From The Ashes

"From the Ashes"


Blurb: Cinder never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he needs. Finding himself flung into his very own fairy tale, she sends him off to meet his Prince Charming. But was the gown really necessary?

 

Excerpt:


Cinder glanced around. Paper lanterns floated in the trees, lined the walks, and graced the gazebo near the reflecting pool, giving the grounds a mystical air. Their warm glow caught the dancing jets of the fountain splashing merrily to his right. The musical, crystalline tones carried on the night wind’s breath. He was reminded of the enchanted gardens in the fairy tales his father had read to him when he was a child. What would happen to him if he dared walk there?

Henri led him toward the gazebo. Soon he would find out.

The cool breeze caressed his uncovered neck. Cinder shivered at the ethereal touch. Henri turned to him, the question clear in his eyes, but he didn’t know how to answer. Instead he breathed in the tangible scent of rich earth and flowing water, hoping to calm his bounding heart.

Henri lightly stroked his arm. Cinder’s breath caught at the silky brush of the other man’s fingers. He drew another shaky breath. Henri may have meant to soothe him; instead his touch set Cinder’s wayward body aflame.

They left the last of the courtiers behind as they entered the dim interior of the fanciful pavilion. Vines climbed its intricately carved posts, perfuming the air within. The music and voices of the aristocrats faded away. Only a single intrepid nightingale could be heard over the cheerful burbling of the fountain. Hidden from the rest of the court, an unworldly sense of peace filled him. Was his very own fairy tale about to come true?

Bespelled and bemused, he could feel the magic in every beat of his heart, in every trembling breath he drew.

Once inside the bower, Henri reached to cup Cinder's cheek. Unused to being touched, he nearly flinched away but managed to still, heart pounding, before giving himself away. The older man's thumb slid across his cheekbone and came to rest lightly on his mouth. Why did he want to lean into that caress?

The other man's warm, slightly musky scent filled his nostrils, drowning his senses.

Henri's other hand wrapped around his waist and drew him close. He leaned closer while tipping Cinder's face upwards. Cinder's breath left him in a rush, stirring the noble’s hair. Henri was all that he could see, his mouth slowly, carefully descending toward Cinder’s. If he allowed this, the other man might discover his deception. He couldn’t risk that, so why then did he ache to feel Henri’s kiss? Their lips brushed, light as thistle down.

Surprisingly, Henri's mouth was soft and warm upon his own. After a moment, it pressed more firmly against his. Something fluttered in his chest, trying to get out.

Cinder didn't think to pull away until he felt Henri's tongue seeking entrance. The hand on his face slipped to his nape and held firm. He froze in shock, not even daring to breathe, as flames rushed through his body. The very beat of his heart betrayed him.

The questing tongue stroked his lips and pushed between them. It slid over his teeth, seeking to enter. When he protested, Henri swept in and began a lazy, sensuous exploration that left him breathless.

Soon he found himself returning the caress. Henri responded to his fledgling attempts by pulling him closer and moaning into his mouth. He had never experienced anything so sensual and erotic. He fed his own needy pleas to the other man one at a time.

Finally they separated slightly, Cinder panting heavily, trying to catch his breath. Was Henri as affected by their kiss as he was? A quick glance confirmed Cinder was not alone in his arousal. Flushed and gasping, Henri gazed at him with eyes full of wonder and something unnamed smoldering in their depths.
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Happy Valentine's Day

Hi everyone!
Jaxx Steele here again to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day. I for one like Valentine’s Day. I have heard many reasons on how the holiday came to be. Some say the day is a conspiracy made by the candy company to suck money out of people. Other think its conception came about to honor a gruesome massacre that happened somewhere. How creepy is that?? I’m hoping that’s way too morbid to be actual fact. That you would buy gifts for your loved ones to remember a day where so many were killed? *shivers*

I don’t care where the idea came from, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that some extremely busy guy was slacking on putting in the time needed to keep his lover happy invented it. Being the genius that he was, he came up with one special day that he could put on his calendar and have his secretary remind him to go big with the gifts. LOL 

I have written 3 Valentine Day inspired stories: A Year-long Valentine (inside Reflections of Love anthology available at Dreamspinners Press), Vegas Valentine (available at Muse it Hot) and Claiming Cupid.

Reflections of Love is an anthology that Dreamspinners Press put together. My story within is about a club owner who falls in love with a singer. He spends a year wooing him anonymously before he reveals himself.


Claiming Cupid is a story is about that forbidden love. You know the ones that are on the off limits list. The best friend, best friend’s sister, your play cousin, brother in all but blood, yeah, all of those people. They’re too close to being family, right? I wrote this book to show that sometimes what you want the most is right in your face, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get. You know, that whole trees for the forest thing. Here is a peek inside Claiming Cupid.

Blurb:
Daniel was sick and tired of Max’s ‘boyfriends’ dogging him. He thought Max deserved better and wanted him to be his man so he could treat him better, but he was afraid to jeopardize their friendship by making any unwanted moves on. When Max broke up with his latest lover the day before Valentine’s Day, Daniel could take it no more. He put a plan of action in place to claim and protect the heart of his old friend.

Vegas Valentine is the sequel to Hosting for the Holidays. This story really came about by accident. I had thought Hector and Chad’s story was done at New Years, but the promise Hector made to Chad wouldn’t shut Chad up in my head. Thus a sequel had to be done. *shaking my head* It’s a dang shame how these characters rum me sometimes.

 

Hector thought to combine his business trip to Las Vegas with celebrating Valentine's Day with Chad, thus keeping a previously made promise. Unfortunately, work prevails and Hector's well laid plans are demolished. Will he be able to turn things around and make Valentine's Day in Vegas a day neither of them will soon forget?

Jaxx Steele is out!

www.jaxxsteele.com
www.jaxxsteele.blogspot.com

Cowboys and Pirates!

Hello followers of All Male Romance!

Jaxx Steele is here again to share my pirate book with you, A Day on Plunderer’s Pride. I have always loved pirates and cowboys. They are usually tough men hardened by their choices they’ve made in life. Cowboy law is simple and just. “Don’t fuck with mine and I won’t fuck with yours and if you do, I’m gonna kill you.” Simple and to the point. I love that. There are no misunderstandings when a man comes to you like that.  A pirate’s code however is a little different. If they want your shit they’re going to take unless you’re man enough to stop them. I like that too, though. LOL

It was time that I showed my love to these leather wearing and sea hardened men. My book Part of the Posse gives a behind the scenes look at cowboy life, the way I picture it, of course. I watched some really good cowboy movies to come up with terrain and mannerisms for my main character, Les Browning. A few of my favorite movies are Wyatt Earp, Unforgiven, Posse and Tombstone. 

I really like Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven. I pictured Les being like a younger him, but with same abrasive no-nonsense attitude about himself.

Les Browning traveled with his trusted group of men for years. As the company made a cattle run from Texas to Kansas Les met Colt, a young cook looking to find his way in the world. They hit it off immediately, but Les couldn’t get too close to Colt until the men in his party gave the okay for Colt to travel with them. Can Colt ultimately prove himself worthy to be a part of their clique so that he and Les could be together?

I had LL in mind when I did Plunderer’s Pride. Just picture LL with one of those sultry, deep, goose bump inspiring Jamaican accents.

Life is hard, but worthwhile on the pirate ship Plunderer's Pride. Follow Captain Julian Hazard and his band of ruffians as they go about their daily business. As you endure their daily struggles and nightly rewards you may find that a pirate's life may be for you, too.

Plunderer’s Pride is available now at Muse It Hot

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=420&category_id=96&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Find Jaxx at:

Website: www.jaxxsteele.com   Blog: www.jaxxsteele.blogspot.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaxxsteele   Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaxxsteele