Seductive Studs ~ He Is Our Enemy

January 1, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Happy New Year! Welcome to another year of tantalizing snippets from the writers of Seductive Studs, the blog hop dedicated to m/m romance. I’m excited to start out 2016 with the release of the third book in the Masters and Mages series: Curse of Salar. Release date is January 5, but it’s available for pre-order now on Loose Id. (And it’s on sale!)

Okay, enough of the sales pitch. This week I’m sharing a snippet in Captain Rayn Nevar’s POV. He’s having a discussion with his boss Minister Havran, and fellow soldier Arn Gilder, about just how dangerous Prince Dezra really is. Minster Havran speaks first:

“Prince Dezra is heir to the throne of Armazin. Therefore he is our enemy. Yours in particular, Captain Nevar.”

“The throne no longer exists. The royalist rebellion is defeated.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that the great-grandson of Reva Luzan, the mage who destroyed your family, sits beside Grand Premier Skala, sipping wine and plotting his return to Armazin?”

Gilder snorted. “The prince isn’t plotting anything except which serving boy to take to bed next.”

“Reva Luzan was mad,” Rayn said. “Until I learn of some reason to fear the royals, I won’t let ancient history cloud my judgment of what’s happening today.”

“How very cultured of you.” Havran sniffed and lifted her cup but didn’t drink. “As a member of the council of Armazin, I can’t afford to be so forgiving.”

Rayn shifted uncomfortably. The furniture didn’t suit him any better than it did Gilder, nor did the conversation. The delicate trappings of the palace made Rayn feel like an ox in a pottery shop, and discussions of political intrigue reminded him he was a soldier first, a diplomat far second.

***

CurseOfSalarFinal

Cover Art by Fiona Jayde

Blurb for Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar

In the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the ancient lineage 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.

***

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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Quite Harmless

December 27, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to the last Weekend Writing Warriors hop of the year. I have the distinct pleasure of being able to cap off the year with the cover reveal for Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar, release date January 5th. Just in time to juice up that new Kindle or Paperwhite that Santa brought.

I’m continuing with one of my favorite scenes, where Prince Dezra and Rayn Nevar get to face off on the training ground. Dezra is itching for a real fight, and Nevar would love to put the prince in his place. This snippet follows directly after last week’s.

***

Dezra gave his teacher his most withering royal glare. “There’s no reason why Captain Nevar cannot play a game of shibar with me if I allow it. You see, Captain, the blades are dulled. It’s all quite harmless.”

“The way you play it, it is. The shibar can still be deadly.”

“You see, Prince Dezra—” Lanz fussed.

Dezra ignored him. “But you won’t pummel me with it, will you, Captain?”

“I’ll play as long as you promise not to have me thrown in the dungeon if I happen to crack a royal rib.”

***

CurseOfSalarFinal

Cover art by the talented Fiona Jayde

Pre-order now on Sale!

Blurb for Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar ~ Release date January 5,2016

In the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the ancient lineage 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.

***

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 ~ A Fair Match

December 20, 2015 by Alexis Duran

It’s Weekend Writing Warrior time again. This week I’m continuing the time honored tradition of shameless self-promotion and sharing an excerpt from my soon to be released m/m fantasy, Curse of Salar, available January 5th.

I skipped ahead a little bit from last week’s snippet. Prince Dezra is excited for the chance to test his skills against someone besides timid servants and teachers.

***

The idea of sparring with Nevar sent a ripple of excitement coursing through Dezra’s body. Before anyone could say anything that might ruin his fun, he stepped out on the field.

“Do you know the shibar, Captain Nevar?”

The captain looked at the spear in his hand almost guiltily, as if ashamed to be caught with it.

“I learned it young and have kept up with it as a form of exercise, Prince Dezra.” He belatedly inclined his head ever so slightly in respectful greeting.

“Then perhaps you’ll do me the favor of sparring with me. No one here will give me a fair match. They’re all afraid to hit me.”

Lanz scurried forward, saying, “Pardon me, Prince Dezra, but that is not… It is against…”

***

Blurb for Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar ~ Release date January 5,2016

In the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the ancient lineage 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.

***

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

Seductive Studs ~ You’re Not Supposed To Care

December 19, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to Seductive Studs, the blog hop dedicated to m/m romance by the people who read, write and review it.

This week I’m sharing another excerpt from Curse of Salar, Book 3 in the Masters and Mages series, release date January 5, 2016.

I’m picking up right after last week’s snippet. Prince Dezra is getting a little hot and bothered at an official state function.

***

Stop it, he ordered himself, or people will mistake the heat in your face for rage at the Armazins. You’re not supposed to care. Not supposed to care that his family had been wiped out. A burning desire to stand and rain curses on the head of the traitorous Armazin minister swept through him. He stared at his feet and thought about diving into the bathing pools in the courtyard garden. The image helped cool him off until Captain Nevar joined him in his vision, naked and wet, sending Dezra into another spiral of lust and rage. And yet he sat stone still, suppressing wave after wave of powerful emotion. When would this agony end?

Finally the minister concluded her speech, and the Armazins withdrew. Now the captain avoided looking at him. Dezra took this as a victory. As a living god, he could be intimidating when he put his mind to it. No one was ever entirely purged of superstition, after all. He watched the captain’s easy movements with pleasure, his strong back muscles detectable beneath the fluid silk shirt as he returned to his table at the far end of the hall.

***

Blurb for Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar

In the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the ancient lineage 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.

***

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

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Sacrificial Opponent

December 13, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a bunch of really awesome writers share ten sentence snippets from their work. This week I’m sharing from my upcoming release Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar.

This snippet is from one of my favorite scenes, where Prince Dezra finally meets his match on the shibar field. (A shibar is a 5-6 ft pole with bronze blades on each end. In this case the blades are dulled so as not to risk injuring the prince.)

***

Dezra drank the cool water offered to him and considered who his next sacrificial opponent would be. Perhaps Lanz himself. Now that Dezra had worked his edge off, he could focus on technique against his teacher.

He inspected the line of onlookers, wondering if any of the visiting attendants or military personnel might appreciate a chance to brush up their skills. Only those with the highest clearance were allowed anywhere near him, and so those present probably didn’t partake in the lowly game of shibar, a foot soldier’s weapon.

He wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and was about to call for Lanz when a new figure stepped out of the shadows of the columns with a shibar in his hands. It was Captain Nevar. Dezra’s eyes narrowed to slits against the sun. Perhaps he was hallucinating. The guards stopped Nevar immediately.

***

Blurb for Masters and Mages 3: Curse of Salar ~ Release date January 5,2016

In the desert kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown and the ancient lineage 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.

***

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 ~ I Want To Watch

December 12, 2015 by Alexis Duran

It’s time for another round of sexy snippets here on My Sexy Saturday. This week’s theme is Her Sexy Fantasy. Well, as a writer of m/m erotica I thought I didn’t have anything to fit, but then I remembered one of my favorite minor characters, Lady Angela Thorburn from To Catch a Threeve. She’s deliciously wicked and so fun to write.

Here are seven paragraphs taken from a scene where Lady Angela attempts to blackmail the handsome but unattainable Axel Blackwood into participating in her sexy fantasy. Lady Angela speaks first.

***

“Don’t look so grim, Constable. I don’t judge you. It’s well-known among the learned that when the goddess Brigitta ruled these lands, no false strictures were placed on love. The war god and his warrior kings are the ones who condemned the love of man for man, woman for woman.”

“If you believe this of me, why are you here?” Axel unlocked his rigid muscles and moved toward the fire, compelled to drive out the chill in his blood.

“I am a connoisseur of the beautiful and the comely. You, Axel, are beautiful. I enjoyed admiring you across the feast hall tonight, and I’d like to admire you up close.”

Axel didn’t know how to respond. He was sure the lady wouldn’t be content to merely gaze languidly upon his manhood.

She moved close enough to rest a silken hand on his bicep. “Your prisoner is also beautiful.”

Axel kept his attention on her delicate fingers. “So?”

“So I want to watch. You and him. Make love.” She patted her chest with her other hand as if she’d scandalized herself.

***

Here’s the blurb for To Catch a Threeve:

Axel Blackwood catches a thief and is astounded to see that he closely resembles Liam Alloway, the love he lost seven years ago in an attack by the evil woodland folk known as threeves. Axel suspects he’s fallen prey to dark magic, but can’t help becoming infatuated with his prisoner. He’s overwhelmed with the hope that he can at last bring his lost lover home, despite everything that warns him it’s all a diabolical trick.

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 someplace to call home, but he knows deep down that the constable is in love with a dangerous illusion. When he’s commanded by the threeves to murder Axel and steal a witch’s powerful grimoire, he’s forced to decide between the only family he’s ever known and the one person who might rescue him from a life of isolation and pain.

Will Axel and Bryn be forced into a deadly confrontation before they can discover the truth?

***

Don’t forget to continue the Sexy Saturday hop. There’s a lot of sexy snippets out there for your enjoyment, only a click away.