Cover Reveal: The Death Bringer by J. Scott Coatsworth

Author Name: J. Scott Coatsworth

Release Date: Friday, June 28 2024

Tour Type: 1-Day Cover Reveal

Tour Date: Friday, June 28 2024

Publishing Company: OWI

Cover Artist: Kelley York

Primary Plot Arc: Speculative Fiction

Main Genre(s): Sci-Fantasy, Young Adult

Sub-Genres: MM Romance SubArc

Cover Reveal Date: Friday, June 28 2024

Story Type: Novel (>50k)

Word Count: 93700

LGBTQ+ Identities (if applicable): Gay, Bi, Lesbian, Non-Binary, Intersex

Keywords/Categories: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fantasy, Gay, Lesbian, Non-Binary, Bisexual, New Release, Cover Reveal, Announcement

Is This Part of a Series?: Yes

Position (Number) in Series: 4

Necessary to Read Previous Books: Yes

Series Title: The Tharassas Cycle

Other Books in Series Available for Review?: Yes

Title for Other Book(s) in Series:

0 – Tales From Tharassas

1 – The Dragon Eater

2 – The Gauntlet Runner

3 – The Hencha Queen

Book Blurb:

AIK WILL NEVER BE THE SAME… AND NEITHER WILL HIS WORLD

War is coming. Aik has become the Progenitor, and the Seed Mother has released him to transform the world for her alien brood. Silya and Raven, Aik’s former friends, are the only ones who can save him and the world. But what if the cure is worse than the invasion?

As Silya rushes to prepare Gullton for the battle to come, she’s determined to save as many people as she can. But new crises emerge that demand her attention.

Raven has his own hands full, keeping the dragon-like verent in line, while helping Silya to save the world. But what if the only way to do so is to sacrifice Aik, the man that he loves?

It’s the end of the world … or could it be the start of something new?

Series Blurb:

The Tharassas Cycle is a four book sci-fantasy series set on the recently colonized world of Tharassas. When humans first arrived on planet, they thought they were alone until the hencha mind made itself known. But now a new threat has arisen to challenge both humankind and their new allies on this alien world.

Non-Exclusive Excerpt:

Chapter One
Regroup

He floated, weightless and naked, surrounded by a reddish light and suspended in fluid. Something connected to his mouth and wrapped around his head, like a lover’s embrace.

He used to have a name. He searched his mind for some clue to his identity. I exist, so I must be someone. Or something.

That made sense, but got him no closer to an answer. He blinked. Who am I?

There was no immediate reply.

He lifted his hand. It was encased in metal. The gauntlet. That much he remembered, though it meant nothing to him. Except… it seemed different, somehow. Thinner.

He moved his arms in the liquid, and it sparkled around him where his shifting disturbed it. The metal extended down his wrist and along his forearm, like before, but now it went farther, around his elbow and up his bicep. He touched it with his free hand.

I can feel it. It was as if the metal had become a part of him, his nerves growing through it. He held out his metallic hand and flexed his fingers. What is it?

We call it uurcaa. It’s a sacred metal—it will protect you, and if your host dies, it will collect and save your soul. He could feel the emotions she held back from him. It is the last of its kind from our homeworld. Like us.

He blinked. Then what am I?

You are my son, Iihil. The progenitor, the one who has come before and the first of many more like you. The voice was deep and comforting.

Mother. Warmth infused him at her voice, and an eagerness to please her.

Still, something wasn’t right. He was more than that. He searched his mind, running up against that stubborn blankness. Somewhere beyond it were the answers he needed.

He’d been someone else. Before.

Who was I? Memories of a face—dark hair, intense eyes that nevertheless twinkled at him. Raven.

It came flooding back to him. His mother. His life in Gullton. Training to be a guard and meeting Raven for the first time. My name is Aik.

He reached for the mask that covered his face. It was suffocating. Something was stuck in his throat, and he coughed hard, trying to force it out, whipping around and causing the liquid around him to flash red in alarm.

Calm yourself. The voice was as thick and heavy as an ix hide, and just as soft and warm.

Aik pushed back. What are you doing to me? I don’t want this! Let me out! He thrashed about, trying to force his way through the suffocating liquid. The metal crept up his shoulder. If it covered all of him, he would be lost.

Calm yourself! It was more insistent this time.

Aik stiffened as an enforced lethargy settled over him. He lost control of his limbs, falling still in his floating prison. The voice pressed against his mind. You’re safe. Be calm, my little one.

He closed his eyes and thought of Raven, trying to stay fixed on that face. I can’t let myself forget again.

Then the world around him dissolved, and he was swept up in a torrent of memories that weren’t his own.

Universal Buy Link:

The Death Bringer

Author Bio:

Scott lives with his husband Mark in a yellow bungalow in Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother at the tender age of nine. He devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were.

He decided that if there weren’t queer characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends.

A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, Liminal Fiction, and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and was the committee chair for the Indie Authors Committee at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) for almost three years.

Author Website: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworthauthor

Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.otherworldsink.com/@jscottcoatsworth

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jscottcoatsworth/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth

Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/

Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-Scott-Coatsworth/e/B011AFO4OQ

Recent Reads: Cosplay Killer and Dark Water

This week on the reading blog, I’ve got two thoroughly enjoyable British-set mysteries from Dahlia Donovan and Ripley Hayes.

I thoroughly enjoyed Cosplay Killer, the first story by Dahlia Donovan in the cute and quirky London Podcast Mystery Series, set in central London.

Former paramedic turned true crimes podcaster, Osian, and fire-fighter, Dannell are childhood friends and a now devoted couple, always sensitive to each other’s moods and requirements. Osian instinctively supports Dannell’s needs with autism and Dannell does his best to understand Osian’s PTSD after a work-related accident that ended his career. I thoroughly enjoyed the little rituals these two employed when taking care of each other.

Any conflict tends to come from outside this strong unit, especially Dannell’s family who try to talk about him rather than directly to him. So when one of Osian’s ex-colleagues is murdered at a cosplay convention and he is the prime suspect, our duo tries to investigate. I loved the central couple and the mystery in Cosplay Killer unfolded very enjoyably. A fun and gentle read from Dahlia Donovan.

Following up on Ripley Hayes‘ prequel novella, Undermined, the Daniel Owen Welsh Mystery Series really kicks off in this terrific second outing, Dark Water, set in small-town North Wales.

There’s the constant ominous rainfall threatening to flood the small corner of North Wales which imbues this story with a sense of dread and expectation.

Daniel has to share a police station with his ex-lover and new boss Mal, who has been given the job that Daniel presumed was his. Then the bodies start turning up in the idyllic Welsh town. Several teenagers are missing and Daniel thinks there must be a link, but Mal isn’t listening.

I was gripped by this mystery and read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed the additional points of view of Veronica and Raven alongside Daniel’s which increased the complexity and tension of the plot.

I found Dark Water to be an atmospheric police procedural by Ripley Hayes with great characters and a promising romance.

Release Blitz: Glow by Kristian Parker

Book Title: Glow (Pleasure Seekers, Book 3)

Author and Publisher: Kristian Parker

Cover Artist: Kelly Martin

Release Date: June 19, 2024

Genre:  Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Workplace romance, opposites attract, love awakening

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length:  50 040 words/214 pages

It is book 3 in the Pleasure Seekers series and does not end on a cliffhanger. 

The books are best read in order.

Goodreads 

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK 

Searching can uncover unexpected truths

Blurb

Scott Fitzgerald is looking for love. Both his flatmates have met their forever someones—when will his turn come?

Then things at work get hectic after a consignment of Pleasure Seekers’ finest toys goes missing. There’s a thief in their midst and Scott has to find out who it is. 

Enter Prin Lau, the handsome IT technician who’s escaped Scott’s notice until now. When they’re thrown together, it’s not just the hunt for the villain that makes Scott’s heartrate rocket. 

But Prin has fled to Brighton to escape family problems. When he decides it’s time to face them head-on once and for all, where will that leave a barely begun relationship? 

With so much distraction, Scott must keep his eye on the prize—and come to understand what he’s really willing to fight for…

Excerpt 

Prin had taken the table at the rear of the coffee shop. As it was early for a Friday, there weren’t many other customers other than a group of schoolkids and a couple of people on their own. The kids were more interested in being the loudest in the group than anything Prin was up to. As for the others, they were focused solely on their laptops.

Nervously, Prin sipped his hot chocolate.

The door opened and Scott walked in. Butterflies swarmed inside Prin. The whole thing had him on edge. Scott’s model looks didn’t help either.

Scott noticed him and came over. “Prin?”

“That’s right.”

Scott dropped his bag and sat down. Prin barely met his gaze.

Maybe this was a bad idea. It’s too bloody late now.

He shifted in his seat.

“Can I get you anything?”

“No thanks,” Scott replied. “I’ve got to go home and log on after this. How did you get out early without raising suspicion?”

“I often work from home so it wasn’t a big deal,” Prin replied.

Scott looked at him expectantly. For some reason, Prin had no idea how to begin.

“It’s probably nothing—”

“I hope not,” Scott interjected. “I’ve had a shit day. I’m banking on you making it a better one.”

Prin had been right. Scott was a self-absorbed queen. He should never have listened to bloody Colin.

“I…”

Scott held up his hands. “I’m sorry,” he said. “My stupid mouth. I didn’t mean to sound like an arsehole. The truth is, I have a humdinger of a hangover. But I have no right to take it out on you. Can we start over?”

Prin’s nanny always used to say to him that he shouldn’t judge other people’s actions until he had an idea of what they were going through. Perhaps Prin had Scott wrong after all.

“I’d like that. Are you sure I can’t order you a drink?”

“Go on then,” Scott said. “I’ll have a flat white. It’ll give me the final hit of caffeine to get me home.”

Prin caught the eye of the barista. “Flat white, please.”

“Sure thing.”

Prin turned to Scott.

Fuck he’s too handsome to concentrate.

“Okay,” Scott said. “Let’s have it straight. I promise you it won’t go any further unless you want it to. I think I signed something when I joined that says you can sue me if I tell a soul other than a priest or a dog.”

Scott giggled to himself. Prin took a deep breath. This time he properly regarded the man across from him. His eyes were the most vivid blue Prin had ever experienced. Something radiated from him that gave Prin the trust he’d needed to attack this head on.

“My boss is Richard Brammin.”

“You have my sympathy.”

Prin smiled. “His son, Elliott, works in my team. You probably already know that.”

“Yeah. I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with him. Thick and arrogant. The worst combination going.”

“Agreed,” Prin said, relaxing a little. “Well yesterday he was booking a holiday. I know there’s nothing wrong in that. I guess his manner caught my attention. I overheard his conversation. I wasn’t eavesdropping or anything.”

The barista placed a cup down in front of Scott and left them to it. Prin waited until he was out of earshot.

“He asked his friend to pay and he would give them the cash. He told them they had to do it now. I don’t know. Saying it out loud it sounds ridiculous, but he was definitely on edge. Oh yes and he did say that there’s plenty more where that came from.”

Scott sipped his drink and frowned. “Go on.”

“I happened to mention it to Richard and he got really stressed. He stormed off to speak to Elliott about this holiday.”

Prin worried Scott would lay into him for wasting his time.

“It’s not just that,” Prin continued. “Even before that, I mentioned to Richard about the theft and he told me, in no uncertain terms, that it hadn’t happened in IT. I wasn’t to bring trouble to his door.”

Scott frowned. “Richard Brammin is on more money than you and I combined. Why would he want to rob a load of dildos? It doesn’t make sense.”

Prin stared down at his cup. “I shouldn’t have bothered you. I’m sorry.”

“No,” Scott said. “That’s not what I’m saying. This is suspicious as fuck. Problem is, we need a damned sight more before I can take on Richard Brammin.”

“You believe me then?”

“Of course I do.”

Prin beamed. He had been so sure he was sticking his neck out only to get it chopped off. Now he’d unburdened himself, he felt so much lighter.

“What’s next?”

“Let me sleep on it,” Scott replied. “Don’t mention it to anyone. Have no fear, Prin. I will come up with a plan. I always do.”

Scott followed this up with a wink that went straight to Prin’s groin. Being thrown together with this gorgeous man could be very interesting indeed.

Series Blurb (Three Books)

Pleasure Seekers is the online store for the nation’s naughty needs. It caters to all tastes from edible underwear to lube to things that are a little more niche.

Based in Brighton on the South Coast, Pleasure Seekers’ mission is to revolutionise Britain’s sex life. 

But what kind of person works in a company like this?

Meet Tyler, Eddie and Scott. Three men who are about to have the summer of their lives. 

Who says taking your work home with you is a bad thing?

About the Author 

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

Author Links

Blog/Website  |   Facebook  |  Instagram  |   Newsletter Sign-up  |  TikTok 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Recent Reads: The Family Man and Feral

I have two contemporary stories on my reading blog today, a romantic suspense thriller from AJ Rose and a gritty urban coming of age story by Kate Sherwood. And best of all, both these books are series starters!

I found The Family Man to be an excellent thriller! This story by AJ Rose is based around the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, often deployed to help track down the instigators of the most serious crimes. Agent Tracey Smith is the newbie to the team, fresh faced and eager and armed with people skills that make him the perfect interviewer. In contrast, team leader Jon Anderson is known as “the Ice Man”, rarely showing his feelings.

I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this intense procedural, and the attraction and chemistry between agents Jon and Tracey only added to the tension and pace of The Family Man. A great read! I’m already looking forward to the next in the Mind Hacker series. What a fabulous start to this new MM romantic suspense series from AJ Rose!

Kate Sherwood is fast becoming a one-click author for me and so I was eager to read Feral, the first in Shelter, her urban contemporary series with an ensemble cast.

This captivating coming-of-age story is about two very different young men, middle-class would-be vet Noah and homeless Shane, brought together due to a mutual love of animals.

As usual with Kate Sherwood‘s books, the combination of character and situational development is compelling. There are no easy answers here but a gradual progression as Noah realises there’s a whole scary and brutal world out there he was previously unaware of and Shane hesitantly learns to trust, bit by bit.

The slow burn was absolutely right for these characters and I completely bought into the vivid and meticulous world building. I found Feral a hugely satisfying read. I can also highly recommend the rest of the excellent Shelter series!

Recent Reads: Zest and Thrill

I’ve got two feel-good UK-based contemporary stories from two regular visitors to the blog, Clare London and Kristian Parker, and they are both great reads!

After a charming introduction from Clare London to a suburban London community and a selection of men finding love in The Accidental Baker, this second longer story, Zest, focuses on the burgeoning romance between Donnie (of the baking accidents) and veterinary surgeon Will, newly arrived in the area.

It’s lovely to see the other characters we met in book 1, but Donnie and Will’s age gap and class difference romance rightly takes centre stage. These are both such sympathetic characters, lacking confidence in different ways but absolutely right for each other.

Any misunderstandings on the path to true love seem believable and in character, as these two lovely men negotiate their relationship during the story. This makes Zest a delightful read!

Thrill is a fabulous start to Pleasure Seekers, the new series by Kristian Parker set among the employees of a Brighton-based company making sex toys.

Tyler and Danny are both engaging characters, with their own issues and backstories, and the attraction between them is palpable.

This is a terrific combination of sexy fun (I mean, that’s what the products are for!) and deeper more challenging emotions that make Tyler and Danny’s HEA all the more believable.

I loved the way Kristian set up the factory and introduced us to the staff who will no doubt reappear in later Pleasure Seekers stories. A thoroughly entertaining and emotionally satisfying read.

Release Blitz: Port in a Storm by Rhys Ford

Book Title: Port in a Storm(Sinners Series)

Author: Rhys Ford

Publisher: Dreamspinner

Cover Artist: Rhys Ford

Release Date: January 23, 2024

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Married M/M Couple foster / adopt child

Themes: Dealing with childhood trauma, questioning whether the past makes a bad father, found family

Heat Rating:  3 flames      

Length:  59 000 words/ 200 pages

It is book 8 in the Sinner’s Gin Series and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press  |  Amazon US  |   Amazon UK

Blurb

San Francisco SWAT Lieutenant Connor Morgan and Crossroads Gin drummer Forest Ackerman make an odd couple. Connor, an Irish-born cop from a tight-knit family, never imagined he’d find his happily-ever-after with a raised-on-the-streets musician, but Forest had the gentlest soul he’d ever met. After a long, hard road of heartbreak, murder, and trouble, they fell hard in love and married.

Then Fate intervenes and throws their lives into a chaos neither one of them is prepared for.

During a brutal SWAT raid, Connor stumbles on Tate, an abused, vulnerable little boy caught in a shoot-out with his father’s drug-running gang. As heavy fire riddles the walls, an injured Connor rescues Tate from the fray… only to be struck numb when a caseworker pries a sobbing Tate from his arms.

Scarred from his own childhood experiences, Forest doubts he can be a good enough father, but Connor assures him they can give Tate what he needs and more. Soon they are on an insane ride where trust and affection are hard-earned, especially when coming from a little boy raised in society’s filthiest gutters. Facing down every challenge thrown their way, they battle to give Tate what Connor treasures and Forest never had—a family to call his own.

Excerpt 

“Got a little boy—I think—here. Anywhere clear to get him out?” Pain flared in Connor’s shoulder when he moved. The child’s weight pulled down on his muscles, straining the tender spots blooming on his back. He’d either landed in something wet or the hits he’d taken were more serious than he thought.

“Negative, but I can give you cover,” Yamamoto said over the comm. “Working back down the hall. Can you hold?”

“Holding.” Connor wrapped his arms around the boy’s torso, trying to cover as much as possible. “Get your arms down, kiddo, and grab anything you can on my vest.”

The child was rigid, legs stick straight and stiff. His tiny hands were dotted with bruises and dried blood, his knuckles bleached white when his fingers tightened around the straps on Connor’s armor. He buried his face into Connor’s chest, breathing hard and heavy when another round of gunfire opened up in the hall.

A pair of large dark shadows fell across the opening in the wall, and then Yamamoto angled his back against one side of the broken drywall. He gave Connor a hand signal, then counted down from three to a closed fist and began a heavy barrage of sprayed shots. Gun drawn, Connor ducked out to the right, keeping the boy against his chest. He moved quickly, pausing at openings and long stretches of the hallway, alert to any movement.

When his boots hit the living room floor, Yamamoto gave the all-clear to move the fight to the back of the house again, leaving Connor with an easier egress. The young man they’d left for the other team was gone, hopefully safe and sound away from the raid. The pain along Connor’s shoulders was turning from a dull throb to a raging fire, and as he tried to clear the mound of debris, he stumbled and caught the tip of his boot on something hard. The kid let out a short yelp of terror when Connor’s grasp loosened. Then he sobbed brokenly as Connor tightened his grip.

“I’m not going to drop you,” he reassured the little boy. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

About the Author 

Rhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and is a two-time LAMBDA finalist with their Murder and Mayhem novels. She is published by Dreamspinner Press and Rogue Firebird Press.

 They’re also quite skeptical about bios without a dash of something personal and really, who doesn’t mention their cats, dog and cars in a bio? They shares the house with Harley, a grey tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled alley cat who isn’t sure living inside is a step up the social ladder as well as Gojira who is a chaos goblin masquerading as a tabico. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird and enjoys murdering make-believe people.

Social Media Links

Blog  |   Facebook  |  Facebook Group  

Twitter  |   TikTok 

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a

$25 Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6f12da15521/

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Recent Reads: The Amazing Alpha Tau Boyfriend Project and Best Supporting Actor

I have two thoroughly engaging contemporary reads this week. The first, The Amazing Alpha Tau Boyfriend Project by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey is the first in the upcoming Alpha Tau series and the second, Best Supporting Actor finishes off the 3-part Creative Types series by Joanna Chambers and Sally Malcolm.

Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey have a track record of creating sweet and very funny collaborations and The Amazing Alpha Tau Boyfriend Project adds to that list!

American college fraternities may be a mystery to me, but I was charmed by the Alpha Tau boys. They might be privileged but they’re a welcoming and inclusive bunch. The kindest of all is Archer. When he finally realises the cute guy at a wedding was hitting on him, rather than acting like the offended straight guy, he apologises for his cluelessness. And that starts the ball rolling for a friendship with Eli when Archer decides to find him a boyfriend.

Archer is adorable and Eli is smart, sweet, feisty, and very much his match. The slapstick humour and genuine warmth of the central and supporting characters made this a delightful read. 

I have adored the previous two stories in the London-set Creative Types series by Joanna Chambers and Sally Malcolm and so my expectations were high for Best Supporting Actor! I’m delighted to say they were surpassed in this splendid finale! I’ve really enjoyed the overlapping timelines of the previous two books that set up MCs Tag and Jay’s rivalry so intriguingly. All is explained in this story where their presumptions lead to instant dislike (with a dash of lust).

Struggling actor Tag is affronted by acting royalty Jay’s ease and privilege, while Jay assumes that Tag is merely a party boy chasing notoriety rather than a serious actor. Of course, they’re both completely wrong. It takes a disastrous one-night stand plus being cast together in a two-man show for them to begin to address their assumptions.

It was so clever of the authors to remove these two from their stamping ground of London to York, where they are cast in the same play. The rehearsal process, away from the familiar, was a brilliant way of making them redress their opinion of each other.

The story got to the heart of these two creative, temperamental yet deeply kind men with their faults, failings and utter professionalism. I fell in love with them both as understanding dawned between them.  Add to that a fantastic supporting cast to make this a brilliant read. Best Supporting Actor is a wonderful finish to an outstanding series.

Blog Tour: Wake the Dead by Sophie Whittemore

Author Name: Sophie Whittemore

Release Date: Tuesday, May 9 2023

Tour Type: 7-Day Blog Tour

Tour Start Date: Sunday, November 19 2023

Publishing Company: NineStar Press

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Primary Plot Arc: Speculative Fiction

Pairings (if a romance): FF, MM, T4T

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery-Thriller, Paranormal

Story Type: Novel (>50k)

Word Count: 83700

LGBTQ+ Identities (if applicable): Ace, demi, bi, gay, gender-fluid, lesbian, non-binary, poly, trans, queer

Keywords/Categories: horror, mystery, thriller, paranormal, ace, asexual, demi, bi, bisexual, gay, gender fluid, lesbian, non-binary, enby, nb, poly, trans, transgender, queer, new release, announcement, giveaway, gods, deities, monsters, elves, fairies, mythology, non-Eurocentric mythology, found family, villains, redemption arc, morally gray heroes, antiheroes, immortal

Tropes: exhausted immortal, immortal love, monster lovers

Is This Part of a Series?: Yes

Position (Number) in Series: 2

Necessary to Read Previous Books: No, But It Doesn’t Hurt

Series Title: Gamin Immortals

Other Books in Series Available for Review?: Yes

Title for Other Book(s) in Series:

1 – Catch Lili Too

Book Blurb:

An ominous presence awakens in the small town of Gamin.

Fairies murdered by crazed monsters. Magic that makes immortals lose their minds and their heads (literally). Whispers of a vendetta against the fairy crime lords who own the infamous Kraken Club.

One ace siren detective, Lili, is dragged back into defending her turf…and hopefully, she doesn’t die this time around.

Warnings: violence, survivors, mental illness

Non-Exclusive Excerpt:

Prologue

The Kraken Club 

The Kuntilanak’s name was Indah, at least, it was in the strip club. Her long, black hair wrapped like a shroud around her body as she circled the pole. When her hair coiled past her shoulders, it revealed the nail sticking out of the back of her neck, thick as a child’s fist, the color of rust and blood. Black rope was tied around her legs, cuffing them to the soles of the boots she wore as heels. A tall and thin man, a fairy, with willow-emerald skin and eyes the color of lotus leaves, held out a wad of dollar bills. He placed them at her feet. 

“Smile,” he told her. 

She did, baring her fangs. 

The fairy grinned. “Ah.” He traced his thumb against those fangs, still grinning as she sank them into skin that tasted of rotting leaves and nectar. The fangs retracted when he didn’t flinch. “Like a vampire.” 

Indah laughed, bending over to pocket the bills in one smooth movement. “The vampires wish they were  Kuntilanak like me.” 

– 

As soon as she pressed the bills to the glittering zipup pouch at her thigh, they disappeared. The fairy waggled his long, thin fingers. “Alakazam.” He chuckled even though this wasn’t a laughing matter. Being of fairy blood, he couldn’t care less.

“Fae magic doesn’t feed me. Money does. So, if you’re not willing to pay with real cash, then get out.” She spat at his eye, praying he went blind. “Setan.” 

She moved toward the bathroom, taking the long way around so she wouldn’t run into the handsy Ljósálfar manning the bar with his light-blond hair and translucent skin. He thought he was handsome, and he took many a mortal woman to bed, but his overconfidence turned the Kuntilanak girl off him. 

Overconfidence just made you all the more of an asshole, and she knew his type. Pelle was just another elf acting as a handler in this gods-forsaken place. 

She slammed into the bathroom and took the sink covered in the least amount of glitter and wadded tissue paper. She splashed under her armpits and near her groin, counting the feeble bills she’d collected in the first hour of the night. 

The blue bathroom door swung lazily open behind her, screeching against tile. “Fuck off, Pelle!” She screamed it out, hoping she could scare him off. 

Instead, it was the green fairy. He stood in front of her with his legs splayed wide, his eyes focused on her face. 

“You again? I’m not for free.” She raised her middle finger, water trickling down the sides of her face. Smelling a sweet-smoky mix of nail polish and cigarettes in the back. 

No reaction. His eyes stayed focused on her face.  “Hello? Fairy dude, you doing all right?” 

His neck bent backward then slammed forward again. Something splintered: wood, blood, and bone. 

“They’re coming,” he said. “The ones who see all.” Then he struck. 

Universal Book Link

Wake the Dead

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123852969-wake-the-dead

Giveaway:

Sophie is giving away a $20 gift certificate for Nine Star Press with this tour:

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47303/?

Author Bio:

Sophie Whittemore is a Dartmouth Film/Digital Arts major with a mom from Indonesia and a dad from Minnesota. They’re known for their Gamin Immortal series (Catch Lili Too) and Legends of Rahasia series, specifically, the viral publication Priestess for the Blind God. Their writing career kicked off with the whimsical Impetus Rising collection, published at age 17.

They grew up in Chicago and live a life of thoroughly unexpected adventures and a dash of mayhem: whether that’s making video games or short films, scripting for a webcomic, or writing about all the punk-rock antiheroes we should give another chance (and subsequently blogging about them).

Sophie’s been featured as a Standout in the Daily Herald and makes animated-live action films on the side. Their queer-gamer film “IRL – In Real Life” won in the Freedom & Unity Young Filmmaker Contest (JAMIE KANZLER AWARDS Second Prize; ADULT: Personal Stories, Third Prize) and was a Semifinalist at the NYC Rainbow Cinema Film Festival. They’ve published in multiple literary magazines and also worked as a staff writer for a time at AsAmNews and Her Campus Media. Ultimately, Sophie lives life with these ideas: 1) live your truth unapologetically and 2) don’t make bets with supernatural creatures.

Author Website: https://www.sophiawhittemore.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/sofia.margareth/

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesophiewhit/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15057772.Sophie_Whittemore Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sophie-Whittemore/author/B01CHOEOFS