Showing posts with label A Tested Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Tested Love. Show all posts

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Rainbow Awards Gay Historical Runner Up

I'm proud and honored to say that A Shared Love is the runner up in the Rainbow Awards Gay Historical category.

The other stories in the series, A Spartan Love and A Tested Love, have received Honorable Mentions.

All three books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iTunes, Kobo and several others.

Find out why the judges love this series.

Once a warrior, now a fugitive.

Spartan fighter Theron has done the unthinkable—he’s disobeyed orders and fled Sparta. All for his helot lover, Andreas. They can run, or they can die.

They’ve sworn oaths to Apollo; now their future lies in the god’s sacred city. The road to Delphi runs through treacherous wilderness, filled with vengeful warriors, greedy bandits, and savage creatures. Nor are the cities safe for strangers wearing the red cloaks of the Spartan military.

Once slated for execution at Theron’s hand, Andreas finds it hard to trust the man who betrayed him. Forgiving Theron grows easier for Andreas with every step they take. He isn't ready to trust Theron with his heart again—but remembering why is getting harder and harder.

A god’s scheming places a fellow exile in their path, Theron’s shield-brother Coridan. Still reeling from his own tragedy, Coridan could be the force that tears them apart forever, or who brings them together in Apollo’s service.

Three different men, three different pasts, who must unite in a common destiny.

If they can survive.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

The Spartans Overrun the Beaten Track Radio

Tomorrow, I'm on Beaten Track Radio discussing the Spartan arc of my Apollo's Men series. Come and find out more about the Spartans.

There may or may not be secrets about Theron, Andreas, and Coridan revealed.

And we won't forget Ictis and Kyria.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Rainbow Snippets: A Shared Love

Coridan leaned forward and Theron's arm slid from his shoulders. When Coridan set his bowl on the ground for Ictis, Theron noticed numerous scars on his forearm ranging from red to almost white. The thin jagged seams marred him from wrist to elbow.

How did I miss them?

Theron stroked his left wrist, fingers circling similar marks there. After every helot he'd killed, he'd marked himself. Practicing for what he would do after he slew Andreas.

For more Rainbow Snippets stop by the FaceBook Group.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

A Shared Love is Subbed!

I've finished this incarnation of A Shared Love and have finally subbed it. Now I just have to sit back and wait to hear from the publisher.

I wish I didn't hate waiting so much.

I guess I can start work on other projects. Wish me luck!

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Rainbow Snippets - A Shared Love

Today's snippet is from A Shared Love, the final book in the Spartan Love arc of Apollo's Men. It's a lot longer than six sentences, but I think I can be forgiven for not being able to cut it shorter.

But Theron wasn't ready to be absolved. "Then they wanted me to kill Andreas! And I nearly did. I went to his home intending to take his life with my own hands." He had to stop and swallow a few times. "I felt trapped and angry...and more scared than I have ever been."

Coridan held his peace, a haunted look in his eyes. Theron didn't know what he would have done if Coridan had offered some meaningless platitude. Allowing Theron to continue, "I didn't eat or sleep in the days it took me to travel from the Karneia. I started at the top of the list and slew three men until I came to his name. All I could think was if not me then the ephors would just send someone else. Someone who might hurt him not just take his life.


"So I sat there on his bed with Ictis, waiting for him to come to me and die," he choked out, pausing to try and swallow down the mass of grief clogging his throat. Drawing a deep breath, he continued, "You can't imagine how that feels."

To find other Rainbow Snippets, stop by the group on Facebook.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Rainbow Snippet - A Shared Love

















Andreas, Theron, and Coridan are traveling to Corinth and thence to Delphi. Along the way they must pass Agamemnon's  ancient fortress of Mycenae, now the abode of thieves.

The brooding bulk of the Mycenaean hill fort stared down on them, sizing them up like goats waiting to be sacrificed for its splendor. The weight of the cyclopean stone wall, haphazardly darkened by fire, threatened to bow his back permanently.

Andreas had never seen anything built on this scale with, of all things, giant stones. In his experience, homes were made of mud brick and wooden palisades protected villages. Even Tegea's stone walls couldn't rival what he saw before him now. How imposing must the city have been in all its glory?


He doubted Perseus had known when he forced the Cyclopes to build his ramparts to what end his kingdom would come.

For more Rainbow Snippets visit the Facebook group.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Rainbow Snippet - A Shared Love

A dream from A Shared Love.

A wolf paced toward them. Frantic to protect his lover from the creature, Coridan pulled Lysander's slack body into his lap and wrapped himself around him. "You can't have him!"


The she-wolf whined and crept slowly closer. She sniffed Lysander's outflung hand. Then pointed her nose skyward and gave voice to his grief and fear. All the emptiness and pain in his heart rushing out with their anguished cry.

For more snippets, visit Rainbow Snippets on Facebook.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

A Tested Love Bonus Scene: Homecoming

Aphrodite rose when Apollo did and followed him out onto the cloud-bathed portico. Eros and Himeros bowed to him and Apollo once again felt the passions they incited in his breast. Did Halys not wait for him in his bed Apollo might be tempted to sample the favors of one or both of the winged youths.

But these days, Apollo found himself more interested in mahogany skin and ebony curls. He smiled at the thought of his wanton lover. Halys could stir his blood in ways the gods of lust couldn't.

He gently grasped fair Aphrodite's hands and raised them to his lips. The delicate scent of anemones and hyacinths mixed with the hint of the sea on her skin. "I bid you farewell, Lady of Love. Do as you wish with the kryptes and his helot, as long as you do nothing to interfere with my plans for them."

"Why, Apollo! Do you imagine I would steal them from you?" Her laughter was light and filled with mischief.

"Andreas is already sworn to me and I do not believe you would tear the lovers apart. We both know what it is like to lose a mortal to whom we have entrusted our heart."

"True." She gazed over the sea of moonlit clouds. What she saw, he neither knew nor felt the need to press her for.

And if his eyes glittered as hers did, she gave no indication of noticing.

The hollow clop of hooves echoed on the pale marble. A pair of fiery steeds approached, drawing his chariot. A bronzed youth held their bridles as they tossed their heads, snorting with impatience.

Aphrodite beamed at the young man and he flushed with pleasure. Who would not with her attention focused on them?

She followed Apollo the few paces toward his chariot, her slender feet silent. She placed her hand on the youth's shoulder and trailed her fingers down his golden skin. Apollo watched as goose flesh rose on the mortal's skin. He had no doubt who would be gracing the goddess' bed in short order.

"Good even', my lady." Apollo inclined his head.

"And to you as well. Do remember me to that delightful daemon of yours." Her sweet smile turned wicked as if she were imagining just how he would do that.

Apollo's cock thickened at her words. He almost wished Halys were here with him. The show that scoundrel would give her. And she… well, she would not be offended if they made use of her temple. She would likely consider it her just due and a fitting offering.

Taking the reins in his hands, Apollo stepped up into his chariot. Aphrodite drew her youth back, and Apollo turned his steeds toward Mount Parnassus and his own palace.

***

Halys knelt on the cool marble of the antrum, awaiting his lord's return.  The doorkeeper had kept watch and informed him when his lord Apollo's chariot was seen approaching. Halys had hurried to the bench next to the door with a pile of soft cloths and a bronze bowl of warm water.

The torches guttered, throwing wild shadows on the walls. Smoke filled his nostrils and spoke of secret things, passions best shared in the dark. Had the goddess of lust and sex exerted her wiles on his lord?

Jealousy blossomed like a poisonous thing in his chest. How was a demi-god to compete with one of the Olympians?

He was still breathing heavily when Apollo strode through the brass-bound doors of his palace. His gaze swept over Halys as warm as the summer sun or the eternal flame in his temple. The heat licked at Halys' skin and he squirmed, Aphrodite forgotten. He flushed with desire.

Halys hoped Apollo was unable to see the darkening of his skin, preferring Apollo to think him more coolly wanton than was the truth.

How his brothers would tease him if they knew how unworthy he felt every time he threw himself at the god's feet. He had never dreamt that his attempts to seduce the Lord of Light would bear, and continue to bear, fruit. Halys could not afford to allow Apollo to see his insecurities, not if he wanted to keep his affections.

He would do whatever was necessary to retain Apollo's regard.

Apollo settled on the bench, sandal straps winding up well-muscled calves. Halys' mouth watered at the warm musk rising from the god's skin. With fingers eager for their task, Halys slowly unwound the leather bindings and stroked Apollo's legs. He wanted to do so much more for his lord.

Halys dipped a cloth into a bowl of warm rose-scented water and wiped the non-existent dust of his travels from Apollo's feet. He allowed his hands to wander. Apollo's muscles bunched and relaxed in his grasp.

Anyone could have performed this service for Apollo, but Halys had been looking for an excuse to kneel before him and touch the god's pale skin. He craved it more than food and drink.

Apollo sighed and leaned back, allowing Halys to ease between his legs.

Halys leaned forward and kissed Apollo's knee, working his way up his thigh. "Welcome home, my lord," he mumbled against him, unwilled to be separated from his goal. He extended his tongue and traced random designs on Apollo's skin.

His lord moaned and reached for him as his cock thickened before Halys' eyes. He buried his hands in Halys' hair, dragging his nails over his scalp. Halys moaned when Apollo grazed one of his sensitive horn buds with a fingertip. He leaned forward, rubbing the little nub against Apollo's finger.

Drawing a deep breath, Halys forced himself to concentrate. If he did not, he would lose control and embarrass himself. But even then, he almost could not resist Apollo's touch.

He ran his hands up Apollo's thighs, shoving his chiton higher, exposing him. Trailing kisses closer and closer to his prize, he breathed in the dark, sultry scent. Halys loved the way golden light seemed to shine through Apollo's alabaster skin when he was aroused.

Apollo's balls pulled up tight as first Halys' breath and then his lips ghosted over his sac. He tongued the wrinkled skin, savoring the taste of his god.

Fisting his hands in Halys' hair, Apollo drew him close. Halys moaned at the sharp tug and sucked one ball into his mouth at Apollo's insistence. Apollo's eyes fell closed as he sucked and rolled it over his tongue.

"Yes… like that…." Apollo breathed out and held him in place. Halys moaned once more and Apollo shuddered as if the sound had torn through his body. The grip on his hair loosened. "Now the other."

Halys complied, releasing one orb and swallowing the other. He reached up and stroked the first, wondering if he could manage both.

Groaning, Apollo brushed his fingers over his horn bud. Halys moaned around his mouthful and lost himself in sheer bliss as the caress went on and on.

When Halys thought he could stand no more, Apollo clenched his fingers in his curls and drew his head back. Almost reluctantly, Halys released him.

Apollo licked his lips and Halys could not look away.

"I have something else for you to feast on." Apollo turned his gaze down toward his cock, dancing fitfully in his lap.

Halys smiled. "Oh yessss…. You are ever generous with your gifts, master."

Tousling his hair, Apollo returned his wicked grin. "Shameless slave!"

"Ah… but that is what you like about me." Halys pressed his lips to the base of Apollo's cock.

Apollo groaned and let his head fall back against the wall. Halys loved forcing those raw, needy sounds of desperation out of him—like Apollo would die without his touch.

He licked along the vein throbbing on the underside of Apollo's shaft. The skin soft and warm over a core every bit as hard as the marble Halys knelt on. He pushed the foreskin down with his lips, exposing the purpled head. The girth was always a bit of a surprise.

Licking and nibbling on the crown, Halys swallowed the ambrosia welling up, the essence sweeter than life. But the droplets were not enough. He needed more, wanted to fill himself with Apollo. Dipping his tongue into the wellspring was of little avail.

Clenching his fists once more in Halys' hair, Apollo pulled him down to the root. Halys opened his throat to accept his lord. Golden hairs tickled his nose and would have smelled strongly of sex had he been able to breathe.

He relaxed and gave himself over to Apollo. His master had a fine sense for these things.

Apollo slipped one hand to the back of Halys' head, holding him still. Then once more circled his fingers around Halys' horn bud. He moaned and nearly choked on Apollo's cock wedged in his throat.

"Yes! So good." Apollo drew his fingers upward. His other hand moved to the second nub. "You can pull back any time you wish, but I will stop when you do."

Halys grew lightheaded from the caresses and lack of breath. Reaching under his chiton, he took his cock in hand. He had to hurry if he were to come before he passed out.

"Hands behind your back, scamp!" Apollo admonished.

With a groan, Halys clasped his wrists at the small of his back and sat up. True to his word, Apollo stopped stroking him. Halys only managed to draw in three huge breaths before Apollo guided him back down to his cock and—oh, thank you lord!—returned to slowly driving him mad.

"Good. So good."

Halys lost track of how many times Apollo repeated this. He was drooling and panting and unable to think. He wanted to spill his seed at the god's feet, but with his hands still behind his back could not take that final step over the edge.

"What you do to me. I never imagined…."

Apollo pushed him back, groaning as his cock left Halys' mouth.

Gasping, Halys knelt, awaiting his master's command. Apollo's cock wove and bobbed before his eyes, continuing to cast a spell over him.

Finally, Apollo stirred. "I'm not done with you yet, but I think we should continue in my bed."

***

Apollo watched Halys totter somewhat unsteadily toward his bedchamber. Served the rascal right for trying to seduce him in the antrum. Why had he allowed it? He should have sent Halys to his bed as soon as the ritual foot bath had been carried out.

How could something so new tie him in knots like this? He was an immortal, by all that was holy. But all he could think about was Halys' fingers, lithe and limber on his flesh. His sly smile doing all kinds of unexpected things to Apollo's belly.

With a groan, he pushed to his feet. His slave awaited him in his bed. More than a bed slave if he were honest. A lover to rival Hyacinthus.

When he pushed the door to his chamber open, Apollo caught his breath at the sight of Halys in all his magnificence. He knelt on the bed with his chest pressed against the mattress, his back arched and his ass in the air. Golden light shone on his naked form—all warm skin and dark good looks.

He glanced over his shoulder, jet eyes glinting and his lips spread in a wicked smile.

Apollo moaned and reached for dusky demi-god, and his cock, impossibly, hardened further. He traced the ebony stripes on Halys' back, drawing his hands over the firm mahogany expanse. Halys shuddered.

Leaning forward, Apollo kissed the back of the daemon's neck and smiled at his sigh. He proceeded to lick his way down the markings as they arrowed their way toward Halys' ass. He bit one cheek and Halys jerked.

"Oh! Not fair, my lord."

"More than fair. How can you expect me to resist something this exquisite?"

Halys chuckled and shook his head.

Apollo parted the perfect globes. "What have we here?"

Oil gleamed in the furrow of Halys' ass and coated the puckered ring of his entrance. Halys had made good use of his time while waiting for Apollo to join him.

Apollo drew a finger down the cleft and circled his hole. His body gave readily, eagerly to Apollo's probing and his finger slipped inside the tight heat.

Halys shivered and a deep groan welled out of him.

"Yes, my lord. Please!"

A dark sultry musk filled Apollo's nostrils. He knew Halys would be steadily dripping now in anticipation of his release. Halys pressed into his hand, rubbing against Apollo finger. The wanton creature would do just about anything to encourage his touch.

"You may not touch yourself without my permission," he growled.

Halys whimpered and writhed under him. "Please… lord."

"Not without my permission."

"Yes." He pressed his face against the mattress, tightening his hands on the blankets.

Apollo smiled and rewarded him with another finger, dragging both over the swollen nub within. Halys cried out and slammed back against him, channel clenching on him.

"Would you like more?"

"You know I want you. Do not tease me any longer."

Even as his cock jumped at the thought of taking his ebon godling, Apollo could not resist stroking that place again. Twisting his fingers, Apollo pressed firmly.

"Please!" Halys' shout broke off into a raw groan.

Apollo applied sweet almond oil to his cock, squeezing the base and pausing a moment to regain control. He intended to take his time, wring every drop of pleasure out of them both. And if Halys found sitting difficult tomorrow, he could always kneel.

"If you want me inside you, hold yourself open for me."

Halys turned his head and rested his chest on the mattress. Then first one hand and then the other crept back and grasped his ass. He pulled those perfect globes apart and breathed heavily, eyes tight shut.

Taking a moment to admire the startlingly pink flesh centered in Halys' crease, Apollo squeezed his shaft again. Soon he would be buried in the sweet heat of Halys' depths, caressed and cradled in his body. But before he allowed himself that pleasure, he would indulge Halys' desire to be toyed with, and his insatiable taste for penetration.

"In me, my lord!"

"Patience. I will give you what you need."

He whined again, but remained in place. Perhaps realizing Apollo's control was slipping.

Apollo stroked his cock down the length of his cleft and back up. He throbbed painfully and painted Halys' skin with his desire. Halys pulled himself wider and caught the head of Apollo's cock in the opening.

"There…." he groaned.

Pushing forward, Apollo dipped the head inside and pulled out.

"No!"

He pushed in, a little deeper this time, stretching the pink ring around his crown. Halys grunted. Apollo retreated again to Halys' wail. He continued his relentlessly slow invasion, completely withdrawing every time and forcing Halys' hole to spread further with the next dip.

"Deeper…. I need to feel you!"

Halys was begging and cursing in a steady stream. Apollo doubted the lovely creature even knew what he was saying by now. Finally, Apollo was deep enough to probe the secret source of Halys' delight. And probe it he did, reducing his lover to inarticulate grunts, no longer even capable of begging.

Apollo took Halys' wrists in his hands and slid them forward, holding him down as he covered his back. Biting Halys' shoulder, he drew back and pushed all the way inside. He paused and Halys shoved back with a shout.

"You will hold your release until I tell you. Understood?" When Halys shifted beneath him, Apollo repeated, "Understood?"

Halys glanced up, inky eyes gleaming under sooty lashes. Blinking like one lost in a dream, Halys opened his mouth, but no sound emerged. He wet his lips and tried again. "Yes," he croaked. "But I cannot…."

"Yes, you can. Now let me show you."

Apollo drew back and thrust deep, sharp pushes that forced Halys down against the mattress. He kept up this hard rhythm until Halys began to tighten and thrum under him. Then he slowed, gentling his movements while catching his breath.

Halys objected, his words lost in a groan of frustration. He twisted and attempted to push Apollo deeper. Pinned to the bed, panting, he could do little but accept what his lord gave him.

Kissing his neck and shoulders, Apollo began to pick up speed and drive deeper into the welcoming depths.

"Yes… yes… yes…." Halys chanted hoarsely with every thrust. He wailed when Apollo once more slowed.

"Peace." Apollo bit his shoulder again, breathing through his mouth. He could not take much more of this himself. The need to fill Halys with his seed was overwhelming. As good as delaying it would be, he would stop denying them both.

"This time." Apollo released the tenuous grip on his control. He rose onto his knees, pulling Halys up with him. With one hand on the curve of Halys' hip, he buried the other in the springy curls of Halys' groin.

Halys' cock was slippery with desire and so hard that Apollo squeezed the base to prevent him from spilling.

Balls tightening with anticipation, he slammed into Halys over and over. He barely heard Halys' grunts of pleasure over his own gasps as he gave them what they both wanted, needed.

When he could hold on no longer, Apollo stroked his hand up the length of Halys' cock, rubbing the dripping head in his palm. Halys choked off a scream.

"Now," Apollo whispered in his ear and picked up speed.

Halys thrashed and howled, ribbons of seed pouring from him. His channel clamped down on Apollo's cock in forceful rolling waves. And Apollo finally gave into his release.

With a strength that nearly stunned him, Apollo buried himself within his lover's body. Heat flooded him, cresting and spilling over into Halys, pumping him full of his essence. Apollo could do little but ride out the surge and swell, twisting in the irresistible, insatiable rush. He never wanted it to end.

But even a god could not prolong something so pure and absolute. With a great shuddering sigh, Apollo's limbs went slack, all his urgency draining out.

Halys collapsed, dragging Apollo with him. They lay there in a tangle of tingling limbs and panting, gasping breaths.


Leaning forward, Apollo kissed Halys' slack mouth. Saliva gleamed wetly on his lips. The most depraved and debauched of all creatures, but Apollo's.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Rainbow Snippets - A Shared Love

This snippet is from A Shared Love, the final book in the Spartan Love arc.

A dark whirlwind swept around him, snapping at his legs. Theron barely swung in time to drive the creature off, sadly without doing any damage of his own. His heart thumped harshly. He'd almost been hamstrung. If he'd been any slower, he would have provided the beast with dinner, or at the very least been crippled for life.

Small branches crashed, giving way under its solid bulk. A low snarl reverberated through the night-dark air, allowing Theron to track the creature's return path. He turned with it, every sense bent on keeping him alive.


For more Rainbow Snippets go to the Facebook group.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Rainbow Snippet - Homecoming, A Tested Love Bonus Scene

Homecoming is an A Tested Love bonus scene featuring Apollo x Halys. You can read it in it's entirety on Charley Descoteaux's blog. Warning: NSFW

Halys knelt on the cool marble of the antrum, awaiting his lord's return.  The doorkeeper had kept watch and informed him when his lord Apollo's chariot was seen approaching. Halys had hurried to the bench next to the door with a pile of soft cloths and a bronze bowl of warm water.


The torches guttered, throwing wild shadows on the walls. Smoke filled his nostrils and spoke of secret things, passions best shared in the dark. Had the goddess of lust and sex exerted her wiles on his lord?

For additional Rainbow Snippets check out the Facebook group.

Monday, March 7, 2016

A Tested Love Release Party and Giveaway

A Tested Love, Spartan Love #2, Release Party
Blogs, Reviews, Excerpt, and a Rafflecopter Giveaway March 10-17


Blurb: Lured by seductive promises, Andreas risked his life to be with Theron, only to find himself betrayed. Abandoned and alone, Andreas resigns all hope of seeing his fierce warrior again and resumes his life as a helot.

All too aware of the harsh punishment Sparta demands of men who love other men, Theron reluctantly surrenders Andreas in hopes of keeping him safe. The warrior returns to Sparta to embrace his destiny in place of the helot he has grown to see as a man, not just a slave. Cold but honorable duty will be his new lover.

Duty proves to be a jealous lover when Sparta demands the final test of Theron's loyalty. Sent to kill Andreas, Theron must find a way to come to terms with his burning desire for his handsome helot before their forbidden love destroys them both.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

A Tested Love Is Available for Preorder

Lured by seductive promises, Andreas risked his life to be with Theron, only to find himself betrayed. Abandoned and alone, Andreas resigns all hope of seeing his fierce warrior again and resumes his life as a helot.

All too aware of the harsh punishment Sparta demands of men who love other men, Theron reluctantly surrenders Andreas in hopes of keeping him safe. The warrior returns to Sparta to embrace his destiny in place of the helot he has grown to see as a man, not just a slave. Cold but honorable duty will be his new lover.

Duty proves to be a jealous lover when Sparta demands the final test of Theron’s loyalty. Sent to kill Andreas, Theron must find a way to come to terms with his burning desire for his handsome helot before their forbidden love destroys them both.


A Tested Love, the sequel to A Spartan Love, is available for preorder at Dreamspinner Press.


Alone, Andreas toils on a remote farmstead for a Spartan overlord. When a kryptes enters his world, Andreas fears for his life. The dread warriors stalk and kill helots—like Andreas' father—as part of their training.

Andreas sees only one way to save himself: he must tame the fearsome warrior.

But what began as self-preservation develops into attraction. Yearning for the company of someone other than his ferret Ictis, Andreas decides to trust the Spartan warrior and risk the fate that claimed his father.


Born to rule by the sword, Theron sees the world as his and acts accordingly, taking everything Andreas offers and reaching for more. However, love between men in Sparta is considered shameful and requires either exile or suicide to redeem Sparta’s honor. Now, only the gods can save them from the terrible price Sparta extracts from men who desire other men.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Rainbow Snippet - A Tested Love Follow-Up

Ahead, some women chatted while filling clay vessels with water. Their children ran about the small open square, laughing and shrieking in delight. Theron’s lip curled. These children were too old to be playing games. They would have been part of the agōgē by now had they been born Spartan, learning how to be adults.

Previous snippet was in Andreas' POV. This one is Theron's POV.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Rainbow Snippet - A Tested Love










Coridan and Lysander had been together from the time they were seven years old. So young. Even now they'd barely left their childhood behind. What childhood? They were born for war, did nothing but train for war. Andreas didn't know Lysander or Coridan, but that didn't prevent his grief at their fate from taking deep hold.

For more Rainbow Snippets drop by the Facebook group.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Rainbow Snippet - A Spartan Love

A Spartan Love is set in ancient Sparta and features Andreas, a helot, and Theron, a kryptes--natural enemies. It is part of my Apollo's Men series and the first in a three book arc about Andreas and Theron. Their story is continued in A Tested Love, available mid-March.

Andreas! Get in here right now. How many times do I have to tell you that the kryptes will kill you if they catch you outside after dark? He could hear his mother’s voice as if she were still alive, calling to him from the safety of their house.

“I’m trying, Mother!” he muttered to her shade. He would never forget that one of the Spartan warriors had slain his father for nothing more than being a helot.

A Spartan Love is available at Dreamspinner Press and Amazon.

For more Rainbow Snippets check out the FaceBook group.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Map of Hellas and Sparta

The wonderful Catherine Dair made me this map of ancient Greece for my Apollo's Men series. It will be featured in A Tested Love, the sequel to A Spartan Love.
Words alone cannot say how much I love this.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Rainbow Snippet - A Tested Love

This is my inspiration for Halys. I'm sure you can see why Apollo is enamored of him.
From A Tested Love:
“Behave,” Apollo tried to sound strict, apparently to no avail.
“You wouldn’t like me if I behaved.”
Apollo laughed, unable to prevent himself. “Fine, you rascal! Behave until I have you in my bed, then you may do as you please.”

Halys’ grin bode well for the rest of the evening.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

A Tested Love Blurb

Lured by seductive promises, Andreas risked his life to be with Theron, only to find himself betrayed. Abandoned and alone, Andreas resigns all hope of seeing his fierce warrior again and resumes his life as a helot.


All too aware of the harsh punishment Sparta demands of men who love other men, Theron reluctantly surrenders Andreas in hopes of keeping him safe. The warrior returns to Sparta to embrace his destiny in place of the helot he has grown to see as a man, not just a slave. Cold, but honorable duty will be his new lover.
Duty proves to be a jealous lover when Sparta demands the final test of Theron’s loyalty. Sent to kill Andreas, Theron must find a way to come to terms with his burning desire for his handsome helot before their forbidden love destroys them both.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Lexicon for A Tested Love: O-Z


Obolus – coin.

Oboloi – rods used as currency in Sparta. The rods predated the coins with the same name, but the Spartans retained them to discourage the amassing of wealth. I use the different spellings (one singular and the other plural) to differentiate between them for purposes of this novel.

Odysseus—the king of Ithaca. He went to war with Agamemnon against Troy. But on the way home, he angered Poseidon by blinding his son Polyphemus to save his men from being eaten by the Cyclops. As a result, Poseidon did everything in his power to thwart Odysseus’ attempts to return home.
    
· Odysseus was known for being cunning. His epithets in Homer consist of: resourceful, of many resources, of many turns, man of twists and turns, etc.

Olympian gods—there were twelve great gods who dwelt on Mount Olympus. Hades was the king of the Underworld and so not truly considered an Olympian. He is listed here because he is one of the great gods. Hestia was one of the original twelve, but gave up her seat to Dionysus. Other gods and goddesses were considered Olympians, but the twelve became the most well-known.
    
· The gods were anthropomorphisms of important concepts or forces of nature. They were frequently prone to all the flaws that plague humans—anger, greed, lust. They were not omniscient. They only knew what they had seen or been told, allowing mortals to sometimes escape their wrath or even trick them. They were bound by the same social rules as the humans who worshiped them.
    
· Aphrodite—goddess of love, beauty, and desire.
    
· Apollo—god of the light, prophecy, healing, and the arts.
    
· Ares—god of war, violence, and courage.
    
· Artemis—virgin goddess of the moon, the hunt, wilderness, and girls.
    
· Athena—goddess of wisdom, war, and reason.
    
· Demeter—goddess of agriculture, grain, and the harvest.
    
· Dionysus—god of wine, parties, and drunkenness.
    
· Hades—King of the Underworld, god of the dead, and the hidden wealth of the earth.
    
· Hephaestus—crippled god of fire, metalworking, stone working, and volcanism.
    
· Hera—Queen of the Gods, goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and empires.
    
· Hermes—god of travel, messengers, trade, and thieves.
    
· Hestia—virgin goddess of hearth, home, and cooking.
    
· Poseidon—Earth Shaker, god of the sea, rivers, floods, and earthquakes.
    
· Zeus—King of the Gods, god of the sky, thunder, lightning, and law.

Orpheus—a young man of unsurpassed musical skill.

Otrera—the first queen of the Amazons. She was one of Ares’ lovers.

Paiderastês—boy lover.

Paidonómos, or “boy-herder”—a magistrate charged with supervising the education of the youths in the agōgē. He was in charge of an agélai.

Pan—a half-goat, half-man god of shepherds and flocks. The word panic comes from his name, as he was supposed to inspire the emotion.

Pankration—a sport that combined boxing and wrestling. The only rules prohibited biting and gouging out the opponent’s eyes. In Sparta, even these rules did not apply as it was taught as a hand-to-hand fighting technique. The Spartans were forbade from competing in this sport at the Olympic Games after the deaths of some of their competitors.

Peloponnesian League—also known as the Alliance of Sparta, or the Spartans and their allies.
    
· The league was organized during the 6th century BC, probably as a means to deny the conquered indigenous peoples support from the surrounding poleis.
    
· The Spartans were often willing to help other city-states expel their tyrants. This frequently led to ongoing military and political ties.
    
· Smaller towns, often affiliated with a larger city-state, fearing Argive aggression, requested admittance to the league as protection from Argos.
    
· When Tegea joined the league, the city-state was forced to give up some of her autonomous foreign policy in exchange for Spartan protection. However, this was the turning point in the Spartan/Argive quest for control of the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
    
· Sparta defeated the Argives and became undisputed master of the Peloponnese in 494 BC.
Peloponnesus, or Peloponnese—the rather large southwestern region of Greece separated from the rest of the Hellas by a narrow isthmus at Corinth. Several city-states inhabited this region: Sparta, Corinth, Argos, Messene, Mycenae, Olympia, Pylos and Tegea, to name a few.

Perioikoi, or the “dwellers around”—free non-citizens living in Lacedaemonia. They were frequently tradesmen and merchants—all the activities that a Spartiate could not take part in.

Phalanx (plural: phalanxes)—a rectangular military unit employed by the ancient Greeks. Often equipped with spears and large body-covering shields; although, this distinction wasn’t necessary for the term. It could also refer to any group either on the move, camping, or in battle, regardless of actual weapons. Homer used the term to refer to hoplites fighting in formation.

Phantasma (plural: phantasmata)—the ghosts, or shades of the dead.

Phoinikis (plural: phoinikes)—the iconic scarlet cloak of a Spartan. Spartan warriors were given their first phoinikis when they turned twelve, and a new one every year thereafter.

Polis (plural: poleis)—city/city-state(s).

Pórni̱—means whore or prostitute.

Priapos—a phallic god of fertility, gardens, and the protector of homes. One stroked his phallus to propitiate him and for luck. The Priapeia contains the curses, sexual in nature, he will visit on those who transgress the boundaries he protects.

The Pythia—one of three women who prophesied for Apollo at Delphi. She required the sacred pneuma and a question from a consecrated pilgrim.

Python, earth-dragon—a gigantic primordial serpent born of the earth. Python was appointed to guard the Delphic Oracle by Gaea. Apollo slew the dragon with his arrows and seized the shrine for himself. Another instance of a sky god defeating an earth god/goddess.

Ritual pollution, or bloodguilt—resulted from murder, as opposed to killing someone in battle. The gods might exact a heavy price for such an act, visiting a miasma on anyone who sheltered the murderer until an appropriate sacrifice or sentence was carried out.

Sacred grove—an outdoor religious space, the equivalent of a temple. One profaned such places at their own peril. The gods were jealous of all their prerogatives and defended them with a vengeance.

Sacred pneuma—a gaseous emanation from a cleft in Apollo’s temple at Delphi. The Pythia breathed in the vapors and prophesied. Her mantic words were deciphered by the priests.

Scylla and Charybdis—Greek version of “between a rock and hard place,” were a pair of monsters. Scylla was a six headed monster that ate anyone who came too near her rock. Charybdis was a monster with a gigantic whirlpool. When sailing through the straits of Messina, one had to choose which monster to approach.

Selênê—the goddess of the moon. She rode through the night sky in a chariot drawn by winged horses.

Shield-brother—Theron’s term for his “brothers” in the agélai.

Sirens—monsters, variously described as beautiful or as a mix of woman and bird. Their song was unbelievably sweet and enchanting. They drew sailors to their death on the rocky coast of their island. Odysseus tied himself to the mast of his ship and plugged his sailors’ ears with wax to avoid death by shipwreck.

Sparta—consisted of a collection of unwalled villages. Initially, four in number: Limnai, Kynosoura, Mesoa, and Pitana. The city stretched for no more than 5 miles at its longest. The acropolis was roughly in the center of the four villages and could be seen from all of them. Amykles was added later.
    
· While the polis was fairly small, its territory was large.

Spartiate—the term for a Spartan citizen, a man who has successfully finished the agōgē and entered the standing army. Spartans did not include everyone living in Lacedaemonia. Only the descendants of a Spartan citizen, a Spartiate, could claim such status. And only if they proved themselves as warriors. Helots and perioikoi were not Spartans.

Stele—a stone or wooden post erected for funerary or commemorative purposes.

Strophalos—wheel of Hekate.
    
· Chaldean Oracle – “Labor thou around the Strophalos of Hekate.”
    
· Most sources feel that the Strophalos was a tri-part maze. However, I’ve been unable to find any original (read ancient) sources for this belief.

Syn tai e epi tai!With it or on it!
    
· Attributed to Spartan women sending their menfolk off to battle. Meaning roughly come back carrying your shield (victorious) or on it (dead). But either way, the warriors were not to lose their shield which implied desertion, as one would have to cast the unwieldy thing down in order to flee. Spartans had no use for cowards or deserters.

Syssitia—similar to a military mess. All Spartiates were required to be a member of one and take their meals there daily, unless they had a good excuse. Everyone was required to provide a monthly share from the tribute their klēros produced. If they couldn’t, they lost their place and status as a Spartiate.

Tantalus—an ancient king who offended the gods, possibly by trying to feed them his own son. So he was sentenced to eternity in Tartaros standing in a pool of water under a fruit tree and being able to partake of neither. The origin of the word tantalize.

Tartaros—a deep pit in the Underworld that served as a place of punishment for evildoers and the prison of the Titans.

The Fates, or the Moirai—three implacable goddesses. Klotho spun the thread of life. Lakhesis measured the length of one’s life. Aisa cut it off at the appointed time. The Fates would send the Erinyes, three Underworld goddesses, to punish evil doers.

Themis—the goddess of divine law and order, the traditional laws established by the gods.

Theos (plural: theoi)—the Greek word for “deity, god.”

Tholos—a circular colonnaded temple.

Tyche—goddess of fortune, luck, fate, and chance. In her various attributes, she represented:
    
· Holding a rudder, she guided the affairs of the world as such she was one of the Moirai, or Fates.
    
· Holding a ball, she represented the unsteadiness of fortune, ready to roll either way.
    
· Holding the horn of Amalthea, she symbolized the ample gifts of fortune.

Tympanum (plural: tympana)—a tambourine-like drum.

Willow bark tisane—an infusion, or tea consumed for medical purposes, made from willow bark. Willow bark is a natural source of salicylic acid, a precursor of aspirin. It was used in ancient Greece, Assyria, Sumer, and Egypt to treat fevers and aches.

Wine—in ancient times wine was diluted with water before being consumed. While barbarians drank it uncut with water, this was thought to lead to madness and death.

Xiphos—a common double-edged, leaf-shaped short sword. Most were 2 foot in length or less. They were a secondary, or back-up, weapon intended for use if your spear broke. The blades were short and used for stabbing between shields at your enemy.

Zone, or girdle—a woman’s belt.


Zoster, or girdle—a wide leather belt closed with buckles.