Crystal Clear Truth – a slow-burn, forced proximity SciFi alien romance set in the far future #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

How can you trust when your own truth is a lie?

Shohn has only one goal: live a lie-filled life undercover. The elite head of security permits herself no family ties and few friends. But when firestorm scientist Joe needs help to locate his birth mother, and hires Shohn, she begins to rethink her rule of isolation.

Unknown to them, their intensive search triggers an alert that brings powerful, dark forces into play. Every attempt to uncover the truth results in more cover ups. But why? Who is this young woman, and who is the unknown person or power foiling Shohn and Joe's attempts to find her?

But maybe the better question is--what is she?

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 Blog Hop | Tagged Antonello Brothers, Darq Antonello, Fun Stuff to Do, Immortal Heroes, Joe Townsend, Kayelle Allen Characters, Luc Saint-Cyr, Sci-Fi Romance, Shohn Lexius |

“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 |

“Now I know how the Empress feels.” #Excerpt Crystal Clear Truth #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

In this scene, Shohn, Joe's bodyguard, is escorting him out of a conference center where he'd just given a presentation.

When Joe suggested they were being followed, Shohn tapped a link on her bracelet. "Status?"

Multiple pings answered, all positive.

"They're all my people."

He released a sigh, glancing around and over his shoulder. "What a relief! I figured there were at least five. Was I close?"

"There are six in here, another eight outside." The ring of multiple boot heels hitting the ground ricocheted off the wide-spaced walls. Though the building's sound suppression system worked fine in most areas, big hallways like this one still echoed. "It's good you're aware of your surroundings. Some aren't."

"My dad drilled that into me as a kid. 'Situational awareness,' he used to say. 'Keep your head on a swivel.' Hmm..."

"What?"

"Maybe he was preparing me for whatever 'truth' it is I'm about to discover." He slowed his steps. "Wait. I thought you were sending a team of eight. How can there be six in here and eight out there?"

A good question that showed he paid attention. "My team leader assessed the situation and called in reinforcements. This place has good security inside, but far too little in passageways and exits. You're being protected by idBot. We don't hope for the best. We ensure it."

"Impressive. Thank you."

"The droids from the hotel submitted their scans, and there was nothing to indicate the invisible man you saw--or rather, didn't see--was still there when they arrived. But the door was left open, so it's possible he'd left that way. Oh, and by the way," she touched his arm, "you had locked the door to the balcony. The droids checked it."

"Thank you. Really bothered me not being able to remember one way or the other."

As they approached a bank of outer doors, two of her people opened them and Shohn led Joe through a cordon of black-and-green uniformed guards, into sunshine, then straight into a waiting transport. She climbed in beside him and the door shut.

The vehicle bumped into the air. It and the vehicles fore and aft moved forward as one unit.

"Wow." Joe leaned back and crossed his legs at the ankles. "Now I know how the Empress must feel when she's leaving someplace."

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 New Book | Tagged Antonello Brothers, Blog Hop, Crystal Clear Truth, Darq Antonello, Joe Townsend, MFRW, Shohn Lexius |

#Excerpt Who is keeping him from discovering the truth? And why? #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

Crystal Clear Truth

A slow-burn, forced proximity scifi alien romance

How can you trust when your own truth is a lie?

Shohn has only one goal: live a lie-filled life undercover. The elite head of security permits herself no family ties and few friends. But when firestorm scientist Joe needs help to locate his birth mother, and hires Shohn, she begins to rethink her rule of isolation.

Unknown to them, their intensive search triggers an alert that brings powerful, dark forces into play. Every attempt to uncover the truth results in more cover ups. But why? Who is this young woman, and who is the unknown person or power foiling Shohn and Joe's attempts to find her?

But maybe the better question is--what is she?

*Crystal Clear Truth - A slow-burn, forced proximity scifi alien romance set in the far future, in an empire full of treachery and secrets...

*If you like books with take-charge feline heroines and solid romance plots, this happy-ever-after friends-to-lovers story is for you.

In the previous scene, Luc had gotten a call from Shohn asking for his help. She'd discovered that Joe's mother, whom she's been trying to help him find, had apparently been hidden by an agency with at least as much power as the Imperial Witness Protection Program. The only way she'll get around the blocks to find her is if Luc can pull some strings to get access.

Luc sank onto the couch, mulling over what Shohn had said. This news had his king's fingerprints all over it. Missing mothers. Secret experiments.

All stemming from the same period as the Sabbath Experiment.

One isolated incident that refused to die. A pivot point in history. A moment in time every disaster either led up to or was a result of.

When Izzorah entered the room thirty minutes later, Luc was still sitting there. "McDoth says dinner's ready in ten minutes."

"Okay." Luc didn't move.

"What's wrong?" Izzorah sat beside him and took his hand. "You're blanking your emotions, so I know you're hiding something. Do you need to talk about it or need me to wait and let you stew about it?"

Lacing his fingers with his beloved's, Luc took a deep breath. "I have to decide which of two kreynid nesins I'm going to knock down."

Izzorah flicked those perky ears of his and laid them back. "Hornet's nests?" Cocking his head, he sniffed. Kin smelled emotions, but Izzorah smelled intentions as well, which was more than a little scary at times. "This has something to do with Pietas."

"I know you trust him, but, love, believe me, he has things in his past you know nothing about. You haven't known him as long as I have."

"All Pietas and the others say is that I'm only a quarter century old, and how compared to them I'm a baby. I get sooo tired of hearing it. He's done things in the past that he's ashamed of, but he wants to change his ways." Izzorah tapped his nose. "He can't lie to me, as much as I can tell he wants to, so he doesn't."

"Pietas swears that he never lies."

"Yes, t'hahr, but what he means is, he admits part of the truth and lets you figure out what's missing." Izzorah huffed a short laugh. "If this has something to do with him, you should tell him."

"I have a hunch this has more to do with his sister, but it is about him."

"Dessy? Sorry, I mean Rheyn. I'm trying to remember to call her by her preferred name."

Luc squeezed Izzorah's hand. "Talking about people who've had different names in different lives gets confusing."

"I'll say." Izzorah twisted on the couch, facing Luc. "What's holding you back on the decision?"

"I either have to call her, or Alitus."

"Oh, wow. Either your immortal ex, the empress, or the Minister of Imperial Intelligence, the immortal spouse of your human ex."

"That sums it up." Luc scrubbed both hands over his face. "And I'm probably going to have to kick one or both of those nests to get answers."

"If you call Alitus, you'll have to deal with Wulf too. It's going to happen, even if you have the best intentions. Alitus wouldn't keep that from him."

"I don't want to interact with that ex unless I have no choice."

"If you call Rheyn, she'll want something in return."

"Right."

Izzorah gave a small laugh. "Plus if this has to do with Pietas, she'll be angry you even brought it up."

"Yep."

"T'hahr, would Alitus have to get her permission for anything?"

Luc rubbed his jaw. "Probably. Which means I might as well call her and be done with it."

"No time like the present. That's what you always say. I'll tell McDoth to wait dinner." Izzorah squeezed Luc's hand and left the room.

"And I was having such a good day." Luc stood and straightened his jacket. He tapped his bracelet. "Call Rheyn, voice only. Private number." Maybe she'd be busy, and he'd have to leave a message. But no. Two rings and she answered.

"Luc, how are you?" She sounded cheery. Must have gotten good news.

"Fine. You?"

"Great. What's up?"

"Are you alone?"

Silence filled the room, followed by a heartfelt sigh. "What's my brother done this time?"

While he gave her the gist of what he knew, she remained quiet. "That's it? Your liaison investigated a group of twelve women missing during the years leading up to the Sabbath Experiment."

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "That's right."

"And all you want is for whatever blocks we have on the files removed so you can find them."

"Yes. Exactly."

"Listen to me, Luc. I want you to hear every word I say."

His chest tightened. "All right."

"Walk away. You aren't allowed to know this information. No one is. If anyone tries to access it further, I'll consider it a personal attack and a matter of imperial treason."

"What?" The word burst from his mouth before he could stop it. But did he stop there? No. He added, "Why?" as if he had a death wish.

"Did you not hear me? I said walk away. Forget this. I don't care what your reasons are for knowing. You can't. You won't. And anyone who tries to go around those orders will disappear into the unknown, never to be heard from again. Now, are we clear? Walk. Away."

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 New Book | Tagged Antonello Brothers, Crystal Clear Truth, Darq Antonello, Dessy, Immortal Heroes, Izzorah Ceeow, Joe Townsend, Luc Saint-Cyr, Sci-Fi Romance, Shohn Lexius |

Color the Characters: Read the Books #ColoringBook

Updated on 02/25/2024 by Kayelle Allen

Together, Jamin and I created coloring books for my various books and characters. You can download seven of them for free on this page on my website.

The first, Unstoppable Heroes and Heroines, features characters found in almost every one of my books. The Antonello Brothers has characters found in At the Mercy of Her Pleasure and For Women Only.

Peril -- the Immortal's Game is a unique coloring book. It has characters but also a maze and multi-sided dice to color.

Pietas -- the Bringer of Chaos has over a dozen dragons. Pietas dreams about dragons and their symbolism appears in his stories. In a future book, he will bond with one. Do you like flowers and butterflies? There are two coloring books that showcase those.

Coloring Pencils/Pens

You can pick up inexpensive boxes of crayons and take yourself back to your childhood. I have several sets of colored pencils and pens. My favorite type is gel because the colors are so rich and bright. The Eparon gel pen set has 40 unique colors and they're only $6.99. If you have Amazon Prime you can get them without shipping fees. There are 4 standard coloring pens, 6 neon, 5 mixed pastel, 5 solid pastel, 10 glitter, and 10 metallic. They are acid-free, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. My advice is to get this set in addition to another with simpler colors. That way you have a variety.

Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments. Do you like coloring? What is your favorite type of drawing?

Posted in Sci-Fi Art | Tagged Antonello Brothers, At the Mercy of Her Pleasure, Blog Hop, Bringer of Chaos, Fun Stuff to Do, Giveaway, Immortal Heroes, Jamin Allen, Kayelle Allen Characters, Luc Saint-Cyr, MFRW, Nik Nitsvetov, Pietas |

Life plunged him into a lightless, inescapable world of sympathetic platitudes #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

Updated on 01/26/2024 by Kayelle Allen

This is the opening scene from Her Crystal Clear Truth. Joe has just come from his parents' funeral.

Excerpt

Tarthian Empire, Kyrenie; Fenris City, Taskya District

The barren house echoed the void inside. Empty places looked back, demanding a reaction. But Joe Townsend the third had nothing left to give.

From the moment he'd learned of his folks' accidental death, life had screamed past him like a banshee. The never-ending whirlwind of people needing around-the-clock decisions sucked his energy dry. He leaned against the inside of his parents' front door and slid down.

Today, he'd said his formal goodbyes at their memorial. He'd smiled like a wooden soldier at the unending I'm-so-sorrys and the non-stop oh-poor-Joe-how-are-you-doings.

How did they think he was doing?

Life had plunged him into a lightless, inescapable world of sympathetic platitudes.

How could he move forward when everywhere he looked, the past held him fast?

How could he move forward when every step led him further away from the people he'd loved most?

How could he move forward and lever past this pain?

There had to be a better way to handle heartbreak. A saner way.

Joe stood and dusted himself off. He would throw himself into his work. That's what his dad always--

A fresh ache swept over him.

"Whatever you can't change, accept and work through, Son. Focus on what you can do, what you have to do, and don't waste time looking back."

Joe braced an arm across his stomach. Would he ever think of his father's words of wisdom again without this foreboding sensation of loss? This sense that part of himself was missing? Or of his mother and her strength? Her abiding belief in him, encouraging him, guiding the way?

Dragging his feet, Joe staggered through the house, back to the room that had been his when he lived here as a boy, now stripped bare. His parents had put the house on the market and accepted an offer weeks prior to their deaths. They'd put everything in storage, preparing to move. The new owners would arrive tomorrow.

Nothing remained of the place Joe had once called his haven.

There was no home to go to. Starting tomorrow, this place would be someone else's. Not his parents'. Not his. Not anymore.

This sterile room symbolized everything he'd lost.

He couldn't think about this tonight. Couldn't think about work, even work he'd been preparing for his whole life.

Joe had longed for the opportunity to work at his father's side. The pride he'd felt when appointed had rivaled the thrill of collaborating with him. The joy of raw discovery, uncovering new truths while pushing the frontiers of knowledge to the nth degree.

Now, he was taking his father's place instead. Trying to fill shoes he would never be worthy to wear.

Right this moment, success was a meaningless distraction.

Exhausted, he curled up in the middle of the floor, surrounded by nothing but loss. He'd spend one last night in this empty shell of a place he'd once considered home.

Come morning, he'd walk away forever.

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!