M.A. Church's Blog, page 83

Night's Fall - excerpt

Okay, for the Tuesday Teaser, here's a short excerpt from Night's Fall. This was originally titled Darkness Awaits. There's been major changes made, and it's been greatly expanded too.


PrologueA CHILL raced up Michael’s back, and his muscles tightened at the sound of heavy breathing behind him. Coolness pressed against his back. Sharp, pointed teeth nipped along his jugular. A hand ran down the front of his shirt, torturing his pierced nipple through the thin material before moving on to the next. “The wait is almost over. Soon we’ll be together.”The possessiveness of those words should’ve scared him, but they didn’t.Each shirt button was undone, and Michael’s breath stalled when chilly fingers brushed his skin. Michael tensed. “Remember to breathe, beautiful.”A gentle nudge sent the shirt sliding off his body to pool at his feet. His dream lover’s hands moved down Michael’s sides, stroking and tracing each rib. They stopped at the waist of his jeans. Michael’s heart sped up when his jeans were unbuttoned. Damned if it wasn’t a slow, teasing process. A hard cock pressed against his ass. Jeez, someone was hung like a moose. Warm breath huffed against his neck, distracting him from his lover’s hands moving to the waistband of his boxers.“Touch me, dammit.” A desperate yearning ignited in Michael, one he’d never known. “I need your hands on me.”Mesmerized, Michael watched long elegant, fingers with black nails scrape across his belly, leaving faint red lines but not drawing blood.Wait. Wait. Black nails? Really long, black, pointy nails? A small tentacle of fear wiggled through the mist of pleasure blanketing his mind.“Relax, beautiful, and just feel. You know I won’t hurt you.” The voice whispering in his ear sounded hissy and… and… nonhuman.The fear retreated. He did know his lover wouldn’t hurt him. He’d been having the dreams since he was sixteen, after all. Even if they were a bit frightening, they were also arousing. In his lover’s arms, he was safe… safe and cared for. Wanted. “I’m going make you scream when I finally bond with you. Then I’m going to make you beg for more,” he hissed in Michael’s ear.“Fuck.” Could words alone make a person come? He was damn well willing to find out. He tried to grind back against his dream lover, determined to force the issue. A soft chuckle echoed in his ear as the top of his boxers were eased down and his shaft sprang free. The touches on his cock were featherlight, making him groan. Shit, he needed more.“Harder, do it harder.”“Love how responsive you are.”Thrusting his hips, he tried to push his cock harder into that demanding, tight grip. He wanted to come, dammit.“Soon, beautiful. Just remember you have nothing to fear from me. I have waited years for you.”The strident blast of his alarm jerked Michael awake. Dear God, not again. Lately all he did was dream of a sexy stranger whose magic hands and wicked tongue left him yearning for things found only in fairytales. There was something slightly off about the man he dreamed of, though. Something… dark. Not really evil, but wicked. Haunting, dangerous, and powerful. Ruthless. Too bad the man was a figment of his imagination. Michael ran his hands through his hair. Ugh. Sweaty. He cleared his throat, gagged, and started coughing. Shit. He needed his cough medicine, then coffee—buttloads of coffee. Why couldn’t they make cough medicine taste like coffee? Tossing the sheet off, he swung his legs over the side of the bed. His head spun from the movement. Shit, he was weak. Stupid fucking flu. Since he was perspiring, hopefully that meant his fever had broken and he was on the mend. A noise caught his attention. He glanced up, listening. It sounded like his family was about ready to leave on their trip to Las Vegas. He needed to get up and see them off, but fuck, he was exhausted, and he’d just woken up.Almost as if summoned, there was a knock at his door. Michael smiled. He should’ve known if he didn’t go to them, they’d come to him. “Come in.”The door opened, and Michael’s mom, dad, and brother crowded in the entrance.“Hey, guys.”“Hey, sweetie, we’re about to leave. How are you doing? Any better?” Mom walked in and immediately pressed her hand against Michael’s forehead. “Hmmm.”“Yeah, I think the fever broke, so I guess I’m going to live. Of course, the only direction to go was up, considering I felt like death.”“Make sure to drink plenty of fluids while we’re gone, and don’t overdo it either. I made sure the fridge is stocked, and speaking of that, I left the doctor’s office number on it, just in case. Oh! And you remember where the spare key is, right?” Mom wrung her hands. “Oh dear, you really are still pale. Maybe I shouldn’t go—” Shit.“Mom—”“Judy, he’s twenty-five, not five.” Dad walked into the room and rubbed Mom’s back. “Give the boy a break. It’s not as if we’re traveling to the other side of the world. Just Vegas. He’ll be fine.”“Hush, Gerald. I’m in the middle of a minibreak down, and you’re distracting me.”“Yes, hon.” Dad tugged her arm. “Come on, love. I’m sure you need to walk through the house one more time to make sure we got everything. The kitchen sink isn’t packed yet, I think.”Mom frowned. “I’m aware of what you’re doing, you devious man, and now I have to do it again since you mentioned it. This time you’re going with me.”Dad put his hand over his heart. “I’ll follow you anywhere.”Mark rolled his eyes. Michael shook his head at his brother. Their parents cracked him up.“I’ll remind of you of that later, dear.” Mom turned back to Michael. “We love you, sweetie. Call if you need anything.”“I will, Mom. Love you guys too.”Dad winked as he followed Mom out. Unfortunately, Mark stayed. Mark leaned against the doorframe. “Damn, you look like death. No, no… more like death warmed over.”“Let’s see what you’d look like after a week of this crap. In fact, why don’t you come a little closer? I’m suddenly feeling the need to cough.”Mark snorted, running his hand down his shirt. “Phlegm wouldn’t go with my look, sorry. Think this is close enough, Typhoid Mary.”“Jerk,” Michael croaked. Lord, he sounded like he’d swallowed a frog. “She was asymptomatic, and clearly I am not. Not to mention she had typhoid. I have the damn flu.” “Still deadly.”Michael muttered some interesting threats.Mark laughed. “Creative, but I don’t think that last one is physically possible.” “Have I mentioned how nice it’s going to be with you gone for a week? Almost makes being sick worth it.”Mark hiked an eyebrow. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. You’re going to miss my sparkling personality, and you know it.” “Keep telling yourself that.” Michael coughed. Mark needed to leave before he was treated to something he’d just soon not see. “You better get going before Mom really does pack the kitchen sink.” Michael shooed Mark out of his room. “Call me when you to the hotel.”“Can do.” Mark grinned, but it faded. “Seriously, take care of yourself. I’m going miss you.”Dad yelled for Mark. “Son, get a move on before I have to buy more luggage. Your mother is looking at the bathroom sink now.” “Good grief, Mark, how much did she pack?” Mark cackled. Loudly.“You better go. I’ll miss you too. And hey, make sure she doesn’t spend the whole trip worrying about me, okay? Have fun and try not to get into too much trouble.”“Me? Why, I’m as pure as the driven snow.” “Driven slush is more like it.”“Exactly.” Winking, Mark strolled out of Michael’s room.


Chapter OneA BLEAK wind blew over the freshly dug graves. Michael knuckled his eyes, the ever-present tears blurring his vision. The trip to Las Vegas that his parents saved for hadn’t been a dream vacation. It turned into a nightmare—one that cost them their life. A fucking mugging, of all things. Killed for the money in their wallets. They were dead, and Mark was missing. Even now, several weeks later, the cops still didn’t have any fucking leads on Mark’s disappearance. Michael was slowly losing his mind.Another cool breeze swept across the graveyard. Michael shuddered. Sharp pain stabbed his heart. How was he supposed to do this alone? He wasn’t sure he could. Their family had been close. Mom served dinner every Sunday night, and he and Mark were expected to show. Hell, they wanted to be there. It was fun. Then they’d watch the late football game. Michael bit the inside of his cheek. Pain was the only thing keeping him from breaking down. If he gave into the urge, he’d be hysterical in a matter of seconds. Turning, he left the graveside.He didn’t know how to get through each day.

Finicky Friday - Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies   
Prep 25 mCook 10 mReady In 1 h 35 m


Ingredients

 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 cup butter, softened
 1/2 cup white sugar
 1/2 cup peanut butter
 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
 1 egg, beaten
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 2 tablespoons milk
 40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped
 Add all ingredients to list




Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.

2. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.


Per Serving:
122 calories
6.5 g fat
14.4 g carbohydrates
2.4 g protein
11 mg cholesterol
119 mg sodium


Link: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/9471/peanut-butter-cup-cookies/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringId=79&referringContentType=Recipe%20Hub

More books marked down!

All of these are marked down until Dec 26th too!https://www.amazon.com/M.A.-Church/e/B007A8JA4C

Paws and Claws
Fangs and Fur



Beneath the Surface
Riding the Tide



Nighttime Wishes (couldn't mark it down for some reason but it's $1.99)
Nighttime Promises

The Harvest series and The Harvest Young series are marked down for a short time!

~~I'm having a SALE on the The Harvest series and The Harvest Young series!~~ Ends the 26th. 
https://www.amazon.com/M.A.-Church/e/B007A8JA4C


The Harvest: Taken: $3.99 (was 5.99)
The Harvest: Journey’s End: $3.99 (was 6.99)


Destiny: A Prequel: $1.99 (was 2.99)
Bound by Fate: $2.99 (was 3.99 )
Bound by Destiny: $3.99 (was 5.99)

Update

Lord, can ya'll believe the end of the year is almost here? Where did 2018 get off to? Seems like the older I get, the faster time goes lol.

We're just barely into December, and I already feel like I'm a step behind lol. Usually I have my Christmas shopping done but not this year. And my God, it's crazy out there. People are straight up nuts lol.

I do have my tree up and decorated, so yay me!

My latest book, Night's Fall, is in the hands of my editor. The title was originally Darkness Awaits, but so much was added to it, stuff was deleted, new subplots were added... the book really isn't the same. So, I decided to change the title. It's the first time I've done that with a re-released book, but I think it was needed here.

The book was out in 2011, I believe, and it wasn't out long before the publisher went out of business. In a way, that was good for me. Outside of my Literotica fans, no one had heard of me, so many folks never saw the original. Plus, there were things I absolutely hated about that book. The main thing was I allowed my voice to be removed--a newbie mistake. And it was so choppy. Like, really choppy. Plus, I didn't have a good grasp on writing Alpha-type charterers.

When I rewrote this, I changed how Max came across. Oh, he's still Alpha but now he doesn't come off as an asshole lol. He's a vamp, and as such, he has attitude to spare, but now he's likable. Still a badass but more endearing. Michael's personality evolved too. He's not a doormat now, and the spunk so many of my leads have is back!

But oh my God, wait until ya'll meet Andy lol. He's just full of sass.

But back to Night's Fall. There's a subplot that wasn't there before. There are new characters that were not there before too (meaning... werewolves). Also, in the original book, Mark died. (Mark is Michael's brother.) Mark will have his own story, and it'll be the 2nd book in the series. As much as I would like to write Andy and Paul's book... Mark, and what's going on with him, needs to be next. It's going to be interesting, I can already tell lol.

I haven't forgotten about the last werecat book. I'm working on it now, but I ended up making major changes to the three chapters I showed DsP. I didn't like how it was going, so... yeah. Not much will be salvageable of that.

There will be more in the Harvest world too. The rest of the young still have their their stories needing to be told.

DsP wants another book set in the world of Dragon's Hoard. I really liked how it turned out and can't wait to do more on that.

And on a final note... I have an author FB group if anyone is interested in joining: https://www.facebook.com/groups/421945898329522/

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Halloween

Boys of Summer by Tucker McCallahan blog tour and giveaway!

OMG, y'all, please welcome my wicked friend to the blog! Tucker and I go waaaaaay back... all the way to the good old days of Literotica. (Does the name Wicked Wendy Dru ring any bells, lol?) I met Tucker not long after I started at Lit. Tucker taught me a lot and helped get me started on the path I'm on today. 

Believe me when I say this is a series of books you're going to want to read.

~M






Boys of Summer Blurb:
Ash Redvers, the lead singer of a family owned and operated wedding band, deals with the sudden need to replace his drummer after an unexpected accident.

When Dustin Davis shows up, ready, willing, and able to play - not to mention gorgeous - Ash thinks it’s going to be the best season yet. But Ash has never had a boyfriend, and Dust isn’t willing to be a quick hook-up.

As the summer heats up, they’ll have to decide whether all they can make together is music, or if there’s something more for them after the Boys of Summer are gone.





Buy links:
Amazon: Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/889723




Excerpt: “Hey, man, place looks good.”“Thanks. You meet the new drummer?”“Not yet. I saw you guys moving his massive drum kit and beat feet back to bed.”Jared’s eyebrows shot up into his hairline. He crumpled the empty cigarette pack in his hand and threw it at Ash’s head. He missed by a mile. Ash grinned at him. “What? No way was I moving all that shit in the hot sun. I needed my beauty sleep.”“Lazy ass.”“So?”“So what?”“Impression?”“His name is Dustin. He has more bathroom junk than you do.”Ash stared at Jared for a minute, slightly nonplussed. “Uh, okay.”“I put him in Arden’s room, but there’s no bed in there except that mattress from—”“Ugh, that’s nasty.” Ash made a face. “Okay. As soon as he’s done, uh, doing whatever it is he’s in there doing, we’ll go buy a new bed.”“Cool. He seems like a nice guy. Kinda quiet.”“He looked like a Marilyn Manson reject, but honestly, as long as he can play the drums, I don’t really care.”“Well, hopefully I’ll improve your opinion of me over the course of the summer.”The voice was deep and sultry. Ash instantly thought of Jim Morrison from the Doors growling “Break On Through” or crooning “Love Her Madly.” Ash hoped he wasn’t blushing as he turned around, but when he saw the vision of total fucking hotness on his front porch, he gave up. Ash’s face went as red as a chili pepper.




RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link: 
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ffcd9d1/?







Tucker McCallahan has been lots of places, seen lots of things, and is still learning new stuff on the regular. Multi-published, bisexual, polyamorous, and slave to a big black cat named Emperor Inka, Tucker is a long-time member of the LGBT community and a proud educator/activist.





Social Media links:

Website: http://tuckermccallahan.blogspot.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuckermccallahan/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TMcCallahan

Darkness Awaits--a very old book getting a new lease on life!

Well, looks like Darkness Awaits is going to be a whole new book, lol. I've deleted a lot of parts and added many more. This was the first book I ever put out, and the publisher went out of business not long after it was released.

For the longest I let the book sit on my comp because I didn't like how it was edited. I was new to this whole writing thing, and I let the editor erase my voice. It no longer sounded like me, and even then, I knew I'd made a mistake. 

And frankly, now that I've read it again, I don't like the vampire character Max. He was too Alpha and came across as an ass. I didn't have enough experience as an author and didn't know how to make him appear menacing but redeemable. Plus, Michael read as weak. 

Yeah, that's not how I write my characters, lol. So, there's been massive rewrites, and I still have a way to go. The ending is still the same, but I imagine I'll tweak that. I'm much happier with what I have so far, and I think you guys will be too.

I'm going to have a new cover made, and have a CA (cover artist) in mind. Contacting her is next on the list. She's done some excellent covers for other authors.

Darkness Awaits is going to start off a bit dark, but you guys know me. There *will* be a HEA, and Max will learn some hard lessons, lol. I have no idea when this'll be done... it needs to be beta read and edited once I'm done with rewrites. I'm hoping to have it out by the end of the year.

~M

Destiny: A Prequel to Bound by Destiny live at Smashwords

Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/893135

Raiden and Dayo are back in the prequel to Bound by Destiny! Come see what they were like before they were grown. Destiny: A Prequel to Bound by Destiny is out now at Amazon and coming soon to other places!



Blurb:
Raiden Shou knew who his mate was before he took his first breath. Hard to believe? Well, when it comes to these Tah’Narians and their young, nothing is impossible.
Did destiny bring Raiden and Dayo together? Or something else? And does it really matter when the love of a lifetime awaits?
Follow Raiden and Dayo from birth to their mating day. See how their bond evolves as they grow older, how the struggle of being part of the Tah’Narian royal family takes on an unexpected meaning to the young warriors, and how their hopes and dreams cumulate into a future they can’t wait to embrace at long last.


Excerpt
Raiden couldn’t settle. Why were the adults taking so long? How much time could they waste talking about nothing? Szin drifted next to him, once more asleep. Raiden sighed, upset about that too. It concerned Raiden how much smaller Szin was compared to him. He didn’t know what he could do to help or to make sure Szin was better fed, though.They tumbled together, Szin resting easier when they were close. But Raiden remained awake, chafing at the wait. After what seemed like forever, he heard his dabba suggest they call it a night.Finally! Now, Dad, hug Chad.Hopefully his dad caught the gentle nudge he sent mentally. Dad needed to touch Chad, and then maybe Raiden could figure out what the problem with Dayo was. Raiden almost shouted with joy when Dad followed through and hugged Chad.
Fear swamped Raiden as soon as the two men touched. Not only was something wrong, but Chad’s life was in danger. As was Dayo’s. Frantically Raiden reached out to Dad, but he couldn’t get through this time. Dad’s mind was on too many other things.