Tease Me Thursday #1 - WIP On the Run Michael Mandrake

Michael and I are busy working on On the Run. My muse is Idris Elba aka Devlin "Brit" Crawford.

Here's a little snippet form this WIP. I got rid of one paragraph to follow the rules! *snicker* 

“I s’pose we’re done here?” Devlin Crawford leaned back in his chair, facing his boyfriend, or make that ex-boyfriend since he called him specifically to break up with Devlin.

William Gather looked sheepishly away from Devlin, not meeting his gaze. “I’m sorry, Dev. I can’t handle you being gone all the time on these secret projects. It’s killing me not knowing what you’re doing or who you’re doing it with−”

“Who I’m doing it with?” Devlin burst out in hysterics. “Are you jealous, William? If you are, you shouldn’t be. In all honesty, most blokes are afraid of me. They think because I’m a tall, well-built black man I’ll pummel them after I plow their arses into the nearest leather sofa. And then they hear me speak and find out I’m college educated, making a little over six figures doing…” he hesitated, “Whatever the fuck I do, but none are even remotely interested. Like I say, I give off that aura of fear and intimidation, but I’m neither of those.” To distract himself from the lie he just told, Devlin reached for the bottle of wine and poured a glass for William then for himself. “You’re being absolutely ridiculous, but if you want to leave me, suit yourself. I am not stopping you.”

William’s face pinked and he accepted the drink. “I don’t think I am, Devlin. I care for you a lot but you’re gone weeks on end and you can’t even tell me where you are.”

Devlin rolled his eyes and his mouth tensed. “I explained this to you before we started seeing one another. My job is top secret and I can’t reveal much for fear anyone around me might be affected and not in a good way.”

William sighed, “Well I can’t handle that, Devlin. I want us to have total open communication throughout the relationship. You’re gone too often. You can’t talk about where you are. You don’t call much and when you do it’s like speaking in code or something. I can’t handle that anymore, Dev.”

“Then leave.” Devlin glared at William from across the table. No way would he be upset about his relationship failing when this man was being totally unreasonable. Besides, he had to talk with the boss again to go over his next job; kidnap a certain someone in the states and take him to somewhere so they’d do whatever the hell they wanted with him. No doubt something involving drugs and he mentioned being paid handsomely. Who needed a man when he could buy one for a night or two?

Check out the other authors here on the Power of Gay Love

Monday Mornin Muse

Morning

Its Monday again

I'm looking forward to new projects on the coming year

One is another May/Dec m/m with this man as one of my characters

No, I don't have a plot just yet nut when I saw him , I knew he had to be in one of my stories

Tune in for the year end blog tomorrow from Shar.

And we'll announce the winners from 10 Days of Xmas and start sending out prizes after the 1st!

New Cover and Mon Frere, Plus One coming to you this Weekend!

Well its done

The follow-up to Mon Amour, the story with my beloved twins, Ryland and Ryder

Amazon

ARe

And 

Smashwords

Wednesday Briefs #37

Greetings! 

I know its been so long since I did the briefs and not wicked sis, BLMorticia but since Rawiya is writing now and BL is next in line with hers, Shar is giving me the chance to write some for the briefs.

Today, and most likely in weeks to come, I'll be revisiting the story Demon Be Mine from the 

Only That Night Anthology. 

The story is a angel/demon tale with a soul catcher by the name of Valios and his adversary, Calisto. Its a tale of forbidden love and deceit. 

Demon Be Mine Blurb: Valios, the soul catcher demon, is searching for his longtime companion and meets him at his club that same evening. This someone isn’t a complete stranger. What will happen when he finds out who his newfound friend is?

Read the full story here to get a sense of the tale.

For today's prompt, I'm doing One is the Loneliest Number

Calisto, second in line to the Archangel Michael, sat at the foot of Valios’s bed, sobbing about his eternal mate’s departure. Although it was wrong for angels and demons to have relations, Calisto still desired to be with the deadly soul catcher and make him part of his existence. But would the Creator understand his plight? Would he see that Calisto was suffering from being alone? Due to his magnificent efforts in the heavens and on earth, he’d been lauded with much praise for his work. Being on top of the heap and celebrated by angels was great to an extent, still, he was only one immortal, one with no partner, no one to call his very own.

One is the loneliest number.

His heart thudded against his ribs and he nibbled on his bottom lip, thinking of the lengths he’d gone to just to be with Valios and how this might cause trouble for him and his relationship with the creator in the near future. Still, he wasn’t deterred by this and intended to keep his obligation to find the soul catcher, trap him, and make him his eternal partner. But how would be able to turn a soul so evil, with such a lust for pain and despair into the life loving, kind individual Calisto was?

“You already know the answer, Calisto.” A deep voice rumbled from overhead, jilting him from his own thoughts. The bed trembled from the small quake, crossing from one end of the room to the next. Obviously from the tone, it was the Creator speaking to him.

“I…” Calisto slightly lifted his head from between his knees. His white wings fluttered behind him and speckles of gold dust fell upon the floor boards. “I know I can change him, Father. Just give me a chance.”

“You had the chance to be with him, Calisto, You only asked for one night, not to make him your eternal mate! He is dangerous, Calisto. He sucks the life from humans and has little regard for life in general. He's been around way too long to suddenly make a transformation. You know the human saying, you cannot teach an old dog, new tricks. Well this, my son, is one of those instances.”

Calisto shuddered and the tears continued to fall from his lids. He wanted Valios, needed him, so badly he could taste him. When faced with the decision to kill him all those years ago, he couldn’t bring himself to do it and slashed his face instead, making Valios very angry, never to return to the realm between heaven and earth again. It was the only place angels and demons could meet on equal footing and when the war raged on between heaven and hell, the Angels were given a choice; to slaughter every demon in sight or to spare some of them for future existence. The latter was chosen by Michael and the other angels as a peace offering between the deities. The Creator and Michael still thought humans and beings of all kinds should be given a choice of who or what they wanted to serve.

Through this transition, Calisto built a longing for Death’s wayward son but dismissed it for centuries, saying it was only lust and nothing more. However over the past few decades, his desires for Valios had grown. He observed the demon from above, taking souls and giving them to his maker, not taking any of them for his personal enjoyment. Calisto thought this was Valios way of keeping a space for them to be together. When the worlds of angels and demons would coexist and accept one another completely. Calisto saw this day coming but it would only work if both makers agreed on some kind of truce.

“Calisto? You are dreaming again, my angel. Why? Why do you wish to take this evil being as your mate?” At the end of the Creator’s sentence, a cloud of smoke appeared over his head, swirling in a circular motion. Flashes of light beamed from above, shining on him and the floor, illuminating the entire space.

Calisto gulped hard, wiping his face of the moisture. Was his father sending someone to talk to him or was he preparing him for punishment for his answer? “I…um…” Calisto glanced down at his naked feet, wigging his toes. “What will happen to me if I answer truthfully? Will you thrust me into the depths of hell and make me suffer? Will I lose my wings or my ability to walk or fly?”

“Nothing my dear, son. That is why I gave you the opportunity to be with the evil Valios in the first place. I could’ve struck you down when you cursed me back in the alley but I love you, Calisto. You are my star angel, right behind Michael. You are needed to lead us into the next century and beyond. I value all your strengths and do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

A loud rumble and a small quake shook the floor underneath Calisto’s feet. Frightened, he clenched his teeth and bed covers up under his nails. “My dearest Creator… I love him. I love Valios and I want the chance to be with him. Perhaps you are right that he can’t be changed but…” Knowing that his response could come with dire consequences, he dropped his head and closed his eyes tightly. “I still want him, father. And if he doesn’t change, I ask for a meeting of the deities to build a bridge for the two of us to be together.”

“Ah, Calisto, you have such high hopes of the nether world and the heavens being able to coexist.”

“But we do now, father. We just aren't allowed to copulate with one another. Surely there are many angels and demons who are in the same situation. I cannot be the only one plagued by this binding rule.” Calisto straightened, putting his feet on the floor. He had to make the Creator understand where he was coming from and exactly what he was asking. Calisto’s wings flopped behind him, spreading. He stood to let them fan out. Missing Vailos, he walked away from the bed in which he made love to his desired. “Please father, give me the chance to show you how this can be changed for future angels and demons like myself. You have always been such a forgiving and loving god, able to see the good in everyone, including the demons.”

“Yes, but Valios is one of those I have yet to see anything good in, Calisto. He has no love in his heart.”

“No, father. He does. I witnessed it tonight while in bed with him. He is hardened because he is not inspired to love but with me as his partner, he might soften his ways and let his light shine through."

* * * *

Hope you enjoyed. Here are the other authors for next week!

Andrew Gordon 

A.R. Von 

Victoria Adams 

Nephylim   

Lily Sawyer      

Cia Nordwell    

Renee Stevens 

Tali Spencer   

Michael Mandrake    

Julie Lynn Hayes

Book Review: Faelon by AJ Kelton

Book Review: Faelon

AJ Kelton

Greetings readers. I recently read the book Faelon by AJ Kelton and I was super excited to do so. A book about a nephilim, a three thousand year old immortal who tries to live in modern day. Just the premise of it excited me, especially since I love stories about angels and demons. However, in my opinion, the story fell flat and because of a few of glaring errors, I can’t rate it above a 2.5.

First the positives. The author paints a beautiful picture of this angel, Faelon who’s been abused for centuries. His black wings, he’s half human, half angel and being chased by a demon called Cayman makes for an awesome story. Then there’s the other man, Jax, who’s a security guard, a historian who comes to know Faelon and once he gets over the initial shock of the black wings, seems to fall in love with him. Again, makes for a great story right? Well yes but I feel the author missed out on some great opportunities for a more enjoyable piece.

The negatives in my opinion were distractions for this book. The POV head hopping which happened way too often in the book. When the first occurred I had to go back and make sure I wasn’t seeing the wrong thing. Sort of took me out of the story. Also, I felt the characters fell short of being brilliant. In my opinion, Faelon and Jax weren’t complete. We’re beaten over the head with the fact Faelon is a sex slave, loves it rough, and seems to need this abuse to feel wanted. Since I’m not into extreme BDSM, some of the things Faelon went through troubled me. It’s not the author’s fault at all that it’s not my cuppa. However, my major problem was the character Jax and how the seemingly mild mannered security guard became a dom, doing things to Faelon that bordered on abuse. I got that Faelon was immortal and could take a lot of it but I felt some of the actions by Jax were forced. From what the author showed, he just didn’t seem like the kind of person to be doing these things. Perhaps easing us into his transformation with a couple of light acts then a gradual change to experienced dom would’ve worked better. Again, it’s only my opinion but once I got to the middle of the book, I felt like it was torture just for the sake of shock value. I found myself skimming through the sex scenes to get to the next part.

Lastly the very confusing turn of events at the end. He unites with his former master Delgorio because he’s terrified of the Cayman and asks for help. The tension between Jax and Delgorio is definitely there and I wanted to know more about their relationship. He seemed to leave as quick as he came which was disappointing. There would’ve been another opportunity for the plot to go deeper but instead the author didn’t explore that more.

I really wanted to like this book. It had promise and an angel who begs to be loved makes for a great novel but this story’s glaring errors and forced sex made me wish for the ending. That being said, I would still like to read the sequel if there is one. I want to know more about Faelon and how he gets away from the Cayman while trying to survive in the modern world with a human lover. Hopefully the author will do build on that more in the next story. If so, I'd gladly give it a look.

2.5 stars

Buylink

Blurb: Who knew that loving a Nephilim could be so dangerous.

Faelon, a 3000-year-old nephilim, fleeing a demonic master, found safety with the church. He has repaid their kindness by translating various artifacts. Father Donovan has watched as Faelon became a recluse, fearing those who would harm him.

Jax, wanting a change, moves to Salem, MA where he finds work as a churches security guard. Not believing that Faelon is a nephilim, he is forced to confront his own beliefs in the supernatural.

Can he learn to accept Faelon, and be the master he requires? Or lose the man he loves to the demons who would harm him.

Backlist Bloghop Signup

Another backlist bloghop for authors to show off books not so new anymore.

Sign up here

Backlist Bloghop is May 31-June 2

My giveaway is a pick from my backlist, a necklace courtesy of Kajika Fortier, and a 5GC

New Cover Reveal! I Love it Rough N'awlins Exotica Series Book Two

I love the cover for my new book. Thanks to Sara York for this once again, a great job for my next story. 

Here is a temporary blurb.

Livin’ in N’awlins ain’t all that easy…

Kajika Fortier loves his job, the attention he gets from onlookers, and Frankie Choteau. However, his new partner’s jealousy, mood swings, and over protectiveness drives Kajika to the brink but at the same time, excites him to no end.

To complicate things further, a murderer is on the loose looking for new blood outside the N’awlins Exotica Entertainment complex. When the first victim is claimed, cryptic messages are left behind about his love for the Native American man with hair that blows in the wind, keeping everyone at the club and NOPD on high alert.

Will the new couple survive these new issues that impede on their nearly perfect union? Or will the relationship fail, thus leaving Kajika alone and a target for New Orleans latest serial killer?

I haven't even started writing but Sara is done with the cover! Woot. Look for it late Summer????

Flashback Fiction Friday - True Meaning of Love 2 The Complete Portrait

Hello and welcome to Flashback Fiction Friday

Today I'm featuring my sappy m/m May/Dec TM2

As a special offer, it's discounted at Amazon and All Romance

Amazon it's 99 cents

on ARe it's 1.00

Here is a short excerpt and Blurb

Over fifty doesn’t mean too old to find love

London Davies desires a man to take care of and despite the advances of his former lover and partner James, he pushes on to search for another to make him turn in his bachelor badge.

Brandon McFerry has been abused and scarred for the duration of his life. His only saving grace is his talent with the paintbrush. Although he hasn’t made his big break in the industry, he pushes on in hopes that one of his paintings will capture the attention of his obsession: London Davies

This is a romance. The kind that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside with some hot smexy sex thrown in. An emotional story between two men of different backgrounds searching for the same happy ever after ending!

Brandon and London sat on the couch together as the artist spoke at length about the methods he’d used during the creation of the painting. To Brandon, the object of his desire seemed very interested in everything he’d said. He hoped he didn’t bore him with his babbling. The last thing he wanted to do was make the man tire of him too quickly.

London poured some more of the Cristal into both glasses. He handed the flute back to Brandon. They’d finished half the bottle but for whatever reason, Brandon still felt nervous. He took it and tried his best not to spill it, his hand trembling slightly. “Um thank you.” He sipped a little from the glass.

“You’re welcome.” London lightly smacked Brandon on his kneecap. “Love, chill out, yeah? We’re here just having drinks. Relax.”

Brandon nodded and lay back against the cushions. How could he relax knowing he sat beside the man of his dreams? He took a whiff of London’s manly scent. A mixture of cologne and after-shave, as strong as he’d expected. When it infiltrated his nostrils, he felt himself hardening under the slacks. The goose bumps became rocks on his flesh. He was perspiring a little; he hoped his desired one wouldn’t notice. “I’m tryin’, it’s just...” Brandon bit his lip and set the glass on the coffee table in front of him. “Well, I’ve admired you for such a long time, London, and I... This is really a thrill for me.”

London chuckled and moved closer to Brandon. He took the artist’s palm into his. “I get that, but I’m just a man, like any other. I don’t walk on water. No second coming here, love.”

To Brandon McFerry, he did. London had captivated him for years and now his dreams about being on this sofa with him in private had come true. Deep down he wished he could take London into his arms and kiss him feverishly. He’d envisioned a moment like that too, but he refrained. They had just met. “I know,” he sighed and placed a hand on top of London’s. “Tell me. You really like the painting?”

“I do.” London placed an arm around the younger man’s shoulder. “In fact, it resembles a work of art I have at home. I’d love to take you there to see it tonight.”

Brandon looked at the owner with widened eyes.

Did he just say...?

Brandon thought he just heard London say he wanted him to see a painting he had back at his house.

Could it be? Could the man he’d seemingly desired forever be in possession of a work of art that belonged to him? “I… um.” He swallowed hard. “You want me to accompany you home, tonight?”

London held onto him a little tighter. “Yes, I, I hope that isn’t too forward, it’s just... I really do like you and I’d love to see if that painting is yours. Forgive me for moving too quickly but...”

“No, no, not at all I’m just a bit taken aback by this. I’d love to go, though.”

“Good. Then, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to be my date for the rest of the evening. If it weren’t opening night, I’d certainly just ask James to take over but, since it’s a big event…”

“Yes, yes, I understand. I have no issue with staying here late with you.”

He really didn’t. There was nowhere he’d rather be than here with London and to him, the owner wasn’t moving too fast at all. Just right in his eyes.

“Great, now.” London poured the last two glasses of the expensive beverage. “Let’s finish this off, shall we? Then we’ll go out amongst the people.”

Damn.

Seeing London pour yet another glass of the champagne made Brandon wince. Truthfully, he’d already felt the effects after two glasses coming on quickly and he wished he didn’t have to drink anymore. However, he wondered if he refused London would that upset him. He took the glass. “Thank you very much.”

“And thank you again for the painting as well as your presence this night.” London toasted with Brandon, clinking their glasses together, before he drank the contents.

The painter nodded and did the same, hoping he’d be able to stay up for the duration of this evening.

I have to make a good impression on him if I want a chance at being part of his life.

Once they’d finished drinking the expensive bubbly, London led Brandon by the hand, back out to the main area. The hold London had on Brandon made his head swim, along with the wine.

He just couldn’t believe this. Him, Brandon McFerry, on the arm of London Davies, powerful businessman and owner of the new club, Fantasia. Many of his friends, especially Tyler, had told him to not get so wrapped up in this man, but how could he not? Even though he didn’t know much about the man, he’d long ago fallen in love with him from afar, and the fact that London expressed some interest in him made him happier that he’d never given up his dream of meeting him.

Meanwhile, the Cristal had definitely taken effect. Brandon cupped his arm around London’s as if they were dating and relaxed so much he started seductively touching his desired man’s shoulders and even running an arm around his waist without giving it a second thought. He really didn’t realize that he might be annoying London or making him worry. In his mind, because London showed a genuine interest, he couldn’t take issue with Brandon’s flirts.

After London finished talking to an older couple of investors, Brandon pulled him against the wall by the bathroom. The young artist ran his hand over London’s head and shoulders and gazed into his brown eyes. “London, I hope I’m not bothering you.”

“Why would you say that?” The club owner pushed his heavy body against Brandon. “I love that you’re finally more relaxed.”

“I… yeah… I mean.” Brandon struggled for the right words. “We just met and I wonder am I coming on too strong.”

London laughed, “No, no, babe, not at all. I really like you, Brandon.” The entrepreneur gripped the artist’s waist. “You go on with the touching and flirting. I don’t mind at all. In fact…” London twirled Brandon’s curls around his fingertips. “I’d like a little more.”

Brandon smiled and wrapped his arms around London’s neck. Thank goodness the man he loved wasn’t annoyed by his affections. He bit his lip and locked eyes with the man once again. “More, as in…?”

“Yes,” London managed to choke out. “You pulled me over here so please love, don’t stop now.”

Brandon took that as a go to do as he’d wanted for years. He straightened himself and shrugged his shoulders. The scent from London, a mixture of his cologne and the Cristal, infiltrated his nostrils. The artist ran his hands from his biceps to the small of his back. The space closed between them with each move. Brandon slowly licked his lips. “I really want this, London.”

“I do too,” he whispered, still pressing himself against Brandon’s body. “I know we just met, but damn.”

“Damn,” he repeated and smiled. His fingers danced on the back of London’s neck, toying with his brown strands. Brandon moved slightly forward, opening his mouth to accept London’s. Lightly, he kissed him and felt the instant adrenaline shoot from his lips to his nipples, causing them to harden under his cotton shirt, and making his cock stand at attention. His jewels drew up against his body. The goose bumps appeared on his flesh. Just that small kiss made so much happen in such a short period of time.

Damn.

He knew it would be like that. Just like a dream come true with the fireworks going off in his brain, his hormones going into overdrive along with all the noises, waking him up and making him realize just how real this was.

Brandon leaned back against the wall. “That was so—”

“Yes, but−” London moved in close again. “I want more. Don’t be so tentative, Brandon.” The older man pressed his lips against Brandon’s, sending more shocks to his system. Breaths labouring from the fiery embrace, the young artist accepted, feeling his desired man’s cock mating with his own. “Jesus.”

“No, no, not him, Brandon. Me.”

Check out BL's and Rawiya's Flashbacks also. 

Thursday Thoughts Book Review Don't Ask Don't Tell Melissa Kendall

Good morning readers. Welcome to Thurday Thoughts here at Michael's. Occassionally, I'll be doing book reviews on the blog to let you know what I'm picking up to read while I'm writing or editing.


Since I'm doing edits, I do have time to pick up a few short reads. Melissa Kendall's Don't Ask Don't Tell is a short read. Let's check out the blurb first:

Sergeant Jason Holt and his boyfriend Sergeant Patrick Wentworth have been in a secret relationship for almost ten years. When the daily paper brings news of the repeal of the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, they think their prayers have finally been answered. Yet things aren’t always as easy as they seem, with not everybody at work supportive of their lifestyle and even their parents skeptical. Will they finally be able to be out and proud?

Review: When I received the book for review, I expected a long read because of the cover art. The two men, dressed in camoflauge looks very intimidating. However, the book is exactly the opposite. Kendall's DADT is an enjoyable quick read with very little angst and drama on the pages. The characters Jason and Patrick are 2 military men, keeping their love secret from everyone while they serve in the same platoon.

Jason lets you know of his fears in the beginning saying that DADT's repeal changes very little and he expects something might happen sooner or later despite the historic change in the military. However, nothing really happens and they go on their merry way, loving one another, living together on base with only a couple of people calling them out their names when they come out in the mess hall. That is immediately squashed though when a commander breaks up the heated arguement with Jason and some MP's. 

At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I'm going to see I wished the story had a little more in the book to keep us interested. It's true, I love a fluffy story. I've written a few under all my pseudonyms so I'm not opposed to tales with little drama and hot sex. This story delivers on that but I wanted to see a bit more. I wanted to know the angst Jason and Patrick were feeling when the MP's called them the names. There's even a part on the book when one of them gets sent away to Iraq but it's merely only a mention. I believe a chance to expand on the characters was missed there. We have no clue how the men felt about being separated for eighteen months. Was their temptation to date other men? What about any communication while being away that long? We know nothing about their feelings during that time. It's as if it weren't an important part of the story and in my opinion it is. 

Lastly, I don;t believe the book gives much insight into the characters themselves. What do we really know about Jason and Patrick? Other than the fact they love one another, we don't get a real feel for them. I would've loved to see more about their personalities because I couldn't connect with them.

Still, I loved the book. It was an quick, well written read I was able to finish in minutes. The sex was scorching and the story very sweet and hopeful. 

3 Stars

Melissa Kendall's book barrage is tomorrow at Triad Lit. Please check it out to have a chance at winning a copy of the book as well as an Amazon GC. 

Flashback Fiction Friday - A Second Chance

Greetings readers

I'm here with another edition of Flashback Fiction Friday or Fab Fiction Friday

All of my books hold special places in my heart but this one is near the top of the list.

A Second Chance is a story of two cops who both lost their partners in love and work. Both are searching for happiness but how can they being part of the homophobic police force?

I look forward to expanding on this story at a later date. 

For now, enjoy the book in it's original form.

Blurb: Two cops who’ve lost their partners in the line of duty and life are both lonely but hesitant about beginning a relationship with someone new. Will one of them accept the others proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?


Amazon XOXO

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

“Pity,” Daniel said with a grin. “Maybe when you’ve recovered from your wild night?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I laughed, “Yeah, um…maybe…”

We’d broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?

Wow Wednesday

Good morning!

I should be doing the Wednesday Briefs but forgot to right the next part since I was finishing the twin vampire.

So sorry!

To make up for it, how about a picture of  the Triad's next muse?

Angel Macho or is his name Angelo Cruz?

LOL 

Whatever name he goes by, he's gorgeous!

Backlist Blog Hop Brought to you by BL and Me!

TY to Dakota Trace and Nicole Morgan for the buttons!

Good morning!

I'm excited to announce the next backlist bloghop will be Feb 1-3 2013!

Right before Valentine's day, huh?

Yep, this is a chance for authors to do giveaway and showcases the books from their backlists. 

We hope you'll join us and several other authors in this exclusive event!

Authors, please sign up and make sure your links are blogs from Blogger, Wordpress  or are at least supportive of the codes provided. 

Links to Amazon or any other ebook stores will not be accepted. 

Readers, our giveaway will be a 15GC from Amazon or B&N your choice and ebooks from each of the muses!

Saturday Sips - Demon Be Mine

Good morning! Here's a bit from my newest story just finished for the Triad Valentine Time anthology to come the first week of February. BL's story is done, mine is too and now it's Rawiya's turn!

Here's a blurb and snippet from Demon Be Mine

Valios is a soul catcher, looking for human souls to make part of his own personal collection. When one he fancies steps into his club, he is unaware that his target is no ordinary human!

Unedited excerpt

One solitary light shone from the ceiling in an otherwise dark filled room in a fancy penthouse above a busy street. Cool breezes flowed through the window, making the space chilly but still comfortable on this late summer night in Chicago.

“Another night, another soul I’ve enjoyed draining the life from.” Valios smirked to himself, wiping his mouth of the excess spirit he’d drank from this human he’d had his eyes on for the better part of a week. “You’ve been a good man, Marcus, very good. You tasted even better!” While he buttoned his black shirt, he enjoyed the sight of the human’s frail frame. Gone were the colorful tattooed muscles this young bodybuilder possessed; the very thing that attracted Valios to him in the first place. Instead, a pale, lifeless, torso lay on the bed, amidst blood red sheets strewn about the mattress. Marcus brown curls plastered to his head from sweat after their wild romp. His blue eyes bulged out of his skull and mouth gaped wide open, he appeared to have enjoyed his last kiss although one that would ultimately cost him his life.

“Lovely.” In his mind, Valios believed his method of killing was a work of art, only to be appreciated by those who loved the darker sides of life. Death and sickness. They could be so beautiful, leaving behind a picture perfect sight of suffering only the demons of death could understand. Oh and those wretched humans who called themselves goths. Yes those, who embraced the seedier sides of human existence and embraced the ideals of pestilence, looking forward to their last days on earth. Such posers, who only wanted to be part of something when they were only pretending. True believers in the beauty of death didn’t wear all black clothing and visit graveyards for fun! Valios found these people to be most annoying and vowed to rid the earth of them when he received the ultimate gift from his maker.

For now however, he’d go on enjoying the life his father Death had set out for him to do. Taking pleasure in his existence, doing the work of a vampire but with oh so much more flair. No melting in the sun for Valios and others like him. They combed the world, far and wide, seeking out humans whose souls begged to be taken. How could they tell? Soul catchers, the group which Valios belonged to, had the distinct power to recognize a crying soul of a human who wished for happiness on the other side. Perhaps something ailed them, they might’ve been terminally ill, or they had a deep secret that couldn’t be told to loved ones. Whatever it was, Valios and his companions found it. And when they did, they gave the human what they asked for. Death. In peace. Silence. Leaving them completely lifeless and without soul. For the most part, these individuals went to the maker to be eternal slaves in his army. In other cases, the soul catchers or other demons would take those men and or women for their own personal gratification.

Valios found himself in this predicament right now; wanting a soul, a human he could call his very own. His time on earth for the past three centuries proved to be most taxing on him. A bore. He needed someone to give him the zest and the inspiration he’d once had.  

Continuing to dress, he recalled the last few prospects he’d entertained to be his eternal mate. One man, a gay CEO of a large company with everything to hide, all the money in the world, but too full of himself. Valios figured only one man in this relationship would be able to carry on in that manner. Another, a painter, someone Valios just knew he could appreciate but the man was too moody and even though Valios had powers, he wouldn’t be able to change the attitude of the man he decided to settle down with.

I’m a demon not a miracle worker!

Saturday Sips - Captain of His Heart CONTEST

Good morning! I wanted to share another excerpt from my tory in the antho, On Valentines Day. The book is already a Silver Star at ARe! If you haven't picked up a copy, please do!

CONTEST: One copy to a lucky reader if they name the muse for Cooper in this story. Check pic on the left sidebar

Amazon

ARe

Smashwords

B&N

Captain of His Heart by Michael Mandrake - Mario Dagosta has just broken up with his high school sweetheart and hasn’t dated since. Downtrodden and not able to cope, he spends many of his days at home. A very eclectic young man who prefers Tom Clancy to gay or m/m romances.

Cooper Delaney is a retired general who watched his forty something lover walks out on him. Always upbeat and confident, he knows he will find someone suitable to be his man.
Mario has it bad for the mature man and wants more but will he be deterred by the mocking from his best friends about his choice for a mate?

Small excerpt

Later on that evening, Mario made the fish along with the side dishes. Cooper called while he set the table, letting him know he was only minutes away from his flat and instead of driving he’d be walking since they lived relatively close. Mario’s spot was in the South Loop, more than a mile away but Cooper mentioned how nice it was outside and that he didn’t mind. Mario laughed and accepted the decision. He admired the Captain’s desire to walk in the menacing heat instead of taking a taxi.

This also gave him an idea to do something he hadn’t done before. He knew it would be very forward but he was already that type of individual. Still, he never attempted to do this. Ask someone to stay at his place on the first date.

Mario and Jaz didn’t even stay together on their first night and because he’d been in a committed relationship all this time, he didn’t really have experience in this area. He wondered if Cooper would agree to it and not take offense. There’s only one way to find out.

Disturbing him from his thoughts, the doorbell rang and Mario rushed to it. He looked through the peephole and smiled; his gorgeous grey hunk standing there with flowers and a bottle of wine.

“Hiya.” Mario opened the door wide.

“Hey.” Cooper handed them to him and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

“Ooh thank you, Cooper. They’re gorgeous.” The half dozen roses were beautifully arranged in the simplest bouquet with baby breaths attached. He took a whiff of them and grinned. “Hey, I wanna ask you something and if you say no, I’ll be bummed but I’ll understand if I’m too forward.”

Cooper’s blue eyes twinkled and he walked closer to Mario. “What’s that?”

He could feel his stomach churn and the goose pimples form on his skin. Mario bit his lip and chuckled nervously, suddenly feeling very tense about asking the question. “Um, I wanted to know if you’d like to stay with me tonight. I really like you a lot and, since you walked over here and…”

Cooper took his hand, pulled Mario into him and crushed their mouths together.

Mario gasped and clung onto Cooper’s back through his fitted cotton shirt. He felt the Captain’s hardened muscle poking him through his jeans, making his own stiffen from the embrace. Mario continued to reciprocate and thrust his tongue inside. He tangled his with Cooper’s and enjoyed the tastes of his mouthwash. “Mhmphmm…” he groaned into the kiss and let his hands fall to his waist. “I…I suppose that’s a yes.”

“Yes.” Cooper smiled wide and leaned his head against Mario’s. I really like you, Mario. We don’t even know each other’s last names yet but…”

“Dagosta, Mario Dagosta and yours,” he asked while his placed light kisses on the side of his jaw.

“Delaney. Cooper Delaney, wow, you feel so good against me. Why were you scared?”

“I thought you wouldn’t take it the right way. It’s not somethin’ I’ve ever done before but I figured, I’m pretty straightforward with everything else so I might as well go for it.”

“I’m glad you did, um…can I say walking over here was kind of the strategy I used? I, um, thought that if worst case scenario you didn’t or said no, I’d take a cab.”

Mario held onto Cooper a little tighter. “I wouldn’t say no to you, Cooper. You’re too gorgeous to turn down and our first initial conversation was so stimulating, I feel like we could’ve talked with each other for hours.”

Cooper nodded, “Well, I hope you want more than just words, my friend.”

“Oh, I do, yes, I really do. I’ll leave it up to you how far you wanna take it.”

“As far as you do!” Cooper encompassed Mario’s lips once more. “Oh and…” he reached in his pocket. “I did bring my toothbrush.”

He smiled and grasped onto Cooper much tighter while returning that searing kiss. His new lover embraced him again and pressed his hard body against Mario’s. “Damn,” he sighed into Cooper’s kiss not wanting to pull away. “Dinner,” he breathed and wrapped his arms around his neck.

“Yes, even though I’d much rather put my lips on you, I’ll settle on eating now so I can taste your great cooking.”

“Pfft, I’m alright.” He pecked Cooper again. “Not a gourmet chef but okay. It’s not burnt and it is edible.”

“Stop selling yourself short. It had to be great coming from a man like you.” Cooper put the back of Mario’s hand to his lips.

“You’re killin’ me with the compliments, Cooper. Flattery will get you everywhere. C’mon.” He returned the affection and pulled him into the dining room. I’ve got plenty so I hope you’re hungry.”

“Not as much as I am for you but I’ll eat enough. Anything left we can have tomorrow, right?”

“Yep,” he agreed and reluctantly let go of Cooper’s grasp. He stole another peck and sprinted into the kitchen, clutching his own chest.

Oh thank goodness he said yes. Damn, I’m almost positive he’s the one. No one has made me feel like this other than Jaz.

****Make sure you tune in to Rawiya and BL as well since they are also giving you a sip of their books or WIP.

Updates: I Like Em Pretty and...

Greetings friends! Here's an update on I Like Em Pretty M/M.

It will be later than anticipated. We thought we could have it out by Jan 31st but that's not feasible at this time. Right now, the timetable has changed to Mid to late Feb, early March. Why? Shar and I want to bring out the best possible book, well edited which you will enjoy a lot more than something that's rushed. 

I will however, be doing a short story for the paranormal side of this series which I still won't name until close to release day. Recall, my friend Judie S who wanted a story about twins who fell for a human? Well, we're going to push that up to be released on Feb 1st! The twins will be involved with the series of stories I'm doing with BL and Rawiya so stay tuned for all the details.

In the meantime, thanks for all the support and patience. Make sure to vote for BL at LRC for best contemporary and best GLBT author. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe/polls and we're also running a contest on this link to win Candyman. No one knows who that man on the left sidebar is? I'm sure you will once you think about it further. Also, BL has some news about a short she's doing along with the Wretched. 

Busy, busy, muses. We refuse to let Shar rest!