QSFer M.A. Church has a new MM sci fi book out:
Destiny brought them together even before they were born.
Raiden Shou, a fierce and loving Tah’Narian warrior, has everything he ever wanted. A loving mate, a highly sought-after position as Chief Helmsman of the Unity, and now the possibility of a young in the near future. But destiny never promised life would be easy.
A chance encounter with the Ne Reyn goes horribly wrong, an enemy from the past makes a reappearance, and egos flare out of control. A rejection turns lethal during a trip to Quai to collect mates for the Tah’Narian Volunteer Program. Jealousies threaten to destroy Raiden’s perfect life.
A plot is hatched, and Raiden’s mate, Dayo Kwen, is kidnapped during a mission. Time is running out as estrus looms on the horizon for Dayo. Once it strikes, Dayo knows his body will betray him. He’s alone, scared, and surrounded by enemies. Can help from the most unlikely sources change the course he’s set on? Will Raiden and Dayo overcome the obstacles they face? Only their belief that destiny bound them together can save them.
Excerpt
THE STICKY, humid air pressed relentlessly down on Raiden. He braced his feet in the damp soil, ready for the next strike. The two suns above him blazed and sweat dripped into his eyes. He’d give his right nut for a cool breeze—any breeze, actually.
But thanks to the heavy tree canopy, the incessant sun’s rays were somewhat blocked, granting areas of shade. If he could just stay in those, life would be good. Water trickled from the humongous scalloped-edge leaves overhead, a steady drip, drip, drip that irritated him.
Raiden crouched, and the gust from the dathe ruffled Raiden’s hair as it swept inches above his head. That was so not the breeze he wanted. He snarled at the Blishue warrior as sweat trickled down his face. Raiden gripped his hajar, not take his eyes off his opponent, and waited.
“Tah’Narian dog.” The Blishue warrior growled. “I’m going to break every bone in your body.”
Raiden resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He’d learned long ago not to let words distract him thanks to his dabba, Keyno, who all but pounded that lesson into his head. Instead Raiden focused on the dathe the Blishue tended to favor, a highly polished two-foot-long curved knife with a hand-hold in the middle. He’d seen what the weapon could do and didn’t plan to let it cut him into shreds.
The Blishue charged, and Raiden gracefully rose. The blade swiped past his stomach as he spun, his long braid sweeping out behind him. As his enemy rushed by, Raiden bent and slammed the end of his hajar into the back of the Blishue’s knee.
A howl of rage filled the air as the Blishue went down, and Raiden grinned as he turned, twirling his hajar. The Blishue might favor the dathe, but Raiden much preferred his weapon. It was a five-foot-long indestructible metal staff with a globe on each end.
The globes were rock hard with spherical, ornate spikes jutting out. The spikes were separated and ended in sharp deadly points with which to stab. The length of staff could be used to block weapons too.
The Blishue recovered and reengaged in the battle with an earsplitting bellow. Back and forth they traded blows, Raiden’s arms beginning to ache as they fought. He dropped into a crouch again and swept the Blishue’s feet out from under him with his hajar.
He sprang forward, and viciously stabbed the spikes into the ground where the Blishue was just seconds ago before he rolled away. The Blishue powered to his feet, snarling, and swung his arm, his elbow slamming into Raiden’s chin.
Raiden stumbled back and shook his head. He scowled as he poked at his face. The hit was well-deserved. Raiden knew better than to drop his guard. Tail slashing madly behind him, Raiden eyed his opponent, searching for a weakness. Unfortunately the species didn’t have many, and he was ready to end this.
“Giving up already?” The Blishue sneered, whirling the dathe. “You Tah’Narians think you’re warriors.” The Blishue stopped the blade and beat his fist on his chest. “You’re nothing. Nothing! We’ll destroy all of you.”
“It’s been tried before by a race far deadlier than you, and we’re still here.” Raiden discreetly tightened his grasp on the hajar.
“The Onfre? Bah. They’re nothing too.” The Blishue beat his chest again, rumbling. “We are in… indestru… indestruc….”
Raiden laughed. “Aw, having trouble with the big, fancy words? More than that little brain of yours can handle? And by the way, you talk too damn much. Are we going to fight, or are you trying to talk me to death?”
The Blishue threw his head back and screeched his displeasure to the skies. Raiden cringed. Maybe that hadn’t been the brightest idea. He braced himself as the Blishue stopped bellowing—finally, thank all the gods—and charged him once more. Time crawled by as the two of them danced around one another, trading blows.
The humidity slowly sapped Raiden’s strength, but he refused to acknowledge how tired he was becoming. But there was no denying his muscles trembled from the repeated hits of the dathe. Raiden stumbled back and swiped his arm over his face, the sweat stinging his eyes. The damn Blishue with barely breathing hard and simply would not give up.
Fuck.
Raiden grinned, thinking of his dad’s favorite word. It really was all-encompassing. The Blishue roared, snapping Raiden’s attention back to the situation at hand. Fucking Blishue. Why wouldn’t he just die already?
Author Bio
M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full-time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or watching HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.
She is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Contact M.A.:
Blog: http://machurch00.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomoretears00
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nomoretears00
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Church
The Harvest FB fan page: www.facebook.com/#!/theharvest00
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MAChurch
Amazon: www.amazon.com/M.A.-Church/e/B007A8JA4C
Email: nomoretears00@hotmail.com