Title: Kick Ass Anthology for Eric Arvin

 

Authors and Illustrators:

Keira Andrews, Connie Bailey, Sophie Bonaste, Tara Bluhm, Michael J. Bowler, A.L. Boyd, Jade Crystal, Catherine Dair, Fiona Fu, Nancy Hartmann, JP Kenwood, Mia Kerick, Jackie Keswick, Eleanore Pavelle, Kate Pavelle, Jonathan Penn, Tali Spencer, Taomi, Rayne Vogel, Brandon Witt

 

With a special foreword by Eric Arvin’s sisters Angela Arvin-Young and Amy Arvin

 

Blurb:

Against bad odds, he persevered. Wit, grit, and guile pulverized his scary opponent into a sad pile of dust.

 

Eric Arvin is Kickass.

 

Even a kickass hero needs a hand from a secondary

character, and Eric needs that extra power boost right now. This anthology is a volunteer effort organized by Eric’s fans and fellow writers in order to help him raise funds and help cover the cost of his high-tech recovery. His wicked sense of humor is intact, but his body needs a bit of help.

These stories are meant to inspire. They’re a warm hug, a wave from afar, a wink and a nod. Discover new authors and graphic artists as you, too, get revved up to slay whatever ails you!

 

Illustrated edition !

 

A Note from the publishers:

 

KICKASS ANTHOLOGY was produced in order to raise funds for the medical recovery of our friend and colleague, author Eric Arvin.
All artwork, both written and graphic, was donated free of charge.

 

All proceeds will go directly to Eric Arvin and his family.

 

Buy Link:

Amazon

 

On Dragons and Kicking Ass with Keira Andrews

 

When Kate Pavelle asked me if I’d like to be part of the Kickass Anthology in support of fellow author Eric Arvin, I was honored. Eric’s story touched and inspired all of us in the gay romance community, and it’s my pleasure to contribute to his support fund in any way I can. I also loved the theme of the little guy triumphing over the odds and kicking ass.

 

My story is called Starfall, and is a fantasy tale about Simon, a young squire hopelessly in love with his master. When they land themselves in a dragon’s lair, it’s up to Simon to save the day. Here’s a peek at Starfall, and remember that all proceeds of this anthology go to Eric’s enormous medical costs.

 

~

 

Another bellow filled the air, and Simon nearly tripped over his own feet as he backed away from the edge. The dragon’s breath had scorched much of the rock in the Tunnels of Arin, and here in this wide cavern where it seemed to make its home, all was burnt.

 

As for what lay at the bottom of the abyss between Simon and the other ledge where his lord remained captive, it was anyone’s guess. Simon inched back to the edge, gripping the sword. What was certain, however, was that a tumble into the black would be the end of him—and Lord Vyner.

 

In the silence that descended after another roar of fire, the dragon’s talons click-clacked on the stone. It hunted back and forth, beady yellow gaze locked on Simon. He wondered what it was waiting for. If dragons ate people—as his mother had always warned—why didn’t it eat Lord Vyner?

 

Simon’s heart thumped as he considered the possibilities. The notion that the dragon was playing with him and having a bit of fun made the situation all the worse somehow. For there was no chance Simon could cross the divide to rescue his master, and no way he could ever leave him behind.

 

No, Simon had served his lord faithfully since he was a boy, and he would serve him to the end. The years had passed so quickly, and he was no boy anymore. He should have moved up in the household and taken one of the serving wenches as a wife, but Simon had been content to stay a squire.

 

He knew others in the keep whispered and wondered why Lord Vyner kept him on. But the lord was a strange man. He’d never married, and didn’t seem to give a moment’s thought as to what anyone might think of that. His castle was small and orderly, and his people well cared for. When not drawn into skirmishes with the hostile people of the Marshlands, he seemed content to hunt with his grown squire at his side.

 

In the deepest dark of the night, curled on his pallet outside his master’s chamber, Simon liked to believe Lord Vyner felt even a fraction of what Simon did for him. But that was utter foolishness—a flight of fancy Simon could not afford to indulge. Certainly not here in the heart of the dragon’s lair.

 

It had to be twenty feet across the chasm, and the short length of rope usually coiled on his belt had been knocked loose somewhere in the tunnels. He had Celestia, plucked from the ground after the dragon had made off with Lord Vyner, but what good was it? Even if Simon could get close enough to the dragon to wield the sword, the beast was covered in hard, reddish scales.

 

With a soft groan, Lord Vyner moved. Simon’s heart leapt, and he scurried to the very edge of the divide and dropped to his knees. “My lord! Do not fear!” Such useless words, but he was compelled to say them.

 

Lord Vyner shifted and extended his powerful arms and legs. The dragon loomed over him, its forked tongue flicking in and out.

 

“Please remain still. It hasn’t tried to eat you yet. Perhaps it won’t.”

 

There was a soft rumble that might have been a chuckle. “That’s my Simon. Always hoping for the best.” He tensed. “Simon? Where are you?”

 

“Here, my lord. On the other side.”

 

Lord Vyner rolled onto his belly and lifted his head. “Good god. What are you doing?” His voice was gruff. “Run! Get the hell out of here!”

 

“No! I shan’t leave you, my lord.” Even at a distance Simon imagined he could see the deep green of his eyes. The thought that those eyes would go dark—that Lord Vyner would die here alone in the belly of the earth was too much for him to bear.

 

“I command you to flee. Do you hear me, Simon? Leave me.”

 

“No. I will do my duty.”

 

Lord Vyner clenched his jaw. “To the devil with your duty! Go! There’s no escape for me.”

 

Simon glanced at the dragon, who seemed to be listening, its beady eyes narrowed. “If no escape for you, then none for me.”

 

Shoulders slumping, Lord Vyner closed his eyes. “Oh, Simon. Please. I beg of you.”

 

Simon opened his mouth to object, but sat back on his heels without a word. Only once had Lord Vyner begged him for anything, and the memory of it made Simon’s blood burn as though the dragon breathed fire through him…

 

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal and fantasy fiction, and—although she loves delicious angst along the way—Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

 

Website: http://www.keiraandrews.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keiraandrews

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keira.andrews.author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1366040.Keira_Andrews

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Keira-Andrews/e/B005SWX15G/

Tour Schedule:

 

12/13/2014 – Boys in Our Books – Kate Pavelle

12/15/2014 – Kimi-Chan Experience – Jade Crystal with Eleanor Pavelle

12/16/2014 – The Novel Approach – Amy Arvin & Angela Arvin-Young

12/18/2014 – GGR Reviews – JP Kenwood with Fiona Fu

12/19/2014 – Rainbow Gold Reviews – Jackie Keswick with Tara Bluhm

12/20/2014 – On Top Down Under – Nancy Hartmann

12/22/2014 – Joyfully Jay – Sophie Bonaste

12/23/2014 – Prism Book Alliance – Brandon Witt with Catherine Dair

12/27/2014 – MM Good Book Reviews – Mia Kerick & Michael Bowler

12/29/2014 – Love Bytes – Keira Andrews with Connie Bailey

12/31/2014 – JP Barnaby – Tali Spencer

1/2/2015 – Hearts on Fire Reviews – Jonathan Penn with Taomi

 

 

 

 

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