Hi guys, today we have the pleasure of introducing Aishlar Snow and her upcoming fantasy debut story I Experimented Once in College, Aishlar chats a bit about her book and we also have a great excerpt, so peeps check out the book and enjoy the post! <3 ~Pixie~

I Experimented Once in College

Aishlar Snow

PhD candidate William Yderis comes to Efeldon University to teach and finish his degree in charmcrafting. For methodical, sedate, and scholarly William, the school defies his expectations—and not in a good way. The biggest surprise comes when William meets his boss, absent-minded Archmage Taliesin Karsus, a man as infuriating as he is sexy.

As William struggles to carve out his place at the university, he is drawn in to Tal’s chaotic experiments… and drawn to Tal despite his logical mind’s protests. And if Tal’s wavering affection isn’t enough to complicate William’s studies, he uncovers a plot involving an ambitious staff member, brainwashed students, sexual assault, and a threat to the lives of everyone on campus. When it comes time to face the danger, William is on his own. For the first time in his life, he’ll have to trust in his heart instead of his head.

Introducing Aishlar Snow!

Hi, I’m Aishlar Snow! Thank you to MM Good Book Reviews for having me on to talk about my first published work, I Experimented Once in College.

Yes, I thought I was clever by making the title a pun based on the setting – a magical college – and my main character – a research assistant conducting magical experiments. No, it hasn’t been easy to share the title with curious coworkers. In fact, when most people ask me what my book is called, my response is to laugh nervously. That probably isn’t good marketing etiquette, but I digress.

The truth is, the title suits the story. If you’re into fantasy with comedic elements, and you also have a thing for unresolved sexual tension, this book is for you. There are serious elements, but this is a book that will – I hope! – brighten your day and make you laugh. My creative writing professor would hate it, but then his favorite books tended to make me weep openly. I guess that’s why they say to make your own kind of music.

I Experimented Once in College follows William, a research assistant, through his first semester at Efeldon University. Having moved from the much more prestigious Yvenne College of Magic, PhD student William is in for an unpleasant surprise when he arrives. Instead of the assistant professorship he thought he was getting, he is offered the position of assistant to the archmage.

Not only is the job a clerical one, when William is used to conducting experiments independently, but it largely consists of acting as a glorified secretary to Archmage Taliesin Karsus, a man who is vain, irresponsible, and teasing – the opposite of tightly-buttoned William. However, when Taliesin offers him his not insignificant support in publishing William’s dissertation, William begrudgingly agrees.

After all, he just has to put up with an unpredictable, dangerously sexy boss who also happens to have more raw magical power than anyone on campus. How bad could it be?

Excerpt

When he reached the second story of the tower, he stepped off the landing into a thickly carpeted room adorned with hanging tapestries in colors gaudier than a charmcrafter’s tool belt. Deep purples, blues, golds, and whites festooned the walls, some clashing with the crimson carpeting. The drapes were white silk trimmed in gold embroidery and—William blinked—tied back with massive gold tassels. As he stood there surrounded by nauseating decadence, he heard footsteps from above.

Good, he thought queasily. Maybe I can speak to someone about this. He didn’t think he could concentrate well enough to teach in a room that looked like a brothel had thrown up inside it.

His gaze had just snagged on a bright tapestry that depicted a lascivious woman molding herself to the bare torso of another equally lascivious woman when the rich tones of a stranger’s voice rang out.

“You must be Will.”

Too surprised to be annoyed, he turned and began to say, “It’s William, actually—”

The words stopped. His mouth hung slightly open as his eyes settled on the stranger.

Luminous, dancing lavender eyes looked back at him, framed by long, flawless hair the color of spun gold. Lustrous and silky, it looked like it might glow in direct sunlight. A perfectly charming smile widened, drawing his gaze to decidedly thin lips. The man had the sort of sharp features and pointed, thin nose that might have looked eagle-like on another, but something beneath his skin glowed, his complexion almost golden. With that, he came off looking more like a sun god. There was something about his sparkling eyes and his smile that softened his features further.

The man before him was clad in luxurious violet robes with lavender accents to match his eyes, and his form, tall and more muscular than the ones normally seen at a magical college, seemed to almost vibrate in place.

William’s gaze finally settled at the point where the man’s tunic opened in a deep V that reached past his collarbone and halfway to his navel. Absently William wondered if the man was in the field of electromancy, given the way his body appeared to shimmer in place, as if he were some relation to the hummingbirds of Yvenne.

Those thoughts were dashed as the man floated toward him, barely seeming to touch the ground with each step. Perhaps he was a professor in the Wind Wing, then. He dearly hoped the man had a better name for the department than the secretary had led him to believe.

“Archmage Karsus.” The man’s lavender eyes settled on his with a sense of locking onto a target. As if he had found something he had been searching for, the archmage stretched out a hand to him. “A pleasure to meet you.”

“And you,” said William, taking the hand. The name was somehow familiar.

He barely had time to feel the archmage’s soft palm against his before he was pulled forward. Thrown off balance, he fell against the archmage’s chest and collided with warm, bare skin. For a moment he caught his breath, puzzled. Then indignation took over. Fuming, he straightened up and brushed himself off. When he looked up, he saw the other man smirking. The archmage was, regrettably, a good hand taller than he was.

William directed a disapproving look at the other man. “What is your problem?” This must be the guy who never grew up. There was one in every department, a macho-fueled, childish….

The archmage laughed under his breath, eyes not leaving him. It was as if he was savoring William’s discomfort. He watched him appraisingly, perhaps expecting William to react in an amusing fashion. When it was clear that William was just going to stand there with folded arms, the archmage answered him.

“I was testing you,” he said lightly. “Never too early to take stock of a new apprentice.”

“Sorry, apprentice?” William said it carefully, certain that Karsus had the wrong man. “I’m William Yderis. I start my professorship tomorrow. Assistant professor, I mean.” He was going to elaborate, but he resisted saying “the Wind Wing” again.

“I know who you are. Or did you think I pulled your name out of the air?” The archmage raised a well-shaped golden eyebrow.

It occurred to William that the man had called out to him first. An uncertain feeling, cold and unwanted, began to form in his stomach. “If you know who I am,” he persisted stubbornly, “then surely you know about my assignment.”

The lavender eyes at last slid away from his, but it was a guilty sort of slide. Almost in a murmur the archmage said, “This happens frequently.”

A chill came over the room that had nothing to do with elemental cooling systems.

“What,” said William in a clipped, dangerous voice, “do you mean by ‘this’?”

“You had better step into my office.” Archmage Karsus turned and, with a glance back over his shoulder, proceeded up the tower’s spiral staircase.

About Aishlar

Aishlar Snow has been writing gay romance since high school, where a trusted teacher read one of her first works and encouraged her to pursue writing. Since then, she has earned a Masters in Library Science and has worked in a number of public libraries while writing. Aishlar presently works in an academic setting, from which she draws inspiration for her works.

The way to Aishlar’s heart is an easy one and includes pastries, coffee, and bad jokes. On her days off she can be found lounging in her royal harem-inspired room, watching Xena: Warrior Princess, or playing video-games. She cosplays casually, draws and paints (badly), and plays both the piano and ocarina.

Most of all, Aishlar enjoys fantasy settings and immersing herself in new worlds and characters. Her favorite worlds include those of Discworld, Wheel of Time, Star Wars, and Warcraft. She is always looking for a new book, show, or podcast to enjoy.

See what’s moving forward at aishlarsnow.blogspot.com, https://twitter.com/aishlar or contact Aishlar at aishlarsnow@gmail.com. She is always happy to hear from readers!