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

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

They faced one another across a table at Jade House.

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

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

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

"I was expecting that to be another joke."

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

"I'll have what you have."

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

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

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

He lifted one eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"How does a Kin keep ear coverings on?"

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

He squinted at her. "You what?"

"That was a joke."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Updated on 03/01/2024 by Kayelle Allen

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

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

Multiple pings answered, all positive.

"They're all my people."

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

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

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

"What?"

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

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

"Impressive. Thank you."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Color the Characters: Read the Books #ColoringBook

Updated on 02/25/2024 by Kayelle Allen

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

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

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

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

Coloring Pencils/Pens

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

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

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

#Smores Who likes those white puffy things on a stick? #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 02/25/2024 by Kayelle Allen

What is your favorite meal?

Fish, cooked over an open fire, and vegetables grilled beside it.

If any, what food do you refuse to eat?

I have quite literally starved to death before. There is no food I won't eat.

Tell us about a meal or food that says "home" to you.

Fish cooked around a campfire followed by those sweetish brown crackers. You put a white puffy thing on a stick and hold it over the fire until it starts to melt, and then you put that between the crackers and chocolate. I don't know what you call them, but I call them delicious. They are the perfect end to a campfire meal shared with friends.

When you find yourself with some type of unknown food on your plate, what do you do?

I ask questions, and poke at it a bit, but inevitably, I eat it.

Have you ever eaten military style rations, and if so, what was your favorite?

For more years than I care to count. Anything that comes in a box that heats itself is a winner.

If you cook, what kind of food do you like to prepare?

I am hopeless in the kitchen, but my staff sees that I never go hungry.

Favorite alcoholic beverage?

A flavorful wine, especially one grown in vineyards owned by friends.

Favorite non-alcoholic beverage?

Clean, fresh water.

What do you grab when there's no time for a regular meal?

Whatever holds still long enough for me to put it into my mouth.

Who are your favorite people to share meals with?

The people on the High Council, and other dear friends.

Tell us what your author eats or drinks while writing about you.

Kayelle guzzles water, but she also drinks a caffeine free sugar free Coke. And coffee with cream and chocolate. Hot herbal tea in the evening. Sweet tea in the morning. Hmmm. She drinks a lot, but I've only seen her drink alcohol or wine on rare occasions.

What do you feed your pet/s?

Tiklaus is a ginormous panther who rules our home and eats whatever is put within reach. I make sure it's healthy and fresh.

Tell me in the comments what you like to eat for dinner.

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

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

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

Posted in Books by Kayelle, Fallen Empires | Tagged Immortal Heroes, MFRW, Origin of Pietas, Pietas, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels |

What if today was Lights Out? The Expanding Universe #SpaceOpera #SciFi #Military

Updated on 02/18/2024 by Kayelle Allen

What if today was "lights out?"

If you knew this was your last day to live, what would you do? Would you face the end with a clear conscience? Would you fight for one more day?
Look for that person you wronged and make it right? Run away? Turn and fight? What would you do?

In Lights Out by Kayelle Allen, the hero knows his end is near. Instead of running, Tornahdo makes a choice. He will face death with a clear conscience and the knowledge that his death will serve mankind. He will join...

GHOST CORPS

He can save mankind. After he does one important thing. Die.

Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You'll live forever, they said. You'll save mankind, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first he had to die.

When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on Enderium Six.

He's facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists.

Do they expect him to win? Fat chance. Tornahdo and his team are already dead and this mission is codenamed "Lights Out." No, there's more to this than he can see.

To discover the truth, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time--somehow--find a way to keep himself alive...

Excerpt, Lights Out by Kayelle Allen

The air reeked of antiseptic and starch stiffened the pillowcase. If only the mind-numbing jabbering would stop.

Tornahdo pried open his eyes. The flattened blood bag above him, stenciled equipment and gray walls screamed military hospital.

He'd died. Again.

Spanish curses slipped out. His abuela would've taken a switch to him. He made the sign of the cross and kissed his fingertips.

After yanking the tube out of his arm, he pressed a thumb over the entry point. Thankfully, this time, he wasn't writhing on the floor in agony. Well, not yet.

A faceless android in a Ghost Corps uniform loomed over a bank of equipment displaying Tornahdo's name and vitals. First impression was right. Military hospital.

The weapons-grade yapping continued.

"Did you hear?" a youthful voice bragged. "He killed six of 'em last night."

"Yeah, but they don't stay dead. They never do."

"If Ultras didn't come back to life, their plasma wouldn't bring our own people back."

The transfusion of enemy blood healed the hole in Tornahdo's arm in seconds. He thumbed off the red smear and rolled over on the gurney.

An open door led to a sink and toilet built to let gravity do its work. Which meant this was a planet. You hadn't lived until you were in space, floating in zero gravity while your body's final twitches sent your corpse spinning.

Notices on the wall confirmed this was San Xavier in the Colonies of Man. Same place he'd bought it the first time.

This was getting old.

Posted in Science Fiction Books | Tagged Blog Hop, Craig Martelle, Kayelle Allen, MFRW, Sci Fi Fantasy, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, The Expanding Universe Vol 4, Ultras |

Author Facade: being who you are as a writer #Author #MFRWauthor #INFJ

Updated on 02/13/2024 by Kayelle Allen

Author façade. Do those words go together? Yes. When people ask me what I do, I could say I’m a wife or mother. I could say I’m a veteran. Or retired. Or any number of things. So could you, right? But what I say is, “I’m a writer.” An author.

The Author Façade

I’ve been published since 2004, and without exaggeration, I can say I’ve written hundreds of blog posts, tens of thousands of emails, and millions of words. I’ve posted on blogs all over the net. Why? So readers can know the person behind the author façade. Is Kayelle Allen an author façade? Well, maybe façade is not the best word. One dictionary I consulted defines it like this:

Façade (1) A showy misrepresentation intended to conceal something unpleasant. — I certainly hope I’m not unpleasant. That doesn’t sound good, does it? No, not at all. I think my author facade fits the second definition better.
Façade (2): Frontage, the face or front of a building. Window dressing. — Or does that make my author façade somehow equal to drapes? Surely not.

I prefer to see my author façade as the best of who I am. My best-foot-forward attitude. My who-I-am when I’m on-my-best-behavior self. Okay, those of you who know me best can stop snickering. I can hear you all the way over here.

The thing is, my author façade is reality. The Kayelle Allen online is who I really am. Every person has something of a façade when it comes to public life and there are things I don’t share online. But I strive to be faithful to my private life when presenting my author self in public. I attempt to keep my author façade true to my real persona. So who am I?

I’m an INFJ (Myers Briggs temperament). The letters stand for Introversion (I), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), Judgment (J). I’m an introvert (I) in that I get my energy by being alone. I have blazingly fast insight (N) into people. I tend to go with feelings (F) over facts because I trust my own intuition, and once I make up my mind (J), I act without hesitation or looking back. Who are some other INFJs? Oprah Winfrey, Billy Crystal, Nelson Mandela, Carrie Fisher, Nicole Kidman, and Adam Sandler. Try this article if you want more insight.

My inside age and outside age are not equal. I may have aged, but I am not old. Wiser? Yes. Goodness. You couldn’t live my life without learning a few things. Smarter? Debatable. I’m a US Navy veteran (Viet Nam era) and a member of RomVets (female romance writers who served in the military). I’m also a former Toastmaster. I love getting up in front of people and talking. That’s the number one fear in America, but I happen to love public speaking. You’d get me on a roller coaster only by dragging my dead body, but I will happily speak to a convention full of people. Weird, huh? I’m the founder of Marketing for Romance Writers, a peer-mentoring group for authors. Don’t get me started on that. I love MFRW! Click the link for in depth info about MFRW.

I think I’m someone you’d like if you got to know me. Because as much as being a writer is like being a different person, my author façade is the presentation of a real person. I invite you to follow and get to know me. I’d like to get to know you too. Please, tell me about your “façade” as a person. Who are you?

Posted in Kayelle Allen | Tagged Family, Fun Stuff to Do, Kayelle Allen, Life, MFRW, Tips and Tools, Writing |

Tag Archives: MFRW

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

Crystal Clear Truth Releases April 25, 2022

Antonello Brothers

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

Antonello Brothers

Color the Characters: Read the Books #ColoringBook

De-stress and color!

Coloring Pencils/Pens

#Smores Who likes those white puffy things on a stick? #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Bringer of Chaos

Lights
Out

Behind
the Scenes

Origin
of Pietas

Forged
in Fire

Bringer of Chaos
Bundle 1

Welcome to Book Hooks!

What if today was Lights Out? The Expanding Universe #SpaceOpera #SciFi #Military

What if today was "lights out?"

GHOST CORPS

Excerpt, Lights Out by Kayelle Allen

Peek Inside Lights Out

Author Facade: being who you are as a writer #Author #MFRWauthor #INFJ

The Author Façade

Tag Archives: MFRW

Crystal Clear Truth Releases April 25, 2022

Antonello Brothers

Antonello Brothers

De-stress and color!

Coloring Pencils/Pens

Bringer of Chaos

Bringer of Chaos Bundle 1

Welcome to Book Hooks!

What if today was "lights out?"

GHOST CORPS

Excerpt, Lights Out by Kayelle Allen

Peek Inside Lights Out

The Author Façade

Bringer of Chaos
Bundle 1