My Sexy Saturday~ Face the Fire

June 20, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to My Sexy Saturday, the hop where writers share in seven words, lines or paragraphs, a snippet of their smokin’ hot fiction. This week’s theme is Our Sexy Best, inspired by the Tina Turner song, The Best. Personally, when I heard the theme I thought of Carly Simon’s Nobody Does it Better, especially the refrain, Baby, You’re the Best. And because it’s a song from the James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me, I think danger and excitement, and how when you meet the one who really is the best, no amount of risk or common sense will stand in the way.

My seven paragraphs are from the soon-to be-released (June 30th!) contemporary fantasy, Betwixt and Between. I thought I’d share a moment when Ian begins to admit to himself that Zeke is definitely the best.

***

Ian sensed heat radiating next to him as if he slept beside a campfire. His heart started to pound. Which was real, the bed or the fire? Was he still trapped in the dark realm? No use putting it off. He opened his eyes and turned his head to face the fire.

Zeke lay beside him, eyes wide open, staring at him.

“That’s kind of creepy, you know, watching someone sleep,” Ian said.

Zeke didn’t respond but reached out and brushed sweaty hair out of Ian’s face. Ian’s skin instantly electrified. He stopped himself from grabbing Zeke’s hand and kissing it. Having the amazingly fierce and powerful svarta in his bed scared Ian more than the dark realm had. If he didn’t set some boundaries right away, Zeke would overwhelm him, dominate him, enslave him. And the pathetic thing was, it sounded so good Ian would have a hard time standing up for himself.

“Listen, Zeke, we need to talk.”

Zeke grabbed his shoulder and pulled him close. He pressed his lips against Ian’s, and all thoughts of talk vanished in a surge of lust. Zeke nibbled on Ian’s lower lip, then thrust his long tongue deep into Ian’s mouth. The flow of dark energy was like a nectar Ian couldn’t get enough of. Just when he thought he never wanted to stop kissing, Zeke broke away. He slid on top of Ian and began to kiss and bite his neck. The weight of Zeke’s body pressing him into the mattress and immobilizing him reminded Ian of his fears.

“I know you’re used to being in charge and all, but we need to set some ground rules—”

***

Don’t forget to continue the hop to check out more sexy snippets from the other participants. Seven words, seven lines or seven paragraphs of steamy fun await at My Sexy Saturday main page.

Weekend Writing Warriors~ Cautious but Curious

May 31, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Greetings! Time for another round of Weekend Writing Warriors, the hop where writers of all stripes and spots share awesome excerpts from their work; in progress or published. This week I’m sharing from my upcoming release, the contemporary m/m fantasy, Betwixt and Between, which somehow in the editing process became number 1 of a series; On the Edge of Night. But don’t worry, Betwixt is a stand-alone story. Release date is June 30th.

Last week I shared the opening ten lines. This continues right where we left off. (Note to those who haven’t read The Practically Complete Compendium of Magical Creatures, a liosa is light/sky elf).

***

The liosa’s thoughts whispered in Ezekiel’s ear. It was cautious but curious. Untrained. Ezekiel detected no significant magical protections, and thanked his lucky stars for this gift.

Don’t lap at the blood before it is spilled, he cautioned himself. Though he sensed his prey was utterly unaware of the trap, he could be spooked if Ezekiel revealed any of his power too soon. And so he played on, risking only a quick peek from beneath his eyelashes.

The liosa had paused a few steps up from the landing, just beyond the wall that blocked the view of the rest of the stairwell. He lingered in the shadows but did not radiate any fear. Ezekiel caught a glimpse of wind-tousled blond hair, large dark eyes, a lumpy coat, and battered hiking boots.

***

This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post 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 ~ His Prey Drew Closer

May 17, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. Well, we decided on a title so I finally get to announce my upcoming release! Betwixt and Between, an m/m urban fantasy, will be available on June 30. I’ve shared a few snippets from this story over on My Sexy Saturday, but I think this is the first time I’ve posted an excerpt here, so I might as well start at the beginning.

***

Even as the first haunting chords drifted up the cement stairwell, Ezekiel detected a nibble on his bait. He pressed his bow more firmly to the strings on his violin and drew his elbow back. His prey drew closer.

He’d had his doubts about setting up in midday and in such a busy, public spot, but a tug at his instincts had guided him here. Over the centuries, he’d learned to never ignore that tug. The music echoed nicely, penetrating the dull roar of the Pike Street Market above and the viaduct below. From the open staircase, he had a partial view of the waterfront and Puget Sound beyond.

He’d set up on a landing below street level on the stairs that led from the waterfront to the market. On a rainy Tuesday in February, the market wasn’t the teeming morass of humans it usually was, and Ezekiel easily sensed the motions of the liosa as it descended the stairs.

He threw a little more passion into Smetana’s symphonic poem, Vltava, and the lines cast out by the music shimmered darkly in the dull light.

***

My Sexy Saturday ~ Betwixt and Between

May 16, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to My Sexy Saturday. This week’s theme is My Sexy Forever, which just happens to coincide nicely with my upcoming release, an m/m urban fantasy called Betwixt and Between, coming out June 30th. I’ve shared a few snippets before back when the working title was Dark Heart. You might remember it from the post Evil Elf Visits Starbucks. Ian and Zeke, the dark elf, might be destined to be together forever, but they’re hitting some major roadblocks along the way, the main one being Zeke’s evil nature.

Ian speaks first:

“Uh, Zeke, there was a time when… I thought we might be… But now, I have to say I kind of hate you.”

“That’s not true. You are free of the hatred that has plagued our kind.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Ian, my love. You were right. We are two parts of a whole. We must be joined.” Zeke’s hand traveled up Ian’s side, brushed his nipple and returned to the waist of his jeans. Zeke leaned over him. Melted snow dripped from his hair onto Ian’s face and neck. Ian shuddered. Not from the cold on his skin but from tremors deep inside.

“No,” he whispered.

Zeke bent down and kissed his lips. Warm and firm. Zeke tasted of wood smoke and wine. Ian let Zeke delve deep into his mouth with his tongue, but didn’t respond. Not with his lips, anyway. Blood rushed to his cock, and he was instantly so hard it hurt. He turned his head away. Zeke kissed his neck, sucking lightly on the delicate spot beneath his ear.

“It’s not going to work, so you might as well… Stop,” Ian said, barely able to breathe.

***

Don’t forget to continue the hop to check out more sexy snippets from the other participants. Seven words, seven lines or seven paragraphs of steamy fun await at My Sexy Saturday main page.

My Sexy Saturday ~ Keep Looking

April 18, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Welcome to My Sexy Saturday. This week’s theme is “I’ve got you, Babe.” I had a hard time coming up with an excerpt to match the theme, maybe because I’m always busy tearing my couples apart. So this week’s seven is from an upcoming contemporary fantasy: title-yet-to-be-announced, in which my lovers, Zeke and Ian, got each other, but only oh-so briefly.

***

“I’ve searched for you my whole life.” Ian fingered sweaty strands of hair from Zeke’s face.

“Keep looking. Promise me you will keep looking.”

“If you don’t leave, I won’t have to.”

“It’s not my choice.” Zeke let go of Ian’s hand and his body faded,everything except the eyes.

***

Don’t forget to continue the hop to check out more sexy snippets from the other participants. Seven words, seven lines or seven paragraphs of steamy fun await at My Sexy Saturday main page.

Virtual Blog Tour Starts Today!

March 16, 2015 by Alexis Duran

Hey friends, fans, and random internet wanderers, today is the start of my Blood of Salar book blog tour. I’ll be visiting several blogs this week and answering a whole bunch of questions. Every stop provides an opportunity to enter a giveaway for a Loose Id Gift Card and copy of Touch of Salar, Book 1 in the Masters and Mages series. This is a separate giveaway from the book blast of last week, so feel free to enter again!

I’m over at The Hat Party today, a great place to join the tour.