Monday, July 18, 2016

Except From "Siren of the Sea" by Tamora Rose

Scheduled to be released on August 1st, 2016, Siren of the Sea is the second historical romance written by emerging author Tamora Rose. Currently available for preorder, this novel is set in England during the reign of King John. Nimue, only legitimate child of the powerful Earl of Richford, is forced into a marriage not of her choosing. When her brutal husband is accidentally killed, she flees her childhood home to search for a new life. It will be available in most ebook formats, including Nook, Kobo, and Kindle.

Read on for an excerpt from the book:

Nimue took five steps inside the massive chamber, stopping once Asher’s hand no longer rode the small of her back. While he closed the door with a quiet click, she took the opportunity to look around the chamber they would share this night.

Despite the luxury of Cliffside, this room was unassuming. Comfortable, but unassuming. There were plush carpets in muted colors, comfortable chairs that managed to be both handsome and practical, and silk bedding in deep blues and greens. There were three great windows, each with glass to protect from the elements, and two of the windows had cushioned benches built into the castle itself. Two great wardrobes lined one wall and a small door led to some inner chamber. Her curiosity was instantly aroused.

“Where does that door go?” she asked as Asher came up behind her.

He chuckled and led her to it. Thrusting it open, he let her precede him. When she stopped, he gave her a little push until she was out of the doorway.

Nimue barely noticed. Instead it was this room that had captured her attention. It was tiled from floor to ceiling with tall candles burning to illuminate the space. One horizontal row of tiles had tiny pictures painted on them. There were benches along the wall, also tiled, and a sunken bathing tub built into the floor. It was large enough to swim across in several strokes, which was exciting for someone who loved the water as much as she did. Steam rose from the water, but there wasn’t another door to indicate servants had recently escaped. All Nimue could do was blink at the unexpected sight.

“It’s a bathing chamber,” Asher explained as he pulled her back against him. “Modeled after the old Roman baths. The water is kept warm by a series of pipes beneath the tub. We’ll bathe here, together, every morning.”

She wasn’t sure she wanted to do that, but the chance to slip into the expansive tub might prove too much to resist. So it was with some reluctance that she followed Asher back into the bedchamber when he took her arm.

The first thing she saw was the bed. That was where they would soon be. Together. Her breath came in short gasps as memories flooded her. The last time she’d been abed with a man—

Strong arms spun her around until her back was to the bed. “Don’t think about him,” Asher demanded, green eyes flashing.

“It’s…hard.” Impossible, really. “Please, my lord…if we could wait…I would like to wait. Please?”

Her pleas touched him, but still he shook his head and pulled her closer. This wouldn’t be any easier on her if they put it off until tomorrow, or next week, or even next month. She was his wife and he would not let her fears keep him from her bed. But, in deference to her past experiences with men, he resolved to go slow, to be gentle with her. He’d had virgins before, and experienced women, but he’d never tried to seduce a woman who had had rather violent sexual experiences. It was uncharted territory for him, so slow was just as much for his benefit as hers. He’d have to find his footing with her.

Talking seemed the place to start. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised as he moved his hands up and down her arms. “Just trust me. And relax. You’re tense as a bowstring.”

Nimue let out a harsh laugh. He was right, she was tense. And trembling. And not ready for what he would do to her. But since he wouldn’t wait…

Asher saw her mind churning and sought to distract her before memories of her first husband could truly overwhelm her. His lips found her forehead, then kissed down along her temple until he tasted her jaw. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t relaxed, but at least she wasn’t fighting him. And when his lips met hers, she didn’t whimper or pull away. He did have to coax her lips apart, but that was far easier than he’d expected it to be. She even sighed as he explored the depths of her mouth. A promising start.

Nimue leaned into him, trying to banish her fears. She did like being kissed. If he would only kiss her, and not do those other things, she would be more than happy to be his wife. His mouth moving over hers was…nice. Nice enough that she raised herself up on her toes to get closer…

Only to have his break their kiss and look into her eyes. “I’m going to pick you up,” he warned. Then he reached down and lifted her gently into his arms.

Grateful for the warning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and glanced over her shoulder at the expansive bed. She didn’t want to go, but she knew that was where they were heading. So it came as some surprise when he took her to the blazing fire instead.

Asher grinned at the shock on her face. “I thought perhaps you were not ready for the bed.” He sat in the largest of the chairs and placed her on his lap.

“Thank you,” she said with all earnestness. She wasn’t sure she could bear to be in bed with a man. In a chair…maybe that wasn’t so bad. Especially if he would kiss her again.

But instead he reached for her gown. “You have far too many clothes on.”

Nimue went still as his fingers found the laces of her gown. He moved slowly, deliberately, trying not to frighten her, but Nimue still gave a little sob.

“Easy,” he whispered against her ear, nibbling just a little as he revealed the soft shift beneath her silken gown.

Afraid, Nimue tried to cover herself, but Asher was insistent. He peeled the gown down her arms and over her hips until he could toss the silk confection to the ground.

“I should hang it up,” Nimue protested, and not just to avoid his touch. It was such a lovely gown and deserved better treatment.

“Later,” Asher murmured as he went after her slippers. When they had dropped to the floor, he slid his hand up her leg, intent on snagging her stockings.

But Nimue was having none of it. As soon as his hand passed her knee, she kicked her legs and whimpered. Asher immediately removed his hand.

“Hush,” he urged, cupping her face. “Nothing I do will hurt.”

Every inch of her tiny body shook as she gasped, “Promise?”

He chuckled as his lips brushed hers. “If anything hurts, I’ll stop. I swear it.”

Hope blossomed. “You will?”

“It will probably kill me,” he grinned, already in dire straits, “but I promise. I will stop. But you have to relax and trust me. Now, I’m going to take off those stockings. Hold still.”

His voice was gentle, but it held a note of command she was afraid to disobey. When his hand returned to her thigh, she barely moved, but she did clamp her thighs firmly together. Which effectively trapped the stockings he was trying to remove.

“Open up, sweetheart.” When she didn’t, he traced a finger over her joined thighs. And when that didn’t work, his finger found its way to the curly strands protecting her most secret place.

She whimpered under his ministrations, but he didn’t stop. He felt a little guilty, taking advantage of her fear, but she had to learn to relax and obey. That would only happen if he persisted.

“Open,” he repeated with a little more force.

Another whimper, but she did as she was told. With a final tug on her maiden’s hair he moved his hand, removing first one stocking, then the other. Once she was clad in just her shift, he smiled down at her, taking note of her fiery face.

“Now we can get started.” He let a little satisfaction creep into his tone as he ran a hand over her dark hair.

Nimue regarded him with suspicious confusion. “We’ve already started,” she protested. He’d had his hand between her thighs! Her blush deepened as she thought about it.

Her husband chuckled. “All I’ve done is undress you, and I haven’t even finished that small task. Lean back, sweetheart, and trust me.”

Trust him? How could she? But she did lean back as he had instructed. A little uncomfortable, she shifted about on his lap until she was on her back and nestled in his arms. Her position displayed her barely-clad breasts and made it difficult to keep her thighs together, but he seemed satisfied.

When he leaned over her and brought his lips to hers, she tensed and whimpered.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Excerpt from "The Night's Caress" by Tamora Rose

Released in late 2015, The Night's Caress is the first book in the Fallen Romance series. It is a contemporary fantastical romance starring a college student intent on proving vampires are as real as they are mysterious. She's so determined to reveal their presence to the world that she soon finds herself in well over her head even as she falls for the ancient creature who saved her life. The Night's Caress is available in most ebook formats (including Nook, Kobo, and Kindle) as well as in paperback.

Read on for an excerpt from the book:

The cool green on the walls and the bright blue on the bed were both immediately more welcoming than the stark white of the kitchen. Mallory felt herself relaxing as Victor closed the door behind them. Of course, that might have been the wine. She took another sip, pleased with the way it warmed her belly.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Victor whispered in her ear. “I have to wash off the sunblock. It won’t take more than a few minutes.”


He put his wine and the bottle on the bedside table and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Mallory to her own devices. The sound of running water came through the door, distant and indistinct. Mallory, for lack of anything better to do, wandered over to the window.


This was all new to her. Should she undress? They were going to have sex and they couldn’t do that with clothes on. There were just two problems. The first was hers. She just wasn’t comfortable naked. Even in her own apartment she always had clothes on. Always. She usually changed in the bathroom because she was so uncomfortable without clothes. Undressing and slipping beneath the covers…she didn’t think she could do it.


The second problem was related to the man she was about to sleep with. He was old. Two thousand years old. A little more than that, actually. He’d lived through many eras, most of which had the woman as submissive to the man. Perhaps he wouldn’t appreciate a woman who was too forward. Maybe he wouldn’t appreciate finding a naked woman in his bed.


That was stupid. What kind of man—human or vampire—wouldn’t want a naked woman in his bed? Unless he was gay. But Victor was surely not gay or she wouldn’t be here.

Maybe she was overthinking this. Making a decision, she kicked off her saddles, put her glass on the table near the windows, and sat on the bench at the foot of the bed. A compromise. Near the bed but not on it. Shoes off but not naked. Best of all worlds.


She was just getting comfortable when the bathroom door opened. Victor strolled back into the bedroom, naked from the waist up. He was still wearing the black jeans, but he’d removed his shoes and socks. On bare feet he came towards her, not making a sound on the silver carpet. He was beautiful and sexy and…hot, she realized. If she was going to lose her virginity, a totally hot vampire was not a bad choice for her first lover.

Her face flushed as he sat beside her and ran a knuckle across her cheek. When his lips touched hers, a bolt of electricity ran from her lips to her groin. Arousal was instant, so she raised her arms to pull him closer. Just when she felt his fangs press against her lips, he pulled back. Mallory groaned in frustration.


“Your eyes are truly green when you wear that shirt,” he whispered, lips brushing over her eyelids.


Mallory could barely get the breath to speak. “I know. Otherwise they’re a boring hazel.”


“Hazel, maybe.” His lips moved to her ear. “But never boring.”


Fangs trailed down her neck, arousing and frightening her all at the same time. She trembled but didn’t stop him. She’d already decided to let him do this. She would let him do this.


When he drew back to look at her, she nearly sagged in relief even as she trembled with desire.


“Hush,” he murmured against her lips. “I won’t bite. Not yet, anyway.”


That made her laugh, which only heightened her arousal.


“Now,” he continued, “the ground rules.”


“What rules?” She didn’t want to hear his rules. Not when her body was singing with need.


“Mallory, listen to me.” He stopped kissing her, waiting until those vibrant eyes were focused on him before he said what needed to be said. “I am a predator.”


“I know.”


But he shook his head. “You don’t understand. A predator searches for prey and kills it. I need you not to behave as if you are prey.”


There was a note if warning in his voice that made her take note of his words. “What do you mean?”


“If you become frightened, do not act it.” Catching her eyes with his, he tried to make her understand. “If you push against me, or scream, or do anything prey might do, my baser nature may take over. If you want me to stop, say the word and I will. But do not whimper or flee.”


Mallory didn’t believe he’d hurt her, but she nodded anyway. “Don’t push you away. But what about pulling you closer?”


Surprise registered in his eyes before she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to hers. Wanting to be closer still, she squirmed toward him until he lifted her onto his lap as his lips ravaged hers. Mallory felt a prick of pain as one of his fangs scratched her.


“Sorry,” he breathed against her cheek.


Mallory gifted him with a faltering smile. “I expected to shed a little blood if we were going to…you know.”


His hand moved to work at the buttons of her blouse. “If you can do it, you should be able to say it.”


He was right, she realized. She was nearly twenty-two, hardly a child anymore. If she could sit in a vampire’s lap, fully prepared to have sex with him, she should at least be able to utter the word.


“Say it,” he demanded as he tugged the blouse out of her skirt.


The green satin was sliding off her shoulders before she whispered, “Have sex.”


Now all that stood between his hands and her bare flesh was her embroidered green bra. She expected him to remove it, but instead he brought his lips back to her ear.


“I want to know if the panties match.”


Before she could answer him, she found herself standing in front of him. His expert fingers unzipped her skirt and it promptly fell to the floor. Standing before him in nothing but her underwear, Mallory couldn’t help but blush. She was just glad everything matched.


“Very pretty,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her navel.


Pleasure shot through her body as his tongue explored her belly. She wrapped her arms around his head, pulling him closer as she moaned from pure sexual excitement. So caught up in desire was she that she barely noticed when his fangs nicked her skin. Barely.


Glancing down, she saw two scratches on her stomach, one on either side of her bellybutton.
“That one wasn’t an accident,” she stated.


“No.” Victor drew his tongue around her navel, catching the droplets of blood that had appeared on her skin. “This one was very deliberate.”


His tongue played about the wound, drawing little gasps of pleasure from Mallory’s throat. She held on to his head, praying he’d never stop.


But eventually he did pull away, gazing up at her with just a hint of blood on his lips. He stood so quickly she barely saw him move, but she certainly felt it when he pulled her against his chest.


“Last chance to walk away,” he growled. “This is the point of no return.”


“I’m not going anywhere,” she promised as she snuggled into the warmth of his chest.


Letting out a satisfied chuckle, Victor swept her into his arms and headed for the bed.