Why do readers find vampires so seductive? They're technically deceased, blood-drinking ghouls. Nothing in that description screams "Hot!", yet romance fiction and films have portrayed them as such forever. Is it an illusion they cast, a shadow of what they were when they moved among the living? Or is it a carefully crafted, beautiful snare, like those deadly plants and predators in nature, to draw their meal in so close they can't escape the truth when it's upon them. My heroine is in such a dangerous position in today's excerpt:
Who was this man who could move her emotions as easily as the moon did the tides?
He was all that was dangerous and desirable, that much she intuited at first sight, but what else was he? When she tried to see deeper, something clouded her perceptions, making her unable to read him clearly. Was it the sheer force of powerful vibrations within the room or something finely focused from the man himself? She couldn’t tell and because she couldn’t, her confusion held her helpless.
Was he quixotic mortal, or all dark and unnatural malevolence?
She could hear his heartbeat, and when he extended his hand, she did the unthinkable, placing her own within it, needing to know even at the risk of exposing what she was.
His palm was warm, smooth, his fingers strong yet gentle as they enfolded hers for a firm press.
“Miss Lavoy, how good of you to join us,” he murmured, his subtly accented voice hinting at evening breezes and the smoldering heat of a smoky fire, enveloping, intangible, assaulting all the senses at once. And undeniably erotic.
Probably a little backstory would level the playing field a bit more, because Rica Lavoy is hardly a helpless victim. In fact, our suave vamp better be on his guard because he's just become her prey.
Will the hunter . . .
Against the uninhibited decadence of 1920’s New York, where bootleg liquor flows until dawn to the sound of hot jazz and rolling dice, day-walking vampire, Frederica Lavoy stalks those of her kind to bring them to her father’s court for crimes against humankind. A series of careless murders leads her to an exclusive club where patrons drink more than champagne from unsuspecting guests. Drawn to the club’s owner, the enigmatic Darcy Edwards, Rica’s loyalty is torn when she suspects he’s the man her father has sent her to find.
. . . become the hunted?
Tricked into embracing the night during the time of Pharaohs, Eduard D’Arcy struggles to bring peace to those who are damned by what they must do to survive. Yet he’s found no forgiveness for himself - until he’s captivated by the unique and spirited Rica. But in this game of cat and mouse they’re playing, the stakes are not just heart and soul, but life and death itself . . .
"4 1/2 Star Top Pick: Readers will want to sink their teeth into this hypnotic and compelling tale." — Kathe Robin, Romantic Times
"Nancy Gideon is one of the best supernatural writers on the market today." — BookBrowser
"Fun, entertaining vampire romance that makes the supernatural seem natural." — Under the Covers Book Review
Next week, I'll be back with snippets from my shapeshifter WIP, PRINCE OF DREAMS which has final reached the 60k milestone! Love it when things start coming together!!
Happy Mother's Day to those who are them and those who are thankful for them!!
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.
Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.
Against the uninhibited decadence of 1920’s New York, where bootleg liquor flows until dawn to the sound of hot jazz and rolling dice, day-walking vampire, Frederica Lavoy stalks those of her kind to bring them to her father’s court for crimes against humankind. A series of careless murders leads her to an exclusive club where patrons drink more than champagne from unsuspecting guests. Drawn to the club’s owner, the enigmatic Darcy Edwards, Rica’s loyalty is torn when she suspects he’s the man her father has sent her to find.
. . . become the hunted?
Tricked into embracing the night during the time of Pharaohs, Eduard D’Arcy struggles to bring peace to those who are damned by what they must do to survive. Yet he’s found no forgiveness for himself - until he’s captivated by the unique and spirited Rica. But in this game of cat and mouse they’re playing, the stakes are not just heart and soul, but life and death itself . . .
"4 1/2 Star Top Pick: Readers will want to sink their teeth into this hypnotic and compelling tale." — Kathe Robin, Romantic Times
"Nancy Gideon is one of the best supernatural writers on the market today." — BookBrowser
"Fun, entertaining vampire romance that makes the supernatural seem natural." — Under the Covers Book Review
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MIDNIGHT GAMBLE is still on sale until Tuesday so if you like hot supernatural heroes out to save their kind, strong heroines with something to prove, ruthlessly clever villains who hold one heck of a grudge, all in a rocking 1920's setting, this is a great place to jump right into the middle of my "Touched by Midnight" vampire romance series! It's one heck of a suspenseful ride!Next week, I'll be back with snippets from my shapeshifter WIP, PRINCE OF DREAMS which has final reached the 60k milestone! Love it when things start coming together!!
Happy Mother's Day to those who are them and those who are thankful for them!!
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.
Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.
I enjoyed her thought process, which helps to magnify the importance of the encounter.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ed. Good communication-even within one's own head-is vital!
DeleteShe's trying to fight his spell, but not succeeding. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteNope, not even close to succeeding.
DeleteIntriguing snippet and great writing as always. But this guy is a super hottie and I'm a little concerned she may have met her match.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, in ways she can't even guess at yet. Thanks, Christiane!
DeleteWow, she's a goner! You portrayed how enticing and sensual he is wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alexis!! He's a smoothy . . . but also somewhat of a surprise.
DeleteFantastic first line, and I love the mystery you painted around him. Totally agreeing with Alexis too––she's a goner!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! The mystery is the real fun in this romance.
DeleteOk well somehow that was very HOT. I loved the way she was studying him and asking herself questions as she did it. Really an excellent excerpt!!!
ReplyDeleteBut will she listen to her own logic? Isn't that always the question?
DeleteSuch a seductive, scintilating snippet! I'm not normally a great fan of vampire stories for the very reasons you list above, but there are exceptions and this looks like being one of them - the excerpt really drew me in and left me wanting more!
ReplyDeleteA convert! My job is done! Thanks, Lyn.
DeleteI like the idea that the hunter becomes the hunted. Nice excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI love vampire stories--they may be dead, but they are dead sexy for some reason--and this sounds like a wonderful one. I can't figure out who's actually in control, although I bet both think they are. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteFantastic snippet. She's definitely a goner.
ReplyDeleteThe first vampires--like Dracula--weren't sexy at all, just predators. But nothing wrong with hot vampires. :)
ReplyDeleteThey have quite the chemistry!
You turned me onto vamp stories. Remember? I'd never read them before yours. I think the sexiness comes from making oneself vulnerable by baring the neck, a place of extreme sensation. Wow.
ReplyDelete