Tuesday #Teaser - My Name is A'yen by @racheleighgeek #scifi #romance #giveaway

Thanks so much for having me, Pippa! I’ve picked one of my favorite scenes to share, from around the midpoint of the book. I had a ton of fun writing it. A’yen is teaching Fae how to swim. She grew up on a desert planet and never learned. A’yen grew up on a planet known throughout the galaxy for its beautiful lakes, and swimming is one of his favorite things.

“I’m scared.” Whispered words, almost lost in the melody of water and birdsong.

Three steps and he stood in front of her, pulled her hand away from her mouth, stared into her heart-stopping green eyes. “So am I. Do you trust me?”

“I want to.”

“I won’t let you drown.” He held his empty hand out and she filled it with hers. Slowly he backed up, leading her further into the water. Her grip tightened every time the water moved up her body, until his fingers began tingling as it reached her ribcage. She froze, body tense, hands white from the force of her grip.

“I won’t let you drown. Try to relax.” With a gentle tug, he led her further into the water until she froze again. “Relax, Farran.”

Her gaze locked on his face, her body began to obey. Except for her grip on his hands.

“As long as you stay relaxed, you won’t drown.”

She nodded, gaze never leaving his face.

“I’m going to help you float first. I have to let go of your hands, but I will not let you drown. Stay relaxed.”

A deep breath moved her chest up and she released his hands. He slipped behind her, settled his hands around her waist. It had been so long since he’d touched someone like this that his body’s reaction took him by surprise. Warm tingles flooded the ink, adding more cement to the growing bond he didn’t want.

To find out what happens next you’ll have to read the book.

Bio: Rachel Leigh Smith writes romance for the hero lover. She lives in central Louisiana with her family and a half-crazed calico. When not writing, which isn’t often, she’s hanging with her family, doing counted cross-stitch, or yakking about life, the universe, and everything with her besties. There may also be Netflix binging . . .

She blogs sporadically at www.rachelleighsmith.com, can be found on Twitter @rachelleighgeek, and hangs out on Facebook, www.facebook.com/rachelleighsmithauthor. You can sign up for her newsletter here.

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Blurb:

They've taken everything from him. Except his name.

The Loks Mé have been slaves for so long, freedom is a distant myth A'yen Mesu no longer believes. A year in holding, because of his master's murder, has sucked the life from him. Archaeologist Farran Hart buys him to protect her on an expedition to the Rim, the last unexplored quadrant.

Farran believes the Loks Mé once lived on the Rim and is determined to prove it. And win A'yen's trust. But she's a breeder's daughter and can't be trusted.

Hidden rooms, information caches and messages from a long-dead king change A'yen's mind about her importance. When she's threatened he offers himself in exchange, and lands on the Breeder's Association's radar. The truth must be told. Even if it costs him his heart.

Question for readers: Who is your favorite romance hero?

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