Today I am so pleased to welcome Susan Mac Nicol to Joyfully Jay. Susan has come to talk to us about her audio release, Love and Punishment. She has also brought along an exclusive excerpt and a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Back in August 2014, I set about writing a thriller, spiced with romance – of course. I’d always wanted to write about a detective chasing a serial killer (I was brought up on detective novels, Agatha Christie, and love psychological thrillers – and psychos.)

I fancied creating one myself, and Blair Malcolme was born. Be warned, he’s a sadistic, manipulative bastard with total disregard for human life. He’s also sexy, suave, and charming.

The one thing I planned about this book was that the reader knows who the killer is right from the outset. I wanted to write a novel from different people’s point of view, and I was rather excited to be able to give the reader insight into Blair’s devious mind. It was a lot of fun being a killer for a while and letting my dark imagination run riot.

Of course, you also get insight into Anthony, the gruff Italian detective hunting Blair down, and Flynn, Anthony’s investigative reporter lover. And then there’s Marshall – Blair’s unwitting boyfriend. All of these wonderful characters are given voices by the talented narrator, David C Dawson and he does a fabulous job of it.

This is a challenging read with themes of torture, grisly murders, and retribution, but don’t let that put you off. It’s also a tale of friendship, love, and determination. If you have strong views about retributive justice, i.e. the punishment fitting the crime, then this novel may not be for you. I’ve disgusted some people with this theme in the book, (based on reviews) but I say if you get people talking, that can only be a good thing. A story should make people feel uncomfortable, question what they believe in and promote debate.

This is my Author Note in the front of the book –

I’m well aware that this story tackles some contentious issues, the biggest one being Anthony’s beliefs about justice, and what it means to him. That’s okay with me. I like to write about people who may be different from the norm. I enjoy promoting conversation and debate about themes that may cause controversy. A book aims to entertain and make people think.

 I hope with this one I achieved that goal.

BUY LINKS for the audio book

#Audible #audiobook #mmromance #thriller #detective #serialkiller #mystery #policeprocedural #retribution #HEA


Excerpt

The next night after work Anthony let himself into his flat. The apartment was quiet, only the ticking of the clock in the hall breaking the silence. Save for the light on in the lounge, the apartment was dark. An uplighter shone softly in the corner, highlighting the Matisse print on the wall, a picture he had bought when he and Flynn had been in Provence two months ago. Flynn had been ecstatic at its softly muted colours depicting the mother and child in a field full of flowers, and Anthony had caved in and bought it for that certain spot on his wall.

He was about to call out to Flynn that he was home when in the dim light he saw the clothing scattered on the floor, laying a trail to his bedroom. His blood heated up, his groin swelled, and his cock immediately leapt to attention. He knew exactly where this was going.

A surge of delight suffused his body. He knew Flynn was in there waiting for him, ready to tease him. It was a bit of a surprise since Flynn hadn’t been partial to this particular game since being taken by BTK.

In the past it had been one they played often, but now Flynn seemed a little wary. Surely, being bound and blindfolded at the mercy of a crazy killer took away Flynn’s control, so any thoughts of bondage didn’t have a happy association. Whatever had led him to decide the game tonight, Anthony was pleased as it signalled Flynn’s recovery.

Anthony walked down the hall. He reached the bedroom and gently pushed the door open. It was then that he saw Flynn framed in the light of the lamp shining from the lounge. He lay, apparently asleep, on the leather and wood divan Anthony had brought over from Italy. Its dark burgundy contrasted with what Flynn wore, which was nothing but a black thong lying stark against his pale skin.

The divan was under the window, the drapes drawn. The bedcovers were rumpled, as if Flynn had been sleeping. His robe was draped across the foot of the bed. Anthony moved toward the gleaming body of his supine lover.

Flynn’s face was turned away toward the back of the sofa. His dark hair was tousled and his arms stretched above his head to the right. He wore a blindfold. Anthony felt a stir in his groin seeing those lean, hairy legs stretched out wantonly, inviting him to run his hands up and over Flynn’s groin.

Even appearing asleep, Flynn had the power to excite him, to make Anthony hard and ready. He stepped toward him, watching the rise and fall of Flynn’s chest with their already hardened nubs. Anthony wanted to run his tongue over that chest, with its smattering of fine hair, to take Flynn’s nipples in his mouth and suck them until Flynn groaned in pleasure.

As he got closer he saw Flynn’s hands bound in silk. Green bonds lay dark against Flynn’s wrists, fastened to the wooden struts of the upright chair arm. His hands were tight fists. Anthony chuckled softly, which sounded loud in the stillness of the room.

“Been waiting long?” he whispered as he took off his jacket. “I tried to get home as soon as I could.”


Blurb

Someone is leaving a trail of bodies throughout London, and Detective Anthony Parglietto is determined to end the violence. Then he’ll return to the man he loves.

Tough, street-savvy, and used to dealing with lowlifes, Flynn Parker is the last person Anthony thinks he has to protect. Then the Bow-Tie Killer strikes close to home and the world turns upside down.

Right is wrong, black is white, and a policeman might become a monster. But in the name of love, justice must be served. In the name of love, pain can be endured.

In the name of love, a man can taste the very essence that defines him.


Bio

Susan writes steamy, sexy and fun contemporary romance stories, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark and hopefully always entertaining.

She loves going to the theatre, live music concerts (especially if it’s her man crush Adam Lambert ) the divine Cumberbatch, walks in the countryside, a good G and T, lazing away afternoons reading a good book, and watching horror films.

She’s also Editor in Chief at Divine Magazine, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and a member of The Society of Authors, the Writers Guild of Great Britain, and the Authors Guild in the US. Susan is also an award-winning script writer, with scripts based on two of her own published works. Sight Unseen has garnered no less than ten awards to date.


Giveaway

Susan has brought a Love and Punishment audiobook code to give away to two lucky readers (plus a copy of the ebook if required). Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Wednesday, December 15th at 11:59 pm ET.


  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
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