Weekend Writing Warriors #22

July 26, 2014 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to another weekend of wild, wondrous words and worlds. I’m feeling alliterate today, apparently. Also tired, in a good way. Attended Faerie Worlds this weekend, which is way more fun than we serious adult types usually get to have. If you’re ever in Oregon in July, check it out.

Okay, back to the snippet and more fae-like shenanigans. Constable Axel Blackwood is intent on catching his stalker, sure that someone at the court in Lacknor revealed the secret that Axel and Drummond are carrying a valuable gem to the lord of Thorburn.

To Catch a Threeve

They didn’t bother with a fire. The fall air was crisp but bearable. They had bread and cheese to eat and wine to drink, so no call to announce their presence with a fire. Drummond grumbled about the loose mindedness of lords and ladies and the soreness of his backside from all the galloping, unnecessary in his opinion. Axel kept mostly quiet, arranging his trap while Drummond provided the perfect distraction.

The large man trampled the grass to be rid of snakes and anyone else who might be inclined to approach on their belly, threw brittle twigs around to act as a warning, and generally kicked up a ruckus while Axel unobtrusively cast warning lines into the trees and placed a ring of flash pebbles along the creek. He was sure the sneak was watching them and so he made sure that all his motions looked natural, as if he were merely scouting the perimeter and helping Drummond place his standard traveler’s tricks.

He drew water from the creek into his skein and scanned the dense wall of trees. Only one sneak- he must be truly desperate to risk robbing a constable.

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This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from 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 copy & paste this address: http://www.wewriwa.com

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Unofficial Blurb for To Catch a Threeve

To Catch a Threeve is an m/m erotic fantasy that takes place in the medieval land of Lacknor. Constable Axel Blackwood catches a thief and is astounded to see that he closely resembles the love he lost seven years ago in an attack by the evil woodland folk known as threeves. He quickly realizes he’s fallen prey to dark magic, but can’t help becoming infatuated with his prisoner and is overwhelmed with the hope that he can at last bring his lost lover home. Bryn Darrow, the half-threeve, half human orphan sent to trick Axel and rob him of much more than a simple gem finds himself equally as fascinated with his handsome human captor and the lure of some place to call home, but believes that the constable is in love with a dangerous illusion.

Weekend Writing Warriors #21

July 20, 2014 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors Blog Hop!

We’re doing the happy dance at Chateau Alexis today. Signed, sealed and delivered- the contract for To Catch a Threeve arrived this week so now I can share the news! No release date yet but don’t worry, I’ll let you know (repeatedly).

I’ll continue with Threeve for a while, especially now that I’m basking in the rosy glow of acceptance. I’ve assembled the snippets up to this point on the Threeve page, if you’d care to catch up. Basically, Constable Axel Blackwood and his deputy, Drummond Alloway, are on a secret mission through the dark and scary woods. Axel has discovered they’re being followed.

To Catch A Threeve

Drummond grunted and drew up alongside. From any other man, a slight against his mount would lead to blows, if not swordplay, but Axel and Drummond had learned to fight, fence and uphold the law together. As constable to Drummond’s deputy, Axel was his boss as well as his friend.

“Time to find a flat stretch of ground to rest our weary bones?” Drummond asked.

“Up ahead there’s a meadow where the stream crosses the road again. We’ll set up and take advantage of grass for the horses and a clear view of any coming or going on the road.”

Drummond snorted, “As if any man would be travelling this godforsaken patch of forest.”

“Not many with honorable intentions, anyway,” Axel said, and nudged his horse into a gentle trot.

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Unofficial Blurb for To Catch a Threeve

Weekend Writing Warriors #20

July 12, 2014 by Alexis Duran

Greetings fellow warriors, writers and readers. I’m especially appreciative of this group and groups like it this week. I’ve started a new job that’s totally upended my writing schedule and my production level has dropped off alarmingly. However, knowing that I’m participating in this blog brings me back to the manuscript, the work and the stories in a way that I wouldn’t manage if left on my own. I’d much rather veg on the couch these days and feel sorry for myself. So thanks for all the great support!

This week I’m continuing with my m/m erotic high fantasy. The blurb is at the bottom of this post.

To Catch a Threeve (Constable Axel Blackwood and his Deputy, Drummond Alloway, are riding through the wild woods between the lands of Lacknor and Thorburn, on a secret mission for Lady Lacknor)

Drummond rounded the bend, legs slapping his horse’s side. Even in the faint starlight, Axel could tell his deputy’s cheeks flamed with exertion. The man was shaped like a standing stone and sported a thick blond beard – the physical opposite of Axel. Though wide-shouldered, Axel was slim and tall rather than blunt and wide, and dark-complexioned whereas Drummond was fair. A fine pair they made and were recognized the land over as king’s men, not to be fooled with.

“Dammit, Blackwood, how do you expect me to guard your back when you take off at a dead gallop without warning?”

“Wasn’t me, it was Sapphire. He’s had about all he can take lollygagging along at your mare’s pace.”

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Unofficial Blurb for To Catch a Threeve

Weekend Writing Warriors #19

July 6, 2014 by Alexis Duran

Hello everyone. I hope you had an enjoyable Independence Day, and if you have a freaked-out-by-fireworks dog like I do, I hope it was relatively peaceful and that all your furry friends made it through without too much trauma. My neighborhood was surprisingly quiet this year. I usually do a movie marathon while holding my dog’s paw, but I fell asleep early catching up on the last season of Castle. Have I mentioned how much I love Nathan Fillion? Anyway, it’s a lovely day for a blog hop, so don’t forget to check out all the amazing stories being spun over on the WWW website.

May we all look this hot while writing.

I’m continuing with my recently completed m/m erotic high fantasy fun in the forest magical romp with witches, threeves and hunky guys with swords.

To Catch A Threeve (Constable Axel Blackwood and his deputy, Drummond Alloway, are journeying by horseback through the deep forest)

Axel wasn’t surprised someone discovered his mission. The castle at Breckenride was as thick with gossiping, plotting knaves as any backwoods tavern, and despite the caution taken by Lady Lysette word must have leaked out. He’d warned her transporting the gem would be dangerous and a convoy might be better for the job than one constable and a hired sword, but she’d insisted she wanted to draw no attention to the removal of the gem from the castle.

Attention had been drawn, and Axel had every intention of finding out who in the castle had set a thief after them. He’d take the sneak alive and whip the truth out of him.

The jingle of tack and a stream of curses alerted him to Drummond’s imminent arrival. He hadn’t yet told his deputy about their stalker. He didn’t want anything to alert the would-be thief that his presence was known.

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This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from 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 copy & paste this address: http://www.wewriwa.com

Weekend Writing Warriors #18

June 29, 2014 by Alexis Duran

Greetings everyone. It’s good to be back. I was in the San Juan Islands last week and missed a Sunday. Can’t wait to catch up on all the fabulous stories unfolding over at the WWW Hop. Due to awesome timing on my part, I was out of town when my book launch occurred, so my self-promotion has been spotty. So, did you hear? Touch of Salar is now available at a fine ebook vendor near you!

On to the snippet! I’m now posting from my recently finished erotic fantasy, To Catch a Threeve, which is sitting in my editor’s submission pile, so I get to chew my nails over this one for several more weeks.

To Catch a Threeve (We last left Constable Axel Blackwood in the forest, aware that he is being stalked by an unknown presence)

Mint and meadow larkspur, a combination often used by hunters to disguise their presence from animals, stood out against the usual smells of the deep forest, alerting Axel to the nearness of the interloper.

Whoever tracked Axel was good. The only reason the constable had noticed he was being followed was thanks to a protective spell he’d learned from the old witch Talesin. A web of magical energy alerted him when the same presence passed through it more than once. This particular, non-animal presence had crossed the web five times since last night. Tonight was the first time Axel had detected him with his ordinary human senses. He suspected his stalker was getting desperate. Tomorrow, Axel and Drummond would reach the fortress of Lord Thorburn and the opportunity for mischief would be lost.

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Weekend Writing Warriors #17 + Cover Reveal!

June 15, 2014 by Alexis Duran

Hello Warriors, Writers, Readers and Random Internet Browsers!

I’m super excited today because I now have the cover for Touch of Salar. Bask in the wonderfulness over there in the sidebar. The cover artist is Fiona Jayde and I think she did a fabulous job of capturing the mood and creating a striking image. (That model is pretty damn cute, I must say). To celebrate I’m sharing another snippet from Touch, this time from the point of view of The Major.

Touch of Salar

Major Jamil Jarka left the temple in a bit of a daze and walked into the heavily floral air of the surrounding gardens. He’d gone into the healing room that morning expecting nothing more than a simple massage accompanied by incense, chants, and more of the mystical folderol these monks excelled in.

He’d barely noted the young monk assigned to him for this stage of his treatment, who was allegedly one of the most gifted at Ka’alar. Jamil had already forgotten his name, but not the intense pleasure nor the pain inflicted. He’d doubted a monk’s touch could do much for him, but he was willing to try anything that would get him cleared for duty. He itched to put his skills to use in the fight against the growing southern rebellion that threatened the survival of Rakkan.

When the monk had begun his work, Jamil was surprised by the power and firmness of the fingers. The shadowy person he’d glimpsed hadn’t radiated strength, only that same damnable calmness and inscrutability required of monks everywhere.

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In a world ruled by tyrannical kings and fickle gods, the young monk M’lan finds himself at the center of royal intrigue as his healing powers attract the attention of his superiors. When he learns the handsome warrior whose body he’s tending to is not only a noble, but a king’s assassin, any attachment to him might prove fatal. Despite the danger, he can’t stop himself from falling in love. Can he risk the abandon of passion when a slip of the tongue might force his lover to execute him?

Major Jamil Jarka comes to the temple with one intention—heal his wounds so he can return to the fight against the rebellion. When the monk assigned to him turns out to be stunningly attractive, he sees this as a pleasant distraction, no more. But soon he finds himself becoming obsessed with M’lan and is torn between the fear of betrayal and the lure of love.

Sinister forces strive to turn the monk and the warrior against each other—a conflict neither will survive if they cannot trust their lives to love and the healing power of Salar.

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