Author: Kristina Cook writing as Kristi Astor
Pub.
Date: September 22, 2020
Publisher: Kristina Cook
Formats: eBook
Pages: 100
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From
Nationally bestselling author Kristina Cook (writing as Kristi Astor) comes
this erotic historical/paranormal novella set in Edwardian-era England.
MADELINE: Imprisoned in a loveless marriage, Lady
Briarton yearns for escape with a passionate stranger, but her unearthly lover
is not who he claims to be. Can she risk her heart--and her very life--with the
beautiful Scot who sets her blood and her body on fire, even as he claims the
impossible?
SIMON: Forced to roam the earth for more than a
century following the Battle of Culloden, Simon McKenzie is a hunter, and the
sad, lonely woman walking the grounds of Hartsdale Castle on the Eve of Samhain
is his prey...until she lays claim to his heart and shows him that there can be
light in his life once more.
She
only needs to invite him in...
Exclusive Excerpt!
Simon stood by the edge of
woods, his gaze directed toward Hartsdale Castle. He couldn’t see the house—he
was too far away for that—but he didn’t need to. He could hear every word
spoken in the grand ballroom, could hear the thoughts of every guest present.
Silk rustled, slippers scuffed as Lady Hartsdale’s guests swayed and dipped
while the orchestra performed, each melody played more enthusiastically than
the one before.
Now and
again, champagne glasses clinked as toasts were made. Servants passed silver
trays filled with delicious culinary enticements. There was laughter, gaiety.
And in the
midst of it all was Madeline. Simon inhaled slowly, savoring her scent even
across the distance that separated them. He closed his eyes, narrowing his
focus like a spyglass in his mind. Every extraneous sound, every sensation
faded away till he was left with only Madeline.
There it
was, the sound of her breathing, of her heart beating rhythmically against her
ribs, of her blood pulsing through her veins.
Her
blood. It called to
him, a siren’s song meant only for him. If he spoke to her—no more than a
whisper in her mind—would she heed his summons?
No. He wanted her to come to him of her
own accord. He would not manipulate her, no matter the temptation, damn it.
Just what
was it that made him desire her so? He
wasn’t certain. And yet he felt somehow…protective of her, which was
ironic, given the circumstances. After all, he could end her life in an
instant, if he chose to.
But he
wouldn’t. He had no wish to. Last night was an anomaly for him. Yes, he’d lured
her to the woods. Once he’d sensed her presence, realized she was out walking
the grounds past midnight alone, entirely vulnerable, he’d played tricks on her
feeble mortal mind, confusing her, drawing her toward his lair.
But
then…he’d laid eyes on her, and at once everything changed. He could not
explain it—didn’t want to, really—but as they sat there together before the
fire, he’d felt almost human for the first time in more than a century. He was
no longer a predator in search of prey, but a man bent on courtship.
He’d seen
the images in her mind, felt the brunt of the humiliation she’d experienced at
her husband’s hands, and he’d felt murderous. Not toward the lovely woman
sitting before him, completely unafraid in his presence, but toward the man who
had made her feel such shame, such sadness.
No, there
was no explanation for it. And yet he knew that he would do everything in his
power to have her—to possess her, body and soul; to protect her from threats
far greater than him.
If only she
would let him.
With a sigh,
he leaned back against the rough bark of an enormous old oak, settling in to
wait.
She would
come—he was sure of it.
About Kristina:
Kristina Cook is the author of more than
a dozen books for adults and teens, ranging from historical and NASCAR romance
to paranormal and contemporary young adult fiction (also writing as Kristi
Astor and Kristi Cook). Since the publication of her first novel in 2004, her
books (with Kensington/Zebra Books, Harlequin Books, and Simon & Schuster)
have hit national bestseller lists, landed on bookseller association lists, and
won awards, including the National Reader's Choice Award.
When she's not writing a book or reading
a book, she's probably online somewhere, talking about a book. Kristina lives
in New York City with her husband and two daughters, but in the summer months
escapes with them to sunny Miami, where she lounges on the beach and teaches
creative writing classes at Miami-Dade College.
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Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive an Amethyst Bracelet,
US Only.
3 winners will win an eBook of MIDNIGHT
SINS, International.
