Jessica E. Subject's Blog, page 4

Aik will never be the same... And neither will his world ~ THE DEATH BRINGER by J. Scott Coatsworth

THE DEATH BRINGER
The Tharassas Cycle series
by J. Scott Coatsworth
​AIK WILL NEVER BE THE SAME... AND NEITHER WILL HIS WORLD
 
War is coming. Aik has become the Progenitor, and the Seed Mother has released him to transform the world for her alien brood. Silya and Raven, Aik's former friends, are the only ones who can save him and the world. But what if the cure is worse than the invasion?
 
As Silya rushes to prepare Gullton for the battle to come, she's determined to save as many people as she can. But new crises emerge that demand her attention.
 
Raven has his own hands full, keeping the dragon-like verent in line, while helping Silya to save the world. But what if the only way to do so is to sacrifice Aik, the man that he loves?
 
It's the end of the world ... or could it be the start of something new?
THE DEATH BRINGER Universal Buy Link Enjoy an excerpt from The Death Bringer... Chapter One
Regroup
 
He floated, weightless and naked, surrounded by a reddish light and suspended in fluid. Something connected to his mouth and wrapped around his head, like a lover’s embrace.

He used to have a name. He searched his mind for some clue to his identity. I exist, so I must be someone. Or something.

That made sense, but got him no closer to an answer. He blinked. Who am I?

There was no immediate reply.

He lifted his hand. It was encased in metal. The gauntlet. That much he remembered, though it meant nothing to him. Except… it seemed different, somehow. Thinner.

He moved his arms in the liquid, and it sparkled around him where his shifting disturbed it. The metal extended down his wrist and along his forearm, like before, but now it went farther, around his elbow and up his bicep. He touched it with his free hand.

I can feel it. It was as if the metal had become a part of him, his nerves growing through it. He held out his metallic hand and flexed his fingers. What is it?

We call it uurcaa. It’s a sacred metal—it will protect you, and if your host dies, it will collect and save your soul. He could feel the emotions she held back from him. It is the last of its kind from our homeworld. Like us.

He blinked. Then what am I?

You are my son, Iihil. The progenitor, the one who has come before and the first of many more like you. The voice was deep and comforting.

Mother. Warmth infused him at her voice, and an eagerness to please her.

Still, something wasn’t right. He was more than that. He searched his mind, running up against that stubborn blankness. Somewhere beyond it were the answers he needed.

He’d been someone else. Before.

Who was I? Memories of a face—dark hair, intense eyes that nevertheless twinkled at him. Raven.

It came flooding back to him. His mother. His life in Gullton. Training to be a guard and meeting Raven for the first time. My name is Aik.

He reached for the mask that covered his face. It was suffocating. Something was stuck in his throat, and he coughed hard, trying to force it out, whipping around and causing the liquid around him to flash red in alarm.

Calm yourself. The voice was as thick and heavy as an ix hide, and just as soft and warm.

Aik pushed back. What are you doing to me? I don’t want this! Let me out! He thrashed about, trying to force his way through the suffocating liquid. The metal crept up his shoulder. If it covered all of him, he would be lost.

Calm yourself! It was more insistent this time.

Aik stiffened as an enforced lethargy settled over him. He lost control of his limbs, falling still in his floating prison. The voice pressed against his mind. You’re safe. Be calm, my little one.

​He closed his eyes and thought of Raven, trying to stay fixed on that face. I can’t let myself forget again.
Then the world around him dissolved, and he was swept up in a torrent of memories that weren’t his own.
About the author, J. Scott Coatsworth... Scott lives with his husband Mark in a yellow bungalow in Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother at the tender age of nine. He devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were.

He decided that if there weren’t queer characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends.

A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, Liminal Fiction, and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and was the committee chair for the Indie Authors Committee at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) for almost three years.
Author Website Facebook Page Instagram page Goodreads Page Amazon Author Page

Read an excerpt from ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH!

Excerpt from ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH by Jessica E. Subject Make a wish?

What I really wanted was a stable job and relationship, to no longer have to move every time one coupling ended or another began. I took a deep breath as I stepped out into the cooler night air. “I wish I could find a man who would love me and whom I would love for the rest of my life.”

Suddenly, a wave of vertigo hit me, as if I’d been knocked off-balance by an invisible force. The door slammed shut behind me, quickly blocking the loud music from inside. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing my senses to right themselves again. I needed to be fully aware of my surroundings out in the alley. I’d only had one drink. Yet, when I opened my eyes, the sight before me left me even more confused.

Instead of escaping into the alley behind Hung, I’d somehow ended up at the edge of a forest. Behind me, the emergency exit in the large brick building had disappeared, giving way to a meadow of tall grasses that swayed in the breeze. Plus, it was daytime. It should be dark. The moon should be out instead of the sun.

Shit, had that punk slipped me something, leaving me in a delusional state?

A couple steps into the forest, I sat on a fallen log. Probably not the best decision with white pants on, but none of it was real anyway.

With my eyes closed, I massaged my temples and took a few deep breaths. That’s when I noticed a difference in the air. In an alley, I expected the combined scents of exhaust, sewage, and a sampling of many food sources. Yet, wherever I’d ended up smelled of moist earth and vegetation with slight floral notes blown in from the meadow.

I can’t really have ended up here, right?

Then, blurry and glowing like a mirage, I spotted a figure walking toward me. A man, naked in all his glory. With his thick thighs, warm-brown skin, and a lightly haired wide chest, he was quite a sight to behold. Yes, definitely a dream.
The card says ‘Make A Wish.’

After several failed relationships, Nelson Connor yearns for a long-term boyfriend who will one day become his husband. Sure he won’t find anything more than a one-night stand at the dance club his friend dragged him to, Nelson makes his wish as he leaves. But he doesn’t expect to step out of the club into a meadow far from the city. And he definitely doesn’t expect to meet a smexy man who claims to be a turtle shifter wanting to take him into the ‘Enchanted Forest’ to meet his fated mate.

It all seems so unreal, but with no place of his own and no job due to corporate downsizing, Nelson doesn’t have anything promising to go back to. He decides to follow the turtle shifter into the forest.

Did Nelson finally find the happy ending he’s looking for? Or will he try to escape back to his world when he learns the conditions of staying in the Enchanted Forest?

Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is the first book in the new MM MPreg City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams series by USA Today bestselling author Jessica E. Subject. Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is a MM shifter fantasy romance that features a man down on his luck who doesn’t know shifters exist, a turtle shifter who longs for a mate but doesn’t think he’ll ever find one, the wizard who brings them together, and many other fantastical creatures from the Enchanted Forest. If you like fated mates, true love, meggs, baby turtle shifters, and a guaranteed happy ever after, Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is for you! While each book in the City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams series is set in the same world, they can be read as standalones.
Get ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH at Amazon Get ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH in paperback Universal Buy Link

Once Upon a Dance Club Wish ~ pre-orders, paperbacks, and eARCs!

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind in getting my upcoming release, ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH, ready. Between edits, cover art, and setting a release date, I've never had a book go through the process this fast. Not even when I self-publish. So, I've been sharing things at various stages in my newsletter, on social media, and here on my blog. Today's post is a catchup so everything here is up-to-date. ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH
City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams The card says ‘Make A Wish.’

After several failed relationships, Nelson Connor yearns for a long-term boyfriend who will one day become his husband. Sure he won’t find anything more than a one-night stand at the dance club his friend dragged him to, Nelson makes his wish as he leaves. But he doesn’t expect to step out of the club into a meadow far from the city. And he definitely doesn’t expect to meet a smexy man who claims to be a turtle shifter wanting to take him into the ‘Enchanted Forest’ to meet his fated mate.

It all seems so unreal, but with no place of his own and no job due to corporate downsizing, Nelson doesn’t have anything promising to go back to. He decides to follow the turtle shifter into the forest.

Did Nelson finally find the happy ending he’s looking for? Or will he try to escape back to his world when he learns the conditions of staying in the Enchanted Forest?

Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is the first book in the new MM MPreg City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams series by USA Today bestselling author Jessica E. Subject. Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is a MM shifter fantasy romance that features a man down on his luck who doesn’t know shifters exist, a turtle shifter who longs for a mate but doesn’t think he’ll ever find one, the wizard who brings them together, and many other fantastical creatures from the Enchanted Forest. If you like fated mates, true love, meggs, baby turtle shifters, and a guaranteed happy ever after, Once Upon a Dance Club Wish is for you! While each book in the City Wishes & Enchanted Dreams series is set in the same world, they can be read as standalones.
Although ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH officially releases September 27, 2024, the paperback version is already available for those who prefer a physical copy.  Pre-Order ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH at Amazon Get the paperback today! Universal Buy Link Have you seen the beautiful cover? It was designed by the amazing Fantasia Frog Designs who has created many of my covers over the years. Fantasia Frog Designs If you are a book reviewer, and would like an eARC of ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH, visit Booksprout! ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH eARC at Booksprout

Title Reveal for Upcoming Release...

At the end of August, I finished writing one of the WIPs that I had been working on. After doing self-edits, I submitted it, signed a contract for it, and have already completed the first round of edits through my publisher. But I’ve been keeping the title of this story to myself, simply calling it my MM MPreg Shifter Fantasy Romance WIP. Are you ready for the titles?
​ONCE UPON A DANCE CLUB WISH is the first book in my CITY WISHES & ENCHANTED DREAMS series. They will all be MM MPreg Shifter Fantasy Romances and can be read as stand-alones. Stay tuned for more, including the blurb, cover art, release date, and pre-order link!

August 2024 reads...

Below are the books that I read in August and my thoughts on each. 

I'm trying to do the Fold Reading Challenge to diversify my reading. In August, I was to read a novel OR book of poetry by a Caribbean author. And I did! In September, I'm to read fiction by a neurodivergent author. And I've already started reading a book for that. SO LET THEM BURN by Kamilah Cole

This book is impressive and fast-paced! I normally don't read a lot of fantasy, but when I read the blurb for this story, I was intrigued. The world-building, including the magic system, religions, and the origins of the dragons is all fantastically weaved into the entire story. And I loved getting to know each character. My only complaint is that I have to wait until next year for the sequel.  TOWARD ETERNITY by Anton Hur

On the surface, Toward Eternity is the story of what may happen if AI takes over the world. Yet, it is so much more, delving into so many concepts. This book is extremely thought provoking, but not action-packed like most of the sci-fi I read. It contemplates what it means to be human, to be alive, and to be mortal. And it considers how words, language, stories, and music form societies. Toward Eternity also looks at love and whether one is truly gone from this world if they were loved. This was a different read than what I'm used to, but Toward Eternity was a wonderful read that left me looking at the world just a little bit differently. 

Queer Your Bookshelf ~ HIS OMEGA ON STAGE is 99¢!

Today is the QUEER YOUR BOOKSHELF promotion! There are 400+ books on sale for 99¢ each where at least one main character identifies at 2SLGBTQIA! Many are romance, but there are other genres as well! And many are on sale at multiple retailers, not just Amazon! My book, HIS OMEGA ON STAGE, is part of this promotion. So, be sure to check out all the books on sale and QUEER YOUR BOOKSHELF! Get HIS OMEGA ON STAGE FOR 99¢! QUEER YOUR BOOKSHELF main page

Zero Penny Reads ~ Get DEMON ON JACKSON STREET for FREE!

Today is the start of the Zero Penny Reads Romance Promotion! There are a wide variety of romance titles available for FREE at Amazon from August 9-13, 2024 as part of this promotion. My story, DEMON ON JACKSON STREET is part of this promotion! Get DEMON ON JACKSON STREET for FREE! Find more FREE BOOKS at ZERO PENNY READS!

July 2024 reads...

Below are the books that I read in July and my thoughts on each one. 

I'm trying to do the Fold Reading Challenge to diversify my reading. In July, I was to read a book translated by an independent Canadian press. I failed. But I did read a diverse collection of books. In August, I'm to read a novel or book of poetry by a Caribbean author. And I've already started reading a book for that. MISSING WHITE WOMAN by Kellye Garrett
​ In the beginning of this story, you might think it's a romance. Until it's not. And that's the point where the wild ride begins. Breanna stumbles upon an unalived body in the Airbnb she's staying at, with her boyfriend missing, and the entire internet looking at her. She must deal with her distrust of the police after serving time for a crime she didn't commit, all the assumptions online influencers make about the case, along with being doxxed by their followers, her own family issues, and a former best friend whom she doesn't know if she can trust. Missing White Woman is a fabulous book, and I enjoyed every page of it!​ PRETTY FURIOUS by E. K. Johnston
Reading Pretty Furious didn't feel like reading a fiction book. It felt like I was reading (or being told) the stories of my friends, or maybe my kid's friends because of the time period, from high school. Why? Because I know this area. I've driven through "Eganston" many times on the way to Goderich, been to the "Londsett" Conservation area, and even driven on some of those side roads. And I cheered these girls on the entire time, as they quietly got back at people for injustices that many of us females are told to keep quiet about, and not make a big deal about. I loved how we got the viewpoint of all five friends and got to know them and their families in such a short period of time! I definitely will read more from E.K. Johnston! ​DELIVERED TO MY TIGERS by Mazzy J. March
This was a fun story about deception, forgiveness, and finding true love unexpectedly through an app. Plus, I do particularly love sexy tigers shifters!  MIDWIFE TO DESTINY by Nana Prah
This is a sweet romance (with Christianity references) about a doctor and nurse who first meet in South Africa while the nurse is on holidays there and needs to be treated for her sprain. The doctor shows her around, and they quickly fall in love. Though nothing comes of it when Ora returns home, they are reunited again three years later while working in Ghana. Jason is sure Ora is the one for him, but Ora must work through her fear of commitment in order for the two of them to find a happy ending together.

Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale!

I’m excited to announce that several of my books will be available as part of a promotion on Smashwords for the month of July as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! This is a chance to get these titles, along with books from many other great authors, at a discount so you can get right to reading.

50% off these titles:
Alien Next Door: The Complete Series
Cosmic Desires
Love in a New World
Bryce
Jager
Tayrym

Get these titles FREE:
Alien Adoration
Alien Lover
Crash Landing
Gib and the Tibbar
Taken by the Billionaire Alien Next Door
The Power of Three

13th Publishing Anniversary JESiveaway!

​Celestial Seduction released on July 1, 2011, and since then, I've had many more titles release, wrote under a different pen name for a couple stories, participated in anthologies and shared worlds, and so much more. I've learned so much and connected with so many fabulous people over the years. And I want to celebrate you, my reader. So, I'm hosting a JESiveaway for 1 of 2 $13 Amazon.com e-gift certificates. There is also a $40 Amazon.com e-gift certificate available to be won if you are a newsletter subscriber. Enter the JESiveaway today! *Contest closes July 31, 2024, and winners will be notified August 1-2, 2024. No purchase necessary. Must be 18+ to enter. Void where prohibited by law.