Promo Post: (Un)Masked by Anyta Sunday & Andy Gallo #Excerpt #Review #Giveaway

Title: (Un)Masked

Publisher: Anyta Sunday & Andy Gallo (Self-Published)

Release Date (Print & Ebook): October 30, 2017

Subgenre: MM gay paranormal romance, magical realism, new adult

Book blurb:

Walker has two wishes: to perform the play of his dreams alongside his best friend at Wellington’s Tory Street Theatre, and to meet that special someone. Someone he’d go to the ends of the earth for. Someone who might only exist in fairy tales.

When Jay meets accordion busker Lethe Cross, it’s like living a dream come true. Lethe’s music captivates Jay, and he resolves to meet the man who plays so beautifully. But then he discovers Lethe’s life is more like a nightmare. The phrase “down on his luck” can’t begin to cover it. Determined to help, Jay does some snooping for answers—and winds up on the wrong end of a centuries-old curse. The good news is there’s a way to break it. The bad news is it might cost Jay his life.

This book was previously published by Dreamspinner Press. This updated 2nd edition has some rewritten parts and has been line edited again.

Buy Links: http://www.anytasunday.com/#unmasked

Review

I have always been an Anyta Sunday fan. I never read Andy Gallo before but together they write a brilliant book. 

There's both fantasy and reality in this story. Both mingling and affecting all situations and characters. There are three main characters in this story. Jay, the heart of this story. He is a gay playwright and he is truly an outstanding person. Beautiful to his core and the glue to it all.

Lethe, the cursed musician that will make you empathize and sympathize all in one. You will cry for him and want to protect him. Gristle, Jay's straight best friend. He's a breath of fresh air and at the same time that breath hurts. His character really got to me and buried himself in my heart. Just writing this review and writing his name hurts. He was my favorite of them all.

There's so much pain in this story. High angst no question. I cried a ridiculous amount, I felt genuine fear for them, and at times forgot this was just a story. I love a book that sweeps me away from the present and into it's bubble of storytelling.  Even if it's a dark bubble of dread.

This is by far the darkest book of Anyta's I have ever read. And I can't soon forget it. Even if I wanted to it's there. 

High emotion!!! Very high.

Excerpt 

Knuckles hit his cheek, forcing him to his knees.

My busker took another hit, going with the force, doing nothing to defend himself.

“What the hell is going on here?”

My voice ripped through the air, startling the older man. He stopped midpunch and twisted in my direction, a deep frown etched into his face.

“Get away from him!” I yelled, but he was already on his way, barreling down the hill.

I moved in front of my busker, who was slowly pushing himself to his feet. “Are you okay?”

He lifted his head as he rose upright. Dark green eyes met mine, and he smiled. My breath hovered a moment at seeing the blood spilling from his lip and down his chin. He pulled something from his pocket and began dabbing the spot, still staring at me as if waiting for something.

His stare seemed to reach deep inside me and pull at chords like I was an instrument. One he was curious about, though weary.

A dog’s excited bark echoed in the car park.

I glanced down to see the attacker walking away with his dog, and a sudden urge to chase the man down and hurt him flared through me.

“It’s not his fault.” The voice was light and curious, and I looked at him.

“His fists, his fault.”

My gaze flickered to the scar running through his right brow.

His smile faltered “Not always. Don’t you recognize me?”

“You played the accordion earlier. At Oriental Parade.”

He studied me, cocking his head to the side. The simple tilt made his hair fall slightly, covering half of one eye.

“Look,” I said. “I don’t want to pry, but why didn’t you block any of his punches? Why didn’t you run?”

The blood he’d wiped off left a smear on his chin. I reached in my pocket, ready to offer him the soap, when he said in a light tone, “I’ll never let him see me again. You can be sure on that.”

“Why did he do that?”

My busker shrugged. “He’s not a bad person. He lost his son.”

“That’s sad, but still no excuse.”

He stuffed his hanky back into his pocket. I watched his eyes narrow, as if he was hesitating to say something more. Then he shook his head and broadened his smile. “I’ve got to go. Maybe we’ll meet again.” He started toward the path.

“Thank you,” was the last thing he said before he dashed down the hill.

Author Bios:

Heart-stopping slow burn.

Anyta Sunday is a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. She loves to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of her favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

Anyta writes a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy. Her books have been translated into German, Italian and French.

Member of Romance Writers of America.

Connect with Anyta: Website | Twitter | Facebook | To receive a free e-book, sign up for Anyta’s newsletter here!

***

Andy Gallo’s stories capture how he wished he’d spent his formative years, instead of how it really happened. Unfortunately for his characters, they find themselves infused with some of Andy’s less noble qualities.

A hopeless romantic, Andy writes seated next to a hundred year old Smith Brothers typewriter he inherited from his grandfather. He also dreams of superheroes and wizards and sees no reason why two men with superpowers can’t fall in love just like everyone else. Although not all of his stories have a paranormal bent, a touch of the supernatural never derailed a good read in his mind.

Married and living his happy every after, Andy helps others find their happy endings in the pages of his stories. He and his husband of more than twenty years spend their days rubbing elbows with other parents as they raise their daughter. Embracing his status as the gay dad, Andy sometimes has to remind others that one does want a hint of color even when chasing after their child.

Connect with Andy:  Website | Facebook

Giveaway

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Andy Gallo (gifted through Amazon)

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Promotional Post: Say Yes by J.R. Gray #Excerpt #Review #Giveaway #Interview

Author: J.R. Gray

Publisher: Self

Release Date (Ebook & Print): July 24

Note: Say Yes was originally published in an alternative form by Omni Lit Publishing on December 1, 2015.

Length (word count): 35K words, 126 pages

Subgenre: Contemporary M/M BDSM

All buy links or pre-order links:

Publisher | Amazon

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

James failed.

He tried to be what they wanted.

He tried to deny it.

He tried to be a good Catholic boy…but it’s become too much.

He craves pain, submission.

He’s denied himself far too long, and it’s eating him alive.

 

Charles thrives off the exchange of power. He knows the world revolves around control. It’s given and taken like currency, in business and in pleasure. He won’t get attached, though, or so he tells himself, until James turns his world upside down. He’s defiant and snarky, but Charles can taste the submission on him.

 

Charles holds the key to his salvation but James has to Say Yes.

Review

I love BDSM stories when they're written well. I love when there's an age gap. I love when there's a bit of cat and mouse, when there's a chase and the two main characters don't immediately fall into bed with one another. All of this and more is present in JR Gray's Say Yes. This is a re-release of an earlier edition that has an absolutely GORGEOUS new cover and it's been expanded a bit from the original version. I read that one and really liked it, but reading it through again, I loved it. Charles and James hit all of my buttons ... and some I didn't even know I had. 

James is a nineteen year old college student. His father has recently passed away, his mother has cut him off, and he's working in a men's store selling fine suits, shirts, and ties. He's gay, but not out, and is struggling to make ends meet after a lifetime of wealth and privilege. But he's surviving, no matter that he's still reeling from the death of his father who he misses desperately. His life is turned upside down when a man walks into the store late one night. Charles is commanding, a charismatic presence and James is immediately drawn to him. Charles wants James from the very first moment, and James, though young and inexperienced, is not one to just to surrender from a heated glaze and dirty words. I loved the chemistry between these two. It's intense and sizzling ... and I believed it. I loved how strong James is, and though he hasn't admitted to anyone the darker desires he keeps hidden in his heart, he's unafraid of them. 

This is a short book, so there's not a lot of back story or time for much build-up. I would have loved for more information about Charles, more of James's relationship with his father, and more of why there is the cold animosity from James's mother, but that doesn't mean that I didn't completely get sucked into Say Yes, because I did. There is something so strong and appealing about James and Charles that just gripped me from the first page. The writing is crisp and sharp, the pace lightning quick and the sex ... oh boy, it's hot and intense. James's witty humor and sarcasm is fun and Charles with his dry tone just made me smile. I can't wait to see what comes next for these two so if you haven't checked out Say Yes yet, make sure you correct that ASAP!

Interview

Let’s talk about your writing process. From beginning to end what’s it like for you?

My process is all over the place. It ends up being different for each book. Some books I write start to finish, and others I write out of order. Some books I write really fast, and then others like Clouded Hell and Bound Five took me months. I think each book is a different journey so my writing process is different.

You have added chapters to Say Yes. Can you tell readers who read the first edition what they can expect?

I think the added chapters really round out the end of the story, and then give some bonus insight into life after the resolution, and some more fun.

What made you add on to Say Yes?

I wanted to give the readers more at the end of the book. A glimpse of James’ training starting.

Can you tell us what you are currently working on or future projects?

I am working on a couple of things. Bound Five is with my betas, I have a new book due out in September, and the sequel to Say Yes.

What is the easiest and hardest part about publishing a book?

For me finishing a book is always the hardest. The last 10 to 15k always drags for me. The easiest part for me is starting. I love writing new things. I love world building, and I love fleshing out characters.

Of all the characters you’ve written which one resonates with you?

Funny enough, different characters resonate with me depending on my mood. I put a little part of myself into most of my characters, but overall I think it’s a tie between James and Steve.

Excerpt

He took another few breaths then walked back toward the changing rooms. “Let me know if there is anything else you

need.” James was proud of how even his voice sounded. He would get Charles out of here and then go home to gay porn and cold showers. He had three more years at least, and he had to find a few ounces of self-control to make it through.

“I could use some help.”

“Sure.” James put a smile on his face and came around the corner again to find Charles leaning back against the mirrors with the dress shirt he wore unbuttoned, showing off his cut chest. James followed it down to where Charles gripped himself through his slacks.

“Want to help?”
James swallowed hard.

Author Bio:

When not staying up all night writing, J.R. Gray can be found at the gym where it's half assumed he is a permanent resident to fulfill his self-inflicted masochism. A dominant and a pilot, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. He frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns and conversations, to jot down notes or plot bunnies. Commas are the bane of his existence even though it's been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder. If Gray wasn't writing…well, that's not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave, insanity or both. The idea of haunting has always appealed to him. J.R. Gray is genderqueer and prefers he/him pronouns.

Connect with J.R. Gray: Website | Twitter - Personal | Twitter - Books | Facebook | Facebook Group | Tumblr | Mailing List | Amazon Author Page

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