QSFer Jambrea Jo Jones has a new fantasy out:
Valda Rollins hates dragons and now he’s stuck with one who won’t leave him alone. It was bad enough he was imprisoned for helping right a wrong, but the beast locked up with him won’t stop pestering him.
Flame is a simple dragon. All he wants is to help his kingdom and if he gets a mate along the way he’d be even happier. Flame’s sole purpose in life is to protect people and he does that by staying strong. He doesn’t understand why more people don’t want to be their best. So what if he works out a lot, at least he can help those who need him, maybe even someday he could be a kings guard–that was until he met Valda and his plans changed.
Flame knew the instant he saw Valda they were mates. Valda might have other ideas, but Flame will get his man.
Excerpt
Chapter One
Valda wanted out of the room he was imprisoned in. That dumb dragon had said he was keeping him and now here he was, missing the ocean in some stupid kingdom with too many dragons inhabiting it. He wanted his fucking ship and then things would change; it was going to happen real soon if he had his way. They couldn’t suppress his magic forever, no matter how much power his traitor of a cousin, Mykles, had.
And now he was worried about his damn cousin. Valda hadn’t seen him since they had both been popped into the dungeon with their aunt and uncle. It hadn’t taken long for Mykles to be escorted out, but he had to wait for a hearing. This is what he got for being loyal to family. He should have stayed at sea where everything was right with the world and he was in charge.
There was too much energy in his system because of the spell blocking his magic. Valda paced back and forth; he was so agitated and couldn’t sit down.
He should have known Mykles would set the dragon free. Didn’t his cousin understand how dangerous dragons were? They were monsters who killed with little thought to who might be hurt. He refused to let himself think back to a happier time. A time when he had both eyes and his husband was alive.
No matter that people said the dragons who attacked them were rogue, it didn’t make the species docile. They would kill first and ask questions later.
“One hundred and forty-nine, one hundred and fifty, one hundred and fifty-one, one hundred and–”
“Will you stop that infernal counting already!”
Valda was at his wits end. For some reason the dragon, Flame, had claimed him and refused to leave the cell until Valda was free. At least it gave him some reprieve from the past. Flame was nice to look at with his short red hair and big muscular body, but he was a dragon and there was no way Valda could forget that little fact. Valda began pacing the cell again. He wanted his damn ship. The walls were closing in on him and he couldn’t breathe.
“But I have to get my workout in. It’s important.” Flame looked down at Valda and winked.
“Why are you even still here?” Valda stopped in front of Flame and glared at him. His hands were on his hips and his booted foot was tapping the floor, impatient for an answer.
“You’re mine and where you go, I go.” The big goof shrugged and grinned before dropping down from the beam in the ceiling right into Valda’s space.
“Stop saying I’m yours! I am not yours. Now leave me.” Valda pushed Flame away.
“Nope. You’re mine and I’m yours. It’s fate. I saw you rushing out of the weird castle and I knew you were mine. A little voice told me so.” The shove didn’t deter Flame in the least.
It wouldn’t, the guy was massive. So much so he made Valda feel tiny and delicate. He hadn’t felt like that in a long time and the tug of desire was disconcerting.
“Great. You’re insane.” Valda threw his hands into the air.
Was this his punishment? Were the fates really that cruel? He was having trouble catching his breath and the walls were closing in.
“Glenda said you might say I was crazy, but it isn’t true.” Was the dragon pouting?
“Your voices have names!” Valda could feel himself losing control. He took a deep breath. And another. It wasn’t helping. There was no reason to get angry at the mad-as-a-hatter dragon. Maybe he didn’t know any better.
“I don’t always have voices in my head. It freaked me out at first, but then what’s-his-face hit you and I knew I had to protect you.”
The beast actually growled. Like Valda would let a dragon protect him. He sat on the cot against the wall and put his head in his hands. He was getting a headache.
“Just–leave me.” Valda didn’t like the defeated sound to his voice, but everything was out of his control and he liked control.
He felt a dip in the bed and hands on his arms. A light kiss brushed against his shoulder. He shot out of the bed. What did the dragon think he was doing?
“I can’t leave you. Don’t you understand? You’re my mate. We have to stay together.” Flame moved toward him, backing Valda against the cell wall.
Valda needed his magic so he could get out of this. Mates? What was this dragon smoking? No way could he be the mate of a dragon. Flame leaned in and brushed their mouths together. A shock went through his system. The mere touching of their lips had Valda hard. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t. He gasped and Flame used it to his advantage by slipping his tongue into Valda’s mouth.
If he could melt into the floor he would. Instead he clutched at Flame. He wasn’t expecting the zingthrough his body. A dragon shouldn’t be causing the rush of feelings.
He was so wrapped up in the kiss that it took a moment for him to realize he smelled salty air and a wind was blowing through his hair. Valda was not expecting the voice.
We have a job for you, young pirate, and you need time to deal with your fate. Just say thank you, Glenda, and give in to the big oaf. You might like it. Now sail the high seas and bring back Frick and Frack. Your cousin, Mykles, will need them if he is to survive your aunt and uncle. The kingdom is in jeopardy and only you and Flame can save them. The winds will be in your favor.
“Hey, where did you go? I’m kissing you here. Hey! Where are we? Valda? Mate?”
It was all too much for Valda to handle. He screamed, his hand shot out and a spark of lightening destroyed his lamp. His lamp. He was in his cabin on his ship.
Author Bio
Jambrea wanted to be the youngest romance author published, but life impeded the dreams. She put her writing aside and went to college briefly, then enlisted in the Air Force. After serving in the military, she returned home to Indiana to start her family. A few years later, she discovered yahoo groups and book reviews. There was no turning back. She was bit by the writing bug.
She enjoys spending time with her son when not writing and loves to receive reader feedback. She’s addicted to the internet so feel free to email her anytime.