Guest Post & Giveaway: Heroes & Villains by Harper Kingsley

This is the third stop on the Heroes & Villains blog tour. I'm Harper Kingsley and I've always loved to write.

 I've written and published several full-length novels. I also have a few that I've tucked away far from the eyes of Men. Because I'm embarrassed by them. Because, like the One Ring, anyone that looks upon the manuscripts will fall for Galadriel and despair.

At the same time, I keep them safe in their prison because I made them and I can't help loving them. I fully plan to go back through someday and perform some serious edits and rewrites. There's stuff about those stories that I still love -- otherwise I would have just thrown them away -- but there's no way any other eyes but mine can see them in their current state. Still, I flip through them every few years just to see what's up and it's like meeting an old friend.

It's like finding your old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fanfic. You love it because hey, they like pizza and they're ninjas and Splinter is their awesome rat sensei. Plus, the story is proof that even at eight years old you knew ninjas rocked and superheroes fighting bad guys was what the world needed. Even if they were giant turtles swinging dangerous weapons.

To me, writing Heroes & Villains was a big step. It marks a real turning point in the quality of my writing. I only have to unlock the vault and visit those manuscripts to see where I started. Heroes & Villains makes me proud of where I'm going and hopeful about where I'm going to end up.

Heroes & Villains is my yellow belt. Something clicked in my brain and the writing began to flow smoother than ever before. A superhero becomes a supervillain in love with a superhero. It's like the Ouroboros, the snake eating its own tail. One Ring.

Vereint -- whether as Starburst or Darkstar or just himself -- represents the Ring to the people around him. Maybe it's an unconscious use of his metability or just his destiny, because nearly everyone wants to lay claim to him in some capacity. But he is, at heart, a loner. Never seeming lonely, before he meets Warrick he is usually alone. Afterward, he begins to fill out more as a three-dimensional character.

His shedding of the role of hero marks a turning point in his life. He embraces the idea of being the villain and he enjoys every minute of it. From taunting the superheroes to becoming an object of lust and idolization, he has fun playing the bad guy. Right up until things tip over to the strange and frightening.

The rise of the Darksters forces him to realize that being a supervillain doesn't necessarily mean being a bad guy. He is a criminal, but senseless anarchy is not a direction he wants to go.

He is like a ninja turtle fighting for truth, justice, and the last slice of pizza. Except he's an old school manga turtle and his sword is extra sharp and there is no parents' council to clean up all the violence.

Because at the end of the day he's not Starburst or Darkstar. He's not a deity to be worshipped or an idol to be emulated.

He's Vereint Georges, and he's human.

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I'm giving out an ebook copy of Heroes & Villains at the end of this blog tour. You can earn five entries by following the tour and answering the question after each post.

I'll be using Random.org to pick a winner the morning of August 19th.

Answer the question in the comments: Who is your favorite superhero and what is their power? (Any fandom is fine.)

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Heroes & Villains at Less Than Three Press.

 All Vereint ever wanted was to be a superhero, fight alongside the other great heroes of the city and beat down the villains that plague them. There's just one problem: he sucks at it, at least according to the other heroes and the majority of the city. Instead of the greatness and glory of which he dreamed, Vereint spends his days alone, exhausted, and depressed. When the mockery and derision finally go too far, Vereint decides he's reached his limit. If he's never going to be good enough to succeed as the hero Starburst, maybe it's time to try the role of villain instead … 

 You can find Harper Kingsley at her blog, on Twitter, and at Goodreads.

Review: Denying Yourself by Silvia Violet

Denying Yourself by Silvia Violet
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 205pgs
3 Pants Off

Blurb:
Matt and Shane both have secrets. Matt never believed he was anything but straight, yet he’s increasingly attracted to his best friend. Shane is comfortable with being gay, but when he discovers he’s part werewolf, he hides that part of himself, fearing Matt’s reaction. Suffocated by his uptight parents and conservative hometown, Shane begs Matt to run away with him.

But starting over doesn’t help. Matt still denies his desires, and Shane abuses alcohol to dampen his wolfish urges. When Matt breaks down and kisses Shane, the pent-up passion proves too much for Shane’s self-control, and his wolf gets free. Horrified, Shane flees—into deeper trouble. Before they can hope to accept each other, Shane and Matt must accept themselves.

Review
Matt and Shane are best friends who live in a small town. Matt is straight and Shane is gay but that doesn't stop them from being close friends, only problem is that Shane is wildly attracted to Matt and its causing a few problems for him. So Shane gets lost in drinking and partying, also he hasn't been feeling like himself for quite some time. It’s like he wants to crawl out of skin, and controlling his urges almost seems impossible. So Shane begins to distance himself from Matt before he makes a mistake, like attacking his friend and ripping his pants off.

But it all changes when they run away together, and Shane begins a worst sort of downward spiral. He's drinking a lot more and dealing with the fact that he is also a werewolf; who knew? Things start to look up when it seems Matt shares his feelings and they get consumed in this fiery desire, it’s like the one thing Shane has wanted is finally coming true. There is still the werewolf thing he has to share with Matt but they have all the time in the world. Until, it seems that Matt might be regretting that he could be possibly gay and yeh that he slept with Shane. Shane goes wolf mode and scares Matt, and pulls a Houdini and disappears from Matt's life (cus you know its better that way).

The story then moves onto Shane's life on the streets, his descent into alcoholism and prostitution to feed his addiction. It’s rough for him out there on the streets, until he is saved by a Good Samaritan who happens to be a wolf who takes him into rehabilitation. Years go by and Shane is now stone cold sober and got his very own pack, but he still has to learn to live without Matt cus he still loves the crap out of him. Yet, he's learnt to live and let other people in but he knows one day he will have to find his courage and go find Matt. That day has come sooner than expected and now Matt and Shane must deal with past hurts, and maybe having a new beginning.

First, I kind of like this book, but also I kind of dislike it. It felt very disjointed and sometimes it was just too unnecessarily drama. I feel like Shane created his own problems, and dude couldn't even pick up the phone and give people a call. Yes, I would have certainly been pissed as hell just like Matt had the right to be. A little call saying "hey I'm not dead and I need some time" would have certainly gone over well. I would have loved to experience things from Matt's perspective because Shane all the time felt very after school special.

The werewolf thing, though apart of the story wasn't really integrated well into the story. I believe it would have been better if that whole theme wasn't a part of it and the author took some other routes and I would have enjoyed this one more. All in all, I didn't love this one and couldn't really get into the characters or the story. It’s a strong beginning, ‘meh’ middle, and an ok ending.

Should You Read It? *crickets cue the crickets* others might enjoy this one and find it "oh so cute" but for me it’s a pass. I'm surprised I remember enough to write this review, it’s really kind of forgettable (and somewhere a puppy perished because of my meanness).

3 Pants Off

Review: Apple Polisher by Heidi Belleau

Apple Polisher (Rear Entrance Video #1) by Heidi Belleau
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 230pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
This straight-A student has a dirty little secret.

Christian Blake dreams of being a kindergarten teacher, but making the grade means maintaining a squeaky clean image: no drinking, no drugs, no swearing, no sex. And definitely no falling for his new roommate—tattooed bad-boy Max, who may or may not be a drug dealer.

Most of all, it means no working at a porn store. But Christian’s aunt has cancer, and her beloved Rear Entrance Video will go bankrupt if Christian doesn’t take over managerial duties. Soon enough, Christian finds himself juggling sticky twenty-five cent peepshow booths, a blackmailing employee, and a demanding professor who likes to make an example of him.

And then there’s Max, who doesn’t know anything about the store, but hates Christian’s preppy sweater vests and the closet Christian forces him into when they’re together. Max just wants Christian to be himself—even though Max is keeping secrets of his own. Christian struggles to find the impossible balance between his real life and the ideal one he thinks a teacher needs to live . . . all while trying to keep his aunt’s dream alive without losing his own.

Review
I can honestly say that my expectations were high for this book. After knowing the awesomeness that is Heidi Belleau through co-authoring with some very talented authors, her solo work was a must read on my list. I have to say I was not disappointed at all, this book delivered for me and I couldn't help falling in love with all the characters.

Christian Blake is a straight A student with a squeaky clean image, after all he's gonna be a teacher and it’s his job to lead by example. So Christian wears his sweater vests and tries to be all that he can be, but he's hit n hard times and he needs a place to live fast. What he can afford comes with four new roommates, and though the setting might not be ideal, Christian knows he's going to have to be extra diligent when it comes to fun. No drinking, no smoking, and especially no sex with men, no matter how hot is his roommates are. Especially that Max, who may or may not be a drug dealer with his tats and attitude, Christian isn't sure if he likes him not at all or a whole lot.

Christian has got a lot on his plate. He has to uphold this squeaky clean image which is exhausting, and his aunt who is like a mother to him is sick from cancer. His priorities are a little screwed because he's always wanted to be a teacher and he is willing to go the distance to achieve it, and yet he's guilty of not being the most supporting family member when his aunt has always been there for him. Things would have been simpler if his aunt didn't own a porn shop, and she didn't need help with said porn shop, Rear Entrance Video. Life is just one long complicated mess for Christian who hides in a closet, and hides behind his dream of teaching.

Of course his chemistry with bad boy is off the chain, and he's all angsty about it. Yet, the body wants what the body wants, and Christian and Max dive into a sexual relationship, Christian knows his lust for Max is strong but he isn't very positive that he even likes the dude. But it turns out that Max is the more real of them both, and Christian has got to put on his big boy panties and go help out at his aunt's video shop. Well you know...all secret and shit.

First, I enjoyed the crap out of this one! Christian is such a real character who is very scared of doing the wrong thing even though it’s actually the right thing. His being scared to open up is so legit in this book, and he might come off as stuck up but his reasons are sound. I can imagine wanting something so bad and one little thing could make you lose it all. Plus, the one time he shared who he was to the person whom should have accepted him the most, she just threw him away. Then there is Max, it all comes back to Max a man who challenges, infuriates, and is all the things that Christian shouldn't want and don't even deserve having but above all else needs. They couldn't be more opposite, but yet are so very much alike I freaking love them together.

Apple Polisher is such a fitting name for the first book in this series cus Christian is sweater vest wearing ass kisser (duuuuude seriously) but he's legit. It's also a mix of geek, a modern day romance of opposites attract and sexy fire explodes on the floor of porn shop (real scene that happened), and a lesson in being true to yourself. And of course the most important is that Apple Polisher is so diversified and for that alone I salute you Heidi Belleau. I love reading about a strong positive black character and the woman that raised him, and Max who proves never to judge a book by its cover. I can't wait to read book 2!!

Should You Read It? Yes, yes, and more yes. I enjoyed reading this one a whole lot, and it’s an awesome read from a fantastic author.

4.5 Pants Off

Guest Post & Giveaway: What's In A Name by Jaidon Wells

Hey! Thanks for having me today, you guys. I’m here promote Dandy, and today I wanted to talk about a pretty specific element of the book, which composes only one of many facets of humor present in the book, but which is personally one of my favorites to plan out. That being: the names of places. And, with this book, I got the personal pleasure of naming many different places, given that the story does not take place at a university or in a city that exists in the real world (and I have been genetically engineered to be unwilling to put a typical and well known place of business where I could come up with something of my own that lends comedic effect).

Perhaps my favorite of these places (the other top contenders being a restaurant named Thai Me Up and another called Chicken Out) is A Whole Latte Love, a coffee shop introduced in the beginning of the book and reintroduced throughout the story, which names its coffee after Romantic Poets

Dandy:
Andrew is a little overwhelmed, between grad school, his bookstore job, crazy friends, and a roommate slowly turning criminal. The very last thing he needs is more stress, but it's what he gets anyway, in the form of Cassidy, the frustrating, intriguing, and supposed-to-be-dead brother of his law-breaking roommate.

Throw in a flamboyant campus hero, a series of kitchen fires, a slanderous romance manuscript, stoner music shops, an arguably-mad scientist, a terrible indie band, and a blue period, and Andrew realizes that being overwhelmed is easy. It's the rapidly spinning out of control that's a bit difficult to handle.

You can buy it here.


Giveaway:
If you’d like a chance to win an ebook copy of Dandy, just comment below with email. One commenter will be chosen using random.org to receive a copy in the format of their choice. The give-away will close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, August 11th.

About the Author
Jaidon was born in South Bend, Indiana, and spent some time in Michigan, before settling down in Dalls, Texas. He sometimes regrets this because of the god-awful summers and the fact that he’s picked up a bit of a southern accent. Y’all, it’s unfortunate. In Spring of 2013, he received a degree in Psychology from the University of North Texas, which is problematic only because now everyone he knows seems to have developed a psychiatric disorder. Weird.

Jaidon has been an avid reader since childhood and wrote his first short story at 7 (which has, fortunately, been lost to the ages) and attempted his first novel at 13 (which, unfortunately, has not been lost to the ages; he still has a copy on his computer). He started out writing stories with the full intent of breaking the reader’s heart, and, now, has somehow ended up writing all comedy and romance with happy endings. Go figure.

You can find Jaidon online at:
jaidonilwells.com
smugbitchesinc.tumblr.com
cacographical@gmail.com

The Rainbow Awards!!

I am so excited to be taking part in The Rainbow Awards once again as a member of the jury (sounds freaking cool right). I took part for the very first time in 2012, and it was such a great experience I decided to do it again in 2013. The awards have provided me with the opportunity to read books that I might have overlooked, and with that I have come across some serious gems.

If you've had your eyes on the Rainbow Awards but haven’t gotten there’s still time to submit your work, and if you would like to be a part of the jury you can contact Elisa rainbowawards.submission@gmail.com.


Here are some guidelines if you want to get involved:

SUBMISSION PROCESS

• Books submitted for consideration will be accepted between February 15 and September 5, 2013.
• A shortlist of up to five finalists for each category will be announced no later than October 15, 2013.
• Winners will be announced on December 8, 2013.
• A book can be submitted only by its author or by its publisher. Submit a book in the category most appropriate: please indicate Gender (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) and Genre Young Adult, Contemporary General Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Erotic Romance, Paranormal Romance, Erotica, Fantasy, Sci-Fi / Futuristic, Historical, Historical Romance, Mystery / Thriller, Non Fiction, Biography / Memoir, Poetry, Debut Novel/Book).
• Books are submitted in electronic version (PDFs). Submitting the ebook, authors/publishers agree for its distribution with the only purpose of being read by the commission. It's recommended but not mandatory, that the PDF file has some kind of protection, like a specific disclaimer or similar.

More info can be found on Elisa’s blog, where is she diligently working and getting all the things organized. My experience has been so pleasant and I support RA so much for getting LGBTQ books out there. So be sure to check out the winners this come December!

I am so in love with this!! It may or may not be the reason I decided to take part in the Rainbow Awards.