Swords and Introspection

Today my Spartans are on Joyfully Jay's blog for a little down time and introspection. Please join them as they take some down time--Spartan style.

Rainbow Snippets - Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy

Working on the second draft of Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy. Adding depth of character and setting, background and sensory information.

He'd had a headache the day before too. What was going on?

Shep stood on the front porch, stamping his feet into his boots. His wet hair slicked back from his face. He glanced up at Charlie's approach and picked up two steaming mugs.

Then Charlie smelled the heavenly fragrance of coffee and knew. Caffeine withdrawal headache.

Maybe he could convince Shep to add Banamine granules to his sweet feed.

They kept a store of the pain meds on hand for minor injuries sustained by the horses. What Charlie wouldn't do for some now. Or some of that coffee.

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Rainbow Snippets - Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy

Finished the rough--very rough--draft of Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy.

Now to collect feedback and round out the story with layering--the five senses, back story, foreshadowing and all that stuff.

Hope you enjoy the ending.


Shep shook his head. Clearly, the orgasm had shaken all the sense out of Charlie.

He cleaned them both off and stripped off the nurse costume before crawling into bed. Charlie lay on his side, draped over Shep's uninjured side.

Wrapping an arm around him, Shep pulled his head to rest on his shoulder.

"I thought you said if it wasn't strenuous, it wasn't sex."

"That's right. But this was making love."

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Rainbow Snippets - Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy

I'm nearing the end of the rough draft of Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy. Then of course, I work it over again and again, send it to beta readers. And so forth.

Shep has just gotten home after having surgery to fix his broken leg. He's stumping around on crutches wearing a cast.

Charlie's muscles bunched and flowed under flushed sweaty skin. Shep's mouth dried and his cock filled. Damn! What he wouldn't give to get down and dirty with the man right now.

"Hold that thought. Neither one of us is getting any until the doctor says we can."

"But he sent me home with some really good meds!"

"What were his instructions?"

"No strenuous activity."

"Exactly. And if it doesn't qualify as strenuous activity, it doesn't qualify as sex."

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Rainbow Snippets - Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy

This week's snippet is from my WIP, Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy. Shep is working to earn his diving certificate so he can save Hoss. Wish them both luck!

I know it's a bit more than usual, but I felt it was necessary.

Charlie dropped to his knees and rolled, hooves straight up to the sky. He wriggled for a few moments, then rolled upright. The sun warmed him and his eyes drooped.

He wondered what Shep was doing right now.

***

The door closed behind Shep and before he knew what was going on, Chris had shoved him against the door and had his lips on Shep. What the hell?

He dropped his duffle and scuba gear with a clatter and a wince. I hope nothing broke.

Grabbing Chris's shoulders, Shep shoved him back. "Whoa! Wait. What's going on?"

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Rainbow Snippets - Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy

This snippet is from my current WIP, Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy. I blame this on Josh Lanyon, Dianne Thies, Felice Stevens, Sanna Solin, and PD Singer.

Save a Horse, Dive a Cowboy: What's a cowboy to do when his horse loses a shoe?

"I think my horseshoe is loose. I need you to look at it later and make sure it's secure."

Shep's eyes widened. "The magic one?"

Charlie nodded, although the shoe wasn't really magic.

"You've got to be more careful. If you lose it, you'll be stuck as a horse. Then what will I do?"

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Left Behind by Douglas Black

Left Behind, Book One in the Abducted Hearts series

Left Behind is an MM erotic romance set in the Scottish Highlands. It is the first book in my new Abducted Hearts series that is being released as part of Loose Id Publishing’s Three for the Holidays range. Book Two, Highland Gathering, is coming soon and the final installment, Haunted Heart will release in February!

Blurb

Stewart is instantly attracted to Gary, but he isn’t sure he’s ready to date again. Gary wants Stewart, but he doesn’t think Stewart will stick around when he finds out the secret Gary is hiding.

Faced with the prospect of spending Christmas alone with his daughter, Havana, in the house he used to share with his husband, widower Stewart Robertson heads north to a campsite in Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands. There, he meets Gary James, an American parapsychologist with beliefs very different to Stewart’s own.

The sexual attraction is instantaneous, and overwhelming, and when Gary asks Stewart to spend Christmas with him and his friends in Fort William, Stewart agrees. Knowing next to nothing about each other, the two quickly start a physical relationship.

Stewart, emotional, angry and still reeling from the recent death of his husband, doesn’t know if he’s ready to start dating again, but he can’t deny that he wants Gary, a man who is keeping a secret that threatens to derail any chance of a happy ending before they even get started.

Excerpt

“If we’re going,” Stewart said after Lucas finished explaining his plan, “you need to go tell your dad.”

“My dad?” Lucas looked confused.

“Yep. He doesn’t even know I’m here with you. You’ll need to tell him.”

“Can I tell my uncle instead?”

That threw Stewart off his stride. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Who are you camping with?”

“My uncle.”

“Then yes, it would be easier to tell your uncle. I thought he was your dad.”

“No. My dad’s in Iraq.”

Right. So not much point calling him, then, Stewart thought. He never had been good at understanding the way children’s minds worked.

Instead of admitting that, Stewart gestured for Lucas to go. He took Havana inside to get ready, and when he emerged from the kata, Lucas’s uncle was taking up far too much room on the decking outside, armed with two camping chairs and a cooler.

“Snacks,” he said in an American accent Stewart didn’t even try to place. He flashed Stewart a blinding smile, his height forcing Stewart to look up at him.

He transferred the cooler and folded camping chairs into one hand before extending the free one for Stewart to shake. Stewart did and earned another of those jolts of attraction. It was worse the second time around, with the skin contact and that dark, intense gaze on him. The man’s hands were big, his grip strong, but his skin was soft. Warm. Stewart cleared his throat.

“Gary,” the man said.

Stewart knew he was staring, not letting go of Gary’s hand. The man’s height and build and presence made Stewart feel like he was caught in a tractor beam, frozen in place and rendered incapable of movement or speech. But inside, Stewart’s mind was racing a million miles an hour. He was chastising himself in no uncertain terms for behaving as he was. For feeling the way he was. For even noticing how much stronger Gary was compared to him, and for remembering Gary naked earlier that morning and wishing he had stayed longer.

Already it felt like an imperfect memory. Hairy chest, muscular body, impressive cock. He was mad at himself for focusing on the latter. For immediately fixating on how much he wanted to fuck. Get fucked. Even just be held in strong arms, feel that smile directed at him from someone who clearly thought there was still stuff worth smiling about. Because it didn’t seem to matter how much time Stewart spent with Havana, how tightly he hugged her, and how much he worried about her, he was lonely. So lonely, sometimes he wondered if he was going to die from it. And that was a drama-queen thought by anyone’s standard, but sometimes it was true. It was like the pain. A seemingly endless state from which there was no escape.

“Now, back in the States, this is the point where the other person gives their name.”

Stewart crashed back to reality in time to jerk his hand out of Gary’s. He took a deep breath. This is the part where you decide I’m batshit crazy and should in no way be allowed near either you or your son. Nephew. Whatever.

“Stewart,” he managed. “Sorry, my brain’s away with the fairies.” Wasn’t that the truth?

Gary flashed him another smile, and Stewart had to take a step back. He shook his head, forced a laugh, then said, “I haven’t been sleeping. Hence coming here to get away from it all, but that hasn’t worked either. My head’s not in the game. This is Havana. Your nephew’s been doing a great job keeping her entertained all morning.”

“So I’ve been told.” Gary turned his attention to Havana, allowing Stewart the opportunity to give the man another once-over.

Baggy waterproof trousers, expensive walking boots, and a quality branded outdoor jacket. Gary looked every inch like he belonged in the great outdoors, with the exception of the black T-shirt with luminous green alien face and the writing The Truth is Out There picked out in silver underneath. People tended to wear their oldest, least-favorite clothes when there was a chance of them getting muddy, Stewart reasoned. He turned his thoughts back to Gary, who was calling Havana a little lady and offering her a bow.

“I hear we’re off to do some exploring by the river, maybe see if we can rent some bikes?” Gary said when he straightened.

The bikes were a new addition to the plan. It seemed Lucas made things up as he went along. Or waited until he had initial approval before adding additional details.

“Seems that way,” Stewart said.

Gary looked at Lucas. He grinned. “Lead on, dude.”

Author Bio

Born and raised in bonnie Scotland, Douglas Black writes contemporary MM erotic romance. Welcome to your fantasy.

Author Links

https://douglasblackerotica.wordpress.com

https://twitter.com/DBlackErotica

https://www.facebook.com/Douglas-Black-1632968396841732/timeline/

Buy Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7HX9PU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481905355&sr=8-1&keywords=douglas+black+left+behind

http://www.loose-id.com/abducted-hearts-1-left-behind.html

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-leftbehind-2190891-149.html

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!

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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

Books'n Cozy Spots
The Novel Approach
Harper Kingsley
Charley Descoteaux
Deanna Wadsworth
PD Singer
Bike Book Reviews
Molly Lolly
MM Good Book Reviews
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
On Top Down Under
Crystals Many Reviewers
Kate Pavelle
Lynn Lorenz
Princess and Terry

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

Body Language Is FREE

Not sure ancient historicals are your thing? Give Body Language a try. It's a prequel to my Apollo's Men series. And as it's free, a good way to get your feet wet.

Travelling with Narses through conquered Lydia, Lykos hides his identity as a prince of Aenus.  He intends to take the measure of the encroaching Persian Empire. But before they reach Sardis, he hears cries for help and charges into battle with mountain bandits. Unable to save the beleaguered merchant, he rescues Kas, a young Persian man.

Now his protector is dead, Kas would like nothing better than to remain with the handsome warrior who came to his aid. But how can he explain that to a man who speaks little but Greek?

Body Language is now available at Amazon.

Rainbow Snippet - A Shared Love

This snippet is from my current WIP, A Shared Love, the final book in the Spartan Love arc of the epics of Apollo's Men.

The wolf stretched out alongside the reclining youth with a wolfish sigh.

"Your warmth is appreciated, my lady. You are the first woman to share my blanket."

The she-wolf seemed to have taken an interest in the young man she guarded. The rest of her pack kept their distance from the warrior, but not her. She curled up next to him with the air of a companion.

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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.

Rainbow Snippet - A Shared Love

Kyria, one of Apollo's sacred wolves

This snippet is from my current WIP, A Shared Love, the final book in the Spartan Love arc of the epics of Apollo's Men.

Apollo is checking in on the young Spartan warrior Coridan. After the death of his lover, Coridan wandered off to die. Apollo found him and commanded Coridan to serve him. Apollo set his wolves to guide Coridan to Delphi.


"How much farther do you think until we reach Tegea, Kyria?"

The wolf that the warrior named "Lady" grumbled a response.

"Not much for geography? You should have paid better attention to your tutors." The mortal chuckled. "Maybe I should have as well. Then I wouldn't have to ask you such things."

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Rainbow Snippet - Body Language

"Are you all right, you son of Seth?"

"Narses?" Lykos drew a deep breath, one he hadn't expected to lay claim to. The wound in his side twinged in protest. He would have to take care not to repeat that mistake. "The bandits?"

"All dead."


To read more about prince Lykos and the young man he rescued, you can download Body Language for free at Smashwords.

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Rainbow Snippets - From the Ashes

From the Ashes is a Cinderfella set roughly in 16th century France, taking us back to the origins of the popular fairy tale. One should not expect historical accuracy in any tale that includes a fairy godmother.

This is not my typical historical. But efforts have been made to at least keep the feel of the era and make sure all elements are contemporaneous.

While Cinder digested her claim to be his fairy godmother, she pulled out a wand and waved the slender rod at him. His dress grew suddenly weightier. Cinder glanced down and gasped. He was now encased in a frothy, airy confection of blue satin, lace and pearls. When he took a step back in shock, Cinder almost fell, owing to the glass slippers on his feet. Glass? Whose crazy idea was that?


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From the Ashes on Amazon.
The playlist for From the Ashes.

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.