Category: Rainbow Snippets

Rainbow Snippet December 7-8

12/7/2019

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 snowed quite a bit here earlier this week, so in honor of the first snowfall of the season, I thought I would snippet from this little snowy scene from The Merchant's Love. I haven't written a holiday story yet, but The Merchant's Love is a warm, cozy fantasy romance set partly over Tournai's winter holidays, so it feels sort of appropriate this time of year. In this snippet, Faelen and Maxen are out together one night. Faelen said earlier it felt like it was going to snow. (I went a little over six sentences—sorry!)

When they stepped out onto the street after their meal, Faelen’s breath caught in his throat, and he stopped dead just outside the door, looking up in wonder. Maxen walked right into him, knocking them off-balance. He caught Faelen by the waist to steady them as they both wobbled.

“Sorry!”

“No, it’s my fault,” Faelen said, covering Maxen’s hand with his own. “But look. It’s snowing.”

It was little more than flurries, but there was something magical about them nonetheless. The tiny flakes danced in the air, glistening in the glow of the streetlights. Faelen turned his face up to them and laughed as another little bubble of joy burst inside him.

“I guess you were right,” Maxen whispered. His arms were still around Faelen, holding him back against his chest. Faelen made a little noise of contentment and snuggled into Maxen’s solid warmth. Despite the chilly night, he could’ve stayed right there until morning, just him and Maxen and the snow flurries.

If you'd like to know more about The Merchant's Love, you can find it here. Thanks for reading this week!

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Rainbow Snippet November 30-December 1

11/30/2019

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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+.

I'm going to back to The Spymaster's Secret for a snippet this weekend before I switch off to other things. This follows directly after my snippet from two weeks ago in which Alexander and his twin, Faelen, are getting ready for a masked ball and dressing alike. (I went a little over the sentence limit—sorry!)

Their clothing was identical down to the smallest detail of the rich, emerald-green velvet jacket and pants, the gold embroidered shoes. Alexander had insisted they put their hair up, securing it with gold combs, to disguise the slight difference between them. Their masks were exactly the same as well--intricate gold and green half masks with green- dyed feathers and a single white silk rose on the right side. They were secured with glossy green ribbons. Yes, Alexander was pleased with the effect. They looked wonderful, and no one would be able to tell them apart.

“Why is it the point?”

“Don’t be so serious! Just think of people’s faces when they don’t know who they’ve seen or how one of us can be in two places at once.” Alexander grinned. “You know it’s going to be fun.”

Faelen shook his head, but he was laughing. Trying to stifle it, but laughing. “Only you would decide this would be the most amusing way to spend a ball.”

“Well, I also plan to dance quite a bit. Perhaps flirt some.” Marcus’s face floated up in Alexander’s mind but he blinked the image away.Marcus would be at the ball--his name was on the guest list anyway, and unless something catastrophic happened, it was an assurance he’d attend.

“With anyone in particular?” Faelen fixed him with an arch look.

You can read more about The Spymaster's Secret here. And through Monday December 2nd, The Spymaster's Secret and my others books are all 40% off at NineStar Press with code BLACKCYBER.

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Rainbow Snippet November 23-24

11/23/2019

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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+.

I'm taking a little break from snippets of The Spymaster's Secret today to share something new. Yesterday I (finally!) submitted a new book in the Chronicles of Tournai series to my editor, and I thought I would share the first few lines with you. This book is a sort of adversaries/enemies to lovers romance with some mystery and magic and family (both blood and chosen) and dragon shifters. I've been excited to write more dragon shifters in this world, so much so that I'm now planning a dragon shifter spin off series.

Griffen’s day had been utterly normal—boring, even—until the dragons arrived.

The only mildly interesting thing that had happened was Bastien actually being convinced to attend a family dinner at the palace. Griffen didn’t delude himself into thinking his persuasion and prodding had anything to do with his older brother’s decision. No, Philip’s order had gotten Bastien and Corentin, the man he would soon marry, here. The prince rarely ordered his family about—and never in this type of situation, so Philip’s edict had probably been at least half joking—but Bastien was too dutiful to ignore it, despite his preference to be something of a hermit.

I don't have more information about the new book for you yet, but I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, if you enjoy dragon shifters and want to know more about Griffen's older brother Bastien, have a look at Bastien and Corentin's book, The Dragon's Devotion. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet November 16-17

11/16/2019

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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+.

I have a little more from The Spymaster's Secret for you this weekend, though soon I may start sharing snippets from other books again. I've skipped ahead a little in the story a bit for this snippet. It's Alexander and his twin brother, Faelen, getting ready for a masked ball (I've wanted to write a masked ball for ages). Mischievous Alexander has convinced Faelen to go along with him in a bit of a scheme... (Sorry I went over the sentence limit!)

“I can't believe I let you talk me into this.”

“What? We look wonderful.” Alexander stepped over to stand beside Faelen in front of the full-length mirror in his dressing room.

“We look identical.”

So they did, except for the little frown pulling at Faelen’s lips.

“That was the point.” Alexander bumped his shoulder into Faelen’s, watching as one of the figures in the mirror did the same.

It was always a bit surreal when they dressed alike, which wasn’t often anymore. Mother had preferred to dress them identically when they were children, but Father had decided it needed to stop as they got older. Afterward, they sometimes did it to switch places, almost alwaysat Alexander’s urging. He was just so amused to see if people would figureout which of them was which. Hardly anyone ever did, and they could getaway with so much. They hadn’t done it in a long time, which Alexander did understand--they were adults now.

Tonight was a masked ball though. Everyone would be in disguise.They would dress in finery and cover their faces with fanciful masks and dance the night away. Why shouldn’t he and Faelen have a little fun?

You can find more about The Spymaster's Secret here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet November 9-10

11/9/2019

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“You need to watch where you’re going, Lord Alexander. You could’ve gotten yourself killed.” Marcus’s cool tone with its hints of condescension irked Alexander far too much after what he’d seen.

“I can hardly control young idiots on horseback.” Alexander brought his chin up slightly, let his lips curve at the edges just a little in a hint of a teasing smile. “But I thank you for your rescue, Lord Marcus, and your advice. If I could have my hand back now?”

“Oh, of course.” Marcus let go immediately.

Alexander didn’t let his satisfaction at the hint of fluster in Marcus show. He had himself back under control—he’d kick himself later for ever losing it. For now, he nodded and took a step back himself, making the motion regal. For the most part, he left off the obvious trappings of royalty, since he was so far from the throne, but he knew quite well how and when to use them.

You can find more about The Spymaster's Secret here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet November 2-3

11/2/2019

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It wouldn’t take much for him to be in Marcus’s arms. So little space separated them, and if Marcus pulled just a little on Alexander’s wrist, he would move with the cue, allowing himself to be drawn into Marcus’sarms, into a kiss.

Marcus’s eyes darkened. Did he see what Alexander was thinking?Did he want it too?

Alexander took a chance, swaying closer. Marcus seemed to lean toward him for an instant, but then he frowned. His eyes went blank, all traces of the desire there a moment ago gone as if they’d never been, andhe drew back. Alexander felt the cold of the wind again, and he forced his own expression back under control, forced away anything that wouldmake him too vulnerable, if it wasn’t already too late.

Find out more about The Spymaster's Secret here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet October 26-27

10/26/2019

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He tore his gaze away from the compelling sight of Marcus’s hand on him and sent it up to Marcus’s face. His expression gave nothing away, which disappointed Alexander terribly and left him somewhat worriedhe’d put himself at a disadvantage. He couldn’t imagine his own face had remained impassive despite years of practice in doing just that.

Then he looked into Marcus’s eyes. They were a beautiful honeyed brown, and something moved in their depths, something hot, echoing the desire raging through Alexander. He stared into them, surprise and delight warring with desire. He loved that Marcus wanted him, maybe as much as Alexander wanted him, if that was possible

You can find out more about The Spymaster's Secret here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet October 19-20

10/19/2019

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Marcus’s hand was large and warm, his fingers wrapping around Alexander’s slender wrist, the gold of his skin stark against Alexander’sporcelain pale flesh. He watched the point of contact, not even breathing, for a long moment, fascinated and yearning suddenly.

He wanted this man’s hands on him everywhere.

The realization left him gasping. He’d been intrigued by Marcus since the first moment he’d seen him—the man’s competence and confidence, his calm presence in the face of crisis and royalty, had set his curiosity alight. And now he wanted far more.

You can find more about The Spymaster's Secret here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet October 12-13

10/12/2019

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The icy wind whipped around Alexander as he stepped out of thestables, and he barely bit back a gasp. He’d ridden to the university and back today, but it hadn’t felt so cold until clouds moved in and the wind picked up in the last few minutes. He rushed across the courtyard, intent on getting inside the palace as soon as possible.

The clatter of hooves alerted him to the galloping horse, but he was almost too late to get out of the way. Someone behind him was yelling, and Alexander jumped back, his foot slipping.

A hand grabbed for Alexander before he could even blink, before he could shout, righting him and pulling him out of the way just as the rider galloped past. And then suddenly Alexander had no words to say. Marcus’s ungloved hand had found the bare skin of his wrist between his glove and the lace edging his shirt cuff. It was as if lightning arced through him, and his heart pounded even harder.

You can find out more about The Spymaster's Secret here, and if you didn't see it, I also recently posted an update about what's going on with my Dreamspinner titles, which you can find here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet October 5-6

10/5/2019

4 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+.

I have more for you from The Spymaster's Secret today, which will be out on October 14th (a little over a week! How did that happen?!). This snippet follows directly after last week's with Alexander and his twin brother, Faelen, continuing their conversation about Marcus. Faelen knows Alexander too well to be distracted from what he wants to know.

“I don’t know exactly,” Faelen said. “But he seems to be the one who finds things out when Philip needs them. Etan mentioned Marcus was the person who discovered an Ardunnian spy ring operating in Jumelle. It sounded like something Marcus keeps an eye on.”

“Interesting.” He stretched the word out. “Philip said somethingabout Marcus having someone in every noble household. I wonder if that’s true or exaggeration.”

Faelen shrugged, a graceful motion. “I don’t know. And you didn’t answer my original question.”

Alexander sighed. “It’s only some harmless curiosity. He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

Faelen’s brow wrinkled in a little frown. “I suppose.”

He laughed and moved to the couch to lean into his twin. “Well, you wouldn’t notice with Maxen all you see.”

You can find out more about The Spymaster's Secret, including a longer excerpt and buy links, over here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet December 7-8

Rainbow Snippet November 30-December 1

Rainbow Snippet November 23-24

Rainbow Snippet November 16-17

Rainbow Snippet November 9-10

Rainbow Snippet November 2-3

Rainbow Snippet October 26-27

Rainbow Snippet October 19-20

Rainbow Snippet October 12-13

Rainbow Snippet October 5-6

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