Belega
by Dianne Hartsock
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GENRE: Erotic Fantasy Romance (M/M)
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BLURB:
The Karthagans have regained their ancient powers of manipulating nature, but at the price of madness. In their lust for control, they've destroyed their island and most of their race. They come now to Belega, where one of them, Camron, seeks domination over the known world. The Mage has come from the northern continent of Sennia to bring peace but finding his strength no match for the coming struggle, he passes his abilities on to Natan, who only desires a simple life.
Now only Natan has the ability to stop Camron, but the personal cost is more than he imagines. It is only with the combined strength of his friends, his Karthagan lover, Kavi, and his deep desire to bring lasting peace to the earth, that he finds the courage to overcome Camron and restore balance to the world.
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EXCERPT
Natan drew a contented breath, happy to have his cousin with them as they were rowed to the ship. It was nice to be at sea again, but it wasn’t until the second day of the voyage that he recovered his spirits. He couldn’t help it. It was a glorious day with a steady breeze speeding him home. Kavi stood by his side, his face raised to the tangy sea air. His hair danced around his head and occasionally brushed Natan’s lips. Natan’s heart filled. He decided to make the most of the short time he might have with him. He stepped closer and thrilled as Kavi leaned back against him.
“You were right, Natan. There’s nothing more wonderful than the sea,” Kavi murmured.
There was an exaggerated groan beside them. “I think I’m feeling ill,” Niko said, and rolled his eyes at them, leaning far over the railing.
Jaden threw several damp rags at him. “You may as well help me clean the deck while you’re here.”
As usual, the young men worked alongside the sailors on the voyage. Natan gave Kavi a playful shove away and continued with his chore of polishing the brass work.
Niko tossed Kavi a rag. “You may help,” he said, laughing aloud as Kavi made him a bow and complied. The friends worked in amiable silence for a time.
Niko rose and stretched from the deck he’d been scrubbing and smiled as the sun and wind kissed his cheeks. Natan saw the intense joy that lit his face, and knew he felt the stirring of power inside him. Pain fierce as a knife’s thrust stabbed his heart. Kavi heard his indrawn breath, but Natan turned from him in shame, unable to hide his jealousy.
“Natan?” Kavi put a hand on his arm as Natan hung his head.
“It hurts, Kavi, not to have my powers,” he confessed a grief never far from the surface. He straightened and took a steadying breath.
“Well, I can no longer fly,” he admitted. “But I can come close.”
He felt Kavi’s gaze as he sought out the deck officer. At first the man refused, clearly not wanting to risk his safety.
“I know what I’m doing,” Natan assured him.
“I’ll take him,” Daran spoke from where he worked close by. Natan’s smile broadened. Daran was the young sailor he’d met on his first voyage to Sennia.
“It’s your neck,” the officer said, and the limber youth scrambled up the rigging with a whoop. Natan followed more slowly, ignoring a hitch of pain, as they climbed to the crow’s nest. He swung himself into the basket and spread his arms wide as the sea unfolded below him, laughing in sheer joy as the ship rode a deep swell.
The sailor looked at him with approval. “It’s as if we’re part of the sky.”
“Thank you, Daran.”
“I’m at your disposal, Mage,” the young man bowed, and Natan found that the title didn’t sting so badly on top of the world.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Dianne grew up in one of the older homes in the middle of Los Angeles, a place of hardwood floors and secret closets and back staircases. A house where ghosts lurk in the basement and the faces in the paintings watch you walk up the front stairs. Rooms where you keep the closet doors closed tight at night. It’s where her love of the mysterious and wonderful came from. Dianne is the author of m/m romance, paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, and anything else that comes to mind.
She now lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play. Dianne says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee in her hands, which kindles her imagination.
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Blog: https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
FaceBook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsockbooks/?show_switched_toast=1&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/
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GIVEAWAY
Dianne Hartsock will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting my BELEGA today!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it, Rita. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThis sounds like such a fantastic read
ReplyDelete