Renaissance by Lillian Francis Blog Tour, Excerpt, Interview, Review & Giveaway!

Lillian Francis - Renaissance RT Banner

Hi peeps, we have Lillian Francis stopping by today with the tour for her new release Renaissance, we have a short interview, a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and my review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~

Lillian Francis - Renaissance Cover

Renaissance

(Village Love 02)
by

Lillian Francis

Smudge really needs to get laid, if only to stop himself wondering about the softness of Raleigh’s curls and why he keeps running away.

After his tumultuous teenage years, Smudge has settled into his quiet life in the sleepy English village of Slopy Bottom. He’s his own boss with the time and space to indulge his artistic creativity. And he has friends. He’s happy. Satisfied. Lonely. And the pool of potential soulmates is almost non-existent. His friends, Rick and Mal, flush with their own happy romance, keep trying to set him up with the most incompatible men, and he’s never finding true love on Grindr. Hell, he’s not even going to manage a hook up based on the kinky messages he’s been getting recently. He’ll just have to slake his desire to find his own HEA in the pages of bosom-heaving romance novels. 

Raleigh is the darling of Slopy Bottom’s blue rinse brigade: church organist, mobile librarian, and apparently wedded to his trademark cardigans. He seems to be the polar opposite of the artistic Smudge, whose brightly coloured mohawk and piercings should be a red flag to Raleigh. Yet he’s yearning for company too. It’s just that Raleigh has less expectation and definitely less courage to chase after it, for reasons that he keeps very close to his chest. Reasons that don’t stop him from being drawn irresistibly to Smudge. 

Smudge is sure that the way Raleigh runs from him whenever he sees him is cruelly deliberate. A reflection on his bad boy looks and his disdain for Raleigh’s precious church. So why can’t he stop thinking about the softness of Raleigh’s curls and his delicate body? Then Raleigh offers an olive branch of sugar and caffeine, Smudge’s favourite combination, starting them on a road to an awkward truce. And when they are conned into working together on a community project at the local hospital, the proximity ignites a spark that can’t be ignored. But navigating the murky waters that could take their relationship beyond tentative friendship all depends on whether Raleigh can release his secret fears – and whether Smudge is the man to share and allay them.

Continue reading “Renaissance by Lillian Francis Blog Tour, Excerpt, Interview, Review & Giveaway!”

Renaissance by Lillian Francis Release Blast, Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Lillian Francis - Renaissance RB Banner

Hi peeps, we have Lillian Francis stopping by today with her new release Renaissance, we have a short interview, a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~

Lillian Francis - Renaissance Cover

Renaissance

(Village Love 02)
by

Lillian Francis

Smudge really needs to get laid, if only to stop himself wondering about the softness of Raleigh’s curls and why he keeps running away.

After his tumultuous teenage years, Smudge has settled into his quiet life in the sleepy English village of Slopy Bottom. He’s his own boss with the time and space to indulge his artistic creativity. And he has friends. He’s happy. Satisfied. Lonely. And the pool of potential soulmates is almost non-existent. His friends, Rick and Mal, flush with their own happy romance, keep trying to set him up with the most incompatible men, and he’s never finding true love on Grindr. Hell, he’s not even going to manage a hook up based on the kinky messages he’s been getting recently. He’ll just have to slake his desire to find his own HEA in the pages of bosom-heaving romance novels. 

Raleigh is the darling of Slopy Bottom’s blue rinse brigade: church organist, mobile librarian, and apparently wedded to his trademark cardigans. He seems to be the polar opposite of the artistic Smudge, whose brightly coloured mohawk and piercings should be a red flag to Raleigh. Yet he’s yearning for company too. It’s just that Raleigh has less expectation and definitely less courage to chase after it, for reasons that he keeps very close to his chest. Reasons that don’t stop him from being drawn irresistibly to Smudge. 

Smudge is sure that the way Raleigh runs from him whenever he sees him is cruelly deliberate. A reflection on his bad boy looks and his disdain for Raleigh’s precious church. So why can’t he stop thinking about the softness of Raleigh’s curls and his delicate body? Then Raleigh offers an olive branch of sugar and caffeine, Smudge’s favourite combination, starting them on a road to an awkward truce. And when they are conned into working together on a community project at the local hospital, the proximity ignites a spark that can’t be ignored. But navigating the murky waters that could take their relationship beyond tentative friendship all depends on whether Raleigh can release his secret fears – and whether Smudge is the man to share and allay them.

Continue reading “Renaissance by Lillian Francis Release Blast, Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway!”

Resistance by Lillian Francis Blog Tour, Interview, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Lillian Francis - Resistance banner s

Hi guys, we have Lillian Francis stopping by today with the tour for her new release Resistance, we have a short interview with Lillian, a fantastic excerpt, my review and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~

Lillian Francis - Resistance Cover

Resistance

(Village Love 01)
by

Lillian Francis

How long can you wait on a promise?

After his first night with Mal, Rick broke the habit of a lifetime and invited the sexy radiographer to spend the weekend in the sleepy English village he called home. Rick isn’t in denial but he’s afraid to reveal his sexuality in the close-knit community that has known him since he was a babe in arms.

The sex is amazing but equally Mal loves lazy days spent in the garden at Slopy Bottom, and every precious moment he spends with Rick. For Mal the village quickly becomes an oasis of peace, far from the noise and grime of life in London, a slice of tranquillity with Rick at the heart. But Mal has defied his family and his religion to be true to himself, and there is no way can he join Rick in his self-built closet, no matter how comfortable it is…

Rick is afraid revealing the true nature of his relationship with Mal will change the way his neighbours see him. He adores these people, this village, and he can’t face the thought of losing everything over who he chooses to sleep with. When the alternative is giving up a man who has slotted perfectly into his life—a man who he might just love—it’s no choice at all. But, knowing what has to be done isn’t always as easy as putting it into practice.

Continue reading “Resistance by Lillian Francis Blog Tour, Interview, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!”

Resistance by Lillian Francis Release Blitz, Interview & Excerpt!

Lillian Francis - Resistance banner s

Hi guys, we have Lillian Francis stopping by today with her new release Resistance, we have a short interview with Lillian and a fantastic excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

Lillian Francis - Resistance Cover

Resistance

(Village Love 01)
by

Lillian Francis

How long can you wait on a promise?

After his first night with Mal, Rick broke the habit of a lifetime and invited the sexy radiographer to spend the weekend in the sleepy English village he called home. Rick isn’t in denial but he’s afraid to reveal his sexuality in the close-knit community that has known him since he was a babe in arms.

The sex is amazing but equally Mal loves lazy days spent in the garden at Slopy Bottom, and every precious moment he spends with Rick. For Mal the village quickly becomes an oasis of peace, far from the noise and grime of life in London, a slice of tranquillity with Rick at the heart. But Mal has defied his family and his religion to be true to himself, and there is no way can he join Rick in his self-built closet, no matter how comfortable it is…

Rick is afraid revealing the true nature of his relationship with Mal will change the way his neighbours see him. He adores these people, this village, and he can’t face the thought of losing everything over who he chooses to sleep with. When the alternative is giving up a man who has slotted perfectly into his life—a man who he might just love—it’s no choice at all. But, knowing what has to be done isn’t always as easy as putting it into practice.

Continue reading “Resistance by Lillian Francis Release Blitz, Interview & Excerpt!”

When Love Flue In by Lillian Francis, 2nd edition

whenlovefluein_exlarge_PNG-210x336Title: When Love Flue In, 2nd edition
Series: Sexy Snax
Author: Lillian Francis
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday
Length: Novella (91 pages)
Publisher: Totally Bound (December 4th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: A soot-haired chimney sweep, an exploding flue and an uncooked turkey. It’s an unholy trinity that may make all of Dominic’s Christmas wishes come true.

Dominic is celebrating his first Christmas since his divorce, and although he’s spending it on his own, he’s determined to have a traditional Christmas morning, including a roaring fire. Unfortunately, Dominic’s chimney is blocked, which is why Reagan, a soot-haired chimney sweep, is head and shoulders up Dominic’s flue. Dominic is just lucky the man had a cancellation on Christmas Eve.

Unable to take his eyes off Reagan’s low-slung jeans and enticing arse while Reagan sets about the hearth with rods and brushes, Dominic knows five years is a long time to be obsessed with the man who sweeps his chimney every Christmas. This year there’s nothing to stop Dominic from acting on his desires—except his own insecurities.

An exploding flue provides the opportunity for more than just polite conversation and could be the catalyst for a perfect Christmas. But Dominic will need to stop hiding who he really is before a special sweep can light a fire in his heart.

ISBN: 978-1-78430-312-9

Product Link: https://www.totallybound.com/when-love-flue-in

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is a sexy and sweet Christmas story. Although I have to admit that the idea of calling in a chimney sweet is a positively Victorian idea, doesn’t help that the story is set in England. Hell, even my phrasing just now was Victorian. Luckily, I didn’t go as far as Mary Poppins and allow this to turn me off from the story.

This is more of an encounter or a fantasy that happens to have a happily ever after. Dare I say it, but this is more of a hot Christmas romp while one of the main characters gets his mind and his life together. Dominic is newly divorced after his wife left him for fantasizing about another man.

This bit of plot is saved by the fact that Dominic actually says something to the effect of his wife using his attraction to another man as an excuse. The object of his affection is the man that he only sees once a year, the chimney sweep who cleans his flue pipes, Reagan. One cold and snow filled Christmas Day, as well as Dominic drinking on Christmas Eve after Reagan came for his job, gives the couple a chance at a very hot time together.

This story is all about the encounter between Dominic and Reagan. I like to think that we are given hope for a happily ever after. This enjoyable, quick read has been well written. Being that this is short and that it is more about the moment, there isn’t much more to the characters than at face value.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Waiting for a Spark by Lillian Francis

18215197Title: Waiting for a Spark

Author: Lillian Francis

Genre:   Contemporary

Length: Short (24 pages)

Publisher: JMS Books (August 19th, 2013)

Heat: None

Heart: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Liked it!

Reviewer: Mandingo

Blurb:   Jerome’s life is humdrum, mundane even. Every day he catches the bus to work, listens to his best friend, Nav, rants on about the latest crisis in his life and tries to stop his attention from wandering to the gorgeous guy at the back of the bus too often. After all it would be embarrassing to get caught staring.

Friday morning had been no different. Except that the object of his blatant attention was definitely making eye contact, his Asian best friend had involved the entire bus in a racist rant against the East Europeans and Jerome appeared to have been struck dumb.

Now two days later Jerome’s run out of milk and all the local shops are shut except for the Polskie Delikatesy. Jerome’s hanging about on the pavement, studying adverts in the window which appear to be made up of far too many Zs & Ks, and wondering if he could do without milk for the evening. Stepping through the door brings Jerome face to face with the realisation that racism isn’t just about rants and rallies, but is inherent in thoughts and deeds, things said, or even in silence. That being a target for other people’s prejudice because of his sexuality, doesn’t mean he’s immune from false and pre-conceived notions. If he can come to terms with that and accept that everyone — even a gay liberal trainee journalist — might be just a little bit racist, then maybe, just maybe, he could be going home with more than a pint of milk.

Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=902

Review:   This review could be summed up with the following three words. Sigh, Smile, Happy! 

However, a reviewer should do due diligence and report correctly. So here goes. This is a short story that illustrates with textbook accuracy exactly how a short story should be written.  The story is set in London and tells the tale of two boys, one of Jewish descent and one of Polish descent.  The story takes place over three days. The story opens with the author establishing the premise and back story using the monologue in Jerome’s head on day one. She then switches to dialogue to set the scene for the conflict. This then sets the scene for the next two days where the two boys establish a friendship and begin a relationship.  The fact that the author is able to accomplish all this in 24 pages is testimony to understanding the basic mechanics of good storytelling – (a) set the scene (b) present the characters (c) establish the conflict (d) use interesting, well-constructed dialogue to show rather than tell and then (e) move from conflict to climax/resolution. The fact that the dialogue is littered with British slang only serves to further cement the setting which is always a good thing. The reader will actually begin to hear the British accents in their head as they read.  How exciting. To read and actually be transported across the pond. Yay!

The end result of this short story – A cute couple whom the readers are able to bond with and root for. The story is well paced, nicely written and throwing in British slang lends it an air of being a ‘different other’ which is always nice to see in either short or long form.  The story starts on a bus so I’d suggest this for one’s commute on either a bus or train and have life imitate art.

When Love Flue In by Lillian Francis

flueTitle: When Love Flue In

Author: Lillian Francis

Genre: Contemporary, Christmas

Length: Novella (120pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (1st December 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Christmas, a time for friends, family and roaring fires. Unfortunately Dominic faces the festive season alone with a blocked chimney. A soot-haired sweep, an exploding flue and an uncooked turkey. It’s an unholy trinity. This year Christmas might be perfect.

It’s Dominic’s first Christmas since his divorce and, though he’s spending it on his own, he’s determined to have a traditional Christmas morning, including a roaring fire.

Which is why Reagan, a soot-haired chimney sweep, is head and shoulders up Dominic’s flue.

Unable to take his eyes off Reagan’s low-slung jeans and enticing arse while he sets about the hearth with rods and brushes, Dominic knows five years is a long time to have an obsession with the man who sweeps his chimney every Christmas.

This year there’s nothing to stop Dominic from acting on his desires.

But Dominic will need to stop hiding who he really is before a special sweep can light a fire in his heart.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1311

Or buy the entire LET IT SNOW 2012 collection: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1354

Review: Dominic is celebrating Christmas this year alone. The first since admitting that he is gay and he has a Christmas tradition that he has to keep, the cleaning of his chimney and clandestine leering of the chimney sweeps arse. Reagan has visited the Pearson’s every Christmas to clean their chimney and this year Mr. Pearson is all alone. Reagan is tempted by his fantasies, but Dominic is straight… right?

This is a very sweet novella that touches your heart with gentle understanding and hidden passions. Dominic married to please his father, but now he is divorcing to please himself. For the last five years he has fantasized about Reagan the chimney sweep and this year, if he can take his courage in two hands he will approach the man of all his fantasies. Reagan is thrown into confusion when Dominic, one of his customers, starts to act a little strange, when he receives a phone call in the middle of the night with a drunken confession, it looks like all his fantasies could come true.

Reagan and Dominic are two really nice characters, who add a great touch of sweet innocence to this story of a man who doesn’t just have his first real gay experience but also the beginning of his first real love. Dominic is ashamed that he caved in and married because his father wanted him to. He doesn’t believe that a man like Reagan would ever want him and that shines through in how he acts towards Reagan. He is unsure and kinda shy. Reagan is a great character. He might have the hots for Dominic, but that doesn’t mean that he will take advantage. He is an absolute sweetheart, he gives Dominic the time he needs and doesn’t push.

The sex between them is touching and gentle. Dominic has fumbled around a bit with men, but he is very skittish and Reagan eases him; taking it slowly and what we receive is a drawn out loving, gentle, slightly erotic foreplay which takes us to the beginning of some hot sex. These two men may walk different paths in life but they are a well suited couple, and the connection between them is quite electric.

I will recommend this to those who love gentle love stories, romantic beginnings and some sweet loving.