Goodbye Scrooge
by Jaime Samms
short M/M holiday novella
$2.99

On Sale November 4

When beautiful, perfect basket ball hero Eric hits on grad student Marcus, it’s more than just another flirtation. Marcus realizes it’s time to take a good look at the difficult relationship he’s had with his unpredictable and bitter professor Julian for the past four years. He has to make a decision. Sure he’s ready to move on, he plans to give Julian one last Christmas gift; an unforgettable night, before he leaves.

He never expected to be the person who can’t get the passion they find on that last go round out of his head. His decision isn’t going to be as simple as he’d hoped. Maybe perfect isn’t everything after all.

Buy directly from Pink Petal Books on November 4.

Explore the world of Spellbound Treasure, a new multi-author series coming in November from Pink Petal Books. What would you by if you could visit a magical auction site and purchase the item of your dreams?

Fairytale (Spellbound Treasure)
by Mary Winter
M/F novella, Spellbound Treasure
$2.99

On Sale November 4

The facade of being the sibling rulers of the fairy realm, Caroann, crumbled long before Princess Lise had threaten to come between the true rulers of Caroann. The revelation sent Prince Lukos fleeing from the land into the human realms and left Lise wondering how she could heal the wounds she’d caused in her family, and in her heart.

The purchase of a pair of glass slippers from Spellbound Treasure brought Lise hope that she could convince Lukos his status as a commoner didn’t mean anything to her, and that they could follow their hearts and make both their dreams come true.

Lukos loved living in the human world, taking his commoner heritage and working with his hands as a carpenter. But there was someone he loved more–Lise. So when he’s contacted by Spellbound Treasure, he’s more than willing to make the delivery personally.

For Lise, seeing Lukos again means her dreams can come true. Except, how can she find her fairytale ending, when she’s been the wicked sister, and her Prince thinks nobility matters to the former fairy princess?

Buy directly from Pink Petal Books on November 4.

Visit the Spellbound Treasure website at

Sunstroked by Lex Valentine Tales of the Darkworld Book 6 m/m erotic werewolf/fae romance Cover art by Winterheart Design Save 15% now – $4.24 When wildling Corey Green discovers his mate is Seth Dylan, a tough as nails, dour werewolf from the McCallan clan, he thinks his life is set. However, Seth’s not out and doesn’t know if he wants to be. A pivotal sexual encounter between the men has Seth running scared and leaves Corey broken hearted. The men meet again nearly two years later and this time Seth’s out but Corey’s dark depression is about to send him behind the Veil of the Jewel Box to the fae world. Seth’s determined to make up for running out on Corey, but the wildling’s sunny disposition has gone so dark it may be too late for them to build a life together. With love on his side, Seth sets out to return the sunshine to Corey’s soul. EXCERPT: He glanced up as he stepped into a little side garden surrounded by tall yew hedges. Statues gleamed dully in the moonlight. He wondered what the heck they were but couldn’t make them out in the dim light. And then all rational thought left his head as Seth grasped his chin and pulled his head around. Hot firm lips pressed to his and Corey moaned, tasting the chocolate they’d eaten. His lips parted and his tongue flicked out. Seth opened his mouth and delicious heat fired Corey’s groin as their tongues touched. Seth pressed his hips to Corey’s, grinding his thick erection against Corey’s swelling cock. No matter how badly his head didn’t want this, Corey’s body overruled it. He wrapped his arms around Seth, clinging to him as they kissed. The hard muscles of Seth’s back rippled beneath the silk of his shirt and the flat of Corey’s palms. Intense pleasure spilled through Corey and he barely registered the fact that Seth had begun to maneuver him backward. The kiss broke when he bumped up against a statue, the cold stone barely registering through the back of his shirt because of the heat raging in his body. Seth stood pressed to his chest, panting, his eyes glittering in the low light as he tugged at the button and zipper of Corey’s slacks. “Gods! Seth, what are you doing?” Corey moaned, wondering if the werewolf would fuck him there in the garden. “Giving you pleasure, Corey. Showing you how much I want you,” Seth replied, his voice a low growl. He pushed Corey’s pants down, taking his boxers with them. Sucking in air, his heart beating rapidly, Corey looked down to see his cock rising from between his shirt tails and Seth kneeling on the grass. His eyes widened at Seth’s submissive posture. Before he could say a word or even think what to do, Seth wrapped one hand around the base of his cock. Corey moaned again. Seth touching his cock had to be the most pleasure he’d had since the night they’d spent together. As he watched, Seth lowered his mouth to the swollen head and licked it like an ice cream cone. Corey thought he’d lose it. His balls tightened painfully with the instant need to come. Seth worked his mouth skillfully down Corey’s thick erection. Panting and trying desperately not to make a fool of himself by coming after only a couple of licks and sucks, Corey watched his lover deep throat him. Flushed with lust, sweat beading his hairline, he stared incredulously as Seth expertly sucked his cock. Corey could barely believe Seth had only ever done this with him. He did it so well, Corey could easily accept that Seth had been sucking a different cock every night they’d been apart. Seth stared up at him, eyes intent and filled with dark emotion. Corey knew in that instant Seth hadn’t lied. The only cock he’d ever had in his mouth had been Corey’s. If Seth sucked him like an expert it was because he wanted Corey more than he had ever wanted anyone else. The truth melted Corey’s heart. Seth wanted him. He’d never done the things he did with Corey with any other man. Corey’s soul called to Seth’s. Seth might not have figured out why he only wanted to do these acts with Corey, but Corey knew. If he gave Seth time, the werewolf would figure out who his true mate was. It was inevitable. When Seth’s fingers dug into Corey’s buttocks, he shivered. His orgasm drew close, his spine tingling with the knowledge that pleasure’s peak lay only a few short licks and sucks away. Pumping his hips a little, fucking Seth’s face gently, Corey drifted on a plane where only his cock and Seth’s mouth existed. The hot wet suction, the slurping sounds, the tongue flicks, all drove him wild. A finger traced the crease of his ass and Corey lost it. His control shattered and his cock exploded in Seth’s mouth. Pumping his cum into his mate’s mouth, Corey clutched at Seth’s hair trying to keep his balance as his legs grew weak. Finally, tongue still swirling, Seth eased back, letting Corey’s spent penis slip from his lips. He stood and took Corey in his arms, nuzzling his throat. “Come to bed with me. Please, Corey,” he begged quietly. Reality splintered the pleasure zone Corey had been in. He stumbled back a step and bent to pull up his boxers and slacks. As he zipped up his pants, he met Seth’s dark, shuttered gaze. “I can’t. And this shouldn’t have happened.” He sighed. He wanted to be with Seth. Why the hell was he denying them both the pleasure? Seth’s eyes darkened. “I’m sorry,” he croaked hoarsely. “I just mean it’s too soon,” Corey hastened to explain, wanting to erase the darkness he saw filtering back into Seth’s expression. “I need a little more time to figure out my head.” His lover’s dark head bobbed in a nod. “I understand. I shouldn’t have pushed the issue tonight. But I’m done here in another couple of days. I want to know if I can see you when you go home.” A thrill of excitement caused Corey’s body to tremble. “I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “I don’t know what I want right now.” Seth stepped closer, his body rubbing against Corey’s. “Your body knows what it wants.” Unable to stop himself, Corey leaned in and kissed Seth. Short, hot, and sweet, their lips pressed together, open but with no tongue. He drew back and sucked in a deep breath. “I need to think.” Seth smiled, the movement of his lips sad and resigned. He stepped away from Corey. “I understand.” Corey walked away from his lover on unsteady legs. At the split in the yew hedge, he looked over his shoulder at Seth who still stood beside the statue. “Call me in the morning.” Read another excerpt, then purchase direct from Pink Petal Books.

Grounded by Jaime Samms urban fantasy/gay romance novella Cover art by Winterheart Design Save 15% now – $2.54 Ken and Mikko have overcome the hurdle of finding one another and coming to terms with the damage they both had done to their relationship. Happy to submit to Mikko’s rule, Ken has come a long way toward finding his own strength again and has decided he must officially end the relationship he’d left when he’d searched for Mikko. Awaiting Ken’s return is the hardest thing Mikko has ever had to do. The solitude forces Mikko to come to terms with his own shortcomings, and confront his own past, the secrets he’s kept, and the effect they may have on his lover. But when that same past knocks on their door, Mikko has to face the fact he might not be able to protect Ken any longer. Whether or not he finds the strength in himself to accept help may mean the difference between keeping their home and their lives safe or losing everything to the man Mikko thought they had escaped. EXCERPT: Mikko didn’t mention the second transformation, though he didn’t really get how Ken could not know it had happened. “I would much rather watch you move mountains with your abilities than fight.” “I had to.” “Had to what?” Mikko tilted his head. “Protect you. You’re mine.” “You’ve got it backwards, Kenny.” Mikko tipped his head back a little more, his chin pinched between thumb and fingers. “You. Are. Mine.” “Yes.” Ken’s lips moved, but no sound came out. “Say it.” Mikko took a step toward him and stared him down. “So I can hear it.” “I’m yours.” “Good boy.” Mikko released him and unbuckled his pants, pushed them down around his thighs to reveal his own cock. “When I imagine all the things I could do with you…” He stroked his hardening cock a few times. “Look what it does to me. Do you know what I imagine?” Ken shook his head. “I wouldn’t presume to know what my Master thinks.” A crooked smile lifted Mikko’s lips to one side. “You know, I would not have thought I would fancy the sound of you calling me that.” “Does it displease you?” Worry invaded Ken’s hooded eyes. “No, Kenny.” Mikko took a moment to run his fingers through Ken’s hair. “Because you say it as though you mean it.” “I do. You are my master, my teacher. And my dominant half.” He smiled suddenly. “I guess the only thing I have for you that isn’t tainted is my trust, because it has to be created new with every relationship.” “And do you trust me?” Ken nodded. “Show me. Open your mouth.” Over the course of the past few months, Mikko had learned that Ken gave amazing head, but he did so on his own. He didn’t like to be held to it or told how. Mikko caressed down the side of Ken’s face and touched his thumb to his lips. “Nice and wide.” He let the tip of his cock bump lightly against Ken’s lips. And Ken opened for him, sweet lips parting, jaw dropping until he was plenty wide enough to receive. “Hands behind your back, again. I want a good grip.” As Ken dropped his hands to clasp them behind his back, Mikko laced his fingers into the thick brown locks. I’m going to fuck your mouth, Kenny. Maybe spill seed right down your throat.” Ken gazed up at him, a perfect picture of obedience with his lips stretched around Mikko’s cock, his hands clasping each other behind his back. Only a dark bit of uncertainty shadowed his otherwise perfect behaviour. Mikko moved slowly, drawing himself out and pushing through the circle of Ken’s lips to enter his warm mouth a little deeper each time. “Suck.” Ken’s cheeks hollowed out on the next pass, and Mikko’s eyes crossed a bit at the shock of pleasure. It prompted him to pump faster, a little harder, and definitely deeper, until he bumped hard against the back of Ken’s throat. A low, guttural grunt rumbled around Mikko as Ken reacted to the sensation. His eyes widened and tension made his toes curl under him again. He tried to lean back, but Mikko held him steady. “You’re doing fine, Ken.” He managed to keep the words steady around his growing excitement. He even managed to slow, though it gave him the chance to shove back far, controlling his descent down into Ken’s throat. Ken’s eyes watered, brown irises swimming in tears. A little whimpering sigh left his lips as Mikko pulled back and he twisted his head a bit, testing Mikko’s grip. Mikko held him tighter. With his free hand, he brushed at a trickling tear and brought the wetness to his lips, gently licking it away with the tip of his tongue. “Beautiful.” Ken blinked at him, and leaned forward slightly. Unable to speak, he still left no doubt what he wanted. “I appreciate you wanting to please me, Kenny.” Mikko pushed into the wet heat again, stopping short of Ken’s gag reflex. “Shake your head from side to side if it’s too much.” Mikko wanted obedience, but he knew Ken would bend himself into a pretzel to please a Master. Mikko only wanted pleasure for his lover, not fear or pain. Ken just blinked at him again, and Mikko pulled himself out, knelt, though he didn’t relinquish his grip. “You must do as I say. If I push too hard, you have to tell me.” After a long, searching look, Ken nodded. “I will.” “Good.” Unable to resist, Mikko leaned close and kissed Ken’s lovely, swollen lips. His lover parted for his tongue, moaning from deep in his chest and pressing himself close to Mikko’s warmth, even twitching his hips eagerly against Mikko’s thigh. For a moment, Mikko let him get away with rubbing his erection against the hairy friction of his thigh before pulling him out of the kiss by his hair. “Not yet, Kenny. You serve me well,” he levered himself close to whisper in Ken’s ear, “and I’ll fuck you good and hard after.” His tongue darted out, licked along Ken’s ear, and he nipped the lobe with his teeth. His reward was another deep groan. “Yesss….” Ken swayed into his touch and whimpered when he pulled away. “Yes, please.” He licked his lips, completely guileless. “That would be…” he shuddered, “nice.” Read another excerpt, then purchase direct from Pink Petal Books. Purchase both books in the Ageless series.

Sky Rat by Angelia Sparrow m/m erotic steampunk romance novella Cover art by Christine Griffin Save 15% now – $3.39 Henry Toben needs the sky like his ancestors needed the sea. He works as a certified master boilerman aboard a luxury airship, taking wealthy folks from Kansas City to San Francisco, until the day his ship crosses the path of Captain Meriwether Volentine and he is taken aboard as the Captain’s personal prisoner. Henry discovers that he needs his new lover as much as he needs the sky, but a maelstrom of plots and alliances threaten to separate them forever. EXCERPT: Henry shook his head. Given a chance, he would run in the opposite direction until he hit the nearest ocean. Being a pet rat in a cage was not his idea of his life. He needed the open sky, a sturdy ship around him, and a pretty copper boiler steaming away for him. “Shame. We shall see.” Volentine traced his fingers over the pads that covered Henry’s eyes. “Would you like to see?” Henry nodded. He could feel the airship starting to descend. “Not until we’re safely inside our refuge. Now,” Volentine steered him toward the big bed, “Let’s get comfortable until we land.” Henry lay still, letting Volentine wrap around him. It felt almost as he’d always imagined a lover would. The tall man’s knees fit into his. His ass lay along the curve of Volentine’s hip. Strong arms lay under his neck and wrapped around his bare chest. Henry relaxed into them, feeling oddly secure. The blindfold let him focus on the sensation of being held. The gag kept him from needing to speak. He chewed thoughtfully at the leather bit, liking the resistance between his teeth. He didn’t expect the softness of Volentine’s lips on his ear or the warm breath that followed, whispering to him. “You’re such a good rat. I wonder if you’re trying to lure me in or if you like being where you are. Being a captain is a lonely thing, pet.” Volentine ran his fingers through Henry’s short hair. “You can’t trust the crew, since they’ll all stab you to advance. You can’t trust your lover, who will likely kill you and take your spoils. The whores just want money. So do the barkeeps.” He kissed Henry’s ear again. “I wish I knew you better. There will be time at the refuge.” Henry nestled in closer. Something in him had given way at the quiet little confession. He found he had no real reason to hate Volentine. He pressed back into Volentine’s body and felt his stomach rise slowly to the canopy as the airship came in for a landing. This distracted him from the hard, and rather large, cock pressing against the cleft of his ass. Volentine rubbed the cock against him more. “Like that, do you?” Henry startled. He hadn’t been thinking of the cock, only of reassuring Volentine and experiencing the descent. He squirmed against it and nodded. Volentine brought a hand down to his hip and pulled him closer. “Keep rubbing against me. You feel good.” Henry set up a general rocking motion, staying in close contact with the tight curve of the leather trousers. Incredibly, he felt the bulge beneath the black eel skin growing larger. Volentine pushed him away a bit and withdrew the hand from under his neck. Henry felt something he figured must be Volentine undoing the trousers. When the hand at his hip drew him back, hot, flushed skin lay against his own. Volentine’s cock lay along the cleft of Henry’s ass, pulsating with his heartbeat, feeling hot enough to burn. He fitted it between the cheeks, and pulled Henry back to kiss his neck and ear. “Just time for a little rubbing. Help me fit back into my pants, since you made me swell out of them.” Read another excerpt, then purchase direct from Pink Petal Books.

When it comes to small presses, the world of print publishing can make you feel like you’re navigating rough, scary seas  in a tiny boat. We’ve heard the stories about returns swamping a publisher; we may have even seen it happen to one or more. There’s distribution, stocking, sellers, buyers, not to mention returns, to think about. And with smaller margins, and the rules mostly having been set by the bookstores for more years than I’ve been alive, well, it can be daunting.

To find some direction, let’s briefly discuss how print works according to the “big boys”. Books are printed and a “retail price” is set. However the major chain bookstores prefer a 55% wholesale discount so they have room for their overhead and any discounts they want to give. (It’s expensive running a brick & mortar store.) They order a certain number of copies, usually months before the books release, but they don’t have to pay for them until later. What they don’t sell, they return as credit, and some bookstores make a practice of this so they always return more books than they buy.

It’s a consignment model. The publisher says that it wants a fixed price and asks the booksellers to pay them a percentage when the book sells. This is also all ebook vendors work, and it’s why authors receive royalties.

In the world of large scale publishers, they print thousands of books. And while they hope they sell thousands, they often times take thousands back. This sort of gamble would quickly put most smaller operations out of business, and as we’re seeing now with the established New York publishers (such as Dorchester), it can quickly run a large, once profitable organization into the red ink pretty quickly.

So what’s a small press to do? Read more »

Over the course of six books and one short story for the Tales of the Darkworld, I’ve discovered that oftentimes characters speak up and steal scenes. In Book 2 Hot Water, fae wildling Corey Green stole a scene from hero Colin Granville, something I didn’t exactly mean to happen. But I fell in love with Corey in that book and decided he needed his own story. Sunstroked is that story.

Rather than give you thirteen reasons to read Sunstroked or nine funny lines from the book, I decided to use that framework to give you a glimpse of who Corey is going all the way back to the beginning of the series.  So fair warning! This is a long post! LOL

Here’s some excerpts that I think give the reader some insight into wildling Corey Green, one of the two heroes of Sunstroked.

From Hot Water, Tales of the Darkworld Book 2 (the stolen scene LOL)

As soon as the doors closed, Colin growled and yanked his tie loose. He was done with this crap. Every meeting Marius set up had been the same. He took out his phone and hit the speed dial for his assistant Corey.

“Bossman! How’s the Big Apple?” An engaging young man, Corey was beyond efficient if a little irreverent in his demeanor.

“These meetings suck, Corey. They’re all the same. Get me out of the rest of them,” Colin growled.

Corey chortled with amusement. “You met someone. You just wanna spend the next three days fucking!”

Colin rolled his eyes. “Corey, what man doesn’t wanna spend his days and nights fucking?”

“I don’t,” Corey said loftily.

“That’s because you don’t have a boyfriend right now,” Colin laughed.

“Just because I’m unattached doesn’t mean I couldn’t fuck for three days and nights if I wanted to. I’m just not a slutty boy,” his assistant sniffed.

Colin grinned. Corey might be gay, but his masculinity never came into question. He liked to amuse others by putting on an over the top, gay man act, and he did it really well. “Fine. Your moral self needs to pick up the phone and cancel the rest of the appointments Marius made for me. I’m off to be a slutty boy,” he said cheerfully.

“Who did you meet?’ Corey’s voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. “I won’t tell the Big Fang that you’re spending the rest of your time in New York fucking some woman. It is a woman, isn’t it?”

Colin shook his head, stifling his laughter as the elevator door opened and he stepped out. “Corey, when have you ever known me to fuck a man?”

His assistant’s laugh was rich with amusement. “Never. But there’s always a first time!”

“No first times for me. It’s a woman. A beautiful strong willed black dragon woman,” he confided as he headed for the taxi stand.

“Ooooh!” Colin could just see Corey’s eyes opening wide. “What is it with you Granvilles lately? First your sister goes all googly eyed for a dragon and now you.”

Colin got in a waiting cab and gave the driver the name of his hotel. “I’m not googly eyed, Corey. I’m just horny.”

“You say to-may-toe and I say to-mah-toe.”

Colin grinned at his assistant’s cheekiness. “We’ll see. So far, she hasn’t called me back and that is not a good sign.”

“She’ll call,” Corey said confidently.

“You sound like you’re ready to take bets on this.”

Corey made a rude sound that Colin took for a raspberry. “Bossman, you have a big dick. All the girlies want to call you back. And all the slutty boys wish you’d call.”

As Colin burst out laughing, Corey told him, “You just have a good time burning your candle at both ends. Corey will relieve you of the boring meetings. See you in three days, Bossman!”

From Hot Water, Tales of the Darkworld Book 2

Colin looked up at Corey who stared at him thoughtfully. “What?” he burst out after a minute went by.

“Methinks you shouldn’t listen to older brothers, yours or hers,” he pronounced. “Your love affair is between you and her. Leave it that way and things will be just fine.”

“How old are you?” Colin asked the fae man.

Corey looked down his nose at his boss. “Older than you, although I look much younger thanks to my wildling genes,” he said. “Well, that and my happy lifestyle.”

Colin’s lips twitched. “Don’t you mean gay lifestyle?”

Corey walked to the door. “If I meant gay I would have said gay. I mean happy. I prefer to be happy. You should prefer to be that way too.”

From Holiday Hearts, An Antaeus Family Christmas (FYI-Colin is wearing reindeer horns and a reindeer sweater)

Loud bells came from the foyer and Emily’s eyes widened as Colin’s assistant Corey Green appeared dressed in full elf regalia. The handsome blond haired, blue eyed wildling wore green tights, a green tunic, green leather boots with turned up toes, a red and white striped stocking cap, and a red cape trimmed in fake white fur. He carried a big red sack and began skipping around the room distributing presents.

Colin and Eden stood together in the doorway with wide grins. “By the Gods, I think they like our little show, Ede.”

Eden tossed her dark head and cracked the whip again. “They better,” she growled, smoke coming from her nostrils.

Emily giggled. She couldn’t help it. The three of them looked so happy, so filled with joy and fun that it was contagious. Eden’s eyes met hers and her grin widened. She handed Colin her whip and made a beeline for her cousin. When Eden grabbed her hands, Emily let herself be pulled up off the loveseat. Caught in a fierce hug, she could do nothing but return her cousin’s embrace. And then Colin was there too, rubbing her belly.

“Hot damn. When’s the bump arriving?” he asked with a grin.

“In a few months,” Vahid replied, rising to his feet. He shook Colin’s hand with a smile and then leaned over to flick his finger at the dimple in Eden’s cheek. “The two of you sure know how to make an entrance.”

“Fucker,” Eden said brightly and brushed Vahid’s hand aside to throw her arms around him in a big hug. “Congrats on knocking up your woman. I’m very proud of you!”

Blinking warily, Vahid patted his former lover awkwardly on the back. Colin winked at him and Emily had to stifle another giggle. Obviously, neither Colin nor Eden gave a damn about Eden’s former status as Vahid’s live-in lover.

Corey came over and thrust a big package into Vahid’s hands. “This one’s for you tall, dark, and assholic,” he teased in his best fake gay voice as he batted his eyelashes at Vahid.

This time Emily let her giggle out. When Corey Green, who was decidedly gay but didn’t sound like it, put on the queen act, it was a laugh-riot. She couldn’t contain her amusement.

Corey looked her up and down, one hand on his hip. “Girlfriend, you know you coulda done better than this asshole, don’t you?” he joked.

Emily burst out laughing and leaned over to kiss Corey’s cheek. “You are such a dear to care, but I’m finding him quite easy to train, you know.”

Corey rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. “He’s the deer.” He pointed to Colin who waggled his eyebrows. “And if you’re willing to put up with the big butthead, who am I to press the issue,” he replied with a stage sigh.

He pulled a small green velvet bag from the big red bag and put it in her hands. “Merry Christmas, everyone!” Waving his hands, Corey headed toward the door.

From Common Ground, Tales of the Darkworld Book 5 (FYI – Marius just masturbated in his office while watching a woman out the window.)

Corey Green had a knowing way about him that unnerved pretty much everyone. Marius knew the man teasingly called him “The Big Fang”, but he didn’t mind. He privately thought it flattering.

His gaze flicked over Colin’s assistant, noting the slightly pointed fae ears and wide blue grey eyes that always twinkled with good humor.  Marius had never known anyone who was as happy as Corey. The aura of confidence and cheer that the wildling gave off freaked people out, including Marius. Not that he’d ever let on to anyone that Corey gave him the heebie jeebies.

“Night, Bossman,” the wildling called out, his lips twitching into a grin as if he knew that he weirded Marius out. “Sweet dreams!”

Corey’s taunting tone gave Marius pause. For a split second, he wondered if Corey somehow knew what he’d been doing earlier, but the wildling didn’t look any different than he usually did. Dressed in khakis and a polo shirt bearing the cemetery’s logo, Corey’s clothes and expression reflected Colin’s relaxed attitude about work. As long as Corey produced well, Colin wouldn’t make him behave or wear a suit and tie. Marius, on the other hand, happened to find suits liberating. He enjoyed looking and acting the power broker.

One of Corey’s brows flicked upward as Marius continued to eye him thoughtfully. “Did you need something, sir?” he asked politely.

Marius shook himself from his reverie and decided he was being paranoid. First Alfred, now Corey. No one knew what he’d done except the mysterious woman. “No, I’m fine. But thanks, Corey. I’m heading home now. Tell Colin we’ll walk the grounds tomorrow. The weather should be perfect for a day on the lawns,” he said, his head spinning with plans to catch the woman whose thoughts had invaded his head.

Corey nodded. “Overcast. Gotcha. I’ll let Colin know. He has a lunch date with Eden but he’s free after one-thirty.”

From Common Ground, Tales of the Darkworld, Book 5

At the office, he waved a hello to Marnie the receptionist, then ducked into the break room to avoid Corey who cheerfully wove his way down the corridor with a stack of files. As he reached for the coffee pot, Corey’s amused voice reached his ears.

“I saw that dodge!”

Marius winced. “I’m dodging nothing, Corey. I merely need my coffee more than usual today. I couldn’t sleep last night.”

“Maybe you need a sleep aid like the coffin bed Eden threatened to buy for Colin.” With a laugh, Corey disappeared into his own office.

From Common Ground, Tales of the Darkworld, Book 5

As he rushed back down the corridor, intent on returning to Sair, he noticed Colin standing in his office doorway, a wide grin on his mobile mouth.

“Turn off my computer, would you?” he growled as he passed.

Colin saluted. “Sure thing, bro. Have a good time, okay?”

As he turned the corner into the lobby, he heard a shocked Corey say, “Big Fang has a date? Did the Apocalypse happen and I missed it?”

From Common Ground, Tales of the Darkworld Book 5

Colin opened a door into an office where a blond man sat typing on a computer. He looked up as they came in and caught Weylyn ogling Colin’s ass. His brows rose, but mischief reigned in his steel blue eyes.

“Corey, this is Weylyn Randall. Can you make sure we’re not disturbed?” Colin told the fae man who could only have been his assistant.

“I wouldn’t want to be disturbed if I was alone with him,” Corey quipped, his eyes boldly checking Weylyn out.

Stifling his laughter, Weylyn grinned at the fae assistant whom he could tell was gay and proud of it. “I probably wouldn’t appreciate being disturbed if we were alone together. Except that you should know my wife likes to watch.”

Corey sighed dramatically. “All the good ones are taken.”

As Weylyn passed by, following Colin to his inner office, he bent toward Corey and whispered, “She likes to share too.” Then he winked and laughed as Corey’s eyes widened.

From Common Ground, Tales of the Darkworld Book 5

As Colin led him to the door, Weylyn flashed a grin at the tall vampire. “You know, if you and your dragon mate are interested, I wasn’t joking about my wife’s love of watching.”

Colin choked back a laugh. “I’ll tell her, but I don’t think we’d be interested. She’s pretty possessive.”

Weylyn nodded. “I’ll keep the thought a fantasy then, Mr. Pot Calling His Wife the Kettle Black.”

Opening the door, Colin gestured toward Corey. “You might want to pose that question to my esteemed assistant though. He’s been known to enjoy a man with a nice tight ass while being ogled by others.”

Corey smiled angelically. “Oh, darling, you have no idea how much I enjoy that!”

Weylyn burst out laughing. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I’m in town. But I can see that with the two of you around, Big Fang is probably kept from being too much of a stick in the mud.”

“We do try, Weylyn.” Colin ignored the face Corey made and led the way out to the lobby.

From Sunstroked, Tales of the Darkworld Book 6

Post-coital bliss didn’t last long, Seth thought with an annoyed growl as he watched Corey make a stack of pancakes.

Where’s the tit for tat? The reciprocity? He shot Corey a dirty look.

His mate raised golden brows and smiled angelically. He set a plateful of pancakes in front of Seth.

When did you become such a slutty boy?

Seth rolled his eyes in disgust and cut into the syrup and butter laden pancakes. I was always a slutty boy, Corey. You’re the one who’s been celibate since the last time I was in this house. I’ve been bad. Very bad.

Corey made a rude sound. Yeah, sure. I believe that, Mr. Saving My Ass For You. Left to your own devices you barely gave hand jobs and not a single blow job. You’re just a slutty boy for me. Admit it.

Gods! I just cannot win with you! You take banter to a whole new level. Seth shot his mate another dirty look. Again, it was ignored.

I’m at the top of my game. It’s hard to beat a man with quick wit when he’s at the top of his game. Corey cut into his own pancakes and crammed a huge bite in his mouth. You know, there’s something to be said for this whole mating mental connection thing. I can talk and eat at the same time.

Where the hell are you putting all that food? Seth groused as he eyed Corey’s plate, which had twice as many pancakes as his plate in addition to a thick slice of ham and two eggs over easy.

In my stomach, of course. Where I’ll promptly burn it off if we do every naughty thing I hear whirling in your head. Corey glanced up and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. I worked up an appetite, and if I’m going to engage in further slutty boy activities with you, I need fuel. I haven’t eaten much in the last few days, he pointed out.

Seth sighed aloud. “Okay, okay. I get your point. Corey in depressed mode wasn’t eating. Happy Corey now wants to eat the whole cow.”

“Pig. It’s a ham steak,” Corey corrected as he cut into the tender meat.

“You need to slow down. You’re exceeding the speed limit for spitting out quips.” Seth stabbed a forkful of pancakes and stuck them in his mouth. Despite having his sexual plans disrupted by Corey’s need to eat, he had to admit the man whipped up a mean batch of buttermilk pancakes.

“Hey! You made a joke!” Corey grinned. “This is great. Pretty soon I’ll have no one to pick on for being dour and depressed. Big Fang walks around with a perpetual smile these days and he makes jokes too.”

I know you all have your favorite moments in this series, whether they are Corey scenes or one of the other characters.  One of the things we’ll be doing on my new fan forum () is discussing the characters. Hopefully, you’ll all sign up and join in the discussion!  Meanwhile, please feel free to share those moments or what you like about Corey in comments.

Thanks for coming by and supporting Pink Petal Books and my Tales of the Darkworld series!

Lex
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Sunstroked by Lex Valentine Tales of the Darkworld Book 6 m/m erotic werewolf/fae romance Cover art by Winterheart Design Save 15% now –$4.24 When wildling Corey Green discovers his mate is Seth Dylan, a tough as nails, dour werewolf from the McCallan clan, he thinks his life is set. However, Seth’s not out and doesn’t know if he wants to be. A pivotal sexual encounter between the men has Seth running scared and leaves Corey broken hearted. The men meet again nearly two years later and this time Seth’s out but Corey’s dark depression is about to send him behind the Veil of the Jewel Box to the fae world. Seth’s determined to make up for running out on Corey, but the wildling’s sunny disposition has gone so dark it may be too late for them to build a life together. With love on his side, Seth sets out to return the sunshine to Corey’s soul.

Our submission guidelines have been revised to include the following statement about simultaneous submissions:

Previously the policy at Pink Petal Books was not to accept simultaneous submissions. And honestly, we prefer exclusive submissions. Our turn around time is approximately two weeks, so we can assure you we will make a thorough, yet timely, decision on your manuscript. Reviewing a manuscript is more than reading it. There may be other considerations, or we may need to consult with other departments. However, should you wish to make a simultaneous submission, you may, so long as these guidelines are followed.

1) You must inform us in the cover letter that the manuscript is a simultaneous submission.
2) You must make us aware in any change in the manuscript’s status, as soon as possible. At this time, you may indicate if you wish to withdraw your manuscript or wait for our reply. We hope you will want to wait, and we’ll let you know how long it may take.

All our other regular guidelines apply. And for our “Contract for Christmas” contest, we do not accept simultaneous submissions.

Thank you.

I was first published here at Pink Petal Books because I didn’t win a contest. No. That wasn’t a typo. Let me explain.

A writer’s loop I belong to held a contest in conjunction with Pink Petal Books. To tell you the truth, I forget what the criteria for the story was, which is, in retrospect, might be why I didn’t win. But I did get an honourable mention, a contract, and re-write request.  I also found an editor who’s top priority, it seemed to me, was to take what I had created, what I believed in, and make it better.

The story I had penned was written with a very personal emotional trauma in mind. The main character was, in some respects, the personification of my broken heart, my struggle and my quest to find myself. So maybe, a bit of therapy was going on in the writing of it, I suppose. In any case, it touched a chord and earned me a contract.

Spinning also sparked off a whole new world of characters and conflicts I knew I couldn’t hope to get down all in one story. When I approached Mary about making it into a series, she was more than supportive, and The Ageless series was born. Read more »

Sunstroked by Lex Valentine Tales of the Darkworld Book 6 m/m erotic werewolf/fae romance Cover art by Winterheart Design Save 15% now –$4.24 When wildling Corey Green discovers his mate is Seth Dylan, a tough as nails, dour werewolf from the McCallan clan, he thinks his life is set. However, Seth’s not out and doesn’t know if he wants to be. A pivotal sexual encounter between the men has Seth running scared and leaves Corey broken hearted. The men meet again nearly two years later and this time Seth’s out but Corey’s dark depression is about to send him behind the Veil of the Jewel Box to the fae world. Seth’s determined to make up for running out on Corey, but the wildling’s sunny disposition has gone so dark it may be too late for them to build a life together. With love on his side, Seth sets out to return the sunshine to Corey’s soul. EXCERPT: “I’m an ass, Corey, but I’m not an asshole.” Seth bit back another sigh. His former lover wasn’t making anything easy for him. “I screwed up. I totally admit it. I knew it not half an hour after I left you. But, you know how confused and overwhelmed I was. My head wasn’t screwed on straight at all. It’s not an excuse for how poorly I treated you. I just want you to know I’m sorry for what I did.” The blond head lifted and a feral gleam appeared in Corey’s eyes. “All this time you’ve known where to find me. Eighteen months and it took running into me here to get you to apologize?” Seth felt his face flush. Corey’s words were damning and true. “I already admitted I’m a chickenshit,” he murmured uncomfortably. Corey stared at him for long, tense moments, his gaze hard and uncompromising. Seth prayed silently for their salads to arrive. He’d ordered the same dinner they’d had the night he’d gone to Corey’s house. They’d grilled steaks, nuked potatoes, and tore lettuce together. He remembered Corey digging Italian dressing out of the back of the refrigerator for him while smothering his own salad with ranch and a ton of bacon bits. He hoped like hell the meal he’d just ordered would remind Corey of how good things had been between them that night. Finally, Corey looked away as the waitress bustled up and set down two tall glasses of iced tea and two plates of salad. The instant she left, Corey shoved his plate at Seth. Seth pushed his over to Corey. They both smiled a little as they switched plates. “You remembered,” Corey murmured as he spread his napkin in his lap. Seth sighed. “I will never forget.” Their gazes met. Something flickered in Corey’s expressive eyes before he ducked his head away. Seth could have sworn it was something deep and profound, but the emotion had been there for so brief a moment he couldn’t be sure. He picked up his fork. “Are you out?” Corey’s blurted words held a harsh note and his jaw clenched into a hard, unforgiving line. Startled, Seth couldn’t deny the relevance of the question. He just had a tough time with the context given Corey’s unforthcoming expression. “Not even a ‘yet’ in there.” Seth shook his head. “You don’t have much faith in me figuring out my life and my sexuality, do you?” Corey’s eyes flashed fire. “You were in major denial.” “It was hard for me to deny my sexuality or how much I wanted you when your cock was in my mouth,” Seth shot back, frustration goading him. The wildling’s face flushed but his expression turned to stone once more. “Then the man you were with when you came in the bar is your lover.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I thought his touch seemed lover-like.” Seth wanted to scream. The bright, outgoing, happy man he’d met in the cemetery all those months ago was gone. In his place sat a hard, unforgiving, snarkastic bastard. He would have said bitch, but Corey wasn’t much of a queen. However, the word queen reminded him of Corey’s words to the tree up on the mountain. Then he remembered Corey’s broken heart. The hand that lay on his thigh tightened to a fist. “He’s not my lover. He’s just a guy I fucked. Someone I probably shouldn’t have even touched.” Seth bit back a growl. “I’m not in the closet, Corey. I don’t broadcast I’m gay, but I don’t deny it any longer either. I’ve not been a saint. I wasn’t one when I met you despite the fact I hadn’t ever been with a man.” They stared at each other and Seth could see Corey struggling with his revelations. He decided to let all the truth out and see where that got him with the wildling. “I fuck men. I don’t make love with them. I don’t suck their dicks. I barely touch them and rarely jack them off,” he admitted with a low growl. “I’m a selfish bastard of a lover. I use men. At least, I have in the past eighteen months. The only man I’ve ever made love with is you. You’re the only one I’ve ever been able to feel close to. And I screwed that up royally, didn’t I?” Corey shook his head dazedly. “What?” Seth leaned forward, dinner forgotten. “I heard you on the mountain, Corey. I know you met some man who broke your heart. A man who is your mate.” Just saying the words made Seth want to strangle the guy with his bare hands. “I should never have left you. If I hadn’t, maybe this other man wouldn’t have broken your heart. Maybe you and I could have meant something to each other.” “You’re crazy,” Corey said, his face shocked. “No. I’m not crazy,” Seth replied, determined to make Corey see everything would be okay. “I’m stupid, I’m willful. I’m scared and filled with angst. I’m a bastard and an ass. But I’m not afraid to speak the truth any longer, Corey.” He drew a deep breath. “I dream of you every fucking night. Your mouth on me. Mine on you. Your cock in me. Mine in you. The scent of your skin, the smell of your cum, the taste of you on my tongue. I know some bastard broke your heart, but I’ll mend it for you if you’ll let me. I’m out of the closet. I am gay. And I still want you.” Silence met his impassioned words. Seth sat motionless waiting to hear Corey’s reply to his confession. Truthfully, Seth hadn’t even known he would say those words to Corey. He hadn’t exactly known what he wanted. But apparently, his subconscious knew and did a damn fine better job of articulating it than the conscious Seth ever had. Now, it was all up to Corey. Read another excerpt, then purchase direct from Pink Petal Books.

Sky Rat by Angelia Sparrow m/m erotic steampunk romance novella Cover art by Christine Griffin Save 15% now — $3.39 Henry Toben needs the sky like his ancestors needed the sea. He works as a certified master boilerman aboard a luxury airship, taking wealthy folks from Kansas City to San Francisco, until the day his ship crosses the path of Captain Meriwether Volentine and he is taken aboard as the Captain’s personal prisoner. Henry discovers that he needs his new lover as much as he needs the sky, but a maelstrom of plots and alliances threaten to separate them forever. EXCERPT: Henry could see very little from his position. The line of the Captain’s leg, his belly and the occasional glimpse of deck timbers made up his whole vision. He felt the sway as they crossed over to the other ship in a pulley-driven jolly boat. Captain Volentine kept him in that position as he walked for a while. Henry gave a gasp of relief as the captain finally let go of his hair after what felt like a tour of the whole pirate ship. He heard the door shut behind him as he stood up straight. He glanced around the opulent cabin, sneering at the plundered silver and satin furnishings, at the fine wood dresser. “It’s not good enough for you, little rat?” Captain Volentine sprawled in a curule chair and extended a foot in Henry’s direction. “Remove my boots.” Henry crossed his arms on his chest. “On the day the Devil fucks the worms that eat your stinking corpse.” Volentine did not look as entertained as he had back aboard the Star. “You are amusing, but I expect more out of your pretty mouth than insults, rat. Since you’re my pet now, you will obey, or you will be disciplined like a disobedient pet.” Pushed past the limits of his ability to express his anger in English, Henry spat the few words of Gaelic his grandda had taught him. “Pog mo thòn!” He wasn’t sure if he wanted the Captain to know he’d just been told to kiss Henry’s ass, or if he was hoping the man didn’t know what it meant. It was all he could do to stand still and not wade in with fists flying. The revolvers in Volentine’s belt cooled his heat enough to let him think about self-preservation. Volentine got up without a word, his boots still on. Henry watched him dig in a chest of drawers and then stared at the leather straps Volentine held. “It’s a muzzle, rat. Until you learn to hold your tongue and not snap. I don’t care to get bitten.” Henry relaxed a little. He’d only seen a few floggings in his day, but he knew he didn’t want to experience one. He edged toward the cabin door. “If you go out without me, the crew has orders to pitch you overboard, and I hear the desert is very hard this time of year.” Volentine cornered him against the wall. “Answer one question before I put it on you. What is your name?” Henry weighed the prospect of being called Rat against hearing his name from this man. He swallowed hard. “Rat will do.” “So be it.” Volentine swatted Henry across the face with the leather straps, then secured them around his head and buckled them tight. “Be very good, and I’ll take it off to feed you.” Henry clamped down on the leather bit between his teeth and scowled. He could be Rat for a while. It was better than hearing that soft, insinuating voice caress his name, talk to him like a person or even a friend. As long as he was Rat, he was a prisoner, and he would remember that. Volentine sat back down. “My boots, Rat. Do it and I feed you. Stand and glare, and I beat you.” Henry stepped over and folded down the tops of the high boots. Volentine wore his trousers very tight, after the fashion of Prince Albert of England. Henry tried not to notice. He had very carefully not talked about his post-oyster plans to Gideon. It would never do for word to get around the ship that he was a sissy mary who liked boys as much as girls. He grasped the polished leather by the heel and by the instep, tipping Volentine’s foot out neatly as pouring tea. He set the boot down and in a moment set its mate beside it. Volentine stretched decadently, taking his time, as if showing off for Henry. He shed the coat and vest before unfastening the jabot and opening his shirt. Henry noticed he wore no underwear. The sleeves of his own union suit showed under his rolled-up shirtsleeves, and he suddenly felt much too warm. Volentine stretched again as a knock came at the cabin door. “That will be my late supper. Fetch it, Rat.” Almost pleased to have something to do other than watch the captain, who was indeed very good-looking, Henry went to the door and took the tray. His old acquaintance, Cowboy, smirked at him as he handed it over. “Well looky here. Puppy’s got a muzzle.” Henry bit down hard on the leather in his mouth. If this kept up, he’d chew right through it. It felt comfortingly solid under his teeth, almost soothing. He just gave Cowboy a nod and shut the door in his face. He carried the tray to the table and laid out the silver and napkin automatically, to save hearing the order. When he looked up, he saw that Volentine had stripped to the waist. Muscular with a dusting of dark hair across his chest, he moved like a hunting cat, stalking his dinner. For a moment of sheer terror, Henry thought he might be the prey. If he had seen the man under the right circumstances, say wearing a green carnation in a certain club, he would have approached Volentine and said certain words. Words that might have led to kisses or his hands on that chest, in that hair, or more still. Henry stopped thinking that way. He was a prisoner. This man called him Rat. He couldn’t get distracted by good looks. After all, some poisons came in pretty bottles. Read another excerpt, then purchase direct from Pink Petal Books.