Alien 101: Lefi The Somian

(Note: the article was first published at Rosanna Leo's blog)

I knew  someday it would happen.

What, you ask? Well, the green alien. I knew I’d write one someday, but it took me by surprise when it actually happened.

Lefi Dhrahn is the title character of “The Bacchi” and he owes his existence to the lovely green dancing girl from Star Trek. I used to watch her and she always made me laugh with her heavy makeup and sexy costume. Of course, she was nothing more than a sexual being…a hottie for Captain Kirk to go all manly over.

Well, Lefi is that woman. He’s a Somian, which is a species from my Coalition universe. They are a twin species, always born in pairs. They are colorful, sensual and sunny natured. Some think they aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer, but in truth, they are brilliant. And they’re happy. When I started developing Lefi, I ran through all the colors I could paint him with, but he kept coming up green…long, emerald green hair, a flush of green over his cheeks and lips. Even his nipples are green! His eyes are purple as amethysts. He’s painfully lovely and revels in his career as a Bacchi: a high class prostitute.

When I went about picking his perfect lover, I knew that man or woman must be the sort who would set him off to advantage. Someone as beautiful as he, but completely the opposite. When I first put Afton’s name to paper, I knew he’d be one of the Valoran, a species that are cerebral, humorless and direct. They are also hermaphrodites. Imagine what the Bacchi thinks of that… ;)

 Afton thinks that Lefi is amoral and frivolous, but is secretly fascinated by the Somian. And Lefi… he can’t wait to strip Afton naked and find out just what’s under that stiff black uniform. It’s not going to be easy seducing a man like Afton, but Lefi has some special goodies up his sleeve. 

 

BLURB:

The Bacchi Lefi Dhrahn lives a life of luxury and decadence, but is tortured by memories of a lost love. He survives the pain by surrounding himself with sex, beauty and all forms of self-indulgence. When he meets the alluring Inspector Afton Teris, Lefi believes the detective will make a very nice addition to his string of conquests.

He doesn’t count on falling in love.

Afton Teris is a Valoran hermaphrodite and like all members of his species, is stern, cerebral and disapproves of the frivolous prostitute. Afton orients as a male, but the beautiful Lefi Dhrahn stirs him sexually, making him question everything he knows about himself. To further confuse his emotions, Afton finds himself tempted by the forbidden pleasures surrounding the Bacchi.

When a kidnapping ring strikes close to home, the two go undercover on a brothel barge to investigate a slavery operation. There, Lefi is confronted by painful memories from his past, while Afton is faced with a horror that threatens his future, and perhaps his very life. 

Their survival lies with one another, but only if Lefi can set aside his pain and listen to his heart.

The Bacchi releases July 31^st at Loose Id: http://www.loose-id.com/the-bacchi/

A Declaration of Belindapendence. (And no, you don't have to agree with me.)

One of my first memories is the killing of John F. Kennedy. Not long after, his brother Robert was killed. Not long after that, a friend of my parents accidently shot her husband when he came home from work late.

I've been aware of gun violence for a very long time. I grew up with guns. We killed our own pigs and cattle.

When I was little, I used to go target shooting and hunting with my dad and brother. When I was 12 years old I stopped because my brother went hiking and accidently shot himself in the stomach with his .22 handgun. He did not die, but his life was effectively destroyed. I will never forget seeing him sliced open from groin to chest, his incisions remaining open for days so they could continue to catch bleeds. I'll never forget the smell of his colostomy bag, or the horror of hearing his screams of pain from the bedroom next to mine. And I'll never get past being afraid of my brother when he ransacked my bedroom, looking for drugs to ease his pain. All that from a tiny .22 caliber bullet.

That was the year I realized just how dangerous guns are.

My father's father was an alcoholic. He never really liked me, I was the sole white-skinned, red-haired kid in the pack of dark grandchildren. Days after I gave birth to my red-headed daughter, he was stopped by the Sheriff for driving erratically. Grandpa was on his way to my house to shoot me. Yup, he had the loaded rifle in the front seat. It was an antique. The cop took it and let him go without charging him. Grandpa came over and crashed his car into my front yard. Then my grandmother called to warn me.
Gee, thanks, Grandma. The good thing was that we survived the car landing in the rosebushes. We wouldn't have survived being shot by an old Pearl Harbor vet.

Ronald Reagan. James Brady.

John Lennon. Oh my God. 

Tupac

Columbine.

Ft. Hood.

Lana Clarkson

Mike. Self inflicted.
Michael. Suicide.
Jesse. Killed while trespassing. He killed the property owner right back.
The Dancing Man. A young, handsome mentally ill youth who was gunned down by the local police. His crime? He was dancing in the middle of the street and the officer felt "threatened."  
Varian. Went to prison as an accessory to murder when his friend gunned down another man. He was a world class musician and singer. He cried when he was sentenced, not out of self-pity, but out of guilt. He never touched the gun.

Gary Matson and Winfield Mowder. Hate crime. A well-loved couple in my community. Gunned down in their bed by the Williams Brothers...fundamentalist Christians who tipped into white supremacy. 

Gabby Giffords  

Judge John Roll Christina Taylor Green Gabe Zimmerman Phyllis Schneck

 Dorwin Stoddard Dorothy Morris

Here are some sobering statistics: There have been 54,830 people shot in the US this year. In the past 3 hours, 20 people have been shot. Wait...its now 24. No...it's 25.
Since 1995, there have been an average of 20 mass shootings in the US per year.



There are an average of 9,484 gun deaths in the US annually.

To compare, the country with the second highest annual rate of gun deaths is Canada, with 200.

As I can personally attest, not all of these deaths were the result of gun violence. Many are suicides and horrific accidents. Most I know personally were killed by their own weapon.




I'm not suggesting that we ban guns. I'm saying that for the preservation of our country, we need to use a common sense approach to gun ownership. My dad and brother hunted a lot. I don't recall that they needed an assault weapon to bag their deer. In fact, my brother preferred bow hunting.

I tend to be a bit compulsive. When I want something, I want it NOW. But is it necessary for me to walk into Wal Mart and walk out with a gun? No, I'm a grownup. I'm more than capable of waiting awhile. And I really don't need to shop for ammo on the internet. Heck, Sudafed has more controls than firearms. When I buy lye to make soap, I have to sign a registry. I don't mind at all. If I want to ride a scooter to work, I have to take a class before I can test for a license.

 In my county, its cheaper and easier to get a gun than a dog license. Our local politicans brag on that little fact.

I don't have the answers. But this is what I want. I want gun owners to come up with the answers. Real answers. I want to see a national conversation on the subject of gun violence. I want my congressman to stop ignoring the mayhem and grow a pair.

I want people to stop perceiving guns as sacred objects.  They aren't sacred. They are tools with one specific purpose: to kill things. Deer and snakes, elephants, lions and humans.

I want people to stop excusing and justifying the craziness.
 "If there'd been even one person with a concealed carry permit..."  To borrow someone else's phrase...that's a cowboy fantasy.


 "As long as we live in a free country, we have to accept that this will happen." So Australia isn't free? Canada? Great Britain?

"If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns." Yeah, that's so original. I had that bumper sticker on my binder back in 1973. Along with "Custer had it coming."

By the way, since I started writing this post, 22 more people have been shot. The ticker now shows 42.

 

http://bradycampaign.org/

First Peek: The Bacchi

The Bacchi

Science Fiction, LGBTQ (intersexed)

Release date: July 31, www.loose-id.com

BLURB:

The Bacchi Lefi Dhrahn lives a life of luxury and decadence, but is tortured by memories of a lost love. He survives the pain by surrounding himself with sex, beauty and all forms of self-indulgence. When he meets the alluring Inspector Afton Teris, Lefi believes the detective will make a very nice addition to his string of conquests.

He doesn't count on falling in love.

Afton Teris is a Valoran hermaphrodite and like all members of his species, is stern, cerebral and disapproves of the frivolous prostitute. Afton orients as a male, but the beautiful Lefi Dhrahn stirs him sexually, making him question everything he knows about himself. To further confuse his emotions, Afton finds himself tempted by the forbidden pleasures surrounding the Bacchi.

When a kidnapping ring strikes close to home, the two go undercover on a brothel barge to investigate a slavery operation. There, Lefi is confronted by painful memories from his past, while Afton is faced with a horror that threatens his future, and perhaps his very life. 

Their survival lies with one another, but only if Lefi can set aside his pain and listen to his heart.

EXCERPT:

"If what they say is true, you have advanced degrees. You could make your living in a legitimate fashion."

"I do make my living in an honest fashion. The woman you watched me with was not a client. She was a patient."

"But not all your clients are patients."

"No. And not all my patients have sexual issues. Within my culture there is no dishonor in making a living in the sex trade. After all, it's what our bodies are best suited for." His gaze slid along the length of Afton's body. "Oddly enough, it's what Valoran bodies are best suited to as well. I find it odd that your people have developed such revulsion of their nature."

Afton frowned at him. "There is no revulsion, and the tendency to identify with one gender over another is normal."

"Then why are you so disturbed about having a strong attraction to me?"

"It's normal to become aroused when people are having sex." Afton wiped a damp palm along his leg. Catching himself, he clenched his fist.

"You are most disturbed that you respond to me as a female. You've been wet all afternoon."

"That is untrue." Suddenly Afton's throat felt tight. His voice was quiet in his stress.

"Your female scent is as light and sweet as the sophris you drank."

Afton swallowed hard and changed the subject. "That human you were with…"

"Judith?"

Afton nodded. "She was much older. And not very desirable."

Lefi's smile faded. He carefully chose a small rolled dumpling, bit into it, and chewed slowly. "You are surprised that I enjoyed fucking her because she is middle-aged and plump." He took a sip of his wine. "There is beauty and desirability in all forms, Afton. Judith… Her skin is soft, and she has a gentle touch. When I kneel behind her, her buttocks jiggle delightfully at my blows. When she's on her back, her breasts shake every time I thrust into her body. And when I cover her, penetrate her cunt, she is soft and pillowy and warm. She's only just learned to climax, and sometimes it makes her cry."

"Why?"

"Why does she cry?" He lifted an arched brow slightly. "It's new to her. The intensity of the physical sensation overwhelms her. The emotional impact is painful; she never experienced culmination with the man she loved. She feels a bond with me because of the trust we've developed, but that connection frightens her. She's afraid of the eventual parting, yet looks forward to it as well. She's nearly ready to move on."

Afton studied the Bacchi's face. "You didn't climax."

"That would be rude unless my partner asks me to do so." He drank again. "But I restrain myself only with paying clients or patients. I expect to fully enjoy my lovers." His gaze again roved Afton's body, leaving no doubt as to what he was imagining.

"With you, there would be many delights. If you wanted to fuck me, I'd cherish the feel of you inside my body. I'd love to taste the hard flesh of your cock…the sweet juice of your pussy…"

"I'm male, Lefi."

The Bacchi continued, ignoring Afton's terse words. "Have you ever wondered what it would feel like, Afton, to have a hard cock up your cunt? To feel your breasts tingle and soften? To part your legs to a male?"

"That is enough!"

"Have you wondered what it would be like to feel a man's face at your sex, licking the wine from your flower or nipping at your sweet, tiny clit?"

Afton set his jaw and looked away, looked anywhere but at that tempting face…that body…

"Would you like me to kiss you?"

"Stop."

Lefi grinned and set his glass on the table. Despite the fact that they were several feet apart, Afton felt as though every inch of his body had been touched and stroked and set ablaze. The Bacchi reclined, his arm casually resting across the back of the sofa. In the distance, Afton heard the strains of soft music.

"Your words lack conviction."

"I will not be seduced, Lefi."

"If I choose to seduce you, Inspector, you will be unable to resist."

And Afton knew the truth for what it was. If the Bacchi wanted him, he would have him. Afton would have no will to resist.

"Are you emitting pheromones?"

"Of course. All creatures emit pheromones. That's how I know of your attraction to me, Valoran. But I'm not doing so to ensnare you. However, if we were to kiss—"

They were interrupted as the twins arrived to clear the table, and they left behind a small tray of sweets. They refreshed Afton's drink and presented Lefi with a tiny glass on a golden tray. He picked it up and held it to the light of the candles.

"This is a dessert wine of sorts. Very potent and a strong aphrodisiac." He smiled at Afton's surprise. "I have clients tonight. The wine in my system will heighten their arousal."

He downed it in one swallow. His eyes dropped closed as his entire body shuddered. Lefi exhaled and shivered. When he opened his eyes, they were heavy and languorous. "It is called chalus. A gift from the Goddess of the Garden." His smile was sin itself.

"But never fear; it takes several hours to work through my system. When the judge licks my skin, the wine will penetrate the membranes of his mouth and tongue. When his wife sucks my cock—"

"The judge? Again?" Afton rolled his eyes, lifting his glass to his lips.

"Of course. One thousand credits and a gemstone buy a good deal of my time." He smiled gently at Afton. "And your company now will be a welcome memory later tonight. I will see your face instead of his." Lefi dropped his gaze to Afton's mouth.

"Are you finished?"

Lefi brought a napkin to his lips. He then rose gracefully and picked up the soft leather boots he'd left by the door.

"I'll never be finished provoking you, Inspector Teris."

www.loose-id.com

www.belindamcbride.com

 

The Bacchi Has A Cover!

And it's stunning!
Thank you to PL Nunn for this gorgeous piece of art. :) The Bacchi will release July 31 at Loose Id.