D.B. and Me by Rob Rosen #giveaway

RECENT RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: D.B. and Me

Publisher: JMS Books

Cover Artist: Rob Rosen

Release Date: January 20, 2024

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance, true crime, suspense, mystery

Tropes: Age gap, first love

Themes: First time love, second chances, reconciliation

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length:  57 000 words

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

JMS Books  |   Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

 

In the gripping tale of D.B. and Me, the enigmatic hijacker, D.B. Cooper, parachutes into the unknown with $200,000 in ransom money, but little does he know that his daring escape is just the beginning of an unforeseen journey filled with mystery, suspense, and steamy romance.

 

Blurb

In the gripping tale of D.B. and Me, the enigmatic hijacker, D.B. Cooper, parachutes into the unknown with $200,000 in ransom money, but little does he know that his daring escape is just the beginning of an unforeseen journey filled with mystery, suspense, and steamy romance.

D.B., now Tim, finds himself along the banks of the Columbia River attempting to fade into the shadows. However, fate has other plans when he encounters Adam, a charismatic stranger who’s also in hiding. The air becomes charged with anticipation as the two men become entangled in a mysterious dance, each harboring secrets that could shatter the fragile equilibrium they’ve quickly established.

Tim’s initial plans to vanish into the vast expanse of Canada are abruptly put on hold as the magnetic pull of Adam draws him into a world where passion and danger collide. As their connection deepens while they wander through the snow-covered forests of the Pacific Northwest, so does the labyrinth of unanswered questions surrounding their pasts. The suspense thickens with every stolen glance, every shared secret, as Tim and Adam navigate a love affair shadowed by the lingering echoes of several daring crimes, all against the backdrop of the Vietnam War.

As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a heart-pounding journey through a landscape of intrigue, where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the boundaries of love are tested. Will Tim’s past catch up with him, will Adam’s, or will they find a way to rewrite the narrative that destiny has penned for them?

D.B. and Me is a riveting exploration of love in the face of danger, a tale where passion and suspense interweave, leaving readers breathless and eagerly turning each page to unravel the secrets hidden within the folds of this captivating romance. Will Tim find redemption or be swallowed by the sadness of his past? And what about Adam and his troubled family and the ever-nagging reminders of a horrible war that still plague him? Dive into the depths of mystery and desire in this thrilling novel that will keep you on the edge until the very end.

 

Excerpt 

I could hear the door kick in, could hear the rush of them as they swarmed the house. “Move,” I whispered to him.

“Move?”

I grabbed his hand again. This time when we crawled, we didn’t have a choice. If they came with dogs, we were screwed. For now, we had a fighting chance. It was dark as pitch beneath the house, but there was only one way to go: away.

A minute went by, two. No one was following us. The sounds of the police began to fade, though I could still hear them inside the house. Sounded like they were searching for something. The pounding in my chest continued. “Where are we Adam?” I heard from behind me.

I stopped crawling. “Better question, are the police here for you or for me?”

There was the slightest of pauses. “Why you?” he whispered.

“Why you?” I whispered back.

He chuckled. All in all, not perfect timing. “I sure do know how to pick ‘em.”

I kept crawling. “To be fair, I found you.”

“To be fair,” he replied, “I chose to stay.” He sighed. “It was the old man in the store. Had to be.”

We came to the end of the road. Or at least the end of the tunnel. I’d say we were about five hundred feet or so away from the house and deeper in the woods. The tunnel was maybe two feet high and three feet wide. There were clothes stashed there, a couple of jackets, some money, bullets. This was my emergency tunnel. This was clearly my emergency. Or his. Either way, we were now both being chased.

I handed him the clothes in the dark. We got dressed and I pocketed the cash in my wallet, my wallet in my pants. I handed him his wallet. I shoved the gun in the backpack. We again listened for the police. By then, all I could hear was our heavy breathing.

“So,” he said.

“So?”

He tapped my shoulder. “You know how you asked me if I ever had a boyfriend?”

I grinned. The tunnel smelled like earth, but I could still detect the slightest scent of Tim. “You think now is a good time to revisit that conversation?”

I could hear him moving around behind me. I could hear the backpack scraping the tunnel’s walls. I heard it hit the ground. I heard him rummaging around inside it just before I saw another beam of light. Thankfully, it was his, a flashlight lit for me to see, the light now illuminating our dirtied, sweaty faces.

“You look like shit,” I said.

“I don’t feel a hell of a lot better,” he replied. “Will you be my boyfriend, Adam?”

I laughed as quietly as was possible. “I think this might be your oddest segue yet, Tim,” I told him. “The police are chasing one of us. We’re in a tunnel in the woods in the middle of the night. This is not what I would consider a romantic setting.”

He shook his head. He reached up and wiped the matted hair from my face. “Yeah, but will you be my boyfriend, just the same?”

I sighed. “Tim,” I said. “I’d have sex you right now if you asked me. I’d do anything you asked me, in fact. Ours, I would say, does not seem like a healthy relationship. So, yeah, that’s a yes.” I blinked. “There a reason for all this?”

He nodded. “I need to show you something, but I wanted to make sure it was safe to show you.”

“And,” I said, “you figured it would be safer if we were boyfriends?”

His nod turned shrug. “Sounded better in my head, but yes.” He leaned in, kissed me, kissed me again. “Plus,” he said, still panting from our recent exertion, “if I were to die, say in the next few minutes or so, at least I had that. With you.”

“I don’t think we’re going to die in the next few minutes,” I told him. “If they had found the tunnel, we would’ve known about it already. Pretty well hidden. You gotta know exactly where to look.”

“Or listen,” he said. “Because that does explain the groaning I’d so recently heard when I sat in that chair you moved out of the way before we ducked and covered.”

“Old house,” I said. “Groans everywhere. Besides, why even look for a hidden tunnel in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Seems to me, it’s not the first thought that would come to mind.” Which is why I built it in the first place. Apart from the obvious reason: escape.

“Still.”

It was my turn to lean in and kiss him, then kiss him again. Too bad the tunnel was so narrow, or I could’ve seriously had some fun him. Instead, I said, “Okay, point taken. In any case, for now, we are still alive and newly minted boyfriends, so, care to show me whatever it was you were going to show me?”

“Why are the police chasing you, Adam?”

“I killed a man,” I told him after the briefest of pauses. Felt good to tell him. Felt good to say it out loud. My belly unknotted, if only by a hair.

“You killed seventeen men,” he replied. 

I shook my head. “I killed the eighteenth after those. And here. In the United States, I mean. And why are the police chasing you?”

With his free hand, he reached inside the backpack. When the hand reemerged, it was clenched around a thick stack of bills. I peeked inside the backpack, and all I saw was green. The forest around us quaked in apparent envy. 

“I hijacked a plane,” he said.

 

About the Author 

Multi-award-winning and best-selling author/editor/anthologist Rob Rosen is the author of Sparkle: The Queerest Book You’ll Ever Love, Divas Las Vegas, Hot Lava, Southern Fried, Queerwolf, Vamp, Queens of the Apocalypse, Creature Comfort, Fate, Midlife Crisis, Fierce, And God Belched, Mary, Queen of Scotch, Ted of the d’Urbervilles, Sort of Dead, Genie in a Vodka Bottle, Bobby Ray Breaks the Universe, and D.B. and Me. His short stories have appeared in more than 200 anthologies. You can read some of his best ones in Short Spurts, Short Spurts 2, and Short Spurts 3. He is also the editor of Lust in Time: Erotic Romance Through the Ages, Men of the Manor, Best Gay Erotica 2015 and Best Gay Erotica of the Year, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

 

Social Media Links

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Bad at Being Good by A.L. Morrow #giveaway

NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Bad at Being Good

Author: A.L. Morrow

Publisher: SourGirl Books

Cover Artist: Morningstar Ashley Designs

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Genre: Contemporary M/M romance, new adult

Tropes: brother’s best friend, friends to lovers, first love, bad boy

Themes: coping with grief, forgiveness, hurt/comfort, found family

Heat Rating: 4 flames  

Length:  73 000 words

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads  |  BookBub

 

Available on Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, B&N, and Smashwords

Universal Buy Link

   

No one is good all of the time. Especially me.

 

Blurb

Six years ago, I promised my friend Kellan that I’d never mess around with his little brother. I accepted it. I didn’t regret it, and I didn’t think twice about it. Milo Sterling—the good student, perfect son, and promising dancer—was off limits.

But that was before.

Before we went away to college. Before Kellan died. Before I flunked out of school.

Now, I’m back home, and Milo’s different. He’s quieter and colder, no longer a boy but a man. And that hurt in his eyes? I put it there the night I failed to save Kellan. I have a lot to make up for. Falling for Milo, no matter how much I want him, would be one more thing to add to my list.

But promises are meant to be broken, and if there’s one thing I’m bad at, it’s being good.

Bad at Being Good is a best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend (dual POV) M/M romance featuring hurt/comfort, found family, coping with grief, and—of course—a happily ever after. Readers are advised to check the Author’s Note for content sensitivities.

 

Excerpt 

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

I ignore the next person who tries to talk to me, exactly like I did the last. Dad’s eyes bore into me. When there’s a break in the people approaching, he steps closer and leans over my shoulder.

“Milo, stand up,” he scolds. “These people are here to support us. Snubbing them is rude.”

Mom comes between us immediately. She places her hand on Dad’s arm, but her gaze is warm when it turns toward me. “David, leave him alone. He’s going through enough right now. He shouldn’t have to worry about other people, too.”

At least Mom gets it.

Dad frowns but stands straight again. Sighing, he looks out across the church.

Then, he scowls.

“I can’t believe that piece of shit showed up.”

I glance over my shoulder in the direction of his stare, and I see him.

“Benji?” I whisper.

Our eyes lock, and I can barely breathe.

He came. I texted him the other night to make sure he knew about the arrangements, but he never replied. Still, he’s here, standing way in the back where people light votive candles. His hands are shoved in his pockets. He’s dressed in black. And although he’ll always be my idea of gorgeous, right now he looks like hell. Gauze is stuffed up his nostrils, and a bandage covers his nose. His bottom lip is split, and he’s got stitches by his hairline and bruises on his cheeks. My dad really did a number on him.

“How did he even find out about the service?” Dad grumbles.

Because I told him. I knew you wouldn’t, so I did.

“David, let it go. He was Kellan’s best friend. He has every right to be here.” Mom hooks her arm through Dad’s and takes his hand, holding him back before we have a repeat performance of their fight in the ER.

But she doesn’t stop me.

I’m on my feet, making my way to the back of the church before the next note on the organ plays. Unfortunately, Benji moves just as quickly. He beelines toward the door, knowing he’s been spotted.

“Benji, wait!” I call.

Dad’s voice echoes behind me. “Milo, get back here. They’re about to start. Milo!”

Fuck that. Kellan would want Benji to feel welcome. He’d want him to know he doesn’t blame him for what happened. He’d want him to be all right.

And you know what? I want that, too.

I move faster, jogging down the aisle, taking off after him, but he has too much of a head start. The door to the church swings open. He almost knocks over one of Kellan’s former coaches, but he doesn’t excuse himself or stop.

“Benji!”

I know he can hear me. I know he saw me. If only he would hold still for a second and give me a chance to explain, to apologize for my dad …

I follow him through the front door and make it down the front steps of the church in time to watch his Range Rover pull out of the parking lot.

“Benji …”

No, he can’t go. He can’t leave me here. I have too much to say.

He needs to know it’s not his fault.

He needs to know I love him—that I’m in love with him.

But he’s gone.

 

 

About the Author 

USA Today bestselling author A.L. Morrow enjoys dreaming up steamy scenes and spectacular settings—often along with a touch of magic or myth. She believes that love is love and likes reading and writing various genres of romance.

In her downtime (what’s that?), A finds delight in scouring for secondhand designer fashions. She briefly lived in a haunted mansion, once took a flight to visit Scotland for a day, and is prone to meeting minor celebrities in random hotel elevators. She resides in the eastern US.

Social Media Links

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Footwork by TA Moore #giveaway

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Book Title: Footwork

Author: TA Moore

Publisher: Rogue Firebird Press

Cover Artist: Tammy Moore

Release Date:  September 10, 2023

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: First Love, Second Chance, Bad Boy, Grumpy One and Sunshine One

Themes: Forgiveness, second chances, family, redemption

Length: 57 000 words/ 90 pages

Heat Rating:  3 flames

It is a standalone book set in the same world/town as the Dirty Deeds series

It does not end on a cliffhanger

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Universal Link 

 

When your ex-boyfriend finally has the life he always wanted, it would take a real asshole to interfere with that…but not like Bode’s ever said he’s not an asshole.

 

Blurb

Bode Harlan has never claimed to be a good guy, but he’s trying to keep his nose clean and his head down these days.

After a year in prison for assault–and to be fair, he did it–he isn’t looking to go back. Admittedly, his pretty face being the star attraction in an illegal underground fighting ring seems to run counter to that goal, but he’s gotta pay the bills and there ain’t much else he’s good at.

And it keeps his parole officer off his back…since she runs the place.

Then his mom skips town and her boyfriend kicks Bode’s 14 year old brother out on the street. Bode grew up in and out of foster care, he doesn’t want that for Danny. It’s not like he can take the kid in, though. He’s an ex-con who gets beat up twice a month for money. That’s how he ends up on his good-natured ex-boyfriend’s doorstep. Sonny is a soft touch. At least he always was for Bode. All he wants is somewhere to crash for a couple of nights, nothing more. Sonny’s got his life together now–a home, a boyfriend, even a dog–and it would take a real asshole to want to blow that up.

…of course, Bode’s never said he wasn’t an asshole.

 

Excerpt 

SONNY SLAMMED THE door. Or tried to. Before it closed, Bode shoved his boot into the gap, and the heavy wood bounced off leather and bone. 

Bode winced and had the balls to look put out. The cooking show Sonny had been halfway through rattled on in the background. It wasn’t the soundtrack that Sonny had imagined for his first reunion with his sort-of ex. That had either been Driver’s License or Bad Guy, depending on his mood.

“Why do you assume I want something?” Bode asked. His hair was shorter than it used to be—making it look darker, more red than ginger—and a bruise had just started to bloom around one of his eyes. At some point, Sonny knew it would fade down to a marshy green that nearly matched Bode’s eyes. He’d seen that happen before.

Back when Bode’s bruises had been Sonny’s business. That had been a while ago.

“Why else would you be here?” Sonny asked. He could hear it in his voice—the dredged-up hurt, the once-broken heart—but he doubted Bode would notice. It wasn’t the sort of thing he cared about. Other people and how what he did affected them were not Bode’s area of expertise. Sonny checked the time. “At nearly midnight.”

Bode shrugged, one-sided and laconic. “Maybe I wanted to tell you I’m out.”

“You’ve been out for three months,” Sonny said. 

“Keeping tabs?” Bode asked with a slow, smug smile. It probably hurt as it creased along the edges of the bruise, but he didn’t let that stop him. “I didn’t know you still cared.”

“I don’t,” Sonny said. It wasn’t true. He cared, but that didn’t have to mean anything. It didn’t mean anything. “Just pointing out you’ve had plenty of time to drop by, yet this is the first time I’ve seen you. What happened? We keep missing each other?”

“You always got up too early for me.”

Sonny was surprised at how angry that made him. He wasn’t stupid. Bode knew that. So why stick to his stupid lie when they both knew Bode wouldn’t cross the street to see Sonny, not unless he had an ulterior motive. His temper felt like a head cold, the pressure of it at the back of his eyes. Usually it took him a long, grudging time to get mad about something, but Bode had been an asshole for years, so that pump was about ready to blow.

Except Sonny didn’t like it when he lost his temper. He didn’t like being out of control. It never ended well. He bit the inside of his cheek, a knot of old scar tissue from the habit gritty between his teeth, and throttled the hot emotion back. 

“Right, well,” he said. “Whatever. If that was the only reason you’re here, job done. Now I know. I’m glad for you.”

He opened the door. Bode had the balls to look smug, as if he’d known that Sonny would come round. More fool him. Sonny braced his hands flat against Bode’s chest and gave him a shove that made him stagger backward.

“You can still fuck off,” Sonny repeated and slammed the door.

He turned around and leaned back against the door while he waited. On the TV screen, a woman in a white chef’s coat was trying to do something to a side of beef with a coat hanger. The dog had taken the opportunity to crawl up onto the couch and bury her head under a cushion, as if there was no way Sonny would see her whole ass sticking out.

Five.

Four.

Three.

The idea that he might have gotten it wrong—that Bode might have actually fucked off—had just started to nibble at the back of Sonny’s mind. He hated—really, honestly hated—that it would bother him if Bode had. 

It wasn’t that he deluded himself that Bode couldn’t leave things unsaid with him—that was how Bode preferred to leave things. It was just that they’d known each other since they were kids, and Bode didn’t easily give up on anything he wanted. It would be weird if that changed now. No, the reason Bode was here was because he wanted something.

And two…

“I need somewhere to crash,” Bode said through the door. “Just for a couple of nights, until I sort something out.”

 

About the Author

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

 

 

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Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year by Vincent Traughber Meis #giveaway

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year

Author: Vincent Traughber Meis

Publisher: Spectrum Books

Release Date: March 4, 2023

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction

Tropes: First love 

Themes: Coming of Age, Racial identity, Gay parenting

Heat Rating: 2 flames

Length: 58 000 words/ 231 pages

It is a standalone story.

 It is the third book that focuses on the Burd siblings:

Four Calling Burds, First Born Sons, Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year. 

The book does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited 

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

 

Colton searches for the surrogate mom he hasn’t seen since the day he was born

 

Blurb

Colton is on a quest to meet his surrogate mom who might help him navigate being a Black teenager in today’s America. The woman who gave birth to him is Black. His dads are not. His diverse community of family and friends includes lots of LGBTQ+ people, though his first love is a girl of mixed race like him. Colton’s dads reluctantly introduce him to his birth mother, but she doesn’t turn out to be the person he hoped for. On his journey of falling in love, nearly losing one of his dads, and confronting a racist cousin, he learns about love, non-traditional families, community, and what is important in life. The biggest challenge of all is something he discovers about his birth, causing friction with his dads. But like every difficulty in his life, the love of his dads ultimately carries him along and lifts him up.

 

Excerpt 

I can pinpoint the day my life started getting strange, and by strange, I mean grown-up. My parents had just picked me up at the police station. It was the first time I had gotten in trouble with law enforcement and my dads (yes; I have two dads) were upset and, I suppose, embarrassed, and a bunch of other emotions. Let me just say, my dads are the coolest people on earth and probably don’t deserve the hard time I sometimes give them when I do stupid things and say stupid things and they get mad, and I get mad back. I don’t even want to think about all the times we ended up in tears because, you know, life is hard, and I really love them, and they really love me.

Those times the three of us ended up blubbering idiots were the worst but later turned out to be the best when we finished the evening on the couch eating ice cream and watching a movie that we all agreed was terrible and laughed and cuddled under a blanket because evenings are always cold in San Francisco, including in the summer. And, even if they weren’t, I loved the warmth and comfort of being in a family that wasn’t afraid to show affection.

But coming home from the police station was tough. I walked into the house in front of my dads and was headed for my room, my happy place, feeling like everything would be okay if I could get to my room and close the door on all the bad stuff. But before I was halfway down the hall, I heard my dad’s raised voice. “Where are you going?” That’s my dad, Augie, August actually, who I call Dad.

It was pretty obvious, but I said, “To my room.”

And my other dad chimed in. “No, you’re not.” His name is Ruben, but I call him Papi. He was born in Los Angeles, though his parents are from Mexico.

“Why not?”

“Did you think that was the end of it?” said Dad. “You’ve lost your screen time for a week and you will come home directly from school until further notice.”

“I said I was sorry.” I think I actually groaned like I was the most unfortunate teenager in the world, which I knew was a long, long way from the truth.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it. There have to be consequences.” That was Dad with the dreaded c-word, a favorite with parents, teachers, and, I guess, adults in general.

Here’s the deal. My two best friends, Fer and Josh, and I went downtown after school and ended up in the Target store. It’s not something we do a lot because we often have basketball practice or Fer has to go home and take care of his younger sibs because both his parents work or Josh has to do something because whichever one of his divorced parents he’s with on a particular day is on his case. And Dad is now home all the time because he took a leave of absence from his job at the Mission Branch of the public library so he could pursue writing full time. If I’m not home by a certain time, I get the third degree. But the way the stars lined up that day, we didn’t have basketball practice. Fer’s mom stayed home because the clients she cooks for were out of town; it was the part of the week Josh was with his dad and his dad was working late; and my dad went to some writing event in Berkeley and wouldn’t be home until dinnertime. We were free. It was amazing how rarely that happened on a weekday.

 

 

About the Author 

Vincent Traughber Meis grew up in Decatur, Illinois where he got his start writing plays for his younger sisters to act in for a neighborhood audience. He graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans and worked for many years as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, publishing many academic articles in his field. He published travel articles, poems, and book reviews in publications such as, The Advocate, LA Weekly, In Style, and Our World in the 1980’s and 90’s. He finally arrived at his true writing love: novels and short stories. Five of his seven published novels are set at least partially in foreign countries and his book of short stories focuses on countries around the world. Several of his novels have won Rainbow Awards and The Mayor of Oak Street was awarded a Reader Views Silver Award. He has published short stories in a number of collections and has achieved Finalist status in a few short fiction contests. He lives in San Leandro, California.

 

Social Media Links

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one of 5 copies of Four Calling Burds (a prequel to Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year)

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Changing His Tune: Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 by Blake Allwood #kindleunlimited

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Changing His Tune: Road to Rocktoberfest 2022

Author and Publisher: Blake Allwood

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Release Date: October 18, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes:  Rock star romance, first love 

Themes: Coming out

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 77 600 words

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

 

Tired of being lonely, Hayden decides to take his music and his identity back. Will these transformations be worth the risk, or will they destroy everything he’s ever worked for?

 

Blurb

Hayden Koal’s life has been… different. He was just a boy living on his grandpa’s Iowa farm when his parents whisked him off to LA and thrust him into teenage stardom. Now that he’s an adult, he’s ready to make his own choices about his life, his career, and his lovelife.

Erik Anderson has it all. A great job, friends that he loves like family, and a love life that’s… well, okay maybe it isn’t perfect… but finding the right guy isn’t easy. All that changes when he unexpectedly meets his celebrity crush, Hayden Koal.

Their love affair is fraught with trouble from the moment they come together and both Hayden and Erik have tough decisions to make. Will they choose to upend their lives or sacrifice their love?

#rockstar #first love #coming out

 

Excerpt

“What will you have?” he asked.

“Um, I usually get a Chocolate Mocha Supreme here, ’cause you know… chocolate store.”

“Then I’ll have the same.”

He turned and waved at a woman who I assumed was the manager, ordered our drinks, and asked for extra whipped cream.

Luckily, the way the store was designed, there was a small alcove at the back where we could sit and talk in private without the staff staring at us. I was already so self-conscious I thought I could break.

We sat in silence as the coffees were made and brought to our table. “Thank you, Angela,” Hayden said, and I looked up in surprise that he actually knew the woman’s name.

She blushed–a common reaction to Hayden, apparently–and did a little curtsy before disappearing back around the corner. “I think she might have a little crush,” I whispered, making him smile.

“She’s not who I want to impress,” he said, and then cringed. “Sorry, that was cheesy.”

It was then I noticed he appeared to be nervous too. That helped me feel a little better. I took a deep breath and let it out before asking what I really needed to know if I was going to be able to settle down long enough to hang out with him.

“Why me?” I asked.

He smiled and answered, “Why not you?”

“’Cause I’m a nobody, and you’re Hayden Koal.”

He shook his head and took a drink of his coffee before responding. When he pulled back, a mustache of whipped cream clung to his lip. “Everyone thinks just ’cause I’m a pop star that I’m not a normal human being. I like you, or like what I know about you. I just thought it’d be fun to go out and get to know someone, you know, normal.”

As he talked, the whipped cream began to run down the side of his mouth, and I didn’t think he realized it was there until he went to touch where the drip was. I laughed as he quickly wiped his face with his hand, then frantically began looking for a napkin.

By the time he found one, his face was red as a beet. “So much for first impressions.”

“Trust me,” I said, “that’s probably the best thing to happen.” I took a drink and forced myself to get a mustache too, and when I drew back, he laughed.

“Is that what I looked like? God, I’m happy no one got a picture of that. I’d never live it down.”

I used my tongue to lick the whipped cream off and laughed, saying, “I thought it was cute. It could probably go a long way in improving your image.”

When I looked back at him, he was staring hungrily at me. “Oh,” I said, realizing licking my lip like that probably seemed sexually suggestive.

Hayden shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. “Wow, so, um, I’m… I think you’re very handsome, Erik, but I have to admit, this is the first real date I’ve ever been on, well, with a guy. I mean, I’ve been on publicity dates, but you know, not with someone I like. So…” He paused, then quickly added, “I’m not sure how to do this without looking like a total loser.”

At that moment, he looked so vulnerable that I couldn’t help but reach out and put my hand over his. “You’re doing fine. Not that I’m an expert or anything, but the mustache thing could’ve been staged ’cause it was so cute. So, don’t sell yourself short, at least not yet,” I said, laughing. That seemed to put him at ease.

He turned his hand over, letting our palms rest together, and I felt a happy, warm zing shoot up my arm at the intimate contact. “Okay, then,” he said, and his nervousness morphed into a confident smile. “Tell me about yourself.”

 

About the Author 

Blake Allwood was born in west TN, then moved to Kansas City MO after attending college in Lamoni, Iowa. He met his husband in 1995 and they officially married in 2015, once gay marriage was legalized. In 2017, he and his husband sold their home, purchased an RV and began traveling the country with their two dogs. Their travels provide the inspiration and settings for many of his novels.

Typically, Blake can be found relaxing in the RV or by the fire with his laptop and their Jack Russell Terrier, Buddy, curled up between his legs demanding attention. Denver, their Siberian Husky mix is often asleep at his feet or playing tug of war with Blake’s husband.

 

Social Media Links

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Hot Stepdad Summer by Iris Faire #kindleunlimited #giveaway #interview

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Hot Stepdad Summer

Author: Iris Faire

Cover Artist: Iris Faire

Release Date: January 30, 2022

Genre: Contemporary MM Romance LGBTQ Romance, Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Taboo -stepdad,forbidden love, bisexual and gay awakenings, mafia suspense

Themes:  Coming out, acceptance, found family, first loves

Length: 33 000 words/ 122 pages

Heat Rating:  4.5 flames (There are a few steamy scenes that get spicy and intimate and real for our main couple – but nothing involving BDSM. Maybe a tiny bit of hands around the throat, that’s it.)

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

 

Only one man could save me. What I found in him was unexpected.

 

Blurb 

Wrongs righted. Love fated. Passionate desires unleashed.

I didn’t need a protector. And I wanted more than a hot alpha possessing me.

I desired love. What I found in him was unexpected. If only the world around us would stop judging, we would have a chance to build a life together.

When the past caught up to me and a friend, dark forces surrounded us.

Only one man could save me.

It turned out his protection, his possession, and his love all claimed me, fulfilling every dream possible.

Iris Faire weaves a tale of past wrongs righted, of love fated, and passionate desires explored. The quick read romp ends in a happy ever after. It can be read as a stand alone, but will have you wishing for more in the interconnected Stepdad Summer Series.

 

Excerpt 

“Who were those guys?” His fists balled up on my stomach, and I heard the crack of his jawline tightening with teeth gnashing. These signs of his possession turned my heart to jelly.

“Relax there, Mr. Protective. They were punk ass college guys on spring break. Never saw them again. And I haven’t been with anyone since . . . Until last night. With you.”

“Me? So you were my first in forever, and I was as well for you?” He squeezed me tighter.

“Hm-hmm. After your birthday, I intended to quit for sure. But then you came to see me. So I danced for you. And then I kept going, wondering if you might come back. And you did. Every Tuesday and Thursday, when Mom had her meetings like clockwork. Somehow, you made me feel safe. And . . . I enjoyed dancing for you. I liked your eyes following my every move.”

“Don’t go back. I don’t want you there. I can’t stand the thought of other men watching you, touching your G-string or going anywhere near your skin.”

I tightened our hold once again, wiggling my bottom against his half hard morning wood. “Hm. So you’re the jealous type. I like it.”

“Yeah, maybe I am. Besides, I should have stopped you when I first saw you. If I had given any thought to how dangerous it might be for you there . . . maybe Nico wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“Fucking Nico,” I said with upmost affection for my friend. “It probably didn’t matter. His drug use would have still gotten out of hand, maybe slower is all.”

“Still, don’t go back. Quit today.”

“And work where? I can’t stay at moms, and can’t stay at Dominic’s. It’s nice of you to offer here, but I need a job to afford my own place.” I already had a printout of some jobs to check on for the week. Coffee barista, nighttime janitor . . . nothing really appealing, but my options narrowed without a degree or career trajectory. I’d go to hell before admitting Mom was right about college.

“Stay with me. I’ll take care of us until you find something else.”

“Yeah?” I twisted, facing him, and cupped his cheek. I hung on every hope for what this meant between us.

“Hm-hmm.” 

I brushed his lips, taking full advantage of this euphoric morning feeling. This thing right now between us, undefined, yet perfect. Undeterred by an uncertain future, simply luxuriating in each other’s arms before time or whatever life threw at us took it away. 

He worked down, brushing his lips across my neck and Adam’s apple. 

“Mm. If I stay with you, does it mean I get more of your lips all over me?”

“Whatever you want, I’m happy to provide,” he said, pushing me onto my back. Brushing his whiskers down my torso followed by his soft lips and tongue, every move of his grew like little reassurances of our path ahead, freely exploring whatever this was between us.

 

 

About the Author  

Iris writes from the comfort of her kitchen, while sipping vanilla lattes on a good day—even in summer. Writing MM Romance is a nice distraction from her many other commitments, like needle-working, homemaking, and mom taxi service. While it’s terrible fun to invest time in her book characters, she’s not expecting to quit her day job anytime soon. 

Visit her website to keep up to date on her latest work in progress.

On a more serious note: Iris has a teen who is trans. And she loves them with her whole heart and soul.

 

Author Links

Blog/Website  | Twitter 

Newsletter Sign-up  |  BookBub 

 

 

INTERVIEW PROMPTS

The temptation you wish you could resist…

Ugh, right now that’d be all the chocolate my significant other just gave me for Valentine’s. Chocolate pretzels, oh and the chocolate salted caramels. Yep, lots of sweet this week!!

The way you would spend your fantasy twenty-four hours, with no travel restrictions… 

Maybe a little Scotland in the morning, South of France in the afternoon, and a little beach house at night to sleep by the sound of the ocean.

The piece of wisdom you would pass onto a child…
Find yourself and be your true self. Let the world see your brilliance. If they don’t like it, it’s on them. You be you and be proud.

The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again…

I lost a beloved cat once. It returned a year later on my birthday. I had no idea who cared for it the entire time.

The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it…
Driving a different brand new car off a car lot any day of the week I wanted to. I could return it by the end of the day. Would that be nice? That new car smell all the time?

The book you enjoyed planning/writing the most…
This one, Hot Stepdad Summer. I planned out the four books, and one of them was supposed to be the first one. But as I started writing, this couple, Dillon and Steven spoke to me the most, so I switched.

And the promo… 

This book may surprise you. It doesn’t dwell too much on the taboo nature of stepson and step father. Instead, it is a relationship between two men and the difficulties they overcome to be together.

Thank you.

 

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $10 Amazon Gift Card and an ebook of Hot Stepdad Summer

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Audiobook Tour – Responsible Adult Series by C F White

AUDIOBOOK SERIES TOUR

Responsible Adult Series by C F White 

Narrator: Piers Ryman

Cover Artist: KAM Design 

 

OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION

Love isn’t always responsible 

The Responsible Adult series follows ex-juvenile delinquent Micky O’Neill as he attempts to better his life to bring up his disabled little brother. A past full of juvenile delinquency and living in a small town rife with idle gossip means Micky struggles to be seen as anything other than a no-hoper from the wrong side of the tracks… until he takes a job at the local supermarket and meets his boss, Dan, a university graduate and self-proclaimed shy, awkward bookworm. 

Dan, older and burned from a past relationship, is the one person who sees through Micky’s tough-guy facade to the true heart underneath. With fear and mistrust on both sides, the two must steer their way through a complicated relationship where outside forces are determined to break them up at every turn.

Responsible Adult is a series about growing up and learning that love always brings responsibility.

“Amazingly gritty and raw, it flays you.” Pride Publishing Editor’s Choice 2017 

Author note: Potential triggers include references to suicide, physical assault on a minor, criminal behaviour and bullying of a disabled child. 

This is a serial, with book one ending on a cliffhanger, and should be read in order. 

Overall Heat Rating for the series: 4 flames    

BOOK DETAILS 

BOOK 1

Book Title: Misdemeanor (Responsible Adult #1)

Author: C F White 

Narrator: Piers Ryman

Length:  9 hours and 1 min

Release Date: October 15, 2021 

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Hurt/Comfort, Found Family 

Themes: Out for you, first love, 

Is it a standalone story? No

Does the book end on a cliffhanger? Yes 

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Audible US  |   Audible UK 

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK

 

Life isn’t always responsible 

 

Blurb 

After his mother tragically dies and his deadbeat father goes off the rails, nineteen-year-old Micky is left to care for his disabled little brother. Juggling college, a dead-end job and Flynn’s special needs means Micky has to put his bad-boy past behind him and be the responsible adult to keep his brother out of care. He doesn’t have time for anything else in his life.

Still scarred from a past relationship that went bad, Dan’s not looking to complicate his life. Everything tells him he should stay away from Micky but he’s powerless in the face of his overwhelming attraction to his newest staff member. Especially when he begins to peel off Micky’s layers to reveal the true man beneath the façade.

As their attraction builds, revealing more of themselves to one another, each is faced with a stark question: Can Micky allow himself to follow his heart, and can Dan risk falling in love with someone so tempestuous?

“Amazingly gritty and raw, it flays you.” Pride Publishing Editor’s Choice.

Misdemeanor is the first book in the Responsible Adult trilogy and is a re-release of the previously published version by Pride. It has been edited with new content added.

Author note: Potential triggers include references to suicide, physical assault on a minor, criminal behaviour and bullying of a disabled child.

 

BOOK 2

Book Title: Hard Time (Responsible Adult #2) 

Author: CF White 

Narrator: Piers Ryman 

Length:  7 hours and 44 mins

Release Date: October 22,  2021 

Genre: Contemporary MM Romance 

Tropes: Hurt/Comfort, Found Family 

Themes: Out for You, First Love 

Is it a standalone story? No 

Does the book end on a cliffhanger? No. It’s a HFN ending.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Audible US   |  Audible UK

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK

 

Love isn’t always responsible 

 

Blurb 

After Micky O’Neill is remanded in custody for breaching his court order, his already tempestuous relationship with Dan Peters is tested to the limits.

Having to battle their way through a court case that could end with Micky in jail, social workers breaking up the family home, and the return of Micky’s deadbeat father, it seems everything is set to destroy their relationship before it even had the chance to start.

With such high stakes involved, not just for Micky but for once-burned, twice-shy Dan, they both have to learn that falling in love isn’t always responsible.

This is the second book in the re-released Responsible Adult Series. It has been edited with new content added to make for a new reader experience. 

 

BOOK 3

Book Title: Reformed (Responsible Adult #3) 

Author: CF White 

Publisher: CF White 

Narrator: Piers Ryman 

Length: 8 hours and 8 mins

Release Date: October 29, 2021 

Genre: Contemporary MM Romance 

Tropes: Hurt/Comfort, Found Family 

Themes: Hard-fought HEA 

Is it a standalone story? No 

Does the book end on a cliffhanger? No, it’s a HEA ending.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Audible US   |  Audible UK  

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK

 

Someone has to be responsible 

 

Blurb 

Micky O’Neill and Dan Peters now live in Wales, bringing up Micky’s disabled little brother away from small-minded Heathwood and close to Micky’s deceased mother’s family.

Things are fine…until Dan begins his dream career as an English teacher at the local school and Micky, main caregiver to Flynn, is isolated in a village that only serves to remind him of his mother’s absence.

With Flynn’s health deteriorating and his needs becoming more complex, everything is tested to its limits and Dan seeks solace in a friendship with a fellow teacher, sending Micky into further turmoil.

After an accusation is leveled against Micky and it seems he’s slipping back into his old ways, he and Dan are torn. To repair the rift, both have to accept responsibility—for life.

 

 

About the Author

Brought up in a relatively small town in Hertfordshire, C F White managed to do what most other residents try to do and fail—leave.

Studying at a West London university, she realised there was a whole city out there waiting to be discovered, so, much like Dick Whittington before her, she never made it back home and still endlessly search for the streets paved with gold, slowly coming to the realisation they’re mostly paved with chewing gum. And the odd bit of graffiti. And those little circles of yellow spray paint where the council point out the pot holes to someone who is supposedly meant to fix them instead of staring at them vacantly whilst holding a polystyrene cup of watered-down coffee.

Eventually she moved West to East along that vast District Line and settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job and creating a life, a home and a family.

After her second son was born with a rare disability, C F White’s life changed and it brought pen back to and paper after having written stories as a child but never had the confidence to show them to the world. Now, having embarked on this writing journey, C F White can’t stop. 

So strap in, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.  

 

Author Links

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The Tea House by Amanda Meuwissen #giveaway

RELEASE BLITZ

Bok Title: The Tea House

Author: Amanda Meuwissen

Publisher: Amanda Meuwissen Books

Cover Artist: Amanda Meuwissen

Release Date: October 1, 2021

Genre: Horror Paranormal M/M Romance

Tropes: Secret identity, secret powers, first love

Themes: Starting over

Heat Rating:  4 flames    

***Note that this contains graphic blood and violence. Dubious consent could also be called out, since one of them is a monster in disguise, but the couple does end things on a HFN, even really a HEA. 

Length: 18 112 words

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK

 

Every rose has its thorns.

 

Blurb

Jaime is looking for sanctuary and a new start after escaping his stepfather. With little money to his name, he doubts he can afford the gorgeous bed and breakfast he stumbles upon, surrounded by tea roses inside and out. Then Logan, the handsome young concierge, surprises Jaime with a ‘pay what you can’ policy, and Jaime is instantly smitten. 

Little does Jaime know the Tea House is plagued by rumors of monsters and disappearances and is known by another name. 

Hollow House. 

 

Excerpt 

“What do you do?” Jaime took his first bite of filet and nearly had his eyes roll into the back of his head. 

Wow. 

“I’m an investigative journalist. Sort of. Trying to be. I work for an online publication focused on the paranormal and unsolved mysteries right now. That’s why I’m here.”

“Here? For what?”

“There’s local rumors about this place being cursed or something and having a run of unexplained disappearances. When it’s not the Tea House, people call it…” Rick glanced around and leaned closer as if sharing a great secret. “Hollow House.”

Jaime would have laughed, but he couldn’t help the chill that trickled down his spine. “Hollow? Why that?”

Rick shrugged. “Like a hollow in a tree, I guess. You know, a bottomless pit that sucks you in and you never leave. Well, some people leave. But there are stories!”

Jaime relaxed. Stories was probably all it was, and it wasn’t hard to imagine where they’d come from with an old building like this and all the mystery around a benefactor. “I’ll let you know if any of the roses start wilting.” 

Rick barked a laugh. “Eh, it pays.”

Logan was finishing up serving the family, after taking a few custom orders for milk and some extra bread. At least the family genuinely seemed nice, all thanking Logan affably, even the little girl, who couldn’t have been older than four. 

As Logan wheeled the food cart back across the room, Sheila and Gary stopped him to order wine. There must be a limit on glasses the guests could have because Gary tried slipping a twenty into Logan’s pocket with a request for a couple bottles, but Logan politely refused and set the bill on the table. 

Rick stopped him to ask for a glass of wine too. “You, Jaime?”

“Oh, um… I like wine, and my mom used to let me have a glass or two on occasion, but I’m not old enough.” He felt like a preteen having to say that even though he was almost twenty and hardly a kid.

“Guess you won’t make an exception in this case either, huh, Mr. Concierge?” Rick grinned Logan’s way.

Logan looked honestly apologetic. “I’m sorry, Jaime, but—”

“It’s fine,” Jaime broke in. A glass of wine would have been nice after the day he’d had, but he didn’t want to get Logan in trouble. “Thanks anyway. Dinner is amazing.”

Logan preened again, and then proceeded to move the cart into the corner of the room near the door before departing, which still had several covered plates on it, as if waiting for other patrons. 

“Jaime, huh? He’s never used my first name before,” Rick said with a teasing smirk, and Jaime felt the heat rise in his cheeks. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to try schmoozing for my benefit just coz he likes you. Not that I’m not tempted. I don’t think I’m ever gonna crack him. I keep trying to catch some of the other help instead, but they are seriously ghosts. I’ve never seen a single one.”

“Maybe because they’re all really good at their jobs and like it here,” Jaime offered. It wasn’t hard to tell Logan took great pride in his work. “They don’t want some reporter getting them fired.”

“Fair.” Rick chuckled. “But a haunting or monster story exposé could be good for business. People love that stuff! Why do you think I have a job? Anyway, there’s always at least one unhappy worker. I just need to find them. I was thinking of staying up as late as I can tonight, maybe take a midnight stroll through the halls. Feel like joining me?”

Jaime coughed around his next heavenly bite of filet. He liked Rick. This wasn’t some creep trying to hit on him or get him into trouble, but Rick was definitely a thrill-seeker and maybe a bit of a bad influence. “I don’t think Logan would be too happy about that.”

“You like him too, don’t you?” Rick’s grin turned fond older brother more than pure teasing. “I’m not much of an authority on the subject, but he sure is pretty. You’re, what? Nineteen, twenty? And he can’t be more than twenty-two. Sounds like an even match to me.” 

“I’m just passing through,” Jaime said with a bashful chuckle. 

Rick caught Jaime’s eye and winked. “Never stopped me. But I guess that means I can’t convince you to potentially piss pretty boy off, huh?” 

“Sorry, I’ll pass.” 

“Had to try.” 

They enjoyed their meal with Rick telling Jaime about some of the stories he’d covered in the past. Mostly potential hauntings, and while he had a few tales of the unexplained happen to him, nothing he’d experienced was concrete evidence of the paranormal. 

Logan brought out the drinks and tended to additional needs of the guests, including seconds for the family upon request, which Logan provided from the cart. No matter what Logan was doing, he always passed Jaime a soft smile or flutter of his long pale lashes whenever their eyes met. 

 

About the Author 

Amanda Meuwissen is a bisexual author, with a primary focus on M/M romance. As author of the paranormal romance trilogy The Incubus Saga and several other titles with various publishers, Amanda regularly attends local comic conventions for fun and to meet with fans, where she will often be seen in costume as one of her favorite fictional characters. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, John, and their cat, Helga.

 

 

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Newsletter Sign-up

 

Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

an eBook copy of this short, as well as the author’s newest full-length release, By the Red Moonlight.

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Book Blast – Young King Arthur and the Round Table Knights

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Young King Arthur and the Round Table Knights

Author: Siryn Sueng

Publisher: Deep Hearts YA

Release Date: September 18, 2020

Genre/s: Fantasy, M/M YA Romance

Trope/s: First Love, Arthurian Legend

Themes: Coming of Age, Knights 

Heat Rating:  2 flames      

Length:  68 322 words/ 270 pages

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Amazon US  |   Amazon UK 

Smashwords  |  Apple Books  |  B&N  |  Kobo

 

Arthur grew up a peasant, but when he was fourteen, Excalibur chose him, and now as King Arthur, he must learn to play the game of royalty quickly … or suffer the consequences.

 

Blurb

There was no reason for Arthur to think he would ever become king.

A peasant and son of a baker, Arthur grew up in the castle town of Camelot. When he attended the choosing ceremony, it was merely to see who would draw the Holy Sword, Excalibur – to see who would inherit the throne of the recently departed King Uther. He never expected the sword would choose him…

But it did.

Now, at the young age of fourteen, he has become King Arthur, and for all the power he has gained, he has made just as many enemies. Surrounded by the Knights of the Round Table, and led by the mysterious mage, Merlin, Arthur is grateful for his allies, though he would just as soon return to his old life. Surely, someone more worthy should be chosen as king.

Arthur is in the middle of chaos, a world where everyone wants more than they let on, where many hate the idea of a young boy with no noble background being crowned king; where cold stares and whispered words are just as sharp as an assassin’s blade.

As Arthur fends for his life, he must draw on the strength of his knights, especially fifteen-year-old Mordred, who becomes closer to him than the mere bounds of duty. He must become king, not just in name, but in his heart.

And he must do it quickly, because his enemies want more than just his crown…

 

Excerpt

Two days had passed since I’d pulled the sword free—since becoming King. On the first full day within the castle, Merlin had found me wandering the halls and dragged me back to my room to be fitted for an outrageous amount of clothing. We discussed Illian.

Merlin assured me that he was being treated well within the dungeons, despite his cold attitude that he gave to everyone. Nothing would be done to him without my consultation. That fact only added more weight.

He also brought up his conversation with my mother and the letter I should expect. The day after, I received it. She’d expressed her worries, but also her love and support. She praised me, and though I knew it was meant as encouragement, it only made me more wary and frightened. My station as King was not something to take so lightly—even if she had all the confidence in the world. I tried to reply, but nothing I wrote seemed fitting. Rather, it all seemed more like complaints and childish pleading. It wasn’t something I wanted to send to her, not after having her praise me.

Within the mirror, the striking blue doublet that covered me looked even more out of place as I thought about my mother’s letter. The kingly raiment I now wore wasn’t the only one. I had a rich dark purple one, a red one, a light blue, and a solid black. And to think, those were just for me to wear when I wasn’t in the throne room! All the different clothes were going to make my head explode.

“Yes, he did a wonderful job,” Elias said. “Perfect fit. Of course, he is the best tailor in the lands. Only the best for our King.” He stepped back from me and bowed.

“I don’t need the best,” I said softly, but Elias caught it.

“I suppose it’s good to know that you haven’t drowned in the riches, but at the same time you do need to look the part at least.”

I turned to look out the window. The sea burst against the cliff side, throwing water in a violent display of white foam. I watched the waves for a moment longer, knowing that I needed to get going. I was stalling because I was nervous about meeting the knights. What were they going to think of me? I was young, and a peasant. No royal blood flowed through my veins.

I chewed on my lower lip. Elias touched my arm. I looked over at him. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. I nodded and followed him out of the room and into the large corridor.

We left the castle and crossed from the tree-lined grounds into the gardens. The smells of the flowers permeated my senses. I took a deep breath. The scents calmed some of my nerves.

Ahead of us on the other side of the castle grounds stood the Knights’ Tower, where they all resided. The tower was imposing, dark in color, and vines crawled up the sides of the rocks. Windows lined the entire building, spiraling up to the top. Elias led me to the tower’s set of wooden doors and bowed to me.

“This is as far as I can go, Your Majesty.”

My heart clenched and ice shot through my chest. I was going to be alone with the knights. Terror flooded me and I began to tremble. Elias touched my arm again. I focused on him. He smiled and the gentle look helped me relax.

“You will be just fine, my lord. They might be rough around the edges, but they’re loyal and actually very nice.”

“Okay. I’ll be just fine. Thank you, Elias. I’ll see you later.”

He bowed and left me standing in front of the doors. I contemplated leaving and hiding in the library. I turned and took a step forward—right into a warm body. With a startled gasp, I stumbled back and bowed forward as I squeaked, “Forgive me! I didn’t see you there! I’m sorry I ran into you!”

The one who I had run into snickered and I recognized that tone well. I looked up to see Merlin smirking at me. My heart fell like it had become a lump of lead. I stared at him as he laughed at me. I could feel a hot blush creeping across my face.

“My, my. You’re a King now, my lord. You don’t bow to anyone. So, what is it that has you cowering before the Knights’ Tower? Are you intimidated by them?” Merlin seemed a little more welcoming, but I still didn’t like the look on his face. It seemed like he was scrutinizing me beneath his outward demeanor.

I turned back to the double doors and swallowed dryly. “They won’t approve of me.”

“Not everyone will. But that’s what it means to be king. No one is loved on their first day on the throne. Everyone questions the new crown; that is simply how it is. It takes time to earn trust and loyalty. You will earn it. But…if you do nothing, then you will have nothing.”

His words shook me. The mage was right. I understood then why he was the advisor to the King of Camelot. He knew what he was talking about. Despite being condescending at times, he was truly helpful.

“I can’t avoid everything, and why should I? Thank you, Merlin.”

He bowed to me. “Of course, Your Majesty. It’s what I’m here for. So, shall we?”

“Yes.”

I turned around and pulled the door open.

 

About the Author 

Siryn Sueng is a writer of fantasy, paranormal, and even Sci-Fi genres. She’s married to a wonderful husband with a minion of two years. They have a full house with three adorable fur babies, Anubis -the mighty cat hunter- Kida -the momma bear- and Mishka -the loveable husky-.

Siryn is a lover of games on a wide range of platforms. She plays on the PC, console, and hand-held devices including the phone. Japan is where she would love to visit sometime and is a huge inspiration to many of her projects. She’s a huge fan of Japan, including manga and anime. Siryn has even begun to dabble in comic/manga script writing. Future works in this will be posted on WebToon.

 

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Twitter

 

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