New Release: Magic Burning – Kaje Harper

QSFer Kaje Harper has a new MM fantasy book out in the Carnival of Mysteries series: Magic Burning.

Alan

I haven’t been out with a guy in the last two years. Partly because I’m a gay elementary-school teacher in a fairly small, conservative town. Partly because I’m a sorcerer, and dating ordinary humans only leads to trouble. Sleeping with one though? That’s doable, so when my birdbrained familiar Sunny lines up a tall, muscular firefighter for me, I’m not going to say no. Just once, though. Maybe twice. I don’t need more trouble in my life.

Jason

I don’t regret moving back to my hometown and my big family. Well, not much. I’m not out to them, and I miss the anonymity of the big city, but I like the local fire house and the slower-paced life. Still, when I see my niece’s teacher, Mr. Hiranchai, in gray sweatpants talking to a mini-parrot on his shoulder, something inside me (or maybe something in front of me) perks up and says “I want that one.” I can’t have an actual boyfriend, but I sure wouldn’t mind getting laid, and Alan’s slim, dark-haired, smart-assed style rings all my bells.

It’s no surprise we turn out to be great together, even if my job and his responsibilities make it hard to find time. It is a surprise when I realize I want more than just an occasional night. But some weird fires out in the brush keep us firefighters hopping, and when this strange carnival comes to town and lands me with a pair of magical doll shoes, life gets truly confusing. There’s more to Alan than he’s telling me, and I’m getting a bad, bad feeling about all this.

Magic Burning is a story in the Necromancer universe, 60 years after Marked by Death, and is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a snarky, matchmaking bird, a lonely young teacher, and a gay firefighter finally coming out to his large family.

Get It At Amazon

Excerpt

“Not that one.” Sunny walked across the bed to peck peevishly at the shirt I’d laid out.

I looked away from the mirror where I was contemplating a new zit on my chin because of course, first date with a guy I was insanely attracted to, and my skin threw me back to my teen years. “Why not?” The green silk was a favorite.

“Too bright and eye-catching.”

“Says the orange, yellow, and green bird.”

“You’ll need to go a bit slow with Jason. Don’t spook him. I get the feeling he’s a secret kind of guy.”

I paused. “Maybe I should just cancel. This is a bad idea all around. He’s already ordinary human, and if he’s not out and proud and up for fun in bed, why the hell should I bother?”

“You should bother because there’s something so bright I can see it, flashing between you when you meet.” Sunny coughed. “Plus you need to get laid. It puts you in a better mood.”

Author Bio

I get asked about my name a lot, but it’s not something exotic. “Kaje” is pronounced like “cage” – it’s an old nickname; my pronouns are she/her. My books are primarily M/M romance, often with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi, paranormal… I also have a few Young Adult stories.
After decades of writing just for fun, my husband convinced me I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts and teachers who speak their minds, and I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received. I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks, print, and some audio, both free and professionally published, including Amazon bestseller The Rebuilding Year and Rainbow Awards Best Mystery-Thriller Tracefinder: Contact. A complete list with links can be found on my website “Books” page.