The Soldiers Tale 4.5/5 and 4/5

The Soldiers Tale 4.5/5 and 4/5

The Paranormal Romance Guild's review for The Soldier's Tale is all kinds of awesome...

Rated 4.5/5 and 4/5 by two reviewers who then chat about the story...

"... I loved the story Chris Quinton described in the first book, bringing this book alive for me. I couldn’t imagine how that could be a smooth transition, but R.J. Scott, you worked a miracle. I loved it, I loved Daniel and Sean, I love how they meshed so slowly, learning friendship and trust and held the lust just ticking... The surprise at how this all fit worked well for me ..."
"... Ms. Scott manages to pack a lot into this short novella. There were times I wanted to cry, times I wanted to laugh and times I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen with the curse. There is a small amount of sex in the book, nothing graphic and very tastefully written. This is a nice afternoon read, a good romance mixed in with an ancient curse and family drama, what more could a reader ask for ..."

They had previously reviewed Chris Quinton's book in this trilogy, book 1, The Psychics Tale

Blurb
Corporal Daniel Francis has returned to his childhood home in England to heal; the only one of his unit that survived a roadside bomb. His reasons for skipping medication are based on a stubborn refusal to become an addict, and he is overwhelmed with survivor's guilt.

Doctor Sean Lester has joined his father's surgery and when he is held at knife point by a patient high on drugs it is Daniel that leaps to his rescue-much to his horror.

When Sean nearly runs Daniel down in the dark he finds a man who needs help, and resolves to be the person to show Daniel that it is possible to live through guilt and find happiness.

Set against the backdrop of the Fitzwarren family curse, The Soldiers Tale is a story of one man's fight to find his place in a new world outside of the Army.

Texas Heat is available on Amazon

Texas Heat is available on Amazon

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Riley and Jack Campbell-Hayes are doing well. Jack is expanding the Double D, Riley is close to his first ethical based contract, and Hayley is nearly ten and happy as all get out.

Jack hires Robbie, who is recovering from a loss, as his right-hand man. Riley's photographer friend, Eli, decides the Double D is perfect for a cowboy-themed model shoot and falls in lust with Robbie. Everyone except Robbie sees how perfect Eli is for him.

Against the backdrop of twenty half-naked male models on Double D land, Texas Heat is the story of one hot summer with a Gay Rodeo, a bar fight at the Rusty Nail, and a love between two men that grows stronger every day.

And don't forget Oracle is on sale at only $2.99 until 30 September...

What the f**k does RJ Scott know anyway?

What the f**k does RJ Scott know anyway?

My name is RJ Scott and I am a writer.

(Well actually my pseudonym is RJ Scott, but for the auspices of this post I am RJ Scott, writer).

Hello, my name is RJ Scott and I am a reader.

The two go hand in hand in my honest opinion. You can't improve your own craft unless you actually interact. An actor watches films, a surgeon watches surgery, a writer should read. Simple. I read a book every other day, quicker if they are shorter.

Problem is. Reviewing.

I have quite a few people following me on Goodreads (waves to my awesome GR friends list) and so, when I post something on there about writing I suppose I am approaching them as RJ Scott, Writer. However, I have had on about ten separate occasions had people say they read my book reviews and that they are interested in what I think of a book (hugs them all).

Thing is... and this is what I struggle with. Does me reviewing a book badly reflect on my writing? Do people sit there and say *What the f**k does she know? Her *insert RJ Scott book title here* was crap anyway*. Because of feeling like this, for two years of being with Goodreads, and reading so many MM books I have lost count, I have always been hesitant to post reviews.

Up until now, I have only posted a rating if I felt a book was worthy of a 4 or 5. Or if I read a book that I desperately think everyone should be reading because I love it so much. But now, what I want to do, is become a little more active in my reviewing and actually write a few sentences about which of my GR friends may like which book i read. I will still only post ratings for books that are 4s and 5s. 

I hope no one is offended by anything I write,  I will just try to be honest. I love contemporary romance with a HEA, so I will be biased in what I love. I also have my favourite authors, people like Chris Quinton and Marie Sexton, Diane Adams and Meredith Russell (and Stephani Hecht's hockey books *mainlines them*).

There will be a bias with them as well. I can't help what I love. That doesn't mean that some of my GR friends wont like the Sci-Fi I was confused with, or the shifter book that I didn't enjoy and I will make sure to add that in my recommendations... I am not an impartial reviewer. I just know what I like and I hope everyone is cool with that...

Please feel free to tell me I know f**k all! ROFL...

Happy Saturday... RJ XXXXXXX

What does writing GLBTQ literature mean to me?

What does writing GLBTQ literature mean to me?

When I began to consider this question I was a little unsure of how to get to a proper answer.

What it means to my family is that I am happy in what I am doing for a career. 

What it means to my friends is that I am happy in what I am doing for a career.

What it means to me is that FINALLY I am happy in what I am doing for a career.

Writing is something I have done all my life and I love it. It's just me.

Of course that makes no sense at all... I don't think it explains the motivation I have to write in this particular genre. So I thought back to WHY I write Gay Romantic Fiction specifically. 

If any of you read my blog from way back you will remember a post I made about Bromance. I can't even find it now... rofl... 

My first ever bromance (although I didn't realise it at the time) was a toss up between Battle Of The Planets and Famous Five (yes I know Dick and Julian were brothers). Then, still without realising, I moved on to various bromances up to where I first began writing, which was fan fiction for Battlestar Galactica (the original series), then of course onto the Jared/Jensen SPN stories.

What I like about bromances is what I want to write the most in my MM writing. The unselfish sacrifice, the strong men, the love that defies a label, the happy ever after. It makes me so mad when people imply that a gay man isn't allowed, or isn't capable of having, a happy ever after, or a romance, or even to experience an unselfish sacrifice made on their behalf.

So I guess what writing GLBTQ literature means to me is that it is in my heart to want to offer an escape from what people tell you that you can or can't have ... if that makes sense...

* * * * *

See more people blogging by checking the master list at: Rainbow Book Reviews Blog at http://rainbowbookreviews.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/the-rainbow-book-reviews-blog-hop-is-here/

COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED...

Winner to be advised asap...

Win a PDF from my back catalogue or get one of my upcoming books free by simply commenting on this post. Competition closes Monday 27th August at midday GMT...

Review: Texas Heat

Review: Texas Heat

Awesome review for Texas Heat from MM Good Book Reviews 4/5

"...The writing is smooth and so is the storyline, it does jump forward in time by a few months, but it is smoothly done so it doesn’t throw you. Riley and Jack are still as passionate about each other as ever, and Eli and Robbie scorch the pages as well ... I will recommend this to those who love sexy cowboys, hunky businessmen, horny photographers, cute kids, supportive family and a happy ending ..."

Read more here

Riley and Jack Campbell-Hayes are in a good place. Jack is expanding the DD and training quarter horses, Riley is so close to his first ethical based contract that he can almost taste it and Hayley is nearly ten and happy as all out.

Jack hires Robbie, a man recovering from a great loss, to be his right hand man. Meanwhile Riley's flamboyant mischievous photographer friend, Eli, decides the DD is the perfect backdrop for a cowboy themed model shoot. Eli has secrets not even Riley knows about but despite what he is hiding he falls in lust with Robbie at first sight. Everyone except Robbie can see how perfect Eli would be for him.

What happens when secrets spill and lies are discovered? And just how far will Riley and Jack go to play matchmaker?

Against the backdrop of twenty half naked models on DD land, and in the midst of fighting the oil establishment that just won't give Riley a chance, Texas Heat is the story of one hot summer in Texas with a Gay Rodeo, a bar fight at the Rusty Nail, humor, angst and a love between two men that just grows stronger every day.

Book 1 - The Heart Of Texas
Book 2 - Texas Winter

Love Is In The Title - Review

Love Is In The Title - Review


Lovely review from Elisa Rolle

"Short but in a way complete, Luke and Cameron’s story is warm and feels good. I see a bright future in front of them.
Amazon Kindle: Love Is In The Title

Deefur Dog Reviews and Excerpts

Deefur Dog Reviews and Excerpts

Deefur Dog


For over a year, widowed Cameron Jackson has tried to juggle his business with childcare for his two year old daughter...all while living with Deefur, a Great Dane who believes he rules the house.

Nannies last a day; some don't even make it through the front door if the self-proclaimed ruler doesn't approve. Something has to give. Enter Jason Everson, nanny, teacher in training, apparent dog whisperer, and the only man who seems to make it past the initial scrutiny of the king. Can Jason help Cam put his house in order and help to heal his heart?

*****

Black Raven's Reviews Deefur Dog by RJ Scott is an emotion filled romance that will make you laugh and cry. It is a feel-good read that will have you cheering as they fall in love and sighing when they finally make love. And it will leave you a little wistful when you have to say goodbye to this delightful family. Definitely a book for the keeper shelf.

Dark Diva's Reviews Deefur Dog is wonderful. There were times I wanted to cry but most of the time I was smiling and falling in love with characters. In Deefur Dog, Ms. Scott finds love in the unlikeliest of places and carries us along for the breathtaking journey. I could not put this one down. Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Samhain Queene!

Hearts on Fire Reviews True to her romantic style of writing, RJ winds a tale of lost love and love found again. Don’t look for a lot of hot sex in this book because you won’t find it. Pick this book up if you’re looking for a feel good romantic story and you will not be disappointed in the least.

Queer Magazine Online Reviews This is a wonderful love story which portrays that a nontraditional family has the same joys, sorrow, problems, angst, and love as any other family and does it extraordinarily well. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a wonderful, emotional love story with a happy ending.

Top to Bottom Reviews Deefur Dog is a touching and heartwarming family story filled with warmth, humor, and the belief in the power of love. Finding one soul mate in a lifetime is a gift; finding two is a miracle, and that wonder is wrapped up in a story revolving around truly wonderful characters.
If you’re a fan of the sweet and sentimental, with a healthy dose of romance and authentic emotion to top it all off, you’ll love Deefur Dog.

*****

Excerpt 

"That's an impossible deadline," Cameron Jackson snapped, aware of the frustration and exhaustion running through his voice. So much for staying calm he thought. He shifted the phone to his other ear, balancing his fractious daughter on one hip and pushing his Great Dane away with his other. He tried to concentrate on what his brother and business partner said but found it damn near impossible above the noise of barking dog and over-tired sobbing daughter.

"Dadda, wan' chocca," Emma whined, tears in her eyes, her small hands twisted in his hair, pulling just this side of painful. He wished one more time she would give in and have her nap. He needed an hour--only an hour--to make some decisions, to actually get some vital work done.

"Shhh, baby, Daddy's on the phone," he muttered, trying to jiggle his hip without losing hold of the phone clamped between his shoulder and ear.

"Cam?"

"Not you, sorry--I have Emma here--"

"I thought your new nanny--Elsa or something--y'know, the one with the mauve hair, was working well?" Cameron winced at the evidence of a mix of surprise and disappointment in Neal's words

And therein lay the problem. Yet again, for another one of those highly reasonable reasons his nannies gave, he and his daughter had been left in the lurch. Elsa "Purple Rinse" Saunders, highly recommended by the agency as being able to manage the most fractured and difficult of households, had lasted exactly three days.

"It was fine until Emma realized her mauve hair was actually a wig and pulled it off." The mousy brown curls thus revealed had looked okay to Cameron, but Elsa had pitched a fit. "Em gave it to Deefur who buried the damn thing in the garden." And Elsa had pitched another fit. He sighed, wishing he could see the humor even as Neal snorted down the phone. "She left yesterday."

"Jeez, Cam, I can't believe you let Deefur anywhere near her. I thought we talked about this?"

"I didn't let him. He got out of the boot room somehow."

"What? He can open locked doors now?"

"No, Neal," Cam had to rein his natural instinct for sarcasm, "he cannot open locked doors, I think the dog walker must have--I haven't got time for this. All you need to know is she said it 'was an impossible working environment' or some excuse--said she loved Emma but she couldn't..." his throat tightened with emotion, "and then she just left." The need to absolve himself of responsibility for her leaving asserted the urge for a fight. He needed to take his frustration out on someone, why not his baby brother? God knows since everything had hit the fan his brother had borne the brunt of his bad temper, on the job and off. Neal was used to it by now.

"Could you not have--" God, Neal is insistent.

"I didn't ask Emma to pull the wig off, or for Deefur to bury it."

"Okay. Okay... devil's advocate here bro--is you being pissed at the world in general the reason why you think we can't meet this new deadline?"

"No, it isn't the freaking reason!" Cameron swore. Immediate guilt filtered through him at cussing in front of his daughter, disappearing as soon as Deefur tried to push past him. He leaned harder against the dog to get him to stop rooting through the newly delivered groceries still sitting in piles by the door. A cabbage rolled tantalizingly around the floor just out of Deefur's reach. The sable haired Great Dane, easily the size of a small pony, pushed back, whining low in his throat, clearly wanting the damn cabbage. "Look, this is Adamson playing us off against the others. Neither of the rival bids they say they have, are gonna hit the target any more than we can. Certainly not without further off-plan changes, so whatever they threaten, they would be stupid to take the project elsewhere. We're two months into this. Why go out of state for a local job? It's not as if asking for bids from Seattle will be any better than what they get here in homegrown Tacoma."

Cam winced at the analogy although not an exceptionally good one. Tacoma was not a small town with one set of traffic signals, but a freaking urban Washington city. The third largest in the state in fact; a port hub and located right on the Puget Sound, and an area teeming with local color and history. Cam and Neal both believed strongly when customers wanted new builds, they wanted people who lived in Tacoma and had a feel for the work that needed doing. Someone who could design and build sympathetically, not some fly-by-night construction company without heart.

"Still, the threat is there, Cam, and to be fair..." Neal's voice tailed off. The brothers had been having this conversation on and off for months now and Cameron braced himself for the continued hurt. "I want to make this easier for you. Bro, I don't think your eye is on the ball here. Maybe we should re-evaluate things?"

"Re-evaluate what? This is our company; you shouldn't have to shoulder all the responsibility."

"Listen C, I said I wouldn't blame you if you needed a break from all this. You're grieving and you're going to make yourself ill." Neal's brutal honesty was delivered in the way only a family member could do. Cam appreciated how his brother had his back. Neal would, and could, run their thriving construction company on his own if push came to shove.

"No. Just--no." The company grounded him, and he refused to give up the only thing appearing to be working right. Besides, Neal warranted more from Cameron on a personal level and certainly more in the business as co-owners. He deserved someone who pulled his weight, whatever the stresses and strains in his life.

"Dadda..." Emma had a particular whine in her voice only a tired toddler could pull off to perfection. The right amount of cute mixed in with a teaspoon of impatience and a pint of attention-seeking monster. He shushed and jiggled her gently, allowing Deefur to move, because his leg alone could not hold back one hundred and forty pounds of dog intent on some great cabbage-eating adventure in the hallway. Half closing his eyes and shaking his head, he watched Deefur pounce on the cabbage with all the agility of a ten-week-old puppy, wide jaws closing around the vegetable with ease. Bang goes vegetables for dinner. Cam sighed. Neal continued talking, only now he had moved on to super-sympathetic-brother speak which Cam hated.

"It's not been long--"

Cameron reacted instantly. "Nearly two years, Neal, I'm fine." He wanted to stop this train of conversation at the source, not prepared, yet again, to go through all the whys and wherefores of his being a widower.

"You need a nanny, Cam. You can't keep letting them slip through your fingers."

"I didn't let her," he huffed irritated. Was Neal not listening here? "She hated Deefur, she refused to feed Emma fruit yogurt, and didn't approve of my lifestyle," he listed her faults quickly, shushing Emma when his raised voice started her whimpering into his neck.

"How the hell did she find out about your lifestyle? Did you tell her?" Neal used the same old argument, allowing sadness to overwhelm the rising temper. Neal counted himself as Cam's greatest supporter, but sometimes he could be so obtuse.

"There's pictures of us all over the damn house, what do you want me to do? Put away all the images of me and Mark? Of Mark with Emma? I'm not concealing who I am, and I am not hiding the man I loved from view."

"Cam--"

"Anyway, she turned out to be worse than useless. Deefur never liked her, wouldn't let her within five feet of him from day one."

"Deefur? Shit, Cam. He's a freaking dog. His opinion--"

"Dogs know."

"The dog you shouldn't even still have."

"He's Mark's dog." A simple statement, filled with all the emotion for what this meant. Quickly he realized what he had said. "Was Mark's--he's my dog--our dog. Emma's dog..." He tripped over his words and his voice tailed off in a hopeless way, the result of not really knowing how to defend what he had started to say. Yes, Mark had brought Deefur home as a puppy. Yes, Mark had the idea to have a dog, but Deefur was the family pet, Cam's and Emma's.

"He's an extra in your house you don't need." Neal had said this before and would undoubtedly say it again. "We talked about this. You need to get him re-homed. Make your life easier and put him up for adoption--"

"You want me to put Emma up for adoption as well?" The irrational response spilled from his lips before he could gather his thoughts. What did Neal want him to say? It seemed that the nannies would use any excuse they wanted, be it about him being gay, or Emma having an unconventional surrogacy birth, or having to deal with Deefur. All reasons why not one nanny lasted more than a few days.

"I never said you should put Emma up for adoption." Neal sounded way past hurt and Cameron grimaced. He had been way out of line. No one could question Neal's love for Emma, and Cameron didn't know why he had said what he had.

"I know. I'm sorry." Cameron let out another noisy exhalation and continued louder over the sound of crunching cabbage and snuffly woofing. "The Agency said they were sending someone else over. She should be here soon." Even as he said the words, the sound of the doorbell startled him, and he stumble-tripped over a family size box of Tide, righting himself with a shoulder against the wall and exclaiming down the phone, "She's here!" A flood of relief nearly overwhelmed him.

Deefur did his infamous imitation of what Mark had always called his 'The Hound of the Baskervilles imitation'; hurling himself at the door and baying like a lunatic. The whole door frame shook as the huge dog repeatedly tried to reach the person on the other side, pieces of cabbage being flung from his open jaws. The sudden barking started Emma off again with pitiful and very wet sobs into his neck, while she choked out "Daddy" and "chocca" over and over and over and--

"I'll call you back," he shouted down the phone to Neal, ignoring the faint, what the hell? before he disconnected the call.

Cameron lunged for the door, trying to pull back Deefur and at the same time not squeeze Emma to death in the current forty-five degree hold he had on her. He reached the handle past the confusing mess of panting, barking, swirling, jumping fur, and opened the door.

Only to see a small Toyota screeching away from the sidewalk in front of his house. He couldn't believe his eyes, looking up and down the deserted street to check again. Surely the woman leaving in the car couldn't be the last nanny on the agency books, leaving as soon as she'd arrived? His heart sank when the truth of what had happened hit home, and sudden, furious, self-pitying thoughts squirmed into his head. Damn it. Another prospective nanny bites the dust. This time Deefur was well and truly to blame; damned nanny didn't even get past the threshold.

Buying Kindle Books before they appear on Amazon

Buying Kindle Books before they appear on Amazon

I have lots of queries about when are books available for Kindle. Publishers often release books on their sites before they release to Kindle but you can buy Kindle books from the publishers and put them on to your kindle easily

Hope this helps... RJ... 
STEP 1

Buy the book and save it to your PC/Laptop


STEP 2

Find your Kindle e-mail address
Go to Amazon and log in
Find Kindle in the left hand menus or at the very bottom of the page
Then find 'Manage my Kindle'
Click on 'Manage Your Devices'

The email address you need is under the 'Send to Kindle Email Address'



Make a note of this address

STEP 3
Add YOUR own personal email address to your list of approved email senders
Remaining logged in to Amazon...
Click on 'Personal Document Settings'
Scroll to the list of approved Email addresses
Add the email address you will be sending the file from to the approved list
Then press *Add Address*


STEP 4

Email the mobi file to your kindle
ie. rj_777@kindle.com etc and attach the mobi file you saved to your computer.

Press send and the mobi will then be available on your kindle the next time your kindle downloads books

Splintered Lies (Shadow Of The Wolf Book 3) with Diane Adams

Splintered Lies (Shadow Of The Wolf Book 3) with Diane Adams

In the Shadow of the Wolf Series

Book 1 - Shattered Secrets
Book 2 - Broken Memories
Book 3 - Splintered Lies

The Book

Joe Christie is consumed with grief and when new information about his wife and baby comes to light his first instinct is to kill.
Nick Alexander is first and foremost Joe's best friend. When Joe met Mara, Nick stood to one side and respected Joe's decision to settle down, despite being in love with the man who was his lover.

Now, in the middle of a case that is murder and betrayal, he has to fight his love for Joe and the people that are trying to kill them both.

Buy Links - eBook

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Reviews

Joyfully Jay - 4/5 - ... So if you love shifters, add this series to books that you should read.

Excerpt

Chapter 1

Joe Christie changed from wolf to man in a single fluid move and lay naked in the long grass at the back of his yard. The run in the forest behind the house had been exhilarating and adrenaline pumped through his system. Finally, for a few short minutes, he would be at peace. The cool air wrapped around his body and he stared up. The sky was a brilliant blue and the air smelled clean this far from the city. The branches of the large oak tree—one of many that formed a natural barrier between the open lands and the yards—were twisted and gnarled in a jigsaw of shapes. It was easy to lay here and imagine he was in a time with no death and no loss.

The kids next door were playing, it sounded like a party. His neighbors, neither of them wolves, had a mix of human kids and juvenile wolves in their backyard. Probably on paper this was a recipe for disaster but so far he didn’t scent anything other than popcorn and barbecue. No fighting. No shouting.

That was what Mara had wanted for their baby. To have a place for their children in both societies—wolf and human. She even wanted their son or daughter to go to a mixed school. Joe hadn’t argued. He never did with Mara. She was a pureblood like him but she was progressive and sought the ideal of perfect integration.

“No pretend growling!” Joe recognized the male voice as that of his neighbor as he reined in the behavior of a particularly rambunctious child. Children didn’t shift before puberty, but the knowledge they would one day added a hint of danger to preadolescent friendships for human children. A young shifter pretending to be a wolf, chasing and growling as the human kids ran away squealing, was a favorite game of kids everywhere. Joe rolled over on his front to look down on the lower yard. “And put your T-shirt back on, Thomas James!”

Thomas James was clearly the kid jumping athletically on the monkey bars. Focusing on the parents, Joe read indulgence in their expressions. The exciting game of being chased by a wolf curtailed, the children returned to what appeared to be a more conventional game of tag. Secure in the knowledge he couldn’t be seen by those in the other yard, Joe continued to watch the children interact. He was lost in thought about how easily human children were able to accept the presence of the young wolf as opposed to most adult reaction. The kid couldn’t change into a wolf, but his agility and balance were more highly developed than a human child of the same age. There were other differences as well, but the children didn’t seem to notice or to care.

He hadn’t argued with Mara about the school, because he agreed. There would be a lot less violent crime between wolves and humans if kids were brought up to understand and accept one another. The idea of total integration in schools wasn’t a popular one. The youngsters would begin shifting in Junior High and High School, an idea that made many parents uncomfortable. Mara had believed with her whole heart the only way to true acceptance lay in understanding. He and Mara had been compatible even on such a controversial issue.

Mara.

Returning to his position on his back, Joe scented the grass as his body crushed the fragile stems. He could lie there all day and think about how she wanted a garden with flowers and vegetables, everything that would make their child’s home a good one. Monkey bars, wading pool, trampoline, and access to the miles of open land beyond. Their first child would have had the best and so would their next babies. All of them.

Only it didn’t happen that way, Mara. Joe’s voice was only in his head. He didn’t want to speak the words aloud. He’d done all that at the funeral. Six months and he had done so damn well at keeping it all in, he didn’t know why the past week or so he’d started to feel like he might come out of his skin.

“Joe?” The sound of someone calling his name drifted from the house and Joe closed his eyes. Nick.

Over the last few weeks he had avoided running with Nick. Though no longer Joe’s partner on the force and busy with fostering Mark, Joe’s best friend still made time to check on him every day. Joe knew Nick cared about him and he felt ashamed of the way he’d treated Nick over the last few months. But to run in the open spaces with the one person who could see right through him was a challenge he couldn’t rise to. Joe had been so close to acting on the attraction he had felt for Nick. He’d been closer to him than anyone in the world for a long time. Best friends for so long and sometime lovers, Joe had entertained thoughts of turning their relationship into something more serious when Mara had happened. Mara with her soft skin, deep brown eyes, and her promise of a family. He had made a choice and never regretted it. The decision had been a good one. Mara had been his other half for nearly four years, and at the end of last year they had celebrated her becoming pregnant. She’d had difficulty conceiving but fertility treatment at a new office in town had been their savior. The day Mara announced she was pregnant was the best day of his life.

“Joe?” Nick had walked around the house into the backyard and could probably scent Joe now. In a few seconds he would find him.

God. Suddenly Joe had never felt so damn vulnerable. Nick kept touching him, only trying to reassure, but if Nick laid hands on him one more time with his strange mix of emotion and raised pheromones, Joe was going to lay him out flat. He sighed. There was no way he was going to betray Mara by acting on instinct. He wasn’t some freaking wild feral wolf. He was urbane and cultured. Yes, he was naked, but he and Nick had seen each other post-shift a thousand times before. There was no need to suddenly feel vulnerable at the lack of clothes. Reluctantly he stood and walked the few steps to meet Nick on the patio. Nick didn’t look good.

“You look like shit,” Joe observed. Pushing past him and ignoring the familiar surge of lust that hit him with a powerful punch, Joe stalked into the house. Nick would scent the arousal. Joe couldn’t hide that any more than Nick could. They hadn’t acted on the attraction between them in years, not since Mara came into the picture. It didn’t matter what Joe had once imagined might have been between him and Nick; he had chosen Mara and he was loyal to the core.

“You been running?” Nick ignored the statement about how he looked.

“Are we asking the obvious now, Zander?” Joe slipped into using the shortened version of Nick’s last name as had been their childhood custom.

“Making conversation is all.”

Joe stopped in his trek towards the shower. Nick had something about him that didn’t speak of good news. A scent, the way he held himself, even the forced smile added to the effect.

“Nick?” Joe faced his childhood friend and saw fear in the other man’s eyes. Fear and sorrow.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” What the hell had Nick done? Why was he sorry? Anxiety gripped Joe and he stumbled back until he could feel the solid work surface in the kitchen behind him. “Nick?”

“It’s about Mara. Rob asked for her death to be re-examined—hers and the baby’s.”

“Why? They died because she was hit by a car.” Grief, so visceral it took his breath, cut into him.

“Her toxicology panel was clear. The baby’s showed signs of the inhibitor drug. The one they used on Sam and the other wolves.”

Joe would have stumbled back if he hadn’t had the hard surface to grip on to. How could their baby have been exposed to that drug? Why? What? Why was Nick standing there and telling him this? Why would he do that? It had to be a joke. Nick took a step closer but the confusing scents of shared pain and the need to comfort were all too much.

“No.” He forced the single word out. “Don’t touch me.” He couldn’t bear to be touched. It would fuck with his brain and he needed to think.

“Joe, I am so sorry.”

“Sorry for what? I don’t understand. Why did Rob ask for this? What made you all think that her death… Nick? What happened?”

Tears choked his throat. Fuck. He thought he had dealt with the agony of losing Mara. Imagined he had actually made his way past some of it. His beautiful wife, her belly swollen with his son. His. Son. Joe lifted his gaze and Nick held up a hand.

“Sam, the wolf from the first part of the inhibitor case, the one with no memory that hooked up with Doug—”

“I know who the fuck Sam is. What does he have to do with Rob and reopening Mara’s death?”

“He had information. Files. Last week he found evidence that there had been experiments on pregnant she-wolves using the same inhibitor that had been used on himself.”

“What evidence?”

“Nothing black and white, just an email from Quent to an unnamed senator. Quent was reassuring—” Nick stopped talking, like suddenly it was too hard to continue.

“Reassuring? Spit it out, Nick.” Get to the point where someone hurt my wife.

“Quent was reassuring an unnamed senator that no one would find out they had used the drug on a sample case. A cop’s wife. Mara.”

“How long have you all known?” Suddenly it was vital that Joe knew exactly how long his supposed best friend had been keeping this secret. And what about his cop partner, Dan? Did Dan know?

“It’s just Sam and Rob and now me. I only found out for certain last night. I came straight here this morning.”

Maintaining a façade of calm, Joe pushed himself away from the counter and left the kitchen to go to his bedroom. Nick followed.

“We need to finish this, Joe. We have to find out why.”

Joe ignored his friend as the anger banked inside him began to build. Numbly he went into the bathroom and started the shower. Leaving Nick standing uncertainly at the door, Joe climbed in and let the cool water wash away the sweat from his run. Nick was staring and Joe didn’t need to scent the other man’s confusion as it was clear on his face. Shower finished, he turned off the water, roughly toweled his hair, then pushed past his friend to reach the closet. Ice trickled through his veins. The passion of fire and revenge had subsided under cold hard focus. He dressed quickly—underwear, jeans, a blue T-shirt, and his holster—then keyed in the correct sequence of numbers and pulled his SIG from the gun safe.

After checking the weapon for bullets, he ensured the safety was on and slid it into the holster. Without a single second of hesitation he faced Nick head-on.

“Tell me one thing, Nick.”

“What?” Nick appeared similarly focused.

Good to know his best friend had his back. “Who do I need to kill?”

Writing Something New by Lucy Felthouse

Writing Something New by Lucy Felthouse

Firstly, thanks so much to RJ for having me on her site today, I appreciate it!

I've been writing for a few years now, in various genres and sub-genres of erotica, but although I'd penned straight, lesbian and ménage fiction, I hadn't gotten around to trying my hand at gay fiction. Recently, I finally did. I wrote a naughty tale about two soldiers out on exercise on Salisbury Plain. The story is called Ditched, and was accepted for publication by Resplendence Publishing and comes out in September. I'm very excited about my first m/m release, and hopefully it'll be the first of many!

Here's the blurb (though this may change before release):

Private Damien Stone is living in a nightmare. He's out on exercise on Salisbury Plain with Lance Corporal Michael Scott—who also happens to be a huge pain in the arse. He's a teacher's pet who seems to delight in bossing Stone around. But that's not the real reason Stone appears to dislike him so much. It's because Stone—who's bisexual—is seriously attracted to his superior, but he can't do anything about it, because Scott is straight. Or is he?

And here's a little unedited snippet from the story:

"This can't be fucking right!" said Lance Corporal Michael Scott, checking his map for the umpteenth time.

"I can assure you, Scott, that it fucking is," responded his colleague, Private Damien Stone. He nudged the other man, pointed to a place on his own map, then raised his arm and indicated a rise in the ground in the near distance.


Review: Meredith Russell and Dead Things

Review: Meredith Russell and Dead Things

It is always a difficult thing to review a book that a friend has written, especially such a close friend like new author Meredith Russell. I have been discussing this book with her since she had the very first idea and have read the final version at the many different stages.

I haven't seen a lot of zombie movies, or indeed many movies that make me jump. Case in point I spent over half of The Woman In Black behind a pillow.

Dead Things offers us a backdrop of a post virus world where there are, for want of another word, zombies. Creatures who are only have one instinct. The need for food.

When you are used to a certain world and being the top of the food chain, to suddenly be hunted by these monsters is a shock to everything you know.

This is where Dead Things comes into its strengths. Yes there are zombies, yes there is the fear for your life, yes people die. But at the core of it Devin is in a brand new world and he is struggling. He lost everything he held dear, his boyfriend, his life, and he has a sister that is his entire world because she is all he has left. He fights, but he doesn't have hope.

Then he meets Noah, a man who evidently is immune to the 'monster's bite'... and suddenly there is a glimmer of hope where there hadn't been any before.

The dilemma is, how much humanity must a man lose before he becomes little better than the monsters he is trying to kill.

A stunning world creation and bright vibrant characters, including two kick ass female characters, means that the tiny details of any normality are that much more stark.

There is no insta-love, no whining or crying, or sex every other page. This is a story of two strong men finding each other in a world gone to hell around them.

Recommended for people who enjoy good writing and graphic world building...

Back Home Reviews and Excerpt

Back Home Reviews and Excerpt

Back Home


Kieran Addison ran to London six years before when his attraction to his brothers lover, Jordan Salter, became too much to handle. He has only returned home once, and that was for his own brother's funeral.

When his dad becomes ill, he finally returns home for good, to take over the family business. He has to face the man that Jordan has become and the attraction between them that has never diminished.

Resentment and regret build, but when Addison Construction takes on a make or break renovation project, the two men are forced to work alongside each other to save the company.

*****

Dark Diva's Reviews - Back Home by is a delightfully engaging novel. Strong family ties and flawed characters provide added depth and authenticity to this well-plotted story. RJ Scotthas once again written a powerful and passionate romance that will resonate with her readers. Rated 4 Delightful Divas by K.B!

Hearts On Fire Reviews  I enjoyed the intensity of the men’s love of family and their willingness to go up against all odds to keep their company.

Literary Nymph Reviews Back Home is another intense emotional story by author R.J. Scott that’s filled with drama, pain and what it means to be part of a family.

Night Owl Reviews What I loved about this book was how Ms. Scott took her time to flesh out each character, what made them tick, their internal struggles. With each action and reaction, I felt as if I was there, with the character, feeling their frustrations, nervousness, elation. The way Jordan and Kieran slowly danced around one another, slowly closing in, until finally the ice was broken and they expressed their feelings for each other was equisite pain/pleasure.

*****
Excerpt

"J, are you coming?"

Jordan Salter jumped a little and glanced up from his work, refocusing tired eyes that had been intent on minute hand work on a three-by-three post of kiln-dried walnut. He widened them fractionally in the gathering evening gloom, blinking and attempting to make sense of the new focus of his concentration. The ache behind them was the icing on the cake--a by-product of the nagging headache that had tracked him all day and the need to concentrate on creating the intricate detail work that he was determined to finish. He closed his eyes briefly, gritty exhaustion in them, and he let out an almost incoherent, "Wha?"


Author Interview: Meredith Russell

Author Interview: Meredith Russell

Good afternoon Meredith! Congratulations on the release today of your new M/M romance ‘Dead Things’...

I just have to say that he blurb for the new book is awesome...

Buy from Silver

A deadly virus rages indiscriminately across the United States and then beyond. The survivors face a new terror--the undead creatures created in the wake of the infection.

Devin Reid is part of a group surviving out of a high-security penitentiary near Kansas City. Resources are limited and it's down to a handful of people like Devin to meet the demands on food and supplies. The newly-made monsters are hungry, and the survivors risk their lives scavenging the cities and highways.

On one fateful venture, Devin finds something, someone, with the potential to change a dark future, destined for blood and heartbreak, into one of hope and second chances. He finds Noah Weber.

* * * * *

RJ: How the hell did you come up with a story this immense and sweeping?
MR: It’s hard to remember where the story began really. Certainly, I have always been a fan of the horror genre in books, movies and TV, so I decided to start with something I know and love. I went with zombies just because it offered lots of possibilities to explore human reaction and the need to survive. It was quite interesting looking things up - like what would happen with power and food and things we take for granted. Not necessarily the usual backdrop of a romance story, but I have to say it was fun to create this world for my characters to exist in.


Competition - A writer is nothing without her readers

Competition - A writer is nothing without her readers

This weekend I am celebrating two years of being published with Silver and I am running a competition to thank all of you for your wonderful support.

A writer is nothing without readers.

To enter simply comment here with your email address...

Win a $50 voucher 
for your choice of either 
Silver Publishing
Amazon or 
Barnes and Noble


Competition closes midnight GMT (London)
on Sunday 12 August...


Events for this weekend:

An article on the things I have learned over the last two years (and believe me I have learned more but I had to stop writing somewhere!)... this can be found here: http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/RJScott.html

Articles written by some of my wonderful author friends that are listed below in an anniversary Blog Hop...

Competitions on a lot of my fellow author's pages on the Blog Hop

A facebook page pulling together all of their advice to new (and existing) authors... https://www.facebook.com/GlbtqAuthorResource

A competition on RJ Scott's blog to win a $50 voucher

* * * * *

Two years on... what have I learned?

Two years on... what have I learned?

This weekend is, more or less, my second anniversary of being a published author.

Things I have learned over the last two years range from growing as a writer, to understanding my audience and dealing with reviews... No one can tell you any of this is easy!

ON REJECTION:

Oracle was rejected by a publisher because the book was too much telling and not enough showing. One rather purposeful rewrite later the whole MS was subbed to a new E-Publisher, and they took it on their books. In hindsight not a brilliant idea, but to be fair they got me started.

What I learned from this, besides now having an almost fanatical approach to showing through dialogue and character interaction, is that rejection isn't the end of things.

ON COVER ART:

Speaking of which... cover art is where it is at! It doesn't matter if you have written the most perfect book ever to hit Word - if your cover is bleurgh or your title is bleurgh, then you won't get noticed. I don't know how many writers of M/M there are but I know there are *a lot*. Covers have to make your book stand out.

That leads me to titling your book

ON THE TITLE OF YOUR BOOK:

If you are writing your first book about shifters or cowboys or cops, then try and get something in your title that shows this. The Heart Of Texas as a title with the added art including a cowboy and horses sums up the book in that brief second you have for people to choose your book out of many.

Imagine the potential readers for a book titled *A Texas Shifter Cowboy And A Cop With A Kid At Christmas*! Okay so that is going a little far but you get the idea.

My first book was called Oracle.

Yeah, that really explains it's about an empath, an academic, and an ancient weapon bought to life!

Moments, my second book, was equally as unhelpfully titled.

I think I hit gold with *The Christmas Throwaway* which was published the first week of December 2010. Then of course book four blew it all with the rather strange title of *Kian*. (Yes I don't take my own advice!).

The Heart of Texas got me back on track though!

So I guess what I ended up getting my head around was that you need to think about the titles that stand out to YOU and go from there.

Just imagine if you were wanting to try a new author and you had ten seconds to choose one out of ten and you knew none of the authors...

The question I always asked myself was what makes me buy the book I have chosen?

ON REVIEWS:

I wrote an article on reviews six months ago - it can be found HERE.

What have I learned from the reviews I have received? I try to take the reviews you have and learn from what readers are saying. If enough people tell me that one of my books was slow or too fast, or not sexy enough, or *insert anything here* then I go back to that book and I find out why. Then I learn from it.

Of course the thing to remember is that no one will ever write a book that pleases every single reader, but listening to well structured opinion is vital.

It took me a year to come to terms with that.

ON PLANNING STORIES:

Plotter vs Pantser

I can't plan stories. By that, I mean knowing the beginning and end and also exactly what goes in the middle.

I am a *pantser*, meaning I fly by the seat of my pants. I know how a book starts and I have plot points I want to cover but I never plan. Why? It's simple. I get bored.

In my head the story is finished and I lose the impetus to write. Also my stories tend to build and move according to action and character, so to have a set response or direction in my head would be to stifle what my characters want to do.

(Is it just me or does that sound WAY pretentious! Smacks self...)

I ran a Blog Hop a year ago and the following articles were all advice that existing writers had for newbies... hopefully the links still work.
:)



The Psychic's Tale

The Psychic's Tale

Chris had a wonderful review for book 1 in the Fitzwarren Inheritance.

This is book 1 in a trilogy. I wrote The Soldier's Tale (book 2) and Sue Brown wrote The Lord's Tale (book 3).

The Paranormal Romance Guild said, "I loved the story, there is nothing that I did not like about it, except I wanted more!!!"

They added:

"The countryside is described in detail, and I feel the air, the buzzing flies, and the sun as I read. I walk the paths with the two men looking for clues to help Mark, and when he reads on stone from long ago how to remove this curse, I shudder for fear for both of them. The words When the one who reads the earth, joins with he who sees beyond ...That is certainly Mark and Jack… Their meeting was cast in stone hundreds of years before...Goosebumps.

They are reviewing Soldier's Tale next... *Bites nails*

You can buy The Psychic's Tale from Silver direct or the usual outlets including Amazon

BLURB:

"I curse you and your children's children, that you shall all live out your allotted years, and that those years shall be filled with grief and loss and betrayal, even as you have betrayed and bereaved me."

Four hundred years ago in rural England, a mob burned two men to death, but not before one of them, Jonathan Curtess, hurled a dreadful curse at the mob's leader, Sir Belvedere Fitzwarren. The curse has followed the family through the centuries, bringing grief and loss to each generation.

Mark Renfrew is a closeted psychic and openly gay. When his grandmother discovers a family link to a 17th century feud and a still-potent curse, she insists he investigates and do his best to end it. When he travels to the village of Steeple Westford, he meets and falls for Jack Faulkner, an archaeologist. He also meets the Fitzwarrens, who are facing yet another tragedy.

Then Mark learns that the man who cursed them had twisted the knife by leaving three cryptic conditions that would lift the curse, and he knows he has to try to break the curse his ancestor had set.

Books in this series...
Book 1- The Psychic's Tale by Chris Quinton
Book 2- The Soldier's Tale by RJ Scott
Book 3- The Lord's Tale by Sue Brown

Dark Diva's Reviews

Dark Diva's Reviews

The Fireman and the Cop I fell in love with Matt and Finn as I read the story. Their personalities meshed so well and the humor and wit written into their characters was frank and thorough. Ms. Scott allowed for each man to personally develop as the story unfolded and their lives became our own.

A Better Man After reading A Better Man, I am encouraged that there is truly good in the world and that everyone deserves a second chance; at life and love. I look forward to reading many more chapters of The Men of Halfway House.

A Better Man has made it to the top of my all-time favorites list.

Full Circle Once again, Ms. Scott has another winner to add to her ever-growing list of accomplished works. Full Circle does not disappoint; with suspense, intrigue, as always, great sex, and a very interesting twist at the end of the story. Of course this twist leaves the door wide open for more of this hit series.

Still Waters The emotional roller coaster that surrounds Adam and Lee spring from the pages and would not allow me to put the book down. Ms. Scott had me sitting on the edge of my seat cheering for the men in their professional roles but more importantly wanting their personal lives to be reignited in passion, lust and love. This reviewer was not disappointed and I anxiously look forward to reading Manny’s story in the next book. Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Evelise!

Guarding Morgan I am a huge fan of character driven plots, loving the angst and torture characters suffer through to find their ultimate happiness. That’s not to say I don’t love a good action-filled story either. What Ms. Scott has achieved is a wonderful blend of both character development and a storyline centering around action. Rated 4 delightful divas.

Deefur Dog Deefur Dog is wonderful. There were times I wanted to cry but most of the time I was smiling and falling in love with characters. In Deefur Dog, Ms. Scott finds love in the unlikeliest of places and carries us along for the breathtaking journey. I could not put this one down. Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Samhain Queene!

Moments - Moments by RJ Scott is a multi-layered novel of redemption with an engaging cast of characters. Jacob’s recovery is realistic and sometimes painful to read as he realizes he is ultimately responsible for the path his life has taken. Ethan and Jacob take the time to slowly and carefully cultivate their budding relationship, and the passion between them is explosive. RJ Scott delivers a well-developed character driven novel that you don’t want to miss. Rated 4 Delightful Divas by K.B.!

The Soldier’s Tale Together with Mark and Jack, Sean and Daniel help to weaken the curse and learn more about what could break it completely. The Soldier’s Tale is a heartfelt and a painful journey toward seeing yourself as others see you. Daniel is an amazing character. RJ Scott has done a brilliant job continuing the tale. Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Samhain Queene!

Shattered Secrets by RJ Scott and Diane Adams Rob and Jamie are sexy, hot, and you want them to push through all the ugliness to reach their happily ever after. I look forward to reading more of the intriguing world [they] have introduced us to in Shattered Secrets. Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Samhain Queene!

Back Home - Back Home by is a delightfully engaging novel. Strong family ties and flawed characters provide added depth and authenticity to this well-plotted story. RJ Scotthas once again written a powerful and passionate romance that will resonate with her readers. Rated 4 Delightful Divas by K.B!

Kian - Overall Kian: The Fire Trilogy Book 1 is a tale of love, magic, and fulfilling destiny. I certainly plan on reading more from this talented author. Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Doug!

Rainbow Book Reviews

Rainbow Book Reviews

I was so pleased to recieve an awesome review for The Decisions We Make from the fantastic new review site Rainbow Book Reviews. The review was lovely and is for a book that was written as a Young Adult book but which appears to cross over into adult reading as well...


The Decisions We Make - If you like angst-y stories, if the task of growing up in today's world baffles you but you’re curious about the way kids deal with it, and if you think you can survive one heck of an emotional roller coaster ride, then give this book a chance. I don’t think you'll regret it- I certainly didn’t!



Sign Up Page for Anniversary Blog Hop

Sign Up Page for Anniversary Blog Hop

If you want to be included in the RJ Scott anniversary blog hop for the weekend of 11 -12th August then simply sign up with your post title and link...

All you need to post to your own blog is some advice for new authors, or an experience you want to share. What was it like to hold your first book? How do you handle reviews? Do you have an agent? What experiences have you had with editing? Art? What mistakes have you made? What have you learned from them?

Note: The link can just be to your website - it doesn't have to be to a specific page as long as your article/post appears in time for Saturday...

Simply click on the *Click here to enter* and type in the title of your post preceded by your name i.e.

RJ Scott: Two years on. . . what have I learned?


This post on my website will then become the place you can grab the blog hop code from below to put in your post. I am happy to help and explain to anyone that is wondering what they need to do... rofl

* * * * * 




Texas 3 Competition

Texas 3 Competition

Winner: margaret*****@***.com


CONGRATULATIONS!

Win a copy of the third in the Texas 'verse - out 18 August 2012... BUY LINK

(or a choice from my back list, or a future book if you have already pre-ordered T3)



Blurb:

Jack hires Robbie, a man recovering from a great loss, to be his right hand man. Meanwhile Riley's flamboyant mischievous photographer friend, Eli, decides the DD is the perfect backdrop for a cowboy themed model shoot. Eli has secrets not even Riley knows about but despite what he is hiding he falls in lust with Robbie at first sight. Everyone except Robbie can see how perfect Eli would be for him.

What happens when secrets spill and lies are discovered? And just how far will Riley and Jack go to play matchmaker?

Against the backdrop of twenty half naked models on DD land, and in the midst of fighting the oil establishment that just won't give Riley a chance, Texas Heat is the story of one hot summer in Texas with a Gay Rodeo, a bar fight at the Rusty Nail, humor, angst and a love between two men that just grows stronger every day.

Sequels and Prequels

Sequels and Prequels

I have been asked on more than one occasion for a sequel or even a prequel to an existing book.

This last week I have been on holiday and away from a computer *twitch*. This has given me a lot of time to think.

I have recently read Clare London's True Colours (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/378068412) which I enjoyed and which has three sequels for the main guys.

Each sequel is very short, and the two I have read were hot sex scenes wrapped with expansion to the universe created in True Colours. They were very well done.

I want to revisit characters from Back Home, One Night, Moments, The Soldier's Tale and maybe (and this is a MAYBE!) Throwaway.

BUT, none of these books call for a 40,000 - 60,000 sequel. So, again I am revisiting the idea that I should write some more in each 'verse.

I am thinking there are two ways of doing this...

I could write an anthology with a selection of stories, maybe each revisit could be 12 - 15,000, but what if someone who enjoyed One Night hated Back Home, or what if the only RJ Scott book they have read is Throwaway (more than likely!) and they don't want to pay a bigger price for just a small catch up to Ben and Zachary.

The other way I guess to do this would be to do what Clare London did and publish a shorter *coffee break* type book that revisits each book as I see fit?

What do you think?

Meredith Russell - M/M writer and Zombie lover...

Meredith Russell - M/M writer and Zombie lover...

Romance, Zombies, and Not-So Leading Ladies.

Hi, I'm Meredith Russell, and I'm here to introduce myself and my upcoming release Dead Things. Writing this story has allowed me to combine three of my favourite things: Romance, Zombies, and Strong Female Characters.

Romance: despite the blood-soaked setting, I am at heart a romance author. Whether as reader or writer, I want nothing more than a happy ending for the story's leads. Of course, I expect our heroes to come up against a few obstacles along the way, it makes the relationship they're embarking on just that little bit sweeter. I like to see characters come together and overcome physical, mental or emotional struggles and finally find some peace and happiness – preferably in each others arms and with lots of kissing and caressing of manly chests.

Zombies: not the most romantic of settings, I know, but it's a genre I completely adore, and what's more hindering to a love story and potentially mood-killing than a bunch of zombies stalking our characters?