For the life of him, he did not know why he’d held back giving her his full name. The lie shamed him, and he moved to correct the blunder, but those pink lips twitched again and good intentions flew from his mind. What would it take to get her to truly smile? What would she look like flushed with passion? His skin went hot.
Her dark eyes looked over his shoulder. “Your train is leaving.”
The platform beneath his feet trembled as the train groaned out of the station. He didn’t even look. “I find,” he said keeping his eyes upon her gloriously stern visage, “that I no longer wish to leave London.”
Unsurprisingly, she held his gaze without a blush or one of the coy looks the ladies in his sphere would have employed. “Do you always act the fool?”
Never. But he didn’t have to say it. She read him well, and her eyes suddenly gleamed with acceptance. Slowly, she held her hand out so that he might take it. “Miss Poppy Ann Ellis.”
Poppy. For her hair, he supposed. But to him, she was Boadicea, Athena, a goddess.
It was all he could do to keep himself from bridging the short distance between them and putting his mouth to hers. Instead, he took her hand with due formality. His gloved fingers curled around hers, and something within him settled. He shook only a little as he raised her hand to his lips. “Miss Ellis, I am your servant.” Always.
Yet even as he spoke, fate was conspiring to make a liar of him.
THE DISH
Where authors give you the inside scoop!
From the desk of Kendra Leigh Castle
Dear Reader,
I admit it: I love a bad boy.
From the Sheriff of Nottingham to Severus Snape, Spike to Jack Sparrow, it’s always the men who seem beyond saving that throw my imagination into overdrive. So it’s no wonder that this sort of character arrived in my very first Dark Dynasties book and has stuck around since, despite the fact that most of the other characters either (a)wonder why he hasn’t been killed or (b)would like to kill him themselves. Or both, depending on the day. His name is Damien Tremaine. He’s a vampire, thief, assassin, and as deadly as they come. In fact, he spent much of Dark Awakening trying to kill the hero and heroine. He positively revels in the fact that he has few redeeming qualities. And I just. Couldn’t. Resist.
Writing SHADOW RISING, the third installment in the Dark Dynasties series, proved an interesting challenge. The true bad boy takes a special kind of woman to turn him around, and I knew it would take a lot to pierce the substantial (and very stylish) armor that Damien had built up over the centuries. Enter Ariane, a vampire who is formidable in her own right but really remarkable because of her innocence, despite being hundreds of years old. As a member of the reclusive and mysterious Grigori dynasty, Ariane remembers nothing of her life before being turned. All she knows is the hidden desert compound of her kind, a place she has never been allowed to leave. She’s long been restless… but when her closest friend goes missing and she’s forbidden to search for him, Ariane takes matters into her own untried but very capable hands. Little does she know that her dynasty’s leader has hired an outside vampire who specializes in finding those who don’t want to be found—and that once she crosses paths with him, he’ll make very sure that their paths keep crossing, whether she likes it or not.
All of the couples I write about have their differences, but Damien and Ariane are polar opposites. She’s sheltered, he’s jaded. She longs to feel everything, while Damien’s spent years burying every emotion. And she is, of course, exactly what he needs, which is the first thing to have actually frightened Damien in… well, ever. Damien’s slow and terrifying realization that he’s finally in over his head was both a lot of fun to write, and exactly what he deserved. After all, redemption is satisfying, but it’s not supposed to be easy.
Between Damien’s sharp tongue and sharper killer instincts, Ariane has her hands full from the get-go. Fortunately, she finds him just as irresistible as I do. Like so many dark and delicious bad boys, there’s more to Damien than meets the eye. If you’re interested in finding out whether this particular assassin has the heart of a hero, I hope you’ll check out SHADOW RISING. I’ll be honest: Damien never really turns into a traditional knight in shining armor. But if you’re anything like me… you won’t want him to anyway.
Enjoy!
Kendra Leigh Castle
From the desk of Jennifer Haymore
Dear Reader,
When Meg Donovan, the heroine of PLEASURES OF A TEMPTED LADY (on sale now), entered my office for the first time, I mistook her for her twin sister, Serena.
“Serena!” I exclaimed. “How are you? Please, take a seat.”
She slowly shook her head. “Not Serena,” she said quietly. “Meg.”
I stared at her. I couldn’t do anything else, because my throat had closed up tight. For, dear reader, Meg was dead! Lost at sea and long gone, and I’d written two complete novels and a novella under that assumption.
Finally, I found my scrambled wits and gathered them tight around me.
“Um,” I said hopefully, “Serena… that’s not a funny joke. My income relies on my journalistic credibility. You know that, right?”
She just looked at me. Then she shrugged. “Sorry. I am Meg Donovan. And though the world might like to pretend that I am Serena, I know who I am.”
“But… but… you’re dead.” Now I sounded like a petulant child. A rather warped and quite possibly disturbed petulant child.
She finally took the seat I’d offered Serena, and, settling in, she leaned forward. “No, Mrs. Haymore. I’m not dead. I’m very much alive, and I’d like you to write my story.”
Oh, Lord.
I looked down to rub the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger, fighting off a sudden headache. If this really was Meg, I was in big, big trouble.
Finally I looked up at her. “All right,” I said slowly. “So you’re Meg. Back from the dead.”
“That’s correct,” she said.
I studied her closely. Her twin Serena and I have become good friends since I wrote her story for her, and now that I really looked at this woman, the subtle differences between her and her twin grew clearer. This woman was about ten pounds thinner than Serena. And though her eyes were the same shade of blue, something about them seemed harder and wary, as though she’d gone through a difficult time and come out of it barely intact.
“So who was it that rescued you, then?” I asked. “Pirates? Slavers?”
Her expression grew tight. Shuttered. “I’d like to skip that part, if you don’t mind.”
I raised a brow. This wasn’t going to work out between us if she demanded I skip all the good stuff. But I’d play along. For now. “All right, then. Where would you like to start?”
“With my escape.”
“Ah, so it was pirates, then.”
She gave a firm shake of her head. “No. I meant my escape from England.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” I said. “You’ll be wanting to stay in England. Your family is there.” I didn’t say it, but I was pretty sure the man who loved her was there, too.
“I can’t stay in England. You must help me.”
I clasped my hands on top of my desk. “Look, Meg. I really like your family, so I’m sitting here listening to what you have to say. But I’m a writer who writes happy, satisfying stories about finding true love and living happily ever after. Is that what you’re looking for?”
“No!”
I sighed. I’d thought not.
She leaned forward again, her palms flat on the desk. “I need you to write me out of England, because I need to protect my family, and…”
“And…?” I prompted when she looked away, seemingly unwilling to continue.
“And… Captain Langley. You see, as long as I stay in England, they’re all in danger.”
I fought the twitch that my lips wanted to make to form a smile. So she did know about Captain William Langley… and she obviously cared for him. Wh
atever danger she was worried about facing meant nothing in the face of the depth of love that might someday belong to William Langley and Meg Donovan.
“I see.” I looked into her eyes. “I might be able to make an exception this time. I will do whatever I can to help you protect your family.”
Note that I didn’t tell her I’d help her to escape. Or to get out of England.
A frantic, wonderful plan was forming rapidly in my mind. Yeah, I’d write her story. I’d “help” her keep Langley and her family safe. But once I did that, once I gained her trust, I’d find a way to make them happy, to boot. Because I’m a romance writer, and that’s what I do.
“Thank you,” she murmured, glassy tears forming in her eyes. “Thank you so much.”
I raised a warning finger. “Realize that in order for this to work, you need to tell me everything.”
She hesitated, her lips pressed hard together. Then she finally nodded.
I flipped up my laptop and opened a new document. “Tell me your story, Miss Donovan. From the moment of your rescue.”
And that was how I began to write the love story of Meg Donovan, the long-lost Donovan sister.
I truly hope you enjoy reading Meg’s story! Please come visit me at my website, www.jenniferhaymore.com, where you can share your thoughts about my books, sign up for some fun freebies and contests, and read more about the characters from PLEASURES OF A TEMPTED LADY.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Haymore
From the desk of Jill Shalvis
Dear Reader,
Ever feel like you’re drowning? In FOREVER AND A DAY, my hero, Dr. Josh Scott, is most definitely drowning. He’s overloaded, overworked, and on the edge of burnout. He’s got his practice, his young son, his wheelchair-bound sister, and a crazy puppy. Not to mention the weight of the world on his shoulders from taking care of everyone in his life. He’s in so deep, saving everyone around him all the time, that he doesn’t even realize that he’s the one in need of saving. It would never occur to him.
Enter Grace Brooks. She’s a smart smartass and, thanks to some bad luck, pretty much starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor working as Josh’s dog walker. And then as his nanny. And then before he even realizes it, as his everything. In truth, she’s saved him, in more ways than one.
Oh, how I loved watching the sure, steady rock that is Josh crumble, only to be slowly but surely helped back together again by the sexy yet sweet Grace.
And don’t forget to pick up the other “Chocaholic” books, Lucky in Love and At Last, both available wherever books and ebooks are sold.
Happy Reading!
Jill Shalvis
From the desk of Kristen Callihan
Dear Reader,
I’m half Norwegian—on my mother’s side. If there is one thing you need to know about Norwegians, it’s that they are very egalitarian. This sense of equality defines them in a number of ways, but one of the more interesting aspects is that Norwegian men treat women as equal partners.
Take my grandfather. He was a man’s man in the truest sense of the term. A rugged fisherman and farmer who hung out with the fellas, rebuilt old cars, smoked a pipe, and made furniture on the side. Yet he always picked up his own plate after dinner. He never hesitated to go to the market if my grandmother needed something, nor did he complain if he had to cook his own meals when she was busy. My grandfather was one of the most admirable men I’ve known. Thus when I began to write about heroes, I gravitated toward men who share some of the same qualities as my Norwegian ancestors.
Ian Ranulf, the hero of MOONGLOW, started out as a bit of an unsavory character in Firelight. All right, he was a total ass, doing everything he could to keep Miranda and Archer apart. So much so that, early on, my editor once asked me if I was sure Ian wasn’t the real villain. While Ian did not act on his best behavior, I always knew that he was not a bad man. In fact, I rather liked him. Why? Because Ian loves and respects women in a way that not many of his peers do. While he feels inclined to protect a woman from physical harm, he’d never patronize her. For that, I could forgive a lot of him.
In MOONGLOW, Ian is a man living a half-life. He has sunk into apathy because life has not been particularly kind to him. And so he’s done what most people do: He’s retreated into a protective shell. Yet when he meets Daisy, a woman who will not be ignored, he finds himself wanting to live for her. But what I found interesting about Ian is that when he begins to fall for Daisy, he does not think, “No, I’ve been burned before; I’m not going to try again.” Ian does the opposite: He reaches for what he wants, even if it terrifies him, even with a high possibility of failure.
While Ian certainly faces his share of physical battles in MOONGLOW, it is his dogged pursuit of happiness and his willingness to love Daisy as an equal that made him one of my favorite characters to write.
Happy Reading,
Kristen Callihan
Also by Kristen Callihan
Firelight
Ember (short story)
Praise for FIRELIGHT
“A compelling Victorian paranormal with heart and soul… The compulsively readable tale will leave this new author’s fans eager for her next book.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Beauty and the Beast meets Phantom of the Opera in this gripping, intoxicating story… An exceptional debut and the first of what promises to be a compelling series.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“41/2 stars! Top pick! Seal of Excellence! Like moths to a flame, readers will be drawn to the flickering Firelight and get entangled in the first of the Darkest London series… Callihan crafts a taut tale filled with sexual tension. This is one of the finest debuts of the season.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Firelight draws readers in… Murder, a secret society and overwhelming desire keep Archer and Miranda on their toes—and keep readers turning pages.”
—BookPage
“A perfect 10! Firelight is a debut novel that will knock your socks off. Readers are not going to be able to casually read this novel. It’s a page turner… The growing passion between Archer and Miranda steams up the pages… Excellent secondary characters and an amazing premise… I can’t wait for the next book.”
—RomRevToday.com
“All this reviewer can say is wow! The sexual tension and story suspense is so thick it becomes tangible like the very fog of Victorian London.”
—TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
“This is one powerful story… Never read anything quite like it. Could not imagine the ending either. Read it—if you dare.”
—RomanceReviewsMag.com
“Evocative and deeply romantic… a beautiful debut.”
—Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author, on Firelight
“A sizzling paranormal with dark history and explosive magic! Callihan is an impressive new talent.”
—Larissa Ione, New York Times bestselling author of Immortal Rider
“A dark, delicious tale of secrets, murder, and love, beautifully shrouded in the shadows of Victorian London.”
—Hannah Howell, New York Times bestselling author of If He’s Dangerous
“Inventive and adventurous with complex, witty characters and snappy writing. Callihan will make you believe in the power of destiny and true love.”
—Shana Abé, New York Times bestselling author of The Time Weaver
“A sexy, resplendent debut with a deliciously tortured hero, an inventive supernatural mystery, and slow-building heat that simmers on each page. I can’t wait to see what Kristen Callihan comes up with next!”
—Meljean Brook, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Duke
“A dazzling debut, sexy and thrilling. Callihan now has a place on my to-buy list.”
—Anya Bast, New York Times bestselling author of Dark Enchantment
“Utterly phenomenal! Sword fights, magic, a heroin
e with secret strengths, a hero with hidden vulnerability, and best of all, a true love that’s hot enough to burn the pages.”
—Courtney Milan, New York Times bestselling author of Unraveled
“A compelling and emotional page turner that will have readers burning the midnight oil.”
—Anna Campbell, award-winning author of Midnight’s Wild Passion
Contents
Welcome
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Epilogue
A Preview of Firelight
A Preview of Winterblaze
The Dish
Also by Kristen Callihan
Praise for FIRELIGHT
Copyright
Copyright
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