What's on the Reading Radar? #wishlist #TBR

What am I doing? I'm back after a two week vacation that probably wasn't a vacation since I worked my butt off. I'm getting back into the swing of things in my new office space *happy wiggles* and the days are flying by. 

I sent Devil's Heart out to be beta read. I'm going through the second draft of Constant (The Valespian Pact, 3). While on vacation I thought of some things that I needed to change or add, so there are several places where I need to do some rewriting. With luck, I could have this subbed to LT3 Press by mid-February. Y'all just don't know how awesome that is. :) 

Title: Cloaked in Shadow
Series: (The Dragori Series Book 1)
Author: Ben Alderson
Length: 330 pages
Publisher: Oftomes Publishing; 1 edition (December 5, 2017)
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Dragons / Elves / Royalty / Romantic Tension / LGBTIAQ characters / 

Notes: I cannot remember if I posted this one. It's been a couple of weeks since I worked on a Reading Radar so my memory is a bit fuzzy on what I've already done. :)

Blurb: Dragon Shifters. Magick. Elven Royalty.

Zacriah Trovirn is concerned with two things in life: hunting and dodging Petrer, the boy who broke his heart.

Heartbreak becomes a distant concern when Zacriah is taken to the Elven capital of Thessolina, where he is forced into King Dalior’s new legion of shapeshifters. But Zacriah isn’t a shapeshifter. In truth, he doesn't know what he is.

Zacriah joins forces with new friends and they soon find themselves embroiled in a clash between the three Elven continents. With war on the horizon, Zacriah must learn to use his latent magick to fight and protect those he loves before they are destroyed.

“Romantic tension, heartwarming friendships, thrilling pacing, all wrapped in the fantasy world of elves you’ve been waiting for. Alderson deftly paints a world that’s rich in intriguing magicks and peoples. Once Zachariah’s story pulls you in, you will not be able to put this down!” - Elise Kova, USA TODAY Bestselling author of Air Awakens.

Title: Messenger
Series: (The Shifter War Book 1)
Author: KK Ness
Length: 150 pages / 41,000 words
Publisher: 

Genre: New Adult / Fantasy / Action / Adventure / Paranormal / Gay / Romantic Elements /

Notes: 

Blurb: For centuries, the deadlands have separated the kingdoms of Roldaer and Amas, enforcing an uneasy truce. But the deadlands hold their own secrets.

Danil is a deadlands scavenger, his days spent scouring a barren land for ancient battlefield relics and mage-crystals. When the brutal magi of Roldaer take over his village, Danil becomes the key to unleashing a powerful enemy set on plunging both kingdoms into war.

Desperate and on the run, he finds unexpected aid from the Amasian shapeshifters. Among them is Hafryn, an irreverent shifter who fights the magi with sword, tooth and claw. But safety with the shifters cannot last. As the magi set their plans into motion, Danil will have to embark on a terrifying mission to a broken citadel where an ancient enemy awaits. Failure to stop the magi may cost him far more than his life, and Danil discovers that courage and determination may not be enough…

Title: The Dragon Sword
Series: (The Usurpers Saga Book 1)
Author: John R. Phythyon, Jr.
Length: 242 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Epic Fanatsy / Gay / Dragons / Magic / 

Notes: 

Blurb: A murdered mage. A legendary sword. A chilling destiny.

Calibot thought he’d escaped his domineering sorcerer father. Now a poet in the court of an influential duke, he finally has everything he ever wanted – comfort, approval, and the love of the perfect man. But when his father is murdered, Calibot’s idyllic life is shattered. He must retrieve the body from a distant city and lay it to rest. If only it were that simple.

Everyone wanted his father dead, and now they’re after Calibot. His only defense is the legendary dragon sword, Wyrmblade, his lone bequest for a miserable childhood. Enchanted within the sword’s steel are the secrets to unlock even greater power, perhaps even mastery of The Known World itself. But using its magic could cost Calibot his soul. Worse, this may have been his father’s intention all along.

As he struggles to complete the mad last wishes of the father he loathes, everyone with a stake in The Known World’s future will try to stop him – his power-hungry uncle, the murderer, even an earth fairy bent on revenge. If Calibot fails, he dies. If he succeeds, he’ll lose everything he’s ever loved . . . including himself.

The Dragon Sword is the first book in John R. Phythyon, Jr.’s sweeping epic fantasy series, The Usurpers Saga. Packed with unique characters, insidious intrigue, and plentiful magic, The Dragon Sword is perfect for fans of A Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, and Forgotten Realms. Buy it today to discover your next epic fantasy obsession.

Originally published as The Sword and the Sorcerer

Title: Knightsgift
Series: 
Author: J. Hebpburn
Length: 66 pages
Publisher: LT3 Press

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Lesbian / Trans / 

Notes: 

Blurb: Three knights, each bearing the Knightsgift that gives them power and life, ride to the aid of a small village where people are disappearing in the forest. One knight seeks the aid of a herbalist, a sharp-witted, strong-willed woman, who can tell him what the Sheriff will not...

Title: All is Fair in Love and War
Series: (Forbidden Loves Book 1)
Author: Ezra Dawn
Length: 41 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Gay / Vampires / Paranormal /

Notes: 

Blurb: (This is kind of a paranormal retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a twist. It's also a standalone story within a series of stories that have a recurring theme of classic paranormal feuds.)

Vlad Dracul the Third comes from a long line of noble vampires. The name Dracul stems from the original Dracula. The first of all vampires. Vlad is the heir to the throne, set to lead the next generation.

Title: Broken Pieces
Series: 
Author: Deja Black
Length: 257 pages
Publisher: eXtasy Books (December 8, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay / Magic /

Notes: 

Blurb: Remi Devereaux is a Louisiana born detective working murder cases in Louisville, Kentucky. While shopping for game-day with the guys, he spots the most amazing person he has ever seen. Peter is a man Remi wants with his whole being, a man he just can’t let go.

Peter Romanoff is a photographer who possesses the spirit of two creatures. Two beings that are slowly tearing him apart. He needs a Supruga, a mate, to help give him balance. When he meets Remi, there is a magnetic pull he can’t deny.

The next in line to lead a powerful coven, Peter is hunted, and the people he knows and loves are being killed. It will take Remi’s love and Peter’s skills to combat the enemy after them. Can Remi be the balance Peter needs before the coven destroys them both?

Title: Runebinder
Series: 
Author: Alex R. Kahler
Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (November 1, 2017)

Genre: Fantasy / Alternate world / Young Adult / Gay / 

Notes: 

Blurb: Magic is risen.

When magic returned to the world, it could have saved humanity, but greed and thirst for power caused mankind’s downfall instead. Now once-human monsters called Howls prowl abandoned streets, their hunger guided by corrupt necromancers and the all-powerful Kin. Only Hunters have the power to fight back in the unending war, using the same magic that ended civilization in the first place.

But they are losing.

Tenn is a Hunter, resigned to fight even though hope is nearly lost. When he is singled out by a seductive Kin named Tom‡s and the enigmatic Hunter Jarrett, Tenn realizes he’s become a pawn in a bigger game. One that could turn the tides of war. But if his mutinous magic and wayward heart get in the way, his power might not be used in favor of mankind.

If Tenn fails to play his part, it could cost him his friends, his life…and the entire world.

Title: Zercy
Series: The Nira Chronicles, 2
Author: Kora Knight
Length: 672 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Erotic Romance / Sci-Fi / 

Notes: 

Blurb: Emergency landing. Uncharted planet. Erotic captivity of epic proportions. Right when Captain Alec Hamlin thinks it can’t get any crazier, his team is sold to their captors’ mighty sovereign. King Zercy of the Kríe. Ruler of the planet’s most formidable species. Man, is he imposing. So regal and larger than life. And way too savagely handsome for Alec’s liking. From the first moment he laid eyes on him, he knew the Kríe was trouble, knew he needed to steer clear of him at all costs. But when Zercy chooses Alec to be his personal pet, all plans to dodge the male fall by the wayside. Alec is forced to spend each evening in the alluring king’s company, each night bound to the seductive king’s bed. Wholly at his mercy. Utterly defenseless, in his own mind and most especially his restless body. His struggle is real. Because the more Alec gets to know Zercy, the more he realizes two things. The Kríe king is damaged—unstable, not right, making him unpredictable and highly dangerous. But he is also innately kind beneath the raging storm that torments him. Kind and genuine, with a sad but beautiful soul. Something Alec fights with all he is, not to acknowledge. He can’t fall for Zercy. Zercy is the enemy. The captor of both Alec and his team. Which means Alec needs to get them out of there, before it’s too late. Before emotions overthrow logic and take control of the wheel. If only his body didn’t crave Zercy so fiercely, and his heart didn’t want him just as badly. 

With Search and Rescue due any day, and Alec’s team getting antsy, Alec is forced to make a decision. He can’t have it both ways. Is he the captain of his men, bound to obligation, or is he a man in love with a Kríe? 

Warning: Contains explicitly scorching gay sex with exotic and shamelessly kinky males of otherworldly descent.

Title: Swarm
Series: 
Author: Raven de Hart
Length: 172 pages
Publisher:  Loose Id LLC (December 11, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Dystopia / Gay / Paranormal /

Notes: 

Blurb: Zayne's life is hell. Cursed with the Swarm, a murderous, sociopathic spirit, he lives under constant abuse and threats. Even in his sleep, the Swarm stings away at the edges of his soul. Now he's crossed the ocean for a new life, a chance to disappear in the endless streets of Sorngard. But can he hold out against the demands of the Swarm, or will a new city and new, fresh victims be too much?

Isaiah's always hungered for peace. His spirit told him as much as a child. But with his parents dead and Sorngard in the throes of a years-long civil war, someone had to step up. All Isaiah wants now is an end to this conflict and harmony back in his city. When word of the Swarm comes to him, he sees the end available. All he needs to do is convince the Swarm to fight. Can Isaiah see past the weapon and the reputation and find the man, or will he too be caught up in the Swarm?

Title: Minotaur's Secret
Series: (Claiming the Crown Series Book 1)
Author: Shiloh Saddler
Length: 50 pages
Publisher: MLR Press (September 8, 2017)

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay / 

Notes: 

Blurb: Theseus travels to Crete to stab the Minotaur's heart only to have the half-bull shifter lay claim to his heart instead.

After King Minos' death, Theseus travels to Crete to slay the Minotaur and end the Athenian tribute to the monster. His plans are cut short when he meets Asterion and finds out that he is not the monster everyone claims the Minotaur to be but a wronged, demi-god bull shifter.

Asterion was cursed by Poseidon because of his parents' offenses. Trapped in the labyrinth when he was sixteen by his step-father, he's waited three years for his freedom. When Theseus enters the maze, he sees his chance for a normal life.

But can a demi-god live a normal life with the Athenian prince?

Title: Velvet Claw
Series: 
Author: LJ Hamlin
Length: 160 pages
Publisher: LT3 Press

Genre: Romance / Gay / Paranormal / Urban Fantasy / 

Notes: 

Blurb: Evan Kidd journeys to a small town to solve the mystery of what's making children sick—but only cat people are allowed in the town without permission, and Evan's permission is granted on the condition he be constantly escorted by a guard.

Rene is assigned to be Evan's guard, and he doesn't like humans, and he especially doesn't like doctors. But Rene is also lonely, and despite his best efforts, hating Evan is not as easy he'd assumed it would be.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

#PactDays : GyrFalconi #ValespianPact

Welcome to Thursday's Pact Days! Today, we have the GyrFalconi.

From both Alpha Trine and Striker, Axis de la Rynch is the navigator of the Oethra 7. Chosen is the book after Bespoken and will be about Axis and the Chimera triplets. (no, the triplets don't have sex with each other) I'm looking forward to writing Chosen. Adventure, suspense, and love. :)  

A couple of side notes: For a list of species that have been posted so far, see the The People of Valespia page. I'm placing these in alphabetical order so I won't unintentionally place importance on any specie. I will leave off information on the species that will spoil future books. My standard sheet has the same categories for all species. So there will be blank categories just because that species didn't need them.


Species: GyrFalconi
Planet: Aries 7
Other races on the planet:
Planetary Terrain: Rocky, Mountainous
Capitol: Skyfall (can only be reached by flying)
Country:
Patron Ryo Pardeep:


Description: Average height between 5'5" – 7' (feet) (Axis is 2.3 meters)

Bi-ped, humanoid, brightly feathered plumage instead of hair, Eye color: black ringed with yellow, brown, or green – great eye sight, especially for long distances.

Skin: brown. Four-toed feet – 3 at front, one rear. Most will go barefoot planetside. For those who go offworld have specially made boots that give them the flexibility they are used to. Both hands and feet have strong sharp nails. Nose covered with a hard, wide bony plate that makes them appear almost flat-faced. Immune to psi-attacks, sensing & probes.

Naturally sense, on a galactic scale, where they know where they are at all times in relation to their home planet. Fiercely independent with the exception of the Nesting Males.

Three sexual identities: breeding females, breeding males, and nesting males. Females who don't want to breed hold office or leave the planet. The nesting males bond with a breeding female and will keep the nest/home, raising the hatchlings from their bonded female. Breeding males are only interested in breeding. When they grow old, they will join non-breeding females in government or become spirit trackers.

Nesting males are never breeding males. They don't have the drive to procreate. They have no desire for sex and don't care that the female's egg is fertilized by another. They often help the female choose her breeding partner. The nesting male makes and keeps the nest. They are paired with a female by their parents. The female and nester will form a bond while young, growing up together. Then they build a nest/home together. When the female is ready to lay her egg. She will line up with the male and pass the egg from her cloaca to the nester's cloaca. He will hold the egg within his body where it will incubate until it is ready to hatch, at which point he will lay the egg. Once the chick hatches, the hatchling is his responsibility. The female provides for the nest but doesn't contribute to the rearing of the chicks. The chicks are very close to their nesting parent, and that closeness never dims.

When the nester matures and is able to successfully hold an egg in his cloaca, he molts all of his feathers. The new ones that grow in are brilliant and colorful like a peacock's. Of the three, the nesters are stunning, the most beautiful. Nesters will stay in their parent's nest the longest because they take longer to mature.

Culture and Faith: Old breeding males who don't go into government will become spirit trackers, finding lost souls. The cultural leaders are philosophers and physical adepts. If a person dies off world their spirit will return and the "Ovaload" (Divine Egg) will be reborn in another body. If the spirit is lost or trapped, a spirit tracker is dispensed to find the lost. Speaking to the spirits before they enter the Ovaload is considered normal, and much information about the universe is garnered. If a GyrFalconi is murdered, the spirit notifies its kinfolk so the death will be avenged.

GyrFalconi believe that if they die anywhere in the universe their sprite will return to Aries 7. Spirit Trackers can find lost souls to ensure this happens.

Society: to get anywhere, GyrFalconi have to fly. Their cities and population centers are on locations that are high and cannot be reached on foot.

Deep hatred of humans– considering them weak minded, destructive & inferior. When asked they say humans have little regard for themselves and of their environment, things the GyrFalconi treat with profound respect.

History leading up to the invasion of Aries 7 and the Twenty Year War:

Year 160-170 – Terren markets slump, dangerously so. The companies force their people into labor camps to fill the positions abandoned by the escaped A.I. (Feteine). There are grumblings of unrest that the companies put down ruthlessly. People are dependent on the government for food, healthcare, and housing. Two of those fall through (healthcare and food) and many starve to death. There isn't enough labor or resources to provide more than meager baseline healthcare to the richest.

The 4 companies search for a solution to their money problems after subduing the riots and uprising. The people are forced to work in the mines, fields, and other jobs that were handled by the robots. One of the last surveys done by the Feteine for the Terrens was of Aries 7 which showed a wealth of M'Cathaian Crystals that were in high demand in the Andromeda Galaxy. They attack the world intent on claiming the crystals.

Year 171 – 174 – (3 years) They take over Aries 7 and force the GyrFalconi to work the mines. The Terrens attempt to keep their actions quiet. Word finally reaches the GP and they send ambassadors to the 4 companies, requesting the humans leave the planet immediately. The Terren leaders refuse and kill the ambassadors on live TV.

Year 175 – 200 – the 20 year war happens. The Terrens end up surrendering and calling for a truce.

Year 200 – 200 – Axis was captured in De-winged six months before the end of the war. He was 20 years old at the time.

After the invasion had a foothold on the planet, the GyrFalconi nabbed by the Terrens had their wings clipped so they couldn't escape. Later, the Terrens surgically removed the wings so they could be put to work into the mines. But the captives didn't last long in the mines, dying because they weren't meant to be underground. With their wings gone, they despaired of returning to the skies. When Galactic Patrol freed them from Terren suppression, those who survived were shunned, not allowed in the sky cities. Since so many were displaced, the Galactic Patrol helped to build modern cities on the ground, making sure the compensation the GyrFalconi received went to those affected the most by the invasion. Schools were set up and many who graduated joined Galactic Patrol as starship navigators and pilots just so they could fly again.

What were the Terrens wanting from Aries 7? M'Cathaian Crystals that are used by Psionic and Ritual Weavers alike.

Complications due to human experiments: underdeveloped wings to those forced to procreate in captivity. No one is sure what the humans did to the eggs to cause the hatchlings to be born as such. With the new rift in GyrFalconi society, the winged and the wingless, the winged eventually rejected these hatchlings when they realized they couldn't be made whole. The wingless took in these orphans.

Common Occupation: navigator, spirit speaker, spirit tracker, pilots,

Government Systems: Matriarchal - Empress

Current Leader:

Council of Neighn of Member: Deked Cul

Allies: Gaziniti, Ice Trans, Asani, Battion, L'Eema, Wolfine, Mar'Sani, Kracciam, Ryden, Shia'Marr, Conti'Quan,

Before the Terren Occupation and the Twenty Year War, The GyrFalconi were not spacefaring and so didn't feel the need to cultivate alliances, content in their isolation. Afterwards, those who sent the GyrFalconi aid they forged alliances with.

Star System: Cymopoleia Star System

Other planets occupied by species:

Military Leader:

Cultural names and terms specific to species:

  Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

#PactDays : Giantes #ValespianPact

Welcome to Thursday's Pact Days! Today, we have the Giantes.

The info on the Giante is restricted because they pay a part in the next several Valespian Pact books.

A couple of side notes: For a list of species that have been posted so far, see the The People of Valespia page. I'm placing these in alphabetical order so I won't unintentionally place importance on any specie. I will leave off information on the species that will spoil future books. My standard sheet has the same categories for all species. So there will be blank categories just because that species didn't need them.

Species: Giante

Planet: Anatolia

Other races on the planet:

Planetary Terrain:

Capitol: Lycia

Country: Mycenea (Mycenaean people)

Patron Ryo Pardeep: 

Description: the minimum adult height is three meters. Most Giantes are around four meter tall. Dark brown skin. Single eye that sees not only substance but the energies of the aether.

Strong, quicker than they appear, stubborn, brute strength, and powerful. Formidable foes.

Master craftsmen of unusual weapons. If someone attempts to reverse engineer the devices without the master key, the device will self-destruct.

The fabled lion's gate are massive carved lions three time taller than the Giantes and so intricately carved the statues seem lifelike.

Giantes do not tolerate those who brought shame upon their families and people. They are disowned by the family and stripped of land and titles. If Giantes came upon such a person in space, they would abuse the individual.

Valuable items forged: Classically...

Silver Siege Rhyton – used for transportation of libation for sacred rites and rituals. Conical shaped and formed in the shape of an animal's head with an opening at the bottom.

Mask of Agamemnon – funeral mask made of gold

Cup of Nestor – golden missing cup belonging to the King of Pylos.

Research Notes: From the hill the palace sits on, one can see across Argolid to the Saronic Gulf. The military stronghold dominated South Greece. Neighbor of the kingdom of Morea.

Burial in pits or cist graves and stelea surmounted the mounds.

Common Occupation: metal workers, weapons engineers, stone masons

Government Systems: Monarchy

Current Leader: King Eurymedon the Great Hearted (has explosive anger)

Council of Neighn of Member: Polyphemus Belliand

Allies: Fal'Amoric, Minotauri, Gaziniti, L'Eema, Chi-Lin, Chtichlian, Keygan, Daimoni, Kracciam, Mar'Sani, Shia'Marr, Syrryn

Star System: Aquarii Star System

Other planets occupied by species:

Military Leader: Periboea the White
Mukene Lions – Elite Warriors
Mukene is plural of Mukanai
Uniform: skintight black uniform, royal blue breastplate with a stylized lion in gold

Cultural names and terms specific to species:
Amadore – means "gift of love"
Battle Cry – "Meet Mukene Mercy!"
When overcoming an enemy – "Death to your family line!"
Common saying, "Our word is out bond, stronger than any metal forged."

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Blog Tour: Bleeding Like Me by Riley Parks #giveaway

Welcome Riley Parks to the blog for their new release, Bleeding Like Me! We have an exclusive excerpt and make sure you scroll down to enter the giveaway!

Title: Bleeding Like Me
Author: Riley Parks
Release Date: November 21st 2017
Genre: MM Contemporary Dark Romance
Published by: Boroughs Publishing

BLURB

Being gay in their neighborhood is perilous. Being gay in a street gang is unheard of. Being gay and in love with a man in a rival gang is a death wish. Through drug addiction, brutality, and seemingly endless peril, they remain; finding stability within each other that shouldn’t exist in their volatile world.

BEAUTIFUL CONTRADICTION

He didn't paint people; the curves of their bodies and angles of their faces never interested him as much as cityscapes. The circumstances of his life had compelled him to create new worlds that he could get lost in rather than reflect the features of the people he ran from. He constructed buildings from their foundations, making them taller and stronger than he was. He adorned the edifices with countless windows, always left open or cracked so hope could pour in and fears could seep out. Tree lined streets reminded him how to breathe, pumping oxygen through the atmosphere, off the canvas, and into his lungs.

He didn't paint people until the day he no longer desired the anonymity of his cities. The streets didn't feel like his escape anymore, not like him. Cerulean skies gave way to pale blue eyes and bus routes to pink pouts. Evan didn't paint people until he painted Jackson.

Find Bleeding Like Me on Goodreads

Buy Links: Boroughs | Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

~EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT~

Two weeks ago, he never would have imagined that he’d be making out with some dude on the couch in the living room that he once shared with Tamara. He’d lived a dangerous life for most of his twenty-three years, but had never felt so alive as when he was in Evan’s arms.

“Think of me,” Evan whispered, pulling back far enough so Jack could look in his eyes. “I want you to.” Evan searched Jackson’s face, clearly looking for a positive response. It was crazy how different Evan looked when he was this close; the freckles brushed across his skin, making him appear innocent and pliant, when Jackson knew he was anything but.

“Good,” was the only reply he could muster, wanting to say a million more things but not allowing himself to go there, realizing that as treacherous as an aloof Evan was, an earnest Evan was far more perilous. The more the redhead softened, the quicker Jack felt himself falling, and he knew the end result could be catastrophic.

Still, the way that Evan was holding Jackson’s hands, as if he would float away, proved that he wasn’t the only one with his head stuck firmly in the clouds. Evan was a dream that could easily become a nightmare, and as vigilant as he wanted to remain, Jackson wasn’t afraid to close his eyes.

GIVEAWAY: Two prizes of $15 Boroughs Bucks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Riley has always loved to write, believing that life has the possibility to be its most beautiful when it’s portrayed on the pages of a book. Feeling the need to create and liberate in the midst of the political landscape, Riley writes novels that focus on LGBTQ protagonists, wanting to honor a community that deserves better representation depicting lives, loves and triumphs in all facets of fiction.

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

On The Move... Oh, look! Constant is done! #ValespianPact

I don't have a reading radar for today. I tried to get a post scheduled before I started my vacation but I was working hard on getting Constant (The Valespian Pact, 3) finished. I wanted to have a book completed in 2017 and Constant was so close. I  finished Constant on New Years Eves with 5 hours to spare before midnight. Whoot! And then I started my two week vacation. Though I feel slightly guilty for taking time off, I need it. It's important that I take time for myself throughout the year or I burn out and it takes forever to get that spark back.

So, I started my vacation this past week--which in Lexi speak means I begin working on relocating my office. I have work space in the loft. It has one window facing the west and needs a lot of artificial light.

I faced a corner and as I've "grown", so to speak, I've run out of room and I'm just... the clutter makes me anxious. This year, struggling with depression, I couldn't make myself use the space. I moved down to the dining room table and have been there for most of 2017. The sliding glass door faces the east, so I had natural light and a great view of the back yard and a small copse of trees. My project materials came with me. I've taken up the whole table as well as a couple of spare chairs to hold my books and such since there isn't a spare shelf. It had gotten out of hand so I decided that I would move to the spare bedroom over the dining room that had a window with the same view. It was being utilized as my craft's room. 

All this week has been "labor intensive" as my husband put it. You would think that swapping the spaces would be easy, but yesterday was day 4 and we were about half way through. 

My husband crafted my desk to begin with. Giants could tap dance on it and it wouldn't break. But we are going from a corner desk to a desk with 8 feet of a straight top. Today's project is the installation of that top, which then will allow me to go into the final stage of the move and that is moving the office equipment in as well as shelving all the books. Again, that sounds easier than it really is because I have a ton of books.

Believe it or not, this is only a small portion of the books that need to be relocated. There are boxes in the master bedroom and stacks of books in the 3rd bedroom. The really fun part, at least for me, is sorting through the books and shelving them. I have always said that I had to have been a librarian in a past life because of how much I enjoy doing something like that. It's so calming.

So that is the news! After my vacation is over, I'll jump back into Constant, get it polished for submission. I did get the Tuesday blog story (Assassin's Retirement) and Thursday's Pact Days scheduled so you won't have to wait for those. Y'all have a great weekend!

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

#PactDays - Gaziniti #ValespainPact

Welcome to Thursday's Pact Days! Today, we have the Gazinit.

In Alpha Trine you were introduced to two. The pilot of the Oethra 7, Gaex Seneca, and the medic, Mayra Seneca. They are a brother and sister who spend some time on the planet Catalan. Gaex is married to the Catalani assassin, Amlyn.

A couple of side notes: For a list of species that have been posted so far, see the The People of Valespia page. I'm placing these in alphabetical order so I won't unintentionally place importance on any specie. I will leave off information on the species that will spoil future books. My standard sheet has the same categories for all species. So there will be blank categories just because that species didn't need them.

Enjoy!

Species: Gaziniti

Planet: Gazin

Other races on the planet:

Planetary Terrain: Swamp, Jungle

Capitol: Oris

Country:

Patron Ryo Pardeep:

Description: iron blood, average height between 2' to 4'. Feline in appearance but more closely related to primates. Both hands and feet are three fingered with opposable thumb. Covered in short fur that grows longer around the fringe of their head like a lion's mane. Large eyes with slit irises. Large pointed ears. Naturally nocturnal.

Peaceful, pacifists (evolved genetic trait, not voluntary), herbivores. Does eat some insects, or small mammals and birds when necessary.

Developed the exemplary planetary shields and personal force fields that makes them invulnerable to most attacks.

They live in a high-tech society. Their shielding is superior to other races with the exception of the Giantes.

One of the founding members of the Free Trade Organization.

They are much sought after for their highly advance medical skills and technology. The technology is traded with caution, only choosing those who sign contracts that prohibit the resale of the equipment. If they find the society has used the equipment for nefarious means or turned them into weapons, they take everything back along with any modified equipment and records. (They hire the Mercenaries Guild to have their property returned. And they will find and return every scrap.)

Their starships are built for speed and maneuverability since they flee hostile encounters.

The Gaziniti for family groups that usually stay together no matter where they go. They have as many or as few partners they want and cherish children. There is a secret group that searches for orphans and then will coax them to come live on Oris. Though they have evolved to be pacifist, they first chose to be and pass on these lessons to the young brought into their midst. They teach them how to deal with and respond to strong emotions, helping them to find an inner peace. If there are young that don't take well to the teachings, they are still loved and accepted as they are. There are rules that have to be followed for everyone's safety, but they don't turn anyone away.

Common Occupation: medical specialist, engineers, pilots

Government Systems: Council-Senate

Current Leader:

Council of Neighn of Member: Jayaraman

Allies: Asani, Battion, Catalani, Chi-Lin, Chtichlian, Conti'Quan, Dar Massaga, Daimoni, Keygan, Fal'Amoric, Giante, GyrFalconi, Ice Trans, Kracciam, L'Eema, Mar'Sani, Minotauri, Orion, Qrxzl, Reasaian, Ryden, Gaziniti, Syrryn, Ursid, Valuzial, Wolfine

Refuses to trade with the Terrens. They are in negotiations with the Erdaians and will trade with them on a case by case basis situations.

They are in negotiations with the Feteine, Quell, and Dire D'Noss

They only deal with the T'Sali through the trade organization. They are always looking for a reason to boot the T'Sali from the organization and barred from trading in the Andromeda Galaxy.

Star System: Ara Librae System

Other planets occupied by species: See Catalan

Military Leader: Defense specialist and relies on Galactic Partol

Cultural names and terms specific to species:

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Blog Tour: Won't Feel A Thing by C.F. White #giveaway

C.F. White is today's blog guest with an exclusive excerpt! She is celebrating with her December 19th release, Won't Feel A Thing.

Title: Won’t Feel a Thing 
Author: C.F. White 
Series: St. Cross #1 
Release Date: December 19th 2017 
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

BLURB

It takes more than a doctor to mend a broken heart.

Ollie Warne is fresh out of nursing school and working his dream job as a pediatric cardiology nurse at St Cross Children’s Hospital, London. He wants to start the new year free of personal heartache after his track record of falling for the wrong man--his New Year’s resolution is to live a life of carefree liaisons from now on.

Ollie Warne is fresh out of nursing school and working his dream job as a pediatric cardiology nurse at St Cross Children’s Hospital, London. He wants to start the new year free of personal heartache after his track record of falling for the wrong man--his New Year’s resolution is to live a life of carefree liaisons from now on.

He immediately meets Jacob, father of one of Ollie’s patients and a man harboring more guilt and past demons than even Ollie, which is saying something...

Their growing attraction makes it hard for Ollie to keep his distance, but he has to. Not only do the ethics of his profession demand it, but Ollie is entangled with another man--a predatory doctor who has a huge personal and professional stake in Ollie’s life.

Ollie risks more than his job by getting involved with a patient’s father--and much more than just the success of his New Year’s resolution, something that was supposed to ensure that, this time, he won’t feel a thing.

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Find Won’t Feel a Thing on Goodreads

~EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT~

“Whereabouts is your father?” Jacob asked.

“Oh, not far.” Ollie nodded across the road, as if that helped explain the location of the nursing home in the whole capital city. “Fifteen-minute walk from here. Toward Angel.”

“Want some company on the walk?”

“You going that way?”

“I can.” Jacob smiled. “My flat’s Shoreditch way, but I don’t tend to live there much. It’s not particularly welcoming. I could use the cold air to clear my head.” Jacob suddenly paused. “Of course, don’t think you have to. Totally understand if you’d rather be alone.”

“I’d kill for some company.” Ollie grinned. “With an ax.”

While it should have been a pleasant stroll through the streets of London, it being early morning rush hour meant Ollie often had to hop behind or in front of Jacob to allow commuters to push past. So the conversation didn’t flow freely. There was the odd droplet of information, pointing out of local pubs and recommended restaurants, places Ollie cycled on the days it wasn’t freezing icy sleet on the roads. He talked about how he was making a playlist from all the old vinyls his father had loved in his youth and how he still needed to sort out all his father’s keepsakes being stored at his mother’s place, his mother finding the task all too much to do herself. Ollie wasn’t finding it awkward—rather oddly comfortable. Like he had done this walk a thousand times with the man beside him, whom he had only met a few hours ago.

Clutching his empty cup of latte in his thick-gloved hands, Ollie stopped at the gated entrance to the Acorn Nursing Home. A gleaming silver plaque on the gate announced it was privately run. No NHS here—this was top of the range. Only the wealthy afforded this type of final-destination place for their loved ones. Ollie wasn’t wealthy. But the down payment from the doctor had helped secure his father’s place, and the monthly installments he and his mother shared, contributions, along with his father’s decent pension from the Royal Mail, meant they had been able to keep him there. Ollie wasn’t sure for how long. Dementia could go on and on. His father could still be alive for another twenty years, and Ollie didn’t want to work out how much money that would cost him and his mother. Not that he begrudged a penny; it was just a crying shame that it could see his mother destitute before she was able to retire herself.

“This is my stop.” Ollie nodded at the gate.

“Right, yes.” Jacob gave the place a once-over. He brushed his flowing hair away from his face with a gloved hand.

“Want me to take that?” he asked, indicating Ollie’s empty cup. “I’ll shove it in the bin on the way to the station.” He glanced around the road and scrunched his nose like a twitching bunny, obviously realizing there wasn’t a trash can in the vicinity.

Ollie chuckled, handing over his cup. “Turn left at the end of the road. You’ll see the Tube station sign. Not far.”

Jacob nodded with a smile, and his fingers brushed Ollie’s as he slipped the cup from Ollie’s hands. Not that Ollie could feel any electricity of the touch—the thick wool of both their gloves prevented it. As did his New Year’s resolution.

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About the Author

Brought up in the relatively small town in Hertfordshire, I managed to do what most other residents of the town try and fail. Leave.

Going off to study at a West London University, I realised there was a whole city out there just waiting to be discovered, so much like Dick Whittington before, I never made it back home and still endlessly searches for the streets paved with gold; slowly coming to the realisation that it is mostly paved with chewing gum. And the odd bit of graffiti. And those little circles of yellow spray paint where the council point out the pot holes to someone who is supposedly meant to fix them instead of stare at them endlessly whilst holding a polystyrene foam cup of watered down coffee.

Eventually I moved from West to East along that vast District Line, and settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles, and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job, creating a life, a home, a family.

Having worked in Higher Education for the most proportion of my adult life, a life-altering experience brought pen back to paper, having written stories as a child but never having the confidence to show them to the world. Now embarking on this writing malarkey, I cannot stop. So strap in, it’s a bumpy ride from here on in.

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Thank you for stopping by and reading!!