Blurb: The last time Joël Paquet was in New York City, he nearly died. Too distracted by his problems, he didn’t look when he crossed the street and was nearly made into a pancake by a transport truck in the downtown core. The only saving grace of this trip, other than the cute person working as a living statue who saved him and then took him out for coffee, was the fact that his near-death experience finally gave him the courage to come out as trans.
Five years later, Joël Paquet is one of the most in-demand horror writers in North America. Going to New York City from his current Montreal home for the Black Markets Horror Con should be exciting, but when he gets an email that uses his birth name, he nearly cancels the trip altogether. The only thing that keeps Joël going is the thought of that living statue who saved his life once before.
Review: This is short and sweet story about a trans writer who despairs when he receives emails using his birth name, rather than his chosen name, Joel. I know, that is horribly explained. The explanation does not actually describe the gravity that this has on Joel, being called his birth name makes him feel vulnerable in a way that seems terrifying.
Joel goes to a convention in New York despite his reservations after receiving emails addressed to Violet. This is his second trip to New York and the first one ended in a near death experience. After his panels have finished he meets the person who had saved him on his last trip who has changed just as much as he has –like him his savior had known what they were on the inside and that most definitely was not a female.
I just feel like I keep screwing up this explanation in an effort to keep this short. This is a well written short which touches wonderfully on the feelings that Joel goes through. This is all about identity but it is also much more. Ultimately, I see this as two people who are coming to terms with how they feel inside before they can come to terms with what they feel for each other. I find it absolutely intriguing that both MCs are trans, this is definitely a first for me, though in the end trans or cis doesn’t matter for my actual love of the characters themselves.
In the end, I suppose that Different Names for the Same Thing is truly more than accurate.
Blurb: Starting over isn’t easy, but Ben is ready to live his life as the man he was always meant to be.
Ben is transgender and back at university after hormone treatment and chest surgery. His new housemates have no idea about his history and Ben would prefer to keep it that way. He’s starting from scratch and his life is finally on track, except in the romance department. The idea of dating guys as a guy is exhilarating but terrifying, because if Ben wants a boyfriend he’ll have to disclose his secret.
Sid is drawn to Ben from the moment they meet. He normally gets what he wants—in the short term at least. Ben’s guarded at first, and Sid’s not used to guys rejecting his advances. He eventually charms his way through Ben’s defences and helps Ben on his journey of sexual awakening.
It doesn’t matter to Sid that Ben is trans. He’s attracted to the whole person, and isn’t worried about what is—or isn’t—in Ben’s pants. They’re good together, and both of them are falling hard and fast, but Ben’s insecurities keep getting in the way. If Sid can convince Ben he’s committed, will Ben finally be able to put his heart on the line?
Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.
Review: How in the hell can I review a book when the topic is something I’ve got no clue about? All the informational reading in the world couldn’t give me the ability to understand exactly what Ben is feeling, how hard it is for him to integrate himself in the society as a man after living as a woman (girl?) for so many years, and how awful and deep rooted his transphobia and insecurities are. I’m trying not to be a judgy bitch and I took in this story for the well of information it really is. I never really gave a lot of thought to transgender people’s genitalia because (with the risk of sounding ignorant) it never interested me. Go me for not sexualizing people! I was scared of reading this book but it ended up being sweet and informative; I didn’t find it hot and sexual despite all the sex that took place.
Starting from Scratch is a story about a woman who became a man, a story about loving people not genders, a story about acceptance and understanding, about a vagina called Voldemort, and a bunch of friends who have each other’s backs. I like this series a lot, but I have to admit this book is very different from the rest.
Ben is obviously the focus of this whole book, so much so, that I felt Sid didn’t shine through quite as bright as I expected him to. Ben has been through a lot…. born a girl, Ben hasn’t really questioned who he was until his 3 year relationship with his boyfriend at the time. The sex was fine, Ben (we don’t know Ben’s former girl name, and that’s ok) certainly enjoyed it, but something was missing. Taking the time to really examine his thoughts and feelings, Ben realized he identifies more as a man rather than a woman, and was brave enough to take the steps needed to become a man, with the support and love of his family. Becoming a man however didn’t wipe away all Ben’s insecurities; Ben opted to not have gender reassignment surgery, and while the testosterone treatments helped his genitals change into a small penis, he’s not like other men and he knows that. He feels inadequate and his fears are deep that he will eventually get rejected by a prospective lover.
Again, I can’t even begin to imagine what Ben is going through, but…. how do you not question your gender until you’re 18 years old (shouldn’t that feeling of discord always be present)? I’m not going to rationalize it by comparing it with men who didn’t realize they were gay until later in life, or maybe I should? It is something similar to that? Does one live peacefully as a man or woman and years later they realize they were born the wrong gender? I always assumed transgender people always knew deep down who they are, regardless what sex parts they were born with, but maybe that’s not the case? I’m very confused!
Either way, it was very hard for me to connect with Ben and to understand his inner struggles. And with all the focus being on Ben, I don’t feel like I got to know Sid all that well either. What I did learn about Sid I liked, especially his thoughtfulness when it came to Ben. Sid was understanding and honest, and when he realized his knowledge about trans people is kind of limited to the basics (like mine had been, and I felt better knowing a fictional character was a clueless as I was), Sid did research. If that research involved some FTM porn, it was all in the name of learning. So yeah, I admit Sid being so specific about what to write in my google search, and me being such an easily influenced (and curious dammit!) person, I ended up watching that stupid video Sid watched! Don’t judge me!
This book was interesting, and I learned things I didn’t know before, which is always a plus. But I wasn’t blown away by the romance and considering the length of this book, many things were overlooked and it seemed rushed. But wait a minute…… Johnnie wears lacy underwear??? Yes please! And Ryan is his love interest… hunky Ryan! Fuck yeah! Bring it on!
Hi guys, we have Jay Northcote popping in today with the tour for his new transgender release Starting From Scratch, we have a great excerpt and Aerin’s review, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Starting From Scratch
(Housemates 05)
by
Jay Northcote
Starting over isn’t easy, but Ben is ready to live his life as the man he was always meant to be.
Ben is transgender and back at university after hormone treatment and chest surgery. His new housemates have no idea about his history and Ben would prefer to keep it that way. He’s starting from scratch and his life is finally on track, except in the romance department. The idea of dating guys as a guy is exhilarating but terrifying, because if Ben wants a boyfriend he’ll have to disclose his secret.
Sid is drawn to Ben from the moment they meet. He normally gets what he wants—in the short term at least. Ben’s guarded at first, and Sid’s not used to guys rejecting his advances. He eventually charms his way through Ben’s defences and helps Ben on his journey of sexual awakening.
It doesn’t matter to Sid that Ben is trans. He’s attracted to the whole person, and isn’t worried about what is—or isn’t—in Ben’s pants. They’re good together, and both of them are falling hard and fast, but Ben’s insecurities keep getting in the way. If Sid can convince Ben he’s committed, will Ben finally be able to put his heart on the line?
Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.
Hi guys, we have Jay Northcote popping in today with his new transgender release Starting From Scratch, check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Starting From Scratch
(Housemates 05)
by
Jay Northcote
Starting over isn’t easy, but Ben is ready to live his life as the man he was always meant to be.
Ben is transgender and back at university after hormone treatment and chest surgery. His new housemates have no idea about his history and Ben would prefer to keep it that way. He’s starting from scratch and his life is finally on track, except in the romance department. The idea of dating guys as a guy is exhilarating but terrifying, because if Ben wants a boyfriend he’ll have to disclose his secret.
Sid is drawn to Ben from the moment they meet. He normally gets what he wants—in the short term at least. Ben’s guarded at first, and Sid’s not used to guys rejecting his advances. He eventually charms his way through Ben’s defences and helps Ben on his journey of sexual awakening.
It doesn’t matter to Sid that Ben is trans. He’s attracted to the whole person, and isn’t worried about what is—or isn’t—in Ben’s pants. They’re good together, and both of them are falling hard and fast, but Ben’s insecurities keep getting in the way. If Sid can convince Ben he’s committed, will Ben finally be able to put his heart on the line?
Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.
The Housemates Series is a collection of standalone stories set around a student house in Britain. Each book focuses on new characters, with themes of self-discovery and sexual awakening.
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.
Hi peeps! We have Francis Gideon stopping by today with their new transgender romance Hopeless Romantic, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Hopeless Romantic
by
Francis Gideon
Nick Fraser is a true romantic. He wants the guy instead of the girl, but other than that, he wants everything his favorite rom-coms depict: the courtship, the passionate first kiss, the fairy-tale wedding. But after breaking up with the love of his life, Nick wonders if anything fairy-tale will ever happen for him.
Then he meets Katie, who’s just like a rom-com heroine. She’s sharp, funny, sweet, and as into music and punk culture as Nick is. What’s more, he’s incredibly attracted to her—even though she’s a woman. Nick has never considered that he might be bisexual, but his feelings for Katie are definitely real.
When Katie reveals that she’s transgender, Nick starts to see how much he doesn’t understand about the world, queer identity, and himself. He is hopelessly in love with Katie, but this isn’t a fairy tale, and Nick’s friends and family may not accept his new relationship. If he wants it all, he has to have the courage to make his fantasy a reality.
Hi guys, we have Erica Kudisch visiting today with her new release Don’t Feed The Trolls, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway, so check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Don’t Feed The Trolls
by
Erica Kudisch
Gaming while female is enough to incur the wrath of the dude-bros, and they’ve come for me. Instead of fighting back, I’ve created an alternate account. Male name, male pronouns. And I’ve met this girl. I’ve always liked girls, and Laura’s adorable and smart and never gives up, and she likes me back. Or rather, she likes the man I’m pretending to be. But I can’t tell her I’m a woman without the mob coming after her too.
And besides: I might not be a woman, not really.
The truth is, I don’t know what I am anymore. I’ve spent my whole life being told how I’m supposed to act and what I’m supposed to be, but none of it feels right. And my lie is starting to feel truer than anything I’ve ever been.
There’s a convention coming up, but the closer it gets, the more I have to choose: lie or fight. But if I don’t stand my ground as a girl, am I letting the haters win?
Then again, those aren’t the only two ways to live.
Blurb: “Sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together.” -Colleen Hoover
They came from two completely different lives: Tyler is a werewolf raised in a pack where being gay isn’t an option, and John was trapped in a hopeless marriage as a woman where he wasn’t allowed to transition into himself.
The thing they have in common: they both decided to abandon everything they had ever known in order to brave an uncertain future.
Fate and coincidence bring these two men together, and they feel the connection of kindred spirits. They decide to take a chance on the happiness that they both long for, but happiness never comes easy, and both of them carry heavy baggage and heavier secrets. Their bright future is darkened when shadows from each of their pasts come knocking, and Tyler and John must learn to better understand each other, to protect each other, and to forgive each other. No one ever said love was easy, but they must decide if it’s worth fighting for.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A VERY HOT AND STEAMY BOOK, OVER 90,000 WORDS M/M LOVERS, INTENDED FOR 18 AND OLDER.
Review: I really enjoyed this well written story about two people who are drawn together yet each have a huge secret. Tyler is a werewolf. He left his pack due to the fact he’s gay and yet Becky pursued him as a mate relentlessly and would not take no for an answer. So one night he leaves. Now he has a job and is happy though lonely until he meets John.
John is trans. That is the secret he is harbouring. He works at a coffee place where sees Tyler every day. He is shy and scared due to his past abusive relationship until his friends talk him into going out where he sees Tyler and gets up the nerve to approach him.
I really liked how these struggled day to day with their secrets. It made it more realistic. Everything starts going wrong when the spiteful Becky shows up and causes problems in the form of John’s ex Michael. I have to say the thing that floored me in the story and changed my whole outlook on it was when John practically lived with Tyler, slept in the same bed, they held each other and cuddled yet Tyler didn’t notice anything amiss? I did not believe it in the least.
Drama, action, confrontations and love are all throughout.
Hiya guys! We have Cass Lennox popping in today with her new release Finding Your Feet, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Finding Your Feet
(Toronto Connections 02)
by
Cass Lennox
While on holiday in Toronto, Evie Whitmore planned to sightsee and meet other asexuals, not audition for a dance competition. Now she’s representing Toronto’s newest queer dance studio, despite never having danced before. Not only does she have to spend hours learning her routine, she has to do it with one of the grumpiest men she’s ever met. Tyler turns out to be more than a dedicated dancer, though—he might be the kind of man who can sweep her off her feet, literally and figuratively.
Tyler Davis has spent the last year recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship. So he doesn’t need to be pushed into a rushed routine for a dumb competition. Ticking major representation boxes for being trans and biracial isn’t why he went into dance. But Evie turns out to be a dream student. In fact, she helps him remember just how good partnering can be, in all senses of the word. Teaching her the routine, however, raises ghosts for him, ones he’s not sure he can handle.
Plans change, and people change with them. Learning a few steps is one thing; learning to trust again is another entirely.
Hi guys, we have Francis Gideon popping in today with his upcoming young adult transgender release The Santa Hoax, we have a briliant guest post and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
The Santa Hoax
by
Francis Gideon
When Julian Gibson realizes he’s transgender, he doesn’t think anything has to change. His parents and friends still call him Julia and think he’s a girl, but so long as Julian can still hang out with his best friend Aiden and read sci-fi novels with his dad, life seems pretty good.
Then high school happens. Aiden ditches him, and a new girl, Maria, keeps cornering him in the girls’ bathroom. A full year after discovering he’s transgender, Julian realizes life changes whether you’re ready for it or not. So Julian makes a deal with himself: if he can tell his secret to three people, it is no longer a hoax. What happens during his slow process of coming out leads Julian down odd pathways of friendship, romance, Christmas shopping, random parties, bad movies, and a realization about why kids still believe in Santa—it’s sometimes better than discovering the truth.
Hi guys, we have Kris Ripper popping in today with zir new release The Queer and the Restless, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
The Queer and the Restless
(Queers of La Vista 03)
by
Kris Ripper
Ed Masiello has been on testosterone for a year, is working his dream job as a reporter, and is finally passing as a man (so long as you don’t ask his abuela). But the investigation of a murder case is starting to take over his life. Afraid he’s becoming obsessed, he goes to the local club to relax, and meets the flighty, whimsical Alisha.
Alisha is a free spirit who’s tossed aside ambition for travel and adventure. Her approach to life is a far cry from Ed’s, and while Ed has always assumed that meeting his goals would make him happy, Alisha is much more content than him—despite all the plans she can’t yet fulfill.
As their relationship heats up, so does the murder case. Alisha thinks Ed needs a break, but someone’s got to find this killer, and he wants to be there when it all goes down. Besides, taking off into the great unknown with Alisha is crazy. But opting for what’s safe is just another way of living in fear, and Ed vowed to stop living like that a long time ago.
Hi guys, we have Shell Taylor popping in today with the blog tour for her newest release Reclaiming Hope, we have a brilliant guest post where Shell chats about Reclaiming Hope and minorities, a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Reclaiming Hope
(Home for Hope 03)
by
Shell Taylor
Four years ago, Kollin Haverty’s best friend, Riley Meadows, dropped off the face of the earth. When he shows up out of the blue, armed with a flimsy excuse for disappearing and having nearly completed his transition from female to male, Kollin wants to pick up where they left off. But Riley’s unwillingness to be honest with Kollin prevents him from fully trusting Riley again. Despite Riley’s insecurities and Kollin’s abandonment issues, they quickly discover there’s something more than friendship between them.
When a ghost from Riley’s past unexpectedly appears with haunting memories in tow, Kollin’s anger about being lied to outweighs his desire to be the understanding boyfriend Riley needs. As Riley’s web of strategically withheld secrets begins to unravel, he must find the courage to pursue his own peace before he can move forward with Kollin, and Kollin must decide what’s more important—supporting his best friend or protecting himself.
Hi peeps, we have Matthew J. Metzger stopping by with his new release What It Looks Like, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Shorty’s review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
What It Looks Like
by
Matthew J. Metzger
Eli Bell is the only son of a police chief inspector and a forensic scientist. He’s grown up wonky in a world that only deals with the straight and narrow — and his new boyfriend isn’t helping.
Rob Hawkes is six feet of muscle, tattoos, and arrest warrants. A career criminal and a former guest of Her Majesty’s Prison Service, he’d rather hit Eli’s parents than sit down to dinner with them. One wrong move, and Rob could destroy Eli — and his family — without a second thought.
But this isn’t what it looks like.
Rob’s not in control here — and Eli’s the one to blame.
Genre: Contemporary, Drama, New Adult, Sci-fi, Alien, Shifter
Length: Novella (103 pages)
Publisher: Riptide Publishing (April 11, 2016)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating:♥♥♥ 3 Hearts
Blurb: When Jay heads to the university’s learning center for help with his math class, he doesn’t expect his tutor to be tall, dark, and handsome. But Roswell is all that and more, and their instant connection over cult movies, books, and TV shows quickly evolves into dating.
That’s when things get tricky.
Roswell might claim he doesn’t have issues with Jay being trans, but when he’s constantly insisting they “take it slow,” Jay’s not so sure. He’s been hurt before, and he’s not going to let it happen again.
But then Roswell reveals that he, too, has a few secrets under his skin.
Review: I honestly do not know how I feel about this book. I know for sure Roswell’s character was lacking in depth details about himself especially the alien aspect. Jay confused me as I didn’t understand why he would tell someone he did not know well that he was Trans. I mean he does not know Roswell or how he is or even that if he’s prejudice in some way.
I really wanted to like this story as I love sci-fi and paranormal stories but there were too many head scratching moments for me to get into the story. The story seemed to jump from one thing to the next at times without any resolution.
Hi guys, we have Christopher Hawthorne Moss popping in today with his new release A Fine Bromance, his new transgender young adult story. Christopher also lets us have a peek at an excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
A Fine Bromance
by
Christopher Hawthorne Moss
When Robby starts his senior year in high school, he meets the new boy, Andy. Although Robby has never been physically attracted to anyone, he instinctively feels comfortable around Andy. As they get to know each other better, Robby realizes Andy is an outsider just like him, and harassment at the hands of the school’s bad boys makes it clear that Andy is a transboy.
When Robby’s eccentric Aunt Ivy finds some of her sentimental treasures missing, the boys put on their sleuthing hats to solve the mystery.
Hi guys, we have Laney Cairo stopping by today with her upcoming re-release Circle of Change, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Circle of Change
by
Laney Cairo
Life is hard for Kim, struggling with homophobia at school in his senior year, and with loneliness as he journeys to adulthood. Dash, a young gay college student, is on a journey too, looking for a spiritual teacher. Their paths cross when Dash joins the coven Kim’s mother, Helen, belongs to, and the attraction between them is immediate and mutual. But Kim is not the person Dash thinks he is, and the truth is more than Dash can deal with. Can Dash apply the lessons he’s learning in the circle to the rest of his life, and accept Kim?
Hi guys, we have Charley Descoteaux stopping by on the last day of her Torque blog tour, we asked Charley what she would do if she had millions of dollars, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Torque
by
Charley Descoteaux
Sometimes letting things get complicated is the best way to figure it all out.
Mick Randall is on the run, from the biker culture he grew up in and his impossible vision of love. Alaska should be far enough to escape his old life—until he rolls into a wrecking yard and gets lost in a pair of pale, bottle-green eyes.
Scotty Bell has spent years learning to channel his fiery temper into the heat of a welding torch. His sexual heat has always been slower to ignite, but one look at Mick rouses confusion alongside desire. In all his life, he’s only been attracted to one other person—his best friend, Mercy Taylor.
Mick lands a temporary job at the yard, and finds an uneasy crash pad at Scotty’s place…where the ragged ends of his emotions get tangled up in Scotty and Mercy’s relationship.
But when Mick hears a Harley engine from his past bearing down on him, his first instinct is to go back to the half-life he’d been living. Lest his secrets destroy the only two people who’ve ever made him feel whole.
Warning: Contains references to abuse, subversive ideas about sexual identity and gender expression, and a free-range bisexual on a mission.
Hello, everybody! I’m Alex Whitehall, and I’m here today touring for my New Adult story, Second Skin, which is about Jay and Roswell, who are on a journey of love, acceptance, and self-discovery.
Second Skin
by
Alex Whitehall
When Jay heads to the university’s learning center for help with his math class, he doesn’t expect his tutor to be tall, dark, and handsome. But Roswell is all that and more, and their instant connection over cult movies, books, and TV shows quickly evolves into dating.
That’s when things get tricky.
Roswell might claim he doesn’t have issues with Jay being trans, but when he’s constantly insisting they “take it slow,” Jay’s not so sure. He’s been hurt before, and he’s not going to let it happen again.
But then Roswell reveals that he, too, has a few secrets under his skin.
Title: Ari Series: N/A Author: Cheryl Headford Genre: New Adult Romance Length: Novel (260 pages) Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing (19 June 2015) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: After having known each other online for some time, writers, Benji and Ari meet at a convention.
Their attraction is both immediate and mutual.
But all is not straightforward—Ari is intersex and Benji transgender.
Together they embark on a journey.
A journey that unites families, and heals old wounds.
But not everyone is happy with the blossoming love between these two unique and special individuals.
Will an act of aggression crush the flower before it can bloom?
Review: I’m not entirely certain if I’ve read anything by Cheryl Headford but after reading Ari I was completely blown away. First and foremost, I would say that this is a young adult book, but that is just the start of it.
I’ve not come across many books where there are characters who are transgender and/or intersex (books that have addressed one or the other that I’ve read in the past and absolutely love are by Carol Lynne and Andrew Jericho). Here, however, we have on MC, Benji, who is transgender and a second MC, Ari, who is intersex. It is certainly a tricky area to cover in literature and I think that Cheryl has done an amazing job. Yet, like in any MM or FF book, we deal with the complicated emotions of the young characters as well as the reactions of the people around the young couple.
To be quite honest, everything that needs to be known before getting into spoiler territory is already stated in the blurb, so I won’t go over anything. You just need to head into this book knowing that Benji goes to a writers’ convention and meets his online pal, Ari.
Benji has had some heartache in the past when it comes to his family but I absolutely adored his little brother, Marc – at eleven he is somewhere between precocious kid and open-minded teen. Ari’s faced a lot of difficulty from people who are meant to love him when it comes to his condition. He has also faced some true horrors in the past as he had tried to find a boyfriend who accepts him for who he is, not what he is.
Ari and Benji make a quirky couple but the chemistry between them is great, the sweet and tender moments shared between them are nothing short of beautiful. I cannot find anything else to say because it all comes down to the fact that I think that this is brilliant. I love the themes and the way the characters develop. Ultimately, this is a story about love and healing and acceptance, and in a way this is something that most of us see things in life.
This is a wonderful coming of age tale, though at the same time it is an incredibly sweet love story. If you’re looking for something a bit different in the realm of LGBTQ romance fiction, I cannot recommend Ari enough.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi peeps, we have CJane Elliott stopping by with her newest release Sex, Love, and Videogames, we asked CJane a couple of questions, we have a great excerpt and there’s also a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Sex, Love, and Videogames
(Serpentine 03)
by
CJane Elliott
Shy guy Jed Carter has always felt invisible next to his charismatic older brother, Kent. Kent’s master plan for Jed is simple: University of Virginia, business, sports, and ladies’ man. None of it is Jed, except for playing on the rugby team, which he joins in defiance of soccer-loving Kent. Jed comes out in his sophomore year and starts seeing Pete, an attractive junior, who uses him for sex and videogames. Jed wants more—in life and in love—and starts making his own plans. First on the list: getting to know Charlie, the handsome guy working at the local videogame arcade.
Charlie Ambrose has always felt like an oddball, and not just for his tendency to stutter. Being gay sets him apart from his African-American community, and as a “townie,” he doesn’t fit in with the college crowd. Charlie’s inspiration is his cousin, Morocco, who’s transgender and doesn’t give a fig about fitting in. Art is Charlie’s passion, and when a local videogame designer discovers him, Charlie’s living a dream. The only thing he’s missing is love. But the last person Charlie expects to find it with is a cute, white U.Va. rugby player named Jed.
Title: The Complications of T Series: N/A Author: Bey Deckard Genre: Transgender romance Length: Short (38 Pages) Publisher: Bey Deckard (August 18th, 2015) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb:A bite-sized Trans* love story:
Stuart Leandro knows he’s washed up, both on the big screen, and in his marriage. Then, when things take an even bigger turn for the worse one night, he winds up blind drunk and lost in a foreign city.
Thankfully, someone’s there to rescue him before his face ends up plastered all over the tabloids.
Wary of the motives of the reclusive stranger who brings the fading star into the quiet shelter of a hip but isolated loft, Stuart nonetheless can’t deny his curiosity… Or his attraction. Tim is unlike anyone the actor has ever met, but underneath the mystery and quiet attempts at invisibility, Stuart discovers someone whose life has been intertwined with his own for years.
Neither could have predicted that Tim’s act of kindness would lead to one of the most intense encounters of their lives—but, are they willing to weather the media storm their extraordinary relationship will cause?
Review: Bey Deckard tells the story of Stuart, an actor who has lost his mojo, his marriage, and, at the time, appears he may be falling off the wagon, of sobriety. Forced to the take the hand of a stranger… to avoid the tabloids smearing his drunken face all over for the world to see, sets into motion an affirmation of life.
Waking up in a strange bed, surrounded by unfamiliar walls, is the beginning and the end for Stuart. Confronting his savior, across a cup of coffee, puts a tingle of apprehension in his stomach. It’s a very eye-opening experience on many levels.
The complications of T, translate to more than one meaning, as I read this short tale about Tim, born a woman but always knew he was a man. With the transition complete, in body, he still has a ways to go, in mind. Not really his own mind, but exposing himself to others.
The beautiful thing about the story is the way Stuart opens up his heart and mind to accept Tim for who he is not what he was or what society wants him to be. In Stuart’s words – It’s all rubbish anyway. I thought. What point was there in getting caught up in tiny details that didn’t actually matter? All that mattered to me, right then and there, was that I felt like I was at the very beginning of something incredible.
Over the course of a week, Tim and Stuart, share everything, as much as possible within that time frame, from laughing and sharing memories to realizing they have a lot in common. They both want more but Tim has a few stipulations before he is willing to uproot from his safe haven.
Will they still have their strong connection when they are miles apart?
My takeaway from this inspiring and uplifting tale is it really doesn’t matter what your plumbing is if you have a connection with someone. Life can change in an instant and while fancy possessions are nice to have and/or claim to fame is rewarding, those things are pointless if your life is miserable. Finding that spark or connection with another human being is what’s important.
Tim offers himself, freely, to Stuart and they both find themselves eager to explore these new revelations… together.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *