Tuesday, April 6, 2021

A conversation between Rhys and Tarian from Luka by Dianne Hartsock


 Today we welcome Dianne Hartsock to the blog where she shares with us an exclusive conversation between Rhys and Tarian, two characters from her new book Luka. You can also enjoy an excerpt from the book before you download your copy. Be sure to follow the tour for even more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!


Luka makes a desperate wish and the earth shifts to his will. Regretting it immediately, he tries to undue the sorcery, but it is too late. He asked for hope, and to his horror, all the hope in the world is given into his keeping. He desires nothing more than to return this gift to the world.

Aethan wants to get his hands on the Well of Hope in Luka’s keeping. If he can ransom out hope to others at his whim, the world will be at his feet. Where it belongs.

With the aid of his lover, Rhys, Luka stays one step ahead of Aethan. But Rhys has his own enemy in Aethan, his estranged father.

Rescued by Luka, his sweet, gentle witch, Rhys now stands with him against Aethan. They have vowed to return the Well of Hope to the earth despite all odds, or die trying. For what is life worth, for anyone, without hope?

Read an excerpt:
Rhys knelt up and stirred the glowing embers of their fire into a pile, adding a few large pieces of wood against it, then sat with his back to a nearby wall, feet toward the fire. He’d seen Luka ward their home with sage and sweet grass. Widow Ravan used cedar. What would Luka do with a stone?

Luka moved to the center of the cave and took a slow turn around, banishing any malicious energy from the hollow. Raven had taught Rhys that much, explaining they wouldn’t want to trap anything negative in with them when she warded a place. After several long heartbeats, Luka sat cross-legged on the sandy floor, a dark figure in the bright glow from the fire, relaxed, comfortable, as if he rested in his own home. Watching him, pride stirred in Rhys’s breast. Most others he’d witnessed would strut around the area they warded chanting under their breaths, making grand gestures and filling the space with smoke that stung his eyes. It all seemed to be for show, their wards precarious at best. 
It was never like that with Luka. He went calmly about his business, with purpose, and a reverence for the magic of the earth. He sat calmly now, his focus on the stone he passed back and forth between his hands as if weighing it, studying its structure, its essence. He did this for a long moment, then stilled.

The hair on Rhys’s arms and the nape of his neck lifted, and he shivered. The air felt different, charged. His senses heightened.


Luka Buy Links:



A conversation between Rhys and Tarian

Rhys knelt on the stone hearth and added a log to the glowing coals, teased them into flames. Luka slept on a pallet close by and the lines on his face eased as the heat reached him. They’d only been home a few days and he needed rest and time to heal.

Steps sounded outside the cottage and Rhys stood, hurrying to answer the door before Tarian could knock and wake his sleeping witch.

“Let’s speak out here,” he said and Tarian swallowed his greeting, though his gaze darted into the dark rooms behind Rhys. Rhys stepped into the morning sunshine, closing the door gently behind him. They moved to the bench under the apple tree, the air sweet and cool, snow lingering in the deeper shade under the pines. They sat and Rhys studied Tarian’s face, earnest and youthful, and a smiled tugged his lips.

“Luka is still recovering, Tarian. But put your mind at ease. He will be well.”

Color mounted in Tarian’s cheeks, complimenting his flame of red hair. “He gives too much of himself.” A frown creased his brows. “How may I serve him, lord?”

Rhys snorted. “I’m not a lord, Tarian. Please call me Rhys. And as for Luka, how would you like to serve him?”

If anything Tarian’s cheeks darkened further. Rhys had forgotten his fledgling crush on Luka.

“Once the Equinox has passed, I could expand his garden,” Tarian began diffidently. “I would plant more herbs and perhaps vegetables for the table so Luka wouldn’t have to forage so far from home.”

“That would be wonderful.” Rhys had the same idea and appreciated the thought Tarian had put into his role as Luka’s sometimes apprentice.

“And in the meantime I could make some savory dishes to tempt Luka’s appetite,” Tarian continued. “Ravan is teaching me the healing properties of each herb and I can make something healthy for him.”

“Excellent. And Tarian, your father is still supportive of you being here? You’re not neglecting your duty to him?”

“No, lord. Err…Rhys. He’s proud Luka has chosen me.” Tarian unconsciously lifted his chin. “And my cousin is coming of age and needs work. He’ll help us with the planting then again at harvest, so I will be free to wait on Luka at his whim.”

“Very good. And now, since Luka is sleeping, we’ll begin your first lesson without him. It will take an effort on both our parts to keep Luka safe, so we will start with creating a simple warding.”

Tarian sat up, eyes bright with excitement, and yet his face remained grave and attentive. Rhys nodded, pleased. Tarian was going to make a delightful addition to their little family.


Dianne is the author of m/m romance, paranormal suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, and anything else that comes to mind. She lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play. She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee warming her hands, which kindles her imagination.

Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/diannehartsock

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Dianne-Hartsock-Author-107985445959828/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4707011-dianne-hartsock




Dianne Hartsock will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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