Thursday, April 30, 2015

WRITERS WRITE... WRITING PARTNERS FEUD ~ Mars and Venus Collide

While writing KILLER DOLLS, we wanted the characters to have depth, a sense of non-conformity yet remain within the distinctive ranks of their gender. We did not wish to misled or lie about what makes them who they are, holding in mind certain humanistic qualities. Being a male and female writing team gave us an advantage. One of us would often tell the other, "A man/woman would not act that way." Once, for the fun of it and to wade into the truth of the yin and yang of the gender diversities, we waded through a list, with a bit of help from Google of ten things that differ between a man and a woman.

· Ask a woman how she stubbed her toe and she'll say she walked into a chair, ask a man and he'll say someone left a chair in the middle of the room. (This is our male character, Rich Longar from LOVE LETTERS)
· An English professor wrote the words, "Woman without her man is nothing" on the blackboard and directed the students to punctuate it correctly.  The men wrote: "Woman, without her man, is nothing."The women wrote: "Woman! Without her, man is nothing." (This personifies the attitude of Lauren Pike from LOVE LETTERS)
· Man has his will, but woman has her way. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.) (Letti Noel of KILLER DOLLS can be seen in this quote)A man is as good as he has to be, and a woman is as bad as she dares. (Elbert Hubbard) (This is decisively the presence of Lauren Pike in LOVE LETTERS)
· A man thinks he knows, but a woman knows better. (Chinese proverb) (Once again, this projects Lauren Pike from LOVE LETTERS)
· Men always want to be a woman's first love, women like to be a man's last romance. (Oscar Wilde) (The soul and heart of Elizabeth from CHASING GRAVITAS)
· Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. (Lois Wyse) (This is VeIper from SNAKE DANCE, along with many of his race)
· She says, "He forgets stuff I tell him, so I have to repeat myself over and over again."He says, "She nags me." (Every bit the relationship between Lauren and Rich in LOVE LETTERS)
· Women always worry about the things that men forget; men always worry about the things women remember. (We can see our characters Letti and Taut, from KILLER DOLLS, within this quote.)
· REMOTE CONTROL Female.... A device for changing from one TV channel to another.  Male... A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes. (Although VeIper from SNAKE DANCE exists in a fantasy, he was a bit of an obsessive [remote] controller and would most resemble this statement and wRen from the same book was simplistic and practical)

Though humorous, there is a lot of truth in these quotes and thoughts. Men and women simply see life differently. Men are usually more global, women usually live in the details. Yet, there is a commonality when love exists, that special tenderness expressed to the other when no one is around, that first realization that crackles and explodes when one realizes they are in love, the emotions that surround the birth of a child, the ache when there is loss.

Though our stories always have a decisive plot, a story that can almost overpower the romance, the romance is there in truth, in the reality of emotions, in the thoughts and impulses that real men and women experience. We might lie when it comes to that perfect bosom or hips that exists without cellulite, or that tree-trunk thick manly thighs that rarely exists outside bodybuilders and photo enhancement, but we never lie about emotions. Even in our novella SNAKE DANCE where the characters are not human, the emotions are true.

Every day when we write we struggle to keep it real and honest. Because if our characters are unique but believable then we can sell our plots. And if our men are men and our women are women then we can translate the emotions we sense about their possible love.

So the crux of this blog is to celebrate those difference, enjoy them, tease about them but never forget as much as we are different, we are the same where it counts, our love for one another.

***

We'd love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who writes us at writingteamcw@yahoo.com (Write - Blog Dawn - in subject line) and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a gift and add you to any future mailings.

Angelica Hart and Zi ~ Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
www.champagnebooks.com - www.carnalpassions.com - angelicahartandzi.com








Book Spotlight & Giveaway~ How it was supposed to be


Don't forget to enter the contest at the end of the post in order to be in the running for an e-copy of How It Was Supposed To Be by Jayson James. Book Spotlight sponsored by Pride Promotions.


Book Name: How It Was Supposed to Be 
Release Date: April 10, 2015
Publisher: Jayson James Books
Cover Artist: Jayson James

Blurb:

The Kennicott’s were living the carefree life of an upper middle class family.  That was until one day when his father arrives home from work and shares the company he has worked for since he was Reese’s age has gone out of business.  Adding to the stress of being out of work for the worst time is the worst economic downturn the United States has ever faced.  It does not take long for the Kennicotts to fall behind in their bills and lose everything.

Reese Kennicott had everything he could ever want and life was good.  He worked a part time job to have extra money and to socialize.  Now he is working all the hours he can get in order to help his family get by, which isn’t much.  Reese is now dating the guy of his dreams, he along with his friends seem to be the only stable thing going for him.

Hope finally comes with a new job that will take the family across the country.  This means for Reese giving up his lifelong friends, his new boyfriend and life as he’s always known it.  The family takes with them what they can and begins on a road trip to their new life.  Along the way, they encounter several barriers and hope begins to fade.  Each day things look bleaker and the Kennicott’s begin to wonder if they are going to make it to their destination.


Pages or Words:  192 pages

Categories: Gay fiction, M/M Romance, New Adult, Homeless

Excerpt:

A few days later Cruz caught Reese on his way out to the parking lot after school.  He appeared so smug and at the same time seemed so debonair as he approached Reese.  When he was close enough, he looked around, perhaps to make sure there was no one in ear shot.  There was no greeting from Cruz before he asked, Relationship troubles?
He responded, You mean Morgan?  Cruz nodded his head as if telling him duh.  Were only friends.
Oh.  Cruz shrugged, So hes not gay then?
No hes not gay.   Reese did not feel it was his place to share Morgans bisexuality.
Cruz stared at him, only perpetuating Reeses discomfort.  Youre gay though?
Yes.  Youre gay too?  He figured fair was fair.
Nodding in agreement, Cruz asked, Do you have a boyfriend?
No.  Reese was feeling as if he was being sized up added, I hear you dont either.  Cruz was silent, glancing away and yawning, appearing disinterested in the conversation.  Reese decided that hed better make his move, You want to go out sometime?
Cruz turned toward him and seemed to be thinking over his response.  Reese smiled feeling hopeful and then concerned he might be coming off as desperate.  Cruz nodded, That would be fine by me.   Then he turned to walk away without saying another word.
Sales Links:


About the author:
Jayson James - The Author

I have a horrible time when it comes to writing about myself.  It is not that I have low self-esteem, but the fact that I am not comfortable talking about myself. 

For most of my life, I have been writing and sharing it with my friends.  They have repeatedly told me I needed to publish my writing and share it with the world. Now that I have, I am amazed at how many people admire it.

My interests beyond writing include reading a variety of books, watching movies and drawing.

I truly appreciate all the support and encouragement from my friends, family, and you. I am so thankful to your support!

Keep on reading! I am always interested in hearing about what people are reading, especially if it is something I have written.
Thank you for reading and letting me know what you think of my writing!

Where to find the author:



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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Book Blast & Giveaway~ Lock and Key


Don't forget to enter the contest at the end of the post for a chance to win an e-copy of Lock and Key by the author. Book blast sponsored by Pride Promotions.


Book Name: Lock and Key 
Release Date: April 29, 2015
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: B.S. Clay
Date: April 29, 2015

Blurb:

After meeting Terry at a motorcycle show, Gavin is sure he’s found the man of his dreams. While he’s fantasized about BDSM for years, Gavin has never had a play partner and Terry is happy to teach him. After playing together for a few months, Terry has to leave on a business trip. Terry gives Gavin the key to his apartment so Gavin can sleep in, but Gavin isn’t sure he’s ready for that level of commitment. While he likes and trusts Terry—and loves the kinky sex they have together—Gavin has to decide which he can’t give up: Terry, or his freedom. Part one was originally published as Boots and Leather by Torquere Press.



Pages or Words: 18,000 words

Categories: BDSM, Romance, humor, Contemporary, M/M Romance, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction

Excerpt:
Weighed down by groceries and a bulging duffle bag, I rang Terry’s doorbell.
“It’s open!” he called.
I left the bag in the entryway so he wouldn’t see it and brought the groceries to the kitchen. He was wearing jeans, an apron and nothing else, and he was sexy as hell. I wanted him to ravish me, right there, right then, but he was busily stirring and chopping and other mysterious kitchen pursuits—I’m not much of a cook.
“Don’t come into the bedroom.” I kissed his shoulder.
“Sure.” He gave my butt a quick pat before turning back to his frying pan.
Making sure he wasn’t watching, I carried the heavy bag down the hall to Terry’s bedroom and started unpacking my goodies.
I’ve known I was interested in BDSM for a long time, though I’d never had a play partner of my very own before Terry. Every now and then I’d see something in an adult store or on a website that I just had to buy, for private use or the hope that I would eventually find a top to play with. “Every now and then” adds up over the years, and soon the bag wouldn’t be big enough to hold everything.
I laid it all out on the bed so I could see everything and try to narrow down exactly what I wanted to do with Terry—or rather, have him do to me. As I pulled out each toy, I remembered the fantasy that had made me buy it.
Terry and I haven’t discussed roleplaying yet, and I was still too shy to mention it, and worried he’d think I was immature for wanting to play “let’s pretend”.
Simple was probably best. A scene that took too long to set up could use up all our energy before we’d actually played. I tossed almost everything back in the bag, except for my matching set of black leather wrist and ankle cuffs, and what had quickly become my favorite toy. It was a jockey bat; similar to a riding crop, but the leather tip was hard instead of flappy. Terry has used it in all sorts of ways—using it the way it was intended, flipping it around to hit me with the handle, striking my thighs or ass with the shaft like a cane, even holding it across the backs of my knees to pin me down.
“I’m ready,” I called.
“Me too. We’d better eat first, or we might not get around to it.”
I was restless. I wanted to play now, but I knew he was right. If we played, we probably wouldn’t leave the bed until morning, and the dinner he’d cooked would go to waste. With a final glance at the toys neatly arranged on the bed, I sauntered out to meet him.
“Are you sure you didn’t own a restaurant in a past life?” I asked, bumping him with my hip while I grabbed a plate. I thought about serving him, but we hadn’t discussed that level of D/s yet, so I only got food for myself.
“I’d go crazy in a restaurant, surrounded by people, everyone in a hurry. I couldn’t even do your job.” He was used to being his own boss; if he felt like working fourteen hours one day, he did. If he wanted to ride to the coast for the weekend, there was no one to stop him but his own deadlines.

Sales Links: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4383


Tour Dates & Stops: April 29, 2015

About the Author and links

T. Strange has been interested in BDSM for as long as she can remember. She and her wife were active participants in their local community for a number of years, but lately they’ve been focusing more on their own relationship. When not writing or being spanked, T. enjoys gardening, playing with her cats and other animals, and playing video games. She writes vanilla fiction under the same pen name.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tq.strange
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTStrange
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/tqstrange/
Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3334999.T_Strange


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Monday, April 27, 2015

Blog Post & Giveaway for Inhuman Interest


Don't forget top enter the contest at the end of the post. Eric will award one randomly drawn commenter a signed copy of the book, plus a $25 Amazon gift card (US/Canada only) and a second randomly drawn commenter a signed copy of the book (US/Canada only). Blog tour sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions and you can fins all the tour stops HERE


INHUMAN INTEREST

Story By Tess Cooper

Thirteen words in a want-ad turn Tess Cooper’s world upside down after she signs on as a paranormal research assistant to the mysterious Davin Egypt. He reveals a world of grave robbing, clockworks artifacts in blue amber, antique revolvers that fire strange ammo, and powerful forces beyond human comprehension.

As ancient occult energies threaten to destroy her city, Tess must use her journalistic instincts to stay one step ahead of the public works director, Drew Dawson, whose agenda seems bent on destruction rather than maintenance. And possibly murder, but will anyone believe her?

Yeah, right. When garbage trucks fly.

If Tess teams up with the hunky police lieutenant, Kirk Gunther, and the pale, oddball Mr. Egypt, they might be able to save the city in time. That is, if Egypt even wants to. And if Tess overcomes her phobias long enough to do battle in Granddad’s 1983 Subaru Brat.



Things are about to get icky.

EXCERPT:

I almost smiled. “I’m thinking I probably can’t take on this new job. I don’t think it’s for me. At the same time, I don’t know if I can work for a gutless newspaper even if they don’t fire me. There’s so much going on. I don’t know what to do. Hell, I don’t even know what I want to do anymore.”

“Well, you won’t have to worry about it after tonight.” He lifted a slip of paper from the table beside the window.

“What’s that?”

“That lotto ticket you bought. The drawing’s tonight.”

“I didn’t buy a lottery ticket.”

Granddad shrugged. “It was in the bag with the snuff and the coffee creamer. I asked for French vanilla, by the way, not that hazelnut crap.”

I’d forgotten about it. “Oh, that. I didn’t buy it. I found it.”

“Don’t matter. If you sign the back, the ticket’s yours.” Granddad put the slip back on the table and sank into the recliner. “Yep. We’ll be living it up, come tonight.”

“One less thing to worry about,” I agreed.

“Speaking of one less thing to worry about, you could do worse than that Davin Egypt.”

I searched for words for a second. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, I get why you wouldn’t want to work for some half-assed pet psychic. But the guy’s got dough. Plus, he’s tall, thin, a sharp dresser. I’m no homo, but I figure the gals probably like a guy like that.”

My own personal conception of Egypt was lanky, bony, and dressed like an undertaker, circa 1961. “You’re serious? And, please, don’t use the word homo in public, okay?”

“I got nothing against homos. Let people do whatever the hell they want. No skin off my nose. I’m just saying, the guy is well spoken; he’s polite, and you two seem to get along good. The way you’re talking, it sounds like you need to get a life. So go get one.”

“Okay, listen up, Granddad. Davin Egypt doesn’t own a car. As far as I can tell, he owns one suit. He lives in a church. He set up a Christmas tree in our kitchen, a tree that looks like a mental deficient on LSD decorated it. He doesn’t have a computer. Hell, he doesn’t have a phone. The guy is an absolute, total weirdo.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Newspaper founder, bookstore owner, artist, musician, and man-about-town Eric Turowski writes lots of mixed-genre books when he’s not too busy playing laser tag with Tiger the Cat and his fiancée Mimi deep in the Central Valley of California.

You can learn more about Eric at www.ericturowski.com.

Connect with Eric online

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eric_turowski

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Turowski.Books

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



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Sunday, April 26, 2015

New in Audio~ Guarding Morgan by RJ Scott

Guarding Morgan French and Italian translations and audiobook
The Book

Morgan Drake witnesses a murder in an alleyway. He is the only person who can give evidence in prosecuting the cop responsible for the crime. When the FBI safe house where he’s being held is compromised, he follows the instructions of his agent in charge and runs.
Nik Valentinov works for Sanctuary, a foundation that offers witness protection when FBI security is questionable.

When Morgan's handler sends him to Nik for safety, neither Morgan nor Nik could imagine that two weeks alone in a cabin in the woods could start something more. Something way more than just trying to keep Morgan alive. Something that makes their heart race more than danger...... Love.

French Translation details and Buylinks - http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.com/2015/01/proteger-morgan.html

Italian translation details and Buylinks - http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.com/2015/01/proteggere-morgan.html 
Buy Links - eBook

Love Lane Books  | Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | All Romance | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Buy Links - Print Book

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) 

Sanctuary Series 

Book 1 - Guarding Morgan
Book 2 - The Only Easy Day
Book 3 - Face Value
Book 4 - Still Waters
Book 5 - Full Circle
Book 6 - The Journal Of Sanctuary One
Book 7 - Worlds Collide



About RJ

RJ Scott has been writing since age six, when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies. She was told to write a story and two sides of paper about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born.

As an avid reader herself, she can be found reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror. However, her first real true love will always be the world of romance where she takes cowboys, bodyguards, firemen and billionaires (to name a few) and writes dramatic and romantic stories of love and passion between these men.

With over seventy titles to her name and counting, she is the author of the award winning book, The Christmas Throwaway. She is also known for the Texas series charting the lives of Riley and Jack, and the Sanctuary series following the work of the Sanctuary Foundation and the people it protects.

Her goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.

www.tumblr.com/blog/rjscott  (some NSFW (not safe for work) photos)


Thursday, April 23, 2015

WRITERS WRITE... WRITING PARTNERS FEUD ~ Evil Among Us

There is something about evil that draws me into its labyrinth of dark heinousness. There is mystery in the pain of it, there is temptation in the promise of decadent pleasure, there is that longing to surrender without thought or restrain to the unknown and sometimes to the very well known, things one dappled with and found irresistibly wondrous. There it is, my secret. I adore evil. To clarify, I adore writing about it. I have a healthy respect for the muse and movement of it in the undercurrent and the potency it provides a story.

Plotinus in 200 AD wrote, "To deny evil a place among realities is necessarily to deny a way with the good as well." I am certain you often heard that evil cannot exist without good. For certain how can white exist without the contrast of black. The clench and chills of the reader is heightened when there are sharp defined lines between an honorable character facing a foe of a merciless horrendous nature. Though we might surrender to providing a singular redeeming quality to a foe, it is often over-shadowed by their true fully-unredeemable evil.

Yet, what does one do when faced with multiple evils. There are times a hero/shero must make a choice and according to Thomas à Kempis, "Of two evils always choose the lesser." As a writer with the power, we say bull-bleep that, destroy both, or maybe allow one to decimate the other. There are infinite options that makes our job utterly delightful.

Sometimes, though, as I or we joyfully enter the mind of the monster, as I tweak and twitter among his/her psychosis, maniacal obsessions and infinite delusions, I feel like a co-conspirator, for to quote Martin Luther King, Jr. "To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it." And, in the sense of the literary voyeurs that is exactly what we are doing. We are allowing it to thrive and grow, to play with the good people of that particular universe, torment them, hurt them and all without an ounce of remorse. Is that terribly heinous of us? Does that make us monsters as well? I sometimes wonder what is so twisted inside me that makes this such fun, for in truth, I take to the villain(s) much more easily than Zi does. Should I be concerned for my mental health?

Franz Kafka wrote, "What we call evil is only a necessary moment in our endless development." Hence, the answer. I know the effect evil has on the reader. And I want that terror to dip deeply into their primal fear until every bump and squeak has paralyzed their need to scream, battered pulses to quickening, and have their breaths shorten and raspy. That is how I see my/our writing endeavors when it comes to devising the most beastly of all scoundrels, our work is growing into the perfect piece to scare the beejees out of our readers. So, if it takes Angelica and/or Zi to be a bit evil hungry in the sense of respecting it as a fabulous plot device then so be it.

In reality, we both hate evil, hate the clawing and degenerate nature of its makeup, hate the existence of those that hurt others for hurt's sake or even worse for their own demented pleasure. The truth is that the joy of allowing the monsters their day of victory resides in the outcome of each story. In thawing their evilness, rubbing their self-satisfied smugness into the realization of their inability to succeed, the evidence of their cowardliness and the actuality of their failure is what, we believe, gives the reader the greatest pleasure, and it is they that we so humbly serve.


***
We'd love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who writes us at writingteamcw@yahoo.com (Write - Blog Dawn - in subject line) and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a gift and add you to any future mailings.



Angelica Hart and Zi ~ Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
www.champagnebooks.com - www.carnalpassions.com - angelicahartandzi.com








Series Spotlight/Giveaway for Opposites by TM Smith

Don't forget to enter the contest at end of the post for a chance at one of these great prizes:
1 winner - $25 Amazon giftcard (I)
1 winner - series inspired bookmark and necklace made by Raven (US only)
1 winner - Keychain and magnet for The Cellar made by Crazy Creations (US only)
1 winner - signed bookmarks (I)

Series tour sponsored by Pride Promotions.


Opposites Series...
Opposites (book 1, Opposites – The Library, an Opposites novella – book 2, Appearances – The Cellar, an Opposites novella)
Publisher: TTC Publishing
Cover Artist: T.L. Shreffler of Runaway Book Design
Blurb(s):

In the year 2081 our planet survived global warming of an apocalyptic scale. When the dust settled and the water receded Dr. Anthony Smith, one of only a few hundred survivors of GWI, started society anew. Having come to the conclusion that injudicious breeding played a huge role in the destruction of Earth as we knew it in the twenty first century, he worked closely with other survivors to isolate the Dionysus gene. This gene has the ability to manipulate human DNA to ensure that all male children be born gay, and all female children be born lesbians. A new society is born.

In the year 2300 Dr. Smith’s descendants are ushering in the twenty fourth century having maintained control of the government that still rules society. Twins Aiya and Aiyan are preparing to meet their matches and take control of House Gaeland, the current ruling House. But not everything is as it seems.

Love is Love.. it knows no gender and doesn’t conform to restrictions and boundaries. Aiyan has found his soul mate in Kaden, the prince of House Devi that he is matched with and eventually marries. But when the person Aiya falls in love with tests the boundaries put in place after GWI, all hell breaks loose. And in the midst of one secret unraveling, another will emerge. There is a growing anomaly that threatens to destroy over two hundred years of progression. This anomaly is known as Opposites.

*WARNING* Opposites is an Adult Dystopian majorly M/M series that contains explicit sexual content and relationships between gay, lesbian and straight couples.*

Categories: Adult dystopian majorly MM romance. I market as an LGBT romance because I have gay, straight and lesbian couples.



Excerpt:
Standing outside the door to the room Kaden barely occupied, Aiyan placed his hands on either side of him planting him against the wall. He stared at Kaden for several moments before he smiled, and kissed him. Kaden pulled back and shot a warning glare at him.

“You should go.” Kaden whispered breathlessly. “Goodnight Aiyan.”

Aiyan grinned that crooked smile and planted a kiss on his neck and whispered,  “Go where, here?” He moved up and nipped Kaden’s ear lobe with his teeth. “Or here?” he asked. Kaden was beginning to slide down the wall as his legs turned to jelly.

Aiyan stood back laughing, his eyes glistened and he smiled. “Goodnight Kaden, I love you.” Placing a quick peck on his lips, he turned to go.

“And I you.” Kaden said and closed the door behind him before sinking to the floor, no longer able to support himself. He ran the tips of his fingers across his still tingling lips, and smiled.


Sales Links:
Createspace paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4924042


Print copy of Opposites/The Library from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Opposites-T-M-Smtih/dp/150065874X

Tour Dates & Stops:
5-Mar

12-Mar

19-Mar

26-Mar

2-Apr

9-Apr

16-Apr

23-Apr

Author Bio:
A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. She now calls Texas home from her small town on the outskirts of the DFW Metroplex. Most days you can find her curled up with her kindle and a good book alongside a glass of something aged and red or a steaming cup of coffee!
At 42 years young, she's decided to enter the next phase of her life by adding the title of "author" to her list of accomplishments that includes single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Smith is and outspoken advocate for Autism and equal rights for the LGBTQ community.
Her Opposites series is based outside the normal parameters of social acceptability, examining a 'what if'... What If to be gay or lesbian were the norm? What if to be straight labeled you as an Opposite and made YOU the Outkast?

Where to find the author:
Author website: www.ttcbooksandmore.com


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Book Blast and Giveaway: Fox Hounds by Lia Connor

Title :  Fox Hounds Author : Lia Connor Publisher : Changeling Press Cover Artist: Renee' George Release Date : March 15, 2024 He...