#MFRWHOOK – Checkmate | Maggie Blackbird

Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. Readers can jump from one author to another who share hooks from their current WIP (work in progress) or any previously published books.

For this week’s edition of Book Hooks, I give you a teaser from my November 3, 2023, upcoming release Twisted Beauty, a m/m dystopian romance.

His community or his enemy. He can’t have both.

Deep in the badlands, long after the fall of modern civilization, Hunter patrols the area as the war chief for his Lakota community. His latest mission is to hunt down a marauder who robbed his neighbors of their precious goods. He’ll act as this man’s judge, jury, and executioner.

Having lost everything at his former Ojibway encampment, Chassis is far from home. He wanders the badlands, a grim reaper bringing death to those with what he needs to survive. But there is one man courageous enough to challenge him.

When the duo faces off, neither expects the sizzling chemistry to erupt between them, nor for their duel to touch what both have denied themselves. Now they must choose to either remain together and sacrifice their beliefs, or go their separate ways, losing what they’ve spent their lives searching for—love.

Genre(s): M/M Dystopian Romance, LGBTQ+, First Nations Romance, Native American Romance
Heat Rating: Level 4 (violence, dubious consent)
Publication Date: November 3, 2023
Publisher: eXtasy Books

COMING NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Hearing the familiar fire in Hunter’s tone and seeing the habitual cocky slyness in his gaze stopped Chassis from working on his bonds. He couldn’t deny he admired how The Wolf’s proud spirit had reappeared, because not only was he aware of Hunter’s shifting emotion, Chassis’ were also shifting. His internal temperature rose like a fever invading his body. “Before I do answer, I have one question. What the hell is chess?”

Hunter’s lips turned up at the corners. “It’s a two-player competitive game of strategy that utilizes goals and tactics. Strategic goals are achieved by means of tactics, while tactical opportunities are based on the previous strategy of play. It’s all about the mind.” He tapped the side of his head.

“Sounds similar to what you do, Wolf.” Chassis couldn’t help the amusement in his voice.

“It is.” Hunter’s luminous eyes twinkled. “My uncle taught me when I was a kid. Great-Grandpa taught him. He played it as a child. I still have the original set Great-Grandpa brought with him to the badlands. Mom gave it to me after my uncle…” His smile faded.

“What’s the object of the game?” Chassis kept probing because pain was surfacing in Hunter’s gaze. He had no desire to see The Wolf retreat again. Retreating didn’t suit such a courageous spirit.

Hunter’s mouth eased into another smile. “To utilize your available resources so you can checkmate your opponent. In simple terms. Relentlessly pursue your challenger and strip him of his wherewithal, until he’s without any defense, and his only option is to surrender so you can claim your prize.”

Hunter sauntered in closer. “Sorta how you’re finding yourself right now. Bound and imprisoned. Should I strip you of the last of your defenses?” His smile shifted to cunning and seductive as his gaze raked Chassis’ body from head to toe. Then his voice dropped to a whisper. “I had it in my mouth, but I never touched it. I wanna touch your bare flesh, marauder.”