Invading the shower #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 09/25/2023 by Kayelle Allen

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.

Reviews

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

Posted in Character Insights | Tagged A Stolen Heart, Antonello Brothers, Blog Hop, Immortal Heroes, Kayelle Allen Characters, Luc Saint-Cyr, Pietas, Senth Antonello, Thieves' Guild |

Luc explains the arcane rules of theft to a 3 yr old #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 09/25/2023 by Kayelle Allen

The word arcane conjures up magic and sorcery, but its definition is "requiring secret or mysterious knowledge." To Luc, who's an Arcane Master in the Thieves' Guild, those secrets are the lifeblood of the skill. Here, he explains one of the basic rules to Senthys, who is three.

Arcane Secrets

In this scene, Luc and Senthys are riding in Luc's hoversine, a limousine that flies right above the ground.
(banner image - Luc's hoversine, art by Nano-Core. I commissioned a vehicle immediately recognizable as a limo, but futuristic.)

Senthys swung his feet, which, on the short rise of the hoversine's safety seat, meant he kicked the main seat with his heels.

That was already old and it had just started. Luc leaned down close to distract him. "Let's learn some thief rules."

"Why?" Senthys tilted his head. "Don't you already know them?"

Luc stopped himself from reacting. After all, he was talking to a child, not that different from talking to Pietas. "Yes, I do, and I'm going to teach them to you. I told you there would be two rules inside the store and if you obeyed them, you could pick out a toy."

"Oh. I 'member." Like Luc, Senthys folded his hands before him. "Ready."

"You are to stay next to me at all times. You may hold my hand if you like, but do not leave me to look at things, or to see things unless I give you permission. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Say it back to me."

"Um..." The boy fidgeted. "All of it?"

Luc decided against counting--to any number. "Tell me what you understood."

"Stay with you."

"Good! That's perfect."

The child bounced in his seat.

How delighted this boy was to do well. Luc must encourage that. "The other rule is not to steal anything in this store. Say it back to me."

"Don't steal in the store?"

"That's right!" Luc patted his hands together. "What a good job."

Senthys clapped, grinning.

"I'm going to tell you something and I want you to always remember it. Honorable thieves do not steal unless under contract. If an honorable thief cannot afford something, then he must work a regular job to earn the money." Luc placed a hand on the boy's arm. "My Deshai are honorable. They do not take things without a contract. Understand?"

"Yes, sir. Can I have a contract?"

"You can have one when you reach level thirteen. At that level, you can be hired professionally."

"Are you level thirteen?"

Luc brushed at his sleeve. "I'm level forty-eight."

"Oh." The boy nodded as if impressed. "Is that better than thirteen?"

Amusing, however deflating that might be. "Quite a bit better," Luc told him. "It's the highest in the Guild. Arcane Master."

Senthys cocked his head. "Then that's what I want to be. A Arcane Mister."

"Master," Luc corrected, smiling. "Arcane Master."

"Arcane Master. I want to be that. Brinn says I can be anything."

True words. Luc held up a hand, reached across the seat, and Senthys high-fived him. "Your brother is absolutely right."

Please check out the other authors in this blog hop, linked below.

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.

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

Posted in Character Insights | Tagged A Stolen Heart, Antonello Brothers, Blog Hop, Luc Saint-Cyr, MFRW, Senth Antonello, Thieves' Guild |

Package Deal a single dad anthology by BBB Publishings – single dads who find love in unexpected places #Anthology #MFRWhooks

Updated on 05/30/2022 by Kayelle Allen

In his office at home, Brinn set aside work on a project for his more advanced classes. He'd committed to having dinner with Kam instead. He went in search of Dresden and found her on a couch in the living area, reading.

"Dresden?" Brinn sat next to her. "I'm going on a date tonight. Do you know what a date is?"

She set down the ereader. "You mean like on the calendar? Or like you eat?"

"The kind of date where two people spend time doing something they both enjoy."

"Oh, you mean having sex." She picked up her ereader.

Brinn almost choked. Heat rose in his face. He pushed her ereader down a bit and leaned out so she could see him. "It can also mean they just have dinner. I'm going to have dinner with Mr. Kam."

"Okay." Dresden shrugged. "He likes you."

"Does he?"

"Uh huh. Every time you're around, he smells happy."

Good to know. "And how do I feel around him?"

She squinted at him, tilting her head. "Why? Don't you already know?"

Package Deal

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Divorced, widowed, adopted, blended or fostered -- each family has its own unique tale. Join these authors as they tell stories of amazing single dads who find love in unexpected places. Laugh, cry, get a little hot, and maybe even throw your phone. Don't say we didn't warn you.

https://books2read.com/PackageDealSingleDadAnthology

Join these amazing authors as they show off these amazing single dads! Featuring Stories by: Kayelle Allen, Rae Tina, Rhylie Matthews, L.P. Guleva, C. E. Lashua, Jenni Lynn, and Kaci Rose.

This is a multi-author anthology. Stories may come with a trigger warning and end on a cliff-hanger please be aware before reading.

Posted in Blog Hop, Books by Kayelle | Tagged Brinn Halin, Dresden Fasra, Gay Romance, Hacking Planet Fun, Hahlibeth Suixel, Kam Zavala, MM Romance, Package Deal, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Thieves' Guild, Thieves' Guild Academy |

Package Deal: Stories of amazing single dads who find love #SingleFather #Anthology

Updated on 05/23/2022 by Kayelle Allen

My story in Package Deal, a BBB Publishings anthology, is Hacking Planet Fun.

Kam, Master of the Thieves' Guild Academy on the planet Kelthia, deals with a school full of fledgling thieves, con artists, and hackers, and doesn't need attitude from students or faculty. When he rejects a half-feline half-human prodigy for unmanageable behavior, his ex, Brinn, fosters the girl himself.

Brinn handles the unruly child well, and Kam grudgingly agrees she shows great potential as a future thief. Missing Brinn, Kam seeks to win him back. But when the child comes under suspicion as having hacked Planet Fun, an empire-renowned anti-gravity theme park, Kam must decide whether to trust his well-honed instincts... or his long-divided heart.

A twist on academy stories, the male-male science fiction romance Hacking Planet Fun focuses on the staff, and introduces a classroom of tiny precocious thieves who will steal your heart.

---

In this scene, Brinn has picked up Dresden, his four-year-old foster daughter, and is bringing her home for the first time. With him is Hahlibeth, his co-teacher, a fellow master thief he has known since Hahlibeth was three. Theirs is a brother/sister relationship. Dresden has been impossible for others to handle, but Brinn insists he can set the little one on the right path. Here, we see the beginning of her relationship with Brinn.

Brinn got out and opened the rear door for Dresden. "Would you like help carrying your bag?"

"I can manage. I'm strong." The girl hoisted the tote bag onto her shoulder. The sack was nearly half her length, but she held onto it all the way to the door.

The garage led into a short mud room and then the kitchen. The tantalizing smell of garlic and onions wafted to him.

"Welcome home, sir." One of the house droids greeted him. "Welcome home, Ms. Hahlibeth, and Miss Dresden."

"You know my name?" The girl blinked up at him.

"I do. All the house droids will recognize you. Sir." The droid turned to Brinn. "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. Would you care for a drink before dining?"

Before Brinn could respond, Dresden stepped forward. "I'd like milk, please."

"I will prepare it at once. May I take your bag?"

"Oh, thank you." The girl pulled it off her shoulder and dropped it to the floor. "That thing is heavy."

"Not to worry, Miss Dresden. I'll see it's delivered to your room at once."

"Thank you."

The droid walked away with the small satchel.

Hahlibeth looked everywhere but at Brinn.

"You know," Brinn said, stooping beside Dresden, "I did offer to help you with your bag."

"He's a droid. He's supposed to help people. I don't owe him anything. If you helped me, then I'd owe you. I don't want to owe anybody anything."

"I see." He moved to one knee. "Why is that?"

"Because if you owe people, they can control you." She narrowed her eyes, and a predatory gleam came over her face. "And nobody controls me."

Posted in New Book | Tagged Anthology, Brinn Halin, Contemporary Romance Novel, Gay Romance, Hacking Planet Fun, Kam Zavala, Package Deal, Sci-Fi Romance, Thieves' Guild, Thieves' Guild Academy |

Tag Archives: Thieves’ Guild

Invading the shower #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #SciFi #MFRWhooks