Title: Submerging Inferno, 3rd, edition Series: Men of Myth, #1 Author: Brandon Witt Genre: Paranormal Length: Novel (360 pages) Publisher: DSP Publications (March 24th, 2015) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Brett Wright and Finn de Morisco come from vastly different worlds. Disowned by his family for being gay, Brett builds both a life on his own terms and walls around his emotions. But nothing can prepare him for the evil that stalks him in the night or from discovering the dark secrets of his heritage.
The youngest of a doting family, Finn lives a sheltered life that allows him to trust easily and makes him quick to jump to the rescue. While using his knowledge of the supernatural world to help Brett uncover the truth of his ancestry, Finn learns nothing in life is as simple and risk-free as he believed.
New knowledge comes with a price—one that may prove too high for them to pay.
Review: Brett Wright is twenty-three and even though his grandfather has recently passed he still feels as if he can’t go to his grandmother thinking that she too had turned him away when his grandfather did when he came out. He is also realizing that things about him seem to be changing.
He has always liked being in the ocean but now he seems drawn to it. After being stalked by a strange man he sets fire to himself yet, doesn’t burn. He wakes up with a hot man who turns out to be a witch.
Sound good yet? Now add in the man stalking him is a vampire and he finds out that being gay is the least of his problems.
I absolutely loved this book. There is a lot going on. It is very different from most vampire stories and it really isn’t a romance. There is a lot of dealing with inner turmoil, finding oneself, loving and losing.
Brandon has such a way with description that pulls you right into the story. I felt like I was in the water with Brett, at the funeral, hurting, all of it. This is an incredible new world of paranormal with very interesting new types of creatures.
I will warn you though; this story probably isn’t for everyone. There are some scenes of rape and violence and it’s riddled with angst.
I highly recommend this to any one that likes a heartfelt story full of love, and angst, finding out what you are, new worlds, new and interesting creatures, heartache, loss, and some pretty hot man-sex.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Today we have the Mia Kerick & Michael Bower from the Anthology KICKASS stopping by. Mia and Micheal both speak about things worth fighting for, there’s a great giveaway and we have Lisa’s review. So enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link… just remember all this is in aid of Eric Arvin so don’t forget to purchase your copy <3 ~Pixie~
KICKASS
(Anthology)
by
Keira Andrews, Connie Bailey, Sophie Bonaste, Tara Bluhm, Michael J. Bowler, A.L. Boyd, Jade Crystal, Catherine Dair, Fiona Fu, Nancy Hartmann, JP Kenwood, Mia Kerick, Jackie Keswick, Eleanore Pavelle, Kate Pavelle, Jonathan Penn, Tali Spencer, Taomi, Rayne Vogel, Brandon Witt, Scott C. Pavelle
With a special foreword by Eric Arvin’s sisters Angela Arvin-Young and Amy Arvin
Against bad odds, he persevered. Wit, grit, and guile pulverized his scary opponent into a sad pile of dust.
Eric Arvin is Kickass.
Even a kickass hero needs a hand from a secondary
character, and Eric needs that extra power boost right now. This anthology is a volunteer effort organized by Eric’s fans and fellow writers in order to help him raise funds and help cover the cost of his high-tech recovery. His wicked sense of humor is intact, but his body needs a bit of help.
These stories are meant to inspire. They’re a warm hug, a wave from afar, a wink and a nod. Discover new authors and graphic artists as you, too, get revved up to slay whatever ails you!
Illustrated edition !
KICKASS ANTHOLOGY was produced in order to raise funds for the medical recovery of our friend and colleague, author Eric Arvin.
All artwork, both written and graphic, was donated free of charge.
All proceeds will go directly to Eric Arvin and his family.
Sounds exciting right? Your favorite gay artists from the screen, canvas, and page all together in one convention. We even have guys whose bodies are works of art in themselves. Our events include art shows, book signings, nude modeling classes, demonstrations and panels galore. Anything you want to know in the realm of gay sexuality, you can find it here.
As amazing as our events are, however, they don’t compare to the juicy behind-the-scenes stories, the naughty liasons that happen on the other side of closed doors. This year, we’re fortunate to have a few authors open the curtains and give us a glimpse of HomoErotiCon under the covers:
Hey guys, a bunch of us bloggers have got together to show our support for T.J. Klune and Eric Arvin by joining up for the Grand Adventures blog tour. This blog tour is to bring to attention the wonderful authors who donated a story and Dreamspinners Press who are donating 100% of the income from the sale to Eric & T.J. and there’s even a great giveaway for you to enjoy! I know the people in this genre are just incredible! So check out what the authors have to say, visit Dreamspinners Press and have a look at the great Grand Adventures goodies and click our Rafflecopter link to win some of those great goodies 🙂 ~Pixie~ p.s. I’d like to give a shout out to Brandilyn from Prism Book Alliance for pulling us bloggers together and organizing our roles in this tour 😉
Description:
On September 1, 2011, TJ Klune wrote, “…it’s not about the ending, it’s about the journey…” in a review of Eric Arvin’s Woke Up in a Strange Place. With those words, two men began a journey of love and invited us to ride along. TJ and Eric have shared so much with us: their wonderful books, their smiles, their humor, their lives, and their inspiring devotion to each other. In December of 2013, their journey took a detour when Eric was taken to the emergency room. He survived the surgery to remove a cavernous hemangioma from his brain stem, but the challenges TJ and Eric face are far from over.
The authors in this anthology donated their talent as a way to support Eric’s continued recovery, to help bring strength to TJ, and to show both of them just how much love surrounds them. Grand Adventures is a diverse range of stories about the journey of love. We’re going on some grand adventures for a great cause. Thank you for joining us.
One hundred percent of the income from this volume goes directly to TJ and Eric.
Foreword by S.A. McAuley
An Unexpected Thing by John Amory (Sequel to Protection)
The Twinkie Ignition by J.E. Birk
When Friendship Becomes More by Sophie Bonaste
Isle of Waiting by Sue Brown (A Missing Moment from Isle of Waves)
The Jogger by KC Burn
Holding Court by Cardeno C.
For Dear Life by Mary Calmes
Under the Full Moon by Ellis Carrington
Stripped by Shae Connor (2nd Edition)
That Place Across the Hall by C.C. Dado
Mistaken MD by Phoenix Emrys
Cops and Comix by Rhys Ford
Last First Kiss by LE Franks
Tomorrow by John Goode
From Fantasy to Friends by CR Guiliano (A Companion to For You)
Hello everyone! My name is John Amory, and my contribution to the Grand Adventures anthology is titled “An Unexpected Thing.” This short is actually a sequel to a story that Dreamspinner published last June in its Daily Dose compilation called “Protection.” The new story picks up about two years after Jamie and Ben met; both are back from London and traveling the West Coast. Jamie is en route to a shooting competition with Ben in tow, but when their plane is diverted, they are forced to find their own way through the Cascades to Seattle. They, of course, find something else along the way.
I have never met TJ or Eric, but I was struck by their struggle like everyone else. We are all a family of authors and readers in this genre, and it felt like someone in our family had suddenly fallen ill. I wanted to help, especially since TJ’s book Into This River I Drown had such an effect on me. When “Protection” was accepted for publication last year, it was the first book I chose from Dreamspinner’s catalog to read, so that I could get a feel for their audience, their authors, the style of stories they publish, etc. I was blown away by River, which is, in so many ways, a really atypical (but still brilliant) M/M romance. There was so much else going on: grief, redemption, faith, closure, all of these things played into the book’s themes, and they’re all things I think TJ handled beautifully. So I began “An Unexpected Thing” as a sequel to “Protection” that contained a guest appearance by two of TJ’s characters from Roseland, which seemed only appropriate given its ties to River. I eventually re-edited the story to not include TJ’s characters (since, if all the authors did that, it would be taxing on TJ to edit and approve each story), but the essence that those characters brought to the story is still there, as well as some other Easter eggs for fans of TJ’s book. “An Unexpected Thing” is about finding love in places you never thought you would, with people you never thought you would. That’s something I got from Into This River I Drown and from TJ and Eric’s personal story, and I think it’s something universal: keep your eyes and heart open, because The One might be someone you’d never notice otherwise.
Thanks for reading and for supporting Grand Adventures! You can find me on Twitter (@JohnAmory) or on GoodReads. Feel free to drop a line! Happy reading!
About John Amory:
John Amory is and always will be a hopeless romantic, which he blames on watching too many episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 growing up. He began writing stories and poems as a child, continuing through high school. He put writing on the backburner for a number of years, during which time he finished both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English, and is thrilled to be creating again now that he knows what “free time” means.
In another life, John is a newly minted college professor, as well as an actor/director/choreographer/playwright whose work has been performed in New York City and elsewhere. He is also obsessed with television and keeps two blogs on the subject: one for general reviews and comments (faketvcritic.blogspot.com), and one devoted solely to So You Think You Can Dance (cuttingsytycd.blogspot.com).
Feel free to drop a message here or on Twitter to say hi!
1. Tell us about your contribution to the anthology.
My short story is called When Friendship Becomes More.
Here’s the official blurb, because it explains the story better than I could:
Despite their differences, Jamie and Roy are not only college roommates, but best friends. What Jamie doesn’t know is that Roy has had a crush on him for years. When Jamie realizes Roy’s feelings during a camping trip with friends, the attraction will either prove mutual, or it will tear their friendship apart.
I’m really proud of this short story. It has moments that will make you laugh and cry. I hope everyone out there loves it as much as I do.
2. What is your favorite TJ and Eric memory?
Well, I haven’t been lucky enough to meet TJ or Eric in person. But I remember reading the news of TJ’s proposal in October of last year. I was instantly touched by the obvious love between the two men. It may not have been a showy proposal like that Home Depot one that went viral a few months ago, but it was one of the most love-filled proposals I’ve ever seen. And isn’t that what’s really important?
3. Why did you choose to participate in the anthology?
When I heard about the anthology it was a no-brainer. I knew I had to help TJ and Eric in any way I could. And since writing is one of my favorite things to do anyway, it was a win-win.
4. Do you have anything to say to TJ and Eric?
I just wanted to say that you two are both some of the strongest people I’ve ever known. I wish you only the best as you go forward. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!!!!!
About Sophie Bonaste:
Sophie Bonaste is a novelist who never set out to be a novelist. As a child, she wanted to be a Broadway actress and spent her childhood in numerous productions. But when adulthood set in and reality took over, Sophie chose to up the theater for a steady paycheck and instead turned to writing as a creative outlet. She stumbled into the M/M genre through fanfiction and never looked back. Sophie is quite happy with her change in artistic expression and doesn’t plan to stop writing for a long time.
A self-proclaimed nerd, Sophie is an avid fan of all things Star Wars and Harry Potter. (Sophie is a member of the Slytherin house, for those who were wondering.) Sophie also spends many hours watching and re-watching nerdy television shows. When she is not obsessing over the latest and greatest in nerdy entertainment, Sophie can be found screaming at her television during American football games. (Go Pack Go!) Sophie currently lives in Pennsylvania, about twenty minutes from her childhood town of The Middle of Nowhere.
If you don’t want to talk, but you want to read more about my works, please use these links.
Harmony Ink – Sophie Bonaste
Dreamspinner Press – Sophie Bonaste
GIVEAWAY!
20″ x 26″ (image size: 16″ x 24″) signed & matted print of the Grand Adventures cover Grand Adventures Paperback $30 Dreamspinner Press Giftcard
Starts: 12:01 AM EDT on 29 Mar 2014 End: 11:59pm EDT on 8 April 2014
Finn de Morisco knows he is walking into a trap when he enters the Vampire Cathedral to rescue his sister Cynthia. Aided by Schwint and his other sister, Caitlin, he intends to free Cynthia and avoid enslavement. But when he confronts the master of the Voice that has tortured him, Finn faces a grim choice: compromise his soul or lose his family.
For centuries, members of the Chromis tribe have disappeared, and Brett Wright is on a quest to discover the fate of the captive mers and to stop the abductions. Despite the risk of tribal warfare, he embarks on a dangerous ocean journey to find other mer tribes experiencing the same plight. When destiny brings him back to land, Brett encounters new allies and old dangers while coming to grips with the past.
Review: I’ve been waiting for this all year and WOW! It was worth the wait. This is book three of the Men of Myth series and I do suggest you read them all in order to get the full impact. The covers are also brilliant!
This series is like getting three stories in one. It has three characters and we get viewpoint from all three. I loved this. When a view changes it tells us at the beginning of that chapter so it isn’t confusing at all, though Both Brett and Finn are in two separate places now and that makes it easy to tell whose view also.
Speaking of separate places let’s start with Finn. Finn and his sister Caitlin and his new boyfriend Schwint embark on a mission to go to the Vampire Cathedral to rescue Cynthia, Finn’s sister. We get on last look at the Square. This world is very supernatural and dark. You have all sorts of creepies there. I loved how this was a supernatural world blended in the human world. Now let’s move on to Costa Rica and the Vampire Cathedral. This is the main setting where Finn is throughout this story. We meet Gwala the Vampire king, if you want to know more about him read the prologue. I love how he looks like a child but it’s clear he isn’t a child or sweet as his appearance lets us believe. This is a vampire that would give Dracula a run for his money. He summoned Finn because Finn possesses powers he doesn’t even realize he has and Gwala needs the strongest witches and warlocks he can find.
Now on the world Brett is in. Brett has been living under the sea with his father and the Chromis tribe for the past six months. I think this is one of my mot favourite supernatural worlds I have read to date. It’s mystical and magical and I felt I was right there swimming along with the mers. The descriptions are beautiful and paint a picture and fits in with the action and dialogue so it never gets boring. Just when you think, it can’t get any better, the tribe moves along to another place even more beautiful and mystical.
Now for the story. I love this story it’s poignant and heartfelt, mystical, and magical, dark and heart wrenching at times. This is definitely not a Cinderella love story or a sparkling vamp romance. It’s extremely emotional and full of angst. There were several surprising twists that left me in shock. I will say near the end it brought tears to my eyes. Though there are only a couple of sex scenes, they are quite the scorchers. I cannot wait to see more from this series.
If you like strange, mystical supernatural worlds, Demons, vampires, mermaids and mermen, Witches , Warlocks and Fairies, drama, mystery, angst and lots of twists and turns this one is definitely for you
Brett Wright and Finn de Morisco come from vastly different worlds. Disowned by his family for being gay, Brett builds both a life on his own terms and walls around his heart. But nothing can prepare him for the evil that stalks him in the night or from discovering the dark secrets of his heritage.
The youngest of a doting family, Finn lives a sheltered life that allows him to trust easily and makes him quick to jump to the rescue. While using his knowledge of the supernatural world to help Brett uncover the truth of his ancestry, Finn learns neither his magical life nor falling in love is as simple and risk-free as he believed.
New knowledge comes with a price—one that may prove too high for them to pay.
Review: Brett Wright is twenty-three and just realizing that things about him are odd and changing. His Grandfather has just died, he is feeling odd things in the ocean, he is setting fire to himself and not burning, he meets a hot man who turns out to be a witch, and life will never be the same. Oh I forgot to mention being chased by a vampire and finding out he is at least part Demon. Brett is an interesting man.
I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the next in the series. I do hope it shed light on what Brett is and maybe he can find happiness. This story probably isn’t for everyone, there are some scenes of rape and violence and its riddle with angst.
Brandon has such a way with description that pulls you right into the story. I felt like I was in the water with Brett, at the funeral, hurting, all of it. This is an incredible new world of paranormal with very interesting new types of creatures.
I highly recommend to any one that likes a heartfelt story full of love, and angst, finding out what you are, new worlds, new and interesting creatures, heartache, loss, and some pretty hot man-sex.
Publisher: Itinires Press ~ A division of Dreamspinner Press (August 13th, 2012)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: After a tortured childhood and years of soul-searching, Brooke Morrison has finally settled into a comfortable life. While his sexuality prohibits him from practicing his degree in youth ministry in a church setting, he’s found a fulfilling job as youth counselor at a residential treatment facility in Colorado. He falls in love, marries the man of his dreams and makes peace with God. He’s happy.
Then his buried past drags him back to the Ozarks.
The life Brooke has worked so hard to build is crumbling in his hands in the face of painful memories and past abuse and his confidence is withering. In El Dorado Springs, where his nightmares come to life. Brooke desperately seeks closure life doesn’t offer. Brooke must find value in himself, in his marriage, and the world around him. – And create the hope and perseverance to keep his past from swallowing him whole.
Review The Shattered Door is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It begins with an event then goes back seven years and you wonder what had happened to cause him such emotional angst almost to the end. Then when you think it’s over, the plot twist. It leaves you on the edge of your seat, laughing and crying. Written in first person, I felt like I was Brooke. I could feel his angst and pain. The romance between him and Jed was sweet and charming.
Brooke moved to Denver after college to get away from home and put his past behind him. He gets a job at a boy’s center as councilor and makes great changes there. He has a nice apartment and meets the man of his dreams. Then tragedy strikes and he has to go home and face his past.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a book that is not a run of the mill Cinderella story type romance. If you like angst, friends to lovers, raccoons, story’s set in the mid –south and no sex but still a hot romance, you will LOVE this book.
Title: Submerging Inferno, 3rd, edition
