Showing posts with label Wizards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wizards. Show all posts

Release Blitz: Deceiving D’Vaire (D’Vaire #30) by Jessamyn Kingley


 

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Deceiving D’Vaire (D’Vaire, Book 30)

Author: Jessamyn Kingley

Publisher: Independently Published

Cover Artist: LJ Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations

Release Date: July 7, 2022

Genre: MM Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Trope: Fated mates

Themes: Love, self-discovery 

Heat Rating:  3 flames

Length:  92 990 words

It is not a standalone story.

Goodreads Series Link 


Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

 

Deception is new to Greyson and Morgen, but they’ll soon learn it has surrounded them all along.

 

Blurb

Greyson Variusdraconis is a newly shifted dragon searching for purpose. Growing up in the Consilium Veneficus, his tutors taught him not to trust Fate. Raised by his elder brother who serves their king directly, Greyson still lives under his sibling’s roof. King Varius recently signed a treaty, so Greyson’s job is guarding wizards. Greyson finds it boring, and he worries his brother will never accept his desire to avoid a political arranged marriage.

As a child, Morgen Bassett struggled to find his footing. Two centuries later, the wizard works in a tiny library, lacks family, and has a rented room barely large enough for its furniture. Although Morgen’s early education included mentions of matebonds, the split between the Council of Sorcery and Shifters and the Consilium changed everything. With no promise of his other half or anything else, Morgen is doing little more than surviving.

On an otherwise normal trip to the supermarket, Greyson and Morgen meet, and neither man is prepared for the force of their connection. Not long after the sparks fly between them, Greyson accepts a mission to infiltrate the Draconis High Court of D’Vaire. The pair will have to find a way to stay together. Should they be successful in gaining entry, they’ll also need to learn how to unearth all the D’Vaire secrets. However, Greyson and Morgen will soon find that nothing about their lives is what it seems.



Excerpt

When Morgen lifted to his toes and tilted his chin up for a kiss, Greyson’s mouth landed on the wizard’s, and he tugged him into his arms for a hug. Everything in Greyson settled for a minute, then his worry over the conversation they needed to have filled his senses again.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“Was there traffic?” Morgen asked, stepping away from Greyson and leading him to his room.

“No, my brother wanted to talk to me.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I hope so,” Greyson said. “Sit on the bed with me.”

Once Morgen was settled on the bed next to Greyson, he gently pushed some of his bangs out of the wizard’s unique eyes. There was concern in them, and Greyson wanted to alleviate it, so he got straight to the point.

“I’m being sent on assignment in a few weeks. King Varius and my brother are going to help me get into the sanctuary at D’Vaire. We need to figure out how to recruit dragons. Either we discover D’Vaire is not what it seems, or I study the Council to find the weak points so we can advertise that the Council is inferior to the Consilium. They want me to stay until I gain everyone’s trust, so they expect I’ll be gone for many months or longer.”

Morgen’s gaze hit his lap, and he exhaled heavily. Instead of putting his hand into Greyson’s as he usually did, Morgen clasped them together and put them between his legs.

“You’re leaving?”

“In a couple of weeks, yes,” Greyson said. “It has me thinking about us. We don’t know everything about each other after a week, but we’re both determined to learn more. We’re united in following what our souls and Fate are telling us. I’d hoped someday to ask you to move to Court Varius. Today at lunch, I was looking around online and found that there’s a library within biking distance from my brother’s house. I thought it could possibly be a good place for you to work if you wanted.”

“I biked to work prior to finding this room.”

The words were soft, and Morgen still wouldn’t look at him.

“Come to D’Vaire with me. We could work on our relationship while I handle my assignment. We’ll potentially be there for a long time. I bet we’ll be ready to seal our bond before we learn the things King Varius wants to know. When we return to Court Varius, we could be bonded mates. My brother wouldn’t be able to say shite about political marriages or anything else. We’d be together, and he’d have to accept it.”

Morgen’s head lifted, and he stared at Greyson for several seconds, then he bit his bottom lip. “You want me to go with you?”

“Didn’t I just ask you to? Of course I do. Think about it. Our only job would be research. That’s something we both love, and we’d be together the whole time. We’d get to learn everything about each other, and these feelings we’re building would grow.”

“How could I go?”

“We’ll figure it out. I promise. There’s no question that I’ll leave here without you. I can’t say no to my king, but I think I can be pretty convincing. You do seem to like me.”

With a small smile, Morgen reached over and slipped his hand into Greyson’s. “There’s nothing keeping me bound to my job or this room. I don’t like the idea of springing us on your brother when we get back, though.”

“We’ll tell him before we make the trip home. No worries. We’ll figure out the best way to tackle the entire situation as a team. What do you say? Do you want to handle this secret mission with me?”

“As long as you promise I get to take a trip to the Spectra Library.”

“I’m not leaving the Council without seeing it either,” Greyson assured him. “What do you say we get some takeaway and start our research?”

“A kiss could sway me.”

Greyson grinned. His fingers danced over Morgen’s jaw, his lovely lips, then Greyson settled his mouth on the wizard’s. Morgen touched his tongue to Greyson’s, and all thoughts of subterfuge, D’Vaire, and giant libraries flowed out of his brain.

 

About the Author 

 

Jessamyn Kingley lives in Nevada where she begs the men in her head to tell her their amazing stories which she dutifully writes it all down in what has become a small mountain of notebooks. She falls in love with each couple and swears whatever book she wrote last is her absolute favorite.

Jessamyn is married and working toward remembering to start the dishwasher without being distracted by the scent of the magical detergent. For personal enjoyment, she aids in cat rescue while slashing and gashing her way through mobs in various MMORPGs. Caffeine is her very best friend and is only cast aside briefly for the sin better known as BBQ potato chips.

Visit her website 

Join her Facebook group, Jessamyn's Ruffian's

 

Social Media Links

  Facebook |   Twitter  |   Pinterest  

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions




Cover Reveal: Deceiving D’Vaire (D’Vaire #30) by Jessamyn Kingley

Author Jessamyn Kingley and Gay Book Promotions share the new cover for upcoming fated mates romance, Deceiving D’Vaire (D’Vaire #30)! Learn more about the fantasy today!

COVER REVEAL

Book Title: Deceiving D’Vaire (D’Vaire, Book 30)

Author: Jessamyn Kingley

Publisher: Independently Published

Cover Artist: LJ Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations

Release Date: July 7, 2022

Genre: MM Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Trope: Fated mates

Themes: Love, self-discovery 

Heat Rating:  3 flames

Length:  92 990 words

It is not a standalone story.

Goodreads Series Link 

Amazon US Series Link  

Amazon UK Series Link

Deception is new to Greyson and Morgen, but they’ll soon learn it has surrounded them all along.

Blurb

Greyson Variusdraconis is a newly shifted dragon searching for purpose. Growing up in the Consilium Veneficus, his tutors taught him not to trust Fate. Raised by his elder brother who serves their king directly, Greyson still lives under his sibling’s roof. King Varius recently signed a treaty, so Greyson’s job is guarding wizards. Greyson finds it boring, and he worries his brother will never accept his desire to avoid a political arranged marriage.

As a child, Morgen Bassett struggled to find his footing. Two centuries later, the wizard works in a tiny library, lacks family, and has a rented room barely large enough for its furniture. Although Morgen’s early education included mentions of matebonds, the split between the Council of Sorcery and Shifters and the Consilium changed everything. With no promise of his other half or anything else, Morgen is doing little more than surviving.

On an otherwise normal trip to the supermarket, Greyson and Morgen meet, and neither man is prepared for the force of their connection. Not long after the sparks fly between them, Greyson accepts a mission to infiltrate the Draconis High Court of D’Vaire. The pair will have to find a way to stay together. Should they be successful in gaining entry, they’ll also need to learn how to unearth all the D’Vaire secrets. However, Greyson and Morgen will soon find that nothing about their lives is what it seems.

Excerpt 

Morgen was poking through his options, looking for the smallest cuts of meat, when he suddenly got an erection.

It was senseless, and Morgen was so hard, his mouth fell open in surprise. Before he could register any further response, the scent of Earl Grey tea filled his senses. Out of every type of tea he’d tasted, nothing pleased him more than Earl Grey. 

The package in his hand slipped out of his grasp, but Morgen never heard it plop onto a pile of wrapped meats. His gaze swept down the aisle, and Morgen didn’t have to wonder for long what he was searching for. The most handsome man he’d ever seen stalked toward Morgen with a smile gracing his overtly masculine features. 

Morgen’s brain screamed that the man was a shifter of some sort as he noted his impressive height and broad shoulders. His raven hair was messy but artistically cut and hung past the tops of his ears in the front and nearly to his collar in the back. High cheekbones drew Morgen’s attention to his scaly grey gaze, which told him the stranger was a dragon. 

For a moment, there was a flash of iridescence in his irises, but Morgen though that might’ve been a figment of his imagination thanks to the lack of blood flow to his brain. While he stared like a ninny, he had forgotten to breathe, and he forced oxygen into his lungs as the man came to a standstill a few feet from him. Morgen had ignored Fate for centuries, but she apparently hadn’t disregarded him. 

The Consilium taught their people that matebonds were silly and useless. However, as Morgen stared up at his other half, he knew that was bullshit. Sizzling through his veins was an undeniable connection, and Morgen wanted to embrace it fully.

“Hi, I’m Grey.”

“How did you know you smell like Earl Grey?” Morgen asked dumbly.

The grin on his face grew larger, and his lovely eyes twinkled with humor. “I didn’t, but that’s kind of incredible. My name is Greyson, though most call me Grey.”

“Oh.”

“Are you going to give me your name?”

“Bloody hell,” Morgen muttered. “Yes, of course. I’m Morgen.”

“I thought wizards were all colors on the rainbow, but your eyes are brown. Are you a type of dark wizard like the High Arcanist in the Council?”

Although Greyson appeared friendly rather than condescending, Morgen had dealt with too much nonsense about his lack of color in his life. 

“No,” Morgen stated coldly. “I’m a colorless wizard, and I no longer practice magic.”

The smile fell from Greyson’s perfect lips. “Apologies if I’ve offended you.”

“It’s a question I’m asked often, but no offense was taken.”

“Believe it or not, I understand a bit. I’ve shifted into a dragon, which makes some uncomfortable,” Greyson confided.

“Your eyes are grey. I know little about dragons, but I’d heard that grey and brown were the most common colors.”

“And so they are,” Greyson remarked. “But I’ve a strange belly that’s an iridescent whitish color. If the sunlight hits it, you can see a rainbow, though it’s paler than the ones you see in the sky. Perhaps Fate was trying to tell me I have a wizard mate.”

“I’ve always been fond of rainbows.”

Greyson reached out and, to Morgen’s shock, pushed aside the blond hair hanging over his eyebrows. 

“I thought when I first glanced at you that you had brown eyes. Now I see it’s not so simple. You have several shades of brown that radiate from your irises. They’re beautiful. It’s much like your hair, which is a lovely mix of browns and blonds.”

“Thanks. Everything about you is beautiful,” Morgen murmured as he tried to extract some level of intelligent thought from his flummoxed brain. 

Meeting his mate in a supermarket hadn’t been on his agenda, and he’d never given thought to having one at all. If he had, Morgen wouldn’t have pictured someone so handsome and pleased to see him. It shamed him that he’d given up on Fate, and Morgen dared not make that mistake again.


About the Author 

Jessamyn Kingley lives in Nevada where she begs the men in her head to tell her their amazing stories which she dutifully writes it all down in what has become a small mountain of notebooks. She falls in love with each couple and swears whatever book she wrote last is her absolute favorite.

Jessamyn is married and working toward remembering to start the dishwasher without being distracted by the scent of the magical detergent. For personal enjoyment, she aids in cat rescue while slashing and gashing her way through mobs in various MMORPGs. Caffeine is her very best friend and is only cast aside briefly for the sin better known as BBQ potato chips.

Visit her website 

Join her Facebook group, Jessamyn's Ruffian's

Social Media Links

  Facebook |   Twitter  |   Pinterest  


Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Release Blitz: Marked by Lightning (D’Vaire #18) by Jessamyn Kingley


Author Jessamyn Kingley and Gay Book Promotions promote the Marked by Lightning (D’Vaire #18) release blitz today! Find out more about the fated mates urban fantasy!

RELEASE BLITZ
Book Title: Marked by Lightning (D’Vaire, Book 18)
Author: Jessamyn Kingley
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: LJ Anderson, Mayhem Cover Creations
Release Date: July 9, 2020
Genre/s: M/M Urban Fantasy Romance
Trope/s: Fated mates
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 99 770 words

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited


For two wizards from opposite worlds, only fate knows if a future awaits them.


Blurb

When a group of intrepid sorcerers leaves their government, Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra is selected to lead them. After centuries of denying his chosen school of magic, Vadimas is embracing the full power of his hue. Busy ruling the Spectra Wizardry, he believes the only thing missing from life is a tidier house. Treasured by the large D’Vaire family, Vadimas is content and not seeking anything beyond knowledge.

Far from the Council of Sorcery and Shifters is Arch Wizard Severin Dewitt, the Fate-chosen leader of the wizards. Little is known about the man whose wrist is marked by lightning. Severin is rarely seen, and unbeknownst to most, inside a house he cannot leave, his every move is being watched. Yearning for freedom, Severin must take matters into his own hands to forge his own destiny.

The Consilium Veneficus considers Vadimas an upstart and a traitor, so when he and Severin find out Fate has chosen them as a couple, there is little consensus on what the future holds. Severin’s knowledge of Fate is minimal, making it difficult for him to accept that a matebond rises above everything, while Vadimas trusts her fully, pushing their relationship to the brink.

Will distance, separate goals, and the ocean separating their populations of wizards stand between Vadimas and Severin forever, or can the two compromise to build a future together?



Excerpt

Confident that he looked the part of leader, though he lacked the mark of lightning given to the wizard leader he was about to meet, Vadimas waited for Myrddin to fly up onto his shoulder.

His familiar in place, Vadimas strode purposefully into the building, and the dragons helped him breeze through their checkpoints. Previously an oddball with no clout, he now traversed to the Office of the Emperor at least weekly, so he knew the dukes by name. A quick trip up the elevator and yet one more duke to exchange pleasantries with, and Vadimas made it to the main reception area.

“Hi, Vadimas. Did you hit any traffic?” Royal Duke-mate Niko Draconis asked as he rushed over to give him a hug.

“Not at all, is everyone waiting for me?”

“Yes, go on in.”

“Are you coming too?”

Niko shook his head. “No, Costas will give me the full rundown afterward. I’m going to get caught up on some work while I wait for my mate.”

“Well, no time like the present to find out what has brought the Arch Wizard out of hiding.”

“Good luck.”

The doors to the office were wide open, so Vadimas strolled through the gorgeous space that the Emperors shared with three of their dukes. Off to the left, he could barely see Ducblanc-mate Tiridythas D’Vaire concentrating on his sewing machine. Vadimas couldn’t remember another instance when the door to his workshop was closed, but with the dukes in with Their Majesties, Vadimas assumed his other half, Ducblanc Zane Draconis, had insisted. Only allowing himself a moment to square his shoulders and strengthen his resolve, Vadimas turned the door handle to the boardroom and pulled it open.

Myrddin made a strange noise and flew off his shoulder as Vadimas’s body went crazy. The smell of a newly printed book filled his nose—a scent Vadimas had never found an equal to—and his balls tingled while his cock nearly made a fool of him as it tented his slacks. He tugged his cloak over his erection as his gaze sought out a wizard with heterochromia iridum. One eye was the same violet as Vadimas’s own gaze, and the other was a bright goldish yellow, though they were both widened with shock as he stared. His flaxen blond hair brushed his shoulders in chunky layers, and his face was almost delicate in its symmetry.

As soon as Vadimas could get air in his lungs, he realized that not only was the Arch Wizard his mate, but he was the only sorcerer he knew of with two distinct hues of the rainbow—and each one was a separate pool of magic. They were nulled by what he suspected was a cuff he’d recently helped intensify. Now only one cuff was necessary, so suspects or prisoners could be deprived of their Fate-chosen ability to shift or cast without both their arms behind or in front of them like traditional restraints.

A meow reached his ears, and that was when Vadimas noticed the cat clutched in the Arch Wizard’s grasp. Like the sorcerer himself, he was dual-eyed, and his features were nearly dainty. Myrddin was making a nuisance of himself by standing on the table in front of the Arch Wizard and bumping his head into the cat, who was sniffing the dragon suspiciously.

“Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra of the Spectra Wizardry, allow me to present Arch Wizard Severin Dewitt and his familiar, Emrys,” Alaric said. “Arch Wizard, the dragon licking your cat is named Myrddin.”

Vadimas wasn’t going to comment on the fact that they’d both picked names for their familiars from Arthurian legend and in the same language. “Myrddin, leave Emrys alone,” Vadimas ordered, though his dragon blithely ignored him. The cat was lolling his head into Myrddin, and they appeared to be having a great time, so he gave his attention to the still-staring Arch Wizard. Since he’d taken up the role of Prism Wizard, he’d never once considered he would be called by Fate as a leader. For decades, he’d allowed inadequacies to fester as he faced people who had been, so it was quite a shock to find that his mate was the one selected to rule. As far as being someone’s other half, Vadimas had no clue where to begin. He was good at being a wizard and had long ago shaken off any idea of deficiency, but he had no confidence in his skills as a potential partner.

Gathering his thoughts, Vadimas couldn’t quite manage a smile as he wondered what in the world to do. It was so unusual for him not to have the assurance to trudge forth after assessing the best way to tackle a problem that he was at a loss for words. “Arch Wizard, I like your cat.” Closing his eyes, Vadimas shook his head at his own idiocy.

Severin appeared almost trancelike as he stood up slowly, and Emrys leapt out of his hold to join Myrddin on Their Majesties’ giant table. “I was told Fate would help you know who she selected as a possible mate, but I didn’t expect…so much.”

Bristling at the word “possible,” Vadimas pulled himself together. “Yes, well, it would be no use for her to give you a mate if she did not give you an undeniable way of discovering them.”





About the Author
Jessamyn Kingley lives in Nevada where she begs the men in her head to tell her their amazing stories which she dutifully writes it all down in what has become a small mountain of notebooks. She falls in love with each couple and swears whatever book she wrote last is her absolute favorite.
Jessamyn is married and working toward remembering to start the dishwasher without being distracted by the scent of the magical detergent. For personal enjoyment, she aids in cat rescue while slashing and gashing her way through mobs in various MMORPGs. Caffeine is her very best friend and is only cast aside briefly for the sin better known as BBQ potato chips.
Join her Facebook group, Jessamyn's Ruffian's

Social Media Links





Cover Reveal: Marked by Lightning (D’Vaire #18) by Jessamyn Kingley


Author Jessamyn Kingley and Gay Book Promotions reveal the cover of the latest addition to the urban fantasy series, Marked by Lightning (D’Vaire #18)! Learn more today!

COVER REVEAL

Book Title: Marked by Lightning (D’Vaire, Book 18)
Author: Jessamyn Kingley
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: LJ Anderson, Mayhem Cover Creations
Release Date: July 9, 2020
Genre/s: M/M Urban Fantasy Romance
Trope/s: Fated mates
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 99 770 words
For two wizards from opposite worlds, only fate knows if a future awaits them.


Blurb

When a group of intrepid sorcerers leaves their government, Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra is selected to lead them. After centuries of denying his chosen school of magic, Vadimas is embracing the full power of his hue. Busy ruling the Spectra Wizardry, he believes the only thing missing from life is a tidier house. Treasured by the large D’Vaire family, Vadimas is content and not seeking anything beyond knowledge.

Far from the Council of Sorcery and Shifters is Arch Wizard Severin Dewitt, the Fate-chosen leader of the wizards. Little is known about the man whose wrist is marked by lightning. Severin is rarely seen, and unbeknownst to most, inside a house he cannot leave, his every move is being watched. Yearning for freedom, Severin must take matters into his own hands to forge his own destiny.

The Consilium Veneficus considers Vadimas an upstart and a traitor, so when he and Severin find out Fate has chosen them as a couple, there is little consensus on what the future holds. Severin’s knowledge of Fate is minimal, making it difficult for him to accept that a matebond rises above everything, while Vadimas trusts her fully, pushing their relationship to the brink.

Will distance, separate goals, and the ocean separating their populations of wizards stand between Vadimas and Severin forever, or can the two compromise to build a future together?


About the Author

Jessamyn Kingley lives in Nevada where she begs the men in her head to tell her their amazing stories which she dutifully writes it all down in what has become a small mountain of notebooks. She falls in love with each couple and swears whatever book she wrote last is her absolute favorite.
Jessamyn is married and working toward remembering to start the dishwasher without being distracted by the scent of the magical detergent. For personal enjoyment, she aids in cat rescue while slashing and gashing her way through mobs in various MMORPGs. Caffeine is her very best friend and is only cast aside briefly for the sin better known as BBQ potato chips.
Join her Facebook group, Jessamyn's Ruffian's

Social Media Links


Release Blitz + Giveaway: Only Love is Deathless by Sita Bethel


Like fantasy romances? Author Sita Bethel and IndiGo Marketing are here to promote a new fantasy romance, Only Love is Deathless! Check out more info on the book and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit giveaway!



Title: Only Love is Deathless
Author: Sita Bethel
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: June 8, 2020
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 78900
Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, royalty, witches, mares, wizards, demons, magic/magic users, weddings

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

Sreka’s younger brother, Dobrina, is in love. The only problem is that the law forbids him from courting until Sreka is married. Sreka hires the local adventurer, KoÅ¡mar, to marry him so Dobrina can wed his love.

Even if he has to sleep on the couch, instead of with the crown prince on their farce wedding bed, Košmar will get to live like a king for a year. And once Dobrina is married, Sreka will quietly divorce him and send him on his way with gold for his services.

Nothing says destined romance like a battle with a dragon, so Sreka and Košmar stage their first public encounter to fool the royal court. However, as fate would have it, the dragon that was supposed to be as fake as their love is real.

Excerpt

Only Love is Deathless
Sita Bethel © 2020
All Rights Reserved

KoÅ¡mar slammed the lager to the back of his throat and sighed. The pub was alive with Shrovetide festivities. Music and playful shrieks echoed from one end of the tavern to the other while mead and vodka flowed from bottles to cups to mouths faster than hands could pour it. He glanced at the dancers, thinking maybe he had drunk enough to give dancing a try. The music changed and a cheer rang from the crowds. Everyone clapped in unison as they formed a circle on the dance floor. They wore linen garments dyed green and purple. Crowns of corn poppies, baby’s breath, and sweet basil topped the heads of both the women and the men. KoÅ¡mar himself wore faded riding leathers and a felted wool cloak which had once been deep sable but now was the gray of watered-down ink.

Before he could stand and sneak closer to the crowd, a lad in an ugly woolen slouch cap sat across from him. KoÅ¡mar blinked, examining his cornflower-blue eyes. The lad set a key on the table between them, stood, and vanished into the crowd. KoÅ¡mar picked up the key, noticing the flash of a gold coin below it. KoÅ¡mar’s jaw dropped. A flaming falcon was stamped into the coin and on the other side a crown.

He slipped the gold into his vest pocket and rushed to the third room in the back. The man in the woolen cap sat cross-legged in a chair near the hearth of the room. His eyes flicked upward as he gazed at Košmar.

“Sit.”

“Remove your cap.” KoÅ¡mar dropped to the edge of the bed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“The coin wasn’t enough?”

“Most nobles have gold coins.” KoÅ¡mar shrugged.

“Very well.” The stranger stood.

He tugged the cap away from his scalp and shook his head. Long strands of pure citrine glittered as they fell to his waist. The princes of Zetva were rumored to have magical hair the color of citrines or yellow sapphires. The man in front of Košmar could only be one of those two princes.

“Satisfied?”

“To what do I owe the pleasure, my liege?” KoÅ¡mar bowed forward from his position on the bed.

The prince dropped into his chair. “They say you’ll do any task for the right price.”

“Most any.” KoÅ¡mar chose his words. “I’m not an assassin. I’m more of an adventurer.”

“I do not need an assassin. I need a husband.”

“Don’t we all, but I’m sure your father, the king, would be more qualified at arranging a marriage than me.” KoÅ¡mar laughed.

“Everyone in the royal court is a weasel, and the neighboring kingdoms are full of ambitious vipers looking to strengthen their own positions of power. No, KoÅ¡mar Marelock, I do not want you to find a husband for me—I want you to wed me.”

Košmar laughed until he choked. He fell onto the mattress, coughing into his fist. The prince peered over him, long, jeweled hair hanging from his face and flashing in the hearthlight.

“Not forever. I need a farce wedding and a sham spouse, and after a year or so, we’ll divorce in private, I’ll pay you for your troubles, and you can run back to your adventures.”

“Farce wedding?” KoÅ¡mar sucked in a breath, recovering from his outburst. “Gotta admit, I’m fascinated. Why would a prince need to fake his own wedding?”

“Will you take the job or not?”

“You haven’t given me enough information to decide.”

“I’m the oldest.” The prince shrugged.

“So you’re…” KoÅ¡mar wracked his memory for what he’d heard of politics. “Prince…Dobrina?”

“My little brother is Dobrina. I’m Prince Sreka.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” KoÅ¡mar held out his hand.

Sreka hesitated before extending his hand. KoÅ¡mar took it and used Sreka’s grip to pull himself to his feet before shaking their clasped hands. After the friendly greeting, he brought Sreka’s hand to his lips and kissed the prince’s knuckles.

“My liege, my name is KoÅ¡mar.”

“I know. I sought you out, remember?”

“Need to have a proper introduction if we’re going to be business partners. So you’re the oldest, but your father is in good health. Surely you have more time to find a spouse?”

“Dobrina is in love. The law demands I marry first, but I have no interest in the suitors who plague me night and day. So, to rid myself of their presence and give my brother the happiness he deserves, I need a surrogate to play the role of my affectionate husband.”

“Lemme get this straight. You bring me home to Dad; we hold hands and take lingering walks in the gardens at night to convince everyone we’re in love, and after we’re married, all I have to do is stick around stuffing my face and sleeping on top of a goose-down mattress? And after a year of this you’re going to pay me for the trouble?”

“You’ll be sleeping on the couch within my private chambers. I have no intention of sharing my bed with a man I do not love.”

“Here. Do you see this? Do you feel this?” KoÅ¡mar pounded the old, sagging mattress beneath him with his closed fist. “And don’t even get close enough to smell it. I spend most my nights in a tent in the woods or on rented beds.”

“My…condolences.” Sreka wrinkled his face.

“Is your couch more comfortable than this?”

“By far. The fibers are woven from silk imported from—”

“Say no more. I’m your man.” KoÅ¡mar jumped to his feet. “Let’s see, we’ll need a public introduction. How do we want to play this?”

“The simpler the better,” Sreka said.

“No, no. We need a story to tell. Something for the scullery maids to whisper about as they scrub pots. You should rescue me—from a dragon.”

“Why? It sounds like the plot to a romance novel.” Sreka rubbed the bridge of his nose. “And shouldn’t you save me from the dragon? I’m the one you should be wooing.”

“I rescue people from dragons all the time, but when do I ever get to sit back and swoon for a hero? Never. If we’re going to play the lovers, let’s have fun with it.”

“But—”

“Or is palace life too exciting for you already?”

Sreka paused midcomplaint. He stared at Košmar for a long time. Košmar smirked.

“I’m right, aren’t I? You’re bored out of your skull in that castle. You’d love to play the hero for a day and scoop a handsome, swarthy stranger into your arms before carrying him off to your palace.”

“You shouldn’t assume I find you handsome.”

“Doesn’t matter, everyone else will. You can pretend if you don’t fancy my looks.” KoÅ¡mar winked.

“There’s one problem with your plan. We don’t have a dragon who will play along with our scam.”

“Watch this.” KoÅ¡mar walked to the fire, holding his hands to it.

He gestured with his fingers and pulled a section of the flames toward him. The fire resembled freshly pulled sugar in the candy-maker’s shop. It flowered and twirled with color, and KoÅ¡mar molded it into the shape of a dragon the size of a hunting hound. The flames cooled, hardening to bright, poisonous green scales. The creature roared and lunged for Sreka’s shins. When KoÅ¡mar snapped his fingers, the dragon dissolved into smoke that spread between them in a gray haze.

“Magic?”

“Yes, an illusion. Are you familiar with the northern road leading through the Czerwony Woods and into the mountains?”

“No one goes there because of bandits.”

“But there is a royal hunting ground near there, yes?”

“There is.” Sreka nodded.

“Plan a hunting trip one week from today. Arrive at dawn, and make sure you’re near where the northern road enters the forest an hour into your hunt.”

“How will I find you?”

“The roars and screams should be a good indication.” KoÅ¡mar grinned.

Sreka mirrored him. “I confess, I’m looking forward to our official meeting.”

“Until fate brings us together, my love.” KoÅ¡mar dropped to one knee, kissing Sreka’s hand.

“No need for theatrics when we’re alone.” Sreka averted his eyes.

“Best to get into character now.” KoÅ¡mar plopped onto the worn mattress beside him. “You already paid for the room?”

“Yes?” Sreka twisted his jeweled hair into a rope and tucked it back into his woolen cap.

“No use letting a bed go to waste. I’ll see you in a week.” KoÅ¡mar rolled up in the threadbare woolen blanket and shut his eyes.

“Sweet dreams, KoÅ¡mar.”

Košmar snorted after he heard the door shut.

“Pretty funny for a prince to tell a nightmare to have sweet dreams.” KoÅ¡mar kept the fire burning in the hearth but blew out the lantern on each side of the bed. The darkness hugged him close as he slept.

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Meet the Author

Hey there, readers. It’s me, ya boi, Sita Bethel. And this is a biography where I tell you all the boring facts about my life- like how I have a degree in writing, and how my two cats, Odin and Anpu, will one day rule this land as your feline overlords. Enough of that same old, same old. Here’s the real dirt. Sita Bethel likes to wrap up like a burrito with a weighted blanket. They host coloring parties as a personal eff-you to anxiety, and read everything from trash British sensationalist novels like The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins to literary masterpieces like The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Had enough of Sita Bethel yet? If not, check out @sita_bethel on Twitter, or sitabethelfiction on Facebook, or even www.sitabethel.com.

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Release Blitz: Soul Weave by A. Nybo


Looking for a new romantic fantasy to try? See today's release blitz for Soul Weave from author A. Nybo and Vibrant Promotions!

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Soul Weave
A. Nybo
Gay Fantasy Romance
Release Date: 03.10.20

Soul Weave
Cover Artist: A. Nybo
Blurb
TREACHERY IS afoot among the wizards of Tangia. The wizard king bids his northern champion, Aquilon Tenista, to seek and destroy those responsible for the theft of the wizards’ mindseers. To shield his own mindseer from the thief, Aquilon needs a bag woven of thread spun from his soul in which his can hide. He solicits the aid of Lucien, a clan witch, to weave the bag.
A low-caste widower, Lucien is betrothed to his clan’s war leader. The only way he can delay the arranged marriage long enough to affect his escape is to accept Aquilon’s commission and join his quest.
Watching the enchanting spell weaver interact with the fiber of his soul is pure torment for Aquilon. As the attraction between the two men grow, a sinister presence within the magic cloth begins to emerge. Threads of the enemy’s deception must be severed if they are to have any hope of preventing war and saving their people.


SW Graphic Teaser copy

Excerpt
In searching for firewood, his icy feet made walking through the undergrowth painful, but Lucien wasn’t prepared to return to camp for his hide shoes. Stepping gingerly around a prickle bush, he spotted an old gray branch that would burn nicely. As he picked it up, he heard rustling in the undergrowth to his right and quietly straightened to see what caused the noise.

The spark of fear of being confronted by a stranger lessened when he peered into crystalline blue eyes. They sparkled with wisdom and youthful vitality. A charming smile stole across the man’s face.

Lucien finally blinked.

“You’ve taken me by surprise, gentle man.” The stranger spoke softly, his low voice sounding like amiable music.

Lucien covered the feather tattoo on his neck with his hand when he noticed the stranger’s eyes dart to it.

The man appeared to be in his late twenties. His features brimmed with spirit. Tousled black hair hung to broad shoulders, and when he tilted his head slightly, Lucien caught a glimpse of a silver earring.

Entranced, Lucien couldn’t avert his gaze.

“I see I have taken you by surprise also.” Straightening, the man peered over the undergrowth and laughed. “It appears we have the same desperate purpose. Is your fire lit yet, sir?”

Lucien managed little more than to snap his mouth closed.

“Would you care to share mine?”

It was dangerous to share a fire with an unknown man. But those eyes…. “Yes.”

“Bring your branch and together we will warm the entire Tabbrela clan territory,” he said humorously.

As the man helped Lucien pick a path through the undergrowth, Lucien snatched glimpses of him. His hide trousers were like any clansman’s, but the floppy-necked green-and-gray-flecked woolen tunic was unlike any other he’d seen.

“Where are you from?” Lucien asked when his branch was taken from him to add to the collection. “You’re not from around here.”

The man tilted his head as he laughed, and his hair fell back to expose the black symbols etched into the thick silver earring. “Am I not dressed appropriately?”

Apparently his assessment hadn’t been quite as covert as he’d intended. Lucien smiled. “That rather depends. For what occasion are you dressing?”

The man’s eyebrows lifted and then lowered in amusement. “I was dressing for the festival to be held between the Jarani and Tabbrela.” Holding his armload of wood away from his body, he looked down at his clothes before turning merry eyes back to Lucien’s. “Do you think I’ve miscalculated?”

“No one will take offense at your attire.” Lucien tried to rid himself of the smile that possessed his lips. “But I think they might wonder who, other than Jarani and Tabbrela, dare come to their festival.”

“Years of experience tell me no bard is turned from a celebration,” he said.

“A bard?” Delight sparked Lucien’s curiosity. “What is your specialty?”

“I play music far better than I tell stories.”

Already Lucien was looking forward to hearing him play. “What instrument?”

“Several.”

Approaching the fire, Lucien tried not to drool at the sight of three rabbits cooking or the warmth the glowing coals promised. The sight of the flames alone was enough to remind him how cold his feet were.

As the bard stoked the fire, Lucien crowded the other side, sitting with his feet almost among the embers.

“Why are you not at the Tabbrela camp?” the bard asked.

Lucien warmed his hands. “Ah, well, that is a story only a bard could do justice to, and I am no bard.”

A wry smile crept to the bard’s lips. “Sir, you have gracious manners, but ‘mind your own business’ would have sufficed.” He feigned a sigh of dejection. “Perhaps I’m not worthy to confide in, but am I worthy enough to share a meal with?”

“Definitely. My name is Lucien.”

“You may call me Aquilon. But should you choose to confide in me, then you may call me Ilon.” He waggled his eyebrows.

His beguiling grin almost persuaded Lucien to relate the woeful tale of his impending life sentence—what others preferred to call “marriage.”

He leveled a cautious gaze at the bard. “Was there something in particular you wanted to know?”

“I do think it a little odd that such a gentle soul is in the sylvans alone when there is warmth, food, and protection at the Tabbrela camp.”

“Being forced to partner their war leader doesn’t sound like protection to me.”

Aquilon’s eyebrows lifted, and he chuckled. “You must be a man of high regard if you find it beneath you to partner a war leader.”

Lucien’s irritation flared.

“Tell me,” Aquilon said. “Do I have a prince in my midst?”

“No, you have the company of a black-feather epicene who would prefer to partner the clan fool should he be the person he loved.”


Soul Weave Graphic

A. Nybo lives in Western Australia. She believes the perfect recipe for reality includes imagining, creating, chocolate and coffee. Amounts and tools for each vary for any given day, but the magic is in the making. Her perfect creative storm is fired by music, travel, nature, and the ever-expanding dimensions of the mind.

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Guest Review: The Amaranth Maze by Hayden Thorne

A legend of a long-dead murderer buried in a mysterious maze. A cruel, childish trick gone wrong. A dangerous vow made in trust by a shy and lonely young boy. And somewhere in the idyllic Swedish countryside, a centuries-old entity is summoned from its thorny grave.


Fourteen years later, twenty-two-year-old Fredrik Niequist returns from his travels, a brilliant financier who intends to break new ground in the Swedish agricultural industry by commercializing local nature magic. He is also newly engaged to a wealthy childhood friend in a cynical and loveless partnership.


Twenty-year-old Lauris Ahlberg, meanwhile, turns his mind to botany as a promising apprentice to an English botanic occultist. As he studies a flower species displaying marks of the night world, he realizes the tainted flowers’ sudden appearance near his home and the ominous pattern they form signify a terrifying presence coming from a familiar source.


When Fredrik and Lauris cross paths again, old wounds break open, and promises of forever after ring hollow as the two awkwardly rekindle their friendship. And in the meantime, a creeping threat takes physical shape, breaking past its prison of thorns in order to lay claim to what has long belonged to it.


Guest Reviewer - NeRdyWYRM

Decidedly Strange

This book made me realize that pseudo-historical paranormal m/m is not my cup o tea. That's not to say this wasn't a good story or that it wasn't interesting or entertaining—because it was—but it was a struggle for me to reconcile the world the author created with my inner realities.

In this one you have a hidden society of witches/wizards with proclivities towards certain types of mostly benign magic. The MCs run afoul, through a childhood prank, of a dead serial killer who is haunting a maze in search of an eternal 'bride'. It takes years for things to come full circle, but Fredrik and Lauris get caught up in it's attentions again, which remain fixed firmly on Lauris.


No. No vampires here. Blood-sucking vines, yes, okay. But seriously, what's more creepy than a dead serial killer with his hooks in a very sweet earth wizard? Ugh.

Friendship between Fredrik and Lauris (despite childhood cruelties) turns into a relationship hounded by classism and elitism and a bunch of other -isms. Denial is a factor and, of course, don't forget the powerful ghost with nefarious and deadly intentions. Blood-sucking roses have got nothing on that fucker.


This one wraps up in true, "love conquers all" fashion, which is one point in this story's favor. It was well-written, the pacing was good, and I liked the MCs together. There were also enough paranormal twists to make this one interesting and while I would have liked to understand the purpose of the hidden magical society of this world a little better, it didn't take too much away to not be privy to many of the particulars.

If you like unique paranormals with a historical twist, this is a good one to pick up and read. It highlighted a subset of the genre that just isn't for me, but only because it doesn't tickle all my braingasm spots and not for any other reason. I liked the plot on paper and the execution was perfectly fine, but I think I'll skip similar books in future. Let us know what you think. I'd be interested to find out.


More reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be found on Goodreads here.
Images (when present) may be subject to copyright.


An ARC copy of this title was provided for an honest review.


Group Review: The Consumption of Magic (Tales From Verania #3) by T.J. Klune

Sequel to A Destiny of Dragons

Sam of Wilds faced the Dark wizard Myrin and lived to tell the tale. Granted, the battle left him scarred, but things could be a hell of a lot worse.

It’s not until he reunites with Morgan of Shadows and Randall that he realizes just how much worse things could be.

Because the scars have meaning and hint at Myrin’s true plans for Sam and the Kingdom of Verania.

With time running out, Sam and his band of merry misfits—the unicorn Gary, the half-giant Tiggy, Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart, and the dragon known as Kevin—must travel to the snowy mountains in the North and the heart of the Dark Woods to convince the remaining dragons to stand against Myrin. Along the way, Sam learns secrets of the past that will forever change the course of the future.

A reckoning is coming for Sam of Wilds, and there is nothing he can do to stop it.


Combined Gangbang Unicorning



Chelsea - 5 Hearts

Well fuck me sideways! This is the most epic series of epicness ever written!!! This series and especially this book had me feeling all the feels! Literally everything. I love and adore these characters, I laugh with them and definitely cry with them. I feel slightly nauseated by Gary and Kevin's sex and more than slightly aroused by Ryan and Sam's. I. Am. Invested! Just like everyone else who reads this series!

Now onto my deep dark confession....

I did it.

I did what everyone tells you not to do.

I maaayyy have sneaked a looksie at the last page.

Don't shoot don't shoot!

I know I know, but hear me out. I am not a heart-wrecking reader, it stresses me the fuck out, so much so that I can't rate a book highly if I'm too busy fighting of heart attacks.

So I sneaked, because I love this series and I didn't want to hate it. It was the right choice for me because I loved every word, was still wholeheartedly consumed (see what I did there) by it and still felt shocked, sad and suspended when I was reading the end but... I didn't need to take a bunch of valium to make it through. So, WIN.

Now if you are much hardier than me and can actually handle some serious emotion. Don't spoil this for yourselves. I can promise you'll hurt but not break. You will want to continue the series…. But maybe wait until the last book comes out.

Comedies without deeper feelings just don't make good romances or stories, having both is what makes this series and especially this book so wonderful!

An easy 5 hearts if ever there was one!

And just because this book deserves a picture in its review,



Jenni Lea - 5 Hearts



That… Fucking… Asshole!



That was my first thought upon finishing this book.  It was quickly followed by “Bastard!” and “He’s just a big ole meanie!” (all of which was said, of course, in the most loving way possible) My heart was shredded at the end of this story and I now have an unbridled need to read the next book as soon as possible. 


I’m finding it hard to write a proper review without spoiling anything so I’m just going to tell you how I felt while reading.  I went through the whole gamut of emotions and the notes I made pretty much speak for what I was feeling at the time.

It went something like this:

·         Only TJ has the ability to make me laugh out loud while simultaneously breaking my heart.
·         “Shit toast monkey fucker,” LOL!
·         OMG!
·         Stupid Knight Delicious Face and his stupid words making me cry.
·          I ♥ Justin 5eva
·        OMG Kevin!
·         Damn you, Kevin!  Making me cry
·         OMG
·         I hate everything right now
·         OMG!!!!!
·         AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
·         This is what made me wookie cry. Gah!
·         That… Fucking… Asshole!



Now, after seeing this, you might be thinking The Consumption of Magic was nothing more than a big angst fest filled with tears and sadness, but it really wasn’t.  For the most part, it was a light-hearted comedy that had me bursting into laughter at the most inappropriate moments.  That is, when I wasn’t swooning at the heart melting romance.  TJ pulled out all the stops with the romance in this one, my friends.  Ryan made some of the most romantic proclamations that were so heartfelt I couldn’t help but shed more than a few tears, which was unfortunate for me as I read most of this at work.

To quote Gary:


  “You great big bag of assholes,” […]  “How dare you say something romantic and sweet and wonderful like that!”



Sam did a lot of growing up in this book.  He’s still the adorable little asshole we’ve come to love, just maybe a tad more mature than in the previous installments. And his love for Ryan has grown even stronger than ever.




But even with all of that, even with the weight of everything resting upon my shoulders, I didn’t regret anything that had led me to this moment.  To this man standing in front of me.



HaveHeart for life, motherfuckers! 


TJ Klune is a Master Storyteller (capitalized so you know it’s true) who took my heart on the most amazing adventure.  Yeah, it got a few bumps and bruises along the way, but it was returned mostly intact… mostly.  I can’t wait to see what shenanigans he will think up next.  All I can say is… bring it.  I can take it.  My heart is strong!  I don’t need any hand-holding.  I am a strong, independent unicorn who don’t need no mens… er… wait.  *cough* Excuse me.  Got a little carried away there for a minute.  What was I saying?  Oh.  Yeah.  That’s right.


Read this book!


Ann - 5 Hearts

Godsdammit.

Only The Klune can make me run the gamut of SO many emotions in one book. I’m not even talking the series, just this one installment. When I read Lightning Struck Heart back in 2015 I had no idea the level of EVERYTHING this series would become. It’s so, so much. I mean that in the best possible way. In a scary commiserate way, I get Lady Tina (HaveHeart forever Motherfuckers! Don’t even with me Lady Tina) and that is never something I should say as a grown ass adult. But, I am invested here beyond just idle curiosity about what will come next. This is visceral now. My head and my heart are ecstatic and heartbroken in turn. I’m amused and despondent all in one page. I’m from SoCal, my people are not meant for this. By nature we give very few fux about things in general but when we feel passionately, it’s ridiculous. My car may not start, I may end up with a leak in my roof and my hot water heater may explode all in one day and my reaction will be “It’llbeallright” All One Word. But 30% in, 87% in for The Consumption of Magic? I’m ruined in the best fucking way.

I knew heartache was coming in The Consumption of Magic, but the tone of the story stayed so Sam, that the foreboding knowledge of what I was in store for was not overwhelming. The story is not here for the angst, it is balanced perfectly with the humor I love and the feels I crave, so I wasn’t just sitting on pins and needles (ouch and ewwww) waiting for Myrrin to fuck up all the things, I enjoyed every conversation and revelation from beginning to end.

What I love about this series, and this is a characteristic that makes a series a series for me, is that, yes there are secondary characters, but they are not secondary to the MC. Every story gives me more of someone and the dimension of the overall arc intensifies. Randall and Kevin have their “things”. Randall is an impatient grouch and Kevin is a horny hoarder with inappropriate familial ideals. But, in The Consumption of Magic, I learned so much more about both of them and their stories were just as important as Sam’s. Sam has his destiny that he loathes, but every characters destiny is intertwined and I can only shudder in awe of the spreadsheets the author must have for every detail for every character. Plus, when I get to know each player more, they don’t change, they just build and I love getting to know them on deeper levels. (Mind out of the gutter Kevin).

Now, on to the fuckery.

Firstly, how dare you? You know who you are and ohmygawd, how dare you? I wouldn’t say the story ends on a cliffhanger, I mean the overall arc does, but The Consumption of Magic does not, it ends as it should, but damn. I had (and I’m copying Jenni Lea here with the points):

Sorrow
Anger (again, how dare you)
Surprise/Shock
Hope
Love
Frustration
More Love
ANXIETY

Honestly, this needs to be about me now as I channel my inner Gary. How the actual fuck am I expected to wait until 2018 to get my next fix? I think we can all agree that 2017 has been a bit of a dumpster fire, so I am really looking forward to what comes next. I have theories, which are utter bullshit, but it’s what one does when one is Lady-Tina-Level consumed.

The series continues to be it’s amazing self, we all pretty much already knew that to be a thing. Just hop on for the ride and soak it up. TJ Klune is a master wordsmith. He has the ability to make me forget I’m even reading. I’m there, I’m in the thick of it all and he has a true gift that I appreciate beyond measure. So, now we can all discuss and wallow in our fandom together and overanalyze everything as we wait impatiently for 2018.




**a copy of this magic was provided for honest reviews**


Trivia Question: What series has a porn star falling in love with a man he rescues from a night club? 5 pts

Random winner will be chosen 11/21. I'll be traveling all week so I'll do my best to get the winner notified by 6 pm EST.