Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice
By R.L. Merrill
Once Upon A Holiday, Book 8
From the author of the award-winning novel You Can Do Magic: Carnival of Mysteries and Publishers Weekly’s BookLife quarterfinalist Earthquake Ethan comes a heartwarming holiday tale of found family and sacrifice. Two wildly opposite veterans connect over a shared love of art, rescue dogs, and a very special foster child.
Doug Cross spent the first half of his life attempting to appease his career-military father. After a stint in the Air Force and a successful career in cybersecurity, he’s traveled the world in search of fulfillment. He believes he’s found it in the San Francisco Bay Area with a room on an urban farm, a new spot in a goth punk band, and the support of his extended family. He’s always been a helper by nature, so when he learns that his housemate’s dog rescue is in trouble, he creates goth-influenced dog accessories to sell at the Treasure Island Arts and Crafts Fair in hopes of raising much-needed funds for the pups. He also lends a helping hand to his neighbor at the fair, and the two have a potential meet-cute…that quickly fizzles, leaving Doug wondering why his charming personality failed to make a new friend.
Luther Sorenson is a disabled Marine veteran who is struggling to keep his family afloat—and himself literally on his feet. His sister convinces him to sell his wood paintings at the fair as a way to supplement his income. He’s a single foster dad to eight-year-old Mila and is desperate to give her everything she deserves. His body doesn’t always cooperate, however, and having to ask for help from the goth guy next door at the art market could have potentially been humiliating. But Doug makes it easy, and Luther can’t stop thinking about him in between markets. Doug seems like the kind of person Luther could add to his support network. Not to mention, his superb makeup skills and the way he rocks a utilikilt have Luther smitten in no time.
A brunch “business meeting” turns into adult summer camp, and Doug and Luther embark on a tentative courtship while navigating the challenges of parenthood and owning a small business. But as the seasons change, the two men find in each other what they’ve always desired: love, family, and acceptance. On the night of the winter solstice, will they choose to combine forces and step into the unknown together?
Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice is a part of the multi-author series Once Upon a Holiday Story. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. What links these books together is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library on wheels owned by two old ladies in love.
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Exclusive Excerpt from Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice:
“Howdy, neighbor,” Doug said, giving him a wave as he approached. “I see you brought reinforcements.”
Luther opened his mouth to speak when Violet blocked his path and held out her hand.
“I have you to thank for helping my brother before?”
Luther saw the briefest glimpse of confusion before Doug’s black-lipsticked smile spread wide. They got that a lot, with Violet being a gorgeous Black woman and Luther being an ordinary white boy with dark blond hair and pale hazel-green eyes.
“No need to thank me,” he said, gazing mischievously over her shoulder to Luther. “Pleasure was all mine.”
Now, why did Luther’s face feel hot all of a sudden?
“And who might you be?” Doug asked, crouching down to Mila’s level.
She tilted her head slightly, and Luther waited to see how she’d react.
“Mila,” she finally said. “I like your makeup.”
“Thank you,” he said, giving her a big smile. “I like your pterodactyl. What a cool vest!”
She looked down and tugged on the vest to make it lay smoothly. “I made it with Auntie Violet.”
Doug glanced up at Violet. “No kidding. I make vests too. Want to see?” He looked to Luther for permission, and he nodded, knowing full well he could see them the entire time.
As Doug led Mila to his booth next door, Violet came to stand next to Luther.
“You conveniently left out of your description that this man is all kinds of fine. I mean, look at those legs. They’re works of art.”
Luther had tried very hard to ignore the fact that Doug was wearing a black utility kilt today, topped off by a sleeveless black tee with silver studs along the collarbones. He had on a little less eye makeup today, but he’d drawn some intricate swirls with some sort of rainbow glitter along the tops of his cheekbones. He also wore rainbow socks over the tops of his Dr. Martens.
“Feel free to go over there, then.”
Violet hip bumped Luther. “I’m here to help you set up,” she said, frowning at him. “And I’m not exactly dressed for flirting purposes. You, on the other hand,” she said, her gaze traveling up and down Luther’s body. “You know I love that color on you. I think you’re more his flavor.”
Luther had grabbed his last clean, decent t-shirt today, which happened to be a faded red one that clung tightly to his chest. He’d stuck it at the bottom of the drawer for a reason. He hated anything that showed off the fact that he was no longer in excellent condition.
“Yeah, well.” What else could he say? Sure, he was intrigued by the guy, but he’d gotten a stick up his ass when Doug mentioned he hadn’t wanted to be in the military.
Luther needed to get over himself, and he knew it. The Marines had chewed him up and spit him out—he knew that, too—but they’d also given him a purpose and confidence when he was a young, scared kid with nowhere to go.
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