Chaos and Flies

Chaos and blackmail and lust, oh my.

 

Honor. Duty. Love. Blackmail. Intrigue. Lust. Flies. Yes, flies. Killer blood-seeking flies have been the bane of Koilatha since the founding. They’re rumored to live in the ruins of an ancient temple of evil, not that anyone has ever gotten close enough to find out for certain. As a high priest, Rak is duty-bound to investigate these flies. The sun priest attempting to purify him and the palace functionary blackmailing him complicate matters, as does his brother’s near death at the hands of an ambitious woman and the king’s continued attempts to force him to accept the position as heir to the throne.

The worst thing of all is that, while sober, Jisten won’t settle for lust—he wants it all. And never mind that Rak has seduced him twice already. Where does honor lie when intrigue, duty, and love conflict?

http://www.extasybooks.com/chaos-and-flies-2/

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PG Excerpt:

Once Jisten was safely re-fastened with new straps, Rak directed Scorth across the river. The temple is supposed to be north and east of the city, closer to the inland sea.

Scorth adjusted his course. Are you sure this is wise? It’s the middle of the day. Shouldn’t we be doing this at night, when you’re stronger?

The time of day should not matter for this. Why? Are you afraid? Rak asked.

Hardly. Scorth snorted, incinerating a bird midair that he then snapped between his jaws and swallowed. Tastes like chicken.

Eat later. We have work to do now. Rak was focusing on the heavily wooded landscape beneath them. This looks like the impenetrable forest I was told about. That means the ruins are close.

They told you that the forest is impenetrable?

Ai.

And they told you what was inside the impenetrable forest?

Ai.

And you believed them?

I have an advantage that they lack.

Oh? And what might that be?

I have a dragon.

Scorth laughed, mollified by Rak’s obvious, but sincere, flattery. Jisten also laughed, having followed the entire exchange, and Rak graced him with a smile. The forest ended too abruptly for the border between tree and grass to be natural. The meadow beneath them was perfectly circular, and at the center, there was something that did not fit.

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Chaos and Flies

Here's a look at the cover for Book 5, Chaos and Flies, due out on January 1st. That's assuming we all survive the Mayan apocalypse, of course.

Honor. Duty. Love. Blackmail. Intrigue. Lust. Flies. Yes, flies. Killer blood-seeking flies have been the bane of Koilatha since the founding. They’re rumored to live in the ruins of an ancient temple of evil, not that anyone has ever gotten close enough to find out for certain. As a high priest, Rak is duty-bound to investigate these flies. The sun priest attempting to purify him and the palace functionary blackmail him complicate matters, as does his brother’s near death at the hands of an ambitious woman and the king’s continued attempts to force him to accept the position as heir to the throne.  

The worst thing of all is that, while sober, Jisten won’t settle for lust, he wants it all. And never mind that Rak has seduced him twice already. Where does honor lie when intrigue, duty, and love conflict?

Musings of an author

I really enjoyed the eXtasy Books Christmas party yesterday. It was fun to interact with my fellow authors and with the readers. I'm amazed at how long I spent in front of the computer on flash chat. I think I'll make author/reader chats a regularly scheduled event.

In the meantime, I've got a lot going on. I just saw the cover for The Dark Servant Book 5, Chaos and Flies, and it's awesome. I really like this one, the artist outdid herself. That book's due out Jan 1 and I'm expecting the proofs and galley within the week.

I just turned in Book 11, A Chaos Temple, to my editors. I will now start on Book 12.

I am revising and rewriting an older story, called The Hybrid, which will probably be broken into 4 or 5 books. The Hybrid ties into The Dark Servant, and has some of the same characters. It's sort of a horse story, in that the main character is an equine, but sort of not, since my equines aren't horses, but predators who happen to be shaped somewhat like horses.

I am also starting work on Tevia's tale, which explains how a Loftoni Princess leaves her kingdom, followed by a full third of her people, and settles in a strange land far away. She is, of course, Rak's grandmother, and I've always wanted to tell her story.

Resurrection

At last the stasis potion is set to wear off, and the prince will return to the land of the living. But Rak discovers that his brother’s resurrection is the least of his problems. His past is being used against him, and so is his tryst with the handsome captain of the palace guard.

His options are few and his allies fewer, and the King has somehow declared him heir to the throne, an honor he absolutely does not want. Can Rak steer his way out of the political mess caused by his brother’s near death?

http://www.extasybooks.com/resurrection-2/