Something's Coming Giveaway Winner

Thanks so much for helping us celebrate our Something's Coming pax this week! But now it's time to pick the winner for giveaway, and the winner is...

Jen CW!

I have your email, so expect to hear from us soon.

Don't forget to stop by in March, when we'll have a brand new pax all about dragons. See you then!

Sparking An Idea...resulting in Pandemonia by Darcy Abriel

It doesn’t take much when you’re talking about a writer’s fertile imagination, to spark a story. One headline this time fueled a world-building that took me to Pandemonia. “Incarceration rates increase.” That’s it.

Add in one very naive researcher, mix in one very jaded prisoner. Throw in a dangerous and deadly environment. Strip about past, deny a future, liberally sprinkle in a vast scientific agency with the power of life and death over the inhabitants of the Pandemonia sector. This is the world that Dr. Swane Fox has unwittingly stepped into.

This is Swane’s journey, his fate, or maybe a better term would be his destiny, and it’s not determined by the turn of one card, nor a rather random spread. But it is the hero’s journey as depicted in the symbology of the Major Arcana. Swane’s journey is a complete circle, but he is changed as he follows his journey, his eyes are opened to possibilities, to challenges, and he ends up discovering what his true destiny is.

The power of love changes us for better or for worse. Discovering our soul mate isn’t always an easy path to follow. But in discovering our destiny, love can add powerful magic to our journey and add meaning and dimensionality and purpose in our lives. This is the story of Swane’s journey, as he meets the challenges of the unknown and steps outside of safety.

Fortuity is a step into the world of Pandemonia. Watch for more stories, including the upcoming Combustible, which is the the story of Drayce, a dragoen mutant, and his newest captive, Crispen.

But for now, here’s an excerpt from Fortuity, where fortune, love, and destiny collide.

*_*_*

The Fool - A beginning to the journey. Perhaps fraught with peril. Infinite possibility abounds…as well as danger.

*_*_*

Ground Zero. Pandemonia Penal Colony, one of a number of penal sectors that populated the Old Earth of 4035 after the destruction that had turned the planet into a wasteland following the intergalactic war that had put Earth at the very center of the battle.

“You will receive no special considerations while you’re inside,” the commandant at the palace said, as he reviewed Swane’s papers, stamped them, and handed him a special magnetic identification card, then gave them back to Swane.

Sucking in even a shallow breath was painful. He was certain a few ribs were broken and who knew what else. The next thing he realized was that he was naked beneath the blanket. Well, naked except for the bracing bandage around his torso. Someone had obviously undressed him, and then tended to his wounds.

He gazed around the room, noticing shelves with books and tools and wooden crates filled with odd assortments of round metal discs. Stacks of what looked like white cloth were piled around the room. And finally he saw a big man in rough clothing seated on a bench in front of a tall worktable, hunched over and using a soldering iron, several wooden frames were spread across the table that looked like wide embroidery hoops like what he’d seen his

mother use for her tapestries.

Swane tried to sit up, and he groaned, dizziness swamping him as his bare feet touched the floorboards. Where was he? The last thing he recalled was being air dropped into Pandemonia, and the excitement he’d felt in the realization that all he’d worked for the last two years would finally come to fruition. It had taken a good many bribes to gain him this opportunity to study the behavior of this confined society.

The dark-haired man glanced at Swane. “Hmm. So you’re awake,” he said in a gruff voice.

“How did I get here? And exactly where am I?” Swane asked.

“Lots of questions for someone whose first day down almost got him killed right off.”

Swane searched around, frantically looking for his satchel, which contained everything he’d brought with him. Barter goods, clothing, food, his identity cards in order to get him out when he’d completed his work.

“Where’s my bag?” Moving quickly was not an option. He wrapped the blanket around his bruised and aching body, and slowly rose to his feet.

“No bag. No nothing. You remember anything?”

*_*_*

Pandemonia: Fortuity by Darcy Abriel is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

The Moon by Sean Michael

I couldn’t resist contributing to this PAX collection, when the call for “Tarot” came in. I enjoyed writing a prologue that used the cards as a way to push off the story.

Danny McMann has been busy on pack business for weeks and just wants to spend the upcoming full moon deep in the woods with his pack, running, hunting, napping and generally goofing off. The last thing he wants to hear is that they’ve got another man on their hands who’s been bitten and is about to turn with the arrival of the full moon.

Hammond Argyle was in a bar fight a few weeks ago and was bitten by his assailant. He’s been in a foul mood ever since and it’s only getting worse. As is the way, his skin itches and feels like it doesn’t fit him anymore. So when someone starts lurking around, following him, it’s about all he can take.

Will Danny be able to help Hammond through his first change and beyond?

It’s currently 35% off the regular price!

Smutty Excerpt:

It was real then. Last night. The…” Argie waved a hand around inclusively.

“Change. Others call it shifting or wolfing. You were amazing.”

“It was… I’ve never felt anything like it.” Argie shook his head. “I feel like I should be angry, but I just want to throw you down and fuck your brains out.”

Oh. Now, that was interesting.

“Are you sure I’m gay?” Danny was sure, but that didn’t mean anyone else could be without asking him first.

Argie snorted. “No. What I am sure of is that you’re mine.” As soon as he said the words, Argie looked surprised by them, then he nodded. “Yeah, that’s right.”

“Pardon?” No. No way. Danny was not going to the mates place.

“You heard me, Danny.” Argie stepped up to him and tugged him up from where he was sitting on the ground, pulling him up against the strong body.

Oh. Oh, right. Nakedness. Yippee! He could totally handle a little hanky-panky. As reactions went, it sure beat getting the shit kicked out of him.

When he didn’t struggle, Argie dropped his head, bringing their mouths together in a hard kiss. He plastered himself against Argie, taking what he needed, what he craved. It had been so long.

Argie’s hands landed on his ass, fingers digging in and Danny jerked, the pressure intense and surprising. Deep. Lifting him, Argie bit at his lips as they moved to the side of the trailer. Argie pushed him up against the trailer wall, pressing eagerly against him.

This was surprising. Interesting. Delicious.

Cold wall and hot man, the opposing sensations keeping him awake, aware. Growls and moans filled his mouth. And what the hell. What could it hurt? One hard fuck? The first one he’d had in months and months.

Danny dived into the kiss, fighting for dominance, but Argie fought to keep it, refusing to give up control.

Arousal flooded him at that, and he keened softly. Argie called back to him, grabbing up his legs and helping him put them around Argie’s waist.

“Oh, fuck. Yes.” Danny arched, rubbing them together hard.

“Gonna fuck you. Got lube?”

“Somewhere? Oil? Yeah.”

“Condoms?”

Of course Argie wouldn’t know their kind couldn’t get sick. “We don’t share diseases, pup.”

“I’m not a pup.” Argie’s growl was immediate, sure.

“No?” Because Danny was pretty sure that Argie was—a brand spanking new wolf.

“No.” The word was snarled and he was pushed up hard against the side of the trailer. This time, Argie’s kiss threatened to eat him completely up. It stole his breath, the sensation like being in the center of a hurricane.

Sean Michael

smut fixes everything

www.seanmichaelwrites.com

*_*_*

The Moon by Sean Michael is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

The King of Hell's Kitchen by A.J. Llewellyn & D.J. Manly

A.J.:

As a writer, I am always on the lookout for stories. Ever since I attended a dazzling lecture in New York City 20 years ago by the wonderful mystery novelist Mary Higgins Clark, I have pondered her suggestions of suppose, what if, and why each time I hear or read a tantalizing tale. 

A few years ago, my brother and I went to New York for a long weekend. He was looking to purchase a small pad in the city so that when he made business trips there he’d have a place to stay. We plunged full tilt into the world of executive real estate and I was astonished at the things I learned.

New York isn’t what it used to be. His old stomping ground of Greenwich Village no longer has the crummy walk-ups. Even Dylan Thomas’s old watering hole, the White Horse Tavern seemed to have had a bit of a facelift, and Harlem has the hottest, most sought-after restaurants in town!

We wandered through the midtown neighborhood of Clinton, which to me will always be Hell’s Kitchen no matter how much they pretty it up. As my grandma used to say, you can take a pig, put earrings, shoes and a dress on her and call her Monique, but she’s still a pig.

I was shocked at how gentrified the neighborhood was and I missed the decrepit old streets, though the Bowery is still pretty much Skid Row… and I was amazed that Hell’s Kitchen had become a gay Mecca and was commonly called a gayborhood.

My brother ended up not buying anything but when a murder happened in the heart of the most expensive street in Hell’s Kitchen during our visit, I thought, suppose, what if, and why and an idea for a book began bubbling in my mind. I was thrilled when I remembered it and suggested an idea to my frequent co-author D.J. Manly.

As usual, our thoughts ran on identical, parallel lines. The intriguing thing was that once we’d established our basic premise, we switched our typical POVs for this story. D.J. always gets the cops, I get their wacky love interests. This time, I got the good guy and D.J. got the head case, er, I mean, the fascinating Casey Baddock. It was a totally fun and absorbing task blending my interests in crime, sex, and the mystical realm (in this case, tarot) for this twisty, chilling mystery.

D.J.: 

The minute A.J. mentioned this idea to me, a character came to mind. I too often think in the “what if” vein and with that, my character came to mind. I wanted a complex man, someone who’d had a history that would allow the reader to trace the line to the exact place he’d settled into when the story began. As a writer, I’ve always been fascinated by character complexity. Since Casey is a professional Dom, I needed to understand what had led him to this place, without judging him.

The world is filled with imagery and indeed examples of domination and submission, and everything in between. Indeed the creation and shaping of the world as we know it rests on the premise that some groups have dominated over others. The way we think, the values we hold, are they not a result of which groups have held sway over the various societies. The struggle between groups continues today and will continue, moving and changing the world as it goes. The world today would be unrecognizable to our ancestors, and will be foreign to those who inhabit it, three hundred years from now. 

Casey feels safe as a Dom, and that power he holds in sexual situation is intricately woven into the fabric of who he is as a man. He has learned to see beneath the surface, to understand the pressures of everyday life, and to understand that some of the strongest sometimes just need to let go. 

When sexual power, be it the ability to completely submit or dominate, is combined with madness, it sometimes spells murder. If obsession demands complete possession, what does that mean to someone who is insane, and how do you attain it?

Read the book, and find out. ☺ 

*_*_*

Don’t forget to post a comment here and/or all five posts this week for a chance to win copies of ALL FIVE Amber PAX™ “Something’s Coming” stories!

The King of Hell’s Kitchen is available now at Amber Quill Press. 

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2128-The-King-Of-Hell-s-Kitchen.aspx

Synopsis:

Tarot cards and BSDM spell “Murder” in Hells’ Kitchen...

Throughout his career as a New York homicide detective, Nash McCleery has seen his share of curious killings, but the latest murders in Hell’s Kitchen come complete with both torture and tarot cards. His search for the murderer leads him to the upscale apartment of Casey Baddock, a professional Dom-for-hire. Nash soon realizes that the only way to catch the killer may be for him to play the role of a sub in a BSDM dungeon.

Casey Baddock is all about control, but McCleery is making him feel a little off center. Can Casey help Nash find a murderer without surrendering his heart?

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Mystery / Detective / BDSM / 

Ménage (M/M/M) / Group Sex/Voyeurism 

Heat Level: 3 

Advisory: This book contains some material that may not be suitable for the more sensitive reader. Length: Extended Novella (34k words)

A.J. Llewellyn

email: ajllewellyn@gmail.com

website: www.ajllewellyn.com

www.facebook.com/aj.llewellyn

www.twitter.com/ajllewellyn

D. J. Manly

Email: dj@djmanlyfiction.com

Website: djmanlyfiction.com

www.facebook.com/dj.djmanlyfiction

Deserves to be Adored by T.A. Chase

Hello everyone. T.A. Chase here and I’d like to chat for a moment about my newest release, Deserves to be Adored. Obviously, it’s part of the Something’s Coming PAX, which deals with fortunes/tarot cards. 

Raleigh is an older guy, who works as an escort for the Santiago crime family. He’s done it since he was eighteen and really doesn’t have an issue with what he’s doing. The Santiagos take good care of him and the other escorts. He paid his own way through college by doing it and is proud of what he’s accomplished.

Joey is younger and drives the escorts to and from their clients. He’s the youngest son of the head of the crime family. He’s never thought less of the women and men who work for his family. Heck his mother would slap him upside the head if he disrespected any of them.

Raleigh and Joey never really had a lot to do with each other, then one day someone from Raleigh’s past shows up. Things start happening and that’s where Deserves begins. 

I hope if you get a chance to read it, you think it’s a little different take on the whole ‘rent boy’ story. Raleigh might not have had a choice when he started, but he stayed doing it because he liked the money and it helped give him some independence. I’m sure my crime family might be a little idealized and unusual, but that’s how they came to me. They didn’t seem the ‘normal’ mob family. 

Thanks for stopping by and checking Deserves to be Adored out. Have a great day. 

*_*_*

Deserves to be Adored by T.A. Chase is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

The Cookie Said "Red" by J.D. Walker

Red is the color of your heart's desire...

Blurb:

Cisco Boyd believes in fortune cookies and horoscopes, and he never doubts that the stars will lead him to the man of his dreams. One day, Cisco reads the little piece of paper inside his cookie which seems to imply that the color red could be the answer to his dream man. And when Cisco’s date turns up wearing a red shirt, he’s ecstatic. But the evening turns ugly and Cisco has to get assistance from the hotness that is Benjy McCrae, head of security in Cisco’s apartment building. The man’s stern demeanor doesn’t invite too much speculation, except, after this debacle, Cisco sees Benjy with new eyes, including the part of the man’s security uniform that’s always been there: his red tie. It could be that the stars are finally in his favor.   

  

Excerpt:

Saturday afternoon found me in the park with Amy and her four-year-old twin girls, Shannon and Sharon. As they played in the sandbox, I brought her up to speed.

“No way! But the date started out so well,” Amy said, while keeping a careful eye on the children.

“It did. Jamie was so nice, and really great in bed, but the way he went about getting in my pants was so underhanded, not to mention his anger management issues. It was like a switch flipped, and hello, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”

“Yeah, what a jerk! That was a really close call, Cisco.” Shannon came over to get a hug from her mother before running back to play with her sister.

“But something good came out of it,” I added. “Benjy McCrae.” 

Amy pursed her lips. “I’ve seen him from time to time when I stop by to visit you, but I would never have even thought you’d be his type. He seems so rigid. Then again, maybe you need someone like that to keep you in line. Or try to, anyway.” She snickered. 

“There’s nothing wrong with my lines, thank you very much. But he sure surprised the hell out of me. I’m not complaining, though. And better yet, he also believes in astrology. What are the odds, huh?”

Amy snickered. “Slim to none, my dear.”

“Nonbeliever.” I nudged her in the ribs, and she nudged me back.

The twins ran back over to us, screaming that they were thirsty. While Amy handed over small bottles of orange juice, she asked, “So what’s the deal with this evening?”

“Dunno. Dinner, at least. A getting to know you sort of thing. I don’t care what you call it. Just spending time with him will be glorious. I want to learn more about him before…” I glanced at the girls and whispered, “You know.”

“Yes, I know.” Amy wiped the twins’ faces and sent them back out to the sandbox. “I hope this one turns out to be a winner. He’s not like your usual find, so maybe you’re onto something, at long last.” I silently agreed.

At five minutes to seven, I knocked on Benjy’s door, a chilled bottle of wine under my arm. I heard “Just a second!” from inside his apartment, and in a short time, he stood before me.

“Hey, there,” he said, a grin on his face as he stepped back to allow me inside after I handed him the bottle. This was the most I’d seen him smile since I’d met the man when I moved here.

“Hey yourself,” I replied, waiting while he locked the door. I looked him over quickly. Benjy was dressed in pressed jeans that lovingly embraced his legs, and a short-sleeved burgundy shirt left open over a white T-shirt that showcased every muscle known to man…and then some. Have mercy.

“You look like dinner to me,” I said, leering at him. “What are you having?” Cheeky as ever, that was me.

“You’ll know when it happens,” he replied, with a smirk. “Did you pour yourself into that outfit? Not that I’m complaining.” I’d chosen to wear tight black jeans that showcased my long legs and taut ass, and a snug lilac-colored polo shirt. Benjy ran a hand slowly down my back to grab my ass and yank me against his hard body.

All thought fled and the only thing I could say was “uh.”

*_*_*

The Cookie Said "Red" by J.D. Walker is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Something's Coming

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Something's Coming AmberPax™ Collection. Buy all five together and receive a 35% discount! To purchase any of the titles individually, click on the covers below to go to the books' separate pages. 

The Cookie Said "Red" by J.D. Walker Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Deserves to be Adored by T.A. Chase Novella (Gay)

The King of Hell's Kitchen by A.J. Llewellyn & D.J. Manly Extended Novella (Gay)

The Moon by Sean Michael Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Pandemonia: Fortuity by Darcy Abriel Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (2/15-2/20) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Pandemonia: Fortuity by Darcy Abriel

(Part of the Pandemonia series)

Earth of 4035 is a wasteland populated with sectors of penal colonies, seeded through the generations by its life-long inhabitants of criminals, lunatics, political prisoners, and DNA-spliced mutants, all ruled by a powerful conglomerate of scientific researchers called the Nucleate.

One such sector, Pandemonia, is situated on the former European continent in the vicinity of Paris, now a hunting ground of a world gone horribly awry.

When Dr. Swane Fox, a behavior scientist from the peaceful planet named Daudulis 40, enters Pandemonia to study its criminal society in an effort to save Earth, he is assaulted. Only a stroke of good fortune keeps him alive when a surly, uncommunicative prisoner named August steps in to save him.

Now, without a way out of Pandemonia since everything he owns has been stolen, Swane realizes his only hope of survival is accepting August’s offer to become his protector—for a price.

Both men have ulterior motives for joining forces, yet if anyone discovers their true goals, they will end up dead. Will lies, mistrust, and initial hatred prevent Swane and August from learning the truth about each other, to give in to their most passionate desires and perhaps even finding love in the least likely of places? Or will their destinies destroy them first?

Genres: Gay/Science Fiction/Futuristic/Menage (M/M/M)/Group Sex/Series
Heat Level: 3

Length: Extended Amber Kiss (17k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...The man spun around on his bench to face Swane. He eyed him with the darkest, most sexual look Swane had ever seen.

“Pretty thing,” the man commented. “You’d have no problems making your way bartering your body for whatever you need. There are plenty of places that would put you to work.”

Swane pulled the blanket closer, his panic just about choking him. This was not how he’d envisioned things would happen. He wanted to study these criminals close up, but he’d never thought he’d find himself in a situation such as this.

Yet his father was always warning him about acting rashly. Like the time he’d eaten that jar of pickled kaylar peppers when he was ten. His mouth and stomach had burned for a week because he’d thought if one was good, a whole jar was better. This time that rashness had gotten him in quite the pickle.

“I-I wouldn’t do something like that. I-I don’t do that.”

The man shrugged. He spun around to work on…whatever project in which he was engaged. “Guess you’ll starve then, won’t you? Unless you’ve got some other skill to work with. But I’d guess fucking would be your fastest route to finding a protector.”

“A protector?”

The man put on a pair of magnifier goggles and turned his attention to the soldering project. “Kid, you’ve got no survival skills. I can tell that. You’re gonna end up dead, raped, savaged, or some gang’s cute little bitch to do with as they please…until you’re all used up. You’ll be lucky if you last a week once you hit the streets. Here you’re either the predator or the prey. There ain’t no in-between.”

Predator or prey. But hadn’t Swane known that when he’d decided on this course? But the difference between what was written in the books, researching from a distance, and encountering the reality were obviously two very different animals.

“Why did you save me?” Swane asked, knowing he had but one chance to survive his fate. One man or many? Take his chances out there, or give himself a chance to acclimatize, by staying with this man?

The man shrugged. “Who knows? Sometimes I do stupid shit that makes no sense to me one way or the other. I was out scavenging and saw you drop.”

Painfully, Swane stood. “My name is Swane Fox. What’s yours?”

The man glanced at him. “Why do you want to know?”

Swane, heart pounding in his chest, gulped and let the blanket drop, exposing himself fully to the man who had saved his life.

“I owe you. And I think maybe you and I can come to some kind of agreement. If you let me stay here, with you, I’ll do whatever you want.”

The man chuckled. Lasciviously his gaze swept over Swane’s body, and Swane tried to keep from shuddering at the enormity of what he’d just offered a man he knew was a criminal in exchange for his safety...

The Moon by Sean Michael

Danny McMann has been busy on pack business for weeks and just wants to spend the upcoming full moon deep in the woods with his pack, running, hunting, napping and generally goofing off. The last thing he wants to hear is that they’ve got another man on their hands who’s been bitten and is about to turn with the arrival of the full moon.

Hammond Argyle was in a bar fight a few weeks ago and was bitten by his assailant. He’s been in a foul mood ever since and it’s only getting worse. As is the way, his skin itches and feels like it doesn’t fit him anymore. So when someone starts lurking around, following him, it’s about all he can take.

Will Danny be able to help Hammond through his first change and beyond?

Genres: Gay/Dark Fantasy/Werewolf/Shapeshifter/Paranormal
Heat Level: 3

Length: Extended Amber Kiss (13k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Fanny, the grizzled old seer, nodded sagely and pulled another card from her deck.

The Death card. Endings, beginnings, change, transformation, transition. Fuck a duck, that was Danny’s card.

He sighed, rolled his eyes. “Okay. Okay, I’ll go make sure he knows the rules, doesn’t freak out, blah, blah, blah. No more anyone biting anybody else though, okay? I’m totally not doing this every weekend.”

Chuckling at him, Fanny pulled another card, and one of her bushy gray eyebrows went up. Then she smiled and tucked all three cards back into the deck. “You’ll probably not need to worry about it again.”

“No? Good deal.” Danny leaned in, kissed her dry dusty cheek. “You have a name for me?”

“Do I have to do everything for you young pups these days?” she asked.

“Absolutely. We’re spoiled rotten.” Not to mention it would be infinitely easier to track this guy down if he had a name, and they were right on the cusp of the moon—time was of the essence.

She swatted at him, then her gaze went inside, eyes staring through him for a moment. She blinked, coming back to the present. “Hammond Argyle.”

“Argyle? Do we even allow people called Argyle be wolves?”

“We don’t seem to have had a choice, impertinent pup. And you’d better get going if you’re going to be in the city before the moon brings its changes.” Her gruff words belied the fact that she liked him. Danny could see the fondness in her eyes, still bright as the sky despite her extreme age.

“I’m headed out. I’ll be in touch.” He just wanted to get this done so he could enjoy a break.

“Try not to leave a trail of havoc behind you, Danny.” Rich could growl when he wanted to.

“You got it!” Like the so-called havoc was ever his fault. He wasn’t the one biting people, only cleaning up the messes after those who were.

“No havoc,” Rich called out again as Danny headed out.

“Nope! Havoc free, that’s my motto! No havoc at all.” Right. Trouble followed him like a shadow whether it was of his making or not. And Rich’s snort said he was thinking exactly the same thing...

The King of Hell's Kitchen by A.J. Llewellyn & D.J. Manly

Tarot cards and BSDM spells “Murder” in Hells’ Kitchen...

Throughout his career as a New York homicide detective, Nash McCleery has seen his share of curious killings, but the latest murders in Hell’s Kitchen come complete with both torture and tarot cards. His search for the murderer leads him to the upscale apartment of Casey Baddock, a professional Dom-for-hire. Nash soon realizes that the only way to catch the killer may be for him to play the role of a sub in a BSDM dungeon.

Casey Baddock is all about control, but McCleery is making him feel a little off center. Can Casey help Nash find a murderer without surrendering his heart?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Mystery/Detective/BDSM/Menage (M/M/M)/Group Sex/Voyeurism

Heat Level: 3
Advisory: This book contains some material that may not be suitable for the more sensitive reader. 
Length: Extended Novella (34k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Nash McCleery took a seat on his designer sofa. He spent some time looking around, seeming particularly intrigued by one of the paintings on the wall, the torso and lower body of a naked man, sans head. “Where did you get that?” he asked.

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“It’s okay.” McCleery made a face.

“Everyone’s a critic,” Casey said, pouring some Scotch from the bar. “Can I pour you one?”

“I’m on duty.” Nash looked at him. “It seems to me you’ve been in this place for a while, but I’m told by a friend of Joshua’s that you just picked up a rent-controlled apartment.”

“Right.” Casey snorted. “Does this look like a rent-controlled apartment to you?”

“No. That’s why I’m asking.”

He seemed annoyed. Casey liked pissing off people. Especially stressed-out cops. He stood watching McCleery, sipping the drink. “I’m sure that irritating woman Sonia told you that. She was always telling me to leave Joshua. I told her I’d found a place. It made her happy. I frankly think she was infatuated with Joshua. So, anyway, why aren’t you arresting me?”

McCleery tilted his head. “Should I?”

“You’re the cop.”

“This is a nice sofa. Five or six grand?”

“About that.”

“You’re just full of bullshit, aren’t you, Casey?”

Casey put down the glass. “Can you be more specific?”

McCleery rubbed his palms on his thighs. He moved his neck around a bit. He seemed a tense guy, probably with a lot of stress at work, Casey deduced. The man carried the world on those broad shoulders of his. Those types of men burned out fast. The mean bastards with no sensitivity went on and on, but were far less effective at their jobs.

“Tell me about Chris Phantom and Joshua Clayton.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Joshua is dead.”

Casey’s expression didn’t change. “That’s too bad.”

“You must have known.”

“How? Because I killed him, Detective?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“No. You didn’t have to.”

Then something dawned on Casey. The cop did say he was Nash McCleery, Chris’s Nash McCleery. Shit.

“How did you meet Chris Phantom?”

“I could ask you the same question.” Casey met his gaze.

Nash looked startled for a moment, then regained his composure. “He told you about me.”

“He mentioned you, yes. Said you broke his heart.”

Nash laughed.

“That’s what I thought,” Casey replied. “Chris doesn’t have much of a heart to work with. Let’s say you chipped it.”

“Let’s say that.” McCleery seemed to be growing impatient. “How can you afford this place? You were living with Joshua, not paying any rent.”

“Sonia tell you that?”

“She could have.”

“Oh. Did you tell you she wanted to watch me and Joshua go at it?”

“Ah, no. She left out that part.”

“Bet she did,” Casey said. He worked his way over to the chair. He wasn’t sure how his legs managed to hold him steady.

“So shall we start over? I ask one question and you answer, and stop trying to fuck with my head. You’re good at it.”

Casey smiled. “I’m the Master...”

Deserves to Be Adored by T.A. Chase

Joey Santiago works for his uncle, the de facto leader of the Santiago crime family. His usual job is to drive escorts to and from their appointments with high-paying clients. He likes his duties well enough and doesn’t judge the escorts for making money off sex. So when his uncle asks him to check on the welfare of Raleigh Patterson, one of the male escorts, Joey does as he’s ordered without question, especially since he’s grown fond of the attractive man.

Raleigh has been an escort for the Santiagos since he turned eighteen. They treat him well and he’s even been able to put himself through college with the money he earns. But now that he’s in his thirties, he worries that getting older will soon hurt his livelihood since many clients prefer young twinks. Plus, he’s having difficulties with his homophobic family insisting he return home to Louisiana and take his place as the head of his mother’s coven. When Raleigh refuses their demand, they resort to violence, kidnapping, and witchcraft to force him to change his mind.

When Joey discovers that Raleigh has been beaten, he can’t stop himself from getting involved in the man’s troubles. Even as the attraction between them grows, Raleigh and Joey must figure out a way to save Raleigh from the ruthless plots of the coven. And if they don’t find a solution soon, Raleigh could lose everything he’s come to cherish...including Joey.

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Fantasy/Witchcraft/Magic/Paranormal

Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (28k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Joey headed toward Raleigh’s apartment, hoping nothing bad had happened to the guy. Joey liked Raleigh, though he didn’t see him often. Raleigh was one of the older escorts, and he had his own designated driver when he went out. He also had a set list of clients and rarely took new ones. The Santiagos charged a lot of money for a night with Raleigh. From what Joey heard, he was worth it.

The women and men who worked for the Santiagos were treated well. They actually got to keep a good portion of their earnings. Mostly because Lorna believed that people who were good at their jobs should be paid what they’re worth. Even if they’re whores and rent boys. It kept them happy, and happy workers meant less hassle for the family.

After leaving the car in the parking complex a block from Raleigh’s building, Joey strolled up the steps to the intercom, then pushed the button for Raleigh’s apartment.

A few minutes later, Raleigh said, “Hello?”

He smiled at the faint accent in the man’s voice. Raleigh had moved up north when he was sixteen, but he still had a slight Southern drawl.

“Hey, Raleigh, it’s Joey Santiago. Uncle Frank sent me over to check and make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, Joey. You tell Frank I’ll call him tomorrow.”

Joey’s gut didn’t like how Raleigh rushed out those reassurances. “Ah, you know it doesn’t work that way. He’ll just keep sending me back here until I lay eyes on you. So you might as well let me in this time.”

Raleigh’s tired sigh came over the intercom, and Joey wanted to wrap the man up in a tight hug. Which was weird because Joey only tended to hug the girls and would never presume to touch Raleigh in that way. Not because he was a guy or anything like that.

Hell, Joey’d fucked a couple guys when he wanted to get his rocks off and there weren’t any girls around. He’d never thought about whether he was straight, bi, or gay. Sex was sex, no matter who he did it with.

No, that wasn’t why he’d never thought about touching Raleigh. There was something elegant and regal in the way Raleigh carried himself. A way that said he might sell his body for money, but he’d never sold his soul. His self-worth wasn’t tied up in what he did for a living, though Joey wouldn’t be shocked if Raleigh wasn’t damn proud of how he’d paid his way through college and could support himself rather well with this job.

Raleigh never seemed ashamed of who he was and what he did. It was that self-acceptance and confidence that both scared and attracted Joey, and caused him to treat Raleigh differently from the others.

“All right, Joey. I’ll let you in.”

The buzzer sounded, unlocking the door. After Joey entered the foyer, he waited until the door shut and relocked, not wanting someone who didn’t belong there to slip in behind him. He’d seen enough movies and TV shows to know that was one way bad guys got into places they shouldn’t.

Once the entrance was secure, he wandered to the elevators, then punched in Raleigh’s floor. While riding up, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Candice about getting Rocky to come pick her up when she was done. She was a good girl and wouldn’t complain since Rocky was a cool guy.

Uncle Frank had to be careful about hiring guys to drive around the escorts. A lot of the drivers seemed to have the idea their job meant they could get free pussy. Joey and Rocky talked to each new hire, letting him know the escorts were off limits, unless the girls—or guys—themselves said it was okay.

He knocked on Raleigh’s door and waited.

“Is that you, Joey?” Raleigh called through the wood.

“Yeah, Raleigh. It’s me.”

His smile disappeared when Raleigh opened the door, revealing a split lip and black eye...

The Cookie Said "Red" by J.D. Walker

Cisco Boyd, an outgoing thirty-five-year-old, believes in fortune cookies and horoscopes. Despite his lack of success in finding a steady boyfriend, Cisco never doubts the stars will eventually lead him to the man of his dreams.

One day, Cisco reads the fortune inside a cookie that says, “Red is the color of your heart’s desire.” So when Cisco’s date turns up wearing a red shirt, he’s ecstatic. But things don’t go as planned. After the date turns ugly, Cisco finds himself locked in his bathroom and calling the front desk of his apartment building for assistance.

Benjy McCrae, head of security, comes to his rescue. Cisco has always appreciated the hotness that is Benjy McCrae, but the man’s stern demeanor has never invited too much speculation...until now. Suddenly, Cisco sees Benjy with new eyes, including the part of the man’s security uniform that’s always been there—his red tie.

Perhaps Cisco’s “heart’s desire” has been right under his nose all along. But are the stars finally aligned in his favor?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Interracial/Multicultural

Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (13k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...I decided to gather my nerve and test the waters. What could it hurt? I had just narrowly escaped a bad-news date, and my savior was before me, as scrumptious as ever. Maybe my “heart’s desire” was closer than I thought, and had been all along, long before I’d ever read that stupid fortune cookie. Hell, I was curious at the very least, though that had killed many cats before me. I was never one to pass up an opportunity for love.

“Am I so hard to get along with?” I asked, walking to where Benjy stood next to the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room. I saw him try valiantly to not notice the extra oomph I added to my hips as I approached. He was definitely interested, but trying to be a gentleman. Score.

His expression turned wary as he watched me. “Not at all, Mr. Boyd.”

I stopped a foot away from him. “So, why don’t you call me Cisco?”

“It’s easi—”

I cut him off. “You said that. Why, Benjy?”

He turned and walked to the door, his firm stride getting him there quickly. “I have to get back to work. Paperwork, you know.” He opened door and headed down the hall with a purpose.

I went in hot pursuit and got ahead of him at the elevator. “Not so fast, mister. I know you’re man enough to face me.” I blocked the DOWN button by standing in front of it, staring him in the eye. “Am I so hideous that you can’t give me a straight answer?”

“God, no!” he burst out. “You’ve got to know you’re hotter than—” Benjy clamped his mouth shut and leaned to the left to press the button hidden behind my back.

I smiled. “Now we’re getting somewhere. So, you don’t think I’m ugly. You think I’m hot, and you want to keep things professional because it’s easier.” I waved away the nonsense of those words. “I don’t see why we should. You don’t work for me, you work for the building. And”—I stepped closer and placed a hand on his finely made chest—“if it helps at all, I read a fortune cookie the other day that leads me to believe you may be my heart’s desire. Who are we to argue with the universe, right?”

His eyebrows raised at that, and then he blinked. Benjy fought a grin before saying, “A fortune cookie, huh? Well, I suppose that says it all, doesn’t it?” He shook his head and let out a gusty sigh. “I’m still on the job. Perhaps we should discuss this over breakfast. I’m working the night shift for one of my security guards. I’ll be off at seven o’clock. Too early for you?”

“Nope, I’m usually up by six, even on a weekend.” I placed my other hand on his chest and smoothed my way down to his waist. Fuck, there wasn’t an ounce of fat anywhere. Very nice. “What will you be in the mood for, besides me?” I teased as I slid my arms around to caress his back.

“Coffee and eggs, if you got ’em.” Benjy gently removed my hands from his lovely person.

“Done. How about a quick kiss to hold me over?” I asked, fluttering my eyelashes.

Benjy’s eyes danced at me. “You move fast, don’t you? I’ve seen you work that magic on many a man, Mr. Boyd, but while you are a very tempting morsel, I’m still at work. Patience, Cisco.”

He didn’t leave me hanging, though. Benjy took my hand and turned it palm-up to kiss my inner wrist, causing me to gasp in pleasure. “That should hold you over.”

The elevator dinged, and Benjy walked around me to enter it, his face back to being the bland professional, as was his usual demeanor. “Until the morning, Mr. Boyd...”