Cover Reveal - Re-release of "Orion's Way"

Check it out, y'all!

**NSFW** Big Cocks and Broomsticks Giveaway Hop

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

Well...a title and graphic like that are um...hard...to follow.  No pun intended, of course. ::wink::

For my part in the hop today, I'm offering up a snippet from my sexy m/m vampire BDSM, "Orion's Way." Of course, it's a NSFW excerpt because well, let's face it - it's from me and I *rarely* do anything that's safe for work! 

That's also my prize today - one lucky winner will get a free pdf copy of "Orion's Way." To enter to win, just leave a comment below, including your e-mail, and tell me what your favorite thing about Halloween is or was as a kid. 

Me? I wasn't allowed to celebrate Halloween as a kid. My parents thought it was "the devil's holiday" and was Satanic. (Certainly not surprising if you know me and have heard about my parents.) So now I go all out to decorate and celebrate. I was even married on Halloween in a local haunted house. 

Anyhow, onto the snippet!

Blurb:

Orion is a vampire with a tragic past. After running away from abusive parents at the tender age of sixteen, he was turned by a ruthless elder vampire and forced to torture and sexually abuse human feeders and submissive vampires. Though that's all behind him now, he still lives in the shadow of what he was, and it has cost him the loyalty of Xavier, the human feeder he loves. Malagan is Orion's closest friend--the vampire who saved him from brutality all those years ago. Malagan knows the Dominant side of Orion--the side Xavier needs--is still there, lurking below the surface. But if Orion's going to find his way back to who he ought to be, he'll need help. And Malagan is just the man for the job.

Excerpt:

“Are you sure about this?” Orion followed into Malagan’s chamber, through a secret entrance—cleverly disguised as a bookshelf— into a back room. Malagan’s personal torture room. Orion shivered as they passed a leather-padded table with a mirror suspended above it. His gaze went immediately to the chains and manacles hanging from the far wall, then to the assortment of whips, floggers, and crops displayed next to them. There were other instruments of erotic pain— hoods, blindfolds, clamps, paddles, gags, pinwheels, and ball stretchers. Indeed, everything Orion could want was there—all neatly laid out on a table.

Malagan nodded and unfastened his pants. He pushed them down over his hips, hooked his thumbs in his underwear, and pulled them off as well, gaze locked on Orion. Orion swallowed hard as he tore his eyes from Malagan’s and looked down at Malagan’s already hard cock. He’d never seen Malagan naked, and he couldn’t suppress a groan of appreciation as Malagan’s shirt came off to reveal a chiseled, tanned chest, covered with a sparse mat of hair and a tattoo of a bleeding sword clutched in a clawed hand, marking him a member of the Lyshun Clan—the oldest of the vampire clans.

Malagan strolled by a cage, smiling as he ran his fingers along the bars, by the free-standing sling—again, he touched the metal with a smile—and past the large, four-poster bed with its shining chains that hung from each corner. He smirked at the Saint Andrew’s Cross on the far wall, but didn’t pause there either, nor at the whipping post, though Orion would’ve happily accepted that choice. Malagan stopped at the rear of the room, stood in the middle of a simple padded square, and put his hands behind him, standing like a soldier at parade rest.

Orion paced back over to the table along the wall, picking up things and putting them back down. “What would you like me to use?” he asked.

Malagan smiled and inclined his head. “Whatever would please you, Master. Your joy is mine.”

Though his words were submissive, his stance wasn’t. Malagan kept his shoulders back and his head up, watching Orion’s every move until Orion felt as though he were the one on display. Orion squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. He picked up a shiny black riding crop and turned to face Malagan. “What is your safe word?”

Malagan shook his head. “It should be tell me your safe word. It’s a command, not a question. You’re the Dom, and I’m your sub. I should feel compelled to answer you. Stop flipping the crop around. It makes you appear not to want to touch it.”

Orion glanced down and frowned at the unconscious movements of his hands, tossing the crop back and forth between them. He wrinkled his brow, and let out a sigh, understanding what a few of his fellows had meant when they’d talked about pushy bottoms. Though he knew Malagan’s guidance and advice were for his own good— knew he very much needed them—they still grated on his nerves. He clenched his right fist tightly around the handle of the crop and gave Malagan a lopsided grin. “I’m rusty at this.”

“It’s all right.” Malagan shifted his weight and nodded. “Just try it again.”

Orion walked forward, touched the tip of the crop to Malagan’s chin, and raised Malagan’s head with it. “Tell me your safe word.”

Malagan grinned. “Much better. My safe word is ‘potato’, Master.”

“Potato.” Orion nodded. “I suggest you keep it close to your tongue. You may well want to use it.”

A flash of defiance glimmered in Malagan’s eyes but he said nothing, simply bowed his head. The gesture filled Orion with a giddy sense of power, made his head swim, and made him want test Malagan. Push Malagan’s limits and see just how far he could make Malagan go. Wipe that smug sense of superiority right out of Malagan’s mind.

Orion trailed the crop down Malagan’s chest, tapping each nipple, then dipped it down to stroke Malagan’s cock. He stepped around, dragging the crop across Malagan’s body, and delivered one hard, loud smack to Malagan’s ass.

Malagan moaned and shivered.

Bolstered by the reaction, Orion administered the crop four more times—two hits to each cheek. He rubbed his hand over Malagan’s bright red flesh, luxuriating in the radiating heat, and the way Malagan pressed back against the touch. But it wasn’t enough. His desire to bring Malagan to his knees still burned. His gaze went again to the table; he wanted desperately to see Malagan trussed up on it, but Malagan had already put a nix on that idea. He could still dominate without the binding, though.

Orion lifted the crop and smacked Malagan’s shoulders lightly with it, then up and down Malagan’s upper arm as he walked back around to face Malagan. He reached down and gripped Malagan’s cock as he rained gentle taps of the crop down on Malagan’s chest and nipples. “Do you enjoy my attentions?” he asked.

Malagan raised his head and met Orion’s gaze. “Yes, Master. Very much.” He pulled his hands around in front of him and held them out to Orion. “Would you tie my wrists please, Master?”

Orion raised an eyebrow, looked down to Malagan’s hands and back up to his face. A test, of course. They had already set ground rules, and no Dom worth anything would go back on his word in the heat of the moment. Orion shook his head. “No.”

Malagan nodded and smiled. “Dom to Dom, you may bind me, if you wish.”

Malagan really did trust him. Hearing Malagan profess his trust was all well and good, but having Malagan make such a gesture, having Malagan place his safety in Orion’s hands, was something else entirely. A spike of adrenaline made Orion’s heart race and his blood pound in his ears. He turned immediately and went to the table, grabbed up a pair of leather cuffs and hurried back to Malagan, nearly tripping over his own feet.

“Easy,” Malagan murmured. “A little less eager, there, if you don’t mind.”

Orion took a deep breath and nodded. Hands shaking, he reached out with the cuffs.

“Steady yourself,” Malagan told him. “Your nerves are understandable, but your sub will feed off them. You know that. Think for a moment, before you act.”

Orion shuddered and turned away, barely suppressing the sob that suddenly rose in his throat. He couldn’t do this. Who was he kidding? He was broken, worthless. For God’s sake, he couldn’t even dominate another Dom without being coached. He sucked in a breath as Malagan’s arms slid around him and pulled him close. Malagan took the cuffs from him and turned him around.

Malagan went down on his knees and gazed up at Orion, holding out the cuffs. “Please, Master.”

Backlist Feature: Orion's Way

Content Warning: BDSM 

Blurb:

Orion is a vampire with a tragic past. After running away from abusive parents at the tender age of sixteen, he was turned by a ruthless elder vampire and forced to torture and sexually abuse human feeders and submissive vampires. Though that's all behind him now, he still lives in the shadow of what he was, and it has cost him the loyalty of Xavier, the human feeder he loves. Malagan is Orion's closest friend--the vampire who saved him from brutality all those years ago. Malagan knows the dominant side of Orion--the side Xavier needs--is still there, lurking below the surface. But if Orion's going to find his way back to who he ought to be, he'll need help. And Malagan is just the man for the job.

Excerpt:
Three months later, he had his answer, as Orion paced frantically around the library, clenching and unclenching his shaking hands. “I told you I couldn’t do this!” Orion hissed.

Malagan steepled his fingers in front of him and leaned back in his chair. “What happened?”

“What always happens! He ran away from me again! I found him at a club two towns over, being fed on by vamps from another clan.” Orion ran his hands through his hair, clutching his fingers at the ends and tugging. “He bore my scent. My mark. And they ignored it!”

Malagan shrugged. “Just as any other vamp would if they found a stray.” He tried unsuccessfully to keep the snide tone from his voice. Stray feeders were like stray cats—cute enough everyone wanted to pet them and feed them, but dirty enough no one really wanted to keep them.

“He’s not a stray!” Orion rounded on him, eyes glowing bright red, fangs descended. “You would do well to mind your clan and your borders!”

Though impressed and encouraged by Orion’s display of domi- nance, Malagan couldn’t let it go unanswered. He curled his upper lip in a snarl and stood. “You would do well to remember your place, Orion.”

Orion glared at Malagan, breathing hard, his internal war evident. At last he pulled his fangs up and took a step backward. “I’m sorry.”

Malagan crossed to him, tipped his head back with a finger under his chin. “Don’t be sorry. Be respectful. That’s all I ask. You know as well as I that a marked feeder far from his home is probably a stray. They likely didn’t ask if he had a Master, and Xavier likely didn’t offer the fact that he did. You are my dearest friend, but it’s not a situation I’ll go to war over.”

Orion nodded. “I know.” He looked away, but rested his hands on Malagan’s hips. “What am I to do, Mal? My heart is in chaos. If I cannot command Xavier’s loyalty, how can I command his love? Or anyone else’s? A vampire master who wakes in the night with no clue where his feeder has gone.” He shook his head miserably. “I see the looks the others give me. I have neither their respect nor their regard.”

Malagan leaned in and nipped at Orion’s ear. “You have mine, on all counts.”

“I’m grateful for that.” Orion raised his head to meet Malagan’s eyes. “More than you know. My Maker said he’d change my life. That’s what he told me, the night he found me. He promised me power, control, and I believed him.” He turned and stepped away, but Malagan caught him by the arm and pulled him close again.

“You had no reason not to.” Malagan fitted their bodies together tightly, ground his hips against Orion’s ass.

“I should’ve known better. I should’ve found a way to leave.” Though Orion finally leaned back into the embrace, his body was rigid.

Malagan tugged Orion’s neatly tucked shirt up and slid his hands up under it to touch the only slightly chilly flesh, fascinated by it, as always. Orion had never been as cold to the touch as most vampires. “And how many would be dead, if you had?”

Orion shrugged. “Maybe they’d be better off that way.” He pulled away, head hanging, and wrapped his arms around his middle tightly, shaking. “You should take Xavier. Or someone else should. Anyone.”

“Orion—”

“No. He needs more from me than I can give. I’m not that man anymore.”

Malagan sighed. He’d watched his friend struggle these past few years, had tried to stand back and let Orion figure things out. What he should’ve done was shown Orion what he saw when he looked in Orion’s eyes. Shown Orion the strength buried under all that doubt and shame. He took a deep breath and quirked an eyebrow at his own idea. This might hurt a bit. Malagan grabbed Orion by the shoulder and turned him around roughly.

“What—”

“Shut up!” Malagan snapped. “If you’re not a Master, then you’re a feeder.” He shoved Orion back against the wall and lowered his head to Orion’s neck.

Hot Paranormal Nights Blog Hop

PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO BE TAKEN TO
 THE REST OF THE LINKS FOR THE HOP.
I AM HAVING E-MAIL ISSUES AND DIDN'T GET A FULL "LINKY LIST", HOWEVER, I *ALWAYS* LINK BACK TO THE HOSTING BLOG SO YOU CAN KEEP HOPPING. 

For my part in the hop today, I'm offering up a tidbit of my sexy m/m vampire tale, "Orion's Way."

Blurb:

Orion is a vampire with a tragic past. After running away from abusive parents at the tender age of sixteen, he was turned by a ruthless elder vampire and forced to torture and sexually abuse human feeders and submissive vampires. Though that's all behind him now, he still lives in the shadow of what he was, and it has cost him the loyalty of Xavier, the human feeder he loves. Malagan is Orion's closest friend--the vampire who saved him from brutality all those years ago. Malagan knows the dominant side of Orion--the side Xavier needs--is still there, lurking below the surface. But if Orion's going to find his way back to who he ought to be, he'll need help. And Malagan is just the man for the job.


Excerpt:

The moment Malagan walked into his kitchen, he knew where the dent in Orion’s car had come from. Orion sat at the table, both hands wrapped in gauze, nursing a cup of coffee. Orion hadn’t healed his wounds, and Malagan knew that spelled a nasty bout of depression on the horizon. He wiped his own bloodied knuckles on his pants—unhealed because he simply hadn’t taken the time—and went to pour himself a mug. He needed to feed, but he needed to see to Orion first. Caffeine would do in the meantime.

“I owe you some supplies,” Orion said, holding up his hands.

Malagan shrugged. “Mi casa es su casa, you know that.” He sat down across from Orion, nodded to Orion’s hands. “Did the car say something you didn’t like?”

Orion burst into laughter, leaned forward, and laid his head on the table, forehead down. He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Malagan reached his hand to the back of Orion’s neck, massaged the tight-corded muscles there. “I’m proud of you. What you did was incredibly stupid and ill-advised, but I’m still proud of you. Although you could’ve gotten yourself killed, and then I’d have had to kill Clay. You should think about that next time.”

“Will there be a next time?” he asked, turning his face slightly to see Malagan.

Malagan withdrew his hand and picked up his coffee to sip it. “Hard to say. Marco and the others are helping Xavier settle in now. He came with me willingly tonight, but one never knows with humans. They’re such a fickle bunch.”

Orion sat up and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Thank you.”

Malagan nodded. He’d rescued Xavier for his own peace of mind as much as for Orion’s. “I discussed the situation at length with him on the drive home. He loves you, of course, as he always has. He wants to return to you, if you’ll have him. You should speak to him.”

Orion shook his head. “You know I can’t.”

Malagan held up a hand. “Think about it. He’s not going to be up for anything heavy for a very long time. Might never be, now. Perhaps this experience will show him he doesn’t need the dangerously heavy hand he craves. Perhaps it won’t. Either way, the two of you can learn and grow together. As morbid as it seems, maybe this situation today was just what each of you needs to find your way back to what you once were.”

“What I was?” Orion smirked. “I was a monster.”

Malagan ignored the statement, focused on the present. “I’ve seen how you are with the new fledglings, with the vamps who come through my doors questioning everything, questioning their own sanity. You’re patient with them. You take time with them, make sure they’re comfortable and happy. And I’ve seen the light that comes into your eyes when you watch a BDSM session. You want to be the one holding the paddle. You want to be the one giving that joy to a sub. You deserve to be the one, and Xavier, flighty as the man is, deserves that from you. If I didn’t trust you, I’d never have let you live in the lair.”

Orion stood and paced to the sink to rinse out his coffee cup. “How can you trust me when I can’t even trust myself?”

A valid question, but Malagan doubted Orion would accept any answer he gave. He stood and joined Orion, slid his arm around Orion’s waist. “Like I said, I’ve seen it in your eyes.”

“I don’t know.” Orion shook his head and leaned into Malagan’s embrace. “I haven’t even picked up a whip since...” He broke off and looked away.

“I know.” Malagan pressed a kiss to the top of Orion’s head. “You never know until you try.”

“Maybe.” Orion sat his cup down on the counter and laid his hand over Malagan’s. He froze as his fingers made contact with broken flesh. He turned quickly and lifted Malagan’s hand. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing. Clay’s face is harder than it looks.” Malagan’s chest constricted as Orion turned his hand over and back again, touching the wound gingerly, scowling. “It’s nothing,” he repeated.

“Let me,” Orion murmured. He raised Malagan’s hands and licked Malagan’s knuckles one by one. At length he lifted his head, eyes crimson. “Tell me he looks worse than you.”

Malagan chuckled. “Far worse.” He pulled his hands away and stroked Orion’s hair. “Go speak to Xavier, my friend. You two have much to discuss.”

Orion obeyed, though Malagan didn’t miss the reluctance in his slow, calculated movements, or the way he hesitated at the doorway and looked back over his shoulder at Malagan before going on. The road to Xavier’s recovery would be long, but he wondered if the road to Orion’s wouldn’t be longer.

To enter to win a copy, just leave a comment below, and don't forget to include your e-mail address.

Good luck!!

****PLEASE BE AWARE:  I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

Hot and Deadly Blog Hop

For my part in the hop today, I'm featuring my m/m vampire romance "Orion's Way."

Orion is definitely a dark hero. He's been through a lot of tragedy in his life, and all of it has taken a toll on him. On the other hand, Malagan is also dark...but just because he's ancient and damned sexy!

Content warning: "Orion's Way" contains adult content, graphic sexual situations, and BDSM.

To enter to win a copy, just leave a comment below, and be sure to include your e-mail! Good luck!

Here's the blurb:

Orion is a vampire with a tragic past. After running away from abusive parents at the tender age of sixteen, he was turned by a ruthless elder vampire and forced to torture and sexually abuse human feeders and submissive vampires. Though that's all behind him now, he still lives in the shadow of what he was, and it has cost him the loyalty of Xavier, the human feeder he loves. Malagan is Orion's closest friend--the vampire who saved him from brutality all those years ago. Malagan knows the dominant side of Orion--the side Xavier needs--is still there, lurking below the surface. But if Orion's going to find his way back to who he ought to be, he'll need help. And Malagan is just the man for the job.


And an excerpt:

That night Malagan sat at his desk in his office, sorting through bills and papers. He’d made apologies and assurances to the other lair dwellers that what had taken place with Clay and Xavier would never happen again. He shook his head, wishing he could rid himself of the sting of Clay’s betrayal just as easily. Clay had been with him from the beginning—had been instrumental in helping Malagan establish the lair. He knew exactly what the place meant to Malagan, and how important it was to those who sought sanctuary and peace within its walls.

“Ah.” Malagan sat back and crossed his legs, settling in for what he assumed would be a drawn-out conversation. Always was, when dealing with Marco. “What did he tell you?”

“How his Maker found him when he was sixteen, after he’d run away from those horrible parents of his, and promised him all these amazing things, but really his Maker just wanted to use him.” Marco looked away. “His Maker did use him. The things he was forced to do...”

Malagan nodded. “Zachariah was a ruthless creature.”

“Did you know him, Master?” Marco peered across at Malagan with wide eyes.

“I met him once, briefly.” For twenty minutes, to be exact. And that was all the time Malagan needed to decide Zachariah should die. “Orion said he never saw Zachariah again after the night you found him.” Marco shifted in his seat. “What happened to him? Will he ever come back for Orion? Because I’ve heard that when a Maker chooses his protégé—”

“Zachariah is dead,” Malagan interrupted. “Orion has nothing to fear from him anymore, or from anyone else. Nor do you.” He leaned forward and patted Marco’s arm. “The lair is a safe place.”

Marco nodded and looked around the room. “The lair is all I’ve ever known of vampire life. My Maker is a kind man, as are you, Master. All the masters here are kind. I can’t imagine...” He trailed off and shook his head, biting his lower lip.

“Life should be filled with kind people. But sometimes it’s not.” Malagan sat back in his chair again.

Marco stuck out his chin. “Xavier should’ve stayed with Orion, no matter what. Orion was good to him.”

“Someone being good to you doesn’t mean you owe them your loyalty. Xavier needs something Orion can’t give him.” Suspecting there was more to Marco’s visit than sharing gossip over Orion, Malagan raised an eyebrow and waited while the young vampire fidgeted and fretted.

“I’m worried about Orion, Master,” Marco blurted at last.

“He’ll be all right. I know he’s upset—”

“No, you don’t understand. He—” Marco finally looked at Malagan, winced apologetically, and ducked his head back down. “Forgive me for interrupting you, Master. It’s just...I’m not supposed to tell you. Orion asked me not to, and any other time, I might keep a secret for him. But this time...”

Malagan leaned forward. “If you think Orion is in danger, I need to know.”

Marco nodded. “I do. He went to try to talk to Xavier. He went to Clay’s house.”

Malagan clenched his jaw tight. Though a welcome change, this reemerging defiant streak of Orion’s would be the death of him. Perhaps of them both. “When did he leave?”

“Just after Clay left.”

Malagan glanced at his watch. Orion had a full hour’s head start on him. He stood, slid his jacket on, and reached into his pocket for his keys. “Stay here,” he instructed. “Gather the others and be prepared to deal with whatever I bring back.”



****PLEASE BE AWARE:  I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.***

A-Z Challenge Day 22: V is for Vampires

Vampires. What else do I need to say, really? There's the ones I've written myself:

And the ones I love to watch...

And the ones I'll always remember as my firsts...

(NOTE: I do not own the Being Human, True Blood, or Interview with the Vampire photos. They came from a random web search. If they are your property please let me know so I can give a credit accordingly. Alternatively, if they are your property and you would like them taken down, please let me know and I'll be happy to comply.)

Vampire Bite Blog Hop

Vampires. From the friendly Muppet Count von Count, to Anne Rice's Lestat, right up to Being Human's Aidan, let's face it - vampires are everywhere. And of course there's a whole slew of them in m/m fiction. 

I've got a couple of my own, actually. There's Malagan and Orion from "Orion's Way." Orion struggles with who and what he is. Malagan, on the other hand, is the ancient, confident, bad ass vampire.  

Why, though? What it is about these creatures that makes us so gaga over them? Of course they're sexy - you've never seen a truly unattractive vampire, now have you? And there's that whole homoerotic thing going on, if you're into that, as some of us are. ::wags eyebrows::

But I think it's  more about the essence of the vampire than the actual vampire. They represent the opposite of everything most people fear - getting sick, growing old, dying. And more importantly - running out of time. Everyone I know is trying to do a million things at once, like going back to school, raising children, renovating a house. Running themselves ragged. Vampires have the luxury of taking their time, doing one thing at time. How nice would it be to spend time just doing one thing, because you know - hey, I can always tackle that other thing in the next several hundred years. 

Yeah. Think about that, hmm?

Anyhow, here's an excerpt from "Orion's Way." That's also your prize for today - one lucky winner will receive a pdf copy. To enter, just leave a comment below with your e-mail. Easy, peasy. Enjoy!

Blurb:

Orion is a vampire with a tragic past. After running away from abusive parents at the tender age of sixteen, he was turned by a ruthless elder vampire and forced to torture and sexually abuse human feeders and submissive vampires. Though that's all behind him now, he still lives in the shadow of what he was, and it has cost him the loyalty of Xavier, the human feeder he loves. Malagan is Orion's closest friend--the vampire who saved him from brutality all those years ago. Malagan knows the dominant side of Orion--the side Xavier needs--is still there, lurking below the surface. But if Orion's going to find his way back to who he ought to be, he'll need help. And Malagan is just the man for the job.

Excerpt:

This was a bad, bad idea. Orion shook his head at his own stupidity even as he backed away from Clay. Far older than Clay and twice Clay’s size in build, he could easily break the other vampire, but he didn’t have that in him anymore, and he had been stupid to think he did. He edged to his left, closer to the door.

“Answer me! Did Malagan send you?” Clay stalked toward Orion, hands balled into fists at his sides.

“This has nothing to do with Malagan,” Orion told him. “All I want is to see Xavier.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I’ve got some medical training, you know that. I just want to check on him, make sure he’s okay. I know you’re not going take him to the hospital.”

“Just how stupid do you think I am, freak?” Clay snarled. “You think I’m going to let you waltz in there and”—he held up his hands and made quote fingers— "'check on him’? You think I’m going to let you brainwash him into leaving me, freak?” Clay surged toward Orion, stood toe-to-toe and glared up at him.

Freak. The word went straight to Orion’s guts and sent a shiver of hatred running up his spine. He pushed his shoulders back and stood taller, towering over Clay, but to no effect. Clay didn’t back down, didn’t turn away, didn’t show one single sign of submitting.

Clay laughed and snapped his fingers in Orion’s face. “Look at you. Size of a fucking giant, but the balls of a three-year-old. You’ve got no spine, Orion. You’re nothing but a simpering weakling who hides behind Malagan.” He turned away and moved to the bar.

“Don’t turn your back on me,” Orion warned, tempting fate.

“Why not?” Clay called over his shoulder. “What are you going to do about it? You going to beat me senseless and take what you want? That’s what you’re good at, isn’t it? Why don’t you come over here and try it, freak? That’s right, come on over here. I won’t even turn around. I’ll let you have the first hit. That’s all you need. Just that first hit to get you going. And then you’ll bloody me up, right?”

“I’ll do what I must to get Xavier away from you.” Orion took a deep breath and stood his ground, unmoving. He wasn’t about to back away, but he wouldn’t do anything rash either.

Clay rounded on Orion and smirked. “You don’t have the guts.”

The door opened behind them, and Orion turned to see Malagan standing in the opening. Elation and anger warred within him. He wanted to smile and gloat to Clay that now things would go his way, but another part of him hated Malagan for showing up, for stealing his thunder. For proving Clay right.

“He may not,” Malagan murmured. “But I do.” He swiveled his head to look at Orion, sent a knowing, compassionate look Orion’s way. “Xavier and I will meet you back at the lair.”

Heart pounding, Orion swallowed his pride and nodded. He left Clay’s house, the sounds of breaking glass and Clay’s yelling echoing down the path. He stopped at his car and turned back toward the house. This wasn’t Malagan’s fight—Malagan hadn’t started it, after all, and Malagan shouldn’t be the one finishing it. Orion took three steps up the path and froze as his guts knotted up and a wave of nausea assaulted him. Gagging, he pressed the back of his hand to his mouth and stumbled back, colliding with the front of the car. 

Frustration tore at him. Self-loathing and worthlessness wrapped their claws around him and pulled him under. Orion whirled and brought both fists crashing down onto the hood of his car. Again and again, until he’d left a bloody dent. Exhausted, lightheaded, he straightened and choked on a throat full of tears as he ran his fingers over the ruined hood. Why did he break everything he touched?

****PLEASE BE AWARE:  I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

Alpha Male Blog Hop WINNER

And the winner is....

Ashley Applebee  (ash_app@hotmail.com)! Congratulations! I'll be sending along your copy of "Orion's Way" shortly!

BlisseKisse After Dark

Here's my kissing excerpt for BlisseKiss After Dark. They're inside, but it's dark out, trust me!

This is from "Serge's Gift" which is included in the upcoming "Crimson Anthology" from Breathless Press.



"Bryan?" Serge calls my name, pants it or moans it, I'm not sure which, but the sound is velvet in my ears; I can literally feel his voice sliding into my brain. I can't remember ever wanting anyone this much, even him. "Say it, Bryan. Say you're mine."

"Yours." God, he's absolutely like a drug -- I'll say any goddamn thing to keep him this close, keep his hands on me, keep his body pressed against mine.

Reality runs away from me, and I don't even try to stop it. Serge kisses me, lips like fire against mine. He pushes his tongue inside my mouth, not asking permission but taking what's rightfully his. One of his hands grips the back of my neck, the other surrounds my cock. I buck up into that touch, craving the sensation of flesh on flesh, the feeling intense beyond anything I've imagined.

For my giveaway, I'm offering up a free pdf copy of my other fabulous m/m vampire story, "Orion's Way" (since Crimson isn't out yet). 

To be entered, just leave a comment below with your e-mail. 

Good luck!!

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

The Alpha Male Blog Hop

I've often been asked, "what makes a man an alpha?"

Some people think it's the size that counts, but I have to kindly disagree, since I, myself am only 4' 9" but am very much an alpha.

Alphas know how to take control, and they don't shy from it. In a bad situation -- in a disaster -- it's the alpha who comes up with the plan. The alpha who people look for for assurances and comfort. The alpha is also the one who sticks his neck out, who goes the extra mile for his friends and loved ones.

Being an alpha is all about attitude, but you've got to be able to back it up. I don't mean physically, I mean emotionally and mentally. Alphas have that certain something -- that illusive thing called mojo.

Who is my favorite alpha from my books? That would have to be Malagan, my sexy vampire from "Orion's Way."

Blurb:

Orion is a vampire with a tragic past. After running away from abusive parents at the tender age of sixteen, he was turned by a ruthless elder vampire and forced to torture and sexually abuse human feeders and submissive vampires. Though that's all behind him now, he still lives in the shadow of what he was, and it has cost him the loyalty of Xavier, the human feeder he loves. Malagan is Orion's closest friend--the vampire who saved him from brutality all those years ago. Malagan knows the dominant side of Orion--the side Xavier needs--is still there, lurking below the surface. But if Orion's going to find his way back to who he ought to be, he'll need help. And Malagan is just the man for the job.

And here's an excerpt:

“Do you enjoy my attentions?” he asked.

Malagan raised his head and met Orion’s gaze. “Yes, Master. Very much.” He pulled his hands around in front of him and held them out to Orion. “Would you tie my wrists please, Master?”

Orion raised an eyebrow, looked down to Malagan’s hands and back up to his face. A test, of course. They had already set ground rules, and no Dom worth anything would go back on his word in the heat of the moment. Orion shook his head. “No.”

Malagan nodded and smiled. “Dom to Dom, you may bind me, if you wish.”

Malagan really did trust him. Hearing Malagan profess his trust was all well and good, but having Malagan make such a gesture, having Malagan place his safety in Orion’s hands, was something else entirely. A spike of adrenaline made Orion’s heart race and his blood pound in his ears. He turned immediately and went to the table, grabbed up a pair of leather cuffs and hurried back to Malagan, nearly tripping over his own feet.

“Easy,” Malagan murmured. “A little less eager, there, if you don’t mind.”

Orion took a deep breath and nodded. Hands shaking, he reached out with the cuffs.

“Steady yourself,” Malagan told him. “Your nerves are understandable, but your sub will feed off them. You know that. Think for a moment, before you act.”

Orion shuddered and turned away, barely suppressing the sob that suddenly rose in his throat. He couldn’t do this. Who was he kidding? He was broken, worthless. For God’s sake, he couldn’t even dominate another Dom without being coached. He sucked in a breath as Malagan’s arms slid around him and pulled him close. Malagan took the cuffs from him and turned him around.

Malagan went down on his knees and gazed up at Orion, holding out the cuffs. “Please, Master.”

Orion took them, stared at them for a long moment as he fought to control his ragged breathing and the staccato beating of his heart. Malagan’s pleading eyes bore into his soul, and something finally clicked inside him. He fastened the cuffs around Malagan’s wrists, ran his finger under the edge of each to ensure they weren’t too tight.

All his old instincts came back to him in a rush. He ran his hand through Malagan’s hair as he moved again, coming to a stop behind him. Riding the high of power, he placed his foot in the middle of Malagan’s back and gave a push. “Ass up.”


Want to win a copy? All you have to do is leave a comment below with you e-mail. It's that simple. One lucky commenter will win a free pdf copy!

In addition to my giveaway,

there there are also THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet 

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card 

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack! 

Good luck!!!

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****