A Life Through Books

Friday, December 26, 2025

Teaser: The Love of a Dog by Jo Prouty #teaser #excerpt #giveaway #memoir #nonfiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
10:00 PM0 Comments


A Chronicle of a Remarkable Retriever


Memoir/Love, Black Lab, Dog

Date Published: 02-14-2023




The decision to get a dog becomes a journey from high expectations through the reality of care giving and the fun of companionship to enduring love and finally loss. Dog lovers will see themselves and remember their beloved canine friends. They will wish they had known Tasha as they read about this quirky dog and her love of family and fun. Readers can applaud the transforming power of love.


Excerpt

Typically, I put mulch down in the spring, but I also use mulch to prepare for winter. However, not all mulch is equal when it comes to dogs. 

I am the queen of mulch. I used it abundantly to discourage weeds and hold moisture in the soil, and to protect roots during winter. I had a preference for cocoa bean mulch, which had a delectable aroma. A neighbor at our previous home came out one day while I was spreading it and said, “Oh, I thought you were baking brownies.” That’s how good it smells! 

I had been thoughtless. The cocoa bean is just as toxic for dogs as chocolate. Mulch covered the flower beds in the backyard where Tasha played. “Tasha,” I lectured, “you are not to touch this mulch under any circumstance. Never, never, never touch the mulch.”

 You’re overreacting, Mom.

 I’m not sure how she interpreted “mulch,” but not only did she never touch the mulch, she never put a paw in any flower bed or touch even a petunia or marigold. She kept me company when I worked in the yard, and much later, I found it difficult to garden without my furry assistant.

 

About the Author


Jo McCauley Prouty spent her formative years in West Virginia and Virginia, where she attended the College of William and Mary. She is a former educator and now applies her nurturing skills to flower gardening and entertaining her grandchildren. She resides in Minnesota with her orange tabby, Cooper. Her work has appeared in "The Journal of The Braxton Historical Society" and the "Journal of Opinions, Ideas and Essays."


Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads


Purchase Links

https://mybook.to/TheLoveofaDog

Amazon

Author Site



RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Book Blitz: Elmer Kelton's The Blessing by John Bradshaw #historical #fiction #western #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
10:30 PM0 Comments



Western Adventure, Historical Mystery

Date Published: 12-03-2025

Publisher: Devil's Claw Press



Hewey Calloway, Elmer Kelton’s favorite footloose cowboy, has always been known to have a generous nature, readily giving to those in need. Time has finally mellowed Hewey and given him some wisdom that was lacking in his youth, but deep down, he’s still the same old Hewey. In this sequel to The Smiling Country, a beneficiary to one of Hewey’s past generosities pays him back, and with interest. Knowing Hewey would decline a monetary repayment, he is gifted land back in Upton County.

Trouble is, it was bought from his old adversary, Fat Gervin, who is still as crooked as ever. Gervin finds a seeming loophole in the contract and tries to pull another fast one on Hewey, who is fed up with Gervin’s endless treachery. Tensions rise, and when Gervin is shot, it’s Hewey who’s on the hook for the crime. But things are never as they seem, and it’s up to an eclectic cast of characters to sort it out, and for Hewey to learn what’s really important in life.

Written by longtime journalist turned novelist John Bradshaw, who was selected by The Elmer Kelton Estate to continue the Hewey Calloway tradition.

 

About the Author


John Bradshaw is a native of the small town of Abernathy, Texas. He is an award-winning journalist with well over a thousand published stories. Elmer Kelton’s The Familiar Stranger, co-authored with Steve Kelton, is his first book.

Bradshaw attended South Plains College followed by Texas Tech University. He spent several years shoeing horses for a living as his writing career progressed.

While the desire to write books was always there, Bradshaw first pursued a career in journalism. He wrote numerous stories for ranching, horse and horseshoeing magazines.

Growing up, Livestock Weekly came in the mail once a week, as it does for most in the livestock industry. Writing for Livestock Weekly was always a goal, and in 2005 Bradshaw’s first story was published. It was a profile of Brownie Metzgar, a humorous cowboy still working in a feedlot while in his late 80s.

In 2007 Bradshaw accepted a fulltime position with Livestock Weekly. While with the paper he had over a thousand stories published, as well as enough market reports to give him permanent nightmares.

Horses have always played an important role in his life. The son of a horseshoer, he has spent a significant amount of time either on or under a horse. He still shows in both ranch horse and reined cow horse competitions.

He and his wife, Sara, live outside Abernathy. Sara owns an architecture firm, SK Architecture Group, and they raise Spanish goats, hair sheep and cattle.

In 2013 the couple had a stillborn son, Fox Joaquin Bradshaw. After several years of heartbreak they adopted an infant boy, whom they named Julian Boone Bradshaw. Boone died in his dad’s arms following an accident at the barn five days before his sixth birthday.


Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram




RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:
Book Blitz: Magic Macy and the Giant by Mark Robertson #childrensbook #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
10:00 PM0 Comments



Children’s Book

Date Published: November 27, 2025


 


 A Magic and Adventure Bedtime Illustrated Chapter Story Book for Kids Ages 3–9
 
Join Magic Macy on Her Next Unforgettable Adventure!
 
After her brave journey with the Woodland People and the Ogre, Macy is back for another magical mission—this time, one that takes her deep beneath the earth and all the way to Africa!
 
When a mysterious rat-a-tat-tat on her window wakes her one night, Macy meets Harrison, a tiny mole-like protector from an underground world in trouble. Armed with her silver Magic Trainers with rainbow laces, Macy races across continents—past Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, and the pyramids of Egypt—to Zimbabwe, where an enormous Giant is forcing Harrison’s people to mine for coins.
 
With courage, quick thinking, and the flash of a camera, Macy must uncover the Giant’s secret and bring peace to two very different worlds. Along the way, she learns that even the biggest problems can have the smallest, kindest solutions.
 
A Story of Friendship, Understanding & Bravery
 
Through this exciting adventure, Magic Macy and the Giant teaches children the value of compassion, problem-solving, and seeing beyond appearances. Macy’s kindness helps her discover that even a scary Giant may simply need… a friend.
 
Magical Learning Moments
 
Like every story in the Magic Macy series, this book blends fantasy and education in a fun, imaginative way:
 
✔ Geography & Discovery – Journey across the globe through countries, capitals, and landmarks
✔ Empathy & Kindness – Understanding others and helping those in need
✔ Bravery & Teamwork – Facing fears and working together to solve problems
✔ Imagination & Creativity – Exploring magical worlds beyond the ordinary
 
Perfect for Bedtime or Early Readers
 
Featuring beautiful hand-drawn illustrations, this charming chapter story is ideal for bedtime reading or early independent readers aged 3–9. Younger children will be captivated by the vibrant imagery; older ones will enjoy reading about Macy’s courage and cleverness.
 
Each Magic Macy adventure comes with bonus printable activity worksheets, designed to spark meaningful discussions about the story’s lessons in kindness, geography, and empathy.
 
Why You’ll Love Magic Macy and the Giant
 
•        A magical, heartwarming story that celebrates courage and compassion
•        Encourages global curiosity and emotional growth
•        Perfect for bedtime stories or classroom reading
•        Inspires children to believe in themselves and the power of doing good
 
An ordinary girl. Magical trainers. A heart full of courage.
 
Follow Macy as she zooms across the world once again to remind us all that kindness can conquer even the biggest of giants.


About the Author



Mark Robertson is a family man who loves his sport, travelling and exploring the world and has a keen interest in history and creative writing. Mark has a strong imagination and is a great story teller. He has a penchant for imagining characters and their adventures, which he shared as a bedtime treat for his little ones. The Magic Macy series was first imagined at these bedtimes with his children. Magic Macy was one such character and he imagined Macy helping people and creatures who were in difficulty and she would venture around the world making good. The stories come to life with carefully crafted illustrations to inspire the imaginations of children and adults alike. We hope you will enjoy Magic Macy as much as Mark's children do at bedtimes.
 
Contact Links

Purchase Link


RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:

Monday, December 22, 2025

Virtual Book Tour: My Mountains by Chris Smith #religion #nonfiction #christian #interview #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
4:00 AM0 Comments

 

 


Our family's story of adventure, mysteries, and tragedy


Religion / Christian Living / Grief / Nonfiction

Date Published: November 4, 2025

Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing



My Mountains is a tender, soul-searching memoir about grief, faith, and the quiet strength it takes to keep climbing. Set in the rugged beauty of the Rockies, it tells the story of a mother who endures devastating loss and finds, not answers, but presence—in the trees, the trails, and the God who meets us in our pain.

This book is for anyone who has stood at the edge of heartbreak and wondered if joy could still be real. Through lyrical storytelling and honest reflection, My Mountains offers hope without platitudes and peace without pretending. It reminds us that we’re not alone on the trail—and that sometimes, the steepest paths lead to the most beautiful views.

Whether you are grieving, searching, or simply longing for beauty again, this book will walk beside you—and leave you changed.

 



Interview

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting this book published? How did you come up with the idea and how did you start?

My late wife bought me a ticket to a mini conference put on by a successful Christian author, Bob Goff.  It was called The School of Whimsy.  It was to motivate people to get out and do the one thing in life you really wanted to.  Out of the 30 participants, a few wanted to publish a book.  I had no idea of my big goal, but I went to please my wife.  On the way to the second morning, I ran into the host, Bob Goff and his wife at a local coffee shop on the way to the seminar.  He said I really should write my story.  My late wife died 2 weeks later, so I began writing about her story.  I intended to tell her story to my kids and grandkids, but I kept inserting myself into her story and confusing what person I was writing in.  I found it easier to write in the first person and tell “my” story.  Then I could express my feelings more accurately as I remembered them, not guessing at what she felt.  I hired a structural editor who gave me a lot of good ideas and coached me to express myself more fully.  I think that gave the book the polish it needed for Lucid publishing to accept it without changes.

 

What surprised you most about getting your book published?

There were so many small decisions like where the title should be displayed, with the number above or below the title name.  Or where the page number should be printed.  So many technical decisions.  I kept wanting to know if my story was any good, but we spent most to the time with the details of printing.

 

Tell us a little about what you do when you aren’t writing

I own 12 businesses which keeps me engaged in work.  I coach Olympic weightlifting and am active in CrossFit.  One of the businesses is a CrossFit gym I own.  I have 22 grandchildren.  When they reach 10 years old, my wife and I take them on a grand adventure to discover something in this world.  It’s our retirement travel agenda probably for the rest of our lives.  I lead a mastermind group for some younger up and coming entrepreneurs.  I am active in a men’s lifestyle/accountability group called GoBundance.  We mastermind about business, relationships, adventure, and health.

 

As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?

After I wrote most of the original draft, I was petrified thinking other people would read what I wrote.  It was one thing in school to have a teacher grade your essay, but to have family members, friends, strangers and publishers reading it was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever done.  I also thought nobody would spend money to read what I wrote, and that rejection would be very painful.  Many times I considered quitting entirely.  I worried someone close to me wasn’t portrayed properly and would feel slighted.  I worried some would judge me as not adequate to write about the life of someone they loved too.  I remembered what Bob Goff said at the school of Whimsy, that I should tell my story.  So I did.

 

Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that is?

For this book, all of the scenes came from the real life of my family.  I have good recall and tell many of these stories to friends and family.  When I read a book or watch a movie, I don’t need to see it or read it again.  I remember almost every detail.  So, recalling events in my life is pretty easy and accurate.  I really enjoyed describing how I felt losing my oldest son and losing my late wife.  It was extremely cathartic, and has helped me get through the grief.

 

What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

When I let my (new) wife read my manuscript for the first time, she was very quiet for a couple of days afterwards.  I was worried she didn’t like it and would tell me I wasted all that time writing.  When I finally asked her what she thought, she started crying and asked why I didn’t use such nice words when I talked to her in daily life.  I told her it took me 2 and ½ years to come up with all those “nice” words.  I made her watch the movie Cirano de Bergerac and told her I was the handsome dud with no wit.  I told her I was not the Cirano character who spun prose on the fly.

 

What has been your best accomplishment as a writer?

My Mountains was a legacy project for my late wife and my eldest son.  I feel like I have now left a legacy for their lives.  One that is in print, digital and audio.  When I get ‘real’ old, my kids won’t have to go through the exercise of asking me to document my life for them.  It’s already done!

 

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

No manuscripts, but several ideas. One is I have remarried and feel as though I started a whole 2nd life.  It is full of love, new families but still beautiful memories with old family members.  I would love to describe the transition from years of trials and loss to beautiful new horizons and abundance.

 

 



About the Author

 

 Chris Smith is an entrepreneur and owner of multiple healthcare businesses across five states. He’s a father of six, grandfather of fifteen, and a natural leader who inspires others to pursue meaningful missions.

He feels closest to God in the mountains—hiking, paddleboarding, camping, and finding peace in wild places. My Mountains is his invitation to walk through hardship, hope, and the sacred beauty of life.

Chris loves people (but not crowds), old books, big views, and a life that’s honest, hard, and full of purpose.

 

Contact Links

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble


RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:
Virtual Book Tour: Indisputable by Veronica Brown #memoir #biography #rabtbooktours @flight_ready @RABTBookTours
4:00 AM0 Comments

 



Memoir / Biography

Date Published: October 17, 2025

Publisher: ‎ MindStir Media



Nearly three decades in the skies have given Veronica Brown a front-row seat to the world — and to the realities of being a Black woman navigating corporate aviation.

INDISPUTABLE – An African-American Flight Attendant Experience is an inspiring and unflinching memoir that blends personal stories, cultural insight, and historical context, shedding light on both the challenges and triumphs of African-American flight attendants.

From early struggles for representation to moments of spiritual awakening, INDISPUTABLE offers a powerful reminder that visibility, purpose, and faith can transform the course of a life — and an industry.

 






About the Author


Veronica Brown is a singer, author, and retired flight attendant whose professional career spans nearly five decades — from the stage to the skies.

A Detroit native, Veronica received the Key to the City of Detroit for her work performing for U.S. troops around the world on USO/DOD tours, where she uplifted service members through music and ministry. She was later recognized by the Detroit City Council for her contribution to the reelection campaign of Mayor Coleman A. Young and her participation in the City of Detroit television ad “Power for Tomorrow,” where she performed alongside music legends Aretha Franklin and Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops.

Her artistic journey gained attention across parts of Europe with her debut album “That’s Just The Way It Is”, featuring the hit singles “Last 2 Know” and “Words That You Say”, and an appearance on a compilation album alongside Michael McDonald and other renowned artists. After years of performing across Europe, Asia, Israel, and Africa, Veronica transitioned into aviation — a career that would span nearly three decades across major U.S. airlines.

Her memoir INDISPUTABLE – An African-American Flight Attendant Experience chronicles that extraordinary journey, offering an insider’s look at life in the airline industry through the lens of faith, perseverance, and representation.
Today, Veronica is the Founder and CEO of Flight Ready Academy, an online educational platform designed to prepare the next generation of diverse flight attendants to soar with confidence and purpose, while continuing to pursue her faith-based music ministry, most recently with her single “MOVE,” which appeared on multiple Gospel charts in the U.S. and abroad.

✈️ Additional Works by Veronica Brown
• God’s Big Ten: A Guide to Living Right — A children’s book introducing young readers to the Ten Commandments through faith-based storytelling.
• Kingdom Wealth: A Scripture Guide to Financial Blessings — A devotional offering 30 days of scripture, reflection, and prayer on faith and financial stewardship.

Both books reflect Veronica’s continuing mission to inspire readers through faith, empowerment, and divine purpose.


Contact Links

LinkedIn

Bluesky

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

TikTok

X


Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble


RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Teaser: Incubus by Jonathan Wright #excerpt #comingsoon #preorder #dark #fantasy #romance #rabtbooktours @ChangelingPress @RABTBookTours
10:30 PM0 Comments

 


Dark Fantasy/Horror Action Romance

Date Published: December 23, 2025

Publisher: ‎Changeling Press LLC



Life -- and love -- with a man who fights nightmares is bound to be… different.

Smart, capable, and lethal, Sarah Fenton never needed rescuing -- until she met Joe Horn and his horrifying nemesis, the muck-drippy-thing. Together they defeated that nightmare, and for the first time in decades Joe could stop running.

In the process, Sarah discovered her weakness -- Joe. The hard-as-nails woman becomes Joe’s willing sub -- his slave girl. Joe is a perfect Dom, but Sarah has even darker fantasies -- lurid, sensual and totally submissive. Sometimes, they even come to life.

Now one of them is stalking her, and she feels the awful temptation of nightmarish pleasure. The darker the fantasy, the more intense the pleasure. Pleasure stronger than any drug. Pleasure that threatens to drown her. The pleasure of surrender… to an Incubus.


Warning: This is a Razor’s Edge Erotica short story. Expect limited plot and character development, and lots of heat. If you’re looking for a lengthy plot driven erotic romance, this is not it!


Excerpt
Copyright ©2025 Jonathan Wright

Jongo infested her fantasies, dark, muscular, commanding. Sarah masturbated three or four times a day thinking of him coming to take her, dragging her by her hair, stumbling naked from the house, immune to his kicks and punches, honed by years of training that would kill an ordinary man.

Not ordinary, Jongo. Not him. No. Her struggles only fed his burning hunger. And hers. As now. As naked as she was, his huge cock throbbing and bouncing as he walked, his grip was casual, yet inhumanly strong.

Stronger even than Joe, whom she had called Master more often than not. But this wasn’t really about Joe…

* * *

Exhausted, struggling to keep her feet as she stumbled, Sarah gave up, then was dragged, then followed him limply, his grip in her thick hair making her walk head down, like a slave, cursing, then crying, then sobbing… please, please, please.

Please, what? The demon’s strength, already huge, increased as he stepped out of the trees onto the beach. As his foot touched the water, he dragged her upright until she stood with her head tilted back, staring up at him. He pushed her away, his hooded eyes nearly invisible in the shadows of the moon. “Kneel.” He grinned as he stroked his cock with his free hand.

Sarah stumbled and fell into knee-deep water. Rising, sputtering as water streamed down her body, defiance failed her; words choked her. She breathed heavily, staring at his cock.

“Recall how I took you before, so easily, wrapping you in my vines, my seaweed, stroking your hungry body until you begged me to take you. How I made you scream my name.”

Her legs quivered. She wanted to curse him, scream for help, for Joe to… rescue…

Sarah had never in her life needed rescuing. Except for one time…

* * *

The wind sucked her along the dirty cement floor, into the waiting maw of that THING, the muck-drippy-thing, as she steadied the pistol and emptied the fourteen-round clip into its indescribable excuse for a face as the spindly spider arms reached for her…

Then Joe was there, grabbing her by the collar and pulling her back. Stronger than any man she had ever known. Pulling her back from the edge. Saving her.

* * *

Sarah hadn’t felt weak. Not then. Not like she felt now.

Weak. So weak. Why do I feel this way? Jongo is a monster, a creature from the icy black depths of the harshest place on earth. Why do I feel so fucking hot?

She stroked her clit with one hand as she slowly sank to her knees in the warm, swirling water. She spread the fingers of her other hand and teased her nipples, shivering as she imagined being held against her will in the depths of his lair.

“You are helpless,” Jongo told her. “Helpless.” A ritual. A spell.

Yes. Helpless! Helpless! I am helpless! Her mouth fell open. She arched her back, presenting her full tits.

I have to stop. I have to be strong! “No!” she gasped in a purposely seductive parody of defiance. Wait. Purposely? Like I want this?

Jongo grinned and said nothing, continued stroking his cock. His huge, erect cock. She couldn’t stop looking at it. At him. I love cock. I love it. Joe says I’m a cock-hungry slut. I get wet when he whispers that to me.

Helpless… His voice faded, still there, still commanding. She came with a short, harsh cry as the orgasm claimed her.

Jongo laughed. “You have already surrendered. Do as I command! Keep stroking yourself!”

She did. I can’t stop. I can’t disobey him. It feels so good to obey. I want more!

“Think how my hard cock will feel in your hot, wet cunt. You will beg for it. Beg for it, woman! Beg for my cock! For when you do, when I plunge into you, you will be mine. My slave. Forever!”

Sarah came again, moaning this time, closing her eyes and thrusting hard, pushing her fingers deep into her soft tits. “Yes! Jongo, fuck me! Yes! Make me your slave! Make me your slave!”

She dropped back into the water as he fell on her, forcing her legs apart, driving his cock into her, driving her will deep down into the chill, black depths of his domain where it dissolved like tendrils of ink. She wrapped her legs around him and thrust mindlessly, screaming as she came and came and…

* * *

Sarah lay on the table on the veranda, sweating, her tits heaving, her knees spread, hips moving rhythmically up and down in time with her frantic thrusts as she came for the fifth time. “Ah, fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” She rammed the dildo into her cunt one final time before slowly drawing it out. Her whole body quivered, drenched in sweat, as she lowered her legs and stretched, groaning.

“Well, I think you must clean off that table before you use it for anything else.”

Sarah gasped in shock, but without shame or embarrassment.

Belle stood not three feet away, a gorgeous Jamaican woman of medium height and surpassing curves, dressed in paint spattered clothes and carrying various implements of artistic creation. “You missing your man Joe? He’s only been gone a day.” Belle arched one elegant brow for emphasis.

Sarah dropped the dildo and draped one arm over her sweaty face. “You have no idea…” Joe liked to watch her fuck herself like that. Imagining him doing so made it hotter for her.

Belle chuckled and began setting up an easel. “So hot for your Dom, you maybe forget we had an appointment to paint those luscious curves?”

 


About the Author

Jonathan Wright retired to the northeast, where he is surrounded by family and trees in about equal numbers. In his free time he enjoys thinking up erotically terrifying situations for his characters, who insist they don’t like that sort of thing. When he isn’t writing about slavering fangs in the dark he does weird-ass paintings.

He has a daughter who will admit to the relationship under duress. He puts up with her because she makes great cookies.

We don't know why she puts up with him.


Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15



RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:
Teaser: Cole for Christmas by Treva Harte #excerpt #teaser #comingsoon #preorder #menage #romance #comedy #rabtbooktours @ChangelingPress @RABTBookTours
10:00 PM0 Comments

 




A Friends to Lovers BDSM Ménage


Christmas / Romance / Comedy

Date Published: December 23, 2025

Publisher: Changeling Press




Sarah has a secret -- she wants her best friend Cole. Cole wants Jeff. And Jeff? Surprise! He wants them both.

Cole is wild, funny, impulsive, and Sarah’s best friend. She doesn’t understand what he gets out of submission, but she’s not going to let Cole get hurt the way he has in the past. So when she discovers his new dom is Jeff, the jerk who helped kick her out of her undergraduate program, she knows she has to intervene.

But when she sees Jeff again, she’s confused. He says he wants Sarah to be Cole’s Christmas present, and she’s stunned. She and Cole are just friends, aren't they? Amazingly, Cole seems to want her as much as she secretly has wanted him. The even bigger surprise? She realizes she wants Jeff too.

Even if she could have them both, this is supposed to be temporary. It’s too bad she’s only allowed to have Cole for Christmas.



Excerpt

Copyright ©2025 Treva Harte


“What’s wrong with you, Cole?” Sarah stared at her friend over the flimsy coffee container. “You have to go pee pee? You’ve been twitchy ever since we got here.”

Cole laughed and gave her the finger. He opened his mouth as if to give a smart-ass answer but then bent over his latte instead. Not looking at her, he carefully blew on it and took a sip.

Sarah settled back. Cole was obviously dying to tell her something, and she knew from experience all she needed to do was sit. If he waited more than ten minutes before spilling everything, he’d probably keel over from the strain.

The clatter of students milling around the student union coffee shop made the silence less noticeable. They continued drinking.

Two minutes of just downing caffeine. Impressive. Cole was hanging tough.

He shifted again in his seat and shut his eyes, grimacing. Sarah frowned, suddenly a little concerned. Cole was a genius -- a real, measured-by-testing genius -- but that didn’t mean his emotional IQ always matched his intelligence. She was sure it was a challenge to be five to ten years younger than his academic peers, and Cole didn’t always meet that challenge. In fact, Cole could be kind of a pain in the ass. Right now he was acting like he had a literal pain there.

Oh. Ohhhh, boy. He might actually have one. Please God, no. She might have to venture into TMI territory to find out.

Cole had been more than forthcoming about his sex life in the two years they’d been in grad school together. That was a problem for him. Younger and smarter in some things had made him vulnerable in others, especially since he was open about his sexual preferences and desires. Gay at the university was one thing; gay and dedicated to BDSM was another.

“Has someone hurt you?” She hoped that question would get the job done. Sarah could be more direct, if need be, but she also probably didn’t want to know all the particulars.

“No.” His prompt answer was a relief. Of course, he had to add, “Not any more than I want to be.”

“Ooookay.” Sarah set down her cup. Sometimes a friend had a duty to ask more even if she’d so much rather not. “Have you met some new dom?”

“You know I have. I told you about him.” Cole didn’t look up from his latte, but he didn’t sound reluctant to answer.

“You mentioned you’d met someone new at a club a few weeks ago, but you didn’t say anything more.” That wasn’t like her Cole at all now that she thought about it. “Is that the guy?”

“Fuck yeah. I was incredibly lucky that night. He hardly ever goes to clubs. Says they’re too fake for his tastes.” Cole squirmed again. “He isn’t into scenes. Not public ones.”

“So you’ve been -- um -- doing things outside of clubs?” Sarah wasn’t sure which sounded more dangerous. Cole wouldn’t know danger if it bit him on the butt. Especially if it bit him on the butt.

“At his place. Sarah, it’s… intense. And really sexy.” Cole grinned at her. “That’s all I’ll say unless you want me to go on. I know how you get.”

“And I know how you get, so thanks for shutting up.” She grinned back at him, and Cole shifted his weight again. Sarah sighed. “All right, Cole. Why are you acting this way? Something is going on.”

Cole leaned over, then glanced around to make sure no one was listening. Oh God. He felt the need to keep something private. This was going to be a doozy.

“Because I have a butt plug in me. A big one. It’s driving me crazy. Especially because it’s pressing on my fucking prostate.”

Sarah made a faint protesting noise and covered her eyes. “I don’t want to know.”

“When I see Jeff after work, he’s going to take it out and replace it with --”

“Don’t want to know, don’t want to know. Don’t. Wanna. Know.” Sarah covered her ears instead.

Cole pushed down one of her hands and whispered, “Unless you want to pull it out for me. Jeff might get mad, but it would be worth it if your dainty, lily-white fingers would take care of things for me right now. It might even be fun.”

Sarah clenched her dainty, lily-white fingers and smacked him on the shoulder with her plastic spoon.

Cole leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. Stunned, Sarah dropped the spoon on the table. For such a demonstrative guy, Cole pretty much kept his hands and lips to himself. Well, at least around women. She’d seen guys pass him around like an appetizer at parties. Obviously that kind of touching was different for him.

Oh, shit. After remembering some of those party images, she felt a sudden pang of lust. She took a deep breath. Now she could see herself testing that butt plug, imagine what Cole’s tight ass looked like holding it. His gasp when it moved. Damn it, she didn’t need to have that thought in her head. Talk about waste of time! Cole was completely off-limits. He’d never be her appetizer. Friends. They were friends. She’d gotten over her stupid crush long ago. That didn’t mean she couldn’t admit to herself he was sexy. In an off-limits way. She didn’t need to start thinking he was available after working so hard to forget he was hot.

“I knew I’d make you do that, but you did ask.” Cole sounded a little too smug.

Sarah looked up. Oh Lord, how could he know about her completely inappropriate thoughts?

Cole rubbed his shoulder, grimacing as if she’d really hurt him. Then he stopped and winked.

Oh. Right. Very funny. She’d hit him. They had a standing joke about his smart mouth and his need for punishment.

“Actually, what I really wanted to ask was what you had planned for Christmas.” She didn’t care if it was an obvious change of subject. Cole could go on pushing her buttons for hours. Besides, she did want to ask.

Last year Cole went with her to see her parents. Cole had way too many experiences with judgmental families like his own, and he’d been apprehensive about the whole thing, especially meeting her officer father. But Dad had been Dad, and Cole had been Cole, and everyone had a great time, just the way Sarah’d expected. This year Mom and Dad had shipped out to Japan, so neither she nor Cole would be seeing their families. She’d hoped they could hang out together for the two weeks while the grad dorms closed during winter break.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you! I’m planning on a trip to a ski lodge in Wyoming all during break.”

“You don’t ski.” Sarah skied but couldn’t afford a weekend, much less weeks at a resort. Life was so unfair.

“I like skiers. And cowboys. Jeff owns a place there.” Cole crumpled his cup and tossed it into the garbage.

“Oh. Jackson Hole?” Sarah snickered. “I could see you headed there just for the name.”

So now she knew this Jeff had money, was a skier, and maybe was a little pretentious. Two out of three wasn’t bad. Especially if he had a ski lodge.

“Grand Targhee. Jeff says it’s even better than Jackson Hole, although not as many people have heard of it.”

So unfair. Sarah had heard of it, and everything she’d heard agreed with what Cole -- who was obviously clueless -- had said. The place wasn’t even that pretentious. If Cole’s new man turned out to be perfect, she’d have to be happy Cole was going away with him on the kind of holiday break she’d want.

And that was so unfair double time. It also meant she had no one to share Christmas with. She didn’t need another reminder that she’d worked too hard, frozen too many people out, had no life. Cole, who bubbled over with curiosity and energy, always made even the bleakest times fun. She’d been counting on him to carry her through this first really big holiday without her parents.

Well, she’d have to get over it. A military brat got used to being around strangers. Maybe she could scrounge up enough money to take a little road trip by herself or get a fancier hotel than she’d planned. It didn’t sound like fun now, but she would work on it.

“You wanna come along?”

 

About the Author

Treva Harte has always been an overachiever. She also collects things. First it was degrees. First a B.A. in English, then she decided to go back for a Master's degree. Not content with that, she added a J.D. Since then she's added a husband, also an attorney, and two children to her collection. She's continuing her ways as an overachiever, writing her wonderfully offbeat tales of passion and possibilities -- in her spare time.

Visit her website at www.trevaharte.com.


Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15



RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time: