Carly's Book Reviews: Travels Through the Scarlet Equinox by Toni Griffin, J. Scott Coatsworth, Angel Martinez, Freddy MacKay: #GuestPost #Excerpt #Giveaway

Cover Artist: Freddy MacKay

Travels Through The Scarlet Equinox

by Toni Griffin, J. Scott Coatsworth, Angel Martinez, Freddy MacKay

Length: 475 Pages
Genres: Gay (M/M, Bisexual) Paranormal, Science Fiction, Fantasy/Urban Fantasy

The Autumnal equinox—when the trees dress in their formal scarlet and gold and the crisp air whispers of chance and change, when bright days turn into sudden storms and the veil between reality and imagination thins. Join the Mischief Corner authors as they share stories evoking this often unpredictable time of year.

A Bear’s Bear by Toni Griffin

Matthew Warner's been a Chicago Bears fan as far back as he can remember. What other team was a young bear shifter from the Smokey Mountains supposed to root for? When his college friend gets tickets to the next home game, Matthew jumps at the chance for a holiday. It's his favorite time of year and Nic promises him pumpkin carving and a visit to the world's largest corn maze, what more could he want?

What Matthew doesn’t expect is finding out the defensive tackle for the Bears is his mate. Between fainting at the realization, meeting family, and dealing with the media fallout of his mate's coming out Matthew is in for a hell of a rocky Halloween.

The Autumn Lands by J. Scott Coatsworth

Jerrith is running. Kissed by an elf, he can't remain in his hometown of Althos anymore. Not that he wanted to stay.

Caspian still hasn't figured out why he kissed Jerrith, but he's running too. Since he was exiled from the Autumn Lands, his past has been hazy, and his future uncertain. But when a stray memory brings things into focus, the two decide to run toward something together. What they uncover will change how they see the world, and themselves, forever.

Beside a Black Tarn by Angel Martinez

When Shax stumbles across rumors of an experimental house that responds to the occupant’s brain functions, creating scenarios to please and delight, naturally he wants to steal it. But with the return of a troubled and hunted Julian Parallax and an overabundance of Poe references, even Shax’s scheming may not be enough to get the Brimstone crew out alive this time.

Eternity in the Tides by Freddy MacKay

Autumn has always been Zak's favorite season for hiking and camping. Not to mention breathing in all that crisp fall air and sitting around toasty bonfires. That all changed year and a half ago when a rich prick high on prescription pills sideswiped Zak while he was out biking.

Now his days are filled with pain and limited mobility. No more camping. No more trails. Zak's life as he knew it is gone forever.

Back at his beloved stomping grounds, Zak is ready to say hello and goodbye one last time. But when a cry from the frigid Lake Superior waters throws him into the role of a rescuer, more than just his life hangs in the balance. Little did Zak know how much one person giving a damn mattered to him.

by J. Scott Coatsworth

A pink hedgehog, a bear shifter, a fallen elf, and a broken man walk into a book together…

Yeah, I know it sounds like the beginning of a crazy joke. But it's amazing what can happen when you gather four talented writers, give them a theme and say "Go"!

The folks at Mischief Corner Books did just that with their latest anthology, "Travels Through the Scarlet Equinox" – they asked me and three other authors to write them something that was "Fall themed."

I know, right?

That's like saying "go to the store and bring me back a beer. One in a brown bottle." It's almost too wide-ranging.

The cool thing is that it worked, and we ended up with four vastly different, fascinating takes on Fall:

Angel Martinez (also my co-admin at QueerSciFi.com) came up with a great new tale featuring her Brimstone crew – including the demon captain Shax and his fallen angel lover Ness (and lest I forget, the pink hedgehog, Leopold, whom they call their son). It's a great new entry in the series for anyone who has fallen in love with Angel's madcap crew.

Toni Griffin turned in a new story in her Smokey Mountain Bears series. Toni is an Australian (I know – that accent slays me too), but here she writes a wholly American tale. And when two bear boys get together, break out the fans, 'cause it's getting hot in here.

Freddy MacKay has a reputation for making even the strongest man (or woman) cry with her emotional stories, and her entry in Travels Through the Scarlet Equinox is no exception. Poor Zak is a broken man, and he's about to end it all until a chance encounter on the lake changes everything. Freddy will pull you in and wrap her fingers around your heartstrings. And pull.

And then there's mine. It's my first foray into an MCB anthology, and I didn't want to disappoint. So I pulled together two guys from two very different worlds, tied together by fate. And threw in a little twist, just for good measure.

Often when you put out a themed anthology call, you end up with a strange mish-most of work.

But sometimes, you get magic.

A Bear’s Bear by Toni Griffin

"Take a seat," Christian said as he closed the door behind them. The Alpha was acting strangely, especially when he checked the hall just before the door closed. Christian walked over to where Matthew was sitting. Instead of taking a seat behind the desk as Matthew would have expected, Christian hiked a leg and leaned against the edge of the desk just to the side of him.

"Thank you for taking a minute to speak with me."

"Anything you need, Alpha." Matthew nodded. His hands were already sweating. Matthew rubbed them back and forth on his pants, hoping to dry them.

"There's no reason to be nervous," Christian assured him, chuckling lightly. "You've done nothing wrong."

Matthew nodded as he sighed in relief.

"I know we don't know each other very well," Christian started and Matthew nodded again. "However, you've known my younger brother for years."

"I have. He's a good guy."

"He is. Can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but I love him nonetheless." Christian chuckled.

Matthew was too nervous to do anything more than smile.

"Anyway, I happened to overhear a conversation you had earlier on the phone."

Matthew swallowed and fisted the denim of his jeans in his hands. Would Christian stop him from going on vacation? Was there a sleuth in Chicago? Did he need to notify them of his travel plans?

"Yes?" he asked quietly.

"You're planning to travel to Chicago, is that correct?"

Matthew nodded slowly.

"Excellent."

Matthew furrowed his brows. Why on earth would Christian think his travel plans were excellent? "I don't understand."

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind doing me a favor."

"A favor? Me?"

Christian nodded. "I'm trying to go through the sleuth, one by one, and get to know everyone as the Alpha. But Bobby trusts you. And I was hoping I could too."

Trust me? To do what? Matthew went back to rubbing his hands on his pants. If he could comfortably put them in his pockets sitting down, he would have, but he couldn't. When Matthew didn't say anything, Christian smiled kindly at him and continued. "I have an item that I plan on purchasing that I don't feel comfortable with the postal system handling. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind picking it up while you're in Chicago and bringing it back for me."

Matthew's mind raced. What exactly was his new Alpha into? Surely it wouldn't be anything illegal; drugs and guns were just a couple of the things that popped into his mind. Matthew shook his head. There was no way Christian would put a member of his sleuth in danger like that, but he couldn't help but ask.

"I won't get into trouble for doing this, will I?"

"No." Christian laughed. "Although if Vinnie finds out, he might have a few words to say to you.

"Vincent?" Why would Christian's mate want to talk to him if he did this?

"The item in question is from Tiffany's," Christian said, raising his brow. Matthew's eyes widened as everything suddenly made sense. Oh wow!

"Yes," he blurted. "Yes, sure, okay, I would be honored. Anything you need."

Christian chuckled, placed a hand on his shoulder, and squeezed.

"Thank you. You can understand why I don't want an item such as this being posted or even couriered to me."

"I can. I'm touched that you trust me to collect it and deliver it into your hands."

"You're of my sleuth. I would trust you with my life."

Matthew's eyes teared up at the absolute sincerity he felt from his Alpha. No one before had ever had so much faith in him.

"Thank you. I won't let you down."

The Autumn Lands by J. Scott Coatsworth

Jerrith Ladner ran down Dyer's Alley in Althos, winded but not daring to stop. He swung left down Chaplain's Lane where the lanterns cast a crazy patchwork of light across cobbles, uneven enough to give even the Night Guard pause. His lungs hurt, but he didn't slow down and didn't dare glance back.

The occasional passerby stared at him as he flashed past, but he ignored them. Several times he stumbled and fell, and blood dripped down his bare leg from a skinned knee. The outskirts of town were silent, with almost everyone already indoors for the night.

His recent past was a blur, with snatches of it flitting by in his head like birds, flapping and confusing him with their unsteady rhythm:

The kiss.

The unexpected shock of it.

The glimpse of the Autumn Lands through the Nevris man's golden eyes.

At last, exhausted, Jerrith ducked behind a low wall that ran along the fields just outside of town and looked back.

It was quiet. There was nothing but blackness crisscrossed by lamplight at even intervals.

Almost sobbing, he sat down with his back to the wall and curled up into himself, scarcely noticing the pain that traced the lines of his rib cage or even the bright line of red on his leg.

Ever so slowly, his heavy breathing eased and his jumbled mind began to sort things out.

He had been walking to the Smithy in the early morning when the Nevris caravan had passed him by, six wagons of merchandise from the Autumn Lands covered with heavy tarps, crossing through town on its way to the stables on the far side of the village. A stranger had drawn his attention—an outrider for the caravan.

Tall and slender where Jerrith was stocky and muscled, he was a young man, more or less Jerrith's own age. His blond hair had been pulled back behind his pointed ears, the mark of the Nevris. He moved with a quiet and restrained grace.

His eyes were wide and golden, and they'd met his as Jerrith crossed the town square on the way to 'prentice to the blacksmith. The man's gaze had filled Jerrith with something hot and impulsive, a sense of anticipation. Something that he had no name for.

Then he'd been gone.

Jerrith had spent the long, dizzying hours of work in the Smithy, hammering out heated metal into a new plowshare for Farmer Angus, the hot breath of the bellows tempered only by the cool springtime air from outside. Trying to forget those eyes.

The heat of the oven only served to fuel the heat he felt inside, until he thought he might explode.

Sent home at last well after nightfall, he'd heard a whispered voice from the dark alleyway between the Alchemist's shop and the Rutting Crow. Jerrith had looked around to see if anyone was watching, then slipped into the alley, his heart beating faster and the bulge in his pants stiffening.

The man had kissed him hard and rough, and he'd returned the kiss passionately as the Nevris man pulled him close.

Beside a Black Tarn by Angel Martinez

"Do you have your route planned?" Shax asked Leopold as he tucked the field glasses into his jacket.

"Up the long drainpipe. On the side without windows. The master suite first."

"That's my boy. Remember, only what's out in the open tonight. No looking for safes, trapdoors, or hidden rooms."

An irritated peep followed his advice, accompanied by what Shax was beginning to recognize as a hedgehog glare. "I have it, Captain. You gave simple instructions. I am not Heckle."

"Now, now. None of that." Shax ran a hand through his hair to complete his artful mussing. "Heckle's not stupid. Just… easily distracted."

"And impetuous. And clumsy and so twitchy. Curious fingers."

"He did apologize and has orders not to enter your burrow again. Please let it go." Shax unfastened the first three buttons of his shirt. "Here we go, then. I'll do the best I can to give you time, but when you hear me leaving or when I call for you, it's time to go."

With a last pat to Shax's leg, Leopold dropped to all fours and scurried off through the vegetation. This would be classic accomplice distraction technique, nothing fancy. Start with the basics. He tapped in the code for the Brimstone's pilot pod where Ness was monitoring. "We're going in, cupcake. Radio silence, please. I'll yell if we need you."

"Please be careful, my love." Ness's soft voice caressed his nerves.

"Easy job. Nothing to worry about."

"You do know you've said that before."

"Hush. No more. I'll see you soon."

He started for the front door, keeping in plain sight, dragging his right foot a bit in case anyone was watching. Tonight, Leopold was the second-story man while Shax was just the diversion.

He waited until Leopold had made it around the side of the house before he lifted the handle on the gargoyle knocker and hammered on the door. "Hello! Is anyone home? Please, please help! There's been a terrible accident!"

A thin, terrified wail seeped through the heavy door. Shax tilted his head to listen. No, this was getting too ridiculous. A clank of chains accompanied heavy footfalls toward the door. Something on the other side let out an eerie moan. Then the door swung open on creaking hinges to reveal a dim, cobweb-festooned chandelier in a much-neglected front hall.

Oh, for all the sulfurous pits' sakes. Shax decided to play along and performed the requisite action by calling "Hello?" at the dark and sinister interior.

He jerked back when a face suddenly popped up before him. Pale, cadaverous, sunken eyes wide, the apparition regarded him openmouthed for a single instant.

"Bells and whiskers!" the apparition whispered in obvious horror. "What in all elements are you doing out there? You're supposed to be in here. Oh my goodness."

A skeletal hand closed around Shax's wrist and he blinked in confusion as he was dragged inside. "Pardon?"

"It's really rather rude of you. If you're going to answer the summons, you should at least do it properly."

"I'm… sorry?"

Eternity in the Tides by Freddy MacKay

Crimson, hot pink, burnt orange, and a dark purple lit the sky and splashed over the calm waters of Lake Superior. Dusk had fallen in all its beauty, gracing Zak with the perfect moment at his favorite stomping grounds. If he had to go, and well… yeah, he couldn't ask for anything better than this. Tonight was the night. Had to be.

Water lapped at the boat, rocking it gently. A breeze wafted over Zak. He shivered, then hugged himself as he looked over the lake, back at Madeline Island. Like each night over the past few days, a pang of longing hit him. Zak had said his goodbyes, accepted the fate handed to him, knew better than to hold on to dreams he could never have. He should have been able to take the next step.

But he couldn't.

Each night he rowed back to his rental cabin, Quiet Bequest, in defeat. What the hell he held on for, Zak didn't have a clue. His heart thumped heavily, his palms slipped over the oars, and the hair on his arms stood up —goose bumps everywhere—as if something big were about to happen.

Well, yeah, something huge if Zak could get his head on straight. Well, maybe not straight—his plan was utter ridiculousness to the outside observer. Made sense to him, though. But then it would.

Anticipation rode Zak hard. He knew what he had to do. Planned it. Came determined. This trip, the two-week cabin retreat he could never afford, the rowboat—my accident—had been in the works for months. And now… now Zak cowered in his waterlogged rowboat.

Mischief Corner Books || Bookstrand

About Toni Griffin

Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia's capital cities. Born and raised in the state she's a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers.

Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She's a single mother of one and works full time. When she's not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.

Website || Facebook Page || Complete List of Books

About J. Scott Coatsworth

Scott is the admin for the Queer Sci Fi site. He has been writing since ele- mentary school, when he and won a University of Arizona writing contest in 4th grade for his first sci fi story (with illustrations!). He finished his first novel in his mid twenties, but after seeing it rejected by ten publishers, he gave up on writing for a while.

Over the ensuing years, he came back to it periodically, but it never stuck. Then one day, he was complaining to Mark, his husband, about how he had been derailed yet again by the death of a family member, and Mark said to him "the only one stopping you from writing is you."

Since then, Scott has gone back to writing in a big way, finishing more than a dozen short stories—some new, some that he had started years be- fore—and seeing his first sale. He's embarking on a new trilogy, and also runs QSF, a support group for writers of gay sci fi, fantasy, and supernatu- ral fiction.

Website || Twitter || Facebook Page

About Freddy MacKay

Freddy grew up in the Midwest, playing sports and running around outside. And honestly, that much has not changed since Freddy was small and throwing worms at other kids, expect worm throwing has been replaced with a healthy geocaching addiction. Freddy enjoys traveling and holds the view a person should continually to learn about new things and people whenever possible.

Freddy's contemporary LGBTQ book, Incubation: Finding Peace 2, won 3rd Place - Best Gay Erotic Fiction in the 2012 Rainbow Awards. In 2013, Freddy's story, Internment, tied for 3rd Place - Best Gay Fantasy in the Rainbow Awards. Freddy's steampunk/SF story, Feel Me, was a finalist and honorable mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards for SF.

Website || Twitter

About Angel Martinez

While Angel Martinez is the erotic fiction pen name of a writer of several genres, she writes both kinds of gay romance – Science Fiction and Fantasy. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware, (and full time inside the author's head) Angel has one husband, one son, two cats, a changing variety of other furred and scaled companions, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate.

Website || Facebook Page || Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway