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  • Guest Post and Giveaway: Slingin’ Ink by Taylor V. Donovan

Today I am so pleased to welcome Taylor V. Donovan to Joyfully Jay. Taylor  has come to talk to us about her upcoming projects. She has also brought along some great giveaways. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Hello everyone!

My name’s Taylor and I’m an author of gay romantic fiction and suspense making her comeback after a five-year writing hiatus. Today, I wanted to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me and update those of you who do on what’s happening with me. Also, I come bearing gifts, so make sure to stick around! Joyfully Jay, thank you for having me over today!

Even though I’m still dealing with lots of personal issues (who isn’t, right?) I’ve reached a much healthier mental state, and the excitement to share my stories with others has returned. I might not have published anything new since 2014 but I’ve been busy creating worlds and writing behind the scenes. Now the time to send my babies out into the world has come, and I’m here for it.

At some point in September I decided 2020 would be the year of TVD, and it is my goal to deliver. I have made plans, calendared things, decided what will be released and when, and, most importantly, I’ve gotten very serious about my author presence. I missed talking to my readers. I want to strengthen my relationship with you all, and I’m determined to be consistent from now on. On that note, expect to see more material from me than you did before.

So, what’s going to happen going forward? Glad you asked. I’m dying to tell you. ?

First, let’s talk about something I’ve been working on for the past three years: ‘Queerriqueños’, a passion project featuring stories set in my country, Puerto Rico. Creating this world helped me heal in more ways than I can say and, truth be told, these are the books I’m most eager to share with you, since they were inspired by my beautiful island, my costumes and traditions, and my people.

‘SJU’ is the first book, coming out in a little over a month. Check this space in February for the cover, an exclusive excerpt, and the blurb.

Next we have my Bylaws series, a trilogy I love with all my heart but left unfinished after ‘Hearsay’, Book 1, came out. My plan is to release ‘Gainsay’, Book 2, in the summer and ‘Daresay’, Book 3, in early 2021. Sooner if I can.

Last but not least, we have my By Degrees series, the rights of which were reverted to me in December 2019. That means ‘Six Degrees of Lust’ and ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ are not available for purchase at the moment, as my former publishing has been taking them down, but it’s all good.

I’m working with my friend, author and cover artist L.C. Chase, on creating new covers for them, and they’ll be ready for re-release in April. Then, on May 15, ‘Six Degrees of Agony’ (aka the book lots of you have been patiently waiting for) will finally see the light. It’s happening, you guys!

In the meantime, I wanted to whet your appetite with a little interlude focused on Sam and Mac, set within the ‘Six Degrees of Lust’ timeline. All you have to do to get it early is sign up for my newsletter and a copy will be delivered to your inbox in the next few days.

Finally, we have a giveaway! Let me know if you’re familiar with me, or new to me, or sick of waiting for me, or eager to read something new from me, or whatever else you want to share, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of three snazzy ‘By Degrees’ swag items. Trust me, guys—you want one. I have no doubt you’ll love it. 😉

Once again, thanks for letting me hang out with you today. I’m looking forward to talking to you in the comments.

xoxo


Excerpt

ONE

Drunk on You

Lime juice, pineapple juice, maraschino cherry juice, white rum, dark rum, orgeat syrup, and Curaçao.

That was it.

A list of ingredients Sam had consumed hundreds of times, either mixed up or by themselves, and knew for a fact his body could absorb without major effects. But there must have been something different in this Mai Tai blend because, after having only three of the refreshingly fruity concoction in the past two and a half hours, he was definitely feeling strange.

At six-foot-three and 210 pounds, his level of intoxication should’ve been nonexistent. He should have been in total control and acting like his typical broody, aloof, self-serving self. Yet here he was—smiley, chatty, attentive, affectionate, and delighted to be doing lovey-dovey shit… engulfed in a world that only included him and his hot ass man, making out like a teenager and fucking aflame.

Had he been in full possession of his faculties he wouldn’t have been caught dead in this situation. Clearly, the alcohol had simultaneously ignited his bloodstream and mutated his brain. Otherwise he would’ve been reminding Mac not to read too much into their date as he rushed him to their hotel so that they could have sex.

And go back to familiar ground.

And keep Mac from evaluating his body language and behavior, not to mention decoding nuances, slips, and perceived hidden symbolism of every damn thing Sam had said and done from the moment they left their room to come to the restaurant earlier that day, preferably by kneeling in front of the kitten’s mouthwatering cock and sucking him off.

But Sam didn’t want to leave yet.

The night was proving to be a whole lot, and there was a zero percent probability he’d be able to bury his hands in fresh soil and plant a few bushes, which was what he did when he needed to center himself. Ergo, he had to stay.

Wait for the scenery to recalibrate itself, work its magic like it was fucking supposed to, and correct Sam’s mental state.

Thanks to his dad, greenery had been his happy place for over thirty years. Da had used horticultural therapy to manage work stress and replenish his energy. It’d allowed him to make their home environment brighter and spend time with his kids, and Sam had adopted the habit of seeking solace among plants when he was a tween.

He had known that exploring the restaurant’s garden would be both invigorating and relaxing, and, after hours of worrying, first about Mac’s reaction to his earlier outburst at the hotel, then his announcement that they were on a date, he’d been looking forward to the mental reprieve.

As usual, it had worked.

He was in heaven.

Only, something had gone wrong, and he’d gotten more than he’d hoped for.

Stepping outside with Mac—walking around hand in hand, then standing under a fern grotto whispering nonsense after sharing their food and growing comfortable with each other in ways that Sam was set on avoiding had been transformative. It had brought him the kind of unadulterated bliss that he’d last felt during the few minutes he got to hold his daughter, and swiftly morphed into a memorable moment he couldn’t ignore. Admittedly, the sensation was so unfamiliar, it’d taken him a minute to identify what it was, but Sam wasn’t surprised.

His lifestyle wasn’t conducive to what he’d call a joyful existence. He solved crimes perpetrated by the scum of the earth for work, picked up strangers for sex, and skirted the messy minefield that was close relationships plagued by human emotions as frequently as he could, thus sheltering himself from the bad and the good. That wasn’t to say he never went out and had a killer time, especially with Logan, the brother of his heart, but shit felt different when he hung out with Mac. Deeper. Meaningful. Purposeful. And, after letting his guy reacquaint him with that overpowering, nothing-can-bug-me sensation of contentment he hadn’t met in over a decade, Sam couldn’t stop thinking that he was an idiot for choosing to miss out. If that didn’t prove he had Mai Tai poisoning, he’d sign up for eHarmony next time he went online.


Blurb

Le Blurb

Samuel Shaughnessy is convinced that a five-day getaway in South Beach with Machlan O’Bannon, his friend with benefits, would have zero effect on their agreement. They are all about casual sex and the way he sees it, they’ll just be able to spend more time than usual in bed.

But living in close quarters with a man he likes in more ways than he cares to admit has sparked a sense of intimacy and a dog in the manger attitude he wasn’t expecting. Forced to confront needs and fears deeply buried, Sam is in for a rude awakening.


Bio

Taylor V. Donovan is a compulsive reader and author of gay romantic fiction and suspense. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she is optimistically cynical, a fighter, and a lover of history, museums, and all things 80s. She shamelessly indulges in mind-numbing reality television, is crazy about fashion, and passionate about her beloved island, civil rights, and equality for all




Giveaway

Taylor has brought some great swag, including a tote bag, water bottle, and tumbler. Three lucky readers will each win one item. (U.S. winners only; international readers will be entered for a $10 Amazon gift card). Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Monday, February 3rd at 11:59 pm ET.


  • 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.
  • All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
  • 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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