Worthy Promises (D’Vaire, Book 41) by Jessamyn Kingley

NEW RELEASE

Book Title: Worthy Promises (D’Vaire, Book 41)

Author and Publisher: Jessamyn Kingley

Cover Artist: LJ Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations

Release Date: April 4, 2024

Genres: MM Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Fated mates

Themes: Love

Heat Rating:  3 flames

Length:  98 800 words

It is not a standalone story, but does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads Series Link 

Buy Links - Available in  Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Two men plagued by loneliness soon learn that finding love was definitely worth the wait.

Blurb

Duke Argent Worthington D’Vairedraconis knows loneliness. For a century, his father confined him in a rambling old home. Decades have passed since he left his father’s court, and Worth has blossomed under the D’Vaire roof. But scars remain. Worth abhors the quiet and hates being alone. Although he once questioned Fate’s methods, he now yearns wholeheartedly for the other half of his soul.

At nineteen, Oliver Toivonen is handed the reins of his father’s fortune—or lack thereof. His parents are obsessed with wealth, prestige, and making the right social connections. They blame Oliver, not their lavish spending, when he must sell off the estate. Over a century and a half later, his folks are killed in a car accident and Oliver is left to raise the seven-year-old brother he barely knows.

In an expansive garden in the middle of Las Vegas, Worth and Oliver meet. Sparks fly immediately, and their beasts are ready to pursue each other relentlessly. Oliver must be pragmatic for his brother’s sake. But he is unwilling to ignore his heart. As Worth and Oliver negotiate their future, Fate tosses a few surprises at the D’Vaires. Oliver and Worth must make sure nothing gets in their way.

Excerpt

“If this is a place that can truly heal someone, maybe he’ll find a way to make peace with the past somehow,” Oliver said.

“Look at you already believing in the power of D’Vaire,” Worthington replied.

“I don’t consider myself an optimist,” Oliver explained. “Nor do I bother with being negative. I prefer to be realistic and accept what is. Fate made you my mate. This is your home. I would never ask you to leave it. Where I live is just a building. One filled with memories that are better left behind. Someday I hope we can reach a point where Orion and I feel comfortable and welcome here.”

Worthington grinned so brightly Oliver smiled back at him immediately. “I was constructing a brilliant plan in my head to convince you that D’Vaire is a perfect home for you and your brother. You’re making things easy on me.”

“What arguments did you have lined up?”

In a flurry of movement and the scraping of his chaise across the deck, Worthington positioned himself close enough to grab Oliver’s hand. Once Worthington was relaxed against his cushion again, he toyed with Oliver’s fingers.

“Well, I mentioned the peace and tranquility.”

“You did.”

“One of my dearest friends in the house, Lex, has recently met his other half. Our fair Rutledge requires a room upstairs to get access to the outdoors easily since gargoyles can only shift at night. Lex left behind the bedroom next to mine when he moved upstairs to be with his mate. I thought that would be a perfect space for Orion. It’d be close enough for him to come get one of us if he needs a cuddle after a bad dream or wishes to tell us more dragon facts.”

Inexplicably moved that Worthington had already considered Orion’s needs, Oliver was wondering if it was wrong to be losing his heart to the pink dragon at his side so quickly. Oliver was still struggling to get to know Orion and to help him pick up the pieces following the death of their parents, and he wanted dearly for his brother to know he was there for him, no matter what.

“That is definitely a good thing to suggest and point out.”

“I do have myself to offer as well.”

Oliver’s gaze eagerly swept across the long form of the exquisitely made man clad in dark jeans and an untucked button-down in pink-and-white stripes. “You’re a very enticing package, Worthington.”

“We already know you wish to see me naked.”

“Is there an unmated gay man on this planet who doesn’t?”

“I’d hardly know, it’s been over a century since I’ve had sex.”

In genuine shock, Oliver blinked heavily. “What?”

“Trust isn’t easy for me, Owliver. I want everything with you. All I ask in return is that you be gentle with me. My hurts have mended, but you have the power to break me. I’d prefer if you didn’t.”

Moved by Worthington’s honesty and willingness to be so candid, Oliver swung his legs to the deck and sat up straight. Their gazes locked, and Oliver lifted a trembling hand to cup Worthington’s cheek. “I’ve never offered my heart to anyone. My parents disliked me. I have no friends. Until this moment, I didn’t understand that I was saving all the caring and friendship I desire for my mate. For you, Worthington. I’ll take care of you. All I ask is that you do the same for me. I need your honesty. If at any point this isn’t working, don’t lead me on. Walk away before you break me.”

Worthington surged forward so their lips met, and Oliver gave up everything to instinct. His tongue darted out, and he tasted Worthington’s welcoming mouth and exulted in the Duke Argent’s surrender. Oliver was immediately torn between desire and an overwhelming surge of protectiveness for the incredible man he was just getting to know.

“Owliver,” Worthington said against his lips.

“Yes?”

“Did I mention how much I want to get you naked?”

Oliver leaned his forehead on Worthington’s and breathed him in. “I’ll have you soon.”

“If you want my dick to calm down, you need to stop talking to me like that.”

With a chuckle, Oliver pulled away and smiled as Worthington stole a quick kiss. “When can I see you again?”

“What are your plans for tomorrow, Owliver?”

About the Author 

Jessamyn Kingley has published over thirty titles and refuses to pick a favorite among them. With an extraordinary passion for her characters, she enthusiastically adds tales to her D’Vaire series and avidly re-reads them whenever her schedule allows. After decades living in the Washington, DC area, she now resides in Nevada with her husband and their three spoiled cats. When she is not writing or adding new ideas to her beloved notebooks, she is gaming with family and friends. 

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Bridging Hope by Greyson McCoy

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Book Title: Bridging Hope (Bridging Hearts Series, #1)

Author: Greyson McCoy

Publisher: DreamSpinner Press

Release Date: March 26, 2024

Genre: Contemporary M/M romance

Tropes: Hurt/Comfort, forced proximity, small town romance

Themes: New dads

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length:  58 pages

It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger. It’s a HEA

Goodreads

Buy Links

DreamSpinner Press  |  Amazon US  |   Amazon UK 

Blurb 

When workaholic Pierce Simms’s sister passes, he suddenly finds himself unemployed, back in the hometown he fled, and raising his niece and nephew. Despite that, he’s confident he has things under control—at least until his sister’s high-school sweetheart shows up.

With his teaching grant ended, Dalton O’Dell is at loose ends and tight purse strings. Just as the world crashes down on him, he learns his ex-girlfriend has passed and named him guardian of her two young children. Chaos ensues when he and her brother, Pierce, are forced together to raise the toddlers in Pierce’s family farmhouse.
 
Nestled in the enchanting beauty of the farm, Pierce and Dalton bond over the challenges of co-parenting and their shared grief as unexpected love blossoms. Love might not be enough, however, if they can’t learn to bridge the gap between their different worlds and overcome the trauma of their pasts.

Excerpt 

“Let’s discuss how to proceed,” Pierce’s attorney, a short, businesslike woman, said. For thirty minutes, Pierce kept the baby occupied while his attorney and Uncle Tim discussed the details of the will. I sat watching Pierce.

The little girl kept bringing her uncle toys that had been left in the office for kids to play with, and each time, he’d smile or ask her questions. Eventually, the baby boy settled and snuggled sleepily in his arms. That’s when my heart melted. This wasn’t an absentee uncle. Clearly, he was important to them and vice versa. It made me question whether a custody fight was prudent.

“Why did Lizzie want me to raise her kids instead of you?” I blurted, interrupting our attorneys and surprising myself.

A pained expression crossed Pierce’s face as he spoke to me for the first time. “When she made her will, she probably figured I’d never come back. We were… estranged,” he said, voice gruff.

“But you’re back now, and these two seem to trust you. How long have you been taking care of them?”

His pained look morphed into one so grief-stricken I felt tempted to hug him. “About six months,” he whispered.

I nodded in thought. “Do you have a job? Are you married? What’s your wife like? Is she on board with helping raise them?”

My uncle cleared his throat, signaling to me to let the lawyers handle the questioning, but I couldn’t help myself. For a moment, Pierce looked a little stunned by the sudden barrage, but he answered. “I’m recently unemployed, but I received a good severance package. I’m set for at least a few months before I need to work full-time again. I’m not married.” He hesitated then, his face resolute, before spinning the question back around. “You?”

I shrugged. “Unmarried and recently unemployed as well.” Ignoring his challenging stare, I continued honestly. “I see these two love you, depend on you. I don’t understand all this, but I trust Lizzie had her reasons for naming me their guardian. I won’t relinquish that responsibility. Not without knowing for certain they’re in good hands.”

Pierce nodded, and his expression softened a little. “I’m not stepping out of their lives without knowing the same thing. Frankie and Max have already been through too much for two little kids. I’ll be here until they don’t need me.”

“So we’re at an impasse,” I said.

Uncle Tim cleared his throat again. “Or maybe it’s an opportunity. Mr. Simms, may I call you Pierce? I understand you inherited your father’s farm?” Pierce glanced at him and nodded. “And Dalton, you’re looking for a place to stay. Why don’t you boys combine forces? Dalton, your farming experience might be of great help to Pierce, and you’ll both have time to get to know one another and observe the other’s parenting style.”

I looked at my uncle, aghast. “Uncle Tim, that’s probably not a good idea. Mr. Simms, surely you have a girlfriend or something? I couldn’t impose—”

Pierce barked out a laugh, nearly waking baby Max, who’d fallen asleep in his arms. “I’m gay and single.” He glanced down at his nephew, then over to his niece, Frankie, before refocusing on me. “I understand you work with kids, but do you feel comfortable caring for kids this young?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t have much experience being around kids this age. In my previous job, they already knew their ABCs when they came to me.”

Pierce appeared lost in thought before he sighed and his shoulders dropped, as if he were giving up the fight. “Honestly, I could use the help. When Lizzie got sick, friends and neighbors helped, but that tapered off. Now it’s just us. I could use another pair of adult hands, especially at night.”

“And there’s room at your house?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I’m staying in my sister’s room, which has an adjoining area where the kids sleep. You could take the main bedroom right across the hall. But fair warning,” he said, a mischievous smile forming on his lips, “if you move in, you’ll have night duty too. Max only sleeps four or five hours, which means 1:00 a.m. diaper-changing time. You up for that?”

I could tell he was testing me, and screw him. I slept like the dead, but I could set an alarm.

I nodded. “I’m up for it if you are.”

We both looked at our attorneys, who wore matching grins. “Well, then,” Uncle Tim said, “sounds like we’ve got a plan.”

About the Author  

Greyson McCoy loves to travel. After years of being tied down to a life of kids, work, running a small farm, and all things domestic, he and his husband have taken full advantage of their empty nest to travel the world.

The joy of writing came to Greyson late in life. While completing his master’s degree, he found himself fighting between desperately wanting to write fiction and finishing the homework and papers he’d been assigned.

After his master’s was finished, Greyson decided to shirk his life of responsibility and pursue his dream of writing full time. His stories reflect many of the locations he and his husband have visited over the years.

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