Saturday, November 2, 2013

Okay, I'm tooting my own horn...

Another great review for Behind Every Cloud. This time from Pattycake at Mrs Condit and Friends Read Books: http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=15458

PATTYCAKE’S OPINION: Behind Every Cloud by Penny Brandon is the story of Kurt Donaldson, a man forced to live a lie because of a promise he made to his sister, and Sasha Harrison, a young man rebelling against his parents’ attempt to control his life. Kurt buries himself in work, finding it easier to be celibate, and using beautiful women as a cover to hide behind. Sasha has spent the past five years rebelling against his parents’ attempt to control his life by living a wild lifestyle, and building a reputation as a playboy celebrity that the media and the public known as “Silver’. Tired of living in the limelight as fodder for paparazzi and tabloids, he finds the perfect place to hide after Kurt rescues him from a man who had drugged hid drink. Kurt has no idea who Sasha really is, and offers him a place to stay when Sasha tells Kurt that he’s an actor who has been thrown out of his apartment, and has nowhere to go. Will their growing relationship survive when Kurt finds out who Sasha really is?
This is a character driven story with a smooth plot flow. The characters have problems that are all too common and this makes them genuine, complex, and three dimensional. We get a great backstory that shows where the characters come from, and how the past has affected their present. The men are sexy, and the sex is hot, passionate, and VERY imaginative without being tacky. The author’s writing style is clean, easy to understand, and to the point. I love the way the author shows how all too often, people hide who they really are, and let other people’s perception define how they live their lives. Although a major misunderstanding threatens the relationship, the story does have a HEA ending. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, and would definitely encourage you to check it out for yourself.
Behind Every Cloud was given FIVE sweet peas!!!

Thank you :)

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Fantastic Review for Behind Every Cloud!

I've just read a review for Behind Every Cloud, written by Top 2 Bottom Reviews. Makes my long hours sitting in front of a computer all worth it. It's nice to know I sometimes get it right.

Review:
I’ve read several books by Penny Brandon and I’ve enjoyed them all. Her writing is a good mixture of lightness and angst, which balances out her stories and makes them highly addictive to read. The blurb does an excellent job at describing the story, so I won’t rehash a lot of it. Instead, I thought I’d talk about why I liked this book and why I recommend it.
When the book begins, I mistakenly thought that one of our heroes, Kurt, was going to be a jerk. He’s a successful businessman and has been a serial dater for the past couple of years. But as the story progressed, I began to quickly see that I was incorrect about my assumption of him. Kurt loves his sister and when their parents died, he raised her during most of her teenage years. Feeling very responsible for her and hoping to help her get past the pain and loss of losing their parents at such a young age, Kurt makes a selfless/foolish promise to her, and because of it, has been denying his sexuality and his attraction to other men. What I really liked about Kurt is: although he is a workaholic, he’s a genuinely nice guy. He’s kind, protective, and intelligent and often puts others before himself. He was one of those characters where I really wanted the “nice guy to finish first”.
There is also more to Sasha than meets the eye. When they first meet, Kurt literally saves him (you’ll have to read what he saves him from) and he’s a bit of a mystery. But we quickly find out that Sasha has reputation as a party-goer as well as being a player. He’s made some very bad decisions, and because of who is parents are, Sasha has been in the gossip magazines and spotlight for some time. When Sasha realizes that Kurt doesn’t recognize him, he feels like he actually has a chance of having someone actually like him for who he is, and not his rich, spoiled bad-boy image. Sasha ended up being a likeable, sexy man who was definitely meant to be with Kurt.
I liked that Kurt and Sasha brought out the best in each other. Sasha is able to be himself around Kurt and think of someone else other than just himself and Kurt actually begins to relax a little and put his own needs first. I thought they were very well matched and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other and truly fall in love. Plus, the sexual chemistry between these two men. Whew! The sex between them practically heated up my e-reader it was so hot!!
The reason why this is not a five star read for me was: I thought the ending was a little abrupt. Now don’t get me wrong, it has a very happy ending, I just thought the conflict between the characters was wrapped up a little too quickly. But having said this, I still loved the book and highly enjoyed reading every minute of it.
If you’re looking for a well-written romance with plenty of sizzling sex and a love between two sexy men, then Behind Every Cloud is definitely a book to consider. I’m looking forward to reading more by Ms. Brandon in the future, and hope one day, she’ll revisit these characters again.
Highly Recommended!
Reviewed By: Gabbi


Thanks Gabbi. I definitely have more in mind for Kurt and Sasha!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Behind Every Cloud is on the ARE best sellers list!

I've just been notified that Behind Every Cloud is on the All Romance E-books best sellers list! I'm doing a little dance. Click on the word link to get to their page.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Behind Every Cloud is out now!

Behind Every Cloud is ready for you to read! A long time in the making, this is the story of Kurt and Sasha. It's already getting good ratings. Hope you enjoy!

 

Forced to live behind a lie because of a promise he made to his sister, Kurt's been celibate for twelve years. It's not so much the sex he misses, but the chance at a family like the one his parents brought him up to expect. Then he meets Sasha, and it becomes all about the sex. Though he tries hard to resist, Sasha's just too damn gorgeous, and Sasha wants him. So why not just give in?

Throwing himself with abandon into the Sydney gay scene, millionaire Sasha Harrison becomes playboy celebrity known to everyone as “Silver.” It was fun at first, but after five years of being the media's meal ticket he now just wants to be left alone. Hounded by reporters, he hides out with Kurt, the one guy who has no idea who he is, or was. But that's the problem. Kurt doesn't realize Sasha's not used to being turned down, and Sasha's not used to being with nice guys.
You can read an excerpt on the Loose-id site. Click here for the link.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Behind Every Cloud... Blurb

I haven't got the cover yet, but here's the blurb:

Forced to live behind a lie because of a promise he made to his sister, Kurt's been celibate for twelve years. It's not so much the sex he misses, but the chance at a family like the one his parents brought him up to expect. Then he meets Sasha, and it becomes all about the sex. Though he tries hard to resist, Sasha's just too damn gorgeous, and Sasha wants him. So why not just give in?

Throwing himself with abandon into the Sydney gay scene, millionaire Sasha Harrison becomes playboy celebrity known to everyone as “Silver.” It was fun at first, but after five years of being the media's meal ticket he now just wants to be left alone. Hounded by reporters, he hides out with Kurt, the one guy who has no idea who he is, or was. But that's the problem. Kurt doesn't realize Sasha's not used to being turned down, and Sasha's not used to being with nice guys.

Due for release 23rd August with Loose-id, it's getting close.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Silver Lining is now Behind Every Cloud...

I had to choose a new title for Silver Lining, and came up with Behind Every Cloud... As you know that's the beginning of what most people say when they want to look on the bright side. "Behind every cloud lies a silver lining", so I'm still keeping with the theme of the book, but of course, most of you'll know how it still works when you read about Sasha aka "Silver". It's been accepted by Loose-id, and due for release at the end of Aug if all goes well with my edits. I'll keep you all posted in regards to a cover when I get one. So excited to be able to have another novel out. Hope you'll like it!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Behind Every Cloud... Is now finished!

I haven't done a post for a while, but I've been busy writing, which is a good thing. Silver Lining is a story that's been playing around in my head for quite some time. Here's a little snippit, but I'm not yet telling you what it's about...

UPDATE: Re-named "Behind Every Cloud..." and has now been FINISHED!


Fishing in his pocket for his keys, Kurt had to take a tighter grip of the woman in his arms. That was when he felt something pressed against his thigh that shouldn’t have been there.

 “You’re a man?” Shock almost had him dropping the guy; instinct had Kurt pulling him closer.

“I’m Sasha.” The slurred response wasn’t an answer, but Kurt didn’t really need confirmation; it was now pretty clear what Sasha was. And that’s when he ran into his second problem, because as far as he could tell, the guy carried no identification.

With half a mind to take him back to the club – after all, it was their responsibility to look after their patrons – Kurt glanced down and saw Sasha looking up at him, his liquid grey eyes imploring. Cursing the common courtesy his parents had instilled in him, Kurt opened his car and carefully put Sasha in the passenger seat. After climbing into the driver side he turned to the young man slumped beside him.

It was Kurt’s chance to get a proper look at him. He was small, his features delicate and elf like. His hair was long and worn loose down his back; the color an odd silvery grey. He also wore a glittered silver top, black pants and flat ballet type shoes. It was obvious Sasha was dressed to party, and though Kurt didn’t want to assume, it also didn’t take much to realize Sasha was gay.

Trying not to let that affect his judgment, Kurt shook Sasha’s shoulder to get his attention. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Nope, woozy.”

Kurt bit his lip, holding back on the anger building inside. He knew this wasn’t Sasha’s fault; that Sasha had been victimized, but a small part of him wondered if the young man hadn’t been dressed the way he was, it wouldn’t have happened to him. In that same instance, however, Kurt knew he was wrong to think that way. Sasha was a victim, plain and simple, no matter how he dressed, or how he looked. At least he had the balls to look and dress the way he wanted.

“I think you should go to a hospital,” Kurt said, speaking slowly so Sasha would understand him, hoping also that Sasha would agree with him.

“No, home,” he answered barely above a whisper.

“Sasha, you’ve been drugged, and I don’t know where you live,” Kurt carefully explained. He’d known whatever Sasha had been slipped would limit his comprehension, but this was painful. When Sasha merely looked at him, Kurt sighed. This wasn’t going to get him anywhere, and even as he was thinking of possible alternatives, Sasha closed his eyes and slipped further down into the seat. Knowing he was making a mistake, even though he had no choice, Kurt started his car, and after strapping himself and his uninvited guest in, he set of for his apartment.

It was only when he got there, did he realize how much of a mistake he was making. Sasha was completely unresponsive, so Kurt had to lift him out of the car and carry him. He tried not to notice the light but firm body cradled in his arms, or the long silky hair which got caught in his fingers, but with each step it became more difficult, until it was a relief to finally lay Sasha down on the bed in his spare room.

Looking down at him, Kurt’s stomach clenched painfully. Damn, he was beautiful. His high cheekbones and smooth skin coupled with his pretty pink lips and snub little nose made him look more like a girl than he’d previously done while in the club. It was no wonder Kurt had mistaken him as such. And of course, that stunning length of hair had been a big contributor to his error. Distracted by it, he smoothed it away from Sasha’s face, the backs of his fingers sliding softly against Sasha’s graceful neck.

Forcing himself to stop mauling the man, Kurt wondered what the hell he was supposed to do next. Was it safe to leave Sasha here on his own, or was he going to have to watch over him? Knowing what kind of strain that would put him under, Kurt decided to leave Sasha to his own devices. At least Sasha’s breathing seemed stable, which put Kurt at ease, but he lingered, unable to actually tear himself away from what was his ultimate fantasy.

The silent pull of desire he was trying hard to ignore almost had him reaching out to touch Sasha again. Instead, Kurt grabbed the soft comforter to cover Sasha’s body, but Sasha chose that moment to open his eyes and grab his hand.

“Don’t leave me, please.” His voice pleaded, his eyes begged, and his fingers clutched with a desperation Kurt was beginning to feel deep inside. “Sleep with me. I don’t want to be alone.”