 First time shifting There’s a first time for everything. When these shifters come of age, shifting for their first time into their true form, you never know what will happen. Is that love in the air, or just mating rituals handed down from one generation to another? Pick up this exciting boxset with new to you authors and some old favorites. It’s sure to please and give you hours of reading pleasure. Including JS Bright, Melissa E Costa, Nicole Dennis, Kelly Fox, Jessie G, Miski Harris, Katey Hawthorne, Kris Jacen, Jacki James, Kim Katil, K-Lee Klein, Lynn Michaels, Megs Prichard, Victoria Sue, TL Travis, Sara York  Bryan is perfectly happy with his life. He has a best friend he can rely on, a tomcat he can’t but loves anyway, and neighborhood hellhounds that he spoils outrageously. But New Rialto can be dangerous, and when shadow wraiths cross his path, his life changes forever. As a natural-born shifter Alpha, Dusty has gathered a pack of true gargoyles, magical creatures of stone and magic. His Pack has grown stronger as the gargoyles under his protection find their chosen ones, a binding that stabilizes their magic and transforms the chosen humans into shifters. When Bryan tries to return a lost gargoyle, Dusty realizes that life has gotten a lot more complicated. He’ll need finesse and skill to convince Bryan to accept his role in the Pack - as a gargoyle shifter and as Dusty’s mate. And it’s starting to look like the hellhounds that follow Bryan like demented lapdogs are the least of Dusty’s worries, as a lethal new threat stalks the city. Available now! Excerpt: More commotion at the front of the house interrupted further commiseration, and soon enough Brenda ushered a young man into the room. He was off-balance from the weight of the small gargoyle clinging to him, but was supporting young Nix carefully as he walked. He had soft golden hair that tumbled in a curl down to his collar, and his cheeks were a distinct red against his fair skin. His bright blue eyes flitted around the room and landed on the hellhounds with a suddenly joyful expression. “Stay,” Markus told the hounds when they started towards the man. They stopped, then lay down in a disgruntled heap. Dusty walked over and held out his hands for the gargoyle. The man turned slightly, so that Nix could move over easily. But the young gargoyle clutched tighter to the bright-eyed young man and chirruped softly. So that answered that question. Nix had found his chosen. “Oh, fuck,” Brenda said, from where she had moved to stand at Dusty’s side. Fuck was right. The young man was very… fuckable. Dusty couldn’t keep his eyes off him. Not at all what he had expected. Markus’ laughing reaction to his assumption of the man’s military background now made sense. This was not a hardened soldier, but rather a soft, sweet siren of a man. He barely came up to Dusty’s shoulder, and the pink flush that swept his face was adorable. “Nix,” Dusty barked. The gargoyle was strong and sure, but also very young. He needed to be reminded of his place in the pack. Otherwise he would take even more chances and bring danger to himself and his chosen. That could not be allowed to happen. Not with this gargoyle. Not with this chosen. “Perhaps introductions are in order,” Markus drawled, amused. “Dusty, may I introduce you to Bryan. Bryan, I suggest you put that pepper spray back in your pocket. I’ll remind you that we are indoors, and Dusty won’t harm your new friend.” Dusty was shocked to see that Markus was right, and that Bryan had a can of pepper spray in his hand, ready to defend Nix from Dusty’s anger. Ridiculous and yet endearing. Meet Kim Katil Kim lives in the mythical and contentious territory known as Central Jersey. Originally from South Jersey, she is still unsure if Central Jersey is a real place or a Fae construct. Her movement from the lower to middle band of the state was interrupted by time spent living in Ireland, Boston, Uzbekistan, Maryland, Trinidad, and Florida. So far, she has only been asked to leave one country.
A happily ever after is a necessity. Kim loves to give her characters a fun adventure to get them there and a plethora of family and friends to help them along the way. She also has a writing dog. 
Anthony Dobranski has a new urban fantasy book out: "The Demon in Business Class." And there's a giveaway: She can speak all languages. He can smell evil intent. They're enemies. They crave each other. With secret magic, international settings, a conspiracy plot, and star-crossed lovers, The Demon in Business Class is a stylish modern fantasy spanning continents and genres. A shady executive hires Zarabeth Battrie to help start the next global war, giving her a demon that speaks all languages. But other people know more about her job than she does... A resolute investigator recruits Gabriel Archer to use his emerging psychic powers, for a visionary leader who turns others from evil. As his senses develop, his doubts grow... When the two meet by chance in Scotland, passion becomes fragile love, until the demon’s betrayal drives Gabriel away. Before Zarabeth’s revenge destroys the visionary’s plan, Gabriel must stop her — for both to survive, neither can win. Fans of Jeff VanderMeer, David Mitchell and Michel Faber will love this cross-genre novel with crisp literary style. The Demon in Business Class is an international story of fantasy, intrigue, and love, on the uneasy ground where the human meets the divine. YOUR NEXT READ IS NOW BOARDING "If William Gibson wrote paranormal .... weaves the dark worlds of the occult and big business into an intoxicating tale." – D. J. Butler, author of Witchy Eye "Creative spark? Anthony Dobranski ignites a creative bonfire ...A masterwork of invention." – Mary Kay Zuravleff, author of Man Alive! "A swank cocktail of international intrigue, steeped in the supernatural, mixed with literary flair .... so sleek it flies off the page." – Zach Powers, author of First Cosmic Velocity
Warnings: FOR ADULTS! Drugs, fistfights, vigorous sex, murder, an orgy (witnessed), a cult, and a (told not shown) history of child sexual abuse.
Publisher | Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Liminal Fiction | Universal Buy Link | GoodreadsGiveaway Anthony is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47151/? Excerpt
Chapter 1 - Washington, DC In the fake-oak-paneled conference room, Zarabeth Battrie found a dozen others standing. All looked wilted and worn, with bunched shirts and bowing ankles. The plastic tables were gone, the plastic chairs stacked in the corner. More people arrived but no one unstacked the chairs. A herd instinct, Zarabeth decided, to keep a clear path for fleeing. A natty beige man in a crisp blue plaid suit came in, pushing a low gray plastic cart with stacks of documents. If the standing people surprised him, he didn't show it. With practiced ease he lowered the room's screen, plugged in his powerstrip. Someone passed the documents around but no one spoke. In the silence, Zarabeth felt anxieties around her, about money, status, children, groping her like fevered predictable hands. Too intimate, these people's worries in her skin when she didn't know their names, or want to. She shook them off, pushed through to the front so as not to stare at men's backs all meeting. Projector light bleached the natty man while he talked through slides of sunsets and bullet points, with the real news a seeming afterthought. Her office and two others were merging with Optimized Deployments, in Boston. A great move. Efficiency for all. The animated org-chart realigned over and over, three squares gone and Optimized’s no bigger. Reorganized like a stomach does food. People asked tired questions, their hot worry now clammy hope. The natty man smiled no matter what he said. Yes, redundancies. Jobs would move, details to work out. All would be well and better. He left to spread his joy. The room lights rose. Zarabeth’s boss, Aleksei Medev, slouched in the corner like someone had whacked his head with lumber. His unshaven olive skin hung gray and limp. With all eyes on him, he straightened. “A very challenging time,” he said. “We’re sending reports to justify -- to guide the transition. Client work is secondary.” Zarabeth was in no hurry to fill out Aleksei’s useless reports. Nothing she had done in the last two months justified keeping her employed, she knew that. She went out the broken fire exit to a stand of pine trees behind the parking lot. She lit a cigarette, paced in the shade. Once, Zarabeth Battrie had traveled the country as an Inspiration Manager, connecting the best people at Straightforward Consulting to an in-house knowledge network. She had good instincts which managers to flatter, which to cow, which to sneak past. It surprised her how much she understood when she finally got her quarry to talk their special arcana, over morning jogs, lobster lunches, steak dinners, midnight hookahs with shots of tequila. Later, on airplanes, she’d think of those and other conversations, watching the pieces fit together in this strange unity and balloon, her world growing with a drug-like jolt. To let her do that, week in week out -- taking off, landing, on the move, on her feet -- had been the greatest praise. On Valentine’s Day, it had evaporated without explanation. Zarabeth had been reassigned to Reston, in the Virginia suburbs, to do public-relations grunt-work for industry trade groups. Aleksei Medev, still shiny then, had put his feet on her new desk and spun a great tale, core knowledge toward a turnkey marketing solution, select team deep study. At least she got an office with a door. Zarabeth had visited Boston twice in her old job. Optimized had smart people and kept them by being greedy. They would suck the money from her division like marrow from bone. Everyone fired, no matter how they danced. Doubt ate through her like some parasite come to lay its eggs. She pinched the cigarette’s cherry to burn it off with pain. Six years at this firm would not end this week. # Zarabeth sublet a furnished apartment in Foggy Bottom, facing west and the Potomac River. She had chosen it for the balcony view and the location near the highway, but she didn’t like the place much. The heavy dark furniture and metallic abstract art looked good at night, but menacing in morning shadow and grim in afternoon sun. Some days Zarabeth fantasized trashing it, taking a sledgehammer to the whole gloomy aquarium. This was a good day for that. But Missy Devereaux was there, watching TV, in new red hair, her dirty bare feet on the coffee table. “Hey, sugar,” Missy said, in her perky Kentucky accent. “Want some wine?” “Get your bow legs off my table,” Zarabeth said. “When did you go ginger?” “Do you love it?” Missy muted the sound. “I love it. Gramma hates it. Do you love it?” A year ago, Missy Devereaux had been a Straightforward legislative liaison, frost-blonde hair and pricey suits, working her congressman daddy’s contact list. Now on the ground floor of Missy’s Georgetown mansion, her grandmother died slowly of bone cancer. Missy came to Zarabeth’s place as a retreat, a chance to smoke without blowing up the oxygen tanks. In return Missy watered the plants and filled the wine rack. It was a good arrangement, most days. “It’s great.” Zarabeth went to her bedroom. She wiped off her makeup, washed her face with cold water. Her copper skin looked flushed. Small zits on her forehead. Twenty-seven, and she still broke out. She turned from the mirror so as not to smash it. Missy came with a glass of white. “Three hours ’til the nurse leaves. You want dinner?” Zarabeth shook with fury. “I so don’t deserve this.” “I know, sugar-pea. I know.” “The fuck you know, witch?” Missy’s eyes flashed, from blue to bright green. Like the unlocking of a cage. Zarabeth backed down. She checked herself by punching her palm repeatedly. “Fuck me! Fucking fuck.” “You just relax,” Missy said. Maybe to herself too. Her eyes blue again, at least. She pulled a joint from behind her ear. “Drink and smoke. I’m ordering food. Lamb kebab with fries, right?” She closed the door. Author Bio
Anthony Dobranski is a native of Washington DC. He studied English Literature at Yale and made his first career working internationally for AOL. His first novel is the cross-genre modern fantasy The Demon in Business Class. He also created Business Class Tarot, a modern Tarot deck inspired by his novel. He is a member of SFWA, and serves on the board of The Inner Loop, a Washington DC live-reading series. He lives in Washington now with his family. He loves to ski. Author Website: https://www.anthonydobranski.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/adobranski Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/DobranskiAuthor Author Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DobranskiAuthor Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DobranskiAuthor Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045663.Anthony_Dobranski Author Liminal Fiction: https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/anthony-dobranski/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y3J151X 
Nicholas McIntire has a new queer fantasy book out, The Archanium Codex book 1: "The Hunter's Gambit." Aleksei Drago never expected an easy life, but he never expected what he got. Growing up amongst the Ri-Vhan of Seil Wood, losing his mother and just as suddenly being torn from the forest folk, Aleksei had no choice but to make the best of the unpredictable path in life. But what happens when the monsters and figures of fiction become horrifyingly real? Can Aleksei find the right path? When his life and the lives of his family and friends are at stake will he fight, reforging himself into the man Prophecy demands he become? In a world of magic and Magi, of Angels and Demons alike, how will a simple farm boy survive his own contorted destiny? This is the story of a seemingly-simple world gone mad, and the reality that every action, no matter how apparently benign, can serve to unravel terrifying truths. This is the story of Aleksei Drago, farmer, Hunter, and so much more. Giveaway Nicholas McIntire is giving away two $20 Amazon gift cards with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47154/? Excerpt Henry spent the rest of the day watching his son closely. Something was undeniably troubling him, but until Aleksei decided to open up to him there was nothing he could do. “He’ll tell you in his own time, Henry.” he muttered under his breath. So he waited. Every now and then he would engage his son in conversation, but every time he thought Aleksei might be on the brink of telling him something, the conversation fled to some superficial topic. Did he think it would rain by Market Day? Who did he think would bring the biggest pig to the Harvest Festival? Did he think Mother Margareta would come to bless their fields before the first frost? Henry answered each question as though it was the direction he meant to steer the conversation, and refused to allow his frustration to surface. But by the end of the evening, he was no closer to understanding his son’s troubles than he’d been that morning. Finally Aleksei rose from his seat before the fire, put his book away, and went to bed. Henry watched him go, more troubled than ever. The boy had never gone to bed without a word before. He always had some last comment to make, even if it was just to wonder at the next day’s activities. Henry sat before the dying embers of the fire well into the night, thinking. He didn’t remember falling asleep, so when the voice woke him his eyes started open. Hello, Henry. He looked around, trying to get his bearings. Gone was the heat of the hearth, the comfort of his chair. Instead he stood in an enveloping fog of shimmering gold. He could see no one. “Where am I?” Henry demanded. A dream, Henry. This is merely an illusion. I apologize that I cannot offer you more comfortable surroundings at the moment. “Who are you?” Henry called, feeling a touch foolish, shouting at phantoms. His question went unanswered. Henry, I’ve come to ask a favor. “Who are you?” Henry repeated flatly. There was a moment of hesitation before the voice responded. A man much like yourself, Henry Drago. One who only wants what’s best for your son. “Speak then.” When the favor was uttered, Henry blinked in confusion. A thousand questions bubbled to the surface, yet he found that he only possessed the strength to ask one. “Why?” he choked, surprised by the weakness in his own voice. The air before his face shimmered and distorted, as though he were looking through intense heat. Slowly, images formed. Images of Aleksei. An Aleksei he didn't recognize. “Why are you showing me this?” Henry managed. Because I want you to see what your son could become. The man he could be, if you’d only let him. If you just do as I say. “I don’t trust you.” Henry barked back. “I can’t even see your face.” Another image shimmered into being. A man, though Henry saw nothing remarkable about him. The man leaned forward and whispered in his ear, and Henry heard the unmistakable ring of truth. In that moment he thought he might have preferred a dagger to the heart. It would have been far less painful to simply die at the end of a highwayman’s blade than to agree to this. Either way, he would lose the most precious thing he had. “Bargain struck.” Henry whispered bitterly, a tear winding its way down his cheek. You’re doing your son a great service, Henry Drago. The man even sounded earnest. Henry started to say something, but even as he opened his mouth, darkness swirled around him. He slipped back into the empty chasms of sleep. # Morning greeted Aleksei gently, rousing him from a dreamless oblivion. It had taken him hours to finally find some rest, and his relief was immeasurable when he woke without encountering the specter of the green-eyed man. His wish had been granted. The man was gone. He made his way down the narrow stairway and walked into the kitchen, frowning at what greeted him. Their rough wooden table was laid out with provisions for what Aleksei could only guess was a journey. But a journey where? His father hadn’t said anything about travel. There was still wood to chop and hay to store. The first snow might be weeks away, but there was no telling when the winds would usher in the chill of Northern air. Working outside in the cold was not something he, nor any farmer, relished. “I see you’re up.” Henry said from behind. Aleksei jumped. He turned, “Da, where are we going? I thought we were going to finish the hay this morning.” His father shook his head and smiled, though Aleksei caught the deep sadness in Henry’s eyes. “We aren’t going anywhere, Son. You are.” Aleksei frowned, “Me? But I thought—” His father tried to hold the smile, but it was forced, “You’re needed, Son. In the North.” Aleksei thought his heart would stop. He forgot to breathe. He could hardly process what his father had just said. You know the truth he speaks, Aleksei. Aleksei fought back a sob of frustration. He thought he’d freed himself of the damned voice, but now he knew the truth. He would never be free from it. It would hound him until the end of his days, or until it drove him mad, whichever came first. Or until you simply do as I ask. “Why?” he finally managed. His father looked out the kitchen window, and Aleksei followed his gaze. Dash waited patiently outside, a saddle fitted snugly about his muscular frame. “Because you’re needed, Son. It’s the only answer I can give you.” “I’m not needed here, Da? Don’t you need me?” Henry bit back the pain in his voice, “You are more of a help than I can say, Aleksei, and I love you dearly. But no, I don’t need you. Not like this. If you stayed here, you’d be wasting something…extraordinary. And honestly, I think you’d know it too. They need you in the North, Son. And their need is much more important than mine.” Aleksei stood there, stunned by what his father was saying to him. And then the questions came pouring forth. What did Henry mean by ‘extraordinary’? What had his father learned? What was still being kept from him? “And I’m sorry I can’t give you the answers you want, Son. But I think you know who can. Find him.” “But how can I….” Aleksei began, fighting back the tears springing into his eyes. “You’re strong, Aleksei. You’ve always been strong. That won’t fail you now.” Henry swallowed back his own tears and tried to smile again, “Now you’d better get on the road. The sooner you get beyond the Southern Plain, the better. You don’t want to be riding under the Harvest sun too long if you can help it.” “But where am I going?” Aleksei cried, his voice breaking. It was happening too fast. His life was slipping through his fingers moment by moment and there was nothing he could do about it. “North, Son. North. You’ll know where you’re headed as you get closer. That’s all I know to tell you.” Aleksei looked into his father’s eyes and saw the sadness, the regret that burned within him. His father wanted to know just as badly as he, to know just what sort of place he was so blindly sending his son. Finally, after a long silence, Aleksei nodded. “Alright, Da. If you want me to go, then I’ll go.” “I’ll never want you to go, Son.” Henry whispered, his face contorting with pain. He had already lost his wife, and now he was losing his son, too. Aleksei would still be alive, but he would be so far away. “But promise me something, Aleksei.” Aleksei nodded, “Anything, Da." “If you find this place and if it’s not what you want, what you need, promise me you’ll come back. Even if this isn’t what you want either, at least we can figure that out together.” Aleksei finally allowed a tear to wind its way down his cheek, “I promise, Da.” Henry stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around his son, hugging him as close as he could, as though any moment Aleksei might turn to mist and vanish forever. Henry stepped back and managed a sardonic smile. Aleksei might remain solid as stone, but surely enough he was about to vanish. # Henry didn’t watch his son ride away. In truth, he couldn’t bear it. As long as he’d never seen Aleksei leave he could always pretend the boy was out in the barn, or by the pond he’d swum in as a child. It was a good hour before Henry allowed himself to sit down in his chair and sob. Author Bio
Critically-acclaimed author Nicholas McIntire has been writing fantasy since he was 8 years old. The bones of the Archanium Codex were first created when he was 16, and in the past 20 years, he has taken that initially simple idea and crafted it into a fully realized world, finished the sequel, earned three degrees (one in Russian, Eastern European Studies, two in Nursing), and lived life to its fullest. Now writing full-time, Nicholas is ready for share is vision of the Archanium Codex, a 10 book series. The first book of the series being The Hunter's Gambit. Nicholas, lives in Fort Worth, Texas, but writes in both Fort Worth and Fort Davis, TX, where his family has a small place situated at 5200 feet in the Davis Mountains - and, yes, Texas does have mountains. Author Website: https://www.nickmcintire.com/ Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NGMcIntire/ Author Twitter: @nickmcintire Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17088295.Nicholas_McIntire Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicholas-McIntire/e/B07X7D7CH6
 Hello snippetteers!
I hope everyone is doing well. This week I have a little bit from my urban fantasy/paranormal romance/thriller , Scintilla! Raul, a werewolf, and Brandon a magical human are hunting human traffickers. In this little scene they make contact with one of them, Tala, a type of shapeshifting djinn called a sila. “Got a name, sweetheart?” Raul asked. She arched one of her finely shaped eyebrows and looked him up and down. “Tala.” Tala turned an icy stare on Brandon. “His I know. Now you know my name, what is yours… sweetheart?” Raul tilted his head and gave her a small, sardonic smile. “Raul Fierro. Would you like my ID, or possibly fingerprints?” Tala shook her head. “We’ll see.” She turned and walked down the alley to the street. “This way.” Once her back was turned, Raul met Brandon’s eyes and nodded once. He reached out and ran two fingers over Brandon’s shoulder and down his arm. A show of support and a promise of protection. Brandon hadn’t been wrong about Raul in the least. Read more wonderful snippets at the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. Scintilla is available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. 
Warren Rochelle has a new gay paranormal romance out: "The Werewolf and His Boy." And there's a giveaway! Their leap of faith could unleash magic—or plunge them into darkness. Henry Thorn has worked at Larkin’s since graduating high school. He likes it—especially when he can use his secret skill of hiding inside shadows so his boss can’t find them. Without that talent, he would never had survived growing up different. When a hire enters the store, Henry’s other latent talent kicks in. He can smell an emotional response even before he lays eyes on the redhead. Jamey Currey came out, and his conservative parents promptly kicked him out. He, too, is different—he senses Henry’s attraction the moment they met. The first time they kiss, torrential rains fall from skies split by lightning. Their kiss also awakens the Watchers, diabolical hunters who will stop at nothing—even extermination—to keep magic suppressed. With the help of a friendly coven of friendly witches, the boys embark on a quest to discover an ancient key to restoring magic to the world, and to understand mysteries of their own hearts. The question is, will this quest cost them their lives? Publisher | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | GoodreadsGiveaway Warren is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47152/? Excerpt
Jamey screamed. Henry's heart turned over. Dr. Melloy grabbed a long, carved oaken staff from a corner and stood very still for a moment. "My books, almost all my books, are in this house, and some of these are my mother's, my grandmother's," she whispered, clearly in pain. "Let's go," she said, sighing heavily as she threw the heavy zipped bag over her shoulder and ran for the door. Henry hugged his duffel and blanket to his chest and ran after her. He wanted to tell her thank you, thank you, for saving him and Jamey, and that she was one of the coolest -- no, the coolest person he had ever met. She had been so nice to him ever since he had moved in and he wasn't sure he really knew why. I'll thank her. When things calm down I will definitely thank her. Up the stairs, down the hall, in and out of pools of light from this lamp, the other, the overhead, the front door, and down and Jamey stood holding onto the car door. They looked up. No stars. No moon. Shadows, winged, darker and blacker than any shadows around them. The lead one keened, high and sharp. "Watchers," Dr. Melloy said. Behind the creatures were the beginnings of a storm. Lightning snapped and forked, striking the professor's house and setting the roof ablaze. Fire came down the roof, down the gutter pipes, the brick wall, over the windows, into the bushes growing against the house and into the pine-straw-covered yard that crackled, snapped, into flame. "Jamey, Henry, get behind me, now," Dr. Melloy shouted as the Watchers hovered just above the thicket of cedars that screened the house from the street. They screeched and keened, throwing themselves against some invisible wall between them and the witch and the two naked boys. Jamey hooked one arm around Henry's neck, and then he hopped as Henry half-carried him to stand behind the witch. Thunder, loud, close. Lighting struck the house again. Muttering, Dr. Melloy thrust her staff upward and light poured out of it as she threw out a fine, gauzy, sparkling net that spread out and over and above them, shimmering against the darkness. Something shattered, and grey and white chunks of dying light fell into the cedars and the gravel and hard earth of the driveway. "Dammit! They broke the first ring of wards!" Dr. Melloy yelled over what now seemed like constant thunder and the roar of the fire. The wind tore at the flames, throwing bits and pieces into the air and the now-burning cedars. Flames and heat pushed against the net that glowed between them and the burning house and yard and trees. "What are we going to do? Henry? Where'd he go?" Jamey yelled back, then stopped. Henry squeezed the arm around his neck with one hand, Jamey's waist with the other. Henry seemed to be flickering in and out of sight, the way he had done in Larkin's. Jamey could see the flames through Henry. Henry looked at his hands, his feet: they were invisible. He shuddered, flickered on and off. "We wait just a few minutes more -- oh, werewolves do that -- camouflage, on and off. Henry, try to calm down." "Wait?" Henry said, his voice trembling. He could feel and smell Jamey's fear and his own fear. Calm down? "There are two more rings of wards and this shield-net, and all three have to be breached for those Watchers to get to us. We just have to hold on for a few more minutes. If only the moon were full," she added. "I'd have a lot more power to draw on. Can't be helped." Something shattered. Chunks of light, this time, gold, fell again. A third shattering followed right behind the second, green chunks of light. Thunder. Lightning. Wind, bits of fire in the air, fire engulfing the house, the trees. "Get right behind me. Get close." The Watchers were right on the other side of the shield-net. They pushed, keened, ripped. The shield quivered. Bits fell. A siren, another, and then another. The Watchers screamed. "Finally," Dr. Melloy muttered. "The fire department can stop these things?" Henry asked as he helped Jamey get as close to her as they could, their bodies bumping against hers. "Watchers fear disclosure more than anything. Nothing attracts attention like a fire truck. And it looks like everybody in the neighborhood is out in the street. They could ignore the first few, but not this mob." More thunder. The sirens were getting closer. The heat of the burning house and trees pressed against the shield-net. Sweat dripped down Henry's face, his back. His eyes burned from the salt, even as he tried to wipe it away with his free hand. With his other hand he held on tight to Jamey. Henry could feel Jamey's sweat on his bare skin; he knew if he licked Jamey's skin, he would taste salt. The Watchers charged against the net, and ripped, their claws caught in its shimmer and sparkle, frantic to beat the coming fire trucks. "Get in the car. They're almost here." Henry shoved Jamey into the backseat and crawled in after him and jerked the door closed. Dr. Melloy threw out one last layer of net, this time over the car, and slammed her door closed just as the sirens slowed down. Heavy tires crunched on gravel. He heard water hit fire as one truck started with the burning trees. With the Watchers screaming in the air above them, Dr. Melloy stepped on the gas, barreled down the driveway, hung a left onto Three Chopt, and drove through the crowd. Then she really floored it. Author Bio
Warren Rochelle lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, and has just retired from teaching English at the University of Mary Washington. His short fiction and poetry have been published in such journals and anthologies as Icarus, North Carolina Literary Review, Forbidden Lines, Aboriginal Science Fiction, Collective Fallout, Queer Fish 2, Empty Oaks, Quantum Fairy Tales, Migration, The Silver Gryphon, Jaelle Her Book, Colonnades, and Graffiti, as well as the Asheville Poetry Review, GW Magazine, Crucible, The Charlotte Poetry Review, and Romance and Beyond. His short story, “The Golden Boy,” was a finalist for the 2004 Spectrum Award for Short Fiction. His short story “Mirrors,” was just published in Under A Green Rose, a queering romance anthology, from Cuil Press. “The Latest Thing,” a flash fiction story, is in the Queer Sci Fi anthology, Innovation. Rochelle is also the author of four novels: The Wild Boy (2001), Harvest of Changelings (2007), and The Called (2010), all published by Golden Gryphon Press, and The Werewolf and His Boy, published by Samhain Publishing in September 2016. The Werewolf and His Boy was re-released from JMS Books in August 2020. The Wicked Stepbrother and Other Stories is forthcoming from JMS Books in late September 2020. Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/warren.rochelle Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/warrenwriter/ Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/WarrenRochelle Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38355.Warren_Rochelle
Simon hated school vacations. If he gambled, he’d have bet money he was one of a very, very few students who didn’t look forward to the Christmas holidays. But first off, there was no Christmas in his house, at least not since his mother was alive. She used to make sure the tree got put up and there were a few gifts under it for him. He had no idea how she managed it, because he was pretty sure The Bastard hadn’t given her any money, though it was possible she got it the same way Simon did now: by simply taking it from The Bastard’s wallet. You can find The Geek and His Artist at Amazon About The Geek and His Artist: Simon Williams spends his lunch periods drawing his geek and trying not to think about the terrors waiting for him at home. He needs to get away from his abusive father before he suffers the same grisly fate as his mother. Because he's learned the hard way running away doesn’t work, he’s counting the days until his eighteenth birthday. Jimmy Bennet should be spending his lunch studying so his senior GPA is good enough to get him into college, but he can't seem to focus thanks to his distracting artist. When he’s given the opportunity to tutor Simon in Trig and discovers Simon’s home-life nightmare, he wants nothing more than to get Simon out of danger. This need becomes more urgent when Simon comes to school the Monday after their first date with bruises, but it takes a broken leg before Jimmy can convince his boyfriend the Bennets really want him. But the danger Simon thought was past shows up at the most unexpected time, and he must stand up to the fears he’s held so long to protect not only himself, but the man he wants to spend his life with. About Hope Ryan and where to find her: HOPE RYAN is an out and proud bisexual, wife of a loving guy, and mother to three, including an amazingly brave gender-fluid son. She loves to write about the tough stuff, but also wants to see her characters happy in the end. She feels strongly about showing there is hope for everyone, no matter where you come from, how you identify your gender, or who you love. Hope likes to play board and card games and can often be found playing God with her Sims or running around, fighting monsters in a virtual version of Middle Earth. Her TV and movie preferences lean towards anime, sci-fi, and fantasy, though she’ll never turn down a good happily ever after love story, either. As long as there are explosions or action, she’s happy. She loves to read books of all kinds, though prefers stories about love in its many forms. Come join us on Facebook at Grace’s Groupies where you can find out more about Hope and Grace, hang out with other fans and authors, and have fun! Website: www.hoperyan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoperyanauthor Email: [email protected] 
The Geek and His Artist
By Grace R. Duncan writing as Hope Ryan Can Simon get past his fears and take Jimmy's offer to get out of danger? Simon Williams spends his lunch periods drawing his geek and trying not to think about the terrors waiting for him at home. He needs to get away from his abusive father before he suffers the same grisly fate as his mother. Because he's learned the hard way running away doesn’t work, he’s counting the days until his eighteenth birthday. Jimmy Bennet should be spending his lunch studying so his senior GPA is good enough to get him into college, but he can't seem to focus thanks to his distracting artist. When he’s given the opportunity to tutor Simon in Trig and discovers Simon’s home-life nightmare, he wants nothing more than to get Simon out of danger. This need becomes more urgent when Simon comes to school the Monday after their first date with bruises, but it takes a broken leg before Jimmy can convince his boyfriend the Bennets really want him. But the danger Simon thought was past shows up at the most unexpected time, and he must stand up to the fears he’s held so long to protect not only himself, but the man he wants to spend his life with. Young Adult Contemporary Romance 320 pages Cover Artist: Kathryn Bone Editor: Tricia Kristufek Current Edition (second) – Independently published – October 23, 2020 Buy on Amazon Also available through Kindle Unlimited  Happy Sunday Snippetteers! It's been a lovely few autumn days here on the north coast. My dog, Finn, and I are enjoying the local parks and changing leaves. I probably enjoy the changing leaves more than he does, but he certainly is liking the cooler weather! This week's snippet comes from Whiskey and Moonshine. This snippet is part of a scene in the Smokie Mountains of Tennessee where the story takes place. **** Mal put the truck in park and rolled down the window. “Colt, you can’t walk all the way back.” “Oh, bullshit. I’ve walked across a city before.” “There are bears and coyotes and cougars.” “I lived on the streets for ten years and dealt with gangs. I’ll survive,” Colt snapped. “For God’s sake, Colt, you smell like roast beef sandwiches and three types of cheese. Every carnivore for a hundred miles is going to want a piece of that,” Mal shouted. A deer bounded out of the woods and darted in front of Colt, then bolted across the road and into the woods on the other side. Colt yelped and jumped to the side. “Whatever is chasing that deer isn’t going to be so picky as to pass up you and chase it,” Mal called. It was a mean and crappy thing to do, but he reasoned Colt wouldn’t know any better. Colt turned and stared at the woods for a few seconds before running to the truck and scrambling into the passenger seat. He wrapped both arms around himself and stared straight ahead. Mal put the truck into gear and started driving. “Colt, I—” Colt turned his head and glared at Mal, silencing him. What was he going to say? He wanted to protect Colt, not see him hurt, yet that’s exactly what he’d done. After a few minutes of silence, he knew what to say. “There is nothing in that document that can’t be negotiated. Every contract can be negotiated.”  Whiskey and Moonshine is available from Amazon and is in Kindle Unlimited and paperback. I hope you'll take a minute to check out all the other snippets on Rainbow Snippets.
Hurri Cosmo has a new MM paranormal romance out, The Oletti Shifters Book 2: "Graham's Rescue." “You’re pregnant, Graham.” Wow. Life has tossed Graham a lot of curveballs, but he never expected to hear those words. Then, just as Graham and his fated mate, Hyden, are getting used to that amazing news, someone from Graham’s past returns and kidnaps him, threatening the very future they want to build. Talk about curveballs! Graham is an Oletti, a bloodline of wolf shifters that seems to be part of an ancient prophecy, one that speaks of a hidden magical spring of water that can restore the earth and all that is in it. A power some would kill to possess. Except, in the wrong hands, it can also turn humans and shifters totally away from what, and who, they truly love, tearing families and even fated mates apart. Unfortunately, Hyden has been forced to drink this water so no one is coming to rescue Graham. It’s now up to him to not only save himself, his unborn child and his fated mate, but very possibly the world. Except superhero capes are hard to come by and he never liked himself much in tights. Still, with the help of his Oletti powers, this should be something he could do, right? Oh, Great Wolf, let this be something I can do... Graham's Rescue (Book 2) Hyden's Law (Book 1) Mates, Inc (Book 1.5 - short story) Giveaway Hurri is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47150/? Excerpt
Dreven shuffled to stand before Hyden and Graham and Graham couldn’t help but gaze up at the man. Oh! Such a kind face. Plus, he was beaming ear to ear. But even bent over, this old man was taller, wider, broader built than Graham. He was quite impressive. However, that huge smile faded as he studied Graham. After a few moments Dreven sighed and shook his head. Graham shot a wide-eyed glance up at Hyden who frowned deeply. What was going on? Was there a problem? Was that problem Graham? Oh damn, were they not fated mates after all? Had that been a lie too? He tried to pull away from Hyden but Hyden just tightened his grip. “Hang on, pup,” he whispered. The spiritual leader leaned over to kiss Graham’s forehead. Reaching up, he brought Hyden’s face down to kiss his forehead as well. Immediately, Hyden let out a breath and relaxed beside Graham which allowed him to breathe again. Evidently, it was some sort of ritual for accepting Graham into the pack, maybe announcing a mating. Whatever it was sent the room into a low roar of mutterings. The older man held up a hand then turned back to Graham when the room once again was quiet. “Oh, little one, for most of us life consists of choosing paths. We are tasked with making many decisions every day that affect what we do and where we go. Some are obvious choices, like the jobs we are meant to do. Others not so clear, like who we are to mate with. Still others of us,” he glanced up at Hyden, “make choices that affect us all and we are glad for it.” He nodded at Hyden before returning his attention back to Graham. “For every path we take, many others continue to open to us. Paths of glorious joy, love, a chance at dreams. And sometimes deception and perhaps betrayal. And so it goes all of our lives.” The older man sucked in a breath and let it out slowly as he touched Graham’s stomach. “But for a few there is an ancient calling that will allow only one path.” He gazed into Graham’s eyes. “You, my pup, are about to witness greatness.” He glanced up at Hyden. “Take good care of them, Alpha. The child he carries will change our world. And… I see great trouble ahead.” There were gasps all around the room, the questioning whispered words of ‘child’ and ‘could he be pregnant’ flowed like a gentle wave. Dreven’s smile, although a bit sad now, resumed as he stepped back and turned to the crowd. “We are in the presence of a pivotal moment in the lives of shifters. This” – he gestured back at Hyden and Graham – “is a true fated, destiny-bound mating between our great leader, Hyden, and this young man, Graham. A mating, of which, I can do nothing but approve.” There was a moment of hesitation but then a cheer rose loudly from the gathered pack members. Finally, Hyden raised his hand for silence. When the noise died down, he spoke. “I did not need for the Shaman to confirm that Graham and I are fated mates. But it is good that he sees it. Thank you, Dreven, and,” he bowed slightly toward the older man. “we obviously need to talk later?” The older man nodded once and stepped back into the crowd while Hyden spoke again. “I now want to introduce to you my fated mate, Graham, soon to be Solfang. Yes, he is one of the rare Oletti and he carries my child.” He gazed down at Graham. “No one was as surprised or pleased as I was to learn that very thing just this morning.” He returned his attention to the crowd. “That is the reason I wanted this meeting. I wanted to announce Graham and I will be joined as one under the next Mating Moon a month from tonight.” The cheer that went up was wild and the pack crowded in around Hyden and Graham. Hyden held Graham tightly to his side as congratulations and slaps on the back and handshakes rocked them both. Suddenly there was a shout from the living room and all attention turned to Myrk, who was standing on top of one of Hyden’s beautiful coffee tables. And he was very obviously pissed. “You!” he pointed at Graham. “You husband stealer!” Myrk glanced around the room and then down to the elders who were sitting, stunned, on the couches. “You all know Hyden was to mate with me. And not this… this… imposter who somehow bewitched Hyden into believing he’s an Oletti. He’s no Oletti! He only claims that because he knows that’s what I am, and he thinks to trap Hyden with his fantasy of being pregnant. You can’t let this happen. You just can’t. Hyden is mine. He said so. You have to make him honor that.” Author Bio Hi. Hi, my name is Hurri Cosmo. I live in Minnesota where I hold tight to the idea that here, where it’s cold a good part of the year, I won’t age as fast. Yep, I avoid the truth as much as I avoid mirrors. But one of the reasons I love writing is reality doesn’t always offer up a “happily ever after” and being able to take control of that is a powerful lure. Being a happy ending junkie, writing just makes them easier to find. Oh, I don’t mind “real life” and I do try to at least keep it in mind when I write my stories, but I truly love creating a wonderful couple, knowing they will fall in love and have their HEA every ―single ― time. And, of course, that is exactly the reason I love writing this genre, too. Give me a glass of red wine, some dark chocolate, and my computer, whether I am reading or writing, and I can entertain myself for hours. The fact that I actually get paid to do it is Snicker bars on the frosting on the cake. Author Website: https://www.hurricosmo.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/hurri.cosmo Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHurriCosmo/ Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/HurriCosmo Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466687.Hurri_Cosmo Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/hurri-cosmo/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hurri-Cosmo/e/B00IZNFSXS
 How it works: On Saturday, October 17, the game will begin! Visit five Facebook groups and look at the pinned posts in each group to get the five pieces of a spooky, silly paranormal romance plot. Come back here and put your answer into a comment on the pinned post in Romance Readers Club! We'll randomly draw winners from the comments on that post on the evening of Sunday, October 18 (9 PM Pacific/midnight Eastern time).
The prizes: Charley Descoteaux, Eliot Grayson, Elizabeth Noble, Liv Rancourt, and Nic Starr are all contributing one spooky ebook each to three different prize bundles. There will be three winners! Where to go: On the event weekend, visit the five groups below. Remember to join early so that you're not hung up waiting for membership requests to be approved in order to do the scavenger hunt. Charley's group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/charleyscorner Eliot's group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eliotgrayson Elizabeth's group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551582581800123 Liv's group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LivAndIrene Nic's group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NicStarr 🎃 🦇 🕷️ 🎃 🦇 🕷️ 🎃 🦇 🕷️ 🎃 We really hope you can all enjoy the game and get into the fun! Bonus: There may be some extra giveaways from authors who have new releases coming up during October, so watch for more posts that weekend here in this group. We really hope you can all enjoy the game and get into the fun! Bonus: There may be some extra giveaways from authors who have new releases coming up during October, so watch for more posts that weekend here in this group. 
April Kelley has a new mm paranormal romance out, Wingspan Book 4: "A Little Unsteady." And there's a giveaway. Nigel wouldn’t mind if Asher called him Daddy if the age-gap didn’t bother him so much. Nigel Blackburn has lived a full like as a private investigator. His job means he travels solo a lot, which is something he enjoys. He’s a grouchy, stubborn dragon shifter who is better off alone. The last thing he wants is a mate and certainly not one so young. It doesn’t matter that he finds little bobcat shifter, Asher Burkhart, sexy. But all Nigel’s dragon wants to do is protect, which is good because danger drives into town. Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | QueeRomance Ink Giveaway April is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour – enter via Rafflecopter: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47147/? Excerpt
By the gods, Asher looked young. How young, Nigel didn’t know, but he needed to find out. No one would mistake the age difference. Nigel had life etched into his skin. Not all of it bad. Sun and laughter did their best after he hit his prime. He shook his head and ran a hand down his face. The kid made him feel every damn year he’d lived, and all Nigel had to do was look at him. Considering he was a dragon shifter, there had been many. “Are you asking me if I’ll let you find your brother?” Asher nodded. “You’re not a damn prisoner. I’d rather you didn’t wake them, though. They’ve all had a long day and need the rest. So do you, for that matter. Why don’t you lay back down and try to sleep?” Asher darted his gaze to the closed bedroom door. “Can I have clothes, please?” Nigel stood and walked over to the dresser. He opened the second drawer from the top and pulled out one of his t-shirts before closing it again. Sweatpants were in the third drawer down. Nothing he had would fit, but that wasn’t the point. He wouldn’t have the kid thinking he had to stay, not after being held captive in the panel room and then at that lab. Somehow, Nigel thought the hostage situation with Terrance caused the most damage. Still, Nigel would follow the kid around like a pet dog before letting him believe his captive status extended to Nigel’s home. He’d never have to go through anything like that again. Nigel carried his bundle to Asher, handing it over. He sat on the bed next to him. “The sweatpants have drawstrings.” Asher nodded and held the clothing to his chest. His eyes shifted to his cat, and his teeth dropped down. Despite the physical response, he sat there as if scared of Nigel. They were strangers, so the uneasiness made sense. Still, he didn’t like it. “My name is Nigel.” “Asher.” Nigel smiled. “I know yours. Leaf talks about you often.” “Oh.” “How old are you?” Asher narrowed his eyes and met his gaze. To say Nigel was surprised by the sudden change of emotion was an understatement. It made him question his assessment of Asher’s earlier behavior. “I could ask you the same thing?” Nigel lifted his eyebrows and tried not to smile again. “I would answer that I’m a lot older than you.” The corner of Asher’s mouth turned up in a half-smile. “Fine. Then I’m a lot younger than you.” “Are you over the age of eighteen?” Asher smirked and rolled his eyes. “I can even legally drink alcohol. Imagine that.” “How many years have you been able to drink alcohol legally?” “Two.” Asher covered his mouth with the back of his hand when he yawned. Some of the tension in his shoulders disappeared. “Just a kid.” Asher shrugged and lay his bundle of clothing on the bed beside him. “Compared to you, probably.” “Was that an old-man joke?” Nigel stood, taking the clothes and placing them on top of the dresser. Their age difference might bother Nigel, but talking about it eased Asher’s tension enough that fatigue washed over him. Asher forgot about being guarded. Nigel could tell by the way he lay back down on the bed. “Will you talk to me until I go to sleep? Leaf does that back at home.” Nigel pulled the covers up around him before turning back to his chair. If he stayed too close, he’d push the kid into bonding. His dragon already roared in protest that he hadn’t mated Asher yet. Nigel sat down, keeping the room between himself and a kid who seemed far too traumatized by the last few months of his life. “What do you want to talk about?” Author Bio
April Kelley is an author of LGBTQ+ Romance. Her works include The Journey of Jimini Renn, which was a Rainbow Awards finalist, Whispers of Home, the Saint Lakes series, and over thirty more. She’s a main contributor at Once and Books. Author Website: http://www.authoraprilkelley.com/ Author Facebook (Page): https://www.facebook.com/authoraprilkelley/ Author Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538712856332109 Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoraprilkell Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoraprilkell/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/authoraprilkelley Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/april-kelley/ Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/April-Kelley/e/B00TWDUUEM/
|
 Welcome to My World
|
RSS Feed
