Hello, my lovelies!
We have a special book spotlight for you today. Beautiful One is a historical M/M erotic romance novella written by Kerry Adrienne. It will be release by Ellora's Cave this coming October 11, 2013.
Below are some more information about the book, including an excerpt and a little something about Kerry Adrienne. Enjoy!
Geri
Book Synopsis
Kallistos,
a shy playwright, has been chosen to compete at the Great Dionysia festival in
Athens. His plays are strong, but he faces Sophocles, the man who has won
almost every contest. Kallistos, the beautiful one, has eschewed intimacy—yet
the dark Alexios pierces his armor with philosophies he’s never considered, and
he falls hard.
Alexios, a shepherd, aspires to be an actor in Athens. His
trip plunges him into a plot of deceit and lies when Sophocles hires him to
sabotage his competition. Sophocles promises money and a part on stage—but
challenges Alexios’ beliefs and honor.
Though uncomfortable with the lies, Alexios woos Kallistos,
finding himself deeply drawn to the man. As the performances near, Alexios must
decide which he wants more—his lover, or his lifelong dream of fame and a
career. While Kallistos faces issues of trust and forgiveness, and must ponder
where life is truly lived—on stage or in reality.
Inside Scoop: This book contains hot, sexy scenes of
M/M interaction in a public bathhouse and in private. Come on in, the water’s
fine.
Alexios watched
Kallistos fill his wine cup. By the gods, the man was gorgeous. In the
lamplight, his body gleamed like spun gold and his light hair sparkled as if it
was wet with dew. His simple tunic clung to him, its belt cinching his narrow
waist. Spending time with the beautiful one would be a delight, not work. And
he wouldn’t have to work at finding the pleasures that body had to offer, given
the chance. What harm would come if he added a little enjoyment to the job?
A large man stepped
in front of him, blocking his sight of Kallistos and Alexios moved so he could
keep his view. He had to approach the beautiful one soon—and hopefully talk
with him. The man acted almost anti-social. Too beautiful to be so reserved.
He followed
Kallistos onto the darker streets away from the square where the noise lessened
and the crowd thinned to very few. In the distance, fires twinkled on the
Acropolis like tiny sparks of stars, fizzing and bursting. The Parthenon,
though it had only stood for a short time, crowned the Acropolis like a golden
diadem and light radiated from behind its columns. Athena smiled down from her
position of guardian, high above the city.
Alexios sighed.
Athens was magical. Sure, the land where he tended sheep was charming with its
rusticity, but Athens held an enchantment that was unparalleled. To live in the
city, attend its parties and act on its stages would be a life’s dream. He
quickened his pace to catch Kallistos.
“Kallistos. Wait,”
he called.
Kallistos stopped
and turned. “Who calls my name?”
“An admirer.”
“Step into the
lamplight.”
Alexios’ stomach
trembled at the tenor of Kallistos’ voice. Was everything about the man
beautiful? He stepped out of the shadows into the half-light of the street.
“What do you want?”
Kallistos asked. He held his wine cup steady and looked away. “I’m too tired to
entertain.”
The way Kallistos
dipped his head in slight embarrassment, shrugging his shoulders as he spoke,
warmed Alexios from the inside out. “Begging your forgiveness,” he said, “but I
wanted to talk to the playwright Kallistos and maybe share wine. It would be an
honor.”
Kallistos paused for
a moment before speaking, digging his sandal toe against the dirt road. Would
he yell or rebuff the intrusion? He brought his wine to his lips, tipping the
cup high. The muscles in his neck clenched as the wine went down his throat.
Alexios silently gulped. Maybe this wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought.
“You have me at a
disadvantage,” Kallistos said, lowering the empty cup. “You know my name, but
you’ve not told me yours.”
He moved closer and
the air seemed to grow thicker with heat—Kallistos’ heat. Alexios coughed. “I’m
Alexios.”
“Alexios,” Kallistos
repeated. The name rolled off his tongue like a silken promise.
“I’ve come to Athens
for the festival and I heard about your plays.” The words stumbled out, and
Alexios shifted. Since when did a man make him quiver without a touch?
Kallistos frowned.
“What have you heard?”
“I’ve heard your
participation in Great Dionysia will rival Sophocles.”
“I am thrilled to
accept the challenge.”
“Your wife and
children must be proud.” Was his attempt to gather information too bold?
“I have no wife, nor
wish to find one. My plays are my lovers.” Kallistos looked up toward the moon
and fiddled with his wine cup. “I have to go. But I’d like to see you again,
Alexios. Perhaps we can discuss philosophy over some finer wine.” He smiled and
briefly made eye contact.
Alexios fought the
shudder that racked his body. “I’d like that. It isn’t every day a shepherd
shares philosophy with a famous playwright.”
“I’m not famous, but
I’ll count you among my fans, shepherd.”
“Do so.”
Kallistos met his
gaze for a few longer moments before looking down. “Until another day, then.”
Kallistos turned to leave.
“Wait!” Alexios
grabbed him by the arm.
Kallistos gasped,
his eyes wide in the soft moonlight.
Alexios trailed his
hand down Kallistos’ bare arm, feeling the soft blond hairs under his
fingertips. He gulped as heat shot straight to his groin. “May the gods, if
they exist, shine favor on you.”
Kallistos shivered
and Alexios’ stomach tightened.
“And may Dionysus
himself guide your travels tonight,” Kallistos said. He lingered for a moment,
then slipped out of Alexios’ reach and walked off toward the residential area
of Athens.
Alexios stood still
on the darkened street, watching. His breath caught at the thought of what
might have happened if he had pulled Kallistos closer into an embrace. Had the
beautiful one been offering himself? He shook his head. Surely, he was not. He
was only being kind. A stiff wind whipped through the street and Alexios held
his fluttering tunic against his body. He had to keep focused on his job. He
hadn’t been hired to befriend Kallistos, or even take him as a lover, though
that would be a welcome addition to the plan. No, he had to stay focused. He
had to destroy Kallistos’ chances of winning the festival.
About the Author
