RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - The New Next One (Nice Catching You #2) by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Title: The New Next One

Author: Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Publisher: Wainscott Press

Release Date: January 22, 2021

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 20,000 words

Genre: Romance, New Adult, Friends-to-lovers, new adult romance, hockey romance, sports romance

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

How much are you willing to give up for the man you love?

Best friends Nick Johnson and Tyler Jensen seem to have the world by the tail. The eighteen-year-old stars of their school’s hockey team are looking forward to playing in college and hoping for careers with the pros.

Nick and Tyler know a lot about each other, but there are a few important details they haven’t discussed. To start with, neither man knows the other is gay. Making things interesting, Nick has a massive crush on Tyler, something he’s kept to himself for a long time. And although he’s never said a word about it, Tyler has wanted to date Nick since they met.

On a cold Minnesota night after a big win, Tyler finds the courage to confess his feelings to Nick. When Nick admits his attraction to Tyler, their relationship turns on a dime. As they fall in love, they skate around the challenges of a secret romance in an all-male boarding school, but what will happen when the stakes rise dramatically in a sport not known for being gay-friendly? Will Nick and Tyler make the easy choice or the hard one?

The New Next One is a 20,000-word, new adult, friends-to-lovers romance featuring young athletes, plenty of steam, and a lot of emotion. The events of this book precede those told in the authors’ book Nice Catching You.

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

The New Next One is a sweet friends to lovers romance by Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood. 

This is a tale of two best friends and teammates and their developing relationship into secret boyfriends. I enjoy this story immensely. The poor guys and their need to be secreted is so sad, yet completely realistic. 

I adore sports romances and this one is just that. A young adult tale, set at a boarding school, these two hockey players discover their attraction is mutual, deciding to act on it. 

Their story includes first times, sexual discoveries, and lots of sneaking around. It also includes an obstacle and tough decisions. And plenty of emotion. Oh man, this is a heartfelt read that had me in tears. 

It Nick's start, as he's finding himself and his first love. But don't be looking for a happily ever after. I need my hands on the next book now!

The New Next One is heartfelt young adult/new adult sports romance. This Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood tale is a realistic short story that's perfect when you're in the mood for a tender first love tale. 

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The two of us bundled up and walked south along the lakeshore. We talked about different things—school, what was going on in the NHL, and the big celebration of our championship that would happen the next week when everyone was back on campus. Ty reached for my hand after we passed the cabin. Even with both of us wearing mittens, it felt incredibly good to be out walking on a beautiful day, openly showing affection with my boyfriend. By the time you’re eighteen, holding hands with somebody you’re dating probably doesn’t seem exciting to most people; for me, it was huge, and I wanted to shout out loud. Instead, I pulled us to a stop and kissed him.

Afterward, he tweaked my nose. “I know everybody we play against thinks you’re a real bastard, but you’re actually a sweetheart.”

I gave it right back to him. “They all think you’re a bastard too. Haven’t decided where I stand on that.”

“What do you mean?” He turned his head to the side, looking very cute with tufts of hair sticking out from under his Penguins beanie. “I’ve always been nice to you.”

“I guess so.” I gave him another peck. “Why’d you make me wait all these years?”

I made you wait? Hell, I’m the one who finally worked up enough courage to do something about it.”

Turning him loose, I backhanded his arm and made a silly face. “I guess I’m glad about that.”

His jaw fell into an open-mouthed smile, and he shook his head. “Every man for himself, Johnson!”

He took off running, and I laughed hard as he bent over to pick up a fistful of snow. Quickly shaping it into a ball, he threw it at me and missed by a mile.

“You throw like a girl, Jensie!” I followed that up with a snowball of my own, hitting him in the middle of the chest.

“That’s it, you’re really gonna get it now!”

An epic snowball fight followed as we whooped and hollered, tossing chirps back and forth almost as fast as we volleyed snowballs. We worked our way into the woods as we ran. Ty was a good shot, and we played like little boys on recess after a hard morning at school. When we were both covered with snow and out of breath, Tyler stared at me until my heart raced with anticipation. Finally, he broke into a run. His hug was bone-crushing, and the hungry kisses were messy and delicious. The moment was all fire and promise, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the dorm. He pulled away from my mouth and mumbled, “You’re the most beautiful thing I ever saw, Nick.”

I huffed in cold air while my heart tried to hammer through my ribcage. “Not as beautiful as you.” I pulled him closer for a slow, deep kiss, and when that finally broke, he got a naughty gleam in his eye.

“We’re already covered with snow, so—” He pushed hard, and I tumbled backward into a snowbank. He jumped on top of me, and we wrestled around, making out while we laughed and played. My scarf slipped out of place, and Ty kissed my throat over and over, making me as hard as one of the trees surrounding us. After more rolling around, I was on top, and we lay humping in the snow. We had on heavy parkas, and it was too cold to take off any clothes, so our game was destined to end in frustration. All the better for a mind-blowing first time later that night.

We’d long since removed our mittens, and when we stilled, I wiped some snow off his cheek. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve never felt this way before.”

“Nothing’s wrong, Nick. Everything’s right for once. We’ve got each other.”

Purchase at Amazon

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Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood met in law school and were married in 2017. They live in a suburb of Washington, DC, and share their home with a big, cuddly German shepherd. Ryan and Josh enjoy travel, friends, and advocating for causes dear to their hearts. Ryan also loves to swim, and Josh likes to putter in the garden whenever he can. The romance they were so lucky to find with each other inspires their stories about love between out and proud men.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | eMail | Instagram | BookBub

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Giveaway

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Strung Tight (The Road To Rocktoberfest Book 1) by Ann Lister

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

- Bisexual Discovery
- First Love
- Rockstar / Roadie
- Stage fright / Anxiety
- Low Angst / HEA

What’s better than having your rock idol, Dagger Drummond be the mentor for your band? Having your band selected as one of the performing acts at the iconic music festival, Rocktoberfest.

My band was about to step onto our first professional stage. We’d more than earned our spot in the lineup. We had the talent and Dagger groomed our stage swagger. All that was left was to wow the socks off of the audience.

It should be easy, except I had major anxiety issues and it’s frowned upon when lead singers collapse on stage from panic attacks. Another detail adding to my anxiety level, I recently fell in love with a man. Imagine that, a straight guy falling for a dude. It’s the stuff stories are made of – and yet it’s my life.

Rocktoberfest was supposed to be fun but our trip turned sour when my guy went AWOL. Now my concentration is shot and my is heart heavy thinking his absence might have more to do with him not wanting to be with me than missing the bus. One way or another, I had to give the performance of my career – regardless of what was going on inside my head or my heart.

Strung Tight is the 1st book in the multi-author Road To Rocktoberfest series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not stay and enjoy the whole show? If you like scorching tales of hot rock stars and the men who love them, then you’ll adore the untamed musicians of Rocktoberfest!

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

If you like rocker romances, you are probably as excited about The Road to Rocktoberfest series as I am. The first book in this multi-author series is Strung Tight by Ann Lister. 

I love Ann's Rock Gods series, and this one is a great addition to her rocker world. It has Dagger and Ryan. 'Nuf said!

Dallas and Fletch are a wonderful couple. I truly love their relationship, including their first meeting. The two just mesh well and are able to confide in one another in a sweet manner. 

It took me a little while to care for Dallas, but when I did, I love the connection he has with Fletch. Poor Fletch and his anxiety of playing in front of large crowds is well illustrated, with the reader able to feel his pain. 

In addition to Fletch's stage fright, there is angst with Dallas' issues with his father. I don't want to give anything away, but there is one intense moment of angst that had my heart hurting. 

I love the author's writing style, with characters who fully come alive and a storyline that kept me riveted. I love the men and their journey. If you're a fan of Ann's writing, you will love this book. And of course she gifts us with some Dagger, ohhh...it's so much fun seeing Dagger and Ryan a lot. They made me absolutely giddy to spend time with them again. 

We also get to meet plenty of new characters who I am excited to read more of in the future. Mike. I love Mike and can't wait for him to find love. I haven't looked ahead, but I assume we'll be seeing him and the others in the rest of the series. 

Overall, Strung Tight is a fantastic start to The Road To Rocktoberfest series. And now I am excited to read the rest of this multi-author series. 

Date Me, Bryson Keller! by Kevin van Whye

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

What If It's Us meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in this upbeat and heartfelt boy-meets-boy romance that feels like a modern twist on a '90s rom-com!

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new--the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Few think Bryson can do it. He may be the king of Fairvale Academy, but he's never really dated before.

Until a boy asks him out, and everything changes.

Kai Sheridan didn't expect Bryson to say yes. So when Bryson agrees to secretly go out with him, Kai is thrown for a loop. But as the days go by, he discovers there's more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing. Kai knows how the story of a gay boy liking someone straight ends. With his heart on the line, he's awkwardly trying to navigate senior year at school, at home, and in the closet, all while grappling with the fact that this "relationship" will last only five days. After all, Bryson Keller is popular, good-looking, and straight . . . right?

Kevin van Whye delivers an uplifting and poignant coming-out love story that will have readers rooting for these two teens to share their hearts with the world--and with each other.

WhatIfIt'sUsmeetsToAlltheBoysI'veLovedBeforeinthisupbeatandheartfeltboy-meets-boyromancethatfeelslikeamoderntwistona'90srom-com!

Everyoneknowsaboutthedare:Eachweek,BrysonKellermustdatesomeonenew--thefirstpersontoaskhimoutonMondaymorning.FewthinkBrysoncandoit.HemaybethekingofFairvaleAcademy,buthe'sneverreallydatedbefore.

Untilaboyaskshimout,andeverythingchanges.

KaiSheridandidn'texpectBrysontosayyes.SowhenBrysonagreestosecretlygooutwithhim,Kaiisthrownforaloop.Butasthedaysgoby,hediscoversthere'smoretoBrysonbeneaththesurface,anddatinghimbeginstofeellesslikeanactandmoreliketherealthing.Kaiknowshowthestoryofagayboylikingsomeonestraightends.Withhisheartontheline,he'sawkwardlytryingtonavigatesenioryearatschool,athome,andinthecloset,allwhilegrapplingwiththefactthatthis"relationship"willlastonlyfivedays.Afterall,BrysonKellerispopular,good-looking,andstraight...right?

KevinvanWhyedeliversanupliftingandpoignantcoming-outlovestorythatwillhavereadersrootingforthesetwoteenstosharetheirheartswiththeworld--andwitheachother.

What If It's Us meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in this upbeat and heartfelt boy-meets-boy romance that feels like a modern twist on a '90s rom-com!

Everyone knows about the dare: Each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new--the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Few think Bryson can do it. He may be the king of Fairvale Academy, but he's never really dated before.

Until a boy asks him out, and everything changes.

Kai Sheridan didn't expect Bryson to say yes. So when Bryson agrees to secretly go out with him, Kai is thrown for a loop. But as the days go by, he discovers there's more to Bryson beneath the surface, and dating him begins to feel less like an act and more like the real thing. Kai knows how the story of a gay boy liking someone straight ends. With his heart on the line, he's awkwardly trying to navigate senior year at school, at home, and in the closet, all while grappling with the fact that this "relationship" will last only five days. After all, Bryson Keller is popular, good-looking, and straight . . . right?

Kevin van Whye delivers an uplifting and poignant coming-out love story that will have readers rooting for these two teens to share their hearts with the world--and with each other.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Date Me Bryson Keller is a cute young adult romance, but it's also a beautiful story. 

It involves some of the typical teen things, such as friends making bets, closeted teens, and caddy, forceful girls. 

Overall, Bryson and Kai get to know each other as they work on a school project together. What follows is a beautifully natural friendship that develops seamlessly, and then evolves into more.

Kai's a lovable character, who's tired of being closeted and living in the shadows. Meanwhile Bryson is a boy going through a sexual awakening, suddenly realizing he might be gay. They are super cute together, as they struggle with their feelings and making a move. My heart warms at some of the moments, such as the feelings involved by just holding hands.

The author does a wonderful job illustrating the fear of being openly gay in high school versus remaining closeted and always hiding and lying in fear. 

As well, the author delivers with some fantastic secondary characters. Holy crap, I can't praise Yazz enough. She's such a spitfire and so darn brilliant.

"You deserve to be happy. You deserve to love and be loved."

My favorite moment is that of ahhh, the freedom of being true to oneself and living openly. That amazing feeling of living life for ones' self rather than for others. 

Date Me, Bryson Keller! is a sweet, tender, and romantic story with all the feels of first love. It's perfect for anyone in the mood for an easy-going young adult romance. 

Sky Full of Mysteries by Rick R. Reed

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

What if your first love was abducted and presumed dead—but then returned twenty years later?

That’s the dilemma Cole Weston faces. Now happily married to Tommy D’Amico, he’s suddenly thrown into a surreal world when his first love, Rory Schneidmiller, unexpectedly reappears.

Rory has no memory of those years. For him, it’s as though only a day or two has passed. He still loves Cole with the passion unique to young first love.

But Cole has so many questions: where has Rory been and what happened to him two decades ago when he disappeared without a trace? He has never forgotten Rory, but Tommy has been his rock, by his side since Rory disappeared.

Cole is forced to choose between an idealized and passionate first love and the comfort of a long-term marriage. How does one make a decision like that? The answers might lie among the stars…

Review 

My Rating - 5+ Stars!

I don't really know how to describe Rick Reed's Sky Full of Mysteries. It's an extremely powerful tale, painfully heart-breaking, and absolutely riveting.  

It's a story of first love and the strength behind that first love. The anguish of mysterious disappearances. The fear of moving on. The continuation of holding onto hope. And pain. So much pain. 

The author expertly tells this amazing tale in two parts. The first half of the book focuses on Rory, his disappearance, and the aftermath for Cole. I was hanging onto every single word.

Then Rory returns! The second half is twenty years later, with Cole now married to Tommy, and Rory suddenly reappearing.

It's a thought-provoking novel, full of mystery, faith, and love. It's gloomy and depressing, yet also lovely, full of impressive discoveries about love.

One quote that I love and everyone can relate to is "That's the thing about life, though; we were never given the courtesy of a warning when something bad was about to strike."

I can't stop wondering who had it worse. The man who can't stop loving the man from his past? The man who is suddenly back with everything being completely upended? Every character suffers as a result of this one event. The author delves into Rory's parents and Tommy, both before he was with Cole and after. There is no way of avoiding the pain and suffering, it's only a matter of handling it.

I am blown away by this story. The emotions jump off the page throughout, fully ripping the readers heart out. It's a completely no-win situation, full of absolute agony. Yet, somehow, the author beautiful manages to tie things up in an impressively satisfactory manner. The book hangover is real with this one though. I can't stop thinking about it. I am torn between loving the ending, and hating it. 

Sky Full of Mystery is wonderfully written, spectacularly engrossing, and will leave the reader wanting to talk about it. Rick Reed has penned a story that will leave you struggling throughout, never really understanding how you want things to end up. It's masterful in it's strength to completely engross the reader throughout, as well as for days afterwards.

RELEASE BLITZ - In This Bed of Snowflakes We Lie by Sophia Soames

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: In This Bed of Snowflakes We Lie

Author: Sophia Soames

Publisher: Self-published

Cover Artist: Miriam Latu

Release Date: November 14, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Forced Proximity, Christmas, Family,

Themes: Christmas, family, coming out, University Dorm living, Norway, Scandinavia

No triggers or warnings. No age gap, University aged student MC’s.

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 62 891 words

It is a standalone story.

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Love is supposed to be easy. You are supposed to find your person and fall in love, and then you hold each other and kiss and live happily ever after. 

Well, Erik has ended up in the wrong bloody love story. He is stuck in the one full of angst and worries and confusion and pain. Lots of pain.

Blurb

Oskar Høiland hides from life. It just makes things easier that way, not having to face all the fears and drama of living. He especially hides from other people, because Oskar has grown up fearing the snide remarks and the quick glances that strip him of the tiny scraps of confidence he still has left. He is just going to keep existing. Work hard to complete his medical degree and perhaps watch a few more series on Netflix in peace and quiet over Christmas.

Erik Nøst Hansen should be an almost fully-fledged adult. He should be able to sort out the mess that festers in his head and stop lying. It’s just hard. And it’s bloody terrifying to even acknowledge the thoughts that swirl around in his head at night when he can’t sleep. He also needs to figure out how to talk to the boy downstairs. The one with the golden curls and the crooked smile. The boy who is completely monopolising Erik’s messed-up heart.

A story of falling in love and being brave. A Christmas tale with a difference, set in the university dorms of central Oslo, where lies are uncovered, snowflakes are falling all over the place, and beds are made to lie in. There is a slightly unconventional family. A mess of animal onesies. Too much food and a very Merry Christmas.

Review 

My Rating -  5 Stars!

In This Bed of Snowflakes is an exquisite college romance by Sophia Soames.

As with the author's previous books, this is set in Norway, setting the reader up for a unique read. Omg, I seriously love, love, love this story. I am torn about the writing style. Part of me hates it, as it's written in present tense, sometimes feeling very awkward. At the same time however, the writing is almost lyrical and I just let myself sit back and enjoy the ride.

Eric's a gay college student who hides behind his drinking. He hates being closeted, but just can't take that first step. At the same time, he can't stop being enamored by Oscar. And Oscar. Oh, poor Oscar. He's a man who doesn't know how to socialize, and avoids it at all costs. The way Eric works his way into Oscar's life is great. But, I feel bad for him at the same time. 

Their story is mesmerizing. It is truly a wonderful story; one of the rare ones that leaves you a better person for having read it. It's a complex mix of mental illness issues and self acceptance issues. The author dives in head first, illustrating ocd, anxiety, and social anxiety issues throughout this story. 

This is the story of a desperate crush that makes one boy start having his first gay feelings. It is full of innocence and first times. They connect on a cellular level, but aren't out at school. Both men will leave the reader emotionally drained at times. Their struggles are so real, and so well developed. The tone throughout is very serious, with some humor sprinkled in at times. 

It's set at Christmas time, taking the men to Eric's house. Let the fun begin. I cannot praise this part enough. Eric's family is crazy and fabulous. Their caffeine issue is hysterical, as well as their outfits. The house is overflowing with love, laughter, and warmth. Everyone should be so lucky to experience a family like this.

There are so many aspects to the story that are just amazing. Love can change everything. Feeling like you belong and are loved is life changing. Opening yourself up to others can open you up to a whole new world. 

This quote sums it up perfectly.
"We may be weak on our own, but together, with the right person... Well, nothing can touch us. Love does that to people. You find your person, that person who just makes you strong. Makes you happy. Makes you light. Invincible. Like you're floating on air."

In This Bed of Snowflakes We Lie is a brilliant story of learning how to be true to oneself. Sophia Soames expertly addresses an array of mental issues in this magnificent tale that's full of heart, pain, and love. Honestly, this book reminds me of a book club read that everyone needs to experience. It is so much more than just a romance. 

Excerpt 

Oskar’s first instinct is to flee. Run. Hide somewhere until the thing in his bed has disappeared. He blinks. Shakes his head in disbelief and looks again.

Nope. He’s still there. There is still a very-much-fast-asleep person in his bed, his breathing soft against Oskar’s pillow, and that ridiculous pink bandana is sliding down over his eyes.

He moves carefully to get a closer look, then recoils back as he remembers. No clothes! He is stark naked in his own room, like a normal person would be. It’s just, this dude is there. Right there. On his bed.

Yes, he had left his door unlocked, but then that doesn’t mean any random person can just come in and decide to sleep in his bed? Does it? Especially when the random person is flat-out drunk. Oskar can smell the alcohol now, his body recoiling at the fumes escaping along with little bubbles of spit at the corner of the dude’s mouth. Beer-scented mouthfuls of air with every breath. Every little snore.

He doesn’t know how he didn’t realise someone was here before. I mean, the dude is not exactly quiet, snuffling and snoring and smacking his lips together in his sleep.

Oskar’s eardrums are still ringing from having his earphones on the highest volume, and the beats from upstairs are still going strong, but still, he should have noticed. How the fuck didn’t he notice?

There are a pair of threadbare joggers on the floor, which he pulls on, and the t-shirt on the floor looks clean enough, so he pulls it over his damp hair and tiptoes further up along the side of his bed to get a closer look.

It’s definitely one of the guys from upstairs. The tall pretty one. The one with all the girlfriends. The one with the reputation.

Yes, Oskar listens. He might not speak much to the other students, but his hearing is good—well, it was until today, and he will sue if his hearing is damaged from this bloody party, starting with suing the pants off this dude that has crashed Oskar’s planned Netflix marathon—and he pays attention to the stories. The tall tales of weekend shenanigans. The obvious boasting and lies. And the things that might actually be true.

Like the whispers doing the rounds about this guy. The tall one with the messy dark-brown hair and full lips. Kisses like he means it. Great lay apparently. Can get any girl he wants. That’s what he has heard. Hangs around with the dark-haired guy with the black floppy fringe, and that lanky boy with the frizzy hair. Well, he probably hangs around with everyone. Always smiling and never alone. Never sitting on his own in the cafeteria like Oskar, hiding in the corner with his headphones on.

No, this dude is always the centre of attention. Surrounded by people clinging to his every word. Laughing at his jokes. Staring adoringly at him as he throws his head back in laughter.

Except this dude is now here. And Oskar hasn’t got a clue what to do.

He could go get Freddie, he supposes, and they could probably manhandle the dude out of the room. Dump him on the sofa for the night. He is quite sure the girls would approve, and in the morning, he would wake up and find this guy on the sofa making all the girls laugh, having charmed them into making him coffee and buttering his toast and spoon feeding him their secret imported stash of Swedish Treo hangover fizz, whilst placing tiny morsels of hot buttered toast on his tongue.

He pushes that scene out of his head with a sigh. The boy is his problem. He is in Oskar’s bed. And if he doesn’t get him out of here, things will be shit awkward in the morning, he is sure of that.

“Dude,” he whispers, and nudges the guy’s shoulder before he can stop himself. He should think this through, make some kind of plan. Maybe wake him up gently so he doesn’t scare the shit out of the poor guy, waking up and realising he has crashed in Oskar’s bed, instead of wherever he thought he was crashing.

He probably took a wrong turn, thinking this was Madeleine’s room. Or Ingvild’s. Or one of the other girls. Maybe he thought he could get lucky by just throwing himself in some lucky girl’s bed. Just like that. Oskar wonders if people do that, just full-on go for it and shamelessly offer themselves like that.

Oskar shudders at the thought. It’s a mistake whatever it is, and Oskar won’t let him get away with this. Not tonight. Not now. He doesn’t need the grief, or the inevitable shaming in the morning when this dude tells all his friends that the nerd downstairs tried to get him in the sack. Lies and raw laughter trying to make light of a situation that he knows will end badly, with Oskar being the butt of every joke. The one the girls will gossip about and point their fingers at. The one that came on to one of the beautiful people. One of their people. Where Oskar just doesn’t belong.

Because the boy is beautiful, even Oskar can see that. Soft long dark hair framing his face, freckles decorating his pale skin and those lips. Even his fucking profile is perfect, his straight nose burrowing into Oskar’s pillow.

“Dude, come on! Wake up.” Oskar shakes his shoulder this time, but the guy is dead. Dead to the world. Not a hint of pretending to wake up. He just snores and burrows further into the pillow.

“YO. MATE!” This guy is no mate of his. Nor will they ever be, mates or whatever, but Oskar is shouting now. Desperate. He needs to get to bed. He needs an hour of some mindless American sitcom to calm him down. He needs to sleep. Please.

He tries to pull the guy off the bed, grabbing the dude by the ankles only to realise the guy is still wearing shoes. Big clumsy boots with heels. Ridiculous. I mean who wears shit like that in the middle of winter? It’s not like December in Oslo is the place for something that wouldn’t look out of place in a Texas Rodeo.

“Fuck,” he grits between his teeth.

The sofa out in the main room is seriously uncomfortable. No one ever bothers to even sit on it, and even if he considers sleeping there, the bleach fumes would make him retch before long.

It’s not like he could go sleep in anyone else’s room. It’s just not the kind of thing he could do. Not his thing. Not that he is close enough to any of the others to warrant such a request.

He could sleep on his own floor, he supposes, except that the dude is lying on top of his duvet.

It takes a few good pulls, but finally the duvet gives way and the dude rolls over as Oskar drags the fabric from underneath his body. He almost bursts into laughter, because the dude is now on his back, mouth wide open and the bandana has slipped down covering his eyes and nose. He looks like a twat.

A drunk snoring twat in ridiculous boots.

Oskar is a medical student. Oskar fucking knows what can happen. He wouldn’t be a responsible human being if he didn’t ensure that his unwelcome roommate at least survives the night.

The boots come off his feet to reveal socks underneath. Ridiculous socks with little reindeers and Santas that make Oskar swallow another inappropriate giggle. This isn’t funny. This isn’t funny at all.

He rolls the bandana up over the dude’s fringe, carefully removing it before tossing it aside, and straddles his body to try to roll him into the recovery position. He has done it several times in training, but always with willing perfectly conscious subjects underneath him. Never a half-dead comatose man breathing alcohol fumes at him, making him retch in disgust.

It takes a few goes, and Oskar gets braver as the guy is definitely out for the count. He doesn't wake up, even when Oskar knees him in the balls by mistake, trying to manhandle his shoulder over towards the mattress. But he is finally there, safely in position on his side with his hand supporting his chin, so any accidental vomiting won’t choke him to death and there is nothing restricting around his neck to hinder his breathing. His airway is open, and he is safe. In the middle of Oskar’s bed.

Oskar wants to cry. He wants to bury his face in his hands and howl. Scream out in frustration.

Instead, he covers the unconscious body in his warm duvet and switches off the light. Lets his own body slide in under the covers at the very edge of the bed, as far away as he can get. Oskar lies there, perched on the edge of the mattress, yet he can still feel the breath from the other man hitting the back of his neck. Soft puffs of air stroking the skin under his still-damp hair.

He shudders. It’s hours until he finally falls asleep. Restless and terrified of what he might find next to him in the morning.

About the Author 

Sophia Soames should be old enough to know better but has barely grown up. She has been known to fangirl over tv-shows, has fallen in and out of love with more popstars than she dares to remember, and has a ridiculously high-flying (un-)glamourous real-life job. 

Her long-suffering husband just laughs at her antics. Their children are feral. The Au Pair just sighs. 

She lives in a creaky old house in rural London, although her heart is still in Scandinavia. 

Discovering that the stories in her head make sense when written down has been part of the most hilarious midlife crisis ever and she hopes it may long continue.

Miriam Latu is a Norway based artist, specialising in hand-drawn pencil portraits. She works with old-school pen and paper, and more of her work can be found on Instagram @om_hundre_ar_er_allting. 

Also by Sophia Soames, with cover artwork by Miriam Latu

717 miles

717 miles Christmas

The Scandinavian Comfort Series

Little Harbour

Open Water

IN THIS BED OF SNOWFLAKES WE LIE

What If It All Goes Right? (Out Jan 2020)

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Sophia Soames’ Little Harbour

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Facebook: Sophia Soames | Twitter: @sophiasoames | Instagram: @sophiasoames

Giveaway 

717 miles – Christmas Special 

A short novella to follow on from where the novel 717 miles left off. 

This will be FREE to download from Amazon from November 14 -18. 

Just follow the link and enjoy.

Mybook.to/717milesChristmas

Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Please note that this is not a standalone story and should be read after completing 717 miles. 

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BLURB

717 miles Christmas Special

I promised myself many years ago that I would never set foot in London again.

I promised. Adam promised. I said I wouldn't. He said I would never have to.

Yet here we are again, and life has become quite surreal. This is us, a good few years later, older and wiser with more baggage than the baggage belt at Heathrow.

And now it is Christmas and Adam is working too much and I have far too much time to think about things that shouldn't really matter. Or maybe they should?

717 miles Christmas Special is a short novella to follow on from 717 miles, the novel, and should not be read as a standalone.

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