Tour Stop: Refrain Lyrical Interludes Book 4 by Claire Davon

 

 

Saving her business means working with the man who broke her heart.

Refrain

Lyrical Interludes Book 4

by Claire Davon

Genre: Second Chance Contemporary Romance

Ryder Bingham fled Austin for Nashville six years ago, vowing never to return. However, wisdom comes with age, and to build the family he craves, he must face the hardest thing—his ex, Evelyn.

Evelyn Abbott spent years dodging news of Ryder's country music stardom. When he offers her a house remodel, her instinct screams not to do it. But with bankruptcy looming, this job could save her company. Besides, the bastard owes her. As they work together, their unhealed breakup colors everything.

Drawn to each other yet haunted by the past, their collision is catastrophic. Can they repair the damage? Or will they walk away forever?

 

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“The pool table got installed. Care to check it out?” He poured both of them more wine and gestured to the lower level of the house, then rose, bottle and glass in hand.

“Sure.” She took another deep gulp of wine, the liquor flowing all the way to the pit of her stomach.

She followed him down the stairs. A new high-end pool table in oak that matched the floor was in the middle of the level, with the balls racked and two cue sticks resting by the side of the table.

Evelyn ran her hand over the top of the pool table. “This is nice.” He had done as she asked and picked a table harmonious with her design. The glasses of wine were curling through her, making her a little more reckless than normal. She took one of the pool cues from its mount on the wall before returning to the table to remove the rack.

Ryder picked up the other cue but didn’t move. Instead, he stood in place and watched her.

“We used to have such fun playing pool between sets,” she said. “Remember how much of a novice I was?”

He grinned. “You didn’t know a damned thing about pool. But by the time I was done with you, you were a shark. I loved watching you act innocent and then take guys down.” He poured her more wine and handed her the glass.

She took another deep sip. “Like you said, Ryder, those were good times. We were so young.” Her next words shouldn’t be spoken, but she was reckless tonight. “Do you ever wish you could go back to those days?”

His sharp intake of breath echoed in the room. “Every day. I’d give up fame and money to regain that lost time.”

Instead of answering, Evelyn stepped up to the table with her cue poised. She broke the balls, then watched as a solid-colored ball fell into the corner pocket. “Solid,” she called.

“Care to place a bet?” he asked, leaning on his pool cue.

“Do you think I’ve lost my touch? Bring it on.”

“For every ball I sink, you have to kiss me. For every ball you sink…”

She couldn’t believe they were having this conversation, but the wine had made her comfortable. “You have to kiss me.”

“Deal.”

She sank a ball first. He closed the distance to her and placed a light kiss on her cheek. She’d expected more, and a perverse sense of disappointment settled over her. Aiming the cue, she gestured to where the next ball would go. And sank it. He kissed her other cheek, his warm lips moving over her in a gentle caress. Hunger and longing stirred behind his amiable expression. She aimed her cue, then an idea washed over her.

She missed on purpose and gave him a sideways glance. “Your turn.”

She shouldn’t be playing with fire this way. She shouldn’t even be here, alone in his basement and semi-tipsy, with the man who had betrayed her. The man she still craved so much she forgot to breathe.

“Yes.” His gaze played over her face. “My turn.” He took aim and sank a striped ball into the middle pocket. “Guess you owe me a kiss.”

She put her stick down and walked to him. “Guess I do at that.” She reached up and brought his head to hers. She touched his lips, and the world ignited. In an instant his mouth had opened, and his tongue flashed out. Whimpering, she took him inside her, shifting to align her body closer with his.

USA Today Bestselling author Claire Davon has written for most of her life, starting with fan fiction when she was very young. She writes across a wide range of genres, and does not consider any of it off limits. Her novels can be found in the paranormal romance and contemporary romance sections, while her short stories run the gamut. If a story calls to her, she will write it. She currently lives in Los Angeles and spends her free time writing novels and short stories, as well as doing animal rescue and enjoying the sunshine. Claire’s website is www.clairedavon.com.

 

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Tour Stop: The Handyman’s Happily-Ever-After The Handyman Series Book 7 by Nick Poff

 

 

What begins as plans for a quiet ceremony soon becomes something much bigger, a joyful celebration of love, family, resilience, and a thirty-four-year commitment that deserves to be honored in unforgettable style.

The Handyman’s Happily-Ever-After

The Handyman Series Book 7

by Nick Poff

Genre: LGBTQ+, M/M Contemporary Romance

In the winter of 2015, Ed Stephens and his longtime partner Rick are settling into life at Penfield Manor.

With retirement looming, old friends scattered, and the realities of aging becoming impossible to ignore, they find comfort in family, loyal friends, and the steady stream of guests who pass through what they affectionately call “The Hotel Penfield Manor.”

But life has surprises in store. A grandson is on the way, a troubled young relative needs refuge, and a wave of intolerance in their Indiana community forces Ed and Rick to confront a question they have postponed for more than three decades: should they finally marry?

What begins as plans for a quiet ceremony soon becomes something much bigger, a joyful celebration of love, family, resilience, and a thirty-four-year commitment that deserves to be honored in unforgettable style.

 

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  Ed was on his way home for lunch after a computer job Friday morning when his phone began to blow up. Now what? He wondered. When he reached the driveway he grabbed his phone and saw text messages from Rex and Gordy. Aw geez, what did that putz of a governor do now? As he sat debating whether to read them or not, texts came in from Paul, Muriel, and even Phil Sturgis. There was a news alert attached to Phil’s so he opened that one first. Same-Sex Marriage: Supreme Court Rules in Favor, President Obama Calls It 'Victory for America.’

Ed shook his head in disbelief. He’d had absolutely no faith in a favorable ruling from the court and had done his best to ignore the whole thing. But now, suddenly, something he never thought he’d see in his lifetime had happened. He and Rick had the right to marry, not only in Indiana, but anywhere in the United States. I’ll be damned, he thought. He looked at the ring on his left hand, the one Rick had put on his finger thirty-four years earlier, the one he’d been half afraid to wear at first as he worried about what people might say. But now, but now…

   That evening Ed and Rick sat in front of the computer in the study reading every article, every reaction, and seeing in the photos every bit of joy coming from people like them all across the country. Then one image stopped their scrolling, the sight of the White House glowing in rainbow colored lights. They stared at it until the screen saver kicked in and replaced it with a photo of Dwight.

   “Even back in ’08 I knew Obama was the president we had been waiting for,” Ed said, breaking the silence.

   “I still can’t completely wrap my head around it,” Rick said softly. He shook the mouse and the White House came back into view. “The president of the United States is happy for us. He calls this a victory. For the first time in my life I feel like a first class citizen of this country. We belong. We matter.” He whooped joyously. “How ‘bout that!”

   Ed laughed at Rick’s exuberance. “How ‘bout that,” he repeated.

   Rick turned to Ed, his eyes bright. “So what do you think, babe?”

   “Huh? Think about what?”

   “You wanna get married?”

   Ed swallowed a smile and said as seriously as he could: “Are you sure you want to enter into an archaic heterosexual tradition?”

   Rick shrugged. “Why the hell not?” He took Ed’s hand. “I didn’t want to when it became legal in our state because I didn’t think it would last. I was sure the decision would get overturned. I mean, it still might. I’m sure there are people out there right now shitting their pants in horror and planning its downfall. Fuck ‘em. Let’s enjoy this moment while it lasts. The president,” he added, “would approve.”

   “Okay.”

   “Okay what?”

   “What?”

   “I seem to recall,” Rick said, hands on hips, “that I did what proposing there was to do the first time.”

   “Oh! It’s my turn.”

   “You betcha, mister.”

   Ed took a deep breath. “Well, in that case.”  He got to his knee beside Rick. He reached for his hand and said solemnly, “Richard John Benton, will you marry me?”

   Rick’s warm and tender smile spread across his face. “Yes.”

  They reached for each and sealed the deal with a kiss.

 

**Don’t miss the rest of the books in the Handyman Series! **

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NICK POFF lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in an early 20th century historical neighborhood. A widower, he shares his home with his cat, Jasper. He is a life-long Hoosier, a distinction with which he has a love/hate relationship.

Poff spent thirty years in the radio industry in northeast Indiana as a disc jockey, copy writer, producer, program manager and music director. When technology allowed radio corporations to begin shedding programming staff, he decided to take a chance at something he had long wanted to do, writing stories for gay men such as he living in the wide open space between Provincetown and West Hollywood. This resulted in a book series about handyman Ed Stephens. Ed meets his dream man, Rick, in 1980, and through six books, Poff tells the tale of a gay couple living in a small Indiana town through the 1980’s. In 2025 he decided to add one more book, set in 2015, when same sex marriage was legalized nationwide in order to give Ed and Rick the finale he felt they deserved.

You can more about him and his work at nickpoffauthor.com, on Facebook at Nick Poff Author, and Amazon Authors.

 

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Tour Stop: One Fall Day River Valley Seasons Book 1 by Rachel Matthews

 

 

Big-city critique meets small-town charm

—and it's love at first bite.

One Fall Day

River Valley Seasons Book 1

by Rachel Matthews

Genre: Slow-Burn Contemporary Small Town Romance

Manhattan food critic Valentina Aragon knows a good meal when she tastes it, and she never expected small-town River Valley to fall onto her plate. Her mentor insists it's a working retreat to recharge her creativity. But between the chilly days and the warmest people she's ever met, the town starts to feel less like a temporary stay and more like home. Too bad the one man she clashes with is the one who knows this town best.

Brandon Scott doesn't need love cluttering a life already full. But the inn's newest guest is impossible to ignore, even after he puts his foot in his mouth when she first arrives. When an opportunity to make things right lands in his lap, he takes it...and keeps taking it, one fall day at a time.

Acquaintances become friends, friends become something more, and when a figure from Brandon's past threatens the future he never saw coming, the whole town rallies to protect what matters most.

Cozy comforts inside: slow-burn sweetness, community heart, and a fall romance you'll want to curl up with.

 

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Rachel Matthews is a wife, daughter, crocheter, artist & dreamer all rolled into one. She’s dreamed of writing ever since she was little and now enjoys penning them for readers all around the world. Part mermaid and part stuffed animal wrangler, she currently lives in San Diego where she is fighting an addiction to the beach and enjoying spending time with her loving romantic hero husband.

 

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Tour Stop: Haven’s Sanctuary: Season of Reckoning The Haven Series Book 1 by Emeryl Williams

 

 

A looming apocalypse.

A secret refuge.

A demon in the shadows determined to thwart their escape.

Haven’s Sanctuary: Season of Reckoning

The Haven Series Book 1

by Emeryl Williams

Genre: Contemporary Apocalyptic Survival Fantasy 

A looming apocalypse.
A secret refuge.
A demon in the shadows.

When all signs point to an impending disaster no one can yet name, Cerise and Derrick discover the only thing more dangerous than persecution by their community is the truth: the Goddess has called their people to flee and seek safety in a hidden sanctuary. The clock is ticking as they race against a closing portal, a coming reckoning, enemies determined to burn them out before they can escape, and an unrecognized demonic threat to their entire plan.

Haven’s Sanctuary: Season of Reckoning is a fast-moving fantasy-suspense story of magic, sanctuary, love under pressure, faith under fire, and apocalyptic survival. The empowered must harness the kind of hope that refuses to die, for what begins as a simple escape becomes a battle for their very existence.
If you love reading Auburn Tempest or Martha Carr, then grab your copy now and step into the Haven before the portal closes.

 

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Marsha stormed out of Tacos to Go, ignoring Charlie’s halfhearted attempt to hand her a bag of chips. She stomped over to Derrick’s black Mercedes, flung the door open, and jumped in, only to stop and consider her next move. She needed to hurt something, to break some part of Derrick into little pieces. She needed a drink.

The car purred to life, then growled as she ground the gears and screeched out of the parking lot. Halfway home she saw the flickering neon lights of the Painted Pony up ahead, beckoning her with the promise of alcohol and anonymity. She parked crooked over two parking places, grabbed her handbag, and headed for the old-fashioned polished wood and brass-railed bar where she perched on a corner barstool.

“What can I get you tonight?” asked the bartender. “Wednesday night special is tequila shots, top shelf, two for one.” His eyes narrowed as he drummed his fingers on the bar. “Guessing you are more a white wine sipper. I have a nice chardonnay right here.”

“Bourbon, neat. Do you have Weller’s or Blanton?” Marsha challenged him with a cold stare.

One eyebrow rose, and the man cleared his throat. “Ma’am, haven’t had anyone call for those high-dollar drinks for a long time. Let me check.” He put a dish of pretzels in front of her. “Are you okay? You look a little upset.”

“Peachy,” she snapped. “Find me that drink.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The barkeep shrugged and headed to the back room for some type of expensive alcohol.

Marsha stared at the shelves behind the bar filled with a myriad of differently shaped and colored  bottles while her brain churned a million miles an hour. Derrick might still be willing to work things out. She would have to play the “sweet little thing,” appeal to his overinflated male ego, apologize for making a scene, and manipulate him into letting their relationship return to the previous status quo. She would still have access to his bank account and community standing, and could probably maintain control over the important politicians when the city council voted to run the Haven out of town. Or she could make a clean break from him and rely on the courts to award her the house and his other assets. She hadn’t cared for him in years, did not desire him as a man or her husband. She only wanted her fair share, which was all of his money. Money was power, and Marsha was power hungry.

The chair next to her creaked as a man sat beside her. “Marsha?”

She startled at her name, then relaxed, recognizing the newcomer as none other than Brad. How perfect, the soon-to-be ex-husband of another Haven weirdo. At least he had enough sense to leave and join the rest of the community against the empowered. She wouldn’t have to convince him of the dangers of those lunatics.

“Marsha, what’s a beautiful woman like you sitting in a dive like this all by your lonesome on a Wednesday night?” Brad’s breath smelled of alcohol, his words ever so slightly slurred.

Brad had always held an attraction for her. Why he had stayed with his throwback-to-olden-days homesteader wife she had never understood. He was a successful IT specialist, made decent money, and appreciated the finer things in life[EW6] . This could be her ticket out. Dump Derrick once and for all. Wait for him to be banned from town and claim Brad for her own.

“Hey, stranger.” A knowing smile crept across her lips. “Pull up a chair, join me in a drink, and I won’t be lonesome anymore.”

A little bitta Texas... A little bitta medicine... A lotta bit of Fantasy!

Emeryl Williams is a longtime resident of the Panhandle and having worn out a pair of boots here considers herself a Texan. She has always been an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy. Her first work is The Chosen of Bryndir Series which introduces the Bryndir Universe, filled with magic, danger, and a powerful Talisman fated to save a Kingdom at war. Her latest work is Haven's Sanctuary: Season of Reckoning in which she branches out into apocalypse survival fantasy. Her books will always feature a little bit of Texas...a little bit of medicine...and a lotta bit of fantasy!

 

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Release Blitz: Fairytale by AK Nevermore

 

 

There once was an assassin.

One day, he met a fairy and completely lost his head.

Fairytale

by AK Nevermore

Genre: Spicy Paranormal Mafia Romance

There once was an assassin. One day, he met a fairy and completely lost his head.

Nikodem Wiśniewski had no desire to take over the family business after his father died, but trying to get out of it has brought him every bit of chaos and upset his grandmother’s bones predicted—delivered by a beautiful girl he’s convinced is a fairy…and his fated mate.

Charlie Peel isn’t having any of it, positive Nikoś is a superstitious nut. His adamancy she’s a fairy is the last thing she needs to hear after being dumped and losing her job…but with all those tatted muscles and his incredibly sexy Polish accent, she’s totally willing to pretend to be his girlfriend for an hour or two. Especially if the possibility of a real life dark romance is on the table.

But the both of them are in for far more than they bargained for. When their plans go sideways, Nikoś has no choice but to take Charlie out of the country to set things right. But chaos and upset follow them at every turn. With enemies nipping at their heels, they’ll have outwit the authorities, the mob, and her mother to break a mysterious curse. Because if they don’t, happily ever after isn’t how their story’s going to end.

Felons meets folklore in the big city when a broody assassin falls in love with a fairy in denial. FAIRYTALE, a standalone spicy paranormal mafia romance with lots of laughs by AK Nevermore,more than 202,000 words in length. BONUS CONTENT! Previously released as a free serial, FairyTale now includes a never-before-seen extended epilogue!

 

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AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.

Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time.

She pays the bills editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing a column on SFF. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer for the RWA, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.

 

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