Blurb: Merq’s always known there’s only one way Armise and he can end.
The Opposition is losing—both the war and the fight for citizen support—and the Revolution’s victory appears certain. Despite that success, Merq knows his leaders won’t let two of their greatest assets simply walk away. But with Armise fighting for his life, getting out becomes Merq’s primary objective.
Almost two decades of selfishness can’t be alleviated with one right decision, and Merq is faced with the reality of how deeply he has wounded Armise in ways that cannot be seen from the outside. Merq’s world has been upended more times than he can count and he’s always survived, but life without Armise is no longer an option. He just has to prove that to Armise.
Merq believes there are few who are strong enough to challenge them when they stand together. But when the secret Armise has been protecting Merq from is revealed, the truth has consequences neither of them can prepare for.
Reader Advisory: This book contains graphic violence, mention of torture and genetic experimentation.
Review: This is the fifth book in the borders war series. I am sitting here trying to put into words how I feel about this book. I feel raw emotionally for sure. This whole series was a rollercoaster ride that I feel honored to have read.
Merq finds himself feelings things for others instead of being a cold blooded killer. I loved reading how he changed into what he is now as it was no easy adjustment. Armise and Merq’s journey is not an easy one to find happiness. Just when you think they finally find it something else happens to rip it away.
This is the best book in the series as it reveals the secrets that were never answered in the first 4 books. There are twists throughout that leave you spellbound and stunned. This book totally wrecked me. I was crying by the time I was done reading it, and trust me I don’t normally cry while reading a book. Such an amazing journey of two men who started out as enemies and came together despite all the odds.
Truy and utterly a fantastic read. I highly recommend it.
Genre: Action and Adventure, Alternate Reality, Erotic Romance, Futuristic and Science Fiction
Length: Novella (152 pages)
Publisher: Pride Publishing (January 19, 2016)
Heat Level: Simmering
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Whether Armise lived or died was never supposed to matter to Merq.
As the fight for the kids of the jacquerie begins and the war between Opposition and Revolution heightens, Merq discovers that he may not have as much control over his actions as he thought he did. Further complicating their tangled relationship, Armise may be just as compromised.
Desperate to learn the truth, Merq and Armise put themselves directly in the path of a powerful enemy. They’ve spent fifteen years of their lives on the knife’s edge of trust and loyalty. What they learn about each other’s pasts—and what it means for their future—will bring them together or definitively tear them apart.
Merq’s life has always been at risk—one bullet away from death in sacrifice of his mission. As his focus begins to shift, Merq may be too late to understand what, and who, is most important in his life.
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of graphic violence, forced genetic modification, genetic experimentation, genetic experimentation on children and torture.
Review: This the fourth book in the border’s war series. This book just ripped my heart out. Merq and Armise learn more about each other and what they both have been through over the years. It hurt knowing these two powerful and sexy men have been used all this time for others gains.
Powerful and intense this story will grip you in its web and won’t let go. More secrets and answers are revealed in this book and I wasn’t sure I liked some of the answers. But, at the same time I just had to know the answers.
Riveting and mind blowing with more twists that leave you gasping. I truly love this series and its characters. It’s a wonderful series to read for sure.
Genre: Alternate Reality, Erotic Romance, Men in Uniform
Length: Novella (159 pages)
Publisher: Pride Publishing (January 12, 2016)
Heat Level: Sizzling
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: He was built to be invincible.
Merq and Armise return to the States after their mission to assassinate the remaining Committee members only to find the leadership of the Revolution isn’t as stable as they had thought.
Outside forces come crashing down on a Revolution stronghold, leaving two of their soldiers gravely wounded. Merq’s history with his brothers in arms Simion and Neveed forces him into making decisions that will impact his future with the Revolution.
Merq has always identified as a soldier first. Always known who deserved his loyalty and who didn’t. But with the uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the Revolution, the mysterious disappearance of the jacquerie and increased activity with the PsychHAgs, Merq knows there are few people he can trust.
The only man Merq wants or needs at his side is Armise Darcan. But his reliance on his former enemy may be a miscalculation that will threaten everything Merq stands for.
Reader Advisory: This book contains references to violence and to genetic experimentation on children.
Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released under the same title. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.
Review: This is the third book in the borders war series and boy does it pack a punch. In this book Merq is torn between loyalties when chaos reigns in the revolution. He goes through some changes as the story unfolds amid betrayal, deceit and some major twists that leave the reader on the edge of their seat awaiting the outcome.
This book spans years not days. So with that being said I loved how the author wrote this book. It has everything, danger, action, romance, and some mind-blowing twists that left me gasping.
Every time I read the next book in this series I am awed by how well written and thought provoking each book is that it draws the reader in its grasp and doesn’t let go until the very end. The plot was awesome, the characters mesmerizing to the point that I could not stop reading.
Title: Dominant Predator, 2nd Edition Series: The Borders War, #2 Author: S.A. McAuley Genre: Alternate Reality Erotic Romance/ Men in Uniform Length: 140 pages Publisher: Pride Publishing (January 5th, 2016) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb:The world has only recently emerged from a three hundred-year war which saw half of the world’s population wiped out and the rise of five superpowers. Despite the hundreds of millions who died, the Borders War was nearly bloodless because of the sonicrifle—weaponized sound waves, tuned to their highest frequency and harnessed to kill.
Merq Grayson has known only war. He is a skilled Peacemaker, soldier and sniper, and it is his destiny to right the wrong created by his grandfather six generations back—the man who invented the sonicbullet.
Armise Darcan is his enemy. A sniper and Dark Ops officer who fought for the People’s Republic of Singapore in the Borders War, Armise may be the only person on the planet strong enough to keep Merq from completing his mission.
Their loyalties are to conflicting countries and diverging agendas, and despite the very real threat to their lives if they’re discovered, Merq and Armise keep finding their way into each other’s beds. It is a drive which Merq is sure will kill him one day.
But how much time either of them has is questionable. As Opposition is pitted against Revolution, the Borders War reignites, and Merq and Armise have to decide where, and with whom, their real loyalties lie.
A relationship is the least of Merq’s and Armise’s concerns…
With one bullet Merq Grayson set the wealthiest citizens of the world on a collision course with the poorest—those fighting for their freedom. As the Borders War reignites, the Revolution faces heavy losses. They scramble to maintain their advantage, to strike at the Opposition and crumble their power structure before they are able to rally.
But Merq is in the midst of an internal battle that shakes him to the core. For the first time in his life Merq will have to reconcile the inherent tragedy of war and decide just how much vengeance can be justified by spilt blood. How much can he trust the men and women around him? The president, Neveed, his former soldiers, his parents…and Armise.
Merq and Armise find themselves off grid and on the hunt for Committee members. Merq is just as unsettled with Armise at his side as he was with Armise as an enemy, but they will have to learn how to fight together—or they just might die together.
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of violence.
Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released under the same title. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.
Review:This is the second book in the Borders War series.
It picks up where the first ended. Merq, a soldier, is adjusting to having no mission to be on while Armise is finally with Merq like he wanted to be for a long time now.
These two burn up the pages with their passion. The loyalties are strong in this book as was in the first. Merq has feelings for Armise but doesn’t really know quite how to show them. I really liked that both men stuck to their principles and were cautious regarding others they were not familiar with. As should be the case in a time of war.
Great story line and a smooth read this book immerses the reader in fantastic continuation of a series that leaves you on the edge of your seat awaiting the outcome. It was intense at times.
I love this series and am looking forward to reading more. But I would like to read Armise’ POV from time to time instead of just Merq’s. It would give a better understanding of Armise.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: One Breath, One Bullet 2nd edition Series: The Borders War, #1 Author: S.A. McAuley Genre: Alternate Reality/ Erotic Romance/ Men in Uniform Length: 144 pages Publisher: Pride Publishing (January 5, 2016) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: The world has only recently emerged from a three hundred-year war which saw half of the world’s population wiped out and the rise of five superpowers. Despite the hundreds of millions who died, the Borders War was nearly bloodless because of the sonicrifle—weaponized sound waves, tuned to their highest frequency and harnessed to kill.
Merq Grayson has known only war. He is a skilled Peacemaker, soldier and sniper, and it is his destiny to right the wrong created by his grandfather six generations back—the man who invented the sonicbullet.
Armise Darcan is his enemy. A sniper and Dark Ops officer who fought for the People’s Republic of Singapore in the Borders War, Armise may be the only person on the planet strong enough to keep Merq from completing his mission.
Their loyalties are to conflicting countries and diverging agendas, and despite the very real threat to their lives if they’re discovered, Merq and Armise keep finding their way into each other’s beds. It is a drive which Merq is sure will kill him one day.
But how much time either of them has is questionable. As Opposition is pitted against Revolution, the Borders War reignites, and Merq and Armise have to decide where, and with whom, their real loyalties lie.
Face to face, and rifle to rifle. The time and location change, but never the circumstance. Merq Grayson and Armise Darcan are enemies—and neither will be considered successful until the other is dead.
It is the year 2558. A mere decade has passed since the signing of the treaty which ended the three hundred yearlong Borders War. In the midst of an uneasy peace, the world gathers for the first Olympic Games since the war began.
The rifle competition showcases the very soldiers who fought in the war, pitting former enemies against one another again. Continental States Peacemaker Merq Grayson will once again battle the Dark Ops officer from the People’s Republic of Singapore Armise Darcan, this time under the flag of their own uneasy truce. The relationship between Merq and Armise is one of violence, secrecy and a growing intimacy that could have them both branded as traitors.
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of violence.
Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released under the same title. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.
ISBN: 978-1-78430-965-7
Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/one-breath-one-bullet Reviewer: Shorty Review:This is the first book in The Borders War series.
This book is a dangerous game of cat and mouse between two men who opposite sides. They continuously meet off and on throughout the book usually in intense situations.
I loved the interactions between Armise and Merq as it showed them how they actually were instead of all lovey dovey. They both have the same goal, find the info chip. In a time where all is not as it seems and plans are made in secret to once again take back power from a group who only think of themselves and rely on weapons that were never meant to be used in that capacity.
There are two men who constantly but heads and end up having hot and rough sex only to leave until the next time. This story spans many years between the two. Has a few twists that I did not see coming. It’s an excellent spy novel to say the least.
Fantastic read with A lot of suspense, action and mystery.
Highly recommended.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hiya peeps, we have S.A. McAuley visiting today with the blog tour for her newest release Where Wishes Go, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Prime’s review so check out the post and click that rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Where Wishes Go
by
S.A. McAuley
Can you have a second chance at a first love?
Nick Paine is just starting to return to normal after he told his wife he’s gay and asked for a divorce. Despite a daughter he loves dearly and a job he believes in, part of him is stuck in the past. He’s never forgotten the first love he let fade away fourteen years ago.
Adam “Izz” Azzi has settled into a happy rhythm. His daughter is healthy, he’s found a mosque that accepts him, and his work as a modern artist is gaining international attention. While his past is fraught with mistakes and what-ifs, his life now is good, and he doesn’t want to upset any of the balance he’s worked so hard to achieve.
When Nick and Izz are reunited by luck and fate, their attraction is just as undeniable, but what was left unsaid haunts them. They have hope for a future together, but wishing may not be enough.
Hiya peeps, we have S.A. McAuley visiting today with her newest release Where Wishes Go, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so enjoy the post and click that rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Where Wishes Go
by
S.A. McAuley
Can you have a second chance at a first love?
Nick Paine is just starting to return to normal after he told his wife he’s gay and asked for a divorce. Despite a daughter he loves dearly and a job he believes in, part of him is stuck in the past. He’s never forgotten the first love he let fade away fourteen years ago.
Adam “Izz” Azzi has settled into a happy rhythm. His daughter is healthy, he’s found a mosque that accepts him, and his work as a modern artist is gaining international attention. While his past is fraught with mistakes and what-ifs, his life now is good, and he doesn’t want to upset any of the balance he’s worked so hard to achieve.
When Nick and Izz are reunited by luck and fate, their attraction is just as undeniable, but what was left unsaid haunts them. They have hope for a future together, but wishing may not be enough.
Title: Where Wishes Go Series: N/A Author: SA McAuley Genre: Contemporary Length: Novel (246 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2 Oct 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: Can you have a second chance at a first love?
Nick Paine is just starting to return to normal after he told his wife he’s gay and asked for a divorce. Despite a daughter he loves dearly and a job he believes in, part of him is stuck in the past. He’s never forgotten the first love he let fade away fourteen years ago.
Adam “Izz” Azzi has settled into a happy rhythm. His daughter is healthy, he’s found a mosque that accepts him, and his work as a modern artist is gaining international attention. While his past is fraught with mistakes and what-ifs, his life now is good, and he doesn’t want to upset any of the balance he’s worked so hard to achieve.
When Nick and Izz are reunited by luck and fate, their attraction is just as undeniable, but what was left unsaid haunts them.
They have hope for a future together, but wishing may not be enough
Review: This is a book about first loves and what happens when you are all grown up and the memory of that person still haunts you. Where Wishes Go is a somewhat intense, but very sweet read about two guys who lost each other along the way. Nothing says “I love you, but…” better than a couple of thirty-somethings angsting over love while their daughters are all that is sweetness in the background.
The MCs are Nick Paine and Adam Azzi (aka Izz). Nick has recently divorced after a bit of self-discovery and finally admitting that he is gay. He also has a daughter who adores him as much as he adores her and in the aftermath of the divorce has become the primary caregiver.
Otherwise he is more than happy in his role as a hospital administrator, dealing with some rather cranky surgeons constantly. Adam is an artist and in recent has cleaned up his act (he has fought addiction) to become the father that his daughter needs. He has also rediscovered religion and is just about on top of the world when it comes to his career.
To be quite honest, sometimes I was a little annoyed at the back and forth between Nick and Adam, but since I’m not a particularly big fan of angsty situations I’m letting that all slide. Nonetheless, I love these characters. They are relatable and they feel so real.
One aspect that I enjoyed was Adam’s religion, religion is always a bit of a hot potato in MM books, but I enjoyed the lack of emphasis on it because in the end of it, Adam is a normal, everyday sort of bloke. The little girls –Katie and Miri – are absolutely adorable and certainly bring out the best in their fathers.
Like religion though, addiction and the results of one are for the most part left in the background of the story. However, it later becomes front and centre in the final third of the book and I haven’t quite decided yet if it was used as a means to an end or if it was a brilliant (yet poignant) glimpse into what can happen through addiction.
I’m going to admit, the ending had me tearing up a bit
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi peeps, we have S.J.D. Peterson & S.A. McAuley stopping by on the tour for their upcoming release Ruin Porn, we have a bucket list chat with the guys from Resonator, we have a great excerpt and there’s a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Ruin Porn
by
S.J.D. Peterson & S.A. McAuley
There is underlying beauty in destruction….
Miah Thade, Finn Reese, and Ritchie Meyer are Resonator, an indie rock band with an edge—best friends turned rock stars, known as the Detroit 3. When Evin Rene appears in their life, none of them can deny he belongs with Rez.
They may have named their first album Ruin Porn because people get off on seeing how Detroit went from deeply loved to thoroughly forsaken, but they’re determined to prove that blight isn’t the entire story and blight isn’t always ugly.
Ritchie, Miah, Finn, and Evin take Resonator to a level no one anticipates. But no prosperity comes without sacrifice, and no secret stays hidden without a trail of lies. As Rez’s fame grows, so does the intensity between two of its members… as well as their potential for destruction.
Evin and Finn are about to discover the underlying beauty in their ruin porn.
Title: Anomaly Series: part of the Semper Fidelis anthology Author: S.A McAuley Genre: Contemporary/ Men in Uniform Length: Short (48 pages) ISBN: 9781784305918 Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (May 15, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts Reviewer: Shorty Blurb:Warning: Untested chemical reactions in process…
When Staff Sergeant Galen Welc is handed Temporary Additional Duty orders that move him to the Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, he thinks he’s prepared for what’s to come. Known for his uncanny ability to spot improvised explosive devices, he’s pitted against the latest in defense technology. He trusts his instincts and his training, but they may just be leading him somewhere—and to an explosive reaction with someone—he could never see coming.
Publisher’s Note: This story has been previously released as part of the Semper Fidelis anthology by Totally Bound Publishing.
Review: I really don’t know what to say about this story. I was excited about reading it after reading the blurb but was highly disappointed throughout. I felt it was too abrupt an ending. Even though I was disappointed overall there was some enjoyment reading their interactions.
There was too much information on some things and not enough on others. However I did like Galen and Zack’s characters and development but it could have been so much better. The way the story read it seemed like there would be more in the future about the characters.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
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
Blurb: Alex Maddox may be a genius. Or not. In thirty-four days, he’ll know for sure. The robot he’s been perfecting for the last four years is finally ready. Alex won’t accept anything less than perfection—if he can keep a broken air conditioner, a flaky twin brother, a thirtieth birthday, and falling for the Norse god of advertising from derailing him.
Christian Lawson is an advertising god. A blond hottie with the beautiful brains to match. He’s worked hard to move past the accident that nearly took his legs, but it’s been years since he let any man get close enough to see just how deep his scars really go.
Christian isn’t the advertising executive Alex expected, and Alex isn’t the coolly confident inventor Christian’s had his eye on for years. But what they discover in each other may just be better than what either of them could have hoped for
Review: Two very imperfect men who create a very perfect union. The notion of opposites attract abounds in this story; yet, it didn’t take very long for both men to know that despite their differences, their attraction was more than just physical. Alex is the quintessential science nerd who’s been blessed with more than his fair share of smarts. He has dedicated his life to a task and now he’s realized it. Christian is surprising for the reader because who one would expect him to be is not who he is. And while both men are so different and have not been successful at their relationships, they approach their relationship with a maturity that is refreshing. Arguments are quickly resolved and they lay their feelings on the table so that they can resolve issues and build a lasting relationship.
The themes of family, trust and loyalty are the ties that bind this book together with the secondary stories of the relationship between Alex and his brother and his partner as well as with Christian and his former lover. These sidebars add layers to the story, which allow Alex and Christian to grow as a couple. The author uses the strategy of telling the story from the perspective of both men. He starts first with Alex because their relationship is forged based on a need that Alex has. The second half of the story is told from Christian’s perspective since it is the obstacles in his life that must be resolved if they are to have a lasting relationship.
The characters are warm and quirky yet serious and lovable at the same time. The story is well paced and very believable. The reader will love Alex and Christian as well as the other couple that provides texture in the story. All in all – a good read.
Blurb: Poe is about to learn death and time are fragile barriers—if he has the strength of will to let go.
Poe passes through a graffiti-laden alley, his chin tucked into his chest, a scarf wrapped tightly over his mouth to keep out the cold. He has nowhere to go since Isaac’s death, but something compels him out in the frigid Chicago winter.
He steps out of the alley, off the curb, and…into sand. In summertime. Isaac told him it would happen but Poe doesn’t care how it’s possible, only that now he has a chance to make everything right
Review: This short story was just that, short and sweet with an endearing passion to it that transcends time, to make things right. Who doesn’t love second chances.
Poe walks through the frigid cold in Chicago, through an alley and emerges onto a sunny beach, a decade ago. He realizes his husbands dying words, “Someday it will be”, are coming to fruition and although he doesn’t understand how, he only knows he has to find himself and attempt to change his destiny. He finds Artie, his younger self, right where he knew he would, the memory of the time and date are still vivid in his mind. Can he convince Artie to take a different path and not waste the life he could possibly lead with Isaac?
I loved the time travel or alternate reality aspect to this story. “If I knew then what I know now” takes on a definitive meaning here. Poe knows exactly what he did wrong and exactly what… who he stands to lose if he makes the wrong choices. There were some really passionate scenes between the ML of the future, Poe and Isaac. I did get confused enough at times throughout to have to go back and re-read to make sure I was with the right character. And Poe/Arties decision to leave in the past was never quite explained well enough.
To spite these few minor flaws, I thought this was a cute paranormal romance with some decent guy on guy action and a HEA.
Blurb: A relationship is the least of Merq and Armise’s concerns…
With one bullet, Merq Grayson set the wealthiest citizens of the world on a collision course with the poorest—with those fighting for their freedom. As the Borders War reignites, the Revolution faces heavy losses. They scramble to maintain their advantage, to strike at the Opposition and crumble their power structure before they are able to rally.
But Merq is in the midst of an internal battle that shakes him to the core. For the first time in his life, Merq will have to reconcile the inherent tragedy of war and decide just how much vengeance can be justified by spilt blood. How much can he trust the men and women around him? The President, Neveed, his former soldiers, his parents…and Armise.
Merq and Armise find themselves off grid and on the hunt for Committee members. Merq is just as unsettled with Armise at his side as he was with Armise as an enemy, but they will have to learn how to fight together—or they may just die together.
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of violence.
Review: I am left speechless with this book. It was remarkable to say at least, and while I expected it to be good, I honestly didn’t think it’d be this good. McAuley can definitely write war and reading this futuristic humanity’s huge cluster-fuck was a hell of a ride.
In book two of the Borders War series, we view Merq going through so many changes. Subtle at first yet gaining intensity as the story moves forward, Merq finds himself in unknown territory for the first time in his life. Everything he was, everything he knew, everyone he trusted, or not, everything around him changes making it extremely difficult for Merq to cope.
The Olympics are over thanks to him and his bullet hitting true, and while Merq never expected to make it out of there alive his world shakes up big time when his former nemesis and secretly lover Armise helps him escape the stadium alive. And Armise comes with this huge revelation that he doesn’t want to keep living anymore if Merq isn’t alive and in his life, thus changing sides not because he believes in the Revolution, but because his one and only loyalty lies with Merq. And is what really shocks Merq to the core.
Now this might not make an impact for you who are not acquainted with the series, but Merq is a very peculiar person. He was “created” for the sole purpose of being a soldier, the perfect soldier at that. An indestructible weapon that will do anything and surpass any obstacle to complete his given mission. Even he doesn’t view himself completely human, his emotions long ago beaten out of him, and his entire being built within walls, shut down until nothing at all existed except his job and his President.
To have Armise make such a declaration and follow it up with turning sides and coming to life, like that, is such a great life-altering change for Merq, that he finds it impossible to deal with. Yet he has to, as he just set the world on fire and the aftermath is bloody and violent unlike anything he has yet seen.
Point is my thoughts are quite scattered. I don’t know what to address first. The world this author has built is just awesome. The differences between the poor and rich people, the ugliness of the citizens’ reality right there for you to see and feel, the world and power order, the dynamics, and the balance between lost knowledge and new technology was amazing. The war that issued was brilliant, the fact that the Revolution was losing more than one would think made for credibility and gave authenticity to the story, even as I wondered how on Earth they went through that plan that had no solid backup for the aftermath.
Then there were the characters; all of them had this uniqueness about them. You could distinguish them from each other with ease, each of them making an impact. I can actually remember every single character in this book, even the lowest soldier, and that is quite an achievement. It was a distinct difference from the first book, that this time around each character was more visible, prominent, and their mission a bit clearer in this book.
As for our main characters, what is there to be said for them and not be an understatement? I don’t know who I loved more; I don’t think they could be better. Their relationship is a war in itself, a fight that has been going on and on for years and we only saw a glimpse of that in book #1. The feelings and emotions emerging from this couple are enormous and so, so raw. The fact that they literally kept trying to kill each other in the past, leaving permanent marks on each other’s body that are described in graphic detail, make their growing intimacy much more potent. The fact that both of them are trained killers used to work alone, and now making a team and trying to fit with each other while not letting those unnamed feelings in the way was a textbook on intensity. Absolutely delicious! They are simply perfect together; the unstoppable Merq and the unmovable Armise. Two pieces that when joined make the ultimate death-machine. But I have a feeling that we haven’t seen the best of them yet, and that the next installment will be glorious.
And I’m not even mentioning the erotic part between them. Meh, that was near perfect. Brutal, vicious, and most times almost deadly. The feelings running deep without even being mentioned at all, so refreshing and so utterly hot.
I just loved this book; I really, really was knocked out from this read, and I really, really can’t wait for the next one to come. Totally recommended!
Title: Strength of the Rising Sun
Title: Falling, One by One
Title: Powerless (2nd edition)
Title: Dominant Predator, 2nd Edition
Title: One Breath, One Bullet 2nd edition
Title: Where Wishes Go
Title: Anomaly
