SPOTLIGHT w/INTERVIEW - Caressed by the Edge of Darkness (Rulers of Darkness, #5) by Amanda J. Greene

 

What are some of your writing/publishing goals for this year?

If life permits, my goal is to release 2 novels and 1 novella this year. In just a few months I’ll be releasing Wicked Passion (Under Realm Assassins #3). I’ve also been working on Caressed by Dawn, the sixth installment of the Rulers of Darkness series. In my spare time, I’ve been playing with the idea of a new series, the Shadow Lords, which I’m extremely excited to share.

Do you have a character that you have been working on for a long time that still isn't quite ready, but fills you with excitement to work on the story?

YES! Gregory Wrothston from my work in progress, Passion’s Prey. I’ve been working on his story for years and have rewritten it about 10 times. It’s been difficult deciding if I will make it a standalone, a series, or trilogy. Gregory’s story is long, complicated, and the world building is what I’ve been needing to fine-tune.

Where would you spend one full year, if you could go ANYWhere? What would you do with this time?

I’d love to spend a year in the Scottish Highlands. My husband and I have spent some time there and we absolutely loved it. I would spend my time exploring and writing. I may even try my hand at a historical book.

Can you share you next creative project(s)? If yes, can you give a few details?

I’m currently focusing on Wicked Passion (Under Realm Assassins #3). James is a vampire and an assassin sent to eliminate a group of shape-shifting magic thieves—the perfect mission. He didn’t anticipate rescuing the woman the shifter’s had kidnapped and never did he expect to fall in love with her.

 

Excerpt:

“I’m not the kind of human that cowers. I will not run from you.”

He appreciated Jordan’s bravery but not her attitude. Losing his patience he snapped, “Would you like a job or not?”

“I can find my own, thanks.” She turned on her heel and marched toward the door.

Let her go.

Gabriel blocked her exit. He should let her be angry. He should allow her to believe he hated her so that she would hate him, but…he couldn’t.

“Get out of my way!”

“Not a chance.”

She squared her shoulders and notched her chin up. Regal, stunning, her violet eyes flashed with defiance, challenge. “Should the lowly human have asked for your permission to leave?” She pulled her hair to the side revealing the graceful column of her neck. “Should I play the meek mortal and let you tap my vein.” Her sensual mouth curled in a taunting smile. “My blood, I know you want it, leech.”

Tempting lips. Sexy voice. Bitchy words. Goddamn, he wanted her. “I thought we’d already established if I wanted your blood, I could just take it.” His eyes narrowed. “No. There is something else I want from you right now.”

He advanced. She didn’t back away. Oh, he loved her spirit. Reveled in it. Vampires shrank from him, but not his mortal. He doubted Jordan could even spell retreat.

She moistened her lips, her tiny teeth catching the dip of her bottom lip. He groaned. He’d nibble and lick that bow for her. As if she could read his thoughts, Jordan responded to him. Pink tinted her high cheekbones; her breaths grew heavy and the scent of jasmine intensified.

With unfathomable speed, he lunged. Before she could react, he had her hair wrapped around his fist. Their bodies slammed together. Soft curves to unyielding muscle.

He had her pinned against the back of the chaise. They both knew with one swift movement he could have her beneath him.

Gabriel tightened his hold on her hair as he drew his other hand up her body. His gloved fingers skimmed the outside of her thigh, gently brushed over the arch of her hip, caressed her side, lightly tickled her ribcage, and stopped. His hand hovered just above her breast.

One heartbeat. Two.

 Jordan pressed forward; her luscious breast fit his palm perfectly. They both groaned and shuddered from the contact.

“You make me crazed,” Gabriel grated. Tilting his head down, he rubbed his face against her hair, inhaling deep. “I’ve wanted…” He pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck then to the tip of her ear.

She shivered in his arms. He could sense her need, her desire. It matched his own. Strong. Relentless.

He kneaded her breast, her nipple stiffened beneath her shirt. The pearl abraded his palm, taunting him. Gabriel wanted to taste it, to pull it between his lips. Would she like it if he used his teeth…his fangs?

His cock pulsed. He pressed the hard length against her belly. A shocked, delighted gasp seized in her throat. Jordan’s voice trembled as she whispered his name.

Their gaze locked.

She aches for me just as I ache for her.

He should stop this. Never had a woman enthralled him so…Never had he craved like this. Mindless.

The mortal—magicless, powerless—she’d done this to him.

Gabriel released her breast to grip the swell of her hip. He ground his sex against her.

She’d pay. He’d show her why no one dared tempt a beast.

His vision shifted, his fangs elongated. Yes, he’d show her and he’d take what he wanted.

Pulling her hair, he yanked her head back, exposing her throat. He leaned forward and inhaled her scent again, his lungs filled with jasmine and woman. His lips brushed over her pulse. “Beautiful.” He raked his fangs over her pulse then soothed the reddened flesh with his tongue.

Tiny sighs escaped her lips with every kiss he pressed against her neck, her jaw, her cheek.

“Look at me,” he demanded.

She opened her heavy lidded eyes to peer up at him from beneath thick, dark lashes. Her violet gaze glowed with need, her delicious lips parted as her breaths panted, silently begging for him.

When only a whisper separated their lips, he snarled, “I’ve waited.”

Gabriel possessively took her mouth. Claimed. Soft, giving lips trembled beneath his. He delved his tongue inside, tasting her. He expected a shy response, a tentative lick, but Jordan boldly kissed him back. She rose to her toes. Her hands flew to his shoulders. She cleaved to him in desperation. He felt the sharp points of her nails through his shirt as she pulled him even closer. Tighter.

Holding her, feeling her move against him, her mouth greedily meeting his. It felt right. Everything about this felt right, like he’d been waiting centuries for this moment. As if her kiss had broken some kind of spell, his heart pounded, his soul awakened. Had he truly been cold and deadened for so long?

This woman. This mortal was forcing him to feel again. He reveled in it; he reviled it. But he couldn’t stop. There was no stopping, no going back. She’d marked him and he’d mark her.