HALF PRICE Gay Fantasy: Martin and The Wolf

For today and tomorrow ONLY, gay fantasy Martin and the Wolf is HALF PRICE direct from Amber Quill Press!

When thirty-six-year-old lecturer Martin meets the mysterious Lucas at a neighbor’s midsummer party, the attraction is instant and hot. The two men soon start a relationship, but Martin is puzzled by Lucas’ behavior. He’s not like any man Martin has ever known—indeed, sometimes Lucas hardly seems human at all—and Martin wants to find out why.

But on one August night, when Martin tracks Lucas to the depths of the local park, he discovers more eye-opening, fantastical realities about his new lover and the pack of strange wolves Lucas runs with than he had ever thought possible. Can Martin handle the truth?

Reviews:

"Martin and The Wolf by Anne Brooke is a gracefully written paranormal novelette that takes a fresh perspective on the werewolf legend … The story's appeal lies in those fascinating disconnects where Lucas's aggressive wolf personality causes him to stand out from the camouflage of his courteous but reserved British countrymen. Even better is the first-person narrator Martin's puzzled but unflappable acceptance of Lucas." [From a Recommended Reads review at ARe Cafe Reviews]

“This is an amazing story about Martin, a university lecturer, and Lucas, a somewhat wild and definitely unusual designer ... I loved the message of this story: what counts in a relationship between any two "beings" isn't how they look, nor necessarily what DNA they carry, or what they behave like. The focus in examining whether we can have a relationship with someone, and accept who and what they are, should be on how they relate to us, what they mean to us, and how they treat us. A very powerful message indeed!” [From a review at Queer Magazine Online]

I hope you enjoy the read!

Meanwhile, don't forget that my new gay fantasy novel, The Taming of The Hawk, is still available at its first week 35% discount price direct from Amber Quill, and has already gained two 4-star reviews!

When escaped prisoner Redallek Castonar goes on the run in the war-torn city of Tetranal, he finds himself in the pleasure-house of Councillor Jarrod Tetran. Unaware that Redallek has made a blood-promise with the rebel factions to kill him, Jarrod is instantly attracted to the man. Although Redallek is determined to complete his mission as soon as possible in order to gain his freedom, he quickly finds his new master to be full of surprises and not the man he expected.

Meanwhile, Jarrod is secretly planning to take the ruling Council captive, and to begin a negotiated peace with the rebel army. Even though such an act goes against all his family stands for, he is willing to risk everything to save the country he loves from destruction.

Both Redallek and Jarrod are determined to fight for freedom and peace, but in two very different ways. Will their differences drive them apart, or can they find a way to work together for the good of all? And, even if they do, will the passion springing up between them lead to victory or defeat?

Happy reading!

Anne Brooke
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

Gay BDSM fantasy: The Taming of the Hawk is out today!

Gay BDSM fantasy The Taming of the Hawk is now published by Amber Allure Press at a first week discount!

When escaped prisoner Redallek Castonar goes on the run in the war-torn city of Tetranal, he finds himself in the pleasure-house of Councillor Jarrod Tetran. Unaware that Redallek has made a blood-promise with the rebel factions to kill him, Jarrod is instantly attracted to the man. Although Redallek is determined to complete his mission as soon as possible in order to gain his freedom, he quickly finds his new master to be full of surprises and not the man he expected.

Meanwhile, Jarrod is secretly planning to take the ruling Council captive, and to begin a negotiated peace with the rebel army. Even though such an act goes against all his family stands for, he is willing to risk everything to save the country he loves from destruction.

Both Redallek and Jarrod are determined to fight for freedom and peace, but in two very different ways. Will their differences drive them apart, or can they find a way to work together for the good of all? And, even if they do, will the passion springing up between them lead to victory or defeat?

I hope you enjoy the read!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

FREE crime novel: The Gangster's Wife

Quirky crime novel The Gangster's Wife is now FREE at Amazon!

When 53-year-old Elise Walker returns home after a day at the office to find her husband Gerald dead of a heart attack, she doesn’t expect a visit from the police with revelations about Gerald’s secret life. 

Soon, however, her own life takes a distinctive turn for the surreal, with missing loot, online crime and curious neighbours the least of her problems. Not to mention trying to deal with never-ending funeral arrangements and stay on top of her job. 

Thank goodness then for the support of her ever-reliable boss, Hugh. But will even he turn against her when she decides to contact Gerald’s former gang members to find out more? And what is the real significance of the note Gerald left her? Most important of all, if Elise ever finds the money, will she be able to keep it? 

So hurry along and download YOUR copy for FREE today!

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

4 Sizzling Stars for Gay Romance!

Gay paranormal romance The Paranormal Detection Agency gets 4 Sizzling Stars at Sensual Reads! Here's a snippet of their review, but you can read more here!

Anne Brooke created an amazing cast of characters for The Paranormal Detection Agency. Each had their own particular brand of snark. At the same time, they were each quite capable when the going got tough. The ending was unexpected but the finale was glorious.

Here's the blurb for you:

When paranormal investigator Jack Atkinson meets new client Aaron Riley, he doesn't expect the level of attraction he instantly feels for the man. Neither does he expect the kind of haunting Aaron describes, which Jack is determined to solve.

After their first official client meeting, the two men launch themselves into a passionate encounter, which Jack is keen to continue. Aaron's attentions, however, are focused on the need to rid himself of the ghosts haunting his new home.

Jack and his trusty assistant and aunt, Miranda, investigate further, and soon discover how family secrets can run deeper than even Jack imagined. Will the truth destroy Jack and Aaron's budding relationship, or are they strong enough to survive it?

Happy reading!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

HALF PRICE Romantic Comedy: Pink Champagne and Apple Juice

Until Friday, romantic comedy Pink Champagne and Apple Juice is HALF PRICE at Amber Quill Press!

Angie Howard has one ambition--to escape from her home in the idyllic UK countryside and set up her own cafe in London. Once there, she seeks out her long-lost Uncle John, who runs a gay and sometimes quite naughty nightclub.

Before she can achieve her catering ambitions, Angie has to juggle the needs of a glamorous French waiter, a grouchy German chef and her exuberant, transvestite uncle.

What's more, if she manages to keep the lid on all that, what will she do about the other hidden secrets of her family?

Reviews:

"Pink Champagne and Apple Juice was a great, laid back story with many twists to keep you laughing. The fast paced flow of the wacky story was undeniably fun. I say that if on a rainy day or just when you need to laugh in a ‘The Birdcage’ feel, this book is for you ... Rated 5 Delightful Divas & Recommended Read." (From a 5 Diva review at Dark Diva Reviews)

So hurry along and get YOUR copy for half-price now! And while you're there, many of my other Amber Quill books are being offered at at 25% discount, so why not stock up now for your weekend - happy reading!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

The Death Instinct by Jed Rubenfeld: a gripping tale of intrigue & derring-do

September 16, 1920: under a blue September sky, a quarter ton of explosives is detonated in a deadly attack on New York's Wall Street. Witnessing the blast are war veteran Stratham Younger, James Littlemore of the NYPD, and beautiful French radiochemist Colette Rousseau. A series of inexplicable attacks on Colette, a secret buried in her past, and a mysterious trail of evidence lead Younger, Littlemore and Rousseau on a thrilling journey - from Paris to Prague, from the Vienna home of Dr Sigmund Freud to Washington, DC, and ultimately to the hidden depths of our most savage instincts. As Younger and Littlemore's investigations come together, the two uncover the shocking truth about the bombing - a truth that threatens to shake their world to its foundations.


After trudging my way through a fair few less than stellar books recently, it's a great relief to be back in the hands of master storyteller, Jed Rubenfeld. This is a truly gripping thriller which successfully combines excellent and sometimes poetic writing with the thrills and spills of the storyline. I loved it. The two male characters, Younger and Littlemore, are simply excellent and spark off each other very well indeed. I cared about both of them very much. On the other hand, it took me a while to warm to Colette - perhaps because her actions in the beginning sometimes seem very strange and it's only much later on in the book that we realise what's actually driving her and what her real mission is. I'd also say that Rubenfeld isn't quite as spot-on with female characters as he is with male ones, but that's a minor quibble here.

Other aspects of this novel I really appreciated was the domestic relationship between Littlemore and his wife - there was one moment where I held my breath and dreaded the thought that Littlemore was going to be allowed to slip into a pointless cliche moment when he was working away from home for a while, but he acts true to himself (phew!) and the pointless cliche is dodged. Thank you, Mr Rubenfeld, and yes, I should have trusted you a little more - you've not let me down yet.  There's also a lovely scene between Mr and Mrs Littlemore when he is faced with a terrible choice between money which would very much help his family, and his own personal honour. Kudos to Mrs Littlemore here for opting without any hesitation at all for the personal honour choice. This was a lovely marital scene which felt very real indeed.

Rübenfeld also plays teasingly with cliche when it comes to Colette's apparent relationship with the German officer she is trying to locate, but the scene when Younger pursues her out of love and discovers the real truth of the matter is excellently and breathtakingly done. It turned the whole book round on its head and I loved it. I always enjoy being so cleverly fooled by a writer - it's a real skill.

And, once again, as in Rubenfeld's earlier and also excellent novel, The Interpretation of Murder, we have the presence of Sigmund Freud who is trying to help Collette's brother Luc. Freud has some great and very witty scenes and I very much appreciated them. That said, I do wonder if the Freud factor is perhaps becoming something of a deus ex machina in this author's work, and for the next novel I could probably live without it.

Finally, there's also a great deal of political intrigue going on, which is very clever indeed - but I did tend to lose track every now and again - then again my particular focus as a reader is the relationships between the characters and so I wasn't greatly concerned about politics. I was more interested in the people here, who never let me down. My one other quibble is nothing to do with the book itself but its cover - I have to say I'm really rather bored with that back view of the man in a hat walking away into various scenes - it seems to be on all sorts of history and thriller books these days and I wish publishers would lay the pesky scene to rest once and for all!

Anyway, cover rant over. As I expected, the closing chapters of this book are very thrilling indeed, and the ending is deeply satisfying for all. I thoroughly recommend it.

5 stars. Literary thriller perfection.

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

FREE gay fantasy: The Gifting

For today and tomorrow ONLY, gay fantasy novel The Gifting is FREE at Amazon!

Simon Hartstongue is a mind-reader, and branded a coward and a murderer. When his overlord and lover Ralph Tregannon turns against him, he is forced to embark on a treacherous journey to the distant and magical land of Gathandria in order to save his country and his own soul. During a series of terrifying trials, Simon must encounter the trickery of the deadly Mind Executioner and the secret dealings of those he ought to trust. 

The Gifting is an Awesome Indies novel, and is showcased at the Awesome Indies website. 

Reviews: 

"The Gifting is a unique fantasy where mental and physical worlds merge in a flight of unrestrained imagination. Unlike much fantasy I've read lately, this book soars with hope. It's a story of redemption gained through a mystical journey through earth, air, fire and water that tests the deepest recesses of a man's soul." (Awesome Indies Reviews) 

"The Gifting is merely the introduction to the Gathandrian Trilogy; it's a big world, filled with intrigues and magic, loss and redemption. It's a fantastical place where almost anything is possible, where a coward can become a hero, where the promise for more excitement and enchantment are guaranteed, and I look forward to seeing where Anne Brooke will take us next, as well as discovering what Simon's future holds." (Top2Bottom Reviews)


So don't forget to download The Gifting for FREE. And I hope you enjoy the read.

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

HALF PRICE gay fiction from Amber Quill Press!

For today and tomorrow ONLY, both my gay crime thrillers with Amber Quill Press are HALF PRICE!

Maloney's Law:

Shortlisted for the Harry Bowling Prize 2006 (for novels set in London) and the Royal Literary Fund Scheme, and longlisted for the Betty Bolingbroke-Kent Novel Award.

Paul Maloney, a small-time private investigator from London, reluctantly accepts a case from his married ex-lover, Dominic Allen. Before he knows it, Paul finds himself embroiled in the dark dealings of big business and the sordid world of international crime. The deeper he pushes, the closer he comes to losing everything he holds dear.

Can he solve the mystery and protect those he loves before it's too late?

Reviews:

"Maloney's Law by Anne Brooke is a gay romance and mystery. It's also a dark, deep and poetic gay romance and mystery. I confess I love novels written in the first person and present tense, but I also know it's quite difficult to write them well. But not, apparently, for Brooke. Her Maloney's Law is exceptionally well-written." [From a review at Rainbow Reviews]

"Once you get into this book it's impossible to put it down. Every time you think you have it figured out, it proves you wrong. In other words it's the perfect detective book! The characters were very strong and the backstory couldn't have been better." [From a review at Top2Bottom Reviews]

Get your copy for half price here!

The Bones of Summer:

The sequel to Maloney's Law, garnering third place in the inaugural 2009 Rainbow Mystery Fiction Awards.

When Craig Robertson’s religious fanatic father disappears, Craig is forced to return to the home he left behind after an underage affair in order to look for answers. He takes with him his new lover, private investigator Paul Maloney, who is more than willing to help solve the mystery.

During his initial search, Craig locates items that belonged to Michael, his lover in that long-ago ill-fated affair, and soon discovers that Michael has disappeared as well. The search becomes an investigation into Craig’s past, and, because of distressing gaps in his memory, he’s terrified of the truths he might find.

As Craig’s obsession with uncovering clues grows, however, his fragile relationship with Paul begins to disintegrate. Haunted and stalked, Craig has to face down the horror of his memories if he wants to have any hope of a future at all...

Reviews:

The Bones of Summer by Anne Brooke is an exceptionally well written and thrilling mystery novel. This novel grabbed a hold of me almost immediately and would not let go. I found myself reading until the early morning hours. [From a review at Romance Junkies Reviews]

"Well, Anne Brooke has done it to me again. I read the first book in the series (Maloney's Law) where Paul Maloney, a broken man, was the main character. At the end of the book, he met Craig Robertson and even though they didn't end up together, they established a connection. This is Craig's story. And what a story it is." [From a review at Mrs Condit Reviews]

Get your copy for half price here!

I hope you enjoy both books.

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

New children's book - buy one get one free!

I'm happy to announce that my latest children's book (under my Lori Olding pseudonym) is Queen of the Fluffy Pens and this book is published today by Untreed Reads!

Queen of the Fluffy Pens, Queenie, is keen to move her beloved brood across their owner's kitchen to be nearer the window. Life will be wonderful there as they'll have lots of space and sunshine to enjoy. First, however, Queenie has to learn how to fly. Once she's mastered that skill, she and her two friends, Betsy and Tanya, set out on their epic journey. On the way, they encounter a very strange fly indeed, a friendly bee and a frightening hornet. They also learn something very important about the value of friendship. Can they survive their great adventure, and will their new home be all they've hoped for?

Recommended for ages 6-9.

Here's an extract for you:

She stood nine inches high with her tiara and she was without a doubt the best of her breed. The label hanging from her glittery pink neck and resting on her pink fluffy body told anyone who cared to read it that she was the “Queen of Fluffy Pens.”

It was a title she was very proud of. She took great pleasure in reminding her fluffy pen friends of its importance if she felt they might have forgotten it. This was for their own good, of course. Queenie (as she was known to the same friends) always took her responsibilities seriously.

 

“You see,” she was saying now, as they gathered around her, fluffy feathers fluttering out and bright glitter glistening. “You see, we need to take matters under our own wing and we need to have an adventure.”

Five pairs of eyes looked back at her and then, as if they were of one mind, they all blinked and looked at each other. And then at her again.

Queenie waited. She was good at doing this. Leading a group of fluffy pens of very different natures had taught her the art of being still. Sometimes her charges needed time to think. While she waited, she gazed round at her closest friends. First of all, there was George, with his red, white and blue feathers, and the Union Jack he always carried in his beak. She loved his patriotism, especially in the Jubilee Year, but the flag did make it difficult for him to talk.

Next to him stood Dizzy Duck. She was the only duck in a group made entirely of chickens, but they loved her anyway. Queenie was a great believer in the truth that just because someone was different didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends. Dizzy was very funny, but a bit scatty every now and then. Her feathers were purple and spiky and glittery all at the same time, and she could always be spotted in a crowd. This could be very useful.

Then Queenie smiled at Marmaduke. He was the brainy one in her flock, though more often than not he tended to be serious. His feathers were curly and bright orange, so he wasn’t very good at hiding. Never mind being spotted in a crowd, Marmaduke could be spotted on a dark night when there was no moon. Occasionally this could be useful too. 

There were two more in her close set but, as everyone knows, birds can only count up to three, so Queenie couldn’t look at anyone else yet. Besides, George was squeaking, and Marmaduke was trying to make out what he was saying.

“Will there be tea and sandwiches?” he asked her around his flag, his accent so posh that only those born and brought up in the southern counties of England could understand him. It was just the way he was made. There was nothing to be done about it …

Not only that, but as a special discount offer, if you buy one Lori Olding book direct from Untreed Reads, then you get another absolutely FREE! Happy reading!

Lori Olding

FREE book: The Apple Picker's Daughter

For today ONLY, novel of childhood The Apple Picker's Daughter, is FREE at Amazon!

Born in the 1960s on a UK apple farm, Clare Rivers is a girl out of time, living in a family and a world that makes little sense to her. Determined to carve out her place somehow, and with her deep love of her father to see her through, Clare begins a unique journey to discover the reasons for her own existence. If she can. However, accompanied by the oddities of family, school and the strange lyrical life of the apples, can Clare really find a place within herself to call home? 

This novel will appeal to lovers of rural life, recent history and a child's quirky but clear-sighted view of the adult world.

I hope you enjoy the read, and have a great weekend!

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

Riptide Publishing gay fiction discount: today only!

For today ONLY, both my Riptide Publishing gay short stories have a 25% discount direct from Omnilit Books. Here are the details and links:

Where You Hurt The Most

Adrian is more than happy as high-class escort for a number of regular clients. When his boss and dear friend asks him to entertain his nephew, Adrian readily agrees, but meeting Dan challenges him in ways he'd never imagined.

Dan is scarred inside and out from an accident that destroyed a promising future. Despite Adrian’s loveless lifestyle and Dan’s withdrawal and anger, the two men forge a deep—if unnerving—connection. Soon they find themselves questioning the choices they’ve made and the futures they’ve mapped out for themselves.

Yet even bright young men like Adrian and Dan fear the unknown and take comfort in the familiar. Neither may be strong enough to step away from the life they know and toward the one they dare not hope for. But while it’s true that love can’t heal all wounds, it is the surest balm for where you hurt the most.

The Heart's Greater Silence

Mark isn’t sure he believes in love, especially when he finds himself torn between two very different men: his reliable boyfriend, Craig, and his illicit lover and priest, Richard.

Mark knows what he should do, but he can’t bring himself to give Richard up. The sex with Richard is unlike anything he’s ever known with Craig, and he hungers for it as much as—if not more than—the truer intimacy he finds in his boyfriend’s arms.

When Craig discovers his betrayal, Mark is forced to look at his life more closely, but the path to self-knowledge is never an easy one. Richard seeks the way back to God, but Mark finds no solace there. Can he ever discover the truth of his own soul, or is he too afraid of what he will—or won’t—find inside his heart?

So stock up on your reading while the sale is on!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

FREE book: The Singing Road and Other Stories

For today only, The Singing Road and Other Stories is FREE at Amazon.

A woman listens to the song of the road and wonders if she has the strength to stay with her husband, this time. A journalist visits the opera and discovers a bitter history of failure alongside the music. An angry young boy finds the beach is not always a place of healing, and two lovers face their last day together with something like courage. 

In this collection of twelve thought-provoking stories, a variety of very different characters confront the brokenness and despair of their lives, and begin a tentative journey towards the possibility of hope. Can they ever find their way back to the people they used to be? 

Why not pick up a copy today? Even better, if you like it, leave a review on Amazon and you're guaranteed to make it into my Top Ten Lovely Readers list!

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

Gay fantasy: The Taming of the Hawk cover art reveal

Here is the lovely cover for upcoming gay fantasy novel, The Taming of the Hawk, which will be published by Amber Quill Press on 23 November.

When escaped prisoner Redallek Castonar goes on the run in the war-torn city of Tetranal, he finds himself in the pleasure-house of Councillor Jarrod Tetran. Unaware that Redallek has made a blood-promise with the rebel factions to kill him, Jarrod is instantly attracted to the man. Although Redallek is determined to complete his mission as soon as possible in order to gain his freedom, he quickly finds his new master is not quite the man he expected.

Meanwhile, Jarrod is planning to take the ruling Council captive, and to begin a negotiated peace with the rebel army. Both Redallek and Jarrod are determined to fight for freedom and peace, but in two very different ways. Will their differences drive them apart or can they find a way to work together for the good of their country? Even if they do, will the passion springing up between them lead to victory or defeat?


And there's less than a month to go before publication date, hurrah!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

FREE gay erotic romance: The Rain Maker

Gay erotic story The Rain Maker is now published as a FREE book from Amber Quill Press!

A man stands alone in a deserted pub courtyard. His boyfriend has left him and his relationship is truly over. But, in the midst of his loneliness, a stranger appears, a stranger who won’t allow himself to be seen, but who has a deep affinity with the rain and who offers irresistible comfort.

Can one night of passion change everything?

Here's an extract for you:

The stranger kept on stroking my backside as the warm rain fell, kissing me gently from time to time, but never once removing his fingers from my skin. Unexpectedly I groaned and leant against the wall for support. His hand and tongue came with me as I offered up my back for his use.

“That’s it,” he said. “That’s good. Let me have my way and neither of us will go far wrong. You’re the most beautiful man I’ve seen for a long time, and I couldn’t let the opportunity of enjoying each other’s company vanish. That would be a waste, and in Nature nothing is ever wasted.”

I had no real idea what he meant, but my body vibrated to his touch in a way it hadn’t for a long time.

“Who are you?” I asked him, my voice no more than a groan. “I mean really.”

“Does it matter?” he replied, oh so reasonably. “Your body already knows who I am.”

I thought it did, too, but again I didn’t understand it. Not one iota. I hadn’t seen the man’s face, and I didn’t recognize his voice, or anything else about him. But somehow I knew him; I knew who he was in a way I couldn’t fathom.

Meanwhile, he had reached the top of my jeans in his intent ministrations to my body. I hoped he might slip a finger beneath the cotton and down into the crack of my arse, but he didn’t. Instead, he began to work his way up again, this time taking in my arms and shoulders. Rather than the disappointment I thought I should be feeling, a warm glow began to spread from the depths of my belly upward through my chest and arms, and down into my cock and even my legs.

I swore I felt different. Even the rain was blending with the rising heat coming up from my skin, making the touch of the man’s fingers more heated and more deliberate. I felt washed—maybe even cleansed—rather than soaked through. My damp skin was an invitation for him to track his need across my body and, with it, to echo my own.

Nobody had ever touched me like this before...

Download the ebook in the format of your choice for FREE at Amber Quill Press. Happy reading!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

Gay BDSM, sexual obsession and the church: The Beginning of Knowledge

There's an interview with me, plus a giveaway of gay BDSM erotic story The Beginning of Knowledge, over at On Top Down Under Book Reviews today.

Topics discussed include:

• the inclusion (or otherwise) of LGBTQ people in the church
• same-sex marriage
• my reasons for leaving the Church of England
• the attraction of BDSM literature for all
• the pros and cons of sexual obsession.

So probably enough to be getting along with for now - enjoy! And good luck with the giveaway, which is definitely for over 18s.

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
Biblical Fiction UK

FREE and HALF-PRICE Books: romance and ghosts

For today and tomorrow ONLY, quirky romance Rosie by Name is FREE at Amazon.

Rosie (AKA Alison) works at a high-class escort agency as a receptionist. When her boss asks her to be the special birthday present for his favourite nephew, she can't help but agree. The boss is the boss after all. 

However an evening of surprises, unexpected parents and even the odd spider awaits her. By the end of the night, will she have fulfilled her mission or is her potential pay-rise nothing but a distant dream?

Review:

"a light, easy read, and with plenty of Anne Brooke's original metaphors and similes to keep you entertained until the twist in the tale." (From a 5-star Amazon review)

Happy reading!

At the same time, and in honour of the Halloween season, gay paranormal romance, The Paranormal Detection Agency, is HALF-PRICE for TODAY only direct from Amber Quill Press.

When paranormal investigator Jack Atkinson meets new client Aaron Riley, he doesn't expect the level of attraction he instantly feels for the man. Neither does he expect the kind of haunting Aaron describes, which Jack is determined to solve.

After their first official client meeting, the two men launch themselves into a passionate encounter, which Jack is keen to continue. Aaron's attentions, however, are focused on the need to rid himself of the ghosts haunting his new home.

Jack and his trusty assistant and aunt, Miranda, investigate further, and soon discover how family secrets can run deeper than even Jack imagined. Will the truth destroy Jack and Aaron's budding relationship, or are they strong enough to survive it?

Reviews:

"The Paranormal Detection Agency is an entertaining read. Ghost, crazy family, and handsome men; what paranormal fan could pass it up? … I love the relationship between Jack and Aaron. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Brooke who does an outstanding job on her offerings of the paranormal world." (From a 4-star review at Coffee Time Romance)

"The Paranormal Detection Agency is a cute paranormal story about two men who are brought together by an old tragedy, a haunted house and a ghost!… Jack and Aaron made a cute couple." (From a 4-star review at The Novel Approach)

"This was a good ghost story, equal parts humor and horror. Who the ghost is, why it is haunting Aaron's home and what Jack does to free the spirit make for a satisfying story." (From a review at Love Bytes Reviews)

I hope you enjoy this read too!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

Echoes of the Dance by Marcia Willett: a turgid saga

They were all there for different reasons - a broken romance, a destroyed career, a sudden loss, a secret life still to be acknowledged. All of them were hoping that the uplifting beauty of the Cornish countryside would bring them the peace for which they desperately longed. At the strange and lovely stone house on the edge of Bodmin Moor, cherished illusions are shattered, secrets are uncovered, and each of them discovers that in order to move forward they have to confront their pasts …

This is a rather turgid and peculiar blend of the worst kind of American cod-psychology and a Mills & Boon novel. It’s very overwritten and contains long scenes where characters think through their emotions and situations in great and laborious detail, either by themselves or with other people. It was all very exhausting and at times unintentionally amusing.

That’s not to say the basic premise isn’t interesting, as it is. Daisy is forced to reconsider her dancing career due to injury, Kate is coming to terms with the death of her husband, and Roly has to move on from an unrequited romance. A great deal of tension could have resulted from this set of circumstances but unfortunately the sheer amount of emoting dissolved any sliver of tension away that there might once have been. It’s a case of a misguided attempt at poetic prose killing all the plot stone dead.

The characters are themselves rather clichéd as well and so, no matter how much they discuss their various tragedies with each other, I never really cared about any of it. I did have some sympathy with Monica who’s cast as the evil mother of the piece, as she found everyone else in the book just as irritating as I did – but even she is really too much of a caricature to come to life on the page.

Towards the end, I got very bored and began skipping the purple prose to see if anything important happened. It doesn’t, and to cap it all the whole sudden issue of the sexuality of one of the characters in the final chapters is both badly planned and utterly ridiculous. It made me laugh and for all the wrong reasons.

Verdict: 2 stars. Badly-written and unrealistic

Anne Brooke Books

The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

Gay Reads UK

FREE book: The Apple Picker's Daughter

Childhood novel, The Apple Picker's Daughter, is FREE today and tomorrow at Amazon, so don't miss out!

Born in the 1960s on a UK apple farm, Clare Rivers is a girl out of time, living in a family and a world that makes little sense to her. Determined to carve out her place somehow, and with her deep love of her father to see her through, Clare begins a unique journey to discover the reasons for her own existence. If she can. However, accompanied by the oddities of family, school and the strange lyrical life of the apples, can Clare really find a place within herself to call home? 

This novel will appeal to lovers of rural life, recent history and a child's quirky but clear-sighted view of the adult world.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Anne Brooke Books
The Origami Nun
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

Bridesmaids by Jane Costello: a shallow romance

This novel had a lot of potential but very meagre delivery, sadly. Its strap line is "Four Weddings without the Funeral" but actually having a funeral might have been a good idea - as it would have inserted some much-needed gravitas into the general veneer of fluff.

I think one of the main problems is I really didn't like the heroine, Evie, who's obsessed with appearances, not terribly bright and acts like a 12-year old most of the time. She's supposed to be 27.

The big motif of the book and the thing that's supposed to make it excitingly different is the fact that Evie has never been in love or been in a relationship of more than a few weeks, and wonders if she ever will. I'm sorry?? That's a key issue when one is 27 years old?? Hey ho, you can see what I mean about Evie's low intelligence rating …

Anyway, when she does finally meet Jack, who turns out to be The Man, it's really not much of a relationship and actually I found it both dull and unbelievable. Jack could very well do better. The cliched ending and the culmination of their 'love story' is teeth-grindingly bad and I groaned and skipped over it. There's also a friend Charlotte whose sole characteristic is that she's overweight, another friend Valentina, who is obsessed with money and appearances (but at least, unlike Evie, she's honest about it), and a couple of other friends whom I could never confidently differentiate between. Oh and the chapters are ridiculously short - so short that there are 121 of them, plus an epilogue! Lordy.

The only good parts of this book are Evie's wonderful mother who is a delight, and the very funny scene in the disco with the vibrator. That's it, really.

Verdict: 2 stars. Shallow nonsense.

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

FREE book: gay fantasy The Executioner's Cane

For one day only, gay fantasy The Executioner's Cane (Gathandria *3) is FREE at Amazon.

Simon Hartstongue, accompanied by the mind-cane and the snow-raven, must travel back to the land he came from to offer support to the people he once tried to kill. From Gathandria, Annyeke Hallsfoot endeavours to help him but her attentions are focused on rebuilding the city after the wars. 

Alone and faced with the anger of his people and hindered by the fragility of Ralph Tregannon's leadership, Simon has to find a way to bring healing to a dying country and to renew his relationship with Ralph. But the odds and time itself are stacked against him.

Happy reading!

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

Brand new deals from Amber Quill Press!

Amber Quill Press has got some fabulous new deals at the moment so don't miss out!

First off, there's the Bulk Buyer Bonus Discount: for every $50.00 spent during a single shopping trip, you get a $5.00 cash-back gift certificate for future purchases.

PLUS, there's now a special $.99 Books & Bundles page - where you can get terrific stories at incredibly low prices. This page will be rotated on a regular basis, so check back often for new discoveries!

Meanwhile, don't forget that there are special offers going on at Amber Quill which are available to newsletter readers only so get your name on the list at the sign-up box at the bottom of each page or on the right-hand sidebar!

And while you're there, why not visit my page at Amber Quill and see if there's anything that might take your fancy? Happy reading!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

FREE book: dark fantasy Hallsfoot's Battle

Can a woman ever lead her land into battle & what price will she pay if she does?...http://

Dark fantasy Hallsfoot's Battle (Gathandria *2) is FREE at Amazon today only, so don't miss out!

The battle for survival has merely begun and the Mind Executioner's defeat is only temporary. Annyeke Hallsfoot, Acting Elder of Gathandria, must join forces with Simon the Scribe in a tenuous alliance to fight for their survival. However, Simon is distracted by his own personal demons, giving Annyeke no choice but to plot a desperate strategy to defeat the enemy. 

When the Mind Executioner kidnaps Simon and raises an army from the dead, all hope appears to be lost. Both Annyeke and Simon, with the help of the mysterious mind-cane and the magical snow-raven, are determined to stay alive and, if possible, to win.

Enjoy the read!

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

FREE book: The Singing Road and Other Stories

Short story collection The Singing Road and Other Stories is FREE for this weekend ONLY at Amazon, so pick up your copy today!

A woman listens to the song of the road and wonders if she has the strength to stay with her husband, this time. A journalist visits the opera and discovers a bitter history of failure alongside the music. An angry young boy finds the beach is not always a place of healing, and two lovers face their last day together with something like courage. 

In this collection of twelve thought-provoking stories, a variety of very different characters confront the brokenness and despair of their lives, and begin a tentative journey towards the possibility of hope. Can they ever find their way back to the people they used to be? 

I hope you enjoy the read!

Anne Brooke Books
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Gay Reads UK

Death in the Physic Garden by Karen Lowe: interesting but muddled thriller

This is a quite interesting cosy crime thriller involving new garden designer Fern (love that name!) and the unexpected murder of her first client. The plot line is gripping enough but it does get very confusing, especially towards the end when a lot of things happen very quickly indeed. The ending could do with a bit more teasing out in fact, in my view.

Fern is a strong character however and I enjoyed the juxtaposition between her love of gardening and the really quite frightening things going on around her. The descriptions of the plants are also truly lovely, and I learnt a lot about them as well, which was nice.

However, some of the writing itself is rather clumsy - for instance there are scenes with a lot of point of view changes between Fern and Ross Drummond, the policeman investigating the murder. This only serves to push the reader out of the story, as we're not quite sure who we should be rooting (ha!) for.

Which brings me to Ross. Sorry, as I know he's supposed to be one of those straightforward and strong-minded "salt of the earth"-type policemen, but I really disliked him, and was utterly unconvinced about his supposedly growing attraction to Fern, and her positive response. He's really not suited for her at all, and some of his actions were just crass. Fern - bless her - can do a lot better than this!

So a pleasant read, but I could have done without the romance. 

3 stars.

Anne Brooke Books

Gay Reads UK

The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

Month-long Amber Quill Anniversary and a Half-Price Sale!

Many congratulations to Amber Quill Press who are 12 years old this month! As a special treat and to say thank you to all our readers, all Amber Kisses, Novellas and Novels are HALF-PRICE until 3 October! So hurry along to take advantage of the 50% discount on ALL my books.

Not only that, but all month long, Amber Quill Press will be offering a wide variety of special discounts on all their gay, erotic and general fiction - and even more discounts will be available if you're signed up for the Amber Quill newsletter! So, if you're not already signed up to keep updated on all the latest quality fiction offers, then pop along to the Amber Quill website where you will find the sign-up box at the bottom of each page, or in the sidebar on the right.

Happy shopping and even happier reading!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy