Guest Author: Heather Long

Love Comes without Warning

Not every couple has a fair chance, for Liam and Brenden, the challenges to being together began and ended with the two of them. Brenden understood what was expected of him, but more than that—he knew what he expected of himself. From a very young age, he wanted to be a Marine, he planned to be a Marine, and he directed his life in such a way to become a Marine.

But being that driven meant that he needed to keep a lid on his interest in his openly gay and very proud best friend, Liam.

For Liam, Brenden represented everything that a man could do right. He stood up for his friends, devoted his life to service, and was a good guy. He kept his crush to himself because he thought Brenden straight and didn’t deserve to be uncomfortable around him.

All of that changes when he gets an invitation to a 1Night Stand.

A Marine and a Gentleman is the first M/M I’ve ever written, but it was a story that needed to be told because this 1Night Stand wasn’t about sex for these two—but about revealing some very personal truths and emotions they both kept locked away. It was reuniting two friends who care and respect each other and opening the door to a possibility neither thought was possible.

Every Marine I write about teaches me something—and in this case—Brenden taught me that being true to yourself sometimes requires being willing to sacrifice personal happiness or at least tabling it for a time. Love shouldn’t come with a warning label and this isn’t a story about regret, far from it, I found it hopeful and inspiring. I hope you do, too.

Discover more about Heather and the Always a Marine series:

Heather Long Website | Facebook | Always a Marine Series Page | Twitter

The ninth installment in the Always a Marine anthology in 1Night Stand (1NS) line for Decadent Publishing. 1Night Stand is the business name of an exclusive online dating service run by Madame Evangeline who provides her clients with a possibility of happily ever after or happily for now.

HL_A marine and a Gentleman_SMA Marine and a Gentleman

Always a Marine #9

All Romance eBooks | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand |Decadent Publishing

Lieutenant Brenden Fitzpatrick is a dedicated Marine, loyal son, and devoted uncle but he’s lonely. When he went Marine, the rule was don’t ask, don’t tell. His brothers-in-arms pretty much didn’t ask and didn’t care. Watching so many friends settle into long-term relationships highlighted the absence of someone to come home to in his life. When his unit encourages him to give the 1Night Stand service a try, he asks for the impossible—a night with the one man he almost gave up the Marines for in the first place. A man he called best friend but let time and distance carry away.

Liam Gardiner grew up on the same Boston block as his best friend, Brenden. Unlike Brenden, Liam always accepted that he was gay—a fact he didn’t mind flaunting to all the bullies and naysayers in school. It got his ass kicked more than once but Brenden always had his back, rescuing him time and time again, until the day Brenden left for the Marines. He missed his buddy—the crush he never confessed, lest it cost him the precious friendship—so when Madame Eve’s invitation arrived to meet Brenden, Liam faces uncertainty for the first time.

(M/M)

HL_A marine and a Gentleman_banner

Excerpt:

Liam stepped out of the rental car and handed the keys to the valet. The Dallas night club was not at all what he expected. Heavy wooden doors offered a gothic touch to the façade. A red canopy stretched out to the circular drive matching carpet that led to the doors. A doorman dressed in a nineteenth century double breasted coat, top hat, and tails held out his hand for the card from the mysterious service.

“I think I’m going to wait out here.  It’s a beautiful day.” Sliding the card back into his wallet, he walked along the curb to a quieter spot away from the foot traffic and arrivals—and, unsurprisingly, no departures. It was just after six-thirty in the evening local time. He rented the car at the airport and bypassed his hotel to come straight to the club. He hadn’t decided whether he planned to stay the night or not, no matter what he agreed to with the 1Night Stand service.

Even the name brought a half-smile to his lips. The woman who sent him the three emails offered an uncannily accurate assessment of his situation. At the end of the day, it was the forwarded request from Brenden which prompted him to say yes.  Extracting a cigar case from his inner pocket, he trimmed the end off of one end and lit it. The fragrant tobacco filled the air and calmed his mind. He handled power lunches and dinners every night of the week. As a professional banker, he knew when businessmen tried to bullshit him or when they really had a plan.

He knew how to say no.

He always knew when to say yes.

Reading people for a living wasn’t pretty work, but it was lucrative. Another couple arrived, huddled together and dashing up the steps as if it were cold. The forty-five degree temperature and dead still air were hardly cold to his Boston forged blood.

Why Dallas? Liam would’ve preferred to meet Brenden at home, at the Tipperary on the Green, to toss back a pint for old times. But no, Brendon invited him to the cowtown in the middle of the country where big boots, big steaks, and big boobs seemed to be everywhere.

Big hair, too. He eyed the next couple arriving. It looks like the 80s threw up on her. He puffed the cigar and kept his acerbic opinion to himself but the distraction helped. Thirty-two years old and on the ropes over an invitation to drinks.

The drinks aren’t the problem. Come meet the guy I’ve lusted after for over half my life and spend the night with him? Yeah, nothing to be nervous about.

Guest Blog: Heather Long Blog Blast

Heather has a new book coming out. It is the much anticipated sequel to Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here.  Readers wished for more Jazz, Logan and Zach and the threesome are reunited when the unthinkable happens.

No Regrets, No Surrender

Always a Marine #6

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-61333-420-1

Release Date:  20 Nov 2012

This sixth installment of the Always a Marine series for Decadent Publishing and a first for the series, as a spinoff of Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here. Jazz, Logan and Zach met via a 1NightStand. This is the business name of an exclusive online dating service run by Madame Evangeline who provides her clients with a possibility of happily ever after or happily for now.

 

BLURB:

At the end of their night of frenzied passion, Jazz Winters walked away from the only two men who’d ever made her feel like a woman. Logan Cavanaugh and Zach Evans let her go, but only if she swore all her future leaves to them.

 

Waiting fourteen excruciatingly long months, visiting Jazz when they can, is harder on the guys that they like to admit. But their work at Mike’s Place, a veteran’s rehabilitative facility, only lets Zach and Logan go one at a time. Jazz fears their unconventional relationship can’t last a lifetime. The stress of years of military service in hot zones, combined with life-threatening injuries pushed her to the edge. But when she comes home a wounded warrior, not the woman she believes they want, Zach and Logan are right there to help her, even when she resists.

She’s not alone. Whether she chooses one or both, they have no regrets and they won’t surrender.

 

Heather Long Website

Always a Marine Series

Fun Facts
Jazz’s mother plays a critical part in No Regrets, No Surrender—and it must be noted that she was the one who gave Jazz the gift of a one night stand in Retreat Hell. Meeting this vital, vibrant and strong maternal figure was very important to Heather as the author.

The journey the characters take in No Regrets, No Surrender was important both emotionally and physically. Can a ménage really last a lifetime? Heather hopes she answered that question with these three.

Friday Fireworks Blog Hunt

Hey there and Happy Friday!

If I’m your first stop welcome or if I’m your next on the blog hunt I hope you’re having fun. There’s a fantastic prize up for grabs for the Blog Hunt, a Kindle Fire, and I’m offering up my BLUE JEANS AND HARD HATS series here on my blog.

 

My BLUE JEANS AND HARD HATS series features hard bodied handy-men and sassy women in need of some DIY help.

Another feature of the Blue Jeans books is BDSM. Something that’s been in the news a lot lately due to 50 Shades of Grey. While I’m not going to compare my books to 50 Shades, I am going to say that when I write about BDSM I write from experience.

I recently wrote a blog leading up to the BDSMapalooza the Smutketeers held expressing what BDSM is to me. If you’re interested you can check it out here. If you’re still playing with the Blog Hunt here’s a little snippet that sums up my thoughts.

BDSM has opened my eyes in a way nothing else I’ve ever encountered has. I am profoundly grateful I happened up on the lifestyle years ago. And yes, the sexual benefits are…incredible. But it’s not all or even mostly about sex. Not for me at least. There’s more, much more below the surface.

To be entered to win an eCopy of the entire BLUE JEANS AND HARD HATS series tell me what you think of BDSM or the hype around 50 Shades of Grey. Have you read it? Do you plan on it? I’ll pick a winner at random and post it here on my blog on Monday (May 28). The winner will have until Thursday (May 31) at Noon MST to contact my PA.

 

Here’s my question for Friday Fireworks: There is something about Jenn’s book that is unlike any other romance novel out there. What is it? (Check out the name of her website.)

 

Rules:

10 Authors. 10 Questions. 10 Easy Answers.

You will go from blog to blog gathering questions about each author. There will be a hint and a link that will lead you to the answer.

In order to be entered to win the big prize, a Kindle Fire, you will need to send your answers to Brandy at bray829@gmail.com SUBJECT: Friday Fireworks by Monday at noon MST.

You must include all 10 questions with answers.

Winner of the big prize will be drawn and announced on Heather Long’s blog. Any prizes offered individually on the author’s page will be taken care of by that author.

Participating Authors – Blog Links:

Melissa Schroeder – New question posted (edited 5/25 @ 7:27 AM MST)

Saranna DeWylde – Post not live, okay to skip (edited 5/25 @ 7:27 AM MST))

Delilah Devlin

Lissa Matthews (you’re here)

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