James Siewert has a new MM space opera romance out, The Oarthecan Star Saga book 2: Barons of Oartheca. And we have the cover reveal! Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and your enemies bolder… Headed in opposite galactic directions, Rowland Hale and Toar Grithrawrscion must find a way to reunite despite the myriad of challenges dogging their every step. An unwelcome surprise finds Rowland picking up the pieces of what he thought was his life, and Toar learns the hard way that the Pryok’tel always settle the score. Can their blossoming relationship survive, or will it be torn to bits between needle-sharp teeth? In Barons of Oartheca, the exciting sequel to the one-of-a-kind adventure Allure of Oartheca, James Siewert plunges our two heroes into an epic fight for survival with adversaries both old and new, and asks the question, ‘Is family those you love, or those you trust … with your life?’ Universal Buy LinkAmazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN Excerpt Nothing quite like being marched down the hallway by a squad of elite Pryok’tel slavers to put a dampener on your day. Shame, especially since up until now, I was otherwise having a fantastic time aboard the Oarthecan Space Services Navy (OSSN) Grolthon’s Spear. It’s my sixth, and by all appearances, last day aboard the Spear, and even though during this time I was both a patient recovering from a near-fatal plasma blast and a prisoner in custody for breaking the Oarthecan Decree, I felt like I’d been on a bit of a holiday, really. It’s a misery that it’s come to an end the way it has—we were scheduled to arrive home tomorrow, but that’s all gone up in smoke. Was looking forward to seeing my Dad, I was. He’d managed, under his authority as the High Baron Grithrawr XXI, to send me a personal message, which, due to my previous conviction in getting the Baron Thursk killed, is technically against the law. However, Dad’s not used to having his will thwarted, and I suspect that my near-death experience bought him the leverage he needed to bend the rules. The message was genuinely kindly, if somewhat stern, which is a good summation of my baron-father in general. Though he is looking forward to me being home, Dad’s not entirely pleased with my recent escapades. Have the feeling he’s going to be far less pleased with my current ones, however. Pity about all this, especially since I’m in a much better place health-wise than when I first arrived on the Spear, entirely due to the excellent care of my doctor, Yozthren Letherclan—or due to his penchant for unnecessary needles, Dr. Pokey, if he’s cared for you long enough. I hope he’s all right; it’s been a horrid morning for everyone aboard the Spear, and I’m worried, to a rage, about what these sireless Pryok’tel ghouls have planned for us. Under Dr. Pokey’s vigilant eye (and still quite talented hands, but that’s just between him and me), I’ve all but made a full recovery from a rifle-shot that burned a fist-sized hole in my left side, just above my hip. I’ve had an intestine graft and a freshly cloned gallbladder installed, and according to yesterday’s medical exam, both have set up shop like they’ve always been there. And while my two vaporised kidneys and damaged liver were still on my list of things to get sorted, Dr. Pokey told me there’s no desperate need for those, as my remaining two kidneys are handling things well enough and my liver’s at just under eighty percent. An incredible recovery, Dr. Pokey remarked, but it all seems a bit of a waste now. As for my arrest for having broken the Oarthecan Decree that prevents contact between Oarth and human males (which I most thoroughly, and enjoyably, accomplished)—well, thanks to the kindness of Derrarvral Henthrothsire, captain of the Grolthon’s Spear, that’s been more of a formality than an actuality. Never even saw the brig, so kind he’s been to me. The Decree, put in place to prevent contact with a human male’s permanent and lethally-charged Allure (that they have no control over, either), is one that is not to be trifled with, yet trifled with it I did: about a week ago, I’d rescued said human male, the incredibly handsome, wondrously intelligent and terrifically brave Rowland Hale, after his ship had been destroyed during a Pryok’tel raid. I then made the decision to help Rowland recover both his kidnapped crew and a stolen VEILLED system, which, had it fallen into the hands of the Pryok’tel, would have resulted in them learning how to turn their ships invisible. Normally, the punishment for breaking the Decree is essentially life-time imprisonment and being permanently exiled from your family. So far, I’ve only been charged with breaking the Decree, and there’s quite a lot of mitigating circumstances that might save me from being convicted: my meeting Rowland was under an act of mercy, and our subsequent adventure not only prevented the VEILLED technology from being harvested, but also resulted in the rescue of his crew and twenty Oarth. Importantly, two of the rescued Oarth were barons, and one was an embercoat drone, our red-furred cousins who up until that rescue were thought to have been driven to extinction. So instead of being sent to the brig for my crime, Derrar gave me the Spear’s guest suite, the one that’s usually reserved for high-ranking dignitaries. While not as fine as the Spear’s barons’ quarters, my room was nevertheless quite on the luxurious side. Tastefully decorated and wonderfully spacious, with good, sensible Oarthecan architecture throughout—curved walls, flowing lines, and not a sharp corner in sight. On my first night, I discovered that I could stand fully upright, even on my tippy-toes, and still have excellent clearance for my head, which was a treat I’d not enjoyed on a spacecraft for quite some time. That, and my sleeping pit was so large and lush that I could stretch out entirely and not even reach the sides, and sink down deep for a proper sleep. Ah, I’ll miss that, for certain—the Pryok’tel don’t deem us Oarth worthy of proper rest, let alone proper bedding—it’s the cold floor for us drones, if we manage to survive ‘till bedtime, that is. At this particular moment, I’m being led down the hallways of the Grolthon’s Spear by my nose via a sturdy metal chain that’s attached to a muzzle I’ve been forced to wear, and with the other end in the hands of the lead Pryok’tel raider. It’s not your typical muzzle, like the one you’d use to train a sharp-toothed cretralth, but a custom-built one the Pryok’tel designed specifically for us drones. It’s a full metal casing that fits round our heads and tightly over our nose and mouth, preventing us from using our sharp teeth as weapons, but that’s not the worst of it. Author Bio
James and his husband live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Part-time office drone, part-time storyteller, full time science-fiction and fantasy aficionado, James couldn't find enough stories involving characters who are like him and his husband: big men with big hearts! Taking matters into his own hands, James hopes to share stories where brawny blokes with hearts of gold take centre stage. Join him in his worlds and discover authentic characters, gripping scenes, lush imagination, a touch of the mushy stuff and one-of-a-kind heroes in truly daring adventures! Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21531168.James_Siewert Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/James-Siewert/e/B095T25ZSB 
RELEASE BLITZ
Book Title: The Ultimate Sacrifice (Four Packs #2) Author: Nic Starr & BL Maxwell Publisher: Independently Published Cover Artist: BL Maxwell Release Date: April 28, 2022 Genre: Paranormal M/M Romance Tropes: Shifters, Fated Mates, Forced Proximity, Hurt/Comfort, Enemies to Lovers Themes: New Beginnings, Forbidden Love Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: approx. 40 000 words It is book 2 of the Four Packs Trilogy and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE
Blurb Grady Summerville is facing a slow and agonizing death, but has come to terms with his disease and doesn’t fear dying. However, fate has other ideas, presenting him with a future thanks to Max Steele. Grady owes his very life to Max, and as his health improves, finds himself falling head over heels with his savior. Max Steele has been forced to leave his pack and everyone he knows to move to the West Territory to be a blood donor for Grady. He knows it’s the right thing to do, but it doesn’t mean he has to like it. As tensions escalate between the two packs, Max finds his loyalty tested and is torn between following his alpha, or following his heart. If Max doesn’t make the sacrifice then it will be Grady making the ultimate sacrifice and paying with his life.
Max couldn’t believe he had Grady in his arms at last. And, oh my God, the way Grady looked at him with those big green eyes, as if Max was everything. He’d promised Marrok he’d wait for Grady to make the decision—not that it was truly a choice at all—that they should be together, and everything in Grady’s demeanour, in his expression, screamed he was ready. Still, Max hesitated. “Are you sure this is what you want, Grady?” Grady nodded, then buried his face against Max’s throat. Max groaned at the feel of Grady’s tongue against his burning skin. “I need to hear the words,” he gritted out. Grady paused, then pulled back, meeting Max’s gaze. “Yes. Yes, I want this. Yes, I want you.” That was all Max needed to hear. He grabbed Grady’s hand and almost dragged him to his bedroom. He’d waited weeks for this and with each week that passed the draw had only gotten stronger. Each transfusion had placed him on a sexual knife’s edge, and he’d almost reached breaking point. The bond between shifters was compelling, and it had been torture denying what his body was longing to do. They stopped beside the bed where Max lowered his mouth to Grady’s once more. The kiss was intense, Grady groaning into his mouth and pushing against him. Max continued to kiss him, at the same time, fumbling with Grady’s shirt buttons. He soon had the shirt undone and on the floor, closely followed by Grady’s jeans. He finally broke their kiss and maneuvered Grady to the edge of the bed and nudged him. Grady took the hint and sat. Max knelt at his feet and took off his shoes and socks, then pulled the jeans the out of the way from where they had bunched at Grady’s ankles. Even Grady’s feet were beautiful—long and slim, with graceful arches. He stroked along one foot, and ran his hand up Grady’s leg, stopping with his hands on Grady’s knees. He looked up. Grady met his gaze full on. He was flushed and kiss ravaged, his lids were hooded, breath coming fast. As Max looked at him, he flashed a small smile. Max rose on his knees and kissed him again. Will I ever get enough of his kisses? He ran his hands up Grady’s slim thighs, the light dusting of hair tickling his palms. He allowed his palms to skim Grady’s sides, chuckling a little when Grady jerked. Ticklish. Interesting. As his fingertips trailed across Grady’s ribs, he couldn’t help but note how thin he still was. It gave him momentary pause, but regardless of his lack of bulk, Max knew Grady now possessed a strength that belied his size. Grady gripped the sides of his head and Max gave in to the gentle tug, allowing himself to be drawn into another of those amazing kisses. Grady reached for his buttons, lips never losing contact, so Max raised his hands and helped. Together they made quick work of the buttons and Max’s shirt joined Grady’s on the floor. Max skirted Grady’s sides again, lowering his hands to the waistband of Grady’s briefs. He pulled back slightly, the question in his eyes.About the Authors BL Maxwell BL Maxwell grew up in a small town listening to her grandfather spin tales about his childhood. Later she became an avid reader and after a certain vampire series she became obsessed with fanfiction. She soon discovered Slash fanfiction and later discovered the MM genre and was hooked. Contact and Social Media Links
Nic Starr Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world. Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told! When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country. You can find Nic on Facebook, Twitter and her blog. She’d love it if you stopped by to say hi. Contact and Social Media Links
 You don't have to wait for May 4 to read Endosymbiont! It's on Payhip right now! After May 1 it will be exclusively on Amazon.
 It's almost May, so I want to announce the sale books for the month. The price has already gone through on Amazon, so no need to wait to take advantage of the savings! Gone Away and Scintilla are still $2.99 until the end of April. Get early access to Endosymbiont on PayHip for only $3.99 until May 2. On May 4 it will be release and in Kindle Unlimited.
 Any day Colt managed to avoid getting the crap kicked out of him was a good day. Today wasn’t that day. Whiskey and Moonshine is available in eBook, paperback and Kindle Unlimited.
 This week's teaser is from Ringed Love, book 6 of Sentries. Todd’s fingers against his arm made Nick startle and flinch. He nodded to the corridor that would lead to the cell blocks. “Let’s get this over with.” They made their way in silence to the group of jail cells where Todd had been kept a prisoner for a few days. There was no mistaking the fact a fire had ripped through this section of the prison. The odor of charred flesh mixed with burnt-out wood and seared metal hung in the air all around them. Black streaks stretched across the stone walls, marking a trail to where the fire must have originated. Finally they came to a cell at the far end. As they approached, a dozen or so bodies were visible inside. They’d been neatly laid side by side. It was impossible to tell much about their identities, but some of their weapons and other odds and ends of metal were scattered among the remains. Nick stuck close as he and Todd moved around the grisly room. Nick saw evidence of injuries, telling him these people likely didn’t die in the flames, but this was their burial. Burning the bodies assured they wouldn’t become angry spirits. Stopping beside one long skeleton, Todd stooped and picked up a handgun. He flipped it around and examined the butt. “This was my father’s.” Todd’s words were spoken in a hoarse whisper. “There is nothing we can do here.” Nick slid an arm around Todd’s shoulders and was grateful when Todd allowed himself to be led away. The body the gun was beside could have been John Ruger. It was the right length, but there was nothing else to identify it. “Do you think whoever did this knew it would prevent them from becoming ghosts?” Todd shook his head. “Doesn’t matter if they did or not.” He wiped a hand over his eyes and looked back. “That was the right thing to do, and something I never wanted to have to do to my dad.” He shrugged. “Whoever did it, for whatever reason, has my gratitude.” Universal Links Sentries on JMS Books
NEW RELEASE AND SERIES TOUR
BOOK 1 Book Title: Trifles and Folly: A Deadly Curiosities Supernatural Mystery Adventure Collection Author: Gail Z. Martin Publisher: SOL Publishing Cover Artist: Lou Harper Length: 396 pages Release Date: October 18, 2016 Genres: Urban fantasy with a prominent gay secondary character in an evolving, committed and plot-important relationship Tropes: Evolving established relationship/commitment Themes: Found family, learning to use magic, sharing secret abilities, Heat Rating: 4 flames These are collections of short stories and novellas that originally appeared either individually or reverted from anthologies, so while they function like ‘extra episodes’ for the novels, they were intended to stand alone. The short stories were designed to be standalone and not require prior knowledge of the series. Buy Links
Trifles and Folly is a fascinatingly frightful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of abandoned mansions, restless spirits, Hoodoo, magic, supernatural creatures and long-overdue revenge. Blurb Haunted places. Cursed heirlooms. Vengeful ghosts. Dark Magic Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles and Folly, an antique shop with a secret history. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them. She and her allies use magic and paranormal abilities to keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats. Journey...if you dare...through these satisfyingly spooky short stories and novellas that take place around and between the novels in the Deadly Curiosities series. A collection of nine stand-alone adventures: Buttons, The Restless Dead, Retribution, Coffin Box, Wicked Dreams, Collector, Bad Memories, Shadow Garden, and Spook House. Trifles and Folly is a fascinatingly frightful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of abandoned mansions, restless spirits, Hoodoo, magic, supernatural creatures and long-overdue revenge. A companion to the Deadly Curiosities series. Can be read as a standalone. Revised Edition 2, 2018. Includes an updated cover, minor edits and the BONUS section with three stories chronicling Sorren’s early days: Vanities, The Wild Hunt, and Dark Legacy. “A fabulous job of creating a world that was steeped with curses, lore, lure, deadly consequences, and magic.” — The Book Junkie on Trifles & FollyBOOK 2 Book Title: Trifles and Folly 2: A Deadly Curiosities Supernatural Mystery Adventure Collection Author: Gail Z. Martin Publisher: SOL Publishing Cover Artist: Lou Harper Length: 568 pages Release Date: December 27, 2017 Genres: Urban fantasy with a prominent gay secondary character in an evolving, committed and plot-important relationship Tropes: Evolving established relationship/commitment Themes: Found family, learning to use magic, sharing secret abilities, Heat Rating: 4 flames These are collections of short stories and novellas that originally appeared either individually or reverted from anthologies, so while they function like ‘extra episodes’ for the novels, they were intended to stand alone. Buy Links
Trifles and Folly 2 is a satisfyingly spooky set of dark urban fantasy tales full of Southern cemeteries, restless spirits, Voodoo, magic, supernatural creatures, pirate ghosts, vampires and vengeance. Blurb Curses, vengeance from beyond the grave, haunted curios, werewolves, and wicked faeries. Walk on the wild side, deep in the shadows through these delightfully creepy short stories and novellas that take place around and between the novels in the Deadly Curiosities series. Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles and Folly, an antique shop with a secret history. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them. She and her allies use magic and paranormal abilities to keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats An extension of the Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy novel series, this collection can be read as a standalone. It contains three full novellas and four short stories: The Final Death, Predator, Fair Game, Fatal Invitation, Redcap, Bloodlines, plus three bonus stories: Among the Shoals Forever, The Low Road, and Steer a Pale Course. Trifles and Folly 2 is a satisfyingly spooky set of dark urban fantasy tales full of Southern cemeteries, restless spirits, Voodoo, magic, supernatural creatures, pirate ghosts, vampires and vengeance. “This book is honestly as good as the first. I love it when a series starts out great and stays that way.“—T’s Stuff on Trifles and Folly 2BOOK 3 – NEW RELEASE Book Title: Trifles and Folly 3: A Deadly Curiosities Supernatural Mystery Adventure Author: Gail Z. Martin/Morgan Brice Publisher: SOL Publishing Length: 320 pages Release Date: March 29, 2022 Genres. Urban fantasy with a prominent gay secondary character in an evolving, committed and plot-important relationship Tropes: Evolving established relationship/commitment Themes: Found family, learning to use magic, sharing secret abilities, Heat Rating: 4 flames These are collections of short stories and novellas that originally appeared either individually or reverted from anthologies, so while they function like ‘extra episodes’ for the novels, they were intended to stand alone. Buy Links Kobo | Nook | Audible Coming Soon
Trifles and Folly 3 is a wickedly wonderful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of cursed curios, stolen relics, haunted heirlooms, creepy castles, menacing monsters, magic, and mayhem. Blurb The ghost of a jilted lover, an accidental hell-mouth, a soul-eating monster, cursed needlework, and a rogue’s gallery of sullied spirits—all this and more awaits! Wander the shadowed paths through this spooktacular collection of short stories and novellas that take place around and between the novels in the Deadly Curiosities series. An extension of the Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy novel series, this collection can be read as a standalone. It contains two novellas and five short stories: The Adventure of the Melted Saint, Keepsakes, Catspaw, The Piper’s Song, Innocence Lost, Crewel Fate, and Heap of Trouble. Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles and Folly, an antique shop with a secret history. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them. She and her allies use magic and paranormal abilities to keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats. Trifles and Folly 3 is a wickedly wonderful set of dark urban fantasy tales full of cursed curios, stolen relics, haunted heirlooms, creepy castles, menacing monsters, magic, and mayhem. This collection includes a Morgan Brice MM Paranormal Romance novella set in the Deadly Curiosities’ universe with scenes only appropriate for readers 18+. Excerpt from book 3“Come back inside, Cassidy,” he urged. “I don’t know why, but I don’t like the vibes I’m getting out here tonight.” Teag’s intuition is fueled by strong magic, so I take his “vibes” seriously. I’m pretty good with both intuition and magic myself, and I felt a shiver go down my back. “There’s something out here,” I murmured, looking down the alley toward the streetlight at the end and seeing a dark shape in the roadway I had not noticed before. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” Teag said. “Come back where it’s safe.” Wardings protected the old antique shop against dark magic. Salt and iron lay beneath the sill of every door and window to repel evil, and as an added protection, sometimes we had a nearly six-hundred-year-old vampire staying in the secret room in the shop basement. Teag and I both wore protective amulets, and when it came to defending ourselves, we were no slouches. So when I lingered a moment longer, I took a calculated risk. “We need to see what that is,” I said, jerking my head toward the lump that lay near the far end of the alley. I let my athame slide down beneath my sleeve into my hand and jangled the old dog collar on my left wrist, smiling as the ghost of a large dog appeared at my side. Teag muttered something under his breath and joined me a moment later, carrying a wooden martial arts staff and a wicked knife. Together, we advanced on the shape, which lay still in the dim glow of the distant street light. A mangy cat paced near the body, staying just out of reach as we approached, even though Bo’s ghost growled and stepped toward it. If the cat could see Bo, the ghost dog didn’t intimidate him. I paid attention to what my senses were telling me, shivering at the resonance something evil left in its wake. Yet the closer we got to the thing in the road, the more certain I became that the threat itself had come and gone. About the Author Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, SOL Publishing, Darkwind Press, Worldbuilders Press and Falstaff Books. Recent books include Convicts and Exiles, Sellsword’s Oath, Inheritance, and Night Moves. With Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of the Spells Salt & Steel, Wasteland Marshals, Joe Mack and Jake Desmet series. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance including the Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail and Fox Hollow series. Author Links Blog | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Pinterest Newsletter Sign-Up | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads | TikTok
Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of three ebook copies from the author's backlist.
 My snippet this week is from my paranormal thriller, Code Name Jack Rabbit (The Vampire Guard Book 1).  Bronwen smiled and reached for a roll. Her hand bumped her wineglass, sending it toppling. The wine dripped off the edge of the table and onto Bronwen’s clothes. “Oh!” She jumped up and grabbed a napkin to dab at her leg. “Who didn’t see that coming?” Lucas asked. Forge heaved a sigh. “Blair.” “Do you want me to get…something?” Blair was on his feet a second after Bronwen. He righted her glass and started mopping up wine. “I’d better get this off and to soaking. I’ll be right back,” Bronwen said and hurried to her bedroom. Blair leaned one hand on the table and took a few deep breaths. He had just taken a mouthful of wine when the bedroom door opened. “Oh, crap,” Lucas said, trying not to laugh when Bronwen came back into view. Blair spit wine everywhere. Bronwen wore a flimsy, see-through wrap that barely covered her. A pretty, lacy bra and a thong were all she had on underneath. She closed the distance between herself and Blair, grabbed his arms, and pressed against him. “You are so much like him.” Her voice was breathy. Blair tried shimmying sideways, but he was trapped between her and the table. “I…uh…we don’t…” Declan grabbed the mic. “Tell her you’ve lost someone too, and you’re not ready.” “I’m gay,” Blair blurted out. “Or that could work,” Lucas said. Find more snippets on the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Code Name Jack Rabbit is available in eBook,
paperback and in Kindle Unlimited. 
Edale Lane has a new FF historical romance out: Walks With Spirits. And there's a giveaway! Bound by love, separated by circumstances; can two women realize their happy ending? In a time when people believed everything had a spirit, there was a two-spirit woman who chose the life of a hunter. Human beings live in the physical world, while spirits dwell in the land beyond; Walks with Spirits inhabits both. Daughter of a shaman and an herbalist-midwife, Laughing Brook holds a prominent place in her society. She is training to be a healer like her mother, but her one wish is to spend her life with Walks with Spirits. When a misunderstanding crushes their dreams of happiness, both women must learn to face the trials that await them in a land where danger lurks behind every tree and honor means more than life. Will the spirits intervene on their behalf, or are they fated never to manifest their visions of love? Walks with Spirits is a historical fantasy set in an ancient time. Packed with Native American themes, heart-touching imagery, and an epic love story, Walks with Spirits will immerse you in an inspiring view of life. Get It At AmazonGiveaway Edale is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47234/? Excerpt
From Chapter Two of Walks with Spirits A movement at the front door drew Brook’s attention and in an instant her face lit up and her heart swelled. A tall woman wearing men’s clothing strode in, her head held high, and the energy in the chamber danced. Even Thunder Warrior did not seem so dull. “That is Walks with Spirits,” he said with a gesture. “She is an odd woman of Nutaula who is coming on the hunt with us tomorrow. The Old Ones and shaman speak of her like she is special, but she can’t do anything that I can’t do. I feel uncomfortable around people of two spirits, don’t you?” Brook’s smile had become a glow. “That is my Mepoose, my best friend. We grew up together in this house before she moved to your village.” Thunder Warrior shifted positions and pushed back his free-flowing long hair. “I mean, she is well respected among our community. We are taught it is a blessing from the Creator to be born with two spirits,” he fidgeted. “It is merely something I don’t understand.” Brook wrenched her gaze from Spirits long enough to study her male guest, a bemused expression on her face. When she said nothing, he continued to explain himself. “I am a physical man,” he said with a tap to his muscled chest, “who lives in a physical world. I do not put my trust in spirits and legends. My spear, my bow, and the strength of my arm protect me from danger. Many men say one is well served to steer clear of spirits, lest you offend one. They say she talks to them every day.” As Brook returned her oval eyes to follow Spirits across the room, her heartbeat raced and she sensed a tingle running through her being. “She does,” she affirmed. She watched Spirits approach the hearth closest to the door where she stopped beside the spot where an old man with a cane sat on a cedar box up close to the fire, a beaver fur cape wrapped around his shoulders. He had deep lines in his leathery face, long gray hair bound by a plain leather band, and one leg stretched out awkwardly to catch the heat. Since Thunder Warrior had stopped talking, she could overhear their exchange. “It is good to see you, Growling Bear,” Spirits greeted. He spared her a glance and grunted. “Is it, now? If it were so, maybe you would come around more often.” He pulled his cape tighter and stared into the flames with a sour look on his etched face. “You know I moved to be with my relatives in Nutaula,” she replied pleasantly. “But all morning I have been praying to the spirits that you will help me out.” This time he raised suspicious eyes to her, hooded under scrunched brows. “Is that so?” “It is. You see, I have been so blessed with good fortune that I have caught more game than I know what to do with. I am hoping you can take these two rabbits off my hands.” She extended the better pair toward him. Growling Bear scowled and lowered his gaze to hands as gnarled as thick, aged vines. “What do I want with those scrawny, worthless rabbits?” Spirits shrugged. “See, the thing is, I can only offer you the meat. I need the skins for a project I’m working on, so I’d have to skin them before I give them to you. I know they are rather puny, but they are fresh and there is only you to eat them.” She let out a disappointed sigh. “If you don’t take them, I’ll have to toss them to the village dogs, and they may fight over them. I hate it when the dogs fight over food, but… I simply have too much fresh game to keep them.” Thunder Warrior spun to Brook in outrage. “What is he talking about? Those are fat, fine rabbits. Why is that grouchy old man so ungrateful? He does nothing but sit about and complain. When I am chief, I will not allow anyone like him to live in my longhouse. How can Black Bear tolerate him?” Brook waited a moment to answer him as she listened to Growling Bear’s reply. He shifted on his box and rubbed a hand across his knee. “I suppose I could take them if it is going to cause you distress for me to refuse. Maybe Falling Rain can throw them in a pot with some vegetables.” Spirits smiled. “I will bring them back in a few minutes when I have skinned and cleaned them. Many thanks to you, Growling Bear. You have done me a great service.” “I do not understand that woman!” Thunder Warrior declared. “He insults her and she thanks him.” Brook turned to her guest while Spirits made her way slowly around the plank-house greeting everyone. “Do you not know who that old man is?” “A leach who lives off the charity of others,” he stated in derision. “No.” Brook explained in gentle and compassionate tones. “Growling Bear was once a great hunter. He feared neither man nor beast. He brought in scores of fish and killed five bears along with countless deer, elk, beaver, and other game. When he married, a reunion was held in his honor and he was Worthy and esteemed.” “What happened to him then?” Thunder Warrior considered her words with reserved curiosity. “One falling leaves time, long before I was born, he was on a hunting party in the mountains and they must have wandered too close to where the sasquatch lived. A sasquatch hurled a boulder that started a landslide on the mountain and Growling Bear was caught up in it. When the dust settled, the others found him near the bottom under a pile of rocks. They made a litter and rushed him back to Paupeck for the healer and shaman to help.” In an aside, Brook added, “This was before Black Bear and Rainbow held those titles, but who knows if they could have done better. The healer straightened and set his leg with splints, but it was broken in many places. He was very fortunate to have lived through the ordeal at all.” Author Bio
Edale Lane is an award-winning author (Rainbow Awards, Imaginarium Awards, Lesfic Bard Awards) who is realizing her dream of being a full-time writer. She is the alter-ego of author Melodie Romeo, (Tribute in Blood, Terror in Time, and others) who founded Past and Prologue Press. Both identities are qualified to write historical fiction by virtue of an MA in History and 24 years spent as a teacher, along with skill and dedication regarding research. A native of Vicksburg, MS, Edale (or Melodie) is also a musician who loves animals, gardening, and nature. After driving an 18-wheeler cross-country for eight years, she now lives with her partner in beautiful Chilliwack, B.C. Canada. Author Website: https://pastandprologuepress.lpages.co/ Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/melodie.romeo/ Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/Pastandprologuepress/ Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/EdaleLane Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edale_lane/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15264354.Edale_Lane Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/edale-land/ Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/edale-land/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Edale-Lane/e/B07GRFPDRZ/
 My first line this week is from Gone Away. Check out all these second chance romances! Mason Arquette would always be the one who got away.
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