Release day: Diving In (Family Found #2)

Preston and Sawyer Waters need a vacation in the worst way. Life stressors have gotten to be too much, and they need to reconnect. A month-long stay at a cabin in the woods is perfect to remember how to enjoy each other. But they never expect to meet the man who would fit with them so perfectly.

Wade Johansson loves his life. Running V Wilderness Adventures with his best friends, spending his life on the water, and being surrounded by nature is his dream come true. But he’s missing one key element: someone to love.

The three men find an instant connection and are quick to explore the attraction. It becomes clear immediately that they want a relationship lasting longer than just a vacation. But with Preston and Sawyer living in another town and Wade worried about how he fits, can they find the courage to dive in head first?

MMM Contemporary / 34 032 words

Buy links / Add to Goodreads:

JMS BOOKS | Amazon | Amazon UK | KOBO | B&N | Google Play | iTunes

Excerpt:

And I did think about it. All the way back to the boat. As I tossed and turned during the night. When I stumbled out of the berth before the sun had crawled over the treetops and as I made coffee with trembling hands.

I thought about it as I took a quick shower, got dressed, and took the dogs out for a walk. It was no wonder I found myself outside their cabin a few minutes later. Accompanied by the chipper sounds of the early morning birds, I knocked on their door.

No one opened, and no sounds came from the inside. I shook my head with a huff. What had I been thinking, rushing up here at this hour? They were on vacation, of course they wouldn’t be awake at sunrise.

But as I decided to return to the boat, the door opened and revealed a sleep-rumpled Sawyer wrapped in a sheet. “Wade?” His voice was gravelly, his hair a mess, his eyes were bleary, and he took my breath away.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about the time. I should …” I gestured in the direction of the path that had brought me to their cabin.

“No!” His voice cracked, and he had to clear his throat. “No,” he repeated. “Please don’t go.”

Preston emerged from the bedroom and joined us. He’d pulled on a T-shirt, and it looked like he’d run his fingers through his hair to make it a little more presentable. “Wade?”

“Do you know what I did yesterday?” I blurted out.

They both shook their heads.

“I was hiding. Avoiding you.”

Sawyer’s mouth turned down and he reached out his hand to his husband, who took it immediately.

“Why?” Preston said.

“What did you mean when you asked me out? Did you mean as a prelude to fucking … or as a date-date?”

Sawyer’s answer was immediate. “A date-date.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Have you, uh, done that before?”

“Just casually. Nothing serious,” Preston said.

“Then … what’s different now?”

“We like you.” Preston’s voice was soothing, as though he was trying to calm a wild animal.

And he wasn’t far off. My body was in flight mode, my stomach churned, and I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs. Neptune lumbered over to my side and sat next to me, leaning his massive body against my leg. I buried my fingers in his soft fur, comforted by his presence.

“Did you hide from us because you don’t like us?” Sawyer asked.

“No.”

“Then why?”

I turned my head away, unable to look at them anymore. So many questions were spinning inside my head, but I knew there were no answers to any of them. Not at this moment, at least.

What I wanted was to know I wouldn’t get hurt, because I had a feeling they could be very important to me if I let them. But who can guarantee something like that before they’ve even been out on a single date?

So, I drew in a deep breath of forest air, scratched my dog behind his ears, and turned to look at them. “Yes,” I said. “I’d love to go out on a date with you.”

Release blitz and giveaway: Family Camp (Daddy Dearest #1) by Eli Easton

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link – Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited. 

 

Length: 219 pages

 

Cover Design: Reese Dante

 

Blurb

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?

About the Daddy Dearest series

The Daddy Dearest series will consist of stand-alone contemporary novels focusing on single gay dads who find hot romance. Expect laughs, sweet and sexy slow-burn romance, and lots of family feels!

Excerpt

Sixth inning. Geo was ready for the game to be over. It was fucking hot on the ball field, all open and exposed, the sun baking down. And he was also not sure how much more Travis-watching he could take—him with his silky burgundy gym shorts and a sweaty Camp Evermore green shirt stretched over those muscles. His long legs were tanned and well-defined from hours at the gym.Those thighs could fucking crack walnuts. Dude.

Damn, but that was one fine-looking man. Geo knew he should lay off, though. Travis had made himself clear.

Only he hadn’t. At all. One minute, Travis seemed into him him. He sought out Geo’s company, like the way he kept coming by the cabin at night. And the next minute, he’d put distance between them, ignoring Geo or closing himself off behind a granite-like expression and those eye-hiding shades. And Travis had laid a clear line in the sand. Not at camp. Not gonna happen.

Yup. That was fine. Sure, Geo hadn’t been mutually attracted to a guy that hot in ages. Or ever, really. But Geo hadn’t come to camp to fool around. He had other priorities.

It did make him wonder though. Bridget had said Travis wasn’t out. A quick Google search last night had confirmed that. In fact, Geo had been shocked to discover there’d never been an out baseball player in the major leagues. Like, in the history of American baseball. Which was tragic. No wonder Travis was in the closet. It had to suck monkey balls living like that. Especially with all the women who threw themselves at him constantly. There were a dozen women on the sidelines right now that looked ready to have his babies. That had to be weird for a gay guy. Didn’t it?

Geo himself was always super uncomfortable when women came on to him. He felt compelled to blurt out “I’m gay!” in the first five minutes. It was just too weird otherwise.

Then again, Travis’s love life was none of Geo’s business. Maybe the guy was bisexual. Maybe he liked dating women just fine.

Jayden came up to bat. Geo focused on his son, clapping hard. “Come on, Jayden! You’ve got this!”

Jayden took a wide stance beside the plate, both hands gripping the bat, choked up a little. Travis had spent a few minutes with Jayden at the start of the game, showing him how to stand, and Jayden copied him exactly. The kid was a great mimic. He’d been nervous at first, tense and defensive. But by now he just looked focused. He stared, narrow-eyed, at Frank as Frank pitched an easy ball.

Geo loved that about this game, that everyone tried to give the kids easy wins, and no one took the competition seriously.

Jayden hit the ball hard. It flew through the air a short ways then plonked to the ground and skipped along fast. It was heading right down the center line, though a bit more towards third base and Travis’s side of the field.

“Go Jayden! Go!” Geo shouted. He went after the ball. In his peripheral vision, he saw Jayden round first base and keep running.

Travis was going after the ball too, dodging low. He scooped it up. He was going to throw it to third base, keep Jayden back on second. Geo couldn’t let that happen.

He dove in front of Travis, crowding him, holding an arm out to block Travis from throwing the ball.

Travis snorted, bemused. “What are you doing? You’re on my team.” He backed up, trying to get away from Geo.

“Blood before bros, man,” Geo said with fake seriousness. He kept up with Travis, step for step, grabbing Travis’s right arm in a firm grip so he couldn’t raise the ball.

“Stop it!” Travis laughed. “Dork. That’s not legal.”

“Don’t care.”

They took three steps back, like they were dancing. Geo held Travis’s right arm, staring him down. Travis met his gaze, a goofy smile on his lips. Back and back they stumbled. Suddenly, Travis got a sparkle in his eyes. He wrapped his left arm around Geo’s waist and picked him up, swinging him around so he ended up behind Travis.

Geo was still finding his feet as Travis drew back his arm and sent the ball sailing.

Right to home plate. But Jayden got there first. Umpire Cindy made the motion with her hands, safe.

Geo laughed and raised his arms in triumph. “Yeah, baby! Great job, Jayden! Home run, whoo!”

Then he realized everyone was staring at them. On the sidelines, there were a dozen cameras raised, filming.

Oh. Er. Hmm. Geo wiped his face, feeling sheepish.

That’s when a piercing scream rent the air.

 

 

About Eli

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

Her website is www.elieaston.com
You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

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Monday Book Talk

Hurt/comfort is my number one favorite romance trope. Every time someone asks me, that’s the first thing I say. I love a lot of tropes, but none of them are as great as hurt/comfort.

If you’re unfamiliar with tropes, here’s a definition I found online. (It says fanfiction in the definition because I borrowed it from a fanfiction site, but it applies to non-fanfiction stories, too.)

“Hurt/comfort is a fanfiction genre that involves the physical pain or emotional distress of one character, who is cared for by another character. The injury, sickness or other kind of hurt allows an exploration of the characters and their relationship.”

I love this trope because it allows the story to focus on the characters and the relationship without a gazillion subplots, because I want my romance stories focused on the romance, not a mystery or a murder or something else. It’s also interesting to see the characters’ reactions: both how someone reacts to a person in need, and how the injured person reacts to being cared for says a lot of their personalities. H/C stories allows the characters to show vulnerability, and I also love to see how trust builds between the characters, and this trust is what finally lets the hurt party start to heal.

Below are four of my favorite hurt/comfort books. I’ve re-read them all several times.

Do you like hurt/comfort? If yes, tell me your favorites in the comments; I’m always on the lookout for more!

Out of the Blackness | Strong Enough | The Terms of Release | Brute

 

Nell’s Top Five

Nell’s Top Five

…Things I Miss About Not Eating Dairy

Last year, I went to the doctor because I’d had the flu for weeks and was coughing so much my husband threatened a divorce since he couldn’t sleep at night because of me. When I was there, she asked about other illnesses and I told her about my severe eczema, and she said to me to quit dairy.

So I went home and googled and yes, it seemed like a lot of people with eczema got better after quitting dairy, so I gave it a go. One year later, my skin is so healthy and smooth I can hardly believe it. I don’t have any problems with my eczema anymore, and I’m much happier.

So not eating dairy is totally worth it, I’m not going back. That being said, there are some things I really, really miss. (And I know there are substitutes for a lot of these things, but here in Malaysia the dairy-substitutes are rare. Malaysians don’t eat a lot of dairy, so they don’t really need substitutes. Back in Sweden though, it’s a totally different story.)

1. Butter. Is there anything yummier than spreading butter on a warm, fresh-from-the-oven piece of bread, let it melt, and then gobble it down? I don’t think so.
2. Blue cheese. I LOVE blue cheese, I’ve loved it since I was a little kid. Seriously, how many small children do you know who eat blue cheese? Well, I did.
3. Pizza. Melted cheese is the best thing ever. I actually found a block of soy cheese in the grocery store a few months back, and I bought it and thought I’d make homemade pizza. So I did. Problem was, the darned thing didn’t melt. So I had a hard, sad crust and unmelted cheese. I’m not saying I cried…but I’m not saying I didn’t either 😀
4. Any other Italian food. Yeah, I order the food that doesn’t contain cream or the mozzarella or any other dairy bombs. But I cry inside every time I ask them to leave the parmigiano off.
5. Milk. A glass of ice cold milk and a hot cinnamon roll *sigh* (Swedes don’t eat cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We have them for fika. With nib sugar instead of icing.)

What would you miss if you had to quit dairy?

WIP teaser

Today, I’m sharing an unedited teaser from my current WIP, 9 Willow Street. It’s a longer version of my naughty bunny shifter story (I told you about it here) and this is the first chapter, pretty much the beginning, except for a page or so before this that sets the scene.

Hannes (the narrator in this teaser) has inherited a house from his beloved great grandmother, Nana Ellen, who died unexpectedly at age 109. Because of family drama he didn’t get access to it until now, ten months later.

Ten months ago, when my father called me and told me Nana was dead, I thought he lied to me at first. I spoke to her on her birthday, sad and heartbroken that I couldn’t come and see her, bake her a cake and give her a present. All the flights were canceled because of a terrible storm and I had no way of getting to her, but she wasn’t upset.

“Pish-posh my dearest Hannes. You’ll be here when you can, I know it. Just text me a picture of your lovely face and I’ll be happy,” she said.

So I did. I took a selfie with my hands shaped as a heart, and before I texted it to her, I wrote Nana and Hannes forever, on it. That’s what she always used to say every time I was upset over being misunderstood by my family.

She sent me back a picture of herself with her head tilted back and the back of her hand against her forehead in a dramatic fake swoon and the ever-present twinkle in her eyes clearly visible. I promptly set the picture as a background on my phone.

So is it really so weird I didn’t believe Father when he called me and told me she had passed?

“Are you sure?” I asked, thinking that it couldn’t be true, considering the last time she’d even had a common cold was fifteen years ago when she was ninety-four.

“I am a real doctor…unlike some people,” Father replied. “Obviously I know what I’m talking about.”

Great. Even when he called me with terrible news, he still found the time to mock my career choice and remind me of my status as the family outsider. The herbalist quack in a family of real doctors. My father is a surgeon and my mother an oncologist, and my three older sisters and brothers are all doctors, too. Then there’s me. The black sheep of the family. The heathen in a family of scientists.

When we hung up, I called Nana’s phone, only to be met by Father’s disdain.

“I knew you wouldn’t take my word for it, Hannes.” He sighed, that put-upon sound everyone in my family excel at. “I wish you would grow up sometime. Are you happy now?”

I hung up without saying goodbye.

Are you happy now?

What kind of thing is that to say to someone who’s just gotten the most dreadful news of his life?

Nana and Hannes forever.

Not anymore.