Ex Libris

Goodreads appetizer: WITH THE DEVIL IN CHARGE...THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY...

What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestrated by a bored and machinating rake?

She’s a lonely lady down on her luck...

Phoebe Scott, alias Kitty Willis, is a struggling Covent Garden actress with a bruised heart and a closely guarded secret.

He’s steadfast and eminently respectable...

Sir Edward Chambers, Ned to his intimates, is guilt-ridden over his beloved wife’s death and avowed to live out a rustic and mundane life … of celibacy.

With the devil in charge — there will surely be hell to pay. Devil in disguise, Viscount Ludovic DeVere, is determined to return his best friend, Ned, to the land of the living. His meddling machinations result in a night of mind blowing passion after which “dull dog Ned” awakes to find himself in the King of England’s bed!

A WILD NIGHT’S BRIDE, a sexy, rollicking Georgian romp.

Stella: Hi Kristin, welcome back to Ex Libris! Since you were here last time in July, sadly summer has ended :-( Did you make the most of it, did you go on some great vacation?

Kristin: Hi Stella! Thanks for having me back. I went on a few vacations to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to Santa Cruz beach, and to Los Angeles. My summer was wonderfully jam-packed. :-)

Stella: , the third novel in your Vampires of Crimson Bay series will be released on August 28th, congratulations! Could you give a short introduction to the Vampires of Crimson Bay series for those readers who aren’t familiar with it yet?

Kristin: Thanks! The series started with and a blood war between vampires and shape-shifters (therians) in Crimson Bay. But as villains rose up, hell bent on exterminating vamps in the area, the vampires who remained were forced to stand together to fight back.

Stella: And now for the seasoned fans can you tell us what  is about? Any good, titillating scene or excerpt you’d like to share? Or just some teaser lines? ;-)

Kristin: Tortured by demonic voices, Dante's soul is as black as they come. But when he meets Ariana—an innocent vampire fighting demons of her own—he second-guesses everything he's ever known about sacrifice, passion, and soul-scorching love. Before Dante wages war against Crimson Bay's greatest threat, he must make a choice: love Ariana the way she deserves, risking her life in the process—or fight to protect her, unleashing the monster he's determined to bury.

Excerpt: I’m taking you to the middle of , after Dante has been wounded while protecting Ariana. She’s able to pull energy from her haven and heal others. She’s healing Dante, sparking his muscles back to life, and lifts the sheet off his lap…

“Good Lord,” she whispered, cupping her hand to her mouth.

Her gaze shot to his. She gasped, letting the sheet drop against him.

“Oh, you’re, ah, you’re awake,” Ariana stumbled. “I didn’t think—”

She tried to dart off the bed, but thanks to the magic behind her touch, the strength in Dante’s upper body had returned. In a surge of speed, Dante swung Ariana over the top of him. Her body was warm—just as warm as he’d imagined it to be—her breath coating his face in a rich wave of sugary sweetness.

“Let me go,” she said, but her words lacked conviction. And she didn’t move a muscle.

“Not yet.” He maneuvered her legs so she was lying over him hip to hip, chest to chest. The pressure of her body felt oddly comforting. Like he’d fly off the mattress without her to ground him there. The fact that only a sheet separated their bodies added gasoline to his smoldering fire.

Ariana propped herself on her hands. “How long have you been awake?” “Not long. Just enough to catch a glimpse of your voyeurish ways.” He laughed as she smacked him in the chest. “There are places you can go to get help with that, you know.”

She tsk’d in disgust and pushed against the arms he’d wrapped behind her back. If she wanted off the bed, he’d release her no problem. But there was not a hint of fight in her eyes, and a blush had crept to her cheeks.

“I was only checking to see if you were healing properly.” She cleared her throat awkwardly—the mark of a truly horrible liar. “To see if you had movement in your legs.”

“You definitely got something moving, but it’s not my legs.”

Stella: The description of  sounds quite dark, would you say this is the most somber story in the series?

Kristin: I wouldn’t say the book is somber, I’d say it’s grittier. The hero is tortured by demonic voices that urge him to do terrible things. The book is about his journey to overcoming that and the threat that places on the heroine…especially since her haven is going to be under attack and they’ll need the fire inside him to roar.

Stella: Would you like to introduce us the hero and heroine of ? 

Kristin: Ariana—vampire elder, innocent on the outside-seductress on the inside, long brown hair that’s usually tied back in a braid, brown doe eyes. Dante—half-vampire, half-unknown genes, dark hair that falls down in front of his face, eyes that swirl gold when he’s hungry, feeds on sex and violence.

Stella: Do you have a favourite scene in  either because the words just flew or to the contrary since writing it was so hard and challenging but ultimately the end result makes it all worthwhile?

Kristin: I absolutely love the final fight scene. Since it’s the culmination of all three books in the series coming together and reaching that elusive end, I think there was more emotion behind it. Fight scenes have always been my favorite to write (and action movies are my favorite to watch), but this one was special.

Stella: Will there be more stories (novels or novellas) in the Vampires of Crimson Bay series? 

Kristin: As of right now, there are no plans to extend the series past . I may do spin-off books in the same world, but nothing is set in stone.

Stella: There are many vampire heroes and paranormal romances featuring vamps, what would you say, why is your Vampires of Crimson Bay series different than the others? In what way is it unique?

Kristin: The vampires in Crimson Bay are born, not turned. A vampire bite won’t change you into a vampire—it’ll only turn you on, if you’re into that sort of thing. They’re just like every other living creature in this world, only they live hidden from the rest of the world because of the unfair stigma that’s associated with vampires and the drinking of blood. Also, I’ve added shape-shifters (therians) into the mix, and another race that’s revealed in .

Stella: Who is your favourite vampire character either in a book, movie, TV series, comic book, etc? And why?

Kristin: I absolutely love Selene from the Underworld series. She’s a no nonsense kind of girl who can kick ass and hold her own. But when she meets Michael, not only do they become more powerful as a team, but she becomes stronger as well.

Stella: Can you tell us what we should expect from you, or would you like to share with us any of your future plans?

Kristin: I’m currently writing two erotic paranormal novellas for Harlequin. The first two in the Isle of Feralon series ( and ) came out earlier this year. The next two will release sometime in 2013. I also have another paranormal series in the works, but you’ll have to stay updated at www.kristinmiller.net.

No choice but to kill…

Tortured by demonic voices, Dante’s soul is as black as they come. But when he meets Ariana—an innocent seductress who’s fighting demons of her own—Dante second guesses everything he’s ever known about sacrifice, passion and soul-scorching love.

He can’t love her and protect her…

Before Dante wages war against Crimson Bay’s greatest threat, he must make a choice: love Ariana the way she deserves, risking her life in the process—or fight to protect her, unleashing the monster he’s determined to bury.

Buy it at  - Barnes and Noble - Book Depository

Goodreads appetizer: Capri is an alluring young prostitute with a painful past; Brody is a ruthless mercenary running with a crew of thieves who live on a spaceship called Gypsy Lass. When he enters her brothel, the attraction between them is instant, electric, and too much for him to handle. He leaves unsatisfied, never wanting to see the girl again for fear she might soften his hard heart.

But Brody's captain has other ideas. The crew attempts to rob the brothel, and when things don’t go quite as planned, they take Capri hostage, forcing her and Brody to remain in close quarters until they see fit to drop her on another planet.

But Capri's plight and the intense feelings between her and Brody turn out to be the least of their problems. Together--whether they like it or not--they uncover realizations not only about themselves but also about the world they live in.

 

Goodreads appetizer: A Heart Divided

Blessed with an uncanny gift for mathematics, the lovely Lydia Kellaway can solve the most complex puzzles. The one thing she can’t figure out? How to manage the most infuriating man she’s ever encountered.

A Passion Multiplied

Alexander Hall, Viscount Northwood, has purchased a one-of-a-kind locket from a pawnshop, unaware of the priceless sentiment it holds for Lydia. The gentlemanly thing to do would be to simply return it. But Lydia sparks a desire that has Alexander curious to see just how bold this brilliant beauty will be…

A Love Unequaled

What begins as a playful wager quickly escalates into a contest of the minds, a clash of the wills—and a battle of the sexes—as their fiery attraction grows. Even a genius like Lydia can’t account for the feelings Alexander arouses with his smile, or the fire he ignites with his touch. But when a dark family secret is suddenly thrown into the equation, it just might divide them forever.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10 - could have done with a bit more precise editing
Ending: 8/10
Cover: 8/10 - although beautiful doesn't really fit the story or the heroine

Buy at:





GIVEAWAY RULES:

Grand Central Publishing has generously offered TWO paperback copies of to two lucky commenters!

All you need to do is leave a comment and you are entered!

Giveaway is only open to US/CAN shipping and ends on 7 September 2012!

Good luck!

A cursed amber amulet unearthed in Pompeii flings Arcona into a past life of witchcraft, bloodshed, revenge and sexual slavery to the cruel Master of a gladiatorial school. This violent parallel world is populated with “Slayers,” blood-drinking immortals devoted to the gods of war and mayhem.

As a Strix, or malignant witch, Arcona once used sex and blood rituals to create a race of immortal warriors to unleash on Rome. Now it’s time to pay.

The gladiator Tyr was one desperately lonely lover she betrayed. Against his will, she turned him into Upir Likhyi, a foul vampire. For two millennia he’s lived a grim existence as a Slayer, in constant sexual arousal yet denied release; now, he's pissed off and wants revenge. He kidnaps Arcona planning to drink her dry and break the curse.

Along the way Arcona and Tyr relive their sexual slavery at the hands of Rome and blood sport in the arena, but the real magic is they forgive and fall in love.

Too bad another Slayer wants them dead.

She crouched low and crept toward the back balcony that overlooked the ludus, where enslaved gladiators were quartered and trained. Surprisingly there were none of the expected sounds of clashing shields or wooden practice swords. The drill yard was silent of the usual clang of battle craft and the sounds of men arguing.

The villa’s rear balcony hovered high above the fray and was safely separated from the ludus by thick earthen walls topped with iron spikes and barred gates below, yet it provided an unencumbered bird’s-eye view of the daily mayhem that took place in the dirt yard beyond.

The August heat of the drill yard, and the scent of men’s sweat hung heavy in the air. Arcona peeked over the top of the balcony and into the sunbaked ludus below. Most of the gladiators were leaning against a far wall, standing in the shade, their swords and shields cast on the ground.

She couldn’t believe the always strict Cilician trainer would allow such slothful behavior, until she scanned the drill yard and saw the Cilician was nowhere in sight.

A dark Gaulish gladiator named Rog stood at the barracks door, pounding loudly on it with his fists. His angry words were so garbled she could hardly make out what he said.

A small crowd of gladiators gathered around Rog, and they too shouted threats and pounded their fists against the sealed door. She watched the events carefully but couldn’t figure out what the enraged commotion was about.

Only one man, a murmillo, the largest and most powerful class of gladiator, remained active on the drill yard. The man had sandy-blond hair and a beautiful sweeping back, which made him breathtaking to look at. She had studied this same man on many occasions and found him fascinating to watch. He was so unlike the others who tended to clump together in groups and speak as a mob.

The murmillo stood apart. He was quiet and solitary. All the times she had spied on the ludus she had never heard him speak, yet she noticed the other gladiators looked to him constantly as an example, which he quietly provided. Any martial skills he mastered the others were quick to imitate.

For such a large man he moved with power and grace, holding a sword in one hand and a heavy, iron-rimmed shield that stood nearly as tall as he in the other. He advanced with calculated steps across the packed dirt of the yard, thrusting and parrying his blade against an imaginary foe.

He ignored the angry chaos surrounding him and worked through his practice drills with concentrated precision. His skin glistened golden under the noon sun. His focused gaze remained lethal and aloof. He looked incapable of distraction, as if he occupied an entirely different realm from the others.

He swung the sword in tight, controlled circles as he stabbed and sliced at his own shadow. He moved beneath the balcony and paused. His sword arm stilled. He held the shield high between him and the others and glanced directly at her.

His clear hazel eyes made such forceful contact with her she felt as if she’d been touched. She was left breathless. Despite her caution about remaining unseen, he seemed to possess another sense that alerted him to her presence. Perhaps she was not so stealthy, because he often noticed her crouching behind the balcony while the others remained oblivious.

She gazed into his eyes and froze, unable to look away. She wondered how it was possible for such a formidable man to become enslaved to Rome.

A slight smile curled the edge of his lips. He gazed at her with scorching intensity as if he meant to bolt over the wall and grab her.

She felt a little flutter of anxious tension and desire and struggled to extinguish it.

The barrack door burst open with a loud bang, and a wailing, hysterical woman staggered into the yard with tears streaming down her face. Her tunic was rumpled and hung from her shoulders, exposing her breasts and back. She tried to wrap her head shawl around her body to cover herself. She ran straight toward Rog and threw her arms around his neck, and clung to him.

Rog snatched the woman into his arms. He crushed his face against her thick, dark hair and appeared to be sobbing.

The Cilician trainer strode out the open door with a churlish smile on his swarthy face. He gazed at the gladiators resting in the shade. A look of rage hardened on his harsh mouth. “Pick up your weapons, you slothful oxen! Just because I took a pleasure break doesn’t mean you get one.”

Rog glared at the Cilician, bared his teeth, and snarled. “I hate you! I’ll stuff a blade in your gut the first chance I get!”

“I don’t think so.” The Cilician dismissed Rog with a rude wave of his hand. “By the way, I enjoyed fucking your wife. Tell her to come back next week.”

Today I welcome to Ex Libris another author whose novel was lucky to launch Entangled Publishing's new flirty paranormal romance line, Covet, please give a warm welcome to Candace Havens who stops by to tell us a bit about her latest release ! Candace thought to give us a general introduction into the world created for , telling us about the setting, the different supernatural creatures that exist, their powers and traits (which are similar/different from the usual lore), so take a seat and read on, you could even win a copy of !

I have to be careful about what I reveal about the world in , because I only touch on it a bit in the first book. But the paranormal council exists in a contemporary world, but they have their own set of rules. There are several different types of paranormal creatures including Vampires, Werewolves and Witches, which you meet in the first book.

I love that people assume the council members are all vampires, but they aren’t. And all the creatures in my book do not follow the normal tropes of what has gone before. I did base many of the creatures on different mythological beasts who have the same traits as what we know as vampires and werewolves, but they are so much more. Hopefully, if I do more in the series, we’ll discover a great many new creatures.

Bestselling author Candace Havens has written six novels for Berkley including, Charmed & Dangerous,Charmed & Ready, Charmed & Deadly, Like A Charm, The Demon King and I and Dragons Prefer Blondes. Her books for the Blaze line at Harlequin include Take Me If You Dare, She Who Dares, Wins, Truth and Dare, and The Model Marine. She is also in the anthology Spirited, and the proceeds go to help literacy. In addition to Take It Like A Vamp, she has the steampunk novels Iron Demon (Oct. 2012) and Iron Blood (April 2013) from the Maisy Clark series debuting with Entangled Publishing.

Vampire Nick Christos might have been born in the Middle Ages, but those days seem tame compared to the last eight years spent ruling the Supernatural Council. The only respite in his long days of governing is with his sweet neighbor Casey Meyers. Sure, he’s forced to take a cold shower after every encounter, but no way will he risk anything more with a human. Not with his blood thirsty ex on the prowl and out to ruin Nick’s life.

But when said crazy ex shows up at the ball and flies her freak flag high, Nick has more to worry about than keeping his hands off his neighbor. He’ll have to stay closer than ever if he hopes to keep her alive, but will she want to leave him forever when she learns the truth?

Read an excerpt

Buy at - B&N

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