 Kai, Ori, Forge, and Madison scattered. They formed a circle around the battling werewolves. As soon as Lucas and Kruger got close to Kai, he took a running start and slammed into them, knocking them away from the ladder. Kruger surprised Kai by barreling past him, shoving Kai and Forge away with one swipe of his arms. Ori darted between Kruger and Lucas. Kruger swiped at Lucas, but instead of slashing Lucas’s throat and chest, his claws dug into Ori’s abdomen. The pain telegraphed from Ori to Kai made him stumble and drop to his knees. Alarms sounded and lights flashed. The facility shuddered but this time there was the distinct sound of water sluicing in below their feet. Metal, glass and who knew what else crunched and popped. The lower level was collapsing in on itself. Forge scooped Kai off the ground. They ran to Lucas and Ori. Lucas reverted to human and dropped down beside Ori. He covered one of Ori’s wounds, trying to press down. “He’s bleeding. I have to stop the bleeding.” Ori rolled to one side, gasping. “He’ll live.” Forge grabbed Lucas’s arm and yanked him away from the ladder. Kai got one arm under Ori and hauled him up. “The maintenance shaft is over there.” Madison lunged at Kruger. He leapt into the air and landed a solid kick to Kruger’s face. Kruger tumbled down the ladder. It was impressive, considering Madison was human. He ran to them, and Kai pushed him ahead of he and Ori. Kai had a second’s pang of guilt, not going after Kruger, but hearing how the lower level was collapsing there wasn’t much chance of helping him. Lucas stumbled and fell. His arms and chest were covered with wounds, and he dripped blood. Forge pulled him up and Lucas dropped one arm over his shoulder. “On my back,” Forge ordered. Carrying Lucas, Forge took Ori’s other arm, helping Kai carry him. The floor buckled and the walls around them began to crunch. “That sound can’t be good,” Kai groaned. They were almost to the shaft when the door to the lab slammed shut and a barrier dropped down. “We can still use the ladder.” Kai swung Ori and Madison around, stumbling to the ladder leading to the first level. He shoved Ori up and turned to help Madison. “Go, go!” Forge yelled. They were barely on the first level when Kruger burst through the opening from the lower level, howling what Kai recognized as a challenge. How the hell he was able to follow them, Kai had no idea. Lucas shoved away from Forge and twisted around, shifting back to pure werewolf at the same time. Before Lucas reached Kruger, Madison got behind him and leapt onto his back, shouting between gritted teeth. He pulled a hunting knife from a sheath on his belt and plunged it into Kruger’s neck. Kruger howled, stumbled backward and twisted, trying to dislodge Madison. Madison threw his weight back. His movement was enough to unbalance Kruger. They tumbled backward down the ladder. For a few seconds there were two distinct voices screaming then nothing other than the sound of water coming in and the second and third levels detaching and collapsing. There wasn’t much time to process what just happened. The entire facility was shaking. All around them the structure snapped and popped. Forge shoved away from the floor and got close enough to Lucas to catch him when he reverted to his human form and collapsed. “The shafts will all seal. Move!” Margo rushed to them, helping them up. Sophia and Porter appeared. Even with vampire hearing Kai couldn’t hear their words over the cacophony surrounding them.  There's only a few days left to get the entire The Sleepless City series for $2.99 for each eBook! Sale ends March 31, 2024       Declan crouched low in the shadows. Lucas had once described the difference between Declan and Forge perfectly. Forge would come at an opponent head on. Declan was, in Lucas’s words, the “deadly assassin of the night.” He’d disarm and disable an adversary before they ever knew he was there, and he had a spectacular repertoire of means to accomplish those ends.
Blair almost felt sorry for anyone approaching and threatening him. Almost. The human they’d chased moved cautiously out of the elevator space. He looked one way then the other as he walked in Blair’s direction. Blair reminded himself he’d been human a few short years ago. Looking afraid and in pain wasn’t difficult. He was afraid and in pain. From behind his back, the man pulled a gun and held it in front of him in what Blair recognized now as an assault position. Coming to a stop opposite Blair, the man used one foot to shove against the chunk of concrete. Blair shivered and looked up at the man. He gulped in a breath and gagged. The man smirked. “Where’s your buddy, and why were you chasing me?” “I’m bleeding,” Blair whispered. The gun discharged, and a bullet ricocheted off the concrete, sending a spray of dust and stone slivers into the air. Blair flinched, then hissed in a breath and stifled a sob. “Help me. Please?” “How the hell did you even survive that fall?” The man’s eyes narrowed, and he raised the gun, taking aim at Blair’s head. “Tell me where the other guy is and I’ll make it fast.” He moved a few feet to the side and glared at Blair. “What were you two chasing me for? And why were you in the other building?” “Why were you in the…?” Blair cringed and his voice cracked and broke. He heard Declan moving into position behind the man. “He left me. The b-bastard. W-we were there to…” Blair sucked in a succession of breaths, tilted to the side as much as possible, and groaned out one long sigh, then slumped down. The man’s heartbeat ramped higher audibly. “Hey, no. Tell me what you—” He garbled some odd noise, his words abruptly cut off. Blair opened his eyes and turned his head to watch. One minute no one stood behind the man, and the next Declan was there with an arm around the guy’s chest, holding him in place. His other hand gripped the man’s chin. “Drop it,” Declan snarled. The man struggled, and Declan gave him a small jerk. “I was sixteen the first time I killed a man with my bare hands. You’re responsible for my young friend here being hurt. Drop. It.” The man sucked in a breath, but his fingers opened, and the gun fell to the ground. “I will kill you. You have the choice of it being quick and painless—here one minute, not here the next. Or…” Declan moved his hand and pressed against the man’s neck. “Do you feel where my thumb is pressing in? Enough pressure there will sever your spinal cord.” “Fuck you. You can’t really—” Blair watched as Declan tightened his arm around the man’s rib cage and jerked up with enough force to raise the guy’s feet off the ground for a few seconds. His face turned red, and he gulped. “Getting hard to breathe? I’m a vampire. That makes me strong enough to crush your rib cage and snap your neck.” “You’re delusional,” the guy grumbled. Declan’s eyes changed to a solid moss green, and his fangs dropped. He turned the man’s head far enough to see him. “Whether or not you believe in our existence is irrelevant. Who are you working for?” The man spit at Declan. Heaving a long-suffering sigh, Declan said, “Hollywood makes it look so smooth. One twist of his neck—” He gave the man’s chin a jerk. “—and the bad guy just falls dead. No pain, no fuss, no muss, no real knowledge of what happened to him. Just dead. In reality, you’d lie there, conscious, unable to move and fully cognizant of the fact that you’re suffocating.” He shook his head ever so slightly. “It must be horrible—knowing your lungs aren’t working and being unable to draw a breath. Yet your mind knows what’s happening.” Declan ripped at the guy’s shirt collar with his fangs. “But one bite in the right spot and you’ll bleed out so fast you’ll never suffer, never know.” “I’m not telling you anything,” the man ground out. The muscles in Declan’s arm tensed, and Blair thought he heard ribs cracking. “It would be a shame if one of your lungs were punctured. Air in your chest cavity is an atrocious feeling.” Declan moved so he was speaking into the man’s other ear. “If you’re going to continue in this line of work, you really should learn more about human anatomy.” He shrugged. “A little tip.” He relaxed his grip on the man’s chest. “Now, answer my questions.”  Porter rushed to him and grabbed him around his chest from behind. Declan leaned back into Porter’s hold and used both feet to kick the handle. There was a second, even louder crack and the handle broke free and moved, releasing the final clamp. An immediate, eerie stillness and silence hung in the air around them. For what seemed forever no one moved. Declan barely heard them breathing and the racket of so many hearts pounding furiously, including his own, flooded his senses. He wanted to move, do something, but his brain and body froze. “You’re moving faster and…sinking,” the woman officer called through the transmitter. They were a mile under the water’s surface, heading across the Atlantic, and falling. “Blair!” Lucas shouted. “Dr. Turner now would be an excellent time,” Porter added. He let go of Declan and took a step toward Sophia. “I’m…I…” Blair gasped. Jonas reached out and put one hand on Blair’s shoulder. When Blair took a second to glance back, Jonas offered one, small, simple nod. Blair took a deep breath. “On it.” Such was the power of a soulbond. Endosymbiont is available in eBook and through Kindle Unlimited.
 My snippet is from Quarry, book 2 of The Vampire Guard.  Jonas thrashed, kicking his legs. “Mon moitié, it’ll—” Declan began, then stopped when Jonas gripped his hand harder than before, arched his back, and tried to roll to his side. Declan had been taught by the native man who had turned him that no one should ever be changed without consent or against their will, yet he had done exactly that. What he’d done was wrong. So was the fact that he’d chosen this one man over the dozens dying at the hand of the other vampire. A vampire Declan could’ve stopped. Now he’d have to live with the consequences, and so would Jonas. However, they would both live. There are more delicious and diverse snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group.  Quarry is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.
“Shh, Blair, breathe. I know it hurts.” He gripped Blair’s biceps for a few seconds before moving on to rub Blair’s chest. Blair grabbed Declan’s arms and tried to lift himself away from the pain. “I can’t move. Declan, I can’t move,” he sobbed the words out. “Calm down, Blair. Just take a few deep breaths and let them out very slowly. Trust me,” Declan ordered softly. “Look at me and breathe deeply.” Blair tilted his head and met Declan’s gaze. “Good. See, you can move your head and arms.” “I-I c-can’t w-walk.” Blair’s voice came out a whimper. “I know.” Declan gently turned Blair’s head so he was looking at his legs, or where his legs should be. “You’re trapped. The fact you can feel means once you’re loose, you’ll be able to move and walk. You’re a vampire. You’d have to have one helluva spinal injury, or have your legs amputated, to prevent you from healing and never walking again. Take a few more deep breaths and try to tell me exactly what you feel.” Stuttering breaths in and out, Blair closed his eyes and leaned his head back, taking comfort in Declan’s presence. “Wet. Something is wet by my leg, and down my back. My right leg hurts so much. Everything below my waist hurts. And my back, it’s…I can’t…” “Sticky and wet?” Blair nodded and sniffed. “I-I’m s-sor-sorry.” “You have nothing to be apologizing for. Is the wetness in one spot?” “I don’t know. It’s getting bigger.” Blair sucked in air and opened his eyes again. “I’m bleeding. I’m going to bleed out and die. I don’t want—” He tried pulling in more oxygen, but it was suddenly impossible to breathe through what felt like tight bands tightening down around his chest. “Blair!” Declan said sternly and held one finger up in front of Blair’s face. “You are not going to die. You’re a vampire. Bleeding out takes weeks.” He sat back and ran one hand through his hair. “I know you’re scared and in pain, but we both have to stay calm. Lucas and Jonas are out there”—he pointed up—“and they are looking for us. I can feel it. They’ll find us.” Closing his eyes for a few beats, Declan sighed. “Right now, I need you to focus on our problem and stay calm. Someone is here with us. Can you do that?” Blair gulped and nodded. Declan patted the side of Blair’s head and smiled. He twisted on his heels and seemed to be searching for something. “I will get you out of here,” he said, reaching for something out of Blair’s line of sight, Declan turned back to Blair and handed him a piece of metal rebar. “Grip this and try to stay quiet. Have you ever seen a woman give birth?” Blair shook his head. “No.” His voice came out more of a squeak than a word. “You pull in a very deep breath like this.” Declan took a breath, and his chest expanded. “And blow out like this.” He exhaled a quick series of short bursts. “Then repeat.” Waving his hand in a get-moving motion, Declan said, “Now you.” Blair’s expression no doubt reflected how dubious he was. Declan nodded and raised his eyebrows. Focusing on Declan’s face, Blair did as instructed. “Again,” Declan said when Blair finished. Blair nodded and repeated the action. When he was done, Declan asked, “Feel better?” “Yeah. I do.” “Good. Now I want you to keep doing that.” “What are you going to do?” Blair asked. Quarry is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited. There's still time to get the entire The Sleepless City series for only $2.99 each eBook!    Tomorrow is my birthday and YOU'RE getting the gifts! All of my indie eBooks will be $2.99 for the next two days! Sale price on English editions only. Click on the banners or buttons!       AUDIOBOOK RELEASE 
Book Title: Lonely Diner Author and Narrator: Dann Hazel Release Date: February 9, 2024 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Military Romance, Coming Out, Overcoming Adversity, Second Chances Themes: Dealing with Trauma, Gay in a New City, Forgiveness Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 11 hours and 5 minutes It is part of a series, but each novel can be read as a standalone. It does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links 
Two conflicted military men. A longing for happiness. One Lonely Diner, where people often search for a recipe for love. (The food is good there, too.) Blurb Two conflicted military men. A longing for happiness. One Lonely Diner, where people often search for a recipe for love. (The food is good there, too.) One man plays it straight. Another grieves over a lost best friend with benefits. Everyone thought they were meant for each other. Lance, an Air Force computer engineer, and Ryan, a former submariner in the Navy and now a military college professor, are gay men blinded by the painful wounds of their past decisions. Both men are ready for love. But because of their pasts, they’ve slammed the brakes on their desires. Now thirty years old, a younger Ryan Ball decides he can be happy only by conforming to social expectations. So what does he do? He decides he must have a wife and kids. Though he acknowledges that he can never be straight, he is convinced that with effort, determination, alcohol and erectile dysfunction meds, he can play the necessary roles. Vikki, Ryan’s girlfriend in high school and now his wife, begs to differ. At thirty-one, Lance Dingle falls for his best friend and roommate, Randy, a stunt pilot who agrees to a friends-with-benefits arrangement. From Lance’s perspective, there’s a spark in their arrangement that Randy denies. Then, tragedy strikes. Lance finds himself alone and lonely, living with memories of Randy and an ever-expanding list of “what-might-have-beens.” Finally forcing himself into the dating scene, Lance discovers that Mr. Right is more elusive than he ever imagined. Then, Callie Yenti, transwoman, drag performer extraordinaire and entrepreneur, enters the picture. She owns the popular Lonely Diner and possesses an uncanny insight into the workings of the heart. Even the complicated hearts of her two hard-headed friends, Lance and Ryan. An HEA gay romance. Trigger Warning: This novel includes scenes from a sexual assault and a PTSD episode. Excerpt It was at this point—this question—that Ryan slammed both hands flat against the table. He heard Diamond’s short scream and grimaced. He lowered his voice. “Okay. Fine. The two of you want the truth? The whole truth? You’ll have it, then.” He could imagine what Vikki would say. She would never have advised handling his parents the way he intended now. Ryan inhaled deeply. “For years now, I have denied a big part of who I am. In my denial, I asked Vikki to make a sacrifice—a sacrifice of which she was unaware for years—while I sorted my shit out. A fool’s way of avoiding the truth. It took a stint in the Navy but finally, I did. I sorted everything out and realized I am gay. There. I said it. And I said it without fear or shame.” “Oh, dear God!” Mr. Ball’s voice boomed, echoing against the walls of the dining room. “What kind of farce do you have in store for us next? That you’ve fallen in love with a sailor, and with him, you intend to live happily ever after?” A pause. Then: “Gay!” He spat out the word. “Another fad. Another trend. It’s not real. I’ve known men who thought they were homosexuals, then after years of lying to themselves passed, I discovered they were happily married with children.” “How many people have you told?” Mrs. Ball demanded. “To what degree have you brought shame to this family?” And then, after a thought: “And what about Vikki? Can you say with certainty that you’re really Diamond’s father? After all, you’ve been at sea for months at a time.” “Wait just a minute!” Ryan’s voice exploded. “First, I must say that your assertion is offensive—both to me and, I’m sure, to Vikki. Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I can’t perform sexually with a woman.” He turned to his father. “Which probably is part of the reason why your gay acquaintances were able to pull the wool over your eyes so successfully. Being gay is more than just sex, you know.” Mr. Ball glared at his son. “I am so fearful of what will happen to this country when your generation takes the reins.” “Just—stop it! Just shut the fuck up! Both of you. I’m tired of it. Tired of the bullshit.” The expression on both parents’ faces confirmed the fact that their son had never spoken to them using this tone, these words. Ryan lowered his voice to a subtle whisper. “What Vikki and I are dealing with? Well, it’s our concern. No one else’s.” Then, a voice. Vikki’s voice. Coming from the doorway. Diamond, still absorbed in her coloring activity in the family room. “Please understand. Both of you. I was able to handle your son’s honesty. Was I deeply hurt when I discovered the truth? Yes. Of course. And I’m sure you bear some hurt of your own. But you should not weaponize that hurt into anger against your son. It’s important that you try to do what Ryan and I did. It took some effort, but it was worth it. With open communication and a willingness to be accessible to one another, we began to work things out. I know there are still challenges ahead of us, especially with our little girl. That’s uncharted territory, to be sure. But Diamond is loved. By both of us. We will still be a family, even when Ryan is in Florida and I’m here, in Virginia. We want both of you to be a part of our family. But that’s not going to happen if the two of you can‘t see your way forward to cultivate a little understanding.” To avoid escalating the situation even more, what Vikki and Ryan did not say was that Mr. and Mrs. Ball would never see their grandchild again if they could not surmount their anger, doubt and resentment. About the Author 
Dann Hazel has been writing both fiction and nonfiction for more than twenty years. Besides writing romance, he has taught high school English and journalism, college psychology and human sexuality, directed federal grants and worked as a therapist in a psychiatric hospital. His fiction genre interests include thrillers, horror, literary and gay romance. He has published the Some Like It Haute Gay Romance Series, including Room for Dessert, My Own Private Biscuit and Lonely Diner. Nonfiction works include Witness: Gay and Lesbian Clergy Report from the Front and Moving On: The Gay Man’s Guide for Coping When a Relationship Ends. Dann’s personal interests include reading and writing, cinema, jogging, Broadway, keeping abreast of current events and travel. Currently, Dann lives in Central Florida with his husband, Josh, and their American Eskimo canine, Flurry. Social Media Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram 
My snippet this week is from For the Long Run. Jay mouthed a thank-you and took the glass, sipping the water. Setting the glass on the podium, he drew in a deep breath and looked around the room. “I’m sorry. As I was… I… um….” Jay faltered again, cleared his throat, and took a tissue from a box inside the podium and dipped it in the water. Senator Molloy leaned over, hands braced on his knees for a few seconds. He drew in a few deep breaths, then straightened and appeared normal. “What’s he doing?” Jeanette gripped Eric’s arm, pulling his attention back to Jay. Jay started wiping the damp tissue over his face. “I’m not pressing charges, and this isn’t going any farther, but… I’m done hiding.” “Oh shit,” Eric said. He took Jeanette’s elbow and turned her around, aiming her at the exit. “Can you get your car to the back entrance?” “Yes, but—” She was already fumbling in her purse for her keys. “Jay.” “I’ll get Jay. We’ll meet you there. Please, trust me on this.” Read more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group! For the Long Run is available in eBook, paperback, audio and through Kobo Plus.
J. Scott Coatsworth has a new queer sci-fantasy book out, Tales from Tharassas book 3: The Hencha Queen. "A richly painted world that is both beautiful and sinister, evoking landscapes that are as much science fiction as Tolkiensian fantasy. 5 stars." --Ulysses, Paranormal Romance Guild SILYA COMES INTO HER OWN, BUT WILL SHE BE ENOUGH? Silya finally has everything she always wanted. She's the Hencha Queen, head of the Temple, and is working to master her newfound talents. So why does the world pick now to fall apart? Her once-nemesis Raven is off riding dragons, and their mutual friend (and her ex) Aik is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, a new threat menaces the Heartland from the East, and if she can't convince a reluctant Gullton city council to prepare for the worst, she may lose everyone and everything she's ever cared about. As she uses her magic-like abilities, wit and sheer determination to try to save the city, she's joined by Raven and his new friends. Will their help tip the scales? And will they finally find out what happened to Aik as a dark storm threatens to sweep them all away? Forget messy. Things just got apocalyptic. Universal Buy LinkAbout the Series The Tharassas Cycle is a four book sci-fantasy series set on the recently colonized world of Tharassas. When humans first arrived on planet, they thought they were alone until the hencha mind made itself known. But now a new threat has arisen to challenge both humankind and their new allies on this alien world.
Books 1 & 2 are on sale through March 31st for just 99¢ each (eBooks, all vendors). And if you buy one (or all three) of the main series books, email [email protected] and let him know and he'll send you a free copy of Tales From Tharassas, the prequel. See All the Pre-Release DealsGiveaway Scott is giving away an eBook copy of Tales from Tharassas, the prequel, to everyone who enters the sweepstakes: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47308/? Excerpt
A sharp crack filled the wine cellar. Kerrick swung the heavy mallet back and then assailed the flopwood boards that blocked the tunnel entrance again. The ancient wood splintered under the blow, sending shards clattering across the stone-paved floor. It felt good to work out his frustrations. Still, the stubborn wood held out against his assault. He rested the mallet on the black-tiled stone floor, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. Even after a hundred years, the barrier was strong. He’d tried to pry the boards out of the solid stone, but they’d been fastened in too tightly. Brute force it is. “You’re doing great!” Cor’Lea’s voice was artificially bright, and she was as tall as he was, maybe a little taller, peering over his shoulder at the sealed tunnel entrance. Silya had tasked her with bringing him down here to check out these hidden caverns under the Temple, in preparation for the coming war. Important, sure, but also clearly an excuse to get him out from underfoot while she prepared for her official Raising. He grunted. “Thanks. These boards are hard as iron.” And hard as Silya’s will. One day things would be different between them, once this crisis was over. I just have to be patient. Coral laughed. “I’m sure a big, strong man like you can break through them easily.” She squeezed his bicep appreciatively. He shrugged her off. He wasn’t sure if the gawky initiate was flirting with him or just trying to encourage him to get on with it, but either way, he wasn’t interested. “Stand back.” He hefted the hammer again, and she scurried out of his way. He suppressed a smile, swinging the mallet around for another heavy blow. Craack. This time the board buckled inward visibly. Another few hits should do it. He pulled back the heavy iron hammer again and hit the same spot with blow after blow. Craack. Craack. Craack. The mallet broke through and a board fell away into splinters, clattering across the stone floor. One down, three more to go. “Why did they seal this cavern up?” Cor’Lea gestured at the natural chamber. “There was a winery here before the Temple. Sister Dor said they used to use it for extra wine storage.” She looked around the natural chamber, which was now filled with wooden shelving holding a variety of bottled food stores. “When Jas ordered the Temple to be constructed, they kept this wide cavern and blocked off the rest of the tunnels.” “Just in case the gully rats got in?” That thief Raven had apparently made his home in one of the underground tunnels. Who knew who else—or what else—lived down there? Cor’Lea snorted. “Maybe.” Are tunnels all connected, somehow? That was one of Silya’s most urgent projects, to map out the network of caverns beneath the city. Another reason she sent me down here—to get me out from under her robes. A few more whacks at the next board served to both break it and let out his frustrations at the situation preventing him from doing his sworn job and keeping them apart. And at what she said was coming. Craack. Craack. Craack. The board snapped in half, and he judged that he’d cleared enough space to step through into the blocked-off tunnel. “Hand me that lantern? Cor’Lea complied, taking the opportunity to brush his hand. He rolled his eyes. I should be flattered. But his heart was already taken. It was times like these he wished his brother Enrick were still alive. He’d know what to do. He’d been absurdly confident about everything, even though he’d been younger than Kerrick. Kerrick wasn’t great with women. He took the lantern and stepped over the bottom board, holding it in front of him. The bright light temporarily blinded him as he sought to get his bearings. “What do you see?” Cor’Lea peered through the hole behind him. His sight adjusted, and the tunnel’s walls came into focus. He whistled. Stacked along the side of the tunnel were hundreds of crates, all strapped together in groups and sealed. “It’s… I don’t know what it is. But I’ll bet Silya will be surprised.” They’d have to find a place to put all this stuff—whatever it was, it was likely rotten after all this time. Silya needed somewhere to store people, not ancient goods. Cor’Lea stepped carefully over the splintered boards to join him. “What do you think’s inside them?” The long row of crates disappeared into the darkness. Who knew what the ancients had considered valuable enough to stash down here. Coin? Lost treasure? “One way to find out. Does the Temple have a crowbar?” Author Bio
Scott lives with his husband Mark in a yellow bungalow in Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother at the tender age of nine. He devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were. He decided that if there weren’t queer characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends. A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, Liminal Fiction, and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and is the committee chair for the Indie Authors Committee at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Author Website: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/ Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworthauthor Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.otherworldsink.com/@jscottcoatsworth Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jscottcoatsworth/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/ Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/ Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-Scott-Coatsworth/e/B011AFO4OQ 
J. Scott Coatsworth has a new queer sci-fantasy book out, Tales from Tharassas book 3: The Hencha Queen. "A richly painted world that is both beautiful and sinister, evoking landscapes that are as much science fiction as Tolkiensian fantasy. 5 stars." --Ulysses, Paranormal Romance Guild SILYA COMES INTO HER OWN, BUT WILL SHE BE ENOUGH? Silya finally has everything she always wanted. She's the Hencha Queen, head of the Temple, and is working to master her newfound talents. So why does the world pick now to fall apart? Her once-nemesis Raven is off riding dragons, and their mutual friend (and her ex) Aik is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, a new threat menaces the Heartland from the East, and if she can't convince a reluctant Gullton city council to prepare for the worst, she may lose everyone and everything she's ever cared about. As she uses her magic-like abilities, wit and sheer determination to try to save the city, she's joined by Raven and his new friends. Will their help tip the scales? And will they finally find out what happened to Aik as a dark storm threatens to sweep them all away? Forget messy. Things just got apocalyptic. Universal Buy LinkAbout the Series The Tharassas Cycle is a four book sci-fantasy series set on the recently colonized world of Tharassas. When humans first arrived on planet, they thought they were alone until the hencha mind made itself known. But now a new threat has arisen to challenge both humankind and their new allies on this alien world.
Books 1 & 2 are on sale through March 31st for just 99¢ each (eBooks, all vendors). And if you buy one (or all three) of the main series books, email [email protected] and let him know and he'll send you a free copy of Tales From Tharassas, the prequel. See All the Pre-Release DealsGiveaway Scott is giving away an eBook copy of Tales from Tharassas, the prequel, to everyone who enters the sweepstakes: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47308/? Excerpt
A sharp crack filled the wine cellar. Kerrick swung the heavy mallet back and then assailed the flopwood boards that blocked the tunnel entrance again. The ancient wood splintered under the blow, sending shards clattering across the stone-paved floor. It felt good to work out his frustrations. Still, the stubborn wood held out against his assault. He rested the mallet on the black-tiled stone floor, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. Even after a hundred years, the barrier was strong. He’d tried to pry the boards out of the solid stone, but they’d been fastened in too tightly. Brute force it is. “You’re doing great!” Cor’Lea’s voice was artificially bright, and she was as tall as he was, maybe a little taller, peering over his shoulder at the sealed tunnel entrance. Silya had tasked her with bringing him down here to check out these hidden caverns under the Temple, in preparation for the coming war. Important, sure, but also clearly an excuse to get him out from underfoot while she prepared for her official Raising. He grunted. “Thanks. These boards are hard as iron.” And hard as Silya’s will. One day things would be different between them, once this crisis was over. I just have to be patient. Coral laughed. “I’m sure a big, strong man like you can break through them easily.” She squeezed his bicep appreciatively. He shrugged her off. He wasn’t sure if the gawky initiate was flirting with him or just trying to encourage him to get on with it, but either way, he wasn’t interested. “Stand back.” He hefted the hammer again, and she scurried out of his way. He suppressed a smile, swinging the mallet around for another heavy blow. Craack. This time the board buckled inward visibly. Another few hits should do it. He pulled back the heavy iron hammer again and hit the same spot with blow after blow. Craack. Craack. Craack. The mallet broke through and a board fell away into splinters, clattering across the stone floor. One down, three more to go. “Why did they seal this cavern up?” Cor’Lea gestured at the natural chamber. “There was a winery here before the Temple. Sister Dor said they used to use it for extra wine storage.” She looked around the natural chamber, which was now filled with wooden shelving holding a variety of bottled food stores. “When Jas ordered the Temple to be constructed, they kept this wide cavern and blocked off the rest of the tunnels.” “Just in case the gully rats got in?” That thief Raven had apparently made his home in one of the underground tunnels. Who knew who else—or what else—lived down there? Cor’Lea snorted. “Maybe.” Are tunnels all connected, somehow? That was one of Silya’s most urgent projects, to map out the network of caverns beneath the city. Another reason she sent me down here—to get me out from under her robes. A few more whacks at the next board served to both break it and let out his frustrations at the situation preventing him from doing his sworn job and keeping them apart. And at what she said was coming. Craack. Craack. Craack. The board snapped in half, and he judged that he’d cleared enough space to step through into the blocked-off tunnel. “Hand me that lantern? Cor’Lea complied, taking the opportunity to brush his hand. He rolled his eyes. I should be flattered. But his heart was already taken. It was times like these he wished his brother Enrick were still alive. He’d know what to do. He’d been absurdly confident about everything, even though he’d been younger than Kerrick. Kerrick wasn’t great with women. He took the lantern and stepped over the bottom board, holding it in front of him. The bright light temporarily blinded him as he sought to get his bearings. “What do you see?” Cor’Lea peered through the hole behind him. His sight adjusted, and the tunnel’s walls came into focus. He whistled. Stacked along the side of the tunnel were hundreds of crates, all strapped together in groups and sealed. “It’s… I don’t know what it is. But I’ll bet Silya will be surprised.” They’d have to find a place to put all this stuff—whatever it was, it was likely rotten after all this time. Silya needed somewhere to store people, not ancient goods. Cor’Lea stepped carefully over the splintered boards to join him. “What do you think’s inside them?” The long row of crates disappeared into the darkness. Who knew what the ancients had considered valuable enough to stash down here. Coin? Lost treasure? “One way to find out. Does the Temple have a crowbar?” Author Bio
Scott lives with his husband Mark in a yellow bungalow in Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother at the tender age of nine. He devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were. He decided that if there weren’t queer characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends. A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, Liminal Fiction, and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and is the committee chair for the Indie Authors Committee at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Author Website: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/ Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworthauthor Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.otherworldsink.com/@jscottcoatsworth Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jscottcoatsworth/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/ Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/ Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-Scott-Coatsworth/e/B011AFO4OQ
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