Lycan Lore 2: Offspring

The awaited sequel to Lycan Lore, is out!

Title: Lycan Lore 2: Offspring

Author: Shannon Leigh

Publisher: Amber Quill Press

Purchase Here 

Genre: Erotic/Dark Fantasy / Werewolf / Shapeshifter / Ménage (M/F/M) / Group Sex / Series

BLURB:

Nine months ago, Heather’s life took a dramatic change. She became a werewolf. Shortly thereafter, a lycan hunter named Cray murdered her sire, leaving her to struggle through her horrible existence alone. But if turning into a bloodthirsty, ravenous, beast of the night wasn’t bad enough, she'd also conceived a child on the evening of her attack. With the next lunar cycle about to begin, the hunter hot on her heels, and her unborn child at stake, she's desperate to stay alive. Hoping the hordes of partying females will mask her scent, she flees to the crowded shores of South Beach, right into the arms of a local college student named Mike, a man who could prove more than a one-night stand.

Born a lycan, bred a hunter, Cray McCorbin has learned to control his inner beast, as well as accept the responsibility of eliminating other wolves who can't. He's not proud of his job—killing isn't something he enjoys—and prefers to consider himself a protector of humanity, despite his own heritage. Nine months ago, however, fate intervened in his miserable life and fulfilled the old Lycan Lore, presenting him with a mate. Cassandra, Heather's best friend, is all Cray's ever dreamed of and more. But destiny can sometimes come with a cruel hand. Though he'd gladly give his life for her, his duties as hunter comes first. He can't allow any renegade werewolf to escape, not even Cassandra's best friend...

EXCERPT:

Glancing up at him through eyes no longer her own, she attacked his cock, sucking and pulling on it with a vigor he’d probably never experienced before. He watched as she worked his member, his uncertain stare taking on a lust-filled glaze. She offered a wicked grin, her eyes never leaving his as she took him all the way inside her mouth.

Just as she’d suspected, Dale didn’t last long. His thrusts became short and quick, each paired with an animalistic grunt. She felt his shaft swell and the muscles in his legs tighten as he prepared to come.

More concerned with the stiff cock in her mouth, she scarcely paid Dale any heed when he pulled out mere seconds before issuing a bliss-filled bellow. Warm droplets sprinkled across her backside. His energy spent, Dale crawled over to the bed and collapsed in an unmoving heap.

Her lips still encircling Mike’s rod, Heather cast Dale a disgusted glance. Thank God that’s over. Now she could get down to business.

She fondled Mike’s balls, rolling the squishy bulbs around in her palm. Moving back a bit, she positioned herself between his spread thighs and sucked one testicle into her mouth. Mike moaned with approval.

Jerking him with her hand, she continued to lick and pull at his globular sacks, skillfully working him to the brink of release. When she sensed he’d reached his end, she ceased her ministrations and moved to straddle him. Holding his cock at the base, she guided it into her slick opening.

She rode him hard, her hips bucking, pelvis grinding. Mike gripped her waist, encouraging her brazen movements. Her bottom slapped his groin with each downward plunge, forcing him deeper inside her.

Feeling him swell, Heather groaned. She could tell he neared his peak. The realization caused her channel to spasm with anticipation. They would come together.

As her pleasure built, her grasp on reality slipped, as did her control on the beast within. Her breaths became the pants of a feral dog and her moans the growls of an animal. The tendons in her back and thighs corded, the onset of change.

Struggling between thwarting the transformation and reaching culmination, her body began to shake. She couldn’t let the thing within take over. She wouldn’t let it kill her new find.

But that’s what would happen. If she changed, she’d loose all touch with her surroundings. The first thing she’d do in that state would be  kill Mike and sate her blood lust.

No. She willed the conversion to cease. You’ll not control me. Not tonight. Not yet. Refocusing on the growing pressure at her apex, she raced toward climax.

Mike urged her body up and down, grasping her hips with strong fingers and impaling her on his stiff rod. His breaths became short gasps. She sensed he’d peak within seconds.

Feeling her own orgasm crest, Heather’s head dropped back. Graham…

She let out a hearty cry, her voice blending with Mike’s as they came in unison. Somewhere in the back of her conscience, a shrill bell of warning taunted her thoughts. She wasn’t sure what, but something spectacular had just happened.

Exhausted, she fell forward, her upper body draping over Mike’s chest. It wouldn’t be long before he’d have to leave. Her change would come soon. Next time, she wouldn’t be able to stop it.

Just a few seconds of carefree bliss was all she wanted. Not realizing how draining their session had been, she almost drifted off to sleep when Mike asked,

“Who’s Graham?”

***

To find out more about Shannon Leigh's writing, please visit her at: 

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New release! MORE THAN CHAINS TO BIND out today

I’m excited to announce my Fantasy novel, More Than Chains To Bind, is released today!

More Than Chains to Bind
by Stevie Woods

ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-134-1 (Electronic)
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-954-5 (Paperback)

Genres: Gay / Fantasy / Action / Adventure / BDSM (Light)

Heat Level: 3

Length: Novel (57k words / TBD paperback pages)

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/MoreThanChains.html

New Release 35% Discount (One Week Only)

BLURB:

When Prince Liander and his Guardian, Hollis, are captured during a raid while visiting the south coast of Tesla, they find themselves chained in pairs to other captive villagers. Once taken aboard ship, they realize they're prisoners of their country’s ruthless enemy, and for his protection, it's vital Liander's identity is kept secret.

The new slaves are horrified to learn they're to be trained in the use of swords, other weapons, and unarmed combat so they can fight in an arena for the entertainment of their captors. The situation is made worse because Fortil, to whom Liander is chained, has no respect for his prince and has only one goal—to force the young man to have sex with him. Yet there is only one man Liander is interested in, and it certainly isn't Fortil.

Hollis worries about his charge, wishes to whisk Liander to safety, but there's nothing he can do as they are kept separate in different training halls, chained to other slaves, and seeing each other only rarely. Escape seems impossible, and desperation grows when it becomes obvious they may be forced to one day battle each other for their very survival...

EXCERPT:

...Our “host” had at last decided to introduce himself, odd name though it was. Though, at his next statement, even if I’d been allowed to say anything I’d have been speechless! Mr. Tall-good-looking had stood there and calmly told us we’d be sold only after we’d been trained.

Trained, damn it!

“You’ll remain here in the training area,” Cor’lyn went on, “and you’ll be schooled to fight with a variety of weapons and in unarmed combat. When I consider you are ready, you’ll be sent to the market, where patrons will bid against each other to purchase the best combatants. I warn you to give of your best while being schooled; it will gain you nothing but pain to disobey.”

What kind of society was this? People taken into slavery for little more than some kind of barbaric entertainment! No wonder they’d only wanted the young and strong. I thanked my lucky stars that, for whatever reason, the leader of this group had decided to bring me along, too.

I wasn’t worried about the instruction we were supposed to undergo—there wasn’t a weapon made I couldn’t use—but I was worried about Liander. While I had taught him enough he could competently protect himself, he was no warrior. It hit me then that if we were training together, Liander and I—

“You will be divided into groups for the training, and you will remain chained to each other as an added precaution against escape.”

Fuck! Was the man reading my mind?

“Hear me,” Cor’lyn said sharply. “There’s no chance of escape from the arena.” His gaze slid over all of us, and I could have sworn it momentarily settled on me. “Even if by some miracle you could accomplish the impossible and get beyond the guards and the high wall, there’s nowhere for you to go. Outside the city, beyond the growing area, there’s naught but desert for hundreds of miles.”

I found it odd he made no mention of the ocean. I guessed the harbor area was guarded and, then again, home was many days across the sea. It would be enough of a deterrent to most men, but Liander and I were not most men. And we had to trust the others would not let out that vital piece of information. So far to our captors, we were just two more members of the tribe of the seven villages, and we needed to keep it that way.

The guards moved among us again then, removing the long chain linking us together and removing the waist chains, too, leaving only the manacles on our ankles joining us in pairs.

“Your training will begin in earnest tomorrow. Tonight you will be allowed to bathe, eat and rest. You will split into two sections; one section will take the left hall, while the other takes the right.”

This was my chance, if only I could get in the same section as Liander. I’d begun to drag Ledo toward the other end of the line when all at once Cor’lyn blocked my path.

“Ah, the tall one. You intrigue me. I see a wolf among the sheep. You will bear watching. I also think I want to keep you from…” He smiled and glanced in Liander’s direction.

I could see the prince attempting to hang back, but he was being pushed toward the left hall by the guards. Turning back to me, Cor’lyn continued, “That one interests me, too.” His eyes narrowed as he considered me, and I felt a chill creep up my spine. For whatever reason, Cor’lyn knew there was something different about Liander and me, and that made him dangerous.

Cor’lyn raised his chin at one of guards and indicated with a nod of his head that Ledo and I should be taken to the right hall. Only with a prod from the guard’s weapon, I pivoted away from Liander.

I glanced over my shoulder, and Liander was walking with his back turned to me, head dipped. Fortil turned, saw me watching, and he grinned and licked his lips.

If that bastard as much as lays one hand on Liander… But what the hell could I do locked behind another door across this huge compound?...

For more information about me and my work, please visit: http://steviewoods.com

Five Steamy Romances to Heat Up Your Summer!

Hi everyone!

Now that summer is officially here, why not make things even hotter with a few spicy summer romances? Although these books vary in genre and heat level, they all have one thing in common: the main characters fall in love and have a HOT and sweaty summer. To spice things up, here’s a brief excerpt from each…

Enjoy!

A PERFECT MATCH

Set in the world of professional wrestling, reporter Danni stone spends the summer getting close to a sex-God in spandex…

Danni unfastened his pants and undid his zipper inch by agonizing inch. Her breath blew on his stomach, and his cock twitched. She eased his pants past his hips, then ran her hands down his legs.

He stepped out of his pants and waited for Danni’s next move. Her hands traveled up his calves until she reached his thighs. His skin prickled from her delicate touch, and his penis strained against his briefs. Danni’s mouth was a whisper away. He prayed she’d yank down his underwear and suck him hard.

“You teased me, now it’s my turn to tease you.”

Thank God! He longed to feel her wet mouth surrounding his cock, her hands gently massaging his balls while she sucked him off.

Danni placed her hands on his hips and kissed him through his briefs.

“Do it again,” he begged.

The book link is: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/PerfectMatch.html

TRUST WITH HEARTS

In this contemporary novel, a sensual summer romance heats up between a country singer and a sexy houseguest.

Sherrie relaxed and closed her eyes. Would Curtis see it as a sign of submission and kiss her? Although she tried to deny it, she had a crush on him. His deep voice and mesmerizing blue eyes stirred feelings in her she thought were long dead and buried.

Her wish came true as Curtis’s kissed her. A low moan escaped her throat as his warm lips moved against hers, tender and slow. A tingling sensation built inside her, and she responded to his gentle embrace. Her lower body flared with a growing need.

Curtis slid his wide hand across her belly and up to her chest. He squeezed her left breast lightly, then slipped his tongue into her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Now more than ever, she wanted him to touch her, to kiss her, to take her right here. She’d only known Curtis a few days, and yet she wanted him in a way she’d never wanted Rick.

The book link is: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/TrustWithHearts.html

BEAUTY & THE BIGFOOT

Have you ever read a Bigfoot romance? This paranormal comedy proves there’s a true love out there for everyone.

Tara’s protest faded as he licked the side of her neck. Every nerve in her body exploded. Her skin tingled, and she bent her head to the side. She closed her eyes as Joe nuzzled her neck with his lips, and then licked her again.

“How did you know? My neck’s always been my weak spot,” she whispered.

His tongue was warm and thick and felt a little rough, but she liked it. She moaned and relaxed against him, not caring that he could tear her throat out if he wanted—something deep inside told her she was safe.

“This shouldn’t be happening,” she muttered. She wanted to protest, but her body went limp. Trying to fight him would be futile, and he hadn’t hurt her. Besides, what was the harm in giving in a little?

Joe cupped her left breast in his huge hand. He huffed and shifted her weight on his lap. A second later, something hard poked her inner thigh…

The book link is: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/BeautyBigfoot.html

CONFESSIONS OF A VAMPIRE’S LOVER

What if a vampire went to the beach and fell in love with a surfer?

As soon as we got to my place, Cassie had me close all the blinds and run a hot shower. She stripped in the middle of the living room and casually tossed her clothes on the couch.

I stood gaping at her like I’d never seen a naked woman before. “You’re beautiful,” I whispered. And I meant it. Her pale skin was flawless, and the sight of her perky breasts made my mouth water.

Cassie stepped in front of me and ran her fingertips down my bare chest. Her touch sent a shiver through me, but for some reason, it aroused me.

I moaned and closed my eyes. Cassie slid her cold hand lower, past my ribs, down to the waistband of my bathing suit—then stopped and pulled away. I opened my eyes and caught a glimpse of her as she headed into the steamy bathroom. For a second, it looked like she was vanishing into vapor. I shook my head to clear it, then followed her in…

The book link is: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ConfessionsVampiresLover.html

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DELIGHTS

Hotter than the sun! This fantasy romance explores the spicy sexual adventures of two newlyweds.

Julian pressed his eyelids shut. His heart hammered so fast it felt like it would burst. His lower body ached and pulsed, burning with a raging need. He slipped his hand into his breeches and stroked himself. Vincent’s words swirled through his mind. Could he, should he, go into the bedchamber and take part in this wild sexual game?

Lord knew he wanted to. His body was ready…but the thought of taking charge and making love to Annabelle in front of another couple scared him. What if they mocked him or told someone what he’d done?

And how had Annabelle been convinced to do these things with another woman? Until today, she’d seemed so proper and innocent. Had she been waiting for him to unleash this lustful side of her?

He opened his eyes and glanced at the wall separating the two bedrooms. Everything was quiet in the other room. Annabelle wasn’t making whimpering sounds anymore. What was going on in there?

The book link is: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidsummerNightsDelights.html

Reviews and full plot summaries are posted on my website: www.KelliWilkins.com

Happy Solstice, everyone!

Kelli Wilkins

Your Whisper in the Dark by KC Kendricks

June 19, 2011
Just released!
Your Whisper in the Dark
Contemporary erotic gay romance
Available now at http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/YourWhisperDark.html

Kenzie Zahn is starting over as a single man. Left with few immediate options, he accepts a friend’s invitation to visit and house sit. It’s the perfect opportunity for Kenzie to put a little space between the past and present while figuring out the best path for his future.

Mason Hall enjoys the carefree single life. He works hard, plays a little harder, and doesn’t think much about settling down. The right man will come along – or not – and he’s content to wait. A night out to enjoy a little dancing leads to a hook-up with Kenzie, the kind of man Mason has only ever fantasized about. Mason can’t let him get away.

Kenzie’s smitten. Mason is irresistible, but home is a thousand miles away and a long-distance romance isn’t workable. A strange twist of identity brings a linked past to light. Kenzie and Mason are brought to the realization that even when Fate arranges a man’s destiny, he still has to take a leap of faith, or lose out on love.


INTRO:

I scampered off to the parlor like a love struck teenager, snatched the receiver off the hook, and fell breathlessly onto the sofa.

“Hey, Mason.”

“Hey. I had this number on the service ticket from last fall. Um, is it okay I called?”

I heard the ‘click’ as Tyler hung the phone upstairs. “Yeah, sure. I guess I should give you my cell phone number, though.”

“Yeah. Do it tonight.”

My stomach plunged. The weather wasn’t conducive to going out. I appreciated Tyler’s offer of his truck, but it would be foolish to go out on unfamiliar icy roads when I didn’t really need to.

“It’s snowing, Mason.”

There was a clattering crash in my ear.

“Fuck. Dropped my screwdriver. Dropped my wrench. Hold on.”

I grinned as I listened to more noise and additional foul language. Was he nervous over calling me? His smooth voice flowed back into my ear. “Sorry about that. I know it’s snowing, damn it. So you’re not coming into town?”

“I’d better not. I don’t know the roads around here that well.” I held my breath, dreading his next words. What if he hung up and we never connected again?

But wouldn’t that be best? My head and my heart weren’t in agreement.

“I guess you’re right.” He cleared his throat. I heard him take a deep breath. “Kenzie, will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

I failed to remember I was thirty-six, and a mature man. I ignored how bad of an idea it was to get involved with anyone a thousand miles away from home.

We’d already had each other in the most physically intimate ways possible, and now he wanted to take me dinner. I pumped my fist in the air in a gesture of victory.

“I would love to have dinner with you, Mason.”


EXCERPT:

“Kenzie, please. We need to go someplace private so I can tell you everything.”

I couldn’t think about anything except getting the hell away from him. “I’m leaving, and neither one of us is going to make a scene. Goodbye, Mason.”

I stood, turned on my heel, and left him sitting there. I needed fresh air, to somehow manage to breathe again. If I could get out the door, I could quiet the pounding ‘why, why, why’ beating inside my skull. Was this what people meant by a surreal experience? I fumbled my car keys, dropping them. I bent over to retrieve them without paying attention to how close to the car I was and whacked my head on the car door.

“Fucking hell!” I plopped down on the frozen tundra of blacktop and grabbed the right side of my head to make sure my brains weren’t spilling out.

Just fucking great. I’d sport a bruise for sure come morning, not to mention the fucking headache already eating through bone.

Every time I went queen-out, something nasty happened and it was usually my own fucking fault. Like now. I welcomed Mason’s body heat as he knelt beside me. “Kenzie? Are you okay?”

I kept my right palm pressed to my forehead and glared at him.

“What the fuck to you think?” I moved my hand. “Just tell me if I’m bleeding.”

Mason hesitated, then stroked my face with cold fingertips. “The skin isn’t broken, but I think you’re going to have a bump.” He eased down beside me and I hoped his balls would freeze fast to the macadam through his jeans and stick when he got up. “Please talk to me, Kenzie.”

I suspected there was no way to avoid a conversation with him. Self-induced concussion aside, I seemed to have regained some composure. Maybe. I had one burning question for him.

“Mason, why the fuck even tell me? Why not let me live in blissful ignorance?”

He reached for my hand but stopped short of taking it. I sighed and held it out to him. His chilly fingers closed around my equally cold ones. My gloves were in the car instead of my pocket. Score another point for the home team.

“I had to tell you, Kenzie. It was the only right thing to do once I realized who you were.” He started to put his arm around me but I froze him with a look.

Yes, it was. I had to agree with him on that point. He could have kept it from me. How would I ever learn of it? Dennis and I weren’t in touch, and as far as I was concerned, we never would be. It was all in the past, his and mine, and it couldn’t be changed. Generally, I held with the belief that if there was one thing gay men had no right to judge, it was another gay man’s past sexual history – casting the first stone and all that crap.

My immediate thought was he’d blown that out of the water, but maybe not. He’d taken a big risk by telling me about knowing my ex-partner. Lord, my head hurt.

“So you told me. Now you can fuck me guilt free.”

Mason blew out a short, tired breath. “Kenzie.”

“Sorry. I’m not at my best when my head is splitting and my balls are freezing.”

This time, I didn’t stop him when he moved to put his arm around my shoulders. “I told you because you deserved to know my side of it, okay? If I could take back that day, I would.”

That day? One day? Had Dennis wrecked our life together over one lousy fuck? I certainly saw why he’d be attracted to Mason. The man was smoking hot and, heaven help us all, principled.
“I’m going home, Mason. I need to think about a few things.”

“Will you come to my place so we can talk? And I mean talk. No sex unless you say so.”

The man’s sincerity rang clear and true in his low voice. I hated to turn him down, but I had to.

YOUR WHISPER IN THE DARK
ISBN 978-1-61124-129-7
Available now at http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/YourWhisperDark.html

KC Kendricks
Visit my website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
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Greenwood Manor

Title: Greenwood Manor

Author: Shannon Leigh

Publisher: AmberQuill Press

Purchase

Genre: Paranormal Erotica/Ghost/Haunting

BLURB: 

Laura Flannery needs a vacation from her boring life and a break from nosy neighbor.  So when a postcard arrives in the mail announcing the grand opening of a bed and breakfast in New Orleans, she decides to give it a try.  Deposited on the doorstep of what appears to be a beautifully restored mansion, Laura finds it odd the cab driver is so eager to drive away; and that’s just the beginning. 

From a butler who seems to avoid any physical contact what so ever, to a housekeeper who floats rather than walks, Laura can’t help but start questioning her sanity.  Then, when a man she’s never seen before appears before her and claims he’s her dead husband, she has to decide if it’s time to head for the hills or stay and discover what secret past she has with Greenwood Manor and it’s handsome, albeit deceased, owner.

EXCERPT:
With shaking hands, Laura pried open one of the warped gates and slipped inside.  After dusting her palms off on her jeans, she stared out at the extensive plot before her.  A full moon illuminated the cemetery in a strange, ethereal glow, outlining each gravestone with chilling clarity.  Many were broken from years of abuse by inclement weather and the passage of time; others were perfect in shape, as though just recently placed.

Not knowing which way to go, Laura started for the first stone.  The top of the marker had completely eroded, erasing the name.  But the date had managed to evade attrition.  Born April 15, 1842, Died November 29, 1845.  A child; a young one at that.  Barely three and a half years old. 

Grief tore through her insides and she felt a sudden sense of inexplicable loss.  “My little Karey…”  She’d died of pneumonia at age three. 

Laura squeezed her eyes shut, an image of a bubbly child with bouncing red curls and porcelain skin flashed through her mind.  Hot tears stung her lashes and she felt as through she’d been punched in the stomach. 

Gasping for air, she stumbled back a step.  She didn’t know how she knew, and at the moment, she didn’t want to.  Laura wiped the moisture from her cheek with the back of her hand, then moved past the small headstone and started toward the next one. 

Other grave markers brought similar pangs of sorrow.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, even an elder sister lay sleeping in decrepit boxes beneath the cold, black soil.  Who were these people?  And why did their deaths cause her so much heartache?

At the opposite end of the graveyard, she came across two headstones placed side-by-side.  Their edges nearly touched, as though the couple lying beneath refused to separate, even in death.  The lifeless gray exteriors brightened as she approached, suddenly illuminated by the parting of clouds above.  Icicle moonbeams cast a sinister blue light upon the markers, spotlighting the names engraved upon their stony surfaces.

The first belonged to a man.  Barnabas Flannery, born March 21, 1809, died December 23, 1845.  Grieving husband.  A blow of anguish nearly knocked Laura to her knees.  With a shaking hand, she reached out and traced his name with her fingertips. 

When her gaze shifted to the next stone, Laura felt the air escape her lungs in one big whoosh!  Her legs grew weak, her mind swooned, and it took every ounce of strength she had not to faint.  Laura Flannery, born November 8, 1810, died December 22, 1845.  Grieving mother.

“Oh dear God.  This can’t be.”  She choked on a strained sob.  But just as she’d known to whom all the other markers belonged, Laura knew this one was hers.  And the one next to it was her husband’s. 

***

To find out more about Shannon Leigh's writing, please visit:
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Coming August 14 - The French Connection

The French Connection – an Amber Pax collection

Ooh la la – what could be more romantic than stories set in locales where everyone speaks the language of love? Naturally, our five Amber Allure authors all have their own unique spins on romance in these French speaking settings.

(What’s an Amber Pax? Five Amber authors get together and write stories around a theme, with the collection sold as a set. Stories can be purchased individually, as well, but you can’t beat the price for the collection!)

Blues in the Night by Christiane France

Length: Novella, 20K words

Genre: M/M Contemporary

A broken heart and a chance meeting with an old acquaintance take a sudden turn for the unexpected.

Kaleidoscope by A.J. Llewellyn

Length: Extended Amber Kiss, 16,700 words

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Setting: Paris

Can Teddy live with his husband’s infidelity? Or will Paris, the city of light reveal new perspectives on life, love and happy ever after?

C'est La Vie by Lynn Lorenz

Length: Novella, 30K words

Genre: M/M Contemporary,

Setting: New Orleans and Provence

In his seventies, Sebastian LaGrange is content to grow old alone, until he meets Raymond Chou. Ray teaches Sebastian it's never too old to fall in love.

Fortune’s Sharp Adversity by Angel Martinez

Length: Novella, 27K words

Genre: M/M Historical/ Paranormal

Setting: Amiens, France, the year 1288

A young nobleman living atop an unfinished tower is odd enough. One who talks to stone gargoyles is truly strange.

Old Stones And New Wine by Carolina Valdez

Length: Novella, 29K

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Setting: Provence, France

A love story set in wine-growing country in Provence.

All coming August 14, 2011 - mark your calendars!

Becoming His by Shawn Lane

This weekend has my latest novella, Becoming His, out from Amber Allure. This is the second story (Accidentally His being the first) in my "His" series, which will feature each letter of the alphabet. The next will be C, so Can't Be His will be coming sometime in the beginning of 2012.

I'm excited about the release of Becoming His, as Toby is one of my favorite characters I have created.

For months, Toby Sherwood, a stripper in a gay club, has been a fan of bisexual actor Lucas Cartwright and his cable detective show, Harrow’s Eyes. So when Toby’s invited to a taping of the show, he can hardly wait. Too bad the hunky actor has a girlfriend.

Lucas was charmed by Toby when he originally met the man at the hospital during his brother’s accident. When he breaks up with his girlfriend shortly after Toby visits the set of his show, Lucas begins to romance him.

With concerns over Lucas’s career and Toby’s dancing for other men, can the hot actor and the sexy stripper find happiness in each other’s arms?

 http://smlgr8.blogspot.com

Stairway To Heaven

BLURB:

When Rhea, a biologist for Providian Pharmaceuticals, is sent to search for a suspected cure for cancer in the mighty Amazon Forest, she finds a whole lot more than just a myriad of exotic wildlife and lush vegetation.  Shortly after arriving near the Huitoto village, Rhea starts seeing a tall, dark-skinned man with the body of an Adonis an deys as decadent as the richest chocolate.

Funny thing is; no one else can see him.

The scientist in her demands a logical reason for Valos’s existence, but when he invades her dreams and awakens the pent-up desires sheltered deep within her soul, the woman in her can’t deny him.

Struggling to maintain her crumbling sanity, she must discover if this m an, who calls himself the Guardian of the Stairway To Heaven, truly exists and can fulfill the biggest needs of her heart, or if he’s just a figment of an overactive imagination, brought forth by her latest failed relationship.

EXCERPT:

“Show yourself!”

A wave of heat washed over her face as his masculine chuckle warmed the air. “Are you sure you’re ready for that, Rhea?”

Rhea struggled to her feet, fumbling and veering as the surface beneath her bounced and rolled. She felt like she was inside once of those gigantic moonwalks at the carnival, much like the ones she used to love as a kid.

Only, this was no amusement park. There were no rides, no balloons, no booths of greasy foods fit to clog your veins with cholesterol galore. No, this was an unearthly place, harboring something strange and inhuman. And Rhea didn’t much like it.

Not knowing what else to do, but unwilling to wait until the thing that brought her here tired of his game, Rhea started to walk. She’d only made it a step or two when the swaying surface beneath her feet welled up into a big wave and tossed her backward. She cried out in alarm before landing on a pallet of downy pillows. More puffs of ashy smoke escaped into the air above her.

Rhea scrambled to her hands and knees. “What do you want?” Her breath hitched in her chest as fear gripped her innards.

A chilling silence surrounded her.

“What do you want?” she repeated, trying to sound braver than she felt.

She felt movement through her hair. Fingers started at the base of her skull and slowly slid up her scalp to the crown, then slipped free. Rhea held her breath.

“The question is, what do you want, Rhea?” His voice was next to her ear. She felt the sweep of his breath upon her cheek.

Rhea spun around, but he was gone once again in another puff. Glittering sparkles briefly hung in the air where his form had been, the only proof that someone or something had recently fled. She reached out to catch some of the shimmering dust within her palm.

Ever so slowly, she opened her hand. As though the twinkling particles were alive, they spilled over the edges of her fingertips and crept up her arm, leaving a tingling trail in their wake.

Rhea squealed and tried to shake them free. But like a marching army of militant ants, they continued to swarm her skin until she felt their invasive tickle on every inch of her body. As the strangely enticing sensation moved down to the juncture of her thighs, Rhea panicked.

“Stop it!”

The feeling instantly ceased and the sparkles disappeared. His amused laughter filled the air once again. Taunting. Teasing.

“Why did you bring me here if you’re merely going to hide behind a shroud of smoke and play these childish games? Guardian? Is that who you are? Or do you have another name?”

The hand tangled in her hair once again, only there was no tenderness in the way it yanked her head back. Rhea screamed, more in shock than pain. Then she slung her fist upward and back.

Her knuckles slipped through the mist like a knife through melted butter, contacting nothing but air. When he seized her wrist to prevent any more blows, Rhea let out a terrified yelp. Helpless, she could do no more than lay there, imprisoned within an invisible, yet steely grasp.

“You wouldn’t like me in this state, Rhea.” His voice was suddenly angry, harsh. Too frightened to look upon the thing that held her, Rhea squeezed her eyes shut as the shimmering particles returned and slowly began to take shape.

She felt his mouth hover above her neck. A sweep of heat. Then a quick searing sting that was gone almost as soon as it started. Rhea inhaled sharply.

“What…do you…want?” she choked out.

He released her wrist and his fingers loosened in her hair. “Only to give you what you need.”

***

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May 2011 Best Seller List

Being on vacation can really mess with a person's memory. I checked my calendar - a small miracle because, hey, I'm on vacation - and discovered I'd signed up to blog on June 2. This is a bad thing because I won't even be home tomorrow. Time to scramble? Yes.

But just in the nick of time, the May 2011 Amber Allure Best Seller list was posted. I'm very pleased to see Between the Moon and the Deep Blue Sea at number three. A sincere thank you to all those readers who purchased a copy.

So, yes, I'm a few hours early, but I think it will be okay. A big congratulations to everyone on the list, as well as to others with May Amber Allure releases: AJ Llewellyn (The Love God of Indian Frybread), Carolina Valdez (Unmasked), Shara Bloodstone (Safe in Paris), Devon Rhodes (Stranger in Black), Stevie Woods (Best Policy), Bryl Tyne (Behind Blue Eyes), and Anne Brook (The Art of the Delaneys). This is a bunch of talented, hard-working authors, and I count myself fortunate to be among them.

1. Kissed By God - T. A. Chase (Gay / Contemporary)
2. Between Sinners And Saints - Marie Sexton (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Between The Moon And The Deep Blue Sea - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Galaxy's Heart - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
5. Infinity Pools - L. A. Witt (Gay / Contemporary)
6. Homeless In Heaven - Deirdre O'Dare (Gay / Contemporary)
7. Catch Me If I Fall - Riley Knox (Gay / Contemporary)
8. Crossing The Line - Christiane France (Gay / Contemporary)
9. Class Distinctions - Rick R. Reed (Gay / Contemporary)
10. Four Days With Jack - Kelli A. Wilkins (Gay / Contemporary)

KC Kendricks
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