The Locket’s Tale by RJ Peterson #kindleunlimited

NEW RELEASE 

Book Title: The Locket’s Tale

Author and Publisher: RJ Peterson

Cover Artist: Ron Perry Graphic Design

Release Date: February 21, 2024

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Older guys, small town

Themes: Just a hint of magic

Heat Rating: 3.5 flames (there are only a couple of sex scenes, but they are quite detailed)

Length: 22 600 words

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

Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |   Amazon UK

 

Sometimes love is just lying there, waiting to be found.

 

Blurb

When Miles Wickford happens upon a locket one day during his morning walk, little did he realize how his life would change.

Elias Grafton is frantic when his beloved locket is taken from his antique shop. He fears it may be lost forever.

Miles is intrigued by the power the locket possesses but can’t in good conscience keep what doesn’t belong to him. Although it can’t hurt to try it once or twice, can it?

A locket brings these two men together. And fate, or the locket’s magic, leads to so much more.

Sometimes love is just lying there, waiting to be found.

A Locket’s Tale is a small town MM romance featuring older guys, a lost locket, and just a hint of magic.

 

Excerpt

It was an ordinary day, much like every other in my life. I awoke at seven without an alarm, my body tuned to the rhythms of my life. After a quick shower, followed by coffee and a bagel, I set off on my morning ritual five-mile walk through my neighborhood and around Milford Pond before returning home. 

I was a freelance editor, and this was how I started each day. It helped clear my mind. A brain reset, if you will, before delving into the next manuscript.

I sometimes varied my route slightly, just for a bit of variety in my otherwise oh-so-similar days, and this Friday was such a day. On my return home, I turned right on Folsom Street, which would take me by a small park, complete with a playground for the neighborhood children. 

The park was empty at this hour, children already in school this sunny but cool October morning. As I ambled down the sidewalk, I heard a dog barking in the distance as something caught my eye on the pavement ahead of me. A ray of sunlight reflected on its surface. A coin perhaps.

But as I approached, its form became more distinct. Is that something on a chain? I stopped mere inches away and bent to retrieve it. A silver locket in the shape of a book. And yes, a matching chain. Curious. I looked around but saw no one who might have dropped it.

I examined the locket, noting the fine filigree work on the front surrounding an oval gem—lapis lazuli was my first thought—where one might expect to find a photo. Instead, the oval contained a cabochon of what appeared to be lapis lazuli. I opened it, hoping to find something that might help to identify it or the owner and was surprised to see words delicately engraved upon what looked like pages.

Despite my squinting, I couldn’t quite make out the words, so I closed the locket and placed it in the front pocket of my jeans. I’d employ the help of a magnifying glass to decipher the message once I returned home. And so I set off to complete my journey, wondering what secrets this jewelry might hold.

* * * 

Entering the back door of my Craftsman home, I shrugged off my jacket and hung it on the peg just inside the kitchen entry. I filled my favorite Yeti tumbler with ice and water, then proceeded to my office to begin the day’s work. But first, a closer look at the locket.

Pulling it from my pocket, I placed it on the desk blotter and grabbed a magnifying glass from the top drawer. I examined the front and back, but again, found no distinguishing marks, so I opened it to study the message engraved inside.

 

Place this locket about your neck,

Then close your eyes and think

Upon a book that you adore

And let the story sink

Into your brain. Now make a wish

And you will find, indeed,

You’re in said story for a day

Or more or less. Take heed!

 

“Hmmm, that’s interesting,” I said aloud to the empty room. “But it still doesn’t tell me who this trinket may belong to.” I shrugged, glancing at the small digital clock on my desk only to see it was later than I realized. “I’ll give this more thought later.” I opened the project management app on my iMac. “But now I really need to get to work.”

 

About the Author 

 

R.J. Peterson is a retired graphic designer. An avid reader—preferably while sipping a vodka martini or bourbon on the rocks—he’s had a long and varied career, including library page, car wash attendant, travel agent, and graphic designer in the marijuana industry. In addition, he worked in the banking industry for twenty-five years. He loves to travel and has been on 55+ cruises. When not on a cruise, he and his husband live in New England.

He never planned to be a writer, but a fateful day in January, 2021 changed it all. He woke with a story stuck in his head and started typing. The more he types, the more ideas he gets.

 

Social Media Links

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Coming Soon – Love In The Mediterranean by R. J. Peterson

PRE-RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Love In The Mediterranean (New Adventures in Love Book 4)

Author and Publisher: RJ Peterson

Cover Artist: Ron Perry Graphic Design

Release Date: December 20, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Older Guys

Themes: Second chance at love

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length: approx. 43 000 words

It is book 4 in the New Adventures in Love series. It does not end on a cliffhanger

Goodreads – Series Link

 

Pre-Order Links 

It will be available in Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link  |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

 

 

Blurb

Neil Watkins isn’t too surprised to receive an invitation to Rob Asher and Ben Rockingham’s wedding. After all, he’s been best friends with Ben’s son Kyle for several years. But he is excited to be invited to join them on the honeymoon – a party for a select group of family and friends on an all-expense paid Mediterranean cruise. He’s hesitant at first, but Kyle convinces him to go. Well, his own love life sucks at the moment. Maybe he’ll have better luck in the Med.

When he receives an invitation to their wedding and honeymoon party, Matthew Palmer balks at the idea of joining Rob and Ben on their honeymoon cruise. The master jeweler, a friend to both men, thinks the offer is way too generous, but Rob’s best friend Samantha persuades him to rethink his decision. His last relationship really knocked him for a loop, and maybe Sam was right and he should think about himself for a change

When Neil and Matthew meet, unexpected and undeniable sparks fly. Has their luck finally changed? Can this really be their second chance at love in the Mediterranean?

 

Excerpt 

As he approached the hostess at the doorway to the bistro, she looked up at him and said, “Good morning, sir. Are you dining alone this morning?”

“Yes, plea—“ he paused, catching a glimpse of Matthew sitting alone at a table near the window. “Excuse me,” he said. “That gentleman is part of the group I’m traveling with. Let me ask if I can join him.”

“Certainly sir.”

He strode to the table, hoping he wasn’t making a fool of himself by intruding on Matthew’s breakfast.

“Good morning, Matthew. Would it be okay if I joined you. Um, that is, um, if you’re not expecting anyone.” Dammit, I sound like an idiot. Don’t be nervous. He’s just a friend.

“Oh hi, Neil” Matthew sounded genuinely pleased to see him. “No, I’m not expecting anyone and you can certainly join me if you’d like.”

“Thanks.” As Neil sat down, the hostess came over and handed him a menu.

“Enjoy your breakfast, gentlemen.”

“Did you sleep okay?” Neil asked, trying to start a conversation and not sound like he was daft.

“Yeah, I did” Matthew replied. “I love the water and find the sound of it very soothing. I left the balcony door open when I was getting ready for bed last night and that helped relax me after a very exciting day yesterday.” He paused to sip his coffee. “What about you?”

“I did, too, actually,” Neil said. “That surprised me a bit since I often have trouble sleeping in a new place. Even though the seas are quite calm, I could feel a gentle rocking once I went to bed. I think that, combined with the alcohol we consumed at dinner, helped put me to sleep quicker than usual.”

Matthew chuckled. “Yeah, I drank more than I normally do yesterday. I’m gonna need to behave myself on this trip.”

A waiter approached carrying a carafe and asked Neil if he wanted coffee.

“Yes, please,” he replied.

“Are you ready to order?” The waiter asked.

“I’d like the fresh fruit with yogurt,” Matthew said. “And some wheat toast, please. Do you have any peanut butter?”

“Yes sir, we do. I’ll bring some with your toast.”

“A man after my own heart,” Neil said with a laugh. “I love peanut butter. I’ll have the same for breakfast, please.”

“Certainly sir. I’ll be back shortly with your orders.”

“It’s so nice to find a fellow peanut butter lover,” Matthew said.

“I have a confession,” Neil said, blushing a little. “I may have packed some single-serve containers in my checked luggage. But I completely forgot to bring one with me this morning.”

“That’s hilarious,” Matthew chuckled. “And I wish I had thought of it.”

“Well, at least they have some on board. And if they happen to run out before the end of the cruise, I’ll share my stash with you.”

“Deal.”

The waiter returned a few minutes later with their breakfast, refilled both coffee cups, and departed.

“Do you have any plans for today?” Neil asked, as he smeared peanut butter onto one of the toast slices.

“I was thinking of walking around a bit and maybe figure out where things are.” Matthew answered. “I still can’t believe we’re on a cruise ship. I mean, everything is so large. It’s nothing like I expected.”

“I know exactly what you mean. I looked at some photos on the cruise line’s website and watched a video, but it’s still so much more than I expected.”

Neil sipped his coffee and continued. “I was planning on exploring a bit, too. Maybe we could check things out together? Might keep us from getting too lost.”

“That’s a great idea,” Matthew effused. “I gotta admit, it seemed a bit overwhelming to try and discover things all on my own.”

“If you remember correctly, before we left on this trip, we cruise virgins agreed to stick together,” Neil smiled brightly. “We’ve got this.”

The thought of spending at least part of the day with Matthew made everything seem a bit brighter.

 

 

About the Author

R.J. Peterson is a retired graphic designer. He is an avid reader, preferably while sipping a vodka martini or bourbon on the rocks. He’s had a long and varied career, including library page, car wash attendant, travel agent, and graphic designer in the marijuana industry. He also worked in banking for twenty-five years. He loves to travel and has been on 50+ cruises. When not on a cruise, he and his husband live in New England.

He didn’t grow up thinking he’d be a writer. That was never on his radar. Then a fateful day in January, 2021 changed it all. He woke with a story stuck in his head and started typing. The more he types, the more ideas he gets.

His debut novel, Love On The Horizon, was published in May 2021.

 

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |   Newsletter Sign-up

 

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions