Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a bunch of really awesome writer share excerpts from their work in ten sentences or less. Hi everybody! I fell off the edge of the earth for a couple weeks into the maw of family, holiday and too much work, but I’m back and it feels good. I’m picking up from where I left off in Gryffon Hall, my soon-to-be-released m/m fantasy inspired by the tale of Beauty and the Beast.
In the last snippet I shared, Lord Rouchet revealed that he spends his free time battling beasts and generally keeping the world of man free from the intrusions of these troublesome creatures. FYI, Lennox is Wryler’s betrothed-to-be, and he’s been flirting with someone else at the state dinner they’re all attending, while Wryler has been forced to make conversation with the mysterious Lord Rouchet. Rouchet speaks first:
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“Gryffon Hall is at the crossroads of nothing; it is a terminus, a bastion against the dark mysteries of the past.” Rouchet took another large swallow of wine. “But I don’t mean to frighten you or make you think it’s all monsters and shadows where I live. There is much a man can do to brighten his days and warm his nights.” He looked directly into Wryler’s eyes and lifted an eyebrow. A strange tingle traveled from Wryler’s scalp to his toes. Something about the words ‘warm’ and ‘night’ and the way Rouchet looked at him, calmly confident, assessing Wryler with more than friendly interest, or so it appeared, quickened his pulse.
But you’re drunk. He glanced over his shoulder at Lennox, who stared and scowled at them. Good, serves him right.
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Gryffon Hall ~ coming in Summer 2016!
Useless fourth son of the Lord of Glimmerveen, Wryler dreams of getting married and escaping the rustic confines of his father’s castle. A wealthy merchant’s son seems to hold the key to Wryler’s safe if somewhat dreary future. However, the arrival of a mysterious stranger on the eve of Wryler’s betrothal sends his plans into disarray and Wryler finds himself traded off in marriage to one of the most notorious rogues in the land.
Is Lord Aeric Rouchet the barbarian he appears to be, or is he something much worse? Separated from his family and thrust into a strange and dangerous new life at the foreboding Gryffon Hall, Wryler must unravel the secret of his husband’s shadowed life and defeat the curse which threatens not only his growing affection for the barbarian in his bed, but the lives of everyone the Lord of Gryffon Hall is sworn to protect.
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This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight to ten sentences from a published work or perhaps their current work in progress. Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! I heartily invite you to participate as a reader, writer, or both. It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book. Click here or use the address: http://www.wewriwa.com
Nothing like a bit of flirting to get you into trouble, Alexis.
Excellent snippet
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Big trouble ahead with all the fancy talk.
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Ooo I hope Wryler catches the undertone and explores it. I definitely want to see a romance between these two. 😉
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I think that can be arranged. 😉
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I like Rouchet’s subtle flirting. Great snippet! 🙂
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I foresee a lot of complications arising from this dinner and everyone’s behavior and flirting…but I’m loving it! Another great snippet.
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Personally, I think Rouchet will be much better for him than Lennox, but I have a feeling you agree. 🙂
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Nice setup, Alexis! I think that Wryler’s future is about to go sideways to a future that is anything but what he thought. 🙂
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‘Calmly confident’ … yes, such attitudes can be sexy indeed.
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Hey, maybe someone you don’t have to play mind games with would be a better choice. Maybe someone honest and a little rough-edged? 😉
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I love this relationship dynamic. Do you have a release date more specific than summer 2016 yet?
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August 30th. Thanks for asking!
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My birthday! That can be my present to myself. 🙂
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Flirting is always such an adventure! Great snippet!
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