Blog Tour: Outing The Quarterback by Tara Lain

Outing the Quarterback (The Long Pass Chronicles Book 1) by Tara Lain
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (September 19, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632162040
ISBN-13: 978-1632162045
Amazon: Outing the Quarterback (The Long Pass Chronicles Book 1)
Amazon Kindle: Outing the Quarterback (The Long Pass Chronicles Book 1)

Will Ashford lives in two closets. He meets his wealthy father’s goals as both the quarterback for the famous SCU football team and a business major, but secretly he attends art school and longs to live as a painter. And he's gay. But if he can win the coveted Milton Scholarship for art, he’ll be able to break from his father at the end of his senior year.

In a painting master class, Will meets his divergent opposite, Noah Zajack. A scarred orphan who’s slept on park benches and eaten from trash cans, Noah carefully plans his life and multiple jobs so he has money and time to go to art school. Will's problems seem like nothing compared to Noah's. Noah wants the scholarship too and may have a way to get it since the teacher of his class has designs on him, a plan Will isn't happy about.

When a gossipmonger with a popular YouTube channel finds evidence that Will is gay, the quarterback’s closet doors begin to crumble. Hounded by the press and harassed by other players, Will has to choose. Stay in the closet and keep his family’s wealth, or let the doors fall off and walk out with nothing. Nothing but Noah.



( Excerpt #2 )

Author’s Bio: Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!
Author Links:
Website: http://taralain.com/
Blog: http://www.taralain.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taralain
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/taralain
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/taralain/

Giveaway:
• One signed print copy of Outing the Quarterback (US only)
• One ebook copy of Outing the Quarterback (or any book of winner’s choice if they already bought Quarterback)
• One $10 gift certificate to Amazon
• One jewelry Outing the Quarterback bookmark (US only)

Rafflecopter Widget:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b4c0001d126/

2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mentions

Waiting for the list of finalists to be announced beginning of October, I will post daily the 2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mentions: an honorable mention means a judge gave a rate of 36 or above out of 40 to the book; an honorable mention doesn't mean the book is automatically among the finalists, could be could be not, but it's important to understand there are more than 500 books in the literary contests, all books are in the process of being read by the jury, but only half of them will go to finals. So please, congratulate with me this year honorable mentions:



Gay Paranormal Romance
The Memory of Blood & Lotuses by E.E. Ottoman
Paperback: 174 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (October 30, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620042673
ISBN-13: 978-1620042670
Amazon: The Memory of Blood and Lotuses
Amazon Kindle: The Memory of Blood and Lotuses

"I loved this story. The setting was so vivid and captivating down to the scents and textures. If I could, I'd like to give setting 11 points. I happen to love things Egyptian and this story did not disappoint. The use of magic and a new vampire lore makes this story stand out in a sea of paranormal."

Gay Historical Romance
Dance of Stone by Jay Lewis Taylor
Publisher: Manifold Press (May 30, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Dance of Stone

"The pacing is slow—almost glacial but he manages to sustain your attention & keep you reading. The amount of research and period detail that is clear in this story is absolutely staggering. The setting is meticulously researched and so perfectly described that you are there in medieval times with all its dirt, deprivation, discomfort, and obsession with building churches; yet in his depiction of gay men and how they are treated/perceived was contemporary, making the story timeless. There are some beautifully written passages. It’s a romance that isn’t all love and sex. A rare read indeed. A most excellent read."

"This was a lovely surprise. So seldom do you get to read a well-researched, stylish romantic saga set in the Middle Ages, much less one with gay characters. I highly recommend this debut novel."

Lesbian Contemporary Romance
Camellia by Caitlin Ricci & Cari Z.
Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (May 7, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620043572
ISBN-13: 978-1620043578
Amazon: Camellia
Amazon Kindle: Camellia

"Camellia is a beautiful, delicate story that unfolds with the same languid, graceful pacing of a Japanese tea ceremony...and like the ancient art of the ceremony, will engage every one of your senses by the time it concludes. The memory will linger as well, with surprising, subtle strength. And lest you think this story is a snoozefest, I’d best mention the sex was hot enough to leave me wishing for a fan. No fooling."

"I normally do not read lesbian novels or BDSM.  The genres are not my usual preference. However, after reading this book (first in a series), I was genuinely pleased with the dynamic, tight writing style, the beautiful explaination and demonstration of the BDSM lifestyle, and the introduction into the beauty of tea service.  Lucy & Danny are two characters I am willing to visit again & delve deeper into their story."

"A book about tea but this romance is so much more than that. Lust swirled between these two characters that exploded off the page and kept me spellbound. With a promising ending, I wanted to read more about these characters and I dreaded getting closer to the end."

Gay Contemporary Romance
Takedown (Bannon's Gym) by Cat Grant
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (July 29, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Takedown (Bannon's Gym)

"This story is heartbreaking, but it’s also about redemption and hope. It’s also very realistic in the family dynamics. I don’t read “fight” books. It’s not a subject I get or understand. I’m really glad I read this one and I’ll be tracking down the others in the series."

Lesbian Contemporary Romance
No Boundaries by Donna K. Ford
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (May 6, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1626390606
Amazon: No Boundaries
Amazon Kindle: No Boundaries

"This book was amazing. From the beginning, I was riveted by the characters as they grabbed hold of my attention and didn't let go. The author's style was quick, light and easy to read and I would love to pick up more from Ms. Ford."

"I really enjoyed this story."

"Enjoyable read, loved the chemistry between the characters, great plot."

"Loved the premise of this romance, sweet yet angsty. Setting was realistic and all characters seemed well thought out.  Loved both Gwen and Andi's vulnerability. Yhis is the second boo from this author that I have read and she continues to improve in her writing."

Gay Anthology / Young Adult
Red Caps: New Fairy Tales for Out of the Ordinary Readers by Steve Berman
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Lethe Press (February 14, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590212827
ISBN-13: 978-1590212820
Amazon: Red Caps: New Fairy Tales for Out of the Ordinary Readers
Amazon Kindle: Red Caps: New Fairy Tales for Out of the Ordinary Readers

"Some writers can write “It was a clear blue sky.” Other writers can look at that same sky and carve a description out of fire and music. Steve Berman is one of those writers. The characters in the individual stories in Red Caps don’t just jump off the page; they dance. And as they dance around you, they spin their tale they pull back the curtain on a world you didn’t know existed. Quite simply reading this book is a transcendent experience. I expect great things from Mr. Berman."

Gay Erotic Romance
Tough Love (Special Delivery) by Heidi Cullinan
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (April 8, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Tough Love (Special Delivery)

"It was such a pleasure to read this, not only because I'm a fan of Heidi's work and have read the other books in the series (and this one before too!). The characters are unusual and engaging. Each of the main characters has a strong emotional arc, plus we get to visit with favorites from earlier in the series. The ways that Heidi explores the definition of strength is compelling, and above all, entertaining."

Gay Contemporary Romance
Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (October 1, 2013)
Amazon Kindle: Love Lessons

" I enjoyed this book. The characters were unique, had real life issues and struggles that went beyond the relationship and the author kept us engaged throughout the story."

Gay Poetry
Velvet Rodeo by Kelly McQuain
Publisher: Bloom Books

"The symmetry, flow, imagery, and meter of the poetry was some of the best I've read, gay or non-gay, in quite sometime.  I enjoyed reading each piece separately then as a whole in this new compilation of formerly published works.  It is a gem of a collection."

"These poems explore gender and coming of age, adulthood and the middle years, all with poignant metaphors and thoughtful juxtaposition.  I enjoyed reading poetry again-- there was no attempt to be smarter than the reader, but only an attempt to make a connection, and that is my favorite verbal music."

Gay Contemporary Romance
Fall Hard by JL Merrow
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (September 17, 2013)
Amazon Kindle: Fall Hard

"Amazing atmosphere, both in terms of setting (Iceleand!) and the emotional resonance. Intense, slow-building romance and darkly intriguing mystery / self-discovery type plot. So, so good!"

2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mentions

Waiting for the list of finalists to be announced beginning of October, I will post daily the 2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mentions: an honorable mention means a judge gave a rate of 36 or above out of 40 to the book; an honorable mention doesn't mean the book is automatically among the finalists, could be could be not, but it's important to understand there are more than 500 books in the literary contests, all books are in the process of being read by the jury, but only half of them will go to finals. So please, congratulate with me this year honorable mentions:



Gay Contemporary Romance
Out of Hiding by Mia Kerick
Paperback: 180 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 13, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627986499
ISBN-13: 978-1627986496
Amazon: Out of Hiding
Amazon Kindle: Out of Hiding

"What a refreshing read! I fell right into this book. Philippe was vividly written, with all his flaws and anxiety and love. All the messy bits that make a person a person. And Dario was sweet and snarky and hot, all wrapped into one. I also adore that the women in this book are well-rounded, likable characters, from Philippe's niece (who is the perfect mix of emotions and maturity for 17. So well done.) to Lauren, the single mom. The book gently tackled PTSD and anxiety and self discovery with grace and style. Well done."

Lesbian Mystery / Thriller
Just Intuition (Intuition Series) by Makenzi Fisk
Series: Intuition Series
Paperback: 228 pages
Publisher: Mischievous Books (May 31, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0993808700
ISBN-13: 978-0993808708
Amazon: Just Intuition (Intuition Series)
Amazon Kindle: Just Intuition (Intuition Series)

"The way the author sucked me into the thrilling, dangerous, mysterious world still has me tingling. I stayed up until 4am reading this book because I had to know if my suspicions were correct. The setting was magnificently described, until I could feel the heat from the flames, taste the cold beer, and winced with every destruction and attack. The characters were beautifully fleshed out to the point where I the reader felt sucked into the mind of the villain, feeling the darkness crawling around in my soul and the glee whenever someone was hurt or killed. The fact that I immediately went to find the sequel so I could purchase it for myself, I think, shows the immense quality of the author's talent and work and shows why Makenzi Fisk deserves a score of 40/40."

Gay Mystery / Thriller
Relief Valve (The Plumber's Mate) by JL Merrow
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (March 25, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Relief Valve (The Plumber's Mate)

"I loved this story, and soon got swept up in its pages. The characters were three dimensional and I got invested in them quickly. Loved the British feel of it, which came across with the language and setting.  The first person narration worked well for the story, and the writing style flowed smoothly and was a joy to read."

Gay Romantic Comedy
Caught! (The Shamwell Tales) by JL Merrow
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (August 19, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Caught! (The Shamwell Tales)

"Loved this one. As a fellow Brit, it was so refreshing to read a story where everything felt so familiar - and I didn't need to Google anything! I thought Robert was an adorable character with real issues, and Sean was a sexy, ginger, leather clad hunk. A little more smex would have been the icing on the cake, but overall a wonderful read."

Gay Romantic Comedy
On Archimedes Street by Jefferson Parrish
Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 20, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627982248
ISBN-13: 978-1627982245
Amazon: On Archimedes Street
Amazon Kindle: On Archimedes Street

"I really enjoyed the book, though there are bits in it that made me really quite angry. It's definitely a book that I couldn't read and put aside, it kept echoing and I still think about it, days after I finished reading it. And for a debut novel, that's really something. Kudos to the author! if a reader is looking for a romance, they will be disappointed. This is not a romance. It's a portrait of people, so many different kinds of people, some of whom fall in love with each other. If that's what a reader is looking for, this book is 10/10. Awesome characters. Brilliant, multifaceted, these characters are not really the “rounded” type of characters that literary studies tell you good fictional characters are, but full of edges and angles. "

Gay Contemporary General Fiction
The Genealogy of Understanding by Daniel M. Jaffe
Paperback: 326 pages
Publisher: Lethe Press (May 5, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590211804
ISBN-13: 978-1590211809
Amazon: The Genealogy of Understanding
Amazon Kindle: The Genealogy of Understanding

"Every time I pick up a Lethe Press title, I know it will be outstanding. This book was no exception. A series of intricately connected short stories, each one a shining gem of human experience. The stories are beautifully written, imaginatively arranged, and spiritually and emotionally rich. A collection to be savored."

Gay Anthology / Erotica
Sex Ray Specs by Sessha Batto
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1496065344
ISBN-13: 978-1496065346
Amazon: Sex Ray Specs
Amazon Kindle: Sex Ray Specs

"A great collection. Many of the stories were touching, some dark, some troubling, but all were made to touch something in the reader. Erotic? Yes. Sexy, funny, horrifying, good, great. I really liked this collection."

Gay Contemporary Romance
Rasputin's Kiss (Investigating Love Book 1) by L.M. Somerton
Series: Investigating Love
Paperback: 220 pages
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (March 7, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1781847509
ISBN-13: 978-1781847503
Amazon: Rasputin's Kiss (Investigating Love Book 1)
Amazon Kindle: Rasputin's Kiss (Investigating Love Book 1)

"Really liked the characters. So much so, I've bought the 2nd book. Convincing settings and attention to detail with police procedure. Engaging writing style."

"Enjoyed the main characters. Good story."

Gay Contemporary Romance
The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3) by Eli Easton
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (June 30, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632160153
ISBN-13: 978-1632160157
Amazon: The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3)
Amazon Kindle: The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle Book 3)

"This was a fantastically well written book. The plot unfolded naturally. Not once did anything feel forced or manipulated. The flow of it engaging the reader and drawing them deeper. The writing, honestly this is the type of writing that sends me to the bookstore (or more likely online because I can't wait that long) for the next book. It's engaging, enthralling, purely addicting. This was a book that had to be taken away so that I would remember to sleep. This book is a gem that I thoroughly enjoyed. It had heart, it had spirit, it had dark twists, and it had joy. The excerpts from the characters writing added another layer of depth and emotion to an already outstanding novel. I connected with it in a way that is rare for books to hold these days."

"This was just a joy to read. Characters who seemed so real that you’re vested in them early on. Excellent book."

Lesbian Erotica
At Her Feet by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (September 17, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602829489
ISBN-13: 978-1602829480
Amazon: At Her Feet
Amazon Kindle: At Her Feet

"I really liked this book.  Subject matter not familiar to me, very interesting.  Not your typical cookie cutter romance.  Loved both the MC's, both sincere and invested in their relationship."

GayRomLit Retreat: Wade Kelly

Starting from March up until September I will feature authors attending the GayRomLit Retreat in Chicago (October 16-19, 2014: http://gayromlit.com/grl-authors).

Today author is Wade Kelly: Hi. I'm Wade. Yes, I'm an author. I live and write in conservative, small-town America. Here, it's not always easy to live free and open in one's beliefs. Nevertheless, I strive to write passionately about controversial issues and ponder contentious subjects on paper as I try to make a difference in the world by making people think. Basically, I write what I feel, I write what I know, and I write what I think others need to hear. And if you think a character sounds like someone you know, think again... All my characters are ME. Unlike some authors, I have no huge background in writing or philosophy. I'm not good at punctuation or spelling, and my thoughts often surpass my ability as an author to express them. However, I can't NOT write. It's who I am. When not writing, I'm thinking about writing and more than likely scribbling notes on sticky notes in the car while playing "taxi driver" for my three children. I like ball pythons and I have a turtle in the bathtub. I hope you are touched by my stories. By the way.... I love Lynne Truss' book Eats, Shoots & Leaves.
Website: http://www.writerwadekelly.com/index.html

Wade Kelly is offering a copy of Names Can Never Hurt Me to one commenter on this blog. You can comment on LJ or DW if you have an account (I will send a PM to the winner), if you don't have an account, please leave a comment on DW with a contact email.

Names Can Never Hurt Me by Wade Kelly
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 11, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627988564
ISBN-13: 978-1627988568
Amazon: Names Can Never Hurt Me
Amazon Kindle: Names Can Never Hurt Me

What if sexuality wasn’t a definable thing and labels merely got in the way?

Nick Jones can’t remember a time when he wasn’t part of the in crowd. Everywhere he goes, he stands out as the best looking guy in the room, and women practically fall into bed with him. Then, after kissing Corey on a dare led to much more and on many occasions, Nick’s “screw anything” reputation escalated, but he didn’t care.

When Nick meets RC at the restaurant where he works, it throws his whole life out of whack. Overweight, always sweaty, gay, and hairy like a bear, RC lives up to his dubbed nickname “Scruffy Dude.” He seems Nick’s complete opposite, but Nick can’t get him out of his head.

Because of peer-pressure and his fears about defining his sexuality, Nick struggles with stepping out of his comfort zone and caring about someone different than himself. If he’s lucky, somewhere between arrogance and ignorance, Nick might find out what it means to be an adult, but if he’s wrong, he could lose everything.