Eris Adderly Official Site

Author: ErisAdderly

A gift from Greece, inspiration for more stories.

My Christmas gift from Mr. Adderly arrived in the mail today (overseas shipping times are no joke). All the way from Greece. I was excited just to see the package!

Oooh, fancy! Even the box inside comes all wrapped up in gold cloth and ribbon. What is it? What is it? What is it?

This picture pretty much represents me having an Oh My Gawd moment. Isn’t she gorgeous?

He had to guess my wrist size when he ordered this cuff – and it fit perfectly! The artist made it to order, and apparently the patina process took longer than he expected, hence the late arrival.

Even the clasps are beautiful. He had to fasten it; there was no way I could contort my hand to do it myself.

Just having this treasure around is going to inspire me to write. I need to get cracking on my current works in progress, so I can clear a path to Serpent, Stone, and Shield, my re-imagining of the Medusa/Perseus myth set to be a companion novella to The Eighth House in the Flames of Olympus trilogy I have planned. It will be Medusa like you’ve never seen her before, I promise.

I have to hand it to the guy. My husband knows my love of all things baroque and slightly creepy. And he listens when I ramble on about my stories. A thoughtful gift, indeed.

January 13, 2016
People’s moms and grandmas bought this. And it was not for massaging their shoulders.

Look. There are some products that have been marketed as “massagers” (oh, if only I could make those quote marks embody the true scope of the nudge-nudging and wink-winking here) that have actually been what they say they are. But really, pretty much anything that’s sold in a box with the word “massager” on it, and that vibrates, is being used as a sex toy. It just is. Resign yourself to it. In fact, you might be familiar with that most infamous of repurposed massagers, the Hitachi Magic Wand. If you’re not, I’ll wait while you use your internet skillz to find out.

OK, now that that’s out of your system …

So I was antiquing in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend, and I came across this bad boy. The Oster Stim-U-Lax Junior Home Massage Instrument. Complete with original package, instruction manual, and warranty card, copyright 1952. And how glorious it was. Of course, it came home with me.

Check it out (click on any of the images for full size):

Well, it does have a UL certification, so that’s heartening. And I like how the word “STIM” has sort of wavy letters. You know, so we get the idea that it vibrates. Let’s open it up, shall we?

The box is pretty much being held together with spit and baling wire, which is impressive considering that black mamba of a cord going on there. Mr Adderly suggested I plug it in to see if it still worked. I passed on almost certain death by electrical shock, you’ll be happy to know, so more stories for you.

So amazingly, all the original parts seem to be here. Yes. The scary metal piece of machinery that looks like you’d hook it up to an air compressor and repaint your siding is the “massager”. And of course, there’s the manual and warranty card. There was also a tiny envelope carrying a black rubber cap of some sort, which I eventually figured out covers up a brass fitting on the thing. And yes, I am secretly an old lady who has a clear vinyl cover on top of my table cloth. Don’t judge me.

Of course, I had to try it on. This thing weighs over two pounds, ya’ll. It is heavy. Who could relax while using this? It would be a workout just to hold up your hand. And dig the super-comfy metal spring straps. I’m sure no body hair would possibly ever get pinched and yanked in there while it was vibrating. See, the idea is that this crazy thing vibrates your hand, and then you use your buzzing fingers to do the work. Hmmm.

This thing is hardcore, yo. If someone broke into your house while you were massaging away, you could just clock them with it. Probably help them shed a few teeth in the bargain.

The pictures on the manual cover are pretty helpful. That guy’s hair was sore, I’m sure. And the top of that chick’s armpit. She’s looking down at that scary hunk of metal and hard rubber as though it were the caress of butterfly wings. I’m not posting images of every page in the manual, but here are at least some:

“You’ll look forward to its soothing, relaxing effect after a day of hard work. You will soon learn to value its stimulating benefits after every strenuous activity, be it work or play.”

Yeah, I’ll bet you will.

And note that they bloody well gave you plenty to read in 1952. They’re giving you the entire treatise here. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Art of Massage. You will come away from this manual educated, by god.

“The three main massage movements are stroking, kneading, and vibration.”

Yes. Yes they are.

Look at these sharply dressed and smartly coiffed people enjoying their massage. You just know you’ll enjoy it, too!

The manual goes on to give tips on various types of massage, including massaging your gums, because why not?

“… several thousand rotating-patting Swedish-type massage movements per minute are delivered to your fingers which you can control from a very mild to a more vigorous application.”

Indeed.

And I like the diagram so we can see how the massager is supposed to waggle our fingers. Thank you, helpful-diagram drawing man. Thank you.

I, of course, don’t doubt the efficacy of the Stim-U-Lax Junior one bit. After all, it’s guaranteed.

January 2, 2016
Spend your holiday with pirates: The Maid and the Cook is available on Amazon!

John Bone and Brigit O’Creagh will spice up your Kindle for FREE through December 22nd!

A romance for the rest of us.

Look. Sometimes it gets boring with every erotic romance starring only the hot people, Chiseled jaws, thick flowing locks of hair, tiny waists and perfect bosoms. John Bone and Brigit O’Creagh would like to take that trope and make it walk the plank. They have scars and filthy mouths, and more that a few dents and scratches life has awarded them along the way, just like most of us. And guess what? They fall in love, too. And lust.

I love this couple possibly more than any other pair I’ve written because they’re real, dirty, and fun – just the sort of people I like to be around! And now you can fall in love with them, too. The Maid and the Cook is live on Amazon, and it’s FREE for the first 3 days! (Then it’ll be $0.99 USD)

This is the last of the extant pirates stories in The Skull and Crossbone Romances I already had written on Literotica. The next time I announce pirates coming your way, it’ll be all new material with The Carpenter and the Deckhand, and then The Merry Widow.

If you’ve read The Maid and the Cook already and would like to leave a review, well I would sure appreciate that. Even if it’s short, online reviews help indie authors like nothing else. Since it’s FREE right now, you can just one-click that thing and refresh your memory of the story. If you don’t have a Kindle or the Kindle app anywhere, well, give me a reply and we’ll work something out.

OK. I know you’re ready. Now settle in for some much-needed time below decks with the badass maid from Cork and the smitten pirate who doesn’t know what hit him!

Get The Maid and the Cook for Kindle here:

[button title=”Amazon US” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019KUZBNG” new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

[button title=”Amazon CA” link=”http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B019KUZBNG” new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

[button title=”Amazon UK” link=”http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019KUZBNG” new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

[button title=”Amazon AU” link=”http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B019KUZBNG” new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

Don’t own a Kindle? You can get the free Kindle app for Android, Apple or PC, and be enjoy dirty pirates on your phone, computer or tablet.

[content_box type=”without-header” text_color=”dark” color=”color-alt-1″]

The Maid and the Cook, Excerpt:

“Please, John …” The words tumbled out of her, though she didn’t know precisely what it was she wanted from him. Only to beg perhaps. Beg for more.

Hearing his own name seemed to further stoke the fires of his kisses, and he carried them scorching up along her throat again until his lips found their way to hers. His mouth demanded for a final, clear moment, that Brigit O’Creagh acknowledge what was happening down here in the galley of The Devil’s Luck.

And what was happening was that she wanted this man, this pirate, to sweep her up and carry her along to all the forbidden places she’d never been.

He appeared to be well on his way to doing just that.

Righting himself, he rested his forehead atop hers and moved broad palms into a light grip just above either of her knees. She angled her head back to look up at him, thoughts spinning even as her breath slowed.

Before today, Brigit couldn’t have imagined blue eyes would remind her of fire.

With a squeeze of his thumbs, and a sliding shift of his hands a mere inch higher on her thighs, John Bone made his most dangerous promise yet. She exhaled in a silent groan that threatened to turn her wrong side out. The bare hint of a smirk on his face spoke of wickedness to come.

“Care to show me what you’re hiding ‘neath these skirts, pretty girl?”

[/content_box]

December 20, 2015
An Emperor for the Eclipse CH 7 Live on Literotica

Chapter 7 is here!

Chapter Seven: A Whispering Fish, A Bargaining Eel.

A new chapter is finally upon us. Gods be praised!

What happens now that Raothan has discovered Niquel actually can speak Novamnean? Will Bellora walk away from her night with General Ayzhus unscathed? Can our hero sort out all these problems before the eclipse claims his life? Can I make this email sound any more like a Batman episode cliffhanger?! BIFF! POW! Oh, and there’s a fish talking to an invisible bird. Then it gets weird.

Check out an excerpt below, or skip right to Literotica and read Chapter Seven now. And please do comment on Lit! I respond in the comments section about every five comments or so. Love to hear from you!

[button title=”Read on Literotica” link=”https://www.literotica.com/s/after-exile-bk-01-an-emperor-for-the-eclipse-ch-07″ new_tab=”yes” size=”small”]

[content_box type=”without-header” text_color=”dark” color=”color-alt-1″]

An Emperor for the Eclipse, Chapter 7, Excerpt:

Sliding the wooden chair back over the floorboards and hoping her knees were ready to support her, Bellora moved to stand. She remembered there being water in the—

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

She almost wet down her own leg at the jolt of a fist banging at the door. The whole wall seemed to shake.

What the …?

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

“Imperial Guard. Open the door.”

Imperial … Had they followed her? Her mind and heart were in a race to see which could trip the other and kill her first. Was this about the—

THUMP! THUMP!

“Imperial Guard! Open the door now, or pay for a new one later!”

Oh, balls. What could these idiots want?

Bellora scurried around the table to the door, knowing the potter’s wife—her landlady—would be none too pleased if part of the property was splintered to bits. It felt like an awl was pushing through her temple as she moved.

This better be important. Assholes.

THUMP! TH—

“Yes?” she said in irritation as she yanked the door open to a bracer-clad arm still in mid-air.

“Bellora Dazhmi.”

It wasn’t even a question. The blunt-nosed officer smirked down at her, two more of the palace guard flanking him from behind. She was in no mood.

“What do you want?” Hadn’t Ayzhus said she was free to go?

[/content_box]

[button title=”Read on Literotica” link=”https://www.literotica.com/s/after-exile-bk-01-an-emperor-for-the-eclipse-ch-07″ new_tab=”yes” size=”small”]

December 13, 2015
The Dirty Novelist Manifesto Part 1

There are a lot of rules. I mean a whole lot of them. About writing and publishing. A metric crap-ton, if you will. Most of them have a solid basis in logic to back them up. I like to think I’m usually logical, but sometimes I just can’t hang. Blame it on my namesake: Eris is a troublemaker. Here are two I’ve decided to break:

Rule: Different Pen Names for Different Genres

I’d never really been aware this was a thing until I started investigating the publishing/writing world for myself. Apparently, the prevailing wisdom dictates that if I want to write erotic romance, I can do it under Eris Adderly, but if I want to start writing sci-fi, I need to come up with another name for myself. Build another website. Create a complete array of new social media accounts. I must bifurcate my identity again and again if I want to branch out. The genres must never meet! The mashed potatoes must never touch the ham!

Actually, that’s kind of funny, because I am the sort of person who doesn’t like their food to touch. But that’s another neurosis for another time.

Well, as a wise woman once said: “Fuck that noise!” This whole notion fails to give readers enough credit. You are the Readers of Books. You know how to read back cover copy, an online book description. You know what you want to read. One name or another on the cover isn’t going to fool you into reading something you don’t want to see. I am a complicated person who is interested in a wide and bizarre range of things. And so are you! You don’t deserve to be pigeon-holed by made-up rules that declare, “This person is an erotica reader! They don’t want to see anything else! For the love of god, hide all other books from them! Somebody think of the children!”

I want to write all kinds of books. Sure, lots of them might have sex sticking the pages together in varying degrees. But they’re not all going to be historical. Or fantasy. Maybe I want to write some sci-fi. Some paranormal. Some that mix a few of those things up in one unsettling brew. Maybe some books in the future won’t have any graphic smut at all. But the one thing all those potential universes have in common is me. And as a writer, I’m Eris. So all those books are going to wear that name, too. Because they’re all part of complicated, irrational, twitchy, glorious, fucked up me.

Rule: Tropes Exist For A Reason

If you read enough (or watch enough) in any one genre, you’ll start to see the patterns. If you’re a voracious reader like me, you’ll start to get really good a predicting outcomes. Friends and family will begin to hate watching movies with you, because you call the ending 15 minutes into it. They don’t realize the reason you watch weird indie movies half the time is so, for once, you can just bloody be surprised by where a story takes you.

And it is true. We have a positive physical reaction in our bodies when we experience the familiar. It’s the reason repetitive pop songs keep doing so well, even though they’re the same chord progressions we’ve been hearing forever. Our brain tries to anticipate what’s going to come next, and when it’s proven correct (by the predictable nature of a song or narrative), it rewards itself by saying, “OK System, release the dopamine!” And we feel good. And this is because our brain wants us to become pros at predicting outcomes so in situations where there’s actual danger, we manage not to die. Ta da! Science.

But you know me. I’ve got to be the salmon of the group. I’ve got to head in the wrong direction. I like to take a well-known trope, reach into its guts, and twist something vital around backward so now it’s farting a tune and whistling— OK, you know what? We’ll just stop there. You get the point.

I knew when I was writing The Devil’s Luck that the whole pirate thing, and further the pirate bodice ripper thing was so tropey. So already-been-done a million times. But the Can’t Leave Well Enough Alone gene in me wanted to see if I could do it another way. Why can’t my heroine have two lovers instead of one? And not have one of them be a temporary stunt cock just to accomplish a particular dirty scene. And not have there be jealousy involved. How can I make this happen? I thought. Can it be done? Well yes, it can. The heroine can also save herself from the ultimate peril in the novel, rather than waiting for gleaming pecs and cutlass to show up and do it for her. You know what? Maybe this broad won’t even say I Love You between the covers of this book. Maybe she’s making her own choices and hasn’t decided yet on all that. Maybe it’s OK for her to live in the moment and not have to plan her Ever Afters right this minute.

I like characters with open futures. None of our futures are decided. It’s all a big adventure.

Have I succeeded in defying tropes in everything I’ve written? Nope. Not at all. But I like to try, at the very least in little ways, to have my characters take some turns you wouldn’t expect. You’re an awesome reader. I love that you read my stories. And you deserve some surprises once in a while, dammit. The real kind, too. Not just the ones masquerading as surprises that you really saw coming all along, like someone dressed in a ninja costume crashing down the hallway, knocking over end tables and scaring the cat.

So between writing whatever kinds of stories excite me, and testing out new ways my characters can push boundaries and get a little weird, I hope I can in some way give you, the Insatiable Consumer of Words, that precious gift: the excitement of not knowing what’s going to happen next.

Much Love,

Eris

December 2, 2015
This is what romance on the high seas looks like. At least to this author.

I’m super excited to show you my new ebook cover!

The Maid and the Cook

In contrast to the torrid reds of The Devil’s Luck cover, John and Brigit’s story merited a lighter, sweeter vibe. Yes, they’re still pirates, and yes, the characters are still salty and rough around the edges, but if you’ve read the story already you know that the maid and the cook’s tale was far more delicious discovery and good fun than all the angst and trauma the poor Widow Collingwood braved before finding her way.

But wait a minute … didn’t John Bone have a shaved head and a long red beard done up in twin braids? Who the hell is this guy? Well, my friends, the world of stock photography for romance novel covers has its limitations and, believe it or not, there are almost zero bald or bearded guys among the images available. Now I did go to the trouble to photoshop a bald head on Benjamin Till for the Devil’s Luck cover, but let me tell you: that was a wild and hairy pain in the ass, the details of which I won’t bore you with, suffice to say I decided not to tear all my hair out doing it again. Much like pirates thinking about the lassies they left back at port when it comes time to take matters in hand, ya’ll are going to have to use your imaginations. That being said, I went with this image because of the number of scenes where Brigit finds the cook at her back the way these two are standing. Mmmmm … If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my bunk.

I am in the process of editing The Maid and the Cook for Amazon right now. I’d say I’m about half finished, and it’s going quickly. I’d like to have it up and ready for purchase early December. People on my email list will be notified on release day.

OK! I guess I need to get back to editing! I shall leave you with a passage from the story that makes me smile every time. I love these two!

“Now Brigit,” he said, leaning in, as they made their way along the deck, “these are not bad men, truly, but they are a bit rough. I wouldn’t be expecting fine language or graceful conversation from this lot, even if their own mothers showed up on the quarterdeck.”

She laughed as they strolled in the lantern light towards the raucous sounds of gaming men. “Do you worry about my tender ears, John Bone,” she teased, tilting her face up to direct the words quietly at him and no one else, “with all your talk just hours ago of me taking your cock?”

The massive bald man at her side sputtered and coughed his way into a deep chuckle at this, and squeezed at her hand anew as they approached the small, but noisy gathering. “Christ, girl,” he said as he pulled himself together, “my face’ll be as red as my beard. Ye may be worse than half the men.”

“Then we shall get on well, Mr Bone.”

November 24, 2015
Production Schedule [sticky]

[icon_box icon=”icon-pencil” icon_position=”left” title=”Last Update” align=”left”]
July 16, 2021
[/icon_box]

OK, maybe “schedule” implies a more definite timetable than I’m able to give. Creativity is nebulous and all that, so it’s hard to pin down the “when” of these things, but either way, this is intended to be an ever-evolving perma-post of what all I intend to do next, and in what order.

Be sure and sign up for my email list to be notified when new stories are available.

Of course, moods change, and the thing I think I’m going to work on next can fluctuate with the weather. So I’m going to just update this one single post whenever my agenda gets rearranged. If I’m not working on your favorite thing next, drop me a line! Make a comment! I’m not above being swayed by reader demand. No, not above it at all.

When you see two columns, that’s when I intend to work on projects during the same time period. This happens where some things have deadlines and others don’t. Plus, I can get restless with slogging through one story forever at a time, so it helps me to switch back and forth sometimes to keep up my own interest and momentum. (Note: if you’re on the mobile site, that two columns thing goes right out the window. Sorry ’bout that)

[title type=”special-h3″ color=””]Current and Immediate Future[/title]

[row]
[column size=”col-6″]

Chimera (We Are Nepenthe Book 2)

This is me writing as Octavia Hyde, and Chimera will be the next book in the We Are Nepenthe tentacle shifter alien series.

Yeah, I said tentacles. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Nepenthe, you’re basically looking at some alien first contact, Mars Needs Women, and egg incubation tropes there. It’s set up in an episodic way, so the book has three shorter parts in it that each feature a different human/alien couple. It’s basically some fun, weird, smut.

The second book I’ll be working on is (for now, at least) intended to be the last in this specific series, but … it does set up the framework for a spinoff series I have planned in the same universe, which is shaping up to be way more involved. All I can say is, you thought things were getting intense with the tentacles. Just you wait.

[/column]

[column size=”col-6″]

A Sinner in Virtue (A Vice Territories Prologue)

This story originally appeared in the When the Dark Wins anthology, but has since been unavailable after the anthology’s limited run. I’ve had my rights back to it since that time, but I haven’t wanted to put it out yet until I was closer to starting the official first book in the series, The Yellow Rose.

I won’t be starting The Yellow Rose until 2023 by my current estimate, but a poll in my Facebook group a while back ended up with readers strongly in favor of me releasing this prequel story as a single book sooner rather than later. So I’m hoping to get that back out to you in Spring 2022.

For a refresher, this setting could best be described as: wasteland + American West vs. dystopian theocracy gone wrong.

[/column]
[/row]

[title type=”special-h3″ color=””]A Little Later[/title]

[row]
[column size=”col-6″]

Bride Price: Aphrodite & Hephaistos (Flames of Olympos Book 3)

The final (as far as I know) standalone book in the Flames of Olympos series. It’s about just who the title says. Much like the other two books in the series, I’m taking up the challenge of imagining the secret side of canonically maligned figures like Hades and Medousa. Aphrodite notoriously had lovers all over Olympos and everywhere else while being married to Hephaistos. I decided to see how a marriage like that could work out, rather than taking the more traditional route of, “poor Heph, his wife is cheating on him.” This one I think is going to push some boundaries. I anticipate some DNFs, but the payoff will be there for those willing to stick it out.

Secret Project!

I legit can’t tell you anything about it other than I’m looking at a Spring 2023 release. When I can say more, I will.

The Yellow Rose (The Vice Territories Book 1)

Book one of a dystopian future wasteland series set primarily (yes, I’m doing it), a whorehouse in Texas. My novella, A Sinner in Virtue, was the prequel to this series. The Vice Territories will follow the adventures of a badass madame, the bawdy house she manages in a largely uninhabitable region of the US known as the Vice Territories, the local opposition she and her business face. Sex, politics, dirty wasteland Western Americana.

[/column]
[column size=”col-6″]

Nepenthe spinoff series, Book 1

[title TBD]

aAspinoff series I have planned in the same universe as We Are Nepenthe (writing as Octavia Hyde), which is shaping up to be way more involved. All I can say is, you thought things were getting intense with the tentacles. Just you wait.

[/column]
[/row]

[title type=”special-h3″ color=””]Uncharted Territory[/title]

After this point, I have no idea what order I’m doing these things in, but I do know I’m writing them at some point. Things closer to the top of the list I feel like are higher priority, but that might change at any minute. So there’s that.

After Exile Book II: Bloodnames

[working title, subject to change]

All I can say is, if you want this one done sooner, help me find more readers for it. I definitely see and hear the small, but mighty few of you who were really into An Emperor for the Eclipse. This universe is my worldbuilding baby, and I have not abandoned it forever. But as it stands now, I need to write some books first to pay my bills. This series will definitely be a labor of love to finish, And I will. I promise.

After Exile Book III: Ascension

[working title, subject to change]

Same as with Book II, above. The plot will not rest until at least this book is done, so I’ll be plugging away, however long it takes.

The Vice Territories (Books 2 and 3)

So far the number of planned novels to complete the entire story arc of this series.

Six of One (Blood Accord Book 1)

Book one of at least two in the Blood Accord series, to which V is for Vampire is a prequel. Sci-fi. Dystopian far future. Vampires. I am very excited about this one – lots of it is mapped out already. Going nuts I can’t get to it sooner, but I know there are things people will be wanting me to finish up first. But this thing is gonna be epic, and like nothing I’ve done before.

The Carpenter and the Deckhand (A Skull & Crossbone Romance)

An MM Romance novella featuring Ellis George and Christopher Winters, crew members on The Devil’s Luck.

The Merry Widow (A Skull & Crossbone Romance)

Sequel to The Devil’s Luck. We’re going all the way back to Hannah, Captain Blackburn, and Mr Till. Brigit and John Bone will be there, too, plus all the rest of the crew. And some new folks. 🙂

November 4, 2015
WIP Excerpt: CH 7 of An Emperor for the Eclipse

So earlier this week I posted on Facebook asking who you’d want to hear about in an excerpt from Chapter 7: Bellora or Niquel? After a few cries of “All of the above!”, it settled out at three votes for Niquel and one for Bellora. So Ptyverias it is then!

Haha, just kidding. I will admit, I’m a little bummed nobody wanted to hear from Bellora, because her scene so far was f**king intense. But you asked, and I’ll deliver!

MODERATE SPOILERS AHEAD for those who aren’t caught up:

Chapter 6 leaves off with Niquel’s poorly thought out ruse to pretend she doesn’t speak Novamnean or Trade Common blowing away on the wind when she wakes up in a panic after a nightmare only to shout at Raothan (who shouldn’t have been sleeping beside her anyway) to get off of her. The jig is up, lady! Now what?

Well here’s a peek for you. I tried to keep it interesting without giving too much away.

I’m 8,939 words into Chapter 7 right now (that’s three full Lit pages, about to spill over into four), with three and a half scenes to go, so I’m guessing that will add at least another five or six thousand words. Guess I better get back to it!

This image reminds me of how the Imperial Palace feels. Protreo, and Novamne as a whole have a very Roman flavor in my head, as far as architecture goes. This picture is of the Vittorio Emanuele Monument in Rome. This isn’t an ancient structure: it was designed in 1885, but the looks of it still definitely remind me of the palace facade I have in my head. I even found this image after describing the palace in Chapter Three!

OK, enough talk. Excerpt time:

[content_box type=”without-header” text_color=”dark” color=”color-alt-1″]

An Emperor for the Eclipse, Chapter 7, Excerpt:

One indefinable moment had seen her fleeing grasping hands amid a void of hissing, giggling darkness, the next found her waking in a strange man’s arms, nestled into a warm bed of opulence. What other reaction could there have been, but for Niquel to leap out of bed and cry out?

A wiser reaction, for a start.

She hadn’t been awake enough yet to remember with any clarity the events of the night before, aside from the fact that she should have been sleeping alone. And now here was this man—the Emperor—accusing her with those amber eyes from where he sat, still bound up in the linens.

“I knew it! You even looked me in the eye back on the steps when I asked you. How did I not see? You understood me the whole time!”

His gestures grew vehement and Niquel did what she always did when others became excitable: she went quiet and still. A chill on the air to counteract the flames.

“Well?” he said, not the least bit patient with her silence. “What do you have to say for yourself? Why did you lie to me?”

It was her fervent wish at that moment to be able to talk to Vodi. Like many other things, however, there was nothing to be done for it. Niquel decided to admit her shame. More for her fear than for the lie. Though that, too, made her feel low. Because of her ill-considered ploy, the man had confessed truths he otherwise might not have. At least one of them made her fight down another flush of color.

“I was afraid,” she said, lowering aggressive hands from her hips to hang at her sides. “I have never encountered a situation of this nature. My fear caused me to stop thinking. And to choose poorly. His Grace has my apology.”

Niquel dropped eye contact at this, pleased at least that she’d remembered the use of the honorific as Ellestia had warned. It would be foolish to upset the man further.

The moment stretched out in the brightening blue of early morning as she examined her feet and the stone of the floor beneath them, the two nearly the same color. Then she heard him clear his throat.

“Look. Out of all the people in this palace,” he said, “you have about the least to fear from me.”

At this, Niquel looked up at him and opened her mouth again before she could help it. “His Grace was in the bed. With me.”

His eyes cut to the side at her accusation and he made a face, forcing air out through his nose. When he met her gaze again, he’d carved out a portion of calm for himself. “And for that you have my apology. It was never my intent. Now please,” he said, swinging a leg out of the bed and rising to his feet, still in his rumpled toga, “call me Roathan. I have no interest in being anyone’s Grace.”

This was not expected behavior, if the stories Niquel had heard about lowlander kings and emperors were to be any guide. He should be pointing, demanding, imperious.

Instead, he waited with an open stance. Frank eyes. Spoke to her in plain language, forming the Novamnean words so that the vowels came wide and round, hinting at another first tongue behind it, somehow ancient and closer to the earth, to a … a source. It was a voice that was affecting her in a way Maudri had described when she waxed on about Zidjhal. Only she’d never quite understood what her friend had meant until now.

“And what will I call you?”

Niquel blinked. She’d been staring, unfocused.

“Niquel,” she said, coming out of her stupor, “my name is Niquel.”

He repeated it, tasting the word for himself, and she found she liked the way it sounded on his lips, as though it had more weight, more substance.

“So I suppose you speak Common then, too?”

She looked at the floor again.

“Flames of Abra’an.”

[/content_box]

October 29, 2015
Rowland Graves is haunting Amazon for Halloween.

Rowland Graves will haunt your Kindle for FREE through October 28th!

A dark tale for a dark night.

No, not Batman. Wrong Dark Knight. Hehe. The Red Dragon to The Devil’s Luck‘s Silence of the Lambs (ok weird comparison, but stay with me), has arrived on Kindle. And guess what? It’s FREE for the first 5 days! (Then it’ll be $0.99 USD)

Written as a Halloween Contest entry last year on Literotica, The Decline and Fall of Rowland Graves is a classic Gothic horror tale of one man’s descent into madness. One reader said they couldn’t even read the whole thing: they got too scared. What about you? Are you willing to wade all the way into the deep end?

I recently saw Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak in the theater, and the whole time I was thinking how much the movie had a similar feel to Rowland Graves. In fact, I could even see Tom Hiddleston as a young Doctor Graves. The whole thing has the grim inevitability of Poe, just, you know … with sex in it.

If you’ve read Rowland Graves already and would like to leave a review, well I would sure appreciate that. Even if it’s short, online reviews help indie authors like nothing else. Since it’s FREE right now, you can just one-click that thing and refresh your memory of the story. If you don’t have a Kindle or the Kindle app anywhere, well, give me a reply and we’ll work something out.

Time to lock the doors, grab a warm blanket, and turn on all the lights so you can step into the darkness with the doomed surgeon from Bristol at the spookiest time of year!

Get The Decline and Fall of Rowland Graves for Kindle here:

[button title=”Amazon US” link=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017265KUY?*Version*=1&*entries*=0″ new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

[button title=”Amazon CA” link=”http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B017265KUY?*Version*=1&*entries*=0″ new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

[button title=”Amazon UK” link=”http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017265KUY?*Version*=1&*entries*=0″ new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

[button title=”Amazon AU” link=”http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B017265KUY?*Version*=1&*entries*=0″ new_tab=”no” size=”small”]

Don’t own a Kindle? You can get the free Kindle app for Android, Apple or PC, and be enjoy dirty pirates on your phone, computer or tablet.

[content_box type=”without-header” text_color=”dark” color=”color-alt-1″]

The Decline and Fall of Rowland Graves, Excerpt:

“Rowland …” Her voice had a disoriented edge as she pulled away. It was as might be expected; he couldn’t remember ever giving into his urges with her this way.

“I can’t stand it, Love,” he said, taking her face in both his hands.

“What’s that?” She looked up at him with wide eyes in the darkness, voice and body tight. “What can’t you stand?”

“Dunning! The thought of him even touching you!” He leaned in to wrest a further series of bruising kisses from her.

She was breathless when they broke it off. His hands were on either side of her on the dresser now and she bent back at the waist to catch her breath.

“Oh, Rowland! I would never—”

“If your father marries you off to him you’ll have to!” It was becoming more and more difficult for him to keep his voice down.

“Please! I will never!” Her insistence begged him to believe. “I only belong to you, my love!”

Rowland inhaled through his nose at those words, teeth clenching together under the tightening of his jaw. His hands came together at her waist and caught her up.

“Yes, Elinor,” he said, with a low crackling of threat in his tone for anyone who dared take his angel from him. He hoisted her up to sit on the edge of the dresser. “You do belong to me.”

The ferocity of his next kiss, his handling, startled a clipped moan out of her. Rowland devoured it along with every other beautiful little whimper and gasp that followed.

Her hands were at his shoulders to steady herself, lest she fall back against the wall under his forceful claims. His mouth was on the moving column of her throat, the rising flesh of her breast at her neckline. She accepted him though, rough hands and all. Elinor always accepted him, any way that he came to her. Her knees were pressing in at his hips, and he snarled with some discomfiting new sense of possession.

She belongs to me. Me!

[/content_box]

October 24, 2015
Take one madman, a little spooky ambiance, stir, and get THIS.

Just in time for the Halloween season, behold!
The ebook cover of …

The Decline and Fall of Rowland Graves

Originally posted on Literotca as simply The Fall of Rowland Graves (before I discovered how one might circumvent the 35 character limit on titles, blast it), the origin story of the villain from The Devil’s Luck now has a cover and is in the final throes of ebook publication prep.

There he is, masked for Hallowtide looking rather dark and sinister, as well he ought. The graveyard image at the bottom is perfect for the story on so many levels (no spoilers, for those who haven’t read it!), and the cool, brooding color scheme goes along with the ominous descent of the story line. Yes, in the story he had a raven mask, but there’s only so much a body can find among available stock images. Until, of course, my vast writing fortune descends upon me and I can afford custom photo shoots or artwork. BWAHAHAHA!! Riiiiiiiiight…

My goal is to have Rowland Graves on Amazon by October 23. People on my email list will be notified on release day. Since I’ve lost my self-publishing virginity with The Devil’s Luck, I am far more confident that this story will launch by my ideal deadline. Now that I more or less know what I need to do. Hehe.

If you have questions about the cover designer, please feel free to contact me for information.

October 16, 2015