Mary Newman's Blog - Posts Tagged "mm"

Recently, I wrote an MM romance, His Warrior's Heart. This was an entirely new direction for me, as a writer. As my readers know, my normal genre is M/F Fantasy Romance with a menage thrown in once in a while just to keep it exciting.

The main character in His Warrior's Heart wormed his way into my heart by appearing in a couple of my previous titles as a side character. But he was so unhappy, withdrawn, and had angst written all over him (pun intended). I tried pairing him up in my head with a couple of different females, but there was just no chemistry. Then one night -- literally it was night and I'd gone to bed -- it hit me. Mango wanted someone who could understand and take care of him -- the warrior and the man. Who better to do so than another warrior. One who'd lived the same kind of life. And The Brethren series was born.

Mango and Galon really spoke to me, as a writer. They just fit together, and from them, another side character (That I actually hated as I wrote about him. I mean the guy's an asshole.) began asking for his own HEA. Once I got into his story, I could see why he was the way he was and he really did deserve happiness.

The second book in The Brethren series is a little different since it's kind of a menage with the main character having two mates: they're twins -- a male and a female. I know, but it works, just wait until you read it! The Healers' Warrior is set to be released in late August.

I'd actually started another story to be part of The Hashani series, and it just wasn't going anywhere. There was simply no connection between the two main characters and I was ready to pull my hair out and scream, but one of the minor side characters sat up and said "Me, me, me!" So I am now writing a third book in The Brethren series, which is also a menage, but involves three males.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and found a new direction. One that I find fits me well. Sure, I'll get back to the other book some day, but for now the voices in my head are shouting to me that love occurs however and whenever it wants.

A little something different this week:

Galon checked his preparations one last time – scented candles, wine, Silian chocolates, lots of pillows and cushions – he didn’t think he’d forgotten anything. He couldn’t believe how hard it was to try to surprise Mango. When someone lived in your mind with you, secrets were just not possible. He’d finally gone to Lord Marohi and Lady Cleona to help: Please! Distract Mango and keep him out of my head long enough to get things together for a romantic getaway. Lady Cleona had jumped at the chance to have a little fun with his mostly-taciturn mate.

All that was left was to go get Mango, keep him from reading his mind about what he’d done, and then enjoy an evening of no distractions, no assignments, no missions to save the galaxies – just he and Mango. They hadn’t been able to do something like this since Lord Marohi had allowed them to take off on an extended holiday after Mango had been injured. Injured so severely he’d almost lost the man he loved more than anyone else.

And how had that happened? How had he come to love Mango so much? Gods! He couldn’t even imagine his life without Mango now.

Galon felt a presence and whipped around.

“Damn it! Mango! I was supposed to come get you!” Galon crossed his arms over his chest and pouted.

Apparently he looked silly because he got one of Mango’s rare full-out smiles.

“You were not ready for me, Galon?” Mango asked.

“Well, yeah, but I was going to come to you and put a blind fold on you and… well… You know you’re really hard to surprise,” Galon still felt like pouting.

“You will be pleased to know Lady Cleona and Lord Marohi succeeded until only a moment ago,” Mango said, coming to stand before him.

“Yeah?”

“Yes,” Mango nodded. “However, Manu has learned how to teleport and needed them.”

“Oh, Gods!” Galon couldn’t help but laugh. “Where did he go?”

“Lord Bendel’s office,” Mango replied with that adorable twitch of his lips. “Alone. I am sure they will eventually find everything.”

“Good thing I plan to keep you here for a couple of days,” Galon said, thinking there was no way he was going on a search and rescue mission for whatever Manu had ‘ported to wherever.

Mango looked past him at the piled cushions and candles, and raised a brow. Galon turned around to look, as well, with a critical eye, wanting to see it from Mango’s perspective. He’d purposely not used anything even resembling pink; not after the pink lover’s bower Lowe had gifted them with. He turned back to Mango, who was now watching him with those dark eyes. He could lose himself so easily in those eyes.

“You wished for an evening alone with me?” Mango asked. “Out here? Is our room at the palace not comfortable?”

“Our room is fine,” Galon sighed. “I wanted a place where we wouldn’t be disturbed by some emergency.”

“Galon, your logic is not sound,” Mango stated. “The Kawanas can reach us at any time simply by calling for us telepathically.”

“Yeah, but they won’t,” Galon shook his head. “Lord Marohi promised. Tonight and tomorrow are all ours – no calls, no missions.”

Galon looked over his shoulder again and ran a hand through his short, dark hair. Okay, so maybe he was just being silly. He’d just wanted to show Mango how much he meant to him, how much he loved him; let him know he wouldn’t change anything about their mating, no matter what kind of shock it was to find out his mate was a male.

He turned back to find Mango was standing much closer, yet not quite touching. Galon put a hand on Mango’s face, feeling the spark of desire he always felt for this man. That lip twitch was back. Gods, that was so sexy. He brought their lips together in a gentle kiss, tasting the spice of his mate. Mango put his arms around Galon’s waist, drawing him close.

“All night?” Mango asked. “And did you bring everything we would need?”

Galon reached into his jumpsuit pocket, retrieving the small vial of oil and showed it to Mango.

“Oh yeah, baby,” he smirked.

Release days are always exciting, at least they are for me. it's the day I turn my baby loose for the last time and let ya'll have your say.

The Healers' Warrior is the second book in The Brethren series, and if you've been following along on my other books, you'll recognize a few characters that wanted a part in this book. It is a stand alone, since I'm just not evil enough (yet) to leave you guys with a cliffhanger.

This book is a menage, but not really. There's hot man on man action, but since one main character is bisexual, there's also some hot man on woman action. The kicker: his love interests are twins. No twincest here, it's just they both happen to love the same guy. It works, really. give it a read and you'll see.

The Healers' Warrior

Happy reading, and if you do enjoy any of my books, please leave a review.

Interested in a scene from my newest book, "The Healers' Warrior"

The entry chime sounded just as Bostel had reclined on his bunk, and he felt like throwing something at the offending noise. He was off duty right now. What was so important they needed to bother him just as he’d managed to get comfortable? A feat that wasn’t so easy right now. Fuck! He stood up and adjusted himself in the tight pants he’d not bothered to take off yet. He so needed to get laid.
“What?” he growled when the panel opened.
“Gods, you’re sexy when you’re all grumbly,” Thurus pushed past him into his quarters.
He’d let him, of course. The smaller Hashani wasn’t big enough to push anyone anywhere.
“Shut the door, Bostel, I’ve got private business with you.”
“Oh yeah?” Bostel let the panel slide shut and turned to his guest. “Did you finally decide to lay off the mating business and let me take care of all your itches, little bit?”
“Little bit?” Thurus laughed. “That’s the best you can come up with? Damn, Bostel, I’m disappointed. I was hoping for something really fun and exciting. Like me.”
Bostel glared at the other male and deliberately went to his bunk and lay down again.
“I’m tired, I’m cranky, and I need sex. If you can’t help me with any of those, get out.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so,” Thurus came towards the bunk with a sashay that would have put one of the whores that worked with Bostel’s mother to shame.
It would be too much to hope he was going to put it to use, though. Bostel lay still and watched the other male approach.
“I’m not giving you any happy pills, Bostel. You’d be too loopy in an emergency, but I’ve got a sleep patch if you want it.”
“I don’t want a sleep patch,” Bostel growled, oddly disappointed.
What had he thought? Thurus was going to just hop onto his bed and climb aboard? Yeah, his luck hadn’t been going that way for over a year.
“You sure? I’ve got a couple with me.”
“No, they don’t work on me anyhow,” Bostel grumbled. “Don’t even make me relax.”
“Which brings me to my reason for coming here,” Thurus said. “You, sweetheart, have put our medical training on its ear. Care to explain your physiology?”
“No, I wouldn’t.”
There, that said it all, didn’t it? Now the irritating pest could go away.
“In that case, I need a small sample of your DNA to run it. No biggie.”
Thurus pulled a slim package from the pocket of the hip-length, loose fitting, open robe he wore over a sleeveless jumpsuit and waved it at him. Did he have to get so damn close? Bostel felt like crawling further away on his bunk. He didn’t use force on his playmates. Didn’t have to. He’d yet to be turned down. Okay, Galon and Mango had turned him down, but that was different.
He watched the Hashani rip open the package and withdraw a vial with a stick poking out of it, and kneel on the edge of the bed.
“Open up, sweetheart.”
“Open up what?” Bostel eyed the vial and stick with trepidation. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to slide this little piece here out of its package,” Thurus said in a slow sexy voice, putting actions to his words. “And then I’m going to slide it into your…”
“Get away from me with that!”
This time Bostel did jump off his bunk and went to the far wall.
“Aw, is the big bad man afraid of a little swab?” Thurus’ grin was pure evil. “Come on, big boy, I know you’ve had worse than this in your mouth.”
Bostel choked. Thurus’ voice had all kinds of images flashing through his brain, and every one of them was making his pants even tighter. He caught the Hashani’s eyes sliding down to the very obvious bulge he had no way of hiding. Thurus sauntered over and pressed himself up against Bostel and tilted his head up, bringing an arm up around Bostel’s neck and grabbing the back of his head to pull it down towards him.
Just one little kiss. That wouldn’t hurt anything, would it? He wouldn’t find himself claimed and mated with just a single little kiss, would he? Bostel found himself bending his head, surrendering to the pressure Thurus was exerting. He opened his mouth to claim his kiss.
And the little fucker jammed that damn stick in his mouth, pulled it back out again, quickly slid it into the vial, snapped the end off and closed the vial with a click of finality.
“Thanks so much, sweetie. That’s all I needed.”
The Healers' Warrior

To celebrate the release of the third book in The Brethren series, here's an excerpt from "A Warrior's Strength":

“Take it easy with her, Jastl,” Galon instructed. “She’s got three times the power of a normal space skimmer, is highly maneuverable, and responds with barely a touch.”
“Damn, Galon,” Jastl said with a chuckle. “You talk about it like it’s your lover.”
Galon smirked at him, “Just wait ‘til you fly her. You’ll see.”
Galon touched Shiv on the shoulder and the two disappeared as silently as Mango had earlier. Jastl helped Adal into the skimmer, placed their bag in the small area behind the two seats, and climbed in. He waved a hand in front of him and the virtual controls appeared. He closed the skimmer’s top and engaged the passive restraints before glancing over at Adal. He heard the skimmer power up with a quiet hum
“Wanna see what this baby can do?” he asked.
“Just don’t crash,” Adal replied, cheekily.
Leaving it on manual controls, Jastl lifted straight up until they hovered just above the palace. He pointed it towards the towers in the distance and opened her up. The skimmer shot forward, pressing him back into his seat.
“Whoa!” Jastl said and grinned over at his mate. “Galon wasn’t kidding, was he?”
Adal had an excited grin, as well, letting Jastl know he wasn’t afraid.
“Can you pilot?” Jastl asked.
“Yes,” Adal said, nearly vibrating with eagerness.
“Okay, Angel, show me what you can do.”
“Really?” Adal asked, but took over the controls without waiting for a response.
“Yeah, just don’t crash,” Jastl repeated Adal’s words back to him.
Adal wore an expression of sheer joy, as he skillfully piloted the skimmer towards the towers. Jastl was impressed. His little mate wasn’t just good, he was very good. He’d have to let Mango and Galon know. Once they’d cleared the air space of the city, Adal giggled and performed a couple of maneuvers that had Jastl’s stomach roiling.
“Easy, Adal,” he warned. “I’ve never had air sickness before, but you’re pushing.”
Adal gave him a mischievous grin and increased speed. On second thought, maybe he shouldn’t tell Mango and Galon what his mate was capable of. As they neared the towers, Jastl saw a new cruiser lift into the sky and he whistled in appreciation.
“Follow her out, Adal,” he instructed.
“Wanna play tag?” Bostel’s teasing voice sounded over the com.
Before Jastl could respond, Adal answered.
“Catch me if you can,” he challenged.
All Jastl could do was grip the arms of his seat and pray the passive restraints held, as Adal sped past the cruiser, heading for space. Bostel’s laugh sounded over the com, as well as Galon’s curse. Adal allowed Bostel to almost catch them before he sped off again; repeatedly outdistancing the cruiser.
“Damn it, Bostel!” Galon snapped. “Jastl, what do you think you are doing?”
“Ah, come on, Galon, you’re in a cruiser. Can’t you catch me,” Adal teased.
“Adal? Why are you piloting the skimmer?”
“Jastl said I could,” Adal blissfully tossed Jastl under the skimmer.
Jastl groaned, knowing he was in for it now.
“If I’d known what you were going to do I’d have made Galon take you with him,” he growled. “Give me back the controls.”
“Nope,” Adal laughed. “Watch this.”
Adal pulled the skimmer into a high climb, before flipping it end over end and coming back down behind the cruiser.
“Fuck!” Jastl yelled.
“Not right now, I’m piloting,” Adal said, still laughing.
“Alright, Adal,” Galon’s amused voice came over the com. “Bring her in. Can you see the main cargo bay opening?”
“Yes,” Adal replied.
“Gently, Adal,” Galon instructed. “There’s not a lot of room in there because we’ve laid in some extra supplies.”
Adal deftly piloted the skimmer through the opening and set it down in the allotted space. Once the bay door closed and the tone sounded that it was safe, Jastl reached forward to release the passive restraints and open the top.
“I’m gonna be sick,” he muttered, stumbling out of the skimmer.
He went to his knees on the floor of the bay, before sitting and putting his head down, taking deep, gulping breaths and trying not to disgrace himself.

I've got two WIPs going at the moment. One is completely written, in the editing stages, and waiting on its shiny new cover. The other is about halfway written on the first draft. Guess which one is giving me fits?

Yeah, the one that's already written. The cover is well in hand and I'm happy with the sketches I've seen so far. The book, itself? I want to pick my laptop up and throw it through the window. All I have to do is edit the darn thing and do a final read through. Why is that so hard? Each time I open the document to do that, I get lost in something else, side tracked, called away, or whatever. My head's not in it and I don't seem to be able to get it there.

I'm thinking one of the reasons is the two WIPs are so far apart in subject matter, it's just really difficult to leave one world and get into the other. The first book is more a novella at only 50k words. It's got some adventure, some romance and some fun. The second is one of the darkest things I've ever written and it absolutely wrings me out when I work on it. Trying to switch between the two is like going from gut wrenching sobbing to lollipops and rainbows. If messes with my head.

I'm working on a solution. One which will, hopefully, allow me to polish up the first so it's ready for publication. I'm putting the second WIP away for the moment. I've saved it, backed it up on a thumb drive, and closed the document to file away. I just can't bounce so far on the emotional scale and still be a functioning writer. Once the novella is released, I'll put my head back in the wringer and finish up the novel. Even if the characters in my head are pouting about being put in the corner for a time out.

The newest book is complete. The cover has been contracted. Edits are mostly complete. I'm entering the excited-and-can-hardly-wait-to-share-with-you stage. So, I decided to share another little snippet as a teaser. Enjoy!
“I’ve got a better way to warm you up.”

I went willingly to Rhett’s bedroom, and if you were to ask me why, later, I’d probably claim it was because I was numb from the cold and I was just too tired to fight it. Truthfully? I wanted to go with him so bad, I wouldn’t have turned him down for any reason, if he would have asked. Which he didn’t. And, I might have been shaking, but it wasn’t from the cold.

Rhett pulled me into his room, closed the door, and all I could do was stare at the bed. I’ve got a great imagination, and...

More:
https://marynewmanauthor.wordpress.co...

My newest book, In the Beginning, the first book in the After the Coming Series will be released August 1st. It should shortly be up for pre order on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Scribd, and Barnes & Noble. A paperback version will be available through Create Space soon, as well.



I'm thrilled with the cover, which was designed by Brandy Newton.

In the Beginning is a post-apocalyptic tale about what happens to those left on earth when aliens come in the name of religion and decimate the planet and it's people. There's some romance, of course, since that's my favorite genre, but it's not the entire focus of the book.

Let me share a small snippet:

There were bodies, wrecked bikes, and carnage everywhere. Arrows. No bullet holes, just arrows. Lots of arrows. The guys probably never knew what hit them. We dismounted to see if we could find any survivors, but I wasn’t holding out any hope. The sun had been shining the past couple of days, the nights would have been cold, and I doubted anyone had escaped without some form of injury. I found Bricker and all of his brothers together. They’d fallen while trying to defend each other. Phil was lying under his bike, an arrow sticking out of his chest. The scavengers had been at some of the bodies and they were now unrecognizable.

“Luke!”

I looked over to find Arnie kneeling beside a body and jogged over. Gabe was lying with his eyes closed, but he was breathing. Barely.

“He’s alive, but not sure for how much longer.”

I heard a moan and went searching, again. Flint was leaning against the back of his trike with a broken off arrow in his outer thigh and another in his shoulder. I knelt beside him and he opened his eyes. I neatly grabbed his wrist before he could skewer me with the knife he was holding in a death grip. I pried it from his grip and distractedly noted it was the stiletto Arnie had left for him after questioning Jet.

“Hey, now, Flint. Not supposed to kill the rescuer, yeah?

My newest book, In the Beginning, the first book in the After the Coming series, is set to release August 1st.

For the blurb and an excerpt, as well as buy links:

https://marynewmanauthor.wordpress.co...

I’ve been working on the second book in the After the Coming series, and thought I’d share a snippit. Mick (who was a runaway in the first book, In the Beginning) is one of the main characters and is meeting Joey and Flint for the first time:

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on something soft and there was a wet cloth on my forehead. Cool hands were kind of petting and stroking my head and face. I turned my head to find a little guy that looked close to my age sitting beside me on a bed. He was cute, I noticed. Really cute. With coal black hair, bright blue eyes, and a sweet smile.

“Welcome back,” he said. “You look pretty rough, Sweetie. What’s your name?”

“Matt, I mean, Mickey.”

“Which is it, Honey? I’m not gonna hurt you and neither will my master. You can give me your real name.”

“Preacher Jonah called me Matthew after they shot my dad and told me I couldn’t ever say my real name again.”

“So, Mickey it is. My name’s Joey. You’re in my master’s bunker. Want to tell me why you were running?”

“Gonna kill me,” I muttered and closed my eyes. “Joshua was mad ‘cause I wouldn’t shoot and then someone stole the Jeep and I knew he was gonna kill me when him and Preacher Jonah got back.”

“Hmm… Hang on, Mickey. I think my master needs to hear this story so you don’t have to tell it twice. Think you can get up, now?”

I tested my legs, which seemed to be working and sat up. I nodded and stood. Joey stood up and he was a lot smaller than me. I felt huge next to him.

“You’re younger than me,” I blurted. “How come you’re in Hell? What bad stuff did you do?”

Joey laughed so hard he had to sit back on the bed. I just stared at him, wondering if everyone went crazy in Hell. He finally stopped and wiped the tears from his eyes.

“Oh, you are a sweetheart, aren’t you? I’m 25, Mickey, and this isn’t Hell, although I’m sure I’ve done plenty of bad stuff to rate a spot in the real one. For me, at least, this place is a little slice of heaven. Come on, Honey, let’s go back to the office and you can tell Flint your story.”

I followed Joey back to the office and sat on the big couch where he directed me. I was given another bottle of water and I drank it, since I didn’t know what else to do. The door opened and that red-haired man came in. I jumped up, spilling the rest of the water down my front.

“You’re dead,” I said in a shaky voice. “I saw you and you were dead! Please! I don’t want to be dead, too.”

Joey came over and sat me back on the couch while the tall, red-haired man just stared at me.

“It’s okay, Sweetie,” Joey patted my hand. “Flint’s not dead, but he was hurt. Did you see the ambush?”

“I was there,” I nodded and began babbling. “Me and Micah and Joseph and Garrett. We wouldn’t shoot. Garrett was having a panic attack and he held him while he cried and shook. We couldn’t kill anyone. It’s wrong. We didn’t want to cleanse all the sinners out. Joshua made us go, but then he was mad because I didn’t shoot any arrows and he’s gonna kill me. Preacher Jonah would have killed me anyway when he finds out I don’t want to have sex with the girls, and I promised them I’d come back and get them and now I’m gonna die, and I’ll never get to keep my promise!”