Mina Carter outdid herself on my new cover for From the Ashes. Henri is sexy, sensual. And Cinder? Cinder is exactly how I and his godmothers pictured him.
From the Ashes is a Cinderfella. A m/m Cinderella story. Cinder's grasping stepmother forced him into a dress when his father died a decade earlier. Since then he has been a servant in his father's house, known as Cinderella. But soon his stepmother will be unable to continue the charade. What will be his fate then?
Blurb:
Cinder
never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected
encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he
needs. Finding himself flung into his very own fairy tale, she sends him off to
meet his Prince Charming. But was the gown really necessary?
Excerpt:
Cinder
glanced around. Paper lanterns floated in the trees, lined the walks, and
graced the gazebo near the reflecting pool, giving the grounds a mystical air.
Their warm glow caught the dancing jets of the fountain splashing merrily to
his right. The musical, crystalline tones carried on the night wind’s breath.
He was reminded of the enchanted gardens in the fairy tales his father had read
to him when he was a child. What would happen to him if he dared walk there?
Henri
led him toward the gazebo. Soon he would find out.
The cool
breeze caressed his uncovered neck. Cinder shivered at the ethereal touch.
Henri turned to him, the question clear in his eyes, but he didn't know how to
answer. Instead he breathed in the tangible scent of rich earth and flowing
water, hoping to calm his bounding heart.
Henri
lightly stroked his arm. Cinder’s breath caught at the silky brush of the other
man’s fingers. He drew another shaky breath. Henri may have meant to soothe
him, instead his touch set Cinder’s wayward body aflame.
They
left the last of the courtiers behind as they entered the dim interior of the
fanciful pavilion. Vines climbed its intricately carved posts, perfuming the
air within. The music and voices of the aristocrats faded away. Only a single
intrepid nightingale could be heard over the cheerful babbling of the fountain.
Hidden from the rest of the court, an unworldly sense of peace filled him. Was
his very own fairy tale about to come true?
Bespelled
and bemused, he could feel the magic in every beat of his heart, in every
trembling breath he drew.
Once
inside the bower, Henri reached to cup Cinder's cheek. Unused to being touched,
he nearly flinched away but managed to still, heart pounding, before giving
himself away. The older man's thumb slid across his cheekbone and came to rest
lightly on his mouth. Why did he want to lean into that caress?
The
other man's warm, slightly musky scent filled his nostrils, drowning his
senses.
Henri's
other hand wrapped around his waist and drew him close while tipping his face
upwards. Cinder's breath left him in a rush, stirring the noble’s hair. Henri
was all that he could see, his mouth slowly, carefully descending toward
Cinder’s. If he allowed this, the other man might discover his deception. He
couldn’t risk that, so why then did he ache to feel Henri’s kiss? Their lips
brushed, light as thistle down.
Surprisingly,
Henri's mouth was soft and warm upon his own. After a moment, Henri's pressed
more firmly against his. Something fluttered in his chest, trying to get out.
Cinder
didn't think to pull away until he felt Henri's tongue seeking entrance. The
hand on his face slipped to his nape and held firm. He froze in shock, not even
daring to breathe, as flames rushed through his body. The very beat of his
heart betrayed him.
The
questing tongue stroked his lips and pushed between them. It slid over his
teeth, seeking to enter. When he protested, Henri's tongue swept in and began a
lazy, sensuous exploration that left him breathless.
Soon he
found himself stroking Henri's tongue with his own. Henri responded to his
fledgling attempts by pulling him closer and moaning into his mouth. He had
never experienced anything so deeply sensual and erotic. He fed his own needy
pleas to the other man one at a time.
Finally
they separated slightly, Cinder panting heavily, trying to catch his breath.
Was Henri as affected by their kiss as he was? A quick glance confirmed Cinder
was not alone in his arousal. Flushed and gasping, Henri gazed at him with eyes
full of wonder and something unnamed smoldering in their depths.
