February | 2019 | Jon L Keys

The final MM sci fi book inJ. Scott Coatsworth’s “Oberon Cycle” trilogy is out – “Ithani”!

Time is running out.

After saving the world twice, Xander, Jameson and friends plunge headlong into a new crisis. The ithani–the aliens who broke the world–have reawakened from their hundred millennia-long slumber. When Xander and Jameson disappear in a flash, an already fractured world is thrown into chaos.

The ithani plans, laid a hundred thousand years before, are finally coming to pass, and they threaten all life on Erro. Venin and Alix go on a desperate search for their missing and find more than they bargained for. And Quince, Robin and Jessa discover a secret as old as the skythane themselves.

Will alien technology, unexpected help from the distant past, destiny and some good old-fashioned firepower be enough to defeat an enemy with the power to split a world? The final battle of the epic science fiction adventure that began in Skythane will decide the fate of lander and skythane alike. And in the north, the ithani riseâ ¦

Ithani Buy Links

Book 1: Skythane:

Book Two: Lander:

Giveaway

Scott is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and ten copies of “The Stark Divide,” the first book in his other trilogy, Â his other trilogy, “Liminal Sky,” with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter:

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Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4753/?

Excerpt

Venin stood under the dome of the chapel, the waters of the Orn rushing past the small island to crash overthe edge of the crater rim, where they fell a thousand meters to the broken cityof Errian below.

The Erriani chapel was different from what he was used to back home. The Gaelani chapel in Gaelan had sat at the top of a tall pillar of stone, open to the night sky, a wide space of grass and trees that intertwined in a natural dome through which moonlight filtered down to make dappled shadows on the ground.

This chapel, instead, was a wonder of streaming sunlight, the columns a polished eggshell marble with glimmering seams of gold. Red creeper vines climbed up the columns, festooned with clusters of yellow flowers that gave off a sweet scent.

Both were bright and airy, but the Erriani chapel lay under a dome supported by fluted marble columns, a painted arch of daytime sky and the rose-colored sun blazing overhead.

The last time heâ d gone to chapel had been with Tazim, before his untimely death.

Longbefore the troubles that roiled the world now.

Something drew him back. A need to reconnect with his past. To bridge the gap between then and now, betweenwho he was and who he had become. Taz would have liked this place.

The chapel here had survived the attack, while much of Errian had not. The city below was a jumble of broken corrinder, the multistory plants that were the mainbuilding stock for the city. They would grow again, but the sight of the cityâ s beautiful white towers laid low struck him to the core.

So had Gaelan looked, after the flood.

Venin turned back to the chapel and unlacedhis boots, baring his muscular calves before he approached the fountain that splashed at its center. The cool flagstone beneath his feet sent a shiver up hisspine, and green moss filled the gaps between the stones.

Some builder whose name was lost to time had tapped into the river itself to make the fountain run, and the water leapt into the air with a manic energy around the golden statue of Erro, before falling back down to the pool.

Venin knelt atthe fountainâ s edge on one of the well-worn pads, laid his hands in the shallow water, and let his wings rest over himself, making a private place to pray.

Erro and Gael, spare us from danger and lift us up into the sky with your powerful wings.Â He gave Erro deference, being that this was his chapel, but he hoped Gael would hear him too. The god of his own people had beenknown to intervene in mortal affairs before, and if what Quince had told them about these ithaniwas true, they would need all the help they could get.

Veninâ s wings warmed.

He looked up in astonishment to see the statue of Erro giving off an intense golden glow. His mouth dropped open, and hestood and stared at its beautiful male curves and muscles. Maybe the gods were answering him.

Venin reached up and touched the statueâ s outstretched hand. The shock knocked him backward onto his ass, and he hit the ground hard, slamming into one of the marble columns.

Venin groaned, stunned, and reached back to feel his wings and spine. He seemed to be in one piece.

Tazwould have laughed his ass off at the whole thing.

After a moment he sat upcautiously. He wrapped his arms around his legs and stared up at the statue, hischin on his knees.

The glow was gone.

Did I imagine it?Â He stood and felt the back of his head. A lump was already forming there. Thatâ s gonna leave a mark.

Something had changed. Venin 

Chapter 16

Alec stared out the wide expanse of glass, enjoying the twinkling lights of the city spread before him. He’d always enjoyed stargazing since he could remember. At home, the manmade illumination was few and far between and he loved to camp in the more remote areas. Sprawled under the western sky he could enjoy the elements of nature with no interference. But what lay in front of him was remarkable too.

The multilane interstate highways reached intersections of motion and color that reminded Alec of arteries and veins which joined and meshed together before shooting into the cardinal directions, plus a few more.

“Cool isn’t it? I always try to get this room. The sunsets are phenomenal.”

Alec peered over his shoulder at his date and grinned. “This whole day has been mind-blowing but we’re too late for the sunset.”

“How about a glass of wine? We could cuddle on the couch and enjoy the fireplace?”

A ripple of attraction washed over him as he considered the proposal. But the thought of Pete’s touch had his body aroused. A second later his fantasy occurred, and Pete wrapped his masculine arms around Alec. The contact had him responding like a randy teenager. Pete traced his hand along the top of Alec’s jean. His breath came in gasps as Pete eased out Alec’s shirt and slipped across his now burning skin. They continued for several minutes with Alec’s ardor building.

Pete lifted his hands free with a tender kiss just under Alec’s earlobe. He whispered, “We’ve got all night. Let’s slow down a little.”

He nodded in agreement, letting Pete seat him on the couch. Once Alec settled into place, he turned to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of white wine and set it beside a platter of cheeses. Alec considered the varieties for a minute before trying one. The smooth buttery flavor spread through his taste buds. Alec liked food but realized almost his tastes were simpler than Pete.

He made a second selection and this time the cheese had a deeper taste. “That one’s good. Stronger, but still tasty. I’ve never had this many types,” Alec said.

“What kinds do you have?”

Alec had to chuckle. “Most of the cheese I eat comes in individually wrapped slices.”

This time it was Pete’s turn to laugh. “I loved that stuff when I was a kid. Grilled cheese sandwiches were my favorite lunch. It melts like nothing else.”

Alec blushed, feeling backwoods in his lack of sophistication. He stammered, afraid he’d shared too much of his rural living. The quiet stretched out with Alec trying to decide how to save the date. The silence thickened but as Alec moved to leave, Pete sat beside him, chose a chunk of white cheese and fed it to Alec.

Alec froze as the flavor filled his mouth. The almost sour tang was unique. He turned to Pete and cocked his eyebrows. Pete chuckled and fed him another bite. “It’s feta cheese. It’s made from sheep’s milk. But regardless, I love the stuff.” He held the platter out to Alec until he gathered up samples of everything. Then Pete focused on the video selection, found a comedy and curled against Alec.

It wrapped them in laughter before they had made it past the first scene.

The links listed below go directly to the individual stories.

Jon L Keys

author of gay romance and fantasy

Monthly Archives for February 2019

Release of “Ithani” by J. Scott Coatsworth

Ithani Buy Links

Book 1: Skythane:

Book Two: Lander:

Slapout: Chapter 16

Chapter 16