Crimes of passion, it is said, are not usually committed by criminals, but by so-called ordinary people, pushed by unbearably strong emotions to find release in what would normally be for them an unthinkable act. The passions of the old are held in check in . . . the Haus im Wald . . . if more were said, if more discussion were acceptable, if less emotion were suppressed . . . if they only had more sex. But what then? Betrayal, jealousy, envy, revenge, injured pride, broken hearts—none of these classic motives for crimes of passion are obviated by sex, on the contrary. The fact is that the residents of the Haus im Wald are still alive, and so by definition, whether they have sex or not, their passions run high (324-5).
My murder mystery, A Place to Die, is set in a retirement home in the Vienna Woods, the Haus im Wald. Most of the characters in this novel are over sixty and some are over ninety. This might have been an odd sort of novel a hundred years ago, but now, life expectancy is on the rise—the number of people reaching ninety has tripled in the last thirty years, we are told—there may well be 8 million centenarians by 2050, we are told. This means that the life of the old is of more and more concern to all generations, to none more right now than to the baby-boomers who, themselves in their sixties, often have parents in their eighties and nineties. And those who are younger have to live with the thought that they themselves might live into their nineties and hundreds. For better or worse, old age is an expanding term.
In my novel, an old man is killed and an Inspector comes into the house full of old people, seeking the murderer in the midst of them. Into the lives of the residents crash not only the Inspector but also two baby-boomer Americans visiting an aged mother. During this tense time, they are forced to take a look into their own lives and what may lie ahead as they themselves get older.
I first had the idea of setting a murder mystery in a retirement home simply because it seemed to me a ideal plot device—a ready-made group of suspects, obliged by circumstances to stay at the scene of the crime. I did not set out to create a particular microcosm, to examine the dynamics of a group of old people, to analyze the likelihood that a crime of passion—or a cold-blooded murder—could occur among them. But as the investigation proceeded, I found myself looking closer and closer into the particular society I had chosen, the society of the old, that ever-growing segment of the population which is the ultimate destination of us all.
Eleanor and Franz Fabian arrive from New York to spend Christmas with Franzs mother in her sedate retirement home in the Vienna Woods. Their expectations are low: at best, boredom, at worst, run-of-the-mill family friction. But when the wealthy, charming Herr Graf is found dead in his apartment with an ugly head wound, the Fabians are thrust into a homicide investigation.
Some residents and staff have surprising connections to the dead man, but who would have wanted to kill him? Inspector Büchner tracks down the murderer against a backdrop of Viennese history from the Nazi years to the present day. Witty, suspenseful, lyrical, this is a literary whodunit that will keep you guessing till the last page.
Dorothy James Bio: Dorothy James was born in Wales and grew up in the South Wales Valleys. Writer, editor, and translator, she has published short stories as well as books and articles on German and Austrian literature. She has taught at universities in the U.S., England, and Germany, makes her home now in Brooklyn and often spends time in Vienna and Berlin.
She wrote A Place to Die in her attic apartment on the edge of the Vienna Woods. She has travelled far from Wales, but has not lost the Welsh love of playing with language; she writes poems for pleasure as does Chief Inspector Büchner, the whimsical Viennese detective who unravels the first mystery in this new series of novels.
From the Salem Witch trials through the Nineteenth Century and beyond, Annabel Horton is pursued by the devil’s disciple, Urban Grandier, the demonic priest from the incident at Loudon. She must take the bodies of those that the devil favors to protect her family. She must uncover the motive behind the illusive Ursula/Louis Bossidan, the scandalous cross-dresser who is pursuing her beautiful granddaughter, and she must learn, being one of God’s most powerful witches, how to use her power. But will it be enough to save her husband from Urbain’s fiery inferno? Will it be enough to save her children from demons greater than themselves? Read on, you will learn more…..
When I am not in the form of flesh, I live in the confines of shadow. The psychics of your dimension have said that I can be seen floating between the kiss of dusk and the evening moon. Yes, some of you can actually see me, though you are unaware of what I am. You usually ignore me because I vanish so quickly. I simply blend into the surface of your world and disappear, into objects, into trees, into the soft fur of a sleeping squirrel, into anything that will have me.
Before I begin my tale, you must know this: I can also blend into a human body. I can steal your flesh if I choose. But before you judge me, you must understand my loneliness. You have no idea how desperately I desire the physical senses you so cavalierly take for granted. But please, do not fear me. I will not harm the innocent. Hear me out before you cast any stones. There are secrets in my tale worth knowing.
The snap of my neck appears to have granted me immortality as a captured soul, doomed to live over and over again in stolen flesh and blood. Therefore, I take bodies in exchange for my freedom. I want you to understand that if I were to ever choose your flesh, I would mean you no harm. I would simply borrow the luxury of your language and take comfort in the pleasure of your warm, beating heart.
The process of my abduction is painless. You see, the earth holds time. When I consume a body all I do is absorb time. It is quite simple. My soul moves out of one perception and into another. Let me reassure you that though I can take any one of you, I prefer the flesh of those whom the devil favors, and I do not have to go very far to consume the devil’s own.
Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Tara Lain to the blog today to talk about her new books.
Tara Lain never met a beautiful boy she didn’t love – at least on paper. A writer of erotic romance, mostly ménage and male/male, Tara loves all her characters, but especially her handsome heroes. A lifelong writer of serious non-fiction, Tara only fell in love with EROM in 2009 and, through perseverance and lots of workshops, had the first novel she ever wrote published in January of 2011. Then she capped off the year by being voted Best Author of 2011 in the LRC Awards and had her Genetic Attraction Series named runner-up for Best Series of 2011! A very good year. After an exotic life of travel all over the world and work in television, education and advertising, Tara settled in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and opened her own small marketing business. She paints, collages, and started practicing yoga “way before it was fashionable”. Passionate about diversity, justice, inclusion and new ideas, she says on her tombstone it will read, “Yes”.
Q 1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I write the Beautiful Boys of Romance. I knew from my first moments as a fiction writer that my books would always be distinguished by my gorgeous heroes and so far so good. I’m only a little over one year old as a published author. My first book, Genetic Attraction, came out in Jan of 2011. The book I am introducing this week, Fire Balls, is book number seven for me with another book releasing next month and two more under contract. It’s been a busy year! Most amazing is that I was recently honored to be named Best Author of 2011 in the LRC Awards and my three- book Genetic Attraction series was runner-up for best series of the year. As you can tell it’s also been a breathtaking year! I have a great (and busy) fulltime job in advertising and public relations, I am ecstatically married to my soul mate and, if I ever have a moment’s spare time, I love movies and doing mixed media collage. I practiced and taught yoga way before it was fashionable. I have a great life.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
I’ve been a writer forever. I make my living as a non-fiction writer and thought for a long time that I would never write fiction because writing all day and then all night too sounded like work! But then I found erotic romance and suddenly I felt like I could write it all day every day and it would be fun. So one day a couple years ago I sat down and wrote a book. After a lot of editing and learning that book became Genetic Attraction.
Q3) Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
I am fortunate enough to get to do my “day job” at home which means I can do some writing of novels in the cracks –before I start work, on my lunch hour. Sometimes it’s no more than a few lines, but bit by bit the work gets done. Then on the weekends I write a LOT! I like to write in my home office on my desktop computer because the screens are so big, although I carry my iPad with me and also write in downtimes when I’m away from home. I don’t mind noise when I write but I can’t write easily with music playing. Background music is okay but I don’t have a writing soundtrack like many authors. Somehow it seems to interfere with my creative flow.
Q4) Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
I love living in another world (even though my own is pretty great). I love the feeling of being absorbed in my character’s heads and hearts. That moment when they take over and just talk and you try to keep up is thrilling to me. It never gets old. The challenge is to keep getting better. To constantly learn new things, improve your style, deepen your focus.
Q5) Can you please tell us about your latest book
This week, I am introducing Fire Balls. It is a MM contemporary novella but that doesn’t begin to describe it. I love contrast in my books and the unexpected. My alpha males are never the guys you expect and I enjoy giving dominant characteristics to seemingly effeminate men. Fire Balls tells the story of a flamboyant artist who also happens to be a black belt in karate. He has a huge passion for a beautiful, conservative firefighter, but since Rodney the artist is tiny and very ostentatious he assumes that the firefighter could never love him back so he breaks his own heart but helping his friend Jerry, a surfer, to land the gorgeous man. Fire Balls is the second in my Balls to the Wall series of books that take place on the beach in southern California.
Q6) How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Last year I was delighted to be asked to submit a story for a beach anthology. I created a novella called Volley Balls which turned out to be a bestseller on the Amazon Gay Romance list. I knew I wanted to do sequel and I wanted it to have “balls” in the title so I started thinking about all the possible names. Fire Balls leaped out and with it came the germ of a story–it would involve a Laguna Beach firefighter. There was a character in Volley Balls I loved. My hero’s best friend, Rodney. So if you have a hunky firefighter, what could be a more different or unexpected match for him than a hero named Rodney who is 5’ 6” tall and flamboyant. But I wanted another twist and I thought about the old Rostand book called Cyrano de Bergerac in which the hero is a great swordsman and poet but has a big nose and considers himself unworthy of the gorgeous heroine. Consequently, he helps another man win her. That became a thread for my book–without the nose!
Q7) Can you share with us your current work in progress?
My next book being released on March 20 is my first true paranormal. It’s called Spell Cat and it’s about the greatest male witch in ten generations who is called on to save his race by marrying a powerful female witch. Problem is–he’s gay. And he’s in love with a human male which is bad since humans are the cause of the decline of witchery because they steal human energy. There is a black cat familiar in the book named Aloysius. Hence–Spell Cat. The book I am completing now for submission is a MM contemporary fantasy. What is that you ask? Ah, you will have to stay tuned. : )
Q8) Who are some of your favorite authors?
I have many favorites in my genre but I will name the three that I consider my mentors because their writing inspired me to want to try fiction — Jet Mykles, Lynn Lorenz and Z. A. Maxfield. They are all friends now and I have learned so much from them. They inspire me every day.
Q9) Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
I see a little bit of all three of them in my writing. I love Jet’s over-the-top heroes and I know mine share some of that characteristic. Lynn captures emotion so magnificently and I try to do the same. ZAM writes in this witty, youthful voice that inspires me. They all make me want to get better every day.
Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Oh sigh. I feel like my poor Kindle is bursting at the seams. I have so many books I want to start I can barely decide where to begin. Right now I am reading Josh Lanyon. Always a good choice.
Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
This has been an amazing first year for me as an author. So many people–authors, editors, reviewers, and readers– have helped me and still do! I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Would you like to win a
copy of Fire Balls?
Enter my contest. I’m having a drawing this coming Friday. Leave a comment here with your email and you’ll be entered in that drawing. Go over to my Contest Blog http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com and leave another comment with your email and you will be entered Again. And there are more chances to Win. Go to my Web Site http://www.taralain.com and look under events. It’s all there. First leave your comment here. And thank you to so much to Books n Kisses for being such wonderful hosts. And thank you so much for coming to say hi. Leave a comment and don’t forget the email. : )
Valentine’s Day – The day we are expected to send pictures of red naked winged-babies to our loved ones. A holiday marked with wine and candles and all that jazz. The day commemorating the horrible executions of several early Christian martyrs named St Valentine, which, some years, may seem all too symbolic.
But we all know that stuff. Here’s ten personal things that Valentine’s Day means to me:
10. Cherry red tinsel. Everywhere. And the burned out retinas that accompany said tinsel.
9. Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting – the greatest thing to come out of this holiday, and possibly any holiday? Perhaps.
8. The time that someone pointed out to me that the classic heart-shaped valentine has a similar shape as the labia majora, upside down, arguing that that is why it is shaped that way. I’ve never seen Valentine’s Day decorations the same way since.
7. Hot cocoa. I don’t drink wine, so this is my drink of choice. Add a little whipped cream, and it’s about as romantic as it comes.
6. Sappy movies. I admit it, ‘tis the season for romcom marathons, and I eat it up. I have a list on my blog of the thirteen best romantic movies for the holiday, and it is my preferred way of celebrating. In my pajamas. The way all good holidays are meant to be enjoyed.
5. Filling out thirty little cards that come in a box from the drugstore and feature the latest licensed fad characters for my sons’ preschool class. Not only is this both slightly annoying and rather adorable, this is also a great way to find names for new novel characters, since every year I get thirty new names I hadn’t thought of before. Well, this year it’s twenty-eight, since there’s two Jordans and two Lukes.
4. The two-week warning mark before my son’s birthday, and time to finish the shopping and decoration plans. Okay, so not romantic at all, but as a mom, you learn these memory queues to avoid insanity.
3. Red bowls full of candy. I’m a teacher, so this time every year finds me scooping up armfuls of candy to bring to class. Valentine’s Day always reminds me of buying $50 worth of junk in one go, and avoiding eye contact with the cashier as she rings it all in.
2. The constant struggle to find X-Free store-bought treats for the Tot’s preschool class Valentine’s Day party, where X stands for peanuts, gluten, sugar, animal biproducts and gelatin, Red # 40, artificial sweeteners, lactose and soy. Oh, and individually wrapped, as well. And holiday-themed, if I can manage it. Oy.
1. Romance novels! You knew I had to say it, and here it is. Now, on such an important day, I don’t always leave it up to chance by reading just anything. This is the day every year that I dig out one of my treasured paperbacks from my favourite writer, LaVyrle Spencer. This year, it will be The Endearment, I think. Nothing brings home the message of romance like a beloved book and a timeless story of lovers. It makes me proud of what I do.
Happy Valentine’s Day, with many books and kisses included, to each and every one of you!
What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?
*
V-Day, an erotic romantic-comedy for Valentine’s Day
It all started with a serenade…
A family like Daniel’s and the solitary pursuit of musical excellence is enough to make a young man crazy. No wonder all Daniel Vouks dreams of is getting away. He knows his violin will take him places in life, but the only place he really wants to be is next door. He’s been in love with his neighbor since he was fourteen, but can he ever make her see him as more than just a lovesick kid?
V-Day is the story of a Valentine’s Day weekend Daniel fears he may regret, but will never, ever forget.
Excerpt:
Daniel retreated to the music room, thankful he didn’t have a class or a practice scheduled on campus today. He didn’t even have to give any lessons until next week. The weather really didn’t look all that welcoming and he was grateful he could huddle inside as his family bustled off to their various destinations. After school, his parents would be off for the weekend, dropping his sister and her flotilla of luggage off at Kayley’s so the girls could get ready to go to the dance together, which meant leaving Daniel officially on his own until at least Sunday afternoon. Glorious.
Allowing the noise of their departures to roll off him as he sat absently at the piano, he plucked out a few strains and watched the sun glint off the fresh snow in the backyard. It was really beautiful when you could view it from a cozy place.
Blah! Another Valentine’s Day. His nineteenth one as a single guy. And, he thought ruefully, his nineteenth year as a confirmed virgin.
Jesus, even his baby sister had more going on than he did. Selby, his girlfriend in tenth grade, had been about as close to any action as he’d ever gotten. Her pathological fear of pregnancy made it absolutely essential that he keep his pants on at all times. Other than that, any girl he’d ever liked had tossed him into the “friend” basket and never bothered to reassess him.
Kelly, his best friend, did that. After Daniel followed the cute redheaded soprano around for weeks like a puppy, she finally took pity on him and explained he was simply too nice to attract her. After that, they formed an easy relationship through which both had a pal, and a no-fuss “emergency date” when necessary.
Flipping open his phone, he hit Kelly’s number.
“This better be good,” she grumbled after the fifth ring.
“Hey early riser,” he chuckled.
“Well, if I had my mom bringing me my morning coffee in bed…”
“Okay, truce,” Daniel winced. “And my mom doesn’t let me drink coffee.”
“Why not? Afraid it’ll stunt your growth, stretch?” Kelly asked with a crystal clear laugh despite having just woken up.
“Something like that,” he said, flecking a flower petal off the top of the piano. “Listen…You’re probably…I dunno…busy tonight, right?”
“Are you trying again, Danny?” she groaned.
“Well, no. I just thought if you weren’t, maybe we could do something.”
“I have a date.”
“Right,” he forced a chuckle. “Yeah, I figured you would.” He straightened in his chair. “Being Valentine’s and all. No problem, just wanted to check.”
“Ahhh, Danny,” she sighed. “What about you?”
“I got a hot date all weekend,” he said over a grimace. “With that friggin’ tango, I guess.”
“Danny, do yourself a favor,” she said firmly. “Go get yourself laid. I told you that’s what’s missing from your tango.”
“Well then,” he quipped. “Support the arts and break your date. I can be there in an hour.”
“Har har har,” she said and then laughed for real. “Seriously, go fall for someone. Preferably someone who will fall for you back.”
“Okay,” he agreed. “For you, I’ll try my best.”
Daniel hung up and pounded out a few more notes on the keyboard in front of him, contemplating Kelly’s method music theory that said you could only sing or play what you’d experienced. If that were the case, his tango would remain a virginal one if his luck so far was any indication.
Anne Holly is a Canadian writer of romance and erotic-romance, as well as a mother and teacher. You may visit Anne at her blog or website, or find her on GoodReads, Facebook and Twitter (@anneholly2010). Sign up for her newsletter here. Email: anneholly2010@gmail.com.
When I thought about what I wanted to write for my guest post, I eventually narrowed it down to music. I love music. I listen to it all the time. If you’ve ever taking one of those tests where you determine your learning style, I’m told mine is musical. I would have thought it was literary giving the writing and all…but no.
Now in terms of top ten…this is just ten selected. Who could possible say these are the top ten? It is so subjective. I have over 20 GB of music….and it was hard to just pick ten to even talk about.
I’m guessing you might be able to tell a bit about me from the selected tunes. I did try to pick some things from various genres I like. They are in no particular order. I’m hoping I didn’t date myself too much J
1. “Every Time I Think of You” – The Babys
I heard this on the radio earlier in the week and I thought to myself…mmm I’ve always liked that song. When I got home, I downloaded it on iTunes and it’s been in heavy rotation all week at my house (no doubt to the continuing dismay of my neighbors). It’s a great song and also not a ballad. I suppose you could characterize it as a power ballad. While there is anything wrong with ballads, I find this appealing, in part, because of the aggressiveness of it.
2. “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
I have loved this song for years and years. Now ignoring the biographical backstory of its author, it just simply is a moving tribute. A man loves a woman. Everything she is, is beautiful to him. Does it get any more lovely and straightforward?
3. “Truly Madly Deeply” – Savage Garden
The lyrics of this song are like a poem. I can play it over and over without getting tired of it. It’s bold, big, and breathtaking. It is about being in wonderful places with someone special and perhaps how everywhere is special if you are with the right person.
4. “Accidentally in Love” – Counting Crows
This song is simply fun. It is a more playful take on the concept of falling in love. It calls to the more quirky, less sappy side of me.
5. “Strawberry Wine” – Deanna Carter
This song is all about young love, first love. It is so very different from my experience as I was somewhat of a late bloomer. I think that is why I find it so appealing.
6. “She Came From Fort Worth” – Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea is truly a gifted song writer. Her songs usually tell stories and this one is no exception. I like the sound of it but perhaps also the lyric reminds me of myself. After all, I moved from New York to Hawaii in pursuit of true love.
7. “Head Over Feet” – Alanis Morissette
Jagged Little Pill came out during a time of heavy social activity in my life. This song in particular became a huge favorite of mine because it seemed to encapsulate my feeling of falling into infatuation over and over again that I was experiencing at the time.
8. “I Honestly Love You” – Olivia Newton-John
This song is totally a cliché type song, but still heartfelt. I was a huge ONJ fan as a kid (still am I guess) and I really like her rendition. As a bonus, I can sing along with Olivia a lot more easily than I can with Whitney.
9. “Anymore” – Travis Tritt
Not everything about love is wonderful warm feelings and emotional connection. This is about unrequited love. I imagine someone desperately, secretly in love and afraid to share it. Revealing something so vulnerable is a truly frightening thing to do. Opening yourself to rejection is never easy.
10. “I Don’t Believe You” – P!nk
This is another sad one. It’s a love song, but a love song about heartbreak and disbelief. Since P!nk got back together with her husband, when I listen to this song I can’t help but think she was right when she penned this one.
So take a moment and sample some of my suggestions. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. What are some of your favorite love songs? Feel free to comment and let me know your nominees.
To go with my love song theme, I picked an excerpt this is a bit more romantic. The following is from The ABCs of Erotica – B is for Beach.
Excerpt –
Erica loved the beach. She especially loved it at night when the moonlight reflected off the water and the sound of crashing waves broke on the shore. There was no one else on the beach but the two of them, and the solitude was lovely. During the day, the beach was hot, crowded. But now, with the moon and stars it was a place of dreams. She’d fantasized many times about being on the beach with a lover, alone together in the darkness, the water drowning out their cries of ecstasy. She shook her head ruefully. She was getting ahead of herself.
A gust of wind swept up, and Erica shivered a bit. Ben stopped, running his hands over her chilled arms and then leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers. Liquid pleasure filled her and Erica strained closer, bringing her hands to his shoulders. Finally, the moment was here. She’d waited all evening to feel his lips. Again and again, Ben kissed her urgently. He slid his tongue into her mouth, rubbing against the inside of her lower lip while Erica pressed herself fully against him. They embraced for a moment more and then pulled apart and continued down the sand.
Erica moved closer to the edge of the water and a wave broke over her feet, soaking the hem of her long, gauzy skirt. She laughed as the cold, swirling water retreated. Ben grasped her hand, pulling her back toward the dry sand which clung to her feet. They collapsed onto a small, raised dune, and Ben reached down and brushed away the sand. His fingertips brushed lightly over the tops of her feet, sweeping the grains away. She leaned toward Ben and his lips met hers again, kissing ardently. Closer and closer, Erica wrapped her arms around him and he sank back into the sand, taking her with him. She felt her bonds slip away. This man knew her. She could be exactly who she was.
Erica pressed close against Ben, but the barrier of their clothes was intolerable to her. Button by button, Erica opened his shirt and slid her hands inside. Her palms pressed against the smooth skin of his warm chest, touching, caressing. She fingered his nipples, tracing around the edges and rubbing across the puckered texture. Her hands moved up to his shoulders, and Ben sat up so Erica could push his shirt and jacket down his arms. She nipped his shoulder with her teeth and slid her tongue over the mark, pressing her lips against his skin.
Malia Mallory is the author of The ABCs of Erotica series, which includes so far A is for Anal, B is for Beach, C is for C*ck RingD is for Domination, and now, R is for Revenge. The ABCs of Erotica covers the erotic spectrum from BDSM to ménage and everything in between. More releases in the series are on the way. She has also released Mia’s Cop Craving and Santa’s Backdoor Baby. She has hit the bestselling erotica lists at both Amazon and iTunes. Her books are available in electronic format at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and AllRomance Books.
Tall, dark, and deadly, these three brothers run Walker security. Each brother is unique in his methods and skills, but all share key similarities. They are passionate about those they love, relentless when fighting for a cause they believe in, and all believe that no case is too hard, no danger too dark. Dedication is what they deliver, results are their reward.
Book 1 HOT SECRETS:
Royce Walker, a former FBI Agent, who’s opened a private security firm with his brothers, has always had the hots for the prim, proper Assistant District Attorney, but considered her hands off because of a family connection. However, when danger threatens Lauren, he isn’t willing to stand by and watch her get hurt. Now the passion for survival is only rivaled by the passion burning between them. And that passion, might just be the death of them both.
My Thoughts:
The Walker Brothers are to die for yummy. Who doesn’t like a set of brothers who are tough, good looking and willing to put their life on the line to protect others.
In Hot Secrets (book 1 in the Tall, Dark & Deadly series) we are introduced to Royce Walker, the oldest Walker Brother and attorney Lauren Reynolds. Royce has been hired to look into threats against Lauren’s life. But he can’t tell Laruen that he has been hired to protect or who hired him.
Once Royce meets Lauren face to face he finds that he wants more than just to protect her, he just plan wants her. Royce is willing to go to any lengths to keep Lauren safe from anyone who may want to hurt her. But who is going to protect his heart from Lauren?
This was a great book. I am really enjoying the romantic suspense genre these days. Lisa does a wonderful job of always keeping me guessing about who is the bad guy in this book. I am normally pretty good at guessing who done it. I didn’t want to put this book down until I got to the very end. And I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thanks you Lisa for writing such a wonderful story and thank you for allowing me to read and review this story for you.
ORPHEUS—To most he’s an enigma, a devil-may-care rogue who does whatever he pleases whenever he wants. Now this loose cannon is part of the Eternal Guardians—elite warriors assigned to protect the human realm—whether he likes it or not.
Orpheus has just one goal: to rescue his brother from the Underworld. He’s not expecting a woman to get in the way. Especially not a Siren as gorgeous as Skyla. He has no idea she’s an assassin sent by Zeus to seduce, entrap, then ultimately destroy him.
Yet Skyla herself might have the most to lose. There’s a reason Orpheus feels so familiar to her, a reason why her body seems to crave him. Perhaps he’s not the man everyone thinks… The truth could reveal a deadly secret as old as the Eternal Guardians themselves.
My thoughts:
Enraptured is book 4 in Elisabeth Naughton’s Eternal Guardian series. I really, really enjoyed this story. Orpheus is such a bad boy, well he thinks he is just bad. ‘O’ thinks that he doesn’t need anyone. That he is so bad that no one could ever need him. Boy is he wrong on all accounts. Everyone around him can see the good in him, but getting ‘O’ to see that is another story. It will take a very stubborn, strong and determined woman to open his eyes.
Skyla is not sure she wants to do her job anymore, but she knows she needs to keep going. Skyla is willing to take on a least one more assignment before she makes her decision. But this mission becomes more then she can handle when you touches the man she has been sent to kill.
Orpheus & Skyla are combustible together. I LOVED this book!!! ‘O’ is such a big softy even if he will never admit it to himself. I loved to watch his struggle with this very fact. Skyla is such a kickass heroine. My only fault with her is she lied to Orpheus. But with out the lie there would not have been as much drama. Darn me for loving the drama of it all.
If you are a fan of Elisabeth and her Eternal Guardian series you will love Enraptured. If you have not started this series you really need to.
Now I am so looking forward the next book in Elisabeth’s book in this series. Enslaved, scheduled for release November 2012.
Following Expectations and What Money Can’t Buy, the third novel in the Taylor Twins series, Gifts from the Past, finds the twins, Chris and Matt Taylor, immersed in the greatest challenges of their lives—parenthood. Chris and Aiden are raising their adopted daughter and their special needs son, who struggles with physical and emotional challenges daily. Matt, on the other hand, has a beautiful and happy baby girl. However, his fiancée, Carley, has gone from overemotional to abusive and Matt needs to decide his best course of action. When Ally, Chris’s college girlfriend, comes back into the twins’ lives, everything becomes complicated. Especially for Matt.
Gifts from the Past is a novel redefining love, family, loyalty, and ultimately survival. Sometimes, taking the best from your past moves you forward through the present, creating a brighter future for you and your family.
My thoughts:
Gifts from the Past is book 3 in the Taylor Twin series. Gifts from the Past takes us back into the life of the Taylor twins and not everything is rosy and good. Chris and Matt find themselves both learning to struggle with all of life’s twists and turns of parenthood, marriage and betrayal.
I have loved the Taylor twins from the very first book. Chris and Matt just want the happy life they never had as kids. But each step of the way fate is throwing them curve balls.
Liz, does a wonderful job of taking the twins and their families to the edge of disaster and back. If you have not read this series you really should. But I will say for those who don’t like m/m relationships one of the main relationships in this series is m/m. But Liz does the m/m relationship beautifully.
Loyalites tested in a country divided… Los Angeles, 1941. Violinist Maddie Kern’s life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto. Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo. Her brother’s best friend, Lane is the handsome, ambitious son of Japanese immigrants. Maddie was prepared for disapproval from their families, but when Pearl Harbor is bombed the day after she and Lane elope, the full force of their decision becomes apparent. In the eyes of a fearful nation, Lane is no longer just an outsider, but an enemy.
When her husband is interned at a war relocation camp, Maddie follows, sacrificing her Juilliard ambitions. Behind barbed wire, tension simmers and the line between patriot and traitor blurs. As Maddie strives for the hard-won acceptance of her new family, Lane risks everything to prove his allegiance to America, at tremendous cost.
My thoughts:
WOW!!!! This was a GREAT book.
First I have to say to Kristina “I forgive you” Okay back to the review.
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves is such an emotional book. When you think it can’t get any worst it does. Kristina does a wonderful of sucking us into the world that she has created. A world that revolves around a set of kids and one horrible event. Pearl Harbor. It is truly amazing how people were treated back then. The struggle that these kids have to go through on a daily basis makes me realize that we should all be thankful for the things we have in our life.
I loved every page of this book. Yes, Kristina every page!!!
Kristina thank you so very much for allowing me to read and review your book for you. I look forward to see what you come up with next.
If you love historical I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this book!!! Oh and please have some tissues.
Movie location scout Mackenzie Foster-Shaw has always known that she’s cursed to die young. No one can protect her from the evil that has stalked her family for generations—vampires who crave her rare blood type. Until one afternoon in a wooded cemetery, she encounters an impossibly sexy stranger, a man she must trust with her life.
For Dominic, a man haunted by loss, Mackenzie satisfies a primal hunger that torments him—and the bond they share goes beyond heat, beyond love. She alone can supply the strength he needs to claim his revenge. But in doing so, he could destroy her….
Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, two vampire coalitions battle for supremacy—Guardians who safeguard humanity and Darkbloods, rogues who will stop at nothing to satisfy their craving for the sweetest of human blood.
Now, former Army Ranger Finn McKentry finds himself imprisoned as a blood slave, forced to submit to an enemy more powerful than any he’s encountered before. Only Brenna Stewart, the woman he’d loved and lost, can set him free—but the secret she harbors might lead them down the most dangerous path of all…
Alfonso Serrano is a hunted man. For months he’s managed to elude the Darkbloods, vengeful foes who won’t rest until he’s dead. But he still craves one dangerous temptation: Lily DeGraff, the sexy Guardian agent he’ll risk anything to protect.
Lily is a wanted woman. Her talent for tracking Sweet—a rare blood type that’s addictive to vampires—makes her a prime target for enemy capture. Her only hope is the stealthy vampire operative who stole into her bed…then left her in despair. Danger aside, Lily won’t let Alfonso near her heart again—until an irresistible hunger threatens to draw them back together… and into an assassin’s snare.
All they want for Christmas is you…It’s the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mistletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning immortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-fallen snow.
And they don’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice.
Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there’s no place like home for the holidays—and these dazzling vampires can’t wait for an invitation.
Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the battle for supremacy rages on between two Vampire coalitions:Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors….
He might be known for his effortless charm, but Guardian Jackson Foss is hiding a terrible secret. For months, he has battled the emergence of his dark nature—deadly urges that threaten to consume him. And those cravings only intensify when he meets Arianna Wells, the human he’s been assigned to protect. Smart and perceptive, Arianna doesn’t seem like a dangerous temptress. Yet she awakens in Jackson an unstoppable need that, if left unchecked, will brand him a traitor…a crime punishable by death.
But soon their bond may be Arianna’s only hope. For stalking her in the shadows is a merciless enemy—one who will stop at nothing to claim her completely….
One woman swears to avenge the savagery of a ruthless killer loose on the streets of Lundun; if only she can stay one step ahead of an inventor who fears his greatest work, a labor of love, has turned on humanity.
Grieving the loss of her beloved cousin, Ella Wilder is determined to catch the murderer. Infuriated by the fumblings of the constable, she seeks the assistance of a handsome Noble who seems to be looking for his own answers, and who’s reluctance tells her he has something to hide. Over time, hesitant intimacy grows into fiery passion but brings them no closer to finding the madman.
As the killer reveals darker inventions that blur the boundary between man and machine, Ella fights the fear he may be after her next. Can Ella trust her heart to the man who refuses to share his secrets yet swears to protect her? Will Bennett be able to choose between keeping terrifying family secrets…or losing Ella to the iron-hearted killer who stalks the night?
Excerpt:
When they reached the top, Bennett stopped. Past this point there would be no turning back. She must realize this.
“You do understand you are bringing a man into your bedroom?”
Ellie dropped his hand and turned to face him. Low fires burned in her eyes. “Every move I make is done with full deliberation. I am no simpleton.”
He swept his gaze down her smooth neck to the straining fabric at her breasts.
Lord, was it only a few hours ago that he had her pushed up against the table, pressed his body against hers?
She opened a door. “Tell me what’s happened. You look as though you are in dire need of a friend.”
Light from inside the room illuminated beneath her dress. The features of her body outlined for his viewing pleasure. He could see every round curve, each flare and indentation.
It was becoming evident he needed more than just friendship from her tonight.
With his returning libido came a comforting sense of control. Weakness and vulnerability he could not tolerate. Seduction and yearning pulled him back to strength. He pushed aside the weighty drag of helplessness and the overwhelming ache for casual comfort.
Ecstasy would return him to full health again. Surely.
Bennett closed the door behind them. He glanced about the room. It was smaller than his servants’ rooms. A bed against each wall, an old wardrobe, small dresser and a fireplace. In the center of the room, a tub of still-scented water.
The thought that her naked body was just in there sent quivers down his spine. And a flush of hot blood to his groin.
Ella motioned to the chair beside the fireplace. “Won’t you sit? Perhaps tell me what is going on?”
Bennett continued standing. Sitting in a chair across the room from Ella was not at all in the plans.
Just a short time ago he’d have told her everything. What he’d done to his brother to create this monster, why it was so hard to capture him again.
He swallowed the pitying desire to have her brush her fingers through his hair, to have her hold him close to her heart.
It was the thrilling rush of pleasure he needed. Yes. It must be.
She shrugged and lowered herself to a bed. “Are you going to talk to me or have you just come to see if I was still awake?”
Bennett grinned, the first smile in hours.
“I came because I need you.” He glanced at the bathwater then back at Ella. “But I have found that my needs have changed since I arrived.”
A flush raced up from her chest to the tips of her ears. Once again he was charmed by her passionate blush.
“That is not the reason you came back to my door.”
“No,” he admitted, leaning against the wardrobe arms folded. “As much as my body yearns for you, it is never the initial motivation for me seeking your presence.”
She blinked, unable to answer.
“However, as seems to be the case with each time, my first cause slips away as I am drugged by your heavenly scent and seductive gaze.”
Her hand clenched a fistful of her nightdress.
“You are correct in that I came to you tonight because I was in dire need of a friend. I could not stomach the thought of spending the next few hours in futility. But that has now changed.”
Her chest rose, strained against the fabric. He could make the small outline of her nipples. A shot of electricity blasted to his groin.
Bennett licked his lips. He crossed the room in a few short strides. “You see, once again the sight and smell of you has brought me to my knees.” He sat on the bed next to her. “My body hungers for you.”
Her mouth opened then closed, as she seemed to search for the right words. And then, “Yet you stop us each time.”
He pulled off his gloves and tossed them to the floor. Next he shook his coat off and then his shoes.
All the while she watched with wide eyes and a nibbled lip.
“Yes, Ella, I have halted our progress us each time. And since I am still a gentleman, I will stop if you ask me to. Although it will be with great difficulty.”
He brushed his fingers across her chin. “But this time it will not be me who puts an end to the fire between us. As I stated, I need you. I hurt for you. I need the intimacy that only you can provide me.”
His face was just inches from hers. He could see her eyes searching his, her mind working. She tried to find reasons to put him off, to deny her desires. But she wouldn’t be able to. Ella was a passionate woman. She desired him as much as he yearned for her.
She drew in a deep breath. “Are you waiting for my permission?”
His lip curled. “No. I wanted to make the situation quite clear to you. We are on your bed. I have no intentions of leaving until I have found bliss inside your body.”
Her breath caught. It was the only invitation he required.
Bennett’s fingers went to the knot on her wrap. He quickly untied it and the thin cotton fell to the bed. Her creamy shoulders came into view and on impulse he pressed his lips to the round curve of her skin.
Ella whimpered.
Heat blasted through his blood, hardening his flesh and increasing his pulse.
His hand slid down to her knees. She jumped but did not move away. The cotton was rough on his fingers, not the soft muslin of Noble women. Ella had made herself a Commoner. But it would not stop him from wanting her.
He scrunched up the fabric until it bunched under his hand. Then, to distract her, Bennett pressed his lips to her hair.
“Lord, you smell delightful.” Soothing and stirring, the lavender hummed in his blood.
He kissed his way down her forehead, over her nose, and finally to her lips.
“Bennett?” she said against his mouth.
“Hmm?” His hand slipped between her knees. The skin there was soft, so very soft.
“I-I thought we would go on the dirigible tomorrow. We might…”
“Are you asking me to stop? To wait for the morrow?”
Before she could answer, Bennett slipped his tongue between her lips. He angled his head to press deeper, and in doing so, she lost her resistance.
Her ramrod spine softened, shoulders bent. Bennett gently leaned her back, his mouth never leaving hers, until her head was upon the pillow.
He scooted next to her and pulled her legs up, skimming higher up her leg as he did so. Now they both lay upon the small bed, he partially on top of her, one hand between her thighs, his lips locked onto hers.
Her full body touching him sent the dizzying fog of lust to his brain. Like a bull rutting, need charged through his veins and clouded his mind. He could no longer be gentle.
Bennett thrust his tongue deep to find hers and his hand up beneath her night dress.
She moaned beneath him, responding as she did every other time they were together. Ella didn’t want his tenderness. No, she craved the urgent, desperate fire like he did.
Her tongue brushed his, pulling him further into her. She arched her back, pressing her breasts to his chest.
His fingers skimmed past the treasure between her legs to grasp a delicious mound of sweetness. Her nipple was hard against his palm and she cried out when he flicked it with his thumb.
His erection throbbed, hurt for release from the tight trousers. Soon, he promised, very soon.
Bennett tore his mouth from hers and kissed his way down her throat. He nibbled on a sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulders. She squirmed, but did not pull away.
His lips pushed down on the dress to find the swell of her breast. The shift would not go any lower. He must take it off of her.
“It has to come off,” he whispered. “Lift your hips.”
Her eyes opened and she stared at him. He waited for her to obey, but then she sat up. Instead of removing the night gown, Ella maneuvered herself from under him and got off the bed.
“What are you doing?” He reached out. “Come back.”
She took a step back. “I-I can’t.”
He must not have heard her properly. Ella was always the one urging him to continue. “You can’t? Why the hell not?”
