So last week has been more stressful than I could have anticipated. It started off with a power outage that lasted about 2 days. In literally freezing weather. It was GREAT.

Mr. Copernicus is 19 years old. For those of you without cast, that’s pretty old. He’s basically in his 90s in human years. So I was worried it might be too cold for him.

I waited a couple hours and when the power didn’t come back, I packed him up and took him to a friend’s place….Whose power went out about 3 hours after we arrived.

Luckily it came back on the next morning, so we were all safe and warm. But when we got home, Copernicus was a little lethargic. I noticed a mark on him and we took him to the emergency vet.

Long story short, they had to drain an abscess and now he has to wear the cone so he doesn’t lick it too much. We also have to give him medicine, which he HATES. He’s my little baby boy who I’ve had for the past 18 years and so I worry about him pretty much constantly. We’ve got a follow up visit on Friday, so fingers crossed that he gets a clean bill of health!

Ryders, check this out~! This month’s sale is 100% my jam, and if you’re reading this then there’s a good chance that it’s yours too. Seriously, my ‘to be read’ list is growing faster than I can read. Especially when I’m also trying to write books of my own! But there are at least like 10 books on this list that I’m adding to my TBR anyway LOL. Most of them are available on Kindle Unlimited, so check them out. I’d love to hear what you think!

Dark, Kinky, & Taboo Gay Romance

Click here to read A Hellhound Called Derek by Michelle Frost

I realized pretty immediately after last week’s blog post that I messed up the URL to the book! So if you were hoping to read A Hellhound Called Derek last week but couldn’t find the URL, here it is – for real this time! And in case you missed it, here’s the synopsis:

Touch his mate and you’ll wish for the fires of hell.

Alpha of the Hellhound enforcers, Derek doesn’t think he has time for a mate until the Paranormal Council of the city gives him one.

Hollis is smart, funny, vulnerable…human, and his police commissioner uncle has designs to use Hollis’s new mating for his own ends.

He’ll learn quickly not to mess with a hellhound’s mate.

A Hellhound Called Derek is the first in this fast-paced novella series where the paranormals are all deliciously protective of their humans…no matter what type of trouble they get into.

Click here to read A Hellhound Called Derek by Michelle Frost!

I mentioned last week that I was nominated  for the Queer Indie Lit Awards in the Queer Romance category, and I’m still psyched! I am just honestly blown away by how supportive this community has been. I don’t know who nominated me, but if it was one of you, you own my heart!

If you think I’m deserving, it would mean the world to me if you could vote for me! Winning would be HUGE for my self esteem as an author! And while you’re there, be sure to vote for everyone in all the other awesome LGBT categories too!

HUGE thanks if you clicked the link above, but this is something different! The author of the book above shared one of my books to their followers, so I’m  sharing one of theirs with you – simple, right?

Just like the promo above, Bookfunnel tracks how many clicks I send to this url and gives me a ‘score’ that other promoters can see and decide whether or not they want to work with me based on that, so please click it and check it out for me <3

Click here to read Say the Words by Christie Gordon free on KU!

Here’s a quick synopsis: 

Luke Anderson has decided that relationships are not his thing after finding his boyfriend engaging in a sex act with another man on New Year’s Eve. Since then, he only allows sexual gratification from trivial gay bar hook-ups with no strings attached. Even kissing is out of the equation. Now that he has graduated from Arizona State University and is starting a new job in a Tempe, Arizona high-tech company, he’s open to fresh starts.

Jax Meyer’s intense fascination with Luke started when they had class together. His attraction to men has always confused him and kept him in sometimes toxic relationships with women. His current relationship is no different. When he realizes that he’s now working with Luke, he decides to test the waters.

Jax has Luke’s full attention from the moment they see each other in the lobby on their first day at work. The attraction is palpable. When Jax dominates Luke’s time with flirtatious comments and suggestive touching, Luke questions Jax’s motives, especially since he has a girlfriend. Jax makes his intentions known and dives headfirst into being the perfect boyfriend for Luke. But Jax’s girlfriend’s refusal to sever their ties tests Luke’s faith in Jax and could destroy everything.

Themes: Bi-Awakening, Coming Out, First Times, Hurt/Comfort Triggers: Clerical Abuse, Absent Parent

Click here to read Say the Words by Christie Gordon free on KU!

Ok, that’s it for promos. Thanks again for those who have been engaging with the links here, on social media, or on my site! As always, I’m totally open to other, less-invaisve (for you) ways to promote instead, so hit reply and lmk if you’ve got any!

So besides clicking promo links, how else can you support indie authors like me? Besides reading our books (which is obvious and probably why you’re here? I hope?) there are tons of ways!

Like I mentioned above, I added an entire new page to my site with plenty of ways you can support me and independent authors like me without having to spend a dime! The graphic above shows the basics, but this page has a more in-depth description of how to do each one and why each one helps – https://ryderocox.com/best-free-ways-to-support-indie-authors/

So, I can’t just do one thing… And before you say anything, yes, I know I’m working on a rewrite (Discovery), a sequel short story (to Practice Makes Perfect), and a novel (Depths of Desire). But is it ever really too early to start a new story? I gave a quick synopsis to those who subscribe to my mailing list, so if you want the latest, the best way to get it is to sign up for the newsletter!

I didn’t get any new questions on NGL this week, so I thought I’d go on the teeniest little rant about my brain. If you want to send me a question to answer, feel free to hit reply to this email, or if you want to send an anonymous question, you can use my NGL link – https://ngl.link/authorryderocox

So I’m pretty open about the fact that I have ADHD. I’ve been trying different medications and different strengths of those medications for a year or two now, with varying results. But, guess what? The US is having a shortage on almost all types of ADHD medication!  

I honestly can’t express to you how annoying this is. If you’re going through it too, know that I feel for you with the deepest empathy that I have. I’m unable to sleep (stimulants sometimes make ADHD folks tired), I can’t concentrate on literally anything (which is why Discovery still doesn’t have a firm release date) and I just can’t for the life of me remember anything. 

I feel like there was a point to this, but guess what? I’ve already forgotten it. No, this is not a joke or a bit – I seriously can’t remember why I wanted to bitch about it here.

A in the last email update I sent to my mailing list, I sent out a survey asking how often everyone would like to receive those update emails. Thanks to everyone for the responses! Results are in, and it looks like everyone would prefer updates every-other week or when I have something to share, so that’s what I’ll switch to. That means unless something exciting happens this week (which it might!) I won’t be sending out an update on Feb 1st and the next email will go out on the 8th instead.

A few of you didn’t answer, so I’m not gonna take the survey down just in case you still want to. 

https://forms.gle/FDEuFBnBE9YEddc97

As for my blog here, I’ve decided that I’ll only be updating once per month from now on unless it’s something really big and exciting that I want to share, like a new book update, cover reveal, etc. So now there’s even more reason for you to join my mailing list if you want to hear updates about me and my writing journey!

HUGE thanks if you clicked the link above, but these are something different! The author of these books shared one of my books to their followers, so I’m sharing one of theirs with you – simple, right?

Just like the promo above, Bookfunnel tracks how many clicks I send to this url and gives me a ‘score’ that other promoters can see and decide whether or not they want to work with me based on that, so please click it and check it out for me <3

My Accidental First Date by Casey Morales

So besides clicking promo links, how else can you support indie authors like me? Besides reading our books (which is obvious and probably why you’re here? I hope?) there are tons of ways!

Like I mentioned above, I added an entire new page to my site with plenty of ways you can support me and independent authors like me without having to spend a dime! The graphic above shows the basics, but this page has a more in-depth description of how to do each one and why each one helps – https://ryderocox.com/best-free-ways-to-support-indie-authors/

I wasn’t sure what to put here, so I asked a friend and they suggested answering a couple questions from the app NGL each week. Why not, right? One my friend suggested was ‘most embarrassing moment’ and whooooo boy, do I have some of those LOL!

So I was in 3rd grade, I think, and there was an assembly where we all went to the gymnasium and saw a magician perform on stage. At the time I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but it was probably a tie between ‘dig up dino bones’ and ‘be a magician,’ so you can imagine how stoked I was!

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to leave the assembly for any reason. And I mean any reason. So when I asked to use the bathroom first, I was told to wait until after the assembly – it wouldn’t be that long.

And then, the best thing ever happened – I got chosen to be the magician’s assistant! I got up on stage, vibrating with excitement….and peed my pants in front of the whole school. I immediately ran off stage and to the bathroom, and I will never forget the embarrassment I felt in that moment.

I got another question the following week from a fan so I figured I’d answer it here too. If you want to send me a question to answer, feel free to hit reply to this email, or if you want to send an anonymous question, you can use my NGL link – https://ngl.link/authorryderocox

Now for the question – biggest red flags in a partner? Honestly, I feel like I have horrible radar when it comes to red flags, but my cats not liking them is a big sign. My nesting partner is a great judge of character, and if he doesn’t like someone then they probably won’t be a good fit. Not saying I go along with whatever he says, quite the contrary, but all the time I’ve ignored his advice, he’s been right lol. 

Happy New Year! I appreciate you all soooo much more than I can say for stopping by! I know this is being posted a day late, but yesterday was my boyfriend’s birthday, so I was celebrating with him. 

This week’s updates include a confession, new promos, and a super cute picture of the poly-family baby in the ‘about me’ section, so be sure to read all the way to the end! Mailing list subscribers got this update a few hours early, an they got some extra info on my upcoming schedule, so why not join now? And please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and let me know if you have any questions, suggestions, or just wanna talk about my cat-children. They love you already, I promise!

If you already clicked the links in the last section, HUGE thanks! But this is something different! This is a feature-swap, which I’ll be doing with individual authors a few times of a month. Just like the promo above, I get a score based on how many clicks I send the this url, and the other party can see my score to decide whether or not to work with me again. 

Click here to get A Perfect Blend by A. D. Ellis

This one looks so cute! Here’s a quick synopsis: 

Justin plans to put his business and baking skills to good use once he owns the small-town coffee shop of his dreams. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to make his dreams come true. If that means involving an unsuspecting silver fox in his scheme, so be it.

Morgan knows moving to Briarton was the right step in getting his life back on track. A case of mistaken identity lands Morgan right in the middle of young, handsome Justin’s completely unexpected plan. Morgan should just say no, but something deep inside urges him to take a chance.

Will Justin and Morgan complete the terms of their unconventional deal? Or will they finally admit there’s more between them than they first realized?
The Perfect Blend is a steamy, M/M age-gap, marriage of convenience, coffee shop romance.

Click here to get A Perfect Blend by A. D. Ellis

Ok, ok, promos over for the week. Thanks again for those who have been engaging with the links here, on social media, or on my site! As always, I’m totally open to other, less-invaisve (for you) ways to promote instead, so leave a reply and lmk if you’ve got any!

So I have a confession to make. I am secretly (not so secretly to be honest) an author of other books too. Well, I’m trying to be, anyway. I have a publisher who approached me to write a nonfiction book about haunted places in my area. It’s super cool, because I’ve always been into stuff like paranormal investigating!

Unlike my spicy gay romance books, this book is going to be through a publishing company, which means that it has something terrifying that I’ve never had to deal with before in writing – a deadline! And that deadline is fast approaching. And that means that I might not be able to stick to the release schedule that I had outlined in last week’s mailing list update. I’m going to try, but I’m also not going to push myself into another flare by pushing too hard.

​Click here to check out the sexy gay books here!

I get ‘karma points’ for every time someone clicks my referral link to these promos, even if you don’t buy anything or click on any of the books linked there. Higher karma grants me access to more, bigger, and better promotions, so I’d really appreciate it if you could please click the link below even if they don’t sound like your thing. 

However, the one for December is all MM sexy books, so I think you’ll find at least something good there. I know I did! And many are free on Kindle Unlimited as well, so you might not even have to pay for them!

Click here to check out the sexy gay books here!

​And if you really want to help me out, check out…

If you clicked the link in the last section, HUGE thanks! But this is something different – a feature-swap, where I share a book or two from another author and they share mine as well.  Just like the promo above, Bookfunnel tracks how many clicks I send to this url and gives me a ‘score’ that other promoters can see and decide whether or not they want to promo trade with me based on that, so please click it and check it out for me <3

Click here to get In Pain and Blood by Aldrea Alien

I mentioned that my clicks last week were lower, but I think that could be because the promo last week was not a standalone book and wasn’t free on Kindle Unlimited. But this one is! Well, it’s the first in a series anyway, and I love the cover art! Here’s a quick synopsis: 

He’s unleashed. Unprepared. And thoroughly screwed.

Dylan’s life in the spellster tower has everything he should want: magical knowledge, safety from the King’s Hounds and frequent clandestine affairs with women. All at the cost of his freedom. So when the chance to leave the tower—even as a leashed weapon for the King’s Army—arises, he seizes it.

Click here to get In Pain and Blood by Aldrea Alien

When his first scouting mission goes awry, Dylan is left alone in a hostile world with the tower a distant beacon of safety. Only the flirtatious Tracker, an elven man whose very presence awakens Dylan’s long-repressed desire, can help him return to his old life before the crown discovers his unleashed status.

But the risk of being branded a deserter may be the least of his concerns as whispers of an armed presence in the North threatens his home. Dylan must rely on Tracker to protect him even as everything he thought he knew begins to unravel around them.

*This book contains violence, gore and explicit adult themes.*
*This second edition shares the main storyline with In Love and Death and has additional content from Tracker’s pov.*  

Ok, promos over, back to me~! If you want to know why I’m so bad at promoting my stuff, it’s because I’m basically too nice. I worry that no one wants to hear about my books all the time, so I end up sharing other’s more than mine lol! Hopefully it’ll get easier with time, right?

I mentioned before that this isn’t the official finished cover for Depths of Desire. In fact, my mailing list subscribers got to see an even closer-to-finished one! Are you subscribed? If not, do it now But this gives you the general idea for what I’m going for. What do you think? Do you love it? Hate it? Please let me know either in the comments below or by contacting me via my contacts page!