The Stolen Bride by Samantha Cayto

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Day of Judgment by Aurora Crane and Briar Kearney

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Day of Judgment

Authors and Publishers: Aurora Crane and Briar Kearney

Cover Artist: Cormar Covers

Release Date: September 1, 2022

Genre: Dark Contemporary MMM Romance

Tropes: Forbidden love, polyamory romance (MMM), established couple

Themes: Good men doing bad things, brutal side of justice, love and duty

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 98 000 words

It is a standalone story for now as it is part of a collaboration with several other authors called “Virtuous Sinners.” It will become part of a trilogy to be released next year once the collection has ended in three months.

The book does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Going Rogue with Aurora and Briar

A federal prosecutor with a three-digit body count, his clever and adoring husband, and the FBI Special Agent who got too close.

Blurb

A federal prosecutor with a three-digit body count, his clever and adoring husband, and the FBI Special Agent who got too close.

Led by Lady Justice, Justin Reynolds spills the blood of the unworthy with his husband Ace at his side. Together, they’re a well-honed symbiote with the potential to bring the world to its knees. Neither of them are prepared for the man who brings them to theirs.

FBI Agent Maddox Doherty has dedicated himself to getting the job done, sacrificing everything else, especially his personal life. Sent to investigate a string of murders, he’s prepared for anything… except the sparks that fly between him and the married couple.

An undeniable chemistry draws Maddox deeper into Justin and Ace’s web, and soon he finds himself losing sight of the line he’s built his life and career around. But how far is too far and what happens when the darkness swallows him whole?

Day of Judgment is an 80, 000-word dark MMM romance featuring morally grey characters and violence. It also includes voyeurism, wax play, edging, bondage and mild BDSM themes. Reader’s discretion is advised.

Virtuous Sinners is a collection of gay romance stories that center on killers who are guided by a virtuous code. These dark novels are connected only by theme and can be read standalone.

The killer’s virtue in Day of Judgment: Justice

Excerpt

“He’s beautiful,” Ace murmured.

“He is,” Justin agreed. He gave Ace’s thumb one last lick before releasing him. Ace’s small smile as he picked his pastry up again made light swell in Justin’s heart. He would never be able to express how much he adored his husband, how much of the world he would be willing to burn down to keep him safe. Justin would move heaven and earth to keep that smile with him even if it cost the world.

“Imagine him on our sheets,” Ace said, leaning forward, his eyes deep and bright in the sunlight. “With ropes around his wrists. With wax across his chest, across his back, on his ass. Eyes closed, head back, mouth open.”

Justin shifted in his seat, his body responding to Ace’s sensual words. He rarely cared about who Ace chose to join them. They were there to get him off, a tool for Ace to use to give Justin the release, the peace he sought. They never took them into their private bedroom, never let them into their inner sanctum. This was the first time Ace had ever even mentioned it. Most surprising of all, Justin could see it. If he closed his eyes, he could almost smell it.

“He watched and he wanted, Justin. It wouldn’t take much.” Ace’s voice got lower. “A simple invitation even.”

Justin shifted his gaze, finding Maddox watching them from the passenger seat of the car. He sipped his latte, maintaining eye contact. Maddox didn’t blink, didn’t look away. Ace was right. He would be glorious to play with, be absolutely magnificent spread out on their sheets with his dark hair against the white and those amber eyes lined with thick lashes.

Too bad he was a Fed. Justin was surprised by the pang of regret that vibrated in his chest. They could have had fun. “You know we can’t.”

Ace let out an annoyed breath. “Yeah. Should we go somewhere else, or are you done for the day?” he asked, tilting his head just a fraction, some of his hair falling into his face.

Justin licked his bottom lip, watching Maddox track it. He wished he were closer so he could see the way it changed the color of his eyes, see that amber melt with lust.

“I’m done,” he said to Ace. They’d toyed with the agents enough for one day. Tomorrow was a new day, with new possibilities. Ethan and Kit were still scouring names and records and information. Until they had some concrete targets for him—which he hoped was soon—he had nothing but time on his hands. And he intended to stick close to Ace. He dared anyone to try and get to him while Justin was with him. He would relish it, would enjoy removing them from the land of the living.

Ace stood and pulled his jacket from the back of his chair, draping it over his arm. “Well?”

Justin took his time rising from his own seat. “Fix my tie.”

“Your tie is fine,” Ace said, a smile playing on his lips.

“Is it? Are you sure?”

Ace laughed as he moved forward, taking hold of the perfectly done accessory. He flicked the clip that stopped the tie from moving and then ran his fingers down the silky material. There were multiple layers between those fingers and Justin’s skin, and he still responded like they were naked. His body knew what they felt like over every inch of him, and his response was pure instinct, anticipation of more, of the highest level of pleasure. It knew what came next.

Justin splayed his hand across Ace’s jaw, lifted his chin with a thumb. He looked straight at Maddox as he leaned down and pressed his lips against Ace’s. Ace opened beneath him with a moan, and Justin tightened his grip as he explored the sweet nectar within.

Maddox didn’t look away.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Stray (Outcast Mates #3) by Lee Colgin

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Stray: MM Paranormal Fantasy (Outcast Mates 3)

Author and Publisher: Lee Colgin

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Release Date: August 25, 2022

Genre: MM Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, age gap

Themes: Steamy, romantic,

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 65 000 words/250 pages

It’s the 3rd book in the series but can be read as a standalone. It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Stray is a steamy MM romance featuring a cranky panther shifter, a freshly-made vampire, & lamb-on-a-stick. A grumpy/sunshine, age gap, opposites attract, reluctant-fated-mates pairing that must overcome the odds to win their HEA!

Blurb

Leonas is a cranky panther shifter set in his ways. He handles security for an exclusive brothel and takes the safety of the staff at The Twig and Berries seriously, to the extent of sacrificing his love life for work.

When a young vampire called Jeno shows up with heart eyes and disturbing news, Leonas is taken aback. Who is this curious youth and why is he hitting on Leonas of all people? More importantly, when is he leaving? Because Leonas has no time for romance.

Though Jeno is running from a dark past, he can’t help but to stop in his tracks for Leonas. The grumpy cat shifter might be prickly on the outside, but inside? Well, Leonas is prickly there too. He needs someone like Jeno to escape the lonely trap of his own making.

Can Jeno evade the snare of Hungary’s notorious opium slingers? Will Leonas break the chains of his past? Together, they stand a chance, but suffering alone is all they’ve ever known.

***

Stray is a steamy MM Paranormal Romance featuring lusty incubi, greedy goblins, and mouthwatering lamb-on-a-stick. A grumpy/sunshine, age gap, opposites attract, reluctant fated mates pairing that must overcome the odds to win their forever HEA!

Excerpt

He takes the stairs two at a time in a bounding, clumsy sort of fashion unlike most vampires I’ve encountered. A wide grin stretches across his youthful face, but you never know with a vampire. He could be older than me, though for some reason I doubt it. He doesn’t just look young, he acts it too, flopping into the small room, into my space without so much as a by your leave, and dropping his pack on the little table next to me. The urge to bat it right off again strikes, but I resist.

“Wow. You must be Leonas. You’re even scarier looking than Ivaz warned. But he also said not to worry. That you would act mean but that you weren’t really mean. ‘Just a kitten,’ he said. That true? I’ve never met a panther before.”

Irritation crawls beneath my skin and settles at the back of my neck and the tip of my tongue. I’ll have a few words for Ivaz when next I see him. “And you are?”

“Jeno!” He says his name like it’s a prize rather than a basic introduction and thrusts his hand toward my center, dopey grin still intact.

I stare at it through lowered lids. No. Will not be touching him. He’s already acting too familiar for my comfort. I don’t plan to encourage it. “What’s your business here?”

His brows crumple as he withdraws his hand. “Letters.” He regains a modicum of his former exuberance. “I’m the new messenger.”

Since when do the vampires allow messengers to be this young? I study him. His tanned skin still retains human pores. His mouth, a rosy shade of pink with slight protrusions where fangs lay hidden beneath, trembles as if he’s finally realizing he stands before a true threat and not the harmless kitten Ivaz so erroneously made me out to be.

My own lips part as I take in his wide eyes, hazel jewels sparkling with questions, staring at mine as if it’s I who hold the answers. They spell me with their beauty. A rush of warmth fills my chest.

I shake myself out of it with an irritated huff. “And so? Hand over the letters, then.”

He squints. It’s cute. I hate him.

About the Author

Lee Colgin has loved vampires since she read Dracula on a hot, sunny beach at 13 years old. She lives in North Carolina with lots of dogs and her husband. No, he's not a vampire, but she loves him anyway. Lee likes to workout so she can eat the maximum amount of cookies with her pizza. Ask her how much she can bench press.

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a $20 Amazon Gift Card and your choice eBook from the author's backlist

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Keep Me On Edge (My Kinky Housemate #4) by Colette Davison

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Keep Me On Edge (My Kinky Housemate Book 4)

Author and Publisher: Colette Davison

Cover Artist: Covers by Jo

Release Date: August 30, 2022

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Housemates to lovers, found family, hurt/comfort, BDSM

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 75 000 words

It could read as a standalone but it’s best read as part of the series. At the very least, it’s best to read Plaything (book 2) first.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Blog/Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

Stefan’s unique skills make him perfect for me, but can they lead to a lasting relationship?

Blurb

A sleeping disorder means I keep odd hours. During a late-night conversation, Stefan and I discover we’ve got more in common than we thought: a love of chess, family members who have cast us aside, and a mutual attraction.

For the first time in my life, I’m with someone who sees me. I know I could help Stefan let go of the emotional hurt he’s kept trapped inside for years. At the same time, I need him to empower me through pain.

Stefan is used to being strong for everyone. Will he let me in so I can help him navigate a long-awaited reunion, or will he keep his hurt locked inside?

Keep Me On Edge is an mm romance with housemates who become lovers, edging, pain-play, opinionated housemates, absent family members, and dates as eccentric as Stefan’s clothing. It’s the fourth book in the My Kinky Housemate Series, and while it can be enjoyed as a standalone, it’s better to read it as part of the series.

Trigger warnings: mentions of alcoholism and drug use by minor characters, absent parents, and the loss of a parent in the past.

Excerpt

I curse as I step into a deep puddle. Water splashes up my leg. Walking in a park in the dark after heavy rain is a bad idea. I look around as Quinn tugs me to a halt. He lets go of my hand and picks up a sturdy twig from the path’s edge. I realise we’re standing next to a patch of mud beneath the branches of an oak tree. It explains why there’s no grass. Quinn crouches and uses the twig to make marks in the mud. I watch, captivated, as a picture takes shape before my eyes. The moonlight illuminates the peaks and troughs Quinn is creating in the mud. When he eventually stands and steps back, I forget how to breathe.

“It’s me.”

It’s a simple drawing yet unmistakably of me.

He grins. “When life gives you mud, create art.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket and take two photos, with and without flash. Neither truly conveys how beautiful the drawing is. The one without the flash is too dark to see the entire picture. The one with the flash flattens the mud out and adds streaks of light.

Quinn looks over my shoulder as I flick between the two photos, satisfied with neither.

“It’s supposed to be transient,” he says quietly. “Not everything can be captured. You have to appreciate some things in the moment and then let go.” He nudges my elbow. “Like sex.”

About the Author

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

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a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Famine (The Four Horsemen Book #3) by Sienna Moreau

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Famine (The Four Horsemen Book #3)

Author and Publisher: Sienna Moreau

Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Release Date: August 25, 2022

Genre: Dark M/M Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Second chance, forbidden love, lovers to enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort

Length: 80,000 – 90,000 words

Heat Rating: 3 - 4 flames

It is not a standalone story. It is the third book in the series and must be read in order.

This book does not end on a cliffhanger. It is a HFN as there is an overarching plotline that will conclude in book 4.

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

A fallen angel with a broken heart. The third horseman who rejected him. A love that can destroy them both.

Blurb

Punished for choosing love over faith, the Archangel of Kindness emerged from a century of confinement enshrined in darkness, a shell of his former self. Rejected by the very Being for whom he sold his soul, the last threads of his sanity were stripped away. He is now Lucifer, the King of Hell.

Famine’s choices have only ever caused suffering for those he loves. He struggles with guilt, blaming himself for what Lucifer has become. He’s certain keeping his distance is the only way he can ensure Lucifer falls no further.

But together or apart, on the same side or not, it doesn’t matter. They are forever bound, forced to endure a never-ending loop of anguish. Betrayed and surrounded by new threats, they find themselves relying on each other while battling their own demons. But soon a choice must be made: allow their love to destroy them both or embrace it before the world ends.

Famine is the third book in the Four Horsemen series. This book is not a standalone and must be read in order.

Content Warnings: Religious themes, extreme violence, gore, and others.

Arachnophobia warning: There is also a dog-sized pet spider named Paul who just wants to be loved.

This is a paranormal, second chance, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, MM romance filled with snark and morally questionable characters. It ends with a HFN and a mild plot cliffhanger.

Excerpt

Famine moved closer to Lucifer as though being drawn into his orbit. Lucifer wondered if it was a conscious movement or if it was instinct. It was instinct for him. Every fiber of him always wanted to be closer to Famine. He hoped—even knowing how moronic it was to hope after every hand he’d been dealt—that Famine felt the same. Lucifer needed him to. Needed him to want Lucifer with the same raw need that Lucifer wanted him. It had to be mutual. This much longing and anguish and palpable loss was too much for him to shoulder alone.

He savored any chance just to be in Famine’s presence—had summoned the Horsemen for no other purpose than just to see him again. The carnage of it was delectable, of course, but it was a pleasant bonus, not the aim. The mere minutes Lucifer spent with Famine between years apart was agony, but every waking moment was spent only in anticipation of them. Being this close to Famine and not touching was the worst torture he had ever endured.

He couldn’t be alone in this. He couldn’t.

“These are only the start of the creatures that God has under his command,” Famine continued. “If he’s choosing to let these loose, there’s no telling what’s next.”

“No,” Lucifer said. They all turned to look at him, and he gave them a secretive closed-mouth smile. He did enjoy being the center of attention. And making them wait.

He closed the remaining distance between himself and Famine, pressing the tips of his fingers against Famine’s cheek. Famine’s light-blue eyes darkened, and the sight of them heated Lucifer’s blood and made lust curl in the depths of his stomach. He had never touched another after Famine, even after all this time. And he was starved for the kind of touch that only Famine could gift him. That Famine had been keeping from him.

“Sometimes,” he murmured, for Famine’s ears only, “I want to peel the skin from your bones, make you hurt and bleed the way you make me.”

The heat in Famine’s eyes didn’t diminish from the words. If anything, they darkened further, the pulse in his throat visible and tempting Lucifer to bite down, to taste.

“It is never my intention to make you hurt.”

“You think intent matters?” Lucifer gripped Famine’s upper arm and tugged him closer until their breath mingled. “When I lie broken and bruised and aching for you, do you think I care about intent?” They would continue to hurt each other for eternity regardless of intent.

“Get your fucking hands off him,” War snarled.

Lucifer didn’t move, his eyes flicking to where War was pointing his sword at them. As though Lucifer was afraid of him. Lucifer feared no one. No one but Famine, who had the power to destroy him. Who already had, too many times to count.

Famine lifted a hand to placate his brother. “It’s fine.”

Uriel rolled his eyes and turned from them, surveying the area. “Tell us what you meant, Lucifer, or be on your way to do whatever it is you do when you have no purpose.”

Lucifer stroked Famine’s cheek and then moved up to lightly grasp the curls of his brown hair. He urged Famine forward and Famine followed, bending to him and resting his forehead on Lucifer’s shoulder. Lucifer’s insides wobbled, pleasure and joy singing in his veins at the instant, easy acceptance of his touch.

Lucifer breathed in deeply, his nose pressed against Famine’s hair. It smelled like blueberries, freshly mowed grass, and a hint of lemon.

About the Author

Sienna Moreau is a dark MM romance author who likes to let the darker side of life come out to play. If you’re looking for morally grey characters, snark, mayhem and steamy situations then you’re in the right place.

Social Media Links

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a $20 Amazon Gift Card or one of two ebook copies from the author's backlist

Book Blast + Giveaway: Unexpected Departure by Shannon O’Connor

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Unexpected Departure

Author and Publisher: Shannon O’Connor

Cover Artist: M Leigh Morhaime of Lost Marbles Designs

Release Date: April 21, 2022

Genres: Contemporary F/F Romance, Women’s Fiction

Tropes: Slow Burn

Themes: Love after loss, losing a parent, self-love, self-acceptance

Length: 42 000 words/ 160 pages

Heat Rating: 1 flame

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Will she be able to confront her past, learn to move on, and learn to love herself?

Blurb

Riley is stuck —in a job she hates, a toxic relationship, and in life. She knows the relationship is bad for her, but she also can’t seem to let her go. After catching her girlfriend cheating, again, she finds comfort at her favorite bar, with her best friend by her side.

After punching someone in the face and meeting a mysteriously gorgeous bartender, Riley thinks things may be changing. Sawyer is adventurous, sexy, and confident— all the things Riley yearns to be. And a sunrise motorcycle ride starts to give her hope that things can change.

When she suddenly gets a phone call from her brother, she discovers her estranged mother is dying. After almost a decade of silence, she’s forced to return to her small homophobic hometown, say goodbye, and confront her demons.

Will she be able to confront her past, learn to move on, and learn to love herself?

Excerpt

“Wanna dance?” We both turn and see a greasy guy at least twice our age. I bask in the audacity of men.

“NO THANKS!” I shout back over the loud music.

He ignores me and starts grinding on Luna’s ass and her eyes almost pop out of her head. She politely tries to move away but he follows her, keeping his body pinned to hers. Luna mouths ‘help’ so I try to pull her away.

“WE DON’T WANNA DANCE!.” I yell at the guy. What the hell is wrong with men?

He either doesn’t hear me or he doesn’t seem to care because he grabs Luna’s other arm. She tries to get out of his grasp and he just laughs, enjoying her squirming. I turn to face this guy now. He’s barely an inch taller than me, with sweat stains under his armpits and oily black hair.

“We said NO! Now let go of my friend.” I am nose to nose with this guy and he still doesn’t let go.

“What are you going to do about it?” He laughs, and I can smell the onions he had for dinner on his breath.

Without hesitating, I take a step back as if I’m going to walk away before turning around at the last second and punching him square in the jaw. He stumbles backward, surprised by my strength and action. He falls to the ground, the crowd backing up to avoid catching him. He looks stunned for a moment before he looks angry.

I grab Luna’s hand and try to maneuver out of the crowd. We need to get out of here as fast as we can. Let me just say trying to run through a crowd of people, wearing heels, while half-drunk, and pulling your fully drunk best friend on your arm is not an easy feat.

I turn back to see if he’s still following us, giving me a second to catch my breath. He’s still halfway across the club but he seems to be looking for us, so I hold on tighter to Luna and pull her toward the exit. Only when I feel the cool breeze on my bare legs do I feel safe. We walk to get out of the way of people to where we can take a second to breathe.

“Dude, are you okay?” Luna’s eyes are wide and that’s when I finally realize the impact of my punch. My fist is starting to swell and my knuckles are quickly turning purple; only now do I feel how bad that hurt.

“Jeez, I wouldn’t wanna be on the other end of that hand.” The voice comes from next to us and I look up curiously.

A woman about our age is leaning against the brick wall smoking a cigarette, looking like something out of a magazine. She’s wearing tight dark jeans and a low cut opened floral button-down. Her blonde hair is slicked back like Danny Zuko from Grease. She’s gorgeous. Where did she come from?

“They had it coming,” I mumbled instantly, losing my confidence.

“They did,” Luna confirms. I try to flex my fist and wince in pain. Shit, did I break something?

“Want some ice?” The mystery woman puts out her cigarette and motions for us to follow her.

I look at Luna and we both shrug, following the woman into the side entrance of Puzzles.

About the Author

Shannon O’Connor is a twenty-something, bisexual, self-published poet of several books and counting. She released her first novel, Electric Love in 2021 and is currently working on several sapphic romance novels. She believes there is a lack of positive Female/Female romances in the world, and wants to make them more accessible. She is often found in coffee shops, probably writing about someone she shouldn't be.

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one of five ebook copies of Only for the Summer

Release Blitz + Giveaway: The Stolen Bride (Treaty Brides #3) by Samantha Cayto

The Stolen Bride by Samantha Cayto

Book 3 in the Treaty Brides series

General Release Date: 23rd Aug 2022

Word Count: 50,612
Book Length: NOVEL
Pages: 181

Genres:

ACTION AND ADVENTURE
EROTIC ROMANCE
FANTASY
GAY
GLBTQI
ROYALS

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Book Description

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body.

Prince Ronan of Moorcondia knows he is one of the luckiest boys alive. As the king’s second son, he has status and wealth without the heavy weight of the crown. Every man admires his hedonistic ways, but his behavior masks a shame that he feels. What he really desires is a quiet life with a man whom he can love.

Jarl Tarben is on a mission to save his people from starvation. Efforts to forge a treaty with Moorcondia have come to naught. In a desperate bid, Tarben has been tasked with abducting Ronan and forcing him into marriage. As distasteful and dishonorable as the scheme is, duty demands that he obey. He refuses to bed the prince by force, however, leaving it Ronan’s choice.

Ronan vows not to succumb to the temptation that Tarben presents. Pride alone dictates that he remain chaste, even as he grows closer to the barbarian. Tarben is everything Ronan ever dreamed of, and the lure of him grows stronger with each day that politics keeps them together.

When unseen forces threaten to consume them both, they must put aside pride and join forces to protect both their peoples.

Reader advisory: This book features an instance of sexual assault and a forced marriage.

Excerpt

“Drink up, your highness. You’re falling behind.”

Ronan, younger son of the king of Moorcondia, shot his companion the kind of prideful grin that he’d carefully cultivated since arriving at the university. “Alas, I have to leave for an assignation with a lady and can’t afford to be too much in my cups.” He slid the glass of beer back in the direction of his classmate.

The boy barked out a laugh and clapped Ronan on his shoulder with the kind of bone-jarring exuberance that seemed so common among boys of their age. Ronan didn’t understand why every interaction had to turn into a contest of inflicting pain and humiliation. The others thought it all hilarious, reinforcing what he’d known for most of his life. He was not like them, not like any boy he’d ever met.

Not even his studious older brother thought anything strange about the rough and tumble lives of their male friends. It was merely that as the future ruler of their country, Morlen had the weight of duty on his shoulders and had to prepare for the time he would ascend to the throne. Such was the fate of the one of them who’d come out of the womb first, even by mere moments. He joined them when he could for nights of drinking and carousing, careful always not to do anything to tarnish his reputation. As the ‘spare’ in the family, Ronan had no expectations and could do most anything he liked. No, not really. He was only able to get away with what people thought a young, rich man would do. Too bad those were things he didn’t like at all.

He didn’t let his desires show on his face and instead bade his companions a good night. They gave him a raucous send-off, filled with innuendos of what they assumed he would get up to and demanding a full report the next day. He joined in the merriment with rehearsed bravado. “Now, lads, you know a gentleman never speaks of what happens between the sheets. I shall only say that I’m glad we don’t have classes tomorrow.”

Ronan threw on his heavy cloak and braced for the chilly night he knew waited for him outside. Spring was only grudgingly arriving, but his semester of classes would soon come to an end, and he could return to Moorcondia for the summer recess. It would be a relief to finally go home. This first year of university had proven more taxing than he’d expected. It wasn’t his studies. It was the strain of keeping up his pretense of being a profligate rake. No one forced him to play this charade. Morlen certainly didn’t care. But Ronan feared that if he didn’t present the image of masculinity that everyone expected, they would easily see inside him, to his true self. He wasn’t sure he could bear the scorn he felt certain would come his way.

I am a coward.

He considered, as he had many times, asking his parents to let him drop out. A university education was relatively new among the royal family. They might not care if he came back or not. But if he didn’t, what would he do then? No matter how everyone had become accustomed to his uncle’s new wife, Ronan wasn’t so stupid as to assume his family and the members of court would accept him in any role other than an advisor to his brother. He would be expected to marry the proper noblewoman to add to the next generation of the family. That was his destiny, and staying at university helped put that eventuality off for a few years. There was value in that.

Ronan’s personal guard, a somewhat grizzled man who was nonetheless capable of breaking a man’s neck with a single twist, pushed away from the wall he’d been holding up in the drinking house and silently followed in Ronan’s wake. He hated having to be chained to someone else all the time, but one older man who held no interest for him and kept his opinions to himself wasn’t so bad, although the man’s silent censure was often palpable. It was better than the contingent of younger guards who surrounded Morlen day and night—not that anyone really thought they were at risk here in this seat of learning… Still, it was important for the realm as well as each of them personally that they be safe from any violence. With Sir Frauk at his back, no one dared so much as shoot an angry look at him. Ronan simply had to pretend he didn’t care about being shadowed by another who undoubtedly gave the king regular reports on how his younger son was running wild. His whole life had become one long effort at play-acting. It felt as if no one truly understood who and what he was, not even his twin.

Ronan tugged his cloak closer as he walked through the nearly empty streets of the old city, the sound of Sir Frauk’s heavy-booted tread behind him. Monks had settled here long ago, attracting more people and founding a community. Starting a place of higher learning had come naturally to those original men, and now the university was surrounded by a vibrant city that existed on the edge of Moorcondia. It was a hub of trading, as well, attracting commerce from all over, except from those people who dwelled in the Dark Mountains. They kept to themselves, enigmas as much as the land where they lived. The craggy rocks were not inviting and rose high into the clouds.

They cast a looming shadow over this part of the city in particular—not surprising, given that this was where one went for less savory pursuits. The boys at the university considered it a badge of courage that they ventured here late at night. Ronan despised it and couldn’t wait to reach his apartments. All he wanted to do was take a relaxing bath and curl up in bed with a good book. He could picture his valet waiting patiently for his return. Unlike Frauk, Igon was quick to show his disapproval of Ronan’s nighttime pursuits. But once he’d settled Ronan into bed, he left him blessedly alone.

Ronan picked up his pace with eyes on the uneven cobblestones to ensure that he didn’t slip. The fashionable boots he wore pleased him, but they weren’t very sturdy. The last thing he wanted was for Frauk to think it was drink that made him stumble. The man suddenly uttered a muted cry, very unlike him. Ronan turned to see why and froze at the sight of the large soldier crashing to the ground. Another man, little more than a dark figure, heavily armed, loomed over him. Ronan stepped forward, although to do what he couldn’t fathom. He was terrible at the martial arts and didn’t possess so much as knife on him.

A rush of air and a flicker of something out of the corner of his eye was all the warning he got before someone grabbed him from behind. He was swept off his feet, and a cloth was pressed against his nose and mouth. Trained in warfare as he was, he instinctively started to put up a fight. Whoever had him, though, was far stronger, the man’s massive arm holding him around his chest in a vise-like grip. And there was something soaking the gag, a sweet smell that made his head swim. As he fought to regain his freedom, the drug caused his muscles to go lax. Then there was nothing.

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About the Author

Samantha Cayto

Samantha Cayto is a Boston-area native who practices as a business lawyer by day while writing erotic romance at night—the steamier the better. She likes to push the envelope when it comes to writing about passion and is delighted other women agree that guy-on-guy sex is the hottest ever. She lives a typical suburban life with her husband, three kids and four dogs. Her children don't understand why they can't read what she writes, but her husband is always willing to lend her a hand—and anything else—when she needs to choreograph a scene.

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