Hello everyone! Today I am very excited to welcome author Avril Ashton to the blog. Avril is here to talk to us more about the latest book in the Brooklyn Sinners series, A Sinner Born. Avril has also brought a great excerpt, as well as a copy of the book to give away to one lucky reader. So please join me in giving a big welcome!
The first kiss. It’s an integral part of the romance novel, isn’t it? I’m a huge fan of the first kiss, that first taste. Nothing is as delicious, or sensual. In my opinion a first kiss is it. It’s everything and sets the tone for the chemistry between the h/h. We get a feel for their leanings and who gets to take control. Because, really, someone has to.
With the men of A Sinner Born, their first kiss comes a little bit later, after some cards are laid on the table, after secrets (some) have been shared. Syren Rua takes a chance at opening himself up, sharing his dark past and his innermost fears. It is only when he takes that chance that he’s able to be with the man he’s wanted for so very long, the still-grieving Kane Ashby. Kane is grieving the death of his lover. Syren fascinates him, yes, but Kane can’t act on it because Syren does bad things. For bad people. To bad people. It’s the excuse Kane uses to keep Syren at bay, but all it takes is a little bit of truth to get Marshal Ashby to let down his guard and open his arms.
Their first kiss was my absolute favorite to write. Hands down. Those two gave me shivers. It’s more than a kiss, you see. Kane is taking that step outside of the memories of a lover long dead, and Syren is trusting someone. It’s a monumental thing, that first kiss, because it signals a shift in the dynamic between Syren and Kane. It’s about both men drowning and reaching out for each other, and it sets in motion a love story that’s my most painful personally, but also most fulfilling.
BLURB
Book three in the Brooklyn Sinners series.
One man buried in secrets. Another still grieving the love he lost. Their worlds collide in a battle between memories, old and new, while trust hangs by a fragile thread.
Syren Rua is at war. He battles painful childhood demons and his intense need for the first person who makes him feel. As Faro, Syren makes deals with the worst while taking the steps necessary to bring his family’s killer to justice. He isn’t one to indulge in selfish needs, but he’ll make the time in this instance. Syren has been watching Kane Ashby, craving the grieving man for his own. He’s always stayed away from temptation, but that’s about to change.
Kane isn’t over the death of his long-time partner. He’s certainly not ready for a relationship, sexual or otherwise, but Syren isn’t a man who takes no for an answer. The unpredictable Syren offers nothing but secrets and brings with him memories so dark, they could wipe out any chance the two might ever have. Syren brings Kane’s heart back to life. But it is also Syren who could inflict the most damage.
Inside Scoop: One of our heroes has a panty fetish. And it’s hot. This book also contains brief references to rape and child abuse.
At Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/a-sinner-born.html
EXCERPT
He pressed their foreheads together. “Gabe thinks you’ll hurt me,” he said softly.
“He’s right.” Syren’s breath heated Kane’s face when he spoke, whispering back, “Your brother knows this could never be anything but a bad idea.” His fingers crept up Kane’s left shoulder and delved into his hair, nails scraping his scalp.
Kane shivered.
“But you must want this,” Syren murmured, “if you discussed me with your brother.”
“I—” Syren’s knuckles grazed the shell of his ear and Kane lost his train of thought. He cleared his throat. “He asked about my date with Vince and I told him Vince wasn’t who I wanted.”
“Vince. Right.” Syren didn’t release Kane but instead pulled back a bit, meeting Kane’s gaze with eyes clouded with heat and something else. “How did the date go? Did you enjoy it?” He leaned forward and nosed Kane’s neck, his breath and lips skating over the exposed skin there.
Kane growled low in his throat and tightened his fingers on Syren’s left shoulder. “The date was…fine. He kissed me.”
Syren paused infinitesimally, but Kane felt it. “Of course he did.” Sharp teeth nipped his lobe. Kane slid his fingers into Syren’s hair and tugged.
“Syren.”
The man in his lap shuddered. A full-body shaking that echoed in Kane’s crotch.
“Don’t keep me in suspense, Marshal.” Syren’s tongue traced the curve of Kane’s ear and he groaned. “Did you like his kisses? Is he a better kisser than me?”
He wiggled and Kane gasped. “Damn, I— I don’t know.” He lifted his hips to press against Syren. “I don’t know.” Fuck. Heat licked his skin and he wasn’t looking to be cooled down anytime soon.
Syren stopped all movement. “Why is that, Marshal? Why don’t you know?”
What the fuck? Twenty questions at a time like this? Was he supposed to think? “Syren.”
Lips closed around his lobe. Syren sucked him into his mouth, warm and wet and God, so hot. Kane couldn’t stop shaking. “I—I’ve never kissed you so I don’t—”
Syren lifted his head and peered down at him. “Time to remedy that, don’t you think?”
Yes. Yes. “Fuck yes.” He lurched forward and sealed their lips together. They stayed like that, lips pressed to each other, just feeling, then Syren shifted, parted his lips and oh fuck.
Kane dived in, groaning as Syren latched on to his tongue and sucked. He twisted his fingers in Syren’s soft hair as his eyes rolled back. The taste of Syren, warm and sweet, carnal flavored with the untried, went straight to his head and groin.
His head spun, his entire body throbbed, but nowhere as intensely as his cock. Syren must’ve felt him there, nestled against his ass, because he rocked back.
Then forth.
Kane yanked on his hair, but Syren merely whimpered and sucked harder on his tongue. Oh fuck. Oh Jesus. Kane fought to breathe, to think. To remember why this, them, was such a bad idea, but he came up with a blank. He pulled Syren tighter against him and ground up, the evidence of Syren’s arousal heavy and trapped between their straining bodies.
He slid his hand down Syren’s back carefully, because he hadn’t forgotten the ugly scars there, and cupped his ass through his clothes.
“Hmm.” Syren moaned into his mouth.
Kane kneaded him and Syren trembled. God. The responses were heady. The way Syren reacted to his every touch. The sexiest thing ever. He tried slowing down the kiss, gentling it, but Syren was in control and having none of it. He chased after Kane with his mouth, capturing him, feasting on him like a man starved.
Kane wanted to hold back, be careful, but all he could do was go with the flow, get swept away with Syren’s kisses. Every swipe of Syren’s tongue was a welcomed touch, a much-needed salve, precious commodity he wanted to hold on to forever. Every grunt, every moan, every sigh was music and he’d been deprived of it so he gorged, tightening his hold on Syren’s hair and meeting him thrust for thrust.
They battled. Mouth, teeth and tongue fighting for dominance as hands and fingers held on for dear life and their bodies jerked closer and closer together. Movements were awkward, uncoordinated, but they worked and never felt hotter.
Sexier.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y with a tolerant spousal equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing the plot points of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Addicted to cake, the ID Channel and the UFC, Avril writes Erotic and GLBT Romance for Ellora’s Cave, Evernight Publishing, eXtasy Books, Secret Cravings Publishing and Total-e-Bound.
Visit: http://www.avrilashton.com
Friend Avril on: http://www.facebook.com/writeravrilashton
http://www.twitter.com/#!/AvrilAsh
http://avrilashton.tumblr.com/
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/author/avrilashton
ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Avril+Ashton
GIVEAWAY
Avril has brought a copy of A Sinner Born to give away to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment at the end of the post. The contest closes on Thursday, July 27th at 11:59 pm EST.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Oh my gosh!!!!! This book looks like it will be just as hot as the first 2 in this series! Holy crap on a cracker what an excerpt! Please count my in the contest and wow, I cannot wait to read this book! =)
LOL So glad you liked the first two, Darlene. Good luck!
Want! I’ve been waiting for this one since I read the other two! Yay!
Hi Kris, hope it’s all you expect it to be. Good luck!
yippee!!! i luv this series. count me in.
Maria, so happy to hear you love the boys ;D Luck!
Thanks for the great excerpt. Please count me in.
Antonia, thanks and good luck!
Wow! Hot excerpt!!! Count me in for the giveaway 🙂
Good luck, Jenny!
Great excerpt. Count me in too.
Thanks, Kim. Luck!
Thanks for the giveaway. Please count me in. I’d love to read this book.
Hi Cynthia, hope you get a chance to check out the boys ;D
Please count me in. Re-reading the other two books just to get more Syren feels. Thank you for doing this Mrs. A.
Ahh! Haiau126, I miss the boys! Glad you’re enjoying them. Again.
Love the series.Count me in please,thank you.
Glad to hear it, Cornelia 😀
Loved the sexy excerpt! Way hotter than my first kiss 😛 can’t wait to read book 3!
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
LOL Emily, it is a hawt one!
Mmm, that was just lovely!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Mmm, Trix, indeed.
What a hot excerpt! This looks really great! Thank you for the giveaway and please count me in!
Thanks! Best of luck!
***Fanning Self*** Ohhhh Myyyy that was soooo Hot!!!! Thank you Avril for sharing that special excerpt between Syren and Kane with Us.
I’m a big Fan of your writing & love your Brooklyn Sinners Series….the first 2 Books were Awesome, I can’t wait to read, “A Sinner Born”.
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous Giveaway. Thank You & Wishing you much success with your new release.
Take Care & Stay Naughty,
PaParanormalFan (Renee)
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com
LOL Renee, Hope you get a chance to check out the boys <3
This is a new series for me, but based on the excerpt (and others’ comments), I’m missing out. Thanks for the chance to win!
Carolyn, I hope you get the chance to read the boys. They’re awesome, if I do say so myself ;D
I will take your totally unbiased opinion into consideration, Avril. 😉
😀 😀
Loved the hot excerpt!
Thanks Gigi!
Holy Cow… I have missed these guys. Have been dying waiting for this book. Thank you! Thank You! These Brooklyn boys are the hottest.
LOL Melissa 😀
Beautiful excerpt! Please count me in, thank you.
Thanks! Luck!!
Sounds fantastic. Please count me in. Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Hi H.B! Good luck!
Please count me in. Thanks.
Good luck!
Well, that was HOT! Whew!!!
Please count me in. Thanks!
LOL Maya, we like it hot in BK ;D
Ohh sounds very good! sugar_n_spice63830@yahoo.com
WOW – that was a HOT excerpt!! I love a good first kiss scene and this certainly delivers! I haven’t read this series yet, but I am definitely putting it on my list.
Congrats on the five star review here. Sounds great.
Wow! What a first kiss… Hot damn.