April 5th-10th
I've been giving away my second book, Caressed by Night, but there are a lot of interested readers who haven't read the first within the Rulers of Darkness series. So, I've decided to giveaway 1 print copy and 1 ebook (PDF) of Caressed by Moonlight. I will be giving away a few copies of Caressed by Night later in the month - perfect opportunity to win & read the first and be prepared for the second.
Description:
Dorian Vlakhos is no
ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save
his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim
his immortal life.
Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Prince Vlakhos.
After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire would bind them for all eternity. But treachery, war, and death rule Dorian's dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive
Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Prince Vlakhos.
After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire would bind them for all eternity. But treachery, war, and death rule Dorian's dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive
Excerpt:
Dorian despised
parties. He hated the young girls fighting for his attention and he
hated the jealous men. But he could not serve his Clan if he wasn’t
seen. He had to mingle with society if he was to draw the attention of
the hunters away from his family.
Women smiled at him, fluttered their lashes, and even winked at him as
he made his way through the room. Some were even bolder. They pressed
against him and quickly whispered their names and addresses in his ear.
It was the same everywhere he went. Even when he had been human, women
would beg for him to take them to his bed.
Ever since it got out that Lady Tillman had paid him a strictly social visit, he was now the talk of the ton.
He had been interested in renting one of her properties to stable his
horses and, naturally, the bored, twisted minds of the aristocracy would
have to distort it into an afternoon tryst. Whoever had spread the
gossip must have completely forgotten that Lady Tillman had entered and
departed his home in the presence of her full-grown nephew, who had
taken over her financial affairs since the passing of her husband.
There was no possible way he could not deny that he had taken lovers
within the last month but he preferred his own kind. Humans could be so
fragile. His few tumbles had been with vampires and those very talented
gypsy women.
Dorian shook hands with a few of the men and exchanged pleasant words
with a few of the more respectable ladies before he dashed outside. He
took in a deep breath of the fresh night air and spared a glance up at
the moon. The sky was not as clear as it was back home and he found it
irritating. The one thing that had ever given him peace was the
brilliant shine of the moon.
“It isn't as clear as the country.”
“I'm sorry?”
“The sky. It is clearer in the country,” Victoria said as she stepped from the shadows of the trees.
The man turned to face her and she gasped as if she had been struck. He
was tall, taller than any man she had ever seen, muscled and thick.
Strands of deep brown hair fell across his angelic yet masculine face,
her fingers twitched with the desire to brush them away from his
magnificent eyes. Those fathoms of blue were like the sea after a
tremendous storm, piercing, penetrating, and exotic. His jaw was
straight and square, his lips thin and alluring. He was absolutely
beautiful, in a dangerous, very masculine way.
“Yes.” Dorian’s delicious lips turned up in a smile.
His husky voice moved over her skin like a caress, her entire body was
aflame as his smoldering gaze that roamed over her, leaving nothing
untouched.
Dorian was swept away by this young woman's beauty. She looked like an
ancient goddess. Her nearly black hair sat in tight ringlets atop her
head. He could see every detail of her face in the moonlight. Her deep,
green eyes framed with long, flirting lashes, her slim nose, perfectly
molded cheekbones, and lush lips that would tempt any man. His eyes
slowly moved down the length of her bare neck, over her slender
shoulders, and paused for the briefest of moments on her full breasts
then continued their journey across her waist and hips, all the way down
to the hem of her gown.
Victoria shook her head trying to remember why it was she had come
outside. She commanded herself to think and forced the thick, sensual
haze from her mind. She turned her eyes back to the man and found that
his had never once left her. The way he studied her was beginning to
grow irksome and she had the sudden desire to slap that satisfied smirk
off his face.
“I do believe you are staring, sir.”
“I
am,” he said, his smile widening. And he wasn't finished. He looked
her over once more, much to Victoria's aggravation. “Do you belong to
anyone?” he asked.
“Belong, sir?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t believe that is any of your business.”
“Ah, no one?” he said, his interest rising.
“That is not what I said.”
“And why is it that such a beautiful woman belongs to no one?”
“I'm
not married or engaged,” she stated then snapped her mouth shut. She
should not have given this seductive man that information. In his hands
the knowledge could be dangerous.
“I concluded that, but surely your parents…”
Victoria tilted her chin up. “My parents have recently passed away.”
“I'm sorry,” he apologized, his smile gone.
“Why
should you be? You didn't know them,” she stated, fighting the tears
that threatened to fall. Now was not the time to cry, not in front of
him, even if she had the desperate desire to feel his strong arms around
her.
“The little kitten has claws,” Dorian said intrigued. “I like that.”
She laughed. It was a warm sound that made him want to kiss those rich lips of hers.
“You are trying to make me blush, but it won't work. I’ve dealt with men like you before.”
It was Dorian's turn to laugh now. She had never dealt with anyone like
him. He was no ordinary man. He was a vampire king.
“Men like me, kitten?” he asked when he had finally gained control of his laughter.
“Yes,”
she said with a nod, her irritation growing. He had laughed at her. Did
he think she was a young naïve chit who knew nothing of men and their
ways?
“You are the rakish type whose only talent is seducing innocent girls.”
“That
is not my only talent. Although I must admit,” his smile turned
devilish, “it is one of my favorites.” He took a step forward. “Tell me
your name, sweetheart,” his voice was bewitching, smooth, and elegant.
Her name? Her name? Her mind was a whirlwind of sinful images, tender
caresses, and feather light kisses. Her name? How could she have
forgotten her name?
Dorian chuckled at her confusion. She looked so sweet, her emerald eyes
glazed over with passion. Her lips parted and moist, and he took
another step.
“Please, a name, my lady,” he begged, moving closer.
“My
name?” she asked herself. “I–My–” She shook her head, clearing it of
its sinful haze and announced, at long last, “Victoria Kingston.”
“Victoria,”
he repeated with a nod. “A gorgeous name, it suits you well.” Another
step, now they stood a breath apart. He could feel the heat from her
body; her rapid heartbeat was music to his ears. This woman was a treat
and it appeared that he would no longer need to amuse himself with
gypsies and vampire whores. His policy was to not bed women who were
members of fickle court life but he was more than willing to make an
exception for this girl. She was a delicacy and everyone deserved a
little indulgence once in a while.
Victoria backed away; she could not allow herself to be so close to
him. He was a libertine and she could not afford to be seduced.
She cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak, but before she
could say a word, he announced, “I am Dorian Vlakhos.”
Her eyes flew wide. This was the man about whom Lady Wisten had warned
her. This was the prince who had caused such a stir. Now she understood
why the women were fawning over him. He was everything he was said to
be, a devilishly handsome man with who had seduction on his mind and she
was out on the terrace alone with the rake. He could ruin her. He could
tarnish her good name. Panic began to flutter in her belly.
“Well, Your Royal Highness–”
“Call me Dorian.”
“Your Royal Highness–”
“It’s much less of a mouthful to say.”
“Prince Dorian–”
“As you please,” he said with a shrug.
“Your
Royal Highness,” she snapped. “I really must be getting back to the
party. My friend is waiting.” She moved to step around him, but he
caught her arm and pulled her back.
“Not yet.”
Victoria sighed in exasperation. “Prince Dorian, I have no desire to
become another one of your conquests for this season.”
“I just want us to become better acquainted,” Dorian stated. “And we will,” he added with a raised brow.
“No,” she declared, yanking her arm back. “We won't.” She turned on her heel and stormed back into the house.
Dorian watched her with a smile on his face. He could not remember the
last time he had smiled and this girl had him smiling like a fool. He
fought the urge to go after her, pull her back outside, and into the
shadows where he could make good his promise.
Victoria Kingston was going to be a tough skirt to catch, but he was
not a man who backed down from such a challenge, especially not when the
reward was so sweet.
Read Reviews:
Great excerpt! Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteSounds great! Cant wait to read it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt - great sense of character already, even from that small extract. Hope I win as I would love to read more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway
I love and enjoyed the exceprt. That excerpt make me can't wait to read this book. I want read more!!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for giveaway!!
I don't read excerpts but the description sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteLauren
Love the excerpt and post. Sounds like a great book. Thanks
ReplyDeleteIt got my attention!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you all enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for entering and for interest. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCaressed by Moonlight just sounds down right tasty and the excerpt was definitely the appetizer. I am looking forward to the rest of the meal :) Thank you for your generous giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDeleteLove the excerpt, can't wait to read the book! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWow I love it all i can say is it has my attention and i cant wait to read it. My email is butterfli262002@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you all for participating. I will postvthe winnes later tonight!
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who haven't entered, you have a few more hours to get your name in!
I loved it! I think Victoria is gonna be spunky and Dorian is going on a hell of a ride!!!
ReplyDeleteandieleah78@gmail.com