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SeraniCrystalbrook

Author for Dreamspinner Press
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New Release!

4 min read
NoSacrifice headerbanner by SeraniCrystalbrook

Hello again! It's been a bit crazy here lately, but I thought I'd let everyone know that I have a new book coming soon!  I am so excited, it isn't funny. My first ever contemporary novel is coming out on June 23rd from Dreamspinner Press. It's already available for pre-order here. And on June 23rd, it will be available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, ARe as well as a few other places.

NoSacrifice2 by SeraniCrystalbrook

Patrick has taken his acting talents from high school all the way to a role in a major television show. But as the show progresses, his life of absolute certainties crumbles when he finds himself reacting to the kisses of his male costar. He refuses to accept it, reminding himself he’s married and a father—and thus, straight. 


One night he goes to drink his worries away, meets Chance Dillon, and can’t take his eyes off the man. After having a little too much alcohol, he spills his problem to Chance, who helps him realize there’s something other than gay and straight. Patrick’s new understanding of his bisexual identity helps him sleep better—until the next day, when he discovers Chance is a sound technician on the same set. 

As their friendship grows and Patrick’s marriage ends, he recognizes a possibility for much more with Chance. But Patrick isn’t ready to be out the way Chance has been for so long, and when the matter is taken out of Patrick's hands, he pushes Chance away to spare him the mess Patrick's life has become. By the time he realizes his mistake, it may be too late.

I have a blog tour going on for the release, with lots of chances to win backlist titles, swag and more. For links, go here.Banner2 by SeraniCrystalbrook

There is also a Rafflecopter giveaway with a chance to win a lovely necklace, collectible clapboard and a signed paperback copy of No Sacrifice (US only). 


Finally, I am also going into edits soon on a new novella! Set in the same world as my short story, Celebrating You, it's officially a series! Called The Pandemus Chronicles, the new story is called Healing, and while it is in the same world, is not directly related to the previous story. 

The blurb: (please note, this is neither final, nor professionally edited)

When Duncan stumbles into the pharmacy to get something to fix up his broken leg and open gash, he’s surprised to find someone there. Like most of the rest of the post-pandemic world,  he’d expected it to be empty. Instead, he finds Mark, a former nurse who’d walked away from the medical profession after losing too many patients to the pandemic. Duncan tries to tell Mark his help isn’t needed but, despite his recent history of leaving people alone, Mark finds his nursing instincts coming back and instead, he’s patching Duncan up.

Unwilling to leave an injured Duncan alone, they pick an abandoned house in the tiny empty town and settle in until Duncan can take care of himself again. But much to the chagrin of both, they find themselves caring for the other person.

Duncan doesn’t mind this and instead would welcome it. He’s been lonely since he lost his sister and is thrilled at finding someone he can trust, someone he gets along with so well. However, he’s well aware that Mark doesn’t want it. He’s seen the shadows in Mark’s eyes, finally learns the story of abandonment and overwhelming death, and understands Mark’s reticence.

But he cares too much, and when he’s starting to take care of himself again after two weeks of Mark’s help, Duncan realizes he doesn’t want to let Mark go. But he’s not sure if can get Mark to let go of his fears so they can stay together and love. But Duncan’s damned sure going to try.

I've got some great new stuff in progress, so keep checking back to see what's coming up. 

Thanks for reading!
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Latest Releases

5 min read
Hello folks! I know it's been a while since I posted and for that I do apologize. I just having been on dA all that much lately, to be honest.

But I did want to update everyone on what's going on! I have three new releases coming out! And I pretty busy facebook page where I do most of my updating. I do also have a blog that I post to with free fiction every Wednesday. :)

First things first, Choices is now part of a series! Called Golden Collar you can find out all about it on my publisher's series page or on my own website.


Deception headerbanner by SeraniCrystalbrook

My most recent release is Deception, the second in my Golden Collar Series. This book features two of the side characters from Choices, Cyrus and Nadir, though Bathasar and Teman have huge parts in it.

Deception by SeraniCrystalbrook

Cyrus and Nadir first met as hungry orphans on Behekam’s streets at twelve years old. They became friends, then partners in the thievery that enabled them to survive, and as they passed their days together, they fell in love. When they are both taken as pleasure slaves in the opulent palace of the Malik of Neyem, love becomes more complicated. 

Rumors of an attempt on Malik Bathasar's life put Cyrus and Nadir's relationship to the test—they must pose convincingly as intimate slaves to the young malik as part of a plan to lure the assassin into the open. Teman—Malik Bathasar’s real personal pleasure slave and true lover—was once trained by Cyrus for the same duties, and the attraction and care Cyrus developed for him then still remains. The Malik of Neyem proves an easy man to love and Nadir’s feelings for him grow while they’re pretending to love each other. 

Cyrus and Nadir care deeply for each other but they’ve forgotten the first rule of love: communicate in honesty. Their love remains strong enough to weather the changes—if they have the courage not only to face the coming dangers, but to put aside deception and find their truth.

Warnings: This is erotic fiction. It's adult in nature and not for anyone under the age of 18. It features pleasure slaves, BDSM and polyamory.

Coronation headerbanner by SeraniCrystalbrook

The next release I'd like to tell you about is a free side story from the Golden Collar universe. It features Teman and Bathasar from Choices

CoronationFS by SeraniCrystalbrook

When a country crowns a new ruler, the people rejoice. For most, it’s a time to put away old fears and look to a future of peace and prosperity. But for Teman, a pleasure slave in the land of Neyem, the coronation of his love and master Bathasar fills him with new fears. 

Assassination rumors roll through the country—and Bathasar is the target. And Teman knows a malik has many duties. Bathasar may not have room in his life for devotion to a slave—a lover he can’t publicly claim. The love they have might shine brighter than the crown’s jewels, but only if they can keep it alive against all odds.


CelebratingYou banner 2 by SeraniCrystalbrook


Lastly, I have a Christmas short out as part of the Dreamspinner Press Christmas anthology Heartwarming. My story, Celebrating You, is a little different. 

CelebratingYouLG (1) by SeraniCrystalbrook

With the world's population down to almost nothing and his husband dead, Daniel is sure he’ll spend Christmas alone with his dog, cats, and goats. Jake has been wandering aimlessly since the world went to hell and he lost his partner. As far as he’s concerned, there’s nothing to celebrate. But he finds himself helping Daniel with his Christmas tree and listening to him describe all the things to be thankful for. 

Through tree decoration, dinner, and a chess game, Daniel and Jake discover a connection between them that hints at a possibility both had long declared impossible. When the chess game is over and they’re in each other’s arms, they realize how good it feels… and how right. But after having lost everything, are they willing to believe in the possibility of something beyond basic survival? 


Thanks for reading! Do let me know if you read my books, I always love to hear from readers! Keep an eye out on the blog and facebook page, as well, because I often run giveaways for chances to get free copies. Happy Holidays!
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On Monday, March 4th, my first original nove, Choices will be released! Here is the cover art, done by Paul Richmond www.paulrichmondstudio.com/. I am just amazed. I think he did an incredible job!



Do be sure to keep up with my blog gracerduncan.wordpress.com as I am doing a tour and guest posting in several places.  Each post will have giveaways for those that comment on it! I will also have live chats and other events, so keep an eye out for a chance to win some cool stuff.

If you'd like to order a copy of Choices you can get it in both e-book www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor… and paperback www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor….  Pre-orders are up now, and it will be available officially on Monday!

* * *

And the blurb, if you're interested:

Born and raised a gypsy in the late eleventh century, Teman values freedom over everything. He and his best friend, Jasim, are thieves for hire—until one night they're caught and their precious freedom is revoked. Given the choice between the dungeons or palace pleasure slavery, they become slaves, but Teman vows to escape someday.

Bathasar doesn't want the throne. He supports his brother instead, which suits their sadistic father, Mukesh. When Teman, the handsome slave Bathasar has secretly been watching, saves his life, Bathasar requests a slave for the first time. Before long, Bathasar and Teman fall in love. But all is not well. One day Mukesh brutalizes Teman before the court, angering the empress of a neighboring nation. To appease her, he then offers her Jasim as a gift, and Teman decides to stay with Bathasar for now—despite the abuse he may suffer.

The peace doesn't last. Mukesh plans to invade Jasim's new country, and Bathasar must find a way to stop the destruction. But if he succeeds, he'll ascend to the throne and have the power to grant Teman his liberty. Then Teman will surely leave him. What other choice could a gypsy make?
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My apologies

3 min read
So...  two of my deviations were pulled.  Two of the chapters of "Illusion and Dream."  I don't have a better explanation than "judged unacceptable."  I've put in a help desk request for further clarification, but I suspect I'm not going to get much.  It might have been something as simple as my disclaimer not being enough or maybe something more.  The thing is, that if they take a closer look at my gallery, it's obvious that there's a lot of content there that is adult in nature.  I don't get it, I don't know why there's an adult filter on this site if adult content isn't allowed, but there it is.

As such, I won't be updating my stories here anymore.  I have three other places I post: fanfiction.net, adultfanfiction.net and y!Gallery.  My username on all three is "Serani."  If you're following "Illusion and Dream," it's listed in basic male/male Naruto stories on aff and a simple search for Izumo and Kotetsu on ff.net will let you find it.  If you go to Y!Gallery, you can also search there for my babies by name or the title of the story itself, which you can then use to find me and my gallery there.

I've seen friend after friend get stuff pulled and I've just had enough.  I've been gifted a premium membership from :iconfreedom1001: and I am very grateful for it, but it's just not worth the headache anymore.  

So if you follow me here, please go to one of my alternate sites and follow me there, instead.  I really would hate to lose you as a reader.  If you can't, well, then I wish you well and thank you for the reading, :+fav:ing and commenting that you've done.

~Serani

Treeline: by resurgere
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I'm at a point where I just want to crawl into a hole. I was offered, then had rescinded the offers on two jobs now, because I've been arrested for, but NOT CONVICTED OF, something I didn't do.

Several years ago, there was a mess over some welfare fraud. I was never even tried, much less convicted. I was overpaid on food stamps and because I couldn't afford a lawyer and the public defender told me I'd be convicted, I agreed to pay the money back (even though I didn't have it) and do community service to make it go away. And my record will, eventually, be expunged, when I pay off money I don't really owe and don't really have.

But because of this, because the person who handled our case didn't even once try to contact us about it and work something out, I may never be able to work at a decent job again.

Because I was *under suspicion* and couldn't afford to prove that I was innocent.

Even though I'm not supposed to have to prove my innocence.

I just don't know what to do anymore. Target or Walmart, I guess. If THEY'LL even hire me.

I sent a letter to the White House. I doubt it'll even be read, much less responded to, but I'm about at my wit's end. Letter is at the bottom here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I need help and I don't know where to turn.

Several years ago, I was arrested for welfare fraud that I didn't commit. I was NEVER convicted of it, when I talked to the public defender about going to trial, he told me that, regardless of what I knew to be true, I'd end up getting convicted anyway. I went and paid for a private attorney who worked out a way for my husband and I to get into a program called ARD (Associative Rehabilitative Disposition) that would allow us to do community service and pay them the money they were asking for (some $15,000) and eventually, our records would be expunged.

A year and a half ago, I was laid off. My attempts at paying that dwindled to nothing because I was barely paying rent, utilities and buying food for my family of 5. My husband is disabled and applying for Social Security (he's been turned down twice, he's at the point of judicial appeal and has been waiting since August of last year, so far), but has not yet received it.

I've been looking for work. Finally, last week, I was offered a job. A good one. With a really good salary for a good company with good benefits. But my arrest record - the ARREST that says I was only under suspicion, NOT convicted - made them rescind the offer. I was then offered a DIFFERENT job with a DIFFERENT company. Not as good pay, but still good, still good benefits... and when my background check came back they, too, rescinded the offer.

How am I supposed to pay this back and get it off my record if I can't get a job because of it? Truth be told, I *shouldn't* be paying off $15,000 in food stamps, but I couldn't argue it because I didn't have the money to pay for a decent lawyer to fight it in the first place.

What can I do? There are five of us - myself, my husband, my daughter and my two sons, all trying to just get by. I *can* work - I have more than ten years' experience in the computer field, an associate's degree, excellent references, a certification. I can get the job...except for this.

My unemployment is gone. I've got food stamps, but that's it. We have no health care (or my husband may even have gotten his back fixed, but he, too has the same problem with our record) no way to get any.

Isn't there something that I can do? Please, help.
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Featured

New Release! by SeraniCrystalbrook, journal

Latest Releases by SeraniCrystalbrook, journal

Choices is out Monday! by SeraniCrystalbrook, journal

My apologies by SeraniCrystalbrook, journal

Innocent until proven guilty? Not in this country. by SeraniCrystalbrook, journal