A GREAT review from Serena Yates for MATES, INC.

My first review for MATES, INC. and it's a great one!

Thank you Serena! Read it HERE

NEW BOOK VIDEO and excerpt for MATES, INC

Click HERE for the book video for Mates

Read an excerpt HERE

Character interview with Logan Perry from “A Place to Belong”

 Blurb:

Logan Perry was offered a job caring for an elderly lady a thousand miles from his home in Iowa. Looking for a place to hide, it seems to be the perfect opportunity to escape. So Logan runs to Texas. All he wants is a roof over his head and food in his stomach. So moving into the amazing McFarren Manor he believes is all he needs.

Bradley McFarren is only looking for someone to care for his aging grandmother. Too busy with the family multi-billion dollar real estate firm, he just doesn't have time. With no personal life to speak of, Bradley has kept his heart safe. As long as Gail, his beloved grandmother, is cared for, he thinks it's all he needs.

But what both their hearts truly desire is a place to belong.

So begins the journey of a love that will not be denied; a love bigger than the state of Texas.

The Interview

Good morning, Mr. Perry. May I call you Logan?

Absolutely.

Thank you for talking with me this morning.

This is for an article on the McFarren’s?

Yes. Don’t worry. Mr. Bradley McFarren has given me permission to do this.

Oh. Good. Go ahead, then.

Well, first question is how had you heard about this job? I understand you are originally from Iowa?

Yes, a small town. Mr. McFarren’s business is buying and selling real estate and it just so happened that the care facility I was working in at the time was purchased by a company he owned… or something like that. Anyway, there was a rumor going around that Brad… I mean, Mr. McFarren was buying all these care facilities looking for the perfect place for his grandmother. I decided to check into it and found out that he was actually looking for a full time, live in nurse. So I applied.

Elder care is a specialty of yours?

I guess. It’s the only thing I’ve done since graduating from college. I think I’m good at it.

It’s a tough profession. A lot of high stress.

Yes. That’s true. We were trained to separate ourselves from the patient and family, to stay focused on care and care alone. I actually don’t really like that. I think it’s important to bond with your people, especially the residents. A lot of them no longer have family who even come to see them. I feel awful that someone might end up dying alone.

But in contrast to that, you decided to leave Iowa and the nursing home circuit and care for only one patient. Why is that?

I needed a change. I needed out of that small town.

I see. Why is that?

(Fidgets) Well, I’m… I just needed a change, that’s all. It was time for me to get out on my own completely.

Do you miss your family?

No.

(Raises eyebrows) Really? So you have no real contact with them?

No.

Okay, moving on. Is caring for Ms. Gail McFarren difficult?

(Smiles) No. She is the sweetest thing. I love her so much. She is a great joy to serve. Every one of the staff thinks the same way.

How many staff is there in that huge house?

Other than me there are two more full time nurses. They don’t live in the house though, just me. I am the only one who actually lives in the house. Oh, except the chef. He has a couple of rooms off the kitchen. Then there are various other house hold people who keep the house clean. There is a staff’s house that sits behind the mansion where some of them live.

A staff’s house? What’s that like?

I honestly don’t know. I have never been invited. If the staff gets together for any reason we always use the main house. I understand it’s lovely, though. Bright and airy. Quite large. Very comfortable.

So speaking of the main house. What do you think of McFarren Manor?

Oh, it’s wonderful! I have been so privileged to have been able to live there for almost three years now. I have an incredible room, although it’s quite small compared to the rest.

I understand the mansion boasts ten bedrooms, fourteen bathrooms, an office, a library, a ball room… I could go on.

(Laughs) Yes, McFarren manor is huge. There used to be a lot of parties given under that roof.

Not anymore?

Oh no. Mrs. McFarren is far too weak to be the hostess these days.

I understand she is gravely ill?

(Nods)

Can you tell me about it?

(Shakes head) I… I would rather not talk about it.

I understand. So maybe tell me about the family then.

(Shrugs) Not much to tell. No one really comes to visit. I feel badly for Mrs. McFarren that her only real visitor is her grandson, Bradley. I don’t know what’s wrong with her family. If they don’t come soon, they will miss her.

Meaning?

Gail is dying.

I’m so sorry. Are there any plans for you when Mrs. McFarren passes?

That’s another subject I would rather not talk about.

I understand. How about Bradley McFarren, then?

(Big Smile) What about him?

Well that’s a nice smile. You obviously get along with him.

Yes. Best boss I’ve ever had.

What is it you like about him?

He’s kind and attentive. (Leans in) Very handsome. (Sits back and chuckles) But truly, he tries so hard make sure Gail has everything and anything she wants. Even me. He makes sure I’m happy, too. I like him very much.

Sounds like it might be a little bit more than “like”?

Oh, completely one-sided, I assure you. But… I guess I have to be content with that. (Sighs)

Thank you, Logan. We might need to follow up with you later on and get an update?

(Smiles) Maybe.

Buy Link:

http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2259-A-Place-To-Belong.aspx

THE NEIGHBORS -A Vampire Story VIDEO

Finally got the video done!

Here it is!

However, it might be easier to see it on my channel at Youtube

here is the link

The Neighbors - A Vampire Story

COVER REVEAL! The Neighbors - A Vampire Story

The Neighbors - A Vampire Story

October 2015

Blurb:

Danny never paid attention to the dark empty house next door. He and his friends all believed it was haunted though. An old Victorian, Danny always thought it would be a great place for Vampires to live. But graduating from high school in a week or so, Danny had other things on his mind.

But then the neighbors moved in. The very hot neighbors.

They were brothers who, Danny swore, were barely older than he was. And the oldest one, Gabriel, was enough to send Danny to his knees. Literarily. Tall, dark and very handsome, Danny’s vivid imagination ran wild.

But then Danny heard noises coming from the neighbor’s house at night. Noises that sounded a lot like screams. And so what if the brothers came to Danny’s rescue one dark night. Something scared off his attackers so when the rumors started, the ones that said Gabriel and his brother Samuel were vampires, Danny was determined to find out the truth. 

Video coming soon!

A Place to Belong Tour Banner

A Place to Belong

Tour begins 9-21-2015

Here's the line up!

9/21 – World of Diversity Fiction Reviews

9/22 – Bayou Book Junkie

9/23 – Cameron James

9/24 – KathyMac Reviews

9/25 – Unrandom Randomness

9/25 – Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

I hope you stop by! I will have excerpts, character interviews, the video and a look inside the McFarren Manor.

Cover Reveal - A Place To Belong

The Awesome cover by Trace

and the promo piece

Publish date is September 20

Blurb:

Logan Perry was offered a job caring for an elderly lady a thousand miles from his home in Iowa. Looking for a place to hide, it seems to be the perfect opportunity to escape. So Logan runs to Texas. All he wants is a roof over his head and food in his stomach. So moving into the amazing McFarren Manor he believes is all he needs.

Bradley McFarren is only looking for someone to care for his aging grandmother. Too busy with the family multi-billion dollar real estate firm, he just doesn't have time. With no personal life to speak of, Bradley has kept his heart safe. As long as Gail, his beloved grandmother, is cared for, he thinks it's all he needs.

But what both their hearts truly desire is a place to belong.

So begins the journey of a love that will not be denied; a love bigger than the state of Texas.
Here's the video https://youtu.be/vsqrxmRp73c 

A Place To Belong

A Place to Belong

Coming soon to Amber Allure

Blurb:

Bradley McFarren was looking for someone to take care of Gail, his beloved aging grandmother. He doesn’t have a personal life but he doesn’t need one. As long as Gail is taken care of, it’s all he needs

Logan Perry was running from conservative Iowa. Well-versed in the nursing care of the elderly, Logan believes Mr. McFarren can find no one better for the job. As long as he is hundreds of miles from Iowa, it’s all he needs.

But that isn’t at all what either of them need. What they need, is a place to belong. 

Excerpt: 

(Unedited)

“Hello. My name is Bradley McFarren.” He had held out his perfectly manicured hand and Logan was almost afraid to touch it. But then Bradley enveloped Logan’s fingers in his own and it was almost as if he swallowed Logan in one gulp.

Logan remembered being thrilled at that thought. In fact, it had been the first time in a very long time that Logan became aroused. Going to school and then working more than full-time kept him incredibly busy and his life in a tiny conservative town had not allowed for him to do much in the way of exploring relationships of any kind.

“Hi. I’m Logan Perry,” he had breathed.

“Well, Logan Perry, please sit down.” Bradley had indicated a chair in front of a massive desk and Logan had slipped into it, perching himself on the edge, trying like everything to hide his rabid interest. “I’ve looked over your resume and I have to say, I’m intrigued. What makes a fine looking young man like you even apply for this type of a position?”

Logan had smiled like an idiot when the big beautiful man called him ‘fine looking’. But Bradley had been right in that a young man wanting to take care of his eighty-nine year old grandmother had to seem odd. Logan remembered thinking he would never even be called for an interview much less receive the job but he needed to escape his pathetic existence in Iowa. When he received the tip, through a friend, of a private nursing job all the way down in Texas, he knew he had to try for it. Room, board, a small allowance, the use of a car and hundreds of miles away from Iowa, it was the perfect opportunity for escape. Now that he was here, he was determined to at least be considered.

“I’m a well-trained RN who has enjoyed years of working in rehab centers in their transitional care and assisted living areas. I am very patient and kind and love the older generation. I trust you have checked my references. You will find I am a perfect choice for your grandmother’s companion.”

“But you’re a man. I have to admit, the only real reason I am interviewing you is because I wanted to know why a man would apply for this position. So far, all I have and all you have given me is your qualifications. Which are stellar because, in answer to your statement, of course I checked your references but none of the ones on your resume. Having money gives me the ability to take the inside track. To be frank, I was impressed by your work ethic and standards. I found nothing but glowing reports of how wonderfully you do your job. But you see, Mr. Perry, I adore my grandmother. She means the world to me and I have no intention of allowing just anyone access to her. No matter how qualified. What I want to know is your motive in wanting this job.”

“Motive, sir?”

“You’re coming all the way from Iowa. Have you no family? Friends? Why are you running, Mr. Perry?”

Logan had been shocked at first but then decided the truth in all its ugliness was best anyway. If he was going to get the job, that truth would have to be known. “I come from a very small and conservative town in Iowa. Evidently not a place for a gay man.” Logan remembered noting that the only sign of surprise was Bradley’s one eyebrow going up at the mention Logan was gay. It had given him confidence to go on with his story. “I do have family but since I came out, they no longer accept me. My dad, who’s never been a nice person anyway, disowned me. And to actually understand what that means, he came over to my apartment and beat the crap out of me. He then told me to never darken his doorstep again. Yes, he used those exact words. He no longer had a son. Apparently, he never did. I understand he even went through the house and got rid of everything that reminded him of me.”

Logan had settled back in the office chair and had clasped his hands between his knees so they wouldn’t shake. “My mom pretty much took the same route. And not because of my dad. She’s a tough woman. She disowned me all on her own. She did, however, influence my sister who won’t talk to me now either. If she does, they threatened her with the same treatment. They think I am disgusting and dirty and going to go to hell. That I am some kind of demon. My grandmother actually sent some religious fanatic to my apartment who was supposed to cure me. All he did was scare me from ever opening my door again and has as of yet to leave me alone. He’s on a mission to save me so I can’t influence other young men to become gay. And Friends? I had a few friends, but pretty much the same happened with them. They were okay with me being gay as long as I didn’t talk about it, as long as it wasn’t public knowledge. So, yeah, I guess I am running, Mr. McFarren, and maybe this isn’t the place to be either, conservative Texas, but I figured I had nothing to lose. It’s okay if you don’t hire me. I honestly didn’t expect to get the job. But just so you know, I’m not a demon. I’m a good person. I’m only looking for a place to belong.”

Logan had been thrilled because before he even made it back to his hotel room Bradley had called him to have him come back to his office. He was hired and he wanted Logan to meet his grandmother.  

This story will be a part of a PAX through Amber Allure. I don't know the publish date yet but hopefully soon! Don't run away yet!

There's a video!