Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Thought and Calculation

wewriwa

Welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors.  This week I’m celebrating Love Romances Cafe’s nomination of Blood of Salar for Best Fantasy/Steampunk Romance of 2015.  Blood of Salar is high fantasy, m/m erotica, and is book 2 in the Masters and Mages series.

In this excerpt, M’lan, headmaster of the temple of Ka’alar, is facing the invasion of the temple by rebel forces.  War is about to force the healer to draw on the dark powers of the serpent god he serves.

***

M’lan entered the chapel through a side door and scanned the scene. About a dozen soldiers were taking anything movable from the altar and the alcoves around it. There wasn’t much of value in the place, but along with a pair of gold cups and a crystal candlestick, they’d discovered the gemstones embedded in the mosaics behind the altar and were pounding at them with axes and prying with daggers. For the gain of a few coins, the rebels were vandalizing artwork a thousand years old.

He searched the dimly lit space for Sheylin but could make out only the bulky, lumbering bodies of the defilers. Then she cried out again, and M’lan spotted her in one of the alcoves. Raffe held her by the wrists and had forced her to her knees. The captain backhanded her across the face and then went down on one knee beside her limp body.

Thought and calculation dropped away from M’lan like a stone he’d been uselessly holding. This was Ka’alar’s place— Ka’alar would deal with these men.

***

Blurb:

BloodOfSalarM’lan, headmaster of the order of Ka’alar and Jamil Jarka, king’s assassin, find their impossible love challenged to the utmost as a rebellion sweeps them apart, sending Jamil on a dangerous mission to assassinate the rebel leader, General Charvat. Unknown to anyone, Charvat is on his way to the temple to exploit the headmaster’s magical abilities.

When the rebel army arrives, M’lan is thrust into a struggle against political and sexual dominance as Charvat attempts to break his resistance. Violence and death mount, awakening within M’lan both the powers of destruction and the desire for revenge.

On the trail of his prey, Jamil begins to question his devotion to M’lan as his once innocent lover transforms into a mage and invades the assassin’s thoughts and dreams. The closer Jamil draws to M’lan, the more he puts his life and his very soul at risk. Jamil soon realizes that his lover might prove to be more deadly than the man he was sent to kill.

A final confrontation between assassin and monk might destroy them both, but Jamil is relentless in his determination to rescue M’lan, for he knows that only his love can master the mage.

***

Blood of Salar on Amazon   Loose Id

All Romance eBooks  Barnes & Noble

***

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

 

My Sexy Saturday ~ Stay With Me

LynnSexySaturday_banner

Welcome to My Sexy Saturday, the blog hop guaranteed to get you in the mood for whatever naughty things you have planned for Valentine’s Day.  This weeks theme is, of course, Our Sexy Valentine.  I have yet to write a Valentine’s Day scene, so I decided to excerpt from a scene that is pretty tender for my warrior/monk guys.  This is from Blood of Salar, Book 2 in the Masters and Mages series, which just happens to have been nominated by LR Cafe for Best Fantasy/Steampunk romance in 2015!

***

Jamil slid his hand down to M’lan’s buttocks and cupped a cheek, fingers exploring the crease. “I was mad to come here,” he said, voice husky.

M’lan met Jamil’s hard stare straight on, even though the pressure of Jamil’s thigh against his stiffening cock was intensely distracting. “You were mad to think I’d go sit in a palace while everyone I care about, including you, is tossed about in this war.”

Jamil looked like he might argue further, but his expression softened, and for a brief moment he looked youthful and unsure, almost like a normal person. “I’m obsessed with you. I can’t think clearly, knowing you might be in danger.”

“Stay with me, then. Here.”

“And become a monk?” Jamil chuckled.

“Why not?” M’lan tried to imagine the warrior Jamil spending his days praying, fasting, and chanting and admitted to himself the image didn’t come easily.

“You and Ka’alar won’t rest until you enslave me entirely,” Jamil complained as he massaged M’lan’s ass.

***

BloodOfSalar

 

Blurb:

M’lan, headmaster of the order of Ka’alar and Jamil Jarka, king’s assassin, find their impossible love challenged to the utmost as a rebellion sweeps them apart, sending Jamil on a dangerous mission to assassinate the rebel leader, General Charvat. Unknown to anyone, Charvat is on his way to the temple to exploit the headmaster’s magical abilities.

When the rebel army arrives, M’lan is thrust into a struggle against political and sexual dominance as Charvat attempts to break his resistance. Violence and death mount, awakening within M’lan both the powers of destruction and the desire for revenge.

On the trail of his prey, Jamil begins to question his devotion to M’lan as his once innocent lover transforms into a mage and invades the assassin’s thoughts and dreams. The closer Jamil draws to M’lan, the more he puts his life and his very soul at risk. Jamil soon realizes that his lover might prove to be more deadly than the man he was sent to kill.

A final confrontation between assassin and monk might destroy them both, but Jamil is relentless in his determination to rescue M’lan, for he knows that only his love can master the mage.

***

Blood of Salar on Amazon   Loose Id  All Romance eBooks  Barnes & Noble

Don’t forget to continue the hop at My Sexy Saturday, where a great group of writers share sexy, sweet, steamy snippets in seven words, sentences or paragraphs.

Seductive Studs ~ Tempted

 

square_SeductiveStuds

Hello and welcome to the Seductive Studs blog hop!  This week I’m celebrating the nomination of Blood of Salar by LR Cafe for Best Fantasy/Steampunk romance in 2015.  Blood of Salar is the second book in the Masters and Mages series, but it can be read as a stand alone.  This excerpt is from the first chapter, when M’lan and Jamil are reunited after a long separation.  M’lan has been taking an early morning dip in one of the hot pools surrounding the temple where he is headmaster.

***

M’lan emerged dripping and retrieved his clothes from the burn bush he’d draped them over. When he pressed the cloth to his face to wipe the water from his eyes, all the fine hair on his bare skin stood on end. He sensed a presence, and it was not Amara.

He took a step forward to flee via the pool, but iron fingers gripped both his arms and pulled him back.

“Your senses are improving,” Jamil whispered in his ear. “You actually detected me before I touched you.”

M’lan shuddered as relief and anger rolled through him in alternating waves. He gritted his teeth against an onslaught of curses that leaped to his tongue. When his heartbeat softened, he said as calmly as possible, “You…startled me.”

“Good. Maybe you’ll act more sensibly.” Jamil enfolded M’lan in his arms, and his warm, rich voice tickled M’lan’s ear. “Lolling about nude, alone, while rebel troops swarm around the mountain in droves. My god, M’lan, even someone more honorable and upright than myself would be tempted by the sight of you.” Jamil continued to crush him against his broad chest, and M’lan struggled halfheartedly to escape, still angry at being taken by surprise. He knew he was angrier with himself than Jamil.

BloodOfSalar

Blurb:

M’lan, headmaster of the order of Ka’alar and Jamil Jarka, king’s assassin, find their impossible love challenged to the utmost as a rebellion sweeps them apart, sending Jamil on a dangerous mission to assassinate the rebel leader, General Charvat. Unknown to anyone, Charvat is on his way to the temple to exploit the headmaster’s magical abilities.

When the rebel army arrives, M’lan is thrust into a struggle against political and sexual dominance as Charvat attempts to break his resistance. Violence and death mount, awakening within M’lan both the powers of destruction and the desire for revenge.

On the trail of his prey, Jamil begins to question his devotion to M’lan as his once innocent lover transforms into a mage and invades the assassin’s thoughts and dreams. The closer Jamil draws to M’lan, the more he puts his life and his very soul at risk. Jamil soon realizes that his lover might prove to be more deadly than the man he was sent to kill.

A final confrontation between assassin and monk might destroy them both, but Jamil is relentless in his determination to rescue M’lan, for he knows that only his love can master the mage.

Blood of Salar on Amazon   Loose Id  All Romance eBooks  Barnes & Noble

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Don’t forget to continue the hop at the Seductive Studs home page.  Lots of steamy m/m goodness goin’ on.

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Moment of Distraction

wewriwa

Welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors. And I do feel like a warrior today, having done battle with a failing hard drive, wonky internet, and worst of all…a full time job.  Sigh.  But I have vanquished my enemies and managed to get this post up in time.

Prince Dezra is also doing battle, and fairing rather poorly.  This excerpt continues from last week and for continuity’s sake, I’ve included the final sentence from last week.

“I like to play with my kill before I eat it,” Nevar said, his grin turning vicious.

***

Dezra shuddered but not from fear. He wanted to be played with. In this moment of distraction, Nevar whipped out his shibar and knocked Dezra’s left leg out from under him. He lunged forward, smacked Dezra in the chest, and before he knew it, Dezra was flat on his back with the dull tip of the blade brushing his neck. Nevar’s expression was lost in the sun, but sweat from his face and hair dripped on Dezra’s exposed skin. Instead of being mortified by his defeat, Dezra concentrated on the feel of the hot beads of sweat sliding down his neck.

“Game to Captain Nevar,” Lanz called out in a tremulous voice. There was no applause, only murmurs and shuffling. Dezra knocked the captain’s shibar aside and jumped to his feet.

“Thank you, Captain- would you like to go again?”

***

CurseOfSalarFinal

In the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the line of sorcerer kings wiped out. Prince Dezra and his sister are the last living members of the royal family and are held prisoners in their ancestral palace.

Prince Dezra lives a life of lies and deceit. In order to stay alive, he must pretend to be a drug-addicted wastrel, trusting no one, isolated from even his sister who has chosen to cooperate with the government that executed their parents.

Into his lonely existence comes a man who should be his sworn enemy; Captain Rayn Nevar. Dezra is irresistibly drawn to the rough soldier and his longing for a simple sexual encounter quickly morphs into a dangerous obsession.

Captain Rayn Nevar knows he should stay far away from Prince Dezra, but his desire for the beautiful young man overrides all common sense. Despite the fact that Dezra’s ancestors destroyed Rayn’s family, the captain finds himself in a position of protecting the prince from the many schemers who believe the last of the mages should be annihilated.

When treachery leads to Dezra’s escape, he is at last free to bond with the serpent god Ka’alar and develop his long repressed powers. Only the arrival of a mysterious monk with powers greater than Dezra’s stops the prince from using black sorcery to destroy all who stand in his way, including Rayn.

As Jahar edges toward another war between masters and mages, Rayn must question his devotion to his increasingly deadly lover while Dezra must decide if ultimate power is worth the ultimate sacrifice.

Buy on Amazon    All Romance Ebooks (ARe)    Loose Id

***

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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Play With My Kill

wewriwa

Welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors.  This is a blog hop where writers of all stripes and spots share ten line snippets from their work; published, unpublished, or fresh from their brain to your screen.  I’ve been sharing from my latest release, Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar.  This snippet picks up right after last week’s. Prince Dezra, tired of fighting against servants who don’t really try to beat him, challenged Captain Rayn Nevar to bout of shibar.  Dezra is getting more than he bargained for.

***

The captain never relented in his offensive maneuvers, keeping Dezra on his heels the entire time, though Dezra did land a glancing blow or two. He was breathing hard, nearly panting, and he was soaked with sweat, but he was thrilled to be challenged and excited not to be beaten in the first thirty seconds of their match.

After barely escaping several times, Dezra gritted his teeth at the realization that Captain Nevar was holding back after all. Obviously, he couldn’t try to kill a prince, but surely he could try to win.

Dezra gained a safe distance and paused to wipe sweat from his face. “Captain Nevar, you disappoint me.”

“Have I mussed you, Prince?” Nevar said in a highly disrespectful manner, a twinkle in his formerly hard eyes.

“On the contrary. I don’t believe you’re doing your best to beat me.”

“I like to play with my kill before I eat it,” Nevar said, his grin turning vicious.

***

CurseOfSalarFinal

In the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the line of sorcerer kings wiped out. Prince Dezra and his sister are the last living members of the royal family and are held prisoners in their ancestral palace.

Prince Dezra lives a life of lies and deceit. In order to stay alive, he must pretend to be a drug-addicted wastrel, trusting no one, isolated from even his sister who has chosen to cooperate with the government that executed their parents.

Into his lonely existence comes a man who should be his sworn enemy; Captain Rayn Nevar. Dezra is irresistibly drawn to the rough soldier and his longing for a simple sexual encounter quickly morphs into a dangerous obsession.

Captain Rayn Nevar knows he should stay far away from Prince Dezra, but his desire for the beautiful young man overrides all common sense. Despite the fact that Dezra’s ancestors destroyed Rayn’s family, the captain finds himself in a position of protecting the prince from the many schemers who believe the last of the mages should be annihilated.

When treachery leads to Dezra’s escape, he is at last free to bond with the serpent god Ka’alar and develop his long repressed powers. Only the arrival of a mysterious monk with powers greater than Dezra’s stops the prince from using black sorcery to destroy all who stand in his way, including Rayn.

As Jahar edges toward another war between masters and mages, Rayn must question his devotion to his increasingly deadly lover while Dezra must decide if ultimate power is worth the ultimate sacrifice.

Buy on Amazon    All Romance Ebooks (ARe)    Loose Id

***

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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Traitor

wewriwa

Welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors.  I’m sharing from a scene in my m/m fantasy, Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar.  This week’s snippet picks up immediately from last week’s.  Prince Dezra has challenged the much more experienced soldier, Captain Rayn Nevar, to a match of shibar.  What started out as good, dirty fun quickly turns more serious.

***

Nevar grinned. “Congratulations, Prince Dezra, you do know something of the shibar after all.”

“I know to never trust an Armazin traitor,” Dezra said and attacked as Nevar froze with shock. Nevar just managed to bring down his shibar and keep Dezra’s blade from “entering” his heart. As it was, Dezra struck him hard in the ribs before dancing away. “There’s your cracked rib for you, Captain,” Dezra said, his voice icy. One of his advantages had always been the ability to intimidate, and it seemed that Nevar was not as immune as he’d like to be.

“Bruised but not cracked. You’ll have to try much harder than that.” Nevar advanced, twirled his shibar in an irritatingly fancy manner, and attacked again, this time going for Dezra’s midsection before thrusting upward for the neck.

***

CurseOfSalarFinalIn the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the line of sorcerer kings wiped out. Prince Dezra and his sister are the last living members of the royal family and are held prisoners in their ancestral palace.

Prince Dezra lives a life of lies and deceit. In order to stay alive, he must pretend to be a drug-addicted wastrel, trusting no one, isolated from even his sister who has chosen to cooperate with the government that executed their parents.

Into his lonely existence comes a man who should be his sworn enemy; Captain Rayn Nevar. Dezra is irresistibly drawn to the rough soldier and his longing for a simple sexual encounter quickly morphs into a dangerous obsession.

Captain Rayn Nevar knows he should stay far away from Prince Dezra, but his desire for the beautiful young man overrides all common sense. Despite the fact that Dezra’s ancestors destroyed Rayn’s family, the captain finds himself in a position of protecting the prince from the many schemers who believe the last of the mages should be annihilated.

When treachery leads to Dezra’s escape, he is at last free to bond with the serpent god Ka’alar and develop his long repressed powers. Only the arrival of a mysterious monk with powers greater than Dezra’s stops the prince from using black sorcery to destroy all who stand in his way, including Rayn.

As Jahar edges toward another war between masters and mages, Rayn must question his devotion to his increasingly deadly lover while Dezra must decide if ultimate power is worth the ultimate sacrifice.

Buy on Amazon    All Romance Ebooks (ARe)    Loose Id

***

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