M.A. Church's Blog, page 34

Tuesday Teaser - Shadow's Embrace

 

~Excerpt from Shadow's Embrace. We're at Hudson's home and about to meet some of his dragon's.

“Now, come on, you two. I want to introduce you to some of my people, Austin.”

They followed Hudson to what could only be described as a communal living area/game room. There were several black leather couches set in front of a big screen TV, and on the other side of the room was a pool table.

Several men and women crowded around the TV playing video games, and two more were at the pool table.

People were snarling and hissing—either at the TV or at the balls on the pool table—while others egged them on or laughed good-naturedly at the jokes flying around the room.

The hissing reminded Austin of the noise a snake made in warning—low and mean. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. The primitive side of his brain warned that there was danger and to back away. He clutched Kage’s hand.

He knew there wasn’t a threat, but good God, that sound. Kage squeezed his hand. The comforting gesture helped. Some. Okay, not really, considering there were at least six dragons in the room, and Austin was the only human there—kind of human, at least. Sort of.

Shit, was it too late to take a rain check? He was on the verge of dragging Kage out of here.

Hudson cleared his throat. “Everyone, Kage and Austin are here.”

“Hudson.” Kage’s voice was low when he spoke Hudson’s name—low and a tad bit growly.

Had Kage picked up on Austin’s unease? Of course he had. Several heads turned toward him suddenly, and holy moly, the timing on that was horror movie worthy. A few dragons eyed Kage.

The intimidating hissing and snarling came to an abrupt stop. Thank God. Now that his hind brain had calmed down, two things jumped out at Austin immediately.

Everybody had some shade of red hair—which was a trait of the Fire Court—and they were all breathtakingly sexy.

One dragon set his pool stick down on the table. “Sorry about that. If you’re not used to us, we can sound a bit daunting.”

Austin didn’t know what to say without sounding like a smart ass, so he just nodded. It was scary, but he was in their house. In their territory. He really didn’t have a right to complain, even if it did freak him out. Jeez, he could live forever without ever hearing that sound again.

Yeah, he’d take daemons over dragons any day of the week.

A dragon walked around the pool table and toward them. “Hey there. My name is Conrad Turner, and I’m Hudson’s assistant.” Conrad held out his hand. “Welcome to the Redmond Compound, base of the Fire Court.”

Pucker Up Monday

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.

Thursday Book Recommendation

 

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: Demon Season (The Demonborn Series Book 1) by Elizabeth James

 

Blurb:

Being a demonborn on the eve of his first demon season can be stressful, especially for Taylor, who's never quite fit in. After a troubled youth marred by abuse, he's finally set off on his own for a fresh start at college. So far things are going well, but soon demon season will start and he'll have three nights to lure a demon to him so that they can bond. The demon will feed off him for the rest of his life and in exchange, he'll gain the demon's protection. But every demon is different, and his fate is out of his hands. 

On his first night, he finds himself in an unusual situation and before he can think, he's bound to a demon he knows almost nothing about. When the demon reveals himself to be the prince of demons and an incubus, Taylor is forced to confront his own past and his repressed sexuality in order to give his lustful demon what he needs to survive.

 

Trying to fit in on campus while bonded to the prince of demons is difficult, and being with an incubus is even harder. Taylor must find the courage to move on from his traumatic past, handle his dangerous present, and embrace his uncertain future if he and his demon want to survive. 

Content Warning: explicit MM sexual content, past sexual trauma

 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W9DJ6SK?

Tuesday Teaser - Shadow's Embrace

 

~excerpt from Shadow's Embrace. #2 in the Daemons of San DeLain

The drive was no more annoying than usual. Meaning that the traffic was bad in the city and on the Interstate. They were heading toward the northwestern side of San DeLain, which was the more mountainous part of the city. Hudson actually lived on the outskirts.

The radio played, but it was more of a background noise because Austin, of course, was full of questions about Hudson’s dragons.

“I read this book about dragons that said—”

Kage groaned.

“Hey! I know it’s probably all bull, but you never know. The books say dragons live in dank caves, deep pools, wild mountain reaches—oh look, Hudson lives in a mountainous region—sea bottoms, or haunted forests. You know, primitive places fraught with danger.”

“Primitive.” Kage snickered. “That’s funny. Just wait until we arrive. You’ll see just how primitive Hudson’s place is.”

“No dank caves for Hudson, huh?”          

Kage laughed loudly. “The man loves his luxuries just like the rest of us. No dank caves for him.”

“Having met him, I agree. I can’t see the man roughing it.” Austin rubbed his hands together. “I love this subject. Okay, so, did you know that dragons are reputed to be reptile-like creatures. At least, they are in the folklore of many cultures.”

“Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions,” Kage said, smoothly shifting lanes. “But dragons in western cultures have often been depicted as winged, horned, four-legged, and capable of breathing fire. Sounds like the Fire Court, doesn’t it?”

“Well, considering I haven’t seen someone in dragon form, I wouldn’t know,” Austin pointed out. “I’d love to change that.”

Kage nodded slowly. “That’s right, you haven’t seen Hudson in his natural form—just partially shifted. On day you might be allowed to witness it.”

“That would be fabulous. And probably terrifying.”

Kage checked the rearview mirror before speaking. “I’ve seen Hudson in his natural form. They are intimidating. The partial shift you saw that night you were almost kidnapped was just that, a partial. And honestly, hardly even a partial. They have another humanoid form with even more dragon-like features. That one is almost as scary as the dragon itself.”

“Another form? Right. Right. Yeah, I remember Hudson’s eyes that night looked like a cat’s—the pupil was slitted.” Austin sighed fondly. “That was certainly a night to remember.”

“I agree.”

“I mean, I almost got kidnapped, I finally got to meet you, I found out what you were, you almost kissed me while yelling at me, and I learned dragons exist.” Austin ticked off each one on his fingers.

“I think you were more excited about finding out dragons exist than meeting me.”

Austin poked Kage in the shoulder. “Don’t be ridiculous. The whole reason I was almost kidnapped was because I was trying to get information about you. Finding out about dragons was just a happy coincidence.”

Kage chuckled. “Please make sure you tell Hudson he was a happy coincidence. I’d pay good money to see the look on his face.”

“Yeah, no. Do I look stupid? He’s a dragon.”

“Overgrown lizard, you mean.”

Austin snorted, choked, and spluttered out a laugh. “Oh my God.”

Pucker Up Monday

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.

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: Best Served Cold by E.M. Denning

 

Blurb:

Jeremy Jenkins’ mother was a drug addict, his foster families abusive. The man he thought the love of his life had just betrayed him in the most catastrophic way possible.

He stabbed him. 

On the night of his death, he cries out. Jeremy doesn’t seek help or forgiveness, he craves revenge. In answer to his plea, Ozark appears before him with the promise of a future he never could have imagined. 

Oz is a demon older than time. Feeding off revenge, he’s spent millennia reaping and selling souls. The contracts are simple: Oz helps someone achieve revenge, then hell gains another soul.

Jeremy takes the deal, but when the time comes, Oz releasing him to join the faceless ranks of hell’s ghouls is one more betrayal in a long line. He yearns to join the gorgeous demon for eternity; by his side and in his bed. Desperately searching for a loophole, he’s running out of time. Can Jeremy outwit those who fight against him and bend the laws of hell to keep the dangerous demon who’s captured his heart? Or is he destined to die as he lived? 

Betrayed and alone.

 

Best Served Cold is a Dark Gay Romance. Please see the look inside or the authors website for the content warnings.

 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BG3FK1W6

Tuesday Teaser - Shadow's Embrace

 

~excerpt from book #2 of the Daemons of San DeLain

Kage returned to his seat, and Austin tried to think unsexy thoughts so his cock would go down.

The shirt he was modeling wasn’t helping matter. He had no idea what the material was, but it felt incredibly soft and silky against his skin. Goose bumps rose as he ran his hand across his chest. Wow, that felt nice, especially since he’d caught the edge of his nipple.  

Kage growled.

Blushing, Austin jerked his hand away. Lord, he was so horny it was ridiculous. Tonight couldn’t get here fast enough. His reflection caught his eye, and he turned back to the mirror. His face was flushed, and his pupils were slightly dilated. Hardly any blue was left.

He hurried into the dressing room and changed out of the lovely blue shirt. Even though he hadn’t planned to buy clothes, he still ended up with that one and another one in dark brown.

Since they still had to furniture shop, Cain offered to send the clothes by currier to their penthouse.

Hand in hand they walked down the street, the sun warm on their skin and palm trees swaying in the breeze. As they strolled along, they noticed several well-known movie stars who were also out and about.

Austin’s mouth fell open when he noticed one in particular. “Holy moly, that’s… that’s….”

“Yes.” Kage waved at the actress.

Austin nearly swallowed his tongue when the famous movie star of Pretty Woman, and several more blockbusters over the years, stopped to talk to Kage, who, of course, introduced Austin.

He tried hard not to fan boy all over the woman, but he completely lost his cool when the actress mentioned how she loved his books and would he sign one for her if she sent to him?

They made arrangements, Austin gushing the entire time. After she left, he stood in the middle of the sidewalk, starstruck. “Wow. Wow, she’s heard of me.” Then he placed his hand on his heart. “Oh my God, she’s heard of me. I may need to sit down.” He did kind of feel lightheaded.

“Babe. She’s just a person, just like anyone else.” Holding Austin’s elbow, Kage nudged him along until they were walking again.

“Uh-huh. That’s like saying Niagara Falls is just a waterfall. By the way, is she…?”

Kage lowered his voice. “No.”

“That’s too bad. It’s sad to think of losing her one day.”

Austin was still riding high on the knowledge that such an actress had heard of him when Kage stopped in front of a rather large building.  “Let’s start in here, why don’t we?”

Pucker Up Monday

 Pucker Up Monday 

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.

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 Ostin Heir (Isle of Ostin Book 1) by Michelle Dare

 

 

Blurb:

Seventy years ago, Theo Ostin witnessed his family murdering a town of humans. He also watched as stakes were driven into his parents’ chests. Since then, he’s lived on an island no one knows still exists, let alone that he survived.

 

He prefers it that way. 

There’s something about Desolate Beach that calls to Paxton Huxley on a visceral level. He doesn’t understand why, but he gives in and stands on the sand every chance he gets. 

One day, a man gives him a note and a pendant before vanishing right in front of his eyes. The catch? Paxton now works for a royal vampire.

 

But is it really a job when he starts to desire the man he’s helping? 

Maybe, just maybe, amid the hell they’re both in, they’ll find something more important. Something they will fight to the death to keep. Love.

 

The Ostin Heir is a 66K word steamy M/M paranormal romance. It features a vampire who thinks he’s too broken to deserve love and a human who’s determined to show his possessive lover that he’s in it for the long haul. There is forced proximity, tragic pasts, a brooding virgin vampire, and a HEA. The series is best enjoyed in order due to the overarching storyline. Each book revolves around a different couple.

 

Content warning for descriptive violence, drinking of blood, assault, anxiety, off-page rape, and off-page suicide.

 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9ZC4VMV/ref

Tuesday Teaser - Shadow's Embrace

 

~excerpt from Shadow's Embrace, book #2 in the Daemons of San DeLain series

DOWNTOWN WAS a hideous snarl of traffic, as usual, but that was San DeLain for you. They made their way toward the street nicknamed Millionaire’s Row by the rest of the country.

As luck would have it, they found a parking spot right in front of the shop called House of Novak, a clothing store owned by Cain, one of Kage’s daemons.

“We need to stop by,” Austin said, joining Kage on the sidewalk.

“But I thought you hated shopping for clothes. Besides, we’re furniture shopping.”

“I know, but if we don’t stop, Cain will get his feelings hurt,” Austin said, walking toward the shop. “Especially if he sees us. We can’t just walk by his shop and notstop.”

Before Kage could come up with a response, the door to House of Novak swung open, and Cain stood in the doorway, waving.

Austin hurried toward the other man, Kage following closely behind. He didn’t know Cain very well, but he liked him.

Maybe that was because Cain had been so nice when Austin had wandered into the shop. He’d been looking for clothes for a date with Kage, and Cain had made Austin feel welcomed in his shop. It was only later Austin found out who Cain was.

Cain offered them refreshments, and while they sipped their wine, Cain talked Austin into trying on some new casual shirts he’d gotten in. After a lot of back and forth, Austin gave in.

Which was why Kage was sprawled in an overstuff leather chair, glass in hand, while Austin modeled the shirts.

Those dark eyes of Kage’s trailed over Austin’s body, lingering at certain places. Ever since their conversation earlier about getting fucked through the mattress, Austin had been half hard.

He wanted Kage’s ass.

Kage licked his lips, and Austin’s blood started to boil. Just a look was enough to turn him on, especially when his eyes turned completely black for a few seconds.

The temptation to drag Kage into the dressing room and do dirty things to that ass of his was almost more than Austin could resist. No one should look so intimidating and sexy at the same time. Austin wanted to see if he could change that look on Kage’s face to one of need. To desperation. He took a step toward Kage.

Cain cleared his throat.

Austin jumped. Seriously, his feet left the floor. Good grief, he’d been so engrossed in imagining his mate in sexy positions, he’d forgotten Cain was there. Like, right next to him. Heat flooded his face.

Cain, in turn, was fanning his face. “Whoa. The pheromones in here… wow. Should I, um, close the shop? Maybe leave too? Elder, what do you want me to do?”

Austin covered his face with his hands. “Good Lord. No, no that’s not necessary. Jesus.” Where was a hole in the ground when he needed one?

And he was notgoing to think about the word ‘hole’ in that sentence. He was not some horny teenager.

“Thank you, Cain, but that won’t be necessary. But could we have a moment, please? No need to close the shop, though. It’s just…. If Austin gets any redder, he may go up in flames.”

Austin, who was still has hiding behind his hands, flipped Kage the bird.

Laughing, Cain made his way up front.

Austin lowered his hands. “Well, that was embarrassing.”

Kage sat his glass down, rose to his feet, and stepped toward Austin. “Our desire for each other is never embarrassing.”

“Hey! I didn’t say it was!” Austin wrapped his arms around Kage. He pressed a quick kiss to Kage’s lips. “I meant forgetting where I was while fantasizing jumping you was embarrassing.”

“Say the word, and I can have us in our bed in a matter of seconds.”

“You are so tempting me. But no. Tonight. I swear to God, we can last until tonight. We got things to do today.” Although he was struggling to remember why those things needed to be done.

Kage buried his nose in Austin’s hair and breathed deeply. “If that’s what you want.”

Right now what he wanted was for his hard cock to do down. And having Kage breathing in his scent wasn’t helping matters, especially since Austin knew Kage could smell how needy he was.

Austin patted Kage on the ass—might as well since he planned to do more to it later on—and moved out of Kage’s arms.

Kage returned to his seat, and Austin tried to think unsexy thoughts so his cock would go down.