Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Road Rules By Brigham Vaughn

Rules of the Game, Book 1

Rule #1: Hockey Comes First

As NHL team captain, Zane Murphy’s goal for the upcoming season is simple: take the Evanston River Otters all the way to the Stanley Cup.

Rule #2: Only On the Road

But an unexpectedly hot night with his best friend and teammate Ryan Hartinger throws Zane’s carefully laid plans and his sexuality into disarray.

Rule #3: Don’t Fall in Love with Your Best Friend

When feelings begin to creep in, Zane will have to decide if he’s willing to throw out the rules and risk his career and his friendship for a chance at winning it all.

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Excerpt:

“That was a sick goal at the end of the second period, man.”

Zane Murphy looked away from the NHL game on the TV screen to smile at his new road roommate. “Thanks. Your pass was a beauty.”

“I’ve gotcha tape to tape, my dude. Tape to tape.”

Zane gave him an amused glance. He still wasn’t sure what to make of Ryan Hartinger.

They were only a few weeks into the season and Ryan was a freshman player. He was a solid winger and a great locker-room guy. He had an infectious energy on and off the ice and so far, Zane was pretty pleased to have him as a liney.

He was a little less sure how he felt about rooming with him on the road though.

Ryan reminded him of a not-very-well-trained golden retriever.

And he talked. A lot.

“Keep it up and hopefully we’ll have a better season this year than last,” Zane said with a sigh as he glanced back at the Boston vs. Dallas game.

Last season, the University of Michigan’s ice hockey team had been knocked out of the Frozen Four in the first round to a school that shouldn’t have been able to beat them. It still stung.

If only he’d gotten that last goal in the net instead of the puck bouncing off the post like that …

“If we keep it up, maybe someday we’ll be playing there,” Ryan said, nodding at the TV.

“God, I hope so.” Zane didn’t even try to hide the longing in his voice.

“Hey, you’ve already been drafted by the Otters. You’ve got a great shot at it.”

Zane settled back against the headboard of the hotel room bed, trying to push down the warm glow that settled in his chest at the thought of his draft day last summer. The Otters were a newer NHL expansion team in the Chicago Illinois area and Zane was itching to play for them.

He’d been watching Anders Lindholm—their top line center—burn up the league for years with Boston and a shot at playing on a team with him was everything.

Some guys Zane knew had called him crazy for planning to finish his degree first but his parents were pretty strongly in favor of him earning one in case the NHL didn’t work out, and Zane understood that.

Besides, U of M’s team was so fucking good. Zane had gotten a ton of experience, dialed in his game, and felt much more seasoned as a player than he had a few years ago. And he was looking forward to another shot at the college hockey championship this year.

It meant he’d probably have to spend less time bouncing between the Otters and their AHL affiliate. He hoped so anyway.

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Road Rules, Brigham is giveaway away a $15 Amazon Voucher!

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About the Author:

Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time author. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.

Her books range from short stories to novellas to novels. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings. Pronouns: she/her

Connect with Brigham:

Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/brighamvaughn

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Family Home By Blake Allwood

Coming Home Series, Book 2

Facing the past is never fun, especially when it involves seeing the man you still love. When their lives are once again intertwined, is a second chance possible?

Ash once stabbed his heart when he broke up with him, who cares if it was high school, pain is still pain. And speaking of pain, this broken foot has done nothing but keep him stuck in Crawford City.

Ash is now the town doctor after his dad retired, which means when the incredibly handsome and totally pissed off Todd comes in, Ash is the only person in town who can treat him.

Like it or not, when Ash and Todd’s dads drop a major bomb on them, the two men are forced to deal with one another.

Will they find a way around teenage misunderstandings and bad choices to rekindle a love that’s never stopped boiling, or will their pride forever keep them apart?

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Excerpt:

I got to the doctor’s office and crawled out of the pickup and up the ramp. When I hopped up to the receptionist window, I asked, “Is Doc available?” “Do you have an appointment?” The pain in my foot was excruciating, and I ended up taking it out on the woman behind the counter. “Of course, I don’t have an appointment, Clara Sue. I didn’t know I was gonna fall off the damned roof till it happened!” “Well, Todd, don’t get your panties in a wad. We ask everyone that.” Frustrated I turned around, “I’m gonna go sit in the waiting room. When Doc is ready, come get me!” Luckily, there wasn’t anyone else there, so I was able to lift my injured leg up and prop it across the chairs beside me. I took my shoe and sock off and sure enough, the thing was turning purple and swelling. Damn, I must’ve broken it. “Well, shit,” I whispered to myself just as Ashton Nash came into the room. “Hey, Todd, what’d you do there?” he asked. Ashton Nash. I hadn’t laid eyes on the man in years. The sight of him squashed the pain and stirred up memories that spanned my childhood. We’d been best friends throughout school up until… well, until we weren’t. The thought of that, of what led up to my getting the hell out of this town so long ago, caused my stomach to churn. Or maybe that was just my throbbing foot, gut-punching me back to the present. “What’s it look like, Ash? I messed up my foot. When’s your dad gonna be available?” Ash looked at me funny, amusement showing on his face. “My dad retired, Todd. You didn’t know that?” “No dammit! I didn’t know!” The pain and frustration of dealing with Ash was enough to unleash my inner asshole at full throttle. “Let me take a look at that,” he said, making a move toward my bruised foot. I instinctively pulled my foot away, “No, I prefer to have a doctor look at it. I think the damned thing’s broken.” Clara Sue’s chuckle from her window drew my attention, and when I looked back up at Ash, he was smiling. He pointed to his name badge. “Doctor Nash, at your service.” “How the hell did you become a doctor? You couldn’t even pass tenth-grade biology,” I said incredulously, unable to mask my growing frustration. “Well, that was high school, and the reason I barely passed was because you were always hounding me to go swimmin’ in the river, or whatever, instead of studying.” Through the deepening haze of pain radiating from my foot, I studied Ash. Long gone was the bright-eyed boy who’d awoken desires I’d never felt before, who’d given me my first kiss… and then ripped my heart out and stomped it into the ground. In his place stood a man with sparkling eyes… A man who was too damned good looking for his own good… or mine for that matter. Shaking off these thoughts I said, “Whatever… Still, I’d prefer to see your dad,” I said, the unease in my tone obvious to anyone within earshot, which no doubt still included Clara Sue. “Todd, as I’ve already told you, Dad retired last year. I’m the only person here who can help. Everyone else is on vacation or at the homecoming parade.” “You can’t treat me, Ash,” I whispered. “We were involved.” “Why are you whispering? Everyone in town knows we were involved. You’re gonna have to see me, or go out of town. Want me to call you an ambulance?” “Do you want a black eye?” I asked in all seriousness. “Damned if I’ll ever ride in one of those things, at least not while I’m awake.” Ash chuckled. “Seriously, let me help you to the back and I’ll take a look. If it’s severe, and you don’t want me to treat you, I can have your dad drive you into Lebanon to see a different doctor.” I gave him a dirty look, or at least I hoped it was. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be sure since the pain was taking its toll and that was probably the emotion etched on my face. I stared at my foot a moment longer… I didn’t want Ash to treat me. I didn’t want anything to do with him. However, since I was unable to leave under my own power, and unwilling to be ambulanced out of town, the shithead had me over a barrel. Just then, my dad burst into the waiting room. “What the hell happened to you?” he asked, full of what I could only assume was mock concern. I didn’t respond. Instead, I stood, hopped out of Ash’s grip, and moved toward the exam rooms in the back. “He did a number on his foot,” Ash told my dad. “I thought there were rules against telling assholes personal information. What is it, HIPPO rules or something?” I gritted out through the pain. Clara Sue giggled again, and I knew we were putting on quite a show. Fuck, if that isn’t going to be the entire town’s entertainment for a week. “HIPAA, and when your dad can see for himself that it’s blown up like a freakin’ balloon, it’s not a violation.” Ash replied coolly. Without another word, I hobbled into the room Ash’s dad, Doc, had always put me in when I’d visited him suffering with a cold or whatever. Both men followed me, and Dad stood over my foot as Ash examined it. “Can you move it?” Ash asked. I tried and even though it hurt like the dickens, I could indeed move it. “Well, that’s good at least,” he said. “I’ll have Leslie set up an x-ray for you and then we’ll know for sure.” Thank God Ash left the room, leaving just my father to deal with.

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Family Home, Blake is giving away an e-set of the Coming Home Series so far!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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About the Author:

Blake Allwood was born in west TN, then moved to Kansas City MO after attending college in Lamoni, Iowa. He met his husband in 1995 and they officially married in 2015, once gay marriage was legalized. In 2017, he and his husband sold their home, purchased an RV and began traveling the country with their two dogs. Their travels provide the inspiration and settings for many of his novels.

Typically, Blake can be found relaxing in the RV or by the fire with his laptop and their Jack Russell Terrier, Buddy, curled up between his legs demanding attention. Denver, their Siberian Husky mix is often asleep at his feet or playing tug of war with Blake’s husband.

Connect with Blake: www.blakeallwood.com https://www.facebook.com/blake.allwood.5 https://www.instagram.com/blakeallwood9/ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/blake-allwood

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Molly Boys By Vawn Cassidy

London Underside, Book 1

London 1883:

For Lord Everett Stanley, escaping his fate seemed impossible. As the second son, he’s destined for ordination and the life of a priest, but he’s hiding a dangerous secret. The laws punishing homosexuality by hanging may have been repealed but he and others of his kind are far from safe. Given no other choice, they take solace in the underground molly houses of London. Now that fragile world is threatened when the East End is rocked by a series of gruesome murders.

Inspector Archibald Franklin worked hard to overcome his working-class roots, making a name for himself as a respected inspector of Whitechapel’s H Division, but when he begins to investigate the deaths of several beautiful young men, fate throws him into the path of the handsome and enigmatic Lord Stanley. His gut instinct tells him the young lord knows more about the murders than he lets on, but the closer he gets, the more Everett calls to him in a way he’s tried to deny his whole life.

As a reign of terror grips London, they are drawn together in order to stop a monster, but for Archie, the growing feelings he has for Everett are a betrayal of the very laws he has sworn to uphold. And as the killer closes in, the two men find themselves bound together by a passion that may be their ultimate salvation or their utter destruction…

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Excerpt:

The streets were still dark as Charlie left the house in Islington. The first pale strains of pre-dawn would soon illuminate the grimy streets with an eerie glow, but for the moment there was a peaceful stillness, almost as if the world were holding its breath.

Waiting…

His arse ached pleasantly with every step, and his well-used cock was sore against the rough material of his trousers. The hour was late by the time the Colonel had finished with him. Not that Charlie was complaining, he always enjoyed his time with the vigorous older man. The colonel was a rough but generous lover.

In fact, he’d enjoyed himself so thoroughly he’d missed the last tram back and there was no chance of him reaching his lodgings before they locked the doors. With no alternative available, he’d spent a few hours kipping on a chaise in the parlour, knowing that his lordship wouldn’t mind. It was why Lord Francis had purchased the house in Islington, so boys like him would have a safe place to indulge without risking trawling through Hyde Park. They weren’t prostitutes by any means, most of the young men such as himself were gainfully employed elsewhere.

His Lordship gave them a place to indulge their needs and no money ever changed hands, unlike some of the other Molly houses in London. The house in Islington was one of the safer places he knew of, with entry by invitation only. It minimised the risk, but they still had to be careful. The magistrates may have stopped hanging his kind but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t serve hard time if he was caught by the peelers.

He pulled his collar tight. The damp chill of the early hours seemed to sink right into his bones, causing him to shudder. Hurrying down the narrow misty street, he felt another shiver skitter down his spine on sly, spindly fingers– only this time, it wasn’t from the cold.

He stopped and turned back to look, certain someone was following him. His eyes narrowed but all he could see was the foggy, dim street behind him. With a small frown, he turned and hurried on; he didn’t have the time to dawdle as he had a fair distance to cover before dawn. The trams wouldn’t be running this early and his employer would not take kindly to his late arrival.

Focusing on the uneven cobbles beneath his feet, he turned down a darkened alley. There was more than a bite to the air, which probably meant snow before long. His fingers were already stiffening as he clutched the collar of his coat to ward off the cold.

He reached the end of the alley and turned, drawing up short when he found an abandoned hand-drawn cart. Frowning, Charlie glanced around, unable to see anyone as another bank of low-lying fog rolled across the road. Approaching the cart cautiously, he peered into the back and, to his confusion, saw a fair-sized crate, open and lined with hay, the lid propped against its side. Beside it was a small hammer and a pile of iron nails.

Deciding it was none of his business, he turned sharply and found himself colliding with a heavy chest. Charlie stumbled back a pace, his gaze skimming the man he’d collided with. He was a giant, standing almost two heads taller than Charlie, with shoulders so wide, Charlie doubted he’d be able to fit through a doorway without turning sideways. His hands were huge, his fingers thick and his knuckles dusted with wiry black hair.

Charlie’s gaze was drawn slowly upwards, past the man’s worn woollen coat to his thick neck, a jaw covered with a coarse, dark stubble, and lips set in a thin line. The rest of his face was cast into shadow by the brim of his shabby bowler hat.

“Pardon me, sir,” Charlie muttered as he attempted to step around the huge fellow.

The stranger simply stepped with him and continued to block his path. A small flutter of panic beat against Charlie’s ribs as he sucked in a breath and attempted to step to the opposite side, but once again the silent and unnerving giant moved into his path.

“Sir.” Charlie squared his narrow shoulders, holding his spine ramrod straight so as not to betray his unease. “Please stand aside.”

The man did not move, nor did he speak. Charlie felt cold fear trickle down his spine, as if he’d been doused by icy shards of winter rain.

“Shall I call out for the constable? I passed one not one street back and he was heading in this direction,” he lied, trying to present a confidence and authority he did not have.

For a second, they stood together, locked in silence. Then, just when Charlie was contemplating making a run for it, the giant stepped aside. Swallowing, he gave the man a curt nod and moved past. He barely got two steps away when he felt one of those huge arms wrap around him, pinning his arms to his sides. He struggled and cried out as a cloth was pressed over his mouth, muffling his frantic yell for help. A cloying scent filled his nose and mouth. The world around him began to spin and the cobbles tilted beneath his feet. His eyes rolled back in his head and his body went limp as everything turned black.

He didn’t feel a thing as he was picked up like a rag doll, nor did he stir when his slight frame was tucked into the crate. He didn’t register the lid lowering nor the ominous knocking as the nails sealed it shut.

In fact, there was no one, as the first pale rays of dawn began to break through the fog, to notice the enormous brute of a man slinging the leather strap over his wide shoulders and picking up the handles to drag the small cart behind him down the empty street in silence.

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Molly Boys, Vawn is giving away a Signed Paperback and swag pack!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57669/?

About the Author:

Vawn Cassidy is the MM pen name of British author Wendy Saunders, as Vawn she writes contemporary and paranormal MM romance. She has a deep love of history and the supernatural. Inspired by the Victorian era and classic gothic literature, it has been a real labor of love for her to create an LGBTQ+ gothic romance series.

Connect with Vawn: www.vawncassidy.com www.facebook.com/vawncassidyauthor www.facebook.com/groups/cassidysbayboys www.instagram.com/vawncassidyauthor www.twitter.com/vawncassidy www.goodreads.com/author/show/21646925.Vawn_Cassidy