We’re so pleased to have author Mickie B. Ashling visiting us today, on the tour for her new novel, Yesterday. Enjoy this exclusive excerpt from the book, and then be sure to click on the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for the chance to win one of three prizes:

First Prize: A Dreamspinner Press Gift Card
Second Prize: A signed print copy of Yesterday
Third Prize: An e-book copy of Yesterday

Good luck!

I’d like to thank The Novel Approach for hosting the blog tour visit for my latest release, Yesterday, which releases tomorrow, the 22^nd. This novel is a period piece set during the tumultuous final months of the Pahlavi dynasty. The beautiful cover was created by multitalented author and cover artist Catt Ford. Aside from the giveaways that are listed in Rafflecopter, I’m bringing an exclusive excerpt to whet your appetite. I hope you’ll enjoy the small glimpse into the world of Prince Kamran Izadi and Grady Ormond.

About the Book: In June of 1978 Grady Ormond, eighteen-year-old son of diplomat Peter Ormond, accompanies his father to his new posting as US Ambassador to Pakistan. Neighboring Iran is on the brink of a civil war, with the monarchy in danger of being overthrown.

Grady will be leaving for New York City in late August to study cinematography and has been warned to keep his homosexual orientation tightly under wraps while on vacation. Repercussions in the predominantly Islamic region could be severe.

On their first night in Karachi, his father hosts a cocktail party to meet the local dignitaries. Grady is introduced to His Highness Prince Kamran Izadi, nephew of the Shah of Iran. Twenty-three-year-old Kamran has recently returned from the UK, where he spent eleven years, first as a student, and then as a financial analyst.

The attraction is immediate—unforeseen and dangerously powerful—but neither one dares to make a move. Odds are so stacked against them it’s futile to even entertain a friendship, but they do, and their world tilts precariously.

With his country in turmoil and Grady about to leave for college, Kamran makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

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Excerpt: He saw me and waved, breaking into a beautiful smile that changed his face dramatically. In repose he looked menacing, a studied look he’d no doubt perfected, but when he cracked a smile, the contrast was significant. I could forget for a few seconds that he wasn’t the untouchable nephew of a world leader. He was dressed in white again, a color that definitely suited him. The loose pants and long tunic top was a traditional garb of some kind and looked comfortable.

“Grady,” he called out in the deep baritone, rolling the r in my name appealingly. “You look like you’ve been basting in an oven.”

I laughed. “It felt exactly like that,” I admitted. “This is why I’m here instead of out there. Would you care for a drink?”

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he replied.

I turned toward the bartender. “Another iced tea, please.”

“Why don’t we sit down at a table?” Kamran suggested. “I don’t like to drink standing up. It makes me feel like a camel.”

I grinned. “Not much of a barhopper, are you?”

“Hardly,” he said. “I told you I don’t touch alcohol.”

“Right.” I remembered he’d mentioned something last night about being Muslim. “It’s against your religion?”

He nodded. We got to the round table, and he pulled out the chair for me. I was taken aback by the gesture; I didn’t think royals did that sort of thing. I obviously had some preconceived notions I’d have to discard.

Once we were settled, he asked, “What would you like to see today?”

“How about I let you decide?”

“All right,” he agreed. “Why don’t we stroll through Empress Market for starters?”

“What is it?”

“The oldest, filthiest, most congested bazaar in the world, but it’s a wonderful and interesting place to visit. You can film anything you want and shop as well. How does that sound?”

“Perfect,” I replied. “Then what?”

“They’re preparing lunch for us at my place.” Candidly, he mentioned, “I thought I’d show off my animals. You did say you were interested in the homing pigeons, correct?”

“Among other things,” I replied.

He reached over and took off my sunglasses. “That’s better. It’s hard to know if you speak the truth without looking into your eyes.”

“What do you see, Kamran?” Hopefully not what I’m thinking, I added to myself. He was better-looking in the daylight, and I realized I would throw caution to the wind if he so much as hinted at the possibility. We were far enough from Iran to be safe, I rationalized. Why would anyone bother with me and a royal so far down the line of succession they’d have to obliterate the shah’s entire family for Kamran to stand any kind of chance at claiming the throne? As usual, my mind was off on a tangent, imagining one exciting scenario after another. Good thing I was going into filmmaking.

“The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply,” he said softly.

“Gibran again?”

“His communication skills are far better than mine,” Kamran stated.

“But you’re alive,” I countered. “I’d prefer to hear your own thoughts.”

Kamran stood and held out his hand. “Why don’t you go and change. I’ll be waiting for you in the white Land Rover that’s parked at the hotel entrance.”

About the Author: Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multifaceted woman who is a product of her upbringing in multiple cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.

By the time Mickie discovered her talent for writing, real life got in the way, and the business of raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing—and the inevitable emptying nest—dreams of becoming a published writer were resurrected and she’s never looked back.

She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called “gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking.” She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.

Mickie currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

Connect with Mickie: Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Goodreads & Ask the Author

THE GIVEAWAY

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Follow the Tour:

Jan. 20 – Hearts On Fire
Jan. 21 – The Novel Approach
Jan. 22 – Diverse Reader
Jan. 22 – Multitaskingmommas
Jan. 25 – Charlie Cochet
Jan. 26 – On Top Down Under Book Reviews
Jan. 27 – Love Bytes
Jan. 28 – Prism Book Alliance
Jan. 29 – MM Good Book Reviews
Feb. 1 – Rainbow Gold Reviews
Feb. 2 – Sinfully

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