GRL 2018 ~ My Experience

GRL 2018 in Portsmouth, VA was the very first time I attended this retreat. I have blogged, written, promoted, and reviewed for this genre for 6+ years but had yet to make it to a retreat, until this year. I was always the person sitting behind the screen watching it pass year after year, slightly green with envy. But I made it this year and let me tell you, it was worth everything to be there.

Through the years we have heard good and bad elements of GRL, I am a firm believer that I have to see it to believe it. So here's my take on GayRomLit form this girl.

Where I went right was with my roommates. I feel that's the beginning and most important facet of making this go the best it can for you. I roomed with Jenn Gibson, Annabella Michaels, and Jaclyn Quinn. We planned this from the beginning and this was how it started to be wonderful. We clicked. I had talked to Jenn for years but this was the first time I got to meet her. Jaclyn for the last year, and I met Annabella in New York earlier in the year but we spoke so briefly I wanted more. Luna David and Jen Barton were next to us and they basically were our roommates as well. These ladies were a safe zone. Because of them I was never alone, awkward, or afraid. And I got to chill with my collab partner JM Dabney for DAYS!!! It was exciting!

I seem extroverted and I sort of am but I was introverted at GRL because I didn't know what to expect and I thought if I held my shield up I wouldn't get hurt by all those things people said would happen. Guess what? Nothing bad happened and it wasn't because of my shield it was because this genre, as a whole, is amazing, supportive, loving, and powerful.

In the brief moments I was alone someone would stop me and there was a spark of connection. We are all here for the same purpose. We are in a zone of non-judgement. I saw people being themselves and the relief on their faces was beautiful.

I met authors I admired, met new ones, crashed into my own readers and fans which just blew my mind and humbled me to no end.

What I never experienced was hate of any sort. Everyone was respectful, kind, helpful, and family.

If you can swing it you should do it. You may arrive alone but you won't stay that way. You may come afraid but you'll leave sad longing to return. You may arrive lonely but you'll leave knowing you have a family.

I have no bad memories. No one over stepped or was cruel. I believe what I see and what I saw was love. Reunions from people who hadn't seen each other for months or years. First time greetings that consumed you for all the days.

I got to hang with amazing people like Michael Bailey and Morningstar Ashley, two of my reviewers. Rod Batterman smelled amazing and I bought that cologne for my husband and I love how when he did anything everyone said "It's Rod, no one will say anything."

I even saw some of my boozy brunch crew, Felice Stevens, Hope Vincent, and Jenna Kendrick. It was so much When Worlds Collide!

So, very long story short, don't believe everything you hear GO experience it for yourself and see. I can't wait for 2019 and for more amazing memories.

Random Review: Lincoln's Park by Parker Williams #Review #Giveaway

Author: Parker Williams
Title: Lincoln's Park
Series: Links In The Chains #1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Length: 244 pages

Reviewed by Racheal


Synopsis

A Links In the Chain Story

Lincoln Merriweather was born an entitled brat with a silver spoon lodged so deep, it might never have come out. At the BDSM club or in business, Lincoln was a storm, blowing in and disrupting the lives of everyone he touched, until the day he met a man who peeled away the tarnished layers to expose a decent person.

Lincoln found—then lost—love.

Since then, he’s tried to atone for his past, including walking away from his family’s wealth. He opened a diner, hiring people to work for him that he would have spit on before his epiphany. He’s found peace, which he’s about to lose to a hazel-eyed man.

Noel Simmons wound up on the street when his parents discovered he was gay. His path leads him to Lincoln’s diner, where he asks for a job. He’s thrilled when Lincoln agrees to hire him, but finds his new boss perplexing. Can anyone be this kind and decent?

What starts out as business becomes something more. Noel discovers he needs Lincoln in order to feel safe. Lincoln needs Noel to complete him. But when Lincoln’s past gets in the way of his present, will the two have a future?

Buy Links:

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

First I have to say that I am rather disappointed with myself for never reading a book from this amazing author! Parker William's is definitely a new author to me that I will make sure to read more of.

The story starts off with his main character Lincoln. A hard working owner of a restaurant. At first glance some people would probably never know the wealth that Lincoln was once accustomed to. I think for many, it's hard to believe that a person who once had so much wealth would give that up. But as the saying goes "sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side." 

Noel then enters his life. Comes into the restaurant, looking unsure at first as he asked if he is hiring and then quickly admits that he is a hard worker and would do anything at all. It's easy to see by how the author describes Noel that he has had a hard life but he is also willing to do what it takes to be able to get on his feet. With just that one meeting Lincoln sees something in Noel and he suddenly feels the need to help him but also protect him.

What I absolutely loved about this book was that there was no rush between these two characters. I liked seeing the slow build up between them. 

This was a fantastic read and cannot wait to see what the author has in store next.

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Random Review: Flash Me by K.M. Neuhold #Review #Giveaway

Author: K.M. Neuhold 
Title: Flash Me
Self Published
Publication Date: September 3, 2018
Length: 274 pages 

Reviewed by Racheal


Synopsis

Liam
I was kicked out at sixteen for being transgender, but it turned out to be one of the best things to ever happen to me. At twenty-one, I have a fantastic new family made up of my brother and a handful of wonderful friends, I own my own photography business, and I'm happier than I imagined possible. There's just one thing missing... Okay, maybe two…


Wyatt
When I took the position volunteering as a therapist at Rainbow House, I knew I’d found my place in the world, helping teens who were rejected by their families. What I didn’t expect was the friendship I formed with Liam or how it would grow over the years into a crush I just can’t shake. I’m happy to see him finally opening himself up to dating with someone he trusts like Owen. But when he comes to me and asks if I can help his boyfriend, I feel like there’s more to the request than just a few therapy sessions. The more I get to know about Owen, the more I like him, too.

Owen
I'm not sure why I believe so much in fate when she's dealt me nothing but crappy hands— A stint in prison and enough childhood horrors to fuel all my adult nightmares. But I still hold on to the idea that everything happens for a reason. What I can’t figure out is why fate would plop me naked into Liam’s bed under the pretext of helping him with a photo series for a gallery showing. Or why my stomach goes funny every time he smiles at me. Liam is too sweet to be exposed to my demons but I don’t know how to protect him...Maybe that’s why fate gave us Wyatt.

This is the seventh book in the Heathens Ink series. Each book in the series CAN be read as a stand alone, but characters do re-occur so it’s more fun to read them all!

Purchase exclusively on Amazon

Review

"Flash Me," is the the 7th book K.M Neuhold's series Heathens Ink, but can be read as a standalone. I have been an avid reader of this series and was honored to read and review the story of Owen, Wyatt, and Liam.

The story flash forwards a bit, with the celebration of Royal's baby brother Liam turning 21. I remember when Liam first came into the life of his older brother Royal, and have been waiting for him to age enough to finally get his story. I was so impressed with the growth and the maturity of Liam and the determination that he still had on pursuing his crush on Owen. I did however, understand Liam's concerns with dating and being a transgender. I was in awe at how Owen embraced that part of Liam.

Owen's character was one that captured my interest throughout the series and although he struggled with not only the age difference but with his past demons, being with Liam was what I truly feel he needed. But, the story throws us another loop, enter Wyatt. 

Wyatt a counselor who has been a great friend to Liam, but as of lately can't deny the swift change in mutual attraction on both parts. Liam has always admired his brothers relationship with his two lovers, and wants to combined his two desires into a poly. 

This was definitely worth the wait. I enjoyed reading about (OWL) Owen, Wyatt and Liam.

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Exclusive Cover Reveal: Secrets Revealed by A.G. Carothers #Excerpt #Giveaway

Secrets Revealed

Dragon War Chronicles, Book 2

A.G. Carothers

Release Date: Nov 2nd

LGBTQ Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

COVER DESIGN: AngstyG/ https://www.facebook.com/Angstyg/

BLURB

Last time on Dragon War Chronicles, we left our heroes fighting for their lives in the midst of battle...

Kollin races against time to get samples of the weapon used in Canada to their lab in Oslo. Kenshin races to get Danica back home in time to save her, Aiden and Xander. Danica's allies start to converge in Toulouse in aide and help to prepare for what may come.

Will Kollin be able help save Danica, Aiden, and Xander before all is lost? Will Matt be able to track down who's responsible for a new weapon that threatens them all? What will happen when Danica's biggest secret is revealed?

Secrets are revealed that will change the future for all dragon and SLIP kind alike.

Warning: This book contains explicit sexual situations that are MM, MF, and MMMF. There are romantic relationships displayed that are MM and some depictions of loving and consensual BDSM relationships. There are also bad puns, nebulous taboo content, and a game of tag with an invisible dragon.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42110009-secrets-revealed

EXCERPT

"What are you doing, Mathieu?" Xander's tone serious as he lifted his chin up with a finger.

"What we should have done years ago." Matt's voice was soft as he continued to lave Xander's chest.

"But…" Xander tried to push himself back to put space between them.

"No, buts I know. I almost lost both of you." Matt interrupted, pulling him back. "You don't know what it was like when they brought you home." Matt hissed through clenched teeth. Xander held still, and Matt looked up at him, his gaze piercing Xander's. Matt bared his soul and showed him all the pain he was holding back with just one look into his usually vibrant eyes. Xander leaned down, his heart almost breaking at the thought of hurting Matt this way and he ran his tongue over his lips softly and kissed him tenderly.

"If something happens to me..." Fear of Matt dying because of him constricted his throat.

Matt sighed. "I know, and I accept that. I had a lot of time to think about life without you, and it's not pretty. Even though I have many more years ahead of me, you'll have to watch me grow old eventually. I don't want that either. I want this right here"—Matt waved a finger between him and Xander—" me in your arms, your lips on mine, your smile to brighten my day and the crazy dragon in the other room to drive both of us nuts for at least the next millennia." He pointed back behind Xander.

Matt cupped Xander's face in his hands bringing his head down close to his. "You are my heart, and I love you with every bit of my being." Stray tears mixed in with the water running down the sides of Matt's face. "Will you be my mate and claim me as yours for eternity?"

Xander saw the love and determination reflecting at him in Matt's eyes. He had never really thought about that before. They'd always been so caught up in the here and now that he hadn't given much thought to the many years before them. Seeing the love and pain in Matt's eyes broke his heart and he knew then that the thought of watching him die before him would break him.

A. G. Carothers is actually a dragon very cleverly disguised as a human. They are a non-binary author of LGBTQIA Urban/Paranormal Fantasy, who enjoys writing original and entertaining stories. They are very excited to share the worlds they've created with you.

A.G. currently lives in Tennessee with their platonic life partner, who is not a dragon. They yearn to live back in Europe and will someday. In their spare time they are addicted to losing themselves in the lovely worlds created by other authors.

A.G. is committed to writing the stories they see in their head without restrictions. Love is blind and doesn't see gender, race, or sexuality.

Website: https://www.agcarothers.com/

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ag_carothers

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