New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: BEAUTIFUL DARK TEMPTATION by Roxas Winters (Arcadia U #1)

Beautiful Dark Temptation

by Roxas Winters

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Release Date: September 27, 2024

Pairing: MM

Tense/POV: First person/ Past tense/Alternating POV

Genres: Contemporary MM Romance, dark, mafia, college, 

Tropes: Mafia romance, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, morally grey MCs, possessive MC

Themes: Bisexual awakening, in the closet, trauma 

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length: 226 pages/ 76 000 words

It is a standalone story with a HFN ending. 

This is book 1 of the Arcadia U series. Book two is in edits.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

I’m not ready to lose it all for a beautiful dark temptation

Blurb

Tomás

I’ve lost everything. 

Forced into a prison masking as a school, I find myself in the crosshairs of more than one killer. My savior? The arrogant prick who wants to control me. Kieran is a nightmare wrapped in a seductive package and when he sets his sights on me I don’t know whether to fight him or kiss him. 

Kieran

I am the eldest bastard of one of the four founders of Arcadia University, and I will do anything to see my family fall. 

The secrets I’ve kept hidden behind my heart now threaten to bury me alive with the arrival of Tomás. He consumes my space, my thoughts, my nightmares. I hate him for how he makes me feel. This toxic attraction between us forces me to question what matters most—vengeance, power, love. But Tomas doesn’t fit into my world of lies and violence and I’m not ready to lose it all for a beautiful dark temptation.

Excerpt

Kieran

The front door opened and closed as I put my dish away. Getting under Tomás’s skin made me feel alive. I couldn’t kill him yet, but I could f*ck with him.

He straightened when he caught sight of me. A hint of pain crossed his features, but he quickly schooled it before he grabbed a glass of water. Without paying me any attention, he downed the water. I couldn’t help but take in his profile. The soft line of his jaw, the smooth suntanned skin, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. I had the urge to cup his throat, feel his pulse. He lowered the cup and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Why my d*'ck chose that moment to twitch made no sense. I wasn’t attracted to him. No way. My erection in the field had to do with the adrenaline rush, not him.

He rinsed the cup and put it away. “What?” he finally said. “You want to finish what we started?”

The image of him stretched out on top of me was what came to mind. My d*ck against his thigh. And the f*cker had grinded against me. I’d felt his erection too before he jumped off me as if his ass were on fire. Then he ran. 

If I expected Fox to let go of Dasher, then I had to stop reacting to this prick like I wanted to shove him out a window. I still didn’t know Tomás’s true bloodline. Murdering him would cause attention and right now, that would be more dangerous than letting him live.

“I think we got off to a rocky start,” I said.

He snorted. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

Cocky f*cker almost made me smile. “You’re a part of the four whether we like it or not. Means that we might be family.” Bile rose in the back of my throat. I already knew we weren’t blood related, but he had to belong to one of the four. 

That made him snap his mouth shut. I could see the want of his comeback. He vibrated with it. It took several seconds of silence for him to finally speak. 

“I’m not your family,” he said in a tone that seemed absolute. As if he knew without a doubt that he had no blood ties to any of us. “My family is dead.”

My brain buzzed with all the questions I wanted to ask him. Why was he here? Who sent him here? What was his background? Who are you?

He lifted his hand to wipe his face and winced. Dropping his hand to his side he scowled at me. “You’re f*cking psycho. It was just a game.” He made a hasty retreat to his room, holding on to his ribs. 

A game?

The asshole needed to learn the rules of this place.

I heard his door close but not the chair. I breathed in a moment, just letting myself calm down. 

Not happening.

Reaching his door, I pushed it open without knocking. It almost slammed against the wall. Everything I’d meant to say drained away at the picture of Tomás bare chested in front of me. His pants were unbuttoned and hanging low on his hips. Every bit of him exposed awakened something feral inside of me. A desire so deep, I feared releasing it. I suddenly forgot how to breathe, to talk, to make sense of sh*t. 

“What the f*ck?”

The angry sound of his voice snapped me out of my stupidity, and I remembered why I entered in the first place. “You think this is a game? Where the hell do you think you are? Who the hell do you think goes to school here? Because they aren’t friends, they aren’t life-long partners. They’re sons and daughters of assassins, drug dealers, mafia, cartel, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” I should’ve shut up. But I couldn’t. For some reason, I needed him to understand. “Nothing in this place is a game. It’s a test to measure your strength, and out there,” I pointed at the window, “beyond the campus, they’ll rip you apart. So if I were you, I’d really start thinking about alliances. Consider who has your back before someone drives a knife right through it.”

His eyes widened, his mouth opened and closed, and I felt that stirring inside of me that burned all my nerve endings. Then he had to make it worse. “Why do you hate me so much?” 

About the Author 

Roxas writes dark, forbidden MM Romance with morally gray characters you will love to hate. Beautiful Dark Temptation is her first novel in a planned series. 

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New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: ANGEL by Linden Bell (The Camboy Network #3)

Angel
By Linden Bell

The Camboy Network, Book 3

He was only supposed to be gay for pay.

Angel

I’ve never had sex before. And I've definitely never looked at a guy that way before. But with his brightly-colored hair and beautiful outfits, Rhys is hard to ignore--especially after I learn what he does for a living.

Signing up with The Camboy Network is way outside my comfort zone, but with Rhys guiding me the whole way, it doesn’t feel all that scary. In fact, it feels like fate.

Rhys

I left home the minute I turned eighteen, so falling for a guy from the old neighborhood is the last thing I should do--especially since he's straight. But he's utterly adorable, so innocently kinky, and exactly my type.

We shouldn't fit together so well, but we do. No matter how hard I try to stay away, I can’t. Our lives couldn’t be more different on the outside, but maybe we're a lot more alike than we think.

Angel is a bi-awakening, opposites attract, size difference MM romance between a burly cinnamon roll construction worker and a flamboyant pole-dancing twink. Expect accidentally dirty text messages, completely unexpected kinks, and chivalrous courage that truly runs deep. Angel is the third book in The Camboy Network series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Universal Link

Add to Goodreads

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Excerpt

Stepping off the subway in Staten Island always feels like I’ve walked through the looking glass. On this side, I’m not Rhys Rawlings, pole dancer and camboy extraordinaire. Instead, I regress to Ricky Gallo, the scrawny, flamboyant gay boy from down the street.

I’ve even dressed the part. Jeans—ugh. And a t-shirt—double ugh. At least the jeans hug my ass like a second skin and my t-shirt sports a cute rainbow unicorn. Not that I expect anyone from the old neighborhood to appreciate the ’fit. The people I grew up with aren’t the most… trendy.

I hightailed it out of here the first chance I got and I only come back when absolutely necessary. Like for Dad’s sixtieth birthday party.

I was tempted not to come. It’s not like anyone will really miss me anyway.

I don’t remember the last time I had a real conversation with my dad, and my mom only calls when she needs something from me. My brother, Nico, and I get along pretty well, but he’s always busy with his wife and kids. They have their own lives here that I’m not really a part of. And I haven’t kept in touch with anyone else in the old neighborhood. There’s never been any reason to.

It’s about a twenty-minute walk from the subway station to the house where I grew up. Nico offered to come pick me up, but I need the extra time to psych myself up for the party.

I can hear it from a block away. Strains of music float over yards and rooftops. Voices mix with barks of laughter and parents shouting at kids. It sounds like the entire neighborhood’s turned out for the big event. I wouldn’t be surprised. The Gallos have been a part of this tight-knit community for generations.

I stop right before turning the corner onto my parents’ street, gripping the strap of my crossbody bag tightly.

I can do this. I can totally do this. It’s only for a couple hours. Just grin and bear it—like I’m performing on stage or on camera. Then I can escape back to Brooklyn and my real life.

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Enter the Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Angel, Linden is giving away 2 e-copies of the upcoming release!

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About the Author:

Linden Bell writes contemporary MM romances that heat you up and make you smile. Her books are low angst, feel good reads, with no third act breakups.

Connect with Linden:
Website - Instagram - Facebook

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New Release-Excerpt & Giveaway: PHOENIX RISING by Valerie Ullmer

Phoenix Rising 

(An M/M/M Romance)

Author and Publisher: Valerie Ullmer

Cover Artist: Valerie Ullmer

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Genre: Contemporary M/M/M Romance

Tropes: Best friends to lovers, bisexual awakening, best friends in love with the same man, and hot sexy times

Themes: Moving past childhood trauma

Length:  57 000 words/ 209 pages

Heat Rating: 5 flames

It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Two best friends want the same man.

Will all three be able to fall in love and make their relationship work?

Blurb

Phoenix Aalto had everything he wanted in life.
His own bakery, close friends, and his plants.

There was nothing more he could ask for after escaping the life his father wanted for him.

Or that’s the lie he told himself each time the two men of his dreams walked into his bakery, looking every bit a happy couple. He wasn’t delusional enough to believe it was more than a one-sided attraction, but it didn’t stop him from daydreaming of something more.

Luka Kavka lived with his best friend, and they ran a successful landscaping business together. He’d come out during college, but like his friend, no one lasted more than a date.

But a routine meeting in an out of way bakery with a real estate developer changed his fate.

Burton Horváth loved life. Working with his best friend while living with him was everything he thought needed.
When he spotted Phoenix behind the counter, everything he knew about his life changed. The younger man wasn’t his first crush on a man. If he were honest with himself, that honor would go to Luka. But he was the one who shook up his viewpoint at thirty-one years old and made him want a change.

Luka and Burton agreed they would ease into letting Phoenix know they were interested, which included months of daily visits. But change for all three men came when Luka charged in, giving Luka and Burton the opening they needed.

But as they navigate their newfound relationship, will the obstacles from Phoenix’s father allow them to find their happiness?

Excerpt

Get it together, Phoenix!

“Don’t touch him.”

My mouth dropped open as breathing became difficult. A shiver of pleasure fluttered over my body at the sound of his deep, commanding voice.

A scant ‘sorry’ was all I heard, since I couldn’t take my eyes off the giant of a man, even when I noted movement in my peripheral and the sound of my poor, old-fashioned shopkeeper’s bell being abused.

“Woo! That was one of the… nope, the hottest thing I’ve witnessed in ages. For a second there, I wondered if you were going to rip his arms off, big guy, all because he dared to grab our Phoenix here,” Arthur said as he fanned himself.

“It’s Luka.”

There was a pulse of desire in my lower stomach, and I stifled a gasp when my cock swelled underneath my jeans. Grateful I had the area covered with an apron.

I wanted to join my friend in fanning myself because the temperature climbed in the minute since Luka stepped in to help me.

“And I’m Burton. It’s nice to meet you, Phoenix.” The blond adonis held out his hand.

Reason fled as the eagerness of the situation presented to me overrode self-preservation. I placed my hand in Burton’s stronger, calloused one and sucked on my bottom lip as the tingle from his touch radiated up my arm and spread throughout. Images of me splayed out on a bed as Burton teased me with his warm hands while Luka’s voice washed over me until I erupted in an intense... F*ck!

Okay! Not nice to fantasize about two men who were a couple standing right in front of me.

“It’s also nice to meet you, Burton. Luka.”

“I’ve never seen you blush that shade of peach before, honey. I’m gonna call Jude and tell him.”

Leave it up to my best friend to embarrass me.

“It’s lovely,” Luka said as he ran the back of his finger down my cheek before he cupped my face.

In that moment, I considered the possibility of my entire body igniting into flames, all from Luka’s tiny gesture that, for the first time in my life, didn’t make me recoil. In a weak moment, I wanted to know the touch of the man cupping my cheek and burrowed into his hand.

Then I remembered he wasn’t available and leaned away.

“Sorry, I should’ve asked you before I touched you,” Luka said.

I shook my head back and forth before I found the words, “No, it’s okay. You can. I’m not used to it.”

“What about me? Can I touch you?” Burton asked.

My eyes widened, and I nodded, staring at the bewitching man, who was even more stunning up close. “If… if you want to?”

Arthur chuckled. “Give it up for Phoenix, ladies and gentlemen. He attracts two specimens of male perfection without a clue they’re flirting with him.”

He mumbled as he moved around the counter to clean the tables, leaving me alone with the two gorgeous men. Or at least I believed no one was around. There was no dragging my attention away from them.

“Uh…” I sounded daft as I looked back and forth between the two, confusion swamping me because I was a mess; the decorated apron with green vines and leaves along with depictions of pastries and the logo of my shop, Phoenix Rising, had chocolate stains and other food items I couldn’t identify. My hair stood up in all directions, and I’m pretty sure my fingers were sticky with frosting.

As my synapses fired back up, I swallowed around the dryness in my throat and said, “Just ignore him. He’s still in the honeymoon phase, despite being married for years, and sees romance everywhere.”

Until this conversation, I hadn’t spoken more than a word or two to either of these men. But now they were in front of me, both holding expressions of faint amusement as they stared at me, and I felt faint. And in order to cover my ineptitude in social situations, out came the verbal onslaught.

“Is it hot in here? It’s hot, right? I mean… um, what were we talking about? Oh, right? My deluded best friend thinks, well, stupid things that are out of the realm of possibility because whatever he’s imagining doesn’t happen in real life and as far as I can tell, I’m awake and working. Are you two together? Sh*t, I did not mean for that to escape my mouth because nosy much, Phoenix? It’s not my business. Over the past several months, I couldn’t miss observing that you two make an exquisite couple. And on that note, I’ll stop talking now,” ending on a groan.

Burton glanced at Luka, who kept his eyes on me the entire time, and beamed at the taller man.

About the Author 

Valerie writes romances.

Valerie resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband. While she had been interested in writing a romance novel for years, it wasn’t until she wrote her first book that she really became hooked, and now she can’t stop. She has notebooks full of ideas, and she plans to write most of them in the years to come.

When she’s not writing or learning about the craft of writing, she can be found surfing the internet way too much, watching Investigation Discovery and thinking that her neighbors are up to no good, and finding new ways to get her husband to laugh.

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New Release-Excerpt: HUNT IN THE NIGHT by S.J. Coles (Blood and Bonds #3)

Hunt In The Night

(Blood and Bonds series #3)

by S. J. Coles

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Genre:  Contemporary Paranormal Mystery/Cop

Tropes:  Bi Awakening, Vampire, Men In Uniform, Gay For You

Themes: Coming out, forgiveness 

Length:  71 136 words/282 pages

Heat Rating:  4 flames

It is book 3 of 3. It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links 

Publisher   |   Universal Link

Hunting killers is Mason’s job. But falling for a vampire is the scariest thing he’s ever done.

Blurb

Detective Inspector Mason Walker is good at his job. He has never focused on much else in his life. Women come and go. Friends take time he doesn’t have to spare. The job is constant. He works hard and has built a reputation for determination and integrity.

Now his skills are needed more than ever. The level of violence in York has risen, involving both the haemophile and human communities. These are unexplored waters for Mason, with both political and professional implications, and Mason is afraid to lose his way.

But there’s been a murder—a haemophile—and Mason’s facing the question of not only who committed the dreadful crime but how? Nothing seems to be adding up. And being assigned a haemophile partner, Special Officer Cai Bracken, a freelance detective working for the Met Police, only increases his tension.

What’s really unnerving is that Cai is not only making Mason question his professional convictions, but his personal preferences, too…his most personal preferences.

With so much at stake, can Mason really cope with overhauling his police work and his personal life all at once?

Excerpt

Sunset was still an hour away when Mason pulled in at Oswald House, but the day already felt like it had lasted twice as long as any other he had lived through. Fatigue from the sleepless night was like an undertow tugging at his brain. But his heart was skipping about when he pressed the doorbell.

Jesse Truelove opened the door. He blinked when he recognized Mason.

“Any news?” he asked as he stepped back to allow Mason inside.

“Not yet I’m afraid,” he said, glancing up the stairs. “I’m here to see SO Bracken.”

Truelove raised his eyebrows. “No one’s supposed to know he’s here…not even you.”

“I am a detective, you know. And I have a matter of some urgency to discuss with him.”

“Well, you’re a little early, mate,” Truelove drawled, glancing at his watch.

“I know,” Mason said awkwardly. “If there’s just somewhere I could maybe wait? I don’t want to be in the way.”

“Detective Inspector Walker?”

Mason turned. Tom Addams was there. His face was strained. There were shadows under his eyes. “Anything?”

“I’m sorry…no, not yet,” Mason said with sincere regret.

“He’s here to see Cai,” Truelove said.

“There is one thing I wanted to ask you about, actually, Mr. Truelove.”

“Mate, please,” Truelove said, opening the door to the same sitting room as before. “Call me Jesse. I’m changing my name soon anyway.”

“Jesse,” Mason said, taking a seat on the sofa as Tom took the armchair and Jesse perched on the sofa arm. “It was that that I wanted to talk to you about. I don’t want to sound insensitive, but have you and the Baron considered postponing your wedding?”

Jesse exchanged glances with Tom. “Yes. We considered it. I did more than consider it, if I’m honest.”

“I heard their shouting match from the other end of the house,” Tom said with a smile.

Jesse made a noisy sigh. “We’re not postponing.”

“Jesse,” Mason started, but Tom interrupted him.

“Darragh fought very long and hard for Emory and Jesse’s wedding to be allowed to happen,” he said. “He would want it to go ahead. Otherwise, there’s no point to any of it.”

“Okay,” Mason said. “I understand. I just wanted to make sure someone had mentioned the idea.”

“They’ve both mentioned it,” Tom said. “And I told them the same thing I told you. The wedding is going ahead.”

“You’re a stubborn asshole, you know that?” Jesse said to Tom, but he was smiling.

“Darragh would never forgive me if we just gave up.”

“It’s not giving up,” Jesse argued. “It’s just looking at the bigger picture.”

“And what did Emory say when you said that to him?”

Jesse rolled his eyes. “Let’s not have this argument again.”

“Okay, we won’t,” Tom said with a shaky smile and stood. “Now, if you don’t need anything else, I have a security sweep to run.”

Tom left and Jesse stared after him with a haunted expression.

“I’m very sorry you’re having to go through all this.”

“Not your fault,” Jesse murmured. “Just catch the bastard. That’s all we want.” Mason nodded, even though Jesse wasn’t looking at him. Jesse stood. “You can wait here if you want. Get you anything? Coffee? Something stronger?”

“I’m fine, thank you,” Mason said. “I’ll just wait here, if that’s okay.”

“Knock yourself out,” Jesse said, and left.

The room was warm. The sofa was comfortable. The light grew dimmer, and Mason’s eyes began to droop.

A touch on Mason’s hand brought him out of a soft, pleasant dream. He blinked groggily. Bracken was sitting in the armchair.

“You should get some proper sleep.”

Mason sat up, rubbing his eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have nodded off.” He blinked at Bracken, all the feelings he’d told himself he’d keep suppressed rushing to the surface. “You didn’t call back.”

Bracken’s expression closed. He stood. “Not here.”

Mason followed Bracken along a corridor, down some stairs and through a series of locked doors to a comfortably furnished room. There was a wardrobe, a sofa, a desk covered in papers and an open laptop. There were minimalist paintings on the walls, several shelves of books and a large TV. It was airy and comfortable, but with no windows. No bed.

“This is where you sleep?”

Bracken indicated an inner door locked with a numbered keypad. “I have a secure sleeping cell through there, completely up to grade.” Bracken gave him a pained look. “Walker, no one’s supposed to know I’m here.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not exactly neutral ground, is it? But it’s not like I can check into the nearest hotel, either.”

“I think you’re capable of keeping your sleeping arrangements separate from your professional duties.”

Bracken lifted an eyebrow. “Well, that’s loaded.”

Mason sank onto the sofa. “I’m sorry. I…I didn’t sleep last night.”

About the Author

S.J. Coles is a Romance writer originally from Shropshire, UK. She has been writing stories for as long as she has been able to read them. Her biggest passion is exploring narratives through character relationships.

She finds writing LGBT/paranormal romance provides many unique and fulfilling opportunities to explore many (often neglected or under-represented) aspects of human experience, expectation, emotion and sexuality.

Among her biggest influences are LGBT Romance authors K J Charles and Josh Lanyon and Vampire Chronicles author Anne Rice.

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

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New Release-Review: BEAUTIFULLY DEVOTED by Michele Lenard (Front Range University #2)

BEAUTIFULLY DEVOTED by Michele Lenard is out now! Check out the gorgeous new MM sports romance and be sure to get your copy today!

Beautifully Devoted

by Michele Lenard

Genre: MM Sports Romance

Series: Front Range University

Blurb

Forgetting to Knock Changed Everything.    

  Cam When I was ten, I made a promise. One that I’m still honoring a decade later, even though it means hiding a part of myself from the most important person in my life. My best friend, Jagger. And truthfully, burying that part of me is a small price to pay if it means nothing comes between us. I’m Jagger’s rock, the one stable thing in his life, and I’ve held that role for so long it’s now central to who I am. Which is why, after he sees something he shouldn’t and gets an idea that he wants my help with, I’m faced with the biggest decision of my life. Saying yes could break me, but saying no could break us. I guess there isn’t really a choice, is there?    

  Jagger There I was, innocently letting myself into my teammate’s room to search for some protein powder, when I came across a different type of protein altogether. I learned two things that day. Knock first, and straight guys might be missing out. As usual when I have an epiphany, I turn to my best friend Cam for help, and learn another two things. Neither of us is as straight as I thought, and I’m not the only one who needs protecting. Hopefully I can be as strong for him as he’s been for me.   

  **Beautifully Devoted is a high-heat MM romance between two co-dependent best friends. It’s a medium angst story that includes hurt/comfort situations and a bi-awakening with lots of humor and spice. This is book two in a series of interconnected standalones. 

Purchase Links:

Amazon US - Amazon UK

Catch Up On the Series: 

Beautifully Fractured (Book 1)

  

Carra's Review

We all know the general gist of a story centered on best friends to lovers, right?  When executed well, this particular trope makes for a solid, satisfying read.  Now imagine two best friends whose lives and personalities are so intertwined that it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins, and you’ll have a really good idea of what to expect with Beautifully Devoted.

Cam and Jagger have been in each other’s back pockets since they were little.  Where you find one, you’ll likely find the other—doing things together, finishing each other’s sentences, communicating full conversations with just glances and facial expressions.  They are totally open with each other, no shyness, no secrets.  

I’m sure you can guess the logical progression physically once one of them becomes curious, then the other starts to echo that curiosity.  And with these two, though they each think they are just satisfying their inquisitiveness about the same sex…well, they both get territorial about the other, even when it is just in their own head—but we know where that will eventually lead.

Everything between Cam and Jagger is so easy, a product of their incredibly close friendship that makes the evolution of their relationship inevitable.  And while yes, the outcome may be predictable, that doesn’t make it any less satisfying as a reader.  There is a very slight bit of drama with Jagger’s father, but for me it was really just a blip in their overall tale.

This type of story is a comfort read for me, and the author does a great job telling it.  Beautifully Devoted was a 4.5-star read for me, and if you’re a fan of M/M romance—and in particular the friends to lovers trope—adding this one to your personal library is a no-brainer.   Cam and Jagger are fantastic together, and are scorchingly hot in their physical intimacy.  This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

About the Author

Hi! I'm Michele-or at least that's the name I write under-because my parents and my kids are not allowed to read my books. Ever. Though sports romance is my guilty pleasure, I like to dabble in all tropes, genres and genders. My books are set in my home state of Colorado, because to me the mountains are the only thing that can compete with a good book. My favorite food is Mexican, my favorite shoes are flip-flops, and my drink of choice is whiskey, the same as virtually every character I've ever written.   

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Spotlight-Excerpt: THE WITCH WHO OWNED TIME by Mia Story

The Witch Who Owned Time

Author and Publisher: Mia Story 

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Genres: Contemporary bisexual transgender romance (MtF)

Tropes: Prostitution, witchcraft, persecution, evolution

Themes: Coming out, forgiveness, personal growth, pursuit of happiness

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 446 print pages

It is a standalone book.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

A transgender witch survives.

Blurb

Mira has survived climate change and social upheaval. She lives in a deserted part of a small town in Iowa. Mother Nature has blessed her as have many spiritual beings. Mira finds a partner and lots of friends. She takes on the cause of Robot equality mostly because of her experiences as a transgender girl years ago. Due to climate change the ocean is now very near her town. Mira is instrumental in helping her community grow and evolve.

Excerpt

But all these thoughts just dissolved as they entered the water. For awhile Mira and Septa stood on the edge of the water and sand and let the little waves surge about their feet. Soon their feet were sunk in the sand.

“Why does the sand eat away from under my feet with the water Mira?”

“That is the tidal action sweetie. Tides are more than that little action however. They pull the water en masse out to sea and then bring it closer in. Soon Angelica and Mixy will have to move their umbrella and towel as the water will be lapping at their feet! You can see Mixy’s little castle is already in danger of wave invasion!”

Septa glanced over to Mixy and her castle and laughed as Mixy tried to keep the waves from destroying her creation.

“Maybe we should go and help poor Mixy?”

“No, she is learning about waves and the beach just like you. Besides it’s time you got wet!”

Mira grabbed Septa’s hand and pulled her out into an oncoming wave! Septa sputtered as she emerged from the wave breaking over her head.

“My nose is full of water! It hurts!”

“That is the salt water. Don’t try drinking it!”

Then Mira realized bots did not drink water and paused for a second. “Mira do you think it is OK if I swallowed some sea water?”

Septa had a desperate look on her face.

“It is OK Septa. I swallow it all the time. And my nose hurts too when it gets into it. Best to keep mouth closed and breathe out a little when the nose is covered in water. Why don’t we practice breathing out in the sea?”

Mira dipped her face into the water and made bubbles with her nose. Septa did the same thing and came up rubbing her eyes.

“Now my eyes hurt!”

“Oh yes, remember to close your eyes in salt water! We will bring masks and fins next time so you can open your eyes underwater.”

Mira and Septa spent a half hour playing in the shallow water, dodging the waves and splashing each other.

“OK dear, it is time for your first body surfing!”

Mira and Septa held hands as they walked out into the heavier surf. The waves looked so large close up! The waves came up as huge walls of water. Septa noticed that the waves were in groups, starting off little and getting larger, and then smaller again. One really big wave was coming at them.

“Now watch me closely Septa and then duck under the wave!”

Both girls could feel the tug of water out to sea as the wave came closer and closer. It was just about to break when Mira plunged ahead of it with her arms above her head and her hands coming to a point. The huge wave carried Mira away! Septa ducked under the wave and watched Mira get pushed into shore. She kept her head down and her body straight and looked like a human fish! Soon Mira was swimming back outto Septa.

“Your turn!”

“Oh Mira I’m afraid!”

“I will go with you. Just keep your eyes and mouth closed and body straight. Everything will be OK. If you get into trouble just stand up! I will help you if things feel too weird.”

Septa got low in the water. She could feel the tug backwards as the wave approached. She glanced back at the towering wave high over her head. She could see the very top was super thin and getting ready to break. Septa put her arms straight over her head and pushed off with her feet. She remembered to keep her eyes closed and breathed a small amount of air out of her nose. She could feel the wave catch her and propel her forward! She felt the wave break on her back as she surged forward! All was a tangle of water and foam and breakneck speed. But inside she felt calm, like this was nature speaking to her through the water. She felt like a baby being cradled by mother ocean! Septa kept her back and legs straight and felt like an arrow speeding to shore. She could sense someone beside her in the water. Then she felt the water torrent ease up and become shallow. Septa lifted up her head. She was already on the beach! She turned on her side and there was Mira lying next to her. They looked at each other and began to laugh!

About the Author

I have been writing short stories since my children asked for them. My first was about a skunk family and their interaction with a pig! I suppose my grad school experiences with art and English charted my course a bit. When I moved to Iowa from North Carolina I missed the ocean so much I wrote a whole novel about it. About that time I was studying the Ramayana and wrote a fairy story based on that. My first fairy friend was Coleste, a fairy that inhabited my computer. She is still with me today. My grandmother passed down many fairy stories and some knowledge she had inherited from her family. As best as I can figure it my family was in America to escape the witch hunting in England. But I could never be certain except for all the clues that were handed to me. Today I am truly grateful for my spirit friends. They helped me snap out of a downward spiral when my son died. To believe in fairies and spirits is not something I have to struggle with. It is something that is just part of me.

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