My teaser this week is from book 3 of The Vampire Guard, Endosymbiont. “So, there are—were humans, werewolves and vampires working in this facility and likely knew what each other were. Which means this,” Lucas gave his notebook a shove, “affects us all. No one is immune.” Juan Rojas’s voice overlaid the sound on the video. “There were thirty-seven people in this facility, not including the two Navy SEALS. As far as we can determine none of them survived, but obviously that’s unconfirmed. I don’t have an exact count of how many are members of which species, but I don’t think that matters right now.” “Where are the SEALS and why are you so sure they’re not affected as well?” Forge asked. They heard Rojas take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. The image changed again. “They are in this room. It’s sealed with an independent recirculation and environmental control system according to the facility specs.” “That’s a server room,” Blair said. “Yes, it is,” Rojas said. “We have a forensic accounting team working on the financials for the TACG and according to what they’ve been able to learn it appears there is a second facility. Evidence of the Qiguan providing some assistance, at least financially was found as well.” “What does a werewolf terrorist group whose goal is to separate technology from werewolves have to do with something so high tech?” Ori asked. “That’s an excellent question there is yet no answer for,” Wek said. Endosymbiont is available in eBook and through Kindle Unlimited.
COVER REVEAL Book Title: The Yakuza Path: Prelude to Decay Author: Amy Tasukada Cover Artist: Natasha Snow Release Date: Newsletter Serial - The first chapter goes out to subscribers on June 1 Genres: Thriller, gay romance, suspense Tropes: organized crime, boss/ secretary, angst Themes: relationships are hard, thriller, mystery, suspense Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: To be determined It is a standalone story, but it is best enjoyed as part of the series It does not end on a cliffhanger. FREE monthly Serial of Amy's latest book. Only newsletter subscribers will be able to read the story. Exclusive newsletter serial sign-up link: https://www.amytasukada.com/free-stuff/ A dead prostitute. A mysterious meeting. And a retiring cop set on righting past wrongs… Blurb Kyoto mafia don Nao Murata is enjoying a quiet reign. Now that his boyfriend, Aki Hisona, has a clean bill of health, they can finally have some much-needed intimate time. If only a persistent detective wasn’t about to throw a wrench in those plans. Aki’s ready to fully consummate their relationship, but Nao doesn’t appreciate his scandalous flirting in the office. Being left alone to deal with one of Nao’s top men, Aki ends up learning about a secret that puts a crack in Nao’s control. Amidst worries about whether they’re as compatible between the sheets as they are on the streets, Nao and Aki are forced to work with the police to cement Nao’s reign. As the secret begins to unravel, they’re pulled deeper into a treacherous game of cat and mouse. Now it’s no longer just their love life they have to fight for… Prelude to Decay is the seventh book of The Yakuza Path thriller series. If you enjoy gripping suspense, authentic Japanese traditions, and a healthy dose of gay drama, then you’ll devour Amy Tasukada’s latest instalment. About the Author International best-selling author Amy Tasukada writes thrilling times of crime, love, and gore. Readers who crave diverse characters, unique settings, and edge-of-your-seat action will devour her Yakuza Path series. Readers who seek less blood and more love will swoon over the Yakuza Path Romance and Would it Be Okay to Love You? Series. Amy is an atheist, queer author who enjoys drinking tea, Japanese street fashion and visual kei music. Her calico cat, O’Hara, is never far from her side. Amy lives in North Texas, but is always planning her next trip to Japan. Author Links Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Newsletter Sign-up (FREE chapter of an exclusive story sent every month) My snippet this week is from Quarry, book 2 of The Vampire Guard. “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.” Find more amazing snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group! Quarry is available is eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.
A.K. Holubek has a new MM Regency period fantasy book out, The Unconventionals book 1: The Empath and the Soldier. And there's a giveaway. The situation seemed hopeless. But Tyrran couldn’t pretend to be ignorant of the danger and just wait for his home to disintegrate around him. As a Favored male, Tyrran belongs to a select group of men born with one of the Four Gifts, a blessing usually reserved for women. Quiet, introverted, and filled with self-doubt, Tyrran has always struggled with living up to the responsibilities that come with being Gifted. Still, he had managed to achieve the near impossible — admission to the prestigious Lyceum Institute in Corvit, the Coarian Sovereignty’s bustling capital city. With this success, Tyrran’s future seems clear: the best education, a position in a Temple, and, one day, marriage to a young man of good fortune. That is, until sinister forces intervene to shove him down a much bleaker path. Tyrran’s plans are thrown into upheaval when a deadly attack reveals the existence of an insidious evil festering within the ranks of the Sovereignty’s elite. Now, he must use the privileges afforded him as a Lyceum student to uncover the secrets of a corrupt government. Targeted by relentless assassins and trying to ignore his growing attachment to the handsome exchange student Adwin, Tyrran must gather trustworthy allies to face the dangers that threaten to tear apart his nation and his home. Bridgerton meets The Magicians in this fantasy novel about the importance of confidence and the strength of friendship. Get It On AmazonGiveaway A.K. is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47280/ Excerpt At that moment they stopped suddenly, startled by someone crawling out of the pond almost directly in front of them. The someone turned out to be a man—an East Silacian, Tyrran noted right away, due to his black skin. He was shirtless, wearing only white tights, and he looked about Tyrran’s age. He was shorter than Tyrran and his chest, stomach, and arms were muscular—sculpted was the more appropriate term, his skin stretched tight over every muscle. His physique was compact rather than large, he had deep brown eyes, and his black hair was cut close to his head. Tyrran had always suspected that the Silacian reputation for beauty was exaggerated, stemming from the inferiority complex Coarians held towards Silacians, whose empire was much larger, wealthier, and more advanced than the Sovereignty. But if Nyri and this man were any indication, then their reputed good looks were understated if anything. “Good morning, soldier,” the man said, addressing Lena as he wiped water from his face with his hands. He spoke the Common Tongue with a sophisticated accent that sounded very similar to Nyri’s. “Good morning, Adwin,” Lena replied, looking puzzled. “Did you, uh, fall in the pond?” “Not at all. I was just going for a morning swim.” He smiled as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “In public? In the middle of campus?” “But of course. This appears to be the closest body of water to our college. However, by your expressions, I assume Coarian notions of decorum discourage public bathing. I did swim wearing my tights, since I know public nudity is frowned upon.” He may as well have removed them, for what little use they were in covering his nudity. The material clung to his skin, revealing bulging leg muscles as well as other bulges that Tyrran was making a concerted effort not to stare at. “We do tend to prefer bathing in secluded areas,” Lena said. “Spaces set aside for bathing. Like the bathhouse next to the Barracks House, for instance.” “I did try the bathhouse, but the water is heated. Quite uncomfortable on a warm day like today. Do you suppose I shall be sent packing back to Silacia for this breach of conduct?” An impudent grin spread across his face. “It’s early enough that I’m sure no one but us has seen you. Though I do suggest you put the rest of your clothes back on soon. Where are they, by the by?” “My clothes? I left them further down the trail. In truth, I was swimming about the pond for exercise rather than for bathing, then I saw the two of you and thought to come greet you. And now I think I have finished with swimming. Would you mind accompanying me to fetch my clothes?” Tyrran could see that Lena was annoyed by the request and had every intention of replying in the negative. But Tyrran didn’t want Adwin to be offended, so he quickly spoke up. “We would be happy to.” That earned him an evil look from Lena. Adwin offered his arm to Tyrran. “Adwin Mekalbe, at your service.” Tyrran grasped his forearm, “Tyrran Kens, at yours,” he replied, trying to keep his voice from squeaking. “I assume you do not attend the Military College,” Adwin continued, as the three of them resumed walking along the trail. “No, I’m at Roothe College. Lena and I are friends from Temple Academy.” “Ah, yes. In Hifield City. I am truly sorry about the attacks. I do hope you were not directly affected.” Author Bio The moment A.K. Holubek stumbled across a ragged copy of The Fellowship of the Ring in his elementary school library, his life changed forever. The rest of his childhood, his adolescence, and even his college years were spent living only part time in the real world. He much preferred spending time in the fantasy lands of his imagination than in the reality of life as a closeted gay kid. As real life got better, he left his fantasy worlds behind. But a few years ago, those worlds called him to return, and to share his created worlds with others who might also need a place to escape. He now endeavors to carry out this mission from his home in Baltimore, supported by his husband and two ridiculous cats. Author Website: http://theunconventionals.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/andrew.holubeck Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/akholubek Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunconventionalsbooks/ RELEASE BLITZ Book Title: Separate Development Author and Publisher: David Blyth Release Date: May 1, 2023 Genre: Contemporary LGBT Fiction/Literary Fiction Tropes: An Intercontinental Love Story Themes: LGBT, Bisexual, Interracial, South African, Apartheid, Medical (Doctor) Heat Rating: 2-3 flames Length: 120 000 words/420 pages It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited An intercontinental love story Author’s note: Separate Development is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Many names, places and timelines have been altered to provide anonymity to third parties. Character names do not reflect anyone, living or deceased, whom I have ever known. However, I would like to thank the real-life members of the family portrayed in this book for being part of my life, and for their understanding and acceptance. I recognise that their memories of the events described in the novel may be different from my own. There was never any intention to misrepresent anyone; in fact, I am honoured to have known them. Blurb At twenty-five, recently qualified Dr Jonathan Conner leaves his comfortable life and love in London, taking up a charitable post during the last months of South Africa's apartheid system. Weeks from a planned visit by his long-standing girlfriend, he falls in love with a young African man in the northern homeland of Venda. Their passionate, heart-rending love story unfolds against the backdrop of conflict between social tolerances that lag behind political freedoms. Through this story of love's endurance beyond society's acceptance and geographical separation, can the enduring power of the human heart overcome adversity? Excerpt The stark beauty of Venda’s voluptuous landscape could have replaced many an artist’s requirement for naked models of either sex. Rounded hills, writhing between cleaved valleys, yearned for lustful hands to caress their contours in pleasurable embraces. Admittedly, on that solemn day, it was not a mental image to dwell on. But I was to make the journey more than once. The last twenty miles were dirt, dust dry, following the undulating curvature of parched hillsides. Rain was a distant memory, the last breath of summer’s bounty, yet portions of verdant green interspersed the struggling rampant growth of a forgotten season. Soon the skies would fill again with heat born clouds, storage towers of sustenance, destined to release daily torrents. Today, the brightest greens picked out pockets of humanity, cultivated patches and plots, tall stands of maize, fringed with bananas and peppered with papayas. Water was available for those who worked hard enough to find it, and the rich African soil rewarded those who took the trouble. These oases were increasing in frequency, many still surrounded by round, thatched, mud-wall huts or rondavels, some supplemented by larger rectangular versions, roofs still often traditional but occasionally replaced by bright or rusty zinc. Tracks worn by years of footfall fed the settlements. Vehicular access was rare, but where it existed, the residences built of brick, though often rendered: similar modern bungalows to mine. As the frequency of dwellings increased, so did the appearance of structures clearly having other functions. Eventually we reached a broad flat plane. Gone were the patches of green, and in their place, the straggling thorn bushes — which conquered any area where humanity didn’t — had grown to tall spreading trees; all were bare of leaf, yet in the seasons of rain, broad panoplies of shade would provide protection from Capricorn’s sun. The space, ringed with buildings of a relatively modern construction, had occasional notices of printed or hand painted letters attached. Enclosing one side of the quadrangle stood a long dormitory style block of rough plastered walls, patched and peeling paint representing the faded choices of many years, or perhaps revealing the use of colours kindly donated at the time. Windows, placed only a few inches below the rusty corrugated overhang of the roof, in some sections without frame or glass, allowed light yet probably deterred its occupants from external distraction. Three well-worn steps led to broad double doors, also reflecting the indecision or availability of bygone supplies of colour. Only the signage appeared to have received regular maintenance. Bold black lettering, written with skilled hands on a fresh blue base, told me Sarah’s directions had led me to park in front of Ha-nthabalala Secondary School, Established 1972. Headmaster: Mr Joseph Ramanala. The name had a slightly deeper blue background, suggesting it represented the most recent promotion to the post. About the Author David Blyth was born in Staffordshire, in the UK. He graduated from Nottingham and Wolverhampton Universities with a BSC.hon and a PGCE. He lived for many years in South Africa, where he witnessed the political and social transformation during and after apartheid. His interests, apart from writing, include anything that helps him to stay relatively sane. Separate Development, which is in fact, his second novel, was written at his home in the English Midlands. It is due to be published in the spring of 2023. His first novel, The Scars of Life, was written during a two-year overland exploration of southern, central and east Africa. Much was achieved sitting under the shade of a huge mango tree on the shores of Lake Malawi, always with a beer near at hand. It will be published during the summer of 2023. Social Media Links Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win an ebook/kindle copy of The Scars of Life. Mason pulled his badge from his hip pocket and his wallet from his back pocket, tossing them to the ground and out of his reach. The kid swooped in and grabbed them off the ground. He immediately rifled through the wallet. “Huh, he’s a real card-carrying Injun.” The kid held Mason’s tribal ID card between two fingers and flipped it in the air. The older man snickered, “Half-breed mutt with those blue eyes. I guess setting up a trap down here wasn’t such a waste after all.” He reached out and rubbed his hand over the kid’s hair. “We can’t let him out of here,” Red Hair said. Mason took a deep breath. “Look, no one has done anything wrong or broken any laws that I can see. He’s a photographer, and I’m here to make sure he doesn’t get lost. We walk away, no harm, no foul. You go on about your business and we go on about ours,” Mason said. And when Riece is somewhere safe, I track you down and throw your collective asses in prison. Maybe beat the shit out of you first. He didn’t voice those thoughts. Then the older man spoke up and things went from bad to worse. “What we seem to have here is a redskin ranger, and that’s going to be pretty good hunting.” Mason’s stomach twisted. “I’m willing to bet he’s going to do anything to see to it that one is safe.” The man nodded at Riece. His eyes narrowed, and he stared down at Mason. “Being that you’re a squaw… or”—he turned to look at Riece, smirking—“is he the squaw?” “Might as well have fun,” the woman said. “We’re out here to hunt, so let’s hunt.” Mason stole a look at Riece. He was clearly confused. Mason, however, was beginning to see what they were up to. Drug dealers or escaped criminals would have been so much more preferable. “If he’s a fed, then people know where he is,” the third man spoke up. “He doesn’t check in, they’ll come looking for him. Trapping hikers is one thing, but killing a fed? News flash, they’ll come after us, Banjoff.” Mason watched Riece shift his gaze downward. He was staring at his camera. When Riece looked at Mason, he lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly. Banjoff, the older man, rounded on the third man. “Idiot! No fucking names.” Red Hair moved farther from Riece and joined the argument. “He’s right. We should kill them and dump them. It’s too risky. He knows the area, and he’s trained. I don’t know, man.” The man holding his weapon on Mason turned toward the others. Mason nearly burst out laughing. Big mistake, asshole. All three men were looking at each other. The kid was near them, yammering that he wanted to make the kill, and the woman was looking up the gully at the line Mason and Riece had used to get down here. This was as good as it was going to get. Gone Away is available in eBook and paperback.
BLOG TOUR Book Title: Serafino da Ferrara Author: Paolo G. Grossi Publisher: The Conrad Press Cover Artist: Charlotte Mouncey - Bookstyle Release Date: February 28, 2023 Genres: LGBTQ+ / Historical Fiction Themes: Coming of age / Talent and Arts Length: 79 270 words/333 pages Heat Rating: 3 flames It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links Available at Amazon, Waterstones, The Conrad Press and all major retailers. Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK Blurb Ferrara, 1505 AD. Talented Serafino is apprenticed to Mastro Filargiro, one of the city's leading artists. Serafino finds love, but his mastery takes him on a perilous journey across Italy's feuding city-states, unaware that his virtuosity is a threat to the pre-eminence of the hitherto unchallenged masters of the Renaissance. His life must take a dramatic new turn in the hope of escaping their enmity. Washington DC, 2008. Parker’s first year at Georgetown High is coming to an end. His father is appointed Consul General in Florence. Parker enthusiastically embraces his new life and befriends handsome Beppe. But almost everyone around him has been keeping secrets. And the fifteenth-century palazzo where his family now lives unexpectedly reveals its long-buried mysteries. Separated by five hundred years, yet united by their talent, Serafino and Parker embark on similar journeys of discovery while fellow artists, assassins, princes and envious classmates rage and scheme around them. Excerpt He hears the final bell. The school erupts, classroom doors slam open barely holding on to their hinges, the metallic noise of lockers being opened and shut again is deafening. Summer break is here. A torrent of students regurgitates into the street causing an almighty traffic jam. SUVs with mothers or nannies at the wheel vie for space, right of way, and ultimately a not-too-subtle parade of the best four wheels in Georgetown. This is no cheap suburbia, most of their husbands or employers are toiling at some desk or chairing important meetings at Foggy Bottom, on Capitol Hill or the White House. Most often all three. Parker walks out of the front door with his hands in the tight pockets of his slacks and his rucksack on his shoulders. A few hugs with the girls and some high-fives with fellow boys ensue. His older brother is already waiting at the bike stand. When he gets there the high-five is followed by a manly hug. ‘Dude, summer break and birthday tomorrow. Lucky little bro.’ ‘Bet you know what the old folks have got me.’ ‘Sure I do.’ They start cycling. When Parker reached the age of fourteen, their parents went out and bought a cheap bike for his growing frame. The Hendersons’ pristine drive sports the standard two SUVs parked neatly by each other, yet their mother wasn’t fond of school runs. In their opinion he was still a bit too young to cycle all the way to school by himself but the city had finally built some decent bike lanes and Tommy was now seventeen so they made them promise to stick together on the journey. Tommy, who finds cycling by himself rather dull - he’s not much of a loner, any activity has to involve other people - had gone out of his way to promise to look out for his little brother at traffic junctions. They had also promised never to set off without their helmets, though Tommy had swiftly pointed out to Parker that “setting off” with them was not the same as “wearing them”. Parker, the more academic of the pair, had found the distinction clever though he had laughed while retorting that it was still cheating. So when they are a couple of blocks away from home they stop, unlock their helmets from their rucksacks’ straps and don them before reaching the driveway. A few times Parker had remarked that one day they might get caught by their mother driving by. He walks to the garage door to open it but he’s shouted down by Tommy who parades himself in front of it. ‘Off-limits until tomorrow, bro.’ A smiling Parker leaves his bike with his brother and heads for the kitchen door. Tommy has just narrowed down his guesses for his present. One doesn’t need a garage to hide a watch or a pair of trainers. To his surprise he finds them both at home, sat at the kitchen table with two mugs of coffee in their hands. After kissing his mother on the cheek (Tommy is starting to cringe at that, but Parker still likes it. Tomorrow’s birthday might change that), he meets his father’s closed fist with his; they have gradually stopped hugging. ‘Why are you home?’ Parker’s face frowns in suspicion. ‘You’ve got the day off tomorrow, haven’t you, Dad?’ ‘‘No worries. All free tomorrow. Left office early, not much to do at the moment. There might be a few changes in my career; new President, new direction.’ About the Author Paolo G. Grossi was born and raised in Milan. Thirty years ago he spent a weekend in London and decided to stay. Like most Italians, opera and the visual arts are his main passions. When not writing, you will surely find him attending a performance, visiting a museum and, of course, spending some time cycling in Berlin or around the Wannsee. He lives in London with his partner David. Also by Paolo G. Grossi: The Tiergarten Tales Author Links AUDIOBOOK TOUR Book Title: No Surrender (Badlands 5) An MM Psychic Detective Romance Adventure Author: Morgan Brice Publisher: Darkwind Press Narrator: Kale Williams Release Date: March 21, 2023 Genre: Paranormal MM romance, MM Psychic Detective Romance Adventure Tropes: evolving established relationship, hurt/comfort, grumpy/sunshine Themes: letting go of the past, dealing with old guilt, forgiveness, facing tough times together, trust Heat Rating: 5 flames Length: 6 hours and 14 minutes It is a standalone story, but also part of a series. It does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Audiobooks.com Cold cases, hot leads, a psychic psychopath, a copycat killer, cursed objects, the trial of the century—and wedding plans. Blurb Cold cases, hot leads, a psychic psychopath, a copycat killer, cursed objects, the trial of the century—and wedding plans. Psychic medium Simon Kincaide and sexy homicide detective Vic D'Amato met hunting a supernatural serial killer. Since then, Simon has become a police consultant on cases involving the paranormal, and Vic has gotten over his doubts about Simon's abilities being real. Along the way, they fell in love and got engaged. But it seems like the danger never ends. Now, the first case Simon and Vic worked together comes back to haunt them as the killer goes to court and all hell breaks loose. The killer has a crazy fan setting curses on key players in the upcoming trial. Ghosts from an old cold case suggest that someone got away with murder. And a supernatural creature attracted to fear and death is using the Grand Strand as its feeding ground. Simon and Vic feel like they're waging a war on all fronts, but with the stakes so high, there can be No Surrender! About the Author Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa. On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs. Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon! Author Links Website | Audible Profile | Amazon profile Facebook Group | Facebook Page Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail) | Twitter Sign up for my newsletter and never miss a new release Read a copy of my Badlands short story Restless Nights here for free Bryan T. Clark has a new MM contemporary romance out: Hawthorne Manor. Mikael Ferreira seems to have it all—a great career, looks, intelligence, and charm to boot. But his work as a full-time caregiver at Hawthorne Manor barely leaves him time to breathe, let alone date. Then a new employee arrives at the manor and makes Mikael question whether he’s been living at all or merely existing… Elliot Olsson is Mikael’s polar opposite. Elliot’s autism has always made him feel isolated. Until now. Mikael truly sees him in a way no one ever has. Elliot wants to open his heart to Mikael and connect with him on a deeper level. But wanting won’t make it any easier to overcome the obstacles Elliot knows they’ll face as a couple… As Mikael and Elliot’s story is beginning, eighty-eight-year-old Walter Hawthorne’s is coming to an end. But while his health is fading, his mind is sharp as ever—and he has a thing or two to share about life, intimacy, and love with the two young men who seem to know nothing about any of it… Hawthorne Manor, a contemporary LGBTQ+ romantic novel, is an exploration of the foibles of aging, friendship, love, and the beauty that can exist in a found family. It features a house full of eccentric characters, witty banter, and a deeply emotional M/M romance. HEA guaranteed. Download today, and welcome to Hawthorne Manor. Universal Buy LinkExcerpt “Are you okay?” Mikael felt bad that he was the cause of Elliot’s stress. The two stood in silence for what seemed like minutes--very long minutes. “Yeah… Just never been kissed before.” Elliot’s gaze dropped to the floor for a second. Never been kissed? Mikael was at a loss on how to respond to such a profound statement. “I liked it.” Elliot’s cheeks turned pink. “You did?” A sea of blue in Elliot’s eyes, his rose lips, the pink in his pale cheeks… Mikael wanted to kiss all of him. He wanted to lift the sorrow from Elliot’s eyes, remove it from his lips, and wash it from his cheeks. He fought the urge to kiss him again. His heart pinged harder. He wanted to kiss him a million times to make up for all the kisses he’d missed. He touched Elliot’s cheek with the back of his hand, envisioning that he was wiping the sadness from it. Elliot trembled at his touch. Elliot’s stare was piercing. His brows danced as a tiny smile slowly emerged, softening his expression. “Do you know that you do this darling little thing with your brows? It’s barely noticeable how one goes up and the left one dips. It’s adorable.” “I do?” “When did you become so freakin’ hot?” Mikael’s voice dropped to a whisper. Elliot wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think I’m hot.” Mikael took Elliot’s denial as modesty. It was hard to believe he could be so attractive and not be aware of his good looks. “Yeah, and you know what? That makes you even hotter.” Mikael lifted Elliot’s chin. “I can’t believe you don’t know how nice-looking you are?” Elliot shook his head, pulling loose from Mikael’s grasp. “No—” “Yes.” Mikael raised Elliot’s chin. “You are.” “I always thought you had a nice smile….” Elliot’s voice quaked. “Especially when you’re looking at me.” You’re sooo freakin’ adorable. Mikael couldn’t avoid the big smile that accompanied his laugh. “And you have pretty teeth,” Elliot mumbled. “I think that’s a first. Someone complimenting me on my teeth. Usually, it’s my fat ass. But I’ll take teeth, too.” “Your butt is nice too, but your teeth….” Elliot’s gaze drifted up to meet Mikael’s stare. “They’re really white.” “Are you flirting with me, Mr. Olsson?” Mikael grinned as if he was in a toothpaste commercial, ensuring his white teeth were front and center. “I certainly hope so because I like you… I like you a lot.” “I don’t know how to flirt. But your teeth are really white.” Elliot raked his fingers through his hair, then tucked it behind his ear. The protruding vein on his forehead subsided a little. So, he does like me! Mikael’s heart thumped as he took a step closer to Elliot… and kissed him. Again. It was only a soft kiss, but it was on lips he’d been dreaming of… and it was glorious! He pulled back, assessing the situation. Seeing Elliot moisten his lips with his tongue, he did the same, wanting to savor every bit of the kiss. The dude that had never been kissed had the ability to set off fireworks within him. Author Bio Bryan T. Clark is a multi-published award-winning author of gay romance, and contemporary books. In his early in life, Bryan learned that he was different from everyone else in his world. As a young African American boy, he was the second to the youngest of seven children. Long before hormones kicked in and the realization of same sex attraction, it was his light skin and blond hair that made him different from those around him. Teased within his own race for being lighter than everyone else, the kids on the playground called him “Cornbread”. As a writer, Bryan has taken back the power once given up to those schoolyard bullies. He is committed to bringing his readers stories of real life, with multicultural characters, riveting plots, and where the underdog always wins. He is the founder of Cornbread Publishing: the name empowers him and is a constant reminder that life can have a Happily-Ever-After. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bryan and his husband of thirty-six years has made their home and life in the Central Valley of California. Author Website: https://www.btclark.com/ Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/btclarkauthor Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthor/Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bryan-T-Clark/author/B0BQ5JQ24P Mason lurched forward and made a grab at Riece’s shoulders, trying to steady him. He almost succeeded in preventing Riece from tramping down hard with his foot. Water splashed, and something scrambled out from under some nearby brush. The man swung in their direction, and the kid lifted a spotting scope. “Shit,” Mason spat. Riece swung toward him, which allowed Mason to get both arms around Riece’s waist and yank backward. Two bolts whizzed by their heads and pierced the embankment behind them. Mason snatched Riece’s camera and shoved it back into its bag, then ripped the bolts from the earth. Spinning Riece around, he gave him a shove back the way they’d come. “We have to cross,” Riece said. “Not here. We have to deal with them first.” “How?” “Keep moving.” Mason pushed Riece ahead of him until they were almost back where they’d come down to the river. He held Riece to the embankment and put his finger to his lips. Mason took stock of what he had. It wasn’t much. A camera flash and a coil of rope. And two crossbow bolts. Read more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group! Gone Away is available in eBook and paperback.
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Welcome to My World
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