The first of the Fallen Angels Series - On Death's Wings, is available from Shadowfire Press www.shadowfirepress.com
It has all new cover art by the very talented Kat Haeske which is even yummier than Jet Mykles fantastic work. See if you agree...
Samael, Fallen Angel with the power of life and death discovers a young junkie being beaten in an alleyway. Ever the impulsive creature, he rescues the Daniel from his pimp. From that moment Samael's life changes. But is it for the better or worse?
Daniel, addict and whore, knows his former 'employers' will come searching for him.What he's not suspecting is just how useful being befriended by the Angel of Death will be.
Can Samael forget his former lover, the Angel Raphael while in the arms of a mere mortal?And what of Daniel, can he accept Samael for what he is?
Here is an excerpt for you!
Samael waited only until his charge had settled before going out again.He rarely felt the need to sleep and almost never the desire, tired of the nightmares it always brought with it.And the boy reminded him so much of his lost love that he wanted to bathe himself in death as a way to forget.
A vague fluttering caught his senses and he glanced up.There, high above the city was an angel although he couldn’t tell which one from here.A smile came.If the other was here on a mission of mercy he would take great pleasure in thwarting his or her desires.It was just the sort of game he needed.
He unfurled his six black-feathered wings and took to the dark sky to take a closer look at this possible adversary.Only the last remaining legend could stand against him.One of the original three, two of whom had chosen to fall rather than live as slaves to a creator they never saw.
Blood red hair and wings like a feathered rainbow.He snarled and dove before the other saw him.Damnation!Why did it have to be Raphael?The one archangel he would never again face, not through fear but because he still loved him.
He landed on a roof and watched as Raphael flew down to a particular house in Brooklyn.A slender young mortal opened the door and smiled at his visitor.Then the two were in each others arms and kissing before they disappeared into the house.
Samael’s hands clenched into fists as the pain ate at him; pain that only millions of years of love followed by ten thousand years of separation could cause.The mortal didn’t bother him.He’d watched Raphael from afar for long enough to know that he sought his forgetfulness in the bodies of pretty mortals.
“Whore,” he muttered and turned away to find another figure on the roof gazing at him from amused forest green eyes.“What the fuck do you want, Beliel?”
“I just had the feeling that you might be up for some real mischief tonight and I’m bored.”
“Your emotions don’t concern me.”
“No, but the Son of the Morning hearing about your good deed towards the pretty mortal in your apartment might.”Beliel was openly grinning at him as he spoke.
He glared at the other fallen one.“Don’t try to blackmail me if you know what’s good for you.”
“Then let’s go and have some fun!Hell knows you’re gloomy enough tonight!”
Resisting the urge to swat the demon like the bug he was, Samael contented himself with glowering at him.“I warn you now, I’m in the mood to kill and keep on killing.”
“Perfect!Shall we get started then?”Beliel was completely unrepentant.
He shook his head and sighed.“Okay, I know I’m going to regret this but what do you have in mind?”
Beliel skittered about the roof in excitement his pale green hair flowing and his wings also the green of all growing things fluttered.Everything about him was shades of that color, even his skin.“Oh, now you’re talking!I think a little mayhem throughout the city should suit.”
He shot Beliel a look of deep suspicion before thinking more carefully about his words.Then he smiled as an idea occurred.Opening his senses he took command of the hurricane approaching the eastern seaboard and changed its direction whilst both strengthening it and speeding it up.
Seeing Raphael had hurt him badly so he would use his beloved’s element to wreak havoc on the city and kill several of its inhabitants.
“You might want to get off this roof,” he warned Beliel.
His companion’s green eyes widened.“Oh!What have you done?”
“Look at the sky.”
Beliel looked up where the swirling cloud formation of an approaching hurricane had appeared.He cackled in delight and resumed his skittering little dance.“Oh yes!Perfect!Samael, I love your work!”
“Well sit back and admire if it suits you.I’m going home.”
“Are you going to fuck the pretty mortal?”
He turned narrowed eyes on Beliel who had the intelligence to back off a few paces.“Mind your own damned business!If you want to ride this storm on a mortal’s carcass, find your own plaything!”
Beliel attempted to look contrite and failed miserably, managing only disappointment.“Just because I like to watch,” he muttered.“And with the little one on a drug come down he’ll be in even more pain.”He was wheedling now.
“Have your fun watching the mortals suffer through this storm.I promise you there will be anguish enough to sate even your appetites.”Beliel’s time away from Heaven and the company of the earth angel, Uriel, had made him as perverse and twisted as an old tree root.
Having had more than enough of the little green demon he spread his wings and headed for his apartment.He stopped in the main foyer only long enough to warn Jackson to batten down the hatches before stepping into the elevator.
Once in the sitting room he flicked a switch that closed storm shutters on all the windows before staring at the door to Daniel’s bedroom.A strangled moan from behind the door decided him and he strode towards it as the wind began to howl around the building.
The second book in the Series - Fall from Grace is now Available from Shadowfire Press Again Kat Haeske has done a wonderful job on the cover. Isn't Raphael just gorgeous?
What's an Angel to do when Lucifer takes an interest in you?
Desperately unhappy about Samael’s involvement with Daniel, Raphael
starts drinking heavily.An unexpected visit from Michael leads to Lucifer
taking an interest in him and from there things get steadily worse.
An excerpt to whet your appetite:-
Raphael stared at the Son of the Morning in consternation.“You want to sleep with me?Why, for crying out loud?”
Lucifer’s smile widened becoming a sly grin.“I could give you all the usual crap about your being beautiful and desirable but I won’t.You’re intelligent enough to take the truth.”
Truth?This does not bode well at all.“And the truth is?”
“I want to hurt you, Raphael.I want to make you pay for what you did to Samael, and for what Nathaniel did to me.And, judging by the drinking and desire to be banished, you want to be hurt.”
He stared into cold eyes wondering if Lucifer was right.Raphael was nobody’s fool and he knew that the blond could make him feel a world of pain in one short night.It was not an easy option to take.“And if I refuse?”
Lucifer’s grin grew.“Then you will do exactly as I tell you with regard to human affairs and my first demand will be no more healing.”
He frowned at that.It was like telling a mortal that they wouldn’t be allowed to breathe.“You’re not leaving me with any choice at all, are you?”
One of Lucifer’s blond brows shot up.“Well you do have a lot to pay for so no, I’m not.”
Raphael climbed off the couch and started pacing the room.“Am I allowed any conditions?”
Lucifer chuckled.“Nice try, Raph, but no.”
He came to a halt in front of the chair Lucifer was perched on.“So you want to hurt Samael too?There’s no way he won’t know.”
Lucifer gazed back up at him, his expression impassive.“I want Samael to know.”
He blinked at the words so calmly said, not entirely sure he’d even heard them correctly.“Have you lost it completely?”
“No.”
Raphael sat back down, too stunned by the enormity of those few words to do more than stare at Lucifer in speechless bewilderment.If Samael got pissed enough about this he was perfectly capable of destroying the whole damned planet not to mention the solar system and a few of the closer stars as well.Then again, why should he get pissed?He had a new love now and wouldn’t give a damn what an old lover was doing.
The third book in the Fallen Angels series is available from Shadowfire Press again with wonderful cover art and things start getting hot and heavy!
Three is the big number in Samael’s world.
Since Metatron rose against the Fallen, there is the possibility of three way war between Heaven, the Fallen and the demons of the Pit.
Then there’s the love triangle between Lucifer, Raphael and himself.
And now Raphael is in his home at Daniel’s request and Samael doesn’t know what he should do about it.
An excerpt for you:
Samael wanted some answers and he wanted them now.He stopped pacing to lean over Daniel.“Why did you want me to bring Raph here?”
A frown of concentration appeared on the mortal’s face as he thought about the question.“I’m really not sure, other than it seemed the right thing to say at the time.”
Samael turned his head to stare at Raphael.“Why didn’t you go to wherever home currently is or with Lucifer?”
“You told me I was coming here and for some strange reason it didn’t occur to me to argue,” Raphael said, appearing confused over that fact.
“Normally under such circumstances, you would have argued for going anywhere but here,” Samael said.
Raphael nodded, deep in thought.
Samael tried it another way, a sneaking suspicion forming in his mind.“If I told Raph to leave right now, what would you do, say, or feel, Daniel.”
Daniel had no hesitation in saying, “I’d argue for him to stay.I like him and I’d feel, I don’t know, empty maybe, if he left.”
Raphael leaned forward, frowning.“Those are strong emotions for someone you’ve only just met.”He sighed in resignation.“No doubt about it, Sam, we’re being manipulated to get along together.”
Samael glanced from one redhead to the other, wondering how he’d got into this particular mess.“I could happily throttle Lucifer,” he remarked.
“It makes sense for all of us to get on if there’s likely to be a war,” Raphael said.
“Yes, that’s as may be, but why does Daniel have to be involved in this mess?”Any one of the angels, Fallen or Heavenly, could hurt the mortal badly, kill him even, and he wasn’t sure if some of the Heavenly Angels would stop short of doing just that.
“The obvious answer is because he lives with you.”Raphael was calm, unemotional, and it bothered Samael on levels that he’d rather not investigate.Manipulation accounted for some of what was happening but not all of it.
Damn it!Raphael should show some jealousy!
Daniel spoke up.“That’s just it.I live with Samael but I’m drawn to Raphael too.That can’t be to do with any war.”
Samael shook his head and grimaced.“It’s not.That’s Lucifer making sure that Raphael and I don’t fight with each other.The easiest way for him to do that is to make you care about Raphael.”
“And vice versa,” Raphael added before chuckling.“And poor Sam is sitting there wondering what he should do about it.”
Samael glowered at the Air Angel.“Very funny!”
Daniel drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair.“For such powerful beings you two can be so obtuse.”
Samael turned his glower on Daniel instead.“What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded.His temper wasn’t helped by the fact that Raphael had chuckled at Daniel’s remark.
Daniel merely shrugged.“I don’t think anyone is manipulating any of us,” he said.“There is nothing about Raphael that’s not to like.He’s beautiful, intelligent, sexy, need I go on?”
Samael knew all that about Raphael, and more, but the fact that it was his lover saying it made him narrow his eyes at Daniel.
“And I have to admit you have excellent taste when it comes to mortals, Sam,” Raphael added, which made Daniel blush.
Samael’s glare deepened and he lit a cigarette.“So maybe I’m the one who should leave.”
Both redheads turned to stare at him.“Why should you leave?” Daniel asked.
“Oh I don’t know, maybe so you two can get to know each other more intimately!”Samael jumped to his feet and started to pace as he smoked and tried to calm down.He wasn’t sure which was worse, his anger or his jealousy.
Raphael sighed and stood up.“I think it’s time I left, Daniel.Thank you for the bed and the breakfast, and thank you, Sam, for the clothes.”
Samael spun round.“Sit down, Raph!Strange as it may seem that wasn’t intended as an insult.”He ran a hand through his hair not sure how to go on.
Raphael sat down again and stared at him, eyes wide.“Sam?”
“You honestly think I’m going to let you walk out again after ten millennia?Think again, Raph!”A choking sound from Daniel made him spin round to find the mortal trying hard not to laugh and failing.“Is something amusing you, Daniel?”
Daniel pulled himself together with an obvious effort.“I was just wondering if the bed would be big enough for the three of us.”
All the anger seeped out of Samael like air out of a balloon.He found he needed to sit down again rather hurriedly as he thought about being with the angel he’d found again and the mortal he loved.
“I think we can manage,” Raphael was saying.“Samael is known for liking large beds.”
Samael found that he needed to be sure.“You both want this?”
Daniel answered by jumping out of his chair and wrapped his arms round Samael’s neck.“I do if you’re both sure I should stick around.”
Samael wrapped his arms round Daniel but his gaze was on Raphael.Something wound tight in him seemed to relax as Raphael met his gaze and nodded a small and hesitant smile playing round his lips.“Yes, Sam, I do.”
The fourth book in the series centres on Lucifer and his loneliness without his own lost love. Kat has given us a strong, powerful image and all is available from Shadowfire Press.
Lucifer, as leader of the Fallen, is a very busy angel but when two old lovers turn up in the same night things could just get out of hand!
But which of them can he trust?
An excerpt to whet your appetite:
The look of joy on Andriel’s tear-streaked face was enough to finally convince Lucifer that he’d made the right decision.He shook his head as he thought about how they’d all hurt themselves so badly; Samael, Raphael and now Andriel.
We’re such colossal fools.
He crouched down by Andriel again holding his gaze with his own.“And having found you again, you think I’m going to let you go?”
Andriel’s head bowed again.“I deserve only your contempt, My Lord.”
Lucifer forced Andriel’s head up by the chin.“No, you had no choice.My contempt is all for Metatron and Nathaniel.”
There it was in Andriel’s eyes, that same spark of hope after eons of despair.He opened his mouth but no words were forthcoming.Smiling Lucifer kissed that open and inviting mouth.The taste and feel was the same and Lucifer groaned deep in his throat.
I’ve found you again, my Troilus.
Andriel clung to him like a burr and returned the kiss, at first hesitantly then more confidently as he relaxed in Lucifer’s arms.
Lucifer pulled away after some while and smiled at his long lost love.“How much do you remember, Andriel?”
“Everything, My Lord.”
“Then you remember what pleased me?”
Much to Lucifer’s delight, Andriel flushed bright red.“Oh yes, My Lord.”
Lucifer rose to his feet and sat in his favourite armchair.He pulled aside the skirts of his coat and unzipped his pants.“Prove it.”
The fifth book, Lords of Deception, concentrates on two of the Heavenly Angels and their view of what is happening. As always it is available from Shadowfire Press.
Who are the Lords of Deception?Satan?Metatron?Nathaniel?Or are all strings being pulled by the demon lord Arioch?Meanwhile, Michael and Gabriel make a few big decisions and Daniel gets annoyed with his lovers.
Your excerpt:
Michael was still distraught when he and Gabriel returned to the Heavenly plane.He had been so blind, so easily manipulated by both Heaven in the form of Metatron and seemingly by the denizens of the Pit also.He strode towards his quarters, intending to lock himself away for a while and to think without interruption or influence.Unfortunately for this plan, Gabriel had other ideas.
“It’s no use hiding away and brooding, Michael,” he said as he tried to keep up with his tall lover.“We don’t have the time for that.I need to find out if Sandalphon actually met with Samael and we need to make some decisions on what we should do if Metatron decides to go to war with Lucifer.”
Michael stopped to stare down at his tiny love.“If it hadn’t been for my stupidity we wouldn’t have to make any decisions at all.”
Gabriel placed both hands on his hips and stamped his foot.“Don’t be ridiculous, of course we would.The only difference would be that our brothers would have been amongst the Fallen from the start.”
Michael stared down at the pretty Water Archangel a frown on his face.“Why did they leave Heaven, Gabriel?Was it something that I said or did?”
Gabriel stood on tiptoe and pulled Michael’s head down for a kiss.“Stoopid,” he said endearingly.“Metatron pretending he was in charge was why they left.Uriel built Hades to be closer to Beliel without breaking his word to you.And Raphael…”
“Raphael should have gone with them.I know that much, I know what Samael’s pain and anger made him do.”
Gabriel glanced around.The long colonnaded walk was empty but he still raised his fingers to Michael’s lips.“Not here.Let’s get to our quarters first.”
Michael nodded and took one of Gabriel’s hands in his as they continued on their way.He wasn’t convinced that he’d done the right thing by his brothers, even with Gabriel’s soothing words and the fact that Raphael and Uriel were still speaking to him at all.His tiny lover was brighter than he was, though, and had probably worked out their next moves already.
They reached the quarters they shared, an airy space open to a lovely garden with a tinkling fountain at its centre.There was a bed and some billowing silk dividers hanging from the lofty ceiling, a dresser and closet for their clothes and that was it.They ate and sat in the garden.
Gabriel led him to the bed rather than the garden and Michael sat down on the edge of it and drew Gabriel close until the smaller angel was resting against Michael’s inner thigh.
Michael gazed at his lover, wanting to talk about their problems but also wanting to make love to the adorable Water Archangel.
Gabriel smiled back at him.“Later,” he promised.“I want you to think about something first.”
Michael sighed mournfully.The last thing he wanted to do right now was to think.It was thinking that had got them into this mess in the first place.But he knew Gabriel well enough to know there was no point in trying to start anything until his lover had said what he wanted to say.“I’m listening.”
Gabriel’s smile widened.“Consider this.If Uriel and Raphael had gone with the Fallen ten millennia ago we would never have discovered the lies that we’ve been told.We would have believed them all to be demons and would have fought them without question.Although the way it happened was more painful for our brothers, it was for the best in the long run.”
Michael thought about that for a few minutes.“So you think I did the right thing when I persuaded them to stay?”
Gabriel nodded.“Yes.I’ll go further than that.I believe none of us had any real choice in our actions at that time.”
The sixth book shows the inevitability of war between the Fallen Angels, Heaven and the demons. It is available from Shadowfire Pressand the cover shows Uriel and Beliel.
Who is betraying whom and why?
Andriel has settled in with Lucifer much to the Morningstar’s joy.Samael tries to persuade Sandalphon to talk some sense into his twin brother Metatron while Ariel tells Lucifer what has been happening in Heaven and Nathaniel has a little chat with Satan.
Here is your excerpt:
Lucifer decided he wanted some relief from his morbid and pointless thoughts and lifted Andriel’s head so he could kiss him.
Sleepy dark eyes flickered open and the Cherubim smiled at him.“Good morning, My Lord.”
“Good morning, sleepy head.Did you rest well?” Lucifer asked as he pulled Andriel even closer.
The Cherubim blushed.“Very well indeed, My Lord, it felt good to sleep in your arms once again.”
Lucifer chuckled and kissed Andriel, using all his skill and passion in the meeting of mouths.Andriel clung to him and returned the kiss, opening his mouth in welcome.The kiss became more and more heated until both of them pulled away gasping.
Lucifer held Andriel, pleased to feel hardness against his thigh.“I keep on wanting you,” he said.“Do you want me as much?”
Andriel grabbed Lucifer’s hand and guided it to his erection.“Does that answer your question, My Lord?”
“Yes, I think it probably does,” Lucifer said with a grin as he fondled the hard flesh.
Andriel moaned softly and arched into his touch.“My Lord, it feels so good.”
Lucifer bent over Andriel and caressed his wing ridges with his free hand, loving all the little gasps and moans he was wringing from the cherubim.He might have lost Nathaniel forever but he could grow to love Andriel almost as much given time.
The seventh book in the series, Conflict, deals with the war and its consequences. I think this might be my favourite cover of them all with Samael in full battle mode. Hot or what? As ever it is available from Shadowfire Press.
War breaks out between the angels.
War is imminent but can Satan talk sense to Nathaniel?Samael and Raphael are given a gift by Daniel who then gets kidnapped by the Demon Lord Arioch.Can his lovers reach him in time?And who will win the war?
An excerpt for you:
Daniel smiled as the door to their bedroom closed behind the two angels.He finished his lunch, smoked a cigarette and pondered doing the dishes first or playing on the computer.
He hadn’t quite decided on his course of action when Beliel appeared in the roof garden looking extremely agitated.Daniel frowned.Had the green Archangel brought a message from Lucifer?I guess I’d better let him in and find out.
He stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray and stood up to slide open the patio door.
No sooner was the door opened than Beliel had grabbed him round the waist.No, this isn’t Beliel!Beliel would never do this!As Daniel struggled ‘Beliel’ turned into something else: a large, red-skinned demon with black, leathery wings.
He fought hard to free himself but the demon was incredibly strong and merely laughed at his efforts.Desperate, Daniel leant back in the demon’s grasp until he could reach one of the ornamental rocks scattered around the roof garden.He grabbed it and bashed the demon across the side of the face, opening up a gash that bled profusely but didn’t stop the demon from snarling and disarming him.
Black, his blood is black.But what does he want with me?
Leathery wings beat powerfully and Daniel was being carried away from his home, away from Samael and Raphael.“Let go of me, you prick!”
The demon laughed at his struggles.“I don’t think so.You are too useful a tool.”He snarled at Daniel, causing the mortal to almost wet himself in his fear.“You really think I want one of the Three battling my armies?No, stupid human, I want your lovers to be too upset to fight.”
Even now Daniel couldn’t resist asking a question.“Who are you?”
The demon chuckled, an evil sound that made every hair on Daniel’s body stand on end.“I am Arioch, Lord over all demons and Master of the Pit.”
They flew away from the nebulous safety of Samael’s apartment, Daniel still struggling hard until they entered a realm that Daniel observed with interest despite his fear.It consisted of a seemingly endless flat plain and in the far distance there was an opening that reminded Daniel of the entry to a pothole.
The demon headed towards the entrance and landed on the ground just outside it.He strode down a seemingly endless passage, lit at various intervals by flaring torches.Daniel could hear and see demons in every opening they passed and knew there was no way for him to get out or anyone to get in.Finally they came to a halt outside a heavy steel door which the demon unlocked and shoved Daniel through.
Daniel stared around him in horror.The torch lit cavern was obviously a mix of prison and medieval torture chamber.In one dark corner there was a cage while the rest of the place was filled with an assortment of chains, manacles, hooks and various large implements of torture that Daniel had no name for.
Arioch gave him a grin and one of his chilling, evil laughs.“Welcome little mortal.I doubt you’ll survive my hospitality for long but that doesn’t really matter.”
Daniel struggled as he was grabbed and his wrists placed in manacles above his head.His ankles were then secured and Arioch began cutting the clothing away from his body.
Nobody can save me this time, even Samael can’t get past all those demons and besides, he has no idea where I’ve been taken.I really am going to die this time.Samael, Raphael, I’m so sorry.I love you both.
Daniel’s world shattered into agony.
Yes, yes, I know I'm evil! So on to book eight, Lucifer Rising, the last in the series. As ever it's available from Shadowfire Press
New challenges after the battle.
The battle is over but Lucifer still has problems to deal with.What should he do about Metatron?Can he save Daniel?What should happen to Satan and Asmodeus?
And what on earth is he going to do with Nathaniel?
This excerpt might just answer one of those questions:
Nathaniel sighed and kissed his lover to keep him quiet for a moment or two.When they broke apart he smiled.“Satan and Asmodeus were stronger than you gave them credit for.To spend all that time with Arioch and still see the truth in the end takes strength.As for Metatron, nothing changed him.He always was more demon than angel.”
Lucifer smiled once more, much to Nathaniel’s joy.“I’ve missed your wisdom and insights, Nathan.Please don’t leave me on my own to cope with what’s happened.”
Nathaniel hugged the Morningstar close, still surprised by them wanting each other even after all that had come between them.“I won’t,” he whispered.Being back with his love was making him realise he would never be able to find the strength to leave him again.
Lucifer stared at him.“You promise?”
Nathaniel actually laughed for the first time in centuries.“I promise not to leave you ever again as long as you promise not to touch another angel.”
Lucifer smiled wryly.“When you’re here, I don’t need any other angels.”
Nathaniel reached out a hand and grabbed one of Lucifer’s, placing it on his throbbing erection.“Then stop talking and do something about that.”
And there we come to the end of the series. I'm going to miss the characters but, as they're immortals, they might just turn up again. Thank you for staying with me this far and I hope you enjoyed the excerpts and cover art.
