Weekend Writing Warriors ~ A Human Problem

Greetings and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. I’m happy to report that it’s supposed to rain buckets here this weekend. We’ve been having a run of wondrous spring weather and that makes it so hard for this writer to stay indoors and write. Maybe that’s why I settled in the Pacific Northwest. Rain is the writer’s best companion, aside from the dog. And coffee.

So on to the snippet!  I’m continuing to share from Prowl, the first book in my Jacqui the Cat series.  You can read Chapter One here. Jacqui, a cat shifter, has finally met his crush, Wyatt the cop, face to face.  I skipped ahead a little from last week. Wyatt just asked Jacqui if he happened to see three missing blue pots. (The owner is missing, too)

***

“No, sorry, they’d be very hard to miss. Have you looked in her backyard? Maybe she’s just repotting. She does that a lot.”

“That’s probably it, but she’s got a high locked fence, and there’s no cause yet to break into her property.”

Hmm, fences are such a human problem.

“Well, if there is a pot thief lurking amongst us, I’m sure you’ll nab him.”

Nab? Who says nab? Holly GoDorkly?

***

Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, the cozy gay shifter romance mystery series the world has  been waiting for~

Jacqui Corleone is a fashion designer, a yoga-instructor and a concerned citizen who selflessly helps the police solve crimes. Oh, and he occasionally turns into a small wild cat. Probably due to a wizard’s curse or an evil government plot to create super warriors.

Or, he’s a cat cursed to turn into a human and only the bite of a sexy alpha lion will allow him to remain in his superior form of Cat.

Jacqui does not have a split personality, but sometimes his cat personality can get rather loud.

Loud? You’re loud.

Jacqui Corleone is a cat shifter who doesn’t know why or how he turns into a cat. He lives a solitary life in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He’s not afraid of intimacy (yes, he is) but sensibly refrains from potentially awkward entanglements. Unfortunately, the sexy new deputy sheriff just moved in across the street and Jacqui’s vow not to get mixed up with island dudes is sorely challenged.

When the mysterious disappearance of three blue pots draws Jacqui to investigate, he’s drawn ever deeper into danger–and into the muscular but not too bulgy or veiny arms of deputy Wyatt West (he wishes).

Join Jacqui (and Cat) in this new exciting and sexy gay shifter romance mystery series from author of fantastical gay fiction, Alexis Duran.

Here be the Amazon links:

Prowl

Pounce

Roam

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous covers!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ A Scandal

Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where writers from a wide range of genres share from their work in snippets of ten sentences or less. Books One, Two and Three of my Jacqui the Cat Mysteries series went on sale this week, and I’m happily working on Book Four as we speak. Jacqui has so much to say!  I’ve been sharing from Prowl, Book 1.  You can read the first chapter here. This scene is from Chapter Two.  Jacqui and Wyatt have just met (officially). I skipped ahead a bit from last week, and succumbed to a little creative punctuation to fit the guidelines.

***

They stood there, Jacqui staring into Wyatt’s yummy caramel eyes and Wyatt staring right back.

He’s checking us out—sexually—imagining how we’d fit.

Yes, he certainly is. The power of Lycra is terrifying.

Wyatt blinked first. He shifted his boxes again. “Say, uh, have you heard about the recent theft in the neighborhood?”

“The three blue pots? Of course, it’s a scandal. What is Friday Harbor coming to?”

***

Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, the cozy gay shifter romance mystery series the world has  been waiting for~

Jacqui Corleone is a fashion designer, a yoga-instructor and a concerned citizen who selflessly helps the police solve crimes. Oh, and he occasionally turns into a small wild cat. Probably due to a wizard’s curse or an evil government plot to create super warriors.

Or, he’s a cat cursed to turn into a human and only the bite of a sexy alpha lion will allow him to remain in his superior form of Cat.

Jacqui does not have a split personality, but sometimes his cat personality can get rather loud.

Loud? You’re loud.

Jacqui Corleone is a cat shifter who doesn’t know why or how he turns into a cat. He lives a solitary life in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He’s not afraid of intimacy (yes, he is) but sensibly refrains from potentially awkward entanglements. Unfortunately, the sexy new deputy sheriff just moved in across the street and Jacqui’s vow not to get mixed up with island dudes is sorely challenged.

When the mysterious disappearance of three blue pots draws Jacqui to investigate, he’s drawn ever deeper into danger–and into the muscular but not too bulgy or veiny arms of deputy Wyatt West (he wishes).

Join Jacqui (and Cat) in this new exciting and sexy gay shifter romance mystery series from author of fantastical gay fiction, Alexis Duran.

Here be the Amazon links:

Prowl

Pounce

Roam

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous covers!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Hey, Neighbor

Woohoo!  It’s Sunday, which means it’s time for Weekend Writing Warriors, and on top of that, Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, Books 1-3 are now available for pre-order. Yes, you read that right. I’ve released three books at once because it sounded like a really good idea at the time and besides, I have no life. It’s nice to see the shiny covers all lined up to together.

So I’m continuing to share from Prowl, Book 1. We left Jacqui in the middle of lurking behind Wyatt’s condo, musing on how to best approach him after their rather unsuccessful meeting, man to cat.  This is their first encounter man to man. (In case you’re new to this, Jacqui is a cat shifter. You can read about what happened earlier on the Jacqui book page here.)

***

“Hey, neighbor.”

Jacqui jumped, literally, nearly two inches off the ground.

Wyatt didn’t seem to notice. He was carrying a stack of flattened boxes, headed for the recycle bin at the end of the line of condos. This meant they naturally fell in step.

“Good morning,” Jacqui said, “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

“Thanks.” Wyatt shifted his boxes to fit under one arm and reached out his free hand. Nice long fingers, freckled and dusted with a sprinkling of white paint, ended in broken, dirty nails. Jacqui remembered the hand stroking his back roughly and suppressed a whimper.

***

Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, the cozy gay shifter romance mystery series the world has  been waiting for~

Jacqui Corleone is a fashion designer, a yoga-instructor and a concerned citizen who selflessly helps the police solve crimes. Oh, and he occasionally turns into a small wild cat. Probably due to a wizard’s curse or an evil government plot to create super warriors.

Or, he’s a cat cursed to turn into a human and only the bite of a sexy alpha lion will allow him to remain in his superior form of Cat.

Jacqui does not have a split personality, but sometimes his cat personality can get rather loud.

Loud? You’re loud.

Jacqui Corleone is a cat shifter who doesn’t know why or how he turns into a cat. He lives a solitary life in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He’s not afraid of intimacy (yes, he is) but sensibly refrains from potentially awkward entanglements. Unfortunately, the sexy new deputy sheriff just moved in across the street and Jacqui’s vow not to get mixed up with island dudes is sorely challenged.

When the mysterious disappearance of three blue pots draws Jacqui to investigate, he’s drawn ever deeper into danger–and into the muscular but not too bulgy or veiny arms of deputy Wyatt West (he wishes).

Join Jacqui (and Cat) in this new exciting and sexy gay shifter romance mystery series from bestselling author (she wishes) Alexis Duran. Coming soon! **UPDATE** All three books are available for pre-order on Amazon, with a release date of May 29, only two days away!

Here be the Amazon links:

Prowl

Pounce

Roam

***

Weekend Writing Warriors is a blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences or less.  Click the link to check out the other writers participating today.  It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book!

***

Thanks to Robin Ludwig Design, Inc. for the fabulous covers!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Barely People

Hello everyone and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a bunch of really cool writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten lines or less.

We’re all pretty excited here at Chez Duran because it’s just a little over two weeks until Jacqui the Cat is unleashed on the world, and today I get to unveil the cover of Prowl, Book 1, for the first time!

I’ve been sharing from Prowl and I’m picking up right where I left off last week. Jacqui is having internal argument with his inner cat regarding the wisdom of leaving Wyatt a dead bird as a welcome to the neighborhood gift. Jacqui “speaks” first.

***

People don’t like dead birds.

How would you know? You’re a hermit.

I’m a people—more people than you.

You’re barely people. You’re a freak. You’re a half-man who dresses like a nongender-specific pirate and talks out loud to his cat self.

“Enough with the negative self-talk,” Jacqui said, and then scowled. Sure he was a freak. It wasn’t a bad thing, just…inconvenient.

***

Shout-out to Robin Ludwig Design Inc for the awesome cover

Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, the cozy gay shifter romance mystery series the world has  been waiting for~

Jacqui Corleone is a fashion designer, a yoga-instructor and a concerned citizen who selflessly helps the police solve crimes. Oh, and he occasionally turns into a small wild cat. Probably due to a wizard’s curse or an evil government plot to create super warriors.

Or, he’s a cat cursed to turn into a human and only the bite of a sexy alpha lion will allow him to remain in his superior form of Cat.

Jacqui does not have a split personality, but sometimes his cat personality can get rather loud.

Loud? You’re loud.

Jacqui Corleone is a cat shifter who doesn’t know why or how he turns into a cat. He lives a solitary life in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He’s not afraid of intimacy (yes, he is) but sensibly refrains from potentially awkward entanglements. Unfortunately, the sexy new deputy sheriff just moved in across the street and Jacqui’s vow not to get mixed up with island dudes is sorely challenged.

When the mysterious disappearance of three blue pots draws Jacqui to investigate, he’s drawn ever deeper into danger–and into the muscular but not too bulgy or veiny arms of deputy Wyatt West (he wishes).

Join Jacqui (and Cat) in this new exciting and sexy gay shifter romance mystery series from bestselling author (she wishes) Alexis Duran. Coming soon! **UPDATE** Coming May 29. So close. So very close.

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Truncheons and Handcuffs

Greetings and welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors. After perusing my post, don’t forget to click the link to visit the other fabulous authors participating in the hop.

I’m continuing to share from my gay romance/mystery Prowl, Book 1 in the soon-to-be-released Jacqui the Cat Mysteries series. And by soon I mean six weeks. Seriously. I almost promise. Say, don’t you admire/hate authors who have their act so together they can do pre-release promos six months ahead of time? But I digress.  Jacqui is a cat shifter whose penchant for trouble leads him to help/hinder the local police in solving crimes.  He’s also a fashion designer, and is currently having a heart-to-heart with his best friend Zee about his new crush, Wyatt the cop.  Zee speaks first.

***

“I am wise in the ways of love, grasshopper, so shut your face and listen to my wisdom.”

“Okay, if you’re so wise, tell me how to woo a poorly dressed cop.”

Jacqui turned to his worktable to hide the blush that crept up his neck, and took his time folding the red silk tunic and black palazzo pants that Zee had also adored. He hadn’t really meant to talk about Wyatt, but why not? Zee didn’t live in Friday Harbor and wouldn’t actively meddle in Jacqui’s affairs, unlike some of his other so-called friends.

“A cop? How truncheons and handcuffs of you.” Zee sidled up to Jacqui’s couch and sprawled across it, elbow perched on the armrest, every motion languid and cat-like. Another reason why they were practically related.

“This is Friday Harbor—think Mayberry, Andy Griffith, Don Knotts.”

***

I don’t think Wyatt would appreciate the comparison.

Update RE: Jacqui’s release into the world.  For those of you paying attention, first of all, thank you! Second of all, because I will have a swarm of re-releases coming out in early May, I’ve decided to postpone Jacqui’s release until after the dust has settled a bit.  For context, my publisher Loose Id is closing, so I’m repackaging the SEVEN novels I have out with them. New covers, new lower prices! Stay tuned. May will be exciting.

***

Because I don’t have enough to do, I created a Pintrist board for Jacqui’s design company, Cat’s Eye Creations. If you too are looking to get lured into a time suck of doom, check it out!  Cat’s Eye Creations on Pinterist

***

Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, the cozy gay shifter romance mystery series the world has  been waiting for~

Jacqui Corleone is a fashion designer, a yoga-instructor and a concerned citizen who selflessly helps the police solve crimes. Oh, and he occasionally turns into a small wild cat. Probably due to a wizard’s curse or an evil government plot to create super warriors.

Or, he’s a cat cursed to turn into a human and only the bite of a sexy alpha lion will allow him to remain in his superior form of Cat.

Jacqui does not have a split personality, but sometimes his cat personality can get rather loud.

Loud? You’re loud.

Jacqui Corleone is a cat shifter who doesn’t know why or how he turns into a cat. He lives a solitary life in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He’s not afraid of intimacy (yes, he is) but sensibly refrains from potentially awkward entanglements. Unfortunately, the sexy new deputy sheriff just moved in across the street and Jacqui’s vow not to get mixed up with island dudes is sorely challenged.

When the mysterious disappearance of three blue pots draws Jacqui to investigate, he’s drawn ever deeper into danger–and into the muscular but not too bulgy or veiny arms of deputy Wyatt West (you wish).

Join Jacqui (and Cat) in this new exciting and sexy gay shifter romance mystery series from bestselling author (she wishes) Alexis Duran. Coming soon! **UPDATE** Coming in May! So close. So very close.

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Burned at the Stake

Greetings and welcome to another exciting episode of Weekend Writing Warriors.  Ah, April.  The trees are budding out, delicious little birds are scampering about the patio, driving the cats nuts, and tax receipts are overflowing my desk and spilling to the floor.  Ever since becoming a self-employed author, preparing year end taxes has become so very interesting.  Seems like a great time to grab the laptop and lock myself in a comfortable closet with Jacqui and his best friend Zee.

I’m continuing to share from Prowl, Book 1 in the Jacqui the Cat mysteries, to be released soon.  Jacqui, a cat shifter, is about to get real with his friend Zee (not a cat, but still a nice person).

***

Kissing Zee made Jacqui’s mind wander briefly to Wyatt West. Man, how he wanted to kiss that man. He couldn’t have anyone that close, though. Couldn’t risk being exposed, locked up, burned at the stake, or worst of all, rejected.

“What’s the matter, love?” Zee asked, pulling back but still standing very close, still resting a hand on Jacqui’s cheek. “You seem a little less you today.”

“I didn’t sleep last night, that’s all. Everything had to be perfect, you know.”

“I know, you work too hard.” Zee stepped back to admire the suit again. “Still no special love muffin to call your own?”

***

For the fun of it, here’s an interesting number by Maiko Takeda, milliner and jewelry designer extraordinaire.

Update RE: Jacqui’s release into the world.  For those of you paying attention, first of all, thank you! Second of all, because I will have a swarm of re-releases coming out in early May, I’ve decided to postpone Jacqui’s release until after the dust has settled a bit.  For context, my publisher Loose Id is closing, so I’m repackaging the SEVEN novels I have out with them. New covers, new lower prices! Stay tuned. May will be exciting.

***

Because I don’t have enough to do, I created a Pintrist board for Jacqui’s design company, Cat’s Eye Creations. If you too are looking to get lured into a time suck of doom, check it out!  Cat’s Eye Creations on Pinterist

***

Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, the cozy gay shifter romance mystery series the world has  been waiting for~

Jacqui Corleone is a fashion designer, a yoga-instructor and a concerned citizen who selflessly helps the police solve crimes. Oh, and he occasionally turns into a small wild cat. Probably due to a wizard’s curse or an evil government plot to create super warriors.

Or, he’s a cat cursed to turn into a human and only the bite of a sexy alpha lion will allow him to remain in his superior form of Cat.

Jacqui does not have a split personality, but sometimes his cat personality can get rather loud.

Loud? You’re loud.

Jacqui Corleone is a cat shifter who doesn’t know why or how he turns into a cat. He lives a solitary life in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He’s not afraid of intimacy (yes, he is) but sensibly refrains from potentially awkward entanglements. Unfortunately, the sexy new deputy sheriff just moved in across the street and Jacqui’s vow not to get mixed up with island dudes is sorely challenged.

When the mysterious disappearance of three blue pots draws Jacqui to investigate, he’s drawn ever deeper into danger–and into the muscular but not too bulgy or veiny arms of deputy Wyatt West (you wish).

Join Jacqui (and Cat) in this new exciting and sexy gay shifter romance mystery series from bestselling author (she wishes) Alexis Duran. Coming soon! **UPDATE** Coming in May! So close. So very close.

***

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