Belega
by
Dianne Hartsock
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Erotic Fantasy Romance
(M/M)
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BLURB:
The Karthagans have regained their ancient powers of manipulating
nature, but at the price of madness. In their lust for control, they've
destroyed their island and most of their race. They come now to Belega, where
one of them, Camron, seeks domination over the known world. The Mage has come
from the northern continent of Sennia to bring peace but finding his strength
no match for the coming struggle, he passes his abilities on to Natan, who only
desires a simple life.
Now
only Natan has the ability to stop Camron, but the personal cost is more than
he imagines. It is only with the combined strength of his friends, his
Karthagan lover, Kavi, and his deep desire to bring lasting peace to the earth,
that he finds the courage to overcome Camron and restore balance to the world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exclusive Excerpt:
Natan returned to the beach and walked along the shoreline,
his mind racing. He would need to kill a man on the marrow. His nature screamed
in horror with the thought, a knot of dread tangling in his gut. There had to
be another way, but he couldn’t see it.
As the sun began to set, he threw himself on the sand and
rolled to his back, then fell to dreaming about Kavi. He knew he shouldn’t, but
the sun shone warmly on his face, and the ceaseless waves were making him
drowsy. Wistfully, he wondered if Kavi could marry a fisherman. He didn’t think
he would mind. After all, Kavi’s family had fished the sea. And it would be
easy enough to put in a raised bed in the back of the house for a vegetable
garden, if Kavi wished...
He pictured Kavi in his mind, and faint heat rose in his
face. Of course, Kavi was lovely, all his people were handsome, but Natan
remembered the sparkle in his dark eyes when they’d first met, reflecting the
joyous spirit within. Natan would give anything to see happiness in Kavi’s face
again. Anything to be the one to put it there.
Someone sat beside him. Natan peered through his lashes,
wondering if he should feign sleep. His breath caught at the sight of Kavi so
close. Natan was reaching for him before he recalled himself and scrambled to
sit up.
“Hello,” he stammered, then cleared his throat.
“Did I wake you?” Kavi asked as he wrapped his arms around
his knees. “I hope you don’t mind that I came looking for you.”
“You didn’t wake me.” Natan turned his gaze to the sea. Kavi
had caught him off guard, and his love was pounding through his body as
relentless as the tide. How was he to keep it from him? But then, why should
he? He believed he could make Kavi happy. In time maybe Kavi could learn to
love him in return.
His breath quickened. He’d do better not to think of that.
If Kavi could only care for him a little, the heavens knew he had enough love
for both of them. Natan leaned toward him, the confession trembling on his
tongue.
But Kavi began to speak, and Natan’s words turned to ash in
his mouth.
Kavi’s accusations battered at him. “I understand why you
did it, Natan. Why you took our power from us and kept it for yourself. But did
you have to let my father die as well? Were you that threatened by him?”
“What?” Natan faltered, dazed by the cruel attack. “Do you
truly believe me capable of that?”
Triumph gleamed in Kavi’s eyes. “Yes I do, though it’s not
your fault. The madness had us all at one time, dear. I’m sure Kirstin can help
you, as well.”
Natan rose to his feet, his heart leaden. “I’m sorry if…” He
couldn’t continue and gave Kavi a deep bow, acknowledging all that he had said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dianne grew up
in one of the older homes in the middle of Los Angeles, a place of hardwood
floors and secret closets and back staircases. A house where ghosts lurk in the
basement and the faces in the paintings watch you walk up the front stairs.
Rooms where you keep the closet doors closed tight at night. It’s where her
love of the mysterious and wonderful came from. Dianne is the author of m/m
romance, paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, and
anything else that comes to mind.
She now lives
in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient
husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the
keyboard letting her characters play. Dianne says Oregon’s raindrops are the
perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in
the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee in her
hands, which kindles her imagination.
Currently,
Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the
perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich
colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
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