Ta-da! I’m now offering free short excerpts on my website and Pareton. Today’s excerpt is from The Voice of Wild Places, a queer historical fiction. Enjoy a brief introduction to Cornelius’ nemesis, Andrea Carmine. You can read chapter excerpts on my Patreon, and all sorts of different things.
And so Cornelius began to tell the story of where they’d been. Only then did Watt realize the man had smoothly avoided the earlier question regarding their future. He listened as Cornelius spoke of the wondrous French architecture of Rio, the industrious São Paulo and the Butantan Institute, and the growing Cuiabá.
Their encounter with Senhor Galvão, and in this Cornelius modestly admitted his wrongdoings in regards to not trusting Severino. Cornelius was subdued but informative when telling them about their stay with the Bacairy, and by the time it was all said and done the group was fully enamored with him. All except Andrea, that was.
“And tell me dear Cornelius, were you able to broaden your horizons during your journey? Adopt a love for something new besides … oh, what was it you read all the time back at Ur? Oh yes, that children’s novel, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
“Oh, I love that story!” Nair exclaimed, which brought a hesitant smile to Cornelius’ lips.
Ana looked between Nair and Cornelius. “I’m afraid I haven’t. But a Wizard? That sounds interesting.”
Cornelius nodded. “I find there’s nothing wrong with old favorites, and adults can find much to learn from children’s stories. Some of us may have missed the lessons the first time.”
queer author
Matsdotter and Adrastus
Elochian Adrastus is the pinnacle of demon nobility, and he hates it.
When he’s not leading an aristocracy, in therapy, or rebelling against his birthright by running the most famous bar in Levena, he’s solving a millennia old mystery with his newfound friends. He’s particularly fond of the man he’s only known as an author, learning that there’s much more to the human than meets the eye.
For the first time in over a century, Elochian feels tempted by the prospect of finding his own happy ending. He’s also terrified that any future endeavors will end in death, like they did not so long ago.
Quentin Matsdotter has one goal in life, and that’s to blend in. Unfortunately for him, that’s impossible when you’re a certifiable genius, an author, and are friends with some of the most unique people in the town. He’s got everything a man could want, except for someone to call his own.
Quentin hasn’t been able to trust his heart to anyone again after experiencing an abusive relationship years ago, but there’s no mistaking how he feels for the enigmatic archdemon. As the snow builds, so does their friendship, and it’s only a matter of time before they open their hearts to each other.
If only the past didn’t come back to haunt them.
Be prepared to stand up for what you believe in, reveal the truth, and protect those you love, no matter the cost.
Matsdotter and Adrastus is the second book in the Adventures in Levena series and you can find it here.
Amazon can go Heck Itself
Guess what? You can now buy a good majority of my books directly through Ingram Spark, cutting out the middle man. This allows me to sell them at a cheaper price, which works out great for both me, and readers. You can find the link to buy directly on each of the book pages, and I’ll add them all here for convenience.
The Rebel Foxes: The Dome
Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch
Matsdotter and Adrastus: When A Human Falls In Love With An Archdemon
When Witches Sing: Yuletide Special
The Voice of Wild Places
Cornelius Sawyer is a man of many talents, but forgiveness is not one of them.
Watt Johnson is a man of his word, but not once in his life has he spoken up for himself.
Once connected by the bonds of childhood, threads now severed by the demands of life, the pair are brought together for a once in a lifetime opportunity: an all expenses paid expedition to Brazil, searching for a man the world believes to be long dead, Percy Fawcett. And perhaps, even the Lost City that he was looking for.
Under the guise of doing research work for their respective universities, a reluctant Cornelius and an exhilarated Watt accept the offer and delve into the unknown, trusting no one but themselves. Looking at a map, the route and its dangers seem to be known obstacles which can be easily conquered, a fact that Watt leans on heavily.
But Cornelius is intimately aware that the river has teeth, that the land renders a siren song to those who are desperate to become lost in its mountains and basins. To survive the journey they’ll have to face the enemies within, and trust the other to have their best interests in mind. After all, the Voice of Wild Places is calling, beckoning the adrift homeward.
—
Presenting the next Noah Hawthorne book, The Voice of Wild Places. I’ve commissioned a fantastic cover artist already, Jan Falk of Thistle Arts. Jan has done covers for authors like Sebastian Nothwell and Rita Rubin, along with art for Sarah Wallace’s Dear Bartleby. Based on the cover schedule, release will be in late August or early September.
I am a sucker for historical fiction, especially ones that are queer and with a touch of magic. Taking place in 1930, Watt and Cornelius will be searching for historical figure Percy Fawcett, who disappeared in 1925 while searching for the Lost City of Z with his son Jack Fawcett and Jack’s best friend, Raleigh Rimmel. There are several theories regarding their disappearance, and this will be my take on it.
Are you ready for adventure?
Matsdotter and Adrastus Cover Reveal!
“Most people don’t have a great whirlwind romance that’s an end all, be all. Or maybe they did, in the beginning, but for one reason or another it didn’t work out. But that doesn’t … that doesn’t make those relationships less important. A person’s first may not be their last, but that doesn’t take away from the impact of that first love.”
“Like a stepping stone,” Elochian says quietly, watching me.
“Right, yeah. That’s the bit I was working on last night. I don’t have all the pieces, just a vague idea. A character, kind of. I don’t know, I think we need more stories that focus on the big picture. The stepping stones, and the person they bring you to.”
Elochian smiles, then looks away. The movement hollows me out, and I have no idea why. When he looks back, there’s that safety guard. He’s still paying attention to me, but there’s … I don’t know, distance. He says, “I like it. I think you’re onto something.”
And then he changes everything. His fingers twitch, and his black painted nails trace against the back of my own fingers.
❄️🏳️🌈📚✨
Happy Cover Reveal Day!
Big thanks to Foxglove Faun who did a fantastic job bringing these guys to life.
Matsdotter and Adrastus is the second novel in the urban fantasy Adventures in Levena series, and releases on January 2nd, 2024.
Blurb:
Elochian Adrastus is the pinnacle of demon nobility, and he hates it.
When he’s not leading an aristocracy, in therapy, or rebelling against his birthright by running the most famous bar in Levena, he’s solving a millennia old mystery with his newfound friends. He’s particularly fond of the man he’s only known as an author, learning that there’s much more to the human than meets the eye.
For the first time in over a century, Elochian feels tempted by the prospect of finding his own happy ending. He’s also terrified that any future endeavors will end in death, like they did not so long ago.
Quentin Matsdotter has one goal in life, and that’s to blend in. Unfortunately for him, that’s impossible when you’re a certifiable genius, an author, and are friends with some of the most unique people in the town. He’s got everything a man could want, except for someone to call his own.
Quentin hasn’t been able to trust his heart to anyone again after experiencing an abusive relationship years ago, but there’s no mistaking how he feels for the enigmatic archdemon. As the snow builds, so does their friendship, and it’s only a matter of time before they open their hearts to each other.
If only the past didn’t come back to haunt them.
Be prepared to stand up for what you believe in, reveal the truth, and protect those you love, no matter the cost.
Phantom and Rook now in audio!
Phantom and Rook, narrated by Kirt Graves, is now available on Audible! Readers have called this book a captivating love story, a warm hug, and somewhere people want to live. Tomorrow it will be available on Spotify, Libro.fm, and pretty much everywhere else. You can find all the links right here.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek from the POV of the immortal who everyone is bound to forget. Even his soulmate.
Here’s what you can expect.
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
⛈️ Forgotten Memories
🏳️🌈 Misfit Found Family
✨ Immersive Modern Fantasy
🧹 Witches
🪙 Treasure Hunt
❤️🔥Slow Burn Mutual Pining
🎧 Dual POV
💊Mental Health and Disability Rep
🎨Magical Tattoos
❤️ Idiots to Lovers, lots of facepalming
Book Blurb:
Arlo Rook has decided it’s time to move out of Garren Castle, home for orphans of all races, magical or not, at 100 years old. It’s not the first time he’s left home, but after a setback that landed the Hedge Witch in the hospital a year ago, he ended up right back at square one.
But now he’s ready to strike out on his own, despite his friend’s worries that he’s not ready for the real world.
Thatch Phantom is an immortal, the last of his kind and perpetually bored. When he’s not closing inter-dimensional rifts and corralling demons, he’s visiting his favorite city of all, Levena.
Centuries ago, when life was particularly dull, he set up a scavenger hunt for a starving village, providing them with a year’s worth of supplies. Once again, Thatch is listless, and has decided to throw a wild card into this year’s game. Whoever discovers him will win one wish of their choice, no restrictions. Aside from the obvious, such as no falling in love, murder, or resurrection.
What he didn’t anticipate was crashing into the one person whose soul mark flares like a beacon when Thatch is around, teasing the immortal with the one thing he wants most: someone to call home.
What follows is a wild chain of events filled with magical coffee shops, villains with vendettas against cheese makers, moving tattoos, grand puzzles, and second chances at love and life.
When Witches Sing is out!
“Could you show me some magick?”
“Oh,” I whisper, then nod quickly. “Yeah, okay.”
I clear my throat and stand, then sit back down, because I don’t want to stand over him. He’s already so much shorter than me, I feel like a giant just sitting next to him. He tentatively presses a hand to my arm, lips parting, and I startle. He pulls back, not taking his eyes off me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you nervous.”
“Oh, I’m not. Nervous, that is.”
Felix chuckles. “Okay. Well, you don’t have to make yourself smaller, for me.”
“Oh,” I say, then stand and straighten to my full height before him. The leaves and petals in my hair and along my skin stand to attention, and I blush at the image of preening like a fucking peacock.
“Wow,” Felix says, staring up at me with wide eyes. “You’re really tall.”
I almost lean down, but he takes my hand. This time, he doesn’t let go. “No, don’t.” Felix stands beside me, my hand in his. I stare down at our entangled fingers, then back to his face. His neck is craned and it looks painful, but the determination in his eyes is almost frightening.
I squeeze his hand, then let go. I put my hands up, smiling wide. “Okay, have it your way, tchotchke.”
Oh, how he smiles at that. He pretends to be affronted, but that smile. It’s perpetual, blinding. “I am not a small thing.”
I shrug, turning away from him. I bring my hands to chest level and smile upon coming up with an idea. I close my eyes and murmur, “Abracadabra.”
Have fun with swamp witches, chaos witches, root witches and musical witches. Just, all of the witchery and tomfoolery there ever could be. Happy Yuletide friends.
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Phantom and Rook Cover Reveal
Sure you’re ready ?
How many details can you spot?
Words will never be enough to describe how beautiful this cover is and how much I appreciate the hours upon hours of work the artist, Bear Pettigrew, put into it. Thatch and Arlo are spectacular and I WANT Arlo’s sweater! Scroll down for a full spread with the spine and back.
Everything has been submitted to Ingram and Amazon and in a few days the pre-orders will be available on there, but if you want a signed copy with prints and all that fun stuff, check out my bookstore.
Kirt Graves is narrating the audio book which will be coming out a couple of weeks after Phantom and Rook releases in print (November 2nd) and I’m beyond excited to listen to it once it’s all done.
Did you know this is already on Goodreads?
Bear Pettigrew has done several covers, comics and sells original artwork in the form of prints, stickers and other cool things. You can check them out here.
Neshama Publishing 