Author Archives: CC

CC

About CC

A finalist in numerous writing contests, C.C. has had his work appear in such collections as Brief Encounters, Frat Boys, Best Gay Romance 2012 and 2013, Wild Boys, Steam Bath and also the forthcoming Big Man on Campus, all available from Cleis Press; The Love That Never Dies: Affairs with the Undead, available from Renaissance eBooks - Sizzler Editions; as well as Lust in Time: Erotic Romance through the Ages from MLR Press, described by one reviewer as "the best anthology ever."

Seductive Studs – 14 September 2013

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 Greetings, all!

Welcome to the weekend and time for some Seductive Studs! We are returning to The Greek Room, so if you need a refresher, click here.

Evans’ native pragmatism reasserted itself; he would soldier on. That dream was not the only diversion he had.

Composed again, Evans walked to the shelves and pressed a small switch, hidden within the detailed carvings. He pulled open the section of bookcase and entered the steep, narrow staircase that descended into the depths of the manor. Upon reaching the bottom, he found another switch, flooding the space with glaring white light. Evans smiled at one of his new technological toys. He’d be damned if Lord Armstrong’s was going to be the only estate in Northumberland to have electricity.

Greek pottery

Greek pottery

Lovingly he ran his fingers across the array of items displayed throughout the room. Statuettes of ancient athletes and shunga netsuke of muscular Samurai stood alongside naked male figures from Egypt, Babylon, China, all carved of ivory and whalebone and jade. Paintings and sketches showed a variety of scenes, some from de Sade’s The 120 Days of Sodom. Framed papyri depicted every conceivable penetration of a male body by another, some singularly, others in groups. Frequently he imagined Agamemnon and himself populating those drawings. The earl’s hand strayed to his crotch and caressed a nascent erection.

Evans crossed the room to a heavy door, taking a key out of his waistcoat. From the room beyond he retrieved a large, flat envelope. London requires replenishment. He patted the envelope, recalling his pleasure at its contents. They will particularly enjoy these.

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out more Studs here.

‘Til next time!

Seductive Studs – 07 September 2013

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Greetings, all!

The weekend is here, and it’s time for some Seductive Studs! We’re returning to The Greek Room, so if you would like a refresher, click here.

Robert Evans, Earl of Corbridge, stared at the doors, long after they had closed behind Christos. He marveled that the young Greek émigré had walked out of the green fields and beech copses of Northumberland and into his home. Blond and olive-skinned, the young man was clearly his father’s son; he even had Agamemnon’s emerald eyes in that face worthy of Adonis. It was as if his dreams had been made real.

Grief welled in his breast. The thought of Agamemnon weak and ill seared him. He had always treasured the thought of returning to Greece—to Agamemnon—as a palliative against the numbing boredom of his familial duty. Heartache choked him, and he sank into nostalgia.

Spartan swordsman

Spartan swordsman

Memories of his Greek lover rose before him—images of him and Agamemnon entangled beneath the bleached-white canvas of an impromptu lean-to. The heat and lust drawing from their pores a cloud of musk and tangy man-sweat while kestrels screamed in the air above them. The hard flat plains of Agamemnon’s chest and belly heaving beneath him as he rode the Greek’s hard cock. All came back, as fresh and vibrant as if it had happened yesterday, and Robert lived in them for a while.

But now that escape was gone.

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out the other Studs here.

‘Til next time!

Hump Day Hook – 04 September 2013

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Hump Day Hook

Greetings, all! It’s time for some Hump Day Hooking!

I am continuing with Subeo. If you need to catch up, click here.

Liam was… for the circumstances… strangely peaceful.

That stinking, gelatinous crap must have some sedative quality.

Surprisingly, it had had no taste. On the other hand his tongue felt as if some snail were wandering about his mouth, leaving a trail behind. He really wanted some water.

How long he had waited in his cell, he didn’t know. He had been surprised at the grinding as the door opened to admit two fellows in black robes. How cliché, he’d thought and may have giggled at them. Like everyone else he’d interacted with, they weren’t open to humor.

FreeTattoDesigns.org

FreeTattoDesigns.org

They’d lifted him beneath his arms and carried him out into the dimly lit corridor. He struggled to walk—his legs seeming to have lost several degrees of function—but gave up, letting the goons drag him along. Another door opened, ringing metallically against the wall, and he was hauled into a large space, lit—appropriately, he snickered—by torches.

He sobered though when he saw the figure bound and chained in the center of the room. The naked man was Keith—he would recognize that Celtic tattoo anywhere.

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out more hooks here.

‘Til next time!

Seductive Studs – 31 August 2013

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Greetings, all!

It’s time for some Seductive Studs! This weekend, in honor of Labor Day here in the States, I’ve chosen a clip from my mini-collection, Working Trade. This is from The Eye of the Beholder:

Carlo took up a pencil and began to make a hurried outline of Fabrizio on the paper. I was amazed at how quickly the lines came together and the shape of the man emerged. After only a few moments, a rough image of Fabrizio had begun to form beneath Carlo’s skilled fingers.

“His body is exquisite,” Carlo whispered to me. “Look at how smoothly the lines flow together in his arms, at how the muscles at his waist stand out. It’s as if he is at his forge right now, a piece of iron before him waiting to be struck.”

Blacksmith-at-His-Forge

Blacksmith at His Forge | Le Nain Brothers

I looked at Fabrizio standing silently in the warm amber of the studio lights and pictured him in his shop surrounded by the smoke from the fires, translucent swirls of heat rising around his sunburned face. I imagined a thin bead of sweat running down his cheek and slipping along the muscles of his neck until it reached the hollow of his throat. I saw the muscles of his legs tensing and releasing as his hammer struck the glowing iron, sending showers of sparks into the air.

“Go to him,” Carlo said quietly. “Discover what it is that draws you to him.”

Thanks for stopping!

Be sure to check out the other Seductive Studs & Sirens here.

‘Til next time!

Hump Day Hook – 28 August 2013

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Hump Day Hook

 Greetings, all!

I have been in absentia lately—much to my chagrin! Lots going on…

For this week it’s back to Subeo. If you need to catch up, click here.

The leather sighed as he lay down, fitting his shoulders and hips to its worn impressions. Two of the servitors—he didn’t recognize them beneath their black hoods—gripped his hands, wrapping his wrists with the sturdy hempen cord. Exchanging lengths, they secured his arms beneath the bench.

BoundHandsA calm, peaceful sensation flowed over him when the rope drew tight. Immobilized atop the heavy wooden bench, he felt free—free from doubt, free from worry, free to be—simply to exist in time. That had been the revelation of his initiation—the quiet his mind had found when he had acted and given up that anxiety and indecision.

The servitors moved to secure his legs. Cuffs suspended from chains held them aloft, revealing him, opening him to the ritual. A flicker of concern passed through him.

Had Liam made the right choice? Would he brave new knowledge, or would he settle for soft security?

A door clanged. Keith glimpsed a mop of golden curls as a mask shuttered his vision.

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Be sure to check out more Hooks here.

‘Til next time!

Seductive Studs – 24 August 2013

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Greetings, everyone!

Time for some Studs! It’s back to The Greek Room, so if you need to catch up, click here.

Christos paused to admire the lanky servant, whose fine black hair dusted smooth planes of wiry muscle, before crawling across the bed and molding his body along James’. Retaking James’ lips, his tongue coaxed its way between James’ teeth and the Englishman’s teased back. While their mouths sparred, hands glided, stroking and touching, and hips bucked with dueling cocks.

Yes_they_are__by_DravenSeb

Yes_they_are | DravenSeb | deviantart.com

“You are quite thrilling—attractive as well.”

James pulled away to look up at him. “Chris! You gotta not sound so posh.”

“What do you mean?” Christos’ brows drew together.

James rolled his eyes. “’What do you mean?’” he mimicked Christos’ rounded tones. “You sound like some toff!”

“What is a ‘toff’?” He stroked a lock of hair off James’ brow.

“A toff is an upper class fancy pants.” James nipped at his hand, catching his index finger between sharp teeth, and sucked on its tip.

Christos trailed the spit-slicked finger over James’ chest. “You sounded… posh… when you answered the door.” He circled a hairy nipple, and the little nub pushed against his hand.

James’ hands coasted over his back, leaving cool fire in their wake. “That’s jus’ for appearances!”

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Be sure to check out more Studs here.

‘Til next time!

Hump Day Hook – 21 August 2013

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Hump Day Hook

Greetings, all!

It’s been kinda crazy lately, but I thought that I’d drop in and hump a little today! We’re rejoining Subeo, so if you need to catch up or have a refresher, click here.

Keith fingered the thin copper chain that encircled his waist.

His initial anxiety had calmed somewhat—his heart wasn’t beating in his throat anymore, although it still raced, railing against his chest. He’d managed to speak to Liam for a moment. Whether he would pay attention or not remained to be seen.

Can’t really blame him if he doesn’t trust me.

When the Praecept had told him of Liam’s nomination, Keith had been thrilled. It was becoming more and more difficult to hide his attraction to the lively sophomore. Liam did nothing to disguise his own interest in Keith, who was firmly against any sort of fraternization with undergrads—particularly hot, young blondes who sat in the front row of his Clinical Psychology section.

beautiful-ropes

But to have Liam as an initiate was another matter…

Keith inhaled deeply, attempting to calm his riotous thoughts. He’d drawn the saxum—the white disc that placed him at the center of tonight’s ritual—so his quietude was essential. With another centering breath, he doffed his robe and shivered slightly as the cool air coasted across his skin. He took his place on the bench, lay back, and gave himself to the embrace of the rope.

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out more hooks here.

‘Til next time!

Seductive Studs – 10 August 2013

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Greetings, all! Saturday has come again and it’s time for some Seductive Studs!

We are returning once more to The Greek Room. If you’re new or would like a refresher, click here.

Christos’ thoughts spun. Never had anyone approached him so brashly. He was adept at the dance of secret glances and small gestures that was the way of the tavernas; but to have a man—particularly one as handsome as James—offer sex directly sent him into a spiral. Fear and surprise struggled with a desire that had smoldered since he entered the manor house.

Lust won.

Two young men kissing

“Kiss” by BLOoDyPaRaDiZe | deviantart.com

Gripping James by the neck, Christos captured those full lips and drove the Englishman backwards to the bed. Before he had even rumpled the counterpane, James had undone his tie, ripped open his shirt and was pushing Christos’ coat off his shoulders. The Greek youth released his companion just long enough to fling the jacket away and scramble out of his own clothing. James used the respite to shrug out of his braces and kick his trousers aside before lying back on his elbows and massaging his rising erection. “Oi, mate! You’re bloody fuckin’ gorgeous.”

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out more Studs and Sirens here.

‘Til next time!

Guest Blog: In Blue Poppy Fields

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Today I’ve turned the blog over to Ciaran Dwynvil, who’s making the rounds promoting his newest release, In Blue Poppy Fields. Take it away, Ciaran…

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“Let a real life dominant tell you an electrifying story of dominance & submission.”

Thank you for having me as your guest, CC. I’m really excited to be here today to share In Blue Poppy Fields Parts 1&2 with you and your readers. But first a little bit of housekeeping: everything in this blog post is intended for adult readers only. If anybody younger than eighteen stumbled upon the article by chance – please don’t read further.

For the rest of us, let’s go ahead.

inbluepoppyfieldsfinal200X300In Blue Poppy Fields: This irresistible gay erotic paranormal fantasy belongs to Guardian Demon Series that will hold you prisoner to unforgettable stories of life, love and lust set amid a fascinating fantasy world. That’s what you can read in the books’ description. But… where will I really take you?

Taste it:

The dance was both heaven and hell. Promising pleasure and denying the immediate satiation of lust. Giving a little that was never enough. Again and again they stamped, again and again they swirled around, again and again their palms and orbs met in need, again and again their fingers avid for pleasure groped and stroked firm flesh. Until he almost couldn’t bear the fever of this night longer.

And then, just in his mind, he heard a husky and rich, though slightly breathless: “Choose two of them.” Hunt and Trickery and Blood. Now. Craving pulsed in his every nerve when his eyes roved over the circle. A young red-haired stud with bare chest caught his attention. And then a youth with long golden locks. Their color in the light of fires was like molten gold, and his slender body promised cat-like litheness.

Dancing closer to the one whose mane was on fire like the sky at sunset, he saw in the corner of his eye Belial approaching the other one. Their hands reached out almost at the same moment and dragged the prey onto the dance floor. And the crowd roared its throat hoarse in shrieks and whoops. The nobility chose their mates for tonight. In the night of Bain all were equal. And all was possible under the sky where the full moon was making love to midnight clouds veiling it in tender embraces.inbluepoppyfieldspart2-200X300

The two young ones Adhemar had chosen were enraptured, enamored, aroused, and excited. Life radiated from them in strong, desirous waves. They were breathing, dancing, and longing. And their very desire was bringing them closer and closer to their deaths. They knew nothing of their fate. With young passion, they wanted to give themselves to the bewitching strangers. For tonight. He read it in their minds. In those impetuous heads that wouldn’t throb with hangover tomorrow.

Tomorrow their lifeless eyes would stare into the morning light. But they didn’t know and kept dancing closer and closer to their demise. Several times the four of them changed their partners in the dance of death. Reapers and harvests. Palms and eyes and short breath. Heads spinning and chests heaving with need. Loins heavy with want. Legs quivering with effort. Midnight shadows and fire reflections all around. Violins, bagpipes, and flutes raging in a wild crescendo.

***

As you sit there reading this, I know that you’re craving to embark on a journey to a marvelous place where you can let your soul soar and experience life, love and lust in their naked, raw form.

Well, you can put that desire to sleep for now… but wouldn’t you really rather take my hand and make a leap into a story that will overwhelm all your senses?

I must warn you though, our world is not for the fainthearted. First fear grabs you in its ironclad fist. You can barely breathe. It hurts as you pull your inhales in and push your exhales out. Your wide-open eyes smart, you writhe in physical agony as you feel every sensation together with my men. You’re dying to avoid the pain… but you’re not a coward. Your pride kicks in and helps you through the bleakest hours, through the moments when all hope seems to be lost. Then relief floods you as you narrowly escape death. Exhilaration fills your every nerve as tremors of adrenaline rush rake your body from head to toes. In this very second you love life more than anything. You clutch it, you cling to it, so that nobody can pry it away from you. You want to live… and you feel it in your guts, in your chest, in your throat. You smell it in the autumn mist, you taste it in deep and hungry kisses, you hear it in your own heartbeat, you see it in the desire-filled eyes of your companion. You feel it under your fingertips as you touch his body. And you shudder with the need as you realize what his look demands. No, you are no longer reading the tale, you are living it. Passionately.

Would you like it?

Have you answered my question?

I truly hope you did. But if you’re scared by dominance & submission, stop reading here. These books aren’t for you. Otherwise – let me take you on a mesmerizing ride you will never forget:

A victim to another man’s cruelty, talented and beautiful theater actor Adhemar Lebeau learned not to trust and not to love anybody but himself. Falsely accused of his master’s murder, he has to accept assistance of mysterious Count Sanyi Arany to later discover his savior is a vampire. Forced both by a fatal illness and aftershocks of torture experienced during his unjust imprisonment, Adhemar agrees to the only possible cure. Rebirth.

Healed in body but not in mind, he guards his independence, free will and heart. He is not able to give love, only the fulfillment of lust. Yet, satiation of sensuous longing is not enough for his Sire and he knows it. When an eerie malady strikes and seems to deplete Sanyi’s life energy for unknown reasons, Adhemar understands his fears and agrees to keep a street boy, Reyach, as a pet for both of them in hope it will soothe the unspoken worries.

Out of necessity he finds himself in the role of the only hunter in their company, and out of attachment he accepts the responsibility readily. Indulgence in blood and carnal pleasures fill his nights and vampiric powers give him the feeling of safety. Until the evening when he carelessly falls prey to High Demon Belial’s plays that quickly turn into more than either of them has bargained for.

In spite of a hard start, Adhemar feels burning urge deep in his heart and no matter how much he denies it, the cause of the strange sensation is a budding seed of affection brought to life by the insufferable demon. But letting Adhemar learn to love somebody other than him is not what seemingly innocent Reyach plans.

Own both books now. For less than the price of a movie ticket you will gain hours of excitement and reading pleasure. And the more you’ll read, the more you’ll crave. Do you need a proof?

From editorial reviews: “Another really imaginative and brilliantly written book. …I can’t wait to read more and see where Ciaran takes us next. Really looking forward to the next one.” Booksessed Bec, #39 top reviewer on Goodreads

Earlier on I asked you the question: “Wouldn’t you really rather take my hand and make a leap into a story that will overwhelm all your senses?” Since you’re still here with me, reading this, I’m going to assume you answered: “Yes.” Well, now that I’ve shown you what a ride packed with emotions I’ll treat you to – it’s time for you to act on this. See you soon – In Blue Poppy Fields.

Buy links:

Part 1 on Amazon USA  |  Part 2 on Amazon USA

Part 1 on Amazon UK  |  Part 2 on Amazon UK

Still lingering here? Not completely sure if the Guardian Demon series is the right companion for your reading pleasure? Well, you can dip a toe in our world for free. In the prequel to Guardian Demon books: Throne for the Idol, which has earned Compulsion Reads coveted endorsement.

thronefortheidolfinal200X300 (2)“The Compulsion Reads endorsement is all about discovering and highlighting the best indie books on the market and the talented authors behind them,” says Leslie Ramey, co-owner of Compulsion Reads. “When a reader sees the CR seal on a book’s cover, they know that they’re in for a good read. Throne for the Idol meets this standard, and Ciaran Dwynvil is definitely an author to keep an eye on.”

This tale will carry you to the monastery in Lindisfarena to witness dark, forbidden love between Brother Rikard and High Demon Semiazas, the First of the Fallen.

How can you lay your hands on this book? Sign up to my newsletter here. And I will send you a coupon for a free download.

It isn’t all: if you sign up now, you’ll be entered in a draw in the current giveaway I’m having for my newsletter subscribers. And because most of them have all the Guardian Demon books that have been published so far, this time I’m giving away three of my personal favorite gay fiction books:

Liquid Glass by Zathyn Priest

Blake Takes Some Heat by Thianna D

Afflicted by Brandon Shire

I’ll do the draw for this giveaway on the 10th of August and everybody who’s on my e-mail list on that day will have a chance to get one of these books, so hurry up and subscribe now not to miss it. I’ll contact the winners privately by e-mail and will share their first names in the next issue of the newsletter too, so please make sure you enter your valid e-mail address and your first name in the sign-up form.

Thanks for staying here with me until now. I must have really grabbed your attention. *grins* If you’d like to keep in touch, the best way really is through the newsletter subscription. Just imagine that tomorrow there are no social platforms. How can you still get news from me? Well, provided that at least e-mails work, you have your answer – through the newsletter. And you can always reach me on ciarandwynvil@yahoo.com

I also talk about my writing, Guardian Demon Series world, D/s & S/M on my blog. I would love it if you dropped by to say hello. True, I’m a dom. But quite a friendly one. I won’t bite you unless you absolutely want me to… aaand we better stop here before I get too carried away. *smirks* Thanks again for having me over today.

You’re welcome, Ciaran!

Thanks for stopping, and be sure to check out Ciaran and In Blue Poppy Fields!

‘Til next time!

What I’ve Been Reading

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I have been horrifically lax about doing reviews lately, so I thought that today I would catch you all up on some of what I’ve been reading. As some of you know, my range is pretty wide…

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1)A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delightful blend of historical research and paranormal romance.

I enjoyed the characters and there is a good deal of mystery and suspense thrown into the mix.

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

—

Bounty of Love (Love, #3)Bounty of Love by Scotty Cade

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Based upon reviews of this and other titles in the series, I was expecting more. However, one can hardly hold the reviews against the author.

Unfortunately, story-wise, I found it thin and disappointing.

The mystery element was predictable—at least for me—and that detracted since it occupied such a large portion of the story. I felt that the plot actually began in the wrong spot and would have been stronger had the opening chapter been Zander waking in the hospital.

As for the romance, I found certain elements to be almost jarring. After the build up of Zander’s familial/pre-marital bliss (which would have been better IMHO in flashback), his lack of grief was very odd. Although he did spend a great deal of time wondering if it was too soon to be with Jake, it didn’t seem to hold him back.

The progression of the relationship was also strange: after one meeting, they’re soon friends, then things go quickly to “I love you” from there.

And don’t even get me going on the ghost/wedding ring bit…

Although, I cannot strongly recommend this title, I am certainly willing to give Scotty Cade another try in the future.

—

The Rabelais Alliance (Hellgate,#1)The Rabelais Alliance by Mel Keegan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What is not to like about Mel Keegan?

I know that’s pretty fanboy of me—but Mel was one of the first gay authors I ever read (Death’s Head and Fortunes of War) where you didn’t want to go out and kill yourself after reading their story. So I’m biased…

And yet here again, Mel presents an intriguing sci/fi story with well-drawn gay characters that develop a strong, loving relationship that supports and influences their actions. It’s all about their relationship without being all about their relationship. Curious, no?

With a diverse cast of humans and aliens, The Rabelais Alliance, as well as the Hellgate series, places the human colonies of the Deep Sky square in the sights of a dangerous and mysterious alien race…

As with any of Mel’s stories, highly recommended…

—

Wizard for Hire (The Dresden Files Omnibus, #1-3)Wizard for Hire by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Like a lot of people I’m sure, my introduction to Harry Dresden and, consequently, Jim Butcher, was the short-lived TV series, The Dresden Files. As Chicago’s only professional wizard, Harry was something one-of-a-kind.

Having finally gotten around to reading the books, I find that they are even more fun in the original. Sure, Harry has—at least for my taste—a way-over-developed sense of responsibility, but that makes him who he is. But, nonetheless, I enjoy wondering what is going to happen to him—and, equally, trying to figure out how he’s going to get out of the next life or death situation.

Light and quickly read, any of Harry’s adventures is a recommended read.

View all my reviews