*****
Tainted
A dangerous love that Rome will never allow…
Release date: 28th August 2013
Ellora’s Cave Amazon ARe
Driven by the knowledge he failed to protect his king and embittered at losing the woman he loves, Celtic warrior Gawain despises the lust he feels for the beautiful Roman patrician, Antonia. She is everything he’s never wanted in a woman, yet she ignites his passion like no other. Despite the danger of discovery he embarks on an illicit liaison with her, determined to uncover the reason for the infinite sorrow that haunts her eyes.
Newly arrived in Britannia from Rome, Antonia is inexplicably drawn to the cold, tough Celt whose touch stirs a desire she long thought died at the hands of her brutal former husband. With Gawain she learns the pleasure of sex and his unexpected tenderness thaws her frozen heart. But she hides a deadly secret that could be her undoing, and knows her growing feelings for him can lead nowhere. Yet when a shadow from her past threatens her future Antonia is torn between the Empire of her birth and betraying Gawain, the man she’s grown to love.
Inside Scoop: This medieval romance dabbles a wee bit in the paranormal.
A Romantica® historical erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Excerpt:
Gawain waited just inside the tavern and watched Antonia as she approached. Even in this back street, where no patrician lady should set foot, she had an aura of confidence in her step and a smile tugged his mouth.
When he’d seen her across the square, as she left the Roman baths, something had tightened in his chest. He wasn’t sure why. He had been certain that she would turn up so it couldn’t have been relief.
He leaned against the open door jamb and saw her face light up as she caught sight of him. In that moment, she looked so young, so carefree, as though she was not risking her good name by meeting him here this day.
“Is this your idea of a disguise?” He tweaked the hood of her slave’s cloak that covered her pale gold hair. She laughed up at him and swayed toward him as if she intended to wrap her arms around him. But she didn’t.
“Who will see me? Only you.”
“Make sure it stays that way.” The growled words were out before he could prevent them. Gods. He didn’t usually care if his conquests fucked around with other men. But the thought of Antonia doing so did not sit well with him.
She raised her eyebrows. “I do believe we are talking at cross purposes.” She appeared to find that amusing if the quirk to her lips was anything to go by. “You have no cause to be jealous, Gawain.”
That was taking it too far. He wrapped his arm around her waist and propelled her into the dark tavern.
“I am not the jealous type,” he said against her ear as he led her to the room he had hired. But the image of Antonia sharing her charms with another goaded his mind. “But while you’re with me, don’t even think about taking another lover.”
Want another peek? Take a look at Christina’s Video for Tainted: http://youtu.be/vtZ7Ejrsa8Q
Bio
Christina loves writing dark tales of tough, sexy warriors who are brought to their knees by their heroines. A mystical touch of fantasy or paranormal usually weaves its way through her stories, although strangely enough this wasn’t her intention when she first starting writing her Roman/Druid romances. But when ancient gods and goddesses get involved, it’s best just to go with the flow J
She is published by Ellora’s Cave and Berkley Heat and has dipped her toe in the indie pub waters. She is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, the DarkSide Down Under Group Blog and Historical Hearts Group Blog.
Christina is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her family. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.
Connect with Christina:
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Tour Wide Giveaway
One Prize (International):
E-copy of the previous book set in this world, Betrayed
$10 Amazon Gift Card
Swag – Bookmarks, Postcards and Fridge Magnets
Thank you for hosting the cover reveal for TAINTED today!