‘KAGE’ by Maris Black #LGBT #Review Live #Interview #Giveaway #RGRgiveaway

Dana reviews Kage (The KAGE Trilogy, Round 1) by Maris Black (Published by Maris Black Books, May 25, 2015, 226 pages)

 

Author Name:  Maris Black

Book Title:  KAGE

Book Length: Full Length Novel (81,549 words)

Genre: Gay Romance, M/M

Book Release Date: 05/25/2015

Publisher: Maris Black Books

Cover Artist: Maris Black

Good Read Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25282503-kage?ac=1

 

Blurb: 

***  ROUND 1 of the KAGE Trilogy  ***

        A Gay MMA Fighter Romance

My name is Jamie Atwood, and I’m an addict. I never thought I’d say such a thing. Never had a problem being overly-attached to anything in my life. I came from a perfectly middle-class family, made good grades, and had a hot cheerleader girlfriend… but the truth is, nothing ever really moved me. So how did a guy like me become an addict?

     I met Michael Kage.

Kage is an MMA fighter. A famous one. I like to think I helped him get that way.

He’s charming as hell, with looks to rival any movie star and talent to back it up. So why did he need to hire me as an intern Publicist? Simple. He has a darkness in him- like a black hole so deep it could swallow him, and me, and everyone we know- and that’s not good for business.

The first time I met him, I felt the pull. I think the addiction began at that very moment. And even if I’d known then what I know now, I would have fallen for him. How could I not?

     For me, Kage is everything.

Buy links: 

Amazon US  Amazon UK    Amazon CA
Amazon AU    Amazon DE    Amazon FR

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Maris Black Books

 

• Dana Piazzi

  Thanks for joining me Maris on my very first live interview. Hope you don’t mind being my guinea pig.
• 5/24, 8:25pm

  Maris Black

  I definitely do not mind. It will be fun.
• 8:26pm

  Dana Piazzi

  I know it will. I was so excited to read KAGE and review it. What was your inspiration for this brooding MMA fighter?
• 8:27pm

  Maris Black

  Umm… I suppose the REAL brooding MMA fighters. smile emoticon
• 8:27pm

  Dana Piazzi

  Anyone in particular?
• 5/24, 8:28pm

  Maris Black

  I enjoy watching MMA, and I have observed lots of fighters both in the octagon and out of it. In biographies and such.

  To be honest, Kage is his own person. But… I have been “inspired” by quite a few at different times. I have my favorites. You want me to name a few of my favorites?
• 8:30pm

  Dana Piazzi

  That sounds good. I have never watched a MMA fight and am completely oblivious.
• 8:32pm

  Maris Black

  Anthony Pettis, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman, Benson Henderson, Mighty Mouse… Just off the top of my head. But I change with the wind where the fighters are concerned. There are so many great ones! It’s like, “He’s my favorite. No, he’s my favorite!” LOL

  Uriah Hall

  Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone

  Joanna Jędrzejczyk

  She just scares the shit out of me. LOL
• 8:40pm

  Dana Piazzi

  LOL. I might be scared of a woman who displays the kind of ruthlessness Kage does in this story. I will have to check them all out. Especially after reading about Michael Kage. His tough persona and sexy image has made me interested in checking out MMA fighting. Did you choose the name Kage in reference to the type of underground cage fighting where Mixed Martial Arts is popular?
• 5/24, 8:43pm

  Maris Black

  Sorry, I’m trying to get my computer to stop lagging. Answering now.
• 8:45pm

  Dana Piazzi

  It’s all good. Mine is moving a little slow too.
• 5/24, 8:46pm

  Maris Black

  Okay, this may sound a little cheesy, but the name Michael Kage came to me in a dream. I just thought one night, I’m going to write an MMA book. Then the next morning, I woke up literally with the name Michael Kage on my lips.

  But it has a significance in the story, because of his past. You know, he was raised from a very young boy to fight.
• 8:49pm

  Dana Piazzi

  I don’t think that’s cheesy.It sounds as good as any other reason to choose a name. There is a lot I’d like to ask about him and the way he was raised. Unfortunately, I think that will be sort of spoiler-ish. So I’m going to move on to Jamie. Did you always plan to have him attend SSU where your popular series SSU Boys takes place? Or was it an afterthought to tie the two together?
• 5/24, 8:54pm

  Maris Black

  Actually, it was Georgia State University instead of Southeastern State University. That being said, they are both in Georgia, and I had considered putting him there, but I thought why not have him at a neighboring school, and then there’s always the possibility of the guys running into one another.
• 8:54pm

  Dana Piazzi

  lol

  OOPs
• 5/24, 8:56pm

  Maris Black

  hehe. I’m almost considering changing it now just for you. LOL
• 8:56pm

  Dana Piazzi

  lol.
• 5/24, 8:57pm

  Maris Black

  I had thought about having Beck show up, because he is an All-American, you know. National wrestling champion.

  Okay, back to the interview. I am digressing, I think.
• 8:58pm

  Dana Piazzi

  I did get confused, I think, with both of them being in Georgia. LOL. That would have been cool to have Beck show up.

  I can see Beck and Jeremy seeing the fight as a date.
• 5/24, 8:59pm

  Maris Black

  I know, I can’t help it. I’m a Georgia girl But I’ll bet you won’t be the only one who thinks that.

  I KNOW, right??? He is going to fight in Atlanta.
• 9:03pm

  Dana Piazzi

  So going past my mistake, lol, what made you decide to make Jamie a college student hoping to become a publicist? And what might make Kage hire someone with no real life experience?
• 9:11pm

  Maris Black

  Well, you’ve read my other books. I write a lot about college boys, because I think that age is interesting. It’s young enough to be experiencing a lot to things for the first time, but old enough to do naughty things on paper. LOL

  I thought it would be interesting if I paired my favorite subject (college boys) with the hot alpha MMA fighter I had been wanting to write about.

  As far as why Kage would hire someone with no experience… Well, he was just thinking with his dick.
• 9:18pm

  Dana Piazzi

  Typical man. lol. Well it works out for him just fine. Much to Jamie’s surprise. Is Jamie completely unaware of his desire for men, Kage specifically, or has he been trying to suppress his true self because he’s afraid to admit he might not be straight?
• 9:24pm

  Maris Black

  Hmmm… good question. Let’s just say that Jamie is a master of seeing things as he CHOOSES to see them, rather than as they really are. And KAGE — well, he gets right up in his face. And I don’t know if you noticed, but the guy is kinda hard to ignore.
• 9:36pm

  Dana Piazzi

  I wouldn’t ignore him. Straight off the bat, we see that Jamie was with women in the past and find out Kage has too. I know not everyone falls under a lablel but do you believe that most people don’t fall at the ends of the spectrum of gay and straight? Also do you enjoy writing characters that aren’t as limited to one type of sexual partner?
• 9:48pm

  Maris Black

  Well, I know plenty of gay guys who have been with women, especially when they were younger and just figuring things out. Plus, as my gay BFF and I have discussed on many occasions… With attitudes the way they have been in the past– particularly if you live in a rural or semi-rural southern area– many times gay or bisexual men just grow up thinking that’s the way things are. You date or marry women, and you try to ignore those secret yearnings that just won’t go away.

  And like I said before, Jamie sees things the way it’s comfortable to see them. We see early on that it’s important to him how people perceive him. He doesn’t want to be the smart kid with glasses, and he doesn’t want to be the guy who’s checking out other guys in the locker room.

  As for writing those kinds of characters, I just enjoy exploring different aspects of people. And I do enjoy writing characters who have many facets.
• 9:56pm

  Dana Piazzi

  That is a good answer. Even though I tend to primarily read men with men, I do like a story where things aren’t always cut and dried. Jamie and Kage are definitely multi-faceted, and the ending of this first book in the Kage Trilogy is a little up in the air. What a cliffhanger! I know you don’t want to give spoilers, but is there any info you can share about what is to come for the pair?
• 10:02pm

  Maris Black

  A lot of drama. hehehe… Both of these guys have some serious demons to deal with. Kage more than Jamie, but Jamie has inherited some by association. I can’t tell you what will happen, but I do hope you have an appetite for characters who test each other’s limits.
• 10:08pm

  Dana Piazzi

  Oh yes! You have me hooked on these guys. I have a burning need to find out how they proceed from where you left off. Can you tell us when book 2 will be released?
• 5/24, 10:11pm

  Maris Black

  Round 1 goes live in less than an hour, and at that time, Round 2 will be available for presale. 90 days later on August 24th it will go live. Then Round 3 will be on presale for 90 days and go live on Nov. 23rd. So at the end of each book, you can preorder the next.

  Would you like to share a first look link for the three covers?
• 10:14pm

  Dana Piazzi

  August can’t come soon enough. But these guys are worth waiting for. Of course, I would love a link.
• 10:16pm

  Maris Black

  http://marisblack.com/kage-trilogy

  

  KAGE Trilogy – Maris Black

  marisblack.com
• 10:18pm

  Dana Piazzi

  I love those titles. Really makes me wonder… Thank you for sharing.

  Before we end the interview, I have to ask what other future books you have in the works? Particularly the SSU boys series I mentioned earlier. I’m sort of dying for Seth’s story.
• 5/24, 10:27pm

  Maris Black

  Yes, a lot of people are waiting for Seth it seems. Who knew when I wrote the first book in the series, Pinned, that Seth would become so popular?

  Upcoming stories for SSU include more of Emilio and Andrew, since they only just got started in the short, Initiation. I have a lot of requests for the rest of their story, too. We also have to see what happens with sweet “little” Sammy after Undeclared. And of course, the ever-snarky Seth will finally get his story.

  Beyond that, I have no freaking clue for SSU. I do have some interesting ideas about some reunion type books featuring all the guys, but I don’t know how those would be received. Maybe I should poll my readers. smile emoticon

  I have lots of other partial works that may get finished and see the light of day at some point. If I wasn’t so damn ADD, you know?
• 10:31pm

  Dana Piazzi

  LOL. Well as one reader, I’m all for the reunion books. As a struggling writer as well as an avid reader, I know how those plot bunnies can come and distract you from other works in progress. I know that I’ll be buying whatever you put out, whenver you put it out.

  Thank you for bearing with me, my school flub, and the computer lags.

  It’s been a pleasure interviewing you. Do you want to share where your fans can reach you?
• 10:38pm

  Maris Black

  Thank you for having me. (hehe That sounds funny.)

  And hey, the school flub was my fault. I put out 4 books all about a school, then followed it up with a similar school name. I’m telling you, I’ll bet you won’t be the only one. I’ll be answering that question forever now.

  Where to reach me… drum roll please…

  Sign up for new release notifications at MarisBlack.com

  Connect with me at (FB Fan Page) facebook.com/marisblackbooks (FB Profile) facebook.com/maris.black.7 (Twitter) twitter.com/marisblackbooks

  

  Author Maris Black

  HOT Wrestlers, Paramedics, College Boys & More MARIS BLACK on AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Maris-Black/e/B00EGVF7W0 Website: http://marisblack.com
• 10:39pm

  Dana Piazzi

  Awesome! Thanks again for the interview and for including Rainbow Gold Reviews in the tour. Wonderful book!
• 10:42pm

  Maris Black

  Thanks, Dana. I just got word that it’s already selling in the U.K. So… it has begun.
• 10:45pm

  Dana Piazzi

  How exciting! I’m going to wish you good luck, but I don’t think you will need it.

 

Kage pushed his tongue deeper into my mouth, and suddenly I was sucking hungrily at his tongue, winding my arms around his neck, and pressing my lower body against his. I was desperate to get closer, to feel through the barrier of my clothing what he had pressed against me. My hunger knew no bounds, growing exponentially with each passing second as it became clearer that this was not some fevered fantasy. This was actually happening.

And I was going to let it.

He unwound my arms from his neck and reached down to pull my t-shirt over my head so that we were skin to skin. The scrub of chest hair against my nipples was exquisite torture, and I moaned, pulling back to catch my breath.

“Fuck no, you’re not going anywhere!” Kage yanked me back against him. “I’ve waited too long for this. Been patient enough.” He covered my mouth and face with kisses, moved down to my throat, and bit the sensitive skin there until I cried out. I was overcome with passion, my breath coming in quick gasps as I fought to keep it together. I had always thought of myself as a player and a skilled lover, but I swear Kage made me feel like a virgin all over again.

“Take off your pants,” he said.

“What are you planning on doing to me?” I asked, my voice distant to my own ears as I worked my shorts down my legs, leaving my boxer briefs on.

“What I should have done when you first got here…”

“How did you know I’d let you?”

He chuckled. “I could tell by the way you look at me. Like you’re eating me alive with your eyes.”

“I don’t do that,” I protested. “I don’t even like guys.”

“Liar.” Kage shook his head and took a step back. “Get on your knees, Jamie.”

“Pardon me?”

“Don’t give me that look. I said get on your knees.”

I wanted to tell him no, that this was insanity, and that I wasn’t gay. I wanted to point out that I’d just recently had a girlfriend whom I’d fucked soundly on a regular basis. But instead I sank to my knees in front of him and waited, looking up at his unbelievably perfect body, all muscles and planes and smooth skin. The boyish face with the five-o’clock shadow, the dark locks of hair that fell loosely around his face… and that’s when I felt it. He was right. I was devouring him with my eyes, because God help me I could not get enough.

 

 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Maris Black and the SSU boys series. While KAGE is not directly part of the series, Jamie is a student at the same university. I love that the author created a universe and that there is a correlation between all of her books.

KAGE is an interesting book, different than the others by this author, where most of her characters were gay or questioning at the very least. Jamie seems to have this unwavering belief that he is straight, he doesn’t even question himself when he checks out a guy at the gym, or when he cuddles up to Michael Kage when he didn’t do that with his girlfriend. After some time with spent with Michael, Jamie submits to his attraction for the MMA fighter but there is still a question of his sexuality.

Michael Kage is a tough, no holds barred fighter. At one point in time he drags out a fight just to end it in the way and time decided by Jamie. Yet he is clearly troubled by his past and I had to wonder if becoming a UFC fighter is really his dream or someone elses.

The two have combustible chemistry and it is fascinating to watch them try to figure each other out. They also blow out spectacularly when they fight. There is a pretty big cliffhanger ending and I know some people have trouble with those. Michael and Jamie are worth the wait, though. August will feel like it takes forever to get here, but I don’t regret reading the first book. A good writer can create a cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more without the anger, and I think Maris Black did that.

 

 

My name is Maris Black (sort of), and I’m a Southern Girl through and through.

In college, I majored in English and discovered the joys of creative writing and literary interpretation. After honing my skills discovering hidden meanings authors probably never intended, I collected my near-worthless English degree and got a job at a newspaper making minimum wage. But I soon had to admit that small town reporting was not going to pay the bills, so I went back to school and joined the medical field. Logical progression, right? But no matter what I did, my school notebooks and journals would not stop filling up with fiction. I was constantly plotting, constantly jotting prose, constantly casting the people I met as characters in the secret novels in my head.

Yep. I can blame my creative mother for that one!

When I finally started writing fiction for a living, I surprised myself with my choice of genre. I’d always known I wanted to write romance, but the first story that popped out was about a couple of guys finding love during a threesome with a woman. Then I wrote about more guys, and more guys, and more guys. I was never a reader of gay fiction, and I’d never planned to write it. The only excuse I have for myself is: Hey, it’s just what comes out!

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RAFFLECOPTER Prize: $20 Gift Card (Retailer of choice)

In addition to the rafflecopter giveaway, Maris is offering an e-copy of one of her backlist books. Comment on this post for your chance to win.

You need to be 18 or older to participate in this contest. Void where prohibited. Etc.

This contest will end on June 5thea at 11:59 PM CDT. Good Luck!

TOURSHEDULE:

5/25/2015        Cia’s Stories

5/25/2015            Rainbow Gold Reviews 

5/26/2015            Love Bytes

5/26/2015            Sue Brown

5/27/2015            Multitaskingmommas Book Reviews

5/27/2015            Gay.Guy.Reading and Friends   

5/28/2015            RJ Scott

5/28/2015            Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

5/29/2015            Diverse Reader

5/29/2015            Joyfully Jay

5/30/2015            Nessa’s Book Reviews

5/30/2015            The Land of Make Believe

5/30/2015            Foxylutely Books

5/31/2015            Man2ManTastic

5/31/2015            Cravin “I” Candy

6/1/2015              MM Good Book Reviews

6/1/2015              Sid Love Writes

6/2/2015              Bayou Book Junkie

6/2/2015              Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

6/3/2015              Drops of Ink

6/3/2015              BFD Book Blog  

6/4/2015              The Novel Approach

6/4/2015              Two chicks obsessed

6/5/2015              Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

6/5/2015              Hearts On Fire Reviews