Monday, January 1, 2018

8th Day of Christmas Author Spotlight: JP Bowie


Author Bio:
J.P. Bowie was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland. He wrote his first (unpublished) novel – a science fiction tale of brawny men and brawnier women that made him a little suspect in the eyes of his family for a while.

Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.

After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.


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EMAIL: jpbowie@cox.net



The Vampire and the PI
Summary:
The Vampire and ... #1
When Sean Martin was shot in the hip he thought his days in law enforcement were over. Leaving the force he opened up his own private investigative business, and for a while enjoyed success until a homophobic ex-colleague spread a story about Sean assaulting an underage boy, the son of an influential congressman.

Overnight, Sean's business tanked, leaving him broke and with zero clients. Then Master Vampire, Rafael Barrantes, hires him to find the murderer of Julian Hunter, a young male escort. Sean isn't crazy about working for a vampire--but all that changes when he meets Arturo Menendez, Rafael's private secretary who immediately tries, and succeeds in seducing Sean. In between bouts of the most amazing sex Sean has ever had, he discovers that the facts surrounding Julian's murder have been swept under the carpet.

In the process of his investigation Sean is beaten, kidnapped by a bad cop, and bitten by a rogue vampire. With the odds stacked against him, can he possibly ever solve the mystery of Julian's murder, and can Arturo, even with his vampire powers, save Sean from a grisly death?

Trust Me
Summary:
Scott Riley is living with a terrible secret -- one he dares not share with his family or friends. Who can he turn to... who can he trust? 

After losing his job because of one man's actions and lies, Scott Riley is desperately seeking employment. A rape victim, he feels shame, humiliation and a deep seated anger that he cannot bring his attacker to justice because of what he thinks it might do to his parents. Rather than have them live with the knowledge of what happened to their only son, he does everything in his power to spare them, even at a cost to his own happiness. 

When Ross Nelson offers Scott a position in his software company, Scott feels that this change in his luck may prove to be the turning point where he can put his painful memories behind him. Although aware of the obstacles inherent in an office romance, Scott and Ross soon find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another. But Scott's nemesis refuses to stop tormenting him with texts and phone messages, some obscene, others that contain threats and derision. 

Can the lovers overcome the ravings of a deranged stalker, or will they be torn apart by the clear and present danger this man represents?

Time After Time 
Summary:
Bewildered by a series of erotic dreams, Michael Ballantyne, a young graphic artist living in Los Angeles is eager to uncover their meaning. When he is informed that he is the sole beneficiary in an unknown man's will and is now the owner of a large estate in Hertfordshire, England, Michael feels that somehow he has been given a key to unlock the dreams' mysteries. This feeling grows stronger when he comes face to face with Jonathan Robertson, a handsome Englishman, who more than just resembles the man in his dreams.

Together they attempt to solve the mystery that surrounds the disappearance and apparent murder of Jonathan Harcourt, the son of the previous owner of Bedford Park.

The mutual attraction they quickly feel for one another is hampered by the sudden arrival of Michael's jealous boyfriend, Steve Miller, and by Jack Trenton, a formidable and uninvited presence who has occupied the lodge by the estate gates.

When Michael, along with his now ex-boyfriend, Steve, is held hostage by Trenton, it becomes clear that Bedford Park holds many more secrets than anyone ever thought. Michael and Jonathan are soon to discover that the keepers of those secrets are dangerous men, willing to stop at nothing in order to make an ancient oath come to pass.

Lucius and Callistus 
Summary:
Slaves to Love #1
Raised in the city of Capua, renowned for its gladiator training grounds---Lucius, a young patrician, is unprepared for the obsessive desire that almost overwhelms him when he first sees Callistus, a captive Gaul condemned to a life, and probable death, in the arena. Unsuccessful in his attempt to buy Callistus and save him from a premature death, Lucius instead follows his career, attending all of his bouts in the arena, including one with Spartacus, the rebel slave. Spartacus incites Callistus and his fellow gladiators to rebel and form an unbeatable army, almost bringing the Roman legions to their knees.

Although torn between his love for Callistus and loyalty to his friends and family, Lucius determines that before one, or both of them might die, he must find Callistus, confess his feelings, and spend at least one night in the arms of the man he loves.

Original Review February 2016:
Lucius and Callistus don't actually spend much time together in this series opener but every word they share is powerful and memorable.  A great story of what we do to find the ones we love even when it isn't that smart.

RATING: 

Highland Hearts
Summary:
Callum Robertson has inherited his grandfather’s mansion in northern Scotland, but the house comes with a history he knew nothing about—should he be thrilled, or feel threatened as the house seems to lure him in?

When Callum Robertson first sees the old Scottish country mansion his grandfather bequeathed him, his first instinct is to sell the antiquated pile for whatever he can get for it—admittedly not much in a downturned market. Then he meets Craig MacPherson, a local farmer with auburn curls and sparkling gray eyes, and suddenly the gloomy old house doesn’t look quite the white elephant it first appeared to be.

Craig tells Callum that it’s rumored the house is haunted but by what or whom no one seems to know. Books flying off shelves then being mysteriously replaced give Callum pause to reconsider his rejection of the idea of an actual ghost haunting the place. When he finds a journal relating to the history of his family he is, by turn, intrigued then fascinated as the family saga unfolds through the writings of his ancestors.

An encounter with what he feels must be the spirit of his great-great-great uncle Alistair makes him change his mind about not only selling the house, but also about his future with Craig.

Halloween Angel
Summary:
When Eddie Gillespie, recovering from an abusive relationship, meets a handsome stranger, Joshua Reynolds, in a local bar, an instant attraction flares between them. There's just one problem - no one else in the bar remembers Eddie being with Joshua.

Invited to a Halloween party by Hollywood's sexiest male star, Sam Peterson, Eddie arrives dressed as an angel, and is both startled and delighted to meet Joshua again. Their moment together is shattered by Sam who tells Eddie that he and Joshua are estranged brothers, and that Joshua is a dangerous liar who will only use and hurt Eddie. But Eddie is already captivated by Joshua's allure and the two leave the party together.

After a night of love and passion, a revelation from Joshua makes it seem as though Sam was right. Eddie can't believe his bad luck. To run from the threats of an abusive boyfriend into the arms of a vampire – could things get much worse?

Well, yes they could – but perhaps with the help of Cassandra, a good witch, Eddie's bad luck can be transformed into an experience that will change his life forever – and for the better.

Original Review October 2015:
A great little story of finding your true place in the world despite what others think.  Eddie and Joshua are a perfect pair but that doesn't mean it's easy.  Watching them find their place is a true gem and a great addition to my paranormal library.

RATING: 


The Vampire and the PI
Trust Me
Time After Time
AMAZON US  /  AMAZON UK
B&N  /  KOBO  /  MLR BOOK
iTUNES  /  GOODREADS TBR

Lucius and Callistus
AMAZON US  /  AMAZON UK  /  B&N

Highland Hearts

Halloween Angel

Monday Morning's Menu: The Peppermint Schnapps Predicament by Clare London


Summary:
Frankie Faraday is a promising young salesperson at Mason’s Emporium. Bill Mason is his boss, the son of the store’s founder, and the object of Frankie’s long-suffering, deeply devoted crush. Bill is steady and sober; Frankie is frivolous and flaky. Or so they seem to each other, until the night of the annual inventory, when they’re trapped together in the Seasonal Gifts storeroom, with nothing but candy and peppermint schnapps to sustain them until they’re rescued. And then the real truths—and something definitely more intimate—emerge!

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2017 Advent Calendar "Stocking Stuffers."



The Peppermint Schnapps Predicament may only be a Christmas short story/novella in length but its a full length novel in fun.  There's really not a lot I feel like divulging in this review other than it was a lovely and fun read that brightened up my day.  Peppermint would make a wonderful romantic comedy holiday film but until that happens, I can't recommend Clare London's boss/employee-opposites attract enough.  She takes what could be considered a cliché trope and gives it her extra special sassy spin that will leave you wanting more of Frankie and Bill.  Be careful though, you may never look at schnapps or chocolate Santas the same way again😋😉

RATING:  


I GUESS you might say my current predicament is punishment for my sins.

What sins? you ask, amazed that a cute twink like me with such angelic features and a sweet, sunny disposition could be so debauched.

Oh, but I admit it! I throw my hands in the air and proclaim my dissolution. This afternoon, Greed and Lust led me to a moment’s weakness, yet who can blame me? It’s Friday, it’s later than the usual clocking-off time because of the annual inventory at Mason’s Emporium—here in the Seasonal Gifts and Festivities department—and it’s the end of a too-long, loathsome week in retail. Why wouldn’t I look for some distraction and delight to lift my weary spirits?

As usual, my eyes were drawn irresistibly to Bill Mason, manager of SG&F, son of the original founder of the store, and my current supervisor. All hail the Supreme Being of Boy Crushes, who obviously influenced the staff rota on my behalf! Bill Mason, a Channing Tatum lookalike right down to the mischievous smile, and not forgetting to linger on the very finest musculature, all wrapped in an appealing package of checked flannel shirt and ass-hugging jeans. Bill Mason, always strong, steady, and self-disciplined, with a bossy bark to his minions that fair makes my balls clench in ecstatic fright. Bill Mason, working so close to me while we check inventory that I can smell the shampoo he uses—masculine and musky, just like him—and occasionally brush my hand against his brawny body on the pretext of helping carry a box or two. Or four, in his case. Oh, see those biceps strain.

When Bill strode off to the overflow storeroom at the back of the warehouse, I—poor infatuated fool that I am—trotted after him like a sheep, blithely shackled for shearing. I shuffled into the room virtually on his heels, so when he turned to catch the door, I got in his way. Like, right up in his face, much to his righteous shock. By the time we’d done the yelp of surprise from him and the “Sorry! Sorry!” from me, the door had slammed shut behind us.

And now I’m in The Predicament. Just like I said before, although in a rather roundabout way. There’s no door handle on the inside, you see. It fell off last week and Mikey from Maintenance hasn’t gotten around to fixing it yet, with Christmas being our busiest season and all. Besides, everyone in the warehouse knows to keep the door propped open when they use this particular room.

Except me, obviously.

Oh, Mr. Disturbance and Subversion, that’s me.

And looks like I’ve brought Bill Mason down to my level.

Author Bio:
Clare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant.

She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.

Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.

All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!


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EMAIL: clarelondon11@yahoo.co.uk



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