Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Battling Beasts

June 19, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and another Sunday of fun, exciting, sexy, hilarious and/or all of the above fiction! Just click the link to find a list of authors sharing their best stuff for your enjoyment.

I’m sharing from my soon-to-be-released m/m fantasy, Gryffon Hall, inspired by the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast and of course, properly twisted in my demented imagination. In this scene, Wryler finds himself sitting next to the mysterious Lord Rouchet at a state dinner and trying to make conversation. The man Wryler expects to be betrothed to, Lennox Asburry, is seating at another table across the hall and has been flirting with someone else the entire evening.

***

The guest seated to Rouchet’s right laughed loudly and he turned to face them. Wryler’s cheeks continued to blaze as he realized he’d bored Rouchet silly in their brief exchange.

He gulped more wine and feeling eyes upon him, glanced down the table to his left. Lennox was leering at him, and seeing that he had Wryler’s attention, winked. Wryler stiffened and turned back to Rouchet, who was smiling at something the more engaging person to his right had said.

“What about you, Lord Rouchet, what do you do for entertainment?” Wryler asked loudly. He absolutely must recapture the lord’s gaze, if only long enough to prove to Lennox Wryler wasn’t simply pining away for his flirting glances.

Rouchet carefully wiped the grease from his fingers with a linen cloth before answering. “As you surely know, Gryffon Hall is too remote to allow for much in the way of parties or feasts such as this. When not battling the beasts who stray out of their ordained territory, my cousins and I hunt, explore the forest and keep the roads clear of bandits.”

***

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

My Sexy Saturday ~ Acceptable Behavior

June 11, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to My Sexy Saturday. This week’s theme is Sexy in Time and let me tell you, I thought I had nothin’. But then it occurred to me that my m/m fairy tale, Gryffon Hall, happens outside of time, in ye olde fairy tale realm of knights, castles and dark, uncharted forests full of magical beasts. So that counts, right? Anyway, here are seven paragraphs from my soon-to-be-released novel, Gryffon Hall.

***

Rouchet swooped in for a kiss, his wine moistened lips covering and consuming Wryler’s. He was surprisingly gentle, this barbarian, his tongue easing into Wryler’s mouth slowly but firmly.

What’s happening? What’s going on here, exactly? Men other than Lennox had kissed Wryler. Large rough men. Stable hands. Traveling knights. Many had attempted to steal more than a kiss and while pleasant, Wryler wasn’t often tempted for more. But now, now he sensed Rouchet hesitating, waiting for a sign from Wryler, for permission to unleash the lust he obviously held back.

This really isn’t acceptable behavior. But Rouchet would soon be gone and they’d never see each other again. What harm could come of a little kiss?

Wryler responded, pushing back with his tongue, his body arching against Rouchet’s.

Rouchet growled and plunged in harder, driving Wryler against the wall. A cascade of tiny explosions fired beneath Wryler’s skin and he was instantly and embarrassingly hard. It had never been like this with Lennox. Wryler always required coaxing and coercing. Now he felt as if he could be the one in charge, tearing at Rouchet’s clothing and demanding to taste every inch of the lord’s enormous body.

Wryler kept his hands by his sides and balled into fists, not trusting himself to touch Rouchet with more than lips.

Rouchet had no such restraint and ran one large hand down Wryler’s back all the way to his buttocks, which he squeezed hard. Wryler gasped as Rouchet seized him with both hands and pulled him in tight, crushing Wryler’s poor swollen cock against his unyielding thigh. The pressure felt too good. Wryler wanted to climb Rouchet, to mount this monster of a man and ride him like….like…words fled him as he cried out for this unexpected delight.

***

Gryffon Hall ~ coming in Summer 2016!

Don’t forget to continue the hop at My Sexy Saturday for more sexy snippets!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Plunder

May 29, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Greetings and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. I hope you’re having a safe and serene Memorial Day Weekend (if serene is what you’re in to). My idea of a good time is a “free” day in which I can stay in my PJs and slippers all day and write, write, write without having to watch the clock. So you know where I’ll be come Monday.

This week I’m continuing to share from my m/m fairy tale, Gryffon Hall, inspired by Beauty and the Beast. I’ve skipped ahead a bit from last time. Despite his sensible fear of the barbarian from the hinterlands, Wryler finds himself being drawn into conversation with the infamous Lord Rouchet.

***

“I heard you like books,” Rouchet said, evidently determined to make conversation.

“I do enjoy reading, yes. My specialties are alchemy, astrology and herbal medicine.” Wryler forced himself to meet Rouchet’s gaze. The Lord didn’t look like someone who read much, if at all. Too busy smiting enemies with a broad sword and hunting stags with bow and arrow.

“I have a huge number of books at Gryffon Hall,” Rouchet said, not in a boastful way but as if he revealed a great burden.

“So you are a scholar?” Wryler asked, surprised.

Rouchet chuckled, shook his head and said, “When my great-grandfather conquered the Baron Gryff in battle and claimed the Hall, it came with a vast but quite empty library. He and all the lords of Gryffon Hall since have felt compelled to fill the shelves; most of the books are plunder, taken from great estates far and wide.”

***

Wyler’s idea of paradise

Gryffon Hall ~ coming in Summer 2016!

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Seductive Studs ~ A Very Logical Impulse

May 15, 2016 by Alexis Duran

What better way to kick off the week than a little juicy m/m goodness? Welcome to Seductive Studs and our new Monday launch time. I received the contract for Gryffon Hall this morning, so I thought I’d celebrate with a snippet. Gryffon Hall is a fantasy inspired by the fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. In this scene, Wryler has married his beast and is suffering through the wedding feast on pins and needles, anticipating the night to come.

~~~

Wryler mostly ignored the conversation and jokes. His mind was consumed by what awaited him that evening. Every nerve was so tightly wound he couldn’t tell if he was terrified or stirred by a level of lust he’d never experienced before. He hadn’t been jesting about wanting to tear his clothes off and found himself desperately anxious to see Rouchet undressed.

He told himself this was a very logical impulse to put everything into its proper perspective, to put to rest the ridiculous stories he’d been told, and get the whole thing over with. He drank too much too fast, which unfortunately fueled his impatient flames and made his hand want to creep along Rouchet’s thigh. He was in a fight against this impulse when Rouchet leaned against him and whispered, “Time for us to depart.”

Wryler hiccupped. “So soon?” He looked around and noticed many of the candles had burned down more than half way, but the servants were too drunk to change them out. Several guests slumped over their plates, snoozing loudly. Here and there cousins had simply stretched out on the floor. Dancers stepped over them most incautiously, laughing as they kicked or stepped on their insensible relatives.

Rouchet chuckled and helped, or rather, lifted Wryler to his feet and led him away toward the side door the servants used. “Let’s depart without fanfare,” Rouchet said after the deed was done.

“Yes, let’s.” Wryler struggled to walk steadily and match Rouchet’s stride. He tried not to cling too tightly to his husband’s muscular arm or lean on him too noticeably. Determined to keep his dignity, he met the long curving staircase with stern resolve.

“Would you like me to carry you?” Rouchet asked, an annoyingly sober twinkle in his forest green eyes.

“What? No!” Wryler released Rouchet’s arm, took two steps up and fell forward onto his hands and knees. He barely had time to curse before Rouchet wrapped an arm around his waist, pulled him to his feet and then lifted Wryler into his arms.

~~~

Unofficial blurb:

Gryffon Hall

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Seductive Studs offers a range of m/m fiction, ranging from sweet to smexy and everything in between. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the hop at www.seductivestuds.blogspot.com

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ He Really Ought to Pay More Attention

May 8, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to another edition of Weekend Writing Warriors. I have valiantly torn myself away from the rewarding task of pulling weeds to come inside and post this snippet, so I hope you enjoy it. I’m continuing to share from Gryffon Hall, an m/m fantasy inspired by Beaty and the Beast. I’ve skipped ahead a bit from last time. The party has moved into the great feast hall and Wryler is surprised to find himself seated at the head table.

***

Wryler looked at the place cards and blanched when he saw he was seated next to Aeric Rouchet. On his other side sat the frail Duke of Middlestone, who fell asleep soon after Lord Glimmerveen finished his official welcome to the assembled host.

Rouchet nodded at Wryler, then set upon his meal with the ferociousness of a bear just out of hibernation. The overly large man couldn’t be contained by his chair and his bulk encroached on Wryler’s place setting. Rouchet didn’t notice this as he planted his elbows and tore into a goose leg with fierce, tearing bites.

Wryler picked at his food, nibbling at cheese and bread. His stomach roiled with excitement and anxiety. Would his father announce the betrothal after the meal or was he too preoccupied with trade and politics? Was that the real reason the merchant Arsburry was there, to meet with Rouchet? Wryler thought, not for the first time, that he really ought to pay more attention to what was going on around him.

***

Barbarians aren’t all bad.

Gryffon Hall

***

My Sexy Saturday ~ Long Gone

April 30, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Hello and welcome to another My Sexy Saturday. Today I’m celebrating vanquishing yet another deadline (they just keep coming, though). This week’s theme is My Sexy Love and the novel I just completed happens to be all about falling in love (and monsters, curses, and such, but mostly love). Gryffon Hall is m/m fantasy; a revisited fairy tale inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Wyler and Aeric have an arranged marriage. This snippet is from their wedding night. They’re not quite in love yet, but things are looking up.

***

“I’ll try not to hurt you, but there will be pain,” Aeric said.

“Don’t hold back.” Wryler wrapped his arms around his husband’s back. It was like hugging a tree. A supple, sweat-slicked tree. “I welcome it.”

Aeric pushed back to his knees, dragging Wryler’s tattered shirt from his arms and flinging it away. He did the same with Wryler’s trousers and crouched over him, doing exactly what Wryler had hoped he wouldn’t; he inspected every inch of Wryler with both eyes and hands.

“Goddess, what perfection,” Aeric sighed.

“I told you, you don’t need to butter me up with false compliments,” Wryler pouted. “I’m perfectly aware of my limitations.”

Aeric cupped Wryler’s cheek in his palm. “Lovely Wryler, how is it you’re so blind? I must return to Glimmerveen first chance and slap your father and brothers across their silly faces.”

Wryler clucked sternly but in fact he warmed inside hearing Aeric’s words. Only Lennox and a few sly knights had complimented Wryler in such a fashion, and that was because they were trying to get into Wryler’s trousers. Aeric didn’t need to try. They were married, and the trousers were long gone.

***

Here’s my first stab at a blurb:

Gryffon Hall

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Don’t forget to continue the hop to discover a wonderful array of sweet and steamy romance at My Sexy Saturday.