Book Spotlight: Dangerous Indenture by Kelli A. Wilkins

Dangerous Indenture - A Colonial Romance
By Kelli A. Wilkins

www.KelliWilkins.com

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look at my historical romance Dangerous Indenture. This full-length novel is set in Pennsylvania Colony blends sensual romance with mystery. Here’s the summary:

Dangerous Indenture 

Eager to escape her past in Ireland, Shauna Farrow signs on to become an indentured servant to Joshua Stewart, a wealthy man in Pennsylvania Colony.

But a life of servitude quickly turns to drudgery, and her hopes for starting over and creating a better life for herself are waning—until she meets her master’s roguish son, Ashton.

Shauna fights her growing attraction to Ashton, torn between propriety and acting on her emotions. But amidst their flirting, something dark stirs. Shauna soon discovers why no other servants will work for the strange Stewart family.

Stewart House has an unsavory reputation: a previous servant died there under mysterious circumstances. When another servant goes missing in the middle of the night, Shauna is convinced that a member of the family is responsible.

When Shauna’s investigation leads her too close to the truth, it’s up to Ashton to save her before time runs out.

***

So, how did the novel come about? Dangerous Indenture is one of those books that just jumped into my head. (Yes, every so often that happens to writers.) One day, I overheard the name Shawna Farrell, but I thought I’d heard Shauna Farrow. The name stuck with me and I wrote it down.

A few minutes later, I knew all about her: she was an Irish indentured servant who came to Pennsylvania Colony and worked at a house where a previous servant was murdered. Once I knew that, I started outlining the book.

Before I wrote a word, I did a lot of research. I was starting from a good place with the book—I knew where I wanted to set the story and in approximately what timeframe it should take place.

From there, I spent time in the library going through history books, reading up on Colonial times (What life was like, what people wore, ate, etc.) and indentured servants (Where did they come from? Why did they leave their home country?).

As I wrote, I incorporated my research as background information. This gives the book a rich historical feel without going overboard with details that slow down a scene or are of no interest to readers.

When I’m writing historical romances, I include details and descriptions that are integral to the story. I don’t bog down the plot with a step-by-step procedure for churning butter or how to saddle a horse, and I don’t go into an endless description of how to unfasten a corset (unless it’s befuddling a hero who is eager to remove it!)

Just because historical romances are set in time periods before cars, the Internet, and cell phones, that doesn’t (or shouldn’t) make them boring. My historicals include plenty of action, adventure, intrigue, danger, comedy, and sensual love scenes.

When I wrote Dangerous Indenture, I especially enjoyed creating the characters and setting the stage for the drama that’s about to unfold. Right from the start, we’re told that Stewart House is haunted, and then we (and Shauna) meet the master of the house, Joshua Stewart, and his strange family.

Our hero, Ashton Bailey, is flawed and has a lot of problems to overcome. For starters, he’s known as the black sheep of the family and has been sent home in disgrace. He has a reputation as a drunkard and a womanizer, and tends to get himself into troubling situations. By giving Ashton all this “baggage” I made him vulnerable and provided him with lofty goals to reach.

Shauna has come to the Colonies to start over and make a new life for herself. The last thing she wants is to fall in love with anyone—and then she meets Ashton. Shauna is headstrong and independent, and not your typical heroine. She’s brash and opinionated and falls in love with Ashton despite all of his socially unacceptable flaws. Ashton gives her the strength and encouragement she needs to keep going when things look bleak, and he stands up for her at a critical plot point in the story.

When I developed the secondary characters, I made sure to give them all interesting backstories and unusual quirks. Joshua comes off as a mean bear of a man, Minerva just might be crazy (and/or a murderer), Colin is… a villain in many senses of the word, and Lila thought she had everything going for her—for a while. Not everyone in Stewart House is as they seem, however, and this adds another level of mystery and intrigue to the book.

I had never written a romance set in Colonial times before, and combining all these elements into this Gothic-type story was a lot of fun. I hope you’ll check it out.


Here’s an excerpt from Dangerous Indenture:

“You don’t wanna be goin’ to Stewart House. It’s got more haunts than the Tower of London.”

The carriage driver’s words echoed in Shauna’s mind as she stared at the two-story stone building. The house didn’t look haunted. Why had the driver tried to scare her with tales of murder and madness? She’d come to the colonies to do a job, and she wasn’t about to be put off by a batch of superstitious nonsense.

Shauna walked up the path to the front door, passing her trunk where the driver had dropped it in his haste to flee. She rapped with the brass knocker, waited a moment, then knocked again. There was no answer. Was anyone home? She didn’t fancy waiting outside all day.

She opened the front door and stepped into a tiled entryway. The scent of cherry tobacco filled her nostrils. “Hello? Anyone ’ere?”

Curious, she peeked into the parlor to her left. The room was decorated with a horsehair sofa, an assortment of chairs and tables, and a thick wool carpet. “Oh my,” she muttered. Was everyone in Pennsylvania Colony so well off?

Upon closer inspection, she noticed cobwebs dangling from the ceiling’s open beams, a gray tinge to the lace curtains, and stains on the light blue carpet. She frowned. The coach driver had been right about one thing—the house needed a servant. She recalled the rest of his strange story.

“The Stewarts can’t keep servants, ya know. They tried to hire local girls, but folks in town know better. Nobody stays at Stewart House after dark. Not after what happened to that Purdy girl.”

She hadn’t asked who “that Purdy girl” was, and she didn’t care. Besides, even if the house was haunted, she had no choice but to stay.

“Who are you and what the devil are you doing in my parlor?” a deep voice thundered.

She whirled around. A man with dark hair and a heavy beard towered over her.

“I asked you a question. Who are you?”

“I’m the new servant. Me name’s Shauna Farrow.”

“You were supposed to be here three days ago. Where the hell have you been? I paid the driver a good bit to fetch you. He’d better have done his duty,” the man snapped. “I am your master, Joshua Stewart. You are not allowed to use the front door without permission. You are a servant. Use the servants’ entrance.”

“Aye, but you see—”

“If you wish to speak, beg permission. I will not tolerate insolence. Address me as ‘sir’ or ‘Master Stewart.’ Understand? Do you have your papers?”

“Aye, sir. They’re outside in me trunk.”

“Get them.”

She darted into the foyer, then stopped. Was this a trick? She turned back. “Sir, pray I use the front door to fetch ’em? The driver—”

“Are you mocking me?”

She forced herself to sound meek. Joshua Stewart was a big bear of a man, and she didn’t want to make him angrier. “Nay, sir. I wanna be sure I’m doin’ the right thing. Me trunk’s at the edge of the walk.”

He waved her off. “Hurry.”

Shauna rushed outside and opened her battered brown trunk. Her indenture papers were stacked neatly on top of her clothes. She picked up the papers and paused. Having second thoughts now would do her no good; it was too late to turn back. As soon as she handed these documents over to Master Stewart, she would belong to him for five years. It already seemed like an eternity.

Part of her was tempted to march back inside and give her new “master” a piece of her mind, but she couldn’t. A fiery Irish temper and a loose tongue had caused her more problems than she could count. She didn’t need to start any new troubles here. As long as she lived at Stewart House, she would have to do as she was told. Besides, she had nowhere else to go.

***

Order your copy of Dangerous Indenture here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Indenture-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B00JMHZNIG

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dangerous-indenture-2

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-indenture-kelli-wilkins

Other Platforms: http://medallionmediagroup.com/books/dangerous-indenture/

I hope you enjoyed this inside look at the making of Dangerous Indenture. I welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit me on social media!

Happy Reading,

Kelli


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books.

Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories.

Kelli’s writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative guide filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use.

Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com and blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ to learn about all of her writings.

Follow Kelli on the Web…

Website: http://www.KelliWilkins.com

Blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins

Facebook Historical Romances: https://www.facebook.com/Historical-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1703805359922371/

Facebook Contemporary Romances: https://www.facebook.com/Contemporary-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1965702023664339/

Facebook Gay Romances: https://www.facebook.com/GayRomancesbyKelliAWilkins/

FREE READS: http://www.manicreaders.com/KelliAWilkins/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliwilkins2/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelli-a-wilkins

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/KWilkinsAuthor/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1123678.Kelli_A_Wilkins

Medallion Press Author Page: http://medallionpress.com/author/kelli-wilkins/

BOOK SALE: OFF-LIMITS ROMANCE BOX SET by Ella James

OFF-LIMITS ROMANCE BOX SET by Ella James

Four sexy standalone bestsellers. 99 cents for ONE DAY ONLY!

Off-Limits never felt so good.

NOW AVAILABLE! FREE IN KU!

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2FEGRS6

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2IwHcny 

AMAZON CA: http://amzn.to/2pfU1KY

AMAZON AU: http://amzn.to/2GxIQVn

       

☆ CROWN JEWELS ☆

After that close-up of his package on the sailboat in Morocco, TMZ started calling him Crown Jewels. 

Not that I keep track of Prince Liam. Definitely don’t stalk him online like my friends do. 

I’m out of that scene now. My family’s reality show might still be running, but I’ve been off-screen for a while. When people pass me on the sidewalk, they might squint, but most of them don’t scream “Lucy Rhodes” and ask about my love of Lucky Charms or how my broken toe healed. 

Prince Liam—my stalking his Instagram—that’s just for fun. It’s my dirty little secret. Trust me, I’m the only woman in the world who doesn’t actually want him. 

Except I’m back in the Hamptons for the first time in two years. I’m at a party, and Prince Manwhore is here as well. I tell myself that smile has no effect on me. That his ridiculous charisma is a parlor trick I see right through.

After our one night together, no one knows that I succumbed. 

It doesn’t matter. It meant nothing. 

Not until I see those two pink lines.

★

☆ THE BOY NEXT DOOR ☆

The boy next door. That's what he was. Dash Frasier--my hero from the day we met, when I was six and he was nine. His sister was my best friend, the three of us one happy crew. Then one sweaty summer night changed everything.

No one understood me like Dash. No one made me feel so loved. That's why, when he skipped town, it wrecked me.

Now I'm older. Wiser. I've just snagged my dream job, writing at a film studio. The lead animator on my project? You guessed it.

He's not the boy next door. Not anymore.

I'm guarding my heart this time.

But Dash has secrets that could break us both.

★

☆ FRACTURED LOVE ☆

She was my foster sister, her luxurious house the only home I'd ever known. I fell in love with Evie before her doctor parents signed my adoption papers.

They threw me out the day they caught us.

Now I'm Dr. Jones, so far removed from who I used to be, it seems like a bad dream. I tell myself nothing can touch me. Until I see the residency roster at Alpine University Hospital.

There's only two incoming neurosurgery residents each year. This year it's Landon Jones--and Evie Rutherford.

★

☆ THE PLAN ☆

You’ve heard this story before. Woman feels her biological clock ticking and gets someone to knock her up.

Not for love, for baby.

Crazy, right?

That’s what I thought.

Then I found out my fiancé had a vasectomy. The life I thought I had? Nope. Suddenly I’m 33, and I don’t even have a kissing buddy.

When my mom’s health takes a turn and I wind up back in my hometown of Fate, Alabama, I tell myself to leave things up to…well, you know.

Then I see Gabriel McKellan. He’s Fate’s most famous son, a bestselling author who is beautiful, complicated, and living just below me. In addition to his plus-sized brain, Gabe’s well-endowed in other ways, and great in bed to boot. I would know. He's my ex husband.

When I suggest The Plan, I don't imagine that he'll take the bait. It's been ten years, and we don't work. But Fate has other plans for both of us.

Book Review of Blood Mines: A thrilling story of courage and survival by Lynelle Clark

Book Title: Blood Mines

Genre: Post Apocalyptic/Horror

Pages: 190

Author: Lynelle Clark

Date Published: 8 February 2018

Synopsis:

Tanya’s life was turned upside down when her son, Steve was attacked by renegades and she had to dig deep facing her worst fear to save them both.
It is the year 2048, 30 years after a devastating quake had changed Gauteng’s geographic features. The effects of the acid water, that covered most of the area, was visible to everyone but the government. The silent death crawling closer leaving devastation in its path. Nothing is excluded from the terror.
Tanya and Steve’s path of survival meet up with the rebels in their search for clean water and she had to face much more than just acid water to stay alive.
A thrilling story of courage and survival.

Review:

Blood Mines by Lynelle Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review 3.5 rounded up to 4*

This is an intriguing post-apocalyptic thriller set in South Africa. I enjoyed it.

Tanya is an interesting character, though I found her to be a bit annoying to be honest, and too trusting to boot, to say that she lived in a virtual war zone (even though there isn't a war as such). She and her son Steve live on a plot of land that is threatened by the acid water that has polluted the land when an earthquake devastated the area around Gauteng thirty years previously. They eke out an existence, but they are living on borrowed time. When she and her son are attacked by renegades and left for dead, she finds herself facing her deepest fear and unknown dangers as she races to find a solution to the poison in the ground.

This story has an interesting and potentially realistic premise. The region of Gauteng in South Africa is heavily mined, with the threat of earthquakes due to the depths of said mines. The author has taken this fact and written a post-apocalyptic nightmare. I found myself completely hooked for most of the story. Told through the eyes of Tanya, I did find some of the plot a little far fetched at times; especially some of the scenes when the mutated animals appear, though this did get me wondering if there was some radioactivity going on rather than just cyanide poisoning, or other toxic chemicals causing the mutations. However, this is only my personal opinion. Other readers may not have this response. Another niggle I had with this story was how quickly the main protagonist trusted complete strangers, as well as how quickly the love interest grew between herself and Dirk. I can understand instant attraction, but insta-love? Not so much. Another pet peeve of mine is the use of terms of endearment like sweetie, honey, or love (and many others) in a derogatory way. I don't know if this is what the author intended when she wrote the story, but I found these terms to be degrading and made me want to punch the characters for using these terms in a sarcastic or patronising way. Maybe it's just a colloquial language difference. Who knows?

Blood Mines is a mixture of danger, horror and romance that kept me riveted from beginning to end. There are some not so nice characters introduced, which made me love to hate them and the descriptive writing made it easy to picture the scenes in my minds eye with ease. I reached the end of the book with mixed feelings. I am not sure if there will be a second book to follow on from this one but I hope so, as, although it doesn't finish on a cliffhanger, there seemed to be some loose ends that were not tied up satisfactorily (in my opinion).

Lynelle Clark is a South African author and this is the first book I have read that has been written by her. I love her fast paced writing style, and the flow was wonderful. There were a couple of proofreading errors (missing punctuation mostly), but this didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. I would consider reading more of this author's books in the future.

Due to scenes of a sexual nature (although not explicit) and some violence, I do not recommend this book to young readers. I do recommend this book if you love post-apocalyptic thrillers/dystopian/horror or science fiction genres. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews

Purchase Links:

             

About The Author:

Taken from Goodreads:

Dedicated author. Hopeless romantic. Loves a good ending.
In my spare time I read and write reviews and help with promotions on my blog. I am a member of a few Touring Hosts that range from Romance, Thrillers, Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Horror and Inspirational books.
I had the pleasure to review a new website for authors, a magazine with a difference and reviewed a few non-fiction books.
I plan to be more productive in 2014 and have several books lined up for editing and publishing.

My first story was published in 2012.
I get my inspiration from Life, People, My own experiences and what I read, my love for the Word and the people who seeks answers.

I write short stories in my native tongue: Afrikaans and have a blog where I publish them.
Van uit my Pen: https://uitmypengse.blogspot.co.za/
I've written a few articles that can be found on LinkedIn.

Author Links:

Goodreads ; Website ; Twitter

Cover Reveal: Esher (Guardians of Hades #3) by Felicity Heaton @FelicityHeaton

Esher (Guardians of Hades Series Book 3)
Felicity Heaton

Prince of the Underworld and Lord of Water, Esher was banished from his home by his father, Hades, two centuries ago and given a new duty and purpose—to keep our world and his from colliding in a calamity foreseen by the Moirai.

Together with his six brothers, he fights to defend the gates to the Underworld from daemons bent on breaching them and gaining entrance to that forbidden land, striving to protect his home from their dark influence. Tormented by his past, Esher burns with hatred towards mortals and bears a grudge against Hades for forcing him into their world, condemning him to a life of battling to keep a fragile hold on his darker side—a side that wants to kill every human in the name of revenge.

Until he finds himself stepping in to save a female—a beautiful mortal filled with light and laughter who draws him to her as fiercely as the pull of the moon, stirring conflict in his heart and rousing dangerous needs long forgotten.

Aiko knows from the moment she sets eyes on the black-haired warrior that he is no ordinary man, just as she’s no ordinary woman. Blessed with a gift, she can see through his stormy façade to the powerful god beneath, and the pain and darkness that beats inside him—pain she grows determined to heal as she falls deeper under his spell and into his world.

When the daemon bent on turning Esher against his brothers makes her move, will Esher find the strength to overcome his past and fulfil his duty, or will the lure of revenge allow the darkness in his heart to seize control, transforming him into a god intent on destroying the world?

PRE-ORDER LINKS AVAILABLE AT: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/guardians-of-hades-esher-paranormal-romance-book.php

The special sneak preview for Esher begins on March 16th, exclusive to Felicity’s mailing list. Every subscriber is entered into the giveaway to win a signed personalised paperback copy of Esher, with a chance to win a copy in each of the four exclusive sneak peek chapters being sent out.

Not only will joining her mailing list ensure you’re in with a chance of winning one of the signed copies of Esher, it means you’ll start receiving her newsletters, where she gives away 2 x $25 Amazon Gift Cards in each issue, and rewards subscribers with exclusive excerpts, teasers, flash fiction and cover reveals, and plenty of fun! Plus, you’ll receive FOUR FREE EBOOKS in her Series Starter Library just for signing up!

Join her newsletter at: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/newsletter.php

Esher drew his hand away from his right side and frowned at the blood coating his palm. It caught the light of the narrow signs that jutted out from each building, running their entire height to mark what was on each floor, and reflected white, red and yellow back at him.
The wound would heal rapidly, not like the wraith wound, but he would have to conserve his strength until it had knitted back together, which meant he couldn’t teleport home. Stepping, as he and his brothers called it, would drain him, and it was only just gone one in the morning, meaning there were still another four or five hours of darkness in which another daemon could attempt to find the gate.
Or a Hellspawn, one of the accepted species in his father’s eyes and one allowed to enter the Underworld via the gates, could call on him to open it.
So, he would have to do the unthinkable.
Public transport.
He ground his molars and reached into the breast pocket of his shirt, tugged the tiny headphones out and jammed them into his ears. Instantly, the soothing melody of Bach filled him, swamping the song of the rain and the grating noise of Tokyo.
Esher took a few deep breaths, giving the beautiful classical piece time to do its work, and then trudged forwards, past the two dead daemons. He didn’t look at the dead mortal as he passed the male, kept moving onwards on auto-pilot, slowly constructing a wall of calm inside himself, a barrier that would shut the world out and allow him to venture down into the train station and tolerate the presence of the mortals as they surrounded him.
Crowded him.
As the strings rose, he spotted the airplane-wing canopy that stretched above the central entrance of Tokyo station, extending from the glass skyscraper to its right. Clouds swirled around the top of the towering structure, glowing yellow from the city lights. The rain continued to pour, soothing Esher as much as the music, but as he approached the entrance and the number of mortals rose, hurrying to catch the last trains, his grip on calm began to weaken.
He could do this.
He balled his right hand into a fist, and grimaced as the cut across his forearm stung as his muscles flexed beneath it, a flash of fire that tested him. He breathed deep, letting the flare of irritation fade without affecting his mood.
He was calm. In control.
Calm. Control.
Esher breathed through it, steeled himself and moved forwards, avoiding the busier paths into the building.
It was only a short trip. Barely fifteen minutes. He could do this.
A mortal female passed close to him and he tensed, his breath seizing in his throat as he leaned to avoid her even though she was more than ten feet away.
Breathe.
Calm. Control.
Keras would fucking kill him if he lost his shit and caused a bloodbath. His oldest brother had lectured him more than once about playing nice around the weak little mortals. By the gods, he tried. He could almost tolerate them now. He had even managed to speak with some when he was feeling strong, able to cope with breathing the same air as them.
But he wasn’t feeling strong.
The coppery odour of blood clouded his senses, tugging at his memories, and it was hard to keep them shut out, to hold the wall of calm in place.
He shoved the bloodied fingers of his right hand through the longer lengths of his black hair, pushing the damp strands out of his face, and scrubbed at the shorter sides.
He could do this.
He took another step towards the building, a pressing sense of urgency building inside him and driving him to move as he picked up the warning over the public-address system. It was last train time.
Now or never.
He froze as a male passed him, flicking a glance his way that turned into a double-take before he pivoted on his heel and hurried away from the station.
Esher touched his face, drew his hand away and looked at his fingers. Black smeared their pads. Daemon blood.
He huffed, grabbed the handkerchief he always kept in the back pocket of his dark blue jeans and wiped the blood away, scrubbing his neck and face, and then his hand to clear it of both daemon and his own blood.
It took barely a second for the blood to roll back down to his fingers. He buttoned his coat to hide the crimson stain on his shirt, tugged the sleeve back and wrapped the handkerchief around his forearm, covering the wound there. It would have to do.
The last of the mortals ran into the building ahead of him.
Esher strode towards it, his left hand closing over his right side again as the wound below his ribs burned. He pressed hard against it, stopping the flow of blood down his side, and trudged forwards, moving as quickly as he could manage.
The lights inside the station stung his eyes and he lowered his head, letting the hand-length ribbons of his black hair fall forwards over his brow to shield them. He kept his head bent as he hurried past the closed shops towards the Yamanote Line. It would stop at Yoyogi Park and he could walk from there. The streets in that neighbourhood would be quiet.
Unlike the immense room around him.
Someone almost ran into him as they rushed towards the ticket barriers, and he bared his teeth at their back. Keras would have to forgive him if someone bumped him, because he wasn’t sure he had the strength to stop himself from hurting them.
It was leaking from him as he passed his bloodied right hand over the card reader on the barrier, using his abilities to force it to open for him. It swung open and he passed through, scanned the area ahead of him and spotted the sign for the line. It was further than he remembered. He was going to have to use a little bit of power to make it to the train.
Not stepping. Just running.
He clutched his side and sprinted, passing the mortals with ease, and reached the platform just as the last train pulled in. He boarded at the first door, and moved down through the carriages until he found one that was quiet.
The seats near the next car were empty, so he slumped into them, arranging himself in a way that put off the mortals who were eyeing the spot beside him. He looked at his bloodied hand, felt a few mortals glancing there too, and then moving away. He was tempted to wipe it on his jacket, but since it was acting as a nice deterrent, he kept it on show. Another barrier to keep the mortals at bay.
He couldn’t believe he had been reduced to using public transport. He eyed a few of the humans, issuing glares to the braver ones who looked as if they might chance it and sit beside him on the three-seater bench. Wretched creatures. The wall of calm cracked a little, and he drew in a deep breath. Mistake. His right ribs protested, a sharp pain echoing along them from the wound, worsening his mood and adding a few more cracks to the wall.
He closed his eyes as the train pulled away, meaning to shut out the crowded carriage so he could claw back the calm.
Not meaning to fall asleep.
He woke with a jolt as the train rounded a bend, and his black eyebrows pinched in a frown as he swept his blue gaze around the carriage. It was almost empty.
“Fuck,” he muttered and peered out of the window, trying to see where he was as he silently berated himself for succumbing to sleep around so many humans. They weren’t to be trusted. Fuck knew how many of them might have taken the opportunity to kill him if they had known what he was.
Building after building whizzed past outside, none of them standing out to him. The damned city looked the same no matter where he went in it. He rubbed his tired eyes and squinted at the display screen above the doors. Broken. Just his luck.
Had he missed his stop?
He looked at the two people in his carriage, assessing them, and then squeezed his hand over his side as he leaned forwards and looked to his left, into the next one. Five people in that one, none of them a threat.
He leaned back into the padded seat.
A shriek rose from his left.
Esher edged forwards again and glared into the next carriage. A petite raven-haired female with bunches and a fringe that cut a straight line above her eyebrows swatted at a male with her black backpack. Her thick-soled patent leather shoes skidded on the floor of the car as she swung again, causing her short black dress to rise up and reveal the tops of her stripy black and white stockings.
A little Lolita with a vicious streak.
Or a terrified little Lolita.
He canted his head, trying to figure out which one it was, and growing increasingly annoyed and disgusted with everyone in her carriage as they all pretended not to notice her plight.
“Chikan!” Pervert.
A public transport one in particular.
The male grabbed her again, snapping his hand tight around her delicate wrist.
Still no one moved to help her.
Why the fuck was he forced to protect a people who cared nothing about their own kind? No Hellspawn or god would tolerate this female’s cries.
She battered the male again, but the bastard pulled her towards him, undeterred.
Esher growled and shoved to his feet, not pausing to consider what he was about to do.
He was going to save a human for the first time in his life.


PRE-ORDER LINKS AVAILABLE AT: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/guardians-of-hades-esher-paranormal-romance-book.php

Book 1: Ares
Book 2: Valen
Book 3: Esher
Book 4: Marek – Coming in 2018

Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM

Release Tour: Broken Love (The Prick Series #3) by Tracie Redmond @EJBookPromos

Title: Broken Love

Series: The Prick Series

Author: Tracie Redmond

Genre: NA/Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 5, 2018

Guided by emotions.

Weathering the storms.

With love comes heartbreak.

Carrie Davenport knows the highs and the lowest of lows. She’s never really belonged. Family: she didn’t understand how good that could feel until she fell into life at the shop, Two Pricks.

When she lets herself get too comfortable, when she allows herself to feel, to fall and to believe, she remembers. And what she remembers about herself, about her past, sends her fast away.

She walks away from the illusion of what she so badly wanted. To come to terms with who and what she really is…nothing.

Sometimes, in the end, we find love. Sometimes all we can find is a broken mess. Carrie isn’t so sure where she will find herself when she removes all the layers to reveal the truth.

In love, there is always pain.

“An intense, emotionally gripping, and powerful read.” - USA Today Bestselling Author Chelsea Camaron

“Her story was just as inspiring as it was heartbreaking!” - Carla

“Omg!!! This book was freaking amazing.” - Autumn Bryant

Tracie Redmond had a passion for reading that she turned into a passion for writing. She lets her characters guide the way as she lays out every book she writes with emotion, passion, and inspiration. Tracie currently lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, three children, and two dogs. She loves all things ducks. Most of all, Tracie loves connecting with anyone wanting to discuss books with her.

HOSTED BY:

Book Review of The Lost Chalice (The Relic Seekers Book 3) by Anita Clenney

Book Title: The Lost Chalice (Relic Seekers Book 3)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 306

Author: Anita Clenney

Date Published: 10 February 2015

Synopsis:

Adrenaline-fueled adventure and epic romance mix seamlessly in the third installment of New York Times bestselling author Anita Clenney’s Relic Seekers series.

Relic hunter and archaeology expert Kendall Morgan has a lot on her mind. After finding the Fountain of Youth—and discovering that Nathan, her handsome billionaire boss, might actually be her long-lost childhood love—she could really use some time to think. Except a two-thousand-year-old Protettori guardian has just teleported into her bathroom, desperate for help.

The Reaper, an ancient and sinister being consumed with finding the world’s most powerful relics, is after the Holy Grail. Now Kendall must use her sixth sense to find it first. With both Nathan and her brooding bodyguard, Jake, by her side, Kendall sets out to find the lost chalice in a dangerous quest that will test her abilities, her heart, and everything she thought she knew.

Review:

The Lost Chalice by Anita Clenney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book in The Relic Seekers series. I loved it!

Kendall Morgan is a wonderful character. However, I sometimes wanted to shake some sense into her right from the start. She works for a billionaire as a relic finder. She has a special gift that allows her to track down, as well as know things about, the artifacts she procures for her boss. When her boss, Nathan Larraby, asks her to locate four powerful relics, little does she realise the danger she will face or the secrets she will uncover. Nathan's reclusive nemesis known only by the name of Reaper (as in Grim) is also after the artifacts. But Kendall is also fighting her attraction to her co-worker, Jake Stone, and her handsome boss.

This is an urban fantasy romance with a twist. I started reading the story and was instantly hooked. The story is told through the view points of Kendall and Jake for the most part, but as it progressed, other characters, namely Nathan, also has his say.

I found myself on a roller coaster of emotion as the story unfolded. I enjoyed getting to know the characters better and we are introduced to quite a few new ones too.

The story continues from the end of book two and the reader gets to delve deeper into the Protettori and how and when it was established. This means that we also get to find out more about the Guardian, Raphael, and Marco, the keeper of the relics for the Protettori. We also get to know a little more about the Reaper and his relationship to not only the Protettori, but to one of the other characters. There are other surprises that are revealed too.

The story is just as exciting as the first two, and the author brings two myths together - that of the fountain of youth and the chalice once used by Jesus before he was crucified. However, I still found myself wondering about the trio's relationship and growth (or lack) of it into a threesome. There is definite chemistry between the three; Jake and Nathan don't find each other attractive so much, but they both have feelings for Kendall. I could see the potential for a threesome, but the author seems to have shied away from committing them to this type of relationship. Yet. I don't know if the author plans on continuing with this series, but I hope she does as it feels unfinished to me. The ending was left a little ambiguous, which made me feel disappointed as well as hopeful. If this series will not have at least another book written to conclude it, then I will be most aggrieved. I really want to go on another adventure with these three, and to see whether their relationship grows further.

Anita Clenney has written an intriguing paranormal romance full of action and adventure. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow is wonderful. I would definitely consider reading more books by this author in the future, and there is a high probability that I would add her to my favourite authors list too.

Due to scenes of a sexual nature (which are not explicit), as well as some violence, I do not recommend this book to young readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love paranormal/supernatural romances/romantic suspense/urban fantasy/action/adventure or myths and/or legends genres. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews

Purchase Links:

              

About The Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney grew up an avid reader, devouring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books before moving on to mysteries and romance. After working as a secretary, a Realtor, teacher's assistant, booking agent for Aztec Fire Dancers, and a brief stint in a pickle factory (picture Lucy and Ethel--lasted half a day)...she realized she'd missed the fork in the road that led to her destiny. Now she spends her days writing mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense about powerful relics, secret warriors, ancient evil and destined love. Anita lives in Louisiana with her husband and two kids. You can learn more about her writing at www.anitaclenney.com. Also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Author Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Goodreads

Facebook Group