Monday, November 30, 2015

Book Blitz: The Scarlett Legacy by K.N. Lee!


Book Info-
Title- The Scarlett Legacy
Series- Woodland Creek Shifters

By- K.N. Lee
Genre- YA Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Woodland Creek Series.
30 Authors. 30 Shifter Stories.



Wizards. Shifters. Murderers. Welcome to Woodland Creek where one family of wizards gives new meaning to organized crime.
Evie Scarlett wanted two things: marry Parker Drake and leave Woodland Creek. But when Hugh Prince, a dangerous crime boss, is mysteriously murdered while awaiting trial for her father's murder, all eyes turn to the Scarlett family.
The arrival of Hugh's youngest son, Avalon brings a century-old feud to a dangerous climax. This vengeful wizard gives Evie's older brother a choice: die or give Evie to him. When Evie's plans for escape are broken by familial duty, she must find a way to protect those she loves and win back her freedom. What she finds is an ancient power that she never knew she had. A power that might change everything she thought she knew about her family.

Links:




K.N. Lee is an award-winning author that resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. When she is not writing twisted tales, fantasy novels, and dark poetry, she does a great deal of traveling and promotes other authors. Wannabe rock-star, foreign language enthusiast, and anime geek, K.N. Lee also enjoys helping others reach their writing and publishing goals. She is a winner of the Elevate Lifestyle Top 30 Under 30 "Future Leaders of Charlotte" award for her success as a writer, business owner, and for community service.

Her works include, Rise of the Flame, The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld, Dark Prophet, A Gifted Curse, Wicked Webs, Empty Your Heart, Pixie Dust, and the paranormal collection of short stories, Thicker Than Blood.

Author, K.N. Lee loves hearing from fans and readers. Connect with her!

Links:
Website - www.Kn-Lee.com
Book Nymph PR -  www.WriteLikeAWizard.com
K.N. Lee's Newsletter- ow.ly/H28Nb



Monday, November 9, 2015

Review: Caerwin and the Roman Dog by Lizzie Ashworth!

Set in 47 AD, the story centers on a young Cornovii princess—Caerwin—who watches from the rocky battlements of her tribe’s hillfort as Rome’s legions approach. Devastation ensues as the Roman phalanx crushes Briton’s valiant warriors. Captured and held in Roman camp, she faces Legate Marcellus Antistius who makes it clear she will submit to his demands. In spite of her resistance, he forces her pleasure. She begs to die.
Caught between his increasing infatuation with this Briton princess and the demands of his military command, Marcellus must come to terms with his past.
A fiery novel of domination and submission, this historical romance follows Caerwin as she refuses to come to terms with her new reality: life as she knew it is over. Forever. In its place stands a man she can never love.



Caerwin and the Roman Dog is a unique and enjoyable tale. Ashworth is a great storyteller and I very much enjoyed her writing. I have always been fascinated by the Romans and jumped at the chance to read this story. 

I love stories that include actual historical details and extensive research. It makes the story both more authentic and more enjoyable because the situations the characters face are believable, if not accurate for the time period. Combine the facts with bits of fiction and it usually makes for a fascinating story. I very much enjoyed the addition of Latin throughout the novel. Including that took the story to a new level. I did not look at the glossary until the end, so I was confused like Caerwin in the beginning and had to learn what the words meant through explanation or context. That helped me connect with her character. I loved the addition of the glossary of terms and author's note at the end. 

Because the story deals with darker topics such as rape, slavery and war, and can be dark at times, I was surprised at how much I liked this story. Those hard topics are never glossed over. The story is gritty and raw and that is what made it so much different than any other book I have read. I enjoy the honesty of the story, even when the characters are faced with bad circumstances. 

The relationship dynamics between the two main characters was very interesting to watch play out. Caerwin is feisty, yet submissive. You can't help but feel for her through all the hell she is put through. Marcellus is captivating. It's no wonder that Caerwin began to fall for him, even as his slave.  I was not sure at how I would feel about him as a character at the beginning of the novel, but as he softened toward Caerwin, I softened toward him. I found the idea of a Roman officer slowly falling in love with his captive very romantic.

There are some erotic elements in the story. Though I am not normally a fan of that sort of thing, I think it worked well in this book. It helps to define their relationship through the story- first they are joined in lust, and then with love. The erotic elements are perfectly balanced with other aspects of the book. It is rich with history, battle scenes and a great deal of character development.

I am so glad there will be a second book, so I can spend more time with these characters and time period. After the cliff hanger at the end of this novel I am anxiously awaiting to see what happens between Caerwin and Marcellus after they are reunited. Though the romance only happened toward the end of the novel, I think their story has the potential of becoming a truly beautiful love story.

4/5

Sunday, November 8, 2015

New Release Spotlight: Caerwin and the Roman Dog!

Lizzie Ashworth’s new release: Caerwin and the Roman Dog

Set in 47 AD, the story centers on a young Cornovii princess—Caerwin—who watches from the rocky battlements of her tribe’s hillfort as Rome’s legions approach. Devastation ensues as the Roman phalanx crushes Briton’s valiant warriors. Captured and held in Roman camp, she faces Legate Marcellus Antistius who makes it clear she will submit to his demands. In spite of her resistance, he forces her pleasure. She begs to die.
Caught between his increasing infatuation with this Briton princess and the demands of his military command, Marcellus must come to terms with his past.
A fiery novel of domination and submission, this historical romance follows Caerwin as she refuses to come to terms with her new reality: life as she knew it is over. Forever. In its place stands a man she can never love.



Lizzie Ashworth has been through career, marriage, kids, and even ran her own cafe, but writing has always been her secret love. Hidden away on a remote woodland hilltop in the Arkansas Ozarks, she accepts advice from her hound dog Weezie and her black cat Esmeralda. She has authored seven novels and several short stories which explore the intimate nuances of human relationships.

Liz writes erotic romance because her mind just naturally runs to the gutter. Also, it’s way past time to celebrate women’s sexual freedom and the evolution of our culture to finally bring sex out of the closet. What she find most exciting about this minute in the history of literature is that through indie publishing, the author can directly connect with her readers.

She enjoys cooking, gardening, and vacations at the Pacific coast. Sunrise and sunset provide her favorite moments, the magical twilight between two worlds when anything seems possible. Most of all, she loves snuggling up with a good book.




The man she had seen on the white horse paused in the opening. His stare fastened on her and sent chills down her spine. He stood taller than the other men, his body of a stature more like her own people than these rat men of Rome. His layered metal vest had been removed as had his helmet and other outer garments, so that he wore only loose breeches that ended at his knees. She swallowed, casting her eyes away after her first long frozen moment.
“Do you like what you see?” he asked quietly.
The words shocked her, spoken fluently her familiar language. She turned to face him. Words rose to her lips but remained unspoken. He examined her, openly casting his gaze up and down her body as if he owned her. The terrible realization struck her—he did own her. She had been caught up at his command and now stood captive to his whim.
She spat in his direction and turned her face away. Tugging against the tight leather bonds, she succeeded only in chafing her wrists. Her nerves heightened to brittle pitch as she sensed him approaching. She knew what he would do, what such men did to captured women.
He placed himself in front of her, so close she could not look away without seeing his chest. His scent stung her nose, sharp and edged with the copper hint of blood. Stains marked his arms and face, sweat-encrusted dirt and smears of blood. His voice startled her, so close and so quiet.
“What is this trinket?” he asked, fingering the torque.
She glared at him. “Shall you steal it from me like you have stolen our lives and our land?”
“I wish only to converse with you, to ease this friendship we’ve started.”
She snorted and strained at the bonds holding her. “I wish only to kill you. I would leave your body for the crows.”
He grabbed her face and held her still while his mouth tasted her. His lips moved against her lips. His tongue sought the seam and when she refused to spread her jaw, he bit her lower lip. Her shocked cry gave him entry, and his tongue invaded her mouth, probing and pushing.
Hate rose in her chest, blinding her. She clamped her teeth down on his tongue, savoring a brief taste of blood as he jerked back.
Vipera!” He wiped his hand over his mouth. “You won’t win this battle, but if you wish a contest…” His big hand closed over the neck of her garment and ripped it down the front of her body. The beautiful woolen dress she had so carefully woven hung off her shoulders.
“I will have you,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Whether you wish it or not. Let the others portion out the gold and silver, whatever meager wealth your tribe held. I have wealth enough in coin. You with your hair like copper,” he added, fingering her long braid, “your eyes blue as sky—you are my pillage for this day.”
Evening damp had risen from the nearby river, and the cool air hit her exposed skin like a slap. She refused to look down on her nakedness or to meet his smirking gaze as he made a show of his careful examination. He pinched her nipples and probed the thatch of red hair between her legs.
“A virgin?” He laughed, pressing his finger deeper. “I’m surprised you’ve reached such an age without marriage. I will find much pleasure in this.”
She flinched with his intrusion. Were it not for the ties binding her ankles and wrists, she would have flown at him and gouged out his eyes. She cursed him, calling down the wrath of gods on him and his company.
“Your gods won’t help you,” he said, removing his finger and inspecting the faintly-red stain. “I’m your god now.”

Links:
Website and blog:  http://lizzieashworth.com/
Pinterest page (includes boards for all her books)  Check out my “Romans” board for more on Caerwin and the Roman Dog. https://www.pinterest.com/ashworthlizzie/romans/



Blog Barrage: Marked by an Assassin by Felicity Heaton!

Marked by an Assassin Blog Barrage - Felicity Heaton

Marked by an Assassin, the eighth book in New York Times best-seller Felicity Heatonís hot paranormal romance series, Eternal Mates, is now available in ebook and paperback. To celebrate the release, sheís holding a FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY at her website and sharing sneak peeks of the book.
Find out how to enter the Marked by an Assassin international giveaway (ends November 15th) and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website, where you can also download a 4 chapter sample of the novel: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/marked-by-an-assassin-paranormal-romance-novel.php
Hereís more about Marked by an Assassin, including an excerpt from this paranormal romance novel.
Marked by an Assassin by Felicity Heaton 
A snow leopard shifter exiled from his pride twenty years ago, Harbin treads the dark path of life as an assassin, driven by a hunger for vengeance, mercilessly hunting the Archangel members who attacked his kin, murdering his mother and sister.
When a new contract comes in and the mark is a snow leopard shifter, he canít resist venturing into the mortal world on a personal mission to find out why one from a normally peaceful species now has a price on their head. What he finds in a rundown nightclub isnít quite what he expectsóa beautiful snow leopard female that awakens a fierce hunger inside him.
Aya has spent seventeen years living in London, immersed in the underbelly of the fae world, keeping her head down and her tail out of trouble. But when trouble walks right into her life in the form of a sinfully handsome, dangerous assassin, she is pulled into a whirlwind of events that stir up the nightmares of her past but might just give her a shot at putting those ghosts to restóif she can resist the dark allure of a male she knows is her fated mate.
Can Harbin and Aya resist the passionate fire that blazes between them as they chase the vengeance they both crave? Or will they surrender to their deepest desires?

Marked by an Assassin is available from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iBooks stores and other retailers. Also available in paperback. Find the links to your preferred retailer at: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/marked-by-an-assassin-paranormal-romance-novel.php



ìIíd pay double to see you go up against a shifterÖ and a cat no less. At least that Harbin guy isnít around to hear about it.î
That stopped Harbin in his tracks and he frowned across at the two males, studying the brunet wolf to see if he was speaking the truth. A cat shifter?
He had turned towards them before he had even contemplated moving and was at the back of the couch where the wolf shifter lounged before he had even realised he had moved. He stared down at the pup and the male slowly lifted golden eyes to him, his expression falling slack and lips parting as he took him in.
Harbin couldnít blame the kid for looking shocked at the sight of him. He rarely interacted with the other assassins, definitely never with the rookies, and he probably looked as if he had been dragged through the darkest reaches of Hell.
Which he had.
ìCat shifter?î he said and the male nodded dumbly. ìHartt has a job requiring the elimination of a cat shifter?î
The wolf gathered his wits and shot him a cocky smile, one that irritated Harbin because it said what the wolf wouldnít. It asked whether he was hard of hearing or just plain crazy. He hadnít lost his mind. Not yet anyway. He just wanted to be sure that he had heard things right, because in the close to twenty years that he had worked with Hartt as an assassin, there had never been a job involving a cat shifter.
The blond kid got off the other couch and quickly crossed to his friend, hunkering down beside him and bringing his mouth close to the wolfís ear.
ìWhat the hell are you doing? Thatís HarbinÖ Hartt said not to mention it around him,î the blond whispered so low he practically mouthed the words, but Harbinís sensitive ears picked them up.
Harbin narrowed his silver eyes on both males, his lips compressing into a thin line as he contemplated the only reason why Hartt would want to hand out the job before Harbin could hear about it.
The cat shifter was a snow leopard.
He growled, flashing short fangs at the males, and shoved away from the couches, limping quickly across the black floor towards the door in the corner of the room to his left that would lead him to Harttís office. He shoved it open, the slam of it hitting the black wall on the other side echoing around the room at his back and the corridor in front of him, and snarled as he picked up his pace. His left leg trembled under the strain but he gritted his teeth and pushed onwards, the fire burning up his blood keeping him going.
Someone had put a contract on a snow leopard shifter, one of his kind, and he wanted the details.
He wanted to know why Hartt wouldnít give the job to him.
Silvery fur rippled over his forearms before he could stop it, a brief flash of his other form brought out by his agitation. He sucked down a breath and controlled it, his skin cooling as the fur disappeared.
It wasnít as if he held any allegiance to his kin anymore. He had burned that bridge twenty years ago and there was no way in Hell of reconstructing the charred remains of it. The thought that Hartt believed he was incapable of dealing with a snow leopard shifter mark was insulting. He could be as methodical and removed from the situation as he always was. The rage that had consumed him in the aftermath of the event that had driven him from his pride had made sure of that. It had killed all of his softer emotions and only a hunger for bloodshed and death remained.
He passed several doors to other offices, his own included, his gaze locked on the black door at the end of the corridor ahead of him. If Hartt was in an interview, the assassin in question was about to get a rude interruption and shown the door in a not too friendly fashion.
Harbin slammed the flat of his left palm into the door and it flew open.
Hartt was instantly on his feet behind the broad ebony desk directly in front of Harbin, an obsidian blade clutched in his left hand and his skin-tight black armour sweeping over his body as his clothes evaporated. His violet eyes pinned on Harbin and his pointed ears flared back as he bared his fangs on a hiss.
The second recognition dawned in his gaze, he huffed and the blade disappeared, leaving his hand free so he could plough his fingers through his blue-black hair, pulling the longer lengths back from his face.
ìIt isnít wise to barge in uninvited where elves are concerned.î Hartt slumped into his tall-backed black leather chair and blew out his breath as he dragged his hand over his face.
Harbin knew that, but he also didnít care. His blood was burning too hot, running too fast. He wanted answers and he was going to get them.
ìA snow leopard?î He grabbed the door and slammed it shut behind him.
Hartt slowly lifted his violet gaze to him and raised an eyebrow.
He also didnít care that his chief didnít approve of his aggressive behaviour. If they came to blows, it wouldnít be the first time. Hell, it wouldnít be the hundredth time. He had lost count of how many times he and Hartt had fought over something. Hartt was as hot-headed and hot-blooded as Harbin. Sometimes they just needed to blow off steam and the most trivial thing became something to fight over.
Nothing like a good brawl to release some tension.
ìIím not giving you the job.î Hartt held his gaze and then slowly raked his eyes down the length of him. ìHave you looked in the mirror? Youíre in no state to take on another mission right now.î
Harbin knew that, and he also didnít give a damn.
A hot twinge rocketed up his left leg from his fractured tibia, as if his body was trying to emphasise Harttís point. Son of a bitch. He gritted his teeth and schooled his features, trying to hide the pain from Hartt. The elf merely sighed again.
ìYou need to rest and recuperate. Sit this one out.î Hartt straightened in his chair and began shifting papers around on his desk, a clear ëyou can leave nowí that Harbin chose to ignore.
This conversation wasnít done.
It didnít matter that he had just rolled back into the guild after tracking and eliminating multiple targets in a mission that had been demanding to say the least. There wasnít another assassin in the guild who had the patience or balls to tackle such a job, one where they had to take out an entire party of demon mercenaries without alerting the others to the deaths of their comrades.
He had spent three weeks orchestrating it, slowly intervening to adjust the movements of each member of the group to his favour so he could separate them and deal with them individually but swiftly.
None in the guild had the strength to take down five demons of the Fourth Realm in one battle. Attempting to take them down one by one had been dangerous enough and difficult to say the very least. If they had grouped together, they would have easily overpowered him and sent him back to the guild in a box with their regards.
ìYou know you need your best tracker on this.î Harbin dropped his pack on the floor and eased down into the chair opposite Hartt, making it clear he wasnít going to just leave quietly and forget this mission as his boss wanted.
Harttís violet eyes remained locked on what had to be a particularly interesting paper based on how much attention he was giving it.
ìYou donít have an assassin here who can track like I canÖ and I know snow leopards. Iíll get the scent of the mark long before one of the others could find them without using their nose.î
ìI donít want you on this job. You have your orders, Harbin. Rest and recuperate.î Hartt deigned him with a quick glance, his sharp gaze pinning Harbin with a look that warned him to let it go.
It wasnít going to happen.
ìIím taking this job.î Harbin settled both hands behind his head, masking his grimace as his left shoulder blazed in protest, and cupped his neck as he stared at Hartt. ìAnd if you try to give it to someone else, Iíll hear about it and Iíll track them down and kill them.î
Harttís black eyebrows pinched in a frown. Harbin knew he was pushing his luck by threatening other members of the guild, but he needed to be back out there. He needed it.
Why?
He hadnít crossed paths with a snow leopard in a long time. He had avoided them as best he could, spending most of his time in Hell and sticking to cities when he had to visit the mortal realm. He even avoided fae towns because they often had a small population of shifters residing in them.
Why was he so eager to place himself on a collision course with one now?
Harttís questioning look asked him the same thing, and he didnít have an answer for the elf. It was just a need that burned inside him, a quiet voice that urged him to take the mission and discover why a snow leopard, one from a normally peaceful species, was the target.
That same quiet voice supplied that it was because he feared.
Harbin snorted at that.
He feared nothing.
No one.
Not anymore.
It was curiosity driving him. Plain and simple. He was curious to see what a snow leopard had done to make themselves the target of an assassination.
ìFine,î Hartt said, jolting Harbin back to the room. Before he could open his mouth to speak or move a muscle to leave the chair, Harttís expression turned flat and cold, silencing him and freezing him to the spot. ìYou get the job on the basis that it will be done as a team.î
Harbin growled. ìI donít need a fucking babysitter.î
Hartt flashed fangs at him. ìYou have one or you donít get the job. Fuery is due to return. Youíll track the mark and weíll meet you in five days, tracking you via your implant.î
Harbin stared across the black desk at the elf male. He had been on the verge of refusing to work with Fuery, a psychotic son of a bitch on the best of days, when Hartt had mentioned the royal ëweí. Hartt was taking the job with him.
The bastard was coddling him.
He wanted to growl again at that but held it locked inside where his animal form shifted violently in response to his aggravation, wanting to tear into the male opposite him for daring to doubt him.
He drew in a deep breath to settle himself and blew it out slowly, finding a sliver of calm that he could cling to and that allowed him to see the reason for Harttís coddling in his purple eyes.
He was concerned and reluctant, and Harbin could understand that.
It had nothing to do with his current condition. Hartt knew his history. The elf had crossed paths with him at the darkest point in his life and Harbin owed him more than he had ever been able to put into words to tell him. Hartt had been the one to pick him up, give him a new place to call home, and a new purpose.
He had given him a new life when his old one had crumbled around him.
Harbin had spent two decades as an assassin, but he had also spent two decades devoted to tracking down and killing the people who had attacked his pride.
Archangel.
During those twenty years, he had slowly shifted from spending most of his time hunting Archangel members to spending most of his time carrying out assassination contracts on other targets. Hartt had been the one to guide him on that path, helping him track Archangel at first and then helping him let go of his past as best he could and move forward with his life.
Now, Harbin no longer lived to make Archangel pay. He lived to kill and he didnít care who was a victim of his blades. He only cared about feeding his hunger. He craved the emotionless state that came before a kill. He had embraced the cold and methodical part of himself that allowed him to do his job without feeling a damned thing.
Without remembering the horrors of his past and that it was all his fault.
Harbin closed his eyes and ground his teeth, shunning the memories that tried to surface by focusing on his next mission. Forever looking forwards and never looking back at the ghosts that chased on his heels, the spectres of a time he didnít want to remember. All that mattered was chasing the high of feeling nothing. Feeding the beast inside him. There was always a next mission. Another mark to put to the blade.
He slowly opened his silver eyes and fixed them on Hartt, the cold filling him as he shut down all of his feelings in preparation for the mission ahead.
The snow leopard was a mark and nothing more.
He would track them as Hartt requested, using his knowledge of his kind to his advantage.
And then he would kill them.

Marked by an Assassin is available from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iBooks stores and other retailers. Also available in paperback.
Find all the links, a fantastic 4 chapter downloadable sample of the book, and also how to enter the giveaway and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/marked-by-an-assassin-paranormal-romance-novel.php
Books in the Eternal Mates paranormal romance series:

Felicity Heaton
Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.
If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If youíre looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.
If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Tsu | Pinterest | GoodReads


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