C.F. White's Blog, page 5

April is Autism Awareness Month, and I'm part of this fantastic month long blog hop hosted by R J Scott to raise awareness, whilst offering some great prizes and insight into ASD along the way. Currently there are around 700,000 people on the Autism Spectrum in the UK and this is something especially close to my heart. Because when I'm not glued to my laptop writing, I'm also a mother to two boys, one of whom has Special Education Needs (he has Williams Syndrome, which shares some similar traits to those on the Autism Spectrum), and I also work part time as a Support Work Co-ordinator for a local Autism charity. Which means I get to meet families living with ASD every day to ensure they get the right support in order for them to be part of mainstream society. So when being asked to write about my hopes and dreams as part of this blog hop, I jumped at the chance. Because since becoming a SEN mum, I've changed my outlook on life enormously and that includes those hopes and dreams I had for my children.Like most mothers, I wanted the best for my kids. From the moment they were more than just a blue line on a testing kit, I started to make plans for them. I dreamt for them to be a football star, a successful lawyer, a doctor, a writer... anything they wanted to be, as long as they were the best at it and were happy. But that all changed when I was thrown into the whirlwind that is special needs parenting. From the moment of diagnosis, I realised that my hopes and dreams had to change. And that took some time to get my head around. I still flick between denial and sorrow that my little boy can't grow up to be any of those things (he'll never be Ronaldo, he'll never stand up in court of law to fight for truth and justice, he'll never perform life-saving surgery, he'll never write a bestselling novel (actually, I'm going to still cling onto that last one, because I think he'll have a story or two to tell when he can hold a pen)... but then I remember that hopes and dreams don't have to be about the big things. They don't have to be about money, fame, and accolade... success and achievement are all relative and a few minor adjustments on my part is all it takes to keep those maternal hopes and dreams alive. So, I hope that my little boy is able to grow into a man who is accepted in society for being different, who can be an active member of his community, and can lead a fulfilling, and happy life, surrounded by friends who accept him for exactly who he is. My dream is that, one day, he won't be considered different at all. I still have the high flying dreams for my older boy, the sibling, but now I hope that he can use his powers for good. Whoever he becomes, I hope he shines a light on those with Special Needs. He's already doing that now, at aged ten, by befriending a non-verbal boy with Autism in his mainstream school. My son waits for him at lunch, sits with him to eat, and plays with him on the field. And he does this because, in his words, "I don't want him to be lonely, because he wants friends too. Like [my brother] he just can't ask to play." The little boy can now sign my son's name and asks his teacher for him when he gets upset. My son is often taken out of class to comfort him. That, right there, warms my heart and makes me think he's already achieved every hope and dream I had for him when that blue line appeared on a stick in my bathroom... Because he's a hero. Thank you for reading my blog post... as a reward, I'm offering a giveaway! You can be in with a chance to own all three books in my Responsible Adult series. Which, incidentally, is about a young man, Micky, taking responsibility for his disabled little brother after the death of his mother and having to grow up fast, take responsibility, and stumble through falling in love for the first time along the way. And I chose to give away this book because, actually, Micky explains those with SEN far better than I could... To be in with a chance to win all three signed paperbacks of Misdemeanor, Hard Time and Reformed, just add a little comment below (and I'd love it if you could sign up to my newsletter too, which would help me have your email address) and don't forget to visit all the other stops on the Autism Awareness blog hop. You can check the schedule on RJ Scott's site here.The winner will be picked at random at the end of the blog hop... please check back here to see if I have replied to you :) Responsible Adult SerialThe Responsible Adult series follows bad boy Micky O’Neill as he attempts to better his life to bring up his disabled little brother. A past full of juvenile delinquency and living in a small town rife with idle gossip means Micky struggles to be seen as anything other than a no-hoper from the wrong side of the tracks... until he takes a job at the local supermarket and meets his boss, Dan, a university graduate and self-proclaimed shy, awkward bookworm.Dan, older and burned from a past relationship, is the one person who sees through Micky’s tough-guy facade to the true heart underneath. With fear and mistrust on both sides, the two must steer their way through a complicated relationship where outside forces are determined to break them up at every turn.Responsible Adult is a series about growing up and learning that falling in love isn't always responsible.

Hi there! I have been absent from Rainbow Snippetting for quite some time... life, unfortunately, got in the way a little. But I am hoping things are now back on some sort of even keel, whatever that means for me and mine, so I can get back to writing and enjoying all the weekend's snippeting offers :) So, this week I'll start off with a snippet from my upcoming release, Kick Off, book one in the newly released District Line series. Blurb: What happens when opposite sides of the track collide? East Londoner Jay Ruttman has only ever wanted one thing― to be a professional footballer. But after a disastrous brawl on the pitch gets him released from his pro-Academy, he has to follow plan B and enrolls as university Sports Scholar. Head down, train hard and get scouted is his motto. Until he crashes into the man who might just shoot his dreams out of the park. Kensington elite Sebastian (Seb) Saunders has only ever wanted one thing―to be a rock star. But his father has other plans for him, including taking the helm of his multimillion-pound new business venture across the pond. Live it up, chase the dream and rock out for as long as he can is his mantra. Until he crashes into the man who might just rock his world off its scale. Jay and Seb live at opposite ends of London’s District Line, separated by wealth, status, family traditions and their own life-long dreams. This startling and gritty contemporary romance series sees them both having to overcome barriers, face fears and beat rejection to fight for the love they need to achieve it all. NOTE: This is a revised edition of the previously self-published The District Line in 2016. This version has gone through major edits, including character name changes and new chapters, yet the overall story remains the same.Pre Order now on Kindle UnlimitedOut 13/3/18“Hey, Champ.”“You okay?” Jay shivered at the biting cold.Seb’s eyes were bloodshot and cigarette butts dusted the pavement by his feet. “Shit night.” He shrugged, barely looking Jay in the eye. “Guess I can’t sleep without a goodnight kiss anymore.”Jay melted at the gentle words. Stepping forward, he ran a hand through the crunchy tassels of Seb’s hair and planted a delicate kiss to his lips. Seb deepened it, and his eyes filled with tears. On breaking apart, Seb buried his face in Jay’s neck, leaving a trail of moisture on his skin.Startled at the unprecedented vulnerable display, Jay curled his arms around Seb and squeezed, rubbing one hand in smooth circles along the nape of Seb’s neck. “Talk to me,” he whispered. “What happened?”Seb pulled away. “Can we not talk? And you just kiss me like that again?”Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation. You can read all the other great snippets from wonderful authors here.

Kick Off is the first book in my new (or well, old, kinda) The District Line series, and I'll be releasing this one self published on Kindle Unlimited on 13 March 2018. It's been a long and painstaking process, and a real labour of love, to get this re release up to standard but now I'm ready to roll and am seeking ARC readers in exchange for honest reviews. So, read on for the cover reveal, the blurb and an exclusive excerpt of the first chapter. If this feels like something you'd like to read and review in time for the launch, then use the contact button below to send me an email. What happens when opposite sides of the track collide?East Londoner Jay Ruttman has only ever wanted one thing― to be a professional footballer. But after a disastrous brawl on the pitch gets him released from his pro-Academy, he has to follow plan B and enrolls as university Sports Scholar. Head down, train hard and get scouted is his motto. Until he crashes into the man who might just shoot his dreams out of the park.Kensington elite Sebastian (Seb) Saunders has only ever wanted one thing―to be a rock star. But his father has other plans for him, including taking the helm of his multimillion-pound new business venture across the pond. Live it up, chase the dream and rock out for as long as he can is his mantra. Until he crashes into the man who might just rock his world off its scale.Jay and Seb live at opposite ends of London’s District Line, separated by wealth, status, family traditions and their own life-long dreams. This startling and gritty contemporary romance series sees them both having to overcome barriers, face fears and beat rejection to fight for the love they need to achieve it all.Exclusive ExcerptChapter OneHard TackleNovember, 2004“I was thinking we could all have a nice Sunday roast together this week. Me and your dad, Bryan and Cheryl, you and―” “If you say Ann, I’m gonna have to punch somethin’.” Jay Ruttman scraped his floppy blond hair from his eyes and screwed the top on his sports bottle, trying not to imagine the neck was his mother’s. Sighing, Barbara hung the tatty tea towel she’d used to dry her plastic Tupperware box back on the rail under their kitchen sink. “I wasn’t gonna say Ann at all. I was going to say you and, I don’t know, someone else.” “Who, Mum?” Jay immediately bit his tongue. This route of conversation didn’t require further encouragement. “Actually don’t answer that. Can’t you just moan about the state of me kit instead?” Barbara pointed an accusatory finger. “Oh, you’ll be picking up the mud you trampled all over the carpet last night before you leave.” “Sure thing.” Narrowing her eyes, Barbara yanked out a sheet of tin foil from the box, tore it off using the serrated plastic teeth and wrapped her delicately made ham sandwich in it. “You’ve been going to that university for a few months now, you can’t tell me you ain’t met nobody. And I know you was talking to a girl on the phone the other week. Are you embarrassed by us, Jay? Is that what it is? Because we don’t have lots of money like your university friends do, you don’t invite any of them to meet us?” “No, Mum. That ain’t it. I’ve just not found anyone decent enough to meet you.” He hoped that flattery would suffice enough for his mum to just drop it, and added a peck to her cheek for good measure. His mother tugged at Jay’s lightly golden-stubbled chin with her thumb and forefinger and jerked his face from side to side. “You think I don’t know a bullshitter when I see one, son? Bryan Ruttman came before you, remember? So who was she? On the phone?” “No one, Mum. Just a girl.” Jay swigged from his bottle whilst stretching and twisting to warm up his tense muscles for his now crucial morning run. There wasn’t much room in the tiny kitchen, and he batted his mother with his shoulder. She fell against the counter and gave him a stern eyeful. Jay mouthed his apology. “What’s her name?” “Heidi,” Jay croaked out. “But seriously, there ain’t no point going on. We went out. Once. It didn’t work out.” Barbara curled her hand around her youngest son’s arm and looked directly into his trademark bright-blue Ruttman eyes. “Maybe you need to talk less about football?” She grabbed her blue fleece emblazoned with the supermarket logo of the store she worked at and left their tiny terrace house. Jay glared after her, full of his ritual exasperation. “Football.” Jay had forgotten his father was there at the circular kitchen table, flicking through the local morning rag that he only ever read the back pages of. “That’s what your mind should be on.” John folded up the paper, slammed it onto the table surface and slurped from his mug of builder’s tea. “That’s where the money is, son. Not girls. You can get all the birds you want when you get back playing professional.” With a hard slap between Jay’s shoulder blades, John grabbed his keys from the sideboard and left the house in much the same way Jay’s mother had. The low growl of the diesel engine from his father’s van masked Jay’s deep-throated one. Clenching his fists into balls, Jay pelted out of the front door into the narrow East London residential street. He held up a hand in a reluctant wave to his father still warming the engine on his old van, and set pace for the three-mile trail into university. The mood I’m now in, I’m gonna do this run in half the bleedin’ time. He swerved through the parked cars, bounded over the crossroads and careened through the people milling into Plaistow District Line tube station. Rush hour meant the High Street swarmed with those heading to work or performing other early rituals. Like the school run. Jay swerved through many a child in buggies and teens in uniform. Hoping to keep his head down for the next few minutes, he pumped his legs hard and passed the tower blocks and various shops opening up. “Ruttman!” The striped-apron-wearing owner setting up the bistro tables at the corner Pie, Mash and Liquor haunt thwarted Jay’s chance of getting through the run in solitude. “Reggie.” Jay tapped the bloke’s hand for a high five and hurtled on past. “We’re still countin’ on ya, man!” Jay waved and sped up. Passing Plaistow Park, he breathed in the scent of freshly cut grass and stud marks impressed in the mud from last night’s game. A group of school kids, blazers as goal posts, were getting in a quick kickabout before the school bell beckoned the end of their enjoyment. Jay smiled. My youth, right there. One of the teens stopped their chance at goal and waved an erratic hand in the air, hollering the nickname that had become second nature in his neighbourhood. Jay saluted the best he could, but frowned. After he’d chucked a left, his calves stiffened with the addictive stretch and burn. The grey clouds finally opened up, drizzling fine rain onto his already sweaty blond hair, and he pounded into the enclosed Greenway cycle route. Time to switch off and get moving. He sprinted, the clear cycle path allowing him free rein to grimace, but he held in the scream wanting to burst out into the frosty morning air. The cathartic release would only be short-lived. He shut his eyes, pushing harder towards his goal, the way he always did. Blowing out the air gathered in his lungs, he bounded over the Docklands Light Railway bridge and reached the gleaming black entrance gates to the pristine glass-fronted modern campus. Gotta be a personal best! “Rutters!” Not getting the chance to check his sports watch, Jay held up a hand in acknowledgement of one of his fellow scholars queuing at the ATM. There was an army of them dotted around his university campus, all proudly wearing the navy and sky-blue tracksuits displaying the bold white SPORTS SCHOLAR across the back.Jay spun a left at the riverside dock. Another yell of his nickname and Jay scanned the students cluttering the main campus square. Nathan, his teammate and captain, waved. Jay ran backwards, squinting through the now pouring rain, attempting to decipher what Nathan’s hand signals were all about. But before he could return any type of gesture, a hard collision sent Jay toppling to the ground and landing in a heap on the rough concrete. “Shit!” Clambering to stand, Jay twisted to see who or what, if the impact on his lower back was anything to go by, had rammed into him so fiercely. “Fucking hell, man!” The dark-haired fella splayed out on the ground, cradling a huge black leather guitar case, didn’t give Jay a second glance. “Bollocks.” Jay flicked his hair away from his forehead. “You all right?” He held out a hand, but the bloke either didn’t notice, or care for it to help him up. “Fucking great. You know, most people run forwards. Helps them see where they’re fucking going.” The man kneeled, wiping the mud and grit from the case. Jay bit his lip, preventing a smile. The bloke’s posh Queen’s English, regardless of the overused curse words, wasn’t something encountered all that often in these parts of East London. “Sorry.” Jay shook his head. The bloke clipped open the case, revealing an elegant red and black electric guitar. The instrument appeared to be safely tucked into the foam inners, but it didn’t stop the fella from checking it over. Jay couldn’t blame him. That thing looked about as expensive as his Dad’s motor. “Is it damaged?” Jay crouched and reached out trembling fingers to touch the paint work. Please don’t be ruined, I ain’t got the cash to pay for a replacement, and it ain’t like I can do a hit-and-run here. The man batted his hand away with a grunt. “You play guitar?” Jay shook his head and stood. “Then leave her alone.” “It’s a her?” Chocolate-brown doe-eyes glanced up. Jay stumbled onto the curb, but his trainer slipped on the wet concrete and he fell back to road level, all the while those dark eyes widened with every bumbling movement Jay made. “Don’t you people get expert training?” The man finally blinked, his thick black eyelashes entangling together as if in an embrace. “You know, teach you how to run the right fucking way?” His lingering scrutiny made Jay swallow. Sweat and rain had soaked through Jay’s blue and white polyester mesh football shirt, and it clung to his clammy skin. Scraps of dirt splattered his legs, visible below his shiny blue football shorts. Scrubbing a palm over his face to clear the gritty moisture, Jay burst out a nervous chuckle. “Maybe I should leave that to the refs, right?” The man clipped shut the case and stood. “Excuse me?” “Referees? In football? They run backwards.” “Whatever.” The man hauled the case over his shoulder. “Maybe watch where you’re fucking going, hmm?” Jay’s fixed-on smile faded. The man stomped away, skin-tight dark denim jeans hugging his slender backside, and joined the queue for the cash machine. Jay dejectedly kicked the heel of his running trainer against the curb, then legged it away towards the Sports Centre.Author Note:Book Length: 74,762 wordsPages: 454Kick Off is book one in the District Line serial. Whilst this is a standalone novel, please note that it may not end in a traditional happy ever after. Jay and Sebastian’s story continues throughout the three books as a complete story arc. Book 2, Break Through, follows on from Kick Off and will be released in April 2018.This is a rerelease of the District Line originally published both on Wattpad and self-published on Amazon Kindle Unlimited for a short time in 2016. It has gone through major edits, with parts of the story adapted and character names changed to fit in with the theme of this newer version. For those who have read the original, it is advised to restart the series to be aware of the changes that have been made.The District Line series is set between the years 2004 and 2008. Whilst some events, places and trademarks are true to this timeline, some discretion is advised for complete accuracy in order to create this work of fiction.To request an ARC copy please contact C F White

I've teamed up with some amazing romance authors for this epic giveaway. That's 35 authors, with 35 winners and prizes ranging from gift cards, signed books, swag and much, much more. You do not want to miss this amazing opportunity! For my part, I'm offering a signed paperback of all three of my Responsible Adult series. Yes, that's all three books! Misdemeanor, Hard Time and Reformed (if the winner prefers an ecopy of the books, this can also be arranged). All you have to do is enter the rafflecopter giveaway, and click on the author you would like to support, following the terms and conditions, and that's it.You could be in with a chance to win! Enter now. The contest last for 32 days, so spread the word and GOOD LUCK!And just a little sneak and what you could be getting...

It's the weekend before Christmas and not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse... Except, of course, for the Rainbow snippetters! This week I'm giving a snippet from my latest release, Won't Feel a Thing (book one in the St. Cross series). And it's rather timely as this one is all about New Year's Resolutions. The picture above is just a little feel for where the book is set.Anyway, here's the blurb:Won't Feel a Thing (St. Cross book 1)It takes more than a doctor to mend a broken heart. Ollie Warne is fresh out of nursing school and working his dream job as a pediatric cardiology nurse at St Cross Children’s Hospital, London. He wants to start the new year free of personal heartache after his track record of falling for the wrong man--his New Year’s resolution is to live a life of carefree liaisons from now on. He immediately meets Jacob, father of one of Ollie’s patients and a man harboring more guilt and past demons than even Ollie, which is saying something... Their growing attraction makes it hard for Ollie to keep his distance, but he has to. Not only do the ethics of his profession demand it, but Ollie is entangled with another man--a predatory doctor who has a huge personal and professional stake in Ollie’s life. Ollie risks more than his job by getting involved with a patient’s father--and much more than just the success of his New Year’s resolution, something that was supposed to ensure that, this time, he won’t feel a thing.And now for today's snippet, which shows just how Ollie comes up with his resolution with fellow nurse Taya....****“What do we nurses say on the daily?”“No, you can’t have McDonald’s?”“Not that one.”“You’re going to feel a little prick?”Ollie sniggered. “Not that one either.”“Oh, I know. It’s, of course I’ll change your TV channel for you—it’s not like I have anything better to do with my time?”“No! I mean the big one: you won’t feel a thing.”Taya nodded. “So?”“So, my resolution is to no longer feel a thing.”“Good luck.” Taya smiled. Bitch.****So, do we think his resolution works out? You'll have to go buy the book to find out (hee hee). Follow the link to grab your copy...Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation. You can check out all the other snippets here.

It's the weekend, and that means I am back to Rainbow Snippeting. I've been MIA the last couple of weeks, working hard on the edits for my hopeful re release in the New Year of The District Line series. It's coming along nicely. But for today, I'm going back to my debut. Misdemeanor (Responsible Adult #1) as it's still available at a special discounted price of 99c/p. And Hard Time (Responsible Adult #2) is 1.99. Absolute bargain if I do say so myself, so hurry and you can purchase all three books in the series with a brilliant saving. This little book has reached number 12 on the bestseller listings and I'm all choked up! So to entice you to start the series, here's a snippet from Misdemeanor (big apologies that it'ss longer that 6 sentences...) ****“So, what is it you want to be, then? Why the English course?” Dan asked.Micky shrugged. “Whatever gets me out of this town.”“A bus?” Dan suggested. He laughed at his own joke, which probably wasn’t the smoothest move he’d ever made. He stopped when Micky glared across the kitchen. Dan pressed his lips together to try and curtail the laughter. He was sure there was some nervous release, as he couldn’t control the tickle rippling through his entire body. He tried desperately hard to bite down on it.“Sorry,” Dan finally croaked through the laughter tears forming in his eyes. He added one of his sweet apologetic smiles for good measure. Testing the water.Micky narrowed his eyes. He unfolded one arm and pointed a finger over at Dan. “Those dimples will get you into trouble one day.”****Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation

Running a little behind... been bogged down in editing. But I'm making progress with the re write of my first ever series and hoping for a re release of The District Line in early 2018. That's my New Year's Resolution anyway, which brings me on nicely to this week's snippet :)Today I'm revealing the cover for the first book in my brand new St.Cross series, which will be published on 19 December (that's one month from now, people!) by Loose ID. Won't Feel a Thing is the first book in my hospital based series and follows pediatric cardiology nurse, Ollie, who makes a brief appearance in Reformed (Responsible Adult #3), also on general release from Pride on 5 December (busy Christmas for me - eek!). Here's the blurb...It takes more than a doctor to mend a broken heart.Ollie Warne, fresh out of nursing school and working his dream job as a pediatric cardiology nurse at St Cross Children’s Hospital, London, wants to start the new year free of personal heartache after his track record of falling for the wrong man—his New Year’s resolution is to live a life of carefree liaisons from now on.He immediately meets Jacob, father of one of Ollie’s patients and a man harboring more guilt and past demons than even Ollie, which is saying something…Their growing attraction makes it hard for Ollie to keep his distance, but he has to―not only do the ethics of his profession demand it…but Ollie is entangled with another man. A predatory doctor who has a huge personal and professional stake in Ollie’s life.Ollie risks more than his job by getting involved with a patient’s father―and much more than just the success of his New Year’s resolution, something that was supposed to ensure that, this time, he won’t feel a thing. And now for the #Rainbowsnippet...****“You left your watch here.”Ollie scrambled to get his arm out from under the duvet and checked his wrist. Bollocks. He shut his eyes.“I’ve had to throw it out.”Ollie shoved a hand over his mouth, adding to his suffocating possibilities, and ignored the sinking feeling in his gut.“I’ll get you a new one.”Ollie shook his head and sank farther into the duvet to cover his face.“Don’t call me back. I’ll see you later.”The answer phone bleeped, indicating the end of the message and signifying the beginning of Ollie’s New Year’s resolution.The one where he wouldn’t feel a thing.****Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation. You can read all the other snippets here 

It's the weekend, so that means Rainbow Snippets time! Today I'm going over to Reformed (Responsible Adult #3) for the last installment in my Responsible Adult serial. Out on General Release on the 5 December, Reformed completes the story of Micky, Dan and little Flynn.You can pre order your copy right now :)****Opening his eyes, he sat and grabbed the back of Micky’s neck to pull him toward him. Their foreheads almost crashed together and Dan dug his fingertips into his soft skin.“I’m sorry,” Dan muttered. “I love you. So much. For who you are. But also”—Dan pulled away to look him in the eye—“for who you could be. Because, Micky Brenin O’Neill…” Dan kissed him on the lips, lingering over it, tasting him. “I believe in you. Even when you don’t believe in yourself.”****Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation. You can read all the other great snippets from fantastic authors here:)

Today I am celebrating the fact that my WIP, Active Duty, has been completed! For a book featuring a side character from my other series who I had never intended on making the main man, it went surprisingly well. I hit the 85K word count mark and decided to stop it there... with even the potential for a second book. Not bad at all. Now to see whether anything can be done with it.But that does mean I now also have to go back to the two books I have left hanging in mid air. And one of those is where I will take my snippet from today. Love & Tea Bags is another WIP, although I know I'm not far off from completing. So I thought it would be a good idea to offer a snippet from this one today to get me back into the swing of things. Love & Tea Bags follows Mark, a nearing 40 year old man from a small seaside town in south east England. He's feeling the pinch of hitting middle age and living a boring, uneventful life that mainly revolves around his one true love, the English Breakfast (that's the tea drink, not the full fry up persuasion). Then enters a rather dashing, and rather handsome young, Australian who not only serves at Mark's regular tea haunt, but also happens to be a rather good handyman... Which is where our snippet starts. Bradley, the young Aussie, has offered to take a look at Mark's leaking roof...****"How do you take your tea?" Mark clapped his hands together a little too overzealous after clicking the kettle on to boil. He did so enjoy making tea for his guests. He was sure it would warrant a better response than hitting him would."No, thanks, mate," Bradley replied. "Don't really drink tea."That completely unnecessary sucker punch to the gut knocked the wind firmly out of Mark's sails and he was unable to prevent the gurning from spreading across his face. How Macy could have believed these two would ever get along really was turning out to be quite some quandary. "You're not one of those..." Mark was unable to form the words. "Coffee drinkers, are you?" His throat hacked out the most offensive c-word in his vocabulary along with a sizable amount of phlegm.****Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation. You can read other snippets from great authors here:) 

I'm running a bit late for the weekend snippets group, but I'm here now. Returning to my next release, Reformed, the third book in my Responsible Adult serial, which is out for pre-order this week at Pride Publishing. Here we have Dan and Micky facing something quite huge, which will ultimately test their relationship beyond anything they have ever been through before. These guys just can's seem to cut a break...****Micky bowed forward to rub his forehead against Dan’s. His swollen brown eyes were filled with speckles of green among the blood-shot lines. For a moment, Dan didn’t want to let him go. To let either of them go. He wanted to take care of all this himself. Like he had promised he would. Trouble was, his expertise didn’t include being able to perform life-saving open-heart surgery, so he reluctantly leaned away and mouthed the words I love you instead. It wasn’t much. It wasn’t particularly poignant and rather overused by his recent track record, but it was all he had to give at that moment.****Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation. You can read more snippets from great authors here.