Tuesday Teaser

 

This will be the last excerpt from Chasing Shadows since it releases Sept 2. I've started book 2, but there's not title as of yet. I'm waiting on the book to give me some idea of what it is lol. 

~M

* * * * 

“Yes, I waited for you to grow both in mind and body.” Kage scooted across the couch until he was sitting right next to Austin. “You’re no longer a child now.”

He was done waiting.

Austin set his drink down on the end table next to him. “No. No, I’m certainly not a child anymore.”

Kage leaned in. “I would like to kiss you, Austin.”

“You’d damn well better.”

Kage chuckled softly as he cupped Austin’s chin. “Demanding.”

“I mean, really, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. You’ve met me, right? Now shut up and kiss me.”

Happy to follow the demand, Kage nipped those sexy lips that had been driving him crazy ever since seeing them wrapped around Austin’s straw. He wanted to see them wrapped around something else.

With only inches separating them and their breaths mingling, he brushed his lips against Austin’s. The softness against his made him want more. The plumpness made him want to bite them.

Kage watched those beautiful blue eyes of Austin’s drift closed. Austin sighed as he rested one hand on Kage’s leg. His lush lips opened—the invitation was clear.

Unable to resist, Kage let go of Austin’s chin and slid his hand around the back of Austin’s neck, holding him still. He covered Austin’s lips with his own and explored.

The sweet taste of strawberries and vanilla ice cream exploded across his tongue, along with the unique taste that was Austin. Kage growled softly, which triggered Austin into groaning into the kiss.

It was a low, guttural sound of need. As their tongues dueled, Austin clutched Kage’s leg. Desire perfumed the air around them—the scent was fresh and crisp, with a citrusy undertone that was mouthwatering and pure Austin.

The kiss turned harder. Hotter. More aggressive. Austin’s tongue chased Kage’s. The hold Kage had on his desire slipped, and he pushed Austin back against the couch, trapping him between the cushions and his body.

He took all that Austin offered, drinking down his moans and breathy sighs. Then Austin suddenly shoved against Kage’s chest and, concerned that maybe he had overstepped, Kage leaned back.

But before he could ask if something was wrong, Austin became the aggressor. He reversed their positions, pushing Kage until Kage’s back was against the couch… then Austin straddled Kage.

The frail hold Kage had on his desires snapped. His hands grasped Austin’s hips as Austin sank down on him. Lips plastered against his, demanding that he open and allow access.

Kage’s mind shorted out. Austin’s sweet scent surrounded him, the heaviness grinding against his dick inflamed him, the wetness of Austin’s kiss—it all destroyed the hold he had on the other side of himself.

A low growling purr emitted from his chest. The need to take what was his surfaced with a vengeance. The tips of his fingers tingled, and his hands flexed on Austin’s hips. Warmth burned through his body. His breathing strangled in his chest when Austin moaned against his mouth.

Austin ended the kiss and leaned back slightly. “Whoa, your eyes are completely black.”

Lost in the whirlwind of desire, the words didn’t make sense. All Kage could do was stare up at Austin.

Austin gently patted Kage’s cheek. “The black veins are back. Are you okay?”

Black veins? Black eyes?

“Kage?”

The words, and the concerned tone, finally penetrated his mind. “Dear gods.” He’d lost control over himself—something that had never happened before. “Yes, yes. I’m okay.”

Embarrassed but okay.

This was unbelievable. He’d started a partial shift all over a kiss. A kiss! He glanced up at Austin, who didn’t look the least bit concerned by what he was seeing. Of course, he’d already seen Kage partially shifted, but certainly not while Austin was kissing him.

“I apologize. It appears that I, um, that I, ah—” How in the world was he supposed to explain he’d gotten so horny he’d lost control of himself?

By the dead gods, his claws even came out. Gently he removed his hands from Austin’s hips. Hopefully he hadn’t pierced Austin’s new pants.

Austin glanced down at Kage’s hands, looked back up at Kage, then smirked. “I got you hot, didn’t I?”

“Imp.”

Austin laughed. “I seem to be collecting all sorts of names—sweet boy. Imp.”

“Pain in the ass.”

Austin plastered himself against Kage’s chest and whispered in his ear, “I would love to be a pain in your ass. But I promise the pain won’t last long.”

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all.

Thursday Book Recommendation

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary. 

This week is: How To Summon A Boyfriend by Aja Foxx

Blurb: 

Herby

I needed a boyfriend to keep my father from marrying me off to a man handpicked by him. What better way to get one than to summon a demon? When I found a book of shadows in my grandfather's attic, I knew I'd found the answer, but something went wrong. Instead of summoning a demon, I ended up in hell. What was I supposed to do now?

Hades

Judging souls was boring. Ruling the underworld was boring. Everything was boring. I needed something to happen to keep me from going insane. I never imagined the fates would answer my unspoken prayer by dropping a human into the underworld, and I'd certainly never met a human quite like Herby. He confused me, amused me, and drove me crazy. Why else would I agree to be his boyfriend?

Note: This story was originally part of the Fate's Call Anthology - Manlove Edition. It has been revised and extended by 21,000 words.

Warning: Gay erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content that is intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are adults capable of consent, are over the age of eighteen, and are willing

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZRNWJJN

Tuesday Teaser

 

“How did it go last night?” Hudson asked.

“Very well, actually,” Kage said, sipping his coffee. “I haven’t told Austin everything, but I did hit the high points about what I am. We’re having dinner tonight. I’ll explain more then.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I know you’ve been waiting on this for a very long time.”

“That’s true.” Kage stared out the window at the Bay Bridge. “I wish it hadn’t come about under these circumstances.”

“Speaking of those circumstances, I’m having my assistant hack that bar’s camera to see if we can get a clear image of the three hunters. If Conrad can get that, he can get their names and personal information. He’ll need the chat room or message board where Austin met Tom too. It’s another avenue to follow.”

“I’ll ask Austin tonight.”

“Conrad is also going through the files we have on known hunters.”

“I’ll get Maia to go through the files we have.”

“I also alerted the master vampire of the city, the two werewolf packs that are here, the gargoyle clan, the witches, and the merpeople so far this morning. I have a few more shifters to contact.”

“Been busy, haven’t you?”

“Not all of us sleep until eight in the morning, you slacker.”

“You’re just jealous I had a sexy man keeping me up late last night.”

“Hey! Who said I didn’t?”

“Who the hell did you find that late at…. Know what? Never mind. I don’t want to know.” But it didn’t surprise Kage. “Anyway, back to the subject at hand. The more paranormals who know that hunters are here the better.”

“Do you remember that weapon Tom had? Austin relieved Tom of it, and I asked to see it. Good thing I did. It’s a dragonbone dagger.”

Kage set his coffee down and massaged his temple. It was entirely too early in the morning for this. Dragonbone daggers were deadly. They were made from bones of a dragon, of course. Hence the name.

They were indestructible. Even dragon fire didn’t melt them. They were deadly sharp and could penetrate any armor, including dragonscale armor or a gargoyle’s stone exterior.

Nothing could withstand that blade or deflect it. No spell or shield or portal. Not even hiding in a shadow could protect his kind from that weapon.

To a human it was nothing more than another dagger. To a paranormal, there was no protection against it. It was one the very few things that could kill any paranormal.

“Tell me you have that cursed thing.”

“You bet your ass I do. I’m going to make sure it disappears. No one needs to have access to something like that.”

“Which begs the question, how did those hunters get a hold of it?”

“That’s a very good question. They’re very hard to come by because we dragons guard the bones of our dead jealously. But someone, somehow, managed to get a hold of a dragon bone and create this monstrosity. If I ever find out who made this, I will personally gut them.”

Yeah, Hudson would, after he tortured that person for weeks on end. A pissed off dragon was nothing to play around with.

“I’m sorry somebody committed such a grave offense as disturbing a grave of a dragon. My condolences, Hudson.”

Even though it was very likely Hudson didn’t know the dragon the bone came from, he would still mourn any dragon’s grave being disturbed.

“Thank you.” Hudson blew out a deep breath. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know about that dagger and what actions I’m taking in regards to the situation with the hunters. I hope your date goes well tonight.”

“I’m looking forward to it. And thank you for letting me know. If I happen to come across new information, I will certainly pass it along. I’ll touch base in a few days, okay?”

“Yes. Please do. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Have a good day.” Kage ended the call and turned his chair so he was fully facing the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A hunter with a dragonbone dagger was alarming. The weapons were deadly, of course, but they were also insanely expensive. These hunters appeared to be well-funded. Whoever was backing them needed to be found and dealt with.

He made a mental note to gather his clan and inform them of the danger before his date tonight. Turning back to his computer, he started reaching out to his connections, not just there in the United States, but also throughout the world.

If there was a new group funding hunters and targeting paranormals, surely someone had information about them. What had started out as a worry about hunters possibly targeting Austin had turned into something much, much bigger.

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all.

Thursday Book Recommendation

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary. 

This week is: Infinite Bond: (slow burn mmmm paranormal romance) by L. Rose

Blurb: 

With three hearts to worry about, as well as my own, time will tell if I’m up for the task.

I’ve always been normal. Okay, maybe more of an average guy, who’s quiet and awkward. Just someone who’s trying to survive living in my trailer while dodging my mom’s debt collectors.

Everything changes when a power within me surfaces, and my eyes are thrown wide open.

Humans aren’t the only ones who walk the earth.

Read that again, but slowly. I know. I can hardly believe it either.

There’s more. With my newfound power, I’m expected to attend a college to learn how to use my slightly terrifying and temperamental telekinetic ability, a power I apparently should have received when I was a kid, not at twenty-one.

Throw in my new roommates and my brain threatens to overload while my heart can’t figure out who or what it wants. All my traitorous heart is sure of is that it’s greedy and beats far too fast when any of the three not-completely-human men are around.

Not that my wanting will do me any good. There’s Cade who hates me, Zeke who’s super nice and understanding but way out of my league, and Hyde who’s as scary as he is quiet.

I have no idea if I’ll survive the changes, but I really want to. Just wait and see for yourself. As soon as you meet these guys, you’ll understand and see our undeniable connection. Just be warned, nothing but death will stop me protecting my hearts.

Note: this is a standalone, slow burn, paranormal romance for adults only.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VKJRTBZ

Tuesday Teaser

 

Chapter Five – Austin 

“SO, WHAT are you?”

Oh man, did he blurt that out? Yeah, yeah he did. He didn’t always think before he opened his mouth. The lack of a filter was embarrassing at times.

“Crap. Should I have asked that?” Austin was tempted to take his eyes off the road and look at Hudson, but he didn’t. He’d already pressed his luck enough tonight. “Was that rude? I feel like that was maybe rude. If so, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t offend you.”

Hudson groaned softly as he tried to get comfortable. “You’re certainly not a shy little thing, are you?”

Austin darted around an asshole poking along in the fast lane on the Interstate before answering. “Aw, man. I pissed you off, didn’t I?”

“You’re fine, and no, you didn’t. It takes much more than innocent questions to do that. Generally speaking, we don’t ask other paranormals what they are. There are some who would take offense.”

Austin turned down the music since it appeared Hudson was willing to answer questions. “Then how do you guys know?”

“Again, generally speaking, paranormals have an excellent sense of smell. We all have a scent, and that helps us identify each other.” Hudson glanced out the passenger window. “For example, merpeople tend to smell like the ocean—a little salty and briny.”

“Merpeople? Like… mermaids?” 

“Yes. And mermen. Vampires have a slight metallic scent. Magic users tend to smell like the ozone.”

Whoooo boy, plot bunnies were springing up all over the place. “Magic users? Like, witches?”

“Yes.”

Austin was solely tempted to pull over, dig out his phone, and start taking notes for his next book. But he wasn’t sure how Hudson would react, so he didn’t. “What about Kage?”

“Ah, he has a vanilla-almondly scent. Reminds me of night blooming jasmine.”

“Yes! That’s it exactly! Night blooming jasmine, huh? I need to smell that. Wonder where I can find some. It’s a plant, right?”

“Yes, it is, and I imagine you can find it at any garden center.” Hudson glanced out the passenger window again. “You say you’ve noticed Kage’s scent? That’s very interesting. Humans usually don’t notice such.”

“As a kid I thought it was flowers. It always was there when he was. It was how I knew he was around, even if I couldn’t see him.”

“That is truly fascinating. Does Kage know this?”

“No. I mean, I never thought about it, honestly. Usually when Kage showed up, it was because I needed help.” 

“That makes sense.”

Austin tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Now that I think about it, that’s not necessarily true. Sometimes, after I went to bed, he’d be there—under the bed, I mean. We’d talk about whatever. Our conversations depended on my age, I guess.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Sometimes it was about the latest Disney movie I’d seen. Or a new toy I got. Then there were times he read me a story when I was a kid. It was sort of weird since he was under my bed, but I got used to it.’’

“I never knew that.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.” Austin passed another slow car. “I have the feeling Kage is considered a badass in your world.”

“Oh, he most definitely is that.”

“Yeah, well, he was also my friend. My best friend. I told him all about my failures and my accomplishments. But he was also my protector. He was there when I needed him. I don’t know if I can explain how important he is to me.”

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all.

Chasing Shadows preorder is live!

 

Blurb: 

The monster: They say I am powerful. They say I am the darkness. They say I instill fear in the minds and hearts of many.

They’re right.

I am powerful. I am the darkness. I should be feared. Then I heard his cries and everything changed. Power can be tempered. There’s safety in the darkness. And the monster isn’t always the one under the bed.

Now only the heart and mind of one human interests me. He is mine. I wait, watching over him until the time is right to claim what belongs to me.

Austin: Do you believe there are monsters under the bed? I do. I don’t just believe; I know for a fact they exist. I’ve met one. Sort of. Okay, I haven’t actually seen the monster, I’ve only spoken to it.

Kind of hard to see much of anything when you’re hiding under the covers while waiting on your father to beat your ass. The monster saved me. Literally. He says I’m his, and he’s waiting for the right time to claim me.

Someone tell him to hurry the hell up.

Preorder Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B95P38H6

Thursday Book Recommendation

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary. 

This week is: Sledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist Book 1) by Jennifer Cody

Blurb: 

Lex:

I work, I sleep, I fuck. That's what I do.

My alphabet soup agency recruited me because of my unique blend of magic and innate talent, but those come with a steep price and it’s getting harder to pay with every investigation.

I never thought Knoxville would be the place that kills me, but between someone targeting me to get me fired (or start a war; could go either way), taking on a naïve new trainee, and investigating a non-human trafficking ring, it looks like I'm about to bite off more than I can chew.

The question is, can I figure out what’s going on before it all blows up in my face?

Sledge and Claw is an MM Urban Fantasy with triggers for the horrors of slave trafficking and consent issues. There also happens to be a cliffhanger ending.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TFZQLQ5

Tuesday Teaser

 

~excerpt from Chasing Shadows

“For one, we don’t attack random humans for no reason.”

“That you know.”

“I know those who belong to me don’t. It’s not allowed, plus it can bring unwanted attention to paranormals. Besides, do you go around randomly attacking people?”

“Of course not!”

“Then why assume we do?” That sort of thinking annoyed Kage. “There’s no reason for us to. As for your second question, I’d kill anyone who laid a finger on you.”  

“That’s kinda sexy but also slightly terrifying. I don’t…. How are humans still at the top of the food chain? I mean, why haven’t you taken over the world?”

“Do you mean my species or paranormals in general?” Kage asked.

“It doesn’t matter which he meant, because the answer is the same for vampires, werewolves, or any other paranormal beings,” Hudson said.

“Shit, vampires exist?” Austin suddenly smiled. “I know some folks who would love to know that.”

Hudson laughed softly. “Yes, they exist. As do werewolves. And many others. But the answer to your question is this: There are nearly eight billion humans on this planet. Even if you add all the paranormals together, we still don’t come close to that. Not even close.”

“We don’t reproduce as often as humans do,” Kage said. “At last count, there were only a hundred daemons worldwide. Ten live here in San DeLain. They answer to me.”

“Oh, so you’re like an alpha?”

Kage opened his mouth then shut it as the bar’s door opened then slammed closed. “That’s a very good question. One that I’m willing to answer, but let’s do this elsewhere.”

“I agree,” Hudson added, also glancing at the bar.

“I guess you’re right, but where? It’s not like I know where you live,” Austin pointed out.

Kage tracked the two men until they got in an old truck. “Have you heard of Grand at the Dominion?”

Kage snorted. “You’re kidding, right? It’s one of the top three apartment complexes in San DeLain. It’s crazy expensive and horribly exclusive.”

It was indeed. Kage had made sure of it. It did annoy him that it wasn’t considered the very best, though.

“It’s mine,” Kage said. “Park in front of the building. Tell the doorman your name. He’ll have valet park your car in our private parking garage.”

Kage wanted Austin out of there. The men who walked out of the bar had left, but Kage worried. They were out in the open there, and this wasn’t a territory he was familiar with.

He had no idea if it was claimed or not or by whom. Last thing he needed was for some paranormal to show up and get snarly. He didn’t need the headache.

Plus, Austin had given that hunter his real name. There was a distinct possibility there was a cell of them there. It had been years since they’d tried to infiltrate the city. They would need to be found and exterminated before innocent paranormals were killed.

“Go to the concierge desk,” Kage continued. “Mr. Newson will be expecting you. He will escort you to where you need to go.”

“Okay. How are you two getting out of here?” Austin asked.

“The same way we got here—the shadows,” Kage answered.

Austin glanced at his watch. “I don’t know if you realize this are not, but it’s eleven already. It’s getting late.”

“Then isn’t it fortunate that, as an author, you get to set your own hours? Come to my home, Austin. You have always wanted to know about me. I’m going to give you the chance.”

Austin chewed his bottom lip for a few seconds before finally nodding. “Okay. Yeah, I want answers.”

“And you will get them.”

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all.

Thursday Book Recommendation

 

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary. 

This week is: Get It Together (The Undead Detective Agency Book 1) by Shelby Rhodes

Blurb: 

Hello, there! I’m Octavius Evander. And this is the beginning of my story—well…sort of. It’s not the very beginning. As a vampire, that story would be way too long to write down—think, before the Romans. Rather, this story is about how I met the love of my unlife. Okay, it will be mostly about the cool and fancy detective agency I opened and solving mysteries, but also a little about love too.

So, what does one need to open a detective agency, you may ask? Well, for one, a detective. As it was my idea, and I paid for everything, I, of course, filled that role. Next, I needed a secretary. My beautiful and marginally dangerous best friend Scarlett filled that role. Now, I will admit, at that time, I had not thought further than that, and simply skipped to getting my detective license, an office, and some other necessities.

My mind might have been too full of the fun adventures I was about to have. My hope was that those in and out of the paranormal communities would keep me entertained for a very long time. I quickly realized I still needed a driver, a tech person, and a witch that was good with ghosts. This is the story of how I found those people. And who would have thought the first to walk through the door would be human, with no knowledge of the paranormal—my precious Turney.

CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance book. There will be blood, violence and death. Please do not read if you find any of the previous triggering.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B6QD2GRX

Update on Chasing Shadows

 If you're in my author group, then you know that I'm finished with the book! It has a few chapters left to beta-read then it's off to editing. The cover and blurb are also done, whoot! I don't have a preorder yet, but that will be coming soonish!

~M

Tuesday Teaser

 

Chapter Four - Kage

ONCE MORE this human robbed Kage of his ability to speak. He was powerful. He was the darkness. He was feared by all… except for Austin.

From the moment he’d come into that child’s life seventeen years ago, Austin had never been afraid of him. Kage was the nightmare that lurked in the dark of night. Paranormals actively avoided his kind, and for good reason. And yet this human trusted Kage. Always had.

It was humbling.

“Also, shadow demon is a nickname. The so-called demons from the Christian Hell do not exist.”

“Okay, so…? The demon part of that makes sense, I guess. Can you explain the shadow part?”

“My kind travel via the shadows,” Kage said.

“Think of it like a portal,” Hudson added. “They use them to go from one place to another.”

“Yeah, except those aren’t supposed to exist,” Austin pointed out.

“Surprise!” Hudson grinned. “You’ll find there’s a lot of things which exist humans don’t know about. Anyhow, it’s how Kage and I arrived. Daemons can also send someone from one place to another via shadows.”

“Ah, like Tom?” Austin asked.

“Yes. As long as there is a shadow, that’s all we need,” Kage said. “Even on the brightest of days, there are always shadows. We can also manipulate them to do our bidding.”

“I’m not gonna lie, that’s terrifying,” Austin said.

“Now you know why paranormals avoid his kind, because yes, they are terrifying,” Hudson added.

Kage glared at Hudson. That was not helpful. Not at all.

“What happened to Tom and the other guy who you threw at the shadows?” Austin asked.

Kage studied Austin for a brief moment. “Are you sure you wish to know?”

“Usually, if that question has to be asked, then the answer is usually no. But I’ve been searching for answers for so long, and I’m finally getting them. So, yes. I want to know.”

“Very well. One was deposited on the plains of the Serengeti. The other one I dropped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.” Kage shrugged. “They might live.”

“But it’s highly doubtful, I’m guessing. And all your kind can do that?”

“Yes.” Kage scowled as Austin’s heart rate rose. “I’ve scared you.”

“No, no, not you,” Austin said. “But can’t you see how frightening that is? I could be walking along, minding my own business, then boom! I’m floating in the ocean. My God. What’s to stop a daemon from doing that to me?”

“For one, we don’t attack random humans for no reason.”

“That you know.”

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all.