Perfect Connections Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with us! Without further ado, the winner of our giveaway is...

Eloreen Moon!

I have your address, so expect an email from us soon.

That's it for pax collections this year, but we'll be back in 2016 with so many more of our wonderful men for you to enjoy! 

The Story Behind the Story: Thank You, Ranch Romances by Deirdre O'Dare

I know a lot of readers are almost burned out on excerpts and the typical new release ballyhoo. Maybe it has been overdone? I cannot speak for all readers or even the larger part of them but I know I really like to get a peek behind the scenes and find out why an author chose to create a specific tale. What inspired her? What motivated him? Why this plot, this setting, these characters? So that is a favorite thing for me to share with all of you when it’s my turn to “say something” on the AQP blogs about a new work of mine.

Thank You, Ranch Romances is a special story to me. In a way, it is my own personal thank you to a real world magazine that helped brighten some of my hours very long ago. I grew up in a rural area, lived and worked in a ranch-type setting and other than the hours I spent in school, my social life was quite limited until I left home. In those days before the internet, mobile phones, texting/sexting and many things we now take for granted it was not easy to reach out beyond your immediate world.

I discovered pen pals in my mid teens and rode the heck out of that hobby horse for some years! I started with the kids’ section of Western Horseman magazine and moved on to the very real Ranch Romances pulp mag which lasted well into the 1960s. Although none of my contacts became long term romances, I do still have a couple of girlfriends who started as pen pals in those days. The temporary boyfriends-by-mail that I enjoyed saw me through lonely days until I met my first and later loves and future husband the more conventional way. 

First I have to admit my description of the “lurid” cover the first lead character notes is a notch off factual. Ranch Romances was one of the tamer pulps when it came to covers. The detective mags were the most notorious for the “dames in dishabille” style of cover art. The cover Trace (Trace Edward Zaber, part owner and cover artist for Amber Quill) did for my story is spot on, however. I wish I still had some of my old copies; they’d do well on eBay!!

Okay, now to the rest of the how and why. When the “getting connected” theme emerged on our list of potential PAX ideas, I had a vague thought of something much more modern. Then I wrote a short essay for my memoir writing group at the local senior center and this idea hit me right between the eyes! Yes! A “mail order bride” situation where one party ends up with a surprise. Perfect. It took some research to be as true to the era I chose as possible but I don’t think I pulled any major faux pas. Hope not anyway as I do value historical accuracy, even in nostalgia set tales.

Once I had this setting, I had to wait a short while for characters to appear. Wade came first, a rancher in a backward corner of New Mexico, my current home state. Okay. Why would he be seeking someone? Then the scene of his wife’s funeral emerged and I had that answer. Since this is a gay romance, who will respond to his ad? That’s when Darnell stepped out of the shadows.

My chosen era was much more restrictive and less gay-friendly than the very worst scenario in 2015. To be true to this time, there were a  lot of things I could not have these two do but I knew that even then, men did meet and fall in love and find ways to share their lives. Darnell brought a past with him which he shared with me. I knew he was the right guy to make this story work. Wade’s children had key roles to play, too, and in some ways they became the most real to me of all the characters along with Buck, the old cowboy Wade keeps on the payroll out of sympathy and respect. I did know him or some men very similar in those distant days. So, a tip of the Stetson to the past!

That’s the capsule version of the why and how of this story. It is a step outside the mainstream and the expected, perhaps, but those of you who have read Deirdre O’Dare before know that is almost a hallmark of my stories. I like to tackle a few social issues, some unusual plot twists, characters that may be unexpected and a bit unique. Readers tend to either love or hate my tales. I am okay with that for to paraphrase P.T. Barnum, you can’t please all of the people all of the time!  Enough seem to enjoy my work that I will keep on keeping on with it for as long as I can. Writing has been a lifelong joy to me and although I do not even pretend to be an exceptional writer, I know I am a natural born story teller, courtesy of the blood of many Celtic ancestors who were bards and tale weavers in the old traditional way of those folk.  Sit down now by the fire here and let me weave a little 1949 magic for you, even if your grandma was just a wee tyke in those days… 

*_*_*

Thank You, Ranch Romances by Deirdre O'Dare 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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 Magic of Texts by K-lee Klein

The original theme for this PAX was getting connected. I knew right away that I wanted to do a relationship based, or at least, started through texting. I wanted to take an old-fashioned blind date situation, shove it into a paper bag then shake the crap out of it.

In the end, my idea turned out more like the blind auditions on the reality show, The Voice, and that was exactly how I wanted it to go. I wanted the blind date feel—nervousness, insecurity, maybe even a little fear of what was going to happen—but tossed together with a little obscure knowledge of each other. I didn't want Lewis and Jerry getting too personal, didn't want them sharing whether they had blue eyes, were in good shape or wore sneakers or cowboy boots.

Mostly, I didn't want Lewis and Jerry to have a share their appearances. That's one of the best things about The Voice, the anonymity of not being seen as well as heard. The contestants are judged purely on how they sound, on the talent they have instead of what image they portray or how they look. 

I wanted that for Lewis and Jerry. I wanted them to be comfortable in knowing things about each other, maybe little quirks and mannerisms learned through the magic of texts. I didn't want someone setting them up on a real blind date, whispering in their ears about the other's curls or baldness, or how tall they were. I wanted that part to completely a surprise.

Hopefully I pulled it off and hopefully you'll enjoy reading Lewis and Jerry's Textual Attraction.

*_*_*

Textual Attraction by K-lee Klein 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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!

Not Without My Phone! by Heidi Champa

Everybody knows that person. The one who can’t put their phone down. The one who looks at it constantly, no matter what else is going on. The one who can’t be in a line or waiting room for 30 seconds before taking out their phone to see what’s going on in the world. Or, maybe you are that person. Today, with everything at our fingertips and in our pockets, it’s hard to imagine life without a smart phone. 

That is what my story, Not Without My Phone! is all about. In it, the main character, Keller James is a phone junkie. His smart phone is always with him and is his most trusted companion. His friend, Phillip, accuses him of being an addict, but Keller balks at that term. He thinks he’s doing just fine and that his phone usage is totally normal.

Until something happens that turns his world upside down, as he’s forced to reexamine everything. 

Here is an additional excerpt from Not Without My Phone!

Gus laughed, reaching into the popcorn bucket, his fingers brushing against mine for a moment. It felt so simple, but my stomach lurched all the same.

“I’m sure you’ll get through it. Besides, it should get easier as time goes on, not harder.”

“You’re the expert. You would know.”

A few other people started to trickle in, but they stuck mostly to the front. I couldn’t help but remark. “Why does everyone sit up front like that?”

“Because the screen is small. It’s not like a normal theater where everything is larger than life.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t think about it. Do you want to move closer?”

He shook his head, still chewing his popcorn. “I’m fine right here.”

“You sure?”

He leaned closer, until our faces were merely inches apart. “Yup. That way we can make out if we want to,” he said, his voice soft.

My heart sped up, the thunder of the beat making my head swim. The thought of kissing Gus was something I’d considered before the evening started, but I never thought in a million years he’d be the one to suggest it.

“Um, okay…” I said, unsure of how to proceed.

Something about his demeanor changed in an instant, his face stiff as he eased back, his laughter sounding tight and forced. “Relax, Kell. I was kidding. I know I’m not really your type.”

“What does that mean?” I asked more defensively than I meant to.

“Well, you know, I’m right here. I’m not some headless torso online.”

His words stung more than I thought they would, but at least I knew how he really felt about me. I turned my eyes to the screen, even though there were no mindless ads to take up my attention. I slowly chewed a piece of popcorn, trying to calm down. Part of me wanted to get up and leave, but I was frozen to my seat, unable to move.

“I guess you have me all figured out, Gus.”

I looked down at his hand, now resting on my forearm. I wanted to meet his eyes, but I just couldn’t.

“I’m sorry, Kell. That was a messed-up thing to say. I thought it would be funny, but it came out all wrong.”

I shook my head, reaching for the soda, but I couldn’t seem to get a grip on it.

“It’s okay. Understandable, really. You’re not exactly wrong about me. ‘Deep as a puddle’ is what Phillip likes to say.”

Gus shocked me when he put a finger to my cheek, turning me his way. “I don’t think that.”

“Sure you do. It’s okay. Hell, it’s what I think about myself. Hook-up apps are easy. It’s so much less work to hook up and not have to really put my heart out there. It lets me protect myself. Plus, it’s fun. Or, at least it can be. Sometimes, it’s fun in the moment, but afterward, well, more and more, lately, I feel empty. Afterward.”

I had no idea why I was telling Gus any of this, but it was too late to take it all back. I turned my focus to the blank screen, unable to look at him for another second. The silence stretched out between us and I feared I’d gone too far.

“Well, that hardly sounds shallow. Sounds to me like you’re afraid of getting hurt. Nothing strange about that. I feel the same way, except I avoid it all. I don’t even bother to try and put myself there.” He gave my arm a gentle squeeze.

I met his eyes as the lights went down, the projection booth springing to life behind us. Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and kissed Gus. It was stupid, impulsive and I waited for him to pull away.

Except he didn’t.

*_*_*

Not Without My Phone! by Heidi Champa 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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!

Excerpt for “MATES, INC”

Blurb:

Congratulations! You have a FATED MATE!

That was what the card said. Grey, an Alpha wolf shifter, laughed at it, though. Fated mate? What a joke! He had tried enough dating websites in the last month to choke a horse shifter and he was done with all of them. Besides, having a mate would mean joining a pack and that would just bring up a past Grey had no intention of doing.

But MATES, INC. had an agenda that would not be ignored or put off. Grey had a mate. And the powers that be were determined he was going to meet him come hell, high water, or a past best forgotten.

Excerpt

“Gotta feed the wolf.” 

That surprised him. “Excuse me?” he mumbled through his chewing. 

“Alpha, right?” 

“Mmm.” Grey nodded. How the hell had Kade known? Even though he was now probably considered a regular here, Coyote’s was open to anyone. Even humans, as Donlan had proven.  

As if Kade heard Grey’s unasked question, he leaned forward. “I could smell it.” He closed his eyes and slowly breathed in yet again, close enough to Grey to make him know that was exactly what he was doing. Kade stepped back and said, “I’m an Omega, after all. But you probably knew that.” 

Oh. Yeah. That made sense. For a second he was thrown off guard. The whole day had been unsettling, with the thought that his past had caught up to him and was front and center. Not that it would have been an issue. Just embarrassing. Alphas didn’t run away. Not good Alphas anyway. 

Suddenly, the appetite he’d thought he had was gone.  

Damn. He was over Nick. He was. Hell, the two of them had never even been together. There was nothing to get over. Still, he had dreamt about the man, had lost himself in daydreams of him. But lately, ever since he’d met Kade, he didn’t even think about the man. He was over that obsession. 

It was hard not belonging to a pack, though.  

Oh, he’d had offers. There were two or three major packs in the immediate area. But as hard as it was to not belong, to belong was harder yet. There was just so much to explain, and he wasn’t sure he was ever going to be ready. Not that a new pack would insist on knowing every detail. But they did need to know some things; like why he’d left, why a new pack was important to him, was he a danger to himself or others. Especially an Alpha. They would want to know the scars he carried so that they could figure out whether or not he would be a good addition or a detriment to his new pack. He knew that. He’d been on the committee in his old pack that had made those kinds of decisions and had seen some major, fucked-up scars on shifters. Oh yes, there was a long standard list of questions to answer. There was so much that a new pack had to consider, it was the reason he couldn’t move forward. His reasons for leaving were so…so…petty, so self-serving.  

But maybe that was the first step. Not finding a boyfriend or even a fuck buddy because that just seemed so wrong now. Finding a pack. Switching his focus to that would be better for him all the way around. 

Except even that decision made him feel absolutely pathetic. What the hell? Why was he so afraid to be alone? 

Crap, crap, crap! 

But was that it? He was afraid to be alone? 

No. Not afraid of being alone. Afraid of ending up alone. 

“Hey, something wrong with the steak?” 

Kade’s soft, encouraging voice broke through the fog of Grey’s black thoughts and he was grateful. It had been six months. Six solid months. It was time to move not only forward, but beyond. Point was, he had really been through absolutely nothing back then and he had put himself into this present hell hole. No one else was to blame.  

“No. Steak’s fine, just fine.” He absently took another piece into his mouth. Oh yeah. Steak was very fine. He closed his eyes as he savored it. That’s what he needed to do. He needed to think about the here and now. Not yesterday, when he’d thought Nick was who he wanted, and not tomorrow, when he had to face a life without Kade, a man he needed. Not even about this afternoon when he’d allowed something possibly very special to slip away.  

Only think about the steak.  

He licked his lips, capturing the juices and the flavor almost as if he were tasting that little wolf. He imagined that instead of losing him, he had caught him, forced him to surrender, forced him to submit. The smaller wolf would bare his throat and Grey would mark him with a mating bite.  

But, what about Kade? How could that small wolf out there in the woods have been his mate when all he could think about was Kade? Kade submitting, Kade baring his neck for the mating mark…

To buy: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2293-Mates-Inc.aspx 

Author bio:

Hurri Cosmo lives in Minnesota where she holds tight to the idea that there, where it’s cold a good part of the year, she won’t age as fast. Yep, she avoids the truth as much as she avoids mirrors. But one of the reasons she loves writing is reality doesn’t always offer up a “happily ever after” and being able to take control of that is a powerful lure. Being a happy ending junkie, writing just makes them easier to find. Oh, she doesn’t mind “real life” and she does try to at least keep it in mind when she writes her stories, but she truly loves creating a wonderful couple, knowing they will fall in love and have their HEA. Every - single - time. And, of course, that is exactly the reason she loves reading this genre, too. Give her a glass of red wine, some dark chocolate, and her computer, whether she is reading or writing, and she will entertain herself for hours. The fact she actually gets paid to do it is Snickers bars on the frosting on the cake.

You can find me at:

Website: http://hurricosmo.webs.com/
Blog: http://hurricosmo.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHurriCosmo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HurriCosmo

Other books by Hurri Cosmo:
Amber Allure:
How West Was Won
The Superior Jewel
Ice Dragon Tales (contains the first two books in the series, The Servant Prince and The Servant King)
The One
Forgetting Yesterday
Saving Jack
Talasar’s Elixir (Book one in the Dragon for Hire series)
Amber Moon (Part of the Intoxicating Fantasies series)
Chase and Capture
Baby, Think it Over
The Door Keeper
LADDERS
A Place to Belong
The Neighbors – A Vampire Story

*_*_*

Mates, Inc. by Hurri Cosmo 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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!

Making a Wish by Shawn Lane

BLURB

As a kid, Astronomy professor Marty Brooks kept in touch with a pen pal who lived on the other side of the country. Eventually that pen pal stopped responding to Marty’s letters, which always ended with “Making a Wish” for Marty’s love of space.

Now, as adults, Marty and his brother are big fans of a series of famous Sci-Fi movies. They head to a convention for the movie franchise where they hope to meet the hot actors. Marty is especially interested in meeting an actor he knows is openly gay, but instead he bumps into the star of the movies, Sebastian Lookinland, who is gorgeous and not at all the snob Marty anticipated. They instantly connect and it’s obvious the attraction is mutual.

Before long, Marty learns the world really is small when Sebastian reveals he is actually the pen pal from all those years ago. The men instantly begin an affair, although Marty knows it will end when the convention does. But Sebastian isn’t ready to say goodbye and suggests they stay connected through texts, emails, and weekend get-togethers.

Marty can hardly refuse the offer since his heart is already engaged. Will he make a wish for the relationship to last for more than a few weeks?

EXCERPT

...His expression turned serious. “I don’t make a habit of publicizing my sexuality either way, but I admit most of the time I’m seen at events it’s with a woman on my arm.”

I nodded. “You dated that actress from that popular television series for a while. Ginger something.”

“Ginger Stevens,” he supplied for me. “Yes. We were pretty serious there for a while.”

“Not just publicity?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Truth is, so-called celebrity relationships never last that long. It’s especially bad when both are actors. It adds an element of ego I think that works against it.”

“And now?”

“Now?”

“Are you dating anyone?”

“No, Marty. Do you think I’d invite you up here like this if I was?”

“I’m not really up on celebrity behavior.”

“I’m not just a celebrity to you, though. We were friends once. Weren’t we?”

“Pen pal friends, yeah.” I smiled. “A lot has changed for you.”

“And for you, Marty. You’re some hot college professor now. The stuff of fantasies.”

“Or pornos,” I joked.

“Now you’ve gone and put definite images in my head.” He took his first sip of his brandy since he poured it. “You are really hot. And I don’t think there’s any point in pretending we don’t both know why I asked you up here.”

I licked my suddenly dry lips. “You do get right to the point. Do you prefer Sebastian or Spencer? Privately, I mean.”

“Sebastian. I left Spencer behind.” He put his glass on the coffee table in front of the sofa and got to his feet. He held out his hand for me to grasp, then pulled me up. “Come on.”

Sebastian led me to the bedroom on the right and I had a moment where both the alcohol and the idea that I was about to go to bed with Sebastian Lookinland had my head swimming.

I barely glanced at the room—it was large—with an even larger bed and a bathroom off to the left that I was pretty sure on close inspection would be larger than half my house.

But both of us were interested in the bed at that moment and nothing else. He went to a suitcase he had propped up on one of those folding suitcase stands all hotels had and removed a bottle of lube and a strip of condom packages.

“You come prepared,” I couldn’t help saying.

“Well.” He shrugged. “Does it bother you?”

Sebastian owed me nothing. And anyway, I was benefitting from it, wasn’t I?

“No. The only thing I want to know, am I fucking you or are you fucking me?” My lips curved in an anticipatory smile. “What is your preference?”

“My wish is your command?”

“I’d love to command you...”

*_*_*

Making a Wish by Shawn Lane 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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 - Perfect Connections

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Perfect Connections 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. 

Making a Wish by Shawn Lane Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Mates, Inc. by Hurri Cosmo Novella (Gay)

Not Without My Phone! by Heidi Champa Novella (Gay)

Textual Attraction by K-lee Klein Extended Novella (Gay)

Thank You, Ranch Romances by Deirdre O'Dare Novella (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (11/22-11/27) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Thank You, Ranch Romances by Deirdre O'Dare

Rancher Wade is struggling to hold his life together after his wife’s death leaves him with two small children as well as a ranch to run. In desperation, he puts a letter in a pulp magazine, announcing that he’s seeking a housekeeper and nanny to help him manage his home. The last thing he expects, however, is the young man who steps off the train in response to the ad.

Darnell is at the end of his rope. The war is over and jobs are hard to find, especially to one who has few skills other than cooking and keeping house, learned while he helped his abandoned mother keep their family intact. The letter he finds in a discarded magazine seems a godsend, so he jumps at the opportunity. It doesn’t take long to fall in love with young Ben and Winnie, but he also develops a huge crush on the rugged and manly Wade, who seems to be everything Darnell is not. Dare he dream that Wade might find him attractive, too?

In the 1940s, the vernacular used toward people such as Darnell are crude and insulting. Prejudice abounds, and he feels its keen cuts. Can he make himself a place in the lives of the family he has adopted, or will hate and suspicion send him fleeing?

Genres: Gay/Nostalgic Contemporary (1940s-Era)/Cowboys/Western
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (18k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...The young man seemed perpetually calm and even-tempered. Wade had never heard him raise his voice to the kids, but they both treated him with respect and even some affection. As he watched, Winnie wiped up the last bit of egg with her biscuit and scrambled from her chair to help clear the dishes from the table. She handed them to Darnell while he stacked them in the sink, preparing to wash them. She said something about her new dress Wade could not quite make out, then smiled widely as she did a little pirouette.

A pang shot through him, something he could not quite label jealousy or even envy although he knew it was close. He was big and gruff and had no understanding of a small girl’s needs and wishes, like the importance of a pretty dress and having her hair neatly combed and braided every morning. Somehow, male or not, Darnell did. Wade figured he was a decent dad, but as a mom, he had none of the necessary attributes, none at all.

He got up to head back out to go on with his day’s work. Something made him pause. “Thank you, Darnell. You’re doing a great job as a housekeeper and I appreciate it.”

A wave of color washed over the other man’s face, and he looked down at the sink, now full of hot water and suds. “I do the best I can. Disappointing you is the last thing I want to do. Most of my effort is for the children, too. I know they miss their mother, especially Winnie.” He glanced down at the little girl, his expression almost tender. “I can’t take that place, but I can do some of the same things for them.”

“You do dang good,” Wade replied, perhaps in a gruffer tone than he intended. For an instant, he had the awkward and inappropriate urge to bend down and kiss Darnell good-bye as he’d always done to Winifred when he left the house to get on with his day. He gave himself a hard mental shake and then headed for the door, driven by the spur of urgency to escape that mad idea.

Heading out to the inner pasture, Wade caught his favorite cowpony, a rangy bay gelding he called Stormy. The horse had been wild as a colt and earned the name, but he’d settled down to be one of Wade’s most reliable mounts. The name no longer fit, but he wouldn’t change it. He cinched on his saddle, swung up, and headed out. There had been some rains finally, and he hoped the grass in the upper area of the ranch reflected some growth due to the moisture. If not, he’d have to look into supplemental feeding soon. That would take a bad bite out of his profit when he sold the yearlings come fall.

Despite his efforts to put the kiss that hadn’t happened out of his mind, it clung there like a hungry tick on his old dog, Blue. And when he managed to shove aside imagining what Darnell’s gentle-looking mouth would feel like under his, other things about his unorthodox housekeeper and nanny edged in. Like how neat he always was, how pretty his dark hair looked with the sun catching its surprising reddish highlights, and how fetching his rear end looked now that he was wearing proper Levi’s instead of those pleated slacks. Wade had caught him bent over at the door of the chicken coop reaching for an egg the other day and gone hard as a branding iron at the sight.

Damn it all. This was getting way out of hand. He should send Darnell back where he came from, but he knew that would break Winnie’s heart and probably upset Ben almost as badly. The kids both adored Darnell. Maybe he should go visit Lavina again—although that was about as appealing as chasing the old half-Jersey cow he kept in the horse pasture to supply milk for the kids. Flossy was a good cow, but he sure wasn’t into that!

Which led him right back to Darnell again. Well fuck! He didn’t use that word a lot and never in front of women or children, but it seemed to express his frustration. Maybe he could take the other man out on a ride someday soon and stop in a hidden meadow up on the side of the mountain. Then he’d get this crazy itch taken care of for once and for all...

Textual Attraction by K-lee Klein

Lewis has spent most of his adult life looking after his aging parents, and he recently ended a relationship with a domineering guy who’d been nothing but bad for him. Despite his less-than-stellar track record with men, he’s still hopeful there’s someone out there for him, but he’s learned to be careful with his heart. So he can’t figure out why a cryptic, gruff, drunken voice mail from a stranger named Jerry doesn’t make him hit the DELETE button. It’s clear the man’s got the wrong number. But when Jerry begins to text, Lewis finally responds, saying he’s not the guy Jerry wants. Jerry, however, is nothing if not persistent, and he keeps texting and teasing Lewis, even after he knows the truth.

Lewis is surprised when something sparks between them. Jerry turns out to be charming and witty, and they develop an odd friendship through text messages. When Jerry suggests they finally meet in person, Lewis is apprehensive, yet curious. Can he take the big step to meet Jerry face-to-face? More importantly, can he maybe even trust Jerry with his heart?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary
Heat Level: 2
Length: Extended Novella (34k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...The first phone call came when Lewis Snell was in the tub. He’d been enjoying a favorite read on his iPad, with his phone close by in case something exciting happened to rock his world on Facebook or Twitter. He’d nearly dropped his precious pad in the bubbly water when the ringing started and the phone clattered incessantly against the marble countertop because no one—absolutely no one—ever called him. And really, who ever used their cellphone for real calls anyhow?

He ignored it the best he could, silently wondering if he’d ever set up the voicemail or if anyone actually left messages anymore either. Even his seventy-seven-year-old mother texted him at least twice a day, plus emailed him more than that, rather than picking up the phone. And speaking of her, Lewis didn’t remember changing his ringtone to “YMCA.” She’d obviously gotten hold of it and worked her magic on it—devious black magic in Lewis’ book.

Once he was perfectly wrinkled from the lavender bathwater, Lewis crawled carefully from the tub. He wrapped his favorite white, fresh-from-the-dryer, Egyptian cotton towel around his shoulders while he stared at the blinking message on his phone.

You have one missed call.

You have one voicemail.

Apparently, his mailbox had been set up after all, but whether Lewis knew the password would be revealed soon enough.

After grabbing up the phone and his tablet, Lewis padded sleepily from his en suite to his bedroom, quickly tugging on his plaid pajama pants and oversized Glee T-shirt to beat the chill of the room from settling in. He popped his evening meds, then tucked himself into bed with his iPad and phone at the ready.

Princess Peony, his beloved and bossy feline, soon joined him, nudging against his chin, until he made room for her on his lap, while he reclined against the leather headboard. She pawed and kneaded him into the best cat bed possible before purring herself to sleep with Lewis absently stroking her fur. In his other hand, he gripped his phone as if it were ready to explode.

“I’m acting ridiculous,” he said to absolutely no one. “It’s only a phone call. Doesn’t mean it has to be bad news or any news at all.” He’d seen his mother earlier, and he’d heard his father shuffling around the apartment, so Lewis’ two biggest fears were unfounded.

With the gentle slide of his finger, he arrived at the voicemail page. He didn’t recognize the number, but he threw caution to the wind, guessed his password in two shots, and pressed the play button.

“Hey, Tom. It’s Jerry…”

Tom and Jerry, really? Now all Lewis could picture was a feuding cat and mouse, and that made him feel old—old and extremely curious.

“I know we didn’t end on good terms last week, but I found that color-challenged knit cap of yours in between the cushions of my couch. I know you’re pretty attached to it, so I figured you’d want it back. You already have my number…or maybe you don’t. It’s 555-6722, so, you know, if you want it just give me a call or else I’ll just drop it in the lap of that homeless guy down on Seventh. Doesn’t matter to me. Yeah, okay…well, later…or not.”

Lewis quite liked the deep, raspy voice. It was one of very few kinks for him, surely obtained from television and movies with hot growly men in them. Kink aside, he found himself interested in the stranger in the message, despite the weird cartoon names and telltale slur he attributed to alcohol. The background noise was rife with loud music and glass bottles clinking together. Calling from a bar to return, or not return, an ugly cap didn’t seem the perfect way to go about talking to someone. But who was Lewis, who rarely used the phone at all, to judge?...

Not Without My Phone! by Heidi Champa

Keller James loves his smart phone. A lot. In fact, his phone is the most important relationship in his life, much to the chagrin of his friends. Keller uses his phone for every part of his life, including his favorite thing—hooking up. Keller doesn’t see the problem with being connected all the time. Until one night, when a simple text message turns his whole life upside down, he suddenly finds himself without his phone. And without his friends.

In desperation, Keller turns to Gus Adams, his favorite barista, who has never owned a smart phone in his life. Gus helps Keller through the loss of his electronic connection, through his withdrawal symptoms, and shows him how to survive without the world at his fingertips.

As they get to know each other, Keller finds himself falling for Gus. And suddenly, for the first time in years, Keller doesn’t miss his phone at all. When he finally gets a new phone, will his addiction resurface, or can he resist the temptation of the digital world and follow his heart instead?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Romantic Comedy
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (28k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Gus sat back in his seat, folding his arms across his chest. I could tell he thought I was crazy, but I was hoping he’d still agree to help me. “So, you bet your friends you could live without your phone, but you didn’t really think it all through.”

I nodded slowly. Hearing someone else say it out loud made my plan sound even dumber. But it was too late to turn back now. “Yup. I guess I wanted to find out how you get by. I mean, you must get online somehow, right?”

Gus pondered my first question for a moment, before answering. “Yeah, a bit. Here at the shop mostly. You know, to order supplies, to send emails to vendors and stuff.”

I shook my head, shoving my thumb through the loop on the side of the mug. “I mean for social stuff. Or, you know, for fun.”

“Oh, well, I mean, I really don’t do a lot of that. The café has a Facebook page, but I don’t run it. I have accounts, but I never really use them. Don’t really see the point.”

My mouth fell open, but I tried to collect myself. “So, you’re not on social media at all? I mean, how do you stay in touch with people?” I asked, trying to keep the shock out of my voice.

Gus shrugged, grinning at me. “I don’t know. Most of my friends are local, so I see them around a lot. I talk to the long-distance ones on the phone, mostly.”

“Really? You talk on the phone? I mean, like, actual conversations?”

Gus giggled, but quickly stopped himself. “Yeah. You never used your phone for calls?”

“No. No one I know does,” I said emphatically.

“That surprises me. I mean, I know I’m a bit old-fashioned, but I’m sure there are people out there who still make calls.”

“You mean, besides my parents?” I asked, doing my best to stifle a laugh of my own.

“Fair enough. I know I’m a dinosaur. So what else do you want to know?”

I tried to think of the questions I’d come up with at work, but without a phone to put my ideas in, I’d forgotten most of them. God, this whole “phone thing” was already driving me nuts.

“I don’t know. Like, how do you find movie times? Keep up with gossip? I mean, what do you do about porn?”

The last question was out of my mouth before I could stop it.

Gus shifted in his chair, clearly uncomfortable. For the first time since I’d known him, I saw his cheeks turn pink. “Um, well, let’s see, I tend to get all the gossip I can handle from the people who come in here. They keep me up to date on all the local and national stories that grace their Twitter feeds. Keeps me from having to do it myself. Saves me all kinds of time. And”—he leaned in before continuing—“well, as for porn, I do have a laptop at home that I use for, um, certain things.”

I smiled at his answer and his ability to be diplomatic at my incredibly nosy question. He was still a bit too close to me; his blush deepened as he looked at me, the deep brown of his eyes seemed to be flecked with gold. I waited for him to lean back now that his secret was out, but he didn’t. So neither did I.

“Fair enough. I guess you have this whole ‘no phone’ thing down. I’m jealous. Really. I still reach out for my phone every morning like some kind of phantom limb.”

He wrapped his hand around my empty mug, drawing it to his side of the table. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

Gus grinned as he stood, breaking the spell between us, quickly walking the mug back to the counter. He plunked back into the seat, the silly Gus returning. He must have left flirty Gus at the counter.

“Oh, I just realized I never answered your movie question.”

I had all but forgotten that question, the porn question kind of lingering in my mind. I cleared my head of the dirty thoughts that were still cropping up, shaking aside the visions of Gus and his laptop for the moment.

“So, what do you do?”

His smile turned mischievous and my cheeks once again flooded with heat. “Tell you what. Why don’t you meet me at the art house theater on Third Street, say, tomorrow night, around seven and I’ll show you how I manage. Give you a little practical, hands-on instruction.”

I guess I had been wrong about Gus leaving his flirtatiousness at the counter. He’d brought it back to the table after all. And I was so glad he had...

Mates, Inc. by Hurri Cosmo

Congratulations! You have a fated mate!

That’s what the card says. Grey, an Alpha wolf shifter, laughs at it, though. Fated mate? What a joke! He has tried enough dating websites in the last month to choke a horse shifter and he’s done with all of them. Besides, having a mate would mean joining a pack, and that will just bring up a past Grey has no intention of doing.

But Mates, Inc. has an agenda that can not be ignored or put off. Grey has a mate, and the powers that be are determined he’s going to meet him come hell or high water...or a past best forgotten...

Genres: Gay/Dark Fantasy/Werewolf/Shapeshifter/Paranormal/Romantic Comedy
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (22k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Not letting out his wolf as often as he wanted to had made those first few moments in his fur awkward and sluggish. Tonight had been no exception. It had been at least a month. Pretty much ever since he started “dating.”

Another reason to stop that insanity.

Next he took a trail that led off the hill and straight toward the river. He had no intention of actually getting to the river, just grab the trail that ran parallel. That particular trail was clearer of obstacles and he could go full out. He simply wanted to run.

But at some point he also had to think as well. That was the real reason he’d come out here.

He slowed as he neared the water and the primitive path alongside it, then let loose and ran. He wasn’t sure for how long, ten minutes maybe. Finally he came to a clearing, shifted back to his human form and flopped down on the grass. This was also one of the things he missed. Lying naked in the grass after a good run under a rising Mating Moon, even if he wasn’t with someone. He sighed.

No, one night stands were not for him. He knew that. Even being the Alpha that he was, it just wasn’t right for him. To find his fated mate would be like finding heaven. Deep down it was what he had always dreamed of.

So what about this Mates, Inc. then?

First question…was he being watched? Had someone from his old pack come to check up on him since his membership had yet to be transferred? It was actually nice to think they would do something like that but, no. He didn’t think so.

Then what?

Okay. In thinking about it, he could understand the website using the terminology “today” because most people would check out something like that card right away. Even he had done it. It had been a logical guess on their part. If he went on the site tomorrow, it would still say the same thing. And in that case he would not have received the card that day.

Even their knowing Grey was gay wasn’t that big of a mystery. It was probably just a coincidence that the card said “he” and that was what he was into. They didn’t “know” anything.

But the Mating Moon wasn’t always just around the corner. That was the real kicker. There were months in the way of that, so their committing to the just in time thing? Shit. That was just crazy.

Okay, Grey, breathe. Even that was explainable. It was a Were mating/dating site, right? The Mating Moon may not always be around the corner like it was right now but it was always on the way. So maybe even that statement worked. He was just tired, that was all. He had simply had some bad experiences ever since coming to Davenshire. With no pack to rely on, no mate in sight, not to mention the bad luck he’d had in the dating department, that had to be what he was really upset over.

Yeah.

Had to be.

Then he heard a rustle in the woods right beside him. He looked over and saw a small, beautiful wolf staring back at him from the bushes and something clicked inside him.

Mate!

He shifted before he gained his feet, and was suddenly in hot pursuit as the little wolf howled a mating call and took off.

Shit, but he was fast!...

Making a Wish by Shawn Lane

As a kid, Astronomy professor Marty Brooks kept in touch with a pen pal who lived on the other side of the country. Eventually that pen pal stopped responding to Marty’s letters, which always ended with “Making a Wish” for Marty’s love of space.

Now, as adults, Marty and his brother are big fans of a series of famous Sci-Fi movies. They head to a convention for the movie franchise where they hope to meet the hot actors. Marty is especially interested in meeting an actor he knows is openly gay, but instead he bumps into the star of the movies, Sebastian Lookinland, who is gorgeous and not at all the snob Marty anticipated. They instantly connect and it’s obvious the attraction is mutual.

Before long, Marty learns the world really is small when Sebastian reveals he is actually the pen pal from all those years ago. The men instantly begin an affair, although Marty knows it will end when the convention does. But Sebastian isn’t ready to say goodbye and suggests they stay connected through texts, emails, and weekend get-togethers.

Marty can hardly refuse the offer since his heart is already engaged. Will he make a wish for the relationship to last for more than a few weeks?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/The Arts/Romantic Comedy
Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (15k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...His expression turned serious. “I don’t make a habit of publicizing my sexuality either way, but I admit most of the time I’m seen at events it’s with a woman on my arm.”

I nodded. “You dated that actress from that popular television series for a while. Ginger something.”

“Ginger Stevens,” he supplied for me. “Yes. We were pretty serious there for a while.”

“Not just publicity?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Truth is, so-called celebrity relationships never last that long. It’s especially bad when both are actors. It adds an element of ego I think that works against it.”

“And now?”

“Now?”

“Are you dating anyone?”

“No, Marty. Do you think I’d invite you up here like this if I was?”

“I’m not really up on celebrity behavior.”

“I’m not just a celebrity to you, though. We were friends once. Weren’t we?”

“Pen pal friends, yeah.” I smiled. “A lot has changed for you.”

“And for you, Marty. You’re some hot college professor now. The stuff of fantasies.”

“Or pornos,” I joked.

“Now you’ve gone and put definite images in my head.” He took his first sip of his brandy since he poured it. “You are really hot. And I don’t think there’s any point in pretending we don’t both know why I asked you up here.”

I licked my suddenly dry lips. “You do get right to the point. Do you prefer Sebastian or Spencer? Privately, I mean.”

“Sebastian. I left Spencer behind.” He put his glass on the coffee table in front of the sofa and got to his feet. He held out his hand for me to grasp, then pulled me up. “Come on.”

Sebastian led me to the bedroom on the right and I had a moment where both the alcohol and the idea that I was about to go to bed with Sebastian Lookinland had my head swimming.

I barely glanced at the room—it was large—with an even larger bed and a bathroom off to the left that I was pretty sure on close inspection would be larger than half my house.

But both of us were interested in the bed at that moment and nothing else. He went to a suitcase he had propped up on one of those folding suitcase stands all hotels had and removed a bottle of lube and a strip of condom packages.

“You come prepared,” I couldn’t help saying.

“Well.” He shrugged. “Does it bother you?”

Sebastian owed me nothing. And anyway, I was benefitting from it, wasn’t I?

“No. The only thing I want to know, am I fucking you or are you fucking me?” My lips curved in an anticipatory smile. “What is your preference?”

“My wish is your command?”

“I’d love to command you...”

Beachcombers Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to play in the surf with us! Without further ado, the winner of our giveaway is...

Sula!

I have your address, so expect an email from us soon.

Blurbs and excerpts start getting posted on Monday for our next pax release, "Perfect Connections." Make sure you poke your nose in to get a taste!

Surf's Up! by Carolina Valdez

Although I grew up on southern California beaches—and had a daughter who attended a San Diego university only because surfing classes met the physical education requirement—my surfer lingo was rusty. A thousand thanks to John Baker and his site cougartown.com/surf-slang.html for refreshing my memory.

I set Surf’s Up! in Encinitas, California, because it’s a charming Pacific coast town I’ve vacationed in. It has six beaches, eighteen parks, three trails and a golf course. The adjoining seaside town of Del Mar—home of a famous  Thoroughbred race club—is two blocks south of condos I’ve stayed in….none of which were designed by my fictional architect and businessman, Raven.

Carolina Valdez

THE STORY

Closeted and successful, Native American Raven isn’t happy when his gay best friend from their boyhood on the rez stumbles back into his life. Raven sees the penniless drunk Hunter as a loser, yet this encounter forces him to question some of his strongest held beliefs about life. Is he up to the challenge? Will he open himself up and live life more fully?    

EXCERPT

When he saw Hunter strip off his wet swim trunks at the condo’s doorstep, he was surprised to feel his damned dick betraying him by stirring. Hunter stepped inside, and Raven stripped quickly, bending over to gather up their dripping swim things to hide his raging, hungry cock. 

He wasn’t fast enough. The door opened and he froze. There he was, his ass in plain sight, balls swinging, his hard-on pointing at the sky.  

Raven couldn’t breathe. He struggled between embarrassment and a powerful desire to turn and claim what he’d been denied this morning. He straightened.

Hunter stepped in close behind him. His breath warmed Raven’s cool neck. 

Neither of them spoke.

Hunter smelled of the salty sea as he spread a warm hand over one of Raven’s cool butt cheeks, his palm caressing the natural dip there. He squeezed hard, and Raven enjoyed the slight pain cutting through all the exotic sexual feelings he was having. Hunter’s mouth sought and tasted the sensitive skin below his ear as the hand on his hip slid around to rub his engorged, aching cock and finger the slit on its tip. 

It felt so good that Raven thought his knees would give way. Emotion created a tremor in his voice when he said, “I think we’d better go inside.” 

http://www.CarolinaValdez.com
http://fingerstothekeys.wordpress.com

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Surf's Up! by Carolina Valdez 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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!

Still Missing by Christiane France

This is the sequel to Missing, But Not Dead, and there’s a third book in the works.

Blurb:

Ever since Greg Stewartson, ex-cop, private investigator, and half-owner of Amethyst Cove Security & Investigations, first met Ash Tyler, a handsome and very sexy nurse, he’s been trying to find Ash’s biological family—the one Ash says he had before he was taken into care and adopted by the Tylers more than twenty years ago. Greg and Ash are now a couple, but Greg’s leads have all turned into dead ends, so Ash told him to let it go. 

Then one night a half-drowned man is brought into the urgent care clinic where Ash works. He says he’s looking for Jack Smith, the man Ash knew as grandpa. Suddenly Greg is up to his ears in new information and new leads. Will he finally get Ash the answers he so desperately wants or is he being conned by a pair of clever hustlers determined to conceal the truth?

Excerpt:

He (Ash) trailed a finger down my chest. I grabbed it before it reached its target. He wanted me, and I wanted him. It was always this way with us. But I needed to tell him my news first.

“How would you like to meet the guy who brought you into this world?”

“Huh?” He looked at me like I was crazy. “You mean a doctor? I thought I was just hatched like an egg in that old warehouse.”

“You were. Well sort of. I told you about Mary, the woman who lived in the warehouse at the same time as you and Rosie, and what she said. Actually, she was just a young girl back then.”

“Right. Jack’s sister where you got all your info?”

“Not all, but most of it. She said you were delivered by an ex-army medic who also happened to be living there. His name’s Chuck and he’s here in town. He told Mary he’d often wondered what happened to you. So we figured you’d maybe like to meet him. Although to be honest you already met him the other night at the clinic.”

Ash’s eyes opened wide and he sat up straight. “That old dude really was looking for my grandpa Jack?”

“Yup. So it seems. Mary had a chat with him yesterday, and he told her he knew Rosie and Jack way before the warehouse. Anyhow, long story short, Mary thinks he may be able to answer some of your questions, so if you’d like to meet him… Of course, it’s entirely up to you.”

“Did she tell him I’d like that?”

“No. She figured that should be your decision.”

“Umm… I’m not sure.” He hesitated. “Oh, what the heck. I guess it’s better to know than wonder, right?”

I nodded. “That would be my take on it, but I’m not you.”

Ash’s eyebrows drew together in a frown, then after a moment smoothed into a smile. “Why in hell not? What have I got to lose? You think he knows who my real parents are?”

“I have no idea what he knows or how long he’ll be here in town. He has it in his head that Jack may be coming back here to live, but who knows about that either? So, why don’t we get dressed, grab a coffee on our way, and then go collect Mary so she can make the introductions?”

Ash was already out of bed and heading for the shower. “Come on, babe. Time’s a wastin’. Let’s move it. If this Chuck dude decides to give up on Jack and leave, I may never get another chance.”

Cool mysteries and hot romance - http://www.chrisgrover.ca
Latest Release: No One’s Perfect – http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2230-No-One-s-Perfect.aspx
http://www.facebook.com/chris.grover.71
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http://christianefrance.blogspot.ca/

*_*_*

Still Missing by Christiane France 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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!

September Morning by KC Kendricks

Following the death of his partner, Jagger Davis is on a sabbatical to finish healing and to get his life moving again. JD goes to Sandbridge, Virginia for a restful summer of solitude and discovers the cottage next door is full of friendly neighbors. One in particular catches his interest.

Nate Fischer is part of a group of guys who spend every summer at Sandbridge. An IT specialist for a private contractor at the nearby Naval base, Nate’s taking some vacation time. When JD arrives, Nate invites him to a cookout on the beach. It isn’t long before Nate and JD are inseparable, but there are three men in the relationship.

JD’s memories are a constant companion. He won’t banish them to satisfy someone new. When Nate’s job abruptly calls him away, JD realizes he didn’t give his summer lover a fair chance. Now he has to convince Nate there’s room in his heart for both the past and the future. 

EXCERPT

My eyes burned. It didn’t take a big leap of logic to figure out why and how Nate knew so much. 

“You keep saying the exact right thing. Who was he?”

He took a quick breath and gusted it out. “His name was Aaron. We were together about three years. It tore me up when he got married.” 

Somehow I didn’t think he meant Aaron married another man. If I didn’t ask, the unrequited curiosity would give me hives. 

“As in he married a-?”

“Woman. Yes.”

“Damn.”

“Yep.”

“You didn’t-?”

“Nope. Had no clue until he packed his clothes and left.”

We lifted our cans in unison and both sucked down a long draught of beer. Nate let his arm slide down my back and dipped his fingers beneath the waistband of my shorts. I squirmed away from them.

“Your fingers are cold.”

He bumped against me. “Maybe I’m nervous you’ll reject me.”

“Well, you know I did tell Sven I’d have lunch with him in the not so distant future.”

Nate laughed softly. “I’m not worried about Sven. I saw Paddy whispering in his ear and he looked at us. He’ll have lunch with you but he won’t make a move on you.”

“Pity. I’ve never kissed a Norse god. I might like it.”

He growled and tumbled me backward onto the sand. His cool, beer flavored lips covered mine. Not gentle now, he thrust his silky tongue into my mouth and led me into a mock battle. Back and forth we teased, learning secrets few others would ever know.

I clung to him as long-forgotten heat coursed through me. I’d mourned the loss of having someone to touch, and touch me, as much as I’d mourned losing Michael. Now my senses flooded with Nate’s nearness. My cock, so unresponsive for so long, swelled full and hard. I needed to breathe but I would have passed out from lack of oxygen before I’d pull away from him - or let him go. 

“Ah, kick some sand on ‘em.”

Nate jerked away from me at the sound of a voice, close to our ears. Sven took a step back as we scrambled to sit. Good-natured laughter traveled around the bonfire. I glanced at Nate and hoped I wasn’t as glassy-eyed as he was. The man looked dazed. 

I guess I did. Sven loomed over me and grinned. 

“Does this mean our lunch date is off?”

I got to my feet with as much dignity as a guy with a big bulge in his pants can muster in front of a crowd. “That depends. I still need to eat.”

There was a smattering of applause as I reached out a hand to Nate and pulled him to his feet. 

Huh. He had a bulge, too. I liked it. 

KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
twitter.com/kckendricks
kckendricks.blogspot.com
facebook.com/kckendricks

*_*_*

September Morning by KC Kendricks 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, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. 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!