Guest Today - Freddy MacKay

My very good friend Freddy MacKay has stopped by today to tell us about her new release, Snowed In, run a contest and also kindly agreed to do a character interview.

Blurb:

When their families celebrate Christmas at his parents' cabin, George receives one request from his boyfriend's little sister, Courtney—break up with her brother. George is devastated that the cute as a button high school freshman has gone from loving to hating him with no explanation as to why, and insecurities about his relationship with Max rear their ugly head.

Max tries to distract and comfort George, but Courtney becomes more hostile and less festive by the minute, upsetting everyone in the house. George leaves to do some last minute shopping and to give Courtney some space only to run into his ex-boyfriend, which further complicates everything.

Sometimes mixing Christmas with family is a toxic combination.

Snowed In is due for release from Silver Publishing on Christmas Eve. You can pre-order your copy HERE

For those that would like a chance to win a copy simply comment on this post and Freddy will pick a winner. You can chose your file format from PDF, PRC, Mobi or Epub. Good luck all.

Interview:

First off, let me welcome Max and George to the blog. Thanks for coming in guys.

George: No problem.

Max: Anytime.

Second, I'd like to say you make a handsome couple.

Max: *smiles big* We do.

George: *squirms in his seat* Thanks.

Okay, let's get to the questions!

Q1: How did you two meet?

Max: At school, CRU. Capstone Ridge University.

George: Yeah, I was a first year graduate student and M had just started college.

So you met through classes? Was George your TA?

Max: Well, no and yes. *winks*

George: *gets all flustered* M worked as lab assistant in my lab so that's how we met. I did have him as a student, but we were friends first!

Max: *laughs* Yes, of course we were.

George: *groans* This is why no one ever believes us, you know?

Q2: Then how long did you two know each other before you started dating?

George: About four years.

Max: Yup. We didn't get together until after I graduated with my bachelors degree and was going off to graduate school myself.

So you were good friends for a while?

George: Best friends. Max put up with my ways when a lot of other people couldn't.

Max: You're just particular and like things done right the first time.

George: That doesn't sound like praise.

What changed?

Max: I wouldn't say things changed, more like the timing had always been off before. I had liked Geeves on and off for years, he just didn't have a clue, and I though he was straight—until I caught him fucking Joe in the lab. *looks at George* that was hot by the way. You were so… powerful and hungry, taking exactly what you wanted. *shivers and sighs* But, Geeves's head was always stuck in his research, and for a long time he was with Joe so I couldn't make a move. Geeves devotes himself a hundred percent to whatever he's doing. I would never interfere with that.

Joe?

George: My ex. He, uh… he dumped me when he went to a different university for his post-doc work.

Max: *nods* Joe was an ass. He didn't know what he had. Of course, I'm not going to complain… since George was single, I could go after him. It took a while but I got him in the end.

George: Too bad I didn't realize what you wanted. *looks pained* I almost lost you.

Max: *reaches out for George's hand* We figured it out eventually. *kisses the back of George's hand*

Q3: So how did you end up getting together?

Max: Research trip where we were camping. I threw caution to the wind and got Geeves to admit he was gay. There were a few misunderstandings but in the end it worked out.

George: It did. *leans over and kisses Max on the temple* And I'm very glad for it. M means everything to me.

Q4: Who is your closest friend? Describe them and how you relate to them.

Max: George. He’s kind, helps everybody out, a little dense when it comes to people, but well-meaning. We like a lot of the same stuff. Our research, camping, hiking, food. *wrinkles nose* But our taste in beer is definitely different.

George: Music too.

Max: *nods* And he’s nerdier.

George: True. You actually understand people. But you have a nasty temper sometimes.  

Max: *pats George’s shoulder* I'll work on it.

George: Max is my closest friend. Probably because he understands me the more than anyone, gets what’s important to me, and accepts all of me. He’s the most important person to me, and his friendship is everything to me. I will always need M.

Max: *strangled noise*

George: M?

Max: *waves George off*

 Q5: What's your favorite thing to do?

Max: George. *no hesitation whatsoever*

George: *puts head down and groans* I’m pretty sure that’s not what she meant.

Max: Well, technically you do me, so that is misleading.

George: Yes, wait, no. That's not… *throws hands up as Max starts to laugh*

Max: Problem?

George: No. Next question please?

Q6: What do you find most relaxing when you’re with your partner?

George: Holding M, just being able to touch him. It makes everything else fall away. I could never get enough of it, of him.

Max: Fucking hell, Geeves.

George: What?

Max: I love you.

George: *smiles* I love you, too.

Q7: What was the wildest thing you've ever done, sexually?

George: *coughs and wheezes* What?

Max: *points his thumb at George* You must excuse him, Geeves is a bit… naïve.

George: Excuse me?

Max: Would prude be better?

George: M!

Max: Easily embarrassed in front of others?

George: M, please!

Max: Oh, all right, I won't tell them about the time on the hiking trail by cam—

George: *slaps hand over Max's mouth* Ignore him.

Q8: Okay, last question, are you guys looking forward to Christmas?

Max: *pulls George's hand off* Yes, very much, with Geeves working on his thesis and it being my first year in graduate school, I haven't seen much of him. We're going to Anne and Tim's house—Geeves's parents—and my family is going to meet us there.

George: It should be fun. We're going skiing and stuff.

Max: As long as my bratty little sister doesn't cause any problems, we'll be all right.
George: It'll be fine. She's sweet.

Max: She has you all fooled.

George: Don't be mean. She hasn't seen you since August. Give her a break.

Max: *huffs* Fine.

Well, George and Max, it was nice having you. Thanks for stopping by and talking with us, enjoy your Christmas.

George: *smiles at Max* I plan on it.

Max: Me, too.

George, Max: Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

OUT Today

A Very Holland Christmas is being released today by Silver Publishing you can find it HERE if you haven't already got your copy.

I really hope you guys enjoy the small look into what the boys have been up to.

Merry Christmas all.

Winners

The winners of my A Very Holland Christmas give away, as chosen by my daughter, are Urb & julieann37.
If you would like to e-mail me at info@tonigriffin.net and let me know what file format you would like (PDF, Epub or PRC) I will send out your copy asap.

Thanks everyone for entering.... I will have another contest for my next release early next year for A Bear in the Woods..

A Holland Give Away

Well ladies and gentleman, there's only one week to go before you can get your paws on A Very Holland Christmas. For those of you who don't know, it's being released through Silver Publishing on the 21st December and to make things nice and easy for you you can click HERE to go and pre-order your copy. See aren't I so helpful *grins*

For those that like to try their luck I'm running a contest to give away 2 copies of the book... Seeing as how I'm a really nosy person, simply comment and let me know what the best Christmas present you ever received (or gave, I'm not fussy, really) was. :)

I will be drawing this on Wednesday and posting the winners names on my blog. You  have a choice of PDF, PRC or EPUB file formats. Good luck to all.

New Cover Art

Hey Guys,

I just had to share this beautiful Cover art for my Cabin for Two anthology story - A Bear in the Woods.
The cover was created by my good friend and fellow author Freddy MacKay, Isn't it stunning???
This book will be self published and available early in the new year... Jan/Feb. Don't have an exact date yet, will let you know as soon as I can. 

 

Snow, storm, transportation woes, gravity well mishaps - the list of disasters that might strand someone in the wilderness is endless. But what happens when two men are marooned together? Close quarters and intimate situations strike sparks, whether the men are strangers or lovers on the emotional rocks.

Cabin For Two

A collection of six stories by:

Toni Griffin - A Bear in the Woods: a bear shifter tries to convince his mate that he's not crazy while fighting threats against his own life.

Angel Martinez - A Matter of Faces: a data privateer crash lands on a barely habitable moon where he's found by a research scientist who refuses to show his face.

Vicktor Alexander - The Other Cabin: when a young graduate finds himself at the wrong cabin facing the muzzle of a shotgun, he had no idea how much his life has just changed.

Mathilde Watson - Three Little Words: lifelong friends have returned from the Korean conflict and now need to fight their way through the feelings they've harbored for each other for so long.

Freddy MacKay - Dirty Little Secret: a geocaching trip goes horribly wrong, but the hiker's rescuer is the one person who may be able to save him in more ways than he can imagine.

Silvia Violet - Bears in the Wild: a forest ranger and his lover just want a nice weekend away. The bear baiters have other ideas.

Blog Hop Winners

Hey everyone,

Sorry for taking so long to announce the winners from RJ'S blog hop but I got there in the end.

The winner of an ebook copy of A Very Holland Christmas is Littlesuze....who signed in under anonymous... If you could email me at info@tonigriffin.net and let me know what format you would like the book in I'll send out your copy close to the release date.

The winner of the $10 Gift voucher is Rissa. If you would like to e-mail me at info@tonigriffin.net and let me know which store you would like it for and I'll send that off to you as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone who entered, I really wish you all could be winners but then you'd all send me broke so sorry. :)

Less than two weeks to go until A very Holland Christmas hits your bookshelves. I hope you enjoy. I will be running another contest for a copy of the book in the week leading up to it's release for all those that missed out and would like another chance to win.

A Very Holland Christmas

Hey Everyone... I'm taking part in RJ Scott's Christmas blog hop

So I thought I would tell you a little about my next upcoming release.... A Very Holland Christmas is due for release from Silver Publishing on the 21st December and can be pre purchased HERE

As I've mentioned previously, I honestly never had any plans, after finishing Forbidden Mate, to continue the series... I figured it was entitled 'The Holland Brothers' and as there were only four of them there would only be four books... that sounded fairly logical to me... However, you guys didn't see it that way and I'm glad.
I got the idea to re-visit my boys for a Christmas story and then asked the question... After a resounding yes please from my friends on Facebook I sat down to write and wouldn't you know it.... no-one spoke...Crap!!!!
It took a little coaxing to get my boys to open up and start telling me what was going on but we got there in the end... Even if the ending came 30,000 feet up on a flight between Singapore and Seoul. Thank God for Airport Wi-fi that's all I can say.

Anyway I really hope everyone enjoys this little catch up with the Holland brothers and their mates.

Blurb:
Christmas is a time for family and friends. Catch up with the Holland Brothers and their mates as they race to get everything ready for their second Christmas together.

Excerpt:

 Another school year over with and Zack couldn't believe how much he looked forward to doing absolutely nothing for a couple of weeks. He loved his job, but being able to sit at home and relax instead of working on class curriculums or grading papers would be wonderful. Not to mention getting to spend some quality time with his mate and daughter.

Simon always amazed him with how patient he could be when Zack had a pile of marking to get through or new classes he had to prepare for. He honestly didn't know how he would have coped without his mate.

Now it was the eve of their second Christmas together and Zack had never been happier. Finalising his last purchase for the day, he stuffed his credit card back into his wallet, thanked the salesclerk, and wished her a Merry Christmas. Picking up his purchases, he headed out of the store and went looking for his mate and Jason.

The crowds surrounded him as he exited the store into one of the main thoroughfares of the shopping centre complex. The noise level rose exponentially and the scents that assaulted Zack's nose were almost overwhelming. Christmas carols being played on the speaker system added to the background noise.

Thank God he hadn't brought Hayley with them. Zack had almost given in when Hayley had turned her big jade green eyes on him, with just a hint of moisture beginning to gather in the corner. Simon had had to step in before he caved. He was thankful for the rescue now as he could just imagine losing Hayley in this large crowd of people.

As it stood, he'd lost his mate and brother-in-law to the crowd and wasn't sure he could ever find them again. Ringing in his pocket distracted him for a second and just as Zack moved his heavy bags to his other hand so he could retrieve his phone someone bumped into him from behind.

Not expecting the sudden jolt Zack hadn't been prepared for it and stumbled forward, barely keeping his footing. A mumbled apology came from some distance away as the man who'd pushed him kept on his way without so much as looking back to check he was alright.

Scowling after the man Zack retrieved his phone and answered the call when he saw Simon's name as the caller. He hurried over to the side, so he could stand with his back against the glass windows of a store, hoping he would be far enough out of the way he wouldn't be bowled over again.

"Hey, babe," Zack sighed, as his body relaxed at the first sounds of his mate's voice.

"Hey yourself," he replied.

"You ready to get out of this mad house?" Simon asked him.

"Oh, hell yeah. These people are nuts."

"Tell me about it, I just saw one of those Santa photo grottos with the sluttiest elves I've ever seen in my life. I didn't realise miniskirts and fishnets were the uniform of the North Pole this year." Simon sounded horrified and Zack couldn't blame him.
"Shit, really?" Zack asked. "How could parents not be complaining about that?" he wondered.

"The funny thing is that none of the little kids know any better but the number of dads lining up with their children is ridiculous. No way would I ever let our daughter get her photo taken in a place like that." Even though they had been together for nearly two years it still warmed his heart when he heard his mate call Hayley 'our daughter'.

"Did you get everything you needed to?" he asked to make sure all presents had been purchased as there was no way in hell he wanted to come back here again.

"Yeah, Jason and I are done. We're on the way back to the car. We'll meet you there, we can then head on over to the supermarket and get that out of the way before going home."

Zack groaned. He had completely forgotten they still had to finalise the grocery shopping as well. "Okay. I'll meet you at the car in five."

"Okay, babe, love you," Simon said.

"Love you, too." Zack hung up his phone and shoved it back into his pocket. He separated his purchases between his hands and headed off into the crowd on his way to the car park and his mate.

 Leave a comment to go in the draw to win either a copy of A Very Holland Christmas or a $10 ebook gift voucher to the store of your choice (As long as I have an account with them)