Welcome to the Riptide Publishing/Aleksandr Voinov/L. A. Witt blog tour for the newest Market Garden story, If It Drives!
Synopsis:
If it flies, drives, or fornicates, it’s cheaper to rent it.
After driving James Harcourt, his wealthy banker boss, around for a year and a half, Cal isn’t surprised by much anymore. Not even James’s regular trips to Market Garden, London’s most elite gay brothel.
But when James leaves the Garden alone one night and turns to Cal instead, Cal’s floored. After crushing on his boss for ages, it’s his wet dream come true . . . until the awkward morning after. Cal still has a job to do, but he wants to offer more. Yet James doesn’t take him up on it; he keeps Cal at arm’s length and continues his chauffeured jaunts to Market Garden.
As Cal learns what James needs from the rentboys, he tries to fill that need himself. But there’s more to James’s penchant for rentboys than Cal realises, and it may be one role that Cal can’t fill without overstepping his duty.
If It Drives is available March 31st from Riptide Publishing
My Review
Um…wow…what did I just read? If It Drives is hands-down my favorite book in the Market Garden series. This story focuses on “Red Tie guy”, the wealthy banker James Harcourt.
His driver Cal has a crush on James, and wants to figure out why James keeps going back to Market Garden when Cal is available and literally right in front of his face. One night they cross over the employer/employee line, and what a night it is! But something seems lacking, and Cal feels that he can’t quite give James what he really needs. Cal then embarks on a journey to explore his own Dom side and he and James have some smoking hot scenes together. But will James realize that Cal wants more than meaningless, one-night stands?
If It Drives turned into a quite tender and lovely romance between Cal and James in between all the scorching hot scenes. I absolutely loved the development of their Dominant/submissive relationship and did I mention the sex scenes BURN UP up the page? I also loved the emotional connection between the characters, and Cal’s inner dialogue. He came across as surprisingly thoughtful and sweet, an interesting mix with his Dom tendencies. This is a fantastic addition to the Market Garden series and I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a gutsy, sexy and surprisingly emotional love story.
Excerpt:
We take you live to Nick and Spencer’s house, where Nick has agreed to teach Cal a thing or two about the fine art of domination…
“Then let’s get started.”
Cal choked on his tea, very nearly sputtering it onto the very expensive-looking coffee table. Spencer smothered a laugh. Nick just smirked. Cocky bastard.
Once he’d recovered, Cal said, “Get started? Like, right now?”
Nick shrugged. “Why not? We’re already here.” He gestured over his shoulder with his thumb. “All my toys are here.” Gaze sliding towards Spencer, he grinned broadly and added, “All of my toys.”
Spencer met his eyes, and Jesus, the way they looked at each other, Cal figured they’d be off to the bedroom soon anyway, whether he tagged along or not.
“Hell.” He set his mug down again. “Why not?”
Nick made no move to get up. “Lesson number one: the Dominant is in charge, and he gives the orders. For example, our mugs.” He gestured at the three mugs sitting on the table. “I think Spencer ought to pick these up and rinse them, don’t you?” He dipped his chin slightly, the lift of his eyebrow prompting Cal.
“Um. Okay.” Cal cleared his throat and looked at Spencer. “Take these into the kitchen and rinse them out.”
Spencer didn’t move.
No one did.
Cal shifted a little. “Did I, um . . .”
Nick smiled. “Lesson number two: the only sub who obeys you is the one you’ve earned the right to command, one who’s agreed to submit to you, or one whose Dom has given him permission to take orders from you.” He turned his head. “Go ahead.”
Without missing a beat, Spencer got up, collected the three mugs, and headed into the kitchen.
Cal’s eyes followed Spencer, and he smiled at the thought that James might do the same. He couldn’t really see it, though the idea was attractive. Normally it was Cal who followed orders, and he didn’t mind. It was his job, after all. Turning things on their head like this—especially with James—would mean entering completely unchartered waters.
“Can you tell me about James? That’s . . . his actual name.” Not Red Tie, though it fit. James was very fond of his alpha-male trappings.
Nick relaxed against the couch, folded his hands on his flat stomach and regarded Cal with half-closed eyes. “That’s pointless at this stage. We’ll concentrate on you first.”
“Because . . .”
“It’s moot unless you have it in you. If you don’t get the same enjoyment out of playing, I’d suggest you let him go. Or stay vanilla with him and get used to the idea that he’ll get what he needs elsewhere, likely for cash.”
Cal examined those options in his head, but none seemed attractive. What he was doing now worked, but it hadn’t really clicked yet. And continuing on with a scenario where James got the pain from some uncaring whore . . . though, granted, Nick didn’t seem uncaring so much as somewhat blasé. Very much a Been There, Done It, and Got the Whip Coordination to Prove It kind of vibe.
“Okay.” He cleared his throat. “I think we’ll also have to talk about money. I’m not expecting to get taught for free.”
Nick smiled. “I’m guessing you’re not on the same salary as your boss.”
Cal laughed and shook his head. “Not really. I can get you cut-rate limo services, but that’s pretty much all I’d have to barter.”
“But it’s important to you.”
“Very.” Cal shrugged. “Credit rating is clean. I can take on some debt if need be.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “No, no. I don’t want you going into debt over this. I saw too many guys do that at the Garden and wind up in financial trouble.”
“What do you suggest, then?”
“Tell you what. First one’s free, then, but I’ll charge you for the next ones, if you do come back.”
“All right. I can work with that.”
“Good.” Nick paused. “I haven’t taught another Dom myself. It’s something of an experiment here, too. But it’ll be a couple grand if we go through with it.”
“Okay.” A couple grand, he could swing that. His bank kept offering him credit, and so far he really hadn’t needed it, and his living expenses were low. “Good with me.”
“Excellent.” Nick sat up. “Let’s take it to the bedroom. Much better sound insulation there.”
About the Authors:
Aleksandr has been published for twenty years, both in print and ebook. He has ten years’ experience as a writing coach, book doctor, and writing teacher, and until recently worked as an editor in financial services.
After co-authoring the M/M military cult classic Special Forces, Aleksandr embarked on a quest to write gritty, edgy, sometimes literary M/M and gay fiction (much of which is romance/erotica)—the only way he can use his American Literature degree these days.
He’s been published with Heyne/Random House, Carina Press, Samhain Publishing, and others, and is an EPIC Awards winner and a Lambda Awards finalist.
Connect with Aleks:
Website
Blog
Twitter:@aleksandrvoinov
Author Goodreads
***
L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer currently living in the glamorous and ultra-futuristic metropolis of Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, two cats, and a disembodied penguin brain that communicates with her telepathically. In addition to writing smut and disturbing the locals, L.A. is said to be working with the US government to perfect a genetic modification that will allow humans to survive indefinitely on Corn Pops and beef jerky. This is all a cover, though, as her primary leisure activity is hunting down her arch nemesis, erotica author Lauren Gallagher, who is also said to be lurking somewhere in Omaha.
L. A.’s backlist is available on her website and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter @GallagherWitt
Giveaway:
Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a choice of two eBooks off Riptide Publishing’s backlists (excluding If It Drives) and a $10 Riptide Publishing store credit. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on April 7th, and winners will be announced on April 9th. OPEN INTERNATIONALLY.
