Behind the Title with #gay #scifi #fantasy The Dreamboat #MMromance from @parr_books @evernightpub and read bonus snippets from gay #scifi #suspense String of Pearls

 This week's Behind the Title comes from, 

The Dreamboat

Chapter Two

 

One year later—

 

Indigo Vaughn stared down at the lights of the city far below. His sky barge, the Dreamboat, sailed majestically and wonderfully slowly through the night sky. The city and surrounding outer suburbs spread out like a twinkling jeweled carpet. Indigo sighed as his imagination took flight, and he dreamed up a beautiful man waiting there just for him. He will be muscled and tall, and have eyes that remind me of the deep blue sea off the coast of my Celtic home.

He drew in a ragged breath. The pain in remembering the far away and long ago place hit him like a spear in his heart. He forced himself on. I will twist my fingers in his night-dark hair and drag him to my kiss. His sexy lips will taste better than the sweetest wine, and once I have kissed him he’ll be mine forever. Indigo rested his forehead on the special glass of the window. He closed his eyes. He didn’t expect ever to meet this dream man. He’d lived for so long without romantic love he sometimes wondered how much longer he could withstand the crushing sadness of his empty life.

Indigo conjured the dreams of his clients, producing the spell for what they craved on the Dreamboat. Sometimes they lived their dream for the rest of their lives. Sometimes they simply fucked up the chance he gave them. Indigo opened his eyes and saw that the sky barge was over one of the huge lakes on the outskirts of the city.

Is it my eternal curse never to conjure my own dream? I shouldn’t torture myself. Perhaps this is my destiny, but a long life without love is no life at all.

He saw movement on the surface of the lake. Water boats crisscrossed the placid surface. Indigo left the window, exited his private quarters, and walked with all the grace he could muster to the consulting room. Two clients awaited him that night.

His assistant, Milan, greeted him as he entered the anteroom.

“Good evening, sir. The first of your clients is prepared.”

Indigo bestowed a grateful smile on Milan. “Thank you. I’ve read her request document and this won’t take long.”

He took a deep breath before he went into the consulting room. “Let nothing go wrong.” He always said this. It was his mantra to ward off anything bad, because Indigo, even after centuries, had never taken his magic for granted.

Copyright E. D. Parr , Evernight Publishing

Gorgeous, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn, sells his magic spells to people looking to make a dream come true. One night, as he gazes down on the city below from his sky barge The Dreamboat, he wonders why, in centuries, his own wish for a man to love hasn’t materialized.

Beautiful, sexy, Darian O’Harr has suffered his fair share of misery. He’s a musician and learned long ago to sing for his supper. New to the city, he comes to Indigo seeking a spell that will bring him the love of a handsome man.

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

Amazon http://mybook.to/TheDreamboat

NOOK https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dreamboat-e-d-parr/1127562856

N.B. This story contains explicit gay love scenes

Bonus snippet for Behind the Title teaser 

from String of Pearls

Read the snippet that gives the story its title

and read a passage that didn't make it into the published story

Tobias glanced across at his co-pilot as they took the flight path past the string of pearls. Dante had named the linear group of planets a year ago and now Tobias always thought of them that way, particularly as he’d met the love of his life on one of them.

Dreft engaged light speed and they zapped to the edge of the galaxy to a world where their queen’s new betrothed awaited them.

“It’s been a year, Dreft, my love. We could easily visit Garrus and see your parents before we pick up this guy.”

Dreft shook his head. “I know you think I should. I know you don’t understand why I can’t. I’ve messaged them. I’ve exchanged photographs and accepted their gifts, but I can’t be the crown prince they want me to be.”

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing

The story is set in the same SciFi fantasy city as last year’s release, The Dreamboat. Indigo Vaughn, the warlock head of security, features in the story along with a new cast of characters. When I wrote The Dreamboat, I already had the new characters in my head along with their story. Tobias Mars and Dante Pepper, the elite space pilots for the royal court, very nearly made an appearance in The Dreamboat, but because that story is about Indigo at last finding love, I decided they needed their own story. Once upon a time Dante and Tobias were close to becoming lovers, but Dante met Viridian and fell in love. Tobias has yet to meet his love when String of Pearls, opens. He’s a man of high integrity, handsome, caring, but also longing for love and sex. String of Pearls is his love story.

 String of Pearls

 

Handsome, elite space pilot, Tobias Mars is completing a special mission, when on a water planet, recently ravaged by space pirates, he discovers Dreft Hann hiding and injured in the sand dunes. There’s instant attraction between the two men, but honorable Tobias believes the fact Dreft is in his care precludes him from showing his growing love for the young man. What’s worse is his shocking discovery of Dreft’s real identity. Even so, Tobias can’t deny his feelings for Dreft. When head of royal security, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn discovers Dreft’s secret, he anticipates trouble. As beautiful Dreft falls in love with Tobias and dreams of joining the elite pilot squad, trouble is brewing from someone in Dreft’s past. Will love finally win with so many obstacles in Tobias and Dreft’s path?

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/string-of-pearls-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.bookstrand.com/string-of-pearls-mm

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-of-pearls-e-d-parr/1129854008

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/906343

Amazon http://mybook.to/StringofPearls

I’d written a passage for String of Pearls that was to go right at the beginning of the story, but after discussing it with my editor we decided to leave it out because it detracted from the impact of the opening where we meet Dreft fleeing from space pirates.

Here it is. 

Tobias Mars glanced across at his co-pilot, Dante Pepper with a grin. “Hey, look at it this way, it might be a nuisance, but on the way something great might happen.”

“Such as?” Dante frowned as he set the craft on course for Garrus.

“Well as we touch down on each planet we’re greeted with gorgeous guys offering refreshments.” Tobias laughed aloud as the craft soared into the sky.

A derisive grunt escaped Dante. “Viridian Kaa is the only gorgeous guy I want greeting me.”

“You’re lucky to have found love, Dante. I’m glad for you.” The craft shot into the stars and Tobias engaged the autopilot. “At least we only have to planet hop on the way back with the package. Why so much subterfuge is my question?”

Dante’s voice dropped to a whisper. “The royal prince is afraid of assassins.”

An early morning mist shrouded Garrus as they landed and took their passenger on board their craft. The prince, fondly known by the pilots as, the package, in keeping with the subterfuge surrounding the journey home, settled into his quarters.

Copyright E. D. Parr

I hope that you enjoyed the bonus snippets in this week's post. Next week the

Behind the Title posts will continue on the ParrX Blog 

https://parrx.blogspot.com/

E. D. Parr 

 

Behind the Title blog series. This week read the excerpt that gives Blond its title. #MMromance #gayromance #shifter @evernightpub @parr_books #LGBTQ

 

What would you think if the guy you were dating raced off every night before midnight and would never say why? Would you succumb to the urge to follow him one night? 

Liam Hale can’t believe his luck when he meets the man of his dreams, Karl Oberon.

Hunky Karl is the sexiest man Liam has ever met, but his mysterious disappearances start to tease. Gorgeous Liam is the only man Karl has ever wanted. 

Together they spark and sizzle with passion, but Karl doesn’t know how to tell Liam why he races away. Maybe keeping Liam’s mind off the question with mind-blowing erotic encounters will work.

Behind the Title Thursday with, Blond, from E. D. Parr

an Evernight Publishing editor's pick

I have to confess that the idea for this story came from watching a TV show. I can’t name it for obvious reasons, but the show had a couple of seasons and one of the leading men actors in the story was tall, dark, and handsome. It seemed to me that he attracted all the media and fan attention, but there acting alongside him was a blond guy, equally beautiful in a different way and as I watched him, the idea for my story gelled in my mind.

One of the heroes in my story deviates from being attracted to his normal ‘type’ (tall, dark and handsome) after seeing a gorgeous blond guy in a bar and so for me, the title for my story had to be, Blond.

Read the excerpt

Liam drank the last of his bourbon and placed the glass on the bar. He gestured at Milo who danced to the dulcet and much loved voice of George Michael that drifted through the speakers situated above the bar counter. The bar always played CD music if there was no guest band. Liam liked that. The bar held a cool and yet welcoming ambiance. It was the only bar he knew for sure where none of his business friends would show up and that made it his favorite haunt.

Milo spun toward him.

“I’ll settle up, Milo—better make tracks home.” Liam paid for his drink. He waved the change from his ten-dollar note away, leaving it as a tip, and turned to go. A burst of interest spiked through him as his gaze alighted on a man entering the wide arched doorway. Liam wasn’t usually into blonds, but this one captured his attention. His heartbeat increased as the man approached the bar. Liam couldn’t recall ever having a nervous reaction to a guy he’d never met, nor spoken to before, and he equated the rapid beat of his heart with the way his body betrayed him every time he made a presentation at work.

Frozen in his intent to exit the bar, Liam stood alongside the square of dance floor and a half-naked guy twirled in front of him gyrating and thrusting his hips with a smile.

“Hi, Liam.”

Liam flicked his gaze from the washboard torso of the dancer to his face.

He frowned as he greeted the guy. “Hey, how’re you doin’?” Liam had no idea who this was, but since the man knew his name, he felt obliged to smile as he sidestepped and headed for the safety of the tables and chairs set up away from the dance floor.

Liam found an empty table, but didn’t take a seat. He grabbed the back of the chrome and faux leather chair and gazed at the blond who now chatted with Milo as he took a distinctive green lager bottle from the bartender’s hand.

Liam drank in the sight of the tall man’s rear view. He wore denim jeans, and a rip high on the back of his thigh revealed lightly tanned skin. His shirt fell only halfway down his hips and Liam heaved a sigh as he detected a hard muscled ass beneath the blue fabric of the gorgeous guy’s pants.

Liam looked away for only a moment. When he raised his eyes again the man had turned and now gazed right at him. A strange wave of shyness flew over Liam. He couldn’t tear his eyes from the dark gaze aimed at him, and yet fear prickled down his spine. He traced the planes of the handsome man’s face with worry creasing between his eyes, and then in a rapid move he released his grip on the chair, and strode from the bar onto the sidewalk.

The mid-summer air had cooled with nightfall. Liam gulped it in as he opened an extra button on his shirt. He pulled at the collar as his heart raced. Fuck me. He’s hot as hell. But what’s wrong with me, shaking like a newbie? I’m not even into blond guys. Liam took off, striding along the sidewalk until he saw a cab. He balanced on the curb and hailed it with an outstretched arm.

As he relaxed onto the bench seat in the back of the car he heaved a sigh of relief.

The driver glanced at him via the rear view mirror. “You okay, buddy? I don’t want a cleaning job to do.”

Liam caught the driver’s reflected eyes. He responded to the query. “Yeah, sure. Thanks. I, er, I … I’m good,” he stammered, thinking maybe he should shut the hell up. What was he going to say? ‘Don’t worry I’m not about to throw up?’

By the time he alighted from the cab outside his town house, Liam had pushed the incident to the back of his mind, and started mentally rehearsing the presentation he was to do the next morning for the newest client of Storm Advertising Agency. He raced up the stoop and unlocked his front door. The ground floor rooms lit up in response to his swipe on the row of switches mounted alongside the group of decorative coat hooks in the hall. He took a deep breath and went to his study. He left his laptop booting and made a pot of coffee. Okay, everything is ready. I just have to run through the process a few times. Liam knew from experience this was the only way he’d be comfortable.

His business partner, Evan, could stand up in front of a board table ringed with expectant client faces and improvise. Despite constant reassurance and success, Liam had to force himself. He loved creating but showing off his campaign ideas freaked him out. It reminded him of high school.

He poured coffee, brought the cup to his desk and settled to rote learn his lines.

If I do okay tomorrow, I’ll go out to the bar again. Maybe the blond hunk will be there. Just the thought made his heart pound and he gulped down some coffee. The too hot liquid shocked him into working.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing

BUY the BOOK on the Evernight website and read another teaser,

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/blond-by-e-d-parr

https://www.bookstrand.com/ed-parr

OR find the book,

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/755054

NOOK https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blond-e-d-parr/1127288523

KOBO https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/blond-1

Amazon http://mybook.to/Blond

 

Behind the Title Thursday blog post and this week, it’s from, Like a Thief in the Night. #gayromance #MMromance #LGBT #artist

 

Behind the Title Thursday blog post series and this week, it’s from, Like a Thief in the Night.

 

“…you’ve shown me nothing but kindness. Thank you. I feel incredibly lucky to have met you. It hurt like hell thinking I might have to let you go. See, I couldn’t have you associated with anything illegal. I thought I had to do what Collins asked, but I just … couldn’t…”

“You didn’t. I’m glad because it would break my heart to lose you from my life now…”

Jon stood and brought his chair closer to Saxon’s. He sat and took Saxon’s hands in his. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “What’s a gorgeous, successful, loving guy like you doing with someone like me?”

Saxon shook his head. Concerned, he pulled one of his hands from Jon’s grasp and slipped it around his face. “What?”

“I love you, Saxon. I want you to know it’s real and not because of your kindness. I always thought when I met a man and fell in love with him, I’d be … well … I’d have made a success of my art, the little saleroom would be buzzing, I’d have something to offer … but I met you having trespassed on your home like a thief in the night.”

Joy flooded Saxon when Jon declared his love and then listening to Jon worry about not having anything to offer, his heart ached for his lover. “You’re not, though, are you? Not a thief in the night—you never took anything. Jon, I love you. You’re exactly right for me. I only have to touch you and I’m mush. I look at you and love you. You will have a saleroom that’s buzzing one day.” He placed a gentle kiss on Jon’s lips.

Jon let go of Saxon’s hand and wrapped his arms around his waist. He kissed Saxon between smiles and soft whispers.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing

BUY the BOOK and read another teaser on the Evernight website

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/like-a-thief-in-the-night-by-e-d-parr/

OR find the book on,

Amazon http://mybook.to/LikeAThiefInTheNight

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/952715

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/like-a-thief-in-the-night-2

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/like-a-thief-in-the-night-e-d-parr/1132856965

https://www.bookstrand.com/book/like-a-thief-in-the-night-mm

Please note this book contains explicit MM love scenes

HEA

Like a Thief in the Night,

Gorgeous, businessman, Saxon Dearing buys a pied de terre in the city where he works. Only using the place on three nights, he goes home to his beachside house for the rest of the week. At thirty-two, immersed in his work, he doesn’t know he’s lonely until delicious, twenty-five year old Jon Palmer literally drops into his life during a thunderstorm.

Artist Jon struggles to sell his paintings from a tiny studio, and works in a city gallery to pay his rent. As the two men fall in love, Jon can’t overcome the idea his lack of success is a barrier to telling handsome, wealthy Saxon how he feels.

When his boss offers him a dangerous way of making money, Jon must make a choice.

Will he risk telling Saxon he loves him or let his lack of confidence lead him astray and away from the man who loves him, too?

 

 

Behind the Title Thursday. #gayromance #MMromance #LGBT #books He kissed Matt gently, pushing down the urge to ravage him with kisses that would lead to sex.

Behind the Title Thursday.

For this first post in the new blog post series I’ve chosen, Given Time.

Read where the title occurs in the story.

 

Angel turned to him. “Thank you for being here. Can I hug you?”

Matt broke into a huge smile. “Can you? Hell, I’m desperate to feel you in my arms. Come here.” He held out his arms.

Angel went into his embrace. He pushed close to Matt with a sigh of pleasure. He pressed his face against Matt’s. The shade of stubble on Matt’s jaw rasping on his skin, and the feel of Matt’s hard muscled chest he molded to combined to send streaks of pleasure tripping all the way through his body. Angel breathed in the masculine energy that bathed Matt. He turned his face and kissed near the side of Matt’s mouth.

Matt lifted a hand and slid it along Angel’s face. He grazed his lips against Angel’s in a soft brush as he whispered. “You feel good.” He kissed Angel, his mouth a soft merging of sensation that hardened Angel’s cock.

Angel closed his eyes and returned the kiss, taking another until they both broke away to breathe. “So do you—feel good.” He opened his eyes. “Bet the water’s boiled.” He wanted Matt, but the prickle of guilt about being happy when he was there for such a somber occasion forced him to push away.

Matt loosened his hold. His eyes held desire and his erection bulged in his black jeans.

Angel tore his gaze from the enticing sight. “I’ll switch the central heating on. I reckon there’ll be food in the fridge. We never had breakfast. Are you hungry?”

Matt laughed. “Sure, maybe not for food…”

Angel grinned at him. He spooned instant coffee into the mugs and poured the boiling water on them. As steam rose from the mugs, he went to the fridge and looked inside. It held nothing that represented a quick breakfast snack. He shrugged and checked the larder. The glass cookie jar was half-full of what looked like the fruit cookies available in the bakery on the Main Street. He brought the container to the counter and placed it next to the mugs of coffee.

“We’re stuck with cookies, sorry.”

Matt shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.”

Without warning, anxiety gripped Angel. “Matt, let’s check Rory’s study. I need to find any paperwork.”

He brought Matt along the hall to the back of the house where his brother’s home office looked out onto the river. Angel opened the door and took a deep breath.

Matt ran his hand over Angel’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. There’ll be something.”

Angel took comfort from that. He walked to the big desk. Rory’s laptop lay closed on the top. The lead for the electrical connection was in the jack. Angel opened the lid. He pressed a key and the screen lit up. “It’s on. Hell, there’s not even a password required.” He flicked his gaze to Matt in surprise.

Matt walked around the desk and stood by his side. “That’s good, though, huh?”

Angel looked around the room. He wheeled the extra desk chair and placed it next to the one behind the desk. “Sit with me, Matt. Let’s check the files.”

Angel opened the documents file. A column of files built in the window. Each had a name that had to pertain to Rory’s previous work. Some way down the column Angel saw a file named ‘Loewe.’ He glanced at Matt. His expression meant to convey satisfaction at finding it.

Matt nodded in unspoken agreement.

Angel opened the file. Acutely disappointed by the one document on display, a sigh escaped him, but he opened the document.

It listed ideas for the sculpture and a ‘note to self’ from Rory to confirm the booking for the work and exhibition space to avoid damaging the finished artwork in transit from his home studio.

Angel sat back from the laptop and pushed his hands through his hair. He heaved a sigh.

“Fucking hell, he never confirmed. I can’t believe it.”

Matt put his hand onto Angel’s thigh. “Hey, what did I say? Honestly, I’m not angry. Maybe he got sick. That would explain it.”

Angel sagged in the chair. “I hope there’s a will or some instructions about his estate.”

Matt took his hand. “You need to grieve… maybe there’s a lawyer in town that Rory used for his will.”

Even though mixed emotions, disappointment, puzzlement, tumbled through his mind, Angel enjoyed the way Matt held his hand. He turned to Matt. “I don’t feel the sadness I should, Matt. I don’t know why. I did at first when I heard the news. I cried myself nearly sick, but now I have this weird feeling. I wish I’d contacted him. Now there’s no time. I always thought there would be.”

“Given time, what would you have said?” Matt’s low voice and gentle clasping of his hand helped Angel answer.

“That I miss him. That I’m sorry we parted so abruptly and that I hope there was happiness in his life.” Angel gazed into Matt’s eyes until Matt leaned forward and kissed him softly. The touch lifted his spirits. I feel so much better with Matt around.

He drew away from Matt. “It’s helped me to say the words even though he can’t hear them.” He attempted to get back to business. “You’re probably right about a lawyer.”

He reached over to the desk drawer on his left and opened it. A thick manila folder lay on top of a sheaf of what appeared to be newspaper cuttings. Angel brought the folder out and leafed through it. Everything was there. A copy of Rory’s will, insurance documents, the deed to the house that named both him and Angel, the lease to Rory’s building in town, a list of people and offices, the lawyer, Rory’s doctor, and other people that Angel didn’t know. He took a deep breath. “It’s very tidy. Rory used to be so … so scattered.” He put the folder on the desk next to the laptop. “We left the coffee in the kitchen.” It sounded strangely hollow as he said it. The words seemed to hang in the air. He stood.

Matt caught his hand. “You okay?”

Angel stared out of the window to the river beyond. “I just want it all finished. Hell, what time is it?” The memory that he’d asked the detective to bring him to see Rory’s body flashed into his mind. He snatched his phone from his jacket pocket. “It’s nearly one. Sorry, Matt, the detective will be here soon. I had no idea how late it was. I’d like to show you the studio here.” The imminent arrival of the police officer and the prospect of seeing Rory wrecked his tenuous composure.

Matt quietly followed him around the house until, in Rory’s huge studio, he stopped and pulled Angel into his arms. “Do you want me to come with you? I can see you’re distressed.”

Angel soaked up the comfort in Matt’s hug. “I can’t do that to you. I’ll be fine.” He half turned and waved a hand around the room. “See it’s empty. What do you make of that?”

Matt let him go. “Could be everything finished is sold or in an exhibition. Surely the office staff in town would know.”

Angel shook his head. “I should have asked. What will you do this afternoon? I don’t have your phone number.”

Matt took out his cell phone. “I don’t have yours.” His eyes twinkled.

Angel gave him the number and smiled as his phone beeped in his hand when Matt messaged him. “Can I call you, when I’ve dealt with a few things? We could have dinner. I feel as if I’ve dragged you around all the sad corners this morning. I want to be with you tonight as if … as if…”

Matt’s expression held tenderness. “As if we’re lovers … and we are, even if it’s new.”

Relief flooded Angel. He immediately knew that’s what he wanted badly. “Yes.” His voice came out a whisper. He pushed his arms around Matt’s neck and rested his forehead on Matt’s. Happiness blanketed him. Matt’s light herbal cologne filled his head. Matt’s lips a fraction away from his were a sweet temptation. The way they fit against each other felt so right. Calm crept over Angel. He kissed Matt gently, pushing down the urge to ravage him with kisses that would lead to sex. His cock jerked all the same and he thrust his hips against Matt’s hard body. The column of his cock met the bulge in Matt’s pants and he smiled. “Hell, Matt, I can’t help wanting to fuck you hard.”

Matt smiled and kissed him quickly before he moved away. “The feeling is mutual, but I reckon greeting this detective with a visible hard on might not be the way to go. You’re happier at least.”

Angel tried to think his erection away. The doorbell echoed along the hall below them.

Even though he expected the visit, the sound sent a spike of shock through Angel.

“Call me.” Matt strode to the exit and the stairs, and Angel trailed behind him.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing

N.B. this book contains explicit mm love scenes.

Trigger: loss of a sibling 

Gay romance with HEA  

BUY the book and read another teaser on the Evernight website.

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/given-time-by-e-d-parr/

OR find the book on,

https://www.bookstrand.com/given-time-mm

Your Amazon link http://mybook.to/GivenTime

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/given-time-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/given-time-e-d-parr/1126649862

Given Time

Music video maker, Angel Starc is about to board a plane to Paris when he receives some sudden sad news. It takes him hurrying back to his childhood home after two years away.

Angel is amazed when that night he meets the only man he’s found romantically attractive in a long time. Gorgeous, caring Matt Loewe wraps him in a blanket of comfort and love that heals Angel’s troubled soul.

Delectable, artist, Matt Loewe, follows his hunches and his heart. He’s been looking for love and Angel ignites an addictive passion in him.

Next week in Behind the Title Thursday blog post series, E. D. Parr's, Like a Thief in the Night.