Monday News Roundup

Prisilla Alston at JERR reviewed Chaos & Communion and gave it 4 1/2 stars:

This is the fifth book in a series from this author, but without having read the other four books, this one can definitely stand on its own. The theory of the book made sense, and I was able to follow along with where the author was going with these engrossing characters. Clearly, Emma and Gideon are in the relationship for the long haul as they work diligently to heal the man they both love. They see he's not the same, and so do we, as he struggles to come to terms with what happened in his life. There are other secondary characters that are eager to fill us in on the entire novel. While we feel the love as it surrounds us by the main characters, this is not a "cutesy" romance. The sex scenes were strong and pulsing page turners that easily drew me into their erotic web. As this is a story about a dominant vampire and his submissives, I fully expected to see some blood play, and it definitely didn't turn me off. In fact, those not into the lifestyle may be surprised at how turned on you are by some of the sexual acts. The book was very well-written and I didn't have a problem until I got to the very end. It wasn't a bad ending, but somehow seemed incomplete. Perhaps there is a plan for another book, causing things to seem unfinished. To find out if Jesse gets healed and some of the things he experiences through the process, I encourage you to read The Master Chronicles V: Chaos & Communion. Despite my disappointment with the unclear ending, I highly recommend this book.

Elisa Rolle reviews Out of the Storm

Jay Archer is a park rancher who needs to evacuate a flood zone full of tourist. Nick Lau is a television weather man who has not foretold the bad weather and chose to spend a romantic weekend with his lover in an isolated cabin. But he was dumped soon after his arrival to the cabin and now is mourning and trying to get drunk. And he has no intention to leave the cabin.

At first Jay is all to leave Nick to his depression, but the flood caughts him to the cabin and very near to Nick. Nick all in all is a very handsome and cute guy, and Jay is not the type to deny a man, if he asks and is enough sober to understand what he is asking. So Jay and Nick spend a sexy weekend, but when the rain stops, Jay has to return to his work and Nick to his city... can they find a common path?

Out of the Storm is a sexy little story. Jay and Nick are two characters without inhibitions, and they have no problem to try the boundaries of sex. There is a bit of pleasure/pain game and D/S on both part. Nor Jay or Nick are totally dom or sub, but I think that Nick is the more fragile, he needs reassurance and a man near him who is enough independent to not rely on Nick for everything, but also enough self-conscious to leave sometime the upper hand to Nick.

This is a rather short book, less than 60 pages, and it also spans for only a weekend in Jay and Nick's life, but for me is very enjoyable, and the two characters are deeply enough to allow me to understand them and their reasons.

She also reviewed A Hidden Beauty

The story is very long and it's peaceful and quiet, it flows like a placid river. It starts slow and continues with a almost straight course. But it's very beautiful and romantic. The paranormal event is only a second line aspect, and this is for sure an historical romance. Reading it I remember some biography I have read of poets who chose to live alone far from the so-said civil society, to enjoy the nature and the simple life of the country. In this case there is also the matter of homosexuality, and Jefferson chooses a self-imposed exile to avoid the consequences of a sexual scandal in the scholar Harvard community.

Almost all the story is setting in Jefferson's cottage, and in a very small village, and both Micah than Jefferson come from wealthy family who provide for them, and so they live in comfort. But more than the historical accuracy of the setting, it's the sensuality between the two men that draws me, the poetry that becomes love stimulation, the words that become sex toys...

Beautiful cover that enlights you in one of the sexual game they play... you should read it!

Tina at Two Lips Reviews gave Mine 5 Lips and a Recommended Read!

Jamie Craig gives you sex, more sex, and intrigue in Mine. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story that are sure to keep you guessing. There are also a lot of things at play in this book, you might not realize at first. The surprises will leave you wondering until the very last page is turned. Eric is dominating, endearing, and completely not what you would expect. Is he really a stranger? Or is there more to this? Travis also has his secrets. Is he the lover in this story? Or a mad man carefully in disguise?



This story has many levels of mind games, as well as body games. I loved how it is written. It keeps you wondering and completely off guard the whole time. You won’t be disappointed in this book. But just to let you know, it’s not for the faint of heart. There are extreme sex scenes in Mine, as well as extreme violence and extreme blood. But it’s well worth it! This is part of the Calendar Boys series. Mine is a great read. Ms. Craig gives you everything you could want in a story: sex, intrigue, and true love, with a final twist that makes you want more!

Inspirations--Mine

It's cold here today. We got hit with a pretty serious snow storm this morning that totally fucked up the roads. Right now, my "accutrack" weather plug-in informs me there's some "light snow" with " a little snow" predicted for the rest of the day. *sigh* What can you do?

Oh, wait, I know! Look at naked pictures of Johnny Hazzard! Yes, folks, there's going to be some Adult Entertainment on the blog today. So if you don't want to see some really hot photographs, or you're at work, you should probably click away and come back later. Seriously. This is your final warning.

We used Johnny as our model for our vampire pet, Joel, in Mine. Except, Joel has a few more tattoos than Johnny currently does.

New Release: Mine

The second novella in our Calendar Boys series is Mine. I'm really glad this novella is the second in our series, because I think it's a strong contrast to Miami's Perfect Weekend and really shows what we're trying to do with this series. Unlike the first book, it's about vampires. It's dark. It's got BDSM, slaves, pets, and more. Oh yeah, and it's really hot.

Vampire Erik Haden has been tracking hunter Travis Canavan for weeks, watching him, learning his every move. On the eve before Valentine’s Day, the hunt is over.

Within the walls of BDSM club, Bound, Erik approaches Travis and makes an offer he can’t refuse. All he wants is one night with both Travis and the exotic male pet he leads around on a leash, a beautiful tattooed vampire that captivates Erik at first sight.

At least...that’s all Travis thinks he wants...

Genres: Gay / Dark Fantasy / Vampire / BDSM / Ménage (M/M/M) / Group Sex / Exhibitionism / Public Places / Series

And here's an excerpt you won't see anywhere else.

He had thought Erik was riveting at Bound, but here, under the softer illumination of his home, the vampire was even more arresting. Blond hair mussed into a deliberate windswept look, a wide brow with gray-blue eyes that bored right through you beneath it, an aquiline nose above a mouth that was downright sinful. He was powerfully built, the thin weave of his sweater highlighting rather than hiding his muscled arms and chest, and he stood as tall as Travis at six-four.

Travis's gaze swept downward. There it was. The thick cock clearly outlined in the worn jeans. If he fucked Joel without stretching him first as he'd hinted at Bound, he'd tear the pet's hole. The thought of blood dripping down the back of Joel's thighs made Travis's mouth dry.

"I half-expected you to answer with your cock buried in his throat again," Erik said with a wry smile. "I'm not sure I'd be able to resist if I were you."

"If you had been a few minutes later, that's exactly how I would have answered. Come in." He pushed the door wide and allowed Erik to enter. "It's your show tonight." He gestured to the dungeon, and then to the bedroom.

Erik stopped at the pet's side, dropping his hand to the top of Joel's head and absently stroking the dark hair. "Maybe we'll start with some discipline. I'd love to see how you got him so well-trained."

Travis nodded. There were many, many reasons to keep a vampire for a pet, but Travis's favorite was how well vampires could take punishment. They could take whatever he dished out, and were always fully healed and ready for more within a day or two.

He led the pet back into the dungeon and over to the bench Travis had designed and built himself. It had a bar in the middle for the pet to lean over, putting his ass in the air. Another bar at the front was the right height to hold his throat and head steady. The bench was made of two parallel bars, and there were chains in place to hold down the pet's legs and arms. It gave Travis perfect access to any part of the pet's body he wanted to reach.

"Up."

There was just enough slack in the leash for Joel to climb into place without Travis having to move to accommodate him. The bench was adjustable, but it had been set for Joel's slighter build for months now. None of his other pets interested him enough to bother with adjusting it. Settling his ankles and wrists directly in place, Joel lowered his head in mute compliance, waiting to get chained in.

Erik slowly circled the bench. The hunger was back in the vampire's eyes, and more than once he licked his lips. He paused behind Joel and reached out to stroke a strong flank.

"I have to fuck him soon," he mused. "You two are one up on me for orgasms already."

"You should warm him up first." Travis opened a cabinet to reveal a wide array of floggers, whips, and other blunt instruments. His collection was much larger than what was represented there, but these were the items that always garnered the best response from Joel. "Nothing beats fucking him after he's been tenderized."

He turned back in time to see Erik pulling the plug out of Joel's ass, running the come-coated tip up and down the crack. Erik's intense eyes, however, were fixed on Travis, catching his attention for long seconds before raking down his body.

"And what about you?"

Tossing the plug aside, Erik prowled closer, every step slow and measured until he stood directly in front of Travis. One more foot, and he'd have Travis pinned to the open weapons. Travis wasn't completely convinced Erik wouldn't try that anyway.

"I meant what I said back at Bound. I'm paying for both of you tonight." Erik grabbed Travis's hips and pulled him flush against his own. "And as delicious as your pet looks, nothing beats a hot, human hole squeezing around my cock."

Travis knew it was a serious gamble to fuck a vampire--or let a vampire fuck him--before drugging the creature. He wouldn't be able to simply overpower this one. But he felt like he was a little drugged. Erik's body was hard, and the thought of having that thick cock buried in his ass made his blood run hot. He never let his pets fuck him, so he would be tight for Erik.

"If you fuck me first, it'll give the pet a chance to...recover from earlier."

A slow smile turned Erik's eyes feral. Travis almost expected to see fangs already.

"Eager, are we?" He leaned in closer, as if to kiss him, only to turn at the last minute and drag the tip of his tongue over Travis's cheek until his mouth reached Travis's ear. "You've been drooling over my cock since I walked up to your table. Almost as much as I've been watering at the thought of letting you have it."

Travis couldn't deny it. He palmed Erik's erection, rubbing it through the stiff jeans, and was rewarded with a soft moan in his ear.

"I think the pet isn't the only one who will scream for you."

Find more information here.

The Big Roundup

Seven days since the last roundup, seven new things to share.

1. Trinity Broken has hit #2 at Samhain! Thank you to everybody who has bought it; this was the best way to start out a brand new year. :)


2. Trinity Broken has also gotten a great review already. Kimberly Spinney at eCataromance Sensual gave it 4.5 stars and said:

Jamie Craig’s world of shapeshifters is not to be missed. This book was not only immensely intriguing but it had new idea that kept this from being just another paranormal romance. The sensuality and emotional depth that flowed from the pages make this a must read, must have novel. I look forward to seeing what else this author has to offer.

The whole review is here.

3. February's Calendar Boy story, Mine, got its cover this week:


4. Another Amber Quill story, Double Down, got its cover this week, too:


5. I got some excellent news this week. Ellora's Cave offered me a contract for the short story I submitted as part of their jewel-themed months in 2008. As It Should Be by Vivien Dean will come out in May as part of their Emerald month.

6. Pepper finished and submitted another story to Amber Allure. (Just Like) Starting Over will come out in July.

7. And last, but not least, a winner for our weekly giveaway! Our first winner is...

Cathy!!!

E-mail us at jamiecraigbooks (at) gmail.com in order to collect your prize. Today's post marks the beginning of a new drawing, so don't be shy!