Love Comes in Many Shapes, a story by Alice Renaud in Rainbow Desire
An anthology of LGBTQIA+ romance stories by BVS
Why Love Comes in Many Shapes is a special story for me
Of course all my stories are precious. They’re all my beautiful babies. But this one is special. When my fellow BVS authors first floated the idea of an anthology of LGBTQIA+ romance stories, I wasn’t initially sure I’d be able to participate. I’d never written a gay romance or menage story. But the more I thought about it, the more enthusiastic I became. Short stories are a great way to experiment with new themes or new ways of writing. I wrote my first sci-fi romance, Space Cowboy Blues, for the BVS anthology Cowboy Desire, out now. So I thought why not try a love story between two women? Plus one man? The worst that can happen is that the story won’t be any good. So I set about writing my tale. I had had the idea of a mermaid in Las Vegas for a while. I’d read about the mermaid shows they have in Vegas, where girls dress up as mermaids with fake tails and swim in aquariums. I’d always wanted to put one of my real shifter mermaids in one of these shows. Here was my opportunity. I love witches as much as mermaids. My story “The Sweetest Magic of All” in the BVS paranormal romance anthology “Mystic Desire” is about an apprentice witch. So I decided to pair my shifter mermaid with a hot witch.
And the warlock? Well, Ariel Wolfsbane, leader of the London warlocks, is a secondary character in my latest Sea of Love novel, “Mermaids Marry in Green.” I love him and several readers told me they love him too! I made him the witch’s ex and gave him an excuse to go meet the girls in Las Vegas. What happens next? You’ll have to read the story to find out!
I am proud of my first gay romance story. I wrote it in November, when the UK was in full lockdown, and the weather and the news were as depressing as could be. It was lovely to escape to sunny Las Vegas with my hot mermaid, witch and warlock. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Blurb for Rainbow Desire
Rainbow Desire is a celebration of life and love in its kaleidoscope of exotic rainbow colours. The stories within the book also reflect its vibrant shades of romance from light to dark. I hope you will enjoy the wealth of narratives in this glorious LGBTQ+ anthology.
Blurb for Love Comes in Many Shapes
Bryony, a shifter mermaid, has run away with sexy witch Maia, and now they’re living the dream in Las Vegas. But Maia is hiding a secret. When her ex, a super-hot warlock, turns up, Bryony can’t fight her attraction to him. Will she choose him? Or Maia? Or both?
Buy Links
https://books2read.com/u/mYZPQd
Excerpt
Bryony cleared her throat. “They’re very conservative on the Islands. Even my Clan, the Benetynns… they never understood that I was attracted to women. When Maia came and we fell in love… things were hard.”
Ariel’s dark gaze was full of sympathy. “I get it. I’m not angry with Maia anymore. But she took something from me when she left London. Something of value. And I want it back.”
A dull weight settled in Bryony’s stomach, almost squashing the excitement. “Maia stole from you?” So that was what she’d been hiding. No wonder she’d been afraid of Ariel coming after her.
Ariel sighed. “I’d entrusted her with a powerful amulet and asked her to test its powers. She chose to take it to a remote part of Wales… the Morvann Islands.” His lips curled in a half-smile. “Who could have predicted she’d fall in love with a gorgeous mermaid?”
He leaned towards Bryony and brushed a strand of hair from her face. The tiny contact was enough to reawaken the embers between her thighs. His eyes held hers, drawing her in, as if she were a planet suddenly caught in the orbit of a powerful sun. “The amulet gave her the opportunity to take you away, to a place where you could live and love in peace.” He inclined his head towards her. “And now I know you, Bryony, I don’t blame her.” His breath caressed her face, as fresh as a breeze over a summer meadow. “I would have done the same.”
All she could see was his mouth. All she could feel was how much she wanted it. As if in a dream, she brought her head nearer to his… and nearer… until her lips brushed his. Only a fleeting touch, but it reverberated in her entire body, filling her with trembling sparks of arousal.
His hand caught the back of her head, pulling her closer. His mouth captured hers, and his tongue parted her lips. A deep shiver shook her, and she surrendered to the kiss, opening her mouth wide so he could explore her better. He tasted delicious, like her first stolen sip of whisky when she was a teenager… like the first bite into a forbidden fruit.
“What the hell do you two think you’re doing?”
Maia’s scream tore through the air, yanking Bryony out of her sensual daze. A tidal wave of shame slammed into her. She broke off the kiss and jumped to her feet to face her furious lover. “Maia…”
“Don’t you “Maia” me, you little tramp!” Her girlfriend planted her hands on her hips. Her face had turned beetroot red. “How could you do this to me… and with him!”
Bio
Alice lives in London, UK, with her husband and son. By day she’s a compliance manager for a pharmaceutical company. By night she writes fantasy romance about shape shifting mermen, water monsters and time-travelling witches. Her first book, “A Merman’s Choice,” was published in January 2019 by Black Velvet Seductions. It is the first book in the Sea of Love fantasy romance series, inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. The second and third books, “Music for a Merman,” and “Mermaids Marry in Green,” are out now. Both the Sea of Love series and Mermaids Marry in Green won their categories in the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award 2020. Alice has also contributed short stories for the BVS anthologies “Mystic Desire,” “Desire Me Again,” and “Cowboy Desire,” all available now, and “Rainbow Desire” on pre order. Alice loves reading and writing stories, and sharing them with anyone who’s interested!
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceRenaudAuthorRomance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicerauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18670218.Alice_Renaud
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alice-renaud
Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Renaud/e/B07L52P17B
Website: https://nomadauthors.com/alicerenaud/alicebooks.html
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https://blackvelvetseductions.com/?page_id=2472
Thank you Amber!
You’re so welcome! Anytime.
This sounds like a steamy read. I love the way Alice writes! Her characters are always fascinating.
This sounds like something I would like. Can’t wait to read it!
Thank you Suzanne and Gibby!
This is going to be a great read.
I can’t wait to read it.
Callie
Thank you J.B. and Callie!
Your story sounds wonderful, Alice. And I really enjoyed your post!
Great blog Amber and Alice, loved the book… I have had the privilege of reading the ARC really great stories.
Great chemistry. I can’t wait to read your story.
Callie
Thank you Dee Ric and Callie!