Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway:
Transform by Sean Ian O’Meidhir & Connal Braginsky
Crossing Nuwa Series, Book 4
After a harrowing rescue, Theo and Robbie take Kat to Maui to recover, only to be swept into another intrigue. Robbie comes into his own and learns to appreciate who and what he is while Theo comes to terms with his family. But a greater prophecy is at play—one that may draw the couple into things they are not yet ready for.
Book 4 of the Crossing Nuwa series.
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Transform
Connal Braginsky & Sean Ian O’Meidhir © 2023
All Rights ReservedJoey’s turned out to be both bookstore and indie coffee shop. While I went to find the proprietor, Robbie turned his attention to ordering us some caffeinated goodness.
There were a couple of older people already hanging out on the well-worn couches situated between the coffee bar and cases of books. I took a stab that the woman who resembled me in drag who was rummaging through a box of new paperbacks and stuffing them onto a display, probably worked there.
“Hi, so…” I hadn’t caught man bun’s name and decided against using the vernacular. “The guy from the antique store said you all might have bought my grandma’s books from them. Was it you who he talked to?”
“Oh hey, honey, yeah!” The spark in the woman’s eyes that roamed up and down my body told me she thought she might have just hit the jackpot. I wasn’t used to being quite so openly devoured by anyone and shifted from foot to foot.
Was that…nervousness I felt? Oh, hell no.
I turned on the charm. “Hey, sugar, so yeah. My loser of a father let the storage fees lapse, and her trunk went to auction. I’ve been mainland for a while so just got back over here for vacation and learned about the mess. Grandma doesn’t know yet, and I know she’s going to be devastated. Don’t suppose you can help me out?” I batted my baby browns, offering a soulful smile and allowing my eyes to drift to her ample cleavage displayed above the large floral shirt with flowing bell sleeves. I was suddenly glad I wasn’t a chick.
“Yes!” she said excitedly. “The Kahuna books! Your grandmother is a Kahuna?”
Oh shit.
“Umm, yeah,” I managed through my astonishment. This was exactly what I feared. She knew what the books were, which meant it might be harder to get them away from her.
“That’s awesome!” The woman stepped into my personal space, her smile brilliant. “I used to belong to a Wiccan circle where we had a few Kahuna, but nothing real, you know? I’ve only met a couple of real practitioners. But they weren’t part of any groups. I sold three of the books to one of them, two I’ve got up for auction online, and two of the prettier ones are in the stacks. Figured I’d see if any locals wanted them first.”
I took a small step back, disguising my discomfort by looking around the space, trying to spot the two she said were out on the shelves. “That’s great to hear. I’ll buy the four you have here, outbid your auction so that can be ended if you don’t mind?”
“Not at all, honey.” She ran her hand down my arm, giving an affectionate squeeze as she needlessly brushed against me, passing to lead down the aisle.
At the end of the aisle was a large display case that held a number of well-preserved leather-bound books that reminded me of Dennis’s living room. Using a key dangling from a ring on a neon-green springy coiled bracelet, the woman opened the case and retrieved two books. “Are these them?”
I had no idea and figured that honesty was the best policy. “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen them.” I accepted one of the large tomes and flipped through it, realizing I didn’t even know Kat’s handwriting. Of course, does anyone know anyone’s handwriting? That happens in movies all the time where people automatically recognize someone’s handwriting, but I’d spent my entire life embracing electronic writing so I doubt anyone could recognize my chicken scratches.
“Are these from the lot?”
“Yes. These are obviously special. That one”—she gestured to the one in my hand—“is in several different languages. I can only recognize the bits in Latin, and even then I don’t know a lot of it. This is in English and obviously has to do with blood magic of some kind considering the reference to life essence and vitae,” she explained with a note of reverence to her voice. It gave me pause. I took for granted all that Kat could do because I had grown up with it. But she really was amazing. With a thought, she could kill or bring someone back from near death; she could heal or rot.
“Cool, I’ll take these, then. What about those others?” I gestured with my chin to the display case. “Any more like these? I might as well get all magic books for her.”
“Not like these. Not true Kahuna books. Those are original printings of various authors. Do you like poetry?” Her tone made me look away from the display case, where I was making out handwritten notes on small, tented cards identifying various printings, titles, and authors.
“Me? Oh, yeah, no.” I saw her face fall and realized I needed to keep up the niceties so I could get the rest of Kat’s books. “I mean, kind of. Song lyrics. I’m a DJ so…”
The woman grinned. “Yeah? That’s really cool! I love to dance.”
“It’s part of life, isn’t it? So, do you mind letting me usurp your auction too? I’m more than willing to pay whatever is needed. I was kind of raised by my grandma and would like to get this stuff back for her before she finds out what happened.”
“Oh, sure. That’s no problem at all. Come on.” Her hand caressed my arm again, and I gave what I hoped was a neutral smile as I accepted the second book and cradled both to me.
She led us to the front counter where Robbie was hanging out. “Oh good! They have them?” He asked, holding two cups of joe.
“Well, that’s the hope.” I turned to the woman. “What’s your name? I’m so rude. I’m Theo and this is Robbie.”
“Gloria,” she said, eyeing Robbie. The man was something to behold.
“Gloria here has been super nice. She had two on display, two in the back, and said the other three were sold.” I glanced at her as she had rounded the corner of the counter and was standing studying us. Setting the books down, I flashed a hopeful grin her way. “But, I’m hoping she might put us in contact with the Kahuna that purchased them?”
Gloria looked dubious, and I grasped both of my hands together. “Oh, please! I need to talk with them, see what can be worked out.”
She let out a long sigh and glanced back at Robbie, who had set the cups down next to the books. He smiled too, and I took a second to be reminded about how gorgeous he was. “Yes, please! This would mean the world. Kat is like a mom to me. I’m sure that this…Kahuna—” He glanced at me in confusion before recovering. “—can be reasoned with. Right?” He looked from her to me again.
I nodded hopefully, turning my attention back to Gloria, who said, “Let me call her. Hold on.” She turned and disappeared through a wooden-beaded curtain that led into another room behind the counter.
I immediately started tapping on my display, shifting into the Interface to access all phone calls being made in the building. It was actually a while before Gloria placed a call, but when she did I was able to grasp the recipient’s location. The…exact…location.
To celebrate the release of Transform, Sean & Connal is giving away an e-set of the Crossing Nuwa series so far!
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Catch-up on the Crossing Nüwa Series
Book 1: Escape
Rare male weresnake Robbie has had his whole life decided for him down to his meals. But when the time comes for him to perform an unspeakable duty to his clan, he runs.
San Francisco Pride is in full swing when technomage Theo spots a scared-looking young man with brilliant emerald eyes. He’s only looking for a hookup, but before he knows why, he’s taking Robbie home and introducing him to champagne and enchiladas. He doesn’t have any intention of falling in love.
Robbie doesn’t want to return to his clan, at least not without trying to fit a lifetime of experiences into a week, but every day he stays puts Theo in more danger. One week of freedom leads to sexual awakening and adventure… but they’re going to need all their wits and Theo’s magic to fight for their future.
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Book 2: Trials
With the help of technomage and hacker Theo, rare snake shifter Robbie escaped his mother and clan, who planned to use him as breeding stock. While still working to break through the conditioning and mind control of his past, Robbie is enjoying exploring a new relationship with the worldlier Theo.
But their fight isn’t over yet.
A trip to his aunt’s house for Thanksgiving is highjacked by political intrigue, leaving the couple wondering who their friends really are. They cannot help but be drawn into larger plots while trying to find justice for Robbie at his mother’s trial. When clan rivalries turn deadly, they’ll need their allies—and each other—more than ever.
This is the second book in the Crossing Nüwa series and a continuation of Robbie and Theo’s growth and struggles.
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Book 3: Voice
After an unfortunate mishap, Robbie has to learn how to use his Command abilities. Just when he thinks that it’s safe to turn them off entirely, he is challenged in a way he never imagined and is faced with the decision to use his abilities or lose his beloved cousin for good. His growth puts a strain on his budding relationship with Theo who is already stretched thin with his own dilemmas. Will the couple grow from their individual struggles, or will this be a final dividing point?
This is the third book in the Crossing Nüwa series and a continuation of Robbie and Theo’s relationship growth and struggles.
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On SALE for $3.59 on NineStar Press Website
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About the Authors:
Connal Braginsky is a software engineer who lives in San Diego, California. Diagnosed with autism, Connal sometimes struggles in social situations, but has an inner world that is always incredibly rich. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge about many esoteric things, Connal brings his personal philosophies and interests to writing.
Sean Ian O’Meidhir is a psychologist who lives in San Francisco, California. Sean is a hedonist who believes in living for today, living every day to the fullest, and enjoying as many experiences as possible. They have been gamingsince adolescence and have written about and played hundreds of lives, reveling in the chance to take on new personalities, dramas, even disorders.
Connect with the Authors:
https://www.facebook.com/seanian.omeidhir/
http://www.dreamersworkshop.com/
Twitter & Instagram @Seanianomeidhir
Facebook: Sean Ian Omeidhir
