Across the Stars- sneak peek 9-29-13

Below is a snippet from my latest WIP called Across the Stars. It's a SFR or Sci-Fi Romance.

Here's the story scoop: Laina is one of the last surviving humans after earth was destroyed when the humans tried to kill the cyborgs they'd created when the cyborgs rebelled and escaped. Now the Cyborgs, with permission of the Galactic High Council have free rein to pursue the last remnants of the human race and do with them as they see fit. Rorik, a cyborg lieutenant stumbles upon Laina hiding in a ship and he captures her, thinking to get information about the whereabouts of other humans. But when the cyborg doctor on Rorik's ship runs tests on Laina, a genetic anomaly in her hand raises questions and he suddenly wonders if Laina might hold the key to the survival of the cyborg race. Can he learn to trust and love his sworn enemy if it means he might save his people?

Last week we left off with Rorik having knocked Laina out with his phaser and he's brought her on board the cyborg ship the Orion and taken her to the sick bay. She's just come around from being knocked out.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire as her mother used to say. Laina’s brain pounded fiercely against the insides of her skull. What the hell had happened after she fell out of the air duct? She’d been running…somewhere and then blinding pain and nothing.

“What did you do to me?” she demanded, but to her shame she sounded as breathless and frightened as she felt. The blond cyborg studied her, the chilly depths of his electric blue gaze taking in every inch of her to the point that she was beginning to almost feel a physical touch on her body.

“I stunned you. You fell and hit your head."

If you've enjoyed reading this, be sure to check out the other amazing authors who are unleashing their awesome eight sentence snippets hosted through the Weekend Writing Warriors found at http://www.wewriwa.com/

Across the Stars- SFR sneak peek 9-22-13

**Warning- this excerpt contains a cyborg with some seriously sexy thoughts about a human female.

Below is a snippet from my latest WIP called Across the Stars. It's a SFR or Sci-Fi Romance.

Here's the story scoop: Laina is one of the last surviving humans after earth was destroyed when the humans tried to kill the cyborgs they'd created when the cyborgs rebelled and escaped. Now the Cyborgs, with permission of the Galactic High Council have free rein to pursue the last remnants of the human race and do with them as they see fit. Rorik, a cyborg lieutenant stumbles upon Laina hiding in a ship and he captures her, thinking to get information about the whereabouts of other humans. But when the cyborg doctor on Rorik's ship runs tests on Laina, a genetic anomaly in her hand raises questions and he suddenly wonders if Laina might hold the key to the survival of the cyborg race. Can he learn to trust and love his sworn enemy if it means he might save his people?

Last week we left off with Rorik having knocked Laina out with his phaser and he's brought her on board the cyborg ship the Orion where he has taken her to the sick bay where the cyborg doctor Valerius will examine her since she was wounded during her capture.

The doctor went back to his cabinets and retrieved a thick blanket and laid it over the bed while Rorik set the human down, careful to check that her head was properly cushioned. His fingers threaded through her hair, the chestnut strands felt like watered silk, sending a frisson of pleasure through him as he imagined fisting his hands in it while he thrust into her tight little body, groaning. He would possess her, take her hard and fast. He would conquer her, dominate her and show her he was the master now—

“Rorik?” Valerius cut through the jarring emotions and physical reactions.

He blinked, shook his head and used his mind to control his body’s reactions. His core temperature dropped back down to ninety-eight degrees, his cock which had hardened and pressed uncomfortably against his pants didn’t soften right away, but his calm was restored.

If you've enjoyed reading this, be sure to check out the other amazing authors who are unleashing their awesome eight sentence snippets hosted through the Weekend Writing Warriors found at http://www.wewriwa.com/

Across the Stars- sneak peek 9-15-13

Below is a snippet from my latest WIP called Across the Stars. It's a SFR or Sci-Fi Romance.

Here's the story scoop: Laina is one of the last surviving humans after earth was destroyed when the humans tried to kill the cyborgs they'd created when the cyborgs rebelled and escaped. Now the Cyborgs, with permission of the Galactic High Council have free rein to pursue the last remnants of the human race and do with them as they see fit. Rorik, a cyborg lieutenant stumbles upon Laina hiding in a ship and he captures her, thinking to get information about the whereabouts of other humans. But when the cyborg doctor on Rorik's ship runs tests on Laina, a genetic anomaly in her hand raises questions and he suddenly wonders if Laina might hold the key to the survival of the cyborg race. Can he learn to trust and love his sworn enemy if it means he might save his people?

Last week we left off with Rorik having knocked Laina out with his phaser and he's brought her on board the cyborg ship the Orion where he has taken her to the sick bay where the cyborg doctor Valerius will examine her since she was wounded during her capture.


          

“Where should I put her?” he asked the doctor as he took in the multiple beds. None of them looked particularly comfortable. They were little more than metal gurneys.

“Anywhere is fine,” Valerius waved at the room and turned to his cabinets searching for his instruments.

The metal surface of the nearest medical exam table gleamed in the artificial light, looking cold and hard. Rorik had no desire to place the woman on that.

“Do you have something to lay on the bed to cushion her?”

Valerius chuckled. “Feeling guilty for starting the torture before you were supposed to?”

If you've enjoyed reading this, be sure to check out the other amazing authors who are unleashing their awesome eight sentence snippets hosted through the Weekend Writing Warriors found at http://www.wewriwa.com/

Across the Stars- sneak peek 9-8-13

Below is a snippet from my latest WIP called Across the Stars. It's a SFR or Sci-Fi Romance.

Here's the story scoop: Laina is one of the last surviving humans after earth was destroyed when the humans tried to kill the cyborgs they'd created when the cyborgs rebelled and escaped. Now the Cyborgs, with permission of the Galactic High Council have free rein to pursue the last remnants of the human race and do with them as they see fit. Rorik, a cyborg lieutenant stumbles upon Laina hiding in a ship and he captures her, thinking to get information about the whereabouts of other humans. But when the cyborg doctor on Rorik's ship runs tests on Laina, a genetic anomaly in her hand raises questions and he suddenly wonders if Laina might hold the key to the survival of the cyborg race. Can he learn to trust and love his sworn enemy if it means he might save his people?

Last week we left off with Rorik having found Laina and he has asked one of his crew mates, another cyborg Julian, to secure her so they can take her to their ship and question her. Laina punched him in the groin and tried to run away, only to have Rorik stun her with his phaser.


          

The control room was silent, except for the occasional system alert beeping, as he walked over to the unconscious woman. A small cut above her left eye from where she’d hit the floor was bleeding. An emotion he’d never felt before wormed its way to his chest: pity. He pitied this little human. She was so weak, so breakable, like the rest of her race. And yet she was brave enough to trick him and his team. It was a pity that humans had so many obvious failings. It ruined the few strengths they had.

If you've enjoyed reading this, be sure to check out the other amazing authors who are unleashing their awesome eight sentence snippets hosted through the Weekend Writing Warriors found at http://www.wewriwa.com/

Author Spotlight- Collette Cameron Talks about Gypsies and A Giveaway!

Today I'd like to welcome author Collette Cameron to The League of Rogues to discuss her brand new release The Viscount's Vow and to discuss her heroine Evangeline who is a gypsy noblewoman.  (Readers be sure to comment so you can be entered to win a free copy of The Viscount's Vow!)

Take it away Collette!

A Gypsy Noblewoman

        The heroine in The Viscount’s Vow, Evangeline (Vangie) Caruthers, is a bit unusual for a Regency romance.  Though she’s the daughter of a baronet, she’s also part Romani; a gypsy princess in fact.

         I thought I’d share some of the interesting Romani culture tidbits I came across while doing my research. These were true in 1814, the year The Viscount’s Vow is set in.   

         First,  all Roma—that’s how they refer to themselves—have a Gadžo name, their Christian name, and a Roma name. Vangie’s Roma name is Zora. Gypsies  vistas, or clans are ruled by a bandolier, who deals with the day-to-day issues that might come up. This person is chosen because of their maturity and wisdom. He is not the gypsy king.

         I found contrasting information about divorce. Some sources claimed it was complex because of the bride price paid before the marriage. Others said that within the gypsy culture, if a woman leaves her husband, she’s divorced him and is free to marry another.  I used this aspect in The Viscount’s Vow because no bride price was paid for Vangie, so the point was mute. Purity before marriage was strictly adhered to, which is in direct contrast to how the travelers, especially the women have been portrayed historically.  

         I was astounded to learn the rigorous customs the Roma adhere to regarding ceremonial cleanliness or pollution.  For instance, they wouldn’t use a handkerchief  because it’s unclean, and they were supposed to only wash in running water.  Vangie has been raised as an English noblewoman who spends time with her Romani clan, so she does take baths. Part of her internal conflict is a result of the clash between her English and Roma heritage.

         Ian is accepted as a gaje, a Gypsy Friend, which essentially makes him an honorary Gypsy, and he is entitled to the hospitality and protection of the clan. It’s a good thing too, because he has an extended visit with the Roma after Vangie leaves him. 

         Gypsies are a blood family, and the only way for a gawdji (a non-gypsy) to become part of the family is to either be sponsored by a member of the clan, or travel with the gypsies for a time. Then the vista votes whether to accept the gawdji into the tribe. If a vote of consent is passed, an initiation ceremony must be undergone. Ian doesn’t ever go to this extent, because his time with the Roma is temporary.   

         One custom I found extremely fascinating is that when a gypsy woman is pregnant, she is cared for by the other women of the clan, and dear hubby takes over all her duties. There’s so  much more I could share about these fascinating people, who were continually shunned and persecuted, but the final bit that honestly surprised me the most, was how many of the Roma tribes were devout Christians.

         So there you are; a brief introduction to Romani culture and customs.  You’ll find many more references to gypsy foods, dress, language, and laws in The Viscount’s Vow. 

Want to know more about The Viscount's Vow? 

Here's the blurb:

         Amidst murder and betrayal, destiny and hearts collide when scandal forces a viscount and a  half-gypsy noblewoman to marry in this Regency romance, sprinkled with suspense, humor, and inspiration.

         Half Romani, half English noblewoman, Evangeline Caruthers is the last woman in England Ian Hamilton, the Viscount Warrick, could ever love—an immoral wanton responsible for his brother’s and father’s deaths. She thinks he’s a foul-tempered blackguard, who after setting out to cause her downfall, finds himself forced to marry her—snared in the trap of his own making.

         When Vangie learns the marriage ceremony itself may have been a ruse, she flees to her gypsy relatives, declaring herself divorced from Ian under Romani law. He pursues her to the gypsy encampment, and when the handsome gypsy king offers to take Ian’s place in Vangie’s bed, jealousy stirs hot and dangerous.

          At last, under a balmy starlit sky, Ian and Vangie breech the chasm separating them. Peril lurks though. Ian’s the last in his line, and his stepmother intends to dispose of the newlyweds so her daughter can inherit his estate. Only by trusting each other can they overcome scandal and murderous betrayal. 

Now I know you all are hankering for an excerpt! Here you go!

Ian placed a hand on Vangie’s shoulder. “I’m so very sorry.”

Oh, how she needed a comforting touch. But not his. Never again his.

She wrenched away from him.

Her voice ringing with scathing condemnation, she said, “Tell me, Lord Warrick, are you terribly disappointed I’ll not have a distended belly proclaiming to the world I carry your seed before you discard me?”

Vangie heard him suck in a great gulp of air.

“She was lying, Vangie.”

She clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs demanding release.

Was she? Or was Lucinda telling the truth, and Ian the liar?

When she didn’t respond he pressed, “Lucinda knew you were behind me. Her lies were contrived to cause you pain and grief.”

He laid a hand on her shoulder. “We’re legally married. By all that is holy, I swear it.”

What did he know of holiness?

Vangie struggled to turn over, the weight of the quilt covering her adding to the burden of her grief. She pinned him with a direct look.

“Tell me one thing,” she rasped. “Did you or did you not venture to London for the express purpose of causing my downfall?”

“Vangie. . .”

“Perhaps downfall isn’t accurate. Putting me in my place? Giving me my just due? Ruining me?”

He said nothing. Had guilt rendered him speechless? She searched his face. His handsome features were etched with sorrow, and his eyes . . . was that regret? Or . . . could it be? Were those tears awash in the silvery depths?

Her heart twisted painfully. Blast and damn. No. She’d not feel compassion for him. She was the victim. She would offer him no quarter, no mercy.

“Well, did you?”

“That was before I. . .”

Pain, razor-sharp pierced her heart and left it bleeding. “It’s a simple question, Ian. Yes or no?”   

“It’s not that simple—”

With a doggedness that surprised even her, Vangie persisted. “Yes or no?”

“Sweeting, I’d been told. . .”

Told? Fury whipped anew. She bit out, “Yes. Or. No?”

Absolute, resolute, demanding truth’s validation, either to mend her shattered heart or annihilate it completely, Vangie would have her answer. No more a corked-brained, beguiled miss, blinded by love. Looking through the twin lenses of betrayal and deceit, she could at last see Ian clearly.

His eyes pleaded with her to understand. His voice low and filled with self-condemnation, he uttered but one syllable.

“Yes.”

About the Author:

In February 2011, Collette decided to sit down and write a Regency suspense romance with a few Highlander’s thrown in to spice things up a bit. She wrote Highlander’s Hope, the first book in her Blue Rose Trilogy. She has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. She's been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Her puppy, Ayva, sits on her lap while she writes. Ayva also nibbles at and lies on the keyboard. Collette loves a good joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

Want to check out more of Collette's amazing books? Find her here:

Website: http://collettecameron.com

Blog: http://www.blueroseromance.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/collettecameronauthor

Highlander’s Hope Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/HighlandersHope

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Collette_Author

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13595899-collette-cameron

 

Want to know what I thought of Collette's book? 

Cameron delivers a wonderful story to historical romance readers. If you’re a fan of the genre, this is a must-add to your bookshelf. If you’ve never tried a historical romance before, this should be the book you experiment with.

The plot is simple: Ian the hero goes to London with the purpose of ruining Evangeline “Vangie” the heroine because he’s been led to believe she caused the death of his father and brother. Not knowing there’s a more sinister plot afoot that’s driving his actions, he meets Vangie and hates that he’s attracted to her and she’s nothing like what he’d been told she was. Vangie is innocent, but not the annoying kind. Cameron does a wonderful job of creating a heroine that accurately reflects the women of the time period without driving the reader nuts. Vangie is all heart and sweetness and love but she’s brave and compassionate too. I liked her right away.

Ian was a loveable rogue. One of my favorite heroes in a while. I fell right into step with him as I read the story and loved reading his parts of the story from his point of view. He’s charming and mischievous and yet burdened with a dark mission to make Vangie pay for sins he’s been told she’s committed.

When the pair get compromised and are forced to marry, you can imagine the sparks that fly and the misunderstandings that the poor couple face. This is certainly a “page-turner” and a delightful one at that. It had equal parts humor, sweetness and spiciness and is an absolute must read for a romance fan!

Thanks for stopping by The League of Rogues Collette!  

Readers feel free to comment, Collette and I would love to hear from you! If you drop by and say hello LEAVE YOUR EMAIL so we can contact you if you're the lucky winner of Collette's book The Viscount's Vow!

Across the Stars- SFR Sneak Peek 9/1/13

Below is a snippet from my latest WIP called Across the Stars. It's a SFR or Sci-Fi Romance.

Here's the story scoop: Laina is one of the last surviving humans after earth was destroyed when the humans tried to kill the cyborgs they'd created when the cyborgs rebelled and escaped. Now the Cyborgs, with permission of the Galactic High Council have free rein to pursue the last remnants of the human race and do with them as they see fit. Rorik, a cyborg lieutenant stumbles upon Laina hiding in a ship and he captures her, thinking to get information about the whereabouts of other humans. But when the cyborg doctor on Rorik's ship runs tests on Laina, a genetic anomaly in her hand raises questions and he suddenly wonders if Laina might hold the key to the survival of the cyborg race. Can he learn to trust and love his sworn enemy if it means he might save his people?

Last week we left off with Rorik having found Laina and he has asked one of his crew mates, another cyborg Julian, to secure her so they can take her to their ship and question her. She just attempted to punch Julian but he caught her wrist and forced her to her knees.





           The human shut her eyes, wincing with pain as she took a deep breath, her long dark lashes spiked over her pale cheeks. Rorik had the sudden urge to brush his fingertips over her lashes, to see if they felt as soft and delicate as they appeared.
           “Answer me, human,” Julian demanded, shaking her a little more forcefully. 
           She struck, sending a fist right into Julian’s groin. He cursed, low and guttural in a sound of pure agony as he released her. She dove past a shocked Alanna and headed for the door leading out of the control room. Rorik recovered the fastest and had his phaser out, twisting the setting to stun. He struck her between the shoulder blades and she went down hard, her head smacking the floor.

If you've enjoyed reading this, be sure to check out the other amazing authors who are unleashing their awesome eight sentence snippets hosted through the Weekend Writing Warriors found at http://www.wewriwa.com/

Scene Art Sketch revealed!

Hey Readers!

I love having good news or something exciting to share. Today is definitely exciting. I'm sharing the sneak peak of my artist friend Joanne Renaud's sketch for the painting she is doing for me based on my paranormal christmas menage story called A Midnight Clear.

The story is not yet available (I'm gearing up to send it to my editor soon). But I thought I'd post an excerpt, blurb and the sketch of course!

Here's the blurb:

            Zoey Blake is down on her luck. After losing her parents in a car crash and having to drop out of college in order to make ends meet, she finds she cannot afford the basics of life and is left living on the streets without a morsel of food to sustain her. When she is fatally attacked by another homeless person just a week before Christmas, she is rescued by a mysterious stranger named Ian.

            Ian Kennedy, a century old Irish vampire, can’t resist rescuing a stray, especially if that stray is a beautiful young woman fallen on hard times. Wanting to take care of her like the stray cats he’s saved over the years, he brings her to his home. However, he underestimates Zoey. As a flesh and blood woman who is both beautiful and sensual, she tempts him to fall in love with her sweet nature and warm heart. He is all for seducing her, but there’s just one problem. His best friend and fellow vampire, Connor made him swear a vow decades ago: no more mortal lovers.

            Connor O’Shea has never forgotten his one true love, Lara. He and Ian, close as brothers, had shared Lara’s bed together without jealousy. But when another vampire from their past murdered her, Connor swore never to let a mortal woman pay the price for loving him. That is until he sees…and kisses …Zoey. With a heart of gold and a stubbornness to rival his own, Zoey is just the sort of woman to make him break every vow he’s ever made, especially when it comes to love.

            As Christmas draws near, Zoey struggles to accept the loss of her parents and the life she once had and she wonders if she can ever find happiness again. Connor and Ian unite forces, determined to prove to her that love is something sacred and special and something they all can share.

Here's the sketch!!

 

 Here's an excerpt:

 

 

Ian was a vampire. Zoey blinked, her brain short circuiting as she tried to process his words and failed.

 “Oh my God. He bit me! Am I going to turn into one?”

Ian’s face was suddenly above hers, his hands on her neck, her legs, everywhere as he checked her for injury.

“No, lass, no. You won’t become a vampire.”

Relief surged through her. She was safe with him.

“Connor, you damned fool. What are you doing biting her?” he snarled.

The other man, Connor, she’d been right to assume, shifted uneasily by the door, his hair wild from her hands running through it.

“You left me a voicemail. Said she was my dinner and I had to scare her.”

“What? That’s not what I said you idiot!” Ian scooped Zoey up into his arms. She burrowed into him instinctively. The remnants of her climax still rippled through her in tiny aftershocks and his strong arms absorbed her trembling.

“Ian…” Connor growled back.

“I said I had a guest and was bringing her dinner. I warned you to be sure not to scare her. Bloody hell man, she’ll never forgive me, not after you attacked her.” Ian exited the bedroom and started down the hall towards the living room where he settled her on the leather couch and grabbed a heavy thick blanket and he tucked it around her. Connor followed at a distance, eyes avoiding Zoey. That irritated her, not that she could say why exactly.

“Ian, I’m sorry. The message cut out in places. I thought I heard what I heard. I didn’t know. It’s clear she’s your dinner. I didn’t realize you were bringing them home again. You usually eat out.”

Ian, who had been brushing hair back from Zoey’s face, tensed. His eyes caught hers and held before he spoke to Connor.

“She’s not my dinner. She’s just a woman who’s in need of some help. I offered her a place to stay and to get her some food.” He pointed to the kitchen countertop which had several take out bags from the nearby restaurants.

The aroma of the food drifted beneath Zoey’s nose, and her mouth watered. Hunger hit her stomach with the violence of a physical blow, and she tensed in Ian’s arms. Food. God, she was ravenous. She’d quite forgotten it when she’d been beneath Connor in his bed. Her eyes strayed to the kitchen where the food was. It took every ounce of self-control not to run straight at the food. Somehow she knew making sudden movements in front of Connor, a vampire, might be a bad idea.

A vampire. She still had to process that, but she could do that later, when her stomach was full.

“Who is she, Ian?”

“Her name is Zoey Blake.” Ian moved so that he lifted her up and sat back on the couch with her in his lap.

It probably should have bothered her that he just moved her about and picked her up without asking. But she liked that he simply took control and more importantly, that he seemed to enjoy keeping her close. Even despite the allure of food she was reluctant to leave his arms.

“And why did you bring Zoey here?” Connor’s eyes narrowed to slits.

The very air about them seemed to vibrate, like someone had just plucked the strings of a harp and the sound waves still traveled silently along the air. The hair on Zoey’s neck rose and her skin tingled with awareness of the two men and the situation.

“She has nowhere else to go,” Ian rushed on.  “The lass lost her family, her home. When I discovered her, she was dying in an alley where some whoreson had attacked her.” His voice was full of quiet desperation, but tinged with an edge of defiance.

Connor’s full lips twisted in a bitter sneer. “So you’d thought you’d bring her home and play the nursemaid? What about your promise to me? No more mortal lovers. Not after what happened to Lara.”

Zoey stiffened. Mortal lover? “Who’s Lara?” She glanced up at Ian. The movement brushed her lips across the line of his jaw. He tensed, chest and arm muscles hardening. The sudden bulge beneath her bottom had her blushing.

“You test me, love. Be careful.” His warm breath stirred the crown of her hair, eliciting little shivers from her. “Connor, she stays. Get used to the idea. She’s mine, and I will care for her. You are welcome to help, but do not make me choose between you. I will pick her. We swore once to protect the innocent. Zoey is as innocent as they come.”

“Hey! I’m not that innocent.” She was no stranger to sex – there had been a few boys through college before she was forced to drop out, and even if it had been a few years, she remembered the mechanics of it. Even if she’d been celibate lately, she’d still had her share of beyond wicked fantasies, her current ones featuring the pair of men both staring at her.

Connor snorted. “Right. You’re as green as the grass near Belfast.”

“I’m not sure what that means,” Zoey shot back a tad uncertain but still riled enough to glower at him. “But I think I’m insulted.”

Ian chuckled, but it soon died when she glared up at him with all the fury a woman could muster against a handsome vampire, which was apparently enough to make his eyes twinkle despite his lack of a smile. She turned her glower towards Connor, hoping to have a better effect.

“Don’t argue with me, pet,” Connor growled. “I’m liable to turn you over my knee and smack your arse until it’s a lovely shade of red.”

“You’re not to touch her.” Ian shielded her with his arms protectively, but she wasn’t scared. Connor’s threat had her body heating and the promise of his hand on her ass, even in punishment, melted her insides. She needed help. This was so wrong. She shouldn’t want him to spank her, and it sure as hell shouldn’t have aroused her.

Connor spun away and slammed his hands down on the granite kitchen countertop. His head dropped between his hunched shoulders.  

Ian shifted her off his lap onto the other side of the couch as put his body between her and his friend’s. “Connor?”

She gazed steadily at the other man’s back, the tension rolled off him in waves. She couldn’t help but remember their encounter minutes before when he’d had her on her back in his bed. There hadn’t been any tension there, only passion. Her surrender, his domination and a sexual release the likes of which she’d never felt before. Her womb clenched at the mere memory of his fingers pumping inside her. She suddenly remembered she was in Ian’s arms. She raised her head and saw his nostrils flaring. Surely he couldn’t…smell her arousal.

Please god, I hope not.

“She’s helpless, Connor. I refuse to put her back out onto the streets. She was dying when I found her.”

Connor finally turned back to face them. “She’s another stray. Like your wee cats. But you can’t keep her, Ian. She’s a human, not an animal.”

Ian’s shoulders stiffened and a low growl vibrated from the back of his throat. Her hackles rose, and she suddenly realized Ian was just as dangerous as Connor was, although he’d hidden it from her with his outward gentleness.

As the words permeated through her hungry mind, she felt a sudden stab of anger, and the prickling of tears behind her eyes. Why hadn’t she seen it before? She would have, she argued to herself, if she hadn’t been so hungry. She was a pity case to this man. Ian didn’t look at her with passion – he looked at her with pity. She’d mistaken his intentions in the bathroom earlier when he’d kissed her, men did that didn’t they? Sleep with women they pitied? And the hurt of that thought wracked her insides with an angry sadness that choked her. Zoey was too angry to say a word, the violent emotions ripped through her and she didn’t dare open her mouth, otherwise she’d say a thousand things she’d regret.

With a growl, Connor looked away.

“You should have let nature run its course. We cannot save every mortal we come across.”



 



 

Hope you all enjoyed the post! Please feel free to share your thoughts! AND STAYED TUNED...When the finished painting is completed I will be giving away a copy of my paranormal Novella, a signed piece of Scene Art from A Midnight Clear and a first chapter sneak peek of the story!