Healing and Restoration by greengables22

Healing and Restoration by greengables22

Emmett has just received news that will forever change his life. Cancer. After watching his father wither away fighting the disease when he was a child, Emmett doesn't know what he's going to do. He scared, panic-stricken and feels like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. Luckily he has his best friend, Rosalie, by his side, and Edward, his oncologist's son who mesmerized, intrigued and aroused him upon first glance.

This is really a sweet story about two men, both dealing with their own obstacles and hinderances, coming together and falling in love. As I read each chapter, I find myself deeply invested in the characters' happiness and well-being. This is definitely a story for people who enjoy a slow burn romance with a little angst mixed in. Definitely recommended.

~ M

Have You Ever Thought? by AriRae

Have You Ever Thought? by AriRae

Jasper is a shy loner who has a major crush on popular jock, Edward Masen, who is straight. After running into each other a concert, the two opposites strike up a tentative friendship. While getting to know each other better, Jasper and Edward's feelings eventually evolve into something that goes beyond the confines of friendship, and they embark on a secret relationship. Jasper soon wants to come out and be free to express his feelings for the man he cares for, but Edward is afraid and would rather remain in the closet...at least through graduation. Will they be able to come to some sort of compromise?

This is a really cute story. The slow build of Edward and Jasper's friendship and eventual romantic realtionship was very sweet and I couldn't help but root for them. Dealing with the pressures of high school is no picnic, but somehow the guys manage to navigate their way through the chaos and support each other as best as they can. a highlight of the story are the t-shirts Jasper wears. Each silly saying is more hilarious than the last and I often find myself wondering I'll see next. Definitely give this story a try! It's a great mixture of sweet and angsty.

~ M

Guest Post: "Dealing with Disabilities" by Chris T. Kat, Author of Attachement Strings

Dealing with Disabilities

Thank you very much for having me on your blog! Dreamspinner Press published my new release Attachment Strings (Jeff Woods Mystery) on June 17th.

Disabilities—that's the theme in Attachment Strings. How do different people deal with disabled people, in this case, especially with disabled children? It's a touchy subject, no doubt about it. Opinions vary greatly and emotions can rise quickly.

I'm a special education teacher and I love my job. I love working with children with disabilities, I have no problem accepting children who outwardly might look strange or can't communicate the way we're used to. Neither do I think a nurse should be the one changing diapers or feeding the children who can't eat on their own. But even in my profession I've encountered many people who, for example, didn't want to touch certain kids because they were always wet in the chest area because they can't close their mouths properly.

When I started studying for my teacher's degree it always irked me when other people asked me why I wanted to spend the rest of my life with deformed creatures. Or they claimed they couldn't do this work because seeing those children would make them either sick or sad.

Honestly? I was—still am—at a loss when I talk to someone with those prejudices. Even some of the parents make no secret of their dislike of their own children. Not all parents of course, most of them are devoted to their kids, but the ones that talked about how much their child is a burden and how their life didn't go the way they had planned, worries me.

Taking care of a child with disabilities, especially if they are multiple and severe, is hard work and I always understand why parents are sometimes at their wits end.. Most parents will take offered help even when they didn't want it initially. Often all the hopes they had during the pregnancy or after the birth of their child are destroyed and everything falls apart. It's a normal reaction but I'm glad that most parents will love their children no matter what.

Say It Now by NerdyAlert

Say It Now by NerdyAlert

Many years ago, Carlisle Cullen abandoned his son, Edward, and the mother of his child for selfish reasons. After the death of Edward's mother and step-father, Carlisle must now face the truth. Will he and Edward be able to develop a real father/son relationship or are the wounds too deep for charge to occur? How will Edward cope with losing his parents, finding his birth father, acclimating to a new family and falling in love with a boy?

So far this story is really interesting, emotional and tense. It's an Edward/Jasper pairing, but at this point in the story, Edward is dealing with the huge changes in his family life. I can't wait to see what happens next and how Edward and Carlisle will deal with this new living situation.

~ M

Author Spotlight: Andrew Q. Gordon, Author of Upcoming Release, Purpose

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Andrew Q. Gordon, whose newest release, Purpose, is in stores today! It was so niced getting ot know Andrew and I hope that you learn a little about him as well. :)

~*~*~*~*~

Why did you choose the m/m romance genre to fulfill your writing aspirations, and what about that genre interests you most?

I think I more fell into the genre, than selected it. I didn't set out to write a m/m romance book, I set out to write a book with the characters I envisioned.  But in a sense that is what drew me to the genre, that is where my characters wanted to go. What interests me most is the ability to explore relationships that I'm familiar with – m/m. That allows me to draw on a bit of my life experience for some aspects of the characters that I hope give them a bit more of a realistic feel.

What do you believe are some of the parallels and differences between law, your day job, and creative writing?

There are far more differences than parallels to be sure. Legal writing and the law in general is very cut and dry. The law is what it is, you follow a set formula for writing – IRAC – Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion – and while being creative gets you points occasionally, generally everyone follows 'the law' as it is generally used.

Writing gives you a license to a broader degree to make shit up as you go.  Sure there are 'rules' but most authors chafe under them and will argue that they can and should be bent. I tend to follow them more than break them, but I'm trying to find a way to move past my legal training for my creative writing.

Jasper the Lonely Vampire by BVBfan801

Jasper the Lonely Vampire by BVBfan801

Wandering onto a farm after leaving his coven, Jasper is immediately drawn to the worker who is tending the field. At first he's attracted the young man's blood, but soon the blood lust fades and is replaced with feelings much more amorous. After meeting with the farm's owner, Jasper is offered a job and lodging. However, he can't quite get the green-eyed man out of his mind. Will he succumb to his desires, both for blood and love, or run away and continue to live a nomadic existence?

Even though this story is at its beginning stages, I'm already intrigued. I always enjoy a dark and brooding Jasper, and I can't wait to see more of his interactions with Edward. I look forward to reading more of this story, and you should check it out too!

~ M

Book Review: Prisoner 374215 by Angel Martinez

He enters my cell daily at ten pm. He leaves in the morning at six am. He never says a word. Never moves from where he sits right beside the thick steel door. He does not beat me. He doesn't take me to the tiled room at the end of the corridor. He doesn't goad me, smirk when I wince afterwards, cry, or scream. I'm not sure what he does when I drift off, into deep, exhausted, pain-drenched sleep. I think he just watches. A fixture, a security, so they may state that I'm not left unattended. Sometimes I wish...

I was really nervous about reading this story after reading the blurb, but I decided to give it a try anyway. I am so glad I did! I was immediately drawn into the world of Prisoner 374215 and the guard who watches over him, Scar. Even though the Sci-fi genre isn't my cup of tea, I found this story absolutely captivating from start to finish. I would highly recommend this heartbreaking, attention-grabbing and thoroughly fascinating read.

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The picture that inspired this powerful story.

~ M