How Can I Forbid My Heart When I Love You?

Forbid My Heart 

"How Can I Forbid My Heart When I Love You?" is the question Izzorah Ceeow asks himself in Forbid My Heart: A Luc and Rah Story, out from Loose Id on April 23, 2012. This book is the sequel to Surrender Love, Kayelle Allen's EPIC Award-winning novel set in the Tarthian Empire.

The characters Luc Saint-Cyr and Izzorah "Rah" Ceeow were introduced in Surrender Love, where they fell immediately into lust, and then into love. They're back in this look at a tender Dom/sub relationship. Izzorah wants to submit, but Luc is healing from a D/s relationship gone bad, and he's reluctant to trust himself. Izzorah's trust enables him to take a step forward.

Waking in the middle of the night, Izzorah begins to worry. His lover has pledged to take him back to visit his homeworld, but Izzorah knows the fact that they're gay could cause their death if the Kin Pride Council hears about it. His heart tells him to trust Luc, but Izzorah's fear is real. He snuggles up to Luc, seeking comfort.

Luc is immortal. He has the perspective to understand his lover's concerns and not worry about them. To distract Izzorah, Luc tries a sexy game of dominance and submission played during their shared shower. Izzorah's unreserved trust and respect make Luc long to wipe out any shadow of trouble or sorrow. He would turn the Kin homeworld upside down to protect him, but convincing Izzorah he can do it will mean confessing a truth Luc is not yet ready to share.

Luc and Rah must learn: where the heart leads -- follow.

Excerpt:

Scene: Luc and Rah's penthouse, middle of the night. Izzorah (Rah) is worried about returning to his homeworld, and Luc tries to reassure him. Rah gets a little distracted. Izzorah is a Kin, a feline humanoid with catlike ears, eyes, claws hidden beneath human nails, and the ability to smell emotions.

---

"No one--and I mean no one--will dare raise his or her voice or hand against you. You and I will not be subject to the whims of a Kin matriarch or anyone else." Still holding Izzorah's hand, Luc drew it against his own chest and turned the palm over his heart. "When I say I'll take you home and keep you safe, trust me; that's a promise I can and will keep."

Luc's will stood between them like a living creature, solid as the walls around them. He might mean every word he said. He might be able to kill the Falehla tzesar. But keep them safe on Felidae? Oh, Luc. I'm not sure anyone can do that.

Izzorah remained silent. He would not dishonor his lover by arguing the point. He hadn't won agreement about not going home, but he could deal with that later. He approached the subject from a different angle. He leaned back, lowered his ears, and set them outward, showing submission instead of willfulness.

He rose to his knees, grabbed Luc, and flattened him against the bed. He clamped his fangs on the tip of Luc's chin.

"Um...Rah?"

Purring in response, Izzorah kept his teeth against Luc's skin.

Luc in the shower

"This bite's good?" Luc's mixed scent revealed curiosity.

Izzorah released him and sat astride Luc's waist. He tossed his head to move hair out of his eyes. "Ehh nim shree."

"Ah. A love bite. You're being playful."

Gaze locked with Luc's, Izzorah bent forward and lightly nipped Luc's lower lip, nibbled the upper one, and then scraped his teeth across the tip of Luc's nose. He kissed it, then moved back to hover above his mouth, their gazes still linked. "I was bite-thanking you."

"You're welcome. What did I do to deserve that exactly?"

"You listened to me. I was missing Purkinje, and you helped me feel better."

"I'll always listen. I'm sorry about your horse, love. Buying you another one might not help, because it wouldn't be Purkinje, but maybe we..." His voice trailed off as Izzorah slid claws through Luc's curls. Luc sighed in pleasure. "Mmm. I like it when you do that." He went completely still.

"I like touching you." Izzorah bent down and licked the width of Luc's mouth. He brushed his lips across Luc's, gave another gentle nip, and then licked him again. "I think you need to be thanked some more so you know how much I appreciate you. Maybe I should tongue-thank you here." He slipped his tongue across Luc's right nipple. The scent of warm brown sugar and melting butter revealed Luc's rising desire. "You taste of salt, sex, and male. I need to bite-thank and tongue-thank you all over."

Buy Links

Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/forbid-my-heart-a-luc-and-rah-story.html

Author website: http://kayelleallen.com/exc-forbid.html

NEW RELEASE - CROW MAGIC by Mary Quast

Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men. Hoping to overcome her fears and feel like a real woman, she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who will fulfill that goal. Eve arranges a one-night stand with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach Lucy to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.

 Shape shifter Seth Crowe is a Keeper of the Spiritual Law who carries souls from darkness to light, and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic.

 Tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort, Seth helps Lucy find spiritual and sexual freedom, never dreaming he might find his own mate in the bargain.

 

EXCERPT

 

“I am a man who is yours tonight, Lucy.” He walked toward her with arms out from his sides, exposing his nudity. “Draw on the power within you. Look at me. Overcome your apprehension of men. Have I not shown you gentleness?”

She nodded and approached him while tugging the strap of her sundress.

“Keep your dress on. Take it off when you are ready. This night is about you. Explore my body, learn from it, and take whatever you want. You are in control.”

He led her to the center of the blanket and faced her. She stood still with her fingertips resting on his waist. Cupping her face, he lost himself in her eyes.

“I am your instrument to use tonight. Open yourself up and delve into this opportunity I offer. I am yours to command. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I think so.” She considered his offer. “What do I do?”

“Follow your feminine intuition.” He couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Touch me, tickle me, beat me, kiss me, bite me, lick me, suck me…whatever you want. Take whatever you need from me to strengthen you.”

In the moonlight, an endearing, innocent blush spread across her face. Amazing how a woman who lived her life in fear caused by abuse could be so naive of her own sensual power. If she knew her potential, she could bring him to his knees.

Please, bring me to my knees.

 

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CLICK FOR MORE CROW MAGIC

buy on AMAZON

 



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Romance author and Artist Mary Quast lives in a log home affectionately named "Camp Run-A-Muk" located in the woods of Michigan with her husband, three sons, and a collection of animal family members. As a professional artist, Mary Quast answered the call to express herself creatively. With her descriptive writing style she has developed a knack for creating passionate characters and realistic settings. When she’s not busy writing contemporary erotic romance novels, novelettes, and short stories, Mary Quast doles out sensual tips and yummy eye candy on her blog “Romantic Interludes”.

Visit Mary's website  or her blog, Romantic Interludes.                   Connect on Facebook

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A Native American Shape Shifter

My ancestors settled in Michigan right after the civil war and since then Chippewa legends and herbal medicine have become woven into the fabric of my heritage. My grandmother fascinated my cousins and me with tales of spirit animals. Grandma would often say, “Hush children. Crows are spirit carriers and you don’t want them hear you speak ill of the dead.” I often remember watching a handsome crow in her backyard and wonder if it carried Grandfather’s spirit to visit her. 

I have crows nesting in the woods on my property and they are truly magnificent creatures to behold. The intelligent gaze, silken feathers, strength of flight led my imagination to create the hero in Crow Magic.

Tecumseh, aka Seth Crowe is a Shawnee shaman who guides people out of the spiritual darkness of their lives, but at a cost on his own stability. He is naturally charming but from his demanding “work”, his family fears he’s on a path of becoming bad-tempered and destructive.

When the drop-dead sexy man with is obsidian eyes, long black hair and tanned skin covering delicious muscles came to me, I couldn’t refuse the story. 

COMING April 26 FROM DECADENT PUBLISING

A 1Night Stand story

BLURB:

Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men and turns to Madame Eve to give her a man for a night that will help her overcome her fears to feel like a real woman. Eve arranges a night tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach her to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.

Seth Crowe, a shape shifter and Keeper of the Spiritual Law, considers himself to be a carrier of souls from darkness to light and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic. When his brother refers him to 1 Night Stand he certainly didn’t expect to find a fiery angel sleeping in a sensuous body and experience the true balance of nature. 
 

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CLICK FOR MORE CROW MAGIC

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

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Romance author and Artist Mary Quast lives in a log home affectionately named "Camp Run-A-Muk" located in the woods of Michigan with her husband, three sons, and a collection of animal family members. As a professional artist, Mary Quast answered the call to express herself creatively. With her descriptive writing style she has developed a knack for creating passionate characters and realistic settings. When she’s not busy writing contemporary erotic romance novels, novelettes, and short stories, Mary Quast doles out sensual tips and yummy eye candy on her blog “Romantic Interludes”.

Visit Mary's website or her blog, Romantic Interludes.

Connect on Facebook

Happy Earth Day blog hop!

Join us April 19-21 for an Earth Day blog hop extravaganza of fun, flashes, and prizes, featuring a bevy of exceptional authors. Their ebooks will tempt you, tease you, and then please you.

Forbid My Heart: New MM Romance from Kayelle Allen

Forbid My Heart

Forbid My Heart: A Luc and Rah Story is out from Loose Id in only a few days. The release date is April 23rd. The first six days (4/23-4/28) the book will be FREE. Surrender Love (the book right before this one) will be on sale for $5.99 (usually $7.99). Forbid My Heart is a great opportunity to meet the characters. Here’s a bit about the book.

Waking in the middle of the night, Izzorah begins to worry. His lover has pledged to take him back to visit his homeworld, but Izzorah knows the fact that they're gay could cause their death if the Kin Pride Council hears about it. Izzorah's heart tells him to trust Luc, but his fear is real. He snuggles up to Luc, seeking comfort.

Luc is immortal. He has the perspective to understand his lover's concerns, and not worry about them. He tries to distract Izzorah with a sexy game of dominance and submission played during their shared shower. Izzorah's unreserved trust and respect make Luc long to wipe out any shadow of trouble or sorrow. He would turn the Kin homeworld upside down to protect him, but convincing Izzorah he can do it will mean confessing a truth Luc is not yet ready to share.

Luc and Rah must learn: where the heart leads -- follow.

Surrender Love: http://loose-id.com/surrender-love.html
Loose Id books by Kayelle Allen http://loose-id.com/authors/g-k/kayelle-allen.html
Series: A Tarthian Empire Book
Related Titles: Sequel to Surrender Love
ISBN: 978-1-62300-358-6
Genre: LGBT; Science Fiction and Space Opera
Estimated word count: 8,550
Scheduled Release Date: April 23, 2013

Set an alarm for this book: http://authoralarms.com/Kayelle_Allen

Author Website http://kayelleallen.com

Cover Your Butt by Pat Cunningham

Today I want to talk about the professional butt and how to keep it safely covered from legal attacks. The other blog I’m on, Shapeshifter Seductions (www.shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com) is currently undergoing minor content renovations. No, we’re not excising twincest or stepdaughter stories or high school kids having sex. We don’t do that over there. It’s sentient bestiality all the way. Our shapeshifters are all consenting adults. They consent to hetero sex, gay sex, threesomes and foursomes, BDSM and discipline with rulers. There’s plenty of species intermingling and even a mixed marriage (carnivore/herbivore). They’re quite the progressive bunch in Talbot’s Peak.

What some of them may also be is in violation of other creators’ copyrights.

It all started innocently. Serena posted an example of a newspaper in a town taken over by shapeshifters, the Guts and Butts Gazette. The rest of us (Savanna, Rebecca, Solara and me) ran with it with a vengeance. Savanna brought in White Fang Kent, ace reporter and superpowered wolf from an alien planet. I added his professional rival, Leona Lane, woman reporter and werepanther. The paper needed a photographer, so we brought in red wolf Jamie Olsen. The editor is werewolf Nick McMahon. (Either Serena isn’t a comic book fan, or she’s smarter than the rest of us.)

From there things just kind of exploded. We named our Montana town Talbot’s Peak (after Larry Talbot, the Wolf Man). Savanna felt we needed a sexy cowboy character. Enter Brandon Wayne, millionaire rancher, businessman, and bat shifter. (If she could have Superman, I wanted Batman.) The Tiger Yakuza set up shop as the catch-all bad guys, led by the evil Shere Khan. Our blog has since morphed into a home for shapeshifter flash scenes featuring a cast larger than The Simpsons’. Occasionally they even follow a plot.

As long as we stuck to the blog, providing five free reads a week, everything was fine. However, we’re writers. You know how that goes. Our characters evolved and developed and wanted their stories told, and not at a pace of 1000 words at a time. We began writing stories and novels involving the town and its people, and making plans to publish. Those plans bore fruit when Savanna recently published Her Midnight Stardust Cowboys, the first Talbot’s Peak novel. (I’m reading it on my laptop, and it’s hawt.)

This is the point where I panicked.

Not over the idea of having to sit down and write a novel, daunting though that is to lazy folk like me. It’s those character names. Lighthearted homages to our favorite comics and TV shows are fine on free blogs and fan fiction sites, but once you go pro and money starts changing hands, people take serious notice. People like those who initially created those characters you’re paying homage to, and the corporations that own the copyrights.

I have to take the blame for a lot of this problem. I read tons of comic books and watched tons of TV in my early years. Most of the iffy names are attached to characters I created. I warned Savanna before she published, so we caught most of the offenders, but we’re still left with having to clean up our act.

Luckily the damage isn’t too extensive. We just need to change a few names. The characters themselves long ago evolved beyond their other-media origins. For instance, Jimmy and Jamie Olsen both started life as redheaded photographers for their respective papers. However, I don’t think Superman’s pal is a wolf shifter, or a repressed homosexual edging his way out of the closet with the loving support of his partner, a randy Latino snake shifter. Since red wolves are native to the southern states, it was easy enough to make Jamie a Cajun boy named Robineau. The other offending characters are undergoing similar identity changes.

I thought maybe I was overreacting, foreseeing legal problems where there weren’t any. Last week’s episode of Grimm made me change my mind. The fairy tale bad guy of the week had a bizarre name—Trinket Lipslums or something like that. He’d gone by similar bizarre names in the past, all with the same letters. You know what else those letters spell? Rumplestiltskin. So why not just call him that? It’s a legitimate fairy tale name and in the public domain. Or it would be, if not for ABC/Disney’s show Once Upon a Time, which has Rumplestiltskin as a recurring character. Obviously NBC’s legal department didn’t want any trouble from ABC’s legal department, so they changed the name and only dropped hints about the character’s true identity.

If major networks are pussyfooting around over legal use of a name and characters that may look a wee bit too similar to some company’s trademarked cash cows, then we on the shapeshifter blog would do well to distance our creations from their origins, even though it was all done in innocent fun. Corporate lawyers don’t look at it that way. Especially if our fun starts earning us profits, using someone else’s well-established name.

(Like NBC and ABC have any right to complain. DC Comics/Vertigo shopped its comic book property Fables around Hollywood in hopes of landing a production deal. Fables is about fairy tale beings living in the modern world. Both NBC and ABC turned them down. Then both networks debuted TV shows about fairy tale beings living in the modern world. Things that make you go hmmmm …)

In short, what we did in using those names wasn’t meant as stealing. It was just a joke. That’s fine for free reads on a blog, or fan fiction. Once we go pro with it, though, it starts edging into plagiarism and piracy territory. It’s easier just to change the names and pretend it never happened. Cover the buttsky. Better safe than sorry.

50 Shades of Grey doesn’t count. James changed the names before she published.

And now, back to my own TP story, which involves only original characters. Except for Shere Khan, who’s already had a name change. And Rick, who looks like Brendan Fraser and was named after his character in The Mummy, but nobody will know that unless I tell them. Which I just did. Oops…

Originally posted at TITLE MAGIC. 

Complete Short Story "Rah Hunts a Mowt" -- Kayelle Allen

Forbid My Heart
(cover mockup)

A standalone story featuring Luc Saint-Cyr and Izzorah Ceeow from Surrender Love Copyright © 2013 by Kayelle Allen

Setting up the scene: Luc and Rah are in their penthouse atop the Nizamrak Building, chilling in front of the entertainment system. Luc decides to see if Rah’s Kin hearing is as good as a cat’s.  (A Kin is a feline humanoid)

---

Luc grabbed a handful of popcorn and crunched it. To his left, Izzorah watched the wall-sized screen, mindlessly eating a few kernels of popcorn at a time. The images held his attention completely. Luc slid his right hand down to the outside of the couch, and with one finger, made two quick scratches against the leather.

Izzorah’s closest ear twitched, but he didn’t look away.

Luc ate a bit more popcorn, and then gave another scratch.

“Did you hear that?” Izzorah turned to him.

“Hear what?”

“Sounded like a mowt.”

Luc frowned. “What would a rodent from your homeworld be doing two hundred stories above ground on Tarth?”

Cocking his ears back and forth, Izzorah waited a moment. At last, he shook his head. “Never mind. Must’ve imagined it.”

After a minute, Luc scratched the couch again.

Izzorah put down his popcorn. “Okay, Luc, now I know you had to hear that!”

“Hear what?” He used his right hand to pick up some popcorn.

“I’m telling you, there’s a mowt in here.” He stood and walked around the couch, peering at the edges.

Luc turned his head to keep him in view. “What are you doing?”

“Mowt hunting.”

“How can you be hunting if you don’t have a gun?”

“Don’t be silly.” Izzorah laid back his ears. “Indoors, you use a broom.”

“What, and smack them?” He mimed whacking a broom onto the ground.

Luc and Rah

“No. You stick the handle under the couch and scare them out, and then you grab ‘em. I could go for a mowt. Haven’t eaten one since -- wow. I can’t remember.”

“I’ll stick to this.” Luc tossed up some popcorn and caught it with his mouth.

“Maybe you shouldn’t do that.” Izzorah motioned to the bowl. “I’ll bet that’s why there are mowts up here. They smelled popcorn on the floor.”

“Are you kidding me? You think McDoth would let one kernel of popcorn stay where it didn’t belong? That android is compulsive about cleaning. No way we have mowts.”

“I know what I heard.” Izzorah knelt and peered under the couch.

When he did, Luc scratched the edge with his fingertip.

Izzorah yanked up his head.

Luc did it again, and then broke into laughter.

Rah took a flying leap and tackled him, knocking popcorn everywhere.

Laughing the entire time, Luc went down with arms and legs flailing. He and Izzorah tussled for a moment before Luc rolled his lover beneath him. He slanted his mouth over Izzorah’s, and felt him yield to the kiss. The taste was salty, with a hint of popcorn, and a tang of aroused male. He stroked his tongue into his lover’s mouth for more.

Izzorah responded with ardor, wrapping both arms around him. He kissed the tip of Luc’s nose. “You’re fun to wrestle with.”

He brushed his lips across Rah’s. “I love teasing you. You’re not mad, are you?”

“No, but that was sneaky.” Izzorah extended one claw tip.

“I can’t believe you fell for it.”

He chuckled. “Neither can I.”

Surrender Love

Luc sat up, and held out a hand to Izzorah. They stood together, and began brushing off their clothes.

McDoth, passing through the room, stopped and stared at the popcorn on the floor. “Look at this mess! I must clean that up immediately. We’ll draw mowts.”

Luc and Rah looked at one another and grinned.

“And what is so funny about mowts? I’m fetching a broom.”

They broke into gales of laughter.

McDoth gave them an indignant glare.

---

Coming April 23, 2013: Forbid My Heart, a Luc and Rah story, from Loose Id.

Check out the Luc and Rah board on Pinterest!