Coming Soon!

 

Torn is the first novel in a new series set in the world of classical ballet. Scheduled to release on March 22, 2022, you can pre-order your copy HERE. Add to your GoodReads shelf. 

Blurb

Torn

(En Pointe, Book One)

Kazimir Lebedez is a shocking anomaly in Russian politics. He’s an honest man who can’t be bought. Because he has no secrets. Until an extramarital love affair results in an illegitimate son he decides to hide in plain sight.   

Raised by his adopted grandmother, Misha Vergara has dreamed of dancing ballet since he was a toddler. He exhibits the natural grace and drive to succeed in the competitive world of classical dance.    

Natalya Baranova—Talia—is convinced that she and her bestie, Misha, are destined to be the preeminent ballet couple someday. They work diligently on their craft which ultimately leads them to the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. 

Henri Minas, a new arrival, has all the qualifications to become a principal dancer, with a face and personality that beguiles and confuses Misha.

Torn between his best friend and Henri, Misha must come to terms with his growing feelings for another boy. In a region of the world where same-sex relationships are forbidden, will Misha follow his heart and choose love with Henri, or stay true to Talia and their shared dream of fame?

To make matter’s worse, all of Kazimir’s carefully crafted lies are about to unravel, as the half brother Misha doesn't know sets his sights on Talia. Now a high-ranking member of the government, can Kaz protect his reputation, and more importantly, his precious love child, without losing it all?

Coming Soon: Cutting Out

 

Cutting Out, the final book in the Cutting Cords Series, will release at the end of September. Catch up on the previous books before this one lands. All 3 books (Cutting Cords, Vessel, Cleave) are available on Kindle Unlimited for the first time. Get your copy of CUTTING CORDS here. 

Cover Reveal

A Tangled Legacy

Chapter one of A Tangled Legacy, is available for your reading pleasure at NineStar Press. Take advantage of the preorder special--get the book 3 days prior to release--if you buy on site. NineStar Press has some good news for those who prefer paper over ebooks. The prequel, Once Upon A Mattress, has been added as bonus content to the paperback version of the novel. Don't miss out! 

Add A Tangled Legacy to your TBR shelf at Goodreads

Coming Soon!

Presenting the gorgeous cover for my latest novel created by the fabulous Natasha Snow. A Tangled Legacy is a spin-off from Once Upon a Mattress, the queer retelling of The Princess and the Pea I created for the anthology Once Upon a Rainbow, Volume I. You can purchase Once Upon a Rainbow if you'd like background on this upcoming novel, but it's not necessary. Here's the blurb for Tangled.

Blurb 

Prince Colin of Sendorra would have been the spare instead of the heir if fate hadn’t intervened. Like his father and forefathers, Colin is expected to marry and father a child or his principality reverts to Spain at the time of his death. Filling the royal nursery with healthy babies seems easy enough until Princess Charlotte, his childhood friend and intended bride, breaks off the engagement.

Nobel Prize winner—and powerful gray witch—Alain de Gris isn’t looking for love. Science and research have taken center stage for years until he walks into a club and lays eyes on Colin, thirteen years his junior.

Bisexual by nature, Colin seeks to avoid another repeat by shying away from a same-sex relationship. Male pregnancy nearly killed his father, and there are no other alternatives to provide legitimate offspring if he follows his heart.

But Colin can’t stay away from Alain and the witch finds him irresistible. Breaking several rules, they embark on a relationship that jeopardizes the monarchy. Will magic offer a solution or create more problems?

A Tangled Legacy is published by NineStar Press and releases August 6. Buy Links will be available shortly.

Being With Him blog tour begins today!

As I mentioned in my previous post, my twelve (yummy) days of Christmas with Zeb and Alex starts  today at The Fiction Nook. Check out Alex's recipe for collard greens, read an excerpt of the first chapter, and throw your name in the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a $25.00 dollar DSP gift certificate.

Check it out here: My Fiction Nook

For those of you who prefer the convenience of one-clicking, Being With Him is now available for pre-order at Amazon

I hope you'll join us on the delicious tour!

Basque Trilogy Bundle

My bittersweet trilogy has been turned into a bundle. You get three full-length novels for only $9.99.

Here are the individual blurbs:

Loving Edits

When bestselling novelist Mick Henley contacts his editor and former lover, Paul Alcott, after a seven-year absence, hearing Mick’s voice reinforces what Paul has known all along―he still loves Mick. The possible reunion entices Paul into considering a dinner invitation, but his hopes are dashed when he learns Mick is in a loving relationship with Spanish jai alai player Tono Garat.

Paul still accepts the invitation, and Mick asks Paul to help Tono through the final revision of a love story he’s written, inspired by his affair with Mick. When Paul refuses, Mick reveals he’s been diagnosed with a fatal disease, and the novel is Tono’s only means of coping with the eventual outcome.

Paul and Tono resent each other, but they can't deny the strong sexual attraction between them. Can the past blend with the present to ease the way for Mick’s inevitable future? Will they overcome their differences to provide the loving support necessary to sustain the man they love or will their collision destroy Mick's final days?



Tono

In the aftermath of Mick Henley’s death, his two lovers, Paul Alcott and Tono Garat, find themselves at odds. Tono has rejected Paul on the pretext that the public will find out about their love affair, thus tarnishing Mick’s memory; the reality is that Tono fears Paul will lose interest in him because they’re not intellectual equals. Tono’s fear is compounded when Mick’s final novel, Momentos, is presented to Paul posthumously with a request to start a trust from the proceeds to aid artists and writers suffering from ALS. Mick’s only stipulation is that Tono spearhead the organization.

Paul is energized by Mick’s request, but Tono is angry and conflicted about the challenge. After a five-month separation, they reunite, rekindling their strong physical attraction—and illuminating their many differences. As always, Mick’s presence lingers, intruding at unexpected times. Are their memories preventing Paul and Tono from finding true happiness as a couple? Can there be a life for two vibrant alphas without the gentle Mick to buffer the discord?



Momentos: Mick’s Journey

Before Mick Henley brought Paul Alcott and Tono Garat together in Loving Edits, it was simply Mick and Paul, two optimistic teenagers who began a love affair that would span twelve years—and leave an indelible mark on their lives.

The passionate young lovers shared a series of firsts before Paul’s harsh father drove a wedge between them, shattering their dreams and destroying everything Mick believed to be true about love. After Paul's defection, Mick met Tono, a closeted Spanish athlete, who helped heal his broken heart.

From passionate highs to heartbreaking lows, Mick inspires the two most important men in his life and brings them together with his impending death. They’ll learn that all their memories, even the most difficult to bear, are precious and that love is the most amazing journey of all.

Buy here: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/basque-trilogy-by-mickie-b-ashling-8638-b

Friday Preview

Happy Friday! Here's a snippet of my upcoming release Gnarly.  You can read the first chapter and blurb on the Dreamspinner Press Coming Soon Page. If you like second chance stories with mature characters, this one is for you. Direct link below the graphic. 

Gnarly is available for pre-order here: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/gnarly-by-mickie-b-ashling-8583-b

Friday Previews

“It started out innocently,” Bryce said. “Back in those days I was pretty vanilla and didn’t know anything about breath play. I just figured Owen liked it rough, but the first time he wrapped his fingers around my neck and started squeezing, I panicked.”

“Jesus!”

“Yeah, it was terrifying because I didn’t realize what he was doing or why. I was sure he wanted to kill me.”

“Why on earth would you think that?” Seth asked.

“We’d been seeing each other for over six months, and I was starting to complain about being his dirty secret. It ticked me off that we never went out in public, and sex was always rushed. He didn’t talk about a shared future or admitted that he cared for me, much less loved me. I was starting to realize the romance was one-sided, and it was getting old.”

“Why didn’t you try seeing someone who was emotionally available?”

Bryce snorted. “Owen threatened to tear off my dick if I looked at another guy.”

The entire Open Series is 25% off until January 23. Get caught up before Open Case releases on February 3. 

https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-open-series-7684-s

Sunday Snippets

As promised, another short glimpse into the continuing story of Seth and Bryce, whom you met in Open Seating. The second book in this trilogy, Open House, releases on Monday, October 24. Pre-order links appear at the end of this excerpt.

                                                                  **************

“Are you having a meltdown, or are you just sleepy?” Bryce asked gently.
“Neither. I’m trying to decide if I want to be productive or frivolous today.”
“Why not do both?”
“I can’t seem to get that pink garter belt out of my head,” Seth confessed, “and I’m afraid I won’t be able to concentrate on my writing until I’ve satisfied my curiosity.”
Bryce grinned in response. “Now that’s the kind of talk I like to hear. Take my credit card because I’m sure those things can get pricy.”
“Are you sure?”
“I know your money is tied up at the moment, and I don’t want you to pass up anything because of the price tag. Get whatever turns you on.”
“This feels like a scene straight out of Pretty Woman,” Seth joked.
“Yeah, except you’re way better looking than Richard Gere,” Bryce remarked.
“I was referring to Julia, sweetheart.”
“She’s not worth mentioning,” Bryce said. “I’ve had the hots for Gere ever since I watched An Officer and a Gentleman. That guy sure can kiss.”
“I never noticed,” Seth mused. “We’ll have to watch it together so I can compare your techniques.”
“While you’re all decked out in hot pink?”
“Don’t get me started,” Seth begged. “You’ve got to get to work.”
Bryce laughed. “Who knew you had this in you?”
“God knows, I didn’t,” Seth observed. “You’ve turned me into one of those Russian dolls with multiple inner layers. Crack one open and out pops another new and exciting creation. I wonder what you’ll find when we get to the core.”
“I like it when you call me sweetheart,” Bryce said.
“Is that all you have to say in response to my rant about turning me into a completely different person?”

Chuckling, Bryce said, “There’s nothing to say except bring it on. The kinkier the better—I’m loving this new side of you.”

Seth’s eyes widened. “Good to know.”

“There’s a Victoria’s Secret on the Mag Mile, near the apartment,” Bryce mentioned. “You’re aware of that, right?”

“No, but thanks for the heads-up.”

“Try and keep an eye out for Owen,” Bryce warned. “Not that he’ll be stalking you or anything, but I feel better issuing the warning.”

“Gee, thanks. Now I’ll be looking over my shoulder every five minutes.”

“Adam and Jack were pretty persuasive. I prefer to be overly cautious than blithely unconcerned.”

“Maybe we should rent Criminal Minds instead of a chick flick,” Seth complained. “At least we’ll get some good intel on dealing with a nutcase.”

Scowling, Bryce said, “Now it’s my turn to apologize for turning Owen against you.”

“Bleh!” Seth waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “If you weren’t in the picture, Owen would have probably figured out some other way to fuck with me.”

“We’ll never know,” Bryce said, pulling the truck into his parking space. “Let’s go, babe. I’ve got to hustle.”

And hustle he did. Bryce was in and out of the shower in ten minutes and on his way to work before nine thirty. He was convinced Owen would be calling every hour on the hour to get an answer on the proposed bank loan.

Seth stopped thinking about Owen, deciding Bryce had things under control. He took his time getting ready to go on his shopping spree, making sure he dressed like a man of means who had shopped the store before instead of a clueless newb pawing through women’s lingerie for the heck of it. It was okay to reference Pretty Woman, but to actually live that scene would be embarrassing as hell.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Open-House-Mickie-B-Ashling-ebook/dp/B01M1121CN/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

DSP: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/open-house-by-mickie-b-ashling-7682-b

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-openhouse-2142822-149.html

Sunday Snippets

Here's a short snippet of Open House, book 2 in the Open Series. I'll be posting a sneak peak every Sunday until release day, October 24. Those of you who are fans of the Horizons Series will be happy to see two of our favorite guys making several guest appearances throughout this book, and the one coming out early next year, Open Case. Pre-order links are posted after the excerpt. Enjoy!

Excerpt:

Bryce exited on Barrington Road and, after a few turns, entered a quiet subdivision. Most of the properties were an acre or more, judging by the distance between homes. No two houses looked alike, and Seth admired the clean lines of Lil and Grier’s home when Bryce pulled into their driveway. It reminded him a little of a Frank Lloyd Wright home he’d seen featured in a magazine long ago. The façade was unfinished river rocks and glass, and the multiple layers of the large home flowed together to create a structure that seemed part of the landscape rather than an intrusive eyesore. Many of the trees surrounding the property had already changed color and were beginning to drop their leaves in a brilliant kaleidoscope of orange, red, and brown. There were a few pine trees and evergreen shrubs in strategic locations to provide the greenery needed during the long winter months ahead. All in all, it was a gorgeous home and a breathtaking endorsement for Lil’s architectural firm.

“Did you help build this?” Seth asked, soaking up the view.

“Sure did,” Bryce said, killing the engine. “They moved here a year ago, about the time Luca went off to college. Before that, they lived closer to the high school.”

The front door opened, and a couple dressed in casual attire stepped outside to welcome them. The blond, whom Seth assumed was the older partner, had on a raspberry-colored sweatshirt with LL Bean embroidered on the front paired with black sweatpants. His arm was draped over the shoulder of an edgy-looking brunet who wore a collared polo shirt over faded blue jeans. His colorful tattoos were exactly as Bryce had described, completely covering what Seth could see of one arm. Diamond studs twinkled on his earlobes, and Seth wondered why Bryce had never hooked up with him. He was just Bryce’s type: young and gorgeous. Upon closer inspection, though, Seth saw the way the couple held each other and caught a few knowing glances between them. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to see how closely they were connected.

Their welcoming smiles set Seth completely at ease. He hadn’t known what to expect given Bryce’s cryptic remarks about their sexual preferences, but ordinary wasn’t it. If not for the million-dollar background and above-average looks, the men standing at the entrance seemed quite normal.

“Bryce, I’m so glad you could join us,” the blond exclaimed.

“Lil, this is my….”

“Boyfriend? Lover? Significant other?” Lil prompted helpfully.

“All of the above,” Bryce admitted. “Seth, this is the famous Lil Lampert and his partner, Grier Dilorio.”

“Please to meet you both,” Seth said, shaking their hands. “What an amazing home.”

“Wait until you see the inside,” Bryce said. “It makes my apartment look like a slum.”

“Oh, stop,” Lil said with a flick of his wrist.

“Yeah, don’t say shit like that with me around,” Grier said in mock protest. “I happen to think I did a great job with your place.”

“You did,” Seth said immediately, “and Bryce was just kidding.”

“I know.” Grier grinned. “Come in.”

Seth couldn’t believe what he was seeing when they stepped into the house. It had an open atrium design, with soaring ceilings and large planters filled to overflowing with live ferns and colorful flowers. It felt like he was walking into a tropical paradise, not a home in the Midwest.

“My goodness,” Seth exclaimed. “Your heating bill must be astronomical.”

Lil cackled. “Grier complains about the temperature all the time, but I was born and bred in California. This,” he continued with a dramatic sweep of his arm, “is my concession to living in this horrible climate. I suffer from seasonal affective disorder, and it’s important that my lighting mimics the sun during the long winter months. The cost is peanuts compared to my loss of income if I sank into one of my SAD depressions. Isn’t that right, love?” he asked Grier, who was standing off to the side with Bryce

“Lil is a freak about the cold,” Grier said frankly. “You would think he’d be used to it by now, but he still hates it. The seasonal lights go on as soon as the leaves start to change color.”

Pre-order here: Dreamspinner :https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/open-house-by-mickie-b-ashling-7682-b

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Open-House-Mickie-B-Ashling-

ebook/dp/B01M1121CN/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-openhouse-2142822-149.html

Coming Soon!

Open House, the second book in the Open Series, will release on October 24 and can be pre-ordered on the Dreamspinner Press Coming Soon page. Click on the link below to read the first chapter and order your copy. Follow Seth and Bryce as they adjust to life after the cruise. As you can see by the blurb, surprises await, and not all of them are good. Check it out!  

Blurb:

By the time Seth Wilder and Bryce McFarland return to Chicago after their UK cruise, they’re halfway in love. They decide to move in together to see if their feelings can survive in the real world.

Seth receives word that a mandatory autopsy was performed on his late partner because his death was a suicide. The medical examiner’s findings are disturbing and leave some doubt as to the underlying cause of death.

Because of the suicide clause, life insurance benefits had been denied, but in light of these new findings, Seth’s lawyer advises him to appeal. The insurance investigator turns out to be the man who broke Bryce’s heart twenty-five years ago. The guy has fallen on hard times, and when he sees how successful Bryce has become—and how large Seth’s potential payout might be—he decides he wants a piece of the pie. Bryce and Seth’s new relationship is severely tested in this second novel in the Open Series.


https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/open-house-by-mickie-b-ashling-7682-b

Cover Reveal!

I'd like to share the cover for the next book in the Open Series which will release sometime in October. Open House continues exactly where Open Seating ends. Seth and Bryce are back in Chicago after their romantic cruise, and the guys are ready to take their relationship to the next level. Unfortunately, real life intrudes almost immediately, and the close connection they'd established during the trip is severely tested.

The Open Series is a planned trilogy and books need to be read in order to be fully enjoyed. Dreamspinner Press is having a flash sale from 7/18 to 7/20 and you can find Open Seating for 25% off. Get caught up before the next book releases.

Here's the link to Open Seating: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/open-seating-by-mickie-b-ashling-7043-b

Cover Reveal!

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Open Seating by Mickie B. Ashling includes Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway

http://sinfullymmbookreviews.blogspot.com/2016/05/exclusive-cover-reveal-open-seating-by.html#more

Coming Soon

The Cutting Cords bundle is available for Pre-order at the Dreamspinner Press Store for $9.99.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7749

When Sloan Driscoll and Cole Fujiwara become reluctant roommates, neither man is willing to share too much. Sloan is instantly attracted to Cole but knows it's a hopeless cause; Cole has a steady girlfriend. But one night they share a joint, and Cole opens a window neither anticipated.

A relationship may be impossible—both men are living with heart-breaking secrets. While Sloan is smart, sassy, and a brilliant graphic artist, he’s also a pothead with severe body image problems. Cole, a former major league pitcher, has his own personal crisis: he's going blind. Sloan and Cole are suffering on so many levels, they might not realize that the ultimate salvation could be within each other’s arms.

Five years into their relationship, Sloan Driscoll’s peaceful existence is suddenly upended. His lover, Cole Fujiwara, gives him an ultimatum: agree to a surrogate birth or break up. Noriko Evans, a beautiful woman of Japanese/American descent, is handpicked by Cole’s father to be the surrogate. At the same time, Trent Hamilton, model and established Dominant, sets his eyes on Sloan, offering him another life choice.

Sloan is thrown off balance by this series of events he can neither understand nor control. He’d thought the topic of children had been laid to rest years ago, but with the advent of a new form of genetic testing, Cole’s fear of passing on retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that leads to blindness, has been greatly reduced. Noriko’s abrupt appearance threatens Sloan, as does Sloan’s attraction to Trent and a side of the BDSM world he’d never thought to explore.

Will Sloan be able to muster the inner strength he’ll need to deal with one shocking revelation after another, or will he succumb to a dangerous coping mechanism? His decisions will either lead to salvation... or hasten the end of the relationship that literally saved his life.

On New Year’s Eve, Cole Fujiwara stands vigil at his father’s deathbed while his surrogate wife, Noriko, gives birth to twins. As Cole contemplates his future, he acknowledges that he’s living his father’s dream… and that he’s probably destroyed his chance at happiness with Sloan, the love of his life.

Finding harmony in an emerging D/s relationship has not been without issue for Sloan Driscoll and his Master, Trent Hamilton. Their journey has been littered with mishaps, but their powerful love and sexual connection continue to bind them together—until Sloan comes face to face with Cole for the first time in nine months.

The meeting means different things to each of them. To Cole, it’s the first step on the path to a reunion. To Sloan, it’s a terrible mistake, one he confesses immediately. As for Trent, the bitter realization that a connection between the former lovers still exists forces him to issue an ultimatum. Is Sloan willing to do anything to prove their relationship is worth saving, including becoming Trent’s 24/7 slave? And if Sloan stays with Trent, how can Cole ever hope to find happiness again?

Hours after stepping off the yacht where they had their mock wedding, real life intrudes, and arguments arise between Sloan Driscoll and Trent Hamilton. Seeking relief at his BDSM club, Trent bumps into an old army buddy who tells him things are different now that DADT has been repealed. Meanwhile, Sloan receives a frantic call from ex-lover, Cole Fujiwara, who tells him that his twins and ex-wife have been kidnapped. Cole asks Sloan for help but makes him promise not to include Trent in the rescue attempt.

Trent considers the opportunity to resume a career cut short, and despite Sloan's threat to postpone the wedding, he leaves for the Middle East as an independent mercenary while Sloan rushes to aid Cole.

In Tokyo, disturbing revelations draw the former couple together, and old feelings are rekindled. Despite this new understanding, neither man makes a move. Sloan is focused on rescuing Cole’s family without jeopardizing his relationship with Trent, while Cole must prepare himself to survive disappointment if Sloan chooses to segue into married life as a military spouse.

Cover Reveal!

I'm thrilled to show you the beautiful cover designed by Anne Cain for my upcoming release The Sixth Chukker. This is the third book in the Polo Series and follows about three years after Ride-Off ended. The novel releases April 8 and you can pre-order a copy on the Dreamspinner Coming Soon page here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7601.  Blog tour stops to be announced in a few weeks.

Blurb:
Retired polo players Preston Fawkes and Konrad Schnell have finally found the happiness that eluded them for years. Their stud farm is a big success, and their marriage couldn’t be healthier. Unfortunately, this idyllic life is disrupted by several unexpected sources.

Paloma, Preston’s twenty-one-year-old daughter, is determined to be a 10 goal player before she turns thirty. Bandi, Konrad’s son, dreams of starting a family with his husband, Ned Temple. Paloma offers to surrogate if her father and stepfather come out of retirement and team up with her for one season.

Preston and Konrad would do anything to make their children happy, but they’re confronted with a stumbling block. Trauma specialist Dr. Rayne Carlisle refuses to sign off on the necessary paperwork unless Preston agrees to be his submissive for one week.

Caught between the proverbial rock and hard place, Preston and Konrad deal with disgruntled former lovers, demanding children, and old enemies in this sequel to Ride-Off.

Mayon Redux

My historical romance set in post-World War II Philippines has undergone major edits, as well as a beautiful new cover, created by Catt Ford. The second edition will release on February 23,2016 under the DSP Publications imprint. Here's a short excerpt for your entertainment. It's available for pre-order on the DSPP site as well as Amazon.

Excerpt

He grazed the smooth shoulder resting right below his chin with a soft kiss and jerked in surprise when Greg stirred and mumbled, “What are you doing?”

“I’m… sorry,” John stammered, “I must have been dreaming.” There was no way to hide the erection pressing against Greg’s buttocks, so he embraced the lie. “It’s been a while since I’ve woken up with anyone in my arms, so you’re stuck with my morning wood,” John mumbled and quickly rolled away. He got up and headed toward the stream, praying Greg wouldn’t follow. The thundering of his heart and the beads of sweat dotting his forehead were precursors of imminent danger, a feeling he’d been all too familiar with throughout his stint in the Pacific. Flirting with death had been much easier than fighting the attraction threatening to unman him in front of Greg. Jesus, if this got out, Ignacio’s offer would be rescinded. He squeezed his traitorous member, willing the stubborn organ to retreat instead of surrendering to his carnal needs. He relieved himself against a tree, gratified to feel his body subsiding to a normal state. Walking around in a state of arousal was not only embarrassing, it would give Greg ammunition in case he decided to sabotage John for honing in on his job.

Glancing over his shoulder, he could see Greg watching him with a wary eye. Christ, what must he be thinking? Did he buy into his sorry excuse for what just happened? Greg walked up to him and released his own organ unselfconsciously. He hit the high grass with a steady stream of morning urine. John could smell it from where he stood, and instead of turning him off, he felt the arousal creeping up again. There was something so basically male and primal about sharing a morning piss in the middle of nowhere. Dear God….

“Why did you kiss me?” Greg asked after he’d tucked himself away. He looked John in the eye without a trace of anger.

“I told you,” John explained. “I was dreaming about a girl back home.”

“Then how come you’re still hard?”

John glanced down at the bulge in his pants and grinned sheepishly. “My dick’s got a mind of its own.”“Does it?” Greg asked. “Perhaps you should do something about it.”

“What do you suggest?” John asked in a strangled voice. The morning sun was starting to creep over the horizon, and the golden rays peeking through the lush vegetation dappled across the hard planes of Greg’s smooth chest. He’d removed the wife beater the night before, casually mentioning he preferred sleeping without it, but the chill in the air had raised goose bumps and turned his dark brown nipples into stiff nubs. Greg’s face was partially hidden in shadows, but the hunger in his green eyes was clearly visible, and John was aroused by the blatant scrutiny. The dawning light played tricks on his imagination, turning Greg into some ethereal being. He was temptation personified, and John felt like Adam succumbing to the lure of the luscious apple. Years of discipline and a rigid moral code were no match for the power of the sexual tension drawing them together in their private Eden.

Greg pointed at his own growing desire. “Your problem seems to be contagious.”

John snorted. “We can always rub up against each other like dogs in heat.”

“Is that what you do in the Marines?”

“Hell no,” John protested. “If anyone got caught in that kind of situation, it would be the end.”

Blurb

2nd Edition

The Philippines, 1946

After being discharged from the Marines, John Buchanan is offered a position as overseer for plantation owner Ignacio Saenz. The offer is unexpected, considering he knows nothing about coconut farming, but the presence of Mount Mayon, an active volcano within sight of the property, tips the scales in Ignacio’s favor. Finally John has a chance to put his lifelong passion for vulcanology into practice.

Gregorio Delgado, the current overseer, takes exception to this turn of events. He views John as an interloper and Ignacio’s offer as a thinly disguised excuse to marry off one of his six daughters. What neither of them expects is the powerful physical attraction that simmers between them. Could John be a kindred spirit, or is he just using Gregorio for his knowledge of farming to ingratiate himself with his potential father-in-law?   

As John and Gregorio begin a tour of the haciendas, John discovers he has far more in common with his new acquaintance than he thought possible. Torn between honor and desire, John struggles to define who he is and what Gregorio could mean to him. Like the unpredictable volcano, equal parts beauty and danger, Gregorio becomes an obsession that could erupt at any minute and destroy them both.   

1st Edition published by Dreamspinner Press, 2012.

Pre-order Links:

https://www.dsppublications.com/books/mayon-by-mickie-b-ashling-211-b

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AGK2J3E

Giveaway!

There's a giveaway going on over at Stumbling Over Chaos. Click on the link and leave a comment for a chance to win an e-copy of Yesterday which releases on January 22.

More details here: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/archives/28625

Yesterday Sneak Peeks

I slathered on the Coppertone to make sure I’d tan and not burn. Odds were in my favor, as I’d inherited my mother’s genes in that respect. We always looked like toasted coconut by the end of summer, and the contrast with our blond hair was quite stunning. I checked myself in the mirror once more and was satisfied that I’d pass muster. The baggy shorts hung down to the top of my knees and kept the package under wraps. No one would be throwing stones at this homo today.

The only people outside were foreigners. Nobody in this part of the world would willingly lie in the sun half-naked, burning layers of skin and expecting not to end up with an extreme case of sunburn. After thirty minutes, I knew I’d have to take this intense heat seriously and temper my sessions by the pool if I didn’t want to look like a lobster or end up with heatstroke. I might have fared better than most, given my good genes, but the sun blazed fiercely in this desert climate, and I knew now why people ran around covered in layers of cloth from head to toe.

I decided to move over to a covered section for a cool drink. I shrugged on a loose cotton shirt and headed toward the bar. “A large iced tea with extra lemon, please,” I ordered, turning to look at the people lying around the pool I’d just left. It had been impossible to see them clearly while I was baking under the ferocious rays, but here in the shade and hidden behind sunglasses, I could stare without appearing rude. I would have loved to pull out my movie camera, but surprisingly, people objected to being filmed without permission, and the amount of effort it took to get them to consent wasn’t worth the bother. There was no one out there who looked remotely interesting until Kamran showed up with his two bodyguards flanking him like twin buttresses. Christ, they could probably snap me in half if they chose to get aggressive.

He saw me and waved, breaking into a beautiful smile that changed his face dramatically. In repose he looked menacing, a studied look he’d no doubt perfected, but when he cracked a smile, the contrast was significant. I could forget for a few seconds that he wasn’t the untouchable nephew of a world leader. He was dressed in white again, a color that definitely suited him. The loose pants and long tunic top was a traditional garb of some kind and looked comfortable.

“Grady,” he called out in the deep baritone, rolling the r in my name appealingly. “You look like you’ve been basting in an oven.”

I laughed. “It felt exactly like that,” I admitted. “This is why I’m here instead of out there. Would you care for a drink?”

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he replied.

I turned toward the bartender. “Another iced tea, please.”

“Why don’t we sit down at a table?” Kamran suggested. “I don’t like to drink standing up. It makes me feel like a camel.”

I grinned. “Not much of a barhopper, are you?”

“Hardly,” he said. “I told you I don’t touch alcohol.”

“Right.” I remembered he’d mentioned something last night about being Muslim. “It’s against your religion?”

Blurb

In June of 1978 Grady Ormond, eighteen-year-old son of diplomat Peter Ormond, accompanies his father to his new posting as US Ambassador to Pakistan. Neighboring Iran is on the brink of a civil war, with the monarchy in danger of being overthrown.

Grady will be leaving for New York City in late August to study cinematography and has been warned to keep his homosexual orientation tightly under wraps while on vacation. Repercussions in the predominantly Islamic region could be severe.  

 On their first night in Karachi, his father hosts a cocktail party to meet the local dignitaries. Grady is introduced to His Highness Prince Kamran Izadi, nephew of the shah of Iran. Twenty-three-year-old Kamran has recently returned from the UK, where he spent eleven years, first as a student, and then as a financial analyst.

The attraction is immediate—unforeseen and dangerously powerful—but neither one dares to make a move. Odds are so stacked against them it's futile to even entertain a friendship, but they do, and their world tilts precariously.

 With his country in turmoil and Grady about to leave for college, Kamran makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

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Cover Reveal, Excerpt, and Giveaway!

I'm so excited to reveal the gorgeous cover created by Catt Ford for my upcoming release, Yesterday. 

Read an exclusive expert over at Prism Book Alliance and throw your name in the Rafflecopter widget for a chance to win an e-copy.

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Yesterday is available for Pre-order here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7256