Wednesday, July 31, 2019

The Artist's Boxer by Este Holland - Book Blast with Excerpt

BOOK BLAST


Book Title: The Artist’s Boxer

Author: Este Holland

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Este Holland

Release Date: July 11, 2019

Genre/s: LGBT Action, Gay Romance

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 47,000 words 

It is a standalone story and the first in a series.


 

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited




 


Blurb

Winning the welterweight championship was everything Rake had worked for. Now it’s all come crashing down, and he has no choice but to flee his hometown of Las Vegas.

When he stops in a small town in Utah, Rake meets a man who makes him forget all about the danger he’s in.

Rio has a good life. He loves his family and career, but when Rake blows into town, something stirs in his blood.

Something like desire.

Rio doesn’t do relationships, not since the last disaster, but Rake makes it impossible for him to say no.

When Rake comes clean about what he’s running from, Rio just might have a way to help.

Now the two of them must fight to free Rake from the man who took everything...and stay alive until the end.



The Artist’s Boxer is the first book in the Yours to Protect series.



Excerpt

Reality crashed in as he lay down, and he didn’t like what it brought. He’d run away. Cowardly? Maybe. But what else was he supposed to do? People didn’t say no to Damian Corsetti, and that was exactly what Rake had done.

Now, there he was, in Rio Danvers’s home, his bed, after getting off twice with the man. The man who’d built the bar where he’d sat and laughed with Hunter for years.

Maybe it would all be okay. Deep inside, where he seldom looked, something told him it would be. He was solid and safe. Untouchable. But was that arrogance?

What had that figure in the road said? Love came in many forms, accept help…or something like that. Well, he sure as hell was. Rio had taken him in, fed him, kissed him, and invited him into his bed.

Rio came out of the bathroom and slid in next to him.

“Thanks for everything,” Rake said as they got under the covers. Rio wore sleep pants while he remained naked.

“Everything?”

“Bringing me here, feeding me, letting me stay. You don’t know anything about me.”

Rio stared at him until a soft expression came and went in his dark eyes. “You’re welcome.”

He got comfortable, and oh God, the bed was so nice. Rake burrowed deeper.

“About what happened in there,” Rio began.

His heart thudded, and Rake stilled. “What?”

“You kissed me. You know what this means?”

“What?” Rake asked again, his voice going up an octave.

“We have to go on at least two dates before we do anything else.”

Rake sprang up, taking the covers with him. “Are you serious?”

“Very. I told you, I have a rule.”

Rake pursed his lips. “So, if we’re going on a date, that means I can kiss you again.”

He leaned over to do just that, but Rio stopped him. “Not until after the first date.”

“Dude, seriously, what’s with all these rules? Don’t you ever go with the flow?”

“Go with the flow?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“You mean like meeting a stranger in town and bringing him to my home?” Rio asked, amused.

“Well…kind of—not really.” Rake scowled. “You know what I mean.”

Rio chuckled and pulled Rake down beside him. “Get some sleep. I’m always up early.”

He snapped off the light, but there was no bedside lamp.

“How did you do that?”

“There’s a button on the side of the bed. There’s one on your side too.”

“Oh, cool.” Rake searched around until he found it and pressed it on and off a few times.

He settled back and got comfortable again. His leg bumped Rio’s, and he threw it over him, hugging a pillow to his chest.

“ ’Nite,” he said around a big yawn.

“Good night.”

He liked not knowing what the hell time it was, or when he had to get up to train in the morning. He lived on a tight schedule Luis and Hunter set for him. When had his life become so rigid? He never had any free time. Even his downtime at Hunter’s bar had to be scheduled in.

“I like kissing you,” he whispered into the dark.

He wasn’t sure if Rio had already fallen asleep, but he didn’t answer



About the Author 

Este Holland is a writer and reader of all things romance. She's also a treasure hunter, a word wizard, a lover, and a fighter. She was born in southern WV, and is a reader and writer. She lives in Virginia now, and works in marketing. Her favorite book is impossible to name. Her favorite movie are Romancing the Stone and Some Like it Hot. She began writing her first novel in 2012 and has practiced and studied ever since to get better. She’s still learning.


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Fairground Attractions by L.M. Somerton - Series Review Tour with Excerpt

SERIES REVIEW TOUR


FAIRGROUND ATTRACTIONS

Zach, Stevie, Adam and Garth are four friends spending their summer break from university working at the local amusement park. A shared interest in kink brought them together though their personalities and preferences are as varied as the rides they run. The last thing they expect is to be drawn into a world where the thrills are more about danger and death than an adrenalin rush.

Genre/s: Contemporary Romance, M/M BDSM Thriller

Heat Rating: 4 flames

The stories are best read in order. 


BOOK 1

Book Title: Ghost Train

Author: L M Somerton

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Cover Art: Erin Dameron-Hill

Length: 20 337 words/ 84 pages

Release Date: November 13, 2018

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M BDSM / thriller 



The ride of your life could be your last

Blurb 

Garth’s summer job running the ghost train at the local amusement park is supposed to be a stress-free way to earn some much-needed cash. His Goth looks are a bonus as far as his boss is concerned. The sunshine is a stark contrast to the macabre, spooky scenes inside the ride, but when one of the corpses proves to be more realistic than it should be, shadows are cast on the summer.

Clem sees potential in the moody fairground assistant with spiky hair and pretty blue eyes. He can’t wait to explore Garth’s submissive nature. But Clem isn’t quite what he seems and he might be all that stands between Garth and a violent death. Earning Garth’s trust won’t be easy in a world where secrets can mean survival.

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BOOK 2

Book Title: Merry-Go-Round

Author: L M Somerton

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Cover Art: Erin Dameron-Hill

Length: 21 056 words/ 86 pages

Release Date: February 26, 2019

Genre/s: MM BDSM contemporary / thriller



Even the brightest places have shadows.

Blurb 

Stevie is sweet and shy—the only hint of an independent spirit comes from his lilac hair. For years he’s harboured a crush on his best friend, Adam, who is everything Stevie isn’t. The problem? When it comes to love, Adam is a bit slow on the uptake.

On top of that, Stevie fears the escaped killer known as Harlequin is targeting his friends, and clings to his role managing the merry-go-round for some semblance of normality. But someone is watching from shadows even the summer sun can’t penetrate.

Realising that life can be all too short, Adam takes steps to ensure that Stevie will be his. All his protective instincts kick in when Stevie attracts some unwanted—and very dangerous—attention, but he can’t take care of him alone. The group of friends needs to band together because the bright lights and whirling horses of the merry-go-round won’t be enough to keep Stevie alive. Some killers are far too good at hiding in plain sight.

Buy Links




BOOK 3


Book Title: Helter Skelter

Author: L M Somerton

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Cover Art: Erin Dameron-Hill

Length: 22 697 words/ 93 pages

Release Date: July 30, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary MM BDSM / thriller



Life can slide out of control when you least expect it.

Blurb 

Of his group of friends, Zach is the only one yet to find his kinky-ever-after. The contract killer, Harlequin, is still on the loose, Zach’s dad is ill, a result of the stress caused by knowing the family amusement park is being used as an exchange point by drug runners, and Zach is faced with problems much tougher than the mathematical equations he’s used to.

Daniel Raynott has had his eye on Zach for some time. Now that Zach is no longer in his class at the university, he can act on his instincts and give Zach the guidance he desperately needs. As a Dom, Daniel demands obedience. As a man, he falls hard for Zach’s vulnerable innocence.

A boring summer has a lot of appeal, but Zach has about as much control over events as he does a trip down the helter skelter. He finds himself in danger more than once. Will Daniel be able to protect him or will the holiday season culminate in tragedy?

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Excerpt 1 – 18+, from Helter Skelter

“Turn around,” Daniel said. “Bend over the bench.”

Zach stared at him. The expression he got in return was implacable.

“You can always use your safe word.”

Slowly, an internal debate raging in his mind about the wisdom of his actions, Zach did as he was told. The top of the bench cushioned his body. He shifted his feet wider apart for more stability. It felt strange to have his arms loose and dangling so he grasped the handle set in the side of the bench. He wondered if Daniel would tie him down and the thought made him grip the ring harder, palms sweating. When Daniel touched him, he gasped.

“Try to relax. We are going to take this as slow as you need. I’m not going to restrain you—you don’t even need to think about your safe word. You can just stand up and walk away if this gets too much.”

“If what gets too much, Sir?”

Daniel stroked his back, then his arse, resting his hand on the curve of his butt. “I’m going to paddle you, give you something else to think about other than your dad. The pain will focus your thoughts.” He undid Zach’s jeans then pushed them down to his thighs. “I’d prefer to do this with you naked but that might be a step too far for today.” Zach’s underwear went next, the fabric catching on his erection as Daniel rolled the cotton shorts down.

Zach trembled and his breathing sped up. He can see my arse. He’s going to spank it. Oh my God. The tip of his cock brushed the side of the spanking bench.

“Stunning.” Daniel stroked Zach’s backside. He pushed a finger between his cheeks to brush his hole and Zach’s mind blanked. “I’ll start slowly. The heat will build before it becomes painful.”

The first blow was little more than a tap. Zach sighed as Daniel built a rhythm, placing the strikes evenly on each arse cheek.

“Nice and pink now. Very pretty.”

The impact increased, creating a deep-seated ache. Zach clenched his glutes, craving more. As if sensing his need, Daniel landed a blow on the crease between arse and thigh. Zach sucked in his breath.

“Too much?”

“No, Sir. More please.” Zach lost himself in sensation as endorphins flooded his system. He humped the side of the bench, desperate for friction, and sobbed, overwhelmed by the revelation that he took pleasure from pain.



About the Author




LM lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

LM is winner of the National Leather Association’s Pauline Reage Award for best novel and the 2016 and 2018 Golden Flogger Awards for best BDSM novel in the LGBT category. She has received multiple Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards and won the Action and Adventure category of Divine Magazine’s Book Awards.
 


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Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Migration - QSF Flash Fiction Anthology - Blog Tour with Guest Post and Giveaway


Migration



Queer Sci Fi has just released the annual QSF Flash Fiction anthology. This year, the theme is "Migration."

MI-GRA-TION (noun)

1) Seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.


2) Movement of people to a new area or country in order to find work or better living conditions.


3) Movement from one part of something to another.


Three definitions to inspire writers around the world and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell. Here are 120 of our favorites.


Migration feaures 300 word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.



Other Worlds Ink | Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads




Giveaway


Queer Sci Fi is giving away a $20 gift Amazon certificate with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter for a chance to win:








Excerpt



Migration meme


Each year, hundreds of writers send in stories for the Queer Sci Fi flash fiction anthology. Here are the opening lines from some of the stories chosen for the 2019 edition – Migration:


“Darkness has substance. It is tangible; different shades within the black, sounds, a taste. It is accompanied by self-awareness of time and thoughts, even when other senses fail.” —Hope for Charity, by Robyn Walker


“The sky has been screaming for five straight days when the shrimps come to take us away. They’ve been boxing up the others and hauling them off. Now they’re here for us, soaking wet, dragging cords and crates behind them.” —Shrimpanzee, Sionnain Bailey


“Allister always had faultless hair. He’d comb and gel it to perfection while gazing in the mirror. One day a pair of eyes stared back.” —Zulu Finds a Home, by Kevin Klehr


“On her sister’s wedding day Ari noticed that one of her ears had migrated to her hand. It was right after her high school crush, Emily, arrived with Cousin Matt.” —Playing It By Ear, Aidee Ladnier


“The wound was fatal. Their vessel wouldn't live much longer. This is what came from leaving loose ends. Frantically they sought out a new vessel to migrate to. “ —The Essence, by L.M. Brown


“That night, we were sitting in the bed of her daddy’s old pickup truck and the radio was playing the best song. We had a pack of cigarettes between us and her hand was almost touching mine. The wheat field was silver in the moonlight. When they came, we weren’t surprised, just disappointed that our time was up already.” —Our Song, by Lauren Ring


“Willow said she was my wife, but I knew it wasn’t her, not the right her, anyway. Sure she looked like her with olive skin and bright pink hair. She even smelled of mango flowers, just like I remembered, but there was something about her smile that was slightly off, something about when she said she loved me that didn’t sit well in my old heart.” — They Said It Would Be Her, by Elizabeth Andre


“Agnes is eight when she first sees the river. Cutting its way through town, the only thing she knows not coated in coal dust. She sticks her toes in, comes home with wet socks and a secret. See, the river hadn’t been there yesterday.” —Stream of Consciousness, by Ziggy Schutz


“Terry twirled in her green synthsilk dress, looked at her reflection, liked what she saw. She felt good in her own skin, for maybe the first time.” —Altball, by RE Andeen


“The thing was in the corner. It had come through the window and had slid down the wall. Scratch went the sound. The noise of a hundred nails clawing at the wood. Nails of white bone. Alex pulled the sheets up quickly, covering every inch of skin and hair in a warm darkness.” —Whose Nightmare, by Jamie Bonomi







Shrimpanzee, by Sionnain Bailey

The sky has been screaming for five straight days when the shrimps come to take us away. They’ve been boxing up the others and hauling them off. Now they’re here for us, soaking wet, dragging cords and crates behind them.
Slo nudges under Flo’s arm. “Shrimpies gonna take you two. I’ll be all alone.”
They’d stuck Flo and I together last season, in a room by ourselves, trying to make us do the baby thing. Neither of us swing that way, but we had to if we wanted food, or if Flo wanted to get back to Slo again.
The shrimps file in, mumbling under the pounding wetness on the roof. Flo, who has the most shrimpy words, tries to translate: something about flood— evacuate— Chicago.
 “Chicago?”
Flo throws me a warning glance.
The shrimps had shipped Croo off two seasons ago now, to some other facility in a place called Chicago, leaving me here without him.
A shrimp kneels down to tie a cord around my neck. I lean in towards it. “I go to Croo?”
Flo snaps her head in my direction, glaring.
The shrimp locks eyes with me. It squints like it’s almost upset, then it smiles widely. I pull away, confused, unconvinced, and the cord tightens.
The shrimps tie us into our boxes and load us into their truck. Closest to the screened rear, I watch our home twist away. All around us are more trucks, more shrimps inside them, moving alongside us, peering up at me through the screen like they always do. Maybe they plan to follow us to Chicago, to gawk as they let me out into some strange room Croo has kept warm for me, some dry place where they never box us up again, never touch us at all, only stare.


Author Bio



A hundred and twenty authors are included in Migration:


  • Butterflies, by A O'Donovan

  • The Return, by A.M. Leibowitz

  • A New Spring, by Aaron Silver

  • Universal Quota, by Abby Bartle

  • The Call of Home, by Adrienne Wilder

  • Starfall, by Adrik Kemp

  • Playing it By Ear, by Aidee Ladnier

  • Rabbit, by Amanda Thomas

  • That Does Not Love…, by Andi Deacon

  • Inborn, by Andrea Speed

  • Saving Ostakis, by Angelica Primm

  • A Dawn Wish, by Antonia Aquilante

  • Diaspora, by Ariel E. James

  • Transmigration, by Ashby Danvers

  • Across the Mirror, by Ava Kelly

  • Between, by BE Allatt

  • The Speck, by Bey Deckard

  • The King of the Mountain Cometh, by Bob Goddard

  • Before and After, by C. A. Chesse

  • Home, by C.A. McDonald

  • Too Much Tech, by C.L. Mannarino

  • Ze Who Walks Into the Future, by Carey Ford Compton

  • The Gate, by Carol Holland March

  • Our Last Light Skip, by Chloe Spencer

  • Passage, by Christine Taylor-Butler

  • The Perils of Pick-Up Lines, by Colton Aalto

  • Parched, by Crysta K. Coburn

  • Changeling Dreams, by Damian Serbu

  • Destinations, by Dave Creek

  • Another Job, Another Planet, by David Viner

  • Thiefmaster Rosalind's Apprentice, by Devon Widmer

  • A Weight Off Their Shoulders, by Diane Morrison

  • Once a Year, by Dianne Hartsock

  • Mettle, by Die BoothForever Bound, by E.W. Murks

  • They Said It Would Be Her, by Elizabeth Andre

  • Til Death Do Us Part, by Elizabeth Anglin

  • Little One, by Eloreen Moon

  • GBFN, by Emilia Agrafojo

  • The Long Distance Thing, by Ether Nepenthes

  • Call My People Home, by Evelyn Benvie

  • Jace vs. the Incubi, by Eytan Bernstein

  • A New Tradition, by Foster Bridget Cassidy

  • The Curious Cabinet, by Ginger Streusel

  • Ready, by Hank Edwards

  • The Albatrosses, by Harry F. Rey

  • A Boy's Shadow, by Helen De Cruz

  • Portrait of a Lady, by Isobel Granby

  • Beam That Is In, by J. Comer

  • The Hunt, by J. R. Frontera

  • Repeating History, by J. Summerset

  • Neil's Journey, by J.P. Bowie

  • Homeward Bound, by J.S. Garner

  • Whose Nightmare?, by Jamie Bonomi

  • A Moment of Bravery, by Jessie Pinkham

  • Laetus, by Jet Lupin

  • Where You Go, I'll Follow, by Joe Baumann

  • Ambrose Out of Ash, by Jonathan Fesmire

  • Shooting Modes, by Joshua Darrow

  • TerrorForm, by Juam Jocom

  • The Curse, by Jude Reid

  • Throwing Eggs, by K E Olukoya

  • Fly, by Kayleigh Sky

  • The Keep, by KC Burn

  • Zulu Finds a Home, by Kevin Klehr

  • The Risks and Advantages of Data Migration, by Kim Fielding

  • Irreversible, by kim gryphon

  • Looner, by Krishan Coupland

  • The Essence, by L.M. Brown

  • Our Song, by Lauren Ring

  • O Human Child, by Lisa Hamill

  • Goodbye Marghretta, by Lou Sylvre

  • Choices, by LV Lloyd

  • Endangered Species, by M Joseph Murphy

  • Planet Retro, Unplugged, by M. X. Kelly

  • Elemental, by M.D. Grimm

  • To Wish on a Love Knot, by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

  • Firebirds, by Marita M. Connor

  • Breeding Season, by Mary Newman

  • Kooks at Home, by Matt McHugh

  • Spring, by Mere Rain

  • Into the South, by Mindy Leana Shuman

  • Not How We Planned It, by Minerva Cerridwen

  • What Is Left Behind, by Monique Cuillerier

  • How Far Would You Go for the One You Love?, by Nathan Alling Long

  • Innocence, by Nathaniel Taff

  • Heart and Soul, by Nils Odlund

  • Tides, by Patricia Scott

  • Killer Queen, by Paula McGrath

  • Genesis, by Pelaam

  • If Pigs Could Fly, by Penelope Friday

  • Click, by R R Angell

  • Be Kind to Strangers, by Raina Lorring

  • Altball, by RE Andeen

  • Far From Home, by Riley S. Keene

  • Hope for Charity, by Robyn Walker

  • Night Comes to the Bea Arthur, by Rory Ni Coileáin

  • MIG Ration, by S R Jones

  • Going Back, by Sacchi Green

  • World Behind and Home Ahead, by Sara Testarossa

  • The Call of the Suet, by Sarah Hadley Brook

  • Research & Development, by Shaina Phillips

  • Into the Void, by Shannon Brady

  • The Silkie's Dance, by Shannon West

  • Seal Hunt, by Shirley Meier

  • Shrimpanzee FIRST IN BOOK, by Sionnain Bailey

  • The Woman With No Name, by Siri Paulson

  • Memories of Clay, by Spencer Mann

  • Simulacrum, by Steve Carr

  • The Experience, by Steve Fuson

  • Flight, by Steven Harper

  • Birds of New Atlantis, by Stewart C Baker

  • Lurching Forward, by Sydney Blackburn

  • Spores of Retribution, by Tray Ellis

  • Skin Hunger, by Treasure Nguyen

  • Elvira, by Trevor Barton

  • Ever After, by Warren Rochelle

  • Into the Light, by Wart Hill

  • Dryads, by X Marduk

  • Stream of Consciousness, by Ziggy Schutz























































































































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Until December by Aurora Rose Reynolds - Release Blitz with Giveaway




Title: Until December
Series: Until Her #5
Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 30, 2019



Blurb

Gareth Black is drawn to December Mayson the moment he spots her across the room at her cousin’s wedding. When he approaches the beautiful woman, she captivates him with her shyness and wit, making him crave her.

With a pull so strong it’s impossible to ignore, December knows there’s something between her and Gareth. She just hopes they’re capable of jumping the hurdles ahead of them.

Two boys, an ex, a surprise that will change everything, and a disgruntled co-worker, guarantee these two will have their work cut out for them if they are going to find their happily ever after.







Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
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Also Available


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS






Author Bio


Aurora Rose Reynolds is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her, Underground Kings and Shooting Stars.

Her writing career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her stories with readers all over the world.


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Monday, July 29, 2019

Rules To Follow by Susan Hawke - Blog Tour with Excerpt and Author's Guest Post

Rules to Follow Tour Banner

Rules to Follow
Davey's Rules Series, Book 1
Susan Hawke
M/M Romance - Daddy/boy
Release Date: 07.14.19

Rules to Follow ebook


Blurb

Davey’s Rule #86: A good Daddy will never lie to his boy… even by omission.
Travis Miller has a pretty solid life in the small California beach town he calls home. He’s working his way up in the district attorney’s office, he owns a home with an ocean view, and he has close ties with his family. Life is good. If only he could find a sweet boy to call his own, life would be… perfect.

Adam Nichols’ life has never been easy. Growing up in foster care taught him to be strong, so finding himself in a violent relationship was a shock. Now that he's finally free of it, he faces new problems. He's jobless, homeless, and terrified of starting from scratch.

With a little help from an old friend, Adam discovers a whole new world. He goes from rock bottom to renting a room from a hot assistant DA and working at Daddy’s Lap, a kink club that opens his vanilla eyes to things he’d never imagined. His new roommate is a balm to Adam’s damaged soul. The tender way Travis cares for him is almost like the Daddy kink community he’s seen at the club. But Travis isn’t a Daddy… right? If he were, surely he’d have said so.

What happens when a lie by omission threatens to bring their budding relationship tumbling down around them? Will Travis ever be able to earn Adam's trust again?

This is the first book in a new series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book. Possible trigger for references to domestic violence.


rule31 (1)

rule86 (1)

Excerpt

After the movie, we finally took our groceries home. Travis insisted on putting everything away himself. "While I do this, how about you order us a pizza? After that scare fest you talked me into watching, I'm in the mood for something lighter. While we eat, maybe we can watch that Adam Sandler movie we never finished."

"That sounds like an excellent plan. Same order as last time?" I was already on my phone, loading the website to order online.

"Yes, but no onions or extra garlic on this one." He sounded so certain, I couldn't help but look up curiously. He was bent into the refrigerator, so I couldn't see his face. Not that I minded the view I did have, though. In fact, I was so busy checking out his butt that it took me a second for his next comment to register. "Unless you promise to eat the same thing. If we end up kissing again, I refuse to have bad breath unless it's mutual."

This was the first time he'd acknowledged the kiss. And he was hinting at another? My mouth went dry as I adjusted my pants that had suddenly gotten a little too tight in certain areas. "I-I, umm…" I gave my head a shake and started again when I couldn't get the words out the first time. "I vote for onions and garlic on the whole thing. Mutual bad breath for the win. Besides, there's garlic in the sauce anyway."

When he stood and looked over at me, I focused on my screen. I could feel my stupid cheeks blushing. I knew he'd noticed it when I heard a quiet chuckle. Deciding this was a good time to excuse myself and get a little bit under control, I headed out of the room.

"I'll be right back; I'm just going to change. If we're going to be in relaxation mode, these stiff jeans need to go." Just the mention of the word stiff had me blushing all over again, because my pants weren't the only stiff thing on my body.

By the time I cleaned up and changed into pj pants, Travis was waiting in the living room with our pizza and a couple glasses of wine. My eyes widened when I took in the dimly lit room with the movie paused and waiting on the TV. Gulping, I glanced at Travis. "Wow, I didn't mean to take that long."

He shook his head and patted the couch beside him as he turned and stretched a leg out like he had last time. "You didn't take too long, they were just really fast with the delivery this time. Come sit with me. I was thinking maybe we could cuddle. Unless you think that's too much, too soon?"

"No, that sounds… ah… nice." My heart pounded as I scurried over and got settled between his legs with my back to his chest. Travis pulled the coffee table closer and opened the pizza box.

"I brought napkins, if you need one. But I figure we can forgo plates tonight and keep it casual. Does that work for you?" His voice was like velvet as it caressed my ear.

I felt my blush return as I awkwardly nodded. "Y-Yes. That sounds good." I waited while he started the movie then reached into the pizza box. I figured I would grab my slice after he'd taken first pick.

Instead of biting into the piece he’d chosen, he held it to my mouth instead. "Take a bite, sweet boy. You always tease me about wanting to feed you. Tonight I'd like to live up to my reputation." He chuckled and waited for me to bite into the pizza.

It was weirdly nice to be fed. He patiently waited, lowering the slice while I chewed each mouthful. It wasn't until I'd finished three slices and groaned that I couldn't handle another bite that he finally ate his own. I slouched back against his shoulder, watching the movie while he had his turn at dinner. I didn't even bother with the wine; I was buzzed enough on Travis.

If anybody had walked up right then and asked me about the movie, I doubted I could have told them anything more than who starred in it. I was too aware of Travis and how good it felt to snuggle against his hard body.

Was I falling for him? It sure felt like it. The way I kept blushing, the way my palms got damp, the way my heart raced when he was near… the signs were definitely there. I thought back over everything I'd seen of this man, poking my memories for a sign of anything wrong with him.

Something had to be, because I did not have a good track record where men were concerned. The more I considered it, though, I couldn't find a single thing that would put up a red flag. If anything, he made me feel protected and special.


Ten Random Facts about Rules to Follow and Susan Hawke

1. Davey is the fictional version of my own college bestie, Paul. I called him “John”, and he called me “Marsha”... I miss you, John, wherever you are!
2. I wrote this book in three weeks, once it was fully outlined.
3. I dictate my writing because of severe carpal tunnel, but it's not any faster than typing because I pause too often to fix goofs and errors. I know if I don’t do it immediately, I’ll never know what it was supposed to say. One time I said sunburned, and Dragon typed “son of Brutus.” What? LOL, good luck figuring that out later!
4. If I were to be any character from my books, I would be Travis. I put a lot of myself into him because I'm also a nurturer who likes to take care of those I love.
5. This series is set in Santa Cruz, California... the town where I grew up in the late 80s/early 90s. Santa Cruz is such a fun mix of people who all just mesh. Beach towns are fun! And with the surrounding redwood covered mountains, it's really a gem of a place to live.
6. Even though I grew up in Santa Cruz, I still had to research it thoroughly before writing. The places where I hung out really aren't there anymore. Things change after twenty-five years. It was fun to play virtual tourist in my old hometown. Thank you, Google!
7. I'm what's called a plantser. I plot my books, then fill in the gaps by "pantsing" it, so I'm often surprised by things that happen because I didn't plan for it. Like Travis handfeeding Adam, that was a surprise to me that I loved.
8. Many of the businesses the characters visit in this book actually exist, aside from Daddy's Lap and Bryan's dojo.
9. At 80,320 words, this is the longest book I've ever written.
10. I've lived in small towns and major cities, and done my fair share of using public transportation. I remain impressed by Santa Cruz's bus system, I've yet to find one as smoothly run. That's why I had Adam on the bus at one point, I needed to pay homage to the metro I used to rely on in my college days.




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I'm a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown "kids of my heart." I'm more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly





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