Category Archives: urban fantasy

Love Immortal – character interview with Lauren

As part of my Paranormal Pandemonium 2011 Blog Tour, I’ll be interviewing some characters and doing some posts on my own blog too, Indie Paranormal Romance Books. Today, I caught up with the ever-lovely Lauren from my epic vampire romance book, Love Immortal.

Lauren, for those not familiar with her, is the beautiful, warm and brave redheaded heroine who discovers in Love Immortal that she’s the latest reincarnation of a demi-goddess when she’s saved from werewolves by Julian. Julian is her sexy, mysterious and immortal Arcadian, who is responsible for giving his blood to her to awaken her latent powers. Together, they team up with Ghost, a demon-hunting organisation, and take on Lycaon, the vicious original werewolf who was cursed by Zeus for tricking him into eating human flesh. Along with Julian, Lauren is also the ancestor of what we think of as vampires.

FH: I have Lauren here with me today to talk about her book, Love Immortal. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Lauren: Wow, where to start? I was your regular thirty-something before the night that I met Julian. All I expected out of life was growing up, getting married, doing something with my career and maybe having kids. I certainly never expected that I would wind up facing down a werewolf(!) on my way home one night and having someone like Julian rescue me. *looks dreamy* That man knows how to make an impact on a girl’s heart. I was so shell-shocked that I just went along with everything at first… then out of the blue someone is telling me that I’m a reincarnated goddess and I’m about to reawaken those powers through death. Talk about a slap in the face. I really wasn’t sure how to react to that one. Death at thirty-five definitely hadn’t been on my agenda. I was just lucky that I had Julian there to help me through it all, and that I had the guys at Ghost to support me. I couldn’t have coped without them.

FH: Can you tell us about what happened in your story?

Lauren: Sure. One minute I’m normal and the next I’m a goddess. *laughs but there’s nerves in it* I really still can’t get over that one. Julian was amazing. He was so supportive and kind to me. I know he’s my protector, but I really felt he was helping me out of more than just duty. He did everything he could to make me feel better about what was happening to me, and explained everything so well so I would understand. I had so many questions and so many fears, but he handled them all and he gave me his strength too. He did everything for me. He endured so much for me. I can’t thank him enough for what he went through so he could be there during my awakening. I can’t thank the members of Ghost enough either. They all lent me their strength and without them I wouldn’t have survived Lycaon’s attacks.

FH: In Love Immortal, you meet Julian, who is your immortal protector and reminiscent of a vampire. How did you meet and how did you feel about them initially?

Lauren: Julian saved my butt from werewolves and just thinking about the way he dropped into my life, sword in hand, devastatingly mysterious and sexy, sends a shiver through me. It was difficult to come to terms with the suspicions I had about him and, after those were confirmed, what he was. I mean, it’s not every day that you realise that vampires and werewolves exist, and that you’re about to become a vampire too. He’ll get a mood on if I mention the V word around him, but I still feel that we’re vampires more than anything else. I know we’re different to Morgan and his kin, but we drink blood and we’re immortal.

FH: Your relationship with Julian was complicated by the fact that he is your protector and also everything he’s been through in his past. Was it difficult to crack his armour and the barriers around his heart?

Lauren: It took a lot to get through to him, but I wasn’t going to give up on him. Julian is so gorgeous, and such a beautiful soul, and I fell so hard for him. When I realised what he had been through, my feelings for him grew until I couldn’t contain them. He frustrated me so much with the way he acted but I know it was all because of the way he had been treated, and that I could win his heart if I just persevered and proved I wasn’t going to hurt him too. Talking about this makes me want to go and find him, and give him a hug. I know I lashed out at him sometimes but I think that might have actually worked in my favour as it gave us both a reason to speak to each other about the things we felt, and in Julian’s case, the things he had been through. I think having to fight for him has only made me love him more.

FH: You’re so mushy over him. *smiles* You’re a reincarnated goddess. That must have come as a shock to you. Was it hard for you to accept your fate and your role?

Lauren: Was it ever. I don’t think it was helped by the fact that I only had a short time to come to terms with it before my awakening happened. It wasn’t Julian’s fault that he was late in finding me. I can’t hold that against him because he endured so much in order to be there for me during my awakening. I don’t think I could have suffered what he did. I would have taken the easy way out. Julian helped me accept what was happening to me, and I honestly went through with it so I could win his heart and his love. Sounds corny, but it’s true. I did it for him. I wasn’t going to give up on him, or on life. If the only way to continue living was doing so as an immortal goddess, then I was going to go through with it so I could get what I wanted—a life with Julian.

FH: How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?

Lauren: We’ve been busy. Duke keeps us constantly on the go and I’ve been training hard to improve my skills. Julian is a fantastic instructor, although sometimes it’s hard to concentrate and I end up tackling him to the ground so I can kiss him. He gets miffed when I do that, but I make it worth his while to shut up and submit. *smiles* I think we’ll be going on a new mission as soon as I’m ready. Morgan won’t shut up about his werewolf infestation in Paris. I know that Julian doesn’t want to go back to that city, or see Morgan ever again, but I did promise to help him out. I’ll have to keep my guard up around Morgan and make sure that he doesn’t try anything, because I’m sure that it will be the end of the vampire if he does. Julian won’t stand for it. He’ll kill Morgan if he tries anything.

FH: Describe yourself in one word?

Lauren: Warm. Julian would say that about me and I think I know myself well enough to agree with him now. I tend to put others first and friendships mean a lot to me, and I’ll do all in my power to make people happy. I guess that makes me warm.

FH: Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

Lauren: Julian mentioned that people have been asking for more of our story. I think I’d like that, but I know you’re busy with all your other stories. A sequel might be nice though. *smiles* You know you want to spend time around Julian again. The man is a god!

Here’s a little information about Love Immortal and the places it’s available:

Felicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she’s ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she’s the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.

With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?

Can she crack the armour around Julian’s heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he’s been through?

ebook price: $3.99
paperback price: $12.99
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 157000 words
rating: sultry
released: January 2011

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Love%20Immortal
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004HYHHME/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940011179648/
Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Love-Immortal/book-OyQ9CMW5Jkaf0K_UwfVfGw/page1.html
Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/felicity-heaton/love-immortal/_/R-400000000000000340123

Available in paperback from:
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1456487884/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1456487884/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/9781456487881/

Posted in 2011 blog tour, 2011 releases, character interviews, Love Immortal, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, vampire romance, vampires | Comments Off on Love Immortal – character interview with Lauren

Hunter’s Moon – character interview with Nicolae

As part of my Paranormal Pandemonium 2011 Blog Tour, I’m interviewing some characters and doing some posts on my own blog too, Indie Paranormal Romance Books. Today, I caught up with Nicolae, the hero from my vampire / werewolf romance book, Hunter’s Moon.

If you haven’t met him already, here’s the lowdown on Nicolae. Nicolae is a dark, sexy, and rugged ex-alpha werewolf with a past that could make any woman want to kiss the guy. He’s strong, a loner since the events that led to him fleeing Europe, and can be charming when he needs to be. He’s a born leader and extremely protective, and very territorial. He won’t let anything happen to anyone or anything in his territory, even if that person is a vampire.

FH: I have Nicolae here with me today to talk about his book, Hunter’s Moon. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Nicolae: Ah, what like? I mean, is it alright to talk about that stuff?

FH: *nods* You can tell us anything. It’s all cool.

Nicolae: Alright then. I’m Romanian, although I have lived in Canada for the past century, and I’m a werewolf. Hell, it still sounds crazy when I say that aloud, even though I’ve been a werewolf for two centuries now. I was turned in Romania and lived with my pack there. It was peaceful until the vampires came for us. We didn’t stand a chance. My sire, the alpha of the pack, and I, and the other warriors amongst us tried to fend them off. They rounded us up and took us all to the compound. It was hell. I don’t want to think about it even now. We had done nothing to deserve such brutal treatment and abuse. Our pack had lived in peace, keeping to ourselves, never treading into vampire territory. When I finally managed to put an escape plan into action, I only made things worse. I lost my entire pack that night… and fled here, to a place where I was free of the vampires.

FH: Here being the remotest place on Earth. It must have been hard for you to deal with everything that had happened, and I’m sure many women’s hearts have gone out to you already. Can you tell us about what happened in your story, Hunter’s Moon?

Nicolae: It was around a century after I had escaped Romania and the nightmare of losing my pack, and I was finally learning to deal with it all in my own way. A night time hunt with the local timber wolf pack turned that all on its head. The peace I had found was shattered by a group of hunters and a woman. Tatyana. A vampire. It was difficult for me to accept her presence in my territory after everything I had suffered at the hands of the vampires, but the threat of the human hunters drove me to take her back to my cabin and help her heal. I had needed to know what she did so I could protect the local werewolf pack and the timber wolves. I thought she had brought them with her… I couldn’t have been more wrong.

FH: In Hunter’s Moon, you meet Tatyana. How did you meet and how did you feel about her initially?

Nicolae: Looking back now, I can’t believe that I ever wanted to leave her in that clearing to die from her wounds or the sunlight. She’s everything to me. The reason for my existence. It was difficult to get past everything that had happened to me, all the pain in my past, and accept her in my life and my territory. I was never sure whether I was coming or going at first. She tied me in knots and challenged everything that I believed about the vampires, and I’m glad that she did. We’ve both had hatred bred into us, and it was time for us both to open our eyes and look at each other for ourselves, not have our judgement coloured by what we’ve been told to believe and what had happened to us in our past.

FH: You have a lot of history with the vampires of Europe and it’s generally frowned upon for a werewolf to enter into a relationship with a vampire. Was it difficult to get past the terrible thing that the vampires did to you and your pack, and fall in love with Tatyana?

Nicolae: Of course it was, but Tatyana’s bloodline weren’t responsible for what happened to me. The European vampires are often at war with each other, squabbling over territory and other petty things. Her bloodline, the Nocens, probably hate the Tenebrae bloodline as much as I do. I know that it was difficult for Tatyana too, and I think that helped me cope with my feelings and face them. Werewolves don’t have laws against relationships with another species, but vampires do. Tatyana is risking a lot by being with me. When we eventually return to Europe, we’ll have to be careful about it. If the Law Keepers discover that Tatyana is with a werewolf, they’ll hunt her down and kill her. Not that I would let them get close enough to try, but it’s always there at the back of my mind.

FH: How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?

Nicolae: Peaceful. It might sound crazy, and sometimes I feel as though I’m dreaming, but everything has settled down again since the end of our story. Tatyana is slowly building a relationship with the local werewolves, and even the local timber wolf pack is beginning to accept her. She’s hunted a few times with us, and has learnt that catching the deer we’re chasing isn’t the way into a wolf’s heart. She lets the timber wolves have the glory now, and they’re getting along better for it. Hell, even I wanted to snarl at her when she beat us to the deer that time. *laughs* She’ll make a good pack member one day, when she stops trying to be the alpha female. She’ll tell you different of course. Sometimes, when we hunt together and it’s just us, I let her win. Don’t tell her I said that. She’ll wring my neck if she thinks I’m letting her beat me to the prize… but it’s all worth it. Seeing her smile, seeing her happy and proud… that’s something I’ll do anything for. Even losing a hunt. She’s beautiful when she’s standing over a fresh kill, empowered by her victory. And hell… she’s a saucy vixen afterwards too. My little alpha female.

FH: Your story, Hunter’s Moon, is a book in a series. Can you tell us a little about the series and can we expect see more of you in other stories in this series?

Nicolae: Shouldn’t you be the one telling me that? *laughs again* I’m sure we’ll cross paths again at some point. The series you write based on the werewolves of my home continent and the vampires of the pure European bloodlines truly reflects the darkness and the danger of our world, but also the intense passion and the deep love we feel for our mates, even if the ones we fall for happen to be the enemy.

FH: Describe yourself in one word?

Nicolae: I’m thinking. *looks pensive* Failure springs to mind, but Tatyana would argue about that. Let’s see. She would say… complicated. I would probably say… possessive. It’s the wolf in me. *cracks a charming smile*

FH: Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

Nicolae: Only that I want your solemn promise not to mention any of what I’ve said when you interview Tatyana. If she comes back knowing any of this, I’m hunting you down.

FH: Hmm, I’m not sure that’s much of a threat. I would probably pay to have you hunt me down. *looks at audience* Wouldn’t you?

Here’s a little information about Hunter’s Moon and the places it’s available:

Hunter’s Moon
F E Heaton
The horror of the night he failed to save his werewolf pack from the cruelty of their vampire masters has haunted Nicolae for one hundred years, driving him deep into the Canadian wilderness in search of peace. That peace is threatened when unfamiliar hunters and the scent of blood lead him to a beautiful woman and a hard decision—face his past and help her or risk losing everyone he cares about again.

Bearing a heart filled with grief and with vengeance on her mind, Tatyana is intent on killing the hunters she’s tracking and returning to her vampire bloodline, but her plan didn’t include being shot with poisoned arrows or rescued by a glowering alpha werewolf who stirs forbidden hunger in her.

When the hunters make their move, will Nicolae be able to stop them before it’s too late? Will he be able to overcome the darkness in his heart and embrace his desire for a vampire? And can Tatyana face her fears and risk her life for the sake of forbidden love?

ebook price: $2.99
paperback price: $6.99
genre: paranormal werewolf romance
length: 65000 words
rating: sultry
released: February 2011
Book 9 in the Vampires Realm series

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Hunter’s%20Moon
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P5NQ0W/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004P5NQ0W/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004P5NQ0W/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Hunters-Moon/F-E-Heaton/e/2940011207600/
Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/f-e-heaton/hunter-s-moon/_/R-400000000000000351166

Available in paperback from:
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1460978544/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1460978544/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunters-moon-f-e-heaton/1030625714

Posted in 2011 blog tour, 2011 releases, character interviews, Hunter's Moon, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, vampire romance, vampires, Vampires Realm, werewolf romance | Comments Off on Hunter’s Moon – character interview with Nicolae

Teaseday – Ascension – Urban Fantasy Romance Novel

This week Teaseday is focused on Ascension, my latest release and an urban fantasy romance novel in the Shadow and Light Trilogy. Ascension is hot, passionate, and full of action that will sweep you along and keep you turning the pages.

Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.

With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig’s blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.

Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he’s not a monster but the man that she loves?

ebook price: $3.99
paperback price: $8.99
genre: paranormal / urban fantasy romance
length: 91000 words
rating: sultry
released: April 2011
Book 1 in the Shadow and Light Trilogy series

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Ascension
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ascension/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940011267451/

Available in paperback from:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1461131839/

EXCERPT

Taig closed his eyes and released a long low groan of unexpected pleasure as Lealandra’s warm mouth fused with his. Her tongue slid between his lips, a delicious and familiar hot velvet caress that swept across his teeth and drew another hungry moan from him. Without considering the consequences and forgetting his anger, he twisted her long black hair around his fingers and tethered her to him so this breathtaking fantasy wouldn’t end before he wanted, and he wanted it to go on forever.

He tilted his head and pressed harder against her mouth, his tongue brushing hers, delving in deep to taste her. A shiver of desire and need shot through him, and his breathing turned rough as he reacquainted himself with her sweetness and warmth. He hadn’t imagined things turning out this way when she had walked into the bar tonight, but he wasn’t about to push her away now that she was kissing him again, rekindling passion whose embers had burned deep in his heart all the time they had been apart. She moved against him, her lips soft and grazing his, slowing the kiss until he wanted to groan and pull her against him, wanted to thrust his tongue back into her mouth and show her just how ravenous she made him. It coiled tight in his gut, pushing for control, urging him to act on his desire.

All too soon, her lips left his but she remained close. With a soft puff of air into his mouth, she spoke.

“Are they gone?” Her quiet voice trembled along with her body, telling him that the kiss hadn’t only affected him. His heart pounded for more and his blood rushed through his ears, dampening his awareness of their surroundings.

Taig glanced around the dim emptying bar. The two men were gone. He stared into her eyes, refreshing his memory of every fleck of silver against stormy grey. It had been too long since he had seen her, and felt even longer since he had kissed her. A tortuous length of time and an absence he couldn’t easily forgive, even when her kiss made him forget it.

“Not yet,” he whispered the lie against her lips, a split-second before his mouth claimed hers, dominant now that he was ready for the kiss. Desire became a raging inferno within him, burning away the anger that blazed back into life whenever he had a moment to think. This kiss was the only thing that mattered right now.

This time, Lealandra loosed a deep breathy moan. The sound sent his blood rushing ahead of his thoughts. He hardened instantly against his tight black jeans and wrapped his fingers around the nape of her neck, pressing them in and dragging her closer still. The heat of her kiss reawakened lost passion and a need for her that could never die. Six years of separation disappeared in an instant, erased by the fact that she had finally walked back into his life. He wasn’t going to let her go this time. Even if this kiss was only a decoy, it still meant something to them both. He knew it did.

Her fingertips grazed his neck and pushed into the shorter black hair at the back of his head. He groaned internally at the feel of her nails against his scalp, declaring her growing hunger, and furrowed his brow as he brought his hand forward to claim her jaw, holding her in place. He burned at the feel of her soft satin skin beneath his fingers. Her touch was still electric, sending waves of hot sparks dancing along every nerve in his body, bringing his cold flesh to life. Tilting her head back, he thrust his tongue into her mouth and slid his free hand around her waist at the same time, pulling her so close to him that her breasts pushed against his chest with each gasping breath she drew. He eased his hand lower and caressed the patch of bare warm skin between the bottom of her short black strapless corset top and the waist of her long black skirt. Lealandra tensed. Too fast.

Taig braced for impact.

The flat of her hand slammed against his chest, forcing him backwards in the curved padded seat of the booth and tearing her from his grasp. Her gelid gaze stopped him dead.

“They’re gone, aren’t they?” Lealandra’s tone was pure venom that matched the ice in her pale grey eyes.

Taig held his hands up, surrendering with a seductive smile that confessed every sin he had been considering. Lealandra wasn’t the kind of witch you lied to. With such strong power flowing in her veins, it was easy for her to read everyone. Everyone but him. His blood saw to that. Her ability to see through him didn’t come from magic. It came from the divine six months they had spent locked tight in each other’s embrace. Six heavenly months he would never forget followed by six hollow years he wished he couldn’t remember.

Lealandra looked around the bar, flicking her straight dark hair over her bare slender shoulders. His black gaze raked over her in the same hungry way it had done when she had first appeared in front of him tonight. She had grown a little thinner in their time apart. Her partner hadn’t been taking care of her. Taig curled his fingers into fists at the thought of another man touching what was his. Anger blazed in his chest, ignited by the idea that the man she had chosen over him hadn’t been looking after her needs. Had the idiot failed to see what she truly craved?

The magic that inhabited her body drained her and made her hungry. She needed to feed often and he wasn’t talking about food. Magic as old and potent as hers demanded the highest price and had the basest needs. If it didn’t get what it wanted, it was hard for Lealandra to retain control. It only proved the point he had tried to hammer home to her when she had been on the verge of leaving him all those years ago and disproved hers.

Taig didn’t give a fuck about the rules of her kind. A witch was no match for a witch, especially not one who needed blood to sustain her.

Demon blood.

The thought that Lealandra had been struggling with her power these six long years stoked his anger into blind fury. Every muscle itched with the desire to find her pathetic excuse for a man and teach him a lesson he would never forget for making her suffer. The kind of lesson that would satisfy Taig’s own deep dark cravings.

“I can’t believe you’d take a cheap shot like that,” Lealandra muttered in his direction, her eyes meeting his. “No. Wait. Actually… I can.”

With his best sexy smirk, Taig leaned back into the grotty dark brown leather seat and stretched his arms out along the top. He shrugged and held her gaze.

“You kissed me first. I just returned the favour.”

Her tongue swept over her lips, as though she wanted to kiss him again and was contenting herself with the lingering taste of him. If she wanted him to kiss her, he would. He would kiss her so hard that she would forget that idiot she had left him for and her own name in the process. She would forget everything but the feel of him inside her where he belonged. He would ruin her to everyone but him.

“That’s not the kind of favour I need from you.” Lealandra casually rested her elbow on the back of the leather seat and propped her chin up with her hand. Her head tilted to one side, her dusky kiss-swollen lips curving into a smile. His heart thundered, beating hard with the rush of desire that flooded him.

That smile had made him want her the moment he had laid eyes on her all those years ago. He still wanted her.

He tamped down his desire and got a grip. Her kissing him hadn’t changed a damn thing. Whatever they’d had, it didn’t exist anymore. She had trampled it on her way out of the door and it was going to take a lot more than a kiss to get her into his good book again.

“A favour? Tell me, why should I do you any favours? Last I checked, you were shacked up with another bloke. Why don’t you ask Loverboy to help you out? I’m sure he could do something… unspectacular.” Taig picked up his shot of whisky from the table and necked it. The liquid burned his throat as it slid down, heating him through. Sometimes it was nice to feel something other than cold. Alcohol and hunting were the only things that did that these days. His gaze ran over Lealandra. She used to make him burn hotter than Hell on a summer’s day. She still did, but he wasn’t about to let her see that. “I guess that’s why you’re here. Loverboy just doesn’t cut it when it comes to handling demons. That pair of weaklings would have him inside out and back to front before he could lift a finger to cast whatever impotent half-assed spell he could muster.”

Taig held her gaze, cool and steady, watching the hurt surfacing in her eyes and feeling like a bastard for it, but on some twisted level, it satisfied him.

He narrowed his eyes and casually placed the glass down. “Well, you’re shit out of luck, Lea. I’m not interested.”

Her only reaction was to look away from him. She flicked the small silver bells on the ties of her long skirt and her shoulders lifted in a sigh. That was unsatisfactory. He had expected a better response than that. He had wanted her to argue with him about it. Perhaps even fight him. A good fight with her might go some way towards releasing the anger that was burning like acid in his veins, eating away at him and filling his head and heart with acrid memories.

Memories that drove him to kill.

He quirked a dark eyebrow and waited for her to say something. It wasn’t like her. She looked up at him through her eyelashes.

A hint of fear surfaced in her beautiful eyes and rippled across her pale skin in a wave that only he could detect. He sat up, all sense of casual lost now that he had realised that she was frightened and it wasn’t of him. His anger faded. Something was very wrong. Lealandra didn’t do frightened. No witch as powerful as her did, at least not when they had their Counter-Balance, their other half, the one who could temper their magic and help them maintain control of it.

“I’ll pay you… whatever you want… just name your price.” She coughed to clear her throat, as though such a pathetic attempt to cover her turbulent feelings would fool him.

It was there in her body and her power, and he knew her well enough that he could easily read both. She was scared, and he was an idiot for not noticing it the second she had approached him, and the moment those thugs had walked into the joint. They had been out of place and suspicious, and he had sensed their demon blood, and then Lealandra had kissed him and he had lost track of them and her feelings. She had tasted purely of hunger and desire. All sweet with arousal. It had been enough to throw him off her underlying fear.

“You know my price.” Taig’s eyes narrowed on hers, intent and showing her that he was being serious for once. His voice dropped to a low whisper. “I want you, Lea.”

She swallowed and blinked. Once. Twice. “No deal.”

When she moved to stand, Taig grabbed her wrist, locking his fingers tightly around it. She looked down at his hand and then into his eyes. Her startled look added to her natural beauty, her eyes round and her rosy lips parted. A blush stained her pale cheeks, deep enough that he noticed it even in the low light of the bar. He wanted her more now than ever and he wasn’t about to let her walk out on him again.

“You knew what I’d ask for so why come to me with your problems if you were going to refuse?”

Lealandra pried his fingers off her and frowned. “You saw those men. I need a demon hunter. You’re the best I know.”

Demon hunter. The job title neglected to mention the fact that his father had been one of the most powerful demons to walk the Earth. He stared into Lealandra’s stormy eyes and saw the same calm acceptance that they always showed him. Had his mother looked at his father that way? She had dared to be with him after all. That union had spawned himself—half demon hidden behind the mask of man.

Taig tapped his fingers on the dark table, torn between rejecting her request unless she agreed to his terms and kissing her again. His eyebrows knitted tight together. This wasn’t easy. What they had shared six years ago wasn’t the kind of everyday passion that most people found at the start of a relationship. It had gone beyond that. The dark and hungry craving had consumed them both, had pushed them to the edge and had almost tipped them over it a few times. It had been unbridled passion—the sort that was rare in this world—and it still flooded him whenever he looked at her, whenever her beautiful eyes met his and dared him to make a move. He could deny it all he wanted, pretend that he no longer felt a thing for her, but she still tied him in knots and had him on his knees with only a smile. She licked her lips again, a nervous sweep of her tongue that reminded him that something was wrong.

What could be so bad that she wasn’t asking her precious coven for help and was instead looking him up after six long years?

Was it just the demons that had her scared or was there more to this than she was telling him? Witches and demons got on like a house on fire but usually they kept well clear of each other, sticking to their own world. It was unusual for a demon to go after a witch, but he couldn’t deny that the two kids earlier had been looking for Lealandra.

And now she was asking him for help.

What reason could demons have for going after her?

Taig looked deep into her eyes, focusing on them as he tried to get a hold on her feelings. There was anger in her now, aimed at him, but the fear was still there too. It echoed in the unsteady beat of her heart and danced in the depths of her eyes. She was in trouble, big enough that she had sought him out even when she knew that he would be pissed off at her and that he would demand a high price for services rendered. Either she was desperate or she truly believed that he was her best choice.

Or maybe she just wanted to see him again and this was the perfect excuse for her to waltz back into his life.

Still, his ineffable charm and attractiveness aside, parts of it didn’t make sense. Lealandra was powerful enough to take care of a couple of weak lower demons and her bastard Counter-Balance and dear coven should have been able to protect her if she couldn’t fight them for some reason. Taig had never met them, but the coven was probably strong enough to take on a demon of his strength. Two weaklings would be nothing to them. Like swatting flies.

And why was she here anyway? Alone too. Her Counter-Balance would have a tantrum of galactic proportions if he knew that Lealandra had come to her ex-lover for help.

In fact, none of it made sense.

Taig’s head ached from trying to figure it out. It was just like her to send his mind in ten directions at once. There was only one way to find out what the hell had Lealandra walking back into his life. He never had been backwards about being forwards, after all. It was one of the qualities that Lealandra had liked about him.

“Why do you need me?” Taig sensed the deep spike in her feelings, the rise in her desire that struck him hard and sent a jolt to his groin, reigniting his own hunger.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks coloured.

He hadn’t considered the possibility of a second meaning to his words but now he was. His suspicions had been right. He wasn’t the only one the kiss had affected. He wasn’t the only one who felt this need burning deep within.

His eyes narrowed on hers in both a challenge and a command. He was damned if he was going to let her get away without answering, and damned if he was going to let her walk out on him again.

“Tell me.”

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Ascension
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ascension/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940011267451/

Available in paperback from:
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Posted in Ascension, demons, paranormal romance, Teaseday, urban fantasy, witches | Comments Off on Teaseday – Ascension – Urban Fantasy Romance Novel

Teaseday – Love Immortal – Vampire Romance Novel

This week’s Teaseday is brought to you by Love Immortal. Love Immortal is an epic vampire romance novel, full of immortals, vampires, gods and goddesses, werewolves, and people with supernatural powers. It’s a rollercoaster ride of action, drama and passion. This is chapter two of the story, and the hero, Julian, has just rescued the heroine from werewolves.

Love Immortal
Felicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she’s ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she’s the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.

With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?

Can she crack the armour around Julian’s heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he’s been through?

ebook price: $4.49
paperback price: $12.99
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 157000 words
rating: sultry
released: January 2011

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Love%20Immortal
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004HYHHME/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940011179648/
Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Love-Immortal/book-OyQ9CMW5Jkaf0K_UwfVfGw/page1.html
Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/felicity-heaton/love-immortal/_/R-400000000000000340123

Available in paperback from:
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1456487884/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1456487884/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/9781456487881/

EXCERPT

Julian looked around the small messy living room. His gaze scanned over the haphazard piles of women’s magazines on the coffee table, the open face-down book on the beige couch to his left, and the bookshelves filled with DVDs that stood either side of an old television and its stand in front of him. He moved to the window on his right and checked the street in both directions. The area was silent save the sound of distant traffic but it didn’t soothe him in the slightest. Three werewolves. It couldn’t be coincidence. The one by itself or the two together he could dismiss, but two separate attacks left him worried. He needed to get Lauren to safety as soon as possible. For that to happen, he needed to tell her why monsters were after her.

And then he needed to get her to believe him.

He stared up at the ceiling, sensing Lauren in the bathroom above. She had been there a while, her feelings in disarray and her fear running through his blood. She was still fragile but he couldn’t allow her to be alone as she needed to be. He couldn’t risk her attempting an escape, not now that he’d found her.

He’d never resorted to kidnapping her before, but he was beginning to consider it if he couldn’t convince her to come with him of her own free will.

There was a first time for everything, or so they said, but countless centuries had passed since he’d experienced such an event. At his age, it was almost impossible to find something he hadn’t done before.

He walked up the stairs, his footsteps dulled by the thick carpet and his focus fixed on Lauren, monitoring her feelings in case they grew worse. His duty now was to ensure her survival and to protect her. Being in her home would reassure her and make it easier for him to explain things, but now that she was somewhere safe, she wouldn’t want to leave, and they had to get away from this place before other werewolves came. He considered knocking on the white bathroom door and then continued down the hall, giving her some privacy. She would come out soon enough and if she didn’t, he would go in and get her. He paused on the threshold of her bedroom.

Her soft scent lingered in the air, warm and comforting, filling him with a sensation of need he had long forgotten. He shook it away. He needed to get some clothes and things together for her. Having some of her personal belongings might ease the transition and make things less confusing and painful for her.

It was always difficult for her to believe what he was going to tell her, and this time he didn’t have the luxury of years in which to break it to her. He wasn’t sure how long it was until her awakening but it was close.

In a small wicker basket on her chest of drawers, he found something that would answer that question. Her passport. The date of birth in it revealed that it was one month to her birthday. He was cutting it close.

Julian pocketed her passport and then looked down at her bedside table. The books stacked there were all about swords, fighting, and history. The movies near the small television opposite the end of her bed were mostly tales of hit men, martial arts and horror films. Her instincts were there. He wondered if she knew why she liked these things. There were another two shinai propped up beside the wardrobe next to the television. She had been courageous to attack the werewolf with such a flimsy weapon. It had surprised him enough that he’d kept back and watched her rather than intervening as he should have. He had never seen her so brave before the awakening.

He found an empty backpack in her wardrobe and crossed the room to a pile of ironed clothes on the wooden trunk under the window. They were recently washed so had to be clothes that she favoured. He packed some of them. She would feel better for having a new pair of jeans to wear and a clean top. He lifted a top off the pile and held it up. The sight of the small black camisole made his heart beat hard and he couldn’t stop himself from imagining her in it. It had been a long time since he’d seen her in such revealing clothing and even longer since it had affected him. He reined in his feelings and shut them down, reminding himself of his position and his duty.

Julian went to leave but stopped when he saw a picture beside her bed. He rounded the bed again and picked it up, frowning beyond the image of Lauren and an older couple to the man crossing the park behind, seeing him for what he truly was. A werewolf. He opened the frame and removed the back. The date printed on the rear of the photograph was six months ago. His stomach dropped. The attacks hadn’t been random. Lycaon knew where she was.

He dropped the picture onto the bed.

Illia.

Julian spun to face the bedroom door. Lycaon was hunting her. He raced down the hall to the bathroom.

He had to protect her.

He couldn’t lose her again.


They had to leave.

He banged on the bathroom door, his heart thundering and his chest tight. Fear stole his strength and left him weak. He clenched his teeth and fought against the feeling. He wasn’t weak.

“Illia!” He banged again but she didn’t answer.

She wasn’t there. He told himself to calm down. She was there. He could sense her and feel her heart beating. There was no reason to panic, so why couldn’t he stop his heart from racing and his limbs from shaking?

“Illia!” Julian stepped back, his mouth turning dry, and assessed the door.

He was about to break it down when it opened and she peered around it.

“Who’s Illia?” She looked so small clinging to the white door, her rich brown eyes red with tears and wide with fear.

All of Julian’s strength left him and he sank back against the wooden banister, relieved that she was still safe. He leaned there a moment, gathering himself and regaining control. It wasn’t like him to react like this when she was in danger. Was it because she was still fragile?

She twisted the wet strands of her near shoulder-length dark red hair around her pale fingers and stared at him, an expectant look surfacing in the depths of her warm eyes. Her teeth teased her lower lip, reddening it and drawing his attention there. A surge of hunger pushed through him, a desire to do the impossible. He balled his hands into fists and swallowed.

Or was his reaction because of something else?

Julian dropped his gaze and realised with some dismay that she was still wearing her black jacket, brown t-shirt and jeans, and that they were soaked. He looked down and frowned at her damp shoes. She hadn’t even removed them. The clothes stuck to her slight frame, emphasising her slender figure, and the fact she was trembling. He looked into her eyes, studying the pale beauty staring back at him. A fierce need to protect her gripped his heart, seizing control of him, and he stepped towards her, raising his hand to brush the tangled threads of hair from her face. He wanted to tell her that he would protect her, and would never allow anything to happen to her. No monster would ever lay a hand on her so long as he breathed. She had no reason to fear now. He was here.

His hand fell to his side when he realised what he was doing and thinking. It was impossible. Such things went against his duty.

He reached behind him to grip the banister and felt the towel there. Pulling it off the banister, he walked towards her. She tensed and then watched his hands as he placed the cream towel around her shoulders and drew it closed over her chest. He held her shoulders, tempted to rub the towel against them to dry her. She was still fragile. She needed to take more care of herself. Releasing her, he stepped back to give her more room.

She pulled the towel around herself and walked past him. Her hand went to her jeans pocket and she tugged her mobile phone out. She started pressing numbers, muttering at the phone and cursing it. When he caught her arm, she frowned at his hand.

“What are you doing?” he said, studying the faint flicker of emotion he could feel surfacing in her.

“I’d like to call the police now.” She removed his hand from her arm and tapped her phone, glaring at the blank display.

He knew enough about technology to know that electronic devices didn’t respond well to large quantities of water dousing them. The phone had been in her pocket when she had been in the shower. He doubted it would work even if it dried out.

“Not necessary,” he said and tried to remember if he had seen a phone in her house. He couldn’t allow her to do such a thing.

Lauren backed off a step when he advanced one.

“Oh, I think it is.” She moved again, working her way towards her bedroom door, still pressing buttons on her phone as though it would miraculously spring back into life. He followed her. “I’m going to call the police about those men and then I want you to leave.”

“I cannot do that.” He advanced another step, his pace slow so he didn’t frighten her. The hard look that had entered her eyes said that she was serious. “And I cannot allow you to call the authorities.”

“Why not?” She took another step towards her room, glanced over her shoulder at it and then back at him.

“What would you tell them?”

She paused and frowned. Her mouth opened and then closed. She glared at him. “I want you to leave now.”

“I cannot. You are in danger.”

“You’re telling me,” she muttered and backed away. “I don’t know what you’re after—”

“Nothing, Lauren.” That name still felt foreign to him. Illia. She was Illia but, at the same time, she wasn’t. None of them had ever been Illia. Not really.

Her pulse quickened, rushing in his ears. “How do you know my name?”

He hadn’t meant to frighten her by revealing that he knew about her. It had come out before he could stop himself. He took another step towards her.

“I will explain everything, but right now I need you to answer something for me.”

She stared at him for a full minute and then slowly nodded.

Julian went into her room and picked up the picture from her bed. He looked at the photograph of her and the couple. Her parents? Of course. She had parents. Or at least, she’d had parents.

He held the picture out to her. She snatched it and stared at it. When she blinked, tears tumbled down her cheeks.

“When did your parents die?” he said and her head jerked up, her eyes betraying her shock as much as her thundering heart did. “Was it shortly after this picture was taken?”

She looked confused and then nodded. Her eyes searched his. “They were attacked in the park. The police never caught their murderer.”

“And they never will.”

She gasped. “Those things? Oh God.”

He dashed forwards when she collapsed, dropping her phone and the picture on the floor, and caught her under her arms. He lowered her so she didn’t hurt herself. She was freezing in her wet clothes. He drew the towel around her and covered as much of her as possible. When she was kneeling, he knelt before her, waiting for her to take it all in.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. Her eyes met his, swimming with tears that filled him with a strange ache to wipe them away. He couldn’t. “How? What are they?”

“Werewolves.”

She paled. Another tear dashed down her cheek.

“Werewolf?” A bark of nervous laughter. “A werewolf?”

He nodded and her smile faded.

Before Julian could say another word, she ran past him towards the bathroom. A moment later, she retched. He got to his feet and went to check on her. She’d knocked her head in the fight and there was a chance that she was dealing with a concussion on top of everything else.

He wished he could make it easier on her.

It was never easy.

Getting her to believe the existence of werewolves wasn’t normally the hard part. It was all the rest. It was the awakening, her duty, and the strange tale of her history.

He walked into the bathroom to find Lauren at the basin. She splashed water over her face and then gripped the edge of the sink, staring blankly at the peach porcelain.

“I will not hurt you, Lauren,” Julian said and she looked over her shoulder at him. “I am only here to protect you from those creatures.”

“The werewolves?”

He nodded. “The werewolves.” Amongst other things.

Lauren swallowed and closed her eyes, looking as though she was struggling to stop herself from being sick again.

“Why did they kill my parents?” Her voice was small.

Julian stepped into the hall, giving her some space, and thought about how to explain things to her. They didn’t have much time. He needed to convince her to come with him as soon as possible. They needed to go somewhere they would be truly safe.

“Come and sit down,” he said and she turned to look at him.

“I’m fine here.” Her stubborn streak had remained with her then. It was something she always had. For once, he wished that she didn’t.

“You need to be sitting.” After her collapse at the mention of her parents’ death, he wasn’t taking any chances. In the cramped bathroom, he wouldn’t have room to get to her if her knees gave out and he didn’t want her to hit her head on the basin. “And we need to get you changed into something dry.”

“I said that I’m fine. Just answer my question.”

“To weaken you.”

Her expression changed to one of confusion.

“Lauren, you are special, born to serve a purpose… a destiny that is three thousand years old, born thirty lifetimes ago.”

She swallowed several times. “I think you were right. I need to sit down.”

Julian stepped aside. She fumbled her way along the wall and into her small bedroom. When she reached the double bed, she collapsed onto the dark covers and leaned forwards so her head was between her knees. Her rough breathing and the fast beat of her heart filled his head.

She was taking it better than he’d expected. Kneeling in front of her on the floor, he waited for her to emerge before continuing.

“Why are they after me?” she whispered. “I felt as though they were. I thought they wanted you and then I… I realised… they wanted me… and you were protecting me. Why?”

What did he tell her, the long version or the short? He needed to convince her quickly to come with him. He couldn’t take her searching for the safe house during daylight when he wasn’t strong enough to protect her.

“Because of who you are,” he said.

She laughed. Not the reaction he’d expected.

“Who I am? I don’t know who I am! Christ, my friends have been teasing me something chronic about my whole ‘find myself’ gig recently and all of a sudden I have a strange masked monster telling me that I have some purpose and werewolves want to kill me because of who I am.”

Julian frowned and touched the tall collar of his black coat. Masked monster? Is that how she saw him? He’d never considered himself a monster before. If he was, then she was a monster too, she just didn’t realise it yet.

How was she going to take that?

There was only one way to find out.

“That is because you have not yet awoken,” he said. She stared at him in silence. He took it as a cue to continue. “You were born almost four thousand years ago as Illia and are the daughter of the minor goddess Selene who looked favourably upon a man named Lycaon. This favour angered Zeus as he had banished all form of contact with Lycaon. As punishment to Selene, he placed you on Earth. Zeus promised you that your task would redeem your mother, so you willingly accepted it and Zeus bound your fate to Lycaon’s. Zeus ordered his brother Hades to refuse your soul entry to the underworld on death until Lycaon has been defeated, so each time you are reborn.”

She just stared at him, her rosy lips parted and her eyebrows raised high.

Her heartbeat was steady though. Either she didn’t believe him, or she did and it was beginning to make a little sense.

He hoped it was the latter.

She laughed.

The former.

“I’m having a hard time with this,” she said. “You’re telling me that I was born to some goddess in God-knows-what-BC and I’m supposed to defeat some man named Lycaon?”

“In essence, yes.” He paused and tried to think of a way to put it that would make her believe it. Back when he had been human, people had believed in the gods. He’d understood that Illia was the daughter of the goddess that he and his men worshipped. He’d accepted his duty without hesitation. “Lauren… Illia’s soul resides within you. Each death at Lycaon’s hands sees you reborn, but it is only her soul and her purpose that carries over to her new incarnation.”

“So I’m not really her?” Lauren said and her heartbeat picked up a little. Thirty times of telling her and he still hadn’t found a good way. “So how do you know I’m her… reincarnation… or whatever it is you think I am?”

She was beginning to believe him. He just had to keep her calm and explain things clearly, and she would eventually understand.

“Yes, you are her reincarnation, and when you reach thirty-five you will awaken and be ready to continue the fight against Lycaon. My fate is tied to yours and has been for three thousand years. When Illia was sent to Earth, she was given two hundred Arcadian soldiers to carry out her orders. I was their commander.”

“And now you’ve been reincarnated, like me?”

Julian hesitated. This never went down well but he had to tell her the truth.

“Lauren, I have not been reincarnated.”

Her jaw dropped.

She blinked.

“I died three thousand years ago, the last of your Arcadians, and you bestowed this gift upon me so I could continue to help you.” Those words grew harder to say each time. They brought back every ounce of pain he’d felt that day and more. It hurt to remember the things that Illia had said to him then but had never said again.

Lauren stood and stormed past him, heading for the stairs. He hadn’t locked the front door.

“This is insane. I’m out of here.” She ran down the stairs, grabbed the door handle and yanked it hard in her attempt to escape.

Julian was next to her in an instant, his fingers closed tightly around her wrist. She turned and hit his hand, scratching it and trying to prise it off her. Losing patience, he spun her around and pinned her to the door by her wrist, holding her hard and tight. She struggled and he tensed his jaw, steeling himself against his desire to grab her other hand.

“I will not let you leave,” he said and she stilled, her eyes round and shining with fear again. He sighed to release his anger and reminded himself that it was his duty to protect her, not frighten her.

She punched him hard across the face and then hissed in pain, shaking her hand and scowling at him. He wasn’t sure what she had expected to gain from turning violent. She hadn’t hurt him, if that was her intention. She had only hurt herself by hitting the metal bands that held his collar closed. She shoved his shoulder hard enough that he had to step back to steady himself. He held her wrist tighter and thought about what to say.

“I cannot let you leave. I must protect you.”

She stared up at him. Fear still widened her eyes and her heart was beating fast.

“Lauren, you know that they are after you. I know you must have felt something tonight, a sense that you were in danger even when there was no imminent threat.”

A distant look filled her eyes and she nodded a fraction.

“I assure you that you are safest with me. I must keep you with me in order to protect you. I have no choice,” he said and she slowly leaned back into the door, relaxing enough that he could loosen his grip without fearing she would attempt to escape. “You are not my prisoner, but I cannot let you leave, and I cannot leave you. Come, sit back down and I will answer your questions.”

He released her arm, hoping she would see that he trusted her and that she would begin to trust him.

“And what do you want in return?” Lauren said with a sceptical look and rubbed her wrist. It was red where he had been holding it too tightly. He hadn’t meant to hurt her but the thought of her leaving, of losing her again after all the mistakes he had made with her, had made him react. “What is it you want with me?”

“I ask only that you come with me to meet some people and that you grant me time to explain things to you and make you see that all of this is real and that there is no escaping your destiny. I will protect you from the monsters, Lauren.”

She frowned.

“You’re a monster.”

“We are not monsters.”

“We?” Her voice was tiny. In her eyes, he could see that she knew the answer to that question.

“When you awaken, you will become like me again. That is why in three thousand years you have only lived thirty lifetimes. Sometimes you live for longer, sometimes for only short periods. All of you awaken on your thirty-fifth birthday because it is the mortal age at which Illia was cast to Earth to fulfil her task.”

She paled again and surprised him by stepping away from the door. His gaze tracked her as she walked to the stairs and sat down. He was tempted to lock the door but knew that she would think he didn’t trust her if he did and that she would feel threatened. He needed to gain her trust and trusting her was the first step.

He knelt in front of her again. She was quiet for a while, the myriad of feelings flickering across her face telling him that she was struggling to take it all in.

“And what is this… awakening… thing? Who’s Lycaon? What does this all really have to do with me? And why the hell am I beginning to believe you?” she said.

“Because in your soul, you know me. When you died the first time, Zeus heard your plea and gave me the task of finding and awakening you so you could continue your duty. He brought me over, just as you wished. You know me, Lauren, only your mind and heart is reborn clean so you have no memory of me.”

Lauren buried her head in her hands and exhaled long and slow. “I’m going insane.”

“You are not.”

“I am, because when I first saw you and you killed that… werewolf… I felt I knew you and I felt you were protecting me.”

Julian placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, hoping to reassure her. “Because you do know me and I am here to protect you. I will do all in my power to protect you from Lycaon so you can complete your destiny.”

“Who is Lycaon? Why does Zeus hate him? Why do I have to kill him?”

“Lycaon once tricked Zeus into eating human flesh. As punishment, Zeus cursed him into the form of a werewolf. He was told that he would become human again if he abstained from his cannibalistic ways for ten years. Lycaon did not. He refused to and embraced his new life as a werewolf, quickly learning that he could spread his curse to others.” Julian wished that he had more time, could break everything to her slowly, but that wasn’t an option. Lauren was in danger. Lycaon could be tracking her. He needed to tell her as much as she could take right now. “Lycaon hunts you so that he may be rid of you for another period. He wishes revenge on Zeus and for whatever reason he is willing to go to great lengths to achieve it.”

He wasn’t sure why but the thought of Lycaon killing Lauren made heat coil in his stomach and his fingers itch to grasp his sword. He hadn’t felt like this since Illia. He wouldn’t let Lycaon kill her. Not Lauren. He would protect her.

She raised her head and looked into his eyes. Their beautiful dark depths soothed the anger inside him. She was looking at him so strangely, with warmth that made him want to ask her what she was thinking and why she looked at him that way. She’d done it several times now. None of her predecessors had ever shown him such feeling.

“And I have to kill him… because Illia’s mother favoured him,” she said with a slight tremble in her voice.

She seemed to be getting to grips with her role now but Julian still wasn’t sure if she fully understood what was happening to her or her duty.

“We must stop him from achieving his revenge,” Julian said.

“He had my parents killed. I want him to pay for that. I want revenge too.” She leaned forwards causing the towel to slip off her right shoulder.

Julian leaned back, sitting on his heels. The steely determination in Lauren’s eyes backed up her brave words. She did want to avenge her parents and kill Lycaon. None of the others had ever had a personal reason for fulfilling their duty before. Perhaps where they had failed, Lauren would succeed.

Perhaps.

First, she had to make her decision. Her desire for revenge wasn’t her answer. When she’d come to terms with what was happening to her, he would ask her whether she was willing to go through with the awakening and take on her duty once again. Until then, he could only wait and tell her all that she needed to know. He could only protect her.

Julian covered her shoulder with the towel again. “I will explain more soon when we leave this place. If you have any more questions—”

“I do,” she said, looking straight into his eyes. “What is this awakening thing you keep mentioning?”

He wasn’t sure if she was ready for the truth about it. None of Illia’s incarnations had ever taken this part well. All of them had feared death. Only Illia herself had embraced it.

“Your blood flows in my veins. When the time is right, I will offer it to you.” He peeled back the left cuff of his coat to reveal the many pale scars on his wrist and watched her closely.

A familiar look entered her eyes. Hunger. A desire to feed and grow stronger. Her teeth sank into her lip. She reached out towards him and then took her hand back a fraction before continuing and using her index finger and thumb to measure the distance between the marks on his wrist. Her touch was light and warm, and sent a spark chasing up his arm. He didn’t understand. She had never affected him like this before.

Lauren measured another set of marks with her fingers, and then brought them to her teeth. The gap between them fitted her canines perfectly. Fear and confusion laced her scent. She recoiled, drawing back into herself and frowning at him. It was too soon for her to understand her desires.

“My blood will awaken you and you will regain your powers and become like me again.” He covered his wrist.

“An immortal?”

Julian nodded. It was better than calling him a monster, although not a true definition of his existence. He could die. As could she. He was painfully aware of that.

“Come, you need to change into something dry.” He stood and offered his hand to her. “Then we shall go somewhere that we will be safe.”

“I still don’t understand what’s happening.” She surprised him by catching hold of his hand, clutching it tightly in her own, but not standing. Her feelings were in disarray, her heart beating hard and fast. He couldn’t push her any more today. She’d already reached her limit.

He hesitated a moment and then covered her hand with his, completing the tangle. She needed reassurance and that was all he was offering. This touch didn’t break the rules.

“Rest for now. Give yourself time to take everything in but know that I am here to protect you, Lauren, as I have always been. That is my duty. I am not a threat to you.”

A small smile graced her lips and she nodded. He released her hand but she didn’t move. She remained sitting, staring at the door. He leaned against the wall and waited for her to come out of her thoughts.

“Er… I’m so rude… I don’t know your name,” she said and Julian smiled behind his collar.

It had taken her more time than usual to ask that question, and less time to ask about the awakening.

“Julian.” He leaned the back of his head against the wall. The tip of his nose brushed the funnel neck of his coat.

“Julian?” The note of trepidation in her voice matched the one in her heartbeat.

“Yes, Lauren?”

“I should thank you for saving me… I mean… you did save me from those werewolves.”

“I did.”

“So, erm, thanks.” She stood on the bottom step of the stairs and smiled at him, her heart steady now. He liked the gentle patter of it in his mind. It was soothing. He liked her smile. “And Julian… I knew… I knew that you wouldn’t hurt me.”

Those words sent a jolt through him. Julian closed his eyes, relishing them and the soft way she’d said them.

He listened to her breathing, slow and calm. She’d never taken things this well before. It was a good sign. It might mean that when he told her everything else that she would be able to cope with it too.

“So where are we going?”

“A group that I met and have worked with to find you. People with special abilities like you and me.” Julian looked at her. The questions were another good sign. Sometimes she went into a catatonic state when he told her. Normally when she questioned him, she turned out to be a fighter, one who lived for years before succumbing to defeat.

That word sent a chill through him. For Lauren’s sake and his own, he hoped that she was a fighter. He’d seen her books and movie collection, and seen her fight a werewolf with nothing more than a bamboo sword. She could fight. She could survive this time.

He thought about where he was taking her and the implications. They had never worked with others before but it could only be a good thing. The greater their numbers, the greater their chance of defeating Lycaon.

There were other advantages too.

Duke and his team would be able to protect them during Lauren’s awakening, but whether she survived the process of regaining her powers was up to the Fates. Julian could only do so much to ensure that she lived. The Fates were fickle and didn’t always heed Zeus’s order to allow Illia’s soul to return so she could continue her fight. Julian had lost her before during the awakening. He looked at Lauren. The thought of losing her turned his insides. He wouldn’t let it happen. For her, he would face the Fates and demand Illia’s soul crossed over. He wouldn’t let Lauren die. His fists clenched. He hadn’t felt this way in so long. Since finding her, he’d watched her closely. She fascinated him, and he felt intensely protective of her, far more so than he’d ever done with the others.

She started up the stairs and then stopped.

“Do they have a name?” Her wide brown eyes shone with curiosity.

He would protect her. They would protect her.

“Ghost.”

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Love%20Immortal
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004HYHHME/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940011179648/
Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Love-Immortal/book-OyQ9CMW5Jkaf0K_UwfVfGw/page1.html
Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/felicity-heaton/love-immortal/_/R-400000000000000340123

Available in paperback from:
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1456487884/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1456487884/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/9781456487881/

Enjoyed the tease?

Posted in Love Immortal, paranormal romance, Teaseday, urban fantasy, vampire romance, vampires | Comments Off on Teaseday – Love Immortal – Vampire Romance Novel

Her Guardian Angel, Masquerade and more

It’s been a while since I just sat down and wrote about what I’ve been up to, and I’ve been meaning to do a catch up post for a few weeks now. Things were hectic for me in April. I was still arranging dates and appearances for my ongoing Paranormal Pandemonium 2011 Blog Tour (if you’re a book blog interested in hosting me at all, do get in touch – felicity_heaton (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk – as I’m always looking for more places to do interviews, articles, and get reviews done for my books) and I was trying to get the first draft of Her Guardian Angel written before my trip to Barcelona at the start of May.

Her Guardian Angel was the first book I had written since giving up my day job to focus on my writing and it’s been a bit of a struggle to grow accustomed to working from home on a novel. I was pleased with the amount of words I could get down onto paper, well screen at least, by being in my office at home without interruptions. I just need to find a balance between writing and the admin side of things when I’m actively working on a book. When I write, I just want to write and that’s all. Once I get going, everything else drifts into the background and I have a tendency to just ignore it. Of course, it’s hard to ignore all the emails, articles, interviews, etc when they pile up. Then I end up switching to admin mode for days on end to clear the backlog. What I need to do is strike a balance between writing and admin. I think I’ll get there in the end, but it’s something that isn’t going to happen overnight.

The good thing is that the first draft of Her Guardian Angel, the fourth book in my Her Angel series and the first novel length outing, is now complete at 92000 words, and that I got it done before I went away. I didn’t want to have to come back from holiday and try to pick up right at the end of the book and finish it. That would have been very difficult to do without reading quite a large chunk of it back, which would have taken time out of my schedule. I’m pleased with how it has turned out, but I know there’s a few places where I need to fix it up a bit, or iron out some wrinkles at least. That’s what the second draft is for.

The second draft on this angel romance book will be done when it’s had time to rest, which gives me time to write my next novel, or novella.

At the moment, I’m working on Masquerade, which is book number 10 in my Vampires Realm series. I think it’s likely to be a long novella, somewhere around 50000 words in total. Just shy of a novel. I have the story planned and this time we’re in St Petersburg with the Venia bloodline for a very special Creator Day masquerade. I’ll get to write plenty of old faces in this one, which I’m really looking forward to. I’ve managed to get the first chapter done today despite my muse’s protests. He’s tired from our holiday and having guests over, and just wants to slack off this week.

There’s not much chance of that happening though. I not only have the first draft of Masquerade to get into, but I’m putting together designs for promotional material for prize packs as I have a few big giveaways coming up and want to get some postcards, bookmarks, keyrings, magnets and other items made. I’m also knee-deep in articles and interviews that need my attention. There’s no rest for the wicked it seems. I’ve had my week off and now I’m back in the thick of it.

I have been enjoying the chance to devour a few books over the past week though, and managed to read two of them. I’ll try to get my reviews written up for them and posted soon.

Back to work I go… just wanted to drop by and let you all know what I’ve been up to so you can get a feel for all the crazy stuff that goes into writing my books 🙂

Posted in 2011 releases, Her Angel Series, Her Guardian Angel, Masquerade, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, vampire romance, vampires, Vampires Realm | Comments Off on Her Guardian Angel, Masquerade and more

Love Immortal – character interview with Julian

As part of my Paranormal Pandemonium 2011 Blog Tour, I’ll be interviewing some characters and doing some posts on my own blog too, Indie Paranormal Romance Books. First up in my character interviews is the beautiful Julian from my epic vampire romance book, Love Immortal.

Julian, for those not familiar with him, is the sinfully gorgeous, dark haired and icy-blue eyed immortal protector of Lauren, the latest reincarnation of a goddess he once worshipped. He also commanded her army of Arcadian soldiers in their fight against Lycaon, the vicious original werewolf who was cursed by Zeus for tricking him into eating human flesh. Julian is drop dead handsome and with a beautiful soul to match his exterior. He’s skilled with his silver katana, has preternatural strength, speed, sight, hearing and senses, and is a very determined yet sensitive man. He’s also one of the ancestors, along with Lauren, of what we think of as vampires. Just don’t let him hear you say that!

FH: I have Julian here with me today to talk about his book, Love Immortal. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Julian: If necessary. I was born three thousand years ago in Arcadia, what you would think of as Greece these days, and died there. My goddess, Illia, gave me life immortal and Zeus allowed me to pass over, charging me with the duty of giving Illia’s reincarnations my blood in order to awaken them. I am also her protector. Illia’s blood has gifted me with preternatural strength and abilities, but because of it I also share her need for blood as sustenance. Upon my rebirth as her immortal protector, my thirst for blood awakened and I have not been able to eat or drink anything else since. It is a small price to pay for being able to continue to my duty as her commander.

FH: Can you tell us about what happened in your story?

Julian: My story has been flowing for the past three thousand years, broken into chapters that encompassed the lives of each of Illia’s incarnations. The one you chose to write about was the final chapter, in which Lauren was born as the next incarnation and our paths crossed. From the moment I met her, I feared her fate would be the same as all of her predecessors and that she would fall to Lycaon’s blade, the first werewolf and the man she was charged with the duty of defeating. Lycaon had killed all those that had come before her, even Illia, and had continued with his plan to gain revenge on Zeus and Olympus for the curse they had placed on him. For the first time in forever, I hoped that Lycaon would fall and I vowed to do all in my power to ensure that Lauren survived.

FH: In Love Immortal, you meet Lauren, who is the latest reincarnation of the goddess Illia. How did you meet and how did you feel about her initially?

Julian: Lauren is unlike any of the previous incarnations of my lost goddess. She is so much warmer and more compassionate than all of them, even Illia herself. Lauren made me realise that I had long been dead inside and breathed life back into me little by little, until I slowly realised my feelings for her. I had been through so much pain because of her predecessors that it was difficult for me to bring myself to trust her even when I wanted to with all of my heart. I couldn’t take my eyes off her from the moment I set them on her, and I knew I had to find a way to make her mine, even risking my heart to achieve that.

FH: Your relationship with Lauren is complicated because of your role as her protector and the things that have happened in your past. Was it difficult at first?

Julian: It was very difficult. It took a lot for me to come to trust her and convince myself that she was worth the fight, and that she was different to the others and I wasn’t imagining the feelings that she showed towards me. I think I frustrated her immensely at first. In fact, I know that I did. Sometimes she mentions what a pain I was and how hard I made her work. I had not realised that I had made things so difficult for her. I had only thought of guarding my heart against her because of the things that had happened to me in my past and the pain I had been through. I couldn’t bear the thought of Lauren putting me through such pain too. It would have been the end of me.

FH: But it wasn’t, and things turned out well for you in the end. How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?

Julian: It has been busy. We had a short period of rest together to recuperate from the battle and then went straight back to work. Lauren is very enthusiastic about her work and what she sees as her duty. We have trained hard together too, so I know that she is ready to face whatever demons may come our way. At the moment, we are working closely with Duke and are also in contact with Morgan about his werewolf problem. Lauren says that we cannot delay much longer but I have little desire to set foot in Paris again, or see that vampire. I am certain he will try to gain Lauren’s affection somehow and that is something I cannot allow, and if it came to blows I know that Lauren would be angry with me. I cannot help myself when I feel someone is trying to take her from me. She is mine and I love her with all of my heart and my soul. I live for her. I would die for her.

FH: You old romantic! I think it’s beautiful that you’re so possessive of her now that you have her. I have one more question for you and it’s something you’ll need to think about. Describe yourself in one word.

Julian: Steadfast.

FH: I would have gone with gorgeous. *smiles* Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

Julian: Only my thanks to you for penning the tale of our love and victory, and that I hope we can work together again in the future. Lauren has mentioned that you have had several requests for more of our tales. I am sure there is something we can do to satisfy those readers of yours. Another epic quest perhaps. Do you think they would enjoy reading it?

FH: I do. I can’t wait to hear it. Thank you again for being here today, and say hi to Lauren and the gang for me. *watches his tight backside as he walks away* yum.

Here’s a little information about Love Immortal and the places it’s available:

Felicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she’s ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she’s the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.

With the help of Julian and an organisation of people with supernatural abilities, Lauren fights for her life, their future and the fate of mankind against Lycaon and his deadly army, but can she succeed when Lycaon has killed all of her predecessors?

Can she crack the armour around Julian’s heart and seize her happily forever after with him? And can Julian bring himself to trust Lauren with the fragments of his heart after everything he’s been through?

ebook price: $3.99
paperback price: $12.99
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 157000 words
rating: sultry
released: January 2011

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Love%20Immortal
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004HYHHME/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940011179648/
Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Love-Immortal/book-OyQ9CMW5Jkaf0K_UwfVfGw/page1.html
Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/felicity-heaton/love-immortal/_/R-400000000000000340123

Available in paperback from:
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1456487884/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1456487884/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Love-Immortal/Felicity-Heaton/e/9781456487881/

Posted in 2011 blog tour, 2011 releases, character interviews, Love Immortal, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, vampire romance, vampires | Comments Off on Love Immortal – character interview with Julian

Paranormal romance books now on Amazon.de Kindle Store

My paranormal romance books are now available at the Amazon.de Kindle Store, including Ascension, my new urban fantasy romance novel, and Love Immortal, my epic vampire romance novel. Prices are listed in dollars below but they’re in Euros at the Kindle Store at the current exchange rate.

Love Immortal
Felicity Heaton
Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she’s ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she’s the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the…

ebook price: $4.49
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 157000 words

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004HYHHME/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004HYHHME/

Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic. With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her…

ebook price: $3.99
genre: paranormal / urban fantasy romance
length: 91000 words
Book 1 in the Shadow and Light Trilogy series

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004X6TWLK/

A Promise of Passion
Felicity Heaton
A dark, sensual and action packed story of two hearts, united in their passion and desire, but divided by their blood, A Promise of Passion is guaranteed to get your heart racing. Alicia is a vampire hunter, unable to find a man strong enough to…

ebook price: $0.99
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 15091 words

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036FU1BE/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0036FU1BE/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0036FU1BE/

Embracing the Wolf
Felicity Heaton
Kat, a hunter with the Werewolf Control Forces, fled her alpha werewolf lover, Amon, when he told her that she too had the gene in her blood and would one day mature into a werewolf–into his mate. Four years on, Kat has now matured. Each night…

ebook price: $1.49
genre: paranormal werewolf romance
length: 20200 words

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036FU0NS/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0036FU0NS/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0036FU0NS/

In Heat
Felicity Heaton
A heat wave isn’t the only thing making London too hot for lawyer Kim. She’s been spending each night with a man who sets her body and heart on fire. The problem? He’s a man that always sprouts black fur and purrs, and he’s only a dream. Walking…

ebook price: $3.49
genre: paranormal shapeshifter romance
length: 63200 words
Book 1 in the In Heat series

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036FUR9A/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0036FUR9A/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0036FUR9A/

In Heat: Mating Call
Felicity Heaton
The English winter weather has no chance of cooling Kim down when her dreams of Erik return, and this time they’re hotter than ever! Having spent the past two years waiting to be in heat again so she can mate with her black panther shape-shifter…

ebook price: $3.49
genre: paranormal shapeshifter romance
length: 63000 words
Book 2 in the In Heat series

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036FURD6/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0036FURD6/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0036FURD6/

Vampire for Christmas
Felicity Heaton
It was one last mission. Shannon, a demon hunter with the agency, is looking forward to leaving behind the small town and the vampire she’s been stuck with for the past two years. Things are getting complicated fast and she wants out. A fresh…

ebook price: $0.99
genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 30000 words

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AM59T6/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004AM59T6/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004AM59T6/

Posted in Amazon Kindle, Ascension, ebooks, formats, Love Immortal, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, vampire romance | Comments Off on Paranormal romance books now on Amazon.de Kindle Store

Ascension excerpt – urban fantasy romance novel

Today sees the release of my new urban fantasy romance novel, Ascension. Ascension is the first story in my new Shadow & Light Trilogy. It’s available now direct from my website in mobi, epub, pdf and html formats, and is also available on Amazon Kindle.

Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.

With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig’s blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.

Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he’s not a monster but the man that she loves?

ebook price: $3.99
genre: paranormal / urban fantasy romance
length: 91000 words
rating: sultry
released: April 2011
Book 1 in the Shadow and Light Trilogy series

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Ascension
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004X6TWLK/

Excerpt
Taig closed his eyes and released a long low groan of unexpected pleasure as Lealandra’s warm mouth fused with his. Her tongue slid between his lips, a delicious and familiar hot velvet caress that swept across his teeth and drew another hungry moan from him. Without considering the consequences and forgetting his anger, he twisted her long black hair around his fingers and tethered her to him so this breathtaking fantasy wouldn’t end before he wanted, and he wanted it to go on forever.

He tilted his head and pressed harder against her mouth, his tongue brushing hers, delving in deep to taste her. A shiver of desire and need shot through him, and his breathing turned rough as he reacquainted himself with her sweetness and warmth. He hadn’t imagined things turning out this way when she had walked into the bar tonight, but he wasn’t about to push her away now that she was kissing him again, rekindling passion whose embers had burned deep in his heart all the time they had been apart. She moved against him, her lips soft and grazing his, slowing the kiss until he wanted to groan and pull her against him, wanted to thrust his tongue back into her mouth and show her just how ravenous she made him. It coiled tight in his gut, pushing for control, urging him to act on his desire.

All too soon, her lips left his but she remained close. With a soft puff of air into his mouth, she spoke.

“Are they gone?” Her quiet voice trembled along with her body, telling him that the kiss hadn’t only affected him. His heart pounded for more and his blood rushed through his ears, dampening his awareness of their surroundings.

Taig glanced around the dim emptying bar. The two men were gone. He stared into her eyes, refreshing his memory of every fleck of silver against stormy grey. It had been too long since he had seen her, and felt even longer since he had kissed her. A tortuous length of time and an absence he couldn’t easily forgive, even when her kiss made him forget it.

“Not yet,” he whispered the lie against her lips, a split-second before his mouth claimed hers, dominant now that he was ready for the kiss. Desire became a raging inferno within him, burning away the anger that blazed back into life whenever he had a moment to think. This kiss was the only thing that mattered right now.

This time, Lealandra loosed a deep breathy moan. The sound sent his blood rushing ahead of his thoughts. He hardened instantly against his tight black jeans and wrapped his fingers around the nape of her neck, pressing them in and dragging her closer still. The heat of her kiss reawakened lost passion and a need for her that could never die. Six years of separation disappeared in an instant, erased by the fact that she had finally walked back into his life. He wasn’t going to let her go this time. Even if this kiss was only a decoy, it still meant something to them both. He knew it did.

Her fingertips grazed his neck and pushed into the shorter black hair at the back of his head. He groaned internally at the feel of her nails against his scalp, declaring her growing hunger, and furrowed his brow as he brought his hand forward to claim her jaw, holding her in place. He burned at the feel of her soft satin skin beneath his fingers. Her touch was still electric, sending waves of hot sparks dancing along every nerve in his body, bringing his cold flesh to life. Tilting her head back, he thrust his tongue into her mouth and slid his free hand around her waist at the same time, pulling her so close to him that her breasts pushed against his chest with each gasping breath she drew. He eased his hand lower and caressed the patch of bare warm skin between the bottom of her short black strapless corset top and the waist of her long black skirt. Lealandra tensed. Too fast.

Taig braced for impact.

The flat of her hand slammed against his chest, forcing him backwards in the curved padded seat of the booth and tearing her from his grasp. Her gelid gaze stopped him dead.

“They’re gone, aren’t they?” Lealandra’s tone was pure venom that matched the ice in her pale grey eyes.

Taig held his hands up, surrendering with a seductive smile that confessed every sin he had been considering. Lealandra wasn’t the kind of witch you lied to. With such strong power flowing in her veins, it was easy for her to read everyone. Everyone but him. His blood saw to that. Her ability to see through him didn’t come from magic. It came from the divine six months they had spent locked tight in each other’s embrace. Six heavenly months he would never forget followed by six hollow years he wished he couldn’t remember.

Lealandra looked around the bar, flicking her straight dark hair over her bare slender shoulders. His black gaze raked over her in the same hungry way it had done when she had first appeared in front of him tonight. She had grown a little thinner in their time apart. Her partner hadn’t been taking care of her. Taig curled his fingers into fists at the thought of another man touching what was his. Anger blazed in his chest, ignited by the idea that the man she had chosen over him hadn’t been looking after her needs. Had the idiot failed to see what she truly craved?

The magic that inhabited her body drained her and made her hungry. She needed to feed often and he wasn’t talking about food. Magic as old and potent as hers demanded the highest price and had the basest needs. If it didn’t get what it wanted, it was hard for Lealandra to retain control. It only proved the point he had tried to hammer home to her when she had been on the verge of leaving him all those years ago and disproved hers.

Taig didn’t give a fuck about the rules of her kind. A witch was no match for a witch, especially not one who needed blood to sustain her.

Demon blood.

The thought that Lealandra had been struggling with her power these six long years stoked his anger into blind fury. Every muscle itched with the desire to find her pathetic excuse for a man and teach him a lesson he would never forget for making her suffer. The kind of lesson that would satisfy Taig’s own deep dark cravings.

“I can’t believe you’d take a cheap shot like that,” Lealandra muttered in his direction, her eyes meeting his. “No. Wait. Actually… I can.”

With his best sexy smirk, Taig leaned back into the grotty dark brown leather seat and stretched his arms out along the top. He shrugged and held her gaze.

“You kissed me first. I just returned the favour.”

Her tongue swept over her lips, as though she wanted to kiss him again and was contenting herself with the lingering taste of him. If she wanted him to kiss her, he would. He would kiss her so hard that she would forget that idiot she had left him for and her own name in the process. She would forget everything but the feel of him inside her where he belonged. He would ruin her to everyone but him.

“That’s not the kind of favour I need from you.” Lealandra casually rested her elbow on the back of the leather seat and propped her chin up with her hand. Her head tilted to one side, her dusky kiss-swollen lips curving into a smile. His heart thundered, beating hard with the rush of desire that flooded him.

That smile had made him want her the moment he had laid eyes on her all those years ago. He still wanted her.

He tamped down his desire and got a grip. Her kissing him hadn’t changed a damn thing. Whatever they’d had, it didn’t exist anymore. She had trampled it on her way out of the door and it was going to take a lot more than a kiss to get her into his good book again.

“A favour? Tell me, why should I do you any favours? Last I checked, you were shacked up with another bloke. Why don’t you ask Loverboy to help you out? I’m sure he could do something… unspectacular.” Taig picked up his shot of whisky from the table and necked it. The liquid burned his throat as it slid down, heating him through. Sometimes it was nice to feel something other than cold. Alcohol and hunting were the only things that did that these days. His gaze ran over Lealandra. She used to make him burn hotter than Hell on a summer’s day. She still did, but he wasn’t about to let her see that. “I guess that’s why you’re here. Loverboy just doesn’t cut it when it comes to handling demons. That pair of weaklings would have him inside out and back to front before he could lift a finger to cast whatever impotent half-assed spell he could muster.”

Taig held her gaze, cool and steady, watching the hurt surfacing in her eyes and feeling like a bastard for it, but on some twisted level, it satisfied him.

He narrowed his eyes and casually placed the glass down. “Well, you’re shit out of luck, Lea. I’m not interested.”

Her only reaction was to look away from him. She flicked the small silver bells on the ties of her long skirt and her shoulders lifted in a sigh. That was unsatisfactory. He had expected a better response than that. He had wanted her to argue with him about it. Perhaps even fight him. A good fight with her might go some way towards releasing the anger that was burning like acid in his veins, eating away at him and filling his head and heart with acrid memories.

Memories that drove him to kill.

He quirked a dark eyebrow and waited for her to say something. It wasn’t like her. She looked up at him through her eyelashes.

A hint of fear surfaced in her beautiful eyes and rippled across her pale skin in a wave that only he could detect. He sat up, all sense of casual lost now that he had realised that she was frightened and it wasn’t of him. His anger faded. Something was very wrong. Lealandra didn’t do frightened. No witch as powerful as her did, at least not when they had their Counter-Balance, their other half, the one who could temper their magic and help them maintain control of it.

“I’ll pay you… whatever you want… just name your price.” She coughed to clear her throat, as though such a pathetic attempt to cover her turbulent feelings would fool him.

It was there in her body and her power, and he knew her well enough that he could easily read both. She was scared, and he was an idiot for not noticing it the second she had approached him, and the moment those thugs had walked into the joint. They had been out of place and suspicious, and he had sensed their demon blood, and then Lealandra had kissed him and he had lost track of them and her feelings. She had tasted purely of hunger and desire. All sweet with arousal. It had been enough to throw him off her underlying fear.

“You know my price.” Taig’s eyes narrowed on hers, intent and showing her that he was being serious for once. His voice dropped to a low whisper. “I want you, Lea.”

She swallowed and blinked. Once. Twice. “No deal.”

When she moved to stand, Taig grabbed her wrist, locking his fingers tightly around it. She looked down at his hand and then into his eyes. Her startled look added to her natural beauty, her eyes round and her rosy lips parted. A blush stained her pale cheeks, deep enough that he noticed it even in the low light of the bar. He wanted her more now than ever and he wasn’t about to let her walk out on him again.

“You knew what I’d ask for so why come to me with your problems if you were going to refuse?”

Lealandra pried his fingers off her and frowned. “You saw those men. I need a demon hunter. You’re the best I know.”

Demon hunter. The job title neglected to mention the fact that his father had been one of the most powerful demons to walk the Earth. He stared into Lealandra’s stormy eyes and saw the same calm acceptance that they always showed him. Had his mother looked at his father that way? She had dared to be with him after all. That union had spawned himself—half demon hidden behind the mask of man.

Taig tapped his fingers on the dark table, torn between rejecting her request unless she agreed to his terms and kissing her again. His eyebrows knitted tight together. This wasn’t easy. What they had shared six years ago wasn’t the kind of everyday passion that most people found at the start of a relationship. It had gone beyond that. The dark and hungry craving had consumed them both, had pushed them to the edge and had almost tipped them over it a few times. It had been unbridled passion—the sort that was rare in this world—and it still flooded him whenever he looked at her, whenever her beautiful eyes met his and dared him to make a move. He could deny it all he wanted, pretend that he no longer felt a thing for her, but she still tied him in knots and had him on his knees with only a smile. She licked her lips again, a nervous sweep of her tongue that reminded him that something was wrong.

What could be so bad that she wasn’t asking her precious coven for help and was instead looking him up after six long years?

Was it just the demons that had her scared or was there more to this than she was telling him? Witches and demons got on like a house on fire but usually they kept well clear of each other, sticking to their own world. It was unusual for a demon to go after a witch, but he couldn’t deny that the two kids earlier had been looking for Lealandra.

And now she was asking him for help.

What reason could demons have for going after her?

Taig looked deep into her eyes, focusing on them as he tried to get a hold on her feelings. There was anger in her now, aimed at him, but the fear was still there too. It echoed in the unsteady beat of her heart and danced in the depths of her eyes. She was in trouble, big enough that she had sought him out even when she knew that he would be pissed off at her and that he would demand a high price for services rendered. Either she was desperate or she truly believed that he was her best choice.

Or maybe she just wanted to see him again and this was the perfect excuse for her to waltz back into his life.

Still, his ineffable charm and attractiveness aside, parts of it didn’t make sense. Lealandra was powerful enough to take care of a couple of weak lower demons and her bastard Counter-Balance and dear coven should have been able to protect her if she couldn’t fight them for some reason. Taig had never met them, but the coven was probably strong enough to take on a demon of his strength. Two weaklings would be nothing to them. Like swatting flies.

And why was she here anyway? Alone too. Her Counter-Balance would have a tantrum of galactic proportions if he knew that Lealandra had come to her ex-lover for help.

In fact, none of it made sense.

Taig’s head ached from trying to figure it out. It was just like her to send his mind in ten directions at once. There was only one way to find out what the hell had Lealandra walking back into his life. He never had been backwards about being forwards, after all. It was one of the qualities that Lealandra had liked about him.

“Why do you need me?” Taig sensed the deep spike in her feelings, the rise in her desire that struck him hard and sent a jolt to his groin, reigniting his own hunger.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks coloured.

He hadn’t considered the possibility of a second meaning to his words but now he was. His suspicions had been right. He wasn’t the only one the kiss had affected. He wasn’t the only one who felt this need burning deep within.

His eyes narrowed on hers in both a challenge and a command. He was damned if he was going to let her get away without answering, and damned if he was going to let her walk out on him again.

“Tell me.”

Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Ascension
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004X6TWLK/

Posted in 2011 releases, Ascension, dark fantasy romance, demons, ebooks, new release, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches | Comments Off on Ascension excerpt – urban fantasy romance novel

Ascension – urban fantasy romance novel available now for Amazon Kindle

Ascension is due for release this weekend on April 23rd, but lucky Amazon Kindle owners get to get their hands on it early as it’s now available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for just $3.99! Here’s more information about this fantastic new urban fantasy romance novel that is the first book the Shadow & Light Trilogy.

Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.

With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig’s blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.

Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he’s not a monster but the man that she loves?

ebook price: $3.99
genre: paranormal / urban fantasy romance
length: 91000 words
rating: sultry
released: April 2011
Book 1 in the Shadow and Light Trilogy series

Available in e-book from:
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X6TWLK/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004X6TWLK/

Posted in 2011 releases, Amazon Kindle, Ascension, dark fantasy romance, demons, ebooks, formats, new release, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches | Comments Off on Ascension – urban fantasy romance novel available now for Amazon Kindle

Urban Fantasy Romance Novel – Teaser Excerpt for Ascension!

I asked people on my Facebook whether they wanted to see a teaser for my upcoming urban fantasy romance novel, Ascension, and the resounding answer was “yes, please!” so here’s my teaser excerpt for the book. It’s available on April 23rd! Not long now to wait.

DISCLAIMER: Ascension is awaiting final proofing so please forgive any errors!

Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.

With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taig’s blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.

Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that he’s not a monster but the man that she loves?

EXCERPT

Taig closed his eyes and released a long low groan of unexpected pleasure as Lealandra’s warm mouth fused with his. Her tongue slid between his lips, a delicious and familiar hot velvet caress that swept across his teeth and drew another moan of hunger from him. Without considering the consequences and forgetting his anger, he twisted her long black hair around his fingers and tethered her to him so this breathtaking fantasy wouldn’t end before he wanted, and he wanted it to go on forever.

He tilted his head and pressed harder against her mouth, his tongue brushing hers, delving in deep to taste her. A shiver of desire and need shot through him, and his breathing turned rough as he reacquainted himself with her sweetness and warmth. He hadn’t imagined things turning out this way when she had walked into the bar tonight, but he wasn’t about to push her away now that she was kissing him again, rekindling passion whose embers had burned deep in his heart all the time they had been apart. She moved against him, her lips soft and grazing his, slowing the kiss until he wanted to groan and pull her against him, wanted to thrust his tongue back into her mouth and show her just how hungry she made him. It coiled tight in his gut, pushing for control, urging him to act on his desire.

All too soon, her lips left his but she remained close. With a soft puff of air into his mouth, she spoke.

“Are they gone?” Her quiet voice trembled along with her body, telling him that the kiss hadn’t only affected him. His heart pounded for more and his blood rushed through his ears, dampening his awareness of their surroundings.

Taig glanced around the dim emptying bar. The two men were gone. He stared into her eyes, refreshing his memory of every fleck of silver against stormy grey. It had been too long since he had seen her, and felt even longer since he had kissed her. A tortuous length of time and an absence he couldn’t easily forgive, even when her kiss made him forget it.

“Not yet,” he whispered the lie against her lips, a split-second before his mouth claimed hers, dominant now that he was ready for the kiss. Desire became a raging inferno within him, burning away the anger that blazed back into life whenever he had a moment to think. This kiss was the only thing that mattered right now.

This time, Lealandra loosed a deep breathy moan. The sound sent his blood rushing ahead of his thoughts. He hardened instantly against his tight black jeans and wrapped his fingers around the nape of her neck, pressing them in and dragging her closer still. The heat of her kiss reawakened lost passion and a need for her that could never die. Six years of separation disappeared in an instant, erased by the fact that she had finally walked back into his life. He wasn’t going to let her go this time. Even if this kiss was only a decoy, it still meant something to them both. He knew it did.

Her fingertips grazed his neck and pushed into the shorter black hair at the back of his head. He groaned internally at the feel of her nails against his scalp, declaring her growing hunger, and furrowed his brow as he brought his hand forward to claim her jaw, holding her in place. He burned at the feel of her soft satin skin beneath his fingers. Her touch was still electric, sending waves of hot sparks dancing along every nerve in his body, bringing his cold flesh to life. Tilting her head back, he thrust his tongue into her mouth and slid his free hand around her waist at the same time, pulling her so close to him that her breasts pushed against his chest with each gasping breath she drew. He eased his hand lower and caressed the patch of bare warm skin between the bottom of her short black strapless corset top and the waist of her long black skirt. Lealandra tensed. Too fast.

Taig braced for impact.

The flat of her hand slammed against his chest, forcing him backwards in the curved padded seat of the booth and tearing her from his grasp. Her gelid gaze stopped him dead.

“They’re gone, aren’t they?” Lealandra’s tone was pure venom that matched the ice in her pale grey eyes.

Taig held his hands up, surrendering with a seductive smile that confessed every sin he had been considering. Lealandra wasn’t the kind of witch you lied to. With such strong power flowing in her veins, it was easy for her to read everyone. Everyone but him. His blood saw to that. Her ability to see through him didn’t come from magic. It came from the divine six months they had spent locked tight in each other’s embrace. Six heavenly months he would never forget followed by six hollow years he wished he couldn’t remember.

Lealandra looked around the bar, flicking her straight dark hair over her bare slender shoulders. His black gaze raked over her in the same hungry way it had done when she had first appeared in front of him tonight. She had grown a little thinner in their time apart. Her partner hadn’t been taking care of her. Taig curled his fingers into fists at the thought of another man touching what was his. Anger blazed in his chest, ignited by the idea that the man she had chosen over him hadn’t been looking after her needs. Had the idiot failed to see what she truly craved?

The magic that inhabited her body drained her and made her hungry. She needed to feed often, and he wasn’t talking about food. Magic as old and potent as hers demanded the highest price and had the basest needs. If it didn’t get what it wanted, it was hard for Lealandra to retain control. It only proved the point he had tried to hammer home to her when she had been on the verge of leaving him all those years ago, and disproved hers.

Taig didn’t give a fuck about the rules of her kind. A witch was no match for a witch, especially not one who needed blood to sustain her.

Demon blood.

The thought that Lealandra had been struggling with her power these six long years stoked his anger into blind fury. Every muscle itched with the desire to find her pathetic excuse for a man and teach him a lesson he would never forget for making her suffer. The kind of lesson that would satisfy Taig’s own deep dark cravings.

“I can’t believe you’d take a cheap shot like that,” Lealandra muttered in his direction, her eyes meeting his. “No. Wait. Actually… I can.”

With his best sexy smirk, Taig leaned back into the grotty dark brown leather seat and stretched his arms out along the top. He shrugged and held her gaze.

“You kissed me first. I just returned the favour.”

Her tongue swept over her lips, as though she wanted to kiss him again and was contenting herself with the lingering taste of him. If she wanted him to kiss her, he would. He would kiss her so hard that she would forget that idiot she had left him for and her own name in the process. She would forget everything but the feel of him inside her where he belonged. He would ruin her to everyone but him.

“That’s not the kind of favour I need from you.” Lealandra casually rested her elbow on the back of the leather seat and propped her chin up with her hand. Her head tilted to one side, her dusky kiss-swollen lips curving into a smile. His heart thundered, beating hard with the rush of desire that flooded him.

That smile had made him want her the moment he had laid eyes on her all those years ago. He still wanted her.

He tamped down his desire and got a grip. Her kissing him hadn’t changed a damn thing. Whatever they’d had, it didn’t exist anymore. She had trampled it on her way out of the door and it was going to take a lot more than a kiss to get her into his good book again.

“A favour? Tell me, why should I do you any favours? Last I checked, you were shacked up with another bloke. Why don’t you ask Loverboy to help you out? I’m sure he could do something… unspectacular.” Taig picked up his shot of whisky from the table and necked it. The liquid burned his throat as it slid down, heating him through. Sometimes it was nice to feel something other than cold. Alcohol and hunting were the only things that did that these days. His gaze ran over Lealandra. She used to make him burn hotter than Hell on a summer’s day. She still did, but he wasn’t about to let her see that. “I guess that’s why you’re here. Loverboy just doesn’t cut it when it comes to handling demons. That pair of weaklings would have him inside out and back to front before he could lift a finger to cast whatever impotent half-assed spell he could muster.”

Taig held her gaze, cool and steady, watching the hurt surfacing in her eyes and feeling like a bastard for it, but on some twisted level, it satisfied him.

He narrowed his eyes and casually placed the glass down. “Well, you’re shit out of luck, Lea. I’m not interested.”

Her only reaction was to look away from him. She flicked the small silver bells on the ties of her long skirt and her shoulders lifted in a sigh. That was unsatisfactory. He had expected a better response than that. He had wanted her to argue with him about it. Perhaps even fight him. A good fight with her might go some way towards releasing the anger that was burning like acid in his veins, eating away at him and filling his head and heart with acrid memories.

Memories that drove him to kill.

He quirked a dark eyebrow and waited for her to say something. It wasn’t like her. She looked up at him through her eyelashes.

A hint of fear surfaced in her beautiful eyes and rippled across her pale skin in a wave that only he could detect. He sat up, all sense of casual lost now that he had realised that she was frightened and it wasn’t of him. His anger faded. Something was very wrong. Lealandra didn’t do frightened. No witch as powerful as her did, at least not when they had their Counter-Balance, their other half, the one who could temper their magic and help them maintain control of it.

“I’ll pay you… whatever you want… just name your price.” She coughed to clear her throat, as though such a pathetic attempt to cover her turbulent feelings would fool him.

It was there in her body and her power, and he knew her well enough that he could easily read both. She was scared, and he was an idiot for not noticing it the second she had approached him, and the moment those thugs had walked into the joint. They had been out of place and suspicious, and he had sensed their demon blood, and then Lealandra had kissed him and he had lost track of them and her feelings. She had tasted purely of hunger and desire. All sweet with arousal. It had been enough to throw him off her underlying fear.

“You know my price.” Taig’s eyes narrowed on hers, intent and showing her that he was being serious for once. His voice dropped to a low whisper. “I want you, Lea.”

She swallowed and blinked. Once. Twice. “No deal.”

When she moved to stand, Taig grabbed her wrist, locking his fingers tightly around it. She looked down at his hand and then into his eyes. Her startled look added to her natural beauty, her eyes round and her rosy lips parted. A blush stained her pale cheeks, deep enough that he noticed it even in the low light of the bar. He wanted her more now than ever, and he wasn’t about to let her walk out on him again.

“You knew what I’d ask for so why come to me with your problems if you were going to refuse?”

Lealandra pried his fingers off her and frowned. “You saw those men. I needed a demon hunter. You’re the best I know.”

Demon hunter. The job title neglected to mention the fact that his father had been one of the most powerful demons to walk the Earth. He stared into Lealandra’s stormy eyes and saw the same calm acceptance that they always showed him. Had his mother looked at his father that way? She had dared to be with him after all. That union had spawned himself—half demon hidden behind the mask of man.

Taig tapped his fingers on the dark table, torn between rejecting her request unless she agreed to his terms and kissing her again. His eyebrows knitted tight together. This wasn’t easy. What they had shared six years ago wasn’t the kind of everyday passion that most people found at the start of a relationship. It had gone beyond that. The dark and hungry craving had consumed them both, had pushed them to the edge and had almost tipped them over it a few times. It had been unbridled passion—the sort that was rare in this world—and it still flooded him whenever he looked at her, whenever her beautiful eyes met his and dared him to make a move. He could deny it all he wanted, pretend that he no longer felt a thing for her, but she still tied him in knots and had him on his knees with only a smile. She licked her lips again, a nervous sweep of her tongue that reminded him that something was wrong.

What could be so bad that she wasn’t asking her precious coven for help and was instead looking him up after six long years?

Was it just the demons that had her scared or was there more to this than she was telling him? Witches and demons got on like a house on fire but usually they kept well clear of each other, sticking to their own world. It was unusual for a demon to go after a witch, but he couldn’t deny that the two kids earlier had been looking for Lealandra.

And now she was asking him for help.

What reason could demons have for going after her?

Taig looked deep into her eyes, focusing on them as he tried to get a hold on her feelings. There was anger in her now, aimed at him, but the fear was still there too. It echoed in the unsteady beat of her heart and danced in the depths of her eyes. She was in trouble, big enough that she had sought him out even when she knew that he would be pissed off at her and that he would demand a high price for services rendered. Either she was desperate or she truly believed that he was her best choice.

Or maybe she just wanted to see him again and this was the perfect excuse for her to waltz back into his life.

Still, his ineffable charm and attractiveness aside, parts of it didn’t make sense. Lealandra was powerful enough to take care of a couple of weak lower demons and her bastard Counter-Balance and dear coven should have been able to protect her from them if she couldn’t fight them for some reason. Taig had never met them, but the coven was probably strong enough to take on a demon of his strength. Two weaklings would be nothing to them. Like swatting flies.

And why was she here anyway? Alone too. Her Counter-Balance would have a tantrum of galactic proportions if he knew that Lealandra had come to her ex-lover for help.

In fact, none of it made sense.

Taig’s head ached from trying to figure it out. It was just like her to send his mind in ten directions at once. There was only one way to find out what the hell had Lealandra walking back into his life. He never had been backwards about being forwards, after all. It was one of the qualities that Lealandra had liked about him.

“Why do you need me?” Taig sensed the deep spike in her feelings, the rise in her desire that struck him hard and sent a jolt to his groin, reigniting his own hunger.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks coloured.

He hadn’t considered the possibility of a second meaning to his words but now he was. His suspicions had been right. He wasn’t the only one the kiss had affected. He wasn’t the only one who felt this need burning deep within.

His eyes narrowed on hers in both a challenge and a command. He was damned if he was going to let her get away without answering, and damned if he was going to let her walk out on him again.

“Tell me.”

Did you all enjoy it? Don’t be shy about commenting. I don’t bite unless you beg.

Ascension will be released on April 23rd 2011.

Posted in 2011 releases, Ascension, dark fantasy romance, demons, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches | Comments Off on Urban Fantasy Romance Novel – Teaser Excerpt for Ascension!