QSFer D. G. Carothers has a new queer paranormal/urban fantasy book out (gay): Nine Days.
What would you do if you only had nine days to live?
In nine days, Kavan’s life will be over. An asteroid wasn’t plummeting to Earth that would wipe out humanity. Alien ships aren’t on the horizon, poised to attack us. There wasn’t a huge natural disaster imminent either. No, nothing so dramatic as that. The world will go on as usual. Only Kavan M. Garcia wasn’t.
Follow Kavan on his journey of acceptance in the face of death as he road trips across the country to visit his friends and family. Kavan hadn’t put much thought into the end of his own life but now that it was upon him, there were a few things he had to resolve and say, even if no one else could know that his time was limited.
“Nine Days” is a speculative fiction story with a supernatural twist set in the Bloodlines of Fate world. This prequel is set several decades before Talos when supes were still hidden. This can be read as a standalone.
Warnings: This book rides rollercoasters of both physical and emotional nature, confronting death head-on while exploring grief and acceptance. It includes a light intimate scene and a death that is neither violent nor graphically described in detail. However, the narrative is not solely characterized by darkness; unexpected and uplifting moments are prevalent, revealing a narrative that transcends initial impressions.
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Excerpt
Albuquerque, New Mexico
I wasn’t planning on going directly to the balloon fiesta launching grounds because it’d be a nightmare to get in and out and take too much time. I knew the perfect spot to watch them launch: far enough away to avoid most of the fiesta traffic and close enough to get a look at the balloons as they went into the air.
I stopped on the way at this small franchise fast food place called Twisters, which, hands down, had the best breakfast burritos anywhere in the country, and I’ve tried a lot. I was so happy when I saw that they were still around. I went through their drive-thru and made it to the high spot I was aiming for east of the launch grounds.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one that had the idea. Quite a few cars parked in the parking lot that topped the hill. I backed my SUV into a spot and popped the back hatch. I kept a tent and a few other supplies in my car at all times because I never knew when they might be needed. I pulled out the camping chair and unfolded it before going back to the front and getting my breakfast. With my coffee in the cup holder and a hot burrito in my hand, I sat back as a few balloons launched. Several had already gone up and you could see the fire at their opening burst into them, raising them higher.
The sun peaked over the Sandias behind me as the parade of colors and shapes floated into the heavens. I pulled back the paper from the top of the burrito and took the first bite, which nearly caused an orgasm to shoot through me with how good it was. Green chile, eggs, potatoes, bacon, and cheese filled the large tortilla to the gills, and unlike some places where the ingredients are unevenly placed in the tortilla, this was perfect. The chile was hot, but it warmed me from the inside, which, with how chilly it was, I needed. The flavors were perfect and I moaned so loud that the couple beside me looked over.
I smiled and raised my hand enough to show them my burrito while I chewed. They laughed and nodded knowingly. I swallowed before opening my mouth. “It’s so good. There’s nothing like this anywhere in the world, let me tell you.”
The couple was probably in their late thirties and they had two kids wrapped in blankets asleep in their van with the door open next to them. “You’re visiting for the fiesta?” the woman closest to me asked.
I shook my head. “Not really. I’m passing through and had good timing. I’ve seen it once before when I was about your kids’ age. I drove in last night and decided since I was here, I’d watch them go up before I continued on my way. I also couldn’t help but have one of these breakfast burritos.”
“Where’d you stop?” She took a sip from the steaming travel cup she held.
“Twisters.” I grinned like I had won the lottery because, seriously, the burritos were that good, and I took another bite.
She laughed. “You have been through here a few times if you know the good local spot.”
I finished my mouthful and shivered as a gust of wind went through us. “I grew up in Arizona, but I’ve lived on the East Coast for a long time. So, I’ve driven through here more than a few times.”
The other woman stood and went to the back of their van. I continued to eat and watch as the Creamland cow cleared the ground. The woman returned and approached me with a serape in her hand.
She offered me the blanket with a smile. “I don’t think your hoodie is enough with this wind.”
I folded the paper wrapper around my burrito again as I stood. I placed it on my seat and took the blanket. “Oh, thank you so much.”
“No problem.” She sat back down and the first woman took her hand.
I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and sat again, grabbing my burrito to avoid squashage. We sat in silence as more balloons filled the air. There was a kaleidoscope of colors lit from within as the sun continued to rise.
I laughed as a pig in sunglasses rose alongside a couple of bees. A balloon with the New Mexican Zia symbol in the state flag colors rose behind the shaped balloons. I couldn’t stop smiling as I finished my burrito. Between the crisp autumn air, the bright colors in the sky, the silly-shaped balloons, and the last of the flavors of heaven in my mouth, I was filled with pure joy and wonderment at what fate had placed in my path.
The kids woke up and were eagerly pointing at balloons. I took that as my queue to hit the road. I stood and unwrapped myself from the blanket, refolding it neatly. I started to hand it back to the couple and the closet woman held up her hand with a shake of her head.
“Keep it. The weather is getting cold, and you might need it on your journey.”
I started to protest, but she smiled wide and continued to shake her head. I smiled in return and clutched the blanket to my chest. “Thank you. I truly appreciate it.”
I placed it in the back seat on top of my luggage and then stowed my chair in the back. The women herded their children to the van to be safely out of the way when my car moved. I opened my car door but turned to them before getting in.
“Have a good rest of your day and thank you for sharing this moment with me.” I smiled with a wave and the kids waved wildly while their moms gave me one of those mom smiles and nods that tells you that they understand, accept, and love you all in one simple gesture. I laughed lightly as I finally got in and closed the door.
Author Bio
Within the shimmering guise of a mortal walks D.G. Carothers, a dragon of cunning intellect. A weaver of LGBTQIA Romance and Urban Fantasy tales, this enigmatic being revels in crafting narratives that dance between realms.
D.G. stands resolute in their commitment to unfurling tales unfettered by constraints. For in their eyes, love transcends all boundaries, a truth woven into the very fabric of their creations.
| Author Website | www.dgcarothers.com |
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| Author Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/DGCarothersAuthor |