Tag Archives: Handle with Care

Handle with Care paperback out today!

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Handle with Care paperbacksWhy yes, it must be that time of year! I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since this one came out as an ebook. I remember the launch date was two days after I’d moved house. Yep, that was fun…

Anyway, here is a more sedate celebration of the release of the paperback. It’s on offer over at Samhain at the moment, but I imagine most of you people read things in ebook format like I do. So much more convenient! Still, there’s nothing quite like having a real paper book in your hand. I’ll keep you all posted of any giveaways for a signed copy. I’ve just put one contest in my email newsletter, so if you’re not yet signed up, why not? (the sign-up form is down right at the bottom of every page on the site, by the way)

And now, for the book:


Handle with Care

The best things in life aren’t free…they’re freely given.

Ben Lethbridge doesn’t have many vices left. After raising his little sister to adulthood, he wasted no time making up for the youth he lost to responsible parenting. Two years of partying it up—and ignoring his diabetes—has left him tethered to a home dialysis regimen.

He can do his job from his flat, fortunately, but most of his favourite things are forbidden. Except for DVD porn…and fantasizing over Ollie, the gorgeous, purple-haired skateboarder who delivers it.

Their banter is the highlight of Ben’s lonely day, but his illness-ravaged body is the cruel reality that prevents him from believing they’ll do anything more than flirt. Not to mention the age gap. Still, Ben figures there’s no harm in sprucing himself up a bit.

Then one day, a package accidentally splits open, revealing Ben’s dirty little secret…and

an unexpected connection that leaves him wondering if he’s been reading Ollie wrong all this time. There’s only one way to find out: risk showing Ollie every last scar. And hope “far from perfect” is good enough for a chance at love.

Warning: Contains superhero porn comics and a cute, accident-prone delivery guy with colour-changing hair. Readers may experience coffee cravings, an unexpected liking for bad mullets, and the urge to wrap Ollie up and take him home.

Paperback buy links:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Samhain

The Handle with Care blog tour calls at Joyfully Jay

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Where I’m discussing the challenges involved in writing a seriously ill hero: http://www.joyfullyjay.com/2012/04/guest-post-and-giveaway-writing.html

While you’re there, you might like to check out the wonderful 4.75 star review Jay wrote for Handle with Care – and any of her other thoughtful and beautifully written reviews. She’s responsible for adding plenty of new titles to my TBR pile!

I don’t have any home internet at the moment, but I’ll be doing my best to respond to comments via the wondrous medium of smartphone, combined with daily trips down to local cafes with wifi. Just be patient with me if I don’t get back to you quickly. All comments left on posts during the tour will give you an entry into the contest for an exclusive Handle with Care mug (plus worldwide postage) and a $25 voucher for All Romance eBooks (or alternative ebook retailer of your choice)

And check out the rest of the itinerary!

Handle with Care is now released!

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Oh happy day! You can get your mitts on a copy over at the following ebook retailers:

Kindle US | Kindle UK | Nook | Kobo | Samhain

At $3.15 from Samhain during release week, it’s a snip!

I’ve sent copies to contest winners at Jessewave, Stumbling over Chaos, and my own giveaway here (Lillian Francis won that one – CONGRATULATIONS!!!) That was just a little hint in case you were waiting for contest results before buying a copy ;D

I hope you all enjoy reading about Ben and Ollie’s path to romance, and if any of you feel inclined to leave me a review over at Amazon.com (you don’t have to have bought your copy from there), I’d be most grateful. 5 star reviews will win you heaped bucketloads of love and gratitude – I’m just not sure how I’ll get that sent through the post!

And just a reminder: the Handle with Care blog tour is going on all this week and next. Comment on every post to maximise your chances of winning the world’s only Handle with Care mug and a $25 All Romance eBooks voucher :D

Happy reading, everyone!

Jo x

Handle with Care contest and other giveaways

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I’m gearing up for the release of Handle with Care on Tuesday 24th April, and have news of a few giveaways you might be interested in:

I’m giving away your choice from my back catalogue over on Embrace the Rainbow – a fabulous new blog set up specifically to educate about the wide spectrum of sexuality and gender identity within the GLBTQ community. 28 authors have offered books in the giveaway, including some really big names within the genre. Comments close at midnight EDT on April 18th:

http://embracetherainbow.com/2012/04/10/i-had-this-idea/

Comment over at Stumbling Over Chaos to win a copy of Handle with Care – closes at 7 pm CDT, Monday, April 23:

http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/archives/17185

And now for one in our time zone! Comment on this post for another Handle with Care giveaway. It will close at 9pm GMT on Monday, April 23, and I’ll send the randomly drawn winner their choice of ebook format the following day.

Do you want the blurb and cover art again? Oh, all right then…

The best things in life aren’t free…they’re freely given.

Ben Lethbridge doesn’t have many vices left. After raising his little sister to adulthood, he wasted no time making up for the youth he lost to responsible parenting. Two years of partying it up—and ignoring his diabetes—has left him tethered to a home dialysis regimen.

He can do his job from his flat, fortunately, but most of his favourite things are forbidden. Except for DVD porn…and fantasizing over Ollie, the gorgeous, purple-haired skateboarder who delivers it.

Their banter is the highlight of Ben’s lonely day, but his illness-ravaged body is the cruel reality that prevents him from believing they’ll do anything more than flirt. Not to mention the age gap. Still, Ben figures there’s no harm in sprucing himself up a bit.

Then one day, a package accidentally splits open, revealing Ben’s dirty little secret…and an unexpected connection that leaves him wondering if he’s been reading Ollie wrong all this time. There’s only one way to find out: risk showing Ollie every last scar. And hope “far from perfect” is good enough for a chance at love.

Warning: Contains superhero porn comics and a cute, accident-prone delivery guy with colour-changing hair. Readers may experience coffee cravings, an unexpected liking for bad mullets, and the urge to wrap Ollie up and take him home.

Read an excerpt

Check out the upcoming blog tour (also with prizes!)

24th April 2012, Samhain Publishing
ebook novel – 51,000 words
Cover art by Kanaxa
Preorder links:
Kindle US | Kindle UK | Publisher

 

Lookee here – I have a shiny new cover!

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Here it is – the cover for Handle with Care (out with Samhain, 20th April), designed by the very talented Kanaxa:

I’m so thrilled with the way it’s turned out!

And here’s the blurb again for anyone who missed it before:

The best things in life aren’t free…they’re freely given.

Ben Lethbridge doesn’t have many vices left. After raising his little sister to adulthood, he wasted no time making up for the youth he lost to responsible parenting. Two years of partying it up—and ignoring his diabetes—has left him tethered to a home dialysis regimen.

He can do his job from his flat, fortunately, but most of his favourite things are forbidden. Except for DVD porn…and fantasizing over Ollie, the gorgeous, purple-haired skateboarder who delivers it.

Their banter is the highlight of Ben’s lonely day, but his illness-ravaged body is the cruel reality that prevents him from believing they’ll do anything more than flirt. Not to mention the age gap. Still, Ben figures there’s no harm in sprucing himself up a bit.

Then one day, a package accidentally splits open, revealing Ben’s dirty little secret…and an unexpected connection that leaves him wondering if he’s been reading Ollie wrong all this time. There’s only one way to find out: risk showing Ollie every last scar. And hope “far from perfect” is good enough for a chance at love.

Warning: Contains superhero porn comics and a cute, accident-prone delivery guy with colour-changing hair. Readers may experience coffee cravings, an unexpected liking for bad mullets, and the urge to wrap Ollie up and take him home.

 

Blurb for Handle with Care

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I have yet to see any cover art, but I’m really excited with my blurb after it’s had the Samhain blurb-editing magic applied:

Handle with Care – release date: 20th April 2012

The best things in life aren’t free…they’re freely given.

Ben Lethbridge doesn’t have many vices left. After raising his little sister to adulthood, he wasted no time making up for the youth he lost to responsible parenting. Two years of partying it up—and ignoring his diabetes—has left him tethered to a home dialysis regimen.

He can do his job from his flat, fortunately, but most of his favourite things are forbidden. Except for DVD porn…and fantasizing over Ollie, the gorgeous, purple-haired skateboarder who delivers it.

Their banter is the highlight of Ben’s lonely day, but his illness-ravaged body is the cruel reality that prevents him from believing they’ll do anything more than flirt. Not to mention the age gap. Still, Ben figures there’s no harm in sprucing himself up a bit.

Then one day, a package accidentally splits open, revealing Ben’s dirty little secret…and an unexpected connection that leaves him wondering if he’s been reading Ollie wrong all this time. There’s only one way to find out: risk showing Ollie every last scar. And hope “far from perfect” is good enough for a chance at love.

Warning: Contains superhero porn comics and a cute, accident-prone delivery guy with colour-changing hair. Readers may experience coffee cravings, an unexpected liking for bad mullets, and the urge to wrap Ollie up and take him home.

***

What d’you reckon? Sound like something you’d like to read? I’m pleased that it only covers the events of the first third of the story, as I didn’t want to give too much away. However, I think it covers the main sources of conflict really well.

Two more contracts signed!

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Just wanted to share the good news! Yesterday I signed a contract for my short story “River Rat”, which will appear in the Cleis gay erotica anthology Sexy Sailors, to be published next summer. I’m really pleased about this one, as I love the Cleis anthologies and they get plenty of exposure in book stores.

And this weekend I’ve also signed a contract for my novel, Handle with Care (formerly known as Broken), to be published by Samhain on 20th April, 2012 – woohoo!!! Here’s the provisional blurb, although I’m sure it will be vastly improved by the time it’s been through edits:

What do you do when the man delivering your porn is more attractive than the hunks on the disk?

Ben Lethbridge doesn’t have many vices left since kidney failure damned him to a home dialysis regime, and his social life is non-existent. His only callers are a nosy neighbour, his sister Zoe, and Ollie: the cute skate-punk delivery guy he sees on a daily basis, bringing him his discreetly packaged DVDs.

Ollie is friendly, but Ben’s insecurities about his illness-ravaged body prevent him from believing their banter could be anything more meaningful. And Ollie’s way too young for him, isn’t he? However, all those doubts don’t stop Ben from starting to spruce up his appearance.

Then one day, Ollie finds out just what’s been in those packages he’s been delivering…