Excerpt & Give away - Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles

I'm hosting the Queer Romance Freebie Fan Club on Facebook this week. If you aren't already a member, you can join below. The group is manned by more than a dozen mm authors who regularly give stuff away: https://www.facebook.com/groups/queerromance/

This week I'll be giving away a few books, audiobooks, an ARC of my upcoming "Five Dares", and an Amazon gift certificate.

To kick off the week, I offered a chance to win any of my Christmas novellas in ebook or audiobook (includes "Blame it on the Mistletoe", "Unwrapping Hank", "Midwinter Night's Dream"  and "Merry Christmas Mr. Miggles"). To enter to win you just need to comment on that thread in the facebook group above.

Today's giveaway is for one copy of the audiobook of "Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles".  To enter, comment on this post on the Facebook group. You can listen to a sample and check out reveiws here:

AUDIBLE: MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. MIGGLES

Today's post is an excerpt from "Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles".

Excerpt (from chapter 2):

 

The next day when I arrived at the library at 8 o'clock, Mr. Miggles was already there. He was in Santa's Headquarters. Christmas tunes played over the library's speaker system, and he was swathed in an apparently infinite strand of gold tinsel.

He fought against the tinsel's stranglehold harder when I walked into the room, embarrassed to be caught out. It was hilarious and precious at the same time, like a video of a kitten falling off a sofa, but I kept a straight face. I plopped my backpack down and helped him unwind. He was dressed in his usual gray suit pants and starched white button-down shirt. Today his tie was navy and yellow and had subtle smiley faces on it. The tinsel strand had gotten itself entwined on a button on his back suit pants pocket. I couldn't help noticing, as I freed it, that he had a decent ass.

Did I mention that I'm twenty-four?

"I was, um, trying to judge the length of the strand," he said with strained dignity.

"By pole dancing with it?"

"Don't be cheeky." He gave me a warning glare that looked amused at the same time. "I'm glad you're in. I wanted to discuss the Christmas Surprise Box before the library opens."

"Okay. But why are you here so early? You shouldn't come in early like this."

The library ran on a very tight budget. There were only two paid employees—Mr. Miggles and me. We had a few volunteers, but either he or I had to be there at all times. So I worked 8 to 5 and he worked 10 to 7.

He waved away my concern. "Needs must. Now. The Christmas Surprise Box." He picked up his pen and notebook from the table. "We'll have the traditional chocolates, of course, but I want something new. You're young. What latest trend might we be able to afford?"

I leaned against the table and crossed my arms. "What's the budget this year?"

"Same as every year. Fifty dollars."

I gave him an incredulous look and sighed. "Well, that leaves out a smart phone."

"What about a smart phone case? Or another accessory?"

I shook my head. "There are too many phone sizes to do a case. No way to know what the winner would have. Besides, they're expensive." I thought about it. "Earbuds?"

He hummed and wrote it down. "Possibly. You're sure most people would have a mobile communication device?"

I opened my mouth to accuse him of being a hopeless Luddite, but then I saw the suppressed smile on his face. He was yanking my chain. Of course he was. He had a cell phone, I reminded myself. I even had his number in case of emergencies.

"You're not the least bit funny," I grumbled.

His grin broadened. "Just making sure you're awake, Toby. What else might be an option?"

"iTunes Gift certificate?"

"Too impersonal."

"But flexible."

Clearly this was a teaching moment to Mr. Miggles. He gave me a serious look. "A gift says as much about the giver as the receiver. How much thought went into it? Does the giver truly know the recipient’s heart? Did the giver put time and care into the selection, or was it merely a chore to be ticked off?"

"Chore," I said decisively. "Oh… you meant hypothetically."

Mr. Miggles looked rueful. "Of course, if you're the sort of person who prefers to put the minimum amount of effort into a thing…."

I rolled my eyes. "We don't know who's going to win the surprise box, so how personal can it be?"

"We know the winner will be a human being with all the needs and frailties that implies. Also, it's someone who lives in Sandy Lake and comes into the library. There are scores of information in those few data alone."

"So no alien technology then. Or dog biscuits."

Mr. Miggles gave a “this is what I have to put up with” sigh. "Something about the town, perhaps. Something for a reader."

"What about a Sandy Lake bookmark? We might be able to get something custom done on Etsy fairly cheap. We could use a photo of the town clock."

"Excellent!" Mr. Miggles wrote it down. "Is there anything I might get at the mall? I'm planning on a hike near Columbus on Sunday, so I could make the dreaded mall run."

My face must have given me away, because Mr. Miggles blinked at me. "What is it?"

I tried to downplay my frustration. "Nothing. Justin and I were supposed to go to Columbus on Sunday, but now he has to work."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. I suppose you were quite looking forward to it. Do you…."

He trailed off, stopping himself. And I thought. Do I… what?

Mr. Miggles looked at me and I looked at him. In a flash, the room was full of this weird frizzle of… something. It was definitely tingly. And awkward. He clenched his jaw as if he wanted to say something. Was he going to invite me to go with him? That would be weird.

I suddenly wanted him to ask and… I didn't. The idea of having company for a trip to Columbus, not to mention going for a hike on a nice November day, sounded righteous. Why shouldn't I go out and have fun since Justin had bailed on me?

But Mr. Miggles was my boss. We didn't socialize. And there was the gay thing too. Would he think that, because I was a gay man, any invitation would be misconstrued as a come on? Mr. Miggles wasn't gay. At least, I didn't think so. Come to think of it, I had no idea what he was or even if he was anything at all. Possibly, he was asexual or he’d been kidnapped by white slavers during his formative years and castrated. That would explain his “tragic past” vibe. Hey, anything was possible.

"So, um, have fun, you know, with that," I stammered. "If I think of anything you could pick up at the mall, I'll let you know."

"Yes. Fine. Good." Mr. Miggles nodded adamantly.

I looked at the clock on the wall in desperation. The second hand edged toward 8:30, when the library officially opened. I had a few things to do to prep for that and a cup of coffee was definitely high on the list.

"I'd better…." I jerked my thumb at the door.

"By all means. Get to it."

 

See you tomorrow!

Eli

Spring Catch-up

Hi, everyone! I hope your spring has been as beautiful and exciting as mine has been. I wanted to "decloak" my typical invisibility garb (sigh) and give you an update on what I've been writing and what you can expect and when. LATEST RELEASE

My last book published is "Snowblind" from Dreamspinner in Feb 2017. It's a romantic suspense story, sort of spy vs spy, with some steamy snowed-in hyjinks in a cabin in Alaska and then quite a lot of suspense action!  The plot has a lot of twists and turns. "Snowblind" is also out now in audio. Click below to see my page with links and excerpts.

FIVE DARES

This full-length novel was written in Jan-Feb and is a contemporary NA with bffs becoming something more. Andy and Jake are pretty much nuts. They love doing dares and stunts. They're just graduating from NYU and are about to go their separate ways for the first time in their lives. At their graduation party, Andy pulls one dare too many. It leads he and Jake to spend the summer in Andy's family cottage in Nantucket recuperating from bad burns to their palms. Two risk-taking, hormone-fueled guys alone all summer without the use of their hands. What could go wrong?

The boys in my story were inspired, physically, by my favorite TV show of last year, Eyewitness. This title will be published by Riptide in the fall.

TENDER MERCIES

I just finished writing book #2 in the Men of Lancaster County series. Book #1 was "A Second Harvest" and I was thrilled that it won Best Contemporary in the Rainbow Awards last year.  "Tender Mercies" can be read as a stand-alone and is about an entirely new couple but set in the same area. Here's the temporary blurb:

Eddie Graham had a dream to create a sanctuary for rescued farm animals. When his long-time partner dumps him just before their move to Lancaster County, Eddie is stuck with a 25-acre property to manage and big bills to pay on half the income he anticipated. He fears his dream has failed before it even got started. He needs help, and he needs money, but most importantly, he needs to find his power to believe again.

Samuel Miller worked hard all his life to fit into his Amish community despite being born with a club foot. But when his father learns Samuel is secretly gay, he is whipped and shunned. Alone, with just a few hundred dollars to his name, Samuel is desperate for a job and a place to stay. He responds to an ad for a farmhand and finds himself employed by a city guy who has strange ideas about animals and no clue how to run his small farm.

Tender Mercies is currently under review at Dreamspinner, but will hopefully be coming out in the fall as well. Below is an image that inspired my idea of what Samuel looks like (only, ya know, Amish).

HOWL AT THE MOON #4

I just started working on Howl at the Moon #4. This will be a self-pub, so I hope to get it out in June.

Personal Stuff

A few weeks ago, my husband and I attended my step-daughter's wedding. She's been a true daughter to me since I've been in her life since she was two-and-a-half years old. It was a gorgeous wedding in Marin County, CA and so romantic!

That's all for this update. Have a wonderful May.

Eli

Snowblind releases tomorrow!

Mar 1, 2017 is the release day for "Snowblind", my new romantic suspense novel from Dreamspinner.

Check out the excellent early reviews on Goodreads.

You can pre-order on Amazon or Dreamspinner and get it delivered to you after midnight tonight!

You can read the first chapter here (end of the page).

My desktop post about the book will go live on this site tomorrow morning at 8am EST. I also have a few blog tour stops arranged, which I'll post here.

Exciting! This book is a bit different for me as it's the first time I've written two very alpha males and a romantic suspense plotline. I hope you all like it.

Eli

 

Two new releases for the holidays!

two-covers-promo In November I'm releasing 2 books. I won't have another release until February. So check these out.

"Falling Down" is now available. I'll post a buy link in the comments below. It's a fall-themed, hurt-comfort story about a homeless youth who travels to New English to see the fall leaves and then end his life. Fate intervenes and he meets a troubled former Marine who saves them both.

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles" is my Christmas story for the year (NOV 23). It's a feel-good holiday story about Toby, a small town junior librarian, who has to save his boss (Mr. Miggles) and the library's Christmas. It's a May-Dec contemporary romance with humor and a minor dollop of angst. Cover by Reese Dante. Isn't it pretty?

BUY LINKS:

FALLING DOWN:

Exclusively on Amazon for the first 90 days, then generally available.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. MIGGLES:

Now available for pre-order (release Nov 23rd)

ON AMAZON

ON ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS

Eli

"Falling Down" -- new release coming Nov 9

fallingdownelieaston-cover-600x900 I have a new release coming up fast! I wanted to write a quick fall-themed novella to self-pub this fall, and I started working on the idea during the UK Meet trip while walking in the Cotswolds. But my heroes, Josh and Mark, had too much of a story to tell for it to be either quick or a "little novella". So here we are, 69K words later, just squeaking the book out for kind-of-sort-of still fall on Nov 9.

It's probably the angstyist book I've written but it has sweet moments and, of course, a happy ending. There will be a trigger warning on it for suicidal thoghts. Here's the info:

BLURB:

Josh finds himself homeless at eighteen, but he has a plan. He’ll head north on the bus to New England and spend October there for his mother’s sake. She always talked about going to see the fall leaves someday. And when the leaves are done and the harsh winter comes, Josh plans to find a place to curl up and let go. It will be a relief to finally stop fighting.

Mark spent his life trying to live up to the tough swagger of his older brothers until he pushed himself so far against his nature that he cracked. Now a former Marine, he rents a little cabin in the White Mountains of New Hampshire where he can lick his wounds and figure out what to do with the rest of his life. One thing was clear: Mark was nobody’s hero.

Fate intervenes when Josh sets up camp under a covered bridge near Mark’s cabin. Mark recognizes the dead look in the young stranger’s eyes, and he feels compelled to do something about it. When Mark offers Josh a job, he never expected that he’d be the one to fall.

The snow is coming soon. Can Mark convince Josh that the two of them can build a life together before the flurries begin?

GOODREADS LINK:

Here it is on Goodreads.

GIVEAWAY AND FIRST EXCERPT:

You can read the first chapter and enter a giveaway here.

WHERE YOU CAN GET IT:

The book will be Kindle Unlimited for the first 90 days, then on all platforms including ARE and Barnes & Nobel. It isn't up for pre-orders, but will be available on Nov 9.

Eli

Howl at the Moon: New audiobook and titles on ARE

There are a few new things going on with my "Howl at the Moon" series. HowToWishUponAStar-audiobook

The audiobook of "How to Wish Upon a Star", narrated by Matthew Shaw, is now on audible! Click on the graphic above.

Also, the entire series, including "How to Wish Upon s Star" is again available on ARE:

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-howtowishuponastar-2086857-145.html

Cheers!

Eli

Desktop: "A Second Harvest"

July 1 2016 is the release day for "A Second Harvest". This is a new contemporary romance featuring a May-Dec couple. It's set in Lancaster County, PA, where I live, and is the first in a new series called "Men of Lancaster County". This is a stand-alone story and doesn't have a cliffhanger ending. Future books in the series will feature different couples and unconnected story lines. SecondHarvest[A]FS

Here's the blurb:

David Fisher has lived by the rules all his life. Born to a Mennonite family, he obeyed his father and took over the family farm. He married, had two children, and goes to church every Sunday. Now with his kids both in college and his wife deceased, he runs his farm alone and without joy, counting off the days of a life half-lived.

Christie Landon, graphic designer, Manhattanite, and fierce gay party boy, needs a change. Now that he’s thirty years old, he figures it’s time to grow up and think about his future. When his best friend overdoses, Christie resolves to take a break from the city and get his life back in order. His aunt left him a small house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and he heads there to rest, recoup, and reflect.

But life in the country is boring, despite glimpses of the hunky silver fox next door. When Christie’s exuberant creativity latches on to cooking, and he started gourmet-ing up a storm, he decides to approach his widower neighbor with a plan to share meals and grocery expenses. David agrees, and soon the odd-couple find they enjoy spending time together. A lot.

Christie challenges all the boundaries of David's closed world and brings out feelings he’d buried long ago. Can he find the courage to break free of the past and take a second chance at happiness?

Desktop Images:

As is my habit on release day, I'm posting images that inspired me while I was working on this story, or images that just remind me of the story. Here we go.

David Fisher

David, 41, is a Mennonite farmer. He feels much older than he actually is, having been widowed and having two grown kids in college. He lives alone on his Pennsylvania farm and has no idea what to do with the rest of his life. Below is a stock image I found that reminded me of David.

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Christie Landon

Christie, 30, is a sophisticated New Yorker and a graphic artist who works for an advertising agency. He's a rather infamous gay party boy in the Manhattan club scene until he relocates to the country temporarily to settle his late aunt's estate--and moves in next to shy, serious David. Christie is fierce, stubborn, and knows his own mind. He's also has a kind heart and is a generous and loyal friend.

The visual I had in mind for Christie is based on Max Carter, a star with Cocky Boys. Max is amazing! Look him up.

maxcarter3

David's Farm

Well, once again, I have written our own 20 acre farm into a story. :-) Here it is with snow, like in one of the scenes in the book.

winterbarn

You can see more pictures of our farm in this guest post I wrote for my Amish murder mystery. David's farm is based entirely on our farm, though he has a lot more acreage of fields.

The birth of the calf

I wrote a guest post about this event with photos of me attending at our calf's birth IRL. I'll post the link here when the article goes live.

Bora Bora

David was born and raised on the Pennsylvania farm where he still lives. Being a farmer it was hard to ever get away from home to travel. So he feeds his closeted adventurer with a collection of National Geographic magazines. His favorite place in the world is Bora Bora. And eventually this makes for a rather special evening. Here are some photos from that (fictional) article on Bora Bora in David's magazine.

BoraBora_French-Polynesia-6

BoraBora_French-Polynesia-5

The Maori Exhibit

During the story, Christie takes David on a surprise trip to Philadelphia to view a travelling exhibit on the Maori of New Zealand. This was based on an actual travelling exhibit. Some pictures below.

maori maoridancer maori3 Maori Art2 maori exhibit auckland Maori Art (1)

Philadephia Art Museum

Here are some photos of the gazebo at the Philly art museum they visit, and the exterior of the grounds.

sol-lewitt-aerial-645uw the-second-gazebo-near-the-art-museum.752.502.s

The Duplex in Brooklyn

The end of the book features a duplex in Brooklyn. Here are some reference shots I found online for the duplex.

brooklyn duplex3 brooklyn duplex 2 brooklyn duplex

 

 

That's it for this desktop. "A Second Harvest" is one that came from the heart. It's about finding a second chance for happiness in life. I hope you enjoy it! You can read an excerpt and find purchase links on my page for A Second Harvest.

Eli

Cover Reveal: "A Second Harvest"

Today is the cover reveal for my upcoming novel with Dreamspinner, "A Second Harvest". This is a May-Dec romance between a widowed Mennonite farmer and his new neighbor, a younger gay man. I've always loved May-Dec romances and had fun writing one for the first time. The book is due out Jul 1. SecondHarvest[A]FS

Check out the cover, blurb, and first excerpt on Gay Book Reviews!

And here's the Dreamspinner page with pre-order links.

Eli

Sale on "Howl at the Moon" series -- Grab before it's gone!

If you haven't tried my "Howl at the Moon" series yet, now is the time to do it. Book 1 & 2 are on sale for just $2.99. Book 3 is just release. And the entire series is in Kindle Unlimited for a short time only. https://www.amazon.com/How-Wish-Upon-Star-Eas…/…/B01FISHWJK…

https://www.amazon.com/…/…/B00T12QQOW/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_1…

https://www.amazon.com/…/…/B0176KQPH8/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_5…

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"How to Wish Upon a Star" cover & excerpt in newsletter

COVERREVEAL I'll be doing a cover reveal and excerpt in my first ever Eli Easton newsletter on May 5. Sign up to get the goods!

Subscribe to the Eli Easton newsletter

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Eli at Romantic Times in Vegas

rtlasvegasfinalpng Hey there! This week I'll be at the Romantic Times convention in Vegas. If you are there, I'd love to say 'hi'! Here are the spots/times you can find me.

Weds:  2:45pm panel – When it Hurts So Good

Thurs: 2:45pm panel – Hybrid Author 101

Fri: 11:15am panel – Laughing Through Your Tears

Fri: 1:30pm panel – From Agony to Ecstacy

Sat: Book fair!

Sat: Dreamspinner FAN tastic Day party-- 6:45pm is my author slot

Eli

What's Coming Next?

Someone on facebook reminded me that I should update you all on what's in the queue for me. Apr/May 2016 -- "How to Wish Upon a Star", (aka Howl at the Moon #3) 

With MCs Dr. Jason Kunik, a third-generation quickened and genetic researcher, and Milo, a hospice dog who just recently became quickened.

I'm finishing this up and will self-pub, so it will be out quickly!

Jun 2016 -- "A Second Harvest", from Dreamspinner Press

This is the first book of a new series called "Men of Lancaster County", but each book will also be stand-alone. This book is a May/Dec romance and features a widowed Mennonite farmer and the young gay man who moves in next door. I'm in final edits and have a cover now. Whoot!

August 2016 -- "The Land of Milk and Honey", from Penguin

This is the sequel to "Kingdom Come" and the second book in my Amish murder mystery series (written under Jane Jensen)

Nov 2016 -- my Christmas novella for 2016

TBD

There will be more out in 2016 but the exact titles and dates are still unknown.

Eli

"How to Howl at the Moon" wins in Goodreads m/m reader's choice awards!

   

 

 

 

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"How to Howl at the Moon" won some lovely spots in the Goodreads m/m romance group's member's choice awards. It got 2nd Place for "Best Humorous" and 3rd place for "Best Paranormal".

You can see all the winners here.

Thanks to those who voted for "How to Howl at the Moon"! You can read more about the book here.

HowToHowlAtTheMoonFINALLRG

Eli