New Release ~ THE HENCHA QUEEN by J. Scott CoatsworthPublishing Company: Other Worlds Ink Cover Artist: Kelley York - Sleepy Fox Studios Primary Plot Arc: Speculative Fiction Main Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction Sub-Genres: romance Story Type: Novel (>50k) Word Count: 93,400 LGBTQ+ Identities (if applicable): Gay, Bisexual, Non-Binary, Lesbian Keywords/Categories: fantasy, science fiction, sci-fantasy, dragons, sci-fi, new release, announcement, gay, lesbian, bisexual, non-binary, young adult, crossover, gay, bisexual, non-binary, lesbian, new release, announcement, giveaway
Enjoy an excerpt from THE HENCHA QUEEN:A sharp crack filled the wine cellar. Kerrick swung the heavy mallet back and then assailed the flopwood boards that blocked the tunnel entrance again. The ancient wood splintered under the blow, sending shards clattering across the stone-paved floor. It felt good to work out his frustrations. Still, the stubborn wood held out against his assault. He rested the mallet on the black-tiled stone floor, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. Even after a hundred years, the barrier was strong. He’d tried to pry the boards out of the solid stone, but they’d been fastened in too tightly. Brute force it is. “You’re doing great!” Cor’Lea’s voice was artificially bright, and she was as tall as he was, maybe a little taller, peering over his shoulder at the sealed tunnel entrance. Silya had tasked her with bringing him down here to check out these hidden caverns under the Temple, in preparation for the coming war. Important, sure, but also clearly an excuse to get him out from underfoot while she prepared for her official Raising. He grunted. “Thanks. These boards are hard as iron.” And hard as Silya’s will. One day things would be different between them, once this crisis was over. I just have to be patient. Coral laughed. “I’m sure a big, strong man like you can break through them easily.” She squeezed his bicep appreciatively. He shrugged her off. He wasn’t sure if the gawky initiate was flirting with him or just trying to encourage him to get on with it, but either way, he wasn’t interested. “Stand back.” He hefted the hammer again, and she scurried out of his way. He suppressed a smile, swinging the mallet around for another heavy blow. Craack. This time the board buckled inward visibly. Another few hits should do it. He pulled back the heavy iron hammer again and hit the same spot with blow after blow. Craack. Craack. Craack. The mallet broke through and a board fell away into splinters, clattering across the stone floor. One down, three more to go. “Why did they seal this cavern up?” Cor’Lea gestured at the natural chamber. “There was a winery here before the Temple. Sister Dor said they used to use it for extra wine storage.” She looked around the natural chamber, which was now filled with wooden shelving holding a variety of bottled food stores. “When Jas ordered the Temple to be constructed, they kept this wide cavern and blocked off the rest of the tunnels.” “Just in case the gully rats got in?” That thief Raven had apparently made his home in one of the underground tunnels. Who knew who else—or what else—lived down there? Cor’Lea snorted. “Maybe.” Are tunnels all connected, somehow? That was one of Silya’s most urgent projects, to map out the network of caverns beneath the city. Another reason she sent me down here—to get me out from under her robes. A few more whacks at the next board served to both break it and let out his frustrations at the situation preventing him from doing his sworn job and keeping them apart. And at what she said was coming. Craack. Craack. Craack. The board snapped in half, and he judged that he’d cleared enough space to step through into the blocked-off tunnel. “Hand me that lantern? Cor’Lea complied, taking the opportunity to brush his hand. He rolled his eyes. I should be flattered. But his heart was already taken. It was times like these he wished his brother Enrick were still alive. He’d know what to do. He’d been absurdly confident about everything, even though he’d been younger than Kerrick. Kerrick wasn’t great with women. He took the lantern and stepped over the bottom board, holding it in front of him. The bright light temporarily blinded him as he sought to get his bearings. “What do you see?” Cor’Lea peered through the hole behind him. His sight adjusted, and the tunnel’s walls came into focus. He whistled. Stacked along the side of the tunnel were hundreds of crates, all strapped together in groups and sealed. “It’s… I don’t know what it is. But I’ll bet Silya will be surprised.” They’d have to find a place to put all this stuff—whatever it was, it was likely rotten after all this time. Silya needed somewhere to store people, not ancient goods. Cor’Lea stepped carefully over the splintered boards to join him. “What do you think’s inside them?” The long row of crates disappeared into the darkness. Who knew what the ancients had considered valuable enough to stash down here. Coin? Lost treasure? “One way to find out. Does the Temple have a crowbar?” GIVEAWAY!Scott is giving away an eBook copy of Tales from Tharassas, the prequel, to everyone who enters the sweepstakes: The Tharassas Cycle is a four book sci-fantasy series set on the recently colonized world of Tharassas. When humans first arrived on planet, they thought they were alone until the hencha mind made itself known. But now a new threat has arisen to challenge both humankind and their new allies on this alien world. First Two Books On Sale (& Get a Free Book)
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I'm excited to announce the release of FOX TRAPPED, the seventh book in my Shifter Towers series, and part of the multi-author MM MPreg Shifter Romance series, Love Sync Mates! This was a fun story to write, and I added some personal touches from myself and family members in the story. Fun Fact: I have been stuck in an elevator before, but my experience wasn't at all like Foxx's. FOX TRAPPED is available at Amazon in ebook, paperback, and is part of Kindle Unlimited.
Enjoy an excerpt from FOX TRAPPED...No. No, this can’t be happening. The realization hit me like a wave, almost knocking me off my feet. The elevator had jerked to a stop, and I was stuck inside with a man who made my heart race, but who was likely disgusted to be in my presence. Not only that, but he could easily crush my head between his thighs. Though it might be nice to be between them. No! If the car didn’t start moving soon, I would be late for my interview. I needed the job. I couldn’t stay trapped. Refusing to wait for Mr. Muscles to react, I darted in front of the panel and pressed the button for the twentieth floor again. Nothing. So, I pressed the other floors. Anything to get the elevator moving. I’d arrived early, but that extra time quickly slipped away as the elevator refused to move. I tried not to think about how close I’d become in position to the other man, about how I had my ass only inches from his cock. If I took a step or two back... Where are these thoughts coming from? After shaking that image from my head, I loosened my tie. The elevator seemed abnormally hot. Is there a fire? Is that why the elevator stopped? I didn’t hear the blare of an alarm indicating a fire or a drill, so I pressed the emergency button. I needed to make sure people knew we were in there and came to rescue us right away. But the button didn’t light up. Didn’t even make a sound. I tried the button on the intercom. Somebody had to be on the other end. It was daytime hours for the building. The busiest time for all the towers. But only static answered me. “Help.” I leaned closer to the speaker. “There’s two of us trapped”—I glanced around for the identification number—“in elevator 205. We’re on the seventh floor.” The static stopped. No one responded. Had someone heard? The panel didn’t have an emergency contact number on it. It looked like the sticker had been ripped off, leaving only a blank rough surface behind. And the only person in Saramto I had a number for belonged to my possible future boss. I couldn’t phone her. Not if I wanted to make a good impression. Maybe I could ask the beefcake trapped with me to smash through the doors then carry me up to the twentieth floor. What readers are saying...Content Editor Comments: “This was such a cute story! I really enjoyed the couple and it was so clear and sweet, with the perfect amount of tension throughout!” ARC reviews: “...this was oh so sweet. I absolutely love fated mates and forced proximity and this had it and more. I had so many feels for Foxx...” “I love how Slade does not care that Foxx is a fox shifter like most snooty other shifters. He wants him no matter what. Both characters are super sweet and loving...” “Both of these characters are so sweet and amazing together... These two have quite the ‘meet cute’ in an elevator.” Check out all the books in the LOVE SYNC MATES series!
It's the day before the first book of the LOVE SYNC MATES multi-author series releases! This series contains eight MM MPreg Shifter Romances where the love interests meet due to a tech snafu. There are many meet cutes and some very sweet and sexy times. Check out the titles below, including one by me! All of them are available to pre-order now and are part of Kindle Unlimited. My book, FOX TRAPPED is also part of my Shifter Towers series.
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AuthorJessica E. Subject is a USA Today bestselling author of Sci-Fi and Paranormal Romance. Please note: Some links contain affiliate links.
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