This week my teaser if from Love and Lust, book 4 of Pain and Pleasure. Warning: This excerpt is of adult men participating in adult situations with other men. Kevin chuckled. “You always did like them exposed and helpless.” Ian shivered and groaned. Taren gave one of his nipples a pinch. “This boy likes it that way.” He gave Ian’s ass a sharp slap. “Don’t you, boy?” Ian’s hips jerked up and he gasped, “Y-yes, sir.” While Taren gently, slowly inserted the beads, Kevin split his time between watching and playing with the screws against Ian’s nipples. This nipple jewelry is wonderful,” Kevin gushed. “I think I’ll be investing in some for me and Colleen. Love how I can tighten them up, then loosen them or just leave them alone.” With each statement, Kevin made a big show of demonstrating his observations. Ian moaned and shifted around in the sling, back arching while he tried wiggling his hips. This time Taren was ready for the way Ian swayed, though it was almost impossible for him to make any extensive moves. Taren imagined--hoped—it would increase Ian’s frustration and enjoyment. Taren took his time, moving the string in then easing it partially out before pushing it farther inside. He let the sling do some of the work for him, drawing Ian in then nudging his boy a few inches away. Ian’s chest flushed and small spasms shivered through his body. Each time Kevin tightened or loosened the nipple screws, Ian’s moans ended in a whimper. Taren turned the beads as he pressed the final group into Ian. M.D. Neu has a new MM sci-fi audiobook out, A New World book 1: Contact. And there's a giveaway. A little blue world, the third planet from the sun. It’s home to seven billion people—with all manner of faiths, beliefs, and customs, divided by bigotry and misunderstanding—who will soon be told they are not alone in the universe. Anyone watching from the outside would pass by this fractured and tumultuous world, unless they had no other choice. Todd Landon is one of these people, living and working in a section of the world called the United States of America. His life is similar to those around him: home, family, work, friends, and a husband. On the cusp of the greatest announcement humankind has ever witnessed, Todd’s personal world is thrown into turmoil when his estranged brother shows up on his front porch with news of ships heading for Earth’s orbit. The ships are holding the Nentraee, a humanoid race who have come to Earth in need of help after fleeing the destruction of their homeworld. How will one man bridge the gap for both the Humans and Nentraee, amongst mistrust, terrorist attacks, and personal loss? Will this be the start of a new age of man or will bigotry and miscommunication bring this small world to its knees and final end? Universal Buy Link | AmazonAbout the Series A little blue world, the third planet from the sun. It's home to 7 billion people with all manner of faiths, beliefs and customs, divided by bigotry and misunderstanding, who will soon be told they are not alone in the universe. Anyone watching from the outside would pass by this fractured and tumultuous world, unless they had no other choice. Todd Landon is one of these people, living and working in a section of the world called the United States of America. His life is similar to those around him: home, family, work, friends, and a husband. Mirtoff Esmi is the first of her clan to be the Leader of the Nentraee. Her sole focus is to find them a home before their fleet of ships can no longer carry the last survivors of their dead world. With her brother, niece, and Faa (her companion animal) supporting her, she carries the weight of her world on her shoulders. Mi’ko Soemu remembers the Nentraee home world for both its failures and its triumphs, which is why he holds the position of Vice-Speaker, and supports the efforts of the Nentraee Leader. He is a father and husband first, and will do what he needs to ensure his family and his fellow nentraee are safe and make it to a new world. These three beings hold the weight of two civilizations in their hands. Will they be able to bridge the gap for both the Humans and Nentraee, amongst mistrust, terrorist attacks and personal loss? Will this be the start of a new age for both species or will bigotry and miscommunication bring these two people to their knees and final end? Giveaway M.D. is giving away a choice of The Called or Conviction in eBook format to 5 winners during the tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47245/? Excerpt A New World-Contact M.D. Neu © 2019 All Rights Reserved The scene is a confrontation scene between one of the alien generals, Gahumed, and the leader of the alien race, Mirtoff. For me this scene is a lot of fun and it shows off these two powerful women who aren’t afraid to stand their ground. Pronunciations:
“Madam Speaker, welcome to the Rádo.” The female officer stood and bowed. “Thank you.” “You honor us with your presence. I’ll let the general know you’re here.” The officer returned to her seat and started tapping on her terminal. Mirtoff examined the reception area; unlike the civilian ships, this place had a claustrophobic feel. It was built for function, nothing more. She remembered when the ship was under construction at the Candra Shipyards. They barely had the drives working prior to the evacuation. It took five additional years to complete, but the end result was worth it. “Madam Speaker. You can go in.” The officer bowed again. Mirtoff bowed in return and proceeded into the general’s office. The office wasn’t nearly as formal and polished as hers or the vice speaker’s, but it was bigger. Probably needed to be this large for Gahumed’s girth. Or perhaps her ego. Various monitors mounted on the walls ran status reports for ship-to-fleet control. This one office could manage the majority of the task force. The monitors displayed only the Nentraee Government Seal. The design comprised of seven gold patterns, each a symbol for one of the clans. A bank of windows on the back wall showed a view of the internal command center. A large workstation loomed nearby, as did chairs and the conference table that could hold all the generals comfortably for any type of meeting. In this large space, the colors were drab. I’m not a soldier. I could never work in a place like this. There needs to be plants or color. Something. “Madam Speaker.” Gahumed offered a curt bow as she stood from her desk. She was a big woman, born for the military, with broad shoulders and a tall frame. Mirtoff was always impressed with how the general managed to keep her brown hair in such snug braids and an even tighter bun. “General Gahumed. You run a remarkable ship. You should be proud.” “I’m honored to have such a post within our government.” She tapped her workstation. “Dála, please, bring in two chilled cups of tuma.” She turned to Mirtoff. “You enjoy tuma, correct?” “Of course.” Gahumed pointed to the conference table. “Please, come. Let us sit.” Taking a seat at the table, Mirtoff waited for Gahumed to join her. “I assume you’re here to talk about my suggested plan for dealing with these humans?” Gahumed almost hissed out the word ‘humans.’ “I am.” Mirtoff pulled out her datapad and loaded the information, then swiped it over to the largest of the monitors on the wall. The image started with the Earth rotating. Once it hit the area of the planet she wanted, she zoomed in on a small island continent. The image moved in closer to a smaller island mass off the island continent’s coast. “Your proposal to occupy the area known to the humans as New Zealand is dangerous.” “I don’t agree.” Gahumed rested her hands on the table. “I picked that area with defense in mind. It’s remote. The land mass is small enough, and we can easily control the surrounding space. They have a limited population of four point six million that can be relocated to Uztralia—” “I believe they call it Australia,” Mirtoff interrupted. “Regardless, they share a similar language and background. I don’t see an issue.” Gahumed brought up demographic information of her own. “New Zealand can be made to become sustainable for our needs and allow us business options with the humans.” “A forced relocation won’t work.” Mirtoff’s ears started to swell and warm up. Relax. Don’t let this plan anger you. Mirtoff took a breath. “How will that help us build a positive enough relationship with them so we can conduct trade?” “We could offer them helium-3 for the territory,” Gahumed countered. “And what if the Australians don’t want four point six million new humans?” “Why not?” Gahumed smirked. “They have the land mass, and from the reports, the two territories have good relations.” “The issue, as I understand it, is none of Earth’s governments are willing to give up their territory to us—” “Madam Speaker,” Gahumed interrupted, “they are a barbaric species that fight among themselves for land all the time.” “And how would we be any different?” “It’s not the same thing,” Gahumed said. It’s exactly the same thing. You don’t want to see it. You’re a hypocrite. “We can’t trust them.” Gahumed swiped her hands over her datapad. “They won’t work with us in peace and certainly we can’t trust them to be truthful with their motives. Despite what you and the vice speaker may think. We can easily go there and use our military to take over the area. Then we move the humans and make reparations.” She picked up her datapad. “Denes and my staff have run the scenario based on the information we’ve gathered. The losses were negligible.” She swiped the data up to the monitor. “Yes, General Gahumed, I’m sure the work of your son is admirable and perfect.” She rubbed the tips of her ears. “Just like him—” “Are you mocking the abilities of my son? He is a fine male with a brilliant military mind. He is the type of male that every Nentraee of his gender should strive to be.” Her full lips pulled into a stiff line, and her ears started turning an angry shade of blue. “Of course, General Gahumed, he’s the perfect male. Unlike all others. We are all aware of this fact.” Mirtoff forced her gaze not to move from the general’s. How poor Denes lived with the pressure for perfection was impressive. It’s possible, on that fact alone, he may actually be perfect. “I don’t appreciate your tone, and as a full member of the Speaker’s House, I would expect better.” Gahumed didn’t bother to hide the tips of her ears. This isn’t going well. “My apologies.” Mirtoff offered a stiff bow. “You want to go to war with the humans for territory? That is not the way of J’Veesa.” “Don’t assume to understand J’Veesa’s will. Your people don’t have the relationship with J’Veesa that mine do.” Gahumed’s ears flared. Mirtoff kept quiet. Your people. My people. What is the difference? J’Veesa sees us equally. Gahumed swiped information to the largest monitor. Battle statistics filled the screen. “I don’t consider it a war, more of a forced relocation. We’ll be fine.” “And if they decide to involve other countries?” Mirtoff rested her datapad on the table. “Then what? It’ll be the Clan Wars all over again. Haven’t—” She stopped and her chin dropped to her chest. We’ve been through that once on our world. How can we force that on another? “It’ll be nothing like the Clan Wars.” Gahumed sat taller in the seat. “Once, these humans see our military might, they won’t challenge us. They would lose even if they used their strongest military deterrents. It would be nothing like the slaughter that your clan caused back then.” Mirtoff’s eyes shot up. “The Za’entra? They were fighting back your clan because they had no choice. Your clan and the Martween and U’Zraee clans were slaughtering them. It was only because of their numbers that they were able to endure. How can you say—” “I speak the truth.” Gahumed slammed her hands on the table, causing it to shake. “You and your clan have always blamed us for that war. We never started it—” The soft chirp of the door interrupted them. They both turned as Dála entered, holding a tray with two cups on it. She quietly placed a cup in front of each of them and left the room. “I’m sorry, General Gahumed.” Mirtoff stood, the tips of her ears on fire. “I appreciate your proposal. However, I came to inform you that your suggested plan for New Zealand has been rejected. We will not risk war with the humans to gain territory.” She glanced at the tuma and then back to Gahumed. “I appreciate the offer of the cup of tuma. However, I’m afraid I can’t stay.” “This is a mistake, Mirtoff.” Gahumed stood. “You’ll see when they resist the arm of peace that you and others in the Speaker’s House extend to them. My idea is the only one that can guarantee the safety of our people.” “No, General. I would sooner leave this planet than go in and slaughter them.” Mirtoff headed out of the office, her hands in tight fists. There is a peaceful solution. I need to find it and keep the military generals from forcing us into an armed confrontation. I won’t be the first speaker general to go to war with an alien race. Author Bio M.D. Neu is an international award-winning inclusive queer Fiction Writer with a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Alfred Hitchcock, Harvey Fierstein, Anne Rice, and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but one that has influenced his writing. Growing up in an accepting family as a gay man he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was. Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society, M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world. When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic, Eric his husband of twenty plus years. Author Website: https://www.mdneu.com Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/mdneuauthor Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_MDNeu Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormdneu/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/66488958-md Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-neu/ Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-neu/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Neu/e/B076FK1S14 Steve Connor - Narrator Social Media Links: Narrator Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connorysh Narrator Twitter: https://twitter.com/connor_steve Narrator Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connorysh Narrator Linkedin : https://linkedin.com/in/steve-connor-32a2b213 BLOG TOUR Book Title: The Last Son Of Venus Author and Publisher: Dion Marc Release Date: January 29, 2022 Genre: MM Dark Urban Fantasy Tropes: Fated Mates, Size difference, Alpha Top Themes: Trust yourself, don’t follow anything blindly, magic, gods, good vs evil Length: 87 000 words/330 paperback and 340 hardcover Heat Rating: 4 flames It’s the first book in a planned series and ends on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited Paperback or Hardcover also available from Darkness hungers for the child of love. Blurb Alone and in London for the first time, Alex Anderson is being hunted by the darkness as the fates have seen fit to turn his dream holiday into his worst nightmare before he even steps foot out of the airport. An archaic evil hungers for him and will stop at nothing to possess the twenty-two-year-old and the coveted secrets that have been hidden from Alex his whole life. All that stands in their way is a two-and-half-thousand-year-old spartan Commander named Nikos and his fellow guardian sidekick Jin; a pink haired descendant of the goddess Hekate. Nikos will move heaven and hell to protect Alex even if that means protecting him from himself. When boy meets man sparks fly and an instant bond is felt, a connection that feels as old as the fabric of time. But Alex must first learn to trust Nikos and Jin while fighting his anxieties that have controlled his life if he has any hope of surviving what's to come. The Last Son Of Venus is the first in the fast-paced LGBT fantasy romance series of the same name featuring queer male characters, high fantasy creatures, magic and the true gods of old. The Last Son of Venus will take you on a long multi-series journey to a well-deserved HEA. So come and join Alex and Nikos and see what the Fates have in store. Excerpt Bitter wind violated my exposed flesh, sending a deep chill to the very core of my bones. Mother had warned me that London was cold, but I thought she meant cold like Melbourne in winter, not winter in Antarctica. If it wasn't for the fact that my jumpers were all packed down at the very bottom, I would have stopped and added an extra layer of protection. But I was cold and feeling far too lazy to reorder my bag, so I went without. Yes, I was an idiot. As per the map’s instructions, I turned right onto Gillingham Street. It was becoming really hard to focus on the map because the streets were barely lit. I cursed myself inwardly that I didn't just buy a portable phone charger, but I would be sure to rectify my error first thing tomorrow. My goodness, this would be a lot smoother if I was using my phone's Google Maps. Anyway, what was done was done. For a Saturday, there was very little nightlife, which I thought was odd considering what I knew about Londoners and drinking, although I have to say my knowledge on the subject was like ninety-five percent based on Geordie Shore reruns. But still, there was not a soul on the street. I could feel my anxiety grow; it wasn't helped by the fact that some random man told me someone was trying to kill me—though he wasn't some random man, was he? He knew my name. I felt a shiver run up my arms; I didn't think I could feel any colder. Maybe I should have stayed and heard him out before running away...again, if I had, maybe he had a portable phone charger. Looking back down at the map, I estimated I had maybe another six-minute walk ahead, although I wished I had just paid for the stupid cab fare, but I really couldn't justify the cost for, what, maybe four hundred metres. I walked further every day on my morning run. The light flickered in the lamppost above. How strange. It flickered again, but this time, it didn't light back up. I was plunged into darkness as the rest of the streetlights also extinguished. THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP My anxiety started to peak, and my instincts told me to get out of there fast. All of a sudden, I felt eyes on me. Shit shit shit. My pace quickened into a slight jog, my bag swinging heavy behind me. Why did it feel like the approaching darkness was watching me? I looked up to the sky where once a moon sat giving light to the sky, but now it was gone, shrouded by darkness. I started to shake uncontrollably; I couldn't tell if it was from the cold or my anxiety. Both seemed to be at war for dominance over my body and mind. A sound emerged through the darkness, muttered voices. I started to run, every fibre of my body telling me to do so. My flight response was fully active, I flew down the street, but the voices seemed to be gaining on me. They were now close enough to hear what it was they were chanting. "Consumptura est lux tenebris." They repeated it over and over. I crossed the street in mere seconds, but was stopped from going further by a gate of iron. I turned to go around, but to the left of me, I found that the men were closing in on me. Looking to the right, they were doing the same yet only metres away. Fuck fuck fuck, my only option was to jump the fence. It wasn't very tall, so I knew I could make short work of it. I put my hands on the spikes and pushed down, lifting my body. I swung my legs up and jumped down. The hem of my shirt got caught on a spike, lifting my shirt up, trapping my arms. "FUUUUCK!" I yelled, trying to fumble myself free. I was shaking so violently, I could barely unhook it, the process taking minutes rather than seconds. It came loose just as the men closed in. It was then that I realised my duffle bag's strap must have also gotten caught on the spike as it lay broken just on the other side of the fence, but I could clearly see the men's robes of red now. I hadn't the time to retrieve it. I'd have to let it go and hope I found it later after I had made it to a police officer. Even the darkness seemed to draw dimmer. How was that possible? Turning, I started to run, pushing past plants and shrubs, pulling my shirt back down as I ran. Their chant suddenly changed, I could now hear their voices ringing in my head as if they were whispering right into my ears. "Arbores et plantae saxa animari, prohibere eum." Their chant had changed. It felt as if the trees were drawing closer, which couldn't be so. Something grabbed my foot. I let out a scream as I fell to the ground hard. What was that? I looked around, but all I could see was grass. I must have tripped over a root or something, though I couldn't see one. Getting back on my feet, my left ankle felt swollen, and as I put pressure on it, I let out a loud scream. I hoped against hope that it was just twisted and not broken. I tried to run, but the pain was just too great. CRASH. The gate lifted from the ground and flew into a tree. The robed men continued to follow me. FUCK. "HELP! Someone, anyone, help me!" I shouted. One of the men raised his hand at me, and my voice faltered. I tried to let out a scream, but my voice was gone. What in the name of Ursula the sea witch was this? All I could do was try limping away. Roots lifted from the ground before my very eyes, spraying moss into the air, leaving the earth a maze of traps, clearly designed to stop my escape. What was I to do? I tried to hop over them, the pain forcing tears to fall from my eyes. But the pain didn't stop me. I continued to push myself, for my life clearly depended on it. "Corrumpam vineam eius," shouted one of the robed men. Instantly, vines fell from the trees and launched themselves at me. I ducked and missed the first one, but the rest found their target, instantly forcing me to the ground, wrapping around me like dangerous pythons. The roots curled up, pulling me to face the robed men, forcing me to watch as they approached. The men were dressed in robes of red. I could just make out a crucifix scar on one of the men's outstretched arms. Wrapped around their hands were what looked to be rosary beads, but something looked wrong. It seemed like the beads dug into their hands, drawing out a dark fluid. The wind changed, and the smell of metallic ooze hit my sinuses, causing my nose to curl. That answered the question of what the fluid was: it was blood. I struggled with everything left in my body, but it was no use, the vines just grew tighter and tighter, almost to the point of breaking bone. "Help me," I prayed inwardly. "Someone, please." A man in the centre stepped forward chanting with the others, "Accipere auferat divina virtute." Something jabbed into me sharp like a needle, causing unimaginable pain to flow through me. I screamed and screamed, but no sound escaped me. Whatever it was it felt like it was crawling through my veins. He continued forward towards me, chanting. Only a few feet away, I could now clearly make out his face that was hidden by a hood. He looked to be in his mid-fifties with a full white beard, long hooked nose, and beady black eyes. He kneeled beside me and raised his outstretched hand over my face. I tried to close my eyes, but they were forced open. The man squeezed his palm into the rosary beads, which I could now see were made of jagged barbed wire that cut into his flesh. As the man squeezed, blood fell like water droplets over my face. On impact with my flesh, it sizzled like acid; it smelled like it too. I was truly dead. My only thought was on my parents, hoping they would be able to get past my death. My vision started to fade to black. This was the end of me. My eyes finally closed. I had no strength anymore. Maybe death wouldn't be so bad? And with that thought, it all went silent. BANG! The earth reverberated. There was loud running, yelling, and what sounded like sandbags hitting a wall, but I couldn't open my eyes to see. They felt like they were welded shut. "You must continue the chant!" shouted a voice that felt like spiders crying in my ears. The chanting started again. "Accipere auferat—" But was cut off mid-sentence as what sounded like thunder struck the earth. I needed to run, move, get up, break the bonds holding me. My brain told me this, but it was as if I was buried alive. Something dropped beside me. It radiated warmth. I wanted to lean into it. I tried to but failed. I wanted it closer. "Please come closer," I begged the universe, and by some grace, it did. I felt a hand on my cheek; it was warm to the touch. Who was this? What was this? Again, I tried to open my eyes but failed. I started to panic again. This couldn't be the end. My mind started to race. Mentally, I was thrashing back and forth, wishing my body to do the same. This feeling of disconnection was the scariest thing I had ever felt. "By Zeus, Alex, gods fucking dammit, your lips are blue," growled a familiar voice. Was it the Adonis? It sounded like him, and for some unexplainable reason, I hoped it was him. I could feel his hands on me. Everywhere he touched, I felt warmth. "Jin, we're going to need a recovery charm," he yelled at an unknown person. "Babes, I am fucking busy if you didn't realise, you know, holding off the Priests of Bellum Sacrum," bit back an unknown, effeminate voice. "Fuck it all to Hades, you couldn't have just come with me at the train station." The Adonis's voice turned gravelly. But I couldn't follow him at the train station because he was a stranger. I didn't know him; therefore, I couldn't trust him. But was he here now to save me? So maybe that meant I could trust him? "Fuck it, we'll have to swap," called the Adonis back to the person he called Jin, I assumed. No, don't leave me! He can not leave me. Don't take the warmth away. I'm so very cold. As if he could hear me, he assured, "Don't worry, Alex, I'll be back." Then he was gone. The coldness set back in, his warmth only a haunting memory. Thunder struck the earth again; there were more screams of pain and terror. The smell of metallic ooze grew almost too strong to possibly bear. A thud beside me. Was it the Adonis? It couldn't be because this person didn't radiate warmth like he had. Was he friend or foe? "Queen, don't even stress, okay, I'm here to help you, boo." It was that voice again; it was distinctly fem, but like fem male, not a fem female. I assumed it was Jin, but I really wished I could open my eyes and stop all the guesswork. "Álysoi kaí desmá nýn spázete." I felt warmth all over my body. Suddenly, I felt weightless like I was flying in the air. The darkness began to fade as a white light came towards me. I tried to meet it halfway. Light burst into my reality as my eyes flew open, temporarily blinding me as my eyes readjusted. A man who couldn't be any older than myself stood over me, his hair fairy-floss pink, kept neat and short on the side with a front fringe that covered the tops of his brows. "Is he awake yet?" yelled the Adonis from somewhere just out of my field of view. "Yes, fuck, give me a second, Miss Bossy Tiger," snapped the pink-haired man. He turned and spoke to me, trying for a soothing voice, but came off very condescending. "Hi, Alex, my name is Jin. I'm going to need you to stand up. Can you do that for me, dolls?" But wasn't I tied to the ground by vines? "Jin, get him the fuck up now. We need to move!" said the Adonis, running back into view. "I'm trying," he responded. "Then try harder." Before I could process what was happening, one of the robed figures instantly appeared behind the Adonis, bloodied dagger outstretched ready to strike, going for the killing blow. "NOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, sending out a blast of energy that felt like it came from my very soul. I couldn't let the Adonis die. Gusts of power forced the robed man into the air, flying back with a loud crunching sound into a tree. The dagger burst into smoke. It took me a moment to realise what it was I had done. My body retracted inwardly, instantly forming a ball. What had I just done? I started to rock back and forth, tears falling from my eyes. THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP I was a freak, and I may have just killed someone. I needed my mother to tell me it would be okay, but she wasn't there, so I didn't know what to do. I needed to know I didn't just kill someone. "Shhhh, calm down, it will all be okay," said Jin softly. But it wasn't going to be okay; nothing was. It would never be okay again. "Right, fuck this. Get the fuck up now, idiot, before you get us all killed," growled the Adonis. I just looked at him, like was he kidding? Like really, was he kidding? The rudeness. I was going through something. Instantly, my anxiety and grief turned to anger like a light switch. I was standing up, pointing my finger at him. "Who the hell do you think you are? Do not EVER talk to me like that again, do you understand?" The corners of his mouth turned up slightly; the barest whisper of a smile ghosted his face. "That got you up, now didn't it?" About the Author Scottish Australian author Dion Marc lives and breathes queer art. Whether he is painting, writing, sewing or dancing naked in the moonlight he does it with pride. He is a practising Hellenistic polytheist who believes in healing the world one hug at a time and that drinking tea without a biscuit is a horrendous crime. Dion has spent over eleven years working full time in film and television as a Makeup Artist, Hairdresser, Wig Maker and Costume Designer. For the last year Dion has been working on the award-winning theatrical shows Hamilton, Moulin Rouge and more recently full-time on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as a hair and makeup artist. Author Links Blog/Website | Facebook Group | Instagram Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of five DELUXE eBook copies of ‘THE LAST SON OF VENUS’ featuring EXCLUSIVE CONTENT (illustrations + food recipes) “Why would he have it, then? Because he’s poaching, or something else?” “Poachers are really nothing more than hunters, simply illegal ones. They still blend in. My guess is either that kid thinks his makes him look cool, or he got it on sale. His clothes in general were expensive, more like a rich kid playing at being a hunter or outdoorsman.” Mason pointed to a trail to the right. “I’m more worried about meth labs and illegal weapons than poachers.” “How come?” Riece asked. “Those people come to areas like this because it’s remote. However, oftentimes they don’t really know about the area. They don’t hunt and don’t understand the culture. They want to play the part of tough, badass guys so people are afraid of them,” Mason explained. “Like that kid?” “Exactly,” Mason said and nodded. “But we left them. What if they’re doing something illegal? How will anyone find them again?” “Uh-huh. Remember that spiffy onboard nav system? If something comes back with those plates, some federal judge issues a warrant to the park service and whatever agency is also interested, and the car can be tracked and located that way. Then I go hunting and you stay somewhere safe.” Mason grinned. “Gotta love technology.” “Do you think they’re up to no good?” Mason shrugged. “I don’t know. If that kid hadn’t been with her, I doubt I’d have given the woman a second glance. Wilderness areas like this are attractive to criminals because law enforcement is few and far between, there’s a lot of land, and it’s rugged and isolated. On the other hand, those sorts of people, for the most part, don’t want attention in the way that kid was drawing attention to himself. Yeah, I can understand them questioning why I was looking at their Jeep, but if they saw me, they saw mine, and there was no reason to think I wasn’t telling the truth about my interest.” There are more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Gone Away is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited. The entire series is in the Circles Box set.
BOOK BLAST Book Title: Self-Care Workbook for Non-Binary Teens Author and Publisher: Michelle Mann Release Date: April 1, 2022 Genre: LGBTQ non-fiction, self-help book Themes: Non-Binary Length: 89 pages It is a standalone book. Buy Links - Hardcover and Paperback Blurb Looking for skills to navigate sexual orientation and gender expression?
Excerpt STORIES FROM THE CLASS As you read through the stories below, do any of them resonate with you? Maybe it’s not the whole identity, but only parts? That’s ok - that helps you to define who you are and how you want to identify. Clarence is a genderqueer young adult who loves knitting and reading mystery books. They use the terms “genderqueer” and “non-binary” interchangeably when describing themselves. They've also accepted that as time goes on, they may find another name to express their identity. Thomas is transmasculine. He is an adventurous guy who likes cooking, hiking, and movies. He is comfortable using he/him pronouns, and also uses they/them. Thomas knows that he can use either pronoun based on their preference. Brit is in their late 30s and identifies as ‘agender’. They identify as a person instead of a specific gender, or a spot on the gender binary. They have a love of fashion and excel at personal expression. Ellie identifies as ‘neutrois’ and describes themselves as being gender neutral. Ellie loves taking walks in the park with their dog and is especially fond of the spring when they can see flowers bloom everywhere. Ellie knows other neutrois individuals who describe themselves as genderless. Clair is an ‘autigender' individual who thrives in their neurodiversity and linking it to their identity experience. In conversations with their friends and family, Clair sometimes refers to themselves as “neurogender” or “xenogender”. Clair loves teaching others about neurodiversity, listening to all kinds of music and reading comic books in their free time. Clay is an ‘androgyne’ person who experiences both a masculine and feminine identity, sometimes simultaneously. Clay loves experimenting with the balance between their identities and the creativity that results from it. They are great at encouraging others to express themselves without fear or restraint. Danny is an intersex individual who also identifies as genderfluid. They enjoy explaining the intersection of their biological sex and identity to their friends. In their free time, Danny enjoys classic video games, especially the older Mario games. Ash is a ‘bigender’ person who has both a male and female identity. They’re an artist who loves using canvases to express their emotions and dreams. They choose to express each one as they please and enjoy combining both for unique expression. About the Author “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door…” Michelle Mann is a native of New York City and holds a degree in psychology. She is a busy but happy mother of 4 and an author of self-help and parenting books that are designed to help stressed-out parents to make the most of their child’s formative years. Her book, Parenting Pre-schoolers 2 to 5 Years Old, provides 20 tips for parents that are aimed at helping them deal with their child’s emotions and build effective lines of communication in what can often be the most challenging of times for parents, whether they are first-timers or have already experienced it and want to avoid making the same mistakes. She hopes that the future will provide her with enough spare time to write even more self-help and parenting books, so that she can reach even more parents who are struggling with busy careers and family lives, enabling them to find the solutions that will help them to thrive. Author Links Giveaway Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win your choice of ebook from author's backlist |
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