Showing posts with label Heart in Chains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heart in Chains. Show all posts

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Meet the elusive Jay Levesque from #MMromance #suspense Heart in Chains @elodieparkes Connor was torn apart by the betrayal because Brad had been making love to him, and telling Connor how much he meant to him the whole time.

 


When Connor Douglas takes a tropical island holiday, he hopes to leave heartbreak behind. Little does he know the extent of the danger and sexual temptation that awaits him.

Long after Jay Levesque has closed down his operations on the very same tropical island, the memory of Connor haunts him.

Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains.




Meet the elusive Jay Levesque:


Hi Jay, Welcome to the blog

Jay: (Smiles) Hi, It's great to be here.

So tell us a little about yourself.

Jay: Well, you understand I can't say too much, because of spoilers but more for personal work reasons.
I'm six two, I have hair that is dark, but in certain lights it shows up some chestnut color. Blue eyes that Connor says are really turquoise. Weird huh? My work's secret. I have to keep it that way for the time being. I've recently moved cities and I'm loving Boston. 

What about the story, can you tell us something about that?

Jay: It's an adventure/suspense/ love story. (Grins) Naturally, it might not be an adventure if you're on the receiving end of what I dish out during my work. It's a love story for sure. I'm bowled over when I meet Connor. I've never felt like that before. The story happens in a warm and lovely environment, pale blue oceans, palm trees, but my life there's a little dangerous. I've always been in dangerous work and I try to explain that to Connor towards the end of the story.

You mention Connor a lot. Tell us about him.

Jay: He's brave. He's hot. You know one of those guys who is really good looking and doesn't know it. He's a scientist, though not at all what you'd expect. I mean the stereotype of a scientist doesn't fit him at all. He's cool, loves music, working out, and me, thankfully. (Smiles)

What's hot about the story?

Jay: The weather. Me. The love scenes. A sarong. (grins) And Connor of course. The first time I kiss him is so moving, I have to hightail it or fall down at his feet. I have to be fierce to him from time to time, so I'm hiding how I feel then, but when I touch him, damn, it's like an electric shock right to my ... uh ... maybe I can't say where here.

I think we can guess. Do have anything else you'd like to tell us?

Thank you for inviting me to talk with you. I hope people like the story. It's really Connor's and my own journey to something we've always wanted. 

Thanks Jay. He smiles. 




Read a teaser 

He gazed around at the shimmering water. All shades of aqua and green sparkled as if an exotic, jeweled, silk scarf spread out on the ocean. Ahead lay a lazy boat trip to Gili Island. Connor had purposely chosen to join this special service in the traditional wooden outrigger instead of a faster powerboat. He reveled in the freedom and difference of his surroundings. He breathed in the air and soaked up the beautiful scenery. His broken heart was slowly healing in the bright, tropical environment.

It was six months since he’d come home to the place he and Brad shared to find him in that old clichéd act of fucking another guy. The pain when Brad admitted he no longer loved Connor and that he’d been seeing this guy for months was excruciating. Connor was torn apart by the betrayal because Brad had been making love to him, and telling Connor how much he meant to him the whole time. That’s what hurt the most—the fucking lies. I never knew anything was wrong—I was completely unaware—what a fool.

Connor shook off the memories. He’d told himself countless times that he had to stop beating himself up, if nothing else. Deep in thought, he wasn’t aware of the man beside him until a low accented voice penetrated his mood.

“Beauty as far as the eye can see, no?”

Connor straightened from leaning on the rail and turned to face the speaker. The impact from seeing the man beside him was so strong Connor couldn’t answer for a moment. He faced probably the most attractive man he’d ever seen face to face, because he couldn’t include the TV and movie stars he sighed over. They were unattainable and designated to daydreams. This man gave him an instant rapid heartbeat. An emotion close to fear slithered down Connor’s back. He’d never felt such immediate consuming attraction to any man before. As he choked out a few inane words, he soaked up the sight before him. Dark hair, cut in an ultra-fashionable style with darts shaved into the sides by his ears, eyes the color of turquoise, only they glistened with promise, his angular jaw rivaled Connor’s favorite TV actor’s, and his body—well, that made Connor’s cock stir.

“Yes, it’s all breathtaking,” and so are you, Connor added in his mind.

“Jay Levesque.” The hunk held out his hand to Connor as he spoke his name.

Connor hesitated to shake hands for a second. Somehow, he instinctively knew that touching this man would start him on some dangerous path. All the same, he took the proffered hand in his and introduced himself. “Connor Douglas.”

Jay’s palm against Connor’s sent a fleeting impression of huge physical strength even though his grip was actually gentle, as if he held it back.

Connor couldn’t think of anything to say and he glanced out across the ocean wondering how to prolong Jay’s presence, because it was great to stand on the deck of this boat with a gorgeous guy in a location that amounted to paradise.

He didn’t have to wonder for long. A huge racket erupted, a burst of gunfire, screams, shouts, more gunfire, and Connor whirled around from the rail of the boat. He was about to set off in the direction of the noise, when, from behind, he was caught in an iron grip against Jay’s chest.

“Leave it, you’re safe with me.” The dark voice whispered in his ear, but Connor struggled.

“There could be people hurt. We should look … try to help.” Connor grabbed at the arm around him as he felt Jay find a place on his neck with firm fingertips. The strangely empty deck of the boat was the last thing Connor saw.

Copyright Elodie Parkes, Encompass Ink



Wednesday, May 9, 2018

He started down the stairs again. His thoughts churned. His stomach ached. He gripped his jacket so hard his knuckles turned white. #MMromance #midweektease @ElodieParkes #EncompassInk

In this week's #midweektease I'm looking back at #MMromance
Heart in Chains


When Connor Douglas takes a tropical island holiday, he hopes to leave heartbreak behind. Little does he know the extent of the danger and sexual temptation that awaits him.
Long after Jay Levesque has closed down his operations on the very same tropical island, the memory of Connor haunts him.
Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains.
Erotic MM romantic suspense



Read the #midweektease

Jason Landry leaned back in his desk chair and folded his muscled arms across his chest.

“This isn’t my field now and you know it. Give it to Mark.”

The special agent in charge of the department stood his ground and stared right back at him.

Jason ran a hand through his hair as he stood. “I mean it, Lucas.” He flicked the folder with a fingertip, sending it skidding across the top of the desk. He grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and stalked off. As he ignored the elevator and took the stairs, the memories he pushed away daily, flooded back. He stopped running and grabbed the handrail, his head bowed. Jason let the pain flow over him. He’d learned it was the only way. Surf the wash of guilt. Take the hit from the pain of what he used to be and then move on. He still carried his requisite Glock 23, but he sure didn’t want to use it. He’d seen enough and done enough to last him ten lifetimes. No more fucking killing, he told himself.

He started down the stairs again. His thoughts churned. His stomach ached. He gripped his jacket so hard his knuckles turned white. He stormed past reception and the guys on the door without the usual acknowledgements. In the coffee shop, he stood in the line-up seething, but he knew he’d have to take the assignment.

Jason walked back to the office calmly carrying the paper cup of mocha. This is gonna be the last fucking time I take this kind of job.

* * * *

Connor was the last to board the boat heading for the Gili Islands.
He’d spent too long over breakfast watching the parade of gorgeous muscular guys passing close to the café on their way to the surf beach. Usually Connor was into intellectual types, with dark hair that curled on their collar and PhDs, but these surfer guys practically had him drooling. A marine biologist, Connor had lately taken an interest in sea turtles, and, since he needed a vacation as far away from Brad as possible, he’d flown to Indonesia where the array of islands promised to provide the opportunity to study turtles, scuba dive, sail, and generally have a great vacation.

Having run along the wharf and dashed up the boarding stairs just in time, Connor dropped his backpack onto the deck and hung over the rail to watch the amazing ocean change color as the boat cut through it. Everything he’d seen so far had outstripped his expectations.

He’d visited beautiful pale green oceans before, but the crystal clear sea lapping at the bleached white sandy beaches of Lombok was breathtaking. Every Indonesian island was paradise. Warmth greeted him each day, a far cry from Massachusetts, where he frequented Woods Hole, and where Brad, his former lover worked. The breeze here was soft, kind, and even when it rained brought with it huge saucer-sized warm drops. Connor shivered just thinking about the biting wind off the ocean in winter where he lived, and the icy rain that always found its way down his coat collar.

He gazed around at the shimmering water. All shades of aqua and green sparkled as if an exotic, jeweled, silk scarf spread out on the ocean. Ahead lay a lazy boat trip to Gili Island. Connor had purposely chosen to join this special service in the traditional wooden outrigger instead of a faster powerboat. He reveled in the freedom and difference of his surroundings. He breathed in the air and soaked up the beautiful scenery. His broken heart was slowly healing in the bright, tropical environment.

It was six months since he’d come home to the place he and Brad shared to find him in that old clichéd act of fucking another guy. The pain when Brad admitted he no longer loved Connor and that he’d been seeing this guy for months was excruciating. Connor was torn apart by the betrayal because Brad had been making love to him, and telling Connor how much he meant to him the whole time. That’s what hurt the most—the fucking lies. I never knew anything was wrong—I was completely unaware—what a fool.

Connor shook off the memories. He’d told himself countless times that he had to stop beating himself up, if nothing else. Deep in thought, he wasn’t aware of the man beside him until a low accented voice penetrated his mood.

“Beauty as far as the eye can see, no?”

Connor straightened from leaning on the rail and turned to face the speaker. The impact from seeing the man beside him was so strong Connor couldn’t answer for a moment. He faced probably the most attractive man he’d ever seen face to face, because he couldn’t include the TV and movie stars he sighed over. They were unattainable and designated to daydreams. This man gave him an instant rapid heartbeat. An emotion close to fear slithered down Connor’s back. He’d never felt such immediate consuming attraction to any man before. As he choked out a few inane words, he soaked up the sight before him. Dark hair, cut in an ultra-fashionable style with darts shaved into the sides by his ears, eyes the color of turquoise, only they glistened with promise, his angular jaw rivaled Connor’s favorite TV actor’s, and his body—well, that made Connor’s cock stir.

“Yes, it’s all breathtaking,” and so are you, Connor added in his mind.

“Jay Levesque.” The hunk held out his hand to Connor as he spoke his name.

Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016 Encompass Ink



 HOP to the next #MWTease #midweektease




Sunday, July 30, 2017

Meme time and #SexySnippets brings you #MMromance #suspense and dangerous sexy Jay Levesque @EncompassInk

#SexySnippets are seven sentences brought to you each Sunday from a published work or WIP
Find us on Facebook and Twitter

This week's #sexysnippets comes from #MMromance #suspense
Heart in Chains


When Connor Douglas takes a tropical island holiday, he hopes to leave heartbreak behind. Little does he know the extent of the danger and sexual temptation that awaits him.
Long after Jay Levesque has closed down his operations on the very same tropical island, the memory of Connor haunts him.
Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains.
Erotic MM erotic, romantic suspense

Read the sexy snippet

The kiss was so unexpected and yet so delicious, Connor closed his eyes and let it happen. He drifted in the soft merge of Jay’s lips on his. The lingering pressure and the way Jay brought his other hand up to caress the back of Connor’s neck was addictive. Connor leaned into the embrace. His cock hardened. Tingles from the circle of Jay’s fingertips on his neck spread down his spine and made his ass feel melted. Thoughts left him. 

©Elodie Parkes 2016 Encompass Ink


Dangerous, sexy, mysterious Jay Levesque #MMromance #gayromance #kindleunlimited


HOP to the next #SexySnippet


Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains. #MMromance suspense #gayromance @EncompassInk #MidweekTease

#MWTease the #midweektease is from Heart in Chains 
M/M romance 




Heart in Chains

When Connor Douglas takes a tropical island holiday, he hopes to leave heartbreak behind. Little does he know the extent of the danger and sexual temptation that awaits him.

Long after Jay Levesque has closed down his operations on the very same tropical island, the memory of Connor haunts him.
Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains.

Read the teaser

Acutely aware of Jay’s thigh dangerously close to his own, Connor was having trouble believing he wouldn’t be hurt, and to his horror, squashing down a ridiculous attraction to Jay.

“Who were they—the people on the boat, and did … did your men kill them?” His voice fell to a whisper.

“No, of course not. The gunfire, it was for intimidation only … to round up the people into a group … to show them we meant business. The people are obscenely rich and will bring a good price. As soon as we have the money, we will free them, and you, too, Connor.” His voice softened as he said Connor’s name and he patted Connor on the leg.

Connor nearly leapt from the bed and ran across the room, chain and all. The way Jay said his name as if it was a caress, was bad enough, but the hand on his leg sent shivers flying up his thigh to his stomach. His cock started to harden and he covered it by holding the water bottle to his lap.

“You’re pirates? I was told this area was safe from pirates. I don’t know why you couldn’t have left me alone.” Connor tried an appeal. “Why not let me go now? I’m no use to you.”

Jay gave a short laugh. “You must know I can’t let you go until I free everyone. This is a secret location. Settle down, Connor. I’ll bring the air-con remote and something for you to read. The place is clean. The bedding is clean. Maybe you should sleep for a while.” He stood and looked down into Connor’s upturned face.

Confusion filled Connor. Jay’s expression held something close to kindness and some deeper emotion Connor couldn’t name. A frown furrowed Connor’s forehead. He was sure that attraction filled Jay’s eyes. He’d seen it in a guy’s eyes enough times to recognize it. Connor couldn’t say anything. He gazed back at Jay until the man turned and went away.

When Jay had left, Connor stood and followed to the door. The chain clanked along behind him and tugged on his anklebone, but he got there. Unexpectedly, fury rose up in his chest. He tried the door handle and to his amazement, it opened. He had to step back a little as it swung inwards, but then he could stand in the doorway. He gazed around. The hut was on a path that had another hut opposite and palm trees. Palms of all sizes lined the path. A man with a semi-automatic rifle laid across his lap sat outside the other hut on a wicker chair. He casually glanced up at Connor and then went back to reading his magazine. Connor sighed heavily. He trailed back inside and closed the door so that his hut filled with cool air again from the unit over the lintel. As he walked to the bed, fatigue overcame him. Why am I so tired? This is incredible, and the worst is, no one will be wondering where I am. No one will know I’ve been taken captive.

Connor hadn’t told his small group of friends about his vacation destination, or for how long he’d be gone. His parents just accepted that he would send a card when he’d called them at their home in Florida a week ago. He’d left everything wide open on purpose, because deep down he wanted Brad to think he’d found someone new and was away with a lover having a great time.

He sat on the bed, swung his legs up as he held the chain away, and arranged it so that it didn’t drag on his ankle. He lay down pulling the pillow under his head. Connor closed his eyes. He thought over what had happened and recalled the expression in Jay’s eyes. What a fucking shame we met like this. There’s a possibility he’s gay—well I think he is. There’s a look that only gay guys give each other. What am I going to do? As soon as I feel better, I’ll look around for a way to escape.

Connor’s thoughts drifted and he fell asleep.

©Elodie Parkes 2016 Encompass Ink 

Connor and Jay my heroes just gelled in my mind immediately as I considered the kind of adventure Connor might have on vacation in an exotic place such as Indonesia. Jay is a mysterious character, tough, driven, but on the verge of changing his dangerous life when he meets Connor. Connor is still getting over a relationship break up, but it’s been long enough and he’s tired of being single. His former boyfriend’s betrayal stays with him, but as soon as he sees Jay, attraction is seeded in his heart.
These two characters are dear to me. Tenderness lies beneath Jay’s composed and tough exterior and courage lies beneath Connor’s sexual vulnerability. I think both will surprise you as you read their story.

#MM #eroticromance #suspense available on Kindle Unlimited from Encompass Ink. Who is Jay Levesque? 

HOP TO THE NEXT TEASER

Friday, January 6, 2017

Take a sun drenched trip with #FlashbackFriday #MMromance #LGBT


Flash Back Friday teaser


Connor glanced at the two men who appeared to be waiting for something. He walked toward an arch in the back wall of the hut. It led to a shower and a toilet. His shoulders sagged. He was going to be kept there. That much was obvious, but why, wasn’t. He’d seen nothing on the outrigger—no incriminating evidence. The truth was the only person whose face stuck in his mind was Jay’s. No one else’s appearance, not even the guys at the door of the hut registered in his confusion, fear, and anger.

A cell phone rang. Connor spun around. 

One of the guys answered.
“We have. I will.” That was it.

The man slid the cell phone into the pocket of his khaki shorts and approached Connor. He marched Connor across to the bed where he pressed him into a sitting position. Connor jerked back up.

A meaty fist to the shoulder smashed him back down.

The second man clipped a heavy shackle onto one of Connor’s ankles, rattled the attached chain, checking the bolt that secured it to the floor, and stood back.

Dazed, Connor looked down at his feet. The ankle with the locked metal cuff hurt. The soles of his feet were sweating onto the layer of sand that had found its way onto the insoles of his Birkenstocks. The handcuffs rubbed on his wrists. Thirst gripped him. Connor was miserable. He sat on the bed and bowed his head.

The two men left the hut.

Connor stood and tested how far the chain would let him walk. He could get to the table and remarkably into the shower. The chain grated along the tiled floor. Connor levered off his shoes and cooled his feet on the colored tiles. He sat on the bed again and rested his hands on his knees. He might be able to reach the shower, but he couldn’t do much in there handcuffed.
Confusion fought with fear in his mind and then a huge drench of sorrow overtook both.
What the fuck is going on? I wish Brad hadn’t left me. I wouldn’t be here if

The door opened.

Connor looked up. Jay stood there carrying a tray. He stepped in and kicked the door closed behind him. He strode to the table and put down the tray.
Connor watched stunned as Jay approached with a smile.

“I’m sorry, Connor. You see, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s necessary for you to be our guest for a short time.” He stood before Connor in a pair of faded jeans, bare foot, and bare chested, his muscular torso on display.
Connor sighed inwardly. Despite his situation, he couldn’t help gazing at the delicious man.

Jay bent and unlocked the handcuffs. He slipped them into his back pocket.
“That’s not good, Connor. Have you been trying to get them off?” He took Connor’s wrists in his hands one by one, and caressed the livid bracelets left on Connor’s skin.


The effect on Connor was immediate and unwelcome. His stomach clenched as he enjoyed the stroking along the inside of his wrists. In the back of his mind, he railed against himself. Don’t enjoy his touch you fool. It brought back his voice.

Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016 Encompass Ink

Review Three Books over the Rainbow
Heart in Chains is short but sharp, it’s snappy with its angst, it’s a hot steamy read but most of all, it’s clever, very, very clever, the author nailed it!
I found a little gem that sparkles as brightly as any full length novel and I really liked it, the author, Elodie Parkes, did an amazing job.
It’s not often I rate a short story over 4*, but that inventive ending earned a 4.5* from me.  This is a first time read of a Elodie Parkes book for me, it certainly won’t be my last.  Her descriptive detailing was wonderful (I could smell the sea as I read), her sensuous love scenes were perfect for this book and I loved how she weaved the beginning and the ending together.  Highly recommended.

BUY the BOOK (available on kindleunlimited)



Monday, September 19, 2016

Someone's heart is in chains #MMromance #suspense #gayromance

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Connor looked around as he followed Jay to the bathroom. The place was simple but elegant and he saw tropical plants in huge planters dotted around as he glanced into the rooms with open doors.
Jay left him in the bathroom. He’d provided everything Connor might need. The whole experience was surreal. The humid heat had made him sweat as he walked. Connor gratefully turned on the shower faucet. He shaved and lathered citrus shampoo onto his hair. He stood in the shower with the soothing water cascading down his back, but then instead of feeling better, sadness overwhelmed him. Tears gathered in his eyes and streamed down his face silently joining the shower sprinkles. I wish this hadn’t happened. Jay will disappear from my life and I … I fucking want him … this is so bad … I’m such a fool.
He dried himself and picked up the sarong and the T-shirt from the wooden chair by the door, wishing he had his own clothes, or clean clothes. Then he sat on the chair. He sagged against the wall and thought about how to escape. Could he make a run for it out the back of this house, maybe? He stood and went to the narrow window that ran half the length of one wall high up near the ceiling. There was no obvious way of opening it. He turned away.
The bathroom door opened.
The sight of Jay made Connor’s treacherous heart leap.
“You’re ready. I should have left you clean clothes. Well, come and eat.” Jay walked enticingly close to Connor as he showed him to the dining room.
The meal was spread out on a table for two under a large whirring ceiling fan and by an open patio door.
Connor sat on one of the chairs.
Jay offered him food and tried to get him to eat, but this time Connor couldn’t eat.
With a soft sigh, Jay stood and walked to be behind Connor. He massaged Connor’s shoulders and bent to whisper in Connor’s ear. “Two more days and then you’ll be freed. You have my word. Will it help if you can stay here with me?”
The massage was unexpected, but Jay’s words sent spikes of amazement through Connor He twisted around to look into Jay’s eyes. “I don’t know if I should believe you.”

Jay left his face close to Connor’s. Silence fell and the space between them just about sparked with sexual tension. Connor moved first. The temptation to have the comfort of Jay’s mouth on his was too great to resist. He slid his hand along the shade of stubble on Jay’s jaw and nudged his nose against Jay’s. It was enough to invite a kiss.
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016 Encompass Ink
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Chains-Elodie-Parkes-ebook/dp/B01EKOTRVE         Also available on kindleunlimited
When Connor Douglas takes a tropical island holiday, he hopes to leave heartbreak behind. Little does he know the extent of the danger and sexual temptation that awaits him.
Long after Jay Levesque has closed down his operations on the very same tropical island, the memory of Connor haunts him.
Warm nights and scorching sex has someone’s heart in chains.

Erotic MM romantic suspense