Shayla Black Interviews Marrok of Cadbury

He’s an immortal knight hungering for satisfaction. . . .

As soon as Marrok sees Olivia Gray, he’s sure they met in eons past. He’s felt her soft, gentle curves writhing in pleasure beneath his own powerful body. . . Morganna! For centuries, towering Marrok, once the mightiest of King Arthur’s warriors, has endured a terrible curse the witch cast upon him when he spurned the witch.

 

She’s a modern woman about to discover ancient magic. . . .

Olivia shares a mystical—and irresistible—connection with brooding Marrok. Soon after the sexy warrior appears in her erotic dreams, he abducts her, demanding she uncurse him. Their intense passion is more powerful—and intimate—than either of them has ever known. Olivia may be the key to unlocking the diary that will break Morganna’s hold on his life. But in the wrong hands, the book also holds the power to destroy magickind. As they search for answers, a ruthless wizard returned from exile is building an army of evil. When he discovers Marrok and Olivia have the diary, only their love—with the help of a powerful group of magical Brethren—can save them.

Thanks, Fatin, for inviting me back here! I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to talk about TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, the first in my Doomsday Brethren series. It’s releasing tomorrow from Pocket books, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

I’m told this paranormal series is quite different. No vamps or weres. The magic is not Wicca or white. It’s all of my own imagination, set to the backdrop of modern London. And like all my books, intense, sexy (though not erotic, per se) and alpha males abound!

Here’s the first chapter. Take a peek! Also check out the section titled Meet the Brethren. There’s also a contest going on until the end of the month. Subscribe to my newsletter (if you haven’t already) and win a very nifty gift basket!

Okay, business aside, let’s talk about men. Heroes anyone? I conducted a quick interview with TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS’s hero, Marrok of Cadbury.

SB: Comfy? Cozy? Ready to talk?

MC: You again? Can you not leave me in peace, you infernal woman?

SB: I know you’re not interested in being the life of the party.

MC: Or even attending it.

SB: [rolls eyes] Spare me a few moments to discuss some of the major changes in your life. Recently, become involved with a group of wizards.

MC:  Not by choice. I had been living these fifteen hundred years in my solitude, wanting naught but a peaceful end. That rapscallion, Bram Rion, knocked upon my door, shared visions of coming danger and evil with me, then dragged me into his magical muck.

SB: C’mon. You haven’t entirely disliked the experience. You spent so many years as King Arthur’s captain and champion. You can’t tell me that a return to the practice and battle fields was unwelcome.

MC: [shrug] I enjoy invigorating exercise as much as the next man. The political intrigue of magickind, however, they can keep. Annoying and demanding, the lot of them.

SB: You’re just being grouchy. Be honest… After a while, you came to like some of your fellow Doomsday Brethren, Bram included.

MC: Bram does have the cool head of a tactician and the mantle of a leader. He has earned his respect.

SB: You even asked his opinion a time or two. What about the others? I know there’s a fair amount of dissention in the ranks and personal issues to overcome, but certainly some others have earned your trust.

MC: Most are good and dedicated warriors in their own way. Ice and Lucan, in particular. [frowns] I certainly hope Lucan recovers… Duke is pampered but surprising even me. Caden refuses to stay, and Shock is not a warrior I trust. Things will not be easy for Bram, should he wish to keep this bunch together to defeat an evil like Mathias.

SB: Yes, Mathias is a really bad dude. He makes my skin crawl.

MC: If that is your modern, American way of saying he is evil incarnate, then aye.

SB: He’s been very eager to get his hands on this new woman you’ve become involved with.

MC: While there is a breath left in my body, Mathias will never, ever touch Olivia. I keep and protect what is mine.

SB: Heavy words for a loner…

MC: She is both my mate and the one who can end my immortal curse. Her heart is a tender one. I, who have lived alone and by my sword, have never known her like. She is…special.

SB: What do you mean?

MC: She’s both taught and helped me…even when I gave her no reason—and she often did so against my will, saucy wench. [smile] Without her, I would know naught of dancing, have no computer to use, would never have seen modern London by air had she not coerced me onto the London Eye. Pretty wench accused me of being claustrophobic. Who likes small, confined spaces?

SB: Doesn’t bother me, but… I hear she’s helped you with another problem.

MC: [scowls] ‘Twas naught little about that problem. Aye, she is the first woman whom I’ve bedded and found satisfaction with in centuries. ‘Tis certain that I’m keeping her by my side as long as possible.

SB: Any chance what you have with her is permanent?

MC: Nay, soon I will find a way to break my curse. Then I shall find peace in death. For now, she needs me. But Olivia is a woman who will learn to believe in her strength and live well without me.

SB: [arched brow] And maybe even find another man?

MC: [growls] We are done here.

SB: Anything else you’d like to say?

MC: Piss off.

Well, touchy subject aside, Marrok is one interesting man, and the woman who tames him is both gentle and assertive enough to keep him guessing—and not realizing that his heart is tied up in knots. If you want to know how it’s going to end, check out TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS.

 

******Leave a comment for the chance to win a small gift basket with any in print book off Shelley’s/Shayla’s backlist and the first 3 chapters of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS. Good Luck!