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Elizabeth didn’t feel threatened exactly, yet her nerves skittered as she stepped into the quaint cottage. She helped Marcus to the couch and glanced around the room. A hearty fire crackled in the fireplace and she wondered who’d tended it while he was on his walk about.

Glancing at the walls, she noticed worn classic novels lining wooden bookshelves and an oil painting on the opposite wall. Created with warm, red tones it featured a naked man and woman in the throes of passion, the woman’s head tipped back as her lover brushed his lips against her neck. Elizabeth’s skin warmed.

“I’m sorry, it embarrasses you?” Marcus said.

She ripped her attention from the painting. “Of course not.”

He didn’t have to know how utterly prudish she was, how innocent and naïve. She was rather inexperienced because typical blokes didn’t appreciate her qualities of focus and determination, nor did they fancy a girl who dressed in baggy jeans, a knee-length slicker and combat boots, with a fifty-pound pack of equipment strapped across her shoulders. Elizabeth didn’t fool herself. She wasn’t sexy or alluring, and that was fine by her. There was work to be done in the fight against creatures of the dark realm.

“Please, sit,” he offered.

“I could warm water for tea,” she said.

“That would be lovely.” He smiled.

Her stomach did a back flip. She snapped her attention from those fascinating blue-green eyes of his and went to put the water on. Truth was, she hadn’t taken the time to properly size up his looks, what with all the excitement of paras in the woods and Mickey’s confrontation.

She sighed. The destruction of her equipment wouldn’t stop her. She kept back-up materials at her flat in London. Later, she’d think about that, after she eased her conscience and tended to Marcus, the innocent bystander.

She glanced over her shoulder to get a proper look at her host. He was striking, with high cheekbones and an angular face. Yet he had a friendly look about him as well. Curious. Maybe that’s why she didn’t feel threatened. No, it was something else that put her at ease.

He ambled to the fireplace.

“You’re feeling better?” she asked, placing a pot of water on the stove.

“Much. Just being home puts it all right.”

She took off her slicker. “How long have you lived here?”

“The cottage has been in my family for centuries.”

She grabbed a kitchen towel and squeezed the moisture from her hair.

“Elizabeth?” he questioned.

She glanced up.

“I have a confession to make.” His gaze drifted to the mantle where his fingers stroked a statue of a scantily dressed faerie with long, wavy hair and soft wings sprouting from her back. Back and forth, his thumb brushed the faerie’s hair, down to her hip, to her naked thigh.
Elizabeth’s heartbeat pounded in her ears.

“What confession?” she whispered, because right now her thoughts were heading in a rather inappropriate direction.

“I’m not who I pretended to be, out there in the forest.”

“I’m sorry?”

As she watched him trail his thumb up the faerie’s torso, to her chest and lips, Elizabeth suddenly itched to feel this man’s hand on her skin, stroking her, setting her body afire—

“I lied,” he announced. “I didn’t just happen to wander into the forest. I knew it was there. I knew it was dangerous.” He snapped his hand from the statue.

Elizabeth took a step back, catching her breath. “You knew it was dangerous?” she questioned. “But you went out there anyway?”

“Yes, I’m looking for someone, someone I lost years ago in the forest.”

“Your true love,” she whispered. She didn’t know why she’d said it, but it made sense.

He glanced at the fire. “It’s not like that,” he paused, “exactly.”

She suspected it was.

“Why did you come out tonight?” she asked.

“The full moon. Legend has it that ten years would pass and on the full moon she would be released into the forest where I could rescue her.”

“How did she end up in the dark realm to begin with?”

“She was taken by a para, a demon, I think.”

Elizabeth leaned against the solid stone wall to ground herself. “Poor girl.”

He blinked and glanced away. Did he blame himself?

“I thought I could save her by offering to exchange information about PCell to the creature that held her captive.”

She stood straight. “You know about PCell? And you were going to betray your country?”

“No, I was going to lie. Make something up.” He shrugged.

“A demon would know you were lying. He’d kill you on the spot.”

“I had to risk it.”

“Yes, I guess you would.” Elizabeth wished a man had cared so much about her that he’d risk everything to love her.

“But now,” he hesitated. “I’ve lost my chance. When I saw you in the forest, I thought maybe you could help me find her with your instruments. But the PCell agent ruined that possibility when he destroyed your equipment. I must accept that it’s over.” Marcus ambled to the sofa and collapsed, staring into the burning embers.

She couldn’t stand it, couldn’t stand that a bloody demon had taken this man’s true love.
Her mobile rang, jarring her from her sympathies. “I’m sorry, excuse me.” She ripped the phone from her belt. “Burke here.”

“Elizabeth, I cannot believe you defied me and went hunting again.”

“Hello, Father.”

“You have no business wandering about the countryside. It’s a good thing Mickey stopped you before you did real damage.”

“He did all the damage. He killed my equipment.”

“Good, now you can forget your foolish pranks, return to London and get back to work at the plant. That’s more your speed.”

She cringed at the thought of her boring job at father’s printing plant, one of his many businesses. She’d failed out of university thanks to sleepless nights tracking paranormal activity.

“I was trying to help the cause,” she explained.

Silence, then, “Lizzy, you will never be one of us and that’s final.”

The line went dead. His words rang hollow in her chest. She’d never be a favored Burke, but didn’t know why, didn’t know what she’d done to be cast aside as the frivolous, unimportant daughter. Her younger brothers, Thomas and James, were given family responsibilities and encouraged to reach their full potential. But not Elizabeth. She’d had her chance at university and mucked it up. If she didn’t get back to London immediately her father would take her job as well.

“Trouble?” Marcus queried.

She appreciated the furrow of his brow and concern in his voice.

“Father’s upset again.”

“Because he knows you’re with a strange man?” He smiled.

“Because I was out hunting. He’s ordered me to come back to London and forget this nonsense.”

He moved to her side, placing his hand on her shoulder. Warmth spread down her back.

“Do you want to go?” he asked.

The intensity of his eyes caught her off guard. She couldn’t break the connection.

“No. I need to prove I have something to contribute.”

“Of course.”

He grazed her cheek with his fingertips and she automatically closed her eyes. What in God’s name was happening to her?

“I have an idea,” he offered.

So did she. And it had nothing to do with tracking paras. Back off, Lizzy. This bloke’s taken.
She opened her eyes and he was smiling at her.

“I’ll help you,” he said. “What do you need to prove your worth to your father?”

“I can’t involve you.”

“You saved my life tonight. I could have been blasted by that Mickey character.”

“He would have figured out you weren’t a para and sent you on your way.”

* * *

But Marcus knew differently. If Mickey had pointed that tracking device at him, Marcus wouldn’t be standing here, safe in his cottage near the enchanted forest, chatting with this beguiling creature. She’d developed into a fascinating young woman.

He struggled not to be distracted by her charms.

“I’ll repeat my question. What must you do to prove yourself?”

He trailed a strand of auburn hair from her cheek. He noticed her pulse speed up at his touch. Take it slow, earn her trust. Then she will give herself to you willingly.

“Demons are the most dangerous,” she started. “PCell has been trying to discover their crossing over point, something called a traiectus. I think it means passageway in Latin.”

“If they find this spot?” he asked, but knew the answer.

“They will destroy the demons as they come through, before they can hurt us.”

“What will this mean for you?”

She turned and paced the cottage, her excitement making him hard, making him want her.

“I’ll finally earn their respect,” she said. “I’ll be the hero and I’ll have saved innocent lives, and PCell will have to accept me and father will…” Her voice trailed off.

“Your Father will?”

“Respect me.” She glanced at the worn floorboards.

Marcus knew she didn’t crave his respect as much as she ached for his love. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her you can’t force someone to love you; she would never love Marcus, thanks to their differences. Yet that part of him, the mortal blood that raced through his veins had always felt something akin to love for this girl ever since he’d held her in his arms.

“Do we know each other?” She studied his eyes and he warmed under her scrutiny.

“Why do you ask?”

“There’s something familiar about you. I’m sorry. It’s silly. This whole plan is silly. I can’t find that portal any more than my father can stop me from wanting to save the world.”

“But I think I know where it is.”

Her eyes sparkled with renewed interest and desire rushed through his body.

“Just before I was knocked to the ground I noticed an orange glow coming from the forest,” he said. “I believe that could be the passageway you’re looking for.”

“Thank you!” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Sweet Elizabeth,” he whispered against her ear. She released her hold on him, but didn’t move away. He reached out and stroked her cheek. She turned into his palm he pulled her against him so she would feel his need.

“I shouldn’t be letting you touch me this way,” she breathed. “You, your heart is spoken for.”

He leaned forward, his cheek brushing against hers. “It’s not like that. I feel responsible for her, but

it’s been years since I’ve wanted to touch a woman like this.”

He kissed her and to his surprise she parted her lips as if wanting to take him inside of her. Satan’s tears, she tasted sweet, like vanilla tea.

“You are too beautiful to be out chasing spies and ghosts,” he said.

“Hmmm,” she moaned against him.

With one hand framing her cheek, he trailed his other down her arm to the front where he could graze her breast with this thumb. Even through her thick T-shirt he felt her nipple peak with wanting. A moan vibrated against her throat, tickling his tongue.

He broke the kiss, breathing heavily against her cheek. “You are such an amazing creature,” he said. “Once we achieve our goal, they will be ashamed they never believed in you.”

“I will be the hero.”

She started unbuttoning his shirt.

“When we find the passageway you should call agents to be ready with their blasters.” He kissed her cheek, then down, to her neck.

“Yes, I’ll call them.”

And an army of Ash Demon would be waiting, would encircle and ambush the murdering PCell agents before they could discharge their weapons.

“I suppose we should go find the passageway,” she whispered.

“Daylight is best.” He reached between them and pulled her shirt from the waistband of her jeans. He slipped it up and over her head and tossed it to a nearby chair.

She spread his shirt wide and layered kisses against his chest. Bloody hell, he was a fool to think he was completely in charge. He’d only tasted female demons, never mortals, for fear he’s lose himself completely.

And now he realized how right he’d been.

But this was an assignment directly from Grigori. Find the girl, mate with her, control her.
She kissed his nipple, then licked it with her hot, wanting tongue. His hands tightened around her upper arms. Who was controlling whom?
“Elizabeth,” he said.

“I’m not, this isn’t like me…usually,” she confessed, nuzzling his chest. “I’m usually a good girl.”

Yet now she was bad, very bad because she was going to have sex with a stranger. She was going to give herself to Marcus, not because she cared about him, but because a mortal female could not resist an Ash Demon.

Marcus realized he was no better than his cousin.

He gripped her shoulders and gently held her away from him. Glancing up, her golden eyes were filled with desire, yet tinted with confusion.

“Elizabeth, we shouldn’t do this.”

Her eyes darkened with shame. She nodded and wrenched free, grabbing her shirt from the wood floor. She put it on, then searched the room. “Time to get some air.” She put on her coat but still hadn’t looked at him.

“Elizabeth?”

“The tea, the water should be boiled. I’ll take English Breakfast if you’ve got some. I just want to, I mean, need to—”

She rushed past him out the front door and slammed it behind her. What was the matter with him? He should have taken her. It would have been the best screw of her life. It’s what she wanted.

And he wanted to complete this torturous assignment.

He marched to the door, ripped it open and heard a woman scream just as a bullet hit him in the shoulder.

© 2007 Harlequin Books S.A.

As part of author Lori Devoti’s 30 Days of Vampires blog bash, I’m guest-blogging again about the vampire books coming out this winter from Harlequin! Head over to Lori’s blog to get the scoop on the following books:

• Holiday with a Vampire II by Lori Devoti and Merline Lovelace (Silhouette Nocturne, Dec. 2008)
• Mortal Enemy, Immortal Lover by Olivia Gates (Silhouette Nocturne Bites, Dec. 2008)
• The Devil To Pay by Michele Hauf (Silhouette Nocturne, January 2009)
• Honor Calls by Caridad Piñeiro (Silhouette Nocturne Bites, January 2009)
• Love at First Bite Bundle by Kimberly Raye (Harlequin Blaze eBooks, February 2009)

Are there any paranormal books you’re looking forward to this winter?

~Amy

by Bonnie Vanak, author of Broken Souls

I live in Florida. We have giant palmetto bugs. I mean, they’re disgusting. They fly into your hair. They’re big. Scurry away faster than, well, cockroaches, when you run after them with a can of Raid.

Recently, I read an article about how the hissing cockroach from Madagascar may soon infiltrate Florida. These bugs are up to five inches long. When they’re threatened, they hiss at you.

I chortled as I relayed the fact to my green-faced co-workers.

Then I confessed my little secret. I really do love flying cockroaches. Not in my home, or in my hair (not even on a bad hair day). But wow, they’re a perfect addition for one of my Nocturnes.

For my Nocturnes, I created a race of werewolves called the Draicon. Their enemies are the Morphs, former Draicon who turned evil when they killed a close relative for greater power. Morphs can shift into any life form, including snakes, scorpions, and cockroaches.

In Broken Souls, my Nocturne Bite, Katia, the heroine, remembers how her family home was infiltrated by Morphs shapeshifting into roaches to slide between the rags she and her father stuffed beneath the door to keep them out. In that particular battle, she fled, the important promise she made to her father lost in memory.

Except for those disgusting cockroaches. She remembers those.

She must recall what promise she made, and find her father to expunge her guilt for abandoning him as he was overwhelmed by Morphs (shapeshifting from those cockroaches). So Katia performs the very dangerous, and outlawed blood candle spell to call forth her father. She does this because Baylor, who loves her and brought her to his pack, wants to mate with her. He’s given her a deadline, yet she must discover first if her father is alive. Katia believes her first loyalty is to her own blood.

The problem is, she doesn’t know what she’s calling forth. If her father is alive, will he have turned into a Morph himself? Capable of turning himself into a flying cockroach?

Sure does raise interesting questions for a family reunion.

When I created the Draicon, I knew I wanted them to have destined mates. Yet I also wanted to explore the idea of what happens to Draicon who lose their destined mates.

Are these werewolves destined to live unhappily ever after?

Not in my world. This is why I wrote Baylor and Katia’s story in Broken Souls. They are two lost, broken souls whose destined mates are gone. Facing them is the important question: what is more important, loyalty to family or love for a possible mate?

Baylor was more a villainous type in The Empath, my first Nocturne. He was suspicious of Nicolas, Damian’s beta wolf, and gave him a hard time. In Broken Souls, he becomes a true hero determined to win the love, and Katia, the Draicon who also lost her destined mate.

Baylor is determined to protect Katia and remain loyal to the core to his pack. He nearly loses his life in a Morph fight to keep his people safe. But for Katia, he will do more. He will risk not only his life, but his carefully guarded heart.

Baylor and Katia are sorely tested in Broken Souls. Yet in the end, all works out well. Broken Souls is, after all, a romance. Despite the fact that their destined mates are gone, Katia and Baylor discover that they can find true happiness.

Even with those nasty cockroaches. Because not even a nasty flying roach can separate those determined to make their own destiny to share their lives, and their hearts.

Ash Demon Marcus has been dispatched from the dark realms to find and seduce Elizabeth Burke. He is to learn what she knows about PCell, a top secret division of the British Secret Service intent upon eliminating creatures of the paranormal—and use that information to destroy PCell!

But Marcus has felt a connection to Elizabeth for a long time, ever since he rescued her from being ravaged by his cousin ten years ago! Can he go through with a plan that calls for him to do essentially the same thing—without falling in love with her?

Click the link to read Chapter One!

Demon Seduction by Pat White – Chapter One

The explosion slammed Marcus’s mortal body against the riverbank before he could fly to safety. His enemy was on the hunt, firing his blaster at random, hoping to make his para kill for the night. Instead, the PCell agent discharged his weapon into the ground, sending shockwaves across the English countryside.

Marcus could have been destroyed because he’d been distracted by a pretty face.

That pretty face.

Was his intense attraction to her a side effect of the conversion from his Ash Demon form to human flesh and bones? It had to be. It wasn’t like Elizabeth Burke was breathtakingly beautiful. He’d seen prettier.

“Are you off your trolley? You could have gotten yourself killed.”

The not-so-pretty Elizabeth, with her red-streaked hair damp from the rain, stood over him, pinning him with her golden eyes. “Come on, then. We’ve got to get you out of here. You walked into a bloody mess.”

In a helpful gesture, she grabbed his arm and Marcus fought back his resentment. He was Ash Demon, a race superior to mortals. He hadn’t been physically wounded and didn’t need assistance from this petite creature. Standing, he wavered, struggling to regain his strength. The conversion had weakened him more so than usual. Or had a salt bullet from the agent’s blaster actually grazed his skin?

Elizabeth led him away from the river that weaved through the lush, rolling countryside, away from certain annihilation if he’d been caught by a PCell assassin. Correction: not caught, executed. PCell’s sole purpose was to destroy paras of all kinds, without thought, without reason.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

She seemed awfully trusting, but then they’d met before, even if she didn’t consciously remember the encounter. They’d met, he’d defended her, and he’d held her in his mortal arms until she’d fallen soundly asleep. She’d been the only woman he’d held that way, and back then she was just a girl, terrified by Marcus’s demon cousin who’d wanted to slake his need with a human virgin.

“My name is Marcus.” Even his voice sounded weak.

“Easy then, Marcus. My auto is just beyond those trees. I’ll give you a lift out of here. I was finishing up when I heard the blast. What were you doing anyway? The enchanted forest is dangerous for people like us.”

People like us? The girl had no idea she was walking beside an Ash Demon, a creature from the dark realm sent to find her, seduce her, and use her knowledge to destroy PCell. A mission he did not relish, yet would fulfill in order to save his kind: paras of the dark realm.

She didn’t realize the danger of being in Marcus’s presence because Ash was the most highly evolved of the demon race. Having been created from human ash of the Great Fire of Rome, Ash could assume human form better than any other creature of the dark realm. But the mortal seed running through them also made Ash more susceptible to the horrific emotions of compassion and love, two vulnerabilities that could strip an Ash Demon of his identity if he succumbed to their charms.

“It’s lovely out this evening,” he said, his voice returning. “I decided to take a stroll and lost my way.”

“Ah,” she winked. “Must be having girl trouble.”

She had no idea. His mission was to fill her with his demon seed against her will, the very act he’d defended her from when she was but sixteen. No, he was nothing like his cousin. Marcus would make her want him, make her feel loved before he took her.

“Hold it!” a male voice ordered.

Elizabeth turned, but didn’t raise her hands. “Aw, Mickey, I should have guessed that was your blaster destroying my eardrums.”

Marcus turned and faced off with a PCell agent, blaster in hand. Agents were recruited by the British Security Service to destroy any and all paras, no questions asked. Marcus automatically raised his hands in surrender.

“Put your hands down, he’s not going to shoot you,” Elizabeth scoffed.

“Bloody hell, Lizzy.” The agent stormed up to the girl. “You’ve got to stay out of our business or you’re going to get yourself killed. Who’s your friend?”

The agent eyed Marcus, who struggled to look harmless and innocent. But then in Marcus’s present form the agent wouldn’t be able to identify his origin by sight.

“This is my friend, Marcus. Leave him alone,” the girl said. “What did you find tonight? Any good…” she paused, “leads?” Her eyes brightened.

Marcus sensed her enthusiasm about the paras of the enchanted forest.

“It’s top secret business,” Mickey said.

Marcus wondered why the bloke didn’t use the long-barreled clicking device to check the area for paras, or at least use it on Marcus. Did he believe the girl’s story that Marcus was her friend?

“So this is where you bring your dates then?” the agent said. “On your stalking expeditions?”

“I’m not stalking you.”

“What would you call it? I’ve got a job to do, Lizzy, a dangerous job and I don’t need daft little girls interfering.”

“I’m twenty-seven, you bloody twit.”

Marcus sensed her frustration. He’d sensed a lot about her since he’d been in her presence, including her inquisitive nature and gentleness of spirit. A shame he’d have to strip that gentleness in order to achieve his goal.

“I’m going to save your life one day, and you’re going to eat those words,” she said.

“Yeah, and how are you going to do that, by rescuing gents like him? No, I’m putting an end to this right now. Give me the backpack.”

“I will not.”

The agent reached out to grab her pack and Marcus stepped between them.

“You’d best be minding your own business, mate.” With a smile, he shoved the butt of his blaster into Marcus’s stomach.

The wind knocked from his body, Marcus fell to his knees.

“Mickey, you wanker, what’d you do that for?” Elizabeth kneeled beside Marcus and stroked his back. “Breathe, that’s it.”

Then she was jerked away as the agent ripped off her pack. Struggling to fill his lungs, Marcus couldn’t do much more than glare at the bastard.

“You’re done, Lizzy, hear me?” The agent threw the pack to the ground and pulled out a handgun. “I can’t be wasting good salt ammunition on this, now can I?”

He fired multiple shots into the bag. The girl shrieked and wrapped her arms around Marcus. He’d been here before, only he’d been the one with protective arms around her.

The shooting ceased. “All done,” the agent smirked. “Now stop trying to follow in your father’s footsteps. You’re not a part of this. Go find yourself a husband to take care of you.”

The agent marched off into the glen. Elizabeth sat back on bent knees and searched Marcus’s eyes. “You all right?”

She didn’t seem frightened, yet Marcus’ heart was pounding. Probably because he feared Mickey would discover his identity and blast him to pieces.

“My ears are ringing,” Marcus said.

“It’ll pass. Let’s get you home.”

“What about your backpack?”

She glanced at it and sighed. “Doesn’t look good, does it? Bastards, they’re afraid to let women join their group. Like we’ll contaminate it or something. I’ll go through what’s left of my equipment when I get home. Can you stand?” She helped him to his feet. “I suppose you’re wondering what this is all about?”

“I am a bit curious.”

She grabbed what was left of her backpack. “I can’t tell you specifics because it will put you in danger. Just know that there are other forces, dark forces out here that agents like Mickey protect us from. My advice to you is to forget this whole affair.”

“Sounds like you should as well,” he offered.

They approached a small beat up car. She tossed what was left of her pack into the trunk and unlocked his door. “I want to do my part in the fight against evil, but they all think I’m some kind of weakling who can’t take care of herself.”

He could see why they’d think that. He’d thought that very thing ten years ago when he’d held her in his arms.

“You don’t think I can either, do you?” She was staring at him.

“I’m sorry?”

“Hey, I saved your arse tonight, that’s got to count for something.”

“And I appreciate it, tremendously. I’m a bit addled is all. This is a lot of excitement for me.”

“Right, sorry. You don’t need to be dragged into my melodrama. Let’s get you home.”

They settled in the car and she drove off, down the dirt road that led to his remote cottage fifty miles southwest of London. “Down about two kilometers and turn by the broken oak tree,” he directed.

“Must have been serious girl trouble for you to wander so far,” she offered.

“No, no girl trouble.” Not yet anyway.

She chatted away, talking about the countryside, the mechanical issues with her car, even about the unseasonably warm weather. She seemed so bloody trusting and fearless.

“What did that bloke mean, about your father?” Marcus asked.

“Oh, that was just a below the belt.”

“I’m sorry?”

She gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I’m trying to make father proud is all.”

Proud? No, there was something more behind her words.

“What’s he about, your father?” Marcus pushed. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“He’s a brilliant man, a consultant who developed specialized weaponry for…” she paused as if catching herself, “for the military. I’ve invented a device that’s even better at tracking the enemy, yet the service ignores me. I’m a big joke.”

“I can hardly believe that.”

She smiled. “Thanks. Nothing like compliments from a stranger.” She hesitated. “But then you have to say nice things because I saved your life. A good thing I was out tonight.”

Yes, a very good thing. And an even better thing that he knew exactly where to find her. Elizabeth Burke had remained on Marcus’s radar since their first encounter more than ten years ago. He kept this fact a secret so it wouldn’t be misinterpreted by Grigori, the rulers of the dark realm. He didn’t want them thinking he’d grown fond of her or had assigned himself her personal protector. Staying apprised of her activities was simply a way to keep track of her father’s work against paras.

They turned down the dirt drive and headed for the cottage, invisible in its present state. He’d have to release the spell to make the structure visible, lure her inside and finish his mission. A part of him wished they were meeting for a different reason.

Remember your goal: seduce her and learn what she knows about PCell so you can destroy them.

“Let me off here,” he directed. “I’d like to walk the rest of the way.”

“You sure you’re up to it?”

“Quite.” He had to get far enough ahead to cast a visibility spell without her witnessing it.

He opened his door, a plan forming in his mind. “Thanks again. Good night,” he said. He started up the path and staggered, putting on a good show.

“You all right?” she called from the car.

He waved her off and stepped behind the weeping willow. He cast the spell to bring the cottage back into view.

“Bloody hell!” he called out. He went to the cottage and leaned against the front door.

“What? What is it?” She raced up to him and placed a comforting hand against his back.

Odd how every time she touched him a sharp pain lanced through his chest. Must be the physical connection to a mortal.

“A bit woozy,” he muttered. “I’m fine.”

“You are not fine, and it’s my fault. Mickey socked you too hard because you were defending me. Come on, let’s get you settled.”

He handed her the key and she opened the door. Perfect. She’d be drawn to his vulnerability, not sensing the threat of seduction. He knew once he got her inside, she’d be defenseless against his charms.

With any luck he could finish his assignment in one night, one very full night of seduction, passion and mating.

© 2007 Harlequin Books S.A.

——

Come back next week for Chapter Two! And don’t forget that new free online reads are always available at eHarlequin.com! This month, we have a brand-new story from Jeri Smith-Ready called “Storm Reaper”, which is linked to her acclaimed Aspect of Crow miniseries from Luna Books.

And for more Ash Demon heroes, check out Pat White’s Nocturne book Saving Destiny, always available in eBook format.

Thanks for reading!

by Jane Porter, author of King of the Desert, Captive Bride and Flirting with Forty

I’m on a fast, furious deadline due to health interfering with my writing—must write a chapter a day until book is finished Dec 3rd—which often means writing late into the night to make sure each chapter isn’t just down, but perfect. But this coming Friday night I’m taking a break from writing. You see, Twilight madness has hit me, too, and I’m joining a dozen girlfriends at the local theatre for the 7:20 pm showing of the movie based on Stephenie Meyer‘s book.

I’ve read all four of Stephenie Meyer’s books in the series and I’m not the only one in Twilight’s thrall. A week ago I attended a book club in Woodinville, Washington and every woman there but one had read one or more of the Twilight series. I was so impressed! These weren’t teenage readers, either, but women between 40 and 60, all neighbors and friends, many with teenage kids who turned their moms onto the series. Author Megan Crane was the one who turned me onto the books and I’m so glad she did. Last week I had more fun discussing Stephenie’s books than my own which made me think that I should do a fun contest to celebrate the movie Twilight with a Twilight contest.

I held the contest last week, the prize being a copy of Twilight, which is the first book in the series, a small box of yummy See’s chocolates (I have a thing for See’s, especially those Bordeaux), and Jane Porter goodies and the response was huge. Of the fifty posters, most had read the series, although some hadn’t but wanted to. Only one reader hadn’t liked the books at all.

At the book club in Woodinville we talked about the popularity and appeal of the books. These are vampire stories. And shapeshifter stories. We’re talking paranormal here with some mild violence but no love scenes, at least not until book four and even then it’s not explicit. So what’s the charm?

For me, the charm is in the wonderful characterization, and Stephenie’s skill in making me believe this could happen, or want it to happen. I loved her very small town setting of Forks, Washington and her family dynamics of a teenage daughter living with her loving, but a little crusty, father. It’s storytelling at its best, which transcends genres and just becomes great reading, appealing reading, reading that tugs on your heart and captures your imagination.

I’ve bought my ticket for Friday’s movie. I can’t wait to have a girls night out. Are you going to see the movie? Have you read the books? And if so, who turned you on to Twilight in the first place?

Stacie Mc, who said “I love cuddling up under a big fluffy blanket with a good book and a mug of cocoa. That’s my favorite part of winter.”

Congratulations Stacie! Please email Michele at toastfaery [at] gmail [dot] com with your snail mail address so she can send you your prize.

Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their favorite things about winter!

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• Dr. Carrie Ames from Jennifer Amrintrout’s Blood Ties series
• Angel and Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
• Selene (played by Kate Beckinsale) in the Underworld movies
• Count Saint-Germain in the novels by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
• Louis (played by Brad Pitt) in Interview with the Vampire
• Betsy, Queen of the Vampires, in Mary Janice Davidson’s “Undead” series

Tell us why this vampire is your fave and any other vampires you love in the comments!

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Psst! Can’t wait until December for HWAV2? It’s available already at eHarlequin.com in print and ebook format. And the first Holiday with a Vampire anthology by Maureen Child and Caridad Pineiro is still available as an ebook as well!

by Michele Hauf, author of “A Kiss of Frost”, Winter Kissed

I’m familiar with werewolves and werecougars, werejaguars, smoke-men, selkies, and the like. But a hero who is made of frost and can shift to human flesh? That’s a little different.

The idea to write “A Kiss Of Frost” was sort of a no-brainer for me. I’ve lived in Minnesota all my life. I love snow. Seriously. Frost patterns on the windows? That rocks. Snowbanks sparkling in the sunshine? Sigh… So I had to write Jack Frost as a hero. Or Jal, as I call him. But what’s so alpha macho about a dude who creates frost patterns on your windows? Well, my guy is a god/faery who does have a job: he’s an assassin. Actually, Old Man Winter sends Jal after environmental offenders. One touch from my hero’s frost and bye-bye!

What if he touched a woman’s soft, warm skin? Jal can take on human form and flesh if he chooses, and oh man, does he choose to be in a form that will allow him to communicate with the sexy snowflakeologist, Kate Wilson.

But there are very obvious worries when one is dating a frost god. Firstly, if he gets too warm…could he melt? Well, you’ll just have to give it a read and find out.

I’ll give away an autographed copy to one commenter who tells about their favorite part of the winter season.

Michele

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UPDATE: The last day to enter the contest with your comment is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, so be sure to share your winter pleasures before then for a chance to win! ~Amy