Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Wednesday Briefs: Don't Look Back #39 (7.6)

Happy Hump Day one and all, and welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Briefs! We bring you flash fiction for your entertainment, stories between 500 and 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts!

In Don't Look Back, we wrap up the Thanksgiving celebration with Marshall and Lee and Roy, and join them as they give thanks for what they have. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Don't Look Back #39 (7.6)


Lee slid a reassuring arm about Marshall’s shoulder. Marshall appreciated that he didn’t try to make light of his fears, or treat him like a child, but as an equal. Neither did he sweep the unpleasant subject under the rug and out of sight. Lee was one who faced things head on and dealt with them.

“Keep looking,” he said to Roy, who nodded. “We don’t even know we have a reason to worry. There’s no reason to think she even saw that video, but we can’t be too careful, either. I’d feel a whole lot more comfortable if we could get that thing pulled off the Internet. Is there a way of finding out who posted it?”

“Probably, but I’m afraid we’ll draw more attention to ourselves if we put up a fuss about it,” Roy replied, “then if we do nothing.”

“Well, one good thing,” Marshall spoke up.

“What’s that?”

“She can’t come to Burnham without sticking out like a sore thumb.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Roy agreed.

Lee hugged Marshall close before he kissed him, then rose to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I need to check on dinner.” He headed toward the back of the house. Marshall rose too.
“Need to start the macaroni and cheese, get it done.”

“I’ll come with,” Roy said amiably, reaching for his bottle. He followed Marshall into the kitchen and watched him start a pot of water to boil.

“Roy, did you ever meet her?” Marshall found he couldn’t seem to not think about her, so gave up the effort.

“No, we never did meet. I kept my distance once I found her. There wasn’t any need. I had an operative who did. Said she was from the school district, checking up on you because you weren’t registered for school.”

“Bet she said I was homeschooled, didn’t she?” Marshall’s voice held more than a little contempt.

“Yep, that she did.” Roy took a long drink of his beer before continuing. “We couldn’t press the point. Afraid we might spook her. Couldn’t take the chance of losing you. Don’t know what Lee would have done if we had. He was… I never saw anyone so intent and so lost at the same time. He was like a man possessed. No way was he going to fail. He never gave up hope of getting you back, and he made me believe too."

“That’s when you became friends, isn’t it?”

Roy nodded. “Yep. Spent a lot of time together, except when he was in Burnham, getting your life ready. See what I mean? He had faith we’d find you and bring you back. He loves you so very much, always has.”

“And I love him that much too,” Marshall said softly. He turned his back to Roy for a moment. He poured salt into the boiling water as he brought his roiling emotions under control then added a box of elbow macaroni. “I knew she was lying when she told her boyfriends he was dead. I don’t know why, but I knew he was out there somewhere, searching for me.” He fell silent and stirred the pasta. Turning to the microwave, he put seven minutes on the kitchen timer, then looked back at Roy.
“Do you ever miss being a PI?”

Roy shook his head. “Not really. I like being sheriff. And I like being here with the two of you. What more could a man ask for?” He winked at Marshall. Marshall couldn’t help but grin.

At that moment, he heard the back door, and then Lee entered the kitchen. His face was flush from bending over the smoker. In one hand he held a fistful of red blossoms. Marshall recognized them instantly. Oxblood lilies. Sarah, from across the street, had brought them the bulbs as a gift, and Marshall had watched her place them in both the front and back yards. She told him they practically planted themselves, and he’d been fascinated by the idea.  Marshall wondered why Lee was carrying them now.

Marshall heard Roy clear his throat. “Gotta see a man about a horse,” he mumbled before he made a hasty exit.

Lee approached Marshall, held the flowers out to him.

“Are those for me?” Marshall asked, surprised.

“Absolutely. Want to put them into something and set them on the table? Thought they’d look nice.”
Marshall had set the kitchen table for the occasion, with their best dishes and silverware, and a tablecloth. “They’re beautiful, thank you.”

Lee leaned toward him, and their lips met in a gentle kiss. Marshall read the message in Lee’s beautiful dark eyes. Don’t worry. I’m here. Always.

Once everything was done, the turkey rested and carved and everything set on the table, the three men took their places. For some people, tradition demanded a grace be said before every meal. While they didn’t follow that particular precept, on Thanksgiving, they had their own custom of giving thanks for what they had.

“Okay, I’ll start,” Roy said, as they looked toward him expectantly. “I’m thankful for my life here in Burnham, for being the sheriff, and for the mostly beautiful weather we have.”Marshall chuckled. “Most of all, I’m thankful for having the two best friends a man could ask for, the best men I know.”

Marshall and Lee raised their beer bottles in acknowledgement of Roy’s heartfelt words, and they each drank to him.

“Okay, I’ll go next,” Lee offered. “I’d like to give thanks for how successful the business is, and for the good life we have here in Burnham. For Roy, who helped me get my heart back and gave me back my life. And Marshall, who is my heart.”

Choked with emotion, Marshall managed to say, “I’d like to give thanks for my life, and for Roy, who’s an awesome friend and an incredible person. And most of all, for Lee, my love, my heart and soul, for always.”

They lifted their bottles in unison. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

to be continued

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Monday, March 23, 2015

Virtual Book Tour: Adverse Effects

Available Now!

Published by Dreamspinner Press
Buy Links:
Amazon: (Coming Soon, I’ll forward this as soon as I get it)

Synopsis: Saving Caeorleia Book Two
Dade, human-Caeorleian hybrid and ex-military grunt, doesn’t fit in—not with humans, not with aliens, not anywhere. He’s always on the outskirts, angry, and people aren’t sure they can trust him. When he encounters a compatible tziu named Yaseke, secrets, misunderstandings, and attacks nearly prevent the two from making a connection Dade sorely needs. Even after they unite, Dade and Yaseke face challenges that two newly joined males should never have to endure.

From traitorous council members, to sadistic aliens who plan to sell them as slaves, to meeting a mysterious race of revered aliens called Collectors, Dade and Yaseke manage to stay together—and even rescue two youths related to Yaseke, who’ve lost their parents to the same betrayer.

Someone from Dade’s past is at the root of everything he’s suffered. No way can he let them get away with what they’re planning, but Dade isn’t sure he can stop them on his own. If he doesn’t let go of his isolation and risk the pain letting others in will bring, he’ll never save Caeorleia in time.

Excerpt: Chapter One
Sunlight glared off the silver surface of the lake, blinding me where I crouched away from everyone. The guard currently assigned to me stood at my back, making my skin crawl. I shivered, even though it was hot enough I was sweating. I never knew when one of them might try to touch me.
The water cooled my fingers when I dipped them in, making small swirling circles ripple around my hand. My hovering shadow, a guard assigned to follow me around, shouted over to the guards who were with the main group lounging together beside the lake. The sound startled me, and I jerked, splashing water over my robe. I glared at him from the corner of my eye, but my guard was talking to Fieo and not paying that much attention to me. Nicklaus was sitting in the shade of the weird brown trees by the water. He was busy talking to Ryker, the other human who’d set us free from the military scientists.
Over the last few days, things had settled down. Those Caeorleian Council guys were no longer trying to force us into matches with their own people. Ryker’s guy had really told them off, calling it the rape it would have been. The other two men might want one of these pale aliens touching them, but I didn’t. I wasn’t sure what would happen to us on their planet, but I didn’t need anyone pawing at me. I’d known I would need more information, so I pumped the only person I could. Ryker had spent a few afternoons telling us everything he’d learned living on Caeorleia, which was the name of their planet.
I’d tried to absorb everything about the Caeorleians, treating what he told me like a debriefing. Before Ryker and his isit had rescued us, the only term I’d heard the planet called was MC-214-XXV. It had been the subject of a lot of speculation among the rank and file since it’d been discovered. The rest of the time I stayed in my room, avoiding the guards. Especially the one always hovering over Nicklaus. It creeped me out to see the way he watched him every second—so possessive. Fieo never touched Nicklaus but focused on him with a single-minded intensity.
Ryker and his alien guy, Seral, were never far apart, either. Being part of that kind of constricting relationship would’ve driven me insane. A slave to a need not my own? No. Not on the agenda.
I sighed, dipping my other arm in the water up to my wrist. It was really too hot out in the sun, but the shade of those weird sampanga trees was filled with naked aliens. And as tempting as the water was, I didn’t want to go swimming. That would involve taking off my robe.
I was not comfortable with that, even if it seemed like almost everyone on this planet shunned clothing. I’d never seen so many cocks and balls, and I’d been in military school and then actually joined the Space Forces as a teenager. Close quarters with a lot of guys was nothing new, but I couldn’t believe the Caeorleians’ blasé attitude toward nudity. Ryker had told us about the confusion over the different concept of clothing he’d encountered when he first showed up. Ryker ran around in a pair of shorts and had given Nicklaus a few pairs. I was too big for his shorts, so I had to wear the aliens’ version of a skirt and robe.
It was awkward. I’d tried to wear my pants I’d been wearing when we fled the ship, but it was too hot. I was not going to go naked, though, not like these aliens.
A shadow fell over me. I dipped my shoulder and spun as I surged to my feet. The guard who had come up behind me seemed startled and looked at me uncertainly as I glared at him.
“Don’t touch me!” I snapped, clenching my hands into fists, barely resisting the urge to show him my fangs. “What do you want?”
He held up his hands and took a step back. “Sorry. Everyone is going inside; it’s too hot out here. Seral has invited you to eat with him, and the midday meal will be served soon.”
I grimaced. Being stuck in a crowd of people around a table was the last place I wanted to be, but I didn’t feel like I had much of a choice. I waited for the guard to move after he gestured at the path. The guard took another few steps away from me, but he didn’t start walking toward the building until I walked past him. Then he followed me. I ground my teeth, my shoulders hunching up.
I could have been safe the past five years, in a hovel back on my home planet, working in a factory as a drone assembler or something. I might have more freedom to move around on Caeorleia than I’d had on the ship Ryker and Seral rescued me from, but at this point I wasn’t sure how much better it was here.
Damn scientists.

Author Bio:
 Alicia Nordwell is one of those not so rare creatures, a reader turned writer. Striving to find an interesting story one day, she decided to write what she wanted instead. Then the voices started... Yep, not only does she talk about herself in the third person for bios, she has voices in her head constantly clamoring to get out.

Fortunately, with the encouragement of her family and friends, she decided for her own sanity to keep writing. Now you can find her stories both free and e-published. When she’s not on the computer typing away, she's a wife and a mom of two in the dreary, yet ideal for her redhead complexion, Pacific Northwest. Except for when she disappears into one of the many worlds in her head, of course!

She can also be found quite often at her blog, where she has a lot of free fiction for readers to enjoy or working hard, or maybe hardly working, as an admin on GayAuthors.org under her online nickname, Cia.
**SPECIAL CONTEST**

Share or post about my eBook on Facebook or Twitter, tagging me via my social media accounts above, and you’re entered in a contest to win a $5 Gift Card as my thanks for helping me get the word out about my newest eBook. This contest runs March 23rd only! Contest ends at 11:59 PM, PST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced March 24th on my blog. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Wednesday Briefs: Don't Look Back #38 (7.5)

If it's Wednesday, it's not only Hump Day, it's time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! Every week we bring you our flash fiction, stories from 500 to 1000k, inspired by one of our prompts.

This week, in Don't Look Back, the Thanksgiving celebration continues, but Marshall can't help but wonder if their Internet exposure will bring unintended results. And don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Don't Look Back #38 (7.5)


“Knock, knock, anybody home?” Roy’s voice came to them from the front door. Marshall knew the sheriff wouldn’t wait, but would let himself in. The shout out was just a courtesy to him and Lee.

“Come on in!” Lee hollered back.

“I’ll get those beers now,” Marshall offered, as he slid out of Lee’s arms. No need to ask if Roy wanted one; that was a given. Lee held him close, not releasing him quite yet.

“We can talk more later, if you like?” He gave Marshall a significant look that Marshall understood immediately. They were shelving the subject for now, but it wasn’t off-limits. Nothing between them was.

“Okay,” he agreed, grateful for Lee’s understanding.

Lee searched his eyes, as if looking for confirmation of something, then kissed him softly and swatted his butt. “Okay,” he echoed. Marshall headed to the kitchen. He wanted to take a minute to gather himself before facing Roy. He could hear Roy’s voice as he joined Lee in the family room.
Marshall opened the refrigerator, grabbed three beers, than used his hip to close it again. He’d left room on one shelf for Roy’s pies. The bottles of beer lay flat on another shelf. He’d replenish them as needed.

He wondered if Roy would have any news about his mother. In Marshall’s mind, it was hard to think of her that way. Even as a boy, he’d never called her “Mom” or “Mother”. She’d discouraged the practice, and insisted he refer to her as Rhonda, especially in front of the men she collected, like so many notches on her bed post. Fear of aging, no doubt. Or the desire not to acknowledge that she had a child.

As far as he was concerned, she didn’t.

Just thinking that made him feel better. He didn’t care what she thought of him, and he knew Lee felt the same. Even if she found them—and that was a big if, assuming she even wanted to after eight years—what could she do to them?

“Hey Marshall.” Roy’s voice broke into his reverie. He realized, with a guilty start, he was still holding the beers, his mind on the past.

“Hey, Roy. I was just bringing these in.”

“Let me set these up and I’ll give you a hand. “ Roy held a plastic bag in one hand. Marshall recognized the familiar logo of the grocery store.  He watched Roy open the fridge and slide the entire bag onto the open shelf.

“What kind?” Marshall asked, curious.

“Pumpkin and pecan.” Roy turned, took one of the beers from Marshall. Marshall held onto his own and Lee’s.

“Sounds good.” Marshall followed Roy back into the family room, where Lee waited for them, on the couch. Roy sank set his beer next to it, then sank into his usual spot at the end of the couch, tilting his hat back as he did.

Lee indicated the spot beside him with a nod of his head, reaching for the bottles. He took them as Marshall situated himself next to Lee. Lee’s proximity was always very comforting, but especially so right now. Having Roy close at hand didn’t hurt either.

“You know, I read the damnedest thing on the Internet today.” Roy tilted his bottle back and took a drink before continuing. “Some guy in Hawaii has this restaurant where he serves an alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.”

“An alternative?” Lee looked skeptical. “Like what? Chicken? Duck? Or something worse, like tofu?”

“Dude, how can it be Thanksgiving without turkey?” Marshall quizzically asked.

“Spam,” Roy informed them.

“Spam?” Marshall and Lee spluttered in unison.

“Yep, Spam.” Roy confirmed. “Do you believe that?”

“I don’t,” Lee said. “Never heard of such a thing. What in the world is he thinking?”

“Do a lot of people there go for that?” Marshall asked.

“Apparently it’s a pretty big thing there. Go figure.”

Lee snorted. “I don’t see it ever catching on around here.”

“That’s a fact,” Roy agreed. “Hey, do you remember that time we were up in New York City, that little hole in the wall place we ended up in on Thanksgiving?”

Marshall watched Lee, as he thought back. “You went to New York City?” he asked.

“We did,” Lee answered. “Went a lot of places, searching for you.” He reached for Marshall’s hand, clasped it in his own. A soft shiver stole through Marshall’s frame.

“I do remember that place, yeah,” he addressed Roy’s question. “Don’t remember the name, and it sure wasn’t much to look at, but the food was really good, and they had some of the best stuffing I think I’ve ever had. Do you remember what the cook said he put in it?”

“Can’t say I do, but I know it wasn’t Spam.” Roy grinned broadly, and Lee laughed. Marshall just shook his head.

“Chorizo. That’s what it was,” Lee suddenly remembered. “Damn tasty.”

“Was I in New York City?” Marshall asked. So much of that time was a blur, and he didn’t always know where they were. He did know Rhonda tended to stay to the north and central part of the country, probably afraid if she went too far south, Lee might find them.  She might feed her lovers the bullshit story that Lee was dead, but her actions spoke loudly that she knew the truth. And that she feared the truth.

“We thought you were, but the lead didn’t pan out,” Roy said apologetically. “Turned out to be another boy and his mother. They were on the run too, but for legitimate reasons.”

“Abuse?” Marshall was almost afraid to ask. Roy nodded.

A moment of silence fell among them, broken only by the contented sounds of beer drinking.

“Do you know where she is?” Marshall asked at last. He felt Lee tighten his clasp about his hand.

“Unfortunately, no. She’s a hard woman to track. She doesn’t work, doesn’t set down roots, has nothing in her name.”

Marshall couldn’t contain his shiver.

to be continued


 Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!







Monday, March 16, 2015

Virtual Book Tour: To Touch the Sky




Book Name: To Touch The Sky
Series? Leap of Faith                                     If yes, what number? Book Two
Standalone? The book ‘could’ be a standalone, but it would work better read in order.
Release Date: April 3, 2015
Author Name:  M.A. Church
Author Bio:
M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or sitting glued to HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.
She was a finalist in the Rainbow awards for 2013.

Where to find the author:
Other: Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007A8JA4C

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Blurb(s):

He can run, but he can’t hide…

Centuries ago, Hawk made a terrible mistake which has haunted him since. Fear of responsibility and feelings of unworthiness leads him to denying the mate Wha-tay showed him in a vision. So now Hawk runs his bar, has casual sex, and never, ever dates men with blond hair and brown eyes. But then Simon walks into his bar, and the future he’s feared is about to end up in a brawl if Hawk doesn’t do something—fast.

Simon Carter has a smart mouth and a bulldog temperament. So when Hawk runs, Simon pursues the sexy man, only to be rejected. Just as Simon decides to give up, someone—or something—visits him to change his mind… and scares him to death. Now Simon is backpedaling, and Hawk is in pursuit.

Desperate to reassure Simon, and keep him safe, Hawk is forced to reveal his secrets before he’s ready. Can Simon learn to accept things aren’t always as they seem? Is the connection between them strong enough to help Hawk overcome centuries of pain? The only way the two men will move beyond Hawk’s past is for both of them to take a leap of faith.

Categories: Fiction, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Paranormal (shifters), Romance

Excerpt:
Two hours later he was back up, pacing the floor, beyond annoyed. Why was he doing this now? He knew who his mate was supposed to be, and he wanted no part of it. He was responsible for himself only, and he liked it that way. Too bad the spirit that shared his body didn’t agree.
Really? What about all those people at the bar who depend on you?
“It’s not the same thing, and you know it.” A quick glance out his bedroom window confirmed dawn was about to break.
Freaking A, arguing with you is like arguing with a signpost. Why don’t you go stretch your wings, old man? We’ll chill on the breeze. Shift and we’ll find a nice juicy pigeon or rabbit for breakfast. That sounds dee-lish.
Hawk rolled his neck. His totem spirit’s mentality was that of a fifteen-year-old hopped up on sugar and running on three hours of sleep. The spirit was very old, but damned if it acted its age.
Whatever, dude. Just do something, will ya?

Pages or Words: 67,000 words

Tour Dates & Stops:
16-Mar

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27-Mar

30-Mar

3-Apr

6-Apr

10-Apr

13-Apr

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paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6220


Rafflecopter Prize: E-book copy of Shadows in the Night (#1)  and To Touch the Sky (#2)
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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Wednesday Briefs: Don't Look Back #37 (7.4)

Hump Day already? My goodness, time does fly! And we even had a time change since last week, didn't we? The start of Daylight Savings Time!

So if it's Wednesday, it must mean it's time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We bring you little bits of fiction from 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts!

This week, the anniversary celebration of Marshall and Lee ends with a bang, and it's on to Thanksgiving! See what the boys are up to in this week's episode of Don't Look Back. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Don't Look Back #37 (7.4)


Hard and swift. Just the way Marshall wanted and needed their lovemaking to be.

He lost himself in Lee, in the short hard strokes with which he pounded him into sweet oblivion. Lee held Marshall’s legs in a firm grip, so Marshall took other matters into his own hands. He stroked his cock until he reached the precipice and then pushed himself over, crying Lee’s name as he came. Lee continued to push inside him until he too reached the point of no return and filled Marshall with his hot seed. Afterward, spent, they wound their arms around one another and cuddled as they caught their breath.

“Happy anniversary, Lee,” Marshall murmured, basking in the contented glow that stretched from one end of his body to the other.

“Back atcha,” Lee replied. He lowered his head to tenderly nuzzle at Marshall’s neck. “Never forget,” he said softly, “I want to spend forever with you, and only you…”

“Me too,” Marshall affirmed. He breathed a long sigh of relief and relaxed into Lee’s love.
* * * *
Three weeks after their anniversary, it was time for Thanksgiving.  This was a holiday they always spent with Roy, who joined them at their home for the occasion. Everyone had his part to play in preparing the meal. Lee roasted the turkey in the smoker, Marshall was responsible for side dishes and keeping the kitchen clean, while Roy’s job was to provide dessert. Usually he brought a traditional pumpkin pie and whatever else tickled his fancy at the grocery store. And of course there would be plenty of beer. And football. Texas A&M was playing LSU that night, and they wouldn’t miss that game for the world.

A light drizzle fell late morning, but Marshall knew a little bit of water wouldn’t keep Lee from smoking the turkey. The smoker was under the overhang at the back of the house, well out of harm’s way. Despite the drizzle, the temperatures were pleasant, especially for November. Marshall couldn’t help but remember the deep snow that had often blanketed Fargo, and how much he’d hated it as a kid. Of course, that had a lot to do with the life he’d led with his mother.

Marshall hadn’t been able to stop worrying since he’d found out about the You Tube video of him and Lee, despite his best efforts not to think about it. He watched Lee for any sign that something was wrong, but Lee didn’t show any evidence he was concerned about anything.  Neither did Roy, come to think of it. Roy knew all about them, and obviously knew the circumstances of Marshall’s kidnapping, since he’d been the one to help rescue him. He’d be the one Lee would turn to if there were any trouble. Marshall knew Roy was looking into things for them, but so far he didn’t seem to have found anything.

“Hey, want another beer?”

Marshall was so lost in thought he hadn’t heard Lee enter the living room until he was at his elbow. Marshall glanced at the bottle in his hand. It was empty. “Yeah, sure, why don’t I get one?” He took a step toward the kitchen, but Lee stopped him, sliding his arms about Marshall’s waist.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’re out in the ozone somewhere. And I don’t think it’s football you’re thinking about, either. Or turkey.”  Lee looked deeply into Marshall’s eyes, as if searching for answers there.

“When did you know you were gay?” Marshall blurted out. Lee’s eyebrows arched.

“Well, I’m not sure I am gay, if you want to be technical. People might say I’m bi more than gay.”

“You mean because you married a woman and had a child?”

“Yeah, that has something to do with it, sure.” Lee nodded. “With me, it’s not about body parts, or who fits where. It’s people, if that makes sense.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense,” Marshall said slowly. “I was just wondering… I mean…” But he couldn’t get the words out; they stuck in his throat. He wasn’t even sure he really wanted to know. He was treading in dangerous waters here, subjects generally not discussed between them. But they were burning a hole in his brain right now.

“Ask me anything,” Lee encouraged him. “Anything at all.” He raised one hand and gently stroked Marshall’s cheek.

“Did you ever love her?” Marshall’s voice came from far away. He dropped his eyes, half afraid of what he might see.

Lee didn’t answer right away, and Marshall tensed in his grip, until he heard Lee take a deep breath and clear his throat. He looked up.

“I’d like to say yes, but I think that would be a lie. I don’t think I loved her any more than she loved me. We just ended up together because… well, because it was a small town, we were both there, and we thought it was a good idea at the time. And it worked for a little while.”

“Did you get married because of me?”

“We got married because it seemed the thing to do. I didn’t exactly have a choice. Her old man had a shotgun, and he knew how to use it. But don’t ever think I didn’t want you, ‘cause I did. And I wanted to make us work as a family, I really did. I tried. Damn hard.  But she wasn’t exactly the domestic type.” Lee shrugged.

Marshall knew that only too well, didn’t he? She’d never been a real mother to him, and in all of his memories of her, she seemed more annoyed with him than anything. Like she didn’t know what to do with him, and didn’t want to find out. Most of the time, she just wasn’t there. And that’s the way he liked it. He realized that he wanted it to stay that way.

“What if she finds us?” he fretted. “What if she comes here?”

“We’ll deal with it.” Lee kissed him.

to be continued

Now see what the other Briefers are up to!






Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Wednesday Briefs: Don't Look Back #36 (7.3)

Good morning and welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Briefs! Flash fiction brought to you on a weekly basis by some of your favorite authors! Every week we present flash fiction between 500 and 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts! Join us and have some fun!

In last week's episode of Don't Look Back, Marshall and Lee discovered they are in a video on You Tube. At first, Marshall doesn't care, but he can see Lee does, and then he realizes why. Now they go home and celebrate their anniversary in style! Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to! Their links follow my tale!

Don't Look Back #36 (7.3)


Lee gripped one of Marshall’s hands in his, while Marshall leaned silently against him. Nothing more was said for the duration of the ride home, but Marshall understood the unspoken message: they were in this together, and nothing would force them apart. Nothing, and no one.

Once they were home, they shut down the house for the night and headed for the bedroom. Despite his dismay at the news of their newly acquired Internet status, Marshall was determined not to let it affect their evening. This was their anniversary, three years of loving one another, and nothing could detract from that.

When Lee came out of the bathroom, Marshall was waiting for him. He pressed against him, his fingers reaching for the buttons on Lee’s Western-style shirt. Lee covered Marshall’s hand with his own and gave him a questioning look.

“I believe you made me a promise earlier tonight,” Marshall murmured. He slid his hand between them, covering the growing bulge in Lee’s jeans.

“That I did,” Lee concurred, “if you’re sure—”

“What I’m sure of is that I love you, and these past three years have been wonderful. The best years of our lives are still ahead of us…”

He studied Lee’s face, waiting for his reaction. Lee’s familiar slow, lazy smile spread across his face, and Marshall’s heart swelled at the sight. Lee’s smile was so beautiful, it took Marshall’s breath away.

“I love you too,” Lee replied, “and this I promise. I’ll never stop loving you, and I’ll never stop being here for you, no matter what.”

There was nothing more to be said. They quickly undressed one another before tumbling onto the bed.

“Back or stomach?” Marshall asked.

“Back. I want to look at you while I make love to you.”

Lee’s words were balm on Marshall’s troubled soul. Nothing bad could happen to them; their love was too strong to break. This was forever, and even though Marshall was young, he knew their love was true and right.

He positioned himself as Lee got out the lube and slicked his erection. Marshall watched, turned on by the way Lee’s hand slid up his shaft. Someday he’d have to ask Lee to beat off just so he could watch him do it. Assuming he could resist the urge to touch him while he did.

“Hand me the lube,” he said, and when Lee did, Marshall greased two fingers and began to work them inside himself. Lee nodded his approval and watched him hungrily. When Marshall felt sufficiently loosened, he tossed the lube aside, and spread his legs.

“All yours,” he murmured, as Lee positioned himself between Marshall’s legs.

Three years of lovemaking, and Marshall still couldn’t get enough of Lee. As Lee sheathed himself inside Marshall’s heat, he welcomed him with his entire being, squeezing his muscles with practiced ease, gripping Lee’s cock. When Lee was fully seated, he stopped. He lifted Marshall’s legs to the level of his waist, allowing him to delve deeper inside him, and Marshall locked his ankles together, resting them just above Lee’s ass.

He could stay like this all day and night, if it was physically possible. Sadly, it wasn’t.

“Goddamn but you’re beautiful,” Lee told him in a reverential tone which reverberated through Marshall, enveloping his heart.

“And you’re very sexy,” Marshall murmured, “sexiest man I’ve ever seen…”

Lee began to move, slowly, inside of Marshall, and Marshall matched his pace with the thrusts of his hips. They had all night, no need for speed, no urgency other than the dictates of their hearts. Nothing else and no one else existed for them at this moment. This was their world and theirs alone.

When Lee pulled out of Marshall, without having come, Marshall started to protest, but Lee silenced him with a kiss. “Don’t want to finish yet, I want to taste you, then take you in the shower.”

Marshall couldn’t help but like that idea, with one modification.  “How about we sixty-nine?” he suggested.

“I like the way you think. Scoot over so I can get on bottom.”

Marshall made room for Lee, then rolled on top of him, his head between Lee’s legs and his ass and cock within reach of Lee’s mouth. A shiver of anticipation shook Marshall’s frame. He kissed the tip of Lee’s weeping cock, tasting his salty precum, before easing his lips around Lee’s erection. Lee took Marshall’s dick into his mouth, which was warm and moist, and began sucking on him in return.
Marshall was too wound up to hold out for long, especially with Lee’s expert tonguing action coaxing his orgasm from him. It seemed like they’d barely begun when Marshall tightened and released inside Lee’s mouth.  He continued his ministrations on Lee’s hard-on, and was rewarded with Lee’s load as he came.

Marshall reversed his position and snuggled into Lee’s arms as they caught their breath, before heading into the shower. There, they cleaned up together and played with some of their toys beneath the warm water.

Drying off, they returned to the bed and relaxed for a few minutes before beginning again.

Lee lay on his back, Marshall on his stomach beside him. He touched Lee’s chest, his fingers lightly brushing over Lee’s nipples, which stood at attention. Lee made no objection, so Marshall took one dusky nub into his mouth and sucked at it lightly. Lee’s hand slid down Marshall’s back, caressing his cheeks before he slid a finger inside of him. Marshall moaned around Lee’s nipple.  Lee continued, adding a second finger, dexterously reaching for Marshall’s prostate. When he touched it, Marshall quivered, his entire body alight like a pinball machine.

“Sounds like you’re ready for me,” Lee commented.

“Oh hell yeah. Fuck me again, please. Hard,” Marshall practically begged.

They changed positions, Lee taking the upper hand once more. No stretching was needed. Marshall was already relaxed. Lee pulled Marshall’s legs up to his shoulders and pushed inside him in one stroke.

 to be continued

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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Virtual Book Tour: Passing the Torch

Please welcome author LL Sanders, who is here to talk about her new release, Passing the Torch. LL will be giving away a $10 Amazon/BN GC and 3 PDFs of Pass the Torch to commenters via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more  you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on the tour, go here. Look for the Rafflecopter at the end of the post


PASSING THE TORCH
by L.L. Sanders

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BLURB:

Deep in the Arizona desert live a girl and her dad, burying secrets--and bodies.

Mesa Kingston's first memory of burying a corpse was at eight years old. Back then it had been the carcass of a large lizard her dad found that they buried in the backyard of their isolated cottage. At age fourteen, the body of a young lady accompanied the reptile's remains, and ever since, an accumulation of female bodies began to grow. Now, the only way Mesa can stop the haunting screams of the dead is by drowning them out with flames. Or is there more to the blaze than even she can perceive?


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EXCERPT:


Good girls do anything for their fathers, including rob, cheat, and kill, and I always considered myself a good girl. The time I first came to that conclusion will stay with me forever. Years later, here I am, still fulfilling my daughterly duty.

After wiping the sweat from my palm onto my jeans, I press the bulbous tip of the match against the strike strip on the side of the small carton. My hands shake worse than Grandma's had when trying to slice her ninety-first birthday cake just a few hours ago, but I manage to run the match across it anyway. The flame comes alive at my fingertips, dancing merrily at the prospect of latching on to something and disintegrating it into smoldering embers. Although the light breeze causes the flame to flicker at the end of the matchstick, I'm aware of the control I have over it. I watch the glow change shape through a veil of tears and with that the decision was absolute.

The flame will get to perform its destructive duty.

I flick the match toward the pile of wooden planks that used to be the porch. Instantly the fire catches the fumes of the pooled liquid and expands so quickly a wall of gasoline-scented hot air rushes me before the blaze travels deeper into the house. I back away to a safe distance as the straw-like grass crunches beneath my feet. Nearing the homemade fence, which is nothing more than a double row of chicken wire, I hear the screams from the distance, cries of agony that meld with my memory like two spreading pools of melted wax. I can't stop the waterworks. I don't even make an attempt.





~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

The L.L. stands for Leslie Lee. I write erotic romance and post-apocalyptic/dystopian fiction under Leslie Lee Sanders.

But horror and thriller fiction is what I grew up on, what inspires me, and what began my pursuit to authorship. I’ve written many short scary stories since the 6th grade. Now they’re much more mature in general, thanks to the wide range of emotion and experience I’ve encountered over the years.

I’m a huge fan of horror and psychological thrillers in every fashion, including movies, books, art, campfire tales, etc. Some of my favorite stories are those that twist at the end or are ambiguous with deep societal or morality themes. This includes dystopias like Hugh Howey’s Wool, psychological thrillers like Shutter Island, and popular and classic horror/romances like V.C. Andrews’s Flowers in the Attic, my favorite.

All my ideas start with a twist, which is exactly how most of my stories end.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lls4sanders
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/LeslieLSanders
WEBSITE: http://llsanders.com/

AMAZON BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TNTLTZY



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