Thursday, January 15, 2015

FINISHED & SUBMITTED: Mate Challenge (King's Command 5)

MATE CHALLENGE
King’s Command 5
By Stormy Glenn & Olivia Black
Coming March 12th
By the King’s Command…
When the high council orders a mate challenge in his name, King Críostóir is furious. There is only one dragon he wants as his mate. But in order to have the man he’s loved for years, he’ll need to enter his own mate challenge as one of the contestants. 
Trust doesn’t come easy for Kurgan. Only one man has ever held his loyalty. When a mate challenge is ordered, Kurgan is enraged until he arrives and discovers one of the contestants is the man he has had an on again off again affair with, and then he is enraged. If he beats his lover then he becomes the king’s consort. If he loses, he loses the man he loves.
When an attack comes and the mate challenge canceled, the truth King Críostóir has kept from Kurgan for over twenty years is revealed. Despite the betrayal burning in Kurgan’s eyes, King Críostóir must depend on the dragon to help him save his kingdom, and hope Kurgan will listen to him if they survive.


STORY EXCERPT
Your presence is requested…
King Críostóir looked from the parchment to his advisor and back again in stunned disbelief. He couldn’t believe what he was reading. It seemed that the council was enforcing the mate challenge rule. Since taking over as king, Críostóir had done everything his father’s advisors suggested in an effort to make the change of leadership smooth for his people. But, he was met with opposition at every turn. Not only were his people in a state of unrest, but it seemed his enemies thought this was the perfect opportunity to attack.
He might not want to be king, but he refused to be dethroned. He wouldn’t allow anyone to take his position or his crown. Críostóir would fight. He had already done everything he could to insure that his borders were strengthened by bonding the dragon leaders with the human leaders. They had been able to repel all invaders so far.
And yet, the council still wasn’t satisfied. If he had his way, Críostóir would remove each council member from their positions and send them packing. He was just as tired of their interference as his father had been. Unfortunately, they seemed to be a necessary evil.
The normal one month celebration period that most new kings enjoyed had been turned into a yearlong odyssey for Críostóir due to the fact that his older brother had been trained to be king and not him. The council wanted to give him time to learn the laws and grow used to wearing the crown. If all fared well, he would officially take the crown one year from when his father died. Until then, he was on a bizarre form of royal probation.
“Is this supposed to be a joke?”
“No, sire.” His advisor bowed his head respectfully. “This is the way things are done. Now that each territory is secure, you need to find a mate. It’s the only way...”
“The only way to…?” He stared at the man waiting for him to finish his thoughts.
“It’s the only way your people will continue to follow your command, sire. It’s the only way to secure your position. You need a mate and an heir. It will give the impression that you’ve settled down and that you are mature enough to take the position from your father.”
“I was chosen by my father to be his heir. This wasn’t my decision. I’ve given you a lot of leeway since you were my father’s advisor and he respected you but this”—Críostóir balled up the parchment paper and tossed it across the room—“isn’t happening. I will not choose a mate based on an archaic ritual.”
“Unfortunately, you cannot change this particular law, Your Majesty. It was created centuries ago when our kingdom was in a great period of unrest. Many have tried to change it, but it’s impossible.”
Críostóir scoffed at the idea he couldn’t change one lousy law. If there was a way to change it, he was going to be the one to do it. He was the king, after all. If he couldn’t change the laws, what good was he?
The law was archaic at best, outdated and overdue for a change. How could anyone be expected to find a mate based on a challenge? Men competing to become his lover, it was ridiculous. The strongest man could win and still be a horrible choice for him and his kingdom. Críostóir refused to be mated to someone he didn’t choose.
The advisor continued, “The summons have already been sent out, Your Majesty. Two men will arrive from each territory, one human and one dragon, within the next two days.”
“The council expects me to find a mate from these men?” Críostóir raised a brow. Would the council really accept someone of a lower station to serve the court by Críostóir’s side? “Anyone? Their status doesn’t matter? The council will accept the winner without question.”
“Yes, sire. Current social standings do not matter in a mate challenge. All the men will compete in various challenges. It’s not solely based on physical strength or mental aptitude. It’s a combination of many trials. There will be a point system and the winner will become your mate.”
Leaning back against his throne, Críostóir blew out an aggravated breath. It didn’t seem as though he had any options. He had to fulfill his father’s last wish and become king. His older brother wasn’t an option, and his father had known it for ages. Críostóir adored his brother and understood his father’s decision, accepted it.
He had always had a close relationship with his father. The former king was one of the only men that Críostóir confided in. If only his father were here now, Críostóir would ask for his advice and guidance. He wouldn’t let his father down, not now.
“What are the conditions of this mate challenge?” He wanted to know how much wiggle room he had to work with.
“According to the ancient law, one dragon and one human from each of the kingdom’s territories must be summoned to participate in the mate challenge. They are to be given tests to insure the strongest and the wisest is chosen to mate with the king.”
“And that is all the law says?”
“Yes, sire.”
Perfect.
“I will agree to the mate challenge on two conditions.”
“Yes, sire.”
“There will be one winner from each territory, human or dragon does not matter. That includes this territory.”
“Sire?”
“You’ve sent out summons to the territories to the West, North, East, and South. You need to include the center of our kingdom.”
Surprisingly, the advisor grinned. “Yes, sir.”
“I want a warrior named Kurgan to be notified. He will be the dragon chosen from our kingdom to compete. I also want the council to understand that winning the challenge does not guarantee that I will choose the winner to be my mate. I will choose the best person for the position from those participating, both as my mate and my royal consort. Also, the winner needs to agree to be my mate without coercion from anyone. I will not mate with an unwilling man. I will not tie someone to me that doesn’t want to be my mate. I won’t doom us both to a lifetime of misery.”


ADULT EXCERPT
“Hello, Kurgan.”
Círan put down his belongings and Kurgan rushed him, wrapping his arms around the only man he’d ever loved. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“It’s good to see you again,” Círan replied.
Hearing Círan’s voice was a soothing balm to his soul. How long had he been hoping and praying to see the man again? Their relationship had been a secret that lasted years. Whenever they were in the same territory the heat and attraction between them was instantly sparked and Kurgan found himself falling back into bed with the handsome man. No promises were ever made, but Kurgan wanted the other man to know how much he meant even if the two of them couldn’t be together.
Kurgan reluctantly let go of Círan.
Stepping back, he allowed himself the pleasure of looking the other man up and down, inspecting his form. Círan stood at six foot four inches with golden eyes and black hair. He looked exactly the same, even after years of separation. In his mind, Kurgan had always been able to conjure up Círan’s image. But over time, it seemed that his memory hadn’t been able to do the man justice.
Círan was breathtaking.
“Gods…” Kurgan breathed out. He shook his head still unable to believe that the man was really standing before him.
Círan grinned, flashing a line of straight white teeth. “I’ve missed you.”
Kurgan cupped Círan’s face with his hand. He knew that he should stop and have a conversation, but he couldn’t control himself. Lifting the man’s face, Kurgan leaned down and connected their lips. Nothing else mattered. Kurgan needed to taste Círan more than he needed his next breath. Círan seemed to melt into Kurgan as their bodies connected. His chest met Círan’s and Kurgan cursed, wishing they were naked. 
Kurgan moved his hands, caressing and touching, as he moved his fingers. He gripped the bottom of Círan’s tunic and pulled up. He disconnected their lips for only a moment, long enough to remove the tunic and toss it to the ground, before reconnecting their lips in a passionate kiss. Kurgan tilted Círan’s head back, giving him better access to the man’s mouth, before pushing his tongue between Círan’s lips.
Kurgan groaned when Círan’s tongue met his, dancing and swirling. Moving one hand to the back of Círan’s head, he dropped the other to the man’s ass, gripping the muscled flesh still hidden behind the material of his pants. He pulled Círan closer, forcing their straining erections to touch. When Círan moaned and started moving his hips, Kurgan grinned. It was always the same between them. Hot and erotic.
It didn’t seem to matter how much time passed, they easily fell into the same routine as if there was no separation at all.
Kurgan dropped his hands and pulled the string that kept Círan’s pants up. One hard tug and the material fell away.
“Gods above,” Círan whispered.
“Mmm…” Kurgan licked his lips, tasting Círan. “I want to feel you around my cock.” Kurgan wrapped his palm around Círan’s hard dick and the man bucked, fucking his hand in wild strokes. “Bed. Now.”
Kurgan needed space for what he hand planned. He didn’t want to abandon his lover, but the two single beds wouldn’t be enough. Dropping his hand, Kurgan immediately started pushing the beds together. When he was satisfied, Kurgan turned back toward his lover. Círan stood gloriously naked, a big smile on his face.
“Come here, baby.” Kurgan rarely used endearments, but with Círan he couldn’t seem to help himself. He wanted to caress and love. He wanted an infinite amount of time to taste and kiss. It always seemed like they were under some sort of time limit before the next call of duty. Today though, Kurgan planned to take his time. He didn’t give a damn about the mate challenge. They could start without him.
Círan strode toward him and Kurgan sat down on the edge of the bed. He touched Círan’s hips, moving his hands up, down, and around. The man’s skin was soft and warm against his calloused hands. “You’re so beautiful.”
“You always say that.”
“That’s because it’s the truth.” Kurgan touched every inch of flesh he could reach, purposely ignoring the cock begging for attention. When a pearly drop of pre-cum bubbled from the head of Círan’s dick, Kurgan leaned forward and licked it up.
“Please!” Círan shouted out, his hips rocking forward.
Kurgan understood the plea. It had been a long damn time since they had been together. Not wanting to punish them both of another second, Kurgan gripped Círan’s hips and wrapped his mouth around the man’s cock. Having Círan’s needy cock in his mouth made Kurgan moan. He inhaled Círan’s masculine scent through his nose and became light headed.
“Kurgan…Kurgan…Kurgan…” Círan chanted his name like a prayer. Kurgan wrapped his forked tongue around Círan’s dick as he sucked. “Ah…ah…ah…” erotic, nonsensical sounds spilled from Círan’s lips spurring him on.
Kurgan’s mouth was full. He swallowed, taking the entire length down his throat. Círan shoved his fingers through Kurgan’s hair and gripped the strands as he started moving his hips, fucking Kurgan’s mouth. Kurgan opened wide, allowing Círan to do whatever he wanted.
“I’m gonna…” that was the only warning he received before Círan came down his throat.
Pulling back, Kurgan licked and kissed Círan’s shaft. He stared at Círan. With his mouth open and cheeks flushed, the man was entirely too sexy. He was everything Kurgan had ever wanted in a lover. Having Círan back made Kurgan’s heart yearn for something he couldn’t have, a long term relationship. They had discussed it before, but each time came to the same conclusion. Their family obligations were too great and stood in their way.
“I thought you were going to fuck me,” Círan said, breaking the silence.
Kurgan raised a brow and grinned wickedly. “I’m not done with you yet.”

RELEASE DAY: Highland Heart

HIGHLAND HEART 
King's Command 1

AVAILABLE NOW!

Erotic Alternative Fantasy Paranormal Romance, M/M, Mpreg, shape-shifters, HEA

By the King’s Command…

Called before the new king, Laird Artúr was shocked to see his old lover walking through the door. His anger ignites when the king commands them to mate and fortify his borders to the north. He is heartbroken when he discovers that his new mate has no recollection of their time together. Can he forgive Dainéal and let go of the past to build a future or will his resentment end what they could have before it begins?

Laird Dainéal balks at being commanded to mate, especially to a man he knows has to be insane. Despite how much Artúr insists that they have met before, Dainéal has no memory of the man. And he would have remembered a man that was so sexy he made Dainéal’s teeth ache.

Commanded by their king to establish a stronghold to the north, Artúr and Dainéal have to fight not only their past but those that want to keep them from their future. When betrayal comes from within, the bond between them may be the only thing that saves them.

http://www.bookstrand.com/highland-heart

STORY EXCERPT
 
Artúr groaned as he rolled over and snuggled against the warm naked body curled up on the mattress next to him. He probably shouldn’t have drunk so damn much the night before but the party had been going so well, and the drinks flowing like water.
His head was pounding. Oh wait. That was the door.
With the thought of killing whoever was making his head throb, Artúr rolled to the side of the bed and got to his feet. He winced when his bare feet touched the cold stone floor. He missed the furs he had at home. Artúr stumbled to the large wooden door and flung it open, ready to take the head off of whoever had interrupted his sleep.
Or not.
“Can I help you?” he asked as he took in the two extremely large royal guards standing in his doorway. Well, they kind of stood just beyond it. They wouldn’t fit in his doorway at the same time. Artúr wasn’t even sure they would fit through the doorway one at a time.
What did they feed these guys?
Oh, right…cows…entire cows.
“Laird Artúr,” one of the guards said in a booming voice that made Artúr wince, “the king has requested your presence in the throne room.”
Artúr blinked. “Now?”
It wasn’t even light out yet. Artúr was pretty sure he had just gone to sleep. And he had really been enjoying himself. The cute little server he had taken to his bed last night was still tucked in his bed, which was exactly where Artúr wanted to be.
When the guard just continued to look down at him with a deadpan expression, Artúr rolled his eyes. These guys had no mercy, or sense of humor. “Do I have time to take a shower?” It wasn’t against the law to appear before the king smelling of sex, but it was kind of rude.
The guard leaned forward and sniffed, his lip curling back in a disgusted grimace. Considering he was standing there stark-ass naked with a gorgeous little blond in his bed, what had created that smell shouldn’t have been surprising.
“Ten minutes,” the guard said.
“Thank you.”
“We’ll wait.”
Or course they would. Both guards turned and took up positions in front of the door. Artúr stared at them for a moment before remembering he only had ten minutes. He shut the door and turned, rubbing his hand down his face as he tried to pull together the inebriated brain cells in his head.
Called before the king.
While the previous night was a little bit of a blur, Artúr was pretty sure he hadn’t done anything that would bring his clan shame or land him in the dungeon. And, while he wasn’t the king’s favorite, he wasn’t his enemy either.
Things had been tense in the highlands, but they were tense everywhere. Relations between humans and dragons had been tense for centuries. It was nothing new. And even if they were tense, there had been no real battles between the two races in several years.
After taking over as laird after his father’s death, he had worked very hard to bring about a truce between his clan and the dragon clutch that shared his highland territory. So far, except for a few small skirmishes by idiots with too much time on their hands and alcohol in their systems, things had been relatively quiet.
Artúr was really hoping to keep it that way.
He walked into the bathroom and climbed into the tub, thankful for the wonderful copper tubing that brought hot water into his bath with the turn of knob. The king was a freaking genius for having these things put in.
Artúr scrubbed down, doing the quickest wash job he had done since military school. Shit, shower, and shave. He had been an expert at getting it done in under ten minutes. Of course, that had been over fifteen years ago. He preferred long hot soaks in the tub nowadays.
Artúr dried himself off just enough so that his clothes wouldn’t stick to his body and then walked back into the bedroom, heading straight to his traveling bag. Thankfully, he had packed for a few days when he had been ordered to attend the king’s coronation—a month-long affair.
He grabbed out a clean pair of black leather pants with matching black leather vest. The white shirt he wore underneath the vest was tight around his torso but loose in the arms, tapering down to his wrists. Artúr finished off his outfit with black leather boots that came up to just below his knees and his silver ceremonial dagger in a sheath at his hip.
Artúr ran his fingers through his hair as he headed for the door, pulled it open, and stepped out. He cast one last regretful look at the gorgeous little man still sleeping in his bed and then shut the door. He would so much rather be back in bed with the sexy little server right now. Attending the king first thing in the morning was not his idea of a good time. Still, an order was an order, and if he was going to be restrained, he preferred to do it with a lover and not the guy in charge of the dungeon…unless he was really cute.
Artúr waved his hand, gesturing down the hallway. “Lead the way.”
 
ADULT EXCERPT
 
Artúr moaned and shifted under the thick blanket. He was having the most amazing dream, but somehow he knew he was waking up from it. He didn’t want it to end. Warm moisture surrounded his cock as suction slowly built, sending his body into a whirlwind of pleasure that he hoped never to recover from.
Shivers coursing throughout Artúr’s body as tingles of sheer delight spread across his skin from the warmth of Dainéal’s body. His legs fell to the side as his head rolled back. This was too much. Dainéal’s tongue was teasing his cock as the dragon lapped at his shaft, running his mouth along the length.
“Shit!” Artúr shouted when Dainéal began to hum around his dick. The vibrations were felt all the way to his toes. Dainéal’s unnaturally long, forked tongue flickered over the very tip of Artúr’s cock, his lips creating a vacuum seal around his shaft, nearly making him come.
Dainéal murmured Artúr’s name around his cock, sending Artúr into a wild frenzy of lust. He began to fuck Dainéal’s mouth in earnest, watching as the head of his cock slid down the dragon’s throat over and over again. Artúr’s legs shook, his body stiffening as his orgasm drew ever closer.
Was it too early to come?
His back arched, and he cried out when Dainéal slid his fingers into Artúr’s ass, making his cum erupt in spurts of white ribbons. Artúr’s head rolled back, his mouth hanging open as his orgasm took over. He was powerless and mindless right now as the feeling of lightning shot through his body.
“My turn.”
Artúr blinked, trying to clear his cloudy vision.
His turn?
“Wha—Oh, mother of pearl!” Artúr’s entire body clenched as he was impaled on the glorious studded dick from his dreams, one that inquisitively poked and prodded in all the right places. The arched ridges that encircled the thick shaft scraped along Artúr’s sweet spot with every thrust.
The astonishing length and impressive girth took Artúr’s breath away. It had been way too many years since he had felt something of that size in his ass.
Glancing up, Artúr saw that Dainéal’s vivid blue eyes burned with an intense hunger that took Artúr’s breath away. The dragon was going to eat him alive.
Artúr closed his eyes and pushed back. One hard thrust buried the thick, steel-hard erection into Artúr’s body to the hilt. Artúr could feel his heart struggling to keep up with the demands his arousal was placing on it as Dainéal began to move inside of him.
“I’m going to fuck you until I come in your hot, tight ass,” Dainéal whispered into Artúr’s ear.
“God, yes!” His throbbing cock bobbed gracefully, the cool air sweeping around its heat, teasing Artúr further. He arched his back higher as a breathless moan escaped his lips “So deep…inside. God, Dainéal…I can feel you.”
Dainéal pounded Artúr’s ass harder. Artúr’s body arched into the dragon’s as Dainéal plunged into him over and over again, thesmall nubs that lined the length of Dainéal’s cock caressing him, enticing him, drawing a moan from deep within his soul. Every inch of his body was hypersensitive and greedy for the man’s touch. Artúr couldn’t get close enough, couldn’t hold Dainéal tight enough. He was desperate, a coil of need tightening inside of him.
Artúr tightened his inner muscles as the ridges that ran from the root of Dainéal’s shaft up to his belly button rubbed along the sensitive sac beneath his cock. There was so much stimulation Artúr didn’t know how much longer he would last.
“Dainéal…oh my…fuck…Dainéal…” It had been so long since he had felt this level of ecstasy. No one he had been with over the last fifteen years had given Artúr this much gratification.
Only Dainéal.
And Dainéal was driving him insane with pleasure as it washed over Artúr’s body. His balls drew up tight against his body, and he knew it wouldn’t be long. Not when Dainéal was fucking him so thoroughly.
“Artúr!” Dainéal cried. “Can’t stop, can’t…”
“Do it!” Artúr said when he saw that Dainéal’s canines had dropped down.
 

MANLOVE WINTER FANTASIES CONTEST

Winter is here. It’s time to snuggle up to something hot…

There’s a chill in the air, snow on the mountains, and it’s time for a little snuggle with some of our hottest ManLove authors. Join us daily to catch some amazing interviews, excerpts, teasers, and for your chance to win some MM magic of your own.

The contest runs from January 1st to January 31st. Each day a new author will be showcased, and each day you will have a chance to enter to win our grand prize of a brand new, just released Kindle Fire HD with an eBook loaded on it from every author in our contest. We will also be offering 2nd and 3rd prizes of swag/gift baskets with carefully chosen items from our wonderful authors.

So, come visit every day to discover which new book is being added to the Kindle and leave a comment to enter.

Rules of the Contest:
You may enter once per day, but only once per day. Each day the contest runs from 12:01am (PST) to 11:59pm (PST). Once that day has ended, no further entries may be added for that day. You must wait for the next day to enter again.
To enter every day, you MUST comment every day, on that given day. Any entries added after the 11:59pm (PST) cutoff time will not be entered.
You MUST leave your email address in your comment or we will have no way to contact you if you win. Any comments left without an email will not be considered.
Please your comment on the author's page to be counted each day.
You may only win one prize.
Winners will be chosen on February1st and announced on the blog.

GRAND PRIZE: Kindle Fire HD6
 
Just to give you something to look forward to, our grand prize is a brand new, just released Kindle Fire HD6. Every author in our contest is contributing an eBook, which will be loaded on the Kindle before it gets shipped to the winner.

Check in with us every day to discover which new book is being added and leave  a comment (and your email) for a chance to win our grand prize. That's 31 MM Romances from authors you know already and some you will want to know. So, don't forget to enter.
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Monday, January 5, 2015

RETRO RELEASE SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Honor Bound

HONOR BOUND

Viking Lore 1

Available Today!

Erotic Alternative Historical Fantasy Romance, M/M, Gods, Mpreg, Shape-Shifters

Jarl Radulfr is a warrior, the chieftain of his people. It is his duty to protect and fight for them. But duty comes at a price. Radulfr has no one to call his own. When his clan is attacked, he accepts a bride in a peace-pledge to avoid war with a neighboring clan. He doesn't know until he arrives that the bride he has come to claim is a man.

His betrothed is not what he expected, but Radulfr has sworn upon his honor to accept the peace-pledge. It doesn't hurt that Ein is pretty damn cute. Radulfr decides to accept things as they are and begins to take Ein home. But there are those that don't want them to reach home—gods, mercenaries, and the man who started the war in the first place. Radulfr and Ein will have to use all of their wits, and the growing bond between them, to keep themselves alive because gifts from the gods come at a price.

Retro Release Special Discount: This title is offered at a 50% discount. Offer ends midnight CST, January 16th

http://www.bookstrand.com/honor-bound

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER: Highland Heart

HIGHLAND HEART

King's Command 1

PRE-ORDER TODAY!

AVAILABLE: Thursday, January 15th

Erotic Alternative Fantasy Paranormal Romance, M/M, Mpreg, Dragon Shape-Shifters, HEA

By the King’s Command…

Called before the new king, Laird Artúr was shocked to see his old lover walking through the door. His anger ignited when the king was commanded that they mate and fortify his borders to the north. He was heartbroken when he discovered that his new mate had no recollection of their time together. Can he forgive Dainéal and let go of the past to build a future or will his resentment end what they could have before it begins?

Laird Dainéal balks at being commanded to mate, especially to a man he knows has to be insane. Despite how much Artúr insists that they have met before, Dainéal has no memory of the man. And he would have remembered a man that was so sexy he made Dainéal’s teeth ache.

Commanded by their king to establish a stronghold to the north, Artúr and Dainéal have to fight not only their past but those that want to keep them from their future. When betrayal comes from within, the bond between them may be the only thing that saves them.

http://www.bookstrand.com/highland-heart

FINISHED & SUBMITTED: Wicked West (King's Command 4)

WICKED WEST

King’s Command 4

Coming February 27th
 
Prince Grigory Krayev is thrilled when the king mates him to a handsome dragon prince. His excitement quickly turns to uncertainty when he learns there are two of them. How could he ever hope to please two dragons that didn’t need him when they had each other?
Prince Konstantin Victorovich is angered when the king orders him to mate a human. He already has a lover. He doesn’t need another one. When he discovers just who the king wants to mate him to, Konstantin realizes he might have to rethink his objection.
Prince Mikhail Dubolazov has loved Konstantin for years, serving the man faithfully as his manservant just to be at his side. When the king orders Konstantin to mate, Mikhail sees his life slipping away. Even when his status is elevated to that of a prince, Mikhail worries he will never have what it takes to keep them.
When forces beyond their control threaten all they hold dear, they will need more than trust to keep them together. They will need the belief that only by standing with each other do they have a chance of beating a foe that works in the shadows.

STORY EXCERPT
Rumors were running rampant around the castle. It seemed as though the new king was mating humans with dragons. Mikhail Dubolazov sat on the edge of the bed, his heart in his throat, as he stared down at his lover and clutch leader, Konstantin Victorovich. The two had been together for over fifty years and he was planning on sticking by the dragon’s side for the rest of his long life.
If the rumors were true though, Mikhail was afraid he wasn’t going to be able to do that. He was worried that Konstantin would be forced to mate the human leader from the west, Grigory Krayev. What would happen to his life then? Would he be forced to watch the man he loved more than anything in the world, abandon him completely? Would he have to stand by and watch Konstantin mate with another, grow old with another… and maybe fall in love with another?
He wouldn’t survive it.
“Honey?” Konstantin slowly sat up, the sheet falling, pooling at his waist. “What’s wrong?”
“He’s going to mate you to someone else.”
“Sweetheart.” He sighed. “I already told you last night not to worry about that. It doesn’t matter what the king orders, I will refuse.”
“You can’t refuse.” Mikhail stood up and started pacing. Even he knew that Konstantin had to follow an order from their king. He didn’t want to contemplate what would happen if he refused. “He’s the king. He can command you to do whatever he wants.”
He knew the rumors were true. The staff around the castle were chattering like a gaggle of geese. It felt as if his heart was going to be ripped from his chest. How could he watch Konstantin with another man? He wouldn’t be able to live at the keep any longer. He would have to leave. There was no way Mikhail would be able to sit back and watch as his lover moved on.
“I can and I will,” Konstantin said, his voice strong and full of promise. It was a voice that sent a thrill through Mikhail even after all of these years.
“You won’t be able to say no to the king,” he insisted.
“Do you trust me?” Konstantin asked.
Mikhail’s shoulders dropped in defeat. “You know I do.”
“Then I need you to stop worrying about what the king might do and believe that even if I’m ordered to, I will reject any mating. I love you. I’m spending my life with you.”
“I love you, too.” Mikhail climbed back onto the bed and Konstantin opened his arms. He moved closer, leaning his head against his lover’s chest. “I’m just…” He didn’t have words for how terrified he was that he was going to lose Konstantin.
“I know.” 
“I couldn’t stand…”
“I know.” Konstantin placed a finger under Mikhail’s chin and lifted his face upward. “I need you to stop worrying and start having a little more faith in me.”
When Mikhail didn’t automatically respond, Konstantin raised a brow. Mikhail sighed. His lover was a stubborn ass. “I have faith in you,” Mikhail said. “I love you.”
“Good.” Konstantin grinned and kissed Mikhail’s nose. “Then stop worrying.”
Konstantin took possession of Mikhail’s lips. The kiss started out soft and gentle, but it soon spiraled out of control. Konstantin lay back down and pulled Mikhail on top of him. His strong hands moved down Mikhail’s back and gripped his ass, kneading his cheeks. Using his strength, Konstantin moved Mikhail’s hips back and forth over his erection.
Moaning into his lover’s mouth, Mikhail pushed the sheets away. Naked skin pressed against naked skin and Mikhail melted into his longtime lover. After all the years the two had been together, he still couldn’t get enough. He’d never get enough.
The fear of losing Konstantin still hovered around his head, a sharp blade ready to come down and ruin his entire life. He knew his lover would fight against the king, but in the end, the king’s word was law. They would be forced a part. Normally, he didn’t believe gossip. People liked to talk trash and cause trouble, but in this case, he knew it was true. Something deep inside his gut twisted and the fear bubbled up, choking him.
Pulling away, he jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. He barely made it. Mikhail slid on his knees in front of the toilet and gagged before he threw up. Sweat trickled down his forehead and Mikhail furiously wiped it away with the back of his hand. When a cold washcloth touched the back of his neck and he glanced to the side, watching as Konstantin lowered himself to the floor. He sat next to Mikhail, rubbing a large palm in a soothing circle.
“You’ll never lose me,” Konstantin’s voice was smooth as he comforted Mikhail. “We’re in this for life. I’ve given you my word and we exchanged vows. You won’t be able to get rid of me, Mikhail. If…and that’s a big if. If the king orders me to mate with a human, I will refuse the order. The consequences don’t matter.”
Mikhail took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his stomach as it gurgled and rolled. The fear wouldn’t go away. Stomach acid burned his throat to a crisp and he gagged again.
He knew Konstantin would do anything to keep them together, but he couldn’t seem to believe that everything would work out in the end. He hated the fact that he doubted his lover. He was so ashamed that he didn’t respond at all. He didn’t want Konstantin to know he held doubt in his heart. Mikhail cleared his throat and swallowed repeatedly, trying to rid his mouth of the nasty taste.
“I’ll be right back.” Konstantin kissed the top of Mikhail’s head before leaving the bathroom. He wasn’t gone long though. Konstantin was back fairly quickly holding a glass of water.
“Thank you,” Mikhail murmured before taking a sip of the ice water. The cool liquid helped to ease the burn in his throat.
“You’re making yourself sick for no reason, my love.” Konstantin sat back down next to Mikhail and started rubbing his back once more. “The king is not going to separate us.”

ADULT EXCERPT
Konstantin stopped and wrapped his arms around Mikhail, pulling him against his muscular chest. “I love you.” Konstantin trailed a line of kisses along Mikhail’s shoulder and up his neck.
“I love you, too,” Mikhail breathed out on a moan.
Konstantin wrapped his arms around the back of Mikhail’s neck and brought their mouths together. Their lips moved in unison and Mikhail opened his mouth, welcoming Konstantin’s seeking tongue. Their tongues danced and twirled as Konstantin skimmed his hands down Mikhail’s arms. He leaned into him and Mikhail leaned back, loving the pressure of his lover’s body on top of his.
The tell-tale sound of the oil container opening made Mikhail grin and his cock jerked in response. After years of having Konstantin as his lover, Mikhail’s body was ready for the pleasure he knew was coming.
“Move to the center of the bed,” Konstantin ordered.
Mikhail readily obeyed. Konstantin didn’t give Mikhail anytime to settle back. Before his head could even hit the pillow, Konstantin sucked his hard shaft into his mouth. 
“Fuck!”
He moved his head up and down, swallowing Mikhail’s length down his throat. Konstantin tightened the suction around his mouth and Mikhail gripped the sheets. He couldn’t hold back his reactions. He pushed his hips up, fucking Konstantin’s beautiful mouth.
When strong fingers slid between his ass crease, Mikhail’s muscles fluttered in anticipation.  Konstantin rubbed the pads of his fingers against Mikhail’s asshole, before pressing the digit inside his body. He moaned and squirmed as Konstantin’s fingers sank deep. When Konstantin started fucking him, Mikhail’s eyes rolled back.
“Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me,” he chanted repeatedly, begging for the dragon’s dick.
Konstantin pulled off his cock and grinned wickedly. “You’re so sexy, baby.” He wiped the access oil onto his shaft before flipping Mikhail over onto his hands and knees. “Stay.”
The blunt head of Konstantin’s erection pressed against Mikhail’s ass. He pulled back and pressed forward – teasing Mikhail with the frills along the head of his shaft – until he thought he might lose his mind. The blunt head kissed his rosette before slowly pushing forward past the tight ring of muscle. As he slowly sank in, deeper and deeper, Mikhail blew out a breath as sparks of pleasure jolted his system.
“Oh, god,” he moaned.
Mikhail gripped the headboard for support as he swiveled his hips, forcing Konstantin even deeper. His lover moved his strong hands up Mikhail’s back and around his chest, holding him tight as he continued to plunge in and out of Mikhail’s ass. It was intense. Every time they were together, Mikhail knew he wouldn’t be able to live without Konstantin in his life. 
“I love you,” he babbled. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Konstantin pulled his shaft back, and goose bumps broke out along Mikhail’s skin, as the nubs along the sides of Konstantin’s shaft, rubbed against the sensitive flesh. On each stroke, he hit Mikhail’s prostate gland.
His toes curled.
His muscles flexed.
His eyes rolled back inside his head.
“Oh, fuck! Don’t stop…” he begged.
The strong arms that held him tight, kept Mikhail from floating off the bed. He hit Mikhail’s sweet spot again and again, and Mikhail slowly started losing control. Konstantin slammed into him as if sensing how close to the edge he was. Covering his back, Konstantin ran the sharp edges of his teeth over Mikhail’s shoulder.
He wanted to bite down, to mark and claim the man he loved, but he didn’t. He pulled himself back from the edge of sanity and remembered that he couldn’t. They were different ranks and although Konstantin loved Mikhail and planned to spend the rest of his life with the other dragon, he couldn’t leave the mating mark.
Konstantin pounded his hard shaft into his lover and Mikhail went wild, pumping his hips frantically. He came, warm jets of cum shooting from the head of his shaft onto the sheets below. Mikhail fell forward and Konstantin followed him down. The dragon covered his body like a warm heavy blanket and Mikhail let out a contented sigh.
“Whatever happens tomorrow, I will always choose you.”
Mikhail’s lips twitched. “I know.”
“Good,” Konstantin trailed a line of kisses along the back of his neck and over his shoulder. “Get some sleep, sweetheart.”
Closing his eyes, Mikhail relaxed back in Konstantin’s arms. 

RELEASE DAY: Happy's Ever After

HAPPY'S EVER AFTER

Cade Creek 1

Available Now!

Happy O’Brian spent the better part of his life isolated from the rest of the world. He was told he was evil down to his soul. It was physically beat into him on a daily basis. He lived with it, believing that his ultra conservative religious grandparents were right until the day his mother was attacked. Seeking help changed Happy’s life in ways he could never imagine and showed him a world he didn’t know existed.

Answering a disturbance call, Deputy Marc Walker meets a man that shocks him with his gentleness. When he discovers Happy’s true nature, Marc wants to know everything about the man. He wants to show him the world.

When the past rears its head, and their lives are put in danger, Happy tries to do the right thing and distance himself from his handsome deputy. But Marc has other plans for his gentle giant and he’s not going to let a little thing like getting shot or having escaped prisoners gunning for them interfere with those plans. Happy will get his happy ever after.

Note: Some graphic depiction of extreme violence against the hero when he was a minor.

http://www.bookstrand.com/happys-ever-after

STORY EXCERPT
 
Marc slammed his truck into park and jumped out, running up to the fight happening in the street in front of the store. “That’s quite enough!” he shouted as he pulled Jeff Murkily and his brother Brad off of another man. He stepped between the three men, pushing them apart. “Enough!”
“He started it!” Jeff said right away, pointing to the other man.
Marc’s mouth dropped as he looked at the other man, and realized he was looking at the man’s chest. He had to raise his eyes up several inches to see his face.
Damn.
“What happened here?”
“We were just minding our own business when this meathead came up and started shouting at us,” Jeff said. “When we told him to leave us alone, he started throwing punches.”
“We were just defending ourselves,” Brad insisted.
Marc turned to look back at the biggest damn man he had ever seen outside of a wrestling event. “What do you have to say?”
The man’s lips thinned as he pressed them together, but that was his only response. Marc wasn’t even sure he blinked.
“See?” Jeff said. “He knows he was in the wrong.”
“Is this true, sir?” Marc asked. “Did you start the fight?” Marc wanted to grind his teeth together when the massive man just stood there. “Sir, you need to answer me.”
Jeff laughed snidely. “Maybe he doesn’t hear you, deputy. Maybe he’s one of those—”
Marc pointed a finger at Jeff. “Say it and I’ll lock you up for the next month.” He hated bigots.
“You can’t do that!” Jeff’s eyes blazed. “I didn’t do anything.”
Marc leveled a stare at Jeff. He had known the man since high school and he was nothing but a bully, one of the reasons Marc hadn’t automatically believed him when he arrived on the scene. Jeff had been a bully in high school and he was still a bully.
“Try me.”
“Just wait until the sheriff hears about this.” Jeff’s face flushed red as his voice rose. “I’ll bet he’d be real interested to hear his new deputy is threatening to lock people up for defending themselves.”
“I heard it,” said a deep voice from behind Marc. “And I agree.”
Jeff grinned as if he had won that argument.
“Say one word out of place and I’ll lock you up for a month.”
Jeff’s jaw dropped. “You can’t do that.”
Sheriff John Riley’s grin was even bigger than Jeff’s had been. The man crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Jeff with an expression that dared the man to argue with him. “Try me.”
 Jeff sputtered for a moment then fell silent.
“What seems to be the problem here?” John asked as he turned his attention to Marc.
“I’m still trying to figure that out, sheriff,” Marc replied. “Jeff and Brad say that this man attacked them and that they were merely defending themselves.”
“Is that true, Happy?”
“No, sir,” came the quiet reply.
Marc’s eyebrows shot up. He wasn’t sure if it was from hearing the man speak or hearing his name. Or from the fact that the eyes that finally rose up enough so he could see them were the most stunning blue eyes he had ever seen in his life. It was like looking into someone’s soul.
“Tell me what happened, Happy,” John directed.
“I was sweeping the sidewalk just like Mr. Gus told me to and then these two came and started kicking dirt up on it.” A wrinkled frown worked its way across the large man’s forehead. “I didn’t hit anyone, Sheriff.”
“He didn’t, sheriff.”
Marc glanced up to see Gus Fletcher standing in the doorway of his shop with a couple of customers.
“Jeff and Brad started the whole mess. When Happy ignored them, they got pissed and started shouting at him. That’s about the time I called the station. Happy just held his arms up in front of his face.”
“Mama gets mad when they hit me in the face.”
Marc felt a growl burn deep in the pit of his stomach. “This has happened to you before?”
Happy shrugged.
“As I’m sure you can understand, Happy has had a few problems due to his size,” John said. “People tend to either be intimidated by him.” John waved his hand toward Jeff and Brad. “Or they think they need to fight him to prove themselves.”
Marc could see where that could be an issue. He stood at six foot two inches tall, not a short man. Happy stood at least half a foot taller than him, and a good hundred pounds heavier. The man was simply massive.
“Do you want me to lock them up?”
“No, but we’re not going to have any more trouble, are we boys?” John cocked his eyebrow at the two men. “Because if we do, not only will I be going to have a talk with your pa, but I’ll be locking you two up for a good long while.”
“Now, look here, sheriff—” Jeff began.
“Do we need to take this down to the station, Jeff?”
“You can’t do this!”
Marc as waiting for the man to stomp his foot.
“Shut up, Jeff,” Brad said as he started pushing his brother toward the other side of the street. “You want him to call Pa down here?”
“Fine!” Jeff shouted. “But this isn’t over.”
“It had better be,” John said, “or you and I are going to have a serious difference of opinion.”
Marc stood with his boss and watched Jeff and Brad climb into their pickup and then spin their tires as they took off down the street. “You want me to follow them and give them a ticket for speeding through town?”
“No.” John chuckled as he turned toward the feed and seed store again. “I’ll give their father a call later and let him know those two are up to no good again.”
Marc nodded even as his eyes strayed back to Happy. He was intrigued by the unusual manner in which the man was watching him. It was almost shy in nature as if he wanted to look but was afraid to get caught. It wasn’t something he could have expected from such a large, intimidating man.
“Happy, how’s your mother?” John asked.
Marc inhaled sharply when the sweetest smile he had ever seen spread across Happy’s face. It changed the man’s whole demeanor. Marc suddenly realized that he was dealing with a gentle giant. He doubted Happy had a mean bone in his entire body.
 
ADULT EXCERPT
 
“Hey, you listen to me.” Happy stumbled forward when Marc grabbed his shirt and yanked him forward to stand between his legs. “You’re not stupid, Happy. You have a lack of knowledge due to not being exposed to the world. I have no doubt that once you have access to learning, you will pick it up in no time.”
Happy nervously moistened his dry lips. “You think I can learn?”
“I have no doubt that you can.”
Happy’s brows drew together as he agonized over telling Marc the truth. He wanted the handsome man to have a good opinion of him, and if he told Marc the truth then the man might not look at him with that special sparkle in his eyes.
But lying by omission was still lying.
“My grandfather beat me over the head with a brick when I was younger. Mama says that’s when things started taking a little longer to make sense to me.”
“I know, but that doesn’t make you stupid. I’d be slow, too, if you showed me the periodic tables and told me to find zinc.”
Happy just stared.
“Scientific stuff, Happy.” Marc chuckled. “I never could make heads nor tails of it.”
Happy worried the corner of his lower between his teeth. “You really think I could learn this stuff?”
The corner of Marc’s mouth curved up. “I do.” There was pure confidence in that response, enough that Happy started to believe Marc’s words might be true.
He leaned his head down and pressed his forehead against Marc’s. “Thank you.”
The other side of Marc’s mouth curved up, the man grinning. “Anytime, Happy.”
Happy started to move back when he realized he stood between Marc’s legs, his groin pressing against Marc, and the guy was hard. Happy licked his suddenly dry lips as his eyes dropped.
Oh man.
When his eyes flickered back up to Marc, the man was watching him with hooded eyes. Something burned in their blue murky depths that Happy was unfamiliar with, but he sure wanted to know what it meant.
“I’m going to kiss you now, Happy.” Marc’s hand curved around the back of Happy’s neck, pulling him closer. “If you don’t want me to, say something now.”
Happy pressed his lips together, refusing to say anything. He wanted to be kissed. He dreamed of being kissed. But only by Marc. He didn’t really want anyone else kissing him. Well, maybe his mama but not like he wanted Marc to kiss him because that would just be icky.
Marc started to lean closer, paused and let out a small chuckle, and then closed the rest of the distance between them. Happy wasn’t sure what to expect when Marc’s lips brushed against his. He had been kissed before, but only by his mother, and then only on the forehead or the cheek.
This was nothing like that.
This made Happy’s toes curl and his body start to sing. He groaned, wanting whatever Marc offered him. There was a burning lust in his eyes that left Happy speechless.
The hand Marc had wrapped around the back of his neck tightened and pulled him closer as Marc’s tongue slid over his lips. Happy’s body tensed with need when he felt Marc’s other hand grab his hip then slide around to the small of his back.
Happy’s lungs burned for oxygen, but he refused to pull away. He opened his mouth when Marc’s tongue pressed against the seam between his lips, the man’s tongue plunging in, sweeping and exploring.
Happy grabbed Marc’s hips when his head began to spin. He started to move, thrusting his aching dick against the apex of Marc’s thighs. Marc pulled Happy closer, grinding against him as their tongues dueled. He lightly bit Happy’s bottom lip. Happy gasped before returning the careful nip.
Marc consumed him with one kiss that seemed to go on forever. Happy didn’t want it to stop. Marc’s tongue flickered over Happy’s lip, teasing, tantalizing. He murmured Happy’s name, sending Happy into a wild craze.
He began to thrust against Marc in earnest, feeling his hard cock sliding against Marc’s over and over again, the only thing between them was the thinness of their pants. His thigh muscles quivered, his legs threatening to give out as his balls drew so tight to Happy’s body that they actually hurt.