Saturday, September 20, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Outing The Quarterback By Tara Lain SPOTLIGHT+GIVEAWAY






Outing The Quarterback
(Long Pass Chronicles Series, Bk #1)
By Tara Lain


Blurb:


Will Ashford lives in two closets. He meets his wealthy father’s goals as both the quarterback for the famous SCU football team and a business major, but secretly he attends art school and longs to live as a painter. And he's gay. But if he can win the coveted Milton Scholarship for art, he’ll be able to break from his father at the end of his senior year.

In a painting master class, Will meets his divergent opposite, Noah Zajack. A scarred orphan who’s slept on park benches and eaten from trash cans, Noah carefully plans his life and multiple jobs so he has money and time to go to art school. Will's problems seem like nothing compared to Noah's. Noah wants the scholarship too and may have a way to get it since the teacher of his class has designs on him, a plan Will isn't happy about.

When a gossipmonger with a popular YouTube channel finds evidence that Will is gay, the quarterback’s closet doors begin to crumble. Hounded by the press and harassed by other players, Will has to choose. Stay in the closet and keep his family’s wealth, or let the doors fall off and walk out with nothing. Nothing but Noah.





Available for purchase at 


   




Excerpt

Will followed Noah up to the low-rise structure that looked more like a shed than a house. Clearly the thing had been built sometime early in the twentieth century without a single permit. Noah unlocked the door, although a burglar probably could have ripped down the walls and gotten in easily. 

Hell, Will couldn’t diss the place. He still lived at home.

Noah looked over his shoulder. “Home sweet home.” He walked in and Will followed.

Wow. He was kind of aware that he was in one medium-sized room, but pretty much all he saw was the huge, softly impressionistic painting of a nude man on the wall opposite the front door. Gorgeous didn’t do it justice. It or him. The model was more boy than man, with long brown hair falling down a lean, curved back. Only his profile showed as he gazed off into space with a look of pure longing. Though the face was perfect and Will had never seen such an expression, it could only be one person. “It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Holy shit, how did you know that?”

Will looked at Noah. The guy’s eyes were wide and a little horrified.

“It’s you the way you are inside. Maybe the way you were outside once. Full of hope and longing for joy.”

Silence.

Will glanced over and caught the fast blink wiping out the unshed tears. “The painting is gorgeous. You’re an amazing artist. Really. I should hate you.” He grinned at Noah.

Noah’s face never left dead serious. “Do you?”

“What?”

“Hate me?”

Oh shit, he couldn’t catch his breath. “Of course not.” Change. The. Subject. He looked around. “So this is your place. Doesn’t look like much outside, but you made it really cool.” That was true. Against one wall a daybed, actually made, looked like it could hold one person spaciously and two tightly. Okay, why the hell did he think of that? An old but very serviceable sectional couch divided off the sleeping area and curved underneath that gorgeous painting, with a chair opposite it. The rest of the room contained a kitchenette with a microwave, an under-counter refrigerator, and a few cabinets, plus a small table and two straight-back chairs. “You’re so neat.”

Noah shrugged. “You have to be in a place this small. Sit.” He pointed at one end of the sectional.

Will sat. “I wonder if I’m neat.” He grinned.

“You don’t know?”

“No. I’ve always had a maid.”

Noah flipped a hand at Will. “Jeez. How do you keep your bathroom between maid visits?”

“Messy.”

“There you go.”

“I don’t know. If I thought I had to pick up that towel myself, I might reform real fast.” He leaned back. “I guess I should start practicing.”

“Never too early to grow up. Want a beer?”

Coach would kill him. Plus, alcohol looked pretty crappy after last night. “No thanks.”

“I’ve got iced tea.”

“Yeah. That’d be great.” Noah walked over to the kitchenette. Jesus, watching the guy move in a confined space with nobody else around was too much for Will’s overtaxed, underserved cock. He put his hands in his lap.

Noah walked back with two glasses. They didn’t match. He handed one to Will and sat on the other part of the sectional. “So are you moving out soon?”

“Probably not until I finish school.”

“That’s a long time. You gonna be able to carry off the fiction?”

That was the question, but Noah didn’t even know how much. “I made it this far.”

“I’ll bet it gets harder all the time.”

Man, he had no idea. 

“What are your plans?”

Noah drank some tea. “Graduate school in art. I want to be able to teach as well as paint.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“I’d love to go to Chicago, but I think UCLA will be good.”

“How will you do it?” He held his breath.

“Scholarships, I hope.”

“Milton?” He was turning blue.

“Sure. It’s the best. And I ought to be a contender. God knows, I can prove hardship.” He laughed.

“But it doesn’t depend on hardship.” Will swallowed hard.

“Sure. But who wouldn’t take it into consideration?” He frowned. “Besides, I hope I paint well enough.”

“Yeah. You’re a great painter. Like I said.” Will downed the cold, bitter tea. Shit, he didn’t want to compete with this kid. His evil voice asked the obvious question. Why, because you think he’ll win? “I should get going.”

“Sure.”

He felt weird. “I really like your place.”

“Thanks.”

He got up and took a few steps toward the door.

“Will.”

He didn’t turn around. Felt too strange. “Yeah.”

“You never answered my question.”

“What question?”

“Are you gay?”

Blood. Ice. “No. Why would you ask me that again?” He heard the couch cushion rustle, then footsteps behind him. Will turned around slowly, frowning. “What’s with you? Why would you think I’m gay?”



Noah stopped directly in front of him and looked up. Not far up. The guy was only a few inches shorter. Drowning in those eyes would be possible. “Because you look at me like you want to eat me.”





About the Author



Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!



You can find Tara at

               

Giveaway

One signed print copy of Outing the Quarterback (US only)
One ebook copy of Outing the Quarterback (or any book of winner’s choice if book already purchased)
One $10 gift certificate to Amazon
One jewelry Outing the Quarterback bookmark (US only)






Presented By




Friday, September 19, 2014

BLOG TOUR: The Diamond Isles by S.Cu'Anam Policar SURPRISE REVIEW+GIVEAWAY


The Diamond Isles

Series: The Legend Begins Part 1

Saga: Legends of Xosha

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Author: S. Cu’Anam Policar

Publisher: Wolf Paw Publications

Cover Artist: Wolf Paw Designs (Jared Rackler)

Release Date: September 05, 2014





A strange white whelp found by The Gateway.


The winds tell her that destruction is coming.
That the horde can no longer remain in their home;
But no one will listen.


Rose has always been different.

Being mocked, abused, and shunned;
That's the story of her life.

The gods of her people whisper a dire warning to her.
An unknown enemy seeks The Diamond Isles.
She knows they must leave, to stay means their death.
She even knows where they must go.
She has seen their "xosha" in dreams and visions.

Will she be able to convince the Oni to leave?
Or will the things the winds spoke of come to pass?







Alright, so I read the sequel to this book The Rise of Xosha, which was supposed to come after this book, so naturally, I had questions that needed answered as to why the dragons really had to leave home and search for Xosha, and all of them were answered in this book! I do so adore that you get to see things from each dragon's view, if even a little, you can feel each emotion that the author puts into the scenes. I had a few moments while reading this book that were *gasp* and *squeal* but they were for AWESOME reasons! This book does have a few mildly graphic fight and death scenes, so if you're not okay with reading that, then don't grab this one. However... I was very pleased with how this book turned out and led right into the next story! I can't wait to see what happens next! 

**DISCLAIMER** 

I received this work pre-editing from the author and therefore cannot comment on the editing within.  



I didn’t ask to be what I am. 
I didn’t ask to be created. 
Everyday my very blood wars against itself. 
They don’t understand. 
They didn’t save me. 
They only turned me into an Abomination. 

Born a wolf, created to be a monster. Katalina DarkLaw, daughter of the DarkLaw pack alpha, finds herself losing more and more of who she is with every day that passes. Leaving behind a trail of murder and blood, she flees from her pack, right into the arms of Silver Von'Dyre, perpetual bachelor and alpha of Von'Dyre pack. 

Will his faith in her be enough to save her? Or, will she become the monster she fears she already is?




S.Cu'Anam Policar was born in Brooklyn, NY, but now lives in Washington State. The Mother of three she makes time to write, usually late at night.

An avid reader, she not only writes, but helps promote other authors with reviews of their books and sharing their special offers.


She is Pagan but respects all religions and believes everyone should celebrate their similarities and not worry about their differences.


When she has the time, she enjoys playing video games, horseback riding, singing, and writing things short stories.

As the founder of Wolf Paw Publications, she believes
quality work shouldn't cost an author an arm and leg. And while her prices are competitive, the quality of her work shines through.


She absolutely loves to make new friends so don't be afraid to come by and say hi on facebook!



Thursday, September 18, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Madness By J.L. Vallance SPOTLIGHT+GIVEAWAY




Madness
By J.L. Vallance

Blurb: 

I never wanted to fall in love.

I lived a life tainted by mental illness and the stigma that came with it. That illness almost claimed my life once and I had a promise to keep¬¬, a promise that I would live, no matter how much it hurt. All I craved in life was marginal happiness, a little success, and an unfractured mind. I longed for the normalcy that the rest of the world thrived on while fearing the intimacy that could snap the thin thread with which I held onto sanity.

I may not have had it all, but I was close...until he crashed into my world.

He turned everything upside down and shifted the scales of my balanced world. He was charming and charismatic with a healthy dash of trouble and volatility rolled in. He was completely and perfectly damaged. I tumbled hard and fast.

I fell in love with Rory O’Neill and our world was little more than madness....and it was fucking beautiful. 





Available for purchase at 

   



Excerpt


“What do you want from me, O’Neill?”
Rory released a heavy sigh, leaning back
in the chair. He studied me carefully, as if he were attempting to solve a
puzzle. He could try for the rest of his life; I was one jigsaw he’d never be
able to solve.
“To date you,” he replied simply, and I
belted out a laugh.
“Why?” I asked, continuing without
allowing for an answer. “You are the type that goes on dates to get the prize
at the end. You got the prize, buddy. You didn’t even have to work for it. If
you are coming back because you think I’m a big skank-bank and you can get a
withdrawal whenever you want, you’ve got the wrong girl.”
It was his turn to laugh. It was an
erotic sound that put my already frayed nerves on a higher, more precarious
edge than they had been. I followed his posture and leaned back, but instead of
holding my stomach in gut busting laughter, I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Is that what you think this is?” he
gasped. “Christ, I could have slept with at least seventy women since you.”
“Is that supposed to win me over?”
“Yes,” he answered seriously. “I have no
problem picking women up.”
I didn’t doubt that. Hadn’t since the
night I’d met him. It was the charisma, the mega-watt smile, the sultry
sex-filled voice. His body, smile, voice, and touch promised a good night in
the making if one simply took his hand.
I want to
take his fucking hand. . .
“Good, then you won’t be alone tonight,”
I replied, moving to rise from the table when he reached out and grabbed my
arm, stopping me.
“I don’t want other women, Francesca. I
want you,” he said, the smile missing from his face.
“I’ve wanted nothing but you since
November.”
I shook my head.
“I’m not like other women, Mr. O’Neill.”
“Please, call me—”
“Rory, it doesn’t matter what I call you.
The message will remain the same.”
“Didn’t you ever stop to think that maybe
that’s what I like about you?” he countered.
No, no I didn’t. Being different is what
set me apart—in a bad way. That’s what makes people dislike me. Not that I mind that—being disliked. I’ve spent the
majority of my life being different,
being an outsider. I am the woman that I am, with the issues I have, and that
fact will never change. I’m proud of the obstacles I have overcome and look
forward to defeating the ones that are waiting in the wings.
“You don’t know me to know whether you
like me or not,” I argued. My dad had always told me I’d be great for the
debate team.
“I know what I felt with you.”
“You felt tequila,” I replied. “And my
vagina. Go find some Cuervo and a willing participant and repeat.”
“First, I have a high tolerance. That
tequila barely touched me. Quit trying to downplay what happened between us.
Take a little responsibility.”
“Ha!” I belted, placing a hand over my
mouth. “Listen, we had a really great time. But I don’t date, I don’t do
romance or happily ever after. That’s not written in my stars.”
“What is written in your stars?” he asked
with a quirk of the brow.








“A bright future with me, myself, and I.”




About the Author


J. L. Vallance is a wife, mom, and nurse by day, while posing as a writer by night. Plagued with an overactive imagination, a lover of all things supernatural in nature, she has an extraordinary flair for the dramatic that adds flavor to life. There’s little in her world that Otis Redding and buttercream icing can’t fix. And of course, coffee always helps too. True story.



             

Giveaway

One single anchor bracelet

One anchor and infinity bracelet

One anchor necklace with stamped pendant that says "You are my anchor".

One necklace with a gun charm and a stamped pendant that says "I keep a close watch on this of mine".

And two ecopies of Madness



Sunday, September 14, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Tressie by Blaine Hislop SPOTLIGHT

Tressie


by Blaine Hislop

Genre: Horror 

Tour Organizer: N K Author Services



Framed for the horrific murder of her daughter, a mentally disabled Tressie is denied justice in the courtroom, as well.. Sentenced to die, she is brutalized, tormented, and humiliated in prison before she's put to death. 
That should have been the end of it. And for many it is. But for those left with nightmares, the terrifying screams that start echoing across the valley years later are a warning. 
When nervous, frightened, townspeople demand the source of the screams be found and stopped, Mayor Trebellhorn calls in a team of Ghost Hunters. 
As Travis and his team are sent in to investigate the long abandoned prison, they quickly learn that there's still one prisoner that's been waiting a long time to be set free...





Blaine Hislop is a researcher and writer from Canada who splits his time between the Frozen North and the Dominican Republic. He is married and loves a good scare. Tressie told him to write this book, so he did