MERRY CHRISTMAS WORLD

 MERRY

CHRISTMAS

WORLD

A song for every day in December

My Guest ~ AKM Miles

Something More For Santa

Released: December 2014
Publisher: MLRPress

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Blurb

While on a break at Martin's Department Store, Derek Campbell, aka Santa, wishes aloud for a little something for Santa and he gets it, and more.

Derek Campbell loves his job as Santa at Martin's, but finds himself wishing for a little something for himself. He's surprised when an elf hears his request and answers him. Derek gets more than he bargained for when he meets young Michael and then Max, who just happens to own Martin's. He falls in love with both of them and they him, then something happens, something bad. They overcome because they're strong together, and they have a good Christmas. But then, even worse things happen. What now? What follows is a wonderful holiday story filled with love, adventure, fear, hope, and kittens. This is a re-release but has been greatly expanded and re-edited.

Excerpt

“And what do you want for Christmas, young man? Have you been a good boy this year?” Derek muttered, leaning back against the wall in the dark hallway. He answered himself, too.

“I’ve been an exemplary boy, Santa. All I want is someone to love me. Is that too much to ask? A little something for Santa for a change. No more losers and no more rough stuff. I just want someone nice, someone who’ll see me.” Derek was tired of guys who were self-centered or who expected things from him that he wasn’t into, like pain, for example. So, he was cute. He’d heard it all his life. Big f’ing deal. Cute didn’t pay the bills. Hard work and several odd jobs were barely doing it.

“I see you,” said a small voice to his right, about knee level.

Derek jumped and nearly said a word Santa really wouldn’t say, especially in front of a young…his eyes widened…elf?

“Okay, I’m the only Santa on today and I know you’re not one of mine. So, who are you?” Derek looked down at the little tow-headed elf with big sky-blue eyes by his side. Holding his little hat in his hand, the young elf looked up at him with quiet contemplation, then nodded his head as if having decided something.

“I’m Michael, not Mike, but Michael. Do you know anything about main headaches?” Michael asked, seriously.

Derek was a little lost, but he still had about forty-five minutes before he had to go back for another three hours before the store closed. He could see what Michael, not Mike, wanted.

“I know some. My mom used to have them.” Derek figured Michael was talking about migraine headaches. His mother had suffered greatly and Derek had eventually gotten pretty good at easing her pain. He missed her terribly, having lost her after heart surgery that just didn’t happen in time. Those bills were part of why he was so strapped for money now. He had a good way to go before the bills were paid off, but he sent some regularly and was thankful the hospital was allowing him to pay if off slowly.

“If you come with me, I will meet you to someone who is not a loser and he’s never rough with anybody. But he’s got a really main headache again.” With that, Michael took Derek’s hand and tugged. Intrigued, Derek let the funny little elf lead him to an elevator that he’d never noticed before.

“Where are we going?” Derek asked.

“To see my dad, but we have to be quiet ‘cause he’s really sick right now.” Ah, so his elf was really a child whose father must work for the store.

When the elevator doors opened, they were facing an office door. This was certainly not an area that Derek had seen before. The carpet in the hall was thick and soft and the colors and decorations screamed “Money”. This must be the place where the high, mucketymucks, as his mom used to call the rich, must work. Michael again took his hand and led him to it, opening it slowly and putting his other hand up to touch his lips with his finger.

Derek nodded his understanding and followed the boy into the darkened room. Michael closed the door and they stood a few seconds, letting their eyes adjust to the low light. Derek could see a huge desk on the other side of the room, in front of big windows that were now curtained. There was a sound from the right and Derek saw a big man lying on a long couch, his arm over his face. He knew that position, like there wasn’t any way to get it dark enough to keep the pain away.

Michael stepped over to the man and touched his arm, leaning down to whisper into his ear.

“Hmm?” Derek could barely hear the word, the faint question.

Derek had never seen such a long couch. The man, probably six feet four or five was stretched out and there was still room, with big pillows, at both ends. Derek moved closer, his experience kicked in, and he took over. Sitting with his back toward the end of the couch by the man’s head, he leaned over and told him, “Shh, relax. Let me help you.”

“Can’t. Hurts. Michael, honey, what’s…oh…” His questioning stopped and he groaned. Derek took hold of the man’s shoulders and scooted closer to him, putting one leg behind to lie along the back of the couch, thus enclosing the man. The other leg, he brought up, close, making a warm soft cocoon for the man’s head and shoulders.

“Hey…” the man tried to sit up and question what was going on, but pain made him subside again. Derek thought he’d have to relieve his mind before he could relieve any of his pain.

“Michael brought me up here. I’ve got about half an hour on my break left. I can help you if you’ll let me. Shh, relax, my fat Santa suit makes a nice soft pillow, huh? I’m going to try what used to work on my mom’s migraines, okay?”

There was no answer, but the man relaxed back onto the V of Derek’s legs. Softly, Derek put his long fingers to work, starting at the forehead and slowly, gently, stroking along it to the temples. After a few minutes of this, with nothing but quiet acceptance from the man in his lap, Derek moved a bit further back into the thick, dark blond hair. With just a bit of light coming from a partially opened door, which led to what Derek figured was a bathroom, Derek could see the lines of stress and pain on the man’s face.

Looking around for Michael, he found him sitting on the floor beside the couch, hand touching the fist that was beside the man’s leg. Care and love for his parent radiated from the little boy’s face and his posture.

“Relax you muscles if you can, unclench your fist, let peace take you. Hold Michael’s hand.” Derek knew that touch was a big part of the release of tension and pain. Clearly there was a bond between these two. He watched as the man slowly opened his fingers and Michael slipped his hand into the big man’s. The man sighed and Michael smiled just a little.

About AKM

I love to read M/M books. It’s hard to find me without my Kindle in my hand. I never want to lose an opportunity to read and have so many authors that I enjoy. The idea of being an author that readers enjoy fills my heart. I’ve wanted to write since I was in high school and I did. I wrote a short story for the school newspaper. Hooked.

I wrote three mainstream novels and got rejections and just kind of lost interest. Then along came Brokeback Mountain and I ordered the movie and got the script with it. Loved it. Then I went on line to see if there way anything else like it. I found Cowboy Up from Torquere Press. It was an anthology and had such good stories. I was more than hooked. I wanted to do this. I wanted to write a story. Soon after that I went to a drag show in my little town, heretofore unheard of, and watched these two guys dance. That scene is in my first novel, Smart Alex. I couldn’t stop then.

You will find that I like to have my characters meet, have feeling for each other, start a relationship, and then face some kind of conflict together, instead of it being about whether they really like each other or not. That’s just the way I like it. I want them as a unit facing whatever comes. I also like to do series. I try to populate my books with wonderful side characters that just beg for their own stories. Life is full of side characters, right? Sometimes they just need their story told, too. (And then you get to revisit the first couple and see how things are going!)

I now write for four different publishing houses and love being an M/M author. Want to know what I like most about it? Oh, I love getting good critiques from places who specialize in that, but it’s the readers who blow me away. I can’t believe the response I’ve gotten to some of my books. They inspire me and make me want to do more and better. I love love some of the connections with people in the industry.

Through ups and downs this career has kept me going with the warmth I’ve received from other authors, publishing people, and fans. I’m excited about future books that are swimming in my head right now. I hope you love them, too.

Find AKM Here

Wordpress: Love is Love

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My Guest ~ Alexa Milne

Not Every Time

Release Date: December 15

Publisher: Pride Publishing

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Amazon UK

Amazon US

Blurb

What would you give up for love?

Raziel Slade and Jack Hastings have been best friends since Raz saved Jack’s life twelve years ago. Jack has spent years searching for the perfect woman with the help of his wingman, Raz, the man he thinks of as his guardian angel. At a company Christmas party, the world Jack thought he knew turns on its axis, and feelings he didn’t know he had punch him right between the eyes. Can Jack learn to see his friend in an entirely different way?

Openly gay, Raz loves his best friend and has given up more than Jack will ever know to be with him, but he’s never dared to tell Jack how he truly feels, or to reveal his true identity. For twelve years, he has waited in the wings.

Now, with Jack’s sudden epiphany, can these two best friends work out if they have a future together?

Message From Alexa ~ Christmas Angels

My mother introduced me to the film, It’s a wonderful Life before I reached double figures and I still love it. The story of George Bailey, an ordinary man who does more good than he realises, is so life affirming. George is helped by Clarence, an angel who earns his wings by the end of the film. More recently, I’ve become a fan of another angel, Castiel, from Supernatural, who discovered what it was like to be human, and, maybe, depending on your point of view, what it’s like to fall in love.

Traditionally, we put either a star or an angel on top of our Christmas trees. I have two angels that alternate every year to put on my tree. They are not exactly the usual sort. This year is Taz’s turn.

 

In my story, Not Every Time, Jack thinks of Raz as his guardian angel because he saved his life on the first day they met, and they’ve been best friends ever since. But will Jack ever realise the love he’s been looking for is right in front of him, and is there more to Raz than he knows?

For now, the reader can decide, but there will be a sequel from Jack’s point of view next year.

Excerpt

  Angelo Raziel Slade glared at the bathroom door behind which stood his best friend, Jack Hastings. He shrugged on his jacket and sat on the bed. “For heaven’s sake, Jack, stop complaining. This is your work’s Christmas party, and we’re only here because I’m tired of you whining about your pathetic love life.”

  “I realize that, but you know how much I hate these occasions. Last year— No, I don’t want to remember that debacle. I want it made clear that I’m only here because you insisted and said you’d come with me. You know what I’m like.”

  Raz sighed. He certainly did.

  “I’m hopeless with small talk. Women come up to me and I panic. How come you can speak to women? Is it something to do with being gay? Do you lot have a special understanding of how women think, or what?”

  Jack emerged from the bathroom, opened his arms wide and twirled. “So, will I do?” he asked.

  Raz swallowed a gasp and crossed his legs. Oh, my God. You will do, but you could wear a sack and you’d do for me. “You clean up well. I told you a suit would be better. Women prefer men in a suit, but with more than a hint of stubble and the suggestion there might be something worth investigating underneath.”

  “Is that the sort of men you like?” Jack asked.

  Raz stood and closed the distance between them. “This tie needs adjusting, though. Here, let me do it.” Up close, the smell of his friend’s aftershave filled his senses. Why did he torture himself in this way? So I can be near him. Because I can’t bear the idea of not being near him.

  “There, that’s better. A tie needs a Windsor knot. My father used to say you should always make an effort to be at your best.”

  “You must miss them at this time of year,” Jack said, placing a hand on Raz’s arm.

  Raz stared over Jack’s shoulder through the window into the dark December night. “My father was always too busy saving the planet to have much time for me, and I don’t remember my mother.”

  “Just as well that my family love the bones of you then. You are still coming to ours for Christmas Day, aren’t you? Mum and Dad would skin me alive if you didn’t, not to mention Lisa. They think the sun shines out of your backside.”

  “Yes, I’ll be there as usual. I thought Lisa was bringing Bradley this time, now that they’re official.”

  “She is. He’s a brave man taking on my sister. Right, let’s get this over with. I’m glad we booked the room so we can both have a drink.” Raz pulled a face.

  “It’s all right. I’m not going to have too much because women don’t like a drunk. And I know to ask questions, but not suck up too much if I see anyone I fancy. The place will be packed, so perhaps this will be the night.” He nudged Raz. “All those bankers together in one room.”

  “That’s one word for them,” Raz whispered to himself.

  Jack put his hands on his hips and struck what Raz called his Henry VIII pose. “Look, you insisted I come tonight and stop sitting at home complaining no one loves me and that my wrist aches.”

  “Well, you won’t find Ms. Right if you stay home with me every Saturday night, now will you?” Even if I love every minute of it and hate the thought you might not be there.

About Alexa

Originally from South Wales, Alexa has lived for over thirty years in the North West of England. Now retired, after a long career in teaching, she devotes her time to her obsessions.

Alexa began writing when her favourite character was killed in her favourite show. After producing a lot of fanfiction she ventured into original writing.

She is currently owned by a mad cat and spends her time writing about the men in her head, watching her favourite television programmes and usually crying over her favourite football team.

Find Alexa Here

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My Guest ~ Francis Gideon

The Boyfriend Rule

Release Date: December 11

Publisher: MLRPress

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Blurb

Billy Lawson hates Christmas. The carols, the gaudy decorations, and the crowds seem to be even worse this year. To make matters worse, it looks like Billy’s father, Jimmy, will be stuck in the hospital over the holiday season due to his illness. Billy thinks he’s fine, but when Nate wants to go to yet another holiday party, Billy ditches the cookies he’s making and the party. Just when Billy thinks he’ll be alone on Christmas, Nate reminds him that there are certain rules boyfriends must abide by.

Message From Francis

 Hello! A big thank you to N.J for hosting me on her lovely blog. I'm Francis Gideon and today I want to talk about my story The Boyfriend Rule, which acts as a holiday sequel to How To Make A Carrot Cake (August 2014, MLR Books). These stories are both contemporary m/m erotic romances, focusing on the relationship between Nate Reid and Billy Lawson. The sequel has the couple in an already established relationship, past the honeymoon stage and already worked through one of their bigger issues from the first book. Now the main conflict is the holiday season itself, which stresses Billy out. When a co-worker explains to Billy that there is a "boyfriend rule" that involves Billy sticking it out with Nate as he goes to family functions and holiday parties, Billy's not too sure if he can handle it. In fact, he's pretty sure he can't. While Billy prepares to bail, Nate has his own plans—and his own rule to follow—to ensure that everyone is happy this holiday season. 

 During a party scene in the middle of the story, Nate makes a reference to his friend Evan who covers Christmas songs by punk bands. This isn't touched on again in the story, but I have to mention it now: punk covers of Christmas songs are my favourite thing about the holiday. I'm a lot like Billy's character, especially around the season; everything stresses me out and while my partner drags me to a million functions, I really wish I was at home baking while watching Christmas episodes of Bob's Burgers, or listening to the Ramones "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight)."

 Music is a large part of my writing process (the first book has its own playlist on my 8tracks account under FrancisGideon), and while I need to write in absolute silence, I usually edit with something on in the background. My perfect playlist for The Boyfriend Rule involves The Ramones, Fall Out Boy, and Rancid, along with these other atypical Christmas songs.

Play List

• Forget December—Something Corporate
• Xmas Eve—Rancid
• Alone This Holiday—The Used
• Xmas Sux—Frank Iero
• I Won't Be Home For Christmas—Blink 182
• Yule Shoot Your Heart Out—Fall Out Boy
• Christmas In Ohio—Brandston
• Xmas Cake—Rilo Kiley
• Joey Had A Smoke—Meg & Dia
• Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight)—Ramones

 What do you think? A lot of these may seem too crass for Christmas, but like Billy, Nate, and Evan (the guy who has the band), I'm still pretty young. Maybe I'll grow into the classics, but for now, like Billy, I like where I am.

What's your favourite Christmas song? Comment with your favourite (punk cover or otherwise) and your email for a chance to win both How to Make a Carrot Cake and The Boyfriend Rule. Happy Holidays! 

Excerpt

  After a moment, Nate adds, “Have I ever told you much about Evan?”

  Billy shakes his head. “I thought we were headed to John’s party?”

“We are. But John is particular. He’s like the older brother of the crew, so it makes him seem far more advanced. He’s the one getting married.”

  “Ah. And kids?”

  “Probably soon.” Nate’s face flashes with anxiety, as if he’s also as unnerved by the sudden maturity of his friends. “But Evan is actually in a punk band. I’m pretty sure they’re playing a concert right before the party. It’s all punk rock Christmas covers, but still, pretty cool, right?”

  “Yeah, actually,” Billy admits. “That is cool.”

  “He also doesn’t drink, and probably wants to go vegetarian, so your goodies will be appreciated.”

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Billy says. He adds another spice to the cart, and tries to remember the recipe. “I think I’m good. Are you?”

  Nate scans the items in his cart before nodding. “Definitely.”

  As they shuffle to the front of the store, Billy realizes how congested it’s already gotten. The annoying grind of Christmas music spills over the speakers, making Billy grate his teeth and wish for the punk rock covers and not Mariah Carey. Red and green colors from Christmas decorations seem to pulsate along with the music, until they finally reach the cashier. She’s perky and far too cheery, but thankfully, doesn’t wish them Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas by the time they cash out.

  “All right. Anymore stops?” Nate asks after they put the groceries in the backseat of Marlee’s car.

  “No, I’m okay.”

  “Good. Because I think I was gonna kill Rudolph if I heard another song.”

  Billy laughs. “Me too, me too.”

  When Nate turns the radio to something that’s playing 1980s hits instead of Christmas music, Billy starts to believe that he’ll make it through the night.

About Francis

Francis Gideon is a writer of m/m romance, but he also dabbles in mystery, fantasy, historical, and paranormal fiction. He has appeared in Gay Flash Fiction, Chelsea Station Poetry, and the Martinus Press anthology To Hell With Dante.  He lives in Canada with his partner, reads too many comics books, and drinks too much coffee. Feel free to contact him, especially if you want to talk about horror movies, LGBT poetry, or NBC’s Hannibal. 

Find Francis Here

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My Guest ~ Jambrea Jo Jones

Blood On The Moon

This is already up for early download

General Release: December 29

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Publisher's Note: This book has been previously released as part of the Unconventional in San Diego anthology by Pride Publishing.

BUY LINKS

Blurb

Be careful what you wish for, especially when you’re a witch.

Montague Ramey wanted something to happen in his life. He thought when he found out he was a witch that his life would become more exciting, but it was the same thing every day. His coven was nice and boring, as was his job with the television station anchoring the news. The only excitement he got was going to the local bar, but there weren’t very many men who wanted to play. That was, until the moon turned red and his life changed.

After Kishar Nichelson’s motorcycle stalled on the highway with no traffic in sight, he stumbled into a small town around midnight, the red moon guiding his way. On the run and weak, Kishar needed to figure out where he was and who was after him before lack of sex killed him.

Can a witch and an incubus solve the mystery before one of them dies? The blood on the moon wasn’t the only thing they had to worry about. Meddling family, close calls with death and a missing witch are enough to keep anyone busy, but can Kishar and Montague still find time for love?

  

Message From Jambrea
Thank you for having me Norma!

I love being in the Unconventional anthologies that Pride does for GRL. This year we took on the paranormal. I wanted to do something different because you always see vampires and shifters so I went for a witch and an incubus. I had a lot of fun writing it, and I love being in an anthology with these woman. :)

Excerpt

Here is your free sample of Blood on the Moon

Montague Ramey left the bar Unconventional after beating his friend Ivan Brusilov in a game of pool. He had no idea why he put up with the unicorn. Ivan persisted on calling him Monty no matter how many times Montague insisted that was not his name. Of course, he’d have no excitement if he didn’t have Ivan in his life. Playing pool with his friend was about all the excitement he’d have that week. Maybe he should have had another glass of wine before he left for home. It wasn’t like he was driving. And his house wasn’t that far from the bar. No matter, he had a bottle at home he could dip into. He didn’t have to work at the television station on Saturday. It was his weekend to…do nothing.

God, his life was boring.

It was midnight, the witching hour. He laughed at himself. His coven probably wouldn’t find it funny, but it was made up of a bunch of older ladies who were set in their ways. It was the only coven around, so he made do. His adoptive parents, being fully human, had done what they could to embrace his magical powers. It had come as a surprise when puberty had hit and his body had gone crazy. His parents had searched for a coven close to home, and when they’d found the group of older women, the coven had been happy to take him on as a prodigy.

Once he’d been accepted, his parents had moved to be even closer so he could seek assistance when he had questions about his powers. Puberty was a bitch, and he’d needed the help.

Montague had been fresh blood for the coven, who all had daughters and granddaughters they wanted to marry off to a magical being. It was a small community and they were happy to have him. At first, it had done nothing for his social life—he was introduced to the eligible women—but once the coven had found out he was gay, they’d started looking for a good man for him.

Luckily, there weren’t many gay men around for them to throw his way. He’d joined when he was fifteen, so that could have been very embarrassing and traumatized him for life. They meant well. He knew that.

After his parents died, Montague had taken over the cottage he’d grown up in. It settled his soul, being in the home his mom and dad had loved so much. Sometimes he could feel them surrounding him. One of the perks of being magical.

Montague looked up at the moon and stopped walking. Blood on the moon. That was bad. Very, very bad. Something was about to happen and it wasn’t going to be good. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Montague needed to get home—he’d rather read about the results of the blood moon than be involved in it. He was up for adventure, but he wasn’t crazy. He hurried his pace, making sure to keep an eye on his surroundings.

The best thing for a witch to do was batten down the hatches and wait the night out. Maybe put out some protective spells or something to keep the bad away from them. Being magical drew the attention of the universe, be it good or bad. He should contact the others in his coven, but right now he needed the safety of his home. His coven was probably all asleep by now anyway, so he’d check in tomorrow to make sure they were okay.

Montague all but ran to his little cottage, wasting no more time being outside than he had to. He fumbled with the keys. He would blame it on the drink even if he hadn’t had much—it was more fear than anything else. He’d lost his adoptive parents on a night with a blood moon. His heart ached thinking about not being able to help them on the day they’d died.

About Jambrea

Jambrea wanted to be the youngest romance author published, but life impeded the dreams. She put her writing aside and went to college briefly, then enlisted in the Air Force. After serving in the military, she returned home to Indiana to start her family. A few years later, she discovered yahoo groups and book reviews. There was no turning back. She was bit by the writing bug.

She enjoys spending time with her son when not writing and loves to receive reader feedback. She's addicted to the internet so feel free to email her anytime.

Find Jambrea Here

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