Hey guys, today we are visited by M. Lee with her latest release Nightsweats from Dreamspinner Press Daily Dose, we got to interview M. Lee and also review this sweet little number, so boys and girls have a browse around, leave a comment for a chance to win Nightsweats and click that Rafflecopter link! <3 ~Pixie~

Congratulations to Rojoroaors who is our comment winner for Bru Baker’s Branded!

Mended

Various Authors

Life comes with a bit of hurt, but luckily for these men, it also comes with the right amount of comfort to mend their breaks, both of the body and the heart. From facing deranged exes to economic trials, the men in these tales have faced trial by fire–or in some cases water–for the right to love and live. Step into their shoes as they rebuild their family after a gutting betrayal or traverse the stars with an unexpected partner. The Mended Daily Dose package delivers stories about all kinds of second chances built on love. 

Felicitas Ivey Zahra Owens Emily Moreton Cardeno C. S.A. Garcia Elizabeth Noble M. Lee Ellis Carrington Kim Fielding Ari McKay E.T. Malinowski Bru Baker K.C. Wells Gwynn Marssen Lee Comyn Ashavan Doyon Eli Easton Charley Descoteaux Therese Woodson MA Ford Kenzie Cade Coral Moore L.D. Blakeley Chloe Stowe Ronnie Matthews Jayden Brooks Diane Lennox C. Callenreese Mars Novak Emma Wilson

Interview with M. Lee

Pixie: Hello to M. Lee, who is joining us today for the Dreamspinner Press Daily Dose with zir release Nightsweats. Hey M!

M. Lee: Hello! I’m glad to be here.

Pixie: M. Lee, your contribution to the Daily Dose is Nightsweats. Why don’t you tell our readers a little about it?

M. Lee: Nightsweats is the story of two young men who both have a lot to deal with from their pasts. Jerome is recently back from fighting in a war and is struggling with PTSD in the form of nightmares and flashbacks. Ryan sees him having a really bad day and decides to take care of him- and I bet people can guess what happens next!

Pixie: Did you have the idea for Nightsweats before you heard of the Mended submission call or did it form after?

M. Lee: I didn’t have the whole plot for the story, but Ryan was rattling around in my brain before I heard of the Mended call for submissions. Then it turned out that he wanted to be the romantic lead, so I needed someone to pair him with and Jerome with his strong silent type underlaid with a core of vulnerability, came next. The story unfolded from there.

Pixie: Did you enjoy writing a hurt/comfort story or did you find it hard to write?

M. Lee: I love reading hurt/comfort but found it surprisingly difficult to write. It was a challenge to keep it short and not let it go sprawling too deep into Jerome and Ryan’s issues. It was also interesting to move a new couple from dealing with their own pain and darkness to feeling sexy.

Pixie: Nightsweats has both characters that have PTSD and was beautifully written. Is it a subject close to your heart?

M.Lee: Several people in my life deal with PTSD, though it is rarely quite as obvious from the outside as what Jerome experiences. In fact, I think that if we were all more honest, everyone would find that they have people in their life dealing with PTSD. It’s not something we talk about much in our culture and there’s a lot of shame and hushing that happens, especially with soldiers. I wanted to communicate that it’s not something to be ashamed of and play with the vulnerability that comes with it as an author. Witnessing someone else dealing with PTSD and being open and accepting can be very powerful and healing.

Pixie: Why don’t you could give the readers a little teaser, just a couple of lines?

M. Lee: Sure! Here’s a bit of flirtation to tempt your readers…
Ryan, who had apparently followed him to his bedroom, arched an eyebrow. “That’s quite the weapon you’ve got there, soldier.”

Jerome let out a startled laugh. “Shit, sorry. I’m being crazy.”

Ryan’s lips went sad before he pulled them into a smirk. “Well, if it makes you feel better to have your gun in your hands…”

Jerome smiled slyly and returned, “Doesn’t every man feel better with his gun in his hands?”

Pixie: Do you think you will revisit Jerome and Ryan in the future?

M. Lee: Maybe! Readers are more likely to get a glimpse of them in the background as friends to some new unfolding romance.

Pixie: What are you planning to do next?

M.Lee: Actually, gay werewolves are next. I’ve just finished a short story, Packbond, set in a world where shapeshifters are known but not always accepted. Readers get to follow Troy and Alex as they fall in love and then save their pack from some less-then-enlightened hunters. I’ve already got plans for a sequel, too!

Pixie: Now why don’t you let the readers know where to find you.

M. Lee: You can find me on Dreamspinner Press here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=501. I also blog about living a happy life, which includes the occasional teaser from my erotica, at http://livingeverydaysacred.wordpress.com/.

Pixie: Before we go is there anything you’d like to tell the readers and fans?

M. Lee: I hope Nightsweats, and all the other stories in the Mended Daily Dose Package, break your heart and heal it in the very best of ways. On a more serious note, if you or a loved one are struggling with PTSD, there’s help out there. Please, find someone trustworthy, whether that’s a friend, lover, or therapist, and let them help. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Pixie: Thank you for joining us today M. Lee 🙂

M. Lee: Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure!

About M. Lee

M. Lee is both radical and domestic, brushing up on queer theory in between bouts of gardening and composing protest songs as she folds the laundry. After reading too many sad endings in gay classics, she set out to write as many happy gay endings as possible.

Review

Title: Nightsweats

Series: Daily Dose Mended 05

Author: M. Lee

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (27pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-63216-077-5

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1^st June 2014)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: After a typical rough night, Jerome Daniel’s day plunges into nightmare territory when he has a paralyzing flashback at work. Fortunately, Ryan Parker is there to calm him down and take him home. When they narrowly avoid an accident on the way, Jerome is sent spinning again. Ryan insists on staying with Jerome, and in the safety of Jerome’s apartment he relaxes enough to enjoy Ryan’s company, where they discover they have more in common than they think.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5127

Or as part of the 2014 Daily Dose Full Set Mended: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5113 

Review: Jerome suffers from PTDS after serving combat tour for eighteen months; he can’t even escape the nightmare flashbacks in the menswear department where he now works. Luckily co-worker Ryan comes to his rescue but a near miss on the way home sends Jerome back into the heat and desert. Ryan knows all about flashbacks and panic attacks he’s had a few of his own in the past, taking care of Jerome comes easy to him and falling for the guy is easier.

This is a great short story where both characters know the strain of dealing with PTSD, though for different reasons. Jerome and Ryan both have a past that has scarred them, Jerome has PTSD from war and Ryan’s was caused by an attack of some kind. As co-workers they have flirted with each other but it isn’t until Ryan offers his support and opens up a bit that they click in a sexual way.

I enjoyed this story and liked how the PTSD was shown; the way random things would set off a flashback or panic attack. I liked seeing how someone who had suffered through it themselves stepping in and easily handling the situation to take the pressure off, Ryan was perfect in that role. Jerome and Ryan together were hot and I liked how they seemed to fit together without any angsty embarrassed feelings from either of them. The PTSD isn’t brushed off as nothing but neither is it made a fuss over; it is nicely balanced so we get a lovely little story of a developing romance.

I recommend this to those who love damaged men finding love, overcoming trauma and struggling to overcome panic, who love great characters and a very sweet ending.    

Giveaway!

 One lucky comment winner will receive M. Lee’s Nightsweats

(M. Lee’s Nightsweats Giveaway has ended) 

One lucky clicker will win the entire Mended collection

(Just click the link below)

Dreamspinner Mended Collection Rafflecopter giveaway!

(Ends Midnight 30th June 2014)

All winners for the Giveaways will be notified by MM Good Book Reviews by email and will receive their prize in their Dreamspinner Press Account.

(I will contact you for the email you use for your Dreamspinner account)

Don’t have a Dreamspinner Press account? sign up here:

https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/create_account.php

Worried you can’t take part because you have a Kindle? Just download a format and email to your Kindle: Want to learn more? http://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle/email