Book Spotlight Tour Stop: Thanks Be to Bob by Emily Carrington

 

Thanks Be to Bob by Emily Carrington

Holiday Hanky Panky 1

A Searchlight Paranormal Romance

Date Published: October 30, 2026

Publisher: Changeling Press

Meet Bob/Birdie: the source of bi-awakening for a closeted SearchLight agent.

Agent Nick Pierce is known as an effective tracker with a caustic wit and unparalleled paranoia. He’s harassed or insulted more magical creatures than most people have ever met. He’s hidden his bisexuality for fifteen plus years and is content to take that secret to his grave until he meets a police detective moonlighting as a dancer at a gay club.

Bob White is protective of this newbie who’s followed a friend into Ravencrest, at least until his full-time gig as a police detective makes him think Nick might be a suspect.

As their attraction grows, Nick’s virginity and his terror of one specific vampire are thrown into the light. Nick must defend himself from Bob’s suspicion and the vampire’s next attack. But can he quell SearchLight’s desire to wipe Bob’s memory?

Excerpt

Copyright ©2026 Emily Carrington

The crowd was a little ugly tonight. Not because of their glitter or makeup but because of their forced smiles. Bob White, who went by Birdie when he was performing, read the signs. Most of the drag queens were being protective of their dates and of anyone who looked fragile. Bob approved. Maybe he could lighten the mood. Tonight was his show. He wasn’t dancing every song on stage, but he got to couple with many of the drag kings and queens. Being androgynous as well as good at disguises meant only a few knew him with all his costuming in place.

Now, though, he was stripped to the waist and clad in jeans. Because it was his show, he’d chosen most of the night’s music. However, when he strode onto the stage, the music that began to play wasn’t what he’d picked. He caught CJ’s eye, saw the wicked gleam in it, and inwardly sighed. He had a choice. He could either dance to this country song or he could raise a stink.

He chose to dance to the het-suggestive song. He’d heard this one a few times. The other officers at the station listened to just about everything at one time or another. He did his best to turn the heterosexual-focused song into a gay anthem through the movement of his body and his facial expressions.

The Ravencrest Club, which was mostly a gay bar although all were welcome, seemed hotter tonight than usual, and Bob turned a swipe of his forehead into part of the dance. Considering it was November in New York, it really was warm in here.

He quit worrying about the heat when he caught sight of three men standing close to the edge of the stage. Two of them, a Native American and a Caucasian man with black hair, had their arms around each other. The third stood close to them but he looked distinctly uncomfortable. He had lovely light brown eyes and hair like wet sand’s deepest hue swept back from his forehead. He was tanned and fit and although he didn’t wear a skintight T-shirt, the leather jacket that he kept zipped showed off his physique. He was sweating. It gleamed on his forehead. Bob wondered why he didn’t show whatever he was wearing underneath. Maybe it was offensive. Or maybe he was embarrassed by it. Or maybe he just wanted to feel protected. His anxiety was almost palpable.

Bob didn’t examine the other two quite as closely. For one, they were obviously together. For another, they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Bob danced right up to the discomfited man, presenting his ass for either a smack or nothing depending on the guy’s nervousness level. After he’d danced there for five seconds, he faced his intended target again. To his surprise, the man was holding up a five-dollar bill and looked intimidated. Bob took pity on him and took the money with a bow and a smile.

The object of his attention flushed but didn’t drop his eyes, even when the Native American half of the couple nudged him. He gave off a general air of confidence despite the way he chewed at his lip for a moment.

The music ended then and Bob came back to himself. He hadn’t meant to spend so much time with this unknown person. He retreated a few steps and bowed to the cheering, whistling crowd.

 

About the Author

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.

 

Author’s Website

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Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

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Book Spotlight Tour Stop: Dies Irae by Autumn Montague

 

Gay Vampire Romantic Suspense

Date Published: October 9, 2026

Makoto and Will must accept their bond in order to stop a madman’s killing spree.

 

London, 1816. Someone is killing vampires and their Hosts, leaving brutalized bodies on display in the heart of London. Makoto Morinaga, minore and lead hunter for the Baron of Colbourne, must find and stop the madman. Yet the mission is in peril almost from the moment it starts. In despair over loving his master’s Host, he breaks his oath and finds himself bound through Compulsion to the last person he would choose as his Host -- the flamboyant young man who has spent years pining over their master. Makoto can ill afford this appalling distraction while he hunts for a monstrous killer.

Will Carter is an experienced Host who has offered up body and blood to vampires since reaching his majority. He spent years learning the duties of the Colbourne Host, only to have his dreams crumble when his master finds a man more perfect than Will. In his frustration, he taunts Colbourne’s lead hunter into committing a forbidden act. His punishment? Being bound to the last person he would ever wish to hold his contract -- Makoto Morinaga, a man whose body he knows well, but whose heart is a dark mystery and whose stoicism grates on Will’s every nerve.

An unexpected emotional connection heats their hearts even as their Host bond heats their bodies. Just as they begin to find common ground, the madman strikes again. Finding the madman’s lair might end the violence, but the price might destroy them both.

 

WARNING: Adult content, including references to physical violence and torture which may be triggers for some readers.

 

EXCERPT

 

Blood. Thickening blood, smoking and bubbling to a slow boil. The fire above it flickered in the shadows of the darkened alley. Postnato watched as the demon and its unholy servant writhed on the cobbles in purifying flame. Glee and eager satisfaction suffused him as he and his brother awaited the lethal culmination of their night’s work for the Inquisitio Sanguinis.

The demon’s mouth had pulled back from those inhuman fangs in a satisfying rictus of pain. The foul beast still struggled to free itself, despite sharpened stakes piercing shoulder and thigh, pinning it against the bloodied earth. The agonized contortions of the monster’s corrupt human slave had ceased, becoming the involuntary spasms of approaching death.

“Revertere ad inferos, Daemon,” Postnato whispered, condemning the beast to hell with a sneer. “Ad dominum tuum infernalis!”

Yes, back to Hell with you, back to your infernal master, he thought savagely.

The creature’s demonic struggles strengthened at the words, the frantic actions accompanied by a harsh croak of anguish. The renewal of its futile struggles only served to drive the stakes deeper into its flesh, and to fan the flames consuming it.

Postnato resumed his silence as Antenato raised a cautioning finger to his lips. He subsided with difficulty, impatient for the inhuman beast to surrender its last breath.

After another quarter hour, during which the human half of their quarry had become nothing but a flickering corpse-light, the demon gave a final shudder, slackening in approaching death at last.

With a grunt of satisfaction, Postnato bent for one of the buckets at his feet, waiting to douse the remaining flames after his brother had completed one more task, tearing a final, hoarse screech of pain along with the fangs from the dying beast. Antenato held his prize aloft, eyes aglow as their quarry expired. At this sign, Postnato heaved the contents of both pails over the corpses, smothering the fires with rotting offal gleaned from the butcher’s slop midden. The smoldering ruins sent up an instant reek, and he smiled in unison with his brother. This had not been their sacred mission, but chance had given them a demon and now there was one less to walk the earth.

Now to find the leader of these abominations.

* * *

About the Author

Autumn grew up loving history, mythology, and all things Japanese, not necessarily in that order. This eclectic love affair has bled over into her writing, and her stories are always well spiced with the taste of Japan, strange mythological beasties, or the lords and ladies of the ton. Sometimes all three, leading to dark desires and forbidden loves.

And after all, dangerous passions should lead to uninhibited love.

 

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Book Spotlight Tour Stop: Cupids' Flight by Mell Eight

Title:  Cupids' Flight

Series: Wings, Book Two

Author: Mell Eight

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 09/22/2026

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 18800

Genre: Paranormal, MM Romance, Halloween, Samhain, anthropomorphic, interspecies, magic/magic-users, Japanese mythology and folklore

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Description

Betrayed by love in the worst possible way, Leo spends his days alone. He works alone, lives alone, and that's the way he prefers it until he rescues a strange creature named Hei from the goblins, and Hei refuses to let Leo be. During Samhain, a time of transition, falling into Hei's embrace is all too easy. However, Hei's wish to stay with the cupids requires they embark on a quest to fulfill love, a quest that might prove unsolvable as Hei's past comes calling with a vengeance.

Excerpt

Cupids’ Flight

Mell Eight © 2026

All Rights Reserved

The quarter moon overhead glowed, but the streetlights glowed brighter. In fact, every house in the suburban neighborhood Leo was walking through was bright and welcoming with pole and porch lights, and every other outside light on and illuminating the yards and driveways. Fake cobwebs, blow-up spiders, and plastic graveyards dotted lawns everywhere Leo looked, and throngs of kids walked the sidewalks in elaborate costumes. Leo estimated only some of the costumed people were actually still children. That said, no matter their age, everyone seemed equally happy to hold out open bags already full of candy to get more sweets at every door.

Halloween. Leo honestly didn’t mind this particular human holiday. Normally when he traveled to Earth from his home in the clouds with the rest of the cupids, he was forced to conceal his wings. He hated feeling so restricted, as if someone had tied a band around his chest and squeezed. To do his job properly the wings had to be hidden, so he endured the discomfort. The one exception was on Halloween.

“Dude! Your animatronics are sick!”

One of the boys, whom Leo really thought ought to have grown out of costumes and candy, jogged over with his group of friends following. He wore a green mask representing some sort of Earth superhero, jeans, and a black shirt. His friends also only wore the bare minimum of a mask as their nod to the holiday, but they all wore something different so at least there was some effort.

“Do they move?” green mask asked.

“They do,” Leo replied. He stuck a hand in his jeans pocket, trying to act like he thought the movement was covert, which ensured they all saw him and thought he was palming a remote, before straightening out his wings. He flapped slowly twice before folding them along his back again.

“I have got to get me one of those!” another member of the superhero group said, sounding awed.

“They’re expensive,” Leo warned, although he honestly had no idea what animatronics actually cost.

“A worthy goal!” green mask declared.

Before anyone could say anything else, another superhero ran up to the group.

“You’ve got to hurry!” he said. “The Artogos are giving out full-sized candy bars, but I think they’re starting to run out!”

With a parting wave, the group ran off, heading to yet another brightly lit house. Leo continued on his way, dodging sugar-hyped, overstimulated kids and their suffering adult chaperones until he reached the only house on the block that was completely dark. Only a dim light through a crack in a window shade indicated anyone was home. Leo headed up the driveway, then ducked around the side of the house where he found a nine-foot privacy fence separating the front yard from the back. None of the bright light from the neighboring houses reached the fence. Hidden within those shadows, Leo jumped and flapped his wings just enough to get him over the fence and into the backyard.

The shades had not been pulled closed over the French doors separating the back deck from the dining room inside, letting light spill out into the overgrown yard. In the kitchen, a woman leaned heavily against the counter, a mixing bowl full of something in front of her, although she wasn’t stirring. She looked thin and wan, bone-tired, and generally not well.

To the left of the dining room, Leo found a living room. The TV flickered on commercials, shedding their glow over an easy chair where a man lay, snoring. The table in front of him was full of empty, half-crushed beer cans.

Leo’s mission tonight was simple: help the woman find the courage to leave her drunken fool of a husband.

His power as a cupid was the best way to help her. Two types of cupids lived up in the clouds that Leo called home. Love cupids helped couples find each other, and encouraged people to take the next step in building a beautiful relationship together. Leo couldn’t stand them. The only thought filling love cupids’ heads was how to make people happy, but they never bothered to dig deeper to see where true happiness lay. Actually… Leo shook his head. That thought was wrong. He had recently met love cupids who weren’t that foppish. His nephew, Sable, was married to one, and since Sable seemed happy, Leo tried hard not to judge all love cupids the same. He found it extremely difficult though. After nearly three thousand years of fixing love cupids’ mistakes—where they thought they had brought about true love and instead caused pain—finding a handful of love cupids who were actually capable wasn’t nearly enough to fully change his mind.

For Sable’s sake, Leo was trying, but he definitely wasn’t finding it easy.

Leo was the opposite of a love cupid; he was a loss cupid. Where love cupids brought people together, loss cupids like Leo helped to separate them. When a relationship needed to end, a loss cupid was able to help convince people it was time to move on. In a perfect world, Leo would then deliver the newly separated couple to a love cupid to help them find a new love. That was why Sable and his husband Wynn worked so well together. Love and loss cupids were working together more often these days, but Leo worked alone for a reason. Most of the cases assigned to him just weren’t suitable for a love cupid.

The couple he was looking at separating right now was a perfect example of when the influence of a love cupid would only cause harm. Most of the woman’s bruises were emotional, but abuse was abuse. Words were far more painful than fists, but far less visible. What she needed was the courage to free herself and then take the time to heal. A damned love cupid wouldn’t give her that time, instead attempting to match her with her true love before her heart was repaired enough to be ready to try again.

His simple recurve bow appeared in his hand, and an arrow appeared in his other hand. Leo nocked the arrow and lined up his shot, waiting a moment to be certain the woman wasn’t going to suddenly move, then let the arrow fly.

The glass doors were no impediment to his arrow, which slid through as if they weren’t even there. The arrow landed with a solid thud in the left side of her chest, right in her heart. She didn’t move, as if she didn’t notice, or care enough to notice. The arrow shimmered for a moment and then faded away, leaving behind a completely unblemished shirt and no sign of blood.

The woman suddenly shook her head and pressed one hand to her forehead, but then her jaw firmed and she stood up straight. She briefly glanced over at her snoring husband, and a sneer tilted her lips as she strode away from the kitchen, vanishing from Leo’s view. When she returned a few minutes later, she carried a large suitcase. She vanished from view again, and a moment later a light came on in an upstairs window.

She would pack what she could carry and likely go to stay with her sister. Within a week, divorce papers would be served. Leo’s work here was clearly done.

He hopped the fence again and melded back into the crowd. Fewer very small children were out and about now, and more of the older ones who should have grown out of the holiday had appeared. Leo wended his way through them, trying to return to the secluded park at the end of the street where he could call on a portal to take him back up to the clouds. He would report his success and then head to his house. The first Samhain celebrations back home had no doubt already begun. Sable had invited Leo to the party his husband Wynn was throwing, but Leo had politely declined. After tonight’s mission, what he really needed was some time to relax in the peace and quiet of his own home. Maybe tomorrow he could stop by the main square in town to see the decorations, although going alone to see the intricately carved pumpkins and turnips lining the square had lost its shine a long time ago. The last time Leo had any fun at a solstice event was when Sable was still a child and Leo could bring him along. These days, Leo found it better to just stay home.

“Purple, it’s been a long time,” a voice said from Leo’s left.

Leo looked over, but he already knew who he would see. Only one bastard called him “Purple” after the color of his wings.

“Giblets. It’s been five hundred years, I believe?”

Leo tried not to remember what event had occurred five hundred years ago that had resulted in him being somewhat friendly with a goblin, but when your ex-lover had tried to destroy cupid society and killed your brother in the process, it was hard to forget. Leo had thought his ex was a gentle soul, but Elder Ortho was only using Leo to further his plans to become king of the cupids. Never mind that cupids didn’t have kings and lived in a fairly socialist society, Ortho believed he could unravel their societal structure and place himself on top. Giblets was one of the goblins who had helped the cupid elders bring Ortho’s reign of terror to an end.

“I hope you’re not out shopping for dinner right now,” Leo continued. “Even though it’s Halloween, I suspect the people running around will be missed.”

Giblets snorted. “You know we only eat the flesh of evil souls, and kids might be evil-hearted at times, but not properly evil enough to make a good meal. Only one truly evil person lives around here,” he added, throwing a thumb in the direction of the only dark house. “But now that you’ve been by, we’re happy to let the meat stew a little longer while he gets some comeuppance. He’ll be very tender soon.” His grin showed off all his pointed teeth, flashing bright in the streetlights. “No, I’m here for another reason, Purple. We raided an underground nest of nasty demon worshipers last night for some good eating and found something. Or someone. We’re not really sure what he is, just that he’s got wings. Since you’ve got wings too, maybe you can talk to him and figure out how to get him home again?”

“Lead the way,” Leo replied, his answer immediate.

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Meet the Author

When Mell Eight was in high school, she discovered dragons. Beautiful, wondrous creatures that took her on epic adventures both to faraway lands and on journeys of the heart. Mell wanted to create dragons of her own, so she put pen to paper. Mell Eight is now known for her own soaring dragons, as well as for other wonderful characters dancing across the pages of her books. While she mostly writes paranormal or fantasy stories, she has been seen exploring the real world once or twice.

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Tour Stop/Giveaway: Celebration Boys Duet by Willa Okati

Title: Valentine’s Vow/Independence Day

Author: Willa Okati

Cover Art: Bryan Keller

Genres: Box Sets, Paranormal, Romance, Romantic Comedy

Themes: Gay, Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft

Series: Celebration Boys (#3)

Book Length: Box Set

Page Count: 57

Synopsis

True love comes where you're least looking for it... and where it's been, all along.

Valentine’s Vow: Best friends and frequent bed-buddies Thom and Ryan don't go for any of that "love" stuff. They're so set on their path they swear off Valentine's Day as a holiday for the hopelessly mushy. What they don't know is St. Valentine himself has taken an interest in their case. Flaunt his Holy Day, will they? He'll teach them a lesson they won't soon forget... and show them that there really is a lot more to love than candy and flowers.

Independence Day: With the help of guardian ghosts Edmund and Great-Uncle Joey, Thom and Ryan made the transition from bed-buddies to live-in lovers in Valentine Vow. But their relationship hits the skids when Ryan discovers Thom has neglected to tell people about their new coupledom. Miffed that he's a closeted secret, Ryan's ready to call it quits. Time for Edmund and Joey to step in again, to bring Ryan and Thom back into each other's arms in time for Independence Day.

Excerpt

Valentine's Vow/Independence Day (Celebration Boys Duet)
Second Edition
Willa Okati
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2025 Willa Okati

Ryan stood at the kitchen range, slowly stirring a pot of his special chili. Hot as the seven fires of hell, full of peppers and onions, it let out a smell that made his nose tingle. No one could beat that chili.

He paused in thought. Should he serve it over potatoes? Given a few minutes, he could toss a couple of tubers in the oven and get them baking. Or nuke the things. That'd be quicker. Never tasted the same, though.

Maybe he should serve it plain. Garnish it with a good sharp cheddar and let it stand as the golden god of bachelor cuisine that it was. Beans and all.

He'd gotten the recipe from his great-uncle Joey, grouchiest son-of-a-bitch on earth, and a lifelong bachelor. And, as it turned out, a randy old goat, too. One of the brothers of the flesh and in the closet all his life, although Ryan hadn't found that out until after the man died and he inherited his cabin. While rooting around in the attic, he'd come across stacks of old letters from "Edmund."

Funny what you don't know about people until it's too late.

Ryan had taken the letters and run with them. Together with his best buddy and lover Thom and a couple of six-packs, they'd had a hell of a night reading through the stacks. Turned out Joey and Edmund had had a pretty hot on-again, off-again relationship for almost fifty years.

Damn. That was something, when you thought about it. Fifty years. From tasty young men with presumably tight asses, to tottery codgers with no teeth bitching about the younger generation.

Those two had done everything when they'd manage to snatch a few days together. Edmund had been some kind of banker in the city. Big man. Bigwig. He'd even gotten married for a while, but that hadn't lasted. He went back to Joey -- Joey and his penchant for the hot and spicy. According to the letters, Joey didn't do it just in the missionary position, with his eyes shut and thoughts fixed on England. He liked it on his back, on his stomach, up against a wall, on the floor, in the bathtub or the shower. Hard and fast, slow and sweet, or spicy like his chili.

Edmund raved about that chili every time he had to go to some honorary banquet. Seemed there was nothing he'd rather have done than pull a chair up to Joey's rickety table and go down on a bowl of the good stuff.

Speaking of which, the chili looked like it was almost done. "Hey, Thom!" he called out to the living room, where his friend was flipping channels like he was in a speed-click contest. Bad habit of his. Ryan made a point of never watching TV with the guy. You could have a seizure.

"Yeah!" Thom called. "That chili about done? I could eat the whole pot and still have room for you for dessert!"

"You fucking wish!" Ryan hollered back, stirring the mess of meat, beans, sauce and peppers. "Your turn to bring the condoms. Did you remember?"

A foil packet flew through the open door into the kitchen, skittering to land by Ryan's foot. "I've got a half-dozen just like that!" Thom called. "You have the lube?"

"Yep. I even picked up that mango scent you like so much. You know how hard it is to find flavored, scented lubes that don't damage latex?"

Ryan kicked the condom out of his way. If the dog didn't eat it, he'd get it later -- probably when they'd finished their meal and come back for seconds on the sex. They usually ended up in the kitchen, having gone in search of a long cold one and, instead, finding a long… hot one.

Gingerly, he took a taste from the tip of the spoon. Almost burned his tongue off. Good; almost ready. He ran a glass of water and gulped it down. Which reminded him… "Did you bring the wine?"

"Wine? I brought beer!"

"Beer? You asshole!" Ryan stormed out of the kitchen, tearing off his apron. "I told you on the phone. Wine. White wine. Something really dry, and it needed to be cold. Ice cold. And you bring me beer?"

Thom smirked up at him from his position on the couch. Legs open, leaned back, he looked tastier than the chili. "Goddamn it, you are such a fucking fruit, Ryan." He gestured at a cooler. "White wine, as you requested. Nestled in ice. Just waiting for that chili. And holy hell, is it done already or what?"

Ryan folded his arms. "Maybe. Are you going to apologize for talking to me like that?"

"Nope."

"Then it's ready." Ryan grinned, beckoning him toward the kitchen. "Bring the wine. I'll get some glasses."

Purchase at Changeling Press

Meet the Author

Willa Okati (AKA Will) is made of many things: imagination, coffee, stray cat hairs, daydreams, more coffee, kitchen experimentation, a passion for winter weather, a little more coffee, a whole lot of flowering plants and a lifelong love of storytelling. Will's definitely one of the quiet ones you have to watch out for, though he -- not she anymore -- is a lot less quiet these days.

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Book Spotlight Tour Stop/Giveaway: Trust is Fraught by Emily Carrington

Title: Trust is Fraught

Author: Emily Carrington

Cover Art: Angela Knight

Genres: Action Adventure, Dark Fantasy, New Releases, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense

Themes: Gay, Medical Romance, Multicultural & Interracial, Werewolves & Wolf Shifters

Series: Medically Necessary (#2)

Multiverse: Searchlight Academy (#12)

Book Length: Novella

Page Count: 99

Synopsis

From insisting on a bed for their first time to protecting Amir from everything, Oliver is stepping all over Amir’s last nerve. It’s almost too bad the submissive wolf wants dominant Oliver in the worst way.

Amir’s frustration with Oliver doesn’t cancel out his attraction to the other wolf. As they fall deeper into the dangers of the psychic world in an effort to rescue their leader, their love may be the only thing keeping them sane.

As the leader of the werewolves sinks further into insanity, Amir and Oliver are pushed to their limits to find out what’s causing his decline. Once they discover the truth, it’s another struggle, this one against prejudice and time, to rescue the alpha above all alphas.

Excerpt

Trust Is Fraught (Medically Necessary 2)

Emily Carrington

All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2024 Emily Carrington

It was full dark when Oliver jerked awake. He sat up, smelling his own sweat and the aftermath of sex.

He flashed back to the most traumatic time he’d woken to the stench of spent jizz. Geoffrey, the beta of the Kreisha pack, had been standing over him, cum dripping from his rapidly shrinking cock.

Oliver swung his legs over the side of the bed, fully expecting to find himself surrounded by the enemy. His eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and he picked out the shadowy form of a lampshade. He reached out, almost knocking the lamp over in his need to shed light on the situation. When the bulb glowed, he took a quick look around the room, feeling the urge to ensure he was alone and safe. He didn’t quite dare to rise to his feet because his legs felt like they’d turned to water.

He missed Kenneth Jeremiah in the worst way all of a sudden, and he was unable to hide from the truth, that he missed his lover not for Kenneth Jeremiah’s own sake but because his lover had kept the nightmares at bay. Ever since being attacked, which had been two months before Kenneth Jeremiah died, the nightmares had been threatening. But he hadn’t actually dreamed of what happened until after his beloved was dead. Kenneth Jeremiah had possessed a rare empathic gift, one that allowed him to soothe others’ minds.

Sort of like Amir, he thought, but his terror kept him dwelling on the past.

He was alone in the downstairs bedroom of the house he rented in Washington, D.C.’s Northwest quarter. Why the hell did it smell of sex? And why didn’t his ass hurt?

Oliver’s gorge rose. He swallowed against the need to throw up. Gradually, his stomach settled and new information came to his nose. Yes, it was his own jizz he smelled on the air, but it was mixed with another male’s. The aroma didn’t spark a flashback but seemed to wrap around him, comforting him.

Amir’s scent surrounded him.

He’d had sex, all right, except it had really been making love. There was no fear or rage clouding the healthy leavings of two werewolves who cared for each other. They hadn’t gone all the way. Oliver had refused to claim Amir’s virgin body while they were so spun up from the events of the last few days and when Oliver himself had been so desperate for sexual contact that he hadn’t been sure he could be as gentle as was needed. They’d had oral sex, and now that his head was clearing, he realized he could taste Amir’s salty spend on his tongue. He licked his lips, found a little more of the heavenly liquid at one corner, and closed his eyes to savor it.

His cock stirred, although only a little as he fully realized he was alone in the bedroom. Where had Amir gone? Had he woken as Oliver had, frightened, and escaped into the house at large, or to the world beyond these walls? What if Oliver’s nightmare had been prophetic rather than a misplaced response to his joy?

He tried to push himself to his feet, but his legs wouldn’t support him. He flopped back onto the bed. Cursing softly, he performed a quick self-analysis, looking for sore spots or other indicators he’d been drugged. He detected nothing. Likewise, he felt no alien presence in his mind. His psychic shields were up and strong.

Still, his legs trembled. Clutching his knees, he tried to get a handle on his fear.

It hadn’t been all that long since he’d dreamed of the gang rape Geoffrey Huntington had led. Maybe only three weeks. Still, he was shocked every time it recurred. Hadn’t going through it once been enough? Apparently not for his traumatized body. Oliver could have bested three out of the four werewolves who raped him during that long five hours, but he’d surrendered to their brutality to save Kenneth Jeremiah. When the attack had begun, he’d expected to find Travers and Cobb involved because they were closer to him in rank, both being lower gammas. But the three besides Geoffrey, who was the beta of the Kreisha pack, had been Carl, Matthias, and Scott, all very low-ranked wolves, although not quite submissive. He’d always thought their ranks were why they’d participated. Geoffrey might have forced them.

Thinking about that night, all alone in the midst of raving beasts, wasn’t going to steady his legs. He needed to get himself under control so he could go looking for Amir and ensure his new lover was safe.

He forced himself to lie down on the bed. He inhaled Amir’s scent rising from his pillow, an aroma made of sweat and excitement and just a touch of disinfectant because Amir was a physician. Oliver breathed in and out, counting the seconds for each inhale and exhale. He added three seconds of holding his breath between these two acts and slowly his heartbeat stopped racing out of control. Amir’s joy and release held a comfort that Oliver hadn’t found since before the gang rape.

He sat up before that thought could take hold. He focused on the bedroom door, which was ajar. He did another quick sweep of the room, this time with nose fully engaged. He didn’t detect any blood or stench of fear. Amir must have left the room of his own volition.

With this idea in his head, Oliver was finally able to rise. He tugged on the pants he’d been wearing and started for the hallway. Following Amir’s scent, he went into the bathroom across the way, where Amir had apparently washed up because the tang of citrus soap hung in the air. Had he come out here naked?

Needing to solve that mystery because Amir walking anywhere potentially public without his clothes didn’t seem like the doctor of magical creatures at all. Back in the bedroom, however, Oliver saw all of Amir’s articles of clothing were still there.

Concern reared its ugly head again and he trotted from the room. He stopped by the front door, but Amir hadn’t come this way. He trailed the scent of soap to the stairs, and that was where it changed. The addition of fur’s rich aroma told Oliver Amir had slipped from human guise to lupine seeming before he went up the staircase to the second floor.

His night vision had fully adjusted to the dimness, and he climbed the stairs silently, keeping his ears open for Amir or their mutual patient.

Maybe that was it, he thought as he put his foot on the third step. Their mutual patient, Tilthos Charles, the alpha above all alphas in the Americas and Canada, was ill. Amir had managed to rule out any poisons or physical cause for Tilthos Charles’s growing madness, leaving it to Oliver to figure out the psychic cause. Oliver hadn’t yet solved the mystery beyond the realization Tilthos Charles was being forced to share his mind with five or six other werewolves who meant him harm.

Maybe Tilthos Charles was the reason Amir had left the bedroom and not because he’d endured a terrible dream. Oliver purposely made a little noise on the stairs to warn those up on the second floor that he was coming. He couldn’t quite make himself call out or even whisper. His throat had tightened, now with nervousness. What had he been thinking, making love to Amir when they had a patient to look after?

He reached the landing between the first and second floors and paused. Above him, out of sight because of the construction of the house, he heard a very quiet growl.

Purchase at Changeling Press

Meet the Author

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.

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New Release Spotlight & Giveaway: J. Hali Steele's Egregious

   

Title:  Egregious

Author: J. Hali Steele

Publisher: Changeling Press LLC

Release Date: August 5, 2023

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 89 pages

Genre: Action Adventure, Dark Fantasy, New Releases, Paranormal Women's Fiction, Razor's Edge Erotica, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis

Liam Lamech buried Valerian, the vampire he recognized as his mate, next to Hell’s Gate nearly two thousand years ago. When the vampire king frees the vile creature, Liam determines not to give in to the strongest emotion a vampire can experience -- the pull of an eternal mate. Liam can’t kill Valerian, yet he vows never to love him. Still, he’ll protect the undead man with his own life.

Valerian detests the memory of his days as a Roman emperor, though not nearly as much as he hates Liam, the vampire God chose as his mate. Aware they were meant to spend eternity together, the monster buried Val so close to Satan that a piece of his soul still burns. Even though Liam is one of the vampire king’s most revered warriors, Valerian vows to make the bastard pay!

Excerpt

Egregious (Sanguine Blood Seekers 5)

J. Hali Steele

All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2023 J. Hali Steele

Liam Lamech found himself in an impossible situation. He despised his mate, a malicious fiend who, as a Roman emperor, was responsible for slaying a multitude of Christians.

The vampire who filled Liam’s mind during every waking moment had been created by one whose blood would burn stronger than Liam’s, had he not regularly received blood from Sten Majkovic, the vampire king, and the most supreme undead creature inhabiting God’s world.

Liam had believed Sten truly liked and respected him until the king unearthed the body of Publius Licinius Valerianus, known by the vampire world as Valerian and now as Liam’s mate.

All those centuries ago Liam strongly suspected his connection to Valerian. The pull of the eternal bond was so intense Liam would not even take the vile brute’s blood before he entombed him in a hole deep enough that if he reached out, he could touch Satan’s face. Liam prayed the devil would hold the evil bastard prisoner forever.

Liam only knew of one other vampire who had resisted the phenomenal attraction to his own mate all those eons ago. Kamose, a seventeenth dynasty pharaoh, had somehow managed to live thousands of years with knowledge his mate still lived.

Shit, Kam survived without his mate because, as did Liam, he carried strong blood in his veins. Couple that with the fact that he searched out and screwed the saint every chance he could unless the holy man had gone to ground.

Now all vamps sought the only being they would forgive any sin -- their mate. That one, human or undead, who completed them, who would walk at their side forever.

Valerian was not that vampire. He couldn’t be. “I will never forgive him,” Liam swore. “And I don’t want a mate! God, please tell me, show me, Valerian can’t be the one.” Liam stormed back and forth in such fury, he wore a path in the jewel-toned carpet that stretched the width and length of his living room. Liam didn’t even have the luxury of talking to his king as Sten, claiming back pain, had safeguarded his home from everyone except Joshua. Not even Sten’s favored warrior’s lover could gain entrance to what had now become a fortress.

“Backache my ass.” Vampires didn’t entertain bodily aches unless another, far superior, snatched their heart out. Depending on age and ability, both could die from such an act as no vamp was permitted to destroy another of their kind unless the execution was ordered by Sten -- and still, there were dire consequences. After all that Liam had undertaken for his king, he now viewed Sten as an ungrateful reprobate.

Creeping around his own mind got Liam nowhere. May as well do what he’d done for thousands of years to stave off loneliness and… sorrow. Where the hell had that word sprung from? Liam suffered no woes over the past and what he’d done in God’s name. Saturated with anger, he felt as if his life -- or rather, his undead existence, was falling apart. Underground, the club in King of Prussia, a suburb of Philadelphia, was full of voyeurs willing to take him or watch him be had by someone he prayed would savagely use him tonight. A visit to the exclusive sex venue would settle Liam’s thoughts as well as ease tension that rose each time the sun crested the horizon.

What enraged Liam’s soul most was that God had permitted Valerian, the sacrilegious piece of shit, to live. “Me. I performed that feat.” The thought paraded through Liam’s mind. I allowed Valerian to live. “Why did I supply him with enough of Kenan’s blood to keep him thriving in that hole?”

And where was his king? Liam had been without Sten’s blood for a longer period than usual. That loss infuriated Liam, and although he’d drained blood from a heart laced with Valerian’s blood, he still had trouble tracking the murderous asshole.

Dissolving into nothing, Liam slipped into Underground unnoticed by human eyes. The smell of men and sex relieved his tension briefly, until he heard a voice he recognized all too well.

“Son of a bitch!”

Purchase at Changeling Press LLC

Meet the Author

Growl and roar -- it's okay to let the beast out. -- J. Hali Steele J. Hali Steele wishes she could grow fur, wings, or fangs, so she can stay warm, fly, or just plain bite the crap out of… Well, she can’t do those things but she wishes she could! J. Hali's a multi-published Amazon bestselling author of Romance in Paranormal, Fantasy, and Contemporary worlds which include ReligErotica and LGBTQ stories where humans, vampyres, shapeshifters and angels collide -- and they collide a lot! When J. Hali’s not writing or reading, she can be found snuggled in front of the TV with a cat in her lap, and a cup of coffee.

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New Release Spotlight/Giveaway: Haint's Alive by J. Hali Steele

Title:  Haints Alive

Author: J. Halie Steele

Publisher: Razor's Edge

Original Release Date: January 28, 2022

Heat Level: 5 - Erotica

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 29

Genre: Erotica, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Kindle Unlimited, Paranormal, Dark Desire, Gay

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

An angry, dead spirit is useless - until it becomes the living Haint in your bed!

Warning: This is a Razor's Edge Monster Erotica Story. Expect limited plot and character development, and lots of paranormal heat. If you're looking for a lengthy plot driven erotic romance, this is not it!

JD Tolliver begins research for his thesis on paranormal phenomena as a nonbeliever. He believes now. A ghost or angry spirit, a true haint, follows JD from Appalachia. His finding a suitable body so he can leave poses a problem -- $it has JD by the balls@!

Coll Collins spent over a hundred years locked in silence. Suddenly freed, he discovers that gay hate crimes are not a thing of the past. The stranger he attaches himself to is sassy and, to Coll, sexy as hell. Never had the pleasure of a soft young man, and Coll plans to take advantage every single night until he returns home.

Excerpt

Dropping his bag by the door, JD headed straight to the kitchen for a glass of milk. Bringing the glass with him, he collected his suitcase and pulled it to his bedroom. Couldn’t wait to check out a few scavenged treasures from his trip to the Appalachian area on the border of Tennessee and Virginia. He’d thought the area would be a good place to begin research for his thesis on paranormal phenomena.

Wished his father understood JD’s interest in experimental psychology. Heck, considering he couldn’t get the man to call him anything aside from James David, as if JD left some sort of unsavory tag on the Tolliver name, seemed highly unlikely the old man would ever change his mind about JD’s interests.

Opening his carryon, JD retrieved an item he hadn’t dared leave to baggage handlers. Discovered it in a dusty, trash strewn corner of a soon-to-be demolished old mansion in Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. The small cube-shaped box smelled of cedar, and JD had kept it safely on his person the remainder of his trip. It resided in a bag on his lap during the flight. Risky, considering he discovered every time the box was close he got a raging hard-on. Not a prude by a long shot, but his bookish looks led men to believe he was… well… virginal.

Turning it over and over in his hands, still couldn’t fathom how to open it. No key hole, no seams at all; just a tiny, plain wooden box slightly larger than a jewelry box that might hold a ring. Could darn near close it in the palm of his hand. “What treasure are you hiding?” He reached for his crotch to arrange the growing bulge into a more comfortable position. Lost in pleasure, he continued to massage his growing hardness until drops of cum dampened underwear. Yes, JD needed to get laid. “Um, feels good.”

He couldn’t stop. Shoved his hand inside pants, used pre-cum to facilitate jerking off. Sound of wet hand against skin sliding back and forth over his crown darn near had him coming full force in his pants.

His phone vibrating in his jacket pocket created a colossal mess. Jumping, JD knocked into the glass on his nightstand, sending milk everywhere and his precious box sailed through the air. “No!” When it hit the floor and broke, JD strangled on air caught in his throat as he glimpsed a shiny object roll beneath his chest of drawers. Thick, white smoke billowed into the room. Smelling like cedar, it swirled and swirled before floating over to envelop him. JD swore it was an attempt to molest his body. “Oh Lord!”

“Knew you’d have the cutest little ass.”

Tripping backward, JD hit the bed and watched the white cloud plummet downward. Substance felt weighty and JD nearly fainted.

A gruff voice murmured, “Thank you for freeing me.”

Purchase

Changeling Press | B&N Nook | Apple Books | Kobo | Amazon 

   

Meet the Author

J. Hali Steele wishes she could grow fur, wings, or fangs, so she can stay warm, fly, or just plain bite the crap out of... Well, she can't do those things but she wishes she could! Multi-published and Amazon bestselling author of Romance in Paranormal, Fantasy, and Contemporary worlds which include ReligErotica and LGBTQ stories where humans, vampyres, shapeshifters and angels collide-they collide a lot! When J. Hali's not writing or reading, she can be found snuggled in front of the TV with a cat in her lap, and a cup of coffee. Growl and roar -- it's okay to let the beast out. -- J. Hali Steele

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a $10.00 Changeling Press Gift Code! 

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Go Behind the Scenes with author Kelli Wilkins

 

Behind the Scenes: Killer in Wolf’s Clothing – A Sizzling Paranormal Gay Romance

 

By Kelli A. Wilkins

www.KelliWilkins.com

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

Hi everyone!

Today I’m showcasing my incredibly unique gay romance, Killer in Wolf’s Clothing. It’s a blend of mystery, danger, super-hot erotica, and romance… with an unusual paranormal twist.

To make things a little easier to understand, here’s the book summary…

 

Killer in Wolf’s Clothing

A super aggressive Alpha male, a serial killer, and a visit to a kinky sex club… What has Larry gotten himself into?

When Larry learns that his boyfriend Greg changes into another man during the full moon, he has a hard time accepting it—until he meets Deke, Greg’s alternate Alpha personality.

Deke doesn’t play nice and has no time for games. He only wants two things—to get laid and to get revenge against the arsonist who murdered his friends. Finally free from Greg’s restraints, Deke is ready for action, and Larry is more than willing to submit to Deke’s needs.

Together, Larry and Deke set out to find the killer. Their hunt takes them to an all-night Alpha sex club where things heat up for the two of them. But when Larry unwittingly falls into the clutches of the murderer, it’s up to Deke—and Greg—to save him before it’s too late. 

***

I wrote Killer in Wolf’s Clothing several years ago when Amber Quill Press was looking for werewolf/shapeshifter stories. This novella is a hybrid of both subgenres.

It’s a “werewolf” story in the sense that Greg was bitten by someone and transforms during the full moon—but he doesn’t become a traditional werewolf with pointed ears, fur, and a tail. He shapeshifts into an Alpha male named Deke.

The book is an interesting character study. I wrote three very different male heroes/leads, and intentionally made Deke and Greg polar opposites. Larry is caught in the middle and likes things about both of them.

Deke is 100% human, but embodies lots of animalistic traits: he’s gruff, territorial, and says all he wants to do is eat and have sex. His transformation is more Incredible Hulk than American Werewolf in London.

Personality-wise, Deke is the opposite, or shadow side, of Greg: he’s domineering, rude, wild in the bedroom, aggressive, and doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He’s all Alpha. But deep down, Deke is a sympathetic character who wants to do the right thing. He feels responsible for the deaths of his friends. He has a good heart under his rough exterior.

Deke and Larry have an interesting relationship. Larry is drawn to Deke’s sexy body and aggressive sexual appetite. He wonders if he’s cheating on Greg when he’s with Deke, but Deke assures him he’s not.

Greg is struggling with the fact that each month he turns into Deke, and he’s not happy about it. He doesn’t trust Deke, so he chains him up each month during the full moon. As you can imagine, Deke hates Greg for denying him a life.

Although the book is a paranormal romance involving a serial killer, I knew I had to balance the dark subject matter with a light tone; otherwise the story would get too heavy. (After all, this is a romance!) So I decided to have a little fun with the story and the characters. 

That’s where Larry comes in. When Greg tells Larry he turns into another person, Larry doesn’t believe him. (After all, who would?) They have a few humorous exchanges, and Larry doesn’t take any of this seriously, until he sees a video of Greg transforming into Deke.

I added in dashes of humor via Larry’s interactions with Deke to offset the drama and danger Larry and Deke get into as they track the killer. Larry has a sarcastic wit that breaks up the tension—and drives Deke crazy.

Things get hairy (pun intended!) for them at the end of the book, and it looks bleak for all three heroes. But I’m happy to say the epilogue ties up all the loose ends nicely.

Some readers/reviews didn’t get the humor, or were annoyed this wasn’t a “traditional” werewolf book. Well, that’s on them. Right from the start, the reader is drawn into a wacky world of paranormal fantasy.

A few unkind reviewers didn’t even read the whole book before slamming it. But others got the humor and had this to say:

“4 stars! Killer in Wolf's Clothing offers a different and very creative take on werewolves. I loved the whole concept. Two very different people sharing a body that changes too. Hot, sexy, and a little kinky, this one tells a very engaging story. Larry and Greg are great as a couple but Larry and Deke really smolder. The transformation of Greg into Deke is detailed and the whole idea just pulls you in. Add a crazy serial killer and a werewolf sex club to the mix and you a wild ride. Great fun!” - Emma, Night Owl Reviews

​

"Killer in Wolf’s Clothing was a delight to read. Deke is so different from Greg in his sexual needs and desires. Larry enjoyed both men for different reasons. Then trouble brewed and they all had to work together. Kelli A. Wilkins has penned a tale that will heat your blood and increase your heart rate as you become immersed in the hot love scenes and the terror of the murderer. Killer in Wolf’s Clothing shows that you never know who your neighbor is." - Sensual Reads

​

“4 stars! Killer in Wolf's Clothing is a quick fun read that will hook you from the beginning. A bit different than I'm used to regarding werewolves, but I totally enjoyed the book. Recommended for all who like the horror genre with a twist of fun.” - Susan, Sweet-n-Sassi.blogspot 

 

I had a lot of fun writing this story, and went out of my way to make it outrageous at times. Did it work? I think so. It’s very different from all the other romances I’ve written (gay or straight), and it’s my only book that mentions the Christmas season. (That’s why I saved this blog for December.)

I hope you enjoy reading this very unusual romance. I loved creating these quirky characters while offering a unique look at the werewolf legend.

 

Order Killer in Wolf’s Clothing here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G3V9VWW

All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/mYRB6x

 

Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit me on social media. You can read more “Behind the Scenes” blogs here: www.KelliWilkins.com/blog

I also made a Facebook page for my gay romances: https://www.facebook.com/GayRomancesbyKelliAWilkins/

Happy Holidays!                                                  

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 5 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories.

Her latest novel, In Another World, was published in 2022. This contemporary mystery/romance is set in the world of the paranormal.

She released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021.

Like to write? Check out Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.