Book Review – Spiraling

29 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Blue-blooded Amelia “Amy” Astor was a champion, America’s sweetheart, and on track to give the US Olympic medal glory before she gave it all up to join skating’s equivalent of the circus. Now she’s a professional princess, the lead in Enchanted Ice. But in an industry that values young, cheap, and healthy, her age, salary, and injuries are a liability.

So when she’s offered a job teaching Hollywood heartthrob Shane Marx to skate for a role in a hockey film, she leaps at the opportunity. Maybe with the right kind of exposure, she can survive one more season and put off decisions about her future a little longer. If she invites the wrong kind of exposure…well, there’s that pesky morals clause waiting in the wings.

Shane Marx traded his boy band dance moves in TruAchord for acting lessons years ago. His blond, blue-eyed gorgeousness makes him the most sought after romantic comedy lead in the movie industry. But lately his clean-cut image has been tarnished by one sex scandal after another.

When America’s ice princess meets Hollywood’s hottest leading man, what could go wrong? Inside that sequined costume is a woman of steely determination who has conquered many of her demons. And beneath his sinfully attractive exterior, Shane Marx is a man still battling his.

Spiraling is definitely not your typical romance and I was surprised at how difficult this book is to read. Not because it was a bad story but because it dealt with some very serious issues. Both Amy and Shane were very engaging – I was drawn to them from the beginning – but they both battle problems that, if they don’t get control of them, will destroy their futures. I really had fun getting to know them and seeing them get to know each other, but most importantly getting to know themselves. It was difficult at times, but always very compelling. It wasn’t always hardship for them, though, there were some fun times too which just made them all that more appealing.

I think my favorite part was that love didn’t conquer all. These two have to get help and want that help, before anything will change. It’s very realistic and somewhat hard to take at times, but that just meant the payoff was that much better. Spiraling is not an easy read, but it is definitely a worthwhile one.

Guest Blog – Twas the Darkest Night

28 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

'Twas the Darkest Night, New Gotham series, Sinister Stitches Spin-off series, Sophie Avett

Now it is time to welcome Sophie Avett as she gives a peek into her world and the fabulous clothes that can be found there … and how they came to be SO fabulous.

Make sure you check out the giveaway toward the bottom of the post. It is a definite can’t miss!

*****

Sophie Avett’s Sinister Stitches Dress Fitting Interview, guest-starring Jennifer Blackstream’s Ivy (Golden Stair)

My characters are either naked or dressed to kill. Given they’re all monsters stalking the city of New Gotham’s twisted, cracked, and cobbled streets, the criminal wardrobe is part of the job description. Rockabilly princesses, corpse brides, leather queens…my city is full of them. Where do they get their menacing threads?

There is boutique hiding out between the fractured, narrow store-fronts lining the foggy docks. The shingles are ribbed and black. Washed, peeling paint and displays offering views into wicked leather and lace studded glam. The mannequins are ghoulish beauties stitched together from whatever was left from the last fool to cross one of the sinister witches.

Push open its shabby, frosted front door. Tiny white flakes of paint will pepper the wind like spectral dust. The minute you set heel onto waxy polished oak floors and step into the candelabra fire-light you know…

This is where the magic happens.

Welcome to Sinister Stitches

“…apparel for a wicked fairy tale.”

A spicy trinity of black magic sisters breathe star-dusted dreams to life with their gothic apparel boutique. They are schooled in the old ways of “fabric-bending” by the Needlewitches of old. With this knowledge, they’ve created an entire line of clothing that all share the same basic design element: one size fits all. Each garment will magically tailor itself to its wearer once worn. There may might be some “twirling” required, but a vampire’s steady hand should turn every wardrobe change into a stolen moment.

Care to take a peek at what the Sinister Stitches has to offer?

Check out some of the questionnaire Jennifer Blackstream’s Ivy from Golden Stair was asked to fill out after she wandered into Sinister Stitches.

THE WITCHES WHO STITCH QUESTIONNARE

Please provide the witches with your name: Ivy

Please provide the witches with the following:

Hair Color: Golden blonde

Hair Length: [ ] Short and Sassy, [ ] Medium and Modern, [X] Lush and Long

Eye Color: light brown/burnished gold

Skin Tone: [ ] Ghoulish, [ ] Snow White, [ ] Cina-baby, [ ] Mochalicious, [ ] Dark Chocolate,

[X] Other: bronzed caramel

Please provide the witches with your measurements and body-type.

a.) Height: 5’8”

b.) Body Type: [ ] Skeletal, [X] Lean and Tender, [ ] Lean and Tough, [ ] Ripe and Edible

Do you have any extra extremities? Place an “X” to all that apply.

[ ] Horns or [ ] Halo

[X] 20 ft. of Hair or More

[ ] Gills and Fins or [ ] Hooves

[ ] Wings (Span: )

[ ] Tail (How many: )

How many heads do you have?

One

Do you have arms and legs? If so, how many?

A pair of each

How dead are you? [x] Living, [ ] Undead, [x] Astral Form*

(*by marriage/bonding)

What are you? (Species/Breed)

A sun elemental.

What is the occasion? (Ideas include: Wedding, Funeral, Sabbath, etc. Oh, and seduction is a valid occasion. The more details, the better.)

A wedding. My husband and I are going to have a formal wedding since our bonding was…private. Well, sort of private. I’m not sure how long Kirill was standing there…

What’s the occasion setting? (Beach, haunted castle, grand ball, etc.)

The royal palace.

Will you be running for your life at some point in the evening? (Helps with shoe selection.)

No. But if my husband is his usual self, I will be running for the bedroom in an attempt at having privacy when he catches me.

Will you be set on fire? Better yet, will you be setting other people on fire?

No intentionally, but it will be an emotional day and I’m still learning to manage my full powers. The fire won’t harm me, but it would be nice if it could be arranged not to harm others as well. Also, any clothing that won’t turn to ashes would be appreciated.

Will you be grave-robbing? (Dirt is a dressmaker’s tedium.)

I don’t believe so.

Is your neck a dinner plate?

No. I’m sure we’ll be getting some lovely china as wedding gifts.

Do you hope to be naked at some point in the evening? (All right, dirty birds. Such questions are actually intended toward the weres and shifters in regards to their transformations.)

Not due to any shapeshifting.

Describe your last brush with Death in two sentences. (Helps us plan for the unexpected.)

An unexpected power surge made my power flare to unmanageable levels. My husband is an incubus and he…took care of the problem nicely.

Do you need a secret compartment for weapons, wands, tampons, etc.?

No. I am a weapon and I don’t hide anymore.

What are your three favorite colors?

Blue, gold, green

What two colors rattle your kettle?

Black, red

Please pick a style that you feel embodies you the best. If none apply, feel free to surprise us by providing your own brilliant description in the “other” slot.

[X]Rockabilly Starlet: This is for the spoonfuls of sugar. The good-natured and naughty girl next door types. Candy is the business and fairy tales are ultimate. More often than not, her head is in the clouds and her nose in the book.Our dreamers.

[ ]Leather Queen:This is for the warrior princesses. The type of girls who give boys a run for their money and wear tight jeans just watch the little vampires come undone. Hands for fighting and these heels for ass-kickings. Our protectors.

[ ] Medieval Mistress:This is for the no-nonsense girls. The ones who know better because they’re ten steps ahead. They’re schemers—they might be shy, or they might not be. More importantly, they’re selective. Our wisdom.

[ ] Gothic Dame: This for the mysteries. The ones no one can quite make heads or tails out off. She’s a mixture, a melting pot of sugar and sinister. She might be Rockabilly Starlet one day, or a Medieval Mistress other days. Our sisters.

[ ]Other: _____________________

Who is your favorite fairy tale villain?

My husband’s friend Kirill.

If you could be any fairy tale princess, who would it be?

If?

Now, tell us the twit you hate most.

I don’t currently hate anyone.

Anything else you’d like to add…

After many barrels of chocolate, a dash of magic and furious sewing…

Sinister Stitches’ Medieval Mistress,

Gillian Dweyer presents Princess Ivy’s Completed Dress

“Sun Day”

Sweet-pink and violent violet specs of spectral dust waft around the witch cast in the shadow of the grand staircase. Shimmering bubblegum pink corset offer her creamy breasts in sumptuous invitation and waves of cake-like taffeta flare at her knees. She’s a hellish princess on six-inch patent leather ballerina stilettos. She starts waving…like a lunatic: Congratulations!!! Oh, I’m so excited. I can’t believe it—wait, are you on fire? Wait, wait, wait…(*snaps fingers and pink winged eyeglasses fog with purple coffin glass*) Ahhh, much better. Now then, your friend, Princess Irina, recommended us to you, right?

I’m so excited! This is Sinister Stitches’ first wedding! Now, I know you requested blue, gold, and green as your colors—but I couldn’t help it! My dear friend, Elsa the Troll, from Bits and Pieces, was able to snag a few dying phoenix’s feathers, three slieces of Iduna’s golden apples, and a lock of hair from Apollo.

After we acquired these, we contacted Rumpelstiltskin and he agreed to spin an inflammable textile in exchange for someone’s first born. No, not yours. And don’t be ridiculous, it surely won’t be one of ours. Don’t worry, we’ll send that bill to someone who deserves it.

Rumpelstiltskin’s gold will draw off your power and glow nearly as brightly as you do. You’ll also note that the skirt has a yellow fox-glove bell motif. The empire waste is fit for divine nobility, so are the toga straps tied at the shoulder. We’ve tried to give your skin as much breathing room as possible, while still giving you the billowing skirt a princess bride deserves on one of her special days.

Granted that also means, the dress will channel your energy—so, should you get overly excited, we wouldn’t advise anyone touching without taking the proper precautions. Well, not unless they’re prepared to be naked. But I’m assuming the nude gentlemen driving Astrid to distraction by touching EVERYTHING in the store is…well, he’s yours.

Good luck with that, dear. Just warn the naked heathen that his fingertips are sure to…sizzle.

We considered a bridal veil but Astrid—who shares your hair pain—told me such additions would be unnecessary and troublesome. Instead, she’s offered to twist your hair into a fat fishtail braid embroidered with orange blossoms. Regal, fragrant, with just the right note of aristocracy. Perfection.

Now, here’s your Bridal box. It also includes a pair of blue garter belts, a pair of Midas gold slippers from Hellish Heels, and pink rice for the carriage ride home. Oh, and I might have slipped some chocolate and a new copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night in there. Because really, what the hell else—besides that—is a witch to do when she’s on her honeymoon?

What do you mean you’ve read it? Come here, wench—sit next to me. There’s book boyfriend gossip and gushing to be had.

…

IMPORTANT BULLETINS from THE PIXES:

Fancy a tour of New Gotham? Check out New Gotham’s Survival Guide! It might save your life! (Link: http://sophieavett.weebly.com/new-gotham-bonus-content.html)

For more information about Sophie Avett’s New Gotham novels and Sinister Stitches series and recent release, ‘Twas the Darkest Night, please check out her website: http://www.sophieavett.weebly.com.

For more information about Jennifer Blackstream and Ivy’s adventures in Golden Stair, please check out her website: http://www.jenniferblackstream.com

*****

Twas the Darkest Night

A New Gotham Novel

A Sinister Stiches Spin-off

by Sophie Avett

Genre: Erotic Gothic Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Skeleton Key Publishing

Date of Publication: March 1, 2014

Number of pages: est. 355 pages

Word Count: est. 160, 000

Cover Artist: Elaina, For the Muse Designs

Blurb:

Remember the story about the troll who lived under the bridge—yes, well, that twit didn’t have to pay rent.

Owner and operator of Bits and Pieces, and resident expert on charms and glamours, Elsa Karr is a witch with a sour frown and a list of things to do as long as Thor’s hammer. Top of the list is saving her father’s shop from ruin. If she isn’t trying to claw her way out of debt, she’s arguing with her cat, Fenris, or shoveling carts of cake into her gob. She’s not interested in romance or the vampire who rents the flat above her shop. All she wants is a little peace and chocolate–fine, all right! All right! The vampire is kind of screw all cute. (Curse him.)

The disgraced son and heir of the Wingates House vampire clan and a mad-man to boot, Marshall Ansley spends most of his time working and dodging his mother’s phone calls. Marshall is beyond family. He’s beyond everyone, actually. Don’t be daft, he especially doesn’t do…Christmas. But behold, the plague brings an original flavor of annoyance this year when his boss tasks him with acquiring the account of a recluse fey and her upcoming Gothic clothing boutique, Sinister Stitches. That is the ONLY reason he’s bothering with his shrewish landlord. No, that’s it. No…really. Fine, if you insist, the witch might be a tad bit…all right, she’s adorable. (Damn her.)

Scrooge meets Scrooge. Dominant meets Dominant. Tempers…spark. In each other, they may have unfold a tale that only comes to pass on the darkest of nights.

*****

Excerpt:

“Pardon the interruption, Ms. Karr, but are you ready for dinner?”

She forced her hand to her side and tossed a flat frown over her shoulder. “Indeed, vampire.”

Leaning against the door frame, Marshall was the picture of bloody elegance. Black slacks with a matching vest. A deep wine shirt. He’d left the top buttons undone. It was rich simplicity, and he wore it sickeningly well. Damp, disheveled locks drifted over his eyes as he peered at the blue marble on the coffee table with interest. She breathed in deeply, thoroughly appreciating the combination of his sandalwood body wash and amber cologne. His mouth quirked and she swallowed twice before she could speak. “Huldra, I—”

“And then be done with it, Elsa.” Ingrid reminded her firmly, but added in her signature sultry burst of frost. “Otherwise, enjoy. For both of us.”

Marshall lifted his eyebrows slightly and Elsa flushed and snatched up the speaker. “Ignore her.” She tapped the orb and it died into a mundane glass marble. “I’m ready.” She levered herself out of the chair and tossed the ball back in her bag. It clanked and rattled, circling until it dropped deep into the depths of the magical pocket.

He reached out for her hand. “Come here.”

She draped a black fur stole over her forearm and eyed his palm with suspicion. “Why?”

“I mean you no harm,” he promised.

Their gazes locked, time stilling between the two of them. She searched his expression and found nothing but the steely shrewd regard of a predator. Her feet felt heavy, leavened. She did not come to any man’s beck and call. Never. Never again. She offered her hand, but did not budge an inch. If he wanted her cooperation, he would appeal to her on her terms.

Marshall did not hesitate to take the distance between them, coming to stand so close, so quickly she back-stepped, the back of her shins bumping against the chair. Snowy blue eyes were almost black in the shadows. His cool slender finger closed around her wrist and he hauled her against the solid wall of his chest, his embrace sealing around her like a coffin.

“Stubborn little witch.” He yanked and something popped free from her dress. She hardly noticed. She was gone. Yearning for the individuals folds of the thin skin stretched across his bottom lip, wondering whether each individual wrinkle was a crevice of flavor. What would he taste like? Her tongue snaked out to tease the line of her mouth and she found it a poor substitute for his.

Marshall showed her the writing on the small tag he’d apparently pulled from her dress. “Twirl to activate skirt,” his voice rolled over the words in a deep murmur. It vibrated it in his chest and her naked shoulders tensed as she stifled a shudder. He took a step back and guided her around. He studied from hooded eyes. Slowly. So very slowly. He savored. Without reserve or shame.

One time around. Then two. Then a third. Every time their eyes would meet, her skin grew warmer as desire deepened the snowy depths into a profound sapphire blue. Her knees were weak, but as he drew her around faster and faster it didn’t seem to matter. Nothing seemed to matter. He became her only point of focus in a world quickly blurring beyond what she knew. Beyond what she could readily understand.

Magic. It crackled to life, sparking across the textile and thread. Energy tickled her naked thighs and the limp silky material puffed and inflated into a billowing bell of smoky black tulle. “What …” Unfamiliar excitement danced in Elsa’s veins and she reveled in the fabric twirling about her. Wispy and light. Akin to smoke and shadows, the bottom hemmed by a ring of gray fog.

Marshall finally drew her to a stop and she mopped her hair back out of her face, breathless. He didn’t immediately close the distance between them again, and Elsa couldn’t control her legs as they carried her across the floor until the hem of her large skirt covered his slick black dress shoes. Their gazes held. They stood enthralled in the moonlight. Pale light beating down them like a blessing.

“Beautiful,” he whispered and backed away toward the door, drawing her along with him.

Tethered to him by their entwined fingers, Elsa allowed her feet to carry her across the oak, and she couldn’t help but feel like somehow, someway, Marshall had finally caught her.

*****

Author Info:

Sophie Avett is kind of a nerd. Like not even one of the cute, hip ones everyone brags about nowadays. More like the socially awkward hippie who eats way too much bread and dreams about being a dragon from behind towers of mythology books. Um…yeah. Picture old, tattered paperbacks and books–mostly Batman and Wonder Woman–dwarfing a tiny desk, with just barely enough room for the troll who writes there and the 70 pound hell-hound that insists of laying it’s wet nose on top of her bare foot.

Granted not the most exciting existence, but she tries to make up for it by writing romances populated with her own peculiar ilk of paranormal beasties. Trolls, wyverns, the obscure Nordic brownie–she likes to keep things interesting. And bloody. (And mostly naked–but, we’ll keep that bit between us.)

Sophie Avett loves to hear from her readers. (Hi, mom.) So if there’s something on your mind, feel free to leave a message after the scream.

http://sophieavett.weebly.com/about.html

(Mom, seriously…you can just call me.)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SophieAvett

Post-Its, the Blog: http://sophieavett.weebly.com/post-its-the-blog.html

Brimstone Pub, the Blog: http://thebrimstonepub.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7779293.Sophie_Avett

*****

Giveaways!

Free e-Book Copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night

The first five people to comment on one of Sophie Avett’s Bewitching Book Tour Stops will automatically win a free e-book copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night. Available formats include: mobi, pdf, epub, and prc.

Interested parties should leave their email address and which format they would prefer at the end of their comment. The ravens will keep tally and submit prizes! (If your e-reader format is not listed, contact the ravens directly via the contact form and the ravens will fashion a book especially for you!) Likewise, any winner of Sophie Avett’s contests will also receive a free e-book copy of ‘Twas the Darkest Night.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!! You can also win:

1 Carriage Charm

1 set of Raven earrings

1 Sinister Stitches Dress

Take a trip to New Gotham!

A paid vacation to New Gotham is an expensive affair. So, the ravens have decided to cover the cost of travel and fashion this delightful “Carriage Charm.”

“Naked wizards and scheming vampires? Where do I sign?!” all the witches scream and random sparks of black magic crackle across the ceiling.

We’re getting to that, dearies…

An Appointment for Tea with Mrs. Potts the Storymaven (aka Fairy Godmother) will require the use of the earrings the pixies have fashioned out of raven skulls, AKA, “Raven Ear-wings.”

The baubles should land the winners in New Gotham’s clock-tower square. It could be that they do nothing at all. Or you might end up in oblivion. Good luck with that. The crickets will read about it in the papers, no doubt.

“What do I have to do?” everyone screams and waves their good silver stakes in the air. (Good girls.)

How to Win the Vacation of a Lifetime…

You have to fill out information in the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of the tour stops

Win a Dress from Sinister Stitches!

Sophie Avett’s ravens have partnered with the Witches-Who-Stitch to offer a special prize. It’s a dress featured in Sophie’s upcoming release, ‘Twas the Darkest Night. The sinister witches made it special for Elsa but after many carts of cake offered to the trinity in sacrifice, they have agreed to stitch an exact replica for one lucky witch.

“What do I have to do?!” everyone screams and fails theirs arms like deranged daisies. (Just go with it.)

How to Win a Dress…

You have to sign up via the Rafflecopter form that will be posted at the bottom of each and every Sinister Stitches Tour Stop

At the end of Sophie Avett’s Bewitching Book Tours campaign (March 17 to March 31 2014) the ravens will announce a winner and gather that witch’s measurements via email.

Well?

What are you waiting for?

Every girl needs a dress for a wicked fairy tale.

ENTER HERE!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f579

*****

Schedule for Twas the Darkest Night by Sophie Avett

March 17-31

March 17 Guest blog

Erotica by Cori Vidae

http://www.corividae.com/shiny/

March 17 Spotlight

Book Liaison

http://www.bookliaison.net

March 17 spotlight

Sapphyria’s Steamy Book Reviews

http://saphssteamybooks.blogspot.com/

March 18 Character Interview

Bitten By Love Love Reviews

www.bittenbylovereviews.com

March 18 Spotlight

Behind Closed Doors

http://bcdromance.blogspot.com

March 18 Guest blog

The Snarkology

www.melissasnark.blogspot.com

March 19 Interview

Eclipse Reviews

http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com

March 19 guest post

Books & Tales:

http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/

March 19 Spotlight and review

Penny For Them…

http://pennyforthemuk.com/search/label/tour

March 20 Spotlight

Author Karen Swart

http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com/

March 20 Interview

Words Without Limits

www.fiercedolan.com

March 21 Guest blog

Magic and Mayhem

http://MagicMayhemBlog.com

March 21 Interview

The Simple Things in Life

Https://pwrspot.blogspot.com

March 24 Guest blog (all week feature)

Kay Dee Royal

http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com

March 24 Interview

Darkest Cravings – Adult Blog

http://darkestcravings.blogspot.com

March 25 Guest blog

Erotica For All

http://eroticaforall.co.uk

March 25 Interview

All I Want and More

http://alliwantandmorebooks.wordpress.com/

March 26 Guest blog

Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust

http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/

March 26 Interview

Butterfly-o-Meter Books

http://butterfly-o-meter.com/

March 27 Spotlight

Shut Up & Read

http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.com/

March 27 Spotlight and review

The Book Review

http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com

March 28 Guest blog

Romantic Reads and Such

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

March 28 Guest blog

Aly’s Miscellany

http://alysmiscellany.blogspot.com/

March 31 Spotlight

Share My Destiny

http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com

March 31 review

Nicky Peacock Author

http://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com/

Blitz – The Vanguard Series

28 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Annie Nichols, Omegas In Love, Prima, Sigma, The Alpha, The Beta, The Omegas, The Vanguards series

It’s another busy morning, so we’ll start with taking a look at Annie Nicholas’s The Vanguards.

*****

The Omegas

The Vanguards Book One

by Annie Nicholas

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Date of Publication: Jan 2010

ASIN: B00IGFXCTM

Number of pages: 97

Word Count: 25,000

Cover Artist: Renee Rocco

Amazon

Blurb:

Only a vampire is man enough to teach werewolves how to fight.

Pretty librarian Sugar wants her life to stay quiet. That’s hard enough when friends and neighbors turn into furry werewolves every full moon. But when a hot vampire gets involved, life’s bound to get complicated.

The Omegas have always been the pansies of the paranormal. Now Chicago’s top werewolf pack has issued them a life or death challenge. Their only option: hire a vampire warrior to teach them the moves.

Daedalus has been a powerful vampire for ages. Intrigued by the chance to train the geeks of the underworld, he wasn’t bargaining on losing his heart to a human. Can he make the Omegas a success, fit into Sugar’s quiet life, and avoid being ripped to shreds in the process?

*****

Excerpt:

Eric strode into the living room holding an envelope. “I found the solution to our problem.”

Sugar uncurled her legs from under her and sat straighter as she watched Eric’s lanky form approach. They had both survived growing-up in the same low income neighborhood. Friendship forged in such fires never died.

He handed her a letter and joined the rest of his pack lounging on her mismatched furniture.

Sugar examined the front, then the back of it. “Pal Robi Incorporated. What’s this?”

“It’s our salvation.” Eric shifted in his seat to lean forward. “Read it to everyone.”

She glanced at him with a questioning look. What was he up to? Slidding her fingernail under the corner, she tore it open. The letter was printed on good quality paper with a huge golden company emblem stamped at the top. An errant blond curl slid in front of her eyes and she shoved it back behind her ear.

To the Omega pack:

I have reviewed the details of your plight. Pal Robi Incorporated deals mostly in security issues, but I find your problem worthy of my personal attention. Enclosed you will find a non-negotiable contract. Please review it closely, and have your signature notarized. The return fax number is listed on the contract so proceedings can begin. Mail the original to my office. Thank you for your business.

Sincerely,

Daedalus Pal Robi

Cold claws of fear gripped her stomach. What had Eric done? “You hired a vampire?” Her shout shattered the silence around them.

The other wolf shifters responded to her outburst with low growls directed at Eric.

What had she gotten herself tangled in? She wasn’t pack, just a plain vanilla human. The Omegas were her neighbors and also her closest friends, each of them an outcasts from their old packs.

Driven by loneliness, Eric had solicited Sugar to help him search for others like himself. Werewolves with no attitude. Geeks of the underworld. Pansies of the paranormal.

Their friendship spanned years, since high school, when he’d rescued her from a home of drug abuse. Eric had treated her like a little sister, advising her on life in general. When he survived his werewolf attack, both their worlds shattered and their roles reversed.

Eric found four others to join him: Sam, Tyler, Katrina and Robert. No alphas ruled in this pack. They needed each other, so they became a family. All five lived in the apartment next to her.

Eyes wide, Eric held his hands out in front of him. “Mr. Pal Robi is offering to teach us how to fight.”

Sugar tilted her head as she surveyed her friend. “Yeah, for a substantial fee. How can you guys afford this?” He always thought with his heart.

Eric looked at his pack, pleading. “Before you make any judgments, let’s have Sugar read the contract out loud.”

She held it in front of her.

This is an agreement between Pal Robi Incorporated and Eric, Sam, Katrina, Tyler, and Robert, from here forward to be known as the Omegas.

Scope:

1. Pal Robi Inc. will provide to the Omegas, training in defense, hand-to-hand combat and small weapons use.

2. Training will take place for the duration of the period beginning with the trainer’s arrival until the challenge date.

3. Combat training is inherently dangerous. Pal Robi Inc. is not responsible for injury or death sustained during such training.

4. Trainer will not intentionally hurt and-or kill any Omega during the period of this agreement.

Responsibilities of the Omegas:

1. Omegas will provide trainer from Pal Robi with appropriate lodgings.

2. Omegas will provide daylight security of said trainer.

3. Omegas will submit to the direction of the trainer without question for the duration of the training.

Fees:

1. Omegas agree to pay Pal Robi Inc. $8,000 in cash prior to the beginning of training.

2. In addition, Omegas will provide the trainer with fresh, consumable blood upon request.

Penalties:

1. Failure to provide payment renders this agreement null and void.

2. Failure to abide by the terms specified represents a breach of contract which renders the agreement null and void.

3. Breach of contract will result in an immediate investigation. Vengeance will be swift and unmerciful.

Sugar placed the contract on her lap while waiting for their reactions.

Robert held up his hand to speak, like a kid in a classroom.

She sighed. How could this pack of puppies fight a pack of wolves? “Robert, speak up. You don’t need to ask permission to talk anymore, remember?”

He grinned sheepishly. “What do they mean ‘vengeance will be swift and unmerciful?’”

They turned to Eric, but it was Tyler who answered. “It means if anything happens to the vamp, we can kiss our asses goodbye.”

Sugar folded the letter closed. She agreed with Tyler. Vampires were bad news. Literally, all over the news swearing they had turned a new leaf and won’t hunt humans anymore. Wouldn’t catch her becoming a donor any time soon.

Eric stood and faced his pack mates, staring at each one in turn. “How can we not hire him? The Ayumu pack officially challenged us. One of us has to fight and beat one of their alphas in a month. There’s no other way.”

“We will be absorbed again,” Katrina whispered in her thick Asian accent, as she hugged her knees tight against her chest. Being a submissive female in a pack equated to being anyone’s meat. Sugar had tried to help Katrina come to terms with those old wounds, but they kept her captive.

Tyler shuffled closer to Katrina, petting her long, black, silken tresses. She shrank from him, fear etched on her delicate features.

He looked at Sugar and shrugged.

She crumpled the letter in her hand. How did preying on weaker members of the pack equate to strength? She just couldn’t understand shifter culture.

“You should run away.” The weight of Sugar’s words hung in the sudden silence.

Eric crossed his arms. “There will always be another Ayumu pack wherever we go. We’re finally happy. We have jobs, friends, and a home. It’s all worth fighting for, right guys?”

Sugar watched her friends’ expressions harden and her heart sank. So it would be a fight.

They nodded to each other, sealing their fates.

There went their quiet life.

Worst of all, a vampire would be moving in next door.

Daedalus Pal Robi strode across the foyer of his house and tossed his car keys to a passing vampire. “Can you park it the garage for me? I’m done hunting for the night.” He pointed to a piece of wood protruding from his abdomen. That was a close call. He would let the others think the vampire-gone-bad he’d been hunting and finally killed had done this. In truth, a clumsy fall almost ended his long existence.

The human police were discovering decapitated bodies in the river. They thought a serial killer responsible so far. Daedalus knew better, decapitation was an excellent way to hide bite marks, as well as burning the bodies or shredding the flesh to make it look like a shifter kill. As Nosferatu Prime of Northeastern America, it was his responsibility to take care of these issues before the humans did. Vampires didn’t need more bad publicity. History did that for them.

Daedalus killed the lazy son-of-demon. It didn’t take much effort tracking and staking him. In his over-confidence, Daedalus had spun around to leave and tripped on a fucking extension cord. It sent him flying face forward onto an antique wood chair, hence the chair leg sticking out of his stomach. A little to the left and two inches higher and a pile of dust would all that would have been left of him.

His nest mate stared at the injury. “Do you need help, Master?”

“Nah. Just a flesh wound. It won’t take long to heal.” He closed the door to his study behind him and crossed the room to the fireplace. Leaning against the mantle with one hand, he wrapped the other around the wood shaft. He took a deep breath and yanked the son of a bitch out.

“Fuck.” Wood burned. It didn’t matter where in the body it stabbed him. He tossed the piece into the fire and rested his forehead against the mantle. Blood trickled from the wound in a steady thin stream. He’d have to feed to finish the healing process.

He pressed his hand to the wound and retreated to his comfy chair close to the fireplace. That was too close. If he’d perished, how would people remember him? The Infernal Champion of the Brotherhood, Vile Butcher of Babylon, and Subjugator of the Accords, to name a few of his titles.

For the last two hundred years he’d been trying to be good. Whatever that meant. It started out as an experiment but over the last century it had transformed into a true desire. After an age of depravity and lack of role models, he still wasn’t clear what he should and shouldn’t be doing.

The Vampire Council ordered no killing of humans so he enforced that law to the best of his ability. If a few unsavory ones vanished in the night and nobody missed them then he turned the other way. Ridding the human race of evil doers seemed good.

Someone knocked on the door.

He jerked in his chair at the sharp noise and stifled a moan at the stabbing pain. Careless again. Too lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t heard the footsteps. He’d grown complacent in job surrounded by his loyal nest. “What?” Yanking his leather jacket closed, he hid his healing injury.

The door cracked open and Clementine, his vampire secretary, stepped inside, her eyes downcast as always. She hurried across the room and handed him a large business envelope. “This arrived while you were gone, Master.”

“Thank you.” He glanced at the return address, glimpsing the word Chicago, and fingered the edges of the seal. It wouldn’t behoove a Prime to tear it open like a boy on Christmas morning. “Could you call for a donor to attend me, Clementine? I feel like eating in tonight.”

She bobbed her head and backed out of the room. One day she’d stop fearing him, he hoped.

Ripping open the envelope, he saw what he’d been hoping for. The shifters signed the contract. He could afford to leave his nest for a few months and take this small side job. He grinned and buzzed his personal security team.

“Yes, Master?”

“We’re going to Chicago tomorrow night. Come by my study so we can make arrangements.” Training a few shifters to defend themselves seemed like a good thing to do.

*****

The Alpha

The Vanguards Book Two

by Annie Nicholas

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Date of Publication: June 2010

ASIN: B00IGFXDCI

Number of pages: 92

Word Count: 25, 000

Cover Artist: Renee Rocco

Amazon

Blurb:

Someone is about to get some Spice in his life.

Spice has nothing but the clothes on her back when she returns to Chicago. She’s looking for a better life, and that means reuniting with her estranged twin sister, Sugar. She isn’t thrilled to find out Sugar’s boyfriend is a vampire. But then she meets Eric, once the bottle-cap-glasses wearing nerd next door – now grown into the kind of man she’d love to snuggle with on this cold winter night…and he’s offered her his room in Sugar’s house.

Eric can’t believe Spice has returned. He’d given up hope of ever seeing her again, let alone having her stare at him as if he’s sex on a stick. But now that all of his fantasies for them are coming true, reality rears her ugly head and Eric must tell Spice his intimate secret; he’s actually an Alpha werewolf looking for his mate and he thinks he’s found her.

Content Warning: Graphic sexual content.

*****

Blurb:

Tyler followed Eric into the kitchen with Robert and Sam in tow. “What’s wrong with you, Eric? You almost lost control of your beast.”

Running his fingers through his hair, he tried to hide the blush heating his cheeks. Spice is home. He’d lost hope of ever seeing her again. The desire in her eyes when he loosened her jacket and the smell from her pussy set his beast-side on a craze.

I, Eric Turner, the geek next door, turned her on. The sexiest, most confident girl he’d ever met, his high school obsession.

“Sorry, she took me off guard.” He looked at Robert, his calm, overly serious second in command of the pack, who shook his head at him. “Damn, I almost changed in front of her. What a disaster.” Eric’s mouth went dry.

Sam handed him a glass of water. If anyone understood losing control of his beast, it was him. Ever since the Omegas conquered the Ayumu werewolf pack, their females kept knocking on the door. The bodybuilder had trouble refusing them, and his beast liked the attention. He didn’t completely transform mid-intercourse anymore but they heard his howls.

Eric needed to stop thinking of the pack as Ayumu. They were all Omegas now and he their alpha. The sip of water he tried to swallow went down the wrong way and blocked his windpipe. Nothing came out, not a cough and not a breath.

“Eric?” Sam asked.

Katrina scurried into the kitchen. “I make tea. You want some?” She stopped. “What is wrong with Eric?”

He coughed out a manly squeak and pointed to his throat.

Redheaded Tyler pushed pass Sam and pounded on his back.

Not a moment later Spice sashayed into the room. Even in his distress, her presence drew him like a magnet to iron.

A solid smack on his back set off a cough. He expelled the water from his throat, and it landed on her generous, rounded chest.

She stood with arms out at her sides, and her mouth hung open.

“Smooth, real smooth.” Sam patted him on the shoulder and exited the room. The others followed in silence but a few seconds later, Eric heard their restrained laughter from the direction of the living room.

He grabbed a dish towel from the rack by the sink and raced over to her. “I’m sorry.” Without a coherent thought in his scrambled brain, he dried her tight, white sweater.

Tension in her shoulders as he bent over to stroke around her curves clued him in that he’d done another boneheaded maneuver.

Her intense stare weakened his knees as he glanced up with her breast cupped in his hand. The urge to fondle it sent a shiver up his spine, but the ingrained gentleman inside of him beat down the beast, who wanted more than just a touch.

He jerked his hand away. “Sorry.” Alphas shouldn’t apologize that much. Daedalus would kick his ass if he heard him.

Eric straightened and swept the annoying hair out of his eyes. Why did he decide to let it grow? Who cared if all those guys in romance books had long freaking hair?

“Don’t be.” She gave him a small, seductive smile.

He kept waiting for this wet dream to end.

“Who’s Daedalus?”

Nothing more deflating to a man’s ego than to ask about the resident stud vampire. “Sugar’s boyfriend.”

“The one she has to ask permission to cut her hair. Then you’re not together?”

“No.” That question showed how much she paid attention to them as kids. He and Sugar had been best friends since sixth grade. Dating her would be like dating a sister. Even though they were identical twins, Spice got placed in a different category from Sugar. She topped the list for the five-finger-knuckle-shuffle when he needed it.

She leaned closer and ran her finger down his chest. It left a trail of heat along his skin. “What’s happened since I left two years ago?” Gesturing around the room, she raised an eyebrow. “New house, new boyfriend, new friends, and…” She stepped to press against his body and gazed at him with green sparkling eyes. “New Eric.”

Where did he start? We hired a Nosferatu vampire to teach us how to fight about a year ago, who by the way, is banging your twin sister. Oh yeah, all of us are werewolves, except Sugar, and I defeated the local alpha in a fight to the death so it made me top wolf in Chicago.

“Nothing much. We pay rent to Sugar and live here.” The old Eric she referred to still resided inside of him. He still liked Star Trek, ‘live long and prosper,’ worked from home for a computer software company, and read as much as Sugar.

His heart twisted a little. She didn’t like him; she liked the changes the beast made inside of him. After the werewolf attack, his eyesight returned to twenty-twenty. He got stronger and faster, which meant leaner and more muscular.

She moved back and placed her hands on her hips. “Six of you live under this roof?”

“Seven. Daedalus lives here too.”

Shaking her head, she grinned and looked at the floor. “Unbelievable.”

He heard the front door open and close. “I’ve got Thai.” Sugar’s voice, higher and more musical than Spice’s, called out.

“What’s going on?” Daedalus must have given her a ride from work. “Why are you guys so serious?”

*****

The Beta

The Vanguards Book Three

by Annie Nicholas

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Date of Publication: May 2011

ASIN: B00IGFX5JY

Number of pages: 97

Word Count: 25,000

Cover Artist: Renee Rocco

Amazon

Blurb:

Three days of hell, in charge, and running out of antacids.

As the pack’s Beta, Robert needs to watch over the Vasi werewolf pack for a few days. He hates the responsibility, but his job is to dissolve any problems while his Alpha honeymoons. Nevertheless, trouble comes to town and her name is Esther. She’s beguiling, beautiful and picks his pocket. Although Robert doesn’t trust her, he still wants to possess her.

Esther arrived in Chicago with the intention of slaying a vampire named Daedalus. While trailing her quarry, she encounters Robert who unhinges her world. He doesn’t know her trade, and she doesn’t know his connection to the vampire. Disturbed by her attraction to this unusual werewolf, she can’t decide which prey to hunt—the one who’s stolen her heart or the one who’ll fill her bank account.

Content Warning: Hot graphic werewolf sex, growing body parts, and one pissed off Nosferatu vampire.

*****

Excerpt:

Another man exited the building not long after the vampire. He wore a rumpled button-down, short-sleeved shirt tucked into loose jeans. His mouse brown hair cried for a cut and a comb.

He pushed his glasses up his nose and bent to tie his running shoes.

Recognizing him as the person who had accompanied Daedalus earlier, Esther heard opportunity knocking. He didn’t look like a threat being thin and weak. She crossed the street and approached him from behind. “Excuse me. Do you have the time?”

Glancing over his shoulder, his gaze traveled along her bare legs, to her knee length loose skirt, and finally met her stare. Her breath caught in her throat. The irises of his eyes reflected a non-existent light and shone pale amber. He blinked and it vanished, must have been the glasses that gave such a strange effect.

He rose in a single fluid motion that set her predator alarm off. Checking his cellphone, he gave her a shy smile. “It’s ten after two.” He scanned the area around them. “This is a dangerous part of town, ma’am. You shouldn’t walk around alone. Trouble is going to find you.”

Or maybe find him. She eyed his wiry arms and changed her assessment of him. Lean, tight muscles slid under his skin as he moved. He wasn’t weak, more like a cross between a martial artist and a geek.

“Are you offering to walk me home?” Flashing him her most flirtatious smile, she toyed with a piece of her hair.

He swallowed. “S-sure.” Shuffling to her side, he fell in next to her, eyes darting around them.

Men were so easy to manipulate, but this one actually wanted to protect her. So cute, she could have pinched him. Trying to be discreet, she took quick peeks at him. Nice strong chin and straight nose. Maybe a hint of freckles? It was difficult to tell in the dark.

“I’m Esther.” She held out her hand. What the hell prompted her to use her real name?

Wrapping a firm hand around hers, he shook it. “I’m Robert.”

His touch sent tingles along her arm. The name seemed too mature for him. “What are you doing out so late, Rob?” How did such a polite man like him get involved with a Nosferatu? She checked his neck for bites and didn’t see anything, but there were more places on the body to feed from besides the neck. It would be a shame if he was a blood slave.

“Robert is fine. I was checking on a…friend.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “And you, Esther?”

She laughed. “I’m up to no good.” And she winked at him.

A rosy blush surfaced on his cheeks as he stumbled.

Something in this man attracted the devil inside of her. She entangled her arm around his and leaned into his hard body. The strength hidden under the geeky exterior sent a pleasant shiver through her body. Not all things were as they appeared. She hated surprises but not this one. If this was an act then he deserved an Emmy. She glanced at him, pleased that she needed to arch her neck back slightly to meet his sharp green gaze.

God, what was she doing? She assessed him like a potential lover instead of a possible avenue to get her mark. Stupid, focus. Once Daedalus was out of the picture she’d come back for Rob if she still wanted him. Until then…she stopped in front of a duplex. “This is my place.” She lied with the ease of an expert.

*****

Omegas in Love

The Vanguards Book Four

by Annie Nicholas

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Date of Publication: March 2012

ASIN: B00IGFXF0I

Number of pages: 100

Word Count: 30,000

Cover Artist: Renee Rocco

Amazon

Blurb:

Some things are best to forget. But what if the past won’t be forgotten?

Born in China of a pure shifter bloodline, Katrina was raised with only one purpose–to breed. Abused by her alpha, she runs away to America as soon as she can. With a new pack and her true mate, she thinks the nightmare is behind her, but when she is abducted on the streets of Chinatown, Katrina must face her past and fight for her freedom.

It took Tyler a year to earn Katrina’s love, another to build her confidence and pride, and only a moment to lose her. Broken-hearted, Tyler won’t give up his search for Katrina. But he never trained as a warrior like the other shifters. What chance does a real estate agent have in the fight for his mate?

WARNING: Explicit shifter sex, heartbroken torment, and an unstoppable shifter in love.

*****

Excerpt:

An antique red archway covered the entrance to the tourist trap to keep evil spirits away and good luck in. Sticking his hand in his jacket pocket, he rubbed the small, velvet jewelry box he’d placed there earlier today. He could use all the luck he could get–just because Katrina was his mate, didn’t mean she’d agree to get married.

Raised in an all-wolf-shifter community in rural Mongolia, she didn’t think like American shifters. Like him. He took a deep, shaky breath. Marriage was a foreign ritual to her.

He’d chosen this location not just for his superstitions, but for its significance. Katrina worked in the area, a place where the old Asian world met the new, as an interpreter for some of the local companies.

She waited under the arch, facing him, her delicate eyebrows furrowed. An Asian man he didn’t recognize spoke with her.

Facing the stranger’s back, Tyler could only see his short black hair and long fall trench coat.

A sharp stab of jealousy drove him to quicken his pace. He couldn’t help it. As a shifter, possession was nine-tenths of the law, and Katrina belonged to him.

Passing half a dozen souvenir shops offering cheap trinkets, Tyler trotted along Wentworth Avenue. Katrina’s raised voice reached his ears, but he couldn’t understand Mandarin. He growled low in his chest. His mate didn’t yell often.

Three other men broke from the crowd and surrounded the arguing couple.

Tyler’s heart rate took off like a locomotive on a downhill slide. He smelled shifters. Non-Vasi shifters on their territory. Surrounding his mate.

The Asian stranger grabbed her arm and yanked her into his embrace.

“Hey!” It took every ounce of Tyler’s control to keep his beast from busting out on the tourist filled streets of Chicago’s biggest attraction. He shoved the stranger from behind, knocking Katrina from his arms.

She stumbled and landed hard on the ground. Tears stained her cheeks. The cold wind blew strands of long, black hair across her face.

“Get your hands off her.” He bent to help her, but the stranger blocked him. Straightening, Tyler glared at Katrina’s assailant and met a cold, dark stare.

His beast rose closer to the surface and clouded his thoughts. She belonged to him and this male thought to block his way. The only solution was to tear this asshole limb from limb. “Get out of my way.” He spoke each word separately and clearly to get his point across.

“This is none of your concern.” The stranger spoke with a thick accent like Katrina’s.

“You’re on Vasi territory. Anything that happens here is my concern. And she belongs to me.” Tyler pointed to Katrina, then back to himself.

“Chinatown is not Vasi territory. Never has been and never will be. And this female mated me before she ran away.” Crossing his arms, the stranger planted himself in front of Tyler. “She still belongs to me and has never been yours to take.”

Tyler’s jaw hung as if on broken hinges. He shot her a questioning look, but she stared at the ground, not meeting his gaze. Katrina hated to speak about her past. Now, he knew why.

She wiped her face, huddled on the ground, and didn’t deny a thing.

Every bit of joy in his life lay with Katrina, but truth’s claws dug into his heart. He didn’t know which hurt more, the lies or the way she hunched on the ground, submitting to this stranger like an omega all over again.

*****

Sigma

The Vanguards Book Five

Annie Nicholas

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Date of Publication: August 2012

ASIN: B00IGFXFCQ

Number of pages: 97

Word Count: 30,000

Cover Artist: Renee Rocco

Amazon

Blurb:

To defend and protect, at any cost.

Sam is Sigma of his pack, defender of the innocent and frail. Too bad the one time it mattered most, though the urge to guard the weak runs strong in his shifter blood, he failed to protect his best friend from an attack. Just when his self-confidence can’t go any lower, he becomes entangled in a vampire skirmish and is left with an injured female in his arms.

Vampire accountant for Pal Robi, Inc., Clementine can’t believe her master would ask her to commit corporate espionage. She’s shot when discovered, but a shifter comes to her rescue. It’s as if he’s made of her fantasies, and in the few hours with him she lives more than the decades she’s spent among her clan.

Hiding with him on the streets of Chicago, in the midst of fighting together to stay alive, can a petite vampire break through her hero’s jaded heart?

WARNING: Hot dominating sex, an action packed evening, and a first date gone all to hell.

*****

Excpert:

Sam ground his teeth at Clementine’s stubbornness and hovered around her in case she fell.

Blood soaked the back of her pink t-shirt and dripped, leaving a gruesome trail as she walked along the exterior balcony toward their motel room on the second floor. “You paid with cash like I told you?” She weaved on unsteady feet.

“Yes, ma’am.” He barely had enough money in his wallet to buy a soda now. “No credit card to track.” He reached out to grab her elbow, but she swatted his fingertips. Reflexively, he shook the sting away. “Playing tough and insisting on walking doesn’t get you brownie points if you pass out.”

He unlocked and opened their room door. The scent of cheap air freshener and stale sweat swept over him. He turned and sneezed.

“Bless you.”

He wiped his mouth. “Thanks.” Wasn’t there some supernatural law against vampires being polite?

“It smells odd in here.” She leaned against the door frame and pointed to the faded yellow bed. “Can you pull off the blanket?”

“We got what we paid for, a cheap-ass room. At least they don’t charge by the hour.” He winked and did as Clementine asked, then watched as she crawled onto their bed, lying on her stomach. “What can I do to help?” The deep red stain continued to spread under his scrutiny. “When Daedalus was staked, he didn’t bleed like this.”

She twisted around and whispered, “You were there?” With her blue eyes wide, she appeared very young, but vampires were experts at fooling people. Clementine could be five hundred years old, for all he knew. With a wig, Daedalus looked twenty, younger than Sugar.

He chuckled at the memory and recalled the expression of horror on Sugar’s face. “It happened in my old apartment.”

“You’re one of the original Omegas?”

“You make it sound like a bad thing.” They’d had five pack members at the beginning, before Daedalus came and changed everything. Now they numbered in the triple digits and were called the Vasi. He pointed at her wound. “Can you bleed to death?”

She rolled back onto her stomach. “No, but I’ll need to feed before the blood lust takes over me. You have to remove the bullet.”

He grabbed the edge of her shirt and tore it open, exposing her back.

She hissed and glared at him over her shoulder. “I could have taken it off.”

Pasting mock surprise on his face, he laid a hand on his chest. “Where’s the fun in that?” Not waiting for her response, he went into the bathroom and washed off his pocketknife. A pair of tweezers would have been handy. And some gauze. He grabbed a face cloth instead. “Do I need to sterilize my knife or find some antiseptic?”

“I’m a vampire. Disease doesn’t plague us.”

He shrugged off her prickly tone, betting she was as gentle as the sound of her name on his lips. “Good, because I can’t provide either.” On his knees, he straddled her legs and leaned forward to examine her wound. He planted his palm between her shoulder blades.

“What–” She struggled under him. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want you to move.” Using his shifter strength, he shoved her flat against the bed and wiped the blood away. “Stop wiggling so much. It’s distracting.”

“Not like you can do more damage.” Her words came out muffled.

“No, but you’re turning me on.”

She went limp, her breathing heavy and strained.

He couldn’t help but chuckle. This shitty day was getting better. Using the tip of the pocketknife, he gently probed her wound. “Tell me if it hurts.” The hole in her flesh was deep. It appeared as if her backbone had absorbed the impact of the bullet. Damn, vampires were tough.

*****

Prima

The Vanguards Book Six

by Annie Nicholas

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Date of Publication: Feb 2013

ASIN: B00CFXOXZI

Number of pages: 215

Word Count: 40,000

Cover Artist: Hailey Edwards

Amazon

Blurb:

Shattered in forgotten memories.

Sugar survived a shifter attack but it left her broken. Paralyzed on the left side, she fights for her independence in her day-to-day life. Her worst injury, the scars on her soul, has her pushing Daedalus away. How could he still love her when she is just a shadow of herself? But a new threat on Daedalus’ life yanks the veil of self-pity from her eyes and she’s resolved to protect him, even precariously balanced with her cane.

The vampire council sends an emissary to Daedalus. His clan brother, another Nosferatu, hands him an ultimatum. Return to his post as Prime in Pal Robi or he’ll kill Sugar and her shifter friends. Daedalus has brought enough trouble into Sugar’s life. He won’t be responsible for more, so he agrees to leave Chicago.

To both warriors surprise, Sugar’s not willing to remain behind, and with her own shifter guards she’s ready to help Daedalus regain control of Pal Robi.

*****

Exceprt:

As soon as he closed the sliding glass door shut, Daedalus would bet his bank account that his conversation with Pallas would only have a pretense of privacy. Shifter hearing could be miraculous, especially when pressed to cracked-open windows. The distant sound of a chair clattering to the floor in the dining room reached his own sensitive hearing. He could picture his housemates scrambling to find the best places to eavesdrop.

Pallas strode to the center of the moonlit garden. “So the rumors are true. You’ve lost your mind.”

Daedalus chuckled. The other Nosferatu hadn’t changed. They’d been close once. “Maybe. I wish the one about you was true.”

Pallas spun around. “Which one?”

“You being dead.”

“That would be too convenient.” A familiar crooked smile bloomed on his ugly face.

Daedalus laughed louder and shook Pallas’s hand, squeezing his fingers together as hard as he could.

“You’re such an ass.” Bearer of bad news or not, he was still a brother, a tie to his past, and a comrade at arms.

Pallas returned his strong grip. “I learned from the best.” His clan brother, and he used that term loosely since they weren’t born from the same parents, bore the trademark appearance of their people—bald, pale, and deadly. “You’re creating quite a stir in the council, enough for them to coerce me to wake and seek you out.”

They released the painful handshake, and Daedalus shook his numb fingers, grinning as Pallas did the same. “You can tell them, for once, I’m happy.”

He snorted. “Like they care. I can’t believe you’re living with shifters again.” He made a distasteful noise. “Nasty habit. They said you left your post.”

“I did, and I left it in good hands.” Then the fools were killed and the traitors who took over tried to have him assassinated, but Pallas didn’t need to know that.

“Your company is in chaos. I went there before arriving here.”

“No.” Pal Robi Inc. was his private security company, hence it being named after him. What better than hiring an almost indestructible vampire as a guard? The company also served as a front for the vampire political structure in his area. Vampires had revealed themselves, with the other supernatural creatures, to humans fifteen years ago. Vampires were expected to follow human laws and their government, but vampire society had had these things in place long before humans had figured out how to organize themselves. The Vampire Council didn’t expect their people to follow human laws, but Pal Robi Inc. was developed to give his people legal jobs and to police their hunting. In other words, if a vampire couldn’t feed without killing, it was his responsibility to stop that person before humans were aware of it.

“I didn’t assign those who presently think they are running my company.”

Pallas sighed. “Are they under your command?” He gave Daedalus a pointed stare. “Currently.”

“No.” Daedalus shrugged. “How much damage can they do? The last thing they want is to draw the Council’s attention. I haven’t truly lost control.”

“Your estate is abandoned.”

“It’s not abandoned. I dispersed my staff to other tasks, and there’s a shifter house sitter. You probably scared the shit out of him.” He’d have to call Stephen and check on him. The young shifter didn’t like company, let alone drop-ins from hell.

“A little scare never killed anyone. The council wants you to straighten things out at Pal Robi Inc. and return to your post as Prime. Things are falling apart in the area.”

An alien sourness curdled his stomach. He examined the odd sensation and decided he didn’t like the source. “Or what?” This visit was expected. Not Pallas himself but someone the council would send. The Prime kept the peace among vampirekind in his area. Sort of like a sheriff. If those traitors hadn’t been so greedy and tried to kill him, things would still be fine.

“They’ll make me kill everyone at Pal Robi Inc…” Pallas’s gaze wandered to the house, “…and here.”

“Do you think you can defeat me?” It had been ages since he’d fought one of his own kind. Living among the Vasi pack had softened him.

A hard shield fell over Pallas’s eyes. “Yes.”

*****

Author Info:

Annie Nicholas writes paranormal romance with a twist. She has courted vampires, hunted with shifters, and slain a dragon’s ego all with the might of her pen. Riding the wind of her imagination, she travels beyond the restraints of reality and shares them with anyone wanting to read her stories. Mother, daughter, and wife are some of the other hats she wears while hiking through the hills and dales of her adopted state of Vermont.

Annie writes for Samhain Publishing, Carina Press, and Lyrical Press.

Website: www.annienicholas.com

Blog: www.annienicholas.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorannienicholas

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annienicholas

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3132972.Annie_Nicholas

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/annienicholas/

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/yt8Kv

*****

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Penny For Them…
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Queen of the Night Reviews
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Bitten By Love Reviews
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Snarky Mom Reads…
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All I Want and More
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Musings From An Addicted Reader
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Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews
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Lisa’s World of Books
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Book Review – Curl Up & Dye

27 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Sharon Sala, The Curl Up & Dye

Wally Lamb meets Steel Magnolias in this story of LilyAnn Bronte, the Peachy-Keen Queen, which in Blessings, Georgia, was the epitome of success. After losing her fiancé in the war in Iraq, her zest for life went into decline while added weight crept on. When a new guy arrives in town, LilyAnn embarks on a quest to remake herself from start to finish only to discover that love was always just right next-door.

I have to give a warning first – there are a couple of violent sequences (explicit and implied) that may be hard for some people to read. I’m not at all squeamish and they bothered me. I think, after reading Color Me Bad, I was expecting something a little more lighthearted – a Southern Belle romp – but while there are lighthearted moments and some good ol’ fashion “Bless Your Heart” charm, the story was much more serious than I thought it would be.

We start at the beginning with a history of Lily and how she got to where she is – how 11 years have past her by without her noticing. She’s been standing still for so long it has become a habit but she’s finally decided it is time to move forward. She’s interesting and flawed and normal and real. Her best friend and neighbor Mike is just as engaging. He’s loved her since they were teenagers but has been too afraid to say anything and she’s been too oblivious to notice how he feels. Events are set into motion a storm that will rock their world and either tear it apart or bring them a happy ending.

Of course, like any worthy small-town tale, this one covers more than just Lily and her romantic fumbles. And those secondary characters are just as interesting as the primary ones. Full of quirkiness, fun and drama, they nicely round out Sala’s newest and leave little tidbits to possible future stories.

With colorful characters and an enticing story line, Sala’s new series proves to be amusing and appealing. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more.

Blog Tour – Love Unleashed

27 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Billionaire Matchmaker series, Jackie Braun, Love Unleashed

First up today we’re going to take a look at Jackie Braun’s newest, Love Unleashed, part of the Billionaire Matchmaker series. But come back later and I’ll have a new review for you.

*****

Love Unleashed

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Author: Jackie Braun

Publisher: Entangled Indulgence

Ebook: 80 Pages

Release Date: March 21, 2014

ISBN: 978-1622665051

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?

The last thing Mia wants is a relationship yet the headstrong florist can’t keep her hands off her sexy-as-sin ex-boyfriend. Will she open her heart before he leaves town for good?

AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE

*****

Find out more at Pump Up Your Book

Blog Tour – The Sheriff’s Secret

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Billionaire Matchmaker series, Susan Meier, The Sheriff's Secret

Now we’re going to take a quick look at Susan Meier’s contribution to the Billionaire Matchmaker series, The Sheriff’s Secret. This little novella looks like a good choice to warm up a cool Spring night!

*****

The Sheriff’s Secret
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Susan Meier
Publisher: Entangled Indulgence
Ebook: 80 Pages
Release Date: March 14, 2014
ISBN: 978-1622665044
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?

Marney’s 9-1-1 emergency help arrives in the form of a rugged, blue-eyed cop. Now she has the perfect bodyguard to keep her safe during those dark, steamy nights…

AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE

*****

Find out more at PUMP UP YOUR BOOK.com

Cover Reveal – Deconstructing Lila

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Deconstructing Lila, Shannon Leigh

First this morning we’re going to look at a book that promises to be a lot of fun, Deconstructing Lila by Shannon Leigh. Check out the cool cover and enter her giveaway. Who couldn’t use a $10 to buy books, especially with something like this in the offering.

*****

Blurb:

Preservationist Lila Gentry returns to her small Texas hometown to restore the famous Chisholm Trial whorehouse where her great-great grandmother was a madam in the 1880s. On her agenda is winning back Jake, the one that got away. But how do you rope a man who doesn’t want to be wrangled?

Jake lives by one creed: Keep it simple. His ex showing up in town, and rehashing old feelings complicates his life and makes him think about things he’s rather forget.

When Lila’s restoration project is threatened before it even begins, she turns to Jake for help. Working together stirs up old feelings but while Lila and Jake always sizzle between the sheets – or wherever the moment takes them – it will involve some sweet-talking and finesse to bring these two together.

Entangled Link: http://bit.ly/1doCpCO

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1h7m6K3

B&N: http://bit.ly/1jsrhYh

https://twitter.com/Shannon_Leigh

*****

Giveaway:

$10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554304/

Guest Post – Driving Mr Wrong Home

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Billionaire Matchmaker series, Driving Mr. Wrong Home, Shirley Jump

Now, we welcome the always awesome Shirley Jump to talk to us about this fantastic time of year and then give us a little info on her newest book, Driving Mr. Wrong Home, part of the equally awesome Billionaire Matchmaker series.

*****

WANTED: GREEN THUMB

I don’t have a green thumb. I don’t have anything even resembling a green thumb, because I get too distracted by the busy-ness of life and forget to water my plants or bring them in on a frosty night, or trim the dead leaves.

The problem?

I love having plants—real ones—in my house. Love having fresh herbs I can just snip off a pot and add to a dish when the whim strikes me. Anyone who reads my blog knows I love to cook (even if being on a diet these past few months has kind of limited my cooking). And so having fresh herbs and greenery in my house is something I’m always trying to achieve.

I’m on my third set of herbs, and so far, of the six pots I planted, three are doing fabulous, one is holding its own and two are just…lost causes. Though I keep watering them and hoping because I’m nothing if not determined to succeed.

I heard there was a great new book out about container gardening (though I didn’t keep the newspaper article that mentioned the title). I’m at Barnes and Noble tonight, so I think I’ll look for it. Granted, I already own the Crockett’s Victory Garden books and loads of others guaranteed, they say, to give me great results with everything I plant.

Not so much so far.

But I’m an optimist, and that means I keep beating my head against the same dirt wall, LOL. And getting the same results. (yes, I realize that’s also the definition of insanity!). I kicked around the idea of an outdoors garden this year, but I travel nearly all of the month of July, and as soon as I leave the driveway, I know the weeds start calling to each other: hey, she’s gone. Come on, let’s stage that tomato coup.

Invariably, when I get home, the tomatoes are waving a white flag and the weeds are standing tall and victorious. Sigh. It’s not for lack of trying, though.

What kind of luck do you have with gardening? Any tips/techniques/books you can recommend? What about indestructible houseplants (the only one that has survived my neglectful care is my pothos). Or should I just go straight to silk and skip the real deal? (Probably wouldn’t work so well with the herbs, LOL).

Are you planting a garden this year? Or do you have a great indoor garden? Share! And share your gardening disasters so I feel better, LOL.

Happy spring!
Shirley

*****

Driving Mr. Wrong Home

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Author: Shirley Jump

Publisher: Entangled Indulgence

EBook: 59 pages

Release Date: March 7, 2014

ISBN: 978-1622665037

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?

When a handsome man from Gabby’s past agrees to a cross-country road trip, her master plan to re-launch her art career quickly morphs into an unexpected, romantic reunion.

AMAZON* BARNES & NOBLE

*****

Tour Schedule:

March 5

Driving Mr. Wrong Home Featured at Deea’s Book Blog

March 6

The Sheriff’s Secret Featured at Deea’s Book Blog

March 7

Love Unleashed Featured at Deea’s Book Blog

March 10

Love Unleashed Featured at Book Liason

Love in the Shadows Featured at Deea’s Book Blog

March 12

Love in the Shadows Featured at Book Liason

March 13

The Sheriff’s Secret Featured at Manga Maniac Cafe

Barbara Wallace Guest blogging at Becky on Books…and Quilts

March 14

Driving Mr. Wrong Home Reviewed at In the Pages of a Good Book

The Sheriff’s Secret Reviewed at Sleep Deprived Book Lovers

March 18

Driving Mr. Wrong Home Reviewed at Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

March 19

Love Unleashed Reviewed at In the Pages of a Good Book

March 21

Love Unleashed Featured at Manga Maniac Cafe

March 24

Shirley Jump Guest blogging at Becky on Books..and Quilts

The Sheriff’s Secret Reviewed at Rambling of a Book Lunatic

March 25

Shirley Jump Guest blogging at Romantic Reads and Such

The Sheriff’s Secret Featured at Book Liason

Love Unleashed Reviewed at Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

March 26

The Sheriff’s Secret Reviewed at In the Pages of a Good Book

Susan Meier Guest blogging at Becky on Books…and Quilts

Susan Meier Guest blogging at Romantic Reads and Such

Love in the Shadows Reviewed at Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

March 27

Jackie Braun Guest blogging at Becky on Books…and Quilts

Jackie Braun Guest blogging at Romantic Reads and Such

Love in the Shadows Featured at Manga Maniac Cafe

March 28

Shirley Jump Interviewed at Manga Maniac Cafe

Love in the Shadows Reviewed at In the Pages of a Good Book

Love in the Shadows Reviewed at She Hearts Books

March 31

Barbara Wallace Guest blogging at Romantic Reads and Such

Love in the Shadows Reviewed at A Little Bit of R&R

Book Blitz – Bear with me

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bear with me, Half-Breed Shifter series, Miranda Stowe

I don’t know why but I love the idea of a secret love so when I saw the blurb for this one I knew I had to share it. And then I read the excerpt … whew! This one is going to be STEAMY! Although, I guess the cover should have been my first hint, huh?!?

*****

Bear with me

(Book 5 in the Half-Breed Shifter Series)

By Miranda Stowe

Blurb:

Being only one-fourth shape shifter, jaguar-human Rhea Griffin hopes to skip her mating heat altogether. But no such luck. It’s coming, and it’s coming soon. Good news is that advancements in technology have made it so she doesn’t have to turn into a total ho-bag and want sex from every male within a fifty-mile radius. She can take a nifty little injection for a couple of weeks to quell the “urges.” But bad news is the nifty little injection ends up being a dud. And Rhea needs sex. Lots of it.

Bear shifter, Brick Lowery was only supposed to come over to the Griffin house to keep his best good buddy Rhea company during her confinement time. But when everything goes south and Rhea needs a man to satisfy her mating heat before she suffers in agony, maybe even to the point of death, it’s suddenly up to him to make sure she gets exactly what she needs. Except Brick’s secretly been in love with Rhea since he was thirteen and this is not at all how he planned to win her over.

*****

Excerpt:

Brick sauntered forward, his large muscle-packed body surprisingly graceful for a bear. Brick had always been attractive. After he’d grown into some of his body parts, he’d probably become the best-looking boy in their class. But his looks had never made her want to reach out and just stroke his skin before…not like they did now.

An intense tingling spread up the insides of her legs as he drew close and knelt beside her, setting his gaming system between them.

With his head bent slightly and his attention in the cardboard box as he fished around for the right cables he needed, she studied the side of his face, suddenly wanting to just…lick him.

“Okay, we need to plug this one in first, into the…” His words drifted off as he lifted his face. Nostrils flaring, he gazed at her for a moment before his eyes fell to her lips.

When heat flooded her from head to toe, her sex cramped and went moist. He dropped his attention even lower to her breasts where they strained against her shirt, the nipples poking out the front of the pale cotton.

A hoarse groan left his throat. Lifting his hand slowly, he reached out a single digit and barely brushed the back of his index finger over the thin material. If he’d have licked her bare, straining nipple and then bitten it, Rhea didn’t think she would’ve felt the impact of his touch any more intensely than she did now.

With a moan, she threw back her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Heat pulsed between her legs. She wanted him there. Right now. Inside her. Deep, so deep inside her.

As if reading her mind, Brick asked, “Have you ever wondered what my cock would feel like buried in your pussy?” His voice was low and raspy. It shot another sizzling current of electricity through her.

Meeting his gaze, she opened her mouth to tell him—beg, demand, whatever it took—to take off his clothes and get inside of her that very instant. But her mother’s voice at the top of the stairs made her jolt and wrench herself away from him.

He stepped back too and glanced away guiltily, just as Riley Griffin popped her head out of the stairwell and joined them in the den. “Rhea, dinner’s ready if you’re—oh! Brick, you’re already here. Good. You’re welcome to dinner too, dear.”

He cleared his throat and bowed his head. “Thanks, Mrs. G. I’d love some. Can’t feed a bear like me enough, you know.”

“Well, both of you come on up.”

When Brick moved to follow her as Rhea’s mother started back up the stairs, Rhea hesitated, glancing at Brick’s perfect form. Now that he was all the way across the room, she didn’t want him quite as badly.

And it struck her what had just happened. Shit. Her mating heat really was starting.

“Mom?” she called, her voice trembling slightly. “I think…I think I should have my first injection now.”

Brick tensed and paused, but he didn’t turn to look at her.

Eyes wide with surprise, her mother did turn around, though. “Oh! Really? Damn, I wish females could smell another female’s heat. I would’ve already known that. I’m sorry, honey. Let’s get you taken care of, then.” As she came back down the steps, she glanced at Brick.

He refused to meet her gaze as he shrugged. “I must be too diluted of a shifter to notice it yet.”

Rhea knew he was lying; he’d definitely felt something. He’d been just as ready to get kinky as she’d been. She waited a second before her mother entered the back room before meeting Brick’s dark gaze and mouthing the word, “Liar.”

“I want to fuck you. Hard,” he mouthed right back, lifting his eyebrows in direct challenge. For a moment, she was tempted. Two weeks of constant sex with Brick sounded pretty damn good right about now. She could almost feel his hands on her breasts, cupping her and squeezing, his hot open mouth on her throat and his cock shoved deep, pumping through her sex and bumping against her g-spot, over and over again, until—

“Rhea? Are you coming?” her mother called.

Buy links :

AllRomance Ebooks – Amazon – B & N

*****

Author Bio:

Miranda lives with her wonderful, Brad-Pitt-lookalike husband (hey, they’re both blond-haired and blue-eyed) and adorable still-needs-to-learn-the-meaning-of-NO toddler daughter on their spacious corn-field-and-cow-pasture-front property in Kansas. Librarian by day and author by night, she is also published in YA and contemporary mainstream romance under a different pen name.

Author Links : Website Twitter Goodreads

*****

Guest Post – At Death It Begins

24 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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At Death It Begins, Elle Jefferson, In Death's Touch

Today Elle Jefferson is going to share the perfect playlist to get you in the mood to read her books, At Death It Begins and In Death’s Touch. Check out all of the details below!

*****

Playlist

While I wrote At Death It Begins, and In Death’s Touch I had a list of songs I played over and over again. I love all these songs and can’t listen to them now without thinking about Lendyn and Callum.

1. Lady by the Chromatics

2. Latika’s Theme (Slumdog Millionaire SDTRK)

3. One too Many Mornings by Chemical Brothers

4. Love Song For A Vampire (Bram Stoker’s Dracula SDTRK)

5. Possibly Maybe by Bjork

6. Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven

7. Feel So Close by Calvin Harris

8. Final Movement by Clint Mansell

9. Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia

10. Runaway by Yeah Yeah Yeah

11. Reconsider by Jamie xx

12. I’ll Take Care of You by Jamie xx (featuring Gil Scott-Heron)

13. Cascade by Tycho

14. Believe Me by Katie Stelmanis

15. I Can’t Stop by Flux Pavilion

16. Nitesky by Robot Koch

17. Don’t Wake Me by Robot Koch

18. Jupiter by Robot Koch

Song number 2 and 8 perfectly capture the two main characters Lendyn and Callum. Enjoy.

*****

At Death It Begins

ADIB Book One

by Elle Jefferson

Genre: Paranormal romance

ISBN: 9781484877098

ASIN: B00AUNNJCI

Number of pages: 418

Cover Artist: Krysa Designs

Blurb:

Lendyn Hughes’ grandmother has kept a secret from her for over thirty-one years, who Lendyn’s parents are. A devastating break-up following her grandmother’s death leaves Lendyn alone, confused and determined to find answers. Armed with only a name Lendyn attempts to unfurl the branches of her family tree never guessing it would put her life in danger.

For over two hundred years Englishman Callum Scott lived a life surrounded by beauty. A life free from all those annoying human emotions. That is until the American showed up. Lendyn flipped his world upside down and put him in the worst sort of jeopardy. He’s starting to feel things and a murderer can’t afford to feel.

Amazon Paperback

Book Trailer

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

My hand fumbled through the darkness reaching for Devin. I needed to feel him, know he was there. Something troubled me, but I couldn’t put a finger on what.

A morsel of his flesh beneath my fingers would pacify me. Assure me he was still there. I reached further until my fingers collided with the soft, peach under-flesh of his forearm. I ran a hand across his solid form pausing for a moment to trace a figure eight on the mound of muscle encompassing his shoulder. He had a body fit to be relished even in the troubling hour’s lack of sleep brought.

He purred for a moment before stretching an arm and rolling over to his stomach stifling his rhythmic snoring. I tucked the sheets over him and kissed his golden hair. It was a perfect evening; work failed to interrupt our plans which were a rarity. We went for a moonlit walk along Paradise Cove, an exclusive beach, you had to be a member of to stroll along. This meant no paparazzi to hassle us.

They were one of many drawbacks to dating a celebrity, but as I admired the contours of his body, there were benefits too. Though maybe tonight had been too perfect. That was silly thinking. We didn’t spend enough time alone for anything to be too perfect.

An eerie flash of red in my peripheral caught my attention. I sat up noticing for the first time the clock on the nightstand was flashing 11:41 over and over. One of the problems to living in an old hotel like the Beltmore … things tended to fizzle out all the time. Last month it was the air conditioning, before that, the hot water. Maybe Devin was right, and it was time to move out of this hotel and into an apartment. I shrugged, I’d debate that tomorrow.

I patted the nightstand for my cell; it wasn’t there. Then I remembered I dropped it on the dresser earlier this evening when Devin had pinned me there to deliver one of his toe curling kisses. Trying to keep quiet while navigating the dark became impossible when I stubbed my toe on one of Devin’s Sketchers and tripped headfirst into the dresser. My hand flew to my mouth muffling a scream that rushed to my lips. Devin stirred but didn’t wake.

Phew. The last thing I needed was to wake him. He was a bit of a grump and once he was awake, he’d have to leave. Work always came first.

Along the dresser, I felt the smooth outline of my phone. When the screen lit up the time was only 2:08 a.m. still early and plenty of time to crawl back into bed and snuggle up next to Devin. Halfway back to bed and my phone started vibrating. There were fourteen missed calls and one voicemail, all of which, came from one number—Emma. Now, I was a bit worried. It’d been a while since the last time I’d spoken with my best friend Emma.

Emma had this philosophy about calling once and not calling again until you called her back, hence my worry.

I dialed my voicemail, “Wednesday, 12:15 a.m—Lend, its Em call me as soon as you—BEEP.” Em was calling on the other line. Why was I so nervous to answer it?

“Em what’s going on—” I swallowed, “—is everything okay?”

Emma didn’t even get my name out before she broke into sobs. Maybe she and “Mister Perfect” broke up again.

“Hello,” I said a little louder, “you still there?” All I could hear was sniffling, maybe she accidentally pocket dialed me. I debated hanging up and calling her back when a familiar English accent came on the line—Mister Perfect. “Lendyn it’s Zach … I’m afraid I have bad news … there was an accident involving Gigi,” he paused to take a breath as I held mine, “I’m afraid she didn’t make it.”

The room began to spin, and gravity pulled at me. Was I dreaming? This had to be a dream.

Zach’s voice continued, but I didn’t hear anything except a loud buzzing as my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor.

*****

In Death’s Touch

ADIB Book Two

by Elle Jefferson

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ASIN: B00IG9USCC

Number of pages: 400

Cover Artist: Krysa Designs

Blurb:

Lendyn Hughes had everything she wanted. A family that welcomed her with open arms and a man who loved her as-is. So what if they were all vampires, love picked you not the other way round. Besides she was half vampire herself.

One brief encounter. One wrong decision took it all away.

Now Lendyn is trying to remember what in the world she’s exactly doing in London, why she’s back with her ex, where she got the bruises covering her ribs from and who the taunting voice in her head is.

I’m sorry. Two words Callum never hated more. They were the two words he’d found on the Dear John note in Lendyn’s room. With one breath she declared her love and in the next breath she left him. Now his future looks bleak without Lendyn to color the way.

Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The English countryside provided a glorious canvas of green, while butterflies dancing along flowers provided an array of color, and bees buzzing provided the summer tune making it a day cut from a fairy tale. Surrounding magnolia bushes were in bloom, their fragrance carried along the breeze. From Callum’s bedroom window was an excellent view of the gazebo where Zach, his cousin, the brother his vampire life prevented him from having, was about to marry a loud obnoxious American named Emma. Emma wore on his nerves but she made Zach happy so he would learn to suffer her disagreeable ways.

Decorated in garlands of ice blue roses and white gardenia buds, the gazebo was as lovely as a painting.

Callum’s gaze, however, focused on the gardener pruning evergreens around the gazebo. Every squeeze of the shears flexed the gardener’s biceps. His skin dewed, veins bulging with the exertion wetted Callum’s appetite. Since Lendyn’s release from the hospital, he, along with the rest of his family, had been quenching their hunger from a supply of blood kept in a repository down in the wine cellars within the dungeons below Scott manor.

Sinking your teeth into a plastic IV bag did not bring the same thrill, or relief, sinking into the supple flesh of a neck, or thigh, did.

The gardener put his shears down and leaned against a marble column pressing a hand to his forehead shading his eyes as he looked up towards sky.

Up towards Callum.

Though with his human eyes there was no way the gardener could see this far. Callum watched the gardener’s jugular strain in a thick line along his neck.

Curse his vow not to spill a drop of human blood in honor of today’s wedding. The gardener started to rub at his neck and shoulder beckoning Callum to take a taste.

His blood called to him, sang of it’s sweetness. Callum couldn’t stop his fangs from poking through his bottom lip as he bit down hard. He slammed the window shut, locked it, and pulled the curtains closed. He took another second to get his breathing back to normal.

He tapped his fingers on the doorknob of his wardrobe, his gaze straying back to the window.

No.

He pulled open the doors and gagged at the sickening scent of cinnamon. Marco’s scent. Marco. His cousin and the man responsible for killing Emery, Callum’s mother, he was also the man responsible for putting Lendyn in the hospital in the first place. Originally, Callum believed Marco attacked Lendyn out of spite. A means to punish Callum for all eternity, but that wasn’t the case. As ludicrous as it was, Marco was on a mission to destroy everything. Callum’s unhappiness was just an added benefit.

Marco’s wretched scent continued to hang around attached to the tailored suit he made for Callum. Callum yanked the suit from the depths of his closet and hung it on the door.

Yes, he claimed he’d disposed of it as he’d been ordered to do. Marco’s coup d’état severed all ties to their coven, their family, and in accordance with tradition everything he handled was burned. Callum had never seen Emma smile wider than when she watched every last evidence of Marco’s existence burn to ash, her wedding dress being the last item thrown onto the flaming pyre.

After that she’d become more flippant and rude to everyone, but especially him. Emma’s last injection had been that night and her vampire side was quick in taking over.

He rubbed the suit’s lapel between his fingers which he did every day, every time he examined the suit. He touched every button, rubbed every seam and squeezed every pocket. And, like every other time, he found nothing. Callum steepled his hands together and tapped his fingers on his chin.

Whether it was the way Marco glared at the jacket each time Callum came for a fitting, the cold stare down with Marco right before getting the suit, or the shiver that played down his spine when his fingers brushed Marco’s as he took the suit, he couldn’t say. Whatever instance it was though, made it a compulsion to keep the suit. Callum knew he couldn’t get rid of it because a vital clue hid within the stitching. He just hadn’t found that bloody clue yet.

He sneered at the suit before tucking it back into the depths of his wardrobe. He laid down on his bed rolling over to inhale the scent still lingering on his sheets—lilac.

It gave him chills.

He let go of the sheets and slid from the bed. Better to forget almost moments than try to repeat them. Lendyn consumed his thoughts, his fantasies. If not for continual interruptions from family, one of their almost moments was certain to turn dangerous. Every time her skin touched his he was willing to throw every rule away to never break contact. Worse was that these almost moments could end in blood being spilled; and not his.

He walked over to the wall separating his room from Lendyn’s and ran his hands along it. He couldn’t say what he feared more, giving it all, or withdrawing completely. They’d danced along this knife blade so long he wasn’t sure he could do anything without being cut completely.

As much as he yearned for Lendyn, he feared her too. Logic leapt out a window whenever he was in her company. His emotions, which were lacking before, were a torrent now that buoyed to her, rising and falling with her changing moods.

It was disconcerting to be so attached to another. To worry as he did about Lendyn. He’d vowed to never let another person corrupt him, yet here he was utterly at her mercy. He hoped she was incapable of cruelty in sport or else his heart would be crushed.

*****

Author Info:

Elle Jefferson lives up in northern Arizona with her two beautiful sons, wonderful husband and her German Shepard Dorrie. When she’s not reading or writing she’s painting or enjoying the great outdoors.

She is currently working on her follow-up to At Death it Begins, In Death’s Shadow, and hopes to have it released in early December.

www.ellejefferson.blogspot.com

@Elle_Jefferson

Amazon Author Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elle-Jefferson/509752569110446

*****

Giveaway:

Prize pack 1- e-books of Temp by Kelly Collins, Broken by K. Webster, Ignite by Tessa Teevan, The Hart Family box set by Ella Fox, Fade In by Mo Mabie, Blind Obsession by Ella Frank, and A is for Alpha by Laurel Curtis.

Prize pack 2- ebooks of A Window to Love & Reclining Nude in Chicago by Fifi Flowers, Push The Envelope and Hit the Wall by Rochelle Paige, Save Me From Myself by Stacey Mosteller, Annie of London by L.A. Rikand, Goodbye Caution by Jacquelyn Ayres and Infamous Ellen James by NA Alcorn.

Prize Pack 3- A signed paperback of At Death It Begins and a bag of book related swag (i.e. bracelet, pen, bookmark, 5$ GC to Amazon, notepad) Open to US Shipping

Prize Pack 4-A signed paperback of In Death’s Touch and a bag of book related swag (i.e. pen, bookmark, 5 GC to Amazon, notepad) Open to US Shipping

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f559

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Tour Schedule:

Feb 24 Interview

Pembroke Sinclair.

pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com

Feb 25 Guest blog

Paranormal Romance Fans for Life

www.paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com

Feb 26 Interview

Girl meets Books