season and long evenings spent around the dinner table or playing Scrabble in front of the fire. They were enough to ease some of the ache in Justin’s chest, softening his mood a tiny fraction.

“Justin!” His father clapped him on the shoulder and pulled him into a hug, which Justin carefully returned. “I’m glad you could finally make it.”

Despite the long remission, his father still appeared frail—or so it seemed to Justin, who, like most children, had grown up with the illusion his father was invincible until the universe proved him wrong.

“Of course,” Justin said. “You know me; I can’t say no to mom’s cooking.”

His father raised his eyebrow skeptically, undoubtedly recalling the string of last-minute cancellations and half-hearted excuses for not coming over in the last few weeks.

A familiar wave of guilt washed over Justin. With everything that had been going on, he knew he’d be hard-pressed to withstand his parents’ well-meaning inquiries into his personal life and into the state of the family business, which had become Justin’s sole responsibility. He couldn’t bring himself to tell them just how badly both those things were going.

He cranked up his smile to a new level of dissimulation, but thankfully, his mother emerged from the kitchen before his dad could challenge his statement.

His mother wiped her hands on her apron and reached up to plant kisses on Justin’s cheeks.

“Everybody is already here,” she told Justin as she led him by the arm into the living room as if he’d forgotten the way. “I love it when the house is full.” Her tone was a touch wistful as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze before returning to the kitchen.

Justin supposed having them all together was a rare occurrence these days. He lived in a one-room apartment above their hardware store, and his sister Trish had recently moved in with her fiancé. Nowadays, only the holidays presented an opportunity for Kelly Rowel to gather all of her loved ones, and, despite having to close the shop early on Monday to attend the day-before-Christmas-Eve family gathering, Justin was glad he could do something to make his mom happy. But as soon as he entered the brightly lit living room, he came to a screeching halt.

A fire already crackled merrily behind the grate. Huge red and white socks adorned with hand-embroidered names hung off the mantelpiece, decorated with a fake holly arrangement making its yearly appearance in the Rowel household. The TV showed a romantic comedy set in the Swiss Alps, as far as Justin could tell at a cursory glance. His sister Trish, her fiancé Dave, and Aunt Marnie sat glued to the movie while Uncle Tony fiddled with his iPhone.

None of them, however, had the dubious honor of grabbing Justin’s attention. That belonged to the young man wearing trendy gold-rimmed glasses and the blandest Christmas sweater in existence, sitting ramrod-straight in Dad’s old armchair and seemingly engrossed in Anne Hathaway’s foreign love affair.

No way. What was he doing here?

Justin didn’t know how long he stood in the doorway, transfixed, until his father, coming up behind him, gave him a slight nudge.

“Look who I have here!” he announced, and everybody, including the young man and Uncle Tony, raised their heads and turned his way.

“Hey, Justin!” Trish got up to meet him and give him a vigorous hug.

They sure were an affectionate lot, he thought absently as he hugged her back. Once, all that warmth was what kept him going. Now, it seemed almost…superfluous.

“Hi, Trish,” Justin said when she let up, and nodded to the rest. “Aunt Marnie, Uncle Tony, Dave. Elliot.”

“Oh, right.” Trish finally seemed to recall there was someone else present. “Mom invited Elliot to spend the holiday with us. You remember Elliot?”

Justin nodded curtly, unable to tear his eyes away from their guest. He definitely remembered Elliot Turner.

The man in question stood up, vacating his seat for Justin’s dad, and extended his hand in greeting.

“It’s nice to see you again,” he said.

Elliot’s voice was deeper, more mature than the last time Justin had spoken to him. Somehow, he seemed taller too. His gray eyes behind the shiny glasses regarded him seriously.

“Sure,” Justin said politely, shaking his hand. “It’s been a while.”

“Five years,” Elliot said.

“I was sorry to hear about your parents,” Justin said.

An awkward silence, accentuated by the chatter from the TV, settled around the living room at the mention of the tragedy. Trish and Aunt Marnie exchanged a nervous look. Really, did they expect Justin to just ignore what had happened?

When he’d heard of the terrible car accident last year, he tried calling Elliot in Los Angeles, but Elliot never picked up the phone or responded to Justin’s email in which he offered his condolences. That, above anything else, made it perfectly clear Justin was no longer welcome in his life.

So what was he doing back, standing in Justin’s parents’ living room?

“Thank you,” Elliot said gravely.

Suddenly, Justin was aware he was still holding Elliot’s hand and let it go, taking an involuntary step back. He wasn’t prepared for all the half-repressed memories dragged to the surface by Elliot’s touch—and he certainly wasn’t prepared to deal with them in front of his notoriously meddlesome, if well-meaning, extended family.

Elliot stepped away as well, dropping his eyes. The sudden loss of contact felt like…well, a loss.

“Is Mark coming?” Trish asked, peering behind Justin’s shoulder as if expecting to find his boyfriend loitering in the corridor.

“No,” he said curtly.

“Oh, that’s too bad. Maybe he’ll join us tomorrow, then?”

“I don’t think so. How are your studies going?” he asked Trish, desperately trying to divert her focus elsewhere.

“I’m doing great. Passed all my midterms.”

“With flying colors,” Dave said.

He rose from his seat to shake Justin’s hand as Elliot stepped aside to make room for him and plopped back down, taking over half the couch in a casual sprawl. Dave was a big guy, tall and built like a quarterback. Trish was taller than Justin by an inch, and nearly as broad in the shoulders, but Dave made her seem petite in comparison.

“That’s terrific,” Justin said, his voice warming.

His plan of going to art school had gone up in flames and then slowly fizzled over the years as other considerations took precedence over the illusions of youth, but at least it hadn’t all been for nothing. With her athletics scholarship, Trish had been accepted to UIndy, and as long as she got to achieve that dream, he was happy to do anything he could to support her.

“I can’t believe you got even paler, though,” Trish said, casting a critical eye over him. “And thinner. Are you auditioning for the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past?”

“You’re the one to talk, Trish,” Aunt Marnie observed primly. “That’s the trouble with young people today. You can’t be bothered to take care of yourselves. Eating sandwiches in front of the TV instead of sitting down for a proper meal, chugging all those soft drinks, always on your phones instead of having a nice long conversation over the dinner table.”

She glanced disapprovingly at Uncle Tony as she said it. Justin couldn’t tell whether her dissatisfaction stemmed from his being effectively absent from the proceedings, or that his preoccupation with his own mobile device undermined her point of it being the affliction of solely the younger generation.

Justin rolled his eyes and caught a glimpse of Elliot doing the same. He pretended not to notice.

“Oh, shush, Marnie.” Justin’s dad, John, tsked in annoyance at his sister-in-law as he settled comfortably in his shabby armchair. “Leave the girl alone. The last thing she needs is your dieting advice.”

“Just so you know, I eat healthier than all of you,” Trish said, sitting back down on the sofa beside her fiancé. Thankfully, she wasn’t ruffled by her aunt’s comment. Unlike Justin, she had always boasted a sunny disposition and staunchly refused to let bullies of any variety upset her. “And I drink nothing but fresh juice and water. Carbonated for special occasions.”

Dave snickered and petted her arm lovingly.

“Yes. Well. You must be tired, dear,” Aunt Marnie said, changing the subject and addressing Justin. “Why don’t you sit, put your feet up for a bit? Now, are you sure your young man isn’t coming? I had such a nice chat with him when you brought him over for Thanksgiving. Did you know—”

“I’m sure,” Justin interrupted her. Elliot’s gaze was like a laser beam trained on him, but he refused to meet it head on. “Actually, I think I’ll go see if Mom needs any help in the kitchen.”

Justin beat a hasty retreat before they could all start bickering again—and before he had to explain his current heartache in front of the man who was the first to ever break it.

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Meet the Author

A voracious reader from the age of five, Isabelle Adler has always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination and caffeine.

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Silent Knight / Sleepless Knight by Gale Stanley #NewRelease #LGBT @changelingpress @galestanley

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Cover art: Bryan Keller

Genres: Gay Romance, Multiple Partners, Holiday

Length: Box Set

Page Count: 145

 

Publisher’s Note: Silent Knight, Sleepless Knight (Duet) contains the previously published novellas Silent Knight and Sleepless Knight.

 

Silent Knight

Paul Stanton thought he had it all, a great job, a beautiful condo and a stable relationship with his boss, but when his lover dumps him for another man, Paul is forced to rethink his life. Rather than spend the holidays alone in San Francisco he visits his childhood home in rural Pennsylvania. But only a few days with his family is enough to convince Paul that you can’t go home again.

Paul leaves for the airport in the midst of a snowstorm. Stranded in the woods, a chance meeting with a hunter is his only option for survival. Paul knows the type, a backwoods bigot just like the men he grew up with, but what choice does he have? A few days with the hunter convinces Paul there’s more to Andy Reynolds than meets the eye. But is it enough to bind two men who have nothing in common except their sex?

 

Sleepless Knight

Andy and Paul are totally committed to each other, but when the two-year itch infects their relationship, Paul becomes distant and refuses to talk about it. Andy arranges a much needed vacation, but on the way home they pick up a hitchhiker who’s willing to trade sex for a roof over his head. Andy will do anything to make Paul happy, even if it means bringing another man into their bed. But is a threesome really the answer? Or will it drive them further apart?

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Excerpt:

 

Andy studied his houseguest. Under different circumstances, Paul’s features would be extremely appealing, but right now, his high cheekbones were an unhealthy shade of pale, and his sensual lips were blue. He hoped Paul would accept his help. “Okay, let’s get you into bed.”

“I usually get dinner first,” Paul mumbled.

Paul’s attempt at humor was a good sign. Andy chuckled. “I’ll give you something to nibble on later, city boy.”

Andy helped his unexpected guest to the sleeping alcove. It was only across the room, but Paul leaned heavily on Andy, and by the time he sat on the bed, sweat beaded on Paul’s forehead. The man was obviously exhausted, but he tried to push Andy away when he attempted to undress Paul.

“Come on, city boy. You need to warm up.”

“I’m good.” Paul’s sentence ended with a shiver.

“You’re not good. You’re hypothermic and maybe frostbitten. Let me take your clothes off, and maybe we’ll save a few body parts.”

Andy’s harsh words must have gotten through to Paul. He stopped protesting and allowed Andy to undress him. When only Paul’s boxers remained, Andy surveyed his body with a clinical eye. There were no disturbing signs of frostbite. He just needed to rest and warm up. Paul might be cold, but he was also incredibly hot. Andy couldn’t help checking out his houseguest’s perfect golden tan. Obviously, the man was from a warmer locale. And Paul’s lean, muscular body, sprinkled with light brown hair, shouted gym rat. When Paul lay down on his back, Andy was surprised to see an erection escaping Paul’s boxers. He reached for the waistband to pull the shorts off.

Paul rose on his elbows and swore under his breath. “See anything you like?”

For a limited time, Silent Knight / Sleepless Knight is available at a new release discount at Changeling Press.

 

Available at

Changeling Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

 

 

Author Bio and Links

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Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and pencil.

Some things never change.

 

Website | Blog | Twitter | FaceBook | Instagram | Pinterest

 

Happy Reading!

#NewRelease – Chasing Christmas @AuthorDulce @changelingpress #LGBTQ #Christmas #romance

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Chasing Christmas (Christmas Magic) by Dulce Dennison

Genre: Paranormal
Themes: Christmas, New Adult, Gay, Shapeshifter
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller
Publisher: Changeling Press

College senior and ocelot shifter Beck Prescott is home for the holidays, but there’s only one present he wants to find under his tree — his sexy neighbor, Chris Wilcox. Even though the wolf shifter is older than Beck, Beck knows they’re destined to be together.

Getting Chris to agree is another matter, but Christmas is the time for miracles, and Beck thinks this is the year he may get his fondest wish. A mate.

Available Now at Changeling Press

Pre-Order for December 8th at Amazon, B&N, iTunes, and Kobo

Excerpt

Beck Prescott couldn’t decide if he was elated to be home because it meant spying on his super sexy neighbor, or being filled with dread because he knew his parents would ask, once more, if he’d found his mate. Truth be told, he’d known since he was sixteen who his mate was, but he had fuck all chance of landing the sexy beast. Their neighbor, Chris Wilcox, hardly knew he existed. They’d barely spoken aside from a random hello here and there over the years. And was it any wonder? Chris had to be close to his parents’ age. Not that he looked a day over thirty, despite the silver at his temples.

He peered through his bedroom window and into the house next door. It just happened to be that Chris’s bedroom was directly across from Beck’s, which had been both a pleasure and a torture for the last five years. The object of his obsession was doing pull-ups in the bedroom doorway, his abs rippling with the movement. Beck licked his lips and pressed his hand against the growing erection in his jeans. It wasn’t the first time he’d wondered what it would feel like to be held by such strong arms. The few guys he’d been with couldn’t compare.

Chris did several more pull-ups before dropping to the ground and grabbing a nearby towel to wipe the sweat from his face and body. Beck wondered where Paul was — Chris’s significant other. Even though he knew Paul sometimes went out of town for business, it seemed odd he’d be gone during the holidays.

“Beck!” his mother yelled up the stairs. “I know you’re here. Your car is in the driveway.”

He sighed and pushed away from the window, making his way downstairs. His mother stood at the bottom, her arms folded and her foot tapping. The look of displeasure on her face was completely his doing, mostly because he’d been avoiding her.

“Were you going to hide up there until you starved?” she asked.

“I was going to come tell you hello,” Beck said. “I needed to put my things away.” And do a little drooling over Mr. Sexy.

“Your father and I have to go out tonight. A dinner with his law firm,” his mom said. “I’ve made some spaghetti and it’s in the fridge. All you have to do is warm it up. There’s a loaf of Italian bread in the pantry, if you’d like some to go with it.”

“You didn’t have to cook for me if you had plans,” Beck said. “I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

She patted his cheek. “You’ll always be my baby boy. I’m going to be busy the next few days planning the Christmas Eve party, so I won’t get to spend much time with you until Christmas Day.”

“It’s fine, Mom. I know how to entertain myself.” Mostly by looking out his bedroom window. “Besides, we’ll have almost a full week after the party before I have to return to campus.”

“I’ve delivered all of the invitations except one,” his mom said. “Will you take this one over to Mr. Wilcox? I’ve been in such a rush I overlooked it.”

She handed him a red envelope with silver writing across the front. Beck took the invitation and smoothed a hand down his wrinkled shirt. He grabbed his leather coat off the hook by the door and pulled it on before stepping out into the snow. Little did his mother realize she’d just given him the best present ever: a reason to talk to their neighbor.

Beck trudged through the ankle-deep snow and walked up the icy steps of Chris Wilcox’s home. He rang the bell and waited, stomping his feet to keep the blood flowing. Shifter or not, it was damn cold outside.

The door swung open and a shirtless Chris stood in the doorway. “Beck. I didn’t realize you were back home.”

“Christmas break, but it’s my senior year, so it won’t be long before I’m back for good. Or at least until I get my own place.”

Chris nodded. “You’re what? Twenty-one now?”

“Only for another month.” Beck held out the envelope. “Mom wanted me to bring this by. It’s your invitation to the Christmas Eve party she throws every year.”

Chris reached out to take it, his fingers brushing against Beck’s. It was enough to make the young shifter shiver, and not from the cold. Chris’s gaze raked over him as he opened the envelope. He scanned the contents of the invitation and frowned a little.

“I’m afraid Paul will not be attending with me,” Chris said.

“Is Mr. Murphy out of town?” Beck asked.

“Yes. Indefinitely.” Chris’s gaze locked on his. “Paul and I are no longer together.”

Beck’s heart leapt at the words, but he tried to hide his excitement. “I’m sorry. I know the two of you were together a long time.”

Chris shrugged. “He found his mate.”

“Maybe you’ll find yours,” Beck said, his voice low as he held the older shifter’s gaze. Beck thought it might be his imagination, but the shifter’s eyes seem to warm as he stared back. He wondered what it would take to not only gain the attention of someone like Chris, but to hold it.

Christmas is how far away ???

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I realized with shock today that Christmas is only 36 days away!  Where did the time go?  Usually, I’ve stock piled presents throughout the year and I’ve started wrapping a few things here and there.  By Thanksgiving, I normally have absolutely no shopping left to do.  This year is definitely different.  It seems that the year slipped by without my noticing… so here it is, the week before Thanksgiving, and I only have presents put aside for my daughter.  I have only one or two items for my son and nothing put aside for my husband.

I guess this means that I will have to brave the traffic, crowds, and insane parking lots in order to finish shopping for the Christmas holidays.  I noticed last weekend that the chaos had already begun!  My grandmother needed assistance with her Christmas shopping so I volunteered to go with her… I was amazed to see people parking in the lined areas inbetween handicapped spots!  I mean, come on people!  Are you really so lazy that you can’t find a parking place that isn’t going to hinder a handicapped person?

It seems that next year I will have to pry my eyes away from the computer, my fingers away from the keyboard, and get my brain focused on something other than “finishing that next novel” in order to avoid the hazardous situation I now find myself in… Christmas shopping during the holidays!

Hopefully you are better prepared than I am and will be cozy in your house laughing hysterically as I struggle through the sea of people, fight over toys, and stand in hour long lines to complete my shopping this year.