Guest Post | Kiss a Vampire by Holly Day

November 18, 2024November 15, 2024 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ Leave a comment

Holly has a new box set out!!! Kiss a Vampire contains three stories – A Vampire Chew Toy, Bring Him Back, Jack, and Vampire Food.

All of them have vampires in them, which might not be surprising considering the title 😅 A Vampire Chew Toy is about Devin, who is human, and Mars, who is a vampire. I wrote the story to celebrate National M&M Day, so prepare for M&Ms.

Bring Him Back, Jack is about Ivan, a shadow walker, and Malik, a vampire. I wrote it to celebrate Different Colored Eyes Day, so…

Lastly, we have Vampire Food which is about Rue, a magic user, and Noah, a vampire. I could probably write ten stories about National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day – such an excellent day! – sadly, this is my only one LOL

So if you’re in the mood for some vampires, check it out!

Kiss a Vampire

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The best way to avoid getting bitten by vampires is to stay away from their mouths.

In this box set, you’ll encounter a vampire or three. They’re just like other people, except they are super fast, can pin you down without breaking a sweat, and want to feast on your blood. The smart thing to do is to stay away, but where’s the fun in that?

Contains the stories:

A Vampire Chew Toy: Devin had no idea supernatural beings existed until he was snatched off the street and turned into a blood slave. Then he realized vampires are real. One year later, he was saved, but now his captor has escaped prison. He might fear vampires, but faced with the danger of being taken again, he turns to the vampire who saved him last time. Will staying by his side be enough to keep him safe?

Bring Him Back, Jack: Shadow walkers are rare, but Ivan Charna is one. He has to hide from wizards who want to use his blood for their magic. When his sister loses a bet, Ivan is forced to work off her debt. He doesn’t mind since he gets to work with his favorite vampire. He only has to steal a diamond, then the debt is paid. It should be easy, and if he’s stealing a diamond, what’s to say he can’t steal a vampire?

Vampire Food: A former blood slave. A strapping vampire. More zucchinis than any man could eat. Rue, a former blood slave, is trying to find peace, but when the tranquility is threatened, he turns to Noah, a vampire. Noah has never met a magic user before, and he fears Rue’s former owners are trying to get him back. Rue never believed he’d be able to trust Noah, but who better to keep him safe from vampires?

Buy links:

Paranormal gay romance: 140,235 words

JMS Books :: Amazon

Excerpt:

(From A Vampire Chew Toy)

Excerpt:

The next morning, Devin woke from his own scream. Panting, he stared at the dark ceiling, sweat making the T-shirt he slept in cling to his skin. He rolled out of bed and walked into the bathroom. A quick shower later, he glanced at the clock—a quarter to five.

Groaning, he flung himself on the bed. Two hours until he had to have breakfast ready. Maybe he could bake bread. It would keep him busy. He grabbed his phone and squinted at the calendar notifications. Murrie had added two new things to his calendar for today, thirty minutes apart. He hadn’t logged an end time but considering the first looked to be a video conference and the second a meeting in town, Devin was pretty sure they would overlap even without the expected travel time. He huffed and shook his head. People.

He opened his door as quietly as he could, though considering he’d woken himself with a scream and had showered, he doubted opening his door would wake the others. They were most likely already awake. If he walked downstairs, they might have a chance of catching a couple of hours of sleep.

Guilt swamped his mind. They should have dumped him in a soundproofed room.

Walking into the kitchen, he came to a halt. Murrie was sitting by the kitchen island with his shirt mostly unbuttoned and a bowl of M&Ms in front of him.

“Good night?” There was lipstick on his collar, which made him want to laugh. He’d believed the days of lipstick on collars were long gone. Weren’t lipsticks of this century smudge-free?

Murrie grinned at him. The sated look in his eyes answer enough.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Who’s the lucky lady?”

Murrie shook his head. “I don’t have time for a relationship.”

“Aww, don’t be like that.” Devin surprised himself by reaching out and patting Murrie’s hand. Judging by the widening of Murrie’s eyes, he surprised him too. “If she makes you happy, you should be with her.” Before they could get any deeper into this mushy conversation, Devin switched the topic. “Do we have yeast?”

“Eh… maybe. Check the pantry. There’s a large tin box where I’ve thrown things I don’t know what to do with. I think there might be a bag of dry yeast.”

There was. A big one. “You bought a pound of dry yeast without knowing what to do with it?”

“It was on sale.”

Devin nodded. “Of course, makes perfect sense. Buy every item on sale.”

“I was hoping someone would know how to bake, but…” He shrugged. “Kitchen disasters the lot of them.”

Devin held in a laugh, but the disappointment on Murrie’s face made it hard. “Shouldn’t you get to bed?”

“I’ve slept for a few hours.”

“Oh? Early night?”

The grin told him differently. “We left early.”

Devin hurried to speak before Murrie shared any details. “Good for you. Now, do we need to have the talk?”

“The talk?” Murrie’s eyes were so wide it was hard to keep a straight face.

“Yes, the talk.” Devin’s voice was stern.

“I think it’s a bit late for the talk, little one.”

“Obviously not.” He patted the marble top of the kitchen island and glared at Murrie. “There are two appointments thirty minutes apart on your calendar and judging by the vague and incomplete notes concerning what those appointments are about, it’s not doable.”

Murrie gaped at him. “That’s the talk?”

“The most important talk you’ll ever have. We don’t double book in this household.”

The grin was instant, and Devin had a hard time holding on to his glare.

“We don’t?”

“No, we don’t.”

Murrie leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms. “It’s not my fault. Mars booked the Zoom meeting with Judge Alden. I had nothing to do with it. You have to take it up with him.”

Devin looked away. He wouldn’t talk to Mars.

Murrie sighed. “You can play with him too, you know? I know he comes across as… prickly at times, but he’s a good guy.”

Ignoring Murrie’s words, Devin scrolled on his phone until he found a recipe for breakfast rolls that looked good.

“The meeting with the judge is about Ezekiel.”

Forcing air into his lungs, Devin looked at him. “What about Ezekiel?”

“Mars wants to make sure he’s safely contained.”

Icy fear crept up his spine, making the hairs on his arms stand on end. “He’s… alive?”

Murrie shrugged. “We were hoping he’d be staked, but we haven’t received any information one way or the other.”

How could they not know? “Weren’t you the ones who prosecuted him?”

“We gather evidence, but we’re not the ones showing up in court.”

“And you don’t know what happens to the ones you bring in?”

Murrie shrugged. “He was taken to Terrena since it was where almost all blood slaves were taken. It’s on the other side of the country.”

Devin was aware it was on the other side of the country. “But… You don’t know?”

“You’re safe here, Devin. Mars only wants to make sure, but the judge is a bit… and doesn’t like Mars.”

What? “Why doesn’t he like Mars?”

Murrie sighed. “The judge tends to be a bit lenient with vampires, which makes Mars snarly and unable to suppress the need to inform the judge of his crappy rulings—his words, not mine. I don’t mind, but the judge would never agree to a meeting with Mars, so he booked one for me instead.” For several seconds, Murrie watched him. “I’ll reschedule the meeting in town.”

“Yeah, you better.” Devin measured the yeast he needed.

“Or you could do it while I sleep.”

Devin glared. “Is there a phone number?”

Murrie grinned. “You don’t have to. I survived for years without you.” Then he hesitated. “I’ll add it in the notes.”

Devin shook his head, but he didn’t mind sorting out Murrie’s schedule.

Guest Post | An Uncommon Alignment by Ellie Thomas

November 17, 2024November 13, 2024 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 1 Comment

The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! This time she’s here to tell us a little about her latest release, An Uncommon Alignment. Welcome, Ellie!

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Thank you, lovely Ofelia, for having me as a guest on your blog again. I’m Ellie, I write Historical Romance novellas, and I’m here today to chat about my new release, An Uncommon Alignment. This is the third novella in my Regency MMM series, An Unlikely Alliance.

The first two stories, An Unlikely Alliance and An Increasing Entanglement, chart the passionate meeting of my threesome, Clem, Abe and Humphrey and how they band together in the face of a dangerous enemy. By the third and final story, An Uncommon Alignment, the emphasis shifts to focus on emotions to help my trio to reach their Happy Ever After.

Humphrey Atkinson, the gentleman of my threesome, is the most closeted of the men. In the previous two novellas, he starts to come to terms with his sexuality, encouraged by the more experienced Abe and Clem. Being a modest sort of chap, Humphrey spends these two stories feeling torn between not being able to believe his luck and undeserving of the burgeoning bond with Abe and Clem.

At least outwardly, by the third story, Humphrey is the most unchanged of by three characters. He doesn’t need to work and lives a comfortable existence in Bloomsbury’s Red Lion Square with his adoring aunt, making himself useful in her household. But inwardly, Humphrey is gaining confidence as his relationship with Clem and Abe progresses.

He is an invaluable support to Abe during Clem’s abduction in An Increasing Entanglement and by halfway through An Uncommon Alignment, he has the self-belief to stand up to Abe when he thinks he’s made a poor decision that affects Clem directly.

Humphrey might be less glamorous and colourful than his lovers, but it’s exactly that sense of steadiness and a solid moral compass that both men rely on increasingly. Humphrey is far too humble to admit that his instincts are rarely wrong. Humphrey’s honesty and consideration to others is his quiet superpower! And at last, he finds two special men to appreciate his sterling qualities for the foreseeable future.

Blurb:

anuncommonalignment After the adventures of the spring of 1808 in Regency London, while beginning to fall in love, Clem Metcalfe, Abe Pengelly and Humphrey Atkinson have the entire summer to consolidate their romantic relationship.

But change is already afoot. Abe has distanced himself from his criminal past, now gainfully employed at the military headquarters of Horse Guards, sifting through valuable information to further the cause of the long war against France.

Humphrey, at the whim of his beloved Aunt Cece, might have to depart from London and his lovers for the countryside together with the rest of high society.

And Clem is studying hard for his longed-for reinstatement at Oxford University in the autumn, which will inevitably mean leaving his lovers at a distance.

While the trio juggles their everyday routines, a shadow from the past reappears to threaten their harmony.

Can Clem, Abe and Humphrey thwart their mutual enemy for good? And might they finally have a chance to reach their happy ever after?

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Excerpt:

Humphrey stripped down to his exercise breeches and hurried through to the main room of the gymnasium to find Abe already in the ring, wearing Humphrey’s spare pair of breeches, trying on a pair of mufflers or boxing gloves.

If Humphrey was awed by Abe when clad in evening dress, he was rendered speechless at the sight of his lover clad only in slim-fitting breeches, stockings and pumps, revealing the bronze skin that Humphrey loved to kiss and touch.

Humphrey admired Abe’s back view, with his thickly muscled shoulders, tapering to his trim waist. The breeches were like a second skin against his taut backside and thick thighs, the power of which Humphrey recalled too clearly for comfort for his equally brief clothing.

Humphrey was only dimly aware of another thick-set man entering the ring. With a final word of advice to Abe, Elias came to stand beside Humphrey.

“I wanted to gauge Mr. Pengelly’s measure,” he said, giving a nod to both men who were awaiting his signal.

They circled each other warily, neither of them keen to rush headlong into an exchange of blows. For such a big man, Abe was surprisingly light on his feet. As an amateur pugilist, Humphrey admired Abe’s deft, instinctive footwork that kept him out of reach of the other man’s fists. Clem would say he’s had enough practice running away from constables and night watchmen, Humphrey thought with an irreverent grin.

He approved of Abe’s basic tactics and that luscious physicality on full display, but at the same time, Humphrey was aware that this was a fresh aspect to his man.

There was no sign of the tender and passionate lover who reduced Humphrey and Clem to paroxysms of ecstasy, nor the domestic side of Abe in the role of a dutiful son, always respectful of his beloved mama. Or even the shrewd operator who had got the better of Farquarson, plotting to beard him in his den to acquire Clem’s references, and now using similar skills to protect his nation.

The version of Abe that Humphrey saw in the ring was a watchful hunter, bristling with aggression and honed instinct. Despite his better instincts, Humphrey was secretly thrilled by this display.

Abe shifted away from his opponent’s first approach, an easy parry to test Abe’s agility. The next move from his sparring partner was more disciplined and calculated. Abe sidestepped the blow as neatly as a cat, planting a jab to the man’s ribs.

At this signal, the more experienced fighter acknowledged that this was no soft-living gentleman who required gentle handling.

The fight began in earnest, both opponents seeming to take grim pleasure in each other’s well-matched strength. Despite his lover’s commitment to proceedings, Humphrey had the distinct impression that Abe was holding back. In a different place and in other circumstances, he could have made mincemeat of his opponent.

However, Abe seemed content to abide with the rules in these civilised surroundings, or at least picking them up swiftly as the fight progressed. After an exchange of blows, with honours even on both sides, the two men were locked in a pugilistic embrace with no clear outcome.

“Enough,” Elias called, clearly satisfied with the short exhibition. The fighters disengaged immediately. The sparring partner opponent clapped Abe on the shoulder in evident approval, saying something that made Abe grin.

The trainer beckoned imperiously to Abe.

Humphrey had a close view of Abe’s half-naked body, his torso gleaming with perspiration, his massive chest heaving with exertion.

“You know the basics, anyway,” Elias said with satisfaction.

“You’ll find I’m a quick learner when I put my mind to something.”

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Book links:

Publisher :: Amazon :: UBL :: Add to Goodreads :: Add to Bookbub

Bio:

Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes historical gay romance.

Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.

Website: https://elliethomasromance.wordpress.com/

Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/8308047409266947

Twitter/X: @e_thomas_author

Bluesky: @elliethomas.bsky.social

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19835510.Ellie_Thomas

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ellie-thomas

Guest Post | The Unquiet House by Ellie Thomas

October 27, 2024October 21, 2024 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 2 Comments

The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! Today, she’ll share a little about her latest release, The Unquiet House. Welcome, Ellie!

Thank you, lovely Ofelia, for having me as a guest on your blog again. I’m Ellie, I write Historical Romance novellas, and I’m here today to chat about my brand new Halloween release. The Unquiet House is the second novella in my Regency Paranormal series and the sequel to The Monk’s Lair, the first story to feature my couple Christian and Sam.

Like the first story, The Unquiet House is told from the point of view of Christian Maxwell, a rather delicate young man with uncertain health with an unusual psychic gift. When he touches organic material like stone or wood, he is able to perceive the history and events that the object or building has experienced.

In The Monk’s Lair, Christian’s gift leads to a dangerous adventure for him and his new acquaintance Sam near the atmospheric ruins of Tintern Abbey on the Welsh borders. So in The Unquiet House, my challenge was to find a different but equally compelling setting.

As readers of my stories already know, I like to have a familiarity with the settings of my stories. If I can see a place clearly in my mind’s eye, then hopefully, I’ll be able to transfer that to the reader through my words.

So when I was visualising Haverford House, the ancient haunted manor in the story that Christian and Sam are requested to investigate in The Unquiet House, it seemed natural to base the building and history on Littlecote House, near Hungerford, where I passed many a weekend afternoon on guided tours as a child.

After so many visits, I can still recall the main rooms of Littlecote House, so it was fun to tweak my memories for Christian’s impressions. Naturally, many of the details are embellishment or pure fiction, but the basic layout consisting of the Elizabethan Great Hall and the Georgian Chinese Drawing Room, plus the magnificent Red Staircase are borrowed directly from Littlecote. Not forgetting the secret passages behind the walls of the house.

That’s not all! Although The Unquiet House isn’t precisely a ghost story, I borrowed one of Littlecote’s most famous ghosts, the lady who resides in the Haunted Bedroom. I gave her a different backstory for the encounter with Christian, but the bedroom and the landing can be found at Littlecote. Although I’ve never encountered an unquiet spirit on my many visits, I can verify that the temperature in this part of the house is distinctly chilly, which dissipates as soon as you move onto the next room.

I wanted a vivid and atmospheric backdrop for the twists and turns of Christian and Sam’s paranormal investigation and the continuation of their love story, and for this particular adventure, Littlecote House fitted the bill perfectly.

Blurb:

theunquiethouse

After barely surviving their terrifying encounter with the spectre of the hooded monk during the previous autumn, Christian Maxwell and Sam Gillespie have consolidated their romantic relationship and are starting to gain a reputation for dealing with the unknown.

For this reason, they receive an invitation to Haverford House in Wiltshire during the spring of 1817. The owners of the historic haunted manor house, Mr. and Mrs. Huxley, are being afflicted by a series of inexplicable incidents.

With his sensitivity to atmosphere, Christian is immediately alerted to danger. Yet, despite their best efforts, neither he nor Sam can discern the cause, although their search brings them closer as a couple and as a team. As sinister events develop, can our devoted duo unmask the culprit without putting themselves in danger?

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Excerpt:

Christian regarded the stolid group of middle-aged people surrounding Sam, including the extra vicar, with a darker shade to his complexion from the Caribbean sun. Sam had already struck up an animated conversation with the colonel’s lady. His face, shaded by candlelight into fascinating planes and hollows, was alight with interest. Christian was so distracted that he lost the thread of Mrs. Huxley’s discourse.

“You’ve met my husband, of course.”

Christian dragged his attention away from Sam to regard his host. “And near to him is Ernest Bell, a distant relative of mine. It’s very good of him to support us in our endeavours since our son Gordon returned to university after the Christmas vacation. Of course, Ernest’s very fond of the place. He was a regular visitor in my Cousin Grenville’s day.”

Christian placed Mr. Bell in his early thirties, somewhat younger than the Huxleys. There was little or no family resemblance to the fair and even-featured Mrs. Huxley. The man was dark haired and had a strong craggy face. He seemed completely at ease, conversing easily as though taking his cue from his hosts.

As the meal commenced, Mrs. Huxley was monopolised by the gentleman on her other side, allowing Christian to absorb the surrounding ambience. The candlelight flattered the diners and the ready supply of wine increased the merry flow of conversation.

The food is excellent, Christian thought, nibbling on a chicken leg. The dishes were removed by a small number of well-trained staff. The Huxleys clearly hadn’t stinted on the domestic sphere of their enterprise.

“Have you come far?”

A gruff male voice broke into Christian’s preoccupations.

“Not at all. Only the other side of the county,” he replied.

“We hail from Suffolk.”

Unprompted, the gentleman leaned over the lady sitting between them and launched into a treatise on the historic sights of that region. Thankfully, he required little in the way of a response. Without having to pay much attention, Christian simply interjected the occasional, “Oh really? How interesting.”

In such congenial surroundings, Christian almost forgot that he and Sam weren’t invited to enjoy the convivial atmosphere.

When the hair rose on the back of Christian’s neck, at first, he assumed it was due to a stray draught, understandable in such an ancient and large space. Rather than easing, the sensation continued to intensify. Christian felt his shoulders tense, as if braced for attack.

He felt a sudden burst of malice like a silent cackle of mocking laughter.

Again, he couldn’t place the source of ill-intent until a footman leaned between Christian and Mrs. Huxley to place a covered salver on the table.

As the servant reached across to lift the lid, Christian hissed, “Don’t!”

His voice was low, but his urgency transmitted to his hostess and the footman, who hesitated in mid-action.

Mrs. Huxley threw a startled glance towards Christian. However, her voice was calm as she said, “Take it away, please, Simon.”

The young server obeyed without question. Mrs. Huxley murmured, “Excuse me.” She accompanied the footman from the room without attracting any attention.

Christian’s collar felt constricting and the candlelight too bright for his strained nerves. He took a sip of wine to steady himself before he glanced around the table.

There was no discernible change in the level of chatter and general merriment. Christian attempted to focus in vain. He could no longer sense the slightest whiff of the ill-feeling that had vanished like a puff of smoke in a strong breeze.

He jumped at the light touch on his shoulder.

“May I borrow you for a moment?” Mrs. Huxley asked.

Christian turned to see that his hostess was pale, her eyes wide with alarm.

“Yes, of course.”

He rose to follow her, unnoticed except by Mr. Huxley, briefly hesitating in mid-comment, and Sam, who quickly looked up before resuming his discourse.

Christian followed the lady into the service region of the house. In a pantry, the silver salver sat alone on a shelf, guarded by the footman.

“I thought you ought to see this for yourself.”

Mrs. Huxley nodded to the footman, who lifted the lid without ceremony. Instead of the expected delicacy, on the gleaming silver platter lay a dead rat with a candied cherry in its mouth.

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