Sara Curran-Ross's Blog, page 7

News

Hi Everyone,

At long last I have finished my edits for Knight Of Swords which is to be released by http://www.hellfirepublishing.com/ on 30th April 2011.  Sooooo excited!!!  In the meantime, for anyone who is interested to know more about the book, I have posted the blurb below.

Lord Nathan Valancourt is rich, a darling of London's social set in 1893 and a notorious womaniser. He never believed in the supernatural but when a vampire killer masquerading as a clergyman begins haunting his dreams and forcing him to witness the murder of his previous conquests, Nathan vows to mend his ways.


When the killer turns his attention to Nathan's beautiful ward, Juliet, Nathan is determined to protect her. As they battle the monster, Nathan and Juliet come to realize that they share a strong psychic connection. This close bond triggers the discovery of their true heritage as descendants of human/vampire unions and leads them to uncover powers and gifts that offer them hope of victory and a love that knows no bounds.


The sequel, Ace Of Swords will be released on 15th November 2011 and I have also received news about the publication of another of my novels.  My dark thriller, The Devil You Know will also be published by Hellfire Publishing.

I will be continuing with the third book in The Swords Series, The Hanged Man and posting more writing after the Easter hols.  I would be grateful to learn which novel you want to read more of on the blog.  Please choose from the following:-

1)  The Art Of Retaliation (Historical Romance)

2)  Hidden Agenda (90s thriller/action romance)

3)  Sleeping Love (Romantic Suspense)

4)  Knight Of Coins  (Urban Vampire/Modern spin off to Knight Of Swords)

5)  Diary Of A Vampire Lover (Urban Vampire/Humour/ Lycan/Vampire modern spin off to Knight Of Swords)

6)  Sequel to The Organ Grinder  (thriller/action/romance)  (To be started)



The first two people to comment will be eligible for a e-book copy of my new thriller, The Organ Grinder, available at http://www.solsticepublishing.com/.


Have a great Easter!


All the best.


Sara

Update

Hi Everyone,

I'm doing the final read through on my edits for Knight Of Swords after which normal service will resume on my blog. In the meantime I have done a guest post at http://lostforwords-corrine.blogspot.com entitled, Female Characters Are Tough. Fact Or Fiction?

It's a post about about female characters in novels and whether many are too weak or too masculine. Shouldn't we have a more balanced approach?

Please check it out and let me know your views.

Enjoy your day!


Sara

Update

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that I have done a post for Hellfire Publishing's new blog on how writers see their characters around them when they are writing. Are they ghostly presences, Angels or something else? Or simply, I need to be taken away by the men in white coats??? LOL. Let me know what you think. I also want to know if you are a writer and have had the same experience. Check it out at http://thecampfire666.blogspot.com.

I will post another chapter of Sleeping Love as soon as I can but I am presently snowed under with edits for Knight Of Swords. My daughter is also off on holiday for Easter - 4 weeks!!!! So I am pretty busy keeping her entertained and having friends round. Stress city!!!

But not long now until, Knight Of Sowrds is released on 30th April! Anyone read The Organ Grinder yet? Let me know.

Well better get back to the grind. Enjoy your day!


Sara

Sleeping Love (Work In Progress)

Hi Everyone,

I'm still editing like crazy but here is part I of chapter two from my romance suspense novel, Sleeping Love.

Hope you like it.

Sara


Chapter Two


Sabrina instantly halted her struggle to escape Raoul's hold, shocked to her core by his words.

"Sabrina, its true. I've played this charade far enough." There was an impatient brewing storm in his tone. "I know the doctors told me to be careful with you but you are my wife. I have been without you for too long."

The Butler brought in a lit candelabra, momentarily ceasing their conversation. He sat it on the middle of the table without speaking and quickly left. Raoul's face came back into view It was filled with love. Confused and fearful Sabrina began to struggle again, desperate to free herself from his grasp.

"What the hell are you talking about? Let go of me. I've never been married. You heard about my lost memory didn't you? You aren't the first man to try and make me think that I was his wife. Perhaps, you can replace those memories I lost with ones of your own for your own amusement," she shouted.

There was a shake to her voice she fought hard to control. She felt exposed, vulnerable. She'd lost ten years of her life, lost her family, lost her identity. When she'd woken up in that hospital nobody knew who she was. No one came to claim her. Afraid and alone she managed to set up a new life for herself, going to University to study history, afterwards a PhD. Then she became a lecturer and wrote a book, gaining a reputation in the academic field. She'd given up trying to find her family. They didn't appear to want to know her.

"Sabrina, don't say those things. I love you, you are my wife."

"You're lying. My family have made no effort to find me. Why would my husband want to claim me as his own now, after all these years? He would be remarried by now..... This is a cruel, sick joke . . .'
Sabrina's eyes filled with angry tears.

'Enough. I won't listen to this. I will prove it to you,' Raoul snapped, reaching down to scoop the candelabra off the table. He tightened his hold on her wrist with a grip that would have been better suited to a vice making her squeal. He led her out of the room. Sabrina made every effort to drag her heels, pulling at his hand to force him to let go. Raoul only tightened his hold further and dragged her along.

Sabrina's eyes could see nothing but what the candles allowed her to see. They travelled through the dark rooms, the wooden floors creaking and groaning with centuries of use under their feet, highly audible in the ghostly silence that settled on the house. Finally, they reached a room that she presumed was Raoul's study by the elaborate desk and leather chair he dragged her behind. He came to a stop in front of a large framed canvas and raised the candelabra, directing her to look at it.

Sabrina gasped out loud. There was no mistaking her own image. She was seated in a chair in a black velvet ball gown cut away seductively across the breast. Her hair was longer, and her eyes twinkled with a happiness. It was breath taking and a shock to the system. She tried to take a step back and found herself half falling to the floor, half fainting with shock. Raoul caught her waist skilfully and pulled her up close to him. It was then that the lights came back on.

'Now do you believe me, Sabrina?' Raoul demanded, a note of triumph and vindication in his voice.

She glanced around the room. The place was littered with photographs of herself and Raoul very much in love. The room began to spin with a carousel of broken memories, a hundred swirling images that were there in a second and gone in a heartbeat. She didn't know what to believe anymore. Her body began to sway alarmingly as she looked up at the canvas again. Raoul slipped his arm under her legs and swept her up into his arms to deposit her onto a chair. He quickly moved away and poured her a glass of cognac from the drinks cabinet.

"I know you don't like cognac, Sabrina, but you will drink it. You need it for the shock you have just experienced. Now drink."

He was right. She didn't like it. She wasn't keen on alcohol apart from wine. Sabrina obediently took the glass too dazed and confused to pass comment on his correct knowledge. But her trembling hands made her clumsy and he took control holding the glass to her lips, instructing her to sip slowly. She coughed as the fiery liquid hit the back of her throat and tried to push the glass away, but he was firm giving her no choice but to continue drinking. He watched her anxiously when frustrated tears gathered in her eyes once more.

He knelt at her feet, gently cupping her face with his hands.
"There is no Martin Valoire, is there?' she asked already knowing the answer.

Raoul shook his head and smiled.

"No there isn't. It was just a ruse to get you here. I knew I wouldn't be able to get you to believe me until I brought you home. I saw they way you looked at the chateau. You remembered it. I knew you would. You love this place.' He smiled at her again. There was relief in his eyes. 'This is going to be difficult for you, Sabrina. I am a stranger to you at the moment but in time I hope I can help you remember our life together."

"I don't know what's happening. I just want to leave," she heard herself say before she could even think. 'I'm confused. I can't trust all of this . . .I . . ."

He sighed.

"You're afraid. I understand that. It's a lot to take in but I can't let you leave. You are my wife, you belong here and I am never going to part with you again, whatever the outcome."

His thumb caressed the light satin of her cheek as if to soften the impact of his revelation. She rubbed her eyes.

"Am I a prisoner here?"

Did he intend to hold her here against her will? She wouldn't put it past him.

"I would hardly call you a prisoner, in your own home, Sabrina," he told her with affront. But there was something in his tone that told her if she pushed him with her threats to leave he would keep her a prisoner.

"What happens if I leave?" she challenged.

He smiled.

"You won't. You have too many reasons to stay."

Sabrina's heart began to pound. He wasn't giving her a solid answer.
'How far will you go to stop me leaving?' she asked nervously, seeing no point in hiding her blatant concern any longer.

Raoul's seductive black eyes narrowed a fraction as a frown burrowed in his forehead. Sabrina found herself holding her breath as he captured her face in his hands once more. There was no mistaking his resolve or his authority when he spoke in a low soft velvet voice.

"You have amnesia, Sabrina. That makes you unwell. A doctor might say that you were unable to make decisions for yourself and I as your husband should make them for you. A court of law would most likely see it the same way. . . "

"You wouldn't dare . . ." She was outraged.

She watched him study her trembling lips with longing then look up at her with dark possessive eyes.

"I will go as far as I have to. You are my wife. Don't you remember your vows?

Sleeping Love (Work In Progress)

Chapter One


Sabrina glanced out of the window watching the moon cast her silvery shadow over the pretty French countryside. The black Mercedes glided over a hill following a narrow ribbon of road towards the illuminated Chateau Valois, suddenly dominating her view. A majestic building set in vast grounds, its tall cream fairytale turrets capped with smooth grey strained to their fullest height. It only served to show that the house was not just a home but also an impenetrable fortress like its owner. She'd expected something grand, after all her host was a wealthy businessman who appeared to own most of Paris but this was beautiful. It could have been stolen out of a fairytale.

The car travelled over a drawbridge that lay over the moat surrounding the chateau. It drove through an arch nestled between two towers, and Sabrina heard the car's wheels softly crunch over the gravel of the inner courtyard opening out in front of them.

He was there striding out of the house as the car came to a halt. His tall intimidating frame sent a curious mixture of excitement and fear tingling the length of her spine. It was a feeling that had seized her the first time they met and continued to intrigue her curiosity. He opened the door before the chauffeur could even manage to open his door and offered his hand giving her no choice but to accept his assistance in alighting. She felt his hand linger, smoothing the pad of his thumb over her knuckles. It was an intimate caress, one of lovers that startled her senses and made her pull away her hand in embarrassment.

He gave her a hooded smile as though he fully expected the reaction and remarked on the coldness of the weather. Expressing his concern that she would be feeling the chill, his arm hung loosely around her waist bringing a healthy flush to her cheeks as he guided her into the house.

The housekeeper was waiting for them. She gave Sabrina a cordial but guarded greeting making her believe that the woman was unsure about her presence in the house. She led them both up the snaking stone staircase blanketed by a luxurious red carpet to Sabrina's room.

"I put you in this room Sabrina because it has a good view of the grounds," her enigmatic host told her as they entered one of the guest rooms. Do you like it?" he asked moving away towards the white marble fireplace at the side.

He appeared eager for her approval but it was hard to look at her surroundings when Raoul Valoire was around. His very being dominated the pretty blue room with its mahogany four-poster dressed in sensual blue and white satin bedding. Somehow he made it's luxurious splendour insignificant.

"Yes, of course I do. It's beautiful. Being here makes me feel as if I have stepped into the past," she gushed nervously.

Raoul was on his hunches stoking the fire to make it blaze higher. He stopped for a moment and she was sure she could see his mouth curve into a knowing mocking smile. She prickled. Why did she get the unsettling feeling Raoul Valoire knew more about herself than she did and was enjoying it?

She began removing her gloves, loosening the buttons on her coat, her mind echoing with abuse, arrogant, pompous… She stopped as he stood and turned to advance towards her. He dwarfed her small curved form and she found herself straightening her back to rise to her full petite height.
"You haven't taken your coat off yet," he said with a frown. "Is there something wrong? Are you cold, Sabrina?"

It was the way he said her name, the way it rolled off his tongue with that sexy melodic French lilt, like an intimate caress that made her soften.

"No, thank you. I'm fine. I was just about to."

But he was there before she could raise her hands to begin the task, slowly slipping the cashmere coat from her shoulders and depositing it on the bed behind her. Why stop there she mused with irritation at the liberty he was taking. Cold? How could she be? Every time he was near her she quietly burned with the warmth of a blazing furnace ever since their first meeting. And he knew it. It was disturbing. It wasn't like her to allow any man to have this effect on her. Yet here she was allowing Raoul Valoire to exert his power and reel her in like a fish. Damn it, Sabrina. Get some control.

The man was a virtual stranger. She knew nothing about him but her body spoke to her in fleeting images of them of past encounters entwined together in unbridled passion. It was crazy. They were so vivid they felt like memories. She looked up at him wondering if somehow he'd seen it too.

Raoul's eyes were dark and fathomless. They were dangerous eyes, the type that swallowed you whole and didn't allow you up for air. She heard herself give a small inward gasp as they drew her in and held her prisoner.
Nervous at the curious effect he was having upon her, and feeling a sudden chill she pulled away to admire the roaring fire, rubbing her arms. A part of her knew this man intimately and he her. She didn't know how. Maybe it was that past life nonsense her friend Lorna kept on about. No it was ridiculous. Yet she'd experienced the same strange feeling when Raoul had first been introduced to her at that drinks party only two weeks ago. There seemed no logical answer for it.

"Are you feeling all right, Sabrina? Is there anything I can get you?" he asked.

She turned around. There it was again, that knowing smile, as if he knew exactly what she was feeling and it amused him. She studied his face looking for some clue as to the game he was playing but he was giving nothing away.

Sabrina watched him smile innocently clearly aware of the purpose of her scrutiny. Every time she looked at him he took her breath away. That was what made him so deadly, she decided. He possessed the type of looks that would seduce a woman from a mile away. An English mother and French father provided a light Latin warmth to his skin and an aristocratic smoothness to his face. His short hair was an enticing mixture of dark brown flecked intermittently with a lighter version of the colour. It's spiky style at the fringe begged for her to run her fingers through its rich texture.

Sabrina began stepping backwards both alarmed when he strode towards her but there was no safe retreat. Her back was just about hitting the fireplace and the heat of the fire was about to scorch and melt the leather of her boots if she got any closer.

Her blue eyes searched his looking for some explanation when his own narrowed at her. She made an attempt to move away to the side but found her chin being lifted and her head tilted sideways.

Raoul trailed the warm tips of his fingers along her neck, gently probing the aching stiffness that tormented her so often. She closed her eyes feeling surprised pleasure at his touch and allowed him to turn her around to face the fire. Too mesmerised by his gentle healing massage to object.
"You are always tensing, Sabrina. When will you ever learn to relax?"

It wasn't even his words that shocked her, it was the gentle familiarity with which he spoke them. Her mind was screaming caution but her body had a will of its own paralysing any movement she made to escape. The aching muscle softened, melted against his fingers. Somehow he knew exactly where to touch, to soothe and to deepen the massage to ease her pain. She would swear to it. What was happening? More to the point, what was she doing allowing him to touch her like that?

"Dinner will be ready in half an hour," the housekeeper stopped her speech abruptly, her eyes resting anxiously on her employer. They hadn't even heard her knock.

Raoul lowered his hands and Sabrina edged away afraid to meet his eyes or the housekeeper's for the sake of embarrassment. She thanked the woman and announced that she would dress and be downstairs as soon as possible. It was the cue for both of them to leave and the housekeeper took it at once but Raoul lingered. Sabrina felt afraid and for a moment considered making some excuse to leave. But her common sense made light of the situation. She was imagining it. He obviously liked her and she was complimented. Perhaps it was simply wishful thinking that she'd known him before. But she had come to do a job and she wasn't leaving until it was done. She would conduct herself professionally from now on and stop acting like a school girl.

Yet the strangeness of the whole occurrence kept intruding on her thoughts and try as she might she could not put it aside. There was something about this house and the people who inhabited its walls, a familiarity she couldn't quite explain. It was just like déjà vu.
Raoul interrupted her ruminations. His hands were firmly in trouser pockets as if to keep them from further mischief, his speech formal and distant once more.

"I will see you later. Please call myself or my staff if you require anything."

Smiling he headed for the door and took his leave. Sabrina was left wondering what other excitement the evening would bring and what part Raoul would play in it.

Sabrina changed into a short off the shoulder black dress. It was the only dress she possessed. She preferred trousers. They never let her down. They hid the petite legs she always unjustifiably condemned herself for owning but defined her small waist to perfection along with the feminine curve of her hips. She looked at herself in the full length mirror and groaned, trying to pull the dress down a little further to her knees.

Her attention turned to her breasts and produced another groan. They were generous and voluptuously round. She had no wish to over amplify their size but the dress wasn't giving her a choice. About to decide to rebel and pull on her jeans she became distracted by a new torment. Her hair. Half an hour later she finally gave up the ghost on trying to soften and straighten her defiant bob of black curls. A quick glance at her watch had her cursing her lateness and heading for the door.
Her host was about to knock on her door when she left, making her think he'd been prowling around outside waiting for her to come out all of that time. But he had changed. He was in a black suit and casual white designer shirt open at the neck. Those dark eyes scanned her dress and came to rest on her breasts. She was treated to an approving smile. Triumph that he found her attractive in the dress warred with her indignation at his intimate assessment.

"You look beautiful Sabrina but you should have worn something warmer. The chateau is full of drafts," he teased.

"I'll be fine Monsieur Valoire," she insisted, irritation audible in her tone. She edged away to maintain some distance between them. But his hand rested firmly against the smooth satin skin of her bare arm when her distracted mind tried to lead her in the wrong direction and brought her back to heel.

They walked through a string of rooms until they finally reached the dining room. It was decorated in a deep earthy gothic red, garnished with Flemish tapestries and portraits of the chateau's previous owners. The long oak table was dressed with elaborate candelabra dripping lightly with molten wax. The flames of the candles flickering shadows around the room as they entered. It was just the way she liked to have dinner, romantic by candlelight, and in this chateau it was a dream come true. How did this man know all of her secrets?

Maybe he'd had her followed, checked out. She wouldn't put it past a rich man like Raoul. He pulled out a high back chair covered in Spanish leather for her to sit next to him at the head of the table.

"So Monsieur Valoire, when can I expect to view the historic documentation you possess on your ancestor Martin Valoire so I can begin my research?" she asked as they were served a light started or goat's cheese and salad dressed in aromatic oil.

He caught her eyes as the butler poured ruby wine into the crystal glasses.
"You are a work alcoholic, Dr Michaels. I thought you could take a few days to relax and enjoy your stay and allow me to show you around the Loire Valley."

He was looking at her so intently she felt her eyes lower and her cheeks flush in response.

"I would have liked that very much but I have to give a lecture in Paris in a couple of days and I need to prepare."

He was undeterred.

"Well, we will just have to see what we can achieve in the time we have together."

Sabrina managed a nervous smile. He was making it no secret that he wanted her and he wasn't about to let her go. He continued their conversation, his deep velvety tone playing havoc with her every attempt not to melt and fall at his feet like some love struck teenager. Damn it, he knew, knew the effect he was having. She could see it playfully dancing with humour in his eyes, and she was helplessly playing along to his piped tune. She didn't like being manipulated.

"I have read your book and recent articles Sabrina. I am especially interested in your research concerning gender issues in popular culture in Europe. You are a hopeless feminist, aren't you?"

It was her turn to smile.

"Does that threaten you, Monsieur Valoire?"

"Please call me Raoul. Why would I feel threatened? I admire it. Well, to a certain extent,' he grinned. "As long as it suits me. I just wonder whether or not you have considered how a man would have felt about the way he was forced to live in those times?"

"I can assure you Monsieur…Raoul that I make adequate recompense to the issues of masculinity, that is why I intend to write a biography of your famous ancestor…" she told him firmly feeling her temper rise at his questioning of her professional work ethic as a gender historian.
But when she heard him laugh and realised with embarrassment that he was merely teasing she halted her passionate speech and bent to eat her food feeling foolish.

An awkward silence ensued and Sabrina began to feel more uncomfortable. Ribbons of light from the candles danced across Raoul's handsome face giving him a dark and mysterious air when he broke the oppressive silence.

"I'm sorry, Sabrina. I was only playing with you,' he smiled warmly. "I enjoyed reading your academic work. It raises some interesting questions."
She nodded accepting the apology but felt reluctant engaging in any further conversation, suddenly feeling very tired and on edge. The more she looked around the room, the more convinced she was that she knew had been in it before. She couldn't explain it. Maybe she'd visited the place as a child. But the explanation didn't seem adequate. Even the tapestries and the scenes they depicted were more than familiar.

"Are you ill Sabrina? You look a pale,' he asked.

"No, no I'm fine. I just have this weird déjà vu feeling that I've been here before. It's silly really," she joked. She raised her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head. "Maybe in my last lifetime."

He said nothing taking another sip of wine. For a moment his eyes avoided her. She found it odd that he would not make some remark or even a joke.
"I look forward to reading your work on my rogue ancestor but for now I want to hear all about you," he insisted putting down his glass, quickly changing the subject.

His eyes never left her face as she took a hurried sip of her own wine.
"There isn't much to tell I'm afraid," she said nervously. "Maybe we should talk about something more interesting."

She smiled sweetly, expertly covering the pain that slashed at her insides with a knife. But he was to remain annoyingly inquisitive.
"No. I'm intrigued. Tell me about yourself."

She didn't miss the command in his tone. There was no escape. He was not about to allow her to bow out gracefully. There was nothing to tell. Nothing she could remember beyond ten years ago when she'd woken up in a London hospital badly beaten without her memory. She didn't want to talk about it. Sometimes when people pressed her for details of a past and family she made up stories. They were better termed fantasies. She didn't want to do that tonight. Besides she had the feeling Raoul would see right through them. Her voice stalled in her throat and another awkward silence fell upon the dining room. Sabrina looked away desperately searching her mind for a way of excusing her behaviour.

"Well, I don't see you wearing a wedding ring, so I take it that you aren't married?" he quizzed. His voice was soft but Sabrina could hear some malice lingering in his tone. What was his problem? She'd had enough of his games. Maybe she should really leave.

She jumped when he suddenly picked up her hand that rested on the table, and began to gently examine her fingers. He stroked each one sensually, circling the pad of his thumb in the middle of her palm. She watched entranced, completely under the spell created by the rhythmic stroking.
It was a normal thing to ask, to see if there was any competition. He wasn't hiding his interest. But there was a curious firmness in his tone that appeared to challenge her answer, dared her to say no.

"No I'm not married," she told him truthfully.

She felt herself begin to tremble when his eyes directly stared into her own, narrowing with a dark primitive anger.

"I think you are lying." the words were spoken coldly, a streak of menace lining every one. 'Where is your wedding ring, Sabrina?'

Sabrina's heart pounded in her chest. Confused and terrified she attempted to pull her hand away. His response was to hold it tighter making her cry out with the strength of his grip. Once more he demanded angrily, 'Where is your wedding ring? Did you throw it away? Why did you forget? Answer me, Sabrina or so help me. . .'

Almost as if on eerie cue the wind that had been building outside swirled around the chateau with a deathly cry from an open window extinguishing the burning flames of the candles. The lamps at intervals on the walls also went out as if a fuse had been blown. Sabrina felt suffocated as the wall of darkness imprisoned her sight and pressed down upon her. She was terrified of the dark and had never known the reason. She struggled violently in Raoul's hold unable to stand it anymore.

"Hush, Sabrina. I know you have been frightened of the dark since you were a child. It will only last for a few moments. The lights are always going out. It happens in old buildings," he told her with impatience.
She heard him stand and felt him pull her struggling form into his arms. His fingers stroked soothingly through her hair but she was not to be placated.

'What is going on? You've been acting strange with me since I arrived? Why are you asking me about a wedding ring? Let me go. I want to go home,' Sabrina insisted.

"You're not going anywhere, Sabrina,' he told her firmly transferring his hold to her wrists in an effort to stop her moving. "You belong here. This is your home and I am never letting you leave again."
"What are you saying? Who are you? How do you know so much about me? She stopped struggling, more from shock than anything else.

"You really don't remember do you?' he sounded disbelieving, dismayed, barely able to contain his frustrated anger. "You are my wife."

New novel: Sleeping Love (Work In Progress)

Hi Everyone,

I am editing Knight Of Swords like crazy at the moment in preparation for it's release on 30th April through Hellfire Publishing. That means I can't really write any chapters for The Vampire Lover's Diary, Hidden Agenda, The Art Of Retaliation or Knight Of Coins until I am done.

However, in the meantime I have decided to post chapters from a contemporary romance novel I wrote a while ago called Sleeping Love. I would love your comments as to whether or not I should put any more effort into getting this ready for submitting to a publisher. Please let me know if you enjoy it.

Happy Reading.


Best wishes.

Sara

News

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that I have received another excellent review for The Organ Grinder at My Book Addiction And More blog.  Woohoo!

This one is a bit different in that it also includes a character interview I did with the main character in the book, Dominic Kane.  It was quite a surreal experience interviewing a character I had created.  I also had to wear a different hat and become a journalist yet still maintain an element of creativity.  I found myself flicking though a copy of Vogue and other magazines looking for article and interview techniques.  I hope I struck the right balance!

See how I did at http://mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com/ and give me your verdict!

Thanks.

Take care.

Sara 

News & Hidden Agenda (work in progress)

Hi Everyone,

Please check out blogger Spriteby's wonderful review of my thriller/action romance novel, The Organ Grinder published by Solstice Publishing at http://spritebysbokhylle.wordpress.com/.  If you are interested in purchasing a copy, it's available on Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/ & http://www.amazon.co.uk/.  It's also available as a E-book for all devices from http://www.solsticepublishing.com/ and will be available in print in US bookstores in the near future.

In the meantime I am posting the continuation of chapter six of my thriller work in progress, Hidden Agenda.  Hope you like it!

Take care.

Sara


Chapter Six (continuation)


The helicopter took them across town to the roof of the Somerset Fry hospital that specialised in eye surgery off Tavistock Square, not far from Euston station. The pilot and his companion, a doctor, had made several attempts to radio in and have the police waiting for them but once again Alessandro had been persuasive with his semi-automatic handgun and he'd won the argument. Still getting out of the hospital and evading security who were doing their best to stop them proved a challenge.


Alessandro pulled Ariadne out of a service lift and out of the back entrance to the hospital and onto the street. He led her along the pavement through the crowds of tourists and workers heading for Euston train station. They would be safely hidden amongst the deluge of people coming off the trains whilst he called Ethan and got him to come and pick them up.

But on the way a small deserted alleyway gave him the opportunity he'd been looking for to search Ariadne for the tape. He wanted control back and the tape in his possession. He wasn't going to trust her with its care any longer. She gave a startled pant when he tugged sharply on her arm and without warning propelled her down the small street. Convinced they were now safe from interruption Alessandro caught hold of Ariadne's shoulders and slammed her back against a wall.

'What are you doing?' she asked, panic evident in her voice.

'I want the tape and this time you are going to give it to me even if I have to strip search you right here on the street,' he said gruffly, pinning her arms at their sides back against the brick wall.

To his frustration she still argued with him and refused to give it up.

'You are so eager to get my clothes off, Alessandro,' she sneered. 'I told you, I am not giving up the tape without a fight, so go ahead and try,' she shouted angrily.

He glared at her.

'If you don't give it to me, they'll kill you and against my better judgement I've become fond of having you around,' he snapped.

'They are going to kill me anyway.'

'I will protect you from them. You have to trust me,' he calmed his tone. Maybe she just need reassuring that he would do everything he could to keep her safe. 'I haven't let you down have I? I can have you out of the country and away from Vadala and his men in an hour. Just give me the tape.'

'No. I am running the show. Get used to it,' she sounded like a spoilt child determined to have her own way. 'This is not just about your revenge,' she shouted.

He stared hard at her.

'Then you give me no choice.'

She gave a painful cry as he pulled her arms upwards and held them above her head with one hand. He swept his free hand up under the top of her scrubs. She struggled violently and it was an effort to hold her still. His palm rested against the smooth silkiness of skin just below her bra line as his conscience suddenly sought to reassure her fearful whimpers.

'Shhh, I won't hurt you. I promise,' he whispered leaning in close, suddenly captivated by the tremble in her full moistening lips. 'I just want the tape, nothing else.'

He moved his hand flatly over the cup of her bra doing his best not to give the impression he was enjoying it. He'd expected to find the tape nestled just inside her bra but no she'd buried it deep, if it was there. Maybe it was in her underwear? He frowned, it wasn't going to stop him looking if it was there. He dipped his fingers slowly, gently into the cup of her bra. She gave an indignant cry and kicked out at him again and again. He grimaced and leaned in closer pushing his knee against her legs to hold them in place and stop her from inflicting any more damage on his shins.

Her breast felt warm and soft. He had the urge to cup and squeeze it, test its weight. He wanted to forget about the tape and flick his thumb over its peak until it became erect in his power. He couldn't remember the last time he'd fallen for a woman. Getting one into bed had been sport and nothing else for a long time. This one was getting under his skin and in danger of making him reckless and ruining his plans to get revenge on his grandfather.

Unable to find a delicate way of continuing his search of Ariadne's bra he scooped up her breast to find what he was looking for underneath. He smiled at her triumphantly when his fingers made contact with the small plastic tape. It must have been damn uncomfortable for her to hide it in there. He cast his eyes down to her pretty pink lips once more and gave a small laugh as she cursed him.

Idly his thumb began to flick over the warm milky softness of her breast to soothe her restless agitation as she continued to berate him. Mesmerised by the movement of her lips he leaned closer and brushed his own across hers to silence her protest. He hadn't meant to. It was simply instinctive. He wanted her whether he liked it or not.

She gazed at him with wide surprised eyes but there was no condemnation for his action. He tried again. She gave a feeble struggle but a gentle reassuring squeeze of her breast calmed her and she allowed him to take her mouth when he dipped his head once more.

Alessandro cupped Ariadne's breast more firmly, loving it's silky feel as the tape slipped to the back of his mind. All he wanted now was to fuck Ariadne up against the wall if he could persuade her to let him. He didn't want to wait any longer to be inside her. He was so consumed by his sudden want for her that he neglected to retrieve the tape from her bra and slowly his alert guard dropped. He didn't notice the men approach until he felt the blow to the side of his head and fell hard to the pavement.

Eyes blurring, he fought to keep consciousness and lift his injured head from the ground. He called out to her frustrated at being unable to move his body when one of the two men lifted her against him and practically threw her struggling angry figure into the car parked further up the street. A sharp kick to his stomach had him reeling and his head fell back to the ground. He was too late. The car drove away as the darkness began to seep into his vision. Shit, he'd lost her. Like he'd feared all along he'd allowed his attraction to her get in the way. They would kill her for sure and the tape would be back in his grandfather's hands squashing any hope of revenge. There wasn't a damn thing he could do about any of it.

Blog Awards

Hi Everyone,

Rainy Of The Dark, http://www.rainyofthedark.com/ has very kindly nominated my blog for a Stylish Blogger Award!  Many thanks, Rainy.

Now to accept this nomination I have to post seven random facts about myself and nominate fifteen other blogs for the award.  So here goes...


Seven Random Facts

1.  I'm a Geordie lass.

2.  I am a serial tea addict.

3.  Some say I am a medium.

4.  When I can't write I watch back to back episodes of Murder She Wrote.

5.  I have a dog that likes to steal my leather gloves every winter and bury them in the garden.

6.  I love Duran Duran.

7.  I love reading Jane Austen novels.



And the fifteen blogs I have nominated are :-

http://exmoorjane.blogspot.com/

http://hellfirehearld.blogspot.com/

http://www.rainyofthedark.com/

http://authorsonshow.blogspot.com/

http://spritebysbokhylle.wordpress.com/

http://www.joannekenrick.com/

http://robinreneeray.webs.com/

http://www.scarlettblack.webs.com/

http://kathisbarton.wordpress.com/

http://demon-author.blogspot.com/

http://www.nishiserrano.blogspot.com/

http://www.mpgblog.com/

http://vampirekiss1967.blogspot.com/

http://cloverhillbookreviews.blogspot.com/

http://booklovershideaway.blogspot.com/



If your blog appears on the list please take the Stylish Blogger graphic and post it on your blog along with a link back to me.  Then you will need to post seven random facts about yourself and nominate fifteen other blogs for the award notifying each recipient. 

Right back to writing.  If I get my act together I may have a couple of chapter posts of The Vampire Lover's Diary and Hidden Agenda tonight.


Take care.


Sara

News

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that my thriller The Organ Grinder is now available on Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/ & http://www.amazon.co.uk/.

I've been undergoing some tests for my balance disorder this week and have taken some time off but I intend to be churning out chapters of The Vampire Lover's Diary, Hidden Agenda & my historical romance, The Art Of Retaliation over the weekend and into next week.  So keep tuned in!


Take care.

Sara