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Tag Archives: Blog Hop

Blog hop posts. Hops are joint efforts by multiple bloggers to share.

Trailing Kaiwulf: Colonies of Man by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #DarkFantasy #Archaeology

A pair of bounty hunters (a big guy who's the brains, and tiny woman who's the brawn) set out to find a missing person last spotted by an archaeologist on an alien world.

The problem? He's in another dimension. Oh, yeah, and he's invisible.

They literally didn't see that coming.

Interview with Dane Raphyel

Trailing Kaiwulf by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #FantasyPlease tell us about yourself.

I work for TRAIL, which stands for Trace, Rescue, and Identification League. Don't listen our competitors, who'd like you to believe it's Thieves, Ruffians, Assholes, Idiots, and Liars. We're the real deal. If it's lost, we find it. If it's in danger, we rescue it. If it's unknown, we identify it. That sums up my job quite well. I'm married to my college sweetheart, and we have five boys. Since everyone seems to ask, I'll go ahead and tell you I'm 6'9" tall. Not the lanky type. I work for a living, so I'm pretty much all muscle. You'd think that would warn people, but no. Bullies seem to ooze out of the floor. I try to defuse the situation, and usually I'm lucky, but there are times when I have to demonstrate that you don't mess with me. Still, I prefer a peaceful solution. I don't carry a weapon unless I have to. Generally, I don't need one. Besides, my partner, Jee Tonopah, is a walking blade. She's always packing something that slices or fires.

What is it that you want, but cannot have? Authors call this the conflict of the story.

In this story, I'm trying to get home. I'd promised my wife I'd be there for more than an overnight stay for a change, and we get called in on a mission.

What inner doubt causes you the most difficulty?

Inner doubt? *rubs back of his neck* Don't rightly know. Maybe that I'm getting too old for all this. I only work for TRAIL so I can afford to be a dad and give my wife and kids a good home. I'd like to settle down. Thing is, Jee needs me. My partner is a well-armed hyperactive jackrabbit with delusions of grandeur. You don't have to worry about that getting back to her -- I've said it to her face. I'd hate to see my dear Jee out on her own, and we do work well together. We'll see. But I think my biggest doubt is that I can keep going. Sometimes you get tired, you know?

What's your external complication? In the story world your author created, explain what it is you fear most.

You see, we're trying to find this young man named Kaiwulf. Now, believe it or not, he can walk through stone. We don't know where it is he's going, or how he gets there. We don't rightly care, to tell you the truth. All we're supposed to do is find him, and bring him back to this dimension. Thinking about how you find an invisible man in another dimension -- that's keeping me up at night.

Tell us about your significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.

That's my wife, Haylie Jennifer Allard. Everyone calls her Jenny because her best friend growing up was named Haley, and they decided to use their middle names instead. They're still best friends, and that's one of the things I love about Jenny. She's loyal. She's there no matter what. She loves my partner like a sister. That means a lot to me. I spend day in and day out with Jee, and if Jenny had any issue with that, it would mean I'd have to quit. Because when it comes down to it, I'm in love with Jenny, and she means everything to me. That said, I don't get to spend the time I want to, nor the time she deserves. Jenny does an amazing job with our sons, and I wish I could be there more to be part of it.

What would that person say about you?

I'm afraid one day she'll say, "Dane who?" *rolls eyes* Lately, she says I'm not home long enough to please her. Doesn't please me, either. But she loves me.

What special skills do you rely on?

You'd think it would have to do with my size, but the truth is, my size is part of me, like skin color or the color of my eyes. I can use it to intimidate, and I do when needed. But despite all the sharpshooter training, the background in covert ops, and the physical training that goes into being a TRAIL agent, mostly I depend on my memory. I don't have an eidetic memory -- I can't remember every detail. But it's sharper than most people's. TRAIL makes sure we're all well educated, and we're briefed extensively about missions. I can understand more languages than I can speak, and I can speak quite a few. Funny thing, working with Jee, who is not even five feet tall, is that for our size difference, you'd think we would play off the traditional good-cop/bad-cop routine when we need to question people. But we do the opposite. I will usually step up close to people. I'm tall enough that they end up tilting back their heads to look up. When they do, Jee puts herself in their line of vision, usually with a gun in one hand. They can see the threat of my size, and they understand it. But Jee has a hair trigger personality, and when she starts fingering a weapon, they back right down. It's kind of fun to watch.

You may be wondering why I chose to write about this character...

I wanted to write a male / female dynamic that wasn't a love affair, based on mutual respect. Jee and Dane have been partners for a number of years, and they work together like hand and glove. Giving Dane a wife and children he adored made it clear that he and Jee were just friends. I plan to write more about them. I think their relationship will be fun to explore.

Colonies of Man

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

#SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

"Gates" by Nano-Core on DeviantArt.

You'll find these characters mentioned in many 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!

A Stolen Heart - Thieves' Guild Academy #SciFi #SpaceOpera

A Stolen Heart - Thieves' Guild Academy #SciFi #SpaceOpera

 

Luc looks human, but he's not. He's a twelve thousand year-old immortal who's accustomed to hiding what he is, what he does, and what he feels. So when the three year-old in his charge is upset by a mean bully, Luc must jump into action.

Set up: A Deshai is a student in the Thieves' Guild. A teacher is a Sen'dai.  In the Tarthian Empire, training often begins at age three.  Luc has taken Senthys shopping in an exclusive store. A human client inside with her young child takes offense at the presence of a "dirty halfbreed" like Senthys. When the woman demands that management throw Luc and Senthys out, she gets what's coming to her and is herself asked to leave. As this opens, she has picked up her child, who'd been standing next to Senthys, and gone out the door in a huff.

 

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Saint-Cyr." The manager touched his arm.

"Thank you, but I'm more concerned about my Deshai. Excuse me." He turned toward Senthys and held out his arms.

The boy ran to him.

Luc scooped Senthys up. "Did she hurt you?"

The boy's eyes glittered with tears. One slipped down his cheek. "I took a bath."

"Oh, Senthys." Luc hugged him close. "That woman was mean. You are not dirty. Not one bit." He cupped his hand around the child's head, lacing his fingers through the long curls. "I'm sorry she hurt your feelings."

With his head on Luc's shoulder, Senthys sniffled. "It's okay."

"No, it's not. It's never okay to be mean." He traced small circles on the boy's back. "Can you look at me?"

Senthys lifted his head.

"It's okay to admit when you're hurt or feel bad." He wiped the boy's tears. "You don't have to pretend you're okay."

"I don't?" Senthys played with Luc's tie.

The manager and assistant both hovered nearby, adjusting stacks of clothing yet he felt their surreptitious attention as if it were touches. This had turned into a far more public outing than he'd anticipated. Nothing to do but wade in and clean up the mess.

"It's okay to be sad. Everyone is sad sometimes. You don't have to hide pain." Here he was saying the words, when he couldn't do the same thing with Pietas.

"Wili says only babies care about feelings."

"Does he?" Luc adjusted Senthys in his arms, and tugged down the hem of the boy's shirt. "Wili is wrong. It's okay to cry. It's also okay to tell people when they hurt your feelings. Remember how you told your brother he hurt my feelings?"

"Yes, sir."

"If an adult is mean to you, you can come to me and I will defend you. I will try to keep mean people away from you, but if they say anything to you, it's okay to tell me. It's okay to be scared and it's okay to be mad. What is it that we don't do?"

"We don't hit or claw."

"That's right! Good job, Senthys." He hugged him. "You played nicely. Nothing you did was wrong. None of her yelling was for anything you did. You were a good boy."

"I was?" The boy looked so pleased with himself that Luc couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, you were." He gave him a small squeeze. "Would you like to help me shop now? And then we'll get ice cream."

Senthys wiggled, trying to get down, so Luc put him back on the floor. The boy took his hand and looked up at the manager. "Ma'am, I would like some new clothes, please."

Luc could have burst, he was so proud.

The woman bent toward him. "I'd be happy to help you."

"Thank you." Senthys turned his blue-eyed gaze up at her, offering a blazing smile. "You're pretty," he declared, with a boy's innocent charm.

She blushed. "Why, thank you."

"You make my Sen'dai happy. He likes you." He tugged Luc's hand. "Right?"

"Senthys!"

"What?" He blinked up at Luc, the image of a perfect angel.

"Kids." Standing, the woman looked up at Luc through her lashes. "What can you do?" With a flirtatious smile, she beckoned to them.

Who knew having a child offered such a distinct advantage with women? With a new appreciation for his young Deshai, Luc followed.

Thieves' Guild Academy

Thieves' Guild Academy #SciFi #MMRomance #WriteLGBTQ

#SciFi #WriteLGBTQ #MMRomance
Read all my books on Ream Stories

A Stolen Heart: When your king is immortal—and your ex—how do you guard your heart?

A Broken Heart: He can be invisible, but how can he hide his heart...

A Divided Heart: In a school filled with hackers and thieves, how do you trust your heart?

Thieves' Guild Academy Bundle 1 Honor above profit. Skill above chance. Family above all. #SciFi #MMRomance #WriteLGBTQ

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!

Surrender Love: Antonello Brothers: Immortal #SciFi #MMromance

Breakfast with Luc

In this scene from Surrender Love, Izzorah is having breakfast with his human lover, Luc Saint-Cyr. This is Luc and Izzorah's first morning together as lovers.

Aware Luc will be gone most of the day, Izzorah asks if he can help.

Excerpt Surrender Love

He must forget about love, even when his heart begs for surrender... #MMRomance #SciFiA slow smile crossed Luc's face. "I may need a long, hot, sudsy shower and then help getting dry afterward."

A tender ache had Izzorah squirming in his seat. He offered a not-so-innocent smile. "We had that kind of shower before breakfast."

"Yes, we did." The man trailed a fingertip up Izzorah's arm, causing him to flush with heat. "But between now and then, I intend to work up a sweat. I'm going to need another one."

Izzorah squirmed again, spreading his legs farther apart.

"And then I'll need help to dress. Tuxedo affair. I'll teach you how to fasten everything. It's complicated. We may have to take everything off and put it back on a few times so you can practice."

He rose as Luc did and leaned across the table. He gripped Luc's robe to pull him close, deepening their kiss. The table dug into his thighs.

McDoth's return with milk and coffee broke them apart.

Izzorah's cheeks flamed.

Luc reseated himself, a self-satisfied smile on his gorgeous face.

Biting into his lower lip, Izzorah resisted the urge to cast breakfast aside and feast on Luc instead.

The android poured more coffee and left.

The size of Luc's dark hands as they wrapped the white mug brought back memories of the night before. Those hands had held him, turned him, lifted him. Loved him. Izzorah had given himself over in complete trust. He'd rested in Luc's strong arms. Those loving hands had bathed him, soaped his chest and shampooed his hair. Those same hands had dried him, lifting strands of his hair with patient fingers as he blew it dry.

His throat tightened as heat rose within.


This book has been out of print since 2014, and returns in an expanded edition with new scenes (almost 15k words) but the same tender love story and noble young hero.  Surrender Love will be available in print and KU.

HEART-RELATED WARNINGS:

Adorable feline-humanoid hero may induce swooning.
Heart-melting romance likely to cause palpitations.
Immortal with a tragic past may cause heartbreak.
Teary-eye trigger: Extreme happy-ever-after.
Additional concern: May induce insatiable desire for sequels. (Fortunately, the cure for this aspect is on its way.)

Antonello Brothers: Immortal

Antonello Brothers: Immortal - Because Romance Lives Forever

Series page: https://kayelleallen.com/antonello-brothers-immortal/

#SciFi #WriteLGBTQ #MMRomance
Read all my books on Ream Stories

Surrender Love: Antonello Brothers: Immortal #SciFi #MMromance

Forever Love: Antonello Brothers Immortal #SciFi #MMromance #WriteLGBTQ

Antonello Brothers: Immortal series by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #MMRomance

A cuddly cinnamon roll hero who purrs, and an alpha male who has met his emotional match, this #MMRomance #SciFi


Welcome to Book Hooks!

Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative blog hop hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by.

Links below lead to other sites also taking part. You can "hop" from mine to theirs with one click.

Feel free to say hello or leave a note in the comments.

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!

Quick, how big is a chibi? #Chibi #SciFi

Check out the cute dragon chibis!

What's the difference between a chibi and a statue?

A statue is a (more or less) realistic image of a person or creature. A chibi is a stylized version, usually with a big head and eyes.

I love hanging out on Instagram. I rarely post, but I do like and follow (a lot!). I especially like artists, cosplayers, etc.

When I kept seeing adorable chibis, I decided to have a couple made of the dragons from the Bringer of Chaos series. If you've read the books, you know I've only hinted at the dragons so far. I promise, they're coming.

What are dragons doing in a sci-fi?

Aren't dragons fantasy? Well, what if these creatures were extinct on Earth, but not on other planets? And what if they could exist in an alternate dimension? Remember the Gates of Life? Let me just say, you'll see.

The dragons are from House Snow Dragon on Instagram and were shipped from the Ukraine. Well worth the money and the wait. I got to pick eye color, body and accent color and let her pick the pose.

Red is Fireshade (Dessy's dragon). White is Stormsinger (Pietas's dragon). Who knew you could get chibi dragons?

And then my pride and joy in front -- a custom chibi of Pietas. Look at his armor! FloratalesCreations copied the armor Nik Nitsvetov wore in his cosplay of Pietas last year. Right down to the shoes and the weapon. I know a soldier shouldn't be adorable, but... :) I absolutely love this guy. He and the dragons sit right beneath my monitor.

Nik is doing another Pietas cosplay on October 10th (time to be announced). Watching Nik perform is amazing. If you haven't seen him do this before, you owe it to yourself to come watch. He holds the event in the evening in Russia, so it's morning for us in America. Once I have the time, I'll put it in my newsletter due out Oct 7th. Or sign up here to just be notified with one email.

Go peek at my blog post for Wed 9/16. You'll see a step-by-step transformation. You'll also get a closer look at Nik and his acting ability. This guy knows how to show subtle emotion. I wish he lived closer, alas, Moscow is a long ways away! Check out that blog post and you'll get an appreciation for his talent.

Check the links below to find more authors in this blog hop.

Pick up the first story in the Bringer of Chaos series, Lights Out, free by joining a reader group!
https://kayelleallen.com/reader-groups

Origin of Pietas

Origin of Pietas: Bringer of Chaos #SpaceOpera #SciFi

Forged in Fire

Forged in Fire: Bringer of Chaos #SpaceOpera #SciFi

Lights Out

Lights Out: Bringer of Chaos #SpaceOpera #SciFi


JOIN US FOR BOOKHOOKS
Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you the reader to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

Senth likes who? No way #Excerpt #SciFi #MFRWhooks

From At the Mercy of Her Pleasure

In this scene from At the Mercy of Her Pleasure, NarrAy and Encie, one of her aides, have just observed a quick interchange between Senth and NarrAy's other aide, Broxus, and mistakes what and who Senth likes.

The reality is, Broxus had thought Senth was attracted to Encie when Senth had actually meant he likes NarrAy. Because the women had showed up while they were talking, Senth and Broxus had resorted to a kind of code.

The result? NarrAy has completely misread the situation.

He likes who?

NarrAy bit out a curse and folded her arms.

"What?" Encie sidled closer.

"He likes Brox."

"Senth? No."

"Why else would he look so embarrassed? And come on, helping Brox with his tie? Since when did Brox ever care about that? It's obvious Senth likes him and they wanted to be alone."

"No way." Encie shook her head. "Brox is not interested in his own gender."Senth likes who? No way #Excerpt #SciFi #MFRWhooks

"How would you know?"

Encie wiggled her eyebrows.

"You and... No." Brox's door remained shut. NarrAy squinted. "When?"

"Before we came to work for you. We're long since over each other."

"So..." NarrAy turned back to her. "You don't think..."

"I know for a fact that Brox isn't."

NarrAy tapped a finger against her lips. "Good."

Encie leaned closer. "There's one way to find out. Touch him."

"No. Besides, Senth is on Shackle."

"Think of it as a challenge. Can your pheromones beat the drug?"

"No." Folding her arms, NarrAy turned away. "That wouldn't be right."

"You've been flirting with Senth since he got in the car back in town. Don't even try to tell me you don't like him." A hand on her hip, Encie strutted into view. "He and his brother are the hottest things I've seen in weeks. Did you see the abs on him? I almost swallowed my tongue."

NarrAy paced the room, her pulse heightening.

Senth's door opened, and he came out dressed in immaculate black-and-white evening attire. Black tie against his throat, loose curls brushing his shoulders. The suit accented his wide shoulders and narrow waist. He looked every bit as rich as he was supposed to look. Those diamond studs were no doubt real, and stolen.

His big, pale blue cat-eyed gaze focused on her, causing NarrAy to tingle all over. He looked away and adjusted a diamond cufflink.

Senth's untutored vulnerability and restrained sensuality lashed at her senses. Sweet, charming, intelligent. All the man needed now was the right woman to awaken his passion.

NarrAy strolled toward him.


To free his enslaved brother from a cruel master, Senth, an all-party-fun-and-games thief, must take on the hardest assignment of his life: stealing from the Empress. To make matters worse, he has no choice but to work with NarrAy, a by-the-book rebel female captain whose addictive pheromones could jeopardize the mission and destroy Senth's will.
When the unthinkable happens and NarrAy professes her love for him, Senth must decide if what he feels is real. Can he trust this woman? If he loves her back, can he still save his brother? Or will Senth end up at the mercy of her pleasure forever...
Read At the Mercy of Her Pleasure for free on Kindle Unlimited https://books2read.com/u/m2o9P1

Antonello Brothers

Antonello Brothers Sci-Fi Romance Series by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

Click covers for the buy link.

Series page https://kayelleallen.com/antonello-brothers

#SciFi #Romance
Read all my books for $3 total on Ream Stories

At the Mercy of Her Pleasure by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #SpaceOpera

For Women Only by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

Crystal Clear Truth by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

Complete Set Antonello Brothers Series

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!

At the Mercy of Her Pleasure #SciFi #Romance

 

In this scene, Senth and Khyff are about to meet with Luc Saint-Cyr at a rather infamous club in a bad part of town, when they run into a little snag.

Senth's "baby face" means no one takes him seriously.

Good thing his father -- known as the Man -- has a reputation that opens doors.

 

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.

"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.

Antonello Brothers

Antonello Brothers Sci-Fi Romance Series by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Romance

Click covers for the buy link. Click text for the website page and excerpts.

Series page https://kayelleallen.com/antonello-brothers

#SciFi #Romance
Read all my books for $3 total on Ream Stories

Complete Set Antonello Brothers Series

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!