Love Lane Books - Test Site: The 11/11 Sale

The 11/11 Sale - Focus on Lillian Francis

Missing England – a Theory Unproven extra

Eric carefully slit the brown tape on the parcel that Tyaan had delivered earlier. He pulled back the flaps slowly, savouring the reveal of what his gran had sent him over from England this month. While he never asked for anything outright she had the knack of gleaning from his letters what he was missing the most and sending that over in her monthly parcel. Of course, she was the thing he missed the most but it was unlikely that she would ever jump out of the box herself—figuratively rather than literally, at 5 foot nothing his gran was small but not that small—since she was petrified of flying.

His fingers closed around a familiar shaped jar and he tugged it from the box. Marmite. Amazing. He’d been craving the savoury, salty spread for weeks now. He couldn’t say why? That and Star Bars. Maybe with a couple of months in the bushveld under his belt he was missing home, just a little bit. Fish and Chips. Ant and Dec on the telly. Slipping his boots on without having to check for venomous creatures first. Porn at the click of a mouse. Mrs Harris’ scones. His gran’s neighbour made the best scones.

The rain. Eric couldn’t believe he was saying this but he missed the sudden downpour that could blight even the sunniest summer’s day back in London. The days when rain fell in sheets, dripping off your hair and down your collar. When hay and muck was heavy with the added weight of the water, and dampness mingled with the smell of elephant and rhino, monkeys and zebra, goats and pot bellied pigs as he made his way around the zoo.

No one would ever believe he missed the rain.

They would have rain later in the year, Tyaan had reassured him, when Eric had mentioned the dust and his concerns about the watering hole drying up.

Summer—and didn’t Eric struggle to get his head around the fact that Tyaan was talking October through to March rather than a couple of weeks in late July, early August—would bring even hotter temperatures than Eric had experienced so far, coupled with an increase in humidity. And thunderstorms. By December the bushveld would be more green than brown and flowers would spring up under foot like a carpet. And apparently if he thought the bushveld was noisy now it was nothing compared to the sounds of nature at its most vibrant, with newborn impala and wildebeest and the influx of migrating birds. Rain almost every afternoon, torrential storms with fantastic lightning displays—fantastic if you weren’t out trying to fix a fence in it or fly a plane—and flash floods as rivers burst their banks.

Maybe he should look into stockpiling sand bags and check the maps of the preserve for dried up river banks. Maybe Tyaan could help him; after all a local’s knowledge wouldn’t hurt. Maybe by January he would be cursing the rain once again.

Eric placed the Marmite on the table in front of him and reached back into the box. A couple of packets of Golden Wonder Cheese and Onion crisps, the DVD of Mama Mia, and a piece of paper. His gran always wrote a letter but that was in an envelope waiting to be opened at Eric’s leisure. Maybe she had thought of something after she’d sealed the envelope. Eric glanced at the note and grinned as he read the first line.

Mrs Harris’ scone recipe.

Now, if he only knew someone that could bake.

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All books in the 11/11 $2.99 sale

The Summer House by RJ Scott
Heat by Chris Quinton & RJ Scott
Alter Ego by Meredith Russell
The Bucket List by RJ Scott
Last First Kiss by Diane Adams
Dead Things by Meredith Russell
The Last Wolf by Sue Brown
And Then That Happened by Liam Livings
Theory Unproven by Lillian Francis
One Night by RJ Scott
The Art of Words by RJ Scott & Meredith Russell

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Alter Ego Dead Things Meredith Russell The 11/11 Sale

The 11/11 Sale - Focus on Meredith Russell

Summer in Knowles Brook.

Today I’m here to talk a bit about summer in Knowles Brook, the village setting for my series of books, including Alter Ego, or rather I’m going to share my summertime memories of the real village Knowles Brook was inspired by and take you on a little tour.

Knowles Brook is based on a pretty little village in Staffordshire. I spent a lot of time there as a kid as it was where my maternal grandmother lived. She had this huge house, a bungalow that they had added a second floor to. In fact, the road my nan lived on was called Knowles Hill, which is where the name of my series came from. Out the back of her house she had kind of three gardens, not huge but partitioned, the first garden with Buddleias, attracting butterflies to catch, the second with borders full of roses and a pond where we’d hunt for frogs and newts, and the end garden edged by damson and apple trees, with a couple of swings and lots of places to hide and play make believe with my brother and our toys. It was really beautiful and I remember spending days after school there, weekends and in holiday time.

The village is just as pretty as I remember, and I still go for walks with my husband or my mum in the summer and nice weather. There are a few places in particular we liked to spend our time, some of these places appear in Alter Ego and will do throughout the books. There are some gorgeous woods, a little overgrown these days, but there’s lots of wild flowers and an island in a large pond where swans nest. There are a number of bridges and waterfalls, an area at the outer edge where we used to fish with nets for sticklebacks, and a tree stump I can still find to this day, though it seems a lot smaller than I remember, where my brother and I would take it in turns to sing ‘I’m the king of the castle’ and jump down off it.

Continuing further into the centre of the village, we follow the brook, which runs alongside the main street. Many a sunny day has been spent hanging over the white railings watching the fish and feeding the ducks, and wowing at the houses on the other side of the brook with their pretty gardens full of blooms and their cute bridges for crossing the water.

If we stay with the brook, we end up at a hotel that looks suspiciously like that my character James Hall and his parents run. It has always been one of my favourite buildings, all covered in ivy with its backdrop of trees and the brook. Here the brook makes a sharp turn and disappears through overgrown fields. But at this point is another summer hangout of fishing, wading in the water in our wellies, and lazing on the bank in the sunshine. I miss those kind of things from my childhood but I have it on a promise that my mum and I will be introducing my nieces to the joys of sunny adventures, catching fish and naming wild flowers at that same brook.

Heading back along the brook, we can end the perfect day with a stop at the Spread Eagle pub. This was one place that kept its name in the books. I just love the name and it makes me smile. The pub sits beside the brook, willow trees hanging down and hiding it from the road. On a sunny day it’s great to sit out in the beer garden with a nice cold drink, relax, grab something to eat. I find it quite an escape away from the more busy and full feeling of the town I live with traffic and people. The village is so peaceful, even though children might be on their school holidays. I think it’s perfect, and though it can be sad thinking about the people who used to be there with us, it’s a special place we still enjoy spending time, and hopefully, as my mum is planning, a place to share with the next generation.

Do you have any places that hold a special place in your heart, good memories, and you love to visit again and again?

The Sale Books - Dead Things & Alter Ego

ALTER EGO

For all buy links, reviews and excerpts Alter Ego

Jay James is the confident, outgoing, flirtatious, lead guitarist of a 70s tribute band. But appearances can be deceiving. Jay James isn’t real. ‘Jay’ was born out of necessity and a way for James Hall to deal with life at home after coming out. James is shy and awkward, and can’t escape the shadow of his strained relationship with his mother. As ‘Jay’, James feels indestructible, like nothing can touch him, and he can have any man he wants. But is that really enough?

When ‘Jay’ meets Danny, he views him as just another potential conquest. Danny, however, has other ideas. The barman has no intention of being just another one night stand and leaves James surprised when he rebuffs his advances.

Danny Ashton is stuck, or at least that’s how he feels sometimes. Five years ago, he dropped out of university to look after his sick mother. He was never prepared for the hand he was dealt—a house to run, bills to pay, and a teenage brother to support. Wanting more than part time bar work, Danny applies for a job at the family run hotel in the village. When he’s called for an interview, he isn’t expecting to see James there but the chance encounter gives him the unexpected opportunity to get to know the real James.

Together, Danny and James realise ignoring their problems will solve nothing, and if they are to stand any chance of happiness and living as the men they want to be, then they need to move forward. Can the two men face their demons? Or will they end up pushing one another away?

DEAD THINGS

Devin never thought he could find hope or love among the ruins of a broken world. Not until he found Noah.

For all buy links, reviews and excerpts Dead Things

When Devin Reid returned home from his final tour in Afghanistan he thought he’d seen the worst of what people could do to other people. It turned out he was wrong.

The life Devin knew is gone. A deadly virus has infected the world’s population, leaving in its wake two types of people—survivors and monsters. Devin is a survivor, a man almost as broken as the world he struggles to survive in. Devin is part of a group who have found refuge in a high security penitentiary in Kansas State. Resources for the group are limited, but outside the safety of the prison walls, the newly-made undead monsters are hungry and hunting. It's down to a handful of people like Devin to risk their lives scavenging the cities and highways to meet the demands on food and supplies.

On one fateful venture, Devin finds someone with the potential to change a dark future, destined for blood and heartbreak, into one of hope and second chances. He finds Noah Weber.

Together, Devin and Noah work to keep the monsters at bay, but do they have the strength to overcome the hurt and loss they’ve both suffered in the fight for survival? And find love in this harsh, unloving world?

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For all buy links, reviews and excerpts Dead Things | Alter Ego

All books in the 11/11 $2.99 sale

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And Then That Happened Liam Livings The 11/11 Sale

The 11/11 Sale - Focus on Liam Livings

Suddenly One Summer, My First Summer of Love
Summer is my favourite season: the long days when it stays light until past nine o'clock, the bright early mornings when you can get up and feel as if anything is possible, the smell of cut grass, the gay pride festivals all over the country, the opportunity to visit the beach and spot CYTs (cute young things) or men wearing the latest tightly sculpted tiny swimming trunks, it always feels as if anything's possible during this season.

Have you ever had a friendship that lasted one summer? A perfect brightly burning friend who you did everything with, and felt like you'd be friends forever, and then it was over in September, never to see one another again? I've had friendships that lasted the length of a gay pride festival. I've had friendships during a summer holidays activities club when we did everything together, but then never heard from one another again because, no mobile phones and different schools, and...reasons. But the one of the best things that happened to me, suddenly one summer was when I fell in love a little bit with a man. I'm not talking first boyfriend, no that wasn't for another quite a few years, oh no, this was the heart beating in your chest, sweaty palms, can't make eye contact, laughing at everything he says falling in love you get when you're too young to really understand what it is at the time. I had a heroic sized crush on one of the leaders of the play club the summer when I was 14. That was my first summer of love. At the time I didn't realise it was a crush, never mind a heroic sized one. I simply thought I really really liked this man and wanted to be as near to him as possible all day, and when he didn't turn up to take the class, I almost cried.

Luke, he was called. He wore blue Nike shell suits with white crew neck T shirts underneath the zip up top, and white box-fresh Nike trainers. Sometimes he had a whistle round his neck which he would blow to catch our attention during the activities. His hair was black and floppy in a centre parting curtains style.

He. Was. Magnificent.

At the time I thought I wanted to be him. But when I was a few years older, oh the advantages of hindsight, I realised I had actually fallen in love with him, just a little bit.

He was funny, clever, interesting, listened to me, and oh so wise. Of course he was wise, he was eighteen or nineteen, he was an adult. He had everything sorted, like all adults do, or so I thought then.

Suddenly one summer, a long hot summer with an almost never ending supply of weeks away from school in September, archery lessons, roller skating, and five a side football, they announced that one of the activities was to be swimming in the local swimming complex. I remember inexplicably becoming oh so very excited that I would be able to see Luke in a pair of swimming shorts. But I didn't understand why this excited me so much! Sky blue, Nike swimming shorts that came half way down to his knees. His legs were covered in dark hairs, and his gently tanned chest, with two pectoral muscles showing off all the physical activity he did, but not bulging like a body builder, had a dusting of dark hairs across the middle and in a little trail from his navel into his shorts. Later, when I met and talked to actual real life living, gay men, I was told it's called the snail trail. But that summer, in that swimming complex in Hampshire, I suddenly found myself drawn to this man, to looking at him, talking to him, listening to him talking to other people. But only because I wanted to be him, you understand?

And then, to make matters even worse, there was the dripping blue swimming shorts incident, when I met Luke, dripping wet at the edge of the pool, hands above his head, doing some warm up / stretches / something or other and I didn't know where to look. All I knew was I needed to stay there, talking to dripping wet Luke, in his blue Nike swimming shorts, for as long as I could.

After this, for some strange reason, when we were back at the activities centre, as he taught me archery, or gymnastics, or made small talk about why I thought my mum was late again, picking me up at the end of the day, I could hardly look him in the eyes – the dark brown eyes – because if I did, he would know. He would know it was all I could do to stop myself leaning forward and stroking his cheek. Because, I wanted to be him. Because I wanted to be his friend. Honestly! It was so obvious to everyone except me, that I couldn't see what was at the end of my nose.

That was the last summer I went to the activities centre. Apparently I was old enough to fend for myself by next summer. Who knows what happened to Luke. I'm sure he never thinks about any of the young people he taught sport to that summer, never mind me in particular, but he will always have a place in my heart as the first real live man I fell in love with, a little bit.

Sometimes people can sweep into your life and make you see things in a totally different way, even if it's some time afterwards. Even the friends I've had for a day will have affected how I see things, will have told me things, given me phrases they say, changed my outlook on life, shaped me into the person I am today. Sometimes someone comes into your life at exactly the right time, and you see what you couldn't see for looking before; what's been at the end of your nose all along.

Suddenly, during the summer of 1999, when all men had floppy centre parting curtains hair cuts and were wearing global hyper colour T shirts, baggy jeans and high top trainers, Gabe arrived into Dominic's orderly life. Both men were happily boyfriended, but sometimes it takes a stranger to show you something you couldn't see for looking until then.

The Book

Dominic’s suburban, carefully planned life with his boyfriend Luke is perfect: his job as a nurse; his best friend Matt; his relationship with his parents. He clung to Luke for safety as they watched their friends die during the early nineties.

Fate throws Gabe into Dominic’s life. And then that happened. They click over a shared love of Goldie Hawn. Gabe shows Dominic there’s more to life than planned and safe. Despite this Gabe clings to his boyfriend, A even though he’s not happy because, well it’s complicated.

And Then That Happened is about looking for happiness, even if you think everything’s perfect. And how if you plaster on a fake smile, sooner or later it’ll fall off.

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Sue Brown The 11/11 Sale The Last Wolf

The 11/11 Sale - Focus on Sue Brown

I’m rather sad about the fact I’ve never been to Texas. It’s on my things-to-do list, but so far my travels across America haven’t taken me anywhere near Texas. I have promised myself that one day I’ll get to a rodeo and a ranch, and there are quite a few Texan authors and readers I’m determined to hug.

I’ve always envied authors who’ve been able to go to the places they write about. Google is a wonderful thing but it doesn’t give you the scents and sounds of the place. Now I’m sure plenty of people can tell me that a ranch doesn’t smell like an English rose garden! But I want to know what it smells like after a sudden rain storm? What can you hear at night? What flowers bloom?

It’s the little things you don’t get unless you’ve actually been there. I am very dependent on other people’s descriptions and I really want to see it for myself.

What is it like to stand under the Texan sun? Anything above 23 degrees Celsius – what’s that, about 73 degrees for my American friends – I’m running inside. I bet you’re laughing at me now for being a weak and lily-livered Brit.

I wrote The Last Wolf and one of the betas said to me, “What can I see?” I had to stop, think. It wasn’t enough that things were happening, we had to place the action in its environment. I want to be on a ranch for myself and then retreat to somewhere air-conditioned please.

The Sale Book - The Last Wolf, Book 1 in the Sapphire Ranch Wolves Series

The only good predator is a dead one, as far as Joe Lowther is concerned.
That is until the day he shoots a wolf, only to watch the animal turn into a naked Callum Pope. Cal is being hunted by a group of humans who eradicate shifter packs for sport.

Joe makes a decision to help Cal and discovers a deeper connection with the young shifter. One which he’d like to explore. If they live that long.

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Chris Quinton Heat The 11/11 Sale

The 11/11 Sale - Focus on Chris Quinton

Summer in Salisbury means flocks of tourists, of course, along with crowded shops and pavements. But that isn't as off-putting as you might think. When the weather is fine - and yes, we do have sunny days in a British summer - Salisbury's thriving cafe-culture comes out in force. Every cafe/restaurant/bistro that fronts onto the Market Square and any of the pedestrian only streets have put out their tables, chairs and shade-umbrellas.

Whether they are chains or independent local enterprises, these are popular among residents, tourists and pigeons, and apart from the latter, are good places to sit out with the beverage of your choice and watch the world go by. Those places unfortunate enough not to have pavement space to do this, usually have a garden or courtyard at the back where fresh air and sunshine can be had without the bustling pedestrians.

One such place is the Laurels, the restaurant that features in the book I co-wrote with RJ. I based it very loosely on an old public house in Salisbury's New Street [one of the older streets in Salisbury], the New Inn. Its beer garden backs onto the massive wall that surrounds the Cathedral Close, and the view across the Close from the upper windows is lovely. So the Laurels has a garden and patio out the back where afternoon tea can be taken in the blossom-fragrant air... When the sun shines. When it doesn't, there's a lovely old conservatory to sit in, safely away from the weather while preserving the ambience.

The Sale Book - Heat, with RJ Scott

Lewis has lost nearly everything, and now it seems that Devon is here to take the last thing he has left - working in his beloved restaurant, Laurels. But when an arsonist threatens everything Lewis loves, he realizes sometimes everyone has their ghosts, and he discovers an unexpected ally who is prepared to risk everything for him.

Master Chef Lewis Mandineau no longer owns the Laurels, the restaurant that had been in his family for generations. Betrayed and robbed by an ex-lover, he's had to sell to Carnegie Enterprises, an American corporation. That isn't all Lewis has to contend with. Rachel, his beloved younger sister has been left severely hurt by the car crash that killed their parents, and taking care of her has to be his priority.

Enter Devon Carnegie III, sent to assess the viability of the restaurant and its staff. Devon knows all about family tradition. But he also knows sentiment has no place in business matters, and the Laurels' potential is swamped by the debts it has accrued. Devon is a hard-headed businessman, first and foremost, but Lewis and Rachel test his resolve in different ways. Soon Devon is forced to admit that what seems like an impossible love can sometimes become something very real.

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Diane Adams Last First Kiss The 11/11 Sale

The 11/11 Sale - Focus on Diane Adams

Hi everyone!

It’s deep into summer and I know I haven’t been around much. My work schedule has been insane the entire season. Adding in a teenager with more activates than the president should paint the picture for you of how crazy my life has been recently. And then there is the HEAT.

I don’t know how it’s been in the rest of the world, but North Carolina (that’s a state in the southeastern, US,) has been positively steamy. Not in the ‘oh look at that yummy guy’ way. Temps have stayed in the high 90’s edging frequently into the 100+ end of things. If you’ve never encountered those sort of temps in a high humidity area you’re…well…very, very lucky.

Overall it’s been one of those ‘too hot to swim’ kind of summers. I don’t handle heat well and my answer to such extreme temps is to huddle inside with my air conditioner and a glass of iced tea as my best companions. I haven’t had much opportunity to indulge but I promise you rainy days are not the only good ones for hiding out and losing yourself in a good read. Crazy summer days, when the sun wants to bake your brains, are just as perfect.

I miss everyone like crazy. I’d love to hear from you guys. Is it hot where you are? Do you like the heat? How do you handle it when the temperature is just too much to handle? Touch base and tell me how life is treating you.

If you are like me and enjoy air conditioning and a cold drink during sun scorched days, I have great news! Love Lane Books is having a sale. Lots of your favorite authors have books at reduced prices – including one of mine. Click the title link at the bottom of the page to take a look. I can’t share my iced tea with all of you, but maybe Gage and Trent can help you escape for a little while.

Have a great rest of your summer!!

The Book

Eighteen-year-old Gage Harris is not a part of twenty-five year old Trent Foster’s plans. He likes Gage but the intense attraction between them makes remaining just friends unlikely, and the young farmer with two small children is a complication Trent doesn’t need.

Despite all the reasons to stay away, Trent is pulled into the small family. Gage’s boys are delightful and the young man’s honesty and genuine affection impossible to resist. Trent is intrigued by a life so different from everything he’s known. As he struggles to reconcile his plans with his feelings Trent begins to suspect that his random offer of a ride in the rain might lead straight to his last first kiss.

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One Night RJ Scott The 11/11 Sale The Bucket List The Summer House

The 11/11 Sale - Focus on RJ Scott

I'm not a great fan of the sun. I can write about it but my preference is to sit in the shade with a drink and a book. What I do love is Summer Holidays right here in the UK. Mostly we can depend that there will be two days of rain out of the seven, but as a family we're used to that - rain doesn't stop much!

The Summer House is a place that the hero used to visit - a stone cottage in the Cotswolds. It holds a lot of memories for him and there are various cottages I have stayed in over the last forty years that hold a lot of wonderful memories. When you arrive in these cottages in gorgeous places - Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Yorkshire, The Peak District, The Lake District... so many... there is always a tray of goodies. Tea, coffee, biscuits or cake... and sometimes a bottle of wine (mine!). As soon as you see that tray, you know that you are on holiday.

One Night is a very different kind of vacation, still in sunshine, but this time it's all about sexy hot nights. And the Bucket List is a vacation crossing things off of a list left to a man by his dying brother.

Do you stay in your country to holiday? Or do you prefer to go overseas?

RJ Scott books in the 11/11 sale

The Summer House

A rich playboy who lives for the now, and a Veterinarian who is ruled by his past, both seek a future that allows for love.

Ashby Sterling-Haynes, the youngest son of a titled family, has had a lot of hook ups, but has never found someone worth keeping. When he meets introverted Veterinarian, Connor Lawson, he realizes this could be the man he's been waiting for.

Connor has a painful past and no room for an entitled rich guy in his future. Ashby is everything that Connor dislikes in a man and is way too sexy to be anything but a disruption to Connor’s peaceful life.

Both men refuse to believe in love for different reasons. Until they meet each other and a future together becomes real...

One Night

Liam Wade is rich, successful, and Leigh is the perfect, approved, wife for him. Before he settles down to give his daughter the best family he can, he wants one week away, to think. Just to make sure that he can leave half of himself hidden and marry without love, because Liam has one big problem in all of this -- he's gay.

Micah Adamson is the owner of a vineyard in Rochester NY, and has yet to find the partner he knows is out there for him. he believes in love and wants forever, and one day he knows he will find his 'forever' man. He attends a wine festival in Santa Monica, seven nights in a beautiful hotel on the beach.

Micah wants to show that love between two men includes affection, understanding, and can be forever. Will he make Liam see sense?

The Bucket List

When Andrew Craig dies, he leaves his brother Jason a list of places that he wanted to visit but couldn't. Attending a school reunion, London, Stonehenge, these are all on the list and Jason is determined to cross everything off and work through his grief at the same time.

Closeted soap actor Mark Wesley is shocked when a blast from the past looks him up, and devastated when he realizes he will never have a chance to make things right.

Together Jason and Mark agree to work on the list. But what happens when Jason and Mark grow closer, when passion and even love begins to grow?

Was this what Andrew wanted to happen all along between his brother and his friend?