To Love a Bad Boy is to Love the Beast Inside Him. Hunter of Her Heart by Kaylie Newell.

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over, Kaylie Newell, author of Hunter of Her Heart.

Release Date: 6/23/15

Genre: Paranormal

Publisher: Entangled

To love a bad boy is to love the beast inside him… 

About the Book

Bad boy Zane Wolfe has always been wild and reckless. Even though he’s hot for his high school sweetheart, Candi Brooks, settling down has never been in his plans. Beyond that, he’s changing in strange ways—and begins to wonder if there's truth to the local folklore that claims his family is cursed to be werewolves...

There's never been a time when waitress Candi didn't have a serious weakness for Zane and his intense, dark sex appeal. She craves him. But after her life changes dramatically, and Zane won’t commit, Candi’s reached her limit. She can't wait forever...so she's taking her heart off the table before it gets good and broken.

Something mysterious is going on in Wolfe Creek, and danger stalks Candi. Zane will do anything he can to protect her. But the one person she needs protection from might just be him…

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Let’s Interview!  

What inspired you to write this book?

The small mountain town where Hunter of Her Heart takes place is based on a real town in Southern Oregon near where I live.  There’s a historic inn there that inspired the Wolfe Creek Inn in the book.  I was driving up to Portland with my girlfriend one night, and while we were stuffing our faces with junk food, we came up with all kinds of “what if” questions.  What if we ran out of gas there (it’s very secluded and a little creepy).  What if someone were to just vanish into thin air?  And the best question of them all- what if the town was harboring a dark secret and an even darker legend? :-)  …And Hunter of Her Heart was born.

How did you come up with the title?

Zane Wolfe has been hot for his high school girlfriend for years.  He’s always been a bad boy, totally uninterested in settling down.  But as Zane’s family curse begins to take hold, things start changing for him not only physically, but emotionally as well.  His hopes and dreams for the future begin taking a different shape, and he realizes that he’s got a lot of making up to do in order to win the heart of the woman he loves.

If you could spend an hour in real life with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

Zane!  He’s pretty foxy, so that doesn’t hurt ;)  He rides a vintage Honda motorcycle that I wouldn’t mind taking a spin on (if I got to sit behind him, of course).  He’s funny, sexy, dark, intense, but he also has a sweet side that’s a turn-on.  And he’s vulnerable.  Deep down, Zane Wolfe wants to be saved.  He just doesn’t know how to go about it.

Did you enjoy writing one scene above all the rest? If so, share.

A big part of this book is how Zane deals with becoming what everyone thinks of as a “monster”.   One of my favorite scenes is where he’s trying to find a little boy who’s lost in the woods.   This scene softens him a little.  From the little boy’s perspective, Zane is just big and strong.  Nothing to be scared of.  It’s a tender scene and one that I hope will connect readers to this hero on a deeper level.

Are you currently working on another story? If so, we’d love some details.

I am!  I just finished up the third book in the Wolfe Creek Series, which I’m waiting for edits on as I type this.  I’m also about a quarter of the way into another paranormal romance where the heroine works in a funeral home and can see the future.  I’m loving this one so far!

Tell us about your favorite writing environment. Is it indoors, outdoors, a special room, etc.

I usually write on my bed with the help of two cats and a little dog who’s pretty cute, but who’s also pretty gassy, so it’s problematic.   I also write in coffee shops.  Starbucks is my favorite- not because of the environment, but because of the cake pops, which let’s face it, are more important than a window with a view.

How long have you been writing? How long have you been published?

I’ve been writing since I was teeny tiny.  But I didn’t start writing to get published until about seven years ago.  I entered some contests and started winning a few.  Then the book seed was planted, and there wasn’t a whole lot of looking back.  I’ve been published since 2012 and have written six books, two novellas and three short stories for anthologies.  This author gig is the most fun I’ve ever had. J

  

About the Author

For Kaylie Newell, writing ranks right up there with the things she loves most in life- falling somewhere behind her family, but ahead of Bradley Cooper (which says a lot).  She fell in lust with the romance genre when she was about thirteen and began sneaking her mother’s paperbacks from the bedside table.  After acne, college, marriage and kids, she decided to take a crack at writing one herself.  Turned out to be the best adventure she’s ever taken.  When she’s not dreaming up her next book, she’s usually eating chocolate or walking the family mutt.  In that order.

Author Website/Blog: www.kaylienewell.com

Author Twitter: @KaylieNewell

Author Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaylieNewell

Author Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KaylieNewell

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An Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy. One, Two, Three Kiss Box-Set by E.J. Kimelman.

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over E.J. Kimelman, author of One, Two, Three Kiss Box-Set, An Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy, Transmissions From the International Council  for the Exploration of the Universe.

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Date of Publication: 4/17/15

ASIN: B00W4DJIQ8

Number of pages: 218

Book Description

The International Council for the Exploration of the Universe exists to consider and conduct investigations into the dimensions of the Universe; to examine how far humans are being depleted by zombies; to investigate natural methods, such as by breeding, etc., of keeping up the stock; and in cases of certain future failure of supply to suggest the necessary remedial measures. For the most part it deals with the humans common to all dimensions, but a special sub-committee considers the vampires, and a second the shifters; disembodied spirits are not investigated.

In the first transmission....

A new, dangerous street drug is spreading through Crescent City. A hallucinogen that causes violent attacks, incredible strength, and leaves its victims in a permanently altered state.

Darling Price's band, Higgs and the Bosons, is on the verge of their big break. If only she could get her act together and play the way she did before her best friend and musical inspiration, Megan Quick, fell fatally ill, then disappeared.

With only weeks to live Megan wasn't even strong enough to visit the bathroom by herself, yet, somehow she climbed out of her window and left.

Even though it's been months, Darling can't stop looking for Megan. Still hoping to find her alive is insane. Her obsession is pissing off her band mates and Darling is worried it might trigger her hallucinations. She hasn't been sick since Megan and she ran away from their foster home to Crescent City at the age of 13.

They took a blood oath, pressing bleeding palms together, promising that no matter what they'd stay with each other. So how could Megan leave her? It's a mystery Darling can't solve and refuses to let go of.

Since Megan's disappearance Darling has started to feel a gnawing hunger. No food or drink or drug can quench it. It's a hunger she's felt before, but has convinced herself wasn't real. Because what Darling feels, and the vivid memories from her early childhood, are all impossible.

As the drug spreads through the city and the world begins to unravel, Darling's lack of musical inspiration becomes the least of her problems as she comes to recognize that all of her assumptions about the universe may be wrong.

In the second transmission....

Darling Price thought her best friend, Megan Quick, was dead. Months earlier the doctors said Megan had only weeks to live. Than she disappeared. So when Megan saves Darling from a crowd of flesh crazed zombies, exhibiting strength and speed beyond the bounds of biology, Darling is at once exhilarated to see her friend alive again but also frightened by her.

Darling comes to understand that Megan's new found life comes at a price, one she hopes Darling is willing to pay so that they can be together again.

With zombies over running the streets, immortal beings controlling her emotions, and lost memories flooding back to her, Darling must make a decision that will decide the course of her life forever. At the same time Darling begins to understand that she is not just some regular girl. She may have powers of her own that go beyond the bounds of known biology.

In the third transmission....

Darling Price can feed off the power of others. Through this transfer of energy she can heal from any wound, including a zombie bite. With the help of Dimitri, an 800 year old vampire, Darling searches for answers about her parents and her powers.

As she gets closer to the truth the world continues to crumble around her. Dr. Issa Tor, a powerful warlock, believes that Darling can help save the world but when she goes to his society looking for answers she just finds more questions. Time is running out for Darling and the world she has learned to think of as home.

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 Excerpt

International Dimension Investigations

Please state Where and When this correspondence was found and then put it in the nearest inter-dimensional pathway. You will be informed in reply where and when it was set adrift. Our object is to find out the Direction of the Deep Currents of the Universe.

Locality where found?

Depth

Date when found?

Name of Sender

Address

I hope this works. I’ve never tried attaching anything to our research messages before. Only 4% are found and responded to. Perhaps you have no idea what this is, what the Deep Currents of the Universe are. More than likely, if you can understand this, then it is much like your ocean. In my world we first started putting messages into bottles in order to track the currents of our waters.

When another dimension responded it shocked us. It’s possible in your world the dimensional portals are still unknown to your scientists. After decades of study they are still mostly unknown to ours, hence this message. We still use the same methods we did over a century ago. Though now it is the currents of the Universe that we throw our bites of data into.

But I have not broken all protocol, and risked my career, in order to talk about my world or the methodology of The International Council for the Exploration of the Universe. I did it to talk about Darling Price.

I have interviewed many inter-dimensional creatures but none of them like Darling.  Enclosed you will find the recordings from the first day’s sessions. I hope the file is not too heavy to float.  I feel a great nervousness that I will be too late, or that you will not understand the impact of these interviews. I fear that my world is lost, but perhaps yours can be saved.

I will send out more when I can. Please respond. Tell me that you’ve received my message.

****

Darling Price’s hair is dark; it falls over her shoulders in shimmering waves. It’s glossy like a record, catching the light in white lines. Her eyes are a very intense green. Alarming, powerful.

She avoids eye contact. “Bad things happen when I look a person in the eyes. Everyone except Megan.”

“Tell me about Megan,” I said.

“She is the thing that saved me. I was going to kill myself, and kill people with me, and just drag the whole world down. I felt like reality was twisting around me and… she stopped the world and I got to live.”

“Since her leaving?”

“Leaving,” she hiccuped a laugh, “is that what you’re calling it?” Darling stood up and turned to the wall. Her black leather pants were the same shiny black as her hair. On her hips hung a white belt; it tilted to one side, where her gun hung. Silver pistol, not as shiny as her hair. It looked used, scuffed, strapped to her leg for too long.

She raised her hands above her head and rested them against the cinder-block wall. Her fingernails were short, painted the same matte metallic as her gun. She turned back to me, running a hand through her hair, pushing the long locks away from her high cheekbones and arched brows. “She was taken. I want you to write that down. Megan did not leave me.”

“Okay,” I said, dutifully picking up my pen. “Please continue.”

She looked at her empty chair, the long hair falling to cover her fine features. It exposed her shoulder, bare except for the strap of her tank top. Surprisingly erotic under the fluorescent light.

Darling sat down and leaned onto the table between us. “Do you have a cigarette?” she asked.

“You can’t smoke in here,” I said.

She smiled slowly, her eyes warming; a sensation began to tingle along my jaw. “Give me a tobacco stick, and I’ll tell you my story.”

I waved to the guard.

Darling sat back, pushing the chair away from the table, and extended her legs out straight. “And a beer,” she said. “I’d love a beer.”

I nodded.

Moments later, a fresh cigarette hanging from her lip, the smoke curling around her and seeming to want to brush up against her hair before dissipating into the air, she began to tell me her story. 

About the Author

E.J. Kimelman is the paranormal pen name of Emily Kimelman. She splits her time between the Hudson Valley and traveling the world with her husband, Sean, and her dog, Kinsey (named after Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone), researching exciting locations for her Sydney Rye Mystery Series. Emily is enjoying writing about places that only exist in her imagination with the KISS series. Kimelman has a passion for traveling and spends as much time as possible in the pursuit of adventure.

You can follow along on the adventure through Instagram, Facebook, and on Emily's blog.

If you've read Emily's work and want to get in contact with her she can be reached via email emily@emilykimelman.com, on Twitter@ejkimelman, on Facebook, and at her website www.emilykimelman.com. Sign up for Emily's newsletter to hear 

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Paranormal Romance. Suspense. Remembering Raven: Allegra by Lacey Edward.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome over Lacey Edward, author of Remembering Raven: Allegra, Remembering Raven, Book 3.

Genre: Paranormal romance/suspense

Publisher: Asselin Group Online Publisher

Date of Publication: May 22, 2015

ASIN: B00Y1NZJIK

Word Count: 20,000

Book Description

Raven LeClaire is starting to move past the two horrible murders that have targeted her Tarot reading clients. Although she has vowed to stay actively involved with solving these highly puzzling deaths, she is finally allowing herself to get closer to the handsome Viktor Thorssen. The two of them feel the centuries old connection between them and have given into everything that sort of bond brings with it.

Raven’s best friend and business partner, Allegra Canelle, has been acting like a school girl since she has met the elusive and mysterious Philippe. Because of her relationship with him, Allegra has been shirking all of her responsibilities including holding up her end of things at The Little Shop of Secrets. She agrees to sell her half of the shop to Raven so that she can be free to spend more time with Philippe.

Raven is finally beginning to be truly happy in life. She has a thriving business that she can now call her own. Viktor and she had a relationship filled with both undying love and passion. Not only that, but she has recalled much of their previous life together in the 14th century.

Not everything is happy, though. She has seen danger ahead for Allegra as well as a new Tarot client and neither of the women will listen to her. When tragedy does strike seemingly without warning, Viktor makes a decision that will change the lives of all of them. Believing that he is doing the right thing, he is not fully prepared for the reaction that he gets from Raven.

Whatever else may happen, however, Viktor is determined not to lose the love of his life – his soul mate – ever again. No matter what it takes to keep them together, he will do it.

Available at Amazon

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Book Trailer

Let's Interview!

What inspired you to write this book?

I have always loved writing about vampires.  My first short story in middle school was my interpretation of a Barnabas Collins story.  Now, there are many books written in the paranormal genre.  I recently went to a Tarot card reading with my sister-in-law and that’s what gave me the idea for Raven, the main character in the series, who is a psychic who reads Tarot cards.

How did you come up with the title?

The main character, Raven, is reincarnated and meets her husband from a previous life.  Over the course of the first few books, she slowly starts to remember their past life together.  In the prequel, we find out how their previous life ended.  So, I thought that the title Remembering Raven was a great choice, as she is remembering the “old Raven”.  But, I also wanted to make the title of each book also about the victim in each book.  So, each book is titled, Remembering Raven and then also the name of the victim.

What made you choose the main setting for your book?

New Orleans has always had a reputation for its paranormal culture.  I just felt it would be the perfect setting for Raven and Viktor’s love story.

If you could spend an hour in real life with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

Actually, I would love to spend some time with Darian.  He is the guy who works with Raven and Allegra in The Little Shop of Secrets in New Orleans.  He is a character who I still feel has a story to tell.   Maybe we’ll see another Raven book in the future, but this one will feature Darian!

Tell us a little bit about the conflict in your story.

If you had to sell your book based on one run of dialogue (start quote to end quote), which would it be?

Tell us about your book cover and how it relates to your story.

I LOVE the book covers in this series!  I started by having an artist do a rendering of how I envisioned The Little Shop of Secrets would look.  He did a fantastic job!  Once the shop graphic was done, I found graphics that personified each of the victims in the books and added them.  Finally, the cover designer and I found a fantastic font that looks very “vampirish” and used it for the title and the author’s name.  I was so happy with the finished product.

Are you currently working on another story? If so, we’d love some details.

Yes, I am!  I’m actually working on a few projects – typical writer, I guess…

I am finalizing a series of short shifter stories.  They have been fun to write.  Also, I am in the editing process of a new YA paranormal stand-alone book about a young girl who finds out that she is a twin and her twin has the “vampire gene”.  She travels to Italy and becomes deeply involved in the old vampire lore.  Of course, she suspects all of her new friends are vampires! 

Finally, I have started working on a new YA series about a young woman who finds out that she is a witch, descendant from a long line of powerful witches.  Ultimately, it is a series of good versus evil.  I am having a lot of fun with it!

It’s time to promo. What is your favorite marketing tool?

I have two new tools that I recently started using.  The first is askdavid.com  He offers a fantastic service where he tweets to his over 44,000 Twitter followers and then gives you four links to post your own tweets to his followers.

The second is a gig I just found on Fiverr that is a package deal.  She posts your book to 10 Goodreads Listopia lists, 10 FB groups, a Twitter following and more.  Lots of bang for your buck!

Are your book/books available in audio? In other languages? If so, give us more details about where we can get them and what languages they’re in.

I am in the process of having the Remembering Raven books published in audio – stay tuned!

What genre/genres do you prefer to write? Are there other genres you’d like to write in the future?

Right now, I prefer paranormal and YA fantasy and supernatural.  I have so many ideas!  Once I run out, I’d love to try thrillers or suspense novels.

Excerpt

“Surely, Viktor, you cannot argue that your wife is the fairest in the land,” Kol said with a flourish. “And that is why the lovely Raven will be mine.”

“Kol!” Allegra cried. “What is wrong with you?”

“Allegra, do be quiet,” he said. “Or I shall be forced to silence you.”

“Silence me?” she shouted.

Before any of them could take a breath, Kol leaped to his feet and snapped Allegra’s neck with his bare hands.

“I did tell her to be quiet,” he said as he pushed her body out of the chair.

“Raven, Raven, wake up, love,” a voice whispered urgently in her ear. “You are dreaming. Wake up, now.”

Raven drew in a quick, deep gasp of air and bolted upright in bed. She was simultaneously sweating and shivering. Viktor wrapped his arms around her and drew her to him.

“It is ok now, my love,” he said. “You were having quite a dream.”

“No,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it was not a dream,” she replied.

“Ah,” Viktor said. “So it was another memory?”

“Yes, and it was clearer and more frightening than any nightmare I’ve ever had.”

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

“Maybe,” Raven said. “I think I probably should. Allegra was in this one.”

“Yes, that is to be expected because she was a very close friend to you during that lifetime,” Viktor assured her.

“I know. But this was kind of awful, Viktor.”

“In what way, my love?” he asked.

“Well, she was killed,” Raven replied. “Right in front of us.”

Imperceptibly, Viktor’s body tensed. He tried to control it, but she picked up on it.

“What do you know about that?”

“I…I really do not know much,” he said. “What did you see happen?”

He listened intently as Raven recounted her dream/memory to him.

This is bad, he thought. At this rate, she will be remembering her own death without any help from me. I do not believe she is ready to handle that yet.

“Something keeps trying to break through,” she said. “I do have one question from this dream.”

“What is that, love?” he asked.

“I’m wondering about Allegra’s companion in the dream. The one who killed her,” she said. “Viktor, just who is Kol?” 

About the Author

Lacey Edward was born and raised in Canada.  She writes mainly paranormal romance fiction but enjoys throwing in a little mystery and suspense for good measure and to keep things interesting.  Her first experience with vampires was the Barnabas Collins book she read in grade eight.  She devoured it and never looked back – well, maybe over her shoulder once or twice.

Lacey lives in the country with her husband and two daughters.  They enjoy skiing and sliding in the winter, swimming, golfing, and boating in the summer, and music all year long.  Lacey also tries to keep up her mixed martial arts skills, just in case one of her unsavory characters comes to life…

For up to date promotions and release dates of upcoming books, sign up for the latest news on her website: www.laceyedward.com

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He Doesn't Do Relationships. She Doesn't Do Casual Sex. Deacon by Cheryl Douglas.

Release day! Today it’s my pleasure to feature Deacon by Cheryl Douglas, Starkis Family, Book 1.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Date of Publication: June 15th, 2015

Number of pages: 158

Word Count: 74k

Cover Artist: Fantasia Frog Designs 

Book Description

When Deacon Sarkis sets his sights on the gorgeous young model gracing the pages of his glossy catalogue, he knows he has to have her. One problem. She’s not available. But that won’t stop Deacon. He’s a man used to getting what he wants and he wants Mia.

Mia is stunned when she receives an email from the elusive billionaire who owns the lingerie company she models for. He tells her he’s intrigued. He’s not the only one. But she knows she’d be a fool to throw away an eight year relationship for a brief affair with the head honcho. He doesn’t do relationships and she doesn’t do casual sex. It seems they’re at an impasse.

Who will come out on top in this battle of wills? The dominant one or the woman intent on teaching him the meaning of submission?

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Book Trailer

Excerpt

I barged into Deacon’s office at eight o’clock that evening. Since his silver Lamborghini was one of the few cars left in the parking lot, I wasn’t too concerned about interrupting a meeting.

 

He looked up from his computer when I stormed in, and a smile quickly replaced his scowl. “They let you in without clearance?”

I plopped down in the seat across from him, trying not to notice how tempting he looked with his sleeves rolled up and no tie on. “The receptionist who usually guards your castle left for the day, and the security guard at the front desk has a crush on me, so he didn’t ask any

questions.”

He frowned. “Which security guard is that?”

I spotted a stress ball on the corner of his desk. I doubted he used it; it looked like a promo item Alabaster’s gave away. I whipped it at his chest. “You’re not serious.”

He laughed, catching the ball before it hit him. “You have a pretty good arm.”

“Shut up, Deacon!” The nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me I was talking to my boss, but I told her to mind her own goddamn business and go back to sleep. “I’m pissed at

you.”

He leaned back, kicking his feet up on the desk as he tossed the ball from one hand to the other and squeezed it. “Do tell.”

“You told Eleni about us.”

“So?”

“So you had no right to do that!”

 

He seemed totally unfazed by my anger, which only incensed me further.

“She’s my friend. I should have been the one to tell her, when—or if—I decided there was anything worth telling her.” That got his attention.

When he pinned me with that hot gaze, I feared he would demand I bend over the desk and take my punishment like a brave girl.

“I asked you not to tell anyone, including Eleni. You didn’t, and I appreciate that. Now that

you’re single, I’ve decided it’s time your best friend know about our… relationship.”

The way he said relationship made me feel as though he had been seeking a different word but come up short. Arrangement, perhaps? Was that what this was to him?

Not willing to let him have the last word, I said, “We’re not in a relationship. We’re still getting to know each other. If I like what I see, I might agree to date you, though not exclusively. I’ve been tied down too long to get serious again so soon.” I swallowed, averting my eyes when the thin skin across his knuckles turned white from the pressure he was inflicting on the ball. “Let me get this straight. You might agree to date me—though not exclusively?”

I was almost afraid to push him further, but if I backed down, that would set a precedent for all future arguments. “That’s right. If you have a problem with that, we can part ways now and—

”

He planted his feet on the floor and made his way around the desk slowly, like a panther preparing to devour its prey. He gripped the armrests of my chair, his face a fraction of an inch from mine. I held my breath—waiting, praying, and trying to predict what he might do next. Pushing him had been a very bad idea.

“You really think that’s an option?” he whispered. 

About the Author

When one door closes, another one opens. I closed the door to my business for the last time in 2011, which left me with a decision. What now? Find another location and move my nutrition business, go to work for someone else, or take a chance on my dream? I chose the latter and I’ve never looked back!

I’ve always loved reading and writing, but it wasn’t until I jumped in with both feet and decided writing would be my career, instead of just a hobby, that my muse woke up from her deep slumber.

It was like someone flipped a switch inside my head and stories just came pouring out. At the end of the day, I would often look at the keyboard and wonder, ‘Who the heck wrote that? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure it wasn’t me!’

I don’t write books. I tell stories, or rather, I allow my characters to tell their stories through me. I’m not a plotter, never have been, never will be. Why? Because I have no idea how the story will evolve and it’s not my place to manipulate it. My job is to get to know these characters, figure out what makes them tick, then follow their journey wherever it takes me.

When I’m not writing, I’m daydreaming. Thankfully, I have an understanding husband and son who know I’ll re-join the land of the living just as soon as my muse decides it’s quitting time. I don’t work for myself. I work for her. She’s the boss. And I’m okay with that.

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Regency Paranormal. Lady of the Flames by Barbara Monajem.

Today it's my pleasure to feature Lady of the Flames, A Most Peculiar Season, Multi Author Series,

Book Three by Barbara Monajem.

Genre: Regency Paranormal

Date of Publication: March 23, 2015

ISBN: 978-1508426240

ASIN: B00T0JAWLO

Word Count: 61,800

Cover Artist: Jane Dixon-Smith

Book Description

Magic is fraught with peril—but so is love.

Lord Fenimore Trent’s uncanny affinity for knives and other sharp blades led to duels and murderous brawls until he found a safe, peaceful outlet by opening a furniture shop—an unacceptable occupation for a man of noble birth. Now Fen’s business partner has been accused of treason. In order to root out the real traitor, he may have to resort to the violent use of his blades once again.

Once upon a time, Andromeda Gibbons believed in magic. That belief faded after her mother’s death and vanished completely when Lord Fenimore, the man she loved, spurned her. Five years later, Andromeda has molded herself into a perfect—and perfectly unhappy—lady.

When she overhears her haughty betrothed plotting treason, she flees into the London night—to Fen, the one man she knows she can trust. But taking refuge with him leads to far more than preventing treason.

Can she learn to believe in love, magic, and the real Andromeda once again?

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Excerpt

Setup: After learning of a treasonous plot, Andromeda fled into the London night to get help from Lord Fen, the man she once loved. They’re now having breakfast the next morning.

Years ago, Andromeda had felt no need to talk when with Fen, but now it was uncomfortable, like conversing with a stranger. Then, they’d had more in common; now they lived in different worlds. She took a sip of coffee and ate a sausage roll. She sipped some more coffee. She gazed around the room and finally found something to say.

“Did you carve the figures on your looking-glass frame?” she said. As a boy, he had whittled constantly. “They seem so…familiar somehow.”

“They should,” he said with a sudden smile. “I carved it from my memories of the fairies and hobgoblins back home.”

“Fairies and hobgoblins?”

“At your father’s estate,” he said. “Surely you remember Cuff the bedchamber hob, and Heck the buttery spirit, and all the rest.”

“My mother told stories about them,” Andromeda said, nostalgia filling her again. “I must say, I like the way you’ve imagined them.”

Fen frowned at her, his smile fading, his eyes perplexed. “I didn’t imagine them,” he said. “I saw them.”

Andromeda rolled her eyes. “That sounds like something my mother would have said.”

“Because she saw them, too.”

Andromeda began to be annoyed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Fen. She made up stories based on tales she’d been told as a child.”

Fen shook his head. “You saw them when you were small. You saw Cuff and Heck and the others. We both did.”

“No,” Andromeda said. “We saw movement out of the corners of our eyes and said they were fairies, but we were just playing games.”

Fen’s expression was pained. “You really don’t remember, do you?”

“There’s nothing to remember,” she insisted, wolfing down another cream puff. “As a matter of fact, that happened to me this morning. I had the impression that one of the creatures on the looking-glass winked at me, but of course it didn’t really do so.”

“What a pity,” Fen said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That you’ve forgotten. That wink was Cuff’s way of saying good-day to you. He’s somewhere hereabouts. He’s the only one I didn’t have to carve from memory, because he came with me when I left home.” He glanced toward the tin cup and plate by the wall. “He ate the bread and milk I put out, and I gave him the rest of your brandy, too.”

She couldn’t stand any more of this. “Fen, stop this nonsense! We’re in danger from traitors and spies who murder people, and all you can talk about is hobgoblins.”

He went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “I wondered why he came with me when I left, but it’s because he enjoys human company.” He grimaced. “Your father and aunt aren’t his sort of humans. I thought you were, and so did your mother, but evidently you’re not.”

That struck her like a blow. “What do you mean, my mother thought I was. Was what?”

“She had a sizeable amount of fairy blood, so she thought you must have some, too—but perhaps she was wrong.” He paused. “I know I have some. It’s not uncommon for children to see fairies, but I didn’t lose that when I grew up. Not only that, it’s their magic that guides my knives and tools, and inspires me when it comes to furniture design.”

She couldn’t bear it. “Stop it! You’re as—as mad as my mother was.”

“She wasn’t mad, Andromeda.” He sighed. “And whether or not you see the fairies, they’re still here.”

She put her hands to her ears and shut her eyes. After all the chaos of yesterday, this was too much. When he said and did nothing, she opened her eyes again. “Why did she discuss me with you?”

“Who else was there to speak to? Your father and aunt, although worthy people, wouldn’t have understood. They already found her far too strange.”

This was true—but it was because Mama’s mind was unbalanced.

“She knew I cared for you,” Fen said.

His eyes were kind but dispassionate; his use of the past tense meant that he didn’t care anymore, except perhaps as an old friend. Why couldn’t she become accustomed? Every single reminder hurt.

“You believed in them at the time your mother died,” he said. “She gave you that heart-shaped locket, didn’t she?” It still hung at her breast, but she resisted the urge to clasp it in her hand.

“I was nine years old. I believed in many foolish things then,” she retorted. Such as magic, but a household run by her aunt was no longer vibrant with promise or belief in anything much at all. And then, when she was seventeen, Fen had destroyed what little belief remained. She didn’t try to keep the bitterness from her voice. “I learned soon enough what utter nonsense it all was.”

He watched her, head cocked to one side, as if she were some strange, incomprehensible creature. “As a matter of interest, when did you stop believing?”

How dare he ask such a personal question? “What business is that of yours?”

“None, I suppose.” He shrugged and stood. “Stay away from the windows. I’ll see if my valet has found you something to wear.” He took the last of the beignets, set it on a saucer, and left it on the floor by the wall.

As if prying into her business wasn’t enough, now he was mocking her. Did he seriously expect her to believe that a hobgoblin would eat the beignet? Anger stirred and grew within her. “If you must know, it was at the same time I gave up other foolishness, such as believing in love!”

Fen stared at her, his expression incredulous. He left the room, slamming the door behind him.

By what right was he upset? Not content with playing stupid games with her, did he really not remember what he’d done to her five years ago?  

About the Author

Award-winning author Barbara Monajem wrote her first story at eight years old about apple tree gnomes. She published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young, then moved on to paranormal mysteries and Regency romances with intrepid heroines and long-suffering heroes.

Barbara loves to cook, especially soups, and is an avid reader. There are only two items on her bucket list: to make asparagus pudding and succeed at knitting socks. She knows she can manage the first but doubts she’ll ever accomplish the second.

This is not a bid for immortality but merely the dismal truth. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia.

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