I posted a month or two ago that Hard Tail would be coming out in audio, and I’m delighted to say I’ve just had the final files from the narrator, the wonderful Philip Rose, so after a few final checks, the audiobook should be on sale very shortly. Watch this space for details! In the meantime, here’s a snippet from the book:
I was woken at seven o’clock on the first day of my new life as a shopkeeper by a cat jumping on my chest. As wake-up calls went, it was fairly effective. I opened my eyes to a mouthful of fangs looking like they were about to take my nose off, which, given the dead-mouse breath coming my way, would actually have been a mercy.
“Gah!” I’m never at my most eloquent when I’ve just woken up.
The cat hissed back at me, obviously not a morning person either. I shifted position, hoping it would get the hint and bugger off. Too late, I realised the flaw in that plan.
Claws.
***
Don’t forget to check out the rainbow snippets Facebook group for more little excerpts from a whole host of talented authors.
***
Hard Tail – Southampton Stories #2
Finding love can be a bumpy ride
With his job and his marriage dead in a ditch, Tim Knight doesn’t take much persuading to leave London for the greener fields of Southampton and look after his injured brother’s mountain bike shop. But Tim’s a fish out of water in this brave new world of outdoor sports and technical jargon—not to mention struggling with the realisation he can no longer deny his sexuality, at least to himself.
The reason? Matt Berridge, his brother’s bike mechanic. Fit, tanned and an adorable klutz, Matt takes a tumble the day they meet and falls straight into Tim’s heart. There’s only one problem: Matt’s boyfriend, who Tim’s convinced is abusing him, despite the stories Matt comes up with to explain away the bruises.
A black belt in karate, Tim’s no pushover when it comes to physical confrontation. But he’ll need to step his courage up a gear if he’s ever going to come out, be himself—and save the man he’s coming to love.
![locknut_200x300[4]](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/904/40247243490_3a97895e2a.jpg)
JL Merrow 
Cats make some of the best side characters! ❤️
If there’s a cat involved, I’m in.
I really enjoyed this one. I’ll watch for the audio.
Hi, do you mind me asking if you ever intend to have Muscling Through recorded for an audiobook? It’s one of my favorite novellas and I would really love to have it in audio.
Glad to hear you like Muscling Through! It’s a bit of a tricky one to bring out in audio, as getting Al’s voice right could be difficult (and I may be a tad over-protective!) Plus, audiobooks are expensive to produce. In all honesty, it’s unlikely to happen unless Hard Tail does well in audio, by which I mean at least recoups its costs. Which is probably not what you want to hear, alas.
Just love the cat.