Friday 28 September 2012

Snippet from More Ink, Sweat and Tears

Here's another snippet from "More Ink, Sweat and Tears". An unspectacular moment that is still heart breaking.




“I suppose a goodnight kiss wouldn’t be appreciated?” Dean asked uncertainly several minutes later. They were lying in bed, side by side with that little, but undeniably present, space between them.
Caelan turned his head with a half-resigned, half-irritated sigh and offered Dean his mouth. He so obviously didn’t want to kiss, or in fact probably any kind of further contact, be it physical or emotional, that Dean didn’t want to impose himself on him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered sadly. “I just thought maybe knowing would help you come to terms with…everything. I’m sorry I got it so wrong.”
Caelan continued taking slow, deliberate breaths for a while before he answered, and when he finally spoke, his voice was hollow with carefully suppressed emotions.
“You meant well.” He sighed. “I can see that, just…” He rubbed his hand across his face, pressing his thumb and index finger into the corners of his eyes. “Let’s just never talk about it again, okay?”

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Wednesday Wisdoms

Welcome to my first Wednesday Wisdom!

This is the space where from now on I will post quotes I like. They can be anything from brilliant things famous people said to funny remarks and possibly also some of the stuff my characters have come up with.

So, here's the first one, which is special to me because I've come across it around the time the first book in my Phoenix-series, Catching a Phoenix, released, and it's just so fitting.


“In order to rise
From its own ashes
A phoenix
First
Must
Burn.”  

Octavia E. Butler,
Parable of the Talents

Tuesday 25 September 2012

Tuesday Teaser - Official excerpts from "More Ink, Sweat and Tears"

What? What do you mean I never published the official excerpts from "More Ink, Sweat and Tears"? Hmm. Methinks you might have a point there, so here you go - enjoy!





More Ink, Sweat and Tears


Tattoo artist Caelan and tax accountant Dean finally tie the knot, but is their love strong enough to last?
 

One year into their relationship, tattoo artist Caelan and tax accountant Dean make their love official and tie the knot—er, insert the rings. Things couldn't possibly be running any better for them, but the first crack in their picture-perfect married life appears soon when Dean tries to make Caelan face his past. Abandoned by his biological parents as a baby, Caelan is far from wishing for a reunion and is extremely upset when he learns that Dean has tracked down his birth mother.

Shortly afterwards, a silly mistake costs Dean his job. His resulting feelings of inadequateness and depression are beginning to take their toll on their relationship, and Dean and Caelan have to ask themselves if the love they built on ruins is strong enough to withstand these trials. But even as they struggle along, a blow of fate neither of them saw approaching could put an end to life as they know it.

 

 

Story excerpt:

 

Caelan looked up from the tattoo—and the client—he was working on. When he recognised Dean, his expression lit up and the frown of total absorption that always seemed to sneak onto his face when he was working disappeared.

“Hey, love!” he greeted cheerfully and blew Dean a kiss across the room. “What a lovely surprise. I wasn’t expecting you to show up just yet. Did you take an early lunch break?”

“Hi.” Dean didn’t need to say more than the one syllable for Caelan to catch up with his mood. The smile on Caelan’s face froze and faltered, and then the frown was back on, deeper now, and born of concern, not concentration.

“What’s wrong?” he asked in a tone that had his customer, a cute, voluptuous brunette of around forty, start and look up in bewilderment.

“Nothing.”

“Uh-huh. Try telling that someone who doesn’t know you better than that. Do you want me to take a break?”

“Na, it’s okay,” Dean said, trying to sound carefree. He didn’t even know why he had come to see Caelan. Well, of course it had been the obvious thing to do. Talk to Caelan and tell him what had happened. He needed to know and after all, it concerned him as well.

But now that Dean was standing there, looking at his partner and reading apprehension written all over that beautiful face, he suddenly wanted to be as far away from him as possible. Maybe that way he could still save him from the disappointment.

“Tara, I’ll be back with you in a few minutes, okay?” Caelan told the brunette as he put the tattoo gun away and slipped off his gloves without further consideration. He winced a bit as he got up from his chair, and his movement wasn’t quite as fluent as it should have been. His back had been causing him trouble once again for quite some time now. Just as well. If it turned out that he was no longer able to do his job, they could be sitting around at home killing time together.

Caelan’s hand tightened around Dean’s elbow, making him realise that he had apparently forgotten that he was supposed to follow Caelan out of the room. Maybe that would be the solution. Refuse to go somewhere with Caelan where he would have to talk and confess to the whole, fucked-up truth.

Apparently that wasn’t an option, though. Caelan’s fingers dug into Dean’s flesh, making him wince, and his voice was sharp in Dean’s ear as he whispered, “For fuck’s sake, Dee! Stop being a baby and just move. And then tell me what happened, will you? You’re giving me the creeps!”

Half pulling, half frog-marching Dean, Caelan walked him out of the room and across the short aisle that separated the individual sections in the back area of his tattoo studio. Predictably, he took him into his small office, the only room which was equipped with a door, and made him sit on a chair.

“Talk,” he ordered, surprisingly sternly given his natural sweet-temperedness.

One word. Just one syllable, and its meaning was simple enough. And yet, Dean found it impossible to obey. His mouth had gone dry and his tongue felt like a lump of wool inside it, limp and useless.

Caelan stared at him wordlessly, confusion and helplessness mingling with the concern on his face. Eventually he raised his hands in a gesture of defeat and let out a resigned sigh.

“Fine. Have it your way. If you don’t want to talk, don’t.” Dropping to one knee in front of Dean, he took both Dean’s hands in his and looked up at him imploringly. “Just please, sweetheart, don’t act like the world is about to end, okay? I love you, and whatever has happened, we’ll see it through. I promise.”

All of a sudden, there was a second lump inside Dean’s mouth. Or rather, a knot in his throat. He tried to swallow it down, but it wouldn’t move. He tried to swallow again and ended up nearly choking on it. To his horror, he found that the lump seemed to climb up, right through his skull to the backs of his eyes where it began to sting. Badly. He watched Caelan’s beautiful face distort into a grimace of alarm and compassion. It was strangely blurry behind the veil of tears that were brimming in Dean’s eyes.

“Oh, fuck, Dee!” Caelan groaned. Still kneeling, he straightened up to wrap his arms around Dean and pull him close. “What on earth is wrong with you?” he whispered into the hair somewhere behind Dean’s ear. His voice had gone rough, and it took Dean a moment to realise that the wetness on his neck couldn’t come from his own tears.

 

 ***adult alert***

Adult excerpt:

 

Somehow they made it up the stairs and into their bedroom, scattering garments in their wake. Peeling Caelan out of his clothes never failed to excite Dean. He loved uncovering all those long stretches of pale skin and the black ink ornaments in it. He had traced every inch of them with his fingers and tongue, had come to know every single line by heart, but it was still alluring.

Caelan was lying in front of him, stretched out on his back. Naked and in all his tattooed glory. Kneeling between his legs, Dean devoured him with his eyes.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered, hearing the awe vibrate in the deep, throaty sound of his voice.

A light frown flickered across Caelan’s face. He seemed a little self-conscious, but Dean knew that he liked flattery as much as the next guy. Except it wasn’t flattery—it was the truth. Caelan was an exquisite creature. Beautiful, gorgeous, sexy, sensuous, naughty… There weren’t words enough to describe him, but best of all, he was Dean’s now. And Dean fully intended to assure them both of that fact.

Reaching out, he placed his hands on either of Caelan’s knees and followed the strong, sleek-muscled thighs upwards. Enthusiastic as always, Caelan tilted his hips. As if Dean needed reminding where Caelan wanted his touch. His rock-hard, proudly straining cock alone was waving for attention with the quiet intensity of a flag pole and Dean was tempted. Very much indeed. He noticed the beads of pre-cum glisten on the head of Caelan’s handsome cock, and already he could almost taste Caelan’s unique flavour on his tongue.

Not yet, though. He was far too excited to take Caelan so early. Chances were that he would lose the grip he’d been struggling to keep on himself for so long and topple over the edge like a randy teenager. No way was he going to risk the perfection of their wedding night by coming prematurely.

Gently stroking the smooth skin under his hands with barely more than his fingertips, Dean bypassed Caelan’s groin. Caelan promptly moaned his protest.

“Shh. We were going to take it slowly, remember?” Dean soothed and trailed his hands along the flat, hard plane of Caelan’s stomach. Those abs were really something worth lingering over but Dean let his fingers climb higher, briefly tracing the curve of Caelan’s ribcage, then he closed in on Caelan’s nipples. He pinched them simultaneously. Hard. Caelan let out a little scream of pleasure. Both small nubs filled instantly under Dean’s touch. Well, the right one did, anyway. The left one never had much choice as it was forced to always stand to attention by the metal stud in it.

Sitting up, Dean lowered his head over Caelan’s chest and flicked his tongue across the three tiny beads. Metal bead, nipple, metal bead. Caelan sucked in a breath. He loved having his nipples teased, and Dean loved playing with them. Biting down, he carefully intensified the pressure until Caelan jerked and let out a warning hiss. Dean soothed the assaulted flesh with generous caresses of his tongue, then moved on to the other nipple. That one was easier to play as it required less attention, but the effect it had on Caelan was much the same. Dean could have kept going on for much longer. And he did, alternating the gentle strokes of his tongue with the sharp grazing of his teeth, slowly but surely driving Caelan out of his mind.

“Fuck, Dee, please,” Caelan pleaded huskily after a while. “I’m too close, baby. I still want to feel you inside me—please.”

“Hmm, I think I can do that.” Dean grinned and sat back, once again enjoying the sight. Caelan’s arousal was so obvious and he looked all the more enticing for it. His fingers were clasping the sheets, desperately clinging on, and his head was tilted back as his body arched up in a long line of excitement begging to be satisfied. The truth in his words was easy to spot. He was too close already. No way could Dean prepare him for a fuck without risking to tip him over the edge. He seemed barely able to fight his orgasm as it was, so maybe a slight change of plans was required.

Wriggling down on the bed, Dean brought his head to Caelan’s groin. He wrapped his fingers around the heavy, throbbing shaft and carefully squeezed it right at the base. Caelan groaned. He didn’t like that treatment much, but it helped him hold back. At least for a few more, precious moments.

Dean flicked his tongue across the head of Caelan’s cock, gathering up those tantalising, glistening pearls of pre-cum. He was still a little hesitant, but dared himself to touch the ring. It shifted a little. Caelan’s breath hitched and Dean gathered confidence. He carefully threaded the tip of his tongue under the ring and tugged at it, lightly at first, then, when Caelan let out a long, ragged moan, a bit harder…

 
 Want more? Get it here: www.bookstrand.com/more-ink-sweat-and-tears

Monday 24 September 2012

I can feel a change a-coming!

...or maybe even more than one.

Those of you who have visited me on my domain www.sage-marlowe.com before have probably noticed that my webspace looks quite a bit different now - again. Yep, I've moved it. Again. My blog, which has been criminally neglected lately - again - now doubles as my website and it's going to be filled with lots of info, newsy and fun bits, so make sure to keep checking in.
The easiest way to do that of course is to subscribe by email. There's a lovely little widget which I've included on the left to help you do that. Go look and see if it works  ------------------------------->>>>

If you're on Facebook, you can find me at www.facebook.com/sage.marlowe0 or www.facebook.com/sage.marlowe1

Now to the changes:
I'm going to run a bunch of theme days. Among the most exciting ones, at least for me, will be the Tuesday Teasers, starting in October. I'm hosting some of the romance world's hottest authors, so step by for sexy excerpts, nosy interviews and general ramblings of established and new authors - it's going to be fun, promise!
Of course you'll also find regular news updates on me and my WIP, as well as loads of snippets from my work which you will get only here.

So, I hope I'll get to see you around here often!

Lots of (man)love,

Sage
xxx

Saturday 22 September 2012

Exclusive excerpt from "More Ink, Sweat and Tears"



To celebrate the release of "More Ink, Sweat and Tears", I have a little treat for you:
Here's an exclusive excerpt which you will find only at this spot.
 
Enjoy Caelan and Dean doing what they're best at - cranking up the heat with their love and passion!


*** Adult content alert***


“Mmh, don’t scowl,” Caelan purred while nibbling Dean’s neck. “I’ll make it worth your while. I promise.” Trailing a hand down Dean’s stomach, he gently squeezed the enthusiastic bulge at his groin, making Dean groan with sudden need.

“I just hope this isn’t part of your regular employee motivation programme,” he grumbled, trying to stifle the moan that wanted out. Caelan’s hand on him felt good, so good. It reminded him that they hadn’t exactly been doing it a lot lately. Rekindling their passion here, in Caelan’s studio, which had been one of the first places they had ever done it in, was suitable somehow. Caelan’s mouth closed on his, caressing his lips, just as that capable hand fumbled with his fly.

“I can assure you, it’s not,” Caelan drawled huskily, lips brushing Dean’s as he spoke. “This is part of my regular making-my-husband-happy programme.”

“Oh, uh, it seems to be working,” Dean panted when Caelan dropped to his knees, eagerly undoing Dean’s fly.

“Mm-hmm, I can see that. This looks very, uh, motivated.”

Caelan’s mouth around the head of Dean’s cock felt like bliss become flesh. He would have loved to enjoy it longer, appreciate it in full, but he just couldn’t resist the urge to thrust in. Caelan took him in, let his cock slide past those sinful lips, caressing the underside with his tongue. Dean pushed in as deep as he knew Caelan could handle before he pulled back to give a careful thrust. Grunting a little, Caelan closed his lips around Dean’s shaft, applying enough suction to create a soft popping sound when Dean pulled out again.

“Let me fuck your mouth,” Dean panted, already clutching the hair on the top of Caelan’s head with the fingers of one hand while cupping his nape with the other to hold him in place.
The only answer Caelan gave was to open his mouth and reach up to grab Dean’s buttocks with both hands. It wasn’t gentle, and Caelan was close to choking a few times, but it felt indescribably good. Caelan opening up like this, letting himself be used that way, made Dean shiver with lust. He’d make sure Caelan got his share of fun out of this, too. Afterwards. Now he just needed to take care of that explosive, ever-increasing pressure in his own groin.



More Ink, Sweat and Tears
MM erotic romance, contemporary / novella
release date September 22nd, 2012.
www.bookstrand.com/more-ink-sweat-and-tears



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