Going Bump in the Night

A Guest Post by Siobhan Kinkade

Creepy crawly critters…

Dark, shadowy corners…

A chilly wind whistling through the trees…

Let’s face it, everyone wants a good scare. It’s the adrenaline rush, the increase I endorphins when your heart starts pumping in overtime. That tingle of hesitation will draw you in and hold you hostage every single time.

It’s why us romantics are so drawn to a sexy alpha-male shapeshifter or a brooding bloodsucker. It’s why the taboo and untouchable becomes the desired. Of course, when we start talking about the anti-hero type of heroes, the phrase “going bump in the night” takes on a whole new meaning. The monsters become the love interests, and perspectives change. I don’t know about you, but I like the danger. The possibility of being devoured (and not in the happy fun way) by the scary creature really gets my blood pumping.

I happen to be partial to vampires. Ones like Christian, for example… He’s about as unconventional as a hero can get – piercings…tattoos…blue mohawk… VAMPIRE.

And I want one. If I had to pick a vampire to go bump in the night with, it would be him, hands down. Want to know why? Read more…

Lana Roberts has come to Boston searching for her twin sister, Sarah. The last place Sarah was seen is an underground club called The Mausoleum. Not realizing what she has gotten herself into, Lana enters, only to find herself in the company of a seductively frightening vampire named Christian Sterling – the only creature in the place that wants to help her. But there’s one problem.

Lana is still human. 

If she goes back into The Mausoleum, she’ll be killed, but Christian has a plan…if he can only convince her to go along with it. Can a pair of Halloween costumes, the sexy stranger she has found herself falling for, and a little bit of unorthodox behavior save the day? And just how long can Lana keep telling herself she doesn’t want him?

 

Excerpt from Blood Doll:

“How long would it take?” Lana asked after several moments of silence. She shook her head and her eyes seemed to clear. Then she looked up at him, and her cheeks turned a warm, tempting pink color.

“If timed carefully, just a few hours.”

“What happens if it isn’t timed right?”

“You take in too much and turn.” He bit into the burger again, and her face crumpled in confusion.

“I thought vampires couldn’t eat human food,” she said, and glanced down at her own plate. Her stomach growled.

“Vampirism isn’t like you think, Lana.” He placed the burger back on the plate and wiped his hands on his jeans. “Like I said, we eat and drink, we breathe, we have heartbeats. We also crave human blood and will wither and die without it.”

“That’s kind of gross,” she replied, startling a laugh out of him. However, the laugh quickly died as he spotted two familiar faces peering through the grimy door at him. He looked straight at her, reaching across the table to take her hand.

“Are you planning to eat?” he asked. She looked down at the plate, then back up at him.

“Why?”

“Because I think we’re about to have company. We need to make a quick exit.” She grabbed two fries from the plate and shoved them in her mouth whole, which puffed her cheeks out like a squirrel. Christian smirked and patted her hand before pulling a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet and throwing it on the table. “Chew fast, sweetheart,” he said, rising from the booth. She grabbed the burger, took a large bite, then grabbed her straw and stuffed her mouth further with soda. Shaking his head in amusement, he took her hand and led her to the side door just as the front door opened.

The pair watching him paused, then whispered something to each other that was lost in the din of the restaurant. Christian tugged her out the door and started down the sidewalk at a brisk pace. Beside him, Lana chewed the mouthful of food quickly, fighting to swallow it without choking. Any other time he’d have laughed at her, but he heard the door of the diner open and the pair following them call his name.

“Chew faster,” he urged, picking up his pace. Lana was nearly running when she swallowed the final time and gave a weak, gagging cough.

“What’s going on?” she choked out.

“We’re being followed.”

“Shit.”

“Exactly.” He swept her into his arms and began to run. Nine blocks later, Christian ducked into an alley and dropped her to her feet. “Do you trust me, Lana?” She looked up at him, her eyes wide and perfectly round, and nodded. “Then just go with me on this, okay?” She nodded again. He peered around the alley wall, listening as the footsteps moved in. “They’re coming,” he said, turning and walking her back into the shadows. He pushed her back against the wall and took her face in his hands. “Just go with it,” he said, and kissed her.

This was no tentative first kiss. Christian pressed his full body against her, pinning her to the wall as he threaded his fingers and laid siege to her mouth. 

Links:

© www.sugarnspicepress.com © www.amazon.com ©
© www.allromanceebooks.com © www.barnesandnoble.com ©
© www.bookstrand.com © www.fictionwise.com ©

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Where to find Siobhan:

http://siobhankinkade.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSiobhanKinkade
http://www.twitter.com/siobhankinkade

Love at First Bite by Jessica Coulter Smith

Today I have Sean from Love at First Bite with me.

So Brian, being gay in a small town must be hard. Have you ever wished you weren’t?

There were times in the past I wondered why I was born this way, but I’m comfortable being me. If people can’t handle the fact that I’m gay, that’s their problem, not mine.

So what’s it like being with a vampire?

Different. I can honestly say I’ve never with anyone like Brian before. But then, that isn’t just because he’s a vampire. I know the moment he enters a room, without even looking. And when he bites me – it’s incredible!

You wouldn’t change anything?

Well, the idea of growing old while he stays the same bothers me sometimes. We haven’t really discussed the possibility of him turning me, but I know it will come up in the future.

And it wouldn’t bother you to be a vampire?

Honestly? No. It would allow me to be with the man I love for eternity. What’s not to love?

You’re that certain he’s “the one”?

Oh yeah. I can honestly say that I can’t see myself with anyone else, ever. Brian is amazing, and I don’t just mean the intimacy,  but that’s pretty wonderful, too. He completes me.

 
Well, thank you for stopping by, Sean. I can’t wait to hear more about your story.

Love at First Bite by Jessica Coulter Smith

Available Now from Changeling Press

When Sean discovers Brian is a vampire, he’s ready for love at first bite.

Sean has spent his life in the small-minded town of Willow Grove. Given his preference in sexual partners, finding romance has always been a challenge – until Brian.

When Brian walks into Sam’s Place, the first thing he sees is Sean and he knows he has to have him. When he takes Sean back to his place, he reveals his true self and hopes that Sean will accept him -- fangs and all.

Excerpt

I glanced at my watch and realized I didn’t have much time before I had to be at work. With a groan, I slipped out of bed and dressed.

“What’s wrong?” Brian asked in a groggy voice.

“My car is still at the bar, and I’m going to be late for work.”

“So take mine.”

“Are you sure?” I couldn’t imagine driving the sleek machine he owned.

He chuckled. “Not like I’m going to use it anytime soon. I may not sleep all day, but I am stuck here until the sun goes down.”

“Thanks. I’ll bring it back as soon as I get off work.”

“Good.” He smiled. “I can’t wait to see you again.”

I warmed from the inside out at his words and knew I had a goofy grin on my face. Blowing him a kiss, I grabbed his keys and left. I had less than half an hour to go home, shower, change and get to work. I think it was safe to say I would be late.

* * *

Forty-five minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot at work, grabbed my bag and rushed inside. I’d already called the secretary to let her know I was running behind.

Thankfully, she hadn’t asked any questions.

“Any messages, Jane?” I asked as I hurried by her desk.

“Just one, from some guy named Brian.”

I felt my face flush and grabbed the note from her. She gave me a knowing smirk as I walked off. Thank goodness Jane was cool with me being gay. If anything, it made me her favorite guy in the office. She never had to worry I would hit on her.

When I got to my desk, I put my stuff down and picked up the phone. Brian answered on the first ring.

“It’s about time,” he said playfully.

“Miss me already?”

“You bet.”

“I’ll swing by your place when I leave here, probably around five-ish.”

“Bring a change of clothes. I liked you staying the night.”

“Me too,” I murmured with a smile.

“So… I’ll see you when you get here.”

“See you then.”

He hung up and I logged into my computer. As I skimmed through my email, I saw something from my boss. When I opened it, I groaned. My project was now due tomorrow instead of next week. There was no way I could get the CAD drawings done in time. It would take a miracle. I’d been pacing myself for my original due date, not expecting such a radical change.

I picked up the phone and called Brian back. “Hey, I’ve had a change of plans.”

“Find someone hotter?” he joked.

“No, that couldn’t happen. But work did… I have a project due tomorrow that wasn’t supposed to be finished for another week. If I don’t stay and work on it, I’ll never get it finished.”

“So, I’ll bring you something to eat and we can spend a little time together later tonight.”

I smiled, glad he understood. “That would be great.”

After we hung up, I was still smiling. Not only was he excellent in the sack, but he was accepting and flexible with my work schedule. I couldn’t have asked for more in a partner. Not that we were at that stage yet. At least, I didn’t think we were. I hadn’t thought to ask when he saw clients, but I’d bet he saw them at night. Otherwise, how would he get to the office? I hoped I wasn’t cutting into his work time.

A Guest Promo from Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

From the top of the hill crowning our backyard, I looked out over an amazing vista.  Somehow the neighborhood seemed different from that view but best of all I had a panorama of sky.  I watched the clouds puff across the blue sky.  I watched the birds wheeling high and fast.  And I saw the airplanes headed for the local airport.  Flight captivated my attention and I wished I too could soar into the heavens.

My desire is part of the inspiration behind my new release from Rebel Ink Press, Guy’s Angel.  In my second full length historical romance, my heroine, Lorraine Ryan longs to fly.  The story is set in 1925.

Guy’s Angel – Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy 

When a young woman really believes the sky is the limit, amazing things can happen…


Lorraine Ryan wants to fly airplanes so she heads for the local airstrip in 1925 to make her dream come true.  Most of the flyboys think she’s cute but a woman’s place is in the home, not the cockpit.   When Guy Richter steps up and offers to teach her to fly, she’s captivated with both Guy and flight.  He nicknames her “Angel” and takes her up into that wild blue yonder.  Before long, they’re deep in love.


Love, however, isn’t always enough……


Guy, a former World War I flying ace, is haunted by his past. His demons include his war service, the death of his only brother in an accident the previous year, and the Valkyries that he evaded in France who trail him in the hopes that they can complete his destiny.  But his dreams lie with Angel and as they grow closer and closer, he soon realizes that if anyone can save him, it’s his Angel.

Excerpt:

When she got in sight of the airfield, she slowed her fast pace to a casual walk, plastered a lit Camel to her lip, and sauntered toward the hanger, eager and with more anticipation than she ever remembered having at Christmas.

Just outside the single hanger, her old shyness reared up and tried to choke her but she pushed it away, swaggering in the boots to show a confidence she didn’t feel now. When she walked inside, just three fellas were there, the older one who first spoke to her, Guy, and another man.

“Good morning,” she called out, hoping her voice didn’t betray her nerves.  Maybe Guy didn’t remember, she thought, maybe he changed his mind.

“Hi, Angel,” he said, relieving her worries. “Come meet the rest of the gang, the ones here, anyhow.  In case you forgot, I’m Guy, Guy Richter. This here is Pete but we all call him “Pop” because he’s the old man around here and this other goof is Charlie.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Charlie said, standing up to greet her.  “I like the duds, Angel.”

“Thanks, it’s nice to meet you too.”

In short order he introduced to some of the others, a kid too young to have been an ace in the war named Teddy, a fellow named Stan, who Guy called ‘Joe College’, and another man who ducked his head he said was Art. When Art turned on his heel, she noticed he was missing an eye and figured he might have lost it in the Army Air Corps. Two or three other young men hung around, kicking the dirt with their toes and staring at her as an awkward silence descended.

“She can’t fly like that,” the old man they called Pop growled. “She’d need goggles, a jacket, gloves, a leather helmet and she ain’t got any.  Better go home, kiddo.”

She shook her head.  “I ain’t going to scram.  I’m here to fly.”

“Leave off her, old man,” Guy said but he didn’t sound angry despite the harsh words. “She’s all right.  She looks to be close enough to Jimmie’s size she can wear his gear.”

“And I suppose you just happen to have all of it with you?” Pop growled.

“Yeah, I do,” Guy said.  “I brought it with me just for her.”

“And you’ll let the dame wear your own dead brother’s stuff? Jesus Christ on a crutch!”

Angel – because here she sure didn’t want to be just Lorraine – looked from one man to the other, more than a little upset they appeared to argue about her.

“Mind your beeswax, Pop,” Guy said, sounding irate for the first time. “C’mon, Angel, let’s get you ready to fly.”

He beckoned her to follow so she trailed behind him out to a flivver where he lit a smoke before he dug out the flying gear.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked. “I didn’t mean to make anybody sore.”

Guy blew out smoke and shook his head.  “It ain’t you, honey, it’s just Pop. He's like a bear sometime, that’s all. Don’t get your knickers in a knot over what he said.”

“Okay, I won’t.  Thanks, Guy.”

“Aw, don’t mention it,” he said as he reached into the car.  “Here, try the jacket and see if it’s close enough to fit.”

The brown leather aviator jacket dwarfed her, much too large but she tugged it into place.

“What do you think?” she asked, pirouetting for him.

“It looks swell,” Guy said. “It’s big but you look better in it than Jimmie ever did.”

She looked down at the jacket. “Did it really belong to your brother?”

“Yeah, it did Angel.”

“What happened to him? Did he die in the war?”

Guy’s face darkened but he shook his head.  “No, we both made through the war but he bought it down at Kansas City, at the motorcycle board track not long before it closed last year.”

Angel remembered reading about a terrible accident, one in which the motorcyclist lost control of his speeding bike and veered off the track into the crowd. He died on impact and so did three of the viewers.  “I’m sorry.”

Guy shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t sweat it.  He’d like a pretty girl to wear his gear. Here, get the helmet on and the goggles so we can fly.”

His casual compliment pleased her but she didn’t say anything about it. She managed to pull the tight fitting leather over her head and put the goggles in place.  Now she felt like a giant insect and as she followed him out to the waiting plane, she figured she must look like one too.  She had one more question, though, and she turned to Guy, lips parted to ask it.

“So you were in the war too?”

He hesitated but just for a moment before he nodded.  “Yeah, I was but it was a long time ago and a long way off.  Come on, Angel baby, if you want to fly, let’s fly.”

Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Ann-Sontheimer-Murphy/e/B004JPBM6I

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy?keyword=lee+ann+sontheimer+murphy&store=ebook

A Page In The Life: http://leannsontheimermurphyblogspotwriterauthor.blogspot.com

Rebel Writer: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy: http://leeannsontheimermurphy.blogspot

Seanachie Stories: Tuesday Tales And More: http://seanachiestories-tuesdaytalesandmore.blogspot.com

Double Header: Excerpts from BL Morticia and Rawiya

Here is a little excerpt from Rawiya's first solo book, Time to Make the Donuts

Available in February at Amazon, All Romance, and Smashwords

Andre, a customer, comes in and pays him a visit. The two lock eyes and immediately connect on a personal level. Because of this, Christopher decides to pursue when Andre passes him his card. He wonders what the young man does for a living however, he’s so smitten by him, Chris doesn’t give it much thought.

Little does the shop owner know, Andre actually works for his biggest competitor as a secret shopper and has been told to use any method necessary to find out the secrets of the shop as well as convince him to sell his shop and become part of the national chain.

When Christopher finds out, he has a surprise for Andre and deals with him in a rather humorous way. Will he trust Andre once he finds out this fact? Will he give up his shop under the pressure the well known franchise?

With the song Manic Monday by the Bangles playing on the overhead, Jesse stood behind the cashier Wanda, getting orders for customers while Christopher finished putting the third batch of donuts in the oven. The owner always felt better when the store officially opened for business making him forget about the lack of sleep he got from the night prior or the fact he’d been in the restaurant since two a.m.

He pushed the double doors open as he came from the kitchen, watching the customers lining up in front of the register. They were ready to give their morning rush orders of coffee and donuts or bagels. Others who had time sat at the long laminate counter waiting for one of the waitresses to take their requests. Bigger groups of people or those who liked to take in the atmosphere sat in booths to sample the diner’s finest delicacies. Part of the charm of Christopher’s place was it catered to everyone in some form or fashion while offering great service. Something he knew that other place could provide.

While waving at a couple of regulars, Christopher started to help Jesse bag a few orders. Unlike most owners, he always chipped in to help on the front lines regardless if it were busy or not.

Jesse smacked him on the shoulder. “Yo dude, you look like you haven’t sleep in weeks.” The husky redheaded woman poured a cup of coffee for a lady in front of her.

“Well thanks,” he frowned. “I’m still being bombarded by calls from that place to get me to sell. They won’t quit. Don’t they get the message?”

“Apparently not. They been callin’ ya at home?”

“No on the cell and all because that one girl that used to work here got employed by them. They thought by doing that, they’d be able to pick up some secrets or learn something new about me, or the restaurant. Didn’t they know I brainwash my former workers,” he laughed.

“You wish. You just don’t share anything important which is smart, now me on the other hand,” She cocked an eyebrow. “I could be an asset to someone if they swayed me to leave.”

Christopher stopped immediately and glared at her. “You’d never.”

She drew up her lips. Within seconds she guffawed and smacked him on the back pretty hard. “Babe, no, never. I’m just messin’ wicha. I’d never leave your side. I told you the day Jayson died I’d help you run the place till we couldn’t do it anymore and I meant it. You know I’m a rebel at heart. I couldn’t go anywhere and work for “the man” and feel comfortable. I ain’t wearin’ no suit and tie for nobody.”

Christopher choked a little from the slap and let out a small sigh of relief. He didn’t know what he’d do without Jesse if she left. Good thing she always had such a good sense of humor and because he liked her as his second in command, he vowed never to piss her off if he could help it. Yes, they’d had run-ins a couple of times over various decisions but he knew most of the time the two of them would come to an agreement in the end.

“Well I’m glad about that.” He straightened his tie and shrugged his shoulders. “I need you here, Jess. No bones about that. Most days, I’m not sure what I’d do without your intellect.”

She blushed and chuckled. “Aw, Christopher, I swear if I didn’t like women and you didn’t like men we’d be a match made in heaven, right?”

A woman with a baby in front of them giggled and took her bag.

Christopher sighed, “Jesse, we really need to stop talkin’ about our personal business up here, huh?”

“Yes, duly noted boss man. Sooo…maybe we should go in the back so I can ask you about the dude I hooked you up with last week.” She nodded and turned to him.

“Um, nothin’ really to tell. I’m sorry Jesse, he’s just not what I’m looking for.”

The manager rolled her eyes. “Just what the hell are you searchin’ for in a man, Chris? You gotta lower your standards just a little don’t you? Ain’t no pretty boy with money and a squeaky clean disposition comin’ into your life any time soon.”

“That might be true but, well, he just didn’t do it for me. I liked that he’s self-sufficient, he’s pretty burly which I, erm, well, I’m not into overly muscular men. He doesn’t have to be a model but he does have to be easy on the eyes.” Christopher paused, “Didn’t I just say I didn’t want to talk about my business up here?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“Oh sorry, let’s go in the back a moment then. I gotta hear the rest of this. Wanda, you okay hon, since the rush is about done?”

The younger blond nodded, “Yep, I’ll call ya’ if I need ya.”

“Great.” Jesse gripped Christopher’s shoulder. “To the back then chief to get another batch ready then, huh?”

“Yep. We’ll be back, Wanda.” Christopher went through the doors and Jesse followed him. He really enjoyed when he and Jesse could work and talk at once. Made the day go by a lot faster. If only he had something other than his seemingly desperate romantic situations to converse about.

*

Here also is an excerpt from BL’s new one, You Don’t Ask We Don’t Tell: Basic Training

Coming Feb 3, 2012 BLMorticia with her snarky series about a man looking to shed his "gayness" The Army's the place to get right, right? Think again!

A gay, curious young man, Cody McCayne has fallen over the fence more than a couple of times. He's hoping the armed forces can help him become more of a straight man given he's under extreme scrutiny from his family. To make it happen, Cody leaves behind his on and off again lover, Dari Kirk.

At the local recruiting office, Cody meets Corporal Justin Belvidere who can tell Cody’s hiding something, running away from something he needs. And Justin knows just what training facility to send Cody to, the one part of the army everyone knows as one of the finest and most upstanding platoons.

Captain Morris Dunst runs Army company 9669, a proud group of men known for their tenacity, wit, and strength. In fact, Dunst has produced some of the best soldiers in his ten year tenure, teaching them how to be real men.

Book one begins with the introduction of Cody McCayne and his childhood friend Dari Kirk who’ve been having sex on the down low for a while until they’re found out. This scares Cody and he decides to cease their relationship.

Due to the constant taunts and chiding of his father and peers, he decides that joining the army is the answer for him to “get right” in his words. He thinks this will dispel his gay persona and make him a real man.

However, during his ten week tenure he’ll meet the characters at Fort Jackson of company 9669, the only all gay and lesbian platoon who operate as straight soldiers by day but play and teach at night. This section is run by Captain Morris Dunst and his lover, first Lieutenant Darios Bright.

Unedited Excerpt Subject to Change

When he straightened the wheel, he got out the truck, sprinting to the place he hoped held his ticket out of here. He opened the doors, letting a couple of army men out before he went in.

“Wow,” he mouthed, glancing about the place as if he were a tourist. Large hallways, cream colored walls with decorative crown molding. The floors were made of linoleum. Everything was so clean. The glare blinded Cody.

His eyes fixed of the small line of men huddled together to hand their papers to a soldier sitting behind the desk. Cody tightly gripped the application in his hands.

Do I really want to do this? How will I handle being yelled at by someone basically the whole time I’m there?

Suddenly, young McCayne began to question his decision. He tapped his feet, fumbling with his free fingers as he eyed the men talking with the representative.

Why am I doing this?

Yes, why the fuck was he? Joining the army just so he could gain acceptance? Make his asshole dad proud of him? Would this be worth it?

“Iknowiwantthisiknowihaveto…damnit!” He grit his teeth.

What if he didn’t like army life? What if the captain was an asshole he wouldn’t be able to tolerate?

What am I saying? They’re all assholes. None worse than my dear old dad.

The men in front of him inched closer to the recruiter’s desk.

Cody could feel his palms sweating along with his brow.

What the fuck? I need to man up. That’s my whole reason for doing this right?

He straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat.

Only one more ahead of me. I can do this!

The young man shrugged his shoulders and gulped hard. He stuffed one hand in his pocket and eyes darted from left to right.

Oh my fuckin’ God, I’m gonna…

“Next!” The man in front of him moved away and suddenly it was Cody’s turn. “Yes…um…Sir?”

The guy behind the desk gave him a wry smile. “Yeah, you ready to come serve your country, boy?” He has a slight southern accent and piercing blue eyes.

Damn, the man is hot.

*

RAWIYA is the more sensual erotica writer in the BLRawiya duo. Rawiya's first book, Time to Make the Donuts will be out in Feb of 2012 from Naughty Nights Press and her first MMF Living in the Now will be released in April from NNP. She has several shorts in anthologies, the latest, That Thing in the STARbooks collection, Tall Dark and Delicious. A lot of her shorts are also on Every Night Erotica. She blogs regularly at Erotic Dairies and Wicked Sexy Writers. For more please visit the Rawiyas blog on Wordpress.

BL is currently a published writer with Rebel Ink and Naughty Nights Press. Her first two novellas, My Lieutenant and Something Fresh Served Hot have Silver Stars on All Romance. She writes bi-weekly for Erotic Diaries with Rawiya and a column twice a month on Blak Rayne Books

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Find them at:
The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com
The Literary Triad on FB - https://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad
Rawiya – http://rawiyaerotica.wordpress.com
BLMorticia - http://blrawiyaerotica.blogspot.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl
Kindlegraph - http://www.kindlegraph.com/authors/rawiyamikembl

PROMO: The Fever and the Fury, by Stephanie Draven

Revenge is a dish best served hot!

Phaedra, a fury, is bound to make Lieutenant Luke Lazaros atone for his supposed crime, but her usual method of inflicting pain doesn’t work very well on a phoenix with the power to be reborn every time he dies. However, each rebirth leaves him with an overwhelming need for sex. Phaedra’s new plan: to drive Luke mad with desire.

But Phaedra has never touched anyone—even herself—except to cause pain. She’s an innocent when it comes to pleasure…but Luke isn’t. His touch is a revelation, arousing a passion in Phaedra that is as delicious as it is terrifying. For no matter how much she wants Luke, giving herself to a man risks awakening her goddess’s wrath.

Stephanie Draven is a multi-published award-nominated author of paranormal romance. Stephanie’s critically acclaimed Mythica series asks: What if the monsters of ancient mythology still walked the earth...and what if you found out that you were one of them? Currently a denizen of Baltimore, Stephanie lives with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

*
Excerpt:

She'd already killed him twice this week.

Monday, the harpy bitch grabbed the wheel just as he was making a tight turn on a cliff-side highway. The car jumped the barrier and exploded in a fiery crash of glass and twisted metal at the bottom of Moraca Canyon.

On Wednesday morning, he'd chanced taking a shower and she dropped a hair dryer in with him, sending a deadly shock through his wet body.
It wasn't even the weekend and she was already trying to kill him a third time.

Luke had awakened to the sinuous slide of her body atop his and, for one groggy moment, he'd enjoyed the carnal sensation of a woman in bed with him.

Then her knee came crushing down on his windpipe.

Now Luke thrashed upon the mattress, grabbing at her supple thighs, trying to throw her off. The curve of her breast brushed his arm, her moist lips parted and she clutched at his face as if she were going to draw him into an intimate embrace…just before fingernails like talons cut his flesh to bloody ribbons.

Or at least that's what it felt like.

With the lightest touch, she could put an ordinary mortal man in complete agony. But he wasn't an ordinary mortal man and she should have known better than to touch him.

"Atone," the fury demanded, her voice driving needles of agony into his spine. “Atone!”

Luke was desperate enough to consider it. Anything to get rid of her. Anything to make the pain stop. Anything that might relieve him of the memories that haunted him. The blood in the sand and all the lies…

Take the money, Luke. There'll be more where that came from.

His traitorous lips parted in surrender, ready to tell the fury whatever she wanted to hear, but then he felt his square jaw clench tight in stubborn refusal.

No. Screw atonement and regret. Luke would rather die again.

Her lithe legs wrapped around his waist like a vise. They were locked together as tightly as lovers and in blind suffering he banged the back of his skull on the headboard. It started like a fever, a sexual rush of heat that seared its way through his veins, pulsing through his hammering heart, racing to his groin.

Damn it. He liked this villa, but he'd burn the place down to get free of her if he had to. Sparks leaped from his fingertips to the bedsheets and the scent of scorched linen rose to his nostrils. The fire would obey him—it was the one goddamned thing in his life he still had any control over—so Luke made the fire rise higher, engulfing them both in a flash of flames and searing pain.

His bones went white-hot, molten beneath his skin, and he screamed. He was turning to ash. He was burning her too, burning her alive. He could have held onto her. He could have forced her to share his torment to the bitter end, but he flung her away. And her tumbling body was the last thing he saw before he died….

Phaedra was accustomed to inflicting pain, not suffering it. But now every cell in her body screamed in protest as her burned skin rose up in blisters. She was immortal. She could never die. That didn't mean she couldn't feel pain, and making this man miserable had somehow become her own personal torment.

She lay dazed in agony on the floor, smoke filling her lungs while Lieutenant Luke Lazaros burned alive before her very eyes. Gods of Olympus, he was stubborn. He should have broken by now, but he was only getting more unmanageable. None of the men she'd been sent to torture had ever been so obstinate. Then again, she'd never been unleashed upon a phoenix before.

In the light of the crackling blaze, Phaedra's blistered body healed, new pink flesh knitting over the old with miraculous speed, and it occurred to her that the fire alarm wasn't shrieking. A quick glance up at the scorched ceiling told her that he'd disabled it. That he'd planned for this exact circumstance. He was handy that way. Good with modern gadgets. And a born strategist. He'd started anticipating her. Adapting…

All at once, the conflagration on the bed extinguished itself and a burst of air dusted her with Luke's charred human remains. A bit of stagecraft on his part.

Of course, she'd seen him do this before—rise from the ashes as a new man, his dark curly hair cut in sharp military style, his name and blood type displayed upon frayed patches on his desert fatigues. A backpack full of cash in his right hand.

This was how he looked the moment he was war-forged. The instant he stopped being an ordinary mortal man and became a monster. But as many times as she watched him die, she couldn't enjoy it. Watching him now, she took no satisfaction in his shudder of revulsion at the feel of a new body that wasn't his own. Nor did it encourage her to see the half hostile, half haunted look in his eyes as he tried to remember himself. Shaking his head as if to fasten upon his old memories, he caught her look of dismay and gave a dark smile-that-was-not-a-smile.

"What's the matter?” Luke asked. “Didn't expect me to be so hot in bed?"

Given that she was clutching the burned and blackened remains of her clothing against her body, Phaedra didn't appreciate the sexual innuendo. It didn't surprise her though. Every time the lieutenant was reborn, he battled overwhelming hunger. He'd be ravenous now, for food, drink…sex.

Still, he grabbed one of his white dress shirts from a drawer and tossed it to her. "Here. You can wear this."

The gallant gesture was starkly out of place considering their situation. Phaedra eyed her nemesis as she fastened the buttons, disconcerted by his scent on the shirt and how it mingled with the perfume of her newly healed skin. "Does this mean you're ready to be redeemed, Luke Lazaros?"

"Just means I was brought up right," Luke said through his teeth. "And that an officer falls back on his training in a crisis. Or maybe I've just always fantasized about a leggy woman wearing nothing but my shirt. Until I get rid of you, I might as well improve the scenery."

"How many times must we go through this?" Phaedra asked, ignoring the predatory glare in his eyes. She rose to her feet. She was tall, but he was taller. She was hard-bodied and imposing; even before they felt the torture of her touch, most men had the sense to cower. But not this man. "There is no getting rid of me, Lieutenant. Once a fury is unleashed upon a criminal, she's unbreakably bound to him until he atones or is driven to insanity."

"I'm not a criminal," Luke snapped. "And I will find a way to be rid of you."

I hope you do find a way, Phaedra thought. Because she was every bit as stuck with him as he was with her.

Zenward's Magic

Zenwald's Magic, by Clare Dargin - now available!

Plagued by a demon his entire life, Marius Zenward will stop at nothing to free himself from this horrible curse. Captivated by his mystery and torn by her desire, Corrigan Heilyn longs to be with him but is held at bay by the horrible secret that follows Marius from town to town.

Will the magic that he possesses set them free?

Sample Chapter!

One

Eight year old, Marius Zenward had always been the curious one in the family. His curiosity constantly got him into trouble with his parents but never stopped him.

As he lay in his bed, he stared up at the dark ceiling listening to the soft breathing of his sleeping brother. He knew he was supposed to be asleep too, but he just couldn‟t because of the talking. His parents spoke in hushed tones, hoping that neither he nor his brother would hear.

Quietly, he slipped out of his bed and tip-toed to the door. He opened it slowly and peeked out. The soft light from the warm fire inside the hearth comforted him as he looked for his parents.

He kneeled to get a better look as he saw his modir and fadir speak to each other in an anxious manner.

“Jag vet alla skyltarna!” Inguz Zenward said clutching her husband‟s arm in fear. Her golden blonde hair cascaded down her back like rays of sunshine though her expression reflected none of her soft beauty.

Allowing the words to swirl around in his mind, Marius translated the old Norse. “I know the signs,” he said mouthing the words quietly.

“De djavulen handler om.”

“…The devil is about.” His eyes grew wide with fright at his modir‟s words.

“English, Inguz, English,” Gunthar stressed looking towards the barred door. “You are in de Danelaw, English please.”

Even though his fadir spoke the old language as well, it was his modir who kept the old ways, passing them on to him and his older brother.

“You know it Gunthar. You‟ve seen the signs too. The crops that survived were ruined, houses disturbed, people not wanting to look anyone in the eye. The Helreginn is about because someone disturbed its mound. And now the land is cursed! We must do something. We must protect ourselves. The children.”

Marius knew that a mound was a site where the dead lay and guarded the way to the afterlife. If they were not laid to rest properly, they might not find peace in the afterlife. The dead person could then visit the bereaved as a revenant or draugr. Revenants were horrible because sometimes they took the form of ghosts or walking bodies that scared the living. A draugr was simply the undead that lived in graves only to come out when their mound was disturbed. They were the worst.

“We are protected,” his fadir said as he stood up and walked over to the big oak door. He checked the solid door and made sure it was securely fastened. His face was streaked with concern. “Nothing is coming in here tonight,” he said pointing to his large seax over the hearth. It‟s long blade and notched handle was carried by all Viking warriors who had the strength like his father. Clenching his fist, Marius boldly gritted his teeth and growled.

“We will be fine tonight,” his fadir said, pulling his modir close.

Holding him tight, she turned her head allowing it to be cradled in the crook of his arm, “I should have put the rune of protection on the house when I saw the signs.” she said looking away. “What about the animals?” she said glancing behind her in the direction toward the barn.

“I will check.”

Marius shut the door immediately and climbed back into bed and pretended to sleep. He knew his modir had the hearing of a fox and always knew when he was out of bed. Marius hugged the warm covers. He thought about his father out in the night, brave and strong and not afraid of the monster. Vikings were known for the strength and prowess on both land and sea. That is how they came about defeating the Saxons and gaining the Danelaw. His father had told him many great tales of the conquering of York and the taming of its wild lands. He also told him how, during the later times, their people had settled down to become great farmers in the Danelaw and worked the fields to provide food for their families. One day Marius hoped to be as strong and as proud as his father.

He glanced at the door. It remained closed for his modir had not caught him as he had suspected. He slipped from underneath the wool covers and hopped down from the bed, determined to see what his modir had talked about. She said she wished that she had put the rune of protection on the house, he nodded. The rune of protection warded off all evil spirits and would protect all that were nearby.

He wondered if he should draw it for his mother.

No. Modir can do it best, he thought drawing the rune in the air in front of him. He was a good drawer, much better than his brother, but not as good as his modir. He smiled as a thought occurred to him. He pulled a chair over to the window and climbed on top of it and gazed outside.

A streak of lightening flashed through the sky like a white vein briefly lighting up the stormy autumn night. Glued to his spot, Marius stood on a chair and gazed out the bedroom window of his home hoping to catch a glimpse of Helreginn, the Viking God of Hel that his mother had fearfully spoke of earlier.

Suddenly he spotted something in the distance. Marius strained to see. Though he couldn‟t see anything clearly, he instinctively began to shiver.

Being of Norse blood, he knew the importance of honor and bravery in the face of daunting circumstances.

“Viking warriors are strong,” Marius said as he clinched his fist and looked fiercely looked out into the night. “Jeg er ikke redd ham du død!” (I am not afraid of you death!) He squinted and continued staring out the window.

Lightning flashed in the night, lighting up the family yard. It was empty and soaked with water. I don’t see him. He’s probably not even here, Marius thought with a note of disappointment.

Suddenly thunder boomed, causing Marius to flinch. A tiny bit of fear formed in his heart and sat there. It seemed as if the thunder liked it.

“Mar‟us are you in bed?” his mother asked from the main room.

“Yes modir,” he answered hoping she would not come inside and catch him out of bed. Marius looked at the handle of the door. It did not move. Thankfully she was not coming in. “Where‟s fadir?” he asked.

“In the beretun,” she replied. Her voice comforted him.

The barn? Why would it want the animals? Looking out the window once again, he saw an amber light glowing from the open barn door. The thunder boomed and crackled once again causing him to shirk, but he was still unwilling to move. Where was Helreginn? His mother had said that this was the night he was suppose appear because the crops had been ruined and there was no food with which to feed him.

Suddenly, a gust of wind howled outside as the door to his bedroom burst open. His mother swiftly walked toward him.

“Go to bed!” she ordered, picking him up and placing him underneath the blanket next to his sleeping older brother.

Moving the chair away from the window with a scrape, she stood next to the bed and wrote on the wall. Her hand shook as it moved. Marius waited patiently, pretending to sleep as he clutched the woolen blanket.

She shook him gently and knelt down next to him. He opened his eyes and gazed at his mother, feeling her love for him.

“You must not go to the window, do you understand?”

“Yes modir,” he replied with a nod.

She placed a gentle kiss upon his forehead. Standing up she walked out the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Marius in the dark alone with his temptation.

He knew if caught again, he would be spanked, but what a story to tell his friends! They would never believe it. Glancing at his sleeping brother briefly, he pushed the blanket aside and got out of bed. Moving the heavy chair back to its spot near the window, Marius climbed upon it and gazed in the direction of the barn. The rain had stopped, the light was gone and all was dark.

He then turned his gaze towards the darkened meadows and saw two red orbs suspended in mid air. Looking more closely, he saw that they were shaped like a pair of mean red eyes. They stared back at him, causing Marius to catch his breath. Stumbling, he fell out of the chair. As he hit the floor with a thud, he heard a yowl in the distance. At first it was masked by the wind then continued on its own as if making sure that its irritation was heard.

The hair on his neck stood on end as a streak of fear sped throughout his body. Staring up at the wall as a flash of lightening lit up the room, he saw the Norse rune for protection his mother had drawn. It was algis, or Z as it was known in English. The same letter as their last name.