Sunday, December 31, 2017

The Futures So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades - New Series Announcement and 2018 Release News!









Thanks to my wonderful readers, friends, family, and fellow authors, 2017 was an amazing year! I hope you and yours are blessed with peace and joy throughout 2018. May we stride forward in the coming days, mindful of the past and all that we can learn from it. We're facing turbulent times but I strongly believe that if we stand together we will overcome the dark and hateful times that are upon us. Remember love always trumps hate. 

Now onto upcoming book talk!



2018 is looking to be another wonderfully busy year! There are numerous projects written down in my high-tech project devices aka paper day planner. High-tech for a chicken herder that is! *winks* 

We’ll have plenty more from the Cayuga Cougars as well as the Harrisburg Railers. There's also a new adult, MM hockey trilogy  - the Owatanna U. Eagles - coming your way from RJ Scott and myself! 


I'll also be re-releasing a couple books in 2018. Life is a Stevie Wonder Song, which will have a new cover as well as an additional epilogue not contained in the first release. Look for this one in April. 


Then, in time for Halloween, I'll be bundling all my MM Lake Erie shifter books into The Erie Collection. That collection will have all three of the previously released Erie books - An Erie Halloween, An Erie Operetta, An Erie Garden Party - as well as a brand-new novella, An Erie Uprising.


There's also a secret project that I'm currently working on that will be coming out sometime next year...possibly. The release of this collection of four shorts - revolving around the same couple as they move through a single year - will come out after the first story is released from an upcoming anthology I'm lucky enough to be taking part in.


Here's the tentative release schedule for 2018. Changes can occur but I think this is pretty tight. *crosses fingers, toes, and maybe eyes*




1/10/18 - Coach's Challenge (Cayuga Cougars #3)

2/14/18 - Poke Check  (Harrisburg Railers #4) Written with RJ Scott
3/13/18 - Blueline (Venom #6)
4/18/18 - Life is a Stevie Wonder Song (Rerelease)
5/14/18- Last Defense (Harrisburg Railers #5) Written with RJ Scott
6/27/18- Overtime (Cayuga Cougars #4)
7-8-18- Lost in Indigo (Colors of Love #1)
8/8/18 - Harrisburg Railers #6 written with RJ Scott (Title TBD)
9/30/18-An Erie Collection (Rerelease)
10/31/18-Ryker (Owatanna U. Hockey #1) Written with RJ Scott
12/1/18- Holiday Crossover Railers/Owatanna U. Written with RJ Scott




I can hear some of you saying,"Hold on, Vicki. What's the Colors of Love series?!" 

Here's a little info about my newest series kicking off in 2018:

Each novel will be a stand-alone MM hockey romance novel with the titles reflecting each color of the rainbow. I know, hockey books that don’t have hockey terms as the titles? What kind of madness is this? I must confess that it’s nice to stretch the wings on the titles a bit. Hopefully the lack of hockey terminology won’t confuse my readers too much.

 The first book, Lost in Indigo, Colors of Love #1, is slated to release 8/8/18. I'll be working on the second book, Touch of a Yellow Sun, in January or February dependent on when RJ and I wrap up the fifth Railers book. 

I don’t have a set release schedule for the others yet but will be slotting books into a 2019 release schedule sometime next year and will pass along those dates when I get them locked down.

The titles of all the books in the series will be:

Lost in Indigo
Touch of a Yellow Sun
Brush of Blue
Songs of Red Currant Wine
Pines and Violets
Slow Dances Under an Orange Moon
The Good Green Earth

We’ll have a wide range of tropes in the Colors of Love series ranging from May/December (one of my favorite tropes), Enemies to Lovers, Bi for You, and Opposites Attract. I hope you’re as excited about these new MM hockey romances as I am! 

Here's the working blurb for Lost in Indigo to hone your skates a bit-


Mathieu Beresford was so close to seeing his dream come true.
The thirty-eight-year-old captain of the Buffalo Surge had lead his team to the final round of the playoffs with his aggressive defensive play and leadership. During the first game of the championship series he was taken down, and his leg snapped upon impact with the boards. Mathieu watched his team go on to win the championship from his hospital bed.
Adrift in anger, resentment, and the new direction of his life, he returns to his mansion along the St. Lawrence River. Alone and sulking, Mathieu is not prepared for Indigo Neu to enter his life. The gender fluid twenty-year-old botany major signs on to play nursemaid, confidant, and groundskeeper over the summer and slowly leads Mathieu out of his confusion, one tender smile and touch at a time.
The deeper Mathieu falls, the more he wonders if being lost might not be so bad after all.




If anyone has any questions about any other books and/or series, feel free to ask in the comments or shout at me over at Facebook.



And, as always, thanks to all you readers  for your continued support and love.

Hugs and Happy New Year-



V.L. 


Saturday, December 30, 2017

Saturday Story Spotlight - Improper Fraction






#MM #NA #Contemporary #SecondChance


Buy Links:


Add to Goodreads – http://tinyurl.com/yal7r3bx


Blurb –

O’Malley Ramsey, math aficionado, grew up next door to Garrison Rook, All-American athlete. While O’Malley dreamed of numbers and kissing Garrison, Garrison’s tastes ran to home runs and hot chicks.

During a family celebration the night before both young men were heading off for college, O’Malley joyously discovers that Garrison isn’t quite as straight as the star athlete had been pretending to be. Vows to return to each other quickly followed a few clumsy kisses in the old treehouse in the Rook’s backyard.

O’Malley came home to Garrison. Garrison never returned to O’Malley.

Four years later, the two ex-friends meet up at a summer camp where O’Malley is serving as a counselor. Garrison is desperate to make things right with his childhood friend, but can O’Malley, still nursing the pain and mistrust of Garrison’s betrayal, ever forgive or love Garrison again?


Excerpt:
Hand shielding my eyes, I watched as the Silverado stopped in front of Professor Belshaw’s wildly decorated cabin right beside Lake Amalie. The professor had gotten all her wind chimes hung that morning. Each one was a brilliant and some would say garish color. They clattered and clanged with each touch of a breeze off the lake. She had made them all out of silver soup spoons and old silver teapots. Then she had painted them to match her whims. Professor Belshaw had incredibly colorful whims so it seems.

            When the passenger door opened, I felt a wide smile break free as I saw Emily Rook slide to the ground, her long brown hair pulled into a ponytail. I wasn’t familiar with the Silverado but had to assume that Mr. Rook had gotten a new ride. Since I hadn’t spent much time at home after graduation due to a graduation gift of a vacation in Palm Beach from my father, it was quite likely that he had. That old minivan he had owned had been creeping toward the junkyard for a couple of years. Emily spun in a circle and then found me standing in the gravel path. She waved frantically while jumping up and down. I did the same. Then Garrison Rook exited that massive blue Silverado. My arm crashed numbly to my side and all happy jumping died.

            My first thought was “God above but he looks amazing!” which was quickly followed by “I think I may puke!” but I managed to hold down my lunch. Emily pointed in my direction. The sloppy joe from my midday meal rolled over in my stomach. Garrison’s dark eyes found and held me. He looked incredible. Even more handsome now that he had lost those final touches of boyhood. Garrison was all man now. Every single, athletic, heartbreaking, lying inch of him.

            “Shit.” I groaned and swallowed. I was sure my sandwich and chips were going to come back up. Someone appeared beside me. I couldn’t rip my attention from Garrison as we stared at each other.

            “Never eat the fried oysters.” Professor Belshaw barked with glee then drove a sharp elbow into my side. “Ah, I see the Rooks have arrived!” She waved them over. I felt like a hare that the hounds had just sighted. “O’Malley, if you don’t close your mouth one of these damn deer flies is going to zip right in and land on your tongue,” she said as she waved a hand at a pesky fly buzzing around our heads.

            I forced my jaw to come up. Every step Garrison and Emily took made my pulse speed up. By the time the two Rook siblings stood in front of me, I felt woozy. Were my ears ringing or was that tinny noise just one of Belshaw’s wind chimes?

            “Hello there.” Professor Belshaw grabbed one of Garrison’s large hands and pumped it. It took two of hers to cover one of his. He had strong hands. I clearly recalled how they had felt when he had run them over me that night in the treehouse. “It’s a real honor to have a Carolina Cutter in the camp!”

            I glanced at Emily. She averted her gaze as the camp owner fawned over Garrison. Emily knew there was tension between her brother and me, but I had never revealed to her what kind of upset had occurred. Why should I tarnish Garrison in her eyes? No one but my father knew of how this man had shredded me into ticker tape and then tossed me into the wind.

            “It’s a real pleasure to be here, Professor,” Garrison said. My skin prickled just hearing his voice. Was it deeper? It sounded it. His brown eyes never left me as he talked baseball with Professor Belshaw. I worked on keeping up with the conversation they were having but my mind kept drifting back. To better days, days when Garrison and I were the best of buddies riding our bikes through mud puddles, sleeping out in the treehouse during the summer, working on making a comic book that starred a baseball player who used math as his super weapon. Those memories assaulted me as I stood there staring at his hand clasped so tightly by Belshaw.

            “Isn’t it exciting, O’Malley?” Hearing my name pulled me out of childhood remembrances. My gaze flew to her then to Garrison. He now had his hand back, which was good. Would it look bad if I slugged him in the face and then stormed off? Probably. 


Wednesday, December 27, 2017

MM Goodness Book Review - Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews






Amazon


What a book! What an amazing damn book! This was one of those reads that you start, and you literally cannot put it down. Reading while cooking? Check. Reading while eating? Check. Reading while watching hockey? Check. I tore through this breeches ripper in no time, held captive just as surely as our brave kidnapping victim, Nathanial.

There’s action, adventure, plenty of swashbuckling, sexy pirates, strong virgins, and snapping dialog. The attention to historical detail was obvious and the romance…Oh, the romance. Hawk and Nathanial ticked so many of my favorite trope boxes: May/December, enemies to lovers, angst, scorching hot sex scenes, and a happy ending. It’s a fantastic read and one hell of an adventure!


5 out of 5 stars

Monday, December 25, 2017

Tuesday Tales - Pitch




 It`s time for Tuesday Tales.



Today we have a snippet from Last Defense, Harrisburg Railers #5, an MM hockey romance book coauthored with RJ Scott that we’re currently writing. In this excerpt
Our word prompt today is “Pitch”.

This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!





I was waiting for Max to arrive. I knew he’d show up. Call it a hunch or the Force or a good guess, but I could feel him coming closer. Imagine his shock when he showed up at the locked gates of the shelter and I was waiting for him, motor running, ready to take him on a real date.
“Hey,” he cautiously said while paying and tipping the driver.
“Hey yourself,” I replied, ass resting on the bumper of my Jeep, arms crossed, the ultimate picture of Mr. Cool. If only my interior was as chill as my exterior. My stomach was a jumble of nerves, my heart was skipping a beat by the feels, and my cock was plumping up just looking at the man in his suit and tie.
Max looked through the gates at the shelter. Crickets chirruped, and a dog barked. The air was heavy with humidity. The steady hum of city traffic surrounded us.
“What’s going on?” He pulled his blue tie out from under his shirt collar and shoved it into his front pocket. Then the jacket was removed, showing off thick arms wrapped in soft cotton.
“We’re going on a date.”
He glanced back at me, one eyebrow climbing upward.
“We are?”
“Yes. We are.” I opened the passenger side door for him. “We have to hurry though. It closes at ten.”
“Uh, that only gives us about forty minutes.” He showed me the heavy watch on his left wrist.
“Which is why I’m telling you to hurry.” I waved a hand at the interior of my car.
“I thought DK was with you.”
“He was. Now he’s not.” Another jerky motion at the open door.
He walked over and got into the car. I shut the door like a proper gentleman then raced around the front of the Jeep and dove behind the wheel.
“Good thing the game didn’t go into overtime,” I said, pulling away with my confused date at my right. I turned up the stereo and Teddy Pendergrass oozed out of the speakers.
“Good thing.” He buckled up then hit me with a firm look. “What is all this about?”
“It’s about the fact that we never had a date.” I glanced quickly at him then back to the road. Teddy was crooning about turning out the lights. Mm-mm-mm that sounded good. Me, Max, a bed, and a dark room. Or a room with lights. I was good with either scenario.
No. Dammit. No. This is a no sex date night. Be strong, Benton!
“I didn’t know we were doing the whole dating thing.”
Worry set in. I concentrated on the traffic leaving the city. I prayed he wouldn’t pitch a fit over my pushy behavior.
“I wasn’t either at first.” I’d decided to be honest with the man. He had always been one hundred percent honest with me. No false promises or honeyed words to get me into bed, not that he’d needed them, but still…
“And now you think you want the dating thing.”
“If you do.” Argh. No, that was backpedaling. Be strong, Benton! “I mean yeah. I want to date you.”
I jerked my chin up a bit as I zipped along, my speed maybe a bit higher than it legally should be.
“Huh.”
I threw him a look, but he seemed well and truly into himself, so I let that admission bounce around the inside of the Jeep as we hightailed it to Hershey.
When we pulled up at the park, Max’s bushy eyebrows knotted up. “So, we busted ass to get to an amusement park?”






Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.



Monday, December 18, 2017

Tuesday Tales - Tiny




 It`s time for Tuesday Tales.




Today we have a snippet from Last Defense, Harrisburg Railers #5, an MM hockey romance book I'm currently writing with RJ. In this excerpt we get a fun little bit of a morning after with Max and Ben.

Our word prompt today is “Tiny”.

This story may have erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!


**~**


The windows glowed with sunny warmth as I moved around my tiny kitchen. Coffee was soon perking, and I was digging out the makings for some French toast. Music from my phone filled the room, the Miracles “Love Machine” taking over my body. Pan in one hand, spatula in the other, I broke into a set of fine funky moves. I was a damn fine dancer. Liam always said so.
I spun around and there stood Max in the doorway, rumpled and freshly out of bed, his arms folded over his chest.
“I cook better with music,” I said in reply to his one bushy eyebrow slipping up his brow. “Enjoy the show.”
I danced around a bit more, eager to hear him compliment my moves.
“Are you in some sort of pain?” He asked which kind of stalled my slick steps.
“No, why?”
He shook his head. “You ever watch Seinfeld?”
“Sure.” I lowered the spatula and frying pan from over my head. I also stopped shaking my ass.
“You kind of look like Elaine when she dances.”
My jaw hit my chest.
“You think I can’t dance?” I was stunned. Liam had always been glowing in his praise of my dancing ability. He was so bad, in comparison, that he never fast danced with me because he’d look so bad. Or so he had said.
“Not really, no.”
I tossed the frying pan to the stove. “I can dance.”
“No, sorry, you really can’t. I mean, that’s fine because I can’t either.”
Guess he could sense I was getting mad. “I can dance. You’re just not used to seeing such soulful smooth moves.”
“If you say so.” He pattered to the door and let Bucky in. I was too stunned and hurt to move.
“I can dance.”
He walked to me, took the spatula from my hand, and then wrapped me in a huge, warm hug.
“No, you can’t.” He nuzzled up my neck, nipping and nibbling along my jugular. “Want to go back to bed for a bit?”
“I may never go to bed with you again,” I teased. Sort of.
“Now that would be a real pity.” He captured my mouth, his breath minty fresh, then slowly backed me against the still cold stove. “If I tell you that you dance wonderfully will you come to bed?”
“Too late for that, Heller. I know what you really think.” I pushed a hand into his briefs, the back of my fingers skimming the hard length of him.
“I’ll fill your ears with your other talents.” Oh, he was smooth. Not as smooth as me on the dance floor, but smooth. “I’ll fill your ass with my cock too, if you want.”
Oh, yes, I did want. I wanted that really badly.
“Benton! You have thirty minutes until morning service. Drop what you’re doing and get dressed for church.” I cringed at the sound of Aunt Glenna right outside the screen door. Max startled violently. I jerked my hand out of his underwear and cussed.
“You want to watch that talk, Benton. Morning, Max. You’re coming to church too.” Not a question. A statement.
“Uh, yes Ma’am.”
“Good boy.”
Off she went in her Sunday best.
“I need to move,” I sighed and snuggled in close for one more kiss, then we had to get moving, before one of them came back and caught me with my hand around his dick again.






Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.



Monday, December 11, 2017

Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt




It`s time for Tuesday Tales.



Today we have a snippet from Last Defense, which is book #5 in the Harrisburg Railers MM hockey series written with RJ Scott. In today’s snippet Ben and Max spend some time getting to know each other.

This week is our picture prompt and all snippets must be 300 words or less.

This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!



“Let me just get Bucky and we can go.”
“Bringing your dog?”
“I just can’t leave him behind.” I tugged open my door and Bucky trotted out, tail wagging, eager to greet Max again. The big man ruffled his gray fur with a large hand between the ears.
“Going to be hard to find a place to eat with a dog,” he pointed out.
“Just leave that to me.”
An hour later we were strolling along the paths at Wildwood Lake, a wonderful park that featured wetlands, bike and running paths, and was dog friendly as long as your pooch was leashed. Max and I sat on a bench in the shade of a hundred lush trees, just off a running path, eating some hoagies we’d picked up as Bucky sat at attention, on the watch for squirrels.
I learned a lot about the man I’d been so intimate with. We both talked about our childhoods, our plans for the future, and our shared love of sports. He told me a couple humorous stories about old girlfriends and boyfriends which answered that big question as well.
Our tastes in music were sort of similar, although he confessed he wasn’t big into music. We liked the same movies and watched a few of the same shows on TV. He wasn’t much of a reader anymore he admitted, but did enjoy thrillers. I had a weakness for all things Stephen King even though they scared the wits out of me. Max smiled easily, laughed even more easily, and touched me in soft, private ways that he didn’t seem ashamed of.
After a small brush of his fingers over my forearm, I leaned over to press my lips to his. He never shrank back or acted afraid of being seen kissing a man.
“You ready to go get naked?” He asked, his words dancing over my lips.




Copyright 2017 ©by V.L. Locey

*~*~*

Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the Tuesday Tales authors.



Thursday, December 7, 2017

Holiday Goodness Book Review – The House-Sitter’s Christmas by Jean Joachim







#MF #Holiday #Romance 

Amazon Buy Link

I’ve been reading Ms. Joachim’s books for years now and she never disappoints. This time around we get a sweet little holiday fairy tale set in the Big Apple. I’ve been to New York City during the holiday season and truly it’s a trip everyone should make at least once! Reading this book, you’ll feel as if you’re the city, experiencing the lights, window displays, and cheer that radiates from the city.

It’s a delightful MF read, quick and romantic yet filled with Christmas delight. Perfect for a snuggle under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate sort of book. The romance and the storytelling are top notch and the wonderful descriptions carried me back to that trip to Manhattan. If you’re looking for an MF holiday read, this one will fill your stocking with joy nicely!


5 out of 5 stars

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Welcome To My Rainbow Advent Calendar Stop!






I am so excited and humbled to be taking part in Alex Jane's 2017 Rainbow Advent Calendar! From the 1st to the 24th of this most festive of months you’ll be treated to some wonderful LGBTQIA romance with a holiday twist. All the participating authors are sharing links to worthwhile charities and we hope you’ll consider donating during this special time of the year.

For those who don't know me I live in the mountains of Pennsylvania on a small hobby farm with my husband of 26 years, my daughter, one dog, two cats, two Jersey steers, eleven chickens, and a pair of geese. When I’m not writing I can be found watching hockey – LET’S GO RANGERS!! – geeking out over Dr. Who and Torchwood, reading Marvel comics, doing yoga, and drinking coffee.


I write under the super-secret (it’s not at all secret everyone and their llama knows who I am) pen-name V.L. Locey and my books are predominately MM erotic hockey because it’s the genre of my heart, but I do dabble in non-sporty contemporary books as well as paranormal MM romance. I’m also coauthoring a series of MM hockey books – the Harrisburg Railers - with the fantabulous Rj Scott. 

Today I’m sharing an original new holiday short for my most popular couple to date, Victor Kalinski and his husband, Dan Arou. For those not familiar with these two wonderful men, Vic is the special teams coach for the Cayuga Cougars, an AHL ice hockey team based in Cayuga, New York. Dan Arou-Kalinski plays left wing on the Cougars. Victor is a one of those people that you either love or hate, a true marmite character. He’s rude, abrasive, cutting, and sometimes a pure jerk. He’s also one of the most compelling men I’ve ever been blessed to write. I’m still peeling back layers on Victor, and I suspect I may never stop.

I hope you enjoy this tiny Christmas tale, titled The Best Gift, starring my three favorite Kalinski (and Arou-Kalinski) men. It was a pure joy to write!

V.L.





A Cayuga Cougars Short narrated by Victor Kalinski (Expect language and mature themes. This is Victor and they are hockey players.)



You can grab a free copy of The Best Gift for your eReader over at Instafreebie:


The Best Gift at Instafreebie



**~**

My chosen charity is True Colors Fund. True Colors works to end homelessness among LGBT youth. Please consider donating during this most giving of seasons.


**~~**

Want to read more about Victor and Dan? Why not grab the Point Shot Trilogy, which contains their first three books at one amazing price!







**~**

You can also check out their upcoming novel, Coach’s Challenge, which releases on 1/10/18. There will be no preorders for this book. You can add Coach’s Challenge to your Goodreads Want-To-Read shelf at the link below:





Victor Kalinski and his husband, Dan Arou, are living the dream. Married for over a year now, the couple have settled into life in Cayuga surrounded by friends, family, and a team that’s poised to make another championship run. Each man is enjoying professional success as well as personal bliss. Who knew life in the suburbs with a spouse and a child could be so darn satisfying? Not Vic. K, that’s for sure.


The happy times are about to turn rough, though. The Cougars have picked up a new player, Sander March, a brash young center whose sass, skill, and attitude can rival Victor’s. When it’s revealed that this new player and Dan have history, tensions begin to rise between the newlyweds. As Victor and Dan work on those issues, the one person Victor never thought he would meet arrives in the small New York hamlet and proceeds to flip everything in Vic’s life upside down. Can Victor and Dan’s marriage withstand what life is about to drop on it, or will the challenges be too much for them to handle?


**~**

Make sure to visit all the other wonderful MM authors who are participating for more fabulous holiday gay romance. And check out our merry little Facebook group! 

Rainbow Advent Calendar Master List



Rainbow Advent Calendar Facebook Group




Thanks so much for visiting and have a happy holiday season!