Sui Writes

Category: Suilan Books

  • A Bold Desire Wedding Invite.

    Here’s to a bit of Fun in my writing adventures this year! After a period of struggles, push-and-pull, gelato, and surviving a kidnapping, Niran and Kaleo end with two weddings and an island getaway. So excited. Look forward to it!

  • Electric Blue & Catnip

    Electric Blue and Catnip by Suilan Lee Book Cover

    Alexi, a Japanese music composer and pianist, heads to New York to work on a new project, while he sorts out his issues with public appearances and stage fright. When he meets Joshua Randolph, he finds himself wanting to find out if there is more to life than music.

    Alexander ‘Alexi’ Kotaru is facing a crippling crisis. He can’t stand on stage without panicking and his career depends on a flawless performance. His agent and manager decide to send him to New York hoping that a quiet environment will bring back his confidence. Problem is, he has invited his ex-boyfriend to stay with him. No one likes Adrian Rosen, but Alexi won’t listen to anyone. He believes Adrian is the only one who can get him back to his old self.

    Joshua Randolph is a Professor at the University of New York. He is a man facing a lonely summer ahead. His youngest sister gets married and moves out of his house. His Teaching Assistant graduates and leaves New York. The only thing he has to look forward to is a summer spend doing research. Until he saves a young Japanese man in the park from a runaway statue.

    Joshua and Alexi spent a stunning summer together. But as summer ends, can they hope for a future together?

    Available Here:

    eBook

  • Characters – Relationship Map

    Characters – Relationship Map

    A Thousand Years of Hope

    The most exciting part of creating a story is building relationship maps. So much happens in a family setting, that you can make a relationship map simple or very complicated. This is a relationship map of the characters in the A Thousand Years of Hope story.  It is currently running on my page on GayAuthors/lilansui.  Let’s discover Tani and Dante’s existing relationships before they make one of their own.

    Tani Ryuzo's family relationship map

    Tani is my unique character as he connects two realms. The fictitious Ekho realm and the mortal realm. His strongest ally is Amu, his mother’s brother, and Cale, the god of calamities. Like Amu, Tani has chosen to take on a ward. So Tani is connected to Deniz and Hakan through Hera. Since I’m currently writing on Chapters 6 and 7, this character relationship map reveals a hidden character who has not shown up yet.

    Members of the Septum

    Seven powerful lords govern the fictitious Ekho Realm, keeping the balance and all who live in the realm at fairly peaceful times.

    1. Kinon – god of Fire
    2. Eren – goddess of Earth
    3. Mizian – god of Wind
    4. Rianon – goddess of Water
    5. Helia – goddess of Fertility
    6. Cale – god of Calamity
    7. Sunu – Immortal Lord

    The Sentinel guards entrance and exit of the Ekho Realm at the Palladium Gates.  Her name is Sahdrina of the Namib.

    Dante’s Family tree

    Dante has a very interesting family line which his great, great grandfather will have much more to explain later. Thanks to Kinon, Dante is quite powerful and will make a great match for Tani. Dante’s character is unique to create for me because he has children with Viola. He is not present in their lives. This is the first time I’ve approached such a character before, without having to focus so much on Viola’s perspective. He is a character some people might not love so much, because of this failure, I hope to redeem him in other ways.

    My collection of characters is complete. Do check out A Thousand Years of Love on GayAuthors.org. It takes me time to upload chapters, but I try to make them worth the wait.

    In other news, I’ve been reediting The Reluctant Consort and will upload a new extra soon. It’s always fun to get back to old characters.

    You can now get The Reluctant Consort and A Thousand Years of Hope as eBook.

    A Thousand Years of Hope by Suilan Lee Book Cover

    The Reluctant Consort eBook and Print.

    A Thousand Years of Hope eBook

  • A Thousand Years of Hope

    Chapter One

    The sunrise turned the vineyard landscape into a beautiful spectacle.  Dante Arturo drove along the main path between the fields in an open jeep.  He loved mornings at Artri, but today felt different.  He worried in the face of the beautiful sunrise.

    Driving faster, Dante brought the jeep to a stop near a sizeable olive grove on the edge of the property.  Getting out of the jeep, he grabbed the bag filled with sample containers and walked fast, hurrying down a wide path between olive trees.

    “Dante.”

    Dante turned left when he heard his name and raised his hand in greeting when he saw the vineyard manager, Hasim Kaan, waving at him.

    “Over here,” Hasim said.

    Dante hurried to where Hasim stood behind the thickest olive tree in the grove.  Dante slowed down when he saw his mother crouched by the roots of the olive tree, her hand digging in the soil.  When she heard Dante, she took a bunch and held it out to him on her palm.

    “What do you think is causing the soil to turn this black?” Nora Arturo asked.

    Dante crouched next to her and took her palm.  The soil on her palm was indeed as black as night.  Dante bent his head over her palm and took a deep whiff.  The soil smelled of decay and death.

    “The soil is corrupted,” Dante said with a sigh.

    “Corrupted soil does not come out of the blue,” Nora said, narrowing her gaze on the black soil.

    Dante got a glass container from his bag and placed the soil on his mother’s palm into the container.  He wiped his palm over his mother’s cleaning the dirt out of his mother’s skin, and smiled at her.

    “Don’t worry so much,” Dante said.  “We’ll find out the source of the problem.”

    “I hope we find it soon,” Nora said, getting up from her crouch to touch the oldest olive tree in their home.  “I don’t want to lose any olive tree, Dante.”

    “One of my colleagues gave me a contact working in the Elderwood Conservancy.  He says the conservancy is on the west side of our island, and it has researchers who can tell us what’s wrong with the soil.  I’ll take these samples to them today,” Dante said.  “They may help us.”

    “I’ll leave it to you,” Nora said, with a sigh, tracing the bark of the olive tree one last time.

    Dante got to work collecting soil samples around the olive tree.

    “I’ll have the workers help me keep watch over the grapevines,” Hasim said, helping Dante with digging deeper for soil samples.  “It wouldn’t do to have this black soil invade the vines.”

    “It will be hard work,” Dante said.  “Let me know if you need extra help.  I’ll also come during the weekends.”

    “We can manage, Dante,” Hasim assured him.  “You focus on discovering what is infecting our soil.  We have never had this kind of trouble before.”

    “Could it from the beach?” Nora asked, her gaze shifting to the bushes beyond the olive grove and leading to the beach beyond.  “An oil spill or something worse.”

    “Perhaps,” Hasim said.  “I have three men checking the beach.  We haven’t found anything yet that would sink into the soil enough to rot it.  We’ll keep looking though.”

    Once Dante and Hasim finished collecting the soil samples, Nora asked Hasim to walk the grove and report on the extent of the black corrupted soil.  Dante led Nora back to the jeep, and he drove back to the main house.

    “When are you returning to Istanbul?” Nora asked, when Dante pulled up at the back of the house.  She got out of the jeep and Dante reached for the bag with the soil samples, following suit.

    The jeep was used to work around the vineyard, so he left the keys in it.  Dante followed his mother to the kitchen entrance.

    “I have a lecture at Koc University this morning,” Dante said.  “After, I’ll fly to the U.S.—”

    “You’re responding to that woman’s summons,” Nora said, her expression one of disapproval when she looked at him.

    Nora did not like his ex-girlfriend.  She thought Viola was not good enough for him.  After all these years, Viola’s relationship with Nora remained strained.  However, Viola was the mother of his two children.  A result of his past stupid decisions.  He could not change what he did to, and with Viola.  So, he tried to take responsibility, even though Nora did not like it.

    “Mom, Zach, and April are my children,” Dante said, as they entered the kitchen.  His mother went to the sink to wash her hands and Dante reached for his own car keys in a holder on the kitchen counter.  “At some point, we might need to take them both in, or one of them.  You know what happens when our gifts come in.”

    “They are free of the bloodline,” Nora said, making Dante stop to stare at her in surprise.  “I checked them, Dante when I visited you in New York.  Zach was two, April a baby.  It was my duty as their grandmother, as it was your grandfather’s to support you.  I found no energy on your children with Viola.  They are normal, unremarkable.”

    Dante gave an internal scoff at the way she said the word normal, as though it were a crime.  Dante sighed at the familiar tirade.  His mother found his relationship with Viola the greatest failure of his life.

    “Viola was never the right match for you,” Nora continued.  “Dante, you know our family marries for love.  You like men more than women.  We have both known it since Grandmaster Landi started training you.  If you wanted someone to make children with, I would have found a suitable girl.  I have no idea how you fell in with Viola.  Your time in New York with the Grandmaster failed you. You and Viola, it was the worst union I ever saw.  I will never approve of her.”

    “Zach and April remain your blood,” Dante said, his right brow rising in question.

    “Of course,” Nora said. “I will always be their grandmother.  They are welcome to visit our home.  However, they do not have the power to own this house.  When their descendants gain the gifts of our bloodline, this house will take them in.”

    “What about Viola?” Dante asked.

    “She is not welcome.  She would not understand our way of life,” Nora stated.  “I don’t need to educate you on why.”

    Dante stared at her for a full minute and then nodded in understanding.

    “When will you get the samples to the conservancy?” Nora asked, moving to the double tea maker to pour herself a glass of tea.

    “I’ll stop by before leaving the island,” Dante said.  “Mom.”

    Nora looked up from checking the tea.

    “Don’t always blame Viola,” Dante said, giving her a small smile.  “I was also at fault with her.  I failed her.”

    “You failed each other,” Nora corrected.  “It was not easy to watch from my end.  The saddest story here belongs to Zach and April.  They will miss getting to know the real you.  Perhaps, your story is sad too.”

    “Why for me?” Dante asked with a frown.

    Nora let out a soft sigh.

    “Because, you never learned how to fall in love,” Nora said.  “Viola will love again, and so will Zach, and April.  You on the other hand…”

    Nora shook her head and returned her attention to the tea maker.

    Dante watched her pour herself a glass of tea and wished he could refute her conclusions.

    Dante turned to enter the corridor to head to the front hall.  He took a step, and the house started shaking.  Walls vibrating, windows opening and closing.  The house came alive, vibrating, shaking items on shelves, chairs, and tables.

    Dante stepped back into the kitchen to make sure his mother was safe.  He found all the ingredient containers from the cabinets, cups, spoons, plates, and even his mother’s favorite tea maker suspended in the air.  His mother stood in the middle of it all having a cup of tea.  Gold sparks decorating the tips of her fingers on her left hand.  She smiled at Dante.

    “Looks like your ancestors have something to say,” Nora said.  “The grimoire must have opened downstairs.”

    Dante nodded and with a wave of his hand, his magic restored his mother’s kitchen to rights.  He hurried into the corridor, opened the door that would lead him to the basement halls, running to see what would make their family’s grimoire come alive.

    Read more at : Gayauthors.org

  • Three Princes Find Love

    I’ve wanted to complete a series on princes for a few years now. When I first wrote Crown Prince Yoshi, I didn’t think I would make it. I’m excited to say I have finally completed all three books in a series of princes falling in love. What a major accomplishment, of which I celebrate with a blog post.

    These books are: –

    1. Crown Prince Yoshi
    2. The Prince & His Royal Guard
    3. The Reluctant Consort

    Crown Prince Yoshi

    An attempt on his life, sends Yoshi Taimeng into a wild adventure across the Amana Empire as he fights to restore peace among his people and gather an army strong enough to save his mother, the Empress, from his treasonous uncle. He meets Midori Sanori, an heir to the Fier Clan. Midori teaches him the importance of love and how to use it to win a war.

    Get the eBook or the Print Book here

    The Prince & His Royal Guard

    The Prince and His Royal Guard Book Cover

    Leon
    He’s a Royal Prince wanting an incognito vacation. To get it, he fakes an itinerary for his parents, and ends up on the road free to explore the world with his friends. He does not count on falling in love with the man sent to be his Royal Guard on the trip. Or the unexpected tragedy that sets him on a path he never expected.

    Logan
    He is a Royal Navy Officer hoping to rise up in the ranks and end up with a prestigious military career. To get it though, he has to get through six months guarding a Royal Prince. He does not count on falling in love with the prince. Or, having to protect the prince from a dangerous plot designed to take Leon’s life.

    Their adventure is unexpected, most importantly their love throws them into a tangled web they don’t know how to escape.

    This Book is now available as an eBook or Print Book

    The Reluctant Consort

    Duke Silver takes on Jihan who is determined to protect his sister from an arranged marriage. 

    Jihan Kamran is the Master of Kamran Estate. After a gruesome war with West Nation, Jihan’s powerful network gains the Emperor’s attention.  The Emperor orders a member of the Kamran Family must wed into his Imperial Family. 

    Kastan Miran (Duke Silver) is the second prince in the Akasha Imperial Family. The Empress is afraid of his growing power. When she tries to murder him, The Emperor asks Kastan to marry a member of the Kamran Family. Kastan is to keep Kamran in check and in turn their vast wealth protects Kastan from the Empress’s jealousy.

    These books are now available as eBooks and Print.

    And that’s that for the princes.

    I’m currently working on A Thousand Years of Hope.

  • Writing Again – A Thousand Years of Hope

    A new Year is here. 2022 is going to be the year of the tiger (lunar calendar). It is my greatest hope that my writing is more productive this year. I have been lost in a world of a previous project, and wallowing in letting go pains. I didn’t think it was an issue until I needed to start new project. Writing is a journey.

    I’m excited to introduce my new story. In a different setting with different characters, I feel juiced up to get it done. The new story is called A Thousand Years of Hope. Based on the idea of an immortal soul who has loved a mortal for nine hundred years with no reward in turn. Is it possible to keep the hope of love? Do expectations come short and at what point does love become obsession? Or harmful? Or important?

    Hm, so many questions to give. I’m at the start and there is already so much.

    Tani and Dante are my characters’ names.

    A Thousand Years of Hope by Suilan Lee Book Cover

    Dante and Tani are pulled into the center of a conspiracy that ties ekho gods, bloodline magic, and mortal choice into something brutal and sinister. If they fail to unravel it, Dante will die young again, and Tani’s sentence will lock him away from the only world that ever felt like home. If they succeed, they won’t just save Dante’s life; they’ll shatter a millennium-long cycle and claim the one thing fate has always held just out of reach: a life they choose together.

    This time, love isn’t destiny. It’s the most dangerous spell either of them can cast.

    Get the eBook today!

  • The Reluctant Consort

    The Reluctant Consort

    Prologue

    A sharp sword rested on his shoulder, the sharp blade pressed against his neck.  His clothes soaked from the rush of rain that had slowed down to a drizzle.  Strange, but the worst moments in his life always seemed to coordinate with the rain.

    How did the heavens know to match with his tears?

    His knees hurt from kneeling on the stones in the courtyard at Kamran Estate.  He shifted to ease the ache and the sword at his neck nicked his skin.  He hissed at the sharp sting.  The sword’s blade was sharp.

    Jihan imagined it could ten pigs with one sweep in the hands of its skilled master.  The blade shifted away from his neck and he closed his eyes at the small relief.  The man holding the sword to his neck had no softness in him.  It wouldn’t matter how much Jihan pleaded, he would follow orders and kill Jihan if it came to it.

    A scream cut through the night and Jihan forgot his discomfort.  Heart in his throat, he watched two more men drag his older sister and her husband into the courtyard.

    How had they found them?

    A strangled cry escaped his lips when the man holding his sister pushed her to the ground next to him.

    Jihan reached for her to steady her.

    “Can’t you be kinder?” Jihan asked, his eyes filling with tears.

    Andiya kept her hands over her stomach to protect her unborn child.  She leaned into Jihan, her tears clear on her cheeks, her gaze on her husband, Ishan.

    Ishan knelt on the ground, maneuvering so that he was protecting Andiya with his body, when one of the men reached for her again.

    “Leave her alone,” Jihan said, angry with their captors and their brutish ways.  “She is pregnant.  Tell me, how will you take responsibility if anything happens to the baby?”

    The men stopped reaching for Andiya, and Ishan moved closer to his wife, holding her with care.  Ishan glared at their captors too, his arm around Andiya, giving her the warmth he could.

    “Why are you doing this?” Jihan asked, when his sister gripped his left arm, her fingers trembling with fear.  “How dare you invade Kamran Estate?”

    “Don’t blame us,” a gruff voice said above Jihan.  “You brought this on yourself.”

    Jihan wished he could refute the accusation, but in the end, all he could lament was that his plan had not worked.  If it had, his sister and her husband would have already left and found refuge in Iron Land with his friend, Swallow.  He had been willing to face the consequences of his actions alone.

    How had things gone so wrong?

    “You dared—,”

    The gruff man above him growled out, not finishing his sentence.

    The anger rolling off him made Jihan hope that their deaths would be swift, and not slow torture.  He couldn’t bear the thought of Andiya and her child suffering.

    Jihan felt Andiya’s grip on his arm tighten, and he looked up, his heart dropping when he saw the tall, forbidding man entering the courtyard.  His silver armor shone in the moonlight, a heavy blood red cape flowing behind him.  The stories Jihan had heard were true.  In his armor, Duke Silver was enough to stop a weak man’s heart with fright.

    Jihan found he couldn’t take his gaze away from the long sword Duke Silver held.  That blood thirsty blade that had cut down thousands of lives during the West Nation Rebellion.

    Jihan gulped, thinking his life sure had fallen to the depths now.  He could never have imagined facing death at the tip of Duke Silver’s blade.  Still…, maybe this was their fate after all.

    Duke Silver came to a stop before him, dripping with murderous intent, his face dark with anger.

    “Duke Silver, we caught the woman and her husband on the road heading into Iron Land.  Master Jihan was waiting here.  We haven’t found his shadow guard,” the gruff one next to Jihan said.

    “He sent him away,” Duke Silver said, his hard gaze speculative as he studied Jihan.

    Andiya moved closer to him, her eyes filled with fear.  Seeing it, helped Jihan with his decision.

    Jihan pushed his sister into Ishan’s arms, and crawled forward, making sure they were both behind him.  Still on his knees, he straightened his back and faced Duke Silver.

    He would be no cowering fool.  He was the master of Kamran Estate after all: he had made all decisions in this place since he turned ten.  Protected his sister, grown the family business, played just as hard, and even dared to love, twice, he had missed out on nothing.

    So now, he would take responsibility for his decisions.

    The rain started again, and Jihan was glad for it, as it would hide the tears he couldn’t hold back anymore.

    “Punish me alone,” Jihan said, his fingers clenched to keep from shaking with the fear sinking in his heart.

    Duke Silver’s dark gaze left him with no doubt that the Duke was angry enough to kill him and everyone in the Kamran Estate.  They had dared to ignore a royal edict and fooled a prince.

    “No matter how I look at it, Kamran Estate has indeed done you wrong,” Jihan said, keeping his tone light.  “Please know that my sister and her husband did not know about the royal edict.”

    Jihan ignored his sister’s cry of protest, and was grateful when Ishan held her tighter, muffling her words.

    “I hid the truth from them.  I planned their wedding even knowing that she was promised to marry into the royal family.  I paid for their trip to the Iron Lands.  All these decisions were made by me,” Jihan continued.  “They are not at fault.  Please spare their lives and let it end with me.  I’ll take responsibility for daring to disregard a royal edict.”

    Duke Silver pointed his sword at Jihan’s face, the tip an inch away from his left eye.  Jihan clenched his fists, fear racing through him, he felt close to falling from it, but he needed to do this, for the sake of his sister, her unborn child and her husband.

    He couldn’t bear the thought of the alternative, which would be watching his sister forced into an unwanted marriage, her child murdered…he shuddered.  Worse yet, they might decide to send both Andiya and her husband Ishan to their deaths.  Jihan couldn’t imagine bearing the burden of burying his sister and her child.  It would be too much to ask of him.

    No, this was better.  He was alone after all, unmarried with no ties to anything.  His life mattered less here.

    Kamran Estate would go on without him, taken care of by his sister.  Andiya might even get a son in the future and name that boy after him.  She would smile looking at that child and think of him.  It was enough.  The thought gave him some strength.

    Jihan locked his muscles in place, and stared at the tip of Duke Silver’s blade.  He couldn’t help admiring how it shone in the moonlight.  The stories were true.  How fierce he looked, so handsome and fierce.

    “Agreed, we’ll do it the way you want.  You take responsibility,” Duke Silver gritted out, after a short period of silence, keeping his sword steady as he spoke.  “Jihan, how dare you look down on the royal family?  You shall indeed pay the price for their lives with yours.”

    Jihan closed his eyes, unwilling to watch Duke Silver swing a sword at him.  Things between them had already reached this point.  His heart was already shattered.  Why make it worse?  He took in a deep breath, steadying himself, ready for death…

    The Reluctant Consort is period fiction set in a fantasy land known as the Akasha Empire. There is a royal family, as expected of the books in the Prince Series, that is, Crown Prince Yoshi and The Prince & His Royal Guard. The Reluctant Consort makes it the third and last. There are wars, men with swords and horses and wearing period costumes. I couldn’t help giving Duke Silver a red cloak for his armor. Jihan is a merchant, with a worldly view, nothing can tie him down and Duke Silver somehow finds a perfect method to do so. The fun is how these two stubborn people will end up loving each other.

    I had written a snippet of this story in an earlier post, and promised to change the title. Which I did. Development has been involved, but I’m finally happy with the direction it’s going and this is truly the start of The Reluctant Consort. Duke Silver and Jihan are on the way. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about them as much as I’m having a blast writing for them.

    If you don’t already know, I post most of my stories on GA first. Then, I slowly turn them into e-books for download. I’m currently working on turning the three last finished books into e-books. In between that, there will be Duke Silver & Jihan to entertain you. I’ll work out a posting schedule in the next few weeks.

  • New Fiction Snippets – Upcoming Stories

    A Prince & His Royal Guard (Became THE PRINCE AND HIS ROYAL GUARD)
    This story is something I’m playing around with of late. It will be short, it will be sweet. I have had fun writing it!

    The thud of a bullet hitting a tree too close startled the black thoroughbred stallion into a run.  Leon swallowed bile and leaned over his horse, gripping his reins to keep control of Starburst as they raced through the wild forests surrounding his home.  A second shot sent birds flying from the branches.

    A harsh hiss left his lips when he felt the painful sting on his right upper arm.

    Leon leaned lower on his horse not daring a glance back.

    Starburst ran fast, scared and unsettled.  Leon needed all his wits to keep control of him.

    He thanked his luck as Starburst emerged from the forest and onto an open field a minute later.  The horse kept up his fast pace, heading to the stables.  When they were halfway there, Leon turned back hoping to see his assailant.  His heart thudded in his chest when he saw no one standing at the tree line aiming at him with a gun.  It was little relief.

    Starburst slowed down when they were closer to familiar territory.  Leon brought him to a stop outside the stable and jumped off the saddle with a wince.  Pain lanced up his upper arm, blood dripping down his sleeve.

    The groom who came to take Starburst gave a short gasp taking the reins from Leon.

    “Your Highness, you’re injured!”

    Leon glanced at his right upper arm with a grimace.  The bullet grazed his arm hard and left a deep furrow that dripped blood down his arm.  It stung.  He didn’t want to think about taking a shower with it.  The next few days would be uncomfortable.

    “Your Highness,” Dax, his royal guard and attendant, came running from inside the stable, horror clear in his eyes.  “Oh God, how did this happen?”

    “Don’t start with me,” Leon said, turning away from Dax, intent on running to his rooms.

    Dax grew up in the service of the royal family.  He knew the rules and regulations of running a palace front and back.  When he moved to Castle Arguro, those rules and regulations remained.  His unparalleled dedication to Leon often left him unsettled.

    Having grown up wild and unchecked, Leon often chafed under Dax’s constant attention.  The man took everything that happened to Leon too seriously.

    Ten years of Dax and Leon still had not found a middle ground with the thirty-one year old attendant.  Dax’s concern seemed to deepen with time.

    “Stop,” Dax ordered, running around Leon to stop his progress to the castle.

    Dax’s gentle hands took Leon’s right arm.  Leon winced when Dax ripped the holder on his sleeve wider, his gaze narrowed as he studied the angry bleeding gouge.  A soft hiss escaped Dax when he recognized what injured Leon.  Meeting Leon’s gaze, Dax let go of Leon’s arm and took a step back.

    “It’s time to report this,” Dax stated, his tone enough to tell Leon there was no arguing.  “This is no longer an accident.”

    Leon let a heavy sigh escape, unable to refute Dax, thinking back on the last three weeks.

    His yacht blowing up minutes before Leon boarded two weeks ago.  A week after, the tires on his favorite Ferrari had blown up on a particularly scary stretch of curved road.

    Leon could not avoid reality any longer. Three accidents in the space of weeks was no longer a coincidence

    “Someone is trying to kill you, Prince Leon,” Dax said, his eyes wide with worry.

    Leon’s gaze shifted to the castle beyond the stables, an uneasy feeling brewing deep inside him.

    Castle Arguro was home to the Kingdom’s royal second son.  Leon had called the castle home for twenty-five years.  Arguro was his parents’ home first.  When Leon turned twenty-one, his mother and father died in a tragic car accident in Monaco.

    Leon then became Castle Arguro’s master.

    Four years after their funeral, he now looked forward to living a quiet life in this place.  Content to focus his extensive resources on businesses and the charities his parents founded and supported.  He wanted no political power or official duties from the Kingdom’s Palace.

    Leon never ventured into the royal court, or involved himself in the constant running intrigues that ruled the Kingdom’s seat of power.  He was fourth in line to the throne, and hoped to become twentieth.  If only his cousins would marry and give birth, as expected, ensuring his freedom.

    With that in mind, Leon turned to Dax.

    “Do not go running to grandmother’s officials with this.  Use Castle Arguro’s resources first.  Reach out to private security firms.  Keep it discrete,” Leon warned, when Dax smiled.  “They can also handle security around the castle until we find the culprit.”

    “Okay.” Dax nodded, looking pleased now that Leon was placing importance to the incident.

    “Let’s get you inside and see to your arm.  It annoys me to see your blood staining the grass.”

    Leon chuckled and gave the wound on his right arm a wary glance.  He still couldn’t believe someone had gotten close enough to graze his arm with a bullet.

    ****

    The Unexpected Consort/ (Became The RELUCTANT CONSORT)

    I’m on a roll with princes this season. Here is a look at a story I’ve been hatching for a while. The title may change. I ‘m not in love with the current one. It will be long, and gives me the vibes for Crown Prince Yoshi, which I enjoy and love so dearly. This one will be longer than the one above. I’ll post it as the year goes, after working on Seiryu Spirit.

    Chapter 1 – A Resounding Peace

    Kamran Estate, Wild Lands

    “Taste it.”

    Jihan stared at the pink fruit.  Its juices slid down a slender wrist, dripping to the ground.  The hand holding the juicy morsel moved to his lips once more and he gave in.  He opened his mouth and took in the fruit.

    Sweet and tangy taste exploded in his mouth and he smiled at the woman who had fed him the fruit.

    “Delicious,” Jihan said, his gaze returning to the ledger he was writing.

    “Delicious,” she mocked his tone, then laughed, jumping off the platform where he sat.  She ran down the stairs to the open space below. 

    “Ishan! Did you hear him?  The peach is clearly tastier than anything he has ever had.  Why does he sound like he is bored?  Tell me, Ishan, what am I to do with this little brother?”

    Jihan noted down the number of peaches they were getting from Ishan’s orchard and glanced up to see Ishan wrap an arm around Andiya’s waist.  His older sister laughed when Ishan twirled her around, holding her tight against him.  Jihan placed his pen on its holder and watched them tease each other.

    The courtyard was alive with activity.  Work men coming in from Ishan’s orchard, carrying crates of peaches to be taken by Jihan’s work men.  The women working in Ishan’s estate cooked in the corner, in anticipation of feeding the many workers visiting today.

    Ishan and Andiya moved between each group keeping up morale.  Or so it would seem to others, but Jihan knew how much Andiya loved Ishan.  How much Ishan wanted Andiya to become Mistress of the Gura Estate.  Jihan envied them their connection.

    “Jihan,” Andiya called to him, and he blinked watching her raise two huge peaches to her eyes.  She made a pout and he chuckled at the sight of her.  Ishan grinned and the courtyard erupted into laughter at Andiya’s continued antics to make him laugh.

    Jihan indulged her for a few minutes, until the next batch of crates came into the courtyard and he had to pick up his pen to note them down.  He worked steadily for the next hour, and right as lunch was ready, he looked up to see his shadow guard, Shen, walk into the courtyard.

    Jihan finished writing the number of fruits he was taking from Ishan, and the cost in his ledger.  He pushed it aside when Shen reached him and crouched beside him, the grip on his sword tight.

    “Master Jihan,” Shen greeted.  “News from the Kingdom’s Capital.”

    “The war?” Jihan asked, afraid the Second Prince had failed in his defense of the Wei Kingdom’s west border.  Second Prince, Feng Wei, commanded the Kingdom’s army on behalf of the king.  He was to drive out invaders from West Nation.  The war at the west border was three months old now.  The fear that Second Prince would lose was taking root in everyone’s heart.

    “Prince Feng Wei has suppressed the invaders,” Shen said, he produced a note from his pocket and handed it to Jihan.  “Our sources played an important role, your father has received a commendation from the palace.”

    “So, what’s the news from the Capital?” Jihan asked, unrolling the note to read later.

    “King Feng Jun has made a royal decree,” Shen said, his expression filled with urgency.  “He insists on a royal wedding between a Kamran child and Second Prince, Feng Wei.”

    Jihan sucked in air, his gaze on his sister who sat next to Lord Ishan adding grilled fish slices into his bowl.

    “Father?” Jihan asked.

    “He is delighted by the idea of his family tied to the royal family, even though it is a second marriage for Prince Feng Wei,” Shen said.  “Your father is making preparations for the wedding as we speak.  He will come to take Andiya to the capital personally.”

    Jihan looked away from his smiling sister and stared at the note he held.  Heart pounding with worry at the thought of Andiya forced to marry into the royal family.  His sister was happy.  She loved Lord Ishan.  Their father would never understand that love.  He would force her to give it up.

    “Should we tell Lady Andiya?” Shen asked.

    “Not yet,” Jihan said.  “Have them prepare the evening meal in my house.  I shall have no one else attending to this meal but you.  Do you understand?”

    “Yes, Master Jihan.”

    “Prepare everything, and contain this news.”  Jihan glanced at Ishan and Andiya, nodding when Andiya smiled at him.  “You and I will need to work hard to reduce the damage from this royal decree.  I’m afraid Kamran Estate might suffer a huge loss at the end of it. There can be no mistakes.”

    “Yes, Master.”

    Shen got up and hurried off, leaving Jihan to read the note from one of his trusted troop leaders supplying Second Prince’s army at the west border.

    Master Kamran,

    Beware of the gift given by the Dragon Seat.  This war has exposed Kamran, leaving your Wild Estate open to jealousy and envy from court officials.  Your network is powerful and The Dragon will seek to own it.  If you cannot escape the gift, then cultivate a friendship with the fierce commander at the west.  He is grateful to Kamran for the help and support you gave in secret.  He will look at you with kind eyes.

    As always, my hope is to grow our alliance and create a harmonious and prosperous atmosphere for our families.  I know your sister’s happiness is in danger if she reaches the Capital.  Your faithful friend,

    Swallow.

    Jihan reread the letter twice, and then reached for the bowl left by Andiya an hour ago for drinking water.  He sunk the letter into the bowl, soaking it with water.  His gaze on the ink fading from the paper, his thoughts on the difficult future ahead.

    Jihan could only hope his father was not too eager to be father in-law to a prince.

    ***

    They are both stories about love and adventure. I can’t wait to get them out to you!

  • A Love Affair with Creativity

    Over the years, I have written blogs on the process of writing. Some posts felt uncertain, others untrue, and now years into this, I now write a new post that feels right for this moment. I have come to respect Creativity. Because that is what writing fiction is for me. I respect it. I understand that we are walking down the same road together. Wherever that road takes both of us, intentional or not, I love and respect every minute of it.

    Writing is not a fast thing, there is no magic wand that will make it come at you faster. It’s a process, it takes and gives. Demands of your emotions, hard work, your thoughts, your very self. I’m not the same writer I was when I first started. Those days I wanted it all out fast, wanted it to make an impact, and suffered when it didn’t. Now, I find myself being more deliberate in my writing. I’m not looking for fast ends, but an exploration of the journey. It’s easier to write now because I’m not seeking approval, simply writing what feels right. And for that, I’m much happier with what I do.

    Most important, I have learned to respect my creative side, in the same way I value my closest relationships. Without that respect, I don’t think I would like myself very much.

    Of course, there are days when I struggle. Yes, I struggle, you struggle, we all struggle. When I do, I seek out thoughts that inspire me. Thoughts like this one:


    We feel guilty for all that is authentic in ourselves – our salary, our opinions, our experiences, our hidden desires, the way we speak – we even feel guilty for our parents and our brothers.
    And what is the result? Paralysis.
    We grow ashamed of doing anything different from what the others are expecting.
    We do not expose our ideas, we don’t ask for help.    ….
    And how can that be changed?
    Have faith. Believe that it is possible, and all the reality around you will begin to change.

    Paulo Coelho – Feeling Guilty

    Feeling guilty – I loved reading this post because at the time of not writing, or being without that charge or spark, it’s often because I’m dealing with external pressures. Dealing with external pressures/forces means I haven’t given myself a chance to sit and dedicate the time allotted to my work. My desire, my needs. So, I have to take a step back and survey what’s causing that feeling, and is it very important that I stop myself from doing what I really want to do.

    If it is, find a solution to make it work around my writing. If it is not important, then how do I stop caring so much, and return to my writing. One thing that’s always true, I have deep faith in my creativity. The muse is never gone, she’s always there, waiting for me to solve my external bullshit, so that I can get back to work.

    So, I watch videos like this:

    In this short amazing conversation on creativity, this sentence alone stood out so much, that I think it’s my year’s new mantra.

    Creating because it brings you joy.

    Marie Forleo’s channel

    If it’s not making you happy, don’t do it! If it’s not bringing you joy, stop. The best philosophy for everything in life, most importantly, I get pleasure from writing. When something is pulling me away from that happy place, I make a conscious effort to get it out of my life. The same way I will deal with anything negatively impacting my relationships with Hubby or my friends. It’s the only way to grow, and discover where your creativity will take you.

    Don’t demand from it more than it promises, instead, enjoy the ride it gives you. This is why I loved listening to the conversation between Elizabeth Gilbert and Marie Forleo. So much of what they say is true, and it felt good to hear it aloud. It brought me to a great head space.

    I’m on a journey, that feels like a love affair with my creativity. Ups and downs, astonishing moments, and truly wrenching ones. I’ve come to embrace them all, and look forward to more.

    If you haven’t already, download The Assassin and explore a different love affair with Daven and Kian.

  • New Year Plans

    Same path

    This 2019, I’m walking on the same path with my best friend, my partner in crime, my no.1 supporter. My Everything. I #gothitched in 2018 and now I’ve taken on a new last name. L says it’s important to gush and brag about these things, so here I am. I’ve spent a chunk of my life on a lone path. Some days were hard, others too easy. The best part about this new path together is that I’m no longer alone. It feels great to know that there is someone walking along with me. On good days, and on those very hard days. I can’t wait to see what this year brings for both of us.

    On Writing:

    The Morgan Lore – I’ve caught a werewolf bug these last few months. Rory Morgan has captured my interest and imagination, growing into this entity that I can’t put down. #TheMorganLore is primarily posted on GA Stories. If you love you some werewolves, are into adventure and mystery, then check it out at this link. I promise I’m doing my best to get to the end of this one.

    Seiryu spirit –(WIP) My dear Koji and Andre are still ongoing. If you caught a bit of their story on this site, or over at GA, then don’t worry. I’m still working on their story. My writing process is diversifying and I’m finding that I don’t want to post content until I have a large chunk of it available. Seems to be working out for The Morgan Lore. Once I’m confident enough for Seiryu Spirit, more will come up.

    A Forgiving Heart -(WIP) Rafa and Hyu are also on the list. Be patient with me with these two. Writing Rafa is always a fight. He’s very stubborn and I’ve found a huge trail of story that’s deviating from the original plan. I need to reconcile it first before I share it.

    To Compile – The Crown Prince Yoshi – 2018 was huge as I finished this story, which had lasted for years in the WIP list. I’m particularly proud of CPY because it was the first that didn’t follow the same pattern as all my other work. It’s given me the confidence to explore different formats. Moon promised a cover, hopefully, I’ll get one soon and we can compile it into a book for download soon.

    The Assassin – If you haven’t already, this ebook is already available for download. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

    That’s my start of the year. Let’s go together and see what this year brings us all.