Have you discovered the Desires Entwined series by Tempeste O'Riley? If not, this is your chance to check out all of the current books in the series along with an extended excerpt for Temptations of Desire, the most recent book in the series. For me this has been a series where I've fallen absolutely in love with each of the characters in the books, particularly Lexie, in Temptations of Desire. I can't recommend this series enough for those of you looking for a solid, well-written character driven series.
Designs of Desire - book #1
by Tempeste O’RileyM/M Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: July 29th 2013 (ebook/print)
Release Date: December 4th 2013
(audiobook)
Length: Novel / 200 pages / 6h 19m
Order:
Add to: Goodreads
Description:
Artist James Bryant has forearm crutches in every color from
rainbow for fun to sleek black for business. He even has a pair with more paint
splatters than metal. After his family’s rejection and abuse from a man he
thought loved him, James only just gets through the day by painting. He lives
in constant fear that he’s not worthy of anything, let alone love.
As CEO of his company, Carrington Enterprises, Seth Burns is a
take-charge kind of guy, and he is instantly smitten by the artist helping with
his newest project. When he witnesses James suffer a panic attack, a protective
instinct he never knew he had kicks in. He truly believes nothing is unobtainable—including
James—if he’s willing to put in the time and effort.
James is shy and confused by Seth’s interest in him as a person.
With Seth’s support, can he work through his fears to finally find the true
love he deserves, or will someone finally land the crushing blow he won’t
survive?
Bound by Desire
by Tempeste O’Riley
Desires Entwined series #1.75
M/M Erotic Contemporary BDSM Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: May 30th 2014 (ebook)
Length: Short
Order:
Add to: Goodreads
Description:
Part of the Desires Entwined series – Ideally read between Designs
of Desire and Desires’ Guardian.
Despite
his past abuse, James has come to terms with his relationship with his Dom and
lover Seth. Seth treats James with all the trust and love his sub desires.
There is only one thing left to do to make it all complete: Seth needs to put a
collar on James.
Desires’ Guardian
by Tempeste O’Riley
Desires
Entwined, #2
M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 6, 2014 (ebook/print)
Length: Novel / 200 pages
Order:
Add to: Goodreads
Description:
Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on
the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the
extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer things
don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man.
Rhys
is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and
bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the
first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any
possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man,
but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.
Just
as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way.
Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the
man of his dreams.
Resource Links:
Temptations of Desire
by Tempeste O’Riley
Desires
Entwined, #3
M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Release Date: September 22, 2014 (ebook/print)
Length: Novel / 200 pages
Order:
Add to: Goodreads
Description:
At the local LGBTQ center where
Alex regularly volunteers, he meets Dal Sayer, an officer of the Milwaukee PD.
Because he’s been rejected one too many times, Alex doesn’t trust the huge cop
and the interest he shows in him, but once Dal sets his mind on something, he
goes all out. Pushing aside his preconceived notions, Alex opens up just a
little and soon caves.
From their first date—while
dealing with his father’s failing health and his parents’ demands for him to
settle down and have children—Dal never takes his eyes off his goal of making
Alex his. But proving to Alex he isn’t like all the men who couldn’t see him
for who he truly was and only wanted to hide him away is harder than he
thought.
Resource Links:
Temptations of Desire - Extended Excerpt
Chapter 1
ALEX NOBLE
stared out his windshield as he pulled around to the back of the center and
frowned. He hated not having help for deliveries like this, but since this was
a personal donation, not a work-related one, he had to get along without. Of course,
if his employer knew what he did every Saturday, Alex was certain he would
support him, if not actually assist in some way. However, this was his gift to
the center—a place he wished had existed when he was younger. Despite prejudice
and the threat of limited funds, he hoped the center Cynthia Jazz and Kyle
Corbin fought to build would make it.
Alex hopped out of the van, noting the teens over on the court playing
three-on-three. Deciding not to interrupt their game, he opened the van’s
sliding side door and started unloading items for the kitchen in the shelter
part of the center. On his third trip, he was startled when a police cruiser
pulled up next to his van. He hadn’t noticed any commotion, so he wondered what
a cop was doing there, especially on an otherwise quiet Saturday morning.
With a shrug, Alex decided to brush off the cop’s presence and finish
moving his supplies into the kitchen. Then he would begin the colossal task of
creating a “home-cooked meal” for all the teens, young adults, and adults that
would flow into the dining hall later that day. Gathering up the last few bags,
Alex turned and shoved the sliding door shut with a nudge of one slender hip.
Again hip checking the button that would open the door without the use of
his hands, Alex heard the thud and jingling of someone running up behind him.
Tensing—the instinctive fear of who it was and what they wanted unnerving him
completely—Alex spun around to confront the unknown person coming up on him
fast. Instead of an attacker or one of the teens he had seen playing ball, it
was the most gorgeous man, cop, Alex had ever laid eyes on. The stranger came
to a halt in front of him.
Alex gasped, both frightened and entranced. His heart raced as he tried
not to stare or shrink back. Neither option seemed wise right then.
The handsome man took a quick step backward, though, raising his hands up
in a gesture Alex assumed was meant to calm. A small smile touched his lips,
and what luscious lips they were. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you, but I think
you’re who I’m supposed to be meeting here today.”
Alex tilted his head to the side as he took in the man before him. The
sea-green eyes held such sincerity that he was intrigued, though the beefy
arms, nearly half a foot in height he had on Alex, dark auburn hair, and
adorable freckles dusted across his nose and upper cheeks nearly distracted him
from what the man said.
“Why are you hunting for me?” Alex straightened up, trying not to let his
lust show through in tone or stance. He knew most male cops were not
appreciative of being hit on by other men, and he didn’t need any problems,
though he was sure he could just stand there and stare for days and not get
tired of gazing at the one before him.
“Are you Alex?”
An odd look passed over the cop’s chiseled face as he continued to stare.
“Um, Alexander James Noble?”
“Yes, but I don’t know why I need a cop,” Alex snapped. Being rude
usually wasn’t his thing, but cops worried him. In his experience, they always
seemed to back the wrong people. Unbidden, his thoughts flashed back to the
last time he was attacked for being gay—they let the attackers go and took him
in instead. They’d released him immediately, but still….
“My name is Dal Sayer, and Mrs. Jazz wanted me to speak with you about
the big dance next month. My brother and I are volunteering as security. She
said you had keys and could show me the layout and such,” the cop explained,
his words rushing out, his cheeks flushing lightly. Too freaking
adorable!
“Oh, um, sure. Here, let me set this stuff down inside, and I’ll show you
around a little.”
Alex turned and led Dal into the large stainless steel kitchen. “Cops as
security? Here? What is she thinking?” he groused under his breath as he sat
the last of the bags on one of the long wooden counters.
“Take it you don’t like cops much,” Dal said, an odd note in his deep,
yet gentle, voice. He almost sounded sad, or maybe disappointed.
“Sorry,” Alex said, hating how easily his face flushed. Being a
light-skinned black person meant it was always very obvious. “I. It. Um, never
mind. Please forget I said that.” Giving Dal his best smile, he cleared his
throat and tried again. “I’m glad they’re going to have security for the dance.
Chaperones are great, but someone a little more butch and beefy might do well to
stop any potential problems before they can even start.”
Dal’s booming laugh startled him out of his daydreams of winning such a
man’s interest.
Alex realized that not only was he flirting, but he had been staring
again. Quickly averting his eyes, he focused on where the keys sat and on not
stumbling.
“Give me a min, ’kay?” He put the cold things away in the large
industrial fridge before wiping his hands down the thighs of his dark jeans as
he fought a serious case of nerves. Alex looked back up to face Dal, swallowing
hard as he struggled to keep his voice even and firm. “Officer, let me show you
the main areas, and then I’ll leave you to do whatever it is you need to do for
party planning and security things while I get ready for later.”
“Dal, please. I’m not here in an official capacity.” The gentle curve of
his sensual lips drew Alex’s eyes and held him captive until Dal cleared his
throat.
“Dal.”
“Thanks, Alex.”
He simply nodded, not trusting himself not to make a fool of himself
right then.
Showing Dal around didn’t take long. The large gym area they intended to
use for the dance already held some of the decorations—they were all set to one
side. The area had wood floors and high ceilings. Once decorated and with the
music going, Alex was certain the kids would have a blast.
“The restrooms are down the hall here. You might have issues with smoking
and, well, kids getting a little too friendly in there or out back. All the
side rooms will be locked, so you won’t have to worry about those. Cynthia and
Kyle are very strict about the kids respecting not only each other, but
themselves too, so I doubt you should have too much trouble to handle.”
“Yes, she explained that, but something as simple as an ex trying to
interfere with a new relationship can cause more than just hurt feelings. But
don’t worry, we’re not here to cause problems or pass judgment. Rhys and I will
only step in if it’s truly needed. All right?”
Alex nodded slowly. “Oh, okay.”
“I’ll have a look around and stop back by on my way out, if that works
for you.”
“Cool. I’ll be, um, cooking. Bye.” Alex fled back to the kitchen,
desperate to calm his heart and steady his nerves.
Once he put in his favorite mix and turned on the CD player, he got to
work. Cooking always calmed him. Alex pulled out the pots, pans, and trays he
would need. Setting the large mixing bowls down in his chosen baking area, he
started measuring the ingredients for both cheddar-garlic biscuits and the
crusty herbed garlic bread to go with the salad, pork and pot roasts, and various
veggie dishes he planned for the day’s meal. After placing the tea towels over
the bowls and setting them aside to rise, Alex cleaned up and headed toward the
fridge to pull out the roasts. Each one got a dry rub before he put them back
in the refrigerator to wait. He then danced over to the sink, washing his hands
again, before heading for the baskets of fresh carrots, asparagus, onions,
potatoes, greens, apples, and portabellas he’d brought.
A deep chuckle brought Alex out of his dancing and chopping. He spun
around with a soft gasp, dropping the knife on the counter in the process, to
find Dal, arms folded across his chest, resting against the doorframe, smirking
at him. “Oh, no-no. Please don’t hold back on my account!”
Confused by the mix of lust and mortification running through him, Alex
gaped at Dal. Snapping his mouth shut, he squinted his eyes, hands going to his
slender hips. He huffed. “It’s my kitchen, and I can dance if I wanna.”
“Yes, you certainly may.” Dal winked and chuckled again. “I didn’t mean
to disturb you. Just wanted to let you know I was done and heading out.”
“Oh,” Alex sighed, completely captivated by the sweet smile Dal was
giving him. “Thank you. Did you find everything you needed?” Alex smiled,
hoping it appeared flirtatious instead of nervous.
“I think I just might have,” Dal replied, voice deepening, eyes not
moving from Alex’s.
Somehow the heat in that green stare made Alex wonder if there might be
more to the simple statement than the specific words implied.
“Good. I’m glad, Officer.”
“Dal, please. And thank you, Alex.”
“Dal,” he barely got out. It sounded more like a whisper than anything.
“You, you’re welcome.”
Dal opened his mouth to speak again, but the radio on his shoulder
crackled to life, effectively cutting him off. He motioned Alex to keep quiet
while he answered. Alex watched, fascinated at the change from shy, possibly
flirting man to towering powerhouse as Dal became Officer Sayer in front of
him. Alex bit his bottom lip, thinking unsexy thoughts to try to stave off his
erection thanks to how hot Dal, both as a sexy man and delicious officer, made
him.
Pulled out of his thoughts when Dal cleared this throat, Alex watched the
sexy cop again. “I’ve got to go for now, Alex, but thanks for the tour. I hope
to see you again. Soon,” Dal called to Alex as he looked back at him before
hustling out the door.
Alex stood there staring at the spot where his fantasy man had just been,
wishing he knew the man better or had some way to know how to run into him
again.
Well, he thought, there’s always the dance….
“DAMMIT, DAL,
what’s up with you today?” Rhys snapped at him. “You’ve lost count. Again.”
They were at the gym, and he knew he was supposed to be counting his reps
while his big brother spotted him, but the most beautiful amber—flecked with
small chips of gold and green—eyes he’d ever seen kept floating in front of
him. Dal had always liked guys that were shorter, though he didn’t usually go
for the more waif-like twinks like his brother. But then, he liked the delicate
curves of a woman too—something his brother had never been interested in.
Still, he needed to concentrate!
“Sorry. Maybe we should move on. I’m just not feeling it today.”
Rhys stared at him for a long moment. Dal knew he was being examined, but
there was no way, he hoped, Rhys could know who had his mind and libido so
distracted.
“How ’bout we call it a day and go grab a couple a beers?”
“Sure.” He flashed a grin as he sat up, grabbed his towel, and began
wiping down the bench before standing and heading to clean up and change.
“Then you can tell me who’s got you all in a twist,” Rhys added once they
were in the shower area, smirking as he dodged the towel Dal snapped at him.
“You know, you’re worse than mom with the gossip and busybody routine.”
Dal grabbed his shower kit and walked off before Rhys could retaliate, as he
was apt to do.
Once both men were clean and dressed, they headed to where their bikes
were parked. Rhys’s black and chrome Harley Softail and his red Ducati Diavel
stood out in a sea of generic cars and trucks in the parking lot.
“Meet me at Flanagan’s?”
Dal knew this was going to be unpleasant, but nodded and dutifully
straddled his bike before heading out to their favorite pub on this side of
town—probably in the entire metro area if he were honest.
By the time he arrived and got up the courage to go inside, Rhys had
already grabbed two mugs of beer—Guinness for himself and a Murphy’s Stout for
Dal—and snagged a corner booth. The grin he flashed told Dal just how serious
his brother was about him spilling what was on his mind. He rolled his eyes,
making sure Rhys saw him, and huffed as he flopped down on the other side of
the booth.
“So dignified, Dal,” Rhys grumbled but smiled. “Now, take a couple a good
pulls on your beer and tell me what’s got you so out of sorts. I haven’t seen
you like this since….” Rhys bit the cuticle of his right thumb, seemingly lost
in thought.
Taking a hearty gulp of his stout, Dal tried to think of a way to
distract Rhys. “Ha, you just want to play yenta since your love life is so
wonky right now. How is Chase, anyhow?”
Rhys’s green slit-eyed stare landed on him with a near-physical push. “I
have no idea how Chase is. He works for me. Period.” Flexing his left hand
repeatedly, Rhys stared down at his drink with what Dal knew was confusion and
hurt.
He shouldn’t have asked that. He knew better. “Sorry, Rhys. That was low,
even for me.”
Rhys looked up. His eyes seemed to clear as a small smile tugged at his
lips. “It’s okay. But seriously. What’s really going on with you? Who is she?
Or is it a he?” The last question came out so softly Dal barely heard it over
the noise of the other patrons.
Dal looked his brother over a moment but decided that fighting with him
over it wasn’t worth the headache, and well, he could use some advice. Maybe.
Dal lowered his gaze to the tabletop and breathed a deep sigh before he
met Rhys’s eyes again. “His name is Alex. We’ve had roughly five minutes worth
of conversation, most of which was about the upcoming dance you and I offered
to bounce for. He’s, well, I don’t know what he is to the center. He was
cooking when I was there, so I guess a cook or chef of some kind.”
“And by the soft tone of your voice and the glassy eyes, I’d say you’re
smitten with him.” Rhys waited until Dal gave one tight nod to continue. “So,
do you know anything about him? What’s he like? Do you want me to check him
out?”
Dal’s head snapped up, glowering, or he hoped it was a death glare
anyway. “You have enough man trouble, don’t you dare go hitting on Alex.” Dal
could hear the growl in his voice but couldn’t care less. “He’s sweet and shy
and has the most captivating amber eyes I’ve ever seen. His skin is so smooth
it begs to be touched and is the most beautiful creamy cappuccino-like color.”
One side of Rhys’s lips turned up into a smirk. “So, he’s a pretty boy?”
“Yes. No. Ugh! Yes, he’s pretty, almost feminine in a way, yet all man at
the same time. He’s the kind of person who would be beautiful and sexy either
way, but he’s not like the kind of guys you usually go for and, just, you leave
him alone.”
At that, Rhys let out a belly laugh the likes of which Dal hadn’t heard
from his brother in a while. Not in a year or more, probably. “Don’t worry, I
would never try to poach. You know better than that, little brother. But, what
are you going to do about this Alex of yours?”
Dal couldn’t tell whether Rhys’s tone or the Cheshire cat grin plastered
across his face annoyed him more, but he had no freakin’ clue what to do, so he
settled for scowling at his brother. Not that it seemed to have any effect.
Criminals, troubled teens, guys sitting in interrogation…. Sure, his “look”
worked fine on them, but his brother? Nope! Besides, he hated the
self-righteous look he was getting right then.
Finally, Rhys stopped grinning at him. “Fine, Dal, but I haven’t seen you
interested in much of anyone in a long time. Not girl or guy, so yeah, if this
guy is able to bring out your protective side like this after only five
minutes, I’m going to say ‘hell yeah,’ go for it!”
“Rhys, I know nothing about him. I don’t think he likes cops much,
considering he was initially hostile. I think that was more fear than anything,
though, really, but no—” he grabbed Rhys’s free hand “—I do notwant
you to investigate him. Promise me, Rhys.” Rhys waited a moment before grumbling but nodded his agreement.
Truth in Lace
by Tempeste O’Riley
Desires Entwined, #3.5
Gay, Gender fluid, Contemporary, Coming of
Age
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 5, 2014 (ebook)
Length: Short / 24 pages
Order:
Add to: Goodreads
Description:
When Alexander James Noble looks in the mirror, he
sees a freak looking back at him. Despite his high grades and plans for
culinary arts school after graduation, his parents would hate him if they
really knew him.
Forced on a shopping trip with his twin sister,
Lyric, and her friends, Alex eyes the girls jealously, longing to be able to
dress like them—to be them. The constant struggle of being “gender fluid,”
wrestling with an identity that seems to change daily, begins to wear on Alex.
But all those questions and fears seem more manageable when his sister gives
him his first skirt and lace panties.
No comments:
Post a Comment