“Please. No Kin opera. Humans can’t hear the notes.” #Excerpt Crystal Clear Truth by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

"Besides," Shohn agreeed. "Kin music is boring. Either it's love songs full of purring, or incessant warbles about some big fish that got away. With the exception of a few Kin rockers managed by one of my boss's companies, I prefer human music. Okay, idBot, play Shohn 'relax number four.'"

An answering tone sounded, and then a piece in piano and cello began, mixed with bass produced by a stringed struoh from the far side of the Empire. The notes thrummed through her, the struoh's notes so deep, she felt them all the way to her core.

"Nice." Joe returned to the couch and put his feet up on a hassock. Eyes closed, he nodded, moving his hands in time to the music. "Love this one when I'm working."

"You listen to Tavane?"

"Mmm. My favorite composer. You know his Metallic Symphonies? Titanium, Steel, Gold, Silver. I have all of them. And that modern piece he did with Wil Hewtan. You know, the soundtrack for that holovid about a human male falling in love with a Kin female. It's one of my favorites. Something-- No, Someone--"

She knew that vid well. Loved it. Watched it repeatedly. "Someone Like Me, Someone Like You."

"Yes!" Joe snapped his fingers. "That. I love that. Can't tell you how many times I've watched it. The interplay of music, and the way they showed color when the Kin interpreted emotions." He sat up straighter. "IdBot, pause music."

It ceased.

"Sorry." He leaned toward her. "I want to restart this song so I can hear it from the top without interruption, but first, was that vid realistic? Did it represent how Kin sense emotions? I've always wondered."

"It's close to perfect. Our kahlah isn't a visual thing, but it got the point across. Tavane is married to a Kin male. He gets it."

"Wow. Did not know that. My favorite part in the vid is when the heroine tells him she's unworthy to speak his name and he says--"

"I want more than my name in your mouth." Shohn giggled. "Mine too." She'd embarrassed herself acknowledging such a thing, but she refused to make it worse by saying more.

"When he toys with her ear, and she kisses him..." He shrugged. "I don't know what it is about that whole scene but I love it."

She did too. But it wouldn't do to say that.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Character Insights |

When the bouncer asked for ID, he flashed the Harbinger’s hand sign #Excerpt #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

In this scene, Senth and his brother Khyff are heading to a nightclub where they'll meet Senth's adoptive father. But at the door, Senth has a little trouble...

Excerpt

As Senth approached The Ghost, the club's beefy Kin bouncer put out a hand. "Hold up, kid. You--" She motioned toward Khyff -- "Wait over there. Now..." She motioned Senth aside. "You got ID?"
Senth opened his cloak, revealing the lining with its unmistakable Thieves' Guild insignia, a skeleton key inside a slashed circle. He gave his Sen'dai's hand sign, showing the back of two fingers placed together straight across his waist.
"Ffffftt!" The bouncer made an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. Why didn't you say you were the Man's right up front?"
"His shouldn't have to." Senth brushed a hand down the front of the cloak. "And I'm no kid."
"Sorry, sir." She opened the door for both of them and bowed.
Once inside, Khyff held out one palm, and Senth slid his down it, hooked his fingers as Khyff did, and with hands clasped, gave one downward shake.
"C'mon, Bro." Khyff led the way past the darkened foyer.
Inside, music pulsed like a living entity. Throbbing bass tickled Senth's chest, and he coughed. Drums pounded. Colored lights swept the cavernous room. Strobes flashed across the congested dance floor, highlighting bobbing heads and upflung arms. Light glinted off human bodies slick with sweat, while bared and damp Kin furskin stuck out in points, laden with glitter.
"Stay close," Khyff shouted over the pounding music, standing next to Senth. He headed for the rear and left no chance to argue. They skirted around the crammed dance area. Senth liberated a few loose credit stubs clipped to belts and stuffed them into the pockets of his cloak.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Character Insights | Tagged At the Mercy of Her Pleasure, Blog Hop, Khyff Antonello, Luc Saint-Cyr, MFRW, Sci-Fi Romance, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Senth Antonello |

His hidden truth is her people’s hidden lie #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

For Women Only by Kayelle Allen

Mehfawni, a Kin ambassador, visits the capitol planet of the empire and meets security expert, Khyff, a human. A death in her family forces Fawni to return home, but she can't bear to part with Khyff and takes him along. Her family demands she cast out the human, or abdicate her future rule.

When Fawni searches for an alternative, she stumbles upon Khyff's secret. The cover-up, if exposed, will betray her world to its enemies, and bare her family to open shame. Her duty is clear. She must shun this human. Yet how can she leave Khyff to suffer in the darkness that binds his heart?

To save his brother, Khyff must seduce and then betray an alien ambassador whose people devastated his family.

Hatred for the aliens burns within him, but unless he can learn to embrace the past, face the demons he swore he'd forget, and find a way to forgive, his brother will die.

He didn't expect the alien to have such honor.

He didn't expect to trust her.

He didn't expect to fall in love.

And he didn't expect to reveal his betrayal...

This book is far from "clean and wholesome" but nowhere near "down and dirty." Even so, the memories Khyff must relive in order to begin healing take him down midnight-dark paths. Fortunately for Khyff, his happy-ever-after is waiting in the light on the other side. Read this book with a box of tissues at your side...

In this scene, Khyff and Mehfawni have had a misunderstanding, and Khyff realized he had to apologize. After he does, Fawni is keen to do something to show him how much she cares for him. Sensing his weariness, she decides he should have a nap. But Khyff again misunderstands what she means by "taking him to bed," and refuses to be put into bed alone.

Mehfawni returned to the bed and sat beside him. "Will you rest if I stay with you?"

"I'm not tired. I thought you said you were taking me to bed. Unless this means you don't want me." Khyff tilted his chin upward, as challenging as a warrior.

"Khyff, there's no need to pretend with me. Kin kahlah shows the truth. We sense emotion and physical changes. I can 'smell' your weariness. I do not think less of you because you are tired. I'm a warrior. You don't yet understand what that means among my people, but part of it is knowing you can trust me, and knowing I'll look after you ahead of myself." She stroked her thumb across his lower lip. "You've had no reason to trust any of my people up to now, but you can trust me. That means when you need rest, you do not need to pretend otherwise. Do you understand?"

His blue eyes darkened. He glanced away, then opened his mouth, but said nothing. Frustration marred his features.

Asking for emotional closeness cost him pride. She could understand that. It was like asking a lover for sex the first time. His innocence at this rocketed lust through her. She would teach him to trust.

He needed her to care for him. He could satisfy her after she'd made sure he knew he was worthy of love. Her people had destroyed his life, robbed him of his mother, and cast him into a life of hellish maltreatment. She would not use him.

"It's all right, Khyff." Fawni rested her hand over his. "You can say no. I want to care for you, not hurt you."

His eyes widened. He looked from her eyes to her mouth and then back. The tart smell of his fear softened, became less distinct as he struggled with trust. At last, he smelled clean, fresh as the rainforest after a storm.

Yes! He had hope. He felt safe. Another scent arose, like leather, warmed too long in the sun. Pride. He thought he must demand something in return, so he could stay in control. The thought made her smile. He was acting like a warrior. How sweet! How could such an adorable male not be married yet?

"Mehfawni." He worried his lower lip with those straight white teeth of his. "I don't want to be alone. Get in bed with me. If you want me to trust you, how about we cuddle--without sex."

It felt like a black-and-white rainbow had burst into color inside her. It cost him greatly to humble himself and ask for so small a thing. She would deny him nothing.

Did that teasing smile on his face mean he intended to tempt her, or see if she'd give in? Warriors slept with males without having sex all the time. Well, they could. If they wanted to. They hardly ever wanted to, that was all. But they could. She swallowed. She could do this.

"If that will make you happy, Khyffy, then I am happy to grant your desire."

He lay down while she went to the other side and climbed into bed.

She held out her arms and drew him into them. He snuggled next to her while she pulled up the covers. He fit against her as if he'd been created for it.

Khyff rested his head against her shoulder and wrapped one arm around her. The crook of his elbow lay beneath her breast, and he slid his hand behind her shoulder as he tightened his hold. The feel of his warmth against the underside of her breast made her breath catch.

"Is this okay, Fawni?"

She took a shallow breath. "Pah. Yes." She bit into her lip.

"I'm glad. This feels so good. I like having you in my arms. It feels right. You feel right." His voice rumbled against her, sending shivers across her skin. "Tell me if I need to move or if I'm too heavy, okay?"

She nodded, unable to find the breath to speak.

Lying half-pinned beneath the hard length of his body, his arms around her, she swallowed, drowning in lust. A Kin male would have smelled her heat by now. But a Kin male would not have the patience Khyff had with sex. No other lover had ever put her needs so far ahead of his own.

The sound of Khyff's breathing changed. Soon, his body rested more heavily against hers.

She closed her eyes and played with the fair strands of his hair. How would she ever explain to her family that the bed toy she'd chosen turned out to be a man her people almost destroyed? They owed Khyff restitution and renewal. They owed him a life among them. She had to make them understand.

But even she couldn't understand how quickly he'd captured her heart.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Character Insights | Tagged Antonello Brothers, For Women Only, Kayelle Allen Characters, Khyff Antonello, Mehfawni Ruh, Sci-Fi Romance |

“Are you trying to make me feel like I’m in charge?” Excerpt Crystal Clear Truth #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

They faced one another across a table at Jade House.

It might be unprofessional of her, but she enjoyed the view. Why did males always get such long lashes? Thick and dark, they framed those blue-blue eyes, giving him an innocence she doubted was true at all.

Joe sipped a plain black coffee. "You pick some nice places. But why does it say Jade House, when their sign has a jade horse?"

"That has been a mystery for ages." She stirred honey into her tea. "Rumor has it the place used to be called Jade Horse, but someone shot the middle out of the R and the letter turned upside down, which makes it a U. Of course, that wouldn't work. It wouldn't hang that way." When Joe stared at her, she checked behind herself. "What?"

"I was expecting that to be another joke."

"No, I'm serious. It's a local rumor. Probably not true, but it's more colorful than anything else I've heard." She opened the holographic menu. "Now that we have our drinks, what do you want to eat?"

"I'll have what you have."

"Is that you trying to make a Kin female feel like she's in charge, or are you really unsure what to eat?"

"Why?" He opened his napkin. "Can't a guy do both?"

"There's a fallacy in that reasoning, Mr. Scientist."

He lifted one eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

"A Kin female doesn't need to feel she's in charge. She just is."

"Logic corrected. I have no problem whatsoever with a female in charge." His sly smile relayed volumes. "I don't have a clue what to order. I only dine out during trips like this one. Two or three times a Tradestandard year."

"Got it." He had no problem not being in charge. This self-assigned mission kept getting better.

"Shohn, do they serve Tyran food? I like hofa shrimp."

"Yes, and I love that too." She entered a double order of the shrimp and marinated vegetables, and then minimized the menu. "Most nights, I program my synther and eat on the couch, going over notes."

"Your social life sounds like mine but with much better food."

"The closest I come to being in the presence of others when not working is during a Tyran Ustijuj workout or on the firing range. In the first, no one has any breath left to talk, and in the second, no one can hear a thing." She cupped both hands over her ears. "Protection."

"How does a Kin keep ear coverings on?"

"There are Kin-designed covers. I threaten to shoot mine if it falls off."

He squinted at her. "You what?"

"That was a joke."

"I might have known." He sat back, shaking his head with a smile. "How do you say this stuff with such a straight face?"

She shrugged. "It's a Kin thing." And she was good at it because she lived every day of her life as a lie.

You'll find these characters mentioned in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Character Insights | Tagged Antonello Brothers, Darq Antonello, Joe Townsend, MFRW, Sci-Fi Romance, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Shohn Lexius |

When your hero is a narcissist… Or is he? #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 02/25/2024 by Kayelle Allen

One way writers allow readers to connect with a hero is to give him serious character flaws. In Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas, Pietas begins as an arrogant narcissist with a superiority complex. He is sooo above puny humans... but in this book, his immortal life could end when he winds up at the mercy of one.

Character Flaws

In this scene between the immortal Pietas and his father, the two are arguing a familiar topic: humans. To establish the main character's chief flaw, it's important to reveal it as close to the opening as possible. This conversation begins on the first page, but we join it here a few pages later. Pietas is speaking.

"You want us to treat humans as equals. They never treated us as such. Even now, we're hated and reviled. Putting them on the council will make them haughtier. I want nothing to do with humans."

"Then you want nothing to do with me, Son. Humans are all I care about."

And wasn't that the naked truth of his father's betrayal? He had turned his back on their people. He had turned his back on his son.

"You're right, Father. I want nothing to do with you. I care nothing for mortals. They all die."

"You were elected by the council and you serve at their pleasure." He jabbed a finger at the ground. "They want this treaty. Remember that."

"I never forsake duty." Pietas twitched his fingers, dismissing him. He waited until Mahikos reached the door. "Did it never occur to you?"

His father faced him. "What?"

"The council elected me to head these talks and removed you. You want to bring in humans. I do not. Perhaps the council hates humans more than you think."

A wave of aggravation emanated from Mahikos. Licks of emotional flame scorched Pietas's skin. Accustomed to the pain, he did not flinch.

"Son, surely you realize they elected you to keep you close and control you."

"To control--" Pietas broke into laughter. "Did they? How unenlightened." He shrugged. "Well, they can try. I must say, your annoyance today is a refreshing change from your usual indifference. I'd begun wondering if you had any emotions regarding my takeover. It must nettle, knowing your lowly son succeeded your rule."

"No one would consider you lowly."

Pietas lifted his chin. "Except you."

"I'm surprised you even bothered to show up, as much as you hate humans."

"It's nothing personal. I hate humans no more than a physician hates germs yet still takes time to eradicate them. Humans are dangerous."

"Humans are the reason we exist."

"Perhaps that was true in your reality. Humans have abused, misused, and betrayed their creations throughout their history. This peace everyone clamors for comes from concern about humans. I care less than nothing about them. As for their good graces? I have no faith they exist."

"You know, Pietas, one day you'll rely on the mercy of humans."

"You think humans show mercy? How amusing."

Head down, Mahikos rubbed a spot between his eyes. "I hope I'm there to see it. When you realize even humans have value, that will be a good day for all of us."

"How well you preach love." If only his father gave it half as well.

"Son, when the conference starts tomorrow, all your mother and I ask is that you try to be gracious."

"I'm certain I already am." He toyed with the circlet. "Just this morning when I knocked on your chamber door, I heard Mother say, 'Oh gracious. That must be Pietas.'"

"Why can you not be serious about this?"

"I consider these talks of utmost importance. It is you I do not take seriously."

Okay -- now tell me, aren't you irritated with Pietas right now? If I've done my job as a writer, you will be. However, as you walk in his shoes (or lack of them) through the rest of the story, you'll gain an insight into his arrogance and his hate-love-hate relationship with his father. One reviewer wrote that by the end, she loved this man (Pietas) she had been driven to hate.

Writing a character with serious flaws is like buying a diamond in the rough. You know the gem is in there. It takes time to grind and polish but eventually, you get to the good part.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!

Posted in Character Insights, Fallen Empires | Tagged Bringer of Chaos, Immortal Heroes, Lights Out, Pietas, Pietas and Six, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Six |

Character Flaws: Narcissism, Writing Pietas #PietasFans #SciFi

Updated on 02/25/2024 by Kayelle Allen

One way writers allow readers to connect with a hero is to give him serious character flaws. In Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas, Pietas begins as an arrogant narcissist with a superiority complex. He is sooo above puny humans... but in this book, his immortal life could end when he winds up at the mercy of one.

Character Flaws

In this scene between the immortal Pietas and his father, the two are arguing a familiar topic: humans. To establish the main character's chief flaw, it's important to reveal it as close to the opening as possible. This conversation begins on the first page, but we join it here a few pages later. Pietas is speaking.

"You want us to treat humans as equals. They never treated us as such. Even now, we're hated and reviled. Putting them on the council will make them haughtier. I want nothing to do with humans."

"Then you want nothing to do with me, Son. Humans are all I care about."

And wasn't that the naked truth of his father's betrayal? He had turned his back on their people. He had turned his back on his son.

"You're right, Father. I want nothing to do with you. I care nothing for mortals. They all die."

"You were elected by the council and you serve at their pleasure." He jabbed a finger at the ground. "They want this treaty. Remember that."

"I never forsake duty." Pietas twitched his fingers, dismissing him. He waited until Mahikos reached the door. "Did it never occur to you?"

His father faced him. "What?"

"The council elected me to head these talks and removed you. You want to bring in humans. I do not. Perhaps the council hates humans more than you think."

A wave of aggravation emanated from Mahikos. Licks of emotional flame scorched Pietas's skin. Accustomed to the pain, he did not flinch.

"Son, surely you realize they elected you to keep you close and control you."

"To control--" Pietas broke into laughter. "Did they? How unenlightened." He shrugged. "Well, they can try. I must say, your annoyance today is a refreshing change from your usual indifference. I'd begun wondering if you had any emotions regarding my takeover. It must nettle, knowing your lowly son succeeded your rule."

"No one would consider you lowly."

Pietas lifted his chin. "Except you."

"I'm surprised you even bothered to show up, as much as you hate humans."

"It's nothing personal. I hate humans no more than a physician hates germs yet still takes time to eradicate them. Humans are dangerous."

"Humans are the reason we exist."

"Perhaps that was true in your reality. Humans have abused, misused, and betrayed their creations throughout their history. This peace everyone clamors for comes from concern about humans. I care less than nothing about them. As for their good graces? I have no faith they exist."

"You know, Pietas, one day you'll rely on the mercy of humans."

"You think humans show mercy? How amusing."

Head down, Mahikos rubbed a spot between his eyes. "I hope I'm there to see it. When you realize even humans have value, that will be a good day for all of us."

"How well you preach love." If only his father gave it half as well.

"Son, when the conference starts tomorrow, all your mother and I ask is that you try to be gracious."

"I'm certain I already am." He toyed with the circlet. "Just this morning when I knocked on your chamber door, I heard Mother say, 'Oh gracious. That must be Pietas.'"

"Why can you not be serious about this?"

"I consider these talks of utmost importance. It is you I do not take seriously."

---

Okay -- now tell me, aren't you irritated with Pietas right now? If I've done my job as a writer, you will be. However, as you walk in his shoes (or lack of them) through the rest of the story, you'll gain an insight into his arrogance and his hate-love-hate relationship with his father. One reviewer wrote that by the end, she loved this man (Pietas) she had been driven to hate.

Writing a character with serious flaws is like buying a diamond in the rough. You know the gem is in there. It takes time to grind and polish down to the good part.

Characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

~ Copyright ©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join me on Ream Stories!