09/06/2018

Blog Tour - Kickstarter for Themensha Graphic Novel Project by MxKnowitall #kickstarter #graphicnovel #dementia #LGBT #artist


BLOG TOUR  ~ JUNE 1 - 10


Book Title: Themensha

Author/Artist: MxKnowitall (a pen name of Morven Moeller)

Publisher: Dreampunk Press

Genre/s: SciFi/Fantasy, Slice-of-Life, LGBT, Speculative Fiction, Fiction for a Cause.

Estimated Length: 120 pages








Themensha is a graphic novel written and drawn by a young artist in memory of their grandmother and for Dementia Awareness. Morven Moeller (pen name MxKnowitall) is the author and an artist who creates gender non-conforming art. The book is based on real events and in memory of their grandmother. It's about a grandmother with Dementia/Alzheimer's and her interactions and legacy left on her transgender/non-binary grandchild. People will ‘pre-order’ the book through the Kickstarter for the first run. The publisher said they’d double the print run for anything over 100 orders. The author plans to sell any additional books in the Dreampunk Press online store or in-person at conventions (which they go to regularly to sell their artwork). Morven is hoping for at least 60 pre-orders, or even better, 250 because it’ll be a better print quality. However unlike other pre-orders, these will cost the same as the actual book, $12 (plus shipping).






Blurb

Themensha explores the themes of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, LGBT acceptance, family, and purpose. Follow Leigh through the last month of their gramma’s life, where they find emotional strength, insecurity, and purpose.






The purpose of this Blog Tour is to promote the Kickstarter project running from June 1 - July 1.

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT AND RECEIVE

AN EBOOK, SIGNED PAPERBACK,

DIGITAL ART PACK, OR FOIL POSTER PACK

depending on how much you pledge.

See the link for more details


Excerpt

“It’s sad, but it’s okay that it’s sad. Because my love from my gramma becomes compassion for others in need. Because my love for my gramma becomes advice for a friend. Because my love for my gramma becomes a new closeness to others. And it’s love like that that heals and mends and brings us together. So, not a drop of my love from my gramma is wasted.”



A black and white page from the graphic novel







About the Author 

MxKnowitall, aka Morven Moeller, is a young artist out of Hampton Roads Area of Virginia. They are agender, preferring they/them pronouns, however they don’t consider that a huge part of their identity and other pronouns are also acceptable. They have a degree in Applied Mathematics and are finishing graduate study in Mission Analysis and Engineering. This may seem somewhat peculiar, but most things about Morven are peculiar. They have multiple LGBT novellas spanning from middle-grade to new adult genres and currently eat a lot of rice and veggies due to a cacophony of medically-necessitated dietary restrictions. They are a huge anime and animation fan, and that appreciation is often an influence on their work. Their interests often include LGBT topics, autism awareness, anime fandom, fanfiction, and their loving friends and family.





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BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE





07/06/2018

Blog Tour - Under Five by Michael War #gay #romance #contemporary #UrbanFantasy #giveaway


BLOG TOUR



Book Title: Under Five

Author: Michael War

Cover Artist: Aisha Akeju

Genre/s: Gay, Contemporary, Urban Fantasy

Length: 40 000 words/172 pages

Release Date: May 30, 2018



Blurb

Mike is good looking, charming, and has no trouble attracting men—as long as his clothes stay on. But the moment they come off, something always seems to go terribly wrong. When his sister takes him to a faith healer to fix the problem, he is provided with a spell—and left with a lot of doubts.

But after meeting Kevin, Mike decides to give the spell a try...





Excerpt

This was the first time anyone asked for the lights to be completely out. I mean, there are some guys who like the dark, but they always want some sort of light coming in. It could be a candle, night light, or just a crack from the closet, just something to keep things from being completely black. But not this time. Carlo wanted the lights completely off. I wasn't sure whether to be offended, or to simply just go with the flow.

But it did kind of bother me, even while we were kissing and rubbing each other all over the place. I tried to forget about the fact that we messed around the last time with all the lights on, but it was still nagging me a bit.

"Everything okay, Mike?" Carlo asked. While I couldn't see them, I knew his emerald green eyes were pointed directly at me. They were fake, but man, did they compliment him so much.

"Nah, I'm good, just come over here," I cooed, pulling him up closer to me. We still had our clothes on, so it was easy to grab his shirt and bring him in closer. I wanted to feel his hot breath against my neck, followed by his gentle kisses. The two times we hooked up before, we only kissed, and both times we only had our shirts off. But this time around, I wanted more. I wanted him to take me, to ravage me. To fill me up and not stop until we were both on the verge of exploding.

I could tell that Carlo was a bit surprised, even though I still hadn't completely adjusted to the dark, but he seemed into it and let me drag his mouth closer to mine. He took his hands and gently placed them on the back of my head, pulling a little on my hair but not enough to cause me pain. "Don't stop, keep going," I moaned. Carlo intensified his kisses and started moving down towards my neck, then pulled back and little and began to pull my shirt off. I started on his before my shirt even hit the floor, and now for the first time tonight, we were both finally showing some skin towards each other. After a bit of kissing and exploring, I forgot about the light situation. Thanks to the moon beaming through my curtains and right toward my bed I was able to make out where I wanted my hands to go. Carlo had the body type I loved; bearish, with broad shoulders and big, strong arms. But what got me was his chest. In the moonlight and without a shirt, Carlo was simply beautiful. Even though I wasn't a bear myself, I could appreciate the slight hairy trail he had going from his chest down to his stomach. I could see that the trail went even further, and I wanted him to reveal more.

Carlo continued to kiss me down my body, but I stopped him right before he got to my stomach. "Let me take off your pants," I ordered. I was hoping he would be turned on by the dominance in voice and simply obey. "No, you first. I want to show you everything I have to offer you," Carlo responded, his hands rubbing the top of my shorts, fingers slightly pushing under the elastic. He let it snap a few times before slightly licking his lips. I arched up a bit to help him out, and he obliged by grabbing my shorts at both ends and pulled them off along with my underwear. He placed his hand on my now erect cock, then stopped for an awkward minute.

"Something wrong?" I asked. "No, um, just thought of something," he replied, giggling a bit before continuing. "Now get ready to have the best sex that you…." He didn't finish. How could he now that he was giggling like crazy? I wanted to jump out of the bed right then and there, but he still had my dick in his hand, and even though it was getting flaccid, I didn't want to make any sudden moves and damage myself. "Would you mind letting go? I would like to get dressed." He did, even though he was still laughing like a lunatic. I picked up my clothes and put my underwear on, then went for the lamp by my bed. Carlo was sprawled out across my bed. While his laughing had stifled a bit, his red face showed that something had amused him to no end.

I slipped my shorts back on and began to gather up his things. "Oh come on, don't be that way. I'm sorry. We can still mess around. I just need a minute." The moment he finished his sentence, Carlo began laughing again. He put his hand over his mouth so it wouldn't be so loud, but it was no use.

"What the hell is so funny? I was good enough for you before. What changed now?" I stared him down hard; so hard that I was able to break his laughing fit up once and for all.

"I don't want to offend you. You're a nice guy. I was just taken by surprise. You know how it is with these things," Carlo stated as he got up from the bed and walked over towards me. "No, I don't know. I don't have a clue about what is going on."

Carlo took my hand and looked me straight in the eyes with his emerald greens. For a second, I almost melted. But then the laughing started going on in my head again, and my fury came back full force. Looking at Carlo's face, I could tell he had something he wanted to say, but just couldn't. He kept biting his lip, and you could tell he was thinking very carefully before he spoke again. The anticipation wasn't helping my tolerance, so I knew that I had to speed things up a bit.

"Just spit it out." Carlo looked at the floor one more time, then right back at me. "It's just….well….I…..I didn't expect it to be so small." I really don't remember what happened after that, but I do recall that I was rushing him out in just his underwear, not giving him anytime to put his other clothes back on. He pleaded with me a bit, asking to stay and make it up to me. And I almost did --- until he mentioned that his was just used to bigger.

Buy Links






About the Author


Michael War is a writer whose real life tends to be on the boring side, which is why his imagination seems to float towards gay romance. Aside from writing about beautiful gay men of all types (bears, jocks, twinks) getting it on, he also enjoys writing poetry and screenplays. War holds an MFA in Creative Writing and plans to write more romance themed books in the near future. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook  for updates on upcoming stories or with any questions or comments. Or, you can read his blog for some mindless ramblings.


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Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $10 Amazon Gift Card or an ebook copy of Roommate Adventure by Michael War.





BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE





02/06/2018

Release Blitz - Three-Man Advantage by Ariel Bishop #HockeyRomance #contemporary #gay #menage #romance #KindleUnlimited #giveaway


RELEASE BLITZ


Book Title: Three-Man Advantage

Author: Ariel Bishop

Cover Artist: Ariel Bishop

Genre/s: MMM Hockey Romance

Release Date: June 2, 2018




Blurb

He can’t choose...

Leadership and setting an upstanding example are everything to Wisconsin Wendigos captain David Dickson. On ice, he’s got it all together. Off ice? Not so much. For years he’s been pining for not one, but both of the loyal alternate captains who’ve stood by him through thick and thin.

They’ve always had his back…

Sasha Ivanov and Bo McAllister have always seemed more into each other then into their captain. But when the stress of the season starts affecting David, they’re more than willing to step up and help him deal with it--by whatever means necessary.

He can’t resist...

When Sasha and Bo offer him everything he’s been wanting, David can’t say no, even though he knows it comes with an expiration date. But the more he finds himself fitting into their life, the more he wants what he knows he can’t have.

Can Sasha and Bo find room in their hearts for one more person? Will David let them bring him into their life? Or are these captains doomed to remain just teammates?

Find out in this steamy sports romance novel, featuring a team captain who’s too stubborn for his own good, a defenceman with a heart of gold, and a goalie who never has a problem using his words.





Excerpt 

Halfway through his salmon and broccoli at dinner, Bo drops his fork with a clatter. When Sasha doesn’t look up from his own plate, he follows it up with an ostentatious throat clearing.

“Bone stuck in throat?” Sasha asks, cutting off a piece of his chicken breast.

“No. I just had the best idea.”

That gets him a look, Sasha’s eyes narrowed as he chews and swallows. “Okay,” he finally says, his voice far more resigned than it should be for someone who claims to love Bo.

“Okay, hear me out. David needs somebody, but who has time to fucking date at this point in the season?”

Sasha shrugs. “Could fuck teammate. Is what I do.”

“I’m ignoring that, because we both know you love me,” Bo says cheerfully. “Getting back to my point, you know David’s not going to start hitting on some random guy from the team. He takes that captain shit seriously. So we’re going to help him out.”

“Like matchmaker?” Sasha asks, his expression, if possible, becoming even more skeptical.

It’s Bo’s turn to shrug. “Maybe. But in the meantime, we’ll be his temporary boyfriends. Have him over for dinner more often, cuddles, that kind of thing. Keep him from getting so lonely and wound so tight.”

Sasha purses his lips, his face scrunching into his adorable thinking expression. “Does temporary boyfriend mean sex?”

“Can you imagine David going for that?” Bo laughs, picking up his fork.

“Yeah,” Sasha says, his voice gone low and rough in a way that makes Bo freeze, a forkful of salmon halfway to his mouth.

He forces his hand to start moving again. “Goddamnit, Sash. No. The last time this happened the food was cold and disgusting after. Finish your dinner before you start talking dirty to me.”

Sasha grins back at him. “I have good imagination.”

“Fuck you, I know. Eat your damn dinner.”


Buy Link - Available on Kindle Unlimited





About the Author


Ariel Bishop is an American romance and erotica author who feels strongly that all love triangles are best resolved through healthy polyamory. She has been a reader of romantic and erotic fiction for the entirety of her adult life and draws on that experience as well as her own imagination to create original erotic stories. She lives in the Ozarks with her partners and their children, plus two bunnies that rejoice in the names Reginald von Pancakes and Snickers.

Social Media Links







Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card.




RELEASE BLITZ SCHEDULE




 
 

BLOG TOUR


Book Title: #IsHeHereYet: Being the person you want to be with

Author: Dr. Tony Ortega

Publisher: Ortega Psychology LLC

Genre/s: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, LGBT, Dating/Relationships, Motivational, Psychology

Length: 172 pages




Blurb

#IsHeHereYet: Being the Person You Want to Be With is an extremely raw (and funny) look at the perceived epidemic of being single in our quest for love. It dismantles the notion that there is something that we need to do in order to bring in "The One." Instead, it challenges you to be "The One" and see what shows up then. Regardless of the outcome, the end result will be the best version of you possible. This book is geared toward single and partnered people alike. Through personal and professional accounts of real life situations, as well as thought expanding exercises and meditation tools, the reader will leave with a greater understanding and concept of themselves. They will be able to "date themselves" and create the space to naturally attract loving and authentic relationships.





Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Availability: Paperback, eBook, International distribution










EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

Chapter 4: Stop Comparing

“Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.” - Marianne Williamson

One of the problems with social media is that you get to know what your exes and former flings are doing with their lives, sans you. I know that when I have seen posts from various exes or past flings that didn’t work out, my first questions are “Why him and not me?” or “Why am I the one still single?” If any of these questions pop into your mind, you are comparing yourself to others and devaluing your Essential Self. For God’s sake, stop stalking your exes on social media (I should follow my advice, no?). People post on social media what they want others to see. This is not always reflective of their reality.

In my relationship quest throughout my life, I always compared myself to my peers. Part of this was growing up gay in the ’80s and ’90s, but the other part was never teaching myself the value of who I am as a person. It was like breaking out the yardstick and measuring myself up against my peers and the portrayal of who "real men" are in mainstream media.

The origin of shame for me started from a very early age. I always felt different than others. I was always an overweight kid growing up. I didn’t like sports, so I was never physically active, despite my mother’s attempts of enrolling me in Little League baseball and karate (God, I am so physically uncoordinated). So my self-esteem was tied to my body image issues. This is another issue that is aggravated by media and advertising. Plus-size models and “bears” may be a thing now, but it wasn’t when I was growing up.

When that feeling of being different was the undercurrent of my life, the comparing ran rampant. Eventually, I did one of two things: I either isolated from others so they wouldn’t notice the difference, or I would overcompensate to become more acceptable. I rarely followed what it was that I wanted for myself unless it was in the comfort of my room with my nose in a comic book. I learned to conform to the expectations of others as best I could.

Comparing myself to others always involved shame. Whether it was the shame for being overweight, not being athletic, being single, or being gay (or insert whatever adjective or any other condition you can think of), I always found a reason to feel unworthy. I could have achieved the drop-dead gorgeous body or the athletic prowess of professional ball player or even had that amazing boyfriend. The bottom line remains that none of this defined me. I needed to make the journey to work through my shame and stop the comparing.

The most powerful thing I was ever able to do was to drop all expectations from others and begin the journey to find my path. I didn’t always get it right, as evidenced by my years of drug and alcohol use as well as dysfunctional relationships. However, I learned from trial and error and never gave up. Once I recognized who I truly am, the comparing dwindled significantly.

With regards to my sexual orientation, I was plagued with the idea that to be gay I had to be effeminate, have long hair, and work as a hairdresser (my family was in the beauty supply distribution business, so it wasn’t a far-fetched idea). To be a real man, I had to love sports and bang as many girls as I could. When I stopped measuring myself against others, I lost the need for labeling. I was able to make sense of my own life without the need to call something for what it wasn’t.

Another aspect of comparing ourselves with others involves societal labels. Dropping the need for labels is paramount in stopping the endless barrage of comparing ourselves to others. I am now completely comfortable in my identity as a gay man. I am a psychologist and coach. I love comic books and science fiction. I enjoy musical theater. And yes, I am obsessed with Idina Menzel, Patti LuPone, and Lady Gaga (but don’t care for Bette Midler). While stereotypical to some, these are choices I make. I also enjoy all things spiritual and metaphysical. I don’t enjoy sports at all but love the tight uniforms (wink).

Comparing and labeling appear to be a form of controlling our life experiences. If I look back at my life, one of the feelings I can remember is that I always felt powerless. I couldn’t initially understand why I always felt so different. When I started to acknowledge my same-gender attraction, I still felt powerless because I did not have anyone in whom to confide. Instead, I would sit back and just compare myself to others. Weirdly, it made my internal experience make sense. By comparing myself to others and labeling myself as different, I didn’t feel as powerless. I created a reality where, although I felt I had some semblance of control, I felt like absolute shit about myself. I felt separate, but at least not powerless in understanding the world around me.

Miracle Moment:

Who I am is my super power. When I am in my right mind, I know and feel empowered.

Today, I don’t shrink in the face of other people and play small. When I am playing small, I do nothing for myself and those around me. I am much more effective when I step right into my power as opposed to being the shrinking violet.

What I gained from comparing was not having to take responsibility for changing the things I could change about myself and accept the things I couldn’t. The recurring pattern I gained from staying in those maladaptive ways of being was one of taking zero responsibility. It was easier to stay exactly where I was because I didn’t have to walk through my fears and change.

Here’s the crazy thing: Shaming myself was so "normal" that I didn’t know how else to live. What would accepting myself 100% even look like? The concept was so foreign to me that I didn’t even know where to begin. The familiarity of comparison and self-shaming was easier to manage. I knew it, and it was like my best friend, albeit a very dysfunctional relationship. It was like telling myself to start walking on only one leg despite having two functioning legs. I didn’t know how to do that. Mechanically, it appeared easy, but it was different than what I was used to.



About the Author



Dr Tony Ortega is a first-generation Cuban American gay man. He is a licensed clinical psychologist, life coach, and author who has been in practice since 1992, currently serving the LGBTQ population in his private practice located in Brooklyn, New York. Tony (along with his teaching partner, John Davisi) is the co-creator of the movement, RawSexySpiritual: Spirituality for Gay Men (www.rawsexyspiritual.com). Tony combines cognitive behavioural techniques along with active coaching and metaphysical principles in his work with clients. Additionally, Tony provides spiritual life coaching for individuals seeking a different way to live. He works with his clients within these three principles: Rewrite Your Story, Find Your Voice, and Live Authentically.

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GIVEAWAY 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a paperback or an ebook version of #IsHeHereYet






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01/06/2018

Release Blitz - Waiting in the Wings (Upstaged #2) by S. L. Danielson and Cheryl Headford #newadult #mmfiction #gay #contemporary

RELEASE BLITZ



Book Title: Waiting in the Wings (Upstaged #2)


Author: S. L. Danielson & Cheryl Headford


Publisher: Extasy Books


Cover Artist: Extasy


Genre/s: new adult, mmfiction, gay, contemporary


Length: 62,790 words/188 pages




Blurb

The Von are on their way. With a recording contract under their belt and a tour opening for a popular band, the world is at their feet. For those left behind prospects are not so bright, especially with someone trying so hard to break them apart.

With the spotlight on The Von, no one sees the evil waiting in the wings until it’s too late.

 
Buy Links - Coming Soon




Excerpt

After a long moment of waiting for Asher to return, Vince heard the door open, albeit slowly. He put down his glass of orange juice and peered suspiciously at his friend. “Hey, what is it? Bad news in the mail, also known as bills?” he joked. Asher didn’t say anything, which worried him. He stood and walked over to him to look at what he had in his hands.

“I… It… I don’t know what to do.” Asher turned to Vince and grabbed his arms with bruising intensity. “Vince, I don’t know what to do.” He pleaded, begged, but there wasn’t anything Vince could say as his gaze flicked between the two photographs and Asher’s stricken eyes.

“Let me see them, please?” He wrested the slips of paper free from Asher’s grip long enough to see the photos and got the shock of his life. Glossy, set in some cool, trendy club surrounded by gorgeous people, Erik kissed a total stranger like he might inhale the guy and Billy was kissing a redheaded guy who looked very familiar.

What the… No. Not again. Wait. I know that guy… Holy shit, I know him!

Vince’s stomach twisted, and he covered his mouth, completely understanding why Asher looked ready to vomit. “We’ve been fucked over again? What the hell? There has to be an explanation. Drunk again…something… We have to… Shit. When they come online, I’m not gonna roll over for him again. What the fuck?” He tore from Asher’s grasp and tugged his hair, letting the angry tears come.

Vince grabbed the edge of the sofa and forced himself to sit down, his face buried in his hands. “What the fuck is going on over there? You know, I wish they’d never gone. I don’t care what it means to the band anymore; I want him home with me!” He kicked a textbook off the table, his anger evident. “Fuckers! I’m so sick of being lied to and being left behind. No one wants big, nice, sweet Vince! No one!” He leapt off the sofa, went to the kitchen, and hung his head over the sink. The tears wouldn’t stop.

He jumped when Asher’s hands slid around his waist and his head rested on the back of his neck. From the way his body shook, Vince was pretty certain he was crying, too.

“I wanted to believe him, Vince. I really wanted to believe him this time. I knew… I knew this was going to happen, it always does, but I-I worked so hard to convince myself it was different this time. That he was different.” Asher sniffed, rubbing his cheek against Vince’s back. “But he’s not different, Vince. None of them are.”

“I’d have sworn my Billy was different. I knew him before we even dated. Gawd, we couldn’t get enough of just hanging out together.” Vince turned and leaned his head against Asher’s. “I guess it didn’t mean very much to him, did it? If being away from us this short a time makes them do this…” He paused. His head and heart were in torment. He felt awful for Asher, too. He and Erik had a tumultuous relationship from the very beginning and although he’d thought it was fine, it sure wasn’t now. The computer beeped, and he glanced over. “Fuck. They’re gonna come online now. I don’t even know what to say.” He looked at Billy’s ring and wanted to toss it across the room.

“Well.” Asher drew his spine up straight. “I, for one, am going to get some answers. I don’t care what you do with Billy, but as far as me and Erik go, unless he has some pretty good reasons for what happened, this is it. We’re over.” The computer beeped again, and the call was live.



About the Authors 


S. L. Danielson

S. L. (Stephanie) Danielson began writing at the tender age of five. She knew it was her calling from the moment she put pen to paper. In her teens she began writing alternative works and the genre stuck. She created ever more elaborate tales and finally in her early 20’s years began to create works with her new love; male/male romance. She has since written more than 30 works (both solo and collaborations).

Stephanie is classically trained in business, accounting, and HR/training, possessing both an undergrad and graduate degree. She also owned and operated Romance First Publishing where the ultimate goal was to help other unknown, as well as known authors get their start in the publishing world.

Beyond writing, her other hobbies include: painting, gaming, and spending time with her husband and two cherished cats.


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Cheryl Headford

Born into a poor but loving mining family in the United Kingdom, Cheryl grew up in the beautiful and history rich South Wales Valleys, becoming the first in her family to attend university. Practicing law, as a family lawyer for over twenty years allowed Cheryl to learn more about human nature at its worst and best moments, and develop empathy and a view of life not limited by social standing or background.

Tapping into the heritage of her people that throughout Earth's ages welcomed the wandering bard into the hearts of their villages as keepers of lore, Cheryl trained as a Druid and brings the richness of her Celtic past and spiritual training to elevate her writing. Since a child, Cheryl has been fascinated with other worlds, which exist within and alongside her own and has reveled in creating worlds and characters for others to enjoy.

Despite lack of family support, Cheryl continued writing privately and eventually found the Gay Authors website. With the positive response and a warm welcome received, she found the confidence to pursue her passion to a greater degree. Feeling gay fiction was a woefully neglected corner of the market where readers were all too often presented as limited to erotica, Cheryl strives to write quality gay fiction where sex and sexuality is not the central premise. Instead, concentration is given to character and narrative development through storytelling that goes beyond the physical.

Cheryl still resides in Wales, UK, and enjoys writing, reading, art, and taking part in medieval reenactments.


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