M.D. Grimm has a new MM fantasy book out, Stones of Power book 8: Sapphire: Home and Abroad. The Dark Mage, Lord Morgorth, and Aishe of the Ravena Tribe, are to become bondmates. Morgorth is equal parts nervous and excited. He wants to unite with Aishe in the sacred dialen ceremony, to proclaim their devotion to the world, to show everyone that Aishe is his equal and deserving of respect. After all they’ve survived together, why shouldn’t they make the cosmic promise before friends and family? But duty must often come before pleasure. When Morgorth’s estranged mentor, Master Ulezander, comes to him with a time-sensitive mission involving a major stone of power, Morgorth has little choice but to acquiesce. Aishe knows his mate struggles with the revelation of his true destiny, after a lifetime of defining himself as the future Destroyer of Karishian. All he can do is reassure Morgorth that being the Savior is a far better fate for both of them. But as Morgorth and Aishe leap through worlds and dimensions in pursuit of a stone of power, more pieces to the puzzle of Morgorth’s destiny are revealed. And they form an image of sacrifice and tragedy. The dark cloud of an ancient enemy looms ever closer, and the path to becoming the Savior might prove more monstrous than that of the Destroyer. About the Series: Lord Morgorth is a dark mage on the planet Karishian. His peers consider him a villain, but there is more to him than they choose to understand. Cursed by a dark destiny and tormented by painful memories of the past, Morgorth struggles to find his place in the world. Far from innocent, Morgorth has teetered between embracing his destiny and fighting against it his entire life. A decision that is made easier when Aishe comes into his life. Aishe is a creature of the forest, a warrior and healer. He has the moral compass that Morgorth needs, and Morgorth gives Aishe the companionship he craves. Together, they forge ahead, weathering the storms and fighting the enemies fate puts into their paths. However, their greatest enemy is not a living being, but gemstones infused with deadly power. They are addictive, seductive, and completely treacherous. Morgorth hates them and is determined to find and imprison all of them. But he soon realizes they are keys to a greater power. He learns his destiny is not all he thought it was. And an even greater enemy stirs in the darkness. Enter the world of “The Stones of Power.” Universal Buy LinkExcerpt
Morgorth stepped forward and stretched out his arms. He murmured a series of words under his breath and an opaque pinprick of light appeared. I stepped a bit closer, fascinated. The pinprick grew into a swirling, pulsing liquid silver gateway. It was beautiful and ominous. It made no sound, and yet gave off pressure that I felt against my body, and the hair on my arms stood on end. The few trees bordering the clearing creaked and groaned as they bent away from the portal. I didn’t hear anything—not birds or squirrels, not deer. Nothing was near us, and the poor, stationary trees were doing their best to also get away. Morgorth fisted his hands and widened his stance, still muttering. His skin glowed, and I silently shifted to his side. His eyes were a burning amber, his expression set in stubborn determination and intense concentration. Sweat slid down his face. The portal pulsed a bit faster, the beat knocking against my ribs. What was he doing? Then the silver gained a bluish color before darkening to mossy green. Morgorth grunted and lowered his hands, though his magick still glowed. “Take my hand,” he said in a stiff, strained voice. “And hold on tight, to both me and your bow.” I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. I clung to my bow as I took his outstretched hand and pressed to his side. His skin was hot to the touch but not burning. “What can I expect?” I asked. “Discomfort and weirdness,” he said with a hint of a smile. “Just don’t let go.” “Never.” Then Morgorth ran and yanked me with him. We dove into the portal without hesitation, and he was right about the discomfort and weirdness. It wasn’t the emptiness of teleportation nor the whiplash of magickal speed. Morgorth charged through the swirling green, dragging me along. The green slipped over my skin and hair like cold putty and tried to capture my feet in its murk. It seemed to last forever but I was certain it was only a moment or two. Then we were somewhere else. I caught my breath and stumbled forward, still clinging to Morgorth. He didn’t let go either, his magick still at the surface. He took a cloudy crystal from one of the many pouches at his waist and bent to place it at the base of the portal. This time, I heard his word of magick. “Lelleknau.” Words of magick were supposed to be nonsensical, something each mage created for themselves. It was personal, each new word linked to a spell and used for nothing else. It took both words and hand flourishes for a mage to cast a spell or secure an enchantment. It was different for magick healers like myself. It wasn’t so much magickhealers used, it was our life essence, gifting a part of ourselves to our patients. Give too much and it could kill us. The missing part of our essence would replenish over time, faster if we were happy and balanced. To open a portal and redirect it was remarkably heavy magick, and my mate never ceased to leave me in awe of his abilities and his continual growth in both strength and intelligence. “Will the crystal leave the portal open?” I asked. He nodded. “Only on this side, though. We don’t want anyone or anything following us.” “I doubt any of Vorgoroth’s creatures want to follow.” Morgorth shrugged and straightened. “I don’t want to take the chance. And I wasn’t just thinking of my minions.” He was thinking of our guests. Probably about Lyli. I sighed. Yes, that girl was fearless and far too curious for her own good. And wherever Lyli went, Olyvre wouldn’t be far behind. Then Elissya would also come. “This will also prevent any of the creatures here of getting inside. The crystal is also a shield.” “Clever.” “Draining,” he said with a sheepish grin. His magick settled into his core, causing his eyes and skin to lose their glow. “It won’t hold for long. In and out, no sightseeing.” I snorted and glanced at our surroundings. “I don’t think that will be a problem.” A thick, dense jungle surrounded us, and I was only now noticing the oppressive heat. My skin broke out in sweat and my clothes soon stuck to me in the most uncomfortable way. I exhaled sharply and let go of Morgorth to wipe at my brow. “Aye, in and out, please.” Morgorth grimaced as well and readjusted the bag. “I hope you can track the bloody thing.” “I don’t sense magick like on Karishian so it shouldn’t be a problem to open my third eye and spot the box. And if for some reason that doesn’t work, I can always try to meditate and find its aura and track it back to its location.” “Wouldn’t the box shield the stone’s power?” “Its power but not its signature. According to Melondia, the box doesn’t have enough layers to truly block it. Think about the layers of Geheimnis. A mage could use their third eye but not spot the stones I have in the tower because the barriers are too thick.” I nodded, and he closed his eyes. This place did feel… empty. Magick was everywhere in Karishian, in the land, the water, in the creatures. In the sky and in the clouds, and in the sun. In the air itself. I didn’t like it here. I shuddered and fingered my bow. The familiar texture of the wood soothed me just enough to unclench my muscles. I kept an eye on our surroundings as Morgorth once again called to his magick. Author Bio
M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!). After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process. Author Website: http://www.mdgrimmwrites.com/ Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001710645622 Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4574220.M_D_Grimm Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/ Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/ Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.D.-Grimm/e/B00I0KZMY6/ 
Quarry and Jewel Cave are only $2.99 (eBook) this month! Get Scintilla FREE (eBook) June 14-17 on Amazon! All three books are available in eBook, paperback and in Kindle Unlimited.     My Teaser this Tuesday is from Ringed Love, book 6 of Sentries. As the evening wore on, Nick relaxed. Being in the limelight in this manner was far different than standing in front of a group of people and reciting lines. He knew a number of these people well. He’d cared for their animals, and sometimes them and their families. There were very few people in Elk’s Ridge Todd and Nick hadn’t had cause to interact with in some way during the time they’d lived there. His nerves settled, and it wasn’t long before he was enjoying the dinner and the company. Later there would be dancing, something he’d come to like very much. “This.” Todd waved at the scene around them, their friends celebrating Nick and Todd’s marriage with them. “This is something my father would have approved of. He believed in marriage.” Nick took Todd’s hand and squeezed. “He’d have liked us married?” “Yeah. He really did want me to be happy, and I think he finally understood you in my life was something that made me happy.” Todd nudged Nick’s side and pointed to the sky, smiling. “I’ll bet money on the fact Millie somehow arranged that, too.” Nick grinned. “I won’t bet against you.” As the sky darkened, stars began littering the sky. Light rippled across the sky like giant sheets in a gentle breeze. There were colors ranging from a very deep blue to almost silver rising 129 from very low on the horizon to tower above them in glorious light pillars. Today their role in the community was different. Today they weren’t sentries, and they were no longer owner and slave. They were simply Todd and Nick Ruger, and today was their wedding day. Ringed Love is available in eBook and paperback. The entire series is available in The Sentries box set.
RELEASE BLITZ 
Book Title: Redeeming Jayden Author and Publisher: Brina Brady Cover Artist: Brina Brady Release Date: June 10, 2022 Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance Tropes: Age Gap, Hurt/Comfort Themes: Trust Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: 61 972 words/ 232 pages It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 
Blurb JAYDEN BARRON Twenty-two-year-old artist Jayden Barron is summoned home from New York City by his father to assist in the family business of painting and selling replica art to international rogue buyers. Nothing prepares him for what he encounters when he arrives, however, his entire family is missing. Those his father has been dealing with rarely return missing people alive. The family attorney sends Jayden out of the country for his protection, straight into a haunted castle with a singing ghost who leaves him lilacs in the middle of the night. Fortunately, the castle also has Harlan Wendell. HARLAN WENDELL Affluent, generous, thirty-two-year-old, German interpreter, Harlan Wendell has every material possession he could want, but no love in his life. He hires young Jayden to recreate his family portraits lost in a fire. It isn't long before he realizes that Jayden is much more than an employee to him, and they begin a relationship that fulfills both their desires. When events take a dramatic turn and secrets are revealed, can Harlan protect Jayden and their love? Age Gap, Rogue Artist, German Translator, Haunted Castle, Missing Family, Secrets, Steamy, MM Romance Suspense, HEA, KU Excerpt Harlan unlocked the door and let them inside the room. He wanted to know why Harlan had called him to the Fireplace room. He had dismissed his guards and his assistant. What does he need to discuss now? “Sit down and make yourself comfortable. Can I get you some wine?” “I’d like a full glass,” Jayden said as he relaxed in a very comfy chair. Offering him wine right away made him worry he had bad news. He couldn’t take any more sadness, especially about his family. Something positive would help. Getting drunk would also help, but Harlan didn’t allow his employees to drink to oblivion. Right now, he wished he could meet his Academy friends for a drink at the English pub in Greenwich Village. He should have told his father no; he had his own life to live. He might have been in New York, not here with a deliciously sexy man acting like a world leader. Harlan poured red wine into two crystal goblets, handed him one, then sat in the other plush chair. “Is everything okay so far?” Harlan asked. “Not exactly. Some strange things happened last night.” “Why didn’t you tell me this morning?” Harlan crossed his arms. “I had to check some things out first.” He didn’t look like he had a lot of patience. Why does he act like he’s a king? Get over yourself. “Tell me now,” he ordered. “When I was sleeping, someone came in my room and put a vase of lilacs on my dresser. My door was locked.” For some reason, Harlan didn’t look a bit shocked. He behaved as if it were a normal occurrence in the castle. Then he remembered what Mr. Wagner had told him about the castle being haunted. At the time, he hadn’t believed in such things as castles haunted by ghosts. Someone could be living here without Harlan’s knowledge, but he seemed to be a man of details. Nothing would get past him. “I didn’t put lilacs in your room. The only other people with the keys to your room are your guards, and I doubt they would do that as a joke.” “I don’t think they would either. Maybe a ghost did.” “A ghost! It could very well be. Stranger things have happened around here in the past. No one has ever seen a ghost, but doors slam and sometimes, things break without an explanation. It’s been like that since I was a child.” “Why don’t we look for who is pretending to be a ghost?” “So far, we haven’t had any problems. If it’s a ghost, it’s a friendly one. I don’t think about it that much anymore.” “I’d like Blaine to bunk in my room, so I’m not alone.” “Blaine is only seventeen. He can’t sleep with you.” He clenched his teeth and shot Jayden a death stare. “Did I say anything about sleeping with him? There’s a smaller bed along the wall.” Jayden raised his voice more than he had wanted to. “I’m not allowing it.” “What do you think will go on in my room with Blaine?” Jayden scrunched up his face in anger, puzzled by Harlan’s unfounded jealousy. “Don’t you see how he looks at you? He admires you a lot more than you realize.” “And how is that?” He thought Harlan was overreacting and imagining something that didn’t exist. “He wants to have a relationship with you.” “That’s nuts. We’re not going to fuck. Are you jealous of Blaine?” Harlan threw his wine goblet at the fireplace; the shattering glass pained Jayden’s ears. For a moment, everything blurred after his outburst. Jayden teared up from Harlan’s behavior. “I’m sorry if I said something wrong, but Blaine just wants to be friends.” Harlan frowned at Jayden. “He’s not staying in your room. I’m not a fool.” Jayden stood up and wiped his tears with the back of his hands. “Fuck this shit. I’m out of here. I don’t understand why you’re talking shit about me or Blaine.” “There will be consequences for your blatant disrespect to me. I don’t allow anyone to speak to me in that manner.” He glared at him. “And I don’t allow anyone to break shit out of anger around me,” Jayden shouted back at him. “You will do what I tell you to do, so I can keep you safe. You’ll be punished for being disrespectful to me.” “Punished. I don’t get punished.” Jayden gulped the rest of his wine. “You will when I discuss the consequences for breaking the rules after you sign a contract.” “What are you talking about?” Jayden was beyond confused. If he continued to act like this, there would be no contract. He was so immature and jealous for no reason. 
About the Author I am from Huntington Beach, Ca. I taught various subjects at a Continuation High School in Los Angeles, California for 27 years. I obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in History, Secondary Social Science Credential and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Reading and Secondary Education from California State University, Long Beach. I also enrolled in some creative writing classes at UCLA. Social Media Links Website | Blog | Facebook | Reader’s Group Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win an e-copy of Redeeming Jayden 
BOOK BLAST 
Book Title: Light Falls Away Author: Teegan Loy Publisher: Rotten Girl Press Cover Artist: Me (Rotten Girl) Release Date: May 2, 2022 Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance Tropes: Friends to lovers, Coming of Age Themes: Finding your place in the world Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 84 534 words/ 304 pages It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK 
When the Fallen is the One to Rise Blurb Growing up in Evermore, Echo always knew he didn’t belong with the angels. He’d come here as an infant and grown up as the only child in a city that never aged. Now as an adult, his wings are turning black, so he is being sent down to the human world to experience life to try and stop his decline. Before Echo can prepare to leave, things go horribly wrong. In a frantic effort to save his life, his memory is replaced with another’s and he is left on his own to navigate in a world where, once again, he feels he doesn’t belong. Slowly Echo makes friends and falls in love in this new place, but he still has a nagging feeling that he doesn’t quite fit. Memories of people he doesn’t know invade his thoughts until he feels he’s going crazy. Things deteriorate until Echo is sure he’ll never find his happily ever after. Excerpt Music played, vibrating in Echo’s brain and squealing in his ear. He rolled over and almost fell off the small bed. His head throbbed and he blindly reached out, trying to find the offending phone, speaker, or whatever was allowing that sound to fill the room. When he came up empty, Echo struggled to sit and quickly realized that was a terrible idea. He immediately fell back into bed, where he smacked his hand on a phone and was able to stop the music. He didn’t even know he had music on his phone. “Oh,” Echo groaned and rolled his shoulders, which brought about a new round of excruciating pain. Echo tried sitting again, only this time he took it slow. Things gradually came into focus and he realized he might be late for work. He glanced around the unfamiliar room, confused. He didn’t belong here. He scratched his head, positive his bedroom had blue walls when he’d gone to bed last night. This place had colorless walls and no décor. A dresser leaned against one wall and a small table with a drawer sat beside the bed. He reached over and pulled open the drawer. A lone pen rattled around. He slammed it shut and frowned. His room was filled with books, spilled ink, and feathers. Spilled ink and feathers? Echo swung his legs off the twin bed and his feet hit a wood floor. With great effort, he pushed himself up and grabbed the wall, wincing as another sharp pain stung his shoulder blades. When he glanced back at the bed, the sheets were damp with sweat. “What did I do?” he muttered as he stumbled to the bathroom. The light was too bright and he had to blink several times before he could see his reflection. The ache in his back was lessening a little but he turned to see if there was anything on his back. His skin was clear, but he felt odd, like there should be something there. He wrinkled his brow and tried to recall anything from the last few days. He was blank. Echo leaned in closer and studied his reflection. His skin was slightly gray and the dark circles under his eyes had him wondering if this was the first time he’d slept in days. His hair stuck up in all directions that no amount of combing was going to help. He splashed cold water on his face and tried to concentrate harder on last night, but his mind remained stubbornly blank. “Maybe a shower,” he mumbled. But before that happened, the sensible thing to do was check out the rest of the apartment to make sure there wasn’t anyone else around. He could also search for any clues that might tell him why he was here. He didn’t think he’d randomly break into an empty apartment. The bigger problem was that Echo didn’t know where he was supposed to be if he wasn’t supposed to be here—wherever here was. Thinking so many tangled thoughts made his headache worse. The faint smell of coffee tickled his nose, and he breathed deeply, hoping there would be a steaming cup in the kitchen. It might actually be helpful if another person was in the apartment. They might be able to explain things to Echo. He wandered down the hall, checking the other rooms. The master bedroom was huge, but just like the small room he’d come from, it had limited furnishings. When he opened the walk-in closet, he was faced with empty shelves and a few stray hangers. Surely Echo would remember renting a new apartment. 
About the Author When she’s not writing, Teegan Loy can be found listening to Kpop, working on her artwork, and creating junk journals. She’s a huge hockey and tennis fan, loves having coffee with friends, and enjoys attending concerts. Always on the go, she is able to gather countless ideas for new stories through her travels. Life is best lived through experiences. Author Links Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of five ebook copies from the author's backlist 
 Hello! This week's snippet is from Jewel Cave. It's in the Circles romantic mystery thriller series.  Griff looked up at her and blinked. “He’s gone.” “Huh? Who? Clint? What do you mean gone?” She pulled the other chair over so she could sit facing Griff. “Where is Clint?” “I don’t know. I got home; he was gone. Phoenix and Fern were gone. He couldn’t have left. It wasn’t even that big of a fight. Clint took our dogs and left.” Griff didn’t look at her. Instead he rubbed at a spot on his desk. “Stay there,” Candice commanded, standing and hurrying out of his office. Griff shrugged. “I don’t really have anywhere else to go,” he said to his empty office. He sat and watched as more people began populating his department. Some filtered off to other, smaller offices like his. Others took up their positions at desks in the open part of the floor. He tensed when the Assistant Chief Supervisor looked as if he was heading to Griff’s office, but fortunately he veered off to talk to someone else.  There are more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group.
Jewel Cave is available in eBook, paperback and in Kindle Unlimited. Right now the eBook is on sale for only $2.99. BLOG TOUR 
Book Title: Jamison: A Maxim Novel Author: A.N. Waugh Cover Artist: Midnight Designs Release Date: June 7, 2022 Genre: Contemporary MM Romance Tropes: Friends to lovers, second chance romance, rockstar Heat Rating: 4 flames Length: approx 45 000 words It is book one in a new series. It does not end on a cliffhanger for the couple, but there are some unresolved conflicts that will reappear later in the series. Buy Links Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK 
Blurb Vance Excerpt “Hey, you should come out with me tonight. I know this great club.” Klaus interrupts my thoughts about working with one of the biggest and most well-known record labels. “Sure, why not?” I agree. I need to make friends and Klaus, with his big personality and flashy attire, seems to be the most welcoming. Besides, I should get to know the man if we are going to be working together for the next few months. What can it hurt? He’s harmless, right? A few hours later, I’ve resigned myself to the knowledge that Klaus is anything but harmless as he drags me inside a crowded club. Every head turns in our direction, and while I’m not ashamed to be seen with him, it means I garner just as much attention for being at his side. The tight leather pants and black see-through top he’s wearing leave nothing to the imagination. Every man and woman we pass can clearly see the size of his package and the piercings in his nipples. I look and feel out of place in comparison with my jeans and an old Nirvana t-shirt. When we reach the bar, Klaus orders a couple of shots and some fruity concoction for the two of us. I look around, taking in all the people. My eyes drift across the club, over the dance floor, and up to the second floor. A glass wall surrounds a balcony sitting area where the VIPs avoid the crowd of commoners literally beneath them. Sitting at a table in the corner is a face I would recognize anywhere, even at a distance. I blink and he’s gone. Did I imagine it? Klaus hands me a shot and I toss it back, letting the burn that slides down my throat bring me back to reality and the here and now. “Here.” He hands me one of the fruity drinks. “Let’s dance.” Maxim’s latest hit plays over the sound system and the buzz of alcohol and the steady beat of the music flow through me. The sexy, gravelly voice of Maxim’s lead singer lulls me into a sexually charged state. I close my eyes and let the rhythm take over, my body swaying in a dance learned years ago. Jamison Black’s voice has seduced me, consoled me, and left me wanting since I was a teen. His rockstar looks: long dark hair and ice-blue eyes lined with kohl stirred my libido before I fully understood my attraction to men. Late night fantasies of his talented mouth on my skin, fantasies that still claim me when I’ve gone too long without release, flash through my mind. The DJ switches songs, and my Jamison-induced spell is broken. I open my eyes and take in the club. Klaus, in all his flamboyant splendor, is dancing between two well-dressed men, probably corporate businessmen here to unwind. Too bad Klaus has set his sights on them. I laugh and move from the dance floor to the bar for another drink. My inhibitions slowly drift away as the warm and sensual caress of alcohol unfurls in my veins. I glimpse myself in the mirror behind the bar. My cheeks are pink with the heat that permeates my body, and my hair is a ruffled mess from dancing. The bartender hands me another of the fruity drinks Klaus had ordered earlier. “Damn. That’s too bad. I’d hoped to make it over in time to buy you a drink.” A man that screams sleazy Hollywood moves to stand next to me. “I’m Chad. I hope I’m not being too forward, but are you here alone?” “Uh,” I stall, searching the crowd for Klaus. “I’m here with—” “There you are. I thought I’d lost you out there.” The rich, melodic voice comes from behind and I close my eyes as an arm wraps around my waist, fingers gripping my hip. “My apologies.” Chad sounds more annoyed than apologetic about the newcomer’s intrusion. “No problem.” I can practically hear the forced politeness in his voice and open my eyes to tell Chad that I am not here with anyone but a friend. But he has since moved on to another target farther down the line of people at the bar. Breathing deeply, I step away until the man’s arm at my back falls away, then turn to face a blast from my past. A sexy as fuck blast from the past. 
About the Author A.N. Waugh is an author of MM/MMM+ romances, a pansexual mess, and a firm believer that love is love. Social Media Links Facebook | Facebook Group | Pinterest Newsletter Sign-Up | Instagram | BookBub | TikTok 
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Lee Hunt has a new dark fantasy/fairy tale out: Bed of Rose and Thorns. And there's a giveaway! Sir Ezra is an Elysian Bell; he has a frightening potential that he keeps hidden deep beneath tight layers of steel armor. He secretly loves a dark Queen whose touch would mean his death. Banished for brutally slaughtering the Prince of Erle and husband to the Queen, Sir Ezra can only dream of seeing her again. Every night, his soul travels to distant lands, remembering the Queen, her deep convictions, brilliant mind, unending work, hidden loneliness, and a single night of horrific bloodshed. Recalled to the Queendom after eleven years, Ezra hopes to catch at least a fleeting glimpse of the woman he was sacrificed for. Instead, he finds a nation in rebellion and the Queen to be an elusive phantom. His only friend, Sir Marigold, challenges his presence and tells him that he is not needed in the capitol. Looking for both the truth and the absent Queen, Ezra finds only more secrets and enemies. Ezra’s armor is dented, scarred, and ruined by friend and enemy alike; his secret potential is about to become unbound. Amazon | Universal Buy LinkGiveaway Lee is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47240/? Excerpt
A man alone, thirsty, falls asleep. *** “Where am I?” asks the man. He seems to be bobbing high in clear aquamarine water. All he can see is a vast expanse of ocean and a clear crystalline structure that floats nearby. Something seems familiar. He had been in a desert, travelling with friends, but now he swims upon an endless ocean. “Have I been here before?” he asks. The tug of oceanic currents and the endless blue horizon pull on some memory . . . something important. “You are in the sea of Eydos,” says the crystalline structure. It has been floating toward him, quietly, its approach, until then, unnoticed. “And you are an iceberg,” the man says, smiling, unconcerned, unsurprised by the nearness of the mountainous structure. He does not know what Eydos is, but he thinks he may recognize this vast icy creature. Something tells him that he may have seen her before, though his memory is as difficult to make out as a words written on water. The iceberg shakes from side to side, creating little ripples and dancing waves. “I suppose that I am.” “Your sides are so smooth,” says the man. “I like you.” The iceberg shakes again and glides right up beside the man. He floats high enough in the water that her ripples of laughter do not threaten to drown him. “You are brave, aren’t you?” “I am not afraid to look upon that which I like. And say so.” “Look down then, man, and tell me what you see.” The man dives down a few body lengths, searching. When he resurfaces, he is smiling even more widely than before. “You go down and down, out of sight, beyond light and reckoning.” He shakes his head at her. “Most of you is down below, unknowable. How vast are you?” “Never ask a lady her size,” the iceberg says, creating even bigger waves as she shakes the waters, laughing. “My size is my depth, and my depth is my size.” “Well, I like it. I am just a man. Not vast or mysterious like an iceberg.” “An amusing man, I think,” replies the berg. The man asks, “Where are you going?” “On currents that are my own, on purposes that are my own, for reasons that are my own.” “I don’t know what I am doing here or where I am going,” says the man. “Typical,” replies the iceberg lightly. “Most do not.” The man, swimming hard beside her, says, “You are certainly moving fast through this ocean.” “Indeed,” says the iceberg. “I am an agent of my own destiny.” After a moment, she adds, “If you come around back and swim in my eddy, you will be pulled along. You can rest while we talk.” The man looks at the smooth surface of the iceberg. “Can I not just slide up onto you and rest there?” “No!” says the iceberg, firm. “I am hard and cold. I would burn you. If you touch me, you will be undone.” Her voice softens as she adds, “It is nice in my eddy. Swim there, man.” He shrugs and does as she says. “Oh, this is nice,” says the man. “I can look at you and talk at the same time.” “Glad to help you do two things at once,” giggles the iceberg, making tears of water jiggle and parade. And they talk on through the day, the man endlessly curious about the magnificent creature of the waters. *** “I love you, iceberg,” declares the man. “That’s nice, but you don’t even know a tenth of me.” “Good point,” laughs the man. “I need to dive deeper.” He takes a deep breath and dives into the dark again. Missing completely the iceberg’s cry of “No!” The water starts at a clear color, or is it green? Then it turns light blue, and then to deeper and darker shades. The man pushes and kicks, fighting his buoyancy, feeling the weight of water build and build, following the clean lines of ice down into oblivion. Heavy, crushing pressure begins to squeeze him. It is like the weight of memory, everywhere pushing, everywhere trying to change and deform him from his human shape, trying to make his courage fail and shatter his hope. But he loves the iceberg and he needs to follow her down. At the utmost point of indigo darkness, he finds a new light. It shines from a clear chamber in the ice where a figure waits. Lungs bursting, he pushes deeper, drawing level to the translucent walls and the woman who lies inside. She is naked but for her long, tawny hair. Like a lion’s mane, it frames her long, pure face and spills over her delicate, perfect shoulders. She looks at peace. Her eyes are closed, but she is smiling. This is the heart of the iceberg, the man thinks, in the crushing pressure of the deep. So beautiful. Then he sees that she rests upon a bed of long, sharp thorns. Author Bio
Born with only one working lung and having had the last rights read to him and dying of an influenza related viral pneumonia, 25-year-old geophysicist Lee Hunt experienced several near-death dreams. The power of communication and the need to both understand and be understood was at the heart of each. He had already found that nothing was more important than being able to cross the distance between people. Lee’s interests are eclectic. He is an Ironman Triathlete, hiker, traveler, and an enthusiastic sport rock climber. Lee also continues to work as a geophysicist on Carbon Capture and Sequestration projects, and is a writer for BIG-Media.ca. The dream of understanding and being understood has never left his mind, and Lee continues that in his works of fiction through metaphor. His works include The Dynamicist Trilogy, Last Worst Hopes and Bed of Rose and Thorns. Author Website: https://www.leehunt.org/ Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052376555360 Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/DynamicistAuthor Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1196106.Lee_Hunt Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/lee-hunt/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Hunt/e/B082YFTMCK
 This week's first line is from Run for the Roses, book 1 of the Circles romantic suspense thrillers. Everyone thought the busiest day at Churchill Downs was the day horses, jockeys, trainers, owners, and fans descended for the Kentucky Derby. Run for the Roses is available in paperback, eBook and Kindle Unlimited.
This week's teaser is from Jewel Cave, book 3 of Circles romantic suspense thrillers. Clint’s car was in the driveway, and Griff wondered why, if Clint had truly left, he would leave his car. The guy loved his car. The thought jabbed at the back of Griff’s mind that Clint wasn’t safe and well. Still, Griff couldn’t find evidence Clint had been forced out of their home against his will. There were no broken windows or doors; nothing seemed out of place in the house. Everything was neat and tidy. More so than usual, it nagged him despite no outward evidence Clint was in trouble. But he wouldn’t be able to convince anyone he needed to search for Clint without some small bit of proof Clint was in danger and in need of help. Griff’s mind circled back to the thought that he needed help with this. Nothing made sense, and he couldn’t sort the facts he knew out properly. He needed professional help and he knew who to ask. He scrolled through the contacts on his phone and hit Candice’s number. She answered on the second ring. “What’s wrong? It’s 5:00 a.m.” “Candy… sorry… I….” The ache of missing Clint and their dogs was unbearable. He had one other safe haven besides his home and that was his office. “I can’t do this on the phone. Meet me at work. Please?” He heard her moving around her condo, running water and grabbing items. “What is wrong? Are you guys okay?” “I—” He wasn’t all right. “I don’t know. I can’t stay here, at home.” Right now Griff needed the support his coworkers would offer in a heartbeat. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” Giving one last look around a house that was no longer a home because its shining beacon was missing, Griff drove back to his office. Jewel Cave is available in eBook, paperback and in Kindle Unlimited. This week the eBook is on sale for only $2.99.
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