Ravon Silvius's Blog, page 9

A look back and a look ahead: 2016!

So, this past year has been a bit quieter than I would have liked. My personal life was quite busy! But there were two major releases this year, with more to come in 2016!
First, Book 5 of the Enforcers series, Recovery, was released!

Second, my book Freshman Blues was released as well! Not only that, but it won an honorable mention AND was a finalist in the 2015 Rainbow Awards! 


On the blog, I completed Aesthetics of Invention, which was a short look in Kenneth and Thorn’s college days. I’ve also begun The Stormlords, which is a fantasy New Adult, and pieces are posted every Wednesday as part of Wednesday briefs!
So, what is there to look forward to this year?
2016 will be all about the Enforcers series—Books 6 and 7, titled “Investigation” and “Undercover,” will be released this year! In addition, remember Aesthetics of Invention, posted in pieces all over the blog? That will be released via Extasy Books as a side story to the Enforcers series!
In addition, I intend to compile the erotic cyborg stories and seek publication with either Dreamspinner or extasy books—I’ll keep you posted! The anthology will have one or two new stories as well!
Finally, The WaterLord trilogy will soon be available in print!
I have plenty of other stories in the works as well—check the blog for future announcements!

Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention for Freshman Blues!

The award winners won't be announced until December 8th, but Freshman Blues is not only in the running, it's an honorable mention!
Freshman Blues

Backlist post on Rick R. Reed's blog!

Hello everyone,

Today my book Remembrance is being featured over on Rick R. Reed's blog! Be sure to check out the post!

Apple Bites Anthology!

From the Wednesday Briefers, we bring you....




Back to school takes on new meaning in this collection of eight mini-stories which run the gamut from sweet to spicy! No children in these tales, they’re for adults only! And each one features an apple in some way.In this mixed bag of apple bites, you’ll find seasoned authors as well as newcomers. Teachers and students. Both M/M and M/F. There’s something for everyone’s taste.Going back to school has never been so naughty!M/M STORIESJC Wallace – An Officer and a Gentleman (and an Apple) Holden isn’t sure how much longer he can survive without the man he loves, whose return from a six-month deployment has been delayed. On the first day of classes, Professor Holden finds a shiny, red apple on his desk, mocking him. A cruel joke? Or something much more shocking…
Carol Pedroso – Have a Break, Have a... Kevin is acting principal of another troubled school filled with idiotic teachers. His new husband had been sent half way round the world. Kevin is lonely, hungry, horny, and pissed off at life.A surprise visitor at lunch time offers Kevin the break he so desperately needs…Julie Lynn Hayes – Rivals  John and Bryce are heads of competing fraternities at upscale Westover College, as well as fierce rivals. On rush night, John finds Bryce has crashed his soiree, seeking recruits. Verbal swords are thrust. When Bryce pushes John’s buttons, the challenge is on—and winner takes all.
Nephy Hart – Apple for the TeacherGoing back to school is difficult for Rage. He has no reason to think this year won’t be filled with more marginalization and abuse. When his boyfriend gives him an apple for the teacher, Rage has no idea what difference an art project will make, or who will get the apple.Perry’s Cherry – Avery DawesAn unfortunate earthquake shakes Perry from a freshman room to sharing with a grumpy senior. Too bad Nick is so sexy… and sullen. Labor Day finds them both on campus. Nick suggests a trip to a private club. Perry is about to get a college education of another kind…
M/F STORIES
Elyzabeth M. VaLey – Good Teacher, petReady to start the new school year, Anais’ boyfriend and Dom, Ian, plants the seeds of doubt in her mind. He tells her she’s forgetting something that only the best teachers receive. Ian gives Anais a lesson and shows her how to earn herself a juicy treat.
Cynthia Dawn Griffin – Gatekeeper Kate loves her job as Head Secretary. The students adore her, calling her Gatekeeper. Kate’s job may be in jeopardy because of her passionate affair with one of the staff, who acts as though it never happened.Will she be able to focus on her job and win her man back?Renee Rose – Hot for TeacherLucy's nerves have her wound up for her first Biochemistry 101 lecture. Fiancé Dr. Todd gives his T.A. a wicked distraction. While he tortures Lucy with edging and public arousal, she must somehow get through her class without losing all control.
Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014AY2YR8Facebook Ready Post (just copy & paste if you are willing):It's back to school with eight authors who are dying to show you just how naughty they can be! Read to find out if the characters in these stories can survive their back to school surprises.#RomanceAnthology #BacktoSchool #MM #MF Apple Bites: A Romance Anthology  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014AY2YR8

Wednesday Briefs: Aesthetics of Invention Epilogue

Kenneth took a breath, stabilizing his magical strength as he got close enough to feel it double in power. Thorn was nearby, down the hall and in the small, cramped conference room in the inventor’s college.
The lightbulbs that illuminated the long hallway remained steady. After their week together, Kenneth had long gained control over his magic.
And, it seemed, Thorn had learned to focus on his work and his relationship. The past week, a week after their time together, he had finally finished his new prosthetic. Kenneth didn’t want to distract him, but he wanted to see it, and show his support. And there was something important Thorn needed his help with.
The conference room wasn’t too full, but Thorn’s friend Saul widened his eyes when Kenneth stepped into the room. He took a seat near the back, but the amount of heads turning made Thorn look up too.
He met Kenneth’s eyes, and Kenneth gave a small smile. Thorn sighed, obviously nervous, but smiled back.
Mutters bloomed around the room, but when Kenneth did nothing but sit and wait, they died down. Finally, Thorn cleared his throat after a stabilizing breath, holding up his project.
It looked different than when he had shown Kenneth weeks ago. It was sleeker, more refined, and more silvery than before.
“Greetings, everyone,” he began. As he spoke, he settled into the tone Kenneth was used to hearing from professors and talented students presenting. “And I’d like to thank Inventor Charles for mentoring me. With our work, the ultimate test is if we’d use it ourselves. And, today, I intend to begin doing so, to demonstrate my mastery of prosthetic engineering.”
He placed the new hand on the table.  “Of course, I’ll need an assistant’s help. Kenneth?”
More heads turned, more eyes going wide with surprise, as Kenneth got up and crossed the room. He wouldn’t use magic for this.
Thorn had explained the mechanism several times when Kenneth kept having trouble with the locking piece. Now, though, he unhooked it deftly, and the old prosthetic came off.
A brief look flashed over Thorn’s face, something that wasn’t pain but maybe fear. Kenneth knew why, or at least he could guess. But he didn’t care about the stump. Without missing a beat, he picked up the new prosthetic and fitted it, helping attach the small wiry bits that according to Thorn would sense the muscles and transmit those small twitches into hand movements.
One, two, three. Three locks, and it was secure.
“And now,” Thorn said, stepping back. His hand came to life, the fingers waving as though they were real. “I can do anything he can do.” He laughed when one of the people in the room snorted. “Well, almost anything.”
***“Thanks,” Thorn said. He sat across the table in the cafeteria of the inventor’s college, holding a cup of water in his new metal hand. Saul sat next to him. “It went perfectly. Although with the way the professor investigated it afterward, I think he thought you had done some magic to it.”
“My magic couldn’t compare,” Kenneth said. “I wouldn’t know the first thing about making something like that.” No mage had ever had to. It was something talentless did—something magi could benefit from, and would benefit from, if one day they worked together.
Once they were Enforcers, they could make that a reality.
Saul sipped his drink. He still sometimes eyed Kenneth as though he expected the mage to suddenly attack, but those times were getting farther and farther apart. “It was a good project. And not everyone who makes prosthetics has the benefit of being able to immediately use it and test for any mistakes.”
Thorn laughed and drummed his metal fingers on the table. “True.”
The doors to the cafeteria swung open, and Kenneth caught sight of a familiar face. George, the man who had destroyed his gift to Thorn and threatened their relationship, strode in. His eyes met Kenneth’s.
Anger flowed through Kenneth, but he forced it away. His magic stayed under control, and he looked to Thorn, who hadn’t noticed George and was still tapping the table. He smiled when he saw Kenneth looking at him, and any residual annoyance flowed away. He ignored George, putting the angry, bitter man out of his mind.  There was nothing more he could do.
George had made his point about talentless and magi becoming lovers. And they, by staying together, had made theirs.

Wednesday Briefs: Aesthetics of Invention part 29

Part 29.
Thorn walked with his head held high and his mage lover by his side. They passed the stables, where they tied up their horses, and then strode down the hall, Thorn’s body fizzing with excitement and no small amount of arousal.
George didn’t matter. What other people thought, mage or talentless, didn’t matter. What mattered was Kenneth, here and now.
The door to his room was still splintered, but it closed, and Thorn paused once inside, staring at his lover. Kenneth’s face was flushed, his eyes bright, and he leaned against the wall. The robes he wore were tight on his shoulders and loose around his slightly spread legs, but they didn’t hide the bulge that was obvious to Thorn’s trained eye.
“How’s your magic?” Thorn asked, taking a step closer and trailing his fingers along Kenneth’s sides.
The mage hissed, raising his head and exposing his neck. Thorn didn’t take the bait, opting to move his hands lower, undoing buttons. “Well?” Thorn asked again.
“It’s…under control,” Kenneth said. Thorn flicked his gaze to Kenneth’s hands, which were flat against the wall, but no tell-tale electricity or heat gathered around them.
“Good,” he said. “You’re doing better.”
Kenneth quirked a smile, his body shuddering as Thorn undid the final button and put his hands on him. “It’s good to be around you.”
Thorn smirked. “I feel the same.” He loved touching Kenneth this way, feeling the mage beneath his hands, quivering under Thorn’s power. He may never understand magic, but he understood this. He knew where to trail his fingers, where to be firm and grab and where and when to be soft, to tease. His own cock twitched, thickening painfully, as he grabbed Kenneth’s thigh with his metal hand, squeezing hard and digging his metal fingers into the muscle to pull Kenneth’s legs apart.
“Thorn, yes….” Kenneth threw his head back, his eyes shut. “Please.”
“Please what?” Thorn stood straighter, facing his lover. “I’m not even undressed.”
Kenneth’s face reddened, his blue eyes opening halfway. “Do you want me to undress you?”
“That would be nice.”
Thorn stepped back, but Kenneth didn’t move. Instead, he spoke in that deep, sensuous voice of his, saying words to the aether that sounded like the burbling of a creek, or maybe the whistling of the wind. But Thorn’s buttons came undone, his pants loosening, and his coat shrugged itself off his shoulders.
For a moment it was frightening, Thorn’s heart pounding as his clothing unfastened itself. But thrill replaced fear, and he let it happen, letting Kenneth’s controlled magic render him naked for his mage. He used his metal hand to make Kenneth moan. It was only fair.
Soon enough, cold air washed over Thorn’s naked body, his erect cock jutting out in front of him. Kenneth stared, hunger in his eyes, and Thorn had to smile.
“Alright, let’s get you the rest of the way then,” he said, and grabbed the silk robes his mage loved so much. With a wrench, he tore them off Kenneth’s shoulders, creamy pale skin revealed. Kenneth moved with him, falling against Thorn’s chest, and Thorn held him. He relished the mage’s warmth, and the sensation of the other man’s body against his own aching cock.
“Thorn…” Kenneth turned in his arms, facing him and moving their bodies closer together. “I love you.”
The words added something, the evening suddenly less about naked lust and becoming something deeper. Thorn grabbed Kenneth’s arms, connecting their mouths in a slow kiss, as if trying to communicate everything he could in one act. He loved Kenneth. In the end, that was what mattered. This was what mattered.
Kenneth’s mouth opened, letting Thorn inside, and Thorn relished his taste and the feeling of Kenneth’s slick tongue and soft lips. His cock ached, and he desperately wanted to push Kenneth down and enter him right then, but another part of him was happy enough just being with him like this.
His future was with this man, for who knew how long. He could be an enforcer, and most likely learn skills he had never even imagined before. As he kissed Kenneth, possibilities flittered through his mind like shooting stars, possibilities that involved being with Kenneth, like this, over and over.
And to think it had all started with a flash of lust at seeing a sexy blond man on a nice horse.
“You know what makes the magic easy to manage?” Kenneth whispered into their kiss, breathless.
“What’s that?” Thorn said.
“When I don’t care about it. I don’t care what you can do for my magic. I don’t think about it. I just want you.”
Thorn smiled. That was exactly what he wanted to hear.
“Then I’ll have you,” he said. “Get on the bed, because I want you just as much.”
Kenneth obliged, and as Thorn was lost in the familiar, wonderful sensations of their lovemaking, all other worries faded from his mind. Whatever happened, Enforcers or not, mage or talentless, he would fight to make this relationship work.

New release stats and signed print book giveaway!

I'm sure some people are wondering how sales go for new releases. I don't have all the info, but I have some. This is all since July 3rd, the release day for Freshman Blues, with a smattering of pre-release sales.

On the Dreamspinner website, I've sold 62 copies, all but one of which are Ebook.The majority of these sales took place in the first few days, when I had my little events and the book was on the "New Release" front page.

On Amazon, I've been hovering between the top 30 and top 100 for gay fantasy. In raw sales, though, according to salesrankexpress.com, that's about 20 since release. (That's what happens in a niche market). These are all Ebooks.

The other two major retailers are Barnes and Noble and All Romance.  I don't know the numbers for these retailers, though I know I've gotten some sales since I have the "customers who purchased this book also purchased..." thing appear. On average from self-pubbing my cyborg shorts, All Romance sells slightly more than Amazon and Barnes and Noble less, so we can estimate, if we're being super stingy since I like to play it safe, 21 at All Romance and 1 at Barnes and Noble. (I did say I was stingy. I don't like getting my hopes up).

I want to hit 100 sales in the first month, and it seems I'm well on my way!

So, now for the giveaway. I will give away a signed print copy of Freshman Blues once I hit my first 100 sales between Dreamspinner and Amazon (Sorry, but I can't truly count sales from All Romance or Barnes and Nobles since I don't have raw numbers). So, how do you win?

Easy. Comment on the blog about Freshman Blues. Anywhere, really. Tell me about the book. Tell me about your favorite character. If you haven't read it, tell me how you found my blog or why you'd want to read it. From all the people who comment, I will draw names from a hat once I hit 100 sales and that person will be contacted so I can send the signed book.

Good luck!

Freshman Blues Facebook Party!

Hello everyone,



All day at lunch today I'll be over on the Dreamspinner Press FaceBook page! Check out the chats!

Freshman Blues out today!

Hello everyone!

Today my newest book, Freshman Blues, is now available from Dreamspinner press! 


When Chris is invited to prestigious Creekville University, he discovers he is part of an experiment by the mysterious Professor Faran. There’s no other way a C student like him would have been accepted into a college where academic mastery results in unique powers like levitation or empathy. But if Faran is right, even below-average students can get special abilities and a good job after graduation. Chris just has to work hard.

Chris isn’t the only one, either. Frederick has worked for Faran for years, and Chris is intrigued by the aloof and sexy older student. But Frederick is too terrified of life after graduation to pursue romance. As they work together, Chris tries to help Frederick out of his depression, all while juggling friendship, classwork, dating, and trying to carve out a place he can belong.

But funding for the experiment is running out, and Chris has to acquire an ability—any ability—soon, or he’ll lose his opportunity at Creekville, and any chance with Frederick, for good.



Also, check out the Dreamspinner Press blog today--I'll be chatting all day!

Celebrate!

Let's celebrate the Supreme Court's decision today! Equality in marriage for all!