JL Merrow

I am beyond excited that my new m/m contemporary romance Hard Tail has now been released!

I’ll be celebrating with a blog tour starting tomorrow:

Weds 9th May           Joyfully Jay                           From Major to Minor
Thurs 10th May         Josephine Myles’ blog           Bonking, Grunts and Grinders
Mon 14th May           Romance Around the Corner   Interview
Tues 15th May          Top 2 Bottom Reviews           Is it because I is Ginger?
Weds 16th May         Chicks & Dicks                       Karate: the sport of thugs? (Thurs 17th May         My blog                             Hop Against Homophobia)
Mon 21st May            It’s Raining Men                 How Many Beans Make Five? Tues 22nd May          Well Read        The New Forest: How New is it Anyway?

Everyone who comments on a tour post will be entered into a draw for winner’s choice of an e-book from my backlist, PLUS a gift certificate for $25 from Amazon (or the e-book retailer of your choice).

ETA: I’ll pick a winner around noon on Wednesday 23rd, GMT. Good luck! 🙂

But for now, here’s the blurb – and an excerpt:

Finding love can be a bumpy ride.

His job: downsized out of existence. His marriage: dead in the water. It doesn’t take a lot of arm twisting for Tim Knight to agree to get out of London and take over his injured brother’s mountain bike shop for a while. A few weeks in Southampton is a welcome break from the wreck his life has become, even though he feels like a fish out of water in this brave new world of outdoor sports and unfamiliar technical jargon.
The young man who falls—literally—through the door of the shop brings everything into sharp, unexpected focus. Tim barely accepts he’s even in the closet until his attraction to Matt Berridge pulls him close enough to touch the doorknob.
There’s only one problem with the loveable klutz: his bullying boyfriend. Tim is convinced Steve is the cause of the bruises that Matt blows off as part of his risky sport. But rising to the defense of the man he’s beginning to love, means coming to terms with who he is—in public—in a battle not even his black belt prepared him to fight. Until now.

Warning: Contains an out-and-proud klutz, a closeted, karate-loving accountant—and a cat who thinks it’s all about him. Watch for a cameo appearance from the Pricks and Pragmatism lovers. May inspire yearnings for fresh air, exercise, and a fit, tanned bike mechanic of your very own.

Excerpt:

The bell above the shop door tinkled, and Matt Berridge fell into my life.

Literally.

I’d been staring at that glass door, willing someone to come in and stave off the killing boredom before I stuck a bicycle spoke through my neck out of sheer bloody ennui. So when a broad-shouldered, shaggy-headed lad in mirror sunglasses loped into view, I was all eyes. He wore lived-in jeans and a purple Weird Fish T-shirt, with a battered biker jacket over the top. He looked like he’d just got back from a festival somewhere. At least, he looked like I imagined a guy who’d just been to a festival might look. I’d never been to a festival. Too busy with exams and work and getting married to a girl I didn’t love.

When he pushed open the door, I barely had time to mentally punch the air—and then he was gone, well-shaped arse over tit.

I’d swear it was nothing but his own feet he tripped over. With a soft cry of “Argh—shit!” he sprawled into the shop on his hands and knees. I didn’t realise who he was at first—I just hurried out from behind the counter to help the poor sod up. But when he looked up from under that dark mop of hair, it was obvious. At least, if you had the inside information I did. The sunglasses, which I now noticed were scratched, hung from one ear, and there was a massive purple bruise around his right eye, which was swollen and half-closed. I winced involuntarily when I saw it, then hoped like hell he hadn’t noticed.

“Hi,” I said as he staggered to his feet, holding on to my arm. “I’m Tim.”

“Oh, right—you’re Jay’s brother? Good to meet you.” He smiled lopsidedly, adding dimples to the freckles already sprinkled on his lightly tanned face. I could easily imagine him as a beach bum somewhere like California, although given the South Coast accent with a hint of a West Country burr, I was guessing Cornwall was probably nearer the mark. “Sorry about that. I’m a total klutz, ask anyone. I’m Matt.”

Hard Tail is available from Samhain Publishing here.

Yes, I actually prised myself away from my keyboard last night (don’t tell my editor!)to go listen to the Pink Singers!

Who are the Pink Singers? They’re London’s LGBT community choir – and at almost 30 years old, they’re Europe’s longest-running LGBT choir.  I was lucky enough to see them perform last night at a local school, where one of their number is a music teacher.  The evening was in support of Diversity Role Models, a charity that does fantastic work tackling homophobic bullying in schools.

The choir performed numbers on their own and in unison with the school choir and chamber choir, and were very audibly a huge hit with the kids!

The music ranged from Carl Jenkins’ Benedictus to the Scissor Sisters’ I Don’t Feel Like Dancing, taking in a hilarious version of Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat and the breathtakingly beautiful Kiss from a Rose by Seal.

They’re off on tour to Lisbon soon, but their summer concert in London is on 14th July. If you’re around, I thoroughly recommend going along! Tickets are available on their website. 

…over at Reviews by Jessewave. Just leave a comment on the post to win! Better hurry, though!

And there’s still time to enter the contest over at Stumbling Over Chaos – comment here. Good Luck!  

Here’s the blurb, just to remind you:

Finding love can be a bumpy ride.

His job: downsized out of existence. His marriage: dead in the water. It doesn’t take a lot of arm twisting for Tim Knight to agree to get out of London and take over his injured brother’s mountain bike shop for a while. A few weeks in Southampton is a welcome break from the wreck his life has become, even though he feels like a fish out of water in this brave new world of outdoor sports and unfamiliar technical jargon.

The young man who falls—literally—through the door of the shop brings everything into sharp, unexpected focus. Tim barely accepts he’s even in the closet until his attraction to Matt Berridge pulls him close enough to touch the doorknob.

There’s only one problem with the loveable klutz: his bullying boyfriend. Tim is convinced Steve is the cause of the bruises that Matt blows off as part of his risky sport. But rising to the defense of the man he’s beginning to love means coming to terms with who he is—in public—in a battle not even his black belt prepared him to fight. Until now.

Product Warnings: Contains an out-and-proud klutz, a closeted, karate-loving accountant—and a cat who thinks it’s all about him. Watch for a cameo appearance from the Pricks and Pragmatism lovers. May inspire yearnings for fresh air, exercise, and a fit, tanned bike mechanic of your very own.

Available to pre-order from Samhain Publishing here.

Blimey, they’re like London buses, these reviews!

A great review from Cassie from Joyfully Reviewed, who really seemed to get Midnight in Berlin:

If you like dark yet romantic stories, Midnight in Berlin will be right up your alley…Violence, gore, and action mix in with a sweet, tentative romance. Midnight in Berlin may be dark, non-traditional, and often surprising, but it’s also a very enjoyable romance

(full review here)  

A gripping, fast-paced, and well-written out-for-you story set in rural England…catchy, witty and at times deliciously self-ironic – 4.75 stars, Feliz on Reviews by Jessewave

As always with this English author, the main characters are lovable and quirky and the secondary characters are compelling and push the story forward…Wolverine may just steal a few scenes and keep one of the main characters out of trouble! – 4.5 stars, Gennie at Guilty Pleasures

Hard Tail will be released on May 8th – I can’t wait!

…because the sun is shining (just about) AND it’s the official end of the Beat Your Winter Blues Blog Tour.

This week’s visit is at Joyfully Jay’s blog!

We’ve reached the end of the Beat Your Winter Blues Blog Tour, where sixteen authors have done their best to make your winter brighter in January, February, March, and April. (Unless you’re south of the equator, and then we’ll just be jealous of your summer.) Every Wednesday was a new stop on the tour, and if you left a comment at each stop, you have up to sixteen chances at the grand prize: a $200 USD gift certificate to the e-retailer of your choice!
We hope you’ve also enjoyed the links and contests for our new releases!

TODAY: Hop on over to Joyfully Jay’s Blog where ALL the authors talk about surviving the winter months 🙂 Drop in and share your experiences with us!

Yes, the lovely Chris is running a giveaway of my forthcoming novel, Hard Tail, so why not head on over and leave a comment here for a chance to win?

Here’s the blurb, if you’re not convinced:

Finding love can be a bumpy ride.
His job: downsized out of existence. His marriage: dead in the water. It doesn’t take a lot of arm twisting for Tim Knight to agree to get out of London and take over his injured brother’s mountain bike shop for a while. A few weeks in Southampton is a welcome break from the wreck his life has become, even though he feels like a fish out of water in this brave new world of outdoor sports and unfamiliar technical jargon.
The young man who falls—literally—through the door of the shop brings everything into sharp, unexpected focus. Tim barely accepts he’s even in the closet until his attraction to Matt Berridge pulls him close enough to touch the doorknob.
There’s only one problem with the loveable klutz: his bullying boyfriend. Tim is convinced Steve is the cause of the bruises that Matt blows off as part of his risky sport. But rising to the defense of the man he’s beginning to love means coming to terms with who he is—in public—in a battle not even his black belt prepared him to fight. Until now.

Product Warnings

Contains an out-and-proud klutz, a closeted, karate-loving accountant—and a cat who thinks it’s all about him. Watch for a cameo appearance from the Pricks and Pragmatism lovers. May inspire yearnings for fresh air, exercise, and a fit, tanned bike mechanic of your very own.

Come on over to EM Lynley’s blog, where I’m rhapsodising over muscular, sweaty young men moving in rhythm…

I’m talking about the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race, of course. Why, what were you thinking of? ;D

Join me and a dozen other LGBT authors as we talk about our favorite older releases. We’ll be at EM Lynley’s blog for a week of time-traveling fun, starting April 18. Other participants include: Clare London, L.C. Chase, Victor Banis, P.D. Singer, Shira Anthony, Sean Michael, Trina Lane, Kiernan Kelly and more!

Join me and a dozen other LGBT authors as we talk about our favorite older releases. We’ll be at EM Lynley’s blog for a week of time-traveling fun, starting April 18. Other participants include: Clare London, L.C. Chase, Victor Banis, P.D. Singer, Shira Anthony, Sean Michael, Trina Lane, Kiernan Kelly and more!

As part of her Thousand Word Thursday series, Cryselle posted a picture of a hapless guy falling headlong down the stairs. Which immediately made me think of Will in Wight Mischief, who comes a cropper on the nastily hard stone steps of Carisbrooke Castle. But did he fall…. or was he pushed?

You can read the excerpt and see the picture here. 😀