posts with insights about characters
Kaydn shares an emotionally shattering secret.
In this scene, Luc has gone three days without sleep already, and it's late at night, but he'd promised to talk with his Deshai (apprentice), Kaydn. After an apology for mouthing off at Luc, Kaydn tells him why he'd been so angry at finding out Luc had fostered a young child.
"All right, Kaydn. What is it you think I should know about the Guild?"
"No way to sugarcoat this. The Guild targets gifted children, kidnaps them, and master thieves pay to adopt them as Deshai."
Luc considered how well he knew Kaydn. Impulsive? His image should be in the dictionary next to the word, but he did not dwell in a fantasy world. "You think our Guild does this."
"I know they do. They steal toddlers from their families, tell them their parents are dead, and then they change the kid's last name, bring them in and palm them off as orphans. Master thieves pay to take them on as Deshai. The Guild pockets the money. And then because they're Guild-trained, they keep a portion of their income and on top of that, make them pay dues."
This dovetailed right into what Luc had uncovered about the girl he'd traced for Pietas. "Such an accusation runs counter to everything the Guild stands for. We've protected homeless children for generations. Given them homes and taught them careers."
"I didn't want buy it either, until I saw it myself."
"Prove it, Kaydn." What had Luc told the Grand Master that morning? "You can't accuse the Guild of such a heinous crime without proof."
"I know." Kaydn scrubbed both hands over his face. "I can."
"How?"
"I told you. I saw it myself."
"Where?"
"Orella--" Kaydn's voice broke, and he paused. "Orella Vettov is my sister. She found me a month ago. My parents died, never knowing what happened to me."
Luc drew back. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying--" His voice wavered. "My real last name is Vettov. I'm one of the kids the Guild kidnapped."
(continued next week...)
Be sure to check out the other authors in this blog hop below.
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.
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.
Luc finds out what fatherhood is like first-hand.
After rescuing a toddler, Luc must now oversee his care. He managed dinner with the help of his house-droids and the five young thieves who are part of his Thieves' Guild "family."
Luc has managed to give Senthys a bath. Next up, tucking the three-year-old into bed.
And this is where Luc gets his first taste of fatherhood.
With his hair flat against his head, Senthys resembled a wet cat and looked half his usual size. Shivering, the boy stood quietly while Luc dried him. Unlike Kin, the toddler had human feet without claws. After dressing him in a clean t-shirt and underpants, Luc wrapped Senthys in one of Nikko's old button-down sweaters as a robe and rolled up the sleeves. The garment swallowed the tousle-haired moppet.
Luc had hair like the boy's. A comb would never go through such tangles. "I don't want to pull your hair, so we'll leave it alone."
Senthys took Luc's face in his hands and looked into his eyes. "Thank you."
"Welcome. Let's get you into bed." When he re-entered the bedroom with the boy, Nikko was waiting.
"Hey, Luc. I got the bed ready for you, Senth." His Deshai pulled down the covers.
Senthys hopped in excitement. "A real bed!"
Nikko helped him climb onto it. "It's comfortable too."
"I get to sleep up here?"
"You sure do." Nikko fluffed the pillow. "I'll be right over there on the couch if you need me."
"Okay. Hug, Nikko?"
Nikko bent over and hugged him. After turning around, he mouthed, "So cute!"
"Hug?" Senthys held out his arms.
Luc gestured to himself.
"Uh huh." Senthys waited.
How was it Luc was back to feeling like he was the student trying to please the teacher? "All right." He bent closer.
The boy threw his arms around Luc and kissed him on the cheek. "Night night, Sen'dai."
Touching his cheek, Luc stepped back. He'd supervised bedtimes for his older Deshai. What did one do with a toddler?
The paper gift bag on the floor caught his attention, and he picked it up.
"The house-droids sent up something for you." He sat on the edge of the bed. "Shall we see what it is?" Luc cracked open the top, peeked inside, and snapped it shut.
Senthys sat up and grabbed the blanket with both hands, looking like a cat spying a toy. "What's in there?"
"Maybe you should find out." Luc passed him the bag.
After opening it, Senthys peeked in and then squealed. "Pocket!" He pulled out the bear. "You fixed him!" He clasped the mended bear to his chest and rocked back and forth. "Thank you!" The boy clambered out from under the covers and threw his arms around Luc's neck.
"You're welcome." He hugged back.
"You have the best house-droids ever!" Senthys stood on the bed, holding the bear's arms and dancing around with him.
"Careful!" Luc guided him to a seated position. "I'll make sure to thank them for you."
"Look, Nikko!" Senthys held out Pocket. "They fixed my bear!"
"Cool!" After getting a closer look at the scraggly toy, Nikko's eyebrows shot up. "This is fixed?"
Luc nudged him. "Trust me."
"Wow."
Hugging Pocket, Senthys climbed under the covers. He nestled his head against the pillows. "Pocket is sleepy now."
Luc smoothed covers over him and on impulse, over the bear.
"Hey, Senth," Nikko asked, "should I leave the light on in the bathroom?"
"Are--" He swallowed. "Are you scareded of the dark?"
"I used to be. But what if Pocket needs the light on 'cause he's in a new house? What do you think?"
Senthys held out the bear at arm's length, looked him over, and then tucked him back under the covers. "He says you're right."
"Good deal."
"Nikko?" Senthys yawned. "Pocket says thank you."
The young Deshai grinned. "Glad to help him out."
"Me too," the boy murmured, eyes drifting shut.
Be sure to check out all the other authors in this blog hop by clicking the links below.
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.
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.
Luc and Pietas share a sip of triefan.
In this scene, Luc is invited to share a sip of triefan, a nectar from a flower that originated on the planet Sempervia. It does nothing for humans but it increases the metabolism of an immortal and gives them nearly instantaneous healing.
Carrying a tray, the android lingered in the entry until Pietas beckoned to him. "Your triefan, my lord." Uurah presented a tray with a mini-decanter of iridescent teal, capped by a silver top engraved with ornate flowers. A pair of thimble-sized glasses matched it; their tiny stems carved with curling silver petals.
Immortals vied with one another to collect such vessels for triefan, the lifegiving nectar prized among their people. The more elaborate and expensive, the better.
Luc kept his in a brown vial fitted with a medicine dropper. "I've never seen this decanter. Is it new?"
"It's beautiful. Isn't it?" Pietas picked up the container. "Sadly, the treacherous human who gifted it is no longer with us." While the android held the tray, Pietas poured, holding the cap in place as if serving high tea.
"I'm surprised you accepted a gift from someone you considered treacherous."
"Accepted prior to discovering the treachery." The king handed the single-sip serving to Luc. "That's one traitor who won't betray anyone again." Pietas delivered those words without heat.
They stung Luc anyway. "Yet you kept the gift."
Pietas turned the decanter back and forth, eyeing it. "Well, it is rather pretty. The giver insisted I should have it because it matched my eyes." He held the ornate item next to his face. "What do you think?"
"He was right."
"What makes you think it was a he?" Pietas twisted toward the cat. "It appears we have a new king."
"Pardon?" He turned.
The king's panther had taken the opportunity to claim the warm seat Pietas had vacated. The cat gazed at them from the throne.
"Tiklaus sits on that throne the way you do, one paw hanging over the edge."
"Indeed. Like a king." Pietas lifted his glass toward the cat. "Here's to delicious traitors and panther justice."
The cat licked its chops.
Fighting a tangled mix of fear and apprehension, Luc touched the lip of his glass against his king's and then downed the few drops inside.
Like himself, Pietas made a face and shuddered. Triefan might heal immortals instantly and give their already rampant metabolisms a boost, but the raw nectar tasted like spoiled lemon overpowered by week-old asparagus.
One eye closed, Pietas grimaced. "Ugh. Uurah, no more of that. Flavor it next time."
"Do you have a preference, my lord?"
"Yes." He plunked the tiny glass back on the tray. "Literally anything."
Be sure to check out the other authors in this blog hop, linked below.
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.
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.
Party time! A Stolen Heart is finally a new release. The book went live on May 11, 2020 and is exclusive on Amazon. On sale for 99c, or free if you're a member of Kindle Unlimited.
The premise is simple: a former space pirate who’s gone straight rescues a vulnerable child adept at breaking into things.
If you liked seeing the bad guy in Despicable Me transform into a soft-hearted dad, you'll like A Stolen Heart. Luc's minions aren't yellow. They're thieves.
Setting up the scene for today's excerpt:
Luc Saint-Cyr interfaces virtually with Shohn, his idBot liaison. Although Shohn speaks fluent Etymis (English), it's not the native tongue of the Kin female. (Sayr te means "forgive me" or "I'm sorry" in Felis.)
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 the note about the penthouse to his own to-do list. The mobile buzzed in his hand, showing the name 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 she shimmered into view. "Go."
"Go?" Her ears went back. "Sir? I thought you wanted--"
"Sayr te. Forgive me." He smoothed his jacket. "You're so fluent in Etymis, I forgot you might not get idioms. In this case, 'go' means the same as 'talk.'"
"Oh. Good to know. 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." She 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."
Be sure to check out the other authors in this blog hop - links below.
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.
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.
I'm a visual person. I like having an image of something I'm writing about. In fact, I frequently comission the book cover before I've finished writing the story. Sci-Fi concept art is a must for me, and I have a ton of it.
The ring in this image belongs to Pietas, the immortal king in A Stolen Heart and the Bringer of Chaos books. Here's how it looked in its various stages of design. Music in the video is Video Game Blockbuster, licensed via Dual Horns Media Ltd. The concept art is by Nano-Core.
In this scene, the immortal king Pietas and his general, Luc Saint-Cyr, are hashing out an issue. This is the first mention in the book of the ring Pietas so often wears.
"I'm touched." A playful smile lit Pietas's face. "You worried about me?"
"I worry whenever you do something different."
"Different how?"
"Let's see." Luc ticked items off his fingers. "Send troops over a border. Incite a riot. Invade a planet. Invade some king's daughters. Or his sons... Shall I go on?"
Pietas chuckled. "You worry a lot."
To increase his personal space, Luc adjusted the hang of his jacket. "You're in a good mood."
"Yes, yes." Pietas brushed a dismissive hand through the air. "I haven't triggered a war, if that's what you're fretting about. I'm not sending you out of the Empire, and I'm not planning to feed you to my cat."
"Not planning."
"No," Pietas agreed, with a bemused expression. "Although if there's someone you want to be rid of..." He lifted one brow.
"No, no, quite capable of making people disappear on my own, my lord, but I'll keep a personal dose of panther justice in mind."
"Panther justice!" Laughing, Pietas laid a hand on his chest. "How I've missed your sense of humor. I don't recall the last time I laughed out loud." He looked down, toying with a turquoise ring.
The fat nugget of fractured stone occupied his left forefinger. The silver setting evoked a dragon's open mouth, a gift from Luc hundreds of years ago. Pietas rarely removed it.
Did he cling to their past relationship, or wear it to show Luc he hoped for the future? Either way, Luc could not reconcile being with this man with the desire for freedom. To give birth to one meant the death of the other.
"You know," Pietas twisted the ring, "I think the last time I laughed, I was with you."
Pick up a copy of A Stolen Heart, now live on Amazon.
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.
The shower - great place to unwind. And the last place you'd expect an invader.
Set up: Luc has had an incredibly long day full of drama and hasn't slept for three long days. He's about to unwind with a glass of wine and a shower.
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.
Please check out the other authors in this blog hop, linked below.
The banners in today's post are part of the bonus book, Behind the Scenes of A Stolen Heart. In it, I'll share secrets with you about the characters -- things that aren't revealed in the book. There is also exclusive and original art created for the series.
I'm hoping to find reviews and reviewers. Is that you? I have advanced pre-edited copies in epub, mobi, and pdf waiting for you to download on Story Origin and BookSprout.
The book is on Goodreads, and you can leave a review there now. You can leave a review on Amazon the day the book goes live, May 11th.
This version is self-edited and will be sent out for its final edit next week. I'd be happy to get questions if you have any, or if you were confused by anything. An early review would be a great help. Thank you!
Download the early review copy on Story Origin
Download the early review copy on BookSprout
You'll find Luc and Pietas mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.
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.
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.
#SciFi #WriteLGBTQ #MMRomance
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My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.
What Luc knows about rearing children could be written on the palm of one hand.
Raw recruits, however, he's been training for thousands of years.
But can he convince a kid to eat "scary raisins?"
In this scene, Luc is having lunch with Senthys, the three-year-old boy he rescued.
(A Deshai is a trainee in the Thieves' Guild, where Luc is a teacher - a Sen'dai.)
At lunch, Luc finished a sandwich and pulled out his mobile while the boy gobbled up his own sandwich, crunched all his carrot sticks and drank all his milk. But then Senthys stuffed his mouth with apple slices as if he thought someone would take away whatever he didn't eat. Perhaps at the Academy, they had.
"Take those out of your mouth." Luc held the plate for him. "One bite at a time, please."
Head down, Senthys obeyed. "Can I still eat them?"
"You may." Luc wiped the boy's mouth. "In this house, no one will take away your food. Not ever." He had never disciplined his Deshai by denying them meals. How could anyone do such a thing to a child?
When imprisoned, Pietas had been chained in the dark and starved for over a year. If Luc couldn't bear the thought of his king going hungry, how could he tolerate it for a boy?
Once Senthys finished the apple, he pointed to a small bowl. "What's that?"
Luc tipped it toward himself. "Raisins."
The boy wrinkled up his nose. "They look scary."
"Raisins?" He tilted the bowl again. How did one convince a child raisins weren't scary? How had he convinced recruits to try things they balked at? Familiarity. He'd made them carry unloaded weapons for days before training them on the devices. Luc picked up a raisin and held it out to Senthys. "Here, smell." Before the boy could, luc pulled back his hand.
Senthys blinked and looked up at him.
"Remember," Luc told him. "Smell. Not eat."
"Okay." As Luc held it for him, Senthys leaned closer, sniffing. "It's sweet."
"That's because there's magic inside them."
The boy's eyes widened. "There is? Can I see the magic?"
Stifling a smile, Luc chose another and offered it. "You try. Squeeze it. Like this." He pressed it between first finger and thumb.
Senthys pressed, frowning in concentration. "Ew! Brown stuff came out." He dropped it and wiped that hand on his shirt.
"The squishy part is the magic."
"It is?" Senthys picked the raisin back up, peering at it.
Now came the part Luc liked. Showing recruits the benefits and seeing them embrace the challenge. "Raisins give you magic energy to run and hit a ball. They help you play hide and seek."
"Can they help me get magic coins out of my hair?"
"Hmm." The sleight of hand had been Luc's attempt to distract him from crying. "If you eat them long enough and study how to do it."
"Can I have a raisin?"
"I don't know." Luc pretended to consider it. "You'd have to eat the whole bowl to get enough magic. I don't know if you can eat that many."
"Oh, I can!" Senthys clapped, bouncing in his seat. "I can eat them!"
"I squished this one, so I'll eat it. Okay with you?" Luc held it up to his own mouth.
Senthys opened his.
"You want this?" Luc offered it.
The boy nodded.
"Okay, here we go." Using slow motions, Luc reached toward him as Senthys leaned forward. At the last second, Luc yanked it back and popped the raisin in his own mouth. He opened his eyes wide, teasing the boy. "Mine."
With a peal of laughter, Senthys grabbed a raisin and offered it to Luc, but yanked it back and made the same face.
Luc clacked his teeth together, pretending to bite the air.
Senthys stuck the raisin in his own mouth and threw out his arms toward Luc.
When Luc hugged him, the boy kissed his cheek and put his head on Luc's shoulder. "I love you, Sen'dai."
He hugged the boy tight. How could vows be right if they forced him to say good-bye?
Senthys lifted his head. "Why are you sad?"
Luc brushed back the boy's hair. "Because I never want you to grow up. I want you to stay little like you are right now, forever."
Senthys wrinkled his nose. "That's silly."
He tapped the boy on the nose. "It is indeed."
The story is complete, and when published, will include a bonus book, Behind the Scenes of A Stolen Heart. In it, I'll share secrets with you about the characters -- things that aren't revealed in the book.
I'm hoping to find reviews and reviewers. Is that you? I have advanced pre-edited copies in epub, mobi, and pdf waiting for you to download on Story Origin and BookSprout.
This version is self-edited and will be sent out for its final edit next week. I'd be happy to get questions if you have any, or if you were confused by anything. An early review would be a great help. Thank you!
Download the early review copy on Story Origin
Download the early review copy on BookSprout
You'll find Luc and Senth mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.
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.
A Stolen Heart release date is May 11, 2020 (tentative).
I'm hoping to find reviews and reviewers. Is that you? I have advanced pre-edited copies in epub, mobi, and pdf waiting for you to download on Story Origin.
The story is complete, and when published, will include a bonus book, Behind the Scenes of A Stolen Heart. In it, I'll share secrets with you about the characters -- things that aren't revealed in the book.
The version available for review on Story Origin is self-edited and will be sent out for its final edit next week. I'd be happy to get questions if you have any, or if you were confused by anything. An early review would be a great help.
Download the early review copy on Story Origin
He saved a half-human child from a big bad monster, but now, who is rescuing whom?
After rescuing a half-alien / half-human child who's running for his life, warrior-turned-entrepreneur Luc Saint-Cyr stumbles onto a conspiracy at the highest levels of the powerful Thieves' Guild.
Complicating matters, Luc's immortal ex might be involved.
Now Luc must deal with his ex, find a home for the child, squelch the flames of conspiracy and eradicate its perpetrators.
As if that's not enough, an unseen enemy is undoing every good thing Luc accomplishes.
But when it comes time to give up the child to a family who can care for him, how will Luc bear to part with the adorable little boy who has stolen his heart...
You'll find Luc and Senth mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.
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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.
Done! I finished A Stolen Heart on 3/1/20! Release date announced soon. Now comes the hard part. Editing. Today's excerpt is a scene between two ex-lovers, one of whom mistakenly thinks the other wants to get back together.
In this scene from A Stolen Heart, Luc Saint-Cyr is dealing with his immortal ex. Those who have read about Pietas in other stories already know he's brilliant, gorgeous, and confident to the max. He's also half a smidgen from being a full-blown narcissist.
He adores Luc, who broke up with him thousands of years ago, but Pietas continually holds out hope for a return. Luc has retreated to a dressing room to calm down after an incident in which Pietas completely misread Luc's intentions, with disastrous results.
How long Luc stood there, clutching the mangled tie, he did not know. He forced in deep breaths, held them and released, over and over, until self-loathing inundated his shame. He'd put Pietas through more than a year of hell. Luc might not have locked him into the coffin-like pod that imprisoned him, but his betrayal forged every bolt that trapped his king inside. It was his fault Pietas could barely force himself to open a closet or shut a door.
"Over the man but duty-bound to serve the king." Luc stomped over to the recycler, opened the lid, and flung the tie into it. He dragged a hand through his hair. "I hate my life."
He had Nikko to think about. He must go out. Celebrate the graduation. He must do this. From a drawer, he withdrew another tie and fastened it.
A timid knock sounded.
He stood there a moment, took one step toward the door, but halted. What if it was the child?
"Cyken?" Pietas called out.
Luc shook his head. Oh to be able to portal out of there.
"I know you're in there. I can hear you breathing. I upset you. Let me in."
Why? To take another shot at infuriating him? "Go away."
"Let me talk to you."
"Go away."
"But, if you would just--"
"No!" Luc brought up a fist, but forced himself to set it--gently--against the door. "Go. Away."
"Cyken. Talk to me."
He yanked open the door.
Pietas jerked back.
"Go away. We are done." Refusing to take so much as one step closer, Luc stabbed a finger at the ground. "Get that through your head. We are over. D-O-N-E. Done. Finished. Go. Away."
After clearing his throat, Pietas folded his hands before him, hesitant in his movements. "I crossed a line." From the man's expression, he sought confirmation.
"You didn't even know, did you?" Luc threw up one hand. "I swear, you have the sensitivity of lava. You push your way forward and shove aside anything that gets in your path. Well I'm not budging."
"Technically, lava burns through things, so--"
Seething, Luc slammed the door, shoved his back against it and clenched both fists. He sucked in a shallow breath. "Serve the mission," he murmured. "Serve the mission."
"Cyken." Less timid knock this time. "That lava comment was stupid. I shouldn't have said that."
"You think!" No. Never engage an enemy on his terms. You didn't fight a word battle with a pedantic narcissistic.
"Can you hear me?" Another knock. A pause. "Cyken? Are you still in there?"
Silence. Never give an enemy what he expects.
Pietas heaved an overly dramatic sigh. "Stupid question. You don't have a portal. There's no other door in there." Quiet. "Wait. Is there?"
The sound of footsteps came to him. There was another door, but it led to the bathroom which then led back to the bedroom. No escape there.
More silence. Footsteps back.
Would the man never give up? Luc jammed his fingers against his brow.
Another knock. "Cyken, come out. Please? Talk to me. I'm sorry."
With a resigned sigh, he tilted back his head. This man was persistence personified. Luc opened the door. Stood there. Said nothing.
"Thank you for opening the door."
He made no response.
"You were right." Pietas bit his lips, studying the carpet. Peeking back up, he rubbed the back of his neck. "I was insensitive. I know what I did was stupid, because it hurt you, and I didn't mean to do that. I thought you were teasing. You know, the way we used to when we were lovers, and you'd say no, and I'd--" He broke off, started a new sentence, then another, but completed neither of them.
Luc made no attempt to rescue him.
"I'm sorry," the man said finally. "I was a fool."
"Don't expect me to contradict you."
After showing surprise, Pietas twitched one shoulder. "I suppose I deserved that."
Crossing his arms, Luc remained silent.
"I wasn't trying to force myself on you. Please believe that." A look of such pain crossed his king's face that Luc softened toward him. "Cyken, I would never do that. I wouldn't violate your agency. I wouldn't do that to anyone, even my worst enemy. Certainly not to someone I love."
Luc unfolded his arms. "I believe you."
Pietas looked at him, hopeful.
"But you went too far. When someone says stop, you stop. You don't keep pushing!"
"I was stupid." He held up both hands. "I've missed you so much. I saw what I wanted to see, not what was real. I'm sorry."
Luc gave a single nod.
Pietas took another step back. "Come out of there."
"No."
"All right." Pietas studied the room as if searching for written words. "Then... Can I-- May I-- Will you let me come in?"
"You want to come inside a small room like this?"
Pietas peered around Luc, gave a fine shudder. "No," he admitted, "but I want to be where you are."
---
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After rescuing a half-alien / half-human child who's running for his life, warrior-turned-entrepreneur Luc Saint-Cyr stumbles onto a conspiracy at the highest levels of the powerful Thieves' Guild. Complicating matters, Luc's immortal ex might be involved.
Now Luc must deal with his ex, find a home for the child, squelch the flames of conspiracy and eradicate its perpetrators. As if that's not enough, an unseen enemy is undoing every good thing Luc accomplishes.
But when it comes time to give up the child to a family who can care for him, how will Luc bear to part with the adorable little boy who has stolen his heart...
You'll find Luc and Pietas mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.
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.
