M.A. Church's Blog, page 46
February 15, 2022
Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War
THE SCENT of food woke Torin. His mouth watered, and his stomach growled.
Opening his eyes, he surveyed the room. Curtains now enclosed the medibed giving him some privacy. Machines beeped, reading his vitals. Nevertheless, none of that indicated how much time had passed. His muscles warmed as blood flow increased, and his stomach rumbled again, more loudly this time.
There was something missing. Someone, actually. Then he heard a low chime of bells and the scent of the ocean washed over him.
“Well, I’d say you’re hungry. I can hear that all the way over here. Just a moment, and I’ll be right there.”
So the male hadn’t broken his word. Ridiculous how reassuring that was. Laken’s voice soothed him, even if he couldn’t see him. Funny how the sweet melody from the bells Laken wore in his hair had infiltrated his sleep.
That was what was missing, and it should’ve made him uneasy. Blishue didn’t depend on anyone, much less let their guard down, and that included around his own kind. But he’d slept soundly with a stranger next to him. Very troublesome.
As were the annoying IVs. That he hadn’t ripped out them out was its own minor miracle. Why hadn’t he then? Being drugged left him vulnerable.
How many hits to the head had he taken?
He stretched, his joints popping. His mind was heavy and sluggish, but there was no pain. He eyed the IV. This was ludicrous. He couldn’t think straight. Maybe he should yank it out and—
“Ah, yeah, I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” Laken nudged the curtain open and ducked inside.
The sight of Laken hit Torin like a space shuttle. How had he not noticed the ice-blue gemstones that sparkled in the overhead lights? They winked from his ears, wrists, ankles, and nipples. The male had his nipples pierced.
His.
Nipples.
Pierced.
February 14, 2022
Pucker Up Monday
February 11, 2022
The Deep Blue Sea series paperbacks are now live!
Paperback buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09S2331PM
Paperback buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071198XMN
February 10, 2022
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 isBy Fairy Means or Foul: LGBTQ Fantasy (Starfig Investigation Book 1) by Meghan Maslow
Blurb: The last thing half-dragon, half-fairy private investigator Twig Starfig wants to do is retrieve a stolen enchanted horn from a treacherous fae, but there’s no denying the dazzlingly gorgeous unicorn who asks Twig to do just that. Literally, no denying, because compelling the reluctant detective is all part of a unicorn’s seductive magic. To add to his woes, Twig is saddled with the unicorn’s cheeky indentured servant, Quinn Broomsparkle. Dragons are supposed to want to eat humans, but Twig’s half-dragon side only wants to gobble up Quinn in a more . . . personal way. Making matters worse, it’s obvious the smokin’ hot but untrustworthy sidekick is hiding something. Something big. And not what’s in his trousers. In the PI business, that means trouble with a capital Q.
Throw in gads of zombies, a creepy ghost pirate ship, a malfunctioning magic carpet, and Twig’s overbearing fairy father’s demands to live up to the illustrious Starfig name. Naturally, an old but abiding enemy chooses this time to resurface, too. Those inconveniences Twig can handle. The realization he’s falling for a human who isn’t free to return his affections and whose life may hang on the success of his latest case?
Not so much.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074M4WNTV/
February 8, 2022
Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War
“Raiden’s anger may have sidetracked him from what Neo said right when I walked in, but I haven’t forgotten. Is there something you need to tell me?” Hamza asked.
Laken might be part Ne Reynian, but he was raised as a Tah’Narian. He grew up with Hamza, but that didn’t change the fact his younghood friend was also king of Tah’Nar. Laken considered himself more Tah’Narian than Ne Reynian.
“Are you asking as my friend or as my king?”
“Right now? Your friend. There may come a time, unfortunately, when I have to take an interest as king. But for right now, I’m asking as Hamza.”
“Then I’ll gladly tell my friend that I found my mate. I’ve heard you all talk, you know. I also remember hiding in a copse of trees with Neo so he could spy on you during training. I saw how he was affected just by watching you. Plus, he told me what he felt.”
“It was so humid water was dripping off the leaves.” Neo grinned at Laken. “A royal guard was training with Hamza and Raiden. I was ogling Hamza, and you were ogling Jar.”
“Hey! I was only admiring his battled-scarred physique. I have a thing for that.”
All three of them looked at Torin with his many scars.
“Anyway, I told you there was someone out there for you. Said I felt it,” Neo said slowly.
Laken nodded. “And I said that I wished I felt it.”
“And I said that you would. That when you did, it’d be like a kick to the gut.”
“I didn’t think you actually meant it felt like that. But it does. It so does, but in the best way ever. I saw him, and everything just stopped.”
Hamza rested his hand on Laken’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you.”
“Even though my mate is a Blishue?”
“Fate doesn’t make mistakes. It’s paired you with him for a reason. What that reason is? We don’t know yet. I also will not lie to you. There will be some who have issue with this, especially the older generation.”
Neo pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can think of three right off the top of my head.”
So could Laken. In fact, his dabba was going to blow an antimatter inducer. He didn’t have any idea how Kia would react.
February 7, 2022
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.
February 3, 2022
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: 13 Days of Monster F#cking by K.L. Hiers
Blurb: Enjoy thirteen unique tales inspired by two-sentence horror stories with wicked passion of beastly proportions, from fierce werewolves to mysterious ghosts, lonely shifters, and a few nightmares you can't even imagine.
-A strange photo appears on a man’s cell phone even though he lives in his apartment all alone.
-The world is shocked when an astronaut comes back from a trip to Mars married and expecting.
-Being trapped in an old haunted asylum is bad. Being trapped there with an invisible entity is worse.
-An infamous mob boss has a dark secret that he’s been hiding from his husband, but the full moon reveals the truth…
…And many more!
(side note-I read this in KU first, but it seems as if Amazon has since banned it. So, if you want it, you will have to get it at Smashwords.)
Smashwords link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1122488
February 1, 2022
Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War
~excerpt from Bound by War
"Long story short, Princess Dossi offered me the opportunity to obtain vengeance for the murder of King Duran. I… returned the blade to her.”
Torin raised an eyebrow.
Hamza’s tail whipped behind him before lying quietly. “My reasons are my own. Nevertheless, Dossi had more cause to extract revenge than I.”
“Queen Ogill had your dabbakilled. I am curious as to what could be more important than that.”
“Ogill removed her own daughter’s tongue because Dossi spoke out against Ogill. I simply can’t wrap my head around that kind of atrocity.” Hamza paused, then glanced at Neo before returning his attention back to Torin.
“You might not, but I can,” Torin replied.
Laken struggled not to whine again. That absolutely broke his heart. Like Hamza, Laken had been surrounded by affection and solid friendships.
“And that’s a shame. My dabba and atat love me. I grew up knowing this, Torin. Losing my dabbaset me on a course that could’ve destroyed all I held dear if I’d continued on that path.” Hamza took Neo’s hand.
Laken had seen Ogill die. It had been gory. But also emotional. Emotional for Hamza but also for Kia. Kia had been abused by the female Ne Reynians before being given to the Tah’Narians as a mate to Malk.
They traded him away as if he was nothing more than a used good that had no value. Which pretty much described how the females viewed their males.
Neo tugged Hamza’s hand until Hamza moved so they were standing side-by-side. “Anger is a poison. It can destroy the best of us. Hamza had a choice to make, and thank the gods, he made the right one,” Neo said. “He refused to let rage rule him.”
“Ogill, of course, used that as an example of how I was a weak male. She didn’t get it.” Hamza released Neo’s hand and wrapped his arm around Neo’s waist. He kissed Neo’s cheek then returned his gaze to Torin. “She died not understanding that love isn’t a weakness, but that’s not my problem. What matters is I can sleep at night.”
January 31, 2022
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.
January 27, 2022
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: Metal Heart (Metal & Magic Book 1) by Michelle Frost
Blurb: When stray human Matthew wanders into Black Dog shifter pack territory, he’s injured and vulnerable. The last thing Matthew expects is for the pack’s alpha to be the home he’s always been looking for.Bram can’t believe his nose when the trespasser his enforcers drop at his feet turns out to be something entirely different. Nursing Matthew back to health becomes Bram’s priority, but the pack isn’t thrilled to have a human in their midst.
When the pack gives them an ultimatum—either Matthew joins the pack in truth or leaves—the only question is, if he decides not to stay, will Bram be able to let him go?
Metal Heart is the first novel in the Metal and Magic series, a dystopian urban fantasy romance filled with magic, adventure, and the perils of being human in a supernatural world.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0984VBMGB
