A.C. Ellas's Blog

Today's Derby Day! If you want a chance to win a free book, Derby Dreams, head on over to facebook. On the Dark Servant page, leave a comment with the name of the horse you like in the Derby this year. One lucky person will receive a free copy of Derby Dreams after the real Derby has been run.

Here's the link to the FB page:

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dark-Serva...

Readers, fans, other interested parties:

The final installment of volume two of the Dark Servant is in my editor's capable hands. It's done, huzzah.

But now you have a chance to influence what happens next. As I start to wrestle with the very rough draft of volume three and craft it into readable material, I am reaching out to you, the readers.

I want to know: What do you want to see? What don't you want to see?

Why is today the first day of spring? In ancient times, the solstice was the midpoint of the season-- midwinter, midsummer. Equinox, which marks spring and fall, should also therefore be the midpoint of the season, assuming the seasons are of the same length.

Of course, all time and calendar designations are arbitrary, and I am well aware that the solstices and equinoxes are now used, at least in the US, to designate the beginning of the season. But part of me thinks the ancients were more correct than we are, at least in this instance.

Here in Arizona, by the time the official first day of summer comes along, we'll already have endured a month or so of 100+F days. Today is the vernal (spring) equinox, the first official day of spring, and the expected high here is 83F. We've been in springtime weather for a month now. So, although it's officially the first day of spring, I'm going to make like an ancient Greek and say, "Happy Midspring! Happy Equinox!"

Here we are, almost the end of march already. On the 1st of April, I'll have two books coming out rather than my usual one.

Book 20 of the Dark Servant, The Cost of War, will be released by eXtasy Books. I don't have a cover for that yet.

Book 1 of Son of the Wind will be released by Divine Destines. I do have a cover for that one, and you can check it out on my website, www.ac-ellas.com hiding under "Other Offerings."

I really need to expand that website, but it's on the back-burner while I juggle writing, editing, kids, life, and so on.

It's spring break. As I scramble to finish and submit Book 21 of The Dark Servant I find myself continually distracted.

Games. My kids are addicted to minecraft, and apparently it's contagious, for I seem to have caught that bug myself. My husband is addicted to Skyrim, and now the beta testing for Elder Scrolls Online. I tried to play that, the lag was so bad it reached ridiculous proportions.

TV. Doctor Who is on hiatus until September, night only knows when we'll see more Sherlock. Supernatural chugs along, and Game of Thrones starts next month at long last. Now if GRRM would just finish the next book...

Books. I'm currently re-reading the Recluse series. In some ways, I think of L.E. Modesitt, Jr. as a surrogate father. I grew up reading his fiction, starting with the Forever Hero. My other literary "parents" would have to include Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, and J.R.R. Tolkien. I'm not sure where the erotica aspect in my writing came from, but it's integral to the Dark Servant story, so I've learned to accept it, and even have fun with it.

I'd like to apologize. I'm not very good at marketing, or even keeping track of what blogs I have. I've been trying to direct everything to my website, www.ac-ellas.com but I'm not very good at programming.

So I'll try to keep this blog current at least, and for more than just promotion. With the second volume completed and turned in to my editors, I thought I'd take a moment to ask...what do you want to see happen next? What do you not want to see?

I am happy to announce (a week late due to WorldCon) the release of book 13!
Violet Eyes
Duty to one’s family is no duty at all.

High Priest S’Rak and Captain Jisten’s relationship continues to deepen and mature as the pair learns to trust each other and work together to keep the prince, and the kingdom, safe. After foiling another attempt on Prince Jethain’s life, a sacred infant is brought to the palace seeking sanctuary. A Valer girl has been born with the rare violet eyes of sunset, and thus, sacred to Zotien as well as Si’Yeni. Considered an ill omen by the Koilathans, a group of fanatic sun zealots will stop at nothing to kill the baby.
Will S’Rak’s night-born powers, at their lowest ebb, be able to counter the attacks of sun zealots who only ever attack in the bright light of day? Will Jisten’s protective fierceness mean the difference between life and death for the defenseless infant?

I am pleased to announce the new release of Book 12 of The Dark ServantI somehow missed posting the release of Book 11, but it's available, too.
Lake Yiali (Dark Servant #12)
Bushes are scratchy
With High Priest S’Rak recovering from an infected bite and Prince Jethain recovering from a poisoned dinner, everyone agrees that it’s high time for a vacation. They go north, to a pleasant lake nestled at the feet of the mountains, to relax and recuperate from the Unmaker’s unrelenting attacks.
While this time may seem idyllic on the surface, trouble is gathering in the depths. Will the Unmaker leave them in peace long enough for them to recover their strength, or will She strike them when their guard is down?


Excerpt:



Rak stood, surrounded by stars, and bowed to his Lord. Zotien’s presence absorbed him, and every cell of his mortal frame knew the God’s love for him, but the God did not consume him. He remained himself, his self-identity supported and strengthened by the God and His love. Zotien returned his bow, a hint of a smile lurking on the divine visage.
Rak succumbed to the music and the stars and danced. He swept through the sacred forms, building power, gathering it to himself, echoing the patterns of creation itself. Zotien danced opposite him, in the complimentary pattern, sometimes seeming as distant as the edge of the universe, other times so close that they moved as one being. The power built and built and along with it came tension and a near-desperate need for release.
Body slid against body, tension building to an almost unbearable level, until at last Zotien entered him with a quick, decisive thrust, filling Rak utterly. Rak screamed in ecstasy as a pleasure a hair’s breadth from unendurable coursed through him. Each silky smooth thrust, perfectly executed, engendered a shockwave of purest orgasmic pleasure, quickly building to a level that was unbearable. Pleasure became pain, and pain was pleasure. The sensations continued to course through Rak’s battered mortal frame until he reached a point where he ceased to think and simply strove to be.
When Zotien reached completion, Rak froze, unable to cry out, held fast by the God’s primal essence. A cresting tsunami towered above him but did not break, not yet. It was held in a perfect, eternal moment of time as Rak stood, unable to breathe, between one beat of his heart and the next, wondering if this would be the time that he died, unable to bear the ending of the dance. Every dancer died during the dance, unless the war killed them first, but which dance would be a dancer’s last was unknown to even the Lord of Night.  
Time restarted, and Rak drew in a deep breath, his heart thundering in his chest. Then, the tidal wave broke upon him, a wave of unfathomably intense climatic pleasure so powerful that Rak’s conscious mind shattered and spun off, back into the void between the stars. He was distantly aware as Zotien withdrew from him, fading back into the spirit realm. More immediate were the hands stroking him, the bodies rubbing against him, the hot mouths kissing him.

Now Available from eXtasy Books:
Wings and RitesBook 10 of The Dark Servant
Unto the Sunset Hall and the Hall of Night. Forever.
Captain Jisten and high priest S’Rak have accepted the bond the Gods meant for them to share, saving one another in the process. Now they must formalize their union and seek a blessing before Jisten’s people. But amidst the celebrations, trouble is brewing.
The false sun priest, exposed for the chaos mage he is, turns on his watchers, striking at those who’d called him friend. His ultimate goal is to destroy the Victory Prophecy by murdering Prince Jethain. Only a dragon, a captain, and a high priest stand in his way. What price will the trio pay to save the prince?


Excerpt:
The early dawn was the best time to hunt hares, according to the stable boys. The three avtappi ambled along the clay path, ears pricked and nostrils quivering as they searched for prey. Rak sat easily on Vyld’s saddle, lost in thought. The avtappi pricked their ears first, hearing something that Rak couldn’t. Zala looked happiest and stamped her hoof. Jisten jogged into view.
Rak admired the view. He didn’t speak, he just looked, a slight smile on his lips. Sweat runneled down Jisten’s chest, outlining the muscles there against the thin shirt. His long runner legs spread to their full span, those muscles well outlined as well.
Jisten looked over, saw them, and his stride faltered. “S’Rak?”
“Xai’εtε, Jisten. Are we disturbing you?” Rak’s lust surged and he clamped down on it automatically.
Jisten jogged over. “No, want to join me?” He ran in place.
“A runner, I am not,” laughed Rak easily.
“Stay on Vyld then.” Zala whuffled Jisten’s face. He patted her nose, then started running and glanced back. “Hurry!”
Zala trotted after him, tail swishing. Vyld followed on Zala’s heels, while Vrema cantered to catch up.
Rak left off meditating for the far more entertaining occupation of admiring Jisten’s body. Every now and then, Jisten looked over his shoulder and flashed a brilliant smile. Rak always returned the smile with great warmth…They reached a small, secluded pond tucked away in a tiny valley lined with ferns.
Jisten slowed and put his hand on Rak’s thigh. “Want to take a rest stop?”
“Ai. What a lovely little valley.”
“It’s a gem I admire often, and the water is refreshing. Not as cold as the lake, but still enjoyable.” Jisten stripped off his sweaty shirt.
Rak sighed in appreciation, paying no attention to what his mate was actually saying. Jisten grinned and slipped off his pants, leaving only his shorts.
Rak threw a leg over Vyld’s withers and slid down the stallion’s side. He landed lightly, shedding himself of tunic and pants. Rak swept his hands down Jisten’s body, caressing the firm, sweaty skin. Jisten clasped Rak to him and kissed him deep and hard. Rak’s wings cupped around them as he moaned, desire swelling. Now it was Jisten’s hands that explored, stroking Rak’s wings out. Rak’s hands slid down Jisten’s backside and under the waistband of the shorts. One of Jisten’s hands reached between Rak’s buttocks, but the other continued to stroke wing.
Rak licked Jisten’s ear. “I thought you wanted to swim.”
Jisten rubbed Rak’s opening. “Yes, let’s.”
Rak pushed Jisten away without warning and sprang for the pond. “Last one in sucks basilisk eggs!”
Jisten sprinted past Rak, who flapped his wings in an attempt to accelerate, but Jisten plunged in a hair ahead of him. “Hope those eggs taste good!” Jisten teased.
Rak burst out laughing. “They are inedible,” he admitted. “Unless you happen to be a wyvern.”
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Missed one? Check out the rest of the series:
Road to KoilathaSex in the Sun TempleThe Great Rabbit HuntResurrectionChaos and FliesAssassinsMidnight MattersRak and JistenZotien's First LawWings and Rites

I am pleased to announce that my new website, www.ac-ellas.com is now live. Come check it out, I think you'll like it.