See The Cover, Read An Extract and Try Your Luck at Winning Some Goodies!
The cover for Tainted, book 4 of Christina Phillips’ Forbidden Series, billed as ‘An erotic series of sexy warriors and magical heroines,’ is being revealed as part of a cover reveal blog tour. We are delighted to be taking part in this tour – read on to see this sexy cover up close and read a hot excerpt from the book, which is set in ancient Britain and featuring characters from the Roman and Druid world! Also see the link for the Tainted book trailer and read about the author later on in this post.
Readers are also able to take part in a Rafflecopter competition to win some super prizes (entry details at the end of this post) to win one prize (International): E-copy of the previous book set in this world, Betrayed; $10 Amazon Gift Card; Swag – Bookmarks, Postcards and Fridge Magnets.
My review of the previous book in the series, Betrayed, also published by Ellora’s Cave, can be found by scrolling down after this post. This is one of my all time favourite series of historical erotic romance, as I cannot resist how the author brings her sexy Romans and Celts to life in such a vibrant and scorching fashion – I mean, just look at the cover of Tainted, need I say more!
Tainted Book Blurb (scroll further for fuller excerpt)
A Dangerous Love That Rome Will Never Allow…
Driven by the knowledge he failed to protect his king and embittered at losing the woman he loves, Celtic warrior Gawain despises the lust he feels for the beautiful Roman patrician, Antonia. She is everything he’s never wanted in a woman, yet she ignites his passion like no other. Despite the danger of discovery he embarks on an illicit liaison with her, determined to uncover the reason for the infinite sorrow that haunts her eyes.
Newly arrived in Britannia from Rome, Antonia is inexplicably drawn to the cold, tough Celt whose touch stirs a desire she long thought died at the hands of her brutal former husband. With Gawain she learns the pleasure of sex and his unexpected tenderness thaws her frozen heart. But she hides a deadly secret that could be her undoing, and knows her growing feelings for him can lead nowhere. Yet when a shadow from her past threatens her future Antonia is torn between the Empire of her birth and betraying Gawain, the man she’s grown to love.
Inside Scoop: This medieval romance dabbles a wee bit in the paranormal.
A Romantica® historical erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Read An Excerpt From Tainted………
“Does your husband plan on joining you in Britain, Lady Antonia?”
Her chest constricted and the pain tangled with the ache engulfing her heart. The Cambrian stood by her side, unheeding of any pretense of propriety, and she did not dare look up at him in case he saw the darkness in her soul.
“I believe that to be unlikely.” Her voice was cool. She had learned to hide her feelings well during the interminable years of her marriage. She supposed she should admit that she was divorced and no longer belonged to Scipio, but it was none of the Cambrian’s concern. “He is devoted to furthering his career in the Senate.”
“At the expense of allowing his exquisite wife to travel unchaperoned?” There was a hint of mockery in his tone and she couldn’t help but glance his way. His legs were alarmingly close to her and for one heart stopping moment, her gaze stalled on the unmistakable proof of his arousal.
Goddess.
She hastily looked away and caught sight of the slave girl who had brought Carys the message standing some distance off, beyond the fountain. A poor chaperone indeed. Yet somehow, the knowledge that she was all but alone with this tough Cambrian warrior didn’t terrify her as she knew it should.
No. It did not terrify her. But her heart thudded erratically in her breast and she found it hard to draw breath. The heat from his body reached out to her and caressed her naked arms. A foolish thing to imagine and yet why else was her skin prickling in awareness? Why else did fire smolder her blood and cause her face to burn?
“I was adequately chaperoned on the journey to Britannia. And I’m safe enough under the protection of my father.”
From the corner of her eye she watched as Gawain—the Cambrian—crouched by her side. He appeared determined to unnerve her. She refused to look him in the eye and focused on a nearby column with feigned fascination.
“Your father is not here now, my lady.” Was that amusement in his voice? She forgot about keeping her distance and turned to him. His smile faltered for a moment as though something in her expression shocked him, although she couldn’t think what.
“Do you mean to threaten me with violence now my hostess is gone?” Perhaps she had learned to hide her feelings, but something about this barbarian made it impossible for her to hold her tongue, the way a gently born Roman woman should. Hadn’t her former husband told her that a thousand times in the early days of their marriage? And hadn’t he then qualified his words by reminding her of her inferior heritage?
“Do you find my presence threatening, Lady Antonia?” The hint of mockery was back in his voice as though he did not care if she found his attentions a threat. But the oddest thing of all was that, deep in her soul, she didn’t fear that this Cambrian warrior would raise a hand in violence against her.
It didn’t make sense. She could see his powerful biceps straining against his shirt and his physique put Scipio’s to shame. And yet she had never felt this certain of her safety when in the presence of her former husband.
“Should I?” The question escaped before she could prevent it. Once again she watched, fascinated, as Gawain’s eyes darkened and this time she made no effort to correct her errant thought.
His name was Gawain. She could call him that in her mind, if she wished. No one would ever know.
ISBN: 9781419940734
Release date: 28th August 2013
Ellora’s Cave Amazon ARe
About Author Christina Phillips
Christina loves writing dark tales of tough, sexy warriors who are brought to their knees by their heroines. A mystical touch of fantasy or paranormal usually weaves its way through her stories, although strangely enough this wasn’t her intention when she first starting writing her Roman/Druid romances. But when ancient gods and goddesses get involved, it’s best just to go with the flow J
She is published by Ellora’s Cave and Berkley Heat and has dipped her toe in the indie pub waters. She is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, the DarkSide Down Under Group Blog and Historical Hearts Group Blog.
Christina is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her family. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.
Connect with Christina:
Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads Blog
Tour Wide Giveaway Details
One Prize (International):
E-copy of the previous book set in this world, Betrayed
$10 Amazon Gift Card
Swag – Bookmarks, Postcards and Fridge Magnets
For details of other blogs participating in the Blog Tour, where other extracts will be shared, click here .
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