Grand Adventures by Various Authors, Blog Tour & Giveaway!

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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 😉

 

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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)

Witness Protected by Dawn Kimberly Johnson

Water Under the Bridge by Mia Kerick (Sequel to Not Broken, Just Bent)

A Gentle Shove of Human Kindness by Amy Lane

Air (Roads #1.75 million) by Garrett Leigh (A Companion to SlideRoads: Book 1.75)

An Atheist and a Yoga Instructor Walk into a Bar by Rowan McAllister

Stalking 101 by Moria McCain

Simple Desires by Tempeste O’Riley (A Spin-off of Designs of Desire)

Object of Care by Zahra Owens (A Clouds and Rain Story)

Kid Confusion by Madison Parker (A Companion to Play Me, I’m Yours)

Fall Train by Jaime Samms

The Exhibition by Andrea Speed (An Infected Short; Infected: Roan and Dylan)

What You Will by Tinnean (A Companion to Two Lips, Indifferent Red)

Prologue by Brandon Witt

Ebook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4873

Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4874

Small Print of cover: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4890

Large Print of cover: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4891

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John Amory:

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!

Twitter: 

Goodreads: John Amory

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Sophie Bonaste:

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.

 E-mail – sophiebonaste@gmail.com
Twitter – @SophieBonaste
Facebook – Sophie Bonaste
GoodReads – Sophie Bonaste
QueerTown Abbey – Sophie Bonaste
Amazon Author Page – Sophie Bonaste

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

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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

Just click the link & enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Don’t forget to visit the other blogs on the tour!

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Deep in the Count by Madison Parker

17854024Title:  Deep in the Count (Love Has No Boundaries)

Author:  Madison Parker

Genre:   Contemporary

Length:  65 pages

Publisher:  Published July 5th 2013 by M/M Romance Group @ goodreads

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 hearts

Blurb:   Brandon plays baseball for Virginia Tech. Although his coach is confident he has a successful career ahead of him, Brandon’s not so sure. What if he doesn’t make it? What will he have to fall back on? He wishes he were smarter. He looks at his friend’s roommate and thinks he’d give anything for that confidence and those brains. Because brains and confidence? That’s sexy! If only he could get Corey to notice him, come up with a plan that would appeal to Corey’s inner geek… 

Corey’s program of study and academic standing are sure to land him a good job in his chosen career field: cryptology. Those popular kids? They think that because he’s a “geek” he’s missing out on life, but they’re wrong. He’s got his eye on the prize and doesn’t need the distractions of a social life. So why is he having such a hard time ignoring his roommate’s flirty friend?

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love Has No Boundaries” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Product Link:  http://www.mmromancegroup.com/?p=28549

Reviewer:   Any

Review:  Madison Parker is an autobuy author for me. This short story sealed the deal. What a funny, sweet, well-developed jock/nerd romance.

What I really LOVED about the story was:

The details. This story didn’t feel generic, it felt like Brandon and Corey were real people each with their own likes and dislikes that gave them distinct personalities. Particularly the scenes from Corey’s perspective. These really got into his ‘nerd’ voice, and his inner ramblings on math and deciphering encryptions were a treat to read. It really proved to me that this character was real, instead of just being told he was super brainy, etc. So A+ there, dear author. No 93% for you. (Readers of this lovely story will get that joke).

Also, I really loved the development between Brandon and Corey. It’s only a short story, but thankfully they didn’t get it on in the opening pages. The pacing felt smooth, and except for one scene in the middle, was pitch perfect.

Another thing this book is: interactive. It’s fun with all the encrypted messages that Corey has to decode, and it certainly gets the mind buzzing: Now, what could that mean?

Well, I’ll leave you to discover the fun of this short, free story for yourself.

It’s a QT ∏ of a story.

Play Me, I'm Yours by Madison Parker

PlayMeImYoursLGTitle:  Play Me, I’m Yours

Series:  None

Author:  Madison Parker

Genre:   Young Adult

Length: Novel (244 Pages)

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (April 1st, 2013)

Heat Level: Low 

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:  Fairy Tate. Twinklefingers. Lucy Liu. Will the taunting ever end? Lucas Tate suffers ridicule because of his appearance and sensitive nature. When he’s not teased, he’s ignored, and he doesn’t know which is worse. He feels unloved by everyone, but the one comfort in life is his music. What he wants more than anything is to find a friend.

Much to his dismay, both his mom and a schoolmate are determined to find him a boyfriend, despite the fact Lucas hasn’t come out to them. His mom chooses a football player who redefines the term “heartthrob,” while Trish pushes him toward the only openly gay boy at Providence High. But Lucas is harboring a crush on another boy, one who writes such romantic poetry to his girlfriend that hearing it melts Lucas into a puddle of goo. All three prospects seem so far out of his league. Lucas is sure he doesn’t stand a chance with any of them—until sharing his gift for music brings him the courage to let people into his heart.

Product Link:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3700

Reviewer:   John

Review:  What can I tell you about this lovely little piece of literature that has not been said before? Nothing. This book was awesome and I absolutely loved it!

Play Me, I’m Yours is the story of Lucas and Zach as they slowly grow together and become one. Lucas was introvert and unique; therefore, he never quite fitted in at school. Add that to the fact that he’s gay and you got an awesome story with clever little twists. Lucas, overall, was so sweet and innocent. There were several times that I wanted to hug and squeeze him to death. That way I could protect him from anyone who would want to hurt him, but that was impossible. I felt his emotions and the pain he went through every day as an outcast of life. Now, Zach was the opposite of Lucas, yet the same. He was gay, but he had to hide it from everyone because his mom did not approve of his sexual orientation. He and Lucas went perfectly together like a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The one thing that I love about this story is the fact that the secondary characters were awesome and they did not overshadow the main ones. I absolutely loved Mason, Lucas’ brother. He was so overprotected of Lucas even though he came across as a jackass most of the time. He completely won me over with his attitude. Alex was another surprising character and I completely fell for him. However, I did not like Donovan. There was something about him that I found repulsive and annoying. He still has to prove himself to me, if there ever is a part two.

All in all, I loved the story from beginning to end and I cannot recommend it enough.


Sock It To Me, Santa! by Madison Parker

Sock-2Title:  Sock it to Me, Santa!

Series:  None

Author:  Madison Parker

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  Short (55 Pages)

Publisher:  Madison Parker (Amazon)

Heat Level:  None

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Ryan is assigned to Jamie Peterson for his class’s secret gift exchange. If word gets out that he has to make a handcrafted gift for flamboyant and openly gay Jamie, Ryan will be the laughing-stock of the school. It’s a good thing no self-respecting boy would be caught dead in a craft store, because otherwise he’d be at risk of being spotted when his mom drags him to her weekly craft workshops. He hopes Jamie will appreciate all the trouble he’s going to for this assignment. Finding the perfect gift is gunna be tricky. Jamie deserves something good, though, after all the crap he has to put up with at school. At least, Ryan tells himself that’s the reason he’s putting so much thought into the gift. It couldn’t be that he has feelings for Jamie, could it?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6JN95I

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Ryan is a closeted gay teen who has been living in the shadows all his life. In high school, he keeps hiding because he fears the retribution of his peers, since being gay is not acceptable by them. He tries to go under the radar and live a normal life, like everyone else. Jamie Peterson is the opposite of Ryan. He is the most flamboyant gay kid in school. His sexual orientation makes him the center of every joke and prank by his classmates. When Mrs. Keats assigns Jamie for Ryan’s secret Santa gift exchange program, their paths intercept and we get to see a new side of these two boys.

I love Ryan. He is a normal gay kid trying to survive an environment where being gay is totally unacceptable and lands you a spot on the hot seat. He has to hide who he is in order not to be the center of brutal jokes. When he has to make three gifts for Jamie for the secret Santa gift exchange program, he begins to let loose and gets to know the flamboyant boy. Jamie was as sweet as sugar. Even though he was the center of attacks by his classmates, he did not let them get to him. The kid fought back. That was something that Ryan could not do. He could not come out as a gay kid and tell the world to screw off. After following Jamie around, he falls in love with him. Yes, he messes up sometimes, but he quickly does something that makes you continue loving him. I loved the ending since Ryan got the courage to tell everyone how much he loves Jamie and what he means sot him.

This is one of the sweetest and shortest stories that I have ever read and I hope that there is a sequel to it because I want to read more about these two characters. Madison Parker is a fresh voice to the writing community and I know that great things will come her way if she continues writing sweet little stories with happy endings. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to treat their eyes with a loving story about love, acceptance and courage for this Christmas season.