M.L. Rhodes ~ Sizzling Erotic Romance

A hundred years ago, the high sorcerer of Velensperia launched a swift and deadly attack against the draegans—a race of dragon shapeshifters who’d always lived in harmony with the humans. The draegans were all but destroyed, with the few who remained, scattered and in hiding. Now, a group of them have united and begun to fight back. Their leader, Keiran Hareldson, seeks to free his people from the cruel repression the high sorcerer’s reign has imposed on them.

Gaige Rizik is captain of the sorcerer’s High Guard, and known for his lethal ability to hunt down his prey with no remorse. His orders are to infiltrate the draegan rebels’ camp, learn their plans, and identify their leader so he can be destroyed. But when Gaige joins the rebels, posing as a human sympathizer to the draegans’ cause, he discovers the shapeshifters aren’t the bloodthirsty beasts he’s been led to believe, and their leader is a passionately captivating man who only wants what’s best for his people. Keiran sparks powerful emotions in Gaige, tearing down his walls of steely control, and stirring a longing in him he can’t deny.

Torn between his duty to the high sorcerer and his growing feelings not only for Keiran, but for the draegan way of life, Gaige knows he’s damned no matter which he chooses. In a world of lies, deception, and dark secrets, one false move will bring destruction to all he’s begun to hold dear. With the fate of so many lives on his shoulders, Gaige’s only hope is to follow his heart...and pray it’s true enough to save them all.

Home Gay Fiction Straight Fiction Coming Soon Blog Hot Hunks Gallery Book Videos FAQ Biography Quirky Tibits About M.L. Link to M.L. Fave Links Free Desktop Wallpaper Photo Gallery Contact M.L. at MySpace Sign up for ML's Hot Reads Newsletter!	Hot Reads... True of Heart Part 1 in the Draegan Lords series (A dragon shapeshifter M/M erotic romance) An Amber Allure Bestseller! A Fictionwise erotica Bestseller! A hundred years ago, the high sorcerer of Velensperia launched a swift and deadly attack against the draegans—a race of dragon shapeshifters who’d always lived in harmony with the humans. The draegans were all but destroyed, with the few who remained, scattered and in hiding. Now, a group of them have united and begun to fight back. Their leader, Keiran Hareldson, seeks to free his people from the cruel repression the high sorcerer’s reign has imposed on them. Gaige Rizik is captain of the sorcerer’s High Guard, and known for his lethal ability to hunt down his prey with no remorse. His orders are to infiltrate the draegan rebels’ camp, learn their plans, and identify their leader so he can be destroyed. But when Gaige joins the rebels, posing as a human sympathizer to the draegans’ cause, he discovers the shapeshifters aren’t the bloodthirsty beasts he’s been led to believe, and their leader is a passionately captivating man who only wants what’s best for his people. Keiran sparks powerful emotions in Gaige, tearing down his walls of steely control, and stirring a longing in him he can’t deny. Torn between his duty to the high sorcerer and his growing feelings not only for Keiran, but for the draegan way of life, Gaige knows he’s damned no matter which he chooses. In a world of lies, deception, and dark secrets, one false move will bring destruction to all he’s begun to hold dear. With the fate of so many lives on his shoulders, Gaige’s only hope is to follow his heart...and pray it’s true enough to save them all. Buy it now! Genre: Fantasy/Shapeshifter gay (M/M) erotic romance Release date: March 25, 2007 AQP Heat Level: 3 (Amber Quill's hottest level of sensuality) Length: Extended Novella (40K words) Price (electronic): $6.00 Price (paperback): TBD ISBN (electronic): 978-1-60272-015-2 ISBN (paperback): TBD Available in ebook formats at: Amber Allure Available in paperback at: Will be in paperback combined with its sequel, Lords of Kellesborne, in 2008! Excerpt... “Why does Byram hate your people so much?” The question was out before Gaige could think. “Because we know the truth.” “The truth?” Keiran leaned in close. One of his hands moved up to cup the back of Gaige’s head, while the other slid around his waist. The heat of his breath caressed Gaige’s neck, making his pulse roar. “That we didn’t start the war a hundred years ago. He did.” And then the damp heat of Keiran’s tongue burrowed into Gaige’s ear. His legs went numb. He staggered back a step, glad for the support of the cool rock wall against his back. A low groan escaped him and he buried his hands in Keiran’s hair, tugging free the bit of leather holding it, and savoring the soft, thick feel of it sliding through his fingers. A deep ache throbbing in his groin, Gaige pulled Keiran’s mouth toward his and, at long last, tasted what he’d craved since he’d first met this man. Their mouths and tongues moved together with desperation, as if each had been starving for the other much too long. Keiran tasted of the spicy wine, of earthy passion, and of something powerful and mysterious that filled Gaige’s body with a tingling energy. Draegan magick? Gaige had to wonder. Their bodies notched together perfectly—hard heat pressed to hard heat—and Gaige wasn’t surprised to discover that in spite of their current situation, trapped in a tiny cave with the high sorcerer’s troops nearby, Keiran was as turned on as he was. The draegan pulled away first, but not far. “I’ve wanted to do that since I first met you,” he whispered against Gaige’s lips. “As have I.” “Was it worth the wait?” Gaige chuckled softly. “You have to ask?” “Not really, no.” He heard the smile in Keiran’s voice. It was too dark in here to see anything at all. At least for him. Perhaps Keiran could. “Can you see in the pitch black like this?” he asked, genuinely curious. “Not in a way you’d be familiar with. In the dark what I see are heat patterns.” He was busy pulling his bow and quiver off his shoulder, setting them aside somewhere in the dark, then taking Gaige’s as he handed them over. “Heat patterns?” “I can see your body heat.” Gaige grinned. “Tell me...what part of my body is giving off the most heat right now?” Keiran’s hand grasped Gaige’s erection and balls through his leather pants. He wasn’t gentle, but not rough enough to hurt either. His fingers began to stroke in the same firm manner, sending a flood of heat through Gaige’s veins and bringing forth a low groan from his throat. “Shhh,” Keiran said, his mouth once more hovering near Gaige’s lips. “Though the high sorcerer’s fools outside make enough noise to wake the dead, we can’t risk them hearing us.” “They’re not getting their cocks massaged by a horny draegan either, are they?” Gaige rasped. This time it was Keiran who chuckled, the sound soft and low and filled with playful lust. “You have a point there.” Gaige’s hand did some seeking itself, coming to rest on the bulge at the draegan’s groin. He smiled in satisfaction at Keiran’s instinctive, appreciative grunt. “Ah, not so silent yourself now, are you?” he asked, giving as good as he was receiving. “Cock tease.” He unfastened Keiran’s belt, letting it and the items attached to it slide to the floor, then jerked open the laces on Keiran’s pants, pleased but not surprised to find nothing but bare skin beneath them. He freed the hot, firm, velvet-skinned monster, fisted it, and squeezed, wresting a soft, strangled moan from the man. “Did you just call me a tease?” he asked, biting Keiran’s lower lip even as his hand continued to stroke the magnificent cock. “Foolish, foolish man.” Reviews... *"True of Heart* is a wonderful fantasy story that involves all the great elements that I look for: magic, intrigue, romance, faith and redemption. Throughout the story we can see Gaige growing into the man he might have been if he hadn’t lived under the Sorcerer’s command. And Keiran is wonderful in his strength of character and in his faith of Gaige’s good heart. Yet, the eroticism of the encounters between Gaige and Keiran will scorch you every time." ---Sabella, Joyfully Reviewed 4 1/2 Kisses! "True of Heart is the first novel in The Draegan Lords series, and what a terrific opening it is. This is a well written and captivating story about love and betrayal between two strong men... All in all, if True of Heart is any indication of the quality of The Draegan Lords series, the entire series promises to be one immensely enjoyable read after another." ---Samantha, TwoLips Reviews "The first in The Draegan Lords series, True Of Heart introduces us to a fantastical realm populated by shapeshifting dragons, evil sorcerers and gorgeous noble warriors. Each of the major characters is fascinating and clearly drawn--from the conflicted but duty-bound Gaige and the quietly confident Kieran to the malevolent high sorcerer Byram...Looking for a great fantasy romance with a different twist? Look no further than True Of Heart!" ---Isabelle Spencer, Romance Reviews Today 4 1/2 Hearts! "...the personal battle that Gaige had to fight against how he was raised made it very believable and fascinating...an exciting read that captured my attention from the start. True of Heart was a fantastic story that shouldn't be missed. I'll be on the lookout for more!" --- Julia, The Romance Studio "A very enjoyable read, with the right dose of love and adventure!" ---Elisa, Elisa Rolle Live Journal

Genre: Fantasy/Shapeshifter gay (M/M) erotic romance
Release date: March 25, 2007
AQP Heat Level: 3 (Amber Quill's hottest level of sensuality)
Length: Extended Novella (40K words)
Price (electronic): $6.00
Price (paperback): TBD
ISBN (electronic): 978-1-60272-015-2
ISBN (paperback): TBD

Available in ebook formats at: Amber Allure
Available in paperback at: Will be in paperback combined with its sequel, Lords of Kellesborne, in 2008!

“Why does Byram hate your people so much?” The question was out before Gaige could think.

Keiran leaned in close. One of his hands moved up to cup the back of Gaige’s head, while the other slid around his waist. The heat of his breath caressed Gaige’s neck, making his pulse roar.

And then the damp heat of Keiran’s tongue burrowed into Gaige’s ear. His legs went numb. He staggered back a step, glad for the support of the cool rock wall against his back. A low groan escaped him and he buried his hands in Keiran’s hair, tugging free the bit of leather holding it, and savoring the soft, thick feel of it sliding through his fingers.

A deep ache throbbing in his groin, Gaige pulled Keiran’s mouth toward his and, at long last, tasted what he’d craved since he’d first met this man.

Their mouths and tongues moved together with desperation, as if each had been starving for the other much too long. Keiran tasted of the spicy wine, of earthy passion, and of something powerful and mysterious that filled Gaige’s body with a tingling energy. Draegan magick? Gaige had to wonder.

Their bodies notched together perfectly—hard heat pressed to hard heat—and Gaige wasn’t surprised to discover that in spite of their current situation, trapped in a tiny cave with the high sorcerer’s troops nearby, Keiran was as turned on as he was.

The draegan pulled away first, but not far. “I’ve wanted to do that since I first met you,” he whispered against Gaige’s lips.

He heard the smile in Keiran’s voice. It was too dark in here to see anything at all. At least for him. Perhaps Keiran could.

“Not in a way you’d be familiar with. In the dark what I see are heat patterns.” He was busy pulling his bow and quiver off his shoulder, setting them aside somewhere in the dark, then taking Gaige’s as he handed them over.

Gaige grinned. “Tell me...what part of my body is giving off the most heat right now?”

Keiran’s hand grasped Gaige’s erection and balls through his leather pants. He wasn’t gentle, but not rough enough to hurt either. His fingers began to stroke in the same firm manner, sending a flood of heat through Gaige’s veins and bringing forth a low groan from his throat.

“Shhh,” Keiran said, his mouth once more hovering near Gaige’s lips. “Though the high sorcerer’s fools outside make enough noise to wake the dead, we can’t risk them hearing us.”

“They’re not getting their cocks massaged by a horny draegan either, are they?” Gaige rasped.

This time it was Keiran who chuckled, the sound soft and low and filled with playful lust. “You have a point there.”

Gaige’s hand did some seeking itself, coming to rest on the bulge at the draegan’s groin. He smiled in satisfaction at Keiran’s instinctive, appreciative grunt.

“Ah, not so silent yourself now, are you?” he asked, giving as good as he was receiving.

He unfastened Keiran’s belt, letting it and the items attached to it slide to the floor, then jerked open the laces on Keiran’s pants, pleased but not surprised to find nothing but bare skin beneath them. He freed the hot, firm, velvet-skinned monster, fisted it, and squeezed, wresting a soft, strangled moan from the man.

“Did you just call me a tease?” he asked, biting Keiran’s lower lip even as his hand continued to stroke the magnificent cock. “Foolish, foolish man.”

"True of Heart is a wonderful fantasy story that involves all the great elements that I look for: magic, intrigue, romance, faith and redemption. Throughout the story we can see Gaige growing into the man he might have been if he hadn’t lived under the Sorcerer’s command. And Keiran is wonderful in his strength of character and in his faith of Gaige’s good heart. Yet, the eroticism of the encounters between Gaige and Keiran will scorch you every time."

4 1/2 Kisses! "True of Heart is the first novel in The Draegan Lords series, and what a terrific opening it is. This is a well written and captivating story about love and betrayal between two strong men... All in all, if True of Heart is any indication of the quality of The Draegan Lords series, the entire series promises to be one immensely enjoyable read after another."

---Samantha, TwoLips Reviews

"The first in The Draegan Lords series, True Of Heart introduces us to a fantastical realm populated by shapeshifting dragons, evil sorcerers and gorgeous noble warriors. Each of the major characters is fascinating and clearly drawn--from the conflicted but duty-bound Gaige and the quietly confident Kieran to the malevolent high sorcerer Byram...Looking for a great fantasy romance with a different twist? Look no further than True Of Heart!"

4 1/2 Hearts! "...the personal battle that Gaige had to fight against how he was raised made it very believable and fascinating...an exciting read that captured my attention from the start. True of Heart was a fantastic story that shouldn't be missed. I'll be on the lookout for more!"