Antonia Aquilante
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Rainbow Snippet June 24-25

6/24/2017

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It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets. The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your tbr. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ+.

When I was trying to choose a snippet of something for Father's Day weekend last week, I kept finding scenes I loved with fathers and children, and I wasn't sure what to share. I also came across this scene in The Artist's Masquerade in which Flavian meets Amory and Philip's baby son for the first time and has absolutely no idea what to do when presented with a baby. (It's a bit over six sentences again—sorry! I'll do better next time!)
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Julien was a beautiful baby, Cathal could admit without much bias. Julien even had a pleasant disposition, but Cathal wasn’t the one trying to get the child to sleep at night. And he was quite all right with that.

“He’s fascinated by you.”

Amory’s remark, directed at Flavian, brought Cathal out of his musing. Flavian was looking at the baby as if he wasn’t entirely sure what manner of creature Julien was. A frown drew Flavian’s brows together as he contemplated the baby, who was smiling and staring at him, dark eyes wide. Fascinated, just as Amory said.

“I don’t know why he would be, Your Highness,” Flavian said, hardly glancing up from his focus on Julien.

“Would you like to hold him?” Amory asked.

Cathal would have laughed at the mingled shock and horror on Flavian’s face if he didn’t think it would insult both Flavian and Amory unforgivably. Though Amory seemed to be suppressing amusement of his own. Cathal wondered if Amory was trying to torture Flavian for some reason when Amory lifted Julien and handed him to Flavian. ​



If you'd like to know more about The Artist's Masquerade, you can find it here. The Artist's Masquerade and the rest of the Tournai books are also 30% off at Dreamspinner now, but the sale ends today. Thanks for stopping by and reading!
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Writing Update and News

6/21/2017

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This update is a little late this month—sorry! But I do have lots to share. The next Tournai book, The Dragon's Devotion, was sent off to the copy editor at the beginning of June after I worked through the rest of the edits last month. It's still on track to be published in September. Yay! I'm excited for you to read it. I think you'll enjoy Bastien and Corentin's story (If you've read the previous books in the series, you've met both of them, but if not, you can always start here or catch up before September). It has romance, magic, political intrigue, family drama, mystery, and a dragon, of course. I'll keep you updated as I have more information.

I've also been working on another project about Edmund and Arden, my two princes (one transgender, one cis and demisexual) who fall in love even though they really shouldn't. There's an arranged marriage, an assassination attempt and a plot to frame Edmund, an escape from a dungeon, and all sorts of other good stuff, along with the romance. I've finished revisions based on reader feedback and written the (dreaded) synopsis. Now it's time to start submitting. I love these character and this story so much, and I'm really hoping to see it as a book. Fingers crossed, everyone! 

I've also started writing the Tournai book that will follow The Dragon's Devotion. Returning to Tournai is like coming home after working on something else for the last several months. I'm only about 10k in so I can't tell you too much, because I figure out a lot as I go along, but I'm enjoying spending time with so many favorite characters again, and getting to know my new main characters better. If you've read The Scholar's Heart, you've met one of them: Maxen, Tristan's younger brother. You'll meet the other in The Dragon's Devotion. As with any new story, I have a new notebook to write in, and there's a picture of it for you below.

Now, for the news. First, the Tournai books are 30% off at Dreamspinner through June 24th, along with the rest of the store, so you can stock up on all your summer reading. Second, I'll be attending the NJ Romance Writers Hearts & Sparks Reader/Blogger Appreciation brunch in October. Registration is open now, and if you're in the area, I would love to see you there. Find out more information over here. Finally, if you're an unpublished romance writer, the NJ Romance Writers annual Put Your Heart in a Book contest is open for entries. It's a great way to get feedback on your writing and get your work in front of editors and agents. Winners are announced at the NJRW conference in October. More information about entering is here.

​I think that's all for this month. Back to writing for me!

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Sale at Dreamspinner!

6/20/2017

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Time to stock up on summer reading! The entire store, including the Tournai books, is 30% off at Dreamspinner through June 24th.
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Rainbow Snippet June 17-18

6/17/2017

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It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets. The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your tbr. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ+.

It's Father's Day here this weekend, so I thought I would share a snippet relating to a father and son from one of my books. I had a little trouble choosing, so I might share another next weekend, but for now, here's a snippet from The Sorcerer's Guardian in which Loriot comes home after a few days away and sees his son, Alain. (I went over six sentences this week—sorry, but I thought the extra sentences were necessary this time.)
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​Trudging up the stairs took the last of his energy, but he forced himself to bypass his own bedchamber. He couldn’t go to bed without seeing Alain. Not after so long away, not even if it hadn’t been that long. The door to the room at the back of the house was partially open. He peeked in as he pushed it open the rest of the way. The room was tidy, except for a veritable city built of blocks in the middle of the rug. The
nursemaid noticed him first, but Alain wasn’t far behind. He looked up, his bright green eyes—twins of Loriot’s own—lighting up, and Loriot felt something inside him melt, just as it always did under those eyes.


“Papa!”

​
With ease of long practice, he caught the five-year-old bundle of energy that came flying at him and swung his son up into his arms, cuddling him close for as long as Alain would allow. As tired as he was, he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. “There’s my boy. I missed you. Show me what you’ve been doing.” 


If you'd like to know more about The Sorcerer's Guardian, you can find it here. Also, the paperback of The Sorcerer's Guardian (and the other Tournai books) is 30% off at Dreamspinner today. Thanks for reading! And Happy Father's Day to anyone celebrating this weekend!
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Paperback Sale at Dreamspinner

6/14/2017

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Dreamspinner is having a 30% off sale on paperbacks through June 17th, and the Tournai books are included along with lots of other great books! Sounds like a good time to add to your library.
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Rainbow Snippet June 10-11

6/10/2017

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It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets. The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your tbr. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ+.

Today I have a snippet from The Prince's Consort for you. Philip and Amory have escaped the palace and the city for a few days away at one of Philip's estates alone. Here they're relaxing, and Philip is watching Amory draw.
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​Amory looked up at him. “You’re sure you aren’t going to be bored?”


“Definitely not,” Philip replied. He laughed at the skepticism in Amory’s eyes. “Draw, Amory.”

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With an eye roll, Amory turned away, back to looking at whatever had caught his eye in that part of the woods. Soon, he began to sketch, his long, graceful fingers making quick, careful strokes with the charcoal. No, Philip wouldn’t get bored. Amory didn’t realize how much Philip enjoyed watching him. He was awed at how Amory’s art came into being under his hands. He was awed at a lot of things about Amory. 


If you'd like to know more about The Prince's Consort, you can find it here. Thanks for stopping by today!
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What I've Been Reading - May

6/7/2017

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May turned into a busy month for me with edits for The Dragon's Devotion (which is off to the copy editor! yay!), revisions on another project, and an annoying cold that I probably got because I was running myself into the ground doing the other things. So I didn't read as much as I'd expected and wanted to, but I did find some books I really enjoyed in May.

Starting from Scratch by Jay Northcote: I haven't read all of the books in this series yet, but each stands alone, and I've been all right reading out of order. Starting from Scratch is an own voices trans romance with great characters that I just felt for so much. I loved the friendships in the book too. I guess I need to read the rest of the series to get their stories soon.

The Sun Still Rises by Laura Bailo: This is Laura's debut novella, and it was a lovely, sweet romance. What stood out from me most, though, was the description of Pamplona where the book is set. The city was a character itself, and the story read like a love letter the author's home. I felt as if I was there—but it also really made me want to see the city for itself.

Chef's Table by Lynn Charles: A sweet, slow burn contemporary romance between a chef and a cook set in New York City. And oh my gosh, the descriptions of food! I was perpetually hungry reading this. It made me want to cook and bake all the things. It's probably a thing I was sick while I read it, or I probably would have gone on a baking spree (or maybe not, that might have been fun).

Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick: I started reading Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz back in high school (or maybe middle school, I can't remember exactly). I'm a bit behind on her newer books, but I always enjoy picking up a new one.

Slow Heat by Leta Blake: I don't think I've ever read any alpha-omega romances so I wasn't sure about this one, but I kept hearing good things. Slow Heat had me hooked as soon as I started reading the sample. I stayed up way too late finishing it. I kind of adored Vale and Jason, and I'd absolutely read more in this world.

What have you read lately and loved? And what's on your summer reading list?

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Hearts & Sparks Reader/Blogger Brunch

6/5/2017

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Registration is open for New Jersey Romance Writers' Hearts & Sparks Reader/Blogger Appreciation Brunch. I'll be attending this year, along with so many wonderful authors. If you're in the New Jersey area, come have brunch with us! Find more information and register here.
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Rainbow Snippet June 3-4

6/3/2017

9 Comments

 
It's weekend, and time for more Rainbow Snippets. The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your tbr. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ+.

Today's snippet is from The Sorcerer's Guardian. Savarin is recovering from the draining he suffered performing very complicated magic, and he and Loriot have had an argument. This snippet happens later that day
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​Savarin’s eyelids fluttered, and his eyes opened. They were hazy at first, but he blinked several times and
focused on Loriot. “You’re here.”


“Yes.”

“I didn’t think you were coming back.” Savarin spoke in little more than a mumble, but Loriot understood him, heard the emotion in those words, and felt a pang of pain despite his lingering anger.

“I said I would.” He gave in and brushed his hand over Savarin’s forehead, feeling the temperature—slightly warm but not terribly so— and pushing silky hair back in one movement. “I promised.”

“I wasn’t sure that mattered after today.” 


If you'd like to know more about The Sorcerer's Guardian, you can find it here. Thanks for reading today!
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    Antonia is a writer and a reader. She loves books, travel, art, photography, baking, pasta, and shoes.

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