I hope you're warm and cozy wherever you are. I'm doing my best to stay comfortable. Laundry is going, sitting with grand babies (although 15 & 10 deem then no longer 'babies' LOL!) and bringing you the latest Saturday Spotlight. If you're a subscriber to my newsletter, watch for a very special announcement Monday the 11th (and here's a quick SALUTE to all Veterans and their families out there!!) .... lots of new stuff coming so if you're not a subscriber, join now.
Also, the huge, Thankful for Our Readers giveaway ends tomorrow so enter the contest today.
I introduced Sloan McBride to you last month on Wednesday Words with Friends. Today she gives us a peek into her novel, The Treasure.
Take it away Sloan!
‘A Pirate’s Life for Me,’ that is Celeste’s plan. Revenge drives her to be daring. Attacks by smoke demons, and the appearance of a swashbuckling rogue—a handsome rogue with magickal powers—detracts her from the mission and reveals frightening truths about her family.
Orion is a time walker—a protector of the human race—and warrior against the Underworld King and his minions. The shadowy creatures seek the young woman who has the blood of the gods running through her veins. Orion senses something mysterious—and wrong—in Celeste’s blood.
Time Walker law dictates no interaction with humans, but Orion can’t stay away. Celeste has the uncanny ability to draw demons and time walkers, alike. To protect her, Orion must keep her hidden from the Underworld and his own people. Should the gods discover her secret, they will destroy her, and he won’t let that happen.
Excerpt: “My blood?” Celeste squeaked.
“It’s what draws them to you.” They approached a house on vast private land. He grabbed her arm. “Wait.”
Orion released the cinch on his powerful senses. When certain of no immediate danger he said, “Let’s get inside.”
“What do you mean my blood draws them?”
He heard Celeste’s heartbeat quicken, smelled the sweat beading on her skin.
A sharp knock had the door opening to a startled elderly man. Orion quickly drew a sword.
Rushing to the man’s side Celeste cried, “No! Rafael is family to me.”
Orion sheathed his weapon, turned, and latched the door. To the gentleman he said, “Go through and check the entire place to make sure all the windows and doors are secured.”
“Please do as he asks, Rafael.”
Rafael frowned, but left to carry out the duties.
“This way,” she said and led him to a quiet room. “Please be seated.” She settled herself on a padded chair, hands fidgeting in her lap. “So tell me about these soldiers.”
This human knew more than she should. The go’ras—mind swipe—erased memories or at least that was its function. Yet it had not worked on her. “You never explained why you were aboard a pirate vessel dressed as a boy.”
“’Tis business of my own.”
Evasion and more nervousness. His long legs carried him around the room as he examined the fine wooden furniture, the elaborate paisley curtains, and fingered petals of flowers flowing from a vase on the table. One hand held a sculpted dagger with precise balance, and a specially crafted blade. He tossed it in the air catching the handle every time.
In French, he said, “I hear a French accent when you speak. Is that where you were raised?”
She rose. “Why do you expect answers and yet give none yourself?”
“It may be important.” He strode to her, stopping with only inches separating them. The dagger flipped in the air. The heat from her body seeped through the silk fabric of his shirt. Her blood seduced him in ways he’d never experienced.
Flip. Flip.
“Must you continue tossing that knife? It unnerves me,” she said.
“Your scent is unusual.” He reached up and released the comb tangled in her hair. The long curly tresses fell to delicate shoulders. He grabbed a handful and brought it to his nose. It was not human hair. A wig? Curious.
Breathlessly, she said, “What are you doing?”
He dropped the hair and with the same hand caressed her cheek. “Trying to discern what makes you so alluring.” He leaned forward and brushed the side of her neck with his nose and lips. A gut-wrenching need roared to life, encouraging him to rid their bodies of barriers and delve into the forbidden.
“I do not understand.”
Frowning, he said, “Neither do I.” He pulled back, needing the distance to think clearly.
This was a damnably odd situation. He flipped the dagger end over end. She was a direct descendant of Lord Sin, the Moon God. The blood scent was strong and it flowed with mysticism and magick.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all. Okay, the answer was never me, but a girl can dream, can't she? I grew up with fairytales and happy ever after, so it stands to reason that when I write, I make sure my characters have their happy ending. It may not always be what you'd expect, but it works for them.
I write romance, no doubt about it. I can't imagine writing anything else. I'm a hopeless romantic, or a hopeful one. Either way, readers get the hope.
My books delve into the paranormal romance, romantic suspense, time travel, gypsies, tramps, and thieves. Oh sorry, I went off into my music zone for a minute. I have fantasy, mythology, and I try to make it all relate to the everyday.
Thanks for your interest. Happy Reading!!!!
You can also find me here:
Website: http://www.sloanmcbride.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SloanMcBride1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sloan.mcbride
WOW, what an excerpt! Sloan deems The Treasure as a sensual read so, readers take note if you run over to her website to purchase The Treasure or any of her other books.
I hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll check back each week to see what we're talking about on Wednesday Words with Friends and who is in our Spotlight!
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
8 comments:
What an excerpt! Sounds like a great book!
Thanks. It's Book 2 in my Time Walker Series. I love writing about these guys. It's such fun.
The excerpt leaves one wanting more and more. Wonderful, drags the reader into the fantasy. Thank you for posting.
Great excerpt. Makes me want to read more. Best wishes.
Thanks, Ladies...
It's nice to hear that you enjoyed the excerpt. My Time Walkers can visit any era of time which makes them fun to write about. I can pick an era in time that I'm interested in, do the research, and see if it will work with one of my Time Walkers. The Treasure takes place during the Golden Age of Piracy, well toward the end anyway. You'll see a figure in the book who I'm sure you've all heard about. I love being a writer.
Sloan,
This sounds like a very original romance and a great read. Congrats!
You've some intrigue going on in that excerpt. Best of luck with promotion. Congratulations!
Thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful week!!!
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