Blog Tour: Open House by Mickie B. Ashling #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway

Hi everyone! Thank you for stopping by to help me celebrate the release of Open House. I’m here to share an exclusive excerpt and give you a chance to win a few giveaways. Open House is the direct sequel to Open Seating. These books should be read in order to be fully enjoyed.
As always, I’d like to thank Diverse Reader for hosting today’s visit, and my wonderful publicist for her excellent help in organizing my blog tour.

ABOUT OPEN HOUSE

Author: Mickie B. Ashling
Series: Open Trilogy #2
Release Date: October 24, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance
Length: 200 pages
Cover Artist: Catt Ford
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

BLURB

By the time Seth and Bryce return to Chicago, 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.

BUY THE BOOK

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

All Romance eBooks

Barnes & Noble

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

Seth powered down his laptop and pushed away from the desk. His neck and shoulders ached from hunching over in one position, but it was a good, productive pain. He hadn’t done this much writing in ages, and he was relieved his muse could draw inspiration in this new environment. Of course it had more to do with his state of mind than his location, but it was a great feeling nonetheless. He stretched; working out the kinks with the usual exercises he performed to relax his stiff muscles. After spending so much time with Bryce, a big proponent of regular workouts, he had to concede he’d felt physically better on vacation. Bryce had talked him into jogging and lifting weights while on board the cruise ship, and he missed it. Perhaps it was time to rearrange his schedule so they could do one thing together consistently. He didn’t plan on turning into a gym rat, but he knew that cardio and weight-bearing exercises were beneficial to his mental and physical well-being and Bryce was a great motivator. What could be more inspiring than having his gorgeous lover spotting him on the bench or running beside him on a treadmill?
He reached for his phone and called Laurie. She’d be grateful to hear from him after weeks of silence. They were usually tethered electronically, but everything had stopped that terrible morning he’d discovered Mark’s body. Seth had taken the coward’s way out and informed her of the suicide by leaving a terse message on her voice mail. After that, he’d ignored her calls and hadn’t replied to a single e-mail. He knew she’d be upset, but he couldn’t deal with her questions or her pity. Now, he was ready to face her wrath.
“Hi, Lazarus,” she greeted. “’Bout time you surfaced.”
Seth groaned dramatically. “Do you hate me?”
“No, you fool! I was worried sick.”
“I’m sorry, Laurie. It was a bad time.”
“A good reason to have a friend by your side, Seth. It’s not like we’re strangers or something,” she reminded him.
“I know, and you’re absolutely right, but I had a major meltdown and could only deal with one person’s yammering—my grief counselor. Then I went on the cruise, and between one thing and another, it slipped my mind.”
“You went after all?” Laurie asked, sounding surprised.
“I would have lost the money if I stayed home.”
“But the cruise line would have given you a refund considering the circumstances.”
“They don’t give a shit,” Seth said. “Here’s your lesson for the day. Always take out cancellation insurance, or you’re in for a rude awakening if something goes wrong and you can’t make it.”
“Seriously? Are you saying you were obligated to go in your state of mind? That’s awful!” she cried indignantly.
“Calm down, my little pit bull. At first I was pissed as hell by their attitude, but one of Mark’s gym buddies offered to come along for the ride. He paid his way, which meant I got back Mark’s portion of the trip. It all worked out in the end. In more ways than one,” Seth added mysteriously.
“Wait—what? You went on the trip with another guy?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Shared the same cabin?” she asked, sounding more excited with each question.
“Of course.”
“Is he gay?”
“Duh….”
“Oh my God,” she squealed. “Tell me what you’re not telling me.”
Seth thought about massaging the truth, but in the end, he decided Laurie had a right to know. She’d been his agent for years and had stuck by him through good and bad times. “Don’t let this leak out, but I’ve moved in with him.”
“Already? Holy crap, Seth. Who is this guy?”
“Bryce McFarland.”
“And…?”
“And what?”
“Do I have to google him to get more info?” she asked.
“No,” he said emphatically.
“What does he look like?” she prompted. “Where does he live? Is he rich or poor? Does he even read? Tall or short? Buff and hairy or wispy and delicate? Christ, Seth, you’re no fun. What’s the point in having a gay friend if you leave out the details?”
“Laurie, stop it! You need to calm down or you’ll get nothing out of me,” Seth warned.
“Sorry, hon. I promise not to interrupt, but you’ve got to give me something.”
“Okay,” Seth said slowly. “He’s my age and owns his own construction company. He’s also a voracious reader, likes to work out, and he’s smart, gorgeous, and generous to a fault.”

Review

Open House is the sequel to Open Seating and is NOT a standalone! You really have to read book 1 first.

Seth and Bryce are back home after their long cruise. Seth went because he and his partner had planned the trip and after his partner's death he went anyway taking Bryce, a friend of his partners.

So much happened in book one and the emotions were high and they don't take much of a break in this story. Seth is embarking on a new romance with Bryce while still mourning Mark's death. With insurance woes, exes coming out of the woodwork, and Seth and Bryce trying to figure out if their relationship was left on the ship... It's an intense ride.

These boys really don't have it easy. Owen is a class A super jerk. Like OMG I wanted to light him on fire and roast marshmallows over his burning corpse. Too much? Oh well. You'll hate him too.

Now I feel compelled to tell you it's a cliffhanger. Book 3 is desperately needed! I'm not a fan of cliffys and I really get frustrated with them. But I get why the author had to do it. This series is an emotional roller coaster that's for sure. But you'll find yourself extremely invested.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multifaceted woman who is a product of her upbringing in multiple cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.
By the time Mickie discovered her talent for writing, real life got in the way, and the business of raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing—and the inevitable emptying nest—dreams of becoming a published writer were resurrected and she’s never looked back.
She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called "gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking." She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.
Mickie currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

CONNECT WITH MICKIE

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads & Ask the Author | Website | Email

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Win a $20 Dreamspinner Press gift certificate or an ecopy of Open Seating by Mickie B. Ashling. Two winners! Contest open internationally. Must be 18 or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW THE TOUR

Oct. 24 - The Novel Approach
Oct. 25 - Love Bytes
Oct. 28 - Bayou Book Junkie
Oct. 31 - Prism Book Alliance
Nov. 2 - Sinfully
Nov. 4 - Diverse Reader
Nov. 8 - Two Chicks Obsessed
Nov. 10 - On Top Down Under Book Reviews
Nov. 11 - MM Good Book Reviews

Blog Tour: Open Seating by Mickie B. Ashling #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway

I’d like to thank Meredith at Diverse Reader for giving me the opportunity to share an exclusive excerpt from Open Seating, the first book in a planned trilogy. Those of you who follow me know I love to travel, and my favorite way to see the world is on a cruise ship. A story with a luxury liner as a backdrop was bound to come out of my muse eventually; I’m just surprised that it took this long.
As the blurb mentions, my main characters are nothing alike and have been thrown together on this voyage under the worst of circumstances. Fate has presented their itinerary, and now it’s up to them to make it work. Or not.

I bring some fun giveaways and several opportunities to win a freebie by following along on the tour. Before I close, I’d like to mention and thank my publicist J for her excellent work in organizing all my blog tours and anything else I might need in terms of promotion.

ABOUT OPEN SEATING

Author: Mickie B. Ashling

Series: Open Trilogy #1

Release Date: June 10, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Length: 204 pages

Cover Artist: Catt Ford

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

BLURB

Seth Wilder lost his partner of twenty years to suicide two weeks before a long-anticipated cruise. Cancellation insurance was never purchased, and Seth can’t get a refund. Bryce McFarland, his late partner’s gym buddy, appreciates his predicament, and when asked, agrees to accompany him on the trip. This way, Seth recoups the money and doesn’t have to cancel his plans. The gesture is unexpected but accepted gratefully.
The two men have nothing in common. Seth is a reclusive romance writer, and Bryce is a hard-core Grindr user with major commitment issues. Out of necessity and despite the seemingly insurmountable differences in personality, they develop a tentative rapport. As they begin their journey through the UK, Bryce helps Seth come to terms with his partner’s sudden death while Seth, in turn, discovers the root cause of Bryce’s phobia.
Shipboard romances rarely work. Sensible men resist, sexual tension notwithstanding. But a full moon and late summer breezes lend itself to the impossible situation, barriers are crossed, and a love affair is kindled.

BUY THE BOOK

Dreamspinner Press
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Barnes & Noble

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

They barely had enough time to clean up, unpack, and put their clothes away before dashing out the door to make their spa appointment. Always a stickler for punctuality, Seth liked to plan his day to make sure he completed all his tasks in a timely fashion. His editor appreciated this side of his personality, especially when they were trying to make a publishing deadline, and Mark, on the rare occasions he asked Seth to do an errand, knew his requests would be completed before he got home. Now, Seth found himself off his game, rooming with a man who was spontaneous and easily persuaded to ditch a plan in favor of something new and more interesting.
Lying prone on the massage table in a private room illuminated by a tiny mood lamp with soothing background music was the perfect environment for introspection. He was a little light-headed from rushing through the last hour, not to mention the satisfying interlude that put both Bryce and him in the right frame of mind for more sensual pampering at the hands of a qualified masseur. He’d requested a male, as did Bryce, simply because he wasn’t comfortable getting naked with a female. He knew he was being silly—after all, women were just as good, if notbetter than men in this profession—but the last time he’d been butt-ass naked with a female was at age fifteen. He’d been experimenting with his neighbor, Jenna, and the afternoon had turned into a fiasco when he couldn’t respond to her touch. He left her bedroom more certain than ever that he was gay, accompanied by her mocking laughter in the background. Thinking about it made him shudder.
“Does that hurt?” Roy, the masseur, asked immediately, attune to every nuance of Seth’s body. It was his job to make sure his clients were relaxed and not vibrating with tension.
“No,” Seth murmured.
“How’s the pressure? Too hard or not hard enough?”
“It’s fine, Roy. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Is there any particular spot you’d like me to focus on?”
“My neck and arms,” Seth said. “I’m a writer and spend too many hours in front of a computer.”
“Say no more,” Roy replied. “I know exactly what you need.”
“Do you see this a lot?”
“Yeah, but not only with writers. Anyone who’s on the computer too long ends up in that gooseneck position, which puts a lot of strain on neck and shoulder muscles. What I’m going to do is apply some pressure on the knots and try to loosen them up. Let me know when the pain gets too intense. It should hurt a little, but I don’t want it to be excruciating. That would defeat the purpose.”
“How do I know if it’s too much?”
“You shouldn’t let the pain go past seven on a scale from one to ten.”
“Okay.”
Seth closed his eyes and let Roy do his thing. The guy had a great touch. He knew where to linger, pressing down on spots Seth didn’t even realize were pinched. As Roy applied increasing pressure with his fingers, the area grew noticeably warmer, and Seth could feel a low thrumming under his skin as if Roy had his fingertips right on Seth’s heartbeat. It pulsed steadily, and after a minute or two, the pressure eased and the pain slowly faded. It was hard to know if it was magic or the power of suggestion, but he felt he was in good healing hands.
When the hour-long session was over, Seth was half-asleep. Roy nudged him awake gently and handed him a glass of cool water flavored with a slice of lemon. He urged him to try to drink as much water as possible during the course of a day to cleanse his body and keep himself hydrated.
“It helps with the inflammation,” Roy said.
“Does it have to be water?”
“You can mix it up with fruit juices or an occasional soda, but there’s nothing like water.”
“I’ll try,” Seth said. “I’d like to see you again. I’m booked for two more spa visits. Would you please check and make sure the appointments are with you?”
“No problem,” Roy said.
He walked Seth out to the reception area and checked the appointment book for future visits. The bookings were on Roy’s schedule, so that was one less thing to think about.
Seth slipped him a ten-dollar bill before leaving the spa. “Dollars okay?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Roy replied. “Thank you, Mr. Wilder.”
“Call me Seth.”
“Will do. See you in a few days.”

 REVIEW

If you’ve read the synopsis of this book you know Seth and his husband were going to be going on a 3 week cruise to celebrate their 20 year marriage, his sudden death leaves him without a companion and out a lot of money if he can’t get someone else. Bryce, Seth’s husband Mark’s friend, volunteers to take his spot and help Seth out. That’s it in short….

Now, I didn’t expect a lot of things in this book and the controversial topic it took on. I will not reveal it since it’s a spoiler and vital to the story.

It is a love story. A friends to lovers sort of. I’d put it in that category. The loss of Mark does bring Bryce and Seth together but how it starts would not make you think it would end happily lol. Bryce is a confirmed bachelor pushing 50 who likes twinks. Seth is a successful historical romance writer who likes things calmer and his age lol. Totally opposite… and they are stuck on a cruise ship together.

It’s a certain couple they meet that changes their perspective on a lot of things and in turn the 4 of them show each other new ways to look at things. 

For such a controversial topic I can’t commend Mickie enough for the dignity, respect, and eloquence she brought to this book.

It was absolutely wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multifaceted woman who is a product of her upbringing in multiple cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.
By the time Mickie discovered her talent for writing, real life got in the way, and the business of raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing—and the inevitable emptying nest—dreams of becoming a published writer were resurrected and she’s never looked back.
She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called "gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking." She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.
Mickie currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

CONNECT WITH MICKIE

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads & Ask the Author | Website | Email

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Win a $10 Dreamspinner Press gift certificate, an audio code for a Mickie Ashling audiobook, or an ecopy of one of Mickie’s backlist titles. Three winners! Contest open internationally. Must be 18 or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW THE TOUR

June 9 - The Novel Approach
June 10 - MM Good Book Reviews
June 11 - Mickie Ashling's Blog
June 14 - Sinfully
June 16 - Prism Book Alliance
June 20 - Diverse Reader
June 22 - Love Bytes
June 24 - On Top Down Under Book Reviews
June 28 - Bayou Book Junkie
June 29 - Multitaskingmommas

Blog Tour: The Sixth Chukker by Mickie B. Ashling #Excerpt #Giveaway

The Sixth Chukker is the third book in the Polo series and releases April 8^th from Dreamspinner Press. It continues three years after Ride-Off and fans of the first two novels will be in for a treat as the entire cast of characters—plus one sexy new addition—reunite in this ongoing saga of the Fawkes-Schnell clan. I hope you’ll come along for the ride as retired polo players Preston and Konrad deal with former lovers, demanding children, and old enemies.
Once again, I’d like to thank Meredith for giving me an opportunity to appear on her wonderful blog and share this exclusive excerpt of The Sixth Chukker. A special shout-out to my publicist J for her consistent good work in organizing all my blog tours. As usual, I bring a few giveaways, which you’ll find in the Rafflecopter widget.

ABOUT THE SIXTH CHUKKER
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 partner, 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 lovers, demanding children, and old enemies in this sequel to Ride-Off.



EXCERPT
Unlike Preston, Paloma made it a point to keep fellow polo players out of her bedroom. She’d learned from his experiences that shitting in one’s backyard was never a good idea. Unfortunately, keeping her distance made her more interesting to some men, who viewed her as another trophy to add to their collection. Fortune hunters considered her as a ticket to the good life. It was true that anyone who married her would automatically gain future ownership of a thriving horse ranch. Younger guys who only had sex on their minds were intrigued by her hands-off policy, and instead of being discouraged, pursued her with dogged determination, convinced they had the magic ingredients to change her mind. Paloma was aware that Preston’s contemporaries thought of her as the upstart from Argentina, living proof that he couldn’t keep it zipped.
She supposed things would have been different if she’d been included in her father’s life from early on. Many of her contemporaries had fathers, uncles, or brothers who’d competed with or against Preston. These kids had been fixtures at the club, always hanging around their relatives before and after matches, helping with the horses, and learning the sport from the ground up. Perhaps the older members would have taken to Paloma more graciously if they’d watched her transitioning from girlhood into the amazingly competent polo player she was today. Her hijinks on the field would be met with less criticism and more excitement if that were the case, and they also wouldn’t be so quick to shoot her down when she bragged about being better than anyone her age.
Unfortunately, Preston hadn’t even been aware of her talent on the polo field until she showed up out of the blue three years ago. He’d tried to make up for lost time and did his best to pave the path by introducing her to the right people while singing her praises, but she was still a stranger, and a woman to boot. In a sport dominated by men, she constantly fought for recognition, which was yet another reason why she banked on this upcoming season to prove she wasn’t just a pretty face.
She brightened when she arrived at her table and saw the familiar face of Sergio Morales, fellow Argentinian and aspiring polo player. He’d been one of two grooms she’d hired to accompany her ponies on their journey from Buenos Aires to London during her debut season. Sergio had decided to stay in England after the season ended. He was as obsessed with the sport as she but didn’t have the wherewithal or connections to fund his dreams. Until he found a way to overcome that major hurdle, he worked two jobs, one as a groom and the other as a waiter.
He pulled the chair out for her and she sank down gratefully, remaining silent while he unfolded the linen napkin and placed it gently on her lap. It was paradoxical that she allowed—and appreciated—the small gestures reserved for women in the old-fashioned world of etiquette since she was so vocal about wanting to be treated as an equal.
“¿Que tal, muñeca?”
Sergio’s warm greeting in Spanish, an endearment meaning “doll,” brought her some measure of comfort. Being around a fellow countryman meant fewer misunderstandings and certainly no need for the endless posturing that seemed so prevalent in this elite world of high-end polo.
“Super bien, hermoso, but let’s speak English or these people will think we’re gossiping about them,” she said softly, switching effortlessly from one language to the other.
“What fun is it being bilingual if you can’t use it to talk smack?”
She giggled. “Let’s save it for something good.”
“There’s a rumor going around that you’ve convinced your father to get back into the game,” Sergio mentioned as he poured ice water into her glass.
“We’re ironing out the details, but it looks promising,” Paloma replied.



PURCHASE LINKS
Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | All Romance eBooks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multifaceted woman who is a product of her upbringing in multiple cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.
By the time Mickie discovered her talent for writing, real life got in the way, and the business of raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing—and the inevitable emptying nest—dreams of becoming a published writer were resurrected and she’s never looked back.
She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called "gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking." She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.
Mickie currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.



CONNECT WITH MICKIE
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Goodreads & Ask the Author



RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Four lucky blog tour participants will win a $15 Dreamspinner Press gift certificate OR one ecopy of The Sixth Chukker, Ride-Off, or Fire Horse. Contest open internationally. Must be 18 or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
FOLLOW THE TOUR
April 4 - On Top Down Under Book Reviews
April 5 - Diverse Reader
April 6 - The Novel Approach
April 7 - MM Good Book Reviews
April 8 - Sinfully
April 11 - 3 Chicks After Dark
April 12 - Love Bytes
April 13 - Book Reviews & More by Kathy
April 14 - Words of Wisdom....from The Scarf Princess
April 15 - Prism Book Alliance

Blog Tour: Yesterday by Mickie B. Ashling #Excerpt #Giveaway #Review

I’d like to thank Diverse Reader for the opportunity to share an exclusive excerpt of my latest release, Yesterday, which releases today from Dreamspinner. This novel is a period piece set during the tumultuous last days of the Pahlavi dynasty. The time and place aren’t conducive to romance, especially between two men, but love and logic aren’t always compatible as Kamran and Grady soon find out.  Can a chance meeting alter one’s destiny?  The answers are found within the pages of Yesterday.

The striking cover was created by multitalented author and cover artist Catt Ford. Aside from the giveaways that are listed in Rafflecopter, I bring an exclusive excerpt to whet your appetite. Enjoy!

About the Book

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.

Excerpt

I threw on a pair of khaki shorts, a fresh cotton shirt, and my worn trainers. In a couple of months I’d have to start referring to my beat-up athletic shoes as sneakers, like everyone else on campus, but until then I’d carry on as normal. Adjusting would have to wait until I was back home. It was odd referring to the United States as home. My passport said I was American, but my upbringing was a hodgepodge of cultures, so it was difficult to relate to only one. In a sense it was good to be so cosmopolitan, but there were days when I wondered where I truly belonged. The only reason I was heading for New York in the fall was to get the best education possible, and when it came to cinema, the Americans were ahead of the pack.

I knew I’d be a fish out of water, though. There were certain things ingrained in my psyche that were clearly un-American, like my fondness for tea instead of coffee. I’d heard that back home it was difficult to find cafes that didn’t serve tea in any form other than a tea bag dipped into hot water. The mentality of brewing a pot from scratch was as much a part of my upbringing as hamburgers and fries were to someone raised in Idaho.

The upside to my unusual background was that I had hardly any prejudices. Color, race, and creed didn’t matter one iota, nor did sexual orientation. In my opinion, a Jew was no better or worse than a Muslim. Who one chose to deify was none of my concern, and by the same token, I resented people who tried to convince me their way was better. There was no first or best in religion. And colors of the skin were simply part of a spectrum making the world a far more interesting place. I could see beauty in the deep ebony complexion of an Ethiopian, for instance, and the almost hairless, poreless bodies of Asian men were a source of fascination. Redheads were a sensory delight, with colors ranging anywhere from deep auburn to palest strawberry blond, and I’d had, most recently, the pleasure of viewing the extraordinary men populating the Mediterranean landscape. Spanish men, in particular, were quite attractive. I loved the variety of humanity and felt sorry for anyone who put themselves in a small box with no room to enjoy the diversity.

As such, it came as no surprise that I was attracted to Kamran. Everything about him appealed to me, from the shape of his tapered fingers to the lush mane of raven-black hair spilling down his shoulders. I knew his body would be covered by a silky pelt, judging by his hairy arms. The white cotton shirt was chastely buttoned, so there was no chance to glimpse his chest hair, but I was certain it would be bountiful.

He had eyelashes far too long and curly to ignore, and his eyes, as I had noted the other night, were soft brown. They were trained on me as soon as I entered the car.

“There you are,” he said as he scanned me from head to toe. “You look cool enough.”

“It is okay that I wore shorts? I wasn’t sure what the dress code was for touring.”

“It’s fine.”

“What do you call the outfit you’re wearing? It looks very comfortable.”

“The pants are called shalwar and the top is a kameez—standard attire for this part of the world.”

“Isn’t it warmer when you’re all covered up like that?”

“On the contrary, the white reflects the sun.”

“I’ll have to invest in one of those outfits, then.”

“You can find a wide variety at the bazaar.”

“Excellent,” I replied. “I brought my camera. Will the vendors mind if I film them?”

“They shouldn’t, but it would be polite to ask before you do any filming.”

“Of course,” I said immediately. “That’s a given.”

Purchase Links

Dreamspinner Press eBook | Dreamspinner Press Paperback | All Romance eBooks | Amazon

REVIEW

I was very nervous to read this story based on the blurb. Though it takes place in 1978, so much of what I read in Yesterday still rings true, now, in 2016.

Grady, who's the son of Diplomat Peter Ormond finds himself accompanying his dad to Pakistan for the summer. His plans are to leave for NY come August. Grady, who's gay, is given ALL the warnings about keeping his homosexuality a secret while in Pakistan. Those warnings are still to be hushed even to this day. As we know from the news, homosexuality is not tolerated in an Islamic nation. The punishments are severe.

When Grady meets Prince Kamran at a cocktail party hosted by his father it's lust at first sight and I was immediately terrified for them! I read this book on the edge of my seat I was so scared the whole time. 

Of course Grady and Kamran were in sync with my thinking and you can see their struggle. They feared even a friendship because of what it could lead to. 

Kamran has a decision to make. I won't say what or the turnout but when I read this book I knew the impact that was being made. This book really shows the struggle of LGBT in an Islamic nation. It's utterly terrifying.

This was quite emotional for me but it was a wonderful and powerful read! I highly recommend it!

About the Author

Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multifaceted woman who is a product of her upbringing in multiple cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.

By the time Mickie discovered her talent for writing, real life got in the way, and the business of raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing—and the inevitable emptying nest—dreams of becoming a published writer were resurrected and she’s never looked back.

She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called "gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking." She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings. 

Mickie currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

Connect with Mickie

Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Goodreads & Ask the Author

Follow the Tour

Jan. 20 - Hearts On Fire 

Jan. 21 - The Novel Approach 

Jan. 22 - Diverse Reader

Jan. 22 - Multitaskingmommas

Jan. 25 - Charlie Cochet 

Jan. 26 - On Top Down Under Book Reviews 

Jan. 27 - Love Bytes

Jan. 28 - Prism Book Alliance 

Jan. 29 - MM Good Book Reviews

Feb. 1 - Rainbow Gold Reviews

Feb. 2 - Sinfully 

 

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Three winners will win an ebook copy of Yesterday, a signed print copy of Yesterday, or a Dreamspinner gift certificate. Contest open internationally. Must be 18 or older to enter.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway