Jambrea Jo Jones

MY CONTEST EXTEND. OPEN UNTIL THE END OF APRIL
63% of young people with autism have been bullied at school, according to a 2012 survey.

I want to thank RJ Scott for letting me be a part of this hop. I’m happy to help bring some awareness for autism. Being part of the hop I am offering up an ebook of your choice from one of my published titles. I will announce the winner on the 20th! All you have to do is comment on this post.

Bullying is something that can touch anyone. If you are a little bit different in school you have the potential to be bullied. Kids can be cruel and society can tie the hands of schools and the administration because it is never the kid’s fault. I hear tales of parents blaming the teachers for actions that should be taken care of at home. It’s sad and more responsibly needs to go to the kids and they need to see the consequence of their actions.

Now I’m going to talk about a book. One that just came out. It’s called Claimed.

One taste isn’t enough…

Luke Shelton was down on his luck. He’d gambled away the family money and he needed to get it back–fast. Being a vampire meal couldn’t be all that bad. Bussoe needed something to keep him tied to the world or he was going to walk into his final death. Something about Luke sparked his interest. Will the two be able to come to terms or will one of them die before the night is over?

You can see an excpert HERE

This title can be purchased at AMAZON, MLR, ARe and BN.

MY PART OF THE CONTEST WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL THE END OF APRIL
I’m pleased to say I am a part of the LGBT Event in April!

GIVEAWAY! I’m going to give away an ebook from my backlist. I’ll announce the winner April 6th. All you have to do is comment on this post by answering this question:

What is your favorite m/m book and what do you like about it?

Maybe we’ll all find some new books to read!!!

Also, below there is a form to fill out for the grand prize. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bio: Kameron and Dirk, a passionate couple in and out of the bedroom, has decided to join forces and bring their erotic imagination to life with words. Their solo stories are electric; however, the works they create together will practically sizzle off the page. Yes, they might live in a quiet suburb neighborhood, but they’re anything but tame and unadventurous. A fact you shall read and learn about soon enough.
Contact info:
Blog: http://www.dirkandkam.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/DirkandKam

Goodreads’ links:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5781386.Kameron_Brook

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5120666.Dirk_Tyler

Amazon Author Pages:

http://amazon.com/author/kameronbrook

http://www.amazon.com/Dirk-Tyler/e/B00A8IDHMC/

Kam and Dirk collaboration – “Sinfully Delicious” (M/F)

Book Summary:

Christine’s been without a man for far too long, so she lets her BFF Jasmine talk her into speed-dating. Unfortunately, far too many of her dates are romantic non-starters — in the worst way. But all it takes is one… and when the right man comes along, he’s Sinfully Delicious.

(Purchase link)

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1996

Excerpt:

Wednesday Evening

It’d been two years, six months, and fourteen days since Christine had felt the loving touch of anyone but herself — not that she was keeping track. Which was the reason she’d allowed her best gal-pal, Jasmine, to talk her into heading out tonight and giving the speed-dating scene a try… again.

“Woo hoo, Christine. Come in. Are you with me?”

Christine studied her completed look in the glass door of the Midnight Rendezvous. She held the phone tucked between her ear and shoulder while she kept tugging at the hem of her dress, which barely covered her ass cheeks. “Jasmine, I can’t believe you talked me into this get-up. I’m literally popping out all over.”

“Babe, you look hot, so quit the bitching and stop tugging on it.”

Christine’s hands stalled and dropped to her sides. “How’d you know what I was doing? Are you lurking nearby?”

Jasmine’s voice rose an octave. “Hello, best friend here. I know you, and I know you’re freaking the hell out. Do me a favor and relax, because any man would be lucky to have you. Now, hang up and get your sexy ass inside.”

Christine gave herself a final once-over and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “Thanks, Jasmine. You always know how to calm me down. Love you.”

“I love you too. Now go.”

Christine nervously inched her way over to the sign-up table, paid the twenty-dollar fee, picked up a nametag, and found an unoccupied chair. As the announcer went over all the rules of the event, she eyed the prospects and found several who looked attractive. Hope began to blossom. It seemed simple enough. Every two minutes a new man would sit down across from her and engage in a brief conversation. If she believed a connection was made, she would place his name on a card. The men would do the same, and if there was a match between cards, both parties would be notified through an email. “I can do this,” she mumbled.

The announcer rang the bell.

The first eligible bachelor, Bradley, sat down, and it was two minutes of pure awkwardness. His hands shook uncontrollably, and he wouldn’t stop apologizing. He refused to make eye contact and finally excused himself to the restroom, leaving her alone.

Christine couldn’t believe how badly the night was starting off. She tried to embrace Jasmine’s glass half full attitude and hope the next guy would at least remain seated for the entire two minutes.

Ding. A very handsome man with perfect features slid into the chair across from Christine. She noticed right off the bat he had no wrinkle lines, crow’s feet, laugh lines — nada. She found that odd until he spoke. Then it all became clear. Unlike Bradley, he didn’t say “Hi” or offer any other pleasantries. His gaze traveled from her face down to her chest, head tilting left to right, and then he spoke. “You have a beautiful face and body, from what I can see, for a woman of your age, but if you ever decide to fix your trouble spots, I’d be happy to give you a discount.”

Christine couldn’t believe her luck. She already doubted her looks, and now this man she didn’t know was judging her appearance? Great, just freaking great. If she were Jasmine, she would’ve been spewing words that would make a sailor blush; however, Christine hated public confrontations. Instead she put on a fake smile. “Don’t bother writing my name down.” Their remaining time couldn’t possibly end quickly enough for her liking.

Ding. “Thank God that’s over.” One look at the surgeon, and she realized she’d spoken aloud. She opened her mouth to apologize, but before she could get the chance, he turned and walked away.

Prospective dates three through twelve were nice enough, but she knew they’d be no more than friends, and not the kind with naughty benefits. Her shoulders slumped in depression and she wondered why she’d let Jasmine talk her into this. A dozen men had come and gone but none lit a fire in her belly. Eyes downcast, she waited to hear the sound of a chair scraping the floor.

Instead, she felt cool glass press against her palm and a warm breath against her ear. “I didn’t know what you normally drink, but I sensed you needed something strong.”

Christine looked up into the most gorgeous eyes she’d ever seen. They were almost hypnotic, and his voice was equally distracting, drawing her in. She was clueless about how long she stared at him like a lovesick puppy, but it was long enough that another bachelor took his position for the two-minute meet and greet. Spell broken, she addressed dreamy eyes first because she had to know his name. “Umm, yes, thank you, Mr…”

“You may call me Sin.” Then he stood upright and kept all his attention on her but clearly directed his words to the gentleman across the table. “If you were a smart man, you’d start the conversation by telling her how gorgeous she looks tonight. Let her know no other woman has ever looked lovelier in your eyes. That from the moment you saw her, you wanted nothing more than to feel her lips against yours, to touch her and be touched by her.”

Christine grew more aroused with each word Sin uttered. She’d come out tonight looking for a spark, and damn if she hadn’t found a five-alarm fire. Did Sin realize the effect his words were having on her?

He winked, and her silent question was answered. Damn him, he knew exactly what he was doing to her. The other bachelor cleared his throat. “Yeah, thanks for the advice, but I don’t need it. I’ve got this.”

Sin’s face tensed up. “Not yet, you don’t.”

Highly Recommended x 10!!!  Suzanne Brockmann is FULL of awesome!!!

Headed for Trouble. What Amazon has listed:

New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann, whom USA Today calls “the reigning queen of military suspense,” breaks out a rapid-fire collection of pulse-pounding, heart-tugging stories and novellas featuring the intrepid men and women of Troubleshooters Inc., fiction’s hottest ultimate counterterrorism squad.

• Tough-as-nails Troubleshooters operative Sam Starrett learns the agony of loving someone in danger—and the hell of waiting on the home front—as his wife, Alyssa, hurtles into a foreign hotspot that’s about to boil over.

• Navy SEAL Frank O’Leary’s ill-fated holiday reunion with his older brother takes a turn for the better—when a chance encounter on a rainy New Orleans street gives Frank a reason to be thankful after all.

• In a maze of tunnels deep beneath a military base in Germany, Jules Cassidy, Alyssa Locke, and their comrades in arms match wits with terrorists on a mission with explosive consequences.

Plus more never-before-released adventures featuring Jenk, Izzy, Gillman, Lopez, Kenny, Savannah, and other members of SEAL Team 16—along with Suzanne Brockmann’s exclusive interviews with her beloved characters.

Looking for the best kind of trouble? You’ve found it!

Oh. My. Goodness. So I got my hands on an advanced copy and… I loved this book. I stayed up WAY to late to finish it, but it was so worth it. Ms. Brockmann made me cry and laugh…and just feel good. Not only is Ms. Brockmann full of awesome, but so is this book! It has a couple of the shorts in it that have been on line, but it also had new material. Lots of it. And fun interviews with some characters. Jules was there! One of the shorts had me laughing when I probably shouldn’t have, but poor Sam, that’s all I’ll say. The first short I was like…I know this guy, I know him, why and then Ms. Brockmann reminded me who he was and –yeah…there was some emotion.

So many emotions and I loved every second of it. If she does a virtual signing for this one…I’m totally getting it!!!!! Heck–I’m buying it no matter what. lol That says something about the book right there.

This book is due out April 30th, but you can pre-order now.

eBook

Print

Caitlin West is a new to me author. Reactivated caught my eye. Here is the blurb:

For every rule, there’s an exception

Ardan Boyle has spent the majority of his life as a freelance assassin. Working throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East, he only accepts contracts for the most vile of criminals, for those who have made themselves ‘above the law’. His success can be measured in the reduction of criminal filth in the Old World but even this service to the world has a price: the total detachment from his humanity.

Enter Brad Myles, an aspiring actor and businessman. Their chance meeting at an airport awakens something Ardan thought long dead and even as they become acquainted, it becomes obvious that maybe there’s a cure for a lifetime of apathy. Nothing comes for free though and while Ardan may be on the road to recovery, his past is not quite so easily shed.

This is a first person book and very intriguing. Ms. West has a great voice and it pulled me into the story. I wish there was a bit more dialogue, but that is only because I’m a dialogue whore. lol LOVE the stuff. BUT–the book didn’t need it, Ardan’s voice was strong with out it.

I liked how he and Brad met and how they clicked and how it made Ardan really think about his options.

I’m REALLY happy that this is just book one because the ending was kind of left open for me so I’ll be anxious to see what Ms. West next book in the Killer Contingency series is like.  My way of saying–I wish there was more to this  story because the Epilogue was the next scene in the book and it came up fast – for me! lol I don’t want to say anything more because it might ruin stuff and I don’t want to spoil it.

The book is good and I’d recommend it.

BUY HERE

So–I found the wonderful world of NetGalley. It’s a site where you can get books as long as you review them. Well, I happen to like comics and graphic novels. I REALLY love gay erotic in both forms. lol Imagine my surprise when I found that NetGalley HAD comics and graphic novels. I stumbled across Husbands and HAD to have it. I mean… Jane Espenson was involved. Think…BUFFY! So I got it and it was sent to me. I ATE it UP. SO totally awesome. You can Pre-Order it at AMAZON. It comes out April 9th so only a bit of a wait. I totally plan on ordering it. I want to have the actual book too. Yes, it was that awesome.

Here is the description off of Amazon:

Written by Husbands creators Jane Espenson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Brad Bell, this is the comic-book continuation of the sitcom phenom. Husbands tells the story of famous gay newlyweds Brady and Cheeks, who sparked a media firestorm when they woke up legally wed after a drunken Vegas weekend. Now, a mystical wedding gift launches the couple on a series of adventures-a tongue-in-cheek journey through iconic genre realms-filled with obstacles that threaten to tear them apart. Follow Brady and Cheeks into a superhero showdown, a fairytale fantasy, a Holmesian mystery, an epic galactic battle, a madcap high school romp, and a saucy secret-spy thrill ride. Includes bonus “making of” material and a special introduction.

AND…that’s not all! OMG! I found out it is an ACTUAL series. On YouTube. There are 11 episodes in Season 1, but they are kind of short. Season 2 only had 3 episodes and I SO want more. I love everything about this series. Both the YouTube AND the comic!! LOVE. Did I say…LOVE?

Start of Season 1:

Start of Season 2:

Scroll down to the end…and you’ll see MY NAME! [insert really loud squee here]

USA Today Happily Ever After Article

They don’t show the cover on the article, but…my name, it’s totally there. lol It was for Fairy Gay Father.

Although this book can be read on its own, we recommend reading Steamy Reunion first.

Ryan Keats is tired of his escort ways. No new tricks and the same old partying friends just aren’t cutting it anymore. A chance encounter with a random stranger has him pissed off and intrigued at the same time. Cordell Winston is hot, hard and bossy. Cord could be the man to get Ryan out of his funk, or the big oaf could be just another notch on his bedpost.

You can find an excerpt at Ellora’s Cave.

It’s also for sale at Amazon, ARe and BN.

Fix You is OUT TODAY! This is the first book in Mari Carr’s new Second Chances series.

What if love can’t heal all wounds?

Second Chances, Book 1

After too many years of secretly loving her best friend, Zoey realizes she’s been shortchanging herself. It’s time to take action. This New Year’s Eve heralds the year she’s going to tell Rob the truth. Even if he is on the road, reaching for musical stardom with his band.

Her plan is derailed when she discovers a lump in her breast—and it’s not “nothing to worry about”. How can she ask Rob to take a chance on love when her future is so uncertain?

Rob has spent his entire life chasing his dream, but the moment he hears Zoey’s voice on the phone, he realizes he’s been running the wrong race. Zoey never sounds like she’s been crying. Ever. Without a second thought, he books a flight for home, determined to give her everything she needs. A shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold…and nights of intensely emotional, passionate sex.

His biggest challenge, though, is convincing his best friend that he’s in it for the long haul. Because he finally knows what he wants, and it’s not fame and fortune. It’s her—and her love.

Warning: This book runs the emotional gamut between scorching-hot passion and the pain and fear associated with cancer. Keep a box of tissues next to your glass of ice water.

Excerpt:

Rob stared down at Zoey’s face as she slept. Her eyes were still puffy from last night’s tears. Neither of them had moved from the couch. Instead, he’d lain down next to her and held her as she silently wept. Pinpricks attacked the arm he’d wrapped around her, his hand numb from lying in the same position for so long. He didn’t bother to move. It felt too good holding her like this.

Some truths were crashing down on him. He’d been an ass, living his life like he had all the time in the world. Their time on this planet was far from infinite, and yet he’d squandered years of it, working on his career, focusing solely on making it big.

For what? Fame? Money? Why the hell did he need that shit?

He’d always taken it for granted that Zoey would be here for him. How the fuck was he supposed to go on without her? The moment she’d told him about the cancer, the light had gone on.

I’m in love with her. Christ. I’ve been in love with her since the first day I laid eyes on her.

Zoey stirred. Rob’s heart began to race as her eyes opened slowly. He wasn’t wasting a second more. He couldn’t. He just couldn’t.

She was disoriented for a moment before she lifted her gaze and smiled.

With his free hand, he stroked her face softly. “Zoey.” Her name fell from his lips on a hushed whisper, his chest constricting under the weight of every emotion under the sun—love, fear, happiness, panic, a raging case of nervousness.

What if she didn’t feel the same way?

“Yeah?”

He took a deep breath. Fear wasn’t going to hold him back another second longer. “I’m going to break my promise.”

“What promise?”

He didn’t respond. Instead, he bent his head and kissed her. Time froze as their lips met. Rob was transported back to that day in the park, to the truth that should have been obvious all those years ago. He’d been a blind, inexperienced boy back then, but now…his eyes were wide open.

It was her. Zoey. For him, it had always been her.

The kiss was a gentle touch at first, but when Zoey’s lips softened and accepted his, he deepened it. Her small hand cupped his cheek, exploring his face hesitantly before growing bolder, stroking it.

The smell of cinnamon enveloped them, her candle still burning from the night before. He knew in his heart that from now on, that scent would always make him think of her. Of this moment.

His heart lodged in his throat when he realized the magnitude of what was happening, of what he wanted to happen next. He was kissing his best friend. And she was kissing him back.

Encouraged, he opened his mouth, stroking his tongue against hers. The kiss grew harder, hungrier. For several minutes—hell, it could have been hours for all Rob knew—they simply kissed, learning each other’s taste, texture. Her skin was soft beneath his fingers as he caressed her delicate cheek. Her breathing grew heavier, the heat of it warm against his skin.

When he finally moved away, she was there, looking at him, studying his face. Hers was the picture of confusion, wariness…and desire. He latched onto the last like a dying man clinging to life. She wanted him.

“Still weird?” He needed the joke, needed to get his bearings. His emotions were too raw, too new, too close to the surface.

She shook her head slowly. “No. Not even close.”

“Good. I’ve been practicing.”

She laughed uneasily. “You’re insane. What the hell prompted that?”

He knew her. Knew she’d try to twist this into something innocent, funny. He wouldn’t let her. He ran his hand through her dark hair, overwhelmed by the need to touch her. “Just figured it was past time. You mind if we talk about this after?”

“After what?”

He let his body answer the question. Turning so they lay face to face on the couch, he placed his lips back on hers. He didn’t want to push her. After all, she’d just received life-altering, horrible news. He’d keep things easy, let her set the pace.

She didn’t resist his kisses. Her hand traveled along his shoulders and down his arm before landing on his chest. Her lips pressed against his harder. Then she moved away, an infinitesimal distance.

“Touch me,” she whispered, her hand fisting in the cotton of his shirt.

He didn’t need to be told twice. His hands roamed along her sides, drifted beneath her T-shirt.

She shivered when he caressed the bare skin of her waist. He stoked her arousal, kissing her harder as he explored every bit of bare flesh he could reach beneath her shirt. He forced air into his lungs, fought to keep his hands steady as he touched her.

The slight tremor in his hands seemed to distract her. She was the first to pull back. “Robbie, are you sure—?”

“After,” he repeated. He gripped her hip, dragging her closer. There was no way she could misconstrue how far he’d go if she was willing. His cock was hard, ready.

She bit her lip and he could sense she was struggling to make a decision. He wouldn’t force her into anything she wasn’t ready for. Hell, he’d be perfectly content to spend the next dozen years or so simply kissing her. Making up for so many wasted years. “Zoey—”

She shook her head and closed her eyes, but not before he read the hungry need there. Then she lifted one leg and wrapped it around his thigh. She thrust closer. It was an outright invitation. “After,” she whispered, her voice steadier than he expected.

Fix You is available at Samhain, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

This story…this story I was a bit worried about. It was my first menage. (m/m/f because–yes, my guys have to touch) AND…it had some horror elements, but it is also one of my favorites because it combines three things I enjoy. Romance, Sci-Fi and Horror.

BLURB:

Book two in the Alliance Series

Salvation: Can three people save each other?

Rock is a gun runner who was set in life. The only thing missing is a partner. He thinks it could be Sela, but he wants to be sure he isn’t after her because she reminds him of an old crush. When Dr. Alexander d’Ado explodes onto the scene, he is a goner. Can he have his cake and eat it too?

Zander is a scientist who lives for his work. He is usually oblivious to anything else. When his ship explodes around him can he find salvation in two roughened warriors? He has no idea why someone would be after him, but the three race to find out before someone kills him.

Will the trio find love while on the run?

Reader Advisory: This story contains m/m intimacy as part of a polyamorous relationship, non-consensual sex, sexual assault and graphic violence.

Chapter One

“What the fuck?” Rock stumbled as the ship shuddered. He looked up as Sela ran onto the bridge. “Hold on to something. A ship just exploded in our path.” He focussed on steering the Salvation out of the flames but something caught his eye. “Se, there’s an emergency pod! See if you can find their frequency and hail them,” Rock said over his shoulder, fully expecting her to jump to it. She was efficient that way. He scanned the area to see if there were any other emergency crafts, but didn’t see any other pods in the aftermath of the explosion.

“I’m supposed to be on vacation. I didn’t sign up for this,” Se grumbled.

“You didn’t have to come, you know.” It came out more harshly than he’d intended, but they were in crisis mode right now.

“Rave wouldn’t have forgiven me if I’d let you go on a gun run on your own,” she said clearly, then he thought he heard her mumble, “Stupid libido.”

“I’ve been doing this solo for a while. I don’t need my hand held by Rave and your cousin. Or you for that matter. Shit. Someone’s shooting at the pod. You get a frequency yet?” Rock threw back at her.

“I’m going as fast as I can.”

“Go faster,” he snapped. He wasn’t irritated with her but he needed to get to the pilot of that pod. He’d apologise later. Maybe.

“Damn it, Rock. If you don’t like my speed, do it yourself.”

“Stop arguing with me. I’d like to find out why my gun sale went south.” He didn’t understand her need to fight him at every turn. Most days it was a turn-on, but this wasn’t the time or the place for his cock to take charge.

“What are you talking about?” Se sounded peevish.

“That ship was my contact. Maybe whoever escaped in the pod has the answers I need.”

“Put more pressure on me, why don’t you?” Se said under her breath.

“Se!” He was about to lose what little sanity he had left. Didn’t she know that?

“It isn’t the fate of the world. It’s one gun sale.” Se sighed, pushing her hair out of her face.

“Those guns were going to a planet being overrun with marauders. The inhabitants need to protect themselves or they’ll be enslaved. So, yeah, the fate of someone’s world could be at stake. We need that pod.” They were going to have to do something about the sexual tension between them soon because he couldn’t take the fighting anymore. He’d rather be fucking. And now wasn’t the time. Damn.

“Stop it with the bleeding heart stuff. I’ve got them,” Se mumbled almost to herself.

“I’m the bleeding heart?” That made him smile. He’d never been known for his sympathy. Not that he wasn’t sympathetic, but money was a bigger motivator.

Se laughed. “Just talk to the pod. You’re keyed in.”

And just like that, his sanity was back. They really did work well together.

“Emergency pod, this is the captain of the Salvation. Do you need assistance?”

There was no response. Fuck. That couldn’t be good.

“Are you sure this is right?” He looked over at Se.

“Yes. They probably don’t know if we are friend or foe. They did just come off an exploding ship and who knows who’s there or what shape they’re in.” Se shrugged.

“This is the captain of the Salvation. We will shelter you. Please acknowledge,” Rock tried again, realising that Se was correct—anyone could be in there and only a handful of people had known he was meeting up with the ship.

“How do you use this thing? Hello? Hello?” A masculine voice floated over the airwaves.

Rock bit back a shout of relief. “I hear you. Do you need us to bring you in?”

On screen, another shot hit the pod. Rock couldn’t look away—it was like a bad vid streaming in 3D, and he had front row seats.

“Rock, you need to get that ship in here or it’s going to fall apart.” Se’s worry coloured her voice.

“Emergency pod, we’ve got a lock on you. Don’t touch anything. We’re bringing you in.” Rock manipulated the controls and the pod slowly inched its way towards the Salvation.

Come on, come on.

It was taking forever. Or seemed to be. He needed to upgrade his fucking equipment.

Finally! Rock had the pod in his ship and not a moment too soon. If he’d waited another second the pod would have been gone—along with his answers. Who had escaped and what the hell was going on?

“I’m going to meet the pod. Get us the hell out of here.” He left the ship in Se’s capable hands and made his way to the loading dock. The ship lurched, and he stumbled but caught himself.

“Damn it, Se. Take it easy,” he yelled towards the bridge.

“Bite me,” she yelled back.

In her dreams. In his too, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. At least not yet. But soon, damn it. He was tired of jacking off when he had a perfectly lovely companion travelling with him.

The bay doors opened and Rock halted at the sight before him. The man who’d emerged from the pod stole his breath. The guy was taller than Rock and slim, with rusty red hair and bright blue eyes. Rock’s type times ten.

“Are you my saviour? You don’t have a gun hidden anywhere do you? I think I’ve had about enough of that for today, if you please.” The man clutched the frame of the pod, holding so tightly his knuckles were white. Rock noticed. He took in every detail of the striking man.

Even his voice was sexy. His cock liked it, that was for sure.

Se called over the com, “Rock, hold on tight. We have a tail. I need to warp it.”

Se’s voice right after the stranger’s did something to Rock’s body that was unexpected, in the form of an instant hard-on. He’d thought he was hard before? So not what he needed right now.

“You might want to walk this way before we hit warp, and grab one of these bars.” Rock motioned for the man to join him, hoping he didn’t see the tent in his pants. No need to scare the man—yet.

“Yes, about that…I don’t think—” The redhead crumpled to the floor.

“Shit.” Rock raced to the downed man. He knelt over him and gazed at the gorgeous form. What the hell have I got myself into this time?

Rock pulled the slim body close to protect the stranger from the jolt of the jump. No sense in hurting the man more than he appeared to be already. Rock hoped it was mostly adrenaline that had made him pass out. Bracing himself against the floor, he prepared for the ship to shoot to its new destination.

“Did I die?”

The bluest eyes he had ever seen gazed into his. The red lashes fluttered with each blink. Rock cleared his throat and adjusted his position so the guy couldn’t feel his erection—it wasn’t going away any time soon.

Traitor. His stupid cock needed to make up its mind. He wanted Se and he wasn’t sure she’d be on board with adding another guy to the mix. What was wrong with him? Fuck. He hadn’t even approached the woman yet.

“No. You’re not dead. You’re aboard the Salvation. We pulled up as your ship exploded. I’m Rockwell Loy. The captain. Are you hurt anywhere?” He had to make sure the guy wasn’t injured somewhere he couldn’t see, and getting his hands on that trim body would be a plus in his book.

The ship levelled out and Rock got up, giving the other man his hand to help him off the floor.

“No. No. I’m fine. I got away in time. I’m Zander—Dr Alexander d’Ado. Maybe I should sit back—”

“Let’s get you to sick bay. Do a scan.” Zander’s face had gone white. That couldn’t be good.

Before Rock finished his sentence, Zander had passed out again. Rock swept the smaller man up in his arms and headed out of the docking bay. The solid body was warm in his arms and somehow…right.

“Se, what’s our status?” he shouted towards the helm, not taking time for a com unit.

Focus on the job at hand, asshole. Weren’t you just lamenting the fact that you wouldn’t mess with Se? Now you want some stranger. I need to get laid.

God he was fucked up.

“All clear, Rock,” Se yelled back.

“Could you meet me in sick bay?”

“What’s wrong?”

Couldn’t the woman ever do anything without all the questions? “Just—” he counted to five “—get down here.”

“Aye aye, sir. Whatever you say, sir.”

“Smartass,” he muttered under his breath.

They reached sick bay in no time at all. He lowered Zander onto the cot, glad to get away from the guy. Zander had felt too right in his arms, and smelt of cloves and something Rock couldn’t name, but which overwhelmed his senses.

“Whoa. Who is that?” Se entered the room, her gaze wandering over Zander’s body.

Rock looked away to take a moment to settle himself. He didn’t know why, but Se checking out Zander had his libido on high alert. Damn it. Se was too important for him to be lusting after someone else. And now this, wanting them both. Yep. He was well and truly fucked up.

“This is the guy from the escape pod. We need to do a scan. He passed out, twice. Where did you take us? Did you lose our tail?” he shot the questions out in rapid-fire succession to distract himself from his lust.

Se grabbed the hand scanner. “I did a warp and vector scan. No one else is out here. We don’t want to stay for too long though, to be safe. Might want to do another warp so they can’t catch up if they did a trace on our signature.”

“What happened?” a confused voice said from the med cot.

Se and Rock both turned to look at the refugee.

“Don’t move, Zander. I don’t want you to pass out again and we need to do a scan. How do you feel?” Rock kept his voice calm in case Zander didn’t remember meeting him.

“Like I’ve been ploughed into by a space cruiser. My head is aching.” Zander cradled his head in his hands as he tried to sit up.

“Did you hit it on anything?” Se approached Zander with the device.

“I don’t believe so, but it all happened so quickly. One minute I was on the ship with my equipment and the next, I heard a call for everyone to abandon ship. I didn’t even look back. I don’t have much experience piloting the pods, but it had an auto function. But then there were shots. After that, you pulled me in.” Zander pointed at Rock. “You aren’t involved are you? Should I worry about another attack? Well, you wouldn’t rightly tell me if you were the bad guy would you? Ouch!”

“Well—Zander is it? You hit your head on something. The scan is picking up a concussion. If you take it easy, you’ll be fine. And no, we aren’t the bad guys.”

“And just who are you, if you don’t mind my asking?” Zander still sounded sceptical.

“I’m Sela Sims. Helping out with co-piloting.” She gave a two-finger salute.

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This story has a special place in my heart. I’m not sure how many of you knew Patric Michael, but he was just a pretty great guy. He passed away this year. Stupid cancer. *sigh* Well–one day we were on a yahoo group. I think it was Ethan Day’s, and we were talking about dream guys and such. There was a photo posted and Partic liked him. lol I asked what his name should be and he told me Gabriel. I said–okay then, I’m writing you a Happily Ever After with Gabriel. And that is how Wishing Star came about. Funny thing? Patric had a thing about Blue Stars. There is actually a book out called Wishing on a Blue Star where people dedicated stories and anecdotes about Patric alongside his blog post about what he was going though. (You can get the eBook free HERE . You should have tissues ready. OMG.) I also commissioned some art work of Patric and Gabriel and sent Patric a big poster. I have one on my wall too. I’m sharing. It’s just too beautiful not to.

Dedication

And…here is Wishing Star.

Wishing on a Star might just bring you love.

Patric Mitchell wanted true love.

On Christmas Eve he wished on a star to find that special someone. If that someone happened to be his neighbour, Gabriel Vega he’d be even happier.

When his wish might come true will he take the chance at happiness?

Chapter One

Patric Mitchell drove into the night, down a winding dirt road. He slammed on the brakes when a stop sign appeared out of nowhere. Looking around the deserted area, he saw nothing but inky blackness.

“Who the hell put a stop sign here?”

The sound of his frustrated voice reverberated inside the car. He sighed and put his forehead on the steering wheel. It so wasn’t his night. Hell, it wasn’t his year. Good thing it was almost over.

Where was he going? He wished he knew. The only thought running through his head when he’d started this journey was to get away from his brothers and sisters. He hated the holidays with a fiery passion. He should have skipped out again this year and stayed home with a cold beer in front of the television, but his parents were getting up there in age and he wanted to spend as much time with them as he could before he couldn’t anymore. He had too many friends who had lost their parents recently and it had been a real eye opener for him. Not that anything was wrong with his parents, but he still worried.

Leave it to Pauly to fuck things up with his constant pestering. Just once couldn’t his brother leave his sex life out of the conversation? He didn’t flaunt the fact that he liked men—at least not to his family. They accepted him as he was, but it was something they didn’t talk about, at least he didn’t. Well unless his dick-head brother brought it up. The ass.

The car sputtered under him then stopped.

“Shit, god damn, fuck! Why me?” He hit the dashboard with his fist then turned the key willing the car to start again—to no avail. Just what he needed to make the night even better. Luck wasn’t on his side tonight.

At least he had his cell phone. A light at the end of the dark tunnel the night had turned into. He dug into his pocket. Good thing he’d charged it last night. He wondered how far he’d travelled and hoped help wouldn’t be too far away. Patric had been too distracted. Not paying attention to the roads. Not a good thing out in the middle of nowhere. He loved his parents’ place, but tonight he wished they lived in the city near a bus line or a place to catch a damn cab. A tow truck would probably take forever and he didn’t relish a long walk in the cold night.

He raised his head off the steering wheel when he finally found the phone. Patric flipped it open and pushed the on button. No bars. Damn it.

Patric threw the phone on the seat next to him and unbuckled himself. He slammed the door shut behind him with enough force to shake the vehicle. It felt good to release some of that anger because now he was pissed off even more. What was he going to do? He was miles from anywhere. No one knew where he had gone and it was ten below zero and dropping. It was all his own fucking fault. Him and his stupid tantrum. He wasn’t a teenager anymore. He’d do well to remember that. The only thing he could do now was count his blessings that the snow held off. He leaned against his car and contemplated walking back to his parents’. It didn’t sound any better now than it had two minutes ago. Patric pulled his coat around him and looked up into the sky.

“So beautiful,” he whispered in awe. It amazed him how lovely the sky could look on such a shitty night. No, that wasn’t it, it was amazing that he could find beauty when he was having such a bad night, but it took his breath away.

The stars weren’t this bright in the city. Hell, half the time you couldn’t see them for all the smog. Tonight they twinkled and seemed to wink at him. A momentary distraction from the fucked up situation. Maybe he had some paper and a pencil in the car. Patric thought a nice pencil sketch to while away the time until he figured out what to do seem like a good plan. It might distract him enough to come up with a solution. Nothing else was going his way tonight, maybe this would. The cold was forgotten the moment he opened the door and rummaged around until he found one of his art books and a pencil.

He loved having a moment to work. Hell, he’d take any second he could. Not that he didn’t love teaching and showing others what a wonder art was, but there was something about drawing that calmed him and made him feel at peace. He loved to paint as well, but something about the simplistic act of taking a pencil to paper fed his soul. Patric rummaged around some more.

“Oh! A blanket. Perfect.” Patric grabbed that too. He left the car before he remembered his hazard lights. He leant back in to turn them on just in case and moved to the front of the car. He looked around to make sure he was still alone. The night only held the sound of the wind whipping through the trees. Satisfied that he would be safe enough he put the blanket on the ground so he could sit down. Patric leaned against the bumper and settled into a comfortable position. He looked up again.

“Hey, a shooting star!” He had no idea why he continued to talk out loud; maybe he wasn’t comfortable with the silence. He decided to make a wish. “I wish I could find my special someone. And if he happens to look like Gabriel I would be happy. Hell, I’d be happier if it was Gabriel.”

Patric may have started the drive lying to himself, but now that he was alone he let the truth out. He didn’t hold it against Pauly for being an ass—not really. His own loneliness caused him to bolt. Pauly just brought out the insecurities he had. Whenever his brother brought up his nonexistent sex life a part of his heart broke. He needed to stop the sap. Sure he was a romantic, but wallowing in not having a boyfriend wasn’t really like him. Maybe it was the holidays.

The man across the street was forefront in his mind after his wish. Anytime he thought of the perfect man, Gabriel’s face would appear. He really should introduce himself. A quick wave when they saw each other outside wasn’t enough. He didn’t really know the guy and he knew you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but man Gabriel had a nice—cover. He had wonderful illusions of the two of them together. He could close his eyes and imagine the tall, dark man sitting at the table with his family for the holiday. It made his heart feel…light.

His crush; okay his obsession, with the man who lived across the street really needed to stop. If he had the balls he’d talk to him, find out who he really was, but he didn’t. He hated that about himself. Being shy, not being able to take what he wanted. Pauly never had those issues. He didn’t like it when he wished he was more like his brother. Another reason for the mad dash away from the family.

Maybe he’d go out after the holidays. He wouldn’t find someone to be with if he didn’t go looking. And sitting on the couch with binoculars waiting for Gabriel to take the trash out didn’t count.

“Okay, enough wishing. It will never happen. Hell, he probably isn’t even gay.” Patric went back to drawing. He put his feelings into his picture—drawing from the sadness and pain. It helped the picture look sad and lonely. It was the deserted road with the lone stop sign swallowed into the dark abyss of the night.

Wait, swallowed? Patric shook his head. What was happening? The world seemed to be collapsing in on itself. He crab-crawled his way around to the car door trying to get to his feet using the handle to pull himself up, but he wasn’t fast enough.

Shit, what a way to go. His world turned black.

* * * *

“Hey, hombre. Wake up.”

“Who—what?” Patric was confused. Why was he wet?

“Aren’t you the guy who lives across the street? Um, Patric, no? Why are you sleeping out here in the snow? On Christmas Eve?”

Out in the snow? The last thing he remembered was staring up into the night and something had happened. He knew it was important—if he could just recall what it was. And why was it so dark? Weren’t the stars out earlier?

Shit, your eyes are shut, stupid.

He opened them to find the pair of brown eyes he’d been dreaming about for months staring down at him. How did Gabriel get into the woods?

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I live here.” The man pointed his thumb behind him.

Patric looked in that direction to see Gabriel’s house. He didn’t understand. He must have looked confused because Gabriel looked worried.

“Estas bien? You okay?” Gabriel put his hand out to help him up. “I’m Gabriel Vega. I don’t think we’ve officially met. A wave across the way doesn’t really count.”

“I-I know who you are. I’m Patric Mitchell.” Patric let Gabriel help him up. “How long have I been here?”

“I’m not sure. I looked out the window just a bit ago and saw your car, but you don’t usually park here. Then I happened to notice you sitting there. What were you doing?”

How could he explain that he was up in the woods sketching? Damn, the man’s voice with that accent was so sexy, and the way he slipped back and forth between the two languages made Patric’s cock stir. Stop thinking about it before your dick gives you away. Think, man.

How long was he sketching anyway? Patric looked at his watch. Ten minutes. It had only been ten minutes ago. How was that possible? The vortex thing. Or whatever it was. That had to be it, but how? He shook his head. Nothing made sense.

“I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you. Do you see a sketch book around here?” Patric was starting to get cold and the wet from the snow didn’t help. Maybe a stiff drink would warm him up. Shit, he should probably call his family or maybe the loony bin. He looked over to see Gabriel bent over the front fender of his car. Patric swallowed and bit his lip. Damn, everything about Gabriel was perfect. His jeans stretched tight across his ass and Patric wanted a bite. His wayward thoughts could get him in trouble if he wasn’t careful.

“Aquí esta tu libro. Um, your book. Sorry about all the Spanish. I just got off the phone with my mother and I’m still in that mindset. I know not—” Gabriel held the book up, rose from his position, looked down at the open page and stopped talking. Patric reached a hand out to stop the man, but he didn’t get to him in time.

Gabriel jerked his head up and looked at Patric. Shit, he needed to get the book back before Gabriel saw the other drawings. He really didn’t want to know what picture Gabriel had seen. He just hoped it wasn’t the one where Patric imagined Gabriel naked.

He made as if to grab for it, but Gabriel pulled it back and looked back down at his drawings. Patric slipped on a patch of ice and fell on his ass, his head bounced against the pavement. Fuck, it wasn’t his night. Had he broken a mirror lately or maybe crossed the path of a black cat? There had to be some explanation for his bad luck. He didn’t want to think how bad this must look to Gabriel. He had to be giving the man a bad impression. Patric lay there, the cold seeping through his clothes. He shivered, but kept his eyes closed. When he opened them, maybe he would be back in the woods and this horrible nightmare would be over. Hey, a guy could hope.

“Mierda!”

Nope, not a dream. He released a breath and opened his eyes. Gabriel hovered over him once more and that was a sight he could get used to. Maybe with fewer clothes. Yep, there went his pervy mind again. He couldn’t seem to help himself. He was a klutzy horn dog. No ifs ands or buts about it. Damn his luck. He felt his chances with Gabriel slowly slip away. If the man was gay there was no way he would entertain the thought of being with Patric.

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