Antonia Aquilante
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Rainbow Snippets March 25-26

3/26/2023

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.

This month, I'm posting snippets from The Prince's Consort, my first published novel and the first book in my Chronicles of Tournai series. This is a prince/commoner romance with lots of magic, secrets, and intrigue. Amory is a commoner with a frankly horrible father, who tries to use him to bargain for more time on a late commission for the Crown Prince. Prince Philip has nothing but disgust for Amory's father but is intrigued by Amory. The two become closer but someone will do anything, even kill, to keep them apart. I've skipped ahead a bit for this snippet. Amory and Philip and now married and on their way back from their short wedding trip. But someone is not happy that they're married.
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“Maybe we should have taken the carriage,” he said.

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Amory glanced at him, his expression quizzical. “I thought you wanted to take advantage of the sunshine. Aren’t you enjoying yourself?” “I am, but I realized we could be enjoying ourselves quite a bit more alone in the carriage.”

Amory stared at him and then laughed, even as a faint blush tinted his cheeks a rosier shade of pink. “You’re terrible.”

“You love it. And this is our wedding trip, for a while longer anyway. 
We should make the most of it.” He let his smile become wicked and winked at Amory.

Amory shook his head fondly. “I think that’s what we’ve been doing since our wedding night, but I suppose we could slow down and wait for the carriage. We didn’t pass it very long ago. There might be enough time to—”

Amory broke off with a shout and a jerk of his shoulder.

“Amory? What—”

Star made a high sound that could only have been caused by pain and reared, dumping Amory, who had been struggling one-handed with the reins, onto the road. Fear coursed through Philip, turning his insides to ice, when Amory fell from his horse--that was before the arrow hit the road next to Amory.


​You can find out more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading today!
2 Comments

Rainbow Snippets March 18-19

3/19/2023

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.

This month, I'm posting snippets from The Prince's Consort, my first published novel and the first book in my Chronicles of Tournai series. This is a prince/commoner romance with lots of magic, secrets, and intrigue. Amory is a commoner with a frankly horrible father, who tries to use him to bargain for more time on a late commission for the Crown Prince. Prince Philip has nothing but disgust for Amory's father but is intrigued by Amory. The two become closer but someone will do anything, even kill, to keep them apart. In this snippet, Philip shares a secret with Amory. There is a legend in Tournai that states that huge magical cats once saved Tournai from being conquered and will return if the country is ever in danger, but no one knows it's based in truth. Tournai's royal family has magic that they've kept secret for generations—their ability to change into huge cats. Philip decides to trust Amory with the secret, and then show him.
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​Amory gasped. Philip hadn’t lied when he said he turned into 
a big cat, and he was like no cat Amory had seen before. His head would probably come up to Amory’s waist. His body was sleek and looked powerful; his fur a shimmering blue-black. But Amory wasn’t afraid. Philip’s unique eyes looked at him out of the cat’s face, and they still were brimming with worry.

“Is that you in there?”

The cat nodded.

Amory let out a long breath. “You’re gorgeous.”

Philip hesitated and then walked slowly toward Amory. When Amory didn’t move, Philip came right up to him and rubbed his head against Amory’s stomach. Amory let out a half laugh and lifted a hand to Philip’s head. His fur was silky soft, like Philip’s hair. Amory stroked both hands over Philip’s head and neck. The rumbled purr was similar to the sound Philip made when Amory stroked his hair, only louder.

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're staying safe and well!
2 Comments

Rainbow Snippets March 11-12

3/12/2023

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.

This month, I'm posting snippets from The Prince's Consort, my first published novel and the first book in my Chronicles of Tournai series. This is a prince/commoner romance with lots of magic, secrets, and intrigue. Amory is a commoner with a frankly horrible father, who tries to use him to bargain for more time on a late commission for the Crown Prince. Prince Philip has nothing but disgust for Amory's father but is intrigued by Amory. The two become closer but someone will do anything, even kill, to keep them apart. Here's a snippet of a conversation between Amory and his sister Adeline after Amory has been with Philip for a little while. Adeline may see something that Amory isn't ready to acknowledge. 
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​She nodded. “You want to understand so you can know him, so you 
can make his life easier whenever possible. It’s what you do for the people you love.”

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He stopped walking and gaped at her. “I didn’t say I love Philip. I haven’t known him long enough for love.”

She tilted her head and looked at him in the knowing way he found so irritating. “Fine, because it’s what you do for the people you care about.”

“Fine.” He accepted her correction and pushed all thoughts of love aside.

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading today!
3 Comments

Another Belated Rainbow Snippet

3/6/2023

0 Comments

 
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This weekend got away from me again and I didn't get a chance to post a Rainbow Snippet, so you're getting a belated one!

​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 month, I'm posting snippets from The Prince's Consort, my first published novel and the first book in my Chronicles of Tournai series. This is a prince/commoner romance with lots of magic, secrets, and intrigue. Amory is a commoner with a frankly horrible father, who tries to use him to bargain for more time on a late commission for the Crown Prince. Prince Philip has nothing but disgust for Amory's father but is intrigued by Amory. The two become closer but someone will do anything, even kill, to keep them apart. For this week's snippet, I'm sharing a first kiss.
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​The prince’s smile lit the room, like the su
n appearing, and Amory reeled, dazzled just looking at him. When he stood and held out a hand, Amory didn’t hesitate to take it and let himself be drawn to his feet. They were close together, so close Amory could feel the heat of the prince’s body. The prince leaned down the few inches separating them and brushed his lips over Amory’s.

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The kiss was light and quick, but utterly stunning. Amory knew his eyes were wide as he stared at the prince, his breath coming faster, a tingle of warmth shimmering over his entire body. All from one chaste kiss. He wondered what would happen when they really kissed.

The prince’s eyes were wide as well as he watched Amory. Had it felt the same to him? It had barely been a kiss, but it felt like a start. Maybe even a promise.

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. Also, The Prince's Consort and my other books are 50% off through March 11th at Smashwords—don't miss a great sale! Thanks for reading today!
0 Comments

Rainbow Snippets March 26-27

3/27/2022

3 Comments

 
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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 another snippet from The Prince's Consort for you this weekend. The Prince's Consort, the story of a prince and the commoner who fall in love and fight to be together when some people will do anything—even resort to murder—to keep them apart, was my first published novel back in 2015. It was rereleased in March 2020 by NineStar Press, and I thought I'd celebrate it with a few snippets this month. For this last weekend in March, I'm sharing a little banter between Philip and Amory as they travel home from a trip.
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“Maybe we should have taken the carriage,” he said.

​
Amory glanced at him, his expression quizzical. “I thought you wanted to take advantage of the sunshine. Aren’t you enjoying yourself?” “I am, but I realized we could be enjoying ourselves quite a bit more alone in the carriage.”

Amory stared at him and then laughed, even as a faint blush tinted 
his cheeks a rosier shade of pink. “You’re terrible.”

“You love it."

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're all staying safe and well.
3 Comments

Rainbow Snippets March 19-20

3/19/2022

3 Comments

 
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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 another snippet from The Prince's Consort for you this weekend. The Prince's Consort, the story of a prince and the commoner who fall in love and fight to be together when some people will do anything—even resort to murder—to keep them apart, was my first published novel back in 2015. It was rereleased in March 2020 by NineStar Press, and I thought I'd celebrate it with a few snippets this month. In this snippet, Prince Philip has surprised Amory by saying he wants to marry him.
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​“Everyone wants you to marry because you need someone to give 
you heirs. No one would be happy if you married me.”

“I would.” Philip stepped closer. “Because what I need is the man I 
love beside me, loving me, supporting me, as I do him, for the rest of our lives.”

“You...” The shock hit him so hard the word came out breathless. “You love me?”

Philip cupped his cheek. “Yes, I love you. Do you love me?”

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading today and I hope you're staying safe and well.
3 Comments

Rainbow Snippets March 12-13

3/13/2022

4 Comments

 
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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 another snippet from The Prince's Consort for you this weekend. The Prince's Consort, the story of a prince and the commoner who fall in love and fight to be together when some people will do anything—even resort to murder—to keep them apart, was my first published novel back in 2015. It was rereleased in March 2020 by NineStar Press, and I thought I'd celebrate it with a few snippets this month. Last week, I gave you Philip and Amory's first kiss. Today, I'm skipping ahead to Amory having a realization—and then getting distracted from it pretty quickly.
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​He was falling in love with Philip.

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The realization hit him so unexpectedly and with such force, he had to stifle a gasp. He couldn’t love Philip. They hadn’t known each other long enough for love, surely. And falling in love with a prince was a bad idea anyway.

However, he had little time to worry about it. Philip tugged him into their bedchamber, and before Amory could blink, he had Amory’s back against the closed door. Philip pressed against him and kissed him. The kiss was deep and passionate, but also sweet and almost reverent. Philip’s hands on his face felt cherishing, and the last of Amory’s nerves were swept away.

Philip pulled back a little. “Amory.”

“Yes,” he gasped in response to the rough whisper.

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're staying safe and well!
4 Comments

Rainbow Snippets March 5-6

3/5/2022

5 Comments

 
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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 took an unplanned break from Rainbow Snippets for a few weeks. In addition to...*waves hands around*...I was working on New Jersey Romance Writers JeRoWriMo challenge, trying to write 30k words in February. It was more difficult this year with my pandemic-addled brain, and I let some other things slip, but I'm back this week (with challenge completed!) and I have a snippet from The Prince's Consort for you. The Prince's Consort, the story of a prince and the commoner who fall in love and fight to be together when some people will do anything—even resort to murder—to keep them apart, was my first published novel back in 2015. It was rereleased in March 2020 by NineStar Press, and I thought I'd celebrate it with a few snippets this month. Here is Philip and Amory's first kiss.
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​The prince’s smile lit the room, like the su
n appearing, and Amory reeled, dazzled just looking at him. When he stood and held out a hand, Amory didn’t hesitate to take it and let himself be drawn to his feet. They were close together, so close Amory could feel the heat of the prince’s body. The prince leaned down the few inches separating them andbrushed his lips over Amory’s.

The kiss was light and quick, but utterly stunning. Amory knew his eyes were wide as he stared at the prince, his breath coming faster, a tingle of warmth shimmering over his entire body. All from one chaste kiss. He wondered what would happen when they really kissed.

The prince’s eyes were wide as well as he watched Amory. Had it felt the same to him? It had barely been a kiss, but it felt like a start. Maybe even a promise.

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're staying safe and well!
5 Comments

Rainbow Snippets July 24-25

7/24/2021

3 Comments

 
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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 sharing a snippet from The Prince's Consort, the first book in the Chronicles of Tournai series, this weekend. In this snippet, Amory meets Prince Philip for the first time. Amory is the second son of a glass merchant who is at the palace to discuss a commission with the prince. He has never involved Amory in the business before and he has an ulterior motive for bringing him along, but Amory doesn't know that yet. I went a little over six sentences, but I thought it was necessary this time.
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​He had only ever seen Crown Prince Philip Alexander Stefan Mael at a distance. The representations of him, the drawings, his face on the 
coins, didn’t come close to showing how handsome the prince was. Tall, broad-shouldered, and narrow-hipped, he was well-built, his physique obvious in his well-tailored clothes. His dark hair was perhaps slightly too long for fashion, but somehow that endeared him to Amory. The prince was only a couple of years older than him, but he looked more mature than his years, probably owing to his ascension to the throne at such a young age. Amory let his gaze roam over the prince’s form while his attention was on Father and Alban.

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Then, with a shock that took his breath, he found his gaze caught by the prince’s. Embarrassment at being caught staring spread heat over his face, but he couldn’t look away. Those eyes drew him in, staring into his as if they were trying to discern everything about him. Outlined in a thick fringe of lashes, the mix of green, amber, and gold all swirled together reminded him of a cat’s eyes. He supposed he was romanticizing plain hazel, but they captivated him, and it was a blow when the prince finally looked away.

You can find more about The Prince's Consort here. The Prince's Consort, along with my other books, is 50% off at Smashwords until the end of the month! Thanks for reading today, and I hope you're all staying safe and well.
3 Comments

Rainbow Snippets May 8-9

5/8/2021

5 Comments

 
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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 had such trouble deciding what to snippet from this week—I want to share some more of To Love the Dragon King, but I think I'd like to wait until it's a little closer to ready until I share a lot more. So, I decided to go back to my first published book and give you the first few lines of The Prince's Consort. Amory and his best friend Tristan are in high spirits on a spring day, and of course, Amory has no idea that everything is about to change when his (rather awful) father throws him into the path of the prince consort.
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​Amory giggled as he and Tristan practically fell through the garden gate. He slapped a hand over his mouth, but Tristan must not have heard. If he had, he would have teased without merc
y, as was his right as Amory’s closest friend. But Tristan tugged him along, barely giving him a chance to latch the gate behind them so the lock spell would reengage.

You can find out more about The Prince's Consort here. Thanks for reading, and I hope you're all staying safe and well.
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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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