Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Surprise! Surprise! It's Release Day!



Guess what! I received an early birthday present today – Claimed by the Zyndevine is OUT NOW! You can find it at Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/CLAIMED-ZYNDEVINE-Bayou-Magiste-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00YB65GS0
 
I'm really excited to share this story – when I first created the Magiste (which I've said many times before was inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies), in the back of my head, this book's seeds settled in and took root. It didn't happen overnight, but from the moment Claimed by the Devil was complete, the idea for Henri and Chantal's story had simmered slowly, with each successive book providing more answers - and lots of questions, too - about how the Magiste came to settle in the New World, and of course, which ones were the trailblazers. Many of those questions are answered in this book, but of course, there's still more to uncover.

I hope you enjoy Chantal and Henri's story as much as I enjoyed writing it. They truly guided me through this one, though not without giving me some attitude along the way – a few scenes were not how I originally envisioned them, and wrestling them into shape didn't always work the way I wanted. Then again, I suppose that’s true with about every book I write. And yes, Henri pushed a few things before I intended they should happen, arrogant aristocrat that he is. ;)

Anyway, here's another taste of the Magically Kinky! love story between Chantal and Henri – so hold on tight and enjoy! Oh, and I'm giving away a copy to a random commenter, and I'll have more goodies as we roll into June.



Chantal stared at the tall blonde man. A Marchand! How had he come to find her in the forest behind her home? He said he was part of Il Resistasse, but she knew damn well his family was known as much for their lineage and wealth as for their practice of the dark arts. Rumors abounded that his family was responsible for some of brutal attacks on Inquisitioners, which had only served to increase the Church's actions against the Magiste.

"Well, Chantal, while you are here, you are safe."

"Maybe from the Inquisition, but who will keep me safe from you?"

He chuckled, a hint of a smile quirking the corners of his mouth. Her gaze was drawn to his sensual lips and despite the horrors of the night, a strange warmth slid through her veins, an odd sense of safety in the danger surrounding her.

"I assure you, you have nothing to fear from me."
His claim seemed sincere, but after what she'd endured…. She folded her arms. "Don't I? Everyone knows your family is–"

"Responsible for some of the same atrocities the Catholic Church commits against our kind? Yes, that is in fact true."

She frowned, her breath hitching for a moment at the implications. Was the illusion of rescue now going to damn her further? How could she be fool enough to potentially anger him? The chaos of tonight's disaster must have addled her wits.

"I didn't mean…that is, I have heard…." Fearing she'd insulted him yet again, she let the words trail away.

"What you've heard is indeed fact. Many members of my family, both distant and near, practice dark magic. My knowledge of such spells is quite extensive as well."

The panic that she'd found herself in a worse situation than at the hands of the Inquisitioners rose once again, nearly choking her. How could she think herself safe here? For all she knew, he'd rescued her only to torture her himself. At the thought, memories of the way her cousins had taunted her when they were children sprang into her thoughts. The recollection of the brutality they'd insisted was real suddenly seemed exactly so. Her head spun with memories, both old and new. Staring at Henri, she wondered what intentions lurked behind those silver eyes.

She turned, pacing the room, chewing on a fingernail. Her limited options loomed. She was all alone, and Henri had saved her life by bringing her to his home, even if it meant she might be subjected to hell while here. What could she do now? Fleeing in the middle of the night seemed the least safe choice. At least, for now. She needed time to collect herself, to fashion her flimsy nightdress into something more presentable. Then, she could thank Henri and be on her way. Where could she go?


Friday, May 22, 2015

Sneak Peek - Claimed by the Zyndevine



We're getting close – Claimed by the Zyndevine will be here in a couple of weeks! Book 4 in the Bayou Magiste Chronicles goes back in time to tell how the Magiste first settled here in America – in 1255, well before Christopher Columbus "discovered" the New World. Here's a little sneak peek to show how it all started:



Near Toulouse, France 1255

Henri adjusted his cloak, striding quickly toward the stables, thumb turning the ring on his left hand in a nervous motion.  The stone, set in nearly pure gold mined from the caves near Limoges, warmed.  He took a deep breath, teeth grinding in anger.  He had little time to reach his destination, and waited impatiently as the groom finished saddling his horse.  If he made it in time, he'd need the animal to help with the task that lay ahead.

Word had come that a family near Toulouse had been targeted by the Inquisitioners.  Each passing second seemed somehow a waste, spurring his impatience, the message arriving only minutes before.  In his mad rush to reach the stables, he'd avoided his parents, knowing they would disapprove of his actions.  While Edouard and Marie Marchand preferred dealing with the minions of the Church using dark arts, Henri feared such measures only served to increase the rabid urges of men who held power and hungered for more.  While he appreciated the use of sinister magic to bring his enemies to their knees, the brutality of the Inquisitioners far exceeded anything he'd witnessed from the Magiste.

Today's victims were a minor noble family of Magiste.  They'd lived peacefully for centuries on their land, alongside their neighbors.  What had changed to turn the evil eye of the Inquisition toward them?  The question lingered and he finally accepted the reins of his horse from the stable boy.   Thunder rumbled overhead.  Henri mounted.  Closing his eyes, he clenched his fist, the ring near scalding.

"Portalus."

Beneath him, the horse pranced as the compression of the traveling spell took effect, sending Henri and the animal through distance and time.  When the pressure eased, Henri found himself in the middle of a lush forest, damp with a recent rain.  To his right, shouts sounded, and he wheeled the horse around.  Beyond the tree line, fire illuminated the night.  Henri's heart sank to see flames erupting from the windows of a large farmhouse.  Even from this distance, he could hear the screams of those trapped inside.  Merde! Too late!

Smoke quickly wafted toward the forests, the acrid stench burning his eyes.  A flurry of movement in the brush nearby drew his attention.  He dismounted and fastened the horse's reins to a tree.  He held his hands above the animal's back.

"Cachevois."

His ring warmed and the horse vanished from view, concealed by the spell.  No Mortals would find his mount.  Henri stood motionless for a few moments.  While the shouts of the Inquisitioners echoed around him. He ignored them, concentrating on the immediate area. 

The tingling awareness of someone else possessing magic grew stronger to his right.  He turned, his ring warming further and leading him closer to the source of power.  Another rustle of foliage, this time accompanied by a choked sob.  The flash of movement almost eluded him, but he headed in the same direction.  His ring grew hotter and hotter, nearly scorching his skin.  There, up ahead.  A woman ran, her long fiery hair catching on low-lying branches.  He picked up his own pace, desperate to reach her before the Inquisitioners.  He just about came even with her when she stumbled and fell, more sobs and gasping breaths reaching his ears, even over the din of chaos at the edge of the forest. 

Aware of two of the Inquisitioners closing in, Henri hurried to the fallen woman as she struggled to rise.  He held out a hand.

"Come with me!"

She froze, a shriek escaping before she scrambled away from him.  Damn, she thought he was one of them.

"If you want to live, come with me now!"


As Chantal is soon to find out, being rescued by Henri poses a danger all its own. When he introduces the innocent young Enchantress to Magically Kinky! sex, will she be able to resist his alluring domination?

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Cover Reveal - Claimed by the Zyndevine

More exciting news to share - today I received the cover for Claimed by the Zyndevine, book 4 in the Bayou Magiste Chronicles.This book goes back in time to tell the story of how the Magiste fled their homeland and settled in what is now Louisiana. Of course, since they migrated there in 1255, the land didn't have the name we know now, and it was also a challenge to describe things in different ways - using the terms we use for certain things wouldn't work, since it was before the New World was settled by European immigrants.

Here's what this Magically Kinky! tale is all about:


In 13th century France, attacked by those carrying out the Papal Inquisition, Magiste Enchantress Chantal Belliveau is thankful for rescue from certain torture and death. But she never expected it to be at the hands of Henri Marchand, one of a powerful pureblooded line of ancient Magiste, the Zyndevines. Henri holds the key to her survival, but the danger he poses to her heart and soul could turn out to be even more perilous.

Henri is part of Il Resistasse, a handful of powerful Magiste fighting the atrocities the Catholic Church inflicts on their race. Saving Chantal becomes more than a simple rescue - the innocent young woman with half-trained powers enchants him more than he has ever been before. That she enjoys the dark side of pleasure he inflicts on her makes him question his determination to never give another his heart.

Chantal is horrified when Henri invokes an ancient spell, the Possede Puissant. The incantation leaves her little more than his possession. While she finds herself enjoying his dark and wicked sensual delights, she determines to free herself. Still, the security she finds with Henri encourages her to stay by his side, claiming spell or not.

Resentment toward her from Henri's family convinces Chantal she must ultimately break free of Henri's possession. But when the Inquisitioners attack, Henri convinces Chantal to embark on a journey to a new land, a journey that may well mean the survival of the entire Magiste race but the loss of her freedom forever.

** Contains lots of graphic kinky sex of the paranormal kind, including magical sex toys, potions, bondage and spanking, and more!



And here is the gorgeous cover:


I really can't fully describe how much I love the covers for this series - Frankie Hill has done a nearly perfect job of capturing the characters in all of the Claimed books. Each one is simply stunning.



I can't wait to share more about Claimed by the Zyndevine - and I will, soon. Excerpts and other fun things are planned for the release, so stay tuned!