Friday, August 31, 2012

Look What Evernight Did in August 2012!


The Layton Family, 3

Uptight history professor Sam Layton may have the abs of a movie action hero, but he stopped believing in the joy of adventure a long time ago. However, when a one-night stand with a tattooed bombshell leads to a treasure map for the long-buried Rebecca’s Bounty, the call to action is too strong to ignore.

All Las Vegas cocktail waitress Josie Winarsky wants to do is paint. But when she lands smack dab in the middle in a mob plot, she has to push aside her dreams to find a treasure in Dry Creek, Nebraska and save her family from harm. With Sam at her side and a Vegas loan shark on her tail, the treasure she finds turn out to be much more valuable than emeralds and rubies.

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The Midnight Cup is a story that follows the romance between a white witch and her man … turned slayer … turned vampire … turned soul mate.

Marcus McKinney is a trained member of the Society and a vampire slayer. With an ancient hieroglyphic tattoo to ward off his own personal demons, he travels to a small college town in the Midwest. It is here that he finds The Midnight Cup—a quaint coffee house with a backroom … filled with vampires.

The owner of this little establishment is Serenity Baker. She is a Natural. With her long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, she is a beautiful white witch that offers light magic with a simple touch. It is this power that draws the coven of vampires to her small coffee shop which in turn brings Marcus into her life.

The Midnight Cup tells their story amidst a brewing war. With a circle of witches, a coven of vampires, and a league of Society members, who knows what could happen next?

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Tales from the Vampire Scribe, 3

Anaïs Moreau is a classically-trained ballerina born during Henry VIII’s reign in France. After falling victim to the deviant sexual appetites of a nobleman at court, she suffers betrayal and abandonment at the hands of her aristocratic father. In turn, she embraces her best friend’s gift of immortality and becomes a vampire. For centuries, Anaïs preys on calculating womanizers whose sole purpose is to manipulate women. Until one day, she meets her match.

Oliver Polinski works for the Bureau of Paranormal Affairs. His job is to plan covert missions and train his army of soldiers to hunt down and kill supernatural creatures, vampires most notably. When Oliver and Anaïs cross paths at a mutual friend’s wedding, they learn that they both prefer sex to be a bit kinkier than most.

Can these two star-crossed lovers overcome blinding hate and prejudice for one another and find love? Only time will tell.

Be Warned: BDSM, rimming, anal sex, sex toys, public exhibition

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The Soul Collectors, 2

Sheriff Jason McCall has been entrusted by his community to protect and serve. When dead bodies start littering the morgue, his investigations lead him to a world of creatures he never believed in. Questioning his own sanity, he closes in on the killers, never expecting to be attracted to one of the things that go bump in the night.

Elia comes to the area when he senses a spike in evil energy, knowing the Hell Demon Horde is behind the rash of deaths. When he’s nearly arrested by the local sheriff, he’s tempted to let the sexy lawman put him in cuffs and have his wicked way with him.

Bodies collide as they find solace in each other. Jason’s weary of joining their fight, bound by the oath he gave his neighbors. So, Elia pulls out all the stops to lay down his lawman.

Be Warned: m/m sex

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Battle of Wills, 1

When submissive Ann misuses her safe word once too often, she is told to attend a retraining program. However, the only Master prepared to train her is hard, inflexible Luke, the man she jilted eight years previously.

Dominated by her parents, shy Ann left home because there was something missing in her life she wasn’t getting from her sweet fiancé, as he was then, and was introduced to BDSM.

Shocked to see each other at the club, but stunned at how they’ve both changed, Ann has to be trained by Luke, or leave. It becomes a battle of wills to see who will lose control—the battle being about trust. Can Ann give up control and trust a Master? Can Luke trust Ann not to run away again? The emotional victory for each battle flies back and forth between them. Who will ultimately win?

Be Warned: BDSM, anal play, sex toys, public exhibition, menage a quatre, brief f/f interaction

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Surviving the brutal attack by her husband was a miracle, killing him an accident, dying was the worst—coming back with the ability to see ghosts just sucks!

Determined to rebuild her life, Emma Angeles finds Paradise to be perfect. Meeting Dayton Kane made it even more so. When she starts to see her dead husband, Emma's sanity is tested. She wants Dayton with every fiber of her being, but fears she may hurt him so holds back. Upon learning Dayton might lose the family castle, Emma takes the bold step to help him by holding a Christmas Party at Gray Stone.

Then tragedy strikes and a local island woman is murdered. Emma takes a stand. With the help of Dayton, his great, great, great-grandfather—a sexy pirate who haunts Paradise—and the recently deceased Sadie, she is determined to put her husband back in the grave. Permanently.

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Confirmed NYC bachelor Malcolm Fowlkes must marry within five days to satisfy the requirements of his father’s will. With an unsuccessful round of speed dating under his belt, he finally meets Caroline.

Caroline Mathers has never been interested in marriage, but she's willing to sacrifice that small detail to gain her ultimate desire: a baby.

Caroline and Malcolm complicate what should be a simple arrangement with an irresistible sexual attraction that quickly develops into a sizzling physical relationship. But such a rushed, unconventional relationship is bound to come with surprises. Though Caroline finds herself drawn to Malcolm, she doesn't have a chance to express herself before he finds out her secrets.

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Naughty Fairy Tales

Once upon a time there was a snoopy reporter, one Master Dom who wanted her for his own, and an underground bondage club that could mean the story of the year…

When Allison McCray decided to go undercover and pose as a submissive college girl named Alice Smith, she may have found herself in over her head. Especially when she becomes the new pet of someone they call Master Hatter.

Having Alice in his club may have been what Master Hatter always dreamed of, only he wished she were there as the woman he knew as Allison, not Alice. No matter. He’d play any game she wanted, and perhaps somewhere along the way he would show his “little Alice” what she’d been missing, one well-placed swat at a time.

But does Alice truly have what it takes to be a submissive, find the answers she seeks, learn the identity of the Master, and break the story that could make Allison McCray a household name? Or will she forever be tied up in Wonderland?

Be Warned: BDSM, sex toys, public exhibition, anal sex

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Manlove at the End of the World, 3

Will the outlaw become a hero?

Rian didn’t ask for trouble. He's just a geeky coward who managed to survive the virus that wiped out most of the world. He is smitten with an outlaw that sent his desire on fire. This cowardly gay man finds himself in a town at the end of the world ruled by homophobes. Oh, and there’s also a raging volcano ready to blow, and these crazy folk want to sacrifice him. Now, he’s trapped like a caged beast, and death is imminent.

Rian has only one hope of survival—the outlaw.

Be Warned: m/m sex

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Sometimes finding love is the only thing that matters in life.

Brock Dolan had it all. He had a well-to-do upbringing and was heir to a multi-million dollar company. That was until he lost a major client and was sent away with just $5,000 to see if he could make it on his own. Should he fail, he'd forfeit everything.

Kate Byrne was having a touch of bad luck. Her husband left her with a restaurant to run and a loan to repay. Things seem a little brighter when Brock Dolan buys the run down boat anchored opposite her restaurant and comes to work for her.

What starts out as a friends-with-benefits relationship, eventually leads to true love. They both discover there’s much more to life than money and having it all.

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Romance on the Go

Fiona isn’t alone in the woods.

When an unseen predator stalks her during one of her field expeditions, Fiona’s only hope is that a man named Landon, one that lives isolated high in the mountains and keeps to himself, will help her.

It isn’t until she is alone with Landon, safe for the time being in his cabin, that she realizes she has an undeniable sexual attraction to him. As she lets her inhibitions go and gives herself to him, she learns there is something deadly wrong with him, something that she has only read about in fables.

Has she just walked into her stalker's arms, or is she running from the only man who could save her life?

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The Promise Series, 2

A year after their paths first crossed during the infamously decadent Carnival in England, Alaric and Jane are still traveling together in their red silk hot air balloon, love and trust growing between them with each city they land in. And the stronger trust is, the harder it can be tested.

Be Warned: BDSM

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Cory Blindbarrow of Blindbarrow Crimefighting Couture, loves her work—from tailoring bulletproof fabrics to engineering concealed weaponry. Kowtowing to the over-sized egos of her superhero clientele? Not so much.

Her newest client, Theo Richelieu, aka Prometheus Man, can see five minutes into the future. Unfortunately, nobody believes him. He’s exactly the type that pushes Cory’s buttons. But he’s also quite talented at engaging (and disengaging) her buttons and zippers. As maddening as Theo can be, Cory can’t deny their supernatural chemistry.

When a sniper targets Cory’s colleagues, Theo appoints himself her protector. His know-it-all attitude soon has her ready to tattoo a bullseye on her forehead. If Theo is unable to convince the headstrong couturier she’s the sniper’s next mark, their happily ever after might never make it out of the design phase.

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The Law Castle Bad Boys, 1

Cheryl Fisher is a virgin on a mission. She’s spent the better part of her life caring for her sick mother. On her death bed, her mother made her promise to live life to the fullest and to never take one moment for granted. In order to fulfill her promise, she goes in search of the two men she can trust with her body.

Noah and Drew have had their eyes on Cheryl for a while. Both men know they want to share her. When Noah learns the truth about her virginity, he’s shocked by the possessive feelings he has towards her.

Together, they must show Cheryl that there is more to them than their bad boy reputation. They want her with them forever, and they will do everything in their power to fight for her.

Be Warned: menage sex (MFM), anal sex, spanking

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Philip Beecham is told that his best friend and secret love Stephen Withers died during a holiday in Munich. But one night, when Philip is wandering alone in a nearby wood, he sees his beloved friend. At first Philip believes Stephen is a ghost, but then learns something much more horrifying: Stephen has been turned into a vampire and needs Philip’s help to become human again.

To get back the man he loves, Philip must make his way through this unknown world of bloodlust and undeath and confront the vampire who stole his friend’s life.

Be Warned: m/m sex

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The Mercenary Tales, 2

Ambushed, captured and sold...

After losing his best friend, Wybert is forced to give up his life as a mercenary and become a pleasure slave. The daunting task becomes harder than expected when the attraction to his slave master goes beyond the bedchamber.

Izz-Sarava was content with his life as the Zshanti's slave master until the new serf appeared. Somehow, under his presence, his control slips, and his heart becomes exposed.

As their feelings develop, will they be able to overcome a past that haunts them to pursue a future together?

Be Warned: m/m sex, menage sex, spanking

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Slightly plump and over-aged at six and twenty, Abigail Preston sits on a shelf, having given up hope of marriage. She loses all she loves to the epidemic cholera, and her father’s will stipulates she must marry to inherit. Desperate, she answers an advertisement for a bride in America. Benjamin Siddle states that she be made of sturdy stock and resistant to cold weather. Opportunity is knocking for Abby. She travels to America to marry a man she doesn’t know in a last bid for happiness.

Abigail is faced with a surprise upon her arrival in America. A man is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she doesn’t marry anyone but him, but does he want her or her money? Can Ben and Abby overcome the obstacles placed in their way and find true love along the way?

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A bottle of wine and a phone number later. That was all it took for twenty-five year old Charity Miller to find herself thrust into a relationship she never saw coming. Each and every day spent with her tattoo artist boyfriend Jake brings her that much closer to falling in love and two steps backward from erasing the look of torment from his beautiful dark eyes.

Jake is falling hard for his girlfriend. Charity is unlike any other woman he has ever been with and it scares the heck out of him. With her soft brown eyes and penetrating gaze, Jake knows she is on to him. Yet, her kisses taste like the sweetest heaven and her trust in him leaves him shaken, so why on earth would he risk it all and surrender all pretense of being anything more than a lowdown trailer trash ex-convict?

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Girlfriends share lots of things, including their most sinful secrets. When those secrets involve love, lust and long denied desire, sparks are sure to fly. And sometimes, there is no denying the need for a woman’s touch.

In this volume you’ll find seven delicious stories of sensual, daring women who open their hearts to discover love, fulfillment and satisfaction—closer than they expected.

Be Warned: f/f sex

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Best friends make the best lovers? Indeed they do. There’s nothing more exciting than discovering that the person you already share everything with is the one you want sharing your bed.

Join us for ten tales of sexy and decadent discoveries as these gloriously hot men find all the love, lust and orgasmic delight they could ever want—closer than they expected.

Be Warned: m/m sex

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Daron, daughter of Gayle, is a witch. When her sister dies during a dangerous spell, the coven council lays her death on Daron’s shoulders. To redeem herself she must save someone that shouldn’t exist: a warlock.

Protecting the warlock and his dangerous infant son is more of a challenge than the powerful witch expects, especially when she starts have visions of the warlock—nude!

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Romance on the Go

The Satin Rose Experience, 1

Mia Lavender has been offered a promotion she can’t refuse—VP of Client Experience at New York’s exclusive BDSM club, "The Satin Rose Experience" (SRE). Mia's kept her submissive tendencies a secret, until now. She'll have ample opportunity to explore her fantasy, because to succeed in her new role at SRE, she will need on-the-job training at the hands of Asher Cane.

During Asher Cane's very first training session with Mia, he fails to follow his own rules and has the hottest vanilla sex of his life. Mia needs training, and Asher is damned if he'll allow another Dom to touch her. Can Asher be the dispassionate trainer Mia needs to learn the exquisite give and take of dominance and submission? Or will her submission come only at the cost of his heart?

SRE, New York’s elite BDSM club, contains ten uniquely themed suites, each with its own story to tell. Find the introduction of SRE in The Satin Rose Experience, a short story in Evernight Publishing’s Keyboards and Kink Anthology.

Be Warned: BDSM

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Wickedly Taboo

What is a young woman to do when she starts to see her best friend’s father as something more?

As Mona’s feelings for Isaac start to escalate, she knows that a relationship with him could never work. As her best friend’s father, it is forbidden to be with him, yet she can’t seem to stay away.

With an abusive family, her best friend in a toxic relationship, and more problems arising every day, Mona knows her future is unsure.

Each day brings Isaac and Mona closer together, but she knows she can’t keep their relationship a secret forever from Karalina, her best friend and Isaac’s daughter.

Mona must decide to keep her relationship with Isaac and risk losing her friendship with Karalina forever, or come clean and possibly lose them both.

Be Warned: voyeurism

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The Beast Within, 1

Tristan’s life as a vampire is simple enough when he and his familiar John go out for a drink one night. However, he didn’t count on running into Rory, a guy he shared a steamy kiss with at a party, and he definitely did not plan on John and Rory being attacked by a vampire-werewolf hybrid sent by Tristan’s vengeful brother.

Both men are infected, and both men turn, one into a vampire and the other into a werewolf. The attractions, and conflicts, between the three men make sparks fly as they try to learn more about what has happened, but Tristan’s brother has little desire to help them. Tristan was born a supernatural being, but how will Rory and John adjust? And in the end, will both men be open-minded enough to accept the love they could both enjoy with Tristan?

Be Warned: m/m sex, menage sex

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Imperfection, 1

Noelle Evans has lived with a vicious scar down the side of her face since she was in a car accident ten years ago. She doesn’t know what it is like to be touched, desired, or loved.

Isaac Welch is rich and stuck in a rut of loveless sex with gold-digging women. The moment Isaac meets Noelle, sparks begin to fly. He is intrigued by this startling beauty who has helped his brother.

What started as a game soon turns to blinding passion. Isaac tries to fight his growing feelings for Noelle, but she is about to learn the truth about their meetings. Will she ever be able to forgive his betrayal, or will Isaac be left with only the memories of his time with his Scarred Beauty?

Be Warned: anal sex, spanking

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The Bound Tetralogy, 4

In the fourth and final novel of The Bound Tetralogy, Isaac Ainsley and Liz Triest decide to let go of demons from the past and move forward with their plans to wed. But who knew that their first challenge as a married couple would come in a corset and thigh-high leather boots?

Morgan Peterson, a crafty and conniving witch from Liz’s past, puts the wedded couple’s faith to the test. With a little help from a diabolical cambion, Morgan seeks to destroy Isaac and Liz’s union.

Will Liz tap into her powerful lineage as a Triest to save her husband from Morgan’s evil grasp?

Be Warned: sex toys (fruit)

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Garden of a Thousand Nightingales

Boundless as the Sea is so proud to have author Katherine Wyvern back to talk about her latest release, The Garden of a Thousand Nightingales. Let me just say that when I got the rough draft of this manuscript, I was yanked so deeply into the wonderful story that I curled up on the sofa in the evening and read it all in one evening. It is that good! Katherine is giving away a FREE COPY, so comment below. You might just win!

Enough from me; let's hear from the word-painter herself!


Hello, Adonis & Adonette, and thank you for offering me a spot in the sunlight for my latest release, The Garden of Thousand Nightingales, which is my favourite piece of writing ever. (AD: I can see why you feel this way. It is incredibly vivid, poetic, and beautiful!) This is a very tender fairytale-like love story set in a fantasy world loosely based on Elizabethan England, and it sports some fabulous illustrations by my favourite Photoshop artist, flondo.


I have always been very fond of the fairytale genre. One of my earliest memories as a child is the large blue and gold books of fairytales that circulated in the house, which provided me countless hours of entranced reading. I especially loved the Norwegian and Irish tales, which were often darker and more mysterious than their more familiar Charles Perrault counterparts. More recently I have been enchanted again and again by the beautiful, intricate fairytales interwoven in several of A. S. Byatt's books, and now I find that the "fairytale" voice is the one that comes more natural to me.

I wanted to write a "smutty" fairy-tale, and making the theme and the style work together was a very interesting challenge, which produced something, to me, magical. I hope the magic works for you as well!

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Tell us what it's about...

In the whispering wilderness of the Sandoval forest, Dusk, an elusive wood-elf, is intent on preserving the fragile life of her hidden trees from the ravages of men, but once her natural green magic finds its match in the powerful wizardry of Juan Francisco Deva de la Torre Espinosa, Royal Astrologer and right hand of the Queen, her whole life changes course.

When their sensuous, starlit romance in the forest turns into a frightful quest in the bleak heart of the city, only the power of her wizard can save dusk from the cruelty of men, and make a place where their love may blossom.

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Give us a taste...

Elves do not quite understand the age of men, nor do they care much about it, and to her he appeared neither very young nor very old; he was like a clear, mild autumn morning, with not a hint of winter’s icy cold yet, as vibrant as spring, but more mellow, sumptuous already with all the fruits of a long summer.

His short, sharp beard was frosty silver-white, almost blue in the moonlight, and there were many crossing lines on his face, some fine, some deep. His skin told the story of his temper and of his seasons, especially around his eyes, which were like pools of still water in July, warm and unfathomable. They might have been brown or green. Even an elf could not say in the moonlight. They were thoughtful with the wisdom of many years, and kind, lit with the twinkle of his half smile, which was ironic, even a bit cynical, but also, strangely, a little sad.

It could well be that only an elf’s eyes could see the warmth of that half smile, hidden as it was under all the layers of his different moods, but elven eyes see in a different way from ours. Neither farther nor better, mind, but—different.

As for him, he saw that even in the moonlight her eyes, her true eyes, shone pale green. Not the chilly sea green of the aquamarine, but the vivid gold-green of the peridot, the evening emerald. They were larger than human eyes would be, so that her face seemed even slimmer and smaller, and they flashed weirdly in the dark, like the eyes of a cat. There was something feline about her whole face, about all of her, in fact, which he did not mind, because he was fonder of cats than he was of most people.

And like a cat that will approach very slowly, every hesitating step taking an age, once close to him, she lost all shyness, and pressed herself to his chest in a full body embrace, not to kiss him, but to sniff at him.

With her arms around his neck and her eyes closed, she explored the scent of his skin, which was different from any scent in the woods. He smelled of tobacco and wood-fire, of lavender and cinnamon and old books, but she did not know these things. After the long day’s ride he also smelled of horse, which made him unhappy, but she liked very much.

She smiled, enraptured, her lips pressed in the soft skin under his earlobe in the first trembling kiss she gave him.

She shuddered all over like an autumn leaf when he dragged his fingernails gently along the thigh she had hooked around his hip, and without a word he pushed her off very slightly, to kiss her closed eyes. His lips were warm and smooth on her eyelids, while his moustache tickled her eyebrows, as light as the touch of a butterfly wing. Elves do not grow whiskers, and this was quite new and wondrous to her. Since the very first moment, she loved his beard, the strange rough softness of it, and she rubbed her face against his chin, again like a cat, just to revel in its texture and its mystery.

She smiled again, because his fingertips awoke trails of tinkling pleasure on her bare skin, because everything about him was like a sensuous new world she had never stepped in before, and because she felt weirdly at home in his strangeness. Magic teemed about him like bees around acacia trees in spring, and although his magic was so unlike her own, it was like a different variation of the same ancient tune, and their bodies hummed it together in a whispering, wordless duet that only they could hear.

For a long moment, when the elf-girl threw her arms around him and kissed him, De la Torre was too astonished to do anything else than return her fervid embrace as best he could. He had courtly notions about how a well-bred gentleman should behave, and it would have been quite difficult for him to do anything else. Refusing her would have been an ill-mannered slight. But as her slim, smooth body pressed hungrily against him, and she caressed his beard and moustache so lovingly, and kissed him so lustily, he forgot all about the guards that still waited for him back in the grassy clearings, and the urgent business that had brought him on the road in the first place.

If forests were always so welcoming, he thought to himself, cupping the back of her head in his palm, kissing her brows and her cheekbones, I would grow fond of them in no time at all.

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Katherine Wyvern on Facebook
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The Garden of a Thousand Nightingales on Smashwords
The Garden of a Thousand Nightingales on Amazon

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Tied Up in Wonderland

London Saint James is here today to introduce her latest Evernight release and the next in the bestselling Naughty Fairy Tales series! Take it away, LSJ!

You've never seen Alice like this!

LSJ: I’m happy to be one of the authors included in the Naughty Fairy Tales line through Evernight Publishing. When I first found out they were doing Naughty Fairy Tales, I knew I had to part of what would be some unique and scorching hot stories. I thought about all the fairy tales I loved as a child, and the one that kept popping up was Alice in Wonderland.

Putting my naughty twist to Alice was super fun to write, and I hope people will enjoy reading Tied Up In Wonderland, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Tell us what it's about, LSJ...

Once upon a time there was a snoopy reporter, one Master Dom, who wanted her for his own, and an underground bondage club that could mean the story of the year…

When Allison McCray decided to go undercover and pose as a submissive college girl named Alice Smith, she may have found herself in over her head. Especially when she becomes the new pet of someone they call Master Hatter.

Having Alice in his club may have been what Master Hatter always dreamed of, only he wished she were there as the woman he knew as Allison, not Alice. No matter. He’d play any game she wanted, and perhaps somewhere along the way he would show his “little Alice” what she’d been missing, one well-placed swat at a time.

But does Alice truly have what it takes to be a submissive, find the answers she seeks, learn the identity of the Master, and break the story that could make Allison McCray a household name? Or will she forever be tied up in Wonderland?

**Warning** Tied Up In Wonderland contains bondage, sex toys, and anal sex.

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I love to hear from my readers.

I'm at Evernight, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, One Place for Romance, Smashwords, Manic Readers, The Romance Reviews, and The Talent Cave.

You can also find me at my homepage, my blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, on my FB fan page, and on Myspace.

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Give us a taste, LSJ...

The sound of the motorcycle revved. Stopped. Boots hit the pavement, the footfalls echoing my way.

“Turn around,” he said. It was the voice of Master Hatter. God, I wanted to see him. Rip the mask off and look at him, but I did as he commanded. I turned. “You are not allowed to remove the mask, or speak. You will do as I instruct without question. Nod your head if you understand.” I nodded. A warm hand grabbed my hand. “Come with me.” He walked me a few steps forward. “Stop, and lean your back against this wall.” I felt in front of me. It had to be the block wall of the building behind the pool hall. “Do it, Alice.” My fingers skimmed down the rough surface. I flipped around. Leaned against the wall. This would probably put more than a smudge on my champagne colored shirt, but if I got into to Wonderland, so be it. One ruined blouse was worth it. “Unbutton your shirt.”

I know my hands were shaking, but I unbuttoned my shirt. I knew when Master Hatter moved the material aside. The night air caressed my exposed flesh. He tugged at the chain, stretching my nipples, and elongating my clit. A sensation that I can only describe as hot, flashed across every inch of me. He tugged once more. Burning flames consumed my sex. I wanted to cum. No other thought but that lingered in my mind.

“Hike your skirt,” he said. That low grumble of stern mastery outlined each of his words. “Slowly.” I grabbed the material of my skirt, gathering it up, doing as he wanted, slow. “Stop, and give me your foot, Alice.” I lifted my right foot. Hands caressed my calf. He lifted my leg, placed my foot on something. Perhaps the seat of his bike. “Lift your skirt, higher.”

I did, and somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I was in a dark alley, with someone I didn’t know, my shirt open and flapping in the breeze, my leg hiked up, wearing nothing beneath my partially clothed body with tweezer clamps attached to not so secret parts. I had my skirt lifted up past my hips. Totally exposed.

Top Five Novels

Wifey and I were taking a shower together (TMPI!!) and discussing our favorite books. We both put together a quick Top Five list, and we're wondering what yours is! Here are ours, in no particular order...

Mrs. A:
1. The Silmarillion
What Amazon has to say about it: The title Silmarillion is shortened from Quenta Silmarillion, "The History of the Silmarils," the three great jewels created by Feanor, most gifted of the Elves, in which he imprisoned the light of the Two Trees that illumined Valinor, the land of the gods. When Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, destroyed the Trees, that light lived on only in the Silmarils; Morgoth seized them and set them in his crown, guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth. The Silmarillion is the history of the rebellion of Feanor and his people against the gods, their exile in Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all the heroisim of Elves and Men, against the great Enemy.

What I have to say about it: The Silmarillion was Tolkien's attempt to make a set of myths for England. To my mind, he succeeded as well as any entire people ever did. The Silmarillion shaped my imagination as a child. I had read this book 30 times by the time I was ten years old, and to this day, I can close my eyes and see Finrod walking beneath the trees in Valinor.

2. Emma
What Amazon has to say about it: Sparkling comedy of provincial manners concerns a well-intentioned young heiress and her matchmaking schemes that result in comic confusion for the inhabitants of a 19th-century English village. Droll characterizations of the well-intentioned heroine, her hypochondriac father, plus many other finely drawn personalities make this sparkling satire of provincial life one of Jane Austen's finest novels.

What I have to say about it: This one was a tough call for me, as any of Jane Austen's works would qualify. But Emma has one of my favorite heroes, Mr. Knightley. He is the one who pushed this book ahead of the others.

3. Jane Eyre
What Amazon has to say about it: An orphan girl's progress from the custody of cruel relatives to an oppressive boarding school culminates in a troubled career as a governess. Jane's first assignment at Thornfield, where the proud and cynical master harbors a scandalous secret, draws readers ever deeper into a compelling exploration of the mysteries of the human heart.

What I have to say about it: I cannot even remember the first time I read this book. Jane has been an inmate in my mind for as long as I can remember. She is one of the best heroines ever put to paper.

4. Dracula
What Amazon has to say about it: A dreary castle, blood-thirsty vampires, open graves at midnight, and other gothic touches fill this chilling tale about a young Englishman's confrontation with the evil Count Dracula. A horror romance as deathless as any vampire, the blood-curdling tale still continues to hold readers spellbound a century later.

What I have to say about it: Before Bram Stoker, vampires were not a thing, not really. (Yes, I know about Pollack's Varney the Vampire and Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla. I stand by the statement.) But Bram Stoker created a being that seems to be fully the equal of other, older monstrous types, such as mummies or the walking dead. Plus, it is gorgeously lush and sensual.

5. The Man Who Was Thursday
What Amazon has to say about it: Part surrealistic comedy, part psychological thriller, G. K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday inventively unravels the nightmare of paradox and surprise to probe the mysteries of human behavior. The seven members of Europe's Central Anarchist Council, who, for reasons of security, call themselves by the names of the days of the week, have sworn to destroy the world. But events soon cast doubt upon their real identities, for the man called Thursday is not the passionate young poet he claims to be. Put into context by Matthew Beaumont's introduction, which examines the novel's modernism, background, and depiction of turn-of-the-century London, The Man Who Was Thursday is both a brilliant thriller and a trenchant look at modern life.

What I have to say about it: This was one of the first books that actually did my head in. For an instant, when I read the ending, I understood a new thing. It was disconcerting, and I fell in love with the story.

Note: This was really hard for me. There were several others that I wanted to put on, but we limited ourselves to five. Alas for Till We Have Faces, Tales of King Arthur, and The Scottish Chiefs!

**************

Mr. A:
1. Jane Eyre
What I have to say about it: It is the face of true love. The final chapter best explains the nature of love, and those who have found it understand what Jane is saying.

2. The Silmarillion
What I have to say about it: The first time I read this book, it blew me away in its scope and expression. This is the kind of book which, once read, can be picked up and opened to any page for a new, fresh glimpse into a world unmatched by any other mythmaker.

3. The Grapes of Wrath
What Amazon has to say about it: A portrait of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless, of one man’s fierce reaction to injustice, and of one woman’s stoical strength, the novel captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. Although it follows the movement of thousands of men and women and the transformation of an entire nation, The Grapes of Wrath is also the story of one Oklahoma family, the Joads, who are driven off their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into Haves and Have-Nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity.

What I have to say about it: This is the first book that made me cry.

4. Moby-Dick
What Amazon has to say about it: The story tells the adventures of wandering sailor Ishmael, and his voyage on the whaleship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Ishmael soon learns that Ahab has one purpose on this voyage: to seek out a specific whale—Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white sperm whale. In a previous encounter, the whale destroyed Ahab's boat and bit off his leg, which now drives Ahab to take revenge.

What I have to say about it: I wrote my Master's thesis on this book, so I got to know it very well, indeed -- Dog-eared, notes in the margins, read til the cover literally fell off. I guess it comes down to Ahab and the poetry of his blasphemy.

5. Pride and Prejudice
What Amazon has to say about it: In one of the most universally loved and admired English novels, a country squire of no great means must marry off his five vivacious daughters. Jane Austen's art transformed this effervescent tale of rural romance into a witty, shrewdly observed satire of English country life.

What I have to say about it: I have six daughters, and I'm of no great means...

***************

So, what's your top five?

Friday, August 24, 2012

Mia's Submission

Evernight's own Sandra Bunino is visiting Boundless as the Sea to talk about her latest release!



Hardworking Mia Lavender's been offered a promotion she can’t refuse--VP of Client Experience at New York’s exclusive BDSM club, The Satin Rose Experience, or SRE. Mia's kept her submissive tendencies a secret, until now. She'll have ample opportunity to explore her fantasy because to succeed in her new role at SRE, she will need on-the-job training at the hands of Asher Cane.

During Asher Cane's very first training session with Mia, he fails to follow his own rules and has the hottest vanilla sex of his life. Mia needs training, and Asher is damned if he'll allow another Dom to touch her. Can Asher be the dispassionate trainer Mia needs to learn the exquisite give and take of dominance and submission? Or will her submission come only at the cost of his heart?

Mia’s Submission is Book One of The Satin Rose Experience (SRE) series.

SRE, New York’s elite BDSM club residing on the twentieth floor of Rosebud Resorts, contains ten uniquely themed suites, each with its own story to tell. Find the introduction of SRE in The Satin Rose Experience, a short story in Evernight Publishing’s Keyboards and Kink Anthology.

***************

Give us a taste...

“Training starts now, Mia. To do the job of Vice President of Client Services at SRE you must know what your clients will experience. They will come to you for information, advice and counsel. The only way you can truly help them is if you’ve experienced it yourself, to feel what they’ll feel. So, what do you think of Suite Five?” Asher asked, unknotting his tie and pulling it from his collar.

“It’s cold, both physically and visually. It’s not very comfortable.”

Asher grinned and nodded while draping the tie over his jacket. “Then it does its job. That’s exactly how it should feel in here. The submissive is supposed to feel physically insecure in this suite to help grow his or her trust in the Dominant.” He turned, locked eyes with Mia and sauntered toward her. “I hope to gain more of your trust today.”

Mia took a deep breath and her shoulders began to relax.

“Having said that, I’m sticking to the plan. Not like last night. Training is mandatory for this position and if I can’t control myself and train you properly, someone else will have to do it. I won’t have that. No one else touches you. Do you understand?”

“Of course,” Mia whispered. She couldn’t imagine going through this with anyone else.

“You remember our safe word, Mia?”

She nodded and stared into his dark brown eyes.

“Thorn.”

“Yes and please use it when you need to. Don’t think of it as a show of failure or fear. It’s the only way I’m going to understand your limits. Any questions before we begin?”

Mia’s eyes darted around the stark suite. “Cameras?”

Asher grinned. “The camera is in the mirror…” He strode to the large mirror where the note was placed and pointed. “It’s off and security is instructed to leave it off, unless you prefer to have it on,” he said and raised his eyebrows.

“No. No camera. This is going to be hard enough for me.”

“The purpose of the surveillance is not so that our security can watch, believe me; they’ve seen so much that it’s like watching a baseball game to them. It’s for the safety of our clients.”

“I understand but I still don’t like it. Plus I don’t feel unsafe with you,” Mia said with a shy smile.

He stepped toward her while unbuckling his belt. “I’m glad to hear that. Now turn around.”

She smiled at him and turned to face the wall once again. His silky, commanding voice washed over her body and soaked the juncture between her legs. Strong hands immediately kneaded at her shoulders and down her arms. Warmth sank into her flesh and she leaned back to capture more of his body heat. She relaxed momentarily but was snapped back on guard when his powerful hands encircled her ribcage and his fingers slipped between the buttons of her blouse. The sound of tearing fabric filled her ears as buttons popped from their stitching and flew in different directions. She sucked in a breath as he rid her of her shirt in one fluid motion.

“Put your hands together behind your back,” Asher’s honeyed voice buzzed through her.

She did as she was told and laced her fingers together at the top of her ass. The jingle of his belt buckle rang in her ear followed by a whoosh of leather sliding through fabric. Warm straps encircled her wrists, the buckle clanging in uneven tones as he tied it tight between her hands.

Mia swallowed hard and pulled at her hands, trying to loosen the bonds. She was firmly bound with no chance of freedom. Her breath quickened, stoking the fire growing in her belly. The bed springs creaked and she turned her head toward the sound.

“A submissive would be punished for that peek,” he growled.

She whipped her head back to face the wall.

“Come to me.”

Relieved to leave her corner, Mia spun on her heels and stepped toward him. Asher sat on the edge of the bed with his feet apart and patted the top of his thighs, beckoning her to the spot in between his knees. She complied and the heat of his hands enveloped her body as he pulled her in. She arched her back while his fingers teased up to the lacey band across her ribcage. He unsnapped her bra before pulling her hairpins, releasing her long, dark locks. Coiling her hair around his palm, he pulled downward, tipping her face toward the ceiling. He fondled the lace fabric of her bra, which only stayed secured by her arms pressed against her body. He slowly removed the band of lace and a rush of chilly air surrounded her breasts. The cool temperature was replaced with liquid heat when he took her nipple between his teeth. Mia moaned as sparks traveled from her breasts down to her core.

“Keep your legs straight and bend forward.”

Heated palms slid down her back, encircled her waist and guided her forward so that she was bent over his leg, her face and chest resting on the bed.

From the corner of her eye, she caught a partial reflection of the back of her legs and her ass, lifted high in the air. Her pussy ached with exquisite need as she watched his hands gently lift the fabric of her skirt. Mia closed her eyes as his palm rubbed small circles over her ass cheek and thigh. The heat suddenly disappeared and her eyes shot open in time to watch his hand come down with a slap. She whimpered as the sound echoed through the room. His palm continued to rub the sting from her suddenly very pink cheek. He followed the same routine on the other side and she cried out in passion the second time, anticipating the erotic burn. Craning her neck, she admired the matching pink splotches on both ass cheeks.

***************

Book Links:
Evernight Publishing / AllRomance eBooks / BookStrand / Amazon

Contact Sandra:
Website / Email / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon Author Page / Twitter @sandrabunino

Bio
Sandra Bunino began a love of romance stories while penning a creative writing assignment in high school. The story ended with the heroine receiving a long stemmed red rose in her locker on Valentine’s Day. Since then, all of her stories feature the hero presenting the heroine with roses. Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers.

Her books and short stories include Marooned in Miami, Lusted in Las Vegas, Sara’s Smile, The Satin Rose Experience and The Fountain Pen.

These days, Sandra lives on a wooded mountaintop not far from New York City with her family.

Remember, following is sexy!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Why Summer Isn't for Writing

I am a writer. In the past year, I've signed eight contracts, written two short stories, a novella, and six novels. And now that I'm on summer holidays, I'd thought to bang out another manuscript. But here I am two weeks in, and I've not written a word. I haven't written a thing ...

... because of water parks.

... because there are mudholes to wallow in.

...because there are mountains to climb.

... because friends have neat things on laptops to show me.

... because of fireworks.

... because friends have important things to say.

... because it's too damn hot.

... because of the LEGO store.

... because there are rivers to float down.

... because there are hills to tumble down.

...because there are Buddahs to see.

... because there are trains to ride and places to go.

... because sometimes you just wanna dance.

... because that ice cream won't eat itself.

... because -- oh, did I already mention mudholes?

... because of chatting and holding hands while floating down the river.

... because there are pictures to draw.

... because there's sunshine and water.

... because I am next to the most wonderful, most beautiful woman who has ever lived.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Mercenary Slave

Evernight's own Elyzabeth VaLey is swinging by Boundless as the Sea to discuss her new release and give away a free copy to one lucky commenter, so check out this glimpse into The Mercenary Slave and say "hi" below for your chance to win!

Ambushed, captured and sold…

After losing his best friend, Wybert is forced to give up his life as a mercenary and become a pleasure slave. The daunting task becomes harder than expected when the attraction to his slave master goes beyond the bedchamber.

Izz-Sarava was content with his life as the Zshanti’s slave master until the new serf appeared. Somehow, under his presence, his control slips and his heart becomes exposed.

As their feelings develop, will they be able to overcome a past that haunts them to pursue a future together?


***************

Give us a taste...

Without knocking, Melassar entered the darkened chamber. It was small, with barely enough space to stand and fully outstretch your arms. If you walked more than two paces in either direction, you’d meet a wall. It was the Sledövat, or Zshanti’s watching cell. Here she would sit and observe her pleasure slaves bathe whenever she pleased. Sometimes, if she so wished, they would be aware of her heavy stares. Other times, they were ignorant to her peering.

The beauty of the Sledövat lay in its splendid peeping panel, designed to trick the person bathing. From inside the water chamber all that was visible was an impressive painting of mermen and merwomen bathing and alluring a boat of sailors. However, small slits were cut across several places in the panel, allowing Zshanti to glance into the room, without hindrance.

She sat now on a low cushion, her chemise gathered at the waist and her long legs crossed before her. Her hands rested on her naked thighs, her nails digging into the soft skin. Zshanti turned to face him, her sky blue eyes sparkling in the dim light coming from the adjoining room.

“You took long enough, Izz-Sarava. Come here, you are missing quite a spectacle.”

Melassar hurried to his mistress’s side. Though she did not look up at him, he bowed low before taking a seat by her side.

“Look,” she whispered while leaning forward.

Melassar followed her lead. He gasped when he peered into the peephole. Zshanti chuckled softly at his side.

“I know.”

His mouth dried up as he watched the stunning figure of Wybert through the slit. The large man had not wasted any time in undressing after Melassar had left him in the room, instructing him to bathe and don clean clothes.

Melassar’s cock twitched in his breeches. Wybert stood in the center of the room in all his naked glory. Melassar gulped as Wybert approached the panel. Blood rushed to his cock, hardening it. Wybert was pure muscle, a man made out of stone. The muscles on his arms were defined, the plains of his chest undoubtedly solid, the ridges on his stomach unyielding.

Wybert observed the painted wall for a moment before losing interest. He yawned and stretched, the corded muscles of his biceps tensing as he raised his arms above his head. Melassar’s cock began to throb with need. Abruptly, Wybert stepped away from the wall and turned his back to them, giving them a view of his sculpted ass. Melassar discreetly massaged his cock through his trousers. Slowly, the giant eased himself into the hot tub. Letting out a satisfied sigh, he began to hum a popular ballad while bathing with the scented soap left at his disposal.

A low whimper forced Melassar to regain his bearings. Turning his head, he watched as his mistress dipped her fingers between her folds. She breathed laboriously, her breath coming out in slow pants as her left hand worked furiously at her pussy, drawing circles on her clit with hard strokes. Melassar shifted in his seat and she glanced up at him, a mixture of guilt and pleasure written on her face. Without a word, she removed her hand and they watched in silence for a few more minutes. Finally, Wybert stepped out of the tub.

“Do you think it will fit, Izz- Sarava?”

Melassar stared at Wybert’s organ. Even flaccid it seemed to be long and thick.

“It will take some getting used to, Zshanti, but I’m certain it will enter.”

His Zshanti nodded enthusiastically. “I can hardly wait for tonight. Come to me after dinner, Izz-Sarava.”

“As you command, Zshanti.” Melassar bowed his head.

Zshanti stood and left the room. Melassar took in a deep breath. The smell of her arousal coupled with his lingered in the air. He leaned towards the peeping slits, palming his cock through his breeches.

Droplets of water stuck to Wybert’s chocolate skin, mingling with the hair on his chest and running down his navel to the nest of hairs over which his marvelous cock rested. The thought of tasting that body, running his tongue across every plane and ridge made his mouth water. He licked his lips in anticipation. Tonight, but not now. With a regretful sigh, Melassar got on his feet. He squeezed his cock one last time.

“Duty first,” he chided. His pleasure could wait a little longer.

***************

Thanks for giving us a peek inside, Elyzabeth! OK, fans, comment below for a chance to win a free copy of this sizzler!

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The Wisest Maiden

Boundless as the Sea is pleased to welcome author Dahlia DeWinters today! As a fan of The Arabian Nights, this story intrigues me. Read on to learn more about Dahlia's new release with Liquid Silver Books!


After she is forced into marriage with a powerful ruler who deflowers and kills his brides, Issalia is compelled to use her wits to avoid the executioner’s axe. But can she avoid having her heart captured by the deeply wounded king?

***************

Give us a taste...

Issalia’s seemingly calm demeanor gave him pause and he leaned forward to peruse her, waving off the bowl of fruit. The ends of her curls trembled. So she was afraid. Under his examination, her expression quickly became one of pride and defiance. This one would put up a fight.

Toridesh smiled and descended from the throne in three quick steps. Though dusty from the marketplace and obviously frightened, her beauty was unspoiled and an aura of innocence glowed from within her. He congratulated himself again on such a fine choice.

He touched her chin to raise her eyes to his. “It is customary, maiden, for you to kneel in the presence of a king.”

She moved her face to the side, a subtle gesture, but one that caused his fingers to slide away. Prideful girl. Rosebud lips pressed together. She was not going to answer him, nor was she going to kneel.

“Maiden—”

“My name is Issalia. My family, my carrons, call me Issa. You may call me Issalia.” Though her voice was soft, the tone was as firm as stone.

How audacious of her to speak to him in this way! His head snapped up, his gaze darting to his attendants. Dealing with her in private would be best.

“Out, all of you, now.” There was a rustling and tapping of feet on the sandstone floor as slaves and guards alike hurried from the chamber.

The head palace guard paused before he left the room, eyeing Issalia’s slight form. “Your Majesty.” His voice rumbled in the silence of the chamber. “I humbly implore you to keep me in the room—”

“Nonsense.” Toridesh brushed his fingers against Issalia’s face, smiling when she twisted away. “She is well aware that to attack me is to bring down vengeance on her family and relatives.”

“I fear more for my family than for myself.” Issalia pressed her hands together. “Do with me what you want, leave them be.”

Toridesh waved his hand. “Firaz, I am safe here. Go.” Firaz shut the door when he left, and Toridesh knew he was just outside, waiting for any sign of danger.

“So you wish to taunt me.” He twined his fingers through her hair, the lovely tangle of bronze and brown curls that had captured his attention in the first place. “Perhaps that is not wise. Perhaps you should take this opportunity to beg for your life.”

Issalia blew out a puff of breath. Defiance squared her shoulders and she raised her chin to look him in the eye. Despite her small size, the look of anger in her eyes was enough he had to steel himself not to step backward.

“If it is my fate to be your wife and then perish at your hands, then so be it.”

Full of bravado, this one. It suited her well. Toridesh stroked her cheek, feeling her muscles tense at the jaw line. Smooth, pretty skin. His fingers plucked at the collar of her blouson, and it pleased him that she did not flinch, though the tremors continued to shake her body. He dropped his hand lower and cupped her breast, stroked the firm flesh under the thin cotton, watched as she bit her lower lip, her gaze on the floor.

He continued his exploration, brushing his fingers across the peak that had hardened under his touch. It was then she stepped back, crossed her arms. “Preserve your caresses for your wedding night, king.”

“Will they be any better received then, maiden?” He reached forward and crushed her to his chest, tipped her chin up and pressed his lips to her succulent ones. Kissing her made the blood roar in his head and pressure rise in his groin. She was sweet and warm, like fruited honey that was heated to just below boiling, or the heart of the ripest, sweetest strawberry.

She yielded to his mouth, allowing him to taste her to the fullest. Dizzy with her essence, he swayed slightly on his feet and held her even tighter.

Issalia made a small sound in her throat that vibrated through his body, urging him on, making his head buzz and swoop as if he were a virgin boy receiving his first kiss.

After breaking the kiss, he stared at her upturned face for a moment. How could she have such an effect on me? The other maidens he had kissed had been pliant, acquiescent to all of his demands. Issalia was none of these things. Her defiance and inner fire had ignited something within him that he had never experienced.

He let her go so suddenly she stumbled before she dropped to the low chaise next to her. Color shone in her cheeks and her chest heaved as she fought for breath. She raised a trembling hand to her now-swollen lips and touched them. Issalia looked at him in wonderment.

Before she could speak, he strode to the door and tore it open. Her effect on him was more than it should have been.

“Take her away,” he barked, turning on his heel to stride back to his throne. “Take her to her quarters. Amina will prepare her for the wedding.”

After she was gone, he sat on the lounge she had vacated, took a few deep breaths. Something about her stirred him, touched him more deeply than he cared to admit to himself. He would have to be very careful with her.

***************

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