A warm welcome to author Aishlar Snow joining us today here at Love Bytes, Welcome!
Hi, I’m Aishlar Snow, author of I Experimented Once in College. I’m delighted be here at Love Bytes, and thank you for having me!
What I most want to talk about with I Experimented Once in College is my stubborn main character, William. William has been hurt before – who hasn’t – and as a tightly-buttoned, antisocial researcher, he’s not inclined to jump back into the dating pool. In fact, he makes it his sole dream to have his own office and conduct his experiments independently, a goal that purposefully excludes human contact.
When he finds out he’s going to be assisting Archmage Taliesin Karsus with experiments, a task that turns out to be largely secretarial, he is infuriated. Not only is the job an insult, but Taliesin engages him far more than he wants to be, and his plan to avoid other people is put on hold.
In a surprise change of events, William finds himself with everything he wanted – his own small office, free rein to conduct his experiments, and very few obligations involving other people. What happens when he achieves this, though, is something he couldn’t have anticipated. Instead of blissful solitude, he feels lonely.
In getting exactly what he thought he wanted, William finds it isn’t enough. Maybe it will never be – but maybe that’s life. And in searching so desperately for the root of this lacking, he starts to realize that it’s a certain person who is missing from his day.
Can he accept his feelings before it’s too late? There’s more than love on the line by the end of Fall Semester.
BLURB:
PhD candidate William Yderis comes to Efeldon University to teach and finish his degree in charmcrafting. For methodical, sedate, and scholarly William, the school defies his expectations—and not in a good way. The biggest surprise comes when William meets his boss, absent-minded Archmage Taliesin Karsus, a man as infuriating as he is sexy.
As William struggles to carve out his place at the university, he is drawn in to Tal’s chaotic experiments… and drawn to Tal despite his logical mind’s protests. And if Tal’s wavering affection isn’t enough to complicate William’s studies, he uncovers a plot involving an ambitious staff member, brainwashed students, sexual assault, and a threat to the lives of everyone on campus. When it comes time to face the danger, William is on his own. For the first time in his life, he’ll have to trust in his heart instead of his head.
Before the fire engulfed him, William flinched and tried to sidestep it. He wasn’t fast enough. The ball of flame scorched his whole right arm, and then blinding lights danced on him.
He didn’t have time to swear. He ripped his tunic off and flung it onto the floor, praying the carpet was fireproofed. He wasn’t even sure if he was still burning—the heat was too intense on his skin, the pain throbbing at a level he’d previously only imagined.
Suddenly there were hands on his shoulders from behind, and a wave of cold ripped through him. William’s whole body shuddered as if possessed. Then he sagged back against a solid mass.
The archmage’s voice in his ear was furious. “I told you not to move.”
William was way, way past annoyance and well into a fury that burned with the heat of a thousand suns. Which was what his arm felt like. “You were going to incinerate me! I was on fire!”
“Do you think the university would elect an absolute idiot to the rank of archmage?” The man holding him up was trembling, William could feel it. Probably trembling with anger, if anything. Why the archmage thought he had the right to be angry, William couldn’t fathom.
“You just shot a ball of fire directly at me,” William accused.
“I was shielding you,” Archmage Karsus said, his voice almost a growl. “If you hadn’t moved, the fire would have been deflected.”
“Bullshit,” said William, no longer patient enough to mince words. “Shielding’s a test field as it is, and shielding a whole person? I don’t buy it.” Not having said enough, he dug his heels in further. “And if you really were shielding me, you should have told me from the start. Firing magic at me and telling me to hold still is the worst way to conduct an experiment, right up there with ‘drink this potion and see what it does.’”
As if this wasn’t bad enough, William’s spark of rebelliousness made him add, “Excuse me. That was ‘Bullshit, sir.’”
There was only silence behind him. The archmage’s body was still. Then a small tremor went through it. William had the sinking feeling he had set the man off. Which meant he was in the hands of a man who possessed enough magic to burn him to a crisp. He really had to stop antagonizing his coworkers.
The hands steadying him let go, and William caught his balance and looked back at the man. The archmage considered him with an even gaze, evaluating. William glanced down at his bare arms and saw to his surprise that they were a little pink. Not seared, not blistered, just faintly sunburned. He looked to the floor and saw the last bits of his tunic crackling merrily.
How…? He looked back at Archmage Karsus cautiously. For a moment he wondered if the archmage had healed him, but such a thing was unheard of. Healing was a long and drawn-out process, and it required so many herbs and potions that it was never quick. No one could touch someone and heal them. He grudgingly admitted to himself that perhaps the ball of fire hadn’t hit him fully; it had ignited his tunic somehow, but he must have imagined the searing pain on his arms. A mental thing—that was it. All in his head.
“Will,” said the archmage quietly. His voice was scarily neutral. “You may call me by name when we are alone.”
William blinked, that not having been at all what he’d been expecting. Then he remembered some kind of manners and nodded, suddenly awkward after his meltdown. “T-Tal…. Taliesin.”
BUY LINKS:
Aishlar Snow has been writing gay romance since high school, where a trusted teacher read one of her first works and encouraged her to pursue writing. Since then, she has earned a Masters in Library Science and has worked in a number of public libraries while writing. Aishlar presently works in an academic setting, from which she draws inspiration for her works.
The way to Aishlar’s heart is an easy one and includes pastries, coffee, and bad jokes. On her days off she can be found lounging in her royal harem-inspired room, watching Xena: Warrior Princess, or playing video-games. She cosplays casually, draws and paints (badly), and plays both the piano and ocarina.
Most of all, Aishlar enjoys fantasy settings and immersing herself in new worlds and characters. Her favorite worlds include those of Discworld, Wheel of Time, Star Wars, and Warcraft. She is always looking for a new book, show, or podcast to enjoy.
See what’s moving forward at aishlarsnow.blogspot.com or contact Aishlar at aishlarsnow@gmail.com. She is always happy to hear from readers!
So looking forward to reading this!!!