tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62503202179672188042024-03-13T13:03:03.612+11:00Penny Brandon Gay Romance AuthorFor those who love romance in all its forms.Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-57950073338277959622022-04-12T14:53:00.003+10:002022-04-12T15:07:07.111+10:00FREE BOOKS until 31st Dec 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/YfoNNjdNuU8Xtq4AfvbP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRL3kO9WJm_qCwAVOZk248fEUq3siVg80nBs21P9ID1eLOsXY0DwDMc1Wo0Jj1HvUNfC5o3dy2fYIcxOWNXLpD_GHH07crg8l9WxdN0QSVjOKYh5wbfLt3CxeLLZEh64KkoSFAlrs3ne05RwhSCpnE2DGFopbBMo10-Z-PJdjyO_PnpKqPPsosAXW/w648-h217/boyfriend%20book%20giveaway.jpg" width="648" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: large;">If you haven't got your books already, here's the link to get over <a href="https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/YfoNNjdNuU8Xtq4AfvbP" target="_blank">100 FREE BOOKS</a> or click on the above image. You don't have to hurry, either, as you have until 31st Dec 2022. So, go on over and find some new and favorite authors. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Though I wasn't part of the giveaway, you can read some of my FREE short stories from my blog. Just click on the headings that say FREE.</b></div></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-68660926202598282172021-01-04T15:44:00.000+11:002021-01-04T15:44:43.184+11:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/kySR2I4WhHiCvjr265bE" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6w6QBD21JO0sLwAzWvLs2PqsThftj2MFOXn2GqX179PZZrbnbnjmT53oTYzXXJ4-noQekhmm64isutarP92H5GG9AS6MmlZXPFS70O3RTGS7DUcVtRui_m8Wl-ZsVHrhHm6U6-12uk8/w616-h203/Winter+Wonderland.jpg" width="616" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2020 wasn't a good year for most of us, so more than 180 Gay Romance authors wanted to make sure 2021 started off with a bang!</b></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>You're invited to try new authors with this fantastic FREE promo. You never know if your new favorite author is waiting to be discovered!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Though I wasn't part of this giveaway, over 180 Gay Romance authors have come together to give you a post-holiday give. Download brand new, exclusive stories from your favorite and new-to-you authors. Each story in this giveaway is a full complete story that includes a gay romance (no samples or partial stories).</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Available for a limited time.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Click on the image to get your FREEBIES!</b></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #fafafa; border-collapse: collapse; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; width: 100%px;"><tbody style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><tr style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><td align="center" id="x_templateHeader" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: none center center / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_templateContainer" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%px;"><tbody style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><tr style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><td class="x_headerContainer" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_mcnTextBlock" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="x_mcnTextBlockOuter" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><tr style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><td class="x_mcnTextBlockInner" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><td align="center" id="x_templateBody" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: none center center / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_templateContainer" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%px;"><tbody style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><tr style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><td class="x_bodyContainer" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="x_mcnTextBlock" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; font: inherit; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="x_mcnTextBlockOuter" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-25678604221242942482019-02-08T21:15:00.002+11:002019-02-08T21:15:58.998+11:00Valentine Freebies 8th - 15th Feb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_690065615"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_690065614"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG8gUexIUUezs_an7xHfgF5x6jicTuXBrJ5iadz3xgsAHHG_m7kodsqzUMlf5PBIZ2LwDh64DEmVn69tL5oRzCpBPHKIAa_AC4AneLYCIHK5rMWaTLRcmKan585VicTEqkae7n_PC_nY/s640/df182980c129c7d0b63a87347cb8c91d.jpg" width="640" /><span id="goog_690065616"></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.8px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Looking for something hot and spicy to read during a lunch break at work? While you're stuck in a carpool line? During hockey practice? Before collecting your Peppermint Spiced Latte from the barista? Before bed? A collection of almost fifty bestselling MM romance authors have come together to give you scintillating FREE short stories to always have available on the go. Simply download the Prolific Works app and have access to these stories whenever you need a quick romance break. It's a great chance to try a new author with no risk, and you can even have the stories emailed to you to read on your Kindle. Please consider signing up for each author's mailing list as a way of thanking them, getting future free stories, and their new release announcements too!</span></div>
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Most of all, thank you for reading and loving the MM Romance genre as much as we do. Happy Valentine's Day! </span></div>
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<a href="https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/7zJkuPHxvWVklXiUT6PH" target="_blank"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">Click Here</span></a></h2>
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-90065404216839621922018-10-08T20:06:00.000+11:002018-10-08T20:06:30.605+11:0049 Authors 49 Freebies<br />
<a href="https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/EcGJURI7CIcvxIhcD8fM" target="_blank"><br /><img alt="freebieoctober" border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ-t6y23oMbVbVZbQIL-K9j_vGXT2UfNcL_9BV8CN-vCoJZdST73zThk_4hTkB5d6AqkzeBEKQZgPdvfS120QIui0ujO6H6ksr8ZesSQGucC8xW0iP89vqKBAfFsjv03BUYY8Aqt56Y4/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="freebieoctober" width="515" /></a><br />
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What better way to find new authors than to get some FREEBIES from them. I’m happy to announce that I was part of this great October giveaway. So roll up your sleeves and dip your toes into this pool of new talent.<br />
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If you haven’t read “My Heart’s Choice” the FREE book containing three short stories, then you can get your copy from the giveaway.<br />
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<a href="https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/EcGJURI7CIcvxIhcD8fM" target="_blank"><img alt="myheart'sdesire - 1600x2400" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqdS__mmwDzzcfDotCxQs9sOswfFD-DPSNX29H7FIkJypHueb94klUgpb0PkEUSETzNwByCbBl-xIYER5B4Om-r-SdHgA2DcONz6elgzbzbSRYMIDMc6N799-mC0VzRwlvtVOaqsOhso/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="myheart'sdesire - 1600x2400" width="164" /></a><br />
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Click <a href="https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/EcGJURI7CIcvxIhcD8fM" target="_blank">HERE</a> for Link</div>
Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-71653338132983361482018-05-25T19:52:00.000+10:002018-06-24T09:51:36.659+10:00The Looking Glass–Choices, First Kiss, His Heart’s Desire–OUT NOW!<span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DCBWQ9N?ref=series_rw_dp_labf" target="_blank"><img alt="Looking Glass Series Banner" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx4PNPu7_KohCpEUKDNJVFrj50OrdygWvr0J4cxaOq80v8ztCxN9lxnlVwikuev3pCaEaLOMxP_9azeNJuagiyKbH_RV1BlqkCx_k_poxC-_xYpo1F2sArgCu3lwRIWf5u15PW3OMiJ4/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="Looking Glass Series Banner" width="513" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DCBWQ9N?ref=series_rw_dp_labf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Looking Glass – Books 1, 2 & 3 OUT NOW, only $2.99 each!</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: white;">What would you do if you saw a stranger in a mirror and was told he was your one true love? Would you think it a joke? Would you seek him out?</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">What would you do if you did decide to find your soulmate, but you were straight, or he was dying, or you were being lied to?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1YGkudOdhQScaWa1FUVokO1I2j0283s-1Vann3My9XrcaP1_dt6KJ8daJmjfEwwlwE9M0Aimc1c0tQUJbmdo5LiWiw8utReo57vrKEi_x52jbUy4omfPfNsSHEG-zZBFqEqgafIg6Lw/s1600-h/TLG1_Choices+-+200x300%255B4%255D"><img align="left" alt="TLG1_Choices - 200x300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbK73UA5fDSKz4nsHGkdzw5YJzUNTr0BdqBsW1JxS6DsyrDg5uGjTh4jhQaL5id2xJkFkm4GuzlPRJtaq3susJzc1oC7ssddD6TDYv24KyZG-2C6SOndXqdeCLxPw6AKaf4hRPpWtcu8/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left;" title="TLG1_Choices - 200x300" width="160" /></a> <span style="font-size: medium;">CHOICES</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Marc was straight, always had been and always thought he would be, but when shown his true love in a magic mirror he was shocked to find out his true love was a man. Not only that, it was up to him to convince his true love they were meant to be together. All bad enough, but after finding Liam, the only way he's able to persuade Liam to go out with him is to offer him sex – even though that was something Marc was definitely not ready for.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Liam thought Marc was crazy. Marc was straight and he was talking about true love and making a life together, but Liam didn't believe in love and he certainly wasn't going to fall in love with a crazy straight guy regardless of how sexy he was. But he hadn't reckoned on Marc's pushy attitude or his offer of sex which, no matter how much he knew he should, Liam couldn't turn down.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB4r_3NLyQdqC-MBXT2YWz-SP_OsxHctVkxPPjoqkTaPniMi2d-DOfdJvjLuk4Zt_yIL3SvdDAeJLo3rSHFEgnIQ-vm3k4jbawST9yJcbKi32GVEc72dgrEDw5clgMk64slofwjqE-Og/s1600-h/TLG2_First+Kiss+-+200x300%255B4%255D"><img align="left" alt="TLG2_First Kiss - 200x300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q1ekoftOanFfnWp0Ca6LmLLioLgQaEXpKS7fpT7Cma2d6TfNalIDOpfHswO0fbewm5ljXSIGVF44dVRqzRUgmBWtHwOPrzOSRa0ROsWBVSRfa0bmqyEoARBUyftLK9v0jf-7aqI1baw/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left;" title="TLG2_First Kiss - 200x300" width="160" /></a> <span style="font-size: medium;">FIRST KISS</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">The second Brenn saw Joey’s image in the magic mirror, he was hooked. The moment he saw him in real life, Brenn knew Joey was going to be his forever. Joey was flirty, and fun, and he had the most gorgeous smile, but then Joey told him he was dying. Though devastated, Brenn didn’t want to give up on Joey, so he offered to look after him and make his last few days as comfortable as possible, but was that going to be enough when all Brenn really wanted was for Joey to live?</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Brenn was everything Joey could have wished for; strong, built, and with the most amazing eyes. Also, Brenn was in love with him. That would have given Joey something to live for, if it hadn’t been too late. He had about three weeks left, but that didn’t seem to matter to Brenn. Brenn wanted to take him home, and Joey was willing to go with him, but on two conditions. He wanted Brenn to make love to him before he died, but no kissing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAeS9Rw7J_6_SnXeM6vjRDA1Qwge8GU917fbhEJuI8Fq247_we223XB0uPrNR17mHgPp_T7yIpge7qovqm_hsemZ203fws9wCl-F9mqq9MdkYoQhDmiPYRsxbu4HRKlRqc8C7xg_mZxQ/s1600-h/TLG3_His+Heart%2527s+Desire+-+200x300%255B4%255D"><img align="left" alt="TLG3_His Heart's Desire - 200x300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUggRCAKD9UWZRerztyzdgxgFo2Uy0UCsNvbIQfd2BITg8Hc4thbOAp61f5nQl_VSLaez-sD_zgJUFnE0D9lFwtrv1YA_CwNwVrszHeYrjdz3srkziV47dTBblwhSKklMjDBmp2gZY45I/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left;" title="TLG3_His Heart's Desire - 200x300" width="160" /></a> <span style="font-size: medium;">HIS HEART’S DESIRE</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;">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.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">BUY NOW LINKS</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DCBWQ9N?ref=series_rw_dp_labf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="amazon" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKGtEQz2V5uQMqz9DaIDf8Mx_kAOor22NOcrM-UC3KAfz_aWWV59Z-UsnRL7X6vzE3LHCVkw1b8d8evJXy3E2edSY7v9NlPJAveKXZdtOeY4CNNn0H0TsUXBRxcYIymNYnZQCmeyK9ZU/?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="amazon" /></span></a><span id="goog_2104221882"></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Choices-Looking-Glass-Penny-Brandon-ebook/dp/B07D8VDJ1W/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">CHOICES</span></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Kiss-Looking-Glass-2-ebook/dp/B07D8Y2BFS/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">FIRST KISS</span></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/His-Hearts-Desire-Looking-Glass-ebook/dp/B07D8TLTV3/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">HIS HEART’S DESIRE</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/833868?ref=pennybrandon" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CHOICE</span><span style="color: red;">S</span></a></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/833884?ref=pennybrandon" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">FIRST KISS</span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/833890?ref=pennybrandon" target="_blank"><span id="goog_2104221923"></span><span style="color: red;">HIS HEART'S DESIRE</span><span id="goog_2104221924"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"></span><br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-4509626822163624892018-03-01T00:07:00.000+11:002018-03-01T00:31:51.526+11:00Erotic Gay Shorts Group Giveaway!<p><br></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6EGNDvpmfV0yRvBMg-T65rnaI8Ju7UAyHxh_WkZZwmMiJauLyn6EgyLahE3wTZybGV03Y8kQxIN7oKB67ANBszzkC0GcVb6rksmujsfoU0RXrV33rSu1LmgR-MbrCU7k_OEtuo708Zk/s1600-h/28166866_350350865481538_8837192656747076174_n%255B3%255D"><img width="515" height="174" title="28166866_350350865481538_8837192656747076174_n" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28166866_350350865481538_8837192656747076174_n" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNtuDAnS6BT2XRrU5Qs6_DZPcKMN-KmEd8lPe6-v9woqK3qjwY0y6-vWhnVaXJj1fqa_OFaWKHLGZCsqrTa_vHZi49sGj3Jg5rzP91URmNUeEFtQkSYFjCAO46nCCgFWMw2A0ONmhjcw/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><br></p><p align="center">I was lucky enough to be a part of this group giveaway, and with twenty generous authors offering their shorts for FREE, what a great way to find someone new.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/gg/sLadG36ZjFdb9XIHxmVe" target="_blank"><font color="#ff0000">Cli</font><font color="#ff0000">ck here to get your Instafreebie goodies.</font></a></p><p><br></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIisQV547ayY8Z-mRl4EBWykoaIIgg4JBr9NCZCkiGFZEaemBxG122LAE8oTpeBfi7XdolC77kLq1KVXhi9kJO-UpEcKRjWH9kW8pvBO_ZnMj_fpEY4U5NUkdUtHkv67eIx7uIxG1RYg/s1600-h/1d0f7b92fa012ffa3b6310a65d5747a5%255B6%255D"><img width="149" height="223" title="1d0f7b92fa012ffa3b6310a65d5747a5" style="display: inline; 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background-image: none;" alt="25bcf879840f745056723a46caa7b850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBTgmj3BMH9g7vN_kg8Y1seWObL8HAj8DDa5hRJxAWqWHCKmW2ODp8YrQk91ZZB82SodGlDpYllzzG04JMrHDsg55DQ246IcpSMJ4e8E8RpP4JrYumKAZiiHgyeMuBaCJPHVB3QgknoE/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrk6Y9JuBwLxMNj2alExqnR211E1zWKZ0I0C7nOoRIH-WuvidzK4m1G4aeZApX9vuRm8of8_nDAmqwTFJIVyC8XodCYG2I2VW76eJ-lwKgwJ1OGxIdPgBKjGzxfsWjnhC-0LPKkGFzOo/s1600-h/48e0e6c6ae9098fab959927b05f52d5d%255B8%255D"><img width="151" height="224" title="48e0e6c6ae9098fab959927b05f52d5d" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="48e0e6c6ae9098fab959927b05f52d5d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSLh9B11cEOZZZMQJG_YQqkIhXrqHGWI2zt64qgZ7b3xJSJA7PEH0LinWg_e0HYRjukXkitzHnrcILBf7L5_Id1pjDHAt7WXsqskojGw2yuu-P71U4Cr1TwmWJRf-ueBVsYFmXMFQJmI/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><br></p><p align="center">If you liked this post, please feel free to share, and let others know they can <a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=MyHeartsChoice&amp;loc=en_US"><font color="#ff0000">sign up</font></a> to my blog in order to get other notifications of giveways and news about my upcoming stories. Oh and don’t forget to check out my own FREEBIES on the tabs above.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=MyHeartsChoice&amp;loc=en_US"><font color="#ff0000">CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP</font></a><p align="center"><b><font color="#ffff00">HAPPY READING!</font></b>Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-28691147114353708812018-02-22T12:44:00.000+11:002018-02-22T12:44:00.223+11:00Blind Passion now on sale!<p><br></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdCxoDXhrJ6d81ROSevAoF_IQx1dT0Fk5jhck2P29cBGSg_7Ai1YpA3pgVMkfnMrVFJPZJxMSd7Lr3hgNdZHIq12UO6rv54IWX9qNEPdHEjyz5dvImayev2NJxFegOetzu2rYZ50jVSc/s1600-h/Blind+Passion+Penny+Brandon%255B4%255D"><img width="267" height="399" title="Blind Passion Penny Brandon" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Blind Passion Penny Brandon" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m7TvPdkyDRcjs9UX58AHTNNTSn1W3EdF_9W3oB4qKHdicMQyt9V3-m8Y_umtFgymKE6indFCnoPSRDyDXCNY_9agGxzc6eOjbNBFV5uXWb8DfEcYb2hulY7oQ4q-MzEw2lMbl_egUPY/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>With the closing of my publisher, I have the opportunity to re-release Blind Passion. For one week only until the 1st March 2018, I am putting Blind Passion on sale for <font color="#ff0000">$0.99</font>. After that it will go up to it’s reasonable price of only $3.99.</p></p><p>With it’s release I’ve given Blind Passion a new cover, all done by the beautiful and talented <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authormegbawden/" target="_blank"><font color="#9b00d3">Meg Bawden.</font></a></p><p>Blurb: </p><p>Attraction for Adam was not a handsome face, a striking smile, or beautiful eyes, but a scent that would drive him to distraction or a voice that could make his heart beat faster. When the combination of the two walked into his life in Luke, Adam couldn’t help but want him. But how was he supposed to know if Luke felt the same attraction? He had no prior experience, no past encounters, nothing to help him. Not even his sight.</p><p><br>One look at Adam and Luke wanted him. Sensual, gorgeous, kind, with a strength that Luke was drawn to, Adam was everything Luke desired. Being in Adam’s arms, showing him the pleasure of a man’s body, being touched, held, and desired in return, had Luke wanting more, had him wanting what he knew he couldn’t have.</p><p><br>It didn’t matter to him that Adam was blind, but Adam deserved more than someone like him. Luke was a man with a broken past and falling in love with Adam was a foolish thing to do, especially because Adam would never love him back if he found out what Luke was hiding.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><font color="#ff0000">Buy Links:</font><p> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Passion-Penny-Brandon-ebook/dp/B079SY933W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519255837&sr=8-1&keywords=blind+passion+penny+brandon" target="_blank"><font color="#ffff00">Amazon</font></a><font color="#ffff00"> </font><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/792250?ref=pennybrandon" target="_blank"><font color="#ffff00">Smashwords</font></a><font color="#ffff00"> </font><a href="https://payhip.com/pennybrandon" target="_blank"><font color="#ffff00">Payhip</font></a><p><br><p align="center">If you liked this post and would like to subscribe to get other news and giveaways please click <a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=MyHeartsChoice&amp;loc=en_US" target="_blank">here.</a>Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-84825747708031484782018-02-12T22:42:00.001+11:002018-02-12T22:55:03.621+11:00Valentine Freebies<div align="center">
Love is in the air this valentine with not one but three valentine freebies brought to you by some amazing authors who are once again offering some loved up stories for your enjoyment.</div>
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Please just click on the banners and you will be either directed to instafreebie or to another author’s website where you can click on the book cover links. I’d like to personally thank these generous authors, as I’ve nabbed some freebies for myself.</div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span></b></div>
Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-24444344833741150262017-12-31T20:24:00.000+11:002017-12-31T20:29:41.224+11:00LGBT Romance Deals–Birthday Giveaway!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSNxgRHvbyUfk1rHAq4HILPL50jRkil-VTvjkihcetQphMHre9ZXH9wRhXnbZ6ZJSRoGyqoejaF_snOFT8YRjuA4u70Bp01TxhK8u9NJof_dUPrGScQHvAR7208E7LcHMPo7qZnCvX44/s1600-h/birthday-romance%255B3%255D"><img width="331" height="223" title="birthday-romance" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="birthday-romance" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY40mT8YbajL127HN08hgE5iOOG7qpPATVzW-qL6jFL_82dcfQLM-3TNH6DlI1n5vtdQnpbPScBUPpkt6JCerX0cvRQO9YczoRJCf5O4e0xUCteEeY-ezIrFbNb0__nMtmNQGeDq-jnE/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lgbt-romance.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ff0000">LGBT Romance Deals</font></a> had their 1st Birthday, and to celebrate loads of authors offered some FREEBIES, however, I missed it. If you did too, don’t worry, these authors are still offering their books up for FREE, but be quick because they won’t last forever.</p><p><br></p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Clause-Beth-Bolden-ebook/dp/B06XBS26YF/" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="51rsB-lpRvL" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51rsB-lpRvL" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7ZNBzalOEzG89Rn33FSLHtnM2vP3j_jrWzhhT5ZD5iDYtEiCeoAZbSMIEHOt9rs2573aTbrqvZgm3xEe73o1djHZJ3I82pqHhmLnm1YTX84dA7vBNvrC9K1SoPdVFGIwMxkUY7I84X4/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The Rainbow Clause - Beth Boden<p><b>Don't like the athletes. Don't sleep with the athletes. Don't fall for the athletes. It had never been particularly difficult to keep the rules but Nick had a feeling he was about to be tested. </b><br>Heisman winner. Member of the National Championship team. NFL Rookie of the Year. Quarterback Colin O’Connor knows he’s become the ultimate romance novel cliché: all the success he’s ever dreamed of but nobody to share it with. Too bad it’s not as simple as asking out the next girl who intrigues him – because the next girl to intrigue him probably won’t be a girl at all. <br>Unexpectedly, the solution comes in one neat package: Nick Wheeler, lead journalist for a leading sports and pop culture blog. Hired by Colin’s team, Nick comes to Miami to shine a spotlight on the NFL’s most private quarterback.<br>The heat in Miami rises when Nick discovers that Colin is nothing like the hollow personality he pretends to be in interviews and he’s even hotter in person than on his Sports Illustrated cover. Nick knows this is the story of his career, and it also hits close to home. What he needs is to help Colin share his story while keeping their growing relationship from boiling over in the press, but what he wants is to tell the world.<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073H6GMDK/" target="_blank"><img width="101" height="154" title="51JXd-YJpKL" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51JXd-YJpKL" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI1u2UvsKZGhMC3ivAhOEkgtWPo7GGSfC_pcV7JZDWLaInRhfLPSA01XWrPv6XHNqxsp_PxkivMyUuanm2tv5UvTLvD6P_geZVz-P0_1C60VgLL3qjdpb1NXISRYCmPCpULUJLBCaOIA/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> Demon Be Mine - Michael Mandrake<p>After dying at the hands of Ryland Durand, Eli Peckard is thrust into a different universe, one that is familiar to his home of New Orleans, but scary all the same. Battered and bruised from his rough travels, he is accosted, and then rescued by Anasa, an official in The Realm. <br>Zylen has lived his days in Nouvelle Terre as a Keeper for new fledglings. Being the child of a fallen and a vamp, Zylen still beholds emotions of remorse and empathy for the mentally fragile soul, Eli Peckard, and those feelings transform into something more. <br>Eli’s insecurities and Zylen’s anxieties over crossing the line of teacher and apprentice might be an obstacle in their budding union. More importantly, Zylen’s instruction for Eli must include lessons that teach the newest souled demon how to survive the final challenge while fighting his own lusty emotions.<br>WARNING: Potential triggers. Mentions of child abuse and rape. Graphic violence<p><br><p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/768811" target="_blank"><img width="98" height="154" title="d2f836e0f41921de7de238ef6ff64af004dcf511" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="d2f836e0f41921de7de238ef6ff64af004dcf511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqyvpuHcPpoEdJij-rgmdc-FWUq9ePhfJM15rRkmHEyGc26pbXqeCNPbwwnYMzazlkz0j2rnR0fBzyaRN-fW1rLT85L80QQYdNw_kLZz_rz4osFf9PJzTx8pmrdtV7F-nqRm8YnE8F04/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> Made in New York – Ana Newfolk<p>Isaac’s trip to New York just before Christmas was supposed to serve a single purpose, learn as much as he could about running an LGBT Youth Center to take back home and make those much necessary improvements to the youth center he ran in his native Portugal. <br>Max’s love of the Christmas season was only surpassed by his love for the LGBT Youth Center he volunteered at, and his job as a nurse. One last speech about sexual education for LGBT young people at risk at a conference in the same center was all that separated Max from getting started with his Christmas celebrations.<br>Isaac didn’t count on needing to be rescued from a fire by a strapping brown-eyed nurse.<br>Max didn’t count on Christmas coming early in the shape of a curly-haired man with the most bewitching pair of eyes he’d ever seen.<br>With 48 hours left in New York, Isaac never thought he’d get an offer he just couldn’t resist. <br>Suddenly, the chill in the air isn’t enough to stoke the fire that now burns in a completely different way to the one that brought Isaac and Max together. <p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JUEEFGW?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="136" title="617sbbzflal" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="617sbbzflal" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WLDPgu85qv0Q7rIlnpH0BT1QNNFaLmpak5CnY3LNuf9u9uCYyGCZUY6b78X01F9XL1QDOmeRH52iDqFh9sQb-b5fsUFXIawIqO4RouyFZakHrCEiaeR6DWvpX_JcAejGbWUwB32peGs/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> Dominus – JP Kenwood<p align="left">In AD 107, after a grueling campaign against Rome's fierce enemy, the kingdom of Dacia, Gaius Fabius returns home in triumph. With the bloody battles over, the commander of the Lucky IV Legion now craves life's simple pleasures: leisurely soaks in fragrant baths, over-flowing cups of wine, and a long holiday at his seaside villa to savor his pleasure slaves. On a whim, he purchases a spirited young Dacian captive and unwittingly sparks a fresh outbreak of the Dacian war; an intimate struggle between two sworn enemies with love and honor at stake.<br>Allerix survived the wars against Rome, but now he is a sex slave rather than a victor. Worse, the handsome general who led the destruction of his people now commands his body. When escape appears impossible, Alle struggles to find a way to preserve his dignity and exact vengeance upon the hated Romans. Revenge will be his, that is, if he doesn't lose his heart to his lusty Roman master.</p><p><br><p><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/Y5fT1" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="151" title="526fdb34af1a0c2ec25d6b055c73b5ef" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="526fdb34af1a0c2ec25d6b055c73b5ef" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDCBb1MrCX1pzfkLajLMc_admQmNK7pGeN-FYzrdppYEZBv-6m1flusB4bPBqqyusNyX2OdhVh_YtksisiRQ9x2PQdD5Tz2tTErV64I1VfPh878V5ggQQR5kgrJXG496hF8FsrF9QcP0/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The Elves of Christmas – Wendy Rathbone<p>Two months before Christmas at the North Pole, Santa’s workshop bustles with activity. Santa is coming early with only half a day’s warning to inspect the elves’ progress!<p>Pepper, who designs and makes special one-of-a-kind dolls, is ordered by his boss Jingle to take time out of toy-making to wash three stories of windows and decorate every room in preparation for Santa. He assigns Ice to assist. But for Pepper, it’s a bit of a problem. Ice is a surly elf, even disrespectful toward Santa, while Pepper reveres Santa to the point of hero-worship.An unlikely pairing, they must work together in order to finish before Santa’s arrival.<p>But can two elves with conflicting value systems even get along?<p>Amidst secrets, resentments, toasted cheese sandwiches, snowman building, a blizzard, and Santa’s nerve-wracking visit, Pepper and Ice discover a mutual attraction. If they can overcome wrongful assumptions and failed expectations, love might just take its natural course and lead them to a Merry Christmas.<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Slave-Free-Men-Book-English-ebook/dp/B00OKCPDVA/?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="51yVSfJB8EL" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51yVSfJB8EL" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKNZJsn4cGsyNU5inpU5Ds5v93q2oUNxHQ_XCCPJlkQX7O1YCY-CNxLCflBoPo6IcoA_RRjpRxwdC2hNohUv-OhwLoXIpU0g7XBAPJWeLHbLNx_d-ByYpeCFoEjaNZL2XMXvbrNHQOrw/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> The Slave – Kate Aaron<p>Freedom is only an illusion.<br>At twenty-seven, Tamelik has been a slave more than half his life. Submissive by nature, he can't help but fall in love with the master who treats him kindly.<br>When the mistress walks out, Tam dares to hope his love will be enough. <br>Then he's ordered to purchase another slave.<br>He wants to hate Kai for being unruly and ungrateful. For being of the same race as the men who murdered his family. For being his eventual replacement in their master's bed. But it's hard to hate a man who cries himself to sleep, flinches at the slightest touch, and blushes beautifully when he's kissed. <br>64,000 words.<br>THE FREE MEN SERIES:<br>THE SLAVE<br>THE SOLDIER<br>THE MASTER<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Naked-Origins-Hudson-Posy-Roberts-ebook/dp/B077NX7NSL?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="51xz3 k8knL" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51xz3 k8knL" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bkou3M7e-dvoAXlrGdWUNcSTDzmrirF_2YfNQRNGdWQSSCzw4M2-05A6x9ZoN3RbQo_Ncn9rYPtgheos1-h6Th1wdt-6qKDGqS47_uqHs9kcXamD8ukyM0KAM6CewttSSDCWl4AgFQo/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Naked Origins: Hudson – Posy Roberts<p><i>Hudson’s life is forever changed when his parents discover he’s gay. He has no idea where he’ll end up, just that he has to run to be safe.</i><br>Hudson Oliva didn’t expect the world to end with the new millennium, but his life did change forever on that New Year’s Eve. After his religious parents walk in on him with Zac in his bed, Hudson is sent to conversion therapy. The parents he returns home to after being cured aren’t the same people he’s known his entire life. They’re cold and withdrawn.<br>In order to survive, Hudson becomes an expert at lying while working hard to be the perfect son, yet his parents remain emotionally distant. He’s sure the pray-away-the-gay camp broke something inside him along with tearing his family apart. When his parents discover Hudson has continued seeing Zac for years, they demand he go back to the camp. Hudson has no choice but to run. Somehow he has to find a safe place, but he has to get out of Florida first.<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077NPY3DJ?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="51MFyDH9eEL" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51MFyDH9eEL" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kcSaRzGmlLwrecT3eW1VWzcw6yMnx8Jw8hDaFEm3AxoyVPKKEtmNg9SRL44BVmyDkfjDyaYezgVbFoF5mgjr7BeJkDHBVbuJOg5qxd23EPEjfvyxnw6KVaSv-pIO0Wx0zhtZgarLlGs/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The Blessing and Light – Kasia Bacon<p>It’s the Night of Winter Lights. <br>Heedless of the holiday, the Commander of the H’Aren fortress, Captain Torýn Torhdhar, seems to find his satisfaction in work. <br>Such occurrence hardly surprises his Orderly, Sæbastyn Hyago, even though the young Lieutenant has spent a silent, aching decade wishing his superior officer would pursue pleasure elsewhere—specifically in his arms. But as the evening continues, nothing about it meets Sæbastyn’s expectations. Will the Lieutenant see his secret desires realised, or his heart shattered?<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Drakes-Lover-Vanessa-Mulberry-ebook/dp/B06W526X69/?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="98" height="154" title="51lw MkdF7L" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51lw MkdF7L" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU49C1_KaBjrm0q0HsxuHl36WFYBSczxW77z6dYRPualqewj6V5hFFGopYDejh11MVk_YgYfux4A6KEtvE_4yc_83B26mbejM_3MH5QgEUPp6BRjQ3_Tbm9QvqSSouvDxsNbIVmUQvZOs/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Becoming Lord Drake’s Lover – Vanessa Mulberry<p>London, 1815. <br>Albinus St. John would do anything to be with Josiah Drake—even share him with London’s finest doxies. Although the two men never touch, visits to the women at the brothels allow Albinus to cherish the sight, smell, and even taste of the man he adores. He never believed there could be anything more between them.<br>But Josiah has a heart too, and it has always belonged to Albinus. After some life changing experiences on the Grand Tour, he is ready to offer his love and his body. <br>Becoming Lord Drake’s Lover is a 10,000 word MM erotic romance.<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Make-Yuletide-Gay-Addison-Albright-ebook/dp/B077J3JGJJ/?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="51QoT4P3NqL" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51QoT4P3NqL" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmcNR-uq2eTnAVqp1_C3xVcEaRLiwZ1r4Ahrf5Urvma2qTCSXOlGyi3r2QF0xvigQzkNFs3m416FbVCJutIN-0i77gQToJHf8cHu8NqPlXIwcNU1tpUbObzVQIDJ1MMhi4PGsgaoJysM/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Make the Yuletide Gay – Various Authors<p>Sleigh bells ring—are you listening?<br>It’s that time of year again, and we have the perfect way to get you in the mood: A free anthology! Five holiday stories that are guaranteed to warm your heart, heat up your cold nights, and most importantly: Make your yuletide gay.</p><p><br>A Christmas Party to Remember by Nicky Spencer<br>Last Christmas, Cory and Wes made a connection that left them both thanking Santa. But when Cory doesn’t show up for their first date, Wes swears he won’t make that mistake again. This year, can Santa’s magic find a way to bring them back together?</p><p><br>Let’s Not Go Crazy by Stephen Hoppa<br>The holidays are stressful enough without Ethan’s boyfriend Nate trying to kill him with Christmas cheer. But Nate’s found a whole new way to torture Ethan when he reveals that he wants kids. Will their conflicting desires tear their relationship apart, or will they find a way to ring in the new year stronger than ever?</p><p><br>Captain Jack and the Snack Attack by Addison Albright<br>Two men determined to win the same treasure at a charity silent auction, a wayward kitten, grumbling tummies, and a dilemma: what’s the correct gift-giving etiquette for a first date that’s mere days before Christmas, and what could possibly go awry with this merry combination?</p><p><br>The Christmas Day Date by Nell Iris<br>One rainbow Christmas tree in harm’s way and an afternoon spent eating far too many cookies, equals two men with changed holiday plans. But how does that translate into a date?</p><p><br>The Year of the Monkey by Amy Tasukada<br>The last thing Aoi wants to do for New Year’s is spend it with his boyfriend’s parents. They were far from thrilled when their son came out. Can Aoi warm their hearts making traditional mochi or will they end up in an even stickier situation?</p><p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014K3YGRU?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="511NFnsin4L" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="511NFnsin4L" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQq306X2_J3QFG3ruv3ICHAPVKsXgAoRYh5VlvQ5bbnlk9qEXntKrLfqpivaDyKGJhwIKyzbPAvmQL33DfZcJ_zs3WVGK5tuFBFbn3p_Gl2i0H7cL00WhHbl095R07UMfuEpUtyFF0mQ/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Double Teamed by the Bull Riders – Stephen Hoppa<p>Tod and Jackson are both bull riders, cowboys and alpha males in the very marrow of their being. Despite their passionate feelings for one another, their relationship has always been a constant struggle for dominance over the other as neither man can learn to give up his own dominance. When impressionable twenty-two year old Harper rents a room in their house, he can't resist his curiosity about their stormy, passionate, sometimes explosive relationship. Of course if he gets too curious, he might end up the target of both men's dominance... but maybe that was what he wanted all along. <br>The more Harper learns about the two men, the harder he finds it to stay away, even when he discovers the dark past that has left them emotionally scarred. Will Harper be the submissive link between Tod and Jackson that their relationship was missing or will the intensity of their dominance be too much for him to take?<p><br><p><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/GS0Ki" target="_blank"><img width="98" height="154" title="8a450c9a895763ebe095a93ff7d773b5" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="8a450c9a895763ebe095a93ff7d773b5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwi8HHn6vWrB7WFlqSqz7Fy0bGqkCxR8vB8R7pL7yHq2XTDHXL2rTyXFMERUuMFBn3YwOwI1R3ienaFdvb3PtB4k6lUwMXgVwteCdGZzsFNRBmBuSds8KIkh7HtoyN8mK1UksQ3sZBA0/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Barrett & Ivan – AD Ellis<p>Despite the curve balls thrown at him throughout his childhood, Barrett Kenner is now a successful musician. The only thing missing is romance.<p>Ivan Romanov killed a man to save his sister’s life. Although he has served his time, Ivan’s past left him with baggage far heavier than the meager belongings he carries out of prison.<p>Barrett clings to the memory of a fervent kiss, a kiss that Ivan tries to pretend meant nothing. When the two men finally accept their feelings for each other, life should be smooth sailing, but the past still lurks in the shadows.<p>Can Barrett and Ivan protect their love and their lives, or will dangers from long ago be more than they can withstand?<p>Barrett & Ivan is a May/December, friends-to-lovers, second chance romance.<p>**This is a male/male romance meant for ages 18+ due to adult language and adult situations.**<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Temptation-Design-Andrea-Dalling-ebook/dp/B01MXVCHW1/?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="51om-GkU81L._SY346_" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51om-GkU81L._SY346_" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh0fk16ne4XS46Wf_R4MUP0TSTvX-LgMOaOmDncnAR-v5DXhc7WUsdyhlDCso6L-GIZvk8XIl123PxwEjtRv8H_1c9tCV3WiFVKYDOq_kIDZEykzy44UTO4rpPE9p6VCr5GrO8dzf7pI/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Temptation by Design – Andrea Dalling<p><b><em>They never meant to fall in love. Now, their burning need could cost them everything.</em></b><br><em>This steamy hot-for-teacher, straight-to-bi M/M romance has an HEA and no cliffhanger.</em><br><b>Forbidden attraction…</b><br>Shakespeare professor Ben Silver teaches in a small college town with few prospects for love. Most gay men he meets are students and off-limits. That's never been a problem until architecture major Chase takes over set design for the college production of <em>Macbeth</em>. Older than most college juniors, his maturity and leadership skills—not to mention his smoking-hot body—capture Ben's attention. But a tryst could ruin Ben's career, and he can't risk it.<br><b>Awakening desire…</b><br>Former petty officer Chase Coltrane understands fraternization rules. His years in the Navy taught him to keep his hands to himself, especially where people in authority are concerned. But when Ben ignites Chase's attraction to men, Chase's self-control heads out to sea. He wants to explore this newly discovered part of himself, and the sexy, charismatic professor has tied knots around his heart. Will his desperate attempt to win the man he loves destroy their future? Or will it lead them on a path to lasting love?<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U0OE4O4?tag=geolinker-20" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="51oWtXRME7L" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51oWtXRME7L" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEb91RzYD51zRq2-MBk5EM9xfpiQAlV_UA2Ad0qNM4nnXfjldCaYse6TDTyjf0IwJreGvi7hh_KI774DjtA3TZ4hkLuoeFReBo7pjJOabMRZTZCj_mCyOOEYzqCqmG0fTkGoeqOF29SOo/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The Ancient – Kathy Griffith<p>Alasdair Connery has seen a lot in ten thousand years.<br>He’s the first of his kind; the father of all nightwalkers. Together with his trusted assistant Edgar, he trolls for victims to feed from at his time of blood lust. When he’s invited to a wedding, he meets his perfect choices—a married couple. Bruce and Jules have their own sets of insecurities and secrets. She hides a wealth of insecurities under a shield of bravado, and Bruce? He hides the fact that he can’t stop thinking about the love of his life—his college flame Dr. Jeffrey Bayfield. With Alasdair’s powers of seduction working a little too well, he finds that both of them are growing somewhat dependent on him.<br>Growing increasingly annoyed at their emotional baggage, some of which he is responsible for, he’s willing to put up with their games for a short time, but something has to happen before his blood fever is over for another fifty years and he has to go back to donors once again, unable to kill humans for their red gift. He rather likes the killing part.<br>And what is he going to do about Edgar’s own growing feelings for him?<p><br><p><a href="http://google.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=fc7bc593b9b888aa6be2efe01&id=9423183fb5" target="_blank"><img width="100" height="154" title="41c1ynpar7l" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="41c1ynpar7l" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYWCM6UwpnU5vvvnzFqLorx4c5EVnXLKmp4cPMokjazGZ7sVzEncaH0eC8c16kXEF_9GdCHKT1ULDUa1GaEWOXmk-KbA3AcMxJp0WHXgfULAkIS4zXVpSsQ-sbihUAzuvO1AcKOBqHGo/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Omega For The Pack – NJ Lysk<p><em>Five alphas.<br>One omega.<br>The fate of their pack is in their hands.<br>But what about the fate of their hearts?</em><p>When Ray presents as an omega instead of an alpha, his life changes forever. As a male omega, he’s expected to mate with a select group of alphas and start a pack of his own.<p>The five men selected for him are as different as they are keen. And one of them is his best friend, Josh, who Ray was sure could never return his feelings. But now they all must deal with the mating instinct that the power of the Moon brings out in them; and after that… Ray will have bigger problems than a crush.<br><em><br>Can Ray become the submissive omega his pack needs him to be? Will the alphas understand how hard it is for him, or demand more than he can give?</em><p>If you enjoy dark romance, you’ll love N.J. Lysk’s Omega For The Pack.<p><br><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simpler-Than-Most-alpha-romance-ebook/dp/B076N6Y5J3/?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="100" height="154" title="51hmtg624l" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51hmtg624l" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypADI1yobc8_GGNzRRQ4C1-F7NMs_0HqqzxDJDprfJKuMDDB6uS-4cMVqw6qnFYOIFkYiH2pGAW4qTFSrFs7aU2cgg1jUBc25-3eEbhgDytyQenFOcjXFdo7rXNrYfWnk6cYmuQZxaCw/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Simpler Than Most – NJ Lysk<p><b>Sergi has stopped lying to himself: he's had a crush on a guy for a while. </b><p>Things seem to be looking up when the guy turns out to be an omega and he agrees to take Sergi as his bondmate. But it isn't as simple as alpha meets omega and they live happily ever after... <p>For one thing, Ray has four other alphas. For another, one of them seems intent on ignoring every one of the conventions alphas are meant to live by. Sergi should be angry and he's certainly worried, but the more lines Iesu crosses, the closer he gets to the person Sergi has always been afraid to be. <p><b><i>Is Sergi brave enough to face himself and does Iesu have the patience to wait him out while he does?</i></b><i></i><p><i><i></i></i><p><i><i><em>An interlude in The Stars of the Pack series. The events in this short-story take place during book 1, "Omega for the Pack", and "Simpler Than Most" is best read after that book.</em></i></i><p><br><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SbHqwGuqOF3z08fgUd7oHDRIuTGdmnIGYxvHvvXz4yT1R4rNwfIIATqzFjs-grj1OeMR99U33Rad-Hi2YzP1pDPILSnevX9yo5Em6ZFQi0cOp7OjQMnWLmHBgcV_2i8L4qdGAko4E5g/s1600-h/8c00eefb3d70e369f6f0604699afca77%255B2%255D"><em><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/zfI2x" target="_blank"><img width="98" height="154" title="8c00eefb3d70e369f6f0604699afca77" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="8c00eefb3d70e369f6f0604699afca77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscOgKtvRlV1O348Cq3cZxUjb4z28Epf16bNRm7cO8fiyXjgrGba10adqkJoIrJGTah_9QnKeWyQstP5Os1iv0vcFlcN57gHi-merMIlbNa6w4Nhw0OY8oF3UsyTcEL8d233t8demw_go/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></em></a>The Folly – Vanessa Mulberry<p>Easter, 1924<p>George Montfort is a lonely man, hiding away on his estate after being sent down from Oxford for impropriety. When he finds Freddy King in his folly he sees a chance for friendship, if only for a short while, and welcomes Freddy into his life.<p>Playful, romantic, and handsome, Freddy is too tempting to be just a friend, and George soon finds himself smitten. But after all that’s happened to George, can he let go and allow himself to be happy with the man he loves?<p>The Folly is a 15,000 word historical MM romance.<p><br><p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/759903" target="_blank"><img width="104" height="154" title="dc6a93cedca91e33a31e8e253bea0572c8c2e445-thumb" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="dc6a93cedca91e33a31e8e253bea0572c8c2e445-thumb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGkGJdoW3soE-p7nTr1b0_A7edOCTI41Igq5SqmKAIMUyNssZUqrpT4iS6CzzZBapEI5Qj-JhqgJi01NihmqADhy3GN44j0dqBhjn_Vs8e1W_i_8LSGWtnSuyklZi1-W_07GAoQquyRg/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The Christmas Bonus – Isobel Starling<p>When Jake Walters saw the object of his obsession- Ethan Sullivan, at the Investobanck Christmas party he had one goal in mind- to spend the night with the younger man. But Ethan had other ideas!<p><br><p><br><p><em><br></em><p><em><br></em><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mile-High-Romance-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B01EX5VB3W/?tag=smarturlebook-20" target="_blank"><img width="101" height="154" title="51sKMTTON0L._SY346_" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="51sKMTTON0L._SY346_" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYfVSIGmRTOuMaJaHTdzqnZojDDxdkREPCjhDgF8cHoRcvoaLcbZCTtPJCIfeus-TrBpBUMT_9bCD2eCpDYH5nC1qPpSxHce8-evMedmbVNPTxGzfqSpbCyVx77E37MMISlIXWO34XIM/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Mile High Romance Box Set – Aria Grace<p>Books 1 and 2 of the Mile High Romance series available for a limited time as a box set.</p><p><br>When It's Right<br>When Shane Greenly left his home in Casper Mountain, Wy, he was leaving more than just the closet. He needed a fresh start to pursue his dream of running a dog training ranch without having to deny who he really is. <br>Meeting Alex was one of the best things that could have happened to Shane. They were at the beginning of a wonderful relationship when the unthinkable happened and Shane had to leave. The consequences of his past mistakes could not be hidden any longer.</p><p><br>When I'm Weak<br>Jamie presents a flamboyant and slutty attitude to the world because he's been hurt before. Even though it's mostly an act, he hides behind his persona to keep people at arm's length. With only a small group of trusted friends, he's vowed to never allow a man to have power over him again. Power to hurt him. Power to take away his freedom. Power to label him as a predator for the rest of his life. <br>Reed and his sister run a home preschool for toddlers. His focus is on getting credentialed so he can take some of the burden from Lucy. He doesn't have time for friends, much less a lover, but when he meets Jamie, he recognizes something in the man that makes him want to get closer. <br>Unfortunately, Jamie's past prevents him from truly integrating into Reed's future. It's not just a matter of the heart. It's a matter of the law.</p><p><br></p><p align="center"><strong>If you enjoyed getting these free books, and would like to know when there are more coming or other great news on my work, please sign up to my blog to get future e-mailed updates. (You can find the sign up section at the top of the right-hand column)</strong></p><p align="center"><strong>At this moment I would like to thank Chris McHart for putting together this list, and if you’d like to find out about other LGBT Romance Deals, then you can sign up for their newsletter </strong><a href="https://lgbt-romance.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ff0000"><strong>here</strong></font></a><font color="#ff0000"><strong>.</strong></font></p>Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-50346342077925622202017-12-13T19:34:00.001+11:002017-12-15T11:04:28.888+11:0012 days of Gay Romance Giveaway!<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPiwUjaCY3GiAWx-gE6qvVcriQhdCvlsjJlhrIQrBBhn-LgUw3xD5RxPE1huYAVvyRGgXaCwSOd7SLD0uB8vHh7QcpnnwnRbVYChfyxQif8UpNl_BfnVYuP7K3kWefQ1U4xB1247cWbA/s1600-h/053953ef2a2fa2ec616bb3747ec64475%255B7%255D"><img alt="053953ef2a2fa2ec616bb3747ec64475" border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLYVpUUv3mU5AWuruMmKyzinDJwbE9hynaxNNnl3RFUMEYaiw4rj7qQiebuqmtS9MNaqem3QB9KP-7TPXQrBgLd6kP5Bgn9ErV-QanHXei2NWoFV1xHgGXoDUYoa_iSZpcXnKGQ8fGKA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="053953ef2a2fa2ec616bb3747ec64475" width="514" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">TIS THE SEASON OF GIVING</span></h3>
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Though I wasn’t a part of these Christmas Giveaways, I couldn’t help but let you know that <span style="color: lime;">THIRTY FOUR</span> wonderfully generous authors are giving away some great stories!<br />
Just click on the link <a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/gg/jgYhwaCJ9pUppnGUGG2J" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a><span style="color: red;"></span>, and claim as many books as you want!<br />
I’m sorry I don’t have a new giveaway of my own to add, however, if you haven’t yet read my <span style="color: lime;">FREE</span> short stories, you can find them on the pages above.<br />
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all my fans for supporting me this year, and I hope I can continue to give you some great new stories next year. Until then, have a lovely holiday, and I’ll talk to you soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DeUFUbE25GUeCWF0w4_pJKfBKZQ6800tTeFqpDIo-V4VqmeVakfyG4bbqxM4yJvkJV4cym5cEyDn0qDggYP7FblDFGKcOXmaqGLt3HP3KRvhGzneeOsh85P9lF6slL8T5_ndadXkato/s1600-h/beach+xmas%255B4%255D"><img alt="beach xmas" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzbNmsUoMGYYP2BpA7fgKC5LfCARD2gmOQkNyff3KKPn9KYqU8ZqRd6XIOeBjdziAdxxTmBGnqLYDAvv-lwcLzVV8ibNnIl5Nx4kT53Q0aRt5p-KZAlN0xBlNLqQOcV_UW4pJ94HZBgE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="beach xmas" width="305" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNMXr5PlSU1Nf5_Qu0Xq5dF0DnVJBAcQcFchQLn1TCITPvjzd7O1zt4AdbYBaFMUAN6zUH_qPG4UVc7a-dZiqPcUUVqqiabHmXmIIMqnM0sWpbQQbO8SBq_d5KneVfd8yf4JshHbp1Wc/s1600-h/15328355_1184458154976656_1475887224_n+snowman%255B3%255D"><img alt="15328355_1184458154976656_1475887224_n snowman" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKRfH6pq7N5m1n2Wuldo02bvClTFdEHIZZORdhwRoSoW_fGq2dYc1EgYa8Qsfv4qnvZzL4ymMETkU21_AlR6o3ROeDKIFPYQ3fEFzoGqKvNDebxBXcVTz9pgxqaO0w4eyJL3zmkEVl5g/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="15328355_1184458154976656_1475887224_n snowman" width="188" /></a></div>
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If you liked this post, please subscribe to get new posts by e-mail.</div>
Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-75866957290304767682017-11-07T16:33:00.000+11:002017-11-07T16:33:35.521+11:00Blog Subscription Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;">♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥</span></h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you want to know more about what I’m doing, and maybe see some offers of <span style="color: red;">FREEBIES</span> from other great authors? Then sign up to my blog. It’s easy, just type in your e-mail address and click on the submit button. <span style="color: red;">😉</span> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
To help with this blatant attempt to get you to read my stuff, I’m offering a chance to <span style="color: red;">WIN</span> an e-book of your choice from my backlist.</div>
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Not sure what you’d like? Then click on the images and it will take you to a blurb and excerpt. Once you’ve made your choice, let me know in the comments below. Good luck!</div>
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<a href="http://www.loose-id.com/blind-passion.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Blind Passion 2" border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVA4Kxz-7r_HTAxsYTqjadc8Gh7JJGPRLBoUUOC7tWRnfS0YxoxBYhletvhOqeUJEg5c_6G1HoUuSFyoO6WGFMQI1TQOcXMEK1hlaUhJ7HHUFQXpo-ZNS2I0sXFYCQ2sfD0KeQ6vg5KI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline;" title="Blind Passion 2" width="104" /></a> <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/bringing-him-home.html" target="_blank"><img alt="PB_BringingHimHome_CoverLG" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-2HqYDICDITSxR_KykpRrswc9k-4435P0bWtxXRES6oSf69PINs4UaOa1JrKv4E2Tv5eVDDbh2VaqMY683GTZwd5QrpmNxAU8sFDIe0Vlmsn5fzCyEyRO0F2RrKGW7WtXqwOgQUtIf4/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="PB_BringingHimHome_CoverLG" width="104" /></a> <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/murphy-s-law.html" target="_blank"><img alt="BrandonPenny_MurphysLaw_coverlg" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXK4Aibd6aGFXFjiHjv-qAmRD0d52H3ktFyPQq8gZjGWyZ29CYAKv8Sf3w1dArRi3tZ1_99Zsj7ACt3YXrE7yN0YFsShNdo46NN16Xzw7gyXSkgSwo9fgQwgTOTnMKA5f_T1T1wOLQSuc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="BrandonPenny_MurphysLaw_coverlg" width="104" /></a> <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/behind-every-cloud.html" target="_blank"><img alt="becdraft3" border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj4HN_DjJQ_3KSA0Uzmlu4RQ2ZTAD_QJ9VRNJiidRiEht221jVxtcB5FnRZ3tkqo2brQlw0DloYA9OsbS5zXmOZtV6hjESOJtYrNKHJkaBbG5C047tGxT6WXR2-wHYvosz1lLGQWHvPg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="becdraft3" width="104" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.loose-id.com/choices.html" target="_blank"><img alt="PB_Choices_coverlg" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrokoYN_UszQ7xDuvN78V0JcsNQZejipBex1Wo9GLvQpqbJ-BMTHjtkf8CXuwv3gXq3XBQu-QD3wSZHs-75yMjQvGazf2tndqgKeMF-rgdHlbTiZTqEHbECoyK5SnVSW9ds_gIKCqus6w/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="PB_Choices_coverlg" width="104" /></a> <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/looking-glass-2-first-kiss.html" target="_blank"><img alt="pb_tlg2_firstkiss" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0004bmi8iYgfFHGCvQRGlPBtJ_ml5RfQOMohddtIEmHu7BmhsRyPYEgCgwf5aR4DNWkKhkGR9rdNM137B9vCNPwvU3bPS7COrLvqeMTUyoNwh2Jjc6gmRiraI_RrGOvjcidACkM-dTVg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="pb_tlg2_firstkiss" width="104" /></a> <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/looking-glass-3-his-heart-s-desire.html" target="_blank"><img alt="pb_lg3_hisheartsdesire" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn55YqUUJ8GscPVhqr1Nh3HEbF6HANTX7Tt7E7r4BWktAKjKlC6rWf9B4FN4Zzt1JaiL9IUO60bPHiAC9Mpid4USKOOs594rA3fMpBu7mAsAQaMkGxGwRaq87dc8HacsQvlDCtmtUHzM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="pb_lg3_hisheartsdesire" width="104" /></a> <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/the-voodoo-dolls-1-save-me.html" target="_blank"><img alt="savemefinal" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg0R10wtAm_2-LQmkFvRqNsUGagRGNef8nWB4QDQUAi9KjNC9ZDcQkxG_UzspaSCadGJv4fxYxDTieBZsb0YcKiCbAY3FMITfDl-prH7jezn2zQMRmWSyt_LfSS6tkb3WBL0uwLgwuuU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="savemefinal" width="104" /></a><br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="40b7bdf52" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/40b7bdf52/" id="rcwidget_jvngdxbl" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-87489606439625644372017-10-20T17:15:00.003+11:002017-10-20T17:15:49.424+11:00Halloween Giveaway<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Though I wasn’t part of the Halloween Giveaway, I thought I’d offer up the links for some amazing FREE stories from fifteen great authors (I added one of my own too)</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM_bTtOXUE_tmcOYAHRSFP276IE1ezG6b8QCveyn9C2dc6Y6aHE7yzJt9vE3iTUanIfaK43NEcMtqiQ3y-dfsEvZEWNxrplj7AQSY-rdvDcsi28b1AHoe0oO352emZ2-tE6SuzSGEqMM/s1600-h/tricksntreats%255B3%255D"><img alt="tricksntreats" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q7gGWiEJdBpfskGk_LiQKqJwGcF9A7f0AegaiHmfgCSORWOzJHVZqd2J4uTe8TKhVt3spQyXHP4TjdeE33Wn8Q8AEc7yEUBZJjKRvSm8Q015wzY2lFuq4ruvvBFBBQSxvq1C8YcLRrU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="tricksntreats" width="501" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/gqadN" target="_blank"><img alt="1b7de4b1ff83a9a6e90fe80aeb42d9cc" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_Oc4AxvlEHeFkkJEHRapxGZH-_Wc5UW8CuotLvD4PLtsBTqMl3eHr-da3021xkL6DdJBa0jtfHNk0HclAL1MxoNefEhOzOENepzBDkiUMXYyTrC20Apx8N7Ejoqxe3BCGYCmRcFK0HE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="1b7de4b1ff83a9a6e90fe80aeb42d9cc" width="104" /></a><a href="https://instafreebie.com/free/48h2E"><img alt="9c64cfabb682038d25f71271e9976585-1" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBLdVMp_0YgSnOvSXGg9hit9ml9-jMyGHFpVOw2uTtGxnbDcRaiHJPY1bCMPn67SrsT-RXG4UvXyg4y29gbjcJHWckVPefAPAQD64qIPCPxdUalD1HrSlbwtj-gtVXq5y4iwKtPQ6wjU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="9c64cfabb682038d25f71271e9976585-1" width="104" /></a><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/bHXVe"><img alt="5586c357068833c63dc83926ac0791f0-e1508205869274" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KN2sonljeP4VWv3lb_osmCA3wAYg_z9w7x1lj1JG4dNu4OnslHCu90_XqiSel4uzw8LnKiC1fFCO0trU9CxKro77ywBxTLac5n6uF1oArw7JaaPjOIFAnDWQAD1WD4Td6ZdNHvF7kl0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="5586c357068833c63dc83926ac0791f0-e1508205869274" width="104" /></a><a href="https://instafreebie.com/free/ZDk38"><img alt="ba5122e717461196697ead42612d6ce3-1" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWquCH0zdCMQK0LeXxpLwMCaBCeRijdpM2_Pe9FbtqT35EWmlhSRfMxs59idZn-eqd_FB6dO3kmKw5fFYzteRFQ_iSXxK0nxhinK00_eA3-Bv_VoiXSh3M5d7rCxb8aaUrvlRPQ7X8dIo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="ba5122e717461196697ead42612d6ce3-1" width="104" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/book/23818"><img alt="pic 1" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpbOyq43CBrjtFWmGkDaqbML7mTL0bwqLD9M9UOQpOG0taPJBvY8zaV9uA7vAq2klllKqkme2CMbSTJB-eLm3esftG7WZXHHT0Myx0_QIQAqt9V0A8F6YWcM4SlwE5h6weF-cSi3IAj8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="pic 1" width="104" /></a><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/dkdUj"><img alt="pic 11" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1NMJmaF7Lzeh5fIesdFli_BP5Nfcgib0v-xcCaanc36Qcpu7bNB3Ct_MHOvapcWKr3u6RTJjBIKI2uVO9L3TaPURFv1JhMz6YNMljqzSJIT8MQ9FWomNpWnOqmBDe6P-U7qVphdwqJk/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="pic 11" width="104" /></a><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/vQ9iK"><img alt="theghoststory" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyum-n6qvS5Dlu9XeMNHYLzjK7Hihktg7Q_gJOoDsSd6AOQLqZrj2Rv3el0Mt-4SpnCVcSDfKTatnkEFsVC7FvN8wM0i7HuOk6jtskBfOOSmxAcoAC0t4AUQK024Va6XGgvlhgr1QINE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="theghoststory" width="104" /></a><a href="https://instafreebie.com/free/feSpM"><img alt="trickortreat" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH798QnmXCpm9aBG-nsqWi3gJOz44Zem9yBrOryMqlOkapRzUlXQ03Vai2JsOx9iIlXzYFz08WjF4ZPlJGgY_r8dgHCl31EIOKpgaI6_WntluMufDuzqDQ-k8QIiEucjmn8d-Sh-lVxU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="trickortreat" width="104" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/EKoSx"><img alt="turned over" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_HVOKXZOvuODH7MW5Vxqt98ccIRUk_7MR6hxHeunSDusO_3rCg6K0lXXGTzTTz74sL6NkuFP8nxhwSQT_zdvolWB9mMFwCweSttGs-H_tzokT6MELiflhhgCJcd8lF7v26QvnA-N8fs/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentcolor; display: inline;" title="turned over" width="104" /></a><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/BID72"><img alt="pic 5" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSkuobqJ3cwKybla-XhbngMom9f-HkHYlQ3NffZS-38P5W-Z3yNTf36hOXV-kQYBN8KTdlfEq1pMdd9Nv_ZngfLYKWAxRTRMm7iCxbHam_H6xkWo1z_ft64tauQTmAg2sDGd7ek2R8y8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="pic 5" width="104" /></a><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/nmTBe"><img alt="pic 6" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3cnDXNuxSM9gnLiU7laRTHIja3Ks87XhrHq0_RQNy5HLBktgDJ9_HTmhSrOGZRntFLJ4fDF43c06IIKVBqCqEzmHmx0tdq6I6RLopm3C-hifjJjOEHKX8EG8UFetzkohsqRmWYTSx3k/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="pic 6" width="104" /></a><a href="https://instafreebie.com/free/LNBS9"><img alt="pic 7" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsuMN23NQc_oDd61Z0d8xr7q8hwoqEjEdiH5CRVF0Yv-HQ9zclHtGehzpDTZ-GRP8sD6iUr0RhKNwdiLots8SOM041PDYI6AB5jH9EodPCaxybWJ2sIRW_eXpYg9buDexLltB0HeW4wA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="pic 7" width="104" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #9b00d3; font-family: Copperplate Gothic Bold; font-size: large;">HAPPY SPOOKY HALLOWEEN!</span></strong></div>
Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-37210053693918653412017-09-04T04:57:00.000+10:002017-09-04T04:57:05.852+10:00Hailey Turner - Metahuman Files Series.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2-GOeLTbzGfXxpUedVsN1dCnSZ2jOC1uA7K0WzGPfrHJDTV63HB4KLKuQnBzAKbclGDZAbgfiFFiHeGnCOTNKBEeJoJ-WXp9F3nzCngUkelT1Q8qgNaS76FLc-CH29WJoER8gIFY8XE/s1600/Hailey+Turner+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2-GOeLTbzGfXxpUedVsN1dCnSZ2jOC1uA7K0WzGPfrHJDTV63HB4KLKuQnBzAKbclGDZAbgfiFFiHeGnCOTNKBEeJoJ-WXp9F3nzCngUkelT1Q8qgNaS76FLc-CH29WJoER8gIFY8XE/s640/Hailey+Turner+3.png" width="442" /></a></div>
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Every now and again a book comes along that captures my interest. I accidentally stumbled onto Hailey Turner's exciting debut book "In the Wreckage" and was instantly hooked. This first in the Metahuman Files series is about Captain Jamie Callahan of the MDF (Metahuman Defence Force), and Staff Sergeant Kyle Brannigan, who hook up after meeting in a pub, purely to relieve stress. They never expected to meet again, even though they both felt a connection to the other. Their jobs, their lives, were just too complicated, but fate intervenes and they're pushed together while on a mission to help fight a terrorist threat. Try as they might they can't help wanting each other, but they have to choose between duty or love, and that is their most difficult task of all.<br />
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The world building of a future where people are turned into metahumans if they survive a chemical attack that kills ninety-five percent of those it comes into contact with, is comprehensive and addictive. There are other characters we are introduced to in "In the Wreckage" that also feature in the sequel "In the Ruins", and two of them get their story in "In the Shadows", which is the third of the series.<br />
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There is amazing sexual chemistry between Jamie and Kyle that burn up the pages, there is also a fluid and intense story that keep you turning those pages. So if you're a lover of m/m erotic military figures who capture your imagination and your heart, then this is the series for you.<br />
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Click on the below links to read a preview:<br />
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<a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B06VY2PV5M&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_sh.QzbF0XS0FD" target="_blank">In the Wreckage</a></h4>
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<a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B072FP3X6C&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_HJ.QzbVM74J9H" target="_blank">In the Ruins</a></h4>
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<a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B0752CJ2C7&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_3I.QzbQB5132X" target="_blank">In the Shadows</a></h4>
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-88714208195250388252017-04-13T12:25:00.000+10:002017-04-15T10:28:31.004+10:00WIN A $10 AMAZON GIFT CARD!With so much money being spent on CHOCOLATE EGGS <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTQsLqmQGN0_VIQ4-ZpCDgoJJD6gn3ZYy1hvOL5i9heBYIwLg_oYty6EVJYnKEQYqtgjO1B7Knou2zm_evsK5Y9GylbBCvImonhQtTjoyqUpF7L4p_DQWcsrTuQ8P6KYyQ3bd0cJYUVo/s1600/easter+egss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTQsLqmQGN0_VIQ4-ZpCDgoJJD6gn3ZYy1hvOL5i9heBYIwLg_oYty6EVJYnKEQYqtgjO1B7Knou2zm_evsK5Y9GylbBCvImonhQtTjoyqUpF7L4p_DQWcsrTuQ8P6KYyQ3bd0cJYUVo/s1600/easter+egss.jpg" /></a>this EASTER,<br />
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I thought I'd give a helping hand and offer a $10 AMAZON gift card so you don't miss out on some yummy M/M ROMANCE books for yourself.<br />
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All you need to do is enter the RAFFLECOPTER and all I want is for you to sign up to this blog so you can get notifications of giveaways and upcoming releases.<br />
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-21181150702501185242017-03-01T16:38:00.000+11:002017-03-01T16:38:13.562+11:00The Romance Reviews Party!<br />
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<tr><td class="content" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sabrina York</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lily Harlem</span><br />
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-79143045743630421862017-02-17T16:22:00.000+11:002017-02-17T16:31:41.825+11:00REVIEW - HIS HEART'S DESIRE<br />
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<b>Author</b>: Penny Brandon<br />
<strong>Reviewer</strong>: Lucy <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/review-penny-brandon-his-hearts-desire-through-the-looking-glass-3/" target="_blank">HEARTS ON FIRE REVIEWS</a><br />
<strong>Publisher</strong>: <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/looking-glass-3-his-heart-s-desire.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Loose ID</span></a><br />
<strong>Genre</strong>: MM Paranormal<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewtNa2UC4I_SaNjJxd2v6oE0YnzIGxOIVjX3Wi5YwnKT6muC5uIoicw3hcEdiV5Fp2LYUoW-chV4yQg-Z2cDoc_J1JuoBsjfyZR3mvTtQD90eOhW39cqJYy87kq4Lar3OSF3UMnb-n7U/s1600/star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><strong class="rating">Rating: </strong> <span style="color: red;">FOUR STARS </span><br />
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<strong>Summary</strong>: 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.<br />
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.<br />
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<strong>Review</strong>: Simon is a pretty unhappy, fairly judgmental man who for ten years has been the keeper of the mirror. A special mirror, one that shows people their soulmate, the one they are destined to fall in love with. He’s been waiting ten years for the mirror to show him his own soulmate but it never does. He is starting to get sick of it all when a young man dressed in grunge with rainbow hair is too casual around the antiques in the store and asks why he has seen Simon in the mirror. Oh boy. Simon is so quick to judge Alex based on his clothes. He is also in a snit because he has always wanted the mirror to show him the soulmate, not the other way around.<br />
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The whole of this story is Alex and Simon, with the mirror as a background supporting character. At times it is difficult to connect with Simon because he is so very bitter about the mirror showing Alex and he definitely takes it out on Alex, even to the detriment of himself. It was funny to me that Simon treats Alex so atrociously, pushing him away, being rude, refusing to talk, yet if Alex did anything Simon considered poor behavior he was immediately offended. And Alex kept apologizing!<br />
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Simon does begin to come around, of course, and we get more of the backstory of how he came to be the keeper of the mirror, really the slave to the mirror at this point. The problem continues in that Simon doesn’t actually tell Alex what the mirror does, so even as Alex is courting him and Simon is beginning to believe, there is that fear in the back of Simon’s head of what will happen if Simon finds out.<br />
This story is very character based and we get to know Simon very much. A little less of Alex, who is drawn to Simon by the mirror and I couldn’t help but wonder at times, would he have wanted Simon without that? There is the issue of Colin, a man who is sees his soulmate in the mirror and definitely is not impressed. This causes yet more questioning on Simon’s part.<br />
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I found the story very interesting and I felt for Alex – he feels the pull but doesn’t really understand why. As for Simon, he has a difficult past and has been literally bound to the mirror’s place for ten years, so you can understand things will be difficult.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;"><b>I would like to thank Lucy from Hearts on Fire Reviews for this wonderful review!</b></span></i></div>
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-82905752484688528352016-12-26T14:49:00.003+11:002017-01-10T17:28:54.674+11:00His Heart's Desire (The Looking Glass #3) - COVER REVEAL & RELEASE DAY - GIVEAWAY<br />
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This is the beautiful cover for <span style="color: red;">His Heart's Desire</span>, the third chapter in the <span style="color: red;">Looking Glass</span> series. Simon has finally got his chance to be with his one true love, however, he's not what Simon expected.<br />
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BLURB:<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
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.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
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.</div>
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Cover Design by April Martinez</div>
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Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-3575835548282242902016-12-02T19:58:00.000+11:002016-12-02T20:33:34.717+11:00Holiday Spirit Downunder - Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp_tdxjnEzw5deZ94Ter2Gf_37vVxIbfiK7JADBgnZUtFknVW1d_dSudOJdsxVYvJ8wdlPtp77dOoHne6p7zRccNi43Y87PrKeI_1beGKPEP8_ELWlJTL9oNwSB9okA-UULUC8aB42QY/s1600/nic+starr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp_tdxjnEzw5deZ94Ter2Gf_37vVxIbfiK7JADBgnZUtFknVW1d_dSudOJdsxVYvJ8wdlPtp77dOoHne6p7zRccNi43Y87PrKeI_1beGKPEP8_ELWlJTL9oNwSB9okA-UULUC8aB42QY/s640/nic+starr.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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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 winte<span style="color: white;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span>r woolies. For those of us in the southern part of the planet (downunder), we'll have sunshine, beaches, barbeques, and bikinis.<br />
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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.<br />
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<i>1st prize: $20 Amazon GC, 2nd Prize: $15 Amazon GC (courtesy of Meg Bawden), $10 ARe GC (courtesy of Beany Sparks), and 4</i><sup><i>th</i></sup><i> 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)</i><br />
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To enter, just leave a comment below (tell me which book you'd like to win from my backlist), and then<b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d18d078d12/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">click here</span></b></a> to enter the Rafflecopter. The winners will be drawn at the end of the blog tour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICT5B3YMgl1ljEiLhAT2EYKB2h0X-4Dd5nsibEKRY9uXA-XmgN7vvk1EmX5eg5lGGk4WSEg6_RoNEOem5yJT74f108WIMkjPO70wqTxSpj7jYQPEM8xsUWAIepcnKAXmBdwoTpm1gN20/s1600/thumbnail_Rafflecopter-%252520Holiday%252520Spirit.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICT5B3YMgl1ljEiLhAT2EYKB2h0X-4Dd5nsibEKRY9uXA-XmgN7vvk1EmX5eg5lGGk4WSEg6_RoNEOem5yJT74f108WIMkjPO70wqTxSpj7jYQPEM8xsUWAIepcnKAXmBdwoTpm1gN20/s320/thumbnail_Rafflecopter-%252520Holiday%252520Spirit.jpg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the authors you can check out:<br />
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DATE AUTHOR<br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">1st Dec </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-SY" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Susan Reeves</span></a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">2nd Dec </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-SO" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Kevin Klehr</span></a></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">3rd Dec </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-T5" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Beany Sparks</span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">4th Dec </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-T9" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Brooke Edwards</span></a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">6th Dec </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Tw" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Anne Barwell</span></a></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RDfc2djOYPHhjTgdV7yFcEpJEPGvG-ixytocUh4uN7rlYKqAKcJak2-X-3NOrCWxqoKH2-w6gFMm-AqsdNmgfgmm2p2mRjwB0oQrk-3EMWt9S9jydo6rPhJOvnfdHxisMeT2MSMD4L4/s1600/beach+snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: yellow;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RDfc2djOYPHhjTgdV7yFcEpJEPGvG-ixytocUh4uN7rlYKqAKcJak2-X-3NOrCWxqoKH2-w6gFMm-AqsdNmgfgmm2p2mRjwB0oQrk-3EMWt9S9jydo6rPhJOvnfdHxisMeT2MSMD4L4/s1600/beach+snowman.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px;"></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">7th Dec </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Tq" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Bronwyn Heeley</span></a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">8th Dec </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-UI" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">LJ Harris</span></a></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">9th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Vs" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">LJ LaBarthe</span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">10th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Ti" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Laura Andrews</span></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">11th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-TN" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Renae Kaye</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">13th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-U6" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Penny Brandon</span></a><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">14th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Uc" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Pelaam</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">15th Dec</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Ui" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Meredith Shayne</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">16th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-UC" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">A.B. Gayle</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">17th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-UQ" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Toni Griffin</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">18th Dec</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Vo" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">RJ Jones</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">20th Dec </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-Vz" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">Meg Bawden</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;">21st Dec </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-VF" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"> Sean Kennedy</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: yellow;">22nd Dec </span><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-VI" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">NJ Nielsen</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: yellow;">23rd Dec </span><a href="http://wp.me/p4tUbj-WK" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Nic Starr</span></a></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: yellow;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: white;">Just click on their names on their interview date and you'll be taken to </span><a href="https://nicstarr.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Nic Starr's</span></b></a><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: white;">blogpage.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><br />
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-90955455059513860662016-05-11T16:03:00.002+10:002016-05-11T16:03:50.501+10:00SAVE ME - FIVE STAR REVIEW - JOYFULLY JAY REVIEWS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<em>Save Me</em> 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.<br />
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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<em> Save Me</em> 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.<br />
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As someone who has suffered from depression, I perhaps related to <em>Save Me</em> 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.<br />
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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 <em>Save Me</em>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCWWE5wRNowM2-vpJpytpsjsrnm6oYzTdO2FK1A7Odj73onQOVs5s_cc8QwbWq1FGKGZT2aW_wph18S3TrhNzwJavHqLfUL0QqL1kjbM8VcWgOb2GHYROKtiWgm45O6A9yPXvqBw5gp0/s1600/five+starts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><em>Save Me</em> 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 <em>Voodoo Dolls</em> series.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCWWE5wRNowM2-vpJpytpsjsrnm6oYzTdO2FK1A7Odj73onQOVs5s_cc8QwbWq1FGKGZT2aW_wph18S3TrhNzwJavHqLfUL0QqL1kjbM8VcWgOb2GHYROKtiWgm45O6A9yPXvqBw5gp0/s1600/five+starts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://joyfullyjay.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Jay_Signature_Kirsty.png" rel="attachment wp-att-33316"><img alt="kirsty sig" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-33316" src="http://joyfullyjay.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Jay_Signature_Kirsty-175x125.png" height="125" scale="0" sizes="(max-width: 175px) 100vw, 175px" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCWWE5wRNowM2-vpJpytpsjsrnm6oYzTdO2FK1A7Odj73onQOVs5s_cc8QwbWq1FGKGZT2aW_wph18S3TrhNzwJavHqLfUL0QqL1kjbM8VcWgOb2GHYROKtiWgm45O6A9yPXvqBw5gp0/s1600/five+starts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCWWE5wRNowM2-vpJpytpsjsrnm6oYzTdO2FK1A7Odj73onQOVs5s_cc8QwbWq1FGKGZT2aW_wph18S3TrhNzwJavHqLfUL0QqL1kjbM8VcWgOb2GHYROKtiWgm45O6A9yPXvqBw5gp0/s320/five+starts.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Available at: </b> <a href="http://amzn.to/211WGpW" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Amazon</span></a> and <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-saveme-1913976-145.html?referrer=5640242adf55f" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">All Romance E-books</span></a><br /><strong>Add it to your shelf:</strong> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26895638-save-me?from_search=true&search_version=service"><span style="color: lime;">Goodreads</span></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-38733591700553234132016-02-19T14:39:00.001+11:002016-02-19T14:39:45.693+11:00Four Star Review of Save Me (Voodoo Dolls #1)<h1 class="entry-title">
Book Review: Save Me by Penny Brandon</h1>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Reviewed by Susan65 @ <a href="https://thebloggergirls.com/2016/02/17/book-review-save-me-by-penny-brandon/#more-13942" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">The Blogger Girls</span></a></strong></span></div>
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<br /><strong>Author:</strong> Penny Brandon<br /><strong>Series:</strong> Voodoo Dolls #1<br /><strong>Heroes:</strong> Steve/Nathan<br /><strong>Genre:</strong> MM Horror<br /><strong>Length:</strong> 217 Pages<br /><strong>Publisher:</strong> <a href="http://www.loose-id.com/the-voodoo-dolls-1-save-me.html"><span style="color: cyan;">Loose Id</span></a><br /><strong>Release Date:</strong> October 27, 2015<br /><strong>Available at: </strong> <a href="http://amzn.to/211WGpW" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Amazon</span></a> and <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-saveme-1913976-145.html?referrer=5640242adf55f" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">All Romance E-books</span></a><br /><strong>Add it to your shelf:</strong> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26895638-save-me?from_search=true&search_version=service"><span style="color: lime;">Goodreads</span></a><br />
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<strong>Blurb: </strong> 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.<br />
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.<br />
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?<br /><span id="more-13942"></span><br />
<img alt="blogger_bee_trans" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-803" height="50" originalw="690" scale="1.5" src="https://thebloggergirls.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/blogger_bee_trans-e1390447301714.png?w=690" width="50" /><br />
<strong>Review:</strong> 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.<br />
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. <br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
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<strong>Overall Impression:</strong> I really liked it<br />
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<em>*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*</em></div>
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<b>Available at: </b> <a href="http://amzn.to/211WGpW" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Amazon</span></a> and <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-saveme-1913976-145.html?referrer=5640242adf55f" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">All Romance E-books</span></a><br /><strong>Add it to your shelf:</strong> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26895638-save-me?from_search=true&search_version=service"><span style="color: lime;">Goodreads</span></a></div>
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Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-59262890005533959212016-01-27T19:15:00.000+11:002016-01-27T20:20:54.784+11:00FREE SHORT STORY - TALLON<div style="text-align: center;">
TALLON was inspired by this picture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLoJuBI_P2Yxqt1kurjFogYAzYqjepPY7NPG86E0zioyESi-q8yI1LUqm6DpJnAsJ-SpTQqKPlsLlRd1obG3sSD4uuFrOHITCy7ZFNJhyJN5zHkFXzUqKqJeJ4tBpXnozSd2X-h_y-sg/s1600/Tallon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLoJuBI_P2Yxqt1kurjFogYAzYqjepPY7NPG86E0zioyESi-q8yI1LUqm6DpJnAsJ-SpTQqKPlsLlRd1obG3sSD4uuFrOHITCy7ZFNJhyJN5zHkFXzUqKqJeJ4tBpXnozSd2X-h_y-sg/s640/Tallon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The challenge was to write something that was less that 1000 words.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "lato";"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">Tallon</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Leif? Are you ready yet?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">Leif, dressed in a long flowing silver cape with a wide collar
the color of burnt umber, frowned.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Stunning?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">Josh grinned, stepping up close to get a better look at the
costume. “Yeah. You look so… real.”</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Did you put in contacts?” Josh looked closer, surprised to see
pale blue eyes looking at him instead of the usual brown.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Contacts?”</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Your eyes, Leif, you’ve changed their color, and why are you
repeating everything I say?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Who’s Leif?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“You are,” Josh answered, not playing along.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“I’m Tallon.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Whatever.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“I’m Tallon.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Party?”</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Oh for fuck’s sake, Leif. You know I don’t like it when you do
this.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“I’m not Leif.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Fuck!” Scrambling backward, Josh slammed into the wall. “What
have you done to Leif? Where is he?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Gone.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“What the hell are you talking about? Leif can’t be gone. He’s
mine!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“He wasn’t yours. You never bonded.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Bonded?” Now it was Josh’s turn to repeat what Tallon was
saying.</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“You never gave him a ring.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“I’m not sure this costume suits me. It’s too…, I don’t know. It
feels wrong.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">Startled, Josh stared into warm brown eyes. “Leif? Is that
you?”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Of course it’s me.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Leif, I love you, you know that, right?”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Well, I think it’s time I did something to prove to you how
much.” Josh opened his hand and showed Leif the rings.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Really?” Leif’s face lit up, his frown disappearing.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“With this ring I bond my soul to you,” Leif repeated.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">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.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Josh?”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Yes.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“I don’t think I want to go to the party now.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">“Good, because I don’t think I ever want to see a costume again
either.”</span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "lato";"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The End</span></span></strong></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: black;"></span>Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-14408091867856645032016-01-08T12:27:00.000+11:002016-01-08T13:03:57.614+11:00All Cocks no Bull Blog Hop - WIN A FREE E-BOOK COPY OF ANY ONE OF MY BOOKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdreOJDqHwIXvAmqDseW8V_cKa05U37IsYCDjN3oyZwR4_acyUuUSCuLK3HN6f-6I37QuP3Z0XW8FLGlmYrH-jkn_8dwFhNy71pFKLiCE7rulK-gqIVLDnV74ypOYmomNvN-sKkPlEZw/s1600/ALL+COCKS%252C+NO+BULL+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdreOJDqHwIXvAmqDseW8V_cKa05U37IsYCDjN3oyZwR4_acyUuUSCuLK3HN6f-6I37QuP3Z0XW8FLGlmYrH-jkn_8dwFhNy71pFKLiCE7rulK-gqIVLDnV74ypOYmomNvN-sKkPlEZw/s320/ALL+COCKS%252C+NO+BULL+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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. <br />
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 <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/448453"><b><span style="color: yellow;">SMASHWORDS</span></b></a><span style="color: yellow;">.</span> <br />
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For this blog hop I'm offering up an excerpt from a WIP <span style="color: red;">"His Heart's Desire"</span>. The third book in the <span style="color: lime;">"Looking Glass"</span> series.
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<span style="color: magenta;">EXCERPT</span></div>
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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.
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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.
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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.
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<b>LINKS</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Penny+Brandon" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: magenta;">GOODREADS</span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1PMYiex" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">AMAZON</span></a><span style="background-color: black;"> | </span><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-blindpassion-520213-140.html?referrer=5640242adf55f" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">ARe</span></a><span style="background-color: black;"> | </span><a href="http://www.loose-id.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=penny+brandon" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: blue;">LOOSE ID</span></a><span style="background-color: black;"> | </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/448453" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: #cfe2f3;">SMASHWORDS</span></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, to check out other writers who have joined this blog hop <a href="http://www.hennesseeandrews.blogspot.com.au/p/all-cocks-no-bull-blog-hop.html"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: lime;">CLICK HERE</span>
</b></a> or click their names below:</div>
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<b><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://hennesseeandrews.blogspot.com.au/p/all-cocks-no-bull-blog-hop.html?zx=1295022ae7b4bb97" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Hennessee Andrews</span></a>, <a href="http://andrewjericho.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Andrew Jericho</span></a>, <a href="http://sexyforreview.blogspot.com.au/?zx=8a420b2a5ea712cd" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Evelise Archer</span></a>,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://normanielsen.blogspot.com.au/?zx=a23431bbcc9281cb" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">N.J. Neilson</span></a>, <a href="http://bronwynheeley.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Bronwyn Heeley</span></a>, <a href="http://nicstarr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Nic Starr</span></a>,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://jessbuffett.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Jess Buffett</span></a>, <a href="http://www.tonigriffin.net/blog" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Toni Griffin</span></a>, <a href="http://freddysstereograph.weebly.com/blog" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Freddy MacKay</span></a>, <a href="http://rjjonesauthor.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">RJ Jones</span></a>.</span></b></div>
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Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-14972677563773745572015-12-15T15:38:00.000+11:002015-12-16T16:54:15.695+11:00THE JINGLE BOOK BLOG HOP - WIN A FREE E-BOOK COPY OF ANY OF MY BOOKS - TWO $25 AMAZON GIFT CARDS<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">A CHRISTMAS SHORT</span> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: lime;">WITH THE CHARACTERS FROM</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: yellow;">MURPHY'S LAW</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Note from the author: Though I now live in Australia, I
grew up in England, so Christmas is quite different, mainly because of the
seasons. Though a lot of traditions are the same, I think moving from one
country to another can be a bit of a culture shock. David, from Murphy’s Law
certainly thought so, and while trying to emulate an English Christmas in his
new home town in Outback Australia, he came across a few variations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Warning: LGBT Characters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“What do you think?” David</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">stood on the ladder, precariously
balanced on the second to top step as he readjusted the star.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“I think you should get down.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Scott’s frown had David sighing. “I’m fine. I’m only three
feet off the floor.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“I know, but that’s enough to break an arm or sprain an
ankle if you fell.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If it hadn’t been such a possibility, David would have come
back with some sharp retort. He hated being reminded how much of a klutz he
was, even if Scott had every reason to be on guard.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Ignoring the worry on Scott’s face, David once again pointed
to the star. “Well?” he asked.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“It’s beautiful, but I don’t understand all the fuss.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Fuss?” David twisted, glaring at Scott as the man
instinctively put out his hands to stop him from toppling off the ladder. “You
know this is my first Christmas away from home.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“I thought this was your home.” Scott’s frown deepened.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“You know what I mean. An English Christmas is so different
from an Aussie one.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Of course it is. We’re in opposing hemispheres. It’s cold
up there, and warm down here.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Warm?” David used his forearm to wipe the sweat off his
brow. “It’s forty degrees outside.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Which is why we’re inside with the air conditioning on.”
Scott’s pragmatic point of view frustrated David because Scott just didn’t get
it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">David was used to days curled up in front of an open fire,
with a mug of hot chocolate while wrapped up in a soft blanket. Granted, being
wrapped in Scott’s arms while sitting on the front porch and having a cold beer
wasn’t bad either, but it just didn’t feel like Christmas. Here he was greeted
with Galahs and Wattles, not Robin Red Breasts and Holly Bushes. In England
there would be snow on the ground, and the air would have a crisp sharpness to it
that took your breath away. Whereas the heat in outback Australia was hot and
dry, and everywhere was covered in red dirt.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Knowing he couldn’t change the climate, David at least
wanted to re-create the cosy atmosphere he’d experienced while growing up in
England, and that included a decorated Christmas tree. He glanced at the tinsel
and baubles, the twinkling lights and the star on top, and thought it was
perfect. Now all he needed were the gifts to put underneath.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Um, did you pick up the turkey and ham?” he asked, hoping
Scott had forgotten so there was a chance to grab the hidden presents from the
bedroom closet.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Yes, and the prawns.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“The what?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Prawns. You know, for dinner.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Christmas dinner?” David stared at Scott, aghast. Surely he
couldn’t be serious.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Scott grinned at him, his pale blue eyes lit with amusement.
“Yes. It’s a tradition of ours.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">David was all for traditions, but prawns, on Christmas day?
“Why?” he asked.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“My grandmother started it. She didn’t want to be cooking on
a hot summer’s day, so she got my granddad to go and buy something that could
be eaten without her having to cook it. He came back with prawns.” Scott tilted
his head to the side. “We’re not the only ones to do it. A lot of Aussie’s have
prawns on Christmas day.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Do you still have pudding and mince pies?”</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Of course, but we have cream or ice-cream instead of hot
custard.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Oh.” David liked custard. His mom used to make it from
scratch. Not that he’d be able to do that himself, but he wasn’t sure he wanted
to go without it completely.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I got you some.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“You did?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Scott wrapped his fingers around David’s ankle, absently
rubbing a scar David got while learning to ride his bike as a child. “Of course
I did. I also bought all the ingredients to make a trifle, just in case.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So maybe Scott did get it. David smiled then leaned down to
capture Scott’s firm lips. They were warm, and tasted of…well, Scott.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Do you think we can start some traditions of our own?”
David asked while sliding his arms around Scott’s neck.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Yes,” Scott murmured. “And that’s letting </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">me</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> put up the star every year so you
don’t have to climb a ladder ever again.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Okay.” David was quick to agree, but he was thinking of a
different kind of tradition. One in which they removed all their clothes.</span></div>
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<i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b><span style="color: red;">To read more about David and Scott, click on their page above.</span></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: magenta;">BLURB FOR THE BOOK:</span></b> Fed up of trying to fly under his step family's radar, David sets off to Australia to get away from their constant harassment. Maybe there he can be himself, be free, be with someone who can help him forget about his problems for a while. Meeting Scott, who not only <i>thinks</i> he's sexy but shows him how much over and over again, is perfect. And Scott doesn't care that he's accident prone. Well, David is everything prone; what can go wrong does. And falling in love with someone he nearly kills is about as wrong as it can get.<br />
Scott likes his sex uncomplicated, preferably with someone just passing through, but his family want him to settle down with some nice young man. To get away from their meddling he heads to Bondi Beach. That's where he meets David, a man who just pushes his buttons, and the fact that he's looking for the same thing Scott is, makes him ideal. However, he falls in love with David--sassy attitude, accidents, and adorable accent included. But how is Scott going to persuade David to stay with him, especially as David's seriously upset about nearly getting him killed?<br />
<br />
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<br />Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-38277799710461321372015-09-29T15:12:00.000+10:002015-11-22T09:57:17.365+11:00 SAVE ME (The Voodoo Dolls #1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Blurb:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Excerpt:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Nathan wondered if he’d made a mistake coming around. The guy who’d opened the door looked like some lunatic. His eyes were wide and feverish, his hands were covered in blood, and the way he stared at Nathan like he was some vision of the dead was not really how Nathan had expected to be greeted when he’d rushed over to help. <br />
<br />
As soon as he heard the banging and screaming, Nathan thought the guy was being murdered or something. Nathan had been about to call the cops when the banging and screaming had stopped. Not sure if he should still call them, Nathan had decided to find out what was going on first. He wasn’t really fond of the cops, not since they’d failed to help him when he’d been robbed a few weeks ago. Granted, this was different, but calling triple zero when it wasn’t an emergency could get him fined, and Nathan couldn’t afford a fine. He also couldn’t ignore the fact his neighbor was in some sort of trouble. Mercifully, being murdered wasn’t it, but the man was definitely injured. <br />
<br />
“Are you all right?” Nathan asked again, eyeing the blood covering both the guy’s hands and face, and trying to figure out where it originated. <br />
<br />
“Something’s wrong.” The slightly wild look in his next-door neighbor’s dark brown eyes told Nathan as much, but he still wasn’t sure what. <br />
<br />
“Are you hurt?” He took another step over the threshold. This time the guy didn’t try to stop him. From where Nathan now stood, he could see the blood was coming from cuts in the guy’s hands, and the blood on his face was from secondary contact. “How did you cut yourself?” <br />
<br />
“I didn’t. I mean… Did you put the doll on my bed?” <br />
<br />
Confused and a little wary, Nathan shook his head. He had no idea what the crazy man was going on about, but it was obvious he needed some help. <br />
<br />
“It looked just like you.” <br />
<br />
“Pardon?” Totally confused now, Nathan thought about scarpering back to his own place. Maybe trying to be the Good Samaritan hadn’t been the right move. <br />
<br />
“The doll. It…” <br />
<br />
Nathan worried his neighbor was going to have a breakdown. The man looked really scared, terrified actually, but then he frowned. <br />
<br />
“Who are you?” he asked. <br />
<br />
For a few moments, Nathan didn’t know if he should answer—if it was actually safe to do so—but then decided he couldn’t be rude. “Nathan Davis. I live next door.” <br />
<br />
“Of course you do. My day just couldn’t get any better, could it?” Though the words sounded sarcastic, the tone his neighbor used wasn’t. He sounded tired, resigned, beaten. He stared at Nathan, his face showing all the signs of fatigue. “You honestly don’t know anything about the doll?” <br />
<br />
“No, I don’t. I heard you pounding on the wall, and I thought you might be calling for help or something.” <br />
<br />
“I didn’t imagine it. There was a doll.” Every word the guy muttered sounded like he was talking to himself. He stopped staring at Nathan and started glancing around his apartment as if he was searching for something. <br />
<br />
Nathan surreptitiously took a look around the apartment as well. It was nicely furnished, which had Nathan quirking up his lips a little. Then again, any furniture would have seemed nice to him, considering he didn’t have any. The large couch was a sectional, which looked comfortable. There was a low timber coffee table, a couple of lamp tables, but what impressed Nathan the most was the entertainment center that fully covered one wall. It held books and DVDs, CDs, and a few pictures, but best of all was the large flat-screen television. Eyeing it with more than a little envy, Nathan sighed. The sound brought a dark brown gaze arrowing back on him again. <br />
<br />
Nathan hadn’t really taken a proper look at his neighbor when he’d opened the door, but he did so now. He’d never spotted the guy around the building but knew he’d moved in about six months ago. He was around the same height as Nathan, maybe an inch taller, but he was a lot heavier. Nathan wouldn’t have called his neighbor fat or even overweight because his broad shoulders did taper to narrow hips, but there was just a little extra meat around his middle. His hair was a dark chestnut-brown, cut short, and not really all that stylish, but it looked soft, and his face was, well…pleasant. His best feature though was his mouth, luscious and full and perfectly kissable. Nathan also would have said his neighbor had nice eyes, except for the way he was looking at him. <br />
<br />
“Do you need any help? Because if you’re okay…?” Nathan took a step back toward the door, finally deciding it might be prudent to not get involved. <br />
<br />
“Why did it look like you?” <br />
<br />
<em>Definitely time to go.</em> Nathan smiled, though it was all for show. “If you’re okay then,” he said, taking another step backward. <br />
<br />
“No. Don’t go. I should say sorry. My name’s Steve. Steve Forbes. I live here.” <br />
<br />
Nathan knew he’d never had such a stilted or baffling conversation before. He’d never felt so uncomfortable before either. He generally got on well with people, even strangers. Everyone said he made them feel at ease. This guy, however, looked anything but. He was still strung-out tighter than—well, every cliché Nathan could think of—and it actually made him start to worry about his own safety. <br />
<br />
“Well, nice to meet you, Steve, but you don’t have to say sorry. I was just being neighborly. So…” Nathan pointed over his shoulder, indicating the open door, basically telling the guy he was leaving. <br />
<br />
“The banging. It was wrong of me. I promise I won’t do it again. It was the music. It was driving me nuts, but it wasn’t just that. When I heard the voice I just snapped.” Steve’s eyes suddenly narrowed. “It said, ‘stop him.’” <br />
<br />
“Stop who?” <br />
<br />
“I assume you.” <br />
<br />
Okay, this was getting more than weird. Ignoring the part where Steve had said he’d heard a voice because, well, how did you react to that? Nathan tipped his head to the side. “Stop me from doing what?” <br />
<br />
“Playing the music.” <br />
<br />
<em>Music?</em> “You mean the tape?” <br />
<br />
“It blares through the walls, and you play it over and over again. Every night.” Steve didn’t sound like he was complaining, more like he was justifying his actions. <br />
<br />
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’d be able to hear it.” Nathan frowned, really surprised the song he’d been playing could be heard by Steve in his apartment. It wasn’t like he played it loud or anything, and he thought the walls had good insulation. “I won’t play it anymore if it annoyed you that much. But why didn’t you say anything? You could have asked me to turn it down or turn it off.” <br />
<br />
Steve suddenly looked abashed as if it never occurred for him to do so, or maybe he’d been afraid to confront Nathan about it. <br />
<br />
“I really wish you’d said something. I feel pretty bad about disturbing you.” Nathan felt a need to apologize again, just in case Steve decided banging on the wall hadn’t been enough. <br />
<br />
Steve nodded. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that. I honestly don’t know what came over me. It just seemed like I…” He ran his fingers through his hair, grimacing as he noticed the blood still covering his hand. <br />
<br />
“It’s okay. Really.” Nathan gripped the frame of the door as he backed into the hallway. “Sorry,” he said again but decided that was the last time. If Steve didn’t have the guts to tell him to stop before now… Well, that was Steve’s fault. <br />
<br />
Nathan left the door open and headed back to his apartment. As he did, he thought he saw a shadow dart across the wall. He stopped and searched the floor. A few months back, the building had suffered problems with rats, but he’d been told they’d all been eradicated. Wondering if one or two of them had survived or if there was a new infestation, Nathan checked along the baseboard to see if there had been recent signs of activity. Seeing none, he nevertheless decided to notify the building caretaker, just in case. He shivered. He hated rats. <br />
<br />
Once safely ensconced within his own place, Nathan thought back to Steve. The man had obviously been very stressed, and Nathan truly regretted causing Steve’s breakdown or whatever it was, but a doll? What was that about? <br />
<br />
Nathan wouldn’t have said Steve was a recluse, because he heard his door close occasionally, but Steve never used any of the building’s facilities like the gym or the pool. If he did, Nathan had never seen him, and none of the other tenants had mentioned seeing him either. It could mean Steve was simply antisocial, but what about the doll he claimed looked like Nathan? There was something wrong with that. Seriously wrong. <br />
<br />
He checked his door again to make sure it was locked. He never usually bothered because it wasn’t as if there was anything in his apartment to steal. All he had was a mattress, his sleeping bag, a few clothes, and the tape player. Right now the little handheld machine was sitting on the floor in his living room. It was where Rob had left it, and that was where it had stayed. <br />
<br />
Ignoring the living room, Nathan continued to his bedroom. That was where he spent most of his time, since that was where all his possessions lay. Rob leaving had been a shock, but on reflection his stripping the apartment down to the bare walls was something Nathan should have expected. He wouldn’t have said Rob was vindictive, but recently there had been times when Rob had shown levels of being overassertive. Even so, Nathan had no idea Rob had been unhappy or that he’d wanted to break up. That loss, however, was tempered by Rob taking everything with him, even the things belonging to Nathan. So instead of Nathan being devastated when he’d come home, he’d been pissed. <br />
<br />
The cops had done nothing, and Nathan had suspected it was because he’d told them Rob had been his boyfriend and not just a flatmate, but Nathan had never hidden he was gay, and he certainly wasn’t going to start. So he’d been left with nothing and was forced to buy a mattress, a sleeping bag, and essential clothing, since that was all he could afford. The rest of his money he used for rent and food. He didn’t even have electricity, relying on a battery-powered torch for light. <br />
<br />
Throwing himself onto his “bed,” Nathan sighed. The past month his life had been a struggle—still was—but he’d managed to keep himself afloat. Next week he was supposed to start a new job, and he’d have a little more cash. Not enough to go crazy, but he’d be able to get the electricity turned back on and pay the couple of weeks’ back rent he owed. He’d only needed to work part-time when Rob had been there, and he’d found it difficult to find a full-time job after Rob left. The restaurant Nathan had sometimes worked for had offered him a position, but he’d had to wait until one had become available, and no one else had anything, making every effort at finding work frustrating and depressing. <br />
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He lay there for a moment, thinking of Rob and the life he thought they were building together, but then decided there was no point dwelling on what wasn’t to be. He’d eventually find someone who would love him for who he was; he just hoped it wouldn’t take too long. Being alone unnerved him. It made him feel edgy and vulnerable, and Nathan hated feeling vulnerable. <br />
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* * * * <br />
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A sharp, stabbing pain woke Nathan from what had been a restless sleep. He slapped his hand over his neck and almost fell off the mattress in shock. Sweat covered his body, and his sleeping bag lay in a mess at his feet where he must have kicked free of it. His torch sat beside him, and on instinct, Nathan grabbed it and turned it on, illuminating his room. He pushed up into a sitting position and then tentatively checked his neck. His fingers came away smeared with blood. <br />
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“What the fuck?” His first thought was he’d been bitten, but when he probed at the site again, he found a long, shallow gash and not something that felt like puncture wounds. Looking around to see what could have caused the damage, Nathan saw spatters of blood making a ragged path across the carpet, but nothing else. <br />
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Shaken, he climbed to his feet, and with torch in hand made his way to the bathroom. The mirror showed what he’d felt—a one-inch cut. It looked sliced and was most definitely not a bite, but he had no idea what could have caused it. It wasn’t deep enough to need stitches, though the red drops that still oozed from the cut slithered down Nathan’s neck and soaked into his gray T-shirt. <br />
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Grimacing, he pulled his T-shirt off over his head and dumped it onto the floor with the rest of his dirty clothes. He didn’t own a laundry basket, but as he was due to wash his things tomorrow, he wasn’t too worried about leaving it there. What he <em>was</em> worried about was taking care of the cut. <br />
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His supplies were limited, but he had antiseptic cream, which he smeared on liberally, wincing as it stung. Then he checked out the rest of his body, but there were no other marks or cuts, no scratches or bruises, nothing to indicate what had happened to him. Though more confused than ever, Nathan decided it <em>had</em> to have been a rat that attacked him, despite it being unlikely, because what was the alternative? <br />
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Before heading back to bed, he took a quick look around his apartment, even pulling open the doors of the kitchen cupboards though there was nothing stored in there. There was nowhere else for rats to hide, but to make sure, he inspected the skirting board and architrave. Nothing. No evidence of the little fuckers whatsoever. <br />
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Creeping back into his sleeping bag, Nathan decided he couldn’t sleep. His brain was too wired, his body too galvanized, so he picked up the book he’d borrowed from the local library, and tried to read. For some odd reason though, his mind kept wandering back to his next-door neighbor. <br />
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Steve had clearly been suffering from anxiety or something. Nathan had never seen anyone act so strangely. Most of what Steve said hadn’t made sense, and the thing he’d spouted about the doll had seemed almost maniacal. Even Steve’s complaint about the music being loud hadn’t really added up. Granted, the tape held the same track—<em>their</em> song, which Nathan played over and over in a masochistic, macabre way—but he barely heard it from his bedroom, and he always left the door open, so how could Steve hear it through an insulated wall? And if it <em>was</em> that loud, why hadn’t the other neighbors complained? <br />
<br />
Giving up on reading, Nathan put the book down beside him. He clicked off the torch, but the idea of rats sneaking up on him in the dark forced him to turn it back on again. Agitated and unable to ignore the uneasy feeling that something wasn’t quite right, Nathan got up and paced his small bedroom. His pile of washing beckoned, and though it wasn’t the ideal time, Nathan decided to do his laundry. Anything to keep from thinking a rodent had tried to make a meal of him. <br />
<br />
He pulled on a pair of shorts and the slightly cleaner T-shirt he’d been wearing earlier, gathered up everything he needed, then set off for the basement where the washing and drying machines were situated. Some of the apartments had their own machines in situ, but for the tenants who didn’t, the building’s facilities were perfect. It was usually there that Nathan got to know most of his neighbors. <br />
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The building was made up of three sides that formed a U shape. The center held the pool and a courtyard for those who wanted to sit outdoors. The space under the one-bedroom apartments, which was north facing, had the gym and the laundry; and the two and three-bedroom apartments, which were south and east facing, had underground parking. All the apartments had balconies, both on the outside and looking over the inner courtyard and pool, so the tenants had a choice of which to use. It was a great place, and Nathan liked living there. The only problem was the rent, which was pretty high for the neighborhood, but the building was always clean and well maintained. So it was with surprise that Nathan noticed all the lights to the basement stairs were out. <br />
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It took him more than a few seconds to decide whether to go down into the depths. Not that he was afraid of the dark, but if there were rats in his apartment, they could be in the basement, and Nathan wasn’t afraid to admit he was scared of <em>them</em>. He fingered his neck, revolted at the idea that some rodent had been gnawing on it. <br />
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He could do his washing later; it wasn’t as if he had anything else to do with his day. However, thinking about it, he decided he wasn’t going to let a few rats stop him from doing what he’d set out to do, and anyway, maybe the lights were on in the laundry proper. With that in mind, Nathan grasped the handrail on his right and started down the stairs. He’d barely taken two steps when hot pain pierced his ankle. Shocked, he dropped his washing and let go of the handrail, but before he had a chance to regain his grip, another stabbing pain hit him. His scream echoed off the painted brick walls, becoming louder as he fell. <br />
<br />
Trying vainly to stop the plummet to the bottom, Nathan reached out, but that was when he felt his face smash into the edge of a step. Stunned, he could do nothing more until he finally landed on a solid concrete floor in a bruised, bloody, and agonized heap. <br />
<br />
Fighting back unwanted tears, Nathan lay where he was, trying to take deep, fortifying breaths. A trickle of blood oozed from his cut lip into his open mouth, the metallic taste against his tongue almost making him gag. He moaned, cautiously shifting to assess the damage, but stopping when that small movement caused his body to convulse as if he was being tortured. <br />
<br />
Frozen in place, in time, his pulse thundering in his ears, Nathan barely registered the scamper of little feet approaching until they were so close they sounded right next to his head. He flinched, fearing a rat, but quickly realized it wasn’t the scrape of claws on concrete he heard, but the shuffle of soft cloth. For some reason, the sound was distinctive, as if it had been magnified by the cramped space between the bottom of the steps and the wall behind him. <br />
<br />
Terror, irrational but unmistakable, swept through Nathan. He blinked in an attempt to clear his eyes of the white spots dancing before them. Something was ready to pounce on him; he could feel its presence, watching, waiting. As his limbs tightened in panicked trepidation, he tried to tell himself there was nothing there, that it was all in his imagination, but the minute puffs of air he could feel on the back of his neck told him otherwise. <br />
<br />
“Get away from me. Get the fuck away from me!” <br />
<br />
Unmindful of his injuries, Nathan lashed out, but it made no difference. Little hands tugged at his hair, and just before he blacked out—the crack to his head finally taking its toll—a tiny, manic laugh cackled in his ear. <br />
<br />
Copyright © Penny Brandon</div>
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Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250320217967218804.post-45776349896052371942015-08-07T01:49:00.000+10:002015-08-07T01:49:43.170+10:00Without a View - Free Short Story<br />
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This is a story prompted by Bookbee from the m/m romance group over at Goodreads. Here is her prompt and the subsequent story.<br />
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I'd like to thank everyone involved in getting this story out, and to <a href="http://www.jessbuffett.com/" target="_blank">Jess Buffett</a> for my lovely cover.<br />
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<strong>STORY LETTER:</strong><em>Dear Author,<br /><br />The first thing he noticed as he slowly came awake was the tickle at his nose. The second was the noise… or rather the lack thereof. The ubiquitous drone of big city life (that was always there but usually went unnoticed) was just… gone.<br /><br />Raising his head he slowly cracked an eye open. The light was dim but still allowed him to see― what? Straw? Where the f*ck was he? And buck-ass-naked too!<br /><br />He shut his eyes quickly, took a deep, calming breath and opened his eyes once again…<br /><br />Dear Author, how did he get here? He was out with his co-workers last night. A quick get-acquainted drink at the neighbourhood pub to celebrate his new job, in a new city, before heading home.<br /><br />Maybe he shouldn’t have taken that shortcut through the park after all…<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Bookbee</em><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Without a View</h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first thing he noticed as he slowly came awake was the itchy straw beneath his nose. The second was the dry, dusty smell and the complete lack of sound. The third was being naked.<br /><br />Thinking some of his senses weren’t working properly, and that he was really lying on his soft mattress and not some lumpy, prickly pile of straw, Ray blinked a couple of times and slowly lifted his head. A soft glow over to his right gave him enough light to figure out he most definitely wasn’t at home, but that was all it showed him.<br /><br />“Hello?”<br /><br />His dry and scratchy voice was lost in the gloom. No one answered him, but Ray wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. He pushed up onto his elbows, conscious about his lack of clothes, but worried more about why he couldn’t remember where he was or how he’d gotten there.<br /><br />He remembered the pub he’d gone to and the few drinks he’d had. He even remembered a guy trying to pick him up, which had been a nice surprise, but after that… Searching his memory, the only other recollection was of taking a shortcut through the park, and then nothing. Until now.<br /><br />The room felt dank and cool enough to have Ray shivering, but he ignored it, twisting into a sitting position so he could have a better look around. From what he could see, the room appeared small, about eighteen feet square, and from corner to corner it was filled with straw. The glow he’d first spotted came from a tiny lamp high up in the corner. Not bright enough to be a regular light, it must have been some sort of night light, like the type parents plugged into their children’s bedrooms so they wouldn’t be afraid of the dark.<br /><br />Feeling exactly like that child, Ray cautiously stood. The room swayed, and a brutal roll of nausea curdled his stomach, forcing him to take in a deep breath. After a minute of silent cursing, he checked his body, thankful to see no cuts or bruises, though he did notice his shoulders were sore, and there was an ache around his chest. Other than that and him being buck-ass naked, there were no signs he’d been mistreated, but that knowledge didn’t bring him any relief because he still didn’t know where he was or why he was here.<br /><br />Shivering again, this time not from the cold, Ray moved toward the light, hoping to find something that would show him a way out. With his ankles buried in a thick layer of straw, he took each step slowly. Even so, he nearly tripped and fell as his foot hit something hard and unyielding, except it wasn’t that hard or unyielding. It moaned and reached out, grabbing his foot and toppling him onto his back. For a few frantic heartbeats Ray lay stunned, then instinct kicked in and he lashed out, trying to break free.<br /><br />“Stop struggling.”<br /><br />Ray barely heard the growled words. He twisted, fighting hard, but the iron grip around his ankle tightened to the point of pain, and then, as if his efforts were nothing more than a nuisance, Ray felt himself being dragged along the floor and pinned by a thick forearm across his chest.<br /><br />“I said stop struggling.” The deep voice close to his ear possessed a menacing edge, and the force with which the arm held him down increased. “I won’t harm you if you stop.”<br /><br />“Okay. Okay, but get off me.” Ray tried to sound reasonable, but panic bubbled deep in his veins, and with each passing second he found it harder to breathe.<br /><br />“Who are you?” In the darkness of the room, it was difficult to make out the features of the man who held him down, but it was pretty easy to see he was just as bewildered by what was going on as Ray was.<br /><br />“My name’s Ray. Now get off me, please.” He tried to push away, but was instantly seized around his arms.<br /><br />“Where are we?”<br /><br />“I don’t know. I just woke up. Same as you.”<br /><br />For a few seconds, Ray wasn’t sure what the guy was going to do, but then with a low mutter and a single curse, he let Ray go and sat up. The relief of no longer being pinned down overrode Ray’s fear, and instead of scrambling to his feet, he pushed himself into a sitting position and drew his legs up. The man shifted, putting a few inches between them, and in the overhead light Ray saw him run his hands through his dark hair.<br /><br />“What’s the last thing you remember?”<br /><br />The question wasn’t all that much of a surprise, and despite the other guy’s initial explosive reaction, it eased some of Ray’s concerns knowing he wasn’t the only one here. But he disliked feeling at a disadvantage, and offering up all the information definitely put him in that category.<br /><br />“Why don’t you tell me your name first?” he asked, needing to know who he was dealing with.<br /><br />The guy looked at him and then slowly got to his feet. He towered over Ray, but he would have done that even if Ray were standing. His sheer size wasn’t a complete surprise, considering the strength and ease with which he’d held Ray down, but Ray still stared as the guy took a deep breath and filled out his chest before lifting his arms and stretching them over his head.<br /><br />Strict protocol told him to keep his gaze on the man’s pecs or at least no lower than his hard, ripped stomach, but he couldn’t help it. They were right there, in front of him, and if Ray was on his knees, they would be at perfect face level. So he looked. It was only a quick glance, but it was enough to take in the dark patch of curly hair, the thick, long cock, and the pair of large, hairy, heavy, swinging balls.<br /><br />Savoring the image, Ray prided himself on not drooling or whimpering, or in any way reducing his self-respect by reaching out and fondling them. God they looked so ripe, so full, so fucking delicious, it was hard not to want to run his tongue over them, to have them in his mouth, tasting them, sucking on them, ravishing them.<br /><br />“It’s Greg.”<br /><br />“Pardon?” Ray looked up to see the man staring at him, and even in the darkness it was obvious he wasn’t happy about Ray ogling him.<br /><br />“My name is Greg.”<br /><br />Feeling a little like a pervert, Ray got up and sheepishly brushed away some of the straw clinging to his legs. He was half inclined to say sorry, but decided that would only make things more awkward. “The last thing I remember is being in the park,” he offered instead.<br /><br />Greg nodded, as if Ray’s answer was as he expected. He shifted to the right, toward the corner of the room, checking the integrity of the wall as he moved. “What time?”<br /><br />Ray followed, keeping him in sight. “I don’t know. It wasn’t too late, around ten I guess.”<br /><br />“You didn’t see anyone, talk to anyone?” At the corner Greg started down the side wall. It was darker along there so Ray hung back, keeping closer to the light. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Only at the pub. I was supposed to meet some friends from work, but when they realized it was full of gay men, they left early.”<br /><br />Greg stopped and looked over his shoulder. In the shadows it was hard to see his expression. “Why didn’t you leave?”<br /><br />“Because it was full of gay men.” Ray lifted his chin as he said that. He’d never hidden who he was, and he had no intention of starting. Not even when confronted by a guy with an attitude and the physical capability of flattening him. Pride may be a bitch, but he’d earned it, and he wasn’t giving it up easily. However, when Greg started back toward him, Ray almost wished he’d kept his mouth shut.<br /><br />“Were you propositioned? Did anyone buy you a drink or offer to go home with you?”<br /><br />What was this, an interrogation or something? “Does it matter? That’s not going to help us find a way out of here.”<br /><br />“We’re not going to find a way out of here.”<br /><br />“What do you mean?”<br /><br />“We won’t find our way out because none of the other men did.”<br /><br />A piece of ice slid slowly down the length of Ray’s spine and ended up somewhere in his balls. He felt them shriveling to the size of acorns, and he had to fight the instinct to feel if they were still hanging.<br /><br />“What other men?”<br /><br />Greg shook his head. “Just tell me what you remember. Did anyone buy you a drink?”<br /><br />“What the hell is going on, Greg? You know where we are, don’t you? And you also know why we’re here.”<br /><br />Linking both hands behind his neck, Greg paced toward the far wall before coming back. His face was grim, and from what Ray could see, all of Greg’s muscles were tense. “No. I don’t know where we are, but yes, I do know why we’re here. Or at least I thought I did. From what we know they’ve never taken two men before― only one― but this changes things, and I don’t like it one bit.”<br /><br />With every word Greg uttered, Ray had a feeling he’d fallen into some rabbit hole. Since waking up, he’d tried hard not to think about why he’d been abducted and imprisoned, he’d tried even harder not to freak out, to totally lose control, and he thought he’d managed it, but now he could feel himself coming apart, inch by slow inch.<br /><br />“Who are <em>they</em>?”<br /><br />“We don’t know.” Greg let out a breath and then dropped his hands. As he did so, Ray noticed him wince, but Greg’s sore shoulders weren’t Ray’s concern right then.<br /><br />“Okay, here’s an easier question. Who the fuck are <em>you</em>?”<br /><br />Greg hesitated, as if he wasn’t sure he should divulge that little bit of information, but then he capitulated, though his reluctance was obvious. “I’m a cop. Undercover.”<br /><br />Was Greg for real? An undercover cop? “So it was your <em>intention</em> to get yourself captured and thrown in here?”<br /><br />“Yes.”<br /><br />“Why?”<br /><br />Greg shrugged, the width of his shoulders emphasizing the movement. “Because it’s my job, and these guys need to be stopped.”<br /><br />“Doing what?” Ray pressed his back into the wall, its coldness exacerbating the chill filling his chest. “What’s going to happen to us?”<br /><br />“I don’t know. The others…” Greg shifted, putting himself closer. “The others were asked to perform sexual acts before they were released.<br /><br />“Sexual acts?” Ray felt his legs go weak, and right then was glad of the wall behind him. “Fuck!”<br /><br />“Look, it’s not that bad―”<br /><br />“Not that bad! Are you kidding me? We’ve been put in here so some deviant can have his way with us! How can that not be bad?”<br /><br />“You could have been brought here to be tortured.” The calm tone Greg used set Ray’s teeth on edge. He pushed away from the wall and stormed up to the bigger guy.<br /><br />“That’s not fucking funny. You better find a way of getting me out of here because I’m not getting it on with you or anyone else.”<br /><br />“There isn’t a way. I told you. No one has gotten out of here until they’ve complied with the captor’s instructions, which was to jack off. That’s all they had to do.”<br /><br />Ray shook his head and straightened to his full height. He still came ridiculously short of Greg’s six foot odd inches, but he didn’t care. “But there are two of us. You said only one man at a time had been brought here before, right?”<br /><br />“That we’re aware of, yes.”<br /><br />“Then it makes sense to assume they’ve upped their game. They must have gotten bored with just one guy, and now they want to perv on two, and I doubt it’s to watch us jack off together.”<br /><br />It didn’t take a genius to figure Greg had come to the same conclusion, and by the look on his face he wasn’t any happier with the idea than Ray was.<br /><br />“I’m sorry, but there was no way we could have known they were going to change their tactic. My team has been watching the park for weeks, waiting for a chance to catch them taking off with someone. When nothing happened I set myself up as bait. We didn’t expect them to take anyone else, not when I was an obvious target.”<br /><br />“If your team was watching you, then they should know where you are. Weren’t you carrying a tracking device?”<br /><br />“Does it look like I’m carrying a tracking device?” Greg scowled, but Ray couldn’t tell if it was from being questioned or from the way Ray gave him a quick once-over.<br /><br />“I meant before you were stripped.”<br /><br />“No. We didn’t think we would need one. Each victim’s last recollection was of being in the park before they found themselves in here. Once they’d done what they were asked to do they were dumped back in the park, so that’s where we focused our attention.”<br /><br />Something in Greg’s tone changed, and it triggered Ray’s suspicions. “What’s the last thing you remember?” he asked. It wasn’t that he suspected Greg was lying, but he was sure there was more Greg wasn’t saying.<br /><br />Greg dropped his dark gaze and then reached up to rub the back of his neck. He winced once again and rolled his shoulder, reminding Ray of his own aching muscles.<br /><br />“It wasn’t the park. I was supposed to meet up with my team outside, and we were going to set up the sting, but I was still a couple of streets away.”<br /><br />“Did you stop to talk to anyone?”<br /><br />The flash of amusement on Greg’s face caught Ray by surprise, and when he smiled, Ray almost smiled back. “What?”<br /><br />“You’re very composed. Most guys I know would be freaking out by now.”<br /><br />“I am. Trust me.”<br /><br />Greg’s mouth turned up a little, but then he sighed. “I don’t remember talking to anyone. Everything after I hit Oxford Street is gone.”<br /><br />“That’s where I was, at the Lion’s Den.”<br /><br />“And you didn’t know it was a gay bar? Oxford Street is pretty much full of them.” This time Greg’s amusement was plain to see. His eyes lit up and there was a show of teeth, and even as Ray watched, Greg’s muscles visibly relaxed.<br /><br />“I’ve only just moved to the area, and I’m not familiar with the city.”<br /><br />“But these guys are, and they must have been watching you come from that direction.”<br /><br />“So you think they’re deliberately targeting gay men?”<br /><br />“Yeah, that’s why I volunteered.”<br /><br />That admission said it all, and it pretty much alleviated Ray’s anxiety. However, something else Greg said bothered him. “But why were you snatched before you got to the park? These guys wouldn’t have changed their MO unless they had a good reason. So what made you special?”<br /><br />“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. At the start I was prepared to do what they wanted, but that was before they brought you in. Now they can go fuck themselves.”<br /><br />**** </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray burrowed deeper into the straw, curling up into a ball before wrapping his arms around his shoulders in an attempt to preserve some warmth. Tired, hungry, and shivering so hard his bones were aching, Ray wasn’t sure how much longer he could last. In the unrelenting darkness he’d lost track of time, but he was convinced they’d spent close to two days stuck in this godforsaken hole, and that was two days too many. He wasn’t blaming Greg― just the opposite― but there had to be a limit to their suffering, didn’t there?<br /><br />“Are you okay?”<br /><br />Greg’s voice drifted across the width of the room along with the sound of rustling straw as he moved.<br /><br />“No. I’m fucking freezing. I can’t believe it’s so cold.”<br /><br />“It’s not that cold, but why don’t you come over here and I’ll keep you warm.” Greg’s invitation had Ray’s body twitching. He could almost feel his skin breaking out in goose bumps at the thought― unless that was the cold sticking him with ice-like needles.<br /><br />“I’m fine.”<br /><br />“You just said you weren’t. Come on. We can share body heat.”<br /><br />Ray tightened his jaw, mainly to stop his teeth from breaking apart from the constant chattering, but also to hold back on a soft moan. Sharing body heat with Greg meant plastering himself against all that skin, and Ray didn’t think he had the ability to do that without his body betraying him.<br /><br />He couldn’t have known such circumstances as these would inspire friendship, but during their long conversations to distract themselves, he’d started to like Greg. The man was determined and smart, but most of all he’d encouraged Ray to keep his spirits high. The problem was, Ray had also found himself attracted to Greg. At one point he thought he’d accidentally let on how he was feeling, but Greg hadn’t shown any signs of noticing. However, there would be no chance of hiding it once he was cuddled up in Greg’s arms.<br /><br />“Ray. Are you coming over here, or do I have to come and get you?”<br /><br />“I…” Torn between what could be an embarrassing moment or lying there and freezing to death, Ray reluctantly forced his limbs to move and pushed aside the thin layer covering him.<br /><br />The glacial concrete floor beneath his feet barely registered as he skirted around the small drain they’d found in the middle, though what it was used for Ray didn’t know, considering they hadn’t found any running water, or anything else of value in here for that matter. There was only the straw and the small box of supplies Ray was trying not to think about.<br /><br />As he reached where Greg lay he heard him shifting again, and then in the low light he saw a glimpse of Greg’s smile. He hesitated, just for a second, and then dropped to his knees and crawled into a literal body of warmth.<br /><br />“God, you’re hot,” he murmured, wishing he’d had the nerve to do this earlier.<br /><br />“Thanks. I think you’re kind of hot too.”<br /><br />Ray almost groaned as he realized Greg had taken his statement the wrong way. “No, I mean you feel hot,” he stammered.<br /><br />Greg’s chuckle whispered across Ray’s ear, eliciting a tiny spark of flame. “I know what you meant. Now come here.”<br /><br />Enfolded within Greg’s arms, Ray practically melted, and as he’d guessed, it wasn’t the heat Greg generated that caused his body to instantly defrost. Ray knew being pressed up against Greg was going to affect him but he hadn’t realized how much. He felt a little light-headed, and he was sure a part of his brain had shut down because all he could think about was getting closer.<br /><br />“Better?”<br /><br />Ray nodded, though conflict rippled through every fiber. All Greg was doing was trying to help him, and all Ray was trying to do was sneak a free feel. “Yes, thanks.”<br /><br />“You should have said something.” Greg tightened his arms and rested his chin on Ray’s shoulder. The rasp of stubble against Ray’s cheek reminded him of how long they’d been imprisoned, but he certainly didn’t mind that Greg felt comfortable enough to get so familiar.<br /><br />“And make you think I was a wuss?” He hated the idea of appearing so weak, so he’d been careful not to show it. However, he was beginning to fail, and fast.<br /><br />“Hey, I don’t think that. You’ve been incredibly resilient. What we’re going through would have caused most men to cave.”<br /><br />“You haven’t.”<br /><br />Greg was silent a moment, and then Ray felt a subtle change in his breathing. “That’s because the choice isn’t mine.”<br /><br />“What do you mean?” Ray turned his head a little and could have sworn Greg pressed firm lips against his jaw before sighing.<br /><br />“I made a mistake. They’ve never kept anyone this long before, and with no food or water I don’t think waiting them out is going to be an option.”<br /><br />“So you want to give in?” Holy shit. Did that mean Greg wanted to make love to him? No, of course he didn’t. It wouldn’t be making love; there couldn’t be anything tender or personal about it. It was simply a way of getting out of here: a possibility Ray had deliberately tried not to think about.<br /><br />“It’s not a case of giving in, but I can’t force you to stay here indefinitely.”<br /><br />“You’re not forcing me.” Actually, being locked up the last few days had been far less of an ordeal than Ray expected, mainly because Greg had been there to reassure him. He’d never met a man more considerate and compassionate, well, certainly not one who was also gorgeous.<br /><br />“Maybe not, but I knew what I was getting into, so if we do anything, it’s your call.”<br /><br />“Mine?”<br /><br />“Of course. I would never make you do anything you don’t want to.”<br /><br />Though grateful for the chance to make that decision, Ray wanted to take into account Greg’s sentiment. It wasn’t as if they could pretend it was a simple hookup; or maybe that was exactly what they had to do.<br /><br />“Won’t it bother you, being with someone you don’t know?” he asked.<br /><br />“What makes you think I don’t know you? For the past few days we’ve done nothing but talk. I know a lot about you, and I like you.”<br /><br />Greg liked him? Ray smiled because it was more than he’d anticipated.<br /><br />“I like you too.”<br /><br />“Good, then it shouldn’t be so bad if we end up doing the dirty.”<br /><br />Ray couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up from somewhere deep, and despite the awkward situation, he felt himself relax. That was until Greg pulled him close again and then placed a light kiss on his shoulder.<br /><br />It was impossible to think it was anything other than a kiss because Ray knew the difference between an accidental touch and a deliberate act, but why would Greg kiss him? Unless…<br /><br />“Um, I haven’t made my mind up yet.”<br /><br />“I know. I’m sure you’ll let me know when you do.”<br /><br />“So you’re not making advances right now?”<br /><br />“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean… Well, I did mean, but not the way you think.”<br /><br />Ray twisted in Greg’s arms until he was facing him. It wasn’t as if he could see his expression, but he had a feeling Greg thought he was upset, and Ray wanted Greg to know he most definitely wasn’t. He held back saying so though, not sure how Greg would take it if he suddenly started kissing him back.<br /><br />“Then the kiss was because…”<br /><br />Greg rested his forehead on Ray’s, and his light breaths ghosted across Ray’s cheek. “Because I wanted to. I’ve been wanting to for the past couple of days, but under the circumstances it didn’t seem appropriate, however…” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“However what?” Something in Ray’s chest hiccupped, and he found it hard to concentrate. Was Greg really saying what he thought he was saying?<br /><br />“Now that I’ve got you in my arms, I can’t help it. You feel so good, and you tempt me far more than any man has done for quite a while, but if you don’t like it―”<br /><br />“Oh, no, I liked it.” Realizing he sounded a little overeager, Ray winced. He didn’t want Greg thinking he was too brazen when in reality he was generally reserved, especially around men who were seriously sexy, like Greg.<br /><br />“Good, but I’m not kissing you as a means to try and push you into anything. That decision is still yours.”<br /><br />“I know, and I appreciate that.” Ray flattened his palms against Greg’s chest, not at all surprised when hard muscles flexed beneath his touch. “Not many men would be so honorable.”<br /><br />“I don’t feel honorable. I want to kiss you again, but this time not just on your shoulder.”<br /><br />Instantly visualizing several different places Greg could kiss him, Ray only just managed to stop a small whimper. He hadn’t expected Greg to want him, not like this, but as Greg continued to hold him, Ray started to wonder what it would be like have Greg’s hard body holding him down, of yielding to Greg’s intense pounding, of crying out as an orgasm shook him to his core.<br /><br />“What if I said yes?” he asked, his voice whisper quiet in the stillness of the room.<br /><br />“Then I’d ask if you were sure because―”<br /><br />“I am, okay. I know the consequences, I know there’s a chance what we do will be uploaded onto the net. You’ve warned me, but I honestly don’t care.”<br /><br />“You should care. I don’t want you to regret anything, and I don’t just mean us being plastered all over a gay sex site.”<br /><br />Regret? The way Ray was feeling right then, the only thing he’d regret was not getting the opportunity to find out if Greg was as good as Ray imagined.<br /><br />“I won’t.”<br /><br />Greg’s breathing changed then, and the beat of his heart increased. “Then I think you should be the one to make the first move.”<br /><br />Ray didn’t have to think twice, not when offered such an enticing proposition. He leaned in, lifted his chin, and found Greg’s lips with his own. They were warm, firm, open, and inviting. Ray moaned, pushing closer, dipping his tongue inside, taking what he’d been dreaming of for days. The soft glide of Greg’s tongue on his was like silk, igniting parts of him that had lain dormant for too long. He moaned again and slid his leg between Greg’s, seeking both heat and confirmation Greg wanted this just as much as he did.<br /><br />He wasn’t disappointed. Greg’s cock pressed hard and heavy into his hip, while Greg’s balls rested softly against the top of his thigh. Ray shivered and then pushed his hand between them, caught up in a need he could no longer deny.<br /><br />“Full, so full.”<br /><br />“Jesus, Ray. A little less squeeze.”<br /><br />“Sorry.” But he wasn’t, and there was no way he was letting go, not when he could feel them subtly retract and drop with each beat of Greg’s pulse. It was like holding something living in his hand, something animated.<br /><br />“So balls are your thing?” Greg asked, amusement lacing his voice as he subtly shifted to allow Ray more room.<br /><br />Ray nodded, feeling a little weird because he’d never actually admitted his obsession to anyone before, but the way Greg seemed okay with it gave him a little confidence. “I love licking them, and having them in my mouth,” he murmured, feeling his face flame even as he said it.<br /><br />“You know what I like?” Greg asked while pushing Ray onto his back and leaning in close to his ear. “I love rimming.”<br /><br />“Rimming?” Ray almost had an orgasmic meltdown, his hole fluttering as if Greg’s tongue was already pressed against it. “Seriously?”<br /><br />“Why not?”<br /><br />“Well, I’ve never met anyone who… I mean I’ve never… Never mind.”<br /><br />Greg’s low chuckle stopped Ray’s babbling, but he moaned when Greg pressed warm lips against his throat. Butterflies shot through his stomach, and as Greg slid his hands around Ray’s hips and dragged him so he lay completely under Greg’s hard body, Ray just about floated.<br /><br />“When we get out of here, when neither of us are hungry, and we don’t have to think about being videoed, maybe we can try something more with each other.”<br /><br />“Yeah.” That was about as much as Ray got out before Greg pushed his thighs apart and moved between them. He lost his hold on Greg’s balls, but he could feel them herded up against his own. “Yeah,” he repeated, not really caring what he was agreeing to.<br /><br />“For now though, stay here. Don’t move, okay?”<br /><br />Ray nodded, but then made a sound of protest as he felt Greg pull away. “Where are you going?”<br /><br />“For the supplies.”<br /><br />Damn, he’d almost forgotten the little box they’d found in one of the corners. It contained a bottle of lube and a condom, along with a note suggesting that in order to be released one of them needed to get his ass fucked. That note had pretty much been the nail in the coffin, even if they hadn’t come to the same conclusion. Holding out hadn’t gained them anything, but while Ray waited for Greg to come back, he wondered if complying would be any better. What if they were never let go?<br /><br />He heard Greg returning and welcomed the presence of Greg’s body as the other man crawled in beside him.<br /><br />“Miss me?” Greg asked, snuggling up close.<br /><br />Ray instantly pulled him into his arms and pressed his face into Greg’s warm neck. “Yes, I did,” he mumbled, feeling more than a little insecure right then and needing Greg to take that away from him.<br /><br />“Hey, what’s wrong?” Greg put Ray onto his back and lifted his chin. In the shadows it was impossible to see what Greg was thinking, but from his tone he sounded worried.<br /><br />“Nothing. I just…” He shrugged, not sure how to explain how he was feeling. “I want you, but I’m not sure I should.”<br /><br />“Oh, you most definitely should. In case I haven’t made it clear, I want you too, Ray. And just so you know, having your ass is only a part of it.”<br /><br />Puzzled, Ray shook his head. “What do you mean?”<br /><br />“I told you I liked you, and I do. This may not have been the ideal circumstance in which to meet, but after this is over I’d like to see you properly, for a date, and I was hoping you’d feel the same way.”<br /><br />“Me?”<br /><br />“Yes, you.” Amusement once again threaded through Greg’s voice, but Ray couldn’t see what was so funny. Did Greg seriously want to go out with him?<br /><br />“I don’t think―”<br /><br />“You don’t have to. Not right now. We can talk about it when we’re safely out of here. Until then, can I make love to you, please?”<br /><br />The way Greg put it, the way he cradled Ray in his arms, it was impossible to deny him, not that Ray had any intention of doing so. He linked his arms around Greg’s neck, pulling him down until their lips were almost touching.<br /><br />“Okay.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Greg’s response was to slowly bridge that final distance and tease open Ray’s mouth with his tongue. Ray let him in, relishing the gentle pressure, the soft insistence, and Greg’s unique tenderness. He’d shown it in everything he’d done the past few days― the way he’d treated him, encouraged him, spoke to him― and it was something Ray really appreciated now. Trusting Greg, Ray spread his thighs, and Greg lightly settled between them.<br /><br />Ray’s stomach did a flip, and a shot of electricity zapped down his spine. Focusing on the sensation, he moaned, totally absorbed in the feel of Greg’s skin on his, and the tightly bound strength that layered beneath it.<br /><br />“I love the way you moan,” Greg murmured as he stroked down the length of Ray’s hip. “It sounds so sweet and sexy.”<br /><br />“Maybe you should make me moan more then,” Ray whispered back.<br /><br />Greg stilled. “Is that a challenge?”<br /><br />Ray smiled while tightening his hold around Greg’s neck. “Nope, it’s a request.”<br /><br />When Greg started placing little kisses along his neck, it sent another shock of pleasure rushing over Ray’s skin. He moaned, and Greg did that soft chuckle Ray was beginning to adore. Instinct had him tilting his head to the side to give Greg more access, and Greg took full advantage, dipping his tongue into the hollow between Ray’s neck and his shoulder until Ray whimpered.<br /><br />“God, the sounds you fucking make. I can’t wait until I can spend some proper alone time getting to know every inch of your body. I bet I’ll be able to make you scream.”<br /><br />Sucking in a deep breath, Ray nodded. “Probably. You’ve already got me wound up so tight I feel like I’m going to explode.”<br /><br />“Yeah?” Greg pulled back a little, as if he were searching Ray’s face.<br /><br />“I’ve been thinking about you touching me, holding me like this. I’ve been imagining how your skin would feel, how soft it would be, and I’ve not stopped wondering what it would be like to have you buried deep inside me.” With every word uttered, Ray felt his muscles tense and his heart race. It was as if he were getting ready to jump off a cliff: frightening and exhilarating at the same time. He’d never experienced such a heady rush, but he instinctively knew Greg was the cause. He squirmed beneath the weight of Greg’s body, impatient, needy. “Please, Greg. I want you now.”<br /><br />“You’ve got me,” Greg told him. “I just hope I’ve got you.” The last was murmured low enough that Ray wasn’t quite sure if he’d heard it correctly, but before he had chance to ask, Greg reached back to grab the small bottle of lube that had been left for them, and Ray’s concentration focused solely on what was going to happen next.<br /><br />As Greg flicked open the lid, Ray held his breath, and then let it out on a gasp when a cold glob of liquid hit his ass.<br /><br />“Sorry. I should have warmed it up first.”<br /><br />“It’s okay. Just spread it around quickly.”<br /><br />“And here I was thinking you liked it slow.” Greg’s voice held both tenderness and humor, something Ray had already learned was part of Greg’s nature. He grinned, and for the first time truly relaxed, knowing that not only was Greg going to treat him with the utmost care, but also with a level of indulgence.<br /><br />“I do normally, but right now I want it hard and fast,” Ray replied, beginning to lose himself in the sensation of Greg’s finger slowly circling his hole.<br /><br />“Whatever you want, babe. This is all about you.”<br /><br />True to his word, Greg pushed his finger in deep, spreading the lube before adding a second finger and stretching Ray in earnest. Ray lifted his hips, encouraging Greg to open him further, offering himself so Greg would know this wasn’t just about him, but about both of them.<br /><br />“I’m ready,” he said, need making him impatient.<br /><br />Greg didn’t argue, and within seconds Ray heard the foil of a condom packet being torn open. Cursing the darkness that prevented him from seeing Greg fully, Ray reached out and was greeted with a very hard cock covered in skin as soft as silk. He tracked up the long length, catching a drop of moisture from its tip. Impulse had him bringing the drop to his mouth, and he moaned in appreciation as the flavor burst on his tongue.<br /><br />“Fuck.” Greg sounded breathless, which brought a smile to Ray’s lips. He sat up a little, and as Greg started to roll the condom on, Ray palmed the heavy balls he simply couldn’t keep away from.<br /><br />“You’re going to make me come if you keep doing that,” Greg protested.<br /><br />“At any other time, I’d love to try. Now though, I want you in me.”<br /><br />The dark shadow looming above him moved, and Ray lay back down.<br /><br />“Like this?” Greg asked, spreading Ray’s legs and pushing them back so Ray was completely exposed and vulnerable. Yet he didn’t feel that way, he felt safe and protected and wanted. Greg shifted closer and then slowly pressed the thick head of his cock past the tight ring of Ray’s hole. Ray hissed at the slight burn, but welcomed the intrusion, loving the feel of Greg’s solid length filling him, owning him.<br /><br />“Okay?” Greg held himself still, giving Ray a chance to adjust, and that was just one more way Ray found Greg’s level of concern completely endearing.<br /><br />“Yeah, I’m fine. More than fine actually.” He raised his hand to stroke along Greg’s cheek, and as he did so, Greg turned his head and kissed Ray’s inner wrist. Ray’s heart skipped a beat at the simple gesture, recognizing the intent behind it.<br /><br />“Ready for me to move?”<br /><br />“If you don’t, I’m going to.”<br /><br />Greg’s reply was lost as he pulled back slightly before thrusting back in. Ray gasped and then moaned, urging Greg to do it again. He raised his hips a little to allow Greg to slide deeper, and on the next thrust, Greg’s swollen cock hit that perfect spot inside, and Ray saw fireworks. Greg must have known because he continued at the same angle, increasing his speed until Ray couldn’t think straight.<br /><br />He forgot about the discomfort of the straw beneath him, of where they were and why they were there. All he could grasp was the sensation of Greg’s hard body above him, of the gentle, soft words Greg uttered, and the fearsome potential he felt in Greg’s arms.<br /><br />“Shit, Ray. I’m coming.” Greg started to slow, but Ray quickly wrapped his legs around Greg’s waist and desperately held him in place.<br /><br />“Don’t stop. Don’t you dare fucking stop.” He clung tighter to Greg, whimpering as his body rushed toward a pinnacle of pleasure he hadn’t expected. He could feel it in the insistent tingle down his spine, in the hard knot in the pit of his stomach, in the tightening of his balls, and in the unrelenting pins and needles pricking every inch of his skin.<br /><br />“Greg.” It was a warning and a plea, and as Greg responded to it with a combination of intensity and tenderness, Ray fell headlong into an orgasm more potent than he’d ever thought possible. He cried out, caught up in the wonder and beauty and the incredible knowledge that Greg was right there with him.<br /><br />He barely felt the warm spatter of cum across his stomach and chest, but he swore he could feel himself being filled with Greg’s heated release, even though he knew it was all being captured by the condom. Greg moaned, a low, subtle sound that Ray would have been happy to hear over and over, and as Greg slowly collapsed on top of him, he wanted to see if he could get Greg to moan like that again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Tell me that was good for you,” Greg murmured, his breath choppy and uneven.<br /><br />Ray grinned into the darkness and dropped his legs, fully sated yet itching for another opportunity to have Greg inside him, and soon. “It was amazing.”<br /><br />“Yeah, it was.” Greg moved to take up some of his weight and then pulled out softly, removing the condom and discarding it before rolling onto his side and gathering Ray back into his arms. “So do you want to do it again?” he asked.<br /><br />“God yes, but next time I…” Ray paused, realizing he was about to ask for something Greg may not be prepared to give. Greg may have said he liked him and that he wanted to see him outside these four walls, but that didn’t mean he was thinking of anything more.<br /><br />“Next time… what? Because whatever it is, I’ll give it to you.” Greg sounded so sincere, it was impossible not to believe him, but Greg had no idea what Ray was thinking.<br /><br />Taking a chance, and hoping he wasn’t going to make a fool of himself, Ray opened up to what was in his heart. “When you said you wanted to date me, did you really mean it?”<br /><br />“Of course I did, but I meant more than that.” Greg palmed the side of Ray’s jaw and then used his thumb to skim along Ray’s bottom lip. He hesitated a moment and then briefly pressed his lips to Ray’s. “You know when you meet someone for the first time, and you just know he’s the one? Well that happened to me. If I’d met you in the middle of a crowded bar or sitting alone on a beach, I would have known you were meant for me. Being here hasn’t changed that. In fact I think I would have told you sooner if we hadn’t been under so much pressure.”<br /><br />Awed by Greg’s admission, Ray seriously had to give himself a couple of seconds to get his brain working. “But you don’t even know what I look like. Not really.”<br /><br />“Doesn’t matter. I know who you are inside, and that’s what matters most.”<br /><br />In the cocoon Greg created, it was hard to think beyond anything that might happen outside it, but Ray’s romantic soul refused to turn down a proposal like that. He nodded and then broke out into a smile. “I’ve got black hair and dark blue eyes. Just in case you’re interested.”<br /><br />Greg’s light laugh held a note of relief in it, but the strength of his arms as he pulled Ray in tight spoke of confidence. “My eyes are brown, and so is my hair. Nothing special, but I don’t think that matters to you either, does it?”<br /><br />“Nope. I like what’s in here.” Ray placed his hand over Greg’s heart and felt the strong, steady beat beneath his palm. He’d never felt so comfortable with anyone before, so at ease, but he honestly couldn’t wait until they were free of this room, free to get to know each other properly. He leaned in for a small kiss and then settled within the circle of Greg’s embrace.<br /><br />“I guess when we wake up we’ll be out of here, right?”<br /><br />“Yeah. That’s what happened to the other guys. None of them remembered anything between the time they fulfilled the abductors’ demands and regaining consciousness in the park. Obviously they weren’t happy about what had happened, however apart from that they all woke up safe and sound.”<br /><br />“Then let’s hope we do too.”<br /><br />“Don’t worry, we will. Just stay positive, like you’ve been.” The tiny squeeze of Greg’s hand on his was meant as encouragement, but for some reason Ray couldn’t shake the feeling this wasn’t going to go the way they hoped. He closed his eyes, shutting out the small light that had barely given them any illumination, and then listened to Greg’s even breathing, allowing it to calm his mounting nerves and slowly lull him to sleep.<br /><br />****<br /><br />Blinding light and a cacophony of noise pierced Ray’s senses. He winced and then quickly threw his arm over his eyes to shield them before realizing there shouldn’t be any light, and that the blaring horns and rumbling engines he could hear close by were not the soft, rhythmic breaths of the man he’d fallen asleep next to. Figuring out he was out of the dark, tomb-like room took all of two seconds, but as he carefully opened his eyes and glanced around the small alley he now found himself in, he figured out something else. Greg wasn’t with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fear hit Ray harder than it had when he’d
first woken up in the straw-filled room. He quickly stood up—ignoring the pain
in his shoulders and the sick nausea that almost had him doubling over—and
staggered toward the end of the ally, checking every nook and cranny to make
sure Greg hadn’t been dumped further away. However, as he desperately searched,
Ray knew he wasn’t going to find him; some sixth sense told him Greg was
nowhere close.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Hey!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray turned at the sound of the voice
behind him, his heart hammering as he sought out the caller.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You can’t be here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray blinked. “I don’t know where I am,” he
said, his disappointment a sharp pain in his chest as he spotted someone who
wasn’t Greg standing a few feet away. He hurriedly explored his pockets,
frustration turning to anger when he couldn’t find his phone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I need to call the police.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Why?” The stranger took a few steps
toward him, but Ray held up his hand, as if warding off a possible threat. He
didn’t want anyone getting close to him, too afraid, too uncertain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I was attacked,” he said. “And my friend
is missing. I can’t find him.” Ray heard the panic in his voice, and knew the
other guy did too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Okay, okay. I’ll call them now for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nodding, Ray glanced around him again. It
would have been easy to dump him here. There didn’t seem to be any apartments
or dwellings nearby, therefore no one to see anything untoward, but why not the
park, why hadn’t he been dumped where he’d been taken, or was the park still
being monitored by Greg’s team?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“How close is the park?” Ray asked,
suddenly realizing Greg may have been left there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Which one?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The one near Oxford Street.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Just over the road.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray took off running, not caring for his
own safety as he crossed the busy two lane traffic, his thoughts centered on
Greg and getting to him. If Greg had recently woken up he might be feeling the
same fear; wondering where Ray was. That knowledge spurred Ray on, but as he
hit the edge of the park he had no idea where he was supposed to start looking.
He had no memory of how far in he’d gotten before he’d been abducted, and he
didn’t even know from which side he’d entered that night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once again he felt fear slam into him, but
he knew he had to hold it together—for Greg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Think, damn it. Think.” He took a slow
deep breath, trying to gain a small measure of composure. It didn’t seem to
slow his heart down any, but he was able to notice a group of people to his
right, so deciding it was as good a place as any to start, he headed that way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He was within a few feet when a short man of around
fifty years of age quickly approached him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Ray Beresford?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray stopped, fear trickling down his spine. Shit, was
he ever going to trust anyone other than Greg again? Forcing himself to not
retreat, he nodded. “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m detective Tom Straub. We’ve been directed to come
here and look for you. You were abducted, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Realizing these men must be part of Greg’s
team, Ray felt his legs go weak with relief. “Where is he? Is he all right?”
Had Greg been injured, was that why he wasn’t here?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The man’s expression turned careful, and
he glanced toward the other two men who stood a couple of feet away. “Are you
talking about Greg?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yes, of course.” Not liking the way all
three men were now looking at him, Ray bristled, but then fear reared its ugly
head again. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is</i> he all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What do you mean?” The lack of food,
water and proper sleep caught up to Ray so fast his head spun. He blinked,
trying to understand what he was hearing while trying not to fall down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Why don’t you come with us to the
station? I’m sure you’ll want to file an assault charge.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“No, not until we find Greg first.” Why
weren’t they searching for him? What was going on?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Ray, I really think you need to come down
to the station with us.” Detective Straub put out a hand and grasped Ray’s arm.
“You’ve been through a lot, and you’re going to need some medical attention. We
can have someone meet us down there.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m fine,” Ray argued. “But if you don’t
know where the hell Greg is, then he may not be. They may still have him.” The
last he whispered, sick at the thought of Greg still being held prisoner.
“Please, we need to find him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Maybe he’s already at the police station.
Maybe he’s there looking for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If there was one thing Ray recognized, it
was a patronizing tone. “If you think he’s there, then go and check, but I’m
not going anywhere until we find him.” Anger outstripped Ray’s fear and he
poked the detective in the chest, ignoring the threatening stance of one of the
other men. “You should have been keeping a closer eye on him. Where was his
backup?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“His backup?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You let him get snatched three streets
away. What kind of cop does that to another?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You think Greg was a cop?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was the way the man said it that caught
Ray’s attention. He seemed genuinely surprised, and confused.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Well yes. He told me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And you believed him?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Why wouldn’t I?” Lightheaded, Ray wasn’t
sure if he was comprehending the detective’s question. “We talked for days,
discussed every minute detail of our lives. He was genuine, and nice, and… He
wasn’t lying, there wasn’t any need to.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There was if he’s the one who abducted
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Shaking his head, Ray took a step back.
“No. He was taken, imprisoned like me. We had no food or water. He tried to
hold out, told me we wouldn’t do anything, but I—” Ray linked his fingers
behind his neck and bent almost double as weakness overcame him. “I couldn’t
last, and there was only one way to get out. I made the first move.” Ray took a
deep breath before straightening up and meeting Detective Straub’s pale eyes<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>“I wasn’t forced,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You were under duress. You may not have
realized what he was doing.” Though said with compassion, the detective seemed unconvinced,
as if Ray should have known exactly what Greg was doing. “The video shows—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You’ve seen it?” Though Ray knew there
was a distinct possibility a video had been made and it would have been
uploaded onto the net, he’d been hoping it may have gone unnoticed, but to know
this man had viewed it…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We needed to as part of our ongoing
investigation, which is why we know the man you call Greg isn’t a part of the
investigative team. We don’t know who he is.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Have you heard of Stockholm Syndrome?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray lifted his head from the desk and
stared at the detective sitting in front of him. He’d forgotten his name, Josh,
or something. He’d been one of the men at the park, and though while there he
hadn’t said a word, now he insisted on talking when Ray would have been happy
for him to keep his mouth shut.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yes, I’ve heard of it, and that isn’t
what happened.” Irritation flared across his nerves because though Josh—or
whatever his name was—loved to talk, he wasn’t listening. “I know the
difference between someone lying and someone being completely honest with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Then you know I’m telling you the truth
about this Greg not being a cop.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray sighed, beginning to hate Josh’s
insistence he’d been duped. “Can I see the video now? You promised I’d get a
chance.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There’s nothing on there, other than you
two—” There was a light blush to the detective’s cheeks, which caused a darker one
to grace Ray’s own, but he wasn’t concerned about their embarrassment, only
about Greg’s safety.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There might be. If it was taken with
special lenses to overcome the darkness, it may have picked up something you’ve
missed, something about where we were held.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You don’t think we’ve looked?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Please, just give me a chance to look
too.” Ray glanced at the bottle of water sitting on the table; it’s
condensation had long since dried up, but Ray knew the water would be cool, and
refreshing, and that it would help replace his rapidly dwindling energy levels,
but he’d be damned if he took care of his needs before he’d secured Greg’s.
“He’s still down there, and he’s suffering.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What if he’s not? What if he’s getting
ready to kidnap someone else?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They’d hashed out that line of inquiry
more times than Ray wanted to think about, but he shook his head, refusing to
be persuaded. “Then all the more reason to check out the video, and find out
where the victims had been held.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Josh held up his hands. “Fine, but don’t say
I didn’t warn you.” He got up from the table and exited through the open
doorway, shaking his head as he did so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray sat back against his chair, exhaustion
beginning to sap what mental strength he had left. He shook it off, determined
not to succumb to despair or doubt. Greg had been genuine, Ray was positive
about that, but why did the police insist he didn’t work for them? It wasn’t as
if they could be wrong, so what were they trying to hide?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thinking back to the conversations he had
with Greg, the only thing that kept popping up was the fact that he was taken at
a different location from the park; a complete contrast from the kidnappers’
previous setup. Why? Did they know Greg was a cop, and if so, what was their
reason for taking him?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When the detective came back he was
accompanied by Tom Straub, who looked as grim as Ray felt. “Are you sure you
want to do this?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“What? Try to find a man who kept me from
going insane while I was imprisoned in a dark twelve by twelve cell? I don’t
know. What do you think?” Sarcasm wasn’t Ray’s strongest suit, but he thought
he’d pulled it off when Straub frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I just don’t want you to be traumatized
any further. Seeing this might not be beneficial.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It will if we find him.” Ray almost
pushed up from the chair to put himself at equal height with the detective, but
he didn’t have any energy left. Instead he placed his palms on the table and
counted to three—ten being out of reach. “Just play the damn thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Straub nodded to Josh, who clicked on a
remote control. The television on the wall came to life, and after a couple of
seconds, images flickered across its screen. Ray focused on it, lost in the
confusion of dark shadows until he spotted movement on the left. In eerie
silence Ray watched himself tiptoe over to where Greg lay, and then crawl in
beside him. The scene played out as he remembered, but without sound. He
figured the detectives had deliberately turned it off—because who wanted to
hear two men moan as they had sex.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There!” Ray quickly stood, ignoring a wave
of dizziness as he did so. He pointed to the screen, to the far left of where
both he and Greg lay tangled in each other’s arms. Josh paused the video, and
Ray stepped up close to the television. “On the wall. What’s that writing?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Josh zoomed in until the lettering was
clear. “E.L. Bakeries.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Shit, why didn’t we see that before?
Check it out, now!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“On it.” Josh ran out the room, muttering
as he went.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Straub turned to Ray. “That might lead us
somewhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It better lead you to Greg, but why—” Ray
stopped. What if Detective Straub was in on it? What if they all were? Maybe
Greg had found out something and they were trying to keep him quiet? Accepting
that may be unrealistic, Ray was still unable to shake off the feeling there
was more to Greg’s abduction than anyone realized. Head pounding, he stared at
the larger than life image of Greg on the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Why haven’t they let you go? Why are you
so special?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Because he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> a cop.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray twisted to see Josh walk into the room
with a folder in his hands. He passed it over to Straub, a sheepish expression
across his face. “I just pulled this up. Gregory Alan Marshall, undercover, and
on loan from out west. The captain’s chewed my ass, said we should have known,
but Detective Marshall only shipped in two days before he was taken, and the
team he was working with kept it quiet because they suspected an inside job.
Stupid if you ask me. We could have helped search for him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Holding back on saying I told you so,
though every inch of him felt like shouting it, Ray focused on the reason Josh
had left the room in the first place. “Did you find anything on that bakery?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“They used to operate in what’s now an
abandoned warehouse just south of the city. I’ve got the address, and I’m
joining a team that’s already on their way.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m going with you.” Ray started toward
the detective, determined not to let the other man put him off, but just as
Josh started to shake his head, his phone went off. He answered it, his gaze
leveled on Ray.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“When? How bad? Okay, I’ll ask Straub to
meet them there. I’m still going to the site.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Impatience mixed with another twist of
fear had Ray close to losing it. What was going on? He was about to demand
answers when Josh ended the call.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Detective Marshall has been taken to
hospital. They found him, alive but—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Which hospital?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 141.35pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’ll take you,”
Straub said. He glanced at Ray, apology clearly written in his eyes. Right then
Ray didn’t care. It was Greg who deserved any and all apologies. They’d wasted
so much time…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 141.35pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“How bad is he?”
Ray quickly asked of Josh as dread filled his stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 141.35pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Josh shook his
head. “You’d better get down there.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 141.35pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greg’s closed eyes and pale face said more
to Ray than the doctor’s explanation of Greg’s condition. There was none of the
vitality Ray had come to rely on, none of the strength. He looked exhausted, vulnerable,
broken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray sat down on the chair beside Greg,
wanting to reach out and touch him, but scared of waking him. The doctor had
warned him that Greg needed rest; that the drugs pumped into him had taken
their toll.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’m sorry,” he whispered, though he knew
there was nothing he could have done to stop what had happened to Greg. “They
told me you were found with a needle in your arm, and because of that the guys
who kidnapped us are now wanted for attempted murder. They must have known you
were an undercover detective. That’s what everyone is thinking anyway. The only
problem is no one knows how that plays into things. They’re working on it, so
don’t worry about it right now. Just work on getting better. Please.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A small sound behind Ray had him turning
around. Detective Straub stood at the door, looking as if he wasn’t sure he
should interrupt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Have you found out anything?” Ray asked, keeping
his tone light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Straub waved a folder in his hands. “The
toxicology report came back.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray absently rubbed the spot on his arm
where they’d taken his blood. “And?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It was similar to a date drug. Your
levels were low, but Detective Marshall’s were way off the charts.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Is that what he was overdosed with?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“That and…other stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Is he going to be
all right?” Ray stared at Greg’s pale face again, desperately wanting
reassurance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Straub came in and
stood next to him. “The doctors assured me there shouldn’t be any lasting
effects.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was what Ray
wanted to hear, but he still wasn’t happy. “How did they drug us? No one bought
me a drink at the bar, and Greg told me he’d only had bottled water before he
was snatched. And don’t forget neither of us had access to anything prior to me
being released.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Detective Swift
is still investigating that, but it seems there was some sort of gas bottle at
the abandoned warehouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Where we were
held?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Straub nodded.
“They found a trapdoor at the top of a storeroom with a block and tackle type
rigging. Looks like you and Marshall were lowered inside.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That bit of news
wasn’t surprising. He and Greg had figured that out once it was obvious there
was no other way in. It had also explained their sore shoulders. “So they
sprayed us with something to knock us out, let me go, but kept Greg. Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We don’t know
yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray wasn’t sure
about that, there was something they weren’t telling him, but he reckoned he
wasn’t going to be privy to an answer. No doubt when Greg woke he’d demand one.
Until then, Ray wasn’t going to let Greg out of his sight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“He’s not your
responsibility, you know.” Straub looked down at Greg, a frown creasing his
brow, as if he didn’t understand Ray’s need to be there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yes he is. He
made me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i> responsibility when we
were stuck in that room, so now he’s mine, but it’s more than that. We got to
know each other. We discussed our pasts, our futures. Our likes and dislikes. We
even laughed, believe it or not. He was kind, and sincere, and he didn’t make
me feel awkward or embarrassed. In fact he gave me purpose, and that’s to prove
I’m worthy of his friendship.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You are.” The
softy spoken words almost gave Ray a heart attack. He swung round to see Greg
looking at him, his brown eyes clear and focused. “But I thought we’d agreed to
go beyond that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As his heart rate
settled, Ray moved in to grasp Greg’s hand. “Hey. How are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Fine now that I
know you’re safe. When I woke up and you weren’t there…” Greg took a deep
breath, but then smiled. “Looks like you did better than me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt 399.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not sure how much
the doctors had told him, if anything, Ray just nodded, not wanting to explain
why just yet; all that could come later. “We’ll both be out of here soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt 399.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“And then we can
go on that date.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt 399.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Though he’d kind
of expected it, Ray was still delighted Greg had mentioned his proposal. “Of
course.” He grinned, completely vindicated for trusting Greg, despite
Detective’s Straub and Swift’s attempts to dissuade him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt 399.3pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Good.” Greg
closed his eyes, and he seemed to sink deep into the pillow behind him. “That’s
good.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Holding onto
Greg’s hand, Ray moved in a little closer. “Rest,” he said. “And when you wake
up, I’ll be here. I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A twitch of Greg’s
mouth was all he could give in response, but it was enough. Ray leaned in and
ran his lips softly across Greg’s knuckles, and then he lay his head on the bed,
allowing himself the same rest he’d just ordered Greg to take. “I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Before he’d barely
got the door open, Ray grabbed Greg’s arm and dragged him inside, and then
before Greg had a chance to say anything, Ray mashed their lips together,
taking the kiss he’d been longing for all week. Greg responded by opening up to
him, allowing Ray to delve deeper, and Ray took full advantage, pushing Greg up
against the wall while kicking the door closed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He slowly took his
fill, reveling the taste of Greg’s mouth and the firm softness of his lips, and
then when marginally satisfied, he pulled back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Mmm. I love how
you say hello,” Greg said, laughter filling his warm, dark eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I missed you.” Looking
up at him, Ray tried not to let his unhappiness show. He hated that Greg lived
so far away. Seeing him only on weekends wasn’t enough, and when Greg was here,
all Ray kept thinking about was when Greg had to leave. It had been difficult
enough at the beginning when they were still getting to know one another, but
it had become increasingly harder the more Ray allowed his emotions to grow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I miss you too, which
is why there’s something I want to talk to you about.” Greg laced his hands
behind Ray’s back, pulling him close. “I put in for a transfer, and it was
accepted.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You did? When?
Why didn’t you tell me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I didn’t want to
get your hopes up, or mine. But now it’s official. I start in a week, so
that’ll give me time to settle in here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Here? As in the
city?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The gleam in
Greg’s eyes should have warned Ray, but he was still digesting Greg’s news
about moving closer. In the past six months he’d often thought about changing
jobs so he could see more of Greg, but he hadn’t been completely sure how Greg
would take it. After everything they’d been through, after all the time they
spent together, he knew Greg felt something for him, but he wasn’t sure how
deep it went.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“No. Here, as in
this apartment.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You…here…with
me?” Ray heard his voice go up an octave, and he quickly tamped down his excitement
and surprise. “I mean, of course, if you want to.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I do want to,
just as much as I know you want me to. Your hints haven’t exactly been subtle.”
Greg grinned, his mouth wide, his eyes bright. “And I can’t stand being away
from you. It’s killing me only seeing you two nights a week.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray swallowed the
hard lump in his throat, wondering if Greg realized how much those words meant
to him. When Greg moved in for a soft kiss, he reckoned Greg knew exactly what
they meant. He slid his arms around Greg’s neck, intending to deepen the kiss,
but Greg stopped him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“One more thing
before we christen that new king-sized bed you just got delivered.” At once
Greg’s face grew somber. “They got twenty years each.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not really wanting
to discuss the conviction of the two men who had abducted and then almost killed
Greg, Ray merely nodded. He’d opted out of attending the final hearing, knowing
he’d be unable to hide the anger still boiling within him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s over,” Greg
said, pushing a loose strand of Ray’s hair away from his face. “So now we can
forget about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I’ll never
forget, or forgive them. There hadn’t been any need to try and kill you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It doesn’t
matter. What matters is they didn’t succeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I know, but still,
when they found out you were a cop they should have just let you go instead of
trying to make sure you couldn’t talk, and that guy…” Ray couldn’t even say his
name without shuddering. “How could he think you’d want him after what he did
to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Babe, please
don’t worry about it anymore, okay? I’m alive, you’re alive. I love you, and—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray snapped his
gaze up to meet Greg’s eyes. “Say that again.” Oh, he better had heard right,
and Greg had better have meant what he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You mean the ‘I
love you’ part?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yeah, that part.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greg looked down
at him, a little smugness flitting about the edges of his mouth. “Only if you
say it first.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that he knew
Greg’s response, it was easy to utter the words that had been in his heart for
weeks. “Gregory Alan Marshall, from the moment you held me in your arms and
told me I’d be safe, you became the most important person in my life. I trusted
you then and I trust you now, with both my life and my heart.” Ray took a slow,
deep breath, then smiled. “And I love you too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The heat in Greg’s
eyes set Ray’s veins on fire. He groaned, knowing full well what was going to
come next. Greg linked their hands together and started pulling him toward what
was now <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their</i> bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I want you to
ride me,” Greg said, his voice deep and gritty as he began peeling Ray’s
T-shirt off him. “I want to watch you coming. I want to see everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray wasn’t going
to argue. He loved it when Greg got all demanding, especially when he added impatience
into the mix. He opened Greg’s belt buckle, and went for the fiddly fly
buttons, quickly slipping his hand inside and palming Greg’s heavy balls. Greg
moaned and doubled his efforts to rip Ray’s clothes off him. He got Ray’s jeans
halfway down his legs before Ray decided it was probably best they actually got
on the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He shuffled
backward, his jeans constricting his movements. Greg followed, not that he had
much choice considering Ray wasn’t releasing his prize.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You’re going to
have to let go of me, just for a second,” Greg said, though it didn’t look like
he relished the idea of Ray removing his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray merely
grinned, squirming out of his jeans and pushing Greg’s down while sliding
backward until he was in the middle of the bed. Greg landed on top of him, his
shirt still tangled about his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Okay, that
works.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Laughing, Ray
reached back with his free hand and grabbed the bottle of lube he’d already had
sitting there. Ray could never wait to make love after being apart all week. Knowing
Greg felt the same way, Ray didn’t worry about appearing over-eager. Not
anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Open me up,” he
instructed, passing the lube to Greg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greg’s little
hitch of breath sent butterflies rippling through Ray’s stomach. It still
amazed him that Greg experienced an elevated level of pleasure while stretching
him, but that was probably because while Greg had a finger in his ass, Ray
busied himself sucking on Greg’s balls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greg was quick to
comply, ridding himself of his shirt before carefully moving into position. Ray
guided him, spreading his legs at the same time he spread Greg’s. When a pair
of swollen balls were dangling above his mouth, Ray instantly pulled them down,
his grip light enough not to hurt, but strong enough that Greg lowered his hips
until Ray had him exactly where he wanted him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From experience he
knew he wasn’t going to get too much play time, so he delved right in, lapping
at Greg’s balls, relishing the taste and texture, and the warmth that spread
through his chest as he indulged in an innate need he neither wanted to
question or deny.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As Greg started
smearing lube across his hole, Ray shifted to allow him better access. He loved
it when Greg showed just how aroused he was, and by the way Greg was pushing
the lube inside him, he was already close to the edge. Mindful of how
vulnerable Greg was right now, Ray slowed his ministrations. Greg continued to
stretch him, using two fingers then three before groaning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Ray, I need you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray took one last
swipe with his tongue before pushing up on Greg’s hips to put him on his back.
Greg grabbed him around the waist and pulled until he was straddling Greg’s
hips, and then before Ray really had a chance to adjust to his new position,
Greg started to press inside, slowly, but with intent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Damn, Greg.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Been too long,
and you just told me you love me, so I’m going to come pretty quick. Sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray laughed, more
by the look on Greg’s face than anything else. His dark eyes were narrowed, and
he was biting his bottom lip in concentration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s okay. You can
finish me off later if you want,” Ray offered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“No. I want you
with me.” Greg slid his hands over Ray’s thighs and then gently grasped Ray’s hard
cock. Ray moaned as a strong throb of need rush through him, suddenly deciding he
wanted to be with Greg too. As Greg began thrusting, Ray rocked forward,
putting himself at that perfect angle they’d refined over the past few months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A sizzle of
electricity set his skin alight, and as Greg continued to drive into him hard
and fast, Ray started to come undone at the edges. However, it wasn’t just the
physical sensation of Greg inside him that had Ray nearing orgasm, it was knowing
Greg found him irresistible, and had done since the beginning. It was also Greg’s
strength and kindness, his warm humor, and the fact that he wasn’t afraid to
show or say what he was feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Soon,” he
groaned, letting Greg know he was almost there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Too soon, but—”
Greg sucked in a deep breath, and then shuddered. “Fuck.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He gripped Ray’s
hips, holding him with fingers that were almost bruising. His back arched off
the bed, and it was at that point Ray took control. He slammed down, forcing
Greg deeper while transferring one hand to his aching cock. With a few short
strokes he was coming, his body twisting in ecstasy, every muscle tight, every
nerve screaming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Though unable to
focus on much else, Ray was still aware when Greg flooded his hole with cum. He
whimpered, completely overwhelmed, realizing they hadn’t used protection, but
knowing it simply meant their commitment to each other was complete.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greg pulled him
down, enfolding him in his arms. “That was pretty intense,” he murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“You think. I don’t
remember ever coming so hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A little chuckle
eased itself from Greg’s throat, and then he rolled over to the side, dumping
Ray next to him. He used the small towel Ray kept close by to wipe them both
off before landing a small kiss on Ray’s lips.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s only going
to get better,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yeah. It is.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ray lay there,
warm and comfortable in Greg’s embrace, close to falling asleep, when a small
movement caught his eye. He got up off the bed and padded to the big window that
dominated one wall. The city lights glittered below, along with the beautiful harbor
view. It was nearing night, and soon those lights would filter through the
sheer curtains that billowed softly in the breeze. Ray looked out, loving how
unconfined and free that view made him feel, but then he turned and looked back
at Greg laying replete in his bed, and decided <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> view was better than anything he could hope to wish for.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He closed the
window, and strolled back to bed, snuggling down in Greg’s arms once again.
This time, however, he no longer had to worry about waking up and not finding Greg
still beside him. From now on Greg would always be there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
End<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 204.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Penny
Brandon © 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Penny Brandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01303274137926749951noreply@blogger.com0