We’re so pleased to have debut author A.V. Sanders with us today on the release day of her new novelette from LT3 Press, Percolation, Poetry, and Passion. Enjoy the exclusive excerpt we have for you, and then be sure to check out the TWO ways A.V. is giving readers the chance to win some great prizes, including an e-copy of the book OR a sweet and caffeinated Grand Prize Pack: A “Cafe Du Monde” Gift Basket [Beignet mix, Coffee with Chicory, 2 mugs] + a FREE ebook of Percolation, Poetry, and Passion [if purchased, any other LT3 title of equal or lesser value].
Just click on the Rafflecopter widgets below to enter, and Good Luck!
Title: Percolation, Poetry, and Passion
Author: A.V. Sanders
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Publication Date: August 26, 2015
Length: 41 Pages
Blurb: Beckett works at a coffee shop to make ends meet while attending a prestigious university. It’s not the most exciting job, but he’s done it long enough he’s good at it—and can avoid the tedium by spinning sexy little daydreams of things he doubts will ever happen.
Daydreams that soon include Simon, the hot, handsome, and older freelance writer who stops in one day. But then Simon becomes a regular, a bright spot more interesting than the inside of Beckett’s head, and daydreams start to seem like they could be something far more tangible—if reality doesn’t get in the way first.
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Excerpt: The usual late morning crowd wasn’t a bad group, as far as coffee house patrons went. No one was in a panic to get to work or school or whatever gave them that universal frenzied look between six and eight in the morning. In fact, things were going so smoothly, he didn’t call Regina out when she slipped behind the coffee bar instead of reclaiming the register.
Beckett ran out of quarters with his last customer, so he got a fresh roll and smacked the paper tube onto the edge of the drawer to break it. Not looking up, he told the next customer he’d be right with them. It didn’t matter though; he could hear the customer talking on his cellphone.
Fine, he thought, if this guy isn’t ready to order, I’m going to restock my drawer. There’s no line, anyway. Beckett took his time refilling each change slot and straightening the large bills, tuning in on the customer’s conversation.
“I’m glad to hear from you, too. Yeah, I’ll bring something. Just take it easy today, okay? I’ll be there soon.” Beckett glanced up, hearing a smile in the man’s voice. “Mm-hm. Of course. Love you,” the man said before hanging up.
Beckett noticed he was wearing a good-looking jacket—olive plaid tweed, fit for a professor at an ivy league. The man inside the tweed was even more impressive, and while he flipped through his smartphone, Beckett looked him over.
The man was older, but not ‘old’, maybe teasing into middle-age. His ashen hair had some silvering at his temples and peppered into the stubble on his chin. His skin was a light tan that looked natural and not procured by UV lights. Tall and well-built, Beckett found his total image attractive—elegant and masculine.
“Trying to get my loyalty app pulled up, sorry,” he said, his clear, sterling eyes flickering up to meet Beckett’s. He offered Beckett a quick, apologetic smile before going back to his phone.
“Oh, uh, take your time. Can I get something started for you?” The moment of visual contact had taken Beckett off guard.
“A medium cappuccino, please. Ah, got it.” He thrust his phone toward Beckett and flashed a grin, bright incisors peeking below straight lips.
Beckett was a bit starstruck. How had he never seen this man before? While checking the sheet next to the register for that day’s loyalty code, he realized that if this man was a creature of habit, they wouldn’t have crossed paths—Beckett had worked night shifts while in school. He entered the code into the man’s phone and realized the possibility of a hot new regular, maybe a whole host of them. The app chirped acceptance and displayed the customer’s name, prompting Beckett to thank them personally for their purchase.
“Enjoy your drink, Simon,” Beckett said, liking the way the name pressed through his teeth.
“I will,” said Simon, looking back at Beckett over his shoulder. Beckett noticed now that he was carrying a leather satchel, probably the right size for a laptop and enough work to keep him tied up in the coffee shop for hours. But he hadn’t asked for an internet—
“Ah,” Simon turned on his heel, “I always forget. I need an internet code.”
Beckett hit a button on the register, the edges of his mouth curling upward. He pinched the receipt paper with the shop’s WiFi password between his index and middle finger, leaned over the counter and passed it to Simon. Beckett’s gaze, deliberate and unflinching, held his.
“No problem, Simon,” he said, letting his New Orleanian upbringing emphasize and round out his syllables.
Beckett felt his confidence and demeanor shift after serving Simon. One of the perks of his job was that it didn’t matter who was straight or gay or interested. While they were at his station, in his little bubble, they were his. That flash of contact was the perfect one-moment-stand, over and over again.
About the Author: A.V. Sanders loves and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She shares her home with her husband, two cats, and tropical aquarium fish. She is an avid hoarder of Halloween decorations and inconsequential information. When writing science fiction, mystery, and horror with LGBTQ main characters, she can be found staying up all hours of the night listening to endless sets of EDM music. She is an advocate of love, art, animals and frivolous acts of beauty. She also has a growing suspicion that not causing harm to one another is what matters in the end.
Find A.V. on the internet at: Website || Facebook || Twitter || Goodreads
THE GIVEAWAYS
Tour Dates and Stops:
8 . 27 – Thursday – HEARTS ON FIRE REVIEWS – Author Interview + Giveaway
8 . 28 – Friday – SINFULLY SEXY BOOKS – Author Spotlight + Giveaway
8 . 29 – Saturday – LOVE BYTES – Guest Post: Story Playlist + Giveaway
8 . 30 – Sunday – BAYOU BOOK JUNKIE – MARDI GRAS PARADE STOP: Author Interview + *SPECIAL GIVEAWAY*
9 . 01 – Tuesday – RAINBOW GOLD REVIEWS – Guest Post: Character Interview + Giveaway
Loved the excerpts!
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Great excerpt! I’m looking forward to giving this a read.
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I really enjoyed the excerpt! I am looking foward to reading more! Thank you>
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Great excerpt. I already added it to my TBR list. Thak you for the giveaway!
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Such an awesome excerpt! This sounds like a great story. :)
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I love that title!
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Congratulations on the new book!
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Thanks for the great excerpt. I’m adding this one to my wish list! :)
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Thanks for the great excerpt. I’m adding this to my wish list!
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Thanks to everyone who has participated in this raffle and visited this post! Congratulations Laurie P. for winning my copy of “Percolation, Poetry, and Passion”!
And thank you to Lisa and The Novel Approach for being an amazing and gracious host for my tour! <3
xo, A.V.
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