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Sample Chapter – VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES

Check out this sample chapter from my new adult book under the pen name, CEE BEE! You can order today on Amazon.

King Caelin
Scotland, 1000 years ago

Tonight, Clan MacGregor celebrates the Spring Equinox with feasting, music, and a contest called Kill the Vampire King. During this tournament, anyone may challenge me, King Caelin, to a wrestling match.  

No rules. 

No mercy. 

All comers. 

I fight on until death or morning. Naked.

Welcome to the best night of my year.

Many thing must take place before the contest begins. In the morning, I process through the castle complex with my queen and court. The afternoon features boat races along the coast. During the evening, my people enjoy feasting and music. Once night falls, everyone gathers at the sacred grove with its lone birch tree. The moon rises. The games commence. 

Which brings me to the present moment. 

Grinning, I stand on a muddy clearing beside our sacred birch. Moonbeams cast the rolling moors in an unearthly pattern of light and shadow. About a hundred onlookers stand in a circle, their bodies forming the round boundary line for the match. Once a wrestler is tossed into the crowd—or killed in combat—the fight is over. 

So far, I’ve defeated twelve warriors. All are still alive. My current opponent is Tavish, a sturdy man with long red hair and a barrel chest. I’m tall and broad-shouldered with brown hair and blue eyes. As with every match, Tavish and I fight Roman-style. No clothing. 

The crowd keeps up a steady chant. “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Tavish and I slowly circle each other. “Mayhap this is a bad idea,” he murmurs.

In truth, my opponent has reason to worry. I’m bloodkin, which means I’m born a vampire. By contrast, Tavish is nightling, so he’s a human who got transformed into a vampire later in life. Compared to nightling, bloodkin are stronger, faster and fear no sunlight. We also wield magic. In my case, I can control the will of others. 

“You’re casting spells,” says Tavish. “Getting into my mind.”

In truth, I do sense Tavish’s pulse. I could easily tap into his life force and compel him to my will. I won’t, though. There’s no sport in it.

“Trust me,” I state. “If I were in your head, you wouldn’t be jabbering.” 

The crowd laughs. And not just due to my teasing. While I’m coated in mud, Tavish’s skin remains pale and clean. Instead of attacking, Tavish paces me. Every so often, he roars or shows his fangs. 

We’ll never finish the match this way.

I lunge forward. Tavish and I grapple. Our shoulders press. Each tries to shove the other down. Cool mud slides beneath our feet. 

The crowd chants faster: “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Tavish grunts with the effort. Angling my body, I kick out my opponent’s legs from beneath him, toppling him into the mud. Fast as lightning, I clasp Tavish’s right leg. In a shot put-style maneuver, I toss Tavish into the crowd. People step away from the potential impact point. Tavish slams onto an open stretch of green.

“The match is over,” I declare. Stepping over to Tavish, I offer him my hand and help him get upright again.

“I donna what went wrong,” murmurs Tavish.

“Stop thinking about what I can do,” I tell him. “Focus on your own attack.”

“Easy words for you,” counters Tavish. “You’re bloodkin. I’m nightling and—” 

“—your mouth is your hardest-working muscle,” I finish. 

The crowd laughs again. 

I set my hand on Tavish’s shoulder. “We’ll spar another time. I believe you can best me. We’ll train on it, brother.”

Tavish smiles. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

I step back into the mud pit. “Who claims the next match?”

This time, a bloodkin steps forward. It’s Breagha, a female warrior on my personal guard. Even before the match officially starts, Breagha leaps for me across the mud. Her arms and legs are spread out like a starfish. 

In response, I flip onto my back, careful to ensure Breagha lands with her belly against my feet. With a vertical push from my legs, I launch her into the air. She lands in a crouch on a bit of green that’s beyond the crowd.

“The match is over,” I declare. 

Arching my back, I hop up onto my feet. Next thing I know, I stand before my queen, Elisava. All my manhood is close and fully exposed. Elisava blushes. 

Ah, my sweet bride.

Together, my queen and I are a study in opposites. I’m burly with sun-darkened skin and brown hair. Elisava’s pale and slight. The beautiful curve of her belly makes it clear that she’s with child. My soul warms at the thought.

I wink. “Good evening, Milady. Are ye well?” 

Elisava replies in her native Rus. “Da.” Yes.  

All the world fades away until it’s only me and my queen. Suddenly, I want the night to be over so we can be alone. I scan the horizon line. Not long now. Direct sunlight kills made vampires. Once dawn arrives, the nightling must go. The games will end. 

I step back to the center of our makeshift ring. “Who challenges the king?”

A new bloodkin steps forward. This time, it’s Hunter, my second in command and the only other bloodkin who’s as tall as I am. He has golden hair, green eyes and a sharp wit. 

“My turn,” announces Hunter.

“I was wondering when you’d step in.”

Behind me, Elisava coughs. All thoughts of the match vanish. Turning, I scan her carefully. Bands of anxiety tighten around my chest. Elisava’s been coughing for weeks. There’s no need for me to speak my concerns. My queen knows what I’m thinking. I pin her with a worried stare. 

Are you and the baby all right? 

She nods and smiles. I know what she wishes to tell me, although she does not speak a word. 

All is well. 

Still, my protective instincts are on edge. It’s a reflex to inspect the crowd for danger. I find the usual mix of vampires—both bloodkin and nightling—as well as humans. The men wear tunics and leathers, while the ladies are wrapped in simple dresses. The blood brothers and sisters stand in a group, all of them wearing their characteristic red cloaks. These are humans who we honor as willing blood donors.

Some of the alarm and tension seeps from my shoulders. There’s no threat here to Elisava.

“Your Majesty,” says Hunter. “Why check the crowd?” He gestures across himself. “I’m right here.”

I chuckle. This is why Hunter makes a great second-in-command. The man has both wit and strength. Like Breagha, Hunter leaps for me without waiting for the match to officially start.

It’s a sneaky move. How I’ll enjoy making him pay for it. 

Hunter and I grapple for a while. Our muscles strain. Bodies twist. Voice groan. Long minutes pass while Hunter maneuvers me face-down into the mud. 

“Ha!” cries Hunter. “At last, I win!”

“Not yet.” I spring to stand. My momentum sends Hunter flying. In fact, he might have gone past the crowd… if he hadn’t hit a particular obstacle.

I step over to Hunter. “You slammed into the sacred birch.”

Hunter pats the trunk. “My apologies.”

I offer him my hand. “Well fought.” 

“I’ll get you next year.”

With Hunter gone, I scan the crowd. “Who else wants a turn? The sun’s about to rise. We’ve time for one more battle.”

A female voice sounds behind me. “I wish to fight.”

It’s Iona, one of the clan’s blood sisters. At one time, Iona was a squat woman with full curves and long black hair. Now, she’s short and skeletal. Though only twenty years old, Iona’s dark hair has all turned gray.

My heart sinks. If bloodkin feed from one brother or sister for too long, the human donor can lose their sanity. We have a name for it.

Red madness. 

In the past, I always tracked all our blood brothers and sisters carefully. If any donor shows signs of illness, I make them live with other humans until they recover. But I’ve been so concerned with Elisava and our baby, I’ve stopped checking on our human donors.

Which means that if Iona’s going mad, it’s all my fault.

“Fight me,” repeats Iona.

“Nae,” I say simply.

“You canna stop me,” counters Iona. “I have a right to battle. Your reign ruined me, just like you’ve destroy us all.”

Hunter steps forward. “Quiet, Iona.”

I shake my head. “Anyone in the clan may approach me. Perhaps Iona can fight with words and release her fury that way.” 

Hunter knows what I mean. There still may be time to save Iona. If she speaks out her rage, we could reason with her to get help. 

Iona stalks closer. “Fyodor the Rus, a bloodkin raider, killed your father, the last MacGregor King. But when Fyodor’s daughter appeared on our shores, asking for refuge? You didn’t kill her. You married her. Fyodor came to reclaim his spawn. You didn’t turn Elisava over. Instead, you killed Fyodor, bringing ill luck on us all.” She points to Elisava. “Now, our queen is dying. She’s diseased by the bloodkin plague.”

Anxious bands across my rib cage. There have been whispers of this plague and how it kills only bloodkin women. We’ve been checking vessels before they unpack their cargo. So far, none in the clan have fallen ill. I won’t have Iona panicking the clan.

“That’s enough,” I say evenly. “We all can see that you’re the sick one.” 

“Nae!” Iona tears at her red robe. The garment falls to the ground, revealing her naked form. A weight of sorrow settles into my bones. All Iona’s veins are dark red, making her pale skin looks as if it’s covered in a crimson web. It’s the worst case of red madness that I’ve ever seen.

The crowd steps back. It’s a wise move. Those with red madness can do anything. 

“Fight me!” cries Iona. 

“Nae.” I offer Iona my hand. “Let’s go to the Gray Woman. Perhaps she can heal you.”

“You won’t fight?” Iona’s body vibrates with rage. “You leave me no choice.”

And Iona charges toward Elisava.

Primal rage heats my veins. This is my wife. My bairn. I speed toward Iona and set my palms on either side of her head. wit one swift movement, I snap her neck.

The human crumples at Elisava’s feet, dead. Grief and rage battle it out inside me. This is horrible.

Rising, I check Elisava once more. A thin line of blood trickles from her ear. A jolt of alarm runs down my spine.

“Are you well?” I ask.

She forces another smile. “Of course.”

“But, your ear.”

Elisava wipes at her cheek. When she examines her fingers, bright blood glistens on her spin. “Ah. Tis nothing.”

Despite my muddy body, I scoop Elisava into my arms. “I’ll get you safely to bed.”

“Please don’t,” says Elisava. “If I needed the Gray Woman, wouldn’t I say as much?” 

“Indulge me,” I state. “While you’re pregnant, I’ll take no risks.” I call to the crowd. “Allow a protective husband to end our night a little early.” When I next speak, I press magic into my voice. 

“The festival is over.”

* * *

Carrying Elisava, I rush up the hill toward the castle. My queen and I sleep in a chamber on the top floor. I set her in bed and order the servants to bring her clean linens and broth. All the while, my thoughts darken.

Elisava’s been coughing for too long. And now, she bleeds from her ear. Iona may be right. This could be the bloodkin plague.

Hours slowly pass as I watch my bride sleep. I wash up, change, and try to convince myself that Elisava and the baby will be fine. Eventually, I take a perch on the windowsill and watch the sea lap against the shoreline outside the castle.

That’s when I see it. 

In the moonlight, a single Rus ship appears on the ocean. Our watchman’s basso voice echoes through the night. 

“Rus Ahoy! Rus Ahoy!”

Elisava awakens. “Rus raiders are here. Tis likely my brother, Konstantin. This is good.”

I check the window again. Most of the Rus sailors keep to their vessel. One man marches through the shallows toward the castle. Although he wears battle leathers, this warrior doesn’t carry any weapons.

“You’re right,” I tell Elisava. “This could be Konstantin. And it seems he’s here to parlay.”

Yet, even as I speak those words, there’s no avoiding the truth: raiding ships bring trouble. Even if the Rus don’t fight, then neighboring humans and nightling will see this as a chance to attack.

After pulling on my battle leathers, I grab my obelisk dagger—it’s the best way to stake a vampire—and head for the door.

Time to meet the Rus.

The post Sample Chapter – VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES appeared first on MHB.

Here Aug 25 – VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES

Order it on Kindle!

Outlander meets Dark Prince in this tale of hidden magic, primal attraction, and vampire romance…

Lexa Uznetsov is trapped
To save my sister, I take on my father’s massive debt to Konstantin the Rus, leader of the New York Bratva. My life becomes a never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the mob. There’s barely time to sleep, let alone find love. In desperation, I approach Caelin MacGregor, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?

Caelin MacGregor is a lost king
Ages ago, I ruled a clan of Bloodkin vampires. My people are born to wield magic, drain humans, and live forever. That’s all over now. I’ve been alone for a thousand years. Today, I no longer care about the sunrise, let alone truly desire a woman. Then, I look upon Lexa. My world turns upside down…

Vampires of the Daemonverse
1. Violins and Vampires
2. Veils and Vampires
3. Vixens and Vampires
4. Valor and Vampires

The post Here Aug 25 – VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES appeared first on MHB.

Deal Alert – CLOCKWORK IGNI only 99 cents!

Only 99 cents on: Amazon / Nook / Apple / GooglePlay

“I absolutely love Myla Lewis as a character! She’s beautiful, witty, smart, and she has a license to kill.” – Angelic Reviews

Long live the me! As Queen of Antrum, I rule an underground realm of demon hunters who love finding new caves. Hey, it’s boring down here; I’m glad they all have a hobby. Per usual, I try to act interested about their latest discovery, but all I hear is blah blah blah new cavern blah blah blah Forbidden Tombs blah blah blah massive bronze pyramids blah blah blah creepy ticking sounds. It’s a little odd, but I’m not worried.

My bad.

Suddenly, the Forbidden Tombs burst through the ground in my home realm of Purgatory. Bronze pyramids smash through abandoned buildings and highways, making rush hour a nightmare. Even worse, the metal structures attract tiny lightning bolts called igni, which are my very special supernatural buddies. Within minutes, every last igni gets stolen away.

Now. I’m. Pissed.

Whoever hides inside those pyramids? Time to dust off your mummies and shine up your sarcophagi. Because my husband, Lincoln, and I are breaking in and kicking ass.

The post Deal Alert – CLOCKWORK IGNI only 99 cents! appeared first on MHB.

Box Set Cover Reveal – MY NECROMANCER ROMANCE

Amazon / Apple / GooglePlay / Kobo / Nook

Like slow-burn medieval romance and magic? Here’s a box set that you’ll love: MY NECROMANCER ROMANCE! All five books in the Beholder series are now in one collection… 

CURSED (Book 1) 
Most days, Elea couldn’t care less about being a witch, even if she does have special powers over spirit and bone. Why bother with incantations when you’re a farm girl? Everything changes when the evil Necromancer Tsar curses Elea. Now, she only has five years left before she burns as a ghost, tortured for all eternity. A handsome warlock named Rowan steps up to help. Elea wants him as an ally, but she can’t ignore the mixed-up feelings that come with every one of Rowan’s crooked smiles …

CONCEALED (Book 2) 
As a Grand Mistress Necromancer, Elea’s a witch who commands the ultimate power over spirit and bone. It’s magic that she’ll need in order to stop the Vicomte Gaspard from killing her Sisters by draining their magic along with their life force. To find and free her fellow witches, Elea must venture into some of the most dangerous places in the realm. And with the handsome warlock Rowan along to help, Elea may be risking more than her life. Her growing feelings for Rowan might put her heart on the line as well…

CHERISHED (Book 3) 
For Elea, there’s never been a better time to turn away from witch life. The Tsar is in exile. The Vicomte is dead. And Rowan? Falling for him only broke her heart. Instead of casting spells, Elea spends her days running Braddock Farm and enjoying the flirtations of the very handsome and non-magical Philippe. Everything is going perfectly, except for one problem. Someone’s trying to kill her. 

CROWNED (Book 4) 
At last, Elea has found the love of her life. Unfortunately, the evil Tsar Viktor is about to unleash an army of twisted mages bent on killing everyone Elea cares about… including the man who’s stolen her heart. So what’s a powerful witch to do? Why, fight back, of course! Elea goes on a mission to find the Sword of Theodora, the only weapon that can destroy Viktor. Will she find it in time? 

CRADLED (Book 5) 
Elea is settling in to her new life. Trouble is, her true love is spending a lot of time cleaning up messes from his childhood. And considering the nightmare that was his upbringing, those are some ugly scenes indeed. In fact, the experience is enough to make her new love vow that he never wants children of his own. Oops.

Don’t out on this limited-time collection! Lock in your copy of MY NECROMANCER ROMANCE today!

The post Box Set Cover Reveal – MY NECROMANCER ROMANCE appeared first on MHB.

Reviewers Are Talking About… GAGE

Reviews are coming in for my latest book, GAGE! Check out what folks are saying below, and you can see GAGE right now at  Amazon, Apple Books, GooglePlay, Kobo & Nook 

The post Reviewers Are Talking About… GAGE appeared first on MHB.

New Description – VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES

Check out the latest description for my new adults-only book, VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES! This one is written under my pen name, CEE BEE…

Outlander meets Dark Prince in this tale of hidden magic, primal attraction, and vampire romance…

Order it today on Kindle Unlimited!

Lexa Uznetsov is trapped
To save my sister, I take on my father’s massive debt to Konstantin the Rus, leader of the New York Bratva. My life becomes a never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the mob. There’s barely time to sleep, let alone find love. In desperation, I approach Caelin MacGregor, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?

Caelin MacGregor is a lost king
Ages ago, I ruled a clan of Bloodkin vampires. My people are born to wield magic, drain humans, and live forever. That’s all over now. I’ve been alone for a thousand years. Today, I no longer care about the sunrise, let alone truly desire a woman. Then, I look upon Lexa. My world turns upside down…

“This is my new favorite series. And that’s saying a lot.” – Teresa H.

Vampires of the Daemonverse
1. Violins and Vampires
2. Veils and Vampires
3. Vixens and Vampires
4. Valor and Vampires

The post New Description – VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES appeared first on MHB.

Cover Reveal – ARCHENEMY

Great news! The cover for ARCHENEMY is here…

As an archangel, Xavier’s life should involve hanging out on a cloud while playing the lute and singing Kumbaya.

Not exactly.

Risks lurk everywhere. Xavier’s fellow archangels don’t get along. On Earth, humans are killing each other faster than ever. The Queen of Hell, Onyx, is scheming to take over Heaven, Earth and everything in between. Worst of all? The King of the Angels, Lucifer, is acting in ways that can only be called beyond strange.

So Xavier toughens up. He builds alliances. Fights demons. And designs tools to outsmart those who want war. With every success, Xavier replaces another one of his golden wing feathers with a gleaming metal blade. And love? There’s no room for that in Xavier’s heart.

Because no matter what the trouble might be, Xavier plans to be its archenemy.

Angelbound Xavier Series

ArchenemyArchnemesisArchangel

ORDER NOW: Amazon / GooglePlay / Apple / Kobo / Nook

The post Cover Reveal – ARCHENEMY appeared first on MHB.

If I Wrote…

***Spoilers Ahead***

If I wrote WHERE THE CRAWDADS sing…

‘Swamp girl’ would sue the fucking state for letting her live alone in a fucking swamp as a kid. She’d then use the money to get an education and become a billionaire. Then-THEN she’d come back and buy the fucking town where everyone called her names while not giving a shit that she ate nothing but lake insects.

If I wrote the OBI WAN KENOBI series…

Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru would realize the Empire is coming to blow them away. Instead of Aunt Beru bullying Uncle Owen into fighting the whole Empire with just two guns, they’d both share a sly smile and a high five. Then, they’d enact the preset (and super elaborate) Home Alone style traps they had already set up for just such an occasion.

If I wrote GONE GIRL…

The wife would divorce the husband for his infidelity instead of coming up with an overly elaborate plot to frame him for her own murder. I might add in a final battle scene with a T-Rex, just to add some spice.

The End.

The post If I Wrote… appeared first on MHB.

Happy Book Birthday to GAGE!

Gage (Angelbound Offspring Book 8)

“An action-packed series full of adventures, romance and fun! If you want a fantasy world with sexy times, this series is for you.”  -Rosee Reads

BUY NOW: Amazon / Apple Books / GooglePlay / Kobo / Nook / 

Gage runs the L’Griffe, AKA the dragon shifter mafia on Earth. Since the human realm has no supernatural police, the L’Griffe do more than loan money or sell contraband. When it comes to dragon shifters, the L’Griffe are the law. And Gage isn’t the only sheriff in town, either. Other secret groups have their own gangs, including ghouls, demons, and everything in between. It’s an awkward balance, but it works.

Until the demons consolidate into the Horde. This alliance plans to take over Earth, and that’s just for starters.

Now Gage must build his own connections to fight this new threat. Fortunately, Gage’s true love, Huntress, comes from a family of superhuman warriors. All of them agree to team up and put down the Horde. Success seems just around the corner.

Then the truth becomes clear.

Thanks to magical cloning, the Horde is led by an old enemy of Huntress’ family—one that everyone thought had been destroyed forever. Now their archnemesis is back and more powerful than anyone could have imagined.

Looks like defeating these demons may also destroy Gage, Huntress, and everyone they love.

Don’t miss the exciting conclusion to the Angelbound Offspring Series!

ANGELBOUND OFFSPRING
1. Maxon
2. Portia
3. Zinnia
4. Rhodes
5. Kaps
6. Mack
7. Huntress
8. Gage
* This is a completed series.

Perfect for teen and young adult readers who want their book series to deliver: badass world building, angels, demons, paranormal romance, fresh themes from contemporary fiction, LOL romantic comedy, gods and goddesses, dark fantasy, strong girls and women as heroines, themes about loners and outcasts, the best laughs in humorous literature, general coming of age whackery, and (most importantly) truly unusual epic fantasy.

The post Happy Book Birthday to GAGE! appeared first on MHB.

Cover Reveal – RAPUNZELS AND POWERS

Rapunzel meets Jane Eyre in this fairy tale romance!

Order Today: Amazon / Nook / Apple / Kobo / GooglePlay

Grayson Eyre is an anomaly in the realm of Faerie: a plain elf. Dex is a handsome wolf shifter and Grayson’s mega crush. Will these fated mates find a way to make the Rapunzel fairy tale work for them… or will they stay forever apart?

Don’t miss this epic conclusion to the story of Dex and Grayson!

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