Audiobook Review: Mastering the Flames (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #4) by S.J. Himes

Guilt-ridden after the massacre of his family, Isaac Salvatore turned to binge drinking to escape the pain. Now twenty-four years old, Isaac is a recovering alcoholic woefully out of practice in the magical arts, leaving his fire affinity hanging on the edge of disaster. After a month of rehab, he returns to Beacon Hill and his family, determined to remain sober, learn to control his magic, and figure out a plan for his life that doesn't involve drinking.

Constantine Batiste is the oldest, most powerful vampire in the city. Born in ancient Gaul, the bastard son of a Celtic king, his long life has been shrouded in tragedy and horrors. Recent mistakes have left him wary and determined to guard his clan from all foes. When two of his clan members fall victim to an ancient evil, he summons the Necromancer of Boston for aid. Accompanying his older brother to the Tower is the handsome young fire mage once wounded by Constantine's arrogance, and their encounter reignites an attraction that burns within both Constantine and Isaac.

The answer to who is targeting the vampires of Boston is buried in the dark, early days of Constantine's transition to an immortal life. Isaac finds himself saddled with a painful insight into the evil cutting a swath through the supernatural population of Boston. While his brother, Angel, takes over the hunt to find and stop the threat to the city, Isaac struggles to find a balance between helping his brother and finding his own purpose and place in the world, free from his brother's shadow.

Falling in love wasn’t part of his plan, but mastering the flames that burn between him and Constantine soon becomes the most important thing in his life, even as an ancient evil seeks to destroy them.

Listening Length: 14 hours and 52 minutes
Narrator: Joel Leslie


The audio for the Necromancer's Dance was my first foray into Joel Leslie, and though it was a very interesting introduction, and though he’s not in my top 10 narrators, I will forever identify him with this series, which is a favorite of mine in the urban fantasy paranormal genre.

Again, Leslie brings the dramatics and all the characters to life, and I was entertained, enjoying my revisit into this world. It only hammered down that I’m jonesing for the next book that is nowhere in sight, and I need it desperately.

Of note, this was generously offered via new to me vendor, audiobooks.com. I’m not sure if this has happened to other listeners, but my reception via their app constantly shut off, having me either repeatedly push play on my phone over and over again, clear my phone and reopen the app, or just give up entirely for the time being and try again later. I have never had that happen with amazon’s audible app, and suffice it to say, I probably won’t be buying from audiobooks.com if I can help it, keeping to the tried and reliable true.

Regardless, thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review





Audio Blog Tour + Giveaway: Raphael's Power by Mary Rundle


Author Mary Rundle and Other Worlds Ink host today's book tour stop in celebration of Nick J. Russo narrated paranormal audio book release, Raphael's Power! Learn more and enter in the giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card AND a Cocky Cs mug! Good luck!



Raphael's Power audio - Mary Rundle


Mary Rundle has a new MM paranormal shifter romance audiobook out: "Raphael's Power." And there's a giveaway!

This is part of an ongoing series by Amazon best-selling author Mary Rundle and catching up on previous titles is advised. Listeners or readers of the past books will enjoy meeting old friends once more as the pack does what it does best - caring for one another and helping shifters everywhere.

Dr. Ian Wallace, a rare Scottish wolf, has dedicated his life to saving and healing wolf shifters by joining Frontline Doctors. Determined never to take a mate, he avoids relationships and is content to live a nomadic life, taking assignments to wild and remote places. That is, until an old friend asks him for a favor, which Ian’s wolf will not let him refuse. Now on his way to the Blackwood Pack compound, his wolf becomes frantic, and Ian learns not only that he has a fated mate, but that his fated mate is in danger.

Colton was forced to give up his dreams of becoming a nurse and joining Frontline Doctors when tragedy befell his family. Instead, he healed sick animals around his home while hiding from a pack who wanted him dead. Given the chance to use his skills, Colton seizes it and embarks on a journey that will reveal just how special he is.

A kidnapping, slave auction, revelations of long-kept family secrets, and a rare, powerful gift from the gods are some of the surprises in store for both of them until they finally find their way into each other’s hearts after discovering neither is who the other thought he was.


Amazon/Audible US | Amazon/Audible UK | Goodreads | QueeRomance Ink




Giveaway

Mary is giving one lucky winner a $20 Amazon gift card AND a Cocky Cs mug. Enter via Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47141/?




Excerpt


Raphael's Power audio - Mary Rundle

Steel entered the patio with Jackson and Colton in tow. “Okay, I’ve got them. Can we proceed?”

“Certainly, sweetie. Come, Jackson, sit down next to me. How’s my grandson today? Still kicking up a storm?”

“Yes, especially today. I think it’s because his other father hasn’t spent enough time with me today,” Jackson pouted.

“Hey, that’s not fair. You know I was trying to get everything taken care of before this weekend so you would have my undivided attention.”

“Hey babe, I was just teasing you. Jeez, you’re tense. What’s the matter and why did you want to see me and Colton. Oh shit! Is something wrong with the baby?” Jackson glanced at Colton.

“What?”

“No, no, babe,” Steel said. “Shit, no. This has nothing to do with the pup. It’s about Colton.”

“Colton? Oh, my gods! Is he sick? Did your mother tell you something was going to happen to him? Colton, why didn’t you tell me you were sick?” demanded Jackson.

“What? I’m not sick. What the fuck have you been telling Steel?” Colton shot angrily at Oracle. “And why are you upsetting Jackson?”

By this time, Maximus was laughing so hard, tears were running down his face. Oracle was chuckling softly but Steel was not amused.

Trying to get the meeting back on track, Steel huffed, “Listen to me. There is nothing wrong with the pup or Colton. This meeting is about a request I got from Slate concerning Colton. Can everyone calm down?”

“Then why did you say you were worried about Colton?”

Maximus was now howling with laughter as Steel turned to him. “Cut it out Dad. This isn’t funny. How the hell did this get so fucked up so fast?”

Oracle took control. “Jackson, dear, the meeting is about Slate’s request for Colton to go to Mexico to help him set up the hospital and clinic.”

“Then why…oh never mind. Let’s just get on with it. Why does Slate need Colton in Mexico to set up the hospital and clinic?”

Steel explained, “Slate wants Colton to join him in Mexico because the person who was scheduled became ill and he can’t find a replacement on this short notice.”

“Can’t he wait until the person recovers?” asked Jackson.

“No,” Steel said, “There was a fire last night that destroyed most of the old hospital, so they are desperate to get the new one up and running. Colton did the floorplan and the equipment list, so he has the most knowledge…medical knowledge…other than Dr. Luna, about getting everything set up properly.”

Colton listened with excitement at the possibility of going to Mexico to help out. When he was doing the planning with Dr. Luna and Slate he’d dreamt of it but was sure Jackson would never let him go. Now, though, maybe. After all, his brother was willing to let him go to Seattle on Monday. Oh Shit. When am I needed in Mexico? “Ahh, when would I be going?” Colton asked.

“Slate would pick you up Sunday morning and fly with you down to Mexico. He would stay with you until you finish and then fly you back.”

“But he’ll be going to Seattle on Monday,” said Jackson. “We’d have to cancel that and I’m not sure his brothers would understand since it’s all they’ve been talking about.”

“Let’s set that aside for the moment,” said Steel. “I think we need to focus on whether Colton wants to go to Mexico first and then, if so, is it safe for him.” He turned to Colton.

“Yes, I want to go. It would fulfill a dream of mine to be on the frontline of where medicine is needed the most. And since my ultimate goal is to work for Frontline Doctors, the experience would help me in my chosen field of work.”

“Okay, so we have the answer to the first part. What about his safety, Jackson? Your concerns?”

“You know my issues. Even though Silver Point has rescinded the kill-on-sight order, I don’t trust my uncle.”

“You were willing to let me go to Seattle. Mexico is further away, so I should be safer,” said Colton.

“Slate promised me he would guard Colton with his life while he was there,” said Steel, “sort of like his personal bodyguard. And Slate will be able to help Colton so it won’t take that long.”

Turning to Oracle, Jackson said, “I imagine the reason you’re in this meeting is to tell me if you’ve been told of any harm happening to Colton if he went?”

“Yes. I can only tell you Colton will return home.”

Jackson thought about what Oracle said but more troubling was what she didn’t say. There was a lot missing in her declaration about what would happen to his brother down there. How could he object? He knew the experience would mean a lot to Colton and give him hope about his future. Isn’t that why I agreed to the Seattle trip? So, his brothers would feel their lives were moving forward? Sighing, he said, “Okay, I won’t stop you from going Colton, but what do we do about the Seattle trip? Do we postpone it?”

“I don’t think that’s fair to my brothers. Why don’t they go ahead to Seattle while I go to Mexico? When I get back, maybe we can plan another trip to Seattle if the first one goes well.”

Jackson and Steel looked at each other, using their mind link to come to an agreement. Finally, Steel spoke, “Okay. Why don’t you go ahead and pack while I call Slate. I’ll let you know what time he’ll be here on Sunday.”

“Gosh, thanks guys.” Jumping up with ill-concealed excitement, Colton said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go figure out what I need to take.”




Author Bio


Mary Rundle - logo

The first book I ever wrote was Dire Warning in 2017 and, much to my delight, it became an Amazon Best-Seller. Readers loved it and I was on my way to chronicling the Blackwood Pack, seven brothers who are gay wolf shifters in search of their fated mates—stories about love at first sight with twists and turns, angst and humor, romance and adventure and, of course, happy endings.

As my books began to be translated into other languages, I also became an Amazon International Best-Selling author and then achieved the honor of becoming an Amazon All Star writer due to their popularity. My ninth book, Mystic Guardian, has just been published and audible versions of the entire series are in progress.

I love the M/M paranormal genre because it gives my imagination a lot of territory in which to roam. My mind can really run wild and come up with some amazing stuff when it doesn’t have to stay inside the box.

My readers tell me they feel like they’re members of the pack as the stories unfold…as if they’re right there in the middle of the action. Others tell me it’s like watching a fast-paced movie. My writing style pulls no punches…readers love it and are always clamoring for the next book.

Stories come to me as if channeled by my characters, all of whom I love (except for a few villains). They are eager to recount their lives, loves and adventures and are not inhibited when it comes to revealing steamy, sexy details.

I currently live in the Northeast and love the beautiful change of seasons, my husband, and our quirky calico cat, though not necessarily in that order. I’m always happy to hear from my readers and can be reached through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe, email, or my website.

Author Website: http://www.maryrundle.com
Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/maryrundle69
Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/maryrundleauthor
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryRundle69
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryrundle69
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14246427.Mary_Rundle
Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/mary-rundle/
Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Rundle/e/B0763CDQQ6/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1


LOGO - Other Worlds Ink

Release Blitz: Love in the Balance (The Peachtree Series #2) by Brigham Vaughn


Author Brigham Vaughn and Gay Book Promotions host today's release blitz for Love in the Balance (The Peachtree Series #2)! Discover more today!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Love in the Balance (The Peachtree Series Book 2)
Author: Brigham Vaughn
Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press (Indie/Self-Published)
Cover Artist: Brigham Vaughn
Release Date: August 24, 2020
Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance
Trope/s: May/December, age gap, hurt comfort,
rich man poor man, workplace romance
Themes: Marriage equality, family acceptance/homophobia, exploring light kink,
friends and chosen family, emotional baggage.
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 92 658 words/ 364 pages

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Love isn’t always enough.


Blurb

Russ Bishop and Stephen Parker are in love. They’ve settled into their relationship and are both happy. But Russ wants more than what they have now, he wants forever.

To him that means marriage, but for Stephen that has never been an option. Marriage equality still isn't recognized in Georgia so why want what he can't have?

When Stephen’s ex re-appears, they’ll have to decide once and for all if they’re ready to commit to a lifetime together.



Excerpt

He reached out and squeezed his thigh. “Speaking of commitment, I know we’ve talked about this before, but I’d like to make an appointment with a lawyer to draw up all the power of attorney and living will paperwork soon. If something happened to you … Well, I don’t want to find myself in the position I was in with Jeremy. Alan is wonderful, so I know he wouldn’t keep me away, but we might as well have all of the legal protection in place.”

Russ nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. We should do that soon.”

They had essentially already made the commitment to each other, so why not formalize it? Even if Stephen lost every penny or became sick or injured, Russ wasn’t going anywhere, and he knew Stephen felt the same. There was no question in his mind that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Stephen. And after meeting his mom, he no longer had the smallest doubt that he was capable of serious commitment. He wasn’t her, and he never had been. He was in this relationship for the long haul with Stephen, and the law should recognize that.

It seemed so cold and soulless to go to a lawyer’s office to draw up paperwork though. It felt like too big a moment to treat that way. He knew some couples had parties after, to celebrate, but that didn’t seem right. No, what he wanted was to publicly declare his feelings for his partner and show the rest of the world how much Stephen mattered to him.

He didn’t want to sign a few sheets of paper and pretend as if it weren’t one of the biggest moments in his life. He wanted more than that. He wanted … Russ stilled as it hit him what he truly desired. He wanted marriage. He blinked, trying to absorb the enormity of that realization. For a guy who’d struggled with the idea of long-term commitment, he knew he had come a long way. Maybe it was time he showed Stephen how serious he was about their relationship. Hell, he wouldn’t be surprised if Stephen had wanted it for a while and had been hesitating because he was worried Russ wasn’t ready.

He glanced over at Stephen and pictured standing in front of an officiant, their friends, and family and telling all of them that he wanted to spend the rest of his life making Stephen happy. He could picture it so clearly, and it felt right.

Maybe Georgia was light-years behind other states when it came to marriage equality and all it would legally recognize was signatures on a power of attorney form. But there was no reason they couldn’t go out of state to get married. And someday, when Georgia finally recognized it, they’d be married there too.

Husband. Russ tested the word out in his head, and something about it felt so right. He felt a surge of giddy elation as he imagined sliding a ring onto Stephen’s finger as they promised to spend the rest of their lives together.

He was going to do this. He was going to ask Stephen to marry him.


About the Author
Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time author. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn't let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can't wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
Her books range from short stories to novellas to novels. They explore gay, bisexual, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.

Author Links




Blog Tour + Giveaway: Acsquidentally in Love (Sucker for Love Mystery #1) by K.L. Hiers


Tentacles and a mystery?! Don't miss today's blog tour stop from author K.L. Hiers and Gay Book Promotions for Acsquidentally in Love (Sucker for Love Mystery #1) from Dreamspinners! Learn more about the new series and enter in the giveaway for a chance to win  a $15 Amazon Gift Card  or  one of FIVE ebook copies of Acsquidentally In Love!

BLOG TOUR


Book Title: Acsquidentally In Love

Author: K.L. Hiers

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Tiferet Design

Genre/s: Paranormal M/M Romance, Mystery, Tentacles

Trope/s: Solving Your Own Murder, Boy Meets God, Hidden Villain, Consentacles

Themes: Restoring Faith, Seeking Justice, Self-Sacrifice

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 60 000 words/ 188 pages

It is the first book in the series.




Buy Links



Nothing brings two men—or one man and an ancient god—together like revenge.


Blurb

Nothing brings two men—or one man and an ancient god—together like revenge.


Private investigator Sloane sacrificed his career in law enforcement in pursuit of his parents’ murderer. Like them, he is a follower of long-forgotten gods, practicing their magic and offering them his prayers… not that he’s ever gotten a response.

Until now.

Azaethoth the Lesser might be the patron of thieves and tricksters, but he takes care of his followers. He’s come to earth to avenge the killing of one of his favorites, and maybe charm the pants off the cute detective Fate has placed in his path. If he has his way, they’ll do much more than bring a killer to justice. In fact, he’s sure he’s found the man he’ll spend his immortal life with.

Sloane’s resolve is crumbling under Azaethoth’s surprising sweetness, and the tentacles he sometimes glimpses escaping the god’s mortal form set his imagination alight. But their investigation gets stranger and deadlier with every turn. To survive, they’ll need a little faith… and a lot of mystical firepower.





Excerpt

“I’m sorry,” Loch said suddenly, his attention stolen away from the television and focusing intently on Sloane.

“What?” Sloane turned his head, staring in shock. He didn’t think gods were much on apologies.

“I obviously caused you great discomfort with my actions earlier today,” Loch explained, his hand reaching for Sloane’s, “and yes, while I am a trickster… I don’t aim to always be a complete bastard.”

“Loch,” Sloane murmured softly, surprised by how genuinely sorry he sounded.

“I got this for you,” Loch said, a tentacle reaching over to present Sloane with an incense bowl. “It upset you, but… it also brought you joy. I thought you might like to have it.”

“This is from the museum!” Sloane gasped, recognizing it immediately as the one that had reminded him of his mother’s. “You stole this? Loch! How did you, it, it was in a glass case! We need to take it back!”

“Technically, the museum stole it from my family,” Loch said smugly. “It was an offering for my aunt, and I was merely making an effort to return it to its rightful owner. Since she’s asleep, it’s my responsibility to liberate it on her behalf. I am now giving it to you.”

“I can’t… I can’t accept this!”

“Don’t you like it?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then please take it,” Loch urged, “with my most sincere apologies.”

“Thank you.” Sloane was touched and looked over the bowl with a helpless smile. It was as good of an apology as he would likely ever get from an immortal being, with or without the well meaning theft. Suspicious, he added quickly, “I’m still not going to have sex with you.”

“We’ll see.” Loch laughed, giving Sloane’s hand a playful tug.

“No, we won’t,” Sloane said despite a big grin creeping onto his face. He didn’t pull his hand away, letting their fingers tangle together even after he put the incense bowl aside. It felt nice.

A few more sips from his drink and Sloane ended up cuddling against Loch’s side with his arm around his shoulders. That was nice too.

“Do you… uhm… do you want something to eat?” Sloane asked quietly as the hour grew late, and he realized that sandwich was the only thing either of them had had all day.

“I don’t require sustenance,” Loch replied, smirking fondly down at Sloane. “Immortal, remember?”

“Right. Uhm….”

“Would you like… something?” Loch asked innocently, his tongue swiping slowly over his lips to indicate he was definitely not talking about food.

Sloane’s cheeks flushed immediately, his attention drawn to Loch’s mouth as he stammered, “N-no, I’m actually pretty good right now.”

Loch shifted, using his arm around Sloane’s shoulders to pull him closer. He cradled Sloane’s face, fingers running into his hair as he purred, “Are you absolutely sure?”

No one had ever looked at Sloane the way Loch was right now, with such heat, such adoration and raw desire. It made his blood pump excitedly and his breath catch in his mouth before he could properly inhale.

“Not really,” Sloane replied weakly.

Loch nosed along Sloane’s cheek, sighing, “Why are you so afraid to let yourself experience pleasure with me?”

“I don’t just go around ‘experiencing pleasure’ with people!” Sloane protested even as his voice cracked when he felt Loch’s tongue slide along the edge of his ear. “Fuck….”

“Why not?” Loch asked, his breath hot and husky in Sloane’s ear.

“Because… because….” Sloane couldn’t think straight, stammering to think of an answer. It was impossible to gather his thoughts with Loch’s tongue at his ear and his fingers curling so sweetly through his hair.

“Because?” Loch pressed, calm and perfectly innocent.

“When I’m with someone, I want it to mean something,” Sloane said finally, his head foggy and trying to remain firm. “I want something that will last.”

“It can last all night,” Loch promised, his lips lightly pressing against Sloane’s jaw. “And the night after that… and the night after that….”

“Fuck it,” Sloane hissed, dragging Loch into a hot kiss, shoving his tongue into his mouth with a loud moan.



About the Author 

K.L. “Kat” Hiers is an embalmer, restorative artist, and queer writer. Licensed in both funeral directing and funeral service, she’s been working in the death industry for nearly a decade. Her first love was always telling stories, and she has been writing for over twenty years, penning her very first book at just eight years old. Publishers generally do not accept manuscripts in Hello Kitty notebooks, however, but she never gave up.

Following the success of her first novel, Cold Hard Cash, she now enjoys writing professionally, focusing on spinning tales of sultry passion, exotic worlds, and emotional journeys. She loves attending horror movie conventions and indulging in cosplay of her favorite characters. She lives in Zebulon, NC, with her husband and their six children, three of whom have paws and one who sometimes thinks he does.

 

Author Links




Giveaway 

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

a $15 Amazon Gift Card
 or 
one of FIVE ebook copies of Acsquidentally In Love 


 


 



 

Audiobook Review: Promise (Single Dads #3) by R.J. Scott

Leo Byrne is a cop, Jason Banks is an ex-con. Even after one stolen kiss, something has to give before Leo can convince Jason that falling in love is even an option.

Adopted at a young age, Leo is part of the sprawling Byrnes family. With his dog Cap, three siblings and a whole mess of nieces and nephews, he is never lonely, and his life is full. Love is the last item on his to-do list, but seeing his best friends Sean and Eric happy and making new families makes him want things he doesn’t think is possible. Kissing Jason at an event to honor his bravery was one thing, but anything other than that is off limits. Until Jason has no one left to turn to, and it’s Leo who helps him at his lowest. Taking Jason and his daughter into his home is one thing, but falling for the ex-con is something else altogether.

Jason made a deal to keep his daughter safe and spent years behind bars as a result. Volunteering as a convict firefighter was as much about helping the community as saving his sanity, but now that he’s out, he doesn’t even have that. He’s lost his future, his self-respect, and has no friends or a place to call home. Worst of all, even after rescuing his daughter he still can’t keep her safe from the man who wants to use her as a bargaining chip for money. Meeting Leo might give Jason a way to keep Daisy safe, but falling for the stubborn cop means the truth has to be revealed, and he could lose everything all over again.

Narrator: Sean Crisden
Listening Length: 4 hours and 42 minutes



Reviewer: Shee Reader

I absolutely adored the first two single dad’s books, and this one was no exception. The story is lush and well developed, the relationship is just what both our main characters needed, and the adorable little girl involved was perfection too. It’s always a joy to reconnect with pairings I have loved in earlier books and this book could have had even more of that for me.

The character Leo appears in the first two books of course, but we get to see more about his story here. Leo’s life hasn’t been plain sailing (understatement, much) and he is in need of the love of a good man, but when he finds it, will he be able to accept it? Of course he will, this is an RJ Scott creation! Jason has the hardest of times too, and that struggle makes the HEA all the sweeter, when he finally gets with the program.

The audio is fabulous from start to finish, just exactly what we audio addicts have come to expect from Sean Crisden. His characterisation is outstanding and he brought the whole thing to life in the perfect way.

Highly recommended!

I was given a free copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review.




Blog Tour + Giveaway: Gay All Year by Richard May



Author Richard May and IndiGo Marketing share info about new collection of short stories, Gay All Year from NineStar Press! Read about the 12 story collection and learn more about the author's writing process on penning conflict! Plus, enter in the $10 NineStar Press gift code giveaway!



Title: Gay All Year
Author: Richard May
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: August 17, 2020
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 78700
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Contemporary, romance, short stories, gay, bisexual, interracial, age-gap, slow burn, friends to lovers, BDSM, Dom/sub, humorous, multiple partners, priest, military, Native American, law enforcement, bereavement, daddy issues, men in uniform, Hanukkah

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

Twelve optimistic MM stories, one for every month of the year.
How do men meet? Each story is connected to a holiday or event—Epiphany, Valentine’s Day, Pi Day, Arbor Day, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, summer vacation, a rodeo, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Hanukkah—but may not be quite the celebration you’re expecting.
Neither may the men, and when these men meet, attraction does not always equal love—at least immediately—but chemistry finds a way.

Excerpt

Gay All Year
Richard May © 2020
All Rights Reserved
I never meant to live in San Francisco again, but here I was. At first, it was just a visit but when I saw how advanced the effects of my mother’s lung cancer were, I decided I couldn’t leave her to institutional caregivers and fly back to Boston, so I took a leave of absence, and then I telecommuted, and finally, my company offered me a transfer to the office in Menlo Park.
I also never expected to be inside a Catholic church again, but here I was. I had successfully avoided them in Boston, which is no easy trick when you’re Irish and raised Catholic. But now, I was back inside Saint Paul’s, fulfilling a deathbed promise to my mother. “Don’t blame God,” she had advised between wheezes and made me agree to go to mass. I wanted to scream. Of course, I blamed God and every fucking priest and every fucking Catholic in the world, but I bit my tongue and said I’d go, thinking her funeral mass would fulfill the promise. “And my funeral mass doesn’t count,” she’d said with the remainder of a twinkle in her eye. Trapped—and I didn’t even get to scream.
I had put it off for six months until I’d run into Mrs. Andreozzi on Tuesday past, and she’d mentioned Saint Paul’s had a new priest. “Very handsome,” she informed me as if that were enough of an inducement for a gay twentysomething male. And perhaps it was because the very next Sunday I entered the building, genuflected toward the altar, crossed myself, and took a seat in a pew.
There was an excellent turnout of ladies and gay men. And Mrs. Andreozzi was right: the new priest was very handsome. He was a tall man, with dark wavy hair combed straight back from his forehead, regular features, and noticeably wide shoulders. Nothing at all like Father Michael, with his thinning red hair, sallow complexion, and sagging jowls. I hoped he was different from Father Michael in other ways as well, for the altar boys’ sakes.
After mass, I tried to slip past the line of parishioners telling the new priest how much they liked this or that, but he stepped away from an older woman in midsentence to intercept me.
“Thank you for coming,” he said, barring my way with his conspicuous body and extended right hand. “Father Adrian Doyle.” I shook the hand hesitantly. Touching a priest was, and probably always would be, disgusting to me. Father Adrian’s hand was warm, but then so had been Father Michael’s.
“Stephen Kinney,” I said. The priest’s bright-blue eyes momentarily ceased sparkling. Apparently, he’d heard the name before. I’m sure he has, I thought with satisfaction.
“Good to see you, Stephen. See you next Sunday,” he said, his eyes recovering. He gave my hand a final shake and went back to his line of well-wishers. I walked outside without a commitment, continued down the steps to Church Street and around the second corner to my parents’ house. The park across the street was full of dogs, kids, and adult supervision. I had been one of those kids once upon a time.
I had mostly happy childhood memories and was on quite a nostalgia trip, integrating my things with those of my parents and grandparents. The park was certainly convenient for walking Boris, my mother’s old and needy dog. Why she wanted a Russian wolfhound neither my sister nor I quite understood. It had always been Irish setters while our father was alive. Still, after Mom passed, Anne Marie and I fought over who’d get custody of Boris. Nothing else in the estate mattered as much. I won because I was already walking the dog on a twice-daily basis, feeding him, and acting in loco parentis. My sister lived outside Chicago. If the trip east didn’t kill Boris, the Midwestern winter would.
Monday’s alarm woke me from disturbing dreams vaguely remembered. Men in black, oppressive shadows, Father Adrian naked. The latter image disturbed me most of all. I rushed to be vertical and tried to ignore my erection.
After struggling into jogging clothes, I opened the door for Boris’s stroll to the dog run. Immediately, an unfamiliar tenor yelled “Stephen!” at me. One of a crowd of runners passing by was waving. “Father Adrian!” he shouted in explanation, pointing at his chest, which was already eye-catching enough, even in a baggy sweatshirt. I waved back in a jerky side to side motion and watched the healthy bodies disappear. The priest’s butt was obvious in his skimpy running shorts, shifting left and right, left and right. Lustful thoughts came to mind. “Good God,” I said out loud. Boris whined. “Yes,” I agreed. “Let’s have none of that. Come on, boy.”
The old dog broke into an eager amble across the street. After a few minutes sniffing this fascinating scent, inhaling that arousing aroma, and doing his business, we recrossed the road. I let Boris in the front door and took off at a trot toward Sanchez. Of course, I ran into the Saint Paul’s joggers on their return trip.
“Join us!” the priest yelled, his tousled hair and happy face strong inducements. I heard several other runners second his call, which surprised me, given what I’d cost them. Misery loves company, I suppose, or maybe just following the lead of their priest. Still.
I was about to ignore all of them when someone dropped out of the line and yanked me into it. “Tony!” I yelped. Tony Rodriguez, the boy I’d had a crush on in sixth grade. The man who’d stood by me during the lawsuit. I assumed he’d left town. He hadn’t been at my mother’s funeral, and I hadn’t run into him at Safeway or Royal Cleaners.
“I’ve been in Iraq, and Marylee was at her mother’s,” he exclaimed as if he read minds. Oh, right. He was in the National Guard.
I took up the rhythm of the run, Tony’s admirable thighs racing alongside mine.
“Aren’t you almost done?” I asked, looking for an escape route.
“I wish,” he said, flashing the ten-thousand-dollar smile Dr. Davis of Twenty-fourth Street had given to both of us.
I looked ahead at the priest. “What do you think of the new guy?”
“He’s good,” Tony said, between inhales and exhales. “Up on technology.”
“I thought his Epiphany homily was good,” I said. “Especially the part about everyday epiphanies.”
Tony nearly stopped running. “You went to mass?” he said, looking at me as if I were lying.
“I promised my mother.”
“Uh huh,” Tony grunted. Then he gave me a grin. “And Father Adrian is a good-looking dude,” he said. Just as quickly, his face collapsed in dismay. “I’m sorry, Steve.”
I kept looking ahead, which is what I’d told myself to do after I stopped going to church. The priest’s butt was obscured by those of less worthy men. “No worries,” I told him, but it might not have been loud enough for Tony to hear. In any case, we talked of other things before he peeled off for home a few blocks later.
“Be sure to call me about that beer!” he yelled. I gave him a thumbs-up. If only he were gay, I thought for the thousandth time.
The rest of us finally reached the steps of Saint Paul’s. No one else had spoken to me since Tony had left for home and a shower. At the church, I meant to follow his example, but Father Adrian held me back. “If you ever want to talk,” he said. His fingers gripped my arm with familiar strength and uncomfortable insistence.
“I did my talking to the attorneys,” I replied and pulled out of his grasp. His face was even more handsome when less under control.
“My offer stands,” he said, his lovely mouth now grim. “Don’t let the crimes of a few evil men get in the way of your relationship with God.”
I laughed in his face. “A few? See you later, Father.” I trotted south without looking back.
I had been a cute, blond-haired boy of nine when I came under Father Michael’s auspices. I was twenty-four when I organized other boys who’d become his prey to sue the diocese. There had been a settlement; the church knew it couldn’t win. I bought the condo in Boston with my portion of the proceeds.
However, later that day, Father Adrian’s offer was codified in a text.
Good to see you at church, Stephen. Hope you’ll be with us again next Sunday. And, if you want to talk, my door is always open.
He gave me a phone number. The question was, how did he get mine?
I should have deleted the text but didn’t. I was impressed he spelled my name correctly and by his follow-up. In fact, I kept rereading it until I finally called the number. Mary Flannery answered. She had been the parish secretary for decades. After I said my name, there was a pause before Mary responded.
“Is Father expecting your call?” she asked with an icy edge.
“Yes,” I said.
“Is this still about—” she began but hushed herself. “Just a moment, Stephen.” She put me on hold. I wondered how much it cost her to say my name.
“Stephen!” Father Adrian’s happy voice shouted into the phone. Credit him for enthusiasm.
“I’d like to have that talk,” I said.
“Good,” he answered after taking a quick breath. “Good,” he repeated more optimistically. “After mass? Which one do you—”
“I’ll see you Sunday at noon,” I told him. “On the steps.”
“Better make it twelve thirty in my office.”
“No!” I said, much too loudly. Mary Flannery might have heard me, if she were listening. I had no intention of being alone with a priest ever again.
“Where then?” he asked, sounding irritated.
“In the park. Twelve thirty is fine.”

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Writing Conflict in Fiction

I don’t set out to write “problem” fiction, stories about the difficulties of life. Conflict isn’t the first tool I pull out of my literary toolbox. My work is about how Gay men meet each other and begin relationships. I try to write about real life, even if it’s science fiction. But there is conflict in my writing because conflict is part of life. It’s part of encountering people. Differences arise or are highlighted when you meet other humans. Bridging divides is essential to developing relationships.

“Garden Party” may be the most difficult story for readers in my new collection Gay All Year from NineStar Press. It began with a visual, as most of my stories do, not a problem. The visual was the photo of a young man of ambiguous racial identity. The story the photo started telling me was about a man of mixed-race background who inherits what had been a Mississippi plantation worked by slaves. His parents are dead. His mother’s line is African-American. His father was a descendent of slave owners. He has brought his maternal grandmother to live with him at the family home, Beaulieu. Over Labor Day his cousins from the paternal side of his family come for the annual picnic. They are blond; he is dark. They are visitors; he owns the place.

The story is told from the point of view of a white lawyer from Memphis, invited along by one of the cousins. I wanted to explore the attraction felt by a white man and a black man in the new South. I also wanted to write about the subtle and not so subtle racism that exists in white people. I didn’t want to hit anyone over the head but, when you read the story, the racism is clear. It is the conflict of the story. The protagonist becomes more aware of the racism of the friend who brought him to the party and in himself. His greater self-awareness begets self-criticism, which is the beginning of growth. This has to happen if the mixed-race character’s attraction to him is to be believable. There’s a conflict for you.

All the other stories in the collection have conflict too, but it’s usually quiet because that’s the way my stories are. There is no flashing sign Conflict Ahead! One story I wrote for another collection was criticized because “nothing happened. 3.5 stars.” I’m not unhappy with 3.5 stars out of 5 but do disagree that nothing happened. What happens is that the two men meet, are attracted, do things together, and become romantically involved. That’s not nothing. No bomb throwing and only angst but who needs either of those? I don’t and neither do my characters.

Most of the stories in Gay All Year have more apparent conflict than that story. A priest who wants to maintain his vows and a man abused by priests as a boy are attracted to each other. Big conflict! Others involve an Indigenous man and a white police officer, men of radically different cultural backgrounds, men who encounter each other in a graveyard while grieving for lost loved ones, the imposition of will by an Alpha male.

Life is real. Part of that realness is that most conflicts between people are not huge. They are smaller, quieter, more subtle. Some are not of course. I’m working on a novel in which the central characters, white and black, have a much more violent conflict to overcome: white racial prejudice and black anger. Those are conflicts real people have to face and resolve in our time.  I write romances about real people.

I want to show that anyone can find love anywhere. That is what I believe. That is what has happened to me. It may be unlikely love in unexpected places. The real people will have real differences, but love isn’t an intellectual act. Opposites do attract and opposition is conflict or will inevitably lead to it. The story that results may not be Clash of the Titans but all authors hope you’ll read our work and enjoy it anyway.

Meet the Author

Richard May’s short fiction has been published in his collections Inhuman Beings: Monsters, Myths, and Science Fiction and Ginger Snaps: Photos & Stories (with photographer David Sweet) and numerous anthologies and literary periodicals. Rick also organizes two book readings at San Francisco bookstores, the Word Week annual literary festival, and the online book club Reading Queer Authors Lost to AIDS. He lives in San Francisco.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Dragon Detective (Supernatural Consultant #4) by Mell Eight


Author Mell Eight and IndiGo Marketing host today's release blitz for paranormal YA, Dragon Detective (Supernatural Consultant #4)! Find out more and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit giveaway! 


Title: Dragon Detective
Series: Supernatural Consultant, Book Four
Author: Mell Eight
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: August 24, 2020
Heat Level: 1 - No Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 29700
Genre: Paranormal YA, LGBTQIA+, YA, dragon shifters, mage, magical detective agency, magic-users, dragon family, kitnapping, HFN

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Synopsis

Nickel might be a water elemental dragon, but even he has limits—and the sudden rain storms, hail, and snow in midsummer are way over the line. Luckily, he works for Dane’s Supernatural Consulting firm and can use those resources to figure out who keeps mucking with the weather and get them to stop.
 Soon Nickel realizes he isn’t the only one searching for the weather worker: the enemy he has been hunting for ten years has finally reappeared, and it’s a race to see who will reach the weather worker first. Nickel isn’t certain he’ll win, or even survive, the attempt, but he’ll do whatever it takes to save the dragons.

Excerpt

Dragon Detective
Mell Eight © 2020
All Rights Reserved
Chapter One
Nickel walked into the office and shut his umbrella with a snap that spattered water droplets all over his pant legs. He grimaced and tossed the umbrella onto the stand by the door with a sigh of disgust.
“It’s not that bad, dear,” Becky said cheerfully from her oversized secretary’s desk in the middle of the room. He scowled at her in return, which she ignored with the ease of knowing him for over ten years. Becky looked warm and dry while wearing a nice summer-weight cardigan. The rain hadn’t started until an hour ago, so she had already been safely ensconced on her throne. Nickel, on the other hand, had been out and about getting lunch. He had been lucky to be near a shop selling umbrellas when it had suddenly started pouring, but that hadn’t saved his shoes.
Admittedly, Nickel liked rain. He was usually the first one to run outside to play when the skies darkened and thunder rumbled overhead, just not when he was wearing a nice suit. He might be able to save his shoes, but only if the scamp napping on his desk chair moved.
“Lumie, scram,” Nickel snapped.
Lumie popped one red eye open, saw that Nickel was the one speaking to him, and went right back to sleep. His long red hair flopped over his face as he took ignoring Nickel to another level. Nickel growled and ran a hand through his much shorter blue hair in exasperation. There was no talking to Lumie when he was in one of his moods. Instead of fighting for his chair, Nickel dropped to the floor.
His shoes popped off with wet squelching sounds, and his socks left a puddle on the floor. Nickel’s magic fizzled between his fingers for a moment before he directed it to pull on the water, calling it out of his shoes and socks. It was a gradual process. Water moved slowly. It was sticky, according to the science teacher Dane had hired to teach all the kits, and was therefore happier to remain attached to something than not. It was why water always hesitated on the edge of a counter before the push from behind and gravity below finally sent it falling. Of course, once the first drop fell, all the water built up behind it fell too because it was all stuck together. It took some doing before the water obeyed his magic, but once one drop and then another began to coalesce in Nickel’s hand, it wasn’t long before he had a small river flowing from his shoes and socks into his cupped palms.
The water was cool and welcoming, just the way Nickel liked it. He continued to call out the water slowly. Easy, routine magic, it was also good practice for when he worked larger spells. Except the water was starting to heat in his hands. First it was only just warm, which happened sometimes when he was being a touch careless, but when bubbles started to form between his hands, Nickel turned to glare at Lumie.
“Knock it off!” Nickel snapped. Lumie continued to breathe evenly, as if he really were asleep. Experience told Nickel that Lumie was a dammed good actor, though. The heat continued to rise until the water stopped protecting Nickel’s hands and they began to get uncomfortably hot. His shoes also began to smell. ’Ron had stuck a hairdryer into a pair of sneakers once to try to dry them. The bathroom had reeked of sweaty feet for days when she was done, and the office was quickly taking on the smell of that awful aroma.
Nickel tossed the water before it could start burning his hands. It arced beautifully in the air, steaming as it continued to boil, and landed directly on Lumie’s head.
Lumie shrieked and jumped out of Nickel’s chair. His red hair was plastered to his face and dripping onto his shirt. He looked like a soaked puppy, especially as he scowled. Nickel couldn’t help grinning at the sight.
“What was that for?” Lumie shook his head back and forth, deliberately spraying Nickel with more water. The water steamed off Lumie quickly, leaving his hair dry and slightly fluffy.
“You know why!” Nickel snapped back, his good mood forgotten with the reminder that Lumie had just tried to boil Nickel’s hands off and destroy the office with a pervasive stench.
“Sleeping in your chair is no reason for you to throw water all over me!” Lumie yelled. His eyes flashed with magic, so Nickel prepared himself to block anything Lumie was about to throw at him. “And ugh, what’s that smell anyway?” Lumie asked. He turned his head away from Nickel, the water incident already forgotten as he sniffed the air.
“I was just trying to help!” Alloy whined. He poked his head out from underneath the desk. His mixed red-and-blue hair was disheveled, and his eyes—one bright red and the other blue—were wide as he tried to hold back tears. Nickel jumped in surprise and then growled at himself. How had he missed the fact that Alloy was curled underneath the desk? He shouldn’t have. Apparently, the distraction of Lumie taking his chair combined with his wet shoes had been enough for Nickel to miss Alloy. That wasn’t acceptable; Nickel snarled to himself. He had to be better than that. Alloy wasn’t an enemy, but next time Nickel might not be so lucky.
Still, yelling at Alloy wouldn’t have any effect. Either Alloy would pretend to be Lumie and conveniently forget the scolding a few minutes later, or he would run to Copper and Copper would smooth over any hard lessons Nickel had tried to impart.
“You remember the time ’Ron tried to dry her shoes in the bathroom?” Nickel asked Alloy as calmly as he could. Alloy’s nose wrinkled in disgust so Nickel took that as a yes. “She used the hot air from the hairdryer, and the heat made her shoes stink. That’s why heating up the water in my shoes started to smell bad.”
“Oh,” Alloy said slowly as he began to understand the mistake he had made. “I should have helped your water magic, then?” he asked curiously. For any other dragon, what Alloy had said would have been an impossibility. Elemental dragons like them used one element of magic. That was it. Nickel used water, and Lumie used fire. Alloy was the result of a cruel experiment gone wrong and had somehow been born with power over both water and fire.
“That would have been better,” Nickel agreed. “But you should always ask first before you interrupt someone’s spell. You could have burned me if I hadn’t gotten Lumie wet instead.” Alloy giggled and Nickel couldn’t help cracking a smile at the memory of Lumie jumping up in surprise.
“Shut up,” Lumie grumped. At some point, he had left Nickel’s desk and had wandered over to Becky’s instead. He was busy plundering her candy jar, but he still shot them a disgruntled glare that only faded when he finally found a Cinnamon Bomb. He bounced off into Dane’s empty office with his prize in hand, Nickel and Alloy promptly forgotten.
Nickel could only shake his head. Lumie had to grow up eventually, Nickel hoped. Alloy was certainly more mature.
“Oh, don’t worry, dears,” Becky said in her best old-lady voice. She looked like one at the moment, although in another minute she might look like someone Nickel’s age or even someone in their thirties. Her outward appearance wasn’t confined by age. “I have enough candy for everyone.”
She reached into her plundered candy jar and pulled out a package of red Laffy Taffy. It was cinnamon flavored, but Alloy liked the high sugar content too. For Nickel, she waved a stick of blue rock candy. She had apparently been shopping overnight, because Nickel was certain there hadn’t been any of his favorite candy left yesterday. He had checked.
Was it demeaning to allow himself to be bribed by candy? Nickel couldn’t help wondering even as he padded barefoot across the office to take the proffered candy. Alloy looked at his candy and then down at Nickel’s shoes. He whined to himself and plopped down on the ground. Nickel felt the swirl of water magic in the air a moment later. He took Alloy’s candy too and brought it over. Nickel called on his own water magic and sat next to Alloy to help.

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Meet the Author

When Mell Eight was in high school, she discovered dragons. Beautiful, wondrous creatures that took her on epic adventures both to faraway lands and on journeys of the heart. Mell wanted to create dragons of her own, so she put pen to paper. Mell Eight is now known for her own soaring dragons, as well as for other wonderful characters dancing across the pages of her books. While she mostly writes paranormal or fantasy stories, she has been seen exploring the real world once or twice.

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Series Tour + Giveaway: Delphic Agency #1-3 Boxed Set by Romilly King


Author Romilly King and Gay Book Promotions share information about boxed set Delphic Agency #1-3 AND new release, Paid to Watch (Delphic Agency #4) today! Learn more about the kinky series and enter in the $25 Amazon gift card giveaway!

NEW RELEASE and SERIES REVIEW TOUR
Book Title: Boxed Set - Delphic Agency Books 1-3
Author: Romilly King
Publisher: Drovers Road Books
Cover Artist: Drovers Road Books
Length: 155 000 words
Release Date: August 20, 2020
Genre/s: Gay Romance
Trope/s: Opposites attract, they are the last to know, reluctant sex worker,
Themes: Acceptance of self, kink exploration
Heat Rating: 5 flames
This is a collection of the first three books in the Delphic Agency Series.
The stories are standalone but this is a chance to read them in order
for a reduced price and before Book 4 is released on August 29.

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Also available on Kindle Unlimited




Blurb

Step into the world of the Delphic Agency by Romilly King where wealthy Emptores buys the time of beautiful Venditores and love blooms amidst carefully negotiated BDSM contracts.

This collection includes three full-length steamy gay romance reads plus three additional spicy shorts. Guaranteed ten plus heat level throughout.

The Delphic Agency series begins with Paid to Kneel, where submissive first time Venditor Richard is paired with rich dominant Ash for a short term contract that leads to so much more.

Next, in Paid to Take Control, find out what happens when super smart, super hot Brio meets Painter, the only Dom to ever truly match his high maintenance needs. Their road to happiness is full of electrifying exploration and fiery full on BDSM scenes.

Things get complicated in Paid to be Shared, when sweet and experienced submissive Birch is contracted to meet the needs of two very different Doms. Will their interactions be a recipe for disaster or a hot ménage?

Also included in this collection are Free to be Tied and Free to Play, two intense scenes starring Richard and Ash as their relationship moves forward, and Due to be Punished, a very steamy insight into Painter and Brio’s life together and how Painter tames his brat.

Each story has Alpha Dom’s, fascinating submissives, and a full gamut of safe and consensual playtimes along with a happy ever after.



NEW RELEASE ON AUGUST 29
Book Title: Paid to Watch (Delphic Agency Book 4)
Author: Romilly King
Publisher: Drovers Road Books
Cover Artist: Drovers Road Books
Length: 50 000 words
Release Date: August 29, 2020
Genre/s: Gay Romance
Trope/s: Forbidden love, Friends to Lovers, workplace romance
Themes: Self discover, ethical relationships
Heat Rating: 5 flames
It is a standalone story but part of an interconnected series.

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Who watches the watchers?
Those they watch, naturally, and Tay has been watching Cash for a very long time.

Blurb
Dr. Cashel Gregory, Head of Organizational Psychology, is the guardian of ethics and sentinel of limits in the kink-centric world of specialist contracts at the Delphic Agency. It’s a shame he is about to run, not walk, right past his own boundaries.

Tay is the Dom’s Dom, the experienced Head Trainer at Delphic. He is the man the Dominants look up to, and the Submissives drool over. But Tay has secrets. He’s banned from contract work, and he’s in therapy with Dr. Cashel.

Cash never put a professional foot wrong until he let Tay under his skin. Tay never felt such desire as when he realized Cash has never had a man, let alone one like him.

They are colleagues. They are therapist and patient. They are an expert Dominant, who was born into a Leather family, and a theoretical Submissive, who has never even been kissed. They are crossing every single boundary there is, and it could ruin both of them, in every way possible.

PAID TO WATCH is Book Four in the Delphic Agency series and features a closet submissive, a leather Dom who yearns for a true submissive to call his own, and plenty of steamy kink exploration as they go from colleagues to lovers and beyond in search of the HEA they deserve.



Excerpt

From Delphic Agency Books 1-3

This is the Prologue and part of the opening chapter from Paid to Kneel, Book 1 in the Delphic Agency Series.

Prologue

That last great depression brought millions of people to their knees economically. As is the way of it there were winners along with the multitude of losers. Some people just kept on winning through all the death and the fear and the uncertainty, making money, hand over fist.

Society needed a way to make sure that those who had everything didn’t take advantage of those that had nothing. So we regulated the two oldest industries – sex and food. We kept food on people’s plates by government decree and we made sure that those that chose to sell sex were safeguarded and paid fairly; the agencies were born to oversee it. Delphic is one such agency.

Being humans we naturally went to town on the whole selling sex thing. We built stories around it and we put in place a multitude of precautions for both those who give and those who receive. As a society, if we were selling sex we were damn well going to do it properly.

We call the buyers Emptores and the sellers Venditores, I think we were trying to be classy, going all ancient Greek. We instigated rules, psychological evaluations, timed contracts with clear terms, cooling-off periods, mandatory debrief - oversight and accountability throughout.

Our unofficial motto, “you can’t buy people, just time”.

Twenty years down the line the agencies that sell sex are thriving businesses and if not totally respectable, then they are at least understood and accepted and they have even become the trope of many a romantic movie.

It’s not so romantic for those who sell themselves. It’s scary at the start, sometimes boring in the execution and it’s always different from what they expected it to be.

Managing it all is rewarding though and I don’t just mean financially. People have always been fascinating but when they lay their sexuality out there it becomes downright engrossing. And every now and then a story catches your eye as you administer the consensual exchange of bodily fluid and it makes you smile because litigate all you want love will, like a flower, find a way to bloom.

This is one of those stories, I have others.



Chapter One

“Hello, Richard, it’s lovely to meet you, so nice to put a face to a set of forms and psych tests,” Ms. Sara said as they shook hands.

“Thank you for seeing me,” he replied automatically and hoped his handshake hadn’t been too sweaty with nerves.

“Please, have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the two chairs in front of her desk as she gracefully slid into her seat and smiled encouragingly at him. Despite her severe business attire and firm handshake her eyes were kind and her smile soft.

He chose the one closest to him and sat down, folding his hands in his lap, resisting the urge to hide their tremor by pushing them between his thighs. The room was bright, a large window looking out over gardens leading down to an ornamental lake and the chair he sat in encouraged him to lean back and relax. He remained perched on the edge.

The décor was a layering of light pastels, the palest of linens matched with a green so subtle it was almost white and the pictures on the walls were all gentle landscapes. Not really the environment one expected when selling such personal services, Richard thought, failing to be calmed. Maybe he would have felt better if naked genitals and intimate embraces were front and center but then that may have upset the well-heeled Emptores.

“There’s no reason to be nervous,” Ms. Sara said, “Here at Delphic, we do our utmost to match you with compatible Emptores, people that will not only stand by the absolute letter of a contract but the heart of them as well. There’s a reason we have the highest referral rating from both Emptores and Venditores of any matchmaking company in the country, we may cater to the widest variety of kink but we also spend a great deal of time and effort to ensure compatibility on both sides and we have the most thorough introduction and induction process.”

“I am aware,” Richard said, preferring not to go over the company pitch again. He’d researched the various matchmaking services available as thoroughly as possible, too much rested on this, and he knew Delphic was the best. That didn’t help him quash the fear. He was scared of what he was about to do but even more scared that he wouldn’t be any good at it and all this would be for nothing.


About the Author
Romilly is queer. Romilly wakes up every morning and decides which (witch) to be. Some days Romilly is an Imp, some days a Fairy, some days a Stoic, and some days a Gladiator. Romilly has a classical education, a filthy mouth and loves OTK spankings and strong Sirs who give love and punishment in equal measure.
Romilly is also very shy but makes every effort to engage with people from all walks of life and likes making friends and meeting fans on social media.
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