Author Spotlight...A Question of Counsel by Archer Kay Leah

Book Title: A Question of Counsel (Novella) 

Author: Archer Kay Leah 

Genre: Fantasy/Romance 

Release Date: May 27, 2015 

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Life hasn't been easy for Aeley since she arrested her brother, and her role as a political leader leaves her feeling isolated and lonely. Days before her brother's trial, she meets Lira, a quiet and modest scribe who makes Aeley want more than just a professional relationship.

When she attends the trial and leaves with a marriage contract, Aeley doesn't know what to do. She must choose one of two brothers, marrying into a family she doesn't know. Then she discovers that Lira is part of the same family—a sister to Aeley's suitors and the family's disgrace. And not at all opposed to an intimate relationship.

Except random acts of violence against her people test Aeley's ability as a leader, and a web of lies and deceit threaten not only her chance at happiness, but her life...

"If my father hadn't already made a deal with your family, I wouldn't have approached them. But he did and now I have to see it through. It doesn’t mean I get to be happy. It never was about that. Duty’s always been more important. Besides, if it weren’t them, it’d be some son of someone else who was important. It doesn’t make it any easier."

Lira nodded slowly. "I doubt they’ll make any woman truly happy. Out of all the choices and it was them."

"It could be any one of the available men and I still wouldn’t be happy about it." The words tumbled from Aeley's lips before she could stop herself. "It isn't just your brothers being themselves, it's the whole concept of giving myself over to a guy I don't care for. I have no interest in sleeping with them, or procreating. And it isn't because I don't know how—I know how. I've slept with guys before; I just don't care for it. I don't get pleasure from it like everyone thinks I should. I know Father wanted me to find someone nice, but his idea of nice isn't the same as mine."

"Is it the same reason why you and Mayr aren't together?"

"Partially," Aeley replied. "That, and he's my best friend. The only one who really understands me. We never wanted to ruin it." She tilted her head back to stare at the stars. "If only it wasn't your brothers. If only it was y—"

Closing her mouth, she knew she'd said too much already. It always happened whenever they were together. Rarely did she tell anyone her most private thoughts, and when she did, she trusted only Mayr. But even then, she preferred to keep her deepest thoughts to herself, protecting them as if they were precious and easily shattered. Why could she not stop exposing those secrets when she was with Lira?

"What were you saying?" Lira asked softly, her eyes searching Aeley's.

"Nothing. Never mind. I was rambling."

"Or telling the truth."

When Aeley turned, Lira stepped closer. Their chests touched—a deliberate move, Aeley realized, when Lira leaned into her. She watched the rise and fall of Lira's chest under the simple gold pendant around her neck.

"Imagine if you could tell me everything, without worrying about what I'd think," Lira murmured. Her face neared Aeley's. "Maybe this is exactly the change you wanted. Maybe you just need more time to put everything together. Or maybe you just need all the pieces."

There was no time to breathe before Lira's lips touched hers, coaxing a soft kiss from Aeley with a gentle push and tug.

Her thoughts spun. Aeley raised her hand to the balcony to keep steady, only barely registering the fact that her hand made it halfway before stopping in the air. Was the silence just in her head or had the music stopped?

By the time Aeley realized what was happening, Lira's lips left.

"Something for you to think about," Lira whispered. Without waiting for a reply, she walked towards the ballroom.

She paused in the doorway and looked back, the light from the room illuminating her face and giving her skin a yellow glow. Her lips showed the hint of a smile, but her eyes said everything.

 

 

Playlist for A Question of Counsel

Songs to capture Aeley’s harder, kick-butt-and-take-names personality and Lira's softer, confident demeanor. Then there's the sensual, passionate connection between them...

Original ideas conceived to:

Ke$ha - Take It Off

Florence + the Machine - Blinding

Writing done to:

Chase & Status - Embrace (feat. White Lies)

Chase & Status - Midnight Caller (feat. Clare Maguire)

Ellie Goulding - Beating Heart

Ellie Goulding - Hanging On (I See MONSTAS Remix)

Emika - Wicked Game

Nonpoint - In the Air Tonight

Fever Ray - Keep the Streets Empty for Me

Emily Browning - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Marina & The Diamonds - Lies

Alex Clare - Too Close

Active Child - Hanging On

Active Child - Johnny Belinda

Florence + the Machine - Howl

Florence + the Machine - Heavy In Your Arms

The Neighbourhood - Afraid

The Neighbourhood - How

Bedroom Rockers - Nothing Else Matters

Lana Del Rey - Young and Beautiful (Dan Heath Orchestral Version)

iiO - Is it Love

Eivør - Is It Cold Outside

Nikki Holland - Secret

Nikki Holland - Skyfall (feat. Gardin of Edan)

Banks - Waiting Game

Delilah - Go

Archer Kay Leah was raised in Canada, growing up in a port town at a time when it was starting to become more diverse, both visibly and vocally. Combined with the variety of interests found in Archer’s family and the never-ending need to be creative, this diversity inspired a love for toying with characters and their relationships, exploring new experiences and difficult situations.

Archer most enjoys writing speculative fiction and is engaged in a very particular love affair with fantasy, especially when it is dark and emotionally charged. When not reading and writing for work or play, Archer is a geek with too many hobbies and keeps busy with other creative endeavors, a music addiction, and whatever else comes along. Archer lives in London, Ontario with a same-sex partner and their cat.

 Less Than Three Press

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sales Blitz...Unexpected Eden by Rhenna Morgan

Book Title: Unexpected Eden 

Author: Rhenna Morgan 

Genre: Fantasy Romance 

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Paradise, love, power…and a prophecy with a price.

Most people believe Eden no longer exists. Lexi Merrill’s about to learn they’re wrong. A hard-working bartender with a self-sufficient backbone and a wary nature, she knows pickup lines like a second language. So, when Eryx Shantos barges into her world with too-smooth words and a body to back it up, she locks up her libido and vows to keep her distance.

Eryx has other ideas. As king of the Myren race, Eryx is duty-bound to enforce the laws preventing exposure of their existence to humans. Yet The Fates have led him through his dreams to Lexi, a temptation he doesn’t want to resist. The question—is she Myren, or human which makes her forbidden fruit?

When Eryx’s nemesis tags Lexi as his next target, Eryx insists on taking her home where he can keep her safe. Lexi had no idea “home” would mean the one-and-only land of creation…or that she’d trigger a prophecy that could doom her newfound race.

Authors Note: Coming to grips with the concept that a whole different realm exists is one thing. Dealing with the fact that the race that lives there can stroll around in your memories at will takes adjustment to a whole new level.

In this excerpt, Lexi’s dealing with the realization that Eryx has done a little memory recon in her head—not too much, mind you, but enough to generate a healthy tirade. She’s stormed off and now has to face the man she’s just told to jump in a lake…

After she’d doused her face and rinsed her mouth, she pushed the double doors wide and froze. Eryx lay on his side atop the now-made bed propped on one elbow. A veritable lion sunning himself on a hot rock.

“I don’t like you getting in my head.” There. Better to get right to business and make sure Eryx knew his boundaries. His slow, seductive grin unwound a good portion of her anger, which only made her want to throw something on principle.

“I don’t see why not.” His gaze raked her head to toe and he blatantly stroked the growing bulge behind his jeans. “You certainly get in mine. And under my skin.”

Crude. And erotic as hell. Her mouth went dry and her skin prickled for touch. An invisible hand curled around her waist and tugged her forward until she tumbled onto the bed.

Before she could right herself, Eryx had her tucked beneath him, his hard length pressed against her thigh. “I won’t take your memories again. Not unless you allow it.” His lips brushed her forehead. “It’s actually considered quite rude to do without permission, but I needed something to go on before I approached you.”

God, if she could just think for a second. Maybe two. But his body... her wits couldn’t rub two thoughts together. “Ludan didn’t seem to have any qualms.”

“Ludan is rude.”

A laugh bubbled up from her belly. So light and unexpected. Free like when she was around Ian. “Point taken.”

He ran his thumb across her lip, his gaze following the action. Hungry. Focused.

If she didn’t start talking, she’d get zero answers. She brushed his hand away and tried to scoot out from under him. “We need to talk.”

He hauled her back in place, captured one of her hands, and pulled it to his lips. With a playful nip at her knuckles, he smiled a smile to melt chocolate. “I’ve spent years trying to find you.” He nuzzled the sweet spot behind one ear, and lowered his voice to a husky rasp. “My family’s busy doing other things, and your sweet body’s under me. The least you can do is let me touch while you interrogate.”

Shockwaves rattled her and her eyelids fluttered shut. He’d known her less than a day and he’d already found one of her top three magic spots. “I can’t think when you touch.”

“Good.” He dragged his lips along her jawline. “I’d rather you feel anyway.”

Rhenna Morgan writes for the same reason she reads—to escape reality.

Yes, her life rocks—two beautiful little girls, a great husband, a steady job, and the kind of friends that would take you out back if you hurt her. But, like most women, she’s got obligations stacked tight from dusk to dawn. So, when the world gets her down, she slips into something…less realistic.

Romance is a must. So is a steamy romp (or four). Nothing thrills her more than the fantasy of new, exciting worlds, strong, intuitive men, and the sigh of, “Oh if only that could happen to me.”

So, if you’re picking up one of her books, expect portals into alternate realms and men who’ll fight to keep the women they want. Romantic escape for the women who need it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway