Category: The Spymaster's Secret

Rainbow Snippet November 30-December 1

11/30/2019

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 16-17

11/16/2019

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“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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The Spymaster's Secret Is Out Now!

10/14/2019

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Happy book birthday to The Spymaster's Secret! I'm so excited this book is out in the world now for you to read and get to know Alexander and Marcus better. If you've read other books in the series, you might have met these two before (though you can certainly jump in right here if you haven't—all the books in the series stand alone). Marcus's first appearance was way back in the second book of the series, The Artist's Masquerade, and at the time, I didn't plan on writing a book for him. But, as I kept writing, Marcus kept popping up here and there, and then in The Dragon's Devotion, he and Alexander were in one scene together. They didn't even talk to each other, but Alexander was intrigued by Marcus—curious about what he does and drawn to him by his confidence and competence—and I knew I'd be writing their story soon.

They were such a fun couple to write—I seem to like writing opposites attract! Alexander is a royal cousin who is younger, flirtatious, and seemingly entirely frivolous, but he has hidden depths that few ever see, mostly because he doesn't let them. He is also endlessly curious (I tried to refrain from too many "curiosity killed the cat" references, considering the magical Talent of the royal family to change into cats!). Marcus is a serious, older widower with children...and the princes' spymaster. He's been alone since his wife died and has no intention of ever falling in love again. He never expected Alexander or the attraction they'd feel for each other. Still, they have to learn to open up, to trust both themselves and each other, if they're going to find love that lasts. And of course, there's magic and spies and intrigue along the way.

I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I did writing it!

About The Spymaster's Secret:

Alexander is doing his best to settle into life in Tournai’s royal palace after years living outside the country due to his father’s diplomatic work. The sense of belonging and home he feels is overwhelming, but none of his plans are going as he imagined. Many see him as only a lovely, charming adornment of the royal court and underestimate both his intelligence and abilities. His attraction to Marcus, a mysterious older man who does work for the prince, Alexander’s cousin, is unexpected but not unwelcome…if Marcus could possibly see who Alexander really is.

Lord Marcus is the second son of a minor noble family, a widower raising two children…and the prince’s spymaster. He knows his work is necessary for the security of the kingdom and its royal family, but he also knows it can be distasteful and dangerous to him and those around him. Marcus has vowed never to fall in love again, never to put anyone else at risk—a promise threatened for the first time by the vibrant, flirtatious Alexander. The attraction is unwelcome and entirely undeniable. He can’t believe someone like Alexander would want someone like him, but he also can’t stay away.

As they become ever more entangled, Marcus is investigating rumors of spies at work in Tournai’s university. As he gets closer to uncovering their plot, Alexander is drawn deeper into danger. Can their love survive when Alexander is put in peril by the very spies Marcus is hunting for?

Add to your Goodreads shelf.

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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

“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 September 28-29

9/28/2019

3 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've shared a few snippets from The Spymaster's Secret here as I worked through edits for the book, but I'm going to start sharing regular snippets for a little while because the book will be out on October 14th (less than a month!). The Spymaster's Secret is the next book in the Chronicles of Tournai series. It's the story of Alexander, a charming, flirtatious royal cousin with hidden depths, and Marcus, a mysterious, older widower with an important job for the princes. Alexander is immediately fascinated by him and wants to know more about him, and Marcus is captivated by Alexander...and absolutely does not want to be. This snippet takes place right after the last snippet I shared from The Spymaster's Secret. In the previous snippet, Marcus had come upon Alexander and his twin, Faelen, in the palace. In this snippet, Alexander is speculating about why Marcus was there and whether it has to do with a prisoner recently captured, and Faelen is wondering why Alexander is so interested.

Faelen fixed him with a sharp stare. “Are you more curious about what the prisoner has to say or about Lord Marcus?”

Alexander shrugged. “Who wouldn’t be curious about him?” Faelen’s stare didn’t lose one bit of its intensity. “Plenty of people.” “I suppose, or he wouldn’t be able to do his work--whatever it consists of.” He frowned briefly. “What does he do exactly?”

The first he’d seen or heard of Marcus was when Bastien, Philip’scousin, had been kidnapped. Philip had called in Marcus for help, as wellas Loriot. Marcus had been so calm, so confident. He’d discovered who’d taken Bastien and where. While those answers had been shocking, Marcus had found them through what was apparently an impressive skill for investigation and a network of informants or spies or whatever he called the people working for him.

Alexander could only be glad Marcus had no reason to turn their attention toward him. Of course, it also meant Marcus was unlikely to notice Alexander at all. Which was a shame--not that he wanted to be investigated, obviously, but Marcus was very attractive.

If you'd like to know more about The Spymaster's Secret (and for a longer excerpt and buy links), you can find it here. Thanks for reading today!

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Rainbow Snippet November 30-December 1

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

The Spymaster's Secret Is Out Now!

About The Spymaster's Secret:

Rainbow Snippet October 12-13

Rainbow Snippet October 5-6

Rainbow Snippet September 28-29

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