Hello, I’m Elizabeth Noble and welcome to my blog tour for Whiskey and Moonshine. A huge thank you to Kathy for having me here today!
Today I bring you a little taste of the book. The MC’s Colt and Mal are attending a large ‘work’ party. You know the type, they’re fun, but not. Tell me about gatherings/parties you love to attend or those you don’t for a chance to win an eBook off my Dreamspinner Press backlist (2017 release or earlier, anthologies and bundles are excluded). I’ll be back next week to pick a winner.
Excerpt
There were several hundred people attending, and it took Mal less than a minute to remember why he avoided social interactions such as this. People were gathered around three long buffet tables placed at different parts of the room. “Room” was a relative term since Mal was sure several football teams could play comfortably within its walls.
“This place is huge,” Colt whispered.
“I think they have the space shuttle parked over there.” Mal leaned close enough that only Colt would hear him.
Colt grinned. “Another joke, right?”
Mal shrugged. “I don’t know. Go look.” Colt gave him an incredulous stare, making Mal chuckle.
Colt smiled at a few people as they walked farther into the room. “I guess we should mingle.”
“Yeah, I guess we should.” Mal stood beside Colt as they both watched all the people milling around the room. “We could do our socializing together,” Mal suggested.
“Just like we’d do if we were on a date?” Colt ventured, then bit his lower lip and looked around the room again.
Mal’s gaze slid sideways to Colt. “I’d like that—a date.”
Colt turned to him and smiled softly. “Me too. I’d like it a lot.”
Mal nudged Colt’s elbow. “Targets at two o’clock.”
There were small groups of people near the buffet tables, so they made their way over. Mal greeted several people and introduced Colt simply as the company’s new promo person and his guest for the evening. The normal party chatter ensued, and Colt seemed content to make small talk with people who were complete strangers. A large-distributor executive cornered Mal, but he still managed to position himself so he could keep an eye on Colt.
Colt was full of youthful enthusiasm on top of being a stunning man, so it didn’t surprise Mal when more people were drawn to him. As the evening progressed, small sparks of jealousy turned into full-on flames each time another guest would touch Colt’s arm or pat his shoulder. It seemed forever to Mal before he was able to extricate himself and move back to Colt’s side.
Colt visibly relaxed when Mal bumped his elbow and held a glass of water with a lemon wedge in it out to him. The smile that spread over Colt’s face turned the flames of jealousy into a warm glow in Mal’s chest.
“I’m really just the guy who stands in front of the camera and holds a bottle of Kensington’s whiskey,” Colt explained to a woman who had cornered him and was standing a little close for comfort. He struck a pose with the glass, giving a visual to his words.
She laughed and squeezed Colt’s arm. “Well, I’d certainly like to get to know more about how you do that for Kensington’s.” Her gaze flicked to Mal for the briefest second before she focused completely on Colt again.
Mal stepped up so he was between her and Colt, holding out his hand to the woman. “Malone Kensington. You’re with Heineken, aren’t you?”
She shook Mal’s hand but didn’t take her eyes from Colt. “Sherie Kinase.” Leaning a little closer to Colt, she said, “Heineken has an excellent benefits package for its employees, you know.”
“Now, Ms. Kinase,” Mal said, putting a hand on Colt’s shoulder and raising his eyebrows. “You wouldn’t be attempting to steal my employee right out from under my nose, would you?”
Sherie looked from Mal to Colt and back again. “Of course not. But Colton should be aware there are other opportunities out there, don’t you agree?”
“I… uh.” Colt inched back from her, eyes fixed on Mal. “I’m really very happy where I am. I love my job and Kensington’s Distillery.”
“How fortunate for you, then,” she said, her voice only a little sour. She made a big show of looking over the crowd and waved at someone near the dance floor. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Mal nodded, and Colt held up one hand in a mock wave. “Bye.” He turned to Mal, blowing out a breath. “Some of these people are bold. Thanks for the rescue.”
Title: Whiskey and Moonshine by Elizabeth Noble
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Imprint: Dreamspun Desires
Genre: Contemporary, Gay, Romance, supense
Length: 238 pages/Word Count: 61,738
Summary:
Drunk on love.
Like a well-aged whiskey, master distiller and old-money entrepreneur Malone Kensington is elegant and refined. Unfortunately he’s also a perfectionist who is more dedicated to the success of his generations-old company than his own love life.
That company needs a public spokesman.
What Colton Hale lacks in sophistication, he more than makes up for with the charisma that’s allowed him to survive on the street from a young age and charm his way into the lucrative—if overwhelming—public position at the Kensington Distillery. When Mal takes Colt under his wing, hoping to polish off his rough edges, opposites attract and a passionate romance blossoms despite the differences in age and background. But can it survive a Kensington Board of Directors who believe Colt is nothing but a gold digger and a kidnapper determined to profit from the love of Mal’s life—dead or alive?
Add to Goodreads.
Purchase Links: Dreamspinner Press * Amazon * B&N * Google Play
Author Bio
Mystery, action, chills, and thrills spiced with romance and desire. ELIZABETH NOBLE started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into books and fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with Dreamspinner is really a dream come true. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming.
Elizabeth has three grown children, two grandchildren, and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed-breed canine princess and her sidekick tabby cat. Elizabeth lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening and winter and summer sports (go Tribe and Cavs!) and stargazing all year long. When she’s not writing, she’s working as a veterinary nurse, so don’t be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives.
Elizabeth has received a number of amateur writing awards. Since being published, several of her novels have received Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards. Jewel Cave was a runner-up in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category in the 2015 Rainbow Awards. Ringed Love was a winner in the Gay Fantasy Romance category of the 2016 Rainbow Awards.
Author Links: Website * Facebook * Facebook Group * Twitter * Goodreads * Pinterest * Email * Dreamspinner Author Page * Amazon Author Page
Giveaway
Tell me about gatherings/parties you love to attend or those you don’t for a chance to win an eBook off my Dreamspinner Press backlist (2017 release or earlier, anthologies and bundles are excluded). I’ll be back next week to pick a winner. Don’t forget to leave your contact info!
Thank you for the excerpt, Elisabeth. It sounds great
Concerts and hockey games for me!
I don’t like crowds so I like small groups with family and friends.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
Ugh. My husband’s work functions. He’s now retired from the military but he’s a federal employee on the base. I HATE the military stuff. I don’t mind getting together with the people who work for him, but not the “big” stuff. (I’m not entering the contest, just adding my 2 cents worth!)
They have a Haunted Ball in my town that I’ve always wanted to go to, but I have no one to go with.
jlshannon74 at gmail.com
Congrats to Jennifer S who is the winner of my contest! I’ll be emailing you in a few minutes.
Congratulations, Jennifer!!!
Wonderful cover. It sounds like a fun read. I’m very introvert and rather stay at home alone but family being around is okay too.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
I’d have to say, it’s work stuff for me too. Honestly, I see those people 5 days out of 7, do I really need to have a party with them too?
No.