tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72853988881178093612024-02-19T23:20:51.193-06:00Shadows of the NightThe Musings of Author Marie Medina....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-61902788791418145342022-10-14T15:57:00.003-05:002022-10-14T15:57:48.908-05:00New Release: Brute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q2w6yaTGcuTQVhuagCvc9UUUH4nC9sF5mBU4_rc8vO-LwMJsurPUDS-AneRvm0TtanLt3rYaAdEEXA_-fP-52D-gIV4gk4f8k_3tCkk1huirrIGFiRCN_lDE6kt8w2sy8x5vr4KJ3Fo2S_C7Ipb-9KHaRwzhmX5QE93yDPsndCEG6IgfMRBxH3fd/s2700/brute-complete.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q2w6yaTGcuTQVhuagCvc9UUUH4nC9sF5mBU4_rc8vO-LwMJsurPUDS-AneRvm0TtanLt3rYaAdEEXA_-fP-52D-gIV4gk4f8k_3tCkk1huirrIGFiRCN_lDE6kt8w2sy8x5vr4KJ3Fo2S_C7Ipb-9KHaRwzhmX5QE93yDPsndCEG6IgfMRBxH3fd/w368-h553/brute-complete.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="celwidget" data-cel-widget="bookDescription_feature_div" data-csa-c-asin="" data-csa-c-content-id="bookDescription" data-csa-c-id="a8yqia-5jc5jy-wpirjt-sl1flt" data-csa-c-is-in-initial-active-row="false" data-csa-c-slot-id="bookDescription_feature_div" data-csa-c-type="widget" data-feature-name="bookDescription" id="bookDescription_feature_div">
<div class="a-expander-collapsed-height a-row a-expander-container a-spacing-base a-expander-partial-collapse-container" data-a-expander-collapsed-height="140" data-a-expander-name="book_description_expander" style="max-height: 140px;"> <div aria-expanded="false" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content"> <span class="a-text-bold">Bianca
is flattered to have gained the attention of the alpha from a
neighboring pack, until she finds out he expects her to fall in line
with all his plans without question. She isn’t going to be his mate
simply because he wants her, even if he is an alpha. She makes it clear
that he’s going to have to do more than growl the word “mine” to
convince her to give him a chance. When he proves he’s willing to jump
through more than one hoop to get her attention, she has to decide how
far she wants to go. Will she be satisfied with a few unforgettable
nights, or will she agree to be his because she can’t imagine him not
belonging completely to her?</span><span><br /></span> </div> <br /></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brute-Romance-Go-Marie-Medina-ebook/dp/B0BHBD54W3/" target="_blank">Buy on Amazon</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://www.evernightpublishing.com/brute-by-marie-medina/">Buy from Evernight</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bookstrand.com/book/brute-mf-1">Buy from Bookstrand</a> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brute-marie-medina/1142497952">Buy from Barnes and Noble</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/brute-21">Buy from Kobo</a> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1168541">Buy from Smashwords</a> <br /></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-30962410635513975912021-02-19T11:16:00.003-06:002021-02-19T11:16:54.117-06:00Reluctant Groom Anthology Coming This Summer!<p> I'll have a story in Evernight Publishing's Reluctant Groom anthology, which should be released in June.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmzL2lQ9kG4lD1DeC2H8JYAdt4DzaejX_XrqmijqHO5uYHZqIi2rMletm6tRTxcEos9d-z_D9cCRmPMPyG4CyCqBXn-nsNKzoInCAgZB50RYhnjJeIqiywZfJKxcyc0MT2f6MscFmjaY/s940/Coming+Soon+to+Evernight_+Reluctant+Groom+Anthology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmzL2lQ9kG4lD1DeC2H8JYAdt4DzaejX_XrqmijqHO5uYHZqIi2rMletm6tRTxcEos9d-z_D9cCRmPMPyG4CyCqBXn-nsNKzoInCAgZB50RYhnjJeIqiywZfJKxcyc0MT2f6MscFmjaY/w478-h400/Coming+Soon+to+Evernight_+Reluctant+Groom+Anthology.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-19544030983240440342020-04-28T16:46:00.000-05:002020-04-28T16:46:29.978-05:00His Second Chance (and the rest of Valladora)My newest book, and the latest addition to the ongoing Valladora series, is here!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF63A5FhqeUm10_hDknoYFMSNSi-XRRaKfioZlqHrwhgG8hfOk7ORby26lgiv8-i6BnJgkNa_e4A6ZPNJXfcQ2HYhwUtXczEhf_Py2xJfI6v9fmLRnos5VXopBo9Uwq4BcHk-Ud6OgwK8/s1600/hissecondchance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF63A5FhqeUm10_hDknoYFMSNSi-XRRaKfioZlqHrwhgG8hfOk7ORby26lgiv8-i6BnJgkNa_e4A6ZPNJXfcQ2HYhwUtXczEhf_Py2xJfI6v9fmLRnos5VXopBo9Uwq4BcHk-Ud6OgwK8/s320/hissecondchance.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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When Petyr had to choose between the fated mate he hardly knew and his
pregnant former lover, he told himself rejecting Rollo was his only
option. Even when life brought him more heartache, he felt it was all
worth it when he looked into his children’s eyes.<br /><br />Rollo never
forgot about his fated mate. When Petyr shows up on his doorstep in the
middle of the night, there’s no time for joy as Rollo finds out all his
mate has been through since they parted. Petyr is dying, and though
Rollo’s blood could save him, he asks for nothing more than Rollo’s
promise to care for his children.<br /><br />But this time, Rollo isn’t
going to give up. The gods have given them both a second chance, and
he’s going to prove that to his mate. </div>
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<a href="https://www.evernightpublishing.com/his-second-chance-by-marie-medina/" target="_blank">Evernight</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Year-Blood-Book-ebook/dp/B085TCHQBJ/" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mariemedina" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><br />
<a href="https://www.bookstrand.com/book/his-second-chance-mm" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a><br />
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More information about the entire world these books are set in can be found here on my blog:</div>
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<a href="https://mariemedina80.blogspot.com/p/valladora.html" target="_blank">Explore Valladora</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://mariemedina80.blogspot.com/p/tasting-cherry-blossoms-simon-has-never.html" target="_blank">Valladora Reading Order</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://mariemedina80.blogspot.com/p/valladora-character-guide.html" target="_blank">Valladora Character Guide</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://mariemedina80.blogspot.com/p/valladora-tales.html" target="_blank">Valladora Tales</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeToO2AyVta-JfSeLk3slWHBJzHBkEA4BOSudp8fmwMNgAdSMULnDDYrjZGnxjM9Y6y9U5dGXiPqaS5xgFgijF4zN9fBZoa71ug47NvQpbwXubpIpgHveUP-KY83vz8Lc02YIJaPDTgU/s1600/valladora18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeToO2AyVta-JfSeLk3slWHBJzHBkEA4BOSudp8fmwMNgAdSMULnDDYrjZGnxjM9Y6y9U5dGXiPqaS5xgFgijF4zN9fBZoa71ug47NvQpbwXubpIpgHveUP-KY83vz8Lc02YIJaPDTgU/s400/valladora18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jfAWUJBloUngQuP6wDJ09-jz3GxcKaQK8bKAhpj8aYx7fBiH3-tSZWZVOuE18bSW9lZwnHa5f0i4z1TtM4nLbLeRtpDu8emncBflttqkkLDtCiLffO_iQCW5gdIMsNiTXbLT3cQXioU/s1600/VT4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="580" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jfAWUJBloUngQuP6wDJ09-jz3GxcKaQK8bKAhpj8aYx7fBiH3-tSZWZVOuE18bSW9lZwnHa5f0i4z1TtM4nLbLeRtpDu8emncBflttqkkLDtCiLffO_iQCW5gdIMsNiTXbLT3cQXioU/s320/VT4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-48601784801380291962019-09-02T12:07:00.002-05:002019-09-02T12:07:59.143-05:00Tamed By His Omega (Wolves in the Fae Court 4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZI-c1QGkEhMfBxvTH9_xDKaATOMjPrKzXxN2bSV3hiuCHBPmL5MBtvE4C_4qOaJa5pC1jchGhrPk6IELK0UHVVr7q5nfMe6-taLBuBaw2RUyXfg3lJLOV3BwMoYoVq1eW7J-hi88_f4/s1600/Tamed+by+His+Omega-complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZI-c1QGkEhMfBxvTH9_xDKaATOMjPrKzXxN2bSV3hiuCHBPmL5MBtvE4C_4qOaJa5pC1jchGhrPk6IELK0UHVVr7q5nfMe6-taLBuBaw2RUyXfg3lJLOV3BwMoYoVq1eW7J-hi88_f4/s400/Tamed+by+His+Omega-complete.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Ryden agreed to represent the Sons of Fenrir at the wedding of the fae
king with every intention of leaving the reception as fast as his strict
code of conduct would allow. Finding his mate there leaves him reeling,
especially since his clan will never accept the omega wolf shifter.
Ryden has a duty to his people and can’t allow Owen to influence him, no
matter how sweet and tempting the little wolf proves to be.<br />
<br />
But
Owen refuses to give up. He understands why the fierce warrior thinks
they won’t be a good match, but he feels the gods know what they’re
doing. His persistence lands them in trouble, though, and now all he can
do is continue trying to convince his mate they were fated for a
reason.<br />
<br />
Owen does all he can to woo the stubborn man, oblivious to how their mating is going to change fae history forever.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2jUxHqH%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2tudgGvkfcnXq_THe8z36dMpNTVTJTruY2bpQoKKcVrNdQxQ72SYvN4r0&h=AT2zthCZi4wUzFIdLg3FGJSMNhlob9pIDayYn3VDUV8UwGkxwCWkRy-rOCK7GnSbuaW-Ur4uCiksYoIWsWHirD51QLu_HpAKWIau344cci16TC0MkHuUcGUc7GAsGGD1RQI9H96xnPMeh1xxrM9fXk9WLUVYG7Wionqn_Drv6HdcVJ8-yFyoXR-X07agaS8aOH3odIBpJCTa0_apzTdZ-ISFLnvek1ek0QUz5JpFtCSDNoj4tzfp-S37mgAfnHMMyrw6vWGkPs2zbgsfPsXDC6YIYPHp5OxN0oI3KNaYuHWjowcRXar1uu7qkV_aPeSZ1v5HBp1OGgVupQisiwYLk_FehEsy6ur043l24yPDotRYEOp7Lgg4qXKhNxGhkGcrCbaS7R0t7PGWvnOe2YsTbgKXgFUcSD_h8NCZEs6LnFd_arEzip89GDDb3IPwYo_vHvmzDDMTlukfSsDlg7_vo2_xoh_Q6LuswMzVrF4TjQt5wjfd3RbTMUR0KLJIpsu45G-fdghBYtFK1pSFUnNc6ckBDW66oIFRDiDrnADLI0BHbb3KVtCNytJKE7QAgMWS5l0tex7HG8npD6RiR44JoMwFicQL49Rn1KqM6hjnhuTysVBps9qliGG-1I-3yG7ANtZbiDyEz3nmJfXEHRHDZhTTlw" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/2jUxHqH</a><br />
Evernight: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2jV8BIh%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0lsCUXLfDm3YCz8O-P6F9TDmZC-me2TnUkg7ROBX07k82XsF1aSe9-1qc&h=AT25m5geoFPtmAc2jdjZ4nBLjebZlzWOdBFMFj84yI8lr89AW1WlvoMe_Y0QH1u5fvVXpp2MOaUnlImXwSaOR3sc-RuI6K5WfMt06Z94rBDfdUjQiGujTIlAGgvqNS7ZQydnJWFaJlIJUm2WcIAdO0mBX2eWElg7mUoV19ZtrvLOmU4uPFr3q4TCD5a0bC_GNx_9QfAs8K2WFhiY7e0K4RwXKm9gv2-S2U-cldWQBnJb-wq8wV-HVAZUGN58m8cRd5G8LWgBxt25m-ouYfjSJtnQfyMCeweuA01HMli4BPlIqcxTKf8VpBP-hk5a0BITnvrInHBQljAymdFWej9RLm010sBW0iRal3un8ep7ZX-4syhZGxi0HU2IVB3IDD_tWHjf6lseOMXuuFBpLJHvsugCtT9PLtRVsuP1lR1S_CXO6exGASyXBxyKNyCDYp5ebI3E9t4rFcYm6qjAplmC-U8ZPHxoEqfh3Gra0LS6cCoFVW-tZT0rm2peE1AYY5LATixcdKUlEM6Vl-eytOpLiuUMApSTOx1B3suGtXB498cRSEJTcv-10iOrvvOvGMZ87yQtYe_LGowMWKoB66m0vuj2i1_5AqIB6fSXrOkX6hA0SIDdTo7hhtK6dHPZ_F2rwqqt4W8X3SWWtVwp3Bp3pEX9Ag" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2jV8BIh</a><br />
Smashwords: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2lsl86A%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0oD7ydtuiUWxy_yRkR0IRYLK3tH9Q-bw_7Aji7WRq0-18VDX3Ad_xRHZE&h=AT0ljV1ynFRGVJlReWU6P5P-rNjSKWeHHY4FWad6hQFnehAwBetQtqxyyIMU3Hde0hMC6qYXSYeqzsSLMlfAePvlTDcb6FKiYUWeTasEXTUio4LdjUi9dMWL0bQISxwW5NUAITS7fb3v9uXjwm8NWRychMarRe7qLECvI7VGVmPs2JCXkRdODE55upFgr-xETCh0Y3aP5doW69-6s09zXbe-QQsfcULefTgofVPqE-9aUDrLdijmZumuiclVzuToVPKQRo0Lnx-cl8y_9mImsx2L0gQIlxSujsbmdH3SfhXo6PJ8dtnfwNrJlsAnKjSDUFSN6E9ljD1SuvBtoPQQDCClXYzjiuOt-hX5isaxLFqZId_Ee7RwPtlg9iVeq8yHTS_E-Y-eM2F196WBMwIC67N6su4X-QJTfiK9-lcNFufLM45Bz2CNnuMSAeJgGx0CYtpj7SncCPBPKlkDvTxv1nV4fB2eOepECISbWk6uFEsGsWZcRUp5DvksKu1rROMJRDf0SZ-cb99MMGgFFoILBWR0fWKv3NSkOdhgC2wllqsvg9nsmNDknXKCTtUw6QUdXnGuceOvSFN15Kw8qT3fHBaXgN3eELoDjzeJdtkTai60IBvANNJcC5tCySDABFKKVrcOWPxKLhRhEudQdv8vmF2www" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2lsl86A</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-3448231716039905452019-05-17T11:50:00.000-05:002019-05-17T11:50:09.745-05:00Taken By HIs Warrior (Wolves in the Fae Court 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Asmund knows he’s put off marriage too long. With his two closest
friends happily mated to members of the wolf pack, he allows himself to
be talked into hosting a ball to find himself a wife. He’s spent too
many years waiting for the perfect person to simply fall into his lap.<br />
<br />
But just days before the ball, a wolf shifter with a hint of ancient
fae blood messes up all his plans. Vadik says the king is his mate, and
Asmund knows that shifters are never wrong. But Asmund needs heirs,
which the Beta wolf can’t give him, so he knows he must stay strong and
convince Vadik to walk away, despite their attraction. The hardest part
proves to be convincing himself that this man, who seems to fulfill
every fantasy he’s ever had, isn’t right for him.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.evernightpublishing.com/taken-by-his-warrior-by-marie-medina/" target="_blank">Buy from Evernight</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-91704280032653443952019-03-06T11:00:00.001-06:002019-03-07T08:20:02.808-06:00Claimed by His Beta (Wolves in the Fae Court 2)Book 2 of Wolves in the Fae Court is out today! And if you missed Book 1 in the Denying the Alpha anthology, you can read it for FREE from Evernight! (Link at end of post.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">Luke
accompanied his Alpha to the fae court to do his job, nothing more.
Since his mate’s death, he’s been fine with a few nights of solace here
and there. He’s never needed anything more than that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">But
his gaze keeps drifting to one fae in particular—Dane, the best friend
of his Alpha’s newly found mate. When he finds out a human hurt Dane
years ago, his protective instincts rise and refuse to be calmed.
Protective feelings soon turn possessive as he learns more about the
beautiful fae. Dane’s more than willing to come to his bed, but Luke
wants more than that. Far, far more.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.evernightpublishing.com/claimed-by-his-beta-by-marie-medina/" target="_blank">Buy at Evernight</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PHJZBGS/" target="_blank">Buy at Amazon</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/926878" target="_blank">Buy at Smashwords</a><br />
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<br />
<br />
Gregor arrives in the fae court ready to cement an alliance. When he
finds his mate there, he doesn’t hesitate to make their union a part of
the momentous event, even though he neglects to inform his newly found
mate about any of this.<br />
<br />
Jared is drawn to the Alpha of the wolf
pack immediately, unable to resist the man’s touch and more than willing
to go to his bed. But when Gregor decid<span class="text_exposed_show">es
their official mating is a done deal, Jared bristles. He sets out to
teach the shifter a lesson about respect, despite the fact all he really
wants to do is submit.</span><br />
<br />
When the Alpha is denied and told to learn how to properly court a fae,
he finds something very interesting in the ancient texts of the palace
library. And then, The Hunt begins…<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.evernightpublishing.com/hunted-by-his-alpha-by-marie-medina/" target="_blank">FREE at Evernight Publishing</a> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-24126043162553449352018-11-16T13:23:00.003-06:002018-12-19T10:51:15.191-06:00Denying the AlphaMy new series Wolves in the Fae Court has kicked off with "Hunted by
His Alpha", which is available in the Evernight Publishing anthology
Denying the Alpha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fcbNj4knSb14LJ8Q78rE5B9TLIERdp7JK3KtlRRAEiOeMRxESdddm5bQiSSWBs_NFIZMQEOthFqBseF4ONH7uZRUCv9gX81IrBSHGn2IDBsqddR6Op6GLkG6QMX5FkHgtTY4a0PWAWk/s1600/denying+the+alpha+antho-MM-3Drender.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fcbNj4knSb14LJ8Q78rE5B9TLIERdp7JK3KtlRRAEiOeMRxESdddm5bQiSSWBs_NFIZMQEOthFqBseF4ONH7uZRUCv9gX81IrBSHGn2IDBsqddR6Op6GLkG6QMX5FkHgtTY4a0PWAWk/s400/denying+the+alpha+antho-MM-3Drender.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.evernightpublishing.com/denying-the-alpha-manlove-edition/" target="_blank">Evernight Publishing</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKG24GS" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/denying-the-alpha-angelique-voisen/1129886520?ean=2940155877158" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gt/book/denying-the-alpha-manlove-edition/id1442307450?l=en&mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/denying-the-alpha-manlove-edition" target="_blank">Kobo</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gregor arrives in the fae court ready to cement an alliance. When he
finds his mate there, he doesn’t hesitate to make their union a part of
the momentous event, even though he neglects to inform his newly found
mate about any of this.<br />
<br />
Jared is drawn to the Alpha of the wolf
pack immediately, unable to resist the man’s touch and more than willing
to go to his bed. But when Gregor decid<span class="text_exposed_show">es
their official mating is a done deal, Jared bristles. He sets out to
teach the shifter a lesson about respect, despite the fact all he really
wants to do is submit.</span><br />
<br />
When the Alpha is denied and told to learn how to properly court a fae,
he finds something very interesting in the ancient texts of the palace
library. And then, The Hunt begins…</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-3788448230336289572018-09-19T11:07:00.000-05:002018-09-19T11:07:51.092-05:00Reforming Her Vampire (Valladora Tales 4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLR52mQWdzCofUjYOvQ7xrXuELauKxJbe00B1PfIpk0AIutHyyq5Q_JJKWRM41UhEhZZEZKeJPiB7hizKIlOfsGCu7VnD2yyQyHALIDTmTCsp893Ec9BZqCZ75qw8viRKslmNHAY8eps/s1600/RHV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLR52mQWdzCofUjYOvQ7xrXuELauKxJbe00B1PfIpk0AIutHyyq5Q_JJKWRM41UhEhZZEZKeJPiB7hizKIlOfsGCu7VnD2yyQyHALIDTmTCsp893Ec9BZqCZ75qw8viRKslmNHAY8eps/s400/RHV.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Sean arrived at a wedding thinking he might find someone to warm his
bed, if he was lucky. He didn’t expect to find his fated mate, and he
certainly didn’t expect her to be his friend Erik’s eighteen-year-old
ward. He’s never worried about attracting a lover before, but a mate is
very different, especially one as lovely and seemingly innocent as Iris.<br /><br />Iris
can’t help feeling stunned when Sean—the vampire who wears too much
cologne and flirts with everyone—tells her she’s his fated mate. Even
though he’s handsome, she’s never been able to take him seriously. But
as he takes her hand and pleads with her to give him a chance, she
starts to see a completely different man behind the façade he always
wears. Though she’s not sure it can work, the look in his eyes compels
her to explore what might be between them.<br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-23808819691744563712017-10-03T09:53:00.002-05:002017-10-04T13:21:16.353-05:00New Release: Assassin's Return (Valladora Tales 3)My latest mm release set in Valladora is here! Assassin's Return is the third book in my <a href="http://mariemedina80.blogspot.com/p/valladora-tales.html" target="_blank">Valladora Tales</a> series.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Samuel has devoted the last six years of his life to serving his king as
an assassin, but the adventures he was promised are starting to lose
their appeal. Two years ago, he realized what was missing in his life,
but he was too afraid to act on it. When the need becomes too great, he
leaves in the middle of the night to return home to his best friend …
the man he fell for without even knowing it. Though he fears Quentin
might not be able to accept his past, he knows he has to try to win the
man’s heart.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/assassins-return-by-marie-medina/" target="_blank">Buy at Evernight</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764972R5/" target="_blank">Buy at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/assassins-return-mm" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a><br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/751728">Smashwords</a> </div>
<br />
<br />
Excerpt:<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel swung the
ax again, the catharsis of the physical labor calming him some. Despite the
number of dangerous missions he’d completed, and the way he’d defied King
Jareth by leaving the palace without his permission, he felt like a coward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t even tell Quentin how I feel. How
will I ever convince him to give me a chance?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He’d had several
opportunities the day before, but he hadn’t taken any of them. The looks
Quentin had given him seemed to prove his friend suspected the truth, yet
Samuel had let each chance slip away. Samuel’s preference for male lovers had
never been a secret, but Quentin had never expressed any interest in men
before. Samuel knew Quentin wasn’t a virgin—he wasn’t either—but they’d never
talked much about sex beyond curious speculation when they were teenagers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Glancing back to
the house, Samuel saw Quentin at the kitchen window, probably washing the
breakfast dishes or preparing some vegetables for lunch. He paused a moment and
watched the other man turn his head and say something to Jesse before moving
away quickly, probably to keep the little boy from bringing a piece of
furniture down on himself. Samuel longed to stay here forever and take care of
Jesse and Quentin, but that would only work if Quentin could return his
feelings. Quentin was too tenderhearted and passive to ever ask him to leave,
but it wouldn’t make sense to anyone else that a man as wealthy as Samuel would
choose to live on a small farm with a “friend”. The fact he’d claimed Jesse as
his biological son would excuse it to many, but it would still look a bit odd.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
But more than
that, Samuel couldn’t spend every day at Quentin’s side without touching him.
He usually stayed about two weeks, which was about all he could take. Once he
ran out of tasks to do around the farm, all he could think of was holding
Quentin in his arms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel didn’t
remember the exact moment he’d developed feelings for Quentin. It had only
really hit him when he’d arrived in the village two years ago and seen Quentin
cradling an infant lovingly in his arms. His heart had nearly stopped, as he’d
thought that perhaps Quentin had neglected to tell him about a woman he’d
become involved with. When he’d learned the truth and looked down at Quentin’s
tear-stained face, the lie had simply spilled out. Samuel couldn’t even
remember half of what he’d said that day. All he’d been able to think about was
the fact that Quentin needed help and how claiming Lizzie’s baby as his own
would tie them together forever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
It had been a
stupid move. They’d been friends since infancy, and that would never change. He
hadn’t needed to do a damned thing to remain a part of Quentin’s life. The
shock had made him desperate to pull Quentin as close as he could. They’d never
fought about it—not exactly—but Quentin brought it up every time he visited.
After two years, though, he couldn’t take it back. Everyone would think he was
crazy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And what will they think if Quentin and I
get together? That’ll be a lively round of gossip.</i> Quentin and Lizzie had
been twins, though it hadn’t been obvious because Quentin had inherited his
father’s dark hair while Lizzie had somehow gotten the blonde hair dominant on
their mother’s side. People would whisper, but didn’t they already? Not
everyone had thought it proper for Samuel to seduce Lizzie and then stay gone
so long.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Of course, he
couldn’t defend himself and say he hadn’t actually done that at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel had just
turned twenty-five, and every time he returned home, the local women slyly
asked if he planned to marry soon. He’d always been discreet at home, so only
Quentin really knew about his preference. He’d left home at nineteen, four
months after the deaths of his own parents, following King Jareth off on a
“grand adventure”. Part of that adventure had been a very torrid affair with
one of Jareth’s grooms, his first real lover. His teenage years had been filled
with clumsy fumblings, but he’d never gone all the way until he was far from
home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Would you like
some water?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The voice broke
through Samuel’s thoughts, and he blinked as he lowered the ax and lifted his
gaze. “I’d love some. Thanks.” He reached out, brushing Quentin’s fingers as he
took the glass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You’re welcome.
You’ve made short work of it,” Quentin said as he shifted a wiggling Jesse in
his arms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel downed the
water as he looked around and realized he only had one more small section to
chop. “Yeah, I guess I was daydreaming myself.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Is everything all
right?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel set the
glass on a smooth rock by the fencepost. “For now.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“For now?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Unable to make
himself tell the whole truth, he settled for half the truth. “I don’t have
Jareth’s permission to be here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What? Tell me
you’re kidding. That man scares me so much.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“He shouldn’t.
He’d never hurt you or treat you unfairly. I know how he seems to everyone, but
I’ve gotten to know him well over the years.” Samuel paused, knowing he
shouldn’t talk too much about the king’s private life. Jareth had plenty of
flaws, but Samuel had come to respect him in a more tangible way since meeting
him in person. He came closer and set the ax aside, coming over the fence and
removing his shirt to wipe his face down. “But I have the queen’s blessing. I
told her I needed to go home, and she understood.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Quentin’s gaze
wandered over Samuel’s chest as he wiped himself down. Samuel hadn’t taken his
shirt off intentionally, but now he slowed his movements to see Quentin’s
reaction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I could’ve
brought you a towel. Sorry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel spread the
shirt over the fence to let it dry in the heat of the suns, and then he
shrugged. “It’s fine.” He reached over and flicked a bug off Jesse’s shirt.
“Don’t worry. If Jareth wants me back, he’ll send a messenger. I’m not in
trouble.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What did you tell
the queen?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“That I needed to
go home. See my friend. My child.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Even away from
here, you say he’s yours?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes. Inconsistency
is how you get caught in a lie.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Quentin tilted his
head. “Then maybe you shouldn’t have lied. I still don’t get it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel shrugged
again. “Didn’t want people gossiping about her. Your sister was sweet.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Quentin didn’t
look convinced, but he seemed to let it drop. “So that’s all that’s distracting
you? Worrying Jareth will make you go back?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel sighed.
“There’s always a lot on my mind. Perhaps we can talk later.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Do you want to
quit?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What you do for
the king. Do you want to quit?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Possibly.
Depending on how some other things go.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Quentin hugged
Jesse closer. “I’d like it if you did something else.” His gaze went to the
ground, and he lowered his voice. “I have nightmares. Sometimes.” He lifted his
eyes, a noticeable sadness visible there. “About learning you died in some
horrible way.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Despite the heat
of the twin suns, Samuel felt cold. “You’ve never told me that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Of course not.
It’s embarrassing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Don’t be
embarrassed. I worry about you, too. Out here alone. Both of you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Quentin started to
say something else, but a horse and cart pulled up in front of the house.
Quentin handed Jesse over as he waved at the man climbing down from the cart.
“Watch him for a bit. Those are the milk bottles from the inn. I need to count
them and sign for them.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Sure.” Samuel
took Jesse, who immediately began to wiggle. He walked to calm him a bit. Jesse
seemed to like Samuel, but he was only really content if Quentin held him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I need to tell him tonight. Make him
understand why I risked defying the king.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Samuel turned back
to watch Quentin, wondering what would happen next. To Jesse, he said, “What do
you think? Should I go for it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Jesse nuzzled his
neck and then held his hand up to the sky, waving it around before looking at
Samuel and laughing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’m going to
assume that’s a yes.” Looking back at Quentin again, he said, “Maybe soon, we
really will be a family.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Jesse began
wiggling again, and Samuel let him down, grasping his hand and letting himself
be pulled across a field toward the sandbox Quentin had set up for Jesse to
play in. Samuel let himself get lost in building castles and fortresses with
sand and rocks, for a time.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-82758132599539359842017-06-07T15:41:00.000-05:002017-06-07T15:41:25.977-05:00New Series Coming Soon: The Veiled CourtI haven't posted in a while and wanted to let everyone know a new series would be coming this summer.<br />
<br />
His Prince Submits is the first in a new gay fantasy series set in the land of the fey. More details will be coming soon. Watch my blog for updates on the new series.<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-35024370684030883242017-03-26T05:00:00.000-05:002017-03-26T05:00:02.039-05:00Tale As Old As Time: Given to the Beast by Adam CharlesWelcome to my blog! This month, I'm showcasing lots of retellings of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales. Today we have a dark fantasy version, Given to the Beast by Adam Charles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjmj6J7JE4Mi8Ls9qUBh7us3Nd2bccQ_0Tg7iCoDDBFCZ-MW0HejP-ZDvaJYxl2fhKxvdHEqJchEiKYBXu6x4ecUFe77bOID7Wqeojc5FENdsVNHKZ-95P0ut55EljiriwQf7FwVRZLk/s1600/GivenBeast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjmj6J7JE4Mi8Ls9qUBh7us3Nd2bccQ_0Tg7iCoDDBFCZ-MW0HejP-ZDvaJYxl2fhKxvdHEqJchEiKYBXu6x4ecUFe77bOID7Wqeojc5FENdsVNHKZ-95P0ut55EljiriwQf7FwVRZLk/s400/GivenBeast.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Michael has never been afraid of any challenge. When the tyrannical
beast that rules his land demands a mate—a strong, virile man—Michael
volunteers. He does so to save his village from the creature’s wrath and
prevent the beast from following through with his threat and coming in
the night to steal a mate. He goes to the castle certain he knows
exactly what he’s in store for, but what he actually finds changes his
life forever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Excerpt:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael stepped
out of the tub and watched the rivulets of water flowing down his body and
wetting the ground. He dried himself carefully. The strong sage soap he’d
washed in smelled too strong for his own taste, but it was traditional. Beyond
the high fence, he could hear people whispering. Small groups had been
gathering near his home all day. What were they all thinking? He had
volunteered, of course, but he imagined everyone had a different idea as to
why.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Turning his gaze
toward the castle, he sighed. He knew many probably thought he was heartbroken
over his wife’s death, but they had never been in love. It had saddened him to
lose the woman who had been his companion for two years, but Daria had only
been a friend. She’d been in love with another man, one who had abandoned her.
She and Michael had only lain together a dozen or so times. They had cared for
each other, but never truly loved each other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael began to
dress in the leather breeches and tunic he’d been instructed to put on. He
would go to the castle with nothing else. All would be provided there, he’d
been told. It had only been a week since the last girl had come back. Two
months ago, the tyrannical beast that ruled their land had demanded a mate.
He’d sent every single girl away, but this time, the girl had come back to her
people with a message.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
The beast didn’t
want another timid maiden. He wanted a strong, muscular male.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Everyone had been
shocked and insisted the girl’s brain was addled. She’d produced a handwritten
note, which had been put on display in the square. Michael had ruminated for
two days before going to the village elders and volunteering. Then they’d all
thought he was the one who was addled. But by the end of the night, they’d
agreed, finally understanding that no one else would go willingly. The creature
that dwelled in the shadows of the castle would come down at sunset and steal a
mate for himself if one was not given to him today. The last time they’d defied
the beast, there had been bloodshed. Michael had been too young to understand
what had happened, and no one liked talking about it. The creature had also
once used his sorcery to block out the sun for three days. Michael had always
respected the beast’s power but never feared him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael thought
about the beast as he straightened his tunic, which had no laces in front and
fit him snugly to show off his chest and abs. He ran his hand down his body and
wondered how it would feel to be touched by a clawed hand. The mysterious beast
that had ruled over them since before Michael’s birth was taller and more broad
shouldered than Michael. He never wore anything more than boots and leather
breeches. His body was covered in short black fur, yet he was muscular just
like ordinary humans. The strength of those muscles could be seen any time he
exerted himself. His face was like a lion’s, his yellow eyes piercing and his
hair a dark, wild mane. His rounded, cat-like ears swiveled to take in sound,
and people often stayed quiet when he was near, out of fear. He was like
something out of a fairy story, as if a man had killed a beast and then clothed
himself in the pelt. He had fangs and could roar when provoked. The sound was
not as loud or bold as a true beast’s, but it scared everyone nonetheless.
One-inch claws tipped his fingers. Some of the girls had come back with faint
scratches on their bodies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Michael?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael turned to
see Joshua, one of the elders, looking at him. “It’s time?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Joshua nodded.
“Yes, the carriage is ready.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael felt the
people watching him, and even as they whispered their concerns, he knew they
were all relieved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
They set off, and
Joshua gazed out the window as they wound up the hill to the castle. “It’s a
brave thing you’re doing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“We can’t fight
the beast. It might kill again if we don’t do what it asks. It’s better that I
go willingly than that some youth is dragged from his bed tonight. Or a father
taken from his family.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes, it is
better.” He sighed and then added, “It harmed none of the girls at least.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“But it frightened
them all half to death. I don’t frighten so easily.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You might when
that thing tries to mount you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael took a
deep breath and pushed it out slowly. “I’ve lain with men before. I won’t
break.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Joshua finally
made eye contact. “If you say so.” He pointed to the castle. “There’ll be no
escape. Those gates will close, and you won’t get out again unless the thing
opens them for you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I know that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Joshua shifted and
lowered his voice. “Do you mean to kill it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael shook his
head. “Do you go into the dark cave and lose yourself in its twists and turns
to kill the bear?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Joshua gave a
shrug. “Perhaps while it sleeps.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“And then our
kingdom would be vulnerable. The conquering hordes only stay away for fear of
the beast’s enchantments and strength.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
The carriage
stopped, and Joshua stiffened a moment before getting out and holding the door
open. The horses grew restless and tried to back up, and the driver had to jump
down to hold them steady. Michael descended and looked at the castle gates.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Go on, lad, and
may the gods have mercy on you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“The gods allowed
this creature to exist. I’m not sure I want their mercy.” He straightened his
back. “I won’t be harmed, Joshua. Perhaps he’ll let me out on a leash when he
comes to the village next time.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Don’t joke.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael laughed
without humor. “Who’s joking? I’ll not have my liberty if he likes me.” The
gates opened as the driver got into position again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Joshua scrambled
back into the carriage, and the driver turned the horses around and took off.
Michael gazed back at them a moment before entering the garden. A kind of
orderly chaos greeted him. Flowers and bushes and vines of every kind wound
together in great masses, multi-colored blossoms all around him. He followed
the winding path to the castle door and waited. There was no knocker of any
kind, only the blood-red wood before him. The beast had to know he was here,
since the gates had opened and closed for him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael heard
footsteps on the stones behind him, and a large shadow fell over him as the
door opened. Michael held his head up high and waited, staring into the castle
instead of turning to look at the beast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Turn around so
that I might have a look at you,” the beast said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
The deep voice
boomed directly behind Michael, and he turned slowly. The beast was over a foot
taller than him and a good bit wider as well, far more imposing than Michael
had remembered. Heat poured off the creature, and Michael watched his muscular
chest rise and fall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
A rumble came from
the beast’s chest. “At least they listened this time. What is your name?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Michael.” He
looked up into the beast’s eyes. “Am I permitted to know yours?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Those yellow eyes
looked amused, and the beast licked his lips, his fangs showing. “If I tell you
my name, you can never leave.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Do you think to
send me back? If I don’t please you?” Michael clasped his hands behind his back
to keep his restless hands still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
The beast pressed
closer. “You please me. And I will please you, if you let me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’m here to save
my village and my people. I came here to stay, so you might as well tell me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“My name is
Kyros.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael shifted
his stance as he turned the name over in his mind. “Is that what I’m allowed to
call you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Kyros nodded. “How
did they persuade you? Are you always so brave?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I volunteered.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Kyros stood
perfectly still, and then a smile curved his lips. “You came willingly to be my
mate? To writhe beneath me as I sate my lust within your body?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael lowered
his eyes. “I didn’t think of it that way, but yes.” He lifted his gaze. “I know
I’m here to be fucked.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Kyros gestured to
the door. “Then come in. You’ll need a bath.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I bathed before I
came.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes, in that
horrid sage concoction the villagers believe wards off evil.” The doors closed
behind them, the candles in the hallway lighting as they walked. “I’ve had to
wash every one of you. Do they not understand how keen my sense of smell is?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You could’ve told
them not to.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“No matter. It
will give me a chance to touch you before dinner.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael’s steps
faltered a bit. “Touch me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
A laugh rumbled
from the beast. “Yes. I shall bathe you myself.” He leaned close. “You shall
get to examine me as well. See what you’re in for.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You will only
touch me?” Michael asked, very aware of how near Kyros was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Are you so
eager?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael flicked
his glance up. “Merely curious.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You look at least
thirty. You’re no virgin.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“No. I’ve lain
with four women and two men. One was my wife.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Your wife?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Daria. She passed
away.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Did you leave a
lover to come to me?” Kyros opened the door to a huge bathing chamber of blue
and white marble. “I’m very jealous, you see. I must know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“No. Daria has not
been dead a year yet. I have no lover.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Kyros smiled
again, his eyes raking up and down Michael. “From this night on you will.” He
waved his hand, and steaming water poured from several mounted, silver lion’s
heads. A sunken tub lined with blue marble took up half the room. It filled
quickly, and Kyros fixed his gaze on Michael.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Undress. Let me
see you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Michael obeyed,
feeling warm under the scrutiny. He made himself keep his hands at his sides
when he was done. Kyros approached and walked around him, not touching yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You look strong.
You must work outside.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I was a
woodcutter. I also worked the farms when I was needed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
One clawed hand
slid gently down his back and then cupped his ass. The claws weren’t sharp, but
they were hard, and Michael knew they could cause pain if Kyros wanted to do
so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Get in the
water,” Kyros said, giving Michael a little pat on the ass.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-21319528772687634612017-03-24T09:49:00.000-05:002017-03-24T09:49:03.878-05:00Tale As Old As Time: Foxfire by Yuki EdoWelcome to my blog! This month, I'm showcasing lots of retellings of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales. Today's offering takes the premise of "Beauty and the Beast" in another direction, but there is still a mysterious beast, a magic mirror, an enchanted mansion, and a curious captive. Read on to find out more about Foxfire by Yuki Edo.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Hiro didn’t think anything could amaze him more than his brother’s
revelation that their family’s prosperity comes from the favor of the
kami Inari. Yet Hiro soon learns that Inari’s kitsune, fox spirits who
act as messengers, watch over his family in exchange for yearly
tribute—and this year, Hiro has been requested as an offering by one of
the mysterious fox spirits. Hiro’s brother takes him to a strange
mansion one night, and Hiro is left at the mercy of Masaki Kitamura, who
has yet to reveal what he has planned for his young visitor…
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OGSAT9O" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/foxfire-mm" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/558793" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Excerpt:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Masaki gazed into
the mirror and watched Hiro talking with his brother.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>“Why on earth
would he want such a thing?”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Masaki wished he
could pass through the mirror and answer Hiro’s question himself. Akira
presented the situation as a purely professional relationship, but Masaki had
told Akira the truth. He’d come to trust the current head of the family, and
Masaki could see he’d been right to do so. Akira had been surprised to hear Masaki
confess his feelings for Hiro, but he had also been pleased. Akira believed
Hiro was “closeted” and in denial about his desire for the company of other
men. Very delicately, Akira had told Masaki about some sketches he’d found
once. Masaki knew all about them. He’d even watched Hiro draw many of them,
watched the young man touch himself afterwards.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Masaki refocused
away from those thoughts. He wasn’t ashamed of his voyeurism—he spied on humans
all the time for Inari—but he wanted to see how Hiro would take these
revelations. Akira and Hiro continued to talk. Hiro didn’t become angry, but he
refused to believe any of the supernatural parts of the story Akira presented
to him. Akira showed patience, and before long Hiro said he would consent to
the business arrangement with no hesitation if Akira would tell him the truth.
Akira sighed, but he didn’t back down. Hiro gazed at the floor a long time, and
more than anything, Masaki wanted to touch him, to push his hair away from his
face and caress his cheek.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
<i>“Fine. I’ll do
it, but only for a month or so. My lease is up in a few days. We’ll go then,
but I’ll need time to look for a new place. What kind of hours will I have to
work? I have a couple of projects to tie up before I begin anything new.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Masaki’s heart pounded
so loudly he didn’t hear what Akira said in reply. Hiro was coming. It didn’t
matter that the young man didn’t believe yet. He would soon enough.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-43202893500516639202017-03-23T11:21:00.000-05:002017-03-23T11:21:03.611-05:00Tale As Old As Time: Bargain with the Beast by April AndrewsWelcome to my blog! This month, I'm showcasing lots of retellings of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales. Today we have a dark, contemporary retelling, Bargain with the Beast by April Andrews.<br />
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<br />
When Tobias Thorn sees a hooded figure abducting a young girl, he
doesn’t think twice before racing to the girl’s rescue. Only he isn’t
quite quick enough...because the next thing Tobias knows he’s waking up
in a cavernous room, his hands and wrists bound to an equally cavernous
bed, with his chances of escape looking pretty damn slim. <br />
<br />
But
Tobias is not a man to take things lying down. He’s going to find his
way back home no matter what it takes! But then he meets his abductor
and realizes things aren’t quite that simple. Tobias has entered a world
unlike anything he has ever known before. If he wants his freedom,
there is only one way he is going to get it, by making a bargain with
the Beast... <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/482520" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></div>
<br />
Excerpt:<br />
“You’ve abducted me,” Tobias said, his tongue suddenly feeling too big
for his mouth. “Chained me to the bed. You’re not letting me leave. Why
on Earth would I be attracted to you?”
<br />
<br />
The Beast smiled, and as he did so Tobias couldn’t help but notice the
way his yellow eyes seemed to glow. “Because you’re responding to my
desires,” he said. “The fact that I want you? You feel it and you’re
responding to it.”
<br />
<br />
His words were so close to what Tobias had thought as they walked the
tunnels of this underground town that he shivered. If he didn’t know
better, he’d start to think the Beast was a mind reader or something. <span class="details" style="display: inline-block;">
From the beginning—and it was just a few hours ago—it was like this man
knew exactly how Tobias was going to act, how he was going to respond,
even what he was going to say. It was too much. Too intense on top of
everything that had already happened. Tobias held up his hands. “Stop,”
he said. “Just stop.”
<br /><br />
The Beast sighed, and then to Tobias’ absolute horror, and intense,
unwelcome delight, he took the edges of his tee-shirt…and in one smooth
move he pulled it over his head.
<br /><br />
Tobias could do nothing but gape at him. Shock fizzling through every
cell of his being. The Beast was muscled in all the right places, worse,
he was dusted in a light sprinkling of tawny hair, and Tobias had
always been a sucker for hairy men. The urge to step forward, to run his
hands over those muscles, made Tobias gasp again. He could imagine
catching his fingers in the curls…tugging on them…
<br /><br />
He swallowed hard. His hands itched, his heart raced, and his cock
thickened in an instant. The reaction was so swift, so visceral, that
Tobias didn’t know what to think of it. He could only take a deep
shuddery breath.
<br /><br />
“There is no stopping,” the Beast said, his eyes fixed hard on Tobias.
“Not now. Not after you ran. Perhaps if you had done as I asked I would
have been able to control myself for longer.” He shrugged. “But you’ve
awoken it now, Tobias. I can’t stop it.”
<br /><br />
“I—”
<br /><br />
“Feel it, Tobias,” the Beast added. “It is pulsing between us. There is only one way to sate it.”
<br /><br />
“It?” Tobias asked. “It?”
<br /><br />
The Beast smiled. “Desire,” he said. “It’s been there from the very
beginning. It has always been just a matter of time until I had you.”
<br /><br />
He is not for you…
<br /><br />
Those words spoken to Gregovitch, the words spoken now, they brought a
million different images to Tobias’ mind, and it was ridiculous but he
actually felt weak-kneed. He knew exactly what the Beast was talking
about, and he shuddered at the thought of doing those things, not
because he didn’t want to, but because he did, so badly…in that moment
Tobias realized why he had taken so long to run, why he had let his
curiosity override his fear.
<br /><br />
He wanted to be fucked by the Beast.
<br /><br />
But he didn’t want to want it.
<br /><br />
“I just want to go home,” he whispered.
<br /><br />
The Beast lowered his hands until they were on the top of his jeans.
Tobias gulped at the intent of that movement. “Only I have the power to
grant that,” he said.
<br /><br />
“Because you rule here,” Tobias breathed.
<br /><br />
“Precisely.”
<br /><br />
“Then grant it,” Tobias said. “Please.”
<br /><br />
The Beast shook his head, and then slowly, like he wanted Tobias to see
every movement, he popped the button of his jeans. “That is not how it
works,” he said. “Here if you want something you have to give
something.”
<br /><br />
And so Tobias asked, though he feared he already knew the answer to his question. “What do you want?”
<br /><br />
“The same thing I have wanted since I set eyes on you.”
<br /><br />
“I prefer to pick my lovers,” Tobias said. “Not have them forced on me.”
<br /><br />
The Beast laughed and pulled on his zipper. “You would like nothing
better than to have me in your bed, and, I suspect, some force will
simply arouse you all the more.”
<br /><br />
“No.”
<br /><br />
“Yes, Tobias,” he said, almost chidingly. “I see the lust darken your
eyes when you look at me. You want this. You want me to bend you over
and sink my cock into your pucker.”
<br /><br />
Tobias’ dick pulsed and he closed his eyes, as if to block out the images the Beast’s words had created. “No…”
<br /><br />
“You want me to force inch after inch of my length into your luscious lips.”
<br /><br />
And thickened ever further. “No…”
<br /><br />
“And we’re going to do that, Tobias,” the Beast whispered. “There is no choice anymore. Not if you want what only I can give.”
<br /><br />
Tobias snapped his eyes open. “To go home.”
<br /><br />
“Precisely.”
<br /><br />
“So if I do this…”
<br /><br />
The Beast removed his hands from his zipper and crossed his arms. “Then I may grant your request.”
<br /><br />
“May?”
<br /><br />
“If you are as beautiful as I suspect,” the Beast said. “If it is as
good as I have been imagining it will be.” He paused, and then he
smiled, that same smile that had made Tobias shudder in the very
beginning. “If you please me then yes, Tobias Thorn, I will allow you to
go home.”</span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-64533020467121104742017-03-20T14:56:00.000-05:002017-03-20T14:56:47.229-05:00Tale As Old As Time: Under His Beast by Victoria Vallo<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome to my blog! This month, I'm showcasing lots of retellings of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales. Today I'm featuring another fantasy version, Under His Beast by Victoria Vallo.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCtVIMWftiSBcMDAjm17MaESY8H3uOrxIXGiim94f-DATTjqb74GIS-CyLyouRz59_EJ6Te9KPW5O-nEvZsrF3efAj9FbLNM2OjWzCMHk-LduhVqIdVkKZ_wpuqAIIcq13dKIMZNjUda7/s1600/UnderHisBeast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCtVIMWftiSBcMDAjm17MaESY8H3uOrxIXGiim94f-DATTjqb74GIS-CyLyouRz59_EJ6Te9KPW5O-nEvZsrF3efAj9FbLNM2OjWzCMHk-LduhVqIdVkKZ_wpuqAIIcq13dKIMZNjUda7/s320/UnderHisBeast.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Matthew arrives in the land of the prosperous Faeles—a
feline-like race—as an indentured servant, thinking he'll be doing nothing but
working for the next two years. But the handsome males all react to him in a
way no one ever did back home. He once thought he'd never have a chance to
explore the desires he's always had, but it soon becomes clear that he's going
to be more than spoiled for choice among the exotic Faeles...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Under-His-Beast-Faeles-Book-ebook/dp/B013J9WYQQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438963073&sr=8-1&keywords=under+his+beast+vallo" target="_blank">Buy at Amazon or Read Free with KU</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Excerpt:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew helped
Petyr load the bags of grain into his cart. A male Faeles with golden fur came
up to Petyr, clapping him on the back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I see you finally
got some help,” the male said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes.” Petyr
beckoned Matthew over. “This is Matthew. Matthew, this is Garren.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew smiled.
“Nice to meet you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Garren’s gaze
raked over him. “A pleasure. How long will you be with us?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Two years.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Garren smiled. “So
I’ll be seeing you often. I live in the house across the pond behind Petyr’s.
We share some fields, alternating crops each year.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I volunteered to
send him to Geraint, so he’ll be there for a month or two.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Ah, you should
find that exciting. Our sorcerer is … interesting.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Petyr shook his
head and laughed. “You’re trying to scare him because you think he’s cute and
want to keep him around.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Garren shrugged.
“Can’t blame me for trying.” He smiled at Matthew. “If either of them work you
too hard, I’ll give you sanctuary.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’m sure I’ll be
fine,” Matthew said, knowing his face was red.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Garren moved off
when someone called his name, and he and Petyr went back to loading bags. Once
they were headed back to Petyr’s, Matthew finally found the courage to ask, “Do
you really think he found me attractive?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Garren?” Petyr
glanced at him oddly and gave him a slow smile. “Your clerics weren’t very
thorough, were they?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“What do you
mean?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Humans are as
exotic to us as we are to you. But I’m sure you probably never gave that any
thought. Faeles males tend to like that humans are smaller and more fragile.
Brings out the machismo, you could say.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“So, lots of males
might find me appealing?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes, but you can
turn them down despite your status here. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise,
come to me.” He looked at Matthew seriously. “Especially since it would be your
first time, I take it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew nodded.
“Yeah. I’m just surprised. Girls back home were far more impressed by my
brothers.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Because you’re
short and not muscular?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You’d be smaller
than most of us even if you were a foot taller and solidly built. Don’t dwell
on it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew wondered
how it would be if he did meet someone special. His family would be
disappointed, but they just might understand, in time, if he wanted to stay
here as a mate. He could find work and send money home if he did that. One of
his brothers had already suggested he take work after the two years were over
if the Faeles offered him anything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Ask me anything
you like. Geraint is wiser than any of us, but he’s hard to pin down
sometimes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew wanted to
ask if Petyr found him attractive, but he didn’t want to seem forward or appear
to be fishing for a compliment. “I don’t mean to sound so down on myself. It’s
just that you’re all so beautiful.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Petyr smiled. “All
of us?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew swallowed.
“Yes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Then you may have
many options if you wish to gain more experience.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew blushed
again. “I think the pheromones are starting to get to me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Probably. I’m
seeing my lover tonight, so I’m a bit … on edge. He’s been away for a month.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You have a lover
but don’t live with him?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Petyr shook his
head. “We typically don’t live together until we select a true mate.” He parked
the cart and jumped to the ground, coming around to help Matthew down. “Not to
reinforce our reputation as wicked decadents, but if you wish, you could spend
the evening with us. My lover’s name is Erik, and he’s a very gentle male. We
could do anything you wished.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew thought he
might faint, though he wasn’t sure if it was fright or excitement making his
heart race. He swallowed. “I think that would be leaping without looking, as
they say. I just got here, and I am a bit overwhelmed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“That’s fine,”
Petyr said as he threw a bag of grain over his shoulder. “But I wished to make
the offer. I think you were afraid to ask, but yes, I find you attractive as
well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew took up
one of the bags as well and followed Petyr through a door that led to the
pantry off the kitchen. “Everyone speaks of such things openly here. At home,
it’s so different. So many topics are forbidden.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
They went back
outside, and Matthew took up a crate of apples. “I make a pretty good apple
pie, if you like them.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Petyr smiled “I
do. Thank you.” He grabbed another bag of grain and fell into step with
Matthew. “We see no reason not to speak of such things. We try to be
understanding of human ways.” He set the bag in the corner and straightened.
“But to be honest, you seem curious. I saw you on the ship watching everyone.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew put the
apples on the table where Petyr pointed. “I am. As you said, I’m certainly old
enough to have lovers.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I was very curious
when I was young. Wild, even. I look forward to having a mate one day, just not
quite yet.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“How do you know
when you’ve found a good mate?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
They brought in
the rest of the bags of grain as Petyr explained. “It’s part instinct and part
physical chemistry. Sometimes, a lover’s scent strikes you differently. Or it
could be something unconscious. My mother knew she wanted my father as her mate
when another female’s scent made her jealous.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew followed
him back outside. “So you can tell if someone you’re standing close to has been
with another?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes. By the time
I take you to Geraint, you’ll smell like me a bit. He’ll likely make you bathe
first thing. As I said, he’s traditional. Old-fashioned. While you’re attending
him, he won’t want to smell another, male or female.” He unhitched the horses
while Matthew swept the cart out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“So I’d need to
bathe after coming for supplies and things? Or interacting with others?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes, but he’ll
explain everything when you get there. He’s thorough. And efficient. That can
make he seem kind of gruff and curt, but don’t let it get to you. He’s a softy
deep down, just rough around the edges.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Sounds like
you’re setting me up with your cousin or something.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Petyr laughed.
“You won’t have to worry about that much. Geraint is more interested in study
than in sex. He gave up on romance after a relationship went bad years ago.
It’ll give you some time to get used to things here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew helped him
lead the horses into the barn. “He’s not interested in finding a mate?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Doesn’t seem to
be,” Petyr said. Then with a grin, he added, “So my offer still stands. Erik
has his own home, but he’ll likely be staying here most nights.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’ll think on it,
though it may be best for me to take the time to get used to things here.” He
took up a brush and stroked it over the horse, soothing her and picking leaves
from her mane. “Do many humans take lovers right away?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes, though I
hear they often deny it when they go back home.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“They must. I’ve
certainly never heard anyone talk about it openly. When I got here, I was
intimidated.” He lowered his eyes, knowing he still was. “I was shocked to hear
you say the males here would find me appealing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“The females will
as well. They like the gentleness of humans. Get tired of the strutting and
posturing.” He chuckled. “We’re a testosterone-ridden race.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You’re open and
warm, too, though. I like it. Everyone in the market was friendly.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes, and many a
male eyed you. I had to give them a glare that said you were with me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Matthew paused in
his brushing. “Sounds like I’ll not be going home with my virtue intact.” He
smiled to let Petyr know he wouldn’t mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You won’t miss
it,” Petyr said with another chuckle.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-8274126157574523452017-03-19T13:43:00.000-05:002017-03-19T13:43:38.541-05:00Tale As Old As Time: Owen and the Beast<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to my blog! This month, I'm showcasing lots of retellings of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales. Today we have a retelling set in my fantasy world of Valladora: Owen and the Beast.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-42eHPMG7Ir7FTB7TA_KSLmpqf8JSKxkPGpfts_8v87eoJZdykRb-ViEkgYJDkS2N9pOSgYnR0TQgw2osDhgOjHuIDY3fFfVu3hVH5yPDTg7I-DmIQ6aYGR8LTzSbIN8Llhf2tj1M8IA/s1600/owen-beast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-42eHPMG7Ir7FTB7TA_KSLmpqf8JSKxkPGpfts_8v87eoJZdykRb-ViEkgYJDkS2N9pOSgYnR0TQgw2osDhgOjHuIDY3fFfVu3hVH5yPDTg7I-DmIQ6aYGR8LTzSbIN8Llhf2tj1M8IA/s320/owen-beast.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Seeking to ease his loneliness, Owen sets out to meet his last remaining
relative, someone he never knew because of an old family scandal. He’s
trying to find his way in life, his path uncertain and his heart having
been broken more than once.<br />
<br />
Suffering under a demonic curse that
can never be lifted, Edmund hides away in Erimooor Lodge so he doesn’t
have to deal with the pity and fear his appearance inspires. Though many
in the nearby village accept him as he is, he knows not everyone will
have that ability to tolerate his animal-like appearance.<br />
<br />
Owen
makes his living as a storyteller, enthralling others with fantastical
tales. Little does he know that the gods have something amazing planned
for him when he meets the real “Beast of Erimoor Lodge” and finds out
how wrong all the old legends are.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2UL3ON" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/owen-and-the-beast-by-marie-medina/" target="_blank">Evernight Publishing</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/owen-and-the-beast-mm" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/690487" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></div>
<br />
Excerpt:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen hoisted
himself up onto the boulder and pulled his boot off, crying out at the
unexpectedly sharp pain. He stared down at his rapidly swelling ankle. Cursing,
he fumbled for his bag, which had gone flying when he’d caught his foot in a
rut in the road and been thrown forward. He’d actually done more damage pulling
his foot out of the rut, and that pissed him off. He looked down the road and
tried to guess how far away he was from his aunt’s village. He thought it had
to be at least five or six more miles, but he didn’t really know. There was
supposed to be an inn coming up soon, but he didn’t know its exact location
either. What he did know, however, was that he didn’t see anyone coming from
either direction on the road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He barely managed
to drag his bag over without falling off the boulder. He dug around in the
deep, overstuffed bag, hoping to find something to wrap his ankle with, perhaps
even brace it. Even though he’d known he didn’t have anything, he still felt
dejected when he cinched up the drawstring and dropped his bag back to the
ground. Dirt flew up, making him cough, and he looked up to the sky. It had
been so dry lately he’d been praying for rain, but now he hoped it held off
since he might get stuck in it. Fluffy clouds floated to his left, but the
clouds to his right were darker. He looked around to find some shelter, but he
couldn’t see any. Only open fields lined this part of the highway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen sighed and
wiggled his ankle, cringing at the pain. He could always rip the hem off one of
his shirts to bind it, but walking any distance would only make things worse.
His aunt would know just what to do, but she was miles away. Should he keep it
still or move it? Should he elevate it? Questions raced through his mind as he
heard hooves beating in the distance. He jerked his head up and began waving
frantically as soon as the horse became visible over the ridge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
A man about his
age rode up on an enormous black stallion. He made the horse stop and jumped
down right away. The enormous animal seemed formidable, but it stood calmly and
looked on as its master rushed over to Owen. The man actually appeared much
younger up close, a huge grin on his face as he pushed his messy brown hair out
of his eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Hi! You look like
you need some help!” the man said, still grinning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen had never
seen anyone express concern so happily. He shifted on the boulder and said,
“Yeah. I sprained my ankle, and I’m still miles from my destination.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Where are you
heading?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“The next village.
The small one by the mountains in Lady Christobel’s dominion. My aunt lives
there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Oh. That’s many
miles away still. You’d never have made it by dark even if you hadn’t hurt
yourself. There is a little inn about four miles up, but my home is much
closer. I live in the lodge just over this next hill, off in the woods.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’d appreciate
it, but I don’t want to impose.” He straightened. “I’m Owen.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The man laughed.
“Sorry. My master would roll his eyes at me and my thoughtlessness. I’m Lane.
Nice to meet you, despite the circumstances.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Your master?
You’re a servant?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, sort of.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You mentioned a
lodge. A hunting lodge?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, it used to
be.” Lane bent down and looked at Owen’s ankle. “Hmmm. I need to see to this,
but I don’t have anything for a splint. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know
on the way.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Thanks. I really
appreciate it. I was worried about getting stuck out here in the rain,” Owen
said as Lane picked up Owen’s bag and hefted it over this shoulder. Glancing to
the stallion, Owen sighed. “I know I can’t walk, but I’m not sure I can get up
on him. He’s enormous.” Lane was also half Owen’s size, so he wasn’t sure how
much help the man would be in getting him up onto the horse. “Maybe if I can
stand on one foot and put all my weight on you, I can make it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Oh, don’t worry.
We can get you up there.” Lane made a clicking sound with his tongue, and the
stallion came right over to them. Speaking to the horse as if it understood
every word, Lane said, “This is Owen. We’re going to take him home with us. He
needs our help.” Then he pointed at the ground.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
To Owen’s shock,
the horse actually lay down and then turned to look at the two men. Lane held
his hand out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Here. Just swing
your injured leg over. I’ll steady you.” He frowned. “No, wait, I’ll move to
the other side.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Lane moved to the
other side of the stallion and reached his hand over. Owen grasped his hand and
threw his injured leg over, pulling himself into position to sit properly in
the saddle. Once Owen was situated, Lane smiled at him and clicked at the horse
again. Lane held to the horse’s reins and urged him up slowly. The powerful
animal got to its feet easily, and Lane walked around to fetch Owen’s other
boot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
As they began
their journey, Owen asked, “Your master won’t mind an unexpected visitor? I can
pay, of course.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Nonsense. You’ll
be our guest. It’s just me and Lord Edmund day in and day out.” Lane grinned
once more. “I’m so excited! I already know exactly what to make for dinner. And
I just aired some of the ground floor rooms, so we can move you right in to one
of those.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The title gave
Owen pause, as did Lane’s excitement. “Your master’s a vampire?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, but he
doesn’t like to be addressed by his title. I slip up now and then, and he
forgives me. He’s very gracious. Kind and gentle. Would not harm a fly. The
best of masters. Good and generous and understanding.” Lane smiled as he kicked
at a few pebbles on the road. “I’ve never been happier in my life.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen wondered why
Lane was trying so hard to convince him this Edmund was a good man. “You think
a lot of your master.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, I do.” Lane
beamed up at Owen. “I think you’ll like him. I’m sure he’ll like you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, once my
ankle is bound, I won’t trouble you too much. If I can just rest and then maybe
borrow a horse. I promise to bring it back as soon as I can. Or you can
accompany me if you like.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Lane waved his
hand. “Nonsense. You should stay until you’re healed. We’d love to have you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I couldn’t impose
like that. It will take days. And even if your master is gracious, you haven’t
exactly asked his permission.” Worried he might sound condescending, Owen
quickly said, “I mean, you know him best, of course, but I hate to put him out
in his own home.”<br />
“It’s nothing!
Please, I insist. It’s time we had a bit of life and activity about the place.”<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Owen watched Lane for a long time, wondering how
things could be lacking in life and activity with Lane and his enthusiasm to
contend with. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-48110212749759204172017-03-17T13:28:00.000-05:002017-03-17T13:28:57.953-05:00Tale As Old As Time: Brute by Georgia FoxWelcome to my blog! This month, I'm showcasing lots of retellings of
Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales. Today we have a historical retelling, Brute by Georgia Fox.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcvVBnpOHX-duW3B7fkeNHeDBYK9EKyL31ElezxCLYst9xHo7LcwTqMFNq8X1yXdHv2B6SxPaP0DY3ERAEirtlqEWngtvB0G21nsToQvc57qbvhdTZzagkhDrHh-xMzgUylBXBsPUHGg/s1600/1569121210.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcvVBnpOHX-duW3B7fkeNHeDBYK9EKyL31ElezxCLYst9xHo7LcwTqMFNq8X1yXdHv2B6SxPaP0DY3ERAEirtlqEWngtvB0G21nsToQvc57qbvhdTZzagkhDrHh-xMzgUylBXBsPUHGg/s320/1569121210.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
When Lady Isabella is granted a husband she knows there can be no
refusing. This is the queen's will, and no one refuses the queen. But
the husband she is given turns out to be not just any courtier
handpicked by the cruel, tyrannical Queen Ingaret.<br />
<br />
He is
"Brutus", a wild man recently captured from his isolated tropical
island. A naked, long-haired, enormous savage, who knows only a handful
of words - all learned from a bunch of lusty sailors and none suitable
for the ears of a lady. A brute with a manhood that has made him a prize
exhibit in the queen's menagerie of rare animals.<br />
<br />
Isabella must
find some way to tame the beast who is now her husband, but she must
also keep the perverted, spiteful queen entertained, for this is not
just her future safety at stake. It is his life.<br />
<br />
Can this mismatched couple find a way to bond in bed and out of it? Can they live happily forever - and ever after?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brute-Twisted-Erotic-Fairy-Tale-ebook/dp/B00NS4Q8WY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489531706&sr=8-1&keywords=brute+georgia+fox" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/brute-mf" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twistedepublishing.com/products/brute-by-georgia-fox" target="_blank">Twisted E-Publishing</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/478462" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He was ravenous. The taste of her pussy— not puzzy, she had taught him—
was sweeter than wine and went to his head in just the same way. She
liked it when he licked her there, so he discovered, and she encouraged
him to keep doing it.
<br /><br />
When she let her hands slide up and down his body, and across his
shoulders, he found he liked that too. It was soothing, made him feel
warm in a way he never had before. Warm on the inside. It was a gesture
that seemed admiring, for when he was walked out in the yard and there
was a bazaar taking place, he had witnessed other women touch cloth like
this, running their hands over it <span class="details" style="display: inline-block;"> and sighing.
<br /><br />
And as she explored him with her small, light, gentle hands, he did the
same to her body, wishing his hands were as smooth as hers. The dip in
her waist was deep when she lay on her side, her hip a high slope that
trembled when he licked the curve with his tongue. Her teats were almost
too much for his hands to hold and he sucked on them with delight. When
he pulled her close and felt her soft belly against the hard ridges of
his muscle it brought him such intense pleasure that he let his head
fall back and a low rumble came out of his throat— more of a purr than
the howl he expected.
<br /><br />
His bride caressed the groin-snake with her hands and then her mouth,
tasting timidly at first and then growing bolder. Her little tongue
tickled his balls and travelled all the way from sturdy root to the
fleshy knob that ached and swelled.
<br /><br />
Brutus had never had so much good attention focused upon him and he
wanted it to go on forever, so he held back his urge to rut and let it
build at a slower pace while she played with his body and petted him
with tenderness.
</span></span></span><span class="details" style="display: inline-block;">* * * *
<br /><br />
When he turned onto his back, Isabella slowly stretched her body over
his and licked his eyebrows, then his eyelids. He made a questioning
grunt and she laughed lightly. Suddenly she felt immensely powerful. The
queen had, no doubt, expected her to feel helpless and dominated by the
wild man in bed, but he was not an ogre, or any sort of monster. He was
a man. And she would teach him, lead the way through her own
deflowering.
<br /><br />
From this position she would have more leverage, be able to make the pace suit her better than she would if he lay above.
<br /><br />
He ran a hand down her spine, tracing the curve with his long fingers,
making her shiver, and then he cupped her bottom in both hands and
lifted her.
<br /><br />
Poised straddling his cock, Isabella muttered a hasty prayer and then she pressed downward.
<br /><br />
Brutus groaned, staring at the sight of his erect manhood slowly
penetrating her body. Still gripping her buttocks, his fingers trembled
and dug into her flesh.
<br /><br />
Every so often she paused, readjusting her position. She leaned forward.
<br /><br />
"Kiss me, Brutus."
<br /><br />
"Kizz?"
<br /><br />
Her heart quaked to think he had never known a kiss. So she tenderly
laid her lips to his, tasting the wine and roast peacock from their
wedding feast. Inside her pussy, his cock throbbed, causing an echoing
flutter to rush through her, radiating from that one tightly filled
place. She gasped, jolting, for it made her skin tingle as if lightning
had struck.
<br /><br />
He pressed his hand to the back of her head, holding her head still,
keeping her lips against his. And then, as she was sinking into that
kiss, he flipped her over onto her back.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-2936043582102387352017-03-16T11:19:00.000-05:002017-03-16T11:19:17.249-05:00Tale As Old As Time: In the Wolf's TowerWelcome to my blog! This month, I'm showcasing lots of retellings of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales. We'll start with one of my own, In the Wolf's Tower.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
****</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This story practically
wrote itself, which was a bit of an adventure in the first place. I got
the idea when my godson Quentin wanted some help understanding Sir
Thomas Mallory's Le Morte d'Arthur. In the list of the knights of the
round table, we stumbled upon this passage, which I thought would be a
great jumping off point for a story:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sir Marrok, the good knight that was betrayed with his wife, for she made him seven year a werewolf . . . Book XIX</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In
Mallory's tale, he is only stuck in wolf form for seven years, and when
he is freed he gets revenge on his unfaithful wife. Now, despite this
little bump in the road, he still has a place of honor at the round
table and is part of the honor guard, but the king in my story is not
quite so noble as King Arthur.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This
story is a twist on Beauty and the Beast, but as you'll see as you
read, our beast Marrok didn't do anything to deserve his punishment,
which makes him want revenge even more. Of course, Josette is not what
he expected at all, so his plans for revenge begin to falter and stray
the moment she arrives......</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEILZ-HB2dYNtOtSaxr5UrIjRU-1Sn8V85LNau1cdecOuLPLZ9OkdaNmIU63yHu8X07rpu-QKWXyfnohsjK7nOO9MwwLZ43q4ZkjGLn8EnQz7I_grI7_ZRo7N8F9aEJqNe5NfO8r0BPA/s1600/IntheWolfsTower_L_Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEILZ-HB2dYNtOtSaxr5UrIjRU-1Sn8V85LNau1cdecOuLPLZ9OkdaNmIU63yHu8X07rpu-QKWXyfnohsjK7nOO9MwwLZ43q4ZkjGLn8EnQz7I_grI7_ZRo7N8F9aEJqNe5NfO8r0BPA/s400/IntheWolfsTower_L_Front.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blurb:</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Josette’s father needs gold to fight his war, so she goes
from princess to prisoner in an instant when Lord Marrok offers the needed
treasure in exchange for her. Once her father’s most honorable knight, Marrok
is now shunned and feared. Why? Marrok is a werewolf. Josette goes to help her people,
and soon discovers that Marrok blames her father for his curse. He claims he
wasn’t looking for a bride, but his gaze screams seduction and she soon
questions his reasons for demanding her in exchange for the gold. What sort of
revenge does he have planned? And what will happen to her once he has her
locked away in his castle?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 32px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wolfs-Tower-Naughty-Fairy-Tales-ebook/dp/B007PT0IZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489620786&sr=8-1&keywords=in+the+wolf%27s+tower" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/in-the-wolfs-tower-by-marie-medina/" target="_blank">Evernight Publishing</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/in-the-wolfs-tower" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/146277" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Excerpt:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Josette entered
the kitchen and found Marrok finishing his dinner. “I thought you would want me
to do that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Did you? Can you
cook?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
She nodded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Rare talent for a
princess.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Not for a bored
and sheltered one. I was under the impression I was going to be slaving away in
this castle in one way or another.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
He pushed his
plate away and stood. “So you imagined yourself chained either to the stove or
to my bed, did you?” he asked as he moved toward her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“My father was
vague. He said I owed it to him but that I should expect the worst. When I said
I would go willingly, he actually choked on his wine. He seemed pleased though
and dismissed me to pack without another word.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
He stood only an
inch away from her now. “And given the choice, which would you prefer?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
She looked up into
his eyes and tried to ignore the masculine scent of leather. She turned her
head and eyed the stove before stepping back and eyeing him as well. His gaze
never wavered from her face. “It’s a very nice stove.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
He roared with
laughter. “You must be a changeling. You have more wit and personality in one
strand of your hair than your parents had put together.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’m my own
person. No one and nothing will ever change that.” She went to the table and
gathered his dishes. She walked them to the sink and began looking around at
the well-equipped kitchen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Not even your
present situation?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
She let her breath
out in a huff. “Are you determined to have me unhappy? What does it matter? My
father will never know! For all he knows I’m locked in the dungeon or on my
hands and knees scrubbing the floor in rags.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
He let his gaze
shift down her body. “I’d stay in the castle more often if you get the urge to
spend much time in that position.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
She turned away so
he wouldn’t see the flame of color on her cheeks. She told herself she was very
lucky he hadn’t forced himself on her. She shouldn’t be having such sexually
charged thoughts. A man like him would surely pick up on them and tease her all
the more. Or worse, tempt her to act on them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I really can
cook. I’ll cook every meal if you like. It’s the least I can do for the expense
I’ll be to you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Money is of no
concern. You’ll learn that soon enough.” He moved to stand behind her, but he
didn’t force her to turn around. The heat from his body made her blush even
worse, and something about having him so close behind her sent a thrill up her spine.
“I eat at eight, one and six. I’ll unlock your door shortly after sunrise every
day.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
He walked toward
the door, but then he turned. “And leave food out for the cat starting
tomorrow. He prefers chicken twice a day. I kill one for him every morning.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Despite the flush
still on her cheeks, she turned to him. “Cat? You’re a werewolf, but you own a
cat?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Why is that so
very odd?” he asked, though he didn’t stay to hear her answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
</div>
</span><br />
</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-80704852025534697462017-02-21T20:48:00.002-06:002017-02-27T13:04:02.169-06:00Catching His Fox (Year of Suns 3)Catching His Fox, the conclusion to the Year of Suns trilogy, is here!<br />
<br />
To learn more about the world of Valladora, <a href="http://mariemedina80.blogspot.com/p/valladora.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
<br />
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Seeing both of his brothers find happiness with their fated
mates has convinced Byron that he can’t simply go on doing nothing. He found
his fated mate five years ago, but a tragedy kept him from confessing the truth
to Kit. He decides to go back and take a chance, unable to go on living with
nothing but dreams of what he could have with his mate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kit has lived a quiet, withdrawn life since his parents and
brother were murdered, but he’s beginning to wonder what else is out there for
him in the world. He’s stunned to learn he’s a vampire’s fated mate, but Byron
wins him over quickly with his kindness and patience. Though he isn’t sure he
can accept the mate bond yet, Kit sees his chance to explore the world as he
learns more about this gentle vampire who has waited five years just to be with
him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
BUY LINKS:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/catching-his-fox-by-marie-medina/">Evernight Publishing</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WVMRHB8/">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06WVMRHB8/">Amazon UK</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/catching-his-fox-mm">Bookstrand</a><br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/707071">Smashwords</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Excerpt from Chapter One:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron adjusted his
bag on his shoulder and hurried toward the stables. As he did so, he glanced
around in every direction. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see his parents,
but he had stayed away a long time. Telling Vane he was going to pursue his
mate was one thing—his brother would keep it a secret, at least for a time.
They understood each other, given how Vane had been forced to be without his
mate as well for even longer than Byron had. Byron felt too nervous to go into
the subject in depth with anyone. He just wanted to get on the road, to start
his journey toward Kit and whatever future lay ahead of them. With his mother
close to giving birth, he hadn’t expected them to be traveling at all, let
alone to actually be at Vane’s castle. He managed to get his bag secured to his
favorite black stallion, Saint, and was just about to mount when he heard a
throat being cleared behind him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What did you do?
Grab a quick bottle of blood and head right back out here?” his mother asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron turned to
look at Evane, noting her crossed arms and the rhythm of her foot tapping in
the dirt. “I changed clothes and drank some blood. Cleaned up a bit. I had a
brief chat with Arion and Vane, too.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Evane came closer.
“And where are you off to in such a hurry? Not back off with His Majesty, I
hope. He’ll wear you out.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron tilted his
head to look down into her eyes. “I’m not going back to King Jareth. I only
lingered as long as I did because I still had some things to think about.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Things, hmmm?”
She arched one dark brow at him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I daresay you
already know, given that look in your eyes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She smiled, her
expression wistful. “A guess. Seeing Vane and Arion has you thinking about your
own mate, I’d wager. If they could work things out, there’s hope for anyone,
hmmm?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron nodded, as
there was no point in denying the truth. “Yes. I’m going to go tell him he’s my
mate. And see what happens.” He shifted his weight and ran one hand through his
hair. “I might be back pretty quickly.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Her smile
disappeared. “You fear rejection so much?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“He’s terrified of
vampires. He’s also nineteen and might not like men.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“That often
doesn’t matter with mates. Age or sexual preference are only obstacles if you
let them be so. The call of the mate bond is strong, even for humans and
shifters.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yeah, but there’s
no getting around the other problem.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I take it you
know why he’s scared of vampires? And you know where he is?” A breeze whipped
through the stable, and she tucked a few stands of hair away, her quick
movements showing her agitation. “We certainly don’t know any of those things.
He might as well live on one of the moons, for all we know about him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Guilt stabbed at
him. He knew his parents worried out of love. “Maggie’s ward. Kit. Over in
Gregor’s dominion.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Evane hesitated,
her brows coming together. “But surely he’s over all of that! That madman
wasn’t even a real vampire. Just a lunatic. Gregor has said before that Kit’s
friendly with him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“He has?” Since
Byron had kept his mate’s identity a secret from everyone but Maggie until
today, the subject had never come up with Gregor. Byron had avoided it, in
fact, as he’d avoided the topic in general with everyone else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes. I mean,
Kit’s not crazy about other vampires, but he’s polite, according to Gregor. At
least last I heard.” She fixed him with a stern look, recrossing her arms.
“It’s been a while since I asked about him, since I had no clue he was my son’s
mate.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron thought
about apologizing then, but the gesture seemed empty. “He probably trusts
Gregor because he saved him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“It’s been several
years since that tragedy, Byron. Your chances may be much better than you think
at this point. He’s grown up and may feel differently.” She shrugged. “I don’t
know. Have you been talking to Maggie? What does she say?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“We’ve written to
each other. She gives me general updates and answers some of my questions.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“But she doesn’t
encourage you? Say anything about your chances?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron shook his
head. “No. She’s … I don’t know. Stoic, I guess. She seems to think things will
work out if they’re meant to. She says being fated mates is no guarantee of
anything. That I shouldn’t force it any more than I should abandon hope.” He
tried to smile. “You know, the kind of advice that doesn’t help you at all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What does he look
like? Is he a red fox?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, he shifts
into a red fox. And he has red hair and green eyes. Fair skin. He was tall and
thin the last time I saw him. And now he’s nineteen, which is of age for
humans.” Vampires were still considered minors until they turned twenty-one,
but most humans were considered adults at eighteen, often marrying even earlier
than that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Was that what you
were waiting for, him to turn a certain age? Or are you just telling yourself
that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Though the comment
irritated him, Byron came forward and hugged Evane to him. “Mother, I tell
myself a lot of things every day. And it’s driving me crazy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Evane wrapped her
arms around him, as if sensing his pain and struggle. “I don’t mean to push.
I’m just frustrated. Don’t mind my teasing. I didn’t mean to upset you either.
I know this must be hard.” She hugged him as close as her swollen stomach would
allow. “Tell me what you need. Your father and I will do anything. Your
brothers, too. All of us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“That’s just it.”
He stepped back but kept hold of her hands. “I have to be the one who does
this. Not you or Father. Not my brothers or their mates. Or Maggie or Gregor.
If I can’t even look Kit in the eye and tell him the truth, how can I hope for
anything else?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“But it’s not
always easy. Human or shifter, it doesn’t matter. Anyone who isn’t a vampire
might react negatively to being a vampire’s fated mate, especially if he’ll be
wary of you biting him. You’ll have to have some plan for approaching him. You
can’t just walk up to him and announce it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron chuckled.
“I’ll be so nervous I might not be able to talk at all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Oh, shut up.
You’re very charming.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron laughed
again. “Did you just tell me to shut up? Been years since you said that to any
of us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She drew her hands
away and reached up to cup his face. “Just go. Quit thinking and start doing.
If it doesn’t work out, come home. You’re only thirty-five, and this boy is not
your only chance at happiness.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron struggled to
believe that, even though he knew many vampires—the king and queen
included—were happy with mates they hadn’t been fated to by the gods. He patted
his mother’s right hand and turned back to Saint, placing one hand on the
saddle horn. “You’ll tell Father?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes. Once you’ve
gotten a bit of a start. Hard to say how he might react.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“He might be
angry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Maybe, but it’s
your life. Your mate.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Doesn’t mean everyone isn’t
going to have opinions, but that’s all they are. I think he’ll be glad you’re
taking action, at least.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron mounted his
horse and took the reins. “I’ll write to Vane if there’s anything to report.
Will you stay here until the baby comes?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She braced her
back with one hand. “Yes. The very idea of getting on a horse or being tossed
around in a carriage makes every inch of me ache. I’m staying here.” She
smiled. “Arion’s so sweet. He seems excited about having a little one around.”
She blinked, her expression changing a bit. “Did they tell you they set a date
for their matehood ceremony? It’s another reason we’re staying. I don’t want to
miss it in case the baby is stubborn, the way you were.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She actually
rolled her eyes at him, rubbing her stomach. “You were two weeks late. I
thought I would burst. So, yes, stubborn.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Not at all. I
just loved you so much.” He grinned at her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She seemed to be
holding back a biting retort as she screwed her lips up. Relaxing and giving a
shrug, she finally said, “Well, you get back here if you can. It’s on the last
day of the month.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’ll do my best.”
Byron thought about Vane and Arion and all the craziness they’d gone through to
get their happy ending. Things weren’t perfect, he knew, but they seemed to
truly love each other. He’d never imagined they would ever be together, or even
see each other again, after what had happened when they first met. Finally
seeing Vane so happy gave Byron strength, in a strange way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Above all, it gave
him hope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Bye, Mother.
Maybe I’ll send home good news soon.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She smiled and
moved aside as he guided the horse out of the stable. “You better. We have a
bear and a lycan in the family. A fox would round things off nicely.” She
nodded down at her belly. “Maybe the gods will hitch this little one up with a
leopard.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Byron slowed as
people all turned to look. He nodded to his mother, watching her laugh. Knowing
she’d called out so loudly on purpose, he simply sighed and made his way out of
the castle grounds. Seeing her so happy helped keep his resentment, and
embarrassment, under control. He had bigger things to focus on than his mother
continuing to intentionally embarrass him at his age.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-32099785011815294402016-12-16T13:40:00.003-06:002017-03-14T18:02:06.676-05:00New Release: Owen and the Beast (Valladora Tales)Valladora Tales is a series of stand-alone stories set in Valladora. My latest tale, Owen and the Beast, is now available.<br />
<br />
As the title suggests, this story is a retelling of the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, but it has a few twists in it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Seeking to ease his loneliness, Owen sets out to meet his last remaining
relative, someone he never knew because of an old family scandal. He’s
trying to find his way in life, his path uncertain and his heart having
been broken more than once.<br />
<br />
Suffering under a demonic curse that
can never be lifted, Edmund hides away in Erimooor Lodge so he doesn’t
have to deal with the pity and fear his appearance inspires. Though many
in the nearby village accept him as he is, he knows not everyone will
have that ability to tolerate his animal-like appearance.<br />
<br />
Owen
makes his living as a storyteller, enthralling others with fantastical
tales. Little does he know that the gods have something amazing planned
for him when he meets the real “Beast of Erimoor Lodge” and finds out
how wrong all the old legends are.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buy Links</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2UL3ON">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2UL3ON</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Evernight: <a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/owen-and-the-beast-by-marie-medina/">http://www.evernightpublishing.com/owen-and-the-beast-by-marie-medina/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bookstrand: <a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/owen-and-the-beast-mm">http://www.bookstrand.com/owen-and-the-beast-mm</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Excerpt:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen hoisted
himself up onto the boulder and pulled his boot off, crying out at the
unexpectedly sharp pain. He stared down at his rapidly swelling ankle. Cursing,
he fumbled for his bag, which had gone flying when he’d caught his foot in a
rut in the road and been thrown forward. He’d actually done more damage pulling
his foot out of the rut, and that pissed him off. He looked down the road and
tried to guess how far away he was from his aunt’s village. He thought it had
to be at least five or six more miles, but he didn’t really know. There was
supposed to be an inn coming up soon, but he didn’t know its exact location
either. What he did know, however, was that he didn’t see anyone coming from
either direction on the road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He barely managed
to drag his bag over without falling off the boulder. He dug around in the
deep, overstuffed bag, hoping to find something to wrap his ankle with, perhaps
even brace it. Even though he’d known he didn’t have anything, he still felt
dejected when he cinched up the drawstring and dropped his bag back to the
ground. Dirt flew up, making him cough, and he looked up to the sky. It had
been so dry lately he’d been praying for rain, but now he hoped it held off
since he might get stuck in it. Fluffy clouds floated to his left, but the
clouds to his right were darker. He looked around to find some shelter, but he
couldn’t see any. Only open fields lined this part of the highway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen sighed and
wiggled his ankle, cringing at the pain. He could always rip the hem off one of
his shirts to bind it, but walking any distance would only make things worse.
His aunt would know just what to do, but she was miles away. Should he keep it
still or move it? Should he elevate it? Questions raced through his mind as he
heard hooves beating in the distance. He jerked his head up and began waving
frantically as soon as the horse became visible over the ridge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
A man about his
age rode up on an enormous black stallion. He made the horse stop and jumped
down right away. The enormous animal seemed formidable, but it stood calmly and
looked on as its master rushed over to Owen. The man actually appeared much
younger up close, a huge grin on his face as he pushed his messy brown hair out
of his eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Hi! You look like
you need some help!” the man said, still grinning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen had never
seen anyone express concern so happily. He shifted on the boulder and said,
“Yeah. I sprained my ankle, and I’m still miles from my destination.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Where are you
heading?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“The next village.
The small one by the mountains in Lady Christobel’s dominion. My aunt lives
there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Oh. That’s many
miles away still. You’d never have made it by dark even if you hadn’t hurt
yourself. There is a little inn about four miles up, but my home is much
closer. I live in the lodge just over this next hill, off in the woods.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’d appreciate
it, but I don’t want to impose.” He straightened. “I’m Owen.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The man laughed.
“Sorry. My master would roll his eyes at me and my thoughtlessness. I’m Lane.
Nice to meet you, despite the circumstances.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Your master?
You’re a servant?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, sort of.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You mentioned a
lodge. A hunting lodge?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, it used to
be.” Lane bent down and looked at Owen’s ankle. “Hmmm. I need to see to this,
but I don’t have anything for a splint. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know
on the way.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Thanks. I really
appreciate it. I was worried about getting stuck out here in the rain,” Owen
said as Lane picked up Owen’s bag and hefted it over this shoulder. Glancing to
the stallion, Owen sighed. “I know I can’t walk, but I’m not sure I can get up
on him. He’s enormous.” Lane was also half Owen’s size, so he wasn’t sure how
much help the man would be in getting him up onto the horse. “Maybe if I can
stand on one foot and put all my weight on you, I can make it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Oh, don’t worry.
We can get you up there.” Lane made a clicking sound with his tongue, and the
stallion came right over to them. Speaking to the horse as if it understood
every word, Lane said, “This is Owen. We’re going to take him home with us. He
needs our help.” Then he pointed at the ground.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
To Owen’s shock,
the horse actually lay down and then turned to look at the two men. Lane held
his hand out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Here. Just swing
your injured leg over. I’ll steady you.” He frowned. “No, wait, I’ll move to
the other side.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Lane moved to the
other side of the stallion and reached his hand over. Owen grasped his hand and
threw his injured leg over, pulling himself into position to sit properly in
the saddle. Once Owen was situated, Lane smiled at him and clicked at the horse
again. Lane held to the horse’s reins and urged him up slowly. The powerful
animal got to its feet easily, and Lane walked around to fetch Owen’s other
boot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
As they began
their journey, Owen asked, “Your master won’t mind an unexpected visitor? I can
pay, of course.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Nonsense. You’ll
be our guest. It’s just me and Lord Edmund day in and day out.” Lane grinned
once more. “I’m so excited! I already know exactly what to make for dinner. And
I just aired some of the ground floor rooms, so we can move you right in to one
of those.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The title gave
Owen pause, as did Lane’s excitement. “Your master’s a vampire?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, but he
doesn’t like to be addressed by his title. I slip up now and then, and he
forgives me. He’s very gracious. Kind and gentle. Would not harm a fly. The
best of masters. Good and generous and understanding.” Lane smiled as he kicked
at a few pebbles on the road. “I’ve never been happier in my life.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Owen wondered why
Lane was trying so hard to convince him this Edmund was a good man. “You think
a lot of your master.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, I do.” Lane
beamed up at Owen. “I think you’ll like him. I’m sure he’ll like you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, once my
ankle is bound, I won’t trouble you too much. If I can just rest and then maybe
borrow a horse. I promise to bring it back as soon as I can. Or you can
accompany me if you like.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Lane waved his
hand. “Nonsense. You should stay until you’re healed. We’d love to have you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I couldn’t impose
like that. It will take days. And even if your master is gracious, you haven’t
exactly asked his permission.” Worried he might sound condescending, Owen
quickly said, “I mean, you know him best, of course, but I hate to put him out
in his own home.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“It’s nothing!
Please, I insist. It’s time we had a bit of life and activity about the place.”</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Owen watched Lane for a long time, wondering how
things could be lacking in life and activity with Lane and his enthusiasm to
contend with. </span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-45332599252115932202016-12-15T12:00:00.000-06:002016-12-15T12:00:45.669-06:00Guest Post: E. D. Parr and Make a Wish<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Make a Wish, E.D. Parr </b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Erotic, romantic, a Christmas MM romance to make you tingle</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jXso6GWsZC4-Q1_AIMALZ_VntnvX9ysEYEfvseWUEeMcciaZyvqxMrIqPyYxf_JezMWQTSBuRhWLOA_b2hUddVrDQ1T2CZ2raZnojUMp-CeqMmb507yck8usUnoBAlhpRs1RKd1IxBdc/s1600/Make-a-wish-evernightpublishing-DEC2016-e-Reader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jXso6GWsZC4-Q1_AIMALZ_VntnvX9ysEYEfvseWUEeMcciaZyvqxMrIqPyYxf_JezMWQTSBuRhWLOA_b2hUddVrDQ1T2CZ2raZnojUMp-CeqMmb507yck8usUnoBAlhpRs1RKd1IxBdc/s640/Make-a-wish-evernightpublishing-DEC2016-e-Reader.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s
the day before Christmas Eve and gorgeous, happy, Nick Kringle is making
deliveries on the main street of the city when a car breaks down at the
intersection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amid
the seasonal crowds and inclement weather, Dylan West gets out of his car and
tries to push it to the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nick
rushes to help him and comes face to face with the most delicious man he’s ever
seen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dylan’s
down on his luck, but Nick believes in magic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can
wishes come true? You bet—especially if Nick Kringle has anything to do with
it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Who
is Nick Kringle?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With
a name like that you might think he’s the jolly old elf in red, but Nick is a
gorgeous guy who just happens to have a touch of the supernatural about him. He
drives a red SUV, he delivers goods, and sometimes they’re straight from
somewhere special—a place of magic and kindness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nick
is gorgeous, kind, generous, loving just the kind of man that down on his luck
Dylan West needs to run into. Could it be fate that makes his car break down
unexpectedly almost next to Nick on the busy main street full of hectic
Christmas shoppers and travelers? Maybe…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEdxVIJtYXhp7o-zVv_CG8hN5LTpaKJiO2fAk70V7EjjIOvaVqY7jtg3mVW3sbeqKuvLfwIgHnAI_pPAs-KgEKnKuLK-ZJi4TatesIbRyCVlbhXkfpBQ0XPIDuW19Otw9BJiBaITKlEB2/s1600/Make-a-wish-evernightpublishing-DEC2016-banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEdxVIJtYXhp7o-zVv_CG8hN5LTpaKJiO2fAk70V7EjjIOvaVqY7jtg3mVW3sbeqKuvLfwIgHnAI_pPAs-KgEKnKuLK-ZJi4TatesIbRyCVlbhXkfpBQ0XPIDuW19Otw9BJiBaITKlEB2/s640/Make-a-wish-evernightpublishing-DEC2016-banner3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Read an excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
city street glistened with rivers of red, green, bright pink, and white light
thrown there by the stores and cafés decked out for the holiday season. Rain
fell in drifting sheets as a chill wind ravaged the shoppers rushing from one
place to another, some laden with parcels, others hunched against the weather
in their winter coats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nick
parked his SUV in the first available space, opened the trunk with the interior
lever, and leaped out. He didn’t feel the cold unless snow lay knee deep on the
ground and even then, he enjoyed the beauty, and the way a new white fall would
change the light, way too much to complain about the chill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As
he ran around to the back of his vehicle, the squeal of tires braking hard and
the clamor of honking horns made him spin around. In the junction behind him,
standing motionless, was a stalled car. Other drivers surged around the
stationary vehicle, making everything worse by taking space in the oncoming
lanes so that everyone crammed dangerously together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
driver of the offending vehicle edged out of his open car door, narrowly missed
by a small car that chanced overtaking just as the lights turned red. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nick
cast a keen gaze over the man, registering his muscled body beneath an
inexpensive suit and his thick dark hair, pushed back from his forehead so that
the front spiked up. Nick watched the man lean into the open driver’s side door
and attempt to shove the heavy vehicle to the side of the road. The man’s pants
stretched over his hard ass and a sigh of appreciation escaped Nick. With one
hand on the wheel, and the other lodged in the gap between open door and car,
the man clearly needed help. Nick clicked the trunk of his SUV closed and
jogged over to help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hi,
I’ll lend a hand,” he called to the stranded driver. The man straightened to
answer and Nick was face to face with one of the most gorgeous men he’d ever
seen. Nick never hid his emotions. They shone from his ice-blue eyes and exuded
from his well-toned body. He smiled at the man in a way he knew and didn’t care
broadcast attraction, desire—pure sex.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Apparently
unaffected by Nick’s charisma, the man gave a grateful nod. “Thanks.” He leaned
into the task of pushing the car out of the way, as the traffic lined up behind
him, and the sky opened with a fresh punishing downpour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Copyright
E.D. Parr Evernight Publishing 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Buy
the book</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">On
launch special at Evernight <a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/make-a-wish-by-e-d-parr/">http://www.evernightpublishing.com/make-a-wish-by-e-d-parr/</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ03N7K">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ03N7K</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MZ03N7K">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MZ03N7K</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33309654-make-a-wish">Add
to your TBR list</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-72899401963445624602016-11-16T10:29:00.000-06:002016-11-16T10:29:50.951-06:00Roses and Thorns (Arundel 5)Just one month shy of the 10th anniversary of contracting the first book in this series, I'm very excited to bring you the conclusion, Roses and Thorns. I loved Jareth from the moment he wandered into my imagination, so I'm thrilled about giving him his happy ending, even if it's with a very unexpected person.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHUe2eJZVx5S_xLVy9m4Gge2URhZb8a_Hzbk-KqeqhTfDseNC9Nv-GFp-kwGNVpzUTs6OIQAbQVSBIzWGo0Tz3WVO7l38PrSYSDMUKfMx7UtyaSaVbzGSzJQaUhhI-bMNG05h9_bi0eU/s1600/Roses+and+Thorns+LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHUe2eJZVx5S_xLVy9m4Gge2URhZb8a_Hzbk-KqeqhTfDseNC9Nv-GFp-kwGNVpzUTs6OIQAbQVSBIzWGo0Tz3WVO7l38PrSYSDMUKfMx7UtyaSaVbzGSzJQaUhhI-bMNG05h9_bi0eU/s400/Roses+and+Thorns+LG.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Jareth’s always been treated as if he’s fragile, but there’s
one person who doesn’t see him that way, one person who truly believes in him.
And Jareth’s finally ready to admit he’s the only one who matters…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tired of always deferring to everyone else and holding back
in every part of his life, Jareth is ready to go after what he wants. He can’t
remember the exact moment he realized he loved Marcus, but he’s going after his
happy ending. He doesn’t know what to expect from the man who claims he’ll
never love again, but Jareth knows he’ll regret it forever if he doesn’t at
least try to win the heart of the flawed man who sees him the way no one else
does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twistedepublishing.com/products/roses-thorns-arundel-5-by-marie-medina" target="_blank">Twisted E-Publishing</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRKH43S/" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MRKH43S" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-rosesthorns-2174009-143.html" target="_blank">All Romance eBooks</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/roses-thorns-mm" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/roses-thorns/id1176642914?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Excerpt: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus climbed up
on the footstool and ran a feather duster over the top shelf of his collection
of flow blue dishes. At first, it had annoyed him to have to do this by hand,
but now he enjoyed it. Dusting gave him a few moments each week to reexamine his
collection. His son Gil had already made fun of him more than once regarding
how domestic he was becoming, but he didn’t really care. A knock sounded at the
door, and he descended and set the duster aside. He’d been wary of unexpected
visitors since the day the queen mother had basically told him to get on with
fucking her grandson—something that still baffled him a bit—so he glanced out
the small side window by the door before actually opening it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
The young man
standing there looked familiar, yet Marcus couldn’t put a name to his face.
Part of him really missed his powers, while the rest of him felt like a fool
for having relied on them so much over the years. He’d gotten used to the edge
they gave him, and now he often felt lost. “Can I help you?” Marcus asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes. I’m
interested in the training you’ve been doing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Are you? What’s
your name?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Malvern. Everyone
calls me Mal.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus looked at
the young man’s wild curls. “Do you by any chance know what your name means?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Bare topped hill.
Yeah. I’ve heard plenty of jokes, thanks.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Just curious.”
Something about the man’s demeanor told Marcus to be cautious so he stepped out
onto the porch instead of asking Mal inside. “What can I do for you exactly? Do
you wish to be trained?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“No. I want you to
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stop </i>training someone else.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“That’s something
you should discuss with that person. I train anyone who wants it unless I have
a good reason not to.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Mal crossed his
arms. “It’s Jareth. He’ll end up getting hurt.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’d never let him
be hurt. If he had an accident, his grandmother could help him. Nothing I’m
teaching him is dangerous. And we aren’t using real weapons. We’ve had four
sessions, and he’s made wonderful progress.” Marcus crossed his arms to mirror
Mal’s defensive stance. “Most importantly, it’s none of your business.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I care about him,
and you’ve misunderstood me. I’m not worried he’s going to break his arm. I’m
worried you’re going to break his heart. Take advantage of him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus didn’t have
time to wonder how this young man had any inkling of something going on between
him and Jareth. “And what exactly makes you think anything of the kind?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You’ll never
appreciate him. He’s far too good for someone like you anyway.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Again, none of
your business.” He took one step forward. “Are you an old flame? Perhaps
someone Jareth broke things off with? I can’t imagine him liking a man who goes
around threatening others because he’s jealous.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You’re a fine one
to talk about threatening people. I read your confession.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“So did Jareth.
What’s your point?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You’re powerless
now. You wouldn’t stand a chance against me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Is that a threat?
I’m not the kind of man you want to threaten.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Neither am I.
Just end things with him, and I won’t bother you again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’m training
Jareth. Nothing more. But if there ever is something more, it’s our business,
not yours.” He chuckled. “Hate to keep repeating that, but you seem a bit
thickheaded.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’ll make you pay
if you hurt him. I have my ways.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Because I’ve done
things you find distasteful you assume I’ll hurt him? That’s not fair. Jareth
can not only take care of himself but also make his own decisions. Now, if
you’ll excuse me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Mal grabbed him by
the sleeve. “I’m not asking. I’m telling. Leave him alone. I know your type.
You’ll fuck him until you’ve had your fill. Then cast him aside.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus slapped
Mal’s hand away and said, “You couldn’t be more wrong.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Really?” Mal
smirked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yes.” He pushed
Mal and made him stumble up against the house. He held Mal there and said, “If
Jareth ever comes to my bed, I’ll tie him there and never let him go.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
That made Mal
scowl. “Then I’ll rescue him.” He began to fight against Marcus’s hold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus held firm
and laughed. “I knew that would get you going. You see, here’s where you’re the
most wrong about me. You think I don’t see Jareth for what he is. But I see him
all too well. You’re right. He’s far too good for me. He’s too perfect for
words, even down to his flaws, and there will never be another as sweet and
beautiful as he is. I’ll consider myself lucky if I get even one night with
him. And if I do get it, I’ll do all in my power to keep him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“But you have no
powers!” Mal spat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus released
him. “Magic can’t give you another’s love. And neither can jealousy or any of
the foolish things it makes you do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Am I in for a
lecture now? You think you’re such a bigshot because the king let you off
easy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Easy?” Marcus
advanced on Mal again. “Do you know what it’s like to be completely cut off
from magic? If I still had my powers, I’d show you. Just briefly.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“What? There’s no
spell for that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus laughed.
“Of course there is. What do you think vardys is? An incredibly potent spell.
There are simpler versions, ones that wear off. You obviously have a lot to
learn about magic before you go around threatening anyone else.” He shoved Mal
and made him fall backwards off the porch and land on his ass. “Leave now and I
won’t tell Jareth about your visit.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Mal’s face went
red. “I know things about magic you’d kill to know! This isn’t over,” he said
before using magic to transport himself away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Marcus stood for a
moment staring at the spot where Mal had landed, wondering if there was any
substance to what Mal had said. He still didn’t know exactly who the man was,
other than someone who obviously wanted Jareth for himself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Well,” Marcus
whispered to himself as he went back inside, “looks like I better stake my
claim as soon as possible.” He slammed the door and bolted it.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-8974599643548314762016-10-05T11:16:00.000-05:002017-02-21T15:01:49.829-06:00New Release - Bound and Bitten *Year of Suns 2*Vane's story is finally here! And this volume is a bit longer than previous ones. Once I got started with Vane and Arion, I had to keep going until they'd both had their say! :-)<br />
<br />
Read on to the excerpt below to see what happened 20 years ago when Vane and Arion met for the very first time. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccD1oKO0aEiCiptvkvELXEeOMfuO6qo3WOZiUWVQk2rkd7JcAJoqpgfUx-_ZRoRIJZL_ftTTtOSCQO-gYQMoz-94XUe9k_ZvgJ9VGmpeaPIuAyxaCItGT_DWCGyannkI-Bj5pMQ3C3kA/s1600/boundbitten2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccD1oKO0aEiCiptvkvELXEeOMfuO6qo3WOZiUWVQk2rkd7JcAJoqpgfUx-_ZRoRIJZL_ftTTtOSCQO-gYQMoz-94XUe9k_ZvgJ9VGmpeaPIuAyxaCItGT_DWCGyannkI-Bj5pMQ3C3kA/s400/boundbitten2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Blurb:<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
Feeling hurt and betrayed, Arion
left Vane and rejected their mate bond twenty years ago. He vowed never to
return and even made Vane promise not to try to find him. He’s tried to bury
the feelings of guilt and regret over the years, but he’s forced to face it all
when Vane’s brother shows up to plead with Arion to save Vane’s life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
Vane knows the Dissolution will
kill him if he doesn’t drink from his fated mate, but he refuses to break the
promise he made to Arion. When Vane’s brother brings Arion back, Vane doesn’t
know how to react to his mate’s return, especially when Arion proves so eager
to take care of him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
Lucky for Vane, Arion has a
plan. He’s tired of wondering what might have been, so he’s going to focus on
finding out what could be. The past holds nothing but pain, but Arion already
sees how much pleasure the future could bring if he embraces the love he once
walked away from.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buy Links:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/bound-and-bitten-by-marie-medina/">Evernight</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ22203" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-boundandbitten-2142801-145.html" target="_blank">All Romance eBooks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/bound-and-bitten-mm" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a></div>
<br />
Excerpt:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion shifted in
the saddle when he spotted the hitch post and trough, ready to get down and
walk for a while. He’d left home to explore the world, unable to stay in his
mother’s house after her passing. His friends had supported his decision to go,
though they’d urged him to return home soon. Arion had never been away from the
lycan settlement for more than a few days, so the past week had been fun, even
though nothing all that exciting had actually happened to him. He stopped Lily
and dismounted, stretching and rubbing his shoulders before leading the gray
mare over to a drinking trough and tying her there while he moved around to get
the kinks out of his back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The sound of
pounding hoofs caught his attention, and he turned to look down the road. A
horse went flying past him, panicked and stirring up lots of dust. Arion heard
shouting in the distance, and he briefly calmed his horse before yanking his
boots off and reaching into his bag for his dagger. He moved as quietly as he
could through the grass on the side of the road, keeping low until he could see
what was happening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
A group of dirty,
shabbily dressed bandits seemed to have attacked a lone rider. Arion got low to
the ground and tried to count his enemies. There seemed to be six men, so he
laid his dagger aside. He could only stab one man at a time, and he didn’t want
to risk one of them getting it away from him and turning it against him. None
of them seemed to be armed, though they might be beating the other man merely
for sport and concealing their own weapons. Arion yanked his shirt off and
wiggled out of his leather breeches as best he could without drawing attention
to himself. He shifted into his wolf form as he crawled through the grass, and
then he pounced on the largest man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion tore at the
man’s shoulder and drew blood as the man screamed. He didn’t wish to kill them,
but he had no intention of letting them get off easy. He pushed off the man and
growled at the two who approached him. He cast a glance to the victim, worried
they might kill him, and he caught a flash of red in the man’s eyes just before
he sank his fangs into one of the assailants. Arion focused on his own foes
again. A vampire might not be a match for six men, but he seemed more than
capable of handling three if the screams told Arion anything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion dodged away
when one man tried to tackle him, and he maneuvered around them well enough,
leading them in a merry little dance. When one man got in a kick to the side of
Arion’s head, he latched on to his ankle and bit down hard. The man jerked
away, but then he stumbled on the injured foot. Arion growled again and leapt
at the third man, who jumped back in terror and fell backwards down a hill. His
three foes in retreat, Arion turned to the others. One man had run off, but two
more still tried to best the vampire. Arion growled and leapt on the one trying
to hold the vampire down, and he tore into his back with one swipe of his jaws.
The man howled and twisted and jerked to throw Arion off. Arion leapt down of
his own accord and advanced on the final man as the other ran. The bandit acted
as if he’d stand his ground for a moment, but when the vampire rose to his
knees, the man thought better of his chances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion watched them
fleeing and wanted to pursue them, but then the vampire collapsed forward,
barely catching himself. Arion shifted back to human form and went to the
vampire, rolling him to his back and letting him come to rest in Arion’s lap.
The bandits had beaten him mercilessly, and he was covered in blood and
bruises.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Is anything
broken? What can I do?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The vampire stared
at him and didn’t reply. Arion wiped blood from his own eyes and noticed his
head was bleeding. He felt stupid for not realizing exactly what the vampire
needed. “Blood. I’m sorry, my lord. Of course you need blood.” Arion held out
his arm for the vampire to drink from.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Still the vampire
stared at him as if he couldn’t believe Arion was real. “What’s wrong?” Arion
asked, touching him all over to check for mortal injuries. He felt the back of
the man’s head and was relieved to find no blood or bumps. “You’ve lost a lot
of blood. Drink. Then we can get to safety.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The vampire took
hold of his arm and, to Arion’s shock and confusion, kissed his wrist before
sinking his fangs into Arion’s flesh. Warmth flooded Arion’s body, but he tried
to keep his composure. He knew a vampire’s bite could be heady and
intoxicating, but he hadn’t expected it to feel this good. It didn’t hurt at
all even as the vampire sank his fangs deep. Arion felt his body responding
with arousal, but he tried to ignore the reaction. The intimate act did have an
erotic quality, and Arion averted his gaze, as seeing the vampire’s rapture
made him feel strange. When the vampire was done, he licked the wound to heal
it, then turned Arion’s hand over and kissed his knuckles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion felt
somewhat embarrassed. He was naked, and this man was kissing him and now
rubbing his hand. The vampire sat up and cupped Arion’s cheek, turning his head
with gentle insistence. “I’m Vane. What’s your name?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Arion, my lord.”
The vampire’s eyes had changed to black, which worried Arion. Vampires had
white irises, but the color changed according to mood. Only two colors meant
the same thing for every vampire—red and black. Red indicated anger or the need
for blood, as Arion had witnessed during the attack, and black indicated lust.
Arion wished his clothes weren’t so far away. He knew vampires had quite the
reputation for overactive libidos.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane smiled. “A
fine name for my brave, handsome mate.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Mate?” Arion
said, the word hanging there between them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes. I’m sorry if
I worried you by not responding to your questions. I was in shock, I guess. I
scented your blood as soon as you knelt beside me, and I couldn’t believe my
luck. Not only to be rescued so unexpectedly but for my savior to turn out to
be my mate? It’s like something out of a romantic legend.” Vane caressed
Arion’s cheek lovingly and leaned in to kiss him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion turned away
without thinking about it, and Vane stopped short. “What is it?” Vane asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Um.” Arion
realized he’d been rude, but he couldn’t simply let himself be caught up in
this man’s will. “I don’t desire men, my lord. I’m sorry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane backed off a
little, but he didn’t release Arion. “Didn’t you feel anything when I bit you?
I’m sure I felt your cock stir.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion felt his
entire body flame red. He knew the vampire was resting just over his cock, but
he’d been so concerned for Vane’s welfare he hadn’t given it much thought at
the time. “Yes, I think maybe it did, but I just met you. I don’t like men that
way.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“But we’re mates.
The gods want us to be together.” Vane didn’t even try to hide the fact that he
was examining every inch of Arion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’m a lycan. Your
gods and beliefs are not what direct my destiny.” He thought back to his desire
to leave after his mother’s death and how several of the lycan elders had
encouraged him to follow his feelings. He could believe he’d been meant to be
here this day to save Vane’s life, but he hesitated to accept more than that
just yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“A vampire is
never mistaken about its mate.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“May I get
dressed, my lord? I can’t keep talking in this state.” Lycans didn’t tend to
care about such things, having no problem with others walking around either
naked or in their shifted forms, but he couldn’t help feeling self-conscious
when the vampire so obviously desired him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane finally
averted his gaze. “Yes. Forgive me. Despite what I’ve just experienced, I can’t
seem to fight how much you please me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion stood. “I’ll
return soon. My horse isn’t far.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Arion?” Vane said
after he’d taken a few steps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Looking over his
shoulder, Arion said, “Yes?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’ll back off.
Please don’t run away.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion realized
he’d probably hurt the man’s feelings. Vampires were always enthusiastic when
they found their mates. “I’m just surprised,” he said, though that wasn’t
exactly the best word. “I’d never run off and leave someone in distress like
this.” But he turned away before Vane could say anything else. Part of him
wanted to run away, but what if the bandits returned? He had no way of knowing
if he’d given Vane enough blood for the vampire to make it to safety. He
couldn’t abandon him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion put his
clothes back on and smoothed his hair away from his face as he picked his
dagger up. He went back to Lily and found that she didn’t seem too worried about
him. He patted her on the side of her neck and then put his boots back on.
“Come on, Lily. We have a new mission, it seems.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
As he walked her
back to Vane, he wondered what would happen next. According to the law, no
vampire could force another to accept the mate bond, but it was quite rare that
any human ever walked away. Not only did vampires possess wealth and power but
they were also supposedly amazing lovers. Arion could believe it, given his
reaction to that bite. There had been something very sensual about it,
something that still lingered with him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane sat on the
ground looking down at his hands. His expression seemed not quite sad but
something similar. Wistful, perhaps? Arion’s stomach knotted as he tried to
think of what to say. Vane looked up at him then, and the vampire’s gaze held
unmistakable longing. Arion cleared his throat as he brought Lily to a stop.
Deciding to fall back on formality to keep his distance, Arion said, “Let me
help you stand, my lord. I can take you wherever you need to go.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane looked at his
hand and then accepted it. When they were face to face, Vane said, “May we
start over? Come back to my castle as my guest. I won’t tell anyone that you’re
my mate. Perhaps once you get to know me, you won’t be so reluctant.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’ll see you to
safety, but I don’t know. It seems pointless. And cruel to lead you on and take
advantage of you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane blinked.
“Take advantage?” He squeezed Arion’s hand. “Arion, that’s not even possible.
I’d do anything for you. I’d die for you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion gently
withdrew his hand. “But you know nothing about me. That all sounds insane to
me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’m sure it does,
but … there’s no way to describe it to anyone who isn’t a vampire. As upset as
I am that you’re rejecting me, I feel joy just being near you. If compromise
will keep you with me, I’ll agree to anything.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion had no idea
what to say to that, so he stepped aside and gestured to Lily. “Let me help you
up. You seem to be healing already, but you need rest and more blood. I should
get you home so others can attend to you, my lord.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Don’t call me
that. Say my name, please.” Vane came closer but didn’t touch Arion again.
“Stay one night. You should rest as well after the way you fought. I won’t
touch you. I’ll accept any condition if you’ll stay one night in my castle and
just come to know me a little.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion gripped
Lily’s reins, nervous energy surging through him. Vane was practically begging
him, and he didn’t know how to handle it. “All right. I’ll come back to the
castle. I’m tired and could use a hot meal and a warm bed.” He met Vane’s gaze.
“If you’ll do as you said and not tell anyone. I’ve seen the way people react.
I can’t handle that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane nodded. “I
promise. I won’t tell a soul. They won’t think twice about anything I do once I
tell them how you saved me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Don’t make a big
deal about it. Anyone would’ve helped.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane’s eyebrows
rose. “How old are you? You seem so young, though your impressive physique
tells me you’re no boy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Twenty a few days
ago.” Arion didn’t see what his age had to do with what he’d said. Was the
vampire saying he was naïve?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Oh. You’re only a
few years younger than I am.” Vane searched his face. “Honestly, I have to
disagree with you. Most people are selfish cowards and would’ve run away.
You’re very brave, and I’m so grateful. There were too many of them. They
thought a vampire would be carrying something valuable, and they weren’t very
happy when they found I had nothing they could steal. I probably would’ve
died.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“And that’s why I
had to do something. Even after I saw that you were a vampire, I couldn’t give
up.” He shuffled his feet in the dirt on the road. “I guess you’re right,
though. Lots of people would’ve run to protect themselves.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Which only makes
me admire you all the more.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
A noise sounded
behind them, and Arion turned and took a defensive stance. It was the horse
he’d seen earlier.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, Tiger, you
didn’t live up to your name at all,” Vane said to the chestnut stallion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Tiger?” Arion
asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, one of the
children named him.” Vane patted Tiger and smiled. “I love children and let
them run a bit wild at the castle. But I like it that way. I love to hear
children playing. Tiger was probably heading back home to beg for a carrot, not
at all concerned about me.” He mounted the horse. “Let’s set off. It’s not that
far. I could use a bath and a generous glass of wine.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I might join you
in that. Sounds wonderful,” Arion said as he mounted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I certainly won’t
say no.” Vane smiled and arched one brow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“That’s n-not what
I m-meant,” Arion said, fumbling over the words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane laughed.
“Sorry. I know you didn’t mean it that way, but I couldn’t resist. I promise to
be a gentleman from now on.” He sighed, his expression turning wistful again.
“Or until you change your mind.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion swallowed
and said, “I’ll accept your kindness graciously, but please.” He paused as they
set out and pressed his lips together. “I don’t wish to lead you on, Vane. I’ll
accept your friendship but can’t offer more now. Or perhaps ever.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane looked ahead
of them, his expression going very still. After a seemingly endless moment, he
said, “And I don’t wish to force you. Have patience with me. I’d rather have
your friendship than nothing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You have that. We
fought together. For a lycan, that’s a bond that lasts for life.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane managed a
slight smile. “Friends then.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Arion nodded and
looked away. Something in Vane’s eyes seemed to add the words <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for now</i>, and Arion genuinely had no idea
how he felt about that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He’d wanted
excitement and adventure, and he’d gotten his wish beyond any doubt.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-51447930372778279042016-08-12T09:54:00.000-05:002016-08-12T09:54:44.225-05:00Desire and Duty (Valladora Tales 1)I'm kicking off my new series, Valladora Tales, with Desire and Duty, the first MF romance set in Valladora.<br />
<br />
Each story in this series is a stand-alone romance. Some characters were introduced briefly in other books, but you don't have to read those to enjoy these tales. If a character was introduced or appeared somewhere else, it will be noted here on the info page, <a href="http://mariemedina80.blogspot.com/p/valladora-tales.html" target="_blank">Valladora Tales</a>, and on my <a href="http://mariemedina.weebly.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
<br />
If you're a fan of the Valladora trilogies (the Year of ... books), Desire and Duty is about Gwynn and Orman, whom we met in His Insatiable Bear (Year of Suns 1). It takes place during the week between that book and the next one, Bound and Bitten, which will be coming out Fall 2016.<br />
<br />
Lots of readers, and my editor, have asked for MF stories set in Valladora, and there will be many in this series. There will also be MM, MMF, and MMM storylines as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Excerpt:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Gwynn really liked
the terms the merchant offered, and his price was reasonable. She sat at
Orman’s desk and drafted a reply, as she felt Orman would agree with her. Her
handwriting wasn’t very feminine, so Orman often sent off letters she’d drafted
with his signature affixed. It saved all of them time. She set the draft in the
middle of the desk pad and patted it with a sheet of blotting paper. She tossed
the used sheet into the little basket by the desk and stood up, surveying the
mess on the polished surface. She put the unopened letters in the wooden box on
the corner and began sorting things out. Vane’s illness had Orman worried and
flustered, so his study was even messier than usual.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
As she sorted the
papers and put the ledgers in their proper places, she considered what to do.
If Orman liked her, why wasn’t he saying anything? Doing anything? He talked to
her a dozen times a day. She wasn’t being courted by anyone, and she wasn’t a
flirt like so many of the other maids. She did her duty and focused on that,
just as Orman did. Now she thought on it, that seemed to make them very
compatible. As she put the last paper into place, she wondered how red he might
turn if she pushed everything off his desk and stretched across it to wait for
him in a seductive pose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He’d probably
faint.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She giggled at
that, and at just that moment the door opened. Orman walked in and stopped
short. He looked around with a puzzled expression on his face. “Someone else
here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She cleared her
throat. “No, just me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He glanced at his
desk. “Something amusing you then?” He closed the door and came closer. “I see
you’ve cleaned my desk.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Aye, it was a bit
messy. I know you’ve been under a lot of pressure with Lord Vane sick and all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, I have.” He
met her gaze. “Thank you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You’re welcome.
Anything you need, you can always ask me.” Gwynn decided to test the waters.
She walked around the desk and stood right in front of him. Taking a deep
breath to make her breasts strain against her bodice, she said, “Anything at
all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman didn’t take
his eyes off her face. “Then there is something. Lord Vane wants us to have
dinner together tonight.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Really? Isn’t he
sick to death of us?” she asked, wondering why Vane would want them to have
dinner with him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“No, you
misunderstand. He wants you and me to have dinner. Together. Just the two of
us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“He said that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman nodded,
looking as if he was hiding something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Why?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He seemed to
search the air above her head for words before he said, “So we can just relax.
Have some time to ourselves.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She took a step
closer and noted how his breathing shallowed. “Liar,” she said in a low voice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Excuse me?” he said,
shock registering on his face as his eyes widened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Lord Vane is
bored stuck in that room, and now he’s playing matchmaker. He says you like me,
so out with it. Is he right?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman looked
uncertain as he searched her face, and Gwynn realized she’d never seen him look
that way before. She swallowed and said, “I’m not teasing you.” She bit her lip
and shrugged one shoulder. “All right, I am a little, but why are you looking
at me like that? It’s just me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Just you? I can’t
think of it that way. Not at all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
His brown eyes
looked softer now, and his dark hair fell into his face as he gazed down at
her. “Oh?” she said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“That all you have
to say?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Vane really said
he wants us to have dinner?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes. He commanded
me to have dinner with you, in fact.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Gwynn almost
laughed. “Did he, now? He wasted no time. He was working on me when you came in
just a bit ago.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Working on you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Aye, he was
saying all kinds of things. How you smile more around me. How you’re happier
when I’m in the room.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“He may be right
about those things. I do think I’m happier when you’re in the room.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See where your teasing has gotten you?</i>
She pushed the thought away. “Are you?” She’d only meant to test the waters,
not jump right in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes.” He came
much closer to her. “I have to obey my lord and have dinner with you, but it’s
something I want as well. It’ll be my pleasure.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Don’t I have a
say in the matter?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Of course, but if
you say no, you have to go and tell Vane that you turned me down. I’m not going
back up there today. He’s threatened to turn his mother loose on us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Turn her loose on
us? What do you mean?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He smiled. “You’ve
never been to their castle, have you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Vane’s parents?
No, I’ve never been there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Lady Evane is the
real matchmaker in that family, so we need to be careful.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Be careful? What
would she do?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman laughed and
walked around his desk. “She once locked two people in the wine cellar to get
them to admit their true feelings for each other.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Oh, there’s no
way that happened.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Ask her. She
considers it a triumph. They were married within a month.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Gwynn let her gaze
wander over the desk. “Hmmm.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, can I have
an answer?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Gwynn put a hand
on her right hip. “Not until you ask me properly. I don’t care what Vane said.
I’m not having dinner with anyone because someone told me to.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“All right then. I
want to have dinner with you because I do like you. I have for a very long
time. Will you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She plumped up the
pillow in the chair in front of Orman’s desk before saying, “I suppose so. Not
very flattering, though, that you had to be forced to ask me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman walked
around the desk and came up to her again. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but you
should be very flattered. I didn’t ask before now because I don’t think I’m
good enough for you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You’re the lord’s
steward. What are you talking about?” If she’d set her sights on him, people
would’ve said she was doing it to raise her station and earn more favor. What
he said made no sense at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman laughed.
“You’re a strong woman and beautiful in the bargain. I’m more than ten years
older than you and not much to look at. I see the way men your age look at you.
Handsome, strong men that other girls fawn over.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, you don’t
see me fawning over them. Good looks are just luck, and muscles come from
working hard.” She gave him a quick once over. “There’s nothing wrong with the
way you look, and who cares how old you are.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman came even
closer, tilting his head and looking as if he was about to kiss her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Gwynn stepped back
and dusted her skirts off. “Well, if we’re having dinner, I need to finish a
few things before then. Where do you want me?” She cringed at how that had come
out, but she couldn’t help it. She’d kissed plenty of men, but she wasn’t ready
to kiss this one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Not yet anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman seemed to
take the hint well enough. She couldn’t even be sure he’d been trying to kiss
her. He was so much taller than she was he might’ve just been trying to hold
her gaze from that angle. “Yes, I need to see to a few things, too. I’ll come
to your room for you about seven? We could take a picnic basket outside, just
in time for the sunset. That way we won’t be in anyone’s way or need anyone to
serve us or set up. That all right?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Sounds like a
good idea.” Was he truly being considerate of others or trying to ensure some
privacy? Now she wished she hadn’t teased him and practically shoved her
breasts in his face. “I’ll be ready.” She turned to go, but then she looked
back and pointed. “There’s a reply for the merchant. I liked what he had to
say. Change anything you like.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Orman smiled at
her. “I’m sure it’s fine.” He looked into her eyes. “We make a great team, you
know?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Aye, we do pretty
well. Think alike, I guess.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“And you look
ready to bolt.” He took up the letter to read it. “Go on. I’ve wasted enough of
your time.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
She wanted to
argue with him, a bit insulted at the implication she was scared or anything,
but instead she grabbed the doorknob and twisted it to make her escape.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
And it came off in
her hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh, fuck me. Has Lady Evane somehow found
out? Did she come down here and loosen the knob from the other side?</i> Gwynn
wondered what Evane would be expecting of them if she had.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Damn, I thought
I’d fixed that.” Orman came over and took the knob from her, oblivious to her
distress and wayward thoughts. He fit the knob back in and twisted it very
gently. “I’m just going to have the entire thing replaced. It’s getting
ridiculous.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Aye, best see to
that,” she said, not quite bolting but definitely quickening her pace as she
moved around him. She went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a basket to
gather some herbs. She wasn’t fit to be around anyone right now, and she needed
time to think.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-13790656521095232602016-06-08T10:19:00.000-05:002016-06-08T10:19:09.747-05:00New Release: Antique Roses (Arundel 4)My newest Arundel novel is here!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the son of the reigning king of Arundel, Erik has never
backed down from a challenge. He goes after everything with a boldness that
sometimes gets him into trouble. But when it comes to matters of the heart,
he’s been stalling for years because he can’t rid his mind of doubts and fears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lance couldn’t be more surprised when he finds out Erik is
interested in him. But as he thinks about it, he realizes he’s been deflecting
the man’s attention for years. He can’t deny his attraction to the prince, but
he also knows they can’t ignore his old grudge against Erik’s father, or Erik’s
past struggles with Marcus, the only father figure Lance has ever had.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can they work through it all to find their way to each
other? Or will their love be over before it’s begun?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Buy Here:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GP588XO" target="_blank">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-antiqueroses-2055453-143.html" target="_blank">All Romance</a> * <a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/antique-roses-mm" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a> * <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/antique-roses/id1121744442?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a> * <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/641645" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
Excerpt:<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance found
himself looking up more quickly each time a customer came in. It had been two
days since his conversation with Erik, and he wondered why the prince hadn’t
returned yet. He’d apologized to his mother and made up with her, but she was
still a little miffed with him because he refused to go to Arundel to see Erik.
Traffic had been slow all day long, so Lance had pulled out his tablet to check
some online auctions. Lately he hadn’t had much luck finding stuff online, but
he had his eye on a few carved wooden figurines.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
He told himself he
wasn’t watching them for Erik, but he knew he was. After both his mother and
Marcus telling him they’d noticed Erik’s interest, Lance had been thinking back
over their encounters through the years. He only vaguely remembered the day
they’d met. Lance had broken his leg, and Asyan’s mother Eliana had come to
visit him and give him something for the pain. He’d insisted on letting it heal
naturally, and Eliana had just as stubbornly insisted that he at least keep the
potion in case he wanted to take it later so he could sleep more comfortably.
Lance had been fifteen years old at the time. Erik had escorted his grandmother
to the mortal world, but he’d mostly talked with Maggie while Eliana inspected
the splint and dressing the mortals had put on. Lance wondered if Erik even
remembered that day. He and his mother had been living in Italy at the time.
Lance could barely picture their house, but he vividly remembered the tree he’d
fallen out of trying to rescue a kitten for the girl who lived next door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
The kitten had run
away after that, and Erik had gone to find it, using a spell. He’d taken it
next door and then returned for his grandmother, winking at Lance and telling
him to be careful trying to impress the girls. Lance had actually been more
attracted to the girl’s older brother, but his mother had tactfully cautioned
him that the mortal world wasn’t as open minded about sexuality as the fairie
world, which had been especially true in the 1950s when this had happened. He hadn’t
been able to be openly seen with a man until the 1980s, and even then there had
been occasional problems. Dating women had simply been easier most of the time.
Erik hadn’t become a regular part of his life until about twenty years ago, and
snippets of conversations echoed in his head. Blood welled up on the inside of
his lower lip where he’d been chewing on the flesh as he thought about how cold
he’d always been to the prince. It almost amazed him Erik had any desire to be
around him at all. He cursed softly as he saw that he’d been outbid on two
auctions. His mind began to drift again when the front door opened. Lance froze
when he saw Erik, but as the man walked toward him, he straightened up and put
his tablet away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Hi,” Erik said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Hi.” Lance’s gaze
landed on the three coffees Erik carried. His mouth went dry when it occurred
to him that Erik had been bringing him coffee for years now. He’d always seen
it as a merely friendly gesture. It wasn’t like spending money mattered to the
prince. But now, Lance saw that it was something Erik liked doing for him.
Lance’s love for coffee had never been a secret.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Two sugars, two
creams,” Erik said softly, handing the cup off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Thank you,” Lance
said just as softly. Though they were roughly the same height, Lance felt about
six inches tall as he took the cup. He grasped it tentatively, as if brushing
his fingers over Erik’s would have some magical effect. It occurred to him, as
he looked into the other man’s eyes, that it just might. Erik had been
justified in thinking Lance didn’t like him, and he had to fix that, even
though he wasn’t sure where to begin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Quiet in here.
Even the coffee shop was dead,” Erik said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Indeed,” Maggie
said, swooping by and grabbing one of the coffees. “You can get by without me
for a bit, right?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Sure,” Lance
said, though she was already at the front door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Good. See ya,”
Maggie said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance opened his
mouth to say good-bye, but she was gone. She never left the shop during the
day, always insisting there was work to be done. He smiled nervously at Erik,
feeling like it couldn’t be more obvious they’d been left alone on purpose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik glanced over
his shoulder briefly before looking into Lance’s eyes. “I’d like to finish our
conversation, but I am here on a mission.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You are?” Lance had
imagined their unfinished talk would’ve been what had brought the prince back,
so he couldn’t help being curious.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yeah. Lucian and
Gil. I wanted to get them a housewarming present. Lucian had been living here
so long he didn’t have a home of his own in Arundel. They’ve built one now, so
I wanted to get them something.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Oh. Okay.” Lance
thought for a minute. “Did you have something in mind?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Not really. I
know they’re doing a lot with the garden.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yeah, they are.
Gil’s been in for his father a couple of times. He was talking to mom about
it.” Lance scanned the shelves on the far wall. “And actually, I might have an
idea.” He didn’t see the urn he was thinking of, which bothered him. Had his
mother sold it? He hadn’t been reviewing the ledger that much the last few
days. “Hang on. It’s not where it should be.” He moved around the counter and
began looking around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“What is it? What
color?” Erik asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“It’s a bluish
green urn. It has white Queen Mary roses on it. And Gil said he was planting
those kind in their garden.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Queen Mary
roses?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yeah.” Lance
spotted the urn. “There it is.” He reached down and grabbed it. “See?” he said,
handing it over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik took the urn
from him and looked at it, rotating it as he hefted it. “I don’t know much
about roses, but I like it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“What?” Lance
asked, genuinely shocked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik said, “What
do you mean, what?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“You’re a fairie
from the royal family, and you don’t know much about roses?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Shaking his head,
Erik said, “No. I’ve never planted a protective garden before. I know next to
nothing about gardening.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Rose gardens
protected mounds of fairie magic all over the world, and Lance had assumed Erik
would probably know lots about them. Erik’s stepmother had been the guardian of
one until recently. “Your home could use a little landscaping. You know?” He
took a deep breath and said, “Maybe I could come have a look sometime … soon.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik met his gaze.
“I’d like that.” He looked at the urn again. “I’ll definitely get this for Gil
and my brother.” He lifted his eyes back to Lance’s. “You know a lot about
roses?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I love roses. I
work in my mom’s garden a lot.” He nodded back to the counter and walked over
to retrieve his tablet. “I think something with a large bloom would look good
around your house.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Someone referred
to it as a haunted abbey recently. I’d be grateful for your help sprucing it
up.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance laughed.
“That’s a great description of the place. All the gray stone and long, dark
hallways. And those vaulted ceilings? Whoever said that was spot on.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik looked
stunned, and he just stood there staring at Lance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Clearing his
throat, Lance said, “Uh, sorry. I didn’t mean it in a negative way. Your home
is beautiful. I love all the detail. How accurate it is to the period.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I know you didn’t
mean it in a bad way. What are you apologizing for?” Erik asked in a low voice,
moving a bit closer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“For laughing. You
looked kinda, I don’t know, surprised.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I liked it. You
almost never laugh around me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Oh.” Lance
focused on his tablet, trying to find the best images of the types of roses he
thought would be good. “I like your house. It really does have a great gothic
revival look to it. I guess I’ve never said it, but I know you put a lot of
work into making everything just right.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Thank you,” Erik
said, his voice still low. “I love it, but some people think it’s too gloomy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“One thing this
business has taught me is that we all love different things.” Lance found a few
pictures and showed them to Erik. “I think some of these would be nice,” Lance
said as he forced himself to finally look back up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik leaned in and
studied the pictures. “I like these,” he said pointing to two pictures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Victorian spice
and antique.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Antique?” Erik
asked, looking up into Lance’s eyes. “Maybe we’ll go with those. Seems a good
omen I won’t kill them.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance chuckled.
“In Arundel? Probably impossible to kill any flower unless you actually rip it
out of the ground.” He scrolled through some of the pictures. “Maybe Victorian
spice in the front and antique in the back? Some other flowers as accents here
and there?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“That could work.
You really wouldn’t mind helping me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance set his
tablet down and said, “No, not at all, though I doubt you need my help.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Maybe not, but
I’d like it. Placement, care, I don’t know anything. And believe it or not,
people in Arundel don’t do everything by waving their hands. Think how bored
we’d all be.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I know you don’t
all do that.” He checked to make sure no one was outside the shop and then
said, “I don’t hate you. Not at all. I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass.” He met
Erik’s gaze and searched it a moment. “I don’t like letting people in. I do so
very rarely.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“That’s fine. Few
people are really worth it.” He reached out and took Lance’s right hand. “So
it’s time I stop pretending I’m only here for the antiques.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I’ve never even
been on a date with another fairie. And Marcus is my only close friend who
isn’t mortal.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Why do you think
it’s going to be so different?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance tilted his
head and squeezed Erik’s hand. “Are you serious? Just touching your hand has my
heart racing. My mother’s powers are bound, so being close to her doesn’t
affect me very much. I used to always feel a little heady all day when Marcus
would come see us, and that was just from being around him. Ask Gil. I bet it
shocked him the first time he touched your brother.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Lucian’s
mentioned that actually. He said Gil was overwhelmed the first time they
kissed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance tensed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is he about to kiss me?</i> He felt stupid
being nervous considering some of the things he’d done with other people, but
this kiss would be different. Just touching the man’s hand had his heart
skipping beats. “Someone could walk in, ya know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I know. Do you
care?” Erik stepped closer to him, his wider frame crowding Lance a bit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance looked at
the door a long time, almost willing someone to come in. Erik took him by the
chin and turned his head back slowly. Their lips were mere inches apart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I can wait, if
you’re really as nervous as you seem to be. I’m interested in more than sex,
but I think you already know that.” Erik backed off a bit, though he still
caressed his fingers over Lance’s cheek. “I can understand you wanting to go
slow. I’m willing to let you set the pace.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance wanted to
lean forward and press his lips to Erik’s. He also wanted to back away as
quickly as possible to get away from the prince’s touch. These two impulses
warred, and he simply stood there. “You remember the day we met?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik dropped his
hand from Lance’s face, but he still held Lance’s hand within his grasp. His
brows furrowed, and then he said, “The first time I saw you was at your
mother’s trial. You were about seven maybe. You sat in my sister’s lap because
you were afraid. I was in the back of the room.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance blinked as
he tried to remember. He did recall Raven holding him. She’d been beautiful and
soft spoken, and she hadn’t objected when he’d starting playing with her hair,
which had reached well past her waist. That day it had been worked into one
long braid, the strands decorated with beads and ribbons. He hadn’t known who
she was until his mother came over and thanked her for letting Lance sit with
her. “Yes, I remember Raven. She was very kind to me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Do you remember
the day we really met?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance nodded.
“1951. Italy. I’d broken my leg and—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Trying to save a
kitten.” Erik smiled. “Yeah, I’d almost forgotten that day. You tended to hide
whenever one of us came to visit Maggie. You did that until you were about
thirty, if I remember right.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Hey, I’m a
fairie. Long life and all. We can do the brooding teenager thing for decades,
right?” he quipped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik laughed.
“Sometimes Raven and I still do it to this day. So hey, why not?” His
expression became more wistful. “So is that the first time we spoke to each
other?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance nodded. “I
think so.” He knew it was but for some reason didn’t want to admit that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik inched closer
again. “And what did you think of me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I didn’t know
what to think. I really didn’t give much thought to your looks or anything. You
told me to be careful trying to impress the girls.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“And was the girl
next door grateful for your efforts?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Yeah, but she
only had eyes for someone else. A match her parents arranged. And actually, it
was her older brother I liked. Cesare.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“And?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“And? It was 1951.
I couldn’t say or do anything. I was fifteen. All I could do was jerk off
thinking about him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik’s gaze
darkened a bit. “I don’t remember exactly what you looked like, but you’re
making me feel like a pervert now, trying to picture that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance jerked back
and pulled his hand free, mortified at his own words. “I didn’t mean to say
that. I wasn’t thinking.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik shrugged. “No
need to be embarrassed. It’s stupid to be ashamed of things like that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Though he tried to
smile, Lance could hardly lift his gaze. “Been among mortals too long, I
guess.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“Well, only one
way to take your mind off this embarrassment.” Erik snaked one arm around
Lance’s waist and drew him close. His mouth descended quickly, and Lance
gasped, giving him immediate access.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Lance’s entire
body tingled, as if he was standing under the hot spray of a shower after
coming in out of the freezing rain. He grasped the prince by his biceps and
kissed him back. Just the feel of the man’s mouth against his was better than
the last time he’d been fucked. Lance knew he was trembling, and he clung to
Erik more as the kiss went on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik drew back,
and Lance actually stumbled a bit. Erik steadied him and said, “Someone’s
coming. I better stop molesting you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
“I can’t think
straight. You deal with them.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .3in;">
Erik chuckled.
“Maybe they’ll just want to browse.” He pushed Lance toward the counter. “Sit
if you need to.”</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lance grabbed at the counter and got to the stool
behind it, glad for once that it had a back. </span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285398888117809361.post-75532052520100240482016-04-29T09:43:00.000-05:002017-02-21T15:02:19.305-06:00New Release: His Insatiable Bear (Year of Suns 1)My newest Valladora story is here!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;"><b>Locke
has hidden in the shadows his entire life, and he never expected to
find a mate for himself. Bear shifters are supposed to be extinct, but
he and his family finally seem to have found refuge. His new life
becomes more appealing when he discovers his mate in his new home. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;"><b>He’s
shocked this mate is not only male but also a vampire, yet he has no
desire to turn from what the gods have given him. But instead of
submitting the way Locke craves, Ash doesn’t believe they’re actually
mates and resists Locke’s advances. But Locke can see Ash is equally
affected by the mate bond, and he won’t give up until his vampire has
given in to him, body and soul.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;"><b>Excerpt:</b></span><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
A familiar scent
wafted up the hill on the breeze, and Locke stopped where he stood. He crouched
and saw two horses and two vampires dressed in linen robes. Both men had dark
hair and faced away from him, but Locke knew one of them was Ash. The scent of honey
and damp moss enveloped him, and he shifted to human form and knelt there,
panting. Had Ash somehow found out who he was? Why else would they be here?
Since his first visit, Vane had never come unannounced, always telling Mama Cat
when his next visit would be, and Locke had liked that gesture of respect. He
stood and went to retrieve his clothes, his hands shaking a little as he
dressed. It was much easier to be rational and patient away from Ash. The
breeze picked up even more, carrying Ash’s scent and making the man’s hair fly
around him. Locke could see his profile now, and he wanted to rush down the
hill and kiss the vampire again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
He took a deep
breath and wiped his sweaty hands on his linen trousers. Next he glanced down
to make sure he was presentable. Mama Cat stood outside their little cottage
with Lex in her arms, and Ash smiled at the baby. Lex reached for him, and Ash
took him without hesitation, smiling and bouncing him gently. Locke’s heart
swelled at the sight. His mate held his little brother and looked at him
lovingly. Mama Cat wouldn’t live forever, and he would have to raise Lex in the
end. Seeing Ash take to him gave Locke the courage to proceed down the hill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Locke didn’t
bother being quiet, and everyone soon looked his way. Ash blinked as if he were
surprised and just stared at Locke as he approached.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I see you’ve
found me,” Locke said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, though I
didn’t mean to.” Ash’s gaze roamed up and down Locke. “You’re one of the bear
shifters?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Locke nodded.
“Yes, I am.” He looked over at Vane, who had a mischievous grin on his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Vane cleared his
throat and moved closer. “Ash said he met a young man named Locke, and I
thought it had to be you. I see my guess was correct.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Locke bowed,
trying to observe some semblance of decorum. “I’m happy to meet you, Lord Vane,
especially given how pleased I was to meet Ash.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Mama Cat eyed him,
her silver braids dancing as the wind picked up. “I knew something had happened
last night. You’ve been too quiet today.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Locke nodded.
“Yes.” He looked to Ash. “It worried me at first, but I’m going to trust that
the gods know what they’re doing. I thought I had to wait and make plans, but
here they’ve forced my hand a second time.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“What are you
talking about?” Ash asked, his hand moving in circles on Lex’s back as the baby
chewed on Ash’s hair, which the vampire didn’t seem to mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Since he couldn’t
take one of Ash’s hands while the vampire held Lex, Locke came forward and
cupped his cheek. “You’re my mate, Ash. I was confused at first, but there’s no
mistaking it. You’re mine.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Ash took a step
back out of his reach, staring at him as if he’d just pulled out a weapon.
“Excuse me? That’s not how matehood works.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Ash pulling away
had hurt, but Locke pushed the pain away. “Yes, it is. Vampires aren’t the only
ones with fated mates. We have different gods. I mean no disrespect to the
deities you serve, but the bear gods select mates very carefully. Refusal is
not an option. Bad luck will befall both of us if we ignore this.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Mama Cat came over
and took Lex from Ash, who still stared at Locke. Vane observed them all
closely, though his expression revealed nothing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You could’ve
picked a less dramatic way of telling him, Locke,” Mama Cat said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“How exactly do
bear shifters find mates, ma’am? I’ve never heard of this before,” Vane said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“By scent,” Mama
Cat said. “Perhaps we should let these two talk?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, that might
be—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“No,” Ash said,
cutting his brother off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“No?” Locke said.
“No? You don’t want to talk to me? You certainly liked me kissing you last
night.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Then why didn’t
you tell me last night instead of making cryptic remarks and running away?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Locke cleared his
throat. “I was nervous. And surprised. Our race is nearly dead, and yet the
bear gods fate me to a male vampire? I was shocked actually. I’d probably have
run away without even speaking to you if your scent hadn’t been engulfing me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“You find your
mate by scent? How do you know what scent you’re looking for?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Locke smiled. “Oh,
you know. It’s unmistakable.”</div>
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