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:  Echo: A Dark MM Sci-Fi College Enemies to Lovers by Chani Lynn Feener

Blurb: 

The Devils of Vitality always hit their mark.

Rabbit Trace is a musical prodigy with a secret.

Ever since an event that took place a year ago, he gets terrible stage fright before every performance. With a famous mother who's dedicated her entire life to her craft, and the weight of her expectations heavy on his shoulders, Rabbit is only one panic attack away from crumbling. He knows it'll be easier to escape if he stops running from the memory of that night, but he's stubborn and doesn't want to remember something so horrible his mind thought fit to erase it for him. Monotony has helped him make it through, and he's settled into a dull routine that keeps his mind occupied, the worst of the attacks limited to just before performances. That is until one of the infamous Devils of Vitality suddenly takes notice and decides to invade his life, whether he reciprocates or not.

Baikal Void has many titles.

Each of them comes with a responsibility attached to it. Future Dominus, head of the Vitality Brumal Mafia, is just one of them. He's always known he'd one day have to take the crown, he just never realized it'd be so soon. With his father dying and the inevitable changing of power looming, Baikal struggles to keep his deranged nature under control as he grapples with the upcoming loss. Then one night he's dragged to a recital for his university and sees him for the first time. After one glance he knows he's found his saving grace in Rabbit, the reserved musician who looks like he's battling demons of his own. Just like that, he's got a new title to add to the list. He's going to be the owner of one little ethereal bunny.

Rabbit doesn't understand Baikal's sudden and intense interest, or why the Brumal Prince has gone out of his way to collect enough dirt on his mom to force his hand. Blackmailed into a relationship of sorts, Rabbit fights against Baikal's constant advances and his own tumultuous feelings. Everything Baikal inflicts on him is wrong and twisted, and yet the longer he's made to endure, the more codependent Rabbit finds himself becoming. Baikal promises freedom from the predetermined fate he's always been a slave to, but only if he gives himself over to him completely.

And if he doesn't do so willingly? A devil is always prepared to take what they want, and Baikal Void is no exception.

Trigger Warning: This is a stand-alone dark romance, which means there are many themes that some might find disturbing. Some of these include, but are not limited to, dub-con, violence, stalking, obsession, a rich and powerful male lead who's never heard the word no before, a male lead who's used to feeling trapped by his circumstances, and explicit sexual content not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to read the Author Note for a complete list of warnings! HEA guarantee!

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C5C6KBR3

(Note: This author has become an auto buy for me. If dark MM is your thing, you gotta check her out.)

Tuesday Teaser on a Wednesday lol

 

~excerpt from Edge of Darkness

A decrepit white van stopped a little way down the street from the club. Its door slid open.

Alarms started going off in Hudson’s head immediately. “Shit.”

A human male dressed all in black had his arm around a young woman, consoling her as he gently herded her toward the van. In fact, Hudson noticed several humans were being led that way.

The alarms in his head were now shrieking. He hadn’t stop to consider option three—that this was a human kidnapping mission. Hudson ducked out the exit and started speed walking toward the van and the people moving toward it.

Connie fell into step beside him within seconds. “What?”

“Men in black clothing are moving humans toward that white van on the street.” Hudson picked up his pace, Connie still beside him. “I got this. Make sure there isn’t another van on the side streets.”

“Torres will kill me if I leave you unprotected, Sire,” Connie murmured.

“Check the side streets, Conrad. That’s an order.”

“Dammit to the flames. Fine. Yes, Sire.” Connie broke off and headed in the other direction.

Hudson hated to use his position to order his lover about, but right now he was acting as the king of the Fire Court, and he had a really bad feeling about this.

He broke into a run just as the pair closest to the van started to fight. The girl’s instincts must’ve finally kicked in, but it was too late. The man finally picked her up and threw her inside.

The others hunters dropped the charade of being helpful and dragged whoever they were pretending to help toward the van. There were at least three hunters, not including whoever was inside.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Breaking into a run, Hudson caught up with the couple closest to him and didn’t waste time. Grabbing in the hunter in chokehold, he broke his neck. The human captive immediately started running in the other direction.

He debated going after the human but didn’t. Hopefully they didn’t get a good look at Hudson since he basically killed somebody right in front of them.

Hudson let the guy drop to the asphalt and took off after the next couple. The hunter was fighting with his captive, who was a guy this time.

The hunter slugged the man, then threw the human over his shoulder and sprinted toward the van. The victim wasn’t little by no means, but the hunter handled him as if he weighed no more than a feather.

Just as Hudson caught up with them, the first hunter came out of nowhere and slammed into Hudson. The hunter was partially transformed, and the yellow eyes were a dead giveaway of what DNA had been spliced with his—werewolf.

Deadly sharp claws slashed at Hudson, ripping through his shirt and into his skin. Hudson spun, his hair whipping around him. He caught the hunter’s arm, and as he turned, he slammed his elbow into the hunter’s ribs.

He smirked in satisfaction when he heard several of them crack. The hunter’s yells gave him a little spurt of joy too. Finishing the turn, Hudson picked the hunter up and tossed him against the van, making it rock.

The hunter collapsed in a heap on the ground and didn’t move. Hudson sprinted toward the last hunter who had the human male over his shoulder.

His hair fluttered as something blurred past at an incredible rate of speed. Then the hunter came to an abrupt stop and dropped his human. The guy rolled several feet away, staggered to his feet, and started limping off.

Hudson caught up to the hunter, surprised to see a vampire had his fangs in the hunter’s neck, draining him. The vampire dropped the hunter and glanced at Hudson.

“The human male saw,” Hudson asked just as the van started pull away. “Can you compel him to forget? I’ll take care of the van.”

“Yes, King Hudson.” The vampire blurred toward the human trying to escape.

Hudson hated to do that, but the human had seen something he shouldn’t have. He had to forget.

Hudson raced for the van and grabbed the bumper just as the driver hit the gas. He lifted it, and the front wheels smoked as the van tried to go but couldn’t.

Eventually the hunter figured out something was wrong. The first hint was probably the fact they weren’t moving. Idiots. Opening the door, he and another hunter bailed out of van and started running.

Hudson dearly wanted to go after him, but he couldn’t, not as long as there were still victims inside the van. Fortunately for him, the vampire who had helped him earlier took care of the problem.

Hudson lowered the back of the van down then hurried to the driver’s door. Scrambling into the seat, he put the van in park. Fuck, it stunk of hunter in there. Now to deal with the humans who’d been kidnapped. Opening the door again, he got out and started around the back.

Tuesday Teaser

 

~Excerpt from Edge of Darkness, book 1 in the Dragons of San DeLain

“Hunters are on the property,” Hudson breathed, speaking so quietly it was almost sub vocal. 

Whatever paranormal powers hunters picked up through DNA mutation wasn’t quite as strong as a true paranormals. He hoped his warning was quite enough the hunter couldn’t pick it up.

The vampire’s eyes widened, but that was the only indication of nerves. “Certainly. I’ll get right on that. Oh, wait. We’re out in the coolers up here. Sorry about that. Be right back.”

Hudson leaned against the bar as a vampire disappeared into the back. A few minutes later he returned with his and Connie’s beer. As Hudson left the bar, he noticed the bartenders, who were all vampires, leaning closer to paranormals to take the drink orders.

Hudson made his way through the crowd to his table. As he walked, he noticed several paranormals making eye contact. Word was getting around quickly.

Now if only he could figure out where was the hunter he smelled. All the leaders of San DeLain had briefed their people on how to spot hunters. The oddness to their human scent was the main giveaway. 

He’d barely sat down his seat when he saw Raven, the Master of the City and owner of this club, moving through the crowds. 

“Here you go,” Hudson said, handing Connie his beer. “Sorry it took so long. The bartender had to go into the back since they were out in the coolers up front.”

“I understand.”

Hudson watched as Raven moved to the crowd, stopping to briefly speak to people as if he was nothing more than an owner saying hi to his patrons.

Of course, the only people he was stopping to speak with were other paranormals.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a blur of movement… then nothing. It was like nothing had occurred. Even he, as a dragon, barely noticed it. It was one reason why vampires were apex predators. They moved at speeds humans had no hope of following. 

“Get ready,” Hudson whispered to Connie.

“Of course.”

The flashing lights also provided cover for the vampire as she suddenly disappeared into a hallway with a very startled human. Hudson would bet one of the fist-sized rubies he owned that was the hunter he scented.

Problem was, was that the only one?

Before he had a chance to finish that thought, the lights in the club went out. Humans were the only ones in the club who’d have trouble seeing in the darkness, and sure enough, seconds later, they began to scream. 

Of course they did, when nearly everyone and their brother owned a gun in this country and a certain element liked to shoot up gay clubs. 

Then the fire alarm went off.

“For fucks sake,” Connie growled, surging to his feet.

Oddly enough, Hudson didn’t smell smoke. He did notice the humans around him panicking, though.

“It’s a distraction,” Hudson said softly over the screaming to Connie. “No smoke.” 

“Why?” Confuse, Connie glanced at the terrified crowd.

That was the question. If the hunters, and apparently there were more than one, were trying to escape, the threat of fire would certainly be a good cover for them to get out of there. But even if they were trying to save their buddy, again, a fire was still a perfect distraction. 

A man shoved a woman into Hudson as he rushed by. Hudson helped steady her even as he cussed the human male. This was going to get ugly quickly. 

The humans were on the verge of stampeding the exits because they didn’t know there wasn’t actually a fire. And in the dark, everything was confusing. The red lights of the fire alarm and the screaming didn’t help matters, either.

“We need to help the other paranormals evacuate the club.” Hudson motioned to one of the exit signs. “Come on.”

Connie stuck close to Hudson as they made their way to the nearest exit. Sure enough, the door had been thrown open and paranormals were trying to direct humans through. 

More likely the same was being done at the other exits. He hoped. There were crying and shouts as people fought to get outside. He noticed a vampire trying to use his talent of persuasion to calm the humans, but there was too much stark terror for it to work. 

Fucking hunters. The acidic scent of fear canceled out everything else. Even if a hunter passed Hudson on his way through the exit, there was a good chance Hudson wouldn’t know.

Off in the distance he heard sirens. Well, it appears the police were responding in a timely manner. Hopefully they could calm the crowd and not incite them. 

Connie had moved outside and was trying to calm a group of young women who were crying hysterically. One of them had apparently been pushed down in the rush to get outside. 

Her lip was busted and bleeding, her dress was torn, and she’d scraped her knees pretty badly. Several people were bleeding, in fact. Hudson hoped the vampires didn’t lose control.

Some humans were quickly vacating the area while others were standing around aimlessly staring at each other. Most likely shock was setting in. 

It appeared as if people had finally figured out the fire alarms were false and were starting to calm down a little. Hudson scanned the groups of people standing around talking. Now several of them had their cell phones out. Because of course they did.

A decrepit white van stopped a little way down the street from the club. Its door slid open. 

Alarms started going off in Hudson’s head immediately. “Shit.”

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday Pride Style

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 (on a Friday lol)

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:  The Necromancer's Light (Radiance Book 1) by Tavia Lark

Blurb: 

He’ll die without touch.

As a necromancer, Shae loses a little more of himself every time he uses his magic. Always cold, always touch-starved, the only thing that helps is human contact. But that’s hard to come by when those same dark powers scare everyone away from him. Nobody likes a necromancer.

Especially a paladin of the Radiant Order.

Arthur’s still bitter and broken after his last lover stabbed him in the back, and the last thing he needs is another brush with evil. When he agrees to escort the wandering necromancer north, he’s just doing a public service.

But he never expected Shae to be so clingy. Or distractingly attractive.

Shae has never felt an aura as warm and safe as Arthur’s. He craves the man’s touch—and more. But everyone he’s ever known has left him, and it’s just a matter of time before Arthur leaves him too.

Assuming the soul-stealing monsters don’t kill them first.

The Necromancer’s Light is a gay fantasy romance, with magic, hurt/comfort, and bed sharing for Reasons. First in a series but can be read alone. 56,000 words, HEA guaranteed.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099V1ZHH7

Tuesday Teaser

 

~Excerpt from Edge of Darkness, book 1 in the Dragons of San DeLain

As they talked, the hair on the back of Connie’s neck stood up. A feeling of menace wrapped around him. Calmly he swallowed the sip he had just taken and nonchalantly scanned the area as he answered a question Hudson just asked. 

Dragon gods, there were so many people here. Way too many people for him to figure out who was staring at him—them?—with such loathing. But there was, he’d bet his scales on it.

“Connie?” Hudson demanded softly.

He shouldn’t be surprised that Hudson noticed his attention had wandered. “Someone seems particularly interested in either me or us. And not in a sexy way,” Connie whispered back. “Do you feel it?”

 

Chapter Three - Hudson

HUDSON LEANED  back in the chair and sipped his drink as he casually he looked around. He hadn’t noticed what Connie said he felt, dammit, but he also hadn’t been really been paying attention. 

And shame on him for that. He knew better. Just because Nox was dead that didn’t necessarily negate the threat of hunters.

There were so many people around them, even though they were off the dance floor. Then there were the folks upstairs who could stare down into the bottom level. It would be impossible to pin down whomever was giving them the hairy eyeball. 

Nevertheless, Hudson discreetly drew air into his lungs and tried to shift through the various scents he inhaled. Unsurprisingly, everything was muddled thanks to the humans’ sweat, cologne, hair products, and so on. 

It didn’t help that they were sitting under an air vent that was running on high. Then add in the identifying scents from the various paranormal there, and it was definitely messing with the scents. 

As luck would have it, though, the air-conditioning kicked off for a moment. What perfect timing. Hudson made himself wait before inhaling again so the scents could settle.

Oh yes. That was much better.

The vampires were easily identified thanks to their slight metallic scent. And it was a vampire owned club, after all, so there were a lot of them there.

Salt and brine rode the air currents. Glancing about, he spotted a few merpeople. Their androgynous features marked their species. Like the vampires, they needed blood, but unlike the vampires, it didn’t have to be human. 

A couple of magic users were there too. They tended to smell of ozone even when not using their powers. They blended in with the human crowd the easiest. 

A lone gargoyle sat at a table, his earthy scent tangy and fresh but also sharp. Seeing him was a surprise. They didn’t often leave their territories. 

Then it hit him like a brick to the face—an oddness to a human scent that made the nose wrinkle because it was just wrong. 

“Hudson?” Connie murmured. “Do you—”

“Yes, I’d like to have another drink,” Hudson replied, cutting Connie off. 

If this was one of the genetically altered hunters, then they could nearly hear as well as any paranormal. Last thing he wanted to do was alert whoever was watching them that they were aware of it.

“I’ll take care of it, Conrad. You stay here and hold our table, please.” Hudson knew Connie would catch on pretty quickly. For one thing, Hudson usually used Conrad’s nickname of Connie. Unless, of course, he wanted Connie’s immediate attention. 

“Yes. Yes, okay, I could go for another drink. Sure. I’ll stay here.” Connie lounged in his chair looking completely unperturbed. He even smirked. “It’s your turn anyway.”

“That it is. I’ll be back.” Hudson left the table and hurried to the bar. From where he was standing, he had a pretty good line of sight to Connie, as long as no one got between them.

The vampire bartender drifted down to Hudson, a slight smile on his face. “Hey. Do you want the same?”

Hudson act like he was having problems hearing the bartender. Which, if he’d been human, was a distinct possibility with the way the music was thumping. 

Hudson leaned across the bar like he was trying to give the bartender his order. The bartender blinked in confusion, then met Hudson half way. 

“Hunters are on the property,” Hudson breathed, speaking so quietly it was almost sub vocal. 

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday Pride Style

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. 

Tuesday Teaser

 

~Excerpt from Edge of Darkness, book #1 in the Dragons of San DeLain

But what was really surprising were the vampires who showed their true nature. Of course the humans didn’t know they were among predators.

That was half the fun.

A vampire in his true form nodded to them, then proceeded to hand them a black wristband. Connie had been there enough to know the black represented the fact that they were paranormal. No wristband meant the wearer was human.

“Have a good evening, King Hudson and Sir Conrad.” The vampire bent his head slightly out of respect to Hudson.

“Thank you,” Hudson said.

“Thanks, man.” Connie grinned at the vampire as Hudson dragged him inside the club. The vampire smirked back at him, flashing his fangs.

They ate, then hit the dance floor. Lights flashed, and the music beat in his chest. People danced in groups, and hands trailed over his body—a teasing touch here, a quick grab there. 

Hudson ended up behind him with one of his hands resting against Connie’s stomach. He let the music fill him and take over. Moving his hips, began to rock to the beat. 

Hudson moved with him, grinding against his ass. Connie leaned his head against Hudson’s shoulder and wound his arm around Hudson’s neck as they rubbed against each other. A vampire ended up in front of Connie—moving with them but not touching. 

Smart vampire. Dragons were possessive to begin with and touching was off the table unless Hudson granted permission. Which Connie didn’t see happening. But that didn’t mean the other male couldn’t dance with them, as long as he behaved. 

A few humans joined their little circle. Maybe they picked up the vibes Hudson was giving off because they also did not touch either of them. That suited Connie. The only hands he wanted on him belong to Hudson.

Several songs played before Connie turned and grabbed Hudson by the hand, leading him off the floor. He headed straight for the bar. Thanks to being paranormal, regular human alcohol didn’t affect them, but he did like the taste of certain things.

“Beer?” Connie asked when they reached the bar.

Hudson nodded as he lifted his hair up and fanned his neck, trying to cool off. “Yes. That sounds good, actually.”

The bartender, the vampire in his true form, drifted over to them and nodded discreetly to Hudson. “What can I get you?”

Connie gave their orders, then turned back to Hudson. Even though Hudson was dressed in jeans, black boots, and a black silk T-shirt, in Connie’s eyes, he was sexier than any other person there. 

Hudson’s hair was down, with a simple braid by his face. His temples were slightly damp, and his cheeks were flushed from dancing. And even though he was leaning against the bar, grinning at Connie, there was an air of danger, of immense power, around him.

The male was sex on two legs, and he was all Connie’s. 

The bartender brought their drinks, and Connie paid him. Hudson grabbed Connie by the hand and led him away from the dance floor to one of the seating areas. He pulled a chair out for Connie then sat down across from him. Almost immediately, he felt a cooling breeze flow over him.

“Whew. Much cooler here.”

“Yeah.” Hudson pulled a hair tie off his wrist and twisted his hair on top of his head. “Much better.”

Connie indulged himself by staring at his lover. Hair up or down, it didn’t matter. Hudson was still striking. He sipped his drink as they chatted. The conversation mostly revolved around subjects that were safe to be overheard since there were definitely paranormals in the building.

But as they talked, the hair on the back of Connie’s neck stood up. A feeling of menace wrapped around him. Calmly he swallowed the sip he had just taken and nonchalantly scanned the area as he answered a question Hudson just asked. 

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday Pride Style

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 (on a Friday lol)

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:  The Alpha's Warlock (Mismatched Mates Book 1) by Eliot Grayson

Blurb: 

Cursed, mated, and in for the fight of their lives…

Warlock Nate Hawthorne just wants a cup of coffee. Is that too much to ask? Apparently. Because instead of precious caffeine, all he gets is cursed by a pack of werewolves who want to use him for his magic. Now the only way to fix the damage is a mate bond to a grumpy and oh-so-sexy alpha in the rival pack, who happens to hate him. This is so not how he wanted to start his day.

Ian Armitage never intended to take Nate as his mate. The Hawthorne family can’t be trusted. Ian knows that better than anyone. The fact that he’s lusted after the way-too-gorgeous man for years? Totally irrelevant. Ian’s just doing what is necessary to protect his pack. This whole mating arrangement has nothing to do with love and never will. That’s his story and he’s sticking to it.

Nate and Ian will have to work together if they have any hope of staving off the pack’s enemies and averting disaster. That’s assuming they can stop arguing (and keep their hands off each other) long enough to save the day…

The Alpha’s Warlock is an explicit M/M paranormal romance featuring a snarky warlock, a brooding alpha werewolf, knotting, enchanted socks (long story), and a guaranteed happily ever after. This series does not contain mpreg.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Alphas-Warlock-Mismatched-Mates-Book-ebook/dp/B08635QL8L