Bowl Full of Cherries by Raine O'Tierney Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Raine O'Tierney - Bowl of Cherries 600x600Banner

Hiya guys, we have Raine O’Tierney visiting today with her great new story Bowl Full of Cherries. We have an excerpt, a short interview and a fantastic giveaway for you to enjoy and I’ve even thrown in Shorty’s review as well. So lovers of mm romance check out the post and then click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Raine O'Tierney - Bowl Full of Cherries LG

Bowl Full of Cherries

by

Raine O’Tierney

Porker, Fatty, Tons-of-Fun: Crowley Fredericks has heard it all. He’s dropped a lot of weight since his high school days, but he’s still a big guy, and the painful words and bullying follow him. Rejected—again—because of his size, Crowley is starting to think that maybe love just isn’t meant for huskier men.

Averell Lang and his twin are so different they might as well not even be related. So when Rell’s brother brings his roommate home to snowy Susset for the holidays, Rell expects the worst—another uptight, pretentious hipster. What he discovers instead is Crowley. Nerdy, fascinating, attractive, Crowley. Rell never expected to look at a man this way, and what he sees in Crowley Fredericks is something he didn’t even know he was looking for. If both men can overcome their hang-ups, they might unwrap more than presents this holiday season.

Raine O'Tierney - Bowl of Cherries Banner 300x250

Raine’s short interview

1 – Crowley had some awful taste in men. Who was his biggest hurt?

Without giving too much of the plot away, there was a D-bag in high school that Crowley liked and who he thought liked him in return. Turned out he wasn’t just a D-bag, he was also a bully, and his meanness left scars on Crowley’s heart that still haven’t healed, even into adulthood, when the story starts…

2 – Was there a Crowley in your life?

I’ve known several Crowleys. Hell, I am a Crowley in a lot of ways. I’ve known some of the most beautiful, talented, amazing people who hated themselves completely because of their bodies. They always felt they were “too much” or “not enough” even when the rest of us saw how awesome they were.

3 – Tell us a bit about your husband.

So when I was a junior in high school, I met this big bear of a dood rocking a hot pink shirt and not giving a crap what anyone thought of him. I proposed marriage, he turned me down. A year, and a hardcore friendshippy thing, later, he asked me out, then he proposed marriage, and we tied the knot a week out of high school. He used to joke that he married me for my writing monies. (Of which I made none until 2014, so…jokes on him!) Sometimes we write M/M romance together—we’ve got a book coming out in January. 🙂

4 – Who do you credit for your successes?

That’s a really hard question, y’know? I mean, even the crappy parts sort of push us toward our successes. But the nice ones: My mother is a huge support. She always let me and my brother pursue our dreams. My husband has encouraged me every step of the way. And then there’s my friend and beta reader, Lisa. Her pithy quotes have calmed the storm from time to time.

5 – What’s next for Crowley and company?

Crowley and Rell will definitely show up again in the sequel which I’m working on right now. Though that story is focused more on a different character… *whispers* Nope, not going to give away the surprise!

Raine O'Tierney - Bowl of Cherries 200x300

Excerpt

Even through the snow, Rell didn’t feel the cold. His face burned with the excitement of escaping the Livery and absconding with his brother’s best friend. He clasped Crowley’s hand, pulling him through the street. They ran and skidded and laughed, moving farther and farther away from the club.

“It’s beautiful tonight,” Crowley breathed and Rell squeezed tighter. “Doesn’t it weird you out though?”

“Nope.”

Rell knew what Crowley was asking—didn’t even pretend that he didn’t. Stopping, he tugged lightly so Crowley came stumbling up beside him. He twined his arms around Crowley’s waist and held him for a moment, right there in the middle of the sidewalk.

“Does it weird you out? I’m your best friend’s brother.”

“Not weirded out at all.” Crowley shook his head. His dark eyes shimmered with concern. “But for you… I mean, it was loud in there and hot and fun and there was alcohol and… sometimes… things just happen and—”

“Yeah, things happen,” Rell agreed. “Except I’ve been to a lot of stupid hipster clubs with a lot of Tyler’s friends and….” He leaned forward and kissed Crowley again, letting the experience linger, melting the chill between them. He tasted like nogtini. “And nothing like that has ever happened.”

“But… do you even like guys?”

“Owl. You’re a guy. I like you.”

“But have you been with a guy?”

“Why are you over-thinking this?” Rell asked, gently cupping the side of Crowley’s face.

About Raine

Raine O’Tierney, a passionate believer in what she calls The Sweetness, writes positive stories about first loves, first times, fidelity, forever-endings and friskiness? When she’s not writing, Raine can be found fighting the good fight for intellectual freedom at her library day job.

Raine believes the best thing we can do in life is be kind to one another, and she enjoys encouraging fellow writers. She changes sub-genres to suit her mood and believes all good stories end sweetly. Raine lives outside of Kansas City with her husband, fellow Dreamspinner Press author and sometimes writing partner, Siôn O’Tierney.

Contact her if you’re interested in talking about point-and-click adventure games or about what kinds dachshunds are the best kinds of dachshunds!

Author Contact:

Email: Raineotierney [at] gmail.com
Raine O'Tierney - Bowl Full of Cherries LG

Giveaway!

Win a $25 Amazon Giftcard

(Just click the link below)

Raine O’Tierney Rafflecopter Giveaway!

(Ends 18th December 2014)

Review

BowlFullofCherriesLGTitle: Bowl Full of Cherries

Author: Raine O’Tierney

Genre: Contemporary, Holiday

Length: Novel (214 pages)

ISBN-13: 978-1-63216-520-6

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 5, 2014)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Shorty

Blurb: Porker, Fatty, Tons-of-Fun: Crowley Fredericks has heard it all. He’s dropped a lot of weight since his high school days, but he’s still a big guy, and the painful words and bullying follow him. Rejected—again—because of his size, Crowley is starting to think that maybe love just isn’t meant for huskier men.

Averell Lang and his twin are so different they might as well not even be related. So when Rell’s brother brings his roommate home to snowy Susset for the holidays, Rell expects the worst—another uptight, pretentious hipster. What he discovers instead is Crowley. Nerdy, fascinating, attractive, Crowley. Rell never expected to look at a man this way, and what he sees in Crowley Fredericks is something he didn’t even know he was looking for. If both men can overcome their hang-ups, they might unwrap more than presents this holiday season.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5799

Review: Crowley Fredericks is sent a text message from his mother telling him not to bother coming home for the holidays, as no one will be there to pick him up from the airport. Upon hearing this his roommate and best friend, Tyler, immediately tells him he’s coming home with him for the holidays but he has to take a different flight as his is booked up. When Crowley meets Rell, Tyler’s twin brother, there is an immediate attraction.

Crowley seemed very shy and insecure about himself as a result of being bullied by an older guy. I really felt for him and didn’t understand why people are so cruel. Along the way and with the help of Tyler’s family he slowly begins to have more confidence in himself.

Rell seemed like a caring individual who didn’t yet know what he wanted to do with life. He’s never dated a guy before but is deeply attracted to Crowley. He tries his best to comfort Crowley when things become too much for him.

I really liked the way that Crowley and Rell helped each other overcome the things holding them back. It was a long journey full of drama and sad stories but also full of love and understanding. Although I didn’t like Tyler trying to keep them apart, I did understand why he felt the need to do so.

Raine O'Tierney - Bowl of Cherries 200x300

Check out the other blogs on the tour

Pride Promotions Transparent Proud Blogger