Don't Fight The Spark | Author Chat with Kasia Bacon

I’ve been looking forward to welcome Kasia Bacon back to the blog. In case that’s news to you, I’m a fan of her Order Series and cherish a special regard for one less than eloquent assassin. I was, of course, hoping for another chance to sneek a look into the lad’s laundry basket. It seems, however, that Kasia Bacon is a little challenged on the Christmas front this year… or every year. So instead of cheering Kasia’s latest release, and telling you to go buy the next Order Series story, we get to drool over a fabulous cover and read a snip that wants me to go and inflict damage…. nothing new there, then. 🙂

But here’s the lady herself and she’s far more entertaining to listen to than me… And she’s even got a deal for you. By way of an apology, I suppose.

OK, so here’s the thing—the run-up to Christmas brings out the worst in me.

I would gladly sign a petition to ban Michael Buble on the radio. Every glimpse of sleazy looking snowmen or chubby angels with the beady eyes of a serial killer popping up everywhere makes me want to reach for the personal alarm device I carry in my handbag. Shopping is a no-go. Gah! Thank the gods for Amazon Prime.

You get the picture.

It appears the dislike is mutual because I don’t ever seem to accomplish anything of value during the pre-holiday period. In other words, I’m a known Christmas screw-up.

Last year, I surprised myself by writing an alternative winter holiday story titled Blessing & Light as part of the Order Universe, which could be described as fairly sweet and romantic in comparison to my other stories.

(BTW, Blessing & Light is still FREE on Amazon and Amazon UK, so you can grab yourself a copy!)

Of course, I immediately stipulated in the foreword that it was most likely a one-off.

However, this year, an idea for a short set around the winter solstice occurred to me yet again. On this occasion though, the story—titled Don’t Fight the Spark—isn’t as festive or holiday focused. Moreover, it’s still bloody unfinished. See?! My December curse is going strong! Hopefully, it won’t be long now before it’s released.

You might’ve seen me flashing this gorgeous cover art created by Paul Bacon all over Instagram.

The story opens with the line, “They brought him to me bloodied and beaten to a pulp three days before the Night of Lights.” I have no blurb for it yet (shocker!!) However, I gave an apt summary of it when tagged on Twitter to post five things from my work in progress:

Well, if that piques your interest at all, read on for a sneaky, raw and unedited snippet from Don’t Fight the Spark.

I hope you’ll enjoy it!

Kasia Bacon

PS1. I do wish you a wonderful holiday. Honest. /toasts you with a Prosecco & pomegranate cocktail/ That’s as Christmassy as I go.

PS2. Thank you, Jackie, for hosting me today. You’re an angel (minus the homicidal tendencies). I will definitely try out your recipe for brussels sprouts. Um… One day! 🙂

**EXCERPT from Don’t Fight the Spark by Kasia Bacon**

“The Barbarian still out of it? Such a little graze and he just keeled over. Who would’ve thought?” Takano said with perfect detachment. “You’d better fix him up and quick, Ĥaiatto. We’ve set up a big fight for a special audience on the Night of Lights. He’s in it.”

In a jolt of fury, I clenched my jaws until the hinge joints ached. I only spoke after the worst of the emotion subsided, when I could trust my voice to sound dispassionate. “No way in hell he’ll be able to fight in three days. A fortnight would be too soon, magic or not.”

Takano shot me a brief, dismissing glance. I didn’t fail to notice the way his light-coloured eyes lit with glee before he went back to examining the unconscious body in front of him. “Oh, but fight he will.” Takano continued as if nothing had happened, baring his teeth in an unpleasant grimace he employed as a smile. “Even if for the last time.”

I couldn’t help but react to the malice in his voice. Terror clenched my gut in an iron clasp.

“You care about him?” Takano’s narrowed gaze drilled into mine.

Does he know something? Has he heard rumours? Or is he trying to sound me out?

“I do.” I shrugged with forced nonchalance. “The same as I care about every ih’mohrô you bring me to treat.”

“The same?” Takano’s drawled, arching an eyebrow. “So you say.”

I didn’t expect him—still smiling—to reach out and grab a fist full of Yüu’s hair and yank his head upwards in a vicious jerk.

A vein at my temple started throbbing and my mouth filled with the taste of copper. Yet I stayed perfectly still, impersonating a stone carving. “Your father pays me heavy coin to heal his fighters. Healing is what happens in this room. Ever do that again to any of my patients,” I invited Takano him with a wave of my hand, fixing him with a blinkless stare, “and I’ll slap an impotence hex on your cock before you even figure out how to spell erectile dysfunction.”

BARGAIN ALERT – Dun, dun, duuun!

It might be a good time to mention that Twenty-One Arrow Salute is available for 99c/99p on Amazon and Amazon UK this weekend only (regular price $2.99/£2.99).

Why not grab a bargain, if you fancy a read about sexy, long-haired Elven archers handling big bows?

Incidentally, Twenty-One Arrow Salute was nominated in this years’ Goodreads M/M Romance Members’ Choice Awards in two categories: BEST FANTASY* puffs chest* & BEST COVER ART (design by Ying Draws).

If you’re so inclined, you can vote here.

About Kasia Bacon

A linguist and an avid reader with a particular fondness for fantasy and paranormal genres, KASIA BACON lives in London with her husband. When not tearing her hair out over a translating project, she writes stories about the shenanigans of emotionally constipated assassins and sexy Elves. Otherwise, she can be found shaking her loins at a Zumba class, binging on anime or admiring throwing knives on Pinterest. A lover of MMA and Muay Thai, she also enjoys nature and the great outdoors. She dreams of becoming independently wealthy, leaving the city and moving into her wooden mini-manor—located in the heart of stunning forests resembling those of the Elven Country depicted in her tales.

Find Kasia online:

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