A Question of Counsel by Archer Kay Leah
Publication date: May 27th 2015
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Goodreads: Click
Life hasn’t been easy for Aeley since she arrested her brother, and her role as a political leader leaves her feeling isolated and lonely. Days before her brother’s trial, she meets Lira, a quiet and modest scribe who makes Aeley want more than just a professional relationship.
When she attends the trial and leaves with a marriage contract, Aeley doesn’t know what to do. She must choose one of two brothers, marrying into a family she doesn’t know. Then she discovers that Lira is part of the same family–a sister to Aeley’s suitors and the family’s disgrace. And not at all opposed to an intimate relationship.
Except random acts of violence against her people test Aeley’s ability as a leader, and a web of lies and deceit threaten not only her chance at happiness, but her life…
"Is it the same reason why you and Mayr aren't together?"
"Partially," Aeley replied. "That, and he's my best
friend. The only one who really understands me. We never wanted to
ruin it." She tilted her head back to stare at the stars. "If
only it wasn't your brothers. If only it was y—"
Closing her mouth, she knew she'd said too much already. It always
happened whenever they were together. Rarely did she tell anyone her
most private thoughts, and when she did, she trusted only Mayr. But
even then, she preferred to keep her deepest thoughts to herself,
protecting them as if they were precious and easily shattered. Why
could she not stop exposing those secrets when she was with Lira?
"What were you saying?" Lira asked softly, her eyes
searching Aeley's.
"Nothing. Never mind. I was rambling."
"Or telling the truth."
When Aeley turned, Lira stepped closer. Their chests touched—a
deliberate move, Aeley realized, when Lira leaned into her. She
watched the rise and fall of Lira's chest under the simple gold
pendant around her neck.
"Imagine if you could tell me everything, without worrying about
what I'd think," Lira murmured. Her face neared Aeley's. "Maybe
this is exactly the change you wanted. Maybe you just need more time
to put everything together. Or maybe you just need all the pieces."
There was no time to breathe before Lira's lips touched hers, coaxing
a soft kiss from Aeley with a gentle push and tug.
Her thoughts spun. Aeley raised her hand to the balcony to keep
steady, only barely registering the fact that her hand made it
halfway before stopping in the air. Was the silence just in her head
or had the music stopped?
By the time Aeley realized what was happening, Lira's lips left.
"Something for you to think about," Lira whispered. Without
waiting for a reply, she walked towards the ballroom.
She paused in the doorway and looked back, the light from the room
illuminating her face and giving her skin a yellow glow. Her lips
showed the hint of a smile, but her eyes said everything.
A Question of Counsel
Author
Interview with Archer Kay Leah
Aside
from people or pets, what is the ONE item you would save if your home
were on fire?
My
CPU!! No contest. That baby contains most of my life on it!
What
would your characters say about you? Be honest!
I’m
mean, grueling, and crazy. To be honest, I’m pretty sure most of
them might want to plot my death. But on the upside, I let them run
rampant and control the story. I even let them take over my brain on
a regular basis. So here’s to hoping they don’t complain… much.
Is
there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than
others?
Erotic
scenes, although fight scenes have their moments, especially when I’m
trying to avoid describing every single action. What’s really
hilarious is that after I write the racy scenes, I often can’t read
them without blushing or getting really embarrassed. One of those “I
wrote that?!”
sort of things.
Let's
talk cats versus computers, since your bio says you have a cat. How
do you keep your feline companion from taking over your writing time?
I
bribe him with soft food, pillows, and blankets. It works most of the
time until he gets bored. Then we have to negotiate rights to the
spot between the keyboard and myself. Sometimes I even win.
Name
3 quirky things about you!
-
I love, love, love the dulcimer.
-
I’m left and right brained: while I write speculative fiction and
romance, I also went to post-secondary for science and tend to get my
geek on. It’s a fun line to walk, especially when the two sides
mash up. Or fight. That happens.
-
I actually don’t mind doing taxes or edits. Yeah, I said that.
What
are your favorite love songs?
I’ll
try to keep this list to ten! First off, I have a strange, weepy
relationship with “What Is A Youth” (“that” song from the old
Romeo and Juliet movie). I don’t know why, but I love it so bad. As
for the rest of the short list…
The
Cure – Lovesong
Robbie
Robertson – Unbound
U2
– The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Mylène
Farmer – Innamoramento
Darren
Hayes – Insatiable
Ofra
Haza – Ahava
Matthew
Perryman Jones – Canción de la Noche
Conjure
One – Extraordinary Ways
Cowboy
Junkies – Come Calling (Her Song)
Light
side or dark side?
Dark
side! (I really wasn’t kidding about my characters wanting to get
some kicks in.) Let’s put it this way… the tortured souls of
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s The League series? I love, love, LOVE.
Where
do you write? What's the environment like when you're writing?
Nowhere
fancy. Mostly in my living room. And I bounce around. If I’m not on
the couch with my laptop and the cat, I’m at the dinner table or at
the PC. Incidentally, they’re all 2 feet apart.
Top ten snacks while writing?
Chocolate,
salt & vinegar chips, white cheddar popcorn, cheese &
crackers, M&Ms, red licorice, almonds, ice cream, Sour Patch
Kids, chocolate. Lots of lots of chocolate.
Any
last word to readers?
Thanks
for reading along today! I appreciate all of your support. And if
you’re looking for a bit of a party, the Release Party for A
Question of Counsel
is happening next week, May 27th
to 28th.
It’s online at Facebook –
https://www.facebook.com/events/450660561775319/
– so come in your PJs with your fave snacks and some pals. Win some
stuff. Jam to some tunes. The more the merrier!
Archer Kay Leah was raised in Ontario, Canada, growing up in a port town at a time when it was starting to become more diverse, both visibly and vocally. Combined with the variety of interests found in Archer’s family and the never-ending need to be creative, it has been this diversity that has inspired Archer’s love of toying with characters and their relationships, exploring new experiences and crazy situations.Archer started writing stories at age six and became “that kid” with their nose in the books and a pen in their hand, pursuing the challenges of writing novels at age thirteen and conquering the dread of poetry at fifteen. Archer most enjoys writing speculative fiction and is engaged in a very particular love affair with fantasy, especially when it is dark and emotionally charged.
When not reading and writing for work or play, Archer is a geek who has too many hobbies, keeping busy with other creative endeavors, a music addiction, and whatever else comes along, especially if it is in technological form. Archer lives in London, Ontario with a same-sex partner and their cat.
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