![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/caressed-by-night.jpg\" "\\"caressed")
Caressed by Night<\/strong>\n Amanda J Greene<\/strong>
\nDimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundreds years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.<\/p>\n
Kerstyn Ingmar\u2019s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom.<\/p>\n
While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Available from:<\/strong> Amazon Kindle<\/a> | Nook<\/a> | ARe<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n EXCERPT<\/strong><\/p>\n The pounding of the bass and the high pitch sound of techno was all that could be heard in the club. Bright spotlights roamed, flowing like waves over the sea of people dancing mindlessly to the music.<\/p>\n Turning from the window, Gabriel Erhard reclaimed his seat behind his massive, mahogany desk. He roughly ran his hand through his short hair before turning his gaze back to the vampire nonchalantly reclining across from him.<\/p>\n He struggled to believe what he was seeing. It was strange to think that an hour ago he had been sitting in this exact spot reminiscing about the first day he had met Dimitri and now the murdered vampire was here, in his office.<\/p>\n \u201cFour hundred years.\u201d<\/p>\n Chills shook Gabriel\u2019s entire body just as they had when Dimitri had materialized in his office. He had once believed he would never again hear that smooth, controlled, regal voice.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the day,\u201d Gabriel added.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought the anniversary of my death would be the best day to reenter vampire society.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it will take me four hundred years to get over my shock.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were going to faint.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it were possible for us to faint, I would\u2019ve.\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri laughed, his fangs flashing for the briefest of moments. Gabriel once again was stunned into silence. How could this be happening? How could Dimitri Arsov, who was murdered ages ago, be sitting in his office? Was this all a hallucination? Had he gone insane? Gabriel never thought he would join Hadrian, the mad, exiled king, but now he wasn\u2019t so sure.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are not crazy,\u201d Dimitri said with a smile, reading his friend\u2019s troubled thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s comforting,\u201d Gabriel sighed as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. \u201cHow is this possible?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all really simple, I was never murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand. Why would you fake your death?\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri\u2019s eyes turned cold and penetrating. \u201cMy reasons will reveal themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabriel slammed his hand on the desk and laughed, \u201cDamn, you haven\u2019t changed a bit! You are as cryptic as ever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou would not want to tempt Fate by knowing her plans.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabriel shrugged, stood, and headed for the bar. He was itching for a drink.<\/p>\n \u201cI have one more question for you. Why did you come here, to Vegas?\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri waited for Gabriel to finish pouring his brandy to answer, \u201cThere are many reasons behind my decision for coming to your city. One of which is that I can trust you. As you know, this country belongs to the shape-shifting breed and the Outcast Society. You, my friend, I know are loyal. Do not worry, your secret is safe with me.\u201d He chuckled at Gabriel\u2019s sharp look. \u201cI will not tarnish your reputation by assigning you admirable qualities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri smiled and continued, \u201cMost of the chieftains remain in the old countries with only colonies here in the States. My Clan, however, is the exception. Ven has been slowly moving my people for the last fifty years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it\u2019s common knowledge that he and Boras are working together to form a vampire stronghold in the U.S. Boras is uniting the outcasts. He hopes to form his own Clan one day.\u201d Gabriel took a swig of brandy and scoffed, \u201cThey\u2019re idiots.\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri shrugged. \u201cI have been in America a little over a hundred years, watching Ven\u2019s every move and learning the ways of the mortals\u2019 ever-changing culture. I have been waiting for the perfect moment to make my presence known and it has arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you will tell me what makes this moment in time so special.\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll find out.\u201d Gabriel took another drink. \u201cDamn! I can\u2019t wait to see the look on Ven\u2019s arrogant face when he sees you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it will be most satisfactory.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabriel almost choked on his shock. \u201cAre you telling me you don\u2019t want revenge? The vampire hired a witch to kill you so he could claim your throne.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never said I did not desire revenge.\u201d He leaned forward in his seat. \u201cKal did something similar to Dorian, if you recall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Dorian killed the son of a bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy point is, Dorian did not go to his home bent on revenge. He went to reclaim his crown and save his wife, Victoria,\u201d Dimitri said.<\/p>\n Gabriel set his glass on the bar. \u201cHow is it that you know so much about what\u2019s happened? You\u2019ve been out of circulation for four centuries.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter my battle with Red, I went underground, literally. Over time, my powers grew. I awoke from my deep slumber in 1896, yet, I know all that has happened within our world of darkness since the time of my \u2018death\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabriel was not surprised by Dimitri\u2019s vague answer. \u201cYou let us believe, for centuries, that you were dead,\u201d he poured himself more brandy, \u201cYour passing left scars on many warriors\u2019 hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri\u2019s eyes dropped and Gabriel froze. Was it shame that made him look away?<\/p>\n \u201cI know, and for that, I am deeply sorry,\u201d his fingers gripped the arms of his chair, his knuckles white, \u201cbut I had to do it.\u201d His eyes shot back up and Gabriel shook from the force of his all-knowing gaze. \u201cBelieve me, the world is better off because of my demise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI find that hard to believe, but if you say it, then it must be true.\u201d Gabriel took another drink. \u201cWhere are you staying?\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri visibly relaxed and welcomed the change in subject. \u201cI have purchased a house outside the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you staying there alone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor the moment. I will have a companion, a \u2018roommate\u2019 soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabriel sucked in a sharp breath. \u201cA human?\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri inclined his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s even more dangerous than you living alone. They are weak-minded creatures and can\u2019t be trusted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can handle myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know that isn\u2019t what I meant.\u201d He drained his glass, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. \u201cYou are more than welcome to stay at my hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for the offer, but I like my home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe thought of you out there alone makes me uncomfortable. Although, I am thankful there aren\u2019t many hunters in my city. They know to leave my territory alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Dimitri slowly turned his head to the side and, for the first time, gazed out the one-way window, his eyes scanning the dance floor below. He stood in one quick, smooth movement. Gabriel had not seen him move.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is some place I need to be.\u201d He shrugged into his heavy, rich, black coat. \u201cI will be stopping by later in the week. It is time I stop living in secret.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShould I throw you a coming-out party?\u201d<\/p>\n Pausing at the door, Dimitri chuckled, \u201cI think I can make do without one.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabriel filled his glass once more and took in a deep breath as his office door closed.<\/p>\n Dimitri is alive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kerstyn fought her way through the mass of people. Denise had texted her, demanding she come home, something had happened. All kinds of horrible images played in her head as she struggled to gain her freedom. The apartment could have caught fire, someone could have broken in, or worse. She had to stay calm. It couldn\u2019t be as terrible as she was imagining. Or it could be good news. Maybe Denise had finally broken up with Bobby. Denise had refused to go to the club, claiming she and Bobby had something important to discuss.<\/p>\n She smiled as she recalled what happened earlier that day. The pig had thought he was being sneaky while spying on her in the shower, but she spotted him in the mirror. She threw the shampoo bottle as hard as she could and laughed until her sides hurt when it nailed him in the head.<\/p>\n He deserved worse, she thought with an evil grin.<\/p>\n She finally broke free of the crowd and ran up the steps to the exit. Slipping between the two monstrous bouncers guarding the entrance to Dark, she rushed down the street. She had to find a cab. She hated being without her car, but she and her friends had all planned on drinking tonight.<\/p>\n Kerstyn began to walk down the street hoping a taxi would drive by or maybe she could get one at a hotel. The sound of footsteps thudding behind her sliced through her thoughts. Glancing over her shoulder, she groaned. The three men who had been trying to pick up on her and her friends in the club were following her. Apparently, they didn\u2019t know what \u201cnot interested\u201d meant. She hated persistent out-of-towners who strongly believed in the \u201cwhat happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas\u201d motto.<\/p>\n She crossed the street and quickened her pace when they followed. Her heart began to pound as her eyes darted across the parking lot searching for a cab. It was unlike cabbies to not be circling the area on a Friday night. She looked back again; the men were getting closer.<\/p>\n Kerstyn headed toward the mob of people standing outside the line of bars. She got tangled in one group of drunks. Once free, she glanced back. The men were closer. Not knowing what else to do, she rounded the corner. Kerstyn\u2019s breath came hard and fast as she ran down the alley. She wished she had not worn her tallest heels. Her feet screamed with every step and sent painful shocks up her calves.<\/p>\n \u201cQuit being a tease, honey,\u201d one called out.<\/p>\n The men\u2019s laughter echoed in her ears, they were getting closer. She tried to run faster, but her shoes would not allow it. One stiletto snapped and she went crashing to the ground. Panic choked her as she scrambled to her feet. Her heart thundered in her ears as she began to run again. There was one right behind her; she could hear his breathing and feel his menacing presence.<\/p>\n She took a deep breath, preparing to scream just as a meaty, cold hand clamped over her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou smell so sweet, little redhead,\u201d he hissed in her ear, \u201ca delectable strawberry treat.\u201d<\/p>\n Kerstyn blindly fought, striking out behind her. She kicked back and slammed the heel of her foot into her attacker\u2019s groin. He released her and crumpled to the ground. Without looking back, she sprinted down the ally. The other men ran after her, shouting threats and taunts. Grasping, greedy fingers brushed the back of her jacket. She swung around. Hands fisted, ready to defend herself, and froze.<\/p>\n They were gone. All of her would-be rapists had vanished.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you all right?\u201d a man asked from behind her.<\/p>\n She relaxed when she realized the voice sounded nothing like her attackers; it was warm, deep, and comforting.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly turning toward the voice, relief flooded her body, her breathing began to slow, and her limbs went limp. She stumbled and prepared to meet the pavement again, but her rescuer caught her. He tenderly held her to him, supporting her. Kerstyn knew she ought to protest and shove him away, he was a stranger after all, but his touch was soothing and reassuring. She had never felt so safe and calm in her life.<\/p>\n Calm was the furthest thing from her savior\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n Dimitri had heard the vampires\u2019 thoughts as they followed the woman from Dark. He knew he had to protect her from the depraved creatures who intended to make a meal out of her. When he materialized in the alley, the weaker vampires caught his scent and fled, leaving him alone with the woman. Instead of feeling anger as he expected, an entirely different emotion settled over him.<\/p>\n Lust. It was no ordinary lust, but a heart racing, blood raging, sexual yearning and it turned his body into a blazing inferno of need. Then hunger like he had never known slammed into him. It gnawed at him relentlessly as it mixed with his unmerciful lust. The torturous combination attacked both his body and his mind. He had never wanted any woman with this kind of intensity.<\/p>\n His body had been dead for so long, no longer responding to sexual stimulus or blood-thirst. Thousands of years had passed since the last time he had fed. The desire and necessity for blood had abandoned him. None of that seemed to matter now. His fangs sprang free as his pants grew tighter about his throbbing shaft. This woman\u2019s blood sang to him, beckoned him to have a taste.<\/p>\n Dimitri ruthlessly fought the temptation to seize her mind and take what he wanted. The dread of not being able to pull away terrified him. Realizing what precious little control he had, he shut down his senses, driving away her intoxicating scent and the warmth of her soft body against his. He forced the color from his sight, only seeing in black and white with shades of gray. Though he knew he would never forget the light fragrance of her strawberry blonde hair, the feel of her in his arms, and the sapphire color of her eyes.<\/p>\n He took in deep breaths and focused on the cool bite of the air. It washed over his body, rinsing away his desire leaving him as always, cold and unfeeling, like death. He was death: a true, pureblood vampire.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat were you running from?\u201d he asked, his tone controlled.<\/p>\n \u201cI was being followed.\u201d<\/p>\n He peered over her head, his eyes scanning the alley. \u201cI see no one.\u201d<\/p>\n Nausea twisted her insides as she thought of what almost happened. Thank God, this man was here. If it weren\u2019t for him\u2013<\/p>\n \u201cDo not think about it,\u201d he said, his arms tightening about her. \u201cYou are safe now.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded, rubbing her cheek against his chest. He smelled absolutely wonderful, like dark spices. His voice felt like velvet brushing along her skin. She shivered and sighed in contentment.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you need help with anything?\u201d<\/p>\n His last question snapped her back into action. She stepped back, breaking the circle of his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cI need a taxi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA simple enough task,\u201d he said with a shrug.<\/p>\n She scoffed. If it were simple, she would have been half way home by now. She turned her head up intending to face him and a broad chest greeted her eyes. She was forced to take another step back in order to get a proper look at him.<\/p>\n He was huge. Thick. Stacked.<\/p>\n He must be close to seven feet, she thought as her eyes traveled up his torso, over his wide chest, to his face.<\/p>\n Her heart stopped when their eyes met. They were a near colorless shade of blue. Like diamonds. His gaze was sharp, hard, filled with wisdom and strength. Intense. Warrior eyes. Yet, he could not be much older than her, around twenty-six. His golden hair glittered from the light of the neon signs and floated about his shoulders. His face was chiseled and impossibly perfect. His lips were full and Kerstyn wanted nothing more than to feel them against hers. Her eyes traveled back down his hard, honed body.<\/p>\n She stood, rooted to the cement, captivated by the Norse god before her.<\/p>\n Damn, he\u2019s incredibly yummy.<\/p>\n Dimitri forced himself to remain still while she studied him. Again, he struggled against his urges, his heart thundering from the force of the shock of desire that still echoed in his mind.<\/p>\n He knew one day he would meet his mate, but he had underestimated the force of her seductiveness. He never expected she would spark such yearning deep within his soul. He wondered how Dorian had dealt with such overwhelming need when he had found his intended. Dorian had been the first and, until now, only vampire king to find his other half.<\/p>\n Dimitri\u2019s breath caught as her small, pink tongue wet her lips and her sensual thoughts invaded his mind.<\/p>\n She had to go.<\/p>\n He forced the sexual haze from his thoughts, locking it away.<\/p>\n He waved his hand in the air and a cab promptly came to a stop at the curb of the outlet of the ally. He opened the door and Kerstyn slipped inside, her eyes never leaving his face.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, miss,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Kerstyn was unable to speak.<\/p>\n This was it. Their brief meeting was at a close. She didn\u2019t want it to end, she felt like asking him to get drinks, to come home with her, to spend the rest of his life with her.<\/p>\n She smiled at her foolish thoughts as the cab pulled away. She had more important things to worry about just now.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Author Bio:<\/strong> Author Website: www.amandajgreene.com<\/a> It’s time for another visit from fabulous paranormal romance author Amanda J Greene at my blog today and she’s sharing more about her Rulers of Darkness series with the second book, Caressed by Night. Caressed by Night Amanda J… Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-guest-blogger"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felicityheaton.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
\nAmanda J. Greene is a paranormal romance author. When she is not writing, she can found playing the role of a full time university student who works part time. She lives in Southern California with her very supportive husband and their sweet cocker spaniel. Doing all the above and being a military wife is not easy, but rewarding! Of course, she accomplishes everything with a strong cup of coffee in her hand.<\/p>\n
\nAuthor Blog: www.amandajgreene.blogspot.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"