gay

TRAINING SEASON AUDIOBOOK! EXPERIENCE MATTY ALL OVER AGAIN! #gay #romance

June 2, 2017 by Leta

Whooooo!!! NOW AVAILABLE! Training Season on AUDIOBOOK! Buy it Amazon & Audible. And now at iTunes!

“Does Training Season by Leta Blake live up to all it’s crazy hype? IT SO DOES!” – Breann, Boy Meets Boy Reviews

Michael Ferraiuolo, known for narrating the Five Borough books by Santino Hassell, did a fantastic job. Check out the sample! Absolutely thrilled with how the audiobook turned out!

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?

This book contains BDSM elements.

Leta Blake Recommends Kit Brisby's ROGUE MAGIC! Check it out! #gay #romance

January 30, 2017 by Leta

I’m thrilled to welcome Kit Brisby today to talk about her excellent book Rogue Magic! It was one of my favorite books I beta read last year and I highly recommend it!

Let’s get started:

1. Rogue Magic is deeply romantic, but more than that it’s a wonderful but never heavy-handed allegory for persecution based on religion, race, or any other human quality that might go against the values of the established culture. Was this intentional on your part?

Persecution based on religion, race, and countless other identities has existed for centuries. It’s a common theme in stories, and I don’t think I was doing anything revolutionary here! When I wrote this book, the political climate in the United States hadn’t quite reached its current fever pitch. I’ll be honest – I hoped that by the time the book was released, our nation might be entering a time of healing under the leadership of the first female president.

But that’s another story entirely.

Ultimately, I believe #ownvoices is incredibly important, and while ROGUE MAGIC might be read as an allegory about what marginalized people face today, I urge readers to seek stories written by members of those populations. I’m a queer white woman with anxiety. I can speak to those experiences, but I can’t begin to speak to the lived experiences of people of color, Muslims, and other marginalized people. I’m touched that readers have drawn parallels but a direct parallel was not my intention.

2. Do you remember the first moment this story came alive in your mind? The point of inspiration? Can you tell us a bit about it and how it made you feel inside?

The opening scene was always the foundation of this book. The act of sacrifice and the immediate consequences. The mix of confusion and fear and empathy. I get a little squiggly feeling in my stomach over that scene, and it’s that kind of excitement/inspiration that fuels me as a writer as the story unfolds.

3. Was there a point with this story when you felt like it was too much, or that you’d never be able to complete it satisfactorily? What got you through that time and led you to persevere?
I’m always very excited for the first 15,000 words of a new draft. Then I enter the “despair and whining” phase until I’ve got about 15% left. I stick to a fairly stern drafting schedule that gets me through the agony of the “I’ll never finish this garbage” doldrums. Revisions and line edits can be rough, but in this case I had amazing guidance. That always makes the hard work more gratifying.

4. Many authors write with music playing or use songs to drive inspiration and channel emotion. Is there a particular song (or songs) that will forever be attached to Rogue Magic or its characters for you?

I listen to moody Google Play Radio stations when I’m writing. I also listen to short, curated playlists that help me get into characters’ headspaces. The Shins played a large part in ROGUE MAGIC’s playlist, along with a little Belle and Sebastian. I have a feeling that was more Levi’s influence than Byron’s.

5. You have an annual star chart you use to track your writing and edits. I found it deeply inspiring and started doing a similar one for myself. Do you want to briefly explain it?

I’m deeply inspired by author V.E. Schwab. She popularized the “star chart” method and uses monthly calendars. Her productivity is amazing, and she’s very transparent with her fans about the amount of labor that goes into producing a book. Using a star chart to tracking drafting is particularly motivating, but I’ve found a lot of value in visualizing revisions, which aren’t nearly as sexy as cranking out brand new words. (But they’re so much more important!) I use a year calendar from NeuYear.net to track my book-related work.

6. What is the one thing you hope readers take away from Rogue Magic and what is the one thing you are most proud of when it comes to the book?

I hope readers enjoy themselves as the story unfolds. I’ve found great comfort and escape in books throughout my life, and it’s truly the greatest honor to offer that to others.

Thank you, Kit! Congratulations on the release of Rogue Magic!

"Funny, cute, snarky and just plain fun." Review: Will & Patrick Wake Up Married by Leta Blake & Alice Griffiths #gay #romcom

December 13, 2016 by Leta

“I love this set up for the story…drunk and married in Vegas! This is very funny, cute, snarky and just plain fun. Looking forward to the next installment.”

via Julie, Goodreads

NOW AVAILABLE! You Are Not Me (90's Coming of Age, Bk 2) by Leta Blake

November 28, 2016 by Leta

Follow Peter into the summer following his senior year to face new beginnings, new friends, and old baggage.

After a tumultuous final year of high school, Peter Mandel needs a break. It’s the summer of 1991, and his secret relationship with his ‘best friend’ Adam Algedi is put on hold as Adam goes away to Italy for the summer. On the cusp of adulthood, Peter has a couple of months to explore who he is without Adam at his side.

Enter Daniel McPeak, a slightly older, out, responsible college guy with a posse of gay friends and an attraction for Peter. Drawn into the brave new world of the local gay club, Peter embarks on a whirlwind of experiences—good and bad—which culminate in a hotel room where he has to make the ultimate choice.

But Adam will come back eventually, and there are promises that have to be kept. As autumn draws near and college awaits, can Peter break free of the binds of twisted first love? And what exactly is Daniel’s role in his life – a brief temptation, or something more?

Join Peter in the second book of this four-part coming of age series as he struggles to love and be loved, and grow into a gay man worthy of his own respect.

***

This new series by Leta Blake is gay fiction with romantic elements.

Book 2 of 4.
Length: 100,000 words, 328 pages

These books contain aspects of: New Adult fiction, ‘90s gay life, small city homosexual experiences, Southern biases, sexual exploration, romance, homophobia, bisexuality, and twisted-up young love. Oh, and a guaranteed happy ending for the main character by the end of Book 4.

NOW AVAILABLE! Pictures of You by Leta Blake (90's Coming of Age, Book 1)

September 18, 2016 by Leta

“Go ahead and start getting excited about this.” Katie, Back Porch Reader

“An amazing story that I couldn’t put down!” Jaime, Alpha Book Club

“Five freakin’ awesome stars. Wow, Leta, you have outdone yourself.” Jewel, My Fiction Nook

“I couldn’t put this book down. I absolutely loved it.” Tracy, Bayou Book Junkie

“What a book! It consumed me from start to finish.” Amy, Goodreads Librarian/Reader

***

Growing up gay isn’t easy. Growing up gay in Knoxville, Tennessee is even harder.

Eighteen-year-old Peter Mandel, a private school senior—class of 1991—is passionate about photography. Peter doesn’t have many friends, preferring to shoot pictures from behind the scenes to keep his homosexuality secret.

Enter Adam Algedi, a charming, worldly new guy who doesn’t do labels, but does want to do Peter. Hardly able to believe gorgeous Adam would want geeky, skinny him of all people, Peter’s swept away on a journey of first love and sexual discovery. But as their mutual web of lies spins tighter and tighter, can Peter find the confidence he needs to make the right choices? And will his crush on Daniel, a college acquaintance, open a new path?

Join Peter in the first book of this four-part coming of age series as he struggles to love and be loved, and grow into a gay man worthy of his own respect.

This new series by Leta Blake is gay fiction with romantic elements.

Book 1 of 4.

These books contain aspects of: New Adult fiction, ‘90s gay life, small city homosexual experiences, Southern biases, sexual exploration, romance, homophobia, bisexuality, and twisted-up young love. Oh, and a guaranteed happy ending for the main character by the end of Book 4.

Crossposted to Steemit.

"This is a stunning story." Diverse Reader's Review of Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn

August 11, 2016 by Leta

Diverse Reader’s review of Vespertine:

“I love Leta Blake’s work so hard. This was the first time I read any of Indra Vaughn’s. ( I will be rectifying that now)

Now, I was skeptical at first when I read the blurb. Scared even. A priest. a rocker. long ago lovers. As a Christian I feared it would be insulting. I also feared it would be preachy. I’m sure some of you feel or felt the same way. I’m here to tell you it is none of those things.

Leta and Indra were so respectful.

Nicky and Jazz. Were there ever two men who loved more than these two did each other? I doubt it. A love that was like walking through a battlefield. Each hit hurt, each hit scarred. Each scar, a memory. Time was killer for them. Only when they reunite after Nicky not only hit rock bottom but crashed straight through to Hell’s bedrock do we see their story. A story of long ago crashing into the present.

This is a friends to lovers back to friends back to lovers story LOL. This is a tale of strength, courage, trust, healing, and loyalty. God does work in mysterious ways. His answers aren’t always clear and through Jazz we get such a crystal clear view of the struggle of choosing a path. One forever or the right forever.

Nicky and Jazz. Badger and fox. two sides of the same coin. One a saint one a sinner. And yet for them to be together makes so much sense.

This is a stunning story.”

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.

Review: The River Leith – I'm With Geek "Ultimately, The River Leith is a delight: devastating, hopeful, sexy, romantic, and true." #gay #amreading

August 4, 2016 by Leta

“The River Leith is a short book. It could be completed in a day, and it is engrossing enough to do so. As with her previous book, Training Season, Blake showcases her skill for writing unique, involved and developed relationships. Her sex scenes are also wonderfully written, realistic and free of purple prose while still being romantic (but I’m With Geek will be sure to discuss them in more detail in a later Between the Sheets article.)

Ultimately, The River Leith is a delight: devastating, hopeful, sexy, romantic, and true.”

via Review: The River Leith – I’m With Geek.

Now Available on Kindle Unlimited! Angel Undone by Leta Blake #KU #gay

August 1, 2016 by Leta

“It was good. It was fun. It was sexy as all get out and it was utterly romantic and… sigh. Maybe I’m the one undone after reading it?” ~ Ginger, On My Shelves Reviews
“Angel Undone is romance with a soupçon of angst, sweet with just the right amount of spice, and poignant with exactly the right amount of cheek to keep it from becoming overdramatic.” ~ Lisa, The Novel Approach

“I am a huge Leta Blake fan and if you are too, and especially if you enjoy angel stories, this may be a good one to check out.” ~ Jay, Joyfully Jay Reviews

***

The Archangel Michael is tired. He fought wars and shoved his brother Lucifer out of heaven all before the Dark Ages rolled around. His role as protector of Israel now encompasses all of humanity, and while he performs his job perfectly, there’s little personal joy in it.

Until one night in a bar when he meets Asher.

Michael isn’t sure what it is about the vulnerable, self-deprecating Asher that calls to him, but something about his restrained depths, gentle smiles, and encyclopedic knowledge of flowers tugs at Michael in a way that can’t be denied. Too bad romance isn’t part of his mission.

Facing an eternity of perfect submission to God’s authority, rebellion stirs in Michael. Questions of free will, angelic vocation, and the role of love and lust demand answers that just might cost Michael his place in heaven.

Warnings: this novella contains urban fantasy, wings, angels doing unangelic things, erotic content, and playful blasphemy.

Word Count: 25,000

Pre-order Now Available! Angel Undone by Leta Blake – serving up playful blasphemy and religious side-eye

July 6, 2016 by Leta

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00050] — **RELEASE DATE: JULY 18, 2016**

Overview

Until one night in a bar when he meets Asher.

Warnings: this novella contains urban fantasy, wings, angels doing unangelic things, erotic content, religious side-eye, and playful blasphemy.

Word Count: 25,000

Will & Patrick Wake Up Married Bundle Episodes 1-3! Only $4.99! #gay #romance

July 5, 2016 by Leta

“I truly adore this series more than words can express. The writing is stellar and the storyline just keeps getting better and better.” – Bayou Book Junkie Reviews

“Ms. Blake and Ms. Griffiths have crafted an endearing tale full of promise, humor, tension, drama, sadness, and forgiveness. An incredible read!” – Alpha Book Club

“If you haven’t read these stories yet what are you waiting for?” Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews

BUY EPISODES 1-3 FOR ONLY $4.99!

"Beautiful, compelling and above all, believable. I couldn't put it down." Review of Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn

June 10, 2016 by Leta

“Beautiful, compelling and above all, believable. I couldn’t put it down. Hope to see more from this writing pair.”

Source: Amazon.com: Elr’s review of Vespertine

"I might have missed a great book." Flight by Leta Blake #gay #fairytale

June 2, 2016 by Leta

“The story was fanciful and in some places kind of bizarre but I enjoyed it immensely. I did not read the blurbs about it before I read it so I had no idea what to expect. I think if I had, that I might have missed a great book.

via Amazon.com: Amazon Customer’s review of Flight.

Previously released as Love’s Nest in 2013.

There’s no greater mystery in the kingdom than where Prince Mateo’s sisters disappear to each night. The king is determined to discover where they go and issues a challenge to all the nobles to help him learn their secret. Hoping to protect them, Mateo hides beneath a magic cloak and follows his sisters to an enchanted world of fairies and lusty delights.

Ópalo has waited years to finally meet his human lover. Fairies are bound by fate, and Ópalo is eager to embrace his, and plans a future with Mateo. But while Mateo soon succumbs to the pleasures of the flesh, he refuses to surrender his heart so easily.

As their worlds collide, Ópalo has to risk everything to win his man forever.

"Beautiful story told with sensitivity and grace." Reviews: Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake

May 15, 2016 by Leta

“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

May 10, 2016 by Leta

“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?

FREE! Will & Patrick Wake Up Married (Episode 1 in the Wake Up Married serial) – April 18 – 22 only! #gay #romance

April 18, 2016 by Leta

“I truly adore this series more than words can express. The writing is stellar and the storyline just keeps getting better and better.” – Bayou Book Junkie Reviews

“Ms. Blake and Ms. Griffiths have crafted an endearing tale full of promise, humor, tension, drama, sadness, and forgiveness. An incredible read!” – Alpha Book Club

“If you haven’t read these stories yet what are you waiting for?” Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews

FREE April 18 – 22 on Amazon!

Now Available the FINAL episode of the Wake Up Married Serial! Will & Patrick's Happy Ending!

April 15, 2016 by Leta

Follow Will & Patrick in this final installment of the romantic-comedy serial, Wake Up Married, by best-selling author Leta Blake and newcomer Alice Griffiths!

Sure, Will and Patrick are in love now, but they weren’t when they got married in Vegas. For Patrick, that’s no problem, but Will can’t shake his doubts that a relationship started through coercion can ever become the real deal.

Since the Molinaro crime family has reversed their position on divorce, Will and Patrick have a chance to rectify their drunken mistake. But is divorce the solution? Find out in this final instalment of the much-beloved Wake up Married serial.

Episode 6 of 6 in the Wake Up Married serial.

Or start at the beginning and read all the way through to the end!

"So good I didn't want it to end. Wonderful everything! Nicky and Jazz forever!" | Review of Vespertine

April 10, 2016 by Leta

“This was so good I didn’t want it to end. Wonderful everything! Nicky and Jazz forever!”

Source: Goodreads | Rennie’s review of Vespertine

Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?

"OMG this book was so good!" Review: Will & Patrick Wake Up Married by Leta Blake & Alice Griffiths

March 28, 2016 by Leta

“OMG this book was so good!
Okay Patrick and Will meet each other one night while both of them are drunk in Vegas. Well one thing leads to another and they wake up in the morning married and sore due to the massive amounts of sex they had. Can I just say I loved Patrick’s character so much. He was just so snarky, so many times the things he would say in this book had me laughing to the point I had tears in my eyes.
So due to reasons that are beyond Will’s control they have to stay married until they can figure a way out of their marriage. So many things happen in this book that I was either laughing or feeling sad for Will because of what Ryan does to him. I loved the way the authors wrote these characters and the whole pretense of this story. So I don’t want to give away any spoilers because this book you have got to read for yourself, it was just so good! I can not wait to read the next one to see what these two characters Patrick and Will are up to next.
So all together I loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this book!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.”

via Kara’s review on Amazon.com

"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

March 15, 2016 by Leta

“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

"I loved this book SO much. It was just beautiful." | Review of Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn

March 10, 2016 by Leta

“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?

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