Monday, October 29, 2018

Their dreams take them in opposite directions. Can they find happiness together? TAYRYM is now available! #NewRelease #books #reading


Hello! I'm excited to annouce that TAYRYM, the fourth Galactic Defenders, is now available! 

Last week, I shared snippets from TAYRYM. If you missed any of them, you can find them through these links:


Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Tayrym and Guri have their first date ~ Read a snippet from TAYRYM #WeWriWa #GalacticDefenders #scifiromance #MMromance


Hello and welcome to another Weekend Writing Warriors post!

Thank you to everyone who came to visit me last weekend! TAYRYM, the fourth Galactic Defenders story will release this Monday, and is available for pre-order. 

Set-up: In last week's snippet, Gwenodyn finally revealed who Tayrym was crushing on. I'm going to skip ahead quite a bit now to half-way through chapter two, when Tayrym and Guri are on their first "date," for which Tayrym showed up late for. He did have a good excuse though. He was helping his mother at the palace. If you want to catch up on chapter one, you can find it on my blog in various sections.


Outside, kitchers chirped all around and tappies peeped as they flew overhead. He found his date sitting on a blanket with his legs out in front of him, four lit torches around the edge providing a faint amount of light. “You planned this?”

Guri shrugged. “I was planning to watch the sunset with you, but....”

“I’m so sorry.” He’d ruined their night before it had even begun. Maybe he should have gone home instead.

“It’s okay.” Guri reached up for him. 

Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

RELEASES OCTOBER 29, 2018

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FROM:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

Universal Buy Link


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Friday, October 26, 2018

The First and Second Kiss. Read an #excerpt from TAYRYM! #GalacticDefenders #scifiromance #MMromance

Hello! TAYRYM releases on Monday, and I've been sharing excerpts from the story all week. You can find the others here...


Below is today's excerpt. Happy reading!


Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

RELEASES OCTOBER 29, 2018

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FROM:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

Universal Buy Link


CHAPTER 1-4

“I should go, too.” Tayrym pulled at the hem of his shirt, still unsure why Guri had asked him to stay behind when all the other players had left.

“Please, don’t.” Guri gripped his arm. “Not yet.”

With the other’s hold on him, Tayrym swallowed his nerves. “Why? What do you want?” His skin beaded with sweat from his crush’s touch, and his legs felt as if the bones in them had disappeared. He didn’t know if he could handle being around Guri much longer without passing out.

“To catch up.” Guri squeezed his arm before he let go. “It’s been too long since we last talked.”

Tayrym huffed out a deep breath, trying to figure out what he was missing. “We barely talked when we went to school together. You don’t know enough about me or I you to catch up.”

Guri pushed his tongue into his cheek, making the skin stick out. “Things were different at school. Maybe I wanted to get to know you but didn’t know how.”

Or maybe he didn’t want to be seen talking to the clumsy, awkward kid in the class. Even as an adult, Tayrym still resembled that kid. But he hoped Defender training would change all that, make him more confident, athletic, everything Guri was. And he wasn’t. “I don’t understand why.”

With the twitch of his head and the way he twisted his shirt in his hands, Guri seemed nervous for the first time, ever. Tayrym understood the feeling. But why? Maybe he was asking the wrong questions to figure out his crush’s reason for talking to him. “So, you and Sol live together?”

Guri furrowed his brows, relaxing his grip on his shirt. “Um, yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, somehow managing to bring Tayrym’s attention back to his muscular chest and biceps. “He took me in after my family died in the Erebus attack. Hakon lived with us, too, until he got married.”

Living with teachers for the past five Galactic years? He never would have guessed that about Guri. Not that his crush was a bad student, but his attitude toward the teachers while in class must have gotten him in trouble once he arrived at home. “And you’re friends, then?”

Guri laughed and smacked his thigh. “That’s funny. He tries to act like my father but ends up being more like an older brother. Hakon was the same way. Makes me sometimes wish I lived with the other three, but it would be even worse with them.”

“Really?” Tayrym doubted Coop and the other two he lived with would be as concerned with being a father-figure to Guri. Not from what he’d observed. After all, Guri and Coop had been best friends in school. Their bond, how touchy they’d been, had often resulted in Tayrym leaving school jealous.

“Never mind.” Guri tugged on his arm, walking deeper into the woods. Away from the well-worn paths. “I want to know about you. Tell me, what’s with you and the princess? I always see the two of you together.”

“Gwenodyn?” Tayrym stumbled trying to keep up. When had Guri seen them together when Tayrym hadn’t seen the other except on the field for weeks? “Um.... We’re friends?”

“Just friends?” Raising his eyebrows, Guri stopped and crossed his arms. “You don’t sound so sure.”

“Well, yeah, she is my friend.” Tayrym shifted from one foot to the other, his cheeks warming. “My best friend, actually. We grew up together.”

“But, you want something more with her.” Frowning, Guri took a step back.

“No!” Tayrym shook his head. “No, no, no. Just friends. I don’t want anything more.” His heart raced. Fornax! Had he said to much?

“Why not? She’s really pretty.”

Tayrym tried to read the other’s hard expression, but he couldn’t. Was Guri interested in Gwenodyn? The thought felt like a punch to the gut. Rolling one hand in the other, he tried to ignore the burning in his cheeks and ears. “She’s um...not my type.”

“Really?” Hands behind his back, Guri gave him a smug smile. “So, what is your type then? Who is your type?”

Tayrym gulped, trying to swallow down his nerves, yet it didn’t help. With his crush right in front of him, he could easily confess his feelings and hope they would be returned, beginning a wonderful and long relationship. But what if his feelings weren’t returned? Or worse, if Guri was setting him up? Planned to expose him for being homosexual? To have him sent away like his brother had been? Even though the queen already knew, she might still enforce the rule if enough people found out and objected. And, of course, they’d object.

Guri licked the corner of his mouth, Tayrym unable to avoid staring at his lips, waiting for him to do it again. The other stepped forward, well into Tayrym’s personal bubble. “Am I your ideal type, Tay?”

Tayrym’s breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t think, only stand there while Guri moved dangerously close. Then the other’s lips were on his, plying and pleading, everything Tayrym had ever dreamed of. Yet, he couldn’t react, his entire body unresponsive to how much he longed to be an active participant in the kissing and touching.

Just as fast as it started, the kiss was over, a frown etched on Guri’s face. “I’m sorry.” He pushed his cheek out with his tongue again. “I guess I interpreted you wrong.” He glanced behind him. “I...I’ve got to go.” He jogged away, heading toward the path back to the village.

As much as Tayrym’s heart screamed at him to chase after Guri, he still couldn’t move. The guy he’d crushed on for the last Galactic year had kissed him. And now.... Now, he was letting him run away?

Tayrym snapped out of his trance, racing through prickly vegetation and over fallen branches in an attempt to catch up. “Guri! Wait!”

The other slowed, but didn’t stop. Tayrym finally caught up and yanked his arm, trying to swing him around. When Guri turned, Tayrym ducked, expecting a punch in the face. Not the first time the other had punched a guy for grabbing him. But instead of a fist, Tayrym saw a tear trail down Guri’s cheek, from his wide, fear-filled eyes to his pouty bottom lip. “Please don’t tell anyone I did that.”

Tayrym stepped back, not understanding the other’s request. “What? Why?”

Guri focused on the hole he was digging in the ground with the toe of his boot. “You know Queen Lalia well. I don’t want to be sent away. I thought you were the same as me, but I was wrong. Can we please just forget it ever happened?”

All this time, he’d worried about the same thing, kept his feelings hidden from his crush while Guri battled with the same fears. A giggle escaped as a wave of relief swept through Tayrym.

“This isn’t funny.” Guri clenched his fists. “My life’s on the line. I don’t want to die out there. I don’t want to end up like your brother. We’ve all heard the rumors.”

Mention of Myar sobered him quickly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.” He rolled his shoulders back. “It’s just, the reason I didn’t kiss you back. I thought you were trying to set me up, would claim I initiated it and have me sent away.”

“So.” Guri ran a hand through his hair, moving it off his forehead. A far more attractive style in Tayrym’s opinion. “You wanted to kiss me back?”

“That depends. If you’re setting me up, then no. How could you do such a thing?” Tayrym gulped, his palms sweaty. “But, if you kissed me because you actually like me—”

Guri clenched the front of Tayrym’s shirt and yanked him behind a large ropral tree. They were chest to chest as his spine hit the trunk. He was trapped, though he didn’t mind, unsure if his crush truly stood in front of him, or if it was an elaborate dream. His heart raced, and he couldn’t avoid the other’s intense stare.

“The second one.” Guri’s lips crashed onto his. This time Tayrym didn’t hold back. He rested his hands on Guri’s waist as they tasted each other for the second time. Yet, Tayrym hungered for more. Their tongues danced with desperate rhythm, and he pulled Guri closer. He couldn’t believe everything he’d dreamed about was finally coming true.

Guri pulled away, leaving Tayrym gasping for breath and in confusion. Had he done something wrong? Was he a bad kisser? His stomach sank. Or maybe he’d trusted Guri too easily.

Tayrym dared a peek at the other, hoping for an answer regardless of how much it hurt. But the way Guri darted around nearby trees as if looking for something, only led to more confusion.

“Did you hear that?” Guri asked continuing to eye the area around them.

“Hear what?” During their kiss, he hadn’t heard a thing, all sound disappearing except the beating of his own heart. Every other sense had been attuned to the kiss. Nothing else.

“A twig snapped.” He continued to search the woods. “Then leaves rustled, and I heard something run away. Someone was spying on us. I’m sure of it.”

Tayrym’s stomach sank. His dream had finally come true, and someone else had ruined it. Probably Gwenodyn wanting to witness his first kiss so she could tease him. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Guri stiffened and narrowed his eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong unless you kissed me and didn’t mean it.”

“No, not that.” Tayrym shrugged. “I just don’t want us to get in trouble. Not when I enjoyed that so much.”

Guri returned and cupped Tayrym’s hand in both of his, a shy smile across his lips. “I’ve got to go, but come to my home at sundown. We’re the last one on Ramy Lane.”

As Tayrym nodded, his crush raced through the woods, out of sight in a blink, as if he’d imagined it all.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Guri convinces Tayrym to play kickball. Read an #excerpt from TAYRYM #GalacticDefenders #MMromance #scifiromance

Hello! TAYRYM releases on Monday, and I've been sharing excerpts from the story all week. You can find the others here...


Below is today's excerpt. Happy reading!


Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

RELEASES OCTOBER 29, 2018

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FROM:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

Universal Buy Link


CHAPTER 1-3

“Don’t worry, I’ll catch you if you do.” Guri felt the corner of his mouth twitch as he tried to hide a smile. Difficult when red crept over Tayrym’s cheeks and neck. Though that color suited him better than the paleness he’d displayed when Guri had first come over to get a drink and talk to him.

Tayrym, the one kid he’d often thought about after getting an early leave from school to begin working. Though he was hardly a boy anymore. Thick and firm. Not gangly as he’d been when they were both students.

“So, do you want to play?” Having Tayrym on the field would be better than catching glimpses of him hiding in the woods as his former classmate had done all the other times he’d come to watch them play.

Tayrym stood and brushed the back of his pants with his hands. “Are you sure, Guri?”

“Raw.” He draped an arm over the other and ushered him toward the field. “It’s what my friends call me. And yes, I’m sure.”

Catching sight of his net minder, Guri tried to keep Tayrym from seeing the wry smile the older man gave him. He didn’t want to scare his former classmate away before finding out some critical information. When Sol’s expression changed back to neutral, Guri decided to guide Tayrym over to him. “Sol, guess who’s on our team?”

The older man nodded to Tayrym. “I wondered how many times you were going to stand among the trees before we got you on the field.”

Tayrym squirmed in Guri’s hold, staring down at his feet.

But Guri pulled him in closer. “Don’t worry, Scrym. It’s all good.”

The other tensed, slightly shaking his head. “Please don’t call me that.”

Guri let go of him. “Why?” The princess called him by that nickname all the time. Was it a special name only she was allowed to use?

Rocking back and forth, Tayrym still wouldn’t lift his gaze from the ground. “I just don’t like it.”

Guri suspected there was much more to the story, but he didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. “Can I call you Tay, then?”

He finally looked up, giving him a brief smile. “That works.”

“Perfect.” Sol ushered both of them onto the field. “We’re team Tay-Raw-Sol. Now, let’s play.”

“Hold up.” Guri waved over the other three players. When they stood in front of him, he once again draped his arm over Tayrym. Any excuse to touch him. “Guys, this is Tay. He’s joining our team.”

He squeezed Tayrym’s shoulder to gain his attention. “You probably remember Coop from our classes, but I’m not sure if you’ve ever met the other two. The guy with the ball is Dunn, their team captain, and the other is Rosh, who I’m surprised hasn’t decided to curl up on a bench somewhere.”

Rosh raised an eyebrow. “I’m just waiting for you to make a fool of yourself.”

Guri stepped back away from Tayrym, his face growing warm. Though the new player didn’t seem to notice his embarrassment as he exchanged greetings with the other team.

“Okay, let’s play.” Guri was far more confident on the field, playing kickball, than when around Tayrym. Especially with his friends scrutinizing his every move to save for fodder to tease him later.

Guri tried hard to pass the ball, make it a team effort rather than just him singlehandedly scoring against the other team. But each time he’d kick the ball to Tayrym, his teammate would either kick it right back to him or be an easy target for Dunn to steal the ball away. He refused to give up, though. He wanted Tayrym to feel welcome and come back to play again. Dribbling the ball down the field, Guri spotted his teammate in the perfect position for a goal. With Rosh in the net, Coop and Dunn focused on him, but left a nice space between them. Guri faked a shot on goal, to which Dunn tried to block, but instead kicked the ball to his teammate. No one expected it, not even Tayrym.

Guri’s teammate leaned forward as if about to run toward him. When Tayrym noticed the ball right at his feet, his eyes grew wide. He lifted his foot back like he was going to kick the ball, but when he went to connect with it, his foot went into the air. His body followed him up until gravity pulled him back down. Flat on his back. He had kicked the ball but sent it flying in the wrong direction.

Guri rushed to his side then dropped to his knees. “Are you okay? Is anything broken? Banged up?”

“Just my pride.” Tay gave him a wide, toothy smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Goal!”                 

Guri glanced up to see Dunn dancing around the field, arms up in the air.

“Not fair,” he shouted. “We were in a time out. I have an injured player.” Play should have stopped the instant Tayrym fell.

“That didn’t stop you when Coop fell earlier in the game.” Rosh grabbed the ball from Dunn then stood over Guri. “Funny how the rules change when Tay falls down.”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Tayrym pushed himself to his feet and brushed off his pants. “I should get going anyway. Thank you for letting me play. Sorry that I messed up that goal.”

“No.” Guri sprinted across the field after him, surprised at how fast the other could walk. “Tay, wait. You didn’t mess anything up.”

His former classmate stopped and slowly turned around. “You don’t have to be nice. I know I’m not good at kickball.”

Guri hooked a finger under Tayrym’s chin and lifted his gaze from the ground to meet his. “When I asked you if you played, I never asked if you were any good. I just wanted you on my team.”

Tayrym’s forehead wrinkled. “Why? It hasn’t been that long since we went to school together. I wasn’t good then, either.”

“Yet, I always picked you back then.” Digging the toe of his boot into the dirt, Guri sighed. “I missed having you on my team.” He’d always thought he was obvious, but maybe Tayrym didn’t get it. Or he wasn’t like him as Guri had suspected. But he didn’t want to come right out and ask. Even with Queen Lalia ruling, there was still a lot of stigma from families and the community if one was different than they were supposed to be. Guri couldn’t risk coming out to Tay unless he knew for sure.

“You forgot this back on the field.” Sol slapped Guri’s shirt against his bare back.

He winced and arched his back. “Why do you have to be like that?” He grabbed his shirt from the man he lived with.

“Because I can.” Sol rested a hand on Guri’s shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll see you at home. Good luck.”

Luck? He needed more than luck in this situation. He needed the entire universe to work in his favor.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Gwenodyn leaves Tayrym alone to watch the kickball game. Read an excerpt from TAYRYM #GalacticDefenders #MMromance #scifiromance

Hello! I hope you are enjoying the excerpts from TAYRYM. So far, I've posted these excerpts... the Prologue and the beginning of Chapter One. Below is the next part of Chapter One. Happy reading!


Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

RELEASES OCTOBER 29, 2018

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FROM:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

Universal Buy Link


CHAPTER 1-2

She nudged him. “I can eliminate one already. The guy who’s the net minder at this end is one of our teachers. If it were him, you’d find ways to stay after school instead of coming here.”

True. He didn’t dislike the teachers. They were only a few years older. But, they didn’t leave him with ylafats in his stomach the way his crush did.

“And I doubt you’d go for the two shorter guys on the other team. They’re cute.” She bit her bottom lip. “Really cute. But, not your type.”

How did she know his type when he’d just told her he was attracted to guys? Though she was correct, so far.

“That leaves the best players on each team, the one with the strong cheekbones who looks like he’s dancing across the field or the younger guy on this side who is determined to win even down a player. “He used to be in our class, sat behind you. I think it’s—”

The ball rocketed toward them from center field. Gwenodyn wasted no time moving in front of him to catch the ball.

“Fornax Raw! What was that for?” Sol, the net minder-teacher, called to the other player on his team.

Guri shrugged in response, his gaze on Tayrym. Or maybe Gwenodyn. Most likely her. Tayrym didn’t stand a chance.

The one Gwenodyn had said danced across the field ran over to them to collect the ball and bowed. “Sorry about that, Princess.” Once he threw the ball back onto the field, play resumed.

“Well, I wasn’t sure before, but now I’m positive you like the guy who kicked the ball right at your head. Though, after that, I’m not sure why.” She pinched his cheek. “He could have ruined your beautiful face.”

“Raw, eye on the ball,” their teacher yelled.

“Whoa, that was interesting.” Gwenodyn let go of his cheek and slid away from him.

“What are you doing?” Tayrym whispered, wondering what she knew that he didn’t.

“I think it’s time for me to go.” She scooted off the bench.

“No, don’t leave me here alone. What are you doing?” He couldn’t just sit there by himself and watch the guys play. Not this close. He’d seem even creepier than he did with her beside him.

“Your crush, the one they call Raw, is not happy with me being here.” She turned away from the field. “I’m not sure how he feels about you, but he has some strong dislike for me.”

“Then I should go, too.” If Guri didn’t like his best friend, it would never work out, anyway.

“No.” She reached out to touch him then quickly pulled away. “No, stay here. I’m not sure what’s up with Raw, but I’m getting some promising thoughts from his friends. Stay and see what happens.”

After watching his best friend leave, Tayrym sat frozen on the bench, unsure whether to chase after Gwenodyn or trust her. What thoughts had she read to make her believe he had any chance with his crush? Or maybe she wanted him to stay to punish him. Did she expect him to embarrass himself in front of all of the men on the field as penance for liking guys instead of her? Against all the doubts bouncing around in his mind, he had a strong urge to remain watching from the bench. He did trust his best friend. And if he made a fool of himself, he’d simply hide in his mother’s house until he left for Defender training.

The game continued in front of him with no balls flying his direction after Gwenodyn’s departure. Somehow, Guri kept scoring even though it was him taking on the three players on the opposite team. Sol simply stood in between the goal posts, watching the action. Guri saved more goals than he did. How did one person play so well? One more reason to add to the list of reasons Tayrym had for crushing on him so hard.

After the next goal—finally one for the other team—the action stopped. Guri yanked off his sweat-drenched shirt before heading toward Tayrym. Was he actually coming over to talk? Or maybe to tell him to quit staring and scram. Wouldn’t be the first time he’d heard that.

Tayrym admired his toned pecs and well-defined abs. Perfection defined, his entire body was pure muscle. Guri was the same age as him. How was he so powerfully built? Tayrym’s mouth dried while his palms sweated. And though he knew he should turn away, he couldn’t help himself.

Guri stopped just steps away from him, grabbing a container of water from the side of the field. Of course. Tayrym should have noticed it there with the others’ belongings. After playing so hard, his crush needed to refresh himself. He had no interest in the strange guy creepily staring at him.

Not until he glanced over and caught him. Tayrym stopped breathing, could have sworn his heart stopped, too. He yearned to flee, let his feet take him far away from the barracks and his crush. Yet, he couldn’t move.

Guri wiped his arm across his mouth but didn’t leave. His stare was so intense, he could have been a Mingot purposefully reading Tayrym’s thoughts until he knew every last detail of his life. Tayrym gulped under his crush’s scrutiny and chewed on his bottom lip.

Guri tilted his head to the side. The moment was broken. Tayrym ran his sweaty palms across his lap, wondering what would happen next. Would Guri send him away?

“You wanna play?”                

Tayrym looked up at him. “Wha—?” Had he heard him correctly?

“Play.” Guri pointed his thumb behind him. “I’m down a player. Plus, I always see you here, so I figured you want to play.”

Tayrym wrung his hands in his lap. “I’m not that good.” Surely his crush had to remember picking teams for kickball in the last two years they’d attended school together. Tayrym was never the first one picked. Not even in the top ten. But never last, either. Guri had for some reason always saved him from that embarrassment. Around the same time, he’d begun to feel a slight attraction to the man in front of him. “I’ll probably trip over the ball or something like that.”

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Gwenodyn is determined to meet the guy her best friend is crushing on. Read an #excerpt from TAYRYM! #GalacticDefenders #MMromance #scifiromance

Hello! TAYRYM releases in less than a week, so I'm sharing some excerpts from the story. Yesterday, I shared the Prologue. Today, you can read the beginning of Chapter One.


Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

RELEASES OCTOBER 29, 2018

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FROM:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

Universal Buy Link


CHAPTER 1-1

Tayrym groaned at the sudden burst of light in his face. He put his arm over his eyes before turning over in bed.

“Oh no, you don’t. It’s time to get up.”

What was his best friend, Gwenodyn, doing in his room? “Go away.”

“No.” She yanked the blankets off him.

In a panic, he grabbed one of them back and covered his waist, not remembering if he’d worn anything to bed. Peeking under the blanket, he sighed with relief when he saw the elastic waist of his night shorts. Thank the universe!

“We don’t have school today.” Gwenodyn tugged on his wrist. “I thought we could hang out, since you’ll be leaving for Defender training soon.”

“How did you get in here?” His mom never would have let a girl in his room before he’d become an adult. Not that it would have mattered.

“Your mom was leaving for the market. She let me in and told me to wake you up.”

Market? It was that close to full sun already? “Cosmos! I’m late!” He scrambled off his bed and searched for a pair of pants and shirt to wear.

“Late?” She rushed out of his path and stood in the doorway. “For what?”

“My morning run.” He pulled the clothing over his night shorts, not wanting to waste any more time.
“Since when do you run?” Gwenodyn glared at him with her hands on her hips.

“I started two weeks ago.” He hoped that was enough of an explanation to get her out of the way so he could leave. Sure, she was his best friend, but there were some aspects of his life he kept secret even from her.

“Oh, to get ready for your Defender training?” Her lower lip stuck out as she moved to the side.

“Sure.” He didn’t want to tell her the true reason or listen to her whine about how much she’d miss him when he left. Not this morning.

She jumped in front of him. “You lie.”

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. “Stay out of my head, Gwen. Isn’t it unethical for Mingots to read minds without permission?”

“I don’t have to read your mind to know you’re lying.” She poked him in the chest. “You won’t look at me when you’re fibbing. Plus, you’re flinging your thoughts at me, so it’s hard not to know what you’re thinking. I can’t block you.”

Tayrym sat on his bed and cupped his face in his hands. He’d hoped to get off planet before telling anyone his secret, to go somewhere where he’d be accepted as normal rather than an outcast.

Gwenodyn sat next to him. She wrapped an arm around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “C’mon, Scrym. You know you can tell me anything.”

Scrym, the nickname she’d come up with when they were both much younger. One only she was allowed to call him. They’d known each other for so long. Yet, he still kept part of him from her.

“I was going for a run.” He rested his head on hers, hoping she wouldn’t leave when he told her the truth. “To the Defender barracks. There’re a few guys who play kickball there.”

“And you play with them?” She turned and scrunched her eyebrows. “What’s wrong with that?”
“I don’t play.” He ran his palms across his lap. “I go to watch.”

“Oh, I get it.” She nudged him, a weird smile plastered on her face. “Is there one you think is cute?”

His insides seemed to disappear, leaving him empty, hollow. She knew? How? “Uh....”

She rubbed his back. “I’ve known for over a Galactic year. It’s why I stopped insisting we were going to get married someday.”

That long? She’d known for over one rotation and was still his friend? He released a heavy breath. Why had he doubted their friendship? Why hadn’t he told her earlier? “Yes. There’s a guy I like to watch. But he probably isn’t like me, in that he likes women, not guys. I’m probably wasting my time admiring him from a distance.” Those who’d admitted to being attracted to someone of the same sex on Hemera were shunned, forced out of the kingdom and never seen again.

“Only one way to find out.” Gwenodyn jumped to her feet and tugged on his hand. “I’ll go with you and read his mind.”

He froze. “But you can’t.” Did he really want these two parts of his life to collide? His mind said no, but his gut, unlike every other time he’d gone to watch, gave no objection. Yet, he couldn’t ask her to do something unethical just for him. “It’s not right.”

“If he’s blasting his thoughts around the way you sometimes do, I won’t be doing anything wrong.” She tugged on him again. “C’mon. Let’s go.”

“Okay.” He stood and gave his best friend a shy smile. “Thank you. For this. And for not leaving me when you realized we’d never get married.”

She cupped his cheek. “I was sad at first, but I can’t make you someone you’re not.”

“But you’re royalty now.” He leaned into her palm. “What would your new parents say if they learned I’m attracted to guys?”

She grinned and shook her head. “Hemera’s changed from when we were little kids. Lalia lived on Terra for many years. And Bryce was a Defender. Your homosexuality is not a big deal to them.”

Tayrym drew back. “You told them?”

“No.” She pushed him out of his room then shoved some naip into his hand. “They know one of my friends is a homosexual, but not which one. And they don’t care.”

“Oh. Okay.” Though Gwenodyn didn’t have any really close friends other than him. He still couldn’t believe she knew, the royal family knew, and yet he hadn’t been sent away. He doubted his own mother would be so understanding. She kept telling him he needed to find a good girl to settle down with instead of chasing his dreams of becoming a Defender.

“Let’s go, already.” Gwenodyn waited for him at the front door with his boots in her hands. “You don’t want to miss him, do you?”

He didn’t talk on the way to the barracks, and she didn’t ask any questions. But once the playing field came into view, Tayrym slowed down. “Let’s watch from over here.” He guided her to a patch of trees near the end of the field where his crush played. The spot he normally watched from.

There were five players again, the sixth guy only showing up occasionally. The missing player and another on the field were both teachers at his school. The guy he had a crush on, Guri, played on the same team as the teachers. He used to go to school with Tayrym, but within days of Tayrym admitting to himself he had a crush on Guri, his classmate stopped attending school. It wasn’t until two weeks ago, when he’d wandered around the Defender barracks that he saw him again.

“This isn’t going to work.” Gwenodyn left the trees and headed toward benches at the edge of the field.

“No.”

She didn’t respond to his whispered objection. He stumbled after her, hoping she didn’t embarrass him, make it impossible for him to ever come back and watch. Though he hadn’t yet told her which guy he liked.

She sat on the very front bench and leaned forward, examining all the players. “So, let me figure out which one you have the hots for.”

Gwenodyn might as well have thrown him onto the field with that statement. He wanted to run and hide. Thank goodness most of the players were at the other end.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Worries of the Present and Dreams of the Future ~ Read the Prologue from TAYRYM #FREEread #GalacticDefenders #MMromance #scifiromance

Hello! With TAYRYM releasing a week from today, I thought I'd start sharing some excerpts from the story. Today, I'm sharing the Prologue. Now, this snippet is not in TAYRYM, but at the end of the updated version of JAGER. Happy reading!


Tayrym has dreamed of becoming a Galactic Defender since meeting the infamous Bryce when he was just a boy. Finally an adult and awaiting the day cycle he is set to leave for training, Tayrym learns his long-time crush shares his affections. Now, he’s unsure whether he wants to leave, which dream matters more.

With the threat of being sent away for his sexuality haunting him, Guri keeps his feelings for his former classmate to himself. Even with a new progressive ruler on Hemera, he still hides his attraction to the young man. But when he catches the other shadowing him, Guri decides to take a chance. The only problem is, the man of his desire is leaving the planet soon. Possibly forever.

With obstacle after obstacle in their path, will Tayrym and Guri ever have a chance to be happy together? Or are they destined to fulfill their dreams light years apart?

RELEASES OCTOBER 29, 2018

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FROM:

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PROLOGUE

Tayrym waved as the Defender shuttle depart from Hemera. While his best friend yearned for two of the Defenders on board, her sister and brother-in-law and their two babies, to stay a little longer, Tayrym simply wanted to travel with them. He yearned to leave and start his training now rather than wait several more months. Hemera held little promise for his future. His mother wanted him to find a nice girl, get married, and have children. Unfortunately, he liked guys. And the guy he liked had no idea he existed. The only person who kept him sane on the planet was Gwenodyn. They’d been friends forever, and she would be the only one he’d regret leaving behind.

But with the shuttle now out of sight, they had to get back to school. Their teacher likely knew where they were, but wouldn’t halt the lesson due to their absence. After entering one of the dome stations, they said a quick goodbye to Queen Lalia and Prince Bryce, then raced to school.

Sol nodded at them as they entered the classroom out of breath. But he didn’t stop the lesson.

Rushing to his seat, Tayrym was about to sit down when he eyed the empty desk behind his. The seat where his crush used to sit. Absent again. Tayrym sighed as he sat down. And that’s when he noticed the entire class staring at him. Including Sol, their teacher. Tayrym glanced at Gwenodyn to figure out why their attention was on him. But she only giggled behind her hands. Fornax!

His cheeks burned. “Um, can you repeat the question?”

“No question.” Sol shook his head. “I’m just wondering why it took you so long to sit down.”

How long had he been standing there? “Oh. I um.” He unconsciously peeked back again, but then caught himself and focused on the top of his desk. “Just feeling a little dizzy from running so fast to get back here. I’ll be okay.”

“I’m glad.” Sol went back to teaching, but while the class was doing independent work at their desks, Tayrym caught the man eyeing him. A look of confusion at first that later turned into amusement. Tayrym was too afraid to ask why, instead heading to the palace with Gwenodyn immediately after class.

***

Guri sighed, trying to figure out how to answer his homework questions using the com tab Sol had set in front of him. He wasn’t good with technology, preferred more physical work, part of the reason he’d left school to help with the building of the medical center for Hemera. He looked past the table to the counter where Sol stood, preparing dinner for them. “Why do I have to finish my education? I’m an adult now. I have a job.”

Sol turned around, his eyes wide. “Because it’s important to the queen. And it’s important to me. You can’t live with two teachers and not expect us to want you to graduate.”

Tongue pushing out his cheek, Guri glanced to his right, where their former housemate used to sit for meals. “Um, Hakon doesn’t live here anymore. He got married and moved out. Remember?”

“I know he doesn’t live here anymore.” Sol threw a piece of naip at him, shaking his head in anger. “But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you, want you to do well. We took you in and finished raising you, turned you from a child into a man. The least you can do is finish your education for us.”

“Fine.” Guri slumped onto the table then stretched across it. “But I still can’t figure out how to use this device. You’ve got to help me figure it out.”

“I told you to ask Tayrym.” Sol set a plate of food beside his arm. “I’m sure he’d gladly show you how to use the com tab. He’s great at things like that.”

“The guy that won’t talk to me, can’t even look at me?” Sitting back in his chair, Guri shook his head. “How do you expect him to help me?”

“He likes you.” Sol winked at him from the counter before joining him at the table. “Use that information to your advantage.”

“Yeah, right.” Was his housemate that clueless? “Just because you and his brother were in a relationship does not mean Tayrym likes guys, too. And as I said, he never talks to me.”

“He’s shy. Give him a chance.”

“Shy?” Guri nearly choked on the piece of naip in his mouth. “He talks to Princess Gwenodyn nonstop, has no problems conversing with Queen Lalia or Prince Bryce. He’s not shy, just thinks he’s too good to talk to me.”

“Yes, but they're not the people he is crushing on.” Sol twirled his fork in the tasap. “He looks to see if you've come back, if you're in your seat every morning. And when he realizes you're not there, he sighs and slumps down in his chair.”

“Whatever.” Guri refused to believe his words. “Has he asked where I am? Until he does that, I won't believe one bit that he cares.”

“Fine.” Sol slammed his fists on the table. “Then figure out how to use the device on your own and stop complaining. I gave you an idea, but you won't accept it. So suffer.”

Guri ate the rest of his meal in silence, Sol focusing only on his food. He left Guri to clean up on his own and figure out how to complete his school work. If only Tayrym really did care about him…. Then he’d definitely have a reason to visit his former classmate. But the universe wasn't on his side. He had to figure out his school work and life on his own.