What worried Griff the most was that Clint said nothing. He was one of those people who thanked the checkout clerk at the grocery store for taking his money, yet he’d barely spoken to the doctor. Bruises, cuts, and scrapes would heal. If there were broken bones, those would be fixed, and dehydration was very easily cured. Griff wasn’t concerned over Clint’s physical condition. It was what was happening inside Clint’s head that so completely terrified Griff in a way he’d never before felt, even when confronted with armed and dangerous felons. Read more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Jewel Cave is available in eBook, paperback and through KoboPlus.
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BOOK BLAST Book Title: Runway Dreams: Prideful Vengeance Author: T.K Ambers Publisher: Star Spirit Adventures Cover Artist: Getcovers Release Date: December 18, 2023 Genre: Murder Mystery with MM Romance Tropes: Connect the Deaths, Never Suicide, & Everyone’s a suspect. Themes: Forgiveness, Family, Relationships, & Music. Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 78 671 words/ 275 pages It’s part of a series, but this book focuses on Alex and Matthew and can be read as a standalone. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Music, murder, and Pride, oh, my! Blurb To Alex Crimson, California means fun in the sun, but when his favorite new LGBTQ+ pop idol goes missing, California marks the start of a deadly nightmare. As the disappearances continue, Alex fears the trail is moving toward Tulsa. Could the killer be someone he knows? Thinking things can’t get any worse, he unwittingly finds himself in the crosshairs of a friend’s volatile family dispute. Join the cast of Runway Dreams in this dark and humorous murder mystery as they work to catch a serial killer, and avoid becoming the victims of a friend’s lunatic brothers. Excerpt Alex saw Matthew coming up the aisle, and a pain gripped his chest, sucking the air out of his lungs. Every hair on his body rose as he evaluated the grim look on Matthew’s face. “May I speak to you outside for a moment?” Matthew whispered. “Sure,” he replied. Somehow, he picked up his feet and follow Matthew away from his guest’s prying eyes. “What’s going on?” he asked, forcing the words out. “Hector’s not here, Alex. We’ve checked the club, as well as your house and his. He’s nowhere to be found.” “Did you find any notes?” asked Alex. “No.” Matthew could tell from the look on his friend’s face that he was scared out of his mind. “Listen, I don’t want to think Hector would abandon you, but this might simply be a case of wedding day nerves.” Alex shook his head. “Simple. Is that what you think this is? Nothing about this is simple, Matthew. We have one hundred guests sitting outside waiting to witness our vows. We’ve spent a fortune on flowers, food, and cake. This is supposed to be a happy reprieve from the depravity we’ve been pulled into over the past years,” said Alex, his voice slowly rising, “and you’re telling me the man I’m in love with and due to marry, this very day, has vanished just like his cousin, who turned up dead a day later! He could be the killer’s next victim!” Matthew raised his hand and said, “Calm down. I know it’s easy to go into panic mode, but you mustn’t allow yourself to entertain the worst. We have absolutely no information to go on except that he was supposed to marry you, and he didn’t show up. I know it’s a terrible situation, no matter which way you view it, but we’ve got to remain calm until we know what we’re dealing with. Maybe he’s stuck in traffic somewhere?” “Nooo!” shrieked Alex, his cheeks flushed as anger flashed in his eyes. “This is unacceptable!” Dropping his head into his hands, his lip began to quiver. “This is too much. Too freaking much. It’s bad enough I had to wear this cake-like makeup to cover my heinous green and yellow eye, but now there won't even be a wedding. I don’t really care what you say, but go tell our guests they can enjoy some wine and canapes on me. I don’t know what else to do.” The fight had been knocked out of him. “Send Hector's parents over. I’m sure they’ll want an explanation.” Matthew patted him on the back. “I’ll be fine.” Pausing, he let out another deep sigh and added, “I hope.” “I’m so sorry, Alex,” said Matthew. Turning away, he walked back into the tent, noticing that Maddie had arrived and taken her seat, late as predicted. Approaching Alex’s sisters, he said, “Ladies, I need you to keep calm, as I don’t want to scare the guests, but Hector’s not here. I'll deal with the guests if you'll go console Alex.” “Oh, no,” said Bell. “Do we know anything about what’s happened to Hector?” “No,” replied Matt. “I’m praying its cold feet or something ridiculous slowing his arrival. You know how dramatic he can be. Anyway, I'm off to address the guests. Wish me luck.” “Okay, good luck,” said Bernie. “We’ll go take care of Alex.” Moving on, Matthew walked up to the microphone and tapped on it. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m afraid there will be no wedding today due to unforeseen circumstances that must be dealt with. Alex and Hector will get back to you as soon as they know when the wedding will take place. In the meantime, help yourselves to a glass of sparkling wine and some canapes before you go. Thank you, and best wishes to you all.” Turning off the microphone, he waved Hector’s parents to follow and headed back to where the siblings were furiously discussing every possible scenario Hector might have gotten into. “What if he was in a car wreck and he’s in the hospital?” asked Bell. “That isn’t far from what happened to me when Martin had me run off the road.” “I doubt it,” said Matthew, “but I’ll notify Thompson and Wells and have the local hospitals checked immediately.” As the siblings continued their discussion, Hector’s parents walked over to them. “What’s happened?” asked Hector’s mother. “Where’s my son?” She used all her strength to squeeze her husband's hand. “We’re not sure,” replied Matthew, “but I know Thompson and Wells won't stop looking until they find him.” About the Author T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of Runway Dreams A Pricey Affair. Her novel has been recognized in four award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women's Fiction category. Her love of reading and writing spans several genres, but she loves comedy, thrillers, and paranormal. Most of her work contains a comedic element. She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin, with her husband and two cats, Bellatrix and Kit. She would spend her perfect day lakeside, where she would swim, play games, and then wind down with a bonfire, s'mores, and stories told by family and friends. T.K. has a love for nature, travel, photography, concerts, off-roading, and hiking (preferably to waterfalls). She also holds a special place in her heart for her father's band, 40 Fingers. She enjoys dancing to their music. She lives by the belief that life is short and every day is its own adventure and should be treated as such. Author Links Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of two $20 Amazon Gift Card NEW RELEASE Book Title: Blackmailer’s Delight Author: David Lawrence Publisher: Broadbound Publishing Cover Artist: L1graphics Release Date: February 13, 2024 Genre: Historical M/M Romantic Comedy Tropes: Forbidden love Themes: Understanding that you are not alone in your experiences Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 81 300 words/282 pages It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Three men. Two blackmail notes. One slight misunderstanding. Blurb Every new romance has its ups and downs… Excerpt March 1795 A revolution in France. Food shortages at home. And now a damned tax on wig powder. “This world is going to hell,” said Daniel Thornton to his lover, Clarence, one morning over toast and marmalade. “What is the name of that local sect I was telling you of the other morning? The one predicting the end of the world in the year 1800?” “What?” said the younger man, who had been gazing out the first-floor window of their Westminster townhouse. “Haven’t they all gone to America?” “It was in the paper last week. I distinctly recall telling you about it.” “Oh, you know I don’t listen to anything you say at the breakfast table.” “Don’t you?” “I’m slow to rise, Danny. Once I am awake, I must plan my day; I cannot attend to your little newspaper articles.” Daniel observed his companion for a moment – perhaps the longest moment of his life. This was the end, of course. Not of the world, but for them. For six weeks he had been expecting this, cynic that he was. They were both cynics – and, apart from the sex, he supposed Clarence’s pessimism had been his primary attraction. They saw the world identically. They liked to laugh at things like sects predicting the end of the world in five years. Or they had. If Clarence couldn’t be bothered to listen to him at the breakfast table, if they hadn’t even this anymore, after the misery this man was putting him through, there really was nothing for them. He eyed the orange juice Clarence was sipping lazily. Should he?” They weren’t sleeping together anymore. And this, incredibly, before he had understood why, had actually bonded him to this man. Clarence had made no excuses: “It’s the way of all things, isn’t it? We are simply two old men grown comfortable with each other,” though this was absurd as Clarence was just twenty-six. No man likes being rejected in bed, but Clarence had won him by appearing to join him in their common plight – wasn’t it just the way of this miserable world? “What?” he said, lowering his orange juice to glance over his shoulder. Daniel hadn’t spoken – Clarence must have heard the memory of his words ringing in his companion’s head. Narcissists only listened to hear the echo of their own words. About the Author I am the author of two queer historical novels – ‘Hugh: A Hero without a Novel’ and ‘Blue Billy’s Rogue Lexicon’. As a writer, I love taking a deep dive into the social norms and historical events of 18th century England, told with humour and whimsy, while presenting what I hope are compelling and unique coming-of-age tales. A native of the American Southwest, I have spent much of my life in Great Britain, France, and Finland. I now live in the American Northwest – Helena, Montana – with my Finnish partner. Social Media Links Blog/Website and Newsletter Sign-up | Facebook Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card RECENT RELEASE BLITZ Book Title: D.B. and Me Publisher: JMS Books Cover Artist: Rob Rosen Release Date: January 20, 2024 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance, true crime, suspense, mystery Tropes: Age gap, first love Themes: First time love, second chances, reconciliation Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 57 000 words It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links JMS Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK In the gripping tale of D.B. and Me, the enigmatic hijacker, D.B. Cooper, parachutes into the unknown with $200,000 in ransom money, but little does he know that his daring escape is just the beginning of an unforeseen journey filled with mystery, suspense, and steamy romance. Blurb In the gripping tale of D.B. and Me, the enigmatic hijacker, D.B. Cooper, parachutes into the unknown with $200,000 in ransom money, but little does he know that his daring escape is just the beginning of an unforeseen journey filled with mystery, suspense, and steamy romance. D.B., now Tim, finds himself along the banks of the Columbia River attempting to fade into the shadows. However, fate has other plans when he encounters Adam, a charismatic stranger who’s also in hiding. The air becomes charged with anticipation as the two men become entangled in a mysterious dance, each harboring secrets that could shatter the fragile equilibrium they've quickly established. Tim's initial plans to vanish into the vast expanse of Canada are abruptly put on hold as the magnetic pull of Adam draws him into a world where passion and danger collide. As their connection deepens while they wander through the snow-covered forests of the Pacific Northwest, so does the labyrinth of unanswered questions surrounding their pasts. The suspense thickens with every stolen glance, every shared secret, as Tim and Adam navigate a love affair shadowed by the lingering echoes of several daring crimes, all against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a heart-pounding journey through a landscape of intrigue, where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the boundaries of love are tested. Will Tim's past catch up with him, will Adam’s, or will they find a way to rewrite the narrative that destiny has penned for them? D.B. and Me is a riveting exploration of love in the face of danger, a tale where passion and suspense interweave, leaving readers breathless and eagerly turning each page to unravel the secrets hidden within the folds of this captivating romance. Will Tim find redemption or be swallowed by the sadness of his past? And what about Adam and his troubled family and the ever-nagging reminders of a horrible war that still plague him? Dive into the depths of mystery and desire in this thrilling novel that will keep you on the edge until the very end. Excerpt I could hear the door kick in, could hear the rush of them as they swarmed the house. “Move,” I whispered to him. “Move?” I grabbed his hand again. This time when we crawled, we didn’t have a choice. If they came with dogs, we were screwed. For now, we had a fighting chance. It was dark as pitch beneath the house, but there was only one way to go: away. A minute went by, two. No one was following us. The sounds of the police began to fade, though I could still hear them inside the house. Sounded like they were searching for something. The pounding in my chest continued. “Where are we Adam?” I heard from behind me. I stopped crawling. “Better question, are the police here for you or for me?” There was the slightest of pauses. “Why you?” he whispered. “Why you?” I whispered back. He chuckled. All in all, not perfect timing. “I sure do know how to pick ‘em.” I kept crawling. “To be fair, I found you.” “To be fair,” he replied, “I chose to stay.” He sighed. “It was the old man in the store. Had to be.” We came to the end of the road. Or at least the end of the tunnel. I’d say we were about five hundred feet or so away from the house and deeper in the woods. The tunnel was maybe two feet high and three feet wide. There were clothes stashed there, a couple of jackets, some money, bullets. This was my emergency tunnel. This was clearly my emergency. Or his. Either way, we were now both being chased. I handed him the clothes in the dark. We got dressed and I pocketed the cash in my wallet, my wallet in my pants. I handed him his wallet. I shoved the gun in the backpack. We again listened for the police. By then, all I could hear was our heavy breathing. “So,” he said. “So?” He tapped my shoulder. “You know how you asked me if I ever had a boyfriend?” I grinned. The tunnel smelled like earth, but I could still detect the slightest scent of Tim. “You think now is a good time to revisit that conversation?” I could hear him moving around behind me. I could hear the backpack scraping the tunnel’s walls. I heard it hit the ground. I heard him rummaging around inside it just before I saw another beam of light. Thankfully, it was his, a flashlight lit for me to see, the light now illuminating our dirtied, sweaty faces. “You look like shit,” I said. “I don’t feel a hell of a lot better,” he replied. “Will you be my boyfriend, Adam?” I laughed as quietly as was possible. “I think this might be your oddest segue yet, Tim,” I told him. “The police are chasing one of us. We’re in a tunnel in the woods in the middle of the night. This is not what I would consider a romantic setting.” He shook his head. He reached up and wiped the matted hair from my face. “Yeah, but will you be my boyfriend, just the same?” I sighed. “Tim,” I said. “I’d have sex you right now if you asked me. I’d do anything you asked me, in fact. Ours, I would say, does not seem like a healthy relationship. So, yeah, that’s a yes.” I blinked. “There a reason for all this?” He nodded. “I need to show you something, but I wanted to make sure it was safe to show you.” “And,” I said, “you figured it would be safer if we were boyfriends?” His nod turned shrug. “Sounded better in my head, but yes.” He leaned in, kissed me, kissed me again. “Plus,” he said, still panting from our recent exertion, “if I were to die, say in the next few minutes or so, at least I had that. With you.” “I don’t think we’re going to die in the next few minutes,” I told him. “If they had found the tunnel, we would’ve known about it already. Pretty well hidden. You gotta know exactly where to look.” “Or listen,” he said. “Because that does explain the groaning I’d so recently heard when I sat in that chair you moved out of the way before we ducked and covered.” “Old house,” I said. “Groans everywhere. Besides, why even look for a hidden tunnel in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Seems to me, it’s not the first thought that would come to mind.” Which is why I built it in the first place. Apart from the obvious reason: escape. “Still.” It was my turn to lean in and kiss him, then kiss him again. Too bad the tunnel was so narrow, or I could’ve seriously had some fun him. Instead, I said, “Okay, point taken. In any case, for now, we are still alive and newly minted boyfriends, so, care to show me whatever it was you were going to show me?” “Why are the police chasing you, Adam?” “I killed a man,” I told him after the briefest of pauses. Felt good to tell him. Felt good to say it out loud. My belly unknotted, if only by a hair. “You killed seventeen men,” he replied. I shook my head. “I killed the eighteenth after those. And here. In the United States, I mean. And why are the police chasing you?” With his free hand, he reached inside the backpack. When the hand reemerged, it was clenched around a thick stack of bills. I peeked inside the backpack, and all I saw was green. The forest around us quaked in apparent envy. “I hijacked a plane,” he said. About the Author Multi-award-winning and best-selling author/editor/anthologist Rob Rosen is the author of Sparkle: The Queerest Book You'll Ever Love, Divas Las Vegas, Hot Lava, Southern Fried, Queerwolf, Vamp, Queens of the Apocalypse, Creature Comfort, Fate, Midlife Crisis, Fierce, And God Belched, Mary, Queen of Scotch, Ted of the d'Urbervilles, Sort of Dead, Genie in a Vodka Bottle, Bobby Ray Breaks the Universe, and D.B. and Me. His short stories have appeared in more than 200 anthologies. You can read some of his best ones in Short Spurts, Short Spurts 2, and Short Spurts 3. He is also the editor of Lust in Time: Erotic Romance Through the Ages, Men of the Manor, Best Gay Erotica 2015 and Best Gay Erotica of the Year, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Social Media Links Facebook | JMS Books | Goodreads Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win your choice of ebook from the author's backlist My snippet this week is from Scintilla. “There are people in this building,” he began in a low voice. “I can smell them and hear them. They were burning fires in those barrels. We don’t know anything about them and they might be involved with the traffickers. The parts we play? Those start now. You’re my meal ticket and I control you, remember?” Brandon nodded. “Yeah.” Raul continued to stare at Brandon until he dropped his gaze to the floor. Leaning close to Brandon, Raul whispered in his ear, “Get in the van, lock the door and don’t open it unless it’s me.” He pressed the keys into Brandon’s palm and whispered, “Dealing with criminals is what I do. Trust me.” Read more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Scintilla is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.
NEW RELEASE Book Title: Touched by Destiny (Arcane Havoc #1) Author and Publisher: Jessamyn Kingley Cover Artist: LJ Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations Release Date: February 8, 2024 Genres: MM Paranormal Romance Tropes: Fated mates Themes: Love, resolving the past Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 97 000 words It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Without risk, finding a soulmate is impossible. But Gabriel and Eric quickly discover that the first step was the easiest. Blurb Gabriel Wolfebrier believes his honor is forever tarnished. For the first fifteen years of his resurrected life, he did whatever his necromancer told him. They were friends. Family. So, Gabriel asked no questions as he helped bury dead sorcerers he was told were enemies. Too late, Gabriel learns he’s been duped. But somehow, he is offered a second chance. Born with the mark of a skull on his hand, Eric Marwood has special talents. Unlike other necromancers, he can speak to the dead and help them find their way home. He is dedicated to two things—nurturing his skills and dreaming of a life with Gabriel. But not everyone reveres his gifts, and destiny-touched men and women like him are hunted. The Marwoods consider Gabriel one of their own, but his past is a heavy burden he cannot forget. Which is why it annoys him each time he notices how beautiful Eric is or how much fun they have together aiding ghosts. Sex is the only way to find a soulmate in their world, and Eric is determined to seduce Gabriel. As for Gabriel, he is desperate to ignore his own urges. Life has a funny way of changing in an instant, and neither man truly knows what the future holds. Excerpt Eager to be with Gabriel, Eric snatched the cookies he’d shoved in a plastic bag and closed his eyes. His hand tingled as he called to his magic and focused his energy on the silver crystal he’d given Gabriel. Sorcery flowed through him, along with the floaty feeling that accompanied teleportation. Moments later, his naked toes were no longer on plush carpet. Cool tiles replaced the soft threads. Eric grinned as his gaze landed on a blond inspirit dressed casually in jeans and a white T-shirt stretched deliciously over his thick muscles. Although Eric was pleased to be with Gabriel, he wondered what to do. Should he run up and grab a kiss? Or keep it cool with a wave or a cheery hello? His smile fell as he tensed with indecision. “What’s wrong?” Gabriel asked, concern alight in his vibrant green gaze. “Am I the only one feeling awkward right now?” “No, we’re new to this; it’s bound to feel strange.” “It’s weird to know someone your entire life and suddenly not know how to greet them.” Gabriel took a step closer to him. Like Eric, his feet were naked. “Go with your first instinct.” Lips curving again, Eric closed the distance between them. He sank a hand into Gabriel’s hair and their mouths met. Gabriel’s palms landed on Eric’s hips, but he didn’t embrace him. Their tongues met without urgency, and Eric relaxed into the lazy caress. Unlike during their previous kisses, he savored Gabriel’s enticing taste and filled his senses with his musky scent without feeling an immediate desire to strip off his underwear. Desire was there, but sweetness tempered it. Eric sighed as a wave of happiness bubbled through him. As much as Eric had loved those frantic encounters in the hotel room, he wanted to know if they could be more than two sweaty bodies seeking fulfillment. “What’s that sigh for?” Gabriel asked huskily, nibbling along Eric’s jaw to the tender skin of his earlobe. Unwilling to lay the raptures of his needy heart upon Gabriel’s shoulders so soon in their relationship, Eric chose a different truth to confess. “You’re a great kisser.” “I was just thinking the same thing about you.” Eric chuckled and pulled away so he didn’t give in to the urge to cling to Gabriel the entire night. They had a friendship to build. Although Eric had known Gabriel forever, their chats while he worked or at meals weren’t the same as laying a foundation for being soulmates. “I doubt that,” Eric replied. “I haven’t had much practice.” “You’ve kissed more than one pretty boy.” “And how many pretty boys are in your past?” Gabriel shrugged nonchalantly and stole the bag of cookies from Eric’s grasp. “A gentleman doesn’t count.” With a roll of his eyes, Eric rose to brush his lips against Gabriel’s, then surveyed his surroundings. It was the first time he’d been at Gabriel’s house, and he was shocked to find it completely devoid of personality. In fact, there was little in it, and everything was white or beige. The walls lacked art or any other décor. A long couch was anchored in the living area and faced a large screen television. On one end of the sofa was a single end table with an unremarkable lamp perched on it. No rug covered the white tiles that flowed throughout the open space. At the kitchen island there was a single bar stool, and the smooth countertops were bare except for a coffee maker tucked next to the stainless-steel fridge. If Eric didn’t know Gabriel lived there, he would’ve assumed the place was unoccupied. Since his mother insisted on kindness and using his manners, Eric wracked his brain for some compliment to give Gabriel about his home. “Your place is nice,” Eric finally commented. About the Author Jessamyn Kingley has published over forty titles and refuses to pick a favorite among them. With an extraordinary passion for her characters, Jessamyn eagerly crafts new tales and avidly re-reads them whenever her schedule allows. Jessamyn shares a home in Nevada with her husband and their three spoiled cats. When she is not writing or adding new ideas to her thick stack of beloved notebooks, she is gaming with family and friends. There were tall metal barrels a few feet away. Raul purposefully strode to one of them and gave it a kick, knocking it over, making plenty of noise. Some burnt debris rolled free and a puff of ash boiled out then floated to the floor. He went to the next one and looked inside before stripping off his jacket and shirt. Returning to the van he tossed them inside. “Stay inside the van,” Raul said. Brandon opened his mouth—no doubt to issue protests—but Raul wasn’t making a request. He crowded Brandon in the driver’s side door with one hand on either side of him, so he was trapped. “There are people in this building,” he began in a low voice. “I can smell them and hear them. They were burning fires in those barrels. We don’t know anything about them and they might be involved with the traffickers. The parts we play? Those start now. You’re my meal ticket and I control you, remember?” Brandon nodded. “Yeah.” Lilian Zenzi has a new queer sci-fi romance out (nonbinary/pan/queer/gender-fluid): Spark & Tether. Working odd jobs across the Outer Ring gets a little lonely sometimes—not everyone loves having a synchronist with supraliminal perception around. But all Sacheri wants, he tells himself, is to wander the stars. Then he takes a salvage run to an abandoned moon where he meets the wry, reserved, strictly-by-the-rules archivist Jin. Mesmerized by their confidence and charm, Sacheri can’t resist showing off his abilities–and instead of the damaged ai he was tracking, he stumbles onto a signal left by a synchronist who went missing decades earlier. Sacheri knows from previous experience that pursuing the truth—never mind justice—could destroy everything he loves. He would defy his employers, the institution responsible for the myconeural networks that make him a synchronist, and the leadership of several worlds. And it would complicate his new, passionate, and impossibly sweet relationship with Jin. They might be the best thing that’s ever happened to him, but they work for the very entities that ended Sacheri’s last investigation. He knows better than to risk it. But he’s never been able to turn away from someone in need, and there’s a voice in the void calling for aid… Universal Buy LinkExcerpt Sacheri woke with a shiver in his nerves tracing his limbs like a lit fuse. His synplants drew his awareness out into the station, into the whisper of leaves and the low hum of the machines, endlessly seeking. He had no solace to offer them, so he tried to sleep through it. Maybe inebriant would douse the burn; he’d have to find one, which meant leaving bed… but then, a walk might also help. The drink could keep him company on the return. There was a certain maudlin poetry to wandering with the ghosts of memory, anyway. He regretted his choices before he could finish the first bottle. The empty corridors echoed, even the ones with lush vine-planted walls, fully surrounded by sound-absorbent tiling. The unsteady sound of his steps reminded him of less lonely times; the chatter of more populated halls made him sad. His synplants cleansed the inebriant from his system faster than he could drink, so he diminished them, set a timer on his standard implant, and ducked into a maintenance corridor, heading for the lifts that would return him to his temp residence. He’d forgotten how many ghosts were in his head. He drank more. He passed through too many familiar places, muttering curses to himself about the council for bringing him to Orinus Station in the first place. He should have departed with Paradis, gone away to her fancy little moon, where he could wallow in heartbreak on a lakeside beach while she teased him about his lack of ambition. She’d have been careful not to remind him of anything—anyone—else. Three more nights until he left for Elysia, into the far reaches of the Outer Rings, away from the myriad reminders, the constant calling of what should have been, all of his aching regrets. He avoided the halls that would have taken him past Paradis’s private suites and the memories lying in wait for him there, and then he wandered past the next set of lifts, because it was what he and Jin had always done: long walks and quiet talks, so close their shoulders touched, their bell-clear, mesmerizing voice low and loving. He tried not to think about how much he missed them, and, failing that, tried not to think at all. He trudged along, hugging the shadows at the edges of the walkways, arms heavy at his sides, until it was late enough that he could reasonably hope to get a lift to himself, and he had some hope of sleeping. The only humans he’d passed in maintenance took no notice of him, which was the whole point of using the back ways. But they might make small talk if they found him alone in a lift car, or, stars forbid, they might ask if he was okay. And then what was he supposed to do? Cry on them? Tell them to mind their own business? Explain how he helped bring something like justice to a few long-forgotten synchronists and how much it took from him? Or should he ask if they’d seen a certain lithe, black-haired investigator for the Council of the Outer Rings anywhere nearby? His eyes burned from both the inebriant and the exhaustion and the constant threat of tears. He wanted to sleep until the transport to Elysia was ready. The bottle was empty, but he wasn’t ready to let it go; he thought he might sleep better with it nearby, just for company, even if the synplants wiped all traces of the inebriant from his system. He leaned against the rounded corner of the lift alcove, one heel against the wall to hold him steady, arms crossed over his chest, bottle dangling loosely from the fingers of his right hand. His luck almost held. Author Bio Lilian Zenzi writes science fiction and fantasy, sometimes with romance and usually in queer normative worlds. Genre agnostic as a writer and a reader, she likes to keep space for comfort, hope, and joy along with the kissing, conflict, and big ideas. She resents having to write a bio and would rather be in the garden or making art. Author Website: https://www.lilianzenzi.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093325026648 Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093193813533 Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilianzenzi/ My snippet this week is from Electric Candle, book 2 of The Sleepless City Shared Universe. (Series cowritten with Anne Barwell) Blair looked out the window as Forge navigated the streets. “What’s the network?” Forge snorted. “Something Lucas invented to be dramatic. There are a few people who are skilled in providing basic socially acceptable necessities for us vampires. As you pointed out, there are mundane things we need, like ID, which are problematic since everything now requires a photo.” “You use fake IDs? Isn’t that illegal?” “Technically, but it’s not like there’s another choice, and I’m not using them to steal or commit fraud, and neither are you. It’s also illegal to drive without having your driver’s license on you.” He shrugged. “And they’re not really fake. I’m still me, just much older than is recorded on many of my personal documents.” There are many more wonderful and diverse snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Electric Candle is available in eBook,
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Welcome to My World
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