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Tag: Dessy

Birth name of Empress Rheyn Destoiya, twin sister of Pietas

Snuggle up with the Antonello Brothers SciFi Romance on the sweeter side #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Snuggle up with the Antonello Brothers SciFi Romance on the sweeter side #Romance #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Three brothers. One missing mother. Not raised together, none of the brothers knows about the other. That is, until fate brings the youngest into the life of a former warrior-pirate. From the moment Luc decides to intervene and save a frightened child, nothing in Luc's life will ever be the same.

When a glorified space pirate turned entrepreneur rescues a vulnerable orphan, a chain of events sets chaos in motion. At war with his compassion for the toddler, loyalty to the king, duty to the Guild, and the bright lure of freedom he's coveted for centuries, Luc seeks the right path.

A hard choice for any man. For an immortal whose inner monster can destroy on sight? Impossible.

A pirate with a monstrous past can never be trusted with an innocent child.

Luc must ensure the child is protected, safe, nowhere near danger. Nowhere near him.

Even if this little boy has already stolen his heart...

Reviews for A Stolen Heart

"It's about personal growth, and self-sacrifice, and finding your own way in the world…most of all, it's about figuring out how to love yourself, warts and all, even when you've done something so horrible you have nightmares about it many years after the fact." - Barb Caffrey

"If you're into science fiction with hefty servings of cuteness; then I think this is going to be your next read." ElleAmore

"The story as it develops brings out a depth of its characters, and the magic of falling head over heels for them begins with the entry of the little HalfKin Senthys. The characters bloom into something more fun and relatable from there on and are determined to steal hearts..." - Blog of a Forbidden Dreamer

"A Stolen Heart...shows the softness in this hard, monster of a man and I absolutely loved it. Everything about this story is great. The characters are amazing, and you can’t help but fall in love with all of them. The storyline is compelling and keeps you pulled in, (because little baby Senthys is so adorable)..." - Cathy  Brockman

Antonello Brothers

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

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

#SciFi #Romance

Complete Set Antonello Brothers Series

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.


The thought made her claws itch #Excerpt A Stolen Heart #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

In this scene from A Stolen Heart, Luc Saint-Cyr is in his hoversine (a cross between a limo and a hover) on his way into the city. He'd made a list of things to deal with and plans to hand it over to his new liaison, Shohn Lexius.*

During the ride into Miraj City, Luc pulled out his mobile and scrolled through the list he'd uploaded from the paper in his pocket. He forwarded one item to his assistant, and added a few notes to his own to-do list. The mobile buzzed in his hand.

Shohn Lexius.

He answered, voice mode. "What's up?"

"A bit of intel. I know we're meeting later, but this will only take a minute. I think you'll want to hear it."

He put the device on holophone and his Kin liaison shimmered into view. Catlike ears were up and forward, a sign of curiosity and attention.

"Sir, I anticipated you'd want a background check on"-- She looked at something off-screen --"Senthys Antonello."

"What are you? A mind reader?"

"Oh, no, sir." Shohn picked up a note-reader. "I try to anticipate what'll be needed next. What's the next logical step. Prepare for it best I can."

"Do you have relatives needing work? I could use a dozen more like you."

Inclining her head, she lowered her ears in a Kin thank you. "I'm one of a kind."

"You can say that again."

She gave him a curious look. "Idiom?"

"Means I agree." He gestured toward her. "So you know I took custody of the boy."

"Sir, I know your shoe size, what sort of pickles you like and the thread count on your sheets. You signed papers for him at the Guild. It wasn't hard."

In his other lives, no one had known squat about happenings within Guild walls. "You scare me a little, Ms. Lexius."

One ear flicked back. "Is that good?"

"I'll let you know." He set his mobile on handsfree and dropped it into a pocket. "What do you have?"

"I dug up the name of the place where the boy lived from birth until he was bought by the Guild. He--"

"Bought?"

"He was purchased in a group of thirty children. Twenty-seven humans plus him."

"That's twenty-eight."

"There were thirty total, but two are unaccounted for. Not sure who they were or whether they were human." She tapped a screen. "Looks like they were counted when they left the children's shelter where Senthys was reared, but I have no record of them reaching the Guild. No record of names, either. Just the count."

"Were they sold before the Guild got them?"

"No record."

The more he learned about the doings of his Guild, the less it felt like the one he knew. His Guild had been honorable. Like a family. This felt more and more like a faceless organization. Since when did family sell its most vulnerable members?

"But sir, I'm looking into it. That two children can disappear makes my claws itch. If they're safe, I want to know and if they're not-- Well, I'll let you know either way."

---
*Shohn Lexius is in all the Antonello Brothers books and is the heroine in book five, Crystal Clear Truth.

Antonello Brothers

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

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

#SciFi #Romance

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.



Welcome to Book Hooks!
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative meme 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. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

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

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

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."

Antonello Brothers

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

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

#SciFi #Romance

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.



Welcome to Book Hooks!
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative meme 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. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

Don’t make me freeze you solid #SciFi #Excerpt A Stolen Heart #MFRWhooks

Don't make me freeze you solid #SciFi #Excerpt A Stolen Heart #MFRWhooks #PietasFans

In this scene, Luc had rescued a little girl who'd been kidnapped. Only afterward did he discover that her going missing was part of a grand scheme for Pietas to control her scientist-parents. When Pietas shows up unannounced and acts as if nothing happened, Luc confronts him about the kidnapping. Pietas denies it, and when pressed, loses his temper.

Hot-headed doesn't fit Pietas. When angry, his ability to create cold goes into overdrive.

Read the previous excerpt from this scene.

"Remember life when you and Dessy were that age? Genius children. Intelligence off the charts. Abilities no one had ever seen. Yet your father routinely beat and starved you both and for sixteen years kept you in isolation. Dessy for twenty. Is that harm?"

Pietas crossed his arms over his chest. "My father..." He shuddered.

"Mahikos is a brutal, bloodthirsty monster."

Pietas looked at him, naked pain in his eyes.

"You can admit what your father did to you, especially to me. More than anyone, you know what it's like to be isolated and abused. Yet that's the environment you subjected this girl to."

"Have a care, Cyken." Pietas straightened and turned aside. "Do not say that. I didn't know."

"If you'd known, would you have cared that you put a child in harm's way to get what you wanted? No, I think not. Not if you got your way."

"That's not true. I'm warning you." The air chilled. Unlike Luc's gift of Pyro, Pietas created ice, not fire. "You're pushing me."

"Pushing you? If I don't, who will? Yes, I'm pushing you, and why shouldn't I? You put that girl into an abusive situation to get what you wanted." The room's temperature dropped so fast Luc saw his own breath.

"Stop!"

"Why? Because it's cold?" When would Pietas ever see the truth? "If you don't like what you're feeling, then stop. Only you can control yourself. I'm not responsible for how you react."

"That's not true. My father made me this way."

"That's childish and you know it. You're thousands of years old, Pietas. When are you going to grow up?"

"You will not speak to me like that."

"No, I'll talk to you this way because no one else will tell you the truth. You can't face what you are. That's why you don't control yourself. Go ahead. Lose control. I'm not afraid of you. I will not back down. I refuse to allow you to misuse a child. If you aren't man enough to accept the truth, go ahead and freeze me." Luc leaned closer. "I dare you."

Face contorted, Pietas trembled. Frost coated everything within reach. "Cyken, please!"

"Go ahead! Blame your father." He threw up his hands. "That's what you do, isn't it? Condemn Mahikos for creating you with this ability, but you're the one who's ruthless. You demonize your father when it's you who's bloodthirsty."

"Stop." The wineglasses shattered. "Please."

"No! Do it!" Fists balled, Luc took two steps and planted himself in front of Pietas. "Freeze me solid. I don't care. Nothing I say or do will ever reach you, will it? No. Because you"-- He punctuated his words with a finger jab into Pietas's chest --"are just like your father."

Ice crackled over Luc's skin and frigid air leeched every vestige of heat from his lungs.

Antonello Brothers

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

#SciFi #Romance

Crystal Clear Truth is out April 25, 2022


Welcome to Book Hooks!
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative meme 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. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.


Spare me the theatrics #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Spare me the theatrics #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

In this scene, Luc had rescued a little girl who'd been kidnapped. Only afterward did he discover that her going missing was part of a grand scheme for Pietas to control her scientist-parents. When Pietas shows up unannounced and acts as if nothing happened, Luc confronts him about the kidnapping. Pietas denies it.

With Pietas, the truth was often in what wasn't said as much as what was. "Then you hired some lackey to do it."

"A king has no need for lackeys." Pietas drew back a lock of silver hair and flipped it behind his shoulder. "I command soldiers. Or if needed, I ask a favor. Like I did you."

"You asked someone to kidnap this child for you, then you put her into the Guild and asked me to find her."

"I told you. I did not kidnap her."

"If you asked someone to do it, it's kidnapping!" He snapped the wineglass stem, stabbing his hand. He dropped the pieces and pressed a thumb against the cut. The blood staunched. The cut healed within seconds. "Don't skirt the truth. You thrust that child into danger to get what you wanted."

"Spare me the theatrics." Pietas flipped a hand. "The girl wasn't harmed."

"The Guild told her that her parents were dead. They isolated her! She's a Better. Are you aware what the Guild does to non-humans?"

"Betters are human."

"Not to the Guild."

"They are human." Pietas turned his back. "I should know. I designed them. Genetic manipulation is my role in this lifetime."

"As I said, not to the Guild. I rescued a HalfKin child today. They'd been locking him in a windowless room in the dark as punishment. They fed him from a bowl on the floor. He's three. Was that harmless?"

"That's barbaric." Pietas grimaced. "Why would the Guild do that?"

"Because he isn't human. Imagine what they'd do if they discovered what I am."

Antonello Brothers

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

#SciFi #Romance

Crystal Clear Truth is out April 25, 2022


Welcome to Book Hooks!
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative meme 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. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.


Reading in bed? Yes. Liking free books? Also yes. #Romance #Paranormal #SciFi #BookFair

Reading in bed? Yes. Liking free books? Also yes. #Romance #Paranormal #SciFi

Book Fair has ended

Try one on this page!

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.


A window on a new world. Sneak peek at Crystal Clear Truth #SciFi #Romance #MFRWhooks

A window on a new world. Sneak peek at Crystal Clear Truth #SciFi #Romance

One of the fun things about writing a series is that you get to use some of the same settings in different books.

The Royal Arms Hotel has played host to characters in two books and the one I'm writing now features it as well.

In each of these scenes, a character is looking out a window toward Tarth City Park, a wide stretch of park that splits the entire city.

At the Mercy of Her Pleasure - NarrAy

Once they reached the Royal District, the car pulled up to the front of the luxurious Royal Arms Hotel. Shaped like a giant arrow being driven into the ground, it displayed Tyran engineering at its finest. Like their suite on the ship, the empire-class suite at the top sported a common living area and four bedrooms with private baths.

NarrAy's corner room had a breathtaking view of vast Tarth City, showcase of the empire. Impossibly tall spires drove through the clouds. Steady shuttle traffic climbed into the sky to the west, near the starport. The wide swath of Tarth City Park divided the metropolis in half all the way to the horizon, and the Cyr de Typhin River meandered through the center, its bright blue water glinting in the sun.

For Women Only - Mehfawni

Mehfawni's hotel room overlooked Tarth City Park, a green strip of manicured garden that cut the city in half as far as the eye could see. The family servants unpacked her belongings while she stood at the window and gawked like a child. Seventy stories below, ground traffic crawled, and trains snaked out of holes and zipped halfway up the sides of buildings into more holes. In the distance, shuttle traffic cluttered the sky. Slender towering structures speared the clouds. Closer in, right on the edge of the park, a massive black building towered over all the others, dominating the view.

Why didn't it fall over? It looked too big, too flat. Mehfawni went to another window, straining to get a better view. The tallest building on Felidae rose six stories. Her family still used horse-drawn carriages, even though all of them owned modern hovers too. She'd marveled at the starport in Ruh Township, a provincial outpost compared to vast Empire Central on Tarth. She'd slept through the jump to Sanity IV and missed the wonders of seeing the vast array of habdrills taking the planet apart.

Crystal Clear Truth - Joe

By the time Joe reached his room, darkness blanketed the world outside. Out on the balcony, he braced his hands on the railing and drew the moist evening air deep into his lungs. It had been ages since he'd experienced Tarth City's cool evenings. Every bit as good as he remembered. If he had to live anywhere other than Kyrenie, he'd pick here. A whisper of wind shivered across his skin, and he rubbed his arms.

His room lay on the one hundred and tenth floor of a building shaped like the letter V. Tyran engineering ensured it stayed upright, even during the worst storms and earthquakes. Nothing ramshackle. Pure genius, especially considering they designed for people with legs, while they, themselves possessed haunches and hooves.

Lights along the outside raced from the topmost floor downward, giving it the appearance of some gigantic arrow, burying itself. Up here, with fog starting, the light created an ambient glow.

Considering the size and population of Tarth City, the fact that he smelled fresh air and not filtered blankness spoke to an outstanding municipal plan. Creating a city that harmonized with nature began with masterful terraforming.

The major drawback of a megalopolis -- lights stretched from horizon to horizon, blotting out the stars, with the single moon making no more than a thin crescent of silver.

A vibrating rumble tickled his chest. Off to the west, a sleepliner descended toward the starport. That it made only this much sound meant powerful buffers held vibrations at bay. No matter how many times he visited this city or where he went within it, the sight of a massive ship landing almost soundlessly never ceased to amaze.

He'd have stayed out here all night, but he had a workshop to teach the next day, so he dragged himself back inside.

Here's the blurb so far for the new book. I plan for this to be the last book in the Antonello Brothers series. We'll see! Sometimes characters have other plans.

Crystal Clear Truth - Antonello Brothers series #5

His entire life, Joe worked for this moment: Terraforming Specialist First Class, assigned to the firestorm planet. Yet tragedy mars the day with the accidental death of both parents. Grief-stricken, he plods through family decisions and moves forward, surviving day by day. While reading his mother's handwritten diary, he discovers a folded flatpic of a teenaged girl and the cryptic words, "our son's mother." He searches for details, determined to know more.

When a friend asks Shohn to help a locate someone, she jumps at the chance. She's researching the firestorm planet for her employer, who seeks access to eyes-only information. Helping Joe might be her opportunity to uncover long-hidden secrets.

A window on a new world. Sneak peek at Crystal Clear Truth #SciFi #Romance

As their unexpected friendship deepens into more, each mystery they solve reveals yet another hidden layer. The truth they seek could immobilize interstellar commerce in the empire. To protect the Empire they both love, they must solve the riddle behind the elusive young woman in the picture, and trust one another.

But how can they trust when the "truth" they've been fed is a lie?

A slow-burn, forced proximity romance set in the far, far future in an empire full of treachery, mystery, and long-hidden secrets...

Antonello Brothers

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

#SciFi #Romance


JOIN US FOR BOOKHOOKS
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative 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.

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.


How better to see you? #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MMRomance #MFRWhooks

How better to see you? #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MMRomance #MFRWhooks

After a day full of drama, all Luc wants is a shower and some wine.

Not necessarily in that order.

Here's an excerpt from A Stolen Heart.

(To portal is to instantly transport; think "beam me up.")

Excerpt

Inside his room, Luc shut the door, activated locks and set full privacy settings. It took three seconds to choose a bottle of Skovron Blush '37. Light, delicate and sweet. He opened the bottle to let the wine breathe while he set about stripping.

Everything but the shoes went into the recycler, although he considered ditching those too. If his house-droids couldn't whisk them clean, he'd let them get rid of the shoes. Not his problem.

Luc chose a wineglass, poured, then carried it into the bathing area. After a sip, he set the glass on a marble countertop and slid open the smoky-gray glass door of the shower.

Pietas stepped into view, fully clothed. "I do not need a shower, thank you."

Luc snatched a towel and whipped it around himself. "My lord--" An explosive sigh burst from him. "What are you doing in my shower?"

"I wanted to see you."

"In the shower?"

With a flirty smile, Pietas leaned one shoulder against the wall. "You must admit, it is a good place to see you."

A headache shoved its way forward. "Not happening, Pietas."

"Spoilsport."

"Again, what are you doing here?"

"I portaled into your room and heard the door open, so I came in here, and--" He lifted his chin. "I am your king. I go where I please."

"I asked you not to portal here, my lord. My Deshai are home."

"Which is why--" With a groan, Pietas clenched his fists. "Only you would expect me to explain myself." He gestured toward Luc. "You explain. Where have you been? Are you showering because you're going out, or..." He trailed a look down Luc's length. "...going to bed?" He ended the question with a smile.

"Bed. Alone. I've dealt with drama for days." Luc picked up the wine and drank it in one gulp. "I need a refill." Without waiting for a response, he marched himself back to his room, retrieved the bottle and poured, then splashed wine into a second glass.

Drinking alcohol had no effect on Sempervians, but the act itself soothed. It offered tradition. Comfort. And when needed, a means of stalling while you decided how much truth you could afford to tell.

He offered the second glass.

His king lifted it, sniffed, sipped. "This is good. From one of your wineries?"

"Yes. One of the Skovron locations." Luc swirled his wine, waiting until Pietas took another sip. "It's your sister's favorite."

Mouth twisting, Pietas set down his glass with a click.

Antonello Brothers

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

#SciFi #Romance


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~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.


Have some fun with a Free Fantasy, PNR, Sci-Fi Book Fair #SciFi #PNR #Romance

Have some fun with a Free Fantasy, PNR, Sci-Fi Book Fair #SciFi #PNR #Romance

PNR, Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Fair for Free books

A bundle of high-caliber authors for lovers of SF/F.

This special event showcases all subgenres of sci-fi and may include cyberpunk, dystopian, fantasy, young adult, hard scifi, military, paranormal, post-apocalyptic, robots, sci-fi romance, soft scifi, space opera, technothrillers, time travel, urban fantasy, and more.

Join us! SF Free Book Event

[bctt tweet="Have some fun with a Free Fantasy, PNR, Sci-Fi Book Fair #SciFi #PNR #Romance https://storyoriginapp.com/to/0MGNlmd?via=kayelle" username="KayelleAllen"]

Antonello Brothers

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

#SciFi #Romance

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.


“But I don’t want to adult” #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #Family #SciFi

"But I don't want to adult" #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #Family #SciFi

A Stolen Heart

Luc, a former space pirate who's gone straight, rescues a vulnerable child adept at breaking into things. Nothing is beyond the boy's reach. He's even stolen Luc's heart...

In this scene, Luc is carrying three-year-old Senth and meets Nikko, his Deshai (apprentice) in the hall.

Earlier, one of the other Deshais had brought a policewoman to the house, and idBot (the security company Luc owns) discovered she'd left behind trackules - a type of spyware. Luc needs to go out to deal with a related issue.

Excerpt from A Stolen Heart

Outside Luc's bedroom door, he met Nikko as the young man came up the stairs. A glance told Luc what he needed to know; idBot had informed everyone.

Senthys squirmed, so Luc set the boy down.

"Nikko?" The boy tapped his brother on the leg. "Can you take care of me? Please?"

"What? You know it. I'll always take care of you, Senth." He turned back to Luc. "I'm sorry I doubted you. Why would Orella do that?"

Luc locked his door. "There's no proof she did it on purpose."

"I don't get it." The young Deshai looked at him askance. "First you accuse her, and now you defend her?"

"Nikko?" Senthys tugged on the young man's hand. "Will you play with me and my bears? Please?"

"Not yet, Senth."

The boy sulked. "But I said please. Ms. Fasra says when someone says please then you are supposed to do it."

"Yes, you did, and she's right." Nikko squatted. "But adults can't always stop what they're doing and play. Even if they want to. Sometimes we have to do adult things first."

An unfortunate truth. Like hunting monsters when you'd prefer rocking a sweet little boy to sleep and putting him into bed where he was safe. Luc slid one hand into a pocket.

Senthys pouted. "But I don't want to adult."

"I don't either sometimes. Neither does Luc." Nikko flashed a smile up at him. "Right?"

"Exactly right."

"Then play with me."

"In a few minutes." Nikko stood.

The boy gave an exaggerated sigh. "Okay."

"Um..." Nikko hesitated. "What were we talking about?"

"Orella and trackules. I never accused her. I said I suspected there might be spyware. Shohn Lexius at idBot thinks she might have been dusted with trackules without her knowledge, and I agree. I doubt Orella would jeopardize her relationship with Kaydn."

"Okay, I can see that. But how could she be dusted and not know?"

"I plan to investigate, that, Nikko. I hope she didn't do it herself. Now, I'm going to need help with something important. Who else is home?"

"I'm here," Brinn called out, coming up the stairs. He stepped out onto the second floor.

Holding his bears, Senthys ran over to him. "Will you take care of me, please?"

"Take care of you?" Brinn gave Luc and Nikko a questioning look. "You know it, little brother."

"Can we play?"

"Sure. In a few minutes. I have to talk to Luc first."

"Okay." Senthys heaved a drawn-out groan. "I know. You have to adult."

Antonello Brothers

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

#SciFi #Romance

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.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team


~ Copyright ©2025 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!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.