Guest Post and Giveaway: Controlled Burn by Erin McLellan

We’re so pleased to have author Erin McLellan joining us today on the tour for her brand new release, Controlled Burn, from Riptide Publishing. Erin did something fun and a little different for her stop today, so enjoy and then be sure to check out the giveaway details below.

Welcome, Erin!

Emails from Paulie to Joel

Here are some lovey-dovey emails between the two main characters of Controlled Burn, Joel and Paulie. These emails take place after Controlled Burn. Both characters reference Travis, who is Joel’s housemate and best friend. Enjoy!

~Erin

To: Joel Smith

From: Paulie McPherson

Date: April 10, 5:32 PM

Subject: Date Night w/ a Third Wheel

My Dearest Joel,

I’m at your house, and Travis and I are absolutely starving. We’d like you to bring us sweet and sour chicken from China Star. It’ll be like Date Night, but with your best friend here too. Maybe we should call it a game night, instead? I’m up for kicking your ass at Pandemic again.

Please hurry up at the library. I miss you.

Love,

Paulie, Hungry Boyfriend

To: Paulie McPherson

From: Joel Smith

Date: April 10, 5:40 PM

Subject: Re: Date Night w/ a Third Wheel

Babe, I don’t think we can call it Date Night if Travis is there too, as much as I love the guy. Also, you don’t kick my ass at Pandemic. You’re playing against the board in Pandemic. If I lose, so do you. That’s how it works.

And China Star is literally a block away from you. Just walk over there!

See you when I finish this nightmare of a research paper. Remind me why I’m taking this History of the Ancient World seminar again? I officially hate Homer.

-Joel

To: Joel Smith

From: Paulie McPherson

Date: April 10, 5:48 PM

Subject: Re: You’re a horrible boyfriend

Sweet Darling Joel,

You suck! Stop being a responsible student! Homer is literally pointless. His works have had no contribution to modern society. Bring us food.

Also, Travis says he’ll proofread your paper for you, if you want. But ONLY if you come bearing sweet and sour chicken.

I’m sorry your research paper is a nightmare. Not everyone is a good student. Don’t let it get you down. ;)

Love,

Paulie, Still Hungry Boyfriend

To: Paulie McPherson

From: Joel Smith

Date: April 10, 6:01 PM

Subject: Re: I AM NOT a horrible boyfriend

You’re not doing a very good job of convincing me to buy you and Trav dinner. Insults don’t really do it for me!

But, for the sake of our argument, if I were to stop at China Star, would you want egg rolls or crab wontons? Not that I’m going to do it. Because I’m not! I have my entire Works Cited page to finish, and I don’t have time to be your delivery boy.

Also, I miss you too. Forgot to mention that in my last email.

-Joel

To: Joel Smith

From: Paulie McPherson

Date: April 10, 6:06 PM

Subject: Re: I can’t wait to kiss my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad boyfriend

To My Favorite Delivery Boy,

YAY! My boyfriend is bringing me crab wontons!!!! You’re the freaking best!

Travis wants egg drop soup, too.

Also, I kind of love you. Just FYI. I might even let you win at Pandemic.

Love,

Paulie, Devoted Boyfriend

To: Paulie McPherson

From: Joel Smith

Date: April 10, 6: 14 PM

Subject: Re: Be Home in 30 Minutes

So now you’re my devoted boyfriend, huh? I see how it is.

Also, I kind of love you, too. Like a lot. Like more than anything.

Will you still love me if I fail History of the Ancient World?

See you soon.

-Joel

About the Book

At eighteen, Joel Smith’s life fell to pieces. His boyfriend died in a car crash while reading a sext from him, the local newspaper outed them both in the aftermath, and his parents got a divorce. Joel did everything possible to outrun his past: he moved to Oklahoma for college, legally changed his name, and started over.

Since then, he hasn’t let anyone get close—not his classmates, not his roommate, and definitely not his hookups. The strategy has served him well for over three years. Why would he change it now?

But Joel doesn’t plan on the articles about his boyfriend’s death being used as a case study in one of his classes. And he doesn’t plan on Paulie McPherson, who is sweet and giving and fun. In Paulie, he finds a home for the first time in years.

But love isn’t simple, and lies have a tendency to get in the way. Joel must figure out if he’ll allow his grief to rule him, or if his connection with Paulie is worth letting all of his walls come tumbling down.

[zilla_button url=”http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/controlled-burn” style=”blue” size=”large” type=”round” target=”_blank”] Available Now from Riptide Publishing [/zilla_button]

About the Author

Erin McLellan writes contemporary romance, often set in the South or Midwest—particularly Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas—with characters that are complex, good-hearted, and sometimes a little quirky. Erin likes her stories to have a sexy spark and a happily ever after.

Erin has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of Oklahoma. She has always enjoyed writing, but becoming a librarian and meeting enthusiastic romance readers helped her find her own writing passion. Now Erin cheerfully writes romance with characters across the LGBTQIA spectrum. A former public librarian, she still enjoys being surrounded by books and readers, but Erin hopes to find her stories on the shelves as well.

Originally from Oklahoma, she currently lives in Alaska with her husband, and spends her time dreaming up love stories set in the Great Plains. She is a lover of chocolate, college sports, antiquing, Dr Pepper, and binge-worthy TV shows.

Connect with Erin: Website || Twitter || Instagram || Pinterest

The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Controlled Burn, one lucky winner will receive a $25 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on August 19, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!