Rough Love by Dale Cameron Lowry

Title: Rough Love

Author: Dale Cameron Lowry

Publisher: Torquere Press

Release Date: April 20, 2016

Tags/keywords: #mmromance #shortstory

In April, Torquere Press released Dale Cameron Lowry’s story “Rough Love,” an intercultural m/m college romance with a jalapeño heat rating. To celebrate, Dale is hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway. The prize is an ebook from Dale’s Torquere backlist! Choose from Loggerhead, Mi Alma, or Born of Fire. Details below.

Summary

College student Blake thinks his new boyfriend, Michael, doesn’t like French kissing. Michael thinks Blake doesn’t like rough sex. Neither are virgins, except in the art of conversation. Can they set things straight before the honeymoon’s over?

Excerpt

I swear I stopped breathing as soon as I looked up and saw him.

Or rather, his ass. My eyes stopped before they could go any higher. He was wearing a pair of mustard-colored stretch jeans with a back seam that perfectly split his behind into two succulent buns as round and steaming as a pair of dinner rolls fresh out of the oven.

I like to tell people I fell in love with him at first sight. But let’s be honest: it was pure, unadulterated lust.

Author’s Note

Torquere Press put out a call for short stories where lovers (or potential) do something foolish or have some sort of misunderstanding. I write lots of stories about intercultural relationships and thought it would be interesting to write something where an intercultural couple has a misunderstanding that isn’t about those differences, but is somehow related to them in a very roundabout way; that is, the miscommunication happens because one or both partners make assumptions about the other influenced by those differences.

At the same time, I didn’t want to write something heavy. I wanted something that was raucous and super sexy. Our boys make silly assumptions, don’t communicate those assumptions because they don’t even realize they’re assumptions, and get into deeper trouble until they realize that they’re being idiots. (Though one might be more of an idiot than the other.) But ultimately, they love each other, and figuring out their miscommunication makes for a better relationship—and better sexy times.

Where to Buy

You can buy Rough Love wherever ebooks are sold, including:

• Torquere Books
• Amazon US
• Amazon UK

Or mark as “Want to Read” on Goodreads.

Giveaway

You can enter the Rafflecopter here (it closes at end of day EDT June 4):

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f2bd4cf30/?

Author Bio and Links

Dale Cameron Lowry lives in the Upper Midwest with a partner and three cats, one of whom enjoys eating dish towels, quilts, and wool socks. It’s up to you to guess whether the fabric eater is one of the cats or the partner. When not busy mending items destroyed by the aforementioned fabric eater, Dale is a writer and editor of queer romance and speculative fiction. Previous careers include sign language linguist, grocery store clerk, journalist, gardener, and camp counselor—not necessarily in that order. As for favorite time-wasters, high on the list are Tumblr, studying anatomy, getting annoyed at Duolingo, and reading fairy tales.

·         Website: www.dalecameronlowry.com

·         Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/dalecameronlowry

·         Twitter: www.twitter.com/DaleCLowry

·         Tumblr: dalecameronlowry.tumblr.com

·         Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/dalecameronlowry

·         Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/daleclowry

·         Amazon US: amazon.com/author/dalelowry

·         Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0186513CO

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/dclowry

Bad Dogs and Drag Queens by Julie Lynne Hayes

  Author Name: Julie Lynn Hayes
  Book Name: Bad Dogs and Drag Queens
  Series: Rose and Thorne Book: One
  Release Date: May 25, 2016
  Pages or Words: 50,000 words
  Categories: Crime Fiction, Fiction, Gay Fiction,      Humor, Romance 
  Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
  Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

The author is donating 10% of the royalties from this book to No Kid Hungry. Visit nokidhungry.org for more information about this organization.

Blurb: Vinnie Delarosa and Ethan Thorne are partners—on and off the clock. Federal undercover detectives, they’re part of a covert task force designed to promote goodwill between the feds and local authorities. They lend an unobtrusive helping hand wherever it’s needed. No credit required. 

Vinnie and Ethan work primarily in the Southeast region of the United States and live together in Richmond, Virginia. A mugger problem brings them to Roanoke, where Vinnie is thrown out as bait to catch the man who’s been snatching purses in a city park, but they end up with more than they bargained for.

Why is Vinnie always the one who has to wear the dress? Ethan says it’s because Vinnie looks much prettier in a skirt. How can he argue with that?

Expecting to return to Richmond afterward, Vinnie and Ethan find themselves assigned a new case instead. They are to go undercover at The Stroll, one of the biggest gay nightclubs in Roanoke. Someone is terrorizing both the customers and the performers. Could they be dealing with a hate crime? Someone has to protect the drag queens of Roanoke, so it’s Vinnie and Ethan to the rescue

Wednesday Briefs - Silk Pajamas

An apology. My son has been poorly and I got so caught up with taking care of him, and other things I've had on this week that I completely forgot about writing my flash until last night. Therefore, I'm afraid I don't have a new installment of Demon this week, However, I didn't want to leave you completely empty handed so I've reprised my favourite One-Shot. I hope you like it, even if you've read it before. I keep promising myself that I'll be more organized next week, and I totally intend to.

The prompt this week that totally fits with the flash is I sure didn't see that coming

They were beautiful. They clung to all the right places and rustled slightly with every move. The sleeve under his cheek was cool; the whisper of the silk, like words of love, spoken softly into a kiss. Oh yes, the pyjamas were the cat’s whiskers. The only problem was… they weren’t his.

Heaving a huge sigh, he stripped off the pants, closing his eyes as the material slid down his legs, feeling himself harden at the sheer eroticism of the silk’s caress. Arching his back, he slowly circled his nipples, letting the thin jacket slide over the tingling nubs. A soft moan escaped him and, still caressing one nipple, he allowed the other hand to stroke his chest, sides and belly, anywhere he could rub the silk against the hot, damp skin.

Squeezing his nipple hard, he moaned again. Still stroking himself, he let go of his nipple to take hold of his, now throbbing…

“Keiron, are you home?”

Shit. Shit. Fucking, shit.

Kicking away the pants, he almost tore the jacket in his haste to get it off. What the hell was she doing home this early? She was supposed to be working this afternoon. Taking a few steadying breaths, Keiron forced his trembling fingers to fold the silky material carefully and slide the pyjamas back into the drawer.

Still trembling, he crept out of the room and into the bathroom, across the hall. Just as he turned on the water, he heard the footsteps on the stairs. Phew, that was close.

“Keiron?”

“I’m about to take a shower, Mam.”

“How long have you been home?”

“Not long.” He sighed. Why did she have to come home right now?

“Have you been in my room?”

“No,” he lied.

“Forget the shower. Get dressed and come downstairs. I’m calling the school. If you are supposed to be there I’m calling Dr Freidricks.”

“Mam,” he snapped, “I don’t NEED a doctor.”

“Just get dressed and get downstairs.”

With a huge sigh, he touched his forehead to the cold mirror, and watched his breath mist the glass. Just great. Wunderbar. Well, he wasn’t going to see that doctor again, that’s for sure. He shivered at the memory of the last session. He’d never been so embarrassed in his life.

God, he wished he could just move out; but he had nowhere else to go. There’d been a time when things were going to be alright. He was going to move in with Chris and… But that was all over now. His eyes turned as misty as the mirror, thinking about what could have been and what had actually happened.

“I’m sorry Keiron, but being gay’s one thing; that… well, that’s just freaky.”

“I thought you, of all people would have understood. How can you stand there, after having gone through all that shit about being gay, and tell me I’m a freak?”

“Well, like I said, being gay’s different.”

“How? How is it different?”

“Ki dude, you came into school wearing a… a… skirt. And you were hauled off to see a psychiatrist and…”

“And I went through hell. And I thought that you, of all people would be there for me.”

Chris had shrugged, Keiron had stormed off and that was that. It’d been over a week now and, apart from having to see each other at school, he’d neither seen nor spoken to him. It was over. His only chance of escaping the stifling clutches of an overbearing, ultra conservative, mother, was gone. Tears ran down his cheeks. Chris. His angel. The only one who understood him. Except… he didn’t.

“Keiron, get down here.”

With a last look at the pale, tear streaked face in the mirror, he hauled himself out of the bathroom, pulled on a pair of shorts and slouched down the stairs.

“Did you go into my room?” his mother snapped, the instant he appeared in the doorway.

“No,” he said again.

“Liar!” He wasn’t expecting the slap and he froze, staring in disbelief. “What did you do? What did you… touch?”

Keiron hung his head, his face burning. “Pyjamas,” he muttered. He’d never been a good liar.

“Not my silk pyjamas?” He nodded and she slapped him again, then stormed out of the room. He didn’t move, was afraid to, and was still in exactly the same position when his mother came storming down the stairs. She was carrying the pyjamas.

Going straight to the kitchen drawer, she took out a pair of scissors and laid into the pyjamas. Every snip felt as if she was cutting into him.

When the silk was nothing more than colourful ribbons, she turned to him, brandishing the scissors and he shrank back, thinking, for a moment, that she was going to go for him with them.

“You will go to your room,” she hissed, “and you will stay there until I tell you that you can leave. I will schedule an appointment with the doctor in the morning and this time you are NOT going to talk me out of letting him put you on medication.”

“There’s no way…”

“I am your mother and you are still only seventeen. If I tell you to take the medication you will damn well do it or I will have you committed.”

“No…”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. “This isn’t over,” she snapped, then disappeared. Angrily, he dashed away tears, until he heard the scream.

Running into the hall he froze in utter shock. His mother had shrunk back against the wall, shaking and white. Standing in the doorway was a vision, an angel, HIS angel.

Chris was wearing a long, pink, silk dress with a straw hat. His wavy blonde hair and big blue eyes made him look completely angelic, although there was no dress in the world that could make him look remotely feminine.

“Get your things, babe,” he said, with a huge grin. “We’re going home.”

Now go check out the rest of the fabulous flashers for this week

Cia Nordwell

Louise Lyons

Johayan

Mann Ramblings

Shelly Schulz

Carol Pedroso

Julie Lynn Hayes

The Edge of Hope by Alina Popescu

The Edge of Hope, Bad Blood Book I, Free on Amazon

May 21 – May 22

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JEBJXDQ

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JEBJXDQ



Everyone she loved betrayed her. She felt lost and broken. Getting away from the pain and embracing a new path, Alexa decided to leave her old life behind and chase a long forgotten dream in Malta. There she met a gorgeous man, bearing the scent of fresh love. He led her to a new city to explore, Amsterdam. Is the tall, dark, and delicious man a dream come true or just a risky gamble?

Alexa chose hope and new beginnings over fear and warning signs only to be brutally dragged into a world she never really thought existed. Vampires, their feuds, and her future held tightly in their hands.

Trapped in a mysterious world, Alexa gives love chance after chance. Following her quest of self-discovery in a blood bound world, will she survive the journey?

Alexei's Mouse by A C Katt

Author Name: A.C. Katt Book 
Name: Alexei’s Mouse
Series: Werewolves of Manhattan Book: Five
  Release Date: May 20, 2016
Pages or Words: 64,118
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Wolf Shifters
Publisher: MLR Press
Cover Artist: Lex Valentine







Blurb: Alexei Davidoff suffered three years in a Russian labor camp where he was tortured and defiled daily. Alexei knows suffering on an intimate basis. He’s rescued by Armand and Etienne members of the North American Council of werewolves. His household came with him from Russia and all of them are worried that Alexei will go back and challenge both the government and the Russian First.

 Then early one morning Alexei goes jogging in Central Park in an effort to get back his strength to fight the Russian First. He finds a prostitute on a park bench covered in newspaper and not moving. Bearing in mind his recent ordeal Alexei decides to help the boy. He lifts up the newspaper and finds a needle hanging out of his arm. The boy is dying of an overdose and he’s Alexei’s Mate.

A Trust To Follow by Diana Waters

Synopsis

Prince Daymon is an Evoker—possessor of rare and feared magical powers.
When he is captured by bandits who plan to use his gifts for their own benefit he must depend upon his lover to come to his rescue.
Rhyder is captain of Daymon’s personal guard and the legendary ‘Lion of the West’, but can he reach the man he loves before it’s too late?

Release Date: May 26, 2016

Pre-order Links

Take advantage of the discount pre-order price on all retailer websites:

Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/Trust-Follow-Diana-Waters-ebook/dp/B01FUHLSZ8
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Trust-Follow-Diana-Waters-ebook/dp/B01FUHLSZ8
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trust-Follow-Diana-Waters-ebook/dp/B01FUHLSZ8
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Follow-Diana-Waters-ebook/dp/B01FUHLSZ8
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/a-trust-to-follow-by-diana-waters/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-atrusttofollow-2041089-143.html

Excerpt

PRINCE DAYMON CAME to with a stifled moan, pain dragging him back to unwelcome awareness. His entire body throbbed, but he kept his eyes closed, not wanting to be greeted with the sight of a bare cell or the bruises where he had been struck. The cold had numbed him to some of the damage, but he could tell without looking that several fingers were likely broken. Instead, he fixed his mind on what he had been dreaming of only moments ago 

Daymon did not remember his mother well, but he knew what she looked like from the portraits his older brother, Daylor, had kept. From his mother, Daymon had inherited hair as fine and dark as ink and eyes a deep blue, when both his father and his brother were golden-haired with eyes close to amber in color. Where they were tall, broad-shouldered, and olive-skinned like most of his ancestors, Daymon stood several inches shorter than nearly every other grown male he could name, his slight build and pale complexion further marking him as more his mother’s child than his father’s—as though anyone needed reminding. And yet, despite being too young to recall his mother’s voice, or so he thought, Daymon could have sworn he had heard her whisper to him.Just a little longer, the words had tickled past his ear. Just a little longer, and he will come for you. How could he not? But the sensation of his head being held, the fingers brushing softly through his hair, had vanished as soon as Daymon had woken, and although he had never really known her, he felt her absence now as keenly as though she had truly been with him.

Book Trailer

About the Author

DIANA WATERS is a New Zealander currently living in rural Japan. She has no idea where in the world she’ll be this time next year and is pretty okay with that. Other than reading and writing, her main passions include travel, Japanese pop culture, and competitive swimming.

DIANA WATERS can be found at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010664493155
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diana__waters

Wednesday Briefs Demon Chapter 24

So we are here at another Wednesday and another installment in the story of my pretty little Demon and his prince. This week, I used the prompt - watching the sun, a ball of fire, setting in the evening sky

Outside the chamber I pause and reconsider. Why have I allowed myself to be pushed out? Why have I left my prince to face such hostility alone? A glance at the guard satisfies me that I not be permitted re–entry, so what shall I do?

“Where the hell is he?”

I start having not heard Jandra’s approach. I must take care. It would not do to become too distracted to see danger approach. I must not become complacent. I am alone in the hands of the enemy. Though one is my beloved and my bonded I cannot forget that many years of hatred and fear make this place far from safe for me.

“It would appear he is addressing your Council.”

“The fool.”

The guard steps forward as she reaches for the door. It is not one of those in green who seem to be a personal bodyguard, but rather wears an ornate red and gold uniform. Even so, he wears a sword at his hip and carries a wickedly sharp spear which he uses to body block the furious princess. “My apologies, Princess, but the king has given clear orders that no one is to pass.”

“He couldn’t possibly have meant me.”

“No one, my lady.”

Jandra snorted and stormed off back the way she’d come. After a few steps she paused and glanced back. “Well, come on then, or are you going to stand outside the door like a hound waiting for your master?”

I glance at the door. Will he need me? Will he be angry if I leave? Sad? A loyal hound indeed. “I come, Lady.”

Jandra allows me to catch her then hisses in my ear. “You would do well to treat your bonded with a little more respect and perhaps some affection.”

She startles me, then I remember I am supposed to be bonding with her. “Oh. Of course.” I allow her to take my arm and we stroll at a more stately place.

“Do you know what my fool brother is intending?”

“I thought to ask you the same.”

“How did Father take it?” she asks in a tone that betrays amusement.

“Not well to begin, but Castien knows his law and was able to quote back at them their own regulation.”

Jandra snorts. “Oh yes, you won’t best Castien on knowledge anything, lest of all laws and rules.” She falls into a speculative silence. “I hope he knows what he’s doing,” she comments when I have ceased to expect it. The sombre tone startles me.

“Is he likely to bring trouble to himself?”

“Not in the way you might think. However, there are reasons he has not taken a part in Counsel. 

There are things about Castien you do not know.”

“There is very little about Castien I do not know. If you are concerned for his health do not be. It is much improved from my healing.”

Jandra stops dead and turns to me, her eyes wide. “I had forgotten,” she says. “Can it me? Is my brother really healed of his maladies? Many healers have failed and we have come too close too many times to take lightly. There was a time when we were warned not to expect him to live to take his sword.”

“I don’t understand. Take his sword? I was led to believe Castien has not seen battle.”

“No, it is a coming of age custom among our people, when a boy is presented with his sword and his rank. This is when he becomes a man. This is when Castien was formally sworn as Crown Prince. Father still has a list drawn of those to whom the title might pass should Castien not live to take the crown.”

“I didn’t know. Is he so delicate?”

“He does not appear so, but he is.”

My mind falls prey to dour thoughts as we walk on in silence. I have felt the strength of Castien’s spirit, but could not fail to have noted weakness during our bond. I had thought it a general constitution malady and that he was now strengthened by the bond. Perhaps we had better consult 

with our healers when we return home.

Jandra leads me through the castle to a bright room that faces West. I had not thought the day so advanced and wander to the window to watch the setting sun, a ball of fire in the growing evening sky. 

“Will they come before dinner?”

“You have sat in Counsel, Tian dear. They may not come yet tonight.”

“Will you father have Castien talk through the night?”

“Not by choice, but from what you have said it seems the power to stop it has been removed. Once the debate begins it would be unthinkable to stop for Castien’s sake. The shame would be too much for him to bear, and he would allow it.”

My lips curve in a smile that does not come from my heart. My lips, dizzy with kisses respond to memories of my fondness for Castien, yet my heart is heavy with fear for him. “Would your father permit him to fall ill through stubbornness?”

“My father’s hands are tied by Castien himself.”

“I wish I had known before. I would have insisted to stay, or that he leave with me. Pride for his courage blinded me.”

“As pride often does.”

Time limps on and evening fades into night. I sit. I stand. I pick at the food Jandra has brought to the tables. The Queen joins us, then retires. Still he does not come. Many times have I thought to return to the Counsel chamber. But for my fear I might shame my prince, I would have done so.

And now, the sky lightens and my bones ache.

The door is thrown wide and both the princess and I rise swiftly lest we meet a threat.

Castien's slight frame seems to fill the doorway. He appears to vibrate with anger. “How dare you?” he snarls.

Louise Lyons

Mann Ramblings

Ravon Silvius

Jim Dunaway

Elyzabeth VaLey

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Julie Lynn Hayes

Judging a Book by its Cover.

I have been thinking about book covers. I've seen quite a few really beautiful covers recently. and I've read a lot of quite lively discussions about what 'should' be on them, what sells and how important they are to sales. To me that last point is obvious. No one is going to buy a book with a really bad cover unless they know the author or have been particularly recommended.

Human brains are wired to judge. We can't help it and although we can program our brain to a certain extent we will never be able to stop judging. That's a good thing because if we do lose our judgement we will die. Is that man dangerous? Is that woman going to tear out my heart and eat it in front of me? Are those berries poisonous. There's a reason that poisonous foods tend to have bright colours (or black) It's to give us that instant warning. We glance at something. Within seconds we make a judgement, then we move on, either to look more closely or pass by.

Therefore, although a good blurb and immediate hook will help to sell the book nothing will do so as well as a cover.

So what makes a good cover? I appreciate the answer to that is always going to be "It depends" or "It varies" What one person sees as a beautiful cover, another might see as a mess or a complete turn off. I think, though, sometimes covers can be a thing of beauty in themselves and that has to be appreciated by [almost] everyone.

On that note, I'm asking for help. I have pictures of all my book covers (not including anthologies) and I would like to get a quick poll of what you like and don't like. I would be over the moon if you would give me quick feedback on the covers you like most and least. You don't have to say why just leave a comment with two numbers - first best: second worst. You can, of course elaborate if you wish

Please feel free to comment on anything to do with book covers you might want to share. I'd love to hear from you

1 Lab Rat















2 Hostage

3 Shade's Champion

4 Ari

5 Enigma

6 Draven's Gate

7 Memories of Forgotten Love

8 Project X

9 The Face in the Window

10 Enigma II Fighting the Man

11 The Runaway















12 Upstaged: Opening Act

13 Hump in the Night

14 Upstaged : Waiting In the Wings

Victory Portrait by Tali Spencer

Author Name: Tali Spencer

Book Name: Victory Portrait

Series: Pride of Uttor Book: Four

Release Date: April 6, 2016 

Pages or Words: 78,600 words

Categories: Alternate Universe, Fantasy, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Publisher: Resplendence Publishing
Cover Artist: Melody Pond







Blurb: 

Imperial captive and former Sebboyan prince Peta Kordeun has one great wish: to meet Darius Arrento, conqueror of his country and a man he has idolized since childhood. That wish comes true the day the Uttoran emperor assigns Peta to assist the artist who will be painting the great general’s official portrait.

 General Darius Arrento would rather take a crossbow bolt through his flesh than sit for a portrait, until his friend the emperor forces his hand. The notorious artist, Brazzi, uses semen and other sexual fluids to bind his colors—and Arrento is captivated by the artist’s pretty helper. Before long he is driven to possess the gorgeous young man who draws battle maps and whose naïve charm has won more hearts in Uttor than Arrento has won battles.

When Arrento learns that Peta, the slave he covets and wants for his own, is one of the despised Kordeun princes, he storms from Uttor toward a far corner of the empire—where he quickly finds himself embroiled in a plot to tear Uttor’s empire apart. His emotions and loyalties frayed, the great Arrento is in the battle of his life…and Peta may hold the key to his survival.

Wednesday Briefs. Demon Chapter Twenty Three

I've been back and forth recently with all kinds of things to think about especially with my son coming up to his first round of GCSE's and panicking all over the place. As he's tutored at home I get caught up in the drama when his tutors put the pressure on. Sigh. Never mind; over soon, and the Summer Holidays are approaching.

Anyway, this week I chose the prompt 'a pregnant pause' which was perfect for this piece

As if it had been waiting for my pause, the door flies open causing everyone to start as it strikes the wall. The king surges to his feet with his hand on the pommel of his sword and I wish I had thought to arm myself. Not that I would be allowed to bear arms in this place, I am sure.

The king, along with others who had risen, sink back in their seats and, instead of a shocked silence, as whispered unease fills the chamber.

“Castien. What are you doing here?” the king asks. His voice had no warmth and his eyes are narrowed.

“Taking my rightful place,” Castien responds. His face is death–pale but his bearing is regal and his expression set. “I am Crown Prince after all, or have I missed the decree that strips me of my title.”

“No such decree exists or ever could. Crown Prince you are, and so you shall remain until the end of my days when you will be king.

It Castien notices the ice in his voice that borders on regret, he doesn’t show it; doesn’t even flinch.

“Good, then I believe I have a seat at Council and I have long neglected my duty to occupy it.” He crosses the room with a purposeful stride and sinks into the chair next to his father. I can’t be certain but I believe that if he had not sat down he might have fallen. Even from where I stand I can’t but note the tremor in his hand as he raises it in and rakes it through his hair, in an already familiar gesture of nervousness.

After a long, pregnant pause, the king shakes his head.

“May we be permitted to continue,” the king asks. Ice drips from his words and from his expression words would be exchanged between father and son after the meeting.

“Please do.”

A glance around the room reveals surprises. The expressions range dramatically from fondness to surprise to downright disapproval. In one case it was chillingly calculating.

“To summarize gentlemen. The situation is dire. A dangerous rebellion is brewing in the South and Tian’s people are offering an alliance that might just be enough to save us.”

I am drawn by Castien’s gasp and meet his wide eyes. I hold them as the chamber erupts into calls and muttered conversations. Castien seems shocked, but he hides it quickly and rises to his feet.

To a man, the councillors, who had all but ignored the king’s attempts to settle them, fall silent.

“I cannot see how this is a matter for debate or discussion. Danger threatens us and we have received an offer of a powerful alliance. Are we really so entrenched in our arrogance that we would push it aside. Can we really afford to?”

“We have been provided with no evidence of any threat,” one of the councillors chimes in, but at a glance from Castien he subsides.

“We do not need and alliance with demons.” The oily tomes of the man I do not trust, the one who seems to be calculating weakness, slide into the conversation. “We are strong and they are weak. They have nothing to offer us.”

“My father has been there. He has spoken to Tian’s father. He says they are not weak. Would you call your king a liar?”

I don’t know if Castien notices the flash of hatred in the man’s dark eyes, but I do. I will watch this one. It would be not be wise for the king to leave him behind when he travelled through the forest.

“No, of course not. But I stand by what I said. We are stronger; strong enough. We don’t need them.” A rumble of consent had Castien bridling. I would almost see sparks flying from his eyes and hair.

“How low have we fallen that we would thrust away the hand of friendship in a time of need. Yes, we are strong but even the strongest have fallen. Have you forgotten how close we came to disaster in the demon wars?” He casts a glance at me and I cannot be sure whether he is apologising for calling me a demon or fearful that he has revealed too much to me. If the latter, he need not have worried. There is little about the kingdom we do not know – now or ever. As our only real threat they have been under constant surveillance.

“We have been presented with no evidence this is a time of need.”

“The only evidence you require is the word of the king.”

“But we are his counsellors; his advisors. His word is––”

“Law,” Castien breaks in. “The king’s word is law, and you are here to counsel and advise, not to demand or decree. You would do well to dwell on this.”

I am concerned that more expressions are edging toward hostile. I had thought my prince to be more diplomatic. The last thing we need is for him to alienate members on the council.

“This is no longer a discussion about whether we believe in the threat, or whether we enter the alliance. From here the discussion is how best can we counter the threat and what terms we should discuss in the alliance. Father, do you have terms drawn by the – by Tian’s father?”

Dumbly, the king nods.

Castien turns to me and smiles. On the outside he is calm and composed, but his eyes hold a desperate plea. I don’t see how I can help him.

“Forgive me, but this is a discussion you should have no part in. Would you be so good as to return to your chamber. Someone will come for you when we have a proposal to lay before you.”

As so his pleading is for my forgiveness. He has it freely. His dismissal holds no sting. It is to be expected. My Castien has much to learn of the arts of war.

Now on to the other amazing briefers this week

Carol Pedroso

Mann Ramblings

Johayan

Louise Lyons

Julie Lynn Hayes

WAYWARD INK PUBLISHING 40% GENRE SALE - YOUNG ADULT

Wayward Ink Publishing are offering an amazing 40% off all books within the YA and NA categories until 15th May at WIP YA/NA

Thereafter they will be holding genre sales for their other titles so watch out for more sales in your favourite genres at WIP

Kellan's Awakening by Angel Martinez and Bellora Quinn

Author Names: Bellora Quinn and Angel Martinez
Book Name: Kellen’s Awakening
Series: AURA Book: Three
Series should be read in order
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Pages or Words: 69,000 words
Categories: Alternate Universe, Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Cover Artist: Emmy Ellis






Blurb: 

The staff at AURA has had a busy summer. Between chronic understaffing, dealing with warring goblin factions and an unusual number of hazardous Events, everyone is overworked. Sinistrus the incubus, newly hired as an AURA medic, actually enjoys his busy new life of responsible employee and faithful lover to his gorgeous police sergeant, Ness the centaur. Life would be perfect, except for a niggling suspicion about a colleague. Everyone else seems to disagree, but Sin’s certain something’s not right with that pixie.

 Kellen, a pixie crossover, loves his job working in AURA medical, even if he is something of an outsider. His job and the friends he manages to make are happy spots in an otherwise dark and secretive life. As the rest of AURA tries to discover the root of the inexplicable rise in violence and large scale Events, Kellen fights to preserve his own life and what dignity he has left.

 These two unlikely heroes must put their differences aside and navigate tragedy and ever-escalating disaster together in order to stop the sinister forces that hold Kellen in thrall.