Book Promo ~ A Rainbow Bridge by Erin O’Quinn

A cop and a scholar find an unlikely bridge into another century—the age of Robert Burns—where they meet the man who was the inspiration for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, waiting for the gallows in 1788. Follow two lovers across a Rainbow Bridge spanning more than two centuries as they struggle to reconcile the convenient lies of history and the truth about their own conflicted relationship.

A Rainbow Bridge

Step back for a moment to September 30, 1788. At eight o’clock on the following morning, a man is to be hanged for the crime of burglary. The culprit, well known in the annals of Edinburgh history, is Deacon William Brodie. He’s so well known that there are at least two popular tourist spots on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile dedicated to his memory. He was also the model for Stevenson’s immortal “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”

History says he died on the gallows on October 1, 1788. But what is the real story? And how do two contemporary men fit into this re-telling of history?

The reticent undercover detective Thomas Fitzgerald is already deeply in love…with a man who has just met him in an “alternate reality.” Tight-lipped and uptight as he is, a confession is out of the question. And Burns, not quite the same man he fell in love with, is afraid that his caped hero may misunderstand his own “insta-love.”
How can two stubborn men find that elusive bridge that spans then and now and tomorrow? This is where quantum entanglement, a kind of time-travel, enters the story—the bridge that connects past, present and future.

Follow two 21st-century lovers across a Rainbow Bridge spanning more than two centuries as they struggle to reconcile not just the convenient lies of history, but also the truth about their own conflicted relationship.

This full-length novel is a stand-alone. But it’s also the culmination of six previous novellas, the Burns! Mysteries.

About the Author:

Erin O’Quinn sprang from the high desert hills of Nevada, from a tiny town which no longer exists. A truant officer dragged her kicking and screaming to grade school, too late to attend kindergarten; and since that time her best education has come from the ground she’s walked and the people she’s met.

Erin is contracted to Siren BookStrand until 2017. She also has her own publishing venue, New Dawn Press. Her works cover the genres of M/M and M/F romance and also YA historical fantasy.

Buy Links

Smashwords

Amazon

PayHip

David G. Hallman releases a collection of short stories

 

David G. Hallman does it again, with “Book Tales”

Author of “Searching for Gilead” and “August Farewell” releases collection of gay short stories

 

A well-received author of gay books, David G. Hallman, has released a collection of short stories.

 

“Book Tales” is a collection of literary short stories, about living and loving as an openly gay man.

 

“These stories revolve around the characters’ interactions with a piece of literature,” Hallman said. “The tales are emotionally engaging and intellectually stimulating, while exploring the joys and heartaches, ups and downs, of personal and social relationships.”

 

Hallman is an established author, having published a number of books on environmental and social ethics, throughout his career, as well as a memoir, “August Farewell,” written after the loss of his long-time partner. He later authored a gay novel, “Searching for Gilead.”

 

Along with “Book Tales,” Hallman’s books have earned him the coveted “Editor’s Choice” and “Rising Star” awards.

 

“I’m so thrilled with the reception this book has already received,” Hallman said. “I find pure passion in connecting with readers who share my love of literature.”

 

For more information, visit: http://www.DavidGHallman.com

 

Book Tales

By David G. Hallman

ISBN: 978-1-53200-248-9

Available at iUniverse and Amazon

 

About the author

David G. Hallman worked on international environmental ethics for most of his career and, during that time, authored five books. His writing has branched out in a new direction with the release of his memoir, “August Farewell.” He has since released his novel, “Searching for Gilead,” and the short story collection, “Book Tales.” He lives in Toronto, Canada.

 

###

Book Review: The Deep of the Sound: A Bluewater Bay Novel by Amy Lane

The Deep of the Sound:
A Bluewater Bay Novel

by Amy Lane

Cal McCorkle has lived in Bluewater Bay his whole life. He works two jobs to support a brother with a laundry list of psychiatric diagnoses and a great-uncle with Alzheimer’s, and his personal life amounts to impersonal hookups with his boss. He’s got no time, no ambition, and no hope. All he has is family, and they’re killing him one responsibility at a time.

Avery Kennedy left Los Angeles, his family, and his sleazy boyfriend to attend a Wolf’s Landing convention, and he has no plans to return. But when he finds himself broke and car-less in Bluewater Bay, he’s worried he’ll have to slink home with his tail between his legs. Then Cal McCorkle rides to his rescue, and his urge to run away dies a quick death.

Avery may seem helpless at first, but he can charm Cal’s fractious brother, so Cal can pretty much forgive him anything. Even being adorkable. And giving him hope. But Cal can only promise Avery “until we can’t”—and the cost of changing that to “until forever” might be too high, however much they both want it.

Customer Reviews (excerpts)

     Fishing on the Puget Sound reviewed by PansyPetal

Avery and Cal developed a lovely romance. The author did a very nice job developing these characters, giving each of them very different, but equally traumatic, challenges to overcome before they could have their happy ever after. This couple spent a bit of time just talking and getting know one another, supporting each other in some of their daily life drama. It made for a nicely paced, enjoyable story.

     The Deep of the Sound, (A Bluewater Bay Novel) reviewed by Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Hurrah, more Bluewater. I love this series, each author puts their own style to the series, but the connection to the main story is always clear. Amy is an author new to me and I loved this book and will look out for more from her. Its a really enjoyable read, marrying romance with a story that’s full of sadness and drama, tenderness and emotion, problems and solutions and ending in a HEA – my favourite. It’s not necessary to have read other books, as with each in this series it’s a standalone read.

     Creative Deeds Reads Review  reviewed by creativedeeds 

4 1/2 to 5… tears… All the feels and so much to love…

Buy Links
B&N NOOK
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Print

June is LGBT Pride Month

Book Promo: The LGBT & Modern Family Money Manual by Holly Hanson

The LGBT & Modern Family Money Manual:
Financial Strategies For You
and Your Loved Ones

by Holly Hanson
Buy Link

We’re living in swiftly changing times, and this is very good news for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, same-sex couples and modern families. This means that there’s a groundswell of support for marriage equality, should you choose to get married. But it also means that now, more than ever, it’s important to stay educated and up-to-date about what rights and privileges are available to you so that you can be your own best advocate-in life and in finance. The LGBT and Modern Family Money Manual is the go-to resource for LGBT individuals and couples as they look to forge ahead into a brighter future, as well as for modern families of all shapes and sizes-even long-term partners of the opposite sex who have opted not to enter into traditional marriage.

Although financial planning is a concern to every individual, no matter his or her sexual orientation or family dynamic, the issues surrounding family planning, marriage equality, and estate planning-just to name a few areas of many-that LGBT and modern families face require a unique perspective. Harmony Financial Strategies Principal and Founder Holly Hanson and team of professionals are the perfect authorities to help LGBT individuals, same-sex couples and modern families navigate the wealth of ever-changing information out there on the subject within the comfort of a safe, grounded and empathetic environment. From developing a plan for protection of assets to understanding the benefits you should be applying for that could positively change your financial picture, this book aims to give LGBT individuals, same-sex couples, and modern families the foundation they need to plan and provide for themselves and their loved ones through financial strategies crafted with them in mind.

7 Ways LGBT Couples & Modern Families
Benefit from Same-Sex Marriage
Wealth Manager Reviews the Many Financial and Legal Advantages

Advocates for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender couples and modern families are adding another victory to their list, with 36 states, along with Washington D.C., to allow marriage among same-sex couples.

A critical turning point came in October last year, when the Supreme Court chose not to hear appeals against lower court rulings that had overturned same-sex marriage bans in five states. Despite actions such as Indiana’s recent Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would allow businesses in the state to refuse service to the LGBT community, the tide has been swift and overwhelmingly in favor of gay rights.

“I’ll always remember June 26, 2013 — the day that the Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court, effectively breaking down the major door standing between LGBT couples and marriage equality,” says financial professional Holly Hanson, founder and principal of Harmony Financial Strategies, www.harmony-financial.com, a firm that, in part, focuses on the needs of the LGBT community. “As a member of the LGBT community, the day is etched forever in my mind.”

“Naturally, a lingering suspicion remains in the back of our minds, ‘Is it too good to be true?’ And, despite the positive direction the country is taking toward same-sex couples, there remain many practical concerns regarding laws and finances.” 

Hanson, author of “The LGBT and Modern Family Money Manual,” touches on benefits that have become available recently to millions of Americans.

•  Social Security and Medicare: In states where same-sex marriage is legal, LGBT couples have access now to federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

“Not only is it plainly fair—we’ve been paying into these systems as taxpayers regardless of your ability to take advantage of marriage—it will no doubt improve some of the issues that elderly people in the LGBT community face as they age and need assistance via partner benefits,” she says.

•  Military Benefits: Not only can same-sex couples now serve without fear of being dishonorably discharged or otherwise forced out, we can live openly together with military assistance as other military families have for years.

•  Federal and State Tax Benefits: Just by changing your tax status to “married filing jointly,” you can save thousands of dollars. We now have more choices in tax planning, and this is obviously something that ties into long-term financial planning as well.

•  Legal Titling to Assets: In the past, LGBT partners were unable to access retirement funds and pensions as heterosexual spouses could have. There are considerable taxation consequences for inheriting an investment vehicle from someone other than a spouse. Now, legally married LGBT spouses can have the proper access to these funds, both while their spouse is living or deceased.

•  Ability to Gift Money: Spouses can make monetary gifts to one another free of taxation. However, in the past, an LGBT couple would have had to pay gift tax on anything more than $14,000 (the current limit as of 2014). If I wanted to buy my wife a car, for example, that asset would have been subject to the gift tax. Not so anymore.

•  U.S. Visas for Same-Sex Couples: In the past, many LGBT couples would be ripped apart by forced deportation once visas ran out.

“My wife is a Swedish national, and now that we are legally married, I can sponsor her permanent residency in the United States,” Hanson says.

•  Parenting Rights / Family Planning: Second-parent adoptions have undoubtedly been smoothed over by the fact that it’s now easier to get a legal same-sex marriage in many states. Not all states in the U.S. have the same laws, so it’s recommended you attain the appropriate paperwork.

“Of course, there are millions of other Americans who, currently, do not have access to these and other benefits,” Hanson says. “Fortunately, those states are becoming an ever-receding minority. I think most of us can reasonably expect the possibility of marriage benefits within our lifetimes.”

About Holly Hanson, CFP®, CIMA®, ADPA®

Holly Hanson is founder and principal of Harmony Financial Strategies, www.harmony-financial.com, a recent vision which came to her after 16 years of experience in the financial advisory business and having attained the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Investment Management Analyst and Accredited Domestic Partner Advisor. She oversees the entire Harmony operation, mentoring and guiding the advisors to provide a unique combination of knowledge, dedication and service to LGBT individuals, same-sex couples and modern families. 

With the fall of DOMA and the repeal of Proposition 8 in California, Holly and her partner Sophie were married in 2013, and hope to eventually add children to their family of four dogs. Holly and Sophie are active supporters of the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the Human Rights Campaign.

(from Ginny Grimsley, National Print Campaign Manager, News and Experts)

June is LGBT Pride Month