Michelle M. Pillow's Blog, page 27
May 3, 2019
Realm Immortal’s new look!
CHECK IT OUT! The Realm Immortal series got a new look!
NYT Bestseller Michelle M. Pillow
★★★★★
King of the Unblessed
Immortality has a way of changing fate.
The choice is simple: go with him or die.
Merrick, dark elfin King of Valdis, had once been heir to all that was good–happiness and pleasure his domain. Now, trapped as the ruler of mischief, king of necessary evil, he stands on a precipice of choice. On one side, his estranged brother, now ruler of what should have been Merrick’s, and on the other, King Lucien of the Damned. Both would sway him. Damnation is winning
Lady Juliana of Bellemare is from a human family, protected by the Blessed, coveted by the Damned. Betrothed to an old friend of her father’s, Juliana is resigned to living out her days close to her childhood home, longing for an adventure, never dreaming she’d get what she wished for. When her fiancé is murdered and the children of Bellemare are stolen, Juliana is sent on a quest in a strange realm where appearances are deceiving.
Merrick brings more adventure and passion than any woman could want. Can she withstand the temptations of the Unblessed king? The spell she weaves over him is more than he can resist and, desperate to be the one to rule her, Merrick offers her a choice; either come with him until he tires of her…or die.
Warning: This book contains love, violence, trickster goblins, overly helpful sprights, a king of necessary evil who lives to get his way and a woman who would dare to deny him.
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★★★★★
Faery Queen
It is ill-advised to incur the wrath of a faery, but it is most foolish to do so of a faery queen…
At first sight, Queen Tania of the Faeries knows that Hugh, Earl of Bellemare, is her one true love. Yet a year has passed since he promised to return, and now she knows he never intended to come back. With her mood darkening and her castle tarnishing, Tania vows to teach Hugh a lesson he’ll never forget. That no human should dare deceive a faery queen. In her despair, she turns to King Lucien of the Damned, and swears a blood vow that risks the fate of all the faeries—and Hugh’s soul.
Suspicious of the magical world, Hugh wishes he’d never discovered the truth of what was beyond the mortal realm. Noble duty consumes his time—but not his heart. He lost that to the seductive Queen Tania, who surely wanted him only as her plaything. Despite his vow to forget the teasing nymph, she haunts his every thought. When he finds himself kidnapped by the demon king and back in Tania’s arms, Hugh cannot resist her charms. But with his family’s safety at stake and the land at war, he must return to his home. Even if it means destroying Tania’s life.
In a war-ridden land, destiny rides on the wings of a faery queen and on the will of an earl who refuses to acknowledge their love.
Warning: This book contains love, violence, a castle full of amorous faeries, a vengeful queen succumbing to her darker thoughts and the human she would make her plaything.
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★★★★★
Stone Queen
To gain the only thing he truly wants, he’ll have to risk everything.
Juliana, newly appointed Queen of the Unblessed, has realized there is a bit more to her position than she first thought. Sure, it has its perks: a sinfully sexy husband who is also a king, growing powers, and a magical life that’s never boring, but the drawbacks are considerable. To save her kingdom from war, Juliana accepts assistance from a witch. But when her reality turns upside down, she realizes she’s been betrayed.
For a brief time, Merrick knew happiness, as much happiness as the king of necessary evil could ever feel. Juliana has become the light in his darkness. Though he can never tell his wife he loves her—or risk upsetting the balance of both the mortal and immortal realms—the words are understood between them. Or so he thought. When she falls prey to a wayward spell, becoming encased in stone, he knows he’ll have to risk everything to gain the only thing he truly wants.
Warning: This book contains steamy love, violence, an evil witch, a blundering wizard, meddling sprights, a new queen and the lustful king who plans on showing her just how fun it is to be in charge.
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April 28, 2019
New Preorder – (Un)Lucky Valley: Any Witch Way But Goode
The Garden Gnome Bed and Breakfast might be a new kooky weekend getaway spot, but for Lily Goode it’s the inheritance is the promise of a stable future for her and her siblings. Unfortunately, the house isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. The Bed and Breakfast also comes equipped with witchy Aunt Polly, troublesome garden gnomes, a town that hates her, newfound magical powers that misfire, and a werewolf boyfriend she shouldn’t have asked to move in with her.
But when a guest is found dead during her grand opening, Lily knows she has to solve the mystery of what happened before the B&B is closed forever.
Lucky for her Aunt Polly is here to help save the day.
Welcome to Lucky Valley, Colorado, where nothing is quite what it seems.
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April 11, 2019
New in Audio: Kisses and Curses
NOW IN AUDIO!!
Kisses and Curses by NYT Bestseller Michelle M. Pillow
Magic, Mischief and Kilts!
Scottish Warlock Euann MacGregor may be the tech savvy one in his family, but when it comes to love, savvy doesn’t enter into the equation. So when he crosses paths, in the most unusual way, with a woman who holds an essential piece to a puzzle that has haunted the MacGregor family for decades, he’s torn between wanting answers and wanting her. Forces beyond his control have brought them together, but those same dangers might also be what tears them apart forever.
Warning: Contains yummy, hot, mischievous MacGregors who are almost certainly up to no good on their quest to find true love. And Uncle Raibeart.
“Michelle M. Pillow is an incredible talent! No matter the genre she writes, I’m captivated, enthralled and totally in love. She is not to be missed!” – Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author
“Michelle M. Pillow weaves a story so engrossing that I lose track of time while reading and think about the characters long after I’m done. Each time I open one of her books I know I’m going to be taken on an unbelievably awesome journey and have a satisfying HEA.” – Mandy M. Roth, New York Times bestselling author
Happy Reading!
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April 9, 2019
Can you tame a Rebellious Prince?
Shifters are known to embrace their feral side, and it would take a very impressive female to tame his.
From NY Times & USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Michelle M. Pillow, a shapeshifter fantasy/sci fi romance.
Cat-shifter Prince Rafe knows that technically he’s supposed to be traveling to Earth to find a bride, but he doesn’t see the need to rush things. While his dragon-shifter neighbors appear all too eager to claim their mates and settle down, he’s all for putting that final moment off and enjoying his little trips through the portal. Yeah, yeah, eventually he’ll have to marry and set a good example for his people because on his planet females are rare, and they need to have children and blah blah blah. But honestly, cat-shifters are known to embrace their feral side, and it would take a very impressive female to tame his.Then he sees Jenna Kearney and all bets are off.
Excerpt
Kansas City, Kansas
“Hello, faes, want
to take a ride on my spaceship?” Rafe shot the Earth women a playful smile and
wagged his brows. They giggled just as he knew they would. Even on his home
planet of Qurilixen he had a way with the ladies—well, what very few single
ladies were left on his planet, and the alien travelers who visited. What could
he say? Charm was a gift. Half the time it didn’t even matter what he said to
them, as long as he dipped his voice and smiled.
“I don’t care if he is crazy, look at him,” one of the women
whispered. She had no way of knowing his shifter hearing could pick up her hushed
words.
Rafe was technically supposed to be looking for a bride
while on Earth being as humans were reproductively compatible. It was the whole
reason the shifter princes were allowed to leave their home world. Rafe was part
of the catshifting Var royal family who ruled half the planet—the fun half. The
other half was ruled by the dragonshifting Draig. As much as he liked his
dragon neighbors, they were a little reserved and obsessed with planning the
future. Since the portal to Earth was on their land, they were only willing to
open it if the princes looked for life mates.
All the dragons ever talked about was mating and continuing
the family lines…kind of like Rafe’s older brother, Prince Ivar. For a cat,
Ivar seemed to be missing the wild gene.
Rafe grinned. He was wild enough for both of them. His trips
to Earth were solely for adventure. The culture captivated him. The plentiful
sea of women fascinated him, especially since his planet lacked that particular
resource—females. Men they had plenty of.
He didn’t stop to talk to the flirtatious women as he went
to the diner’s counter. If he forgot to acquire cheeseburgers for the Draig
princess, he’d never hear the end of it. Princess Eve was the first and only
human to be brought through the portal and the only demand she ever made was
for Earth food. She’d married dragonshifter Prince Kyran. The union was a good
one. It proved portal travel for brides worked and allowed the three remaining Qurilixian
princes to continue their explorations offworld.
Rafe knew why their parents wanted them to mate so badly. Scholars
estimated that the shifters would die out within a generation if women weren’t
brought to the planet. No matter how many babies a woman had, the vast majority
came out male. Scientists tried, but no one could explain it. People were
healthy, lived longer lives—much longer than they had on Earth—and for the most
part thrived. They just didn’t conceive girl babies.
The downside of Kyran finding love after one attempt through
the portal was that their royal parents were starting to get a little
suspicious when no one else brought back a bride. Rafe liked Princess Eve well
enough. She was what the Earth people called a spitfire. And, thanks to her
help, he and his fellow shifters were able to blend successfully in to the modern
human world. None of this meant Rafe was ready to find his own princess.
Since shifters had originated on Earth centuries ago, they still
spoke a dialect of one of the Earth languages, but so much had changed since
they’d left, and many things had to be learned. What little the elders
remembered about escaping to Qurilixen was outdated and filled with stories of
shifter persecution and bloody war. For this reason, they hid their shifting
abilities while traveling. Not counting a couple bar brawls when Rafe had tried
to seduce a claimed woman—not that he could detect a mark or finger shackle on
her to back up the man’s claim—Rafe hadn’t seen much by the way of Earth battle.
Night pushed its way past the broken streetlight to darken the
diner windows. The waitress behind the counter came forward with her notepad to
take his order. He leaned forward on his hands. “I’m wondering if you have a
smile for me, sweetheart.”
Startled, the woman blinked rapidly and then started to
laugh. She swiped her pen at him before saying, “What can I get for you?”
“A dozen cheeseburgers and do you have something called
cream pie?”
“Chocolate, banana, coconut—”
“A slice of each. To leave.”
Rafe turned as the bell on the door dinged to signify someone entered.
“I think you mean to go,” the waitress said.
Rafe absently nodded as he studied the new woman who entered.
His accent made it easier to cover his English mistakes. He was about to answer
when the woman pushed a hood off her head. Red hair spilled over her shoulders.
The sides were clipped back to reveal small ears. A strong force hit him and he
couldn’t move.
“Evening Jenna,” the waitress called.
“Hi Barb,” the redhead answered. She turned, pretty green
eyes looking past him to the waitress. “Usual please.”
“Hey, spaceman,” one of the women he’d flirted with earlier
called. “Come sit with us.”
“Joe’s already started it for you, hon,” Barb answered Jenna.
“Be up in a minute.”
“Thanks. I didn’t have a chance to eat today.” Jenna crossed
the diner, pulling the strap of her messenger bag off her chest and over her
head before shrugging out of her jacket.
“You mean you forgot to eat today. Again.” Barb poured a
coffee next to him and slid it toward the woman. “Sit down before you pass
out.”
Jenna came toward the counter. Rafe inhaled, detecting the
scent of flowers in her hair. He stared at her. The sound of her voice
mesmerized him. Jenna reached for the coffee and finally glanced up. He held
his breath to hear what she would say to him.
Jenna arched a brow. “Your alien groupies are waiting for
you, spaceman.”
Rafe let loose his breath. “You know I am not from Earth?”
The woman stiffened, eyeing him as if he suddenly resembled
the back end of a yorkin beast. She brushed past him and took a booth as far
from the counter as she could get. Setting her bag on the table, she began rifling
through papers and did not look at him again.
Rafe ignored the noisy women and they soon lost interest in
his joining them. He sat at the counter to wait for his order and watched the
redhead. She didn’t look up, and he couldn’t look away.
Jenna did not look like the Earth women he normally met. In
clubs he could see at least sixty percent of a woman’s body. Jenna appeared
more reserved. Loose slacks and a blue striped button down shirt covered very
lush curves. This woman hadn’t reacted to his charming smile either. He found
himself intrigued.
“Burgers be up soon. Here’s the pie.” Barb put a bag on the
counter in front of him. “You’re barking up the wrong tree there, lover boy.”
“I do not bark,” Rafe said.
“Whatever you say.” Barb left.
Rafe lifted the bag of pie slices and made his move toward
the table. At his presence, she mumbled, “Thanks. Just leave it on the table.”
“You wish to eat my cream?” Rafe asked.
The woman gave a little jump of surprise and looked up at
him. Her mouth opened but no sound came out as she looked from his face to his
hips and back up again.
“I have very good cream,” Rafe said, hoping to see her smile
at him. “I would enjoy it if you ate—”
“I-I…” Jenna held up her hand. “Are you…unwell? I mean, do
you need…mental help?”
Rafe didn’t understand her question. He smiled at her,
waiting for the dip of her eyes and the tiny giggle females on this planet
made. She had such a pretty voice and an even prettier face. “I am Rafe and I
do not require assistance at this moment.”
Rafe slid into the booth across from her and reached into
his bag to lift a white container. “I have chocolate, banana—”
“Oh, pie, you have cream pie,” Jenna said, seeming to relax.
“No. I don’t eat pie.”
“Ah, you eat parchment,” he pushed at the pages on the
table. They were filled with numbers and charts. Finally, she gave a small
smile. The look caused his heart to quicken and his stomach to tighten.
“I don’t know what your game is, sitting down here, talking
to me.” Jenna gathered her papers and shoved them into her bag.
He glanced out the window, knowing he had to go just as soon
as he had Princess Eve’s food. Eve liked burgers to the point she threatened
him if he came home empty-handed—well, not a real threat, but an almost real
threat. “I have cheeseburgers. Would you like to eat that?”
“Do you have a food fetish? Is that what this is?” She shook
her head. “I’m honestly not in the mood. I’m behind on paperwork for a
thankless boss who is threatening layoffs because of the economy. The hot water
in my shower is broken and my landlord is a deadbeat. And I lost my cat to old
age. So, please, I don’t need crazy right now. Just go be an alien with your
girlfriends over there.”
Rafe glanced over his shoulder. “Those girls are not my
friends. You said you had not eaten today.” Then seeing Barb placing his bag on
the counter, he knew he didn’t have much time. He hesitated. Something about Jenna
made him want to stay.
“Barb, can I take mine to go, please?” Jenna asked loudly.
“Sure thing, hon.” Barb disappeared into the back.
“Looks like your order is ready. You should pick it up now.”
Jenna gave a pointed look at the counter.
Rafe slowly stood and nodded. “As you so decree, m’lady.”
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April 7, 2019
Super cute Dragon Lords charms.
Super cute Dragon Lords charms are coming very soon. Want one? Find me at RTC in Canada this fall to claim one! I’ll be carrying them around. Also, watch for other chances to get cool merchandise!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Michelle M. Pillow (@michellempillow) on Apr 3, 2019 at 10:56am PDT
April 3, 2019
Fighting Lady Jayne (+excerpt)
Dear Readers,
I absolutely loved working on this series. Alternate reality romance in a medieval world forever at war.
If you’re a fan of the Dragon Lords, and love the sexy super alpha warrior and strong kickass women who refused to be tamed–you need to check this one out!
The best part is there are currently 4 full length books in this set (and a spin off novella series, Divinity Healers), so there’s plenty of reading and no waiting!
Happy Portal Traveling!
Michelle M. Pillow
ABOUT THE BOOK
Alternate Reality/Parallel Universe Romance
by NYT Bestseller, Michelle M. Pillow
Jayne Hart has earned her independence by becoming Divinity Corporation’s inter-dimensional boxing champion. Life is great, until a dirty fighter knocks her unconscious and she loses everything. Now, abandoned by the corporation in an alternate reality filled with alpha male warriors and strange marriage customs, Jayne will use every weapon she has. Even if it means running from her sexy new “husband” and spending the rest of her life in a primitive forest.
Ronen of Firewall longs for a woman to warm his bed and his home, but he had no intention of choosing a bride. In an unprecedented move, one chooses him. Never in the history of the marriage ceremony has a woman dared to lay claim. How can he resist the alluring Lady Jayne? She’s confident and sure in her decision to be with him—until their wedding night when she’s nowhere to be found. But, Ronen is not one to shy from a battle. He will find Jayne and, when he does, he will do everything he can to tame the heart of his wayward wife.
Excerpt:
Jayne perceived the exact moment her mind became aware that something wasn’t right. Her body didn’t ache and her body always ached—if not from a fight, then from her workouts. The second hint that all was not well came in the form of her mattress. The thing was much too soft. She didn’t sleep on soft things, couldn’t sleep on soft things. Jayne had grown up in an orphanage. Where she came from that meant hard floor beds and a high pain tolerance from the daily obedience beatings.
Where in the bloody fucking misery was she?
She listened first, not moving, not changing her breathing. The soft whispers of others filled the space around her. People slept. The even tempo gave it away. Opening an eye, she glanced around and took quick inventory—dim light, stone wall, barred door, five sleeping women, not counting herself, on mattresses placed in various positions around the room.
Prison.
Jayne frowned. Her tank top and exercise pants must have been confiscated, replaced by a shapeless white, very one-size-fits-all, dress. She’d been arrested before, usually for disorderly conduct. Surely she’d remember celebrating her victory. Nothing to worry about. Divinity Corp always sent someone to get her out of jail. Ah, the perks of being a champ.
Wait, victory? Jayne shot up on her mattress. Boxers’ Poison.
“Bloody fucking misery, son of a whoring cat…” Jayne cursed under her breath. A blonde head moved nearby, followed by a light whimper.
Jayne didn’t care if she interrupted her neighbor’s beauty sleep. How could that father of a monkey do this to her? Big Bobby had drugged her. His last hit had been tainted with Boxers’ Poison. One punch to an open wound and down went your opponent. All fighters were supposed to have been tested for such tricks, as was protocol. Even on 241 it was illegal. What fun was a drugged fight to the crowds? Well, except for the drugged fights on plane 23.
“That flying piece of monkey dung,” Jayne swore again, feeling the familiar urge to hit something ball up inside her. She wasn’t sure what was worse—being cheated or having nearly four hundred dimensions that participated in the underground entertainment division of Divinity Corp think she lost to such a whoreson.
“Keep it down,” someone mumbled. “I’m trying to sleep.”
“You keep it down,” Jayne muttered under her breath, unafraid of the warning in the woman’s tone. Where was George, the Divinity Corp entertainment lawyer? He should be getting her out of there already.
A sinking feeling came over Jayne. What if George wasn’t coming? Technically, she’d lost the fight. If Divinity believed her to have lost a fortune in assets, they’d…
“Oh, misery.” Jayne reached for her face, not feeling a single swollen eyelid or bruised cheekbone. She’d been healed. That meant she’d been out for at least a couple weeks. Boxers’ Poison didn’t last that long, so someone had deliberately kept her under while they transported her to this cell. Management always joked that they’d make her disappear if she ever lost a match. She’d thought they were teasing. Someone always had to lose. Sure, it was never her, but someone had to. “Oh, bloody misery. They shipped me off. They made me disappear.”
“I said to keep it down!” A dark-haired woman sat up, blinking hard. “What the…? Where?” Her gaze darted around the room in surprise, and she let loose a loud, long, hairsplitting scream. The prison cell instantly became a blur of jolting movements as the other women awoke. Jayne covered her ears, glaring at the woman who refused to stop her incessant yelling.
“Eh, what’s all this noise?” A gruff voice yelled. A man who could only be their prison guard appeared in front of the bars. A burly man dressed in a hard leather jerkin and dark breeches stood between the bars and the stone wall on the other side of the narrow hall. Metal diamonds plated the leather of his clothes. He clanked a heavy metal weapon against the bars to make them ring. “Stop that. You woke me from a dead sleep. No talking. No waking. Lie down until it’s time to break our fast. The next one to make a sound, I swear to the fire goddess I will run you through with my sword.”
The woman stopped screaming, but her wide eyes still yelled in silent terror. Jayne looked around at the rest of her companions. None were as silly as the screamer, but nearly all looked just as confused. All except a redhead who hugged her arms around her legs and rolled back down onto her mattress bed.
One of the two blondes whimpered and did as she was told, sniffling noisily. Jayne realized it was the same woman who’d been sniveling as the others slept. The second blonde appeared much calmer as her eyes met Jayne’s. She didn’t say a word as she took in their surroundings. The last prisoner, the brunette, scratched thoughtfully at the back of her head as she eyed the retreating guard.
“We’d better do as he says,” the brunette said, only to add to herself, “for now.”
Jayne silently, though reluctantly, agreed. There was no point in causing trouble until she knew what was happening. Pressing her hand against the hard stone of the floor, she slid the mattress aside. Though bumpy, the stiff bed was a cool relief to the softness. Threading her hands under her head, she closed her eyes. The only thing left to do was wait, for all would unfold itself in time.
Don’t Wait!
BUY IT NOW!
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April 2, 2019
Fighting Lady Jayne (+excerpt)
Dear Readers,
Today I’m featuring Fighting Lady Jayne from the series Divinity Warriors. I absolutely loved working on these books. Alternate reality romance in a medieval world forever at war.
If you’re a fan of the Dragon Lords, and love the sexy super alpha warrior and strong kickass women who refused to be tamed–you need to check this one out!
The best part is there are currently 4 full length books in this set (and a spin off novella series, Divinity Healers), so there’s plenty of reading and no waiting!
Happy Portal Traveling!
Michelle M. Pillow
Divinity Warriors: Fighting Lady Jayne
“It is in me to run and it is in you to capture.”
Alternate Reality/Parallel Universe Romance
by NYT Bestseller, Michelle M. Pillow
Jayne Hart has earned her independence by becoming Divinity Corporation’s inter-dimensional boxing champion. Life is great, until a dirty fighter knocks her unconscious and she loses everything. Now, abandoned by the corporation in an alternate reality filled with alpha male warriors and strange marriage customs, Jayne will use every weapon she has. Even if it means running from her sexy new “husband” and spending the rest of her life in a primitive forest.
Ronen of Firewall longs for a woman to warm his bed and his home, but he had no intention of choosing a bride. In an unprecedented move, one chooses him. Never in the history of the marriage ceremony has a woman dared to lay claim. How can he resist the alluring Lady Jayne? She’s confident and sure in her decision to be with him—until their wedding night when she’s nowhere to be found. But, Ronen is not one to shy from a battle. He will find Jayne and, when he does, he will do everything he can to tame the heart of his wayward wife.
Excerpt:
Jayne perceived the exact moment her mind became aware that something wasn’t right. Her body didn’t ache and her body always ached—if not from a fight, then from her workouts. The second hint that all was not well came in the form of her mattress. The thing was much too soft. She didn’t sleep on soft things, couldn’t sleep on soft things. Jayne had grown up in an orphanage. Where she came from that meant hard floor beds and a high pain tolerance from the daily obedience beatings.
Where in the bloody fucking misery was she?
She listened first, not moving, not changing her breathing. The soft whispers of others filled the space around her. People slept. The even tempo gave it away. Opening an eye, she glanced around and took quick inventory—dim light, stone wall, barred door, five sleeping women, not counting herself, on mattresses placed in various positions around the room.
Prison.
Jayne frowned. Her tank top and exercise pants must have been confiscated, replaced by a shapeless white, very one-size-fits-all, dress. She’d been arrested before, usually for disorderly conduct. Surely she’d remember celebrating her victory. Nothing to worry about. Divinity Corp always sent someone to get her out of jail. Ah, the perks of being a champ.
Wait, victory? Jayne shot up on her mattress. Boxers’ Poison.
“Bloody fucking misery, son of a whoring cat…” Jayne cursed under her breath. A blonde head moved nearby, followed by a light whimper.
Jayne didn’t care if she interrupted her neighbor’s beauty sleep. How could that father of a monkey do this to her? Big Bobby had drugged her. His last hit had been tainted with Boxers’ Poison. One punch to an open wound and down went your opponent. All fighters were supposed to have been tested for such tricks, as was protocol. Even on 241 it was illegal. What fun was a drugged fight to the crowds? Well, except for the drugged fights on plane 23.
“That flying piece of monkey dung,” Jayne swore again, feeling the familiar urge to hit something ball up inside her. She wasn’t sure what was worse—being cheated or having nearly four hundred dimensions that participated in the underground entertainment division of Divinity Corp think she lost to such a whoreson.
“Keep it down,” someone mumbled. “I’m trying to sleep.”
“You keep it down,” Jayne muttered under her breath, unafraid of the warning in the woman’s tone. Where was George, the Divinity Corp entertainment lawyer? He should be getting her out of there already.
A sinking feeling came over Jayne. What if George wasn’t coming? Technically, she’d lost the fight. If Divinity believed her to have lost a fortune in assets, they’d…
“Oh, misery.” Jayne reached for her face, not feeling a single swollen eyelid or bruised cheekbone. She’d been healed. That meant she’d been out for at least a couple weeks. Boxers’ Poison didn’t last that long, so someone had deliberately kept her under while they transported her to this cell. Management always joked that they’d make her disappear if she ever lost a match. She’d thought they were teasing. Someone always had to lose. Sure, it was never her, but someone had to. “Oh, bloody misery. They shipped me off. They made me disappear.”
“I said to keep it down!” A dark-haired woman sat up, blinking hard. “What the…? Where?” Her gaze darted around the room in surprise, and she let loose a loud, long, hairsplitting scream. The prison cell instantly became a blur of jolting movements as the other women awoke. Jayne covered her ears, glaring at the woman who refused to stop her incessant yelling.
“Eh, what’s all this noise?” A gruff voice yelled. A man who could only be their prison guard appeared in front of the bars. A burly man dressed in a hard leather jerkin and dark breeches stood between the bars and the stone wall on the other side of the narrow hall. Metal diamonds plated the leather of his clothes. He clanked a heavy metal weapon against the bars to make them ring. “Stop that. You woke me from a dead sleep. No talking. No waking. Lie down until it’s time to break our fast. The next one to make a sound, I swear to the fire goddess I will run you through with my sword.”
The woman stopped screaming, but her wide eyes still yelled in silent terror. Jayne looked around at the rest of her companions. None were as silly as the screamer, but nearly all looked just as confused. All except a redhead who hugged her arms around her legs and rolled back down onto her mattress bed.
One of the two blondes whimpered and did as she was told, sniffling noisily. Jayne realized it was the same woman who’d been sniveling as the others slept. The second blonde appeared much calmer as her eyes met Jayne’s. She didn’t say a word as she took in their surroundings. The last prisoner, the brunette, scratched thoughtfully at the back of her head as she eyed the retreating guard.
“We’d better do as he says,” the brunette said, only to add to herself, “for now.”
Jayne silently, though reluctantly, agreed. There was no point in causing trouble until she knew what was happening. Pressing her hand against the hard stone of the floor, she slid the mattress aside. Though bumpy, the stiff bed was a cool relief to the softness. Threading her hands under her head, she closed her eyes. The only thing left to do was wait, for all would unfold itself in time.
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Lilith Enraptured
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Keeping Paige
Taking Karre
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Seducing Cecilia
Linnea’s Arrangement
March 21, 2019
Forget Me Not – Gothic Romance
When I started, I thought I would only write historical romances. I liked the challenge of building a world within specific parameters and creating characters that had to conform to the era in which they lived.
After my first book, a Regency ghost romance, published (2004), the editors contacted me needing authors to fill out their Sci Fi Romance list. I agreed with the idea I’d go back to historical “my true passion.”
I laugh at younger me now. Those first Sci Fi PNR books, Dragon Lords series turned into the Qurilixen World collection with 37 books within 8 series installments and growing.
I’ve written in almost every genre of romance: fantasy, dark paranormal, paranormal, contemporary, historical, futuristic, chick lit, Scottish, sci-fi, suspense, urban fantasy…
Even with all of this, I still have a special place in my heart for that first published book. I’m including an excerpt so you can all check it out. I hope you’ll give it a try.
Happy Reading!
Michelle M. Pillow
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From NYT Bestselling Author Michelle M. Pillow comes a tragically beautiful love story that defies perception.
Forget Me Not
(Previously Titled: The Mists of Midnight)
Regency Paranormal Gothic Romance
“Colonel Wallace is rather taken with your charms, my dear,” her father answered.
“Yes, quite taken,” echoed her mother with a nod of her head.
“What are you saying, Father? By all means, speak plainly.” Isabel gripped the sides of the chair, her gloved hands working hard against the rough material. Her cheeks burned with the first simmer of anger.
“He wishes to marry you, daughter, and I have given him my consent. We have agreed that, after some intensive training of your mind and actions, he will claim you as his wife and formally introduce you to his uncle.” The Viscount appeared a bit puzzled by her reaction. “Surely, you know of his feelings?”
“No, I do not,” Isabel answered.
“Isabel, your tone,” her mother scolded.
“I will not mind my tone.” She stood, desiring nothing more than to run away. “You must send him notice at once that you have changed your mind.”
“I will do no such thing.” Her father remained calm. “A gentleman does not rescind on his word without good cause. And you can forget Mr. Tanner. I will never consent to such a disagreeable man as he.”
“But the Colonel? He wishes to change me,” Isabel whispered in a mix of anger and mortification. “Am I not suited as I am? He would turn me into a meek and mild plaything?”
“You overreact.” The Viscount scowled in displeasure. His tone became hard. “We merely wish to see your more desirable traits polished before you are to be a wife.”
“Our family remaining in this home may very well be dependent on the impression you make upon his uncle,” her mother inserted.
“And you will not be entertaining Mr. Tanner tonight or again unless it is with the Colonel’s consent,” her father said. “Mr. Tanner has been a most unwelcome influence over you, Issie.”
“You will receive the Colonel’s attentions tonight, daughter,” her mother insisted.
“I will not,” Isabel growled through clenched teeth. “If he wishes to speak to me, he will hear my thoughts. I will not have him. He will be wasting his time for the very character of my person, which he finds so objectionable, cannot and will not be changed. So I beg you, spare the Colonel the embarrassment of asking.”
“Will not have him? He is worth nearly seven thousand a year.” Her mother fluttered her hands nervously before her face, hovering between the desire to scold her daughter and the need to faint to prove how upset she was. “You could not hope to do much better. And as to change, a wife’s place is nothing if not sacrifice.”
“And, after his uncle passes, he will own Rothfield Park,” put in her father logically. “He will be the new Marquis of Rothfield.”
Isabel took several deep breaths. They were serious. They wanted her to give up her chance at happiness for a man with seven thousand a year and a house whose location she abhorred.
“If you don’t marry him,” her mother threatened, “I shall never speak to you again. And neither shall your father.”
“Then I look forward to a long and happy silence,” Isabel shouted. She rushed through the library door. Seeing Jane’s worried face as she passed through the front hall, Isabel met her sister’s stricken expression and experienced a moment’s regret. She refused to cry as she ran from the house as fast as she could.
Ignoring Jane’s gentle entreaties, Isabel made her way quickly to the stables. The angry red of outrage and horror stung her porcelain features, burning violently against her skin.
Not seeing a groom to help her, she went to her mare. Grabbing a set of reins from the stall, she fashioned them about the horse’s neck. Then, leading the palfrey out into the diffused sunlight, she brought the horse to the stairs so that she could maneuver onto its back with as much incensed grace as possible. Seated without the benefit of a sidesaddle, she nudged the mare and tore off toward the north field where the grass was the most open.
The spirited mare bolted forward with a jerk. Isabel, having ridden since the age of four, did not think twice about her wild ride. Her skirts flew behind her, pressing against her legs and fanning over the backside of the horse. When she was well into the field, she discovered she had two choices. Either she could ride out into the clearing, obviously within view of the library window, or she could ride into the mist, far from her father’s watchful gaze.
Isabel chose the mist.
Once out of sight, she swung her leg over the mare’s back and adjusted her skirts so that she was better seated astride the horse. The mist grew heavier, but she ignored it. She raced past shrubs and then trees. The mare found an easy path. Its hooves pounded down a gentle incline, through a limb covered alcove.
The fog thickened. Isabel reined the mare to a rough stop. She could hear the gentle babble of the nearby stream, but she could not see the water. The horse’s hooves pattered nervously. The mist continued to expand and thicken until she could barely detect the trees in front of her.
She looked around in mounting terror. Her attention snapped to one side and then the other. The trees faded completely, leaving behind an all-consuming whiteness. The water grew louder until she could not tell from which direction it came. Maneuvering the horse around, she urged the palfrey to move. In the beginning, the animal resisted but finally obeyed as she yelled at it to go.
Isabel leaned close to the horse’s neck, willing it to feel its way home. The fog only thickened. The horse’s movements were slow and cautious. The animal’s ears twitched, and its head bobbed in agitation.
Isabel forced a scared laugh, even as she trembled. The flesh on the back of her neck prickled in warning. She hugged closer to the skittish mare. She could feel its hot, sweaty flesh pressing into her gown. As they moved, she watched the white fog, willing her eyes to detect anything familiar. A tree limb passed close to her face. She jolted back in alarm.
And then she heard singing, the sweet chime of a child’s voice in play. The melody was haunted and hard, despite its joyful laughter. It echoed in the trees. At first, it was behind her, running through the mist. However as she urged the horse faster, it was beside her, keeping pace with the mare.
“Play,” she heard the childlike whisper near her ear.
Isabel jolted in fright. Tears slid over her cheeks. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. The singing came from her side, growing louder. The fog became so dense she could barely see the horse’s ears pointed with alertness.
“Hello?” she called, her voice cracking. “Who’s there?”
“Play,” demanded the pouting voice.
“Who are you?” Isabel insisted. She couldn’t see her hands. Her limbs shook. She was too afraid to move from the comfort of the horse’s back. She felt the mare shake and jolt with each ring of laughter, each start of an eerie ballad. “What do you want?”
Suddenly, the laughing turned to tears. The mist seemed to press into Isabel’s skin. She breathed it into her lungs like the smoke from a fire. Coughing, she wheezed to catch her breath. Almost instantly, perspiration dotted her flesh. The horse neighed and bucked in protest. Her fingers found her throat, tearing at her gown as she fought for air.
“I want to play with you,” the child answered with a sulk in her voice. The sound of her words were hollow, garbled by a roaring Isabel couldn’t make out. She coughed louder, desperate to get out of the fog. Sweetly, the voice asked, “Are you my mother? Are you the girl from my bedchamber?”
“No!” Isabel kicked her horse in the ribs, urging it forward, not caring if she was still within the trees. She would much rather take her chances against the forest.
As the startled mare began to gallop, a hand shot out from the fog trying to stop her. The masculine fingers reached for the horse’s reins. It was the hand of a man—pale, strained, and strong. She saw the ruffling of a shirt. Isabel screamed louder. Her mare jolted violently, and she lost the reins. The hand disappeared behind her. She sat up, looking over her shoulder to see if the man was coming for her. There was nothing but mist all around.
With a relieved sigh, she turned to look forward. Her eyes did not have time to focus as a branch materialized out of the fog. It struck her across the forehead, knocking her back with a sharp crack. Blood filled her mouth. Her head hit the jolting movements of the animal’s galloping rump. Her feet loosened their hold, and she flipped over the back of the horse to the ground. And, as her head struck the earth, the white mist turned into enveloping darkness.
Keep Reading!
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Tyler Tichelaar, Ph.D. on The Gothic Wanderer wrote:
If you enjoyed books like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, then Forget Me Not should give you plenty of ghostly pleasure. If you’re a fan of television shows like The Ghost Whisperer or films like The Sixth Sense, you’ll also find more enjoyable modern spins on ghosts and the Gothic in these pages. After you finish Forget Me Not, I suspect you will want to read more of Michelle Pillow’s novels—fortunately, she has written plenty in both the romance and paranormal genres.
March 19, 2019
How to Build a World FREE Workshop (Wonder Quest)
Wonder Quest hosted by Maram Taibah
Are you trying to write a story but it’s not coming out right? Are you procrastinating? Are you too afraid to even begin?
This free online event is for you!
Sessions are led by international bestselling authors, publishing experts and book coaches, including me. The event will officially launch on March 29th.
My session will be on Day 2 (March 30th) but make sure you sign up now to be a part of the event!
I’ll be giving a workshop called:
FREE: How to Build a World:
Tips to help your story become more real
Speaker: Michelle M. Pillow
Mark Your Calendar: March 30, 2019
About the workshop:
Explore the creative writing process from beginning to end. Learn how to find a good story, how to tell it and then how to share it. It doesn’t matter what you’re writing, whether that’s a novel, a memoir, a screenplay or a short story. You don’t need writing experience. You don’t need to be a published author. You can fit it around your schedule and best of all, it is my gift to you. It doesn’t cost you a dime.
Reserve your spot in the adventure here:
CLICK HERE – JOIN THE WORKSHOP!
I hope to see you there!!
P.S. I know there’s a lot going on in your life. Let’s make 2019 your best year yet by helping you get moving on your project!
Happy Writing!
Michelle M. Pillow
Speakers Include:
Michelle M. Pillow
Allison Brennan
Intisar Khanani
Margo Dill
Mary Ting
Brooke Warner
Kia Carrington-Russell
CC Hunter (Christie Craig)
Christina Baldwin
Sage Adderley-Knox
CLICK HERE – JOIN THE WORKSHOP!
March 15, 2019
Free Coloring Pages!
Dear Readers,
I have more free goodies for you because I love giving you presents! Check out the Reader Love page for special coloring pages for my readers who like to play: HERE!
Happy Reading!
Michelle M. Pillow
