Love Bytes is delighted and happy to be aible to host the exclusive cover reveal of the fabulous cover to Jon Keys his upcoming Dreamspinner Press release “Camouflage”.

Jon introduces us to the cover and he brought along a giveaway for our readers!

Welcome Jon 🙂

I’m basically a country boy at heart and although I live thousands of miles away from the little country town where I grew up, and the hot cowboys in tight jeans that make my heart skip a beat, they still hold a special place for me. Camouflage is definitely near and dear to my heart and probably one of my favorite stories I’ve written.

L.C. Chase, the cover artist, did a magnificent job of taking the Luke and Nash who were living in my head and bringing them to life on the cover. I’m in love with this cover and proud of “Camouflage”. I think you’ll love it too.

 

Blurb:

Nash Gallo and Luke Meyers seem like complete opposites on the surface. Nash is a city boy from Atlanta, while Luke is a rancher from rural Oklahoma. Nash is covered in tattoos and piercings, while Luke is self-conscious about his muscular, hairy body. Luke doesn’t have much sexual experience with other men, while Nash has plenty to go around.

But both men are lonely, and neither of them has ever been in love.

They also both have secrets. For Luke, it’s his shame over an affair with a local closeted and married man, something Nash accepts. Will Luke be as tolerant of what Nash is hiding—his job as a prostitute back in Georgia?

A week-long vacation on Luke’s ranch and the idyllic landscapes surrounding it gives both men the chance to relax and explore the attraction growing between them. But can the budding relationship survive secrets and small-town prejudices? As they search for the place where their lives might intersect, Nash and Luke risk far worse than broken hearts.

– Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press eBook

Dreamspinner Press Paperback

Jon Keys’ earliest memories revolve around books; with the first ones he can recall reading himself being “The Warlord of Mars” and anything with Tarzan. (The local library wasn’t particularly up to date.) But as puberty set in he started sneaking his mother’s romance magazines and added the world of romance and erotica to his mix of science fiction, fantasy, Native American, westerns and comic books.

A voracious reader for almost half a century, Jon has only recently begun creating his own flights of fiction for the entertainment of others. Born in the Southwest and now living in the Midwest, Jon has worked as a ranch hand, teacher, computer tech, roughneck, designer, retail clerk, welder, artist, and, yes, pool boy; with interests ranging from kayaking and hunting to painting and cooking, he draws from a wide range of life experiences to create written works that draw the reader in and wrap them in a good story.

Jon kindly offers an ecopy of a backlist title to one Lucky winner!

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An hour or so later found them back at the house, having taken care of Luke’s livestock. Nash had been happy to tag along, helping when he could. It was all new to him, and he followed Luke’s instructions, or mimicked him when there weren’t any.

“So. Now you’ve seen the ranch.”

“Pretty cool. I’ve mostly lived in town. There’s not much livestock in Atlanta.”

“My place actually is pretty small. But it supported my grandparents. I’m hoping I can make a living at it too.” A dark expression settled on Luke. “If something doesn’t happen to screw everything up.”

He turned to Nash with a forced smile. “Enough of that crap. You want a snack? I could make us some popcorn, and we could watch TV. If that sounds….”

“Luke, that sounds great. Relax. You don’t have to keep me entertained every minute I’m here.”

“Okay, okay. Got it.” Luke rummaged in the cabinet, emerging with a pan and lid. Nash leaned against the door as Luke started making them some stovetop popcorn. It wasn’t long before it sounded like an army assault as the kernels exploded. A minute or so later, Luke dumped the finished popcorn into a bowl for them to share.

Nash leaned over, grabbed a handful of fresh popcorn, and tossed it in his mouth. He chewed, enjoying the flavor much more than he expected. “This is really good. I’d have been fine with nuked popcorn, but I can’t remember having any this tasty before.”

“A roommate I had in college showed me how to make it. I can’t eat the microwave stuff now.”

Nash munched on another handful of the crunchy treat. Luke handed him the bowl, moved into the kitchen, and opened the refrigerator door. “What do you want to drink? I have coke and beer.”

“A beer’d be fine.”

Luke grabbed two bottles, then motioned toward the living room. He slipped ahead and sat in an overstuffed chair as Nash settled on the leather couch. He looked at Luke and cocked his head. “It’s going to be tough to share the popcorn if you’re all the way over there.”

Luke blushed again and Nash couldn’t keep from grinning. Man, he’s easily flustered.

“Sure. Makes sense.” He moved to the couch, sat beside Nash, and started flipping channels.

“Wait! What was that? Flip back a couple of channels.”

Luke glanced at Nash but did as he was asked.

“There. That one.”

On the screen was an almost empty warehouse with people making sculptures. Nash smiled at the confused look on Luke’s face. “Yeah, I know it’s stupid. But they’re people who want to do special effects makeup. I always thought I’d like to take some art classes. I was pretty good at it, but my parents thought it was useless, and then I moved to Atlanta.” Nash shrugged and leaned against the arm of the couch. “We can watch something else. I spotted it as it went past.”

“No, this is fine. It looks interesting. I always wondered how they made those things. But I can’t draw a straight line, so I’m pretty hopeless at making art.”

“My high school art teacher always said if you want a straight line, use a ruler. But I get what you mean.”

Luke handed him a beer, and they settled the popcorn between them. Before long, Nash leaned toward the screen, engrossed in the program. He glanced over to find Luke grinning at him.

“What?”

“You’re so intense.”

Nash flushed with embarrassment as he became flustered. “I just…. It’s kind of cool. The show, you know.”

“You should take some classes. I’m sure there are tons of schools in Atlanta that teach art.”

Nash hoped his disappointment didn’t show as he turned back to the program. A minute later, he felt a nudge against his arm. “Hey, you could go to school, you know. I bet you’d be outstanding.”

“Can’t. Not right now, anyway.”

“But it’s something—”

“No.” The darkness that was such a part of his life closed in around Nash. He exhaled slowly through his nose and took a minute to get his emotions under control. He plastered a grin on his face and turned to Luke. He didn’t feel like smiling, but he hoped Luke couldn’t tell. “Let’s watch the show, okay?”

Luke nodded but looked apprehensive. Nash leaned against the back of the couch, but the evening wasn’t as relaxed as it had been earlier. After a little while, Nash reached over and pulled Luke against him. Luke tensed but didn’t resist. He moved the bowl from between them and draped his arm over Luke’s shoulder. He rubbed his chin over the shorter man’s head until Luke chuckled and pushed Nash away. “Knock it off, you brute. That tickles.”

Nash took a couple of drinks of his beer and waited until Luke relaxed next to him. He leaned down, put his lips against Luke’s ear, and burped.

“Eww! Nasty!” Luke lurched up, rubbing his ear against his shirt. “That was gross.”

Laughter bubbled up from inside Nash and he burped again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh really?” Luke dove on Nash, pinned him against the couch, and dug his fingers into Nash’s ribs.

Nash burst into laughter as he tried to escape. “Come on. Knock it off. That tickles!”

Luke worked his fingers higher until Nash gasped for air between laughs. “I give. I give. Come on, stop.”

“You going to burp in my ear again?”

Nash became mischievous and a little giddy to think he might have found someone he could relax around. He decided to chance it and smiled at Luke. “Maybe.”

“Oh you think?” Luke dug his fingers into Nash’s armpits and started tickling him again.

“Stop! Stop,” Nash gasped out between breaths as the waves of hysterical laughter overwhelmed him. He was helpless to deal with the tickling. He might be taller than Luke, but he lacked Luke’s muscle. Luke stopped with a twinkle in his eyes and a smirk on his lips.

“You going to be good now?”

“Oh, I don’t think you want me to be too good,” Nash said.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. How about we finish your show and relax before we hit the sack.”

“I like that idea.” He settled onto the couch and pulled Luke back against him. Any tension between them evaporated. By the time they’d sat through the local news, Luke began to yawn.

“Sorry. I guess I’m a party pooper.”

“Don’t sweat it. I’m pretty tired too.” He patted Luke’s back. “Thanks for a great day, and a fun night.”

Luke’s expression became more somber. “Oh, I’m sure it was impressive.”

Nash cradled Luke’s face in his hands and turned it so their gazes locked. “It was a good day. The best I’ve had in a long time. I can’t remember laughing this much in forever.”

An impish expression came over Luke. “It was all the tickling.”

“Oh yeah, I’m sure tickling me until I couldn’t breathe was it.”

They moved away from each other but then their eyes caught. An awkward dance happened before Nash took over. Without a word he pulled Luke into a tight embrace and pressed their lips together.

Luke resisted at first, the impetuous kiss clearly startling him. He could have easily stopped Nash if he’d wished. He ran his hands over Luke’s muscular back, enjoying the heat radiating against his palms. He felt Luke move away and lifted his hands free. Nash took a moment, shocked he’d done what he promised himself he wouldn’t. Not with this man and not on this trip.

Nash met Luke’s gaze as the heat built. “I. Sorry. I really wasn’t planning that.”

Luke touched his lips as if they had been burned. He shook his head and nodded at Nash. “Yeah. Kinda surprised me. I….”

“Yeah, I know. Don’t sweat it. Let me help clean up.”

Nash picked up their dishes and headed for the kitchen. Luke’s eyes were on him as he walked into the adjacent room. Once he’d put them in the sink, he turned to find Luke right behind him.

“I guess I’ll get some sleep. It’s been a long day,” Nash said.

Luke nodded, but Nash could see the tension in the way he held himself. He gave Luke some time to recover before patting him on the shoulder. “Night.”

He still appeared dumbstruck as Nash smiled at him and headed to the guest bedroom. I wonder how much that little stunt cost me.