Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Release Blitz: Iudicium by T.C. Orton #Excerpt #Giveaway




Author: T.C. Orton
Book: Iudicium
Self Published
Cover Artist: TC Orton
Publication Date: May 31, 2017


Synopsis

After being incarcerated at a prison that leans over the edge of the world, Fayt must do whatever it takes to escape (or simply survive) the horrors that await him. You will take control of Fayt and guide him on his path, but be careful, for not everyone posing as an ally will lead you down the road to freedom.

Note: This is an interactive story, and it is important that you keep a record of your choices close by.

Fayt is in your hands…






Excerpt
NSFW

I feel the tip of his index finger sink into my body, and I muffle a cry with my hands. It stings so bad, and it feels so rough. I don’t know how much of this I can take, and I don’t know how long I’m going to have to endure it. Maybe I should just kick him, provoke him, have him kill me on the spot and end it all… Maybe.
Bonus Excerpt


The captain stands before me and pushes the icy metal onto my cheek, forcing me to clench my eyes shut. He proceeds to run it over my neck – my chest – my stomach… He goes all the way down and tucks it into the knot at the front of my trousers.

“I’ll make it simple for ya,” he whispers as he cuts through the string. “Either we fuck ya, or my blade here does.”

As he pulls back, the rags drop to the ground, revealing everything. I slowly open one eye, and I see Smyth pointing his finger toward my dick with smugness lighting up his face. 

“Expected more,” He sniggers as he makes his way up to me.



Giveaway

Enter the rafflecopter below and win a copy of this book!
(ebook will be gifted via Amazon)

Contest ends June 7th!

Disclaimer:
All winners are selected at random by rafflecopter
Winners will not be announced publicly for privacy reasons.
Thank you

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Series Review Tour: Accidental Roots by Elle Keaton #Review #Giveaway




Storm Season (Accidental Roots #1): Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 308 Pages

Blurb

They say you can’t go home again, Adam Klay doesn’t intend to until the death of his father, a famous artist, forces his return to Skagit, Washington. Cleaning up his father’s chaotic life was never on Adam’s bucket list. Worse, Adam finds himself inexplicably drawn to the elusive, terminally-clumsy, gorgeous, Micah Ryan. No way is he getting involved with someone from his hometown, he’s always insisted the best view of Skagit was in his rearview mirror.

Micah Ryan has been coasting on auto-pilot since his family was killed in a car accident a decade earlier. He runs a web business and has an irritable cat. He hardly leaves his house, unless it is for his afternoon espresso. His world tips upside down when Adam Klay rolls into town. For the first time in years, he feels alive. Unfortunately, Micah’s return to the living has been noticed and is not appreciated.

Someone has a secret. Someone is exploiting the vulnerable youth population in Skagit. Teenagers are disappearing, young women turning up dead, the dirty secrets of Skagit are surfacing.


No Pressure (Accidental Roots #2): Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 224 Pages

Blurb

Home is where the heart is, right? Except when it's not. Not when you're afraid for your life.

Joey James has given up on finding his 'Prince Charming'. There is no such thing, he needs to be realistic about his chances of a lasting relationship. A chance encounter with a former school mate at the local grocery store changes everything-maybe. Before Joey can decide what to do about it, he is swept into a terrifying scheme. Forced into helping a dangerous stranger in exchange for his family's safety, Joey begins a perilous journey into the criminal underbelly of Skagit. He will do whatever is needed to protect his family.

Buck Swanfeldt had a secret crush on Joey James in high school. Social anxiety and a two-year age difference made it impossible for him to approach Joey then. Life since high school has been challenging. And lonely. Eight years later, fate brings them together and Buck decides to act. He utterly fails. He would have left it at that, except fate seems to be intent on pushing Joey in his direction, and clearly Joey needs someone at his back.

Dark, sordid secrets hiding in Skagit are bubbling to the surface, danger lurks in unexpected places. Buck has never been anyone's hero but something about Joey has him throwing caution to the wind. Together the two men take on a dangerous force greater than themselves. But sometimes our worst enemy is ourselves.

Review

STORM SEASON

This was a great mystery romance! A mystery is tricky and I'm generally a hard sell when it comes to them because I hold it to a different standard. In the end, it has to be amazing. I have to understand the who, how, why's. On the whole, I was impressed!

Adam is a piece of work. He's a great detective but his line of work has made him into a bit of a grump... or so I assumed at first. When we learn about his childhood things make more sense. His mom left him and his dad, that's changes a person. He pretty much was the grown up of the two. But it's his dad and his dad was an artist and he wasn't a bad man at all. When Adam is forced to return home due to his father's passing you truly feel for him.

The secondary characters were awesome and colorful. I love when an author writes great secondaries. They are the meat of the story and often forgotten or underused. Not here though. Well done there.

In the Booking Room - a coffee shop in town- is where we meet Micah. He's a man with a heartbreaking past and I very much wanted to put him in my pocket. He's somewhat a recluse due to the life he's led and only ventures to the coffee shop. So, he does get out just not a lot.

Of course, there's a murder while Adam's there, has to be or there wouldn't be a story. This is also how Micha and Adam's romance grows. I love, love. love them together! Great chemistry with these two, wonderful and intriguing mystery, and I loved Elle Keaton's writing style. A win!


NO PRESSURE

No Pressure is book 2 in Elle Keaton's Accidental Roots series. I recommend reading book one, Storm Season, first because there is some carryover and closure from there.

This book is the story of Joey and Buck. Buck rocks! He is everything. A fumbling sweetheart. When he's around Joey I just wanted to squish him. The attraction with these two is instant and watching Buck interact tugged at my heart.

This author really nails the chemistry with her characters and adds a believable depth to each one. I can't begin to explain how vital that is and Elle Keaton has mastered that.

Through all the drama and suspense this story had the pacing was on point with the plot and the romance. It flowed really well. Sometimes I feel rushed when there's action and love involved but not here.

The ending had me a slobbering mess so grab tissues. It's not a bad cry don't panic! I'm really enjoying this series and this author!
 



May 23 - Dirty Books Obsession, Bike Book Reviews, Booklove
May 25 - The Geekery Book Review, Keysmash, MM Good Book Reviews
May 27 - Dog-Eared Daydreams, Jim's Reading Room, Padme's Library, Reading Is My Satisfaction
May 29 - Sarandipity, Wicked Faerie's Tales & Reviews
May 31 - Bayou Book Junkie, Urban Smoothie Read, Diverse Reader, BooksLaidBareBoys, Abbey's 1-Click Book Blog

Author Bio

Author, photographer, rare Pacific Northwest Native, Elle grew up in Seattle, WA., with the Cascade Mountain range to the east and Olympics to the west. Less than two hours northwest lie the majestic San Juan Islands. To the northeast is the Methow Valley and the scrub deserts of Eastern Washington. Geography ripe with material.

A graduate of Western Washington University, Elle has a BS in biology which taught her to be tenacious. The closest she has come to biology since then is having two kids. Like an experiment or something. She’s lived in four states (none of which were gaseous), London England, and Hong Kong; always knows what time it is, and has no problem finding parking even in the most difficult places. Cannot balance a checking account.

Elle's series Accidental Roots, mostly set in the Skagit Valley of Western Washington, will make its debut spring of 2017. Storm Season is tender, sometimes irreverent, full of nosy neighbors and help when the hero didn’t think he needed it. Writing has always been a passion but not something she was able to take seriously until recently. Now her head is full of ideas and not enough time in each day.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions


Release Day Review: Sex Ed by Z.B. Heller #Review #Giveaway




Author: Z.B. Heller
Book: Sex Ed
Self Published
Publication Date: May 31, 2017
Length: 243 pages


Reviewed by Meredith


Synopsis

Jaxson Dane is harboring a secret.

Not the fact that he’s a geeky comic book lover, or that he secretly draws his own comic, Bunny Fu Ninja Warrior. It’s not even classified information that he’s out and proud!

His secret is the shame that he’s a twenty-three-year-old virgin.

Jaxson isn’t waiting for marriage or even afraid of taking that step, he just hasn’t found the one guy who will accept all of his adorkable qualities. Due to an unfortunate mishap with a self-pleasuring apparatus and his favorite appendage, Jaxson meets Tyler Mason. The emerald-green-eyed nurse is a witness to the mortifying incident, leaving Jaxon both grateful and disappointed in their one-time meeting.

And then Tyler somehow shows up at Jaxon’s family dinner.

The very dinner at which Jaxson’s hidden virginity is revealed to everyone, including the captivating nurse.

Even though he secretly found the ER situation hilarious, Tyler is also able to look past it to see Jaxson’s genuine nature and is drawn to the charming and hapless comic book artist. He’s tempted to pursue the inexperienced Jaxson, but a recent and life-altering decision puts a damper on his wants and desires. However, the more time they spent together, the more willing he is to take the risk of juggling his new commitments and winning Jaxon’s affections.

A large, insane, and meddlesome family, two prying co-workers, and a sexy nurse are all trying to give Jaxson a crash course in Sex Ed. Will he pass?






Review

Sex Ed by Z.B. Heller is a rom-com with high comedy. Like more comedy than anything else for sure. Jaxson's character was truly fabulous. There's something about a shy and clumsy guy that calls to me. Add in that he's a virgin and you can see how the humor is born.

I would say that Jaxson was by far my favorite character in this. It's very hard not to love and deeply sympathize with him. Tyler (an ER nurse) is really the perfect fit for someone like Jaxson. He will need someone with medical training to keep him alive with how accident prone he is. I really was laughing my butt off with how Tyler and Jaxson meet. It's one of those stories that if you heard one of your friends tell you it, you wouldn't believe them.

If you happen to have read Z.B. Heller's Moxie series, Jaxson is Moxie's son. No, you don't need to read the Moxie series to get this. It's a standalone through and through. That's just a tidbit for fans.

Now, there are varying degrees of humor. My favorite is dry humor always has been always will be. I wouldn't say this was dry humor. It's slapstick at times and occasionally way over the top. When the author reels it in the balance equals good comedy. There's also an element of crudeness which I don't have an issue with at all. I tend to cringe at those sort of jokes but I can see the appeal some have toward it.

I did have one issue with this story. I felt really bad for Jaxson when SO many nasty and crude jokes were at his expense. A lot by family and friends. There's ribbing and then there's joking around to pull a laugh without really caring about someone's feelings and that's where this fell. I found myself analyzing if Jaxson was shy and socially awkward because of the, for lack of a better word, bullying he endured his whole life. This is just a hard limit for me for personal reasons.

It's duel POV which I love! I like getting into the MC's heads and there's less confusion and the picture always seems clearer to me.

All in all it is a humorous romantic love story with over the top antics. It's unique in its own right. I'd absolutely say if you're a fan of crude, loud, slapstick humor with crazy characters and an underdog who wins then give this a go.




Giveaway


The monthly review giveaway this month is a Kindle Fire
Courtesy of author Z. B Heller!

HUGE thank you to her for her generosity! 

Contest ends June 30th! It is an international contest.
Thanks!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Looking For A Cover Artist: KLA Boutique Swag & Covers



Every author needs a Cover Artist! The cover of a book it vitally important. It's where our eyes go before even the title. Diverse Reader will be featuring many cover artist periodically. A Mast list will be at the top of the page after a few have posted. So, easy find!

The first Cover Artist we are featuring is KLA Boutique Swag & Covers. Here are some samples:






Pricing and Contact Info

Premade cover prices are $75 for a full wrap, ebook cover, 3d book and a banner.
For custom covers, I charge $150. Includes the same items.

Contact




COVER ARTIST IS LGBTQ FRIENDLY

Release Tour: Narrow Margins by J.J. Harper #Excerpt







 Synopsis


Well known as a playboy, Griff Broderick, MotoGP world champion, didn’t realize a chance meeting in a club would lead to him looking at his life in a whole new way. What was more surprising to him, the person who changed his life was a man!
Twelve hours after the greatest night of his life, a knock on his door threatens to take that life away from him. Choosing to take the chance, Griff ignores the offers of help from the one person who knew the truth: Corrie Deschamps. Losing his job, Griff has time to ponder his errors and mistakes. He knows, the biggest one was losing Corrie.
Corrie Deschamps, injured army veteran, knows the night with Griff Broderick was only a one night thing but the stubborn man’s refusal to accept his help has Corrie frustrated. Was Griff really so ashamed to admit he was with a man? But then Corrie stumbles into a life he never expected, with a man he thought he’d never see again: his brother, Raff McMahon. He tries to forget the one night he spent with Griff Broderick, the greatest night of his life.
Another meeting, at De’ath of You Enterprise headquarters, brings them together again. Corrie’s reaction is not one Griff, or the owners of De’ath of You, expected. Refusing to have anything to do with him, Corrie storms off.
Griff knows how hard he is going to have to work to prove himself to Corrie, to get his forgiveness for rejecting him and his help. How can he prove Corrie is the man for him? That he will never want another person, male or female.
Corrie doesn’t trust Griff, never believing the gay-for-you premise, but he wants him. Corrie’s body yearns for him. Can he get over his fears and accept him into his life, and into his heart?
Will Griff be prepared to be seen with another man? Will he accept his sexuality? What happens when he gets bored and wants to return to the race track and MotoGP? Is there a place for Corrie in that lifestyle?
It’s time for them to man up and claim the love and life they want.
This is a gay love story and involves hot, steamy sex between two men and is therefore recommended for readers over the age of eighteen.


Buy Links








 Excerpt

Griff’s Point of View

“Because you’re scared it wasn’t that good?” I watch as he nods, “Trust me, babe, it was that good.” I whisper and reach up to kiss his cautious face. “Wanna check?” I wink, expecting him to laugh and shrug it off.
“Yeah, I do.” I watch as he swallows hard. “But not tonight, I’m exhausted and have taken another painkiller, but, when we’re both ready, we will.”
Anxious butterflies wake up and bluster around in my stomach. Shit, what if it’s not as good as he remembers?
“Why are you suddenly looking so nervous? Are you having second thoughts? Because, we can back off.” Corrie looks as if he expected this.
“No! No, I’m just worried that maybe it won’t be as good for you. That it won’t be what you remembered it to be. It’s narrow margins again, the difference between reality and memory, of expectations and disappointments. Y’see, I remember it as being that good, too.”
Letting him take control, I melt against him and my fingers tangle with his. When he breaks away, his eyes flare with lust as they burn into my own.
“We need to stop, Griff; I want to do this right. I’m not going to rush it.” His expression is so honest, I can only nod. Dipping his head, he kisses me softly this time. “Good night, Griff.”
I lie in his arms for a long time, listening to his quiet breathing. Every now and then, his fingers twitch and tighten around my body. My head is full of thoughts and images of my life or, more specifically, my sex life. Is this why I never felt a connection with the women I fucked in the past? Have I simply assumed I’m supposed to be straight? No, it’s not that: I like women. I like the softness of their bodies, I like the way they smell and even taste. But none of them compare to the feel of Corrie’s skin, and the hard muscles underneath, or the taste of him. The scent of his clean sweat is all man; he has a rich, slightly spicy, woodsy scent that makes my mouth water. The rough stubble on his chin excites me as my fingers scrape over his jawline. Still, I feel like I should be freaking out, I’m lying virtually naked with another man. Why does this feel so right?








 About J.J. Harper



I’m J J Harper or Jess to my friends and family. I sit in my living room typing away, with my dog and a warm fire in the winter. And in the summer, I sit in the garden soaking up the sunshine, still tapping away on my laptop, still with my dog.  I write hot, sexy and lovable male romance with men that you wish you could keep to yourselves. I find it hard to share them 😉
I stumbled into writing after a suggestion from my husband set some seeds sowing in my head and the ideas started to flow. I have found something that I absolutely love doing. I’m a true romantic and always want to see a happy ever after in my books and in life.
I’m a mother and a wife but tend not to live by those definitions, I have still yet to work out how to act my age!! Lol. And I have no intentions of growing up or growing old gracefully, I live in a small very quiet village in Lincolnshire, UK, with my husband and my dog and spend all day dreaming up stories full of really hot men.