#SatSpanks - 10/29/16 - "Mortal Illusions" Vampires punish a rule-breaking mortal #Ds #ParanormalRomance

Show me an angry vampire, and I'll show you an unhappy mortal.

For Halloween: Vampires

Welcome to the Saturday Spankings blog hop.  My stories are all M/f with the dominant male determined to protect the woman he cares for and loves, or grows to love, by doing whatever it takes to ensure her safety and continued health.  This includes administering a spanking when she needs one.

  

My submission for this week is from my 1st book, Mortal Illusions. A vampire romance published by New Concepts Publishing, Mortal Illusions is currently the first in a series of 3 books.  Its sequel, Fatal Desire, is currently being revised.

When Claire Daniels discovers Germaine St. Justine is a vampire, she sets a plan in motion to convince him to cure her brother of AIDS.  Though an innocent in sexual relations, Claire is savvy enough to realize the best way to secure Germaine's support is to enter into an intimate relationship with him.  However, having a vampire take you to bed isn't quite the same as sleeping with the boy next door.  There are complications. And Germaine is dominant enough to add a few more Claire hadn't expected.

In this segment, Claire and Phillipa are witnessing the trial of Sybill, a mortal female accused of approaching another group for the purpose of requesting transformation.  A procedure which Germaine's group expressly forbids.  In addition, she was observed relating vampire activities to an outsider, and going so far as to encourage her companion to seek out the mortal constabulary. The vampire responsible for Sybill claims to know nothing about her illicit activities and effectively removes his protection, leaving her fate for Germaine's council to decide. However, when the men move in to tie the other woman down to keep her from hurting herself, Claire starts to get very worried and wants to intervene, but can only watch with quiet dread as one of the vampires sticks a two inch needle into the mortal prisoner's neck. Sickened, Claire whips around to stare at the man she thought she loved with an expression of shock and dismay only to have him insist she leave. But Claire wants answers as she tells him even condemned prisoners have a right to know what's facing them. Germaine attempts to put her off when Phillipa suggests she and Claire go to dinner at Carpathia's then she can see Claire home. Germaine reluctantly agrees to the plan  but orders them both to be gone from the restaurant in an hour.

            While Claire moved toward the exit with Phillipa, she could see they'd covered Sybill with a black gossamer cloth.  The woman was stretched out like an X on the velvet-draped dais, with her wrists, elbows, knees and ankles secured by gold satin cords.  The cords had enough slack so that she could move, if she wished, but not much.  Rocking her head from side to side, Sybill quietly pleaded for them not to do this to her.  Her pleas were futile, since no one but Claire seemed to hear them.

            As each man, gowned in a long, black-hooded robe, slowly approached the dais, Claire noticed they carried something that looked like a peacock tail feather.  The nine men assumed their stations around their prisoner, with four on each side of her and Auguste positioned at her head.

Claire is discovering just how different vampires are from mortals. Afraid she's fallen in love with a man who will only break her heart, she's about to learn how dangerous her position actually is.

M/F, Contemporary vampire romance in a society based on D/s.

Read the first three chapters at: Mortal Illusions

Buy the book at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. Please click on one of the author's names below, or visit The Saturday Spankings Blog to continue your journey.

#MFRWHooks - 4/13/16 - Deadly Enchantment - Trapped with a white leopard #Shapeshifters #Paranormal

Fair Warning: Wizards don't always play fair.

Welcome to MFRW Book Hooks, a regular Wednesday feature! Today, I'm sharing a snippet from my second book, Deadly Enchantment, a Victorian paranormal romance concerning the deadly rivalry between two shape-shifting wizard brothers.  The legitimate heir, Terrence, received his father's money and title, but his illegitimate half-brother, Dominic, received all their father's affection and love, earning all of Terrence's resentment.

Published by New Concepts Publishing, the story revolves around a young psychic woman unwittingly drawn into the brotherly conflict when she faces off with the dark wizard of Ravenscroft, whom she is convinced has brutally slaughtered her sister in a fit of jealous rage on their wedding night.

In this segment from Chapter Four, Serena decides to confront Westcroft directly by marching into his study and insisting he admit his true goal is to purposely frighten the other women, who'd been selected by his sister as his potential brides, into leaving. Though Serena knows Westcroft possesses magical powers, she's just not sure what form they take other than parlor tricks, so she decides to see for herself just how far he is willing to go, but changes her mind when she recognizes the danger in provoking the beast.  Except she's too late. When she reaches for the door handle she discovers he'd locked her in with him. Magically. However, rather than attack as she expected it would, the cat gently grasped her wrist and led her over to the divan, then nudged her to take a seat.

            When Serena slid her fingers through its soft, plush fur, the cat closed its eyes and made that growl-like purring sound again as it rubbed its head against her thigh as though seeking attention near the sensitive area around its ears.  The moment Serena obliged, the cat’s deep reverberating purr of appreciation vibrated through the room and her.  It sounded loud enough that she imagined everyone in the manor would have heard it, yet no knock of inquiry sounded at the door.  But then no one had answered her cries, either.  Wondering if Dominic was muffling their sounds in a way that prevented others from hearing them, she drew her hand back.  The cat lifted its head and regarded her intently for a moment, then placed a large paw across her lap as though it sought to remind her of its presence.

            Serena hardly needed reminding, however, for the cat weighed at least fourteen stone more than she did.  She had little doubt it could easily rend her to shreds if it chose, yet, at the moment it seemed much more like a large, sleek pet cat.  It had done nothing to frighten or harm her, and none of its actions had been even vaguely threatening.  Rather than bully or terrify her into compliance, it had sought her attentions freely given.

            She met the animal’s gaze evenly and within its azure blue eyes she saw intelligence, awareness and an almost yearning for understanding.  Satisfied by what it saw in her return gaze, it laid its head in her lap and tilted it to one side to give her better access to the vulnerable and tender area beneath its chin.

Though Dominic Westcroft has done nothing to hurt Serena or her cousin, yet, the potential remains ever-present, and Serena still suspects the wizard is responsible for the brutal murder of her sister. Now, her suspicions may have taken an ugly reality.

M/F, Shape shifting wizards in Victorian England.

Read the first three chapters at: Deadly Enchantment

Available at NCP, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

I hope you enjoyed this nibble. Your comments are encouraged. Thanks for stopping by.  Now go visit the other authors participating in Book Hooks.

#MFRWHooks - 1/6/16 - Mortal Illusions - Fang for a fang #Vampires #Paranormal

Most vampires drink blood, but not all of them go for the neck.

At work?  Use your own discretion. If you’re not over 18, please explore elsewhere.

It's MFRW Book Hooks, a regular Wednesday feature!  This week, I'm sharing an excerpt from my 1st book, Mortal Illusions. A vampire romance published by New Concepts Publishing, Mortal Illusions is currently the first in a series of 3 books.  Its sequel, Fatal Desire, is currently under production.

 

This snippet occurs at the beginning of Chapter 14.  After she is punished by Germaine's coven, Sybill, a former mortal to one of Germaine's vampires, seeks to join a different coven. A vain beauty who wishes to be immortal, Sybill realizes she can gain two of heart's desires by beseeching Victor Cummings, the enemy of her enemy.

Though Nigel Watkins is a friend of Germaine's and an actor in his musical, he does not agree with Germaine's philosophy on transformations. So, he elected to join Victor's coven instead, and stands as an observer when Sybill makes her supplication to Victor, and is more than a little taken aback by her open hostility toward Germaine.

           What Nigel didn't believe in was seducing women against their will.
            Victor, however, maintained he had a right to convert whom he pleased without justifying his actions to anyone or anything--especially Germaine.  The fact that St. Justine had convinced other factions to curtail their transformations was cause enough for Victor to launch his own campaign against his one-time drinking companion.  And it was more than enough for him to try to take from Germaine the very thing Germaine had once taken from him.  The woman he loved.

Nigel Watkins plays Van Helsing in Germaine's musical adaptation of Dracula. He isn't aware of Sybill's history, or why she seeks to destroy her former leader, but he suspects her intentions will mean trouble for both Germaine and Claire.

M/F, Contemporary vampire romance in a society based on D/s.

Read the first three chapters at: Mortal Illusions

Buy the book at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this nibble, now please check out the other author's blogs fine offerings at the Book Hooks site. The site also provides details on how you can sign up for next week if you’d like to play along with us.  We don't bite, even if your heroes do.

Frisky Friday - 12/25/15 - Mortal Illusions - No Santa, merely vampires #Paranormal #Ds #Vampires

Merry Christmas!

I don't think Santa is particularly fond of vampires, so he isn't visiting here today. Just the undead.

Sometimes a monster really is hiding under the bed.

Welcome to another offering for Frisky Friday, where we hope you're getting as excited about the weekend as we are.  This week, I'm sharing an excerpt from my 1st book, Mortal Illusions. A vampire romance published by New Concepts Publishing, Mortal Illusions is currently the first in a series of 3 books.  Its sequel, Fatal Desire, is currently under production.

 

This snippet occurs at the beginning of Chapter 6.  Germaine St. Justine and Claire Daniels are both attending the opening night festivities of Germaine's newest musical "Dracula." Claire's mother died the day before, and Germaine dedicated their opening night performance to her.  Though Claire is grateful for Germaine's support, she has grown more and more convinced he is a vampire and was once her mother's lover. So, when she begins spouting accusations that Germaine is truly undead, he suggests their backstage doctor sedate her enough to calm her down so she can complete her performance.  Claire is furious with him for avoiding her questions and overriding her wishes in the matter, but finishes her performance and attends the opening night party, since she doesn't want to do anything that might ruin the occasion her mother had most wanted to see. Claire's Broadway debut. However, Claire isn't handling her grief well, and when she begins her third glass of champagne, Germaine intervenes by lifting the filled flute from her fingers with the warning that alcohol and tranquilizers don't mix as he escorts her over to the buffet and begins filling a plate for her. When she presses him for information, he dismisses her questions as nonsense. But Claire is determined to get Germaine to tell her the truth about himself, including the real reason he went behind her back and fired her dresser. When he remains close-mouthed, she demands he prove he's not a vampire.
.

            Germaine wanted to shake her.  “You can't prove a negative, Claire.  Besides, why should I make claims to prove I'm not something, when you have no proof that I am?”

            She picked up a stuffed mushroom and held it to his lips.  “You could prove me wrong simply by eating this.”

            He could, but the price he'd have to pay when his system eventually rejected the offering caused him to discard the notion, as tempting as it might be to finally win this battle.  Perhaps if he truly believed he could dissuade Claire so easily, he'd do it and suffer through the hours of convulsive cramps while his vampiric anatomy rid itself of the offending substance.  But he feared the young woman confronting him would not abandon her quest until she was confident she'd gotten to the truth.  And there were other, less painful ways he could change her mind if she would only be sensible.

            Glancing again at the curved fungus cap filled with deviled sea scavenger, he toyed with the notion of planting the idea that he'd actually eaten the damn thing by passing it before his mouth then pocketing it.  Disgusted with himself, he rejected the deception, even more quickly than he'd rejected the reality as he gently pushed her plate back.  “I'm allergic to mushrooms,” he replied quietly.

Though Germaine is concerned about Claire, he's more worried by the notion she has discovered the truth about him. Vampires do exist, and walk among us, but if an uninitiated human suspects, the vampire is supposed to clear the mortal's mind of such foolishness. Germaine finds such tactics distasteful, but he may not have a choice in Claire's case. They are too closely connected.

M/F, Contemporary vampire romance in a society based on D/s.

Read the first three chapters at: Mortal Illusions

Buy the book at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and wish you and yours a very Frisky Friday. 

#MFRWHooks - 12/23/15 - Deadly Enchantment - All cats like to be scratched #Paranormal #Shifter

Fair Warning: Wizards don't always play fair.

Welcome to MFRW Book Hooks, a regular Wednesday feature! Today, I'm sharing a snippet from my second book, Deadly Enchantment, a Victorian paranormal romance concerning the deadly rivalry between two shape-shifting wizard brothers.  The legitimate heir, Terrence, received his father's money and title, but his illegitimate half-brother, Dominic, received all their father's affection and love, earning all of Terrence's resentment.

Published by New Concepts Publishing, the story revolves around a young psychic woman unwittingly drawn into the brotherly conflict when she faces off with the dark wizard of Ravenscroft, whom she is convinced has brutally slaughtered her sister in a fit of jealous rage on their wedding night.

In this segment from Chapter Four, Serena decides to confront Westcroft directly by marching into his study and insisting he admit his true goal is to purposely frighten the other women, who'd been selected by his sister as his potential brides, into leaving. Though Serena knows Westcroft possesses magical powers, she's just not sure what form they take other than parlor tricks, so she decides to see for herself just how far he is willing to go, but changes her mind when she recognizes the danger in provoking the beast.  Except she's too late. When she reaches for the door handle she discovers he'd locked her in with him. Magically.

             Lifting a shaking hand to the top of its head, Serena rubbed her fingers against the silky white fur and heard a low rumbling purr that sounded almost like a growl.

            When she dropped her hand, it wrapped its massive jaws around her wrist and gave a gentle tug.  The moment she tried to pull away, it released her, but when she didn’t move from the door, it mouthed her wrist again and gave another tug.  Realizing it wanted her to follow, she obeyed uncertainly.  So far the animal hadn’t hurt her, but she wasn’t sure how much of the beast before her was leopard, and how much was Dominic Westcroft.

            It led her over to the couch, then nudged her hip firmly with its nose.  That push was strong enough to cause Serena to briefly lose her balance, but she steadied herself by grabbing the arm of the couch.  The large white cat regarded her unblinkingly, but made no further move toward her.  Wondering if she’d taken leave of her senses or if they had only temporarily deserted her, Serena sat on the green velvet divan, as it clearly wanted her to.  Once she was seated, the large feline pressed its furry head against her hand again in a plea for more scratches.

Though Dominic Westcroft has done nothing to hurt Serena or her cousin, yet, the potential remains ever-present, and Serena still suspects the wizard is responsible for the brutal murder of her sister. Now, her suspicions may have taken an ugly reality.

M/F, Shape shifting wizards in Victorian England.

Read the first three chapters at: Deadly Enchantment

Available at NCP, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

I hope you enjoyed this nibble. Your comments are encouraged. Thanks for stopping by.  Now go visit the other authors participating in Book Hooks.

#SatSpanks - 12/12/15 - Mortal Illusions - Germaine gives Claire a curfew #Ds #Vampires

Show me an angry vampire, and I'll show you an unhappy mortal.

NOTE: Reading this material at Work could get you spanked.

Welcome to the Saturday Spankings blog hop.  My stories are all M/f with the dominant male determined to protect the woman he cares for and loves, or grows to love, by doing whatever it takes to ensure her safety and continued health.  This includes administering a spanking when she needs one.

  

My submission for this week is from my 1st book, Mortal Illusions. A vampire romance published by New Concepts Publishing, Mortal Illusions is currently the first in a series of 3 books.  Its sequel, Fatal Desire, is currently being revised.

When Claire Daniels discovers Germaine St. Justine is a vampire, she sets a plan in motion to convince him to cure her brother of AIDS.  Though an innocent in sexual relations, Claire is savvy enough to realize the best way to secure Germaine's support is to enter into an intimate relationship with him.  However, having a vampire take you to bed isn't quite the same as sleeping with the boy next door.  There are complications. And Germaine is dominant enough to add a few more Claire hadn't expected.

In this segment, Claire and Phillipa are witnessing the trial of Sybill, a mortal female accused of approaching another group for the purpose of requesting transformation.  A procedure which Germaine's group expressly forbids.  In addition, she was observed relating vampire activities to an outsider, and going so far as to encourage her companion to seek out the mortal constabulary. The vampire responsible for Sybill claims to know nothing about her illicit activities and effectively removes his protection, leaving her fate for Germaine's council to decide. However, when the men move in to tie the other woman down to keep her from hurting herself, Claire starts to get very worried and wants to intervene, but can only watch with quiet dread as one of the vampires sticks a two inch needle into the mortal prisoner's neck. Sickened, Claire whips around to stare at the man she thought she loved with an expression of shock and dismay only to have him insist she leave. But Claire wants answers as she tells him even condemned prisoners have a right to know what's facing them. Germaine attempts to put her off when Phillipa suggest she and Claire go to dinner at Carpathia's then she can see Claire home. Germaine reluctantly agrees but orders them both out of the restaurant in an hour.

             When Phillipa nodded, Germaine gripped Claire by the chin.  “Do me a favor, and for once, please, please, please do as I ask in this.”  Then before she could agree or disagree, he captured her lips in a hard, demanding kiss.  It wasn't a gentle wooing by any means, but Claire found herself responding despite the fear twisting inside her stomach.

            When he released her, Germaine pushed her toward the door.  “One-thirty, Claire,” he cautioned her.  His face deadly serious, he turned back to the council's official proceeding.

Claire is discovering just how different vampires are from mortals. Afraid she's fallen in love with a man who will only break her heart, she's about to learn how dangerous her position actually is.

M/F, Contemporary vampire romance in a society based on D/s.

Read the first three chapters at: Mortal Illusions

Buy the book at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. Please click on one of the author's names below, or visit The Saturday Spankings Blog to continue your journey.

#MFRWHooks - 12/2/15 - Mortal Illusions - Immortality is a gift, not a right #Vampires #Paranormal

Most vampires drink blood, but not all of them go for the neck.

At work?  Use your own discretion. If you’re not over 18, please explore elsewhere.

It's MFRW Book Hooks, a regular Wednesday feature!  This week, I'm sharing an excerpt from my 1st book, Mortal Illusions. A vampire romance published by New Concepts Publishing, Mortal Illusions is currently the first in a series of 3 books.  Its sequel, Fatal Desire, is currently under production.

 

This snippet occurs at the beginning of Chapter 14.  After she is punished by Germaine's coven, Sybill, a former mortal to one of Germaine's vampires, seeks to join a different coven. A vain beauty who wishes to be immortal, Sybill realizes she can gain two of heart's desires by beseeching Victor Cummings, the enemy of her enemy.

Though Nigel Watkins is a friend of Germaine's and an actor in his musical, he does not agree with Germaine's philosophy on transformations. So, he elected to join Victor's coven instead, and stands as an observer when Sybill makes her supplication to Victor, and is more than a little taken aback by her open hostility.

             With a hatred that was almost palpable, the female was willing to do anything that might bring Germaine St. Justine to his knees, and Victor couldn't have been more delighted.  He'd made no secret of his quest for revenge against his former ally, and wasn't above using less than honorable means to snare Claire Daniels into his trap.

             Nigel may have sworn his allegiance to Victor, but he had no intention of letting Claire fall victim to this long standing disagreement--not when he still wanted her for himself.

             And he did want her, but not if she was unwilling to be taken.  That was the difference between him and his leader.  Nigel, like Victor, believed it was the vampire's birthright to grant the gift of immortality. What Nigel didn't believe in was seducing women against their will.

Nigel Watkins plays Van Helsing in Germaine's musical adaptation of Dracula. He isn't aware of Sybill's history, or why she seeks to destroy her former leader, but he suspects her intentions will mean trouble for both Germaine and Claire.

M/F, Contemporary vampire romance in a society based on D/s.

Read the first three chapters at: Mortal Illusions

Buy the book at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this nibble, now please check out the other author's blogs fine offerings at the Book Hooks site. The site also provides details on how you can sign up for next week if you’d like to play along with us.  We don't bite, even if your heroes do.

Frisky Friday - 11/20/15 - Mortal Illusions - Claire demands proof #Vampires #ParanormalRomance

Sometimes a monster really is hiding under the bed.

Welcome to another offering for Frisky Friday, where we hope you're getting as excited about the weekend as we are.  This week, I'm sharing an excerpt from my 1st book, Mortal Illusions. A vampire romance published by New Concepts Publishing, Mortal Illusions is currently the first in a series of 3 books.  Its sequel, Fatal Desire, is currently under production.

 

This snippet occurs at the beginning of Chapter 6.  Germaine St. Justine and Claire Daniels are both attending the opening night festivities of Germaine's newest musical "Dracula." Claire's mother died the day before, and Germaine dedicated their opening night performance to her.  Though Claire is grateful for Germaine's support, she has grown more and more convinced he is a vampire and was once her mother's lover. So, when she begins spouting accusations that Germaine is truly undead, he suggests their backstage doctor sedate her enough to calm her down so she can complete her performance.  Claire is furious with him for avoiding her questions and overriding her wishes in the matter, but finishes her performance and attends the opening night party, since she doesn't want to do anything that might ruin the occasion her mother had most wanted to see. Claire's Broadway debut. However, Claire isn't handling her grief well, and when she begins her third glass of champagne, Germaine intervenes by lifting the filled flute from her fingers with the warning that alcohol and tranquilizers don't mix as he escorts her over to the buffet and begins filling a plate for her. When she presses him for information, he dismisses her questions as nonsense. But Claire is determined to get Germaine to tell her the truth about himself, including the real reason he went behind her back and fired her dresser.
.

            Claire drew back with a scowl, then her eyebrows rose in an open challenge.  “Go ahead and make fun, but I think Joan Cambry's got you running scared.”

            He responded with a disparaging sound of disagreement.  “Oh, please.  Fear and terror come in many forms, Claire, but that scrawny, evil-minded woman isn't one of them.”

            “She threatened to expose you!”

            “Then she would have been finished as a professional dresser in this city,” he replied, his retort laden with quiet menace.

            Claire held a hand to her throat as she struggled to swallow.  Unsure whether she was having difficulty downing his words or the food, he moved to fetch her a glass of water when she asked in a strained voice, “Because of what you'd do to her?”

            “No,” he answered, tired of defending himself and frustrated because Claire refused to be reasonable.  “Because of what she'd be doing to herself.  She'd be the laughing stock of her union.”

            “Would she?  I believe her, and I'm not laughing.”

            “Really?”  He sat beside her.  “Think about what you're saying, Claire.  If I were truly what you accuse me of being, I wouldn't need to fire Joan.  I'd just use my powers to ensure she no longer presented a threat to me.  Then I'd use those same powers on you.”

            He watched a myriad of emotions cross her face.  For a moment he believed he might have convinced her, then her eyes lifted to his in a silent dare.  “All right.  Prove to me you aren't everything Joan says you are.”

Though Germaine is concerned about Claire, he's more worried by the notion she has discovered the truth about him. Vampires do exist, and walk among us, but if an uninitiated human suspects, the vampire is supposed to clear the mortal's mind of such foolishness. Germaine finds such tactics distasteful, but he may not have a choice in Claire's case. They are too closely connected.

M/F, Contemporary vampire romance in a society based on D/s.

Read the first three chapters at: Mortal Illusions

Buy the book at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and wish you and yours a very Frisky Friday.