"Broken Alpha" Extra - The Candleholders

There's a scene near the end of "Broken Alpha," where Sokel and Sebastian present Rennett with a pair of matching candleholders, to symbolize their joined lives.

Here's the scene:

"I..." Rennett fought the urge to glance back at the stack of boxes and away from Sebastian's all-knowing gaze. He took a deep breath. "Korden's already done so much. But you and Kel...coming here like this, giving up your lives, your careers. This can't all be for me. I'm not worthy of this."

Sebastian glanced over his shoulder. "Chime in here anytime, sugah."

In answer, Sokel retrieved a wooden box from one of the large plastic containers. He joined Sebastian on his knees in front of Rennett, and Rennett couldn't suppress the notion that an Alpha like Sokel should never kneel, especially to an omega like him.

"We were waiting for Korden, but perhaps now is a better time." Sokel held out the box.

Rennett could see something written on the lid: Te-Belvane-de-Laveau, a combination of Sokel's and Sebastian's family names in the traditional Alpha/omega pairing, followed by Te-Encarit-de-Encarit his and Korden's family name, again in the traditional style. He ran his fingers across the engraving. "What is this?"

"Well..." Sebastian drew the word out and his cheeks blushed. He ducked his head and offered a sheepish grin. "Since we're doin' this whole cohabitation thang, Kel an' I thought it only right to get us somethin' that symbolized all of us. Don't ya wanna see what's inside? Go on, open it!" he prompted.

Rennett took the box at last and sat it on his lap, lifting the lid and sitting it on the arm of the chair. Nestled inside the box were two items, bundled up in white paper. He pulled back the wrapping to revel a pair of metal candleholders, like the ones presented to newly linked mates as a symbol of family unity. At six inches in height, each consisted of a top to hold a taper candle, an open circle in the middle, adorned with fine metal webbing and a golden spider—ironically, the animal of both theirs and Sokel's family houses—and a flared, bell-shaped bottom. The spicy, rich scent of incense clung to the metal, and Rennett found himself pressing his nose against the top. The top rim of each candleholder bore their family names, engraved into the metal, and on the bottom of each were the words bound by love in Earth script.

Sokel rested his hand on Rennett's knee. "Bastian and I are not here out of pity, or obligation. We are here because we love both you and Korden. You are our family, not by blood, but by choice, and we choose to follow you."

"Ya like 'em?"

"They're...they're beautiful." He swallowed hard and looked up at them. "I don't know what to say," Rennett admitted.

Sebastian scoffed. "Ain't no need to say nothin' at all."

Sokel rose and took Rennett's hand. "Come. Let's find a proper place for them." 

***
And here are the candleholders. I bought them several years ago from an antique store. And yes, they actually do smell like incense, because once upon a time they resided in our incense drawer. Now they live in my writing office. :-) 

Cover Reveal: "Alpha's Redemption"

Well, ain't that pretty!

Blurb:

Tondreau has spent the last four years helping raise Cadajen's terminally ill daughter, Linea. Though not mates, they've carved out a happy life with each other. It all comes crashing down when Linea's health takes a turn for the worst. Together, they must face the hardest decision of their lives. Will it tear them apart? And can Tondreau put aside his fears and be the Alpha Cadajen needs him to be?

Coming Soon from Torquere Press!

 

Cover Reveal - Re-release "Omarati"

And here's the cover for the re-release of "Omarati."

Cover Reveal - Re-release "Buried Treasure"

What do y'all think of the new cover for "Buried Treasure"?

Cranberries and Spice Blog Hop

Please be aware: I write GLBTQ romance. This blog posting contains an excerpt from an m/m/m romance - that's male/male/male. As in male/male/male sex. As in a threesome. 

If that ain't your cuppa, please move along

 and make room for the next person. 

I don't have any Thanksgiving-themed stories, but I do have a hot little Christmas tale. So... I'mma be all rebellious and junk and share an excerpt from that one. It's called "Perfect Christmas." Like most things in my life, this snippet is Rated R!!

Leave a comment below and you'll be entered to win a free pdf copy. :-) 

Enjoy!!

Blurb: Depressed and lonely, Evan has nothing to look forward to on Christmas but his TV dinner and store-bought cookies, while his lover, Drake, spends the holiday traveling for business. But a special delivery changes everything, and Evan finds himself in the middle of a perfect Christmas. Worn out from his stocking stuffer, Evan's not sure how he's going to handle his present, but when Drake reveals that Evan's gift is a threesome with none other than their hunky friend Mike, Evan summons the energy!

Excerpt:

Drake straightened, stepped back, and stretched. He flashed Evan a dazzling smile. “Now we can head to the bedroom.”

“I was starting to like the bathroom,” Evan admitted.

“Well, if you want to open your present, you need to go to the bedroom.”

Curiosity piqued, Evan slid down off the sink. Drake took his hand and led him to the adjoining bedroom. In the middle of their big, black lacquer, four-poster bed, naked except for a pair of black leather underwear with a silver zipper, was their friend Mike. The soft glow of candles surrounded them but no heat radiated from them; Evan recognized them as the flameless battery operated ones he’d bought online last year but had never used.

“How?” Evan managed to whisper, just before his jaw dropped open.

“I called him on the way here and arranged it,” Drake explained, his tone full of pride.

“I snuck in the backdoor after Drake got home.” Mike grinned sheepishly. “No pun intended.”

“Remember when you said you wondered what he was like in bed?” Drake asked, pressing his lips to Evan’s ear.

Evan nodded, mouth too dry to talk. Not that he didn’t find Drake’s boyish good looks and curly blond hair attractive, and not that he didn’t feel content and fulfilled with their relationship, or their sex life—he did. But there was something about Mike—an animal magnetism in those large, dark eyes—that had always tempted Evan. Mike was the tallest man Evan knew, towering well over six feet, with a hunky build and chestnut skin that bespoke of exotic travels, action and adventure, and completely belied his ordinary, down home life as bartender at the local gay club. Evan would never have acted on his fantasy, of course, but with Drake giving permission and Mike willing, how could he say no?

“Aren’t you going to unwrap your package?” Mike wiggled his hips, flickering light glinting off the metal zipper.

Drake moved to stand behind Evan, pressing their bodies together, the proof of his excitement obvious as the long, hard ridge of his cock nudged Evan’s ass. “Go on,” he encouraged.

Evan took several slow, measured steps forward, reawakening cock swinging between his legs.

“He looks good enough to eat, doesn’t he, Mike?” Drake asked.

Mike nodded. “I’m eager for a taste.”

Evan shivered and sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching a trembling hand for the zipper. His fingers fumbled, bumping Mike’s cock through the leather and Mike let out a long, low moan that went straight to Evan’s cock.

An InLinkz Link-up

NSFW - Thankfully Naughty 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.****

For my part in the  hop today, I'm sharing a snippet from my wickedly sexy m/m romp, "A Good Bargain." One lucky commenter will win a free pdf copy. Just leave a comment below, and be sure you include your e-mail. Good luck!!

Blurb:

Awkward and unsure, David has finally reentered the dating scene. A hot, young stud-muffin named Brandon seems like the perfect start, but things get complicated when Brandon makes a startling confession. Is Brandon the right choice for David, or did David just get way more than he bargained for?

Excerpt:

“There’s this odd look of mayhem on his upside-down face...”

“I love this part.” David chuckled, watching Brendan Gleeson’s character hanging by his ankle from a tree.

Brandon inched closer, laid his hand on David’s thigh. David bristled under the touch for a moment, forcing himself to calm down and relax. This was what he’d wanted, after all—to start dating again, to experience another man again, to have something more than fond memories and his Fleshlight to look forward to every night.

Brandon moved his hand, slid it just down to the inside of David’s thigh. Waves of fiery need pulsed through David. He tried hard to concentrate on the movie, but all he could think of was Brandon’s willingness. Brandon sighed and snuggled against David’s shoulder, slipping that hand a little higher.

Throat suddenly dry, David thought of all the reasons not to have sex: they’d only just met, Brandon was most likely barely even legal, what kind of example would this be for his son? David sucked in a breath as Brandon spun around and hopped over so he sat in David’s lap, knees straddling him.

Brandon leaned in for another kiss, this time not so soft and gentle. Demanding lips met David’s, and he gave in, opening his mouth and groaning as Brandon’s tongue slipped inside to twine with his. Brandon worked the buttons of David’s shirt open, dipping his hands under the fabric and running his fingers through the hair on David’s chest.

Fuck. Oh, fuck. That touch. David’s resistance melted, and he arched up against Brandon’s hands, tangling his own in Brandon’s long, dark hair, holding Brandon’s head tight. Brandon somehow managed to unbutton his own shirt and he pressed their naked chests together, sliding his arms around David’s back; fingernails raking him from shoulder to just above his waistband.

David broke the kiss with a fevered gasp. “Jump.”

Brandon grinned. “Booyah. Drop trou, baby.” He stood and dug into his pocket as David frantically worked his jeans opened and pushed them and his briefs down to his ankles. “Wow. Nice package, babe.”

David shrugged. At seven inches hard, he’d never considered himself well endowed. “It’ll get the job done.”

NEW RELEASE - "Nothing to Forgive"

Click the Cover to Purchase!

Blurb:

Finally done with war and fighting, Hadryk, a military officer, has agreed to be a pup host - to be impregnated - in order to protect his lover, Vodwynn, and he can't hide the proof much longer. Embarrassed and worried, he considers staying with his brother instead of going home, but, drawn by his love, he goes home to Planet Torbid and Vodwynn. Vodwynn reacts as anyone would. But when he realizes the sacrifice Hadryk has made, can he change his mind? Can he open his heart to discover the new wonders of Hadryk's body, and how strong their love truly is?

Excerpt:

The stars whizzed by in mesmerizing streaks of white, giving way to wispy nothing violet clouds as they entered the atmosphere. Hadryk stared out the window at the approaching ground of Planet Torbid. He should be happy to see his home. Instead, his guts twisted and he broke out in a cold sweat. How would he explain things to his lover? How would he make Vodwynn see he’d had no choice in the situation?

The shuttle descended sharply, and one of the guards got to his feet, tight gorton hide armor creaking softly with his movements. “General.”

Hadryk nodded to the guard and stood and his heart sank into his boots.

The guard snapped to attention and raised a hand in salute, thumb against his temple, fingers splayed wide. “On behalf of the Predeck and a grateful Legion, I thank you for your service.”

Hadryk grunted and returned the salute. He stepped off the shuttle, out of the confines of that quiet little dark cocoon, and into the bright, bustling day of his homeland. Chill winds met him, and he was thankful for the extra layers he wore, even if they hadn’t been intended to stave off the cold. Portak and Borta, the twin moons, could just be seen to the far east, harbingers of not far off dusk. He shouldered his pack and started off down the street.

Strangers rushed up to him, some giving mock salutes, others patting him on the back and wishing him well. If any of them had actually known him, they might have noticed that he looked a little different. A little bigger. A little fatter. But no one seemed the wiser. Perhaps he could keep it that way—at least for a while.

He arrived at his home and stood there on the wide bottom step, staring stupidly at the door, his gaze tracing the intricate scrollwork of his family crest. Vodwynn wasn’t expecting him for another cycle or two. He shuffled his feet and glanced up and down the street. Perhaps it would be better to stay somewhere else for the time being. He could hop another shuttle—take one to Darmuth and stay with his brother, Tamar. That might be the best thing to do, considering. He ran a hand down over his belly absently. He could send Vodwynn a message; say he would be back in six cycles—that would be enough time.

“Hadryk?”

Hadryk cursed silently and looked up to see his lover standing in the doorway. Warm light from within shone like a beacon. He hadn’t heard the door open.

“By the twin moons!” Vodwynn threw his arms around Hadryk’s neck, sobbing happily. He pulled back and stood close, hands holding Hadryk’s cheeks. His gaze strayed to Hadryk’s hair. Or lack thereof. “Your hair...” He stroked Hadryk’s once long locks.

Hadryk had all but forgotten about the hair until today. Visions of desolate sands flowing into sweltering swamplands clouded his mind. He shook them off with a shrug. “Durcat gets hot during the summer. We all cut our hair.”

“You’re shivering!”

Was he? Hadryk hadn’t noticed. He reached out and touched Vodwynn’s cheek, trailed his fingers down the side of Vodwynn’s face. “The day is cold. Nothing more.”

“Come, I’ll start a shower to warm you.”

Not the homecoming he had wanted, but neither was the homecoming he wanted the one he could have. Not anymore. Not like this. He followed Vodwynn into their home—everything looked so familiar and comfortable, from the overstuffed couch to the blanket with abandoned book atop piled haphazardly in Vodwynn’s favorite chair—and down the hall to the small washroom. He stood to the side as Vodwynn prepared the water, humming softly and looking over at him every now and then with a sweet smile that broke his heart. The banging and groaning of the metal pipes made him flinch.

Vodwynn straightened and gestured to the shower stall. “I can stay. Help you...” That sweet smile turned to a seductive one, and Hadryk swallowed down bile.