Love Finds a Way…on Avon Lake by A.J. Llewellyn

I recently read a post on Facebook written by Gil Fones, a Montogomery County, Maryland  K9 police officer whose partner, Chip, was taken from him after Chip bit him during a training exercise. Officer Fones didn’t blame Chip, but the police department he worked for refused to discuss the matter. He was stonewalled. For months, Fones sifted through a web of lies and obstruction, taking his quest public to be reunited with his partner, with whom he’s worked for four years.

Five-year old Chip has lived with Fones, his wife and children all this time, and Fones had always planned to adopt the Belgian Malinois when he retired. Instead, he frantically sought the dog he loved, taking his quest to the Internet where the unusual case went viral. The two partners are now reunited with the help of a group of retired Montgomery County K9 officers. The posts and videos on the Facebook page K9 Chip are both heartbreaking and joyful.

It got me thinking about the unique relationship between man and dog, especially in military and other branches of law enforcement. As usual, when I get an idea, I thought, what if, why, how, when and, wow, I think I have a romance novel here! 

I did some research and learned so much about the rare bond between a human K9 officer and his four-legged partner. Most of us don’t think about the subject much, but I was stunned by the things I discovered. For example, it costs between $15,000 and $30,000 to raise and train a K9 dog. Not only that, but some dogs show particular talent for things like bomb and drug sniffing. Others are brilliant air trackers, which makes them especially useful in hunting escaped criminals. 

Some dogs are not suited at all to K9 work. Many different types of dogs are used in the field and I was happy to learn that in the last few years female dogs have joined the K9 forces across America. The first female K9 officer in the US was taken on by the CIA. She is a black Labrador named Maggie—but that’s just by the by.

And oh, I could go on and on. But I won’t.

My story, Avon Lake, centers around a K9 officer whose dog is killed during a foot chase. Just as Officer Fones was distraught at the very idea that Chip may have been euthanized, my character, Detective Rhyen Devito knows his dog is dead and cannot move past it.

For many people, animals are the perfect bond. A love that is unconditional. Rhyen is not only recovering from deep grief over Nico’s death, but struggling to get past the bad relationship from which Nico’s love was able to place a Band-Aid over his broken heart. Rhyen is a sweet guy whose life is about to change. But change is hard. Can he accept a new man who has flaws, blazing sexuality, and who just happens to think Rhyen needs a new K9 partner?

Here is a snippet from Avon Lake. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.

SYNOPSIS:

Detective Rhyen Devito is struggling to recover from the death of his work partner, Nico. To his parents, Nico was just a dog, but to Rhyen he was the most trustworthy partner who gave him unconditional love and total support. This was more than any two-legged partner ever gave him. After Nico’s full-honors funeral, Rhyen transfers temporarily from the hectic Toledo K-9 unit to the more tranquil Holland village division. He surprises himself by answering a humorous online ad penned by a guy who might just be the answer to his romantic dreams.

Miguel Castro has had a hard time since moving to the U.S. from Argentina. His longtime lover was violent, and Miguel sought legal protection after recovering from his injuries. Now located far from the west coast in beautiful Avon Lake, he misses only one thing. Companionship. He’s attracted to Rhyen the moment they start talking. He knows Rhyen is grieving the loss of Nico and his heart aches for the guy.

When Miguel invites Rhyen to go beachcombing with him, he hopes that sparks fly...the good kind.

EXCERPT:

...“I know you like champagne.” Miguel reached across the table to an ice bucket.

“Actually, what I said was that champagne makes me horny.” God. I’m a dork.

“I remember.” Miguel gave him a dazzling smile and popped the cork on the bottle. Rhyen glanced at it. A nice bottle, too. Veuve Clicquot.

Rhyen had never met anyone so virile and handsome in his life. Miguel reminded him a little of the gay porn star D.O., but he was right here. In this room. He wore a tight black top with three-quarter sleeves, a gold chain with a cross dangling from it, and tight, hip-snugging jeans and black boots.

Miguel poured them each a glass and handed one to Rhyen. He stared at Rhyen’s mouth as though it were a juicy hamburger.

They sipped their drinks. Rhyen couldn’t stop staring at Miguel, who asked, “Can I touch you now?” from somewhere in Rhyen’s dreams.

“Uh-huh.”

They reached for each other at the same moment, their mouths meeting in a long and succulent kiss. Miguel was a great kisser. So good, he made Rhyen dizzy. They broke off their embrace and sipped more champagne.

Miguel leaned into him. Oh yeah, he was hard, too.

Another kiss, then Miguel murmured something in Spanish.

Rhyen gently bit Miguel’s bottom lip. “What did you just say?”

“Necessito tu em mi.”

“I have no idea what that means.”

“You will. Soon.” Miguel took another sip of champagne. Rhyen kept trying to translate the sentence. Something about necessity? Or need?

Miguel pressed closer to him. They exchanged a long, wet, passionate kiss. Rhyen liked the way Miguel put his hand at the back of Rhyen’s head, holding him closer. It was as though he was putting Rhyen exactly where he wanted him as he plunged his tongue into Rhyen’s mouth. He pushed Rhyen against the wall and their kiss continued.

If this is what he needs to do, fine by me. Rhyen put his all into the kiss, liking what he felt, and what he tasted.

Miguel tenderly touched his uniform buttons with reverent fingers before undoing his shirt. When he reached Rhyen’s belt, their gazes locked. Miguel easily undid it, then zipped down Rhyen’s pants. He pushed them all the way down, pulling off Rhyen’s shoes and socks and removing the trousers. Rhyen wore only his white underpants now and watched as Miguel stripped away his own clothes.

The guy had a fantastic body and smelled so good. Sweet and savory all at the same time. He wore tiny black underpants and, Rhyen could tell, had a nice, juicy cock.

They resumed kissing, Rhyen running his hands over Miguel’s back and ass. Miguel moved his hand down the front of Rhyen’s underpants and pulled out his cock, letting it jut upward between them as their kiss continued. He reached for it, enclosing his hand around the shaft. They exchanged soft sighs. Rhyen loved the feeling of his cock being wedged between their hot bodies...

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Mystery/ Detective 

Heat Level: 3 

Length: Extended Novella (31k words)

*_*_*

Avon Lake by A.J. Llewellyn 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 - Beachcombers

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Beachcombers 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. 

Avon Lake by A.J. Llewellyn Extended Novella (Gay)

Happiness Is a Warm Bum by J.D. Walker Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

September Morning by KC Kendricks Novella (Gay)

Still Missing by Christiane France Novella (Gay)

Surf's Up by Carolina Valdez Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (11/8-11/13) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Avon Lake by A.J. Llewellyn

Detective Rhyen Devito is struggling to recover from the death of his work partner, Nico. To his parents, Nico was just a dog, but to Rhyen he was the most trustworthy partner who gave him unconditional love and total support. This was more than any two-legged partner ever gave him. After Nico’s full-honors funeral, Rhyen transfers temporarily from the hectic Toledo K-9 unit to the more tranquil Holland village division. He surprises himself by answering a humorous online ad penned by a guy who might just be the answer to his romantic dreams.

Miguel Castro has had a hard time since moving to the U.S. from Argentina. His longtime lover was violent, and Miguel sought legal protection after recovering from his injuries. Now located far from the west coast in beautiful Avon Lake, he misses only one thing. Companionship. He’s attracted to Rhyen the moment they start talking. He knows Rhyen is grieving the loss of Nico and his heart aches for the guy.

When Miguel invites Rhyen to go beachcombing with him, he hopes that sparks fly...the good kind.

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Mystery/Detective
Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Novella (31k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...“I know you like champagne.” Miguel reached across the table to an ice bucket.

“Actually, what I said was that champagne makes me horny.” God. I’m a dork.

“I remember.” Miguel gave him a dazzling smile and popped the cork on the bottle. Rhyen glanced at it. A nice bottle, too. Veuve Clicquot.

Rhyen had never met anyone so virile and handsome in his life. Miguel reminded him a little of the gay porn star D.O., but he was right here. In this room. He wore a tight black top with three-quarter sleeves, a gold chain with a cross dangling from it, and tight, hip-snugging jeans and black boots.

Miguel poured them each a glass and handed one to Rhyen. He stared at Rhyen’s mouth as though it were a juicy hamburger.

They sipped their drinks. Rhyen couldn’t stop staring at Miguel, who asked, “Can I touch you now?” from somewhere in Rhyen’s dreams.

“Uh-huh.”

They reached for each other at the same moment, their mouths meeting in a long and succulent kiss. Miguel was a great kisser. So good, he made Rhyen dizzy. They broke off their embrace and sipped more champagne.

Miguel leaned into him. Oh yeah, he was hard, too.

Another kiss, then Miguel murmured something in Spanish.

Rhyen gently bit Miguel’s bottom lip. “What did you just say?”

“Necessito tu em mi.”

“I have no idea what that means.”

“You will. Soon.” Miguel took another sip of champagne. Rhyen kept trying to translate the sentence. Something about necessity? Or need?

Miguel pressed closer to him. They exchanged a long, wet, passionate kiss. Rhyen liked the way Miguel put his hand at the back of Rhyen’s head, holding him closer. It was as though he was putting Rhyen exactly where he wanted him as he plunged his tongue into Rhyen’s mouth. He pushed Rhyen against the wall and their kiss continued.

If this is what he needs to do, fine by me. Rhyen put his all into the kiss, liking what he felt, and what he tasted.

Miguel tenderly touched his uniform buttons with reverent fingers before undoing his shirt. When he reached Rhyen’s belt, their gazes locked. Miguel easily undid it, then zipped down Rhyen’s pants. He pushed them all the way down, pulling off Rhyen’s shoes and socks and removing the trousers. Rhyen wore only his white underpants now and watched as Miguel stripped away his own clothes.

The guy had a fantastic body and smelled so good. Sweet and savory all at the same time. He wore tiny black underpants and, Rhyen could tell, had a nice, juicy cock.

They resumed kissing, Rhyen running his hands over Miguel’s back and ass. Miguel moved his hand down the front of Rhyen’s underpants and pulled out his cock, letting it jut upward between them as their kiss continued. He reached for it, enclosing his hand around the shaft. They exchanged soft sighs. Rhyen loved the feeling of his cock being wedged between their hot bodies...

Pearls, Porches and Peanuts by A.J. Llewellyn

Two years ago I read a fascinating article in the Los Angeles Times (yes, I still read newspapers!) about two former soap opera actors who long ago slipped out of the limelight, and actually the business, only to make the headlines again by landing an incredible inheritance.

An elderly man who knew neither of them died and left them his entire estate. Though the property was massive, the house that stood on it was decrepit and neither man believed any of it was real at first.

One of them flew out to Illinois where the property was located and visited the old homestead and learned he truly had inherited a fortune. Once the property was sold he and the other beneficiary would inherit almost a million dollars each.

It was quite a tale. The kind that never happens to most people and certainly baffled the two men who inherited the estate. Neither of them knew him. Neither had ever met him, but one of them had apparently responded to a request for an autographed photo about thirty years ago.

The attorney handling the old man’s will said that he’d never encountered anything like this strange inheritance. As for the two actors, they’d once worked together on an old TV show episode but weren’t close.

As far as I know, the property was sold and the money divided between them. 

I’ve thought about this story for a long time and wondered, what if? What if two gay actors who have a love-hate relationship and inherit a property this way? What if their show was axed and one’s doing okay and the other is struggling?

What if one wants to sell and the other wants to keep it? 

What if this strange opportunity gives them a chance to reignite their stalled romance?

I’ve pondered this idea for two years and a couple of months it fell into place in my mind.

And so, Pearls, Porches and Peanuts was born. 

I loved writing this book, setting it in Austin and San Antonio, two cities I know and love. I really love these characters and their unique dilemma.

I hope you will, too. 

I thought it was the perfect story to put into the Amber Allure PAX™ collection of Texas Cowboy stories. And it’s also the perfect reminder to be kind to strangers who reach out to us.

Here’s a little taste of Pearls, Porches and Peanuts.

Synopsis: 

MacIntosh “Tosh” Tanner has had the worst year of his life with the cancellation of his TV series, Cowboy County, and a former business manager stealing his money. And now his boyfriend’s dumped him, too. He fears for his future until he receives an unexpected surprise. He’s inherited a massive, rundown ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas, from a fan. It’s worth over a million bucks. Discovering he shares this bizarre estate with another beneficiary, he wonders who it could be. Anyone would be great as long as it’s not his archenemy, Dagan Rucker.

Dagan, Tosh’s former co-star, was also swindled by the same business manager, but over his lengthy career, he invested in a lot of property. Settled in Topanga, the real cowboy heart of L.A., he bought the area’s first-ever working ranch and turned it into a bed-and-breakfast. He’s happy with his life, but lonely, and thinks about Tosh often, ever since they shared a scorching encounter five years ago. He’s tried for so long to work things out with Tosh, who refuses to even consider the possibility of them being together.

Can anything change the way Tosh feels about Dagan?

Excerpt:

..With a look that made Tosh’s cock leap inside his tight jeans, Dagan pushed him onto the luxurious leather seat. Just as he prepared to climb on top of Tosh, a cracking sound invaded their world. Something was sniffing around the brush where they’d parked on top of a ridge in the Santa Monica Mountains.

“What is it?” Tosh asked, fearing it might be some deranged paparazzo.

“I dunno. It’s black. It’s either a wild cat. Or a skunk.” Tosh looked over his shoulder, but gave up scrutiny as Tosh grabbed his shirt collar and hauled him into the vehicle.

“Close the door.”

Dagan laughed, reached behind him and obeyed. The seat was comfy, but they were both wearing boots. And they were a bit sunburned. Dagan looked down at him in the deepening night. Whatever was outside broke twigs. It somehow enhanced the moment. He was kissing a genuine movie cowboy!

Tosh gasped as Dagan kissed his throat. Nobody had ever touched him like this, with such reverence or grace. The kisses that moved along his face and neck burned a hole right through his awkward defenses. He gave himself up to the dusty pleasures of making out on a canyon road. The man on top of him rubbed himself against Tosh. Dry humping. Tosh had always loved dry humping.

“God I love this,” Dagan ground out against Tosh’s mouth. “Don’t know why I always liked dry humping.”

“Me, too. I was jus’ thinkin’ that.” Tosh panted, hardly able to complete a sentence as he tugged Dagan’s shirt up from his jeans. His body was tight. He knew it would be. He’d seen him a million times on TV, and thrilled to the touch of the actor’s smooth skin against the palm of his hand.

Their gazes held. Tosh wriggled on the seat as Dagan said, “Anticipation. I always liked anticipation.”

Then came the smell. An awful one.

“You were right. It’s a skunk.”

“Can you believe it! Everyone’s a critic,” Dagan deadpanned. “I think it hosed the side of the car.”

They laughed as the pungent fumes overwhelmed them. They sat up, hard and hurting in their increasingly tighter jeans.

“Take me home and fuck me,” Tosh said.

“Oh, I will. Don’t you worry about that...”

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Western (Modern Day) / The Arts / Romantic Comedy 

Heat Level: 2 

Length: Novella (24k words)

*_*_*

Pearls, Porches and Peanuts by A.J. Llewellyn 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 - Texas Roundup

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Texas Roundup 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. 

A Cowboy Out of Texas by Sean Michael Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Pearls, Porches, and Peanuts by A.J. Llewellyn Novella (Gay)

A Place to Belong by Hurri Cosmo Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Ride Your Luck by KC Kendricks Extended Novella (Gay)

Unwanted Hearts by K-lee Klein Novella (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (9/20-9/25) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Pearls, Porches and Peanuts by A.J. Llewellyn

MacIntosh “Tosh” Tanner has had the worst year of his life with the cancellation of his TV series, Cowboy County, and a former business manager stealing his money. And now his boyfriend’s dumped him, too. He fears for his future until he receives an unexpected surprise. He’s inherited a massive, rundown ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas, from a fan. It’s worth over a million bucks. Discovering he shares this bizarre estate with another beneficiary, he wonders who it could be. Anyone would be great as long as it’s not his archenemy, Dagan Rucker.

Dagan, Tosh’s former co-star, was also swindled by the same business manager, but over his lengthy career, he invested in a lot of property. Settled in Topanga, the real cowboy heart of L.A., he bought the area’s first-ever working ranch and turned it into a bed-and-breakfast. He’s happy with his life, but lonely, and thinks about Tosh often, ever since they shared a scorching encounter five years ago. He’s tried for so long to work things out with Tosh, who refuses to even consider the possibility of them being together.

Can anything change the way Tosh feels about Dagan?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Western (Modern Day)/The Arts/Romantic Comedy
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (24k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...With a look that made Tosh’s cock leap inside his tight jeans, Dagan pushed him onto the luxurious leather seat. Just as he prepared to climb on top of Tosh, a cracking sound invaded their world. Something was sniffing around the brush where they’d parked on top of a ridge in the Santa Monica Mountains.

“What is it?” Tosh asked, fearing it might be some deranged paparazzo.

“I dunno. It’s black. It’s either a wild cat. Or a skunk.” Tosh looked over his shoulder, but gave up scrutiny as Tosh grabbed his shirt collar and hauled him into the vehicle.

“Close the door.”

Dagan laughed, reached behind him and obeyed. The seat was comfy, but they were both wearing boots. And they were a bit sunburned. Dagan looked down at him in the deepening night. Whatever was outside broke twigs. It somehow enhanced the moment. He was kissing a genuine movie cowboy!

Tosh gasped as Dagan kissed his throat. Nobody had ever touched him like this, with such reverence or grace. The kisses that moved along his face and neck burned a hole right through his awkward defenses. He gave himself up to the dusty pleasures of making out on a canyon road. The man on top of him rubbed himself against Tosh. Dry humping. Tosh had always loved dry humping.

“God I love this,” Dagan ground out against Tosh’s mouth. “Don’t know why I always liked dry humping.”

“Me, too. I was jus’ thinkin’ that.” Tosh panted, hardly able to complete a sentence as he tugged Dagan’s shirt up from his jeans. His body was tight. He knew it would be. He’d seen him a million times on TV, and thrilled to the touch of the actor’s smooth skin against the palm of his hand.

Their gazes held. Tosh wriggled on the seat as Dagan said, “Anticipation. I always liked anticipation.”

Then came the smell. An awful one.

“You were right. It’s a skunk.”

“Can you believe it! Everyone’s a critic,” Dagan deadpanned. “I think it hosed the side of the car.”

They laughed as the pungent fumes overwhelmed them. They sat up, hard and hurting in their increasingly tighter jeans.

“Take me home and fuck me,” Tosh said.

“Oh, I will. Don’t you worry about that...”

Lovin’ a Man in Uniform by A.J. Llewellyn

I was excited to participate in the Amber PAX “To Love a Hero” collection of military stories and dusted off a previously self-published short story, completely revamping it with almost 30,000 words added to it. The story is very different but the characters are still the same. 

I love Jason Hargreaves, a military security lieutenant who is married to the delightfully named Kahuna (who goes by Kappy). Kappy loves a man in uniform. Frankly, who doesn’t?

I wanted to set my story in Hawaii and in fact the first version was written during the height of the war against terror. The islands were streaming with servicemen on leave, and many, many more arriving to begin new assignments at one of the many, important US military bases dotted around the island.

It was fascinating to see so much camouflage on the streets of Waikiki. Open-air trucks carried young soldiers into the mountains for training practice. A spirit of “we-can-do-it” filled the air. I got a small glimpse of what Honolulu must have been like in the days preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor, and afterward.

I met a lot of servicemen and their families. I had mixed feelings about seeing these vital, very young men going off to battle. But war has always been like this. I was fortunate to hear stories of courage, and of fear, and to learn some things about the bases that I’d never known before. For example, Pearl Harbor, the main naval base joined forces with Hickham Air Force base to create one of the largest military bases in the world.

It wasn’t until I visited Hawaii in April of this year that I met a retired Air Force officer who was able to answer all my questions – even the stupid ones. I am fascinated by all the bases on the island of Oahu and wrestled with the idea of which base in which to set my story.

To be honest, I dislike writing about anyplace I haven’t been and my initial choice was Schofield Barracks because until a few years ago, you could tour the base. I am so grateful now that I did because James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity, called Schofield Barracks “the most beautiful army post the U.S. has or ever had.”

The Honolulu Star Bulletin called it a country club. More than a million soldiers just called Schofield Barracks home. With its broad, palm-lined boulevards and art deco buildings, this old army cavalry post is still the largest operated by the U.S. Army outside the continental United States.

But.

And there’s a big but.

I had a story that needed to include both the Navy and Air Force and so I chose Hickam and Pearl Harbor. I drove past it many times and into it—twice—by mistake (and I was turned away politely but firmly each time!) but luckily for me I got great intel from author Alain Gunn, a mystery author who worked in the Air Force for his entire career. And so, Air Bear was born. I hope you read and enjoy my story. I loved every second of writing it. I not only love a man in uniform but sometimes think in a different time and place, I probably was one myself.

Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2241-Air-Bear.aspx

Synopsis:

Kappy and Jason are happily newlywed men relocating from a military base in Massachusetts to Kappy’s childhood home of Honolulu. For Kappy, the move brings up a lot of good and bad memories. And with his husband working a lot, it leaves him to deal alone with his resurrected past.

Jason, an Air Bear, is working at the combined Hickham and Pearl Harbor bases as a military police detective on a reactivated cold case. Although Jason’s work is secretive, his private life is spicy, hot, and nothing like anything the normally remote Jason has experienced before.

But things are about to get freaky when the target of Jason’s investigation starts stalking him. Jason has much to lose, and now he wonders about Kappy’s assertion that the island spirits—especially some wacky volcano goddess named Pele—will protect him...

Excerpt:

...“Where to?” Jason asked me. I glanced at him. He was so damned hot in his white T-shirt and new Baldwin Reed Jeans. I loved how they looked on him. Crotch-hugging, skin-tight. Too bad I’d have to make him take them off in a moment.

I led him down the hall, took a deep breath and slid the key card into the slot for room 2675. It gave a satisfying click as I pushed open the door. For a brief second, Jason cupped my ass with a firm hand as I moved ahead of him. We entered the beautifully decorated room and everything was just as I ordered. Champagne on ice. Room nice and cool. Fresh flowers, lots of pillows. Jason walked past me and over to the balcony door. I laid the suit bag on the bed and moved beside him. We had a perfect view of the empty International Marketplace to our right and the ocean to our left.

It was hard to explain to Jason how much it bothered me that so much had changed and that the International Marketplace in Waikiki was gone. The banyan tree that stood in the center of it for over a century had been preserved, as had a smaller hau tree. Building yet another swanky new hotel was called progress. I called it a crying shame.

He took it all in, the way he did everything, as though he were scanning the view for evidence of criminal activity.

“All right,” he said. “Who’s the third glass for?”

I opened my mouth to speak and he kissed me. It was a kiss with serious intention behind it, but a knock at the door interrupted us. Jason looked at me with avid curiosity and went to answer it.

My friend Yuji stood there. “Kappy,” he said, “Sorry. I was waiting for you and realized I was so nervous when I left home I forgot to bring rubbers.” He held up a box of Trojans. “I just bought some downstairs.”

I moved over to join them. Jason looked stunned as he took in the handsome young man I’d befriended through work. I saw the spark in his eyes. Yuji was gorgeous. What made him especially desirable was that he had no idea how hot he was. And poor Yuji, sweet and wonderful as he was, had been having a very difficult time of things lately. I thought letting my husband fuck him would make both their dreams come true.

“Jason,” I said, as I took Yuji’s hand and led him into the room, closing the door behind us. “This is Yuji. He turned twenty-one three weeks ago, and a lot of things have been going on in his life that have been very, very difficult. He’s always wanted to make love to an Air Force officer.” I paused. “And I know you love young, hot Asian men, so this is it. Put on your uniform. It’s in the suit bag. I want to watch you fuck the hell out of him.”

Jason’s jaw dropped. He just stared at me, then slowly began shaking his head.

“Have at it, sweetie.” I smiled at him...

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Mystery/Detective/Interracial/Multicultural/Ménage (M/M/M)/ 

Group Sex 

Heat Level: 3 

Length: Extended Novella (38k words)

*_*_*

Air Bear by A.J. Llewellyn 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 - To Love A Hero

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the To Love a Hero 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. 

Air Bear by A.J. Llewellyn Extended Novella (Gay)

Anomalies by Vivien Dean Extended Novella (Gay)

Finding the Way Home by Sean Michael Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Goodbye Town by T.A. Chase Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Return to Atsileigh 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 (8/23-8/28) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Air Bear by A.J. Llewellyn

Kappy and Jason are happily newlywed men relocating from a military base in Massachusetts to Kappy’s childhood home of Honolulu. For Kappy, the move brings up a lot of good and bad memories. And with his husband working a lot, it leaves him to deal alone with his resurrected past.

Jason, an Air Bear, is working at the combined Hickham and Pearl Harbor bases as a military police detective on a reactivated cold case. Although Jason’s work is secretive, his private life is spicy, hot, and nothing like anything the normally remote Jason has experienced before.

But things are about to get freaky when the target of Jason’s investigation starts stalking him. Jason has much to lose, and now he wonders about Kappy’s assertion that the island spirits—especially some wacky volcano goddess named Pele—will protect him...

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Mystery/Detective/Interracial/Multicultural/Menage (M/M/M)/       Group Sex
Heat Level: 3

Length: Extended Novella (38k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...“Where to?” Jason asked me. I glanced at him. He was so damned hot in his white T-shirt and new Baldwin Reed Jeans. I loved how they looked on him. Crotch-hugging, skin-tight. Too bad I’d have to make him take them off in a moment.

I led him down the hall, took a deep breath and slid the key card into the slot for room 2675. It gave a satisfying click as I pushed open the door. For a brief second, Jason cupped my ass with a firm hand as I moved ahead of him. We entered the beautifully decorated room and everything was just as I ordered. Champagne on ice. Room nice and cool. Fresh flowers, lots of pillows. Jason walked past me and over to the balcony door. I laid the suit bag on the bed and moved beside him. We had a perfect view of the empty International Marketplace to our right and the ocean to our left.

It was hard to explain to Jason how much it bothered me that so much had changed and that the International Marketplace in Waikiki was gone. The banyan tree that stood in the center of it for over a century had been preserved, as had a smaller hau tree. Building yet another swanky new hotel was called progress. I called it a crying shame.

He took it all in, the way he did everything, as though he were scanning the view for evidence of criminal activity.

“All right,” he said. “Who’s the third glass for?”

I opened my mouth to speak and he kissed me. It was a kiss with serious intention behind it, but a knock at the door interrupted us. Jason looked at me with avid curiosity and went to answer it.

My friend Yuji stood there. “Kappy,” he said, “Sorry. I was waiting for you and realized I was so nervous when I left home I forgot to bring rubbers.” He held up a box of Trojans. “I just bought some downstairs.”

I moved over to join them. Jason looked stunned as he took in the handsome young man I’d befriended through work. I saw the spark in his eyes. Yuji was gorgeous. What made him especially desirable was that he had no idea how hot he was. And poor Yuji, sweet and wonderful as he was, had been having a very difficult time of things lately. I thought letting my husband fuck him would make both their dreams come true.

“Jason,” I said, as I took Yuji’s hand and led him into the room, closing the door behind us. “This is Yuji. He turned twenty-one three weeks ago, and a lot of things have been going on in his life that have been very, very difficult. He’s always wanted to make love to an Air Force officer.” I paused. “And I know you love young, hot Asian men, so this is it. Put on your uniform. It’s in the suit bag. I want to watch you fuck the hell out of him.”

Jason’s jaw dropped. He just stared at me, then slowly began shaking his head.

“Have at it, sweetie.” I smiled at him...

I Love You, Goodbye by A.J. Llewellyn

When I accepted the challenge to write a police procedural story for the Amber PAX™ collection of stories, I tried writing one but it just wouldn’t fly. I couldn’t understand it because I love cops, and adore writing about them, but a visit to Austin, TX staying with my best friend convinced me I had to make I Love You, Goodbye, a new Dean Honeybone book. Once I made the decision to bring my favorite US Marshal out of retirement, the story fell into place.

Borrowing heavily from my niece, I gave Kaia, Dean and Jean-Luc’s little girl a new story arc, and man, is this kid finding growing up tough! 

Once again borrowing from real life, I based the gruesome crime Dean pursues on a real incident that happened last year. The story haunted me and I loved giving it life, but hated writing the murder scene. I was, however, intrigued to spend time talking with Austin detectives and learning about how they work.

I had a lot of questions and they were so helpful. Things happen faster there. Having spent so much time talking to Californian and Hawaiian cops, I was struck once again by the differences each city and state faces. Laws are different. DNA and coronial inquiries happen at different paces. 

Most people wouldn’t know, for example, that Los Angeles doesn’t automatically perform autopsies on their dead because of a huge backlog. 

Austin has its own problems. With so many new communities cropping up in The World Capital of Music, which has become a destination hub for young families, I chose to focus on the very real issues that are taking place there right now. During the ten days I spent in Austin, my friend’s family dealt with the terrible storms that shook the city. The frantic dog swimming down the street that I depicted in the opening scene, was real.

It worried us all until we learned his owner saved him.

And so, I Love You, Goodbye (the title comes from the Celine Dion song) was born. I love Austin and little things about it tickle me. I love South Congress and it’s bridge full of bats each evening, but I’d hate not having mail delivered to my door. Neither does Dean Honeybone! A communal mail box center in every neighborhood will soon become reality for all of us, but in the meantime, it’s still a novelty.

Murder is always intriguing, even if it’s not new. I’ve learned over the years that most homicides happen over money. Life is cheap sometimes, but for Honeybone, life means everything.

I Love You, Goodbye is now available at Amber Quill Press. Purchase Link:

http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2235-Honeybone-Book-5-I-Love-You-Goodbye.aspx

Synopsis:

(Book 5 of the Honeybone series)

(Note: Although this story is part of the Honeybone series, it can be read as a stand-alone story.)

Retired U.S. Marshal Dean Honeybone, his life-partner Jean-Luc, and their daughter Kaia have started a new life in Austin, TX. Jean-Luc has taken over a restaurant and has hired their neighbor, Manda-Jane Witten, as part of his kitchen staff.

Dean, Jean-Luc, Kaia, and even their dog Michael have come to adore Manda-Jane and her husband, Parker. During violent storms that shake Texas, Dean learns that Manda-Jane is deathly afraid of water, and when the couple’s home is flooded, Manda-Jane and Parker come to stay chez Honeybone, which serves to deepen the bond between the two families.

But when a mysterious cousin of Parker’s named Ronnie arrives to help the Wittens repair their home, Dean becomes suspicious of him, convinced the guy has done serious prison time. Though Ronnie soon returns to his home in Birmingham, strange things start happening over at the Witten home.

And then the couple disappears.

Dean becomes worried for their safety and teams up with an active U.S. Marshal to track them down. Kaia, however, seems to think he’s too late. She keeps saying they’re gone and that Dean has to listen to the song “I Love You, Goodbye” to understand the reason why...

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Mystery / Detective / Suspense / Thriller / Action / Adventure / Series 

Heat Level: 3 

Length: Novella (27k words)

Excerpt: 

...Everyone held their breaths as Jean-Luc unlocked the door and switched on lights. The restaurant really was a lovely, romantic space.

“Are we opening tomorrow night, boss?” Manda-Jane asked Jean-Luc.

Jean-Luc nodded, drinking it all in. “Oh, yes.”

She looked ecstatic. “Can I go to the food markets with you in the morning?” she implored, as he locked the door behind us.

“But it’s so early. I go at five,” he said, frowning.

“Please take her. She’s desperate to shop with you. Buying furniture put her in a mood,” Parker said.

Jean-Luc laughed. “I’ll pick you up at five sharp.”

We took some chairs off a table for six, and after Jean-Luc threw a crisp white cloth on it, we found some napkins and spoons and began attacking our desserts. Everyone except poor Michael who kept circling us, hoping something would drop to the floor.

“I’ve missed coming in every day,” Jean-Luc said, leaning back in his chair. A couple of hopeful people hammered on the door.

“We’re closed,” I yelled. They shrugged in a dejected way and left.

“Suckers,” Parker kidded, and once again we laughed.

When we cleaned up, closed everything again, then dropped the Wittens off half an hour later, Kaia began to cry.

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Manda-Jane told her, “I promise.”

Kaia cried harder. “I’ll miss you, Miss Manda-Jane. I’ll miss you a lot.”

“We’re not going anywhere. We’re right across the road.” Manda-Jane hugged and kissed her. Our heart-broken little girl was inconsolable. I had no idea what was going on with her. She clung to Parker.

“Don’t go,” she begged.

He patted her back and kissed her head. “We’ll see you tomorrow, love bug.”

When we got home, she kept staring at their house from inside our windows. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she had hiccups.

“Why, Daddy, why?” she asked me, her sorrowful face alarming me.

“Why, what, darling?” I asked, but whatever it was, she couldn’t articulate it. I held her but couldn’t seem to bring her comfort. Jean-Luc ran her a bath with her favorite pineapple and black currant bubble bath. She stared into the suds and mourned until I read her a story about her favorite ballerina. Only it was my version of the story and the ballerina farted. A lot.

Kaia squealed, laughing and happy again, and I was relieved. Oh, hell was I relieved. I wished I could have asked her what troubled her, but she’d been weepy since we’d moved here. Kaia had seen more death and despair than any little girl had a right to. All I could do was love her, hug her and make her laugh. I could make her happy, and I could make ballerinas fart.

It’s what daddies do...

*_*_*

I Love You, Goodbye by A.J. Llewellyn 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 - Strip Away the Badge

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Strip Away the Badge 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. 

Always the Perfect Moment by K-lee Klein Novella (Gay)

A Cop and a Con by Deirdre O'Dare Novella (Gay)

I Love You, Goodbye by A.J. Llewellyn Novella (Gay)

On Bryson by D.J. Manly Extended Novella (Gay)

Unobtainable by Shawn Lane Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (8/9-8/14) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

I Love You, Goodbye by A.J. Llewellyn

(Book 5 of the Honeybone series)

Retired U.S. Marshal Dean Honeybone, his life-partner Jean-Luc, and their daughter Kaia have started a new life in Austin, TX. Jean-Luc has taken over a restaurant and has hired their neighbor, Manda-Jane Witten, as part of his kitchen staff.

Dean, Jean-Luc, Kaia, and even their dog Michael have come to adore Manda-Jane and her husband, Parker. During violent storms that shake Texas, Dean learns that Manda-Jane is deathly afraid of water, and when the couple’s home is flooded, Manda-Jane and Parker come to stay chez Honeybone, which serves to deepen the bond between the two families.

But when a mysterious cousin of Parker’s namded Ronnie arrives to help the Wittens repair their home, Dean becomes suspicious of him, convinced the guy has done serious prison time. Though Ronnie soon returns to his home in Birmingham, strange things start happening over at the Witten home.

And then the couple disappears.

Dean becomes worried for their safety and teams up with an active U.S. Marshal to track them down. Kaia, however, seems to think he’s too late. She keeps saying they’re gone and that Dean has to listen to the song “I Love You, Goodbye” to understand the reason why...

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Mystery/Detective/Suspense/Thriller/Action/Adventure/Series
Heat Level: 3

Length: Novella (27k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Everyone held their breaths as Jean-Luc unlocked the door and switched on lights. The restaurant really was a lovely, romantic space.

“Are we opening tomorrow night, boss?” Manda-Jane asked Jean-Luc.

Jean-Luc nodded, drinking it all in. “Oh, yes.”

She looked ecstatic. “Can I go to the food markets with you in the morning?” she implored, as he locked the door behind us.

“But it’s so early. I go at five,” he said, frowning.

“Please take her. She’s desperate to shop with you. Buying furniture put her in a mood,” Parker said.

Jean-Luc laughed. “I’ll pick you up at five sharp.”

We took some chairs off a table for six, and after Jean-Luc threw a crisp white cloth on it, we found some napkins and spoons and began attacking our desserts. Everyone except poor Michael who kept circling us, hoping something would drop to the floor.

“I’ve missed coming in every day,” Jean-Luc said, leaning back in his chair. A couple of hopeful people hammered on the door.

“We’re closed,” I yelled. They shrugged in a dejected way and left.

“Suckers,” Parker kidded, and once again we laughed.

When we cleaned up, closed everything again, then dropped the Wittens off half an hour later, Kaia began to cry.

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Manda-Jane told her, “I promise.”

Kaia cried harder. “I’ll miss you, Miss Manda-Jane. I’ll miss you a lot.”

“We’re not going anywhere. We’re right across the road.” Manda-Jane hugged and kissed her. Our heart-broken little girl was inconsolable. I had no idea what was going on with her. She clung to Parker.

“Don’t go,” she begged.

He patted her back and kissed her head. “We’ll see you tomorrow, love bug.”

When we got home, she kept staring at their house from inside our windows. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she had hiccups.

“Why, Daddy, why?” she asked me, her sorrowful face alarming me.

“Why, what, darling?” I asked, but whatever it was, she couldn’t articulate it. I held her but couldn’t seem to bring her comfort. Jean-Luc ran her a bath with her favorite pineapple and black currant bubble bath. She stared into the suds and mourned until I read her a story about her favorite ballerina. Only it was my version of the story and the ballerina farted. A lot.

Kaia squealed, laughing and happy again, and I was relieved. Oh, hell was I relieved. I wished I could have asked her what troubled her, but she’d been weepy since we’d moved here. Kaia had seen more death and despair than any little girl had a right to. All I could do was love her, hug her and make her laugh. I could make her happy, and I could make ballerinas fart.

It’s what daddies do...

Malcolm at Midnight and the Mystery of Zzyzx Road by A.J. Llewellyn

When I signed up for the “Beware the Beast” SUPER PAX™ Anthology I knew right away I wanted to write about two insecure, frightened men, both of whom are afraid of their inner werewolves.

I also wanted to use Zzyzx Road, a strange place in the middle of the Mojave Desert between Los Angeles on the -15 Freeway – and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Many years ago, I was a boxing writer and I drove past that street sign every weekend. I always wondered what was on the other side of it. What mystery would I find off the spooky Zzyzx Road?

Zzyzx (pronounced Zie-zicks) has apparently intrigued other drivers too because one enterprising filmmaker, Jon Penney, immortalized it in a horror movie (but changed the name to Zyzzyx),which has the distinction of being the lowest-earning movie of all time. It made $30.

Well, I never saw it but I still felt compelled to include it in a pivotal sequence in my story. I had an experience on Zzyzx Road coming back from Vegas one weekend when my tire blew out. I called AAA, and it took forever for help to come. Unfortunately my dog, Venus, was with me and I was stunned to see gigantic condors circling my car. Who did they think was near death? Me or my dog?

I was relieved when the AAA guy arrived. He changed my tire, informed me it was a donut and that it would never get me back to L.A. That was not good news. He escorted me off the shoulder of the freeway and onto Zzyzx Road. What a revelation. I’d never been anyplace like it. Dogs chained in backyards, guys cooking drugs in trailers that emitted a strong, but unidentifiable scent of cleaning products, and a general air of menace. They also sold suspicious looking tires for exorbitant amounts… I politely said “no thanks” to shelling three hundred bucks for a tire that frankly looked bald.

“This is the high desert,” one of them said. “We can charge what we like.” I agreed. Didn’t mean I was gonna pay them for it.

I declined the tire and took my time driving back to L.A. I did find one in Barstow for a hundred. Still high, but not bad. And meanwhile, an idea was born. And here it is. I hope you read and enjoy Malcolm at Midnight. I loved every moment of writing it. 

Malcolm at Midnight: Purchase Link and info: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2224-Malcolm-At-Midnight.aspx

Malcolm Harding yearns for freedom, for the ability to make his own choices and even his own mistakes. Instead, he’s forced to give up college to care for his mother in her secluded home in the windswept California town of Cambria. Miriam’s mind is slipping into the abyss of Alzheimer’s and she’s becoming increasingly unpredictable and violent. Unfortunately, uder the terms of his father’s will, Malcolm cannot institutionalize her or place her into assisted living.

Yet something else keeps him with Miriam—he is desperate to learn the fate of the three beloved horses he left in her care during his one and only college year. But Miriam can’t, or won’t, tell him what she did with them. She calls Malcolm a beast and seems intent on crushing his spirit, if not his mind and body as well.

Gilby McCall is a personal chef with the unusual job of preparing meals for an orthodox Jewish couple. But soon the work becomes intense and alarming when they pile extra duties on him. When he is suddenly fired, Gilby accepts an invitation to take part in a cooking contest in Las Vegas. Before he leaves, however, Fate brings him to Cambria, where he meets the handsome, mysterious Malcolm Harding.

Although both men clearly have secrets and personal problems to overcome, they are strangely drawn to one another. Yet before they can explore the possibility of a romantic relationship, sinister forces intervene, revealing the beasts hidden deep within themselves...

Genres: Gay / Dark Fantasy / Shapeshifter / Werewolf / Mystery / Detective 

Heat Level: 2 

Length: Novel (41k words / TBD paperback pages)

*_*_*

Malcolm at Midnight by A.J. Llewellyn 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!