Fuel the Fire - By Krista and Becca Ritchie *Guest Post & Giveaway*

Calloway Sisters Series - Book 3 | Add to Goodreads

RELEASE DATE: April 3rd

Protect your family. At all costs.
It’d take the impossible to hurt Connor Cobalt, even for a moment.
Protect your family. At all costs.
At twenty-six, his narcissistic tendencies have made room for the people he loves.
Protect your family. At all costs.
And he loves Rose. But when his love is threatened, when his greatest dreams with her are compromised — what is the cost then?
Protect your family. At all costs.
Love will guide his choices.
For the first time in his life.

I've been on hiatus while I finished my Bachelor's Degree - spoiler alert: I got it! But what better way to come back to blogging than with my all time favourite literary couple Rose and Connor Cobalt. I'm so excited to have Krista and Becca Ritchie gracing my blog again with the added bonus of my idol Beyoncé! I hope you enjoy this post as much as I did, the songs are amazing but I'm biased...

BEYONCE SONGS THAT RESEMBLE THE ADDICTED CHARACTERS

It’s only appropriate that we compare the Addicted Characters to Beyonce songs during the Fuel the Fire tour, since Rose Calloway’s favorite singer is the one and only Beyonce. Let’s get it started:

ROSE CALLOWAY
***Flawless – ft. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Rose has worked extremely hard to get where she is in her career, and she is extremely proud of her success. But there always the outside voices (especially the media) criticizing her for not being maternal and her choices. This song talks about saying “screw you” to all the critics and haters and to embrace your successes and choices (whatever they may be) as a female. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s interlude is pro-feminism and inspiring. Rose approves.

CONNOR COBALT (COBALLOWAY)
Crazy in Love (2014 Remix)
Yes, this is the version that was on Fifty Shades of Grey. And it’s just a damn good song and even a better remix. It reminds us of Connor’s relationship with Rose. He doesn’t believe in love in Kiss the Sky, and often refers to it as a foolish endeavor. In Fuel the Fire, you’ll see him accepting love more and the complications that come with it. And yes, sometimes it makes him a little crazy and possibly even foolish. Plus, you know, this song is just pure sex ;)

LOREN HALE
Drunk in Love
Lyrics: I've been drinking, I've been drinking / I get filthy when that liquor get into me / I've been thinking, I've been thinking / Why can't I keep my fingers off it, baby?
This is really the epitome of Loren Hale. Not only with his addiction to alcohol but his co-depencey with Lily.

LILY CALLOWAY (LILO)
Superpower ft. Frank Ocean
This song talks about true love and how the unbreakable type of love is a superpower in itself. And yes, it took LiLo many years to realize this.

DAISY CALLOWAY
Pretty Hurts
Daisy spent much of her life as a model, constantly conforming to other people’s standards. She’d change her appearance to fit what the industry wanted or what her mom wanted. Never what she wanted. It took a toll on her, and left her with a bruised sense of identity. “Pretty Hurts” is the perfect song to resemble the youngest Calloway sister.

RYKE MEADOWS (RAISY)
XO
Ryke was probably the hardest to choose a Beyonce song for, but in the end, we chose a song that we think captures his relationship with Daisy. They’re both often compared to darkness and lightness, which this song evokes. There’s also a sense of urgency to the song, wanting to enjoy life and love because you don’t know what tomorrow brings. Ryke and Daisy are the ones of the group who really live by the carpe diem motto. Who live for today and not for tomorrow.

Krista & Becca Ritchie are identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—but with their shared passion for writing, they combined their mental powers as kids and have never stopped telling stories. Now in their early twenties, they write about other twenty-somethings navigating through life, college, and romance. They love superheroes, flawed characters, and soul mate love.

They are the New Adult authors of the Addicted series and Calloway Sisters spin-off series, and you can find them on almost every social media, frolicking around like wannabe unicorns.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Pinterest

$100 Amazon Gift Card

3 Signed Paperbacks of FUEL THE FIRE

Both giveaways are open internationally!

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Recommended Reading Order
1 - Addicted to You (Goodreads | My Review)
1.5 - Ricochet (Goodreads | My Review)
2 - Addicted for Now (Goodreads | My Review)
2.1 - Kiss the Sky (Goodreads | My Review)
2.2 - Hothouse Flower (Goodreads | My Review)
2.5 Thrive (Goodreads | Review to come)
Addicted After All (Goodreads | Review to come)
Fuel the Fire (Goodreads | April 3rd)
Long Way Down (Goodreads | Coming soon)

This Man Confessed - By Jodi Ellen Malpas *Review*

This Man Series - Book 3 | Add to Goodreads| Amazon | Kobo | Nook |

The Manor, the very place where their passionate love affair began, fills with guests on what should be the happiest day of Ava and Jesse's lives. She has accepted that she'll never tame the fierceness in Jesse-and she doesn't want to. Their love is profound, their connection powerful, but just when she thinks that she's finally gotten beneath his guarded exterior, more questions arise, leading Ava to believe that Jesse Ward may not be the man she thinks he is. He knows too well how to take her to a place beyond ecstasy . . . but will he also drive her to the brink of despair? It's time for this man to confess.

I haven't had to suffer through such dramatics since high school. Ava is still a pushover and can't be decisive. Jesse is still overbearing and tyrannical. It's not sexy, it's exasperating to read. I skim read pages 200 to 350 (out of 436) which thankfully kept me from being annoyed beyond belief. I just couldn't handle the exaggerated behaviors of both characters. Jesse treats Ava like a child and she acts like one! She SULKS and he counts to three if he doesn't get what he wants. They call make-up sex "making friends" and label their sexual encounters all kinds of ridiculous names. In all honesty I read this simply to find out where their story finishes and whether they grew out of their childish ways...

***SPOILERS***

The pregnancy was forced and Ava didn't want kids! But suddenly she's okay with staying at home and looking after the kids. Like all good women should, right Jesse? If it weren't for the fact Jesse makes a great Dad (no surprise there...) this book would be a one not one and a half stars.

***SPOILERS END***

The epilogue saved the book from being solely an exercise in managing my annoyance. While Malpas writes well, her characters give me heart burn.

One Kiss with a Rock Star - By Amber Lin & Shari Slade *Review*

Half-Life Series - Book 2 | Add to Goodreads
| Buy at Amazon |

Half-Life bassist Krist Mellas is caught in a PR nightmare after his dirty sex video blew up online. His agent has the solution: a fake engagement with sultry pop princess Madeline Fox. Krist can’t think of anything worse than a charade with the bubblegum bombshell…except losing the band.
Madeline knows better than anyone what it means to live a lie in the spotlight. She’s determined to help Krist without ever letting him find out what it costs her—or about her girlhood crush on him. But after a smoking hot back alley encounter with him leaves her breathless, she can’t deny she wants the snarling bad-boy rocker.
In a world of glitter and diamonds where the kisses are fake but the climaxes are real, their facades start to crack. And the publicity storm may shatter them both.

This Girl Stripped - By Dawn Robertson *Review*

Hers Series - Book 4 | Add to Goodreads
| Amazon |

My innocence was shattered one steamy October night, when I sold my soul to the devil to pay for a week in a dirty motel room.
Thinking I could rid myself of him, I fled the safety of the nomad lifestyle I had embraced my entire life for the security of a small upstate New York town, alongside my big sister Star.
What I never anticipated was a green eyed stranger that would steal my heart and never look back. And a dark eyed man on a motorcycle, who would teach me how to trust again. Both of them completely shattering every wall I ever put up to keep men out of my vulnerable world.
I am Paisley Bloom, and this is my devastating story.

I was slightly confused by this book. Having just read multiple books where the characters have suffered hugely traumatic experiences in order to recover, I was hoping for something different. I though this book would get to know an intelligent young woman who happened to strip for a living. Instead the novel is about a young woman who strips once, experiences a horrible trauma and her road to recovery.  I felt like Robertson just gave Paisley horrible trauma to make her broken so the story could focus on "fixing" rather than development. There seemed no need to make Paisley suffer in order to give her character emotional depth. Why could we not have had her without the trauma? Paisley had such potential to be a strong character with her family and her background. Unfortunately because of this plot choice I found the story overly and unnecessarily dramatic. Not to mention the choices leading up to the situation were all out of character for Paisley.

Ignoring my obvious problem with that particular part of the story, "This Girl Stripped" flows nicely and is Robertson's typical style. If you enjoyed "Hers" you'll probably enjoy this installment to the series; I definitely read the story through to the end so it's got hooking potential. I was slightly thrown by the introduction of another character but was satisfied with Paisley's choice in the end. Not an all out favorite but a solid page turner. If you don't mind reading about a young woman overcoming trauma then you'll be okay with this book however, if you need a little more background to your drama this probably wont meet your expectations.

One Kiss with a Rock Star - By Amber Lin & Shari Slade *New Release*

Half-Life Series - Book 2 | Add to Goodreads
| Buy at Amazon |

Half-Life bassist Krist Mellas is caught in a PR nightmare after his dirty sex video blew up online. His agent has the solution: a fake engagement with sultry pop princess Madeline Fox. Krist can’t think of anything worse than a charade with the bubblegum bombshell…except losing the band.
Madeline knows better than anyone what it means to live a lie in the spotlight. She’s determined to help Krist without ever letting him find out what it costs her—or about her girlhood crush on him. But after a smoking hot back alley encounter with him leaves her breathless, she can’t deny she wants the snarling bad-boy rocker.
In a world of glitter and diamonds where the kisses are fake but the climaxes are real, their facades start to crack. And the publicity storm may shatter them both.

Addicted After All - By Krista and Becca Ritchie *Teaser and Giveaway*

Addicted Series - Book 3 | Add to Goodreads

RELEASE DATE: October 31st

Two addicts. One epic love story.
Prepare for the worst.
That’s what Lily and Lo try to do when Jonathan Hale schedules an “important” meeting. The problem: after being swept into the public eye and battling their addictions, they’re not sure what the worst is anymore.
In a sea of many changes—including Ryke & Daisy living with them—Lily realizes that the best part of her fluctuating hormones might just be the worst.

Her sex drive is out of control.
Loren knows that she’s insatiable, but he’s not giving up on her. She’s too much a part of him. And as he carries more and more responsibility, some of the people that he loves doubt his resolve.
In the conclusion to their love story, Lily & Lo stand side-by-side to fight, one last time, for their happily ever after.

**AUTHORS' NOTE**
Due to the 2-year gap between Addicted for Now (Addicted #2) and Addicted After All (Addicted #3), you must read Thrive (Addicted #2.5) or the Calloway Sisters spin-off series before reading Addicted After All.

Phantom Desire - By Houston Havens *Spotlight*

It’s awesome to be here with you on your blog today. Thank you for having me. I hope to entertain and intrigue your viewers with my latest book in the Psychic Ménage Series. 

Psychic Ménage Series - Book 2 | Goodreads

| Amazon | Createspace Print |

I can have sex with any woman I want. But I can love only one…that one is you.
Mind traveler Chandra Lamar is on the run, not only from her post-catastrophic dystopian government but from a past she can’t remember. A psychic vision pushes her to recall her purpose for being, but it’s a ghost that awakens her desires for a life she fears she’ll never have. Both push her to remember the past because it threatens what she wants in the now; the Nodin men.
Andonis Nodin battles to accept his failures. The heavy burden nearly breaks him when he can’t save a loved one from the grim reaper’s grip and questions his desire for Chandra, the woman he blames for the death around him.
Nikias finds true love with Chandra in his arms, but is desperate to stop her from seeking revenge on a mission he knows is a one way trip.
Ortello knows for them to recapture the love they once felt for each other, he must be willing to let her go. But overcoming his obsession to make Chandra his and his alone isn’t easy.
Will Chandra go through with the vengeance in her heart or give it up for love? Who is the powerful woman in her haunting visions and will those revealing apparitions crumble her world with the Nodin clan? Does Chandra find true love in the arms of the Nodin men or does her Phantom Desire forever own her heart? 

                           

He rolled her beneath him once again and smothered her neck, cheeks, and forehead with smooches before placing a lusty one on her lips. It was a kiss filled with an unearthly love, a kiss so intense it molded her in a mystical cocoon of gossamer energy, instantly drawing her thoughts to the passion they shared and a love that would forever and always be theirs.

His adoration consumed her mind, body, and soul; securing her in his glittery twilight world, giving her life with each driving force of his cock.

“Oh, yeees.” Unable to contain her own virile cravings, she gasped as the heat of their ardent passion returned. Moving her arms down from his neck she wrapped them around his broad shoulders, caging his muscled chest to her breasts for warmth as he stroked his large member into her again and again. Their passions consumed them like a wildfire. Every inch of her body hungered to feel as much of him pressed against her as she could. Only he could saturate this internal fire burning deep inside her frigid heart. She was desperate to feel alive again.

But haunting thoughts stalked her, lurking in the darkened alleyways of her mind. Brooding reflections threatened to rush to the forefront of her forgetful memory, threatening her well-being with exposure. She wasn’t the kind of woman who took well to threats, not even her own, but her gut warned what she couldn’t remember was unpleasant. Mentally, she was on the run to escape the uncertain skulking images and the large sage-violet eyes watching her.

                           

Houston Havens retired from a successful modeling career and an adventurous jet-set lifestyle to set the world on fire with her erotic romance books. A tenacious Irish lass, she strives to entertain with seductive stories created from her decadent imagination and traces of a provocative lifestyle she may or may not admit to.

Her interest in the paranormal, fascination with quantum science, passion with myths, and the lure of her mysterious Celtic Irish-Druid bloodlines are combined with generally unknown truths, strange facts, and questionable fiction. Her novels reflect a mix of the past, present, and future, with sexy blends of futuristic science fiction, paranormal fantasy, western romance, and always love everlasting. An author of six romances, a seven book erotic romance series and numerous articles in literary magazines.

Stop by for a visit and leave a comment at http://houstonhavens.wordpress.com

Links:

Website: http://houstonhavensauthor.wix.com/houstonhavens

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M10: Unlikely Beginnings - By Lola Dodge *Cover Reveal*

M10: Unlikely Beginnings by Lola Dodge
Add to Goodreads
Publication date: December 2014
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

A vigilante. A warrior woman. A ballerina.
These ladies never pictured themselves as super heroes, but they’ve been called to serve—whether they want to or not.

This print anthology of superhero romance novellas arrives from Lola Dodge and Samhain Publishing in December 2014, compiling previous stories Ivory, Temptress and Belle Fury.

Lola Dodge was forged in the suburbs, tested in the retail wastelands and reborn as a romance writer after several strong cocktails. Armed with her M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, she travels the world in search of story fodder and men with accents.

Author links:
http://www.loladodge.com/
https://twitter.com/Lola_Dodge
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5826088.Lola_Dodge

Hothouse Flower - By Krista and Becca Ritchie *Review*

Calloway Sisters - Book 2 | Add to Goodreads

| Amazon | NOOK | Kobo |

Ryke Meadows, meet Daisy Calloway ... she’s all grown up.

Twenty-five-year-old Ryke Meadows knows he’s hard to love. With a billion-dollar inheritance, a track-star resume, and an alpha-male personality—he redefines the term likable asshole. But he’s not living to make friends. Or enemies. He just wants to free climb three of the toughest mountains in Yosemite without drama or interruption.

And then he receives a distressed call from a girl in Paris—a girl that he has never been allowed to have.

Daisy Calloway is eighteen. Finally. With her newfound independence, she can say goodbye to her overbearing mother and continue her modeling career. Next stop, Paris. Fashion Week begins with a bang, and Daisy uncovers the ugly reality of the industry. She wants to prove to her family that she can live on her own, but when everything spirals out of control, she turns to Ryke to keep her secrets.

As Daisy struggles to make sense of this new world and her freedom, she pushes the limits and fearlessly rides the edge. Ryke knows there’s deep hurt beneath every impulsive action. He must keep up with Daisy, and if he lets her go, her favorite motto—“live as if you’ll die today”—may just come true.

 5 flaming hot, I'm going to die - I'm so overwhelmed stars out of 5 with Beyonce on top

I've been putting this off. I'm sorry.

Once again, Krista and Becca Ritchie have written a book that makes me sh*t scared to review. I am again struggling with how to convey how much I loved Hothouse Flower and why it is a must read. It's been such a struggle to write I finished this review, left it and came back to it months after reading the book multiple times. In fact, this review was literally an essay - over 2,000 words minimum when I finally gave it a rest. I guess my struggle stems from wanting people to read this review and understand EXACTLY why these books are so pervasive. I want to give Krista and Becca Ritchie a review that honors the beauty of the book and all the hard work they put into producing such literature. I want to write f*cking dissertations about this book and series. 

The struggle I have with such a stunning winning streak of a series is my emotions no longer translate well into words - hell, into LETTERS. What I need to write and want to write could span PAGES not just a single screen. What is buzzing under my skin dying to burst forth... is too much to contain. Once again, I am given a book that tears my heart out, makes me laugh, entices my dreams for the future, that makes a social statement without being pompous, stimulates intellectual thought without academic jargon, sets a standard without explicitly stating it, that is more than just a "romance" and gives me so much EVERYTHING, I am left reeling.

Why is this important to tell you? Because way back when I read Addicted to You I recognized that I was reading a series that transcended "New Adult Romance" and to explain such perfection was impossible. For those of you that don't know, Addicted for You was the FIRST book in a series of FIVE so far (including spin-offs) and with every book I read, my statement becomes more and more justified. "My attempt below to explain the "why" is only that, an attempt, because I can only try to explain instead of simply writing - Read this fucking book because I can't write about perfection." Yet here I am again, using so many more words, trying to explain why Krista and Becca Ritchie are literary goddesses and why you should read this series. (Seriously, just fucking read it.)

This book was explosive.

Let me give you a second to read that again because if I were to choose a single word to describe this book in my incredibly verbose review that's it - EXPLOSIVE. Daisy and Ryke have been building sexual tension since the moment they both graced the pages of the Addicted series. They've never been a couple and we've never been inside their heads. Yet for FOUR books we have been getting their relationship foreplay so "Hothouse Flower" is almost literally a literary first time orgasm. No joke. I've never seen a book slogan more apt that this because HOLY SH*T, F**KING FINALLY! We all knew it was going to happen and when but the how of it was pure sexual inferno. Now I'm a solid Team Connor but Hothouse Flower had me pleading mind control. I am now a closet Team Ryke because the f*cker has straight up game, not to mention a heart of solid f*cking gold. Why am I cussing so much? Sentence enhancer (Spongebob reference y'all) - it gives my sentences more oomph and well... it's Ryke's favorite word.

Seeing inside Ryke's head was amazing. He struggles so much with his past decisions in addition to his current presence in Loren's life. While Ryke can come off as abrasive he is the sweetest and oddly, most vulnerable to the opinions of people he cares about. Ryke only wants everyone to be okay with or without him. Having been an "outsider" with demanding parents, he understands Daisy in way no one else can. He sees her as a person in her own right rather than in relation to others. His feminism is a huge plus and while he has more confidence than Loren, he suffers from a startling similar self doubt. While Ryke and Daisy finally  having sex is a big thing what really makes this book more than a wham bam thank you ma'am, is the relationship dynamics between the three male characters.

We've seen a lot of the girls dynamics as well as the guys with the girls but solid Ryke, Loren and Connor time seals the ***Flawless rating on "Hothouse Flower." Ryke and Loren finally clear the air between them about their past - Loren's resentment towards Ryke's absence until now and Ryke's guilt for hating his unknown brother without knowing him. Their throw down had me in tears because it was a necessary evil in order to move the brothers relationship forward and it was done BEAUTIFULLY. I mean I cried for gods sake... I never cry. Especially not over two brothers having a heart to heart. Argh. I'm tearing up now.

Connor's role as a "leader" is solidified and we get a recognition of his mistakes in the Addicted narrative. When Ryke worries he's done more harm than good in the lives of Daisy and Loren, Connor is there to tell him how heroic his actions were and still are. Preach. For me, this was Connor recognizing that his actions in Addicted to You, when Connor and Ryke first meet Loren, were wrong. By acknowledging Ryke's push for Loren to become sober was heroic, Connor admits his lack of action was cowardly. For those of you who know Connor this is a HOLY SHIT moment. Ryke was willing to be the bad guy in Loren's life to make a positive change. Correction - is STILL willing to be the bad guy - all so that his brother can be motivated to get well. Connor has never said anything more right, Ryke is a f*cking hero.

I'm going to get emotional so bear with me. Krista and Becca Ritchie make me want to cry. Tears of absolute fucking happiness. In a time when good books are so hard to find their books stand out as fiction gold. They take their imaginary characters and weave real life into a story. They give us role models, survivors, assholes, bitches, the weak, the strong, self loathing, self respect, courage, kindness and love. They write books that refuse to be lowered to standards of empty fiction. They write with a message without presumption or arrogance. They write books that I've been waiting years for. Books with emotional depth and sexual tension that aren't high school students in immature young adult (nothing against you YA) and also aren't 30 year old women wondering how to bring the sexy back when their husbands are cheating bastards (Marian Keyes I love you but your characters are just too old!). To quote the infamous Goldilocks, KB Ritchie are "just right." I love these authors not blindly but because they CONTINUE to be just as perfect and amazing EVERY TIME and that kind of consistency deserves more than my vocabulary can convey. They are Beyoncé and...

Read it. I didn't spill much about Daisy and Ryke's relations because the surprise of it all is half the fun.

Krista & Becca Ritchie write New Adult books that make you cringe, gasp, and go ooh-la-la. (If you do that sort of thing.) They are currently working on the spin-offs and final books in the Addicted series. Connect with them on twitter and their website: kbritchie.com
Goodreads:
Krista: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7056935.Krista_Ritchie
Becca: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2754148.Becca_Ritchie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KBRitchie
Website: http://kbritchie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KBRitchie
Tumblr: http://kbmritchie.tumblr.com/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kbmritchie/

Poison in the Blood - By Robyn Bachar *Spotlight & Giveaway*

Bad Witch: The Emily Chronicles - Book 2 | Add to Goodreads
| Amazon  | Barnes & Noble | Samhain Publishing | 
| Kobo | All Romance eBooks |
Readers can receive 30% off the ebook of Poison in the Blood from the Samhain Store by using the coupon code POISON14 at checkout.

She is honey to his throat...but one sweet taste could part them forever... Bad Witch: The Emily Chronicles Banished from home while her husband adjusts to life as an immortal, blood-drinking chronicler, Emily Black is homesick, heartsick and struggling under the constant sensory barrage of a city drenched in ancient magic. When an old friend asks for her aid in solving a string of murders, she welcomes the distraction, despite the danger. Justine Dubois is grateful for a seer's help, and more understanding than anyone of Emily's plight. As a guardian, Justine commands respect; as a woman, her magic is considered inferior. Together, they are determined to prove their worth to London's magicians, starting with solving these murders-with maybe a bit of matchmaking on the side. Long before he met his soul mate, Michael Black made a commitment to join the Order of St. Jerome. He will live forever, forced to watch the woman he loves age and die. As Emily hunts the murderer, Michael struggles to protect her. But if he loses control of his hunger, the greatest threat to her safety could be Michael himself. Includes the introductory novella The Importance of Being Emily.

Normally stepping into a garden would soothe me, but we were still within London, where there was no comfort whatsoever. I looked up at the night sky and wished I were with Michael.

“You have the soul of an artist, Miss Rose. It is a rare gift.” Mr. Paris stroked my hand, and I tugged it free of his arm. I folded both hands before me primly and smiled.

“Again, that is very kind of you.”

“I consider myself a patron of the arts.”

“So you attend gatherings such as this often?” I asked.

“Of course. I am always on the lookout for new talent.”

“I see. Did you know Mrs. Harding?” I tried to examine his aura to determine his reaction, but his magic continued to be so overwhelming that my eyes watered. Mr. Paris must be unspeakably powerful, and I found myself both worried and intrigued. Perhaps he was a sorcerer? One who specialized in darkness?

“I did. Poor girl. What a terrible thing to have happened to her and her family… Tell me, are you working on a second collection of your work?” he asked, quickly changing the subject.

“I am, though I am afraid the subject matter is quite a bit darker.”

Mr. Paris smiled a predatory grin, and my pulse leapt with a thrill of fear. “I am not afraid of the dark, Miss Rose. Are you?”

He stepped closer, but I held my ground, studying him with a curious tilt to my head. “What are you?” I asked.

He blinked, startled. “I beg your pardon?”

“What sort of magic do you practice?” I clarified.

“Oh. I am a librarian, of course,” he replied, and I laughed, unable to help myself. “What’s so funny?”

“You are most certainly not a librarian. Do people truly believe that lie?”

The smile slid from Mr. Paris’s face as his expression hardened. He stepped forward and tried to grab my arm, but Miss Dubois was suddenly between us, a shining silver blur. With a snarl he turned and ran, and the guardian chased him out of the garden and into the street.

Uncertain of what to do, I followed. I stood hesitant at the garden gate, wondering which way they went. My vision shifted, and I followed Miss Dubois’s blazing footsteps. I paused next to a blur traced over the high brick wall of another garden. It was another magical doorway, rather like the one I had discovered near Mrs. Harding’s body outside the Undiscovered Country. Foolishly I raised my hand to touch it, despite knowing full well that doing so could trigger another vision, but a hand emerged from the brick wall and grabbed my wrist.

Overwhelmed with shock, I barely managed a strangled gasp as Mr. Paris stepped through the wall and glared down at me. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“You first.” My voice trembled, and Mr. Paris grinned. He tightened his grip and snapped several small bones in my wrist, and I screamed.

“Who are you?” he repeated.

Something bubbled up within me, a bright plume of prophetic magic that became my answer. “I am your end.” That time my voice did not tremble at all, but was filled with terrible certainty. I would cause Mr. Paris’s death, and I knew it with as much confidence as I knew the sun would rise in the morning.

Something in my gaze must have worried him, because he snarled. Scowling, he grabbed my forearm with both hands and twisted. The bone snapped like dry kindling, and I screamed again. Before he could torment me further Miss Dubois arrived and bashed him with a round silver shield. Mr. Paris vanished into thin air, and the guardian stood near me. One arm bore the shield, while in her other hand she held a sword. How cunning of her. I wanted a sword as well.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

My knees wobbled and began to buckle, but then two dark blurs streaked up to us, and I was suddenly swept from my feet and cradled close in Michael’s arms.

“Darling! What happened?” he asked.

“You caught me.” I blinked—however had he moved that fast? Simon sighed and shook his head at his student, and I sensed that Michael and I were both in for a scolding.

“Of course I did. I will always catch you. Are you all right?”

Robyn Bachar was born and raised in Berwyn, Illinois, and loves all things related to Chicago, from the Cubs to the pizza. It seemed only natural to combine it with her love of fantasy, and tell stories of witches and vampires in the Chicagoland area. As a gamer, Robyn has spent many hours rolling dice, playing rock-paper-scissors and slaying creatures in MMPORGs.

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1 signed print copy of Poison in the Blood 

1 $25 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway