Blog Tour: Sawyer by A.D. Ellis

Sawyer (Torey Hope: The Later Years) by A.D. Ellis
Paperback: 372 pages
Publisher: A.D. Ellis Publishing (August 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1942647093
ISBN-13: 978-1942647096
Amazon: Sawyer (Torey Hope: The Later Years)
Amazon Kindle: Sawyer (Torey Hope: The Later Years)

BLURB: Sawyer Morgan has a secret. Revealing his true feelings to his family could bring devastation and destruction, so he keeps the burden firmly on his own shoulders. When he moves back to Torey Hope to help with the family business, Sawyer’s hidden truth becomes too much to bear.
Luke Hamilton has a past overflowing with emotional and physical scars. A promise to his dying mother prevents him from seeking the love and acceptance he longs for. Taking a job in Torey Hope brings Luke face-to-face with taboo desires he thought long extinguished.
Secrets, lies, hatred, and fear threaten to destroy their lives. But, love has the power to overcome and lay claim to victory.
Will Sawyer succeed in proving to Luke some connections are worth fighting for?
A poignant tale of two hearts valiantly fighting to stay true and find love.

**This is a male/male romance. It has adult themes, language, and situations. Readers sensitive to homosexual relationships, abuse, hate crimes, and derogatory terms should take note. This story is meant only for readers aged 18+**

( EXCERPT )

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A.D. Ellis is the award-winning author of two related collections of stories, A Torey Hope Novel Series and Torey Hope: The Later Years. Her debut novel, For Nicky, was voted #3 of the Top 50 Indie Books of 2014 by ReadFree.ly readers/voters. A.D.’s fourth novel, Loving Josie, was awarded the bronze medal in the contemporary romance category in the prestigious Readers’ Favorite 2015 International Book Awards.
Born and raised in a small farming town in southern Indiana, A.D. was an avid reader from the time she learned to read. She could often be found curled up somewhere with her nose in a book. Most of her friends and family were not such book enthusiasts, so A.D. got used to dealing with snickers and joking comments about her constant reading habits. Truth be told, Ms. Ellis has always been the definition of a book nerd.
A.D. always dreamed of being a teacher. Graduating from Indiana State University in 1999 and earning a Master's Degree from Indiana Wesleyan in 2003, she met her goal of entering the world of education. A.D. has been teaching in the inner city of Indianapolis, Indiana for 17 years. She spent the majority of her 17 years in fourth grade, but has now taken on the challenges of teaching 3rd and 4th grade alternative education students. A.D. loves teaching fractions, variables, probability, and graphing in Math. She loves almost all aspects of English Language Arts. Figurative language, theme, making predictions, drawing conclusions, inference, context clues, making writing come to life, A.D. loves it all! Her students don't always share in that enthusiasm.
She met her husband in college in 1996 and they married in June of 2000. She lives in a south side suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and two school-aged children. When she's not reading or writing with music blaring, she can be found shopping at thrift stores, reading to her children, and sweating at the gym in the very early mornings.
A.D. began her writing journey in October 2013, and she is grateful for the friends and support she's found along the way.

GIVEAWAY:
Winner’s Prize: Signed copy of Sawyer (US only) or Winner’s choice of any of my eBooks (box set titles included)
Second Winner’s Prize: Winner’s choice of any of my single titles
Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0f7bf72073/?

( TOUR SCHEDULE )

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Under a Falling Star by Jae

Under a Falling Star by Jae
Lesbian Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 396 pages
Publisher: Ylva Verlag e.Kfr. (October 31, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 3955332381
ISBN-13: 978-3955332389
Amazon: Under a Falling Star
Amazon Kindle: Under a Falling Star

Falling stars are supposed to be a lucky sign, but not for Austen. Her new job as a secretary in an international games company isn't off to a good start. Her first assignment-decorating the Christmas tree in the lobby-results in a trip to the ER after Dee, the company's second-in-command, gets hit by the star-shaped tree topper. Dee blames her instant attraction to Austen on her head wound, not the magic of the falling star. She's determined not to act on it, especially since Austen has no idea that Dee is practically her boss.


Under a Falling Star was such a lovely, well written romance. I really liked the characters and once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. It was one of those stories where you wish there would be more.  For me it was the best lesbian romance I've read so far.

I must admit I’m a sucker for this kind of story. I enjoyed all the dynamics between Austen & Dee as well as the rest of the characters in the story. I would definitely consider reading more from this author.

This author is always a win for me but this book in particular is one I will hold near and dear. With real to life characters, a snappy plot and amazing writing, this is a must read book.

Solidly constructed plot, but what really makes this book sing are the stellar characters, realistic situations & outcomes, along with the zippy dialogue. It’s shot through with warmth and a real lightness of touch. Guaranteed to leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Betting on Love by Alyssa Linn Palmer

Betting on Love by Alyssa Linn Palmer
Lesbian Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (February 17, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1626392420
ISBN-13: 978-1626392427
Amazon: Betting on Love
Amazon Kindle: Betting on Love

Land poor, Elly leaves the family farm and heads to the big city to become something better than a waitress in a small-town diner. Though she’s succumbed to economic necessity and the siren song of her one-time lover, Alex, she can’t bear to give up the farm that has been in her family for generations. As much as she wants to, she can’t have everything she desires, and she’ll have to decide what is more important: the past or the future.

Alex has always been a daredevil, up for anything, never tying herself down to anyone. When she falls head over heels for quiet Elly, everyone’s surprised, no one more than her best friend and occasional lover, Will. As things heat up between them, Elly must choose between her past and her future, and Alex is faced with a decision that will shake her to the core of all she holds dear.


Overall a very well-written story, with strong, authentic characters and a very delicate, soft touch of coming-of-age plot under the romance. I enjoyed this book quite a lot and would recommend it to an interested reader. The book gets off an awkward start that doesn't really feel like a start, or even as if the story is starting in the middle. But the plot that develops from this start is done very well. It's strongly character-driven and takes some unexpected - therefore good - twists and turns, which happily are always in-character for the character triggering that twist. Plus, subplots. While at the surface, this might look like a romance, underneath runs a very fine and delicate coming-of-age/growing-up plot. Sometimes it's a little too delicate, but it's there. Very nice. Full points here for clever use of setting. There were two settings/props that played a very strong part in the story: a farm and the other character's motorcycle. Both settings/props were used very well, featured strongly, and even stood symbolic of the character, their personal development, and of the development of their love story. That was done very elegantly and very well. Like the coming-of-age plot, the character development sometimes was a little ... too hidden. Yet both main characters developed; they grew, they grew up. Plus additional character development of side characters. Again somewhat hidden but very noticeable in their words and actions. Very smoothly flowing - so smoothly that you aren't even aware of time passing or your progress through the book, until something startles you out of it. (At least, that's what happened to me). Now, it's a somewhat difficult style that I am not sure many readers will enjoy. Mostly beccause the author doesn't give a lot of insight into the characters heads and emotions and into their development. And it's true, occasionally the author could have done with a little more showing instead of presenting the reader with facts. However, it is obvious from the text that this is the author's personal style, and I know other authors who don't bother explaining a lot. They present the reader with their story and let the reader draw their own conclusions. And while I enjoy the insights into characters' minds and emotions a lot, I am also aware that this particular style is a lot harder to pull of successfully. So, kudos to the author.

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: In Me an Invincible Summer by Ryan Loveless

In Me an Invincible Summer by Ryan Loveless
Gay Contemporary General Fiction
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 31, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632162202
ISBN-13: 978-1632162205
Amazon: In Me an Invincible Summer
Amazon Kindle: In Me an Invincible Summer

To an outsider's view, world-famous action star Joe Nestra lives the Hollywood dream—parties, women, and a high-profile divorce. In reality, Joe's agent directs his public life. Those women he's supposedly intimate with? Prearranged dates ending at the red carpet. With his assistant and best friend Derek Simmons's help, Joe has lived safely in the closet since his divorce, choosing to let off steam with discreet male escorts rather than risk an actual boyfriend. At forty-four, he has no plans to change. Then, taking a role in a film without flashy explosions upends that.

When Joe signs on to play an early 1990s-era AIDS-stricken gay man, his internalized homophobia threatens the production. His out costar Hunter Starling won't put up with Joe's behavior. As the animosity between Joe and Hunter grows, saving the film means Joe must face his deepest fear. Challenges pile up from all directions, from his father disowning him to the entertainment industry's backstabbing reaction. Amid the backlash, Joe ventures into his first gay romantic relationship, tries to help others worse off, and slowly learns how to live his life instead of just acting it.


This was a very interesting story.  I did not always like the main characters and wanted to smack Joe more than once.  If you like your stories with more than a little angst, or characters afraid to come out of the closet, than this is the book for you.  The author did do a great job wrapping the story line up and I loved the way Joe progressed through the course of the book.

I just finished reading "In Me An Invincible Summer." I hate to give a book all 10's because it doesn't leave room for anything that might be better, but I honestly couldn't fault the book at all. It was a terrific read. I was captivated from the very start, and I stayed captivated the entire time. Dialogue was great. Characters and situations and details were all believable and convincing. There was humor and tension and warmth. There may have been a scene or two I felt went on a bit long, but it wasn't enough of a problem for me to lower my score. I loved this book.

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Caphenon by Fletcher DeLancey

The Caphenon (Chronicles of Alsea 1) by Fletcher DeLancey
Lesbian Sci-Fi / Futuristic
Series: Chronicles of Alsea
Paperback: 398 pages
Publisher: Ylva Verlag (March 5, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 3955332535
ISBN-13: 978-3955332532
Amazon: The Caphenon (Chronicles of Alsea 1)
Amazon Kindle: The Caphenon (Chronicles of Alsea 1)

On a summer night like any other, an emergency call sounds in the quarters of Andira Tal, Lancer of Alsea. The news is shocking: not only is there other intelligent life in the universe, but it’s landing on the planet right now. Tal leads the first responding team and ends up rescuing aliens who have a frightening story to tell. They protected Alsea from a terrible fate—but the reprieve is only temporary. Captain Ekatya Serrado of the Fleet ship Caphenon serves the Protectorate, a confederation of worlds with a common political philosophy. She has just sacrificed her ship to save Alsea, yet political maneuvering may mean she did it all for nothing. Alsea is now a prize to be bought and sold by galactic forces far more powerful than a tiny backwater planet. But Lancer Tal is not one to accept a fate imposed by aliens, and she’ll do whatever it takes to save her world.


Excellent world building and plot development. Superb writing and captivating storyline. I loved the characters an can't wait to read DeLancey's next two books in the series.

An excellent ‘lesbians in space’ read. I liked how the cultural differences created conflict. Beware of using slang terms though. eg the word ‘posh’ really threw me out of the story not because you used it but it was out of context.

When I finished reading The Caphenon, I was sorry that it had ended, which is the best sign that this is a very good book. Technically, the writing was impeccable, the style engaging. I found the characters interesting, each with their own desires and motivations, and, more importantly, I cared about them. The plot may not have been quick, but it was full and engrossing, and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Driving into the Sun by Dev Bentham

Driving into the Sun by Dev Bentham
Gay Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Loose Id LLC (September 22, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Driving into the Sun

Bad choices. We all make them, some more than others. Dusty’s choices have left him unemployed, broke, and practically homeless. Despite the major issues he has with his family, his only rational choice is to sell everything and move into his parents’ basement. At thirty. Looking for a ride west, he answers a phone ad. The voice at the other end of the line flows like dark, rich honey. Finally something to look forward to--listening to Joe’s voice all the way from Illinois to Idaho.

Rather than the hip crooner of Dusty’s fantasies, Joe turns out to look more like a panhandler. Is that because Joe dresses down, or are Dusty’s preconceptions about Native Americans clouding his vision? Joe is silent more often than not. He has a complicated past and still has amends to make. But he is ready to move on. Dusty feels trapped. Two damaged men, one small car driving two thousand miles into the sun--sometimes things need to break down before they can get fixed.


This road trip romance of mixed race couple has a lot on its plate: new start, misconception, danger, cultural difference, family baggage.  Like a good road movie, the plots and twists are nicely rolled out, with character development along the road.  The issues are very personal and emotional, but the storyline remains mature and realistic.  It's a very satisfying read.

This book is an all-star on every front. The characters leapt off the page. The revelation of each of their past mistakes drew them together in a touching way. Once they got to the point of falling for each other, the scenes between them were loving and sexy at the same time and the anguish they each felt was finely drawn. Well written, intensely compelling, and just an amazing read. A complete package for me.

“Naked Ibiza”—An Incredible, Large Scale Photography Book by Dylan Rosser

A book of male nudes photographed on location in Ibiza over the last four years!

LONDON, United Kingdom—November 23, 2015—“Naked Ibiza,” an incredible, large scale photography book, was recently announced by renowned photographer Dylan Rosser. Rosser composed this book of male nudes photographed on location in Ibiza over the last four years. After visiting Ibiza regularly since 2000, Rosser decided to leave London for it, with the intention of photographing models outdoors in nature, something that was new to him after primarily indoor studio work. He wanted to work with more models in different locations at different times of the year to provide a more vivid picture of this Mediterranean island paradise. Rosser is very proud of the mix of models who have been part of this project. Some are experienced guys with huge fan bases while others are brand new, but definitely on their way to big success. Readers will see muscled professional body builders and lean athletic guys. Not every image is a nude, as there are some beautiful portraits of which he is proud of, but he is particularly excited about the number of models who agreed to pose full frontal for the first time.



There is absolutely no clothing in “Naked Ibiza.” That is the main rule in all of Rosser’s books, in order to guarantee the images are timeless. Something simple, like a brand of swimwear, may be fashionable now, but could be dated twenty years down the line. The nude male form outdoors in nature is absolutely timeless.

So, in order to fund this vivid and intimate book, Rosser launched a Kickstarter campaign. The funding goal was raised quickly but there is still some time to back the project and get this beautiful, intimate book before it hits the shelves later next year.



To get a copy of “Naked Ibiza” before anyone else, please visit the Kickstarter campaign or click here. Perks will be delivered by April 2016.

A short video teaser is available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/146226861



Please keep in mind that “Naked Ibiza” will be hitting bookstores and Amazon later in 2016, but by backing the campaign, backers will receive the Large Scale Photography Book by Dylan Rosser by Spring. Be the first to enjoy it!