Interview with a Vampire By N.J. Walters

Myths and legends are more than just passing interests for Sonia Agostino. She holds degrees in folklore and anthropology, and she comes from a family of Keepers, humans charged with helping paranormal creatures survive in the modern world.

Recently, her research—and her intuition—have led her to Chicago’s Inhibitions nightclub. Its enigmatic owner, known only as Damek, could be the one paranormal creature she has never seen. A vampire. Except he won’t see her.

Damek has good reason to refuse an audience with Sonia. One look at her and his gut reaction is she’s a serious threat to the simple, highly disciplined routine that keeps his bloodlust in check. Worse, she has unwittingly led vampire hunters far too close for comfort.

Yet when she stubbornly shows up at the nightclub a second time, he cannot refuse her. The force of their attraction explodes with erotic power—and danger. For when Sonia discovers that her suspicions were true, she finds her loyalties unexpectedly tested. And her choice will forever change both their lives.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I sit quietly and stare out over the cavernous space, which is empty other than the two people working behind the long bar dominating one side of the room. With the music silent and the overhead lights on it resembles more of warehouse than one of the most popular nightclubs in Chicago—Inhibitions. I’m thrilled that the owner of the club has agreed to see me. Just because Damek and I know one another doesn’t mean my welcome here is assured. He likes to keep to himself. Always has.

 

The surge of power hits me and jerks my head around. Dressed, as always, in a designer suit tailored to his lithe build, Damek strides toward me. His black, shoulder-length hair is smooth as silk and gleams in the light. The firm set of his lips bothers me and I wonder if he’ll even talk to me.

 

NJW: Thanks for seeing me.

 

He slides into the seat across from me and studies me with his dark, hypnotic eyes. I glance away.

 

DAMEK: You said you wished to interview me.

 

NJW: I’d like to ask you a few questions, to allow readers to get a better insight into you and the way you think.

 

DAMEK: Is that wise?

 

He raises one eyebrow and leans back nonchalantly against the back of the leather bench seat. Not for one second do I believe he’s relaxed. Beneath his suit, his muscles are coiled and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. I swallow hard.
NJW: I think so.

 

He inclines his head in a gracious nod, but I can sense his irritation. I’ve always been able to sense his moods.

 

DAMEK: Ask away.

 

I want to start with the question most asked by readers, but I hesitate, not sure how he’ll react. Still, I did promise to do this interview. I take a deep breath and plunge onward.

 

NJW: You’re good friends with Craig Lawton. A lot of readers wonder why you didn’t end up with him.

 

A deep chill filled the air around me at the first mention of Craig’s name and I wonder if I’ve gone too far. I know how protective he feels about that particular human. He frowns and then a slow smile momentarily crosses his lips, giving me the briefest glimpse of sharp, pearly fangs.

 

DAMEK: I’ve always found humans fascinating. After all, I used to be one. But it is hard to watch friends die out one by one as the centuries pass and it became easier to allow no one close. Craig is different, his mind agile, his loyalty unsurpassed. As for ending up with him…I am attracted to his mind, not his body. I much prefer females when it comes to sex.

 

Okay, so I navigated that particular minefield without having it explode. I decide it’s best to move on to the next question.

 

NJW: You’re a vampire, a species that usually keeps to itself. But you’re also friends with the Striker brothers and the Haven werewolf pack. How did you become friends with them?

 

Damek tilts his head to one side and studies me.

 

DAMEK: Such an inquisitive mind.

 

I shrug, unable to deny his claim.

 

NJW: If I weren’t, your story would never have been told.

 

DAMEK: True enough. The story is personal and not one I’m willing to get into, but let’s just say that times have changed in the past century. With the rise of technology, the paranormal bounty hunters have been able to mobilize better, which is not a good thing for either species. Joshua and Isaiah Striker passed along some information to me back nineteen nineties that was instrumental to my avoiding a pack of rabid vampire hunters. I owed them.

 

NJW: But it’s more than that.

 

DAMEK: It is. I find I like the damn troublesome werewolves. Plus, there is no denying their impeccable taste in women.

 

One corner of his mouth turns up in a smile and I can feel how much he likes the werewolves…and the women.

 

NJW: Yet, the wolves haven’t always extended trust to you.

 

I know I’ve hit a sore spot when his smile fades and his eyes tinge with red. I swallow hard and try to slow the racing of my heart.

 

DAMEK: Tread carefully.

 

NJW: Sorry, but it’s true. And it’s unfair.

 

I’m indignant on his behalf. Damek’s done nothing but protect and help the wolves, and when he needed their absolute trust, he didn’t get it, at least not from everyone. The red fades from his eyes and they warm slightly. I know that he’s read my thoughts and I feel my face heating under his regard.

 

DAMEK: Thank you.

 

NJW: You’re welcome.

 

I don’t want to push my luck and decide it’s time to wrap up this interview.

 

NJW: One final question. Your life has changed a lot in recent days. Are you planning on staying in Chicago or are you going to relocate anytime soon?

 

DAMEK: Much has changed, but I like this city. I enjoy the people who live here and have no plans to leave in the near future.

 

I note he doesn’t mention the Haven pack or Craig Lawton specifically. Nor does he mention Sonia Agostino, but I can see by the warning in his dark gaze that she is totally off limits for discussion. That’s okay by me. I want readers to delve into his book and discover that particular story for themselves.

 

NJW: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.

 

DAMEK: My pleasure.

 

He rises, inclines his head in a courtly gesture and leaves me seated at the table. He stops at the bar momentarily before heading to his office.

 

My interview with Damek is done and I release a slow breath. As much as I love him, he’s not an easy man to be around. Not surprising considering he’s a one thousand year old vampire. There is so much he could tell me about the history of the world. He’s lived it. But he keeps his thoughts to himself, self contained and powerful, a necessity that’s kept him alive as long as it has.

 

I look up as I sense someone approaching the table. One of the bartenders places a glass of red wine on the table in front of me. “Compliments of the boss,” she tells me before walking away. I pick up the glass and sip. The wine is fruity and full-bodied, with just a touch of something I can’t quite place…

 

 

NOTE: If you want to find out more, check out Damek’s Redemption by N.J. Walters, now available from Samhain Publishing.

 

LINK: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/dameks-redemption-p-7045.html

 

 

N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

 

Visit me at:

Website: http://www.njwalters.com

Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com

Newsletter Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Nj-Walters/714113604

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor

~~~*~~~*~~~

For a chance to win a digital copy of DAMEK’S REDEMPTION, just leave a comment below. Good luck! 😀

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Cover Reveal: Blood in the Valley by J.K. Hogan

 

Title: Blood in the Valley (The Vigilati Series, Book 2)

Author: J.K. Hogan

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: May 2^nd, 2013

The daughter of a Las Vegas hustler, Raven Sabatier grew up trusting nothing and no one—she doesn’t even trust herself to stay in one place for longer than a minute. When her quest to find out the secrets of her past leads her to the mountains of North Carolina, she’s set on a collision course with the one man she thought she’d never see again.

In Appalachia consulting on an archeological dig, Anthropologist Dr. Drew Deveraux comes face to face with the indomitable beauty who broke into his apartment a year ago, tilting his carefully cultivated world on its axis.

Engaged in a fight with their demons, both imagined and real, the last thing either of them expected to find was love. Together, they must unravel the mystery of Raven’s past and her connection with an ancient race of witches, in order to save their future—and all of the souls hanging in the balance.

 

About J.K. Hogan

J.K. Hogan has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, magic happened. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her stories as she writes them.

J.K. resides in North Carolina, where she was born and raised. A true southern girl at heart, she lives on a farm with her husband and their three horses, one miniature donkey, one cat, and two champion agility dogs.

In addition to writing, she enjoys training and competing in dog sports, spending time with her large southern family, camping, boating and, of course, reading! Please feel free to visit J.K.’s contact page—she’d love to hear from you!

 

 

Find out more about J.K. Hogan and her books:

http://jkhogan.com/

http://twitter.com/JK_Hogan

http://www.facebook.com/OfficialJKHogan

http://www.goodreads.com/jkhogan

http://www.amazon.com/author/jkhogan

 

Check out the first book in the Vigilati Series, Fire on the Island:

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Island-J-K-Hogan/dp/1938404173/ref=la_B008UXO15E_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345334929&sr=1-1

 

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Island-Vigilati-ebook/dp/B008RO8BZM/ref=la_B008UXO15E_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1345334929&sr=1-1

 

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fire-on-the-island-jk-hogan/111210251

 

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Maggie Robinson Guest Blog and Giveaway!

It wouldn’t be release day if I weren’t sitting on Fatin’s virtual couch! Thanks so much for having me back to talk about the two November releases I have.

 

Yes, two. One is the mass-market re-release of the anthology Lords of Passion, which first came out in December 2010. I share the title with the fabulous writers Kate Pearce and Virginia Henley, and the cover got changed just a little from the original trade paperback.  Sensible Pru and scoundrel Darius are the h/h in my story, “Not Quite a Courtesan.” Reviews at the time called it “delicious” and “…funny. Really funny.”

 

I’m so excited to be out in mass-market—in these days when every penny counts, mm books are more affordable than trade paperbacks. As an author, I don’t get to set pricing, unfortunately. But I hope readers like my books enough to shell out a little extra for Lord Gray’s List, the first book in my new London List series. Lords are everywhere this November!

 

Early reviews for Lord Gray’s List say it’s “sexy, smart and fun”, “witty,” “pure fun,” and “the perfect blend of heart, wit, charm and heat.”  Evangeline Ramsey has been skewering her old love Benton Gray on the front page of her newspaper, and needless to say, he’s sick of it. When he tries to stop her, they discover not everything is black and white. I had such a blast with independent, trouser-wearing Evie and bad boy Ben.

 

My grandmother always said it was vulgar to talk about money in public, but she passed away long ago. In an ideal world, what price point do you think is perfect for a paperback? How about an electronic addition? We’ll have an unscientific survey. I’ll give away Lords of Passion ($6.99) to one commenter and Lord Gray’s List (discounted on Amazon to $11.18) to another!

 

Back cover blurb for Lord Gray’s List:

From duchesses to chamber maids, everybody’s reading it. Each Tuesday, The London List appears, filled with gossip and scandal, offering job postings and matches for the lovelorn–and most enticing of all, telling the tales and selling the wares a more modest publication wouldn’t touch.

The creation of Evangeline Ramsey, the London List saved her and her ailing father from destitution. But the paper has given Evie more than financial relief. As its publisher, she lives as a man, dressed in masculine garb, free to pursue and report whatever she likes–especially the latest disgraces besmirching Lord Benton Gray. It’s only fair she hang his dirty laundry, given that it was his youthful ardor that put her off marriage for good.

Lord Gray–Ben–isn’t about to stand by while all of London laughs at his peccadilloes week after week. But once he discovers that the publisher is none other than pretty Evie Ramsey with her curls lopped short, his worries turn to desires–and not a one of them fit to print.

Back cover blurb for Lords of Passion:

Sensible bluestocking Prudence Thorne has been too busy keeping her cousin Sophy out of trouble to experience any adventures of her own. But when Sophy begs Prudence’s help in saving her marriage, Pru encounters handsome, worldly Darius Shaw. And under Darius’s skilled tutelage, Pru learns just how delightful a little scandal can be…

*****

For a chance to win LORD GRAY’S LIST and LORDS OF PASSION, just leave a comment below. And to find out more about Maggie Robinson, visit www.maggierobinson.net.

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Review – Now You See it by Cait Donnelly

 

Blurb:

Former Navy SEAL Brady McGrath has no trouble attracting female attention. But women never stick around long once they learn he can read feelings through touch. When an old Navy buddy hires him to protect his sister, he doesn’t need extra-sensory abilities to know someone wants something from Gemma Cavanagh—something worth killing for.

Gemma’s finally getting a handle on her own unique ability to make things disappear–even making them reappear on occasion. When someone breaks into her house and hacks into her computer, she’s certain her soon-to-be-ex husband is to blame—until the police show up on her doorstep with the news he’s been murdered. And she’s their number one suspect.

After barely escaping a firebombing, Gemma and Brady are forced into hiding—and forced to confront the chemistry between them. But as they desperately search for the killer, can Brady help Gemma harness her abilities—and keep her from finding out about his own dark past?

After finishing this book, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it overall. It started really strong. Gemma’s separation from her husband and resulting feelings from it came across as believable. Not only was I sympathetic for her but I genuinely liked her.  I also really liked the instant spark of attraction between Gemma and Brady and how they were both cautious to act on it. Gemma and Brady both have psychic abilities. I know many readers don’t like those abilities mixed in with their romantic suspense but I love it. Seeing that in a blurb basically guarantees that I’ll want to read it.  Gemma’s ability was pretty unique. She calls it “filing.” Things vanish around her and reappear in different locations. As a child, she could control what vanished and where it reappeared but after a difficult period in her life, she lost that control.

Unfortunately, the psychic abilities were one of my issues with Now You See It. They didn’t play a significant part in the suspense until the last two pages  nor was it used to move the story along. It was just something the hero and heroine had in common and I felt that could have been replaced with something like a simple interest in antique cars and it would have had the same impact. That was a disappointment to me.

The romance itself was a slow build. The first kiss isn’t until 49% and by that point, I was wanting to yell at them to get on with it. However, once they finally decided to act on it, it was really good!

Then there is Brady. I alternated between wanting to love him and being confused by him. Brady the computer geek, Brady the former SEAL, Brady the psychic, and Brady the former task force member never jelled for me as a complete character. There was too much going on with him for me to fully grasp who he was and connect with him.

There were parts of the book I totally enjoyed and other parts I had issues with. I wanted to love Now You See It more than I did but I will likely read book two in the series when it becomes available. It’s not at the top of my wishlist but this series has a lot of potential.

3 stars

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 5th, 2012
Format: Digital

Preorder:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

 

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Winners!

Jessi Gage

wins TIP OF THE SPEAR by Marie Harte in kindle format

*

Cathy V

wins HEIRESS AT HEART by Jennifer Delamere

*

Congrats! To claim your prize, please email mad @ romancereaderatheart.com (without the spaces). You have 48 hours to email before a new name is chosen.

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Katie Porter’s Amazing Race for a Kindle

A Fun Contest set up by Katie Porter.

Have you read a book by the debut co-writing team of Katie Porter? Have you told others what you think? Now’s your chance! With Kindles!

We’d love to get the word out by giving others access to the most important opinions of all: those of readers! It’s so simple. Just post a review of DOUBLE DOWN on Amazon.

Love it, hate it, think it’s worth a solid three stars…? Want to write a few lines or a treatise? We can’t wait to hear what you think. Here are the prizes.

When DOUBLE DOWN reaches 25 reviews, we’ll give away a $50 Amazon gift certificate to a randomly selected reviewer.

When DOUBLE DOWN reaches 50 reviews, we’ll give away a $119 Kindle Paperwhite.
When DOUBLE DOWN reaches 100 reviews, and for every 100 reviews after that, we’ll give away a $199 Kindle Fire HD.

You only need to enter once. One person. One voice. But your chances are never exhausted–unless you win, of course. For example, if you’re reviewer number 12, you’ll be eligible for the 25, 50, and 100+ review prizes. By encouraging other Katie Porter fans to participate, you up the prize stakes.

Fine print: No purchase necessary–coz hey, libraries and friends loan copies all the time. We’ll ship anywhere these American version Kindle devices are functional, or replace the prize with an Amazon gift card equivalent. Those who already own Kindles may choose a Amazon gift card equivalent. Your opinion will not affect your odds, as all drawings will be conducted via Random.org. Contest ends December 27, 2012. Void where prohibited..

Thank you for your enthusiasm, and best of luck in your amazing race to a Kindle!

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Cover Goodness – Time Dancer by Inez Kelley

Inez Kelley has revealed the cover for her next Eldwyn Chronicles book! So pretty!

 

TIME DANCER

book 3 Eldwyn Chronicles

Life and love hinge on just one moment in time…

Jana Haruk’s magic was nothing more than an amusing trick until an undiscovered power manifested in her dreams— the ability to move backward through time. In the past, she must break the curse that now threatens her loved ones, threatens the Crown and endangers her homeland. She needs a guide to teach her, a spell called from afar.

Darach is that spell, a tracker with the magic to delve into the depths of Jana’s soul. Solid as the very Earth he is born of, he alone can guide Jana to a time of darkness, evil and the beginnings of a blood curse. Death stalks Eldwyn’s royal line, and if Jana and Darach are to save them, they must trust each other beyond the bounds of life and peel back the layers of time itself.

 

Available February 2013

inezkelley.com

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Exploring a Piece of History by Jennifer Delamere

A youthful indiscretion has cost Lizzie Poole more than just her honor. After five years living in exile, she’s finally returning home, but she’s still living a secret life. Her best friend Ria’s dying wish was for Lizzie to assume her identity, return to London, and make amends that Ria herself would never live to make. Bearing a striking resemblance to her friend, and harboring more secrets than ever before, Lizzie embarks on a journey that tempts her reckless heart once again . . .

A committed clergyman, Geoffrey Somerville’s world is upended when he suddenly inherits the title of Lord Somerville. Now he’s invited to every ball and sought after by the matchmaking mothers of London society. Yet the only woman to capture his heart is the one he cannot have: his brother’s young widow, Ria. Duty demands he deny his feelings, but his heart longs for the mysterious beauty. With both their futures at stake, will Lizzie be able to keep up her façade? Or will she find the strength to share her secret and put her faith in true love?

 

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Have you ever read about a time in the past that sounded so fascinating that you wished you could have experienced it for yourself? I enjoy reading books about history, and so this happens to me a lot!

 

That’s why I love writing historical fiction—it’s a way for me to immerse myself in the details of a time and place and imagine myself there—to step into that world, so to speak.

 

I chose 1851 London for the setting of An Heiress at Heart because during that year an event took place that was one of the high points for England in the nineteenth century. That event was the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, now generally referred to as the Great Exhibition of 1851. Sometimes it is also described as the very first world’s fair.

 

Imagine taking a summertime stroll through Hyde Park, one of the largest parks in London. You are walking along a path by a long and narrow lake known as the Serpentine, enjoying the sight of ducks swimming at the water’s edge. You come around a bend in the path and see something truly startling in the distance: it is a giant building made of glass! It is the length of six football fields, and yet the park is so large that there are still open stretches of green all around it—plenty of room for the many people who are coming and going from the building. Its roof is three stories high and trimmed with colorful flags, and one section is arched to accommodate the 90-ft elm trees inside.

 

When you walk inside, sunlight pours through the glass onto plants, statuary, and bright banners. Birds twitter in the live trees. The building is filled with engineering marvels of all kinds, from steam engines and cotton spinning machines to the “latest” invention: photography! You can also find displays of fine art and gaze at the Hope Diamond. You can spend a whole day here and still not see all of the thousands of items brought in from around the world. It’s no wonder it captured the imagination of the people of the time. Charlotte Bronte visited the Exhibition and later wrote, “It seems as if only magic could have gathered this mass of wealth from all the ends of the earth.” It captured my imagination too, which is why several scenes in An Heiress at Heart are set at the Great Exhibition. I hope you will enjoy visiting 1851 London as much as I enjoyed writing about it.

 

How about you? Is there some time or place in history that you would love to see for yourself if you could? Would you want to stay there permanently, or simply visit?

 

Jennifer Delamere

http://www.jenniferdelmere.com

Twitter: @JenDelamere

http://www.facebook.com/Jennifer.Delamere

 

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

For a chance to win HEIRESS AT HEART by Jennifer Delamere, just leave a comment below. Good luck!

 

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Review – Lord’s Fall by Thea Harrison

 

Dragos has two spots to fill in the ranks of his most trusted warriors and is hosting the Sentinel Games to find them. A televised event in a packed Madison Square Garden with dignitaries from all demesnes attending, it requires Dragos’s full attention. As the games begin, a pregnant Pia heads to South Carolina to try and fix the problems Dragos caused with the Elves in Dragon Bound. As usual, Pia is a trouble magnet. When she arrives in South Carolina with her new security team, an ancient Power is waiting.

For the first half of the book, Dragos and Pia are in separate locations and I was worried that this might impact how much I enjoyed the story. That wasn’t the case. They met every night in their dreams, as we first saw them do in Dragon Bound. It also gives glimpses into their memories of the past year, the more intimate moments as well as the fun times. It allowed me to catch up on what’s been going on with them since their book and where their relationship is now. Dragos is trying to learn to bend and be a partner after spending all these years as an autocratic leader. Pia is making strides in finding her place in a world she has hidden from her whole life and learning to stand her ground with a mate that is as old as creation.

One thing that has stayed the same is the pure badassness of Dragos. Harsh, impatient, able to nurture a grudge for centuries, his word is law and he takes pride in everyone being afraid of his temper. Except Pia and their unborn child. Watching such a tough guy lose it when he thinks they are in danger and tremble when they are safe made me melt. I adored every page where they were together. The action and suspense were good. I enjoyed the way this world continues to change and the additions Ms. Harrison made to it but it was the bond between Dragos and Pia that made Lord’s Fall so wonderful for me. It gave us moments like this:

She was his beacon to what others called decency, not because she told him how to act but because she made him want to try.

And this:

The dragon came to a realization and was amazed. In the unending years of his acquisitive existence, despite all of his hoarding of the treasure of kingdoms and emperors, he had never been rich before this. She had come into his life to steal from him, and in the process she had given him everything she had.

I was happy sighing all over this book. It was everything I was hoping for. I should warn that it will not stand alone very well. Not only is Dragon Bound necessary to this story but other threads throughout the series are pulled together in Lord’s Fall. Rune and Carling make an appearance as Dragos battles his anger and hurt over his former First’s desertion. The prophesy that was revealed in Serpent’s Kiss and carries over to Oracle’s Moon plays a very large part in this plot. More is revealed about the mysterious Quentin. Even the Gods mentioned in the novellas published through Samhain Publishing are important. Some of this is covered again but not a lot of time is spent on it.

If you are caught up on The Elder Races series, I can’t recommend Lord’s Fall highly enough. It was fantastic! If you love paranormal romance and aren’t caught up on this series, you’re missing out.

5 stars

 

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Format: Print and Digital

Preorder:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

 

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Review – Nauti Temptress by Lora Leigh

I will start by saying that the blurbs on the author’s site, publisher’s site, Amazon, and Goodreads are wrong. The setting and hero’s name is right, everything else including the heroine’s name, background, and plot are incorrect.

Here’s the real story.

Dawg Mackay has four teenage half-sisters he never knew about. Timothy Cranston shows up to break the news, with the sisters and their mother in tow. Family is everything to the Mackays and Dawg steps up to take care of them. This is in the prologue. The story takes place five years later.

Eve Mackay is the oldest sister. She’s had the hots for Brogan Campbell, one of the men who lives at the family’s bed and breakfast, ever since he came to town two and a half years ago. The attraction is mutual. Brogan was sent to work undercover in Somerset with the main objective to get close to Eve for reasons unknown. He waited because he didn’t want to drag her into the middle of an operation but now he’s tired of waiting. Dawg has heard the rumors that Brogan is a traitor and forces Eve to promise she’ll stay away from him. This is a promise Eve can’t keep.

I would like to tell you more about the plot but I can’t. Not because it’s spoilers. I just didn’t understand it. It’s the most convoluted book I’ve ever read. I couldn’t follow it with a map and a flashlight. After reading the entire book, I still don’t know why Eve was involved.  Or who the mystery man is that was mentioned constantly during the first half of the book. Or what Dawg knew and when he knew it. It was all, well, dumb. At one point Brogan thinks:

What the fuck was going on in this place, and just how screwed up were the criminals operating here?

I don’t know, Brogan. I’m wondering the same thing.

More than having a wacky plot that confused me, this book made me angry. The blatant disrespect for women by the men in this book was rage inducing. In the prologue, Natches calls his terrified teenage cousins that he just met bitches.  Later, Eve is explaining to Brogan that she’s not sleeping with him until he sees her as his equal. He tells her when “you’ve grown a ten inch dick at some point” he’ll consider her his equal. It looks like in the new Mackay world you are only worthy of respect if you have a penis.

Brogan was once engaged. The condom broke, the fiancee became pregnant then aborted his child without talking to him. He dumped her. Fast forward to the first time Brogan and Eve have sex. The condom breaks and he doesn’t tell her. The next afternoon, he has sex with her again, this time without the condom. When she mentions it, he says it doesn’t matter. Whatever happens was started the night before when the condom broke. When she asks why he didn’t tell her, he said he wanted to wait until it was too late for her to take the morning after pill because he doesn’t believe in abortion. She is hurt and feels betrayed.

She couldn’t believe he would even suspect she would do something so horrible. That she would abort her baby, just get rid of it as though it were trash.

Where do I even start with that? Maybe with the fact that the morning after pill isn’t abortion? It only prevents conception, the same as regular birth control does. Or maybe what a jerk Brogan is for not giving Eve the courtesy of knowing the condom broke. He didn’t even assure her he was disease free. And he never once offers an apology at any point in the book. I expected many things from this book but a morality lesson from the author wasn’t one of them.

A few of the interactions between Natches and Rowdy were amusing. Other than that, I found nothing redeemable about this book.

1 star

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Format: Print and Digital

Preorder:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

 

*ARC provided by publisher

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