Tuesday, May 31, 2011

5 Heart Review from The Romance Studio for Cyborg Doms:Fane




Cyborg Doms: Fane

H. C. Brown
Sci-fi romance
Available from Noble Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60592-242-3
March 2011
Fane Jacobs is a cyborg -- part man, part machine. Along with his friend Jace, Fane is enslaved by a psychopath named Gryd. Forced to entertain Gryd's guests with his sexual skills, he longs for freedom. After Jace is attacked by a group of male guests, Fane and Jace steal a starship and escape back in time. They arrive on Earth in the year 2040. Soon afterward, Fane saves a woman from an attack. Dr. Tamara Bright was grateful for Fane's assistance and disturbingly attracted to handsome man but what will she do when she discovers the truth about him?I really enjoyed this story. Science Fiction is my first literary love. Few authors are able to successfully combine good scifi with erotic romance. H. C. Brown does so beautifully with Fane. Time travel, high tech gadgets and spaceships combine with BDSM, hot sex, romance and evil villains to produce a exciting, steamy read. Fane and Tamara dodge bad guys, from both the present and future, while they struggle with their feelings for each other. Neither can fight the overwhelming attraction. Sexual variety abounds in this story: m/m action, bondage, flogging, tender loving. The author manages to deliver a satisfying ending yet leaves readers wanting more. I'm eagerly awaiting Jace's story.
Overall rating
Sensuality rating: Explicit
Reviewer: Susan P.
May 29, 2011
http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/fanebrown.htm




HC. Thank you Susan P :-)

Saturday, May 28, 2011

In The Hot Seat With HC today is author J.S. Wayne





In The Hot Seat With HC today is author J.S. Wayne. Welcome to my blog :-)



Thank you very much for having me here again, Heather! And a big howdy to all you terrific readers out there! J
Q. First of all where are you from?
A. I was born in Amarillo, Texas, but I’ve lived all over the western and central United States. I finally made it home to Texas a year and a half ago, and have no plans to leave for any great length of time any time soon.
Q. What are your favorite movies?
A. There are so many. I tend to favor anti- or darker heroes and interesting villains. But my top three are
1) The Crow (original with Brandon Lee)
2) Batman (Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson)
3) Transformers (animated, 1986, Orson Welles, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy)
Q. What do you want your readers to take away from your books?
A. I try to create a universe in which there is no more powerful force than true love; it can shatter chains, raise up the downtrodden, and even supersede death itself. I believe in magic and magick, and hope that my readers will carry a little of that wonder and hope with them.






 Q. We all love romance. What in your mind defines a great romance novel?
A. A truly great romance sticks with me long after I’ve closed the book and moved on. If the characters stick in my mind and make me laugh or cry, or if the author finds a way to say something that’s in my heart better than I could myself, then to me that is a great romance novel. Many of the greatest “romance” novels I’ve ever read were billed as nothing of the sort: The Crow, which started life as a graphic novel, is just one example.
Q. What qualities do you instill in your hero?
A. I like a complex, multi-faceted hero. I’m not a two-dimensional cardboard cutout and hate it when I find those kinds of completely unrelatable heroes in what I read. My heroes have to be able to rise to a challenge, but they must also be strong enough to admit their weaknesses, failings, and vices.
Q. If you could meet a paranormal being or character of your choice with no safeguards, what/who would you choose and why?
A. I honestly couldn’t choose just one. Or ten. It’s a big world, and I want to experience as much of it, good AND bad, as I can in my lifetime.
Q. Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you cope?
A. I’m going to commit a minor sacrilege here: I don’t believe in writer’s block. I view writing as a fun job, but it’s still a job. If I don’t work and produce, I don’t get paid. On any given day, I may look at my computer and curl my lip in disgust. I could be sick. I could be tired. I could just have too damn much to do in the “real world.” But if I don’t write on a given day, ultimately, it is because I made a conscious choice not to.

H.C. Oh I agree..... sometimes my mind so wants to do other things too :-)

Q. Book pirating is a big issue at the moment. Can you tell our readers how this impacts on you and other authors?
A. This problem is constantly on my mind, as it is most of the other authors I know. I recently had a woman at my day job learn that I had written an urban-fantasy vampire novel which I self-pubbed. She wanted to read it; I told her where she could go to purchase a copy. Her response: “Well, I just want to read it and give it right back.”
This angered me, and it took me a while to think it through and understand why. Once you read a book, the knowledge contained therein is yours to do with as you will. Books don’t write themselves, and the person writing that book is counting on sales to continue to be able to produce more books. Ideally that author’s sales will reach a point where they can write full-time without having to rely on a day job, and thus produce, it is hoped, more and higher-quality work for the reader. So without books, there can be no readers; but if writing books didn’t pay, I wouldn’t do it.
That free read ISN’T. It took a real person time and effort to create. If you got it for free, by whatever means, the least you can do is leave a review of it for the author that will hopefully encourage others to purchase their work. If you have a chance to get a copy by other than publisher or author-sanctioned contests, please don’t. Spend the money; most publishers have a return policy that protects the consumer as well as the author and ensures that your wallet is at minimum risk.


HC. I agree a review is a nice thank you . Same goes for passing e-books around ...yeah, if you value the author's work don't do this, the price is low enough for most people to pay and those who do this really put a dent in the pocket.... add this to the pirates swag and we end up making 20c per copy.
 Saying this I always give out my author copies in contests, because it gives me that personal contact to my readers I think is necessary...for me anyway. I have only had one fan put my book on a pirate site....stupid thing to do and use your own name with the copyright laws in the USA- don't you think huh?

Q. What are your current projects?
A. I’m currently working on three complete novels: Sinner, a dark erotic novel about a succubus assassin and a mortal cop who fall in lust; Aquus, the projected first novel of a trilogy, about the current Sea God falling in love with a mortal woman; and Once A Knight’s Enough, an erotic fantasy comedy which can best be described as Monte Python meets Fractured Fairy Tales meets Shrek. I currently have a full-length novel completing the story arc I started with my angel stories under consideration for publication at Noble. In addition, I have at least half a dozen short stories in the works. So, as you can see, I don’t do much J



Q. Can you tell us a little about your latest release? I love this cover BTW.
“Angel Of The Morning” is my third short story in two months to be released under the Noble Romance aegis. It is the follow-up to “Angels Would Fall,” and considers the events detailed therein from a broader perspective.



Blurb:
Aurora, the Angel of the Morning, has received good news: her husband, Benoth, banished from Heaven for joining with Lucifer, has been granted a temporary pass from Infernos. The Angel of Death, Azrael, has sought an audience with Benoth regarding the renegade assistant, Moradiel, and his mortal lover.
            Benoth, never one to pass up an opportunity, manages to arrange his time so he can have the entire day with his beloved and dearly missed wife. As the two reunite for the first time in decades, they discover their passion burns just as hot and bright as ever.
            But time flies, even for angels and demons. And sundown is coming . . . .

Excerpt link:
            http://nobleauthors.blogspot.com/2011/05/sexy-angels.html; This blog post not only contains an excerpt from “Angel Of The Morning,” but it also offers a little more history and information about my angels for the curious.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?

I’d like to thank you again, Heather, for having me here today and all your wonderful readers for coming to spend time with me! Hopefully you’ve found it to be as interesting and as much fun as I have. Keep your eyes open, folks; there’s plenty more coming down the pipeline from me!


HC. Check out J.S Wayne's author page at Noble Romance


https://www.nobleromance.com/Authors/155


 I'm looking forward to more great stories J.S :-)



Q. Where can we find you on the net?
A. My homepage is www.wix.com/jswaynesite/herebemonsters. I have a writing blog at www.jswayne.wordpress.com. You can catch me on Twitter (@jswayne702) and on Facebook (Author.JSWayne). Drop by and see me!

H.C. Great to have you here....drop by again soon and tell us about your next release.

ARE 50% Rebate on e-books this weekend

It's Memorial Day weekend in the United States, and ARe is celebrating in a big way with a 50% rebate sitewide!

From 12:01 am 05/28/11 to 11:59 pm 05/30/11 US central time only.

Check out the conditions.



http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=H.C.+Brown

Wow...I'm heading over there right now :-)
HC

Living With The Faeries

There is a great weekend coming up for me, I'll be living with the faeries and diving into  Nox the King of the Faerie's story.

Hey drop by on Saturday to meet up with J.S. Wayne...you like angel's right?

Well, J.S. Has some great books out so come on by and meet this talented new author when he braves the Hot Seat with yours truly.

Catch you later.

HC

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Nash & Paul by H.C. Brown Seriously Reviewed












Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16 
Publisher: Noble Romance
GBLT BDSM

To Purchase


Blurb:
Everything is going well for badass dom, Nash Mage, and his sweet sub, Paul, until Nash does a favor for Rio, the owner of Floggers' BDSM Club.

Expecting Paul to trust him implicitly, Nash's world falls apart when he finds his confused, innocent sub in the arms of his nemesis, Frank. Teetering on the edge of sanity and out of control, Nash is looking for revenge.

Review: It’s love revisited, but it can be read without having ever met Nash and Paul before. Misunderstanding is at the heart of this story. A few times Nash comes off as a bit of a narcissist, worrying more about image than the responsibility of being a Dom. Paul is genuinely likeable but there is still some uncertainty in his position with his Dom. For BDSM lovers, this has just enough wicked kink. The “romance” of the story is edgy and believable. I liked the book and recommend it for an entertaining read.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Review for Shifters & Demons The Vane Book One



J.s. Wayne
May 16, 2011
J.s. Wayne rated it 5 of 5 stars
My horizons have broadened considerably since I started writing erotic romance. Before, I would never have considered even reading a story with M/M romance. I'm glad I read this one!
H.C. Brown weaves science and magic together in a dizzying tapestry as the backdrop for the romance between her two male protagonists. This is a novel that celebrates love in all its forms and expressions and shows that it is possible for multiple lovers to all achieve their "happily ever after."
Even if M/M/F menage is not your particular brand of Scotch, this story is incredibly well-written and very hot. This is a must-have for the connoisseur of gay/menage romance, or even for someone who's just looking for something a little different. H.C. Brown literally offers something for every taste, and she rises to this monumentally difficult task with style, wit, and a great deal of heart.

H.C. Thank you for this great review :-)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

TRS Great Review For Hawke's Purr-fect Mate


Hawke's Purr-fect Mate

2909D

H.C. Brown
Paranormal romance
Available from Noble Romance Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60592-285-0
April 2011

Hawke is a prince of the Knight Watch who finds his mate at the latest Scenting but she is determined to refuse him. Lydia is part Fae and part Pride. She sees herself as deformed and no matter how much she craves to be with Hawke she will not disgrace him. When their land is attacked, Hawke must fight to protect their people but when he is captured Lydia must decide if she is willing to follow her head or her heart. Can Lydia save Hawke before it is too late or will she run and hide?I love the princes of the Knight Watch and Hawke is one of my favourites. I am so glad he found his mate and got his story told. Hawke is a great man who loves with all his heart. He cares for everyone and will do anything to protect them and when he finds Lydia he will stop at nothing to claim her. Lydia loves just as strongly and is a fierce woman that just needs a bit of faith and courage and Hawke is just the man to give it to her. The two make a beautiful couple. Add in Nox the king of the Fae and the couple becomes a ménage that is full of love and emotion that no one can tear apart. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship develop not only between Hawke and Lydia but also with Nox. Each character stands strong on their own but together they are a wonderful unit.
H. C. Brown pulls the reader into the wondrous world of the Prides and the Fae in this book. I was hooked right from the start of this story and kept turning the pages to see what would happen next. I cannot wait to see which of the princes will be next to find his mate.
Overall rating
Sensuality rating: Very sensual
Reviewer: Gabrielle
May 17, 2011


Thank you so much Gabrielle :-)

H.C

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Hawke's Purr-fect Mate by H.C. Brown # 4 Pride Brothers Series

 Hawke's Purr-fect Mate #4 in the Pride Brothers Series is now available at ARE
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hawke039spurrfectmate-543145-142.html


Description
Deliciously handsome, insatiable, alpha male Hawke of Knight Watch has a reputation for having a voracious and varied sex life. However, his ability to attract streams of men and women to his bed comes into question when he meets the mysterious Ice Princess, Lydia.

Lydia, born of both Fae and Pride, has a secret. Unable to chance the man of her dreams discovering the truth about her, she publicly refuses the handsome Prince Hawke.
Disillusioned and heart sore, Hawke must fight the battle of his life against the dogs invading his realm, and for the love of his true mate.
Reader Rating:  starstarstarstarstar (3 Ratings)
Sensuality Rating:   lipliplipliplip

Tags for this product

farieshcbrownknightsmagicmatildecopynageromancewarwolves

Excerpt:
Prologue

Excerpt from THE GREAT BOOK OF THE PRIDES
Personal entry: King Blaise of Knight Watch

Spring brings the yearly scenting of females for the Knight Watch. I hope with all my heart Hawke finds his mate this season. I have concerns over my youngest brother, Jannus, who recently returned from Lioness. My mother raised him under the supervision of females. Jannus reached his majority two years ago and yet refused to join me here at Feltich Castle. Nox, the King of the Fae, insists the boy possesses a rare magyck and has watched over him in my stead.

In the mountains bordering, the Land of the Five Gates, a rogue Gate opened yesterday, causing the Lonza Pride great concern. I have sent Dare with a small battalion to watch over any attempt to breach our realm. I have faith the Lady protects us all.

Chapter One

Dryad

Hawke opened one eye. Gods, his head ached like a bitch, and his tongue stuck to the top of his mouth. He yawned, then licked the taste of female arousal from his lips. The pungent aroma from many hours of sex filled the warm, humid air. He grinned, slid his palm over the soft, round buttocks of the female lying beside him, and then pushed the long, raven hair from the back of the Fae male sleeping on his chest. What a sinful night. He and the Fae twins, Dray and Dominic, had made the impulsive decision to visit the Demon's Den Tavern in Dryad. The week before the Scenting, females from every realm traveled to Dryad, seeking long nights of passion.

He ran his tongue around his teeth and sighed, enjoying the multitude of tastes he found. Inside his mind, his cat purred in sated contentment. Hawke lifted his head and gazed into Dray's sleepy, green eyes. "Good morning."

"It will be a very good morning." Dray moved his warm mouth against Hawke's chest, nipping at his flat nipples. "I need you again."

Hawke grew instantly hard. Dray's dark hair brushed across Hawke's skin in a silken caress. He met the Faerie's deep, green gaze and his mind filled with the image of driving his tongue deep inside the Fae's soft mouth. Dear Lady, he could not get enough of the Fae twins. Dominic rose from the end of the bed, flashed Hawke a cheeky grin, and then lowered his sweet, wet mouth to his cock. Hawke purred with pleasure; the twins always took care of him.

Fleeting memories crossed his mind, although in truth, most of the previous evening had leaked from his memory. Wine had flowed in great abundance, and the females, Lady's blood, had begged for his attention. Rolling his hips to enjoy Dominic's hot mouth, he tried to sequence the events of the evening.
He vaguely remembered taking the twins and at least two females to his bed last night. He wracked his alcohol-frizzled brain for a name, any name to match the female with the tempting, golden ass under his palm. Angela? Annabel? No, she was the one with the silver braids. Suzanna?

The room crackled with energy, and a Circle of Light shattered the stillness. Hawke groaned and stared into the angry face of his brother, King Blaise of Knight Watch. Standing beside him, with a bemused expression, stood Nox, the King of the Faerie. Great, a delegation of kings. Look at them, dressed in black with faces like prunes.

The Fae twins jumped off the bed and fell to their knees uttering apologies. The female slept on in blissful ignorance, curled with her smooth back, away from him. Hawke grunted his objection and reached down to drag a sheet over his nakedness. He heard Blaise's sharp intake of breath, turned his back on the kings, and buried his face in the pillow.

* * * * *

Blaise rolled his eyes. What could he to do with his brother? To find a prince in a brothel when plenty of females resided in the castle gave the wrong impression to the people of Dryad. Of late, his brother had become more cat than man. In truth, Hawke constantly prowled around looking for sex, and not many males or females escaped his charm. The twins practically lived at the castle. Blaise had no idea why Hawke needed to seek out the company of harlots, gauged on the constant stream of lovers climbing the stairs to Hawke's bedroom. Blaise ground his teeth. Somehow, his brother encouraged Nox as a lover, too. His hands clenched into fists. He glared at the back of Hawke's golden head. "Don't ignore me, I know you're awake. Have you forgotten the Scenting?"

"No . . . but I'm having too much fun here." Hawke lifted his head and glowered at Blaise. "Can't you just leave me alone?" He met Nox's emerald gaze, and a seductive smile curled his lips. "You can stay."

Flaring his nostrils, Blaise growled deep in his chest. The room stunk of sweat, sex, and spoiled wine. Bottles of Miza littered the floor, spilling sticky trails of red across the polished wood. He kicked a path through the clothes, strewn in piles around the room, and made his way closer to the bed. In a blink, the Fae twins vanished from sight. Blaise turned to look at Nox, who lifted one broad shoulder before tossing him a wink.

Blaise leaned over the bed and shook Hawke's arm. "I'm taking you home now; have you forgotten who you are? Is this any way for a Knight Watch prince and the commander of my army to behave?"

"For the Lady's sake stop screaming at me." Hawke pulled a tub of lube from under the pillow and set it on the nightstand. "I'm not a cub. I'm off duty and am entitled to do as I please. And for your information, I'm extremely happy not having a mate."

Blaise dragged the sheet off Hawke and his companion. "Many have traveled from the far reaches of the Five Gates to bring their daughters to Feltich Castle. You're the prize they seek. Do you dishonor me by not attending?"

"Shut the hell up." The female opened her eyes. She sat up and blinked at Nox. "Heavens, am I supposed to do you as well? Not on an empty stomach, I won't. A girl needs to eat you know. Well, don't just stand there get me some food."

Nox raised a brow at Blaise. "I'm sorry, whores don't get breakfast."

Blaise shook his head and reached into his pocket for a gold coin. He dropped it on the bed and turned to Nox. "Get us out of here before I do something I regret."

* * * * *

Nox grinned. Hawke had a sexy way of looking at him that turned his knees to jelly. His cock certainly had a mind of its own when it came to Hawke. To be honest, the prince's seductive, crooked smile and his smoldering gaze could lure lovers from twenty paces. He knew instinctively which males enjoyed man love—Hawke never made a mistake in that direction.

He sighed; in truth, he wanted Hawke and silently wished the mate he chose would join the cozy relationship he had with Hawke and Allure the Fair. Allure, however, constantly insisted Nox find his own mate. He considered this idea for a split second and gazed back at Hawke's blatant invitation. He met the man's royal blue eyes and nodded slightly. "You stink. I believe an hour or so in the hot spring would be most beneficial."

"What have you done with the twins?" Hawke slid to the edge of the bed. He turned his attention to the female, who had dragged a sheet around her nakedness, the gold coin clutched in one hand. "You should leave, Nox here, might just change you into a toad." He flashed Nox a mischievous grin and pulled on his pants.

Nox waited until the female collected her clothes and fled the room. He flared his nostrils. The rich, musky smell in the room excited him. The heady allure of Hawke's unique scent drew him like a sexual magnet. The sight of the delicious male, naked and aroused, made his mouth water. Gods, he could not drag his gaze away from Hawke's golden skin. He caught Blaise's angry gaze and cleared his throat. "The twins will be back after the Scenting."

He drew a Circle of Light and stood to one side, allowing Blaise to drag Hawke through the shimmering space. Nox picked up Hawke's distinctive black, silver studded boots and followed them into the hot springs at Feltich Castle.


* * * * *


Doucheron


Lydia sat on a mossy rock and combed her long, midnight hair. Sunlight warmed her face and a light breeze carried the sweet perfume of bluebells from deep in the forest. The river, heavy with the melted snow from the mountains, lapped at her feet. Spring burst across the countryside, from the golden heads of primrose, to the vivid, green shoots abundant on every branch of the trees.

The midday sun's rays warmed her body like a lover's caress. Her mind turned again to Hawke. How strange to see his proud, black leopard in her forest, marking his territory in blissful abandon. Then to witness him morph and plunge into the river to wash off the blood of his kill. Hawke's pungent scent had driven her cat into a frenzy, and she'd barely prevented the beast taking over and running to the Knight Watch prince.

Lydia had run, keeping downwind, but since their brief encounter, Hawke constantly invaded her thoughts. Breaking every rule in the Book of the Fae, she used her powers to walk in dreamscape to get closer to him. Taking the place of females in his dreams, she had enjoyed his hard body, night after night. She knew his scent, the feel of his skin under her fingers. The taut muscles of his forearms surrounding her, his kiss, dear Lady, she knew the taste of him. Her face grew hot, and her gaze darted from side to side. Gods, if anyone found out she possessed such magyck . . . let alone used it on a prince. She shook her head—how could anyone know?

Lydia gazed at the flowing water, and her mind relived the moment the prince rose from the river. He mesmerized her with his tall, muscular body, his golden skin, and the shank of platinum hair curling down his back. Hawke of Knight Watch had become her destiny. Spring had arrived, and his cat called to her, demanding her presence.

The picturesque river flowed swiftly below the weeping willows. It brushed against the bank, and collecting the last, brown, winter leaves, transported them like boats to the waiting coast. She gazed at Bo and smiled. Last summer, he had become a wonderful friend. If things had been different, he would have made a considerate lover. She loved his windblown, russet colored hair, his turned up nose, and those delightfully long, pointed ears. How she wished he could be her mate.

Panic clenched her stomach. She turned to Bo and gripped his arm. "Run away with me; we can live in the forest."

"No, the guards will find us. You have no choice but to do your uncle's bidding." Bo dipped his toes in the flowing water and looked at her mournfully. "The cravings for Hawke won't stop, Lydia. If your cat believes I'm the obstacle in your path, she will soon break free and kill me. You're losing more control of the beast every day."

"You know I can't accept him, no matter how I feel. I would disgrace the Night Watch. It's not as if he's a normal Pride male."

"Do you think I want to see you with another?" Bo gazed at Lydia, his eyes deep, green pools of sadness. "Unbitten, you will never have a cub with me, and if you could, your family would never accept an Elf into their Pride." He moved to her side and slipped his arm around her shoulder. "You have to go to the Scenting or they will hunt you down and drag you there."

Lydia placed a hand on his thigh and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm not strong enough to fight against his scent. One whiff and I crave him. Lady help me if he takes me and then finds out . . . ."

She looked up into the Elf's eyes and saw the pain etched there. She cared deeply for Bo and hated to see him hurt. What can I do? She touched his face. "I crave the scent, but in truth, I know little about the man."

"It's not within our power to go against the Lady's wishes." Bo took Lydia's hand. "I care for you, but I've always known you would be mated to a Pride."

Lydia sighed. "I know deep in my heart that Hawke will reject me the second he discovers the truth."

"How will you survive without him?" Bo rubbed the back of Lydia's hand with the pad of his thumb. "When you've inhaled his scent you will suffer the pain of separation. In truth, I believe you suffer this now."

She stared across the river to the yellow and black ducks nesting in the waving reeds. "Under certain circumstances, there is a way to stop the cravings. Nox has powerful magyck to deal with such things. His lover, Allure the Fair, is my mother's cousin. When Hawke refuses me, my mother will send word to him, and Lady willing, with Nox's help, the hunger will stop."

"If you plan to go against your family's wishes and consider a relationship with me, you must allow him to bite you. Once bitten, you will be able to accept my childseed." Bo bent to kiss her cheek. "And a rejected female may choose her mate. It's our only chance to be together."

Lydia shuddered and buried her face in her hands. "No, I can't let him bite me. If that happens, all the feelings, I have for you will be gone. I'll belong to him—body and soul. I'm sorry . . . I can't risk losing your friendship, Bo. If they force me to attend the Scenting, I'll try to avoid him."

"It hurts me to say this, but if the Lady made you for Hawke, why would you believe he would reject you?" Bo ran a hand through his windswept hair.

Lifting her chin, Lydia met his gaze. "He is so perfect . . . a warrior of the highest standing. He is the King's right hand in the militia. Can you really see him proudly escorting me on his arm? I'm deformed. My cat's a freak."

"No, you are the most beautiful female in all of Doucheron." Bo rubbed the back of his neck. "Your cat is the sleekest feline. How could you say such a thing?"

Lydia met his gaze and shrugged out of her dress. "Why would a prince want to mate with this?"

* * * * *

The next second, the air around Lydia shimmered and her white tiger broke free with a roar. The cat turned its gaze on Bo and crouched, every muscle tense beneath its silken, white coat. Bo froze and watched her open silver, diaphanous wings. With one bound, she took to the air. The cat circled over the river and landed in a tree twenty paces downstream on the edge of the woods. She awed him with her magnificence.

Bo picked up Lydia's discarded clothes, walked to the bottom of the ancient, oak tree, and stared up at her. "This doesn't solve anything."

The big cat flashed its iridescent, green eyes, folded its wings, and growled its discontent. Bo shook his head. "You're special—not a freak. Come down at once."

The big cat fluttered to his side, landing softly on the forest floor, and then shimmered back into Lydia. He smiled at her and offered her the pile of clothes. "That's better."

"No, it's not." She spun around to expose her back. "The cat got the perfect wings, and I got these. What male would look on these with love, Bo? Come on, tell me the truth."

Bo ran his fingers over the small set of black wings and watched them slip slowly into her back. Lydia had great beauty, with golden skin and a soft rounded bottom. She had long legs to encircle a male's waist, breasts like milk and honey. Her eyes, the color of the deepest green, set in the face of an angel. He wanted her love so badly, yet he could offer nothing more than friendship. He sighed, turned her to face him, and touched her hair, curling a silken strand around his finger. "Your wings are small but perfectly formed. I think they are delightful."

"Humph. Just like a male. I hate them." Tears poured down Lydia's cheeks. "So many Pride have mated with Fae, and no other came out like me. I'm not Pride, and I'm not Fae. How could I ever expect Hawke to make me his life mate?"

Without hesitation, Bo pulled her naked body against his chest. He pressed kisses across her cheeks. "I love you just the way you are. Don't worry. If your uncle forces you to go to the Scenting, I will follow close behind. When all is done with Hawke, if you still want a relationship with me, I'll go to Nox."

"It would be better for my mother to approach the problem with Allure. Why would you think he might assist you?" Lydia brushed at the tears on her cheeks.

Bo smiled. "Nox is the King of the Faerie; even a lowly Elf can ask him for help."

"And what if I succumb to Hawke, and he takes me for his mate." Lydia trembled in Bo's arms. "What will you do? You know if this happens, any affection I have for you will fade from my memory." She shook her head. "I cannot prevent this. It's the Lady's way."

Bo forced a smile. He took her shoulders and gazed into her beautiful face. How he valued their friendship. He wished she truly wanted him for her lover, but in his heart, he knew the truth. She belonged to a Pride. She must never know his true feelings. I love her enough to set her free. Lady give me strength. "I've always known this, but it will never prevent us being friends. Nothing will change. I'll return to my home." He raised a brow. "There is a male there who stirs my loins. He will make me very happy." No female will ever replace you in my heart.

A horse's whinny made him turn. Through the trees, a group of soldiers approached led by Lydia's uncle. Bo pushed his friend toward the cover of a dense honeysuckle bush. "Get dressed your uncle is coming."

"Go, I'll be okay," Lydia whispered.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, inhaling her scent and trapping it in his memory. "I'll follow you to Dryad."

Hawke's Purr-fect Mate

By: H.C. Brown

Saturday, May 14, 2011

In The Hot Seat With HC - Indigo Skye







In The Hot Seat With HC today is author, artist and photographer Indigo Skye. Welcome to my blog.

Q. First of all where are you from?
A.  I live in the American Southwest, but I have the soul of a gypsy- always travelling.  I feel most at home when I’m on the road.
Q. What are your favorite movies?
A.  I love mobster movies like Casino, The Godfather, Goodfellas, and American Gangster.  Strange to say, but I find them really interesting and compelling.  I guess I’ve always been drawn to the darker side of things- society’s seedy underbelly, as it were.  I also enjoy bio-pics of artists, musicians, and writers like Frida, Ray, Notorious, Walk the Line, and The Hours. 
Q. What do you want your readers to take away from your books?
A.  Sticky fingers and a satisfied smile.  I want to enchant them with my fantasies, to create a sex scene so real you can feel it, touch it, taste it…to weave a spell of words.  I also want the reader to know the characters better, and to wonder about them after reading the last page.
 Q. We all love romance. What in your mind defines a great romance novel?
A.  A great romance novel is defined by its characters.  I don’t read a lot of the typical happily-ever-after romance novels- although there are some great ones out there!  I’m just not that kind of girl!

If I can relate to the novel’s characters- no matter the genre- if they are well-drawn and intriguing, funny and sexy and surprising, I’m on board.  I really enjoy Helen Fielding’s work.  The Bridget Jones’ Diary books and films have given me a lot of laughs- it’s the story of an ordinary working girl falling in love and chasing her dreams- making mistakes and falling in and out of love… and living to tell the tale and laugh it up with her girlfriends.  I can definitely relate to that! I also read and loved Melissa Bank’s short stories in The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing and The Wonder Spot.  Paint It Black, by Janet Fitch, is an intriguing love story with flawed characters that are sometimes painfully real and human.  I am awed and inspired by Queen Latifah’s book, Put On Your Crown.  It focuses on a very important- and too often neglected- love story… the love story starring YOU.  Listen up, ladies!  It’s all about loving and respecting yourself.  Latifah’s music and her inspiring words always put a smile on my face.
Q. What qualities do you instill in your hero?
A.  Brendan Delaney, the hero of my first novel, Her Captive Muse, is not your typical Fabio fare.  He’s a flawed and imperfect man, a junkie caught in the web of need and desire.  More of an anti-hero, he prevails through guts and a little dumb luck… but he gets into plenty of trouble along the way.  It made him a lot of fun to work with.  I loved writing Brendan’s story because he breaks all the rules about what a typical leading man should be.  Would you bring him home to meet the family?  Definitely not.  He’s more a hot-one-night-stand type of guy- and that bad-boy appeal is very attractive to my Muses.  He’s not going to ride in on a white charger and rescue anyone- in fact, he’ll be lucky if he can save himself.
Q. If you could meet a paranormal being or character of your choice with no safeguards, what/who would you choose and why?
A. I’ve always wanted to be transported to Faerie, to dance and feast and make merry with the fey folk. I am drawn to other worlds full of shadows and magick.
Q. Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you cope?
A.  Sometimes I feel creatively blah, and I’m just not excited about anything I’m working on. This has nothing to do with the inherent worth of my work- it’s a message from my Muses telling me something isn’t right. Writer’s block normally occurs when I’m not feeling well, or am under a lot of stress and need to take better care of myself. When I’m feeling juicy, it shows in my work.
When I’m creatively blocked, I focus on spoiling myself rotten. This might continue for days, even weeks. How do I cope? I do whatever it takes to start feeling fabulous again. I read in the bathtub, take a lot of power-naps, drink too much wine, and call in sick at work so I can sleep late. I spend hours on the phone with my girlfriends, take long walks, splurge on a pedicure or a massage- anything to chase the blahs away. A couple of times a year, I do a spiritual retreat with friends. I emerge feeling energized and centered in myself, replete with ideas and creative juiciness.
Q. Book pirating is a big issue at the moment. Can you tell our readers how this impacts on you and other authors?
A.  I’ll be real with you.  I’m just starting out in this business, so I still have a day job, just to pay the bills.  I live paycheck to paycheck.  When I get an advance or a royalty check, I don’t buy a yacht or a trophy home- I pay my electric bill, or buy some groceries.  Sometimes it allows for the little extras like a night on the town, or a new pair of shoes, and those are happy days indeed.  
I work long hours, and then I come home and write for the sheer pleasure and exuberance of it.  It saves my soul, it keeps me sane, and it’s cheaper than therapy. I have always dreamt of making a living by my pen alone.  If you pirate my book, you are stealing not only my rightful income as a creative professional, you are also stealing my ideas and my dreams. Plagiarism and piracy disgust me. Book-pirating is a crime against writers- second only to censorship, in my opinion.
Q. What are your current projects?
A.  I’m currently editing a manuscript for submission- I can’t reveal the details, but I hope to announce a new release soon!  I’m also hard at work on The Blackthorn Key, a dark erotic faerie tale, and a collection of short fiction and poetry is in the works.  I’m also developing a nonfiction project based on my experiences as a Phone-Sex Goddess.  It’s a hilarious expose of the industry, with juicy tidbits from real calls.  But don’t worry, all names and distinguishing features have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent!  You can read excerpts from this work-in-progress on my blog- Dialing with Sticky Fingers: Confessions of a Phone-Sex Goddess. Here’s the link… http://indigoskyeinkandart.blogspot.com/p/dialing-with-sticky-fingers-confessions.html

Q. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?




Buy Link/Excerpt for Her Captive Muse- https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=235
Book Blurb-
When Brendan Delaney answered an ad for an artist's model, he was looking for an easy way to earn some extra cash. But Morgan Roan wanted more than just a model. Soon, Brendan finds himself caught in a web of deception and desire, lust and betrayal—her captive muse. What price pleasure?
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say to my readers?
A: I’d love to give your readers a chance to win my first book, Her Captive Muse. To enter, simply comment on my interview below. Don’t forget your email address, so I can get in touch with the lucky winner!

Great!

Q. Where can we find you on the net?
A. My blog, Indigo Skye: Ink and Art, is an exploration of the sensual in words and images.  It can be found online here, along with a complete listing of my published works- http://indigoskyeinkandart.blogspot.com. 
I love to tweet – follow me on Twitter at- http://www.twitter.com/indigoinkandart. 
Here’s a link to my publisher, Noble Romance. You can read the first chapter of my novel and purchase it here:
My short story, “My Demon Lover,” was recently included in the new Noble Erotica anthology, Red Roses & Shattered Glass.
Buy Link for Red Roses & Shattered Glass-
My short story, “True Confession,” has been published in the erotica anthology Uniform Behavior, edited by Lucy Felthouse.
Buy Link for Uniform Behavior-



Wednesday, May 11, 2011

H.C. Brown - My Inspiration

Standing on my beach this morning I thought you would like to share early winter with me on the Gold Coast Australia.




Low tide looking toward Surfer's Paradise




Looking toward Tweed Heads

This is my inspiration.

HC

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Thank you :-)

Thank you for  coming to the live chat. It was really great 'meeting' all of you.


Take a look at the new Noble Romance Publishing website.
https://nobleromance.com/


It's a great interactive site and will get better as it settles.


Bye for now,


HC

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

New Review From TRS for Floggers' Holiday sale


Floggers' Holiday Sale

Stormy Glenn & H.C. Brown
Contemporary romance
Available from Noble Romance Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60592-220-1
December 2010
Floggers' Holiday Sale contains two great books. Two tough Doms find themselves falling for two wonderful subs. Each of the stories revolves around the BDSM club that the Doms belong to. Each man finds a sub he longs to be with and the adventure begins from there.In the first story we meet Danny who has longed to be Rafe's sub for years now. He has trained and learned to be what Rafe needs. Hoping that when Rafe finally meets with him, the sparks will fly. I really enjoyed Rafe he is a great Dom and he may understand what a sub needs but it seems he needs help in finding just what he needs. After fearing the feelings he starts to have for Danny, Rafe brings another sub home and dismisses Danny's feelings, but when he finds himself on the verge of loosing him Rafe realizes his feelings and fights for them. Danny is a strong man and he is more than willing to give himself over to Rafe. Yet when he finds Rafe with another sub his heart can't take it. Watching the relationship build between the two was a great read.
In the second story we meet Nash and Paul. Nash is a rough Dom who likes things on the edge but Paul is a virgin to not only the scene but in the literal sense as well. Nash is a wonderful Dom always knowing just what his sub wants. The only thing in his way is his ex Damien. Paul may have caught Nash's eye but can he catch his heart as well? Paul is a strong man who loves with all his heart but he can't compete with Nash's past. He tries and gives his heart to Nash but is he enough to make Nash forget Damien? This was an intense read and the bond that forms between these two was really nice.
With wonderful characters and a great storyline this book takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster. I enjoyed the intensity of the relationships and will definitely be looking for more stories from both of these authors.
Overall rating
Sensuality rating: Explicit
Reviewer: Gabrielle
May 2, 2011

Monday, May 2, 2011

H.C. Brown - Life after the blog tour

Well, the blog tour is over for this month. I had no idea how much time this took. I didn't write for the past three weeks. So I'm behind....sorry guys. The planned sequels are going to be a bit late.

I put my head in the noose to organize another authors tour in November. So I'll have more time to iron out the wrinkles of the last one. Check out the graphic for the authors, we will be heading off to guest sites around the world.

I think the  launch of  #4 in the Pride Brothers Series Hawke's Purr-fect Mate got lost along the way, so I'll include an below extract to tempt you. My  bad boy Hawke finally finds his mate. I cried writing this book, in this story you see that even a man like Hawke  is vulnerable. Next in this series is Nox, I will cover the other brothers later.

A sequel to Shifters & Demons- The Vane - the new magical Pride of shifters is on the way too.

 Shifters & Demons went out to the pirate sites the day it released , so one of my best stories and the publishers recommended read earned me zip. Months of work for nothing. Over a thousand downloads on two sites alone. I thought for some time about writing a sequel, this kind of thing  really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Any how I write for my loyal fans, you are all that matter anyway :-)


I hope you enjoyed the tour, I know it was really great to touch base with all of you :-)I have a copy of the tour anthology to give away. Red Roses & Shattered Glass.....a very HOT read. If you miss out you can buy it here:http://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=260


As always....leave a comment.... or join my Yahoo Fan Group....I love feedback from my readers.

HC
 Hawke's Purr-fect Mate


Reader Rating:  starstarstarstarstar 
Sensuality Rating:   lipliplipliplip

Buy links
Noble Romance http://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=267

ARE                 http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hawke039spurrfectmate-543145-142.html

Blurb:
Deliciously handsome, insatiable, alpha male Hawke of Knight Watch has a reputation for having a voracious and varied sex life. However, his ability to attract streams of men and women to his bed comes into question when he meets the mysterious Ice Princess, Lydia.

Lydia, born of both Fae and Pride, has a secret. Unable to chance the man of her dreams discovering the truth about her, she publicly refuses the handsome Prince Hawke.
Disillusioned and heart sore, Hawke must fight the battle of his life against the dogs invading his realm, and for the love of his true mate.

 

Excerpt.
Prologue

Excerpt from THE GREAT BOOK OF THE PRIDES
Personal entry: King Blaise of Knight Watch

Spring brings the yearly scenting of females for the Knight Watch. I hope with all my heart Hawke finds his mate this season. I have concerns over my youngest brother, Jannus, who recently returned from Lioness. My mother raised him under the supervision of females. Jannus reached his majority two years ago and yet refused to join me here at Feltich Castle. Nox, the King of the Fae, insists the boy possesses a rare magyck and has watched over him in my stead.

In the mountains bordering, the Land of the Five Gates, a rogue Gate opened yesterday, causing the Lonza Pride great concern. I have sent Dare with a small battalion to watch over any attempt to breach our realm. I have faith the Lady protects us all.

Chapter One

Dryad

Hawke opened one eye. Gods, his head ached like a bitch, and his tongue stuck to the top of his mouth. He yawned, then licked the taste of female arousal from his lips. The pungent aroma from many hours of sex filled the warm, humid air. He grinned, slid his palm over the soft, round buttocks of the female lying beside him, and then pushed the long, raven hair from the back of the Fae male sleeping on his chest. What a sinful night. He and the Fae twins, Dray and Dominic, had made the impulsive decision to visit the Demon's Den Tavern in Dryad. The week before the Scenting, females from every realm traveled to Dryad, seeking long nights of passion.

He ran his tongue around his teeth and sighed, enjoying the multitude of tastes he found. Inside his mind, his cat purred in sated contentment. Hawke lifted his head and gazed into Dray's sleepy, green eyes. "Good morning."

"It will be a very good morning." Dray moved his warm mouth against Hawke's chest, nipping at his flat nipples. "I need you again."

Hawke grew instantly hard. Dray's dark hair brushed across Hawke's skin in a silken caress. He met the Faerie's deep, green gaze and his mind filled with the image of driving his tongue deep inside the Fae's soft mouth. Dear Lady, he could not get enough of the Fae twins. Dominic rose from the end of the bed, flashed Hawke a cheeky grin, and then lowered his sweet, wet mouth to his cock. Hawke purred with pleasure; the twins always took care of him.

Fleeting memories crossed his mind, although in truth, most of the previous evening had leaked from his memory. Wine had flowed in great abundance, and the females, Lady's blood, had begged for his attention. Rolling his hips to enjoy Dominic's hot mouth, he tried to sequence the events of the evening.
He vaguely remembered taking the twins and at least two females to his bed last night. He wracked his alcohol-frizzled brain for a name, any name to match the female with the tempting, golden ass under his palm. Angela? Annabel? No, she was the one with the silver braids. Suzanna?

The room crackled with energy, and a Circle of Light shattered the stillness. Hawke groaned and stared into the angry face of his brother, King Blaise of Knight Watch. Standing beside him, with a bemused expression, stood Nox, the King of the Faerie. Great, a delegation of kings. Look at them, dressed in black with faces like prunes.

The Fae twins jumped off the bed and fell to their knees uttering apologies. The female slept on in blissful ignorance, curled with her smooth back, away from him. Hawke grunted his objection and reached down to drag a sheet over his nakedness. He heard Blaise's sharp intake of breath, turned his back on the kings, and buried his face in the pillow.

* * * * *

Blaise rolled his eyes. What could he to do with his brother? To find a prince in a brothel when plenty of females resided in the castle gave the wrong impression to the people of Dryad. Of late, his brother had become more cat than man. In truth, Hawke constantly prowled around looking for sex, and not many males or females escaped his charm. The twins practically lived at the castle. Blaise had no idea why Hawke needed to seek out the company of harlots, gauged on the constant stream of lovers climbing the stairs to Hawke's bedroom. Blaise ground his teeth. Somehow, his brother encouraged Nox as a lover, too. His hands clenched into fists. He glared at the back of Hawke's golden head. "Don't ignore me, I know you're awake. Have you forgotten the Scenting?"

"No . . . but I'm having too much fun here." Hawke lifted his head and glowered at Blaise. "Can't you just leave me alone?" He met Nox's emerald gaze, and a seductive smile curled his lips. "You can stay."

Flaring his nostrils, Blaise growled deep in his chest. The room stunk of sweat, sex, and spoiled wine. Bottles of Miza littered the floor, spilling sticky trails of red across the polished wood. He kicked a path through the clothes, strewn in piles around the room, and made his way closer to the bed. In a blink, the Fae twins vanished from sight. Blaise turned to look at Nox, who lifted one broad shoulder before tossing him a wink.

Blaise leaned over the bed and shook Hawke's arm. "I'm taking you home now; have you forgotten who you are? Is this any way for a Knight Watch prince and the commander of my army to behave?"

"For the Lady's sake stop screaming at me." Hawke pulled a tub of lube from under the pillow and set it on the nightstand. "I'm not a cub. I'm off duty and am entitled to do as I please. And for your information, I'm extremely happy not having a mate."

Blaise dragged the sheet off Hawke and his companion. "Many have traveled from the far reaches of the Five Gates to bring their daughters to Feltich Castle. You're the prize they seek. Do you dishonor me by not attending?"

"Shut the hell up." The female opened her eyes. She sat up and blinked at Nox. "Heavens, am I supposed to do you as well? Not on an empty stomach, I won't. A girl needs to eat you know. Well, don't just stand there get me some food."

Nox raised a brow at Blaise. "I'm sorry, whores don't get breakfast."

Blaise shook his head and reached into his pocket for a gold coin. He dropped it on the bed and turned to Nox. "Get us out of here before I do something I regret."

* * * * *

Nox grinned. Hawke had a sexy way of looking at him that turned his knees to jelly. His cock certainly had a mind of its own when it came to Hawke. To be honest, the prince's seductive, crooked smile and his smoldering gaze could lure lovers from twenty paces. He knew instinctively which males enjoyed man love—Hawke never made a mistake in that direction.

He sighed; in truth, he wanted Hawke and silently wished the mate he chose would join the cozy relationship he had with Hawke and Allure the Fair. Allure, however, constantly insisted Nox find his own mate. He considered this idea for a split second and gazed back at Hawke's blatant invitation. He met the man's royal blue eyes and nodded slightly. "You stink. I believe an hour or so in the hot spring would be most beneficial."

"What have you done with the twins?" Hawke slid to the edge of the bed. He turned his attention to the female, who had dragged a sheet around her nakedness, the gold coin clutched in one hand. "You should leave, Nox here, might just change you into a toad." He flashed Nox a mischievous grin and pulled on his pants.

Nox waited until the female collected her clothes and fled the room. He flared his nostrils. The rich, musky smell in the room excited him. The heady allure of Hawke's unique scent drew him like a sexual magnet. The sight of the delicious male, naked and aroused, made his mouth water. Gods, he could not drag his gaze away from Hawke's golden skin. He caught Blaise's angry gaze and cleared his throat. "The twins will be back after the Scenting."

He drew a Circle of Light and stood to one side, allowing Blaise to drag Hawke through the shimmering space. Nox picked up Hawke's distinctive black, silver studded boots and followed them into the hot springs at Feltich Castle.


* * * * *


Doucheron


Lydia sat on a mossy rock and combed her long, midnight hair. Sunlight warmed her face and a light breeze carried the sweet perfume of bluebells from deep in the forest. The river, heavy with the melted snow from the mountains, lapped at her feet. Spring burst across the countryside, from the golden heads of primrose, to the vivid, green shoots abundant on every branch of the trees.

The midday sun's rays warmed her body like a lover's caress. Her mind turned again to Hawke. How strange to see his proud, black leopard in her forest, marking his territory in blissful abandon. Then to witness him morph and plunge into the river to wash off the blood of his kill. Hawke's pungent scent had driven her cat into a frenzy, and she'd barely prevented the beast taking over and running to the Knight Watch prince.

Lydia had run, keeping downwind, but since their brief encounter, Hawke constantly invaded her thoughts. Breaking every rule in the Book of the Fae, she used her powers to walk in dreamscape to get closer to him. Taking the place of females in his dreams, she had enjoyed his hard body, night after night. She knew his scent, the feel of his skin under her fingers. The taut muscles of his forearms surrounding her, his kiss, dear Lady, she knew the taste of him. Her face grew hot, and her gaze darted from side to side. Gods, if anyone found out she possessed such magyck . . . let alone used it on a prince. She shook her head—how could anyone know?

Lydia gazed at the flowing water, and her mind relived the moment the prince rose from the river. He mesmerized her with his tall, muscular body, his golden skin, and the shank of platinum hair curling down his back. Hawke of Knight Watch had become her destiny. Spring had arrived, and his cat called to her, demanding her presence.

The picturesque river flowed swiftly below the weeping willows. It brushed against the bank, and collecting the last, brown, winter leaves, transported them like boats to the waiting coast. She gazed at Bo and smiled. Last summer, he had become a wonderful friend. If things had been different, he would have made a considerate lover. She loved his windblown, russet colored hair, his turned up nose, and those delightfully long, pointed ears. How she wished he could be her mate.

Panic clenched her stomach. She turned to Bo and gripped his arm. "Run away with me; we can live in the forest."

"No, the guards will find us. You have no choice but to do your uncle's bidding." Bo dipped his toes in the flowing water and looked at her mournfully. "The cravings for Hawke won't stop, Lydia. If your cat believes I'm the obstacle in your path, she will soon break free and kill me. You're losing more control of the beast every day."

"You know I can't accept him, no matter how I feel. I would disgrace the Night Watch. It's not as if he's a normal Pride male."

"Do you think I want to see you with another?" Bo gazed at Lydia, his eyes deep, green pools of sadness. "Unbitten, you will never have a cub with me, and if you could, your family would never accept an Elf into their Pride." He moved to her side and slipped his arm around her shoulder. "You have to go to the Scenting or they will hunt you down and drag you there."

Lydia placed a hand on his thigh and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm not strong enough to fight against his scent. One whiff and I crave him. Lady help me if he takes me and then finds out . . . ."

She looked up into the Elf's eyes and saw the pain etched there. She cared deeply for Bo and hated to see him hurt. What can I do? She touched his face. "I crave the scent, but in truth, I know little about the man."

"It's not within our power to go against the Lady's wishes." Bo took Lydia's hand. "I care for you, but I've always known you would be mated to a Pride."

Lydia sighed. "I know deep in my heart that Hawke will reject me the second he discovers the truth."

"How will you survive without him?" Bo rubbed the back of Lydia's hand with the pad of his thumb. "When you've inhaled his scent you will suffer the pain of separation. In truth, I believe you suffer this now."

She stared across the river to the yellow and black ducks nesting in the waving reeds. "Under certain circumstances, there is a way to stop the cravings. Nox has powerful magyck to deal with such things. His lover, Allure the Fair, is my mother's cousin. When Hawke refuses me, my mother will send word to him, and Lady willing, with Nox's help, the hunger will stop."

"If you plan to go against your family's wishes and consider a relationship with me, you must allow him to bite you. Once bitten, you will be able to accept my childseed." Bo bent to kiss her cheek. "And a rejected female may choose her mate. It's our only chance to be together."

Lydia shuddered and buried her face in her hands. "No, I can't let him bite me. If that happens, all the feelings, I have for you will be gone. I'll belong to him—body and soul. I'm sorry . . . I can't risk losing your friendship, Bo. If they force me to attend the Scenting, I'll try to avoid him."

"It hurts me to say this, but if the Lady made you for Hawke, why would you believe he would reject you?" Bo ran a hand through his windswept hair.

Lifting her chin, Lydia met his gaze. "He is so perfect . . . a warrior of the highest standing. He is the King's right hand in the militia. Can you really see him proudly escorting me on his arm? I'm deformed. My cat's a freak."

"No, you are the most beautiful female in all of Doucheron." Bo rubbed the back of his neck. "Your cat is the sleekest feline. How could you say such a thing?"

Lydia met his gaze and shrugged out of her dress. "Why would a prince want to mate with this?"

* * * * *

The next second, the air around Lydia shimmered and her white tiger broke free with a roar. The cat turned its gaze on Bo and crouched, every muscle tense beneath its silken, white coat. Bo froze and watched her open silver, diaphanous wings. With one bound, she took to the air. The cat circled over the river and landed in a tree twenty paces downstream on the edge of the woods. She awed him with her magnificence.

Bo picked up Lydia's discarded clothes, walked to the bottom of the ancient, oak tree, and stared up at her. "This doesn't solve anything."

The big cat flashed its iridescent, green eyes, folded its wings, and growled its discontent. Bo shook his head. "You're special—not a freak. Come down at once."

The big cat fluttered to his side, landing softly on the forest floor, and then shimmered back into Lydia. He smiled at her and offered her the pile of clothes. "That's better."

"No, it's not." She spun around to expose her back. "The cat got the perfect wings, and I got these. What male would look on these with love, Bo? Come on, tell me the truth."

Bo ran his fingers over the small set of black wings and watched them slip slowly into her back. Lydia had great beauty, with golden skin and a soft rounded bottom. She had long legs to encircle a male's waist, breasts like milk and honey. Her eyes, the color of the deepest green, set in the face of an angel. He wanted her love so badly, yet he could offer nothing more than friendship. He sighed, turned her to face him, and touched her hair, curling a silken strand around his finger. "Your wings are small but perfectly formed. I think they are delightful."

"Humph. Just like a male. I hate them." Tears poured down Lydia's cheeks. "So many Pride have mated with Fae, and no other came out like me. I'm not Pride, and I'm not Fae. How could I ever expect Hawke to make me his life mate?"

Without hesitation, Bo pulled her naked body against his chest. He pressed kisses across her cheeks. "I love you just the way you are. Don't worry. If your uncle forces you to go to the Scenting, I will follow close behind. When all is done with Hawke, if you still want a relationship with me, I'll go to Nox."

"It would be better for my mother to approach the problem with Allure. Why would you think he might assist you?" Lydia brushed at the tears on her cheeks.

Bo smiled. "Nox is the King of the Faerie; even a lowly Elf can ask him for help."

"And what if I succumb to Hawke, and he takes me for his mate." Lydia trembled in Bo's arms. "What will you do? You know if this happens, any affection I have for you will fade from my memory." She shook her head. "I cannot prevent this. It's the Lady's way."

Bo forced a smile. He took her shoulders and gazed into her beautiful face. How he valued their friendship. He wished she truly wanted him for her lover, but in his heart, he knew the truth. She belonged to a Pride. She must never know his true feelings. I love her enough to set her free. Lady give me strength. "I've always known this, but it will never prevent us being friends. Nothing will change. I'll return to my home." He raised a brow. "There is a male there who stirs my loins. He will make me very happy." No female will ever replace you in my heart.

A horse's whinny made him turn. Through the trees, a group of soldiers approached led by Lydia's uncle. Bo pushed his friend toward the cover of a dense honeysuckle bush. "Get dressed your uncle is coming."

"Go, I'll be okay," Lydia whispered.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, inhaling her scent and trapping it in his memory. "I'll follow you to Dryad."