M.A. Church's Blog, page 32

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.

New Year's Eve

 Hard to believe another year is coming to an end. This past month has honestly been horrible, as far as things going wrong. From the fridge not cooling, to mice in my cars engine, to a leak in the wall... yeah. Rough month. 

But I'm still cancer free and my daughter came home for Christmas this year--first time in a long time, so I guess the month hasn't been all bad lol.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve and here's to hoping 2023 will be great!!

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: The Alien's Kidnapped Omega (The Alien's Omega Book 1) by Sienna Sway

 

Blurb:

Alex 

My job was supposed to be easy; meet the dominant Alien race of Mukhana, negotiate an alliance, and leave. Being literally carried away into the night changes everything. Kidnapping a human is asking for trouble. Every alien in the galaxy should know that by now, but the nassa are different. 

They're kind yet controlling, warm yet stern. Even though he kidnapped me and will fight to keep me, Saar seems to respect me and maybe even care for me. Most confusing of all, everyone keeps calling me an omega... 

Saa 

Humans are confusing creatures. They send their most delicate and vulnerable through the universe unattended. The moment I saw Alex, I knew he was an omega. Even though I was furious that he was being paraded around, unmated and unprotected, I was also thrilled because I knew at once; he was mine. 

I will save my omega from his difficult life. I will keep him safe and protected, even if it means war...

 

The Alien's Kidnapped Omega is a lighthearted sci-fi m/m romance featuring a unique alien race, a sweet and confused human, a very well-meaning and equally misguided alien and a forced marriage.

 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Aliens-Kidnapped-Omega-scifi-romance-ebook/dp/B096X943NX

♥ Cover and Pre-order Reveal! ♥

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰'𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞

Daemons of San DeLain 2

KAGE: Am I still a monster? Very much so. Am I loved? Absolutely. Will I burn it all down to protect my mate? You better believe it.

Hunters have come to San DeLain once again, and they’re targeting humans and paranormals for their sick experiments. Many have gone missing. Some for many, many years. Then new information comes to light, and plans are made to raid their top-secret lab and bring home those taken.

But no one is safe, especially Austin.

In the midst of all this, an old flame returns, bringing chaos into their lives. But not all is as it appears to be.

AUSTIN: Kage is still my monster, even if he’s no longer under my bed. I claimed him, and no flame from the past is going to take what’s mine.

But the ex isn’t the only danger lurking in the shadows. The hunters have struck close to home, and something heartbreakingly evil is exposed, shocking the paranormal community.

Especially Kage.

What is real? And what is nothing more than a mimic of the real thing?

US: https://amzn.to/3I63pKu

UK: https://amzn.to/3jzXqmH

AU: https://amzn.to/3FP7C2k

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BR63CTLS

Tuesday Teaser - Shadow's Embrace

 

~excerpt from Shadow's Embrace

“Very touching,” Axel said, the smile gone. “Anyway, on to more important stuff. Why the hell am I here?”Kage ignored the insult so carelessly tossed out. Axel was trying to get a rise out of him, so he denied Axel the pleasure. For now. If Axel continued down that path, he would eventually get what he wanted—Kage’s attention. And may the gods help Axel when he did.Kage took a deep breath, then he explained the situation with the hunters and the ramifications it had for all concerned. Once he’d thoroughly explained everything yet again, including Tammy and her request for help, he paused so everyone could get their thoughts in order.He was curious to see if Axel would have questions. If he had recently taken over that pack, he most likely hadn’t had time to completely familiarize himself with the previous alpha’s businesses and correspondences. But apparently someone had told him about this meeting, since he was here.When Axel didn’t speak up, Kage continued. “As Hudson said earlier, the labs and holding cells are a few miles below ground, which we’re going to need access to. He’s in the process of trying to get an up-to-date blueprint of the base.”“Hopefully I will have that soon,” Hudson said.“That’s good. Do we have any more information on the company funding these experiments?” Li Li’s mate, Jerome, asked.“As was mentioned, the company’s name is Illuminacon,” Hudson said. “From what my hacker has found, it appears the organization is in bed with a couple of radical government officials who have world domination on their minds.”“Humans and their never-ending need for world domination.” Isadora shook her head. “How tiring.”“Mutating a human’s DNA with ours to make a super soldier is a good first step,” Raven said, his voice heavy with worry.“And they’ve already had success,” Kage added. “Tammy is a perfect example.”“We know they’ve had success with splicing werewolf DNA with that of a human,” Li Li said. “Any reports of them having success with a vampire?”“Or a merperson?” Fenton asked.“Not that I found, but vampires and merpeople are missing. I think it’s safe to assume these assholes are trying,” Hudson said. “In fact, I’d bet on it.”Fenton shuddered. “Gods below, if these humans find a way to breathe underwater—”“It would mean that not just land dwellers are in trouble,” Raven finished. “If they succeed, there won’t be a safe place on land, in water, during the day, or at night.”“They already outnumber us,” Denisha spoke up. “And if they had our abilities, along with their numbers—”“We’d be in trouble as a species.” Kage glanced around the room. Worry clouded nearly every paranormal face there.“And they have other labs?” Fenton asked. “Here in the United States and possibly worldwide? How do we fight that?”“We put the word out,” Hudson said. “Each leader here contacts leaders of their kind in other countries. We tell them what we know, and what we’re doing.”Several of the leaders murmured their agreement.“The most important thing is taking out the person at the top. We kill the one called Nighthawk,” Kage said. “We have the location of a base. We start there. I think it’s time the leaders of each group here makes a commitment to this cause.”Everyone nodded.“Good. Next: we need a base. I’m sure we can agree that no one wants this many paranormals in their territory, and some of us simply don’t have the room.”“Exactly,” Raven said.“I have a building I think would work,” Kage said. “It’s in the less popular side of downtown and is in desperate need of rehab, which I was getting ready to start, so it’s currently vacant. Another plus to the structure is it’s underground parking.”“We have close to fifty people attacking that lab. We need something away from prying eyes. I think this will work,” Hudson said. “Everyone agree? If not, now is the time to speak up, especially if someone has a better idea.”Everyone agreed Kage’s building would work.“We’ll use that place to gather, then,” Kage said. “I’ll ask Susan—she’s a magic user in my clan—to go to the building and cast a look-away spell to help persuade people to mind their own business that Friday. We’ll meet on the bottom level of the parking garage so that our vehicles will be hidden.”“Good idea,” Li Li said. “Even with a look-away spell.”“I’ll leave it up to each leader here to decide what weapons they want to bring, if any,” Kage said. “Although most of us don’t need something like a gun, they could be useful.”“Or knives,” Hudson added.Several of the paranormal leaders nodded. Axel had a smirk on his face. Irritation flared briefly, but Kage smothered it.“We need to make teams that have a mix of everyone too. We all have different strengths,” Hudson said. “Vampires have speed. Wolves are excellent trackers, for example.”“I agree we need mixed teams,” Ward said.“Me too,” Fenton added.“What if someone is wounded?” Ward asked.“My people will try to portal you back here,” Kage said. “Susan will already be there along with two more of my clan as protection. Jeannie and Jake, the twins, are paramedics. Susan has some healing ability.”“Comm before portaling out anyhow, so the rest of us know,” Raven said. “That’s a good way for one group to end up there all alone.”“I agree,” Kage said. “Now, the teams. Raven’s and Axel’s teams’ main job is to take care of the soldiers or mercenaries that the compound is using as security. Once they have, Raven and his group need to join Ward and me, while Axel and his group will join Hudson, Fenton, and Li Li. Is that agreeable?”Both Raven and Axel nodded yes.“My clan will provide the daemons to open portals. I will personally lead a group in the attack at the Bitterroot Range base,” Kage said.

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday Christmas Style! (nsfw)

 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.

Merry Christmas

 

Happy Christmas Eve!

 

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:  You Will Never Know: A Dark MM Sci-Fi Mafia Romance by Chani Lynn Feener

Blurb: 

Hunter Thorn is on the run, living daily in fear of discovery and retaliation from the mafia leaders he once betrayed.

Sanctum is a planet practically cut off from the rest of the galaxy, where ruthless people who can control the elements rule. The Emperor has turned his back on the people, more interested in lining his pockets than waging war against the Brumal mafia. Hunter once worked for the Snow family, but a threat against his sister forced him to choose a side, and in the end, he chose wrong. He's been paying for that choice ever since, constantly moving, traveling across the planet in an attempt to hide. But everyone knows there's no such thing as escape from a regular Brumal member if they want you, let alone from one of the Three.

Odin Snow, the Dominus of the Snow family, had everything taken from him ten years ago.

He's clawed his way ruthlessly back to the top, reclaiming his family name and their rightful place amongst the Brumal. Mostly. There's still his step-brother to deal with, Isa Frost, the orchestrator of everything unfortunate that has ever happened to Odin. And then there's Hunter. As teens, Odin had looked up to the older boy, had even maybe cared for him, but all that'd got him was a bullet to the shoulder and months' worth of bedrest while Isa stripped away his title and family home. Now that he's found Hunter again, Odin isn't above using old feelings to get what he wants. The plan is to use Hunter to get under Isa's skin. Odin wants them hurting the same way he hurt. He wants to see them bleed. At least, that's what he always believed. But what happens when it turns out what he really wants is Hunter in his bed, at his mercy in a different way?

On a planet ruled by criminals, does Hunter have a hope of escape, or will he be consumed by the very flames Odin Snow is famous for controlling?

Trigger Warning: This is a dark romance with themes some readers may not be comfortable with. This includes torture, dubious consent, depictions of violence, explicit sexual content not suitable for younger readers, and drug usage (though mildly shown on page). If any of the above-mentioned aren't to your tastes, please do not read this book. I have other Sci-Fi MM books available that are not considered part of the Dark genre that may be more suitable for you.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BL1X8DNX

Tuesday Teaser - Shadow's Embrace

 

KAGE HEARD what Isadora, and most likely every paranormal in that room heard—the distant rumble of motorcycles. And that meant only one thing: the Crimson Fang pack had decided to make an appearance.

“Kage? What’s going on now? Who or what is inbound?” Austin asked quietly.

“The Crimson Fang pack. Let your hearing extend and concentrate. Listen for the low rumble of motorcycles,” Kage said.

“Gotcha.” Austin closed his eyes, a frown line appearing as he concentrated.

While Austin tried out his new hearing ability, Kage studied the room. Every table was in quiet discussions. It was extremely hard to keep a conversation private around a group of paranormals—almost impossible actually, and those here wasn’t even attempting it.

“Oh wow, I can hear them!”

“They’ll be here shortly.” As Kage suspected, he wasn’t the only one concerned with the pack’s arrival.

They were troublesome, there was no denying that. He’d already been annoyed by one paranormal tonight. Raven was lucky Isadora had stepped in before Kage had. It appeared he was destined to be annoyed yet again.

Austin studied Kage for a minute. “I take it the fun and games are not over yet?”

“Oh, no. They’re just getting started.”

Everybody was tense again, but this time for a different reason. Denisha was correct when she called the Crimson Fang’s thugs.

Their alpha was an enormous human who’d been turned in the late 70s. The male was covered in tattoos, had hair halfway down his back, and sported a potbelly.

None of that made the alpha trash, of course. It was the unscrupulous behavior, amoral actions, and the pleasure he derived from other people’s suffering.

The rumble of motorcycles died away and silence prevailed in the restaurant. Scowling, Isadora drifted to the front so she could unlock the door.

After a few moments, Kage could hear the clop of boots on expensive floors. Two enforcers walked in first. Following them was another man. Neither of the three were the alpha, at least not according to the information Kage had.

They also had allowed their wolf to be very close to the surface, which annoyed Kage because it was nothing more than an intimidation tactic.

If the low growl from Li Li was any indication, she agreed. The wolves surveyed the room then the two enforcers walked to the empty table reserved for them. The third man remained where he was.

“I’m .” Dutch’s gaze landed on Austin. “What the fuck is a human doing here?”

“Look, you overgrown puppy—” Denisha started.

“Lieutenant,” Kage said, softly.

“Yes, Elder.” Scowling, Denisha sat back in her chair but continued to glare at the newcomer.

“You will, of course, forgive my lieutenant’s reaction. She and Maia are very protective of Austin.” Kage stood. “I’ll let your lack of respect slide since you just arrived. This time. This is my bonded mate. I know you understand what that means since you’re a werewolf. At least you should.”

Dutch snarled, his upper lip exposing a fang.

“Careful, Dutch. You don’t want to piss off the shadow demon.”

“Fuck,” Maia muttered. “Fuck. Is that—”

“Yes.” Kage’s stomach dropped.

He knew that voice—it had whispered sweet nothings in his ear, that had promised things and not delivered, and had turned Kage’s world upside down a lifetime ago.

Kage’s nightmare strolled into the restaurant. Axel Scheffler was still tall and lean, was still insanely sexy, and was still the very definition of trouble.

Once upon a time, there had been a compatibility between the two of them. Daemons believed that Fate didn’t arrange one certain person for their kind like it did for werewolves and vampires.

If a daemon was attracted to someone by scent, it meant that person was compatible—they could be a mate. Both parties got a choice, which a Fated mate did not. Which meant a prospective mate could also walk away if no bond was formed.

There might have been compatibility between Axel and Kage, but they fought like cats and dogs. Axel made it very clear that, as a werewolf, he knew Kage was not his fated mate, and that Axel would mate with the person who was, if he ever found them.

That hurt, but Kage understood. But since Axel was compatible, Kage hoped Axel’s future mate would also be compatible. He and Axel were in a relationship, so why wouldn’t this future mate not also be compatible with Kage?

But even if they weren’t, Kage was willing to try to make something work anyhow, because he truly cared about Axel.

That was Kage’s first mistake. Axel might be gorgeous on the outside, but he was rotten to the core. The ruthlessness Kage could handle. Kage had killed when needed to and never lost sleep over it.

But Axel’s exaggerated sense of self-importance, his entitlement, the expectation to be recognized as superior, and the belittlement of anybody who wasn’t a wolf, were only a few of the things Kage eventually could no longer tolerate. Especially that last one.

Kage had ended things. Axel, being Axel, did not handle it well. How dare Kage end things? No one walked away from Axel, Axel ranted. He’d shifted and attacked. Of all the things Kage had been expecting, that certainly had not made the list.

They tore up Kage’s penthouse and beat each other bloody before Kage finally use the shadows to dump Axel on the other side of the hemisphere.

Yes, he abandoned the werewolf on the other side of the fucking world. Maybe that had been a bit dramatic, but at the time Kage had been pissed and hurt—mentally and physically.

Axel had accused him of all sorts of ridiculous things and attacked him, something that had taken Kage years to get past. Had he loved Axel? At the time, Kage thought he had, even though his relationship with the wolf had been toxic. He’d figured that out in retrospect.

Their relationship had ended one hundred years ago, and Kage had no regrets. Trying to make something work between them would’ve eventually ended with one of them most likely dead.

Then Kage had met a small human boy being abused by his father, and Kage had taken up the role of protector. He became the monster under the bed in order to protect Austin.

Kage waited for the child to grow into a man so he could claim his mate. Funnily enough, it’d been Austin who’d finally moved their relationship along. Not Kage. And he had never been more grateful that Austin had accepted the shadow’s embrace.

Axel’s short brown hair was styled becomingly, but the short beard was new. As were the skull rings and bracelets. He wore what Kage assumed was standard biker uniform—black boots, jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket. And sunglasses. The fucker was wearing sunglasses in the restaurant.

Unlike the humans, werewolves didn’t wear a biker vest or cut to display their patches to show their affiliation. The last thing werewolves wanted was attention from the human police.

“Where is ?” Li Li demanded. “And who are you?”

“Alpha Whitlock is dead,” Axel answered as he came to a stop next to his table. “My name is Axel. I challenged for the position of alpha, and I won.”

Shit, shit, shit. Axel won? Kage didn’t like the sound of that at all. That meant the slimy bastard was back in San DeLain now.

“Why have I not heard of this?” Li Li snapped “There are only two packs in San DeLain, and as an alpha, I should have been told.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Axel answered nonchalantly. “I’ve had more important things to handle.”

Li Li climbed to her feet, her eyes also transitioning to yellow. “More important than contacting the only other alpha in this metropolis? Are you trying to be insulting?”

Axel shrugged. “I’m not trying to be, no. It happened yesterday. I’ve been busy, but I did plan to extend the courtesy of letting you know. Consider yourself told.”

A low growl escaped Li Li.

Within a space of a few minutes it had become glaringly apparent that Axel had not changed at all. Nothing and no one was more important than him and his business.

There were leaders from a vampire’s coven, a werewolf pack, a dragon’s court, a merman’s colony, a gargoyle’s clan, and a daemon’s clan. Plus, an arachne.

And already Axel was causing trouble.

Isadora cleared her throat. Li Li glanced toward the other woman in the room. Frustration crossed Li Li’s face, but she sat down.

“We will discuss your lack of manners later,” Li Li said.

“Whatever.” Axel glanced toward Kage’s table. “Well now. Hello, love. Long time no see. Tell me, who is this lovely, lovely human sitting next to you?”

Kage purposely kept his face blank, even though it was the second time a paranormal in the room had made reference to Austin. “My bonded mate.”

Axel sprawled in his chair. “A mate, huh.” His fingers drummed on the pristine white tablecloth. “Imagine that. Are you going to introduce me?”

“Absolutely not. Not only am I not going to introduce him to someone like you, I’m going to give you fair warning right now—you look at my mate wrong, and I won’t just deposit you on the other side of the world this time, I’ll make you disappear. Permanently,” Kage added.

Dutch snarled, baring his fangs at Kage.

Kage fought not to let a partial shift overtake him. That would show Axel that he’d managed to get under Kage’s skin. And that puppy next to him. “Do you understand?”

Kage didn’t scream his threat or yell. He didn’t growl or snarl. Instead, his voice was deadly soft.

“Oh, I hear exactly what you’re saying.” A slow smile crossed Axel’s face. “Very clearly.”

“Well, since we’re being clear and all, you should know the Fire Court considers Kage’s mate an honorary friend. He has my protection,” Hudson added. “And that of my court. Just in case I wasn’t clear.”

Hudson crossed his arms over his chest. Conrad and the other two dragons copied him.

“I like the boy too,” Isadora said from the bar. “I usually stay out of other paranormal’s business, but I feel the need to make my position clear also.”

Seemed like it was pretty clear where they stood. The show of support from Isadora floored Kage. She wasn’t exaggerating when she said she didn’t involve herself in the goings-on of the paranormal community. Austin must have really made an impression on her. He wondered how his mate would feel about that once he figured it out.

“Very touching,” Axel said, the smile gone. “Anyway, onto more important stuff. Why the hell am I here?”