BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - ROM-COM LGBTQ+ - THE UNLIKELY SPARE (Unlikely Dilemmas, #3) by Jax Calder

The Unlikely Spare

Unlikely Dilemmas, #3

by Jax Calder

Publication date: August 22nd 2025

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Suspense

BLURB

What happens when a prince falls for the undercover agent pretending to be his bodyguard?

Nicholas
I’m the spare, the younger brother of the Prince of Wales. Ever since I was propelled up the order of succession, my job description has been: Exist. Don’t embarrass the Crown. Repeat.

After a security scandal, I’m assigned a new bodyguard. A hulking, brooding Irishman who glowers at me like I’ve personally offended his ancestors. He’s the first to be completely immune to my charm, which is rather inconvenient when you’ve always wielded wit like a defensive weapon.

And why I feel the need to continue trying to impress Officer O’Connell is anyone’s guess.

My upcoming royal tour of Australia and New Zealand should be a nice chance to escape the British winter and bask in some Southern Hemisphere sunshine. But it turns out that representing the monarchy in former colonial countries means confronting some uncomfortable truths about how all those Crown Jewels ended up in my family’s vaults.

And the whole visit would really be far more enjoyable if someone wasn’t trying to kill me.

Eoin
I’ve clawed my way from the slums of Ireland to the top level of Scotland Yard’s undercover agents. But a deep security breach within the force has me investigating my own colleagues while playing bodyguard to a privileged prince on a tour Down Under.

Something about Prince Nicholas gets under my skin like shrapnel I can’t dig out.

Still, I’m a professional. I can handle one posh git with a smart mouth.

But as we navigate koala cuddling sessions, didgeridoo lessons, and deadly spiders in hotel rooms, I see beneath Nicholas’s princely façade. I’m supposed to uncover which of my fellow bodyguards is a threat to Prince Nicholas, not become obsessed with the most complex, fascinating pain in my arse I’ve ever met.

The line between duty and desire blurs with each passing day and the danger to Nicholas intensifies.

How can I maintain my cover, protect Nicholas, and resist the urge to press him against the nearest wall and kiss that smirk off his face?

The Unlikely Spare is a royal romantic comedy/suspense featuring a party prince learning his place in the world and an undercover bodyguard with a chip on his shoulder. As threats escalate and attraction intensifies, both men must decide what they’re willing to risk—and what they’re willing to fight for.

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EXCERPT

A violent rustling erupts from a nearby thicket, and something bursts upward in an explosion of noise and movement, heading directly toward Nicholas’s face.

My training kicks in. Movement equals threat, threat equals action.

I launch forward, tackling Nicholas sideways. We hit the ground hard, my body curving protectively over his. One of my arms cradles the back of his head, preventing it from cracking against the frozen earth while my torso shields his. My free hand reaches instinctively for my weapon.

Only then do I register wings beating frantically above us.

Fuck.

Nicholas lies perfectly still beneath me, those winter-ocean eyes wide with shock. My face hovers inches from his, close enough to count individual eyelashes. His breath comes in short puffs, visible in the cold air between us.

For a few heartbeats, we simply stare at each other.

“That,” Nicholas says finally, voice strained, “was a partridge. Not an assassin.”

I’m suddenly acutely aware of every point where our bodies connect. My chest against his, my leg between his thighs, my hand still cradling his head.

His hair is soft, dark silk under my calloused palms. The scent of his cologne fills my nostrils, something crisp and woodsy. His pupils have dilated, black nearly swallowing that impossible blue.

His lips part, just a fraction, and fuck if I don’t track the movement like it matters.

Heat spreads from every point where we’re pressed together. A flush crawls up his neck. I know I should look away, but I can’t.

Why the hell can’t I drag my eyes away from this man’s face?

The dogs are circling us, the yellow retriever licking enthusiastically at Nicholas’s ear.

“I’d really appreciate it,” Nicholas continues in an icy tone, “if you could remove your elbow from my spleen.”

Fuck. I roll away from him, my knee sinking into the frozen mud with a squelch as I get to my feet.

Nicholas remains splayed on the ground, leaves tangled in his dark hair, a smudge of dirt across his cheek.

“We must stop this little trend of finding ourselves in compromising positions,” he says as he pushes himself up on his elbows. “At this rate, I’ll need to start charging you rent for all the time you spend in my personal space.”

He reaches up a hand imperiously.

 

Author Info

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter

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BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - ROM-COM LGBTQ+ - THE REVENGE GAME (Revenge Club, #1) by jax Calder

The Revenge Game

The Revenge Club, #1

by Jax Calder

Publication date: April 11th 2025

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

BLURB

Rule #1 of Revenge Club: Don’t fall for your target

Andrew
I’ve come a long way since being the gawky, geeky, gay kid who was constantly picked on growing up. Having just sold my tech start-up for so much money it broke my phone calculator, I’m now at a loose end wondering what to do next in my life.
Then I run into Justin. Justin, the golden boy from high school. Justin, the popular jock who turned my life into a living hell for four years.

And do you want to know the kicker? He doesn’t even recognize me.

Even worse, it looks like karma hasn’t done its thing because Justin definitely hasn’t been punished for his previous sins.

Maybe my next mission in life is to give karma a helping hand…

Justin
My life looks perfect from the outside – good job, good friends, no worries. Only I know it is all based on a lie. I’ve never been honest with anyone about my sexuality.

Then I meet the new IT guy at work who has just moved into my apartment building too. Given I seem to be having an extraordinary run of bad luck with technology at the moment—like having my email randomly decide to spam the entire company with images of trolls in intimate embraces —Drew’s been a lifesaver. And the more I get to know Drew, the more I want to confess my secret in the hope we can become something more.

But I can’t help the niggling feeling Drew is hiding something from me…

The Revenge Game is a laugh-out-loud journey through misadventures in revenge and the unexpected twists of fate. It’s where old grudges spark new attractions, where secrets unravel, and where two men learn all about redemption and love.

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EXCERPT

He didn’t even recognize me.

My mind can’t let go of that fact. It lodges in my brain like a corrupted file that keeps trying to load. How is it possible that someone who starred in my nightmares for four years, who shaped every decision I made from which hallway to take to which college to choose, doesn’t even remember my face?

There was that time in gym class when we played volleyball, and Justin and his friends decided that instead of spiking the ball over the net, they would aim for me.

And one of them struck the ball so perfectly that it hit my stomach with a loud thunk, winding me.

I still recall that dizzy breathlessness, my panic when I couldn’t draw oxygen into my body, the struggle to make my lungs recover from fright and remember what their job actually was.

That’s exactly how I feel now.

How could he not recognize me? How? How?

Okay, due to my late growth spurt, I’m a few inches taller than I was in high school, rounding out to a decent five foot eleven. Back then, my dark hair was a floppy mess, whereas now, it’s been carefully cut in a style my barber assures me is the latest fashion. And my face has slimmed down since high school, along with my standard-issue nerd glasses being replaced by a trendier pair.

But I’m still recognizable. I haven’t changed that much.

In all the time I’ve spent thinking about this moment, I never considered the idea he might not recognize me.

How did I miss that possibility?

But then, why would he recognize me? I’m a tiny blip in his life.

Justin Morris is woven so intricately into the tapestry of my teenage years, one of the main antagonists in my story. Meanwhile, I was simply some mild entertainment to amuse him when he was bored.

My features are not etched into his consciousness. He has not spent years scripting our reunion. I’m nothing to him. A nobody.

The unevenness leaves me breathless.

But then the phrase repeats in my head in a different voice. Less defeated. More…intrigued.

He doesn’t recognize me.

According to technology sector analysts, I’m the guy who sees gaps in the market, problems that have yet to be solved. And while it makes me sound like a superhero coding ninja rather than simply a guy who spends countless hours hunched over my laptop muttering to myself, there is some truth to it.

While at MIT, I developed a system that revolutionized how computers share information, basically creating digital traffic lights to improve efficiency.

On the back of that, I started my tech company, which I sold a few months ago for the kind of money that sounds made up when you say it aloud.

Now, my brain is ticking faster than an atomic clock.

I take a large sip of my drink. The smooth tones of the red wine linger on my tongue after I swallow.

I’m a big believer in karma. What goes around, comes around. If you put enough good into the universe, some of it will return to you. I like to think I’ve always been a good person, and as the balance of my bank account testifies, a lot has made its way back to me.

But now, my faith in the all-encompassing might of karma has been shaken.

I study the restroom door with the same intensity a cat studies the red dot from a laser pointer.

Justin emerges after a few minutes. He weaves through the crowd effortlessly, sliding back into the fold of his friends, who greet his return with shoulder bumps and easy laughter carrying across the pub.

My chest constricts with an emotion I can’t quite name—something between rage and despair—watching him hold court. The carefully constructed walls I’ve built between my past and present suddenly feel paper-thin.

Because Justin’s still exactly who he was in high school. The golden guy surrounded by a circle of smiling admirers.

Yes, it definitely appears karma hasn’t caught up with Justin Morris.

Possibilities swirl in my mind. I’m currently footloose, with no set ties or projects lined up. I have almost unlimited funds at my disposal.

And there’s that one important, undeniable, inescapable fact.

He didn’t recognize me.

Maybe just this once, karma needs a helping hand.

 

Author Info

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter

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BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - CONTEMPORARY LGBTQ+ - THE UNLIKELY PAIR (Unlikely Dilemmas, #2) by Jax Calder

The Unlikely Pair

Unlikely Dilemmas, #2

by Jax Calder

Publication date: August 7th 2024

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

BLURB

What happens when you find yourself stranded in the wilderness with your political enemy?

Getting stranded in the freezing wilderness with my archenemy wasn’t on today’s to-do list. But somehow, that’s where I’ve ended up.

Harry Matheson, my political rival, has always been smarmy, arrogant, and entitled. It figures that even this plane crash has barely ruffled his well-coiffed hair.

It’s all fine, though, because our pilot has gone to call for help and rescue should be imminent.

Fast forward a few frigid hours…

Umm…maybe it’s not so fine, because it appears our pilot is part of an international terrorist group intent on kidnapping us.

Now Harry and I have to flee through the wilderness—together.

Unfortunately, being adept at political debates and parliamentary procedures doesn’t exactly prepare you for the basics of finding food, keeping warm, and evading the local wildlife while playing high-stakes hide-and-seek with armed terrorists.

The only way Harry and I have any hope of surviving is to stick together.

The problem is, the line separating hate and love has begun to blur, and the last thing I need is to fall for my enemy.

The Unlikely Pair is an enemies-to-lovers romance featuring a romp through the political wilderness where hearts, quite literally, go off the beaten path.

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EXCERPT:

It’s impossible sleep. Having so much of my body against the ground makes me even colder. It’s a cold I’ve never felt before, penetrating through to my bones. Every muscle in my body aches with a combination of overuse and cold, and my chest chimes in with the added complaint about bruising from the seatbelt.

I’m so cold that I’m pretty sure my blood has turned into a slushie. If a vampire tried to take a sip right now, they’d get brain freeze.

I shuffle and squirm, pulling my body into the tightest ball possible.

“Are you cold?” Harry asks.

There is absolutely no point in lying. “Yes. I’m freezing.”

“I think we need to consider other strategies of heat retention,” Harry says.

My teeth are almost chattering. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, consolidating our heat by being in closer proximity.” It’s not his actual words but the distaste in his voice that clues me in to what he’s suggesting.

Closer proximity…he can’t mean…

Is Harry actually suggesting we snuggle?

But even as part of my mind immediately rebels against the idea, the other, practical, freezing-my-arse-off part sees the advantage of his suggestion.

Conserving heat is what is most important.

And I’m so cold right now that I’d cuddle up to a porcupine with anger management issues if it meant I’d get slightly warmer.

“I guess we could maximize the efficiency of the survival blankets that way,” I say.

There’s a flash of light from where Harry is. The glow from his watch lights his face as he walks in my direction. He looks like he’s on his way to an execution.

My mouth is weirdly dry as I pull myself into a half-sitting position.

“Um…so how do you want to do this?” I ask as Harry settles awkwardly next to me on my bed of pine needles.

“If you lie back down, I’ll lie behind you,” he says coolly.

“What? I’m not going to be the little spoon.”

His watch is still glowing, and the dim light is enough to see his scowl.

“Well, neither am I. I am decidedly a big spoon,” Harry says firmly.

“Well then, I’m an ice cream scoop.”

“You’re a what?”

“An ice cream scoop. Big enough to envelop all spoons of any size.”

“I’m an inch taller than you, Toby.”

“Ah, but my ice cream scoop persona is more about my personality than my size.”

“Fine, if you’re an ice cream scoop, I’m a soup ladle.”

“Actually, I think you’re more of a salad fork.”

“Exactly how am I a salad fork?”

“Formal, rarely needed, and incredibly pretentious,” I offer.

Harry pinches the bridge of his nose for a few beats before he responds. “As incredibly productive as all this speculating about how our personality traits align with utensils, how about we agree to take turns? I’ll be the big spoon to start because it will keep you warmer, so hopefully, you’ll be able to sleep. When it’s my turn to sleep, you can spoon me. And tomorrow night, we’ll change the order of who gets to sleep first.”

“Hopefully, by tomorrow night, we’ll be rescued, and having to snuggle close to you will just be a memory I’ll need extensive counseling to forget,” I say as I lie back down.

“We can only hope,” Harry replies crisply.

I arrange one of the survival blankets underneath myself to provide some insulation from the cold ground. Then Harry lies down behind me, pulling the other one over us. The only sound is the rustling of the blanket as he tries to arrange it around us, his movements careful and deliberate.

I try to adjust to the reality of having Harry Matheson’s body pressed against me, his heat seeping through the layers of our clothing, his soft breath tickling the fine hairs on my neck.

We’re both lying so stiffly a pair of cryogenically frozen lab rats could sub in for us.

But it turns out there is one thing about Harry Matheson that I do like.

His warmth. It envelops me, chasing away the chill that had settled deep in my bones. It’s like being spooned by a giant, sentient hot water bottle, except this one has a posh accent and a superiority complex.

Harry’s arm settles across my waist tentatively, with the hesitancy of a man reaching into a lion’s cage, half expecting to pull back a stump instead of a hand.

 

Author Bio:

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter

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BOOK BLITZ w/EXCEREPT - ROM-COM LGBTQ+ - THE UNLIKELY HEIR by Jax Calder

The Unlikely Heir

by Jax Calder

Publication date: August 24th 2023

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

BLURB

What happens when the Prince of Wales falls in love with the Prime Minister?

My boring life working in an insurance call center in sunny California just took an unexpected turn. Thanks to my misbehaving relatives, I’ve leapt from obscurity to royalty as the new heir to the British throne.

But my welcome in England is about as warm as the weather. I arrive to discover a country horrified at the thought of an American version of Prince Charming and ready to revolt against the monarchy. I vow to my grandmother, the Queen, that I will do everything possible to help her save the crown.

Unfortunately, royal life isn’t easy. From bewildering traditions, traitorous friends, and malevolent swans, the only thing I’m succeeding in is providing entertainment for the tabloids and social media trolls.

And then the broodingly handsomePrime Minister, Oliver Hartwell, bursts into my life.

With his meteoric rise from poverty to the most powerful man in the country, Oliver understands my current plight. Innocent messages of support turn into late-night chats—and unexpected feelings.

But there’s one major problem. The royal family must remain politically neutral at all times.

So how can I keep my promise to save the monarchy when I’m falling in love with the Prime Minister?

A forbidden romance filled with humor and drama featuring a bumbling Prince of Wales and a stern yet dashing Prime Minister, with a love that could transform a nation.

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EXCERPT:

Oliver and I sit next to each other on the park bench. Our shoulders brush, and my heart races.

Someone as handsome as him shouldn’t be allowed to mix with mere mortals. It’s not fair.

Oliver stares out across the dimly lit soccer pitch.

“I used to trudge across these fields, this skinny kid with big ears, a kid without a mum or dad, struggling with my sexual identity.”

“Imagine what that kid would say if he could see you now,” I say.

Oliver gives a low chuckle. “If someone had told me that one day, I’d be prime minister and sitting on this bench talking to the Prince of Wales, I don’t think I would have believed them.”

“And yet here we are,” I say.

“Here we are,” Oliver echoes.

His eyes meet mine, and we just stare at each other.

My heart thuds under the weight of Oliver’s unwavering gaze.

I tilt my head back to look at the night sky. But because we’re in London, where light pollution reigns supreme, there are no real stars to be seen.

Instead, I focus on one of the nearby streetlamps and the haze around it. It’s beautiful in its own way, another reminder of the hidden beauty in this world.

“I never imagined when I saw the coverage of your election that you’d one day become my best friend,” I say.

It’s true. Me at twenty-two, sitting in my small apartment, watching on TV the handsome, confident man on the steps of 10 Downing Street with his gorgeous husband. Could I have ever imagined our lives would overlap in this way?

It’s only after the words are out of my mouth that I realize how intense they are. Shit. Oliver’s probably worried I’m going to ask him to be my BFF. Maybe seal our friendship by becoming blood brothers. Heat floods my face.

“I mean, you’re definitely the person I’m the most real with,” I add quickly, flicking a glance at him.

The light of the streetlamp reflects in Oliver’s eyes as he stares at me.

“You’re the person I’m the most real with too,” he says quietly.

My heart thuds recklessly.

Oliver’s tie is loosened, and he’s staring at me with those intense dark eyes.

There might be a time and place where I can resist Oliver when he looks at me the way he’s looking at me now.

But it is not this moment.

I lean toward him and press my lips to his.

It’s just a light touch of our mouths, yet all the nerve endings in my lips tingle like they’ve been electrified. Oliver’s breath leaves him in a silent exhale, a gentle ghosting over my face.

His lips are soft and warm under mine.

It’s a gentle kiss, fragile as a feather.

When I pull back, Oliver is staring at me, his eyes wide. His chest rises and falls rapidly.

“Bloody hell, Callum.” His voice is rougher than normal, and he looks flustered, and I’ve never seen him look flustered before. He’s usually so in control.

And I think I like flustered Oliver even more than in-control Oliver, which is why I close the distance between us again.

“The rules don’t apply tonight, remember?” I whisper against his lips.

I hover there, close to him. But I don’t want to kiss him again if he doesn’t want this.

Oliver’s eyes scan my face, and suddenly, he makes a noise in his throat and one of his hands palms the side of my face.

And we’re kissing for real.

I’m kissing Oliver Hartwell.

The fact causes my mind to melt, leaving me incapable of coherent thought, so instead, I just catalog the sensations.

The heat of Oliver. His taste. The feel of his tongue moving in sure strokes against mine, the rasp of his stubble against my skin. I am definitely, definitely kissing a man.

I’ve never felt this way kissing someone before.

My hands go to the back of his head, grabbing strands of his soft hair like I’m trying to secure him, tether him, keep him exactly where he is, where I get to breathe in Oliver, continue kissing him.

Oliver’s lips move fervently against mine, his hands sliding down my back. I let out a soft moan, lost in the sensation of kissing him.

I’m not prepared to let this kiss end. Because it turns out Oliver’s lips contain the answer to every question I’ve ever had about myself.

And that overrides the fact that of all the people in this world I shouldn’t be kissing, Oliver is top of the list.

Our kiss smooths out, slowing from hot and heavy to tender and sweet.

It’s a lingering kiss, as if Oliver feels exactly like I do, like he wants to extend this perfect moment for as long as possible before the real world intrudes.

But we can’t block out the rest of the world forever.

Eventually, Oliver withdraws from me. In the dim light, his pupils seem enormous, swallowing his irises so the black pools are all I can see.

“Callum,” he says. Somehow, he says my name like it’s both a question and the answer.

 

Author Bio:

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - CONTEMPORARY LGBTQ+ - PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Sporting Secrets, #3) by Jax Calder

Playing for Keeps

Sporting Secrets, #3

by Jax Calder

Publication date: July 6th 2022

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Sports

BLURB

Falling for your former best friend? Never a good idea.

Ethan Lewis is the joker of his rugby team, the guy who’s always up for a good time. The only thing that can wipe the smile from his face is any mention of his former best friend, Luke. He has no idea why Luke has actively avoided him for the past five years. Okay, so he broke the bro-code by hooking up with Luke’s sister, but the result was his son—and he wouldn’t change that for the world. So when he hears Luke’s signed a contract to play for his team, Ethan decides he’s going to do everything he can to get his best friend back.

Luke has returned to New Zealand from playing rugby overseas, determined to achieve his lifelong dream and make the national team. And he’s not about to let Ethan’s presence distract him. So what if one of his new teammates is the person who shredded his heart? Luke’s moved past that, and he’s happy now with his new boyfriend. There’s no way he’s falling back under Ethan’s spell.

But it turns out no matter how good you are at evading the opposition, there’s one thing you can never escape—and that’s the love of your life.

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EXCERPT:

Seeing that look of concentration on Ethan’s face, I was suddenly whisked back in time to the summer we were sixteen.

Ethan and I were sleeping in a tent on the back lawn of my parents’ holiday home in Wānaka, as we usually did. I’d woken up to find Ethan tossing and turning, his sleeping bag rustling like a bag of potato chips every time he moved.

I propped myself up on my elbow to look at him.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Yeah, I picked up on that. Thanks for sharing your insomnia with me. I really appreciate it.”

“Sorry.”

It was a small tent, and I could feel Ethan’s tension as he tried not to move. He half sat up, then thumped back onto the airbed with a groan. “Urgh! I can’t turn my brain off sometimes. I suppose that’s to be expected with my exceptionally large brain.”

I snorted. “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.”

He shuffled again, tossing one way, then almost immediately turning back.

“What do you normally do when you can’t sleep?” I asked.

“I jerk off.”

My breath rushed out of me while my cock immediately started to firm up at the thought.

Great. Now the idea of Ethan jerking off was in my head, which meant I wasn’t getting back to sleep for hours. If ever. No doubt my brain would prefer that particular daydream over the random crap my real dreams threw at me.

He shuffled again.

“So jerk off now.” I spoke without thinking, the words channeled from my subconscious.

Ethan’s breath hitched. “What?”

My heart pounded. I needed to keep talking, fast.

“If it means you’ll stop moving, I’m happy for you to sing the entire One Direction album. Whatever it takes to get you to settle down.”

In the silence I heard Ethan swallow. My heart continued to thump.

“If I jerk off, you’ve got to do it too, otherwise I’ll feel weird,” he said eventually.

My mouth went dry and my cock grew even harder.

Oh holy hell. Ethan was giving me permission to jack myself off in his presence. Thank you, Universe, for letting my Ultimate Fantasy Number Five come true.

I went for a jokey tone. “Oh no, you’re forcing me to jerk off. I’ve never done that before.”

Ethan chuckled. “Yeah, cos I believe that.”

We were silent for a few moments.

“Well, are you going to do it?” he asked.

I tried to keep my voice casual. “I just hope I do it right.”

Ethan laughed again. “Is there a wrong way to do it?”

“Not sure. Maybe if it involves sharp fingernails?”

“That’s pro tip number one. No fingernails,” he said.

“Right.” My voice came out slightly breathless as I palmed myself through my boxers.

“You doing it?” His voice was slightly rough.

I slipped my hand inside my boxers, and shit, that felt good.

“Yeah,” I grunted.

“Me too.”

Suddenly the rustling noises coming from Ethan’s sleeping bag were no longer annoying. Instead, my mind imagined his hand on his cock, imagined him stroking himself down his hard length.

Shit. This wasn’t going to last long.

I turned my head slightly, risking a glance at him.

Holy fuck. Ethan’s lips were parted and he had a look of concentration on his face.

He turned his head on the pillow and his eyes met mine for a second before closing. Then his shoulders stiffened and he let out a small gasp.

Ethan’s blissed-out look triggered my own orgasm. Fuck. It was the most intense orgasm I’d ever had. I was surprised I didn’t spontaneously combust.

Once my breathing slowed, I sat up and rummaged in my bag for clean boxers. Ethan did the same.

Neither of us said anything. My heart continued to pound like a fast bass track.

Ethan lay back down. He yawned and stretched. “That was exactly what I needed. You always have the best ideas.”

He closed his eyes. Within minutes, his breathing had evened out and he’d fallen asleep.

I’d been left staring at the tent ceiling for hours, listening to the soft exhale of Ethan’s breath, as my brain swirled with two unavoidable conclusions.

I was definitely gay.

And I was definitely in love with my best friend.

The noise of a car engine startled me and the memory dissolved, leaving me standing there next to Jonathan, staring out the window.

Ethan’s car pulled out of the driveway, and Char waved goodbye from the doorstep. The affectionate smile on her face cut at me, slashes I didn’t expect.

I sucked in a deep breath.

When I turned away, I found Jonathan’s sympathetic gaze on me.

“You had a crush on him growing up, didn’t you?” he said.

Seeing Ethan had left me raw, with no filters working. “A crush? More like I was fucking head over heels in love with him.”

Jonathan eyes widened. Oh holy Christ, yeah, that was probably high on the list of things I shouldn’t admit to my current boyfriend. That I’d been in love with my best friend, who was about to become my teammate.

At least I hadn’t admitted that seeing him had reminded me of the residual love for Ethan that still clung on in my heart—love that I couldn’t shake free no matter how hard I tried.

Jonathan dropped his gaze, looking for a moment as if he was contemplating the pattern on the carpet before lifting his eyes back to mine.

“Maybe you need to stop punishing him for not loving you back.”

 

Author Info

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - CONTEMPORARY LGBTQ+ - THE ANONYMOUS HOOKUP by Jax Calder

The Anonymous Hookup

by Jax Calder

Publication date: June 2nd 2022

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

BLURB

Lane

I’ve never been a strings-free sex type of guy, but when my best friend encourages me to have my first ever anonymous hookup, I figure, why not? One night of steamy sex with a stranger and then I’ll focus back on recovering from my toxic break-up.

Only I’m not prepared for how incredibly hot the sex is.

Nor am I prepared to run into him again.

Because it turns out my anonymous hookup might not be so anonymous after all…

This low-angst 29,000-word MM romantic novella is full of fun banter, steamy times, sweet times and contains a few surprises along the way.

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EXCERPT:

I’ve always thought Thumpers, the most popular gay nightclub in Auckland, is aptly named, because I’ve never failed to leave without a thumping headache. It might have something to do with the flashing multi-colored lights and the music being played at about twice the recommended volume. Goodbye to the ability to detect high pitched sounds. It was fun while it lasted.

“First guy you see,” Jules instructs after we show our ID to the bouncer and make our way into the club. It’s ten-thirty, so the place is already pumping.

I tilt an eyebrow skeptically. “First guy I see?”

“First guy you see who you find attractive,” she concedes. “I mean it, Lane. No mucking around. You’re looking for a hookup, not a life partner. And if the first guy isn’t interested, then you just move on to the next one.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“It is simple. You’re like a younger, better-looking Chris Pratt. Any guy should thank his lucky stars to hook up with you.”

I don’t have time to respond to her compliment because she’s abruptly stopped halfway to the bar. “There. Him. Do you find him attractive?”

I follow the direction of her nod and my mouth goes dry. The guy she’s indicated is the dictionary definition of tall, dark and handsome. He’s standing at the bar ordering a drink so I can only see his profile, but it’s definitely one of the finer profiles I’ve ever had the good fortune to stare at. Cut jaw, straight nose, full lips.

“Is it actually possible not to find him attractive?” I ask.

“Then you’ve found your first target.”

“Wow, we’re using war terminology now, are we?”

She nudges me. “Don’t overthink it. Just get over there.”

Severely questioning my life choices and taste in friends, I make my way over to the bar.

Jesus. He’s even hotter up close. He’s leaning up against the bar, sipping at his drink, surveying the club, which gives me a chance to check him out as I approach. Yep, he’s definitely tipping the scales toward gorgeous. He’s an inch or two taller than my six feet, with thick dark hair, olive skin, and smouldering dark eyes. He looks around my age, maybe a few years older.

Forget dry. The contents of my mouth could now be used as a desiccant.

I try to keep my legs from shaking as I slot into the space next to him and turn to meet those gorgeous eyes.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hey,” he says, giving me both a charming grin and a quick once over. Which is quite a multi-skilled talent, when you think about it.

“I’m…” I begin, then realize I’m already about to break the rules for an anonymous hookup.

He quirks an eyebrow. “You’re what?

“I’m really thirsty,” I say, then almost close my eyes in embarrassment as my cringe reflex hits me.

“Well, that’s great. You’ve definitely come to the right place.” Luckily he seems more amused than scornful at my absolute lack of game.

I flick a look at Jules who has settled on a stool at a high table on the other side of the bar. She gives me something between an encouraging nod and a ‘do it or else I’ll hassle you about how pathetic you are.’

I take a deep breath. “You want to get out of here?”

His brow creases. Yeah, confusion wasn’t the response I was going for.

“I thought you said you were thirsty,” he says.

“I am.” I load those two words with enough innuendo it’s surprising they make it out of my mouth.

His confusion lifts and a slow smile spreads across his face. “Oh, that kind of thirsty.”

It appears I’ve chosen my metaphor hill to die on. “Yeah, that kind.”

“And you’re offering me the chance to help quench your thirst.”

“Um…yes I am.”

“Well, lucky for you, I consider myself extremely gifted in the art of hydration.”

I can’t help laughing. He’s funny, which definitely helps me to relax. Funny and gorgeous… my brain starts to race off, but I wrench it back with a thud.

“Ah…just so you know, I’m only recently out of a relationship. I’m not looking for anything serious,” I say.

His eyebrows shoot up. “You’re kidding me, right?”

I blink. “What?”

“Because I was just about to message my ring engraver. He’s been on standby for years, just waiting for me to say the name of my beloved.”

His face splits into an open grin as he laughs at my reaction.

“Okay.” I roll my eyes. “I haven’t done the hookup thing before, but I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “You’ve never had a hookup before? Seriously?”

“Seriously. My friend thinks it’s hilarious. She wants me to write an article for her blog ‘A beginner’s guide to an anonymous hookup.”

“Oh, that’s brilliant. I’ll happily help you with that.” He props his arm on the bar as he continues to grin at me.

Author Info

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - YA/NA LGBTQ+ CONTEMPORARY - THE OTHER BROTHER by Jax Calder

The Other Brother

by Jax Calder

Publication date: January 12th 2022

Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult

BLURB

What happens when you fall for the one person you can’t have?

Ryan has had seventeen years of being compared to Cody, part of his toxic fractured family, so you’ll forgive him for some epic eye-rolling when it comes to Mr Perfect. Although not related to him by blood, Cody has always been annoying background noise in Ryan’s life. It doesn’t help that Cody’s a high achieving musician, while Ryan’s life ambition doesn’t extend past catching the next wave.

One summer changes everything. It’s the summer when circumstances collide, and Cody and Ryan end up spending time together at Cody’s family’s beach house. It’s the summer Ryan teaches Cody to surf and Cody teaches Ryan to play guitar. It’s the summer when they become friends.

And then more than friends.

But when summer ends, Cody and Ryan are forced back to reality, where they must hide their relationship from their warring family members. And as tragedy strikes and family secrets buried deep in the past worm their way to the surface, their relationship is threatened. Can their feelings, which began in the summer sun, survive the winter ahead?

Note: This coming-of-age story contains sexual content.

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EXCERPT:

The next day I’m out surfing early. The waves are gentler today, and while the rides aren’t as intense, it’s crazy-cool being out with the early sun glinting off the water and the fresh salt air giving my nostrils a spring clean.

I’m about to head in when I notice a lone runner on the beach. As the figure draws closer, I recognize the lean build and curly hair.

Okay, so maybe I time my exit from the water so I intercept him. But hey, it’s a long, lonely fifty-feet walk back to the house. It’s natural to want some company.

Cody stops at the start of the path, leaning forward to rest his hands on his legs as he recovers his breath. He’s wearing a close-fitting T-shirt that shows off his biceps.

“Hey.” Yep, I should win awards for the most original opening line. I stand there, dripping in my wetsuit, sand caking my feet.

“Hey,” he pants. He straightens and pulls up his T-shirt to wipe his forehead, giving me a view of his muscled, tanned stomach.

“Heading back to the house now?” I keep my voice casual.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be your security detail if you want.”

“Thanks, there are lots of bandits in the dunes,” he says in such a deadpan voice that it takes me a few seconds to realize he’s joking.

“Gotta watch out for those bandits.” My reply is a few seconds too late and a few levels too feeble as I step into stride next to him. The sandy path cuts through the dunes.

“So, do you surf?” I ask.

“Nah, I’ve never learned.”

“You spend your summers here, and you’ve never learned to surf?”

“I bodyboard.”

I snort. Making sure as much derision as possible is contained in the snort.

Cody raises his eyebrow. “Bodyboarding doesn’t cut it with you?”

“Nah. It’s like saying Jimi Hendrix and Justin Bieber are both equal musicians. Or… like Mozart and whoever was the crappy but popular composer back in his time.”

“I get the Jimi Hendrix/Bieber comparison,” Cody says. “You don’t need to put it into classical music terms.”

“That’s good, because I don’t know shit about classical music,” I say. “You dig Hendrix?”

“I play a few songs of his. Mainly on the guitar.”

“You play guitar as well?”

“Yeah. You ever played an instrument?”

“Does the recorder in third grade count?”

He flashes me a smile. “Kind of like bodyboarding counts as surfing.”

“Fair point.”

We’ve reached the house now. The sun is hitting the front windows, turning them into gleaming pools of gold light. But the yard is still in shadows.

“Wetsuit off, right?” I say.

“Yeah, there’s a hose around here somewhere you can use to wash down.”

He rummages around by the side of the house and emerges holding a hose.

I strip my wetsuit off. If there’s one thing it’s impossible to look coordinated doing, it’s removing a wetsuit. Luckily, I’ve got board shorts on underneath so I’m spared the indignity of possible shrinkage on full display.

“Damn, that’s cold.” I spray myself with the frigid water.

Cody’s standing there, immobile. He studies the ground, not looking at me.

Because I’m in control of the hose, I can’t help flicking water in his direction. He raises his gaze to mine, his eyes narrowing.

“You looked like you needed to cool off,” I say.

“Thanks,” he replies dryly.

I turn off the hose.

“Race you for the first shower,” I say, taking off through the door.

I’m not expecting Cody to engage, but then I hear footsteps on the floorboards behind me in the kitchen, and he’s right on my tail as I streak through the living room.

We’re side-by-side on the stairs, jostling each other with our elbows.

He slips ahead when we reach the hallway, but I tackle him to slow his momentum, and we both crash into the bathroom door at the same time and slide down it, laughing through our panting.

 

Author Info

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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