“I wasn’t ready for how beautifully moving this book ended up being. I was completely floored by these characters and the raw and gritty honesty in which we get to know them. They were so beautifully flawed and so beautifully human that it seriously took my breath away. This story was so much more than a romance, it was a testament to the human condition. How we make mistakes, how we learn from them, and how we move on from them. I won’t spoil a bit of these story for you guys because I want you to FEEL and EXPERIENCE every single moment without me preparing you. This book was written to resonate and it has with me and I assure you that if you have a beating heart and are made of human bone and flesh it will touch you too. A sweet, powerful, and sexy romance. I can’t recommend it enough.”
angst
"Beautiful story told with sensitivity and grace." Reviews: Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake
“Beautiful story told with sensitivity and grace. A difficult subject approached with truth and honesty while including lots of hot m/m romance. I can’t decide who I love best. Would love to see where their story goes from here.”
via Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Smoky Mountain Dreams.
Sometimes holding on means letting go
After giving up on his career as a country singer in Nashville, Christopher Ryder is happy enough performing at the Smoky Mountain Dreams theme park in Tennessee. But while his beloved Gran loves him the way he is, Christopher feels painfully invisible to everyone else. Even when he’s center stage he aches for someone to see the real him.
Bisexual Jesse Birch has no room in his life for dating. Raising two kids and fighting with family after a tragic accident took his children’s mother, he doesn’t want more than an occasional hook-up. He sure as hell doesn’t want to fall hard for his favorite local singer, but when Christopher walks into his jewelry studio, Jesse hears a new song in his heart.
"There is no way to make this any better. Just do yourself a favor and read it." Review of Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn
“This is an absolute must read! So, so many good things can be said about this. The angst and love is out of this world. Nicky is so broken and Jazz is just the absolute best. There is no way to make this any better. Just do yourself a favor and read it.”
Source: Amazon.com: seastwood1’s review of Vespertine
Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?
Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.
Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.
As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.
Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.
"Leta Blake is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Crazy good character development, crazy good plot with all the feels." Review of Smoky Mountain Dreams #gayromance
“Leta Blake is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Crazy good character development, crazy good plot with all the feels. The summary does a great job of what to expect…your heart will break for Christopher, Jesse and Jesse’s daughter, Brigid. I loved this story and really hoping there will be more to come from these characters.”
via Amazon.com: lovethybook’s review of Smoky Mountain Dreams.
Sometimes holding on means letting go
After giving up on his career as a country singer in Nashville, Christopher Ryder is happy enough performing at the Smoky Mountain Dreams theme park in Tennessee. But while his beloved Gran loves him the way he is, Christopher feels painfully invisible to everyone else. Even when he’s center stage he aches for someone to see the real him.
Bisexual Jesse Birch has no room in his life for dating. Raising two kids and fighting with family after a tragic accident took his children’s mother, he doesn’t want more than an occasional hook-up. He sure as hell doesn’t want to fall hard for his favorite local singer, but when Christopher walks into his jewelry studio, Jesse hears a new song in his heart.
"I loved this book SO much. It was just beautiful." | Review of Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn
“I loved this book SO much. It was just beautiful. There are so many things I want to talk about it but I think it would be pointless, I think everyone should just read it. Nicky and Jasper’s deep friendship, deep love, kindness and affection for each other made me feel so much love for them and their story. I loved the little things, like how much they joked around with each other even though emotions were to the point of painful for them at times. I played the song ‘With or Without you’ by U2 while I was reading and it gave me even more feels, I was overloaded. I loved it.”
Source: Goodreads | Pam (Sydney, 02, Australia)’s review of Vespertine
Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?
Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.
Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.
As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.
Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.
"If you like m/m romance this is a definite keeper!" Christopher Alford's review of Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake
“Wonderful book! If you like m/m romance this is a definite keeper!”
via Amazon.com: Christopher Alford’s review of Smoky Mountain Dreams.
"This is my first Leta Blake book but will not be my last!" Review of Smoky Mountain Dreams #gayromance
“This is my first Leta Blake book but will not be my last!! I loved everything about Christopher and Jesse. I immediately felt their connection and attraction. I also knew it wasn’t going to be a smooth ride. I am a self-proclaimed angst lover (both reading and writing it) and this had just the perfect amount of constant turmoil that made me read into the middle of the night hoping this couple would find their happily ever after.”
via Amazon.com: PhoebeWilson’s review of Smoky Mountain Dreams.
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE UNLIMTED AND AMAZON
Rainbow Award Runner Up! Best Gay Erotic Romance 2015! Training Complex by Leta Blake #gay #yay
I’m so honored and excited to announce that the Training Complex, the critically acclaimed sequel to fan favorite Training Season, was a runner-up for Best Erotic Romance in the 2015 Rainbow Awards hosted by the amazing Elisa Rolle.
This judged annual awards competition not only help to promote LGBT books across all genres, but help to raise funds for LGBT charitable organizations. In 2015 the Rainbow Awards raised over $17,000, going to a variety of LGBT charities worldwide. I couldn’t be prouder to be associated with these awards and to have had Training Complex do so well overall.
Thank you, Elisa and judges, for your efforts in the LGBT literary community!
Buckle up – Matty’s back!
Figure skater Matty Marcus didn’t capture Olympic gold, but he won rancher Rob Lovely’s heart.
After Rob sold his ranch and Matty hung up his skates, they started a new life together in New York City. Now Matty has taken on a fresh challenge as a figure skating coach, and Rob’s second career as a physical therapist should be everything he’s dreamed of. But in the brutal heat of their third summer in the city, Rob yearns for the wide-open country, and the intensity of city life awakens Matty’s demons.
Matty asks for increasingly intense BDSM scenes, and his disordered eating and erratic behavior ramp up the stakes. Rob struggles to stay in control, and after a well-intentioned anniversary gift goes awry, he still thinks he can handle the fallout. But the concrete jungle is closing in and his coping skills are unraveling.
Their love is deep, but Rob will have to admit the truth about what he really wants before they both tumble into chaos.
“The D/s gave their relationship a beauty and intimacy that was perfect to the story.” | Review of Training Season by Leta Blake
“Rob was such a beautiful, inspiring character. He is the partner that most of us dream of having; caring, considerate, loyal, and steadfast. And although the story is based around Matty, Rob is the one I connected to. The kink and D/s was at a level I hadn’t expected, but very much appreciated. It was done very well, and I completely bought into the dynamic between Rob and Matty. The D/s gave their relationship a beauty and intimacy that was perfect to the story.”
via Amazon.com: BookAddict’s review of Training Season.
A Montanan rancher and a flamboyant figure skater find lust, then love, but can they find a life together?
Unquestionably talented figure skater Matty Marcus is willing to sacrifice everything for his Olympic dream, but his lack of discipline cost him the gold once before. Now the pressure’s on. He needs a coach who can keep him in line, but top coaches don’t come cheap, and Matty can’t afford to stay in the game no matter how badly he wants to win.
When a lucrative house-sitting gig brings him to rural Montana, Matty does his best to maintain his training regimen. Local residents turn out to be surprisingly tolerant of his flamboyant style, especially handsome young rancher Rob Lovely, who proves to be much more than a cowboy stereotype. Just as Matty requires a firm hand to perform his best on the ice, Rob shows him how strong he can be when he relinquishes control in the bedroom. With new-found self-assurance, he drives himself harder to go straight to the top.
But competition has a timetable, and to achieve his Olympic dream, Matty will have to join his new coach in New York City, leaving Rob behind. Now he must face the ultimate test. Has he truly learned how to win–on and off the ice–during his training season?
“I absolutely love Ms. Blake’s books! This is another not to miss!” Review of Smoky Mountain Dreams #gay #romance
“A wonderful emotional story it tugs at your heart, making you not want the story to end, a must read for the holidays and all year long. I absolutely love reading Ms. Blake’s books, this is another not to miss both Christopher and Jessie’s story is amazing!”
via Amazon.com: Sherri’s review of Smoky Mountain Dreams.

Christopher Ryder and Jesse Birch are two men hanging on to the past. While Christopher has let go of his failure as a country singer in Nashville, he’s still trying to please his narrow-minded, non-accepting family. His beloved Gran loves him the way he is, but Christopher feels painfully invisible to everyone else. He’s happy enough performing at the Smoky Mountain Dreams theme park in Tennessee, but even when Christopher is center stage he aches for someone to see the real him.
There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to bisexual Jesse. He’s raising two kids and fighting with family after a tragic accident took his children’s mother. There’s no room in his life for dating, his kids are his priority, and he doesn’t want more than an occasional hook-up. He sure as hell doesn’t want to fall hard for his favorite local singer, but when Christopher walks into his jewelry studio, Jesse hears a new song in his heart.
Smoky Mountain Dreams is available now at:
AMAZON
B&N
SMASHWORDS
iTUNES
SCRIBD
OYSTER
And now at KOBO.
“Beautiful writing; wonderful, flawed characters; off the charts UST and enough uncertainty to keep me utterly gripped.” | Jay Northcote’s review of Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn
“I’ll be honest here… they had me at priest in the blurb, because forbidden/repressed love is a trope I adore. I’m happy to report that the authors delivered in spades. I absolutely loved this story. Beautiful writing; wonderful, flawed characters; off the charts UST and enough uncertainty to keep me utterly gripped. I’m not going to lie, this is an angsty read. People who know me, know that I don’t often choose angst-heavy books. And yes there is a lot of pain in this book, and it made my heart hurt as I followed Jazz and Nicky’s story and learned how past mistakes had landed them where they are at the start of the book. But there is also hope laced in every page right from the beginning. I *knew* they’d get to their happy ending, I trusted and I longed for it and it was so completely worth the ride. Gorgeous, gorgeous book. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year.”
Source: Goodreads | Jay Northcote’s review of Vespertine
Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?
Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.
Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.
As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.
Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.
Thank you, Readers! Gratitude & Happiness! Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn #gay #mmromance
What exciting company to be in! Indra and I are absolutely thrilled! Thank you to all the readers out there who have purchased and read Vespertine. A book is nothing without readers and it brings us so much joy to know that you guys are out there buying and reading our months of hard work, dreaming, and research.
What a beautiful morning!
Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?
Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.
Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.
As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.
Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.
“I loved this book. Couldn’t put it down and if I didn’t have to work I would have finished in one sitting.” Review of Training Complex by Leta Blake #gay #amreading
“I loved this book. Couldn’t put it down and if I didn’t have to work I would have finished in one sitting.”
via Goodreads | Sharon Blanton’s review of Training Complex.

“I just can’t get enough of Matty and Rob and love them so much.” 4.5 Stars! Joyfully Jay Reviews! #gay #amreading
“Even though this book isn’t always easy, it is incredibly rewarding and I can definitely recommend it.”
Read more at Joyfully Jay Reviews!
“Off. The. Page. Scorchingly. Delicious!!!!!” 5 Stars! Review of Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake #gay #romance
“It was sweet, emotional, funny (the quips from Gran are LOL-good), poignant, and SO damn well written. I wish I could visit Smoky Mountain!! And the sex w/Christopher and Jesse??? Off. The. Page. Scorchingly. Delicious!!!!! I look forward to reading more books from this author.”
via Amazon.com: Elaine’s review of Smoky Mountain Dreams.
Click for reviews and praise for Smoky Mountain Dreams!
Buy at ARe. Buy at Amazon. Buy at Smashwords. Buy at Kobo. Buy at Barnes & Noble. Buy at iTunes.
“Sequel Lives Up to Great Original!” Review of Training Complex by Leta Blake #gay
“I was so excited to read more Matty and Rob, and this book did not disappoint. I was up half the night finishing it! It was great getting Rob’s POV (along with Matty’s), and seeing Rob have his own struggles while he tries to always be so strong for Matty, who is such a memorable and unique character. Even when they have problems, I always know things will be okay in the end because they love each other so much. I really hope there will be a third book as they continue their life together!”
via Amazon.com: SA’s review of Training Complex (Training Season Series B….
Click for reviews and praise for Training Complex!
ARe|Amazon|Smashwords|Barnes & Noble|iTunes.
“Incredibly Satisfying Sequel!” review of Training Complex by Leta Blake #mmromance #gay
“Matty and Rob are back! Matty and Rob are back!!” I literally said that out loud when I heard there was a sequel in the works favorite book of 2014, Training Season. I just could not love these characters any more than I already do. Even more now that I’ve read the sequel Training Complex.
If you liked the first book, you owe it to yourself to read this sequel to see how the boys make it to their HEA. If you loved the first book, you’re probably already reading/read it. I HIGHLY recommend this one and am deliriously happy!”
via Amazon.com: Jen “Gigi”‘s review of Training Complex (Training Season Series B….
Click for reviews and praise for Training Complex!
ARe|Amazon|Smashwords|Barnes & Noble|iTunes.
Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake AVAILABLE NOW #gay #mmromance
My next book, Smoky Mountain Dreams, has been a wonderful journey for me and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to write the stories of Jesse and Christopher. I’d like to thank my friend Alice Springs for loving the book first and for encouraging me to finish it. I hope readers love it even half as much as Alice did from the start!

Bisexual Jesse Birch has no room in his life for dating. Raising two kids and fighting with family after a tragic accident took his children’s mother, he doesn’t want more than an occasional hook-up. He sure as hell doesn’t want to fall hard for his favorite local singer, but when Christopher walks into his jewelry studio, Jesse hears a new song in his heart.
Smoky Mountain Dreams is available now at:
AMAZON
B&N
SMASHWORDS
iTUNES
SCRIBD
OYSTER
And will soon be available at KOBO.
Yay! River Leith Listed In Booyah #eBooks For May : Mary Calmes Book Blog
“I absolutely love how Leith’s discovery of his feelings for Zach is handled. His brain “itching” at certain smells, looks, feelings. His gradual realization that the relationship is much more, at least for him, than friendship. And, the scene in the hospital garden…THE scene – when you read the book, you’ll know the one I mean – could not have been more perfect. Their connection and chemistry are amazing, and I’ll tell you what… Leta Blake writes some beautifully steamy sex scenes.Honestly, the writing style overall just really spoke to me. I could say so much more about how much I loved this book, but I’ll let you all, discover it for yourselves. I will say, though, that I’ve been looking for a long time for a book to recommend as a first time M/M read to one of my best friends, and I think I might have finally found it. I highly recommend this book, folks. And, I plan to rush out and get Leta’s other stories!!” — Jules, The Novel Approach
via Mary Calmes Book Blog: Our Booyah Books For The Month Of May.

After an injury in the ring, amateur boxer Leith Wenz wakes to discover his most recent memories are three years out of date. Unmoored and struggling to face his new reality, Leith must cope anew with painful revelations about his family. His brother is there to support him, but it’s the unfamiliar face of Zach, a man introduced as his best friend, that provides the calm he craves. Until Zach’s presence begins to stir up feelings Leith can’t explain.
For Zach, being forgotten by his lover is excruciating. He carefully hides the truth from Leith to protect them both from additional pain. His bottled-up turmoil finds release through vlogging, where he confesses his fears and grief to the faceless Internet. But after Leith begins to open up to him, Zach’s choices may come back to haunt him.
Ultimately, Leith must ask his heart the questions memory can no longer answer.