Antonia Aquilante
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Rainbow Snippets September 16-17

9/17/2023

1 Comment

 
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​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.

I'm taking a little break from snippets of To Love the Dragon King and switching to The Dragon's Devotion because The Dragon's Devotion celebrated a book anniversary this month. It's been out in the world for six years! The Dragon's Devotion is part of my Chronicles of Tournai series but stands alone just fine. It's the story of Bastien and Corentin. Bastien inherited a title and took responsibility for his younger siblings far too young when his parents died suddenly. Years later, he learns that their death may not have been the accident everyone thought it was, and of course, he decides to find out the truth—and gets himself into trouble along the way. Corentin is a scholar with a big secret (he's a dragon shifter), but he begins to find it more difficult to keep his secret and keep himself apart when he meets Bastien and is immediately attracted to him. And even more difficult when Bastien ends up in danger. Last week's snippet introduced you to Corentin. This week's is the book's introduction of Bastien:
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​B
astien propped himself up on his arms in the open window of his study and took a long, deep breath. Fresh air filled his lungs, fragrant with grass and horse and a hint of woodsmoke—the familiar scents of home. He liked this time of year, this shift of season when the trees changed color and the estate was awash with gold and red, before the weather turned colder and the gray of winter set in.

He didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to miss all that color, but he likely would this year. It was absurd to feel so wrong about leaving, especially for so short a time. Just a trip to Jumelle for a month, maybe two. It wasn’t as if he would never return.

You can find out more about The Dragon's Devotion here. Thanks for reading today!
1 Comment

Rainbow Snippets September 9-10

9/10/2023

1 Comment

 
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​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.

I'm taking a little break from snippets of To Love the Dragon King and switching to The Dragon's Devotion this weekend because The Dragon's Devotion celebrated a book anniversary this past week. It's been out in the world for six years! The Dragon's Devotion is part of my Chronicles of Tournai series but stands alone just fine. It's the story of Bastien and Corentin. Bastien inherited a title and took responsibility for his younger siblings far too young when his parents died suddenly. Years later, he learns that their death may not have been the accident everyone thought it was, and of course, he decides to find out the truth—and gets himself into trouble along the way. Corentin is a scholar with a big secret (he's a dragon shifter), but he begins to find it more difficult to keep his secret and keep himself apart when he meets Bastien and is immediately attracted to him. And even more difficult when Bastien ends up in danger. Here's a snippet from the very beginning of the book:
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​In the privacy
 of his small office, Corentin circled his neck and rolled his bare shoulders and back, trying to loosen the stiffness there—impossible because his muscles weren’t really stiff. But he did it anyway. It was just that he hadn’t changed and stretched his wings in far too long. Whether real or imagined, it had always been this way if he didn’t use his Talent regularly. Only how was he to accomplish that in this place?

There wasn’t anywhere in the capital city where he could change unseen, and few places close to Jumelle where a large dragon would go unnoticed.

You can find more about The Dragon's Devotion here. Thanks for reading today!
1 Comment

Rainbow Snippets September 2-3

9/2/2023

2 Comments

 
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​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.
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I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which is now out in the world. Yay! To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly from last week's.
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As he took the last step to the landing halfway up, he stopped abruptly and frowned. “Do you hear that?”

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“Sir?” The maid stopped and turned back to face him. Worry and impatience lurked in her eyes, but instead of saying anything, she frowned too.

It was wings. The sound of many large wings beating at the air, flying closer. Landing, from the sounds in the courtyard outside. Then shouting.

The doors to the entry hall burst open, and the room was flooded by soldiers wearing the uniform of the king. Someone was shouting orders, more than one someone. Sascha froze for an instant, then grabbed the maid and dragged her down with him. He huddled on the floor with the teary-eyed girl, scared and confused and unable to even speculate as to what was happening now.

You can find out more about To Love the Dragon King here. Thanks for reading!
2 Comments

Rainbow Snippets August 26-27

8/26/2023

2 Comments

 
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​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.
​
I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which is now out in the world. Yay! To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly from last week's. 
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​She turned and made for the sweeping stone staircase at the other end of the room, and Sascha forced himself to move, to follow. He fisted his hands in the folds of his cloak to stop their shaking and willed himself to steadiness as he slowly climbed the stairs behind her. Something pushed him to move faster, cold dread of what could happen if he wasn’t exactly where Lord Jannik wanted him when he arrived, but if he moved any faster in his state, he’d tumble down the stairs. 

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He needed to pull himself together. He was stronger than this.

Wasn’t he?

You can find more about To Love the Dragon King here. Thanks for reading today!
2 Comments

Rainbow Snippets August 19-20

8/19/2023

2 Comments

 
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​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.
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I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which will be published August 21st and is currently available for preorder. To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly from last week's.
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​She bobbed a quick curtsy when she had his attention. “Your things are being brought to your bedchamber. I can show you upstairs if you’re ready, sir?”

​
Unspoken was that he’d better be, and her eyes were filled with so much sympathy Sascha wanted to weep.

“Yes, thank you.” He didn’t manage a smile for her—couldn’t—but he refused to be anything but polite to the staff, especially when they were being kind to him.

You can find out more about To Love the Dragon King here. Thanks for reading!
2 Comments

Rainbow Snippets August 12-13

8/12/2023

3 Comments

 
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​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.
​
I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which will be published August 21st and is currently available for preorder. To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly from last week's.
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​Inside his head, he was screaming, wailing questions about what his parents knew. Surely they would’ve looked into anyone making an offer for one of them? Surely they would’ve cared? What could they have gotten out of this arrangement that was important enough to put Sascha through this? It couldn’t have only been the money, could it? What did Lord Jannik have to offer that was so important?

​
“Sir?” 

The quiet voice startled Sascha so much he jumped again, but he didn’t have the capacity for more embarrassment. His vision refused to focus, spinning and twisting and blurring, but, as best he could, he brought his attention to the young maid in front of him.

You can find out more about To Love the Dragon King and preorder it here. Thanks for reading today!
3 Comments

Rainbow Snippets August 5-6

8/6/2023

3 Comments

 
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​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.
​
I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which will be published August 21st and is currently available for preorder. To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly from last week's.
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​Sascha stood for a moment and trembled, his cheeks burning fiery hot. Waves of alternating fear and dread and embarrassment crashed through him, leaving him hot then cold in succession. He was just supposed to go upstairs and… And Lord Jannik had seen fit to order him to his bed in front of his man of business and several servants, and now all of them knew…

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And Sascha was just supposed to go whether he wanted to or not, and let Lord Jannik do as he pleased with him. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. A concubine was supposed to be treated with respect, and the legal standing they deserved. He wasn’t supposed to be ordered about and threatened. He wasn’t supposed to be a possession.

Apparently, none of that mattered in Lord Jannik’s domain.

You can find out more about To Love the Dragon King (including preorder links!) here. Thanks for reading today!
3 Comments

Rainbow Snippets July 29-30

7/30/2023

3 Comments

 
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​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.

I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which is being proofread while I figure out the details of self-publishing it so I can (finally!) release it into the world this summer. To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly from last week's.
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​“Well,” Lord Jannik said finally, “your face is as exquisite as they told me. Let’s hope the rest of you is as well.”

​
Sascha’s lips parted, but his mind was blank. He could think of nothing to say in response to that greeting. 

Lord Jannik didn’t seem to expect a reply. He turned to his man of business. “Hannes, I need to see you in my study for a few moments.” He directed his next words and his hard gaze back to Sascha. “While I’m in my meeting, you will go upstairs and bathe. No need to dress after. I want a good look at you, and as long as you please me, more than that.”

Sascha still couldn’t seem to conjure a reply, but he gasped when Lord Jannik reached out and gripped his chin firmly.

“Don’t think to keep me waiting, little Sascha. You’re mine now to do with as I will, and you won’t like the consequences if you disobey.” He pressed a hard kiss to Sascha’s closed lips, then released him as abruptly as he’d grabbed him. “A maid will show you up.”

He turned and strode away. Hannes followed on his heels, not sparing a look for Sascha.

You can find out more about To Love the Dragon King here. And don't forget the rest of my books are 50% off at Smashwords through July 31st, so don't miss out! Thanks for reading today!
3 Comments

Rainbow Snippets July 22-23

7/23/2023

4 Comments

 
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​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.

I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which is being proofread while I figure out the details of self-publishing it so I can (finally!) release it into the world this summer. To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly after last week's. 
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​His breathing had sped up and he focused once more on slowing it.

​
Had his parents known what they were sending—selling—Sascha into? They couldn’t have. No matter how attractive the contact and connection to a prominent family, they wouldn’t have gone through with it if they’d had any idea of the man they were giving him to. Sascha knew well his role in the family—like that of his sisters—was to make the most advantageous match possible, whether as spouse or concubine, and he’d accepted it long ago. But did the match have to be this one?

Lord Jannik stopped in front of Sascha and scrutinized him head to toe from his position a half a head taller. Sascha had never been so glad for the enveloping cover of his cloak as that gaze slithered over him.

Find more about To Love the Dragon King here. My other books are 50% off at Smashwords through the end of the month—don't miss out on a great sale! Thanks for reading today!
4 Comments

Rainbow Snippets July 15-16

7/16/2023

4 Comments

 
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​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.

I'm currently sharing snippets from To Love the Dragon King, which is being proofread while I figure out the details of self-publishing it so I can (finally!) release it into the world this summer. To Love the Dragon King is the first book in a new series, the Dragons of Ivria, which I believe will be a trilogy. In this book, dragon shifter Lysander, the king of Ivria, has come into the knowledge of a treasonous plot against him and the kingdom and has set out to discover the extent of it and its participants. When he arrives to arrest one of the conspirators, he finds Sascha. Sascha was not born with the magic to allow him to transform into a dragon, and therefore, to his (horrible) parents, his only purpose is to enter into a marriage or a contract as a concubine that will benefit his family. To that end, they've contracted him to Jannik, the man Lysander is about to arrest. Sascha  has no knowledge of the plot, or that he's being used in it, or that he's about to be caught up in the orbit of the king and the scheming and danger that revolves around him. This snippet follows directly after last week's.
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​Physically, he wasn’t imposing. His build was average, and he was older than Sascha’s father. Gray streaked his thick blond hair. But an aura of menace surrounded him. His eyes were hard and cold, his lips set in a mean twist. His movements were sharp and authoritative. This man was in complete control of his household, of his affairs, of all he considered his—and his control would not be kind or fair. 

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Sascha understood Triana’s warning now.

You can find more about To Love the Dragon King here. And don't forget that my other books are all 50% off at Smashwords this month, which is a fantastic sale. Thanks for reading today!
4 Comments
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    Antonia is a writer and a reader and a copy editor/proofreader. She loves books, travel, art, photography, baking, pasta, and shoes.

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