Love Bytes is proud to show you the Exclusive Cover of Sera Kane – “Lord of Heart, Lord of Hollow”.
Book Title: Lord of Hearth, Lord of Hollow
Author : Sera Kane
Cover Artist Paul Richmond
Release Date : 20 April, 2016
Book Blurb:
Culinary school is hard enough for Aimes Cully without mixing in an utterly underwhelming physical appearance—too small, too delicate, too red-haired, too freckled, too human—added with the inability to magically improve the food—still too human—and facing the too beautiful, too fae-looking Aleksi’s teases and taunts. When rumors surface that Aimes’s older brother’s success is a lie, Aimes is determined to prove them wrong and show that pure-blooded humans are the equal of anyone with mixed blood.
But things get worse after Aimes is caught in a faerie ring and transported to the fae hollow of Lord Keanewyeth Ordorial. As the attraction heats up, it becomes obvious that there’s something wrong in the magical home. A cursed creature appears, and everything becomes jumbled as the secrets of their lives collide into a painful concoction of Aimes’s past and Keanewyeth’s present. But if they can meld their talents, they might be able to save each other.
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I am a thirty-something wife and mother of one. My love for the written word has been developed over the span of these years and it refuses to ever dwindle. Long have I desired to write so others might share my strange thoughts and wonderful worlds.
By day, I write and manage a lovely RPG site. By night, I do exactly the same thing.
We live currently in southern California, but we have lived in many fantastic places. My favourites include Washington– the state, not DC– Texas, and Japan.
My home is currently rather full with my tall husband, my swift son, my derpy German Shepherd, the grumpy yet loving Shih-Tzu, and one very determined cat who puts up with the dogs that she might attain cuddles.
Author Bio Link:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/sera-kane
Author Site Link:
Keanewyeth shook his head, as though trying to banish the shadows of the place. Another flick of his fingers, and the portal dissipated. His eyes were dazzling as they bore into Aimes again. “Armed with the knowledge you required, Aimes Cully, by thy name I proclaim thee Petitioner in my sight. Swear your allegiance unto my name or be banished from my hollow.”
Imperiously, the long fingers appeared again. Aimes hesitated, but his mind skittered frightened from even the memory of those impressions of the Misformed he had seen. He’d had no idea that the monsters in his books could be real. His lips pursed together and he nodded slowly. “All right. I do.”
“Do?” Keanewyeth asked quickly. His head tilted slightly to one side, a birdlike motion. “Do what?”
“Pledge. Or whatever it is.” Aimes looked up with his discomfort written plainly in the twist of his lips and wrinkle of his nose. “That thing you said.”
His full lips quirked to one side, and his eyebrows twitched upward. Aimes couldn’t read the look, but the tone was filled with condescending amusement. “Forms, Aimes Cully, you must follow the proper forms.”
“Tell me how to do it then!” Aimes said crossly. “I’m not fae, remember?”
“Yes.” A slanted glance accompanied the murmured words. “I remember very well. Take my hand with both of yours and kneel before me.”
Aimes followed the first direction as it was said and his thumbs slid over the moonlight skin absently. It was cool to the touch. Like his countertops first thing in the morning before they’d warmed from his cooking. Then the second part sunk in. “Kneel? Why do I have to kneel?”
“It’s traditional.”
Aimes narrowed his eyes at the glib response. “Traditional or required?”
Another small movement ticked across the pale face. The answer was slow to come. “Traditional does not mean required.”
“Fine,” Aimes said, satisfied. “I have your hand. Now what?”
A small hesitation was followed by a sigh. With eyes gleaming with what suspiciously appeared to be merriment, he replied, “A bow, since kneeling is so abhorrent to thee.”
Aimes pursed his lips, but he did as he was told. A bow wasn’t that bad. Bows were expected for visiting dignitaries. “Okay.”
The slender hand quivered within his grasp, but Aimes didn’t have any idea what might have caused it. When Keanewyeth spoke again, his tone was as calmly controlled as before. “Repeat the words and press a kiss to the knuckle of my third finger.”
“Kiss!”
“Yes,” Keanewyeth said without waiting for the rest of the interruption. “This is required or the magic shall not hold properly and your banishment may occur with neither of our intentions.”
“All right, all right,” Aimes grumbled under his breath. “Tell me.”
“Such a rude creature.” It was said pointedly, but he did not wait for repentance. “By my name, and say it, I pledge allegiance unto thy name, Lord Keanewyeth Ordioral.”
Aimes’s head popped up again. “Lord? You’re a lord?” His words squeaked out, but he was far too busy staring in horrified embarrassment.
Plush lips twitched again, harder this time, and the moonlit hand lifted to cover the smile. He gave a soft, harmonic sort of laugh. “Your ears do you little justice, Aimes Cully. Must everything be repeated twice for them to hear? Perhaps once for each side. Should I begin addressing my comments to one ear and then the other?”
Aimes flushed and ducked his head. Gods, what had he done! He’d been sassing a fae. An elven lord. Oh, gods, what was wrong with him? The full depth of his transgressions struck him. He was so frazzled with fear and irritation and the unexpected lust that certain delicacies of the situation had utterly escaped him. And, on top of that, like a bitter cherry, his attitude was as familiar as it had been with his brother. He was a fool before this beautiful creature, an idiotic fool.
His hands were released so the cool fingertips could slide across his jaw. They coaxed his face up so their eyes could meet. “At ease. Peace. I take no offense from you, Aimes Cully.”
“Aimes.” He couldn’t look away from those beautiful, unnatural eyes. His chest lightened at the gaze that was neither dismissive nor mocking. His voice quieted as his heart skipped a beat. “You don’t have to say my full name every time.”
Congrats on your debut Sera! It looks like a interesting story and the cover is really detailed and well done. Thank you for the excerpt!