New worlds

I have created a new world. Sursein Judgment is probably the first in what will be another series. I've already got an idea for a sequel and my critique partners seem bound and determined that I will write at least that book, if not more.

In this world, the gods are active. They function through their avatars, who are hyped up clerics with specialized powers based on the god. One of my heros, Shasertai, is such an avatar and his god is Surseine, the god of truth and justice. As such, Shas is a perfect judge because he can hear the truth. In this, he's special among Surseine's judges, but all judges are able to sense and ferret out the truth when they are in a judgment trance. But when in trance, the sursei--as they are called--are blind, just like their god, to all but the matter at hand. In this book, I only go into Surseine's mythology but I've got an idea of what the avatars of some of the other gods might be like.

But the really fun part about this world, in my humble opinion, is that it's what I keep calling "steampunkish". It's got trains and guns, you see, and gas lights and generally anything that you'd consider to be in a Victorian setting. This is my first foray into anything close to steampunk and I can't say that I'm an expert on the subject, but I do love the genre. There's something much more romantic about steam powered engines around magic and mystery than the same magic around modern day technology. I guess there's less certainty about it, something more "wow" about these things functioning. Plus I got to add in a little bit of an Wild West type of feel and that's fun too.

So, I hope you like my offering. I'd really like to revisit this world and its like again.

EXCERPT - Sursein Judgment by Jet Mykles

This one is coming very soon from Loose Id

No cover or blurb yet but here's a sneaky peak at the text.

I call this one a steampunk-ish yaoi story.

BLURB:

The innocent have nothing to fear from Surseine...

Rynn made a mistake in taking the drug hextasy with his fiancé. It was supposed to be the ultimate sexual high, except that you have to sleep with the one you desire most. If you don't, your body won't be satisfied and you'll die. Rynn lived, Lynnette didn't, and now her parents want someone to pay.
But either luck or Surseine, the god of justice Himself, takes pity on Rynn by putting his trial in front of one of His judges. Sursei are graced by the god they represent with the power to see truth and Sursei Shasertai finds Rynn innocent of murder.

But the drug is still out there and Shasertai and the people who travel with him are determined to root out the drug lord responsible for its existence. Shas invites Rynn to join them. He goes willingly, fascinated by the judge who gave him a second chance at life.

Shas is drawn to the naive farm boy at every point in their journey but he's promised Rynn not to force him into anything.

It is his soothing innocence that draws Shas to him, but the delectable judge makes Rynn feel things that aren't so innocent.

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Partially edited excerpt, ©2009 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

The man's eyes narrowed, and then he shook his head and backed down. "You're a cheat, Shas."

The judge tossed his head with a laugh. Instantly, the tension in the room dissipated. "Again, I assure you, that is quite impossible."

The bodyguard led the other man toward an open doorway at the far end of the room, and finally the judge turned to face Rynn and the sheriff.

Purple eyes. That one detail jumped out at Rynn as the judge stepped toward them. It wasn't the eerie total color with no whites or pupils that he'd seen earlier in court. The judge's eyes were now quite normal-looking except for the vivid amethyst that Rynn had never seen on anyone else. They were like perfectly round gemstones set in red-veined white marble. The strange color, though, seemed to go with the judge's light complexion. Did all sursei have purple eyes, or was this one special?

Pistol holstered, Sheriff Trent snatched off his hat and exchanged greetings and a handshake with the judge. Trent had met with him earlier about Rynn, but he was clearly not very comfortable in the judge's presence. Then the judge turned to extend his hand to Rynn. A thick gold ring glittered on his middle finger, matching two thinner bands on his thumb and little finger. A full head shorter than Rynn, he had to tilt his head up to get a good look at Rynn's face. "We've not been formally introduced. I'm Shasertai Kogin."

"Rynnis Lort."

"Yes, you are." The judge folded his free hand over their entwined hands. "Forgive me. I know, technically speaking, I've seen you, but my experiences while in Surseine's trance are nothing compared to when out of it. I see many things clearly, but others" -- he shook his head as his gaze raked down, then back up, Rynn's chest -- "I miss entirely."

Rynn almost felt that gaze, and it made him want to scratch again. "It's an honor to meet you, sursei."

The judge returned to studying his face and didn't let go of his hand. Then a small smile curled up the corners of his full-lipped mouth. "Truth preserve me, you are a fine-looking man, aren't you?"

Appearing beside him, the woman slapped the judge's arm. "Shas!"

Rynn's eyes went wide when the judge raised the hand not linked with Rynn's to draw his fingers down the beard on the taller man's jaw. "Such rugged, handsome features."

"Shas!"

Surprisingly strong fingers gripped the tip of Rynn's chin, nudging his face sideways to reveal his profile. "Sheriff, is there a secret about the farms out here that I should know about?"

The woman grabbed Shasertai's wrist and tugged his hand away. "Stop that."

He gave her a wide-eyed look, full of false innocence. "You don't think so?" He faced Rynn again and winked. "She thinks you're good-looking too."

She threw her hands in the air, rustling her skirts. "Honestly."

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Click here for my website's main webpage on Sursein Judgment.

The elves are back to continue what I've started

Dark Elves V: Discovery is now available at Loose Id.

Those who knew me in college probably wouldn't be surprised at the content of my most popular series. Those who knew me in high school definitely wouldn't be surprised. Well, okay, they might be surprised at the many and varied combination of sexual partners, but none of them would be especially surprised to hear that I was a published author of erotic romance.

Because, you see, I've been a writer of sex longer than I've been published for it. Sex has been a fascination for me for a long, long time, which is kind of surprising when you find out that I didn't have it until I was in my twenties. At least not with another person. I used to write fantasy stories for my friends back in high school and junior high. I was asked how I could write about sex since I'd never done it. Answer? I'd read about it. A lot. Those big thick romance novels? Harlequins? Oh yes, I had them. Used them like text books almost. Luckily I was realistic enough to recognize the overblown from what might actually be fact.

Back then and now, I think it's a beautiful thing when two (or more) people come together to share the only thing they truly have with one another, themselves. It's better when there is love involved, but there are all kinds of love, not just romantic. There is friendship, comfort, respect and just pure appreciation of the beauty of another soul.

So, I write what I like, what fills my head. Hopefully my characters are people you'll want to spend time with and explore with, even if it's just a mindless romp.

This elves story is a bit deeper, a bit broader and a bit different. Hopefully fans of the series won't be put off by certain subjects. I wrote it as it was meant to be written--even if it did give me fits along the way--and hopefully I'll be able to conclude my planned arc in book six to the satisfaction of those who like my fantasy world.