Monday, December 26, 2016

His Heart's Desire (The Looking Glass #3) - COVER REVEAL & RELEASE DAY - GIVEAWAY


This is the beautiful cover for His Heart's Desire, the third chapter in the Looking Glass series. Simon has finally got his chance to be with his one true love, however, he's not what Simon expected.

BLURB:

As the keeper of a magic mirror that shows those lucky few their one true love, Simon dreams of the day it will show him his, but he never dreamt of a punk-assed kid with ripped jeans and rainbow colored hair. Devastated, Simon tries to push Alex away, refusing to tell him they were fated, but Alex keeps coming back, showing all the signs of a man drawn to his soulmate. Realizing he’s made a terrible mistake, Simon figures the only way to fix it is to be the man Alex wants because Alex is the man Simon needs if he’s ever to have a future.

Never before has Alex fallen so hard for a man who obviously doesn’t like him, but Alex is sure there’s a passionate man beneath Simon’s prickly exterior. Peeling away Simon’s layers is like ripping off a bandaid, but it’s worth it when Alex finally has Simon in his arms. The problem is, though he may have Simon’s body, he doesn’t have his heart, and that’s the part Alex wants most. Until he finds out Simon has lied to him.



BUY LINKS:

Amazon,

DON'T FORGET TO put it on your shelf at Goodreads.

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Cover Design by April Martinez

Friday, December 2, 2016

Holiday Spirit Downunder - Giveaway



It's December, and if you haven't already realized it, Xmas is just around the corner. For most of those in the Northern Hemisphere there'll be a layer of the white stuff, so that means snowmen, ice-skating, snowball fights, and wrapping up in winter woolies. For those of us in the southern part of the planet (downunder), we'll have sunshine, beaches, barbeques, and bikinis.

So, we're a little different, and our authors like to reflect that in their writing. In order to give you a chance to check some of them out, Nic Starr has interviewed several fantastic authors who have offered books and other great prizes for you to win.

1st prize: $20 Amazon GC, 2nd Prize: $15 Amazon GC (courtesy of Meg Bawden), $10 ARe GC (courtesy of Beany Sparks), and 4th Prize is a bundle of 4 ebooks (1 back list title from Renae Kaye, Penny Brandon’s “His Heart’s Desire”, LJ Harris’ “The Haunting of Angus MacGregor”, and a backlist title from N.J. Nielsen)

To enter, just leave a comment below (tell me which book you'd like to win from my backlist), and then click here to enter the Rafflecopter. The winners will be drawn at the end of the blog tour.




Here are the authors you can check out:

DATE                    AUTHOR

1st Dec                  Susan Reeves
2nd Dec                 Kevin Klehr
3rd Dec                 Beany Sparks
4th Dec                 Brooke Edwards
6th Dec                 Anne Barwell
7th Dec                 Bronwyn Heeley
8th Dec                 LJ Harris
9th Dec                 LJ LaBarthe
10th Dec               Laura Andrews
11th Dec               Renae Kaye
13th Dec               Penny Brandon 

14th Dec               Pelaam
15th Dec               Meredith Shayne
16th Dec               A.B. Gayle
17th Dec               Toni Griffin
18th Dec               RJ Jones
20th Dec               Meg Bawden
21st Dec               Sean Kennedy
22nd Dec              NJ Nielsen
23rd Dec               Nic Starr



Just click on their names on their interview date and you'll be taken to Nic Starr's blogpage.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

SAVE ME - FIVE STAR REVIEW - JOYFULLY JAY REVIEWS



Steve is jaded, working hard but passed over for promotion more than once, unable to find love, and frustrated by his neighbor who plays the same song on repeat at full volume.

Nathan is said neighbor, though the two men have never met. Nathan has been wallowing in his own unhappiness since his partner, Rob, moved out of their apartment, taking all of their belongings. Nathan is unemployed, has no gas or electricity, and sits on his only piece of furniture, a mattress, torturing himself by playing his and Rob's song continually.

After another disappointing day at work, Steve returns home, only to be driven into his bedroom by the incessant music playing from the adjoining apartment. Steve feels his anger rising, frightened by his reaction and the strange appearance of a doll on his bed, which unbeknownst to him bears an uncanny resemblance to Nathan. Steve feels compelled to start banging angrily on his neighbor’s wall and thus Nathan and Steve meet.

Although their meeting is tense, with Steve raving about voices and a doll, little do they know that their paths will merge as they go on the run in an attempt to escape the voodoo curse apparently placed on Nathan, and their lives are going to change forever.

Save Me is unlike any run-of-the-mill contemporary gay romance. Penny Brandon has written a suspenseful novel, which is utterly compelling and I found myself finishing it in one sitting.

Steve and Nathan are the protagonists, but the novel is really centered around the voodoo doll who appears intent on causing Nathan harm. It is easy to ridicule a story that features a murderous doll only made from crude materials, but Brandon really makes Save Me work. I became totally sucked in by the palpable fear felt by Steve and Nathan, finding it totally conceivable that a doll could be responsible.

As someone who has suffered from depression, I perhaps related to Save Me on a level that the author did not intend; depression is the demon who feeds off negative emotions and who is not content until the sufferer is destroyed.

Both Steve and Nathan are complex characters who I cared about more as the story develops. Their feelings for each other are really the only thing that they have control over and I could believe that these emotions are genuine. I wanted Steve and Nathan to be safe and their romance offers some relief from the tension and danger which dominates the plot of Save Me.

Save Me is clever, fast-paced, and gripping. It would be an ideal book choice for readers who enjoy horror or thrillers with an edge. I really look forward to reading the next book in Penny Brandon’s Voodoo Dolls series.
kirsty sig


Available at:  Amazon and All Romance E-books
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads


Friday, February 19, 2016

Four Star Review of Save Me (Voodoo Dolls #1)

Book Review: Save Me by Penny Brandon


Reviewed by Susan65 @ The Blogger Girls


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Author: Penny Brandon
Series: Voodoo Dolls #1
Heroes: Steve/Nathan
Genre: MM Horror
Length: 217 Pages
Publisher: Loose Id
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Available at:  Amazon and All Romance E-books
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: From the first moment Steve sees Nathan, he knows he’s in trouble. First, Nathan looked just like the doll he’d found on his bed, and second, Steve couldn’t stop thinking how it would feel having Nathan in his arms and under his body. He’s never desired anyone so strongly before, and he’s reluctant to show it, but then Nathan gives him something he hadn’t been conscious of wanting. Stunned, he craves more, but starts to worry what he feels might not be real.
Alone and vulnerable after being dumped by his ex, Nathan longs for the security of being in a relationship. With no money, no job, and now a Voodoo Doll out to kill him, Nathan doesn’t think things could get any worse, but then he starts falling for Steve. Problem is, it doesn’t look like Steve feels the same way. Even after Steve finally lets Nathan in, Steve unexpectedly withdraws, refusing to explain why.
Unable to cope with another rejection, Nathan succumbs to the evil of the doll. Steve realizes he needs to own up to his feelings, but are they enough to save Nathan?

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Review: This book scared the crap out of me…and I love when that happens. Why is it that I always start horror books at nighttime? There I was, comfy in my warm bed, but too afraid to turn out the light. I don’t know about you, but scary dolls with knives freak me out.
This is book one in a new series about voodoo dolls, and if the next book is anything like this one, you can count me in. I must admit when the book first started, I thought Steve was kind of mental. He was off the wall whacked out, and if I was Nathan, I would have run for the hills. Of course, they do end up running…but for their lives.
Not really sure if I would consider this a voodoo doll story, but more a doll possessed by a demon story…either way, Penny Brandon might want to consider writing more horror stories because she nailed that aspect of the book. The romance was a little off for me, though. I wasn’t too convinced of the chemistry between Steve and Nathan, but I read this for the scary parts so that was okay. In my case, a little gay romance thrown into a horror novel is just a bonus.
So, if you are like me and want to switch up your reading and add a little scary time, then I would definitely recommend this book. But be warned, though romance has its parts, it is still scary as hell and you might have a little trouble sleeping.

Overall Impression: I really liked it


*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*

Available at:  Amazon and All Romance E-books
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads


Wednesday, January 27, 2016

FREE SHORT STORY - TALLON

TALLON was inspired by this picture.


 The challenge was to write something that was less that 1000 words.






Tallon

“Leif? Are you ready yet?”

Josh rounded the corner to the bedroom and stopped short at the sight of his boyfriend, sucking in a little breath as he came face to face with the most gorgeous creature he’d ever seen. “Wow, that’s stunning.”

Leif, dressed in a long flowing silver cape with a wide collar the color of burnt umber, frowned.

“Stunning?”

Josh grinned, stepping up close to get a better look at the costume. “Yeah. You look so… real.”

“Real?” Leif tipped his head to the side, the frown marring his perfectly made up face. Josh couldn’t quite believe the difference a few strokes of eyeliner would make.

“Did you put in contacts?” Josh looked closer, surprised to see pale blue eyes looking at him instead of the usual brown.

“Contacts?”

“Your eyes, Leif, you’ve changed their color, and why are you repeating everything I say?”

“Who’s Leif?”

Josh rolled his eyes. So Leif was going to play that game, was he? Every time Leif dressed up, his whole personality changed. It was like he wasn’t the same person anymore, which was a little disconcerting at times.

“You are,” Josh answered, not playing along.

“I’m Tallon.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m Tallon.”

Josh turned to face his very exasperating boyfriend. “Fine, you’re Tallon. I don’t really care, but if you want to make the party we have to get going.”

“Party?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Leif. You know I don’t like it when you do this.”

Leif tilted his head to the side again. It wasn’t a normal characteristic for him, and Josh wondered if he was using it as part of his ‘Tallon’ persona, but it was such an odd mannerism, nothing like Josh had ever seen Leif do before.

“I’m not Leif.”

Maybe it was the tone of voice, or maybe it was the shot of blue light from a long fingered hand that finally convinced Josh he wasn’t talking to Leif anymore.

“Fuck!” Scrambling backward, Josh slammed into the wall. “What have you done to Leif? Where is he?”

“Gone.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Leif can’t be gone. He’s mine!”

Tallon’s lips thinned. Josh knew Leif’s were full, and no matter how pissed off he was, Leif could never get them to thin out the way Tallon did. Somehow, Leif’s bodily form was changing the longer Tallon possessed it.

“He wasn’t yours. You never bonded.”

“Bonded?” Now it was Josh’s turn to repeat what Tallon was saying.

“You never gave him a ring.”

Josh’s stomach twisted as he remembered the look of disappointment on Leif’s face when Leif had asked him for a ring, and Josh hadn’t thought it necessary. “I don’t have one,” he whispered, feeling sick.

Holding out a hand, Tallon turned it palm up. Nestled in the middle were two rings, intricately designed, intrinsically beautiful. “Maybe you both need one,” he said.

It was more than awe that had Josh reaching out, it was the knowledge that what Tallon was offering was not just a gift of rings, but Leif. As he touched one of the platinum circles a tingle flowed into his arm causing him to almost recoil, but this was for Leif. He would do anything for Leif.

“I’m not sure this costume suits me. It’s too…, I don’t know. It feels wrong.”

Startled, Josh stared into warm brown eyes. “Leif? Is that you?”

“Of course it’s me.”

Profound relief had Josh pulling Leif into his arms and holding on to him with all the strength and love he possessed. “Oh my god, Leif! I thought you’d gone.” Leif’s beautiful eyes were back, and so were his beautiful, kissable lips. Josh smothered them with his own, tasting Leif, devouring him.

“Hey!” Leif pulled back, though by the look in his eyes he was more surprised by Josh’s enthusiasm than by the kiss itself. “Are you all right?” Concern edged his voice, one which Josh wanted to alleviate immediately.

“Leif, I love you, you know that, right?”

“Of course I know you love me. I love you too.” Leif’s concern still hadn’t abated if the frown he wore was anything to go by, but Josh felt so much better hearing those words from him.

“Well, I think it’s time I did something to prove to you how much.” Josh opened his hand and showed Leif the rings.

“Really?” Leif’s face lit up, his frown disappearing.

“Yes, and I’m so sorry I didn’t realise how important it was to you.” He moved Leif to sit down on the bed. He picked up one of the rings, feeling the tingle flare up again. Searching Leif’s face, and seeing no sign of Tallon, Josh smiled. He held onto Leif’s left hand and placed the ring on the third finger. “With this ring I bond my soul to you,” he said, not sure where the words came from, but knowing they were right.

Leif’s grin warmed Josh’s heart, but what set it on fire was when Leif picked up the other ring and slipped it onto Josh’s finger.

“With this ring I bond my soul to you,” Leif repeated.

Leif’s gaze riveted Josh, the love in them unquestionable. Josh hoped Leif was able to see the same love in his eyes, because he never wanted Leif to question it or think otherwise.

“Josh?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think I want to go to the party now.”

“Good, because I don’t think I ever want to see a costume again either.”

The End






Friday, January 8, 2016

All Cocks no Bull Blog Hop - WIN A FREE E-BOOK COPY OF ANY ONE OF MY BOOKS

Welcome to the All Cocks no Bull Blog Hop, an exclusive for m/m writers and readers. Whether you are a fan of the genre, or new to reading about men who love men, then I'm sure you'll enjoy what our writers have to offer for you.
Below you will find links to other authors who will give you a little taste of what they do, and to offer you a chance to enter a draw for a giveaway. I have FREE short stories you can read online (see above Menu) or you can download from SMASHWORDS.

For this blog hop I'm offering up an excerpt from a WIP "His Heart's Desire". The third book in the "Looking Glass" series.


EXCERPT

He opened the door to the place he’d called home for the past ten years. This had been his haven, his refuge since becoming the mirror’s keeper. He looked around the small room. Really looked. All it contained was the kitchenette, his bed and… There was nothing else of his in here. He owned nothing, and that was what his life had now become. One big fat nothing. While pulling off his tie, Simon walked over to the tiny bathroom and stepped inside. He started the shower, and then stripped, needing to distract himself from the pressure closing in around him. Once Alex left, Simon knew he was going to be alone, permanently, but wasn’t that better than not having his perfect man? The man he could love, cherish and be happy with? Unwilling to contemplate his future right now, Simon ignored the uncertainties running riot in his head. He stepped beneath the warm spray, intent only on washing away the thick grime of the day and the tension he couldn’t seem to purge. The water beat upon his head and shoulders, but it did little to ease the sharp pain behind his eyes or the lingering ache in his muscles. He grabbed the shampoo and poured a generous amount into his hand before rubbing the thick liquid through the strands of his hair. It was an effort to achieve a lather, to put any energy into soaping up and actually getting clean, but after a few minutes, Simon rinsed and turned off the water. Then he stood there, his forehead resting against the tiled wall, wondering if he had the strength to walk out and face Alex. “Simon?” Simon sighed. A part of him wished Alex had given up and gone home, but maybe this was the time to explain things to him. Not the mirror’s magic, but that Simon simply wasn’t interested and that Alex would be better off pursuing someone else. Someone more suited to him. Someone better. Simon gave himself a couple of seconds before he slid back the curtain and stepped out of the shower. His suit pants were still hung over the chair where he’d left them, but his shirt had fallen to the floor, and was now sitting in a wet puddle. Great, just great. He eyed the door, wondering what would happen if he went out there shirtless. Would Alex think Simon was coming on to him? Simon huffed out a small laugh, seeing the funny side of that thought. More than likely, Alex would take one look and demand Simon cover up. Looking down at his torso, Simon realized he should have put a little more effort into building some muscles. He wasn’t flabby, but he was never going to be buff. It didn’t matter what Alex thought of him though. Simon toweled himself dry then pulled on his pants, sans underwear. He ran his fingers through his damp hair then opened the door into what he hoped would be the last time he saw Alex. The young man was sitting on the bed, which wasn’t all that much of a surprise since there wasn’t anywhere else to sit. Simon ignored the look he received and rummaged in the drawer next to the kitchen. The drawer held his clothes and the few small possessions Simon owned from his life before the mirror. They evoked memories he sometimes tried to forget, others he wished he knew more of. While he was the mirror’s keeper, however, he’d never get a chance to find out more, never know where he originally came from or where could have ended up. He drew out a white T-shirt and self-consciously tugged it over his head. He could feel Alex’s gaze on him, burning into his back, and though Simon didn’t want to react, he couldn’t help but clench his jaw. It would be stupid to show Alex how disturbing it was having him here. Alex would probably say something about it, and Simon didn’t need Alex to do, say or feel anything. “I wasn’t expecting that,” Alex said, his voice soft. Simon turned while pulling his T-shirt partway over his chest. Alex was staring, and Simon’s skin prickled at the heat he thought he saw in Alex’s eyes. “Wasn’t expecting what?” he asked before remembering it was probably best he didn’t. “Your abs. I mean, wow.” “My abs?” Simon frowned, and then glanced back down at his flat stomach. There was some definition, but he certainly wouldn’t have said it was noteworthy. He automatically ran a hand over the tight muscles, and then realized what he was doing. Embarrassed, he quickly dragged his T-shirt the rest of the way down. “I’m assuming the food is here,” he said, distracting himself from thinking about what Alex’s comment meant. At Alex’s nod, Simon opened a cupboard and pulled out the two plates that came with the apartment. Plain white, they matched the two bowls and two mugs that were also here when Simon moved in. He hadn’t any need for anything else, but as he held the plates in his hands he became aware of how lacking his home really was. There was nowhere to eat. Not wanting to sit next to Alex on the bed, Simon didn’t particularly want to sit on the floor either. He considered the antique dining tables and chairs in the shop, but wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Alex might spill something and— “I’m not going to bite, you know. But if you feel more comfortable I can scoot right over to the edge.” Alex indicated the end of the bed, his smile both easy and knowing. Feeling like he’d already made a fool of himself, Simon didn’t want to appear more of an idiot. He perched as far away from Alex as possible without it seeming as if he was doing just that. Alex untied the bag holding the cartons of food, and then flipped open the tabs holding the carton’s closed. “I got a mixture because I wasn’t sure what you liked. There’s chicken curry, sweet and sour pork, Mongolian lamb, satay beef, dim sims, fried rice and noodles.” Appreciating Alex’s choice, Simon wanted to thank him, but would that constitute encouragement? Caught between politeness and a need to keep his distance, Simon handed Alex a plate, and then using the provided chopsticks, helped himself to some rice, chicken and one of the dim sims. He loved the crunchy, deep fried dumplings stuffed with pork and vegetables. They were his favorite. He dipped the morsel into the plum sauce they came with, and then took a bite, unconsciously moaning in approval. “Good,” he mumbled, glancing up at Alex. Alex was staring again, his mouth slightly open. Simon dropped his gaze, awkwardness suddenly eating at his appetite. He fidgeted, playing with the food on his plate. “I like them too,” Alex replied. “If I’d known how much you did, I would have ordered more.” “No, this is fine. Thank you.” Risking another glance, Simon observed Alex as he copied Simon’s movements; dipping the dim sim into the sauce and then taking a bite. A drop of sauce caught on the edge of Alex’s mouth, and as Simon watched, Alex stuck the tip of his tongue out and licked the little droplet away. For the first time in years, Simon found himself completely mesmerized. It had been so long since he’d sat opposite someone while they ate that he’d almost forgotten the simple pleasure of such an act. Alex seemed to enjoy his food. He didn’t rush, but he didn’t delay in trying the different dishes and their flavors. “Eat up, it’s going to get cold,” Alex said after he’d swallowed a helping of noodles. At least he didn’t talk with his mouth full. Simon forced himself to pick up a piece of chicken, and popped it in his mouth, but he was seriously self-conscious of Alex watching him. Alex smiled, and then nodded in satisfaction. He leaned back against the wall, seemingly at ease in a situation Simon found anything but.

I hope you liked this little bit of Simon's story. The full story should be released later this year. Look out for news. To get more information on new releases and other competitions, please sign up to this blog.

To enter the draw, please leave a comment below and tell me which e-book you'd like to win. Please also leave a way for me to contact you.

LINKS



Now, to check out other writers who have joined this blog hop CLICK HERE  or click their names below: