Kaje Harper's Blog, page 5

Consumed by Fire - Necromancer 6 - released

I'm thrilled to have Consumed by Fire - the sixth Necromancer book - out now on all vendors. I hope readers will enjoy this new adventure - Grim is sharp as ever, Darien faces moral questions, Silas faces demons, and Pip... is simply Pip. Join them for the fun and adventure, and two men in love.

I've posted a brief excerpt below (note, this series should be read in order- book 1 - Marked by Death - is FREE HERE on all vendors.)

[ Find Consumed by Fire wide on all vendors ]



excerpt:

Darien stood looking around a smoke-tarnished kitchen. Silas moved to his shoulder, eyeing the ceiling and walls. Despite the damage done by water and soot, Darien was right— this section of the house looked solid enough. Jasper and the other three sorcerers had followed Silas in, with Xsing cradled in Jasper’s arm. Pip and Grim came trotting back from deeper inside.

“We found the source of the damage,” Grim said. “Undoubtedly also the remains of a gate, and probably Morrison’s work room. I think it was once the parlor.”

“Any sign of demons?” Worthington asked.

“You’d know better than I would,” Grim told him. “Come on, this way. Watch where you walk.”

They followed Grim through the kitchen and out into a hallway where the reek of smoke hung thick on the air. Silas coughed and heard Tanner do the same. The far end of the hallway showed much more damage, with the ceiling cracked and half fallen. Drywall to their right had blown out of the framing.

Grim stopped and ducked through a hole in the stud wall. “This room here. You’ll want to come through this hole. The door end’s a mess.”

Darien eased through the gap quickly, Silas ducked under a blackened wire running between the studs to follow him, and Jasper joined them. As the others squeezed their way through, Silas turned on his heel to survey the room.

He immediately saw what Grim had noticed. One wall of the room was much cleaner than the rest, intact and free of holes but marked by a perfect blackened arch. The rest of the room was a shambles of overturned furniture, charred books, dented walls, scorch marks, and soot. It looked as if the end of a blast furnace had emptied out toward the front of the house and the whole room reeked of charcoal and sulfur.

Locke picked up a book from the floor. “Oh dear, that shouldn’t be lying around.” He opened the shopping bag he’d brought and put the scorched, leather-bound tome inside.

“We should check all the books—” Worthington began, then he stopped abruptly, head up as if sniffing the air.

In the same moment, Silas became aware of a chill running across his skin. “Ghosts,” he said. “More than one.”

A flicker of gold ran over Darien as he shielded strongly, then it vanished as he pulled his shields down to skin level. Pip jumped to Darien’s side, sniffing the air. “Where? How many? What can I do?”

Silas scanned the room with his Othersight. Slowly, one after another, wisps of ghosts filtered up through the floor, in through the walls, and out of the one standing bookcase. Silas counted seven. No, eight. Maybe more.

Worthington cleared his throat. “Are you seeing them too, Thornwood?”

“I detect at least eight.” He sent a tendril of power out, but they ducked away from him. None had a face or a shape or much humanity left.

“What the hells was Morrison doing here?”...

Discover the reasons for the destruction, the ghosts, and come along with Darien, Silas, Grim and Pip as they head for rural Canada and a new adventure in Consumed by Fire: Necromancer book 6

[ Find Consumed by Fire wide on all vendors ]

Do you like short fiction?

I'm one of a group of authors (led by the amazing Fiona Glass) who decided to create an online 'zine with short fiction and other short articles, just for fun. Introducing "RoM/Mantic Reads"
https://rommanticreads.wordpress.com/.

The first story just went up and I'm honored to have it be one of mine. And I got to have photo editing fun to illustrate it.

We're starting with flash fiction (under 1000 words) but plan to move on to slightly longer fic, and maybe short serials, if folks seem to enjoy it.

participating authors:
Addison Albright: contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, Sci-Fi romance
Alexa Milne: m/m and f/f romance
Alex J Adams: contemporary
Anne Barwell: paranormal, historical, contemporary
Chris Quinton: mystery, contemporary, historical, science fiction, fantasy
Ellie Thomas: historical romance
Elizabeth Noble: Paranormal/suspense/thriller/sci fi/fantasy/erotic romance
Fiona Glass: contemporary/dark/humorous/paranormal romance
Gabbi Grey: contemporary
Jackie Keswick: suspense, action adventure, fantasy and history
Jay Mountney: fantasy and m/m romance
Jeff Baker: contemporary, spec fic
JL Merrow: contemporary, paranormal, historical
Kaje Harper: contemporary to paranormal, mystery to fantasy, historical to SciFi.
K.L. Noone: contemporary, historical, fantasy, paranormal
Lillian Francis: contemporary, some historical and paranormal romance
Rebecca Cohen: historical, contemporaries, fantasy, sci fi
Ruby Moone: historical
Terri Beckett: historical, fantasy, and sci-fi

Check it out.

(Those of you in my FB group, reading all the short fic I post there, may recognize this story. I will be contributing brand new fic too, once I get 3 novels in 2 1/2 months off my plate.)

https://rommanticreads.wordpress.com/

Reaking Cover in Audio

Breaking Cover - Life Lessons Book 2 - has escaped from Audible review just in time to be a June release.

JF Harding does his usual amazing job of voicing the emotions and the action as closeted cop and single father Mac, and his teacher boyfriend Tony, have their lives permanently changed by murder that hits close to home.

Breaking Cover is on US Audible HERE.

Book 3 is already in production - look for the release of Home Work in July or August.

I'm so thrilled to have this series finally in audio and with such a talented narrator. I hope listeners will enjoy hearing this next episode in Mac and Tony's lives.

The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022

I'm thrilled to show you folks the cover reveal for the books in The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 series - rock musician romances ending at a big festival in the Nevada desert. (covers by Natasha Snow).


Authors in this series are:
Kaje Harper - Hidden Blade, releases 10/4/2022
BL Maxwell - Blinding Light: Road To Rocktoberfest 2022, releases 10/11/2022
Aria Grace - Feel The Noise: M/M Contemporary Rockstar Romance, releases 10/14/2022
Author Blake Allwood - Changing His Tune: Road to Rocktoberfest 2022, releases 10/18/2022
Nic Starr - Three of a Kind: Road to Rocktoberfest 2022, releases 10/21/2022
Lynn Michaels - Midnight Reunion, releases 10/25/2022
Layla Dorine - Bleeding Dawn: Road to Rocktoberfest book 7, releases 10/28/2022
Kris Jacen - Syncing Rhythms, releases 11/1/2022
Samuel York - Muted Chords: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022, releases 11/4/2022
Elle Keaton - In Tune: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022, releases 11/8/2022
TL Travis - David's Destiny: Embrace the Fear 2, releases 11/11/2022
Ann MacConnell Lister - Gamble on Me: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022, releases 11/15/2022

Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

Series link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...
***
And I can't help showing off my own cover bigger because I adore Cam on it:



My story is up first: Hidden Blade
Sometimes willpower isn't enough.

Cam

Social anxiety's been my constant companion for twenty-three years, sometimes in the background, sometimes silencing me and yanking my guts out in the nearest trash can. No matter how much I love playing music, I'm never going to get up on a stage and perform in front of a crowd. But since I met Erik, and was asked to join his band Hellsbane, that knowledge hurts worse.

No heart (even Erik's) or dick (even Erik's) is big enough to carry me past my limits, but God, I wish there was a way.

Erik

Life's damned unfair when a guy with the voice of a hard-rock angel and a songwriting talent like Cam's can only post anonymous videos online. But you can't cure anxiety with wanting, or willpower. My drummer needs to quit trying to push Cam onstage with us before he breaks.

Rocktoberfest's our goal, and touring with Hellsbane was my only ambition until I met Cam. Now I can't have everything I love in one place, but dammit, I wish there was a way.

A first-times, life challenges, coming out, rockstar romance.

Amazon US preorder: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Blade-R...

Ukraine charity anthology

Today is the release day for "Seeds of Love: A Romance Charity Anthology to Benefit Ukraine" - royalties go to United Help Ukraine, (a charitable organization dedicated to helping the Ukrainian people affected by Russia’s invasion), and I have a short story in it. This anthology includes mostly M/F stories, but just a few (I think 4) M/M. If you like M/F as well as M/M, and enjoy short love stories from contemporary to paranormal and more, check this one out. Get the book on Amazon and wherever ebooks are sold: https://books2read.com/u/bM7pEX

(If you're like me, might be good reading for waiting in lines and other short situations. Stories are 3-16K with an intended limit of 10K and no, the 16 isn't me.) :)

A lovely review of my story ( Out of the Blue - 10,700 words M/M single-father second chances) and Gabbi Grey's M/M on Rainbow Romance Reviews: https://rainbowgoldreviews.wordpress....

Stories are grouped by genre, and tagged additionally at the front of each (including if they are M/M); Authors are: Dakota Willink (Editor), Persephone Autumn, Lane Bellemore, Gabbi Black, Hannah Blake, M.L. Broome, Tiffany Carby, Tara Conrad, D.M. Davis, Liz Durano, L.J. Evans, Cyndi Faria, Willow Fox, Amber Garr, K.A. Graham, Miranda Grant, Gabbi Grey, Raisa Greywood, M.L. Guida, Kaje Harper, Heather G. Harris, Sophia Henry, Erica Himy, Shelly Hixson, Kelly Kelsey, Emery LeeAnn, Cassidy London, D.D. Lorenzo, Jenna Lynn, E.H. Lyon, J.S. Mercier, Lux Miller, Katherine Moore, Stella Moore, Vivian Murdoch, Yolanda Olson, Fei Marie Perez, Remy Reigns, Syd Ryan, Ramsey Savage, Barb Shuler, Pandora Snow, Brooke Summers, Vi Summer, L.C. Taylor, Amy Thorn, Mel Walker, Denise Wells.

Writing Shared Worlds

I'm trying out a new challenge this year, in writing for two different shared-world series - "Single Dads of Gaynor Beach" and "Road to Roctoberfest." It's fun trying to connect my story to the others, loosely enough to be stand alone, but carefully enough to have compatibility. Today I'm on Love Bytes, blogging about shared worlds.

Love Bytes Post: Writing Shared Worlds https://lovebytesreviews.com/2022/04/...

Beset by Demons - released

I'm delighted to have Silas and Darien, Grim and Pip, and their adventures, back in readers' hands again with Beset by Demons (Necromancer 5) - now available on all ebook vendors.

Find a copy here: [ Universal Book Link ]

I hope people who have loved the guys will enjoy watching them journey to dark places to protect their world. Jasper is here, and Magda, and new friends, allies, and dangers.

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Readers who haven't met these two men and their familiars yet should start with book 1 which is FREE on all vendors - Marked by Death.
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excerpt: Beset by Demons - Necromancer 5
...
An approaching clatter of canine toenails out in the hall heralded Darien’s favorite person in the world. Well, maybe after Silas. He allowed himself one fond look at his lover’s frowning face, then turned to the doorway. “Pip?”

His rat terrier familiar skidded on the floor, making the turn into the kitchen, and jumbled his words together. “GrimDarienSilas! It’s glowing a lot.”

Grim jumped off the table and stalked toward the pup. “Explain yourself. Clearly.”

“The map thing. In the basement. I went down to take a look— you said we should keep an eye on it— and it’s glowy.”

Silas shoved his chair back and jumped to his feet. Darien was left flat-footed as Silas and Grim both hurried out the doorway and down the hall with Pip scampering beside them, saying, “I’ll show you.”

“Map thing?” Jasper asked.

“Silas’s demon detector, I assume.” Darien knew he should be running after them, but his feet dragged like he was stuck in molasses. “His runework down in the cellar.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” Jasper turned to go, then glanced over his shoulder at Darien. “Are we going to follow them?”

Into the valley of death— He was being ridiculous, but he’d really hoped they were done with demons for a while, and could go back to Silas snacking on ghosts and Jasper crafting interesting spells. Apparently not. “Yes, of course. I’m coming.”

When they reached the bottom of the cellar stairs, Silas, Grim, and Pip were lined up on the edge of the shimmering map of chalk lines and symbols laid out on the floor. Darien could see two different locations on the map throbbing with a deep red glow, an ember sunk in darkness. “Those are demons, right?” he said, his voice echoing too loudly in that stone-walled space.

Silas glanced back at him, brows drawn down. “Yes.”

“Two of them.”

“I can count.” Silas sighed. “Sorry. On the plus side, they don’t feel all that strong.”

“On the minus side,” Grim said, “they weren’t there when I checked the map last night. And they’re in two different locations. Who’s out there calling demons like a two-for-one special? And why?”

“You don’t think that Seattle necromancer actually came after us, do you?” Darien ran a hand down his face. None of this made sense. “We’re not even done with breakfast.”

Before he could flush at that ridiculous statement, Silas barked a laugh and turned to nudge him lightly on the shoulder. “The essentials. Good man. We’ll eat and figure out what to do about this.” He pointed at the smaller spot of glowing darkness. “That’s a weaker trace, hopefully not more than a two-syllable demon. I could ask Worthington or Johanna Spry to take care of it.”

“Delegating,” Grim said, turning toward the stairs. “Will wonders never cease.”

“What?” Silas managed to sound hurt. “I know what delegating is.”

“But you never do it.” Grim bounded up the steps. “I agree with Darien, though. A nice bowl of cream and some bacon would go well, to help my thinking. Come along, necromancer, breakfast.”

“Butler to a cat,” Silas muttered. “Learn magic, they said. It’s so glamorous, they said.”

His unimpressed words let Darien breathe easier and even give Silas a hip bump as he walked past. “You can make me more bacon while you’re at it.”
...
Read more of the story in "Beset by Demons"

Beset by Demons cover, preorder, and some great Freebies

I have the final cover for Beset by Demons - Necromancer Book 5 and it's in preorder on Amazon, with other preorders to come in the nex fre days. Release date is February 22nd.

They'll take a leap into the unknown to protect the world.

There's something seriously wrong with Earth's magic. A demon has appeared unsummoned out of thin air, familiars can't return Home, and as Grim points out, rats smell like summer in the middle of winter.

Grim and Pip can deal with rats; Silas can banish one wayward demon. But soon there are other demons, more each day, and Silas's old mansion is full of mysteries. He and Darien will need their familiars, their friends, plus a whole lot of luck, as they search beyond Earth for the dark forces that have changed their world. And to have any chance of getting safely home, Silas will have to confront a past he's avoided for ten long years.

[ Amazon US Preorder ]

I'm also in a couple of great Valentine's Giveaways right now: (note - may require joining a newsletter.)

Get a free copy of The Rebuilding Year on this one, along with books from many of my favorite authors ;
A.D. Ellis, Ana Ashley, Anyta Sunday, Avery Cockburn, BA Tortuga, Cara Dee, Charley Descoteaux, Clare London, Colby Dunbar, Della Cain, Elizabeth Noble, Elle Keaton, Grace Killian Delaney, Hayden Hall, K. Evan Coles, Kaje Harper, Katerina Ross, LA Bryce, Lillian Francis , Lorelei M Hart, Megs Pritchard, N.R. Walker, Naomi Aoki/Mandy Greenwood , Nora Phoenix, Rhys Lawless, RJ Scott, Sam E Kraemer, Talia Carmichael, Taylor Rylan, TL Travis, Victoria Sue

[ Prolific Works Valentine's Freebies link ]

I have Nelson & Caleb free in this one on Book Funnel, with a different group of wonderful authors:
Iris Faire, Anthony Auguri, Brina Brady, Marie Sinclair, Clare London, Damian Jay Clay, Lorelei M Hart, Harper B. Cole, Della Cain, BL Maxwell, Gabbi Grey, Stella Shaw, Leighton Greene, Morgan Brice, Amy Sumida, N. R. Hairston, Sean Michael, Talia Carmichael, Scott Wylder, Ella Hart, Alice Archer, M. Kato, TJ Nichols

[ Book Funnel Valentine's Freebies ]

Burnout (Not me, this time...)

I'm blogging today on Love Bytes Reviews about burnout - sometimes this is the season it hits authors hardest.

You can read the post here: https://lovebytesreviews.com/2022/01/...

Home Work released; Compensations on Amazon

Life Lessons Book 3 - Home Work is now available on Amazon and in KU.

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Work-Life-Lessons-Book-ebook/dp/B09MNYFYSK/

* hurt-comfort, murder-mystery, parenting, trauma, HFN
(This is a lightly-edited rerelease, and the series should be read in order.)

And I have heard from JF Harding that he will be able to complete the series audio this summer with Breaking Cover in June, Home Work in July, and Learning Curve in August. :)

Home Work:
Mac sat on the bed and lifted a foot to tug off his sock. Tony hovered, wanting to speak, wondering if he should at least let the man get comfortable first. Do it now. Before Tony could open his mouth, there was a call from Anna’s room. “Daddy?”

“I’ll see what she wants,” Tony said. “You get those clothes off and into the hamper. Where did you find bars with smokers?”

“One place turns a blind eye in the cold weather.” Mac took a sniff at his sleeve. “Yeah, yuck.”

Tony went to try to mollify their daughter, without success. When he got back to the bedroom, Mac was putting his robe on over bare skin. “Only the real dad will do,” Tony told him.

“Sorry, Tony. I’ll deal with her.”

Tony paced back and forth while he waited for Mac, thinking about their little family. Things were good, but they could be great. Tony always went for great.
When Mac came back, Tony took his arm and seated him on the bed. “She’s settled?”

“I think so.”

“Good.” Tony took a big breath. “Good. So Mac, I think we should get married.”

Mac blinked at him. “What?”

Watch Mac and Tony try to figure out a home and work balance, amid murder and parenting, as life refuses to cut them a break.

And Compensations - Life Lessons 3.5 is now available for the first time on Amazon (and still free on Smashwords.)

**This 12,000 word story comes a week after the end of Home Work - book 3 and contains spoilers. Read this AFTER Home Work.**

Smashwords (free)- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/263420
Amazon (.99 waiting for price match) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PT97HWT/