Here’s something you can really sink your teeth into! (Yes, I went there. Forgive me.) Bloodborn, the first book in Sydney Winward’s vampire romance series, is currently on sale for 99 cents. This book is waiting patiently on my nightstand, and I can’t wait to read it. The story:
Adam Degore’s need to find a cure for vampirism drives him to ensnare a vampire, but the creature he captures is Dracula’s daughter. Worse yet, he’s drawn to her—a monster he’s vowed to kill.
Despite her father’s wishes, Willow chooses to live among humans instead of the vampire conclave where she would be safe. She wants a life filled with more than shadows. Being captured by a human, not to mention falling in love with one, is not part of her plan.
With vampires and blood hunters closing in on their chosen prey, Adam and Willow need to trust one another. But will that trust come in time for them to survive and find a future together?
A peek between the pages:
“How could you?” she gasped, taking another step backward, but to back up much further would result in falling over the edge of the cliff and into the holy waters below. However, he was blocking her escape, a menacing sword close to penetrating her skin. Any false move would result in an iron sword through her heart. “How could you take me here?”
“I couldn’t tell you,” he answered, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s the only way. It’s the last thing I could do. For Zachariah.”
She felt numb. After everything that had happened between them, he still meant to kill her? But he was her mate. Mates were supposed to look after one another.
“Don’t do this,” she whispered, taking yet another step backward but stopping in her tracks when the roaring of the falls crashed into her ears like the loud toll of a bell signaling a vampire getting burned at the stake.
She would meet the same fate, except the only audience she would have was Adam and it was holy water instead of fire. She didn’t know which was worse. “I care for you, Adam. I want you to give me a chance.”
“I don’t have a choice. I need my brother back. He’s the only family I have left.”
I’m excited to share with you the latest novella by Kristal Dawn Harris, a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press). If you love paranormal romance and/or vampire fiction, you’ll want to check out Rise for Me, which releases on February 1st. Here’s the scoop on the story:
A peek Vampire and warlock, Roman Lee, spent centuries alone as ringmaster of the carnival. After befriending and healing a scarred, young woman, Roman realizes Mariah is his mate. He waits for her, but when she departs from his life, his torture knows no bounds. Now he’s risen, unforgiving and angry, forced from his grave by the one woman who captured his heart, but will another secret and the call of his mate change everything?
The steady call of Roman’s blood and the promise of peace brings Mariah Stone home to the carnival and the vampire she left behind. He ignores her until she forces him from the grave with her blood. His anger crushes her already broken spirit, but she is determined to win Roman’s forgiveness and free him from their bond. Denied passion leads them down a path of magic and desire, while a devastating secret threatens eternal love.
A peek between the pages:
Roman studied the perfection before him with something akin to regret filling his spirit. It should have been different between them. He momentarily questioned his decision before setting the ruby stone on her bedside table. In a whisper, he began to chant the words that would strengthen their connection and seal Mariah’s healing so it couldn’t be undone by anyone, ever.
Blood exchanged will seal my gift The flesh will stay, no spell will lift Let the night be filled with dreams So she won’t remember it was me
Roman lifted his hands, palms up, to begin the next part of the spell using the stone, but when Mariah moved in her sleep and threw one leg out from under the covers, he didn’t know if he could do it. Bare flesh, creamy and soft, slid along the quilt as Mariah moaned in her sleep and spoke his name. A dull light formed inside the ruby stone, strengthening with Mariah’s moans. Roman closed his eyes against the onslaught of desire brushing against his body and soul. It sought entrance, control, and a response. She must be dreaming of him. It was the only explanation. His eyes snapped open when the bed creaked. Heavy-lidded, sleepy eyes opened with a reddish glow lighting their dark depths.
“Mariah?” Roman spoke her name as a question, not fully understanding what was happening, but the stone did. Brilliant red light shot from the ruby’s rough edges, saturating the walls, the floors, and everything in between in its glow. Roman tilted his face as Mariah rose from her reclined position to sit on the side of the bed. A trickle of unease sped down his spine. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Mariah was using the stone against him, and her desire magnified his own, fed off it, and seduced in strong waves. Roman groaned as his cock swelled painfully and his body clenched with need.
“Do you come to me as a warlock, vampire, or as man?”
The question was asked so softly Roman wasn’t sure he heard her voice. Mariah’s eyes blazed with color. She was a temptress, a woman bent on crushing what remained of his heart, and he hated her for it. Roman pinched the bridge of his nose when the truth reared its ugly head, forcing him to accept what was meant to be. He craved her like no other. This would be the one and only night they ever spent together. The spell was cast, and she shouldn’t remember anything, so for once, he let the caged passion soar. “I come to you as all three.”
Kristal Dawn Harris is an award-winning, Rone nominated, American romance author. She has been married for 27 years and has two children. Kristal finished a degree from Miami University in Accounting Technology, but quickly realized she preferred words over numbers. She is an avid reader and, in particular, loves darker paranormal romance. Her hobbies include coin collecting, physical fitness, stained-glass art (beginner), poetry, and song writing.
Kristal primarily writes for her publisher, The Wild Rose Press, although it should be noted she has self-released several books. She writes paranormal, fantasy, erotic, as well as contemporary romance in different lengths.
Fun facts:
Favorite color: Red
Favorite Movie: Under the Tuscan Sun
Favorite Paranormal Author: Christine Feehan
Favorite ice cream: Butter Pecan or Mint Choc Chip
Favorite Chocolate: Dark chocolate
Favorite Candy: Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate
Favorite Vacation: Badlands, South Dakota
Favorite Genre Romance: Historical romance
Favorite female actor: Kate Winslet
Favorite male actor: Alexander Skarsgard
Favorite TV shows: Ancient Aliens, What on Earth, UFO Files, The Abandoned,The Unexplained. (I’m a true nerd, and embrace it fully…lol)
I’m thrilled to have another sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today. Please welcome Linda Nightingale! Her latest book, Sinners’ Opera, was released on October 7. Let’s get to know her…
At what age did you write your first story?
I always told my friends stories from the age of about 8 and thought of scenarios that we could play, like raking leaves to form a house, then being princesses or housewives. Big jump, right? Not for us. The first story I remember writing was in 9th grade in place of a book report. It was sci-fi about an alien discovered on Earth and his flight from his captors. He had silver-pink hair. (Hey, he’d be right in style today.)
Which genre was the first to hook you?
Romance and sci-fi.
What was your first published book?
My first book was Gemini Rising, which deals with a very sensitive, taboo for the most part subject. I wrote it because the characters woke me up one Sunday after a night on Miami Beach, and I wrote the first pages in purple on a legal pad. (Oh, no, purple prose!) A Canadian publisher picked it up, and it did fairly well considering the subject.
Sounds intriguing. What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming? Research? Outlining? Writing? Editing?
Easy. Writing. I’m not keen on research or editing but I love the white hot stream of creativity that flows from your fingers when the words are coming faster than you can type.
What are you working on now?
A companion story to Sinners’ Opera. In The Piano Man, Morgan is playing in a smoky piano bar, and in walks a love from his WWII days as a dashing RAF pilot flying night raids over Germany. Of course, our vampire hero hasn’t changed a bit. It goes back to the WWII story, then finishes in early 2005.
Cool! Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite?
Charleston, SC. Charleston is my favorite city in the US. It was founded during the reign of Charles II and also ties to Morgan. A trip down the beautiful Battery takes you back to the Civil War with the cannons at White Point Gardens, and the gorgeous Antebellum mansions.
My great-grandmother lived in Charleston, so I went there as a little girl. A beautiful place! If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?
Charles II of England. He was banished when his father was executed by Oliver Cromwell, but in 1660, he was restored to the throne by invitation. His court was known for being rowdy and a bit lascivious.
If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?
Probably either Game of Thrones or Outlander.
If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?
Enough money to live very comfortably for the rest of my life and have more left to will to my sons.
That’s a wish I share! Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites…
Sound:The purr of Jaguar E-type exhausts.
Eye color:Blue
Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!):French
Song:“Phantom of the Opera”
Book:Fever Dream by George R.R. Martin
Movie:The Libertine with Johnny Depp
TV show:Game of Thrones
Cuisine: Indian
Cookie:Macadamia
US location:Charleston, SC
Foreign location:Yorkshire, UK, where my son lives.
I love that area of England and long to go back one day. Most of my upcoming release, Night of the Owl, takes place there! Okay…last but not least, list your preference from the following choices:
Tea or coffee?Coffee
Cake or pie?Cake
Halloween or Christmas?Hard choice.
I know; I love them both. Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes?Neither.
Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters?Jane Austen
A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover?mortal
English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy?English lord
Thanks so much for joining me today, Linda. Best of luck with Sinners’ Opera! Now, here’s the scoop on the book:
Morgan D’Arcy is an English lord, a classical pianist, and a vampire. He has everything except what he desires most—Isabeau. As the Angel Gabriel he’s steered her life and career choice, preparing her to become Lady D’Arcy. Many forces oppose Morgan’s daring plan—not the least of which is Vampyre law.
Isabeau Gervase is a brilliant geneticist Though she no longer believes in angels, she sees a ticket to a Nobel Prize in Gabriel’s secrets—secrets that have led her to a startling conclusion. Gabriel isn’t human, and she fully intends to identify the species she named the Angel Genome. Morgan is ready to come back into Isabeau’s life, but this time as a man not an angel. Will he outsmart his enemies, protect his beloved and escape death himself? For the first time in eternity, the clock is ticking.
A peek between the pages:
“Run, Mary,” I panted, shoving her. “For God’s sake, run.”
Her hands branded my shoulders. Need coursed through me.
Her brow puckered. “How did you know my name?”
“You look like a Mary,” I gasped, trying to crawl away. “Bloody hell, run, woman.”
Saliva broke beneath my tongue. My heart thundered like a cavalry charge. Fever stung my veins. Instinct twisted me around to face my salvation and my damnation. My lips parted to reveal the one unmistakable characteristic of my kind.
“Fangs.” She recoiled, clutching her cross. “Lord Jesus, save me from this demon.”
I knelt in front of my savior, bowed my head over her heaving breasts to touch the cross to my lips. “Too late to run, too late to hide, and Mary dearest, your cross won’t save you.”
I held her gaze, a slow smile parting my lips. Her eyes clouded, jaw slackening. Too weak to command my more esoteric powers, I could still mesmerize my prey. It was just too bloody easy. Vampires are the perfect predators. But I had a choice. Didn’t I?
“What’s your name?” She inhaled a long, slow breath, toying with my hair. “You’re as beautiful as an angel.”
Another wave of misery broke over me. She wasn’t the only one who thought I looked like an angel.
Once, the woman I love—the woman who didn’t love me—believed I was an angel.
“My name is Morgan.” I couldn’t bring myself to say my second name, an angel’s name.
Mary ran her finger down my cheek. “Pretty name, Morgan.”
So simply, the seductive dance that would end in death began.
After 14 years in Texas, Linda just returned home to her roots in South Carolina. She has seven published novels, five of which are available from Audible.com in audio. Breeding and showing Andalusians, she’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer. She has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers’ Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt. She retired from a career as a legal assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center to write full time.
She has 2 wonderful sons—one in Texas; one in England—and 4 equally marvelous grandchildren.
She enjoys dressing up and hosting formal dinner parties!
Judith Sterling 