Tag: M/M Romance

Guest Post | Cinnamon and Strawberries by K.L. Noone

~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 1 Comment

Release Day

K.L. Noone is here, and today is the day Cinnamon and Strawberries is released! Since K.L. Noone is a fellow JMS writer, I happen to know you can get it for 20% off if you hop on over the JMS site.

It’s my son’s birthday, so I’ll just hand over the reins and let Ms Noone take it from here while I go back to the party (without guests since Covid and all that).

Thanks to Ofelia for letting me drop by to post about my new release and share the holiday love!

I write a lot of m/m romance (and sometimes f/f or m/f with bisexual characters!), and I love historical romance—I love the settings and the stories, the sense of place and time, and shared emotions across centuries. I also love stories about stories: how important they are, how they connect us, how we fall in love with them and through them. Along those lines, “Cinnamon and Strawberries” is a bonus holiday story for my Character Bleed trilogy (Seaworthy, Stalwart, and Steadfast), which is about actors filming a Napoleonic War-era gay love story, and falling in love amid historical costuming and sailing ships and early mornings and hot coffee.

In this bonus story, Jason and Colby have said the I love you to each other, have won a few battles with fear and self-doubt, and have more or less moved in together after filming—but now it’s right before Christmas, and they’ll have to navigate their first holiday season together! Not to mention Colby’s birthday, which is also coming up—and comes with a few ugly memories from his past. But Jason’s determined to make everything as perfect as he can…

“Cinnamon and Strawberries” includes holiday decorations, cinnamon-infused mead, and breakfast in bed—plus some interestingly naughty uses for ribbon! It was sheer fun to write, because I love these characters and their story so much—and I hope you love them too!

~K.L. Noone

Want to know more about Jason and Colby, or check out my other books, or just drop by to say hello? You can find me on twitter or instagram, or follow me on the blog! And here’s my Amazon author page, and my JMS Books author page!

cinnamonandstrawberries

Jason and Colby fell in love on a movie set, and found their own happy ending. But now that filming’s over, they’ll have to figure out what’s next, as holiday bells start ringing in the air.

Jason’s ready to move in forever if Colby asks—but he’s not sure Colby’s ready for that. Colby’s hoping Jason wants to stay—but has a hard time believing in promises.

Together, they’ll face their first holiday season as a celebrity couple, complete with breakfast in bed, new uses for sparkly ribbon, mince pies, and learning how to live together…and a few surprise celebrations.

Buy Links:

JMS Books: https://www.jms-books.com/kl-noone-c-224_279/cinnamon-and-strawberries-p-3592.html

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cinnamon-Strawberries-K-L-Noone-ebook/dp/B08PG471T3/

Excerpt:

“Not sure I’ve ever had a real mince pie.” Jason had become sidetracked by traditional holiday foods. “It’s got…raisins?”

“And currants, and apples, and mixed peel, and in my version brandy and a bourbon cream sauce. I’m absolutely going to need a new suit fitting before our premiere. Speaking of, did you see Jill’s text?”

“About meeting up whenever we’re back in LA to see my family? Yeah. I’ll check with Mom tonight and we can figure out the timing.” Jason’s hands snuck beneath Colby’s jumper, under violet knit, resting over bared skin. “You feel nice.”

“I’ve put on weight.”

“Nice,” Jason repeated, with some emphasis; Colby knew perfectly well that those big soulful brown eyes worried. Jason had never liked how thin he’d been, back when he’d kept forgetting to eat and hadn’t bothered cooking much and hid cold weary bones under layers of shirts and scarves and armor.   “You want me to make lunch? Something with stuffed peppers and sweet potatoes, maybe? Something easy.”

“I do love it when you cook for us.” He did. Jason was in fact an excellent cook, having grown up with a mother and grandmother who held very loud Italian opinions about sauces and risotto and garlic. Jason had, before Colby, got out of the habit of making anything, living alone and single in Los Angeles and not going to the trouble; but he’d always liked cooking for partners, he’d said, if someone wanted him to, and the hint of bashful embarrassed hope had gone straight to Colby’s heart and woven gold into all the cracks.

They tended to cook together, these days.

He tucked his face into Jason’s neck for a moment. “You smell like pine needles and guava.”

“The first part’s your candles. Also you know I borrowed your soap, in the shower. You were there. Mine’s almost out.”

“We should do some shopping. And I was still a bit fuzzy after all the magnificent sex. You’re lucky I was coherent enough for proper sentence structure. If I was. Did you say something about icing sugar, or did I?”

“You did. Like being decorated, you said. Lots of white splashes all over you. And cream. Can I decorate you some more?”

“Yes,” Colby said, and curled a finger around a belt-loop of Jason’s jeans. “Right now? Right here?”

Jason visibly considered—and liked— this suggestion. But glanced around. “The curtains’re open. And those reindeer are watching.”

“The reindeer are happy you’re here. And we’re on the first—sorry, I’ll try to remember to speak American—second floor. And there’re lights and snowflakes all over the windows. Could you perhaps do something with that ribbon and my wrists?”

“Sometimes you are an exhibitionist,” Jason said. “I mean, not seriously. You wouldn’t and I wouldn’t. But kinda. You like thinking about it. Me putting you on your knees in the middle of the living room, or getting you off in the men’s room after that planetarium show, my hand on your cock and my fingers in your mouth, keeping you quiet…”

“That one was your idea,” Colby protested. “I looked too happy, you said. Irresistible.”

“Like now.” Jason tugged at his jumper; Colby lifted arms so Jason could peel it off over his head. “Secretly kinky. Into the reindeer watching. Telling me to tie you up with holiday ribbon. Adorable innocent Colby Kent. No one’d ever believe it.”

“I’m not innocent.” He tried for a scowl, didn’t mean it in the least, gave up. “It’s just what people think. You know I’m not.”

“You’re you.” Jason traced a line along Colby’s collarbone and chest: down to one nipple, taut and eager. Then began playing with it: tugging, teasing, pinching. “My cream puff.”

Colby whimpered out loud, shameless and thrilled. His trousers felt tighter, arousal building.

“On your knees, like you want,” Jason said, and Colby knelt, gazing up, devout and willing.

Jason stepped away, picked up a coil of ribbon—dark red and glittering gold, slightly stiff edges for decorative shaping and bows, several inches wide—and came back. Colby watched him.

Jason was so beautiful. Tall and large and thoughtful, he filled up a room simply by existing: not because he had any particular need to take over or prove himself, but because he was broad and generous and a shield for others. Colby loved him and would jump in front of a runaway sleigh for him and would forever readily kneel for him, trusting Jason with everything he was.

He thought suddenly that perhaps Jason needed to know that; perhaps Jason needed some reassurance as well. Jason did a lot of taking care of him, and had hung lights and put up garlands without complaint, and now was indulging Colby’s mildly kinky fantasies, just because Colby had asked.

Jason brushed the end of the ribbon across Colby’s throat, down his bare chest, over tingling electric skin. The whisper of it quivered bone-deep.

Guest Post | Heathcliff and the Sexy Whippet by A.M. Fox

~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 3 Comments

Guest-Post

Today, A.M. Fox here to talk about the years he’s had and his first published book, Heathcliff and the Sexy Whippet. Take it away, Mr Fox.

A blog post about Heathcliff and the Sexy Whippet, by A.M. Fox

When I was lucky enough to get a blog spot on Ofelia Grand’s blog Island of love, I was rather worried.

What to say about books during a pandemic?

How to come across as neither dismissive of the state of the world, or crazed with anxiety?

You know how it is.

I started writing Whippet as a way of blocking off everything going on outside. Writing is my panacea; my support and comfort. The only thing that keeps me (almost) sane. This year, I’ve written around 200K. One and a half novels, a novella and some shorties, which constitutes a lot of manic brain cells and ear tugging.

I love Wuthering heights. Have you read it? What a twisted, fucked-up book it truly is, all the more so because of when it was written. First time I read it, I was a teenager, too young to comprehend the abyss of abuse and bitterness it depicts. Now, I know better. It’s hardly a romance but it is haunting. In some weird way, it has stayed with me through the years, knocking on my window.

Sexy Whippet is a far cry, being romantic, happy and contemporary. The main character, Sean, lands up with a job he’s not prepared for. That’s happened to me a few times… He’s still busy with the film but agreed to let me interview him for this blog. Of course, he’s doing my hair as we speak and Heath wanted to be here too.

Sean, can you tell us what you first noticed about Heath?

Your hair is a mess! I’m just going to untangle these knots so excuse if I tug. It might hurt but it won’t be agony. No pain, no gain! Heath? Ur, well. First time I saw him, he was dressed to kill in a cloak and riding boots. I think he was carrying a crop!

Is that what caught your eye?

No, no it wasn’t. To tell you the truth I’d forgotten my glasses so I couldn’t see too well anyway. I could make out his shape, but it was only when I wrestled him to the floor that I smelt him.

Wrestled him to the floor, you say?

Um. Yeah. Sounds harsh but it was necessary! He moaned but I was more worried about Daffodil, the huge doggy.

So what did you notice?

Heath smelt of olives and so I knew he was in trouble and needed my help.

Sean has bounded off and so I’m turning the interview over to Heath, who sits in the corner reading.

How about you, Heath? What did you first notice about Sean?

I’d like to say it was his smile, which, as you’ve no doubt noticed, is gorgeous? But it wasn’t. The very first thing I noticed was the suit he wore for the interview.

It was nice?

No. Absolutely horrible and made for someone three times the size of Sean. He looked as if he was hiding inside. I felt sorry for him, until he had me on the floor crawling on hands and knees. Then I—felt something else.

Heath has wandered across to Sean and we leave them, kissing.

When was it released? December 4th!
Where is to for sale? All the normal places.

books2read.com/HeathcliffAndTheSexyWhippet

Excerpt:

I fetched some products and instructed him about their use. ‘Smells very clinical. I think it’s best if I wash your hair and bathe you, from now on,’ I said, ‘you need to feel the experience of being the patient, rather than the doctor. I don’t mean a full body bath,’ I hastened to explain, hotly. ‘You could keep underwear. If you absolutely insist.’

‘I’m not going to argue,’ he said, ‘you’ve got magic hands. I don’t know what it is but you make me so calm. Help yourself. Actors don’t mind nakedness.’

He leaned back against the sink while I died a silent death, arranged his tresses and wished for the millionth time that he did not already have a boyfriend. I had heard about people clicking from the first meeting, but it had certainly never happened to me before. When he was around, I was able to chat and share in a way that was unfamiliar and alluring. ‘Just relax.’

I showered and lathered, massaged and played. Heath closed his eyes and I got perfect opportunity to examine his masculine jaw and neck. I’m not sure where I got the confidence but I began soaping around his neck and ears, too, and then down onto his chest. I caressed, pouring all my care into my fingers and hoping it went onto him. I spent a long time on his nipples and stomach. When he moaned, my trousers became tight.

‘Jeez,’ he murmured. ‘Don’t stop.’

Thank you, Ofelia, for inviting me here, and thank you for the Mince Pies!
A.M. Fox

Heathcliff and the sexy WhippetA Christmas feel-good tale of snowy, cobbled streets, unfulfilled desires and the sexiest whippet in Yorkshire!
When bubbly Sean Miles applies for a job with a film company, little does he realise what he’s getting into. As an experienced dog groomer, he’s great with fur and claws and loves a poochie cuddle, but has never offered human treatments. Until now.
Heath Mailer is playing the character of Heathcliff. Dark, brooding and intense, the lead actor can scowl aplenty but when he’s in trouble he doesn’t know how to ask for help. Who’s going to offer a hand to Mister Moody?
Forced to work together, Sean and Heath discover some unusual techniques that not only aid the production but also get to the heart of what ails the lead actor. Whoever said dog therapy can’t work on people?

Cover Reveal | The Hunted and the Hind by A.L. Lester

~ Ofelia Gränd ~ Leave a comment

Cover-Reveal

We’re gonna take a short break from the holiday stories – there’s a life after Christmas after all – because today, A.L. Lester is here to show off the cover of her coming release. I love it. So pretty!

Hello there everyone and thank you so much to Ofelia for inviting me to visit today! I am popping in to bring you the cover of The Hunted and the Hind and tell you a bit about it, and the Lost in Time universe.

Hunted is the third in my Lost in Time 1920s London trilogy, although as you may gather from the cover, at least some of it takes place elsewhere! The Lost in Time Universe is based around an old green book. It’s definitely not a book of magic. It’s simply a book of instructions. Instructions to use energy to make things happen. To get what you want.

Be careful how you use the book. Because everything you do comes with a price.

The universe gets it name because the first book I wrote begins with a magical accident that results in one of the main characters getting pulled back from 2016 to 1920. Everything else sort of went on from there! You can read more about the universe and the order of the books on my website.

Hunted jigsaw

At the end of book number two, Shadows on the Border, poor Sergeant Will Grant got sucked through the border after Fenn, who returned to their home in the Outlands with the murderous creature they’d finally captured with the help of Will’s police team. It took me ages to work out what I wanted to write in Hunted because I never actually set out to write a trilogy–this is one of the downsides of discovery writing, which I have now rather learned to my cost. There were so many loose ends I wanted to tie up to feel that I’d satisfactorily ended the series, for both readers and for myself. It took me three rewrites to get the story knocked into a shape that I feel happy with.

Without further ado…here’s the cover (and the blurb!) for…

TheHuntedendtheHide3

The Hunted and the Hind

Inadvertently tumbling through the border after Fenn and then thrown into the middle of the internecine political disputes of their people, Sergeant Will Grant of the Metropolitan Police has spent three months in prison in the Underhalls of the Frem. When Fenn comes to free him and return him home through the border, he has very little time to work out what’s going on before the sudden appearance of Fenn’s missing younger sibling Keren throws Fenn for a loop.

Instead of returning them to London as planned, the trio step through the border to the Egyptian desert. Once they work out where they are, it’s a two week trip back to England with the possibility of pursuit both onboard ship and when they reach home.

Will the journey give Fenn and Will time to resolve the feelings they have been dancing around since the day they met? How will they keep Keren from recapture by the faction who tried to persuade Fenn they were dead? And has Will’s friend Alec forgiven Fenn for lying about their motives when they first traveled to London four months ago?

Preorder from the publisher, JMS Books!

About A. L. Lester

Ally Lester is a writer of queer, mostly paranormal, historical, romantic suspense, usually set in the Lost in Time universe. They live in the South West of England with Mr AL, two children, a badly behaved dachshund, a terrifying cat and some hens. Likes gardening but doesn’t really have time or energy.  Not musical. Doesn’t much like telly. Non-binary. Chronically disabled. Has tedious fits.

Find all my links at my lnk.bio page