Saturday, December 28, 2019

3rd Day of Christmas Author Spotlight: Nell Iris


Nell Iris
Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies room), loves music (and singing along but let’s face it, she’s not Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (Make it so). She loves words, poetry, wine, and Sudoku, and absolutely adores elephants!

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a 40-something bisexual Swedish woman, married to the love of her life, and a proud mama of a grown daughter. She left the Scandinavian cold and darkness for warmer and sunnier Malaysia a few years ago, where she spends her days writing, surfing the Internet, enjoying the heat, and eating good food. One day she decided to chase her life long dream of being a writer, sat down in front of her laptop, and wrote a story about two men falling in love.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angsty, and loves writing diverse and different characters.


FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  WEBSITE
KOBO  /  INSTAGRAM  /  B&N
iTUNES  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS
EMAIL: contact@nelliris.com 


Awakenings and French Songs
Summary:
Iggy Wilker never expected his 36th birthday to turn into an existential crisis. When Iggy’s friends celebrate him with his usual favorite pastime -- drinking, dancing, and willing guys -- he suddenly wants nothing to do with any of it. He’s fed up and ready for something else. The question is what?

Ronan Clenney has had his eye on his neighbor forever, but as a single father of a precocious eleven-year-old, he’s never believed he stands a chance. But over a late night cup of tea, it seems circumstances have changed. Is this the right time, finally?

Iggy has never believed in romance, but can Ronan show him he’s wrong? That love is a real thing?

9 Willow Street
Summary:
Heartbroken after the death of his beloved Nana, Hannes, the family outsider, finally allows himself to grieve. The legal battle over Nana’s quirky old house -- the only place he’s ever felt accepted and loved -- is over, and he moves in and finds a sense of peace.

... And a rabbit.

An adorable bunny with a huge personality moves in, too, and refuses to leave. Hannes instantly falls in love with the sweet animal who helps heal his heart. But one morning, Hannes’ view of the world changes when the rabbit transforms into a man. A man named Mattis.

After the initial shock, Hannes and Mattis discover a connection between them that runs deeper than it seems. Will their newfound feelings survive unraveling secrets and meddling families, and grow into something real? Something deep and everlasting?

Click to read my review of 9 Willow Street(Random Paranormal Tales of 2019 Part 1).

His Steady Heart
Summary:
Ashley “Buck” Buchanan moved back home to take care of his sick mother when he was 22. That was the first time he met Pippin, the neglected 6-year-old boy next door. Fifteen years later, Buck, a caretaker by nature, offers up his couch for Pippin, who needs a break from his mom and a quiet place to sleep.

Pippin Olander is a ray of sunshine despite his emotionally lacking upbringing and works hard to make a better life for himself. Even though he’s fiercely self-sufficient, he learns to accept help from Buck, his rock and the only steady presence in his life.

Their friendship deepens and grows into something more as they spend time together. But when other people try to throw a wrench in the works, when Pippin’s independence is triggered, can Buck and Pippin trust in the love they’ve found?

Cinnamon Eyes
Summary:
Cory’s had a rough year struggling with severe depression. He’s desperate to rebuild his shattered life and break away from his demanding family. When his therapist encourages him to do something for himself, he knows exactly what he needs. I want to see Asher again. The best friend Corey ever had who, at fifteen, held Cory’s heart in his hands without knowing it.

Asher’s had a troubled relationship with his father since he came out. Now that Pops is sick, he’s fighting for his right to help or even find out about his father’s health. Then there’s the complication of an ex-boyfriend unwilling to let go.

When Cory and Asher meet again after sixteen years, Cory’s feelings are as strong as ever. But does Asher feel the same?

Click to read my review and an excerpt of Cinnamon Eyes.

Unexpected Christmas
Summary:
Daniel Erickson stormed out of his family celebration after choking on turkey served with a side of bigotry. Utterly miserable, he reluctantly lets himself be charmed by the hulk of a man and gets into the stranger’s car ... hoping he won’t be axed before the night is through.

Axel Wilson -- Ax for short, unfortunately -- is a sweetheart. Really. He may be badass-looking but his heart melts into goo at the mere mention of his four-year-old niece. Surely he isn’t dangerous?

Thrown together by family drama, the two men spend the evening getting to know each other. Axel is nothing like Daniel expected. But it doesn’t matter that he loves poetry, is gentle and patient -- and hot! -- Daniel is absolutely not falling in love at first sight. There’s no such thing.

Right?

Click to read my review and an excerpt of Unexpected Christmas(Random Tales of Christmas 2017 Part 12).


Awakenings and French Songs
B&N  /  GOOGLE PLAY  /  JMS BOOKS
KOBO  /  iTUNES  /  GOODREADS TBR

9 Willow Street
B&N  /  GOOGLE PLAY  /  JMS BOOKS
KOBO  /  iTUNES  /  GOODREADS TBR

His Steady Heart
B&N  /  GOOGLE PLAY  /  JMS BOOKS
KOBO  /  iTUNES  /  GOODREADS TBR

Cinnamon Eyes
B&N  /  GOOGLE PLAY  /  JMS BOOKS

Unexpected Christmas
KOBO  /  iTUNES  /  GOODREADS TBR

Saturday's Series Spotlight: Christmas Luck by KC Burn


A Cowboy's Christmas Luck
Summary:
Christmas Luck #1
Jonah Beecham is a down on his luck cowboy, stuck in Vegas with no money, no job, no friends, and Christmas rapidly approaching. Although he’d been promised a job as a bullfighter, the job falls through, and he’ll be sleeping in his truck for Christmas. In a fit of desperation, he drops a coin in an old-fashioned slot machine and wins enough to put gas in his truck… plus a little something extra. Rather than press his luck, he decides to leave the casino, but the universe isn’t done with him yet.

Zach Evans is a television writer from Los Angeles who loves all things cowboy. He’s in Las Vegas to do some research at an end of year rodeo event. Too wary to approach any of the sexy cowboys he sees, he finally takes a chance when he bumps into Jonah.

Spending the next week in Zach’s bed might seem like Jonah’s luck has changed, but when Jonah realizes he’s falling for a man who lives in a city where none of his skills are employable, he’s got a choice to make. Fear of the unknown will cost him Zach, but accepting that the universe has more luck in store for him might be more than he can handle.

Original Review December 2018:
Jonah Beecham is facing last resources to survive as Christmas nears and he finds himself in Vegas with no money, no friends, and no job since a promised one as a bullfighter falls through.  Zach Evans is in town to do some research for the television show he writes for and despite his appreciation for everything cowboy he doesn't quite have the nerve to approach any.  When a chance meeting buts Jonah and Zach together will a Vegas fling stay in Vegas or has luck turned the corner for both men and turn to more?

I have never been let down by KC Burn's writing and A Cowboy's Christmas Luck was no different.  The title says it all: cowboys and Christmas, what's not to love?  Jonah definitely is need of a little luck and after putting one of his final coins in a slot machine that he happened to sit in front of give his feet a rest he may have found some extra luck.  No, I can safely say he doesn't hit the jackpot but then a bump and stumble puts him in Zach's path.  Talk about a great Christmas meeting!

A Cowboy's Christmas Luck may seem cliche to some, but lets face it most Christmas stories tend to be a bit on the cliche side.  HOWEVER, that doesn't make it not great.  This short holiday novella will put a smile on your face and keep it there long after you hit the final page.  You have cutesy-awkward-Hallmark-ish first meetings, heat, romance, cowboys, and plenty of heart.  Somehow this little gem almost completely missed my reading radar so whether it was coincidence or a little Christmas luck๐Ÿ˜‰ I came across Jonah and Zach's tale last weekend and immediately 1-clicked, opened it, and I was completely filled with holiday cheer and pure fun.  Definitely goes on my win-win shelf.

RATING: 

Heirlooms, Junk, and Christmas Luck
Summary:
Christmas Luck #2
Cody Chase needs a plan, and quick. When his boyfriend was alive, the antiques brought in a comfortable income for the two of them. But Cody’s an ex-stripper with a basic business degree, not an antiques dealer. He’s no more than a couple of months from going under, but after losing his home and his boyfriend, he can’t face losing the business as well.

Some might call Adrian Phoenix’s state of mind a mid-life crisis, but he sees it more as a mid-life awakening. After years in a soul-sucking office job, he ditches it all for the call of the muse. A little Christmas magic provices a chance meeting with Cody, who agrees to a date from a random stranger. Adrian might be facing his forties, but he’s got a new career and a new social life to look forward to.

But Adrian hasn’t told his family about his new life plans, and Cody has had his fill of disapproving relatives. Even though their meeting seems like fate, and gives Cody a way to save his floundering business, Cody is afraid that Adrian will realize he can do better. If Cody gambles on a life with Adrian, he risks both his heart and his livelihood. Winning those stakes might require more luck than Cody’s had in his entire life.

Author Bio:
KC Burn has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a sucker for happy endings (of all kinds). After moving from Toronto to Florida for her husband to take a dream job, she discovered a love of gay romance and fulfilled a dream of her own--getting published. After a few years of editing web content by day, and neglecting her supportive, understanding hubby and needy cat at night to write stories about men loving men, she was uprooted yet again and now resides in California. Writing is always fun and rewarding, but writing about her guys is the most fun she's had in a long time, and she hopes you'll enjoy them as much as she does.


FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER  /  KOBO  /  GOOGLE PLAY
CARINA  /  AUDIBLE  /  DREAMSPINNER  /  B&N
iTUNES  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS
EMAIL: authorkcburn@gmail.com



A Cowboy's Christmas Luck #1
B&N  /  iTUNES AUDIO  /  AUDIBLE

Heirlooms, Junk, and Christmas Luck #2
B&N  /  KOBO  /  GOODREADS TBR