YAY! Today we welcome author L. Chapman’s new release Redeemed to our blog and are pleased to be sharing the synopsis AND a scorching excerpt! Purchase links to Redeemed and the other books in the series, currently ALL on promotion for 99c can be found below and you can also connect with the author!
Synopsis
Megan’s life has been anything but simple. She’s always lived amongst chaos, and for once, she just wants it all to stop. After years of lies and agony, will anything work out for her?
In this heart-gripping third installment of the Believe series, watch Megan discover love again, and not just any love, but one worth fighting for, one that makes her feel different, cherished, wanted, and treasured. For Megan, Mark is the one to give her all of that and has brought a new meaning to her life and a new reason to live.
The old saying, “Nothing comes easy in life,” holds true to this story, which is packed with unexpected twists and turns. For Megan and Mark, it pushes their love to new heights. Will the love they share for each other keep their relationship strong, or does Megan’s string of erroneous luck run out?
Excerpt
Mark walks into the kitchen and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close. I flick some water at him as an attempt to be playful. All I am thinking about is how I want to play the seductive role.
“Did you really just do that?”
“I did, Mr. Reed.” I spatter more water at him.
“Oh, that’s it, Miss Madden.”
Mark spins me around so we are facing each other and then flicks a bit of water at me.
“Are you starting now?”
“I am indeed.”
He places his hands at either side of my hips, lifting me onto the kitchen counter. His lips lock with mine as his tongue teasingly seeks entry into my mouth.
He pulls back from our kiss and looks at me with the expression of complete love. “You’re so beautiful, Megan.”
I moan. Mark places his lips onto my neck and passionately blazes kisses down my nape, ending on my chest at the tops of my breasts. I cannot help but exhale deeply.
Looking directly into my eyes, he commands, “Upstairs now, Miss Madden.”
I smile knowingly at Mark. As I move forward, he slowly slides me down the front of his body. His taut abdomen is firm against my core, and his growing erection has caught my breath and caused wetness to form between my thighs. As he lets my feet hit the floor, he takes my hand, but I take the lead up the stairs in front of him. His hand taps my bum, and I squeal, picking up my pace.
“Behave, Mr. Reed.”
I run ahead straight into the master bedroom.
“As if you’d run away from me.”
Mark grabs me and pulls me straight back into his arms with my back against his chest.
“You are mine now.” I giggle.
He spins me around, placing his hands at the bottom of my top and sliding it over my head. I do the same to him, and I can’t believe how good he looks.
His lips go straight to my neck, kissing it fervently, going from one side to the other. He travels down to my black lacy bra. Sliding one hand around my back, he unfastens it and then lets both hands drift to my matching panties. I stand still as he moves effortlessly to slide them down my legs.
“Oh, I am going to devour you, baby,” he says as he kneels in front of me.
Moving his thumb to my clit, he rubs it while placing little kisses on it. He slides his finger inside me really slowly, sending me over the edge in ecstasy.
“You’re wet, so wet,” he moans. “I want you, need you.” He withdraws his finger and stands up to slide off his jeans. His tight boxers strain around his throbbing erection. I gracefully move and slide them down, freeing his cock.
Wow, I can’t help but look at how big he is. I giggle to myself. Mark lays me down onto the bed, kissing my neck and then sliding his lips down my chest.
“Baby, are you sure?” he asks in a caring voice.
I nod and he automatically slides on protection and then smiles at me. At least I don’t have to worry.
He slowly slides himself in me, and I take a deep breath. Oh, baby. He places his hands above my head, and I bend my knees to wrap my legs around him. I put my hands into his hair and gently pull, causing him to groan in pleasure. As he begins to gain speed, he lowers his head and his tongue invades my mouth, kissing me passionately. The intensity is so strong that I arch my back to meet him thrust for thrust.
“Baby, you’re so perfect,” he says as he takes one hand and starts squeezing my nipple and caresses my face with the other.
“Oh my,” I say. I don’t think I can hang on much longer.
“Megan, I love you,” he declares as he continues to pump harder and faster, never losing his rhythm.
I can’t manage to form words; I just moan. I knew our first time would be easy and special.
“Argh!” Mark lets out a massive growl not long after me and falls down onto the bed beside me. He places his hand on my bum, rolling me onto my side and pulling me in close.
“You’re wonderful,” he whispers as he strokes my hair.
L. Chapman was born in and continues to live in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. She has spent most of her life helping others as a health care assistant, and was, at one time, a DJ for a special needs club. Blending her love of helping others and her love of children, L dreams to one day own and operate a childcare nursery that will help mainstream special needs children with others.
In the rare times that L. is not working to help others or maniacally writing, she enjoys making a mess of things while creating beautifully detailed greeting cards. She spends time relaxing with family, friends, and good books. L. loves to travel and has been to many places in the United Kingdom; her favorite places all involve the ocean. She hopes to one day share a kiss with her happily-ever-after in the romantic shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Should she ever get over her fear of flying, those kisses may be shared in the shadows of the Egyptian Pyramids.
Ever the fussy eater, L. has never once tasted peanut butter, and she despises coffee. If you should feel the need to bribe her, it is suggested that you bring chocolate, as that is one of her know weaknesses.
Whoo hoo! Red Hot Obsessions is now available to purchase at an super introductory price of just 99c for a limited time only! This boxed set of 10 sizzling contemporary novels from 10 bestselling authors contains a romance to suit every mood, all guaranteed to get your heart racing! Read on to check out the blurb and enter the fantastic giveaway for a chance to win $100 gift card!
***10 TALES OF ROMANCE FROM 10 BEST SELLING AUTHORS***
Over 3000 pages worth of books! ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME~ ONLY 99c
Ten top selling authors come together to bring you ten titillating full-length novels of love, passion, discovery, and anticipation designed to tease the senses.
Your next obsession starts here. Hot men. Lusty women. Dirty, raw, and arousing. Enough angst to twist your insides.
From first kisses, to dangerous encounters and college seductions, we’ve collected all your favorite stories and combined them into one scintillating read filled with the confident, sexy and mysterious bad boys that will make even the nicest girl’s heart throb with desire.
His Wicked Games (Ember Casey): Lily would do anything to save her father’s failing business – even take on the infamous billionaire Calder Cunningham. But she’s not prepared for the wicked terms he has in mind…
Fierce (Clarissa Wild): Hot, brooding college bad-boy Hunter turns out to have more secrets up his sleeve than geeky book-worm Autumn can handle. Too bad for her he doesn’t give up the fight easily.
That First Kiss (J.C. Valentine): Playboy and rising author Tate Larson is focused on his work with no plans of settling down anytime soon… that is, until a chance encounter with Southern beauty Piper Donovan derails all his plans
Slow Burn (V.J. Chambers): A college junior, in hiding from a corrupt shadow wing of an arms corporation, finds herself saddled with a restrained, no-nonsense bodyguard—who also happens to be jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
Layers Deep (Lacey Silks): He needs her to save a friend. She needs him to plan her revenge. Their pasts scar them Layers Deep. Their passion distracts them… and distractions can be fatal.
Learning Curves (Olivia Rigal): Ariane wanted to spice up the life of her cooking school but one of her American students may be hotter than she expected.
Can’t Shake You (Molly McLain): Carissa’s gotten herself into a mess with an impromptu renovation project, and the only contractor available to help her out happens to be the one man she’s never been able to forget. Josh is also her ex-boyfriend’s best friend, therefore completely off-limits…unless they don’t get caught.
His Indecent Lessons (Sky Corgan): When Cheyenne started her first year of college, she didn’t expect to fall head over heels for one of her professors. His interest is totally academic though, and he’s going to give her private lessons she’ll never forget.
Sorority Pledge (Daizie Draper): Inexperienced college students, Addison and Logan, recognize the need for power play in one another when they first meet. But as they dive into a BDSM lifestyle while trying to balance college life, they discover their sizzle doesn’t come without consequence.
Rae Omnibus (Blair Babylon): Rae will do anything to stay in college and for her dream of a clinic for autistic kids, but when the sexy and mysterious owner of The Devilhouse offers her job, she realizes that her small-town definition of “anything” was far too limited.
HOWDY everyone! If you are looking for an erotic contemporary read featuring not one but TWO cowboys trained in the art of giving pleasure, then we have got just the ticket for you on our blog today! Scroll down and get a load of the blurb for Em Petrova’s Pushin’ Buttons, read my review and an excerpt and check out the giveaway! Tina 🙂
TITLE – Pushin’ Buttons SERIES – The Boot Knockers Series AUTHOR – Em Petrova GENRE – western contemporary erotic romance PUBLICATION DATE – June 10, 2014 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 56,000 PUBLISHER – Samhain Publishing
Sexual dysfunction. The words make Sibyll cringe, but after one too many failed relationships, she has to face reality. Her O-button is broken, big time. Sick of sitting on the sexual sidelines, she books a week at Boot Knockers Ranch. If a passel of rugged cowboys vying to bring her bliss can’t get her off, nothing will.
Hugh had planned to sit out this week’s rotation of sexual therapy, but when he spots sultry Sibyll, he pulls rank. His bone-deep urge to possess her isn’t enough to coax elusive orgasms out of her body, though. And his resolve to give the lady whatever she needs wavers when she shyly makes a mind-blowing request.
Riggs stepped aside when Hugh muscled in to claim Sibyll, but he jumps at the chance to fulfill her ultimate fantasy—a threesome. But once they come together, all barriers are stripped away, exposing his love for the one man—and woman—he’d break every last rule to make his own.
My Review
A Fabulicious Toe Curling Read!
Sibyll, the heroine of this novel is one helluva lucky lady! To enable her to overcome her sexual dysfunction, the journey of self-discovery she embarks on at the Boot Knockers ranch hits the spot in a most delightful way. Why settle for one cowboy when two are exactly what you need?
This is the first book I have read by Em Petrova and I could not put it down! It is not only full of sizzling erotic lovemaking scenes, but contains a great deal of humour, emotion and characters I rooted for from the off. Sibyll, the heroine, is woman who, despite lovers in the past (and her own best efforts), has failed to experience orgasm. Naturally she aches to reach the ultimate fulfilment…… I loved that on the surface she seems prim and proper, but in scene after scorching scene, expertly portrayed by the author, her layers of self-doubt are peeled away to reveal her innermost secrets and desires, which belie her outward image!
I ADORED Hugh’s visceral reaction to Sibyll when her first spies her and his decision to be THE cowboy that claims her during her stay at the ranch! The methods he uses to break down her reserve and encourage her to let go and experience pleasure are just divine! – I’m talking passionate scenes which include a little light bondage, anal sex and toys, all set against a backdrop of the rugged Texan landscape.
Hugh is a man blindsided by attraction to Sibyll, yet he is reluctant to commit and adept at keeping an emotional distance, even from the sexy and drop dead gorgeous fellow Boot Knocker Riggs, with whom he already has a burgeoning connection. However, Sibyll has other ideas and so does Riggs! Riggs has wanted to claim Hugh as his own for a long time and is also falling for Sibyll. Their decision to come together to guarantee that Sibyll reaches her ultimate goal not only represents a whole new dynamic for Sibyll, but for them all.
Indeed, when, Riggs is added into the mix, in a mouth- watering menage of sizzling proportions, I continued to read open mouthed as the pleasure between the characters and the emotional connections increased and dropped into place. However, will Hugh put aside his fear of commitment and acknowledge that this special attraction between the three of them is for keeps and will Sibyll return to her life in the city? Also what of Riggs and his desire to possess both Hugh and Sibyll? You will need to read this novel to find out how it finally plays out, but let me say that it is one delightfully sexy ride! More please!
I recommend this novel to lovers of erotic romance, especially those who enjoy hot scenes involving soul-searching cowboys and a heroine prepared to experience all they have to offer.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
A copy of this book was given to me on behalf of the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Sibyll followed her gaze to the door between stage entrance and hallway several feet away. His back was to her and the other dozen women, his shoulders taking up most of the door frame and his white T-shirt molded to a chiseled back. Sibyll outlined his back muscles with her gaze, cutting a path down to a backside hugged by worn denim. The cowboy pivoted. His face was illuminated by the overhead lights as he talked to the perky Isabel, the ringleader of this insane audition process.
“He has a black eye!” someone whispered.
“From a bar fight? Please let it be from a bar fight!” a woman with a gorgeous head of red hair and thick glasses added.
The cowboy raised his head and stared at the women. Suddenly Sibyll’s muscles tensed to run. She didn’t want to be here, had made the wrong decision. So what if I can’t experience “physical and emotional sensation at the peak of sexual excitation” according to Dictionary.com?
Isabel swooped through the door and pointed at the curvaceous brunette to Sibyll’s right. “You’re next.” Then she returned to the doorway, where she leaned and talked to the cowboy with the black eye.
Dust motes swirled hectically in the lights streaming from the stage. Sibyll tried to follow one with her eyes. Anything to keep from looking directly at that cowboy’s handsome, rugged face.
He was huge—tall and broad and muscled in all the ways that made the knot in Sibyll’s core want to unravel. But it never did. Maybe if he fights to win me, I could.
He glanced up again, and the group of women tittered. The leggy blonde was led offstage on the arm of a cowboy wearing all black except his shiny silver and turquoise belt buckle.
“Wow, he’s fine. Jenny’s lucky to get him,” the virgin whispered after they passed. They stopped at the door, and the production manager moved to the side so they could pass. The black-eyed cowboy with the two-day-old dark stubble on his jaw shook hands with both cowboy and contestant.
“You—sexy secretary—you’re next.” The production manager jabbed a finger in Sibyll’s direction.
She looked around herself. A slight girl to her right wore a peasant dress and thong sandals, and the tall, toned girl to her left wore sporty shorts and a T-shirt with an energy drink logo.
“Wh—? Me?” Sibyll pointed to her chest.
“Yep, you.” The production manager whirled back to speak with the cowboy, but he’d strolled through the door and was making his molasses-sweet way across the stage. He passed the first group of contestants, who froze like a herd of deer in the middle of Highway 495. He dipped his head and positioned a battered brown cowboy hat on it.
“Howdy,” he drawled, lips curled in the perfect dose of Southern gentleman and cocky bad-boy.
Feminine sighs sounded in response. Sibyll’s heart thumped as he neared her small group standing nearest to the stage. The closer he got, the more his bulk seemed to take up all the space in the room. Or maybe that was testosterone.
He dropped a wink at the virgin and leaned in to speak to her. “The black eye was nothin’ as glamorous as a kick-ass bar fight. Took a hoof yesterday working with the horses.” He straightened and settled his gaze right on Sibyll
She stopped breathing as electricity passed between them. That’s my imagination. I’m so keyed up.
The cowboy cleared his throat but didn’t say anything. Around them, women gawked. Hell, even Isabel the production manager stood with her mouth open, glancing between the huge cowboy and her clipboard.
“Hugh, you’re not filling in today, are you?” Isabel asked.
The man blinked, severing his hold on Sibyll. He shook his head. “Nah, I’m not competin’ today. I’m Master of Games as usual.” He pinned Sibyll again with his gaze. Something dark and exciting coiled low in her belly. What if this man did stand up for her? I’d choose him in a heartbeat.
Em Petrova lives in backwoods Pennsylvania, where she raises four kids and a Labradoodle puppy named Daisy Hasselhoff and pays too damn much for utilities. She loves to write gritty characters with lots of heart and is well-known for scorching, panty-soaking erotic romance.
We are delighted to help host the blog tour for what I think is one of THE most exciting releases of this year! LEVERAGE, by Nancy Thomson continues the tale begun in THE MISTAKEN, A Dark Romantic Thriller par excellence. Read on for the book synopsis, a substantial excerpt and teaser. You can also enter the author’s giveaway where e-books of both THE MISTAKEN and LEVERAGE are up for grabs alongside some SIGNED PAPERBACKS. Don’t forget to read my interview with the author where she answers questions about her writing and ideas for future works. Tina 🙂
SYNOPSIS:
Four years ago, Tyler Karras’ quest to avenge his wife’s
death led to all out war with San Francisco’s Russian Mafia. With the Bratva’s collapse and its king, Dmitri
Chernov, long dead, all Ty wants now is to put it behind him and enjoy a second
chance at life with his new bride, Hannah, and the child they’re expecting any
day. But Chernov’s heir, Grigory Dmitriev, has returned, bitter and determined.
He wants his kingdom back, and he’s more than willing to leverage Ty’s new
family to get it. First he targets Conner, Ty’s brooding nineteen-year-old
stepson, manipulating the boy into a vortex of sex, drugs, alcohol, and
gambling. Then he turns his sights on Hannah. At eight months pregnant, she’s
the ultimate bargaining chip. With both their lives in jeopardy, as well as his
unborn child, Ty has little choice but to do as Grigory commands—even if that
means assassinating the new leadership resurrecting within the Bratva.
But Tyler
swore he’d never kill again. He buried that monster four years ago and means to
keep it that way. Grigory, however, makes that vow impossible to keep.
With his new family on the line, Ty will cross further into
the dark side than he ever has before, challenging everything he believes about
himself, and forcing him to face the ghosts of his past. Only then will Ty
discover if he has the strength to do the unspeakable, to sacrifice his last
chance at redemption and save the lives of those he loves most.
EXCERPT:
The discomfort, as bothersome as it was, couldn’t chase away the unease that flittered through my stomach like butterflies. That feeling had become a permanent fixture in my core as of late, like there was all this extra room inside me now. I felt incomplete, half of me missing, and what remained couldn’t function on its own. It wasn’t an unfamiliar sensation. I’d been here before, and all the old habits and cravings associated with that came into sharp focus, while everything else pushed to the periphery and blurred.
I kept a small collection of liquor in the corner of my construction trailer, for those times when the client came by to celebrate the completion of a project or the granting of a long-embattled permit. I kept one bottle half-filled with water, my own little secret. No one ever questioned it. They all assumed it was vodka. But tonight, it stood empty, while the others danced temptingly before me like harem girls beckoning me to peek beneath their veils.
Come to me. I’ll help you forget. You know I can. I’ve done it so many times before. It doesn’t have to hurt anymore. Just take a drink, one small sip…
That voice clamored so loud, I couldn’t even remember pulling the stop from the decanter, or pouring the tequila into the stubby lowball glass. But there it was, my old friend, the amber devil, staring me in the eye after all this time.
How many times had I heeded its call, had I given in to the temptation to simply not feel? Because that was it, really, what brought me to this point, that pain, that loneliness, that undeniable knowledge that I had destroyed everything most precious in my life.
I feared that knowledge and ached to reject it in the quickest way possible. The amber devil had always granted me that wish, and oh, how I wanted it to yet again. For just one moment, just an hour, just this single evening. I wanted that drink. I needed that drink.
I peered down into the devil’s face and saw my past reflected back at me, all the weeks and months I’d spent drunk, scheming my vengeance, releasing my wrath against an innocent woman—Hannah. And then there was Nick, my troublesome little brother, who’d kept everything a secret in order to protect me. He’d sacrificed his life in our father’s name so that I might live.
And that pretty much summed it all up. I was half a man without Jill. I was half a man without Nick. And now, half a man without Hannah. What did that make me but a speck of humanity?
I tried to reconcile that with the man I once was, before I ever married Jill or Hannah. I relished my independence back then, which was why I’d tried so hard to disengage my brother from my life. I’d wanted to find out what it was like to be just me, on my own, with no one else to shape the boundaries of who or what I was. But over time, Nick and Jill had become enduring components in my life, and most certainly maneuvered the tools that cut and contoured the man I’d become.
After dealing with the crap that had consumed my world following their deaths, I thought I’d finally pulled myself together, and with Hannah a daily reminder of both my failings and my resurrection, I believed I’d come full circle. But no, I hadn’t. I was living, breathing proof you could never truly leave your past behind. It clung like a shadow, at times unseen, but never farther than my reach, always dark, forever uncontainable.
That’s what looked back up at me from that glass—that shadow.
My past.
AUTHOR BIO:
Nancy is a sunny California transplant currently living in dreary Seattle, Washington with her husband of twenty-four years, their son, a student at Seattle University, their giant snow dog, Jack, and his kitty, Skye. She works as a freelance editor and also has her own interior and architectural design business. When she’s not writing, editing, designing, or marketing—a rarity these days—Nancy keeps herself busy by cooking and baking, that is, when she can pull herself away from Facebook, also a rarity.
1. When did you start to write and what prompted you to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard?
I started writing my debut, The Mistaken, in March 2010. I was inspired by Jared Leto’s lyrics to “Hurricane” for his band Thirty Seconds To Mars: “Tell me, would you kill to save a life? Tell me, would you kill to prove you’re right?” It made me wonder what could make an otherwise good man commit a violent crime and could he ever return to the man he used to be. Those issues continued in the sequel, Leverage, as well.
2. Where do you find the inspiration for your writing?
In music mostly, from my favorite bands like Smile Empty Soul, Three Days Grace, Alice in Chains, Red, and Staind, all of whom produce very emotionally charged songs. But I also take some liberties with my own life experiences. It’s that whole “write what you know” thing.
3. How do you carry out your research to ensure that your writing reflects the people and the places you portray in your novels as accurately as possible?
As far as characters, it’s mostly just observation and pulling from my own life. Same with setting. I write about the places I’ve lived most of my life, San Francisco and Seattle predominantly. My villains are based on someone I had a little run in with a long time ago. Pretty scary, that one. I will admit to doing a great deal of research on the Bratva, or Russian Mafia, their presence in both San Francisco and Seattle, their businesses, their structure as an organization, their members, including prison life, and the meanings behind their notorious tattoos.
4. Your current series falls into the category of dark romantic suspense. Do you see yourself writing in any other categories in the future?
They’re more thriller than suspense, with emphasis more on a ticking clock and less on “whodunit.” The reader pretty much knows that up front. While I love every aspect of the thriller, I don’t do cops or detectives or political conspiracies. I prefer using everyday-type people. But as far as other genres, yes, I do have a more classic contemporary romance planned out, though, of course, it will have a very dark element to it. I can’t seem to stay away from the darkness.
5. Describe your writing process in three words. Planned, organized, & structured.
What have you found is the best thing about being a writer? I’d have to say it’s a toss up between having the freedom to express myself creatively, and meeting and becoming great friends with so many other writers and authors. It’s a tight community where most everyone pays it forward.
6.What have you found the most challenging aspects of being a writer?
That’s easy, the marketing. I hate promoting. I’m terrible at it. I don’t really know how to do it effectively, nor do I have the money and time to sell, sell, sell. But mostly, it bothers me to have to toot my own horn all the time, a necessary evil.
7. Have you any immediate plans for a future novel and if so are you able to share anything about it with us?
I have several brewing, but two in particular won’t leave me alone. One is the contemporary romance I mentioned earlier. It’s about a young woman, age sixteen to about thirty or so, and the three men in her life, her first love, a man who hurts her terribly, and the great love of her life, all whose lives intersect in one devastating event. The other is about an author who pens erotica. She finds herself the object of a madman’s obsession, a man who thinks the women who write and read BDSM actually invite violent sexual encounters.
8. Have you any advice to anyone who is thinking about becoming an author?
I could fill a book with advice, but I’d say the most important thing is to learn the craft. With self-publishing so easily accessible, there’s been a glut of hastily written books with poor writing, erratic structure, and very little editing. While the current market may be able to bear this, it won’t for long, so if a writer wants staying power in a sea of mediocrity, learn how to write well.
9. What do you like to read when you are not writing?
I’ve become so very picky lately, mostly because I’m an editor, as well as a writer, which means, when I’m not writing, I’m usually editing. When I do have time to read for pleasure, I’ll often pick up ten books before I find one that grabs and holds my attention. It’s typically a thriller with a strong romantic element running through it, but I do enjoy contemporary romance, too, as long as it’s not predictable and formulaic, a real problem in the genre as a whole. Whatever I read, it must be well-crafted and edited, and, most importantly, believable, even time travel books, which I LOVE!
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions Nancy and good luck with LEVERAGE and your future releases!
We are participating in the Pre-Release Blitz for REDHOT OBSESSIONS today. This smexy boxed set of TEN SIZZLING reads from bestselling authors is a perfect collection to entertain you during the summer months or indeed at any time of the year! Read on to find out about the authors, check out a few teasers and enter the GIVEAWAY to win a $50 Gift Card!
Title: Red Hot Obsessions (Boxed Set)
Publication Date: June 16th, 2014
Genre: Contemporary RomanceWordcount: 800000+ or about 3000 pages
***10 TALES OF ROMANCE FROM 10 BEST SELLING AUTHORS***Over 3000 pages worth of books!Ten top selling authors come together to bring you ten titillating full-length novels of love, passion, discovery, and anticipation designed to tease the senses.Your next obsession starts here.Hot men.Lusty women.Dirty, raw, and arousing.
Enough angst to twist your insides.
From first kisses, to dangerous encounters and college seductions, we’ve collected all your favorite stories and combined them into one scintillating read filled with the confident, sexy and mysterious bad boys that will make even the nicest girl’s heart throb with desire.
Ember Casey is a twenty-something writer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia in a den of iniquity (or so she likes to tell people). When she’s not writing steamy romances, you can find her whipping up baked goods (usually of the chocolate variety), traveling (her bucket list is infinite), or generally causing trouble (because somebody has to do it).
Clarissa Wild is the Amazon Bestselling Romance author of FIERCE, a top 200 and top 15 New Adult Romance novel. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire’s Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.
Best selling author J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own.She lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms.
V. J. Chambers writes about being inexplicably attracted to the dangerously alluring. Her works span mundane settings and fantastic ones. She writes about serial killers, cult leaders, werewolves, witches, for-hire assassins, zombies, space pirates, and regular everyday people. She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
Author of Erotic Romance, Lacey Silks writes her stories from life experiences, dreams and fantasies. She likes a pinkish shade on a woman’s cheeks, men with large feet and sexy lingerie, especially when it’s torn off the body. Her favorite piece of clothing is a birthday suit.
When she’s not thinking about writing steamy stories, which is a rare occasion, Lacey enjoys camping and skiing with her family (not at the same time of course). She’s a happily married wife blessed with two kids who adore going to the library. She’s an early bird by nature, but loves the nightly adventures with her hubby which provide good content for her books.
Born in Manhattan, Olivia Rigal spent her youth going back and forth between the United States and France. She lived and studied law in both countries. While studying she kept herself busy with a variety of jobs. She worked in the Clignancourt Flea Market as well as in a Parisian recording studio. In Manhattan, she was a dog groomer and then an administrative assistant in a famous English auction house. Olivia settled in France to raise her family. She travelled throughout South East Asia and has a special fondness for Laos and Thailand. When her law practice does not keep her busy in Paris, she runs away to write novels in her Florida home next to MacArthur Beach State Park.In December 2012 she started publishing short novels in English as an independent. Early 2014, she began translating them into French. The story she tells stand alone. However her characters often meet so you can run into them again in several stories.
Molly McLain lives in northern Wisconsin with her husband, her three children, and a rambunctious German Shorthaired Pointer, named Tucker. She’s been penning fictitious love stories since middle school and, at her 8th grade graduation, her class predicted she’d be a published author by their 20-year reunion. Well, she’s achieved that goal with plenty of time to spare. Now the question is…how many books will she be able to show off when that big day comes?
Sky Corgan lives in a little podunk town near San Antonio, Texas. When she’s not typing away at the next steamy romance novel, she’s busy planning for future vacations.
Daizie Draper is a happily married sex fiend, who loves to write naughty stories that mix the sweetness of chocolate with the bite of leather. She likes sensuality, kink, fruit, impressionistic art, spanking and beauty. She hates big bugs, freedom crushers, injustice, artificial orange and onions. Along with 27 other people in the world, she has never read Fifty Shades of Grey.
Originally a horror author, sex scenes and love stories kept magically creeping into her work, so she decided to make the switch to romance. Now she enjoys writing stories that make your heart flutter and your inner yearnings awaken.
WHOO HOO! Today we welcome back author Susan Mac Nicol as we take part in the Blog Tour for DOUBLE ALCHEMY: CLIMAX. I reviewed the first book in the series, DOUBLE ALCHEMY earlier this year and have reblogged my review, which you can find by scrolling down after this post. In this series Susan Mac Nicol has created a truly rich and inventive world, which exists alongside the human one, populated with Warlocks, Witches, Fey and other magical creatures.
Susan is not only sharing the book blurb and trailer with us, but she has penned a post on the joys and challenges of writing in the paranormal genre. Don’t forget to read my review of DOUBLE ALCHEMY: CLIMAX below. You can also enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win an e-copy of Double Alchemy and an e-copy of The Gift ofMagic!
Double Alchemy: Climax (Double Alchemy Book #2)
Title: Double Alchemy: Climax (Double Alchemy Book #2) Author: Susan Mac Nicol Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group Release Date: 22nd May, 2014 Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Powerful modern warlock Quinn Fairmont found ecstasy with the silver-eyed and not-quite-human Cade Mairston, but to know true happiness the pair must best both the shadow of a long-ago lover and an ancient enemy who seeks to destroy love, light and all they hold dear.
A BLINDING LIGHT It begins with a Book of Shadows discovered by a London coven. The grimoire is as dangerous as it is rare, which is why it evokes modern-day warlock Quinn Fairmont’s desire. He collects objects of great power and beauty—like his lover, Cade Mairston.
Against all odds he and Cade found each other, but their perils have just begun. First is the ex-lover who once held Quinn in thrall. And, someone has been killing warlocks. Could it be one of his own kind? There are those too who would challenge Quinn’s power in their quest to overthrow him as Grand Master. Or is the danger something darker, something invoked inadvertently, rising from the shadows, building from the very inside of a man until it brings an end with a quick flash of light? Of the truth, the surface has only been scratched. Now Quinn and Cade must go deeper and find both answers and an end. They must learn what lurks in the hearts of men…and whether it seeks to love or destroy.
My Review
Another Stonking Hot and Suspenseful Read!
Erotic m/m Paranormal Romance for readers aged 18+
Susan Mac Nicol has once again produced another stonking hot and suspenseful paranormal read, laced with humour and action! Double Alchemy: Climax continues the tale of the uber- sexy warlock Quinn and his passionate Water Sprite lover Cade, who grapple with those who threaten their lives and love.
Quinn and Cade are by far one of my favourite romantic couples this year! Their love is SO tangible throughout the narrative. There is never any doubt that they are soul mates and in this instalment they reach a deeper emotional understanding than ever before, their love eclipsing the the danger and obstacles that are put in their way. The lovemaking scenes between them are SMOKING HOT and inventive and sometimes tender. There is also a great deal of humorous repartee between the couple as there is between many of the characters, which I enjoyed immensely.
Quinn in particular has many trials in this book, some of them truly heartbreaking as his emotions are tested to the limit. He does battle with inner demons from his past as well as present day enemies. Cade grows in confidence as he embraces his Sprite side, a side which Quinn needs to give him free reign to explore, despite any misgivings he may have.
There is a great supporting cast of characters, first and foremost of which is Taliesin, Quinn’s Withinner, the ancient sorcerer who shares his body. Taliesin has a number of key scenes and I loved the interplay between him and Quinn. We also find out more about Daniel, Quinn’s uncle, and of course Valensia, Quinn’s ex-lover, Queen of the Witches, who adds a great deal of tension, humour and drama to the plot.
There are a number of interweaving plot lines in this book – the evil Book of Shadows, which guards a dangerous secret, the continuation of the plot to find and destroy the Witchfinder General, the character from the previous book, and the actions of Valensia. There are also challenges to Quinn’s role and power as the Grand Master and threats to Cade.The HEA in the book ties up many loose ends, but I feel also leaves the way open if the author wants to revisit the world of Quinn and Cade and the other characters whose stories could be told.
I wholeheartedly recommend Double Alchemy: Climax to readers of the paranormal. Readers will gain more enjoyment from this super novel if they read Double Alchemy, the previous book, beforehand.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
This book was given to me for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Purchase links for DOUBLE ALCHEMY: CLIMAX (Book #2)
“I love Paranormal stories & I’m a huge fan of Susan Mac Nicol’s M/M books. In this book, she brings both genres together & gives us this amazing story. With her master storytelling, she takes us into the mystical & magical world of Witches, Warlocks, Withinners & Feys. A world where danger lurks in the shadows.” – Maria Recchia
“I stayed up all night reading this story. Susan has a way of writing that is different than anyone else. She’s uniquely brilliant at weaving a tale that brings out my emotions. I have laughed in every one of her stories. That’s incredible for me. Not just a smile, but a laugh. I love that. This book needs to be read. You won’t be disappointed.” – Author Kindle Alexander
“Susan Mac Nicol has created a complex and fully realized fantasy world…. Quinn is the star of this novel, taking out the bad guy and learning how to trust in Cade’s love enough to share his unsavory past.” Library Journal
“I completely loved this beautifully and highly detailed written Paranormal story! This wasn’t a predictable story by any means. How Susan Mac Nicol takes us on a ride through this very creative and engrossing world that you will not forget, anytime soon and will be wanting more and more of it. I am a huge fan of this author and Double Alchemy, doesn’t disappoint by any means at all. I highly recommend this hot, steamy, love, paranormal and so beautifully written story!” Paul Berry
“Susan Mac Nicol brings us another sexilicious m/m romance but also takes us into a magyckal world of Warlocks, Withinners, Fae, Witchfinders and Witches… I loved the combination of the magyck and the m/m romance storyline. I am so glad Ms Mac Nicol is not keeping us waiting as the second book in the series will be released 22nd May 2014. I highly recommended this book to read and is an absolute five star rating from me.” Foxylutely Book Reviews
Praise for Susan Mac Nicol
“We have to re-iterate that this Author will always be an automatic one-click for us. Her writing is flawless and her flawed characters are completely lovable. There’s always something quirky and fun in her stories as well as drama, angst and heaps of passion! We can highly recommend!!” – Gitte & Jenny – Totally Booked Blog
“Susan has been hailed as a genius writer of male/male literature. Her Saving Alexander has been nominated for several awards and has been reviewed widely. Congrats on all your success, Susan. You have earned it.” – Gay Lit Authors
About Susan Mac Nicol
Susan Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, UK, and left for South Africa when she was eight. She returned to the UK thirty years later and now lives in Essex. Her debut novel Cassandra by Starlight, the first in a trilogy, was published last year by Boroughs Publishing Group in the US. Sue’s latest story, Double Alchemy: Climax is her sixth m/m romance.
Sue has written since she was very young, and never thought she would see herself becoming a Romance writer, being a horror/psychological thriller reader all her life. But the Romance genre is now something very close to her heart and she intends continuing the trend.
Sue is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists Association here in the UK.
The Joys and Challenges of Writing in the Paranormal Genre
I’ve been asked to write about my thoughts on the joys and challenges of writing in the paranormal genre. I guess the joy is being able to create worlds and fantasies that really only exist in legend, fairy tales and people’s imagination. It’s in drawing people into a world that is outside of their comfort zone and showing them this ‘alternate reality’ which actually exists in the real one.
The joy is watching your characters come to life with abilities that don’t exist in the real world and allowing them to manifest themselves in a way that makes us want to know them, to be friends with them and love them without reserve.
The challenges are keeping it realistic and within the realms of possibility. This is my opinion at least. I think there’s a fine line between giving reign to a story that perhaps is a little over the top and still keeping readers engaged in something that they can identify with. Perhaps I am too couched in the real world and this is what I like, the thin veneer that separates us as the true human beings from that of the world in which extraordinary beings exist.
I watched a film recently called R.I.P.D starring Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds, two actors whose talents I really enjoy. Five minutes into this movie I already had suspended belief in the story. The premise of the film I thought was quite entertaining. ‘A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.’
The minute I saw the really gross and to me, highly unbelievable villains and monsters, like the film M.I.B gone wrong (and that film had its share of weirdoes who I thought were overdone) the film lost its appeal. When will filmmakers understand that the true villain and monster is not the one with the disgusting slobber, green jowls, fat jelly bellies, huge teeth, monstrous hands and shape shifting limbs, but rather one that is sinister, low key, frightening in its intensity and something that you wouldn’t want to meet in the dark. Totally overdone. And as authors, I imagine we can run the same risk. Keeping things within the realms of possibility works for me for more than not.
A HUGE welcome today to author Madison Street! We are thrilled to share with you her novel Little Things and wish her every success!
Join us in checking out the blurb for this emotional and suspenseful love story, read an excerpt and teaser, immerse yourself in the playlist and connect with Madison. This novel is available for 99c for a limited time.
Tina ❤
Book Blurb
Everything in Duke Grayson’s life was all he could ever ask for: A loving family, loyal friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and a scholarship to his top choice college. It’s his senior year of high school, and all he needs is to focus on his grades, lacrosse, and keeping his girlfriend happy. That is until Raya walks into his life.
From the moment they meet, Duke is drawn to her, not only for her natural beauty and her stunning crystal blue eyes, but because he’s aware there’s more to this girl than just his alluring pull to her. He senses secrecy and fear.
Throughout the year, their bond grows stronger, and his feelings for her become undeniable. Just when he is about to express his love, tragedy strikes and Raya disappears.
For six years, Duke is tortured by his struggles, as he’s unable to find her and blames himself for failing to protect her. Until the day, she’s found, and he’s given a second chance. Will Duke become her beacon of hope and make her see that it’s the little things that make life worthwhile? Can Raya overcome her fears and fight against the terrors that haunt her? Or will her dark and torturous past be too much for her to battle against?
*Warning: This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content. Suited for 18 years and over.*
“This book is a standalone and the epilogue is just the sweetest thing ever and it had me crying for a good 30 minutes and I mean ugly cry.
So eventhough this book talked about loads of things I’m not into reading this is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m so glad I was given a chance to read it before it got out and discover this little gem.
Thank you Madison for such a beautiful heartwrenching story!” ~ Fictional BookHos
“I was impressed with Little Things simply because it doesn’t follow the usual mold. Madison Street breaks outside of the mold in the gripping story about love, friendship, and struggle.” ~ Mad in Wonderland Reviews
“Let me start by saying “Little Things” was flipping fantastic! I started reading thinking oh wow what a great love story….and then boom..pow..bang….I got my socks knocked off my feet!
What an emotional roller coaster ride! I was literally tapping my leg and biting my nails through the suspense!” ~ Tricia, ARC recipient
Teasers
Playlist
Excerpt
I hear a whisper come up from behind me, “So, how’s your first party?” I know that voice anywhere. I turn around to find Duke smiling at me.
“It’s great! I’m having so much fun!”
“I’m glad. You’ve danced with Taylor all night. Usually he doesn’t dance at parties, so that was surprising.”
I glance towards Taylor who’s across the room, talking to Adam. “Oh well. He’s a good dance partner.”
“Wanna bet?” Duke grabs my hand and leads me onto the dance floor just in time for a new song to start. The speakers start to play “Timber” by Pitbull and the crowd goes wild as people begin to flood the dance area. My heart literally stops beating and I swear I can’t even breathe, I’m so freaking nervous. I notice that my hand fits so perfectly in Duke’s hand.
The crowd is so packed together that Duke and I are forced to dance closely; maybe a little too close. As the song starts, he sings the lyrics and we begin to groove to the music.
I laugh out loud and raise my hands above my head and sing along with him. The crowd is compact and everyone’s bodies continuously bump into one another. Duke looks at me and places his hand on my lower back. A shocking jolt of electricity flows through his touch and my eyes widen. He immediately removes his hand from my back and instead keeps his hand by his side. I can still feel the heat flow, where his hand was placed, and I miss it being there. We continue dancing as I give him a reassuring smile. He winks and continues to sing and twirls me around.
I bob my head to the beat and shake my body with every fiber I have. As we dance together, I no longer pay attention to what’s around me. It’s as if Duke and I are the only ones dancing and as I stare at him, I get lost in the wonder of what could be. Someone from behind me pushes me forward and I fall against Duke’s strong and broad chest as he catches me. We stare into each other’s eyes for a brief moment before he breaks the contact and helps me stand on my own.
“You alright?”
I laugh nervously, “Yea sorry. Just crowded, that’s all.”
The song ends and the crowd begins to clear leaving only a few stragglers. Duke looks at his watch. “It’s getting late. We should get going.”
“Ok. I have to use the restroom first.”
After I use the restroom, Duke finds Melanie among the crowd and we say our goodbyes. Taylor tells me he will call soon and he hugs me and kisses me on the cheek. As we pull up to my driveway, Melanie asks, “So, was it a night to remember?” I smile and catch Duke looking at me through the rearview mirror, “Yes, yes it was.”
About Madison Street
Madison Street was born in New York City and was raised in the Bronx, where she resided until she was 17 years old. After 9/11, Madison joined the United States Navy to serve her country.
During the deployments, Madison constantly wrote short stories and she discovered her passion for writing. You will find Madison always on the computer, whether she’s on Facebook, designing websites, messing with Photoshop, or writing for her blog.
Besides writing, her second passion is music and dance. Even though she’s a terrible singer, she’ll still belt it out in the shower, especially if the song is her jam! She currently resides in Virginia with her husband of 8 years, 2 children, a dog, and a cat. She is so excited to start this amazing journey and is honored to be part of such a compassionate and loving community.
A big welcome today to L. Chapman who is celebrating the release of REDEEMED, the third book in the BELIEVE series, a super Contemporary Romance, where the heroine finds love against all the odds, but is still plagued by misfortune. Go and discover Megan and Mark!
Synopsis
Megan’s life has been anything but simple. She’s always lived amongst chaos, and for once, she just wants it all to stop. After years of lies and agony, will anything work out for her?
In this heart-gripping third installment of the Believe series, watch Megan discover love again, and not just any love, but one worth fighting for, one that makes her feel different, cherished, wanted, and treasured. For Megan, Mark is the one to give her all of that and has brought a new meaning to her life and a new reason to live.
The old saying, “Nothing comes easy in life,” holds true to this story, which is packed with unexpected twists and turns. For Megan and Mark, it pushes their love to new heights. Will the love they share for each other keep their relationship strong, or does Megan’s string of erroneous luck run out?
L. Chapman was born in and continues to live in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. She has spent most of her life helping others as a health care assistant, and was, at one time, a DJ for a special needs club. Blending her love of helping others and her love of children, L dreams to one day own and operate a childcare nursery that will help mainstream special needs children with others.
In the rare times that L. is not working to help others or maniacally writing, she enjoys making a mess of things while creating beautifully detailed greeting cards. She spends time relaxing with family, friends, and good books. L. loves to travel and has been to many places in the United Kingdom; her favorite places all involve the ocean. She hopes to one day share a kiss with her happily-ever-after in the romantic shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Should she ever get over her fear of flying, those kisses may be shared in the shadows of the Egyptian Pyramids.
Ever the fussy eater, L. has never once tasted peanut butter, and she despises coffee. If you should feel the need to bribe her, it is suggested that you bring chocolate, as that is one of her know weaknesses.
A BIG WELCOME to T. L. Searle’s AQUILA; FROM THE DARKNESS, a powerful and original Urban Fantasy. Scroll on down to read the book synopsis and an excerpt, find out about the author and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a gift card and an e-book of Aquila!
TITLE – Aquila; From The Darkness #1 SERIES – Aquila AUTHOR – T. L. Searle GENRE – Urban Fantasy PUBLICATION DATE – 2013 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – #110,500 PUBLISHER – T. L. Searle COVER ARTIST – S. A. Hunt
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Seventeen year old Aqua Vickers lives a secluded life in the English countryside. She keeps herself that way, hiding in plain sight, out of fear. She has no idea where she came from or what she is, she just knows she isn’t human. Her mother is convinced she’s an angel, but does having wings make you an angel? Sharp, angular and intimidating black wings?
The only other person Aqua has let into her life is Aaron, her best friend. They’ve grown up together, shared every milestone and Aqua’s feelings for him have developed into something more. In a moment of impulse, Aqua reveals her true nature. Aaron freaks, hurting Aqua so badly that she flees into the night.
Lucas has been watching and waiting. As an Angeli Tail it is his job to be a spy; and he’s been ordered to watch Aqua. Lost and vulnerable above the clouds, Aqua is reaching exhaustion. When Lucas offers her the answers she seeks, she follows him impulsively.
In a city, carved into the rock of a mountain, Aqua discovers she’s not as alone as she thought; and her life has been rooted on a bed of lies and deception. In her absence, her home is attacked and her mother taken. With this new enemy intent on her capture and new family who aren’t all welcoming, Aqua must integrate and train with the Angeli Guard if she has any hope of rescuing her mother from the hands of the Dragone.
The Angeli Guard Master is unforgiving and ruthless, allowing Aqua little rest from his relentless and painful training exercises. Aqua can barely stand to look at him, but can’t seem to exterminate the butterflies she feels when he’s around.
War is coming but Aqua’s battles may need to be fought closer to home.
I run for the car. The mass of people is dense and I keep bumping into dancers, drunkards and idiots – slowing my escape. A pair of hands grab my waist, and I think it’s Aaron. “Where’d you think you’re going?” a slimy voice slurs. It’s not Aaron. It’s the perverted creep from earlier with the taking what I’m offering comment. I spin to face him. “Let go of me,” I seethe. He sneers. “Oh come on gorgeous. I just want to see what you’re hiding under there.” Without warning his grubby hands land slap bang on my cleavage. Jerk! I react instinctively, without thinking I pull my arm back and let my fist fly. It lands with a crunch on the moron’s jaw. There’s a sickening crack but that’s not the worst part. He takes off. His feet literally leave the floor as he shoots backwards and lands on his butt ten feet away. The kids around us fall silent and stare. The guy’s sprawled out, he’s not moving but I know he’s not dead because he’s making a kind of gurgling noise. Someone rolls him onto his side but no one else tries to help him. They’re all too busy gawking at me; standing with my feet apart and my hands in fists by my side, my shoulders rising with my heavy breathing. Aaron comes rushing out of the mass then and takes in the scene. I hate to do it to him twice in one night but I turn and run again. This time he follows. “Aqua! Wait. Stop, please!” I hear his voice but keep running. Tears are falling now. I’m actually crying. How humiliating. I have to control my pace. I can run inhumanly fast, it would draw even more attention. I misjudge it, maybe deliberately, and Aaron catches me by the wrist before I get to my car. I glance behind. We’ve run a long way. There’s no one else here; the party’s in the distance, illuminated by the glowing bonfire. I stop, still facing away from him. He keeps hold of my wrist. “What happened?” he asks, concern evident in his voice. I swipe at the tears marring my cheek. “He groped me. I punched him.” I’m still sobbing but trying my hardest to hide it. “Maybe I hit him a bit hard.” “A bit hard? He looked comatose!” He almost sounds proud. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” “I’m fine, not hurt.” I turn then. He takes me in, in all my tear-streaked glory. I bet I look hideous. “Aqua… why did you run?” He asks it softly, watching me with veiled eyes. I know we’re not talking about the punch now. I don’t want this conversation though. “Did you see the guy? I could get eight to ten.” I mean it to sound light-hearted but it comes out sombre. He flashes his dimple. “No. Before, after I kissed you. Why did you run?”
I am a mother of two from Somerset, England as well as a full-time student at the University of the West of England, Bristol. I write for enjoyment and I love to read novels of various genres but my passion is fantasy. I enjoy letting my imagination free as my stories develop. My childhood was rural, full of mud and tractors, of climbing trees and going on explorations of the countryside. My local area formed part of the inspiration for my first novel Aquila; from the darkness. I am currently working on the upcoming sequel Aquila; into the light.
We are SUPER excited to be participating in the Blog Tour launching Nina Mason’s SIZZLING paranormal release The Queen of Swords! This post is jam packed full of information on the book and includes the book blurb, my personal review, excerpt and trailer, author interview and a fantastic giveaway!
THE QUEEN OF SWORDS: A PARANORMAL TALE OF UNDYING LOVE
When Graham Logan, a Scottish earl turned vampire by a dark wizard’s curse, draws the Queen of Swords, he knows he’s about to meet the love of his life. For the third time. But surrendering his heart will mean risking her life…or making her what he is. Neither of which his morals will permit him to do. Graham, who believes he lost his soul to the curse, rages at God: Why give her back only to take her again?
Cat Fingal, the third incarnation of Graham’s twin flame, won’t let him escape so easily. As soon as they meet, she feels she knows him and begins having past-life flashbacks. A white witch, she casts a spell to summon him, wanting answers and to fill the void she’s felt all her life. Graham has other problems, too. Like the seductress who wants him for herself and the dark wizard who cursed him and killed his beloved the first two times.
Will he find a way to save her this time around? Or will she save him?
My Review
Simply Spellbinding!
This book is such a deliciously dark and sexy read! If you love Paranormal Romances and Urban Fantasies I strongly suspect that you will feel this way too. The Queen of Swords draws on elements of vampire lore, Fae and Celtic mythology, Witchcraft and Tarot in a spellbinding tale full of action, suspense and lovemaking scenes which sizzle off the page!
The hero Graham, a vampire, is a real hottie and I wished I knew the summoning spell to bring him to my side as the heroine does! Turned against his will, he mourns the loss of his humanity and also the loss of his love, whom his maker has cruelly taken away from him on two occasions already. He has a fascinating tale to tell of his life which we learn of through a series of flashbacks. I liked how once Graham realises that Cat is his soul mate he seeks to protect her by putting as much distance between them as possible. The fact that he is unwilling to turn her into a vampire so that they can be together makes this book very different to many other vampire romances.
I LOVED how Cat goes against his wishes and uses her own substantial powers as a Witch to summon him to her for answers! The attraction between them is undeniable and she realises that he is her destined other half and without him she will be incomplete. Cat, a trifle bookish, is essentially a strong woman and I enjoyed how her character grows as she seeks to save Graham’s soul, which he believes is beyond redemption. However, what future do the couple have when Graham is hell bent on maintaining distance, a jealous lover is on the loose and Graham’s nemesis has returned, putting their future and lives in jeopardy?
The sexual tension and lovemaking scenes between the couple are passionate and intense and leave little to the imagination. There is also plenty of emotion and humour. I found the couple’s relationship very believable and realistic and enjoyed the moments of conflict between them as they seek to resolve the dilemmas thrust in their way and the tension they experience in rediscovering each other, for after all Cat is a modern woman and Graham a man first alive in Regency times!
It is clear that the author has carried out a substantial amount of research into vampire lore, Celtic mythology and history and the Tarot. The scenes describing the various spells carried out by Cat and the magic carried out by others is also very authentic, all of which added to my enjoyment of the book. A number of scenes pay homage to Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The secondary characters in the novel are also well drawn and portrayed and I sincerely hope that the author decides to share Avery and Benedict’s tale with us in the future. Scenes of a homoerotic nature occur in the book as do those involving torture, however, these do not dominate the plot and form an important element to the storyline.
I recommend The Queen of Swords to lovers of Paranormal romance and Urban fantasy who enjoy a hotter read than normal, with an entertaining and well researched plot and strong and engaging characters.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Excerpt
12th May. Visited Caitriona tonight for the first time since becoming a monster. She slept, unaware of my presence, & for a time, I was content simply to observe. As the hours passed, I began to wonder what might happen if she awoke to find me in her room. Would she think me a wraith? Would she think it a dream? Desiring to know, & to get closer, I sat down on the corner of the bed, alert for any stirrings. Seeing none, I crawled up the bed until I reached her side. Still she did not stir. Ever so carefully, I set my head upon the pillow next to hers. She slept on. Drinking in her scent, I felt contentment for the first time since fate & Fitzgerald tore us apart. I closed my eyes & must have drifted off, because next I knew, her arm fell across my chest. Startled awake, I found her blinking at me in disbelief.
I lay there, still as death, waiting for her to react. Her hand moved up my chest to my face. She dragged her fingers across my jaw, pressed them against my lips, touched the end of my nose, my eyebrows, my forehead. As she combed back my hair, she whispered: “This must be a dream. But you feel so real, so alive. I don’t ken how such a thing is possible; nor do I care. I only pray I shall never awaken.”
I kept still. I could hear her heartbeat, smell her blood, but her blood was not what I craved. She set her head on my chest & started to sob.
“Am I dreaming?” she asked, soft & low.
“Aye.”
She raised herself up, came over me & pressed her mouth against mine.
“Can we make love in my dream?”
“Aye.”
When it was over, I collapsed beside her, feeling so elated, so profoundly moved, I very nearly wept.
She set her head against my chest. “Will you promise me something?”
“Anything, m’aingael.”
“Always come to me like this in my dreams.”
Trailer embed code:
Giveaway
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Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten. Three of her books will be published in 2014: The Queen of Swords, an urban fantasy/paranormal romance; The Knight of Wands, book one in the Knights of Avalon Series; and The Tin Man, a political thriller about the dangers posed by media monopolies. She is currently at work on Book Two of the Knights of Avalon series and is itching to get back to a book she started a while back about a merman who falls for an oil company spokeswoman after a phantom tanker capsizes on the coast of the Hebrides islands. When not writing, Nina works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home stager. Born and raised in Southern California, she now lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert.
Q. Tell us about your book. A. The Queen of Swords tells the story of a bookish white witch who returns every century to reunite with her earthbound soul mate. He’s a Scottish earl turned vampire by a dark wizard’s curse back in the Regency era on the eve of their wedding. She came back once before in the Edwardian era only to be killed by his maker in the same manner as before. He believes he has no soul, so can’t understand why she keeps coming back. She believes he does have a soul and that she comes back to free him from the curse. The story follows their journey as they try to work out who’s right and how they can stop history from repeating.
Q. After this, what’s your next project? A. My current work-in-progress is book two in The Knights of Avalon series. After that, I haven’t decided. Probably another paranormal romance/urban fantasy. I’ve got a stalled manuscript about an oil company spokeswoman who gets involved with a merman during an oil spill in the Hebrides. Might get back to that one, or write one featuring Benedict and Avery, the secondary couple in The Queen of Swords. I’d also like to maybe write a sequel to The Tin Man, my political thriller releasing in August. It tells of two journalists thrown together to solve a series of murders tied to a global conspiracy to take over the media.
Q. What inspires you to write what you do? A. All of my paranormal stories are inspired by my love of the history and mythology of Scotland, my interest in the unknowable, and my belief in the redemptive power of love.
Q. When did you start writing? A. About as soon as I could write the alphabet. When I was a kid, I won an essay contest sponsored by the local library (I was an avid reader and always did the summer reading challenge). Back in the days of typewriters, I wrote a romance novel about a couple of ballet dancers, but never did anything with it. Didn’t try my hand at fiction again until five or six years ago, when I started what is now The Queen of Swords.
Q. What inspired you to write the book? A. I started the first draft after reading Twilight. While I liked the saga, I also found myself frustrated by the lack of sex and Edward’s lack of history. In literature, vampires originally personified uncaged sexuality, so a chaste vampire seemed counter-intuitive to me. Plus, I felt writing an immortal creature provided fantastic opportunities to build an interesting backstory. What had he/she seen and experienced over the centuries? How was he/she affected by it? My immortal characters all have a history tied to the world and what they’ve seen and experienced has colored them in some way.
Q. Are you a careful planner or do you let the story guide you? A. I do a bit of both. I work out the characters and their motivations, setting, and where I want the story to go. I also tend to do index cards for each scene or major plot point from start to finish. Once I begin to write, it can go completely off the rails, depending on where the characters want to take it. As long as they’re reaching the touchstones, I let them do what they want. If they go too far off track, I either re-plot the novel or rein them in, depending on which direction seems better at the time.
Q. Who is your favorite among your characters? A. I love them all, of course. Graham, the hero in The Queen of Swords, is both noble and funny. Callum, the hero in The Knight of Wands, is a good-hearted romantic. Leith, the hero of my WIP, is a bit on the dark side, but still well-intentioned. If pressed to pick just one, I’d have to go with Alex Buchanan, the journalist hero in The Tin Man. He’s very complex and has lots of demons to overcome, but also is a really good guy.