Teaser Time! 7 lines from a secret YA project

Every month, I do a teaser of 7 lines from one of my books--released or not--called the Seven 11 Blog hop. You get to read words from me from whatever I'm working on AND I can link to some other awesome authors for you to check out in the meantime!

Be sure to scroll through for some giveaway goodies!

This month, I'm doing seven lines from a secret upper YA project I can't actually tell you about yet. But I'm so excited for it, I need to share! Here we go...

The only great thing about getting up at four a.m.—Well, there’s really nothing great about getting up at four am. Linda says it’s nice because we beat the traffic. I sometimes don’t mind rush hour if it means I get to doze in the backseat for a few extra minutes.

Not today, it seems. We’re on a tight schedule. Not a rush job. I’ve done those. They suck. Barely enough time to get the makeup in place before they’re shoving you onto a plane with nothing more than a sticky note of the important pieces and major players. No escape route, no briefing on emergency protocol. No ear comm. Just a burner phone and a hope and a prayer.

*****

That's it for now but I'd love to hear your feedback! Leave your comments below and keep scrolling for more awesome lines AND chances to win goodies. Happy Seven 11!

Other awesome authors to scope out:

Shawn McGuire. Young Adult
Kayla Smith. YA Paranormal.
Bethany Lopez, New Adult Romance.
Justine Winter. New Adult Paranormal 
Amanda Aksel. Chick Lit

And goodies!

Click here to enter Justine Winter's Goodreads giveaway: a signed paperback of Nature's Destiny.

Click here to see Shawn McGuire's newest cover for her Wish Makers series!

And for me, click here to get the BEST deal all Christmas season:

***NEW RELEASE***

The XOXO New Adult Boxed Set features 16 full length contemporary romances! Only $0.99 for a limited time! From authors: Heidi McLaughlin, Raine Thomas, Bethany Lopez,Amanda Lance, Anna Cruise, Wendy Allen Owens, Author Angela O Peart, Amanda Askel, Kimberly Knight, Heather Hildenbrand, AJ Bennett, Dani Hart Author, Alexia Purdy,Brina Courtney, and Morgan Black!!!!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/xoxoamazon
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/xoxobandn
Itunes: http://bit.ly/xoxoibooks
Kobo: http://bit.ly/xoxokobo

New LIMITED TIME release: the XOXO Collection

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR TWO WEEKS!
16 New Adult Stories from 16 of your favorite New Adult Authors 
Find your next book boyfriend here.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/xoxoamazon

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/xoxobandn

Itunes: http://bit.ly/xoxoibooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/xoxokobo

Featuring MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER by USA and NYT Bestselling Author Heidi McLaughlin
They say you should expect the unexpected, I didn’t realize my unexpected would be the forever kind.

FOR EVERLY by Raine Thomas
The last thing physical therapy student Everly Wallace wants is a relationship, but when she’s roped into working with sexy Major League pitcher Cole Parker, she’ll discover that it just might be the one thing she needs.

INDELIBLE by Bethany Lopez
Sam’s a single mom, working her way through college while raising her toddler. Judd’s a college baseball player, who on the outside, looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Can two people at different stages in their life find a way to make a life together?

TATTOOED DOTS by Kimberly Knight
Brooke and Easton learn that people are brought into their lives for many reasons. Over time, they find out what those reasons are. Some are to be a temporary acquaintance while others are there for life.

MANGLED HEARTS by Felicia Tatum
Can two loves find their way back to each other despite an addiction and a hardened heart, allowing their love to overcome it all? Can these mangled hearts be mended?

BREAKDOWN by Amanda Lance
After Charlotte Ferro’s suicide attempt is ruined by a handsome do-gooder he introduces her to a world of fast cars and cool criminals. But can their newfound friendship survive the secrets of their past?

MAVERICK by Anna Cruise
International surf sensation Kellen Handler has it all – fame and fortune and more women than he can count – but he’s riding his own personal wave toward disaster. Can PR genius Gina Bellori rescue his reputation…and his heart?

DO ANYTHING by Wendy Owens
A broken heart is only the beginning for her. He thinks he has his life figured out. Will they risk their hearts on a new chance at love?

RESIST ME by A.O. Peart
Ethan, a former-Marine-turned-firefighter, has never really cared for any woman, while living his life to the fullest and enjoying the bad boy stigma. Until the street-smart Lisbeth comes along, and instantly turns Ethan’s world upside down, making him want to protect her, no matter the consequences.

THE MAN TEST by Amanda Aksel
Couple therapist Marin Johns tries to prove that all men are liars and cheaters by beginning a fictitious relationship. Will her new “boyfriend” be the statistic or will Marin regret the satisfaction of being right?

A RISK WORTH TAKING by Heather Hildenbrand
For college grad, Summer Stafford, watching her parents’ divorce has taught her that, above all, love is a risk. For a drifter like Ford O’Neal, love isn’t just a risk, it isn’t even on the table. But attraction quickly leads to something more and they are both forced to realize they’re risking a whole lot for a summer fling.

UNINTENTIONAL VIRGIN by A.J. Bennett
Nineteen-year-old Karma points is cursed. Cursed with a ridiculous name, self-esteem issues and the inability to lose her virginity. That is until Jax, the tattooed bouncer, comes into the picture.

THE FALL OF SKY (PART ONE) by Alexia Purdy
Singing duo Audrey and Liv Westing hope to be discovered as the next big thing. While fumbling through their turbulent existences, they attract the eye of a deadly but powerful Cartel family.

A FIREFIGHTER’S FLAME by Dani Hart
If you dig into the deepest parts of your soul, what would you find? Happiness, pain, love, regret, peace, sorrow?
Follow Lennox’s journey of rediscovery, falling in love, and searching for her own fairy-tale ending.

STEALING PROMISES by Brina Courtney
One moment can change your life forever.
One moment to find love.
One moment to lose it.

FIRESIDE SERIES by Morgan Black
A cowboy with a mysterious past. A ranch princess with an eye for the one she can’t have. What happens when their two world collides one weekend in a snowstorm?

Amazon: http://bit.ly/xoxoamazon

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/xoxobandn

Itunes: http://bit.ly/xoxoibooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/xoxokobo

Presented by...

Seven 11 Blog Hop: Imitation deleted scene teaser

It's time!
The monthly Seven 11 Blog Hop!
Where I share seven lines from a wip or new release to tease ya AND you get a link to a bunch of other awesome authors to check out.


This month, I'm sharing seven lines from Imitation, from a scene that got cut from the newly published version which re-released July 29 from Alloy Entertainment. 

If you didn't read that story, you should click here. It's a fun one!

Okay, on to the deleted stuff. Here goes:


Raven Rogen is the shallowest Authentic I’ve ever seen. 

She graduated from an elite private school months ago and is taking a gap year before college to do “charity work,” which mostly consists of buying tickets to fashion shows and galas for good causes. She doesn’t seem to be making her way in the world so much as following a golden path someone—her father?—has laid out for her. Josephine has never shown me Raven’s family, but I know her father is well-off, involved in politics and nonprofits, and he expects her to be the face of the family.
She’s never mentioned a mother.

***

And, if you haven't heard, book 2 will be out Dec 30 but you can pre-order yours now right here.

And don't forget to check out some other awesome authors worth reading, here's your list!

Young Adult:

SM Boyce 

Kayla Smith

Amanda Aksel

New Adult:

Bethany Lopez

Justine Winter

Steph Nuss

Happy Teaser-Reading!

xoxo

5 bloggers you should be friends with ... and my life in pictures.

It's Fun Friday on the blog! 

This week, the YA Storytellers and I want to share some blogger love. It's a whole month of focusing on being thankful and as an author, I am the MOST thankful for bloggers.
And my eyesight.
And typing hands.
And my weirdo brain that tells me things.
And my computer.
Okay, I'll stop.

Anyway, I want to share some blogger faves of mine with you. If you're an author, you should work with them. If you're a reader, you should peruse their blogs and reviews. And if you're a random person who is not a stalker, you should make friends with them. So, here's a list of just a few of the spectacular homies I call blogger buds, in no particular order.

Oh, and I have pics of my life at the bottom. So that you can say you're totally informed. Read on!


1. Kez's Korner is a really fun blogger that I found when she reviews A Risk Worth Taking for me a while back. She needs some FB love and she is always talking about books and authors I totally love! Our reading tastes are so similar.

To give her FB page a like, click here.


2. Shana Benedict from A Book Vacation. I. Fracking. Love. Her. Guts.
First, she's been there for me since the beginning. Whisper wouldn't be published if it weren't for her insisting I go through with it despite the throw-up threatening.... yeah, it was a rough day. And she's the manager of Heather's Hotshots now (my blogger street team) and words can't even express how grateful I am for her. She does so much for me and a ton of other authors and she does it beacuse she loves it. I have ridiculous love for this girl. And her reviews and literary opinions are so smart! You need to read her blog. Regularly.

Click here to find her on FB.

She also has the BEST Halloween costumes ever.

(UtopYA 2014)

3. Natalie @ Book Lover's Life is another. She is always there for me, always. And that makes her a Hotshot. Also, she is actually a Hotshot, a member of my street team and you can read all about her awesomeness as it relates to our group AND her as a human person. She rocks. Check her out.

4. Jackie @ Sated Faery. 

First, she lives in my city. Second, she's heading up the Moonshine Holiday Gift Exchange. That alone makes her my kinda girl. aka A Badass. Beyond that, she is ALWAYS there for me and other author in promoting and reading and reviewing in between her full life. I love her for all that.

You can check out her blog here. 

5. Last but NOT LEAST, my stalker. (Don't worry, she's official, so it's not weird.) Maghon from Happy Tails and Tales. She's another that's been with me since the beginning. Yeah, I like longevity. What girl doesn't? Anyway, Maghon is awesome on the blog about gushing over my books AND she's awesome in real life. She has about three million dogs and she's even written reviews from their POV. Hilarious. You should look them up. 

And last year, I got to spend a weekend in her city and hang with her where I tried Gator Bites for the first time. (tastes like chicken, okay not really.) I had a blast in Orleans with you, Maghon! Can't wait to go back!

October 2013 in New Orleans!

I'm stopping at 5 because otherwise, I would feel compelled to Energizer Bunny it and keep going and going and going and ... Yeah. So that's it for today for bloggers I adore. 

Oh, but I promised you pictures of my life. Right. So, here's what I've been up to since the end of summer in a picture story. 

writing and editing Deviation, the COMPLETELY NEW version coming to you 12/30. You can pre-order here! This one's going to leave you going "Whaaaa?"

Rode a Segway through SanFran. Rocked it. Mall Cop style.

Saw the Redwoods in California for the first time ever

#dream #fulfilled

Went home to Virginia for 2 weeks and hung out with my minions and took some quiet walks with the new husband in Williamsburg.

Wait, HUSBAND?!

Yep, got married.

Boom.

Done.

Beautiful setting! 

And now I'm back in Guam for a couple more weeks before heading home for the holidays. 

#MyOutRAGEousLife

My life. In pictures. 

You're welcome. 

My Top 10 Favorite Villains Ever AND a teaser!

So, Fun Friday is a monthly blog shenanigan I do with my YA author buds over at The Society of YA Storytellers and since I was ALSO in on this blog hop on 10/11 for Seven Eleven, I decided to combine them.

Which makes me a day late (but NOT a dollar short) on my Fun Friday post AND it means you're getting two bits of magic in one shot. You're welcome.

First, my TOP 10 LIST (of which we could choose any topic) is below. I did my Top 10 Best Villains Evaaaa. Even though I don't like scary  movies. So, this is definitely the wussy list of best villains. Deal with it. Here we go.

1. Regina from Once Upon A Time. Hands down, she's the best. We hate her. We love her. Then we hated to love her. And now... I love her so much that I don't even care who gets in the way of her happy ending right now! You made me FEEL FOR the villain even more than the mc/hero??? You're a genius, ABC. Genius. #TeamReginaForever

2. The Beast from the Sandlot. Best villain because he wasn't really #spoiler and because he also became the hero in the end. That's pretty epic. And I have so much love for this movie. I can't let it slip by without pointing out how "scary" the Beast was for all involved. Until he wasn't.

3. Ursula from the Little Mermaid. When I was a kid, she was ultimate. I mean, her tentacles and her hairdo were both equally creepy. One couldn't have won out over the other in a creep-contest, for real. And then she stole Ariel's voice??? (another spoiler, sorry!) Genius. I need my villains smart and she is definitely a lady who thinks on her feet. arms? tentacles? whatever.

4. Megatron from Transformers. I'm probably only picking him because I love the Transformers movies so much but really, if it comes down to pounds per inch, he's going to kick your tiny human tail. And he just KEEPS COMING BACK. (Crap, another spoiler.)

5. Jafar from Aladdin. MUSTACHE twirler!!!! HELLooooo. That was your first clue he is BaaaaaD.

6. The Nothing from the Neverending Story. Nothing is pretty scary. I mean really, really scary. For me. Nothing sounds like the worst.

7. The Wicked Witch of the EAST. Okay, well both witches are pretty villainous. Or maybe it depends on which version of the movies you've seen BUT I saw Oz and the East Witch was realllly nefarious. The West witch was just sensitive and got her heart broken. SPPOILLLLERRR!

8. The Joker from Batman. Mostly Heath Ledger's version. He was scary and I don't even have a fear of clowns but there was something very convincingly disturbing about his brand of crazy. 

9.  Darth Vader. That mouth-breathing is cree-py. Plus the fact that he's willing to sacrifice his body and his kids for his cause. That's true villainous commitment right there.

10. Lokiiiiii!!! 

'nuff said.

I mean, if you don't know who that is, we can't be friends.

I would looove to know what you think! Who is your favorite villain? Especially for those of you who don't like truly scary movies. Hit me in the comments. 

And now the TEASER I promised. I'm doing Blood Rule, book 4 in my Dirty Blood series which is available now and if you aren't caught up on the whole series, you can get the Boxed Set books 1-4 for just 2.99 until 10/15!

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0097U4DQG/

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dirty-blood-series-box-set

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dirty-blood-box-set-books-1-4/id925857452?mt=11

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dirty-blood-box-set-books-1-4-heather-hildenbrand/1120481727?ean=2940046212419

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/479856

Steppe’s voice brought me back. Hands roamed over me, looking for purchase, and then I was half lifted, half dragged onto some sort of flat surface. There was some jostling as I was lifted into the air and then I steadied as they carried me in the opposite direction as the door I’d seen Wes leave through.

I craned my neck, trying to catch a glimpse through the crowd, some opening or hint of rescue. It couldn’t end like this. Wes arrested. Steppe winning.

    I tried searching for Emma or even George, but there was nothing. My mind was empty of any awareness except the pain.

****

And right now, I'm offering a signed paperback set of the entire series! AND get on an exclusive Q&A phone chat with ME on Nov 5!!! 

You can enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out these other blog hoppers and their awesome excerpts!

Kasi Blake

Bethany Lopez OH!! and be sure to enter her giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Justine Winter

Kayla Smith

Amanda Aksel

Authors, if you want IN on this monthly bloggy hop of teasers, send me a note!

Seven 11: Teaser from The Talisman

It's that time again!

Every month on the 11th, me and some other awesome author buds post teasers. Seven lines ONLY of whatever story we choose. This month, I'm giving you guys 7 lines from The Talisman, my NA Urban Fantasy short story that just came out in Perception: A New Adult anthology from Elephantine Publishing.

Here's your teaser:



Avery glanced behind her and picked up her pace. 

She knew they were out there. Hiding. Waiting. She wouldn’t let her guard down. She’d promised her father she would be vigilant and even though death would put her one step closer to him, she wouldn’t go without a fight.

The streets were dark in this part of town. Not even a streetlamp to cheer up the shadows that seemed to close in around you so tight … until you could barely breathe. Her paranoia, though warranted, made it worse. She struggled to keep her breaths even and quiet and hurried forward.

The world will never look the same… 

There comes a defining moment in every young person's life that irrevocably shifts their point of view. 

Missing by award-winning author Mary Laufer--For a new teacher who still compares herself to her students, the shift in reality comes in the form a missing girl and a false accusation that could cost her more than her career. 

The Outlaw by debut author Scott C. Davis--For a young man who settles into a rut that not even his broken marriage can pull him out of, it’s a drifter’s gun to his head. 

Drive by author & screenplay writer Nealy Gihan--For an idealistic college student, the point of view shift comes in the form of her parents’ divorce pulling back the curtain on who they really are, shattering everything she thought she knew about love. 

My Boyfriend is a Senator by award-winning author Linda Davis--For a recovering addict who's not ready to change, it might just be an unhappy ending to her illicit affair. 

The Talisman by bestselling YA & NA author Heather Hildenbrand—For an orphan on the run from monsters, a shift in perception might be discovering the power of prayer as a saving grace against the likes of which no human being has ever seen. If we’re lucky. 

In Perception, discover five captivating stories that explore what it means to be a new adult. 

Get it on Amazon, B&N, or iTunes for just .99!

Check out what these other author peeps are teasing you with!

Amanda Aksel
Justine Winter
S.M. Boyce
Kasi Blake
Alicia Sheehy
Steph Nuss
Kayla Smith

and now--awesome giveaway time:



From Justine Winter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And 2 tickets to UtopYA 2015!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

8/30 My UtopYA - unofficial official tips and a blog hop

I was asked by my awesome, beautiful, & talented friend Carlyle Labuschagne (THIS gorgeous girl!)

to participate in some sage advice-giving posts all about how to survive--and thrive!--at the awesome place that is UtopyA con! UtopYA's basically my favorite book place to be in the entire world so I was definitely excited to help out with this fun hop. And, because typed words are not enough to convey the excitement, I did a video.

You're welcome.

Adam Kunz!!!!! Best advice ever.

(UtopYA 2013)

And if you haven't checked out any of the other hoppers, you should read the posts below along with any others they can lead you to. Here's a list of some other #UtopYA shenanigans!

Aug 6 Delphina Reads Too Much, Official UtopYA blogger
Aug 8 Amy Evans, author of Clicks
Aug 28 Chelsea Fine author of amazing stuff like the Archers of Avalon series and The Best Kind of Broken (which gave me the best kind of cry)

And you should DEFINITELY make it a priority to get your pretty ass to UtopYA next year. You won't regret going but you WILL regret not going. I'm just saying.

And, because UtopYA is ALWAYS about free books, here you go...

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Top 5 Summer Movie/TV Picks ... and 2 crazy moments for charity

It's FUN FRIDAY, which means me and the gang at YA Society of Storytellers are doing a funnish post that we all share and link to so you can get to know us and we can "hang out" with each other for some virtual FRIDAY FUN. This week, I'm bringing you my top faves of summer movies (so far) and/or TV show picks and at the end, a treat of craziness to show you some charity stuff I've done lately. It's silly and ridiculous and those 2 things are always a good time.

(Also check out:)
Bryna Butler's Top 10 Summer Blockbuster quotes of 2014

1. The Fault in our Stars Movie

aka TFioS

I'm a total John Green fan and a #nerdfighter. I loved this book to itty bitty pieces. And the movie was no exception. I wished they'd inserted a little more of the amazing lines from the book into the dialogue (like the whole meaning behind the title, for example) but overall, I thought they did great. I mean, I cried, so yeah. Good job, guys.

Besides, I am officially a die-hard Shailene Woodley fan now. (Thank you, Divergent) Liking this one was inevitable.

the egging scene was one of the best parts of the movie version for sure. 

The thing you should know about my movie list I that I am really lenient when it comes to book-to-movie adaptations and the like. I recognize the boiled-downness of it all is that I'm here to be entertained. So, I don't set a lot of expectations. I know a lot of people who were disappointed by some of these types of movies (Vampire Academy, anyone? Yep, LIKED IT!), but (I think because I look at them as separate pieces of art from the written work), I'm able to enjoy them. What do you guys think?

2. Guardians of the Galaxy Movie

This one was funny and entertaining but without the humor would've just been MEH. Some of the scenes didn't feel like a very smooth transition between the humor and the suspense/seriousness. But I did laugh a lot and it was different and I'm a fan of both of those things.

Now, this would've been a longer movie list but these are the only 2 movies I've seen this summer. Seriously. 

I know, not much of a list but hey, I'm busy writing books for you guys! Cut me some slack!

So, to round it out, I'm throwing in what I've been watching on TV. SO,

3. Meet the Fosters

I definitely cried for like, the first 4 episodes. I've always wanted to be a foster parent and now, after EVERY episode, I turn to Awesome Boyfriend, and am like: Can we get a kid???

Loving this one.

4. Lost Girl

I found this while trolling Netflix 

(The Awesome Boyfriend was away in Thailand and I was banned from watching Meet the Fosters without him. I had to do something!)

And I wasn't too keen on it after episode 1 or even 2 but somewhere between 2 and 3, it good good and I got hooked. (I don't think that was proper grammar. Don't tell anyone.)

Anyway, I love Dyson and Kenzie and the whole gang now so this one is a keeper. If you like adult paranormal (especially Richelle Mead's succubus series!) you will like this one.

5. In the Army Now

I know, this one isn't exactly CURRENT but -- WE just watched it because the Awesome Boyfriend had somehow NEVER SEEN it, so it gets on the list.

(And now he walks around saying he's a "craaazy boy!")

Who else LOVED Pauly Shore in this??

I ordered the DVD from Amazon to keep because I just knew once he saw it, he'd love it. And I wasn't wrong. So that's what I'm watching lately. What are YOU watching?? No, seriously, I need recommendations for once I'm done with all of these TV shows! Leave your answers in the comments!

AND now, because I promised, the 2 silly things for charity ....

1. Eli the Elopus

My writer friend and fellow YA Society member, Bryna Butler, emailed me last week in need of a short story for a charity scavenger hunt she does every year for GISHWHES (Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen) to support the charity Random Acts, whose mission is to "inspire acts of kindness around the world both big and small." The short story had to feature the GISHWHES mascot, an elopus (part-elephant, say what????), Misha Collins (from Supernatural), and the Queen of England. The hard part, it couldn't be more than 140 words (this from the novel writer with always lots of words to say.) Yeah, that part was a challenge. But I did it and here's the proof:

You can Read Bryna's blog post with the FULL deets on her scavenging and the crazy things she did. Looks like fun! maybe I'll have to get in on this next year!

2. The #ALSIceBucketChallenge

Have you heard of this? If not, be ready. because your friends could tag you at ANY. TIME and then you have no choice but to douse yourself with a bucket of ICE COLD WATER. 

It's a charity/awareness campaign for the ALS Foundation. You drench yourself within 24 hours being challenged OR you have to donate $100 to the ALS Foundation. Your choice.

I decided to get drenched. (I also whined about it but that's no longer a point.)

Check me out:

I sent this to my daughter who promptly wrote back "this is the coolest thing you've ever done, Mom."

Huh. I need to get out more.

#minionlove

And let's see what my nominee does .... 

In the meantime, you should go enter some giveaways before they end right here.

Seven 11 blog hop: Whisper teaser!

Every month, on the 11th of the month, I post a teaser from one of my upcoming releases/wip's or whatever strikes me that I think you should read. Some other fantastic authors participate by also posting teasers of their stuff, so you can read some never-before-seen-words by some of the best authors around. The other rockstars you can check out this month are:

Amanda Aksel

Steph Nuss

Bethany Lopez

Shawn McGuire

Alicia Sheehy

SM Boyce

Kayla Smith

Heather Brewer

Justine Winter

AND ENTER TO WIN COOL STUFF, Yo!

Steph Nuss' signed paperback copy of her new book on Goodreads

SM Boyce is giving away a Stacey Marie Brown swag bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now, here are my seven lines from Whisper, a New Adult Paranormal Romance coming on Wed!

(ch 25)

...modesty when he looked at me that way. His gaze consumed me even before he’d touched me. My eyes flickered over the angles and cut of his body.

“So are you,” I said, breathless from meaning it.

Without a word, he shifted sideways and pulled his pants off. There was nothing left underneath them. The firelight flickered over his exposed body, turning his tanned skin different shades of glowing yellow and orange. My breath caught at the sheer beauty of my warrior. Of the love I held for him, centuries-old. Of the thought of our bodies pressed together.

***

What do you think?