Felicity Heaton's Blog, page 85
April 8, 2012
Manday Hotties - get your Monday mancandy fix!
It's time for the Manday Hotties Hop again! Be sure to follow the links in the list below to get your full fix of hot sexy mancandy this Monday.
It'smy birthday weekend so I've been looking for hot new talent to post on my blog this Manday... what do you think of my offerings below?
Visit the other blogs in the hop:
Interview with Valentine from my Vampires Realm series
Ah, it's that time when I get to lure my favourite hero into my hot seat. Valentine has held onto the number 1 spot in my heart since I wrote his story back in 2006 and while some have come close to joining him there, no one has managed it yet.
Valentine is from my Vampires Realm series and first appeared in Prophecy: Child of Light , which is book one in the Prophecy Trilogy, in which he is the hero (for all three books, of course). He has also made appearances in other Vampires Realm stories, such as Seventh Circle and Spellbound , with Prophecy at his side (and Venturi too). More recently, he showed up in Masquerade, which is due out in May 2012.
If you want to get a feel for Valentine, then you can read more about him at the Vampires Realm website: http://www.vampiresrealm.com/vampire_valentine.php
REMEMBER: If you want Valentine to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
(Valentine enters the room and settles himself in the black velvet armchair opposite me. He neatly arranges his dark red knee-length military-style jacket and then sweeps his long fingers over his black hair. His green eyes fix on mine. I clear my throat. Valentine is always a little tetchy around humans so I hope I don't end up as dinner)
FH: So, what have you been up to since we last saw you?
Valentine: Things have been busy. My bloodline has learned to behave themselves and accept my rule, but now I am constantly working. I had been privy to the inner workings of a bloodline during my position as a hunter, but I had not anticipated that it would be so much work. Lord Kalinor made it appear easy.
FH: I bet it's anything but easy, but at least you finally have them on your side. You say that you're constantly working, so does that mean you don't get to spend much time with Prophecy?
Valentine: She often comes to visit, but at the moment it is difficult for me to find time to go to her, even when I desire to. Cornelius is a competent Chosen Son, but he lacks the leadership skills and respect required to run a bloodline. Often when I leave, the house is in pandemonium by the time I return.
FH: What about Xavier? As your head guard, isn't he able to control them?
(Valentine sighs emphatically, the first sign I've seen of him breathing. As a vampire of almost three hundred, he rarely breathes.)
Valentine: Little woman, I thought that during the documentation process of my species history you would have learned that such a thing would be a disaster. A guard has no place in commanding a bloodline when one of the leaders is there. If Xavier were to step in, the bloodline would lose all respect for Cornelius.
(I shrink into my black velvet armchair, bringing my feet up onto the seat, feeling like a chided youngling)
FH: I see. I don't confess to being any good at politics. Don't you miss Prophecy?
(The barest hint of a smile touches his lips and a shine enters his green eyes)
Valentine: With all of my heart.
FH: Aww.
(Valentine glares at me, his eyes briefly changing to blue, their vampiric state. I swallow and silently take back what I did)
Valentine: (He looks down at his hands in his lap and then back at me) Prophecy understands that I must spend time with my bloodline, but sometimes I am able to go to her. We often find time to walk the city together.
FH: (grins) Yeah, I know all about your moonlit walks and how you kill for her. Super sweet.
Valentine: (raises an eyebrow) A mate should provide for his beloved. I am only following my nature as a vampire. I am sure humans do similar things, such as a male requesting that a female joins him for dinner in a restaurant. It is the same thing.
FH: That puts a new twist on the phrase "dining out". (I smile at him when he glowers at me) I get what you're saying though. You want to spend quality time with Prophecy and can't do that at either mansion, so you head off into the city for some alone time. Do you ever get away for longer periods?
Valentine: We have sometimes gone to stay at one of the apartments I keep in various cities around Europe. Prophecy is terrible at abusing her right to use her bloodline's private jet and often insists that we go to Italy for only a night or two at a time. She is still researching her mother's life.
FH: The witch? It's nice that you help her with that. It means a lot to her.
Valentine: (comes as close to smiling as he gets)
FH: So, do you have any other adventures planned? Prophecy mentioned that Venturi had something in the pipeline. Are you involved in that too?
Valentine: (nods) Yes, we have been to Romania to see him about a problem that he has with the gate there. It is still active and causing trouble for him on a regular basis. We need to find a way to close it permanently.
FH: That sounds a little more tame than your previous adventures. Are you expecting trouble?
Valentine: Prophecy has been seeing visions recently, none of them good, and some of them involving the gate, so we must go to Romania again to see if there is something we perhaps overlooked during our first visit.
FH: Your romance with Prophecy is still pretty hot, and I can see that you really love her. What's it like having another man in your life though?
(Valentine growls)
FH: I mean, in a non-sexual way. Prophecy said that you two aren't really into that side of the relationship.
Valentine: As long as he stays within the boundaries of our agreement, and does not attempt to take Prophecy away from me, or take up all of her time, then I do not mind his occasional visits.
FH: Spoken like a man who doesn't want to share his toys with the other boys in the playground. I can't blame you. It must be strange allowing your mate to be with another man.
Valentine: (looks sour) She knows her place, and knows not to overstep the boundaries. She is my mate, and can feel everything that I do. I do not believe that she would ever betray me with Venturi.
(the door opens and Prophecy rushes in and lands on Valentine's lap. She loops her arms around his neck and kisses him)
Prophecy: I would never hurt you. I love you too much. (she strokes his face) If you commanded it, I would never look at Venturi again. My heart is yours.
Valentine: (smiles broadly and I almost keel over from witnessing such a rare thing) And mine yours.
(Prophecy peppers kisses all over his face. It's strange to see him smiling properly. I give them a moment and then clear my throat. They both look at me.)
FH: Maybe I should wrap this up and give you some alone time. I have a few silly questions that I like to ask the people I'm interviewing. Firstly, what's your favourite colour?
Valentine: Dark red.
FH: And your favourite smell?
Valentine: Fresh blood, or Prophecy's scent.
FH: Your favourite possession?
Valentine: (squeezes Prophecy's waist) The beautiful woman in my arms. (She frowns at him)
Prophecy: I'm a possession now?
Valentine: The only thing I ever wanted. (That gets a smile from Prophecy)
FH: Favourite thing to do?
Valentine: Walk the grounds or the city with Prophecy on my arm. I like nothing more than being alone with her (he gives me a pointed look)
FH: And finally, what's your favourite time of year?
Valentine: Winter. The nights are long and the city is quiet, and my workload is lighter. I can spend more time with Prophecy then.
(Prophecy starts kissing him again)
FH: Well, it was... yeah... maybe I'll leave you alone now. (I get up, taking my notes on my next interviewees with me, and sneak out of the room)
Did you all enjoy this interview with Valentine?
If you would like to learn more about Valentine and Prophecy, and their story, then the first book in the Prophecy Trilogy is available in ebook for just $0.99!
Prophecy: Child of Light [book 1]
F E Heaton
A vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters Valentine, a gorgeous vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her life forever.
Convinced that the prophecy about her is wrong and unable to ignore the vision of them that he saw in her blood, Valentine goes against his orders to execute Prophecy and kidnaps her instead. The attraction between them grows as they search for the truth behind the prophecy, battle a dark evil that threatens to destroy the world, and attempt to evade their families and the Law Keepers.
When the truth about her is revealed, will Prophecy be strong enough to face it? Will they discover a way to save the world from Hell? And will they finally see past the hatred bred into them by their families and surrender to their love?
The first novel in the Vampires Realm series, Prophecy: Child of Light, is part one in an epic tale of love and war that is sure to capture your heart and leave you craving more.
Available in e-book from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
REMEMBER: If you want Valentine to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
Valentine is from my Vampires Realm series and first appeared in Prophecy: Child of Light , which is book one in the Prophecy Trilogy, in which he is the hero (for all three books, of course). He has also made appearances in other Vampires Realm stories, such as Seventh Circle and Spellbound , with Prophecy at his side (and Venturi too). More recently, he showed up in Masquerade, which is due out in May 2012.
If you want to get a feel for Valentine, then you can read more about him at the Vampires Realm website: http://www.vampiresrealm.com/vampire_valentine.php
REMEMBER: If you want Valentine to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
(Valentine enters the room and settles himself in the black velvet armchair opposite me. He neatly arranges his dark red knee-length military-style jacket and then sweeps his long fingers over his black hair. His green eyes fix on mine. I clear my throat. Valentine is always a little tetchy around humans so I hope I don't end up as dinner)
FH: So, what have you been up to since we last saw you?
Valentine: Things have been busy. My bloodline has learned to behave themselves and accept my rule, but now I am constantly working. I had been privy to the inner workings of a bloodline during my position as a hunter, but I had not anticipated that it would be so much work. Lord Kalinor made it appear easy.
FH: I bet it's anything but easy, but at least you finally have them on your side. You say that you're constantly working, so does that mean you don't get to spend much time with Prophecy?
Valentine: She often comes to visit, but at the moment it is difficult for me to find time to go to her, even when I desire to. Cornelius is a competent Chosen Son, but he lacks the leadership skills and respect required to run a bloodline. Often when I leave, the house is in pandemonium by the time I return.
FH: What about Xavier? As your head guard, isn't he able to control them?
(Valentine sighs emphatically, the first sign I've seen of him breathing. As a vampire of almost three hundred, he rarely breathes.)
Valentine: Little woman, I thought that during the documentation process of my species history you would have learned that such a thing would be a disaster. A guard has no place in commanding a bloodline when one of the leaders is there. If Xavier were to step in, the bloodline would lose all respect for Cornelius.
(I shrink into my black velvet armchair, bringing my feet up onto the seat, feeling like a chided youngling)
FH: I see. I don't confess to being any good at politics. Don't you miss Prophecy?
(The barest hint of a smile touches his lips and a shine enters his green eyes)
Valentine: With all of my heart.
FH: Aww.
(Valentine glares at me, his eyes briefly changing to blue, their vampiric state. I swallow and silently take back what I did)
Valentine: (He looks down at his hands in his lap and then back at me) Prophecy understands that I must spend time with my bloodline, but sometimes I am able to go to her. We often find time to walk the city together.
FH: (grins) Yeah, I know all about your moonlit walks and how you kill for her. Super sweet.
Valentine: (raises an eyebrow) A mate should provide for his beloved. I am only following my nature as a vampire. I am sure humans do similar things, such as a male requesting that a female joins him for dinner in a restaurant. It is the same thing.
FH: That puts a new twist on the phrase "dining out". (I smile at him when he glowers at me) I get what you're saying though. You want to spend quality time with Prophecy and can't do that at either mansion, so you head off into the city for some alone time. Do you ever get away for longer periods?
Valentine: We have sometimes gone to stay at one of the apartments I keep in various cities around Europe. Prophecy is terrible at abusing her right to use her bloodline's private jet and often insists that we go to Italy for only a night or two at a time. She is still researching her mother's life.
FH: The witch? It's nice that you help her with that. It means a lot to her.
Valentine: (comes as close to smiling as he gets)
FH: So, do you have any other adventures planned? Prophecy mentioned that Venturi had something in the pipeline. Are you involved in that too?
Valentine: (nods) Yes, we have been to Romania to see him about a problem that he has with the gate there. It is still active and causing trouble for him on a regular basis. We need to find a way to close it permanently.
FH: That sounds a little more tame than your previous adventures. Are you expecting trouble?
Valentine: Prophecy has been seeing visions recently, none of them good, and some of them involving the gate, so we must go to Romania again to see if there is something we perhaps overlooked during our first visit.
FH: Your romance with Prophecy is still pretty hot, and I can see that you really love her. What's it like having another man in your life though?
(Valentine growls)
FH: I mean, in a non-sexual way. Prophecy said that you two aren't really into that side of the relationship.
Valentine: As long as he stays within the boundaries of our agreement, and does not attempt to take Prophecy away from me, or take up all of her time, then I do not mind his occasional visits.
FH: Spoken like a man who doesn't want to share his toys with the other boys in the playground. I can't blame you. It must be strange allowing your mate to be with another man.
Valentine: (looks sour) She knows her place, and knows not to overstep the boundaries. She is my mate, and can feel everything that I do. I do not believe that she would ever betray me with Venturi.
(the door opens and Prophecy rushes in and lands on Valentine's lap. She loops her arms around his neck and kisses him)
Prophecy: I would never hurt you. I love you too much. (she strokes his face) If you commanded it, I would never look at Venturi again. My heart is yours.
Valentine: (smiles broadly and I almost keel over from witnessing such a rare thing) And mine yours.
(Prophecy peppers kisses all over his face. It's strange to see him smiling properly. I give them a moment and then clear my throat. They both look at me.)
FH: Maybe I should wrap this up and give you some alone time. I have a few silly questions that I like to ask the people I'm interviewing. Firstly, what's your favourite colour?
Valentine: Dark red.
FH: And your favourite smell?
Valentine: Fresh blood, or Prophecy's scent.
FH: Your favourite possession?
Valentine: (squeezes Prophecy's waist) The beautiful woman in my arms. (She frowns at him)
Prophecy: I'm a possession now?
Valentine: The only thing I ever wanted. (That gets a smile from Prophecy)
FH: Favourite thing to do?
Valentine: Walk the grounds or the city with Prophecy on my arm. I like nothing more than being alone with her (he gives me a pointed look)
FH: And finally, what's your favourite time of year?
Valentine: Winter. The nights are long and the city is quiet, and my workload is lighter. I can spend more time with Prophecy then.
(Prophecy starts kissing him again)
FH: Well, it was... yeah... maybe I'll leave you alone now. (I get up, taking my notes on my next interviewees with me, and sneak out of the room)
Did you all enjoy this interview with Valentine?
If you would like to learn more about Valentine and Prophecy, and their story, then the first book in the Prophecy Trilogy is available in ebook for just $0.99!
Prophecy: Child of Light [book 1]
F E HeatonA vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters Valentine, a gorgeous vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her life forever.
Convinced that the prophecy about her is wrong and unable to ignore the vision of them that he saw in her blood, Valentine goes against his orders to execute Prophecy and kidnaps her instead. The attraction between them grows as they search for the truth behind the prophecy, battle a dark evil that threatens to destroy the world, and attempt to evade their families and the Law Keepers.
When the truth about her is revealed, will Prophecy be strong enough to face it? Will they discover a way to save the world from Hell? And will they finally see past the hatred bred into them by their families and surrender to their love?
The first novel in the Vampires Realm series, Prophecy: Child of Light, is part one in an epic tale of love and war that is sure to capture your heart and leave you craving more.
Available in e-book from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
REMEMBER: If you want Valentine to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
My favourite scene from Prophecy: Child of Light
I have the hard task of choosing my favourite scenes from some of my books to share with you this weekend. It might sound like a lot of fun, but sometimes there is more than one scene that I really love in a book and choosing between them can be very tricky. Add to that the fact that I can't choose a scene that gives something major about the plot away and it becomes doubly tricky!
My next favourite scene is from Prophecy: Child of Light, which is a vampire romance and the first book in the Prophecy Trilogy, and also the Vampires Realm series.
This scene takes place after Prophecy and Valentine have attended the Creator Day masquerade to meet with a contact of Valentine's and have had to leave in a hurry to avoid detection by the Law Keepers, cutting their night short.
My Favourite Scene From...Prophecy: Child of LightValentine smiled at her. It had been a nice ending to the night, but in a way, he was sad that it was over so soon. He had barely managed to dance with her at the ball. Everything had moved so swiftly once he'd caught hold of her and in the blink of an eye it was over.
He looked up at the flickering neon sign above the hotel entrance and then down at her. He sighed. She looked beautiful standing there bathed in the dim light from the hotel. Her lips were smiling at him. Her eyes were still hidden behind her mask, giving her a mysterious look even though he knew who she was beneath it.
"There is someone we must visit tomorrow," he said, his eyes still fixed on her apparel. "Pack your things and wait for me in your room. I will come for you shortly after sunset."
He raised his eyes to meet hers. He could see by the way they were narrowed that she was frowning at him. It seemed so wrong to give her such a beautiful dress and only let her wear it for one dance, especially when most of that dance had been passed in the arms of other men. The memory of watching them touching her still made his blood boil. He hadn't been able to stop himself from reacting. Seeing their hands on her had made him more than a little jealous.
He'd been ready to tear their throats open.
He'd wanted to massacre them all just for looking at her.
He clenched his fists and reined in his anger, not wanting her to see the effect that she had on him. He glanced up at her through his eyelashes and found her looking at him with concern.
"I wish…" He took a deep breath and sighed it out as he straightened up, reminding himself who he was. "I am sorry that we had to leave. I could have danced all night with you. At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I still could…even without the music. I shall see you tomorrow."
He turned to leave, but found her hand on his arm. She held him tightly, not letting him move.
"You could still dance with me." Her voice was trembling. He could feel her fingers shaking where they were gripping his jacket. He looked back over his shoulder and found her smiling at him, her eyes silently telling him how much courage it had taken for her to stop him from leaving.
He looked around them at the street. "Here? People will think we are crazy."
"What people?" She smiled reassuringly and moved closer to him. He stared into her eyes while she reached up and pulled his mask down, covering the top half of his face. "Besides, no one will know who we are. Let them think we're crazy."
His hands moved of their own volition, claiming her waist as their prize and pulling her to him until her body was curved against his.
Prophecy took a deep breath, trying not to let her nerves show when his fingers splayed out against her back, holding her flush against him. She rested her hand on his shoulder. She couldn't take her eyes away from his. Something about seeing him in the mask stirred a heady mix of feelings inside of her that felt as though they were going to carry her away. It felt dangerous and mysterious. She started when his hand caught hers, his fingers wrapping tightly around it and showing her that he wasn't going to easily let her go.
She moved at the same time as he did, a slow waltz to the silent rhythm of the night. She realised that back at the palace it hadn't been the music that had made her feel as though she was dancing on air. It had been him. Something about being in his arms made her feel as though she was floating. She smiled up at him and saw his eyes drop to her lips. Her gaze followed his example and she stared at his mouth, watching him wet his lips. Anticipation built inside of her as the tempo of their dance increased. He turned with her, making the whole world disappear until all she could hear was the sound of their boots on the road.
Her breathing stilled when he leaned towards her, his cheek brushing against hers and his hand pressing harder into her back, forcing her chest against his. She stared at the stars above as they spun. Her lips parted when he pressed a kiss to her neck and she didn't notice that their dancing was slowing; everything seemed to be speeding up to a blur. Her hand left his shoulder and slipped over his neck. He moaned into her throat while he brushed his lips against her skin. Her eyes fell shut and the hand that was holding his was suddenly empty. She bit her lip when she felt his arm wrap around her, his hand coming to rest on her backside. She realised they'd stopped dancing and he was just kissing her neck now, his mouth moving in tantalising patterns against her soft flesh.
She wondered if he would be so bold without a mask to hide behind.
Trailing her hands down to his chest, she pushed him backwards and found eyes full of passion staring into hers. He was breathing heavily and she could feel his desire as he held her close to him. With trembling fingers, she pushed his mask up off his head. She held it for a moment before letting it clatter to the floor, and then tore her own mask off. She ran her fingers down his cheek, her eyes following them when she swept her thumb across his lower lip. He growled and his teeth extended, catching her thumb. She couldn't stop herself from changing into her vampire guise when she saw the small bloom of blood seeping into her glove. Her whole body ached at the sight of it. She was about to bring it to her mouth when he caught her wrist and took her thumb into his mouth. Her stomach tightened when his tongue brushed against the cut, a moan escaping her lips.
She frantically pulled him against her and his arm tightened around her waist. He released her hand and began to dance with her again, his body moulding against hers and his movements fluid. Only, she wasn't dancing any more. Her feet weren't moving. He was holding her off the ground, spinning with her and making her giddiness become dizziness. Her head fell backwards and she stared at the black sky above them, her lips open in a silent laugh as she smiled at it.
She dug her fingers into his hair when he pressed a kiss to her bosom and worked his way back up to her neck. She growled and held him there, not wanting to let him go. She needed more from him. A giggle escaped her lips when he growled in response and it rumbled through her own chest. The feeling of his kisses was divine. His teeth caught her skin, making small points of pain punctuate the pleasure. She pressed her body into him, leaning further backwards so he had to get closer to her in order to reach her neck. He growled threateningly into her ear and pressed his hand into her back, forcing her to straighten up. His teeth scraped her neck and she let out a small cry.
He tenderly kissed her throat, his tongue lapping at the tiny wounds he'd created and sealing them. She swore she could hear music as they continued to turn, clinging to each other in a passionate embrace. The sounds of the night seemed to make a tune when combined with the echo of Valentine's boots along the dark empty road. She could hear the fountains in the square, the distant cars and the insects and night creatures.
She closed her eyes and lost herself in it, her body going limp in his strong arms while she focused on the sounds and the feeling of Valentine's persuasive kisses. She sighed when he lowered her so her feet were touching the floor again and pressed one final kiss to her neck.
She didn't know what to say when she opened her eyes and stared into his.
"I…" He started but dropped his gaze to rest on the floor.
She smiled. She should've known that he wouldn't know the right words either. She picked up her mask and then his, and stared at it. It was strange that it had taken hiding behind a mask for him to discover the courage to act on his desires. She wished that he'd taken it one step further and had found the strength to properly kiss her. In her vision, it had felt divine. In real life, she was sure it would feel even better.
She held the mask out to him but he didn't take it. He just stared at it. She let both of the masks slip down her arm, dangling by the ribbons that were still tied from when they had been wearing them. She started to frown and then found herself being pulled up against him again. When he stared into her eyes, she could see the tempestuous mix of emotions in them. There was so much fire and passion, so much uncertainty and nerves. Her hands coursed up his arms, coming up over his shoulders to his neck and settling on either side of his face. She looked deep into his eyes, trying to show him that they both wanted what he was considering. She wanted to kiss him into oblivion.
She heard him swallow and saw that the fire in his eyes was fading. He was getting control of himself again. She silently cursed him when his hands left her sides and he sighed.
"You should go in. It is not safe out here."
She frowned. Not safe out here? She looked around at the empty street. There was nothing out here but him. Did he think she wasn't safe around him? Didn't he trust himself?
"What's wrong?"
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.
"On the train, when you made me…" He pointed at her neck. "I thought something that I should not have. I thought many things I should not have."
She was going to ask him to elaborate when she saw the look in his eyes. It told her everything she needed to know. It had been her vision that had driven him to want to do things to her, things that no man had done to her. Things that he was destined to do to her.
"Oh." She stared wide-eyed at him.
His shoulders sagged the tiniest amount and she could almost visualise the pressure that was weighing down on him. She stroked his cheek and brought his head around so he was facing her again, but let him keep his eyes fixed on the floor.
"I…I should thank you for the dress…and the dance…it was…" She didn't know how to put into words what she wanted to tell him. All she had to say was that she wouldn't have stopped him, but the words hung unspoken in the air between them. She hated the awkwardness it created and cursed her weakness.
"You should go in." He turned away from her, leaving her outstretched hand empty.
"Valentine?" She hurried towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He felt tense underneath her fingers. She wanted to tell him not to think the things she had seen in his eyes. There was nothing to regret. He'd done nothing wrong by wanting to make love to her and he'd done nothing wrong by dancing with her tonight. "I don't want to go in."
"You cannot stay out here." He moved to face her and gave her a small smile. "The sun will come up. You will have to go inside at some point."
She smiled at his attempt to lighten the atmosphere. It seemed to work for a split second but then it pressed down on her again. Her hand lingered on his shoulder. The light from the hotel sign was playing on his features and she noticed the blood on his lips. He couldn't have taken more than a sip from her when he was kissing her neck. She wanted to kiss him, wanted to taste the blood and know it was hers. She was inside him just as he was inside her, but it hadn't been their blood working its will tonight. He had wanted to kiss her, had wanted to have her in his arms and from the look in his eyes he'd wanted to do much more besides.
She wanted it all.
She glanced at the hotel and decided to take a chance. She wasn't expecting anything from him if he agreed. She just didn't want to leave his side. He could only say no and she'd have the whole night and day to brood about it if he did.
"I don't want to go in," she repeated.
"What do you want?" He cocked his head to one side.
She placed the mask into his hand and looked deep into his eyes.
"At the dance, when you rescued me, you saved me from the arms of a Caelestis. It frightened me." She rubbed her arm with her free hand, trying to build up the courage to say what she really wanted to. She could see that he was waiting and he wasn't convinced that mentioning the Caelestis was all she had to say. She looked up at him, not raising her head but looking past her furrowed brows. "I want to stay with you."
His look softened and he was silent for a few seconds before answering.
"Gather your belongings and we shall go to my hotel."
Remember you can get Prophecy: Child of Light for only $0.99 right now
Prophecy: Child of Light
A vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters Valentine, a gorgeous vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her life forever.
Convinced that the prophecy about her is wrong and unable to ignore the vision of them that he saw in her blood, Valentine goes against his orders to execute Prophecy and kidnaps her instead. The attraction between them grows as they search for the truth behind the prophecy, battle a dark evil that threatens to destroy the world, and attempt to evade their families and the Law Keepers.
When the truth about her is revealed, will Prophecy be strong enough to face it? Will they discover a way to save the world from Hell? And will they finally see past the hatred bred into them by their families and surrender to their love?
The first novel in the Vampires Realm series, Prophecy: Child of Light, is part one in an epic tale of love and war that is sure to capture your heart and leave you craving more.
(Normally $2.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
My next favourite scene is from Prophecy: Child of Light, which is a vampire romance and the first book in the Prophecy Trilogy, and also the Vampires Realm series.
This scene takes place after Prophecy and Valentine have attended the Creator Day masquerade to meet with a contact of Valentine's and have had to leave in a hurry to avoid detection by the Law Keepers, cutting their night short.
My Favourite Scene From...Prophecy: Child of LightValentine smiled at her. It had been a nice ending to the night, but in a way, he was sad that it was over so soon. He had barely managed to dance with her at the ball. Everything had moved so swiftly once he'd caught hold of her and in the blink of an eye it was over.
He looked up at the flickering neon sign above the hotel entrance and then down at her. He sighed. She looked beautiful standing there bathed in the dim light from the hotel. Her lips were smiling at him. Her eyes were still hidden behind her mask, giving her a mysterious look even though he knew who she was beneath it.
"There is someone we must visit tomorrow," he said, his eyes still fixed on her apparel. "Pack your things and wait for me in your room. I will come for you shortly after sunset."
He raised his eyes to meet hers. He could see by the way they were narrowed that she was frowning at him. It seemed so wrong to give her such a beautiful dress and only let her wear it for one dance, especially when most of that dance had been passed in the arms of other men. The memory of watching them touching her still made his blood boil. He hadn't been able to stop himself from reacting. Seeing their hands on her had made him more than a little jealous.
He'd been ready to tear their throats open.
He'd wanted to massacre them all just for looking at her.
He clenched his fists and reined in his anger, not wanting her to see the effect that she had on him. He glanced up at her through his eyelashes and found her looking at him with concern.
"I wish…" He took a deep breath and sighed it out as he straightened up, reminding himself who he was. "I am sorry that we had to leave. I could have danced all night with you. At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I still could…even without the music. I shall see you tomorrow."
He turned to leave, but found her hand on his arm. She held him tightly, not letting him move.
"You could still dance with me." Her voice was trembling. He could feel her fingers shaking where they were gripping his jacket. He looked back over his shoulder and found her smiling at him, her eyes silently telling him how much courage it had taken for her to stop him from leaving.
He looked around them at the street. "Here? People will think we are crazy."
"What people?" She smiled reassuringly and moved closer to him. He stared into her eyes while she reached up and pulled his mask down, covering the top half of his face. "Besides, no one will know who we are. Let them think we're crazy."
His hands moved of their own volition, claiming her waist as their prize and pulling her to him until her body was curved against his.
Prophecy took a deep breath, trying not to let her nerves show when his fingers splayed out against her back, holding her flush against him. She rested her hand on his shoulder. She couldn't take her eyes away from his. Something about seeing him in the mask stirred a heady mix of feelings inside of her that felt as though they were going to carry her away. It felt dangerous and mysterious. She started when his hand caught hers, his fingers wrapping tightly around it and showing her that he wasn't going to easily let her go.
She moved at the same time as he did, a slow waltz to the silent rhythm of the night. She realised that back at the palace it hadn't been the music that had made her feel as though she was dancing on air. It had been him. Something about being in his arms made her feel as though she was floating. She smiled up at him and saw his eyes drop to her lips. Her gaze followed his example and she stared at his mouth, watching him wet his lips. Anticipation built inside of her as the tempo of their dance increased. He turned with her, making the whole world disappear until all she could hear was the sound of their boots on the road.
Her breathing stilled when he leaned towards her, his cheek brushing against hers and his hand pressing harder into her back, forcing her chest against his. She stared at the stars above as they spun. Her lips parted when he pressed a kiss to her neck and she didn't notice that their dancing was slowing; everything seemed to be speeding up to a blur. Her hand left his shoulder and slipped over his neck. He moaned into her throat while he brushed his lips against her skin. Her eyes fell shut and the hand that was holding his was suddenly empty. She bit her lip when she felt his arm wrap around her, his hand coming to rest on her backside. She realised they'd stopped dancing and he was just kissing her neck now, his mouth moving in tantalising patterns against her soft flesh.
She wondered if he would be so bold without a mask to hide behind.
Trailing her hands down to his chest, she pushed him backwards and found eyes full of passion staring into hers. He was breathing heavily and she could feel his desire as he held her close to him. With trembling fingers, she pushed his mask up off his head. She held it for a moment before letting it clatter to the floor, and then tore her own mask off. She ran her fingers down his cheek, her eyes following them when she swept her thumb across his lower lip. He growled and his teeth extended, catching her thumb. She couldn't stop herself from changing into her vampire guise when she saw the small bloom of blood seeping into her glove. Her whole body ached at the sight of it. She was about to bring it to her mouth when he caught her wrist and took her thumb into his mouth. Her stomach tightened when his tongue brushed against the cut, a moan escaping her lips.
She frantically pulled him against her and his arm tightened around her waist. He released her hand and began to dance with her again, his body moulding against hers and his movements fluid. Only, she wasn't dancing any more. Her feet weren't moving. He was holding her off the ground, spinning with her and making her giddiness become dizziness. Her head fell backwards and she stared at the black sky above them, her lips open in a silent laugh as she smiled at it.
She dug her fingers into his hair when he pressed a kiss to her bosom and worked his way back up to her neck. She growled and held him there, not wanting to let him go. She needed more from him. A giggle escaped her lips when he growled in response and it rumbled through her own chest. The feeling of his kisses was divine. His teeth caught her skin, making small points of pain punctuate the pleasure. She pressed her body into him, leaning further backwards so he had to get closer to her in order to reach her neck. He growled threateningly into her ear and pressed his hand into her back, forcing her to straighten up. His teeth scraped her neck and she let out a small cry.
He tenderly kissed her throat, his tongue lapping at the tiny wounds he'd created and sealing them. She swore she could hear music as they continued to turn, clinging to each other in a passionate embrace. The sounds of the night seemed to make a tune when combined with the echo of Valentine's boots along the dark empty road. She could hear the fountains in the square, the distant cars and the insects and night creatures.
She closed her eyes and lost herself in it, her body going limp in his strong arms while she focused on the sounds and the feeling of Valentine's persuasive kisses. She sighed when he lowered her so her feet were touching the floor again and pressed one final kiss to her neck.
She didn't know what to say when she opened her eyes and stared into his.
"I…" He started but dropped his gaze to rest on the floor.
She smiled. She should've known that he wouldn't know the right words either. She picked up her mask and then his, and stared at it. It was strange that it had taken hiding behind a mask for him to discover the courage to act on his desires. She wished that he'd taken it one step further and had found the strength to properly kiss her. In her vision, it had felt divine. In real life, she was sure it would feel even better.
She held the mask out to him but he didn't take it. He just stared at it. She let both of the masks slip down her arm, dangling by the ribbons that were still tied from when they had been wearing them. She started to frown and then found herself being pulled up against him again. When he stared into her eyes, she could see the tempestuous mix of emotions in them. There was so much fire and passion, so much uncertainty and nerves. Her hands coursed up his arms, coming up over his shoulders to his neck and settling on either side of his face. She looked deep into his eyes, trying to show him that they both wanted what he was considering. She wanted to kiss him into oblivion.
She heard him swallow and saw that the fire in his eyes was fading. He was getting control of himself again. She silently cursed him when his hands left her sides and he sighed.
"You should go in. It is not safe out here."
She frowned. Not safe out here? She looked around at the empty street. There was nothing out here but him. Did he think she wasn't safe around him? Didn't he trust himself?
"What's wrong?"
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.
"On the train, when you made me…" He pointed at her neck. "I thought something that I should not have. I thought many things I should not have."
She was going to ask him to elaborate when she saw the look in his eyes. It told her everything she needed to know. It had been her vision that had driven him to want to do things to her, things that no man had done to her. Things that he was destined to do to her.
"Oh." She stared wide-eyed at him.
His shoulders sagged the tiniest amount and she could almost visualise the pressure that was weighing down on him. She stroked his cheek and brought his head around so he was facing her again, but let him keep his eyes fixed on the floor.
"I…I should thank you for the dress…and the dance…it was…" She didn't know how to put into words what she wanted to tell him. All she had to say was that she wouldn't have stopped him, but the words hung unspoken in the air between them. She hated the awkwardness it created and cursed her weakness.
"You should go in." He turned away from her, leaving her outstretched hand empty.
"Valentine?" She hurried towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He felt tense underneath her fingers. She wanted to tell him not to think the things she had seen in his eyes. There was nothing to regret. He'd done nothing wrong by wanting to make love to her and he'd done nothing wrong by dancing with her tonight. "I don't want to go in."
"You cannot stay out here." He moved to face her and gave her a small smile. "The sun will come up. You will have to go inside at some point."
She smiled at his attempt to lighten the atmosphere. It seemed to work for a split second but then it pressed down on her again. Her hand lingered on his shoulder. The light from the hotel sign was playing on his features and she noticed the blood on his lips. He couldn't have taken more than a sip from her when he was kissing her neck. She wanted to kiss him, wanted to taste the blood and know it was hers. She was inside him just as he was inside her, but it hadn't been their blood working its will tonight. He had wanted to kiss her, had wanted to have her in his arms and from the look in his eyes he'd wanted to do much more besides.
She wanted it all.
She glanced at the hotel and decided to take a chance. She wasn't expecting anything from him if he agreed. She just didn't want to leave his side. He could only say no and she'd have the whole night and day to brood about it if he did.
"I don't want to go in," she repeated.
"What do you want?" He cocked his head to one side.
She placed the mask into his hand and looked deep into his eyes.
"At the dance, when you rescued me, you saved me from the arms of a Caelestis. It frightened me." She rubbed her arm with her free hand, trying to build up the courage to say what she really wanted to. She could see that he was waiting and he wasn't convinced that mentioning the Caelestis was all she had to say. She looked up at him, not raising her head but looking past her furrowed brows. "I want to stay with you."
His look softened and he was silent for a few seconds before answering.
"Gather your belongings and we shall go to my hotel."
Remember you can get Prophecy: Child of Light for only $0.99 right now
Prophecy: Child of Light
A vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters Valentine, a gorgeous vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her life forever.
Convinced that the prophecy about her is wrong and unable to ignore the vision of them that he saw in her blood, Valentine goes against his orders to execute Prophecy and kidnaps her instead. The attraction between them grows as they search for the truth behind the prophecy, battle a dark evil that threatens to destroy the world, and attempt to evade their families and the Law Keepers.
When the truth about her is revealed, will Prophecy be strong enough to face it? Will they discover a way to save the world from Hell? And will they finally see past the hatred bred into them by their families and surrender to their love?
The first novel in the Vampires Realm series, Prophecy: Child of Light, is part one in an epic tale of love and war that is sure to capture your heart and leave you craving more.
(Normally $2.99)
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Flash Fiction - Far Away With You - with Apollyon and Serenity from Her Dark Angel
I'm posting a couple of pieces of Flash Fiction this weekend. Flash Fiction is a short scene, normally around 1000 words long.
My second flash fiction is with Apollyon and Serenity from Her Dark Angel, and it's set after the end of Her Guardian Angel. I hope you enjoy it. I know Apollyon is a favourite in the series :)
If you want to read a little more about Apollyon and Serenity, Her Dark Angel is just $0.99 this weekend.
Her Dark Angel
Felicity Heaton
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn't called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it's to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.
Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He's no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can't resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?
Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.
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My second flash fiction is with Apollyon and Serenity from Her Dark Angel, and it's set after the end of Her Guardian Angel. I hope you enjoy it. I know Apollyon is a favourite in the series :)
FAR AWAY WITH YOU
The sun was beginning to set as Apollyon left their makeshift home on the tropical island, brushing aside the fronds of palm that cascaded over the edge of the roof of the wood framed structure. The ribbons of cloud in the endless sky burned pink and gold against their colourful backdrop that melted from orange to green at the distant horizon to blue above him.
He tipped his head back and stared at the vault of heaven there, tempted to spread his black feathered wings and take flight and see the sunset from a different angle. He had been flying a lot recently, always solo, gone for hours at a time. He knew it worried her.
His blue gaze sought the small figure standing where crisp white sand met brilliant turquoise water. He drew another deep breath, his chest rising hard beneath the breastplate of his black and gold armour.
Serenity.
She wanted him to speak to her about it rather than fly off each day, seeking solitude in an effort to come to terms with the things that had happened over the past few weeks. It wasn't as though he hadn't tried, or didn't want to share things with her. He just wasn't ready yet.
Laughter from the other side of the small bay drew his attention to Marcus and Amelia where they frolicked in the shallow water under the pretence of teaching Marcus to swim. Apollyon didn't know how they could be so relaxed given their current predicament and the things that had happened. A stab of envy pierced his heart as he watched them enjoying themselves and enjoying each other. He wished he could be so easy going about all of this.
Wished he could swim with Serenity like that.
He closed his eyes and focused. His wings slowly shrank into his back and then disappeared completely. His fingers made swift work of the buckles on his breastplate and he removed it and then the rest of his armour piece by piece, setting it down inside his temporary home, until he wore only his black loincloth. He grabbed his blue thong and tied his long black hair up in a ponytail so it would stay out of his face, and then strode towards the woman waiting for him at the shoreline.
The soft white sand crushed under his feet, silencing his steps. He approached her from behind, absorbing how she lifted her left hand and brushed her long golden hair behind her ear as the wind blew. It streamed out behind her when a stronger gust swept across the sand and her deep red short dress fluttered with it, the skirt rising to expose the equally dark crimson bikini bottoms she wore beneath.
Apollyon smiled wickedly.
The moment he was within reach, he scooped her up into his arms, eliciting a yelp from her, and kept walking.
"What are you doing?" she said in French, her hazel eyes bright and round, her shock visible in them.
He just kept smiling.
Water broke over his bare feet but he didn't stop. He walked forwards, wading into the shallows with her cradled in his arms. The waves lapped at his shins and then his thighs and then Serenity jerked up in his arms, raising her bottom away from the water.
"Apollyon," she grumbled and frowned at him. "Put me down."
He grinned. "As you wish, my love."
And dropped her.
She went under with a 'gloop' and broke the surface a moment later, coughing and scowling at him as she combed her tangled wet hair out of her face. She huffed, muttered something, and produced a hair band. He took it from her, came around behind her in the warm water, and gently arranged her hair into a ponytail and tied it.
"You could have let me change if you wanted to swim," she mumbled and looked down at her sodden dress.
Apollyon looked there too and made it disappear. Serenity gasped and covered herself with her arms. His dark eyebrows shot up at the sight of her cupping her bare chest. He hadn't considered that she might only be wearing her bikini bottoms and not the top too.
He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Her hands jabbed into him and he carefully drew them one by one away from her breasts, so they pressed against him too. Her cheeks coloured, as red as the sunset behind her, and he stood there looking down at her, taking in how beautiful she was and how fortunate he was to have her. She had done all in her power to protect him and he had felt the pain it had caused her when she'd had to watch him do those things, her heart hurting because of the suffering he was going through. Without her, he might have lost all reason, might have sought to destroy Heaven right then and flown to his death.
She gave him reason though, brought him back whenever he stepped too close to the brink and the thoughts of raining his fury down on his enemy and obliterating them tempted him to cross the line.
Apollyon brushed his knuckles across her cheek. He was so very fortunate to have his little Parisian witch in his life and deep in his heart. Her safety and happiness was paramount to him, and that gave him more than enough reason to fight his instincts and desires for bloody vengeance. He only had to think about her and he felt the good she held in her heart flowing into his, chasing away the darkness.
He rested his fingers under her chin and rested his thumb below her lower lip, and tilted her head back. She looked into his eyes, hers shining brightly with warmth and affection that grounded him and lightened his insides, erasing his worries. Just one look at her reminded him that there was good in this world, something that gave him reason to protect not destroy.
"What is it?" she whispered and lifted her hand from the water to touch his cheek. The warmth of her palm, the softness of it against his face, eased his tension away.
"I ever tell you I love you?" he said in French and her face lit up with her smile. "Not often enough judging by that reaction. I do, Serenity. I thank fate everyday for bringing us together. I love you."
She beamed at him. "I love you too."
Apollyon wrapped his arms around her, lifted her from the water and kissed her with all the love and need in his heart.
She was all that was good in this world and he wanted to stay here far away from civilisation with her forever.
His little Parisian witch.
If you want to read a little more about Apollyon and Serenity, Her Dark Angel is just $0.99 this weekend.
Her Dark Angel
Felicity Heaton
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn't called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it's to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.
Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He's no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can't resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?
Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
Interview with Julian from Love Immortal
*claps hands* I have my joint number 2 favourite hero with my here today for an interview. Julian from Love Immortal holds the 2nd spot with Aleksandr from Heart of Darkness... two very sexy heroes indeed.
Julian, for those not familiar with him, is the sinfully gorgeous, dark haired and icy-blue eyed immortal protector of Lauren, the latest reincarnation of a goddess he once worshipped. He also commanded her army of Arcadian soldiers in their fight against Lycaon, the vicious original werewolf who was cursed by Zeus for tricking him into eating human flesh. Julian is drop dead handsome and with a beautiful soul to match his exterior. He's skilled with his silver katana, has preternatural strength, speed, sight, hearing and senses, and is a very determined yet sensitive man. He's also one of the ancestors, along with Lauren, of what we think of as vampires. Just don't let him hear you say that!
REMEMBER: If you want Julian to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
FH: I have Julian here with me today to talk about his book, Love Immortal. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?
Julian: If necessary. I was born three thousand years ago in Arcadia, what you would think of as Greece these days, and died there. My goddess, Illia, gave me life immortal and Zeus allowed me to pass over, charging me with the duty of giving Illia's reincarnations my blood in order to awaken them. I am also her protector. Illia's blood has gifted me with preternatural strength and abilities, but because of it I also share her need for blood as sustenance. Upon my rebirth as her immortal protector, my thirst for blood awakened and I have not been able to eat or drink anything else since. It is a small price to pay for being able to continue to my duty as her commander.
FH: Can you tell us about what happened in your story?
Julian: My story has been flowing for the past three thousand years, broken into chapters that encompassed the lives of each of Illia's incarnations. The one you chose to write about was the final chapter, in which Lauren was born as the next incarnation and our paths crossed. From the moment I met her, I feared her fate would be the same as all of her predecessors and that she would fall to Lycaon's blade, the first werewolf and the man she was charged with the duty of defeating. Lycaon had killed all those that had come before her, even Illia, and had continued with his plan to gain revenge on Zeus and Olympus for the curse they had placed on him. For the first time in forever, I hoped that Lycaon would fall and I vowed to do all in my power to ensure that Lauren survived.
FH: In Love Immortal, you meet Lauren, who is the latest reincarnation of the goddess Illia. How did you meet and how did you feel about her initially?
Julian: Lauren is unlike any of the previous incarnations of my lost goddess. She is so much warmer and more compassionate than all of them, even Illia herself. Lauren made me realise that I had long been dead inside and breathed life back into me little by little, until I slowly realised my feelings for her. I had been through so much pain because of her predecessors that it was difficult for me to bring myself to trust her even when I wanted to with all of my heart. I couldn't take my eyes off her from the moment I set them on her, and I knew I had to find a way to make her mine, even risking my heart to achieve that.
FH: Your relationship with Lauren is complicated because of your role as her protector and the things that have happened in your past. Was it difficult at first?
Julian: It was very difficult. It took a lot for me to come to trust her and convince myself that she was worth the fight, and that she was different to the others and I wasn't imagining the feelings that she showed towards me. I think I frustrated her immensely at first. In fact, I know that I did. Sometimes she mentions what a pain I was and how hard I made her work. I had not realised that I had made things so difficult for her. I had only thought of guarding my heart against her because of the things that had happened to me in my past and the pain I had been through. I couldn't bear the thought of Lauren putting me through such pain too. It would have been the end of me.
FH: But it wasn't, and things turned out well for you in the end. How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?
Julian: It has been busy. We had a short period of rest together to recuperate from the battle and then went straight back to work. Lauren is very enthusiastic about her work and what she sees as her duty. We have trained hard together too, so I know that she is ready to face whatever demons may come our way. At the moment, we are working closely with Duke and are also in contact with Morgan about his werewolf problem. Lauren says that we cannot delay much longer but I have little desire to set foot in Paris again, or see that vampire. I am certain he will try to gain Lauren's affection somehow and that is something I cannot allow, and if it came to blows I know that Lauren would be angry with me. I cannot help myself when I feel someone is trying to take her from me. She is mine and I love her with all of my heart and my soul. I live for her. I would die for her.
FH: You old romantic! I think it's beautiful that you're so possessive of her now that you have her. I have one more question for you and it's something you'll need to think about. Describe yourself in one word.
Julian: Steadfast.
FH: I would have gone with gorgeous. *smiles* Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
Julian: Only my thanks to you for penning the tale of our love and victory, and that I hope we can work together again in the future. Lauren has mentioned that you have had several requests for more of our tales. I am sure there is something we can do to satisfy those readers of yours. Another epic quest perhaps. Do you think they would enjoy reading it?
FH: I do. I can't wait to hear it. Thank you again for being here today, and say hi to Lauren and the gang for me. *watches his tight backside as he walks away* yum.
This weekend, Love Immortal is available for only $0.99 / £0.99 / EUR 0,99 from Amazon Kindle and from Smashwords (using a code). That's a $4 saving.
Love Immortal
Felicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she's ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she's the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.
With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?
Can she crack the armour around Julian's heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he's been through?
Only $0.99 from:
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REMEMBER: If you want Julian to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
Julian, for those not familiar with him, is the sinfully gorgeous, dark haired and icy-blue eyed immortal protector of Lauren, the latest reincarnation of a goddess he once worshipped. He also commanded her army of Arcadian soldiers in their fight against Lycaon, the vicious original werewolf who was cursed by Zeus for tricking him into eating human flesh. Julian is drop dead handsome and with a beautiful soul to match his exterior. He's skilled with his silver katana, has preternatural strength, speed, sight, hearing and senses, and is a very determined yet sensitive man. He's also one of the ancestors, along with Lauren, of what we think of as vampires. Just don't let him hear you say that!
REMEMBER: If you want Julian to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
FH: I have Julian here with me today to talk about his book, Love Immortal. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?
Julian: If necessary. I was born three thousand years ago in Arcadia, what you would think of as Greece these days, and died there. My goddess, Illia, gave me life immortal and Zeus allowed me to pass over, charging me with the duty of giving Illia's reincarnations my blood in order to awaken them. I am also her protector. Illia's blood has gifted me with preternatural strength and abilities, but because of it I also share her need for blood as sustenance. Upon my rebirth as her immortal protector, my thirst for blood awakened and I have not been able to eat or drink anything else since. It is a small price to pay for being able to continue to my duty as her commander.
FH: Can you tell us about what happened in your story?
Julian: My story has been flowing for the past three thousand years, broken into chapters that encompassed the lives of each of Illia's incarnations. The one you chose to write about was the final chapter, in which Lauren was born as the next incarnation and our paths crossed. From the moment I met her, I feared her fate would be the same as all of her predecessors and that she would fall to Lycaon's blade, the first werewolf and the man she was charged with the duty of defeating. Lycaon had killed all those that had come before her, even Illia, and had continued with his plan to gain revenge on Zeus and Olympus for the curse they had placed on him. For the first time in forever, I hoped that Lycaon would fall and I vowed to do all in my power to ensure that Lauren survived.
FH: In Love Immortal, you meet Lauren, who is the latest reincarnation of the goddess Illia. How did you meet and how did you feel about her initially?
Julian: Lauren is unlike any of the previous incarnations of my lost goddess. She is so much warmer and more compassionate than all of them, even Illia herself. Lauren made me realise that I had long been dead inside and breathed life back into me little by little, until I slowly realised my feelings for her. I had been through so much pain because of her predecessors that it was difficult for me to bring myself to trust her even when I wanted to with all of my heart. I couldn't take my eyes off her from the moment I set them on her, and I knew I had to find a way to make her mine, even risking my heart to achieve that.
FH: Your relationship with Lauren is complicated because of your role as her protector and the things that have happened in your past. Was it difficult at first?
Julian: It was very difficult. It took a lot for me to come to trust her and convince myself that she was worth the fight, and that she was different to the others and I wasn't imagining the feelings that she showed towards me. I think I frustrated her immensely at first. In fact, I know that I did. Sometimes she mentions what a pain I was and how hard I made her work. I had not realised that I had made things so difficult for her. I had only thought of guarding my heart against her because of the things that had happened to me in my past and the pain I had been through. I couldn't bear the thought of Lauren putting me through such pain too. It would have been the end of me.
FH: But it wasn't, and things turned out well for you in the end. How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?
Julian: It has been busy. We had a short period of rest together to recuperate from the battle and then went straight back to work. Lauren is very enthusiastic about her work and what she sees as her duty. We have trained hard together too, so I know that she is ready to face whatever demons may come our way. At the moment, we are working closely with Duke and are also in contact with Morgan about his werewolf problem. Lauren says that we cannot delay much longer but I have little desire to set foot in Paris again, or see that vampire. I am certain he will try to gain Lauren's affection somehow and that is something I cannot allow, and if it came to blows I know that Lauren would be angry with me. I cannot help myself when I feel someone is trying to take her from me. She is mine and I love her with all of my heart and my soul. I live for her. I would die for her.
FH: You old romantic! I think it's beautiful that you're so possessive of her now that you have her. I have one more question for you and it's something you'll need to think about. Describe yourself in one word.
Julian: Steadfast.
FH: I would have gone with gorgeous. *smiles* Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
Julian: Only my thanks to you for penning the tale of our love and victory, and that I hope we can work together again in the future. Lauren has mentioned that you have had several requests for more of our tales. I am sure there is something we can do to satisfy those readers of yours. Another epic quest perhaps. Do you think they would enjoy reading it?
FH: I do. I can't wait to hear it. Thank you again for being here today, and say hi to Lauren and the gang for me. *watches his tight backside as he walks away* yum.
This weekend, Love Immortal is available for only $0.99 / £0.99 / EUR 0,99 from Amazon Kindle and from Smashwords (using a code). That's a $4 saving.
Love ImmortalFelicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she's ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she's the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.
With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?
Can she crack the armour around Julian's heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he's been through?
Only $0.99 from:
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REMEMBER: If you want Julian to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
My favourite scene from Ascension
I have the hard task of choosing my favourite scenes from some of my books to share with you this weekend. It might sound like a lot of fun, but sometimes there is more than one scene that I really love in a book and choosing between them can be very tricky. Add to that the fact that I can't choose a scene that gives something major about the plot away and it becomes doubly tricky!
My next favourite scene is from Ascension, which is a romance between a half-demon hero and a powerful witch heroine.
Taig, the hero, has a hard time accepting his demonic side and nothing shows how vulnerable he is beneath his brash exterior than this chapter, and that's why I just had to choose it as my favourite scene. It says so much about both Taig and Lealandra.
My Favourite Scene From...AscensionTaig pulled the car to a halt just down the road and turned off the engine. It was unmistakably the Upper East Side.
"We can walk from here." He exited the car.
Lealandra followed, confused as to why he had brought her to such an affluent neighbourhood. She had thought he was taking her to his place. They walked for a while, passing beautiful apartment buildings and high-end expensive stores. When he turned and walked into a tall building, she paused on the pavement. The old sandstone façade was as graceful and stunning as those they had passed, exuding class and a high rental price tag with its elegant canopied walkway that extended out to the road. She stared at the uniformed man stood holding the highly polished glass door open. Taig lived here now?
Taig came back out, her bag in his left hand. Her raised eyebrows didn't fall even when she looked at him. They stayed there in silent question.
He shrugged. "I fancied a change."
A change? She followed him in when he turned around and glanced at the doorman as she passed him. This was more than a change. Taig's old apartment had demons for neighbours and rats in the garbage, and the only doorman had been the superintendant, a demon who had over-indulged in food to the extent that he barely fit in his human skin and liked nothing more than sitting on the steps terrorizing the local women with failed amorous advances. This was a whole new world for Taig. She studied the bright cream corridors with their perfectly polished brass and mirrors, and the polite staff that stopped cleaning as she approached and smiled at her as she passed. This was a very human world.
The only demon in the vicinity was Taig.
Had things gotten that bad since she had left him? Her shoulders slumped. Was she the reason he had moved? She hadn't left him because he was a demon. Only afterwards had she considered what kind of effect her leaving might have had on him. She had convinced herself that it wouldn't have pushed the wrong buttons. Obviously it had and in a major way.
Taig looked back at her. A hint of nerves touched his eyes for some reason and she smiled, hoping to alleviate whatever was playing on his mind. When he turned away again, her smile faded. She stared at his broad shoulders and the back of his head. This wasn't his world. He didn't belong here. A couple exited an apartment ahead, waving farewell to someone standing in the door. Lealandra guessed from their outfits that the party they had attended well into the early hours of morning wasn't the sort that would wake the neighbours and have the police banging down the door. The man wore a fine suit and the woman carried off a sparkling plum-coloured cocktail dress to perfection. Their laughter died when they spotted Taig and her. Lealandra's eyes met the woman's as they passed. Disgust shone in them.
This was their world, a human world of rules and societal structure, one in which Taig would never fit. He was the opposite of these people. Money and finery weren't things that he lived for. He was fooling himself by being here. Did he think that by standing in this world, surrounded by this kind of human, he would become one of them? They would never accept him.
Not if they knew the real him.
He stopped at a wide mahogany door, opened it and walked in, leaving it open for her. She peered in to see him slinging her black holdall onto an equally black couch in a large living room. He came back and turned into the room to her right.
Lealandra frowned when she stepped through the doorway and something tugged at her power. She turned and closed the door, and then froze when she saw the wooden doorframe.
Cuneiform-like symbols covered the wood, scratched deep into it. She couldn't understand them, just as Taig didn't understand the ancient language of witches, but they radiated power in waves so strong that she felt sick and her magic retreated. She looked at Taig where he stood in the brightly lit kitchen, rummaging through a massive dark red refrigerator.
"I take it you don't invite the neighbours in." Markings like the ones on his doorframe would make humans question his sanity.
He didn't answer her. He kept his head in the refrigerator.
When he straightened at last, he was holding two dark brown bottles of beer in his right hand, their necks wedged between his fingers.
"Drink?" He grinned and waggled the bottles.
He was ignoring her. She nodded and he opened the beers and handed one to her. She swigged it and walked further into the apartment.
It was sparsely furnished and the refrigerator provided the only colour. Everything else was either black or white. The pale walls caused the already huge apartment to appear massive. The kitchen cupboards were shiny and black, matching the polished granite work surfaces below them and on the long counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. A flat screen television that had to be over fifty inches took up a large portion of the wall to her right at the end of the living area, and a large black couch faced it, devoid of pillows and as lifeless as the empty black coffee table and the rest of the apartment.
She walked towards the couch, her footsteps loud on the wooden floor.
It looked like a showroom for expensive designer furniture and minimalist living. Not the Taig that she knew. It didn't suit him.
A closer look at the black door to the right of the television revealed that there were also markings on that doorframe. She turned to the two huge windows on her left, opposite the kitchen. The black blinds were up. Symbols covered the wooden window frames and sills.
Taig might have moved into human territory to feel more like them but his protective instincts had gone haywire because of it. Surrounded by demons, he hadn't needed to defend himself to this extent. The other demons he had lived with would have alerted everyone if they had sensed something wrong. Out here, in this human world, Taig was alone.
And it showed.
Lealandra took another swig of the beer and stared out of the windows at the myriad of buildings that crowded the scenery. She couldn't see Central Park but it was there somewhere. They were facing west. Taig always liked his apartments to face west. It was a demon thing. He had never been able to explain it rationally but she suspected it had something to do with the setting sun and the onset of night.
Night was on its way out right now. The sky was slowly lightening. She looked around the apartment for a clock but found none. No pictures or anything personal adorned the walls and table in front of her. Nothing that made it feel lived in, like a home. She wrapped one arm about herself and frowned. The whole place felt cold and lifeless. Was that how he felt inside? Was this void a physical representation of what Taig held within him?
She didn't like it. It wasn't Taig, no matter how much he believed it was.
He moved out of the kitchen, leaned his broad frame against the counter next to the square white column at the corner nearest the front door, and swigged his beer. The messy black spikes of his hair threatened to cover his equally dark eyes. He had them glued on her and they sparkled under the white ceiling spotlights.
What had happened to the man she had fallen for all those years ago?
Lealandra took a step towards him but he walked away, disappearing into the room beside the television. She rocked back on her heels when she caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye. It was odd and as out of place as Taig was in this stark environment, but it gave her hope. She walked over to the long black side cupboard that lined the back wall of the apartment and stared at it.
A picture.
It sat alone on the expansive low cupboard, right in the middle of it, as though on display. The only sign of life. A glimmer of the Taig she used to know.
The picture was no bigger than six inches tall and framed with silver. She lowered her beer to her side and studied the photograph it contained.
A dark haired and dark eyed very handsome man was smiling up at her. In his arms, a lighter haired pretty woman stood with her back against his chest. He had his arms looped under hers and his fingers tangled with hers over her stomach. Her pregnant stomach. It was large and round, stretching the seams of the flowing white top the woman wore. She looked happy enough to burst. They both did. They radiated love so strongly that Lealandra felt a hint of envy. Her gaze fell to their hands, clasped together over their future baby.
Taig.
It was such a human picture and a very human thing for him to have. It sent a chill through her, made her smile but want to cry at the same time for the things he had lost. His parents. She was sure if they had still been alive, he would have grown up differently. He would have seen his demonic power as a gift rather than a curse.
She reached out to touch it.
"Don't!" Taig's voice made her jump, the harshness and volume of it startling in the quiet room.
Lealandra withdrew her hand and then held it out a little again, fingers hovering just above the intricate markings engraved on the silver picture frame. It exuded power more potent than that protecting the doors and the windows. She closed her eyes and tried to understand it, tried to decipher what it would do if she dared to touch it. It was marked so only he could take hold of it. Her eyes opened and she stared at the photograph of his parents as her power deciphered his. It would kill anyone other than him.
He was protecting the picture more than his apartment.
Lealandra looked over her shoulder at him. He stood halfway between the bedroom door and her, shirtless and perfect, as beautiful as she remembered him. Bronzed skin stretched taut over the powerful muscles of his torso, the sight of them rekindling the desire he had stirred with his kiss in the bar. Her gaze wandered upwards, over hard pectorals and strong collarbones to the tense corded muscles of his neck, and then to his face. All sense of desire fell away when she saw his lost look and the way he was staring at the picture.
Her heart went out to him.
Taig turned away and pulled a black t-shirt on over his head, and her eyes betrayed her. They dropped to his back, watching the delightful way his muscles shifted with his movements. The mark on his left shoulder blade was barely visible, a shade or two darker than his skin. His lineage. A symbol so intricate and beautiful that it outshone any witch's mark. She had traced it with her fingers in the past, following the swirling lines and trying to distinguish their path. The whole symbol looked almost like a heart. Taig didn't see it, but then he never had liked to talk about his mark.
He never liked to talk about himself at all. He hadn't told her much about his parents, only that his mother was human and his father was a powerful demon, and that they had disappeared when he was thirteen and he believed they were dead.
She couldn't imagine how hard it had been for him to lose his parents when he was only a teenager, how hard it must have been for him to live not knowing what had happened to them, and how difficult growing up alone had been. He had gone from a world full of love to one completely devoid of it.
Taig walked away, back into the bedroom, and reappeared a few moments later with a pillow and a blanket.
"You take the room. I'll sleep out here." He flung the pillow down at one end of the black couch.
His prickly demeanour was a warning not to argue and that he wanted to be alone. Lealandra took another look at the photograph, at the happy family, and then grabbed her bag off the couch and went into his bedroom. It was as void of life as his living room and kitchen, with a solitary large double bed standing against a black wall, and two small side cupboards. The wardrobes were built-in, white to match the rest of the walls, and the black blinds on the two windows were down, blocking out the morning light. She opened them and idly traced her fingers over the markings on the frames as she stared out at the dawn.
She took a deep breath and sighed.
This room smelt like Taig.
It smelt of spices and warmth.
It comforted her.
Lealandra set the beer bottle down on the side cupboard and sat on the bed. Her dark red coat blended into his bedcovers. She ran her hands outwards, feeling the lingering presence of him in the room and on the bedclothes. At least she would feel safe while she slept, imagining him wrapped around her, holding her close. She shut her eyes and fell back onto the bed. She wanted to ask him to hold her but that would only lead to trouble and she still wasn't sure what Taig wanted from her or if he still had feelings for her.
Her focus shifted to him.
Was he lying in the living room wondering what she was thinking, just as she wanted to know what was going on in his mind?
Rolling away so her back was to him, she frowned when she noticed the slim black phone beside his bed.
Matthew.
She picked up the phone and dialled his number. It was early enough in the morning that he might already be awake. If he wasn't, then she hoped it waked him. She had to speak to him. The call connected and she listened to it ringing at the other end.
"Hello." The sound of Matthew's sleepy voice swept her back to her old life and a time when magic had been all about having fun.
Now it was anything but that. It was dangerous and she was forever on the verge of losing control to it. She longed to go back to those happier times and then her senses shifted to Taig and she didn't want to go back after all. Even though her magic was more powerful now and life was difficult, no longer carefree and full of laughter, she wouldn't sacrifice it and her tentative relationship with Taig in order to return to her old life.
"It's Lea." She swallowed and didn't give him a chance to say anything. "I know my coven have contacted you. Don't come to New York, Matthew. It's too dangerous and I... I don't want to see you hurt too."
He yawned and she heard material rustling as he moved.
"Lea, what's wrong? This Gregori calls me out of the blue and says that you're in trouble and need a new Counter-Balance, and now you're calling me to tell me to keep away? I'm coming to see you. Just tell me where you are."
"No." Her heart beat faster at the thought of him trying to find her. She didn't want him anywhere near the city. "I mean it, Matthew, stay away. I'll be fine. I have all the protection I need, but I might lose that if you come here. I can't guarantee your safety. Once I've made it through this, I'll come to see you and everyone, I promise."
"Does your protection have a name?" There was a smile in Matthew's voice. She smiled too. When she had left Taig, she had spent a few days with her old coven before leaving for her new one. Matthew had been her shoulder to cry on. He had held her together, spending almost a day listening to her and letting her cry all she wanted and not saying a word out of place. Without him, she would have fallen apart completely.
"I think you know his name."
"I also know that I'm not needed then. I won't come... but if you do need me, you only have to call, okay?"
"Okay." She nodded and held the phone for a moment. "Don't tell Gregori. Just... go abroad for a while or something."
"You're that worried? You don't need to answer that. I can almost see your frown from here." He laughed and then sighed. "I've always wanted to visit Europe. Maybe our coven will go out of town for a while. How does a month sound?"
"Perfect... thank you."
"No, thank you. I might have walked into a war and the last person I want to fight with is you. Call me if you need me and I'll be right there. Stay safe, yes?" The concern in his tone touched her and she held the phone tighter, wishing she could see Matthew and hug him instead. He would be a powerful ally in her time of need, and could help her survive her ascension, but she couldn't risk him. It was better that he stayed away until everything blew over.
"You too." She ended the call before she faltered and asked him to come to her, and her attention moved back to Taig.
The impulse to go to him was strong and almost impossible to resist. She wanted to talk to him, to unlock his secrets and ease his pain. It laced his aura, a physical thing that she could sense as if it were her own.
Her brow furrowed and she stared at the wall, not seeing it. Just feeling him.
Lealandra knew that he didn't like himself and that his part-demon part-human status left him feeling as though he had nowhere to belong. If she could find her voice, she would tell him that he did belong somewhere—he belonged here on Earth, with her.
But she couldn't.
Countless times, she had planned to tell him that and every time she had failed. No matter how often she had practiced it in mirrors or recited it to herself while she showered, whenever it came time to say it to his face, the words fled her lips and her voice died.
She lay on the bed, not brave or strong enough to face him and make him believe her.
He would argue against it and she would crumble.
She had to find the right moment, the precise point when Taig would actually believe her, and then she would try to tell him. All she could do right now was let him know that he wasn't alone in the world and that her feelings for him hadn't changed. If he wanted her, all he had to do was come and claim her, to make her see that he still felt something for her too and the games he was playing were only because he had been hurt.
Lealandra stood and removed her coat, folding it neatly and placing it on one of the side tables. She pulled her boots off and then began to unlace her corset but stopped. It had to be now. This was the perfect moment for giving him at least a sign that she still loved him.
Her footsteps were silent on the beech wood floorboards. She crossed the room to the door and hesitated on the threshold.
Taig lay on his back on the couch, bare chest exposed and one arm under his head and the pillow. His other hand rested on his stomach. The slow rise and fall of it said that he was asleep. Well, at least one of them was relaxed enough to sleep. Clearly, thoughts of her hadn't been playing on his mind and keeping him awake after all. She crept into the room. The light was low with the black blinds down and she knocked the coffee table. Taig's empty beer bottle wobbled at the corner nearest him, threatening to fall and spoil the moment, and then stilled again. She edged around the table and eased to her knees at his head.
Her fingers trembled as she brought her hand up and swept the long strands of black hair from his face, clearing his eyes. He really was beautiful when he wasn't shooting his mouth off or trying to make her angry. She ran her fingers over his brow, following the line of his dark eyebrows, and then trailed them slowly down over the contours of his cheekbones and jaw.
He frowned and turned his face towards her before opening his eyes. Their black depths met hers and she smiled.
Confusion filled his eyes.
Lealandra leaned towards him, closed her eyes, and brushed her lips against his. It took him a moment to respond and butterflies danced in her stomach and chest when he kept the kiss light. His tongue traced her lips and hers came to meet it, softly tangling with his and luring it into her mouth. He tasted of beer but she didn't mind. She was sure that she did too. She dropped her hand to his neck and leaned in closer, wanting more, and then reminded herself that this wasn't supposed to go anywhere, not tonight, and if she kept going, it would do just that.
After one final brush of her lips over his, she pulled back.
Taig stared at her, eyes wide and lips parted.
"That's how I kiss goodnight," she whispered and rose to her feet.
His gaze tracked her across the room. She trembled inside, wondering if her goodnight kiss had been a wise idea and whether Taig would come to her.
She fell flat on her front on the bed and sighed.
It had been a stupid idea.
She touched her lips.
It had been nice though.
She focused on Taig and realised that he was doing the same, using his power to sense her.
The ball was in his court now.
Remember you can download Ascension for FREE today on Amazon Kindle!
Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.
With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig's blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.
Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he's not a monster but the man that she loves?
genre: paranormal romance
length: 91000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
My next favourite scene is from Ascension, which is a romance between a half-demon hero and a powerful witch heroine.
Taig, the hero, has a hard time accepting his demonic side and nothing shows how vulnerable he is beneath his brash exterior than this chapter, and that's why I just had to choose it as my favourite scene. It says so much about both Taig and Lealandra.
My Favourite Scene From...AscensionTaig pulled the car to a halt just down the road and turned off the engine. It was unmistakably the Upper East Side.
"We can walk from here." He exited the car.
Lealandra followed, confused as to why he had brought her to such an affluent neighbourhood. She had thought he was taking her to his place. They walked for a while, passing beautiful apartment buildings and high-end expensive stores. When he turned and walked into a tall building, she paused on the pavement. The old sandstone façade was as graceful and stunning as those they had passed, exuding class and a high rental price tag with its elegant canopied walkway that extended out to the road. She stared at the uniformed man stood holding the highly polished glass door open. Taig lived here now?
Taig came back out, her bag in his left hand. Her raised eyebrows didn't fall even when she looked at him. They stayed there in silent question.
He shrugged. "I fancied a change."
A change? She followed him in when he turned around and glanced at the doorman as she passed him. This was more than a change. Taig's old apartment had demons for neighbours and rats in the garbage, and the only doorman had been the superintendant, a demon who had over-indulged in food to the extent that he barely fit in his human skin and liked nothing more than sitting on the steps terrorizing the local women with failed amorous advances. This was a whole new world for Taig. She studied the bright cream corridors with their perfectly polished brass and mirrors, and the polite staff that stopped cleaning as she approached and smiled at her as she passed. This was a very human world.
The only demon in the vicinity was Taig.
Had things gotten that bad since she had left him? Her shoulders slumped. Was she the reason he had moved? She hadn't left him because he was a demon. Only afterwards had she considered what kind of effect her leaving might have had on him. She had convinced herself that it wouldn't have pushed the wrong buttons. Obviously it had and in a major way.
Taig looked back at her. A hint of nerves touched his eyes for some reason and she smiled, hoping to alleviate whatever was playing on his mind. When he turned away again, her smile faded. She stared at his broad shoulders and the back of his head. This wasn't his world. He didn't belong here. A couple exited an apartment ahead, waving farewell to someone standing in the door. Lealandra guessed from their outfits that the party they had attended well into the early hours of morning wasn't the sort that would wake the neighbours and have the police banging down the door. The man wore a fine suit and the woman carried off a sparkling plum-coloured cocktail dress to perfection. Their laughter died when they spotted Taig and her. Lealandra's eyes met the woman's as they passed. Disgust shone in them.
This was their world, a human world of rules and societal structure, one in which Taig would never fit. He was the opposite of these people. Money and finery weren't things that he lived for. He was fooling himself by being here. Did he think that by standing in this world, surrounded by this kind of human, he would become one of them? They would never accept him.
Not if they knew the real him.
He stopped at a wide mahogany door, opened it and walked in, leaving it open for her. She peered in to see him slinging her black holdall onto an equally black couch in a large living room. He came back and turned into the room to her right.
Lealandra frowned when she stepped through the doorway and something tugged at her power. She turned and closed the door, and then froze when she saw the wooden doorframe.
Cuneiform-like symbols covered the wood, scratched deep into it. She couldn't understand them, just as Taig didn't understand the ancient language of witches, but they radiated power in waves so strong that she felt sick and her magic retreated. She looked at Taig where he stood in the brightly lit kitchen, rummaging through a massive dark red refrigerator.
"I take it you don't invite the neighbours in." Markings like the ones on his doorframe would make humans question his sanity.
He didn't answer her. He kept his head in the refrigerator.
When he straightened at last, he was holding two dark brown bottles of beer in his right hand, their necks wedged between his fingers.
"Drink?" He grinned and waggled the bottles.
He was ignoring her. She nodded and he opened the beers and handed one to her. She swigged it and walked further into the apartment.
It was sparsely furnished and the refrigerator provided the only colour. Everything else was either black or white. The pale walls caused the already huge apartment to appear massive. The kitchen cupboards were shiny and black, matching the polished granite work surfaces below them and on the long counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. A flat screen television that had to be over fifty inches took up a large portion of the wall to her right at the end of the living area, and a large black couch faced it, devoid of pillows and as lifeless as the empty black coffee table and the rest of the apartment.
She walked towards the couch, her footsteps loud on the wooden floor.
It looked like a showroom for expensive designer furniture and minimalist living. Not the Taig that she knew. It didn't suit him.
A closer look at the black door to the right of the television revealed that there were also markings on that doorframe. She turned to the two huge windows on her left, opposite the kitchen. The black blinds were up. Symbols covered the wooden window frames and sills.
Taig might have moved into human territory to feel more like them but his protective instincts had gone haywire because of it. Surrounded by demons, he hadn't needed to defend himself to this extent. The other demons he had lived with would have alerted everyone if they had sensed something wrong. Out here, in this human world, Taig was alone.
And it showed.
Lealandra took another swig of the beer and stared out of the windows at the myriad of buildings that crowded the scenery. She couldn't see Central Park but it was there somewhere. They were facing west. Taig always liked his apartments to face west. It was a demon thing. He had never been able to explain it rationally but she suspected it had something to do with the setting sun and the onset of night.
Night was on its way out right now. The sky was slowly lightening. She looked around the apartment for a clock but found none. No pictures or anything personal adorned the walls and table in front of her. Nothing that made it feel lived in, like a home. She wrapped one arm about herself and frowned. The whole place felt cold and lifeless. Was that how he felt inside? Was this void a physical representation of what Taig held within him?
She didn't like it. It wasn't Taig, no matter how much he believed it was.
He moved out of the kitchen, leaned his broad frame against the counter next to the square white column at the corner nearest the front door, and swigged his beer. The messy black spikes of his hair threatened to cover his equally dark eyes. He had them glued on her and they sparkled under the white ceiling spotlights.
What had happened to the man she had fallen for all those years ago?
Lealandra took a step towards him but he walked away, disappearing into the room beside the television. She rocked back on her heels when she caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye. It was odd and as out of place as Taig was in this stark environment, but it gave her hope. She walked over to the long black side cupboard that lined the back wall of the apartment and stared at it.
A picture.
It sat alone on the expansive low cupboard, right in the middle of it, as though on display. The only sign of life. A glimmer of the Taig she used to know.
The picture was no bigger than six inches tall and framed with silver. She lowered her beer to her side and studied the photograph it contained.
A dark haired and dark eyed very handsome man was smiling up at her. In his arms, a lighter haired pretty woman stood with her back against his chest. He had his arms looped under hers and his fingers tangled with hers over her stomach. Her pregnant stomach. It was large and round, stretching the seams of the flowing white top the woman wore. She looked happy enough to burst. They both did. They radiated love so strongly that Lealandra felt a hint of envy. Her gaze fell to their hands, clasped together over their future baby.
Taig.
It was such a human picture and a very human thing for him to have. It sent a chill through her, made her smile but want to cry at the same time for the things he had lost. His parents. She was sure if they had still been alive, he would have grown up differently. He would have seen his demonic power as a gift rather than a curse.
She reached out to touch it.
"Don't!" Taig's voice made her jump, the harshness and volume of it startling in the quiet room.
Lealandra withdrew her hand and then held it out a little again, fingers hovering just above the intricate markings engraved on the silver picture frame. It exuded power more potent than that protecting the doors and the windows. She closed her eyes and tried to understand it, tried to decipher what it would do if she dared to touch it. It was marked so only he could take hold of it. Her eyes opened and she stared at the photograph of his parents as her power deciphered his. It would kill anyone other than him.
He was protecting the picture more than his apartment.
Lealandra looked over her shoulder at him. He stood halfway between the bedroom door and her, shirtless and perfect, as beautiful as she remembered him. Bronzed skin stretched taut over the powerful muscles of his torso, the sight of them rekindling the desire he had stirred with his kiss in the bar. Her gaze wandered upwards, over hard pectorals and strong collarbones to the tense corded muscles of his neck, and then to his face. All sense of desire fell away when she saw his lost look and the way he was staring at the picture.
Her heart went out to him.
Taig turned away and pulled a black t-shirt on over his head, and her eyes betrayed her. They dropped to his back, watching the delightful way his muscles shifted with his movements. The mark on his left shoulder blade was barely visible, a shade or two darker than his skin. His lineage. A symbol so intricate and beautiful that it outshone any witch's mark. She had traced it with her fingers in the past, following the swirling lines and trying to distinguish their path. The whole symbol looked almost like a heart. Taig didn't see it, but then he never had liked to talk about his mark.
He never liked to talk about himself at all. He hadn't told her much about his parents, only that his mother was human and his father was a powerful demon, and that they had disappeared when he was thirteen and he believed they were dead.
She couldn't imagine how hard it had been for him to lose his parents when he was only a teenager, how hard it must have been for him to live not knowing what had happened to them, and how difficult growing up alone had been. He had gone from a world full of love to one completely devoid of it.
Taig walked away, back into the bedroom, and reappeared a few moments later with a pillow and a blanket.
"You take the room. I'll sleep out here." He flung the pillow down at one end of the black couch.
His prickly demeanour was a warning not to argue and that he wanted to be alone. Lealandra took another look at the photograph, at the happy family, and then grabbed her bag off the couch and went into his bedroom. It was as void of life as his living room and kitchen, with a solitary large double bed standing against a black wall, and two small side cupboards. The wardrobes were built-in, white to match the rest of the walls, and the black blinds on the two windows were down, blocking out the morning light. She opened them and idly traced her fingers over the markings on the frames as she stared out at the dawn.
She took a deep breath and sighed.
This room smelt like Taig.
It smelt of spices and warmth.
It comforted her.
Lealandra set the beer bottle down on the side cupboard and sat on the bed. Her dark red coat blended into his bedcovers. She ran her hands outwards, feeling the lingering presence of him in the room and on the bedclothes. At least she would feel safe while she slept, imagining him wrapped around her, holding her close. She shut her eyes and fell back onto the bed. She wanted to ask him to hold her but that would only lead to trouble and she still wasn't sure what Taig wanted from her or if he still had feelings for her.
Her focus shifted to him.
Was he lying in the living room wondering what she was thinking, just as she wanted to know what was going on in his mind?
Rolling away so her back was to him, she frowned when she noticed the slim black phone beside his bed.
Matthew.
She picked up the phone and dialled his number. It was early enough in the morning that he might already be awake. If he wasn't, then she hoped it waked him. She had to speak to him. The call connected and she listened to it ringing at the other end.
"Hello." The sound of Matthew's sleepy voice swept her back to her old life and a time when magic had been all about having fun.
Now it was anything but that. It was dangerous and she was forever on the verge of losing control to it. She longed to go back to those happier times and then her senses shifted to Taig and she didn't want to go back after all. Even though her magic was more powerful now and life was difficult, no longer carefree and full of laughter, she wouldn't sacrifice it and her tentative relationship with Taig in order to return to her old life.
"It's Lea." She swallowed and didn't give him a chance to say anything. "I know my coven have contacted you. Don't come to New York, Matthew. It's too dangerous and I... I don't want to see you hurt too."
He yawned and she heard material rustling as he moved.
"Lea, what's wrong? This Gregori calls me out of the blue and says that you're in trouble and need a new Counter-Balance, and now you're calling me to tell me to keep away? I'm coming to see you. Just tell me where you are."
"No." Her heart beat faster at the thought of him trying to find her. She didn't want him anywhere near the city. "I mean it, Matthew, stay away. I'll be fine. I have all the protection I need, but I might lose that if you come here. I can't guarantee your safety. Once I've made it through this, I'll come to see you and everyone, I promise."
"Does your protection have a name?" There was a smile in Matthew's voice. She smiled too. When she had left Taig, she had spent a few days with her old coven before leaving for her new one. Matthew had been her shoulder to cry on. He had held her together, spending almost a day listening to her and letting her cry all she wanted and not saying a word out of place. Without him, she would have fallen apart completely.
"I think you know his name."
"I also know that I'm not needed then. I won't come... but if you do need me, you only have to call, okay?"
"Okay." She nodded and held the phone for a moment. "Don't tell Gregori. Just... go abroad for a while or something."
"You're that worried? You don't need to answer that. I can almost see your frown from here." He laughed and then sighed. "I've always wanted to visit Europe. Maybe our coven will go out of town for a while. How does a month sound?"
"Perfect... thank you."
"No, thank you. I might have walked into a war and the last person I want to fight with is you. Call me if you need me and I'll be right there. Stay safe, yes?" The concern in his tone touched her and she held the phone tighter, wishing she could see Matthew and hug him instead. He would be a powerful ally in her time of need, and could help her survive her ascension, but she couldn't risk him. It was better that he stayed away until everything blew over.
"You too." She ended the call before she faltered and asked him to come to her, and her attention moved back to Taig.
The impulse to go to him was strong and almost impossible to resist. She wanted to talk to him, to unlock his secrets and ease his pain. It laced his aura, a physical thing that she could sense as if it were her own.
Her brow furrowed and she stared at the wall, not seeing it. Just feeling him.
Lealandra knew that he didn't like himself and that his part-demon part-human status left him feeling as though he had nowhere to belong. If she could find her voice, she would tell him that he did belong somewhere—he belonged here on Earth, with her.
But she couldn't.
Countless times, she had planned to tell him that and every time she had failed. No matter how often she had practiced it in mirrors or recited it to herself while she showered, whenever it came time to say it to his face, the words fled her lips and her voice died.
She lay on the bed, not brave or strong enough to face him and make him believe her.
He would argue against it and she would crumble.
She had to find the right moment, the precise point when Taig would actually believe her, and then she would try to tell him. All she could do right now was let him know that he wasn't alone in the world and that her feelings for him hadn't changed. If he wanted her, all he had to do was come and claim her, to make her see that he still felt something for her too and the games he was playing were only because he had been hurt.
Lealandra stood and removed her coat, folding it neatly and placing it on one of the side tables. She pulled her boots off and then began to unlace her corset but stopped. It had to be now. This was the perfect moment for giving him at least a sign that she still loved him.
Her footsteps were silent on the beech wood floorboards. She crossed the room to the door and hesitated on the threshold.
Taig lay on his back on the couch, bare chest exposed and one arm under his head and the pillow. His other hand rested on his stomach. The slow rise and fall of it said that he was asleep. Well, at least one of them was relaxed enough to sleep. Clearly, thoughts of her hadn't been playing on his mind and keeping him awake after all. She crept into the room. The light was low with the black blinds down and she knocked the coffee table. Taig's empty beer bottle wobbled at the corner nearest him, threatening to fall and spoil the moment, and then stilled again. She edged around the table and eased to her knees at his head.
Her fingers trembled as she brought her hand up and swept the long strands of black hair from his face, clearing his eyes. He really was beautiful when he wasn't shooting his mouth off or trying to make her angry. She ran her fingers over his brow, following the line of his dark eyebrows, and then trailed them slowly down over the contours of his cheekbones and jaw.
He frowned and turned his face towards her before opening his eyes. Their black depths met hers and she smiled.
Confusion filled his eyes.
Lealandra leaned towards him, closed her eyes, and brushed her lips against his. It took him a moment to respond and butterflies danced in her stomach and chest when he kept the kiss light. His tongue traced her lips and hers came to meet it, softly tangling with his and luring it into her mouth. He tasted of beer but she didn't mind. She was sure that she did too. She dropped her hand to his neck and leaned in closer, wanting more, and then reminded herself that this wasn't supposed to go anywhere, not tonight, and if she kept going, it would do just that.
After one final brush of her lips over his, she pulled back.
Taig stared at her, eyes wide and lips parted.
"That's how I kiss goodnight," she whispered and rose to her feet.
His gaze tracked her across the room. She trembled inside, wondering if her goodnight kiss had been a wise idea and whether Taig would come to her.
She fell flat on her front on the bed and sighed.
It had been a stupid idea.
She touched her lips.
It had been nice though.
She focused on Taig and realised that he was doing the same, using his power to sense her.
The ball was in his court now.
Remember you can download Ascension for FREE today on Amazon Kindle!
AscensionFelicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.
With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig's blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.
Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he's not a monster but the man that she loves?
genre: paranormal romance
length: 91000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
Interview with Kearn from Forbidden Blood
I've lured a rather handsome silver haired vampire venator into my lovely interview room. I shall introduce you all to Kearn, the leading man in my vampire romance book,
Forbidden Blood
.
The book is FREE this weekend on Amazon Kindle (see the end of the interview for links)
(Kearn enters, swiftly crosses the room, dressed in a very fine white shirt and black trousers, and sits in the black velvet armchair opposite me. His silver-white hair is tucked neatly behind his ears and his green eyes pierce mine. I glance down to catch a glimpse of the elaborate silver markings that cover his right hand to his fingertips. The design covers all the way to his shoulder and isn't a tattoo, it's a link to the endless dark given to him by the Sovereignty when he took on the role of Venator. A Venator is a sort of hunter.)
REMEMBER: If you want Kearn to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
FH: So, Kearn... it's great to see you again. How about we start off with you telling everyone a little about yourself?
KEARN: I am a Venator for the vampire species. I was chosen to succeed my father in his role as Venator for House Savernake. I was not happy with this, and I still resent the Sovereignty for the pain they caused my family and myself by forcing this role upon myself rather than passing it to my older brother, Kyran. A Venator is a hunter. It is my duty to carry out the sentence on vampires known to have broken the law. It is not a duty that I relish. I wish I were free of it, but that can only come through death or retirement, and I am a long way from either. I have a reason to live now. It was given to me by my beloved Amber.
FH: Can you tell us about what happened in your story?
KEARN: Most certainly. I was pursuing a known Source Blood abuser and had been hunting him for several years prior to the night I stumbled upon Amber under attack by a group of vampires. As a Venator, it is my duty to protect humans from my kind. I had not realised that she was a Source Blood, and by chance, the man who had sought to control her turned out to be the one I was looking for. He is elusive as the wind but with Amber's help I was finally able to track him down and sentence him. It was difficult for me, and I do not think I could have done it without Amber's assistance.
FH: As you mentioned, you meet Amber in your story, Forbidden Blood. How did you feel about her initially?
KEARN: (sighs) The benefit of hindsight is a beautiful thing. Now I can see with clarity that I was falling for her from the moment I set eyes on her, before I first tasted her blood. At the time, I believed myself indifferent and purely under the influence of her blood. Source Blood is rare. It is a gene in the blood of a specific line of humans, and it can bestow godlike powers upon vampires. It is also highly addictive. When we first met, I was reluctant to interact with humans. Amber was the first human I had actually worked with. Most of the time they are dead by the time I reach them. She entranced me so quickly that I was under her spell before I could realise what was happening, and that only put her life in more danger. She was an easy target for the man I was hunting and he knew that he could use her to weaken me and drive me to act on impulse rather than rationally.
FH: Your relationship with Amber was complicated because she's human, and a Source Blood, and it's illegal for you to taste her. Was it difficult around her after you had taken a sip of her blood?
KEARN: Extremely. It had been a long time since I had tasted Source Blood and the effects of Amber's on me were stronger than I had anticipated. Her blood is divine, a drug more addictive than anything else on this planet, and once I had tasted it, I wanted more. I could not help myself and it was difficult to control myself around her. That one sip triggered hunger in me stronger than any I had felt before and I craved her. Not just her blood though. I craved the whole of her. I needed her to be mine and I knew it was asking a lot of her after everything I had already put her through, but she is so beautiful, and she did not shy away or think me a monster because of what I was or what I desired from her. She accepted me and she brought me back to life and filled my world with light, chasing back the darkness.
FH: That's beautiful. For all your growl and menacing edge, you're a big softie when it comes to Amber. How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?
KEARN: It has been quiet for the past few months. Amber is settling into her new life and says that she learns something new each night that we wake together and I teach her about the ways of my kind. Society has accepted her in a way I could not have wished or hoped for. Archduke Pendragon saw to that. We still turn heads at the balls and Amber's name is on everyone's lips. They are very eager to see how she turns out. I have been working with some of the other vampire Venators and the Sovereignty on matters regarding our species. It keeps me busy but I always find time for Amber. I want her to never feel that she is alone. She comes with me wherever I go when she can, and is becoming a very good ambassador for better treatment of humans who are brought into our world and are in transition.
FH: Your story, Forbidden Blood, is a book in a series. Can you tell us a little about the series and can we expect see more of you in other stories in this series?
KEARN: I believe that we are in the next book. The whole series follows the vampire Venators in their missions for the Sovereignty, a ruling body of demons that govern the nine demon species. They are the remains of their species, and countless centuries old, and extremely powerful. They bless their Venators with the power to sentence those who break the law. For a vampire, the weapon comes in the form of silver markings that cover the length of our strongest arm, in my case my right, but some are left-handed. Vampires have only a few laws that we uphold, and they are all related to Source Blood. I am not sure of the laws of the other species. Vampires do not tend to interact with them if we can avoid it, although I am aware that many of them share a complex society like ours. Lycanthropes and therianthropes in particular. I am told that the therianthropes are generally broken into two groups, the ailuranthropes, or those who shift into a cat form, and the rest. Vampires do not tend to associate with either group, but there are times when we are required to work together.
FH: Describe yourself in one word?
KEARN: Loyal.
FH: Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you'd like to add before you leave?
KEARN: I wish to thank you for taking this time to interview me, and I also hope that you will be able to interview Amber too as she was very excited to hear that I was coming to see you to answer these questions. I am sure she would find it a pleasant change to her usual daily routine, and would like to meet with you again. I would also like to extend my thanks to the humans reading this, and to offer words of comfort in that the Venators are there to protect them should any of them be Source Bloods. I hope they will read, and enjoy my story, and also the glimpse it gives of my world.
FH: Ah, you're always so very eloquent. I'll let you get on now as I'm sure you're busy as always.
(Kearn nods, rises from the seat and leaves the room without a backward glance. I have the feeling he's going to tell Amber about the interview)
Did you all enjoy this interview with Kearn? If you would like to know more about this vampire and his love story, then you can download it FREE today on Amazon Kindle!
Forbidden Blood
Felicity Heaton
In a dark world where vampires exist and where Source Blood, a rare human blood type, can bestow godlike powers upon them, the vampire Venators of the Sovereignty fight to protect the humans by banishing those who drink it to the endless dark.
Exiled from his family and with only his duty to sustain him, Kearn has been on the trail of an elusive Source Blood abuser for three years. When he saves a beautiful human female from the vampire's grasp, it turns out she's the lead he's been waiting for. Amber is a Source Blood and the perfect bait, but for who?
As they race to catch the vampire and survive the cruel games he plays, Amber is pulled deeper into Kearn's world and discovers the painful secrets he hides behind his handsome but emotionless exterior—hurt that she has the power to heal if she is brave enough.
Forbidden Blood is book one in the Vampire Venators series and a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.
FREE on Amazon Kindle this weekend!
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
REMEMBER: If you want Kearn to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
The book is FREE this weekend on Amazon Kindle (see the end of the interview for links)
(Kearn enters, swiftly crosses the room, dressed in a very fine white shirt and black trousers, and sits in the black velvet armchair opposite me. His silver-white hair is tucked neatly behind his ears and his green eyes pierce mine. I glance down to catch a glimpse of the elaborate silver markings that cover his right hand to his fingertips. The design covers all the way to his shoulder and isn't a tattoo, it's a link to the endless dark given to him by the Sovereignty when he took on the role of Venator. A Venator is a sort of hunter.)
REMEMBER: If you want Kearn to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
FH: So, Kearn... it's great to see you again. How about we start off with you telling everyone a little about yourself?
KEARN: I am a Venator for the vampire species. I was chosen to succeed my father in his role as Venator for House Savernake. I was not happy with this, and I still resent the Sovereignty for the pain they caused my family and myself by forcing this role upon myself rather than passing it to my older brother, Kyran. A Venator is a hunter. It is my duty to carry out the sentence on vampires known to have broken the law. It is not a duty that I relish. I wish I were free of it, but that can only come through death or retirement, and I am a long way from either. I have a reason to live now. It was given to me by my beloved Amber.
FH: Can you tell us about what happened in your story?
KEARN: Most certainly. I was pursuing a known Source Blood abuser and had been hunting him for several years prior to the night I stumbled upon Amber under attack by a group of vampires. As a Venator, it is my duty to protect humans from my kind. I had not realised that she was a Source Blood, and by chance, the man who had sought to control her turned out to be the one I was looking for. He is elusive as the wind but with Amber's help I was finally able to track him down and sentence him. It was difficult for me, and I do not think I could have done it without Amber's assistance.
FH: As you mentioned, you meet Amber in your story, Forbidden Blood. How did you feel about her initially?
KEARN: (sighs) The benefit of hindsight is a beautiful thing. Now I can see with clarity that I was falling for her from the moment I set eyes on her, before I first tasted her blood. At the time, I believed myself indifferent and purely under the influence of her blood. Source Blood is rare. It is a gene in the blood of a specific line of humans, and it can bestow godlike powers upon vampires. It is also highly addictive. When we first met, I was reluctant to interact with humans. Amber was the first human I had actually worked with. Most of the time they are dead by the time I reach them. She entranced me so quickly that I was under her spell before I could realise what was happening, and that only put her life in more danger. She was an easy target for the man I was hunting and he knew that he could use her to weaken me and drive me to act on impulse rather than rationally.
FH: Your relationship with Amber was complicated because she's human, and a Source Blood, and it's illegal for you to taste her. Was it difficult around her after you had taken a sip of her blood?
KEARN: Extremely. It had been a long time since I had tasted Source Blood and the effects of Amber's on me were stronger than I had anticipated. Her blood is divine, a drug more addictive than anything else on this planet, and once I had tasted it, I wanted more. I could not help myself and it was difficult to control myself around her. That one sip triggered hunger in me stronger than any I had felt before and I craved her. Not just her blood though. I craved the whole of her. I needed her to be mine and I knew it was asking a lot of her after everything I had already put her through, but she is so beautiful, and she did not shy away or think me a monster because of what I was or what I desired from her. She accepted me and she brought me back to life and filled my world with light, chasing back the darkness.
FH: That's beautiful. For all your growl and menacing edge, you're a big softie when it comes to Amber. How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?
KEARN: It has been quiet for the past few months. Amber is settling into her new life and says that she learns something new each night that we wake together and I teach her about the ways of my kind. Society has accepted her in a way I could not have wished or hoped for. Archduke Pendragon saw to that. We still turn heads at the balls and Amber's name is on everyone's lips. They are very eager to see how she turns out. I have been working with some of the other vampire Venators and the Sovereignty on matters regarding our species. It keeps me busy but I always find time for Amber. I want her to never feel that she is alone. She comes with me wherever I go when she can, and is becoming a very good ambassador for better treatment of humans who are brought into our world and are in transition.
FH: Your story, Forbidden Blood, is a book in a series. Can you tell us a little about the series and can we expect see more of you in other stories in this series?
KEARN: I believe that we are in the next book. The whole series follows the vampire Venators in their missions for the Sovereignty, a ruling body of demons that govern the nine demon species. They are the remains of their species, and countless centuries old, and extremely powerful. They bless their Venators with the power to sentence those who break the law. For a vampire, the weapon comes in the form of silver markings that cover the length of our strongest arm, in my case my right, but some are left-handed. Vampires have only a few laws that we uphold, and they are all related to Source Blood. I am not sure of the laws of the other species. Vampires do not tend to interact with them if we can avoid it, although I am aware that many of them share a complex society like ours. Lycanthropes and therianthropes in particular. I am told that the therianthropes are generally broken into two groups, the ailuranthropes, or those who shift into a cat form, and the rest. Vampires do not tend to associate with either group, but there are times when we are required to work together.
FH: Describe yourself in one word?
KEARN: Loyal.
FH: Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you'd like to add before you leave?
KEARN: I wish to thank you for taking this time to interview me, and I also hope that you will be able to interview Amber too as she was very excited to hear that I was coming to see you to answer these questions. I am sure she would find it a pleasant change to her usual daily routine, and would like to meet with you again. I would also like to extend my thanks to the humans reading this, and to offer words of comfort in that the Venators are there to protect them should any of them be Source Bloods. I hope they will read, and enjoy my story, and also the glimpse it gives of my world.
FH: Ah, you're always so very eloquent. I'll let you get on now as I'm sure you're busy as always.
(Kearn nods, rises from the seat and leaves the room without a backward glance. I have the feeling he's going to tell Amber about the interview)
Did you all enjoy this interview with Kearn? If you would like to know more about this vampire and his love story, then you can download it FREE today on Amazon Kindle!
Forbidden Blood
Felicity Heaton
In a dark world where vampires exist and where Source Blood, a rare human blood type, can bestow godlike powers upon them, the vampire Venators of the Sovereignty fight to protect the humans by banishing those who drink it to the endless dark.
Exiled from his family and with only his duty to sustain him, Kearn has been on the trail of an elusive Source Blood abuser for three years. When he saves a beautiful human female from the vampire's grasp, it turns out she's the lead he's been waiting for. Amber is a Source Blood and the perfect bait, but for who?
As they race to catch the vampire and survive the cruel games he plays, Amber is pulled deeper into Kearn's world and discovers the painful secrets he hides behind his handsome but emotionless exterior—hurt that she has the power to heal if she is brave enough.
Forbidden Blood is book one in the Vampire Venators series and a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.
FREE on Amazon Kindle this weekend!
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
REMEMBER: If you want Kearn to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I'll pass it on to him and he'll answer it for you.
Welcome to day three of my Birthday Bash event - last day to grab some free ebooks!
Good morning everyone. It's a chilly day in the UK and I'm slowly waking up with a good cuppa joe and a fab bacon and egg sandwich. Well, I am the birthday girl after all.
I have another great day of posts for you today, and it's great to see so many people entering into the competitions. Don't forget to download all your free books and tell all your friends too.
Here's a list of yesterday's posts and remember that all the posts are linked from the Birthday Bash page .
Welcome to day two!Fantastic FREE paranormal romance books!Character Interview - Aleksandr from Heart of DarknessMy Favourite Scene - from Her Dark AngelMain Competition - Win a $100 AMAZON GCCharacter Interview - Apollyon from Her Dark AngelFlash Fiction - Love Under the Moonlight - Julian and LaurenMy Favourite Scene - from Forbidden Blood
Today is the last chance to download the three free Amazon Kindle ebooks I have on offer, so don't miss those:
FREE paranormal romance ebooks on Kindle on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th only:
Forbidden Blood
Felicity Heaton
In a dark world where vampires exist and where Source Blood, a rare human blood type, can bestow godlike powers upon them, the vampire Venators of the Sovereignty fight to protect the humans by banishing those who drink it to the endless dark.
Exiled from his family and with only his duty to sustain him, Kearn has been on the trail of an elusive Source Blood abuser for three years. When he saves a beautiful human female from the vampire's grasp, it turns out she's the lead he's been waiting for. Amber is a Source Blood and the perfect bait, but for who?
As they race to catch the vampire and survive the cruel games he plays, Amber is pulled deeper into Kearn's world and discovers the painful secrets he hides behind his handsome but emotionless exterior—hurt that she has the power to heal if she is brave enough.
Forbidden Blood is a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 126000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.
With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig's blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.
Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he's not a monster but the man that she loves?
genre: paranormal romance
length: 91000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
In Heat: Mating Call
Felicity Heaton
The English winter weather has no chance of cooling Kim down when her dreams of Erik return, and this time they're hotter than ever! Having spent the past two years waiting to be in heat again so she can mate with her black panther shape-shifter lover, Erik Blackwell, Kim is excited about the prospect that she's ready at last. But there's one thing that she isn't ready for...
The handsome white tiger shape-shifter that walks into their visions and then into their life, proclaiming himself to be her potential mate too!
Torn between two lovers and unable to stop herself from joining in the carnal pleasures in their visions, will Kim be able to resist the lure of Kristian in real life? Will Erik believe everything that happens or will he see past the lies to the truth and fight for the woman he loves?
genre: paranormal shape-shifter romance
length: 63000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
FREE paranormal romance ebooks for everyone:
Vampire for Christmas
Felicity Heaton
It was one last mission. Shannon, a demon hunter with the agency, is looking forward to leaving behind the small town and the vampire she's been stuck with for the past two years. Things are getting complicated fast and she wants out. A fresh start, free of her vampire partner, awaits her if she can survive their final mission and the lonely Christmas holidays.
It was one last mission. Rafe, a vampire doing time with the agency, watches it approach with dread weighing heavily in his stomach. Two years of working with Shannon has been difficult, especially since he started falling for her, but he doesn't want their partnership to end. He has barely a few days to make her face her feelings and stop her from leaving, and he intends to do just that.
When a slimy demon threatens the season of peace and goodwill, it's the chance Rafe has been waiting for and the moment Shannon secretly fears. Rafe's determination to prise open her heart and her own resolve to keep it closed clash as violently as they do with the demon, and threatens to end as messily.
Can Rafe make Shannon see that his love for her is real and that she feels something for him too? Can Shannon face her fears and her past, and stop herself from running away from both? Will a wish on a star bring her what her heart truly desires—a vampire for Christmas?
Available as a FREE direct download:
.mobi | .epub | .pdf
Or get the FREE ebook from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
UK only
Apple Stores:
iBookstore US | iBookstore UK | iBookstore Australia | iBookstore Canada
Other Retailers:
Barnes and Noble | Sony Reader Store | Smashwords
Reunion
F E Heaton
The Law Keeper for the Venia bloodline, Marise doesn't want to return home but duty dictates that she must investigate the attempt on her lord's life by another vampire.
When she sets eyes on her lord, Marise realises that she might have been called for another reason and that the attack on her lord might not have been by a vampire after all. Her only source of information is a guard who was mortally wounded during the attack, a guard who turns out to be the man who broke her heart fifty years ago.
The sight of Jascha so close to death triggers a battle in Marise's heart that will see her struggle to turn her back on him and her family again, and maintain her sense of duty. Is fifty years enough to forgive the one you love for breaking your heart? Will Marise finally confess to everything she's held inside and kept hidden from him? And can Jascha convince Marise to listen to what he has to say and make her love him again?
Available as a FREE direct download:
.mobi | .pdf
Or get the FREE ebook from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK
Apple Stores:
iBookstore US | iBookstore UK | iBookstore Australia | iBookstore Canada
Other Retailers:
Barnes and Noble | Sony Reader Store | Smashwords
Deep discounted paranormal romance ebooks (saving of $12 in total!):
Heart of Darkness
A vampire prince on a four hundred year old mission to avenge his murdered sister...
Aleksandr Nemov won't stop until the last of the vampire hunter's progeny is wiped from the Earth. Each kill has stolen a piece of his humanity, pushing him towards the black abyss all vampires hold within their hearts. Now he is teetering on the edge, close to devolving into a beast, and time is running out as he tracks the last hunter to Prague. There he finds a beautiful woman who could be his one chance for salvation, but is it already too late for him?
A vampire guard who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves...
Elise is dedicated to her duty. It's the only thing she has left. All that changes when she meets Aleksandr in Prague and her master grants him permission to stay at her bloodline's mansion. She knows all about Aleksandr but none of it prepares her for how she feels when the legendary prince's hunt becomes one for her heart. Elise battles him with all of her strength but can she stop herself from falling for the handsome hunter? When he reveals the depth of the corruption in his soul, will she have the strength to face the pain in her past and do whatever it takes to save him?
(Normally $4.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Smashwords:
Smashwords (use code: KH62H)
Love Immortal
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she's ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she's the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.
With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?
Can she crack the armour around Julian's heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he's been through?
(Normally $4.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Smashwords:
Smashwords (use code: XA94L)
Her Dark Angel
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn't called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it's to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.
Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He's no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can't resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?
Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.
(Normally $2.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
Prophecy: Child of Light
A vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters Valentine, a gorgeous vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her life forever.
Convinced that the prophecy about her is wrong and unable to ignore the vision of them that he saw in her blood, Valentine goes against his orders to execute Prophecy and kidnaps her instead. The attraction between them grows as they search for the truth behind the prophecy, battle a dark evil that threatens to destroy the world, and attempt to evade their families and the Law Keepers.
When the truth about her is revealed, will Prophecy be strong enough to face it? Will they discover a way to save the world from Hell? And will they finally see past the hatred bred into them by their families and surrender to their love?
The first novel in the Vampires Realm series, Prophecy: Child of Light, is part one in an epic tale of love and war that is sure to capture your heart and leave you craving more.
(Normally $2.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
I have another great day of posts for you today, and it's great to see so many people entering into the competitions. Don't forget to download all your free books and tell all your friends too.
Here's a list of yesterday's posts and remember that all the posts are linked from the Birthday Bash page .
Welcome to day two!Fantastic FREE paranormal romance books!Character Interview - Aleksandr from Heart of DarknessMy Favourite Scene - from Her Dark AngelMain Competition - Win a $100 AMAZON GCCharacter Interview - Apollyon from Her Dark AngelFlash Fiction - Love Under the Moonlight - Julian and LaurenMy Favourite Scene - from Forbidden Blood
Today is the last chance to download the three free Amazon Kindle ebooks I have on offer, so don't miss those:
FREE paranormal romance ebooks on Kindle on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th only:
Forbidden BloodFelicity Heaton
In a dark world where vampires exist and where Source Blood, a rare human blood type, can bestow godlike powers upon them, the vampire Venators of the Sovereignty fight to protect the humans by banishing those who drink it to the endless dark.
Exiled from his family and with only his duty to sustain him, Kearn has been on the trail of an elusive Source Blood abuser for three years. When he saves a beautiful human female from the vampire's grasp, it turns out she's the lead he's been waiting for. Amber is a Source Blood and the perfect bait, but for who?
As they race to catch the vampire and survive the cruel games he plays, Amber is pulled deeper into Kearn's world and discovers the painful secrets he hides behind his handsome but emotionless exterior—hurt that she has the power to heal if she is brave enough.
Forbidden Blood is a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 126000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
AscensionFelicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.
With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig's blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.
Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he's not a monster but the man that she loves?
genre: paranormal romance
length: 91000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
In Heat: Mating CallFelicity Heaton
The English winter weather has no chance of cooling Kim down when her dreams of Erik return, and this time they're hotter than ever! Having spent the past two years waiting to be in heat again so she can mate with her black panther shape-shifter lover, Erik Blackwell, Kim is excited about the prospect that she's ready at last. But there's one thing that she isn't ready for...
The handsome white tiger shape-shifter that walks into their visions and then into their life, proclaiming himself to be her potential mate too!
Torn between two lovers and unable to stop herself from joining in the carnal pleasures in their visions, will Kim be able to resist the lure of Kristian in real life? Will Erik believe everything that happens or will he see past the lies to the truth and fight for the woman he loves?
genre: paranormal shape-shifter romance
length: 63000 words
Available as a FREE ebook from the following Amazon Kindle Stores:
amazon.com | amazon.co.uk | amazon.de | amazon.fr | amazon.es | amazon.it
FREE paranormal romance ebooks for everyone:
Vampire for ChristmasFelicity Heaton
It was one last mission. Shannon, a demon hunter with the agency, is looking forward to leaving behind the small town and the vampire she's been stuck with for the past two years. Things are getting complicated fast and she wants out. A fresh start, free of her vampire partner, awaits her if she can survive their final mission and the lonely Christmas holidays.
It was one last mission. Rafe, a vampire doing time with the agency, watches it approach with dread weighing heavily in his stomach. Two years of working with Shannon has been difficult, especially since he started falling for her, but he doesn't want their partnership to end. He has barely a few days to make her face her feelings and stop her from leaving, and he intends to do just that.
When a slimy demon threatens the season of peace and goodwill, it's the chance Rafe has been waiting for and the moment Shannon secretly fears. Rafe's determination to prise open her heart and her own resolve to keep it closed clash as violently as they do with the demon, and threatens to end as messily.
Can Rafe make Shannon see that his love for her is real and that she feels something for him too? Can Shannon face her fears and her past, and stop herself from running away from both? Will a wish on a star bring her what her heart truly desires—a vampire for Christmas?
Available as a FREE direct download:
.mobi | .epub | .pdf
Or get the FREE ebook from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
UK only
Apple Stores:
iBookstore US | iBookstore UK | iBookstore Australia | iBookstore Canada
Other Retailers:
Barnes and Noble | Sony Reader Store | Smashwords
ReunionF E Heaton
The Law Keeper for the Venia bloodline, Marise doesn't want to return home but duty dictates that she must investigate the attempt on her lord's life by another vampire.
When she sets eyes on her lord, Marise realises that she might have been called for another reason and that the attack on her lord might not have been by a vampire after all. Her only source of information is a guard who was mortally wounded during the attack, a guard who turns out to be the man who broke her heart fifty years ago.
The sight of Jascha so close to death triggers a battle in Marise's heart that will see her struggle to turn her back on him and her family again, and maintain her sense of duty. Is fifty years enough to forgive the one you love for breaking your heart? Will Marise finally confess to everything she's held inside and kept hidden from him? And can Jascha convince Marise to listen to what he has to say and make her love him again?
Available as a FREE direct download:
.mobi | .pdf
Or get the FREE ebook from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK
Apple Stores:
iBookstore US | iBookstore UK | iBookstore Australia | iBookstore Canada
Other Retailers:
Barnes and Noble | Sony Reader Store | Smashwords
Deep discounted paranormal romance ebooks (saving of $12 in total!):
Heart of Darkness
A vampire prince on a four hundred year old mission to avenge his murdered sister...
Aleksandr Nemov won't stop until the last of the vampire hunter's progeny is wiped from the Earth. Each kill has stolen a piece of his humanity, pushing him towards the black abyss all vampires hold within their hearts. Now he is teetering on the edge, close to devolving into a beast, and time is running out as he tracks the last hunter to Prague. There he finds a beautiful woman who could be his one chance for salvation, but is it already too late for him?
A vampire guard who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves...
Elise is dedicated to her duty. It's the only thing she has left. All that changes when she meets Aleksandr in Prague and her master grants him permission to stay at her bloodline's mansion. She knows all about Aleksandr but none of it prepares her for how she feels when the legendary prince's hunt becomes one for her heart. Elise battles him with all of her strength but can she stop herself from falling for the handsome hunter? When he reveals the depth of the corruption in his soul, will she have the strength to face the pain in her past and do whatever it takes to save him?
(Normally $4.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Smashwords:
Smashwords (use code: KH62H)
Love Immortal
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she's ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she's the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.
With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?
Can she crack the armour around Julian's heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he's been through?
(Normally $4.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Smashwords:
Smashwords (use code: XA94L)
Her Dark Angel
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn't called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it's to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.
Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He's no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can't resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?
Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.
(Normally $2.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
Prophecy: Child of Light
A vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters Valentine, a gorgeous vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her life forever.
Convinced that the prophecy about her is wrong and unable to ignore the vision of them that he saw in her blood, Valentine goes against his orders to execute Prophecy and kidnaps her instead. The attraction between them grows as they search for the truth behind the prophecy, battle a dark evil that threatens to destroy the world, and attempt to evade their families and the Law Keepers.
When the truth about her is revealed, will Prophecy be strong enough to face it? Will they discover a way to save the world from Hell? And will they finally see past the hatred bred into them by their families and surrender to their love?
The first novel in the Vampires Realm series, Prophecy: Child of Light, is part one in an epic tale of love and war that is sure to capture your heart and leave you craving more.
(Normally $2.99)
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Apple iTunes Stores:
US | UK | AUS | CA
Other Retailers:
BN Nook | Sony | Smashwords
April 7, 2012
My favourite scene from Forbidden Blood
I have the hard task of choosing my favourite scenes from some of my books to share with you this weekend. It might sound like a lot of fun, but sometimes there is more than one scene that I really love in a book and choosing between them can be very tricky. Add to that the fact that I can't choose a scene that gives something major about the plot away and it becomes doubly tricky!
My next favourite scene is from Forbidden Blood and I had a hard time choosing this one again. I have other scenes in this book that I really love but I can't share those as they give too much about the book away!
I'm a sucker for dance scenes and this is one I just had to post. This one needs a little scene setting though. Amber, the heroine, is a Source Blood (a human with very powerful blood that can turn a vampire into something god-like) and was saved from a vampire by Kearn, who is also a vampire and a Venator. Venators hunt vampires who break the law by attempting to use Source Blood. He's been on the trail of the Source Blood abuser for years and Amber is the perfect bait. The game between Kearn and his enemy heats up when the vampire says he might be at a masquerade ball held by Duke Montagu. Kearn doesn't want to show his face in society but must go there with Amber, and she gets her first glimpse at the world of vampires, and draws the attention of the host. Duke Montagu threatens to have them removed from the premises unless Amber dances with him and she reluctantly agrees, and when Kearn offers to teach her the waltz by using the remnants of her blood in his to control her so she impresses the duke, she can't resist the chance to be in his arms.
My Favourite Scene From...Forbidden BloodAmber looked around her to see what everyone else on the dance floor was doing. The ladies curtseyed to their partners so she did too, going low enough that she would make the right impression on Kearn and the watching vampires, but not so low that she wouldn't be able to get back up. She rose again and the ladies stepped forwards into their partners' waiting arms.
She went to touch Kearn's arm and take his hand.
Kearn stepped back.
"The first thing you need to know is never touch me or anyone above your rank." His voice was stern again. She had committed a faux pas by grabbing the duke. Everyone here was probably above her. "You must allow your partner to place your hands."
Kearn gently placed her right hand on his shoulder and held her left, their palms pressing together. His hand was warm and his fingers curled tightly around hers. Both of his hands were steady. Hers shook like crazy.
She swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat but it didn't help.
"I need a drink," she whispered and Kearn's gaze slid to her neck and then back to her eyes. A shiver tripped through her at the flash of red in his irises.
She jumped when his left hand settled against her waist and then they were moving. The tempo of the orchestra was slower than before. It was a triumphant sounding piece, with rising strings and deep brass. The choir sung beautifully but she didn't hear it. She was lost in Kearn's eyes and the way he was holding her, moving with her. They turned in slow circles and it didn't feel as though he was moving her feet for her. She felt in control.
"See," he whispered and smiled into her eyes, "nothing to it."
She smiled and his look turned serious, his head tilting to one side. His eyes dropped to her mouth, briefly enough that she might have missed it had she not been watching him so closely. Did he want to kiss her? She swallowed again. She wanted to kiss him.
"Tell me about your brother," he said.
She stumbled slightly. "I don't think this is the time for conversation. I need to concentrate."
"No, you do not. You will only make it more difficult for me. I can concentrate for both of us."
Amber tried to think of what to tell him. It was hard not to focus on her feet when she knew she was dancing.
"He's around your height and build, funny and smart, looks like a male version of me and lives in Paris," she said and no longer noticed the way the vampires stared, the couples glancing their way as they passed, or even the duke. The music and Kearn filled her world. He was so handsome, looking at her with warmth in his eyes and no trace of loneliness. She felt as though she had helped erase his hurt after all. "He's always trying to get me to move to France and it must have finally worked because I'm going to Paris soon."
Kearn frowned. "You are leaving England?"
She nodded. "I'm moving there for work."
The warmth in Kearn's eyes dissipated, leaving ice in its wake. He turned his face away, looking in the direction that they were moving with the music, and her feelings shifted. The excitement and happiness she had felt on mentioning her move to Paris gradually changed into something darker.
Anger?
That feeling winked out of existence and she stumbled, barely keeping herself standing as she turned with Kearn again.
Cold swept through her.
He had shut her out, relinquishing control of her and leaving her in the dark about his feelings. Why?
Amber focused hard, biting her lip and tripping her way through the steps. This wasn't good. She panicked, the feeling blasting through her so quickly that her temperature shot up and her heart skipped. She caught her foot on Kearn's boot and her eyes leapt to his, her apology balancing on her lips.
It fell away when her feet suddenly knew the way and her legs no longer shook. Was he controlling her again? The anger she had felt before he had surrendered control of her wasn't there anymore. She searched his eyes for it and found nothing. The desire to question him burned in her heart but she couldn't find the courage to go through with it. What was she going to ask him?
Was he angry because she was leaving England? Didn't he want her to go to Paris? Did he want her to stay?
Did he want her?
Amber glanced down at the bright silver buttons on the breast of his black jacket, focusing on herself instead of him, studying her own feelings. What did she want? The thought of Paris had excited her before she had met him, but now her move felt like something to fear rather than look forward to. Her eyes roamed up over his chest and neck to his face, lingering on his sensual mouth. Fire skittered over her skin at the memory of their kiss. The thought of kissing him again excited her, sent her blood rushing and her mind leaping forward to imagine how everything would unfold from even the gentlest of caresses.
She forced her eyes onwards, until they met his. There had to be something that she could say to break the ice between them again.
"I'm not really sure I'll like it in Paris," she whispered, looking deep into his eyes. She had loved the thought of it just a few days ago but meeting Kearn had changed her whole world, knocking it off kilter, and now she wasn't sure of anything. She shrugged. "I'm not even any good at French."
Kearn leaned over and her eyes widened when his cheek brushed hers, heating hers through. He whispered in French into her ear, his breath tickling her neck, and continued to turn with her. Her eyelids fell to half-mast and she melted into him, savouring the feel of him against her and the relief that blossomed deep in her heart as she realised he was no longer angry with her. Only warm feelings danced inside her now, and a part of them were his. He drew back again and she shook some sense into herself, enough to look him in the eye.
"What did you say?"
He just smiled.
She wanted to know. Whatever it had been, it had sounded distinctly romantic.
The choir began to sing again, slower now but rising with the music, sweeping over the room and carrying her along. Their words sounded as beautiful as Kearn's had and she listened to them.
"Is that Latin?" She turned with Kearn. They had moved closer together. His chest brushed hers as they spun to the music, galloping around the room. It was still hard for her not to think about the steps. Whenever she stopped speaking, her focus went back to her feet. She used Kearn as a distraction, keeping her eyes on his face, and floated along in his arms.
He nodded.
"Do you understand it?" What other languages did he know? He was over three hundred years old. He had probably learnt many languages and studied all sorts of things in his years.
He nodded again and looked ahead of them.
"What are they saying?"
"You do not want to know."
Amber gasped when they collided with another couple. The sandy haired man glared at her. Marquess Pendragon. Had he bumped them on purpose? Amber didn't recognise the woman in his arms.
"Ignore them," Kearn said and she focused on him again, only this time the world didn't melt away. She was aware of everyone staring and the intent behind their glares. She could sense they wanted to harm her.
No, not her. She stared into Kearn's eyes. These were his feelings again.
The tempo of the music increased. Her legs were growing tired but she kept going, determined to finish the dance.
"You must curtsey to the duke and allow him to place your hands. Do not speak unless spoken to and do not look him in the eye. Keep your gaze on his chest." The warmth was gone from Kearn's face and voice, but at least he wasn't shutting her out again.
"Why?"
Kearn turned with her and she caught a glimpse of the duke. He was still watching her.
"Because regardless of what he said to you, you are beneath him, just as I am."
Amber wanted to ask why he was beneath the duke but the hurt was back in his eyes. Would he really tell her later or had he been using it as an excuse to keep her quiet on the subject so she would forget about it? She would never forget the way the people had treated him tonight.
"Remain polite at all times and maintain the proper distance between you and him."
Kearn's hand slid around her back and he drew her closer to him, until their chests were against each other the whole time they danced. That wasn't proper distance, but she didn't care. It felt too good to be this close to him, in his arms. It didn't matter that her feet were tired and her legs ached. She wanted to keep dancing so she could remain like this with him.
Her eyes met his just as he was about to speak and his mouth closed. He stared down into her eyes, warmth resurfacing in his. She was glad the loneliness was gone again. They shone now, and deep contentment filled her. It wasn't only her feelings.
Kearn raised his left hand and trailed his fingertips down her bare arm and then over her long black satin glove. The touch was light and sensual, teasing her and stealing her breath. Her lips parted and her gaze fell to his mouth. His parted too, an invite to a kiss that she wanted to take more than anything. The world disappeared again and she was drifting with him with nothing but the sound of her heart beating and the light strings of the orchestra filling her ears.
She raised her gaze to his. Red tinted the edges of his irises. What was he thinking to make them look like that?
The dance ended.
He took her hand from his shoulder, raised it to his lips, bowed low and pressed a kiss to it.
Amber smiled, warm all over, and then realised that she wasn't the only one looking at him. Half of the room had stopped to stare again and were whispering to each other. Her gaze stopped on Kyran. He stood a few metres away, blue eyes narrowed behind his black mask. The woman in his arms looked disgusted.
Kearn rose, turned Amber's hand in his, and led her from the dance floor. Either he was oblivious to the dirty looks they were receiving or he didn't care. They stopped in the spot where they had been before, near the wall and away from everyone.
"You danced well." He smiled.
Amber smiled too and touched the spot on her glove that Kearn had kissed. Was the kiss why everyone looked so shocked? She had wanted far more than such a tame moment of intimacy. She had considered kissing him on the mouth.
"That was quite a spectacle." Venom dripped from the male voice.
Amber looked up to see Kyran stood beside Kearn, glaring at him. Kearn's expression was void of emotion as he stared back. The tension between them was palpable. Kyran's red eyes darted to her and his lips compressed. None of the usual kindness and charm touched his face now.
"A Noble lowering himself to a human." Pure disgust tainted his expression and his tone. She had been wrong. The kiss hadn't shocked everyone. It was the fact that Kearn had bowed to her. Kyran smirked. "Do not expect such behaviour from Duke Montagu."
She wasn't sure how to react or what to say.
Kyran snorted in her direction and then grabbed Kearn's upper arm.
"Excuse me, I must speak with my little brother before he ridicules the entire family." He turned on his heel and dragged Kearn away.
Kearn didn't seem to care that he was in for an earful. He looked back over his shoulder at her.
"Do not move from that spot. I will not be long. I will bring you a drink." He actually smiled.
Amber's eyebrows rose. She stood rooted to the spot, watching the brothers. Kyran jerked to a halt and shoved Kearn out in front of him, pushing him back towards the wall near the corner of the room. She was too far away to hear them but their thunderous expressions said they were arguing. Kearn threw Kyran's hand from his arm and stepped up to him. She wanted to know what they were saying.
"That was quite a dance."
Amber turned quickly to face the owner of the female voice.
A short dark haired young woman and two other women, both of them closer to Amber's height, stood before her. They were all wearing black empire-line dresses with a lot of cleavage on show, and a lot of make-up in sombre tones. They looked like death, ashen and dull.
Amber smiled politely. Kearn had told her that there would be other humans at the ball and they might be unmasked. These women were going through the transition from human to vampire. If she were bitten, would she look this bad when changing?
Heat touched her cheeks when she thought about Kearn biting her. She had dreamt of it today while sleeping in his bed and had tossed and turned so much that Kearn had woken her by knocking hard on the door and asking whether something was wrong. She had blushed ten shades of red then and hadn't been able to tell him the truth. Instead, she had said it was nothing and had hurried into the shower. He had gone out and when he had come back, he had given her the dress.
She felt incredibly sexy in it.
Especially when he told her that she looked beautiful.
"He is quite the catch." The blonde woman in the group looked past Amber.
Amber followed her gaze. Kearn was still arguing with Kyran. The other vampires nearby had moved away and were warily watching them. What were they arguing about? It couldn't just be about her. Was it about their family name too?
"And so subservient."
She looked back at the three women. They all smiled at her. She didn't think that Kearn was subservient but she smiled anyway.
"To think a Noble would behave such a way." The short dark haired one cast a wistful look in Kearn's direction and then her brown eyes found Amber's again. "I have never seen anything like it."
The third woman, a brunette with a bob, stepped forwards and looked Amber over. "How far along are you?"
Amber glanced down at her stomach. She looked pregnant?
"I thought the dress was quite flattering." She skimmed her hands down her sides. Kearn definitely liked it, and she'd had a duke and Kyran call her beautiful too.
All three women laughed.
"In your turning." The brunette smiled. "You must be far along for a Noble to behave in such a way. It shocked the crowd something terrible."
Amber hadn't failed to notice that.
The blonde twisted her hair around her fingers. "I've almost completed my transition but my Lesser Noble won't even dance with me."
Kearn had also warned Amber that humans going through the transition never danced. Most Nobles and Lesser Nobles didn't associate with them until they had fully turned. It seemed strange that they went to the trouble of courting a human to convince them to become a vampire and then discarded them during their transition. It was almost cruel. Kearn hadn't said what happened when they had finished becoming a vampire.
"So how far along are you?" the brunette prompted.
Amber smiled politely. "I'm not a vampire."
They all laughed again.
"No." The blonde took Amber's black gloved hand and patted it. "You're what my Lesser Noble refers to as a chrysalis—the transition from disgusting worm to beautiful butterfly—and you must be close to spreading your wings."
Amber's smile faltered at the corners. "I'm afraid you're all quite mistaken. I'm the caterpillar."
They gasped and backed off a step. The blonde woman dropped her hand and wiped hers on her dress, glaring at her as though she had been the one to take hold of her.
"A human." The dark haired one sneered and flicked her long locks behind her shoulder, revealing a set of scars on her neck.
The three women turned their backs on her, looped their arms together, and moved off as one, disappearing into the black-clad crowd.
Heat burned through Amber, a remnant of her dream. Kearn had bitten her neck. She had worn marks just like that woman. If she did in reality, would Kearn treat her differently? Was he merely courting her with the intention of sending her through the transition and then discarding her until she had become like him?
No. He wanted to protect her, even from himself. He had slipped tonight and allowed a glimmer of his feelings to shine through, but she was sure that he wasn't out to make her into a vampire.
She turned to look for Kearn and found Duke Montagu standing before her. Instinct whispered that it was dangerous for her to be alone with him. He frowned over her head towards the women and then at her, his red eyes intent and cold behind his black mask. He was over one thousand years old. How powerful did that make him?
"I hope they have not upset you," he said with charm and grace. "If they have, I will see to it that the young Venator is punished."
Amber's eyes darted towards Kearn. He stood a few metres behind the duke, a glass of champagne in his hand. His eyes were wide. Stunned? She couldn't feel anything of the sort. He could definitely control the connection between them and had shut her out again.
"I was not offended." She smiled, not wanting him to punish Kearn for what he had done. It was an honour to have such a noble man lower himself to her regardless of the rules.
There wasn't a trace of cruelty in the duke's smile this time. His red eyes held hers.
"Jealousy is such an ugly thing." His eyes narrowed as his smile widened. "The presence of such a beautiful creature will always upset those desiring to attain beauty beyond their grasp."
Amber wished that Kearn had been the one to say those words. If he had been standing before her, telling her again how beautiful she was, she would have kissed him. She wouldn't have cared if they had thrown them out for it either.
She glanced past the duke to Kearn. He no longer looked stunned. The warm edge to his eyes told her that he believed the duke's words and what he had told her earlier. When he looked at her like that, with a shine to his green eyes and a smile starting to tease at his lips, she felt as beautiful as he painted her to be.
She blushed and looked back at the duke. He stared in the direction of the three women.
"They had hoped to believe you almost a vampire, desiring that they would become as beautiful as you on their transition, and that their master would show them such attention." His gaze dropped to her and a serious look replaced his smile. "They are still foolish enough to believe it will happen. What they will find when they join us is nothing more than they have now—empty vanity and a male who will move on to a new female."
The women had been nasty to her once they had realised that she was human but she felt sorry for them. They only wanted their vampire to love them. They were alike in that respect. She barely knew Kearn but she was falling for him, and she wanted him to fall for her too. She had come here tonight with the intention of keeping his attention on her, desiring him to be as lost in her as she felt in him. Regardless of their differences and the fact they walked in two different worlds, she wanted to be with him.
"But you," Duke Montagu said. "If you changed, you would attain that beauty and the heart of your Noble. You would rule absolute."
A shiver danced through her and her gaze roamed to Kearn. Would she really win his heart that way?
No trace of denial touched Kearn's features. His eyes were open, allowing her to read his feelings in them, but she couldn't decipher them and she desperately wanted to.
"I said a Noble." Duke Montagu's tone was darker, commanding, and her gaze snapped back to him. "Not a Venator. Such a creature is unworthy of you. I spoke of someone like myself."
In the corner of her vision, Kearn's eyes turned vivid red.
Duke Montagu raised an eyebrow and his gaze slid to the side, towards Kearn, but he didn't turn to face him.
"You dare to threaten me, Venator?" The duke's voice was pure ice. His red eyes narrowed behind his mask.
Kearn's irises melted back to green and he lowered his head.
Duke Montagu held his hand out to one side, towards the dance floor.
The music stopped.
The crowd parted and left the large dance floor bare.
"Allow me to show you how a true Noble behaves."
Amber looked at Kearn.
He cast his gaze to one side. She could feel hurt inside her, a dull ache in her chest, that wasn't just hers.
She followed Duke Montagu onto the dance floor, her heart too heavy to care whether she made a fool of herself. When she stopped opposite the duke in the middle of the dance floor, she glanced back at Kearn.
He was watching her now.
She wanted to go to him and tell him that he was worthy of her.
She didn't want the duke or anyone else for that matter.
She only wanted him.
Remember you can download Forbidden Blood for FREE today on Amazon Kindle!
Forbidden Blood
Felicity Heaton
In a dark world where vampires exist and where Source Blood, a rare human blood type, can bestow godlike powers upon them, the vampire Venators of the Sovereignty fight to protect the humans by banishing those who drink it to the endless dark.
Exiled from his family and with only his duty to sustain him, Kearn has been on the trail of an elusive Source Blood abuser for three years. When he saves a beautiful human female from the vampire's grasp, it turns out she's the lead he's been waiting for. Amber is a Source Blood and the perfect bait, but for who?
As they race to catch the vampire and survive the cruel games he plays, Amber is pulled deeper into Kearn's world and discovers the painful secrets he hides behind his handsome but emotionless exterior—hurt that she has the power to heal if she is brave enough.
Forbidden Blood is book one in the Vampire Venators series and a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.
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My next favourite scene is from Forbidden Blood and I had a hard time choosing this one again. I have other scenes in this book that I really love but I can't share those as they give too much about the book away!
I'm a sucker for dance scenes and this is one I just had to post. This one needs a little scene setting though. Amber, the heroine, is a Source Blood (a human with very powerful blood that can turn a vampire into something god-like) and was saved from a vampire by Kearn, who is also a vampire and a Venator. Venators hunt vampires who break the law by attempting to use Source Blood. He's been on the trail of the Source Blood abuser for years and Amber is the perfect bait. The game between Kearn and his enemy heats up when the vampire says he might be at a masquerade ball held by Duke Montagu. Kearn doesn't want to show his face in society but must go there with Amber, and she gets her first glimpse at the world of vampires, and draws the attention of the host. Duke Montagu threatens to have them removed from the premises unless Amber dances with him and she reluctantly agrees, and when Kearn offers to teach her the waltz by using the remnants of her blood in his to control her so she impresses the duke, she can't resist the chance to be in his arms.
My Favourite Scene From...Forbidden BloodAmber looked around her to see what everyone else on the dance floor was doing. The ladies curtseyed to their partners so she did too, going low enough that she would make the right impression on Kearn and the watching vampires, but not so low that she wouldn't be able to get back up. She rose again and the ladies stepped forwards into their partners' waiting arms.
She went to touch Kearn's arm and take his hand.
Kearn stepped back.
"The first thing you need to know is never touch me or anyone above your rank." His voice was stern again. She had committed a faux pas by grabbing the duke. Everyone here was probably above her. "You must allow your partner to place your hands."
Kearn gently placed her right hand on his shoulder and held her left, their palms pressing together. His hand was warm and his fingers curled tightly around hers. Both of his hands were steady. Hers shook like crazy.
She swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat but it didn't help.
"I need a drink," she whispered and Kearn's gaze slid to her neck and then back to her eyes. A shiver tripped through her at the flash of red in his irises.
She jumped when his left hand settled against her waist and then they were moving. The tempo of the orchestra was slower than before. It was a triumphant sounding piece, with rising strings and deep brass. The choir sung beautifully but she didn't hear it. She was lost in Kearn's eyes and the way he was holding her, moving with her. They turned in slow circles and it didn't feel as though he was moving her feet for her. She felt in control.
"See," he whispered and smiled into her eyes, "nothing to it."
She smiled and his look turned serious, his head tilting to one side. His eyes dropped to her mouth, briefly enough that she might have missed it had she not been watching him so closely. Did he want to kiss her? She swallowed again. She wanted to kiss him.
"Tell me about your brother," he said.
She stumbled slightly. "I don't think this is the time for conversation. I need to concentrate."
"No, you do not. You will only make it more difficult for me. I can concentrate for both of us."
Amber tried to think of what to tell him. It was hard not to focus on her feet when she knew she was dancing.
"He's around your height and build, funny and smart, looks like a male version of me and lives in Paris," she said and no longer noticed the way the vampires stared, the couples glancing their way as they passed, or even the duke. The music and Kearn filled her world. He was so handsome, looking at her with warmth in his eyes and no trace of loneliness. She felt as though she had helped erase his hurt after all. "He's always trying to get me to move to France and it must have finally worked because I'm going to Paris soon."
Kearn frowned. "You are leaving England?"
She nodded. "I'm moving there for work."
The warmth in Kearn's eyes dissipated, leaving ice in its wake. He turned his face away, looking in the direction that they were moving with the music, and her feelings shifted. The excitement and happiness she had felt on mentioning her move to Paris gradually changed into something darker.
Anger?
That feeling winked out of existence and she stumbled, barely keeping herself standing as she turned with Kearn again.
Cold swept through her.
He had shut her out, relinquishing control of her and leaving her in the dark about his feelings. Why?
Amber focused hard, biting her lip and tripping her way through the steps. This wasn't good. She panicked, the feeling blasting through her so quickly that her temperature shot up and her heart skipped. She caught her foot on Kearn's boot and her eyes leapt to his, her apology balancing on her lips.
It fell away when her feet suddenly knew the way and her legs no longer shook. Was he controlling her again? The anger she had felt before he had surrendered control of her wasn't there anymore. She searched his eyes for it and found nothing. The desire to question him burned in her heart but she couldn't find the courage to go through with it. What was she going to ask him?
Was he angry because she was leaving England? Didn't he want her to go to Paris? Did he want her to stay?
Did he want her?
Amber glanced down at the bright silver buttons on the breast of his black jacket, focusing on herself instead of him, studying her own feelings. What did she want? The thought of Paris had excited her before she had met him, but now her move felt like something to fear rather than look forward to. Her eyes roamed up over his chest and neck to his face, lingering on his sensual mouth. Fire skittered over her skin at the memory of their kiss. The thought of kissing him again excited her, sent her blood rushing and her mind leaping forward to imagine how everything would unfold from even the gentlest of caresses.
She forced her eyes onwards, until they met his. There had to be something that she could say to break the ice between them again.
"I'm not really sure I'll like it in Paris," she whispered, looking deep into his eyes. She had loved the thought of it just a few days ago but meeting Kearn had changed her whole world, knocking it off kilter, and now she wasn't sure of anything. She shrugged. "I'm not even any good at French."
Kearn leaned over and her eyes widened when his cheek brushed hers, heating hers through. He whispered in French into her ear, his breath tickling her neck, and continued to turn with her. Her eyelids fell to half-mast and she melted into him, savouring the feel of him against her and the relief that blossomed deep in her heart as she realised he was no longer angry with her. Only warm feelings danced inside her now, and a part of them were his. He drew back again and she shook some sense into herself, enough to look him in the eye.
"What did you say?"
He just smiled.
She wanted to know. Whatever it had been, it had sounded distinctly romantic.
The choir began to sing again, slower now but rising with the music, sweeping over the room and carrying her along. Their words sounded as beautiful as Kearn's had and she listened to them.
"Is that Latin?" She turned with Kearn. They had moved closer together. His chest brushed hers as they spun to the music, galloping around the room. It was still hard for her not to think about the steps. Whenever she stopped speaking, her focus went back to her feet. She used Kearn as a distraction, keeping her eyes on his face, and floated along in his arms.
He nodded.
"Do you understand it?" What other languages did he know? He was over three hundred years old. He had probably learnt many languages and studied all sorts of things in his years.
He nodded again and looked ahead of them.
"What are they saying?"
"You do not want to know."
Amber gasped when they collided with another couple. The sandy haired man glared at her. Marquess Pendragon. Had he bumped them on purpose? Amber didn't recognise the woman in his arms.
"Ignore them," Kearn said and she focused on him again, only this time the world didn't melt away. She was aware of everyone staring and the intent behind their glares. She could sense they wanted to harm her.
No, not her. She stared into Kearn's eyes. These were his feelings again.
The tempo of the music increased. Her legs were growing tired but she kept going, determined to finish the dance.
"You must curtsey to the duke and allow him to place your hands. Do not speak unless spoken to and do not look him in the eye. Keep your gaze on his chest." The warmth was gone from Kearn's face and voice, but at least he wasn't shutting her out again.
"Why?"
Kearn turned with her and she caught a glimpse of the duke. He was still watching her.
"Because regardless of what he said to you, you are beneath him, just as I am."
Amber wanted to ask why he was beneath the duke but the hurt was back in his eyes. Would he really tell her later or had he been using it as an excuse to keep her quiet on the subject so she would forget about it? She would never forget the way the people had treated him tonight.
"Remain polite at all times and maintain the proper distance between you and him."
Kearn's hand slid around her back and he drew her closer to him, until their chests were against each other the whole time they danced. That wasn't proper distance, but she didn't care. It felt too good to be this close to him, in his arms. It didn't matter that her feet were tired and her legs ached. She wanted to keep dancing so she could remain like this with him.
Her eyes met his just as he was about to speak and his mouth closed. He stared down into her eyes, warmth resurfacing in his. She was glad the loneliness was gone again. They shone now, and deep contentment filled her. It wasn't only her feelings.
Kearn raised his left hand and trailed his fingertips down her bare arm and then over her long black satin glove. The touch was light and sensual, teasing her and stealing her breath. Her lips parted and her gaze fell to his mouth. His parted too, an invite to a kiss that she wanted to take more than anything. The world disappeared again and she was drifting with him with nothing but the sound of her heart beating and the light strings of the orchestra filling her ears.
She raised her gaze to his. Red tinted the edges of his irises. What was he thinking to make them look like that?
The dance ended.
He took her hand from his shoulder, raised it to his lips, bowed low and pressed a kiss to it.
Amber smiled, warm all over, and then realised that she wasn't the only one looking at him. Half of the room had stopped to stare again and were whispering to each other. Her gaze stopped on Kyran. He stood a few metres away, blue eyes narrowed behind his black mask. The woman in his arms looked disgusted.
Kearn rose, turned Amber's hand in his, and led her from the dance floor. Either he was oblivious to the dirty looks they were receiving or he didn't care. They stopped in the spot where they had been before, near the wall and away from everyone.
"You danced well." He smiled.
Amber smiled too and touched the spot on her glove that Kearn had kissed. Was the kiss why everyone looked so shocked? She had wanted far more than such a tame moment of intimacy. She had considered kissing him on the mouth.
"That was quite a spectacle." Venom dripped from the male voice.
Amber looked up to see Kyran stood beside Kearn, glaring at him. Kearn's expression was void of emotion as he stared back. The tension between them was palpable. Kyran's red eyes darted to her and his lips compressed. None of the usual kindness and charm touched his face now.
"A Noble lowering himself to a human." Pure disgust tainted his expression and his tone. She had been wrong. The kiss hadn't shocked everyone. It was the fact that Kearn had bowed to her. Kyran smirked. "Do not expect such behaviour from Duke Montagu."
She wasn't sure how to react or what to say.
Kyran snorted in her direction and then grabbed Kearn's upper arm.
"Excuse me, I must speak with my little brother before he ridicules the entire family." He turned on his heel and dragged Kearn away.
Kearn didn't seem to care that he was in for an earful. He looked back over his shoulder at her.
"Do not move from that spot. I will not be long. I will bring you a drink." He actually smiled.
Amber's eyebrows rose. She stood rooted to the spot, watching the brothers. Kyran jerked to a halt and shoved Kearn out in front of him, pushing him back towards the wall near the corner of the room. She was too far away to hear them but their thunderous expressions said they were arguing. Kearn threw Kyran's hand from his arm and stepped up to him. She wanted to know what they were saying.
"That was quite a dance."
Amber turned quickly to face the owner of the female voice.
A short dark haired young woman and two other women, both of them closer to Amber's height, stood before her. They were all wearing black empire-line dresses with a lot of cleavage on show, and a lot of make-up in sombre tones. They looked like death, ashen and dull.
Amber smiled politely. Kearn had told her that there would be other humans at the ball and they might be unmasked. These women were going through the transition from human to vampire. If she were bitten, would she look this bad when changing?
Heat touched her cheeks when she thought about Kearn biting her. She had dreamt of it today while sleeping in his bed and had tossed and turned so much that Kearn had woken her by knocking hard on the door and asking whether something was wrong. She had blushed ten shades of red then and hadn't been able to tell him the truth. Instead, she had said it was nothing and had hurried into the shower. He had gone out and when he had come back, he had given her the dress.
She felt incredibly sexy in it.
Especially when he told her that she looked beautiful.
"He is quite the catch." The blonde woman in the group looked past Amber.
Amber followed her gaze. Kearn was still arguing with Kyran. The other vampires nearby had moved away and were warily watching them. What were they arguing about? It couldn't just be about her. Was it about their family name too?
"And so subservient."
She looked back at the three women. They all smiled at her. She didn't think that Kearn was subservient but she smiled anyway.
"To think a Noble would behave such a way." The short dark haired one cast a wistful look in Kearn's direction and then her brown eyes found Amber's again. "I have never seen anything like it."
The third woman, a brunette with a bob, stepped forwards and looked Amber over. "How far along are you?"
Amber glanced down at her stomach. She looked pregnant?
"I thought the dress was quite flattering." She skimmed her hands down her sides. Kearn definitely liked it, and she'd had a duke and Kyran call her beautiful too.
All three women laughed.
"In your turning." The brunette smiled. "You must be far along for a Noble to behave in such a way. It shocked the crowd something terrible."
Amber hadn't failed to notice that.
The blonde twisted her hair around her fingers. "I've almost completed my transition but my Lesser Noble won't even dance with me."
Kearn had also warned Amber that humans going through the transition never danced. Most Nobles and Lesser Nobles didn't associate with them until they had fully turned. It seemed strange that they went to the trouble of courting a human to convince them to become a vampire and then discarded them during their transition. It was almost cruel. Kearn hadn't said what happened when they had finished becoming a vampire.
"So how far along are you?" the brunette prompted.
Amber smiled politely. "I'm not a vampire."
They all laughed again.
"No." The blonde took Amber's black gloved hand and patted it. "You're what my Lesser Noble refers to as a chrysalis—the transition from disgusting worm to beautiful butterfly—and you must be close to spreading your wings."
Amber's smile faltered at the corners. "I'm afraid you're all quite mistaken. I'm the caterpillar."
They gasped and backed off a step. The blonde woman dropped her hand and wiped hers on her dress, glaring at her as though she had been the one to take hold of her.
"A human." The dark haired one sneered and flicked her long locks behind her shoulder, revealing a set of scars on her neck.
The three women turned their backs on her, looped their arms together, and moved off as one, disappearing into the black-clad crowd.
Heat burned through Amber, a remnant of her dream. Kearn had bitten her neck. She had worn marks just like that woman. If she did in reality, would Kearn treat her differently? Was he merely courting her with the intention of sending her through the transition and then discarding her until she had become like him?
No. He wanted to protect her, even from himself. He had slipped tonight and allowed a glimmer of his feelings to shine through, but she was sure that he wasn't out to make her into a vampire.
She turned to look for Kearn and found Duke Montagu standing before her. Instinct whispered that it was dangerous for her to be alone with him. He frowned over her head towards the women and then at her, his red eyes intent and cold behind his black mask. He was over one thousand years old. How powerful did that make him?
"I hope they have not upset you," he said with charm and grace. "If they have, I will see to it that the young Venator is punished."
Amber's eyes darted towards Kearn. He stood a few metres behind the duke, a glass of champagne in his hand. His eyes were wide. Stunned? She couldn't feel anything of the sort. He could definitely control the connection between them and had shut her out again.
"I was not offended." She smiled, not wanting him to punish Kearn for what he had done. It was an honour to have such a noble man lower himself to her regardless of the rules.
There wasn't a trace of cruelty in the duke's smile this time. His red eyes held hers.
"Jealousy is such an ugly thing." His eyes narrowed as his smile widened. "The presence of such a beautiful creature will always upset those desiring to attain beauty beyond their grasp."
Amber wished that Kearn had been the one to say those words. If he had been standing before her, telling her again how beautiful she was, she would have kissed him. She wouldn't have cared if they had thrown them out for it either.
She glanced past the duke to Kearn. He no longer looked stunned. The warm edge to his eyes told her that he believed the duke's words and what he had told her earlier. When he looked at her like that, with a shine to his green eyes and a smile starting to tease at his lips, she felt as beautiful as he painted her to be.
She blushed and looked back at the duke. He stared in the direction of the three women.
"They had hoped to believe you almost a vampire, desiring that they would become as beautiful as you on their transition, and that their master would show them such attention." His gaze dropped to her and a serious look replaced his smile. "They are still foolish enough to believe it will happen. What they will find when they join us is nothing more than they have now—empty vanity and a male who will move on to a new female."
The women had been nasty to her once they had realised that she was human but she felt sorry for them. They only wanted their vampire to love them. They were alike in that respect. She barely knew Kearn but she was falling for him, and she wanted him to fall for her too. She had come here tonight with the intention of keeping his attention on her, desiring him to be as lost in her as she felt in him. Regardless of their differences and the fact they walked in two different worlds, she wanted to be with him.
"But you," Duke Montagu said. "If you changed, you would attain that beauty and the heart of your Noble. You would rule absolute."
A shiver danced through her and her gaze roamed to Kearn. Would she really win his heart that way?
No trace of denial touched Kearn's features. His eyes were open, allowing her to read his feelings in them, but she couldn't decipher them and she desperately wanted to.
"I said a Noble." Duke Montagu's tone was darker, commanding, and her gaze snapped back to him. "Not a Venator. Such a creature is unworthy of you. I spoke of someone like myself."
In the corner of her vision, Kearn's eyes turned vivid red.
Duke Montagu raised an eyebrow and his gaze slid to the side, towards Kearn, but he didn't turn to face him.
"You dare to threaten me, Venator?" The duke's voice was pure ice. His red eyes narrowed behind his mask.
Kearn's irises melted back to green and he lowered his head.
Duke Montagu held his hand out to one side, towards the dance floor.
The music stopped.
The crowd parted and left the large dance floor bare.
"Allow me to show you how a true Noble behaves."
Amber looked at Kearn.
He cast his gaze to one side. She could feel hurt inside her, a dull ache in her chest, that wasn't just hers.
She followed Duke Montagu onto the dance floor, her heart too heavy to care whether she made a fool of herself. When she stopped opposite the duke in the middle of the dance floor, she glanced back at Kearn.
He was watching her now.
She wanted to go to him and tell him that he was worthy of her.
She didn't want the duke or anyone else for that matter.
She only wanted him.
Remember you can download Forbidden Blood for FREE today on Amazon Kindle!
Forbidden Blood
Felicity Heaton
In a dark world where vampires exist and where Source Blood, a rare human blood type, can bestow godlike powers upon them, the vampire Venators of the Sovereignty fight to protect the humans by banishing those who drink it to the endless dark.
Exiled from his family and with only his duty to sustain him, Kearn has been on the trail of an elusive Source Blood abuser for three years. When he saves a beautiful human female from the vampire's grasp, it turns out she's the lead he's been waiting for. Amber is a Source Blood and the perfect bait, but for who?
As they race to catch the vampire and survive the cruel games he plays, Amber is pulled deeper into Kearn's world and discovers the painful secrets he hides behind his handsome but emotionless exterior—hurt that she has the power to heal if she is brave enough.
Forbidden Blood is book one in the Vampire Venators series and a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.
FREE on Amazon Kindle this weekend!
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Flash Fiction - Love Under the Moonlight - with Julian and Lauren from Love Immortal
I'm posting a couple of pieces of Flash Fiction this weekend. Flash Fiction is a short scene, normally around 1000 words long.
My first flash fiction is with Julian and Lauren from my epic vampire romance book, Love Immortal. I hope you all enjoy it!
This weekend, Love Immortal is available for only $0.99 / £0.99 / EUR 0,99 from Amazon Kindle and from Smashwords (using a code). That's a $4 saving.
Love Immortal
Felicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she's ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she's the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.
With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?
Can she crack the armour around Julian's heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he's been through?
Only $0.99 from:
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Smashwords:
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My first flash fiction is with Julian and Lauren from my epic vampire romance book, Love Immortal. I hope you all enjoy it!
LOVE UNDER THE MOONLIGHT
It was perfect.
At least, Julian hoped it was. This was all new to him. Romance. He blew out his breath, still unable to fully comprehend that Lauren was his and that they had eternity ahead of them. Just because she was immortal like him now and they had spent more hours locked tight in each other's arms than he had on a battlefield didn't mean it was time to get complacent. Women liked to be romanced. It had been the most awkward conversation of his three thousand years when he had walked into Duke's office in the London branch and asked exactly what that entailed. Duke was no fresh-faced youth but the man's expertise had astounded Julian and left him blushing.
Duke's more mundane suggestions were flowers, candies, shopping and every other thing Julian could have probably learned from watching television or reading the romance novels Lauren hid in her nightstand in their bedroom. Julian smiled at that, unfurled the thick tartan blanket and laid it down on the ground, smoothing the edges to perfection. It was as if she didn't want him to know about them, even though he had seen her reading in the bath and had even gone as far as to read to her, although that had caused a delicious blush to stain her satiny cheeks and both of them had lost all interest in the book and lost themselves in each other instead. Julian's insides tightened with the memory, heat curling into his chest and his fingers pausing at their work as he replayed making love to her in the cramped white roll-top tub.
"Can I come out yet?" Lauren's impatience was palpable, thrumming in his veins with the blood he had taken from her just a few days ago in their bedroom, naked and tangled in the soft dark sheets.
He was never getting used to that.
The ache in his groin worsened and he shifted uncomfortably to relieve the pressure of his black trousers against it. Time to stop thinking about all the ways he wanted to make love with Lauren and put his mind to romance instead. Tonight had to be special.
"Patience," he said and she huffed from her position in the passenger seat of the car.
Julian glanced up the slope to the sleek black TVR Sagaris that had been theirs since they had officially joined Ghost, a welcome present from Duke, and smiled to himself. She was being patient. He had blindfolded her, driven hours with her, and she hadn't complained once.
He went back to the car and took hold of Lauren's hand. Her dark glossy lips curved into a sensual smile and his heart beat harder, temptation to lean down and kiss her battling against continuing as planned. It took a moment for him to resist and he helped her out of the car and guided her down the narrow path to the blanket.
She kneeled in the middle of it and set her hands on her lap. She blended well into the night, only her hands and head visible, the rest of her hidden by dark jeans and an even darker thick jumper. The v-neck didn't conceal her throat though and his marks on the curve of it. His pulse hammered and fangs itched. He had never tasted anything as sweet and intoxicating as her blood.
"Julian?" she whispered and he felt her senses lock on him, her heart beating loudly in his ears, and the spike of fear in her scent pushed him into action. It wasn't romancing if you ended up scaring the woman by silently staring at her.
Julian eased down in front of her on the thick blanket, his knees pressing it into the sand, and reached out to her. He slid his hands around the back of her head and untied the black blindfold, letting it fall away. Lauren was still a moment and then lifted her eyelids and looked right at him, her silver eyes dazzling in the incandescent light of the moon. Her lips parted, revealing the barest hint of her fangs, and she looked over his shoulder, her eyes widening as she took in their surroundings.
Waves crashed behind him, heavy against the cragged rocks that encased the narrow strip of beach in the secluded cove, and the full moon cast warm light on his back, throwing his shadow across Lauren, and played on her face, turning her more beautiful than he had ever seen her. She turned her head, taking everything in, from the slope up to the car to beyond it where white-capped mountains rose into the starlit sky.
"It's beautiful," she breathed and looked back at him, her eyes dark now, no longer in their changed state. They shone at him, full of happiness that he could sense in her as she raised her hand and touched his cheek, her palm warm against his skin. "I can't believe you remembered."
Julian smiled at her astonishment, caught her hand and brought it down to his lips, pressing a long kiss to her knuckles. "How could I forget?"
The shy edge to the smile she gave him in answer to that question made kissing her irresistible. He leaned forwards and she sighed as their lips brushed, tongues tangling briefly, and then moaned into his mouth. Before she could deepen the kiss and throw away any chance he had of doing things right and as planned, he broke away from her and pressed his forehead and nose against hers. Her soft breath washed his face, tempting him into kissing her again. He sat back instead and her gaze rose to the moon.
"It really is beautiful here." Lauren's eyes flashed silver as she lowered them to him. "Can we do this every year?"
Julian nodded, willing to do whatever she desired. He would bring her here every year without fail and they would repeat this act that had become sacred to them both. "I cannot give you sweets or champagne... but there is something I can offer you to make this night as special as it should be."
Curiosity brightened her eyes and then they narrowed as he undid the top few buttons on his black shirt and tugged the collar aside to reveal his throat. She had told him once that sharing blood with him, that drinking from him as he drank from her, was the most exhilarating thing she had ever experienced and that she loved the connection it forged between them and how she could sense his emotions, his deep affection and hunger for her. They hadn't shared blood in months, not since the first time. He hadn't realised that until he had been trying to figure out how to make their first anniversary and every one after that special. With so many years ahead of them, he had needed to find something that meant a lot to both of them. She wasn't the only one who loved how it felt when they bit each other in unison.
Lauren shivered when he brushed his knuckles over her throat and closed her eyes, her lips parting to reveal her extended fangs. The sight of them brought his out and he drew a deep breath as he pulled her into his arms.
"Happy anniversary, my love," he whispered against her throat, his words trembling with the need that surged through him.
Lauren kissed his neck, working her way downwards, and sighed against his skin. "Happy anniversary... here's to the next one thousand."
Julian smiled, his heart warmed by her words and the thought that she wanted to be with him forever and truly meant it, and then groaned when her fangs sunk into his throat and she pulled on his blood. He gathered her into his arms, eased his fangs into her flesh, and closed his eyes as he joined her in their own personal heaven.
He would hold her to that promise.
This time was the first of many.
One thousand and then the rest.
This weekend, Love Immortal is available for only $0.99 / £0.99 / EUR 0,99 from Amazon Kindle and from Smashwords (using a code). That's a $4 saving.
Love ImmortalFelicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she's ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she's the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.
With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?
Can she crack the armour around Julian's heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he's been through?
Only $0.99 from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain
Smashwords:
Smashwords (use code: XA94L)
