11/28/2015

USA Today, Holiday Romance, Reviews #caffeinateme #writestuff



Good morning everyone! *sips coffee*  It's a chilly, chilly day here in Southern Illinois. Hope you're having some sunshine out wherever you are, and if the sun's not shining that you're finding some way to stay warm!  Now that Thanksgiving has passed… *whew* I've got a slew of news to share!

Over the weekend Heart on the Run and Christmas in His Heart were featured in USA Today's book section! The lovely Becky Condit reviewed both books and had some very kind things to say.

"Havan Fellows and Lee Brazil have written together and separately for a long time, and this little Christmas novella is a perfect example of why I love their collaboration. The good news is, after you fall in love with Dermot and Xan, there is a sequel, waiting for your reading pleasure …"
And

"This is a great friends-to-lovers trope, and it doesn’t go any smoother than it should. Sometimes they barge ahead, sometimes they back off too much and too often, but they never forget about how much each means to the other."  
That's just the awesomest feeling for an author, to have someone enjoy your work so much!

Holiday stories are great this time of year, so if you haven't picked up Christmas in His Heart or Heart on the Run, you can find them both on sale at All Romance eBooks through Tuesday.


Christmas in His Heart

Christmastime brings joy to hearts everywhere. Between snow angels, festive clothing, holiday decorations, and of course, all the beautiful lights, it’s hard not to partake in the season.

Unless you no longer have Christmas in your heart.

Dermot Alasdair has never shared the horrific memories that keep him from celebrating the happiest time of the year, nor does he ever plan to. He’s fine being alone and shut off from everyone; he has his restaurant and that’s all he needs. He believes that, too…until the craft store next door from his eatery hires a perpetually smiling annoyance. Really, it isn’t normal for someone to be that happy all the time.

Xander Leahman didn’t know what he was getting into when he accepted an invitation to visit his best friend and help her interview people for the newly created position of manager at Craft Time. When a surly man bumps into him and then walks away with an enticing sway to his hips, Xander decides the position—and Dermot—are perfect for him. Now all he can think of is finding ways to get Dermot out of his clothes. Well that, and how to open this grinch’s heart to the Christmas season and, hopefully, love.


Heart on the Run

Charles Darwin Millsworth, Chaz to one and all since infancy, has no wish to live up to the grandeur of his name. Fortunately, his southern belle mama isn’t at all inclined to push her son into a career that won’t make him happy. Or any career for that matter.
As far as Belle is concerned, Chaz needs to loosen up and enjoy life. After all, that’s the whole point of being independently wealthy, isn’t it?

Chaz can see her point, but can’t help it that he has an internal clock ticking away the years. His father died in his forties, and his grandfather before him. As far as Chaz is concerned, that means he has limited time on this earth to make his dreams come true. When his time comes, he doesn’t want to leave anyone weeping over a wasted life.

Sprocket Moretti likes to think of himself as a simple guy. He doesn’t get all worked up over the little things. He loves his assistant manager position at the local craft store, enjoys college, shares the home he grew up in with his bestie…yeah, the big stuff is looking good. Unfortunately one of the little things he tries not to stress over is a broken friendship with a very hot and bewildering sous chef, Chaz. They were buds, they used to grab coffee together and gossip like the old ladies in town, and it was fun. But one night they took the idle chat a step too far, and the next morning Chaz not only kicked Sprocket out of his bed, but out of his life also.

Now, no matter how much Sprocket tries to charm Chaz, the guy has no desire to return to their pre-sex playful bantering ways. And if Sprocket stays true to his motto, this little thing—Chaz—should be written off and never worried about again.


If Sprocket knew one night of reality altering orgasms would endanger their easy going friendship… How do you finish that sentence when all your mind wants is its friend back, and all your body wants is another taste?

11/26/2015

Crawl in Bed with Lynn Lorenz # a very hot excerpt! #pridepromotions #mmromance #historical

Crawling Into Bed With Lynn Lorenz And a Good Book

Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton? Oh honey, I’m so over the silk. You slip and slide on them. One good thrust and you’re on the damn floor. I’m all about comfort. Sadly, it’s all soft cotton flannel sheets for me!
What are you wearing? Now? Cotton sweats. Grey. Comfort, remember? Not even my bra and panties match, but at least I’m wearing them! My black fluffy slippers are sitting by the bed just waiting to keep my feet warm.
What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight?  I just bought some rosemary ham, hard salami, and dill Havarti with olive oil crackers. A handful of black, seedless grapes. And a few black olives. To drink, I sustain myself with a tumbler of Kahlua and half-n-half cream, over ice, shaken to a frothy completion. With a bendy straw. Perfection!
If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?  More food. That’s my chocolate stash. It’s absolutely necessary to keep me going all night. Reading, honey. Get your mind outta the gutter! I’m not that kind of girl. Well, not any more. I have eschewed those ways. *sniff*
Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?  Well, since I sleep with a bear, it gets hot as hell under those blankets. Yeah, he’s a large, grey bear and he generates enough heat to melt the ice caps. (In all the ways you’re thinking) So most nights, I’m kicking the blankets off my feet. We keep the temp set low and frosty to counteract all the heat we create. Under the covers. Naturally.
Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up? Not without drawing back nubs, honey. Besides, that’s my trick! It’s one of the things my bear is there for – we keep each other warm in the winter and shaded in the summer. And no, you can not know all the other things! Cheeky monkey!

What are we reading? Tonight, I’m reading the second book of the In The Company of Men series, Jackson’s Pride.Here’s a little scene between Will, Jackson’s lover, and Will’s former lover Hugh and his current lover, Jon. Hugh and Jackson are half-brothers, so yeah it’s complicated.





“I thought you might be lonely, so I brought a friend.” Hugh pushed his way into the room. With a flourish, he pulled a young man from behind him.
As Will shut the door, he judged Hugh’s lover at no more than eighteen, perhaps less. Small, lithe, with white blond hair and pale blue eyes, he was everything Hugh found exciting.
“Your taste in lovers hasn’t changed, I see. Still prefer them young and pretty.” Will reached out, cupped the man’s chin, and raised it to look into his eyes.
Hugh waited for Will’s approval, it seemed. How odd that Hugh should seek the approval of a man he had once used and tossed away as worthless. No doubt the same fate would await this young fellow. Pity; he was indeed pretty.
“And you, Will? Still prefer your men big and strong?” Hugh grinned.
Will’s eyes flicked to Hugh. “I wasn’t aware I had a preference. Opportunity and willingness are usually enough for me.” Will still held the delicate, pointed chin. Such full red lips and sad pale eyes. Will searched deeper into them. No, not sad. Frightened.
“He’s sweet, I promise you. Care for a taste?” Hugh’s hands rested on his lover’s slim shoulders, holding him in place between them.
“What is your name?” Will asked, since Hugh had not formally introduced him. That rudeness was so like Hugh, to treat his lover as if he were naught but a toy.
“Jon,” he answered with a quick lick of his lips and a flash of a shy smile.
“Well, Jon. May I kiss you welcome?”
Jon’s eyes widened. “Aye, m’lord,” he whispered.
Will locked eyes with Hugh, not Jon, as he leaned down. Hugh’s dark eyes widened. Will saw the arousal in them. As his lips brushed Jon’s, Will closed his eyes. Soft as a feather pillow, Jon’s full lips cushioned his mouth.
Pressed between the two older men, Jon moaned and leaned into the kiss, but was held back by Hugh’s hands. Will’s tongue slipped inside and met Jon’s as Will tasted him. Jon might have been sweet, but it was ashes to Will. Breaking the kiss, Will straightened and looked into Hugh’s eyes.
“He trembles at your touch, William,” Hugh whispered.
“Does that surprise you? I have made many men tremble.”
Hugh’s eyebrow rose. “You have learned much these last ten years.”
“Twelve years.” Will stepped back.
“Take him if you want him.” Hugh’s hands released Jon.
“Have you never learned, Hugh?” Will shook his head. “Lovers are not toys to be played with or passed amongst your friends at whim.”
“Don’t spout morals at me, William. I can see your desire for Jon.”
“And I can see yours.” Will had to think fast. He was getting in too deep. He’d had no plans to let this play go any further, but he wanted to gain the upper hand with Hugh. Would taking Jon betray Jackson, if only to learn Jackson’s fate or help find him? There had to be another way.
“My tastes have changed.” Will shrugged, strode to the chair, and sat. He leaned back, spread his legs wide, and placed his hands on his thighs. “I won’t take him, but I will watch you.”
Hugh straightened. Will heard the sharp intake of Hugh’s breath. “You wish to watch? You surprise me, William.”
“I surprise myself at times,” Will drawled.
Looking into Jon’s eyes, Will saw doubt. He had no wish to harm the young man. After all, he’d been in the same position once. But Will had refused to be a toy or to share Hugh with another. Jon had no such strength, it seemed. Yet, there was something about the young man that gave Will pause.
“Remove his shirt and thumb his nipples,” Will ordered.
Hugh’s lips parted as if to protest, then closed. Standing behind Jon, Hugh’s hands reached around, grabbed the edge of Jon’s shirt, and pulled it over his head. Jon’s chest was pale and hairless, his nipples pink as the bud of a new rose, his stomach lean.
Altogether a tempting sight. Hugh’s arms wrapped around Jon’s chest, hands splayed, fingers caressed, until his thumbs found their targets. Jon sighed as his buds became hard points under Hugh’s touch.
“Kiss his shoulders.” Will spread his fingers and pressed his hand into his thigh to keep it from fisting. It aroused him to have such control over the lovers. He didn’t want to let it show, but if this went on for long, arousal would be hard to deny.
Hugh’s head fell forward, his eyes locked on Will as his black hair cascaded over Jon’s pale skin. Those two bodies were a beautiful and terrible contrast. Jon’s small, delicate frame and Hugh’s larger powerful body. Jon’s pale skin and eyes, and Hugh’s dark hair and eyes. Jon’s soft vulnerability and Hugh’s harsh ruthlessness.
Jon’s head fell to the side as Hugh’s lips made their way from shoulder to neck, over Jon’s throat to end at his earlobe. Hugh’s fingers continued to work Jon’s nipples.
“He’s beautiful, Hugh. Tell him.”
Hugh’s dark eyes still held Will’s. “You’re right. He is beautiful and he tempts me each time I see him.” His tongue laved Jon’s cheek.
“Don’t tell me, I see his beauty. Tell him.”
Hugh paused. “You are so beautiful, Jon,” he whispered.
Jon’s eyes shuttered. Will wondered how often Jon had heard those words from Hugh. He’d hear more, if Will had anything to do with it.
“Move your hands to his belly, but don’t touch his cock.”
Hugh’s hands slid lower, his fingers passing just under Jon’s waistband. Jon’s cock was at full stand, a long, slender lump beneath the loose woolen breeches he wore.
“Touch him with the tips of your fingers.”
Eyes closed, Hugh kissed Jon’s neck and obeyed Will’s instructions. Jon gasped as Hugh’s fingers brushed against his swollen member.
Even though Will couldn’t see Hugh’s rod, hidden by Jon, it had to be straining by now. His was. Will longed to stroke himself. This game had taken him prisoner also. He took a deep breath in a vain attempt to control himself.
“Untie his laces. Slowly.”
Hugh’s hands found the strings and began working them as his eyes locked with Will’s. Damn, the intensity of Hugh’s stare tore through Will, puckering his nipples and his ass. Determined not to fall into Hugh’s trap, Will shot back a look that he hoped smoldered.
By the parting of Hugh’s lips, Will knew he’d hit his mark.
Jon’s pants fell to the floor. Hugh pushed down the cotton trews Jon wore and freed his rod. Jutting upward, it was as pale and pretty as Jon was. Slender, yet long, its shaft was only a few shades darker than Jon’s skin, but its full head blushed with blood. Desire leapt in Will. Jon’s rod looked truly delicious, as if it were some candied treat he wanted to taste.
“His rod is as pretty as he is, is it not?”
“Beautiful. And so sweet tasting.” Hugh ran his tongue around his lips, tempting Will. To give in would be utter madness. But Will had not lost his reason. Always, in the back of his mind, Jackson stood waiting.
Will spread his knees farther apart, displaying proof of his own endowment and let his hand slide upward to rest on the crease where his thigh met his loins. He rubbed his thumb over the bulge.
Jon stared at Will, his eyes wide, his pupils large and dark. As the lovers watched, Will ran his tongue over his bottom lip. There was no mistaking Hugh’s widening eyes or Jon’s shuddering sigh.
Hugh’s hands reached for Jon’s cock.
“I didn’t tell you to take it, did I?” Will drawled.

Wow! Want more?
Check out The Mercenary's Tale, Jackson's Pride, Baymore's Heir, His Duke's Gift
In The Company of Men
Books: One through Five

Release Date: September 2015 – December 2015
Blurb(s):

The Mercenary’s Tale – Drake is a mercenary for hire. He values little other than his sword and his skill. Fighting his attraction to the young men he trains, he refuses to take any on. When Ansel walks into his life, Drake breaks all his rules.
But life for mercenaries is hard, brutal and deadly.
Can Drake take a chance on finding the love he’s denied himself for so long?

Can he have a second chance?

Jackson’s Pride - Jackson has been called to attend his father, Lord Baymore. The man has never claimed Jackson as his son and Jackson believes this might be his father’s intent. He’s left the Duke of Marden’s employ to discover his destiny—to remain a nameless bastard or to claim his father’s name.
When Jackson stumbles across a man, stripped, beaten, and left in a field to die a slow death, Jackson rescues the man. After all, he’s guilty of the same thing—wanting a man.
Will Holcombe gambled and lost. His meeting with a young, willing man went horribly wrong, and now he must pay for it with his life.
Until a man walks up to him in a frozen field and cuts him down.
Jackson is like no one Will has ever met before—a man strong enough to stand with him, perhaps forever.

But Jackson’s on a mission. Will his pride blind him to what his life could be if he chose Will and not his father?
Or will his pride lead him to a fate worse than death?

Baymore’s Heir - Duke Jackson of Baymore finally has all he’s ever wanted—his name, a title, and the man he loves by his side. Lord Will Holcombe couldn’t be happier. He’s Jackson’s lover, best friend, and manages all of Jackson’s affairs. For two years, their life together, although deadly if anyone knew of their forbidden love, has been perfect.
Until Jackson the day when decides the one thing he needs is an heir.
And the one person to find him a wife is Will.

Silent Lodge – Drake and Logan are worried about their friend and captain of the guard, Peter. After the death in childbirth of Peter’s wife, he’s a changed man. Unfocused, lonely, and devastated, Peter needs a new challenge, instead of going through the motions of living.
Logan sends Peter on a mission – to discover Duke Weathersby’s plans for invasion. Logan’s father has a small hunting lodge near the border of their lands, and it has a caretaker. Peter sets off alone, to make camp at the lodge and do some scouting.
But what he finds at the lodge just may be his future. Arvel is a fascinating young man. Red haired, deaf and mute from a fever as a child, he’s been living in the lodge and caring for it for years. It’s a safe haven for him. But he’s not alone. He has a protector, Gareth.
When Gareth, Arvel and Peter are together, sparks fly. Arvel belongs to Gareth, but he wants Peter too. Can Peter join their small family? And if he does, will he always be the third to their couple?

His Duke’s Gift – In this Yuletide story, Duke Logan is preparing the keep for the holiday. Twelve nights of feasting and gift giving to those in his favor. Gifts must be made or bought. Once mercenary Drake struggles to think of just the right gift for his love and liege, and for their sons.
Something isn’t right. A stranger has arrived at the keep and Logan refuses to let Drake into his bedroom at night. Angry and frustrated, Drake fears Logan has lost his love for the mercenary.
When the Twelfth night arrives, and Drake has received no gift, he begins to think he might need to take his son and leave what has become his home.

Pages or Words: Varies by book

Categories: Historical, M/M Romance



Buy the book:

                               https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-themercenary039stale-1867272-340.html

                           https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-baymore039sheir-1897864-340.html

                          https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-jackson039spride-1881912-161.html


Meet the author:

Lynn Lorenz is an award-winning and best-selling author of over 30 gay romances. She lives in Texas, where she’s a fan of all things Texan, like Longhorns, big hair, and cowboys in tight jeans. She’s never met a comma she didn’t like, and enjoys editing and brainstorming with other writers. Lynn spends most of her time writing about hot sex with even hotter heroes, plot twists, werewolves, and medieval swashbucklers. She’s currently at work on her latest book, making herself giggle and blush, and avoiding all the housework.

Where to find the author:

Twitter: @lynnlorenz

Publisher: Hartwood Publishing
Cover Artist: Georgia Woods



Tour Dates &Stops:
19-Nov: Molly Lolly


Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of any book from any of Lynn's series
Rafflecopter Code:

Be Yourself

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955
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