Restive

Passion and adventure collide in this exhilarating island adventure that will leave you demanding more. When romance author Nicola Trammel finds herself stranded on a tropical paradise, she finds comfort through the kindness of the natives and an unexpected romance that begins to blossom with the island’s handsome young king. While torn between the need to return home to her former life and the desire to remain on the island with the delicious king, Nicola soon discovers that there is a danger hidden in the dark shadows of the jungle – an evil that has latched onto her scent and threatens to expose the natives to a terror unlike any they have ever known and one that they may not survive. Join Nicola on this explosive sea-fairing, saltwater-laden romance that takes both fantasy and vampires to new levels of intrigue.

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Dark Child by Miriam Newman

Born at a royal banquet for King Conor MacNessa of Ulster, Deirdre is predicted by Conor’s own druid to be blessed and cursed with a beauty that will make kingdoms contest over her.  He names her “Deirdre of the Sorrows” and urges the king to slay her.  But Conor, unwilling to murder a babe, takes her under his protection only to fall prey to the curse when she is nearly grown.  Captivated by her youth and beauty, the aging king will go to any extreme to possess her.

 

When Deirdre innocently falls in love with one of Conor’s chief warriors, it sets in motion a tragedy that will involve kings and countries, famous fighting men and sages alike:  Cuchulain, champion of the Cattle Raid of Cooley, King Fergus MacRi of Ulster, Queen Medb of Connaught, Catha the Druid and others.  Join author Miriam Newman for her bardic-style version of a legend told countless times in Ireland over the centuries–a classic Irish tale of love, loyalty, betrayal, magic and revenge.

Cher and Elsker by Rosemarie Willows

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Blurb:

Axlan “Ax” Barney is a lovable teddy bear. He’s big, broad, and loving. All he wants is someone to see past his stuffing to the man underneath.

Isao “Issy” Hideo is brilliant and beautiful. He’s running away from his family, who refused to accept him for who he is and who he wants to love.

While Ax tries to help a friend through hardship, Issy works to show he’s strong enough to stand through any pain his man could face.

Excerpt:

Loathe to waste the fifteen dollars, Ax raised the glass and gulped it down, feeling the burn and the rush of the alcohol. He flagged down the bartender and got a bottle of water, equally as overpriced as the whiskey. As he sipped a thin body worked its way in next to him. Figuring it was one of the many party boys looking to get more liquor in his system, Ax kept his head down.

Cher, no one so pretty should look so unhappy.” Soft lips and hot breath pressed against his ear made him startle as much as the smooth southern accent he remembered from earlier.

Ax turned his head and looked into the chocolate eyes of the cab driver he’d ogled before spilling his best friend into the back of the man’s cab. The man was even more beautiful up close. “Sorry, what?”

A seductive smile curved those tempting lips. He pulled back only a few inches and spoke loudly to be heard over the pounding music. “Ax, oui?”

“We what?” Ax felt like an owl as he blinked at the god deigning to speak to him.

The man tipped his head back and laughed. Ax felt his cheeks heat. Of course the man wasn’t suggesting they do anything together. The deep accent suddenly triggered in Ax’s head a memory of a trip to New Orleans. Yes, not we, dummy. “Um, yes, I’m Ax. How did you know my name?”

“Your friend,” he replied, his face still split in a wide grin.

“Pete? Is he okay?” Suddenly anxious, Ax stood and started for the door. If that little shit did anything to hurt Pete, Ax would find him and kick his scrawny ass.

A slim hand curled around his bicep and pulled him to a stop in the relatively quieter lobby. Ax looked down and shivered. The man had gorgeous hands with long slender fingers tipped in short opalescent-polished nails. “He’s fine, Ax. Last I left him he was humpin’ that bitch up against his door. I’m not here because of him. I’m here because of you, cher.”

Ax frowned in confusion. “Why?”

The man’s smile went from amused to sultry. He pressed his trim body, accentuated in a tight red thermal and tighter black jeans, along Ax’s side. His free hand slid around his hip and up to rest in the small of Ax’s back and bring him in closer. He rose onto his toes, rubbing his body along Ax’s and once again spoke into Ax’s ear. “Because, cher, I’m off duty and I want to spend a little time.”

“With me?” Ax couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice.

Mais oui.”

Ax gulped again. He couldn’t believe this gorgeous man wanted him. As he pulled away, the smaller man’s hand slid down and fleetingly caressed Ax’s ass. Ax felt his cock, already half hard, surge against his zipper. By the widening of the man’s grin, he felt Ax’s reaction, too. Cocking one black brow, he nodded toward the door. “Shall we?”

Blackbird by Nancy Henderson

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Blurb:

Adahya, a Mohawk warrior aiding the British, wants no part of love–especially not with the chattering white woman he has just taken captive.

 

Katherine St. James, a teacher at a frontier mission, will stop at nothing to return to the man she has always loved, Reverend Joshua Knox.

 

Adahya’s attraction for Katherine is threatening his plans to kill Knox. Katherine is determined to save Joshua’s life…but Adahya is just as arousing as he is dangerous.

 

In a fortnight’s journey wrought with danger and deception, Adahya and Katherine make the trek of a lifetime…and sleeping with the enemy might become a very distinct possibility…

 Excerpt:

The Indian slowly ran a hand down the side of her face. “What do you do with Knox?”

“N-nothing.”

“Tell me.” His fingers traced the curve of her jaw. “Do not lie. I will know.”

“I–”

“Tell me.”

“I’ve kissed him.”

The Indian lowered one arm. “Kissed him?”

Katherine found her opportunity to escape and ducked from his trap. She distanced herself yards from him.

“What does kissed him mean?”

Katherine stared at him, momentarily shaken. He could not be serious.

But he looked serious.

“You’ve never kissed anyone before?”

He looked confused.

Panic turned to incredulousness and exploded into laughter. Seeing his scowl, she covered her mouth. “Kissing is what people do to show that they care for one another.”

He seemed genuinely puzzled.

“What do Mohawks do to show their affection?” She should not have asked, but it was too late now.