What could Luc Mercier, a gargoyle who’s more than a century old, possibly have in common with modern introvert, Gillian Harris? Loneliness and isolation.
When meddlesome friends bring the two together, neither is prepared for the flurry of emotions nor revelations that overwhelm them. That is, until Gillian stumbles across the truth and struggles with how she let her guard down.
Learning to love again has never been harder.
EXCERPT
Luc picked up a newspaper from the stand and tossed a two-dollar coin to the elderly manworking the counter. He ascended the cavernous stairs of Bloor and Dufferin subway station, irritated by the lights flickering intensely. I should have just taken my car.
But if he did, Luc would have missed an opportunity to observe society other than from the café he frequented lately. A society he didn’t belong in, technically speaking, and had no business being a part of. Long gone were the muddy, off-beaten roads of provincial France. Long gone was the time when an over-flowing bodice was considered scandalous.
Now people thrived on exposing as much skin as possible. The modern day sentiment of what was attractive and acceptable embarrassed him to the core, from the mode of dress to the inappropriate use of language. Didn’t anyone know how to speak without using an expletive every other word? Where had humanity gone wrong? It was ghastly enough that children didn’t respect their elders, much less their parents.
Nevertheless, as much as this modern world perplexed him, nothing could deter him from at least enjoying hisfreedom, regardless of the limitations restricting his activities to the darkness of the night.
He did, however, miss the ambiance of candle light and the soft cries while seducing a woman, tormenting her with his wicked tongue. Exploring deviant, but heavenly, practices of binding and mixing pleasure with pain. Sweet promises falling from his lips while exploring every inch of her delicate and exquisite flesh.
These days, the few women he was able to enjoy weren’t interested in highly sensual liaisons. No. Today’s women thrived on being in control of seduction, whether they were proficient or not. There certainly wasn’t anything wrong with the scenario, but it wasn’t his taste. He preferred his women soft, like Genevieve…his sweet, sweet Genevieve.
No matter how many decades passed, the only woman he’d ever confided in, and planned to wed, crept into his mind many a time. Genevieve was an old soul, who found him and fell in love. Then, much like a Greek tragedy, their story ended woefully. The trust and courage it had taken to confess to Genevieve of the monstrosity he had become left him restless and, for once in his miserable existence, vulnerable. If not for her kindness, encouragement, and love, who knew what he would bedoing and where.
This last week, though, he thought to explore the possibility of trying again. A particular woman, who frequented the café where he spent his early evenings drinking a brandy and reading The Daily Sun, had caught his particular interest. Her laughter aroused his curiosity in the few and far between moments when he contemplated actually living life. Her voice, whether chuckling or whispering to her friend, always made his body react in an animalistic way.
While they had never met, she seemed like someone he’d be interested in getting to know, at the very least, for a little while. Luc doubted very much he’d find another woman like the love of his life and often thought it would be better that way. How could he even begin to explain why he only ever spent time with her at night, and why he’d always be gone before the first sign of daybreak?
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.
Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and is a monthly contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:
Cat has one love in her life—science. Facts rule her, not passion. At least it doesn’t until an unknown deadly virus claims her sister’s life. Cat’s quest for answers takes her to Greenland and drops her into the arms of the one man who sways her devotion from logic to passion. Rune stirs her lusts, ignites her desires and fuels her carnal cravings, but he isn’t simply a lover, nor is he human. He’s a weapon, one that has the potential to save or destroy her.
Rune, a child of the mist, awakens into a world hovering on the verge of destruction. Rising temperatures have released his enemies from their frozen prison without his knowledge. He searches for them but finds Cat, a human with the power to save him and the world. He hungers for her—blood, body and soul. Every moment of shared passion convinces him of the truth—she’s his greatest treasure, one he’ll die to keep.
My Review
Sizzling and Emotional!
Erotic Paranormal Romance (18+/Adult Read)
I never knew that the end of the world could be so, well, damned sexy! Author Nancy Corrigan has not only done her homework on Ragnarok, but given it a fresh twist in her release of Mist Unveiled, book 1 in her new series, Elemental Desire. This novel just sizzles and could well ignite your reading device as well as your panties!
Awakened from their long slumber, Wardens and children of the mist, brothers Rune and Jaron, face an unfamiliar modern world. The evil eldjotnar, the fire demons, have escaped their icy prison, due to global warming and are busy wreaking havoc and destruction on the human population.
Scientist Cat travels to Greenland in an attempt to locate the source of a new and potentially terrifying virus which killed her sister. It is there that she literally collides with Rune, unleashing an immediate and unexpected passion (cue many, many scrumptious and smexy scenes)! However, danger threatens. As Rune strives to protect this woman who he desires like no other, Cat struggles to accept Rune for what he is, an immortal creature who requires blood to survive. Her rational and scientific mind also prompts her to try to find out more about the virus and her sister’s death and in doing so she unearths a number of secrets that appear to be coming more and more personal…
I just ADORE reads where the hero and heroine are unexpectedly brought together by blinding passion and then have to face their fears and work through their differences – and the differences between Cat and Rune are a source of conflict throughout. Rune is an alpha male through and through and, as a creature of the mist, he has many magical and mystical qualities. He has the reputation amongst his peers for being emotionally cold towards women, until he meets Cat that is, who excites him and ignites his passion like no other. Cat is a woman who has embraced the logic of modern science over the belief in myth and legends, and has no time for love. The scenes between them are downright hot and sublimely erotic and I enjoyed immersing myself in their physical and emotional journey as they grappled with discovering and accepting each other, as well as combatting the increasing danger that Cat in particular finds herself in.
Although the main focus of the read is on the main couple, Cat and Rune, a number of other key characters are introduced, all with intriguing personalities, who could feature in future books in the series. The plot is fast paced and the scenes describing the power and magical abilities that the characters wield in the book are extremely well done and I really enjoyed the pictures that the words painted in my head.
Nancy Corrigan writes smexy and imaginative lovemaking scenes, laced with passion and emotion. If you are looking for a new erotic paranormal romance fix, you will love Mist Unveiled.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Sidney has a rough life. Her mom is incredibly abusive both mentally and physically. One day, she’s awarded the escape she’s always wanted and thrust into a world she barely understands. Each day is a struggle to feel human and not terrified of everything around her.
Sidney has rules. Routines. Structure. It’s the only way she can cope
When a handsome, yet mysterious stranger inserts himself into her life, Sidney begins to come apart at the seams. She’s having trouble sticking to her habits and it’s threatening to shred any hope of a normal life to pieces. Will this stranger help her in ways no other person can, or will things get worse for her?
He comes with his own set of problems and secrets he’s unwilling to share. Will they work together through the mess of their pasts or will they get caught up enabling each other? Will their toxic relationship ultimately be destined for demise?
My Review
I so loved this book, which I found to be such an absorbing, romantic and original read! Apartment 2B chronicles the heroine’s journey from abject cruelty and unimaginable abuse to healing and true love, drawing me in right from the start. It also has a brilliant plot twist to it, which is expertly done and took me completely by surprise!
The abuse that Sidney undergoes at the hands of her own mother is truly horrific and has left her physically and emotionally scarred. I applauded her as she seeks to make a life for herself after her mother’s unexpected death. She has serious issues to contend with arising from her abuse, but is fortunate to find a friend in Tina, a counsellor, who gives her valuable support. The rules and routines that she adopts to cope with life are truly heart breaking. Yet the day she meets a handsome and mysterious young man living in the apartment next to her, her life changes forever…….
The hero Liam is also a conflicted character. They are mutually drawn to each other and he respects Sidney’s physical boundaries that she has put in place. Their relationship and budding romance is sweet, erotic and touching and he is very protective of her. Yet there is a sense to the reader that there is more to Liam than meets the eye and he is unwilling to volunteer what appears to be tearing him apart. I was absolutely gobsmacked when his secrets were revealed and the direction this book took – the plot twist is really something special!
Sidney is fragile – can she cope with what is revealed? I feared for her throughout the book but was more than satisfied with the outcome. If you are intrigued you will have to read Room 2B and see for yourself. I will say though that I found this to be one of the most beguiling and original reads this year.
If you believe in fate, the magic of love and redemption you will love this book too!
A BIG welcome today to Beckie Stevenson’s forthcoming release Noah and Me! Check out the super cover and read an excerpt (it’s one of the most intriguing excerpts I have read this year!) There is also a super giveaway where you could win an ARC of the book. Tina 🙂
RELEASE DATE: 15th December 2014
“So you fix broken hearts, do you?” I ask. “Seems a little ironic.”
Noah Carter is one of the best cardiothoracic doctors in the country. He’s incredibly intelligent, funny, kind and he’s a beast in the bedroom. He has scars that drizzle down his chest and painful memories of an unforgettable night that plague his every waking hour.
Seven years ago, Noah stumbled upon me at the side of a grave and saved me in one of the most compassionate ways another human being can save another. I will always love him for that. Always.
He loved me in a way that no man has ever loved me since, and I gave him everything. I gave him it all until my secrets and lies tore us apart, forcing me to shatter his heart into a thousand little pieces.
Seven years ago he loved me, but now he hates me. And I hate that he hates me. Leaving Noah is my biggest regret in life – and I have a lot of things that I regret. A lot.
I’m Ariel Miller and this is the story of Noah and Me.
I glance around the corner of the small building and spot a woman who isn’t dressed like a smart teacher. She’s wearing white stilettoes and a tiny little black dress that just about coversher backside. Her breasts, which are definitely fake, protrude out from the scoop neckline of the dress. Her chocolate-coloured hair is poker straight and falls to her shoulder blades. I hear her giggling. I see her hand shoot out to touch a glistening, tanned and extremely toned forearm.
“That’s Candy,” whispers Ben.
“What does she do?” I ask. She arches her back and pushes her breasts out even further than they were before.
“She’s a Lawyer,” he tells me. “They call her the black widow.”
I glance at Ben and realise he’s not joking. I look back at Candy and hear her giggle again, watching as she flicks her hair over her shoulder. “Does she eat men after she’s slept with them?”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “She eats them after she’s done with them in court instead.”
More like she hypnotises them with her breasts and hair flicking, I think. “I see,” I say.
“Her tongue is evil,” he says before adding, “and not in a good way.”
I grin at him.
“Anyway,” he says, pulling on my elbow, “we should go and say hello to the birthday boy.”
I take a step forward and then the earth stops moving as all of the blood in my body rushes to my ears. I can hear the beat of my own heart as it bangs against my chest. The birthday boy’s blue eyes collide with mine and they’re slowly turning to hard stone in front of me. He steps away from the wall, roughly pushing Candy off him, and marches towards me.
I can’t take my eyes off him. How can someone who is beyond beautiful look so ugly at the same time? His light brown hair is styled perfectly on his head as if he’s just got out of bed. Or maybe he has, if Candy’s performance was anything to go by. His pale, crystal-blue eyes display nothing of the thoughts that I have no doubt are obviously running through his mind. He’s wearing a dark grey shirt and black trousers. Even with his clothes on, I can tell that there’s a wall of pure muscle hiding underneath them. I see a faint smattering of chest hair poking out from the top of his shirt where his top button is undone. His face is tanned and freshly shaven.
“You!” he says, his deep voice wrapping around me like a warm blanket. His gaze shifts to my neck like lightning. His eyes linger for a fraction of a second on my necklace and I see a hint of astonishment flash across his face. Then it’s gone, replaced by the cold, screwed-up face that he had before.
I open my mouth but nothing comes out. Every single hair on my skin stands on end as his angry breath washes over my face. Air leaves my lungs and doesn’t come back in. How the fuck is he here? Of all the places in the entire world, how is he here?
I finally realise he’s still towering over me, looking as if he wants to strangle me. I take a deep breath. I can’t do this.
“Erm, do you two know each other?” asks Ben.
Ignoring Ben, I continue to stare at him. He stares at me. What could we possibly say to each other that would make any of it okay? I can’t be here. I can’t be near him. I need to leave.
“No,” he hisses, as his eyes trail all over me.
Liar.
“I don’t know who this girl is,” he says.
I know it’s wrong to feel hurt that he called me a girl, but I do. I don’t want him looking at me like that either. Not when I feel so shitty about what I’m wearing. I wish I could cover myself up, but I don’t have enough clothes on to even start.
Ben blinks, looking confused. “Noah, this is Ariel. Ariel, this is the birthday boy, Noah.”
This isn’t Noah. This is a stranger that doesn’t know me anymore.
“I’m going,” I announce, tearing my gaze away from Noah. I look at Ben and feel myself beginning to panic. “Erm, I have to go.”
“You have to?” Ben questions.
I nod quickly and start to back away from them. “I have to go. Right now. I have a horrible headache. Here,” I say, pushing my glass into Ben’s hand, “take this. And I’m sorry.”
“Ariel,” Ben calls as I turn to leave.
“Let her go,” Noah says. “She wasn’t invited and she’s not welcome.”
AUTHOR BIO:
Beckie’s real name is Rebecca, but she get’s called (and answers to) any of the following…Beckie, Bek, Becca, Rebecca, Pip, Pippy or Stevo. Beckie is the author of ‘Sorrow Woods,’ the ‘Existing’ series and ‘Noah and Me.’
She is due to publish more YA and NA novels in 2015/16.
She lives in Staffordshire, England, with her partner and two children. Beckie likes putting music on in the house and dancing around like a mad woman. When she isn’t playing with her children, doing housework, dancing around the house like a mad woman, walking, cycling reading or writing, then she can be found working in an investment bank. Or sleeping.
Laura Dantonville is shocked to learn her strange genetic mutation, is linked to a dark family secret—a centuries-old curse that turned her Roman ancestor into a vampire. Now that she has come of age, she is the key to breaking that curse. But she’s also the prey of rogue vampires who inhabit the city’s frightening and violent underworld, as her blood gives them the ability to daywalk. For her protection she’s assigned a guardian—the handsome, sexy and dangerous Alec Munro.
Former military doctor and current leader of the Brethren, Alec Munro has no intention of being responsible for Laura. After all, it was her damned family who was response ble for his untimely death and subsequent transformation. He owes them nothing, yet he also knows his own fated role in breaking the curse, and the unthinkable consequences should he not accept.
To the Brethren, the ending of the curse spells disaster. Among a powerful few malice grows…
I’m a fifty-something-young woman who lives on the Central Coast, an hour’s drive north of Sydney in Australia. My little house is surrounded by bushland, possums and seed-dropping Rosellas on one side, and waterways on the other. I moved out of the big city a few years ago, and the only thing I miss about it are the quaint shops and cafes. But I’ve gained fresh air and a home with front and backyards–with a garden swing–and wooded hillside views.
Before becoming a writer, I was a practicing archaeologist, and was fortunate enough to have worked on some amazing digs around the world. After several years in the field I was drawn to teaching and ended up as Head of History in a local high school. While there I took the opportunity to take my students overseas to visit various archaeological sites in Europe and Britain. It was a fabulous way to combine my love of history with travel, and share it with others. On one tour, in Italy, I managed to indulge my other passion – gelato ice cream. We renamed it The Gelato Crawl of Italy!
I’ve always been a storyteller, but it wasn’t until five years ago that I seriously ventured into writing. The result was Bloodgifted. In 2011 it was shortlisted in the Atlas Award and came fourth. In 2012 it was listed among the top ten in the Choclit Search for an Aussie Star Competition. In 2013, I was offered a publishing contract but declined in favour of going indie. I liked the idea of being in charge of my own creation.
Bloodgifted is just the start of a four-part series I’ve entitled, The Dantonville Legacy. Book 2, Bloodpledge, was released four months ago, and Book 3, Blood Vault, is due for release June 2015. Later I intend writing individual books on the other characters in the series, for they all have their own story.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of blogging is the opportunity it gives us both to share awesome books with readers out there who are, like us, trying to find their next read or new author. We therefore jumped at the opportunity to share the release of a new Ezine, *Exposed* a venture between author N.J. Cole and publicist Bobby Kim, which contains a selection of hot short stories from independent authors. Read on to find out more and enter the giveaway. Tina and Caroline ❤
Welcome to the Exposed Ezine Release Weekend Blitz! A Quarterly magazine where amazing authors bring you outstanding stories! And yes, there’s a giveaway too!
“Exposed,” an electronic magazine featuring short stories from hot, independent authors, is Butterfly Publishing’s debut publication. Giving readers a glimpse into each author’s writing style and stories, Exposed does just what the title suggests, exposes readers to new titles and new authors. With its low cost and varied content, every reader is sure to find something he or she enjoys.
Phoenix Silverstone more commonly known as Nix, is a twenty-one year old that has finally discovered her freedom. After living under the strict rules and protection of her mother, Nix moved out with her two best friends in a quaint little Seattle apartment. For the first time Nix is finally able to spread her wings and breathe. Together, they get a job working at a bar and for the first time everything is perfect. Freedom, friendships, a great job and fantastic man on the verge of becoming hers. Tristan is the suave, intelligent, not to mention gorgeous law student that Nix has her eyes and heart set on. For the first time, she has her life together; that is, until her path crosses with Levi. The charming, tattooed and downright sexy bad boy that Nix knows she needs to avoid. But when one of her friends moves out she is shocked to find that her new roommate is none other than Levi. Flirting. Desire. Undeniable temptations. Nix can’t deny the chemistry surging between them but she can’t forget her mother’s extreme hate towards bad boys. Will Nix have the strength to listen to her heart? Or will her mother’s rules cost her everything?
Jude was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. She now lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful five year old son, and has spent the last thirteen years with her partner, Cedric.
French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English.
Besides working full time and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.
Her first novella, Under the Sun was published at the end of July 2013.It is part of an anthology called Heat Wave. Her second novella, Wonderland, was published in March 2014 and has hit the bestselling rank. Lost Dreams, a military romance, was published in May 2014, Body, Ink, and Soul in late June 2014 and Ophelia in October 2014.
At fifteen years old, Nick DiMarco got news that changed his life – he was going to be a father. Stepping up, he took custody and raised his little girl, whom everyone calls Harley. Hard work and determination gave him the lifestyle he wanted for the two of them. Now, twenty-one years later he’s flying Harley and some of her friends to the Bahamas for an amazing birthday bash. As a special treat, he invites Victoria, Harley’s long lost best friend from elementary school to surprise her. When the flight carrying Harley and her friends is delayed due to weather, Nick finds himself alone with Victoria who has grown into a beautiful woman. What starts out as a few hour delay grows as a hurricane develops just off the coast. The storm brewing outside is nothing compared to the passion brewing between Nick and Victoria as each tries to fight the attraction of a forbidden love affair.
NJ Cole is the author of five published books, Midnight Caller, Midnight Eternal, Landslide, Second Chances and Yes, Mistress. Unlike many of today’s authors, she chooses to write in first person, allowing the readers to experience life through the eyes of the unique characters that live in her head. Her love of those characters and respect for their stories come through loud and clear in her writing. With over two million reads of her online work in the past year NJ Cole is clearly an up and coming author.
Be sure to subscribe to her blog for all her books:NJColeauthor.com
What happens when a natural submissive bumps into a polished Dom while spending a day at the beach? Wild, hot, explicit sex! Explore Steve’s seduction of Maya in this exhilarating tale. Warning, graphic language, some forced situations.
Fossbrook, author of Broken Tides, is a UK based writer of erotic fiction. He has been writing for a number of years but it wasn’t until his collaboration with Cole that he believed his stories might just be worth reading.
In his spare time Fossbrook is a huge sports fan and loves the occasional glass of wine.
Reeling after being blindsided by a bitter divorce, club manager Chase Milligan relocates from his home in Austin to Dallas, to start a new life. Soon he finds his interest captured again. But who is Baylee Andrews? What dark secrets is she hiding? Will delving into her mysteries bring heal Chase’s heart and faith, or will he find himself embroiled in more trouble than ever before?
MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE EXPOSED DESIGN
Bobby Kim is a publicist to several independent authors. He markets, formats and analyzes current trends to help promote books to their fullest potential. He co-founded Butterfly Publishing with author NJ Cole. After meeting various authors in 2013, Butterfly Publishing, an independent publishing house, was launched in 2014. Bobby Kim has been known to put pen to paper, so to speak, and fellow collaborators would not be surprised to see some of his own work appear in his magazine in the next few issues.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her as the bullet tore through me, leaving me with nothing but the hope that I had done enough to save her. The darkness tried to engulf me—to brand me as its own and drag me to my fate.
my Darkness
Waking to see her tear-stained face above me was enough to make my heart stutter. I was alive and free from that place—but not from the toll it had taken on my mind and body.
my Strength
My story should have ended, but one woman kept standing in the way of that. The only way I could have her was to find a way to put the darkness to rest.
“She’s fine,” Dr. Combs assured me. “But I don’t think it would be in the best interest for either of you to see each other. You put yourself in a dangerous situation with her.”
Put myself? Last I checked I wasn’t the one to drag her into the Retreat. “I kept her alive and slightly less broken than she would have otherwise been.”
“The two of you adapted to a horrible situation, found comfort in each other—”
I didn’t want to hear it.
Stockholm Syndrome.
I wondered if the captor could get it, too. Was I even the captor? It seemed like I’d lost control of the situation long ago.
But I’d still been the one to beat her, rape her, bend her will.
Just like she’d bent mine.
I wanted her back so bad I couldn’t breathe. The more we talked about it, the worse it got. The harsh reality of it all forced me to face the possibility that I had to walk away if I wanted to do what was in her best interest.
“How long until I can talk to Trent?” I tried again, drawing back a modicum of control by changing the course of the conversation.
Dr. Combs sighed and snapped her portfolio closed. “If it’ll get you to talk, I’ll make the arrangements on one condition.”
I’d already sold my soul, there weren’t many more concessions I had left to give.
“I need to know you’re not going to try to reach out to Rose—or anyone else.”
Did that mean there was a chance she’d see me? Or was Dr. Combs convinced I’d stalk and abduct her anyway? That was quite a laughable possibility, but some sick-as-fuck part of me considered it.
Book Trailer
Excerpt #2
She came around the corner on hands and knees, and I saw her face visibly pale as soon as she saw the chain in my hands, but she approached anyway. Stubborn, belligerent, and brave.
Three traits that’d get her killed.
I dropped the chain to the floor next to the bed. “Come up here.”
She paused, but finally climbed onto the bed and straddled my lap as I directed, and damned if I didn’t feel like I was losing it. The bruises from her encounter with Gabe’s buffoons were starting to set in, but she pulled back and shut herself off as I examined her.
Such a degrading way to make sure nothing was broken, but if she didn’t believe my act, no one else would either. I realized the plug in her ass was probably growing even more uncomfortable with time, especially if she hadn’t experimented with them before.
Not that I could ask since I wasn’t supposed to care.
“Hate me all you want, Sugar,” I said, hoping to get her to walk a fine line between trust and fear where she might listen. “I’m the only ally you have.”
“Ally…?” she whispered, “You’re going to hurt me.” Her eyes filled again, but she blinked it away and held back just like she had in the basement, and I couldn’t face her any longer.
“I am,” I lifted her off of me, flipping her over. “Ass up.”
Even though she kept up her protective walls, I saw her body visibly relax when I pulled the plug free and sat it on the side table. It was going to be hard enough for her to kneel through dinner. I hoped the threat of it might make her more compliant.
The mix of vulnerability countered with her impossible stubbornness had an aphrodisiac effect on me. I had been convinced this was the only way we’d survive, but for the first time, I truly considered the effect it was going to have on both of us.
My Review
Gripping and Emotional
Five Star Indulgence
An 18+ read.Warning: This isn’t your rainbows and love sonnets kind of romance. This story explores topics of abduction and slavery, and contains explicit scenes of graphic violence and (non-con/dub-con) sex. Please note: If you are thinking about reading this series, as this review relates to the continuation of James’ and Rose’s story, it contains some spoilers for the first instalment, Irrevocable.
I found Skye Callahan’s dark erotic romance, Irrevocable one fantastic read, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC for its sequel, Bend, Don’t Break as part of the Blog Tour organized by Everything Marie. I could not wait to see how James (aka Kirk), the undercover cop and Rose (aka Silver), the woman who found herself abducted and enslaved by him in the ‘Retreat’ adjusted to normal life again and how the deep psychological torment of their experiences impacted on their relationship.
This book is told through the eyes of James as he adapts to life outside the ‘Retreat’. It also deals with his feelings for and relationship with Rose and the ongoing criminal investigations. Initially all James can think about is Rose and he struggles to follow the advice of his psychologist, to maintain his distance and allow them both time to heal. He is also haunted by the time he spent undercover and experiences many symptoms of PTSD: nightmares; flashbacks and anger.
When danger threatens and James can keep away from Rose no longer, they are reunited and decide to take things slowly and try and become friends, before resuming their sexual relationship. James is full of guilt and angst at what he put her through, despite the need to do it to keep her alive and also so as not to blow his cover. His feelings towards Rose are intense and complex – he is very possessive of her and wants to protect her, sometimes from himself, and he is wary of his own dark desire to gain pleasure from her willing submission…..
I loved the character of Rose. She is a strong woman and she both trusts and understands James more than he does himself and is also very protective of him. She does not take any nonsense from him and accepts that his darker desires are part of his make-up. It is not long before they begin to succumb to their mutual attraction and there are a number of passionate and toe curling scenes as James and Rose test if their relationship is ready to accommodate James’ needs.
The characterizations of both Rose and James are expertly done and I also enjoyed the supporting characters, particularly Trent, his partner. We also get brief glimpses of Miles, who played a big role in Irrevocable. Whilst much of the book focuses on James and his relationship with Rose, there are also significant elements of danger and suspense to the read, as first James, then Rose gets drawn into dealing with the aftermath of events that closed down the ‘Retreat’. The further they get drawn in the more their safety becomes compromised.
If you have read Irrevocable then you will certainly want to read Bend Don’t Break. If you are new to this series and like dark, erotic, deeply psychological romances, then go get your hands on it, you are in for one ‘helluva’ ride!
Reviewed by Tina Williams (please note that a copy of this book was given to me for a fair and honest review as part of this blog tour).
“Not only did Irrevocable gut me, it took me on a roller coaster ride full of emotions that I usually don’t experience while reading romances…. You start to hate, you start to sympathize, and you begin to fall in love in every way. Ms. Callahan has turned my world upside down with her writing. Dark, sensual, and at times overwhelming, Irrevocable will bring you on a dark journey that you will never forget.”Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads TOP PICK of 2014!
“You HAVE to read this book. It really is one of the best that I have read in a while, and definitely one of the best of 2014. It has everything I look for in a dark read. The twist that the author throws in is, just wow. I just cannot emphasis just how much I love this book!” Alicia, Mean Girls Luv Books
“Finally a good DARK read, that has it ALL…!! Overall – the characters drew me in, the situation jangled my nerves, the sexy scenes were HOT, and the story just blew me away.” Shelby, Wicked Reads
“Beautifully written! Great characters and story line. Skye made me a fan of dark reads. A must read for all who dare to step out of the light and into the darkness!” Summer’s Book Blog
About the Author
Skye Callahan was born and raised in rural Ohio and has had an insatiable love of reading and writing since she was young. Thanks to the encouragement of teachers, family, and friends, she has found her passion in immersing herself in the imaginary worlds of the characters who live in her head.
Most of her early stories were paranormal, and although the paranormal world still has a special place in her imagination, her interest in BDSM and dark romance has led her to expand her writing endeavors.
Before she began writing full-time, she earned a M.A. in Public History and worked for a non-profit business consulting center. When she’s not indulging the voices in her head, she’s enjoying life with her husband and two ferrets.
Lena is about to discover pleasure in the things she can’t control.
To get even with her roommate for dragging her to a sports bar on a Friday night, Lena begins flirting with the handsome stranger who sits at the bar next to her. Their anonymous conversation leads to a shared cab ride, but Lena’s conscience puts a damper on the evening—leaving the near-fling to become a memory. Until she finds him roaming the halls of the school where she teaches.
Will she submit to his desires?
Eric’s only reason for returning to his hometown is to care for his recently orphaned nephew. He knew the return would involve dredging up his past with family and friends, but he didn’t expect a lone girl to capture his interest and offer an escape within his new life.
Kaylyn Anderson’s fascination with abandoned places and dark creatures kindled her work as a paranormal investigator. But when dreams begin to distort reality, she questions what is real and pulls away from everyone she trusts. The opportunity to investigate the Teague Hotel–a long-abandoned landmark that has always piqued her curiosity–provides a chance to redeem herself. Unraveling the hotel’s secrets won’t be easy, but Kaylyn soon finds herself the target of a dark entity that has been trapped in the building for decades.If Kaylyn stands any chance of defeating the spirit, she’ll have to accept that her fears are real and convince fellow investigators that she hasn’t lost her mind.
Despite unanswered questions about the nameless entity that tried to steal her life, Kaylyn returns to the only kind of normal life she knows and takes on a new paranormal case.After investing everything they have in a farm, an unsuspecting family discovers that their problems run much deeper than the poor upkeep of the house and land. Can Kaylyn and the other investigators uncover what’s behind the growing malicious activity? And how will they all deal with new warnings from beyond the divide?
A big welcome today to Samantha Holt’s recent Highland Romance, To Avenge Her Highland Warrior. Scroll down to read the book blurb, an excerpt and enter the giveaway where a medieval inspired necklace is up for grabs!
BOOK INFORMATION
TITLE – To Avenge Her Highland Warrior
SERIES – Highland Fae Chronicles #3
AUTHOR – Samantha Holt
GENRE – Historical Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – 18th October
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 60000
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Lorna lost everything to war. Her home, her wealth… her lover. And now she wants revenge.
When her hasty plan throws her at the mercy of her enemy’s men, she holds little hope of returning to her kin and fears death is around the corner. But could her salvation lie in the arms of her dark captor?
Logan has little time to be dealing with a stubborn noble woman. His orders are to prepare for war. His laird—the man he owes his life to—intends to join forces with the Norse and bring a battle to Scotland that will see the fate of the country forever changed. Scarred, and with no memory of his past, Logan is determined to forge a new future for himself as well as prove his loyalty to the laird.
But the beautiful lass has him questioning his previous life and his goals. When she starts claiming he once loved her, he knows he’s being manipulated and she’s taking advantage of his memory loss. So why is it so hard to resist the idea of having once been her lover?
With the threat of impending war—a battle that promises to bring slaughter to her family—can Lorna persuade Logan to believe her, and is the bitter man he’s become even worth saving?
Whatever the outcome of the battle, a certain interfering faery is resolved to see fate back on its correct path. And that means forcing Lorna and Logan together—no matter their differences.
Logan clenched his jaw and the roar of the storm sounded closer. He had to leave yet his feet refused to move. Why stay? Why torture himself further? His heart pounded against his chest. In the next flash, he was close once more. Within touching distance. He saw her features more clearly now. The distress in her eyes, the golden strands of hair curling around her pointed chin. The fan of her lashes lowered and lifted in one slow sweep until her gaze locked onto his.
“Logan,” she whispered, voice tremulous, but he did not know if that was a plea for him to leave or come closer. “Logan,” she tried again.
The shaky quality of her voice pulled at his gut. His gaze traced the curl that flowed over one shoulder and down, caressing her gentle curves like a lover—like he once had apparently. His palms tingled with the need to feel the soft give of her flesh beneath him.
The next flash highlighted her trembling form. The fragile hollow of her neck fluttered with her pulse and his mouth grew dry with the need to press his lips to it.
Damn her. Like a siren, she lured him in.
He almost backed away. How long they had been standing like that he knew not. It may have been moments—a mere few flashes of lightening—but the thickening of the air between them seemed to slow time.
The tremble of her lips gripped his heart, squeezed it hard and painfully. An aggravating need to take care of her ate into him, softened him to her.
Logan closed the gap. The next rumble lined up with him gripping her upper arms and pushing her back against the wall. She gasped, the sound clear to him even as the skies crashed about them. Hot anger mingled with need. It burned through him and set his nerve endings alight. How dare she have such a hold over him, how dare she make him want her?
Soft, delicate breasts pressed against him. Slim thighs quaked against his. With a hiss of breath, he lowered his mouth to hers as she stared up at him. Before his lips met hers, her eyes flashed with a plea, but was she begging him to kiss her or leave her be? He couldn’t decide what he wanted either, but she left him with little choice. The first touch made him wonder if he had not indeed been struck by lightning. Frissons shot through him, curled into his blood and fired his fury and lust. Lorna released a tiny sound and he pressed his lips hard to hers this time. She whimpered. Her lips felt hot beneath his. Her taste threatened to drown him.
Satisfaction settled in his gut when she arched into him. He kept hold of her arms, allowing little movement but that up thrust of breasts and hips into him made him hiss and press harder. He coaxed her lips apart, and she gasped when he invaded the heated recesses of her mouth. Logan kissed her deeply, with little apology. He needed this, needed her.
Samantha lives in a small village in England with her gorgeous twin girls and husband who is a trained bodyguard and ex-soldier. She enjoys writing historical romance involving chivalrous knights, hot highlanders and cravatted men, but sometimes gets lured away by bad boy bikers, soldiers and other heroic modern men.
Lorna lost everything to war. Her home, her wealth… her lover. And now she wants revenge. When her hasty plan throws her at the mercy of her enemy’s men, she holds little hope of returning to her kin and fears death is around the corner. But could her salvation lie in the arms of her dark captor? Logan has little time to be dealing with a stubborn noble woman. His orders are to prepare for war. His laird—the man he owes his life to—intends to join forces with the Norse and bring a battle to Scotland that will see the fate of the country forever changed. Scarred, and with no memory of his past, Logan is determined to forge a new future for himself as well as prove his loyalty to the laird. But the beautiful lass has him questioning his previous life and his goals. When she starts claiming he once loved her, he knows he’s being manipulated and she’s taking advantage of his memory loss. So why is it so hard to resist the idea of having once been her lover? With the threat of impending war—a battle that promises to bring slaughter to her family—can Lorna persuade Logan to believe her, and is the bitter man he’s become even worth saving? Whatever the outcome of the battle, a certain interfering faery is resolved to see fate back on its correct path. And that means forcing Lorna and Logan together—no matter their differences.
My Review
Captor/Captive Romance with a Torn and Tortured Hero
Sensual Historical Romance (with a sprinkling of faery magic….)
To Avenge Her Highland Warrior, the third and final book in Samantha Holt’s Highland Fae Chronicles is a sensual and heart rending captor/captive romance. It can be read as a ‘standalone’, although I do however, highly recommend the whole series (check out the links below).
The novel is a combustible mix of revenge, passion and redemption, sprinkled with a little fairy magic and I loved it! It contains a dark, torn and tortured alpha hero and a strong and vulnerable heroine who belong together, but who fate has torn apart.
The faery Tiele, determined to put this wrong to right, has a battle royal on her hands to reconcile these two lovers due to events that have transpired. Her task is all the more difficult for she has sworn off the direct use of her powers, as the use of such magic in the past has resulted in unforeseen consequences.
As soon as the book opens I was drawn in – the heroine Lorna, who is widowed, is in dire straits, captive in the bowels of her former home that was brutally wrestled from her by her brother-in-law. Having failed in her mission to kill this usurper she now awaits his punishment. Imagine her surprise and relief when she finds that the man in charge of the keep whilst its master is absent is none other than Logan, the man who once loved her, the man who she had rejected and believed slain in the battle for her home.
Yet there is no happy reunion between the couple as this man is a far cry from the Logan who adored her. Instead he is a cold and distant stranger, his memory erased by the injuries he sustained during battle. He views his captive as little more than the spoilt and manipulative woman his Laird tells him she is, and he does not recall how he once loved his former mistress from afar. Whatever Lorna says she cannot help him remember or trust her enough to believe her – he views whatever she says as lies, designed to save her own skin.
Although attraction between them simmers, Logan is determined not to betray his Laird and succumb to this woman. However, he slowly comes to respect her combination of strength and vulnerability and becomes torn once he finds out what his Laird’s plans for his captive may entail. There are scenes aplenty of sexual tension, frustrated passion and love making which brings them ever closer, but not close enough, as Logan fights the connection that exists between them. Will he act to save her? Will he remember their love before it is too late? Even if he does, can Lorna accept him for the man he has become and forgive him for what he has put her through?
I so felt for both these characters in this book! Lorna had lost so much, yet she is strong and resilient in terrible circumstances, especially as the very man who should have been her saviour is now her gaoler and is a stranger to her. She is fearful for her own future and that of Logan, who seems lost to her and her emotions oscillate between hope and despair. Logan is as tortured a hero as they come and is torn between loyalty to his Laird and what he is beginning to feel for the captive. I also enjoyed the supporting characters in the tale, especially Lorna’s self-serving brother-in-law, whose actions added tension to the plot and of course Tiele whose presence and antics contributed to some humorous moments to the plot in her efforts to save the day.
All in all, I found it a sensual, heart stopping and entertaining read and a great conclusion to the Highland Fae Chronicles.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
A copy of this book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.
Rafael Stone is the King of the Gargoyle shapeshifters. His family, The Stone Society, has ruled the Americas for over seven hundred years. As an architect, he has spent the last thirty years helping to rebuild New Atlanta since the near Apocalypse. As King of the Gargouille, he has spent those same thirty years protecting his city from the dregs of society.
Kaya Kane is the New Atlanta Chief of Police. At thirty-six, not only is she the youngest, but also the first female Chief the city has ever had. She has dedicated her life to keeping her city safe. When a multiple homicide brings her face to face with the elusive Rafael Stone, her life will never be the same.
Rafael’s kind has never mated with a human but just speaking to Chief Kane on the telephone nearly brings him to his knees. Kaya has given up on ever having a relationship other than her career. When the two meet, sparks fly. Literally. Can Rafael give in to the fact that Kaya’s human? Can she overlook the evidence pointing to Rafael as the killer?
Rafael, Stone Society Book 1 introduces you to a new world filled with Bad Ass shifters and the mates who love them.
♦About the Author♦
Faith Gibson lives outside Nashville, Tennessee with the love of her life, and her two-legged best friends. She began writing in high school and over the years penned many stories, and poems. When her dreams continued to get crazier than the one before, she decided to keep a dream journal. Many of these night-time escapades have led to a line, a chapter, and even a complete story.
When Faith isn’t penning her crazy ideas, she is either reading, riding her Harley, or playing trivia while consuming craft beer.
What could Luc Mercier, a gargoyle who’s more than a century old, possibly have in common with modern introvert, Gillian Harris? Loneliness and isolation.
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