Antonia Aquilante
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Rainbow Snippet January 12-13

1/12/2019

6 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+.

It's Kiss a Ginger Day, and Dreamspinner has The Artist's Masquerade on sale for 99c because of its redheaded hero, Flavian. In honor of that, I thought I'd share a snippet from The Artist's Masquerade today. 
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​Flavian froze,
his mind going utterly blank the instant Cathal’s lips touched his.

​
Because Cathal was kissing him.

Cathal was kissing him. Flavian never, ever, expected it to happen, or for it to be like this. A passionate, uninhibited kiss with Cathal’s firm body pressing against his, pushing him into the unyielding surface of the door. Who would have thought that a man like Cathal would kiss like that? And for an instant Flavian drowned in it—the feel of Cathal’s smooth lips on his, the firm grip of his hands on Flavian’s waist—as Cathal devoured him.


But then reality came back in a flood. “We can’t do this.” 

​

You can learn more about The Artist's Masquerade here. And if you're looking for more books about redheads for Kiss a Ginger Day, check out The Prince's Consort and A Dance of Water and Air too (I write a lot of redheads...). Thanks for reading!
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Happy Anniversary to The Artist's Masquerade

12/21/2018

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The Artist's Masquerade was released three years ago today. It feels like forever ago and yesterday at the same time. I hadn't intended to write a book for Cathal, the cousin who is overly proper and too concerned with duty in The Prince's Consort, but as I wrote that book, I learned more and more about Cathal and who he is and why he behaved as he did. So he had to have a book and a HEA of his own. And who better to pair with him than a sharp-tongued artist in disguise and on the run? I feel kind of bad having favorites of my own characters (sort of like a parent shouldn't have favorite children), but Flavian is one of my favorites. I adore these two together. So, happy anniversary, Cathal and Flavian!

About The Artist's Masquerade:

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As the first-born son of the Duke of Tournai and cousin to the prince, Cathal has always tried to fulfill his duty to family and country, including following through with an arranged marriage to Velia, cousin to the emperor of Ardunn. But it’s Velia’s companion, Flavia, who fascinates Cathal. Cathal doesn’t know that Flavia is really Flavian, a man masquerading as a woman to escape Ardunn, a restrictive place in which Flavian’s preference for men is forbidden.

Even when Cathal discovers Flavian’s true gender, he cannot fight his attraction to him. Flavian is intrigued by Cathal, but Cathal is still betrothed to Velia, and Flavian worries Cathal is more taken with his feminine illusion than the man beneath it. While both men battle their longings for each other, spies from Ardunn infiltrate the capital, attempting to uncover Tournai’s weaknesses. They are also searching for Flavian, who possesses a magical Talent that allows him to see the truth of a person just by painting their portrait—a skill invaluable to Ardunn’s emperor.




​
Add The Artist's Masquerade to your Goodreads shelf.

​Buy The Artist's Masquerade:
Dreamspinner Press
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Google Play
Apple

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Rainbow Snippet August 11-12

8/11/2018

5 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, I'm sharing a snippet from The Artist's Masquerade. It's a little longer than it should be, but I thought it was necessary for context. This is when Flavian learns about the secret of Cathal's magical Talent.
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“What am I about to see?” 

“A demonstration of the royal family’s Talent.” Cathal’s smile was a bit smug, a touch gleeful, as if he was enjoying Flavian’s reaction or perhaps anticipating what it would truly be. 

“What kind of demonstration?” 

“I’m going to show you what I can do.” Cathal stepped back several paces and stood facing Flavian. He smiled. “You’ve read the legends. Don’t be afraid.” 

Cathal was enjoying the whole thing far too much, which did not alleviate Flavian’s confusion or his rising annoyance. “Why would I be afraid? And what legends? Do you mean the cat legends? What do they have to do with—?” 

Cathal hushed him and laughed quietly. “Just watch.” 

Flavian folded his arms over his chest and glared at Cathal, which only made him laugh more. Not the reaction Flavian had hoped for, but before he could say anything else, Cathal closed his eyes and a shimmering amber-gold light surrounded him, swirling, sparkling, obscuring Cathal from view. A moment later, the gold faded away. Cathal wasn’t there anymore.

You can find out more about The Artist's Masquerade here. Right now, The Artist's Masquerade and my other Dreamspinner books are all 30% off. Thanks for reading!
5 Comments

Rainbow Snippet May 12-13

5/12/2018

8 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 Artist's Masquerade. Cathal has just found out that Flavian has been disguising himself as Lady Flavia, and he wants to know why and if Flavian is a danger to Tournai. (I went a little over six sentences this week—sorry!)
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​Flavian was still watching him, but he glanced past Cathal too, toward the door. “I thought the guards were going to come drag me away.”

He realized that Flavian always spoke in a low whisper, probably to disguise that his voice wasn’t feminine, only now that he didn’t. The
difference was disconcerting. Everything about it was disconcerting.

“I thought I’d wait on that for a little while. Until I know more.” Cathal stepped farther into the room. “You say you haven’t done anything
wrong. You’re going to prove it to me.”

“And how am I going to do that?”

Cathal held up the small vial filled with vivid blue liquid. “This is
a truth potion. You’re going to drink it, and you’re going to answer my questions.”

“Am I?” Flavian snapped and folded his arms across his chest. “Why would I agree to that?” 


​

If you'd like to know more about The Artist's Masquerade, you can find it here. The Artist's Masquerade and my other DSP titles are 35% off this weekend. It's a great time to give one a try! Thanks for reading and have a lovely weekend!
8 Comments

Rainbow Snippet April 14-15

4/14/2018

5 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, I have a snippet from The Artist's Masquerade for you. Cathal and Flavian are sharing secrets.
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​Cathal smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. “So, another secret. Do I know them all now?”


“Do you want to?”

“Very much.” There was such intensity in Cathal’s eyes—heat, yes, but not just heat. It took Flavian’s breath.

​
“And what about me? Do I know all your secrets?”  


If you'd like to know more about The Artist's Masquerade, you can find it here (and if you'd like to add it to your paperback collection, it's 30% off at Dreamspinner this weekend in their paperback sale). Thanks for reading today!
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The Artist's Masquerade is DSP's Daily Deal

2/27/2018

0 Comments

 
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​The Artist's Masquerade is $1.99 at Dreamspinner today (February 27th) only in their Daily Deal! If you haven't read this opposites attract romance between a sharp-tongued artist in disguise and the too-proper son of a duke (with spies and intrigue and family drama and magic too), today is a perfect time to get it and give it a try.

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Rainbow Snippet February 24-25

2/24/2018

8 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, I decided to share a snippet from The Artist's Masquerade.
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Flavian slipped inside, and Cathal shut the door behind him. Cathal turned back to look at him, the surprise on Cathal’s face giving way to pleasure and then concern. “What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

Cathal hesitated. “You look upset.”

Flavian just looked at him for a moment. Cathal standing there,
somehow more handsome in the loose shirt and breeches than in his court finery, with concern for Flavian softening his features. “I am upset. I shouldn’t have bothered you though.”

“Yes, you should. You can always come to me.”

The quiet, simple statement stunned Flavian and left him floundering for words. 

​

If you'd like to know more about The Artist's Masquerade, you can find it here. Thanks for stopping by today!
8 Comments

Rainbow Snippet January 13-14

1/13/2018

8 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 a snippet from The Artist's Masquerade for you today. Yesterday was Kiss a Ginger Day, so I thought I'd give you a bit with one of my favorite redheads, Flavian. (Cathal speaks first in this snippet)
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​“You’re beautiful.”


Flavian’s head snapped back around so sharply Cathal winced. But Flavian just stared at Cathal, eyes wide. “I’m not.”

“You are. Just as you are.” He emphasized those last words and watched Flavian, waiting until he saw something dawn in the cerulean of Flavian’s eyes. Cathal stepped forward, closing the few steps between them. Taking Flavian’s face between his hands, he kissed him. 


​

If you'd like to know more about The Artist's Masquerade, you can find it here. Also, The Artist's Masquerade and my other Dreamspinner titles are all 25% off there through January 17th. Thanks for stopping by!
8 Comments

Rainbow Snippet November 11-12

11/11/2017

11 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+.

This week, I'm snippeting from The Artist's Masquerade. Flavian is thinking about Cathal and reminding himself (again) that's a bad idea to be interested in Cathal at all.
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​Cathal confused him. So much. His heart still beat too fast as he remembered the look in Cathal’s eyes, all simmering heat and impishness. And Flavian liked that, far more than was good for him. He liked other things about Cathal too—flashes of heart and humor that came through at the oddest times, past the outer shell of propriety and rigid adherence to duty. And that smile of his, not the practiced, polite smile Flavian had seen often, but the real one that had graced Cathal’s lips tonight... that had been beautiful.

​
But Cathal was rigid and overly proper and infuriating at times and betrothed to Flavian’s friend. 



If you'd like to know more about The Artist's Masquerade, you can find it here. Thanks for stopping by today!
11 Comments

Rainbow Snippet August 5-6

8/5/2017

10 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 I'm sharing a snippet from The Artist's Masquerade. We're in Cathal's point of view here.
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​He knocked on the suite’s door and entered at Amory’s call. There was an undercurrent of laughter in his voice that Cathal could discern even though the words were muffled. When he walked inside, he found Philip and Amory on the couch, Amory curled into Philip’s side, one of Philip’s arms holding him there as he tried to rise. Amory was smiling, his gaze filled with affection as he looked at Philip, and Cathal was suddenly hit with a bolt of something like jealousy. Not that Philip had Amory, though Amory was certainly beautiful, but that Philip and Amory had that bond. Theirs was a marriage of love and support. And for the first time maybe, Cathal admitted how much he wanted that for himself. 



Find out more about The Artist's Masquerade here. And today is the last day to use coupon code ELIZABETH for 40% off your order at Dreamspinner. Don't miss out!
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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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