Let it Beatle: Happiness is a Warm Bum by J.D. Walker.

A bookstore owner and a drifter on wheels -- match made in heaven?

Austin Murray meets a drifter while he's out one morning searching for treasures on the beach. Murphy Vickers roars into Austin’s life looking for temporary work, but Austin wants to find a way for the man to stay awhile. Murphy is in need of healing and he stirs something inside Austin that he hasn't felt -- ever. Though Murphy is surly and reticent, Austin doesn't give up, and with the help of a local, breaks down Murphy’s barriers. Things end up looking pretty good, after all.

Excerpt:

When we got to the house, I suggested going on the deck. “I know it’s getting colder, but we have lots of warm blankets and pillows, and it’s clear. How about it? We can pretend to be kids again for a little while, camping out.” A little levity would do him good. Me, too, for that matter.

For a second, I thought he’d say “no,” but instead, the corners of his mouth quirked up and he nodded. “Okay.”

Five minutes later, security light turned off for the night, both of us were settled in comfortably on the deck on an old mattress pad with pillows, blankets and everything we needed to stay warm and stargaze.

“You said you’ve lived here how long?” Murphy asked, staring at the sky.

“Ten years or so. I needed a change from what I was doing before, and I’ve always lived by the water, so this was perfect. I bought out the previous owner of this property and setup the bookstore.”

He shifted a little next to me. “What were you doing before this?”

“I worked in a university library. Got bored.”

Silence, then he asked, “Ever been in a relationship with anyone?”

“Nothing long-term. Always been more of a confirmed bachelor. If I needed to get with a guy, it was always a quickie. Lately, though…”

He turned to face me, the moonlight casting shadows on sharp features and making the scars stand out. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and had beard shadow. “Lately what?”

“I’ve been feeling a little dissatisfied with life. Maybe I need a change or… I don’t know.”

“Can I ask you something?” he said.

“Sure.”

“When was the last time you had sex with anyone?”

I laughed heartily at the unexpected question. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“I can see where you’d think that, but there’s always opportunity on the road. Around here, doesn’t seem to be much.”

“You’d be surprised.”

He smiled, and it was like the moon shone a little brighter. “Maybe I wouldn’t. I saw the two guys on the blanket as I stumbled down the beach.”

“There are more of our kind here than you’d think. The folks in this community have adopted a ‘live and let live’ mentality that has served us well. Not to say folks aren’t nosy.”

“I bet. You haven’t answered my question,” he persisted.

“Why are you interested?”

“You intrigue me in spite of myself. You offered a perfect stranger a job and decent money, and even a place to sleep for a couple of nights. I haven’t met anyone like you in all my travels, and despite how standoffish I’ve been, I really appreciated it. I also noticed that there wasn’t anyone in your life that I could tell and hoped you did indeed have a companion. Someone to keep you warm at night and take care of you. You deserve that, and more.”

*_*_*

Happiness Is a Warm Bum by J.D. Walker is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post, 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.

Happiness Is a Warm Bum by J.D. Walker

(Book 3 of the Let It Beatle series)

Austin Murray is fifty years old, owns a bookstore and loves to walk on the beach every morning at sun-up. He’s a beachcomber, too, always in search of something unique to add to his collection. One such winter morning, an unkempt, sad-looking stranger roars into his life on a motorbike and his heart turns over for the first time, ever.

Murphy Vickers is world-weary, hurting and unable to connect with anyone. He travels from town to town looking for work, but never stays anywhere very long. He’s trying to outrun a painful event in his past that haunts him to this day. When he stops in a seaside town, he meets Austin, who offers him work and a place to stay for however long he needs.

Though a hard worker, Murphy is surly and reticent, no matter how friendly and open Austin tries to be. Austin almost despairs of getting through to him until the unexpected help of a local veteran sheds some light on Murphy’s past.

Slowly, Austin breaks through Murphy’s barriers and hopes the biker will decide that a sleepy seaside town and a maturing bachelor might be worth settling down for, even if it’s just for a little while.

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Series
Heat Level: 2
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (12k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...I looked at myself in the mirror, blue eyes sparkling, gray hair mixed with brown in need of a cut. The crow’s feet at the corners of my eyes, the laugh lines on my face, all spoke of a life lived, and yet, I had room for one more experience, and I wanted it with Murphy.

When it was lunchtime at the bookstore, I left Maury in charge and headed to the diner. I saw Murphy’ bike out front, and through the glass, I glimpsed him leaning against the counter, talking to Bertha.

I entered the restaurant and greeted both of them. “I got lasagna for you today,” Bertha said and went right back to flirting with Murphy. He was giving as good as he got, and though I felt a little envy, I was happy he had relaxed enough to have some fun.

When I seated myself in a far booth, Murphy joined me on the other side. “Bertha’s trying to recruit me to work in her kitchen.”

“She’s shameless, is our Bertha, and pretty single-minded. Don’t let her force anything on you.”

He grinned, and the sight of it hit me like a freight train. “No one ever forces me to do anything I don’t want to. You can believe that.”

“I do.”

A few minutes later, Bertha brought two helpings of lasagna and iced tea for both of us. “Enjoy, boys, and Austin, make sure you convince Murphy to stay. We need more good-looking men in this town.”

“What’s that say about me?” I retorted.

She just laughed and walked away.

“So, what do you think?” I asked as I took a bite of my food.

Murphy shrugged. “I dunno. I like cooking, and I don’t have anywhere to be, but I can take it or leave it.” He drank some iced tea, and the wetness of his lips was distracting.

“Keep an open mind,” I replied. “Not too many places like this around. And you have a friend here in Leonard, and me, too, if you’d like.” I focused on my plate and wondered if he heard the undertone.

“You thought I was asleep this morning when you untangled from me, didn’t you?”

I almost choked on my food. “What are you talking about?”

He smirked. “I pretended to be asleep when you got up. It was nice to wake up with someone in my arms. Hadn’t had that since the army, and being on the road is damned lonely.” And just like that, the mood changed.

“Is that what you want? To be with someone again, in a relationship? Would that make you feel human again?”

“I wouldn’t mind it at all, but I’m also used to moving around, too. I don’t know if I can have both those things, or if my wanderlust is permanent.”

“I guess you’re gonna have to figure it out, huh?”

“Yeah.”

We finished our meal and I went back to work, hoping for the impossible...

An Excerpt from To Catch His Mate by J.D. Walker

A mixed breed shifter insurance investigator and a white panther burglar work together to catch a faceless mastermind, out for revenge. When will they find time to become mates?

Blurb:

Felix Cotter is a top-notch insurance investigator, as well as a beast...of some kind. When he shifts, Felix has the body of a black panther and the head and paws of a white Bengal tiger. Whatever the deal is, Felix—weird shifter mix aside—is hot on the trail of a thief.

But the thief smells like mate, and he’s not sure what to think of the wet dreams he’s been having ever since he’s been on this case. Felix sets up a sting to catch the burglar, and comes face to face with the man of his dreams—Tyler Panterone.

A white panther shifter, Tyler survived the murder of his family, only to get caught up in the wrong crowd, and forced to steal against his will. Now it’s up to Felix to help Tyler get out of the bad situation he’s in and whoever is really behind these heists needs to be stopped, if only so that Felix can finally settle down with the man he wants to keep safe and at his side forever.

Excerpt:

After pouring myself another cup of coffee, I took a seat. “So tell me what happened last night after you left. I assume you made it to the drop off point on time?” 

Tyler finished half his omelet before answering. “Yeah, I got there.” He shuddered before continuing. “Those guys make my skin crawl, you know? And I can smell their disgust of me in their pores, along with their general malevolence toward the world. It’s like rotten meat. Everything about them is malignant and ugly.”

“We have to figure out what the real deal is. It’s more than money. There’s a link between Englemann and Forever Safes, but I don’t know what. When we figure that out, we’ll solve this case.”

Tyler nodded and finished his omelet, then slathered a slice of toast with butter and jam. There were crumbs in the corners of his mouth, and some moisture from the butter on his bottom lip. I used my thumb to wipe it away, and his tongue followed it.

“Behave, boy. Now’s not the time.” I couldn’t help myself, though. I brought the thumb to my mouth and licked the finger clean, just so I could get a taste of him.

He huffed. “How’s that fair? You get to taste, but I don’t? That’s mean.” 

His pout was cute, but I wouldn’t be swayed. Yet. “Later. We have to work first.”

“Fine.” After finishing his toast, Tyler got up and put his plate in the sink. Since I was also done, I stood and did the same, making sure to get up close and personal with his ass where he stood.

I ground into him with my firm prick and whispered in his ear. “Help me do a little work first, and then maybe, if you’re good, we can play a little bit.”

He turned to face me and placed his arms around my neck. “What if I want to play now? Won’t it clear our heads a bit if we get a little release? Then we won’t be as distracted.” Tyler nipped my chin and massaged the back of my neck with one hand.

My good intentions disappeared and lust took over. “You might have a point there. But I’m in charge here, boy. Not you. You do what I say. Understood?”

“As long as what you say gets me what I want? Then I’m game.”

*_*_*

To Catch His Mate by J.D. Walker is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post, 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 - Beware the Beast

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Beware the Beast 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. 

Campus Colorado by D.J. Manly Novel (Gay)

Malcolm at Midnight by A.J. Llewellyn Novel (Gay)

Savage Estate by Vivien Dean Extended Novel (Gay)

Moonstone by K-lee Klein Extended Novel (Gay)

To Catch His Mate by J.D. Walker Novel (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (7/19-7/24) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

To Catch His Mate by J.D. Walker

Felix Cotter is a top-notch insurance investigator, as well as a beast...of some kind. He has no idea who his real parents are, but when he shifts, Felix has the body of a black panther and the head and paws of a white Bengal tiger. Regardless, Felix now finds himself hot on the trail of a thief. The problem is, this thief smells like mate. Felix has never met another creature like him, so he’s not sure what to think of the sensual dreams he’s experienced since starting this case.

When Felix sets up a sting to catch the burglar, he finally comes face-to-face with the man of his erotic dreams—Tyler Panterone—and the feeling of belonging grows even stronger.

A white panther shifter, Tyler has been running scared since the murder of his family, and has since become involved with the wrong crowd, forced to steal against his will. Now, it’s up to Felix to help Tyler out of the bad situation while not implicating him in any way.

Whoever is really behind these heists needs to be stopped, if only so Felix can finally settle down with the man he wants to keep safe and at his side forever.

Genres: Gay/Fantasy/Shapeshifter/Mystery/Detective/BDSM (Light)
Heat Level: 3

Length: Novel (41k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...“If you help me catch these guys and find out what’s really going on, I’ll do my best to make sure you’re not incriminated. They’re using you for their own gain, but they’re playing a bigger game, and I need your help to find out what that is. You want your freedom back, don’t you?”

“Hell, yeah, I do. It’s a no brainer.” He swallowed and then stepped closer to me. “It’s strange but, even though I just met you—under interesting circumstances, I’ll admit—I trust you. I don’t know why, but I do. Maybe it’s because you’re like me, half man, half beast. But God, your smell, I don’t know, the scent is like safety to me.” Tyler shook his head and looked away, embarrassed. “That sounds insane, doesn’t it?”

I moved closer to him so I could feel the heat from his body. The scent of his arousal increased sevenfold, and my cock, half-hard for the past few minutes, was now full-blown again. “Not as crazy as what you smell like to me. Something about you—illegal activities notwithstanding—makes me want to claim your body, your very life as my own. I want to protect you, and I don’t understand why.”

I reached up to stroke his hair. It was as soft as I’d thought it would be, and thick, too, begging my fingers to clutch the strands. “I’ve been tracking your scent through all these robberies. I’ve been having wet dreams because of you, and no one else I have sex with eases the need. I want to fuck you raw, Tyler Panterone, but that would be unprofessional of me, wouldn’t it? Consorting with the enemy?” I tightened my fingers in his hair and held him still. Tyler’s eyes shifted, and I felt mine do the same. Christ.

“Shit, I want you to do it, and I don’t care how crazy that sounds.” He licked his lips, and I answered his plea, tilting his head and finally giving him what he wanted. What we both needed. Goddamn, but his flavor was intoxicating.

“Open your mouth, boy,” I ordered, and he quickly complied. Fuck, but his willing submission made me harder than ever. I sucked on his tongue and reached my other hand around to clutch his ass tight, bringing our hard cocks together to grind in the best way possible.

His tongue dueled with mine, and that clever mouth of his made me want to take him right there on the balcony. The timing wasn’t right, though, and I had to stay focused. I slowed the tempo, soothing him—and me—with slower kisses and gentle strokes down his supple spine.

Tyler whimpered, pushing in closer, begging me not to stop as he chased my mouth when I pulled away at last.

“Not now, boy. You have to get to Douglasville, remember?” I placed tiny kisses along his cheek all the way up to his forehead and lingered there, savoring the salt of his sweat, and inhaling his very essence. We were both hard as steel, but it would have to wait.

Tyler’s breathing calmed and he let his head drop to my shoulder as I wrapped my arms around him in a close embrace. He was mine, mine to protect, and I vowed to keep him safe.

I stepped back and gestured to the balcony. “Get going.” His hand lingered on my chest before he climbed over the edge and stopped there for a minute, staring at me, the night sky and city lights behind him, and his eyes glittering.

“Want me to come over in the morning so we can talk some more? I want to help, and I’d like to hear more about you, and, uh, explore more of what this…whatever you call it…is between us. It’s nice to meet someone out there that’s like me. It’s been difficult and lonely on my own.”

My heart went out to him because I knew what he felt. I’d had the same issues, but managed to subdue them somehow, until now. “I’ll be waiting. Use the elevator next time, okay?”

I smiled at him, and he gave me a toothy grin. “Only because you ask so nicely.” And with that, he was gone...

Woodstock Gave Me You by J.D. Walker

Laramie meets the perfect man in Bethel...then screws it up.

Laramie Pruitt is in Bethel, New York to experience peace and love at the Woodstock festival. His first day there, he meets Sullivan “Sully” Conyers, an easygoing, handsome guy who Laramie fervently wishes is the same as he—a man who prefers other men. After a dip in the lake to clean off the sweat from a hot day, his wish comes true, and the two men enjoy a late night tryst as well as clandestine kisses under Sully's tarp during a rainstorm.

Everything's perfect, until Laramie takes off in a snit because he and Sully have an argument. He soon regrets his actions when he gets soaked in a downpour, adding insult to injury.  Laramie wants to make amends, but in a sea of thousands, how is he supposed to find Sully and apologize? Perhaps the "flying, fickle, finger of fate" will lend a hand.

Excerpt:

I caught up with him as he staked his claim on a grassy spot that was surprisingly free of mud. It was pretty far from the stage, so far in fact that the people on it were as small as dots. There were fewer people around us here, but before us, the land was covered with humans as far as the eye could see. I didn’t mind that I couldn’t actually see the performers. Hearing the music was enough for me. I had other things on my mind at the moment, however.

“Are you hungry?” Sullivan asked as he spread out the blanket. “I’ve heard rumors that there’s a free kitchen somewhere on the grounds.”

How could he just…blurt out the fact that he was homosexual—and that he knew I was one, too—and then move on as if it hadn’t meant a thing? “Sullivan, what do you—”

“Call me Sully,” he said with a cheeky grin that drew my eyes to the dimple in his chin.

With difficulty, I focused on the issue at hand. “Fine. Sully, did you mean what you said back there, about you, you know…”

“You betcha.”

I swallowed. “Did you know right away that I was—”

“Yup.”

I closed my eyes. “Shit.” It wasn’t that I necessarily minded being known for what I was. I just didn’t want to get harassed for it—here, of all places.

He touched me briefly on the shoulder. “It’s okay. It wasn’t that obvious, though I know all about stereotypes, and people might look at you and assume certain things because of your delicate, almost girlish features, curly blond hair and bright green eyes, along with your slender build.” 

Great.

“But then, I’ve met men who’re twice my size and wear dresses so…” Sully continued, unaware of my dismay. “I try not to judge. I have a sixth sense for men like me, but it was the way you didn’t look at all the nude and semi-nude chicks that are all around us that finally clued me in. One babe was even trying to get you to dance with her last night, but you got this scared expression on your face.”

I’d been terrified, actually. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. We okay now?” he asked, his eyes soft on mine.

“Totally. I just…well, you took me by surprise, you know?”

“I do that to people. You’ll get used to it.” He gave me a confident grin. “So, you want food?”

“I’ve got some fruit here. You go ahead.”

He slapped me on the back, almost sending me to the ground. “See ya in a bit.”

While Sullivan—Sully was gone, I sat on the ground and watched everyone around me in a daze. It was getting closer to show time on the second day of the festival, and the air was electric with excitement.

I never thought I’d meet a kindred spirit of the male kind here, and I was overcome. Whether or not anything would happen between us, I wanted to get to know all I could about Sully Conyers in this brief moment in time.

It took him a while to return to our spot, by which time I’d finished an apple and an orange. “The lines were pretty long,” he said. “Eventually, I got to eat some cold eggs and toast. Here you go.” He handed me a muffin. “I thought you might like that. It’s apple cinnamon.” Far out.

“Thanks,” I said as I took it from him, letting my fingers linger for a second or two. Now that I knew he was like me, I felt free to make my interest known. I glanced at his chest. It was coated with perspiration from the heat of the day, making my mouth water.

“Stop that,” he admonished quietly, as he sat next to me. I could tell he wasn’t really serious, though. “Time enough for playing around later, if that’s what you want.” 

Absolutely!

*_*_*

Woodstock Gave Me You by J.D. Walker is now available at Amber Allure.

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

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Ooh, To Be Back in the 1960s

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Ooh, To Be Back in the 1960s 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. 

Laurel Canyon by A.J. Llewellyn Novella (Gay)

Midnight Cowboys by Deirdre O'Dare Novella (Gay)

Silences of Fallen Stars by Vivien Dean Novella (Gay)

The Stonewall Inn: Settling by D.J. Manly Extended Novella (Gay)

Woodstock Gave Me You by J.D. Walker Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (4/19-4/24) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Woodstock Gave Me You by J.D. Walker

It’s Woodstock, 1969, and Laramie Pruitt is anxious to feel some peace and love after the recent Stonewall riots in his hometown. While he’s grooving to some great music at the festival, Laramie meets a handsome young man named Sullivan “Sully” Conyers. They get along well, and Sully even tolerates Laramie’s tendency to get on his soapbox about social issues and Big Brother.

Soon, Laramie learns that Sully is gay—just like him. This leads to a tryst later that night and clandestine kisses under Sully’s tarp during a rainstorm. For the first time in his life, Laramie believes he’s found a man to love, a man who could love him in return...maybe.

But as always, Laramie’s mouth gets him into trouble. He takes off in a snit, but soon regrets his actions and yearns to return to Sully and apologize. Yet in a sea of half a million people, how is he supposed to locate the one man who could be his everything?

Genres: Gay/Nostalgic Contemporary (1960s-Era)/Exhibitionism/Public Places
Heat Level: 3

Length: Extended Amber Kiss (12k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...When we got back to our spot in the field, Shelly and some of her buddies were sitting on our blankets. I supposed that was one way to make sure our stuff didn’t disappear. We thanked her, and settled back into our space.

Sully and I rolled out our sleeping bags to prepare for sleep. I noted the strong smell of weed and something else around us. Turned out that Shelly’s buddies were big time stoners. They offered us a joint. I declined, feeling high enough on life already. Sully took a hit.

The music kept on going, and I lay down, staring up at the stars while zoning out on the bliss I’d experienced just now in the lake. Who knew I’d meet someone like Sully here at the festival?

It was definitely an added bonus to find a friend, and maybe more. I wondered what he felt about the whole thing. I turned my head to see what my new, intimate buddy was doing. I could just make out his body as he moved to the rhythm of the music.

I wanted to reach out and touch him, feel the muscles tense and release. Hopefully we’d have a chance at more than a hand job in the near future.

While I was grooving to Sly and the Family Stone, my eyes drifted closed. I awoke a little while later to find the tarp covering us again, and Sully close by in his sleeping bag.

“Sorry, buddy. Didn’t mean to wake you,” he whispered.

“That’s okay.” I yawned wide enough to crack my face. “Did it start to rain, or something?”

“Naw. I used the possibility of showers as an excuse to give us a little privacy.” I could hear the grin in his voice.

“You dog, you.” I unzipped my bag a little so I could take out my hands. “I want to kiss you.”

Sully obliged by leaning closer. His lips tasted as good as I remembered. We stayed like that for a while, another band on stage as we created our own little world in the middle of a field in Bethel.

“You’re a good kisser, Laramie,” he whispered, right before he nipped at the tip of my nose.

“You have the best lips I’ve ever savored.” And then I yawned again.

“Tired, huh?” he asked.

“A bit. Sorry to ruin the mood.”

He chuckled. “Don’t you worry about that. We’ll find a way to be together later. You’re not getting away that easily...”

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

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

Blurb:

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

  

Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*_*_*

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

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

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Something's Coming

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

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

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

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

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

The Moon by Sean Michael Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Interracial/Multicultural

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

Read a short excerpt...

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

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

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

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

“It’s easi—”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To Lift My Sole by J.D. Walker

When “no” is not an option...

Jim Newsome, CEO of a food services consulting firm, has been working undercover in a hospital kitchen to get an idea of the issues at hand. The last week on the job, he meets Lance Lamas, an Orthopedic specialist. Lance is intrigued by the well-made modified shoe Jim wears and tries to strike up a conversation. Jim, however, isn’t playing nice. Lance refuses to take "no" for an answer and is relentless in his pursuit of Jim. Something’s gotta give...   

  

Excerpt:

By Friday, my last day on the job, I felt relief that it was finally over. I had eaten lunch with Lance regularly, except on surgery day. He would always wait for me outside after I clocked out, and then escort me to the train station. I mentioned his stalkerish behavior to Paula in passing, and she thought it was “sweet.” No help there.

On the train that evening, I told Lance that he would be seeing me playing a different role on Monday morning at the hospital.

He looked at me askance. “You a spy or something?”

“No, but this will all make sense soon.”

“No more train rides together?” Was that a pout?

“That shouldn’t stop you, though, right? You weren’t taking the train just to keep me company, were you?”

He tried to look innocent. “If I said I was?”

“I might believe it, but I know you really like to save on parking so, grain of salt.”

Lance smiled. “See how well you know me?”

“You wish.”

“So, you gonna let me take you out on a date tonight?” He eyed me hopefully.

“Nope.”

“Brunch tomorrow?”

I laughed. “That’s so gay.”

He smirked. “Was there ever any doubt?”

“The answer’s still no, although…” I admitted to being curious, in spite of it all. “How about drinks tomorrow night, with friends? Neutral ground—for me, anyway.”

“Wait. You have friends? Really?” He feigned incredulity.

I stopped myself just in time from punching him in the nose. “Yes, I do. Don’t be shocked.”

“So, really? You want to meet me for drinks? And your friends?”

“Think you can handle it?” I challenged him.

He rubbed his hands together. “Bring it!”

I grinned at him. “Tony’s at nine.”

“Oh yeah. I discovered that place the day after I arrived in town. Never seen you there.”

“I’m always working late,” I replied, with a shrug.

“Weekends, too?”

“Sometimes.”

Lance leaned a little closer to me. “So I get to see you dressed up. I bet you look sexy in leather.”

“I’m not into that scene,” I scoffed.

“I wouldn’t mind if you were. You could spank me to keep me in line.” His leer was…tempting.

“Enough already. This is your station, right?” He was getting off at an earlier stop to run an errand.

The doors opened and Lance stood. Just before the warning bell for closing went off, he stole a quick kiss and ran out onto the platform. I could feel my face heating. The train wasn’t too packed, but I didn’t dare look around to see if anyone had paid attention to the light PDA moment. Was I wrong for the spur of the moment decision to invite him out on Saturday? Or was there safety in numbers? 

*_*_*

To Lift My Sole by J.D. Walker is now available at Amber Allure.

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

LATEST PAX RELEASE - A Cure For What Ails You

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the A Cure for What Ails You 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. 

Amen to Love by Carolina Valdez Extended Novella (Gay)

Impossibly His by Shawn Lane Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

The Notorious Dr. Ray by D.J. Manly Extended Novella (Gay)

A Soul Remembered by Vivien Dean Extended Novella (Gay)

To Lift My Sole by J.D. Walker Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (12/21-12/26) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

To Lift My Sole by J.D. Walker

Jim Newsome is the CEO of a food services consulting firm, working primarily for the healthcare industry. Having a shorter leg due to a childhood accident hasn’t slowed him down one bit. He’s successful in life and enjoys his work, perhaps a little too much, sometimes. Whenever he acquires a new client—typically a hospital—Jim goes undercover to get a firsthand look at the problems before reporting his findings, and possible solutions.

His current assignment hasn’t been an easy one, and Jim’s relieved it will be over soon. Along with the snobby attitudes he’s encountered with the medical staff, Jim meets Lance Lamas. An Orthopedic specialist, Lance is intrigued by the well-made modified shoe Jim wears and tries to strike up conversations. Jim, however, isn’t playing nice and tries even harder to avoid any entanglements with the handsome doctor, despite his roguish charm.

But Lance’s relentless pursuit eventually pays off, and during their first date, Jim suddenly turns the tables and becomes the pursuer, initiating a steamy, dirty-talking tryst that rocks Lance’s world. Lance definitely wants more of that in his life, but he really likes Jim, too, and yearns to keep him—shoe lift, dirty mouth and all...

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Exhibitionism/Public Places

Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (12k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...I arrived at Tony’s with minutes to spare. I was a little nervous, mainly because this was my first anything with a man in years. Work typically consumed my days and nights, unless Paula could drag me away—kicking and screaming—to do something fun. My jeans were stiff with newness, and my long-sleeved shirt still smelled of the store where I’d bought it. I’d even gotten a haircut that afternoon.

Paula and Bevin came up to me at the bar. “Jim, you actually made it!” She gave me a big hug, and Bevin shook my hand.

“Nice to see you, man. You’re looking good—nothing new there,” he said.

“Back atcha.” Bevin was always a joy to be around. He was the perfect foil for Paula, and vice versa.

“And don’t act so surprised, little miss. I have been known to have a drink with you on occasion.”

“Yeah, under duress.” She leaned back in Bevin’s arms and checked me out. “You bought new clothes.” Her eyes widened. “No way. Is someone meeting you here?”

On cue, Lance popped up at my elbow. “That would be me.”

I jumped a little at his voice and turned my head to frown at him, partly to hide my reaction to his sudden, and very attractive appearance. He was dapper in gray tailored slacks and a blue and white pinstriped shirt.

“Well, hello there.” Did her voice just drop a few decibels? “I’m Paula, a friend of Jim’s. And this is my husband, Bevin.” She reached out to shake Lance’s hand, and I stood by, like an idiot.

“Lance Lamas,” he replied. “I work, or rather worked, with Jim at the hospital. He’s mum about what he really does for a living, but he says I’ll figure it out on Monday. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

“Sorry, no can do.” She removed imaginary lint from his shirt, but I knew she was surreptitiously copping a feel. It was only flirting, I knew. She was madly in love with Bevin. Paula just liked to get a reaction out of me.

“Why so quiet, Jim?” Her expression was coy.

“I have no words for…whatever’s going on here.”

“Tell me something,” Lance asked after ordering a beer. “Is he always so…difficult to get to know? It’s like pulling teeth. Though I have fun trying.”

I tried glaring at Paula, willing her by visual osmosis not to say anything. To no avail.

“Oh, he’s a sweetheart, usually. But this assignment has been particularly strenuous, and he hasn’t had sex in years so—”

I gasped in outrage. “Paula!” This amused Lance, and Bevin just shook his head and offered me silent sympathy.

“Looks like I turned up at the right time, then.”

This needed to end. Now. “Okay, people. Can we change the topic or pick on someone else? Please?”

“Only for a little while. Bevin, dance with me, would you?”

“My pleasure, sweetheart.” He led her out to the crowded dance floor and they let themselves go.

“Your friends are cool, and Paula is a riot. I wouldn’t have thought you’d know anyone like that. You’re not very forthcoming.”

“Well, you are pushy. That tends to get my back up, normally.”

He took a sip of his beer. “So, really? Years since you had sex?”

“God, that’s the one thing you remembered from the conversation?”

Lance leered at me. “Sex is one of my favorite pastimes.”

“I barely know you.” But for some reason, I want to know you...