Book Blitz: The Mediator

The Mediator

Cupid Dating Agency

Menage 1, Novella

Candace Laville

Genre: Erotica (Paranormal Romance)

Publisher: Smart Heart Publishing

Date of Publication: February 12, 2012

epub: 978-0-9931992-8-8

ASIN: B01AKVURTM

Number of pages: 77

Word Count: 20k

Cover Artist: Pam Palmer

Book Description:

That Kerry’s birthday falls on the most romantic day of the year sucks. That she’s set up on a date with both an angel and a demon sucks worse. But she’s about to discover that being trapped between good and evil makes for one hell of a good time. 

Mike and Cal, angel and demon, are reluctant business partners. To help them get along, Cupid sends a mediator called Kerry, but rather than working on a truce, the guys are soon locked in a different battle, this time over Kerry’s smoking curves. 

Explicit sex scenes, DP, and strong language.

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Excerpt 1:

Twenty-four hours. One big house and two hot men. No big deal.

I shrugged off Michael's jacket and stole a glimpse of his zipper region. If the rumors were true, those were no rolled up socks in there.

I sucked in air and handed him the jacket. "Thanks again."

He turned to find a coat hanger, while Cal took my arm to guide me into a hall.

We stopped at the threshold. Tall candles in holders provided the only illumination, shining light onto a thirty foot table.

That sure looked like a date to me.

Three sets of plates and silverware were already laid out at one end of the table, with bowls of steaming veg and meat in the center. Wow, the smell was fantastic. Like rich gravy and sweet carrots and home.

But then, I was starved. The only food I'd had all day were two bottles of wine, and some might argue that wine wasn't food at all.

"Guess we're overdressed, huh?" I pointed at the posh red wallpaper and high ceilings, the humongous fireplace in which a fire crackled, and the sumptuous chairs.

Cal glanced down at his black shirt, top buttons open, and his tight leather pants.

Crap. Another sock-like bulge.

"Maybe we should take our clothes off." He grinned. "There's no rule about having dessert first."

I sucked in a jagged breath, but rolled my eyes to overplay the rising dampness in my panties. "Please. You should have more control than that."

Michael stepped up and offered me his arm on my left.

I hooked in, perhaps clinging a little too tight, but he didn't complain.

In fact, he didn't seem like a complicated guy at all.

Callister was the drama queen in that pairing. I didn't have to glance over my shoulder to know his bottom lip was pushed out like a toddler's being denied its toy.

Except I wasn't his toy.

Why was it so difficult to keep a cool head? The sec I laid eyes on them, a switch inside me flicked. Some inexplicable compulsion drove me to stay by their sides.

Or more likely, good old-fashioned lust.

I may not have a type, but these two were definitely it.

About the Author:

Candace is a UK author who writes romance and erotica. Her first novella series, Cupid Dating Agency, is published by Smart Heart Publishing. When she’s not engrossed in writing, Candace enjoys traveling and sightseeing, and adding to her ever-growing shoe collection.

http://candacelaville.com/

Tour giveaway

Two copies of the e-book

Two $20 Amazon gift cards

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Entangled Birthday Blitz

Entangled Publishing is turning 5 and love is in the air!

We are so excited that we are offering all the books on our latest bestselling imprint, Lovestruck, at a celebratory price of just $.99 each! If you love romantic comedies you won't want to miss any of these laugh out loud and smexy reads.

AND that's not all. From 2/1 to 2/21 we are giving away 5 Lovestruck prize packs including 5 different Sephora Minimergency kits, an Amazon gift card and other surprise gift cards. So be sure to stop by each of our amazing blogger hosts below and visit the Lovestruck Facebook page to find out about the fun events and giveaways we will be having in the coming weeks. You will also get sneak peeks inside our different releases so you can pick out your must reads.

Haven't read a Lovestruck yet? Take a peek inside...

Protector for Hire by Tawna Fenske Excerpt

“You were gone a long time,” she said. “Did you have trouble finding something?”

He frowned, not wanting to admit he’d been pacing around the damn store avoiding the inevitable moment he’d have to go back and face her and accept the fact that he’d probably never touch her again. “Not everything,” he said, poking the meat loaf with his fork but not taking a bite. “I got the milk.”

“No cond—coffee filters?”

“They were all out of cond—coffee filters.”

“All out?” She frowned. “I swear I saw a box when we were there the other day. They were right up by the register.”

He shifted on the bench, not wanting to admit he’d stared at the same damn box of condoms and thought about having her again. Maybe just one more time before she walked out of his life  forever. Instead, he’d forced himself to walk away. “The box was damaged. Can’t risk having holes in coffee filters.”

Across the table, Gordy wiped his chin with a napkin.

“You like the kind with the pointy tip, or the big wide ones?”

Schwartz blinked. “Uh— ”

Laverne beamed. “Oooh, I like the new ones they’re making now with the flavor-enhancing micro-perforations.”

Schwartz dared a glance at Janelle and saw that her face had gone from pink to bright red. She opened her mouth to say something, but Laverne cut her off.

“You know, I just love the ones with the extra-large base. The box says it makes for a deeper, bolder experience.”

Janelle choked on her drink, and Schwartz turned to see her sputtering into a glass that looked suspiciously full of moonshine.

“How much of that have you had?” he asked.

“Not enough,” she said.

About the book:

Keeping her safe is crucial. Guarding his heart is impossible.

Haunted by his time in Iraq, former soldier Schwartz Patton goes off the grid, retreating deep into Montana’s untamed wilderness. Now, ten years into his self-imposed solitude, his brother tracks him down and asks for a favor. A woman is in danger, and she needs help…and Schwartz is the only one who can protect her.

Designer-loving city girls like Janelle Keebler don’t belong in the wilderness. Unless, of course, they’re witnesses to a murder by their psycho drug-trafficking ex-husbands. Still, Janelle can’t help the immediate physical response she has to her sexy-as-sin protector that leaves her wanting more than she could have ever imagined. Even if he doesmake terrible coffee…

Every word, every touch, every kiss ignites a need Schwartz thought he’d lost forever. He can’t stop the desperate attraction simmering between him and Janelle, even if he wanted to. Even if it means it could get them both killed.

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Release Blitz: Energy Reborn

Untold Press is proud to release Energy Reborn, the fourth and FINAL book of Lynn Vroman's Energy Series. To learn more about Untold Press and our books, visit us at www.untoldpress.com

A Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy Series

Energy Reborn


The Energy Series, book 4 By

Lynn Vroman

Final book of The Energy Series

After the trauma from their final battle with Exemplar, Tarek is certain Lena is better off without him. She deserves a life without the baggage he carries. She deserves someone…real. As he fights alongside Oren in Exemplar, one thought keeps him sane: He didn’t let Lena go. He gave her an out. Lena has spent the last eight months trying to move forward. She can’t think about Tarek; she has to raise fifteen-year-old Peter, who suffers from the same ghosts as her love. All she wants is to make Peter happy. But then Peter runs away to fight in Exemplar—again. This time is different. This time, Peter doesn’t come back. Desperate, Lena reaches out to the one person able to help her, the person who needs saved, too. Tarek. For Lena, the only answer to saving those she loves is to finish what they started—end the Synod’s reign over Exemplar for good. She’ll not let Tarek or Peter hide behind a war anymore, even if it kills her.

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The entire Energy Series in sequence below. Click on image to purchase!

   

About The Author

Lynn Vroman Born in Pennsylvania, Lynn spent most of her childhood, especially during math class, daydreaming. The main result that came from honing her imagination skills was brilliantly failing algebra. Today, she still spends an obscene amount of time in her head, only now she writes down all the cool stuff. With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels, both fantasy and contemporary.

Follow Lynn Vroman's Social Media Venues

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Energy Reborn Excerpt

Crying didn't bother him anymore. Muffled sobs used to feel like weevils burrowing into his brain. He had wanted the cries to disappear, find a way to silence them so he'd have peace while killing. He hated it, yet understood where the despair came from. He didn't take the truth that well either. This world, his world, was full of people who weren't real people. That revelation caused a collective shock to infiltrate every home, every secret corner. Memories of families were manufactured lies. Parents had never existed for most. Childhood thoughts were a farce before the age of six, the median age for bodies the Creation Lab produced before implanting energy pilfered from other worlds. Most would never be able to have children. They were all biobots, synthetic carriers for strong souls. Tarek learned how to tune out the grief a while ago, and the truth. Issues he only dwelled on when alone–when killing didn't save him from his mind. He adjusted his scope. Yes, he could ignore the crying now. A perfect shot had that power. Tarek lay on his stomach. Rooftop debris–broken syringes and jagged edges of crushed alcohol containers–dug through his sweatshirt. Sweat dribbled off his forehead to sting his eyes. He ignored his discomfort as easily as the crying and flipped off the safety. Lights, never-ending strobes, bounced off buildings. Staring too long at the changing colors coming from billboard holograms and storefronts threatened a headache, but he managed to keep the jackasses in his sights. Synod authority harassed a group of men on the street, demanding signed pardons most wouldn't have. The elders considered everyone a traitor. They were right. People in this sector were guilty of blowing up the capital building and crashing the satellite feeds. Heterodox citizens fought when Oren asked eight months ago, with a promise of truth. Truth, most had come to realize, wasn't such a great prize. Ignorance really was a gift. Tarek had warned Oren not to tell them, not to reveal the true nature of how most citizens came to be. No Exemplian he had ever met wanted to find out their whole existence was a lie. But Oren believed differently. The man's belief cost them an army. Stupid to tell a mass of people who already dreaded life–beaten down by having too many lives–that what they struggled with wasn't even real. Get it together. None of that mattered. What mattered was getting a clear shot between the eyes. His finger hovered over the trigger, the sniper rifle firm in his grip. Zander's rifle. His aim wasn't as precise as Zander's, but he did all right. Tarek had adopted the gun seven months ago when the Guide decided to go back to Earth. No, don't go there. He couldn't handle that part of his life–the part who went to Earth with Zander. Lena. No. He peered into the scope. The second an authority Protector pulled out his gallium cuffs, about to cinch them around the wrists of a man begging on his knees, Tarek shot. Before the other Protector could pull out his weapon, Tarek took him out too. The deaths didn't create a frenzy, not even when two energy orbs released from the Protectors' bodies and sailed to the sky, ultimately finding their way into the apartment building where Tarek hid. The would-be victims dragged the useless bodies into the shadows, to the garbage incinerators hidden there. Exemplians in this sector had their turmoil to deal with, and what was left of the Synod against them. They weren't cowards, though. They refused to fight outright since the initial attack on the Creation Lab. But no one had ever complained when a mysterious bullet punctured the skull of an authority Protector. His shots seemed to wake up some of the citizens from a stupor, bringing them to action for a few minutes to get rid of the bodies. Tarek would take that; it'd be enough. He refused to move from his spot. Where there were two, there were ten more. He searched the crowd through his scope, sweat turning his hoodie to soggy cotton against his back. There, right below the blank screens, were three more Protectors picking through the crowd to inspect the source of the commotion. They plowed through braver citizens willing to stand in their path, tasing them. People dropped to the dirty pavement, their bodies spasming from the high voltages. Tarek remained steady. Three… Two… One… Pop! Pop! Pop! The crowd swallowed up the bodies as the Protectors' energies raced into the building. For once, the noise quieted. All that echoed up to his spot was the distant hum of the incinerators, gobbling up bone and blood and flesh. Tarek squinted into his scope, his even breathing rhythmic, relaxing. No other authority assholes rushed the crowd. A minute passed by. Fifteen more followed. No more targets were willing to meet his bullets. Shame. Five dead authority Protectors wasn't even a dent in the grand scheme of things. Plus side, those he'd killed wouldn't be coming back for another go at life. Their little army made sure of it eight months ago. Tarek gave one more cursory search of the crowd in case any Protectors stepped from the shadows to scout the rooftops. Nothing. As he lowered his gun, a familiar dark blond mop coming toward this building caught his eye. He looked through his scope one more time. Sonofabitch. Not again. Groaning, so he wouldn't give in and shoot the boy in the leg for being a pain in the ass, Tarek pushed to his feet and stalked to the rusted metal door. Eight flights of stairs separated him from the boy who refused to keep his scrawny butt on Earth, where it was safe. Peter. Dumb boy. Dumb, brave, anger-filled boy.

Release Day Blitz: Witch Wars

Witch Wars by T. A. Moorman

Underlayes Book 1

Self-Published January 20, 2016 by Pronoun

Blurb:

Underlayes is another dimension where all sorts of nocturnal creatures reside; witches, vampires, fae, shifters, werewolves…… The dimension was created by all of these creatures working side by side to escape the scrutiny and danger to their very existence that stemmed from the human world. Humans tend to fear things they do not understand and tend to try and eliminate anything that they fear. Even though these nocturnal beings were actually humanoid themselves as well, just different, more enhanced, than their day bearing brethren.....

Amongst those beings lies a very powerful witch, Tialanna, who is to become the queen of all Underlayes witches. 

Thinking the worst part of her life was the fact that she was betrothed to a complete stranger while in love with someone else. She is in for a rude awakening when she discovers the truth of who, and what, she truly is. 

Tialanna is about to learn the truth behind several lies, because not only does her life depend on it, but so does the fate of the family she never even new she had. But hey, life would probably just be boring if she didn’t have to deal with elemental witches, vampires, demons, sorcerers, bindings, spells and whatnot, right? 

***This book is intended for mature audiences only as there will be both graphic violence and graphic sex.***  (Goodreads)

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Excerpt:

Still balancing on one arm and looking into my eyes, he was sliding his other hand down my body pulling off my pants.  Very slowly he slid his hand up the inside of my thighs, spreading them apart.  His hand crept up my inner thigh until he found that spot that let him know just how hot and wet I was for him.  Then he was nipping and licking his way down my neck while flicking his thumb over my clit, making my body shudder against his.  When he found my breast and took as much of it into his mouth as he could, he drove two fingers inside me.  He then released my breast and kissed his way down to my naval, licking delicately down toward more sensitive regions, all the while his fingers caressing, rubbing, and probing.  Suddenly, just when I thought I was about to explode with pleasure, his fingers were replaced with his tongue, going deeper than I thought was possible, and he was drinking me like I was the finest wine.

Somewhere in all of that, he must have taken off his own pants because, suddenly, he was once again hovering over me, and with our gazes locked he thrust every inch of himself inside of me (and trust me, there were a lot of inches).  Leaving me gasping for air and wanting to beg for more.

“If you want me to stop, tell me now and I will.”  He snarled, pulling out slowly, making a small sound escape from my lips, until only the tip of him was left inside, “If I am only allowed this one last time, allow me at least this much to keep with me.  Allow me to have every piece of you, if only once more.”  He gave another deep, powerful thrust, making me cry out, “Allow me to give you every inch of myself for just one final time, allow me to feel every hot, sweet spot that is all you.  Even if you do go on with this foolish plan, he will only have your body.  Only I will forever own your heart.”

He kissed me again, then said, “I swear, you will regret leaving me.”

About The Author:

When you become a Mom, you begin to put yourself last, and your combat boots begin to collect dust. Going to your child's PTA meetings in full Gothic, especially industrial, regalia is pretty much frowned upon. Especially by your own children, and your teens would die of a heart attack. But, one should not have to completely stop being themselves, uniqueness is greatness. So all of that darkness is put into words in her books, and designs in her jewelry sold in her Etsy shop, GothicMoms DarkCharms.

A single mother of four beautiful children, but by far more than just that. T. A. Moorman is an artist, a violinist, a seamstress, a crafter, a writer, a blogger, a reviewer, a dark confidant and a darkly dangerous, fiercely protective friend.

FACEBOOK    TWITTER    BLOG    GOODREADS

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Book Blitz: Love, Vampire Style

Title: Love, Vampire Style  

Author: Regina Morris

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb: 

A covert group of sexy vampires protect the President of the United States. Paranormal Romance series.

ETERNAL SERVICE - Heartbroken widower, and vampire coven master of the covert vampire group that protects the President, Raymond learns that the human director for his team is retiring. The replacement is a human female operative who has no idea that vampires exist. Due to a threat against the President, Raymond is forced to quickly indoctrinate her into vampire culture. He struggles with reborn romantic feeling even though he has sworn never again to pursue a human woman. The female operative, Alex, accepts the Director position, all while battling her past baggage of not trusting men, let alone large immortal ones. Passion emerges within her, but to remain the Director of the team, and keep the dream career position she has fought for many years to attain, she must remain human with no romantic ties to the team.

UNITED SERVICE - Sterling Metcalf is a modern-day vampire who clashes with his father’s antiquated ideals. Being the half-breed of the Colony group, Sterling hates being the team’s weakest link. He jumps at an opportunity to do some fieldwork rescuing kidnapped vampire children and is accompanied by Kate Spencer, the nanny of one of the children. Kate is a purebred vampire with a secret of her own. Can Sterling put aside his bad-boy ways and woo the lovely Kate? Will Kate accept the advances of a half-breed? Together, can they save the children from a religious cult who wants to kill them?

ENDURING SERVICE - Colony Agent Sulie Metcalf, the President’s private physician, has been in love with the same human man for nearly thirty years. She refuses to allow herself the joy of true love because her feelings are unrequited by her human boss, Jonathan Dixon. As Dixon’s retirement looms near, and his memories of Sulie and the last thirty years of his life are about to be erased, does she confront her fear of intimacy and take a leap of faith before it’s too late? Dixon has decided to retire and enjoy what time he has left. When his best friend Sulie, a vampire team member, is kidnapped during a medical emergency, Dixon realizes that retirement means giving up everything, and everyone, he’s known for the last three decades. Will he risk his life, and his heart, to save her?

Regina Morris is an award winning author and an Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author (in the categories of Paranormal, Vampire, Romantic Series and Romantic Comedy) for her suspenseful paranormal romances that make up the COLONY series. She loves paranormal romances featuring vampires, but her personal taste is suspenseful and lighthearted – not horrific and gory. The White House, the President, and Washington D.C. are merely backdrops to support her romance stories. They offer some suspense, but her books are romances and not political thrillers. She has lived in many different parts of the world, and grew up on military bases. Her father was career military and CIA; her grandfather worked with the Secret Service. She graduated high school in Germany and she attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received a degree in Computer Science with a minor in math. Her specialty is social media and she loves connecting with people. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, two children, and two puppies. She enjoys meeting with her critique writing groups and meeting other writers in the Austin area through the WLT and Austin RWA events. Besides writing, she has past work experience as a software engineer (current job), public speaker, sales representative (#1 National Sales Rep for an online company years ago), and is an amateur portrait and sports photographer. Please connect with her through various social media.  http://www.reginamorris.com 

Author Links

Website: http://www.reginamorris.com

Amazon: http://amazon.reginamorris.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReginaAnnMorris

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ReginaMorris

Goodreads Author Page: http://goodreads.reginamorris.com Smashwords Author Page: http://smashwords.reginamorris.com

Newsletter: http://newsletter.reginamorris.com

Buy Links

Love, Vampire Style Amazon: http://amzn.to/1O46qnx BN: http://bit.ly/1jN7oMR iTunes: http://apple.co/1XUk07B kobo: http://bit.ly/1jN8jg5 smashwords: http://bit.ly/1OgXICu

Eternal Service: Amazon: http://amzn.to/16TNGBu BN: http://bit.ly/16EtSc1 iTunes: http://apple.co/1C9Ega5 Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/eternal-service Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1hTQllH Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bqIAlEhW5w

United Service: Amazon: http://amzn.to/18l3RJW BN: http://bit.ly/1m1cS2w Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1js6kbE Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uIVx3WxQrM

Enduring Service: Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1iRQdG7 BN: http://bit.ly/1hTPuBv Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1js00Rm Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yALdeOXfE5g

William’s Tale: Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1iSKSkF

Reliant Service Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JU6bup BN: http://bit.ly/1JCcje5 iTunes: http://apple.co/1KvJ3U5 Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AiLTpr Kobo: http://bit.ly/1zrOFOt Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1zf2TBI Trailer: http://bit.ly/1KvIN7v

COLONY SERIES trailer: http://bit.ly/1mKqC1H

One Page Teaser from Eternal Service

Raymond smiled at Alex. It was a beautiful smile, not fake or forced. You can always tell when a smile is real. His black colored eyes held the smile, not just his luscious, full lips. Alex noticed his hair remained a bit damp, probably due to a last minute shower on his way over. His hair parted on the side tonight, and a curl of bangs hung lopsided onto his forehead. It gave him a Superman appearance. She always did like Superman.

Alex knew her pulse sped up as she took in the visual strip tease in her mind. She thought back to their earlier conversation. Humans and vampires could have sex together. Sex. She swallowed hard. She hadn’t thought of having sex with a man in a long time. Her heart sped up even faster. She wondered if he could hear the beats. If he did, he didn’t show any reaction. He just sat sipping his wine, looking sexy as hell.

Her hands still held her wineglass, so she took a gulp of wine, hoping to squelch the heat she felt within her. Instead, the drink fueled the flame. Would sex with a vampire be different than with a human? If there were a difference, she was betting it would be better. The sexual relationships she had in the past, if she could remember that far back, were moderately satisfying. Definitely not romance novel, page turning, steamy… but satisfying.

Blinking a few times, she realized she was staring at his crotch. Could she be more obvious? She knew in her heart that she was going to take this promotion. She couldn’t start a romance with a team member, it wasn’t professional. She wasn’t that type of woman. Plus, there was no guarantee that he was interested in her such a way. He had treated her with nothing but respect.

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Promo: Feel the Burn

Enter to Win a Paperback 

Copy of FEEL THE BURN

FEEL THE BURN

Dragon Kin #8

G.A. Aiken

Released Nov 24th, 2015

Zebra Imprint

War makes strange bedfellows.

I, Gaius Domitus, one-eyed rebel dragon king of the Provinces, know that better than most, since I have to fight off half my ungrateful family on a regular basis to keep law and order here in my lands. But I never expected to have to consort with a barbarian human woman.

Kachka is beautiful, if you like them fierce—and of course I do. But she keeps complaining about how spoiled and decadent I am, and how a feared Daughter of the Steppes has no time for foolish dragons. I think she likes my eye patch, though. It is quite dashing. With death always at our tails, we take our passion like we take our allies. As they say, love the barbarian you’re with…

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Excerpt

The Mad Queen of Garbhán Isle’s scream of rage echoed out over the silent valley, sending birds from trees and small animals deeper into their burrows.

Her rage was a horrifying wonder to behold because it was always so raw. So unmistakably vicious. Truly, there was nothing more terrifying than to see that rage directed at an individual or full army. But, at the moment, there was no individual or army for the queen to direct her rage at. They were long gone.

Thankfully, the queen did not redirect her anger toward those closest to her. That was why they all willingly fought by her side. Because as mad as the queen might be, she was never wantonly cruel.

One of the few beings willing to try to reason with the queen when she was in a rage moved her mare closer. The female wasn’t human, although she was currently in her exquisite human form. No. She was a She-dragon. Her long white hair draped over the entire backside of her horse, her sharp blue eyes aware of everything around her. Yet if you didn’t know the truth about her, you wouldn’t guess that under that slim bit of human flesh rested a large white dragon that could render a man in pieces with one swipe of her claw.

“Annwyl?” she called out. “Annwyl?” she tried again.

But the queen couldn’t hear her or anyone. She was too busy beating the trunk of a tree with one of her swords. It wasn’t helping, though. The action wasn’t wearing her out. If anything, it was just making her more pissed off.

The She-dragon glanced back at the squad of soldiers. She seemed embarrassed. Her pale cheeks turning red. But they were the Queen’s Personal Guard. They understood Annwyl the Bloody better than anyone. They saw her in battle. They saw her in quiet times. They saw her at her worst and best. The only one who knew her better than her personal guard? Her mate, the black dragon, Fearghus the Destroyer.

“Annwyl, this isn’t helping.”

The queen slammed her blade into the ground and rested her hands on her hips, her head down, her breath coming out in hard pants.

“I know that,” the queen finally barked at the white Shedragon. “Don’t you think I know that?”

“I think they were looking for something,” their general announced as he walked away from the remains of the temple.

General Brastias was a hero of many wars and in charge of Annwyl’s armies. He could, like many generals before him, send men out to do this sort of thing while enjoying the comfort and safety of Garbhán Isle, the seat of power of the Southlands. But his continuing loyalty to Annwyl and the She-dragon, Morfyd the White, was so very strong that he still rode with them on missions like this.

Morfyd—one of the Dragon Queen’s offspring, so actually a princess—looked down at her mate, her hand brushing her horse’s neck to soothe its tension. “Looking for what?” she asked Brastias.

“I have no idea, but the interior has been torn apart.”

“Perhaps they were just leaving a message.”

“No.” Annwyl shook her head. “They want something.”

“Annwyl, they’ve been destroying temples for months now. Let’s not make this into some kind of crazy conspiracy when they’re simply trying to damage your reputation among your people.”

“It’s more than that. I know it is.” Annwyl yanked her blade out of the ground and slammed it back into the empty sheath she had strapped to her back. “None of this is working,” she complained, stomping toward her battle horse, Bloodletting. “They’re always ahead of us because we have no idea what they plan to do next.”

“So what do you suggest? We already have spies—”

Annwyl grunted. Not because she was mounting that vicious stallion of hers, but because she didn’t want to hear anything else from anyone.

“I don’t want to hear about Dagmar’s and Keita’s legions of spies. This isn’t about politics, Morfyd. This isn’t about propaganda. This is something else.”

She looked over the remains of the burned temple, greengrey eyes glaring out from under thick light brown hair. “I’m tired of this, Morfyd.”

“Annwyl—”

“I’m tired of this.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

Another grunt as Annwyl turned her horse around. “Give them proper death rites,” she ordered, motioning to the temple priests, who’d been tortured before they’d been killed. The cult that did this torture and murder called it “purifying.” It was reserved for those who refused to join them in their devotion to the god called The Eyeless One, Chramnesind. “Then burn the bodies.”

“What are you going to—?”

But Annwyl and her horse had already charged off. Brastias nodded at a few of the men, those who’d ridden longest with Annwyl and were already well-acquainted with her bouts of rage, silently ordering them to follow their queen. Not to keep her safe . . . but to protect anyone unfortunate enough to cross her path. Especially since the queen didn’t look or act like a royal. In this state, it was easy for her to misinterpret a small argument between farmers as some kind of rebel attack.

“What if she’s right?” Brastias asked his mate while the rest of the men dismounted and went to work. “What if this isn’t about simply making her look bad?”

The She-dragon shrugged deceptively slim shoulders.

“Then the gods help us all if they find whatever they’re looking for before we do.”

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Originally from Long Island, New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken has resigned herself to West Coast living, which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Writing as Shelly Laurenston, she is also the creator of the wickedly funny Pride series for Brava. For more info about G.A. Aiken’s dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, go to www.gaaiken.com.

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