Top Ten Tuesday #8: Top Ten Books With Sexy Heroes

I know I haven't done this for a while, but I've been meaning to. This week is a free topic week, so I'm going to talk about the top ten books I know of that have sexy heroes.

These are in no particular order, just as they come to mind. And remember, sexy is in the eye of the beholder.

1.  Edward Rochester - from Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte There is just something about that brooding, deeply troubled man that is also incredibly sexy.I'm not sure I would have turned him away from the revelation of his insane wife was made, but then again, I don't live in those times, and maybe I'd think differently if I did.

2.  Lucifer - from Lucifer by Mike Carey This is a series of eleven graphic novels about Lucifer, first begun in the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman, then spun off by Mike Carey (just forget about the TV show, they've totally got it wrong). Lucifer had charm that's off the meter. He's not just charming, he's sexy and smart, and don't forget he was once an angel. He doesn't tell you something just because he thinks you want to hear it. He believes in free will and speaking the truth. And yeah, he's damn hot.

3. Rhett Butler - from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. This man is also charming, and very sexy, but he's got a fire that I'd love to warm myself on, and when he loves, he loves deeply. Seeing Clark Gable's face doesn't hurt, but I loved Rhett even before I saw the movie.

4. Dracula - from Dracula by Bram Stoker  My love affair with the Count began when I first read the book, about the age of twelve. That was the first time I was ever turned on by a fictional character, I think, even if I'm not sure I realized it then. He was dark, mysterious, charming (see a pattern here? lol), and a vampire. I may love my werewolves, but I have a special place in my heart for vampires, especially this one.

5. Cardinal Richelieu - from The Cardinal and the Queen by Evelyn Anthony - This is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Cardinal Richelieu and Anne of Austria. Since Richelieu is my historical crush, this is a no-brainer. He's highly intelligent, sexy (at least in my eyes) and wields power without having to possess it. I would have loved to be able to know him.

6. Acheron - from the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon This series is chock full of sexy guys, but Acheron is special. He's hot and he's powerful, he has a mysterious tragic past, and he's every woman's wet dream. (I also have the doll of Acheron, which is fabulous and very sexy!)

7. Sherlock Holmes - from the series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Okay, maybe the man had issues with drugs, but he has a terrific mind, which is sexy alone. And yes, I can't help but think of Benedict Cumberbatch, but once again, I've loved Holmes since way before BC came along lol

8. James Bond - from the series by Ian Fleming Even without the movies, James is sexy, suave, sophisticated, intelligent, and he has some amazing moves. Add Daniel Craig to that mix and you have the perfect man :)

9. Napoleon Bonaparte - from Desiree by Annemarie Selinko and from The Last Love by Thomas Costain I loved the young Napoleon, the eager lover, the ambitious young soldier who wanted only to follow his star. There is just something about him, even after he got older, that I cannot resist. That's why I listed both books, since I loved him in both

10. Edmund Dante - from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas - Sexy, tragic, generous... it's hard not to want to hold this man and make everything all right.

I'm sure there's more, but I'll stop here lol  I have other things to talk about, just need to find the time. New shows I'm watching. It's been a while, but I'll get there. Thanks for being patient!

If you want to read other people's lists, go here.

Wednesday Briefs: Moving Forward #18 (4.4)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, it must be time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of writers who bring you our best flash fiction every week, from 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts!

This week, in Moving Forward, Marshall and Lee spend some intimate moments away from their traveling companions. Watch things really steam up in this week's episode! Then don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to! Their links follow my tale! We also have a new member with us today, so give a great big welcome to Louise Lyons! Enjoy!

Moving Forward #18 (4.4)

At that moment, Marshall realized he’d won the argument—if you could even consider that short discussion an argument—and  he was about to get his way with Lee. Something that would have to hold him until they were alone in their cabin on the Wandering Star.

Okay, maybe this wasn’t the most romantic setting, but it was all the privacy they were going to get short of getting a motel room, which they weren’t about to do. Marshall was too horny to care. All he wanted was to wrap his lips around Lee’s thick cock and suck.

As they continued to kiss, Marshall snaked his hand in between them, fumbling at Lee’s belt buckle.  Lee unwound one of his hands from Marshall’s hair and helped him unclasp it, then undo the button. Marshall lowered the zipper, carefully, around Lee’s bulging erection. Damn, he wished Lee had gone commando. But he hadn’t, and Marshall felt a wet spot on Lee’s briefs. Squatting in front of Lee, he licked up, along Lee’s length, which was outlined against the cotton. Looked like someone was an eager beaver, and it wasn’t just Marshall.

Marshall tugged at Lee’s jeans, pulling them down over his hips, and halfway down his thighs, followed by his briefs. Just far enough for Marshall to reach what he was after. He ran his tongue across the cockhead, tasting Lee’s salty precum. Lee moaned and gripped Marshall’s hair with both hands again as Marshall took Lee into his eager mouth.

He didn’t have time for finesse, and he knew it. They were lucky no one had walked in on them as it was. Not that anyone would know what was going on inside the stall, but he had a feeling what they were doing was probably still illegal in the state of Texas. Especially in public.

Which only served to heighten the experience in Marshall’s eyes.

Marshall sucked hard, hollowing out his cheeks as he did, his mouth filled with Lee. Lee shifted his position, and Marshall heard a thump. For one moment, he thought maybe the door had opened, but a quick glance showed that was not the case, so he continued to suck on Lee’s cock.

Keeping one hand on Lee, Marshall reached down between his own legs and hastily unzipped his jeans just far enough to get inside. He wrapped his hand around his own erection and began to pump it feverishly. Goddamn but Lee tasted good. The combined pleasure of sucking off Lee while jacking himself off was heady. He knew he wouldn’t last long. Too late, he realized he’d make a mess, probably on his pants.

Marshall moaned into Lee’s flesh. Lee thrust harder into his mouth. Marshall’s balls felt as though they might explode. He gripped himself more tightly and pumped harder, before he exploded in his hand. He kept sucking on Lee, his moans vibrating around Lee’s cock. Lee’s thrusts became shorter and harder, then he released inside Marshall’s mouth, tightening his grip on Marshall’s hair.

Marshall swallowed, over and over, as Lee’s cock spasmed, ejecting hot bursts of fluid, until he’d gotten everything Lee had to give. Once he’d finished, Lee slumped back against the door. Marshall’s legs were shaky. He leveraged himself up using the toilet seat, working out the kinks in his muscles.

Lee pulled him in for a kiss, less needy but every bit as passionate as before. Marshall was more at peace now, the way he did whenever they made love, no matter how it was done.  They drew apart, and Marshall tugged his pants up. Sure enough, the jeans were cum-dappled, to his chagrin. He could wipe that off, sure, but the spots wouldn’t dry right away.

His frown became a smirk. Okay, so what? Denver already suspected what was up, and with evidence such as this, Dustin would know too. Another message to him about how much Marshall belonged to Lee. End of story.

“Feel better?” Lee was putting himself back together again. Unlike Marshall, he had no telltale evidence of their activity on his pants.

“Mmhm,” Marshall murmured. “You?”

“Never better,” Lee affirmed and kissed him again. “We should get going, though.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Marshall admitted. No reason to linger here. Not now. Not when they had places to go. Even better places for making love in.

He stepped back enough for Lee to open the door. Lee went out first, and Marshall followed. Not a soul in sight. Good. He hurried to the nearest sink. Damn, no paper towels. He wasn’t about to try to maneuver his crotch under one of the hand dryers, so he did what he could. He dashed water onto the spots of semen and wiped at them with his hands. It would have to do until he could change, later on.

Marshall glanced at Lee, a question on his lips, which was quickly forgotten at the expression in Lee’s eyes. One he couldn’t quite place. Thoughtful, maybe? But not in a bad way. At least, he hoped not.

“Something wrong?” he asked, just to reassure himself.

Lee shook his head. “Not a thing. Just thinking about something.”

“Something good, I hope?”

“Something very good.”

Marshall arched an eyebrow. “Going to let me in on it anytime soon?”

Lee chuckled. “When the time’s right, I surely will.”

Marshall was satisfied with that. He trusted Lee implicitly. If there was a problem, Lee would have said so immediately. He’d just have to be patient until Lee felt the time was right to tell him about it.

“I don’t know if I tell you enough how much I love you,” Lee said in a heartfelt tone. Marshall’s heart tightened at his words.

“I never get tired of hearing it,” he admitted. “You know I love you more than anything too.”

“Yeah, I do.”

They strolled leisurely back to the car, where the others waited. Did Marshall spy a touch of jealousy in Dustin’s eyes? He didn’t care.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Taylin Clavelli

Carol Pedroso

Johayan

Ravon Silvius

Jon Keys

Cia Nordwell

Nephy Hart

Mann Ramblings

Louise Lyons

137 Owens Street Review

137 Owens Street    

Author: DC Juris

Publisher: Torquere

American release date: December 14, 2015

Format/Genre/Length: E-book/M/M Mystery/Romance/54 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★

Matthew wonders if he’s losing his mind. He’s remembering things that can’t have happened, remembers objects that aren’t there, but surely should be. The things his wife tells him make no sense, and even the concept of wife feels wrong to him.

And who is this strange yet familiar man who pops in and out of his life at the oddest moments, but no one else seems to see him?

Morgan’s husband has gone missing, and Morgan is frantic. He goes to the police, but when he explains that his husband has literally disappeared right in front of his eyes, no one believes him. And then he meets a man who not only has an explanation for what is happening, but offers to help Morgan get his husband back.

Is he crazy to think this man is telling the truth? But if he doesn’t believe him, and accept his help, will he ever see Matthew again?

This short story has an interesting premise, and interesting characters, but the author missed an opportunity to actually develop it, so it ends up being rather one note and predictable. I feel there was so much more that could have been done, and I have to wonder if the brevity wasn’t due to the desire to publish quickly and the author didn’t want to take the time to do more with it.

If you’re looking for a quick romantic bite, then by all means, read this short story. If you want a little more substance, then I suggest you look elsewhere.

Wednesday Briefs: Moving Forward #17 (4.3)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, from 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Last week, in Moving Forward, we saw the trip to Galveston begin, the four men traveling together. Can Marshall get along with Dustin? What will they talk about on their little walk? Check out this week's chapter and find out! Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Moving Forward #17 (4.3)

Marshall had had enough conversation with Dustin to last him awhile.  He was all talked out and at the limit of his sociability. Besides, he’d seen what there was to see and he’d gotten to stretch his legs. Nothing else he wanted to do. He turned back toward where they’d been sitting, but he didn’t see Lee at the table. Must have gone inside.

“I’m gonna head back,” he told Dustin, leaving it up to him to do what he wanted. Marshall noticed the family with the kids were packing their car. They gave him a friendly smile as he walked by. Denver was just throwing some trash into a can as Marshall walked up.

“Lee went inside,” he told Marshall.

Sounded like a good idea. This would most likely be their last stop until Galveston.

“I think I’m going to check out the vending machines,” he told Denver. So maybe he had other ulterior motives, but he wasn’t about to admit to that. And wasn’t anyone’s business anyway.

From the grin he got from Denver, though, he wasn’t pulling the wool over his eyes at all.

“You want anything?” Marshall asked, and Denver shook his head.

“Nah, you go on. We’ll be okay out here.”

“I’m sure you will.” Marshall flushed, for no reason he could think of. He slapped his hand on the wooden table top; it shook slightly at his touch. “Okay, be right back.” He walked off, not waiting for a response.

The inside of the rest area was as well maintained as the outside, Marshall noticed, as he pushed the door open. A man with a push broom was sweeping one side of the large open area. He nodded to Marshall.

“Howdy,” Marshall said in return.

Vending machines lined either wall. Some dispensed snacks, others drinks. A third was for hot beverages, such as coffee and cappuccino. Marshall wasn’t sure what he wanted, so he headed into the men’s room instead. There he spotted Lee at one of the sinks, washing his hands.

Lee looked up at Marshall’s entrance and gave him a smile that was purely heart-stopping. How could anything Dustin might do or say compete with this? There was just no comparison.

Lee shook excess water from his hands, before taking the few steps to the hand dryer and elbowing it on. While he did that, Marshall approached an open urinal, did his business, then washed his hands. By the time he was done, Lee waited for him as Marshall took his turn at the hand dryer.

When he was done, Lee asked, “Have a nice walk with Dustin?”

“Guess so,” Marshall said. Lee shot him a skeptical look.

“You don’t sound like you’re so sure of that. Anything happen you want to talk about?”

“Nothing really happened. I just don’t like the way he talked about you and me. Kinda hinted that he thought we had an open relationship or something, ‘cause I dance with other guys. And that you’re old enough to be my father, so maybe we weren’t serious.”

“I am old enough to be your father,” Lee reminded him.

“Yeah, well, that’s not the point. Age isn’t everything. “

“I know it’s not, and you know it’s not.” Lee’s words were soothing. He pulled Marshall to him, placed his hands on Marshall’s hips. “You can’t fault a man for telling you the truth, and as long as you tell him we don’t have an open relationship, that’s the end of that, right?”

“It should be,” Marshall agreed. “I told him we could try being friends. Nothing more.” He wanted to dispel any lingering doubt Lee might have about that, although he was pretty sure Lee had none.

“So, did you just come in here to get away from him?” Lee teased. His hands roamed up and down Marshall’s sides, sending tingles shooting through him. “Or did you have another reason?”

“Maybe I was getting away from him,” Marshall admitted, “but mostly I was looking for you. Thought you might be in here.” Duh, where else could he be?

“Miss me that much?” Lee nuzzled Marshall’s cheek, pressing against him. Marshall shifted his weight slightly and accidentally bumped the knob on the hand dryer, which went on with a rush of hot air. They both laughed as they stepped away from it.

“Always,” Marshall replied truthfully.

“That’s good to know.” Lee placed soft kisses along Marshall’s jaw. Marshall closed his eyes and basked in Lee’s love. “Otherwise, I don’t know why we’re going on a cruise together.”

“We’re going on a cruise together so we can be alone together and fuck a whole lot,” Marshall said boldly. He ground against Lee, felt Lee’s hardness, which matched his own.

 A toilet flushed, and a moment later, a man emerged from one of the stalls. Marshall hadn’t thought about anyone else being in there with them, but he honestly didn’t care. The man never gave them a second glance, headed straight for the sink and turned on the water.

“We should probably be getting back,” Lee murmured. “Can’t stay here forever.”

“What if we went into one of the stalls?” Marshall suggested, “just long enough for me to taste you?”

“I dunno that’s such a great idea,” Lee began, but Marshall cupped his groin and rubbed, and Lee ended his sentence in a moan.

“Damn, boy, we’ve got two whole weeks to do that in.”

“Yeah, but I want you right here and now,” Marshall whispered.

“Excuse me.” Marshall had already forgotten about the man at the sink. They stepped aside so he could get to the hand dryer, moving that much closer to the stalls.

“Sorry,” Lee and Marshall apologized at the same time. They looked at one another and grinned.

“Come on,” Lee said as he pulled Marshall into the largest stall and locked the door behind them.  He leaned back against the door and enveloped Marshall in a tight embrace, locking their lips together, stealing Marshall’s breath.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

Johayan

Jon Keys

Mann Ramblings

Shelly Schulz

Nephy Hart

Carol Pedroso

Kazy Reed

Virtual Book Tour: Curse of Salar

Author Name: Alexis Duran

Book Name: Curse of Salar

Series: Masters and Mages

Book: Three

Book can be read as a standalone

Release Date: January 5, 2016

Blurb:

In the kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown.  Prince Dezra Luzan is held prisoners in the ancestral palace. In order to stay alive, he pretends to be a drug-addicted wastrel, trusting no one, not even his lovers.

Into his lonely existence comes a man who should be his sworn enemy; Captain Rayn Nevar.  Dezra is irresistibly drawn to the rough soldier and his longing for a simple sexual encounter quickly builds into a dangerous obsession.

Captain Rayn Nevar knows he should stay away from Prince Dezra, but his desire for the beautiful young man overrides all common sense. Rayn soon finds himself protecting the prince from a plot to destroy the last of the mages.

When treachery leads to Dezra's escape, he is at last free to unlock his long repressed powers.  Only the arrival of a mysterious monk with powers greater than Dezra's stops the prince from using sorcery to destroy all who stand in his way, including Rayn.

As Jahar edges toward another war between masters and mages, Rayn must question his devotion to his increasingly deadly lover while Dezra must decide if ultimate power is worth the ultimate sacrifice.

Pages or Words: 82,000 words

Categories: Fantasy, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

Excerpt:

"Kneel."

"What?" Dezra asked, incredulous.

"You heard me."

Nevar stripped off his silk shirt and tossed it aside. The sight of his finely sculpted chest arrested the biting retorts that leaped to Dezra's tongue. The captain's skin was smooth and slicked with sweat. A fine trail of curly black hair began at his sternum and disappeared beneath the line of his belt.

Dezra forced his gaze up to discover to Nevar smirking at him. Before Nevar could summon an insult to put the captain in his place, Nevar sat on the bed.

"Help me with my boots. Or is that beneath you, Prince?"

Nevar leaned back with his arms behind him, weight resting on his palms. He stuck one foot out. The languid expanse of his body beckoned.

Buy the book: http://www.loose-id.com/masters-and-mages-3-curse-of-salar.html

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Curse-Salar-Masters-Mages-Book-ebook/dp/B01A7QVSAM/ref=sr_1_1

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-curseofsalar-1959855-143.html

Meet the author:

Alexis Duran was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. At the University of Oregon, her fascination with people and relationships led her to major in Sociology, but her main love has always been creative writing.  She's worked in museums, fashion, finance and film production. Her favorite job so far was inventorying the collection in a haunted Victorian Mansion.  She is the author of the Masters and Mages and Edge of Night erotic m/m fantasy series.  Her fiction has won several awards including the Rupert Hughes Award from the Maui Writers Conference. She lives with one dog and four and a half cats.  She is currently working on the next Edge of Night novel and several other erotic novellas.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alexis.duran.18294

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexisSDuran

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexisduran1177/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8332457.Alexis_Duran

Publisher: Loose ID

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Havan Fellows, Full Moon Dreaming, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Hat Party, Book Lovers 4Ever, BFD Book Blog, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Divine Magazine, Jessie G. Books, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Nephy Hart, MM Good Book Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Inked Rainbow Reads, A.M. Leibowitz, Alpha Book Club, Andrew Q. Gordon, My Fiction Nook, Velvet Panic, Charley Descoteaux

Rafflecopter Prize: eBook copy of first two books in the Masters and Mages series, Touch of Salar and Blood of Salar

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Virtual Book Tour: Fate

Author Name: Rob Rosen

Book Name: Fate

Release Date: November 18, 2015

Blurb:

Eddie is in love. The problem is, Eddie's in love with four men... four men simultaneously, that is. But who does Eddie love more? And can the heart feel for that many men equally? Ah, but it does have four chambers, so four seems the most logical choice... at least, of course, to Eddie.

Paula is Eddie's famous mom. One by one, each of his lovers comes to work for her, their lives so connected that if one of them itches, another one scratches. But who will wind up with whom in this comedic tale of life and love and friendship? In the end, it's up to fate to decide what none of them could possibly have seen coming.

Praise for ‘Fate’:

"All the perfect kisses, love and laughter, sex and happily-ever-afters of a great romance novel, times four." -- Martha Davis, author of Dirty

"Fate asks provocative questions about the nature, and capacity, of love. A thought-provoking, tears-and-laughter gem that deserves a look!" -- Rick R. Reed, award-winning author of Dinner at Home and Blink

"Don't even try to resist diving head first into Rob Rosen's latest novel, a witty, wonderful ride through the chaos of friendship and family. 'Gayer than Oprah,' as his protagonist quips, Fate is ripe with fearless joy as only Rosen can write it." -- Salome Wilde, editor of Shakespearotica: Queering the Bard

"Sensitive, touching and often uproariously funny, with a style that makes it feel like an American Notting Hill, Fate keeps you guessing and introduces a fresh, quirky set of characters." -- Riley Shepherd, author of The Last Paltry Drops and The Boy He Left Behind

"As fate would have it, Rob Rosen has written another screamingly funny novel exploring the foibles of gay romance." -- Jonathan Asche, author of Kept Men and Other Stories

Pages or Words: 262 pages, 75,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt:

Then the lights went down and the music started and…there was Jay! Wait, scrub that. THERE WAS JAY LENO! In the flesh. Sure, he was pretty far away, but on the studio monitor he was close up. Ironic, because I could’ve just stayed at home and seen the same thing. Still, here he directly addressed the audience. At home, not really, not like this. I mean he was looking, pardon the expression, straight at me! Or maybe at Trevor. Or Aunt Caroline. But definitely in our general vicinity.

“Weird,” whispered Brian.

“Weird,” I agreed.

“The camera adds twenty pounds to his chin,” added Grandma from behind. I laughed. Guess the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, Ma being the Red Delicious.

After the monologue, which again was sort of drab and on the vanilla side, especially when you were accustomed to Ma, Jay sat at his desk and did some standard Jay stuff in his standard Jay nasal twang, and then the curtain parted from the side and out popped Katie.

“She’s so tiny,” Aaron said from two seats over.

Again I nodded. “All the stars are. The big ones don’t fit inside their trailers.” Everyone nodded, even the strangers in front of us.

Katie was now yammering on about some new project of hers, but I had a hard time concentrating. Ma was going to be on in less than an hour. My Ma! On the friggin’ Tonight Show! Sure, Leno was no Carson, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Then Katie was done and there was Sean.

“He’s shorter, too,” whispered Aaron.

Again I nodded. “Madonna probably wouldn’t have married anyone too tall. Then the cameras would’ve focused on him.”

“As if,” said Brian, reverently.

Again, I had a difficult time concentrating on Sean. Ma was on next, after all. Ma was the closer. Sean Penn was Ma’s opening act. I had a feeling that statement would be repeated for years to come. Mostly by Ma.

Trevor reached over and held my hand. “I’m so nervous.”

“Ditto,” I said. “Imagine what Ma must be going through.”

Dad tapped me on the shoulder. “Ma’s been drinking since breakfast. Ma is feeling no pain whatsoever. Ma is probably talking Katie Couric’s ear off even as we speak.”

“Probably trying to land a segment on 60 Minutes or CBS Evening News,” I added, knowingly.

“Probably,” agreed my grandma. “Or asking if Matt Lauer is a prick in real life.”

I held back a laugh. “Sounds like Ma.”

And then Sean was gone and the cameras were back on Jay. Honestly, if I was breathing at the time, there were no signs of it. Despite the cool air blowing down on us, beads of sweat were trickling down my face. I squeezed Trevor’s hand. He squeezed mine in return. Brian pressed his knee to mine. Astoundingly, my dick stayed still. I suppose it was as nervous as the rest of me.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Jay then shouted, still nasally, “please welcome to the stage for her very first television appearance, the very funny, Paula Jackson!”

I gasped. Jay Leno just nasally shouted my mom’s name to the entire country! Or at least to a few million DVRs and VCRs.

Ma walked out smiling, sure and steady. She looked beautiful, radiant, at home. Then she started her routine. Most of it was what we’d practiced. The rest was about me. Again I gasped.

Brian leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Your closet door will never be the same.”

My mouth remained in gasp mode. “She’s blowing the fucking hinges off.”

Grandma smacked my head. “Language.”

And I realized that Ma was also outing me to my family, to our neighbors, to everyone I’d gone to high school with, everyone I went to college with. Everyone. Wait, better—or worse—still, EVERYONE! Or at least anyone who didn’t watch Letterman or Conan.

The audience laughed. I ducked down in my seat. My friends laughed. I prayed for a meteor to hit Burbank. My family raucously applauded. I planned on ways of slowly torturing Ma, starting with locking her TV on Fox News and substituting her vodka with flat Sprite.

Her three minutes, which felt more like three hours, finally came to an end. Jay ran over and gave Ma a hug. “Ladies and gentlemen, Paula Jackson!”

The audience cheered, friends and family the loudest. Me, I was in shock. Me, I was in a coma. Me, I definitely peed myself. “Should’ve bought the Depends,” I whispered, my voice drowned out by the crowd.

Said crowd began to disperse. I was frozen to the spot. “Eddie,” Trevor said, shaking my arm. “Come on, time to go backstage.”

I looked up at him. “Huh?”

“Backstage. To see your mom.” He said it slowly. Or perhaps that’s just the way I heard it. In fact, the whole world was going in slow motion now.

“Huh?”

Dad hit me from behind. “Snap out of it. Your mom was amazing.”

I forced a smile. “Amazing,” I said. “Let’s go tell her how amazing she was.” Because I sure as hell was amazed.

Buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Fate-Rob-Rosen-ebook/dp/B0187VVEWQ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=BR__FATE

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fate-1935895-149.html

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fate-rob-rosen/1122965331?ean=2940157695552

Meet the author:

Rob Rosen (www.therobrosen.com) is the author of the critically acclaimed novels, Sparkle: The Queerest Book You'll Ever Love, the Lambda Literary Award Nominated Divas Las Vegas, which was the winner of the 2010 TLA Gaybies for Best Gay Fiction, Hot Lava, Southern Fried, the Lambda Literary Award Nominated Queerwolf, Vamp, Queens of the Apocalypse, Creature Comfort and the Lambda Literary nominated Fate. His short stories have appeared in more than 200 anthologies. You can find 20 of them in his erotic romance anthology, Good & Hot. He is also the editor of Lust in Time: Erotic Romance Through the Ages, Men of the Manor, Best Gay Erotica 2015 and Best Gay Erotica of the Year, Volume 1.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therobrosen

Website: http://www.therobrosen.com/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27832169-fate

Publisher: MLR Press

Cover Artist: Melody Pond

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Jessie G. Books, Bayou Book Junkie, Charley Descoteaux, Book Lovers 4Ever, MM Good Book Reviews, Attention Is Arbitrary, KathyMac Reviews, Havan Fellows, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Book Blog, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Happily Ever Chapter, Full Moon Dreaming, Up All Night, Read All Day, The Jena Wade, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Alpha Book Club, Lee Brazil

Rafflecopter Prize: PDF copy of ‘Fate’ by Rob Rosen

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Wednesday Briefs: Moving Forward #16 (4.2)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! Also, to the first flash of the New Year! Hope everyone had a great holiday! Ours was nice and quiet lol If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our best flash fiction every week, between 500 and 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Last week, as you'll recall, the trip to Galveston began. How will Marshall handle such close confinement with Dustin, whom he doesn't exactly like? Can they resolve their differences? See what's happening in this week's episode of Moving Forward. Then go see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Moving Forward #16 (4.2)

He half expected to hear Dustin whine at him to slow down, but the other man caught up with him easily enough and fell into step beside him. Had he really thought he would be discouraged just because Marshall hadn’t waited for him? Didn’t matter. He shrugged the thought off and kept walking.

“Burnham seems like a nice place,” Dustin commented after a few moments of silence between them.

“It is. We like it.” Marshall shoved his hands into his pockets, focusing on the terrain over which they walked rather than his companion.

“I can see why. I bet everyone knows everyone else.”

“Pretty much.” Marshall kept his replies deliberately short, but within the realm of politeness. Lee couldn’t fault him for that, since Lee was rather laconic himself.

“I like Tucker Falls, but it’s not near as cozy. Burnham’s more like the place I come from. We all know what’s going on with everyone else. Is that how it is with you?”

Marshall couldn’t help but remember Christmas Eve, and the letter Rhonda had given to everyone in town, letting them in on the details of his and Lee’s life. Yeah, the people in Burnham knew it all, didn’t they? And they didn’t judge.

Didn’t mean he was about to spill his guts to this outsider. Disliking him wasn’t even part of the reason. Marshall still didn’t think his and Lee’s relationship was anyone else’s business, whether he liked him or not.

“I guess,” he responded at last. He heard a sigh beside him, and darted a surprised glance at Dustin, who was regarding him with something that might have been disappointment. Marshall couldn’t quite place it.

“You don’t like me a whole lot, do you?”

Marshall flushed. Whether or not it was true, he hadn’t intended to be so obvious about how he felt. He thought he had better manners than that. Apparently not.

“I never said that,” he half-heartedly protested.

“You did so. Maybe not in so many words, but you’ve made your feelings pretty obvious,” Dustin replied. “And I can’t figure out for the life of me what I did to deserve that. I mean, I helped you out at the bar, and I stood up for you, didn’t I? I stepped in when you were nothing but a stranger to me, and I didn’t have any idea who you were, just that you were in trouble. But you act like I’m a real pain in your ass, and I think you go out of your way to be rude to me.  If Lee had come along with us today, I bet you wouldn’t  even bother to exchange two words with me, would you? Unless he made you.”

Marshall turned away, in annoyance and shame both, and found Dustin had moved in front of him, blocking his path. Marshall tried to move around him, but Dustin simply sidestepped his efforts, and refused to budge.

 Marshall released a huff of annoyance, and replied without stopping to think. “You’re so damn pushy,” he said.

“Pushy? Me?” It was Dustin’s turn to look surprised. “In what way?”

“Well… the way you seem to think it’s open season on me or something. You’ve been hitting on me ever since we met.”

“Cause I think you’re a good-looking guy, and I want to get to know you,” Dustin replied. “Is that such a crime?”

“It is when a guy’s taken. You know I’m with Lee, and if you have eyes, you can see we’re very together, so why bother?”

Dustin ran his fingers through his hair as he gathered his thoughts. “I don’t see a ring on your finger,” he pointed out. “And he’s a lot older than you. Maybe I figured it wasn’t that serious. I’ve seen you dancing with other guys, so I thought maybe you had an open relationship.”

“Oh hell no,” Marshall blurted out, although he wasn’t about to explain why he and Lee couldn’t get married. Ever. “Just cause I dance with someone else doesn’t mean I sleep with them. Lee and me… we’re committed. Forever. Age has nothin’ to do with anything. And dancing’s just dancing.”

“Have you ever been with anyone else?”

Marshall’s annoyance was growing, his temper rising. “That’s none of your damn business,” he said. 

“And it has nothing to do with anything.” He shoved Dustin, not too hard, just enough to get him to move out of his way. Dustin was caught by surprise and started to lose his balance. He grabbed Marshall’s arms to keep himself upright and then immediately pulled away.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to do that,” Dustin apologized. “Look, I just want to be your friend, whether anything else happens between us or not—”

“It won’t!”  Marshall said firmly.

“I like you, Marshall. Hell, I like Lee too. I think he’s a really nice guy. Even if he is old enough to be your father.”

Marshall started to sputter, and Dustin help up a conciliatory hand. “Sorry. I know, age is just a number. I get it. Honestly. Can we just start over? I could really use a friend, that’s all.”

Marshall found himself staring into Dustin’s eyes, perplexed. Dustin was a good-looking guy, why wouldn’t he have friends? Dustin flushed under his scrutiny.

“Never mind,” he muttered and pivoted.

“Wait a second.” This time it was Marshall who reached for Dustin’s arm and held it firm. “Give me a chance to say something, willya? Jeez, can’t even get a word in before you start assumin’ things.” 

He gave Dustin a small smile, in spite of himself, and received one in return.

“Sorry, I need to learn not to jump off the deep end like that,” he said sheepishly. “What were you going to say?”

“I was just gonna say yeah, we can try being friends.” Dustin’s smile grew even bigger.

 “Friends,” Marshall repeated, for emphasis. “With the understanding that I love Lee, and that him and me are going to be together forever.”

“Okay,” Dustin agreed.

to be continued

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