Destiny Rising - Spotlight and Review

This is my stop during the blog tour for Destiny Rising by Siobhan Davis. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 1 till 21 September, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.
This series contains 3 books: True Calling (True Calling #1), Beyond Reach (True Calling #2) and Destiny Rising (True Calling #3). And two novella’s: Lovestruck (True Calling #0.5) and Light of a Thousand Stars (True calling #2.5).

Destiny Rising (True Calling #3)
By Siobhan Davis
Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction/Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: August 30, 2015

Blurb:
Every choice has a consequence.

Once again, the world is on the brink of momentous change. As revolutionary organization Saoirse prepares to battle the government for control of Earth and Novo, Ariana and those she loves must join humanity’s fight for justice and freedom.

As haunted memories resurface, old discoveries and new realities conspire to shatter her world forever.

Torn in one direction by her unique connection to childhood sweetheart Zane, and pulled in the other by a relentless passion for her fiery fiancé Cal, she must make the hardest decision of all. While embarking on a road to self-discovery, her psychic gift evolves and the full extent of her powerful ability is revealed.

Then fate lands another savage blow and she faces the most horrific choice of all. Forced into striking a deal with the enemy, she must make the ultimate personal sacrifice or risk everything she holds dear.

When destiny finally rears its head, what will the future hold?

You can find Destiny Rising on Goodreads

You can order Destiny Rising here:
- Amazon
- Amazon.co.uk
- Amazon.ca
- Amazon.au
- Barnes&Noble
- Apple/iBooks
- Kobo


MY REVIEW

Another amazing Roller coaster read from Siobahn Davis. I have to admit the main question on my mind all the way through  the series has been - Cal or Zane?  One moment I would be convinced that Zane and Ari are meant for each other, the next I would be feeling the same way about Cal. I love the way Siobahn gets under the skin of her characters.  They are all very different, and this adds to the enjoyment of the books, making  them seem very plausible and easy to relate to.  Some characters who seem pretty unpleasant to start with, turn out to be very different when the reason for their actions becomes clear, and again there are several surprising twists to the story which keep the reader guessing, and some interesting revelations about the relationships between some of the characters. All three main characters have grown and developed with each successive book. Ari especially has changed and matured, and is now starting to realise that there she has powers beyond the telepathic connection she and Zane share.

The plot is fairly complex, a good Science Fiction background, with much political intrigue, battles, and loads of action and suspense. The reader is carried along with the characters and I could visualize everything as it happened.

As with the first two books, this is a real page turner. The climax is exciting and amazing, and even when the main battle has been won there is more to come and one wonders if there can possibly be a satisfactory conclusion. There is so much packed into this story and so many twists and turns and it would be easy to give some hints, but if you haven't yet read this series I wouldn't want to spoil it for you.  One disclosure toward the end confirmed suspicions I'd had for a while, and a question that hung over the series from the first book was answered.There were also other revelations that I certainly didn't see coming. A great finish to the series, and I love the way the author wrapped everything up at the end, answering all the questions and tying up any lingering loose ends, so the reader is left completely satisfied, a very enjoyable read.

Five comets
 I received a copy of 'Beyond Reach' in exchange for an honest and unbiased review


More Praise for Destiny Rising:
“It was beyond brilliant, totally unputdownable, wildly entertaining, edge of the seat action, full of suspense; it totally rocked. Loved the ending, loved the book.” Karla. Goodreads Reviewer.

“This is without a doubt the best book this author has written so far. I loved it from the start until the end. This series shows how a love triangle can be done right. Destiny Rising evoked so many emotions in me … and the ending, wow, so powerful. I highly recommend this series.” Lola’s Reviews.

“I cannot believe all of the whammy that this author packed into her book. It’s insane how quickly she’s put out these three books, and the quality is so incredibly good.” Danielle. Paraeducator and Goodreads Reviewer.

“The events in this book, especially the ones I thought I could handle, left my heart and mind racing. Siobhan Davis is an exceptional writer and she knows how to wrap a reader around her fingers.” Khayzelle. Written Arts Blog.

“Suspense, and the urge to turn the page were almost overwhelming, resulting in quite a few long nights. The story is complex, but solidly built. Good to the last page.” Patricia Hamill. Author Blogger. Puretextuality. @PatriciaHamill2

“I cannot put my love for Siobhan Davis’ True Calling series into words – it’s easily one of my favorite series. Destiny Rising tugs at your heart strings and messes with your feelings, but it is so wonderful. The writing is brilliant and flows wonderfully. Davis’ brings the series to a close with an epilogue that ties everything perfectly together. What a fantastic ride…”
Danielle. RamblingB00ks Blog.

“True Calling was great, and Beyond Reach was awesome, but Destiny Rising took the series to a whole new level. This series deserves to become as well-known as popular series such as The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games, Divergent, etc... It's that good.”
Rose. Paranormal Books Blog.


First two books in the series:
True Calling (True Calling #1)
By Siobhan Davis
Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction/Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: August 1, 2014

Blurb:
Two Different Worlds. One Shared Dream.

Planet Novo, nestled in space twelve hundred miles above the surface of the Earth, is the new home of 17-year-old Cadet Ariana Skyee. Confused by the government-sanctioned memory erase and distressed at her impending forced marriage and motherhood, Ariana’s plans for the future are thrown into complete disarray.

As the traumatic events within her family life enfold, Ariana grows increasingly alarmed at the authorities apparent pre-occupation with her and feels progressively more isolated and alone.

Her growing feelings for fellow Cadet Cal Remus intensify as the recently announced pageant, ‘The Calling’, gets underway. Struggling to comprehend the continuous, inexplicable dreams of the mysterious Zane, discovering the past helps shape her future, with devastating personal consequences.

You can find True Calling on Goodreads

- Amazon
- Amazon UK
- Barnes & Noble
- iTunes/iBooks
- Kobo


Beyond Reach (True Calling #2)
By Siobhan Davis
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: April 30, 2015

Blurb:
Some secrets are worth fighting for.

Back on Earth, Ariana is caught in a dangerous crossfire between clandestine rebel organization Clementia and the power-hungry government. Refusing to divulge the location of the secret information entrusted to her by her late father, she desperately tries to bargain for her Mom, Lily, and Cal’s rescue. She’s fighting a losing battle, and the clock is ticking.

Presented with evidence of her fiancé Cal’s apparent betrayal, she loyally defends him despite her concerns. With her emotions in turmoil, matters become even more complicated as she grows closer to her ex-boyfriend Zane.

When the stakes are raised, a succession of shocking revelations rocks her world, setting her on a path that will not only change her destiny but the fate of humanity.

Confronted by a memory so abhorrent comes a truth she would do anything to forget.

But some things just can’t be undone.
***
Beyond Reach is the gripping second novel in the True Calling trilogy, continuing the story of Ariana Skyee in the weeks after she arrives back on Earth.

You can find Beyond Reach on Goodreads

You can buy Beyond Reach here:
- Amazon
- Amazon UK
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- iBooks


About the Author:
Siobhan Davis is the author of YA science fiction romance series True Calling.

A self-diagnosed ‘teenager forever’—at least when it comes to books, music and movies; Siobhan is totally addicted to teen fiction and superhero/blockbuster movies. Siobhan loves baking, crime novels, shoes, bags, make-up, anti-wrinkle cream, anything pink, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and Robert Pattinson (definitely Team Edward). Siobhan has forged a successful corporate career, in Human Resources, over the last twenty years.

Siobhan resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
Contact Siobhan at: www.siobhandavis.com

You can find and contact Siobhan here:
- Website
- Blog
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Google +
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Newsletter

Sample chapters, quotes, reviews and book excerpts are all available to download from the author's website

Join Siobhan's mailing list to receive a free copy of Lovestruck.

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Destiny Rising. These are the prizes you can win:
- e-copies of the whole True calling series by Siobhan Davis. Which is the following books: True Calling, Lovestruck, Beyond Reach, Light of a Thousand Stars and Destiny Rising.
- one 10$ amazon gift card

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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Spotlight and Giveaway - The Sparks Saga by R S McCoy

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Quest of a Scottish Warrier, by Sky Purrington - Spotlight and Giveaway

 

 I'm so thrilled to be able to welcome back the talented Sky Purington today - congratulations on your latest release, Sky, I'm sure it's just as breathtaking and enjoyable as all your other stories in the MacLomain Series.


Quest of a Scottish Warrior
The MacLomain Series: Later Years
Book 1
Sky Purington   

Genre:  Time-travel Fantasy Romance

Date of Publication:  September 8, 2015

ASIN:  B010EKKQUE

Number of pages:  257
Word Count:  82,800

Cover Artist:  Tamra Westberry

PURCHASE LINKS:  Amazon – iTunes – Kobo – Barnes & Nobles

Book Description:

Historian and ancestry website owner, Cassie first became interested in her long lost Broun clan when she realized life was about to change forever. Faced with possible blindness, she seeks out her Scottish bloodline only to discover there is so much more to it than she could have anticipated. Not only will she find answers to her questions but a doorway into the distant past via a Claddagh ring.

Betrothed since birth to a lass he has never met, Chieftain Logan MacLomain thought the unending tie between his clan and the Brouns was long past. Never was he more wrong. When Cassie appears in a skirmish on the border of his clan’s land, all his noble intentions are put to the test. To desire her is wrong but still he seeks her out every chance he gets. Just a glimpse of her passing smile brightens the honorable yet lonely path he must see through.

Everything changes for Cassie and Logan the day war ravages a nearby village and a young king’s fate is put at risk. Scotland’s future hangs in the balance as denied love blossoms and four MacLomain warriors band together to save all that might soon be lost. Set to avenge the harm done, Logan embarks on a quest with Cassie that will take them both down a road fraught with risk, heartache and the beginning of an end they never saw coming.

Excerpt:

Cassie nodded and as they’d done the past couple of nights, they settled into comfortable conversation. She was a pleasure to chat with. Though humble, she possessed a sharp wit. He suspected had she pursued any of her college majors, she would have excelled.

Yet the more he got to know her the more he sensed she lived her life a certain way…as if she knew its outcome already. Almost like someone planning to move to another country and preparing themselves for a different language and customs. Eventually, he intended to find out exactly what she was getting ready for. Whatever it was, it had her purposely changing subjects on a somewhat regular basis.

As he figured she would, Cassie eventually said, “Why are we eating separately from everyone tonight?”

Though tempted to say it was unintentional, he would be lying. The truth was he wanted her all to himself. “‘Twas a trying experience earlier. I thought you might want some privacy to relax.”

She arched her brow and offered a lopsided grin. “Yet you’re here.”

“Well, you cannae be alone in these woods, lass.” He polished off his meat and leaned back on his hands so that his shoulder was almost against hers. Voice lowered, he said, “And I’ll admit to wanting to spend some time alone with you. ‘Tis a luxury I rarely get.”

 “Ah.” This time he didn’t have to touch her to enjoy her becoming blush. His eyes dropped to her mouth when she licked her lips. He had never wanted to taste a lass so much in his life. When she cleared her throat, his eyes slowly returned to hers.

“You should probably stop looking at me like that,” she said.

“Like what?”

“Like we’re here alone for another reason altogether.”

“Aye,” he murmured, caught by how the firelight reflecting off the shrubbery behind her seemed to magnify the pale green in her eyes. Unable to stop himself, he brushed his thumb down her delicate jawline, eager for far more contact. “May I kiss you, lass.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “W-what?”

“Kiss you.” He ran the pad of his thumb over her lower lip and leaned even closer. “I’ve wanted to do it since I pulled you onto my horse that first day.”

“Oh,” she whispered, not shying away.

Wrapping his hand in her hair, he didn’t kiss her right away but brought his lips close to her ear and murmured, “I’ve never seen such a bonnie lass.” He flicked his tongue beneath her dainty earlobe, relishing her quiver. “I’ve never wanted to touch and taste a lass so much that I cannae think straight.”

“Oh,” she whispered again, her head tilting to give him more access. God, she tasted warm and sweet and so bloody soft. He gently peppered kisses along her jaw, desperate to reach her lips but equally eager to sample everything along the way. Sharp arousal speared him when her breath hitched and she squeezed her thighs together. Hell, he had known the lass less than a week and he’d already imagined a hundred different ways he wanted to make love to her.

At last, his lips hovered over hers, savoring the heat of her breath, the ravenous anticipation before he finally…

“Och, m’laird, ye should have gotten to that sooner,” Machara quipped as she came around the corner.

Cassie pulled back sharply and Logan scowled as he redirected his attention to his intrusive cousin. “What is it?”

About the Author:

Sky Purington is the best-selling author of seventeen novels and several novellas. A New Englander
born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com. Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter. Love social networking? Find Sky on Facebook and Twitter.

Website:   www.skypurington.com

Blog:   www.skypurington.blogspot.com

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/skypurington

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sky-Purington/260484263999780

Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/skypurington


Tour giveaway

1$50 gift card to winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble

FOLLOW THE REST OF THE TOUR HERE


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Loving Red - Guest post, Giveaway and interview

I'm so happy to welcome Alisha Costanzo to the Flightdeck once more.  Help yourself to something refreshing from the replicator and let's find out a bit more about her book - Loving Red (and don't forget to read her fascinating ideas about writing from the male perspective, and enter the Rafflecopter contest.)

Book Information

Blurb:

For Sergeant Severins Bouvier, silence means tactical planning and a large death toll, and he can’t
shake how danger threatens him on the beaches of Miami, especially after seeing one of his associates in a local sandwich shop. Worse, the enemy seems fascinated with the woman he can’t stop thinking about—a woman determined not to trust him.

Everything about Sev crashes through Kaia’s carefully placed boundaries, traps, and avoidances. Regardless of her lack of interest in the majority of men, the ones that did catch her off guard left a lot of collateral damage. Who better than a soldier to understand that?

The problem is that she trusts him. Just not with her heart.

Book Links:

Amazon—http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Broken-World-Alisha-Costanzo-ebook/dp/B0134M8NUE

Goodreads –https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25163456-loving-red

 It was my pleasure to interview Alisha recently. Here's how our chat went: 

 HL: Tell us a little more about yourself.

 AC: I'm from a Syracuse suburb. I earned my MFA in creative writing from the University of Central Oklahoma, where I currently teach English. I'm the author of BLOOD PHOENIX: REBIRTH, BLOOD PHOENIX: CLAIMED, and LOVING RED, and co-editor of  DISTORTED. UNDERWATER. My new anthology, is undergoing serious edits for its 2016 release. In the meantime, I will continue to corrupt young minds, rant about the government, and daydream about her all around nasty creatures.

HL:  Impressive! I wish I'd had a teacher like you when I was at school! Now, tell us three things not many people know about you.

        AC:  First, I’m already that old Italian Grandma that comes out with a plate of sweets when we have visitors in my house or freshly made lasagna, and I’m only thirty. I feed people to show them I love.

       Two, I can draw. My K-12 schools had nice arts programs, so I found my talent for pencil and charcoal young. I’ve won a few awards for it, and I love to watch You-tube videos of people creating pieces of art since I don’t get to draw often myself. And I like watercolors, but I can’t paint with any other materials.

       Three, I have some pretty strange celebrity crushes. My number one was/is Robin Williams, even though he’s old enough to be my father and a hairy beast. A funny man is truly sexy. I also love Christopher Walken and Anthony Hopkins. Their acting makes them sexy.
       And I have a total girl crush on Mila Kunis and Eliza Dushku.

HL:   Oh I used to love to draw and paint (oils). Don't have time now unfortunately. Something else we have in common. What do you do for fun when not writing?

AC: I read, of course, I cook and bake, I teach (yes, for work, but it’s so much fun. I love it), I watch crime shows and The Walking Dead, I watch DIY and How-To videos, play with my cats, and work on website design. I love to spend time chatting with my husband, watching stand-up comics, and listening to his stories. But I’m usually working (grading, editing, writing, or promoting).

HL:   What comes first: the plot or the characters?

AC: Most often the characters come first, but they develop closely together. Many times, the characters I work with derive from secondary characters I create in previous stories that just don’t know how to shut up. I also find that internal character conflict develops depth and makes the plot develop more smoothly.


HL:  OK. What is your personal definition of success?

AC: Meeting my goals means success for me. I have three whiteboards hung behind my desk with lists of WIPs, ideas, and marketing goals. Each time I fully complete a project, I deem myself a success. Does it sell? I don’t know. Maybe? Does it matter? Not really. If I wrote to make money, I’d take my husband’s advice long ago and write the next 50 Shades of Grey.
That’s just not my style.  Lyn chuckles - not mine either, sorry do go on -
After every project, I make more elaborate goals; I push myself harder on my next project(s). I make it a point to keep improving, and as long as I do so, I am successful. It’s a pretty self-fulfilling and selfish definition, but the point of life is to be happy. Why work so hard if we don’t love what we do?
So. If happiness means success, I’ll take it.

HL:  What sort of research do you do for your books and what’s your favourite  source of information?

AC: I am a research junkie. Most of my preliminary research comes from the internet, where I find multiple sources to ensure I have a full understanding to relay information I am not otherwise familiar with. For example, I did research on how to create a smokeless fire so that Kaia could contribute to their survival in the woods.

I also love to use people for my research purposes. For LOVING RED, I focused on my husband for Sev’s background and the military aspects of the story. In fact, he makes a cameo in the novel as Private Webb, and he actually preached at his Dzus fasteners to tighten them all on the first try. I also referred my one of my best friends, Laura, whom I often refer to as the “real Kaia.” She helped me with the accounting aspects and the Christian ones pertinent to Kaia’s character. When Kaia talks to the moon early in the plot, Laura had to coach me through the type of conversation Kaia would have with her at the end of a hard day.

HL:  Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

AC: In LOVING RED, my favorite character would have to be Eilon. He’s so different from the others. He was one of those characters that popped up when I needed a plot point and new character and I had no idea what I was doing. My favorite all time character, Boden, came to me in the same fashion. And they’re both fae, go figure.

 Why do I love him? Because he breaks the mold of my other characters. He’s male without being big and bad and buff. He’s dramatic and has flair that no one else could pull off the way he does, and he surprised me later in the novel with how truly strong he could be, even in favor of a wolf, his archenemy.

            It’s hard not to fall in love with him.

H.L:   Sadly our time is nearly up if we want to send you back to Earth safely. Finally, where can readers connect with you?

AC: Readers can connect with me...
On facebook, here: https://www.facebook.com/brokenworldauthor
On goodreads, here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4618491.Alisha_Costanzo
On my website, here: https://alishamcostanzo.wordpress.com/
On my blog, here:http://alishamcostanzo.wordpress.com/
On Twitter, here: https://twitter.com/AlishaCostanzo
Or via email, here: alishacostanzo@gmail.com

       Thank you so much for taking time to visit my blog, it’s been a thrill having you here and learning more about you and your writing. I wish you much success now and in the future.

Author Information Section

Author Bio: Alisha Costanzo is from a Syracuse suburb. She earned her MFA in creative writing from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she currently teaches English. She’s the author of BLOOD PHOENIX: REBIRTH and BLOOD PHOENIX: CLAIMED, and co-editor of DISTORTED. UNDERWATER, her new anthology, is undergoing serious edits for its 2016 release. In the meantime, she will continue to corrupt young minds, rant about the government, and daydream about her all around nasty creatures.

Media Links:

Website – www.alishacostanzo.weebly.com

Blog – www.alishamcostanzo.wordpress.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/brokenworldauthor

Twitter – twitter.com/AlishaCostanzo

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4618491.Alisha_Costanzo

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Alisha-Costanzo/e/B00H2R9W9E/

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/alishacostanzo/

Other- www.transmundanepress.weebly.com

Guest Post Section: “Why I Love Writing as a Male.”

Writing in the male perspective is akin to freedom. And although I love to write empowered women in their various levels or snark, sarcasm, stubbornness, sweetness, and strength, something about slipping into a male’s persona liberates me. Granted, most of the time, I find it easier.

No. This isn’t because I believe males are less complex than females. In general terms, we’re much the same. But I’ve always fancied male friends over females ones, listening to them fight over videogames, tease each other, argue with no fallout, and bond without the need to shop for shoes, talk about the opposite sex (although that can happen with men as much as with women), gush about their feelings, or manipulate for their own gains.

Okay, I know, it seems like I’m giving women a bad name here. I’m not. I’m a feminist with all of those negative connotations attached. I don’t hate men, and I don’t hate women. I merely think more like a man.

In fact, I’ve taken the gender personality test, which my husband gave me in his first years as a Psychology major, and I came out close to 50-50 on the scale—a half of a point leaning towards male rather than female.

And don’t get me wrong. I can be a damn girl sometimes, too. Just throw a spider at me. I squeal and jump and climb on chairs until someone else comes to kill it or put it outside. I like shoes and purses, although I never wear heels and I hate to carry a purse. Go figure. I love being a wife and taking care of my husband. I love to cook for him—most days. I’m motherly toward my students, calling them my kids, giving them advice, and most times, merely listening when they need to talk.

But man, I love the power of being a male on the page. This started with my alternate personas online, via facebook roleplaying. I knew how to be tough and dirty, how to flatter a woman properly, how to flirt and be perverse without overstepping my bounds, how to show just enough sensitivity and pain that women would fall for me. And I wasn’t a slut or a whore or trying too hard. Even when I was all of those things.

Again, I don’t believe males and females are all that different from one another. How can we be? We’re all human. Yes, yes. The hormones. Blah. So I become a bitch every once in a while. Men can be assholes. What’s your point?

Okay, maybe I need to reign in my own point here.

Stereotypes and sexism still affect us. (No, I won’t get on a rant about this; you’re safe to keep reading). So being a male is liberating. I love being a romantic goofball without being needy. Although men, you can be damn needy, too (*coughs and whispers my husband’s name*). I love swearing like a sailor, having tattoos, doing the heavy lifting, grossing people out, and being the real pervert that I am, and not only being found attractive for it, but being the ideal male.

But the best part is my ability to show how a man can be more than what the media portrays him as—more than a set of six-pack abs, bulging arms, scruff, and testosterone. Instead I show men as geeks and goobers, who want to be held, and have fears. They can be melodramatic, lonely, and just as good of a caretaker as a woman. They don’t have to be knights in shining armor. Instead, they’re free to be partners.

Boden and Eilion, two of my fae, have quickly become favorites of mine for their inability to hide their emotions, to run when they’re outmatched, and for breaking the stereotypes. Since I love them, why wouldn’t I love writing in their perspectives?

Excerpt Section, From Chapter Sixteen

Sach met them on the small porch with a .22 rifle pointed at the woods behind him, likely loaded with silver and cold iron since no bullets existed to kill vampires, but a well-placed shot would slow one down. Kaia moved fast and disappeared inside in under a minute. Thank the Gods she took direction well. When a soldier didn’t learn to obey, they tended to die.

Lacey trotted out of the trees and up to the porch, changing into her dark almond form and trailing her hands over Sach’s front as she rounded him. She peered over his shoulder to meet Severins’ gaze.

“One fell into a trap, and the others ran off scared. She won’t get out anytime soon, so when you’re ready for her...”

Her hand dipped down between Sach’s legs, and he grunted. Lacey had a reputation for sexual aggression after her transformations, especially when she fought. “Wake Dylan to take your watch.”

He merely nodded to her, and she sauntered back into the woods.

“Looks like you need clothes.”

“I could do with that.”

Sach nodded inside, and Severins followed, walking into the cabin he knew too well to see Kaia sitting in front of the glowing coals in the fireplace. The way she looked him over gave him a charge, and he worked hard to control himself. She turned away with blush on her cheeks and neck, shoving an aroused growl through his chest.

But Severins tailed Sach into the single bedroom, where he gained a new Army issued uniform with jacket and boots included to dress in.

“Probably sick of that, but it’s what we’ve got to fit you. Surplus store in town.”

Sach moved over to Dylan and whacked him with a rolled up newspaper. His brother sat up swinging, a full snarl on his mouth. “Go take watch.”
 “I just got to sleep.”

“Argue with Lace about it.”

Grumbling loudly, Dylan rolled out of bed and dressed, grabbing his gun and punching Severins in the shoulder on his way out. Nabbing the thick brush on the low dresser, Severins followed him, pushing him along when he stopped to whistle at Kaia.

“Don’t try me, cuz.”

“Just appreciating your taste.”

Kaia sent him the same man-killing look Severins earned when he first asked her to dinner, and Severins laughed at its effectiveness. Her gaze warmed as she took in his uniform, a tiny smile lifted her lips when he neared her. “You’re right, you do look good in uniform.”

He tossed the jacket and brush on the couch and sank down next to her. “Keeping warm?”

“Yeah. I’m recovering. Do we know anything?”

The skin of her cheek was soft under his thumb. “Not a lot. We’ve caught someone and need to interrogate her.”

“Her?” Kaia’s pulse skipped into high gear.

“So I’ve been told.”

“They won’t torture her, will they?” Fear and concern leaned her into him, and he wrapped her up in his arms.

“No. We won’t hurt her unless she makes us.”

Nodding, she stroked his chest and sank into his embrace, and he traced the bumps of her spine through her sweatshirt. When her shoulders dropped from her ears, Severins shifted her in his lap and reached for the brush. “Let me brush your hair. It’ll help you feel a bit more normal.”

“That would be nice.” Hugging her knees, she shook her hair out, trusting him not to hurt her. He’d learned the tricks to tangles when his daughter was three and her soft curls got long enough to knot together. Kaia’s hair was windblown but not terribly knotted, and Severins brushed out the ends, collecting it all in his hand before working up to her scalp. She sighed when he finished, running her hands through it and shaking it around before she looked over her shoulder at him. “Thank you.”

Leaning forward, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back against him. His nose sank to her neck behind her ear, taking in the intoxicating spicy and citrus scent of her. “You’re welcome, beautiful. Why don’t you make yourself at home and take a nap on the couch. You didn’t get much rest when we stopped the last time.”

The sound of her soft laughter eased his mind and tightened his body. “You must be a kind, gentle, and doting father, the way you’re taking care of me.”

Grinning against her throat, he said, “The way I want to take care of you has nothing to do with my capabilities as a father, I promise you that.” Teeth at her skin, he gave her a sharp enough nip to make her shiver.

“Well, your capabilities as a father might just make you more attractive.”His bites followed the curve up her neck. “Is that right?”

Hand lifted to trace his jaw, her fingers found his high and tight again, and she sighed. “When you’re out, will you grow your hair or leave it like this?”

A snort burst from him. “Well, I used to have long hair, so I’m sure I can manage to keep it at an easy, hair-pulling length.”

A wide grin lit up her face, and she turned against him, those delicate fingers brushing over his brow, and she looked him over. Tension filled the gap between them, and she closed it, pressing her mouth over his with such a sweet and innocent kiss that pieces of him broke and reformed, making him the man he needed to be to love her right when the time came.

Severins held onto her tightly, wishing they weren’t on the run, that he didn’t have to worry about her safety, and that he could woo her the right way with romantic nights and silly mornings of laughter and playfulness. She deserved nothing less. Yet here they were, hidden away in his cousins’ cabin in the Alabama boonies, trying to outrun a pack of Celampresians and in search of her ex—the man who broke her heart. The man they both protected. Was he running head first into the most stupid mistake he’d ever make?

                                                 

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Stranded With The Cyborg - Book Tour Blast and Giveaway

NB:  I don't usually feature erotic novels on my blog since it is 'G' rated - but this sounded so interesting I couldn't resist - please be aware that although the excerpt is not an Adult excerpt this is an erotic romance novel.

STRANDED WITH THE CYBORG

by Cara Bristol

GENRE:  science fiction romance

BLURB:

The daughter of the Terran president, Penelope Aaron resented the restrictions imposed upon her, but that was no reason to take it out on the man assigned to protect her. She regrets how she got Agent Brock Mann booted from the security force. But now that she’s an interplanetary ambassador about to embark on her first diplomatic mission, she still doesn’t want him tagging along. Especially since he seems to be stronger, faster, more muscled, and sexier than she remembers. And pretending to be husband?  This mission couldn’t get more impossible!

Ten years ago Penelope Isabella Aaron had been a pain in Brock Mann’s you-know-what. Much has changed in a decade: “PIA” as he code-named her, has grown up and is about to attend her first Alliance of Planets summit conference, and Brock was transformed into a cyborg after a near-fatal attack. Now a secret agent with Cyber Operations, a covert paramilitary organization, Brock gets called in, not when the going gets tough, but when the going gets impossible. So when he’s unexpectedly assigned to escort Penelope to the summit meeting, he balks at babysitting a prissy ambassador. But after a terrorist bombing, a crash landing on a hostile planet, and a growing attraction to his protectee, Operation: PIA may become his most impossible assignment yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt

For a cyberoperative to be called in to escort an ambassador to a summit meeting? Ridiculous.  A waste of manpower. That the protectee was Pia, made it impossible. So maybe Cy-Ops’s involvement made sense in a twisted way.

“Ten years has passed. Penelope is different now,” Carter said.

 Brock doubted that. “Does she know about me?”

“That you’re a cyborg? Of course not. She hasn’t been told anything about the program or even that you’re the one who’s been assigned to her.”

“Yeah, spring it on her. That will go over well.” He could envision the tantrum, and after she calmed down, the scheme she would devise to circumvent the decision.  The last time he’d seen her, she’d been emerging from his quarters half dressed, a triumphant smile tilting her lips. Shortly, thereafter, two of his fellow agents had come to arrest him.

President Aaron had exonerated him; the transcripts from the investigation had been sealed; and he’d been offered a reassignment. Instead, he’d taken a position with an anti-terrorist investigative organization. His unit got attacked; his fellow operatives had died.  Carter, who’d been working with Cy-Ops all along, had swooped in and saved his ass.

“I’m not saying I’ll do it, but hypothetically if I had a computer meltdown and agreed, what would be my cover story? I couldn’t tag along as her bodyguard because that would unsettle the Xenians.”

Carter poured another shot of Cerinian brandy and downed it. He met Brock’s gaze dead-on. “You’d accompany the ambassador as her husband.”

“Oh, hell no!”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Multi-published, Cara Bristol is the author of more than 20 erotic romance titles. She writes science fiction romance, contemporary romance, paranormal, and spanking romance. No matter what the subgenre, one thing remains constant: her emphasis on character-driven seriously hot erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara has lived many places in the United States, but currently lives in Missouri with her husband. She has two grown stepkids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.

Links to include:

Author Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/9aRJj

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cara-Bristol-Erotic-Romance-Author/178661122147994

Author blog: http://www.carabristol.com

Author Amazon Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Cara-Bristol/e/B004D8KZTQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1440706448&sr=8-1

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