Book Tour for Chyna Doll by Mickie B. Ashling (GIVEAWAY)

As a fan of Ms. Ashling's books I'm honored to be hosting her today with her newest release, Chyna Doll, the fourth book in her Horizons series and featuring a main character who just so happens to have the same name as me.  Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this emotionally engaging tale of love and gender.  Make sure to fill out the form for the chance to win a $20 Dreamspinner Press GC, e-copies of this book, and eBooks from Ms. Ashling's backlist too!  So let's hear from Ms. Ashling......

Many thanks to The Scarf Princess for hosting my Chyna Doll blog tour visit. Although this novel is the fourth in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone since most of the characters that populate this story are new to the Horizons series. There’s also enough back story on the original characters so new readers won’t be lost in the family dynamic. We’ve moved ahead several years.  Luca is now a teenager embarking on a new adventure—high school and dating.  Clark and Jody are watching over him for a month while Lil and Grier are traipsing around Italy. I’ve brought along an exclusive excerpt for you, as well as some goodies to give away, so stay tuned to see what you can win!

Lil Lampert’s forty-fifth birthday turns the effervescent architect into a brooding mess, and his partner, Grier Dilorio, takes him to Italy to help him regain his zest for life. The timing is bad—almost-fifteen-year-old Luca has just started high school, and his mother and stepfather are also traveling. Luca is left in the care of Chicago Bear, Clark Stevens, and his partner, Dr. Jody Williams.

Growing up with two dads and two gay uncles has given Luca a unique perspective on gender roles, but not all the answers. He’s had a secret crush on his straight best friend, Chip, for years. Suddenly, Luca finds himself attracted to Chyna, Chip’s twin sister. Now he's wondering if this means he’s bisexual.
Born with a sexual development disorder, Chyna should have been raised as a male, but due to an epic parenting fail, is being raised as female. Hiding the truth becomes more difficult when Chyna hits puberty, and crushing over Luca adds another element to Chyna’s struggle to fit in.
Is Luca's moral compass strong enough to guide him successfully through this period of discovery or will he succumb to peer pressure and shatter Chyna's dreams for happiness?

EXCERPT:

It was a beautiful September day, not too hot or cold, the kind of weather most people associated with Indian summer. Chyna had chosen to eat outside instead of the crowded cafeteria for privacy, even if it was out in the open. Picnic tables were spread far apart, and it would make it harder to eavesdrop. She was sure eyes would be on her as soon as Luca appeared. Good. Did they think her life would end if she wasn’t a part of the “cool” crowd?
A shadow blocked out the rays of sunlight that had been lightly toasting her fair skin.
“Hey,” Luca said, looking down at her with a shy grin. “Mind if I sit?”
She squinted up at him and saw impossibly wide shoulders and a thick neck holding up the friendliest face she’d seen all day. Luca’s dark eyes sparkled, and his broad smile was a welcome sight. God, he is so hot. She scooted over on the bench, making room. He pulled a brown sack out of his backpack and unloaded a hefty lunch: the biggest sub sandwich in the world, a huge bag of chips, an apple, and a megasized bottle of Gatorade
“Have you eaten?” he asked, pointing at his stash. “I’ll be happy to share.”
“Thanks,” she said, pulling out a salt-and-vinegar chip from the bag he’d just ripped open. They were her favorite, and she was kinda glad they shared the same taste. “What’s in the sub?”
“The kitchen sink,” he said, laughing. “Usually leftovers or whatever cold cuts are on sale for the week. Tito Clark tries to spread the protein and veggies evenly.” He pried the roll apart and recited the contents: cheese, ham, salami, bologna, roast beef, pickles, lettuce, and tomato slathered with mayo and mustard. “Want a bite?”
“Sure,” she said, reaching for the loaf. The one thing Chyna had never had to worry about was gaining weight. While the rest of her friends survived on rabbit food or upchucked to stay slim, she ate anything she wanted. She took a generous bite and chewed happily while Luca watched with a smile on his face.
“What?”
“It’s nice to be with a girl who eats like a boy.”
“Sorry?”
He laughed and angled his head toward Ashley and her group. “That bunch would rather starve than chow down.”
“Their loss,” she replied. She took another bite and passed the sub back. Luca got down to business and finished his sandwich in no time. He washed it down with half of the orange-flavored Gatorade, crushed the sandwich foil and chip bag into a ball, and tossed it into the trashcan. He picked at the label of his drink, stealing sideways glances as if to see if she was paying attention. It dawned on her that he was just as nervous, which was reassuring. It made her feel less awkward. Luca had been a fixture in her life for years but always on the periphery as Chip’s best friend. This was the first time he’d sought her out, and she wished she knew what was on his mind.
“So,” he said hesitantly. “Do you have any plans for Homecoming?”
“No.”
“You want to hang out with us?”
“As your date?”
His cheeks flushed. “Yeah.” She wanted to do a happy dance but grinned instead. “I’d love to.”
“Cool.”
“Does Chip know you’re asking me?”
“I thought I’d wait in case you turned me down.”
“Are you always this cagey?”
“What do you mean?”
“Playing it safe.”
“I’m not sure I follow.”
“You’re thinking Chip might object, so you wanted to hear my answer first.”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Don’t worry,” she said reassuringly. “He won’t mind.”
“Are you sure?”
“Why would he?”
Luca snorted. “Because you’re the baby sister we’ve been guarding for years.”
“I had to grow up eventually.”
“I noticed,” Luca said. His cheeks flamed with embarrassment, an endearing side of him that made Chyna melt. His mixed heritage had blessed him with skin that tanned, unlike her quick-to-burn complexion, and he was toasted a lovely shade of golden brown from months of being under the sun. Chyna was having a hard time keeping her hands away. She was dying to know if he felt as smooth as he looked. He didn’t have hairy arms or legs. She supposed it was due to his Filipino half, and wondered what he thought of furry women. Would he mind that she had more body hair than him?

BUY LINKS:  DREAMSPINNER | AMAZON | ARe

AUTHOR INFO:

Mickie B. Ashling is the alter-ego of a multifaceted woman raised by a single mother who preferred reading over other forms of entertainment. She found a kindred spirit in her oldest child and encouraged her with a steady supply of dog-eared paperbacks. Romance was the preferred genre, and historical romances topped her favorites list.
By the time Mickie discovered her own talent for writing, real life had intruded, and the business of earning a living and raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing and the inevitable emptying nest, dreams were resurrected, and the storyteller was reborn.
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 loves to travel and has lived in the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East but currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

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