M.A. Church's Blog, page 26

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday Pride Style

It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all. 

Tuesday Teaser

 

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

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

That was half the fun.

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

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

“Thank you,” Hudson said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Whew. Much cooler here.”

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

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

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

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday Pride Style

It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all. 

Thursday Book Recommendation (on a Friday lol)

These are books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it’s rare, I do read some contemporary. 

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

Blurb: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday Teaser

 

~Except from Edge of Darkness, #1 in the Dragons of San DeLain (We're skipping on to chapter 2 now)

Chapter Two - Connie 

THE TWO  daysfollowing the attack on Austin, Kage notified all the leaders of SanDeLain of Nox’s death. He also told them what Nox had done to Austin.

He and Hudson had visited Kage and Austin, of course. Kage’sprotectiveness was in overdrive like he warned, and the tension around hismouth and eyes were hard to miss.

Connie felt for him. It was obvious Kage was struggling, eventhough he tried to hide it. Having his mate hurt was bad enough, but Conniecouldn’t imagine growing up thinking he was an only child only to find out hehad a sibling who was damned and determined to destroy him. And hadtargeted Kage’s mate to maximize the damage.

They didn’t stay long since they didn’t want to impedeAustin’s recovery. The sun was setting as they drove away.

“Are you hungry?” Hudson asked as they left the Dominion.

“I could eat.” Connie was a dragon. There was never a time whenhe didn’t want to eat. “What do you have in mind?”

Hudson stopped at a red light and tapped his fingers on thesteering well. “Hmmm. Club Nomadic is open.”

“Feeling energetic, are we?” Connie gently poked Hudson in theribs. “Sure you’re up to it, old man?”

The light turned green, and Hudson accelerated. “I’ll danceyour ass into the ground, then later through the mattress.”

“Oooooh, a challenge. I like it. Yes, let’s go play with thevampires—see what they have going on tonight.”

Club Nomadic was a well-known queer club that was very popularwith the hip, trendy set. The building was located downtown, right in themiddle of San DeLain’s nightlife and was owned by a vampire, Raven St. Clair, whowas the Master of the City.

Hudson availed himself of the valet parking and followedConnie to the entrance. There was a line snaking around the building, butfortunately someone must have given the bouncer a heads up, because he andHudson were immediately escorted inside.

The outside of the place looked like any other modernbuilding, but inside was another story. Club Nomadic was an intriguing conglomerationof Goth Victorian and steampunk, with vampire-like elements thrown in for goodmeasure.

There was exposed brick, concrete floors tinted black, open stairwellsheading up to the second and third floors, awnings throughout, and privatenooks enclosed with long, velvety drapery.

Heavy, ornate black leather furniture was scattered throughoutfor people to sit and visit. Tables had low lighting to eat by. Black, ornatechandeliers hung throughout the building. Décor pieces were made from vintageleather, driftwood, old lanterns, and wrought iron.  

A rolling fog creeped along pathways and onto the dance floor.The massive bar filled the entire back wall, and a had a huge mirror behind it.The vibe was creepy but sexy.

Dress ran the gamut from Goth Victorian, to steampunk, to regularclothes, which he and Hudson wore. But clothing wasn’t what made Club Nomadicinteresting—it was the vampire element.

Everywhere Connie looked there were humans wearing fakevampire teeth and red contacts. Some wore makeup to make themselves even morepale than what they naturally were.

Well, the humans had it partially right. Vampires did havefangs and pupils that turned red, but their forehead and brow area thickenedwhen they took their true form.

There was a television show from the late 90s that accurately depictedvampires. Raven had not been happy, but the show had been so popular therewasn’t much he could do about it.

That was not the only television series that correctlyportrayed certain paranormals. The gargles also got in trouble with a TV show,but it was a cartoon that time.

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

That was half the fun.

Thursday Book Recommendation

These are books I���ve read and really enjoyed. Most of what I talk about will probably be paranormal/scifi but not always. Although it���s rare, I do read some contemporary.  

This week is:  Between the Devil and the Sea: A Dark MM Sci-Fi Enemies to Lovers Romance by Chani Lynn Feener

Blurb: 

What happens when a devil claims a demon?

Detective Shadow Yor hates his life.

He spends all of his time, day after day, struggling against the demons in his head that tell him he���s a worthless, unlovable person. This doesn���t change when he���s sent on a new assignment with his partner to solve a series of murders. He���s good at his job and will find whoever did it, there���s no doubt there. The only question is whether or not he���ll be able to keep himself together, or if his empathic abilities will finally be the death of him.

Apollo Orobas is bored.

He���s bored of his secret nighttime proclivities and bored of playing the part of charming neighborhood do-gooder. Apollo isn���t good, never has been, but just when he���s starting to think life holds no interest, Shadow Yor stumbles into his sights. It doesn���t take long for him to figure out the detective is also hiding his true self, and suddenly coaxing Shade���s monster out into the light is all Apollo can think of. As obsession sinks its claws in, he decides it���s time for a new game, one Shade is going to play with him. Whether he likes it or not.

Kidnapped and forced to endure whatever twisted plans Apollo has in store, Shade struggles to hold onto his idea of right and wrong, but the more he tries to resist, the more those lines start to blur. What chance does a mere demon have against an actual devil? Especially one who soothes those twisted voices in his head and makes him feel for the first time ever that maybe he isn���t as unlovable as he���s always believed.

Trigger Warning: This is a stand-alone dark romance which means there are many themes that some might find disturbing. Some of these include, but are not limited to, dub-con, violence, a seriously obsessed male lead, a male lead who deals with low self-esteem, and explicit sexual content not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to read the Author's Note for a complete list of warnings! HEA guarantee!

(Note from me: I highly rec this if you like dark MM. This is a new to me author and I am a fan now lol. Also? OMG that cover!!!)

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BX8N9YPW

Tuesday Teaser - Slightly NSFW

 

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

Yes, dragons were possessive creatures. Sue him.

Connie’s hands tightened on Hudson’s hips, his fingers flexing. Sharp pricks of pain made Hudson smile against the firm skin he was sucking. Connie might have just ruined another pair of Hudson’s pants with his sharp claws, but he was fine with that. He loved the loss of control he caused in Connie. 

Releasing the tender skin, he licked it for good measure. Was there anything sexier than a strong dragon baring his throat? Fuck if he knew. He withdrew his hand from Connie’s hair and lifted him up. Connie wrapped his legs around Hudson’s waist and peppered Hudson’s face with little biting kisses. 

Striding across his office, he dropped Connie on the boardroom table. He wanted to be buried balls deep in Connie as fast as possible. 

“Hurry up,” Connie called from where he was sprawled on the table. “Or I’ll start without you.”

He could fucking hear the teasing note in Connie’s voice. The damn sassy dragon probably would too. Yanking the lube out of the drawer, he rushed back. 

He dropped it next to him and shoved Connie back onto the table. His hands went to the zipper of Connie’s dress pants and pulled it down. “Gonna make you scream.”

Was that a slight growl in his voice? Why yes, yes it was. 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” 

“Well now….” Connie arched his back so he could shove his pants and underwear over his hips. “Better get on with it, then.”

Hudson’s fangs dropped at the teasing challenge, and he bared them at Connie. All he got was a raised eyebrow. Connie truly wasn’t scared of the big, bad dragon king. 

He worked off Connie’s shoes, tossing one then the over his shoulder. They landed with a thump somewhere behind him. Finding them would be a problem from later. 

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday

It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all. 

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday (On a Wednesday lol)

 Sorry! I'm a bit off this week lol. 

It’s not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I thought I’d try to start the week off right for y’all. Or, in this case, make the week go faster lol.

Tuesday Teaser

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

What an interesting mess his life had become lately. 

He was falling in love with Connie but hadn’t told him yet. The fact that they were not soul bound hung over their head like the sword of Damocles. 

Hudson hated this, hated it with every fiber of his being. They should be soul bound. No two dragons could be more perfect together. How could their dragon god, Gaura, not see this?

Connie disconnected the call and leaned back in Hudson’s chair. “The perimeter is secure.”

“Silent alarms would’ve been going off if we’d been breached. You know that, sweetheart.”

“Yes, well, an attack was the only thing I could think of that would’ve cause such a reaction in you.” Standing, Connie walked over to the window where Hudson stood. 

Hudson huffed. Connie didn’t have any idea how wrong he was.

Connie tugged on Hudson’s arm until Hudson faced him. “You seem calmer now. Any idea what triggered you?”

How in the world was he supposed to reply to that? Instead, he slipped his hand behind Connie’s head. Grasping Connie by the hair, he pulled him closer. 

He wasn’t surprised to see Connie’s pupils elongate into slits. Connie’s true nature always seemed closer to the surface whenever Hudson touched him. 

His lips whispered across Connie’s, the kiss slow and sensual. Hudson’s eyes fluttered closed when Connie slipped his arms around his waist and relaxed into Hudson. This. This right here. This was where Connie belong. 

He trailed kisses across Connie's face then tightened his fingers and yanked Connie’s head back. A sibilant hiss escaped Connie’s lips, and Hudson shivered in response, loving the sound of Connie’s pleasure. 

Hudson worked his way down his lover’s pale throat, nipping at the skin. The slight hint of salt lingered on his tongue as he licked Connie’s pulse point. 

Closing his lips over it, he sucked gently. Whatever marks he left would not last long, unfortunately. But for however short a time they were there, Hudson would take joy in the signs of ownership.

Yes, dragons were possessive creatures. Sue him.