Arts

Author: A.M. Arthur

Title: The Heart As He Hears It

Series: Perspectives

Book: Three (Can be read as a standalone)

Release Date: April 19, 2016

Length: 253 pages

Also available in audiobook format with Guy Locke as the narrator

 Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27880548-the-heart-as-he-hears-it

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Cover Artist: Lyn Taylor

While most of his friends have moved on to “real” careers, Jon Buchanan is content skating through life as a part-time waiter and gay porn star. Firmly single thanks to a previous relationship disaster, he focuses his spare time on Henry, a dear friend dying of cancer.

And with Henry’s happiness paramount, Jon is on a mission to help Henry meet his recently discovered grandson.

Isaac Gregory hasn’t set foot outside for the past year. He has everything he needs delivered, and his remaining family knows better than to visit. When a complete stranger shows up claiming to be his grandfather—with a distractingly handsome younger man in tow—his carefully structured routines are shaken.

Despite his instant attraction, Jon senses Isaac is too fragile for a relationship. Yet tentative friendship grows into genuine companionship. And when Henry’s health begins to fail, they realize Fate brought them together for a reason.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-As-He-Hears-Perspectives/dp/1515952630

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Jon studied him, his gaze taking in…something. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course.” His chest flushed with anticipation.

“How do you feel when you’re with me?”

Isaac tried to push aside the anxiety still attempting to blur his thoughts, an old friend that wanted to be part of the conversation. Only anxiety wasn’t allowed in, not this time. He shuffled through different words, emotions and adjectives, searching for the one that best described how he felt about Jon. How Jon made him feel, despite being a near-stranger, bigger, stronger and far more experienced in pretty much everything. Jon still made him feel… “Safe,” Isaac said.

Jon’s eyebrows crept up. The corners of his mouth quirked into something not quite a smile. “Really?”

“Yes. The first time I saw you on my security feed, I noticed how beautiful you were.” His cheeks warmed.

Jon flat out grinned. “Yeah?”

“You’re kind and patient, and I feel safe because you don’t try to fix me, and you don’t act like I’m broken. My family thinks I’m broken, and I don’t want them to fix me. I just…” Something in Isaac shifted, accepting this new truth. “I need to feel safe, Jon. That’s why I hide. But you make me not want to hide.”

Jon’s eyes glittered. His expression melted into something so warm, so sweet, that it burned in Isaac’s blood in a way he didn’t understand at all. The strange sensation urged him to reach out, to initiate contact of some kind. Deep-rooted fear kept Isaac still, unable to make that first move. Unable to do anything except soak in the wonderment on Jon’s face.

“I think that’s the greatest compliment I’ve ever gotten,” Jon said. His voice was hoarse, strange. Almost difficult to hear, so Isaac paid more attention to his lips. “Is it cheesy to say your strength makes me want to be better too?”

Isaac shook his head. “I’m not strong.”

“You’re stronger than you think. You proved that by letting me and Henry in two weeks ago. You proved it again by going out to rescue a kitten. Twice, by the way. You told me you want to get better, get into the world, and that takes a fuck-ton of courage when you’ve lost as much as you have. I know it won’t be easy, but I still want to help you do that.”

“I know you do. I want that too.”

A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone’s throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland.  She’s been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop.  She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn’t been coined yet back then) with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories. A.M. Arthur’s work is available from Samhain Publishing, Carina Press, Dreamspinner Press, and SMP Swerve.

When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder.  She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she’s an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/A.M.Arthur.M.A

Twitter: http://twitter.com/am_arthur

Website: http://amarthur.blogspot.com/

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/am-arthur

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Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, A.M. Leibowitz, Outrageous Heroes,

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Dawn’s Reading Nook, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Mikky’s World of Books, Inked Rainbow Reads,

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

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Author: Lisa Oliver

Title: The Artist and His Alpha

Series: The Alpha and Omega Series

Book: Three (Each book is a self-contained story and can be read as a standalone.)

Release Date: January 29, 2016

Pages or Words: 65,900 words

Categories: Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Wolf shifters

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28807988-the-artist-and-his-alpha

Publisher: Oliver Group Publications

Cover Artist: Lisa Oliver

Caden Wolfe lives his life hiding from the world. As an Omega with a brute of an Alpha looking for him, he can’t afford to take any chances.  He is happy enough with his art, his one good friend Felix and his agent who adores his paintings. It’s a far cry from life on the streets and Caden is determined to keep working hard, and stay out of the spotlight. Staying away from all things wolf is easy enough in the city, until he meets the one man with the potential to blow his cover and his way of life, out of the water.

Sean Black has it all – a brother for pack, a home pack that is still supportive but far enough away not to interfere with his daily life, a good business, and men who clamor for his attention every night of the week. The last thing he wants or needs is a mate, but after a brief meeting with a gorgeous artist, he realizes his life will change, and not necessarily in a good way.

A misunderstanding leads to danger for Caden and Sean has to make a choice.  Can he give his Omega what he needs, or should he make sure he’s protected and then walk away? A rogue Alpha with an agenda of his own, a trap, and trouble from the council are just a few of the things this couple will have to contend with if they are ever to have their HEA.

Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B8II73O

All Romanceebooks.com – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theartistandhisalpha-1979777-340.html

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/614826

“Holy shit, he has a gun. Caden, for fuck’s sake don’t shoot!”

Sean heard Felix yell and he damn near pushed Liam off the fire escape, leaping up the last of the stairs. He could understand how Felix would want to talk quickly, especially if a gun was involved, but he had to see Caden for himself. As he stood on a rickety ledge he was momentarily stunned by the vision in front of him. A huge lit space littered with canvases spoke of hard work, dedication, passion for art and an apparent disregard for mess. And in front of it all stood Caden – locked, loaded and ready for bear.

The young man looked even better than Sean remembered. His slim, pale torso gleamed under the light, his unruly mop of straight blond hair falling just over the top of one eye. All Caden appeared to be wearing was a pair of jeans that hung low on his hips – a truly sexy picture. But it was the confident way Caden held the gun in his hands, and the unflinching glare in his eyes, that touched Sean’s heart. Felix had been right about one thing. Caden was determined to defend his home, and he looked more than capable of doing it. Damn, if that idea didn’t slam Sean in the groin and hang on.

“What are you doing here, Felix?” Caden’s voice held traces of nervousness that wouldn’t be noticed by human ears, but Sean noticed that the hands holding the gun didn’t waver.

“I was worried about you,” Felix called out, stepping closer to the glass, his hands spread to show he was unarmed. “We all were. You wouldn’t answer your door; you weren’t taking my calls. I had to know you were all right. We’re friends, Caden, I thought you trusted me. Now please, let us in. This damn ledge is fucking unsafe and you know I’m scared of heights.”

Caden held his glare for a long minute, and Sean wasn’t sure the young man would ever move. But then he carefully raised his weapon, removed the magazine, which he tucked in his back pocket, and then walked over to rest the gun against the wall.  Only then did he come towards the large panes of glass, releasing a latch, which Sean realized was actually a door latch. What he had mistaken for windows doubled as large sliding doors.

Once all three men were inside of what was a huge space, Caden seemed unsure of himself. “I know we’re friends,” he said to Felix hesitantly – scared, but apparently determined to defend his actions. “I’m not doing anything wrong.” His eyes seemed to catch Sean’s automatically and Sean was shocked to see they were full of fear again. “I’m an adult. This is my place, my territory. I’m not intruding on anyone’s space. I have a right to be here.”

Sean realized in that instant that Caden’s immediate fear had a name – the Black Brothers – and damn, if that didn’t make him feel sick. He and Liam were full-blown Alpha wolves, and his little Omega must have thought that they had a pack, or at least a right to the territory he lived in. No wonder the poor guy had locked himself in and refused to talk to anyone. He was terrified of losing his home and possibly his life.

Felix looked confused. “No one said you didn’t have any right to be here. This is your home, bought and paid for. No one can take it away from you so long as you pay your taxes, and your trust does that for you.”

“Then why did you bring them?” Caden hadn’t stopped looking at Sean, but clearly Liam was included in the ‘them’ comment as well. “They know what I’m talking about. Why are they here, if not to beat me, torture me, rape me and then kick me out of my home? That’s what men like them do. What are they doing here?”

Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams.  Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.

When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate.  Lisa will do anything for chocolate.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers.  You can friend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor), catch up on what’s happening at her blog (http://www.supernaturalsmut.com) or email her directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wisecrone333

Other: Blog – http://www.supernaturalsmut.com

Tell us about your holiday or family traditions.

Caden: Hey, Sean have we got any…you know…holiday traditions?

Sean: [Waggles eyebrows] Holiday traditions?  Babe, the only thing you and me will be doing over the holidays is snuggling somewhere warm and ordering take out.

Caden: Can you get take out on Christmas day?

Sean: [Leaning closer] Do you care?

Tell us what the holidays are like for your characters.

Sean and Caden aren’t talking to me. It seems the thought of Christmas snuggles has shorted Caden’s brain and Sean has moved on to sexier things, which don’t include the writer.

You’re going to buy a character from your latest book a birthday present. Who is it? What do you get them and why?

Sean growled at me when I suggested a birthday present for Caden. It seems Alpha wolves don’t appreciate it when someone tries to buy their mate a gift. Apparently Caden doesn’t need or want anything, even their storyteller.

Which one of your characters is most likely to play Santa at the holidays? Which one wouldn’t be caught dead in the suit?

Writer is very proud of self. Has ordered Santa Suit for characters. Shows up only to see them using it to start the fire to roast hot dogs. Shit. Guess the answer to which one, is no one.

What is the best gift you’ve ever gotten or given? What about your characters? What would they say?

The best gift I ever got was recently when I had a clear brain scan. My characters were thrilled. It meant they could stay alive too.

4-Apr: My Fiction Nook

5-Apr: Molly Lolly

6-Apr: Full Moon Dreaming

7-Apr: Mikky’s World of Books, Outrageous Heroes, Unquietly Me

8-Apr: Open Skye Book Reviews

11-Apr: Jessie G. Books, Gay Media Reviews

12-Apr: Parker Williams

13-Apr: Bonkers About Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

14-Apr: MM Good Book Reviews

15-Apr: Hearts on Fire, Book Lovers 4Ever

18-Apr: A.M. Leibowitz

19-Apr: Inked Rainbow Reads

20-Apr: Velvet Panic, BFD Book Blog

21-Apr: Nephy Hart, The Dark Arts

22-Apr: Alpha Book Club

25-Apr: Happily Ever Chapter, Making It Happen

26-Apr: Oh My Shelves, Bayou Book Junkie

27-Apr: Dawn’s Reading Nook, Love Bytes

28-Apr: Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

29-Apr: 3 Chicks After Dark, MM Book Escape

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Author: Lynn Charles

Title: Black Dust

Release Date: April 7, 2016

Length: 312 pages

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27830185-black-dust

Publisher: Interlude Press

Cover Artist: C.B. Messer

Fifteen years after a tragic car crash claimed a friend’s life and permanently injures his then-boyfriend, Broadway musician Tobias Spence reconnects with his former love. As Emmett and Tobias explore their renewed relationship, the two men face old hurts and the new challenges of a long-distance romance. Will Tobias lose his second chance at love to the ghosts he can’t seem to put to rest?

Interlude Press web store: store.interludepress.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/25KWsn3

Apple iBookstore:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/black-dust/id1059517904?mt=11

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“I can’t, Emmett. I—can’t go back.”

“Then we are clearly not ready for any sort of commitment.”

“Wait. You won’t agree to—to us—unless I come to Indiana?”

“I won’t,” Emmett said. “It’s all feeling a little one-sided to me, and I’m not okay with that.”

“You don’t understand.”

“I do understand, Toby. I was there for everything that makes you afraid of that place.”

“Yes. You were,” Toby said, taking Emmett’s hand in his. “But my concerns about going back have nothing to do with you.”

“Maybe they should have something to do with me.”

“That’s—” Toby pulled his hand away. “That’s not fair.”

“It really is,” Emmett said. He reached across the table for Toby’s hand again. “Please?” Toby took his hand and Emmett squeezed, holding on as if he might never let go. “We experienced a great tragedy together. And while Scotty’s parents lost their son, no one felt the things we felt. No one else woke up screaming and sweating when we heard the sounds of the crash in our sleep.”

“Emmett—”

“No one else knew the fear of maybe never walking again. No one else lost weight and a semester of school because he might get thrown in jail. No one else felt the things we felt together. That’s all ours. As much as you want to, you cannot take me out of the equation.”

“But, that’s just it, Em. I don’t want to feel those things again. I cannot walk back into that—that darkness.”

Emmett pulled their joined hands to his lips and kissed Toby’s knuckles. “You already have. You have been so enamored­—you’ve practically spent this entire week making love to my scars. You’re there. And it’s not so dark anymore.”

“No, because you’re whole again. You’re not broken anymore.”

Emmett saw it, then. He saw in the way Toby had almost obsessed over the ridiculous tattoo and Emmett’s scars, as if begging for them to also bring him the powers that Derek had wished upon Emmett’s body those years ago. He saw it in Toby’s insistence that they start all over as if the accident never happened, as if the years of silence weren’t strung between them like a rope and plank bridge connecting two separate lands.

So he said it. To give it power. To make it a truth they shared—like their shared tragedy. “And you still are. Broken.”

Toby nodded, grasping at Emmett’s fingers like a lifeline. “I’m so—” He took a deep, shuddering breath. “I’m so exhausted making sure no one knows.”

“Oh, Toby.” All the more reason “trying again” was a bad idea. Unready to let go, Emmett kissed Toby’s fingers again. “Then come to my home,” Emmett offered, trite as it sounded in his own ears. “I’ve remodeled the master and made a party room in my basement for the kids.”

“You’ve never told me—”

“It’s beautiful, really. It’s on a couple of acres, and the back of the property is lined with a stream you can hear from the kitchen when the windows are open. It’s very peaceful. It sounds like you need some peace.”

“You deserve a beautiful life.”

“So let me share it with you. At least think about it?”

Toby nodded and began to clean up. “Will you still come see me in San Francisco after school’s out?”

“I don’t know. I’d really like an answer before I agree to see you again.”

“Okay. I’m sorry it’s not as easy as it should be.”

“I am too, Toby. Being with you was always so easy.”

Lynn Charles earned her degree in music education and for many years performed and directed choral music. When she’s not writing, she can be found strolling through local farmers markets near her home in Central Ohio in search of ingredients for new recipes. Her novel Chef’s Table was published in 2014 by Interlude Press.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynncharles.net

Twitter: http://https//twitter.com/LynnCharlesNet

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Website: www.lynncharles.net

Today I’m welcoming Lynn Charles to chat about writing, life, and their current project. Welcome! Let’s talk a little about Black Dust.

What inspired you to write this story?

Around the 15^th anniversary of an auto accident that took the life of a cousin of mine, I began to wonder what had happened to the other two girls who were in the car—the driver and the passenger that had some serious, but not life-threatening injuries. While I don’t know the answer for their lives, my wanderings spun themselves into a story.

Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?

It’s funny, I answered Emmett in a previous questionnaire, but now that I think more on it, I’m going to have to go with Mac, Emmett’s mentor and co-teacher in the music department at Morningside High. She’s the elder, the more experienced, the one who knows that where you are at 20, where you are at 30 does not dictate the full of your existence. She loves Emmett with a maternal love, but also respects him as a professional. She guides with love, sometimes lays it on a bit thick, but always always wants the best for everyone around her.

What was the hardest part of writing this?

Allowing myself to write crap at first. I’m not sure why it strangled me so with this novel, but I edited while I wrote from the first word until I hit about the 2/3rds point where I finally let go. I also had trouble admitting even to myself that as much as Emmett loves Toby, he didn’t trust him. Lack of trust is a huge thing for me, so I needed to step back and let my characters work through that.

Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?

This scene comes after Toby and Emmett have met for drinks in New York after a fifteen year lag. Toby snatched Emmett’s hat in playfulness at one point. The night before Emmett and his high school choir are about to head back to Indiana, Emmett realizes this special hat is still in Toby’s possession. He looks to Mac for a way to slip out of the hotel to go retrieve it.

He knocked on Mac’s door again. “Toby has it.”

“And?”

“And… he’s bringing it to the reception desk.”

“Okay?”

Emmett huffed and turned on his heel to close their connecting door.

“Stop, Emmett. What were you wanting from me here?”

Mac looked ridiculous. She was one-third of the way through a facial treatment that had somehow oozed into her left eye. Her eye was twitching and her brown skin was partially covered with a green, slimy—Emmett sniffed and coughed. “Is that safe for your face?”

“Go get the damned hat, Emmett. This is why I demanded to chaperone.”

“So I would remember my hat?”

“Get out of here. And in an hour, I’m sending Mr. Foster to drag you back by your shirt collar—assuming you’ll still have a shirt on.”

“Mac. This is not about—”

“You came here to make the goodbye better; go make it better.”

“I love you.” He moved in with puckered lips.

“Do not kiss me; this stuff tastes like rotten cheese. Also, if anyone asks, you have a migraine.”

“Right. Thank you. Again.”

I like it because it’s a funny visual scene. I’m seeing her with her facial cream dripping all over the place, her caring exasperation at his lovesick heart, and his own exasperation at himself. They’re delightful together.

Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.

I’m working on my third novel now, as yet untitled. It’s about living after death, about parenthood and embracing the legacy those have left us while also creating one for those who will follow us.

How has your life changed since becoming a published author?

Well, I can say “I’m a published author,” which is something else. While this wasn’t something I was shooting for in my younger years, I feel like I have found something where I’m generally comfortable in my skills (unless I’m having one of those “I’m a fraud” days) and I have support from the right people in the field to make it happen. I also go to New York a lot more often, partially for pleasure, but occasionally for work.

If you could take a time machine back 10 years, what would you tell your past self?

I would tell myself to be more intentional about my time with my friend Lisa (see previous answer about a memorial tattoo) because she won’t be around much longer. I would also tell myself to keep writing because one day it would pay off.

What do you hope people say about you after you’re gone?

I’ve been told this even now, but I hope people will say that I made them laugh. That I helped them deal with the crappy things in life and make them feel a bit less crappy.

Word Sprints!

1. Cats or dogs? While I’ve come to like cats in recent years, my loyalty will always be to dogs
2. Musical theater or rock concert? Yes, please? I enjoy both.
3. Do you have any body art? I have two tattoos, one a g-clef with a ladybug adornment on my right ankle and one on my left wrist—a memorial tattoo of a calla lily and the words “For Good.”
4. As a kid, were you a Goody-Goody or a Wild Child? I was a goody-two-shoes.
5. Morning person or night owl? I’m more of a night owl

7-Apr: Love Bytes, 3 Chicks After Dark, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Hearts on Fire, Jessie G. Books

8-Apr: Happily Ever Chapter, Bonkers About Books, My Fiction Nook

11-Apr: BFD Book Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Oh My Shelves

12-Apr: Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Divine Magazine

13-Apr: Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Velvet Panic, Book Lovers 4Ever

14-Apr: Louise Lyons, Unquietly Me, Havan Fellows

15-Apr: MM Good Book Reviews, A.M. Leibowitz

18-Apr: Alpha Book Club, V’s Reads

19-Apr: Butterfly-O-Meter, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Bayou Book Junkie

20-Apr: Up All Night, Read All Day, Outrageous Heroes, Molly Lolly, Mikky’s World of Books, Inked Rainbow Reads

Rafflecopter Prize: $25 IP Gift Card Grand Prize + 5 eBooks editions of Black Dust

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Author: Evelyn Elliott

Title: Bad Magic

Series: Spell Slave

Book: One (Can be read as a standalone)

Release Date: October 28, 2015

Length: 161 pages, 55,000 words

Categories: Bisexual, Fantasy, M/M Romance, Romance

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14427929.Evelyn_Elliott

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Christine Griffin

Morality is relative. At least that’s what young sorcerer Regis Teller convinces himself. He’s done what he must to survive: working for a witch since he was nine, helping her throw the kingdom into anarchy, and taking his only comfort in her mysterious son, Crow. And soon, Regis is going to commit his first murder.

A do-gooder named Jonathan White has information the witch needs, and it’s Regis’s job to get that information and slit Jonathan’s throat. But then Regis actually meets Jonathan. And Jonathan is perfect—a hero with a passion for justice and little regard for civility.

Lucky for Regis, Jonathan has a weakness for attractive men. Lucky for Jonathan, Regis is fast developing a conscience and a heart. But for Regis, keeping both of them alive at their adventure’s end means breaking a magical oath and surviving his ruthless boss—all without telling Jonathan the truth. Falling in love is never easy, especially when everyone involved is lying through their teeth.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7012&cPath=56_872_590

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Magic-Evelyn-Elliott-ebook/dp/B016H7FO9Q/

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The road led to a forest. Though perhaps “forest” was not the correct word; the majority of it was comprised of brambles, vines, and the most vicious flowers Regis had ever seen. Some of them seemed to be moving. “This is it?” Regis said.

Jonathan looked a bit puzzled. “I thought so.”

“This is possibly the most evil forest I’ve ever seen.” It was, in fact, the only evil forest he had ever seen.

“Yeah. I… yeah. I can definitely see what you mean.”

Chartreuse the dragon inspected the forest. “Can you burn us through?” Regis asked her.

I could start a small fire, she offered. It would probably spread. We could burn the whole forest down.

“Never mind,” Regis said.

She settled down a safe distance from the trees. I think I’ll wait here.

Jonathan drew his sword. The brambles seemed to twitch in response, and Regis half expected them to lash out like tentacles. He shuddered, pulling the fur-trimmed cloak tighter around himself.

The road continued into the forest. The brambles had swallowed it, but bits of uneven cobblestone remained, marking a path to the castle. Jonathan hacked his way through, and Regis followed closely, silently checking on his magic. He had a fair amount, but he wasn’t sure what he could do with it.

He’d only gone a few feet when there came a creaking noise. Behind them, the brambles moved to cover the path. There was a brief pause as Jonathan and Regis looked at each other. “Is there magic here?” Jonathan said.

“You can’t smell it?”

“Normal people can’t smell magic, Regis.”

“Oh,” Regis said. “Well, there’s sort of a sharp smell, like boiled weeds. Brambles like this are a sign of fairy infestation. This forest wasn’t here ten years ago, was it?”

“No,” Jonathan said. Regis ducked under a vine, tripped on a root, and landed flat on his face. Jonathan offered him a hand. Regis took it and heaved himself up, wiping the mud off. “Here,” Jonathan said. He pulled off his tunic and held it out, leaving himself in a thin white undershirt. “What’s a fairy?”

Regis smeared the mud off his face. “Well, they’re a bit like nature spirits. They feed off of magic and, um, other kinds of energy.”

“Why are they protecting the queen?”

“Protecting her? Probably they just like living near her. The sleep spell is strong. They’re probably feeding off of the discharge.”

“Are they dangerous?”

“I hear most of them are women. Hot women. So yeah. Kind of.” He stepped under a branch. “Not dangerous to you, maybe. You know, because you’re….” He cleared his throat, gesturing wildly.

“Because I’m what?”

“You know. A woman-hater. It’s okay,” he said. “Chartreuse mentioned it a while ago.”

“I like women just fine,” Jonathan said. “I just don’t like having sex with them.”

“Have you tried? It’s fantastic. Maybe you just haven’t found the right girl yet.” Jonathan got a pinched look on his face, and he didn’t answer, his mouth tight. “Oh,” Regis said. “Um. Sorry. Did I say something—you know what, never mind.”

“Things are a lot simpler where I’m from,” Jonathan said. “No magic. No fairies. No people like you.”

“Sounds dull.”

Jonathan sighed. “Not really.” He glanced at Regis. “So. Fairies are real. What about elves?”

“What, those little shoemaker things? Oh, yeah, they’re real. But they’re actually the size of people, and they have pointy ears. Oh, and they’re immortal, and they worship nature. And they spend all day singing and composing poetry.”

Jonathan scowled. “You could have just said no.”

At first glance, Evelyn Elliott seems like a perfectly normal person. Do not be deceived.
Her hobbies include watching grisly horror movies, torturing her characters, and tending to her flower garden. She enjoys long walks on the beach and collecting the souls of small children. Whenever she reads a book, she always roots for the villain.

Avoid her at all costs. Certainly do not find her on facebook or befriend her online. You have better things to do.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011035004723

8-Apr: Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, BFD Book Blog

11-Apr: Nephy Hart, MM Good Book Reviews

12-Apr: Havan Fellows

13-Apr: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Novel Approach

14-Apr: V’s Reads, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance

15-Apr: A.M. Leibowitz

18-Apr: Bayou Book Junkie, Alpha Book Club

19-Apr: Kirsty Loves Books

20-Apr: Prism Book Alliance, My Fiction Nook

21-Apr: Oh My Shelves

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