Category Archives: Teaser

Jasmine Leit and her Collection of High Heels (4B)

08 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by in Serial, Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ari’s Tour
(previous installments)
4A—Ari Nix and How It All Began
4C—Mrs. Jameson and Her African Violets

4B—Jasmine Leit and her Collection of High Heels

Ari’s sickeningly fast spin did not end in the hall. It continued onward, like a ride he couldn’t escape from no matter how many times he insisted the contraption to stop, stop, stop. It was as if he were on some carnival attraction meant to destroy his inner ears and send him puking in the grass afterward. Only, while the world, yes, was a blur of bright light and greyish carpet, his stomach, which technically was lying upon his kitchen floor back in his apartment, seemed to be able to handle the dreadful sensation with ease.

With that revelation, he slowly opened his eyes as he spun, noticing with amusement that both his feet had disappeared within the wall next to the door to 4D. He twisted in the opposite direction of his spin, attempting to roll back the way he’d come. Not to happen, it seemed. Nothing about this would be easy.

He sighed and settled his hands behind his head in acceptance of the inevitable as he glided down the hall at an upward angle that sent him straight into 4B. Jasmine Leit’s apartment. He mused over calling out to her, but decided against it. She didn’t normally complain about the noise from his place, but he’d caught glances from her randomly that spoke louder than any words. And since he could still hear his music playing on, rising and falling with unintelligible words, words he could have sung from heart by now, he didn’t want to push her into a possible confrontation.

She, unlike others in the building, might have the patience of a saint, but Ari didn’t want to see what might happen if that patience snapped. Continue reading →

Mrs. Jameson and her African Violets (4C)

06 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Serial, Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ari’s Tour
(previous installments)
4A—Ari Nix and How It All Began

4C—Mrs. Jameson and Her African Violets

Now this had happened once before when he’d been a child. He remembered the day, or at least those few moments, quite vividly. But at that time his sister had been in the room and she’d almost instantly jumped on him, sending him swooping back into his body. He hadn’t had enough time to truly panic then.

Not so now.

The dark kitchen he sailed through was one he’d seen before, though not for quite a long time. Mrs. Jameson kept her pots and pans in an organized line hanging from the wall and a triplicate of feeding bowls ran parallel upon the floor underneath. And at the furthest feeding bowl was a black and white cat, a skinny thing that jerked as Ari floated above its head.

“Hello, hello,” he said with a wave that sent the cat crouching, her eyes glowing in the frail light sneaking in from behind the blinds in the next room. “Don’t mind me. Is your cat lady up? That wonderful woman who feeds you?”

The cat, predictably, did not answer. Continue reading →

Ari Nix and How It All Began (4A)

01 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by in Serial, Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

4A—Ari Nix and How It All Began

Tequila had never been Ari’s spirit of choice. In fact, he didn’t have a spirit of choice at all given bad things happen when alcohol was involved and bad things on top of bad luck just didn’t mix. Not like a well-shaken drink.

But on this auspicious evening, at, oh, eight o’clock, after having nicked a bottle from Chase down in 1C, Ari opened up a brand new app and attempted not one, not two, but three separate recipes all involving a cheap, gold liquid that tasted surprising like melancholy and self-pity. Not a bad combination if he was any judge. And then the app crashed. And he broke his tumbler. Leading to a not-very-smart-decision to switch to a shot glass.

With breath tasting of orange juice and a sticky residue clinging to his pale blue shirt, Ari threw himself into the chair by his full-length keyboard and began to stumble through the beginnings of sad melodies he’d memorized in his youth during his angstiest stage. And then, for some dreadful reason, he switched to love songs. The sort of love songs that would leave a lonely man sobbing if he didn’t have a lick of sense not to delve too deeply into emotions best left alone.

And Ari was a little short on sense this evening. Even he could admit that. Continue reading →

Ari’s Interview (Bridle the Unicorn)

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Fantasy, M/M, Short Story, Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Ari’s Interview

Copyright © Emmi Lawrence

No one had ever sat in my office who could quite compare to Ari Nix. He had an insatiable, yet conflicting curiosity that did not breed questions. Rather, he just touched and poked at my things, chuckling under his breath at jokes to which only he knew the punch-lines. His nose crinkled constantly, in bemusement, disgust or delight, his emotions on parade across his face with little care over who might see them.

This man did not hide things. At least, he did not hide them well.

By the time I managed to cajole him into settling onto the bench, I had already discussed my last few books—which he lost interest in quickly—my taste in music—which he mocked incessantly—and my fashion sense—where he claimed my clothes needed a few more holes and much less grey. I disagreed silently and with a roll of internal eyes, but as I was enjoying his energy and discussion, I said nothing out loud of my thoughts.

“All right, Ari. Let’s get right to it. Since you’ve already pretty much introduced yourself, how are you feeling today?”

“Uh, good. I guess. At the moment at any rate. That might change.”

“Why might it change?”

He shrugged and rubbed at the frayed edges of the cushion. “Life throws things at me constantly. Luck takes its toll. You never know what might happen.”

“Of course. Luck is an interesting topic—”

“So are a great many things,” he interrupted. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“Okay.” I glanced at my list of questions. “Are you involved with anyone right now?”

Ari did not have the same resistance as I, so when he rolled his eyes, it was a dramatic and very outward sign. “These questions are incredibly boring. Predictable. You need to ask more thought-provoking questions like… If you could know when and how you die, would you want to know?” Continue reading →

Roan’s Interview (Bridle the Unicorn)

25 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Roan’s Interview

Copyright © Emmi Lawrence

He had a curious, but careful, gaze as he sat on the bench I indicated. His hair, brown with just a hint of a reddish tinge, flowed almost to his shoulders and his eyes were the color of charcoal in the shadows cast by my single lamp. He had a easy smile, but a slight one, that came fast and disappeared just as quickly.

“Thank you for stopping by,” I said. “I only have a couple of questions if you don’t mind sparing a few moments for our readers.”

“Not at all.” That smile again, a flash of light before it faded once more. “It’s my pleasure.”

“Just for the record, your name?”

“Roan Baylor.” Continue reading →

Lost Isle Teasers (WIPjoy Twitter Collection)

14 Sunday May 2017

Posted by in Excerpt, Fantasy, Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In April I participated in a twitter challenge to celebrate a current WIP. The book I used was Lost Isle: The Ocean’s Aviary I, which will be published in December 2017. Gay fantasy romance, as per the norm. I thought I’d gather the answers to all the questions here as teasers for the novel :)

Just as a quick additional announcement, I’m adding 2-3 more monthly posts on my blog. The second Sunday will have a post similar to this one serving as a collection/teaser. The third Sunday will be a publication of a short poem. And there’s the possibility of me adding a fourth post at the end of each month that will serve as an update to let everyone know what I’ve accomplished for that month and where I am in different projects.

None of these are time-intensive so they will not interrupt my writing schedule, but will hopefully give more information to you on a regular basis to remove spotty updates.

Day 1: Introduce your WIP!

Day 2: Describe your main character.

Day 3: Share a visual that goes with Lost Isle.

Day 4: Share a song that inspires you for Lost Isle.

Day 5: Share a line of description.

Continue reading →

Bridle the Unicorn Cover Reveal

28 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by in Announcement, Fantasy, M/M, Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

BRIDLE THE UNICORN
Coming July 28th

Behind every door lies another memory.

Early one morning, Roan Baylor is disturbed by the ghost of his neighbor. A ghost who loudly proclaims himself to be not a ghost at all. In a moment of curiosity-laced intrigue, Roan agrees to help the not-ghost find his way back into his body.

This first meeting with Ari Nix, an expressive and intense young man, begins a whirlwind affair between them both, one that has Roan doubting his own mind. For Ari knows things, secrets, both strange and wonderful, that he shares with Roan. But the biggest secret of all is the one Ari refuses to share, a memory he says will make Roan hate him.

Roan doesn’t want to return to a life without Ari, yet he can’t help but think they aren’t meant to be together. For Roan always knows a lie when he hears one. And Ari isn’t lying.

Bridle the Unicorn will be on pre-order for $0.99 starting in May.

Cover credit goes to the awesome team at Deranged Doctor Design!

Note: For everyone who followed along during the last year during Roan and Ari’s story–thank you! This novel has no significant changes other than numerous editing passes to clean things up, nor will there be any bonus material since I didn’t feel that it would be fair to those of you who were supporting me here. <3

Excerpt from Murder in Color

20 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by in Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Murder in Color Excerpt

Cover by Valerie Tibbs

Cover by Valerie Tibbs

The day didn’t get better. Not at all. The chief capitulated where Baino hadn’t and granted Arman and his partner access over the “case of the yellow paint” as he deemed it. I got the distinct impression that he was having a hard time believing it wasn’t anything more than a joke, but that he wanted to cover his ass. Which was probably why he assigned Baino and Rhodes to head the investigation jointly with the other two detectives from my old station.

And all that meant to me was my lab became a breeding ground for officers, as if I’d hauled open the door and shouted up the stairwell that I had free drinks and strippers for all.

“Can’t you base your operations upstairs at your desks?” I demanded when Arman spread out some files on my counter. “Or maybe in one of the conference rooms? Blazes, take over the break room, why don’t you? This is my lab.”

“We will, we will,” said Arman, his voice soothing as he laid a hand against my bicep.

I didn’t exactly brush him off, but I did swallow down the nasty retort on my tongue and spin around, where I almost ran smack into Jevette Tunalti. Unlike Arman, his hands didn’t seem to have the incessant need to grab me as if I couldn’t stay on my own two feet without his guidance. And unlike Arman, he didn’t seem all that excited to see me.

“Salain,” said Jevette in a terse greeting.

He had a deep, raspy voice. The kind that couldn’t shout across a crowded, noisy room and hope to be heard. But then again, he’d never needed to. People listened when Jevette opened his mouth. Even Arman. Maybe especially Arman since the two of them had been partners for at least nine years and counting, despite all my fumbling, accidental attempts to pull them apart.

“Jevette,” I muttered. “Nice to see you.” Continue reading →

Murder in Color – Cover Reveal

19 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by in Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MURDER IN COLOR
gay romance/mystery/fantasy
100k words
Coming Feb 21st, 2017

Cover by Valerie Tibbs

Cover by Valerie Tibbs

Medical Examiner Salain Dusari doesn’t like chaos. He prefers things clean and uncomplicated, like the dead. Yet, when he discovers a yellow maze painted on one of his corpses, he gets everything but uncomplicated in the form of the Maze Killer–a serial killer reemerged to haunt the city once more. But that’s not the only person returning to haunt Salain. Detective Arman Omisto, Salain’s old lover, and his partner, Detective Jevette Tunalti, arrive to give the case another crack, bringing a desert’s expanse of memories and lust with them. Between the two detectives, only one is truly excited to see Salain. Problem is, it’s the wrong man.

With Jevette seemingly uninterested in smoothing old hurts, Salain doesn’t think he has a chance of convincing him that the one night they spent together had been the real thing. Yet, when the hunt for the serial killer turns deadly and they only have each other to turn to, he thinks they might just find the trust they need in order to risk their hearts all over again. But with danger blowing in like a sandstorm, violent and sudden, neither of them might live long enough for it to matter.

Murder in Color will be my fourth novel publication :) It is part of my DaSunder Chronicles, and can be read as standalone or after Shatter by Glass.

The Execution of Caliaso Mivalo

18 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by in Teaser

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is a teaser for my new book, Murder in Color, a gay romance/fantasy/mystery novel of about 100k words. The Execution of Caliaso Mivalo provides some backstory about a situation that happens prior to the novel’s beginning by about four years. Four of the characters listed below in the reports have parts in Murder in Color: Havai Fabriol, Dana Gravaldo, Arman Omisto and Jevette Tunalti.

Every aspect of the desert served a purpose. Even a mirage, by giving hope to those lost and longing so they have reason to take another step forward.

The Execution of Caliaso Mivalo

HOMOCIDE REPORT

Deceased:
Nerio, Rasieri

Specifics of Deceased:
DaSunder Native, Male, 43

Residence of Deceased:
25 Il Alneri St.

Offense:
Murder

Place of Occurrence:
Il Alneri St., approx. 32 m. off corner of Il Alneri St. & Il Perloma St.

Station & Beat:
Hangbody, 63

Officers First on Scene:
Suso, Emeri
Fabriol, Havai

Medical Examiner:
Gravaldo, Dana

Details:
Nerio was found partially buried in the street, two gunshot wounds to his torso. Witness statements pending. Possible gang involvement. Continue reading →