Tag: books

What’s in a name?

What’s in a name?

by fnmanning ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Want to know my dirty little secret as an author?

Well, first I should mention a ton of my books are on sale this week and next week, that’s no secret.

The secret is that I suck at character names. It’s really inconvenient considering I love having names that relate to a character’s personality or story in some way, but names are one of the hardest things to come up with. 

In Bold as Brass, I finally got the chance to name a character Liam. I’ve wanted to use the name for a while because it shares the first two letters with one of the placeholders I use for names, LI. LI is short for love interest just like Liam is short for William. And the name Liam and the character share Irish ancestry so it worked out.

(True story, looking up Liam’s name just to see what it meant is when I learned Liam is short for William. Which makes all the sense in the world, I just somehow missed this memo.)

This time, I lucked out on naming my main character. His specialty is metal magic and then I came across Tolliver, a surname that literally means metalworker. Being literal for the win.

(P.S. Tolliver is Oliver Brass’s actual first name because he has fussy waspy parents that would totally name him Tolliver, and he just goes by Oliver. But that’s one of those backstory details that did not actually make it into book.)

I had no idea I was going to write a novel about a metal wizard losing control of his powers and ending up in the arms of a dominant older man who is literally the sweetest and dirtiest guy at the same time. But this was a very fun ride to go on and I ended up enjoying these characters and their story a lot, so I hope you do too.

Bold as Brass is indeed on sale for 99 cents. It’ll go back to regular price next Wednesday, so get it on sale while you can!

Control is everything… until you find someone worth surrendering to.
After studying metal magic in posh British universities, Oliver Brass proudly becomes a wizard. Unfortunately, he barely has time to celebrate when a family scandal sends his world into chaos and his powers spiral out of control. A stiff upper lip isn’t helping, so the metal mage turns to a provocative professor to tame his magic—and his body.

A charming educator by day and a dirty dom by night, Liam Monroe has the unique ability to magically master a willing partner. Liam demands obedience, and even though Oliver may never stop blushing, he and his powers are eager to comply.

Both men are thoroughly satisfied until dragons drop in, determined to make the wizard pay for the sins of his family. Oliver must reign in his malfunctioning abilities if he has any hope of stopping the vengeful beasts… or keeping Liam. Can Oliver be bold enough to fight for his man, or will the dragons burn it all down?

Wolverine Claws and the Magic of Metal

Wolverine Claws and the Magic of Metal

by fnmanning ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

In M/M paranormal romance novel Bold as Brass, the main character Oliver Brass has metal magic. We do not have metal magic in real life as far as I know, though there are people doing wild things with metal that nearly bring the magical and futuristic things we see in movies to life.

Apparently, I’m super late to this party but people have been making actual steel Wolverine claws for a while now. Some are decorative, but others are actually capable of destroying shit. There are multiple videos about this on Youtube, and some of the versions are retractable, and a few are made of paper, which are less destructive but more easily reproduced.  

One of the best versions is created by Hacksmith, a company whose entire job is to create real versions of cool fictional stuff. Like Thor’s hammer and a working bat signal, for example. They started making Wolverine claws over a decade ago and even graduated to claws that heal themselves, which is incredibly awesome.

Granted Wolverine’s body and not his claws are what heal in the movies and comic books, though my guess is that whatever metals they were using for the claws before are not as indestructible as adamantium, which means these claws need to heal.

The claws use a smart alloy that transforms back to their original shape when using a flame.

The healing claws are a few years old, now they’ve moved onto making their version of real life adamantium. But my favorite, hands down, is mini lightsabers. Lightsabers! We’re living in the future now.

Kink, Control, and Steam

When I first started this series and wrote The Frost or The Bite, I mentioned that the antagonist in that book had a younger brother. I had it in the back of my head that he could potentially show up and I could do something with him later.

The unnamed brother referenced in the first book eventually became Oliver Brass, and this is his book. I knew he’d be different from his brother and a much better person, but I never imagined back when I wrote the first book that this is where his story would lead. Right into the gutter. When his family’s reputation is ruined and Oliver struggles to get his powers under control, he ends up in the arms of a dominant wizard and learns that giving up control might be the best option. 

This novel was new for me as I’d never written anything this kinky before but I ended up loving these characters and hopefully you will too.

Will giving up control set him free?

Oliver Brass is an honest man, but his family isn’t. When the wizard discovers that the people who taught him to love metal magic aren’t as respectable as anyone thought, his powers stop listening to him. Trying to regain control leads him to Professor Liam Monroe, but the teacher’s extracurricular activities are what truly interest him.

A friendly professor by day and a wicked dom by night, Liam Monroe has the unique ability to control a person’s body and magic. Surrendering to the sexy older man could be exactly what Oliver needs to get his magic under control, as long as he keeps his feelings at bay and remembers their arrangement is supposed to be temporary. 

Will Oliver be bold enough to follow his heart?  Find out in Bold as Brass.

Sexual Tension and Other Professional Dilemmas 

Sexual Tension and Other Professional Dilemmas 

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In my magical M/M romance Strikes Twice, Marty is a new air wizard looking for a purpose and he’s convinced he can help a troubled man with a debilitating electrical curse. Az, cursed and cranky, has some doubts. They don’t get off on the right foot.

Here’s an excerpt from the novel. In this scene, Marty and Az are outside on the Primrose University campus and they’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. Well, technically they get off an incredibly sexy foot which then goes wrong, then really wrong—and now they’re at odds. Marty’s having some trouble acting professional while trying to convince Az he can handle himself around unpredictable magic energy. Then Az tests Marty’s resolve.

Marty

I can’t help but notice how hot Az looks in the sunlight. Who wears a leather jacket in the summer? He’s dressed in layers and black from head to toe. I tell myself he looks stupid, but… 

At least six feet tall and packed with solid muscle, Az Serrano practically towers over me. His bronze skin must be a genetic gift because despite the summer season and sunny day, he’s extremely covered up. How is he not sweating and panting in the heat? Maybe his bad attitude fends off the heat. Isn’t he hot?

Yes, very hot, my brain supplies instantly. Not what I meant. Az should look hot temperature-wise, but instead, he looks sexy hot.

I force myself to focus and start clearing the air.

“You’re going to hear me out. This is professional.”

“Really?” That evil smirk and glint in his eyes only makes him less hot, I tell myself firmly. “Tell that to your eyes, they keep undressing me.” 

“No, my eyes are doing no such thing. If anything, they’re putting more layers on you, Az. You must be delusional. Az the delusional ass. Has a nice ring, doesn’t it? Or maybe just Az the ass. Hey, Az…” Eager to get off this topic, I let the unusual name distract me. “What kind of name is Az, anyway?”

“Short for Azure,” he grits out because even pulling basic information out of him is apparently too much. 

“Is that so, Azur—”

“Nope. Don’t even try. Only my tias and abuelas call me Azure. Are you my tia or my abuela, Marty?”

“Okay fine, just curious.” I raise my hands and remind him why I’m really here. “Let’s talk about the study you canceled.”

“You wouldn’t last a day on this study, so there’s no point in pretending otherwise.”

“I have what it takes to contribute,” I grit through clenched teeth. 

“No, you’re an overconfident newbie who’s going to run away scared at the first unexpected zap.”

“Bring it on.”

“Oh yeah?” To test my resolve, the lunatic reaches out and touches my wrist, sending an electric shock coursing through my body. I grit my teeth. The jolt isn’t strong, but it’s a struggle to not react. Especially since the smartest thing for an air caster to do is to not get shocked.

But he needs to know he can’t scare me away that easily. I’m not running away. I’m not afraid of a challenge and I can do this job.

“See? I didn’t run away at the first unexpected shock.” I stand my ground, but he still doesn’t look impressed.

“Handling an unpredictable curse is vastly different from a single zap of electricity,” he says.

“Bring. It. On.” I repeat, not about to come this far and back down now.

“Fine, you think you can handle yourself around wild electricity? Prove it.”

—

And that’s all for now. Does Marty pass Az’s test? Do they play an absurdly serious game of tag on the campus lawn? Can Marty unravel the curse? Find out in Strikes Twice. This was a really fun one to write as Marty and Az are both so feisty and they wind each other up so easily.

Book Review: The Nøkk and The Jock

Book Review: The Nøkk and The Jock

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If you’re looking for a slice of life romance that involves a jock, a mysterious monster, and plenty of water-related shenanigans, then The Nøkk and The Jock might just be your next favorite read.

Summary: Brandon is an eager human who becomes one of the first students at the monster-filled Creelin University. His excitement quickly takes a turn when he discovers that his new roommate, a moody nøkk, a type of water spirit, is avoiding him. As Brandon tries to befriend his enigmatic roommate, he might accidentally use a bottle of vodka and a spider to initiate an ancient bonding ritual.

Nøkk Folklore: Dive into Norwegian Monsters

What’s particularly interesting about The Nøkk and The Jock is how it weaves in elements of Norwegian folklore. Nøkks are water spirits known for their powerful and often deceptive nature, and I love getting a look at the supernatural myths in other cultures. Nokks tend to drown people, but it’s not so simple for the monster in this story.

And one funny little detail I enjoyed was that the nøkk had a relative who was a rowboat, which is a very excellent strategy if you’re trying to drown someone and steal their soul.

Sweet Romance Amid Emo Vibes

This book is just absolutely adorable. A very sweet romance despite the emo vibes and threat of death.

It’s a cute little slice of life romance where both guys love the water and try not to fall for each other. When thrown together as roommates, the nokk and jock quickly want to be more than friends but the jock thinks he’s straight and the nokk is worried about stealing the jock’s soul.

The jock Brandon goes through a bi-awakening as he looks after his gloomy roommate and accidentally courts him. The nokk known as Steve has many issues, like being afraid to show his true form, and joining the swim team may not be the best idea when he’s worried about drowning people with his powers, but it all works out in the end. Brandon’s sunny outlook and Steve’s more moody demeanor makes for a great dynamic.

The Playlist: A Perfect Musical Accompaniment

And let’s not forget the fantastic playlist! Featuring tracks from My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, K.Flay, and AWOLNATION, I love the bonus playlist and it has some awesome alternative songs.

Author Leslie McAdam said her teenager created an ‘emo Norwegian boy playlist’ and apparently I am an emo Norwegian boy because the songs fit my musical tastes very well. I had no idea. Can I speak Norwegian now?

November M/M Romance Freebies

November M/M Romance Freebies

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November is coming to an end, but I made it in time to post about this M/M Romance Freebies Giveaway. This collection features stories from various talented authors, all available for FREE! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover new favorite reads.

There are seriously tons of books from different genres, but two sports romances caught my eye along with some M/M paranormal romance titles.

Never Crush on the Captain by Portia Blake

This charming single dad hockey romance spins a tale around a former best friend trying to navigate his feelings for the team captain, Evan. With a concussion throwing them together, will secrets be revealed, or will the tension remain? Perfect for anyone who loves sports and a little dose of nostalgia!

Bad Call by Raquel Riley

This sizzling enemies-to-lovers MM sports romance brings a coach and an umpire face-to-face in a battle of wits and bad calls. It’s not just the game at stake but also some steamy tension that’s impossible to ignore. Can they figure out what they really want, both on and off the field?

Jonik by April Kelley

A powerful assassin on a simple assignment encounters his fated mate, Wren, who’s trapped in a fight ring, things take an unexpected turn. Will Jonik be able to protect Wren and find love amidst danger?

The Duke’s Dagger by Tavia Lark

In this fantasy erotic short story, Nico, the best thief in Port Charain, finds himself caught in a precarious situation in the bedroom of Duke Berend. What starts as a burglary quickly morphs into a sultry game of seduction.

The Dragon and his Incubus by Silvana Falcon

An attraction forms between a dragon and a captivating incubus who works in a brothel. As Glen strives to penetrate Silvan’s guarded heart, can they find a way to be together?

Don’t forget, this giveaway is only available in November, so be sure to check it out now!

Baseball?

Baseball?

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Starting pitcher Luke has a lot on his mind lately now that the formerly straight athlete has found himself in a relationship with another guy, and really enjoying that relationship. A lot of people are wondering what this means for Luke. Is he gay or straight? Are there other options? Fortunately, he can take his mind off all that during a baseball game. Until, like a good boyfriend, his boyfriend shows up to cheer him on.

This scene is from One Little Lie, where a clueless jock learns the world is more than just gay or straight in this coming of age love story about secret relationships, friendship, and bisexuality.

~

Luke

I LOVE BASEBALL. ESPECIALLY DURING GAME TIME. Worried thoughts about my personal life weren’t important when playing ball. On the mound with all eyes on me, I felt great. People watched me because I excelled at this, not because of who I was dating.

The game started and I was in the zone. My whole focus was on the game.

Until Ryan. My stupidly distracting boyfriend.

As a likable athlete, I had few embarrassing moments until Ryan walked into my life. Still, what was lacking in quantity was now made up in quality.

Due to the nice day, Ryan wore a tank top and shorts. He looked innocent enough, plus so freaking tall. Grab a ruler and check if I lied, there were miles and miles of his long legs on display. So much skin, how were his legs so shapely and toned? Running, he claimed, even though I’d only seen him run his mouth.

Ryan sat on the bleachers, not being embarrassing for once. I embarrassed myself, unable to keep my gaze away. Dammit! I ogled my boyfriend instead of pitching. He saw me looking and waved. I waved back before remembering I should pay attention to the game. The runner at first advanced to second and I heard distant yelling from my coach.

Shit. Taking a moment, I refocused my attention. Time to strike this batter out. I lined up the pitch, got ready, and…

My eyes drifted back to Ryan.

–Grab the book here as part of the One Crazy Love Story box set, which features the first four books in the One More Thing series of contemporary YA novels.

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To celebrate the upcoming release of my new M/M paranormal romance The Werewolf’s Heart on May 9, here’s a quote from the novel.

This assignment was full of challenges. Like me going undercover as a suburban homeowner, posing as an ‘average’ lone werewolf among humans. My interests included grisly murders, supernatural victims or suspects, and bringing killers to justice.
Now? I needed to blend in. Live a normal life. Whatever the hell that meant.
It sounded kinda like torture. Then I met him.

The difference between house and home

The difference between house and home

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Aaron is an eager young homeowner who wants to make his first home perfect in The Werewolf’s Heart. But he’s missing one vital ingredient. Here’s a quote from the novel to celebrate the book’s release on May 9.

This was my first real home ever. Or it would be one day, but there was one thing missing.

Taking stock of my finances when preparing to invest in a home and piling up my possessions put things into perspective and allowed me to evaluate my life. While largely on the right track, the romance department left a gaping hole in my otherwise promising future.

What would really make my new house feel like a home was the right man to share it with.

You can pre-order this M/M paranormal romance now! Check it out here.

When a werewolf’s heart belongs to a man in danger, how far will a supernatural detective go to save the one he loves?

Aaron Honeywell has almost everything he needs to turn his new house into a home, except for the right man to share it with. His sexy new neighbor Meritt seems like just the guy until he saves Aaron from a handsy stranger with glowing eyes, revealing that he’s more than man—he’s a werewolf.

Meritt Slate has worked some challenging cases before, but this is a whole other level of difficulty. The detective is stuck undercover in suburbia to lure out whoever is abducting werewolves. And his alluring neighbor is quite the distraction. Fighting his desires and doing his job has never been a problem before, but it’s possible he’s finally found someone worth settling down for.

But the dangers lurking outside their cozy street are getting closer to home. Kidnapping shifters is just the beginning of a sinister magical plot that may require Aaron’s help to succeed… whether he’s willing to provide it or not. Can the werewolf protect his heart or will evil forces shatter it forever?

Book Review: The Alpha and His King by Kiki Clark

Book Review: The Alpha and His King by Kiki Clark

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Quick Summary: An overworked alpha and abused half-wolf come together to lead a growing pack. But not everybody is happy with the pack’s success.

Overall Impression: Romance and action combine in this engaging first novel in a M/M paranormal romance series. A delicious story that creates an interesting world with many possibilities for the future. I also adore big stories with fun supporting casts where just about everybody is gay.

Rating: 5 out 5 fresh baked cookies  

Issues and the people who have them

Being the alpha of a thriving supernatural pack is a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it. That somebody is Ric. He’s tough but fair and takes his alpha responsibilities very seriously.

Keeping track of all the ins and outs of his growing pack is difficult, and things can slip through the cracks. Like the two wolfs who were stealing from the pack. On the list of people you don’t wanna piss off, alpha werewolf should be number one but I guess they thought they were weren’t gonna caught?

When Ric and his enforcers go to deliver justice, they see stealing was tip of iceberg. Because the two elder Kings are keeping malnourished abused wolves in the shed, the dad’s children from an affair.

Kai comes out of the shed swinging a rake to protect the younger ones. Not exactly a meet cute but memorable. The kiddos then become under Ric’s protection but they are naturally cautious, afraid, and suspicious.

Kai is the eldest. He’s protective, nurturing, and of course very desirable to Ric. But his fresh and traumatic time with his father make a relationship complicated.

The push and pull between them takes up most of the novel and is done just right. A slow but not too slow burn romance as Kai heals that leaves you wanting more and fully satisfied when finally delivering on the sexual tension. The romance hits you in the feels, the steamy scenes hit you in the… other parts. Very good stuff on both counts.

Pack Justice

One little detail is that Ric originally intended to punish the Kings by banishing them and branding them. The punishment increases when finding the mistreated children and he ends up taking a hand from them each. Which, yep, sounds extreme, though this is the more traditional punishment that was common in the old days.

The harsher old ways of the old days haven’t completely been eradicated in modern times. Many packs have harsh rules where only the strongest survive, which is part of Ric’s pack grows as people seek sanctuary in his more accepting territory.

The dynamic between barbaric werewolf culture and more tolerant modern ways is highlighted many times throughout the novel. I think it’s fascinating to see the two different styles and a ‘realistic’ element for a story about werewolves, torn between two mentalities of brute strength vs. acceptance.  

The writing is good at balancing romance and action with darker and deeper elements. I didn’t realize at first but there’s a lot of layers below the surface. And a little bit of magic and magical rituals, which also adds flavor.

Two Halves of One Whole

As Ric’s pack grows, it’s harder for one person to take care of everything. While it takes him a while to wise up, Ric is desperately in need of a complementary partner from the beginning. A lot of novels use this approach where it takes two to lead a pack, an alpha and mate, and both parties bring different strengths to the table. I thought it was particularly well done in this instance. Even right from the title, alpha and his king. Two superior forces that work even better together.

Quote

The Alpha and His King

When Kai flies out of a shed, swinging a rake, Rick’s life flips upside down.


As alpha, Rick’s dedication to his pack has never wavered—until Kai. The pull he feels toward the younger man is more than a simple distraction, but Rick won’t let himself lose focus. Not while a hidden enemy is drawing near.

Moving in with the grumpy alpha who saved him is a big change for Kai, and it isn’t long before he begins to ache for something he can’t have. As a half-human shifter responsible for his three younger siblings, he knows he can never be Rick’s mate.

Pushing aside their doubts and insecurities, they grow closer. But when the pack’s enemies strike, bringing their fears to fruition, Rick and Kai have to decide if they’re willing to risk it all to be together.

The Alpha and His King is the first book in the Kincaid Pack series and features a quick-tempered and possessive alpha; a sweet and feisty alpha-mate; shifters, seers, and witches galore; massive amounts of hurt/comfort; and a happily ever after.

Kincaid Pack Series

The Alpha and His King

The Second and His Bonded

The Deputy and his Enforcer

The Hunter and His Mates

Wolfy quote

Wolfy quote

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A laser-focused detective is hot on the trail of whoever snatched missing werewolves when he meets a sweet, optimistic young man who suddenly makes him question his all work and no play lifestyle in The Werewolf’s Heart. To celebrate the upcoming release of my new M/M paranormal romance on May 9, here’s a quote from the novel.

Wolves rarely cut and ran. It looked bad on them and their families to abandon the pack. Not to mention the emotional toll of leaving loved ones and their alpha without so much as a goodbye.

Wolves didn’t flee, not without a damn good reason. Or because they weren’t given a choice.