Until I sat down to write Darkest Caress, I’d never even attempted paranormal romance before. I’d thought about it trying it, letting little story details form, but never took the idea all that seriously. All I knew was that if I ever did write a paranormal romance, I wanted it to be about something other than vamps and shifters. I just didn’t know what.
Then in the fall of 2009 I went to Lithuania on holiday (oh, it’s a really long story, and part of me is still surprised that I went), and something magical happened. In the midst of a picturesque, magical seaside town named Nida, I found my inspiration.
Walking along towering sand dunes overlooking the Baltic Sea and following a shadow-dappled path through the woods past wooden sculptures depicting local folklore, it suddenly all came together.
That place was filled with a magic so strong that my skin tingled and the hair on my arms stood on end. I had to wait a while before I could plot out the story, but I couldn’t wait to bring my magical race to life on the page. The ancient tales I’d heard of witches and a Baltic sea goddess named Neringa were too incredible for my overactive imagination to ignore. I suddenly knew what my characters would be, and where they came from. In that moment, the idea for The Empowered was born. I hope you enjoy Darkest Caress.
Which paranormal romances feature the best world building, in your opinion? Please leave me a comment to enter a contest for a digital copy of Darkest Caress.
Two-hundred-year-old Daegan Blackwell is one of the last remaining Empowered, an ancient magical race. Daegan’s duty is to lead and protect his remaining Brethren in the coming war foretold by prophecy. The last thing he expects is to meet the one woman who will either save or destroy him-his destined mate.
Fiercely independent Realtor Olivia Farrell believes darkly handsome Daegan is simply a prospective client. Until she’s attacked by a man with a strange aura-and Daegan fights him off, taking away her pain with just his touch. At first, Olivia refuses to believe she’s part of a magical race, yet mounting evidence and her powerful chemistry with Daegan are too strong to deny.
But as Daegan’s partner, Olivia becomes a target in the battle between good and evil that threatens her life, as well as the very existence of the Empowered. And the only one who can save her is the man claiming to be her destiny…
Happy reading!
Kaylea Cross
Kaylea Cross is an award winning author of edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense. A Registered Massage Therapist, Kaylea is an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dancer and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband.
You can find her through her website, Twitter, Facebook, and blog.
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