Taste of Cyn

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

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Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return Featured On Veronica Scott’s New Releases

Warlord’s Return Releases!

By Cynthia Sax on November 3, 2020

Woot! Warlord’s Return has released!

I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: New Releases | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return Releases!

Warlord’s Return And Spoilers

By Cynthia Sax on November 2, 2020

Warlord’s Return release tomorrow (or tonight if you’ve pre-ordered this story)! Woot! I’m super excited about this release. I can’t wait for you to read this story.

There WILL be spoilers posted. There always are but there especially will be for Warlord’s Return.

This is the last story in the series. Reading buddies…and I (grins) tend to talk about last stories in series more freely. I’m not quite sure why I do this but I do and others do this also.

Things also…happen as they tend to do in my stories. (laughs) There are appearances made by many previously featured couples and characters. A big event happens for one of these couples in the first three chapters of the story. The earlier in the story an event happens, the more likely it is talked about freely. Again, I do this also. It WILL occur.

If you don’t want to see spoilers, pre-order today (you’ll receive the story sooner) and don’t look at reviews. You can spend tomorrow at the Refuge, hanging out with the Chameles and Kralj and Dita and not have to worry about seeing story info you don’t want to see.

It’s warm in the Refuge right now. (smiles) Dress accordingly and drink lots of beverage. Say hi to Balvan, the great green gatekeeper, as you approach the gates. Wave to Orol and the triplets as they soar over your heads. Show Kralj the respect he deserves and only think flattering thoughts about Dita.

And have fun!

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return And Spoilers

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – November 1st

By Cynthia Sax on November 1, 2020

The Dear Wonderful Hubby took this photo of the Blue Moon with his phone.

I hope you all had a great Halloween and did you see the Blue Moon? It was awesome. The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I went outside to see it and it was shining right through the clouds.

This upcoming week is jam-packed for me. Warlord’s Return is releasing on Tuesday. I’m super excited about this story. If you’re a fan of the Refuge series or the Chamele Barbarian Warlords series, I think you’ll really enjoy it. It is a love letter to those two series.

I’ll, of course, be sending out my newsletter on Tuesday. I have a REALLY bad joke for you this month. Brace yourself for it. (grins)

Writing-wise, I plan to complete the second and third drafts of Containing Malice (releasing in February). I hope to send this story to my Awesome Editor by end of day Saturday. I’m super excited about this new subseries within the Cyborg World. It will be explosive…in all ways. (laughs)

Have a great week, my friends!

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Cynthia Sax Weekly Update | Comments Off on Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – November 1st

Warlord’s Return And Re-Reads

By Cynthia Sax on October 30, 2020

A reading buddy asked me which stories she should re-read before reading Warlord’s Return on Tuesday.

Warlord’s Return CAN be read as a standalone story. New-to-me reading buddies should enjoy it without having read any other stories in the Chamele Barbarian Warlords series OR the Refuge (Dark Thoughts) series.

But it IS a celebration of the two series. Oghul, Khan’s Second, and his team return to the Refuge on Carinae E to visit with his brother and with the modified humanoids. We receive updates on almost all the couples in the Refuge series (excluding the characters from Dark Warlord) and we see the Chameles during peacetime (their definition of peacetime…which isn’t very peaceful – grins).

If I was planning to revisit these series, the stories I would re-read first are

Dark Thoughts (from the Refuge series)

Dark Cure (from the Refuge series)

and

Warlord Sky (from the Chamele Barbarian Warlords series).

I’m super excited about the release of Warlord’s Return. I can’t wait for you to read this story!

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return And Re-Reads

Warlord’s Return And Kralj’s Protection

By Cynthia Sax on October 27, 2020

Xareni, the heroine of Warlord’s Return (releasing next week!), owes Kralj, the Ruler of the Refuge (and hero of Dark Thoughts) her life.

When she was a child, the all knowing, all powerful modified humanoid not only saved her from almost certain death but he extended his protection to her while she healed and he gave her a reason to live.

If you’ve read Dark Thoughts, you know that Kralj has a very live-and-let-live, hands-off approach to beings in his settlement. He doesn’t extend his protection to many beings.

That he extended it to Xareni is significant.

She might be human but Kralj very much views her as one of the modified humanoids…which is one of the greatest compliments the Ruler would give a being. He trusts her as much as he trusts Orol or Balvan, his warriors. And he considers his request of her—to guide Ariq and the other Chameles to the clone settlement—to be both an honor AND a gift.

Kralj loves her. She is part of his unusual family.

Although he would never admit to that. (grins)

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return And Kralj’s Protection

Warlord’s Return – Final Scene Of The First Chapter

By Cynthia Sax on October 26, 2020

Warlord’s Return releases next week! Woot!

This week, I’m sharing the fourth and final scene in its first chapter.

You can read the first scene from the first chapter of Warlord’s Return here:
http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7513

***

Even Kralj had a mate.

Dita, the Ruler’s tiny assassin female, sat beside the male. Her gaze was on them, her eyes bright with interest.

“Kralj, sir.” Second’s voice was edged with the respect the Ruler warranted.

“Chameles, Medic.” Those words seemed to come from everywhere. “There has been increased Humanoid Alliance activity on Carinae E. You will forgo your planned orbit of the planet and proceed directly to the Refuge.”

Ariq gaped at the male.

They had discussed that aerial tour briefly the previous planet rotation on the bridge, hadn’t told any other being about it, hadn’t communicated their plans through any other means.

“We will do as you suggest, sir.” Second nodded.

“It wasn’t a suggestion.” Kralj’s tone was dry. “You will allow your unexpected passenger to exit your ship first. You won’t give her any indication you are aware of her presence.”

“That will make the first task challenging.” Qulpa muttered that comment under his breath.

Ariq was more concerned about Lysagh’s well-being than the issue of when she left the ship. Kralj was a terrifying being, but Ariq wouldn’t allow that male or anyone else to hurt the girl. “If you harm her—”

The shadows swirling around Kralj’s face darkened menacingly. “You will do nothing. Because you can do nothing.”

Another wave of energy blasted Ariq. It was so strong he was flung back against his chair. Almost bone-breaking pressure pushed against his chest.

“He seeks to protect her, sir.” Dita placed one of her hands on Kralj’s arm. “He didn’t mean to disrespect you.”

The wall of wind flattening Ariq immediately dissipated.

He gasped air. His lungs, ribs, all of him, ached.

“The girl is under my protection.” Kralj astonished him with that admission. The number of beings fortunate to be under the Ruler’s protection were few.

Lysagh would be completely safe within the Refuge. Ariq relaxed. He didn’t know why the Kralj had granted her that status, but he was grateful for it.

“You will arrange for her to leave the ship first.” The Ruler demanded that of him.

Ariq dipped his head. “I will arrange it, sir.”

At least one of them would have an exciting visit to the Refuge.

“And you will lead the expedition to the clone community.” Kralj knew of those plans also. Seven-One wanted to speak with the Carinae E clones, learn how they reproduced without any degradation. “Seven-One, Yesun, Dialo, Vietor, and Jeden will accompany you and the guide.”

Son of a Gechii. Ariq struggled to keep his expression blank. Dialo, Vietor and Jeden were the sons of one of Kralj’s modified humanoids. Seven-One and Yesun had roughly the same maturity level as the winged triplets.

Ariq would be leading all youths.

That would be akin to aligning rock vultures in flight—an impossible and extremely frustrating venture. And there would be little opportunity to do anything other than keep them alive and out of trouble.

There would be no battles, no killing, no bloodshed for him.

“Kralj, sir.” Lead Medic’s forehead furrowed with thought lines. “I was hoping to join them, to see the cloning facilities, learn—”

“You are needed in the Refuge, Medic.” Kralj denied her request. “That is all.”

The main viewscreen reverted to the image of distant stars and the blackness of space.

Silence stretched.

“So that was Kralj.” Head of Ship and Weapons Design blew out her breath. “I now understand what you meant when you said he exuded power.” She touched her chest. “I’ve never felt anything like it.”

She hadn’t felt the full impact of the Ruler’s skills. Ariq hurt all over.

“He seemed to like Ariq.” Second’s eyes glowed with amusement.

“I would prefer if he liked me a little less.” Ariq lowered his voice, not trusting that the male couldn’t hear their conversation.

He sought a battle, not his own execution. Disrespecting the Ruler was a death sentence.

“I have a list of questions I want to ask the Carinae E clones.” Lead Medic slipped off Second’s lap. “Since you’ll be accompanying Seven-One, Ariq, I’ll share them with both of you.”

“Seven-One is the scientist.” Ariq had no interest in those matters. “Not I.”

Lead Medic met his gaze. “I’ll train you in what you need to know.” Her tone expressed that wasn’t open for discussion.

Ugh. Ariq rose to his booted feet.

He dreaded the upcoming expedition more and more with each passing moment.

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Warlord’s Return – Final Scene Of The First Chapter

Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – October 25th

By Cynthia Sax on October 25, 2020

I have 2 more chapters to write in the first draft of Containing Malice, the first cyborg romance in the new subseries (releasing February). I LOVE this story and plan to complete the first draft of it this week. Then I have 2 revision drafts to craft before I send it to my Awesome Editor.

I’m taking a writing workshop with the Wonderful New York Bestselling Author Angela Knight. She often offers free critiques with her workshops (that, alone, is worth the cost of it). I asked her to look at my first 2,000 words and she gave me some terrific feedback. Her insights should bring this story to the next level.

That is always my goal-to improve with every story I write. I do this for me because, like cyborgs, I feel good about myself when I’m as skilled, when I’m as fully functional as I can be. (grins) I do this for the story and the characters because they deserve to have their stories told well. And I do this for you because you deserve to read the best stories possible.

I received the cover for Containing Malice from the oh—so—very talented Amanda Kelsey. I love it. And I loaded the story for pre-orders on all bookseller sites (the description is rough and hasn’t been edited but it relays the essence of the story). B&N is still having system issues and their listing is delayed. But it is listed everywhere else (except Google, which is still on the naughty list with distributers).

This is Halloween Week so you will likely see me buzzing around the internet. Starting on Tuesday, I will be posting daily on The Romance Studio’s party site – https://www.trsparties.com/ . It is their annual Spookapalooza and writing buddies will be giving out treats. (grins) There will also be other events.

2020 has been an…unusual year. We deserve to party!

Stay as safe as you can, my friends! Wear your masks! Have some fun with it. The Dear Wonderful Hubby is wearing a shark mouth mask today. It looks toothily awesome.

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Cynthia Sax Weekly Update | Comments Off on Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – October 25th

Using BookFunnel For Free Short Stories Going Forward

By Cynthia Sax on October 23, 2020

I enjoy giving you and other reading buddies a free short story every year as a gift. I love you. I appreciate that you read my stories. I show this love and appreciation by…well…writing more words. (grins)

In the past, I have loaded these free stories to booksellers. That is, unfortunately, no longer possible.

Why I Won’t Be Loading Free Short Stories To Booksellers (Amazon, Apple, B&N, Kobo, etc) Going Forward

None of the booksellers are big fans of free books.

The free books cost them money to supply to readers. And they’re making it tougher and tougher to offer free books, I suspect, for this reason. It takes me about a month of daily emails to change the price to free at one of the booksellers. Then I have to check the price every month in every region to ensure they haven’t started charging for the story again.

Booksellers Treat Short Stories Differently.

Another reason is booksellers treat short stories differently in a series. One bookseller assigns half numbers to short stories (2.5 etc). Another bookseller doesn’t allow half numbers.

One bookseller won’t add short stories to series pages at all. Books 1-4 of Cyborg Sizzle are displayed. Book 5 is missing. Book 6 is displayed. Book 7 is missing.

This inconsistency…unsettles me (I say this as I am sorting some of my Halloween M&M candies by color).

The Solution

Thankfully, there is a solution. It isn’t perfect but it will hopefully allow me to treat you to a free short story every year…and perhaps give you more ‘treats.’

I will offer both the Kindle/Mobi files and the EPub files (which are good for Apple Books, B&N, Kobo, etc) on BookFunnel ( an example is here – https://dl.bookfunnel.com/tr6fc87pzq ).

It will ask you for your email address and to sign up for my newsletter and then it will email the story to you. There are support folks who will help you if you need it or if something goes wrong. But they make the process fairly simple to complete.

The Possibility Of More ‘Treats’

Aligning with BookFunnel will allow me to do other things…like offer the character updates and short snippets I share in the newsletters in eBook format so you can collect them in your libraries and read them on your eReaders.

I have a gazillion other fun and free ideas.

Anyhoo…I’m sorry to add more change in a year already jampacked with change but I’m hoping this will be a happy, wonderful change. I’m quite excited about the possibilities!

***

Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

Apple Books:

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

Smashwords:

Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Using BookFunnel For Free Short Stories Going Forward

Warlord’s Return – Third Scene Of The First Chapter

By Cynthia Sax on October 19, 2020

Warlord’s Return releases on November 3rd. As we wait, I’ve been sharing scenes from the first chapter.

You can read the first scene from the first chapter of Warlord’s Return here:
http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7513

This week I’m sharing the third scene of that first chapter.

***

His yearning for battle had always been stronger than it had been for the other warriors. He was the only one inflicted with the os khonzon.

When they were at war, everyone had fought, and the difference hadn’t been as noticeable.

Now, it was accentuated.

A gerel might lessen the gap. If…when he uncovered her location.

The female genetically meant for him wasn’t situated in the Chamele sector. He had been included in too many transmissions, been involved in too many campaigns, for her to have not heard his voice, to have known he was hers.

She wouldn’t be found in the Refuge, where they were headed. During their last visit to Carinae E’s largest settlement, he had purposefully met as many beings living there as possible, stealthily looking for her.

He hadn’t located her.

That left Ariq with a choice.

He could search for his gerel on other planets. If he was fortunate, those planets might be hostile. He could participate in a few more battles while he looked for his female.

That appealed to him…greatly.

But he would have to part temporarily from Second, Qulpa, the rest of the warriors. Chameles were very insular. They rarely left their sector. He couldn’t ask them to make that sacrifice for him.

The other option was to accept his unbonded status, come to terms with always being the single in a grouping of couples, watch as the younger warriors like Yesun and eventually, Rinchinbal, met their gerels.

He could ease the os khonzon, the vengeance, with trips to Chamele 4, the hunting planet. It was occupied by the Chamele clones now, but they would grant him permission to track and kill prey there.

That would be…bearable.

His nose wrinkled. His choice was, in truth, no choice. He had to search for his gerel. That, at the minimum, would give him a purpose.

When he found his female, he would return with her to the Chamele sector. Eventually they would move to his birthing settlement on Chamele 2.

He squared his shoulders and entered the bridge.

As predicted, Second and Qulpa held their gerels on their laps. The chatter stopped and the females straightened as they noted his presence.

Ariq gritted his teeth and claimed his seat beside Second. “Beverage and nourishment bars have been delivered to our stowaway.”

“It can’t be sanitary in the ceiling.” Lead Medic, Second’s gerel, frowned.

“Are you implying my ship is dirty?” Second would have previously fought a being who had dared to utter such an insult. But that was in the past. This planet rotation, he appeared amused with his human’s comment, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

“Bots are assigned to the ceiling spaces.” Head of Ship and Weapons Design, Qulpa’s gerel, tapped on the viewscreen resting on her leather-clad thighs. “I’ve doubled their allotted time for cleaning.”

Qulpa kissed the top of her head. His hands were on the viewscreen embedded in the console. The pilot preferred to be in constant communication with the warship.

“The ceilings aren’t comfortable for a young female.” Lead Medic expanded on her concerns for Lysagh.

Being on the bridge wasn’t comfortable for Ariq. “She chooses to be stay there.” His jaw firmed. “I will respect that choice.” He would also defend it. “And we have mere planet rotations left in the journey.”

There was a long pause.

The warriors and their gerels looked at each other. They were communicating silently.

Excluding him.

Ariq stared at the main viewscreen, at the vastness of space, and he contemplated joining Lysagh in her ceiling hideaway.

“I’ll design a bot for her.” Head of Ship and Weapons Design broke the silence. “Everyone needs a friend.”

Zondoo. Ariq pressed his lips together. She was likely designing a bot for him too.

“I—”

“There’s an incoming communication.” Ariq interrupted whatever it was Qulpa planned to say. “It’s originating from Carinae E.”

“Hulagu must be contacting us.” Second smiled.

Hulagu, Second’s brother, was the primary reason for the visit to the planet. That warrior had found his gerel also.

“I’m opening communications.” Ariq warned the occupants of the bridge.

A shadowed face appeared on the main viewscreen. He straightened. That darkened countenance belonged to Kralj, the Ruler of the Refuge.

A surge of energy flowed over Ariq. It lifted the small hairs on his arms, caused his skin to tingle.

The all-powerful, all-knowing modified humanoid was one of the scariest beings he had ever encountered. His unique abilities extended through the communication lines.

***

Read the next scene (available October 26th) here: http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7519

***

Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

Amazon UK:

Amazon AUS: