Welcome to The Knight Stalker; a blog where PNR Author Shelbie Knight chats about what she loves most - reading and writing!

Do you have a specific Author that you would like to see featured, or a book you would like Shelbie to review? Or possibly you would like to hear occasional updates on Shelbie's own personal journey on the road to publishing? Feel free to email any requests - it's all fair game!

On these pages, Knight rules and brings to life the sexy supernaturals from your wildest imagination!



Showing posts with label #Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Reading. Show all posts

December 9, 2014

Review: Hotter Than Helltown by SM Reine

Hotter Than Helltown (Preternatural Affairs, #3)Hotter Than Helltown by S.M. Reine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**I was provided a complimentary copy of Hotter Than Helltown in exchange for my honest review.**

This is the third book in the Preternatural Affairs series by SM Reine and my first time reading work by this author. While I enjoyed parts of the story - we spanned the full range of emotions with this one - I had a little difficulty with the fact that the main character, Cesar Hawke, seemed so....well, weak.

I think what bothered me the most about him was his ineptitude when it came to his magic. He seemed to have to skill, knowledge or know-how on how to utilize his magic, which to me weakened his character, and during the height of the story, I had the feeling that the use of his magic was more luck, or accident, than anything.

I don't know...maybe I am being too hard on him, but when the main character has a special talent or skill, I like it to be his (or her) fallback - not weakness, as I felt it was in Cesar's case. Cesar, being the main character, actually ended up feeling like the weakest of them all and he definitely was not the alpha male I was looking for.

Rather than his skill with magic strengthening him, bonding him tighter to the story, I thought his ineptitude made him look, well - weak. Additionally, because of this weakness I saw in Cesar's character, and the strength of those surrounding him, I had a difficult time seeing him as "attractive." He didn't seem masculine (enough), outside of his physical appearance.

The difficulty I had with the main character affected my read of the entire book, without a doubt. I felt that Helltown had a hell (no pun intended) of a lot more that could have been utilized in it. What more creepy and frightening location can you possibly get? The author did the world-building part wonderfully, developing a location that appeared frightening at best. But then to under utilize it? I was disappointed. I wanted more scenes in Helltown - more everything. Here is this perfectly shiver-inducing environment, that can feed the story, drawing the reader in further and...what?

In the overall scope of the story, Helltown was left as background music, rather than the featured performance.

All-in-all I enjoyed Hotter Than Helltown, though for me, it could have been much stronger with Cesar's aptitude matching his physical strength. Leaving the character unbalanced made him appear weak. And a weak main character eroded the remainder of the story, allowing me to dig in and find other weaknesses that, most likely, I would have otherwise overlooked.

The question is, after reading Hotter Than Helltown, would I go back, starting at the beginning and read the rest of the series I missed? I don't know. I might if they were on sale, or I had no other reading, simply for the fact to see if the author built on Helltown more, or if Cesar had a place in any of the stories - and how his character was written and developed from the start.

More important, would I read the next in the series? Likely, yes. The reason? I love the premise of the story, no question. I love the world the author has created. Given this, I would be interested to see if the author pulls this into the next novel (more) and how the main character develops, if it's not still Cesar. So, yes. I would read it. Every author has a book here and there that isn't perfect - how well I know - so I would give SM Reine another chance.

Helltown is just too damn cleaver to not.

View all my reviews

November 13, 2014

Corrupted Desire - First Chapter Preview!

I understand that, due to my departure with EC, and the publishing delays that resulted, it's been quite a wait for those of you who have been patiently waiting to read Corrupted Desire (title & sub-genre changed).

In light of the delays I have decided to release the first chapter, for those who are interested in getting a sneak peek. 

Corrupted Desire is a Romantic Suspense with a most-definite darker side. It's not all lovey-lovey, but make no mistake, there's plenty of that going on between my hero & heroine. The only problem is that there's someone lurking in the background, who seeks to destroy my heroine...and anyone who happens to get in his way. No matter the cost. 

Here, in this first chapter, you will get a little taste of who he is - and his obsession.

Please remember that I am currently revising & editing, so there will likely be many changes in the final manuscript. This preview is intended only to give you an idea of what's to come - and any potential publishers a brief on Samantha and Richard's story, as well as my style of writing.

As of yet, I do not have a publishing home for Corrupted Desire; I will not be sending it to publishers until I have revisions completed and a finalized copy. Unfortunately, the previous edits had drastically changed the story, taking it in a direction I did not like. Having become so invested in these particular characters, I felt that I had no choice but to start over and write their story, they way it was meant to be.

So, here it is. I hope you enjoy the first chapter of Corrupted Desire

Please, feel free to comment below - I would love to hear what you think - and feel free to share it with your friends and family!

As always, a huge thank you goes out to those of you whom have supported me and my writing! Your support means the world to me and, as I progress through my career, I will always remember those who were there, with their encouragements, from the start!

*hugs*
Shelbie =)




Contains adult language & scenes - not appropriate for younger viewers.

The following contains copyrighted material and cannot be duplicated in any way without express written permission from the Author.


Corrupted Desire

Prologue


Throwing the press release down on his desk, he threw his head back and yelled. He was enraged. Beyond pissed. He had gone out of his way for months, fucking months, to see the bitch brought down. Working day and night, he had barely been able to sleep or think of anything else, his mind had been so consumed. And what comes of all of his hard work, sacrifice and suffering? Not a god damned thing, that's what.

But her? She had continually rolled over each and every obstacle he had placed in her path, not slowing down in the slightest, the dumb bitch not even suspecting he was behind it all. Nothing seemed to thwart her. Not only was her business still succeeding, but it was growing! And her reputation was still in tact, if not better, than when he started all this shit. The way things were headed, she should be paying him - since it seemed all he was accomplishing was to increase her fucking business.

The very idea caused his head to throb and bang, as if a construction crew had taken up place inside his skull, determined to blast a hole through. He knew, if he looked in the mirror right then, the veins on his forehead were swollen, protruded; he could feel the confirmation throbbing with each beat of his heart. God only knew, his face probably looked like a road map to hell; swollen red and blue veins acting as the highways. 

Why was he the one in suffering, when it should be her? She needed to suffer - badly.

Frustration reaching a boiling point, he slammed his hands down on his desk and watched as papers and files flew into the air, some landing haphazardly across his desk, while others floated to the floor. 

But, as his eyes ghosted over the remaining papers on his desk, his vision became consumed, zeroing in on the one slip of paper that started it all - the fucking Press Release. The damn thing had landed face up, on top of the stack, as if silently teasing him, mocking him in his ineptness.

"Motherfucking sonofabitch!" His voice thundered, bouncing off the walls of his office as he screamed his outrage. With a animistic roar and the swoop of his forearm, he swept the entire lot off of his desk and onto the floor, the lamp shattering against the far wall where it landed. What he had done thus far clearly wasn't working. So it was time for a change of tactic. To crank things up a notch. The question was how?

As the question breached his mind, his secretary, predictably, came running into his office; the sound of her high heels chipping away at his expensive marble floor and her annoying voice serving only to annoy him further.

"Oh my God, Theo? What happened?" she whispered, her hand raising to cover her mouth as she looked at the mess scattered across his floor.

Seriously, he thought, as he massaged his now aching head. She really had to ask what happened? As if it wasn't obvious enough? His first thought had been to simply answer yes, after all  he was God-like, but he doubted she would catch the inference. After all, he didn't exactly hire her for her intelligence and secretarial skills...

But, he didn't respond. There was no need to. Hell, he had spent years studying people and he knew exactly what she would do. He could literally predict it down to the second. He could feel it.

At times, especially when he found himself bored and in need of headache-free stimulation - women - it became almost a game to him. He would create a situation, contemplate the outcome and then sit back, watching as it played out, just to see if he was right. He liked nothing more than to prove himself right. He was smarter, always able to foresee the conclusion no matter the circumstances. And he was rarely wrong.

That's why this whole situation had him grinding his molars until he knew he'd be paying his dentist a fortune to repair the damage caused by the aggravating bitch. He should send her the damn bill. She owed him, after all.

He was calling this all wrong and it was pissing him off.

But, as he watched the scene in front of him play out, he smiled, knowing he hadn't completely lost his touch.

Fascinated by his perception, he quietly watched as his secretary bent over the scattered papers. As she teetered on her five-inch heels, the small scrap of material that posed as her skirt lifted, exposing the edge of her red panties and, as she braced an arm on the floor, her lithe body extended as she reached for a paper, fully exposing her luscious, round ass to his greedy eyes.

Trapped within the confines of his slacks, his cock instantly hardened, lengthened, readying for the pleasure it knew was to come; his cock had as good of memory as he did. Still, he sat silently in his chair, his ego growing to match his erection as he watched it all play out before him.

As she stood, her arms full of the papers, she briefly looked up at him...and smiled. Ah, yes. There it was. She thought she had him - hook, line and sinker - he could see it from the expression on her face. She was playing him. She thought she held sway and power over him. How wrong she was. But who was he to debase her of her ideas? Especially when there were such fun things ahead?

Her mood instantly morphed into one of seductress, as she smiled and sauntered over to his desk, her hips rolling and swaying, as if to hypnotize him.

Placing the papers on his desk, she leaned over, enough that her full breasts were close to escaping the low vee of her top as she proceeded to innocently sort the papers into piles. Now this, this is why he hired Monica. She may be dumb as a load of fucking bricks, but she knew how to play the game and she had a rockin' body to back it up. Of course, it didn't hurt that she could suck a three-finger marble through a straw. With his tutelage, naturally.

Quietly, as to not draw her attention just yet, he rolled his chair back from his desk and scooted his ass a little lower in his seat so that his weight was resting on his tailbone. He'd done this enough times that he knew - more importantly she knew - just what he liked.

Placing his arms on the armrests of his executive chair, to all the world he would appear relaxed and casual. But inside his body was a seething, festering cauldron waiting to explode; anger and arousal clashing together, fighting for dominance, feeding off one another to create the perfect storm.

"Monica," he growled, his voice now guttural and giving hint as to the emotions brewing within him. "Why don't you leave those papers for later? Don't you have something better to do?"

Sure, he asked. He had to try and be polite for propriety's sake, since she was technically his employee. The last thing he wanted was a scorned chick suing him for some shit or another. She might not be the brightest bulb, but she learned quickly - he only asked once - as evidenced by her quick reaction and the seductive smile that graced her attractive face.

In instances such as this, he let her think she held the upper hand with him. After all, in his experience, most women thought that they could control men using their bodies; a good blow job does go far to change one's mind. And, there was no question that she was damn good. He had taken the time to teach her exactly what he liked. 

But no matter, no woman would ever control him. Ever. He too had learned not only how to play the game, but how to master the game, early on. Lessons that he would now put to use.

As Monica approached, close enough that he could smell the peach body wash she used, his brain kicked back online as an idea percolated.

His mind in turmoil, he watched, detached, as if he were watching a movie reel, as Monica unclasped his trousers. He listened until he heard the sound of his zipper being pulled down, visualizing each lock as it disengaged. All the while a plan was growing and taking life within him, just as his cock had within his boxers.

Just as he laid his head back, he felt Monica's hand separate his trousers. He visualized what she would see - his swollen erection covered by dark blue silk boxers - as he felt her hand ghost over the surface, petting his hard cock like one would lovingly stroke a pet rock.

When he felt her fingertips teasing around, then under the edge of his boxers and softly caressing the head of his cock, he closed his eyes. But as he felt Monica's hand reach under his boxers and grasp his erection, stroking his full length, SHE appeared in his mind. Suddenly, she was the one stroking his cock, not Monica.

Eyes flashing open, his body went taut with anger as he ground his teeth to resist saying a word. That was not acceptable - not by a long fucking shot.

Deciding it was best to keep his eyes open for now, he looked down just in time to see Monica's head descend. And in that instant, he knew that he had just found the answer to his puzzle. Fucking. A.

As he felt Monica's mouth engulf his length, his mind went to work as fast as her mouth did, both working in consort, her actions giving fuel to his ideas. What the hell? He could easily enjoy two things at once. Especially the two things that brought him so much pleasure - sex and revenge.

The excitement at having finally found the answer he'd been seeking was almost better than the orgasm he felt fast approaching, pounding incessantly, rising in his shaft. Now that he had found the solution to his little problem, it was all about the planning. But first things first...

His pleasure continued to build as Monica wrapped her hand fully around his cock, stroking him from base to tip, as she sucked in consort, occasionally reaching down to grace her fingers over his hardening and aching balls.

Moaning quietly, lest he hand her too much power, his hips started to churn as she proceeded to do what she had learned would herald the end for him; rotating her mouth around the head of his erection, while her tongue rimmed the flared edge, as she continued to stroke and, alternately suck. Oh. Fuck. He HAD taught her well indeed.

Consumed by her practiced ministrations, he wasn't surprised to soon feel his balls tighten and cramp, almost to the point of pain, as a prelude to his orgasm.Should anyone other than Monica see him now, he would likely set about killing them. It was a rare few that were gifted with seeing this side of him. 

A huge smile crossed his face and his head punched back against the chair's headrest as his spine involuntarily straightened and his entire body went taut. A deep groan released from his mouth when he finally came, the release so hard it felt as if his brains blew out the top of his skull. And she took all he had to give. 

As Monica looked up at him, as she always did after blowing him, he smiled a huge smile - bigger than ever - knowing that she would think it was all for her. Let her. Because, even though she had no idea, she had just done him a huge favor; she blew him into the perfect solution and showed him the perfect weapon to use. Fuck yes!

He hated to admit, even if just to himself, but he'd been going about this all wrong. All. Wrong. He'd been trying to attack her from the outside. He'd been trying to damage her business and reputation, thinking it would make her fail and, ultimately, his end goal, suffer. How narrow-minded he had been. 

He felt like bashing himself across the head as he thought of all of the wasted time, effort and money. He knew her better than that - had for years - and all along, he had known what would hurt her. After all, what better way to take down a woman - than with another woman.

Let the games begin, he thought, as he tucked his spent cock back into his boxers, watching as Monica stood up and crudely wiped her hand over her smiling mouth. Gads. Some women have no class, he thought. But, then again, she just blew me on her knees sitting in my office chair, so what can I expect?

His mind already percolating ideas, he quickly forgot about Monica as he zipped his pants up and sat at his desk. As she walked out of his office, he heard her mention something about an appointment he had, but his mind was already elsewhere. 

Now that he had his answers it was time to act. Only this time, he would bring the bitch down...or die trying.



-End of chapter-

July 27, 2014

Darynda Jones brings a dash of humor to the GRAVE


In sticking with my theme for the month, series', today I bring you one of my favorites! 
Welcome to the world of Charley Davidson - A Paranormal Romantic Suspense Series created by Author Darynda Jones!

About Darynda:


For reasons known only to the Big Guy upstairs, NYTimes and USA Today Best Selling author Darynda Jones won both a Golden Heart and a RITA for her manuscript FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT. But even before that, she couldn’t remember a time she wasn’t putting pen to paper. When she was five, she would pick up a pencil and notepad, scribble utter chaos onto the page and ask her mom to read her masterpiece aloud. Thankfully, her mother would play along.  Later she wrote plays for the neighborhood kids, made up stories for her brother as he played cars, and fell in love with Captain Kirk. Those raging, seven-year-old hormones only fueled her imagination, prompting her to create fantastical stories for Barbie and Ken to enact. Ken was such a bad boy back then. 
After years of being repeatedly sent to the principal’s office for daydreaming in class, she managed to make it to high school where she almost finished her first manuscript. Sitting with her BFF in a corner booth at the local Tastee Freeze for hours at a time, she wrote a post-apocalyptic story about a group of teens who bore a remarkable resemblance to the members of Van Halen and were trying to escape the tunnels of a huge government fallout facility decades after World War III had destroyed the surface of the earth. It was a science fiction version of The Warriors and destined to be a classic.
Life was good. Writing was good. Then she graduated and the real world came crashing through. She forced the dream aside in favor of sustenance and shelter, got married to a local rock star, and had at least two kids that she can think of, the oldest of whom was born Deaf, probably to spite her. When he was five, she packed up her boys and moved to Albuquerque to put him in a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing program. The rock star stayed behind with the business, and they took turns going back and forth on the weekends to see each other for seven really long years.
While in Albuquerque, Darynda decided to see the cup half full and go back to college while she still had enough brain cells to make it worth her while. After graduating Summa cum Laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Sign Language Interpreting, she moved back to her hometown and got a real job. Several in fact, mostly teaching at a local college and interpreting pretty much everywhere. Based on personal experience, she does not recommend having more than three jobs at any given time.
But bit by bit, the desire to write needled its way back to the surface. Unable to squelch it any longer, she started writing seriously again in 2002 with one goal in mind: A publishing contract. Unfortunately, she sucked. Thank goodness practice makes almost-perfect and three complete manuscripts later, she won that Golden Heart, landed an amazing agent and sold to St. Martin’s Press in a three-book deal.
She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press, the Charley Davidson series and the Darklight Trilogy. She hopes you enjoy reading them as much as she enjoys writing them. 
Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

Charley Davidson Series:



First Grave on the Right


A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper.

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!***
*If you have not read book one, stop now!*

Second Grave on the Left
When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously?
After dragging Charley out the door and trying unsuccessfully to stuff her into a trunk—mostly ‘cause Charley pitches a fit—Cookie finally explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. After a brief investigation, Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. They head to the parking lot only to be accosted by a frantic husband with a gun. After some soothing words and a few deep breathing exercises, the husband, aka Warren Jacobs, hires Charley to find his wife. He explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.
Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?


Third Grave Dead Ahead
Charley Davidson—grim reaper extraordinaire, private investigator . . . meh—is practicing her profession under the influence, caffeine and copious amounts of it, due to an extreme desire to induce insomnia. Every time she closes her eyes, Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan, is there. Only thing is, he’s a tad peeved. She did bind for all eternity, so it’s hard blame him. But 13 days without a wink is bound to bring out the crazy in a girl. So, when a man hires her to find his wife, Charley accepts the job with one goal in mind: Put the man behind bars, and not the wet kind. She can sense the guilt waft off him and vows to find the woman’s body and prove he’s a murderer.
In the meantime, Reyes is back in prison and none too happy about it . . . so Charley thinks, until she is carjacked by the dark-haired rake, who swears the very man he went to prison for killing is not only alive, but close by. And he wants Charley to find him.
While a visit to her old friend Rocket sheds no light on Reyes’s situation, Charley finds out the man’s wife is still alive and time is running out. Finding her before she dies would be a miracle, but she has to try. Together with the help of a fashion-impaired receptionist named Cookie, Charley sets out to bring the bad guys to justice. She just hopes Reyes is not one of them. And that she’s not hallucinating from her self-induced bout with insomnia.

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it. In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans.

Fifth Grave Past the Right
Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. Since he is her main suspect in an arson case, she has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth. But when dead women start appearing in her apartment, one after another, each lost, confused, and terrified beyond reason, Charley has no choice but to ask for his help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer’s next target. With Reyes’s ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who’s responsible. Even if he can’t, arsonist or not, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return. Charley. All of her, body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay.

Sixth Grave On the Edge
Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it’s time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?
Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap—one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn’t come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.
Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she’s used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge…especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow.

Releases 10/21/14
Seventh Grave and No Body
Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there’s that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she’s ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life.
A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her power to protect it.
We’re doomed.

Contact Darynda:


I hope that you have enjoyed reading about Darynda's work; this is a series that I am truly enjoying, laughing one minute, on the edge of my seat the next. 
Thank you for visiting The Knight Stalker Blog today!
Happy Reading!
Shelbie Knight
www.shelbieknight.com
@ShelbieKnight

July 23, 2014

Her Royal Hotness, Diva Sabrina York, is DEFIANT to the last drop!

DEFIANT
by Sabrina York
Noble Passions, Book Five
Released: July 23, 2014

When rakish Ned falls in with the wrong crowd, his brother decides to send him to the Continent for “seasoning”. For Sophia, this just won’t do. She’s loved Ned for ages—and also longed for adventure. She runs away from her boring suitors and disguises herself as a cabin boy on the Defiant, the ship sailing Ned to Italy.
Ned knows he’s not good enough for Sophia, but once they’re on the Defiant, he can’t stop himself from touching her, tasting her, loving her. Not when a wild tempest and a band of ruthless pirates threaten them. Not when every look from her gives him such pleasure. And certainly not when she comes, warm and wild and willing, to his bed.
If they survive their voyage, Sophia’s brother might kill him, but it will have been worth every moment and every hot, sweet kiss.
A Romantica® Regency historical erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
READ AN EXCERPT
Sophia stood on the bow of the boat in the dark as the wind and rain lashed her face. She loved it. Loved it. Not only was the storm elemental and fierce, it hid her tears.
Surely she hadn’t expected Ned to greet her with open arms. Not when she had barged in on his adventure as she had. But she certainly hadn’t expected him to be so horrid. His expression had devastated her.
Foolish girl, it said.
But then, her heart agreed.
She was foolish.
Foolish to ever think that he—
“You’re soaked.”
She whirled around, though she knew what she’d see. More glowering.
She was right.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m reveling.” She thrust out her chin, in case he didn’t believe her.
He gaped at her. “Reveling?”
“Yes.” She didn’t mean to shout, but his wintry demeanor annoyed her tremendously. She threw out her arms. “Look at this!”
“It’s a storm.”
“It’s beautiful. The waves are wild, untamed—”
“You could be swept overboard.”
“The wind is howling and the rain is savage. It’s glorious.”
“It’s freezing. Come inside.”
“It’s not freezing. It’s summer.”
I’m cold.”
“Then you go inside.”
“Sophia Fiona—”
“Don’t call me that.”
“It’s your name.”
“You sound like Ewan.”
“I’m starting to think Ewan is a saint.”
She glared at him. “What a beastly thing to say.” She hated that her chin wobbled a little. Hated that he winced.
“I’m sorry, Sophia. This has been trying for me.” He sluiced the water from his face. “Won’t you please come inside?”
“All right. Fine.”
“You will?”
“You did say please.”
He blew out a breath and offered her his arm. She frowned at it. “I’m a cabin boy, remember? You don’t offer a cabin boy your arm.” When he didn’t lower it, she smacked it. “Someone will see.”
That caught his attention and he slowly lowered his arm. “Right then. Come inside.” He followed her back to the cabin, his stride decidedly unsteady. If anyone was tipping overboard, it was most likely him.
When she once again stood in his chambers, she realized the folly of her actions. She hadn’t brought a change of clothes and she was drenched. So was he. Without a word, he relit the lamp and then opened his trunk and pulled out several shirts, two of which he tossed to her. “Change.”
That was it. One word. Just “change” and then he presented her with his back. She huffed a breath, but did as he asked because she was really rather cold. The feel of the cloth falling over her chilled flesh warmed her. Because it was his shirt. It had touched his skin. She wasn’t sure why the thought sent heat scudding through her belly.
“Use the other shirt to dry your hair,” he suggested, as he began toweling off as well.
She huffed a laugh. “All of your clothes will be wet.”
“They’ll dry. Are you clothed?”
“Yes.”
He turned. And froze. His gaze locked onto her bare legs. “I-I thought you said you were clothed.” A squawk.
“I am.” But the intensity of his stare made her self-conscious, so she slipped into the bed.
“Close your eyes,” he said as he unbuttoned the damp linen clinging to his chest.
“Why?”
“I need to change as well. I’m f-freezing.”
“Okay.” She did. But she peeked.
He ripped off his wet shirt and her breath caught at the sight of his broad back. Muscles rippled as he moved and she swallowed. He was beautiful. He tugged the fresh shirt over his head and she nearly whimpered as that magnificent vision disappeared. But then, he unfastened his trousers.
All pretense of not peeking evaporated.
He sat and took a moment to work off his boots. And then he stood. His trousers were tight, as was the fashion, and he had to peel them off. As he bent, she caught a flash of his bare behind.
She must have made a noise because he whirled around. His cheek bunched when he saw her watching. “You’re supposed to have your eyes closed.”
She hunkered in the covers, as though that would disguise the fact that her eyes were open wide.
“Sophia…”
It was probably wrong to grin at him, but she couldn’t help it.
“Sophia Fiona!”
“Stop calling me that. It always makes me think I’m in trouble.”
“You are in trouble. You have no idea how much trouble you’re in.”
She tipped her head to the side. “We both know Ewan will be so relieved to see me, he’ll forget how angry he is—”
Ned stilled and fixed her with a dark glare. “What makes you think I’m talking about Ewan?”
“I… ah…”
“I’ve a mind to bend you over my knee.”
Why a shiver rippled through her, she had no idea. She’d been spanked once or twice as a child and she hadn’t cared for it in the slightest. But something dark and domineering in Ned’s tone made her womb warm.
“You-you wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I? Now, look away. Your brother would skewer me if I gave you the education you’re about to have.”
She attempted not to snort. Ned—and everyone—thought her a prim and innocent miss on account of the polish she’d acquired at Lady Satterlee’s. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a child, before Ewan had made his fortune, they’d lived a hand-to-mouth existence in the slums of Perth. She’d seen more than one couple rutting against a wall in a dingy alleyway. And at one point, she and her brother had taken refuge in a bordello. She’d been only seven, but if she’d had an education, she got it there. She could probably teach Ned a few things.
Still, because he seemed to expect it, she squeezed her eyes tight and didn’t hardly peek at all as he finished changing. Besides which, the spot she was interested in was mostly shadows.
With a great huff, he threw himself back into the chair. “Now, go to sleep.”
“Don’t you want me to put out the light?”
“No. I want to be able to see where you are.”
“I’m not leaving again tonight.” Probably. Unless her despair overcame her once more.
“Leave it on.” A grunt, and not a very nice one at that. Why he had call to be annoyed, she couldn’t fathom.
Blast and damn, he was an annoying man. Sophia grunted as well and rolled over, facing the wall of the cabin. She studied the patterns the swinging lamp made for a long while, listening as he shifted one way and then the other.
It was really unfair for him to have to sleep in the chair. This was his room. But he would never share her bed. She grimaced at the way the words came out, but it was true. He wouldn’t. Unless…
She rolled over again and watched him twist in the chair. He caught her eye and frowned.
“Ned?”
An impatient groan. “Yes, Sophia?”
“Ned, I’m cold.”
He stilled. Then barked, “Put on another blanket.”
“There aren’t any more.” She faked a shiver. She wasn’t cold in the slightest. She never was. Ewan said she ran hot. “Brr. My teeth are chattering.”
His glower became a frown.
“I hope I don’t get ill.”
He paled. “You shouldn’t have gone out in the rain. Why did you go out in the rain?”
She sneezed. Or something like it. “I don’t know.”
“Sophia?”
“Am I running a fever?” She put her palm to her forehead. “I think I’m running a fever.”
His brow wrinkled. He stood and made his way across the tiny chamber as though on his death march. He set the backs of his fingers to her cheeks. His frown darkened. “You are warm.”
“No. I’m cold.” She shivered and peered up at him, her eyes as wide as she could make them. “Won’t you warm me?”
He wrenched his hand away as though she’d burned him. “What?”
“Lie here beside me and warm me up?”
“There’s not enough room for both of us.”
“I’m small.”
“Sophia.” She’d never heard her name in such a strangled voice, not even when Ewan was at his wit’s end.
“Just for a bit? You can be on top of the covers. Surely that is decent.”
The muscle in his cheek bunched again, as though he were grinding his teeth.
“Please?”
He gusted a sigh. “All right, Sophia. Scoot over and make room.”
She did. With alacrity.
“And roll over, facing the wall.”
She frowned at him “Why?”
“Just do it. Please.”
“Oh, all right.” But only because he said please. And because, when she was facing the other way, he couldn’t see her grin.
He settled in behind her and a shiver rocked her. He was warm. And he smelled delicious. Not fishy in the slightest. It was delightful, lying here with him. She closed her eyes and imagined he wanted this as much as she.
If only. If only.
If this wets your whistle, remember the other books in the Noble Passions Series.
Follow the decadent exploits of friends and enemies as they find love and passion in the glittering world of the Regency—and its dark underbelly.


About Sabrina York:
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the award winning author of over twenty hot, humorous stories written for her smart and sexy readers.
Her titles range from sweet & sexy erotic romance, to scorching BDSM. 
For more information on Sabrina York, please refer to the links below.

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July 19, 2014

Find SALVATION with N.J. Walter's PACK


Today, I am thrilled to feature a new series by Paranormal Erotic Romance Author, N.J. Walters!

Welcome to
The Salvation Pack


 Book One - Wolf at the Door
Samhain Publishing
When Gwendolyn Jones inherits a Tennessee cabin from a great aunt she never knew, she quits her job and follows her dream to write full time. Meeting a stranger in a local cemetery isn’t a risk she normally takes, but she needs the information on his flash drive for an article she’s writing on werewolves. Later that night, when two honest-to-God werewolves come knocking on her cabin door, they’re definitely not Photoshopped. 

Jacque LaForge is on a mission to retrieve a flash drive before it endangers his pack. He never thought he’d find a mate, but the chemistry between him and Gwen is unmistakably off the charts. Now to convince her he’s only trying to protect her from his vengeful former pack—led by his own father. 

Gwen’s first instinct to flee only gets her a smashed car and a concussion. She wakes up in a dangerous new world she never thought existed—and in the arms of the one man who stands between her and certain death. 

Excerpt
Wolf at the Door
A hard, heavy pounding shook the front door, jolting her out of her chair. She didn't waste any time running for the shotgun. Had Hector followed her home? Maybe he was crazy? She knew better than to break her rule about meeting in public. Why had she made an exception tonight? Too late to be asking that question now.

She thumbed the safety off. Her palms were damp and shaky, but she swallowed back her fear. How hard could it be to point and shoot? It was like a camera. This close she couldn't miss.


The knock came again, this time not quite as loud. "Ms. Jones?" The voice was low and deep, definitely male.


Relief hit her hard and fast. Maybe it was one of the local deputies. They often stopped by to check on her, mostly because she was new to the area, but also because she was a single woman. On her first trip into town, Margie at the grocery store had assured her she'd have all the male attention she wanted. Single women were rare in these parts. Most women were either married, too old or too young. The rest of them left for the bigger cities as soon as they were able. A single young woman was cause for talk in town.


Still, she wasn't about to be stupid. She seen too many horror movies where the dumb blonde gets herself killed by not being careful. She might be blonde but she wasn't stupid.


"Who is it?"


"Ma'am, I'd like to talk to you if I can. It's about Hector Canton."


As tempting as it was, she wasn't about to open her door to a total stranger. "Come back in the morning." She glanced at the old cuckoo clock hanging on the wall. It was just past eight, but as dark as it was outside, it might as well have been the dead of night.


"It will only take a minute. I'll stay out here on the porch."


She snorted, like she was stupid enough to fall for that. Gwent backed away from the front door and headed toward the phone in the kitchen. Out here, cell-phone service was spotty, but her great aunt had a land line that Gwen had kept when she moved in. No way did she want to be caught without phone service. She'd call the sheriff's office and have them come talk to the man.


There was no noise behind her, simply a stirring of the air, but Gwen knew she was no longer alone. She whirled around, her finger tightening on the trigger. The shotgun fired just as a male hand pushed the barrel up and out of the way. The bullet harmlessly buried itself in the wooden ceiling.


Gwen screamed as the weapon was tore from her hands and tossed aside. The front door was kicked in behind her, bouncing off the wall. She didn't know where to look. There was a stranger behind her and another one in front of her.


She lunged for the kitchen counter and the knife block. She needed something to defend herself with. Anything. One of them swore and leapt toward her. Large fingers tightened around hers, the pressure making it impossible for her to draw the large butcher knife from the block.


"Relax, chere. Shhh." His breath was hot on her neck and his hand practically swallowed hers whole.


She started to shake. Would they hurt her? Rape her? She couldn't think about the possibilities. She had to fight back. Her muscles, immobilized by fright only seconds before, came back under her control. She threw her head back hard and fast and connected with his face.


Her captor howled in pain, sending an icy-cold shiver racing down her spine. It sounded too much like the dogs she'd heard earlier.


Massive arms wrapped around her torso and pulled her away from her only source of weapons. "Dieu. There was no need for you to do that, chere."


She still couldn't see the man holding her but the one in the front of her was hard to miss. He was huge, probably around six-four, his brown shaggy hair hanging around his massive shoulders. His golden-brown eyes started at her and his full lips were drawn into a thin line of displeasure.


Shit. She was in deep trouble. She recognized him from the picture she'd seen only moments before. Her only option was to try to brazen her way out of this situation.


She cocked her eyebrow at him and inclined her head. "You're either Louis or Jacque LaForge. I'm not sure which." She had a brief moment of pleasure when she noted the surprise in his eyes. Then they went flat, and the expression in them scared her spotless.


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Book Two - Wolf in her Bed


Anny Conrad is a single thirty-year-old librarian—a cliché complete with two cats. Dragged out to a local bar, she’s rethinking her life plan over a few drinks when a man walks up and asks her to dance. And what a man. Tall, rugged and more than a little untamed. Before she knows it, she’s in his arms and throwing caution to the wind. 

With a pack war in full, deadly swing, the last thing Armand LaForge needs right now is a woman in his life, much less a human. But one thing is certain, he’s met his mate, the one woman in the world for him. 
The kindest thing to do is give her all the hot sex she wants and then leave her alone. But when the morning comes, fate isn’t done screwing with them. Anny is confronted with the fact that the myths in her library books are real…and now she’s one of them.  Click HERE to read an excerpt.
Book Three - Wolf on the Run
Expected Release: October 28, 2014

Blurb coming soon! HERE 






A little about N.J.
Once upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.
One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel, Annabelle Lee, and life would never be the same.

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. 

N.J. Walters has an expansive catalog of work from which to choose. To learn more about her work, the following links will take you directly to her work: WebsiteAmazonBarnes & NobleSamhainAll RomanceKobo and Ellora's Cave 
She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to Email NJ and visit her on Facebook and Twitter  
Enjoy!  
Shelbie =)
Taken from Samhain Publishing
There is a reason for this...