Rick R. Reed's Blog, page 92

I just wanted to share a wonderful five-star review my psychological thriller/horror novel, OBSESSED , got from the Bookwenches. In part the review said:

"A few nightmares later, and I still can't get this book out of my mind...This story took me on quite a ride, and I can describe it as a delightfully insane psychological mind fuck..."

Read the whole review here.

Synopsis
I kill, therefore I am…

Voices slam through the corridor of his wounded mind. The words of his dead sister cry out. His parents' taunts fill the silent room where he sits and waits--waits for the murderous rage, filling him with strength, driving him to kill, to touch the cold flesh, taste the warm blood--to feel alive again… A witness has seen him, but his killing only turns her on and now she wants to protect him. His wife suspects him, but the private detective she hired cannot stop him. Joe MacAree fears nothing--except that he may no longer be human. The thirst that drives him is relentless, moving deeper and deeper into his own shattering, private realm, where each murder is a delicious new gift of life, where revulsion is beauty, and the obsession will never let him go.

Obsessed was part of Dell Abyss' remarkable horror line, lauded by none other than Stephen King.

The book is on sale now from the publisher, Untreed Reads, for only $2.99. BUY.

I'm excited. Caregiver , my AIDS-era love story is officially coming soon on my publisher's website (Dreamspinner Press). October 24 is the release date for both print and ebook! Check out Paul Richmond's amazing cover and read an excerpt here.

Description:

It's 1991, and Dan Calzolaio has just moved to Florida with his lover, Mark, having fled Chicago and Mark's addictions to begin a new life on the Gulf Coast. Volunteering for the Tampa AIDS Alliance is just one part of that new beginning, and that's how Dan meets his new buddy, Adam.

Adam Schmidt is not at all what Dan expected. The guy is an original—witty, wry, and sarcastic with a fondness for a smart black dress, Barbra Streisand, and a good mai tai. Adam doesn't let his imminent death get him down, even through a downward spiral that sees him thrown in jail.

Each step of Adam's journey teaches Dan new lessons about strength and resilience, but it's Adam's lover, Sullivan, to whom Dan feels an almost irresistible pull. Dan knows the attraction isn't right, even after he dumps his cheating, drug-abusing boyfriend. But then Adam passes away, and it leaves Sullivan and Dan both alone to see if they can turn their love for Adam into something whole and real for each other.

I'm excited. Caregiver , my AIDS-era love story is officially coming soon on my publisher's website (Dreamspinner Press). October 24 is the release date for both print and ebook! Check out Paul Richmond's amazing cover and read an excerpt here.

Description:

It's 1991, and Dan Calzolaio has just moved to Florida with his lover, Mark, having fled Chicago and Mark's addictions to begin a new life on the Gulf Coast. Volunteering for the Tampa AIDS Alliance is just one part of that new beginning, and that's how Dan meets his new buddy, Adam.

Adam Schmidt is not at all what Dan expected. The guy is an original—witty, wry, and sarcastic with a fondness for a smart black dress, Barbra Streisand, and a good mai tai. Adam doesn't let his imminent death get him down, even through a downward spiral that sees him thrown in jail.

Each step of Adam's journey teaches Dan new lessons about strength and resilience, but it's Adam's lover, Sullivan, to whom Dan feels an almost irresistible pull. Dan knows the attraction isn't right, even after he dumps his cheating, drug-abusing boyfriend. But then Adam passes away, and it leaves Sullivan and Dan both alone to see if they can turn their love for Adam into something whole and real for each other.

Just learned that my horror/love story, A Demon Inside , has been named a finalist in the EPIC eBook 2012 Ebook Awards in the Horror Romance category. Winners will be announced in March.

Below is a complete list of all the finalists.


Congratulations to the Finalists in for the 2012 eBook Awards.Winners will be announced at EPICon in March 2012. Anthology Dame Topaz Treasures Carrie S. Masek Whiskey Creek Press Dragon's Lure Neal Levin (Editor) Dark Quest Books Winter Wishes Angela James (Editor) Carina Press Childrens' The Mystery of the Old Black Diary M. Leigh Ingles Self-published The Weaver Kai Strand Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. What Kind of Turtle Am I? Donna M. Zappala Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. Mainstream Love, Sam Linda Rettstatt Champagne Books Never Ever Suzanne M. Hurley Whiskey Creek Press Perfect Score Susan Roebuck Awe Struck Publishing Action/Adventure Chasing Demons Christy Tillery French L&L Dreamspell No One Lives Twice Julie Moffett Carina Press Trail of the Tudor Blue Gwen Roman The Wild Rose Press Erotica Entangled Trio Cat Grant Ellora's Cave Publishing Reconstructing Meredith Lauren Gallagher Carnal Passions The First Real Thing Cat Grant Ellora's Cave Publishing Fantasy Psyche's Prophecy Ann Gimpel Gypsy Shadow Publishing The Sevenfold Spell Tia Nevitt Carina Press Thief of Hope Cindy Young-Turner Crescent Moon Press Historical The Flight of the Sorceress Barry S. Willdorf Wild Child Publishing Tree Soldier Janet Oakley Createspace Twins Katherine Pym Wings ePress, Inc. Horror Pillar's Fall Ben Larken LL-Publications The Death of Lou Grant David Halliday Smashwords The Last Vampire Kathryn Meyer Griffith Damnation Books Mystery A Wedding to Die For Heather Haven Muse It Up Publishing Murder in Paradise Larry K. and Lorna Collins Whiskey Creek Press The Dead Detective Agency Peg Herring LL-Publications Paranormal Healey's Cave Aaron Paul Lazar Twilight Times Books One Blood E.F. Watkins Amber Quill Press, LLC Piper's Fury Rachel Firasek Crescent Moon Press Revelations Carrie Lynn Barker Eternal Press Suspense/Thriller A Little Death in Dixie Lisa Turner Bell Bridge Books Becoming NADIA Cyrus Keith Muse It Up Publishing Eyewall H.W. Buzz Bernard Bell Bridge Books Science Fiction Crewkin Rhobin L. Courtright Muse It Up Publishing The Crystal Desert Catherine Wells epress-online The Immortality Virus Christine Amsden Twilight Times Books Spiritual/Metaphysical A Mother's Eyes Karen S. Woods Sleeping Beagle Books Paradigms Chris McKenna Gypsy Shadow Publishing The Inheritance Donna Sundblad epress-online To Dance With Angels Don and Linda Pendleton Self-published Non-Fiction A Blonde Bengali Wife Ann Hamilton LL-Publications Shenandoah Watercolors Beth Trissel Self-published The Indestructible Relationship Kimberly Pryor Self-published Novella Almost Heaven Kimberly Gardner Loose Id, LLC Do Over Mari Carr Carina Press Eagle's Redemption Cindy Spencer Pape Ellora's Cave Publishing Hearts in Darkness Laura Kaye The Wild Rose Press Jaq's Harp Ella Drake Carina Press Song from the Abyss Margaret L. Carter Ellora's Cave Publishing Stormy Wedding Kelli Scott Ellora's Cave Publishing Contemporary Romance A.J.'s Angel L.A. Witt Samhain Publishing Hot Commodity Linda Kage Champagne Books Life From Scratch Melissa Ford Bell Bridge Books One Real Thing Anah Crow and Dianne Fox Carina Press River Time Rae Renzi Carina Press Woman on Fire Fran Lee Ellora's Cave Publishing Fantasy Romance Bound: A Faery Story Sophie Oak Siren Publishing, Inc. Knightfall Berinn Rae Crescent Moon Press One Thousand Kisses Jody Wallace Samhain Publishing The Sleigh Maker Candace Sams The Wild Rose Press Historical Romance Five Card Stud Gem Sivad Ellora's Cave Publishing For Love Is New Jean Hart Stewart Passion in Print Healing Hearts Taryn Kincaid Carina Press Passage to November Phyllis DeMarco The Wild Rose Press Red Bird's Song Beth Trissel The Wild Rose Press Horror Romance A Demon Inside Rick R. Reed MLR Press Demon's Dance Evey Brett Carina Press Devil Music E.C. Stacy and Thia Myles Whiskey Creek Press Endless Lust Lexxie Couper Ellora's Cave Publishing Paranormal Romance Blacque/Bleu Belinda McBride Loose Id, LLC Capricorn: Forgotten Faces Vivien Dean Amber Quill Press Dead Sexy Paige Tyler Ellora's Cave Publishing Key of Solomon Cassiel Knight Samhain Publishing Mask of Ice Elaine Lowe Ellora's Cave Publishing Romantic Suspense Absolution Kaylea Cross The Wild Rose Press Courting Disaster Carol Stephenson Carina Press Don't Look Back MJ Fredrick The Wild Rose Press Fight or Flight Natalie J. Damschroder Carina Press Flash Bang Melanie Atkins Whiskey Creek Press Murder, Mi Amore Cara Marsi The Wild Rose Press Science Fiction Romance Outcast Mine Jamie Craig Carina Press Silver Bound Ella Drake Carina Press Steam and Sorcery Cindy Spencer Pape Carina Press To Kiss Or To Kill Jean Lorrah Wildside Press Spiritual/Metaphysical Forgiven Michelle L. Levigne Desert Breeze Publishing Lingering Spirit Marilyn Meredith Oak Tree Press Passing Whispers Lisa Anne Vance Devine Destinies Worth Fighting For Zena Wynn Red Rose Publishing Short Story Being Lead Celia Kyle Summerhouse Publishing Chamber Music Peter A. Balaskas Uncial Press Christmas Holly Sutton Fox Gypsy Shadow Publishing Ruby Red Metallic Casey Sheridan Breathless Press Seventh Heaven Cate Masters Self-published Young Adult Heir to the Underworld E.D. Walker Sapphire Blue Publishing Land of Mountains Jinx Schwartz Treble Heart Books Nightmare Interrupted Linda Palmer Sugar and Spice Press

Just got wind of a very positive review (5 Stars and a Top Pick!) for OBSESSED from Night Owl Reviews. In part, Lilyraines, reviewer said:

"A portion of that feeling stems from the fact that I am picky with the horror I read and pickier still with what would stay on my "keeper" shelf... Obsessed fits into that category.a story that I found difficult to put down..."

Blurb:
I kill, therefore I am…

Voices slam through the corridor of his wounded mind. The words of his dead sister cry out. His parents' taunts fill the silent room where he sits and waits--waits for the murderous rage, filling him with strength, driving him to kill, to touch the cold flesh, taste the warm blood--to feel alive again… A witness has seen him, but his killing only turns her on and now she wants to protect him. His wife suspects him, but the private detective she hired cannot stop him. Joe MacAree fears nothing--except that he may no longer be human. The thirst that drives him is relentless, moving deeper and deeper into his own shattering, private realm, where each murder is a delicious new gift of life, where revulsion is beauty, and the obsession will never let him go.

"A harrowing ride through cutting-edge psychological horror, this one's got a vicious bite. Rick R. Reed's Obsessed is a twisted nightmare." - Douglas Clegg, bestselling author

Read the whole review here.

Buy the book from the publisher
Buy for you Kindle

I was excited to awaken to a very positive review (4.5 crowns out of 5) for my opposites-attract love story, TRICKS. The reviewer, Jaymes, said:

"In Tricks, Rick Reed brings together opposites who overcome all of the distractions that could tear them apart. Sean and Arliss are such beautifully crafted characters that you want to see them succeed. The love story that started in Boystown and the potential for more are strong themes throughout. Rick Reed weaves all of it together to create a wonderful story."

Read the whole review here.

Buy Tricks here.

Lambda Literary has changed its awards guidelines! They will now judge based solely on LGBT content as opposed to the orientation of the author. I think it's a great--and long overdue--move. This year's awards guidelines can be found here.

"In determining whether a book should be submitted for consideration, it should be noted that the Lambda Literary Awards are based principally on literary merit and on significant content relevant to LGBT lives. These awards will be open to all authors regardless of their sexual orientation..."

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Goodreads Book Giveaway








Heartrace


by Rick R. Reed

Giveaway ends August 31, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Just wanted to share with you the five-star review my comically sick and twisted love story, DIGNITY TAKES A HOLIDAY, got at Night Owl Reviews today. The reviewer said, in part:

"Not until the last quarter of the book does the true message reveal itself. Through the use of hilarious wit and a series of events which literally had me laughing out loud, we come to realize that, no matter who we are, love touches something deep inside us... the farce paints a brilliant picture of finding one's own happiness against all odds."

Read the whole review here.
Buy DIGNITY TAKES A HOLIDAY here.

To celebrate the print release of my latest collection, HeartRace, from Amber Allure (the GLBT imprint of Amber Quill Press), I am giving away a signed, personalized copy to one lucky reader. To enter the drawing for my collection of gay erotic romance, simply:

1. Leave a comment below.

2. Be sure to leave an e-mail address so I can get in touch if you're a winner.

3. Bonus points for reposting news of this contest/release on your Facebook, Twitter, group, blog, or other social network.
4. Even more bonus points if you click on the link at the right to subscribe by e-mail to this blog.

Note: Because the cost of mailing out-of-country is prohibitive, I have to limit the contest to only entrants in the US. 

I will announce the winner next Wednesday morning, August 24.

You don't have to wait to win the contest to get a copy. HeartRace is now available through the following:

Kindle version
From Amber Allure

SYNOPSIS

Horror. Romance. The two seem at odds, yet in provocative author Rick R. Reed's hands, the pair merge like a match made in heaven...or hell. Ranging from a chilling and ultimately redemptive ghost story, to a most unusual and shocking first-time meeting for two lovers, to a tale of ghostly revenge, and finally to a darkly comic take on the vampire mythos, this collection will make your heart race with passion...in all its forms.

Previously available only in electronic format, these four stories of Gay Horror and Romance have now been combined for a paperback edition! Included are the tales...

Echoes
Rick and Ernie have found the perfect loft apartment, but soon discover they are not alone...

How I Met My Man
How a guy meets his man can happen in a dozen different ways: online, at a bar, through friends, at a masquerade party, even at the scene of a murder...

Speed Demon
Jealousy can be such an ugly emotion. But can it drive one to kill? Find out in this deliciously twisted and thwarted love triangle tale of revenge from beyond the grave...

Sluggo Snares A Vampire
Sluggo thinks looking for love online is a good idea, until he finds a vampire with a similar idea...

Kindle version

From Amber Allure