Today I am so pleased to welcome Tere Michaels to Joyfully Jay. Tere has come to share an excerpt from her latest release, Truth & Tenderness, the final book in her Faith, Love & Devotion series. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving Tere a big welcome!

 

Thank you so much for having me! I’m excited to share this exclusive excerpt from my new release, “Truth & Tenderness” – the final book in the Faith Love & Devotion series. It will be available from Dreamspinner Press on May 1st. Saying goodbye to the boys – Matt and Evan, Jim and Griffin – wasn’t easy but I feel like this is a fitting end to all the stories in this world.


Excerpt

A door slammed overhead; then the clatter of footsteps began. Shane
angled himself like a paparazzo at the bottom of the staircase, jostling against Katie like he was jockeying for best position.

It escalated quickly, the neat row of Cerelli children school photos shaking against the wall.

“Oh God, the pictures are going to be blurry,” Miranda huffed from behind them.

The mock fighting stopped as Evan stepped into view—and Matt let a flirty wolf whistle fly. The blush on his boyfriend’s cheeks made it even more worthwhile.

“Wow,” Matt said, low and as sexy as he was capable of making his voice.

Evan smirked as Matt easily pushed his way between Shane and Katie, then closed the distance between them. “Like something you see?” Evan asked quietly.

But not quietly enough, because retching noises began behind them, led by Helena.

As Evan paused on the last step, Matt ignored them all, sweeping an arm around Evan’s middle.

“Whatever dirty thing you’re going to say, shut up,” Evan muttered as he leaned down to kiss Matt on the mouth—quick, fleeting, but sweet enough to make Matt behave.

“Oh, that’s a nice shot. That’s the cover of our Christmas card right there,” Katie said loudly as Elizabeth giggled.

Evan leaned around Matt’s embrace. “Can we start making our way out to the car? We’ll take pictures after the ceremony.”

“Yes, sir!” That was Helena. Then all the kids echoed her sarcastically, even Miranda and Kent.

“They’re not moving, are they?” Matt asked, sneaking his hand down to pinch Evan’s ass under his jacket.

“No,” Evan answered as the corners of his mouth began to twitch.

“I got this.”

Matt moved quickly because he knew Evan knew what he was going to do—Matt wasn’t subtle. Ever.

Matt surged up to plant a wicked kiss on Evan’s mouth—tongue, a bitten lip. It sounded wet and dirty, and from the squeals behind him, it looked it too. The door slammed a few seconds later, the hooting and hollering trailing behind the kids a second after.

Evan pulled away, finally. His mouth looked lush and gorgeous, his eyes were a little unfocused, and a faint hint of perspiration was forming at his hairline.

And at some point, he’d dropped his hat.

“That cleared the room,” Evan said, a tiny bit out of breath.

“We’ll have to remember that after we get back from the ceremony,” Matt said with a smirk, so wicked that Evan shook his head.

“The uniform, right?”

“Well, it helps that you’re wearing it and I’m specifically tuned to want to jump you in any and all clothing.” Matt adopted a solemn expression. “That’s probably a good thing, or this could be an especially uncomfortable ceremony in a room with that much blue polyester.” The joking helped, even if Evan’s face was doing that painfully sympathetic thing.

So Matt kissed him again, bringing one hand up to touch his face gently.

The gesture said, I’m fine.

Evan took a deep breath as he came up for air. He nodded, his gaze never leaving Matt’s face.

That said, I know.


Blurb

TruthTenderness_FBprofile_small

Newly promoted police captain Evan Cerelli takes command of his own precinct as Matt Haight’s security business begins to expand at a rapid rate. Both of their careers require more and more of their time—away from home and each other. When his most famous clients, Daisy and Bennett Ames, suffer a traumatic breakup, Matt is drawn into a dangerous and dramatic situation. With attentions diverted, Evan and Matt’s tight-knit home life begins to unravel.

As Griffin Drake’s movie nears final edit, his thoughts turn toward building a home with his new fiance, Jim Shea—and maybe even starting a family. Before he can think of a new family, Jim is caught up in his past. The possibility of putting Tripp Ingersoll in jail once and for all beckons, and Jim wants the closure that has long eluded him. As a new lead spurs him on, Jim begins to lose sight of the future by chasing an old ghost.

Both couples struggle to remember that “happily ever after” requires hard work, trust, and tender, open hearts.


Bio

Tere Michaels logo

Tere unofficially began her writing career at the age of four when she learned that people got paid to write stories. It seemed the most perfect and logical job in the world and after that, her path was never in question. (The romance writer part was written in the stars—she was born on Valentine’s Day.)

Six years ago, she stumbled into the world of writing gay romance with her first book, Faith & Fidelity. The series, and her career, grew rapidly. She is a member of RWA, Rainbow Romance Writers, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.

Nothing makes her happier than knowing she made a reader laugh or smile or cry. It’s the purpose of sharing her work with people. She loves hearing from fans and fellow writers, and is always available for speaking engagements, visits and workshops.

Find her at:


Giveaway

There has brought an ebook copy of Truth & Tenderness to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Friday, May 1st 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.
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