Shira Anthony ~ Symphony in Blue

Release Date: December 25th
Available Dreamspinners Press

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Blurb:

Are you a fan of the Blue Notes series? Would you like to know where the couples from the first four books are now? This is your chance to catch up! Aiden and Sam are finally getting married. But when Cary and Antonio’s baby daughter makes her appearance a bit earlier than planned, the big reception is put on hold. David Somers normally conducts orchestras, but this time he devotes his energy to “conducting” his friends so that everyone can join him at his Milan villa for a reunion at an intimate Thanksgiving dinner.

Sam and Aiden, Jules and Jason, David and Alex, and Cary and Antonio are soon assembled, and each couple shares something they are thankful for. Played out in four movements, this symphony is a celebration of friendship and love, orchestrated by David.

Excerpt:

DAVID TAPPED his cellphone, shoved it in his pocket, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“Something ruffle the maestro?” Alex grinned up at him from the couch, his bare feet tucked underneath him, a pile of staff paper scattered about the floor and coffee table. He’d printed out a score for a new composition and managed to knock it off the printer tray. Of course, all the page numbers at the bottom of the sheets were cut off. Damn thing was at least thirty pages and would be a nightmare to organize.

“Nothing that can’t be managed. Unlike your score.” David raised an eyebrow and Alex saw the ghost of a grin on David’s face. “You could just reprint it, you know.”

“What? And waste paper?”

“You’re stubborn,” David said as he picked up several of the pages and set them on the coffee table before joining Alex on the couch. When Alex said nothing, David leaned over and feathered several kisses over Alex’s neck. “Delightfully so, of course. But stubborn nonetheless.”

Alex sighed contentedly and pushed the rest of the music onto the floor. Fine. He’d reprint the damn thing. Later. “Who was on the phone?”

“Aiden.” David spoke the name with his lips so close to Alex’s ear that Alex nearly gasped. David’s voice just did that to Alex—that sexy baritone seemed to resonate through every part of his body. Alex was pretty sure David knew what it did to him too.

“Aiden? I thought he and Sam were in Australia.”

David pulled away and offered Alex a sardonic eyebrow. “Austria.”

“Oh, come on!” Alex laughed. “You know I can hardly keep track of my own schedule. Now you expect me to keep up with his?”

“Not even the correct continent.” David went back to kissing him. “What was he calling about?” Anything to keep David focused on his neck.

“The party in Connecticut is off. They’re also postponing the civil ceremony in New York for now.”

Alex shot up off the couch. “What? But we’ve been planning the reception for six months now! It’s only two weeks away. What the hell happened? Are they okay? I mean…. Shit. You know what I mean.”

David smiled—a strange expression for someone who’d just learned that he’d wasted four months arranging the party to celebrate Aiden and Sam’s wedding. Caterers, musicians, guests, and a dozen different schedules to coordinate.

“Okay. Fess up. Why are you smiling?”

“Aiden and Sam are fine. They’re just postponing it.” David appeared entirely calm. Too calm. Happy, even?

“Postponing? They’ve been doing that for two years now.”

“Three.”

“Fine. Three years. So why are you happy about it?” Alex pressed. Of course, David was yanking his chain, but he liked that. Anyone who thought David Somers didn’t have a sense of humor simply didn’t know him.

“I’m happy,” David said as his eyes brightened, “because there’s a good reason for it. In fact, there’s a wonderful reason for it.”

Alex laughed. “What reason would that be?”

“Who might be the more appropriate way of say—”

“David,” Alex warned.

“Graziella Michaela Redding.” “Graziella? You mean….”

“Mother and child doing quite well, I’m told.” David grinned outright this time.

“Cary and Antonio’s baby?”

“Born last night. Almost five pounds. Three weeks early but doing well.” David stood up and wrapped his arms around Alex’s waist. “A good reason to postpone a wedding, don’t you think?”

“The best.” Alex kissed David. “Should we plan a visit in a few weeks?”

“A few weeks?” David’s sly grin made Alex chuckle. “Just because we can’t have the party to celebrate doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of the opening in everyone’s schedules.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Thanksgiving in Milan. It’s been years since we’ve been able to get everyone together.”

“The villa?” David’s Italian villa was certainly large enough. “But—”

“Is that a problem for you? Last I looked at your schedule, your next performance is in Buenos Aires in three weeks.” David nipped at Alex's earlobe.

“No… it’s not… ah…. Shit, David, I can’t think straight when you do that!” Alex shivered and closed his eyes. “And no. No problem for me. But didn’t you give the staff at the villa the entire month off?”

Alex knew David had completely forgotten about that particular detail. He frowned, then said blithely, “We’ll just have to do it ourselves. Jules and I can handle the cooking. You and Jason can get the placed opened up. Rachel can help you with the rooms.”

“You’re serious about this?”

“Am I ever not?” David pulled at Alex’s earlobe with his teeth. “I’ll call the travel agent and look into rebooking all the air travel.”

“Travel agent?”

Another kiss, a nip, and then: “The travel agent. Too complicated to handle that much rebooking online and you needn’t trouble yourself with that. Just call Jules and Jason and let them know we’ll meet them in Milan on Saturday. I’ll text them the flight information as soon as I have it.”

“Ah…. Okay. Sure. Jules and Jason.” Alex could handle that. He’d been meaning to call Jules to see how the Blue Notes album was coming along anyhow. He’d joined Jules and the other members of the trio on several of the tracks when he’d been in Paris three weeks before.

“Good.” David brushed his lips against Alex’s. “And one more thing.”

“Hmm?” Focus, Bishop, focus!

“This.” David pushed Alex onto the couch and began to unbutton his shirt. “First things first. Always.”

Toni Griffin ~ My Christmas Present

Release Date: Out Now
Available: Mischief Book Corner

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BLURB:

Finally home after graduating from uni, Lucas arrives in time for Christmas. The one present he wants more than anything is the one that's been forever out of his reach, his dad's best friend, Mitchell.

Mitchell has watched Lucas grow over the years into a smart, sexy young man. Falling in love with his best friend's son was never in his plans. The early Christmas present Mitchell receives will change his life forever.

EXCERPT:

Lucas knew just where to find his father. The end of the work week had arrived, and Friday night meant Benjamin Winters would be down at the local pub with his best friend, just as he had been for so many years Lucas had lost count. It was a tradition that had started when he was younger; Lucas thought it might be because his dad was lonely, but he couldn't be sure. Ted's Place was nothing special; however, they did serve the best steak in town.

Lucas couldn't wait to see his father again, but more than that, he couldn't wait to see his dad's best friend, Mitchell Morgan. His dad and Mitchell had grown up together, living on neighbouring stations in far north Western Australia. His father, Ben, had never wanted to work the land, instead he'd become a police officer and loved his job. His dad had been born to serve and protect others. With Lucas being too young at the time to inherit the land, his grandparents had sold up when they retired and moved to the east coast and cooler weather.

Mitchell had been a constant in his father's life since grade school. He had been there the day Lucas came into this world, his mum and dad being only seventeen at the time. Lucas was the result of teenage hormones, one too many drinks and a lack of protection that didn't seem all that important in the heat of the moment. Boy, were they wrong.

Lucas had been lucky though, he could have been given up for adoption or even aborted, but his parents had wanted to keep him. Instead he grew up, every day knowing he was loved and wanted. Three years after Lucas had been born, Mitchell stood as best man at his dad's wedding. However, not even five years later, Mitchell had had to do the impossible and help his dad keep it together after Lucas's mum had passed away from breast cancer.

Mitchell had been there for all the important parts of Lucas's life. The most difficult of which, being when he came out to his father at age sixteen. He'd had a crush on Mitchell since he was fourteen and started to suspect he might be gay. Everything about Mitchell drew Lucas in like a moth to flame.

Mitchell had black, wavy hair that always looked like he had just gotten out of bed, when he wasn't wearing his Akubra. He had a strong chiselled jaw that seemed to Lucas like it had a permanent five o'clock shadow and the most amazing silver/grey eyes Lucas had ever seen.

Also the man looked drop-dead gorgeous in a pair of Wranglers with his boots and cowboy hat. He had thick muscular legs and arms that Lucas wanted to be wrapped up in more than anything. Lucas had been jacking off to fantasies about Mitchell for the last nine years of his life.

He had, however, never gotten up the courage to do anything about his fantasies. Lucas saw the way Mitchell would look at him occasionally when he didn't think anyone would notice. Lucas's heart would beat rapidly and his imagination would run wild with thoughts of the pair of them together, all hot and sweaty in sated bliss. His thoughts never lasted long though, as he was sure Mitchell would never act on whatever feelings he might have towards Lucas. The sexy cowboy was too honourable to ever do anything that might cause Lucas's father a moment of grief.

Lucas had thought about those sly looks constantly and decided he needed to know once and for all if the love he had for Mitchell was reciprocated. And yes, Lucas meant love. His feelings may have started out the same way any teenage crush had, but they soon grew into something much more. Lucas thought constantly of the stubborn cowboy and often wondered what he was doing or if he was happy.

Being anywhere near the man would have Lucas sporting wood within seconds of Mitchell's scent hitting him, even if that scent was earned by a full day of work out in the sun riding horses and herding cattle. Mitchell's scent was wild and masculine and entirely his own. Lucas had never smelled anything as good and thought if he were able to bottle it, he would make a fortune.

Pulling into the parking lot, Lucas prepared himself to turn his car off, and with it, the semi-working air conditioner. He couldn't wait to get inside and cool down. Shutting off the engine, Lucas resigned himself to the wet heat outside as he quickly got out and locked the doors. He raced to the entrance of Ted's as fast as he could, wanting cool air to once again surround his body.

He sighed with relief when he stepped inside the pub. Lucas enjoyed the feeling of being hit upside the head with a blast of cold air. His hot body started to relax as it slowly cooled. Looking around, he noticed all the Christmas decorations and the giant tree in the corner with presents underneath for all the kids in the area. Finally he spotted his dad and Mitchell sitting at their regular table, a couple of beers in front of them.

Lucas stood there and stared at the man who had meant everything to him for so long. After being gone for most of the last four years at university, Lucas couldn't get enough of looking at the gruff man.

Working the land and raising cattle seemed to be in Lucas's blood, unlike his father's. Lucas had worked on Mitchell's station, the Double M, during the school holidays every year since he'd turned sixteen, even after he went off to uni. His love for the land had directly affected what he studied at uni, and he had walked away with a Bachelor of Animal Science from Murdoch University in Perth. The one thing he hadn't counted on when he left for uni had been how much he would miss Mitchell. The ache had been both physically and mentally debilitating for a time.

He'd thought about Mitchell when he was alone in his bed at night, every night. Lucas had hated being away at college. Yes, he had experimented with other boys his age, but it was always Mitchell's face he saw when he was with anyone else. He had hoped in time his feelings would fade away, but instead they had increased toward the older man, frustrating Lucas at times.

Still standing just inside the door, Lucas continued to look his fill. Mitchell was pushing forty these days, but Lucas thought the man had never looked better. He startled when right in the middle of the conversation Mitchell was having with Lucas's dad, he stopped talking and his gaze immediately zeroed in on Lucas.

Merry Xmas 2013

Merry Christmas Everybody

Caitlin Ricci ~ Mans Best Friend

Release Date: December 15th

Available: eXtasy Books

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Blurb:

Getting captured was least of this stubborn alpha’s worries.

Officer Christopher Saunders just completed his K-9 training and he can’t wait to pick out his first partner. But when none of the specially trained dogs catches his eye, he gets disappointed, until he sees a heroic stray on the news. Christopher is sure he can train the dog himself, if only given the chance.

Too bad Samson has other plans. But going home with this man is a better idea than waiting for his pack to figure out he'd been stupidly captured like some common poodle. The collar and leash also had to go. There was no way he'd be wearing those for long.

Excerpt:

Interesting… Samson watched the man in front of his cage. He flicked his ears forward, listening to the sound of the man’s fast heartbeat. He seemed excited for some reason.

“What kind of dog are you?” he asked him, his voice low, while the others had nearly yelled over the sound of the barking dogs around him.

The shape-shifting kind. What kind of human are you? Samson answered him smartly. The man was looking at him strangely. There’d been humans around him all day, most spouting that hero drivel, but this was the first person to actually look at him. Samson had a moment to wonder whether or not his form would really fool this man before he stood back up and unlatched the chain-link gate.

“Right. So I’m Christopher and I’d like to put this leash on you,” he held it out as if to show him.

If Samson could have laughed right then, he would have. The man’s face was nearly priceless. He supposed he should start acting like a normal dog might if he didn’t want people to act so strangely around him. The dog across from him was wagging his whole body and barking madly. Well that certainly wasn’t going to happen, but he supposed he could manage a little tail wag for the man who was so kindly going to put a nylon noose around his neck and parade him around like a peacock. He put some effort into it and even managed to smile as much as this form would allow.

The man, Christopher as he had introduced himself, seemed to brighten instantly and put the leash around his neck. He gave a little click and a tug as if that was supposed to work. “Come on, boy,” he said, with a little frown.

Uh huh…um no… Samson was about to completely refuse when the man reached down and began to pet his neck. There was something soothing about that contact and he found himself leaning into the man’s touch more than he would have liked to admit. If his sister could see him now she would probably mock him for a week and then comment on the fact the man looked like one of the Weasleys from those books she was always reading. He pulled away so he could actually look at the human. Not a bad picture overall. Not classically handsome and a bit more lanky than he usually appreciated, but he had a certain charm. But then again, he couldn’t remember the last time he hadn’t thought a man in uniform held some appeal.

Suzzana C Ryan ~ Licks: Holly's Christmas Story

Release Date: Out Now
Available: Amazon

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Blurb: 

Pretty sexy Holly Davenport loved Christmas and wanted to spread some yuletide cheer. Her target, store Santas. She’d had a fixation with them as long as she could remember and wanted to do something nice for her favorites. She was sure her naughty generosity wouldn’t be refused.

Chester Walters plays Santa every year for his nieces and this year he needs a new suit. He spots the hot little blond and makes it his business to follow her. He meets Holly and learns of her naughty holiday cheer. Ironically he’s found a new Santa suit and now he wonders will he be part of her new sexy Christmas tradition?

A little tease:

On Clemens Street was a large department store and she had already checked out its Santa concluding he was in need of some good loving. He’d be the first recipient of her Christmas cheer. She waited on line with the rest of the kids watching each child sit on his lap and recite what they wanted for Christmas. Finally it was her turn. She sauntered up to the older man who sat their watching her approach.

“Sweetheart you missing something?” he asked.

“Why no Santa,” she replied. “I’ve a Christmas list too. Mind if I sit on your lap?”

If his smiled got any broader he might crack his face, she thought. He patted his lap and she sat down on his knee. She wanted to look around but grabbed onto his neck to steady herself. “Honey this is a bit unusual but go ahead tell Santa what you want for Christmas.”

She bent her head to his ear. ‘What does Santa want for Christmas?” She slowly ground her ass on his knee.

“Oh honey,” he whispered low.

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