Seductive Studs ~ Wed This Very Night

September 4, 2016 by Alexis Duran

A new week, a new round of Seductive Studs. I’m sharing from my new release, Gryffon Hall, a fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast and spiced up with an m/m romance. In this scene, Wryler has arrived at Gryffon Hall with his aunt Otillia. They’ve found out over breakfast that Rouchet insists on proceeding with the ceremony right away. Wryler speaks first.

***

“Lord Rouchet—”

“Please. We’re to be wed this very night. Call me Aeric.”

Mouth suddenly quite dry, Wryler looked up at Rouchet. Wed this very night. He licked his lips and formed the word with difficulty.

“Aeric.” He’d forgotten what he was going to ask.

“That sounds much nicer.” Rouchet had a hand on the back of his chair and with the other reached out for one of Wryler’s. Wryler nearly jumped in surprise but held still, blushing only a little. Rouchet’s hand was rough and hot and could snap all of Wryler’s fingers with a squeeze, yet his grip was gentle. “You have a request? Whatever you wish, I will do my utmost to satisfy.”

“I… It’s nothing, really. I wondered if I might see the library.”

“Wryler!” Otillia exclaimed. “You have no time for sightseeing. Now that Lord Rouchet insists on having the ceremony tonight, we must away at once to your chamber to finish your—”

“I would be delighted to escort you there myself, Wryler,” Rouchet said, speaking over Otillia as if she hadn’t uttered a peep. Wryler’s aunt flushed a deep red, and Farina’s eyes looked like they might pop out of her head. “Please excuse us, Lady Otillia. It will only be a brief excursion, and I will return your nephew to you in ample time. Unless you wish to join us?”

“As if I had a moment to spare!” Otillia looked like she might leap to her feet, but sighed and reached for another jam tart. “If you’re not at my door in an hour’s time, Wryler, I’ll send that useless manservant of yours to fetch you. If I can find him.” She shook her head and muttered, “So much to do in one day.”

Rouchet stepped back and gestured for Wryler to walk ahead of him. Wryler bowed to his aunt, who released him with a testy wave. He walked stiffly down the long stretch of the room, aware of Rouchet on his heels. He’d wanted to escape to the library, to be alone with his favorite people—dead scholars in books—and gather his thoughts. He’d certainly had no intention of prolonging his contact with Rouchet. It was damn awkward, is what it was.

Get through the wedding night. Submit to whatever has to happen, and then hopefully Rouchet will go on his way, ignoring his spouse like so many husbands do.

Ah, little chance of that Wryler.

Fated to be born the 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 scoundrel 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.

Buy on Amazon

ARe

Loose Id

***

Don’t forget to continue the hop at Seductive Studs for more sweet and sexy m/m goodness.

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ Better Get Packing

September 4, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Greetings and welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors.

I’m forging ahead with a scene from my new release, Gryffon Hall. Wryler has just found out that he’s been betrothed to a stranger, the notorious Lord Aeric Rouchet. The arrangement is very advantageous for Wryler’s father, but that’s cold comfort to Wryler. The “they” in the first sentence is Wryler’s father and a government minister.

***

They both smiled broadly, completely unconcerned with Wryler’s feelings or the terrifying fate they’d bound him to.

Wryler lifted his chin and put back his shoulders. “And when is the ceremony set to occur? Sometime in the summer?” he asked, mind racing. There was still a chance he could talk to Rouchet and explain that Wryler had no interest in marrying him, that he loved—or at least was fond of—another. Maybe MacFarlane would reject the Arsburry offer and Wryler’s father could be persuaded to reconsider—

“Seven days hence at Gryffon Hall. Lord Rouchet has already taken his leave in order to prepare his household. You’re to follow in three days. Better get packing.”

***

Buy on Amazon

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 ~ No Turning Back

August 28, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where a bunch of really great writers share from their published works, works in progress or whatever has just fallen out of their brain pan. Don’t be alarmed–it’s fun!

This week I’m excited to share my cover for the first time as well as a snippet from Gryffon Hall, my m/m fantasy which is being released on Tuesday! Yes, this Tuesday. Nothing like getting promotional materials three days before release to get a writer’s heart a-pounding. But I digress. Wryler has just been informed by his father that he’s been betrothed to the notorious Lord Aeric Rouchet and has expressed misgivings (to put it lightly). If you’d like to read the scene leading up to this, you can find snippets here, here and here.

***

Minister Cook, who had yet to utter a sound, cleared his throat and said, “If it will ease your mind, Master Wryler, consider the likelihood that the tales of monsters have been kept alive by the Rouchets themselves, in order to guard their borders and enhance their prestige. If we really believed centaurs and gryffons still roamed the woods, we’d hardly risk sending a heavily laden caravan through the forest, with or without Rouchet’s guidance.”

Wryler chewed his lower lip—it wasn’t the monsters in the forest that concerned him.

“And if I refuse?”

Lord Glimmerveen laughed heartily and slapped Wryler on the shoulder. “If you refuse, I’ll escort you to Gryffon Hall at swordpoint myself. The ink on the contract has dried. There’s no turning back. Think of all the new stars you’ll see without the fog and dust of the valley to obscure your sky peeper.”

“It’s called a telescope,” Wryler groused.

***

Cover art by April Martinez

Gryffon Hall ~ Release date August 30, 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.

***

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

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.

***

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 ~ Moment of Distraction

February 7, 2016 by Alexis Duran

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?”

***

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

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Seductive Studs ~ Unexpected Urge

January 9, 2016 by Alexis Duran

Happy Saturday! Welcome to another round of Seductive Studs, the blog hop dedicated to m/m romance. This week’s snippet is from my new release, Curse of Salar, available now on Amazon and all the usual places. I’m continuing from where I left off last week. Captain Rayn Nevar is reluctantly discussing Prince Dezra with Minister Havran, Rayn’s boss. Havran speaks first.

***

“So you think the prince is harmless? A mere pretty bauble for Skala to wear about his neck?” Havran persisted.

“Harmless as long as he’s kept well away from the cultists of Ka’alar and those few madmen who think we need a mage to return Armazin to greatness.” Rayn drained his cup and blinked to keep his vision from blurring. The last thing he intended was to defend Dezra against Havran’s rancor, but an odd and entirely unexpected urge to protect the prince muddled his thinking.

Determined to turn the conversation to safer ground, Rayn asked, “But what do you think of Tovias and his continued incursions across the Rakkan border?”

Havran seized on one of her favorite topics with drunken glee and launched into a litany of Tovias’s failures as a leader. Rayn nodded at appropriate times and tortured himself by recalling his encounter with Dezra, if one could call it that. A look. A stare. A sort of understanding, if Rayn deluded himself enough to believe the prince had actually shown an interest in him and wasn’t simply bored out of his mind.

***

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.

Buy on Amazon All Romance Ebooks (ARe) Loose Id

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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.