QSFer Leona Windwalker has a new MM sci fi romance out:
Matthias Reynolds loves his life. He’s starting to make it as a graphic artist at last and has a job he really likes at a local café that pays the bills. When a night out clubbing leads to an awkward morning after, he’s embarrassed and more than ready to forget all about it. When Talani Enforcers show up at the café, he doesn’t know what to make of it all as he’s led away in restraints.
Standing accused of crimes he struggles to understand, he finds he has an unexpected champion: the Talani warrior and war hero J’nah Quislin. J’nah knows that Matty is his. All J’nah has to do is keep Matty safe from those who engineered Matty’s charges and sentencing. That, and get Matty to accept that the universe always intended them to be together as one. All it requires is for Matty to return J’nah’s devotion and offer his willing submission. Can Matty do it, with all that it will mean for his future?
The Talani Trade Alliance Book 1
Giveaway
Excerpt
The park proved to be a large open space filled with real grass, trees flowers, and a simulated sky. There was even a gentle breeze that came and went teasingly. Matty was impressed by the spaciousness and well thought design. The illusion of being outdoors was complete. J’nah and Matty decided on a spot under a tree and J’nah helped him unpack the food. Matty couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Er, what is this?” he pointed doubtfully at what appeared to be a bowl of gelatinous green balls that quivered.
“That’s tipron. It’s a savory. Taste it, it’s a favorite of mine from when I was young.”
“And that?” he pointed at some grey stringy stuff that might have been a meat.
“Largesh. It’s very popular with both Talani and off-worlders.”
“Ooooo-kay,” Matty breathed out, trying to school his reactions. “And this one?” He pointed this time to the bag that he thought might have potato-type chips in, if similarity in the bag styles could be trusted.
“Prieng. That, well, if you try it , I think you will like. But don’t judge on appearance.”
“Can I see?”
J’nah opened the bag and cautiously took out a small handful. Opening his hand with his palm facing upwards, he gave Matty a good look. Matty recoiled. It looked as if someone had taken a caterpillar and deep fried it.
He proferred one to Matty. “No, I’m sorry, I thought I could, but I can’t. Just, no.”
“How about if you close your eyes?
Matty pinched his lips tightly together. “Mmmm hmm.”
J’nah laughed, tossing several into his mouth as Matty watched in horrified fascination. No, he isn’t. Oh yes, he is. He’s messing with me, Matty thought as J’nah chewed slowly with a teasing glint in his eyes. Matty laughed.
“Gross, man.”
“C’mon, try just one. Surely you did not expect interstellar cuisine to be just like your own food.”
Matty bristled at that, then paused. Didn’t I more or less say the same thing to myself before? And back on Earth, there are local cuisines who eat insects and such and it’s normal. Besides, he thinks you’re being a wuss. Just man up and take a taste. Can wash it down quick with some of the soda. Matty narrowed his eyes playfully.
“No, you did not just say that. Oh, no, you didn’t. Give me one right now.”
J’nah took a single prieng between his finger and thumb and leaned forward, holding it in front of Matty’s lips, one eyebrow cocked in a silent dare. Matty closed his eyes, opened his mouth, and leaned forward.
The texture had his eyes popping open but he resisted the initial urge to spit. Wait, it’s not fuzzy. In fact, it’s velvety. He chewed experimentally. My God, it tastes like peanut butter wrapped around chocolate with a blueberry center. He lunged for the bag.
“I need another taste to make sure this isn’t trickery,” he said defensively as J’nah chuckled. He popped another into his mouth. Mmmm. I could eat a whole bag. “Okay, so what are you going to eat? This is mine.”
J’nah gave a deep laugh this time. “If you taste the lagresh too, I will give you the entire bag of prieng and buy you another three bags to take home tonight.”
Matty considered it. He wasn’t sure about navigating the supermarket by himself quite so soon and he yet had to meet the mysterious Taylor. “Okay,” he said reluctantly.
J’nah proffered the container of lagresh, detaching what Matty now saw was cleverly hidden chopsticks from under the rim’s lip. Matty took the chopsticks and took a piece of the meat. Lobster with a hint of garlic? But, texture more like pulled pork. Hmmm. Damned delicious.
Author Bio
Leona is a longtime staunch supporter of human rights and environmental causes. Her favourite genre to read is M/M fiction and she particularly enjoys science fiction, fantasy, and action/suspense sub-genres—especially if they have a nice seasoning of romance. She has far too many books on her Kindle, has overloaded her phone with even more and, when not reading, writing, being driven to distraction by her children, or being overlorded by her three cats, can be found trying to locate the portal that the sock monster uses to steal socks from her dryer.
Recent head-reeling news for her included her novel Jared:Urban Wolves #1 being nominated for an Indie Award from Metamorph and placing as a finalist in the 2016 Rainbow Awards, earning an Honorable Mention. She’s still suspicious that it’s all been a dream, but as long as her readers are happy and she can find at least one of the missing socks, she’s happy.
You’ll find her books on Amazon (universal link is http://author.to/LeonaWindwalker), including on Kindle Unlimited. You’ll also find her on Facebook at Leona Windwalker, where you can keep up on news regarding current, new, and upcoming releases.