Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fun Facts about the First Thanksgiving


·  The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving.

·  The Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to reach North America.

·  They sailed on the ship, which was known by the name of 'Mayflower'.

·  They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

·  The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.

·  The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. He invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to the feast.

·  The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.

·  Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, popcorn, milk, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on the first Thanksgiving's feast table.

·  Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving feast.

·  The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers.






Fun Turkey Facts

·  The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.

·  The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog.

·  A 15 pound turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat.

·  The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey is as a sandwich, in stew, chili or soup, casseroles and as a burger.

·  Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.

·  Turkeys will have 3,500 feathers at maturity.

·  Male turkeys gobble. Hens do not. They make a clucking noise.

·  Commercially raised turkeys cannot fly.

·  Turkeys have heart attacks. The United States Air Force was doing test runs and breaking the sound barrier. Nearby turkeys dropped dead with heart attacks.

·  A large group of turkeys is called a flock.

·  Turkeys have poor night vision.

·  It takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 30 pound tom turkey.

·  A 16-week-old turkey is called a fryer. A five to seven month old turkey is called a young roaster.






Fun Facts about Thanksgiving

·  In the US, about 280 million turkeys are sold for the Thanksgiving celebrations.

·  Each year, the average American eats somewhere between 16 - 18 pounds of turkey.

·  Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States.

·  Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.

·  Although, Thanksgiving is widely considered an American holiday, it is also celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.

·  Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Welcome Jon Keys - also known as RedDirtWriter!!


That's right, guys, I had another Lit author at the blog lol. And let me say I'm also a fan of his work. The first story of his I read was Wrangler Butts... and I was hooked. 

~ ~ ~


Hi M.A.! Thanks for the invitation. Obviously I’m Jon Keys, but some of you might also know me by the pen name of RedDirtWriter. I want to take this opportunity to promote my first publication through Dreamspinner Press. “Heart of the Pines” will be released on December 1 as part of Dreamspinner’s Advent Calendar.

I thought I’d share a little bit about how my characters develop. I consider my stories to be character driven. The first fiction I wrote was an on-line piece titled “Wrangler Butts”. It was most certainly a seat of the pants writing. I had a couple of characters that I thought would be interesting, and who I’d like to follow. From there, they progressed against all kinds of adversity, life wasn’t easy (it never is, is it?) but they pulled themselves up after each one, sucked it up and then moved on. Sometimes with a new scar or two, but always forward.

“Heart of the Pines” has a similar beginning, but after a few hundred thousand words under my belt, I do more planning and I had an ending firmly in mind. The idea was started by a comment from one of my readers that he wished I had more characters closer to his age (mid-40’s) that he could relate to more. So Chris and Wade were born.

I like to keep the action as realistic as possible, and it’s no different with my latest couple. I love to thread the reader through the ups and down of their lives. My characters get knocked down all the time. But I want them to pick themselves up, make whatever adjustments should happen, and then move forward. I work to have the characters not be some unattainable perfection, or hopeless puddle of goo. Okay, well they can go to goo, but they have to pull themselves together and move on at some point.

I love getting the notes from fans saying they would love to sit down for a beer and great conversation with my characters. I hope that people find some entertainment in my writing, if they get something more, that’s just icing on the cake for me.

I hope everyone enjoys the newest novella. The link is for the collection but the single will be available for purchase on Dec 1. Just check on my blog for the direct link that day.

~ Jon ~




Blurb:

Christmas is the worst time of the year to find yourself alone. Chris Moss, owner of a tree farm, knows this down to his bones as he makes his way through his first holiday season after losing his wife to cancer. When Wade Hart, an annual customer at the farm, visits, they find common ground: Wade lost his own longtime lover to a parting of ways and is lonely too. The constant, gentle companionship provides fertile soil for an attraction neither expects, but nurturing a new relationship is a tough proposition. With the encouragement of family and friends, Chris and Wade may yet find that a second love later in life can be just as fulfilling as the first.








Excerpt:

Jets of steamy breath shot from Wade’s nostrils as he struggled to drag the enormous Christmas tree across the loose Michigan snow. The bells on Chris’s Santa hat jingled merrily as he hurried out to help his friend pull the tree up the final hillock to the barn.

“Here, let me give you a hand.” Stepping along the slowing tree, Chris wrapped a glove-covered hand around a branch and lent his strength to the effort.

Wade nodded and smiled. “Thanks, it’s a little much by myself.”

“No problem, happy to help. Looks like you got a beaut,” said Chris.

Wade pulled off his knit hat and wiped the perspiration from his head. “It’s a good one. I think I’ve covered your whole farm, several times, to find the perfect tree.”

They pulled the tree into the work area and hoisted it onto the sawbuck. “Want me to trim it up for you?”

“Sure. One less thing I’ll have to do.” Wade laid the handsaw he’d used on the table behind them, then tugged his thick cap on while Chris made a few quick cuts with the chainsaw to ready the tree for his stand. The roar of the saw faded, and Chris struggled for a few minutes as he tried to push the tree into the netting. As he began his second attempt, Wade woke from his stupor and grabbed the other side of the tree.

“Sorry, I’m a little spacey today,” said Wade.

With his help, Chris slid the tree into the tube of netting, getting it ready for Wade’s SUV. “No problem. It’s a huge tree. I hope Jeff will be around to help you unload.”

Wade folded his arms over his chest, a pained look on his face. “Jeff moved out. Last week. I thought makin’ our annual trip to your farm for a tree would keep me from thinkin’ about it.” Wade turned his head and let out a shuddering sigh. “I guess it’s not ‘our’ trip anymore.”

Chris gave Wade’s shoulder a squeeze. “Sorry to hear that. You guys always seemed happy together. Jeff was always cutting up and flirting with Mary.” I haven’t forgotten you attended her funeral.

“It happens. I guess we lasted longer than a lot of couples. Ten years isn’t bad.” Wade’s fingers ran over one of the fir boughs edging the barn windows. “It was good in the beginning, like newlyweds. Jeff loved our loft in Chicago. But ever since we moved to Traverse City, the relationship had slowly gone downhill. Our business downtown was an attempt to find something to keep Jeff happy.”

The pain in Wade’s eyes sparked a wave of bitter nostalgia for Chris. He missed Mary so desperately some days. She always was the caretaker of the family, even when they got the diagnosis of stage-four cancer; she still took care of everyone else until it was impossible for her to keep doing it. He turned to the barn behind them, pulled off the Santa hat, and held it tight in his hands as the frigid air gusted through his short white hair.

The farm was always beautiful this time of year, the ground covered with crystalline flakes in a white carpet that extended to the steps of the house, which he kept carefully swept. He hadn’t changed anything since Mary died. It had been more difficult in the summer when the beds that hugged the foundation of their house were ablaze with flowers Mary had planted and nursed through the years. The winter covering had been a blessed relief, but his heart still ached at the lack of holiday decorations. Mary had loved the season, and given half a chance, she covered everything within striking distance with lights. Without her, the trimmings just hadn’t mattered.

He shook himself and focused on finishing with Wade’s tree. He tied the bottom of the netting and turned to Wade. “There you go. All bundled and ready to put in that great foyer you have.”

“Not so grand this year. It’s kind of tough to get into the spirit of the season.”

Chris gave Wade a sympathetic smile. “It could be worse….”

Realization hit Wade. “Oh my God! I can’t believe I’ve been such an ass. This is your first Christmas alone. I’m so sorry, Chris. I feel awful.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s been almost a year since her funeral. It’s ancient history to most people.” Although it seems like yesterday to me. I can still feel her soft hand in mine as we picnicked on one of Lake Michigan’s sugar sand beaches on our first date, playing in the chilly crystal clear water. Even then, she’d taken care of everything and had the perfect lunch basket packed.

“Yeah, but Mary always said Christmas was her favorite time of the year.”

“It was, and I haven’t felt like doing much. It’s a lot more work to take care of the farm alone too. But the income for the whole year happens in the next month or so. Doesn’t leave me with many choices.” Chris smiled at Wade. “Bad thing about a Christmas tree farm, firs just aren’t that tasty.”

Wade gave a nod, and then his eyes lit up. “Hey, what if I do it? I’ve helped Mary put up the decorations before. It’ll keep me busy, and Santa’s Tree Farm needs to look more festive than either of us feels.”

Chris couldn’t help but smile at the sudden enthusiasm. “If you’d like, that would be great. I just can’t face the stuff. Too many memories.”

“Southern boy to the rescue! I got this covered.” Wade clapped his hand on Chris’s bicep and squeezed it. Chris found a comfort from the contact that surprised him. Mary’s touch had always had that unique ability to soothe him. Some nights its absence had left him curled around her pillow with tears streaming down his face.

Chris fished a ring of keys from his pocket, flipped through them, and held one out for Wade. “This unlocks the storage padlock. Anything you want to do would be great. I have a few customers wandering around looking for trees. I better go check on them.”

Chris raced through the light snowfall while Wade started for the storage building.


Buy Link:




Bio:

Jon Keys’ earliest memories revolve around books; with the first ones he can recall reading himself being “The Warlord of Mars” and anything with Tarzan. (The local library wasn’t particularly up to date.) But as puberty set in he started sneaking his mother’s romance magazines and added the world of romance and erotica to his mix of science fiction, fantasy, and comic books.

A voracious reader for almost half a century, Jon has only recently begun creating his own flights of fiction for the entertainment of others. Born in the Southwest and now living in the Midwest, Jon has worked as a ranch hand, teacher, computer tech, roughneck, designer, retail clerk, welder, artist, and, yes, pool boy; with interests ranging from kayaking and hunting to painting and cooking, he draws from a wide range of life experiences to create written works that draw the reader in and wrap them in a good story.




Twitter: @Jon4Keys



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Winner of the Rob Colton giveaway







And the winner is...




Oh yeah, Rob used a random generator to pick the winner.




And the winner is...




Sorry this was so late today also.







OKAY OKAY LOL...




post # 14, janahock




Rob has probably already emailed ya. Congrats!

~M


Monday, November 18, 2013

Welcome Rob Colton and a giveaway for The Cassini Mission.

Thanks for having me today, Michelle! I’m here today to talk about my new release, The Cassini Mission.

This is the second book in the Galactic Conspiracies series, following The Degan Incident. Not strictly a sequel, the book builds upon the plot of the first book. Featuring a new set of characters, it dives deeper into what those nasty researchers were trying to do in the first book.

Readers of The Degan Incident may remember Dr. Aron Adler, the biologist that clinic doctor Flynn calls for his expert opinion on Devin’s little “problem.” This book is told from Aron’s perspective, just as he is ordered to take part in a rescue mission on a distant research outpost.





To celebrate the release, I am giving away a copy of The Cassini Mission to one of the commenters. Just leave a comment on this post with your email address. The contest ends on Tuesday at 11:59 midnight EST. The winner will be notified by email address.

In the meantime, please enjoy this excerpt from the first chapter of The Cassini Mission.











Blurb:
The adventure continues in this action-packed follow up to The Degan Incident!

Dr. Aron Adler is ordered to take part in a rescue mission to a research colony located on an uninhabited planet in the outer rim. He is to immediately report to the U.S.C. Cassini, which will take Aron, two other scientists, and a unit of Union Marines to the colony. Once there, they are to assess the situation and retrieve any data or specimens.

Formerly a scientist in the Union Navy, Aron was dishonorably discharged following a court-martial for failing to obey orders. Stepping foot on the Cassini brings up old feelings he would rather forget. Shunned by the crew of the Cassini, Aron finds comfort in the arms—and bed—of Marine corporal Kane Robertson.

Upon reaching the colony, it becomes apparent that not everything is as it seems. Once again, Aron is faced with a difficult decision: follow orders or follow his heart.


Purchase Links:
Available in eBook from:
Amazon.com and Kindle store
BarnesAndNoble.com and Nook store


Available in Paperback from:
Amazon.com (includes the ebook free through Kindle MatchBook)


My Links:



Excerpt:
Doctor Aron Adler; access granted.

At the computer’s pleasant announcement, the security lock disengaged and the door opened with a swoosh.

Not looking up from my comPad, I made my way to my lab’s main workstation. Once seated, I transferred control from the pad to my workstation and activated the scanner. I had just gotten the electron scanner calibrated and it was now streaming bio-chemical data to the large computer screens mounted on my lab wall.

“Yes,” I said in triumph as I skimmed over the new data. Everything looked to be in order.

With my eyes locked onto my screens, I called out to our lab’s resident research assistant. “Thomas, please start a DNA profile analysis on the specimen that’s being scanned.”

When I didn’t get a response, I lifted my head up and swiveled my stool around, annoyed that he wasn’t answering me. “Thomas—”

Thomas wasn’t sitting at his station. I scratched my head, thinking back to when I walked into the room. Was Thomas even in his seat when I arrived? He must have gone to the break room. He was never without a doughnut it seemed. I shrugged and turned back to my work. I was better off without him anyway.

A flashing icon on my screen caught my eye. I tapped the icon to bring up my comm panel. Apparently, I had missed a call from Devin Drago. Not expecting to hear from the young man, I was pleasantly surprised.

I had come across his case when an old friend contacted me with bioscans of a pregnant human male. I had heard of spontaneous womb generation in other species, but had never come across a human male with the condition, so of course I was fascinated. When Devin said the Degan male who impregnated him claimed to be his true bondmate and had gone missing, I had used my connections with a colleague who worked for the Degan Science Institute to inquire about the missing bondmate.

It was through my colleague that they tracked down the Degan’s father. Imagine my horror when I found out that Devin had been taken prisoner by a rogue group of scientists. Thankfully he was rescued by the Degans and the couple was reunited. Last I heard, he was living happily on Dega with his bondmate.

Pressing play on the message, I was greeted by a smiling Devin. He held a squirming toddler on his lap. The boy’s half-Human/half-Degan heritage was apparent in his ears and eyes, not to mention the horn nubs on the top of his head.

“Hi, Doctor Adler. It’s me, Devin Drago. I bet you didn’t expect to hear from me, but I wanted to again thank you for your help. This our son, Callan. We wouldn’t be here without you. And well…” With a grunt, Devin pushed up from his chair and stood slightly, revealing the swell of his belly. A very pregnant belly. “Surprise. Well, I’d better go before Bastian drags me back to bed. I’m supposed to be resting. Say ‘bye’ to the doc, sweetie.”

Devin and his son waved to the screen as the message ended. I returned to my work with a smile on my face.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been caught up in my work when the door opened unexpectedly.

“Doctor Adler,” Thomas panted.

I looked up from my computer screen and frowned at the research assistant for interrupting me. The portly man leaned against the door frame, his hand clutching his chest as he tried to pull in lungfuls of air.

I reached over and tapped the computer controls to begin the chemical analysis process. “Thomas. You really are in bad shape. All that crap you eat. You should come running with me sometime. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m in the middle of something.” I tapped again to queue up the DNA profile process.

He shook his head forcefully while waving his hand back and forth in front of him. He managed to sputter between breaths, “No. Navy. Here.”

Well, that certainly got my attention. The Navy was here? Was that what he was trying to tell me?

A barrage of unpleasant memories flooded my mind. Feeling sick to my stomach, I felt an overwhelming need to get the hell out of here. As I stood up from my stool, two men dressed in standard Union Navy security uniforms pushed into my lab, practically knocking Thomas down in the process.

My eyes darted around the room, looking for a quick exit.

“Doctor Aron Adler?” the officer intoned. “Your presence is required at Union Military Headquarters.” His hand not-so-subtly moved on top of the phase pistol holstered to his belt. “Immediately.”

Crap.



Saturday, November 16, 2013

Happy Saturday and welcome to My Sexy Saturday! For this hop you post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words. It can be from a WIP or something published. For this week, I thought I’d do something from The Harvest: Taken.

Enjoy! And don’t forget to visit the rest of Blog Hop!











It was in the year 2050 when humanity found out that it was, indeed, not alone in the universe. They appeared without warning above the capitals of all major nations. The huge, menacing, and completely unresponsive space ships dominated the skies, sending the media into a complete tailspin. The governments of our world argued back and forth on what to do. But, in the end, they did nothing.


First contact came within hours of the sightings. The question of what these aliens wanted prompted emergency closed-door meetings in Norway, held by NATO. Meetings were held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Union of South American Nations, the African Union and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, among others. The media speculated endlessly. The talks lasted for two days, while the world waited and watched. Early on the morning of the third day, a news conference was held and details were finally released to the public.


The name of their planet was Tah’Nar—and it was dying. Originally, the Tah’Narians were an intersexed warrior race. Chemical warfare had essentially rendered them sterile. Many scientists, from all over the world, eagerly volunteered their assistance to aid the alien race. The benefits to our own world hovered foremost in the mind of every government official present at the meeting. The Tah’Narians required DNA for their harvesting program. Since we couldn’t duplicate their technology, those males who were to participate had to be transported to their world, which, of course, triggered all sorts of questions from people. If these aliens were so advanced, why couldn’t they extract the needed DNA? Why did humans have to be taken off-world? The story had more holes in it than Swiss cheese.


After about a week of this, a press release from our government stated that the two strands of DNA were too fragile to be frozen and transported through space. The release claimed that the nucleobases—the four molecules that form the genetic building blocks of DNA— would be damaged and might even disintegrate once the alien starships jumped to star drive, the method used to travel through time and space so quickly. People, however, could be protected in ways that extracted DNA couldn't.


Agreements were reached with each government—and boy, didn't that take a while—that these men would be returned to Earth once the program was completed. Here in the United States a lottery system was set up, and each young man between the ages of twenty-three and twenty-eight was assigned a number. Once a year, for the next five years, numbers would be drawn and a new set of one thousand men would be collected and escorted to holding centers. Medical and psychological tests would be run on the subjects, and, if they passed the tests, they’d be transported to waiting spaceships. Other industrialized nations followed our example and set up their own lottery systems. Word soon leaked that only gay men were being targeted, but our government vehemently denied this accusation.


The media coined the expression ‘The Harvest’ for the times when the Tah’Narians would return to collect these young men. I was seventeen when the aliens first appeared, so my parents assumed I was safe. The final collection would be done before I turned twenty-three. I didn't fall within the guidelines the aliens had established, so I thought I had nothing to fear.


I was wrong





Saturday, November 9, 2013

Great review for The Harvest: Taken

I don't usually post reviews on my blog, but this was such a good one I couldn't resist lol.




Original Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

No matter how this book turned out for the best, it does start off with abductions and drugging so there may be a few readers out there who may need this warning. It also tells the tale of a government that lies to its people. In this futuristic world of Earth, we have cat-like aliens coming in and offering some of their technology in exchange for mates. Thing is, the species is intersexual and the local homophobic politicians decide it is not to the best interest of the Earthlings to know that what these aliens seek are male homosexual mates. Something which the alien race disagreed to but had no power to change. And this is where Dale comes in.

Dale is under the age requirement for the harvest of these mates but he finds himself forcibly taken from his family and on board an alien ship mated to the ship's captain, Keyno. He also finds out that his previously harvested best friend is onboard and mated to the second in command. His life adjusting in this alien society and getting a double dose of their DNA was a bit hard but he is a survivor. Only thing is, he is now expected to bear Keyno's young.

So yes, this is another of the mpreg (male-pregnancy) books but it is so interestingly written that I found myself wrapped up in the tale and romance that is Dale and Keyno. Their relationship did start off rocky but they learned to truly love each other. There are the usual suspects of angsts and drama but it was not overblown. Instead, we have a smooth tale of alien loving that could be a bit hotly erotic at times. (That bit about the hair was totally unexpected but raised the hotness meter!)

The only problem I have with this is that this is obviously only the first part of the tale. According to some of those who have read this prior to publication, the second half of the book will hold the final key and elements that will make this story whole.

For those who like mpreg stories and alien loving (like I do) Taken is one of the best reads to consider. Not once was my focus taken off from the unfolding story and surprisingly, this is quite a light and fast read. I will now have to anxiously await (once more) for the sequel of a truly interesting tale. Especially when the mpreg elements are going to be on full force.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Some numbers on Harvest and a udate on me.



Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Harvest-Taken-M-A-Church-ebook/dp/B00GCS4FCS/ref=zg_bs_301889_39


Ranking on Amazon. *laugh* Who knows what it is now lol. Probably dropping.  
#15 in Books > Romance > Science Fiction 
#20 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Literature & Fiction > Fiction > Romance 
#21 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Science Fiction



Ranking at ARe.
#1 in the Scifi category
#38 on ARe bestseller list

* * * *

Big thanks to all y'all. It's took a long time to get Harvest to this point, and we're only halfway there lol. I'm working on Book 2. What I mean, there are some terms and names I have to change now in Book 2. It's 96K long so it isn't happening fast lol.

On the health front...  it's been a month since the stroke. Wow, that was a quick month, lol. Wish I could say time flew because I was having fun lol. I have another dr appt with another dr who will hopefully adjust my med's.

It's also been a month since I stopped smoking. Yay! I'm off the patch and not having any problems. :) Well, no problems with smoking. The med's are giving me fits though. *fingers crossed* that gets clears up.
 
Take care guys!
~M

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Welcome Tali Spencer and The Seventh Sacrifice


Seven Clues Your Love Might Be an Amaru
 



 I had a blast writing “The Seventh Sacrifice.” The story is set in modern day Bolivia and in it I use some of the stories and myths I learned through my many visits there. One of those myths that fascinated me was that of the amaru, a giant serpent deity that native women told me still dwell underground. They told me the river in the city was once sacred to the amaru, though the Spanish built a church over the huaca, or sacred place. I combined this with a story my mother-in-law told me about that church and… shifters! Because shifters are fun and I wanted my native sorcerer/amaru to be hot.

Sooo… how would a man recognize that he’s treading near danger? How does one recognize an amaru?
 
 
Here are some clues from the story:

7. The gorgeous shaman you meet in the market performs black magic, guaranteed to work.

6. You see a lot of people you don’t know giving you pitying looks.

5. Your prospective lover lures you at night to the roof top of a church.

4. The church is built on the foundations of an ancient Inca temple.

3. The man you meet for hot anonymous sex encircles your package with a pure gold cock ring.

2. He thinks having sex on the altar is the way to go.

1. The man you are with turns into a creature with a llama’s head, wings, and the scaled body of a serpent-fish. The picture gives you a good idea.

 

 


 

Blurb:

Beltran is a peaceful man, but when his Bolivian cousin is brutalized, he seeks out a native sorcerer in a quest for vengeance. He doesn’t know the attractive shaman, Katari, is an amaru demon, a serpent shifter determined to break an ancient spell. Beltran’s about to discover the price of black magic.

 

And a sexy little excerpt:

Katari turned back to the box and began to sort through its contents.  Beltran could not help but watch.  He had never seen such beautiful hands; they seemed fashioned not from sinew and skin, but of dark, polished wood, just like the carvings sold in booths along the Calle Sagarnara.  Katari placed chosen objects on the table.  A charred feather, possibly condor.  A small amber bead like a snake’s eye.  What appeared to be some kind of tooth.  When asked for something belonging to the man, Beltran handed over the small envelope Marisol had given him.

Katari opened it and removed a fouled square of cotton.  Arching an eyebrow, he took a sniff, then grunted and added it to the items on the table. 

“Can you make it work?”  Beltran’s stomach clenched at knowing what was on the bit of cloth.

“Yes.  Semen is very powerful and the woman’s essence is polluted because he hurt her.  I could do even more with it.”

What he was doing was enough.  Beltran felt himself believing in this spell, despite the fact it could never really do what Katari promised.  Or maybe he was just in thrall to the beautiful tones of the sorcerer’s dark voice.

“This is black magic.  Illegal to sell… and the church could come after me.  I will make this charm for you to take to your cousin on one condition—”  Katari lifted his hand from his work, taking the opportunity to skim the backs of his fingers across the shape of Beltran’s erection, bulging toward him through a layer of denim.  “Meet me tonight.”

“Tonight?”  The word had him dreaming of moonlight and skin.

“I will show you the roof of the church.” 

“The church?”  Neither angry nor alarmed, Beltran simply shivered with restrained pleasure.  He understood the message perfectly.  The sorcerer’s touch was making his cock leak with excitement.

“We will be all alone with no one to see us.  I know the night watchman.  I make charms for his family’s health.” 

He wanted to refuse.  Every warning he had ever heard about not going off alone with strange men clamored in his head.  It was just… he had never felt such a powerful physical attraction before, to any man, not even his last lover.  Katari’s smell, strong and sharp, might as well have been incense, it so permeated the room.  Just to look upon those masculine features and full, proud lips stole away his will.  He wanted to experience all this man had to offer, and his body refused to utter words of denial.

“We can meet outside, in front of the church,” he said.  Even at late hours there was ample vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the Plaza San Francisco.  “We can talk, and maybe go to the roof,” he added, already knowing that he would.

Bueno,” said Katari, giving him a smile filled with lust and promises. 

~~~~~~~~

“The Seventh Sacrifice” is available at Amazon, All Romance Ebooks, and Storm Moon Press

 

Author Bio

Tali Spencer fell in love with writing at an early age and never stopped. Thanks to a restless father, she grew up as a bit of a nomad and still loves to travel whenever she can. Her longest stint in one place was Milwaukee where she went to college and enjoyed a series of interesting careers while raising three surprisingly well-adjusted sons. She later married her true love and put down new roots in Philadelphia, where she lives in an ongoing Italian American family sitcom. At least she’s learned how make good pasta. When not writing, Tali reads everything from sweet goofy romances to Lebanese cookbooks, manages her fantasy football team—go Gekkos!—and takes long walks with her loving, if slightly neurotic, poodle.

Visit Tali’s blog at http://talismania-brilliantdisguise.blogspot.com
E-mail: tali.spencer1@gmail.com
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/tali.spencer
Twitter: @tali_spencer

Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Derkelyng - chapter 5 & 6


Chapter Five

“Nice place.” But then again, anything beats dirt floors and cave walls. And Heaven help me, he has lights and running water. Oh man, there has to be hot water too. I bet the one thing I don’t find around here is something to eat.

I walked into the main room, which was decorated in black and white. Fuck, I’m afraid to touch anything. All that white is just asking to get messed up. There were metal lamps on glass tables and a fireplace at one end of the room. I saw an eating area off to the side. Huh, bet he can cook in there. Well, that is if he actually ate.

Through a partially open door, I saw what appeared to be a working bathroom. Which would be great, except the Derkelyng didn’t need bathrooms. They didn’t eat, didn’t sweat, didn’t… didn’t do anything that a living person did. I glanced in an oval mirror over a sink. It had been a long time since I’d seen my reflection. The wetness from the earlier rain had darkened my light blond hair. Tired brown eyes with dark circles under them stared back at me. For someone so young, I looked old and used-up.

I jumped when Lander hugged me from behind. There was that damn scent again, swirling inside my head, making me want.

“Let me show you the bedroom, sweet.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart. Lander grabbed my hand and I stumbled along. My knees were shaking, and the bulge at the front of my pants was more than a little noticeable. Lander stopped in front of a door, glanced down at me and licked his lips. Well Jesus, I just thought I was hard. Fuck, I want to bite those lips.

With a grand display, Lander threw open a door and gestured to a large room dominated by a bed covered in white fur. All the furniture was black, even the floor looked black, but it gleamed. That was kind of cool. I knew there was stone that had that kind of shine, but I didn’t know the name of it. Wasn’t like there was much of it from where I came from. There were abstract pictures on the walls, done in black and white, and… I raised an eyebrow. One whole wall was glass. I stepped over to it and looked down. The night lights were spread out below.

I waved at the glass. “Um, that’s kinda dangerous, isn’t it?”

Lander glanced at the windows and shrugged. “The glass is nearly impossible to break and coated in a pitch-black tint. You just can’t tell that at night. Plus, as a backup, there are metal shutters that close before daybreak.”

“Still, I’d think you wouldn’t want glass within an inch of you.”

Lander smoothed my damp hair off my neck. “I like to live dangerously.”

A full body shiver racked me as cool lips touched the side of my neck. “You must.”

Lander’s hands reached around to undo the buttons that ran up my shirt. “I get the feeling I’m not alone in that, though.”

I didn’t answer. I was too busy watching my shirt being opened a button at a time. Lander’s slim, nimble fingers spread my shirt open, exposing my chest as his lips skimmed up my neck. Those pale hands eased my shirt off, letting it drop to the floor. I held my breath as those hands returned to touch, to stroke.

Lander’s fingers traced a scar on a rib, then continued the journey up my chest, heading closer and closer to… My breath rushed out as he ran a nail over my nipple. Both nubs beaded, standing up, wanting more attention. Lander rubbed his finger over the peak, teasing it until I thought I’d scream. I wanted… I wanted…

“How do you think it would feel if I played with both?”

“I-I-I…” That was a far as I got.

Lander grasped both nipples, pulling and tugging… and my brain short-circuited. Never had I felt anything like it. The sensations went straight from my nipples to my cock. I couldn’t think, all I wanted was more. The harder he tugged, the more I ached for more.

Shit, I’d had sex before, but it had been nothing more than getting off. We certainly didn’t touch each other, not for pleasure. It had been all about getting a cock up an ass, and that was all. There was no kissing, no playing with nipples. I certainly never had been into pain. But the harder he twisted, the more precome my cock wept. If he kept that up, I might just come. Shit, what had I been missing all this time?

“Fuck,” I whispered, both of my hands covering Lander’s.

“Are you trying to stop me, or trying to help?” Lander ground his dick against my ass. I wanted to feel that as soon as I could with no clothes between us.

“I…” A slightly hysterical giggle popped out of me. “I’m not sure.”

Lander trapped both nipples between his fingers, the tips aching and stiff above his fingers. “Rub your fingers across them. Feel what I feel when I touch you.”

“Jesus.” Okay, that was fucking hot. Then I ran the pads of my fingers across those trapped nubs and my knees damn near buckled from the shock. “Holy shit.”

“You are so responsive. I can’t wait to make love to you, show you all the things… You’ll lose your mind, trust me, at what I want to do.”

I licked my lips. “Like... like what?”

Lander pinched my nipples harder. “Mmm, I think I’d like to clamp these pretty nipples with clothespins, first off. Something nice and easy that won’t freak you out too much.”

I arched against Lander. “Clothespin? There? And that won’t freak me out?”

Lander’s hand drifted down to the bulge in my pants, the heel of his hand rubbing hard against my cock. Then that naughty hand pinched the inside of my thigh near my dick. “Not as much as having the pins down here.” A desperate moan echoed through the apartment. Was that me moaning like that? 

“Holy… fuck.” I rubbed my ass harder against his dick. Shit, that sounded like it hurt, and I fucking couldn’t wait. I was hard enough to pound nails. “Do… do that again.”

“Do what?”

“Pinch me.”

“Huh, seems like we might have the making of a pain slut here.” Lander’s fingers caressed the top of my stomach, making the muscles jump under his fingers. I grunted when he pinched the skin right above the waistband of my pants. 

“Lander… please?”

“Oh sweet, yes. Whatever you want, I’ll give you.”

Lander undid the button on my pants. I never knew pants being unzipped could sound so sexy. Suddenly, I couldn’t wait. I jerked away from the shelter of his arms and sat on the bed. Off came my boots.

“I want… I want… Fuck, Lander. I want to feel you busting my ass open.” I undid all the buckles and snaps on my pants and wiggled out of them.

Lander launched himself at me and we fell across the bed. Between his hands and mine, we managed to strip him too. We rolled around on that huge bed, the fur bedspread tickling my legs, clothes thrown everywhere. My hands were all over him, touching and teasing. His body was like mine, long and lean, with very little hair… only cooler, much cooler.

Lander flipped us and I ended up on top of him, my knees by his hips, his body pressed to mine. “You are so beautiful, Blade. I can’t wait to make you mine.”

“Jesus, I’ve never… never… fuck, you’re a Derkelyng. What the fuck am I doing?”

Lander buried his hands in my hair and pulled me down closer to him. “I’m more than that, Blade. I’m also your mate. Yes, we are different, but… I’ve scented you. There’s no way I can let you go now. I need you, Blade.”

Shit, I wasn’t sure I could let him go now, either. And didn’t that just fuck the whole deal up? “I-I… fuck.”

Lander grinned at me. “Fuck sounds like a grand idea. Then maybe the rest will seem less threatening.”

“Yeah, screw it.”

Lander smoothed my hair out of the way. “Favorite position?”

“For me or you?”

Lander  snorted. “How do you like to be fucked?”

I nipped the tip of his nose. “Hands and knees. But you should know I’m not always going to be catching.”

“Huh.” Lander flipped us again.

Good thing I didn’t get motion sickness. I found myself on my hands and knees, just like I said, with my ass in the air.

“I have never bottomed, but I could with you, Blade.”

“You, you never have?” It has hard to think when there were slim, cool fingers exploring my ass. “Ah, you got something to” Lube squirted in me and I nearly climbed off the bed.

“Ah, sorry.”

“Christ, Lander, that’s cold, dammit.” I glanced back at him, hoping he’d see the promise in my eyes. “I’ll remember that.”

Lander patted one ass check. “I am sorry, sweet. You’re so warm and we’re so not. I didn’t think to warm it up. I will next time.”

Next time. Oh God, next time. As in doing this again, living together, being a couple, him changing me. Me being like him. That’s bad enough, but being mate to a House Lord? Someone as powerful as he is?

Lander’s fingers entered me, lubed up, and searching. This was going to be quick, I could see that. He stretched me open, and I enjoyed the burn. He also took the time to find my hot spot and, once he did, God, he ruthlessly played with that bundle of nerves until I was nearly begging for release. Again, I never knew what I was missing. Sex had never been like this for me. How was I going to give this up?

All thoughts fled my mind as he entered me. Yes, he was cooler than I was used to, but he took his time, listening to my body signals and giving me time to adjust. Jesus, he was big. That’s what I got for not checking out what was going up my ass. I’d been too desperate. And now… well. Now it didn’t matter.

“Fuck me, dammit.” I growled.

Lander grasped my hips and did what I asked. Holy shit, he knew how to use what he had. Every third thrust pegged my hot spot. He was using me so hard, we were moving across the bed.  I was close to coming.

“Fuck, I’m close. You promised no biting, remember?”

Lander gripped me harder. “Right, now come!”

“Fuck.” I yelled as he filled me up with his come. It went on forever, his seed flooding me.

“God, Blade.”

Lander slumped against me and I hit the bed, unable to support us both. My pants were right by my head, thrown there purposely by me. I reached out, gently opening one of the cargo pockets. There, in a pouch, was my trusty knife.

Gripping the hand, I groaned loudly. “Man, you’re suffocating me. Got to breathe, you know.”

Lander snorted but rolled over to his back. Quick as a snake, I straddled him, the knife in my hand. He had to truly die. I knew that. He was one of the most powerful Derkelyng around and a child of Rider’s. If Lander was destroyed, this whole coven would be thrown into chaos. Maybe humans could get a toehold in this area. Maybe Rider would move on.

I raked the knife over Lander’s throat.

This was what I did. I was indeed a killer. Lander needed to cease to exist. And I certainly knew how to kill. The funny thing was I had ended up in the city by accident. But having Lander appear and claim I was his mate was a bonus I hadn’t expected. Neither was my reaction to him.

I looked into those glowing red eyes then down to the pitifully small scratch on Lander’s throat and knew I had purposely not cut him hard enough. Hell, he was barely bleeding. The damn wound was healing before my eyes. This knife was sharp enough to take his head and I… I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t kill him. A low growl drifted up and Lander knocked the knife out of my hand.

Shit, I’m dead.

 

Chapter Six

“I knew you were a killer. Actually, the name Blade is becoming known among our kind. I’m impressed.” Lander snarled as he flipped them once again. Blade was on his back, his eyes peeled wide open. There was fear thereand acceptance.

Lander grabbed those slim legs and jerked them to his shoulders. “To try to kill me, while having sex… You are damn brave, Blade.”

Tears rose in Blade’s eyes. “I-I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t kill you. God help me, I couldn’t take your head.”

Lander slammed back into Blade, grateful Blade was still loose and wet. He thrust hard, but he made sure he was nailing that special bundle of nerves. Lander raised Blade’s legs higher, nearly bending Blade in half and thrust harder.

“I… do not” Lander snarled as he reamed Blade’s ass “have… that… problem. Come, damn you!”

Lander bellowed as Blade tightened around his cock, pulling his orgasm from him. Then, he struck, his fangs sinking into Blade’s neck.

“Ahhh, fuck!” Blade screamed.

Lander injected his venom, then jerked back to stare at Blade. “You are going to be a worthy mate.”

Blade’s mouth fell open. “Wh-h-at? Mate? But... but... you said no biting. I-I… Why would you do that? I thought you’d kill me after what I…”

“I have.” Lander tapped Blade’s lips. “Killed you, that is. I’ve fucked you, came in you twice, bit you. There’s no getting away now. You are dying.”

Blade shivered. “But… I assumed the bite was how humans are converted.”

Lander thrust against Blade, their cocks moving together through the precome Blade was leaking again. Lander ran his finger tips over Blade’s lips. He grinned when he noticed Blade tried to reach up and couldn’t. The venom was working.

“Such lovely skin, sweet.” Landers voice then changed. “I’m surprised at you, Blade. You should never assume anything. I would have thought a killer like you would be well aware of that lesson.”

Blade froze. “Are you telling me the rumors about sex changing a human are true?”

“Yes. You have my seed in you now and it’s changing you. All that is left is for me to give you my blood. It’s all about blood and come.” Lander bit into his wrist.

Blade tried to turn his head and couldn’t. “But, but… I don’t know that I want to be…”

Lander held his dripping wrist over Blade’s mouth. “Open, Blade.”

Blade narrowed his eyes but did what he was told.

Lander sighed in pleasure from the frantic sucking at his wrist. “Ah sweet, before you took the knife to me, I would’ve given you time. Now, we do it how I want, and I want you as my mate as soon as possible. You’re going to be one of the most deadly Derkelyng ever, my very own knife. I’m so proud.”

 

SIX months later Lander arrived at Lafayette Square. He waited by the bronze statue of Henry Clay as he’d been asked by his mate. The night was nice, the moon shining brightly. There was a slight fluttering in the air, then Blade stood in front of Lander.

“One day we will soar over the city because you have asked.” Blade grinned. “Is that what you told me back then?”

Lander reached for his mate. “Indeed, I did say that.”

Suddenly, Blade wrapped his arms around Lander and lifted them off their feet. He kept going until they were soaring above the buildings… just as Lander had said.

“Um, surprise,” Blade said as they floated.

“Surprise? Oh my sweet, for one as young as you to have this kind of power is unbelievable. I am so proud of you.”

Blade blushed. “I wanted to show you on our six month anniversary. I just hope I can get us back home.”

Lander hugged Blade tighter. “Don’t worry if you can’t, I’ll take the flying over.  I’ll… ah… catch… If you know what I mean.”

Blade red eyes blazed. “Damn, wait until I get you home. I want you on your hands and knees… after I’ve cut your clothes off.”

Lander chuckled as they drew closer to home. “You and that damn knife.”

Blade winked. “Right, wasn’t it you who suggested blood play, my mate? So don’t tell me you’re afraid of my little knife.”

Lander growled as his feet hit the ground. Blade had gotten them back to the apartment building.  “Never, sweet. You couldn’t hurt me then, and you can’t now. You are a fierce Derkelyng, and you are mine.”

“Got that fucking right.” Blade pulled his knife and sliced open Lander’s shirt. “Now get to stepping before I strip you out here. Bedroom, now.”

Lander’s laugh echoed on the night air.
 
~Hope y'all enjoyed this short story. *laugh* I don't normally write on the fly like I did this, but damn if the story didn't get hot.
~M